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• A single-eyer diffraction grating photodetector enabled spectroscopy of low-intensity broadband light. • The grating pitch reduction ensured unique SPR resonance points within the measured wavelength and scanning angle range. • The plasmonic photodetectors with submicron 0.95 µm-pitch-grating presented robust reconstructive spectroscopy. • Transmittance measurements of three different materials, acrylic resin, glass, and COP plates with the proposed photodetector presented distinctive transmission spectrum features. Reconstructive spectroscopy, a spectroscopic method that derives the spectrum of incident light using photodetection elements with various dispersion characteristics, is emerging as a promising approach for constructing compact spectroscopic devices. The generally adopted approach of simultaneously irradiating spatially distributed multiple elements is not suitable for weak light because the elements divide the total incident power spatially. Temporarily tilting a single-eyed diffraction grating photodetector that couples the light with the surface plasmon resonance can utilize the whole incident optical power, which is advantageous when only weak light is available. However, to perform robust spectroscopy, a carefully designed dispersion relation of surface plasmon resonance is required. In this study, we propose a suitable grating structure for reconstructive spectroscopy of low-intensity broadband near-infrared light. Using an optimal sub-micron pitch of 0.95 µm grating, the reconstruction of the light from a halogen lamp light with an intensity density as small as around 10µW/nm is presented in the 1200–1400 nm wavelength range. The reconstructive spectroscopy with the plasmonic photodetector also allows for the identification of materials such as glass, cycloolefin polymer, and acrylic resin within this wavelength band. The potential for integration with microelectromechanical systems technology opens up possibilities for a compact near-infrared spectroscopic device that is compatible with a variety of light sources, offering applications in various scientific fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching at low intensities has been rarely investigated. Previous studies have shown that hamstring flexibility after stretching is only temporary. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low intensities (40% and 10% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction, MVIC) of PNF stretching on hamstring muscles and to assess the effect of standing toe touch on the duration of hamstring flexibility. This was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four healthy adults (age, 22.67 ± 1.73 years) were selected and divided into four groups: 40% intensity PNF stretching (P40), 10% intensity PNF stretching (P10), 40% intensity PNF stretching with toe touch (P40 with TT), and 10% intensity PNF stretching with toe touch (P10 with TT). Hamstring flexibility was measured using the active knee extension test (pre-stretching, post-stretching, and 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 min after PNF stretching). In the P40, P40 with TT, and P10 with TT groups, significant changes were observed at all time points after stretching (p < 0.05). In the P10 group, significant changes were only observed immediately post stretching (p = 0.006) and at 3 min (p = 0.029) after stretching. In terms of maintaining the duration of flexibility, the P40 with TT and P10 with TT groups were superior to the P40 and P10 groups. PNF stretching at low intensity, approaching 40% of MVIC, led to more flexibility than 10% MVIC. Additionally, standing toe touch after PNF stretching is recommended to develop and maintain hamstring flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of low-intensity resistance training on knee extension strength with respect to intensity, frequency, duration and training site in community-dwelling older adults. A literature search was conducted for articles published up to December 2018 on PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), OTseeker and Ichushi-Web. Randomized controlled trials involving resistance training with <60 % one repetition maximum (1RM) in community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and older were eligible. In total, 7 studies involving 275 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed significant improvements in knee extension strength with low-intensity resistance training [standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.62, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.32 to 0.91]. In subgroup analyses, significant improvements were observed in the group with intensity at 50–60 % 1RM (0.83, 0.46 to 1.19), but not in the group at 40 % or less 1RM (0.30, 95%CI: −0.08 to 0.68). Concerning frequency, there were significant improvements in knee strength for those receiving training three times (0.90, 0.52 to 1.27) and two times (0.36, 0.03 to 0.69) per week, with a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.04). Low-intensity resistance training should be considered as an effective intervention to improve knee extension strength in community-dwelling older adults. Older adults may show more improvement in knee extension strength if intensity of the training is set at 50–60 % 1RM and frequency of training is three times per week. • It is necessary to develop other effective interventions for safe and sustainable muscle strength training for older adults • Systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effects of low-intensity resistance training on knee extension strength in older adults. • Older adults may benefit from the low-intensity intervention particularly at more than 50%1RM and from sessions three times per week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no standard of care for older patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) unfit for intensive therapy, and prognosis with currently recommended low-intensity therapies (decitabine, azacitidine, and low-dose cytarabine [LDAC]) remains poor. One promising strategy is to combine low-intensity treatments with novel agents. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin, tipifarnib, and barasertib have been investigated in phase 2/3 or 3 trials combined with LDAC, and phase 3 trials are currently investigating sapacitabine plus decitabine, and volasertib plus LDAC in AML. This review discusses current treatment recommendations and the development of combination therapies for older patients unfit for intensive therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Intracortical circuit excitability of the human motor cortex has been studied by measuring effects of some conditioning TMS stimulus on the succeeding test TMS stimulus in the motor cortex, such as short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF). A single-pulse TMS was used as a conditioning stimulus (CS) in these techniques, but a train of several TMS pulses might induce some intracortical changes in the motor cortex more effectively. For nine healthy volunteers, we compared the SICI and ICF induced by a single conditioning biphasic TMS pulse with those induced by a train of 10 biphasic TMS pulses of the same intensity. As a conditioning stimulus, we delivered a subthreshold single biphasic pulse (CS1) or 10, 10-Hz biphasic pulses (CS10) before a suprathreshold monophasic test stimulus at several interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of 3–40ms over the hand motor area. The CS intensity was 50–100% of the active motor threshold (AMT). We compared the motor cortical excitability after the conditioning stimulus (single pulse or a train of ten pulses) at the intervals for SICI and ICF. A train of ten 10-Hz pulses elicited greater inhibition at short ISIs than a single conditioning pulse did. The facilitation at ISIs around 10ms corresponding to the ICF was evoked by CS1 only at an intensity of 80% AMT; CS10 evoked no ICF. Furthermore, CS10 evoked MEP inhibition at longer intervals. Results show that a train of high-frequency, low-intensity, biphasic TMS pulses can have a strong inhibitory effect on the motor cortex. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To study the efficacy of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (US), or LIPUS, of 85 treated nonunion cases with a minimum fracture age of 8 months, 67 cases met the study criteria. These were: no surgical intervention during 4 months before US treatment and radiographically ceased healing for 3 months before US. In a self-paired control study, the mean fracture age of the 67 patients was 39 ± 6.2 months. After a daily 20-min US treatment at home for an average of 168 days, 85% (57 of 67) of the nonunion cases were clinically and radiographically healed. The study did not include any cases that were malaligned, grossly instable, actively infected or that had extensive bone loss. The results demonstrate that the specific US can effect heal rates similar to those achieved by surgical means, without the associated risks and complications, and to those achieved by electrical bone growth stimulation or by extracorporeal shock-wave therapy. (E-mail: dieter.gebauer@lva-landshut.de) [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• SnO 2 thin film has been grown using VLS method. • Sub-band gap defect aided UV to NIR broad-band photoresponse is shown by SnO 2 film. • Very low-intensity UV (14 μW/cm2) to NIR (12 μW/cm2) light can be detected efficiently. • Successive photocurrent transient supported by PL data to propose in-gap defect levels. We report a broad-band low-intensity photodetection enriched with a good reproducibility by SnO 2 thin film grown by a facile vapour-liquid-solid technique. Unprecedentedly, simple Al/SnO 2 /Al photoconductive device, operated at room temperature in the wavelength range from ultraviolet (300 nm) to near infra-red (800 nm) show responsivities 2.04, 0.19, 0.25 and 0.19 mA/W respectively for 300 nm, 450 nm, 550 nm & 800 nm lights indicating broad-band photodetectivity due to its sub-band gap defects. It can also detect lights with very low-intensity of 14 μW/cm2 (300 nm), 54 μW/cm2 (450 nm), 42 μW/cm2 (550 nm) & 12 μW/cm2 (800 nm) having responsivity values of 8.00, 1.02, 1.42 and 0.70 mA/W respectively. Interestingly, the defect states within the band gap causing the photosensitivity over a wide wavelength range have been proposed uniquely by a systematic successive photocurrent transient experiment using illuminations from NIR to UV region supported by the photoluminescence results. These excellent performances unambiguously demonstrate that the simple SnO 2 film is promising for utilization as efficient broad-band photodetector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]