Sacred Heart University

Keltz A., Leydon C., Vernarelli J.A., Livecchi D., Lerner M.Z.

Purpose: Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is a common component of a comprehensive dysphagia assessment. Endoscopy-related musculoskeletal symptoms resulting from clinician, environment, or equipment factors have been reported among health care professionals. The purpose of this work was to uncover the prevalence and nature of physical discomfort among speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who perform FEES. Investigators also explored SLPs' strategies to reduce endoscopy-related discomfort and their perceived benefit of ergonomics training. Method: A survey was distributed electronically to SLPs to gather information about demographics, work environment, FEES practice, ergonomics, and physical discomfort. Data were analyzed using logistic regression and Spearman rank correlations. Results: One hundred sixty SLPs who conduct FEES completed the survey. The majority of participants (73%) experienced physical discomfort, at least sometimes, when performing FEES, most notably in the shoulder, back, and neck. Participants who reported suboptimal ergonomics demonstrated fivefold increased odds of experiencing discomfort, indicating insight into physical challenges. Participants with fewer years of experience, less frequent ability to achieve optimal positioning, and increased frequency of physical discomfort were more likely to anticipate benefit from training. Conclusions: Physical discomfort was common and was not predicted by demographics, work environment, years of FEES practice, or dose. Further studies are needed to identify factors that predict discomfort and strategies to support comfort and well-being.

Wormley M.E., Sebelski C., Cook J., Jensen G., Tovin M.M.

Hoff K., Leopkey B.

Qi H., Chen X.

Sharma S., Divakaran S., Kaya T., Raval M.S.

Machine learning and computer vision allow the development of sophisticated models for evaluating an athlete's readiness and fatigue. In this paper, we studied the effects of stressors faced by athletes to comprehensively evaluate their readiness and fatigue while maximizing their game performance and minimizing the risk of injury. An athlete's readiness and fatigue were quantified using a modified reactive strength index (RSImod), computed using countermovement vertical jumps. Our study was conducted over 26 weeks with 17 collegiate women's basketball athletes. The proposed model first learns the relationship between RSImod and the athletes' physical, physiological, and cognitive features. Then, it augments its learning by considering the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) of the five most significant features that correlated well with RSImod to account for intra-athlete variability. Finally, we used our proposed hierarchical approach employing decision tree classifiers and regressors (ensemble–boosting) to predict an athlete's RSImod score for the following week. Our experiments demonstrated that SWC augmentation improved RSImod level prediction accuracy from 92.83% (original dataset) to 95.28%. The proposed hierarchical approach performs better (MSE 0.011, R2 0.963) than state-of-the-art prediction algorithms (multilinear and random forest regressor), generates interpretable outcomes, and helps coaches develop effective training schedules and game strategies. When tested without SWC augmentation, the hierarchical model achieved an MSE of 0.028 and an adjusted R2 of 0.906. SWC augmentation reduced the MSE by 60.71% (from 0.028 to 0.011). It increased the adjusted R2 by 6.29% (from 0.906 to 0.963), further highlighting the combined efficacy of SWC augmentation and the hierarchical approach. By integrating various physical, physiological, and cognitive features, the proposed model helps coaches optimize athlete performance and mitigate injury risks effectively.

Park Y., Kim J.

Background: The efficacy of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, including celecoxib, in managing knee osteoarthritis (KO) is well-established. Recently, the plant extract cocktail JOINS (SKI306X and its newer formulation, SKCPT) has been shown to be an effective slow-acting drug for KO. Aims: To compare the efficacy and safety of celecoxib and JOINS in patients with KO. Methods: A systematic search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effectiveness and safety of celecoxib and JOINS. The outcomes included pain relief, functional improvement, and safety profiles. Outcome measurements were compared between the celecoxib and JOINS cohorts at the short-term (closest to 3 months) and mid-term (closest to 12 months). Results: Overall, 23 RCTs involving 3367 patients were included in this systematic review. The efficacy of JOINS in reducing pain, as indicated by the visual analog scale (VAS) score, was comparable to that of celecoxib. Regarding functional improvement assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index (WOMAC), JOINS showed improvement comparable to that of celecoxib regardless of follow-up. In addition, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse events between the celecoxib and JOINS cohorts. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that JOINS could be considered as a pharmacological agent with significant efficacy for pain relief and functional improvement in patients with KO in clinical practice.

Duan H.K., Vasarhelyi M.A., Codesso M.

ABSTRACT This study proposes an internal control evaluation model that incorporates process mining and machine learning into audit procedures. The model consists of four components: process mining analysis, rule-based variant analysis, control risk assessment, and anomaly detection. It utilizes process mining to uncover transactions that deviate from normative process flows, assesses the underlying associated controls with these deviations, and applies machine learning algorithms to supply a quantitative measure at a transactional level to determine highly anomalous areas. Using a real-world dataset for demonstration, the model identifies control weaknesses and missing controls, and directs the investigation toward high-risk control areas. This study contributes to the literature on the application of emerging technologies in accounting and auditing and aims to generate practical implications.

Carey A.J.

Loth P.

We consider the class of abelian groups possessing partial decomposition bases in the language L_{\kappa \omega} for uncountable cardinals \kappa . Jacoby, Leistner, Loth and Strüngmann developed a numerical invariant deduced from the classical global Warfield invariant and proved that if two groups have identical modified Ulm invariants and Warfield invariants up to \omega\delta for some ordinal \delta , then they are equivalent in L_{\infty\omega}^{\delta} . Subsequently, Jacoby and Loth showed that the converse is true for appropriate \delta . In this paper we prove that the modified Warfield invariant up to \kappa is expressible in L_{\kappa\omega} , thus a complete classification theorem in L_{\kappa \omega} is obtained. This generalizes a result of Barwise and Eklof.

Sheng Q., Vukina T.

Abstract In this paper we investigated the dynamic of competition in the U.S. broiler chicken industry from 2000 to 2023, focusing on the detection and the implications of alleged collusive behaviour. By employing a structural econometrics approach, we estimated the conjectural elasticities, offering an explanation for how potential collusive arrangements evolved over time. Our most important results show that the alleged collusion period elevated the conjectural elasticities for all defendants but increased the conjectural elasticity of the group of three largest publicly traded broiler companies the most. These results suggest that the industry tacit collusion could have morphed into explicit collusion, with the largest three firms being the likely leaders of the conspiracy. In addition, the computed Lerner indexes show that the market power has increased during the collusion period relative to the pre-collusion period and remained elevated afterwards, suggesting stubborn impact of collusion on competition even during the post collusion period.

Kim K., Kim J.

Introduction: Popliteal cysts (PCs) are occasionally accompanied by knee osteoarthritis (OA) and varus malalignment. However, whether concomitant arthroscopic excision of PCs with medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) improves the osteoarthritic environment remains unclear. Therefore, this study assessed serial changes in C-size, medial meniscus extrusion (MME), and cartilage status for up to 2 years following an MOWHTO. Methods: This study retrospectively used serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluations to assess 26 consecutive patients who underwent MOWHTO. Of the 26 patients, six with preoperative PCs were included. Based on the arthroscopic findings at the time of the MOWHTO, concomitant meniscal and chondral lesions, and whether or not partial meniscectomy was performed, were evaluated. All patients underwent second-look arthroscopy with plate removal 2 years postoperatively. The PC size, MME, and cartilage sub-scores in the medial compartment of the whole-organ MRI score (WORMS) were assessed by serial MRI preoperatively and at 3, 6, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. The recurrence of PCs and clinical outcomes, including the Rauschning–Lindgren grade, were also evaluated when serial MRI was performed. Moreover, changes in cartilage status were assessed using two-stage arthroscopy. Results: All patients underwent concomitant partial meniscectomy for medial meniscal tears in the posterior horn. A significant decrease in the mean size of preoperative PCs (27.4 ± 22.3 mm) was noted from 3 months postoperatively (8.7 ± 7.6 mm, p = 0.018), and thereafter. The mean size of PCs further decreased with time until 2 years (1.5 ± 4.0 mm, p = 0.018) following an MOWHTO with partial meniscectomy. Moreover, significant improvements in the MME and WORMS values were noted from 3 to 24 months postoperatively. Meanwhile, no PC recurrence occurred during the follow-up period and the preoperative Rauschning–Lindgren grade improved significantly with time after MOWHTO (p = 0.026). Furthermore, the two-stage arthroscopic assessments showed significant improvements in ICRS grade in the medial femoral condyle (p = 0.038). Conclusions: After an MOWHTO with partial meniscectomy, PCs decreased with time up to 2 years postoperatively; no recurrence occurred during the follow-up period, although cyst excision was not concomitantly performed. Furthermore, the reduction in PCs corresponded with improvements in MME and chondral lesions in the knee joint following the MOWHTO.

Campbell B.A., Cantwell C.J., Marshall-Ciochon L.K., Schroeder Z.S., Sundh A.E., Chard J.B., Taber C.B., Suchomel T.J.

The aim of this study was to compare the braking and propulsion force–time and barbell velocity characteristics between back squat sets performed using traditional (TRAD) or accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) in resistance-trained women. In total, 14 participants completed four separate testing sessions that included a one repetition maximum (1RM) back squat and three squat testing sessions that used either TRAD or AEL. During the squat testing sessions, participants performed sets of three back squat repetitions using TRAD loads with 50, 60, 70, and 80% 1RM or performed the same loads with the addition of weight releasers that equated the total load to 100% (AEL-MAX) or 110% (AEL-SUPRA) 1RM during the eccentric phase of the first repetition of each set. Braking and propulsion mean force, duration, and impulse as well as mean and peak barbell velocity were examined across each back squat set. Significantly greater braking impulses were produced during the AEL conditions across all loads (p < 0.02), while greater braking mean force during AEL-SUPRA was produced compared to TRAD during with 50 and 60% 1RM (p < 0.02). There were no other significant differences in braking, propulsion, or barbell velocity that existed between different conditions (p > 0.05). AEL-MAX and AEL-SUPRA provide a greater braking stimulus compared to TRAD squats, while the propulsion phase may not be significantly impacted. Rapid and maximal force production may be favored by larger and smaller load spreads, respectively.

Osman S., Rubb S.

Vieira F.L., Carnietto M., Cerqueira Filho J.R., Bordini E.A., Oliveira H.F., Pegoraro T.A., Santiago Junior J.F.

There is still no consensus on whether intraoral scanning for producing full-arch implant-supported prostheses is effective. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to analyze clinical studies that evaluated intraoral scanning versus conventional impression to obtain rehabilitation of full-arch fixed prostheses and removable. Registration was carried out in the PROSPERO database (CRD: 42020152197). Searches were performed in 11 databases. Review Manager 7.2 (2024) software was used for the quantitative analysis stage (α = 0.05). Bias analysis was conducted using the ROBINS-I and ROB scales, and the certainty of the evidence was evaluated using the GRADE scale. The initial search showed 33,975 abstracts and titles, from which, after applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 11 clinical studies were selected. Based on the studies collected, it was observed that there was no difference in the comparison between the digital (DG) and conventional (CG) groups for the following criteria: technical and biological complication rates and marginal bone loss (p > 0.05). The analysis of clinical execution time highlights a notable advantage of the DG over the CG at both scanned patient and implant levels (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, CG achieved fewer retakes than the DG (p < 0.05), demonstrating its reliability in execution. It is concluded that the survival rates of full-arch fixed prostheses produced using intraoral scanning are comparable to those achieved with traditional impression techniques, providing a reliable option for patients. However, further clinical studies are necessary due to the variability in clinical protocols.

Napper Sarah L., Brace A.M., Zuojin Y., Matthews T.L., Wood Caroline I.