High Level Of Impact Research Articles

Sports Activity After Short-Stem Hip Arthroplasty

Background: No data are available about the sports activity of patients with bone-conserving short-stem hip implants. Hypothesis: Patients can return to a good level of sports activity after implantation of a short-stem hip implant. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The sports activity level of 68 patients (76 hips) after short-stem hip arthroplasty was assessed for a minimum of 2 years after implantation. In addition to the clinical examination, a detailed evaluation of the patients’ sports pattern was obtained. Furthermore, the results were analyzed with regard to gender (female and male) and age (≤55 and >55 years). Results: After a mean of 2.7 years, patients showed a Harris Hip Score (HHS) of 93.6, a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score of 9.5, and a University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score of 7.6, with each individual participating on average in 3.5 different disciplines after surgery compared with 3.9 before surgery. High-impact activities decreased significantly postoperatively, whereas low-impact activities increased significantly. The duration of the sports activities remained stable, while the frequency actually increased. In contrast, men participated preoperatively in more sports than women (4.3 men vs 3.3 women). However, because of a pronounced decrease in high-impact activities by men, both genders participated in an equal number of sports postoperatively (3.5 men vs 3.5 women). Finally, 45% (n = 31) reported at least one activity that they missed. Most of them were disciplines with an intermediate- or high-impact level. Conclusion: Patients with a short-stem hip implant can return to a good level of activity postoperatively. Participation in sports almost reached similar levels as preoperatively but with a shift from high- to low-impact activities. This seems desirable from a surgeon’s point of view but should also be communicated to the patient before hip replacement.

Cardiac magnetic resonance: Impact on diagnosis and management of patients with congenital cardiovascular disease

To estimate the clinical impact of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with congenital cardiovascular disease (CCD). Since 2003, 1.5T CMR was used at our university hospital to evaluate morphology, cardiac kinetics, aortic and pulmonary flow, and vascular anatomy in patients with CCD. The present study considered a consecutive series of these patients from 2003 to 2006. A paediatric cardiologist judged our reports as expected or unexpected and, secondarily, as not reliable (level 0), describing findings already known (level 1), not changing therapy/suggested lifestyle (level 2), changing therapy/suggested lifestyle (level 3) or changing diagnosis (level 4). CMR reports were judged to be expected in 187/214 (87%) and unexpected in 27/214 (13%). Less than 2% of CMRs were judged as levels 0 or 1, 66% as level 2, and 5% as level 4. During 2005-2006 the clinical impact improved toward higher impact levels (p<0.001, chi-square test). In patients with CCD, more than one in 10 CMR reports were unexpected to cardiologists and over seven in 10 prompted a change of diagnosis or therapy.

The Analysis on Work Clothes' Clothing Comfort and Wearer Mobility of Welding and Grinding Workers in the Machine and Shipbuilding Industries

The study aimed to analyze the status quo of manufacturing work environment and the work clothes' clothing comfort and wearer mobility of welding and grinding work processes in the machine and shipbuilding industries in South Korea. A questionnaire survey was conducted for the study, which consisted of questions about work clothes' clothing comfort and wearer mobility according to body parts. The findings derived from the research were: the high impact levels of work environment factors on welding and grinding work processes were noise, metal fragment, superheat, toxic gas, UV ray factors. Subject workers' assessment of work clothes' clothing pressures were in the levels between 3 (i.e. moderate) and 4 (i.e. comfortable) in a range of 5-point scale. The impact levels of wearer mobility factor were high on the work processes of welding and grinding in machine and grinding in shipbuilding. While welding process in shipbuilding showed a 'moderate' wearer mobility level and this was because its work postures were uncomfortable yet the rate of the motion change was low. The consideration to develop the work clothes specialized for certain work processes should include the materials' protecting performance from the hazardous work environment factors; and work clothes' designs that provides workers with maximized clothing comfort and wearer mobility for bending or tilting postures of upper, lower and lateral body parts defined in the study.

The use of dance music and the synergy of narrative vehicles in Run Lola Run

Run Lola Run (Tom Tykwer, 1998) is unconventional on many levels. Its narrative structure, editing style and use of mixed media are highly ambitious. Director, writer and composer Tom Tykwer had a strong creative vision for the film and wanted to captivate and fully engage the viewer. The underscore consists of prominently featured through-composed dance music. The chosen musical idiom is a pastiche of contemporary dance music, rock and pop, combining hypnotic techno beats with mainstream rock appeal. The cue Running One is analysed with regards to the correlation of music and (non-)diegetic sound, as well as music and visuals. The article considers the effect of dance music on the listener, the chosen musical idiom is described as an ideal choice to have a high level of impact on the target audience. The synergetic relationship of the narrative vehicles in Run Lola Run proves effective in attaining the dramatic expressiveness Tywker envisioned.

Widespread Overexpression of Epitope-Tagged Mdm4 Does Not Accelerate Tumor Formation In Vivo

Mdm2 and Mdm4 are critical negative regulators of p53. A large body of evidence indicates that elevated expression of either Mdm2 or Mdm4 may favor tumor formation by inhibiting p53 tumor suppression function. To explore this possibility in vivo, we generated conditional Mdm2 and Mdm4 transgenic mice. We show that although both transgenes are designed to be expressed ubiquitously and at comparable levels, only the Mdm4 transgenic protein is produced at high levels in vivo. In contrast, exogenous Mdm2 is constitutively degraded in a proteasome-dependent manner, indicating that cells are equipped with efficient mechanisms that prevent Mdm2 accumulation in vivo. Mice that are homozygous for the Mdm4 transgene die during embryogenesis owing to severe vascular maturation defects. Importantly, this lethality is not rescued on a p53-null background, indicating that high levels of Mdm4 impact on a pathway(s) other than p53 that controls vascular and embryonic development. Mice expressing a single copy of the Mdm4 transgene are viable and, surprisingly, are not prone to spontaneous, radiation-induced or Eμ-myc-induced tumor formation. The findings have clear implications for cancer etiology as well as for cancer therapy.

Italian families living with relatives with alcohol or drugs problems

Purpose: To examine the overall impact of alcohol and drug problems on a sample of Italian family members.Sample: 113 family members affected by and concerned about the problem drinking or drug-taking of close relatives recruited from the North (N = 37), the Centre (N = 26) and the South (N = 50) of Italy.Measurements: Family Member Impact scale (FMI), Symptom Rating Test (SRT), Coping Questionnaire (CQ) and Hopefulness–Hopelessness scale (HOPE).Findings: There is a high level of impact on family members; the greater the impact, the higher the symptom levels; and the greater both the impact and symptoms are, the more types of coping behaviour are used. Multiple regression showed that the most important variables relating to overall symptom levels reported by family members were total coping, gender and impact. These data lend further support to the Stress-Strain-Coping-Support model (Orford et al., 2005a, b).

Taking Control of Alzheimer's Disease: A Training Evaluation

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate a training program for persons with early-stage Alzheimer's disease and their care partners. Care partners were mailed two surveys, one for themselves and one for the person with dementia. Domains covered in the training included an overview of cognitive disorders, treatment of symptoms including medications, research updates and opportunities, memory and safety enhancement techniques, legal and financial planning, driving, ways to stay active, becoming an advocate, and communication. The results indicate a high level of participant satisfaction and impact on current lifestyles. Lifestyle changes such as diet, physical and mental exercises were likely to be made in tandem, by the person with dementia and the care partner together. Further, the results provide insights into the perceptions of the care partners and the persons with dementia as they learn about the disease and live through its progression. The program had positive impacts for the person with dementia and for the care partner in increasing knowledge of Alzheimer's disease, providing comfort with sharing the diagnosis, personal planning, and in decision making. Although many had taken important decision-making actions prior to the training, an additional twenty percent prepared or revised their wills, health care proxies, durable powers of attorney, or medical directives and looked into asset protection after participating in the training.

Graduate Learning Communities: Transforming Educators

Quantitative data collected from graduates of the Southwest Minnesota State University Master of Science in Education program examined the impact of the learning environment, the role of the facilitator, and their professional development. The results showcased the success of the learning community model in facilitating personal and professional growth and transformation. Essential elements of the program include: best practices, learning environment, effective teaching strategies, research-based decision making, scaffolding, peer collaboration, learning community philosophy, professional growth, empowerment, reflective practitioner, inquiry, and transformational leader (change agent). The data collected from student surveys over a five-year period indicated a high level of impact on their empowerment and transformational practices.

Avaliação da capacidade funcional e da qualidade de vida de pacientes com artrite reumatoide

To assess the impact of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) on functional working status, and health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients. This is a descriptive study with 53 patients from a public rheumatology center in Montevideo, Uruguay. A series of instruments were used to assess pain, functional impairment, HRQL, and activity level: P-VAS (Pain Visual Analogue Scale), G-VAS (Global Status Visual Analogue Scale), HAQ (Health Assessment Questionnaire), SF-12 (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12), and DAS 28 (Disease Activity Score). Linear regression coeficients, t test, and ANOVA were used to investigate the associations among several independent parameters and the HRQL. Correlations between the assessments of general well-being made by physicians and patients were studied using the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). High levels of disease activity (41.5%, severe activity; 26.5%, low activity or remission), severe pain (60%), and impact on global health status (median G-VAS 40, range: 0-100) were observed. More than 70% of the patients had HAQ rates indicating moderate to severe disability. The SF-12 PCS (Physical component Summary) had mean scores of 31.5 points (range 15.2- 59.5; SD=10.1) while those of the MCS (Mental Component Summary) were 37.9 points (range: 15.7 - 66.4; SD=14.6). One or more years of disease evolution and the level of activity were determining factors of HRQL scores. The study showed that RA is associated with higher disease burden, reflected on pain, impact on global health, and functional and working status, as well as the physical and emotional dimensions of the HRQL. The need for changes in the treatment of this psychologically vulnerable group of patients is paramount.

Moving the Statistics Profession Forward to the Next Level

In an important and timely article Meng (2009) has raised important questions regarding the future of the statistics profession. We elaborate on several of his points and offer some additional opportunities for the profession to consider. We argue that statistical methods and tools must be properly integrated into an overall approach to scientific inquiry in order to be properly understood and utilized. The discipline of statistical engineering, defined in this article, provides a mechanism to do this based on research and theory. Similarly, statistical thinking provides a clear framework to help students understand the “big picture” of statistics, and a relevant context for its application. Further, there is a natural, synergistic linkage between statistical thinking, statistical engineering, and statistical methods. We believe that teaching this linkage to students and utilizing it widely ourselves will enable the profession to move forward to a higher level of impact.

Public sharing of research datasets: A pilot study of associations

The public sharing of primary research datasets potentially benefits the research community but is not yet common practice. In this pilot study, we analyzed whether data sharing frequency was associated with funder and publisher requirements, journal impact factor, or investigator experience and impact. Across 397 recent biomedical microarray studies, we found investigators were more likely to publicly share their raw dataset when their study was published in a high-impact journal and when the first or last authors had high levels of career experience and impact. We estimate the USA's National Institutes of Health (NIH) data sharing policy applied to 19% of the studies in our cohort; being subject to the NIH data sharing plan requirement was not found to correlate with increased data sharing behavior in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Studies published in journals that required a database submission accession number as a condition of publication were more likely to share their data, but this trend was not statistically significant. These early results will inform our ongoing larger analysis, and hopefully contribute to the development of more effective data sharing initiatives.

Simulation analysis of human neck injury risk under high-level landing impact

When a spacecraft lands on the earth by parachute, the crewmen will be subjected to a high-level landing impact which could cause their body injuries in case of emergency. The purpose of this investigation was to analyse the human neck injury risk under the high-level landing impact, and to provide useful information for the protection design of the human-seat system in the spacecraft. On the basis of impact test, a mechanical model of the human-seat system was developed, and the acceleration responses at the seat and cushion were simulated using the finite element method. After the model was calibrated and validated, the forces and moments in the human neck were calculated. The degree of the human neck injury can be judged according to the standard of the human neck injury index (N ij < 1). The results showed that when both horizontal and vertical dropping velocity reach 7.5 m/s, the compressive force and extension moment in the human neck were, respectively, 6.58 kN and 100 Nm; and the injury index of the human neck was 1.81 (more than the critical value 1). It is concluded that under the high-level landing impact, the first reason for cervical fracture is the compressive force, and the second is the extension moment. It is necessary to take measures to reduce them to levels less than tolerance limits.

Stakeholder impact analysis of infrastructure project management in developing countries: a study of perception of project managers in state‐owned engineering firms in Vietnam

Construction projects can involve a diverse range of stakeholders and the success of the project depends very much on fulfilling their needs and expectations. It is important, therefore, to identify and recognize project stakeholders and develop a rigorous stakeholder management process. However, limited research has investigated the impact of stakeholders on construction projects in developing countries. A stakeholder impact analysis (SIA), based on an approach developed by Olander (2007), was adopted to investigate the stakeholders’ impact on state‐owned civil engineering projects in Vietnam. This involved the analysis of a questionnaire survey of 57 project managers to determine the relative importance of different stakeholders. The results show the client to have the highest level of impact on the projects, followed by project managers and the senior management of state‐owned engineering firms. The SIA also provides suggestions to project managers in developing and evaluating the stakeholder management process.

Impact Attenuation and Efficiency Characteristics of a Flexible Wheelchair Handrim

Manual wheelchair users are at considerable risk for developing upper extremity overuse injuries. Novel ergonomic handrim designs hold promise to reduce physical demand on the wheelchair user. In this study, a flexible handrim design was evaluated to assess its effects on impact attenuation and the oxygen cost of propulsion. The flexible handrim was found to reduce the peak rate of loading by 10.2%, 9.5%, and 10.0% for low-, moderate-, and high-impact levels. Oxygen cost of propulsion was assessed through submaximal propulsion on a belt-driven treadmill using a population of wheelchair users. On average, the flexible handrim was found to reduce the oxygen cost of propulsion by 13% (p = .039). Use of the flexible handrim may help reduce the likelihood of developing secondary upper limb impairments related to impact loading or propulsion-induced fatigue.

Relationship between geomorphology and contamination with weathered hydrocarbons in an old river levee/marsh association

A site evaluation was made for a low-lying property in an old river levee/marsh association, used marginally for cattle raising, which was contaminated due to historical practices. Contamination was related to geomorphology: the lowest areas contained 79 % of the contaminated samples. Other contaminated samples were all rear access roads (probable intentional dumping). There were no samples in the higher, levee areas away from roads with hydrocarbon concentrations above 3,000 mg/kg. Medium and high impact levels, corresponding to average hydrocarbon concentrations of 13,400 mg/kg and 109,700 mg/kg, respectively, were found in 28 % and 27 % of the property area. The medium impact level was predicted to have a reduced pasture production potential of ~ 50 % while at the high impact level practically no pasture production was predicted. Toxicological risk to cattle is present in only 12 % of the sample points although almost all of these are in very marshy areas not apt for cattle raising. Because the hydrocarbons at this tropical site are very weathered, acute toxicity was not related to hydrocarbon concentration. Although slightly more than half of the property has hydrocarbon concentrations above the permissible limit, only about one-third of the contaminated area is apt for cattle raising. This study, based on hydrocarbon distribution related to site geomorphology, soil toxicity bioassay, risk assessment to cattle and evaluation of pasture production allowed to made a more accurate assessment and definition of future use of the site. These criteria could be used for diagnostic studies of sites with similar tropical conditions.

Health of Children 3 to 17 Years of Age With Down Syndrome in the 1997–2005 National Health Interview Survey

This study provides population-based estimates of recent medical conditions, concurrent developmental disorders, and health impact and utilization indicators for US children with and without Down syndrome. The sample included children 3 to 17 years of age in the 1997-2005 National Health Interview Survey Child Sample Core and specifically included 146 children with Down syndrome, 604 children with mental retardation but without Down syndrome, and 95 454 children without either condition reported. Developmental and medical conditions, health status, and service use were reported by parents or other knowledgeable caregivers. After adjustment for demographic factors, children with Down syndrome had higher odds, compared with children without mental retardation, of recent food/digestive allergy, frequent diarrhea/colitis, > or =3 ear infections in the previous year, very recent head/chest cold, and developmental disabilities other than mental retardation. They had increased odds that approached significance for recent seizures, very recent stomach/intestinal illness, and asthma. They had substantially higher rates (threefold or higher, compared with children without mental retardation) for nearly all health impact and health and special education service use measures. Of note, >25% of children with Down syndrome needed help with personal care, regularly took prescription medications, had recently seen a medical specialist, and received physical therapy or related therapy. The comparison group with mental retardation without Down syndrome represented many children with multiple serious disabilities who also had high rates of medical conditions and high levels of health impact and service use. These findings provide empirical, population-based data to inform guidelines for frequent monitoring and support for children with Down syndrome.

Taste and Smell Changes in Patients Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy

Few studies have described how patients receiving chemotherapy experience taste/smell changes (TSCs). Food and meal situations have important meaning beyond nutrition, so these common symptoms may affect daily lives. This study aims to investigate distress and impact on daily life from TSCs in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy, analyze reported levels of distress and impact on daily life from TSCs with regard to sociodemographic and clinical factors, and explore patients' reports of self-care strategies and communication with staff. The 340 patients reporting TSCs on a multicenter survey (n = 518) were grouped into subsets by level of TSC-related distress and impact on daily life, which served as the basis for statistical comparison. Written comments were analyzed inductively using content analysis. Nearly one-third of participating patients reported both high levels of distress and impact on daily life (high distress and high impact on daily life [HDHI]) from TSCs. The HDHI subset reported other symptoms more often than others did (P = .01) and also more often responded to open questions about distress, impact, and self-care strategies (P = .01). Taste/smell changes were not always reported to staff, even in the HDHI subset. The specific aspects of TSCs resulting in distress and impact on daily life varied greatly, affecting both psychological and somatic aspects, with little consensus and great individual differences described in self-care strategies. The variety of distress, impact, and strategies used to alleviate TSCs clarifies the importance of situational meaning.

Positive and Negative Psychological Impact After Secondary Exposure to Politically Motivated Violence Among Body Handlers and Rehabilitation Workers

The positive and negative psychological impact of secondary exposure to politically motivated violence was examined among body handlers and hospital rehabilitation workers, 2 groups that differed in their proximity and immediacy to violent events. Survivors of politically motivated violence served as a comparison group. Body handlers experienced high levels of positive psychological impact and traumatic stress symptoms. Levels of positive psychological impact among on-scene body handlers were higher than those experienced by rehabilitation workers. Traumatic stress symptoms predicted positive psychological impact among body handlers. These findings indicate that proximity to stressors is associated with higher levels of positive and negative psychological impact. Physical proximity is a major contributory factor to both positive and negative psychological effects of secondary exposure to trauma.

The Role of Golf Courses in Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management

We assessed the ecological value of golf courses based on a quantitative synthesis of studies in the scientific literature that have measured and compared biota on golf courses to that of biota in green-area habitats related to other land uses. We found that golf courses had higher ecological value in 64% of comparative cases. This pattern was consistent also for comparisons based on measures of species richness, as well as for comparisons of overall measures of birds and insects—the fauna groups most widely examined in the studies. Many golf courses also contribute to the preservation of fauna of conservation concern. More broadly, we found that the ecological value of golf courses significantly decreases with land types having low levels of anthropogenic impact, like natural and nature-protected areas. Conversely, the value of golf courses significantly increases with land that has high levels of anthropogenic impact, like agricultural and urban lands. From an ecosystem management perspective, golf courses represent a promising measure for restoring and enhancing biodiversity in ecologically simplified landscapes. Furthermore, the review suggests that golf courses hold a real potential to be designed and managed to promote critical ecosystem services, like pollination and natural pest control, providing an opportunity for joint collaboration among conservation, restoration and recreational interests.

Distribution of the protein IMPACT, an inhibitor of GCN2, in the mouse, rat, and marmoset brain

IMPACT is an inhibitor of GCN2, a kinase that phosphorylates the alpha subunit of the translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2 alpha). GCN2 has been implicated in regulating feeding behavior and learning and memory in mice. IMPACT is highly abundant in the brain, suggesting its relevance in the control of GCN2 activation in the central nervous system. We describe here the distribution of IMPACT in the brain of rodents (mice and rats) and of a primate (marmoset) using highly specific antibodies raised against the mouse IMPACT protein. Neurons expressing high levels of IMPACT were found in most areas of the brain. In the hippocampal formation the lack of IMPACT in the dentate gyrus granule cells was striking. The hypothalamus is exceptionally rich in neurons expressing high levels of IMPACT, particularly in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The only exception to this pattern was the ventromedial nucleus. The thalamic neurons are mostly devoid of IMPACT, with the exception of the paraventricular, reuniens and reticular nuclei, and intergeniculate leaf. The brainstem displayed high levels of IMPACT. For the marmoset, IMPACT expression in the brain is not as prominent when compared to other organs. In the marmoset brain the pattern of IMPACT expression was similar to rodents in most areas, except for the very strong labeling of the Purkinje cells, the lack of IMPACT-positive neurons in the nucleus reuniens, and weak labeling of interneurons in the hippocampus. GCN1, the activator of GCN2 to which IMPACT binds, is widely distributed in all neuronal populations, and all IMPACT-positive cells were also GCN1-positive. The data presented herein suggest that IMPACT may be involved in biochemical homeostatic mechanisms that would prevent GCN2 activation and therefore ATF4 (CREB-2) synthesis in neurons.