20-point System Research Articles

The Effect of Lower Body Compression Tights on the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test in Young Male Basketball Players

This study aims to assess the influence of lower body compression tights on performance in the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) in young male basketball players. Twenty male basketball players participated in the study (age = 16.5±0.5 years, height = 176.8±5.71 cm, weight = 68.5±8.98 kg, basketball experience = 2.35±0.49 years). Players performed the RAST, comprising 6 x 35 m sprints with 10-second intervals, wearing regular shorts or compression tights, with a one-week interval between conditions. Before each test, a 24-hour dietary record was used to calculate the total calorie intake and the percentage of calories from carbohydrates to account for dietary variations. The Hooper Index was used to assess fatigue levels before each test. The RAST, conducted using a Newtest Powertimer photocell (300 Series, Oulu, Finland), determined maximal power (Pmax), minimum power (Pmin), average power (AP), and fatigue index (FI). Perceived exertion after each RAST was assessed using the Borg Scale (20-point system). Paired-samples ttest results showed no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the means from the two test sessions. The study suggests that lower body compression tights did not significantly impact RAST performance in young basketball players. Considering the study design, applying it to more experienced players after familiarization sessions with compression tights may yield different results.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is more effective than cervical arthroplasty in relieving atypical symptoms in patients with cervical spondylosis

Background and purpose Patients with cervical spondylosis often present with concurrent ‘atypical symptoms’ of unknown etiology that have been associated with cervical spondylotic disease, including dizziness, headache, nausea, tinnitus, blurred vision, palpitations, and memory and gastrointestinal disturbances. Few studies have addressed whether surgical intervention to treat classic symptoms of cervical spondylosis can also effectively alleviate atypical symptoms. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to compare the ability of cervical arthroplasty (CA) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) to alleviate atypical symptoms associated with cervical spondylosis. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis of 140 patients with cervical spondylosis and associated atypical symptoms was performed. Atypical symptoms were defined vertigo, headache, nausea and vomiting, tinnitus, blur vision, palpitation, hypomnesia, and gastroenteric disturbances not otherwise explained by medical comorbidities. Seventy-eight patients (55.7%) underwent ACDF and 62 (44.3%) patients underwent CA. Demographics, surgical characteristics, patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), radiographs, complication rates, and resolution in atypical symptoms were recorded and compared between groups. Atypical symptoms were assessed using a 20-point system. All the patients had a minimum of five years follow-up. Results VAS, SF-36, JOA, and NDI scores improved significantly in all the patients (p < 0.001). At the last follow-up, the fusion rate was 97% in the ACDF group. Atypical symptoms improved in both groups (p < 0.001), although the ACDF group demonstrated greater improvement in headache and vertigo resolution compared to the CA group (p < 0.0001). Conclusions While both ACDF and CA are effective in alleviating atypical symptoms associated with cervical spondylosis, ACDF demonstrated greater improvements in atypical symptoms.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion to Treat Cervical Spondylosis With Sympathetic Symptoms

Retrospective study. To investigate the clinical effectiveness of polytheretherketone (PEEK) cages-assisted anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) to treat cervical spondylosis with sympathetic symptoms. The diagnosis and treatment of cervical spondylosis with sympathetic symptoms has remained controversial. To date, few reports have focused on the surgical efficacy of cervical spondylosis with sympathetic symptoms. Retrospective analysis was undertaken for 39 patients who were diagnosed as cervical spondylosis with sympathetic symptoms and underwent ACDF with PEEK cages. They were followed up for at least 1 year. The mean follow-up was 15.6 months. Radiographs obtained before surgery, after surgery, and at the final follow-up were assessed for quality of fusion. The sympathetic symptoms including vertigo, headache, tinnitus, nausea and vomiting, heart throb, hypomnesia, and gastroenterologic discomfort were scored by 20-point system preoperatively, 2 months postoperatively, and at the final follow-up. The recovery rate and clinical satisfaction rate were also evaluated. Surgical complications were also assessed. Radiographs of the cervical spine at the last follow-up revealed a solid fusion with no signs of a pseudoarthrosis in 36 cases. In 2 patients delayed union and bony fusion were achieved at 9 and 11 months. Pseudoarthrosis was found in 1 case but the patient had no symptoms. The sympathetic symptoms improved in all patients and the score was significantly improved after surgery. There was one patient who had cerebral spinal fluid leakage but he recovered 1 week after surgery. Two patients felt a mild swallowing discomfort, but it disappeared within 1 month after surgery. Subcutaneous hematoma occurred in one patient due to obstructed drainage. It was cleared 2 days after surgery. Cervical spondylosis patients with sympathetic symptoms may be managed successfully with ACDF using PEEK cages. Successful clinical results regarding symptom improvement and general satisfaction with the surgical procedure depend on obtaining successful decompression and radiographic fusion.

Current and substrate preferences of benthic invertebrates in the rivers of the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region as indicators of hydromorphological degradation

The study introduces an approach to obtaining information about the preferences of benthic invertebrates for substrate and current velocity in a region with little prior knowledge of benthic invertebrates. These preferences are then used for river assessment. Substrate-specific sampling of 271 reference sites was conducted in lower mountainous and lowland areas of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region. Statistical analysis revealed significant preferences for substrate type and current velocity for 50 taxa of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Odonata, Mollusca, and Oligochaeta. A 20-point system was developed to assign scores for substrate and current preferences. Scores from seven taxa of Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera revealed low ecological potential in response to habitat alteration. These data were used to develop four preference metrics. The Lithal metric is composed of 34 taxa with significant preferences for stony substrates (fine gravel to bedrock size). The Lithophile metric contains 21 taxa with strong statistical links to stony substrates, which were also found on other substrates. The Lithobiont metric consists of 13 taxa exclusively found on stones. The Lotic metric consists of 11 taxa with significant preferences for moderate-to-fast current velocities. Multi-habitat sampling was conducted at 181 sites reflecting a hydromorphological gradient. The Mann–Whitney U test and box-and-whisker plots were applied to test the relationship of the new metrics to hydromorphological stress. Of the four new metrics, the Lithal, Lithophile, and Lotic were able to detect impacts of hydromorphological degradation.

Wine judging, context and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Wine show competitions require judges to evaluate a large number of wines, typically within a time constraint. Under such circumstances, some form of quantification of wine quality is essential to achieve the aim of the task, namely allocation of a numerical score, or an award (e.g. a gold medal) that symbolises a numerical range of scores, to each wine. In this paper, we consider the relation between method of scoring, the scores awarded Sauvignon Blanc wines in a simulated wine show competition, and several aspects of wine-judging behaviour. Twenty experienced wine industry professionals judged 15 New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines via a 20-point scoring system, the system currently used in New Zealand wine shows, and via a 100-point scoring system in a context that simulated a wine competition. We were interested in two quantitative issues. The first related to the wines, where we investigated whether the 100-point judging system led to greater differentiation of the wines than the 20-point system. The second issue concerned wine-judging behaviour. We were interested in whether scoring method would influence between- and/or within-judge variability, with greater consistency resulting from use of the 20-point system. Results showed that there was no greater differentiation of the Sauvignon Blanc wines when they were judged by the 100-point scale than when judged out of 20 points. Variation in scores given to each wine on each scale was also generally consistent. With respect to whether method of scoring influenced variability of wine judges, we employed a model described by Schlich (1994) to consider measures of wine-evaluation behaviour. The major result was that consistency, both within judges and between judges, was independent of type of scoring method. Implications of the findings are discussed.

A scheme for the evaluation of methods in clinical chemistry with particular application to those measuring enzyme activities Part I: General considerations

A 20-point system is presented whereby commercially produced clinical chemistry procedures, i.e., in vitro diagnostic kits, may be assessed for adequacy of packaging, labelling and enclosed literature. Criteria are given for the selection of a reference method to use in the test method evaluation and the design of a patient comparison study using these two methods is described. The importance of standards and calibration materials as they relate to accuracy and specificity is discussed. A procedure for assessing accuracy by recovery studies is outlined. A method for the assessment of precision on a within-day and a day-to-day basis is described.