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The 2010-2011 Haiti cholera epidemic was one of the largest worldwide in recent history. Before the initial outbreak, cholera had not been reported in Haiti for at least 100 years [...]

While electronic reading devices are extremely popular, research is equivocal regarding their benefits for outcomes such as reader comprehension. Integrating literatures on reading medium comparisons and matching effects in persuasion, this research tested whether comprehension is maximized when the content of the material (e.g., whether it is traditional vs. modern) matches the medium (e.g., reading from a traditional book vs. digital e‐reader). In Study 1, participants read a traditional‐ or modern‐themed short story from either a book or an e‐reader. Story comprehension was greater when participants read from the printed medium compared to the e‐reader, an effect that was marginally moderated by story content, consistent with a matching effect. In Study 2, participants read a persuasive message that emphasized either a traditional versus modern solution to improving health in either a magazine format or on an iPad. Message comprehension was marginally greater among participants who read their message in a printed format. Participants' interest in weight loss showed evidence of a matching effect – participants were more interested in losing weight when a modern solution to obesity article was presented on an iPad compared to a printed format. The results are applied to the study of reading and attitude change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In their essays for the London Review of Books (LRB), Iain Sinclair and Will Self draw on two legacies in particular – that of the essays of Walter Benjamin and Theodor Adorno, and that of Psychogeography and the work of the Situationist International. This article reviews a selection of these LRB essays – appearing between 2002 and 2015. It traces and analyses a dialectical tension within them – inherited from Benjamin and Adorno – as to the commensurability of 'the essayistic' with the delivery of serious, effective Marxist criticism; whether (as Self himself says, noting an analogous tension in the films of Patrick Keiller) they are to see their own work 'as part of a strategy of resistance to the spatial forms of late capitalism, or only as incorporations of the everyday into a bourgeois calculus of the arty-factual'. It is argued that this tension is itself not only characteristic of, but in some way fundamental to their work and its impetus, concluding with a consideration of how the essay form might offer a means of moving beyond ideology (which is the constraint of both capitalism and Marxism alike) – to find a literary analogue to, and vehicle for, the imaginative spatial possibilities and practices that the psychogeographic legacy represents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the reliability and validity of the 'Elite Form' 3D motion capturing system. Twelve strength trained male (n=8) and female (n=5) athletes performed strength (squat) and ballistic (countermovement jump) movements across a range of loads. The 'Elite Form' system, Ballistic Measurement System (BMS) and Vicon Vantage motion capture system (Vicon) concurrently captured peak and mean velocity in order for reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient -- ICC; coefficient of variation -- CV) and validity (Pearson correlation coefficient -- PCC, percentage difference between the means) of the 'Elite Form' system to be assessed. Vicon was considered to be the gold standard from which to determine reliability and validity of the system, with the Ballistic Measurement System considered due to its practicality of use. Velocity measures captured by the 'Elite Form' system were reliable in assessing mean velocity (ICC > 0.90) in the squat at loads of 65, 75 and 85%, and the 35%CMJ. At peak velocity the system demonstrated reliability (ICC > 0.90) at squat loads of 65, 75 and 85%, and in the BWCMJ. The EF system showed strong validity against the Vicon system in mean velocity of squat loads (65%, 75% and 85%). The difference between the means of peak and mean velocity, measured as a percentage, of 'Elite Form' against both the Vicon and Ballistic Measurement Systems varied widely across the spectrum of loads and exercises (-11.72 -- 11.50%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Several investigators have achieved remarkable success in transferring shoulder dystocia management skills mastered with simulation training to clinical practice. However, other investigators have not demonstrated similar benefits, raising questions about the comparative effectiveness of specific simulation schemes, instructional content, and additional quality assurance measures between successful and unsuccessful interventions. After our initial review revealed gaps in following shoulder dystocia management algorithms, documentation and timely follow-up of injured neonates, we developed and implemented five interventions, three educational and two systems-level, aimed at improving shoulder dystocia management. Objective To describe the clinical impact of a systematic program of quality improvement on outcomes of vaginal births complicated by shoulder dystocia. Setting An urban tertiary academic medical center that trains 36 obstetrics/gynecology residents (9 per year) and provides comprehensive obstetrical services for approximately 2,000 deliveries annually. Study Design We use SQUIRE 2.0 (Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence) to (1) describe our core instructional content and simulation-based practice, emphasizing specific proscriptive and prescriptive recommendations and their evidence basis, and (2) to report an interrupted time series assessment of the clinical impact of our systematic quality improvement program targeting shoulder dystocia-associated brachial plexus injury. Results Compared with baseline (June 1993 to December 2004), the incidence of shoulder dystocia among vaginally delivered infants with birth weight ≥ 2,500 g at Johns Hopkins Hospital (January 2014 to December 2015) increased from 2.6 to 4.6% (χ² = 29.8; df = 1; p < 0.0001); in addition, documentation improved, direct fetal manipulation increased, while use of episiotomy for the management of shoulder dystocia decreased. While preintervention only 65% of brachial plexus injury were associated with shoulder dystocia, 100% of neonatal brachial plexus injuries were associated with shoulder dystocia postintervention (80/122 [65%] vs. 7/7 [100%], χ² = 3.66; df = 1; p = 0.055), a trend reflecting simultaneous increased recognition of impacted shoulders and improved overall management of shoulder dystocia. Most importantly, the incidence of brachial plexus injury among shoulder-dystocia-complicated vaginal deliveries has decreased from a baseline of 31.6 to 6.3% (χ² = 27.9; df = 1; p < 0.0001), and the absolute brachial plexus injury rate declined from 8.2 to 2.9 per 1,000 vaginal births ≥ 2,500 g, a reduction of 64.5% (χ² = 7.3; df = 1; p = 0.007). Conclusion A systematic program of quality assurance with specific proscriptive and prescriptive instructional content and management recommendations is associated with improved recognition, management, and clinical outcomes of shoulder dystocia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Several investigators have achieved remarkable success in transferring shoulder dystocia management skills mastered with simulation training to clinical practice. However, other investigators have not demonstrated similar benefits, raising questions about the comparative effectiveness of specific simulation schemes, instructional content, and additional quality assurance measures between successful and unsuccessful interventions. After our initial review revealed gaps in following shoulder dystocia management algorithms, documentation and timely follow-up of injured neonates, we developed and implemented five interventions, three educational and two systems-level, aimed at improving shoulder dystocia management. Objective To describe the clinical impact of a systematic program of quality improvement on outcomes of vaginal births complicated by shoulder dystocia. Setting An urban tertiary academic medical center that trains 36 obstetrics/gynecology residents (9 per year) and provides comprehensive obstetrical services for approximately 2,000 deliveries annually. Study Design We use SQUIRE 2.0 (Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence) to (1) describe our core instructional content and simulation-based practice, emphasizing specific proscriptive and prescriptive recommendations and their evidence basis, and (2) to report an interrupted time series assessment of the clinical impact of our systematic quality improvement program targeting shoulder dystocia-associated brachial plexus injury. Results Compared with baseline (June 1993 to December 2004), the incidence of shoulder dystocia among vaginally delivered infants with birth weight > 2,500 g at Johns Hopkins Hospital (January 2014 to December 2015) increased from 2.6 to 4.6% (χ² = 29.8; df = 1; p < 0.0001); in addition, documentation improved, direct fetal manipulation increased, while use of episiotomy for the management of shoulder dystocia decreased. While preintervention only 65% of brachial plexus injury were associated with shoulder dystocia, 100% of neonatal brachial plexus injuries were associated with shoulder dystocia postintervention (80/122 [65%] vs. 7/7 [100%], χ² = 3.66; df = 1; p = 0.055), a trend reflecting simultaneous increased recognition of impacted shoulders and improved overall management of shoulder dystocia. Most importantly, the incidence of brachial plexus injury among shoulder-dystocia-complicated vaginal deliveries has decreased from a baseline of 31.6 to 6.3% (χ² = 27.9; df = 1; p < 0.0001), and the absolute brachial plexus injury rate declined from 8.2 to 2.9 per 1,000 vaginal births > 2,500 g, a reduction of 64.5% (χ² = 7.3; df = 1; p = 0.007). Conclusion A systematic program of quality assurance with specific proscriptive and prescriptive instructional content and management recommendations is associated with improved recognition, management, and clinical outcomes of shoulder dystocia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of low load exercise with and without blood flow restriction on vertical jump power and height. Four male strength trained subjects were randomised to a lower-body blood flow restricted intervention (occlusion cuff inflated to 50% of estimated arterial occlusion worn intermittently on the proximal thighs) or a control intervention that trained without occlusion in a crossover design. Eight, twice a day experimental resistance-training sessions were performed. The first session consisted of two gymnasium-based exercises; back squats (four sets of fifteen repetitions at 30% of their estimated 1RM) and single leg Bulgarian squats (two sets of 10 repetitions each leg at body weight). The second session consisted of single leg Bulgarian squats (four sets of 10 repetitions each leg at body weight). The response to the blood flow restriction intervention resulted in moderate-large increases in jump height at bodyweight (4.1% vs. -0.7%; ES: 0.94) and under a loaded (+30kg) jumps condition (1.9% vs. -2.5%; ES: 0.64). The difference in peak power for the unloaded condition was small (1.4% vs. -1.0%; ES: 0.54). A very large and significant (p<0.05) difference was observed in peak power for the loaded condition as a result of the BFR response when compared to non-occluded training (4.1% vs. -4.6%; ES: 3.1). The use of blood flow restriction in conjunction with lower loadings can potentially be a suitable intervention to enhance training power gains. This could be of benefit during an intensive training block, within a competitive phase or with power and strength based athletes who are returning from injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study regarding the effects of preseason physical preparation program on the physical competency characteristics of Rugby Union (RU) players. It investigated the physical competency characteristics of 29 RU players from a secondary college in Queensland over a five month preseason strength training program. The training program improved the physical competency of players and provided coaches of what can be achieved with effective planning and coaching.

A superintendent's personal account of a teacher strike reveals the lessons learned from the conflict and offers suggestions for avoiding similar situations. (WD)

The article provides information on aspects related to validation of video motion capture system for estimating back squat utilizing different set and repetition schemes. Topics discussed include prediction and accuracy of minimal velocity threshold (MVT), use of multiple linear regression analysis, and load velocity relationship.

The article provides information on aspects related to assessment of physical performance of athletes through squat, jump, and velocity profile. Topics discussed include measurement of peak and mean velocities, linear position transducer (LPT) system, typical error of measurement (TEM), and reliable performance.