EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT HEIGHTS OF BOX DROP VERTICAL JUMP ON THE CHRONIC ANKLE INSTABILITY INDIVIDUALS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different height of box drop vertical jump DVJ) among the healthy control, coper, and CAI groups. Participants were asked to perform a box drop vertical jump and followed with a single-leg landing on the force plate. The DVJ height was 10cm, 30cm, and 50cm. Results from the current study indicated two major findings: Three groups showed difference in frontal plan and sagittal plane when doing 50cm DVJ task, In sequence for CAI ,coper and healthy group. Our findings indicated that different landing strategy of ankle joints exist among 3 groups

Elevated activated partial thromboplastin time-based clot waveform analysis markers have strong positive association with acute venous thromboembolism

Introduction: A hypercoagulable state is a predisposition for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)-based clot waveform analysis (CWA) is a global haemostatic measure but its role in assessment of hypercoagulability and thrombotic disorders is uncertain. We aimed to study the changes of CWA parameters in acute VTE. We hypothesized that patients with acute VTE would demonstrate higher CWA values than control patients without VTE and having elevated CWA parameters is associated with acute VTE. Materials and methods: Clot waveform analysis data from patients (N = 45) with objectively proven acute VTE who had an aPTT performed prior to initiation of anticoagulation were compared with controls (N = 111). The CWA parameters measured were min1, min2, max2 and delta change. Results: While the mean aPTT between VTE patients and controls did not differ (P = 0.830), the mean CWA parameters were significantly higher among VTE patients than controls (min1, P < 0.001; min2, P = 0.001; max2, P = 0.002; delta change, P < 0.001). There were significantly more cases within the VTE group exhibiting CWA values above their reference intervals than the control group (all P < 0.001), with the odds ratios for VTE of 8.0, 5.2, 4.8 and 18.6 for min1, min2, max2 and delta change, respectively (all P < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with acute VTE had elevated aPTT-based CWA parameters than controls. Higher CWA parameters were significantly associated with acute VTE

Online knowledge construction in networked learning communities

Networked Learning Communities (NLCs) comprise individuals from different schools or organisations collaborating with one another in purposeful and sustained professional development (Jackson &amp; Temperley, 2007).&nbsp; Knowledge construction is central to the work of NLCs as networked learning entails the construction of new knowledge by tapping members’ personal practitioner knowledge and the public knowledge base.&nbsp; In Singapore, some NLCs sustain their professional learning through online interactions in collaboration groups within "One Portal All Learners (OPAL)", a learning and content management system developed by the Ministry of Education (MOE).&nbsp; This paper outlines a project that studied knowledge construction within 10 OPAL collaboration groups created by NLCs (“ONLCs”), the roles adopted by the members, and the factors that influenced members' participation in knowledge construction within the ONLCs.&nbsp; According to the Interaction Analysis Model (IAM) by Gunawardena, Lowe, and Anderson (1997), knowledge construction in online collaborative environments progresses over five levels: (a) sharing and comparing of information; (b) discovery and exploration of dissonance or inconsistency among ideas; (c) negotiation of meaning; (d) testing and modification; and (e) application of newly-constructed meaning.&nbsp; Findings revealed that the majority of the online knowledge constructions were at the level of sharing and comparing of information.&nbsp; Six possible factors that influenced members' engagement in knowledge construction in the ONLCs were identified through focus group discussions.&nbsp; The factors identified were (a) a structured approach for enacting NLCs, (b) organisational support, (c) a conducive environment that enables trust to be built among members, (d) shared ownership among members, (e) a culture of sharing that prioritises higher levels of knowledge construction, and (f) OPAL as an enabler.&nbsp; Using findings from the study and from literature, an implementation framework was developed to promote knowledge construction in ONLCs.&nbsp; The implementation framework was field-tested by four NLCs and then refined based on feedback gathered.&nbsp; The feedback gathered on the implementation framework was generally positive and participants found it to be comprehensive, although many felt that the efficacy of the implementation framework to support online knowledge construction may be limited by the affordances of the online collaborative workspace being used.&nbsp; However, the key to raising the level of knowledge construction could lie in nurturing a conducive environment and a culture of sharing, and fostering shared ownership.&nbsp; These three factors can work together to shape the dynamics within the NLC, to help members recognise the importance of co-owning and co-leading the NLC's professional learning

Integrable boundary impurities in the t-J model with different gradings

We investigate the generalized supersymmetric $t-J$ model with boundary impurities in different gradings. All three different gradings: fermion, fermion, boson (FFB), boson, fermion, fermion (BFF) and fermion, boson, fermion (FBF), are studied for the generalized supersymmetric $t-J$ model. Boundary K-matrix operators are found for the different gradings. By using the graded algebraic Bethe ansatz method, we obtain the eigenvalues and the corresponding Bethe ansatz equations for the transfer matrix.Comment: Latex file, 20 page

STK15 Phe31Ile and Val57Ile polymorphisms increase the risk of gastrointestinal cancer

STK15 is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates chromosomal segregation during mitosis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this gene, Phe31Ile (rs2273535) and Val57Ile (rs1047972), are inconsistently associated with gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) across different populations. However, this association is unclear in Malaysian population. Therefore, this study investigated the association of STK15 Phe31Ile and Val57Ile polymorphisms to GIC risk in Malaysia. Genomic DNA was extracted from 185 GIC patients and 1110 healthy controls and was subjected to polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. SNPs were further confirmed using sequencing. We found that the 31Phe allele and 31Phe/Phe genotype in the Phe31Ile SNP significantly increased GIC risk in Malaysian population, particularly in gastric cancer (p<0.017). The combined analysis for both SNPs also increased the risk of GIC in this study. Etiological factors such as age, gender and ethnicity were not associated with GIC in the population. This is the first study to report the association of STK15 Phe31Ile and Val57Ile SNPs with an increased risk of GIC in Malaysians; the 31Phe allele is exclusively associated with the risk of gastric cancer. In addition, GIC incidences among Malaysians have significantly shifted to a younger age (<50 years)

Genetic data for 15 STR loci in Kadazan-Dusun population from East Malaysia

Allele frequencies of 15 short tandem repeat (STR) loci, namely D5S818, D7S820, D13S317, D16S539, TH01, TPOX, Penta D, Penta E, D3S1358, D8S1179, D18S51, D21S11, CSF1PO, vWA, and FGA, were determined for 154 individuals from the Kadazan-Dusun tribe, an indigenous population of East Malaysia. All loci were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, using the Powerplex 16 system. Alleles were typed using a gene analyzer and the Genemapper ID software. Various statistical parameters were calculated and the combined power of discrimination for the 15 loci in the population was calculated as 0.999999999999999. These loci are thus, informative and can be used effectively in forensic and genetic studies of this indigenous population

Frame-based mapping mechanism for energy-efficient MPEG-4 video transmission over IEEE 802.11e networks with better quality of delivery

Recent developments in hardware, software and communication technologies have resulted in increasing interest in the use of wireless local area networks (WLANs). Mobile devices with embedded WLAN functionality are becoming increasingly popular. Such devices must be designed to support applications that require high quality of service (QoS) and have favorable to maximize battery capacity. The resources of queues in IEEE 802.11e networks may be wasted by the transmission of information that is useless to the receiver. This work develops a frame-based mapping mechanism (FBM) that exploits different methods to process I/P/B (Intra/Predictive/Bipredictive) video frame packets. FBM refers to the dropping of arriving packets if the preceding packets in the same video frame have been dropped. When fragmented packets of a single frame are allocated to different access categories (AC) queues, out-of order delivery may occur. Hence, FBM tries to treat all fragmented packets of each video frame equally and allocates them to the same AC queue if possible. The simulation results demonstrate that transmission by the FBM is more efficient than that by other mechanisms, such as EDCA (Enhanced Distributed Channel Access), static mapping and adaptive mapping, suggesting that the energy of a device is not wasted in the transmission of useless video data in WLANs. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Foundation item: The National Project of Taiwan (No.: MOST 103-2221-E507-001). Authors are grateful to Ministry of Science and Technology Grant no. (MOST 103-2221-E507-001), Government of Taiwan for financial support to carry out this work.Ke, C.; Yang, C.; Chen, J.; Ghafoor, KZ.; Lloret, J. (2015). Frame-based mapping mechanism for energy-efficient MPEG-4 video transmission over IEEE 802.11e networks with better quality of delivery. Journal of Network and Computer Applications. 58:280-286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnca.2015.08.005S2802865

The relationship between hope, medical expenditure and survival among advanced cancer patients

INTRODUCTION: Among those with advanced illness, higher levels of hope may offer physiological benefits. Yet, greater levels of hope may also encourage aggressive treatments. Therefore, higher levels of hope may lead to greater healthcare utilization, higher expenditure, and longer survival. We test these hypotheses among patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: A secondary data analysis from a cross-sectional survey of 195 advanced cancer patients with high mortality risk linked to subsequent healthcare utilization (outpatient, day surgeries, non-emergency admissions), health expenditures, and death records. The survey collected data on hope, measured generally by the Herth Hope Index (HHI) and more narrowly by two questions on illness-related hope. Generalized linear regression and Cox models were used to test our hypotheses. RESULTS: 142 (78%) survey participants died during the period of analysis, with close to half (46%) doing so within a year of the survey. Contrary to expectation, HHI scores did not have a significant association with healthcare utilization, expenditure or survival. Yet, illness-related hope, defined as those who expected to live at least 2 years, as opposed to the likely prognosis of 1 year or less as determined by the primary treating oncologist, had 6.6 more planned hospital encounters (95% CI 0.90 to 12.30) in the 12-months following the survey and 41% lower mortality risk (hazard ratio: 0.59, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.99) compared to those who were less optimistic. Secondary analysis among decedents showed that patients who believed that the primary intent of their treatment is curative, had higher total expenditure (S$30,712; 95$3,143 to S$58,282) in the last 12 months of life than those who did not have this belief. CONCLUSION: We find no evidence of a relationship between a general measure of hope and healthcare utilization, expenditure, or survival among advanced cancer patients. However, greater illness-related hope is positively associated with these outcomes.Peer reviewe