Effect of Focus of Attention on Rate of Torque Development in the Knee Extensors

Background: The ability to produce rapid muscle force and joint torque is important for performance in sports, injury prevention and rehabilitation, and balance recovery. One way to measure rapid torque production is rate of torque development (RTD), which is the slope of the torque-time curve. Interventions aimed at increasing RTD are of interest. Adopting an external focus of attention, which is focused on one’s environment, has been found to enhance peak torque production compared to an internal focus of attention, which is focused on one’s bodily movements. However, the effects of focus of attention on RTD is unknown. Methods: Thirty participants evenly split between sexes (age = 22.1 ± 2.6 years, mass = 78.98 ± 11.71 kg, and height = 173.78 ± 11.00 cm) completed a minimum of three and a maximum of eight trials of maximal voluntary isometric contractions of the knee extensors under both external and internal focus conditions. External focus instructions were, “While looking straight ahead, try to push out as hard and fast as you can while focusing on the device arm.” Internal focus instructions were, “While looking straight ahead, try to push out as hard and fast as you can while focusing on the muscles on the front of your thigh.” Paired t-tests were used to compare the two conditions for both peak torque and RTD. Results: RTD was significantly greater during the external focus condition than during the internal focus condition (external focus 11.16 ± 4.98 N·m·kg⁻¹·s⁻¹ versus internal focus 9.92 ± 4.22 N·m·kg⁻¹·s⁻¹, p = 0.0248). There was no significant difference in peak torque between conditions (external focus 2.14 ± 0.60 N·m·kg⁻¹ versus internal focus 2.08 ± 0.61 N·m·kg⁻¹, p = 0.1887). Conclusion: An external focus of attention elicited a 12.4% greater RTD than the internal focus of attention. However, there was no difference in peak torque condition. This improved rapid torque production may be important in situations that require explosive movement, such as in sport performance and the prevention of injuries and falls. Key Words: explosive movement, peak torque, rate of force development, internal focus, external focu

Energy Trends: September 2020

Energy Trends and Energy Prices are produced by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on a quarterly basis. Both periodicals are published concurrently in June, September, December and March. The September editions cover the second quarter of the current year

Ozanimod for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis [ID3841] A Single Technology Appraisal

This report was commissioned by the NIHR Systematic Reviews Programme as project number 13/54/43Executive Summary: This summary provides a brief overview of the key issues identified by the evidence review group (ERG) as being potentially important for decision-making. It also includes the ERG’s preferred assumptions and the resulting incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). • Section 1.1 provides an overview of the key issues and the differences in the assumptions of the company and the ERG in economic analysis. • Section 1.2 provides an overview of key model outcomes and the modelling assumptions that have the greatest effect on the ICER. • Sections 1.3 to 1.5 explain the key issues in more detail. Background information on the condition, technology and evidence and information on non-key issues are in the main ERG report. • Sections 1.6 and 1.7 provide an overview of the ERG’s preferred base case and sensitivity analyses undertaken by the ERG. All issues identified represent the ERG’s view, not the opinion of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

Does the Order of Invasive Species Removal Matter? The Case of the Eagle and the Pig

Invasive species are recognized as a primary driver of native species endangerment and their removal is often a key component of a conservation strategy. Removing invasive species is not always a straightforward task, however, especially when they interact with other species in complex ways to negatively influence native species. Because unintended consequences may arise if all invasive species cannot be removed simultaneously, the order of their removal is of paramount importance to ecological restoration. In the mid-1990s, three subspecies of the island fox Urocyon littoralis were driven to near extinction on the northern California Channel Islands owing to heightened predation by golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos. Eagles were lured to the islands by an abundant supply of feral pigs Sus scrofa and through the process of apparent competition pigs indirectly facilitated the decline in foxes. As a consequence, both pigs and eagles had to be removed to recover the critically endangered fox. Complete removal of pigs was problematic: removing pigs first could force eagles to concentrate on the remaining foxes, increasing their probability of extinction. Removing eagles first was difficult: eagles are not easily captured and lethal removal was politically distasteful.Using prey remains collected from eagle nests both before and after the eradication of pigs, we show that one pair of eagles that eluded capture did indeed focus more on foxes. These results support the premise that if the threat of eagle predation had not been mitigated prior to pig removal, fox extinction would have been a more likely outcome.If complete eradication of all interacting invasive species is not possible, the order in which they are removed requires careful consideration. If overlooked, unexpected consequences may result that could impede restoration

Can the outcome of pelvic-floor rehabilitation in patients with fecal incontinence be predicted?

Purpose: Pelvic-floor rehabilitation does not provide the same degree of relief in all fecal incontinent patients. We aimed at studying prospectively the ability of tests to predict the outcome of pelvic-floor rehabilitation in patients with fecal incontinence. Materials and methods: Two hundred fifty consecutive patients (228 women) underwent medical history and a standardized series of tests, including physical examination, anal manometry, pudendal nerve latency testing, anal sensitivity testing, rectal capacity measurement, defecography, endoanal sonography, and endoanal magnetic resonance imaging. Subsequently, patients were referred for pelvic-floor rehabilitation. Outcome of pelvic-floor rehabilitation was quantified by the Vaizey incontinence score. Linear regression analyses were used to identify candidate predictors and to construct a multivariable prediction model for the posttreatment Vaizey score. Results: After pelvic-floor rehabilitation, the mean baseline Vaizey score (18, SD±3) was reduced with 3.2 points (p<0.001). In addition to the baseline Vaizey score, three elements from medical history were significantly associated with the posttreatment Vaizey score (presence of passive incontinence, thin stool consistency, primary repair of a rupture after vaginal delivery at childbed) (R2, 0.18). Th

It's not too Late for the Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja): High Levels Of Genetic Diversity and Differentiation Can Fuel Conservation Programs

Article on the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) and how high levels of genetic diversity and differentiation can fuel conservation programs

Postoperative complications after procedure for prolapsed hemorrhoids (PPH) and stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) procedures

Procedure for prolapsing hemorrhoids (PPH) and stapled transanal rectal resection for obstructed defecation (STARR) carry low postoperative pain, but may be followed by unusual and severe postoperative complications. This review deals with the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of adverse events that may occasionally be life threatening. PPH and STARR carry the expected morbidity following anorectal surgery, such as bleeding, strictures and fecal incontinence. Complications that are particular to these stapled procedures are rectovaginal fistula, chronic proctalgia, total rectal obliteration, rectal wall hematoma and perforation with pelvic sepsis often requiring a diverting stoma. A higher complication rate and worse results are expected after PPH for fourth-degree piles. Enterocele and anismus are contraindications to PPH and STARR and both operations should be used with caution in patients with weak sphincters. In conclusion, complications after PPH and STARR are not infrequent and may be difficult to manage. However, if performed in selected cases by skilled specialists aware of the risks and associated diseases, some complications may be prevented

Colorectal and uterine movement and tension of the inferior hypogastric plexus in cadavers

Background: Hypotheses on somatovisceral dysfunction often assume interference by stretch or compression of the nerve supply to visceral structures. The purpose of this study is to examine the potential of pelvic visceral movement to create tension of the loose connective tissue that contains the fine branches of the inferior hypogastric nerve plexus. Methods: Twenty eight embalmed human cadavers were examined. Pelvic visceral structures were displaced by very gentle 5 N unidirectional tension and the associated movement of the endopelvic fascia containing the inferior hypogastric plexus that this caused was measured. Results: Most movement of the fascia containing the inferior hypogastric plexus was obtained by pulling the rectosigmoid junction or broad ligament of the uterus. The plexus did not cross any vertebral joints and the fascia containing it did not move on pulling the hypogastric nerve. Conclusions: Uterine and rectosigmoid displacement produce most movement of the fascia containing the hypogastric nerve plexus, potentially resulting in nerve tension. In the living this might occur as a consequence of menstruation, pregnancy or constipation. This may be relevant to somatovisceral reflex theories of the effects of manual therapy on visceral conditions.Ian P Johnso