EFFECTS OF WHOLE BODY VIBRATION TRAINING ON KNEE EXTENSOR MUSCLE STRENGTH AND RATE OF FORCE DEVELOPMENT

This study compared the effects of 8-week whole-body vibration (WBV) training programs on knee extensor muscle strength and rate of force development. Twenty physically active male subjects were randomly assigned to a whole-body vibration training group (WBV; n =10) or a sham training group (SHAM; n = 10). Maximal voluntary isometric joint moment, rate of force development (RFD) and contractile impulse of the knee extensors were assessed before and after the training period. There were significant differences between WBV and sham groups on improvement percentage of maximum joint moment, RFD and contractile impulse in knee extensor. We concluded that not only knee extensor muscle strength could be enhanced but also muscle contractile abilty could be faster after a 8-week WBV training program

Examining Stakeholder Perspectives: Process, Performance and Progress of the Age-Friendly Taiwan Program.

Since Taiwans age-friendly city (AFC) program was launched in 2012, the central government has provided various resources to the countrys 22 local authorities, including budgetary support, policy advocacy, and consultation from a team of experts. This study examines stakeholder perspectives on the process, performance, and outcome of the AFC program. A 53-item questionnaire was developed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline, including mechanisms and processes (20 items), outcome evaluations (23 items), and resource integration (10 items). There was a great difference found among scores between facilitators and experts for inter-exchange experience with local and international cities (40%) and monitor and revise indicators (37%) in mechanisms and processes, evaluate performance of indicators and action plans (37%) in outcome evaluations, and interaction between government and community (46%) and interaction between civil organization and senior society (39%) in resource integration. Clearly, facilitators showed overly optimistic assessments in AFC mechanisms and processes, outcome evaluation, and resource integration. The results showed disconnect between experts expectations versus actual practice conducted by facilitators. Implications of these findings are to integrate top down expectations with the realities of bottom up practice to design more realistic evaluations; continue to educate stakeholders about design, implementation and evaluation; and further integrate resources from government, civil organizations, and community

A mobile-device-supported peer-assisted learning system for collaborative early EFL reading

Collaborative learning methods which emphasize peer interaction have been widely applied to increase the intensity and effectiveness of EFL reading programs. However, simply grouping students heterogeneously and assigning them group goals does not guarantee that effective collaborative learning will ensue. The present research includes two studies. In Study One, the weaknesses of collaborative learning in a traditional EFL setting were observed. Then, in Study Two, a mobile-device-supported peer-assisted learning (MPAL) system was developed for the purpose of addressing the identified weaknesses. Two classes of twenty-six third grade students participated in the present research to examine the unique contribution of MPAL to collaborative EFL reading activities. The collaborative behavior of elementary EFL learners was videotaped and analyzed. Detailed analysis of the videotaped behavior indicated that MPAL helped improve collaboration in elementary school level EFL learners and promotes their reading motivation

Hospital treatment, mortality and healthcare costs in relation to socioeconomic status among people with bipolar affective disorder

BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding the relationships between the socioeconomic status and long-term outcomes of individuals with bipolar affective disorder (BPD) is lacking. AIMS: We aimed to estimate the effects of baseline socioeconomic status on longitudinal outcomes. METHOD: A national cohort of adult participants with newly diagnosed BPD was identified in 2008. The effects of personal and household socioeconomic status were explored on outcomes of hospital treatment, mortality and healthcare costs, over a 3-year follow-up period (2008–2011). RESULTS: A total of 7987 participants were recruited. The relative risks of hospital treatment and mortality were found elevated for the ones from low-income households who also had higher healthcare costs. Low premium levels did not correlate with future healthcare costs. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with poorer outcome and higher healthcare costs in BPD patients. Special care should be given to those with lower socioeconomic status to improve outcomes with potential benefits of cost savings in the following years. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None. COPYRIGHT AND USAGE: © 2016 The Royal College of Psychiatrists. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) licence

Traditional vs. Online Homework in College Algebra

ABSTRACT A year long study was conducted in multiple sections of College Algebra by the authors using a system of both traditional paper homework and online homework assignments. The online homework system was Pearson/Addison-Wesley's CourseCompass which was integrated with the textbook. This system allows the students multiple attempts at problems with extensive hints and examples while providing instant feedback for every problem. Data was collected from both groups including in-class exam scores, final exam scores, and homework averages. Of particular interest to the investigators was whether one method would help facilitate the understanding and retention of the material better than the other. We present the analysis and the conclusions

Ocular post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder

AbstractWe report a case of an iris tumor with mutton-fat keratic precipitates in a young patient after liver transplantation surgery. A 6-year-old girl underwent liver transplantation for congenital biliary atresia and was subsequently immunosuppressed with oral cyclosporine. We examined her 5 years after transplantation because of a “white nodule in her left eye,” which had been detected by her father one day before visiting our clinic. Ophthalmological examinations revealed symmetric visual acuity and normal afferent papillary reflex. Slit-lamp examination revealed a depigmented iris nodule approximately3 × 2 mm with mutton-fat keratic precipitates in the anterior chamber. Fundus examination was unremarkable, and computed tomography (CT) of the head, neck, and abdomen showed normal findings. Based on the suspicion of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), therapy was initiated, which included tapering cyclosporine and topical mydriatics. After 2.5 months, the lesion resolved and no more mutton-fat keratic precipitates were identified in the anterior chamber. In this PTLD case, the patient presented with an iris nodule and mutton-fat keratic precipitates, and the ocular PTLD presentation resolved spontaneously after tapering cyclosporine

BIOMECHANICAL EFFECT OF GROUP EXERCISE PROGRAM USING STABILITY BALL ON THE COUNTER MOVEMENT JUMP

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the training effect of three-month group exercise program using stability ball. Ten female subjects were recruited to join this group exercise class for three months. The biomechanical parameters of counter-movement jump were collected before and after class. The average of maximal jumping height and the take-off velocity have significantly increased after three months. The group exercise program accoring American College of Sport Medicine trainig guideline which was designed in this study was helpful to increase the jump height of counter movement jump and to improve the biomechanical parameters of the landing