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INTRODUCTION: Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) is currently being developed to overcome the challenges of two-dimensional echocardiography, as it is a much cheaper alternative to the gold standard imaging method, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). The aim of this meta-analysis is to validate RT3DE by comparing it to CMR, to ascertain whether it is a practical imaging method for routine clinical use. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis method was used to synthesise the evidence and studies published between 2000 and 2021 were searched using a PRISMA approach. Study outcomes included left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular mass (LVM), right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESV), right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF). Subgroup analysis included study quality (high, moderate), disease outcomes (disease, healthy and disease), age group (50 years old and under, over 50 years), imaging plane (biplane, multiplane) and publication year (2010 and earlier, after 2010) to determine whether they explained the heterogeneity and significant difference results generated on RT3DE compared to CMR. RESULTS: The pooled mean differences for were - 5.064 (95% CI - 10.132, 0.004, p > 0.05), 4.654 (95% CI - 4.947, 14.255, p > 0.05), - 0.783 (95% CI - 5.630, 4.065, p > 0.05, - 0.200 (95% CI - 1.215, 0.815, p > 0.05) for LVEF, LVM, RVESV and RVEF, respectively. We found no significant difference between RT3DE and CMR for these variables. Although, there was a significant difference between RT3DE and CMR for LVESV, LVEDV and RVEDV where RT3DE reports a lower value. Subgroup analysis indicated a significant difference between RT3DE and CMR for studies with participants with an average age of over 50 years but no significant difference for those under 50. In addition, a significant difference betw

BACKGROUND: The prevailing medical opinion is that medication is the primary (some might argue, only) effective intervention for osteoporosis. It is nevertheless recognized that osteoporosis medications are not universally effective, tolerated, or acceptable to patients. Mechanical loading, such as vibration and exercise, can also be osteogenic but the degree, relative efficacy, and combined effect is unknown. The purpose of the VIBMOR trial is to determine the efficacy of low-intensity whole-body vibration (LIV), bone-targeted, high-intensity resistance and impact training (HiRIT), or the combination of LIV and HiRIT on risk factors for hip fracture in postmenopausal women with osteopenia and osteoporosis. METHODS: Postmenopausal women with low areal bone mineral density (aBMD) at the proximal femur and/or lumbar spine, with or without a history of fragility fracture, and either on or off osteoporosis medications will be recruited. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to one of four trial arms for 9 months: LIV, HiRIT, LIV + HiRIT, or control (low-intensity, home-based exercise). Allocation will be block-randomized, stratified by use of osteoporosis medications. Testing will be performed at three time points: baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1; 9 months), and 1 year thereafter (T2; 21 months) to examine detraining effects. The primary outcome measure will be total hip aBMD determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Secondary outcomes will include aBMD at other regions, anthropometrics, and other indices of bone strength, body composition, physical function, kyphosis, muscle strength and power, balance, falls, and intervention compliance. Exploratory outcomes include bone turnover markers, pelvic floor health, quality of life, physical activity enjoyment, adverse events, and fracture. An economic evaluation will also be conducted. DISCUSSION: No previous studies have compared the effect of LIV alone or in combination with bone-targeted HiRIT

Pacific Hydro is developing a series of cascading run-of-river hydroelectricity projects in the Cachapoal Valley at the base of the Andes Mountains, Chile. The Chacayes Project is now under construction and involves construction of 5 tunnels between 5 m and 7 m in diameter. The main rocks occurring in the project area are fluvial and alluvial deposits with tuffs and lava flows, granodiorite intrusions, weathered materials and lahars. Four of the tunnels (Peralitas, Las Isla and the low and high pressure tunnels) were excavated using traditional drill and blast methods while a TBM was used at the Cipreses tunnel. Advance rates and excavation class distribution data are given for the tunnels. A pressure shaft and a surge shaft were excavated by raise boring. Swelling rock was encountered during construction and a testing program developed to identify areas where the concrete linings needed reinforcement to compensate for this. A brief discussion is presented of the geology, construction and expected excavation methods at the future Nido and Coya II projects., Pacific Hydro is developing a series of cascading run-of-river hydroelectricity projects in the Cachapoal Valley at the base of the Andes Mountains, Chile. The Chacayes Project is now under construction and involves construction of 5 tunnels between 5 m and 7 m in diameter. The main rocks occurring in the project area are fluvial and alluvial deposits with tuffs and lava flows, granodiorite intrusions, weathered materials and lahars. Four of the tunnels (Peralitas, Las Isla and the low and high pressure tunnels) were excavated using traditional drill and blast methods while a TBM was used at the Cipreses tunnel. Advance rates and excavation class distribution data are given for the tunnels. A pressure shaft and a surge shaft were excavated by raise boring. Swelling rock was encountered during construction and a testing program developed to identify areas where the concrete linings needed reinforcement to compensate for this. A brief discussion is presented of the geology, construction and expected excavation methods at the future Nido and Coya II projects.