scholarly journals Sports related concussion: an emerging era in digital sports technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dylan Powell ◽  
Sam Stuart ◽  
Alan Godfrey
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Field Assessment ◽  
The Common ◽  
Digital Sports ◽  
Healthcare Assessment

AbstractSports-related concussion (SRC) is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) leading to complex impairment(s) in neurological function with many seemingly hidden or difficult to measure impairments that can deteriorate rapidly without any prior indication. Growing numbers of SRCs in professional and amateur contact sports have prompted closer dialog regarding player safety and welfare. Greater emphasis on awareness and education has improved SRC management, but also highlighted the difficulties of diagnosing SRC in a timely manner, particularly during matches or immediately after competition. Therefore, challenges exist in off-field assessment and return to play (RTP) protocols, with current traditional (subjective) approaches largely based on infrequent snapshot assessments. Low-cost digital technologies may provide more objective, integrated and personalized SRC assessment to better inform RTP protocols whilst also enhancing the efficiency and precision of healthcare assessment. To fully realize the potential of digital technologies in the diagnosis and management of SRC will require a significant paradigm shift in clinical practice and mindset. Here, we provide insights into SRC clinical assessment methods and the translational utility of digital approaches, with a focus on off-field digital techniques to detect key SRC metrics/biomarkers. We also provide insights and recommendations to the common benefits and challenges facing digital approaches as they aim to transition from novel technologies to an efficient, valid, reliable, and integrated clinical assessment tool for SRC. Finally, we highlight future opportunities that digital approaches have in SRC assessment and management including digital twinning and the “digital athlete”.

scholarly journals Hybrid mosquitoes? Evidence from rural Tanzania on how local communities conceptualize and respond to modified mosquitoes as a tool for malaria control

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marceline F. Finda ◽  
Fredros O. Okumu ◽  
Elihaika Minja ◽  
Rukiyah Njalambaha ◽  
Winfrida Mponzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Control ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Community Leaders ◽  
Community Perceptions ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
High Level ◽  
Interpretive Frames

Abstract Background Different forms of mosquito modifications are being considered as potential high-impact and low-cost tools for future malaria control in Africa. Although still under evaluation, the eventual success of these technologies will require high-level public acceptance. Understanding prevailing community perceptions of mosquito modification is, therefore, crucial for effective design and implementation of these interventions. This study investigated community perceptions regarding genetically-modified mosquitoes (GMMs) and their potential for malaria control in Tanzanian villages where no research or campaign for such technologies has yet been undertaken. Methods A mixed-methods design was used, involving: (i) focus group discussions (FGD) with community leaders to get insights on how they frame and would respond to GMMs, and (ii) structured questionnaires administered to 490 community members to assess awareness, perceptions and support for GMMs for malaria control. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings and thematic content analysis was used to identify key concepts and interpret the findings. Results Nearly all survey respondents were unaware of mosquito modification technologies for malaria control (94.3%), and reported no knowledge of their specific characteristics (97.3%). However, community leaders participating in FGDs offered a set of distinctive interpretive frames to conceptualize interventions relying on GMMs for malaria control. The participants commonly referenced their experiences of cross-breeding for selecting preferred traits in domestic plants and animals. Preferred GMMs attributes included the expected reductions in insecticide use and human labour. Population suppression approaches, requiring as few releases as possible, were favoured. Common concerns included whether the GMMs would look or behave differently than wild mosquitoes, and how the technology would be integrated into current malaria control policies. The participants emphasised the importance and the challenge of educating and engaging communities during the technology development. Conclusions Understanding how communities perceive and interpret novel technologies is crucial to the design and effective implementation of new vector control programmes. This study offers vital clues on how communities with no prior experience of modified mosquitoes might conceptualize or respond to such technologies when deployed in the context of malaria control programmes. Drawing upon existing interpretive frames and locally-resonant analogies when deploying such technologies may provide a basis for more durable public support in the future.

scholarly journals Knochengesundheit und Hochleistungssport

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa-Maria Wallwiener ◽  
Barbara Kapfer ◽  
Vanadin Seifert-Klauss
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Assessment ◽  
Medikamentöse Therapie ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Relative Energy ◽  
Sich Eine ◽  
Energy Deficiency ◽  
Körperliche Betätigung

ZusammenfassungRegelmäßige körperliche Betätigung trägt zu einer gesunden Knochendichte bei, Leistungssportlerinnen in einigen Sportarten weisen jedoch eine erhöhte Prävalenz erniedrigter Knochendichte sowie vermehrt Stressfrakturen auf. Häufig liegt dem ein relatives Energiedefizit (RED), verbunden mit hoher mechanischer Belastung und intensivem Trainingsalltag, zugrunde. Das Vorliegen eines RED im Sport ist oft unterdiagnostiziert, daher hat sich eine systematische multidisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit unter Zuhilfenahme standardisierter Tests, z. B. des RED‑S CAT (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport Clinical Assessment Tool) als hilfreich erwiesen. Therapieansätze zielen primär auf eine Behebung der negativen Energiebilanz der Patientin als auch auf psychotherapeutische Interventionen ab. Darüber hinaus kann in schweren Fällen eine medikamentöse Therapie zur Unterstützung sowohl einer ausgeglichenen hormonellen Situation als auch des Knochenstoffwechsels notwendig sein.

scholarly journals An Overview of Biodiesel Production via Calcium Oxide Based Catalysts: Current State and Perspective

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3950
Author(s):  
Hoora Mazaheri ◽  
Hwai Chyuan Ong ◽  
Zeynab Amini ◽  
Haji Hassan Masjuki ◽  
M. Mofijur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heterogeneous Catalysis ◽  
Calcium Oxide ◽  
Heterogeneous Catalysts ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
Catalyst Synthesis ◽  
Process Improvements ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Common ◽  
Activity Mechanism

Biodiesel is a clean, renewable, liquid fuel that can be used in existing diesel engines without modification as pure or blend. Transesterification (the primary process for biodiesel generation) via heterogeneous catalysis using low-cost waste feedstocks for catalyst synthesis improves the economics of biodiesel production. Heterogeneous catalysts are preferred for the industrial generation of biodiesel due to their robustness and low costs due to the easy separation and relatively higher reusability. Calcium oxides found in abundance in nature, e.g., in seashells and eggshells, are promising candidates for the synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts. However, process improvements are required to design productive calcium oxide-based catalysts at an industrial scale. The current work presents an overview of the biodiesel production advancements using calcium oxide-based catalysts (e.g., pure, supported, and mixed with metal oxides). The review discusses different factors involved in the synthesis of calcium oxide-based catalysts, and the effect of reaction parameters on the biodiesel yield of calcium oxide-based catalysis are studied. Further, the common reactor designs used for the heterogeneous catalysis using calcium oxide-based catalysts are explained. Moreover, the catalytic activity mechanism, challenges and prospects of the application of calcium oxide-based catalysts in biodiesel generation are discussed. The study of calcium oxide-based catalyst should continue to be evaluated for the potential of their application in the commercial sector as they remain the pivotal goal of these studies.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Epidemics in Retirement and Nursing Homes in Italy: A New Preparedness Assessment Model after the First Epidemic Wave

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5712
Author(s):  
Carmelo Gugliotta ◽  
Davide Gentili ◽  
Silvia Marras ◽  
Marco Dettori ◽  
Pietro Paolo Muglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Resident Training ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Field Assessment ◽  
Italian Context ◽  
And Control ◽  
The City

The aim of the study is to evaluate the preparedness of retirement and nursing homes in the city of Sassari at the end of the first wave of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 epidemic, first by investigating the risk perception of epidemic outbreaks by the facility managers and subsequently by carrying out a field assessment of these facilities. To perform the field assessment, a checklist developed by the CDC (Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Tool for Nursing Homes Preparing for COVID-19) and adapted to the Italian context was used. Fourteen facilities took part in the survey (87.5%). The application of good practices for each survey area was expressed as a percentage with the following median values: restriction policies (87.5%), staff training (53.8%), resident training (67.6%), availability of personal protective equipment (41.7%), infection control practices (73.5%) and communication (80%). Among the facilities, considerable variability was observed in these evaluation fields: only the restriction policies and communication activities were applied uniformly. A discrepancy was found between perceived risk and real danger in the facilities, requiring targeted communication actions. At present, it is necessary to promote a new approach based on the prediction of critical events, thereby providing the means to effectively address them.

A Pretest – Posttest Pilot Study for the Development and Preliminary validation of a tool for the clinical assessment of Radioiodine Induced Sialadenitis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDRI CHRISTOU ◽  
Evridiki Papastavrou ◽  
Anastasios Merkouris ◽  
Andreas Charalambous
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Systematic Assessment ◽  
Reliable Tool ◽  
Kappa Test ◽  
Validity Tests ◽  
Eortc Qlq

Abstract Background: The clinical assessment of radioiodine -induced sialadenitis is relied on the observer-defined toxicity grading model. However, this model has significant limitations, the major one being the lack of systematic assessment based on objective criteria. The main aim of this study was the development and testing of an assessment tool which could examine the severity of post irradiation sialadenitis.Methods: The development of the Sialadenitis Assessment Tool proceeded through three phases. The first and second phase included a literature review and the development of the tool which derived from the review, respectively. The third phase involved a pilot testing of the Assessment Tool to a sample of 34 patients undergoing I131. The assessment was carried out by two independent HCPs, pre- and post-radioiodine therapy. The results of the assessment tool were compared to other scales, including the DIRIX and EORTC H&N35.Results: The Cohen’s kappa test, suggested that the Sialadenitis Assessment Tool (SAT) is a reliable tool for the assessment of sialadenitis (Cohen’s K =1). The concurrent and internal validity tests, showed a tendency of association with most variables (p <0.001) in the DIRIX s and EORTC QLQ-HN35 scales.Conclusions: Preliminary evidence show that Sialadenitis Assessment Tool is a valid and reliable tool to assess radioiodine-induced sialadenitis in patients undergoing I131 therapy post thyroidectomy.

scholarly journals Development of a method to measure charges in tumbling mills

2014 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-316
Author(s):  
Eduardo Nozawa Caetano de Araujo ◽  
Homero Delboni Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Total Charge ◽  
Main Aspect ◽  
Product Size ◽  
Confined Spaces ◽  
Power Draw ◽  
Grinding Media ◽  
Tumbling Mills ◽  
The Common ◽  
Tumbling Mill

Tumbling mills are often taken as the object of optimization studies because they are a type of equipment that consume large amounts of energy. Among the current available resources to conduct such studies, mathematic modelling presents great efficiency due to its low cost, speed and reliability. The total charge and grinding media charge are very important variables to conduct modelling exercises that aim at power draw and product size distribution forecasting. However, the common measurement methods require people entering the equipment, which carries a number of adversities related to confined spaces. In this regard, this paper presents the development of a method and the prototype of a device able to measure tumbling mill charges, quickly, precisely, with low cost and, above all, ensuring safety. The result of this work is a method that allows equivalent or superior precision in comparison to the existing methods, whose main aspect is to eliminate the requirement of people entering dangerous environments, such as tumbling mills.

scholarly journals Olfactory Dysfunction: A Diagnostic Symptom of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Shaila Kabir ◽  
A B M Tofazzal Hossain ◽  
M. Tanveer Hossain Parash ◽  
Constance Liew Sat Lin ◽  
Chandrika Murugaiah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Neurological Symptoms ◽  
Early Screening ◽  
Concise Review ◽  
Reliable Assessment ◽  
The Common

Besides the common respiratory symptoms or viral pneumonia, COVID-19 is also presented with different neurological symptoms. Olfactory dysfunction (OD) or impairment of the sense of smell is one of the common neurological symptoms being reported in infection caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The severity varies from anosmia to microsmia or hyposmia. OD could have a potential early screening and diagnostic value besides other neurological and common respiratory symptoms. In our descriptive concise review, we aimed to elicit the manifestation of olfactory dysfunction as an early predictor of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We are also aiming to establish, OD as a quick and reliable assessment tool of COVID-19 risk, among the healthcare workers and contact tracers, which can justify self-quarantine of the person as well as recommendation for testing on a priority basis. We have also focused on, any effect to produce this symptom by the drug used for treatment in COVID-19, and if the old age of the patient showing any extra influence to develop OD in COVID-19.

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