East Carolina University

About: East Carolina University is a education organization based out in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 11091 authors who have published 22389 publications receiving 635008 citations. The organization is also known as: ECU & East Carolina.

Gait adaptations before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery

Abstract: Gait analyses of rehabilitated individuals with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency and reconstruction have identified the final adaptations of increased hip extensor torque and hamstring electromyography (EMG) and decreased knee extensor torque and quadriceps EMG during stance. The initial adaptations to injury and surgery are, however, unknown as are the factors that influence the development of the adaptations. Identification of the initial response to injury would provide a basis for determining whether the final adaptations are learned automatically or if they are the result of a lengthy training period in which various factors may affect their development. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the initial effects of ACL injury and reconstruction surgery on joint kinematics, kinetics, and energetics, during walking. Injured limbs from nine subjects with ACL injury were tested 2 wk after injury, and 3 and 5 wk after surgery. Ten healthy subjects were tested. Kinematic and ground reaction data were collected and combined with inverse dynamics to calculate the joint torques and powers. A knee extensor torque throughout most of stance was observed in the injured limbs at all test sessions. This result was in conflict with previous observations of reduced extensor torque or a flexor torque in rehabilitated patients with ACL reconstruction and patients with ACL deficiency. This result also differed from the typical midstance extensor then flexor torque in healthy control subjects. Trend analysis showed a significant (P < 0.001) change in average position at the hip and knee, extensor angular impulse at the hip, and positive work done at the hip 3 wk after surgery followed by a partial rehabilitation at 5 wk after surgery. Power and work produced at the knee were reduced fivefold (P < 0.001) after 5 wk of rehabilitation and did not recover to pre-surgical levels. The existence of a long-lasting knee extensor torque 2 wk after injury indicated that the adaptation process to ACL deficiency is lengthy, requiring many gait cycles, and that numerous factors could be involved in learning the adaptations.

Hypothesis Testing in ARIMA(p, 1, q) Models

Abstract: Let the time series {Yt : t ∈ (1, 2, …)} satisfy Yt = ρY t-1 + Z t and Zt + Σ p i=1 a i Zt−1 = et + Σ q j=1 β j et-j, where {e t } is a sequence of normal, independently distributed (NID(0, σ2)) random variables, and y 0 = 0. Associated with the Zt process are the characteristic equations mp + Σ p i=1 aimp-i = 0 and mq + Σ q j=1 βjmq-j = 0, the roots of which are assumed to be less than one in absolute value. Thus, using the notation of Box and Jenkins (1976), we would say Yt is an ARIMA(p, 1, q) process if ρ = 1. Under the assumption that ρ = 1, the limiting distributions of nonlinear least squares regression estimators of the parameters appearing in the preceding model are obtained. Regression t-type statistics for testing the hypothesis that ρ = 1 are discussed. Similar results are obtained for models that allow a nonzero mean. An illustrative example is given.

Levels of Ca2+-Dipicolinic Acid in Individual Bacillus Spores Determined Using Microfluidic Raman Tweezers

Abstract: Pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (dipicolinic acid [DPA]) in a 1:1 chelate with calcium ion (Ca-DPA) comprises 5 to 15% of the dry weight of spores of Bacillus species. Ca-DPA is important in spore resistance to many environmental stresses and in spore stability, and Ca-DPA levels in spore populations can vary with spore species/strains, as well as with sporulation conditions. We have measured levels of Ca-DPA in large numbers of individual spores in populations of a variety of Bacillus species and strains by using microfluidic Raman tweezers, in which a single spore is trapped in a focused laser beam and its Ca-DPA is quantitated from the intensity of the Ca-DPA-specific band at 1,017 cm 1 in Raman spectroscopy. Conclusions from these measurements include the following: (i) Ca-DPA concentrations in the spore core are >800 mM, well above Ca-DPA solubility; (ii) SpoVA proteins may be involved in Ca-DPA uptake in sporulation; and (iii) Ca-DPA levels differ significantly among individual spores in a population, but much of this variation could be due to variations in the sizes of individual spores. Spores of Bacillus species are metabolically dormant cells formed in sporulation, a process that is normally triggered by starvation (25, 30). These spores are extremely resistant to a variety of harsh treatments, including radiation, heat, desiccation, and toxic chemicals (20, 29). As a consequence, spores can survive for many years in their dormant state (15). At least some of the novel spore properties are due to the large amount (5 to 15% of dry weight) of the spore-specific molecule pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (dipicolinic acid [DPA]) that is located in the spore’s central region or core as a 1:1 chelate with

Reshoring and insourcing: drivers and future research directions

Abstract: Purpose – Reshoring and insourcing decisions have been discussed in the popular press, yet coverage of these topics in the academic literature is limited. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, it seeks to develop a more complete understanding of the underlying drivers of reshoring and insourcing decisions and their permutations. Second, it seeks to provide directions for future research to further analyze the link between drivers and outcomes of the reshoring and insourcing phenomena. Design/methodology/approach – This research follows a conceptual approach guided by transaction cost economics (TCE) and organizational buying behavior (OBB) theories. First, a theoretical framework of reshoring and insourcing decisions is developed. Next a comprehensive summary of reshoring and insourcing drivers is evaluated, yielding an in-depth discussion of future research directions (FRDs). Findings – The analysis demonstrates that the framework can be utilized to explain recent insourcing and reshoring changes ...

Letting Out the Secret: Violence in Lesbian Relationships

Abstract: Over the past 2 decades, a variety of studies on domestic violence has confirmed that abuse is widespread. This increased attention to violence in intimate relationships has been focused on heterosexual couples, despite the assertion that 4-10% of the population is homosexual. Violence among lesbian couples has largely been ignored by family violence researchers, but clinical practitioners who are sought out by the battered and/or the batterers for therapy are well aware of the extent and nature of the battering that takes place in these relationships, and that battering is not limited to heterosexual relationships. This exploratory study takes a step toward an understanding of lesbian violence by examining the incidence, forms, and correlates of violence in lesbian relationships. Based upon the responses of 284 lesbians to a questionnaire, it was found that lesbian violence is not a rare phenomenon. This finding reflects the need for further research into this social problem in all intimate relationships...