Three-way Repeated Measures ANOVA Research Articles

Translucency and Color Difference of Monolithic Zirconia Restorations: The Effect of Surface Finishing on Background Color

Aim: This study evaluates the effect of different surface finishing procedures on the color and translucency values of monolithic zirconia materials on three different colored composite backgrounds. Materials and Methods: Sixty monolithic zirconia blocks of three different translucency levels were prepared in vitro using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems. The correlation between repeat measurements was 0.5, resulting in a sample size of nine samples per group to detect a medium effect size, f = 0.25. Half of the zirconia blocks in each group were subjected to glazing, while the other half were polished ( n = 10). Composite blocks of three different colors were prepared to simulate dental substrates, and the zirconia specimens were placed on these composite backgrounds. The color parameters of the specimens were measured using a spectrophotometer on gray, black, and white backgrounds. Three-way repeated measure ANOVA was used to assess the interaction between the three independent variables (zirconia brand, surface finishing technique, and background color) and the effects of each tested variable on the changes in color and translucency. Results: The surface finishing techniques had a significant effect on the color and translucency of the monolithic zirconia materials. Glazing resulted in higher color differences and lower translucency values compared to polishing. For backgrounds of the same color, no significant differences were detected between the glazed zirconia groups for the same condition ( p > .016). Conclusion: Overall, the study demonstrated the importance of selecting the appropriate surface finishing technique and translucency property of the monolithic zirconia materials to obtain the optimal esthetic results in dental restorations.

Effects of Task-Induced Involvement and Time on Task on Incidental L2 Vocabulary Acquisition

This study investigates the impact of task-induced involvement and time on task on incidental second language (L2) vocabulary acquisition. Utilizing a 3 (task-induced involvement) × 2 (time on task) × 2 (post-test time) research design, three task-induced involvement conditions were employed based on the Involvement Load Hypothesis (ILH): reading and gap-fill task, reading and sentence-making task, and reading and translation task, with corresponding involvement load (IL) indices of 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Two time-on-task conditions were implemented: uncontrolled time on task, where participants in different groups completed tasks with varied durations, and controlled time on task, where participants in different groups completed tasks with roughly equal durations. Five intact classes comprising 256 Chinese middle school students participated and were randomly assigned to one of five designed tasks aimed at learning 10 carefully selected target words. The results of a three-way repeated measures ANOVA indicate a significant three-way interaction effect among task-induced involvement, time on task, and post-test time, as well as a significant two-way interaction effect between task-induced involvement and time on task. These findings demonstrate that task-induced involvement and time on task interact to significantly influence both initial acquisition and retention of incidental L2 vocabulary. Specifically, under uncontrolled time conditions, tasks with higher ILs and longer durations yield better initial vocabulary gains and retention, partially supporting the ILH. Conversely, under controlled time conditions, tasks with lower ILs exhibit superior initial vocabulary gains and retention, contradicting the predictions of the ILH. Relevant implications are also discussed.

Effect of light curing units on color stability and mechanical properties of resin cements after aging

This study aimed to evaluate the color stability, Martens hardness (HMV), and modulus of elasticity (Eit*) of resin cements light-cured using two types of light-emitting diodes (LED) subjected to ultraviolet (UV) aging. Two resin cements were used: light-cured (RelyX Veener) and dual-cured (Variolink II). Forty discs were confectioned for each resin cement (with a diameter of 5 mm and thickness of 1.5 mm). Half of the samples were light-cured by a Radii-cal singlewave and the other half by a Valo® polywave. The specimens were then stored at 37 °C and 100% relative humidity for 24 h to ensure complete polymerization. Baseline evaluations of the color alteration, HMV, and Eit* were performed. The specimens were aged for 252 h in an UV-accelerated aging chamber. Then, a final analysis was performed. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was performed on the color changes. Meanwhile, three-way repeated-measures ANOVA followed by Tukey´s test was performed on HMV and Eit* to compare the means (α = 0.05). With regard to the color alteration (ΔE), there was no statistically significant difference between the materials or between the light curing units (p > 0.05). With regard to the mechanical properties, Valo® promoted high values of HMV and Eit* compared with Radii-cal (p < 0.05). With regard to the resin cements, Variolink II showed higher HMV and Eit* values than RelyX Veneer (p < 0.05), except for Eit* after UV aging. The light-curing unit influenced the mechanical properties but not the color stability of the resin cements.

Multimodal and conventional resistance training interventions improve muscle function in older adults: Findings from the Training IMCT study

Age-associated remodeling processes affect the intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) network, which may significantly impair muscle function. Thus, we aimed to test whether including exercises shown to efficiently target the IMCT to a conventional resistance exercise intervention (CONV) would result in greater functional gains as compared to CONV alone. Fifty-three men and women (66.2 ± 3.3 years) were assigned to either CONV (n = 15), multimodal training (MULTI; n = 17) or a control (CTRL; n = 21) group. All subjects were tested at baseline, and those assigned to CONV or MULTI underwent a 16-week training intervention. The CONV group followed a progressive resistance training program, in which the number of weekly training sessions gradually increased from 1 to 3. In the MULTI group, one of these sessions was replaced with plyometric training, followed by self-myofascial release. Testing included maximal strength and power, imaging-based muscle volume, architecture, and functional performance. The intervention effects were analyzed using two- or three-way repeated measures ANOVA models (α = 0.05). Briefly, the maximal knee extension isometric contraction, one-repetition maximum, and isokinetic peak torque increased in all groups (p < 0.05), albeit to a lesser extent in CTRL. On the other hand, quadriceps femoris muscle volume (p = 0.019) and vastus lateralis pennation angle (p < 0.001) increased only in the MULTI group. Handgrip strength did not change in response to the intervention (p = 0.312), whereas Sit-to-Stand performance improved in all groups after the first 8-wks, but only in MULTI and CONV after 16-wks (all p < 0.001). In conclusion, we found that a resistance training intervention in which one weekly training session is replaced by plyometric training is feasible and as effective as a program consisting solely of conventional strength training sessions for inducing gains in muscle strength and function in older adults. Muscle size and architecture improved only in the MULTI group. German Clinical Trials: DRKS00015750.

Comparison of central corneal thickness measured by automatic and manual analysis of optical coherence tomography.

To compare central corneal thickness (CCT) measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT) using an automatic algorithm (A-OCT) vs. manual measurements (M-OCT) with respect to the gold standard ultrasound pachymetry (USP). CCT measurements were performed on both eyes of 28 healthy subjects at four times of the day. A-OCT used an automatic software analysis of the corneal image, M-OCT was performed by two operators by setting a digital calliper on the corneal borders, and USP was performed after corneal anesthesia. Measurements were compared using a three-way repeated measures ANOVA. Bland-Altman plots were used to evaluate the agreement between OCT measurements and USP. Both A-OCT and M-OCT significantly underestimated the USP measures, with the mean difference, i.e., the systematic error, being larger for A-OCT (- 19.0µm) than for M-OCT (- 6.5µm). Good reproducibility between the two operators was observed. Bland-Altman plots showed that both OCT methods suffered from proportional errors, which were not affected by time and eye. Measuring CCT with OCT yielded lower values than USP. Therefore, clinicians should be aware that corneal thickness values may be influenced by the measurement method and that the various devices should not be used interchangeably in following up a given patient. Intriguingly, M-OCT had less systematic error than A-OCT, an important outcome that clinicians should consider when deciding to use an OCT device.

Exploring the occupational fatigue risk of short-haul truck drivers: Effects of sleep pattern, driving task, and time-on-task on driving behavior and eye-motion metrics

Driver fatigue is the leading cause of truck-related accidents. The most significant occupational fatigue factors among short-haul truck drivers are sleep patterns, the round-trip driving task, and the time-on-task. However, the underlying mechanisms of these influential factors remain unclear. This study aims to explore the interactive effects of sleep patterns, driving task, and time-on-task on driving behavior and eye-motion metrics among short-haul truck drivers. We obtained test data from eleven professional short-haul truck drivers, with each driver participating in a three-day test under the conditions of two driving tasks and three different sleep patterns. We applied three-way repeated-measure ANOVA and non-parametric tests to analyze the data. The results reveal that: (1) violation of sleep-related legal requirements, insufficient sleep, and unreasonable time-on-task can have negative effects on short-haul truck drivers' vigilance and driving performance; (2) both driving task and sleep pattern contribute to driver fatigue, and the interaction of time-on-task and sleep pattern exacerbates driver fatigue more than the effects of any single factor alone; and (3) short-haul truck drivers who are sleep deprived exhibit short periods of controlled compensatory behavior during the outbound task, and sleepiness is more prevalent during the inbound task compared to the outbound task due to the monotony and low workload of the driving process. These findings provide theoretical and practical guidance for transportation industry managers to strengthen company-wide fatigue-related regulations, ensure adequate sleep for drivers via regulations, and optimize work schedules to improve safety outcomes of short-haul truck drivers.

73 Sex and Race/Ethnicity in Reporting of Lingering Concussion Symptoms by Adolescents

Objective:Consideration of individual differences in recovery after concussion has become a focus of concussion research. Sex and racial/ethnic identity as they may affect reporting of concussion symptoms have been studied at single time points but not over time. Our objective was to investigate the factors of self-defined sex and race/ethnicity in reporting of lingering concussion symptoms in a large sample of adolescents.Participants and Methods:Concussed, symptomatic adolescents (n=849; Female=464, Male=385) aged 13-18 years were evaluated within 30 days of injury at a North Texas Concussion Registry (ConTex) clinic. Participants were grouped by self-defined race/ethnicity into three groups: Non-Hispanic Caucasian (n=570), Hispanic Caucasian (n=157), and African American (n=122). Measures collected at the initial visit included medical history, injury related information, and the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-5 Symptom Evaluation (SCAT-5SE). At a three-month follow-up, participants completed the SCAT-5SE. Pearson’s Chi-Square analyses examined differences in categorical measures of demographics, medical history, and injury characteristics. Prior to analysis, statistical assumptions were examined, and log base 10 transformations were performed to address issues of unequal group variances and nonnormal distributions. A three-way repeated measures ANOVA (Sex x Race/Ethnicity x Time) was conducted to examine total severity scores on the SCAT-5SE. Bonferroni post-hoc tests were performed to determine specific group differences. SPSS V28 was used for analysis with p&lt;0.05 for significance. Data reported below has been back transformed.Results:A significant interaction of Time by Race/Ethnicity was found for SCAT-5SE scores reported at initial visit and three-month follow-up (F(2, 843)=7.362, p&lt;0.001). To understand this interaction, at initial visit, Race/Ethnicity groups reported similar levels of severity for concussion symptoms. At three month follow-up, African Americans reported the highest level of severity of lingering symptoms (M= 3.925, 95% CIs [2.938-5.158]) followed by Hispanic Caucasians(M= 2.978, 95% CIs [2.2663.845]) and Non-Hispanic Caucasians who were the lowest(M= 1.915, 95% CIs [1.6262.237]). There were significant main effects for Time, Sex, and Race/Ethnicity. Average symptom levels were higher at initial visit compared to three-month follow-up (F(1, 843)=1531.526, p&lt;0.001). Females had higher average symptom levels compared to males (F(1, 843)=35.58, p&lt;0.001). For Race/Ethnicity (F(2, 843)=9.236, p&lt;0.001), Non-Hispanic Caucasians were significantly different than African Americans (p&lt;0.001) and Hispanic Caucasians (p=0.021) in reported levels of concussion symptom severity.Conclusions:Data from a large sample of concussed adolescents supported a higher level of reported symptoms by females, but there were no significant differences in symptom reporting between sexes across racial/ethnic groups. Overall, at three-months, the African American and Hispanic Caucasians participants reported a higher level of lingering symptoms than Non-Hispanic Caucasians. In order to improve care, the difference between specific racial/ethnic groups during recovery merits exploration into the factors that may influence symptom reporting.

Does vibration frequency and location influence the effect of neck muscle vibration on postural sway? A cross-sectional study in asymptomatic participants.

Postural control is of utmost importance for human functioning. Cervical proprioception is crucial for balance control. Therefore, any change to it can lead to balance problems. Previous studies used neck vibration to change cervical proprioception and showed changes in postural control, but it remains unknown which vibration frequency or location causes the most significant effect. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of different vibration frequencies and locations on postural sway and to serve as future research protocol guidance. Seventeen healthy young participants were included in the study. We compared postural sway without vibration to postural sway with six different combinations of vibration frequency (80, 100, and 150Hz) and location (dorsal neck muscles and sternocleidomastoid). Postural sway was evaluated using a force platform. The mean center of pressure (CoP) displacement, the root mean square (RMS), and the mean velocity in the anteroposterior and mediolateral direction were calculated, as well as the sway area. The aligned rank transform tool and a three-way repeated measures ANOVA were used to identify significant differences in postural sway variables. Neck vibration caused a significant increase in all postural sway variables (p < 0.001). Neither the vibration frequency (p > 0.34) nor location (p > 0.29) nor the interaction of both (p > 0.30) influenced the magnitude of the change in postural sway measured during vibration. Neck muscle vibration significantly changes CoP displacement, mean velocity, RMS, and area. However, we investigated and found that there were no significant differences between the different combinations of vibration frequency and location.

Test-retest reliability of ankle range of motion, proprioception, and balance for symptom and gender effects in individuals with chronic ankle instability

ObjectivesTo determine the reliability of the commonly used musculoskeletal assessments in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). DesignWithin and between-days test-retest reliability. SettingUniversity laboratory. ParticipantsTwenty-four individuals with unilateral CAI. MethodFor both sides, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) was assessed by a goniometer and weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT), proprioception by the active movement extent discrimination apparatus (AMEDA), and balance by the Star Excursion Balance Test with anterior (SEBTA), posteromedial (SEBTPM) and posterolateral (SEBTPL) components. All measures were taken at enrollment, after 30 min and one week later. ResultsFor the asymptomatic side, all assessments demonstrated good to excellent reliability, with ICCs (3,1) between 0.8 and 0.96. On the symptomatic side, WBLT, SEBTA and SEBTPM showed excellent reliability, with ICCs (3,1) above 0.90, while SEBTPL, goniometer and AMEDA showed moderate reliability, with the 95% CI of the ICCs (3,1) crossing 0.5. Three-way repeated measures ANOVA showed a side main effect, with asymptomatic worse, for WBLT (F = 16.9, p < 0.001) and SEBTA (F = 5.4, p = 0.03); an overall improving time main effect for SEBTPL (F = 6.9, p = 0.02). Neither a gender main effect nor any interaction effect was found. ConclusionsWBLT, SEBTA and SEBTPM can be strongly recommended for measuring ankle dorsiflexion mobility and dynamic balance for both sides of individuals with unilateral CAI, while only WBLT can be used for side-to-side comparison. The application of a goniometer to measure DFROM, SEBTPL or AMEDA should be done cautiously for this specific cohort, considering their poor to good reliability for the symptomatic side.

A preliminary investigation into the impact of shock wave therapy and sonotherapy on postural control of stepping tasks in patients with Achilles tendinopathy.

The outcomes of physical therapy are commonly assessed with subjective scales and questionnaires. Hence, a continuous search to identify diagnostic tests that would facilitate objective assessment of symptom reduction in those patients with Achilles tendinopathy who undergo mechanotherapy. The main aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of shock wave and ultrasound treatments, using objective posturographic assessment during step-up and step-down initiation. The patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy and pain lasting for more than 3 months were randomly assigned to one of the experimental groups, i.e., radial shock wave therapy (RSWT), ultrasound therapy, or placebo ultrasound. All groups also received deep friction massage as the primary therapy. The transitional locomotor task was performed with the affected and unaffected limb in random order, on two force platforms under two conditions (step-up and step-down). The recording of center of foot pressure displacements was divided into three phases: quiet standing before step-up/step-down, transit, and quiet standing until measurement completion. Pre-intervention measurements were performed and then short-term follow-ups at weeks 1 and 6 post-therapy. The three-way repeated measures ANOVA showed few statistically significant two-factor interactions between therapy type, time point of measurement and the type of the locomotor task. Significant increases in postural sway were observed in the entire study population throughout the follow-up period. Three-way ANOVAs revealed a group effect (shock wave vs. ultrasound) on almost all variables of the quiet standing phase prior to step-up/step-down initiation. Overall, postural stability before the step-up and step-down tasks appeared to be more efficient in patients who had undergone RSWT compared to the ultrasound group. Objective posturographic assessment during step-up and step-down initiation did not demonstrate therapeutic superiority of any of the three therapeutic interventions used in patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy.Clinical Trial Registration: The trial was prospectively registered in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (no. ACTRN12617000860369; registration date: 9.06.2017).

Emotional sounds in space: asymmetrical representation within early-stage auditory areas.

Evidence from behavioral studies suggests that the spatial origin of sounds may influence the perception of emotional valence. Using 7T fMRI we have investigated the impact of the categories of sound (vocalizations; non-vocalizations), emotional valence (positive, neutral, negative) and spatial origin (left, center, right) on the encoding in early-stage auditory areas and in the voice area. The combination of these different characteristics resulted in a total of 18 conditions (2 categories x 3 valences x 3 lateralizations), which were presented in a pseudo-randomized order in blocks of 11 different sounds (of the same condition) in 12 distinct runs of 6 min. In addition, two localizers, i.e., tonotopy mapping; human vocalizations, were used to define regions of interest. A three-way repeated measure ANOVA on the BOLD responses revealed bilateral significant effects and interactions in the primary auditory cortex, the lateral early-stage auditory areas, and the voice area. Positive vocalizations presented on the left side yielded greater activity in the ipsilateral and contralateral primary auditory cortex than did neutral or negative vocalizations or any other stimuli at any of the three positions. Right, but not left area L3 responded more strongly to (i) positive vocalizations presented ipsi- or contralaterally than to neutral or negative vocalizations presented at the same positions; and (ii) to neutral than positive or negative non-vocalizations presented contralaterally. Furthermore, comparison with a previous study indicates that spatial cues may render emotional valence more salient within the early-stage auditory areas.

Intramuscular coherence enables robust assessment of modulated supra-spinal input in human gait: an inter-dependence study of visual task and walking speed

Intramuscular high-frequency coherence is increased during visually guided treadmill walking as a consequence of increased supra-spinal input. The influence of walking speed on intramuscular coherence and its inter-trial reproducibility need to be established before adoption as a functional gait assessment tool in clinical settings. Here, fifteen healthy controls performed a normal and a target walking task on a treadmill at various speeds (0.3 m/s, 0.5 m/s, 0.9 m/s, and preferred) during two sessions. Intramuscular coherence was calculated between two surface EMG recordings sites of the Tibialis anterior muscle during the swing phase of walking. The results were averaged across low-frequency (5–14 Hz) and high-frequency (15–55 Hz) bands. The effect of speed, task, and time on mean coherence was assessed using three-way repeated measures ANOVA. Reliability and agreement were calculated with the intra-class correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman method, respectively. Intramuscular coherence during target walking was significantly higher than during normal walking across all walking speeds in the high-frequency band as obtained by the three-way repeated measures ANOVA. Interaction effects between task and speed were found for the low- and high-frequency bands, suggesting that task-dependent differences increase at higher walking speeds. Reliability of intramuscular coherence was moderate to excellent for most normal and target walking tasks in all frequency bands. This study confirms previous reports of increased intramuscular coherence during target walking, while providing first evidence for reproducibility and robustness of this measure as a requirement to investigate supra-spinal input.Trial registration Registry number/ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03343132, date of registration 2017/11/17.

Evaluation of the accuracy and intra- and interobserver reliability of three manual laxity tests for canine cranial cruciate ligament rupture-An ex vivo kinetic and kinematic study.

To investigate the accuracy and intra- and interobserver reliability of the cranial drawer test (CD), tibial compression test (TCT), and the new tibial pivot compression test (TPCT) in an experimental setting resembling acute cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) and to elucidate the ability to subjectively estimate cranial tibial translation (CTT) during testing. Experimental ex vivo study. Ten cadaveric hindlimbs of large dogs. Kinetic and 3D-kinematic data was collected while three observers performed the tests on each specimen with intact (INTACT) and transected cranial cruciate ligament (CCLD) and compared using three-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Subjectively estimated CTT (SCTT), obtained during a separate round of testing, was compared to kinematic data by Pearson correlation. CTT was significantly higher for CCLD than for INTACT for all tests, resulting in 100% sensitivity and specificity. TPCT induced the highest CTT and internal rotation. Intra- and interobserver agreement of translation was excellent. For rotation and kinetics, agreement was more variable. SCTT strongly correlated with the objectively measured values. The CD, TCT and the new TPCT were all accurate and reliable. The high translations and rotations during TPCT are promising, encouraging further development of this test. SCTT was reliable in our experimental setting. Veterinary manual laxity tests are accurate and reliable in acute CCLR. The TPCT might have potential for the assessment of subtle and rotational canine stifle instabilities. The high reliability of SCTT implies that grading schemes for stifle laxity, similar to human medicine, could be developed.

The Impact of Anger and Dependence on Supplier Decision-Making

ABSTRACT Purpose The research combines social exchange theory with the appraisal tendency framework to explore how anger impacts supplier decision-making when threatened by customers. When making the decision whether or not to comply with customers, suppliers may be influenced by other factors explored in this study, including relational norms, procedural justice, cost-benefit analysis, mimetic isomorphism, relationship quality, dependence, and interdependence. Method Over 1,000 respondents were recruited through Mechanical Turk and participated in a scenario-based experiment with vignettes. Using high/low levels of anger, and high-low levels of dependence, each condition assessed compliance and relative importance of supplier outcomes. The study employed mixed-effects logistic regression with a random intercept, Odds-Ratios, and a three-way repeated-measures ANOVA to test hypotheses. Findings This study demonstrates that anger reduces compliance and skews five decision-making criteria. Specifically, anger inflates the influence of (1) relational norm violation and (2) procedural justice but reduces the importance of (3) mimetic isomorphism. Contingent upon whether the supplier is dependent or not, anger can lower the influence of (4) cost-benefit analysis (if not dependent) and (5) relationship quality (if dependent). Research Implications This manuscript addresses the calls for more research by the academic community suggesting that in order to understand B2B exchanges more deeply Social Exchange Theory (SET) should be combined with other theories.While integrating the appraisal tendency framework (ATF) and SET, this study reduces criticisms about prior research that ignore emotions in social exchanges and provides ideas for how organizational decision-making can be influenced by anger. Practical Implications By understanding how anger influences suppliers, both parties can make better decisions and decrease the possibility of relationship dissolution. Originality/Value/Contribution This study highlights the role of anger in organizational decision-making.

Stability of dosiomic features against variations in dose calculation: An analysis based on a cohort of prostate external beam radiotherapy patients.

Interest in using higher order features of the planned 3D dose distributions (i.e., dosiomics) to predict radiotherapy outcomes is growing. This is driving many retrospective studies where historical data are mined to train machine learning models; however, recent decades have seen considerable advances in dose calculation that could have a direct impact on the dosiomic features such studies seek to extract. Is it necessary to recalculate planned dose distributions using a common algorithm if retrospective datasets from different institutions are included? Does a change in dose calculation grid size part way through a retrospective cohort, introduce bias in the extracted dosiomic features? The purpose of this study is to assess the stability of dosiomic features against variations in three factors: the dose calculation algorithm type, version, and dose grid size. Dose distributions for 27 prostate patients who received EBRT were recalculated in the Eclipse Treatment Planning System (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, California, USA) using two algorithms (AAA and Acuros XB), two versions (version 13.6 and 15.6), and three dose grids (2, 2.5s, and 3mm) - 12 dose distributions for each patient. Ninety-three dosiomic features were extracted from each dose distribution and each of the following regions-of-interest: high dose PTV (PTV_High), 1cm rind around PTV_High (PTV_Ring), low dose PTV (PTV_Low), rectum, and bladder using PyRadiomics. The coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each dosiomic feature. Hierarchical clustering was used to group features with high and low variability. Three-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to investigate the effect of the three different factors on dosiomic features that were classified with high variation. Additionally, CVs were calculated for cumulative dose volume histograms (DVHs) to test their ability to detect the variations in dose distributions. For PTV_Ring, PTV_Low, and rectum, all the dosiomic features had low CV (average CV ≤ 0.26) across the varying dose calculation conditions. For PTV_High, six dosiomic features showed CV>0.26, and dose calculation algorithm type and grid size were the major sources of within-patient variation. For bladder, one dosiomic feature had average CV>0.26, but none of the three dose calculation-related factors led to a statistically significant variation. The CVs for all the DVHs were very small (CV<0.05). For all the regions-of-interest examined in this study, the majority of the dosiomic features were stable against variations in dose calculation; however, some of the dosiomic features for PTV_High and bladder had significant variations due to differences in dose calculation details. DVHs were detecting less variation than dosiomic features.

Coordination variability reveals the features of the ‘independent seat’ in competitive dressage riders

ABSTRACT The rider’s ability to consistently coordinate their movements to their horse is a key determinant of performance in equestrian sport. This study investigated the inter-segmental coordination variability between the vertical displacement of a riding simulator and the pitch rotation of 28 competitive female dressage riders’ head, trunk, pelvis, and left foot, in simulated medium and extended trot. A statistical non-parametric mapping three-way repeated-measures ANOVA investigated the influence of gait, competition level and segment on coordination variability. There was a significant main effect of gait and segment (p = 0.05), however, no significant effect of competition level. In medium trot, simulator-pelvis coupling was significantly (p < 0.001) less variable than simulator-head, -trunk, and -foot couplings. Significantly greater coordination variability of simulator-head and -foot relative to the trunk and pelvis suggested that riders can maintain stability in the saddle with their trunk and pelvis while allowing greater variability of their head and foot coupling to the simulator’s vertical displacement. It is proposed that stronger coupling of the rider’s pelvis relative to their other segments is one facet of the equestrian dressage skill of the independent seat. However, greater perturbations during simulated extended trot may necessitate a decrease in the independence of the rider’s seat.

Soleus muscle and Achilles tendon compressive stiffness is related to knee and ankle positioning

Changes in fascicle length and tension of the soleus (SOL) muscle have been observed in humans using B-mode ultrasound to examine the knee from different angles. An alternative technique of assessing muscle and tendon stiffness is myometry, which is non-invasive, accessible, and easy to use. This study aimed to estimate the compressive stiffness of the distal SOL and Achilles tendon (AT) using myometry in various knee and ankle joint positions. Twenty-six healthy young males were recruited. The Myoton-PRO device was used to measure the compressive stiffness of the distal SOL and AT in the dominant leg. The knee was measured in two positions (90° of flexion and 0° of flexion) and the ankle joint in three positions (10° of dorsiflexion, neutral position, and 30° of plantar flexion) in random order. A three-way repeated-measures ANOVA test was performed. Significant interactions were found for structure × ankle position, structure × knee position, and structure × ankle position × knee position (p < 0.05). The AT and SOL showed significant increases in compressive stiffness with knee extension over knee flexion for all tested ankle positions (p < 0.05). Changes in stiffness relating to knee positioning were larger in the SOL than in the AT (p < 0.05). These results indicate that knee extension increases the compressive stiffness of the distal SOL and AT under various ankle joint positions, with a greater degree of change observed for the SOL. This study highlights the relevance of knee position in passive stiffness of the SOL and AT.

The Effects of a Combined Pre- and Post-Operative Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation Program on Lower Extremity Muscle Imbalance

This study examined whether the 5-week pre-operative progressive exercise rehabilitation program with weekly monitoring contributed to a significantly lower muscle activity imbalance in the treatment group, both before and immediately after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), as well as during the next 5 weeks in comparison to the control group. Twelve professional soccer players took part in the study (from among the top three Polish levels of competition) (age: 26 ± 5 years, body mass: 73 ± 7 kg, stature: 180 ± 6 cm, training experience: 15 ± 4 years). The participants were randomly assigned to the treatment group (n = 6) or to the control group (n = 6). Both groups performed the same pre- and post-operative progressive exercise rehabilitation program, while the rehabilitation of the treatment group was extended by supplementary body-weight functional stabilization training. The three-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a statistically significant interaction for muscle × group × time (p &lt; 0.0001; F = 24.897; η2 = 0.806). The post-hoc analysis for the interaction effect of muscle × group × time indicated a significantly higher muscle activity imbalance for every measured muscle in the control group at any time point than in the treatment group (from p = 0.036 to p &lt; 0.0001). The muscle activity imbalance was significantly higher from the 1st to 4th weeks than in the last week before surgery for quadriceps (p &lt; 0.016 for all) and hamstrings (p &lt; 0.001). However, in the case of gluteal muscles’ activity imbalance, it was significantly higher at every time point of the post-operative phase than in the last week before surgery (p &lt; 0.001). The results of this study showed that the 5-week pre-operative rehabilitation program with weekly monitoring influenced outcomes of the post-operative phase. Nevertheless, performing both pre- and post-ACLR rehabilitation significantly reduced the muscle activity imbalance of lower limbs, but in the case of the quadriceps muscles, not to a sufficient level.

Alternative surface treatments strategies for bonding to CAD/CAM resin-matrix ceramics

This study evaluated the shear bond strength (µSBS) and failure mode of CAD/CAM polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN – Vita Enamic) and nanoceramic resin (NCR – Lava Ultimate) submitted to alternative surface treatments. 40 plates of each material were submitted to (n = 10) conventional (manufacturer’s indications): Sandblasting with Al2O3 (SAND) and 5% hydrofluoric acid etching (5% HF), or alternative treatments: 10% HF (10% HF) and Sandblasting + silanization (SAND/SIL). A self-etching adhesive system (Scotchbond Universal Adhesive, 3M Oral Care) was applied, and resin cement cylinders were built on the specimen’s treated surface and tested in µSBS after 24 h, or after water storage for 1 year. Data were evaluated by three-way repeated-measures ANOVA and Tukey test (α = 0.05). Failure mode was evaluated under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). At 24 h, HF etching (5% or 10%) promoted higher µSBS for PICN, while SAND and 5% HF promoted higher µSBS for NCR than SAND/SIL (p > 0.05). After storage for 1 year, all treatments decreased PICN’s bond strength, but 10% HF exhibited higher µSBS than 5% HF (p < 0.05). Also, 5% HF and SAND/SIL maintained µSBS of NCR, and in general, NCR exhibited higher µSBS than PICN. Failure mode was predominantly mixed after 24 h and mostly adhesive after 1-year storage. In conclusion, the surface treatments influenced the bond strength of PICN and NCR and 1-year storage decreased the bond strength for most groups. 10% HF is the treatment option for PICN while 5% HF-etching is an alternative to sandblasting for NCR.

A Novel Perspective on the Proactive and Reactive Controls of Executive Function in Chronic Stroke Patients.

ObjectivesTo investigate the proactive and reactive control process when executing a complex task in patients with stroke. Proactive control is the preparatory process before the target stimulus, whereas reactive control is an imperative resolution of interference after the target stimulus.MethodsIn total, 17 patients with chronic stroke and 17 healthy individuals were recruited. The proactive and reactive control of executive function was assessed by the task-switching paradigm and the AX version of the Continuous Performance Task (AX-CPT). The general executive function was assessed by Color Trial Test (CTT) and Stroop Test. The behavioral data of the task-switching paradigm were analyzed by a three-way repeated-measures ANOVA, and the AX-CPT data were analyzed by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA.ResultsFor efficiency scores in the task-switching paradigm, trial (repeat vs. switch) × group (stroke or control group) interaction effect was significant. Post-hoc analysis on trial × group effect showed a significant between-trial difference in accuracy rates in the repeat trial in the control group regardless of 100 or 50% validity. For the AX-CPT, the main effects of condition and group on response time were statistically significant. The interaction effect of condition (AY or BX) × group (stroke or control group) was also significant. Post-hoc analysis for condition × group indicated that the stroke group had a significantly longer response time in the BX condition than the control group and longer completion time in CTT2 and larger word interference for completion time in the Stroop test than the control cohort.ConclusionsPost-stroke survivors showed deficits in the performance of proactive control but not in the performance of reactive control. Deficits in proactive control may be related to the impairment of working memory. Interventions that focus on proactive control may result in improved clinical outcomes.