Validity and Test-Retest Reliability of a Novel Push Low-Cost Hand-Held Dynamometer for Knee Strength Assessment during Different Force Ranges

The objective was to assess the instrumental validity and the test–retest reliability of a low-cost hand-held push dynamometer adapted from a load-cell based hanging scale (tHHD) to collect compressive forces in different ranges of compressive forces. Three independent raters applied 50 pre-established compressions each on the tHHD centered on a force platform in three distinct ranges: ~70 N, ~160 N, ~250 N. Knee isometric strength was also assessed on 19 subjects in two sessions (48 h apart) using the tHHD anchored by an inelastic adjustable strap. Knee extension and flexion were assessed with the participant seated on a chair with the feet resting on the floor, knees, and hips flexed at 90°. The isometric force peaks were recorded and compared. The ICC and the Cronbach’s α showed excellent consistency and agreement for both instrumental validity and test–retest reliability (range: 0.89–0.99), as the correlation and determination coefficients (range: 0.80–0.99). The SEM and the MDC analysis returned adequate low values with a coefficient of variation less than 5%. The Bland–Altman results showed consistency and high levels of agreement. The tHHD is a valid method to assess the knee isometric strength, showing portability, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendly interface to provide an effective form to assess the knee isometric strength.

Effect of Long-Acting Selenium Preparation on Health and Productivity of Sheep

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of long-acting selenium (Se) preparation in sheep. The experimental material comprised Skudda ewes and their lambs. The animals were divided into two equal groups: C-control, and E-experimental. Between days 70 and 80 of pregnancy, group E ewes were injected with Se preparation (Barium Selenate Injection, BVP Animal Care, Ireland) at f 1 mL/50 kg body weight. Hematological, biochemical and immunological blood parameters as well as Se levels were analyzed in ewes. The growth rate of lambs, the dimensions of the musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) cross-section, and fat thickness over the loin-eye area were also determined. It was found that barium selenate stimulated the mechanisms of humoral and cellular immunity. The injection was an effective form of Se supply, which was confirmed by its increased concentration in the blood serum of lactating ewes. The offspring of the experimental ewes were characterized by a faster growth rate, and they achieved significantly higher body weight (p ≤ 0.05) at 100 days of age. The lambs also had significantly higher parameters of MLD (p ≤ 0.05) at similar carcass fat content.

Designing and management of entrepreneurial networks: Evaluation of the population’s network potential in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation territories

In development of the methodology proposed in previous publications for assessing the network entrepreneurial potential of territories for the design and management of business networks, which are an effective form of innovation in the information paradigm of productivity, the article developed a methodology for assessing the network entrepreneurial potential of the population of territorial socio-economic systems. The variety of potential stakeholders in the innovative development of the territory, formally or informally participating in the formation of network interactions, suggests that for effective design and management of business networks, it is advisable to form approaches to assessing the network potential of as many types of stakeholder groups as possible. The degree of adherence of the population of the territories to the ideas of the knowledge economy, the ability to support and implement these ideas in everyday life, are the sources of increasing the entrepreneurial potential of the territories and their usefulness for networked entrepreneurial projects. Therefore, for designing effective entrepreneurial networks,along with assessing the potential of business, civil society institutions, government bodies, corporations and other network actors, the task of assessing the entrepreneurial potential of the population of the territories is relevant. To achieve the research objective the approaches to defining and assessing the entrepreneurial potential of the population of the territories are considered; the definition of the entrepreneurial potential of the population for the purposes of this study has been clarified; an assessment methodology has been developed and this methodology has been applied on the example of territories representing the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The conclusion was made about the high degree of influence of the entrepreneurial potential of the population on the complex network potential of the territories.

Synthesis, Stability, and Bioavailability of Nicotinamide Riboside Trioleate Chloride

Nicotinamide riboside chloride (NRCl) is an effective form of vitamin B3. However, it cannot be used in ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages or high-water activity foods because of its intrinsic instability in water. To address this issue, we synthesized nicotinamide riboside trioleate chloride (NRTOCl) as a new hydrophobic nicotinamide riboside (NR) derivative. Contrary to NRCl, NRTOCl is soluble in an oil phase. The results of stability studies showed that NRTOCl was much more stable than NRCl both in water and in oil-in-water emulsions at 25 °C and 35 °C. Finally, we evaluated the bioavailability of NRTOCl by studying its digestibility in simulated intestinal fluid. The results demonstrated that NRTOCl was partially digestible and released NR in the presence of porcine pancreatin in a simulated intestinal fluid. This study showed that NRTOCl has the potential to be used as an NR derivative in ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages and other foods and supplement applications.

Validity and Test-Retest Reliability of a Novel Push Low-Cost Hand-Held Dynamometer for Knee Strength Assessment During Different Force Ranges

The objective was to assess the instrumental validity and the test-retest reliability of a low-cost hand-held push dynamometer adapted from a load-cell based hanging scale (tHHD) to collect compressive forces in different ranges of compressive forces. Three independent raters applied 50 pre-established compressions each on the tHHD centered on a force platform in 3 distinct ranges: ~70 N, ~160 N, ~250 N. Knee isometric strength was also assessed on 19 subjects in two sessions (48h apart) using the tHHD anchored by an inelastic adjustable strap. Knee extension and flexion were assessed with the participant seated on a chair with the feet resting on the floor, knees, and hips flexed at 90°. The isometric force peaks were recorded and compared. The ICC and the Cronbach’s α showed excellent consistency and agreement for both instrumental validity and test-retest reliability, as the correlation and determination coefficients. The SEM and the MDC analysis returned adequate low values with a coefficient of variation less than 5%. The Bland-Altman results showed consistency and high levels of agreement. The tHHD is a valid method to assess the knee isometric strength, showing portability, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendly interface to provide an effective form to assess the knee isometric strength.

Using Nonscalp Hair in Scalp Hair Restoration—Theory and Execution

Harvesting of beard and body hair follicles for transplantation can be an effective form of treatment for appropriate patients. These patients may have had prior scalp transplantation and require repair but do not have sufficient scalp donor follicles remaining. Other patients will have these hairs mixed with scalp hairs to produce a greater density of hair on the bald scalp. Follicular unit excision (FUE) is preferred for body and beard follicle harvesting. Not all body hair is suitable for transplantation. Only hairs that are similar in appearance and behavior to scalp hair are suitable for transplantation to the scalp. The best nonscalp sources are the beard and anterior torso. Hairs from other body sites may be used for transplantation to the eyebrows. The standard techniques of FUE harvesting and anesthesia must be modified from those used in scalp harvesting to be safe and effective. With proper patient selection and technique, a significant cosmetic benefit can be achieved from these procedures.

PENDAMPINGAN PEMBUATAN E-MODUL SIGIL SOFTWARE BERBASIS CONTENT LANGUAGE INTEGRATED LEARNING (CLIL) PADA PEMBELAJARAN BAHASA INGGRIS SMK DI KABUPATEN KARAWANG

ABSTRAKKemajuan teknologi membangun perubahan dalam berbagai bidang, khususnya dalam bidang pendidikan. Semua elemen dalam bidang tersebut dituntut untuk dapat memanfaatkan perkembangan teknologi, seperti hal nya guru yang harus mampu beralih dari penggunaan modul cetak ke modul elektronik (e-modul). Tujuan dari pelaksanaan program pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah untuk meningkatkan dan melatih keterampilan teknologi para guru bahasa Inggris SMK di Karawang. Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini dilakukan dengan memberikan pendampingan membuat e-modul interaktif berbasis Content Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) menggunakan Sigil Software kepada 15 orang guru Bahasa Inggris SMK di Karawang. Pendampingan pembuatan e-modul ini dilakukan dengan metode ceramah, tanya jawab, serta praktik pembuatan e-modul. Kegiatan ini dilaksanakan di laboratorium komputer SMK Saintek Nurul Muslimin. Hasil dari pelaksanaan kegiatan ini menunjukan bahwa program pengadian kepada masyarakat mampu meningkatkan kompetensi para guru bahasa Inggris dalam penguasaan materi dan pengajaran sesuai dengan jurusan bidang keahlian di sekolah. Selain itu, dapat memberikan manfaat yang sangat besar dan tepat sasaran bagi guru Bahasa Inggris. Bentuk pendampingan seperti ini merupakan bentuk yang sangat efektif untuk memberikan tambahan wawasan serta pengetahuan baru di bidang teknologi informasi di luar proses pembelajaran yang sekolah berikan untuk meningkatkan kualitas guru. Kata kunci: bahasa inggris; content language integrated learning (clil); e-modul; pendampingan; sigil software. ABSTRACTThe Advances in technology build changes in various fields, especially in the field of education. All elements in these fields can take advantage of technological developments, such as teachers who must be able to switch from using print modules to electronic modules (e-modules). This community service activity is carried out by providing assistance in the form of interactive e-modules based on Content Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) using Sigil Software to 15 English Vocational High School teachers in Karawang. Assistance in the manufacture of e-modules is carried out by means of lectures, questions and answers, and the practice of making e-modules. This activity was carried out in the computer laboratory of SMK Saintek Nurul Muslimin. The purpose of implementing this community service program is to improve and train the technology skills of vocational English teachers in Karawang. The results of the implementation of this activity show that the community service program is able to improve the competence of English teachers in mastering the material and teaching in accordance with the field of expertise at school. In addition, it can provide enormous and targeted benefits for English teachers. This form of assistance is a very effective form of providing additional insight and new knowledge in the field of technology outside of the learning process provided by schools to improve the quality of teachers. Keywords: assistance; e-modul; english language; content language integrated learning (clil); sigil software.

Youth Life Writing, Networked Media, Climate Change: The Challenge of Testimony to the Future

This article examines some of Greta Thunberg’s life writing as an example of the creativity and ingenuity with which some young people engage with the identity category of ‘youth’ in their life writing. It argues that Thunberg’s activism uses personal testimony in order to amplify expertise testimony as an epistemic source that demands action on climate change. This strategic use of life writing produces a paradoxical, but seemingly effective, form of life writing in which Thunberg provides personal testimony to the future. The article analyses how this paradoxical form of testimony is produced by situating Thunberg’s life writing in the context of the social and political investment in youth as an identity genre central to understanding of the human life course, and to how political responsibility is figured in contemporary western democracies. Drawing on theories of new media as an affective site in which life unfolds, rather than being represented, the paper concludes by reflecting on how Wendy Chun’s argument that networks involve the twinning of habituation and crisis mirrors Thunberg’s argument that action on climate change demands that habitual ways of living and acting must be rethought in response to the climate crisis.

Study of cadets’ attitude to the necessity of introduction of military-applied sports to forms of physical training in higher military educational institutions

Physical training is a set of measures for the physical improvement of servicemen, aimed at the development of general and special physical qualities, the formation of military-applied skills, education of moral and volitional and psychological qualities. The main forms of physical training of the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine include training classes, morning exercise, sports and mass work, physical training in the process of training and combat activities. The most effective form of physical training for military-applied types of psor is sports and mass work.The purpose of the study is to investigate the motivation of cadets to introduction the military-applied sports during sports and mass work in higher military educational institution. To achieve this purpose we conducted a questionnaire using a questionnaire developed by authors, which contains 7 questions. The study was conducted at the Military Academy (Odesa). 508 cadets took part in the survey. It was found that more than 95% of cadets are convinced of the positive impact of physical training and sports on the effectiveness of their future professional activities, developing skills of mutual assistance, mutual assistance, creating a healthy morale in the military. 57.5% of cadets believe that interest in training during sports and mass work can be increased through the introduction of popular military-applied sports. 96.5% of cadets believe that the physical qualities and military-applied skills that are developed in the process of military-applied sports are professionally important in the modern combat activities of servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Does Protest Against Police Violence Matter? Evidence from U.S. Cities, 1990 through 2019

An underlying premise of democratic politics is that protest can be an effective form of civic engagement that shapes policy changes desired by marginalized groups. But it is not certain that this premise holds up under scrutiny. This article presents a three-part argument that protest (1) signals the salience of a movement’s focal issue and expands awareness that an issue is a social problem requiring a solution, (2) empowers residents in disadvantaged communities and raises a sense of community cohesion, which together (3) raise costs and exert pressure on elites to make concessions. The empirical analysis examines the likelihood that a city will establish a civilian review board (CRB). It then compares the effects of protest and CRB presence on counts of officer-involved fatalities by race and ethnicity. Two main hypotheses about the effect of protest are supported: cities with more protest against police brutality are significantly more likely to establish a CRB, and protest against police brutality reduces officer-involved fatalities for African American and Latino (but not for White) individuals. However, the establishment of CRBs does not reduce fatalities, as some have hoped. Nonetheless, mobilizing against police brutality matters, even in the absence of civilian review boards.