Time-course changes associated with PA Lumbar Mobilizations on Lumbar and Hamstring Range of Motion:A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

Objective: We aimed to compare the post-intervention time-course changes in active knee extension (AKE) and active lumbar flexion (ALF) range of motion in response to unilateral posterior–anterior (UPA) mobilizations of the lumbar spine (L4/5 zygapophyseal). Methods: Twenty-four asymptomatic participants (maleness: 0.58, age [mean ± standard deviation]: 32 ± 8 years, body mass index 25.9 ± 2.6 kg m2) were recruited to a fully controlled crossover trial. Following either the intervention (L4/5 zygapophyseal mobilizations) or control, participants immediately performed the AKE and ALF tests, which were also performed at baseline. Subsequent tests were made at intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45 and 60 min. Results: After adjustment for baseline (mean AKE: 37.2° from full extension, mean ALF: 14.37 cm), sex and age, UPA lumbar mobilizations had a most likely moderate effect on AKE (9.8° closer to full extension; ±1.9) and a likely moderate effect on ALF (1.34 cm; ±90% confidence limits 0.43). The magnitude of the AKE effect became most likely small 20-min posttreatment (5.3; ±1.7) and possibly small/possibly trivial 60-min posttreatment (2.1; ±1.4). For ALF, the magnitude of the effect became most likely small 15-min posttreatment (0.76; ±0.25), possibly small/possibly trivial 25-min posttreatment (0.38; ±0.18) and likely trivial 60-min posttreatment (0.26; ±1.8). Discussion: UPA lumbar mobilizations increased lumbar Range of Motion and hamstring extensibility by a moderate magnitude, with the effect reducing after 10–20-min posttreatment. Clinicians should consider these time-course changes when applying UPA lumbar mobilizations

Teachers as leaders in a knowledge society: encouraging signs of a new professionalism

[Abstract]: Challenges confronting schools worldwide are greater than ever,and, likewise, many teachers possess capabilities, talents, and formal credentials more sophisticated than ever. However, the responsibility and authority accorded to teachers have not grown significantly, nor has the image of teaching as a profession advanced significantly. The question becomes, what are the implications for the image and status of the teaching profession as the concept of knowledge society takes a firm hold in the industrialized world? This article addresses the philosophical underpinnings of teacher leadership manifested in case studies where schools sought to achieve the generation of new knowledge as part of a process of whole-school revitalization. Specifically, this article reports on Australian research that has illuminated the work of teacher leaders engaged in the IDEAS project, a joint school revitalization initiative of the University of Southern Queensland and the Queensland Department of Education and the Arts

Spectral study of heat treatment process of wheat flour by VIS/SW-NIR image system

The capability of the VIS/SW-NIR (visible/short wave near infrared) hyperspectral imaging system to characterize the heat treatment process of cake wheat flour was studied. Combinations of heat treatments of flour were run at different temperatures (80, 100 and 130 °C) and for various times (10, 20 and 30 min). The resulting treated flours were analyzed by the imaging technique. The hyperspectral results, studied by multivariate statistical methods, showed a pattern evolution of the flours treated by different heat treatments. The wavelengths that contributed the most, and implied in the differentiations, were detected. The selection of wavelengths allowed us to optimize the analysis, which reduced from 54 to 6 wavelengths. To ensure that the VIS/SW-NIR information depended on the heat treatment influence on flours, cakes were produced and characterized according to height, mass loss during the baking process, crumb structure and textural properties. The VIS/SW-NIR imaging analysis was capable of following the changes that occurred during the different heat treatments of flours. VIS/SW-NIR was applied to determine and adjust the heat treatment process variables to improve the features of flours during the cake production process.Verdú Amat, S.; Ivorra Martínez, E.; Sánchez Salmerón, AJ.; Barat Baviera, JM.; Grau Meló, R. (2016). Spectral study of heat treatment process of wheat flour by VIS/SW-NIR image system. Journal of Cereal Science. 71:99-107. doi:10.1016/j.jcs.2016.08.008S991077

2-Azido-2-de­oxy-3,4-O-isopropyl­idene-2-C-methyl-d-talono-1,5-lactone

The relative stereochemistry of the title compound, C10H15N3O5, was confirmed by the crystal structure determin­ation. The absolute configuration was determined from the use of d-lyxonolactone as the starting material. The six-membered ring adopts a boat conformation with the larger azide group, rather than the methyl group, in the bowsprit position. In the crystal structure, a bifurcated inter­molecular O—H⋯O/O—H⋯N hydrogen bond links mol­ecules into chains running parallel to the b axis

Optimal treatment allocations in space and time for on-line control of an emerging infectious disease

A key component in controlling the spread of an epidemic is deciding where, whenand to whom to apply an intervention.We develop a framework for using data to informthese decisionsin realtime.We formalize a treatment allocation strategy as a sequence of functions, oneper treatment period, that map up-to-date information on the spread of an infectious diseaseto a subset of locations where treatment should be allocated. An optimal allocation strategyoptimizes some cumulative outcome, e.g. the number of uninfected locations, the geographicfootprint of the disease or the cost of the epidemic. Estimation of an optimal allocation strategyfor an emerging infectious disease is challenging because spatial proximity induces interferencebetween locations, the number of possible allocations is exponential in the number oflocations, and because disease dynamics and intervention effectiveness are unknown at outbreak.We derive a Bayesian on-line estimator of the optimal allocation strategy that combinessimulation–optimization with Thompson sampling.The estimator proposed performs favourablyin simulation experiments. This work is motivated by and illustrated using data on the spread ofwhite nose syndrome, which is a highly fatal infectious disease devastating bat populations inNorth America

6-Azido-6-de­oxy-α-l-galactose (6-azido-l-fucose) monohydrate

Although 6-azido-6-de­oxy-l-galactose in aqueous solution is in equilibrium between the open-chain, furan­ose and pyran­ose forms, it crystallizes solely as 6-azido-6-de­oxy-α-l-galactopyran­ose monohydrate, C6H11N3O5·H2O, with the six-membered ring adopting a chair conformation. The structure exists as hydrogen-bonded chains, with each mol­ecule acting as a donor and acceptor of five hydrogen bonds. There are no unusual crystal packing features and the absolute configuration was determined from the use of 1-azido-1-de­oxy-d-galactitol as the starting material

Short-term efficacy of physical interventions in osteoarthritic knee pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Treatment efficacy of physical agents in osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK) pain has been largely unknown, and this systematic review was aimed at assessing their short-term efficacies for pain relief. METHODS: Systematic review with meta-analysis of efficacy within 1-4 weeks and at follow up at 1-12 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: 36 randomised placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) were identified with 2434 patients where 1391 patients received active treatment. 33 trials satisfied three or more out of five methodological criteria (Jadad scale). The patient sample had a mean age of 65.1 years and mean baseline pain of 62.9 mm on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Within 4 weeks of the commencement of treatment manual acupuncture, static magnets and ultrasound therapies did not offer statistically significant short-term pain relief over placebo. Pulsed electromagnetic fields offered a small reduction in pain of 6.9 mm [95% CI: 2.2 to 11.6] (n = 487). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS, including interferential currents), electro-acupuncture (EA) and low level laser therapy (LLLT) offered clinically relevant pain relieving effects of 18.8 mm [95% CI: 9.6 to 28.1] (n = 414), 21.9 mm [95% CI: 17.3 to 26.5] (n = 73) and 17.7 mm [95% CI: 8.1 to 27.3] (n = 343) on VAS respectively versus placebo control. In a subgroup analysis of trials with assumed optimal doses, short-term efficacy increased to 22.2 mm [95% CI: 18.1 to 26.3] for TENS, and 24.2 mm [95% CI: 17.3 to 31.3] for LLLT on VAS. Follow-up data up to 12 weeks were sparse, but positive effects seemed to persist for at least 4 weeks after the course of LLLT, EA and TENS treatment was stopped. CONCLUSION: TENS, EA and LLLT administered with optimal doses in an intensive 2-4 week treatment regimen, seem to offer clinically relevant short-term pain relief for OAK

Effect of TENS on pain in relation to central sensitization in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Central sensitization has recently been documented in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OAk). So far, the presence of central sensitization has not been considered as a confounding factor in studies assessing the pain inhibitory effect of tens on osteoarthritis of the knee. The purpose of this study is to explore the pain inhibitory effect of burst tens in OAk patients and to explore the prognostic value of central sensitization on the pain inhibitory effect of tens in OAk patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Patients with knee pain due to OAk will be recruited through advertisements in local media. Temporal summation, before and after a heterotopic noxious conditioning stimulation, will be measured. In addition, pain on a numeric rating score, WOMAC subscores for pain and function and global perceived effect will be assessed. Patients will be randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups (tens, sham tens). Follow-up measurements will be scheduled after a period of 6 and 12 weeks.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Tens influences pain through the electrical stimulation of low-threshold A-beta cutaneous fibers. The responsiveness of central pain-signaling neurons of centrally sensitized OAk patients may be augmented to the input of these electrical stimuli. This would encompass an adverse therapy effect of tens. To increase treatment effectiveness it might be interesting to identify a subgroup of symptomatic OAk patients, i.e., non-sensitized patients, who are likely to benefit from burst tens.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01390285">NCT01390285</a></p

(Re)Moralizing the suicide debate

Contemporary approaches to the study of suicide tend to examine suicide as a medical or public health problem rather than a moral problem, avoiding the kinds of judgements that have historically characterised discussions of the phenomenon. But morality entails more than judgement about action or behaviour, and our understanding of suicide can be enhanced by attending to its cultural, social, and linguistic connotations. In this work, I offer a theoretical reconstruction of suicide as a form of moral experience that delineates five distinct, yet interrelated domains of understanding – the temporal, the relational, the existential, the ontological, and the linguistic. Attention to each of these domains, I argue, not only enriches our understanding of the moral realm, but provides a heuristic for examining the moral traditions and practices which constitute contemporary understandings of suicide. Keywords: Suicide; philosophy; social values; humanitie