Understanding the design differences between multisegmented foot models and their impact on joint kinetic outcomes.

Multisegmented foot models (MSFMs) are used to capture data of specific regions of the foot instead of representing the foot as a single, rigid segment. It has been documented that different MSFMs do not yield the same joint kinematic data, but there is little information available regarding their use for kinetic analysis. We compared the moment and power at the tibiotalar, midtarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints of four MSFMs using motion capture data of young adult runners during stance phase of barefoot walking and jogging.

How many segments are enough to biomechanically model the feet? A comparison of inverse kinematics and dynamics in multisegmented foot models.

Multisegmented foot models (MSFMs) capture kinematic and kinetic data of specific regions of the foot instead of representing the foot as a single, rigid segment. Models differ by the number of segments and segment definitions, so there is no consensus for best practice. It is unknown whether MSFMs yield the same joint kinematic and kinetic data and what level of detail is necessary to accurately measure such values.

Cues to land softly and quietly result in acute reductions in ground reaction force loading rates in runners.

Background: A common gait retraining goal for runners is reducing vertical ground reaction force (GRF) loading rates (LRs), which have been associated with injury. Many gait retraining programs prioritize an internal focus of attention, despite evidence supporting an external focus of attention when a specific outcome is desired (e.g.

The Effects of a Simple Sensor Reorientation Procedure on Peak Tibial Accelerations during Running and Correlations with Ground Reaction Forces.

While some studies have found strong correlations between peak tibial accelerations (TAs) and early stance ground reaction forces (GRFs) during running, others have reported inconsistent results. One potential explanation for this is the lack of a standard orientation for the sensors used to collect TAs. Therefore, our aim was to test the effects of an established sensor reorientation method on peak Tas and their correlations with GRFs.

Clinical Application of Gait Retraining in the Injured Runner.

Despite its positive influence on physical and mental wellbeing, running is associated with a high incidence of musculoskeletal injury. Potential modifiable risk factors for running-related injury have been identified, including running biomechanics. Gait retraining is used to address these biomechanical risk factors in injured runners.

Statistical analysis reveals the onset of synchrony in sparse swarms of fireflies.

Flash synchrony within firefly swarms is an elegant but elusive manifestation of collective animal behaviour. It has been observed, and sometimes demonstrated, in a few populations across the world, but exactly which species are capable of large-scale synchronization remains unclear, especially for low-density swarms. The underlying question which we address here is: how does one qualify a collective flashing display as synchronous, given that the only information available is the time and location of flashes? We propose different statistical approaches and apply them to high-resolution stereoscopic video recordings of the collective flashing of fireflies, hence establishing the occurrence of synchrony in this species.

Using passive surveillance technology for overdose prevention: Key ethical and implementation issues.

Passive surveillance technology has the potential to increase safety through monitoring spaces where people are at risk of overdose. One key opportunity for the use of passive surveillance technology to prevent overdose fatality is in bathrooms where people may be using drugs. However, uncertainty remains with regards to how to attain informed consent, implications for data storage and privacy and potential negative socio-legal ramifications for people who use drugs.

Communication Between Enteric Neurons, Glia, and Nociceptors Underlies the Effects of Tachykinins on Neuroinflammation.

Background & Aims: Tachykinins are involved in physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract. The major sources of tachykinins in the gut are intrinsic enteric neurons in the enteric nervous system and extrinsic nerve fibers from the dorsal root and vagal ganglia. Although tachykinins are important mediators in the enteric nervous system, how they contribute to neuroinflammation through effects on neurons and glia is not fully understood.

Cholinergic activation of enteric glia is a physiological mechanism that contributes to the regulation of gastrointestinal motility.

The reflexive activities of the gastrointestinal tract are regulated, in part, by precise interactions between neurons and glia in the enteric nervous system (ENS). Intraganglionic enteric glia are a unique type of peripheral glia that surround enteric neurons and regulate neuronal function, activity, and survival. Enteric glia express numerous neurotransmitter receptors that allow them to sense neuronal activity, but it is not clear if enteric glia monitor acetylcholine (ACh), the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the ENS.

Compulsive hoarding: overview and implications for community health nurses.

Hoarding is a serious public health hazard that poses significant health and safety risks for individuals, families, and communities. Research indicates that compulsive hoarding is a growing social and environmental problem across the United States, affecting as many as 2-5% of the population. Hoarders often live chaotically in their own private clutter until it spreads so far that it evolves into medical emergencies or can only be contained by the law.

De-identification methods for open health data: the case of the Heritage Health Prize claims dataset.

Background: There are many benefits to open datasets. However, privacy concerns have hampered the widespread creation of open health data. There is a dearth of documented methods and case studies for the creation of public-use health data.

The changing age distribution of prostate cancer in Canada.

Background: Prostate cancer incidence rates are still increasing steadily; mortality rates are levelling, possibly decreasing; and hospitalization rates for many diagnoses are decreasing. Our objective is to examine changes in age distributions of prostate cancer during these times of change.

Methods: Prostate cancer cases were derived from the Canadian Cancer Registry, prostate cancer deaths from Vital Statistics, hospitalizations from the Hospital Morbidity File.

Trends in prostate cancer incidence, hospital utilization and surgical procedures, Canada, 1981-2000.

Background: Numbers of new prostate cancer cases in Canada continue to increase because of increasing prostate cancer incidence, population growth, aging of the population, and earlier detection methods such as PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing. Concern has been expressed that PSA-related increases in incidence will make unaffordable demands on Canadian hospital resources. Our objective is to relate increases in prostate cancer incidence to trends in hospitalizations and in- patient treatment.

Proportion of cancer deaths occurring in hospital, Canada, 1994-2000.

Background: Most terminally ill cancer patients would prefer not to die in hospital, but only a minority achieve their wish. Our objective was to examine the proportion of cancer deaths occurring in Canadian hospitals.

Methods: The two sources of data (1994-2000) were: 1) all hospital separations (HS) with a primary diagnosis of cancer and discharge as 'dead'; 2) all death certificates (DC) with cancer as underlying cause of death.

Trends in in-patient hospital utilization and surgical procedures for breast, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers in Canada.

Objective: To analyse population-based trends of in-patient surgical procedures for breast (female), prostate, lung and colorectal cancers.

Methods: The Hospital Morbidity Files supplied hospital data and the Canadian Cancer Registry, incidence data. Age-adjusted rates were standardized to the 1991 Canadian population.

Shorter hospital stays for breast cancer.

Objectives: This article examines trends in and factors influencing the length of stay for female breast cancer patients who were hospitalized between 1981 and 2000.

Data Sources: The hospital data are from the Hospital Morbidity Database and the Health Person-oriented Information Database, both maintained by Statistics Canada. Data on new cases of breast cancer are from the Canadian Cancer Registry and the National Cancer Incidence Reporting System.

Declining use of mastectomy for invasive breast cancer in Canada, 1981-2000.

Objective: To evaluate the rate and magnitude of change in surgical practice for breast cancer in Canada in relation to publication dates of clinical trials and consensus conferences.

Methods: Hospital separations with a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer were extracted from the Hospital Morbidity File from 1981 to 2000. Age-standardized rates of in-patient procedures for breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy were analyzed by province and age group and by geographic region.

Developing palliative care surveillance in Canada: results of a pilot study.

Objective: A pilot study compiled data from six palliative care centres across Canada to assess the feasibility of developing a national surveillance system.

Methods: Data provided for the three-year period between 1993-1997 were combined into a comparative minimum data set. Analyses included 6,369 care episodes from five centres, plus 948 patients from one centre.

Which workers smoke?

Objectives: This article examines differences by occupation in daily cigarette smoking prevalence and intensity among full-time workers, and how these differences are associated with smoking restrictions at work.

Data Sources: Most of the data are from a Health Canada-sponsored Supplement to the 1994/95 National Population Health Survey (NPHS). The analysis is based on 5,674 respondents aged 15 to 64 who were full-time workers at the time of their interview.

Cancer incidence and mortality across Canada.

Objectives: This article analyses provincial and territorial patterns in incidence and mortality rates for selected cancer sites.

Data Sources: Cancer incidence data were obtained from the National Cancer incidence Reporting System and from the Canadian Cancer Registry. Mortality data are from the Canadian Vital Statistics Data Base.