bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AN EFFICIENT PSEUDO THREE-DIMENSIONAL FINITE ELEMENT MODEL: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF TWO SOIL/FOUNDATION INTERACTION PROBLEMS
Authors: BOUZID DJ. AMAR , VERMEER P. A. , TILIOUINE B. , MIR M.
Published: July 2005

A pseudo-three-dimensional numerical model has been developed for the analysis of full 3D soil problems under combined loading. The procedure called Vertical Slices Model takes advantage of finite element (FE) 2D numerical solutions in plane stress for building approximate 3D solutions by replacing the inter-slice interactions by fictitious body forces. Continuum slices are successively analyzed by the combination of the explicit 2D finite element (FE) method and finite difference (FD) method in iterative process. The three-dimensional aspect of the considered problem is preserved by satisfying the continuity of shear stresses developed at the inter-slices. The theory of the vertical slices model is developed first, and then encoded in a Fortran computer program. Next, the prediction capabilities of this program are illustrated with two classical geotechnical applications, namely; the laterally and the axially loaded single piles embedded in homogeneous and non-homogeneous elastic soils. Although approximate, the model proved its ability to capture the behavior of the two boundary value problems. Then, in terms of stiffness factors the approach is used to predict the behavior of an embedded rigid square footing and a pile under combined loading in a half-space where the stiffness shows a power law variation with depth.
FREE VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF ROTATING FLEXIBLE BEAMS BY USING THE FOURIER p-VERSION OF THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Authors: HAMZA-CHERIF S. M.
Published: July 2005

A p-version of the finite element method is applied to free vibration analysis of rotating beams in conjunction with the modeling dynamic method using the arc-length stretch deformation. In this study the flexible and the rigid body degrees of freedom (d.o.f.) are supposedly uncoupled, the linear equations of motion are derived for flapwise and chordwise bending with the integration of the gyroscopic effect. The hybrid displacements are expressed as the combination of the in-plane and out-of-plane shape functions. These are formulated in terms of linear and cubic polynomial functions used generally in FEM in addition to a variable number of trigonometric shape functions which represent the internal d.o.f. for the rotating flexible beams. The convergence properties of the rotating beam Fourier p-element and the influence of angular speed, boundary conditions and slenderness ratio on the dynamic response are studied. It is shown that using this element the order of the resulting matrices in the FEM is considerably reduced leading to a significant decrease in computational effort.
Dry Skin: Environmental Aspects
Authors: Rawlings A.V.
Published: July 2005

Water is absolutely essential for the normal functioning of the skin and especially the stratum corneum (SC). However, as the SC is continuously exposed to varying humidities, maintenance of water within the tissue is crucial. Under most circumstances water present within the SC will be derived from bodily water, being lost by transepidermal water loss, and is normally bound by proteins together with naturally occurring hygroscopic compounds found largely within, but also external to, the corneocytes. Small amounts of water escape through this slightly leaky barrier to hydrate the dehydrated outer layers of the SC, and this is key to maintaining SC flexibility, SC maturation and SC desquamation. The retention of water in the SC is dependent on three major mechanisms: (a) the intercellular lamellar lipids whose physical conformation, predominantly an orthorhombic gel phase, provides a tight and effective barrier to the passage of water through the tissue, (b) the presence of corneodesmosome-bound and ceramide-hydrophobed corneocytes which influence the tortuosity of the SC and thereby the diffusion path length of water and (c) the presence of both intracellular and extracellular SC natural moisturizing factors (NMF). The structure, biochemistry and function of the SC and the epidermis can however be disturbed upon environmental challenge, particularly by disruption of the SC barrier resulting in the precipitation of dry flaky skin conditions. The maintenance of barrier function and thereby SC hydration is central to the production and optimal functioning of the SC. Fluctuating atmospheric conditions (high and low dew points) influence the formation of the epidermal barrier lipids, NMF, corneocyte envelope phenotypes and the desquamatory enzymes and are thus an initiator of dry skin. At low atmospheric dew points, the reduced SC water content precipitates the dry skin phenotype. On perturbation of barrier function, a cycle of events begins initially with the superficial dehydration of the SC (leaking of extracellular lipids, disruption of lipid lamellar architecture, loss of water-soluble NMF), the release of inflammatory mediators, induction of hyperproliferation of epidermal keratinocytes resulting in disturbed epidermal differentiation leading to an inferior SC (enhanced production of sphingosine-containing ceramides relative to phytosphingosine-containing ceramides and reduced transglutaminase activity leading to retention of fragile corneocyte envelopes in the superficial layers of the SC that have reduced levels of covalently bound ceramides), together with a flaky skin condition (reduced desquamatory enzyme activities and reduced corneodesmolysis). In extreme cases when inflammation is present, increased levels of proteases are observed in the SC and reduced interleukin 1 (IL-1) levels with increased IL-1 receptor antagonist protein levels. If left untreated, these events will continuously cycle to produce an even poorer skin condition, and ultimately mechanical cracking of corneodesmosomes between the corneocytes will result in mechanical trauma to the SC.
Dry Skin and the Environment
Authors: Mac-Mary S. , Sainthillier J.M. , Humbert P.
Published: July 2005

Dry skin is estimated to be present in about 75% of people aged 75 and over. It has been known for many years that this condition is more frequent in winter, in cold and dry weather conditions. With technological progress, people are now mostly exposed to multiple indoor and outdoor pollutants and environment parameters (air-conditioning, chemicals, noise) which can interact which each other and affect human health, and particularly the skin. All these phenomena are intensified with skin aging and can be aggravated by seasons, the way of life, habits (nutrition, dust, allergens, air-conditioning, noise, smoking, unadapted cosmetic use, some treatments) and working conditions (visual display unit, stress). In fact, this environment can be defined as the whole ensemble of external factors which could have an influence on a subject’s health. This means material (climate, geography), organical (biosphere, fauna, flora), physicocultural (techniques), biocultural (nutritional habits, hygiene, medical use) and psychocultural (stress) elements. The aim of this article is to make a review in order to check which of these elements have a major impact on dry skin, in particular among seasons, working/living conditions and cosmetic or hygienic products.
Surfactant-Induced Depletion of Ceramides and Other Intercellular Lipids: Implication for the Mechanism Leading to Dehydration of the Stratum corneum
Authors: Imokawa Genji
Published: July 2005

In order to clarify the mechanisms underlying the surfactant-induced dehydration of the stratum corneum (SC), we first examined the constitutive water-holding function of the SC by removing intercellular lipids as well as hygroscopic materials from intact human SC. The dehydration of the SC can be easily induced by depletion of intercellular lipids, but was not affected by an additional water treatment, which releases a large amount of hygroscopic materials including amino acids. Consistent with this, the application of isolated intercellular lipids or their subfractions to the lipid-depleted and dehydrated SC rescues the decreased water content as well as marked scaling, although glycerine did not have such an effect. Parallel differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed that lipid depletion causes the SC to reduce the nonfreezable bound water content and that application of isolated intercellular lipids recovered the bound water content up to the control level. On the other hand, the additional release of hygroscopic materials from lipid-depleted SC did not affect the bound water content. Based upon the above constitutive water-holding mechanism in the SC, we assessed the physicochemical mechanisms involved in surfactant-induced dehydration of the SC, leading to tight sensation and skin roughness. Similar to treatment with acetone/ether, treatment with surfactant releases a significant amount of intercellular lipids, the intensity of which varies among various surfactants but correlates well with the intensity of the induced dehydration of the SC leading to the tight skin sensation and skin roughness. Recovery or inhibition experiments revealed that the dehydration of the SC induced by surfactant treatment is significantly attenuated by the application of isolated intercellular lipids or by the addition of monoglyceride (MG) during the washing process, which results in a significant reduction in skin roughness. The latter study showed that whereas the release of sebum components and amino acids during surfactant treatment is not affected by the addition of MG, the removal of ceramides is significantly attenuated by the addition of MG, which suggests an essential role for ceramide depletion in the induction of the surfactant-induced dehydration of the SC. In conclusion, the above findings collectively suggest that the ceramide content in the SC is strongly associated with the regulation of SC hydration and that its deficiency due to surfactant treatment is essentially responsible for the surfactant-induced dehydration of the SC. This hypothesis is further strengthened by the fact that synthetic pseudoceramides are remarkably effective in preventing or abolishing the dehydration of the SC which is an intrinsic factor for inducing the tight sensation and roughness of the skin and which provides a pathological basis for atopic dry skin.
Nickel Susceptibility and Skin Barrier Function to Water after Treatment with a Urea-Containing Moisturizer
Authors: Lodén Marie , Kuzmina Natalia , Nyrén Miruna , Edlund Fredrik , Emtestam Lennart
Published: July 2005

Patients with eczema and other dry skin conditions use moisturizers also when the skin appears healthy. However, moisturizers have been found to change skin barrier function, and it appears that certain combinations of ingredients increase the skin susceptibility to external agents. In the present randomized and single-blind study, the influence of a urea-containing cream on nickel susceptibility in 35 patients with known allergy to nickel was evaluated. Treatment of the volar forearm twice daily for 20 days with the urea cream reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL). However, the susceptibility to nickel sulfate was not changed by the cream treatment. Clinical scoring of the skin reaction did not show any difference between the untreated and the cream-treated area. Furthermore, the increase in TEWL did not differ between the areas. The absence in correlation between TEWL and skin susceptibility to nickel suggests different penetration pathways through the skin of water and nickel. Measurement of the skin permeability to other substances than water is pertinent to the understanding of the influence of moisturizers on the skin permeability and, ultimately, to their therapeutic efficacy in the prevention of contact eczema due to exposure to harmful exogenous substances.
Lines 25-6 of the Moabite stone and a recently-discovered inscription
Authors: Emerton J.A.
Published: July 2005

The publication in 2003 by S. Ahituv of a damaged Moabite inscription suggests the need for a re-examination of lines 25-6 of the Moabite Stone. The latter passage is usually understood to refer to the use by the Moabites of Israelite prisoners (b'sry . yśr'l) to perform a task, which is thought to be the digging or cutting of hmkrtt, a word that has been variously interpreted as, for example, "ditches" or "beams". A different interpretation was advanced in 1966 by. F.I. Andersen. He argued that it does not refer to work by Israelite prisoners, and he offered the translation "and I cut the covenant tokens(?) for (or [which are] at) Qarhoh when I bound Israel [by covenant obligations]". The present article first argues on grounds independent of the newly discovered inscription that Andersen's interpretation should be rejected. The new evidence is then found to support the rejection, and Ahituv's view is accepted that the new inscription probably refers to the making of a reservoir (mkrt) by Ammonite prisoners (b'sry . bny'mn), and that the Moabite Stone refers to similar work by Israelite prisoners.
The Old Greek translation of Daniel iv-vi and the formation of the Book of Daniel
Authors: McLay R. Timothy
Published: July 2005

The content of the Old Greek translation of Daniel iv-vi is significantly different compared to the so-called Theodotion version and the Masoretic Text. In addition, the best witness to the Old Greek version (papyrus 967) has an alternative order for the chapters: chapters vii and viii intervene between iv and v. The proposals by J. Lust and O. Munnich that 967 preserves a more original version of the content and order of the chapters for the Vorlage of Daniel are critiqued. Additional linguistic evidence that supports the theory that the Old Greek translation of chapters iv-vi circulated together independently is also provided. Finally, a hypothesis for the growth and stages of the book of Daniel that includes an explanation for the origins of the Greek versions is outlined.
Punishment of the offending organ in biblical literature
Authors: Shemesh Yael
Published: July 2005

One aspect of the principle of "measure for measure" is considered—the idea that the offending organ is punished. This concept can be found in all the biblical genres: narrative, law, the prophetic literature, poetry, and the wisdom literature. The organs that are punished run almost the full length of the body, from head to toe. Sometimes the concept is invoked literally, sometimes only metaphorically. In most cases the punishment is heaven-sent; but there are no few incidents where human action is involved and even animals (twice). In every case, the principle serves a theological function, in that it corroborates the existence of reward and punishment in the world.
Dispersal patterns among three species of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri oerstedii, S. boliviensis and S. sciureus): II. Within-species and local variation
Authors: Boinski Sue , Kauffman Laurie , Ehmke Erin , Vreedzaam Arioene , Schet Steven
Published: July 2005

Three long-term field studies, together with numerous supplementary sources of information, demonstrate that the Neotropical squirrel monkey, genus Saimiri (Primates: Cebidae) are distinguished among mammals by the wide divergence in dispersal patterns among congeners. Both sexes of Saimiri sciureus at Raleighvallen in the Central Suriname Nature Reserve undertake dispersal on several to many occasions during their lifetime. Male dispersal and female philopatry characterize S. boliviensis studies at Manu, Peru. Among S. oerstedii, studied at Corcovado and other locations in Costa Rica, females disperse and males are philopatric. This is the second in a series of three companion reports investigating patterns and processes relevant to dispersal in these three species of squirrel monkeys. The first report, I. Divergent costs and benefits (Boinski et al., 2005), predicts the direct and inclusive fitness costs and benefits structuring species, sex and individual dispersal strategies among squirrel monkeys. III. Cognition (Boinski, 2005), the final report comprising this monograph, considers the possible cognitive mechanisms underlying dispersal among squirrel monkeys and other taxa, and suggests useful strategies to collect and interpret additional data from laboratory and field contexts.Here we evaluate the sources and potential magnitude of variation in dispersal strategies within each squirrel monkey species. For all three congeners, local edaphic and anthropogenic regimes of habitat disturbance probably represent the major source of within-species variance in the density of wild populations. Squirrel monkey population density, all else being equal, positively increases with the intensity of habitat disturbance. New evidence suggests that in addition to edaphic and recent historical disturbance regimes, in some localities in the Neotropical lowlands anthropogenic disturbance caused by pre-Columbian Amerindians remains a potent factor enhancing squirrel monkey numbers.Squirrel monkeys are predicted to exhibit density-dependent behavioural responses. In turn, these responses are expected to modulate population-level dispersal outcomes in several predictable axes. Major between-site variation in dispersal strategies, however, is unlikely for either sex among S. oerstedii or S. boliviensis. Although all natal male S. sciureus almost certainly disperse before or at the time of sexual maturity, the proportion of females emigrating from a S. sciureus troop appears more variable, dependent on local levels of within-troop competition for food. In any year or season, those mature and immature female S. sciureus with high priority access to food resources are least likely to disperse.
Choosing Measurement Poses for Robot Calibration with the Local Convergence Method and Tabu Search
Authors: Daney David , Papegay Yves , Madeline Blaise
Published: July 2005

The robustness of robot calibration with respect to sensor noise is sensitive to the manipulator poses used to collect measurement data. In this paper we propose an algorithm based on a constrained optimization method, which allows us to choose a set of measurement configurations. It works by selecting iteratively one pose after another inside the workspace. After a few steps, a set of configurations is obtained, which maximizes an index of observability associated with the identification Jacobian. This algorithm has been shown, in a former work, to be sensitive to local minima. This is why we propose here meta-heuristic methods to decrease this sensibility of our algorithm. Finally, a validation through the simulation of a calibration experience shows that using selected configurations significantly improve the kinematic parameter identification by dividing by 10-15 the noise associated with the results. Also, we present an application to the calibration of a parallel robot with a vision-based measurement device.
Experimental Study on Self-organized and Error Resistant Control of Distributed Autonomous Robotic Systems
Authors: Starke J. , Kaga T. , Schanz M. , Fukuda T.
Published: July 2005

The assignment of distributed mobile autonomous robots to targets, which occurs for instance as an important task in flexible manufacturing environments, is solved by using a self-organization approach motivated by pattern formation principles in biological, chemical, and physical systems. Similar to observations in many natural systems, such as ant tribes, the pattern formation of colored shells or convection patterns in the Rayleigh-Bénard problem of fluid dynamics, the self-organization principles lead to a robust and fault tolerant behavior where the patterns or structures recover from disturbances. The considered problem is the dynamic assignment of a number of robots to given targets where the mobile robots have to move to the targets in order to perform some tasks there. Hereby, each robot uses only local information (i.e., no world coordinate system is necessary). The underlying mathematical problem of the robot-target assignment is the so-called two-index assignment problem from combinatorial optimization. The approach used guarantees always feasible solutions in the assignment of robotic units to targets. As a consequence, for scenarios with only convex obstacles with large enough distances to each other, no spurious states cause the assignment process to fail. The error resistant control method for distributed autonomous robotic systems is demonstrated by several experiments with mobile robots. These results are compared and supplemented with computer simulations.
Skateboards, Bicycles, and Three-dimensional Biped Walking Machines: Velocity-dependent Stability by Means of Lean-to-yaw Coupling
Authors: Wisse M. , Schwab A. L.
Published: July 2005

One of the great challenges in the development of passive dynamic walking robots (useful for an understanding of human gait and for future applications in entertainment and the like) is the stabilization of three-dimensional motions. This is a difficult problem due to the inherent interaction between fore-aft motions and sideways motions. In this paper we propose a simple solution. Conceptually, one can avert a sideways fall by steering in that direction, similar to skateboards and bicycles. We propose to implement this concept for walking robots by the introduction of an ankle joint that kinematically couples lean to yaw. The ankle joint has an unusual orientation; its axis points forward and downward, without any left-right component. The effect of the ankle joint is investigated in a simple three-dimensional model with three internal degrees of freedom: one at the hip and two at the ankles. It has cylindric feet and an actuator at the hip joint, which quickly moves the swing leg to a preset forward position. The simulations show that it is easy to find a stable configuration, and that the resultant walking motion is highly robust to disturbances. Similar to skateboards and bicycles, there exists a critical velocity (as a function of the parameters) above which stable walking motions occur. The critical velocity can be lower for a more vertical ankle axis orientation. As an additional benefit, the ankle joint allows a straightforward implementation for steering; a simple sideways offset of the mass distribution will cause the model to gently steer in that direction. The results show great potential for the construction of a real-world prototype with the proposed ankle joint.
Efficient Factorization of the Joint-Space Inertia Matrix for Branched Kinematic Trees
Authors: Featherstone Roy
Published: July 2005

This paper describes new factorization algorithms that exploit branch-induced sparsity in the joint-space inertia matrix (JSIM) of a kinematic tree. It also presents new formulae that show how the cost of calculating and factorizing the JSIM vary with the topology of the tree. These formulae show that the cost of calculating forward dynamics for a branched tree can be considerably less than the cost for an unbranched tree of the same size. Branches can also reduce complexity; some examples are presented of kinematic trees for which the complexity of calculating and factorizing the JSIM are less than O(n2) and O(n3) , respectively. Finally, a cost comparison is made between an O(n) algorithm and an O(n3) algorithm, the latter incorporating one of the new factorization algorithms. It is shown that the O(n3) algorithm is only 15% slower than the O(n) algorithm when applied to a 30-degrees-of-freedom humanoid, but is 2.6 times slower when applied to an equivalent unbranched chain. This is due mainly to the O(n3) algorithm running about 2.2 times faster on the humanoid than on the chain.
Asymptotically Stable Running for a Five-Link, Four-Actuator, Planar Bipedal Robot
Authors: Chevallereau C. , Westervelt E. R. , Grizzle J. W.
Published: July 2005

Provably asymptotically stable running gaits are developed for the five-link, four-actuator bipedal robot, RABBIT. A controller is designed so that the Poincaré return map associated with periodic running gaits can be computed on the basis of a model with impulse effects that, previously, had been used only for the design of walking gaits. This feedback design leads to the notion of a hybrid zero dynamics for running, which in turn allows the existence and stability of running gaits to be determined on the basis of a scalar map. The main results are illustrated via simulations performed on models with known parameters and on models with parameter uncertainty and structural changes. Animations of the resulting running motions are available on the web.
Caring for carers of people with stroke: developing a complex intervention following the Medical Research Council framework
Authors: Robinson Louise , Francis Jill , James Peter , Tindle Norma , Greenwell Kim , Rodgers Helen
Published: July 2005

Objective: To develop an intervention, using the first three phases of the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for complex interventions, to facilitate coping skills in new carers of stroke patients.

Methods: In the preclinical (theoretical) phase, a theoretically based framework for a small group course for carers of people with stroke was developed. The intervention was grounded in a cognitive behavioural model and included carers' needs identified from a literature review. Phase I (modelling phase) comprised a qualitative study involving one-to-one semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of informal carers of people with stroke. Following this, the intervention was modified. In phase II (exploratory phase), the modified intervention was delivered by a clinical psychologist and stroke nurse practitioner to five carers. Following postcourse interviews the course was further refined and delivered to seven new carers who subsequently completed a satisfaction questionnaire.

Results: Carers' needs identified from the literature included information provision; managing emotions; social support; health maintenance; and practical problem solving. Consultation with existing carers confirmed these as important issues with a strong emphasis on finding niches of control in life, becoming an expert carer, and dealing with emotional upheaval. Participants reported feeling more optimistic and empowered subsequent to the course.

Conclusions: The MRC framework provided a useful methodology for the development of a complex intervention. The course aimed to assist carers to regain control over aspects of their lives and manage their emotions. It was feasible to run and acceptable to carers; however a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is required to evaluate its effectiveness.
Test-retest reliability of myofascial trigger point detection in patients with rotator cuff tendonitis
Authors: Al-Shenqiti Abdullah M , Oldham Jacquelline A
Published: July 2005

Objectives: To investigate the test-retest reliability of the following clinical diagnostic characteristics of myofascial trigger points: taut band, spot tenderness, jump sign, pain recognition, referred pain and local twitch responses (LTRs).

Design: Test-retest reliability study.

Setting: This study was undertaken in an outpatient physiotherapy department.

Subjects: Fifty-eight patients (31 males and 27 females) with rotator cuff tendonitis were recruited into this study.

Intervention: Rotator cuff muscles were assessed by an expert for the presence or absence of the main clinical diagnostic characteristics of trigger point assessment. The process was then repeated three days later by the same expert.

Main measures: Outcomes included the presence or absence of: a taut band, spot tenderness, jump sign, pain recognition, referred pain and LTRs.

Results: Kappa values between testing situations for the taut band, spot tenderness, jump sign and pain recognition were 1. Kappa scores for referred pain ranged between 0.79 and 0.88 and for the local twitch response between 0.75 and 1 depending on the muscles under investigation.

Conclusions: The presence or absence of the taut band, spot tenderness, jump sign and pain recognition was highly reliable between sessions. Referred pain and local twitch response reliability varied depending on the muscle being studied.
Hand dominance and side of stroke affect rehabilitation in chronic stroke
Authors: Waller Sandy McCombe , Whitall Jill
Published: July 2005

Objective: To examine the difference between upper extremity deficits in subjects with left versus right hemispheric lesions at baseline and after bilateral arm training.

Design: A one-way ANOVA was used to detect group differences and a least square means analysis used to determine significance in pre-to-post scores for each group.

Setting: Testing was in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science Department Research Laboratory, University of Maryland, Baltimore. Training was at the Senior Exercise Rehabilitation Center in the Veterans Administration Hospital, Baltimore.

Subjects: Twenty-two (11 left hemispheric lesion, 11 right hemispheric lesion) right-handed subjects with chronic stroke.

Interventions: A six-week nonprogressive repetitive bilateral arm training with rhythmic auditory cueing (BATRAC).

Main measuresy: Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Test, Wolf Motor Arm Test, University of Maryland Arm Questionnaire for Stroke (UMAQS), isometric strength and active and passive range of motion for both sides.

Results: No statistical differences were seen at baseline between groups in this sample. Both groups demonstrated improvement after BATRAC in Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Test (change scores of those with left lesions-5.5; right lesions-3.6) and UMAQS (change scores of those with left lesions-5 and right lesions-2.9). Additionally, patients with left hemispheric lesions but not right lesions made improvements in the Wolf Motor Arm Test (time and weight), in strength measures of paretic elbow flexion, shoulder extension, shoulder abduction and nonparetic wrist flexion, wrist extension and shoulder abduction.

Conclusions: There were no baseline motor function differences between those with left and right hemispheric lesions in this sample. There was a clear training response advantage for patients with left hemispheric lesions after completing six weeks of bilateral arm training. As a result, treatment approaches for upper extremity hemiparesis may need to be more specifically selected based on side of stroke.
Reliability of simple portable tests of physical performance in older people after hip fracture
Authors: Sherrington Catherine , Lord Stephen R
Published: July 2005

Objective: To investigate the test–retest reliability of measures of strength, balance, gait and functional performance when used with older people following hip fracture.

Subjects: Thirty people (16 hospital inpatients and 14 community dwellers).

Design: Subjects underwent two assessments: one day apart for the hospital inpatients and one week apart for the community dwellers.

Measurement: Strength (dynamometer, sphygmomanometer, spring balance, lateral step-up ability), balance (sway-meter, Functional Reach Test, single leg stance time, Step Test), gait (timed 6-m walk with steps taken, base of support and step length), and functional performance (PPME total score and timed supine-to-sit and sit-to-stand) were measured.

Results: Eleven of the 14 continuously scaled measurement tools achieved excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)>0.75) for one or more tests. A hand-held dynamometer was found to be the tool with the highest test–retest reliability for measuring hip muscle strength (ICC (3,1) 0.86 for affected hip abduction). For measurement of knee extension strength, a spring balance (ICC (3,1) 0.94 affected leg) was the most reliable. For testing balance, the Step Test (ICC (3,1) 0.94 for stepping with affected leg) and Functional Reach Test (ICC (3,1) 0.89) had the highest test–retest reliability. The ICC (3,1) values were 0.97 for walking velocity (comfortable pace) and 0.96 for the total score of the Physical Performance and Mobility Examination.

Conclusion: The test–retest reliability of a number of simple measures of physical performance is excellent when used with this population.
Responsiveness of the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire: consequences of using different external criteria
Authors: Kuijer W , Brouwer S , Dijkstra P U , Jorritsma W , Groothoff J W , Geertzen J HB
Published: July 2005

Objective: To determine the consequences of using different external criteria on responsiveness of the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) in patients with chronic low back pain.

Design: Questionnaire measures before and after rehabilitation treatment.

Setting: Rehabilitation centre.

Subjects: Patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain, referred for treatment.

Main measures: The RMDQ was used to assess self-reported functional status. The used external criteria were: (1) global perceived effect of change in complaints; (2) global perceived effect of change in ability to take care of oneself; (3) change in rating of pain intensity; (4) smallest real difference. Standardized response means, pooled effect sizes and receiver operating curves were calculated to determine respon siveness and to enable comparison of effect sizes with the thresholds of Cohen.

Results: Standardized response means ranged from 1.33 to 3.45, pooled effect sizes ranged from 1.50 to 2.81, and areas under curves ranged from 0.76 to 1.00, dependent on the used external criterion.

Conclusions: All pooled effect sizes were well above 0.80, and all other statistics were high, indicating good responsiveness of the RMDQ. However, considerable differences were found in responsiveness, when using different external criteria in a same study population. Therefore, it can be concluded that the magnitude of the responsiveness statistic depends on the used external criteria.
Poststroke hand swelling and oedema: prevalence and relationship with impairment and disability
Authors: Boomkamp-Koppen H GM , Visser-Meily JMA MA , Post M WM , Prevo A JH
Published: July 2005

Objective: To examine the prevalence of swelling and oedema of the hand in stroke patients and relationships with impairments and disability.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Stroke unit at Rehabilitation Centre De Hoogstraat, the Netherlands.

Subjects: Eighty-eight adult stroke patients who were admitted for clinical rehabilitation during one year (2000).

Measurements and methods: Assessment took place two weeks after admission to the rehabilitation centre. Degree of swelling was measured with a hand volumeter and oedema was defined as a volumeter score deviating more than two standard deviations from the expected score derived from population data. Further assessment included tonus (Modified Ashworth Score), sensibility, tactile inattention, carefulness, and motor function (Utrecht Arm/Hand Test). Arm disability was measured with Frenchay Arm Test and Nine-hole Peg Test.

Results: Some degree of hand swelling was present in 72.7% and oedema in 33.0% of our patients. Swelling and oedema were significantly more often seen in patients with hypertonic fingers and impaired sensibility. Patients with hand oedema had significantly worse Frenchay Arm Test and Nine-hole Peg Test scores.

Conclusions: Swelling and oedema of the hand are common among stroke patients in clinical rehabilitation.
Psychometric evaluation of the Motor Readiness Questionnaire for Stroke
Authors: Page Stephen J , Garner Christopher
Published: July 2005

Objective: To determine the validity, repeatability and stability of the Motor Readiness Questionnaire for Stroke (MRQS).

Subjects: One hundred and eighty-seven stroke patients (160 men; 143 white; mean age=57.59±8.8; mean time since stroke=10.19±7.3 months) at a rehabilitation hospital in the Midwestern United States.

Design: Prospective survey, in which the MRQS was administered to each patient once. The MRQS was also administered to 25 subjects twice to measure test-retest reliability.

Main outcome measures: The MRQS, a transtheoretical model-based, 23-item self-report survey was administered to examine reliability (internal consistency and stability), validity (concurrent) and factor structure.

Results: The MRQS showed good reliability for its component scales and total score, and the previously identified MRQS factor structure was confirmed. Stability and concurrent validity were also high.

Conclusions: The MRQS appears to adequately capture stroke patients’ motivational readiness and has ability to discriminate between individuals in various stages of readiness. MRQS scores appear to be repeatable over time. However, more research is needed before the MRQS is used.
The outcomes of using self-study modules in energy conservation education for people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Lamb Alisa L , Finlayson Marcia , Mathiowetz Virgil , Chen Hua Yun
Published: July 2005

Objective: To determine whether there were any differences in the outcomes of individuals with multiple sclerosis who attended all six sessions of an energy conservation education programme compared with people who missed a session and received a self-study module.

Design: Secondary analysis of data from two naturally occurring groups emerging from a randomized control trial-compliers who received the intervention as intended (group 1) and noncompliers who received a modified intervention with self-study modules (group 2).

Setting: Community settings in Chicago, Illinois and Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Participants: Ninety-two community-dwelling people with multiple sclerosis who were participating in an energy conservation education programme.

Intervention: Energy conservation education groups based on the ‘Managing Fatigue’ programme, which were facilitated by an occupational therapist. Self-study modules were sent to participants who missed a session.

Outcome measures: Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), Self-Efficacy for Performing Energy Conservation Strategies Assessment, Energy Conservation Strategies Survey (ECSS), six subscales from the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).

Results: When comparing individuals who attended all six sessions with individuals who missed one or more sessions and received a self-study module, no significant differences were found after adjusting for multiple comparisons.

Conclusions: Participants who used the self-study modules because they missed sessions of the Managing Fatigue programme experienced benefits from the course similar to those experienced by participants who fully complied with the intervention as intended. A new prospective study to validate the findings of this secondary analysis is required.
Psychometric properties of a generic health measure in patients with neck pain
Authors: Chiu Thomas TW , Lam Tai-Hing , Hedley Anthony J
Published: July 2005

Objective: To examine the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the generic Current Perceived Health 42 (CPH42) Profile in Chinese patients with neck pain in Hong Kong.

Design: A prospective observational study.

Setting: Physiotherapy outpatient departments.

Subjects: Two samples with 472 consecutive adult patients with neck pain from seven physiotherapy outpatient departments in Hong Kong.

Methods: Subjects were requested to complete the CPH42 Profile, and their pain intensity was measured using the 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS). They were observed and measured at the beginning of physiotherapy, at seven days, at week 3 and at week 6 after treatment began.

Results: The CPH42 Profile had very good test–retest reliability and internal consistency (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.91, Cronbach's alpha 0.90). Validity was confirmed by a moderate correlation with the NRS at the beginning of treatment and week 6 (rank correlation 0.41–0.53). Moreover, a significant difference in scores was found between those who had sought medical consultation and/or had taken medication because of neck pain than those who did not. The responsiveness measured from the beginning of treatment to week 3 and week 6 (standard response means of 0.33 and 0.36) was comparable to the respective changes in pain intensity.

Conclusion: The CPH42 Profile has been shown to demonstrate good reliability and validity, and it is sensitive to changes in severity over time. It is suitable for use as an outcome measure for evaluation of patients with neck pain.
What change in isokinetic knee muscle strength can be detected in men and women with hemiparesis after stroke?
Authors: Flansbjer Ulla-Britt , Holmbäck Anna Maria , Downham David , Lexell Jan
Published: July 2005

Objective: To assess the intra-rater (between occasions) test-retest reliability of isokinetic knee muscle strength measurements in subjects with chronic poststroke hemiparesis and to define limits for the smallest change that indicates real (clinical) improvements for stroke patients.

Subjects: Fifty men and women (mean age 589±6.4 years) 6=±46 months post stroke, able to walk at least 300 m with or without a unilateral assistive device.

Methods: Maximal concentric knee extension and flexion contractions at 608/s and 1208/s, and maximal eccentric knee extension contractions at 608/s, with the paretic and nonparetic limbs, were performed seven days apart using a Biodex dynamometer.

Measures: Reliability of the maximum peak torque measurements was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1), the Bland and Altman analyses, the standard error of measurement (SEM and SEM%) and the smallest real difference (SRD and SRD%).

Results: Test retest agreements were high (ICC2,1 0.89-0.96) with no discernible systematic differences between limbs, angular velocities and modes. The SEM%, representing the smallest change that indicates a real (clinical) improvement for a group of subjects, was relatively small (8-20%). The SRD%, representing the smallest change that indicates a real improvement for a single subject ranged from 26% to 33% for concentric knee extension, from 39% to 55% for concentric knee flexion, and from 22% to 25% for eccentric knee extension.

Conclusion: Isokinetic knee muscle strength can be reliably measured and used to detect real improvements following an intervention for single subjects as well as for groups of subjects with chronic mild to moderate hemiparesis after stroke.
Comparison of strength measurements under single-joint and multi-joint conditions in hemiparetic individuals
Authors: Mercier C , Bertrand A M , Bourbonnais D
Published: July 2005

Objective: It has been suggested that the measurement of strength is inappropriate in patients with stroke, in large part because of the presence of abnormal synergy patterns. The aim of the present study was to characterize force production during multi-joint maximal exertion involving different combinations of activation between shoulder and elbow flexors and extensors.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Rehabilitation centre.

Subjects: A convenience sample of 16 chronic hemiparetic stroke subjects.

Main outcome measures: Maximal torques in flexion and extension at the shoulder and the elbow were measured using static dynamometers (single-joint condition). In addition, the maximal forces produced at the wrist were measured in four directions in the sagittal plane requiring different torque combinations between shoulder and elbow flexors and extensors (multi-joint condition).

Results: No difference was found across directions for the ratios of maximal forces (paretic/nonparetic) in the multi-joint condition (p = 0.227; mean ratios (9±SD) for each direction ranging from 0.599±0.23 to 0.689±0.27), suggesting that the ability to produce force did not change as a function of the required torque combination. In addition, relative torques (% of the maximal torque in the single-joint condition) exerted during the multi-joint exertions were similar on the paretic and the nonparetic side.

Conclusions: These results do not support the assumption that force production is limited by abnormal synergy patterns between flexors and extensors at the shoulder and the elbow in hemiparetic patients.
Comparison of early postoperative functional levels following total hip replacement using minimally invasive versus standard incisions. A prospective randomized blinded trial
Authors: Lawlor Marie , Humphreys Patricia , Morrow Esther , Ogonda Luke , Bennett Damien , Elliott David , Beverland David
Published: July 2005

Objective: To compare the results of single-incision minimally invasive total hip replacement (≤ 10 cm) to standard-incision (16 cm) total hip replacement in the early postoperative period with respect to functional and mobilizing ability (transfers, mobilizing, walking and stair assessment).

Setting: Orthopaedic wards of a regional orthopaedic centre.

Subjects: Two hundred and nineteen total hip replacement patients were tested between December 2003 and June 2004.

Interventions: Patients were randomized to either total hip replacement through a minimally invasive (≤ 10 cm) or standard incision (16 cm). A single surgeon performed all procedures using the same type of component fixation. Postoperative physiotherapy assessment and treatment was standardized. Analgesia was also standardized. All patients, physiotherapy staff and assessors were blinded to the incision used.

Main outcome measures: Patients were tested two days post operatively and were assessed for the following activities: transfer from supine to sit, transfer from sitting to standing, mobilizing, ascending and descending stairs and weight-bearing.

Results: The shorter incision offered no significant improvement in patient ability in relation to transfer from lying to sitting, transfer from sitting to standing, mobilizing or weight-bearing. Ascending/descending stairs gave a total time for the minimal incision of 38.7 s against 40.8 s for a standard incision. There was no difference in walking velocity between the standard incision and minimal incision groups two days post operatively (minimal incision = 0.26 m/s versus standard incision = 0.26 m/s) or six weeks post operatively (minimal incision = 0.90 m/s versus standard incision = 0.93 m/s). There was no difference between groups with respect to walking aids at six-week review. The mean length of stay for the minimally invasive approach was 3.65 days (SD 2.04) against 3.68 days (SD 2.45) for the standard approach. This was not significantly different.

Conclusion: Total hip replacement performed through a minimally invasive incision of ≤ 10 cm compared with a standard incision of 16 cm offers no significant benefit in terms of the rate or ability of patients to mobilize and perform functional tasks necessary for safe discharge.
Anumerical algorithm for the solution of two-dimensional rough contact problems
Authors: Ciavarella M , Demelio G , Murolo C
Published: July 2005

In this paper, a numerical algorithm is developed to solve the elastic contact problem accurately for two-dimensional rough surfaces. A first version of the method gives a full numerical solution for the discrete problem with all the details of the profile included, and the second version simulates approximately the roughness on a smaller scale with the presence of a non-linear elastic layer (as in the classical Winkler foundation model). In the literature, usually the solution of line contact is given by assuming displacements relative to a datum point, to overcome the difficulty that in two dimensions the displacements are undefined to an arbitrary constant. In the present work, the compliance matrix of the elastic half-plane is calculated starting from a self-equilibrated load distribution with periodic boundary conditions. Some examples are shown to validate the methods. Finally, the method is applied to discuss previous results by the present authors on rough contact problems defined by Weierstrass series profiles, and a discussion follows.

In particular, it is found that the Winkler non-linear layer model is surprisingly useful for evaluating the electrical conductance, since (at least in the limited case of two superposed sinusoids) it does not require the wavelength and amplitude of the microscopic component of roughness to be much smaller than the macroscopic component. Some aspects of the mutual role of various components of roughness in the compliance and conductance are elucidated by means of example cases.