What is the optimal time-response window for the use of photobiomodulation therapy combined with static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF) for the improvement of exercise performance and recovery, and for how long the effects last? A randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

Background The optimal time-response window for photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and/or light emitting diodes therapy (LEDT) combined with static magnetic fields (sMF) before physical activity still was not fully investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the better of four time-response windows for PBMT combined with sMF (PBMT-sMF) use before exercise in humans. Methods A prospectively registered, randomized, triple-blinded (volunteers, therapists and assessors) placebo-controlled trial was carried out. Sixty healthy untrained male subjects were randomly allocated to six experimental groups (n = 10 per group): PBMT-sMF 5 mins, PBMT-sMF 3 h, PBMT-sMF 6 h, PBMT-sMF 1-day, placebo, and control. The control group performed all procedures, however did not receive any kind of intervention. PBMT-sMF active or PBMT-sMF placebo was applied precisely in different time points after baseline MVC test to ensure that both MVC tests and eccentric exercise protocol would occur at the same hour of the day in all groups. Then, after five minutes, 3 h, 6 h or 1-day (24 h) of PBMT-sMF treatment (active or placebo) the eccentric exercise protocol was performed. The primary outcome was peak torque obtained from maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). The secondary outcomes were creatine kinase (CK), and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The primary and secondary outcomes were measured at baseline, immediately after, 1 h, 24 h and 48 h after the eccentric exercise protocol. Results Sixty patients were randomized and analyzed to each sequence. The outcomes in absolute values show that all active PBMT-sMF groups increased (p < 0.05) MVC from immediately after to 1 h after eccentric exercise, and decreased (p < 0.05) CK activity at all time points. However, PBMT-sMF 5 mins, 3 h and 6 h groups showed better results in MVC and CK analysis from 24 h to 48 h, and also to DOMS (p < 0.05) at all time points. Participants did not report any adverse events. Conclusions PBMT-sMF can be used from 5 min to 6 h before exercise, and the effects can last up to 54 h after treatment. However, the effects start to decrease when a 1-day (24 h) time-response window is used. Trial registration NCT03420391. Registered 05 February 2018.

Implementation Intentions Reduce Implicit Stereotype Activation and Application

Research has found that implementation intentions, if–then action plans (e.g., “if I see a Black face, I will think safe”), reduce stereotyping on implicit measures. However, it is unknown by what process(es) implementation intentions reduce implicit stereotyping. The present research examines the effects of implementation intentions on stereotype activation (e.g., extent to which stereotypic information is accessible) and stereotype application (e.g., extent to which accessible stereotypes are applied in judgment). In addition, we assessed the efficiency of implementation intentions by manipulating cognitive resources (e.g., digit-span, restricted response window) while participants made judgments on an implicit stereotyping measure. Across four studies, implementation intentions reduced implicit stereotyping. This decrease in stereotyping was associated with reductions in both stereotype activation and application. In addition, these effects of implementation intentions were highly efficient and associated with reduced stereotyping even for groups for which people may have little practice inhibiting stereotypes (e.g., gender).

Implementation Intentions Reduce Implicit Stereotype Activation and Application

Research has found that implementation intentions, if-then action plans (e.g., “if I see a Black face, I will think safe”; Stewart &amp; Payne, 2008), reduce stereotyping on implicit measures. However, it is unknown by what process(es) implementation intentions reduce implicit stereotyping. The present research examines the effects of implementation intentions on stereotype activation (e.g., extent to which stereotypic information is accessible) and stereotype application (e.g., extent to which accessible stereotypes are applied in judgment). Additionally, we assessed the efficiency of implementation intentions by manipulating cognitive resources (e.g., digit-span, restricted response-window) while participants made judgments on an implicit stereotyping measure. Across four studies, implementation intentions reduced implicit stereotyping. This decrease in stereotyping was associated with reductions in both stereotype activation and application. Additionally, these effects of implementation intentions were highly efficient and associated with reduced stereotyping even for groups for which people may have little practice inhibiting stereotypes (e.g., gender).

The Application of Partial Response Window in OFDM Systems without Guard Interval

The guard interval (GI) filling with cyclic prefix (CP) is inserted in the conventional orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system in order to be free of the inter-symbol interference (ISI). The frequency spectrum leakage out of band is mitigated by using the time-domain windowing method. Meanwhile, the GI-free OFDM have been studied in order to achieve high efficiency of bandwidth usage. This paper addresses the windowing method of partial response function for this case. It is shown that the information data can be detected precisely and the frequency spectrum leakage is mitigated without loss of bandwidth efficiency.

Treatment patterns among cancer patients with anemia who do not respond to erythropoietin-stimulating agents.

e20525 Background: While broadly utilized for treatment of anemia in cancer patients, treatment with Erythropoetin Stimulating Agents (ESAs) is contraindicated in patients who fail to respond within 6-8 weeks. This study examined rates of ESA response and rates of continued ESA use following non-response in five cancer cohorts treated by community-practice oncologists. Methods: Patients with breast, head and neck, cervical, non-small cell lung cancer, or multiple myeloma initiating ESAs on or before 7/1/2011 were identified from EMRs in the ACORN Data Warehouse (ACORN, Memphis TN). The study included those with at least 6-8 weeks of ESA use and documented hemoglobin (Hb) values ≤28 days before start of ESA (“baseline”) and anytime during day 43-70 of ESA treatment. Per ASCO/ASH guidelines, patients were noted as responders if Hb increased ≥1g/dL between baseline and the Hb value closest to day 56 in the 43-70 day window, and non-responders if Hb increased <1g/dL. Non-responders were further classified as continuing or discontinuing therapy based on record of ESA treatment following determination of non-response. Results: A total of 2,197 patients were studied. ESA response rate was 45%. For non-responders, 83% continued ESAs after determination of non-response. Hb increase at end of therapy among non-responders remained lower than for patients who demonstrated initial response. Additionally, non-responders received nominally longer treatment, with a mean exposure of 169 days. Conclusions: Among cancer patients, a majority of ESA non-responders remained on ESA treatment beyond the recommended response window as defined by ASCO/ASH guidelines. Moreover, non-responders remained on treatment longer than those who demonstrated an initial response. [Table: see text]

A New Reliable and Valid Tool for Measuring Implicit Self-Esteem

We investigated the reliability and predictive validity of a new response-window affective priming task (RW-APT) for the measurement of implicit self-esteem. Participants (N = 96) were administered the self-esteem RW-APT and filled out two measures of explicit self-esteem. To investigate the effect of explicit and implicit self-esteem on reactions to failure, we applied an anagram task in which participants received anagrams that were more difficult than expected. Three self-esteem criteria were obtained: pretask expectancy bias, perceived performance bias, and posttask expectancy bias. As hypothesized, explicit self-esteem and implicit self-esteem measures independently predicted all validity criteria. Taken together, the results show that RW-APT is a reliable and valid measure that might be an important addition to established measures of self-esteem.