Effectiveness of video-based rehabilitation program on pain, functionality, and quality of life in the treatment of rotator cuff tears: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Video-based rehabilitation programs, which are also used in the treatment of neurological disorders, could be a beneficial treatment option for patients who cannot receive treatment

A structured exercise programme combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching or static stretching in posttraumatic stiffness of the elbow: a randomized controlled trial

Objectives: To compare the different stretching techniques, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching and static stretching, in patients with elbow stiffness after a treated elbow fracture. Design: Randomized-controlled, single-blind study. Setting: Department of physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Subjects: Forty patients with posttraumatic elbow stiffness (24 women; mean age, 41.34 +/- 7.57 years). Intervention: PNF stretching group (n = 20), hold-relax PNF stretching combined with a structured exercise programme (two days per week for six weeks); static stretching group (n = 20), static stretching combined with a structured exercise programme (two days per week for six weeks). Main measures: The primary outcome is the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). The secondary outcomes are active range of motion (AROM), visual analogue scale (VAS), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Short Form-12 and Global Rating of Change. Participants were assessed at baseline, after a six-week intervention period and one-month later (follow-up). Results: After treatment, improvement in the mean DASH score was slightly better in the PNF stretching group (8.66 +/- 6.15) compared with the static stretching group (19.25 +/- 10.30) (p = 0.03). The overall group-by-time interaction for the 2 x 3 mixed-model analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was also significant for elbow flexion AROM (mean change for PNF stretching group; static stretching group; 41.10, 34.42, p = 0.04), VAS-rest (-1.31, -1.08, p = 0.03) and VAS-activity (-3.78, -3.47, p = 0.01) in favour of PNF stretching group. The other outcomes did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the structured exercise programme combined with PNF stretching might be effective in patients with posttraumatic elbow stiffness with regard to improving function, elbow flexion AROM, pain at rest and during activity

Power Scheduling in Privacy Enhanced Microgrid Networks with Renewables and Storage

13th IEEE Annual Consumer Communications and Networking Conference (CCNC) (2016 : Las Vegas, NV)As many countries embark on a major transitioning to the Smart Grid (SG), realizing the benefits of the new paradigm depends on generation, collection, and usage of unprecedented amount of data. With such proliferated data processing, there are legitimate concerns that call for sound privacy measures to ensure proper safekeeping. A significant portion of the potential benefits of the SG initiative, thus, relies on devising convincing mechanisms to strengthen the privacy. As a new distribution subsystem, microgrids are expected to play a crucial role in the SG. In this paper, we develop a privacy-aware microgrid power scheduling formulation with renewable sources and energy storage where five different classes of appliances are prioritized by smart meters. Our analysis shows that there is a tradeoff between maximizing the power usage and privacy levels. Hence, it is not possible to find a solution that maximizes both objectives simultaneously. However, it is possible to achieve significantly higher levels of privacy preservation with moderate sacrifice from the power usage, especially when the number of users is high

Does the patients' expectations on kinesiotape affect the outcomes of patients with a rotator cuff tear? A randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective: To investigate the effect of setting expectations verbally on the effectiveness of kinesiotape application in patients with a rotator cuff tear. Design: Randomized controlled, double-blind study. Setting: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. Subjects: Eighty-nine patients with rotator cuff tear. Intervention: Patients were randomized according to the verbal input given to patients about the effectiveness of kinesiotaping; Group 1 (there is no evidence that kinesiotaping is effective), Group 2 (there is limited evidence that kinesiotaping is effective), and Group 3 (there is evidence that kinesiotaping has an excellent effect). Main measures: Resting pain, activity pain, and night pain were assessed by visual analog scale. Range of motion was assessed by a universal goniometer. Function was evaluated by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form before and 24 hours after kinesiotape application. Only resting pain and activity pain were assessed after 30 minutes. Results: There were no statistically significant differences (ANOVA) between any groups at the three assessment points. The intragroup assessment showed that in Group 2, only resting pain after 30 minutes improved (3.2 +/- 2.9 to 2.6 +/- 2.8; P = 0.02). An improvement in resting pain both after 30 minutes and after 24 hours was found in the third group (4.1 +/- 2.4 to 2.3 +/- 2.3, P = 0.001; 4.1 +/- 2.4 to 2.2 +/- 2.3, P = 0.001, respectively). Activity pain and night pain were improved in all groups after 24 hours. Conclusion: Setting positive expectations verbally about kinesiotaping might be effective in reducing pain in patients with rotator cuff tear

Effect of High-Range Water-Reducing Admixture Chain Lengths on Self-Consolidating Concrete

The effect of the length of main and side chains of high-range water-reducing admixture (HRWRA) on some fresh and hardened properties of self-consolidating concretes (SCCs) was researched. admixtures with different side and main chain lengths were synthesized. For a given SCC slump-flow value, the admixture requirement was the least when the admixture having a medium side chain length (2400 g/mol) was used. Moreover, decreasing the main chain length of the admixture improved the fresh properties' retention of SCC. The fact was attributed to the increase in free polymer in the mixture by increasing the side chain length of the admixture. The main and side chain lengths of the HRWRA admixture were significantly influential on the early compressive strength of SCC mixtures but had a negligible effect on their 7- and 28-day compressive strength and 28-day water absorption.Bursa Uluda University Science and Technology Centre (BAP) [219M425, 2016/16, 2018/9]; TUBITAK [217M408]The authors appreciate contributions of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and Bursa Uluda University Science and Technology Centre (BAP) under grant numbers 219M425, AYP (MH) -2016/16, and DDP (MH) -2018/9. In addition, the first author would like to acknowledge the scholarship provided by TUBITAK under grant number 217M408 during his PhD study. The authors would like to thank Polisan Construction Chemicals Company and Bursa Ready Mixed Concrete Plant authorities for their kind assistance in providing the cement and water-reducing admixtures, as well as determining their characteristics

Effect of main and side chain length change of polycarboxylate-ether-based water-reducing admixtures on the fresh state and mechanical properties of cementitious systems

Ramyar, kambiz/0000-0003-2200-2691WOS: 000574694600001In this study, the effect of both main and side chain length changes of the admixtures on some properties of cementitious systems were investigated. Three different polycarboxylate-ether-based water-reducing admixtures (WRA) having constant molecular weights and different main and side chain lengths were synthesized. Single type of raw material and carboxylate functional group were used in all WRAs. the molecular weights, free nonionic contents, and anionic/nonionic ratios of the admixtures were kept constant. Test results showed that degree of fluidity was observed in cement paste and mortar mixtures in case the admixture main and side chain length is more or less than a critical value. This negative effect is thought to be due to the weakening of the adsorption ability by the chain length change of the admixtures, the being tendency of polymers to intertwine and the adsorbing of admixture on several cement particles simultaneous. Admixtures having excessive long or short main chain and side chain improved the time-dependent slump-flow retention of the mortar mixtures. the admixtures with short main and side chains had insufficient adsorption ability and the admixture with excessive long main and side chains had the interlacing risk of polymers. in both cases, time-dependent behavior improved because the amount of free admixture in solution increased. the change in the chain lengths of the WRAs affected the 1-day compressive strength of the mortar mixtures.Bursa Uludag University Scientific Research Projects Centre (BAP) [AYP(MH)-2016/16, DDP(MH)-2018/9, DDP(MH)-2019/15]; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [217M408, 219M425]Bursa Uludag University Scientific Research Projects Centre (BAP), Grant/Award Numbers: AYP(MH)-2016/16, DDP(MH)-2018/9, DDP(MH)-2019/15; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Grant/Award Numbers: 217M408, 219M42

The relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and postoperative pain in total knee and hip arthroplasty

Background and objectives: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is a simple, cost-effective and easily applicable inflammation indicator that is being used frequently in mortality, morbidity and prognosis studies in the recent years. We evaluated the relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and postoperative pain in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty. Material and methods: We included 101 patients who preferred spinal anesthesia and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia in accordance and divided them into two groups, total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty. We recorded demographic information, duration of operation, length of hospital stay, analgesics consumption, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio results and postoperative pain using Visual Analog Scale. Results: The morphine consumption of the patients was as follows in group total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty: at the 4th hour: 7.38 mg, 7.80 mg; 8th hour: 12.19 mg, 13.29 mg; 12th hour: 16.94 mg, 19.18 mg; 24th hour: 25.97 mg, 27.98 mg; 48th hour: 36.38 mg, 39.59 mg. The Visual Analog Scale scores of the patients was as follows in group total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty: at the 4th hour: 4.10, 4.51; 8th hour: 3.02, 3.43; 12th hour: 2.29, 2.55; 24th hour: 1.90, 1.87; 48th hour: 1.08, 1.13. In group total hip arthroplasty, we found a statistically significant association between postoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and the Visual Analog Scale values on the 48th hour in a positive direction (r = 0.311; P = 0.031; P < 0.05). Conclusion: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio can be accepted as a relatively objective method for the diagnosis of postoperative pain. Resumo: Justificativa e objetivos: A proporção entre neutrófilo/linfócito é um indicador de inflamação simples, custo-efetivo e de fácil aplicação que vem sendo utilizado com frequência em estudos de mortalidade, morbidade e prognóstico nos últimos anos. Avaliamos a relação entre a proporção neutrófilo/linfócito e a dor pós-operatória em pacientes submetidos à artroplastia total de quadril e artroplastia total de joelho. Material e métodos: No total, 101 pacientes que preferiram a raquianestesia e a analgesia venosa controlada pelo paciente foram incluídos e divididos em dois grupos neste estudo: artroplastia total de quadril e artroplastia total de joelho. Os dados demográficos e os tempos de operação, internação hospitalar e consumo de analgésicos e os resultados da proporção neutrófilo/linfócito e da dor pós-operatória foram registrados usando uma escala visual analógica. Resultados: O consumo de morfina dos pacientes submetidos à artroplastia total de quadril e artroplastia total de joelho nas horas 4, 8, 12, 24 e 45 foi de, respectivamente: 7,38 mg e 7,80 mg; 12,19 mg e 13,29 mg; 16,94 mg e 19,18 mg; 25,97 mg e 27,98 mg; 36,38 mg e 39,59 mg. Os escores obtidos na escala visual analógica dos pacientes submetidos à artroplastia total de quadril e artroplastia total de joelho nas horas 4, 8, 12, 24 e 48 foram, respectivamente, os seguintes: 4,10 e 4,51; 3,02 e 3,43; 2,29 e 2,55; 1,90 e 1,87; 1,08 e 1,13. Na artroplastia total do quadril, uma associação estatisticamente significativa foi encontrada entre a proporção neutrófilo/linfócito no pós-operatório e os valores da escala visual analógica na 48ª hora em uma direção positiva (r = 0,311; p = 0,031; p < 0,05). Conclusão: A proporção neutrófilo/linfócito pode ser aceita como um método relativamente objetivo para o diagnóstico da dor pós-operatória. Keywords: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, Postoperative pain, Lower extremity arthroplasty, Total knee arthroplasty, Total hip arthroplasty, Palavras-chave: Relação neutrófilo/linfócito, Dor pós-operatória, Artroplastia de extremidade inferior, Artroplastia total de joelho, Artroplastia total de quadri