High phosphate content significantly increases apatite formation of fluoride-containing bioactive glasses

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Acta Biomaterialia. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Acta Biomaterialia, [VOL 7, ISSUE 4, (2001)] DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2010.11.03

Inaudibility criteria and alternative methods for controlling music noise levels from late night entertainment

The methods and criteria for controlling music noise levels from late night entertainment has always been a controversial and highly debated topic. Since the early 1980s a subjective criterion of inaudibility has been commonly used in many parts of the UK. It has faced fierce criticism in many respects, such as in legal proceedings where it has been argued to not be compliant with the Licensing Act 2003. However, as no mainstream alternative has been adopted, the requirement for inaudibility continues to be used in many premises’ licences that are either for fixed or temporary sites, and for both indoor and outdoor events. This paper aims to evaluate recently proposed alternative methods and to start an open discussion on the topic of music and entertainment noise levels, particularly during late-night hours

The inheritance of halothane susceptibility in pigs

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Substitution of strontium for calcium in glass ionomer cements (Part 1): Glass synthesis and characterisation, and the effects on the cement handling variables and setting reaction

Objectives: To investigate the effects of substituting strontium for calcium in fluoroaluminosilicate glass on the handling variables and setting reaction of high-viscosity glass ionomer cements.Design: An exploratory, laboratory-based study.Setting: Dental biomaterials research laboratory, Dental Physical Sciences Unit, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London.Subjects: A series of five glasses in which strontium substitutes for calcium and based on the general formula: 4.5SiO2 - 3Al2O3 – 1.25P2O5 – xSrO - ySrF,sub>2 – zCaO - yCaF2, where x = 0, 0.5, 1.5 or 3; y = 0, 1 or 2; and, z = 0, 1.5, 2.5 or 3 were synthesized, ground, sieved and the powders characterised by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), particle size analysis and thermal analysis. Thereafter, they were mixed with poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) and aqueous tartaric acid to form glass ionomer cements, whose properties were investigated at different time points: working and setting times were determined by rheometry;  and, the setting reaction was studied by Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Results: XRD confirmed the amorphous nature of the glasses, while thermal analysis showed a mixed alkaline/entropic effect on the glass transition temperature. Working and setting times did not vary significantly with strontium content but the shortest times were recorded for the cement with the smallest particle size.Conclusion: The results suggest that substitution of strontium for calcium has insignificant effects on the manipulation and setting reaction of the cement; therefore, substitution can be optimised to produce restorative materials with beneficial anticariogenic properties

Self-esteem outcomes over a summer camp for obese youth.

Variation in the existing literature on the psychosocial benefits of weight loss in obese youth results, in part, from methodological limitations and modest weight loss. Accordingly, this research assessed perceived self-competence and low self-esteem during an intensive weight loss programme in a large sample of obese youth and related these to starting weight, gender and weight loss.Over 4 years, 303 obese male and female adolescents (body mass index [BMI] 34.3 kg m(-2) , BMI standard deviation score 2.99; 14.7 years) attended a residential weight loss camp for a mean duration of 31 d. Outcome variables included dimensional self-esteem (Harter) and weight change over the camp.At the start of camp, obese youth scored highest on social acceptance and lowest on physical appearance and athletic competence. Global self-worth and most domains of self-competence improved significantly over the intervention. The proportion with low global self-worth reduced from 35% to 16%, but there was little change in the proportion reporting high self-competence (23%). Mean weight loss was -5.5 kg (BMI standard deviation scores -0.25) with boys and those heaviest at the start losing most. Weight loss was significantly correlated with improved physical appearance (r = 0.13) and athletic competence (r = 0.19), but not global self-worth.This intensive weight loss intervention yielded significant psychological benefit, especially in self-competence and among individuals achieving most weight loss. The weak association with weight loss suggests the influence of other contributing environmental or social features that should be the focus of further research

The redesign and re-evaluation of an internet-based telerehabilitation system for the assessment of dysarthria in adults

A previous study revealed that reliable assessment of dysarthria was feasible. However, that study also revealed a number of system limitations and suggested that technological enhancements and improvements in study design and clinical assessment protocols were needed before validity and reliability of assessment of dysarthria via telerehabilitation could be confirmed. In the current study, improvements in technology, study design, and clinical assessment protocols were implemented in order to re-examine the validity and reliability of assessing and diagnosing dysarthria via the telerehabilitation medium. The aim of this study was to explore the validity and reliability of assessing dysarthria using both formal standardized and informal assessments via a purpose-built telerehabilitation system. Twenty-four participants with an acquired dysarthria were assessed simultaneously via telerehabilitation and face-to-face (FTF) on a battery of assessments. A custom-built telerehabilitation system enabled real-time telerehabilitation assessment over a 128 Kbps Internet connection. Data analysis included an analysis of strength of agreement between the two methods using percentage agreement and weighted Κ statistics. Inter-rater and intrarater reliability were also examined for both the FTF and telerehabilitation-led assessments. Good strength of agreement was found between the FTF and telerehabilitation assessment methods. High intrarater and inter-rater reliability within both the FTF and telerehabilitation assessment methods supported these findings. Participants reported high overall satisfaction in the telerehabilitation environment. This study describes the improvements made to the telerehabilitation system reported previously and confirms that valid and reliable assessment of dysarthria using both standardized and informal assessments over the Internet is possible using this system

Time-motion characteristics and physiological responses of small-sided games in elite youth players: The influence of player number and rule changes

The aim of this study was to examine acute physiological responses and time-motion characteristics associated with 4 soccer-specific small-sided game (SSG) formats (3 vs. 4 players, 3 vs. 3 players + floater, 5 vs. 6 players, and 5 vs. 5 players + floater) and 4 rule changes in elite youth soccer players. Sixteen male youth soccer players (mean ± SD: age = 15.6 ± 0.8 years, stature = 170.8 ± 6.6 cm, body mass = 67.5 ± 6.2 kg, and 20-m shuttle run estimated V̇2 max = 57.4 ± 3.7 ml·kg-1-min-1) participated in the study, in which heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate (La -), and time-motion characteristics were recorded. The rule change requiring extra sprint running had a greater effect on the time-motion characteristics than all other rule modifications but no effect on acute %HRmax, La-, and RPE. Rule changes had no effect on RPE. Fixed underload teams (i.e., lower number of players compared with the opponent team) recorded a significantly higher RPE compared with the fixed overload teams, although there were no differences in %HRmax and La-. The major practical findings are that subtle changes in SSGs playing rules can influence the physiological, perceptual, and time-motion responses in young elite soccer players. Rules that are related to a team's chances of scoring may improve player motivation and thereby increase training intensity during SSGs. There were no differences between fixed and variable formats in terms of physiological and perceptual responses, although both may provide useful technical-tactical training. Coaches should take care in designing different soccer SSGs as each rule or game format change may influence exercise intensity independently. © 2010 National Strength and Conditioning Association

Can custom 3D printed implants successfully reconstruct massive acetabular defects? A 3D-CT assessment

We report on the accuracy, measured with three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) postoperatively, in positioning custom 3D printed titanium components in patients with large acetabular defects. Twenty patients (13 females and 7 males) received custom-made acetabular implants between 2016 and 2018; the mean age was 66 years (SD = 11.6) and their mean body mass index was 28 (SD = 6.1). The median time to follow up was 25.5 months, range: 12 to 40 months. We describe a comparison method that uses the 3D models of CT-generated preoperative plans and the postoperative CT scans to quantify the discrepancy between planned and achieved component positions. Our primary outcome measures were the 3D-CT-measured difference between planned and achieved a component position in six degrees of freedom: center of rotation (CoR), component rotation, inclination (INC), and version (VER) of the cup. Our secondary outcome measures were: Oxford hip score, walking status, and complication rate. All components (100%) were positioned within 10 mm of planned CoR (in the three planes). Eighteen (95%) components were not rotated by more than 10° compared to the plan. Eleven (58%) components were positioned within 5° of planned cup angle (INC and VER). To date one complication has occurred, a periprosthetic fracture. This is the largest study in which postoperative 3D-CT measurements and clinical outcomes of custom-made acetabular components have been assessed. Accurate pre-op planning and the adoption of custom 3D printed implants show promising results in complex hip revision surgery