Assessing Symptoms in Adolescents Following Sport-Related Concussion: A Comparison of Four Different Approaches.

This study compared post-concussion symptom endorsements on the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) between a clinical open-ended interview, clinician-guided PCSS, parent-report PCSS, and computer-based PCSS in youth athletes with sport-related concussion (SRC). Participants included 54 patients aged 13-17 years (M = 15.19, SD = 1.

Neuropsychological Assessment Following Concussion: an Evidence-Based Review of the Role of Neuropsychological Assessment Pre- and Post-Concussion.

Neuropsychological evaluation is one component of a comprehensive and multifaceted assessment following concussion. Although some neuropsychologists use a "hybrid" assessment approach integrating computerized neurocognitive testing batteries with traditional paper and pencil tests, computerized neurocognitive test batteries are the predominant testing modality for assessment of athletes from the youth to professional level. This review summarizes the most recent research supporting the utility of neuropsychological evaluation and highlights the strengths and weaknesses of both computerized and traditional neuropsychological testing approaches.

Test-Retest Reliability of Computerized Neurocognitive Testing in Youth Ice Hockey Players.

Computerized neurocognitive tests are frequently used to assess pediatric sport-related concussions; however, only 1 study has focused on the test-retest reliability of the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) in high school athletes and age influences have largely been ignored. Therefore, the purpose was to investigate the test-retest reliability of ImPACT and underlying age influences in a pediatric population. Two hundred (169 men and 31 women) youth ice hockey players completed ImPACT before/after a 6-month season.

GW150914: The Advanced LIGO Detectors in the Era of First Discoveries.

Following a major upgrade, the two advanced detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) held their first observation run between September 2015 and January 2016. With a strain sensitivity of 10^{-23}/sqrt[Hz] at 100 Hz, the product of observable volume and measurement time exceeded that of all previous runs within the first 16 days of coincident observation. On September 14, 2015, the Advanced LIGO detectors observed a transient gravitational-wave signal determined to be the coalescence of two black holes [B.

GW150914: Implications for the Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background from Binary Black Holes.

The LIGO detection of the gravitational wave transient GW150914, from the inspiral and merger of two black holes with masses ≳30M_{⊙}, suggests a population of binary black holes with relatively high mass. This observation implies that the stochastic gravitational-wave background from binary black holes, created from the incoherent superposition of all the merging binaries in the Universe, could be higher than previously expected. Using the properties of GW150914, we estimate the energy density of such a background from binary black holes.

History of Somatization Is Associated with Prolonged Recovery from Concussion.

Objective: To determine the association between a history of somatization and prolonged concussion symptoms, including sex differences in recovery.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study of 10- to 18-year-olds with an acute concussion was conducted from July 2014 to April 2015 at a tertiary care pediatric emergency department. One hundred twenty subjects completed the validated Children's Somatization Inventory (CSI) for pre-injury somatization assessment and Postconcussion Symptoms Scale (PCSS) at diagnosis.

Role of Pre-Morbid Factors and Exposure to Blast Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Post-Traumatic Stress in United States Military Personnel.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), the signature injury of the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, is a prevalent and potentially debilitating condition that is associated with symptoms of post-traumatic stress/post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS/PTSD). Prior mTBI, severity and type of injury (blast vs. non-blast), and baseline psychiatric illness are thought to impact mTBI outcomes.

Reliability and Associated Risk Factors for Performance on the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) Tool in Healthy Collegiate Athletes.

Background: The Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) is a newly developed screening tool that evaluates vestibular and ocular motor symptom (eg, headache, dizziness, nausea, fogginess) provocation after a sport-related concussion. Baseline data on the VOMS are needed to extend the application of this measure to broad age groups and to document normal variations in performance.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the internal consistency of the VOMS in a large sample of healthy, nonconcussed collegiate athletes.

Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Black Hole Merger.

On September 14, 2015 at 09:50:45 UTC the two detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory simultaneously observed a transient gravitational-wave signal. The signal sweeps upwards in frequency from 35 to 250 Hz with a peak gravitational-wave strain of 1.0×10(-21).

High Baseline Postconcussion Symptom Scores and Concussion Outcomes in Athletes.

Context: Some healthy athletes report high levels of baseline concussion symptoms, which may be attributable to several factors (eg, illness, personality, somaticizing). However, the role of baseline symptoms in outcomes after sport-related concussion (SRC) has not been empirically examined.

Objective: To determine if athletes with high symptom scores at baseline performed worse than athletes without baseline symptoms on neurocognitive testing after SRC.

Policies, Procedures, and Practices Regarding Sport-Related Concussion in Community College Athletes.

Context: College sport organizations and associations endorse concussion-management protocols and policies. To date, little information is available on concussion policies and practices at community college institutions.

Objective: To assess and describe current practices and policies regarding the assessment, management, and return-to-play criteria for sport-related concussion (SRC) among member institutions of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA).

Incidence of Concussion in Youth Ice Hockey Players.

Background: Ice hockey is a fast-paced collision sport that entails both intentional (ie, body checking) and incidental contact that may involve the head. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of concussions in relation to games/practices and age among competition-level youth ice hockey players (ages 12-18 years).

Methods: Participants included 397 youth ice hockey players from Western Pennsylvania; Boston, Massachusetts; and Birmingham, Alabama, during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 youth ice hockey seasons.

Transmission of HIV Drug Resistance and the Predicted Effect on Current First-line Regimens in Europe.

Background: Numerous studies have shown that baseline drug resistance patterns may influence the outcome of antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, guidelines recommend drug resistance testing to guide the choice of initial regimen. In addition to optimizing individual patient management, these baseline resistance data enable transmitted drug resistance (TDR) to be surveyed for public health purposes.

Delayed brachial artery dilation response and increased resting blood flow velocity in young children with mild sleep-disordered breathing.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate whether the vascular dysfunction perceived in adults with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) was also evident in children with snoring referred for evaluation of clinically suspected SDB.

Objectives: This study compared flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), measured at the brachial artery, at rest and during hyperaemic stress between children who snore [n = 23; mean standard deviation (SD) age = 7.51 (1.

Chronic exercise preserves brain function in masters athletes when compared to sedentary counterparts.

Objective: Exercise is beneficial for both the body and the mind, and it has been associated with protective neurocognitive effects, such as increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurogenesis. These effects are linked to the attenuation of age-related mental decline and the preservation of mental capacities in older, physically active adults. This study evaluated whether masters athletes, a highly active population, have better cognitive function compared to age-matched non-athletes based on the Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) tool.

Near Point of Convergence After a Sport-Related Concussion: Measurement Reliability and Relationship to Neurocognitive Impairment and Symptoms.

Background: Convergence insufficiency (CI) is a common binocular vision deficit after a sport-related concussion (SRC). CI may result in visual discomfort and vision-mediated functional difficulties such as slowed reading and compromised attention, leading to impaired academic, work, and sport performance.

Purpose: To test the reliability of repeated near point of convergence (NPC) measurements in a sample of athletes after an SRC; compare the symptoms and cognitive impairment of athletes with normal NPC to those with CI after an SRC; and explore the relationship among age, sex, learning disability, migraine history, and CI.

Examining Recovery Trajectories After Sport-Related Concussion With a Multimodal Clinical Assessment Approach.

Background: Previous research estimates that the majority of athletes with sport-related concussion (SRC) will recover between 7 and 10 days after injury. This short temporal window of recovery is based predominately on symptom resolution and cognitive improvement and does not accurately reflect recent advances in the clinical assessment model.

Objective: To characterize SRC recovery at 1-week postinjury time intervals on symptom, neurocognitive, and vestibular-oculomotor outcomes and to examine sex differences in SRC recovery time.

Classification of semi-automated flare readings using the Kowa FM 700 laser cell flare meter in patients with uveitis.

Purpose: To propose a classification system to grade semi-automated flare readings and assess its correlation with clinical flare grading and also to explore the utility of an additional step in clinical flare assessment between grades 0 and 1.

Methods: Semi-automated flare readings from 103 eyes with uveitis were taken using the Kowa FM 700 laser flare meter and classified into two models (LFCM and LFCM_1), and introduction of a 0.5 step in flare grading was explored.

First Direct Measurement of (12)C((12)C,n)(23)Mg at Stellar Energies.

Neutrons produced by the carbon fusion reaction (12)C((12)C,n)(23)Mg play an important role in stellar nucleosynthesis. However, past studies have shown large discrepancies between experimental data and theory, leading to an uncertain cross section extrapolation at astrophysical energies. We present the first direct measurement that extends deep into the astrophysical energy range along with a new and improved extrapolation technique based on experimental data from the mirror reaction (12)C((12)C,p)(23)Na.

The effects of combat-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): Does blast mTBI history matter?

Background: The effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) have received significant attention since the beginning of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Surprisingly, little is known about the temporal nature of neurocognitive impairment, mTBI, and posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms following combat-related mTBI. It is also unclear as to the role that blast exposure history has on mTBI and PTS impairments and symptoms.

Preliminary evidence of reduced brain network activation in patients with post-traumatic migraine following concussion.

Post-traumatic migraine (PTM) (i.e., headache, nausea, light and/or noise sensitivity) is an emerging risk factor for prolonged recovery following concussion.

Traumatic axonal injury and persistent emotional lability in an adolescent following moderate traumatic brain injury: A case study.

A 15-year-old male was treated secondary to sustaining a moderate traumatic brain injury (moderate TBI). Symptom self-report, and computerized and paper-and-pencil-based neurocognitive, vestibular/ocular motor, and imaging data were used throughout to document impairment and recovery. The patient demonstrated persistent emotional lability concurrent with vestibular impairment.

Current and emerging rehabilitation for concussion: a review of the evidence.

Concussion is one of the most hotly debated topics in sports medicine today. Research surrounding concussion has experienced significant growth recently, especially in the areas of incidence, assessment, and recovery. However, there is limited research on the most effective rehabilitation approaches for this injury.