The effects of myofascial manual therapy on muscle activity and blood flow in people with low back pain

Over the past ten years structured clinical massage techniques aimed at the myofascial structures of the body have become a common choice of therapy for people with low back pain (LBP) (Ajimsha, Al-Mudahka and Al-Madzhar, 2015), yet the mechanisms behind their effects remain unclear. The overall aim of this study was to determine the benefits of myofascial manual therapy through an evaluation of the possible mechanisms associated with changes to muscle activity and blood flow, in people with low back pain. The first study aimed to investigate the effects of structured clinical massage techniques (CM) on the flexion relaxation response (FRP) of the paraspinal muscles, range of movement (ROM), pain and disability profiles in subjects with non-specific chronic low back pain compared to a relaxation massage (RM) treatment. Results indicated a main effect of time for trials achieving FRP for the multifidus muscle F (1, 13) = 12.109, p = .004 and a marginal main effect of time for the erector spinae muscle F (1, 13) = 4.495, p = .054. There were significant improvements in VAS F (1, 13) = 6.74, p = .022, and PRI F (1, 13) = 10.254, p

The acute effects of integrated myofascial techniques on lumbar paraspinal blood flow compared with kinesio-taping: A pilot study

Background: Myofascial techniques and Kinesio Taping are therapeutic interventions used to treat low back pain. However, limited research has been conducted into the underlying physiological effects of these types of treatments. Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effects of integrated myofascial techniques (IMT) and Kinesio Tape (KT) on blood flow at the lumbar paraspinal musculature. Methods Forty-four healthy participants (18 male and 26 female) (age, 26 ± SD 7) volunteered for this study and were randomly assigned to one of three interventions, IMT, KT or a control group (Sham TENS). Paraspinal blood flow was measured at the L3 vertebral level, using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), before and after a 30-minute treatment. Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) was also measured before and after treatments. Results A one-way ANOVA indicated a significant difference between groups for O2Hb [F (2-41) = 41.6, P<0.001], HHb [F (2-41) = 14.6, P<0.001] and tHb [F (2-41) = 42.2, P <0.001]. Post hoc tests indicated that IMT was significantly greater, from the KT and the control treatments (P<0.001), for changes in O2Hb, HHb, and tHb. There were no significant differences for PPT [F (2-41) = 2.69, p = 0.08], between groups. Conclusions This study demonstrated that IMT increases peripheral blood flow at the paraspinal muscles in healthy participants compared to KT and sham TENS. The change in blood flow had no impact on pain perception in the asymptomatic population group

A New Hybrid Approach for Solving Large-scale Monotone Nonlinear Equations

In this paper, a new hybrid conjugate gradient method for solving monotone nonlinear equations is introduced. The scheme is a combination of the Fletcher-Reeves (FR) and Polak-Ribiére-Polyak (PRP) conjugate gradient methods with the Solodov and Svaiter projection strategy. Using suitable assumptions, the global convergence of the scheme with monotone line search is provided. Lastly, a numerical experiment was used to enumerate the suitability of the proposed scheme for large-scale problems

Exploring Graph Neural Networks for Indian Legal Judgment Prediction

The burdensome impact of a skewed judges-to-cases ratio on the judicial system manifests in an overwhelming backlog of pending cases alongside an ongoing influx of new ones. To tackle this issue and expedite the judicial process, the proposition of an automated system capable of suggesting case outcomes based on factual evidence and precedent from past cases gains significance. This research paper centres on developing a graph neural network-based model to address the Legal Judgment Prediction (LJP) problem, recognizing the intrinsic graph structure of judicial cases and making it a binary node classification problem. We explored various embeddings as model features, while nodes such as time nodes and judicial acts were added and pruned to evaluate the model's performance. The study is done while considering the ethical dimension of fairness in these predictions, considering gender and name biases. A link prediction task is also conducted to assess the model's proficiency in anticipating connections between two specified nodes. By harnessing the capabilities of graph neural networks and incorporating fairness analyses, this research aims to contribute insights towards streamlining the adjudication process, enhancing judicial efficiency, and fostering a more equitable legal landscape, ultimately alleviating the strain imposed by mounting case backlogs. Our best-performing model with XLNet pre-trained embeddings as its features gives the macro F1 score of 75% for the LJP task. For link prediction, the same set of features is the best performing giving ROC of more than 80

Language learning strategies of students in content-based instruction

This study investigates the learning strategies of students at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The study was mainly motivated by concerns about the standards of English of graduates of Malaysian universities. These concerns have also been expressed by the IIUM, one of the few universities in Malaysia using English as the medium of instruction. The primary objective of this research has been to identify what good language learners do to learn a second language. The study investigated frequency of strategy use according to type of courses (i.e. content-based versus non content-based), gender, and proficiency levels. There were 312 students taking English for Occupational Purposes (EOP) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses. Their learning strategies were investigated through an analysis of their responses to Rebecca Oxford’s Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) (Oxford, 1990), an instrument that has been validated in a number of studies. The study found that the students from the different degree programmes differed in the use of the six different strategies. The study also did not find any significant relationship between language learning strategies and gender

Proposed new design for Aprilia Showroom At 43-A, Jalan Pahang, 53000 Kuala Lumpur / Mohd Shah Rizal Mohd Yusuf

1.1.1 Design Mission The intended mission is to create a design that: 1. To design an interior space for Chear Motor Sdn. Bhd. super bike showroom at 43-A, Jalan Pahang, 53000 Kuala Lumpur. 2. The design will create a sporty and stylish environment. 3. To portray the right image for Aprilia Showroom intended function, vision, mission and objective principle. 4. The value of technical design in consideration of compliance technical..

Islamic Religious Identity in Contemporary Kyrgyzstan

This paper assesses the state of Islam in Post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan. It examines the challenges Islam faces due to the diversity of ideologies bequeathed by the Soviet Union. Although Islam emerged as a dominant religious belief in post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan, due to the internal elements of secularism, Tengrism, and other indigenous ideologies, and the interpretation of Islamic lore coupled with the Soviet ideology of atheism, Islam remains syncretic with some loose extremism fuelled by home-grown socio-political factors and imported fundamentalism. It, therefore, concludes that the challenge to Islam and Islamic religious identity in contemporary Kyrgyzstan is a sort of ‘Muslimo-phobia’ rather than ‘Islamo-phobia’ because the challenge to Islam is clearly unleashed by the Muslims themselves and not the minority non-Muslim population

HAJJRAH: an innovative application for pilgrims of Hajj and Umrah

This paper describes an application system named HAJJRAH which offer solutions to common problems faced by pilgrims in performing the obligatory and supplementary activities of Hajj and Umrah. Background of pilgrimage and problems faced by various agencies who manage pilgrims were also provided in this paper to give an understanding on the problem surrounding the need of HAJJRAH application. Analysis of market study among potential user and industrialists are presented in this paper to justify market needs and strength of the applications business idea. Results of the analysis shows that the features provided by HAJJRAH application accommodates and address common problems faced by most pilgrims and various agencies who involved in managing the pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah

Use of Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography to guide management of patients with coronary disease

Background In a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial, 4,146 patients were randomized to receive standard care or standard care plus coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore the consequences of CCTA-assisted diagnosis on invasive coronary angiography, preventive treatments, and clinical outcomes. Methods In post hoc analyses, we assessed changes in invasive coronary angiography, preventive treatments, and clinical outcomes using national electronic health records. Results Despite similar overall rates (409 vs. 401; p = 0.451), invasive angiography was less likely to demonstrate normal coronary arteries (20 vs. 56; hazard ratios [HRs]: 0.39 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.23 to 0.68]; p < 0.001) but more likely to show obstructive coronary artery disease (283 vs. 230; HR: 1.29 [95% CI: 1.08 to 1.55]; p = 0.005) in those allocated to CCTA. More preventive therapies (283 vs. 74; HR: 4.03 [95% CI: 3.12 to 5.20]; p < 0.001) were initiated after CCTA, with each drug commencing at a median of 48 to 52 days after clinic attendance. From the median time for preventive therapy initiation (50 days), fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction was halved in patients allocated to CCTA compared with those assigned to standard care (17 vs. 34; HR: 0.50 [95% CI: 0.28 to 0.88]; p = 0.020). Cumulative 6-month costs were slightly higher with CCTA: difference $462 (95$303 to $621). Conclusions In patients with suspected angina due to coronary heart disease, CCTA leads to more appropriate use of invasive angiography and alterations in preventive therapies that were associated with a halving of fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction. (Scottish COmputed Tomography of the HEART Trial [SCOT-HEART]; NCT01149590

An investigation into agile learning processes and knowledge sharing practices to prevent identity theft in the online retail organisations

Lack of individual awareness of knowledge sharing practices to prevent identity theft is a significant issue for online retail organisations (OROs). Agile learning processes and sharing of knowledge is essential, but the lack of relevant training inhibits these processes within the online industry. This study identifies the inhibiting factors in the agile learning and knowledge sharing process with recommendations for best practice for organisations and staff to effectively share knowledge on identity theft prevention. Three qualitative case studies were undertaken in OROs in the United Kingdom. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, internal documents and related external material. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis method. The findings identified that individual staff members within OROs from the information security and fraud prevention departments often share their knowledge as a community. However, there is no formal knowledge sharing process or any related training facilitating this exchange. There is a need for agile learning environment in OROs of the United Kingdom. The study offers both theoretical and practical contributions to the extant literature of agile learning of knowledge sharing to prevent identity theft in OROs. Existing learning opportunities are not being used to enhance the knowledge of individuals, and OROs need to increase the skills and trust of their staff to share knowledge efficiently. This study identifies the systemic weaknesses inherent in the process of knowledge sharing and existing training provision within OROs. It provides ORO managers with practical guidelines in facilitating trust between individuals and developing appropriate training systems to educate staff on sharing organisational knowledge. This study contributes by extending the knowledge sharing framework proposed by Chong et al. (2011), for enhanced individual knowledge sharing processes to prevent identity theft within OROs. It also identifies OROs weaknesses in knowledge sharing learning processes for theft prevention and offers prevention guidelines and recommendations for developing effective agile learning environments