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Energy generation from biomass is a promising alternative to fossil fuels since biomass resources are available in most parts of the world and offer great flexibility through their capacity for use in different forms of energy carriers. However, its cost-competitiveness remains difficult to assess due to the large variability of bioenergy costs, to which the cost of biomass feedstock contributes disproportionately. To address this issue, this paper evaluates the production cost of primary energy production from ligno-cellulosic biomass based on a literature review covering 106 references in academic and grey literature from 45 countries. Our data relate to five types of ligno-cellulosic biomass: managed forest, wood energy crops, grass energy crops, agricultural residues and forest residues. Our results provide insight into the variability of feedstock costs within and between biomass types. We found that the cost of residues from forestry and agriculture is significantly lower than the other biomass types. We did not find any significant difference between the cost of grass energy crops, wood energy crops and managed forest. Biomass grown in Europe is significantly more expensive than in other regions, while biomass grown in Latin America is significantly cheaper. • We review the production costs of ligno-cellulosic biomass in 45 countries. • The collected data covers five types of biomass worldwide. • There is significant variability in production costs within and between biomass types. • Biomass residues from agriculture and forestry have the lowest production cost. • Production costs are highest in Europe and lowest in Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design:Randomized controlled trial.Objectives:To evaluate the effectiveness of the physical activity guidelines (PAG) for adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) to improve aspects of physical fitness.Setting:Community exercise facility.Methods:Twenty-three participants (age: 40.4±11.6 years, C1-T11, 12.0±10.0 years post injury) were randomized into PAG training (n=12) or active control (CON, n=11) groups. PAG training was 2x per week for 16 weeks and involved 20 min of aerobic exercise at a moderate to vigorous intensity and three sets of 10 repetitions (at 50-70% 1 repetition maximum; 1RM). Pre- and post-testing included peak exercise and aerobic endurance tests on an arm ergometer and 1RM testing.Results:Nineteen participants (PAG, n=11; CON, n=8) completed the 16-week training program and post-testing. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in peak aerobic capacity (relative VO2peak: 17.2%, absolute VO2peak: 9.9%) and submaximal power output (26.3%) in the PAG group only. Increases in strength ranged from 11.5-38.9% and were significantly (P<0.05) different from CON for vertical bench press, seated row, and rickshaw press. Adherence to the exercise program was 85.2±8.3% for PAG, 44.4±34.3% for CON (P<0.01).Conclusion:The PAG for adults with SCI are sufficient to improve aspects of aerobic and muscular fitness and should be promoted as a means to improve physical capacity.Sponsorship:Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (ONF), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Cross-sectional.Objectives:To evaluate exercise equipment preferences and compare cardiometabolic demand for passive hybrid and arm-only exercise among adults with paraplegia (PP) and those with tetraplegia (TP).Setting:Four community exercise programmes.Methods:Thirty-six adults (mean age: 41.1±12.1 years) with chronic (11.4±10.7 years post injury) TP (C3-C8; n=17) or PP (T3-T12; n=19) were recruited. Participants completed 20 min of submaximal aerobic exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity on four types of aerobic exercise equipment: arm cycle ergometer (ACE), arm glider (AG), arm-leg recumbent stepper (ALRS), and arm-leg cycle ergometer (ALCE). Participants also completed 3 sets of 10 repetitions of resistance exercise using wall pulleys (WP) and weight stack (WS) equipment. A questionnaire was administered to evaluate equipment preference. Heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake (VO2) were measured in a subset of participants (n=9) during submaximal aerobic exercise.Results:Arm-only exercise modes were perceived as being safer than passive hybrid exercise modes. There were no differences in perceived enjoyment between equipment types and groups. There were significant group but not equipment differences in HR (TP: 101.4 bpm; PP: 124.9 bpm) and VO2 (TP: 6.5 ml•kg−1•min−1; PP: 10.5 mL•kg−1•min−1) during submaximal aerobic exercise.Conclusion:In this cross-community assessment of exercise equipment preferences after spinal cord injury (SCI), arm-only exercise modes were perceived as safer than hybrid exercise modes and there were no differences between equipment types in physiological responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Sixteen-week follow-up study.Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of referral from a health-care provider to regular exercise combined with 16 weeks of counselling support following discharge from inpatient or outpatient spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation.Setting:Two rehabilitation centres in Canada.Methods:Seventeen participants (age 42.1±10.6 years, C3-T12, ASIA impairment score A-C) were recruited at discharge from inpatient (n=9; 5.2±1.3 months post-injury) or outpatient (n=8; 14.2±3.8 months post-injury) rehabilitation and were given a referral for regular exercise. Telephone counselling support was provided and adherence to the prescribed program was monitored for 16 weeks.Results:There was a nonsignificant difference in exercise adherence rates (percentage of available sessions attended) between participants discharged from inpatient (71.4±44.9%) and those from outpatient (39.5±27.2%) rehabilitation programs. The most common barriers to participation were physical health problems (50%) and transportation (36%). An exercise beliefs questionnaire revealed that participants value exercise at discharge from rehabilitation, despite the common report of a relative lack of confidence in their ability to perform or adapt aerobic and resistance exercises to their specific capabilities.Conclusion:A system of direct referral and ongoing counselling support following discharge from either inpatient or outpatient SCI rehabilitation appears to encourage sustained participation, although future health promotion strategies should continue to provide specific information about how to adapt and complete aerobic and resistance exercises.Sponsorship:Rick Hansen Institute and Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:The study design used is cross-sectional.Objectives:The aim of this study is to examine muscle contractile and excitability characteristics during fatigue of the tibialis anterior in six individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and matched able-bodied (AB) controls.Setting:McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.Methods:Muscle compound action potential (M-wave) characteristics, muscle twitch properties, and summated force were examined during a 2 min fatigue protocol of intermittent bursts at 30 Hz (4 s tetanus, 2 s rest) or maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Evoked twitch responses were followed during a recovery period.Results:M-wave amplitude was smaller in SCI (2.5±1.6 mV in SCI, 5.7±3.2 mV in AB) at baseline, but there was no change in M-wave amplitude or area during fatigue in either group. There was an increase in M-wave duration toward the end of recovery in the SCI group. Peak torque (PT) was not different between groups at baseline (3.8±1.8 Nm in SCI, 3.7±0.6 Nm in AB); PT potentiated significantly during fatigue in the AB, but not SCI group. There was significantly greater fatigue of both PT (43% decline) and summated force (57% decline) in the SCI group compared with the AB group (13% increase and 22% decline for PT and MVC, respectively).Conclusion:The dorsiflexor muscles in people with SCI are significantly more fatiguable than those in AB controls, but decreases in muscle excitability do not seem to be an important contributor to the increased fatiguability. The mechanisms behind the increased fatigue must lie distal to the muscle membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:A cross-sectional design.Objectives:To examine the length–tension relationship of dorsiflexion (DF) and plantarflexion (PF) muscle groups in seven individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI; C2–T7; age 43±10.1 years) and compare it with a group of age and sex-matched able-bodied (AB) controls.Setting:McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.Methods:Isometric single twitch properties, 0.5-s tetanic contractions (SCI) and maximal voluntary contractions (AB) were measured at nine joint angles from 20° DF to 20° PF.Results:In the DF muscles, peak-evoked twitch (PT) torque occurred at 20° PF for SCI (3.4±1.1 N m) and AB (3.8±1.4 N m) with no difference in peak torque between groups, whereas peak summated force occurred at 10° PF in AB and 20° PF in SCI (P<0.01). In the PF muscles, PT torque occurred at 15° DF in AB (18.6±2.6 N m) and at 5° DF (6.8±3.3 N m; P<0.01) in SCI, and peak-summated force occurred at 15° DF in AB. The SCI group did not show any change in PF peak-summated force with varying joint angles. Rates of contraction and relaxation were not different between the two groups.Conclusions:The results suggest a significant change in the length–tension relationship of the PF muscles after SCI, but no change in the DF muscle group. Rehabilitation programs should focus on maintaining PF muscle length in order to optimize muscle strength and function after SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: We propose a simple methodology for heterogeneous data collection and central repository-style database design in healthcare. Our method can be used with or without other software development frameworks, and we argue that its application can save a relevant amount of implementation effort. Also, we believe that the method can be used in other fields of research, especially those that have a strong interdisciplinary nature. Background: The idea emerged during a healthcare research project, which consisted among others in grouping information from heterogeneous and distributed information sources. We developed this methodology by the lessons learned when we had to build a data repository, containing information about elderly patients flows in the UK''s long-term care system (LTC). Design: We explain thoroughly those aspects that influenced the methodology building. The methodology is defined by six steps, which can be aligned with various iterative development frameworks. We describe here the alignment of our methodology with the RUP (rational unified process) framework. The methodology emphasizes current trends, as early identification of critical requirements, data modelling, close and timely interaction with users and stakeholders, ontology building, quality management, and exception handling. Results: Of a special interest is the ontological engineering aspect, which had the effects with the highest impact after the project. That is, it helped stakeholders to perform better collaborative negotiations that brought better solutions for the overall system investigated. An insight into the problems faced by others helps to lead the negotiators to win-win situations. We consider that this should be the social result of any project that collects data for better decision making that leads finally to enhanced global outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential impact of body organochlorine (OC) pollution on the adaptive change in thermogenesis induced by body weight loss. Fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and sleeping metabolic rate (SMR) were measured in obese individuals before and after a weight-reducing program. The measured values of SMR were then compared to those predicted from a reference equation established from FM and FFM in control subjects. Plasma OC, leptin, total tri-iodothyronine, and free thyroxine concentrations were also measured in obese subjects before and after weight loss. After weight loss, the measured decrease in SMR was greater than that predicted by changes in FM and FFM. Increased plasma OC concentration was the factor explaining the greatest proportion of the difference between predicted and measured SMR changes induced by body weight loss. OC pollution seems to be a new factor affecting the control of thermogenesis in some obese individuals experiencing body weight loss.International Journal of Obesity (2004) 28, 936-939. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802527 Published online 18 May 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This multi-stage study aimed to design and validate a patient treatment acceptability outcome measure that is fit-for-purpose across the psoriasis disease severity spectrum. Stage 1 involved a group concept mapping (GCM) exercise to explore and understand patient perspectives and unmet needs in psoriasis treatment in patients newly diagnosed with mild psoriasis. This study aimed to develop a measure across the psoriasis disease severity spectrum that would bolster patient and clinician communication on treatment expectations. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: Although reported to be effective as a performance validity test (PVT) in TBI and ADHD, little is known about the ability of the CPT-II to model performance validity in psychiatric patients. Also, while repeat CPT-II administrations have been shown to enhance its diagnostic accuracy in ADHD evaluations, the effect of such strategic redundancy on validity assessment is largely unknown. Method: CPT-II subtests previously identified as embedded PVTs (ePVTs) were systematically tested in a sample of 30 patients with a variety of psychiatric conditions but without credible evidence of neuropsychological impairment. Neurocognitive profiles were classified as valid (n = 18) and invalid (n = 12) using a composite measure based on 20 independent PVTs. The CPT-II was administered twice, at the beginning and at the end of the testing session. Results: Significant improvement in signal detection properties was observed from Time 1 to Time 2 for Commission T ≥ 60, Perseveration T ≥ 70, Variability T ≥ 60 and the combination of Commission T ≥ 60 and Variability T ≥ 60. No difference was found for Omission T ≥ 80 and Hit RT T ≥ 60. Negligible loss in sensitivity was noted on Hit RT SE T ≥ 90. Conclusion(s): Results suggest that the ePVTs in the CPT-II developed in TBI and ADHD samples generalize to other clinical populations. Furthermore, invalid neuropsychological profiles are common in psychiatric patients (40% of the current sample). Finally, repeating the CPT-II or administering it later during the day tends to improve its signal detection properties as a PVT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Systematic review.Objectives:To conduct a systematic review of evidence surrounding the effects of exercise on physical fitness in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).Setting:Canada.Methods:The review was limited to English-language studies (published prior to March 2010) of people with SCI that evaluated the effects of an exercise intervention on at least one of the four main components of physical fitness (physical capacity, muscular strength, body composition and functional performance). Studies reported at least one of the following outcomes: oxygen uptake/consumption, power output, peak work capacity, muscle strength, body composition, exercise performance or functional performance. A total of 166 studies were identified. After screening, 82 studies (69 chronic SCI; 13 acute SCI) were included in the review. The quality of evidence derived from each study was evaluated using established procedures.Results:Most studies were of low quality; however, the evidence was consistent that exercise is effective in improving aspects of fitness. There is strong evidence that exercise, performed 2-3 times per week at moderate-to-vigorous intensity, increases physical capacity and muscular strength in the chronic SCI population; the evidence is not strong with respect to the effects of exercise on body composition or functional performance. There were insufficient high-quality studies in the acute SCI population to draw any conclusions.Conclusions:In the chronic SCI population, there is good evidence that exercise is effective in improving both physical capacity and muscular strength, but insufficient quality evidence to draw meaningful conclusions on its effect on body composition or functional capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the impact of the integration of the new roles of primary health care nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) on patient flow, wait times and proportions of patients who left without being seen in 6 Ontario emergency departments (EDs). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of health records data on patient arrival time, time of initial assessment by a physician, time of discharge from the ED and discharge status. RESULTS: Whether a PA or NP was directly involved in the care of patients or indirectly involved by being on duty, the wait times, lengths of stay and proportion of patients who left without being seen were significantly reduced. When a PA or NP were directly involved in patients' care, patients were 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-2.1, p < 0.05) and 2.1 (95% CI 1.6-2.8, p < 0.05) times more likely to be seen within the wait time benchmarks, respectively. Lengths of stay were 30.3% (95% CI 21.6%-39.0%, p < 0.01) and 48.8% (95% CI 35.0%-62.7%, p < 0.01) lower when PAs and NPs, respectively, were involved. When PAs and NPs were not on duty, the proportion of patients who left without being seen were 44% (95% CI 31%-63%, p < 0.01) and 71% (95% CI 53%-96%, p < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: The addition of PAs or NPs to the ED team can improve patient flow in medium-sized community hospital EDs. Given the ongoing shortage of physicians, use of alternative health care providers should be considered. These results require validation, as their generalizability to other locations or types of EDs is not known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) can reduce multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse rates; however, effectiveness of treatments may vary. We describe MS relapses related to treatment patterns among patients who switch treatment after their first DMT. [Extracted from the article]

In all, 1,645 biologic-naive psoriasis patients initiating apremilast were matched to 1,645 biologic-naive psoriasis patients initiating biologics (TNF: n=1,207; IL: n=438). Biologic-naive psoriasis patients initiating apremilast had significantly lower healthcare costs than patients initiating TNF and IL inhibitors. [Extracted from the article]

Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) can reduce multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse rates; understanding treatment patterns and effectiveness in relapse reduction across all available DMTs using real-world data is important. We describe treatment patterns and post-DMT initiation relapses stratified by the number of pre-initiation relapses among newly treated MS patients overall, and by treatment. [Extracted from the article]

Nucleophosmin (NPM), an oligomeric phosphoprotein and nucleolar target of the ARF tumor suppressor, contributes to several critical cellular processes. Previous studies have shown that the human NPM's phosphorylation by cyclin E–cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) on threonine (Thr) 199 regulates its translocation from the centrosome during cell cycle progression. Given our previous finding that ARF directly binds NPM, impeding its transit to the cytoplasm and arresting cells before S-phase entry, we hypothesized that ARF might also inhibit NPM phosphorylation. However, ARF induction did not impair phosphorylation of the cdk2 target residue in murine NPM, Thr198. Furthermore, phosphorylation of Thr198 occurred throughout the cell cycle and was concomitant with increases in overall NPM expression. To investigate the cell's presumed requirement for NPM-Thr198 phosphorylation in promoting the processes of growth and proliferation, we examined the effects of a non-phosphorylatable NPM mutant, T198A, in a clean cell system in which endogenous NPM had been removed by RNA interference. Here, we show that the T198A mutant is fully capable of executing NPM's described roles in nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, ribosome export and cell cycle progression. Moreover, the proliferative defects observed with stable NPM knockdown were restored by mutant NPM-T198A expression. Thus, we demonstrate that the reduction in NPM protein expression blocks cellular growth and proliferation, whereas phosphorylation of NPM-Thr198 is not essential for NPM's capacity to drive cell cycle progression and proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess absenteeism and associated lost productivity costs among employed parents and spouses of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Caregivers were family members of children (n=229) and spouses (n=2,488) with MS; 8 family caregivers had both children and a spouse with MS. Conclusions There is a substantial indirect economic burden related to productivity loss among employed parent and spouse caregivers of patients with MS. [Extracted from the article]

To examine real-world safety outcomes and the impact of AEs on HRU and TCOC (product acquisition and postinfusion costs) among patients with LBCL receiving CAR T-cell therapy. In MarketScan® and Clinformatics®, respectively, 74% and 86% of patients experienced CRS, 16% and 23% experienced severe CRS, 58% and 74% experienced NE, and 68% and 83% experienced prolonged cytopenia. Per-patient TCOC in the 3-months postinfusion were $711,615 among patients with severe CRS, $465,544 in those with any-grade CRS and NE, and $485,065 in those with prolonged cytopenia. [Extracted from the article]

In all, 1,471 biologic-naive PsA patients initiating apremilast were matched to 890 biologic-naive PsA patients initiating biologics (TNF: n=804; IL: n=86). Biologic-naive PsA patients initiating apremilast had significantly lower healthcare costs than patients initiating biologics in a US claims database. [Extracted from the article]

This study examined the short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) burden (as measures of severe productivity loss) among employees with multiple sclerosis (MS) initiating disease-modifying treatments (DMTs). Oral DMT initiators had the lowest percentage of short-term disability claims and days per long-term disability claim, suggesting productivity benefits in severe productivity loss with early access to orals. [Extracted from the article]