samples of participants’ writing were scored by two raters using toefl writing scoring rubric. the readability index of each text was calculated through the use of six readability formulae and graphs, i.e., flesch-kincaid index, reading ease index, fog index, smog formula, fry’s graph, and dale-chall readability index. the scores given to each essay were later compared to the obtained readabili...

Abstract The aim of cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between loneliness, increased social isolation, and pain following COVID-19 outbreak. A total 25,482 participants, aged 15–79 years, were assessed using an internet survey; University California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (Version 3), Short Form 3-item (UCLA-LS3-SF3) used assess a modified item UCLA-LS3-SF3 measure ...

BACKGROUND Adverse effects may still limit the use of continuous epidural and intravenous analgesia in surgical wards. This study postulated that postoperative epidural analgesia was more efficient, and had fewer side-effects than intravenous morphine. The aim was to investigate efficacy, adverse effects and safety of the treatments in a large patient population. METHODS During a five-year pe...

Drosophila groom away debris and pathogens from the body using their legs in a stereotyped sequence of innate motor behaviors. Here, we investigated one aspect of the grooming repertoire by characterizing the D1 family dopamine receptor, DopR. Removal of DopR results in decreased hind leg grooming, as substantiated by quantitation of dye remaining on mutant and RNAi animals vs. controls and dir...

Biomechanical parameters are often analyzed independently, although running gait is a dynamic system wherein changes in one parameter are likely to affect another. Accordingly, the Volodalen® method provides a model for classifying running patterns into 2 categories, aerial and terrestrial, using a global subjective rating scoring system. We aimed to validate the Volodalen® method by verifying ...

Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) are common in contact sports. There is an association between mTBIs and altered motor function. BioSway technology measures individuals' balance using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Prior to incorporating BESS testing in concussion protocol, other variables that influence the BESS test require review. The objective of this study is to determine if...

Background: To investigate the effectiveness of four weeks sports specific balance training program to improve balance, thus reducing the risk of ankle sprain among Sultan Idris Education University basketball players. Method: There were 20 males basketball players (aged 19-24 years) volunteered in this study. After screening process, there were14 male players met the inclusion criteria. They w...

I used leg and arm paresis to predict outcome measured as extremity function in a prospective study of 75 consecutive hemiplegic patients admitted to an inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit. In each patient, extremity paresis was quantified according to the five-point scoring system advised by the Medical Research Council, upper extremity function was quantified using the Barthel Index subscore...

conclusions lavender oil massage was effective to improve rls in hemodialysis patients. it has no adverse effects, is practical and cost-effective. it is suggested to be used along with routine treatment of rls in hemodialysis patients. results the mean rls scores were not significantly different in the two groups at the start of study (22.41 ± 7.67 vs. 22.90 ± 4.38, p = 0.76). at the end of st...