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As markerless motion capture systems become more affordable than ever, it is becoming far easier to collect and analyze kinematic data on baseballers. To ensure this data can be used impactfully, coaches and practitioners should possess a good understanding of specific technique characteristics that are associated with enhanced performance in pitchers and hitters. This study used the open-source data provided by Driveline Baseball's OpenBiomechanics Project to evaluate the contribution of lower-body kinematics to pitch velocity and bat speed. In addition to correlational analyses to examine the association between discrete kinematic variables and performance, statistical nonparametric mapping was used to compare slow and fast velocity groups across the entirety of pitching and hitting motions from peak knee height to ball release/contact. It was found that rotation of the trail leg and extension of the lead knee were both associated with performance in pitchers and hitters. Consequently, coaches and practitioners should ensure that individuals possess an adequate level of strength and flexibility to facilitate optimal movement of the trail hip and lead knee during pitching and hitting movements. If deficiencies exist, then training programs should be designed to address these issues and eventually bring about an improvement in performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Sympathetic-mediated vasoconstriction from the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is a significant contributor to cerebral vasospasm. Inhibition of the SCG has been shown to improve cerebral blood flow and reverse cerebral vasospasm in swine models. We evaluated the efficacy of a novel minimally invasive endovascular approach to target and pharmacologically inhibit the SCG, using a Micro-Infusion Device for transmural drug delivery. METHODS: Eight SCGs in four Yorkshire swine were surgically identified. After confirming appropriate sympathetic-mediated intracranial vasoconstriction response with SCG stimulation, an endovascular Micro-Infusion Device was used for transmural targeting of the SCG and delivery of 1.5-2 mL of 1% lidocaine-contrast mixture to the perivascular space. Digital subtraction angiography was obtained at: (1) baseline; (2) with SCG stimulation; and (3) after lidocaine delivery to the SCG using the Micro-Infusion Device with concurrent SCG stimulation. Vessel diameters were measured and compared. RESULTS: Endovascular transmural delivery of lidocaine to the SCG and carotid perivascular tissue using the Micro-Infusion Device successfully inhibited sympathetic-mediated vasoconstriction response. Measured vessel diameters after lidocaine delivery were comparable to baseline despite SCG stimulation. CONCLUSION: A novel endovascular technique of transmural delivery of lidocaine to the SCG and carotid artery perivascular tissues successfully inhibits the sympathetic input to the cerebral vasculature and modulates sympathetic-mediated cerebral vasospasm. These results suggest promising steps towards translation to potential clinical use for patients suffering from cerebral vasospasm.

Purpose: The present study aimed to establish differences in load–velocity profiling, active drag (AD), and drag coefficient (Cd) between 3 age groups of female swimmers. Methods: Thirty-three swimmers (11, 13, or 16 y old) were recruited. The individual load–velocity profile was determined for the 4 competitive swimming strokes. The maximal velocity (V0), maximal load (L0), L0 normalized to the body mass, AD, and Cd were compared between the groups. A 2-way analysis of variance and correlation analysis were conducted. Results: Compared with their younger counterparts, 16-year-old swimmers generally had larger V0, L0, and AD, which was particularly evident when comparing them with 11-year-old swimmers (P ≤.052). The exception was breaststroke, where no differences were observed in L0 and AD and Cd was smaller in the 16-year-old group than the 11-year-old group (P =.03). There was a negative correlation between Cd and V0 for all groups in backstroke (P ≤.038) and for the 11-year-old group and 13-year-old group in breaststroke (P ≤.022) and front crawl (P ≤.010). For the 16-year-old group, large correlations with V0 were observed for L0, L0 normalized to the body mass, and AD (P ≤.010) in breaststroke and for L0 and AD with V0 in front crawl (P ≤.042). In butterfly, large negative correlations with V0 were observed in the 13-year-old group for all parameters (P ≤.027). Conclusions: Greater propulsive force is likely the factor that differentiates the oldest age group from the younger groups, except for breaststroke, where a lower Cd (implying a better technique) is evident in the oldest group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recognizing testicular torsion is extremely important in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute scrotal pain. Traditional manual detorsion techniques are frequently employed by emergency physicians but are not always successful. Delays in detorsion increase the risk of testicular infarction and infertility, and the need for orchiectomy. Novel techniques such as the testicular traction technique have been described as a potential solution for difficult-to-detorse testicles.Case Report: Our case report describes a 20-year-old male with no significant past medical history who presented to a rural ED with acute, atraumatic testicular pain secondary to testicular torsion with an intact cremasteric reflex. After confirming the diagnosis using Doppler ultrasound, manual detorsion using the traditional “open book” technique was attempted and unsuccessful. The patient was subsequently successfully detorsed using the novel testicular traction technique.Conclusion: The testicular traction technique is a safe, rapid, and effective primary or adjunctive technique in manual testicular detorsion. Given the time-sensitive nature of testicular torsions, adjunctive techniques play a crucial role in managing challenging detorsions, particularly in resource-limited rural settings with limited access to urologic services. Although it is commonly thought that the cremasteric reflex is absent in testicular torsions, it may be present in rare circumstances, and its presence should not be an absolute in ruling out torsion.

BACKGROUND: Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) may be due to a spectrum of cerebrovascular etiologies, ranging from benign venous turbulence to life threatening dural arteriovenous fistulas. A focused clinical history and physical examination provide clues to the ultimate diagnosis; however, the predictive accuracy of these features in determining PT etiology remains uncertain. METHODS: Patients with clinical PT evaluation and DSA were included. The final etiology of PT after DSA was categorized as shunting, venous, arterial, or non-vascular. Clinical variables were compared between etiologies using multivariate logistic regression, and performance at predicting PT etiology was determined by area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC). RESULTS: 164 patients were included. On multivariate analysis, patient reported high pitch PT (relative risk (RR) 33.81; 95% CI 3.81 to 882.80) compared with exclusively low pitch PT and presence of a bruit on physical examination (9.95; 2.04 to 62.08; P=0.007) were associated with shunting PT. Hearing loss was associated with a lower risk of shunting PT (0.16; 0.03 to 0.79; P=0.029). Alleviation of PT with ipsilateral lateral neck pressure was associated with a higher risk of venous PT (5.24; 1.62 to 21.01; P=0.010). An AUROC of 0.882 was achieved for predicting the presence or absence of a shunt and 0.751 for venous PT. CONCLUSION: In patients with PT, clinical history and physical examination can achieve high performance at detecting a shunting lesion. Potentially treatable venous etiologies may also be suggested by relief with neck compression.

The natural radioactivity levels, radon exhalation rates, and radiation doses in soil and cement samples taken from the area around the Kasimpur thermal power plant in Aligarh, India, are examined in this particular study. The average radon activity was 112.57 Bq m−3, with a range of 62.85–165.71 Bqm−3. The range of surface and mass exhalation rates was 0.87–2.29 mBq kg−1 h−1 and 22.59–59.57 mBq m−2 h−1, respectively. 361 ± 1.79–7.09 ± 1.87 Bq kg−1, 298.15 ± 49.67–351.30 ± 54.03 Bq/kg, and 40K showed activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K ranging from 9.38 ± 2.22 to 14.22 ± 2.65 Bq kg−1, respectively. Radium equivalent and external hazard index levels were within acceptable ranges. The study gives important information on the radiological properties of soil and cement samples, which is required for analyzing environmental and health hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is an exploratory account of an applied clinical method, the Comparative Clinical Method, used to address a specific question: how can we best think of the difference between intensive and non‐intensive analytic work? Normally, it is session frequency that is taken as a determining difference, as a marker of a different approach or method being employed. In our investigation, which consisted of the three authors presenting examples of their clinical work to each other, we did not find the intensive and non‐intensive work of each author to demonstrate clear and easily defined differences in method or technique. Instead, we found more evidence of each author adopting a coherent and consistent approach, based on an underlying and implicit working model, across their intensive and non‐intensive work. We conclude from this that the differences between intensive and non‐intensive work are best explored by encouraging more conceptually rigorous and clinically specific descriptions of the different kinds of analytic assumptions and methods employed in ordinary analytic clinical work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to assess short-term biliary outcomes in adult living donor liver transplants using right grafts, comparing robotic surgery with real-time indocyanine green fluorescence cholangiography for optimal hilar plate transection, against the conventional open approach. Background: Determining the optimal transection plane through the hilar plate is crucial in donor hepatectomies, impacting outcomes significantly. Methods: From 2011 to 2023, a total of 839 right graft living donor hepatectomies were performed, with 414 (49%) performed via the open approach and 425 (51%) utilizing the robotic platform. Results: The magnetic resonant cholangiopancreatography predictions correlated moderately with the actual count of graft ducts (r = 0.57, P < 0.001). Out of all 839 right donor hepatectomies, 321 (44%) were single duct grafts, of which 193/425 (49%) were retrieved with the robotic while 128/414 (38%) were with the open approach (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.16--2.14), P = 0.003). Overall, 50 (6%) of the donors developed a biliary complication during their hospital stay, of whom 38 (9%) were grafts retrieved with the open, while 13 (3%) with the robotic approach (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15--0.61, P < 0.001). Similarly, 63 (15%) of the adult recipients developed a biliary complication of any severity when grafts were retrieved with the open approach compared to 35 (8%) with the robotic approach (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31--0.79), P = 0.002). Conclusions: The robotic platform with integrated real-time indocyanine green fluorescence cholangiography during right donor hepatectomy offers improved safety for the donor by accurately addressing the right hilar corridor, resulting in fewer graft ducts and fewer complications for the donor and recipient when compared to the standard open approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background Methods Results Conclusions Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is an established therapy for chronic pain, employing screening trials to identify suitable candidates before implantation. However, complications arising from both technique and medical factors present challenges to this practice. This study introduces the Dural Substitute Confetti technique, which addresses technique‐related complications during SCS implantation by preventing scar‐induced lead migration or breakage and reducing operating times.We conducted a retrospective analysis on 174 patients treated with SCS trials from 2017 to 2022 at our institution. Of these, 85.1% proceeded to permanent implantation. During trial surgery, synthetic dural substitutes (DS) were used to protect leads, which remained connected to an external pulse generator (EPG) for 20–28 days (mean 21.4 days). Utilizing the DS Confetti technique, leads were easily dissected from the DS during the second surgery and connected to an internal pulse generator (IPG). We compared complications and surgical times before and after the introduction of this technique in 2017.Following the complete SCS trial, patients experienced over 50% pain relief, with an implant‐to‐trial ratio of 85.1% and a mean follow‐up of 52 months. No technique‐related complications occurred during the trial period post‐2017, while the pre‐2017 group had a 3.9% lead migration rate due to scarring, necessitating re‐implantation. The average surgery duration decreased from 54 min pre‐2017 to 32 min post‐2017. Medical‐related complications included infections (2.1%) and wound dehiscence (1.3%).The DS Confetti technique prevents scar adhesion formation during screening trials, thereby facilitating and expediting the definitive SCS implantation. Additionally, it may also reduce the risk of lead migration and iatrogenic damage, potentially lowering technique‐related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The thoracic corpectomy is a well-described technique for the surgical treatment of vertebral column fractures with spinal canal compromise. Traditionally, the posterolateral approach to this procedure required the removal of the approach side rib in order to introduce the corpectomy cage. This rib removal, however, has been identified as a major contributor to post-operative morbidity. Rib-sparing techniques have been shown to be beneficial in minimizing post-operative morbidity in non-spinal surgeries. Herein, we present a previously undescribed technique of a rib-sparing thoracic corpectomy that avoids sequalae of rib resection with assistance from an ultrasonic bone scalpel (UBS). Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients having undergone this thoracic corpectomy technique. Data on patient age at operation, indication for surgery, number of corpectomies per case, estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time (OT), intra-operative complications, and post-operative length of stay (LOS) were collected and analyzed. A pictorial step-by-step guide was created to highlight the advantages of an entirely posterior rib-sparing unilateral transpedicular technique for thoracic corpectomy. Results: A total of 36 corpectomies were performed on 32 patients between August 2015 and March 2023. Patients ages ranged from 17 to 85 years (mean = 63). The most common indication was oncological (n = 22, 69%), followed by degenerative/traumatic deformity (n = 7, 22%), and infection (n = 3, 9%). For the cases for which data was accessible, mean EBL was 853 cc and mean OT was 178 min. The average post-operative LOS was 6.5 days. Conclusion: The described surgical approach makes it possible to create a transpedicular corridor with no costectomy for implantation of an expandable titanium cage and anterior column reconstruction. The use of the UBS in this approach is critical as it minimizes bony removal and avoids sequelae of rib resection. The described technique has the potential to circumvent post-costectomy pain, thereby expediting post-operative recovery after thoracic corpectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The most published surgical technique for fixating Type 4 (Salter–Harris II) tibial tubercle avulsion fractures is uni-cortical in nature, and stability is suboptimal. This study presents a technique modification that is consistent with AO principles, by which the screws are aimed distally to purchase the posterior cortex of the distal fragment. This technique is defined as a "Distal Cortical Fixation". This modification has not been studied to date and harbors potential advantages. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of surgical fixation techniques for the above-mentioned fractures and to describe the new modification. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted at a level 1 children's hospital for surgically treated Salter–Harris II tibial tubercle fractures. Inclusion criteria were patients who sustained Salter–Harris II tibial tubercle avulsion fractures and were documented to reach one of two radiographic endpoints: union (regardless of alignment) or non-union that necessitated additional interventions. Medical records and radiographic studies were analyzed for fracture union and alignment. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate outcomes based on different fixation techniques that included Distal Cortical Fixation, a Proximal Screw Technique, and a crossed or multiple screws/pins construct. Results: A total of 37 patients were included with a mean age of 14.8 ± 1.2 years, with 34/37 (91.9%) being male. The most common procedure was a 1 to 3 screw fixation with a Distal Cortical Fixation (n = 21 (56.75%)), followed by a Proximal Screw Technique (n = 8, 21.62%), and a crossed or multiple screws/pins construct (n = 8, 21.62%). There was no difference between the groups in medical history and demographic features. The mean follow-up duration was 35.17 ± 36.79 weeks. There were no non-unions, and only a minimal change in the sagittal and coronal alignment (0.4 ± 1.94 (p = 0.872) and 0.53 ± 3.51 (p = 0.296) degrees, respectively) was noted and was not associated with the surgical technique. Conclusions: The surgical treatment of Salter–Harris II tibial tubercle avulsion fractures, including Distal Cortical Fixation, was presented and was found to provide satisfactory union rates on a short term follow up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite increased awareness of the multifactorial nature of Hamstring Strain Injury (HSI), the role of running biomechanics remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate whether an association exists between running biomechanics and HSI. Five databases were searched from inception to January 2021. Eligibility criteria included epidemiological studies that provide data on running biomechanics in athletes who have sustained a HSI (retrospectively or prospectively) and compared to control data. Searches yielded 4,798 articles. Twelve met the selection criteria. Biomechanical analysis differed considerably across studies, thus meta-analyses was not possible. Studies largely found either no differences or contradicting findings between running biomechanics of athletes who have sustained a HSI (retrospectively or prospectively) and controls, with the exception of lateral trunk kinematics and horizontal propulsive forces. It is important to note some concern regarding the quality of included studies, particularly sample size, increasing the risk of bias associated with results. Further research utilising validated methods of biomechanical analysis, is needed to determine if an association exists between running biomechanics and HSI. Until then, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn as to whether specific biomechanical interventions should be included in injury prevention and/or rehabilitation programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the impact of cross-referencing minimal pairs on improving English pronunciation among eighth-grade students at a junior high school in Aceh Besar, Indonesia. A pre-experimental method was utilized with a sample of 26 students. Pre-tests and post-tests were administered, and the data were analyzed statistically. The findings indicate a significant improvement in students' pronunciation following the use of the cross-referencing minimal pair technique. Most students demonstrated substantial increases in their pronunciation scores from the pre-test to the post-test. The mean score rose from 45.61 in the pretest to 79.84 in the post-test, representing 34.24 points increase. The ttest results revealed a very large effect size, à la Cohen's (1988) criteria. It was concluded that 'cross-referencing minimal pairs' is effective in enhancing pronunciation skills. It is recommended that this technique be integrated into pronunciation instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofibers, with their high surface area-to-volume ratio and unique physical properties, hold significant promise for a wide range of applications, including medical devices, filtration systems, packaging, electronics, and advanced textiles. However, their development and commercialization are hindered by several key challenges and hazards. The main issues are production cost and yield, high voltage, clogging, and toxic materials driven by complex production techniques, which limit their adoption. Additionally, there are environmental and health concerns associated with nanofiber production and disposal, necessitating the development of safer and more sustainable processes and materials. Addressing these challenges requires continued innovation in materials science and industrial practices, as well as a concerted effort to balance production, material, and surrounding condition parameters. This study emphasizes the challenges and hazards associated with nanofiber materials and their production techniques, including electrospinning, centrifugal spinning, solution blow spinning, electro-blown spinning, wet spinning, and melt spinning. It also emphasizes biopolymers and recycling as sustainable and eco-friendly practices to avoid harming the environment and human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most rugby injuries occur during tackles, therefore investigating safe tackling techniques is essential. Objectives: To determine the effects of different tackle heights and shoulder preference on head and trunk acceleration. Methods: Thirty-nine rugby players belonging to university leagues, adult leagues, and adult leagues, tackled a stationary tackle bag under three height conditions (high, middle, and low) with a dominant shoulder and a non-dominant shoulder. We calculated the peak head and trunk accelerations (PhA and PtA, respectively) during the tackles and evaluated the difference in accelerations by the tackle height and side. Results: The PhA (26.1 g (17.1) g) during the tackles was significantly higher than the PtA (11.7(7.2) g, p < 0.01). The PhA was significantly larger in the high (27.4 (19.4) g) and middle (27.7 (17.0) g) tackles compared to the low (23.4 (14.6) g) tackle (high vs low: p < 0.01; middle vs low: p < 0.01). The PhA was significantly lower during the dominant shoulder side (23.0 (13.7) g) tackles than during the non-dominant shoulder side (30.4 (21.3) g) tackles (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The results suggest that coaching strategies and policies aimed at reducing tackler height and improving tackle technique on the non-dominant shoulder would help reduce head acceleration forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biomechanical parameters can distinguish a skilled rower from a less skilled rower and can provide coaches with meaningful feedback and objective evidence to inform coaching practices on rowing technique. Therefore, it is critical to understand which technical characteristics can be related to the fundamental rowing performance indicators. The aim of this systematic scoping review was to describe the current focus and density of rowing biomechanics research specific to on-water rowing and provide a guide for practitioners and researchers on future directions for on-water rowing biomechanics research. Methods: All peer-reviewed publications involving the on-water assessment of rowing biomechanics were reviewed from four databases (SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Sage online journals, and Web of Science). Search results returned 1659 records, of which 27 studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. Results: All reported variables were collated and summarised according to the three main measurements of basic mechanics: time, space and force. Study characteristics were collated to provide a descriptive overview of the literature. The main categorical variables included time, distance, velocity, acceleration, force, power and crew synchrony. Conclusion: Data extraction revealed gate force, horizontal oar angle and boat velocity as the most reported variables with numerous subcategories of metrics within each measure. A framework to help guide and standardise on-water rowing biomechanical assessment and the establishment of standards for environmental data collection could help guide practitioners and researchers in the on-water rowing environment. This scoping review was registered on the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/8q5vw/). Key Points: While the literature has reported on an extensive range of biomechanical metrics relevant to rowing performance, however, the variability of reported measures across the different boat classes, sex and skill levels makes the collation of data challenging. The rate at which a rower can apply force and the ability to maintain the force into the finish are distinguishing features of elite rowing while prioritizing the measurement and application of power is essential for effectively monitoring and controlling training loads, as well as for refining technique. The development of a standardized framework for on-water rowing biomechanical assessment, coupled with established protocols for environmental data collection, would provide practitioners and researchers with a structured approach for navigating the on-water rowing context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On-water rowing performance consists of the integration of physical and technical attributes. This exploratory study aimed to describe key physical and technical variables for elite and junior rowers and examine the associations and predictive capacity of these variables with on-water rowing performance outcomes. Twenty-eight junior (16 females, 16 ± 0.8 years and 12 males, 17 ± 0.7 years) and 24 elite rowers (12 females, 24 ± 2.7 years and 12 males, 27 ± 2.6 years) completed an on-water, single sculling biomechanics assessment combined with a series of physical, strength and power tests. Elite men and women were superior in mean gate force, distance per stroke and recovery distance compared to junior groups as determined by independent t-tests and effect size appraisal (p < 0.017, d > 1.2). Large associations (p < 0.01) were evident between anthropometry, strength and power assessments with the on-water measures of catch angle, mean gate force, recovery distance and boat speed. Differences in ROM and flexibility attributes did not distinguish between elite and junior rowers. Linear discriminant analysis revealed that individual rowers can be appropriately categorised by sex and performance level based on their physical and technical attributes. This battery of testing with world-class athletes represents an excellent level of ecological validity for the assessment of rowers pertinent to on-water performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the lob in professional padel, taking into account sex, the player's side of play, the direction of the lob and the efficiency of the lob. For this purpose, 2063 lobs (933 in men's and 1130 in women's) corresponding to 10 matches of the 2024 season of the Premier Padel circuit were analyzed through systematic observation. The results indicated that there is no association between the player who makes the lob according to the side of play in professional padel (p = 0.796) and the category of play (men's and women's). The distribution of lobs in these categories, both men's and women's, was distributed 50% between both players from the same pair. On the other hand, in men's professional padel, right-side players made more cross-court lobs (RTC = 3.3), while left-side players made more down-the-middle lobs (RTC = 2.0). In addition, in women's professional padel, right-side players made more cross-court lobs (RTC = 3.6), while left-side players made more down-the-middle lobs (RTC = 6.0). Finally, in men's padel, the lobs tended to overpass the opponents when they were down the middle (RTC = 4.1) and tended to not overpass when they were cross-court (RTC = 2.5). In conclusion, there are differences in the characteristics of lobs in professional padel according to sex. These results can be very useful for coaches for performing specific training on the lob according to the sex of their players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the back handspring step out (BHS) is a foundational skill in balance beam routines, it can be performed using different take-off techniques. Back injuries are highly prevalent in the BHS due to the combination of high spine extension and joint loading. However, it is unclear which technique minimises injury risk or leads to better BHS performance. The purpose of the study was to identify techniques used for the BHS take-off and analyse the resulting BHS performance. Gymnasts were found to use either: Simultaneous Flexion—trunk and knees flex at the same time; Sequential Flexion—trunk reaches its maximum flexion followed by knee flexion; or Double-Bounce—knees and trunk both flex and then the knees extend and flex again. To assess performance, point deductions were calculated, and dynamic balance, ground reaction forces (GRFs) and relevant joint angles were analysed. The techniques had no differences in point deductions or dynamic balance, but there were differences in GRFs, spine extension and knee flexion. The Sequential Flexion technique had the lowest spine extension, which potentially reduces back injuries and the lowest knee flexion, which is a BHS requirement. These results support the use of Sequential Flexion technique when performing the BHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is one of the leading causes of disability and death among adults worldwide. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of AIS, driven by a deeper understanding of its pathophysiological mechanisms and innovations in therapeutic methods. These advancements range from multimodal imaging to the applications of biomarkers, from intravenous thrombolysis to mechanical thrombectomy, from immunomodulation to neuroprotective strategies, and from stem cell therapy to nanomedicine. The field has evolved from drug treatments alone to comprehensive therapeutic models that combine medication with mechanical thrombectomy. The management of AIS is increasingly moving towards individualized, precise, effective, and holistic approaches. Through applying diverse and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, the early diagnosis level and treatment efficacy of AIS can be enhanced, and ultimately the patients’ outcomes can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum tunneling conductance of molecular junctions originates from the charge transport through the 𝜋-orbitals (𝜋-transport) and the 𝜎-orbitals (𝜎-transport) of the molecules, but the 𝜎-transport can not be observed due to the more rapid decay of the tunneling conductance in the 𝜎-system compared to that in the 𝜋-system. Here, we demonstrate that dominant 𝜎-transport can be observed in 𝜋-conjugated molecular junctions at the subnanometer scale using the scanning tunneling microscope break junction technique (STM-BJ). We have found that the conductance of meta -connected picolinic acid, which mainly occurs by 𝜎-transport, is ∼35 times higher than that of its para -isomer, which is entirely different from what is expected from 𝜋-transport through these systems. Flicker noise analysis reveals that the transport through the meta -connection exhibits more throughbond transport than the para -counterpart and density functional theory (DFT) shows that the 𝜎-system provides the dominant transport path. These results reveal that the 𝜎-electrons, rather than the 𝜋-electrons, can dominate charge transport through conjugated molecular junctions at the sub-nanometer scale, and this provides a new avenue toward the future miniaturization of molecular devices and materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The only constant is change" -- Heraclitus, Greek Philosopher The objective of this article, Part 1 of a two part series, is to provide a narrative review of the evolution of teaching chiropractic manual skills by four tutors who taught in the technique trenches at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College collectively for 120 years. Based on their collective memories, this narrative review describes the evolution of: central demonstrations; inconsistency between tutors with respect to demonstrating and grading chiropractic manual skills; determining course content; policy on students providing high velocity, low amplitude thrusts on each other during class time and testing; quantitative versus qualitative grading; remediation; acknowledgment of risk and; changes to technique class due to Covid. The results of a unique survey evaluating students' perception of these changes is presented. The intent of this article is for faculty at other accredited educational programs to learn from our experiences and potentially strengthen their pedagogical approach to teaching chiropractic manual skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies in the field of propaganda influences information creation, dissemination, and reception, and introduces new ethical challenges. This paper revisits the philosophical discourses of Jacques Ellul on technology and propaganda, placing them within the context of the rise of today’s generative AI technologies. Ellul identified the First Industrial Revolution as the initial juncture in the history of human technology that formed technique as a social phenomenon, which subsequently shaped the nature of propaganda as a technique. Subsequent developments in computer technology in the latter half of the 20th century enabled the formation of a technological system. This raises the question: Could generative AI represent another pivotal moment in the evolution of the technological system, and what are the ethical implications of propaganda technology in this context? This article seeks to illuminate current discussions on GenAI technology and propaganda ethics with Ellul’s insightful theoretical insights. In terms of research methodology, this study relies on textual interpretation and classical hermeneutics, including three processes: syntactic text interpretation, historical background, and situational application. Ellul’s research delves into the intrinsic links and inherent ethical dimensions between propaganda and technology, examining their comprehensive and enduring impacts. This normative perspective is crucial for a deep understanding of contemporary propaganda within the framework of emerging technologies, helping us to transcend the escalating spiral of propaganda technology and counter-propaganda techniques. By incorporating propaganda facilitated by generative AI technologies into the overall development logic of the technological society, this approach explores its ethical implications from a more macroscopic and holistic perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of skill is a key element in football and has been studied from many different perspectives. A global view on skill-related football interventions help comprehend and identify gaps in current knowledge. The aim of this scoping review was threefold: (a) to scope the theoretical bases, concepts and skills that have been used in skill-related interventions in football, (b) to summarize the skill-related interventions, (c) to identify research gaps. A scoping literature search was carried out following JBI and PRISMA-ScR guidelines in APA PsycINFO, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. The main inclusion criterium was that studies had to examine football players aged U15 (non-beginners) to adult (high-performance/professional), encompassing both genders across youth and high-performance levels, and consider all types of interventional studies published in English peer-reviewed journals, focusing on acute and long-term adaptations. A total of 4086 peer-reviewed journal articles were identified, 83 of them were fully analyzed, and three key results were obtained: (a) the examined articles predominantly used two theoretical approaches for football skills (self-organization approaches and information processing, 42.2 and 19.3%, respectively), or did not have any theoretical grounding (38.6%), (b) a multitude of different key concepts (> 60) have been used, (c) most football skill-related research was conducted in Europe (81.0%) with samples heavily focused on male participants (90.1%). Findings highlight the need to clarify the conceptualization of football skill and broaden the scope on football skill throughout the world, especially to include ecological research designs with female participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By focusing on technical content, this study presents 'two experimental building technologies courses' connecting the conceptual and practical aspects of architectural object production. Built on the fundamental 'concept of making', these courses encourage students to explore their creative abilities by uniting material, form, and purpose. In the Building Technologies I course, exploration starts with the concept of 'technique', which involves the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to shape architectural objects. This technique allows the production of architectural objects that encapsulate spaces carrying action and time, making a mere explanation of space creation insufficient. Thus, in the Building Technologies II course, the focus shifts to the 'tectonic' concept, which involves creating coherent spatial entities within a single structural system. The two courses aim to equip students with the ability to develop their unique knowledge and methods for construction before advancing to more theorised Building Technologies courses. Students are encouraged to engage with materials to uncover their potential, experiment with forms to achieve design goals, and personalise construction processes. This proposal advocates for foundational construction courses built on intuitive knowledge to replace traditional rational knowledge courses. Our study presents the methodologies and outputs of the proposed Building Technologies courses as a basis for ongoing construction courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Language Academy is the property of Rota Kariyer and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Technological advancements in nanofibers and production technologies have led to nanofibers being applied in various applications. Nanofibers are produced by a variety of techniques such as electrospinning, drawing, self-assembly, phase separation, and others. Electrospinning is widely used due to its versatility and scalability. Nanofiber production by other techniques is still limited to the laboratory scale, hence the dominance of electrospinning. The versatility of nanofibers has seen them being used in various applications such as health, protection, clothing, filtration, packaging, and electronics. Their large surface area, small diameters, and porous structures make them good materials in these diverse fields. Nanofibers are incorporated with nanoparticles to enhance stability. In biomedical applications, nanofibers are used in drug delivery systems, wound healing, and tissue engineering because of their biocompatibility and biodegradability. In fields like protection, clothing, and packaging, nanofibers are used due to their large surface area, porosity, and flexibility. These properties also make nanofibers highly effective in filtration, where their small size and large surface area allow them to efficiently remove a significant number of contaminants. Additionally, nanofibers are utilized in the production of flexible electronics, enhancing comfort in wearable devices. Biopolymers are being adopted to address the environmental and health concerns of traditional nanofiber materials. Biopolymers are biodegradable and biocompatible; however, their stability can be affected by production and environmental conditions. This work highlights the applications of nanofibers, especially the environmentally friendly nanofiber applications in health, packaging, water treatment, protection, electronics, clothing, and technical textiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anterior choroidal artery (AChA) supplies the corticospinal tract related to the motor function of the upper and lower limbs. Aneurysms arising at the AChA are not common and exhibit various patterns of involvement of the AChA. Hence, managing an AChA aneurysm poses a high risk of neurological deficits. We report technical issues related to the outcome of coil embolization for unruptured AChA aneurysms. We obtained Institutional Review Board approval for this study. In the past 2 years, 18 consecutive patients (6 males and 12 females, aged 32–68) with unruptured AChA aneurysms were treated using embolization. We present technical details, pre- and post-procedural patient statuses, angiographic outcomes, and recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 12 months (range 3–25). The patients with AChA (n=18) underwent stent-assisted coiling (n=14), coiling (n=2), or stenting only (n=2). The technical strategy for aneurysm embolization included a low-lying approach into the aneurysm, stent-strut abutting (protecting) coil framing to block inflow and avoid compromising AChA flow, and direct intra-aneurysmal angiography via a microcatheter. Angiographic results showed complete occlusion (n=11), neck remnant (n=5), and sac remnant (n=2). During the follow-up, there were 2 recurrences, and 1 of them required a re-procedure. All patients showed no change in clinical status (modified Rankin scale score=0) and did not experience any ischemic or hemorrhagic events during the follow-up period. AChA aneurysms can be managed through embolization using various techniques. Such technical concepts may enhance the safety and improve the outcomes of AChA aneurysm embolization.

Abstract Background The thoracic corpectomy is a well-described technique for the surgical treatment of vertebral column fractures with spinal canal compromise. Traditionally, the posterolateral approach to this procedure required the removal of the approach side rib in order to introduce the corpectomy cage. This rib removal, however, has been identified as a major contributor to post-operative morbidity. Rib-sparing techniques have been shown to be beneficial in minimizing post-operative morbidity in non-spinal surgeries. Herein, we present a previously undescribed technique of a rib-sparing thoracic corpectomy that avoids sequalae of rib resection with assistance from an ultrasonic bone scalpel (UBS). Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients having undergone this thoracic corpectomy technique. Data on patient age at operation, indication for surgery, number of corpectomies per case, estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time (OT), intra-operative complications, and post-operative length of stay (LOS) were collected and analyzed. A pictorial step-by-step guide was created to highlight the advantages of an entirely posterior rib-sparing unilateral transpedicular technique for thoracic corpectomy. Results A total of 36 corpectomies were performed on 32 patients between August 2015 and March 2023. Patients ages ranged from 17 to 85 years (mean = 63). The most common indication was oncological (n = 22, 69%), followed by degenerative/traumatic deformity (n = 7, 22%), and infection (n = 3, 9%). For the cases for which data was accessible, mean EBL was 853 cc and mean OT was 178 min. The average post-operative LOS was 6.5 days. Conclusion The described surgical approach makes it possible to create a transpedicular corridor with no costectomy for implantation of an expandable titanium cage and anterior column reconstruction. The use of the UBS in this approach is critical as it minimizes bony removal and avoids sequelae of rib resection. The described technique has the potential to circumvent post-costectomy pain, thereby expediting post-operative recovery after thoracic corpectomy.

Abstract Background Biomechanical parameters can distinguish a skilled rower from a less skilled rower and can provide coaches with meaningful feedback and objective evidence to inform coaching practices on rowing technique. Therefore, it is critical to understand which technical characteristics can be related to the fundamental rowing performance indicators. The aim of this systematic scoping review was to describe the current focus and density of rowing biomechanics research specific to on-water rowing and provide a guide for practitioners and researchers on future directions for on-water rowing biomechanics research. Methods All peer-reviewed publications involving the on-water assessment of rowing biomechanics were reviewed from four databases (SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Sage online journals, and Web of Science). Search results returned 1659 records, of which 27 studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. Results All reported variables were collated and summarised according to the three main measurements of basic mechanics: time, space and force. Study characteristics were collated to provide a descriptive overview of the literature. The main categorical variables included time, distance, velocity, acceleration, force, power and crew synchrony. Conclusion Data extraction revealed gate force, horizontal oar angle and boat velocity as the most reported variables with numerous subcategories of metrics within each measure. A framework to help guide and standardise on-water rowing biomechanical assessment and the establishment of standards for environmental data collection could help guide practitioners and researchers in the on-water rowing environment. This scoping review was registered on the Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/8q5vw/ ).

Background. The technique “Emotional Attitude to Dangerous Situations” developed by the authors could become one of the tools for identifying the ability of adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities to behave safely, assessing the effectiveness of correctional and educational work on the development of safe behaviour, and also supplementing the ideas of the psychology of safety of various social groups with knowledge about the manifestations of safe behaviour of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Objectives. The focus is on the development, testing and validation of the method Emotional Attitude to Dangerous Situations designed to study teenagers and adolescents with intact or impaired intelligence. Study Participants. The adaptation of the technique was carried out on a sample of 117 students with intellectual disabilities: 71 adolescents (М = 12.8 years, SD = 0.82 years, 42 boys and 29 girls), 46 youth students (М = 16 years, SD = 0.5 years, 30 boys and 16 girls). Methods. The “Emotional attitude to dangerous situations” method consists of 13 problematic situations reflecting the most probable dangers for students: dangers of the physical, social, informational and educational environment. To assess the reliability of the method, the Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was used for each of the selected scales. To assess the criterion validity of the method, the correlation coefficient between the scales of emotional assessment of a dangerous situation and the way of behaviour in a dangerous situation (the “Emotional attitude to dangerous situations” technique) and the indicators of reaction types to dangers (Questionnaire for identifying the type of attitude to danger) was used. Results. The technology “Emotional attitude to dangerous situations” has been developed. The results of standardization of the methodology, assessment of reliability and criterion validity are presented. The values of the selected scales according to Cronbach's α showed a sufficient level of consistency (from 0.536 to 0.697). Significant interrelations of the scales of emotional assessment and behaviuor in dangerous situations (dangers of the physical, social, information and educational environment) with the types of response to dangers (adequate, uncertain, anxious, ignoring) in adolescent and young adult students with intellectual disabilities have been established. Conclusions. The results of the psychometric assessment allow us to speak about a sufficiently high reliability, internal consistency of the scales in the sample, as well as the criterion validity of the developed method. The developed method can be used to identify the emotional attitude to dangerous situations and the way of behaviour in them of adolescents and young adults with intellectual impairments.

Introduction Video laryngoscopes facilitate the visualization of the glottis but do not guarantee endotracheal intubation due to difficulties in guiding the endotracheal tube to the airway. The video endotracheal tube guide (VETG), inserted into the lumen of the endotracheal tube, provides images of its progression and assists in guiding it to the airway. Objectives To analyze the learning of endotracheal intubation among medical students using the VETG. Methodology A cross-sectional, observational, analytical study of differences in learning endotracheal intubation in simulation mannequins with direct laryngoscopy, with or without the VETG, in two groups of medical students during and after a demonstration lecture. Data on the procedures and responses from the questionnaire were collected and analyzed using the Student’s t-test and chi-square test. Results Fifty-one medical students participated in the demonstration lecture, of whom 37 practiced endotracheal intubation in simulation mannequins—18 using direct laryngoscopy alone and 19 with the assistance of the VETG. During the demonstration lecture, the percentage of students visualizing the epiglottis, vallecula, and vocal cords was higher with the VETG (P 0.000053). In the practical session, the time to visualize the epiglottis (P < 0.0029) and complete the intubation (p=0.0006) was shorter with the VETG on the second attempt. The success rate of intubation on the first attempt was higher with the VETG (P = 0.002). The percentage of visualization of anatomical structures was greater with the VETG on both the first (P 0.067) and second attempts (P = 0.038). Conclusion Learning endotracheal intubation with the VETG appears promising, as it facilitates the demonstration of anatomical structures by the instructor and increases the percentage of correct intubations and the visualization of anatomical structures by medical students in a shorter time.

BackgroundThe endovascular repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) can be performed with a wide variety of devices. Many of these grafts elevate the aortic bifurcation which can limit future repairs if the graft material fails thereby creating a type III endoleak to aorto-uniliac (AUI) grafts. Many manufacturers have grafts susceptible to this, but we have seen this in the Medtronic AneuRx graft. Our goal is to provide technical details and outcomes regarding a novel technique to re-line these grafts while maintaining inline flow to the iliac arteries.MethodsThis was a single institution review of patients who had endoleaks requiring intervention after a previously placed graft with an elevated aortic bifurcation. Primary outcomes included technical success defined as placement of all planned devices, resolution of type III endoleak, aneurysm size at follow-up, and requirement of reintervention. Secondary outcomes included 30-day complications, aneurysm-related mortality (ARM), and all-cause mortality (ACM). Technical details of the operation include back table deployment of an Ovation device, modification of the deployment system tether and preemptive placement of an up and over 0.014" wire. The wire is placed up and over and hung outside the contralateral gate. Once the main body is introduced above the old graft, the 0.014" is snared from the contralateral side and externalized. The main body is then able to be seated at the bifurcation as the limb is not fully deployed and then device deployment is completed per IFU.ResultsOur study consists of four individuals, three of which had an AAA initially managed with an AneuRx EVAR and one with a combination of Gore and Cook grafts. All four patients were male with an average age of 84.5 years at time of re-line. All patients had at least 10 years between initial surgery and re-line at our institution. Primary outcomes revealed no type 1 or 3 endoleaks at follow-up, technical success was 100% and one patient required reintervention for aneurysm growth and type 2 endoleak. In terms of our secondary outcomes, there was one postoperative complication which was cardiac dysfunction secondary to demand ischemia, ARM was 0% and ACM was 25% at average follow up of 2.44 years.ConclusionAs individuals continue to age, there are more patients who would benefit from less invasive reinterventions following EVAR. Whether this is due to aortic degeneration, stent migration, or stent material damage is not always known. In this study we present an endovascular approach to treating type III endoleak patients with a previous graft and elevated aortic bifurcation using Ovation stent grafts and found no evidence of type 1 or 3 endoleaks on follow-up imaging. This approach may allow patients with type III endoleak the option of a minimally invasive, percutaneous approach where they previously would not have had one.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in endovascular devices have allowed access and targeting of perivascular tissues of the peripheral circulation. The perivascular tissues of the cervical and cranial circulations have many important structures of clinical significance, yet the feasibility and safety of such an approach has not been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of a novel endovascular transmural approach to target the perivascular tissues of the common carotid artery in swine. METHODS: A micro-infusion device was positioned in the carotid arteries of three Yorkshire pigs (six carotid arteries in total), and each carotid artery was punctured 10 times in the same location to gain access to the perivascular tissues. Digital subtraction angiography was used to evaluate vessel injury or contrast extravasation. MRI and MR angiography were used to evaluate evidence of cerebral ischemia or vessel injury. Post-mortem tissue analysis was performed to assess the level of extravascular hematoma and intravascular dissection. RESULTS: None of the tested carotid arteries showed evidence of vessel injury (dissection or perforation) or intravascular thrombosis. MRI performed after repeated puncture was negative for neck hematoma and brain ischemia. Post-mortem tissue analysis of the carotid arteries showed mild adventitial staining with blood, but without associated hematoma and without vessel dissection. CONCLUSION: Repeated puncture of the carotid artery to gain access to the perivascular tissues using a novel endovascular transmural approach is safe in a swine model. This represents a novel approach to various tissues in close proximity to the cervical and cranial vasculature.

Background  Supraorbital eyebrow craniotomy is a minimally invasive alternative to a frontotemporal craniotomy and is often used for tumor and vascular pathologies. The purpose of this study was to investigate how patient cosmetic outcomes are affected by technique variations of this approach. Methods  PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases were systematically searched, and results were reported according to PRISMA guidelines. For the meta-analysis portion, the DerSimonian-Laird random effects model was used, and the primary end points were patient satisfaction and percentage of permanent cosmetic complications. Results  A total of 2,629 manuscripts were identified. Of those, 124 studies (8,241 surgical cases) met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 93.04 ± 11.93% of patients reported favorable cosmetic outcome following supraorbital craniotomy, and mean number of cases with permanent cosmetic complications was 6.62 ± 12.53%. We found that vascular cases are associated with more favorable cosmetic outcomes than tumor cases ( p  = 0.0001). Addition of orbital osteotomy or use of a drain is associated with adverse cosmetic outcomes ( p  = 0.001 and p  = 0.0001, respectively). The location of incision, size of craniotomy, utilization of an endoscope, method of cranial reconstruction, skin closure, use of antibiotics, and addition of pressure dressing did not significantly impact cosmetic outcomes ( p  > 0.05 for all). Conclusions  Supraorbital craniotomy is a minimally invasive technique associated with generally high favorable cosmetic outcomes. While certain techniques used in supraorbital keyhole approach do not pose significant cosmetic risks, utilization of an orbital osteotomy and the addition of a drain correlate with unfavorable cosmetic outcomes.

In Gottman Couple Therapy (GCT), the intervention of Dreams-within-Conflict (DWC) helps break down a gridlocked issue between couples through deeper emotional expression and experiencing (in-counseling exploration of emotions). The current study examined experiencing in a single session of DWC for N = 30 individuals (15 couples) using multiple methods such as self-assessment questionnaires, observation rating and coding of the video recording, and feedback interviews. The before and during DWC best experiencing video segments were selected and rated by two raters independently on the experiencing scale (ES) for partners. The changes in experiencing mode and peak scores (ESM and ESP) during DWC were investigated in the presence of individual characteristics of attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and relationship mindfulness traits. A paired-samples t-test showed a significant increase in experiencing for both partners. Hierarchical linear modeling analysis indicated that gender (women) significantly and positively predicted ESM. ESP was predicted positively by gender (women) and negatively by avoidance, though the results were not conclusive. Thematic analysis was used to look at the Indian couples' experiencing as shared by them in order to better grasp the therapeutic implications. The qualitative findings confirm the quantitative results that couples outside of intervention utilized experiencing levels 1–3 predominantly and moved to 3–4 levels during best experiencing segments of intervention. Couples reviewed positively to the emotional experiencing techniques used during the DWC intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: When the traditional incremental technique is used for direct placement of composite resin in a deep occlusal cavity, each increment (2 mm or thicker) is individually cured where it undergoes hardening and shrinkage. As increments are bonded to all cavity walls, a constrained shrinkage develops in tooth, composite, and/or interfaces. In the first composite increment, this constrained shrinkage generates tensile stresses which are distributed in a nonuniform pattern within that increment, resulting in premature stressing of the dentin bond of the hybrid layer at the pulpal floor before it reaches full maturation. This premature stressing leads to initiation of interfacial debonding and propagation to form a microgap. This behavior is associated with persistent postoperative sensitivity and tooth pain, over the time, which subsequently results in restoration failure. Aims: This paper provides a comprehensive review on the first composite increment and its dependency on placement technique for the interaction behavior with the maturing dentin-adhesive bond at pulpal floors in deep occlusal cavities. Materials and Methods: The dental database was searched, and 59 articles were collected and included in this review, spanning the years from 1984 to 2023. Results and Discussion: Three biomimetic direct restorative techniques were reported in the literature for incrementally restoring large occlusal cavities. These techniques are the decoupling with time, the decoupling with fiber, and the decoupling with split-increment. They all aim at minimizing the generated shrinkage stresses in the first composite increment for protecting the developing dentin bond of the hybrid layer until it reaches full maturation and thus preventing the initiation and propagation of interfacial defects at pulpal floors of deep occlusal cavities. Finally, the restoration is completed by placing and curing successive increments of 1.5 mm each to fill the cavity; their number depends on the cavity depth. These increments can each be cured immediately following placement. Conclusions: In deep occlusal cavities, the interaction behavior between the first composite increment and the maturing dentin-adhesive bond at the pulpal floor depends on the technique used for the increment placement. This behavior is either favorable with the direct biomimetic techniques or unfavorable with the traditional incremental technique. With the direct biomimetic techniques, no premature shrinkage stressing of the dentin bond is induced at the pulpal floor. This prevents the initiation of interfacial debonding and propagation to form microgaps and results in the absence of postoperative sensitivity and persistent tooth pain.

The article deals with the theme of the works addressed in the creation of Inga Edu, which established itself in the artistic life of the Republic of Moldova and Romania in the early 2000s. Practicing oil painting and pastel, the artist frequently approaches the genres of landscape and still life. The theme of the outdoor landscape is very varied: from medieval Romanian cities and European civilizations to today’s Chișinău. The capital becomes a motif in the painting at different times and moods of the day. Thus, we find the city in the rain in “Rainy Day”, the nocturnal city in “Night in the City”, the blooming city in “Spring in Chișinău”. All these themes are found in both stages of the artist’s creation, only the approach changes. The first period of creation is characterized by figurative compositions in which the sensitivity typical of impressionists persists, achieving chiaroscuro, spatial perspective, light direction, drawing perfection, consonance, etc. The second period, the experimental one, stands out for the decorative treatment of the composition with pure colors in which halftones are timidly preserved. It is certain that although Inga Edu resorts to abstractionism in some works, she does not completely abandon the figurative. Having a predilection for oil and pastel painting, Inga Edu does not try to imitate reality, but meditates, choosing the most valuable elements.

A lesser tuberosity osteotomy (LTO) is commonly performed during total shoulder arthroplasty to access the glenohumeral joint. Healing of the LTO is critical to optimizing the outcome of the procedure and is enhanced by a repair that provides stability and compression across the osteotomy site. The purpose of this article is to describe a technique that uses a tensionable suture construct to repair the LTO during anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty using a stemless humeral component. The technique involves passing a row of high-tensile sutures through bone tunnels lateral to the osteotomy site (transosseous sutures) and another row of sutures through the humeral implant (implant sutures). One limb of each bone tunnel suture is then tied to its corresponding limb of implant suture and the remaining free strands of the tied sutures are manually tensioned and tied to each other. This technique is an efficient and reproducible method for creating compression and stability across the osteotomy site that facilitates bony healing.

In the digital era, architectural designs can be quickly visualized. However, the material abstraction from digital visualization tools may reduce immersion and make it hard to recognize design intention. This paper discusses how architectural students acknowledge the design representation despite various ways of visualization. Material is key to visualizing architecture by adding realism, depth, and texture. People create mental concepts of material beyond words. Thus, design representations can have positive or negative impacts depending on how effectively the idea is delivered to the audience. This study uses a quantitative method to investigate the extent to which the preference technique of students represents the design’s idea. The study's main objective is to identify the criteria for representation that effectively convey the designer's intentions while minimizing visual deception. The analyzed data is classified into three archetypes consisting of (1) the student’s previous knowledge about representation, (2) the intention of design representation, and (3) mass and material in representation. The result shows no strict correlation between previous knowledge and the preferred idea representation technique. Yet, the result indicates a correlation between previous knowledge and techniques used to represent material. The photorealism technique is preferable in representing the clarity of material in representation. Photorealism has advantages in showing the quality of shade in the material. On the other hand, respondents tend to choose to use sketches to show information about scale and mass. The research comprehensively explains this phenomenon in the context of positive theory, particularly in design communication and representation.