bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Static Progressive Orthoses for the Upper Extremity: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Authors: Schwartz Deborah A. 
Published: December 2011

Background Static progressive orthoses are commonly used in the treatment of stiff joints or joint contractures of the upper extremity, but there are few high-quality studies to support this intervention. In addition, there has not been a recently published review of the current literature describing this treatment technique and the outcomes achieved. The specific purpose of this comprehensive literature review is to investigate the current levels of evidence supporting the use of static progressive orthoses in the treatment of joint stiffness or contracture in clients with orthopedic conditions of the upper extremity. This review will also discuss common diagnoses of patients and outcomes achieved, as well as provide recommendations for future hand therapy practice. Methods A computerized database search of publications incorporating the use of static progressive orthoses for the upper extremity was conducted, dating from January 1979 through January of 2011. The search was limited to studies in English of adults with orthopedic conditions. Results A total of 65 publications were located. However, only 16 of these studies met this review's inclusion criteria of level 4 evidence or above. Each of the articles was critically appraised using the Structured Effectiveness for Quality Evaluation of Study (SEQES) and the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Level of Evidence. Total SEQES scores ranged from 17 to 39. The majority of the studies are level 4 evidence. Conclusions Although the overall level of evidence is low, the inclusion of static progressive orthoses as an intervention appears to result in positive outcomes, including increased active range of motion, increased grip strength, improved DASH scores, and improved patient satisfaction as well as reduced pain medications during orthotic intervention. The current evidence supports static progressive orthoses as an intervention for patients with upper extremity joint stiffness or contractures due to orthopedic conditions.
HELICOIDAL MINIMAL SURFACES IN ℍ2×ℝ
Authors: KIM YOUNG WOOK , KOH SUNG-EUN , SHIN HEAYONG , YANG SEONG-DEOG 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIt is shown that a minimal surface in ℍ2×ℝ is invariant under a one-parameter group of screw motions if and only if it lies in the associate family of helicoids. It is also shown that the conjugate surfaces of the parabolic and hyperbolic helicoids in ℍ2×ℝ are certain types of catenoids.
Glucose tolerance factor extracted from yeast: oral insulin-mimetic and insulin-potentiating agent: in vivo and in vitro studies
Authors: Weksler-Zangen Sarah , Mizrahi Tal , Raz Itamar , Mirsky Nitsa 
Published: December 2011

In search for an effective oral treatment for diabetes, we examined the capacity of glucose tolerance factor (GTF) extracted from yeast and administered orally to reduce hyperglycaemia in rat models exhibiting insulin deficiency. The cellular effect of GTF on the insulin signalling pathway was investigated in vitro. GTF (oral bolus), insulin (intraperitoneal) or their combination was administered to streptozotocin-diabetic (STZ) or hyperglycaemic Cohen diabetic-sensitive (hyp-CDs) rats. Blood glucose (BG) and insulin levels were measured in the postprandial (PP) state and during an oral glucose tolerance test. Deoxy-glucose transport and insulin signal transduction were assessed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and myoblasts incubated with the GTF. Low dose of insulin produced a 34 and 12·5 % reduction in the PP-BG levels of hyp-CDs and STZ rats, respectively. GTF induced a 33 and 17 % reduction in the PP-BG levels of hyp-CDs and STZ rats, respectively. When combined with insulin, a respective decrease (58 and 42 %) in BG levels was observed, suggesting a partially additive (hyp-CDs) or synergistic (STZ rats) effect of the GTF and insulin. GTF did not induce insulin secretion in hyp-CDs rats, yet it lowered their BG levels, proposing an effect on glucose clearance by peripheral tissues. GTF induced a dose-dependent increase in deoxy-glucose transport into myoblasts and fat cells similar to insulin, while the combined treatment resulted in augmented transport rate. GTF induced a dose- and time-dependent phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1, Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase independent of insulin receptor phosphorylation. GTF exerts remarkable insulin-mimetic and insulin-potentiating effects, both in vivo and in vitro. It produces an insulin-like effect by acting on cellular signals downstream of the insulin receptor. These results demonstrate a potential source for a novel oral medication for diabetes.
The prevalence of malnutrition in spinal cord injuries patients: a UK multicentre study
Authors: Wong Samford , Derry Fadel , Jamous Ali , Hirani Shashivadan P. , Grimble George , Forbes Alastair 
Published: December 2011

Data on the prevalence of malnutrition among patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are lacking. The aim of the present study was to assess nutritional risk at admission, and the status of nutritional support in the UK SCI Centres (SCIC); a cross-sectional, multicentre study in four SCIC. A standardised questionnaire was used and distributed to the participating SCIC. After obtaining informed consent, baseline demographic data, nutritional risk score by the ‘Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool’, BMI and routine blood biochemistry were collected from every patient admitted to an SCIC. The four SCIC, comprising 48·2 % of the total UK SCI beds, contributed data from 150 patients. On admission, 44·3 % of patients were malnourished or at risk of undernutrition. Nutritional risk was more common in patients with acute high cervical SCI than those with lower SCI (60·7 v. 34·5 %), and nutritional risk was more common in those with additional complications including ventilatory support (with tracheostomy, 56·3 v. 38·7 %). Also, 45 % of patients were at risk of overnutrition (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). The prevalence of malnutrition in SCI patients admitted to SCIC is higher than national figures focused on general hospitalised patients, indicating that SCI patients are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition. Patients with SCI who have a tracheostomy may need additional attention. Given the potential negative impact of malnutrition on clinical outcomes, an emphasis on mandatory nutrition screening, followed by detailed assessment for at-risk individuals should be in place in the SCIC.
Soya protein hydrolysates modify the expression of various pro-inflammatory genes induced by fatty acids in ovine phagocytes
Authors: Politis Ioannis , Theodorou Georgios , Lampidonis Antonios D. , Chronopoulou Roubini , Baldi Antonella 
Published: December 2011

The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that fatty acids are the circulating mediators acting in a pro-inflammatory manner towards activated circulating ovine monocyte/macrophages and neutrophils. Furthermore, whether soya protein hydrolysates (SPH) inhibit the fatty acid-induced increase in the production of pro-inflammatory responses by ovine phagocytes was testedin vitro. All the fatty acids tested (myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic and oleic) increased (P < 0·01; C18>C16>C14) membrane-bound urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) and u-PA free binding sites in cell membranes of activated ovine blood monocytes/macrophages, but only the C18fatty acids (stearic, oleic) were effective towards blood neutrophils. The C18fatty acids up-regulated (P < 0·05) the gene expression of u-PA, u-PA receptor, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and inducible NO synthase (in monocytes) but not that of cyclo-oxygenase-2, integrin α X and plasminogen activator inhibitor types 1 and 2 by ovine phagocytes. SPH blocked completely or partially all C18fatty acid-induced changes in the expression of various pro-inflammatory genes. In conclusion, fatty acids selectively ‘activate’ ovine phagocytes, suggesting that these cells ‘sense’ metabolic signals derived from adipocytes. Soya protein peptides inhibit all changes in gene expression induced by fatty acids in ovine phagocytesin vitro. This constitutes a novel mechanism of action.
In vitrofermented nuts exhibit chemopreventive effects in HT29 colon cancer cells
Authors: Lux Stefanie , Scharlau Daniel , Schlörmann Wiebke , Birringer Marc , Glei Michael 
Published: December 2011

It is proven that nuts contain essential macro- and micronutrients, e.g. fatty acids, vitamins and dietary fibre (DF). Fermentation of DF by the gut microflora results in the formation of SCFA which are recognised for their chemopreventive potential, especially by influencing cell growth. However, little is known about cellular response to complex fermentation samples of nuts. Therefore, we prepared and analysed (pH, SCFA, bile acids, tocopherol, antioxidant capacity) fermentation supernatant (fs) fractions of nuts (almonds, macadamias, hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts) afterin vitrofermentation and determined their effects on growth of HT29 cells as well as their genotoxic/anti-genotoxic potential. The fermented nut samples contained 2- to 3-fold higher amounts of SCFA than the faeces control, but considerable reduced levels of bile acids. While most of the investigated native nuts comprised relatively high amounts of tocopherol (α-tocopherol in almonds and hazelnuts and γ- and δ-tocopherol in pistachios and walnuts), rather low concentrations were found in the fs. All nut extracts and nut fs showed a strong antioxidant potential. Furthermore, all fs, except the fs pistachio, reduced growth of HT29 cells significantly. DNA damage induced by H2O2was significantly reduced by the fs of walnuts after 15 min co-incubation of HT29 cells. In conclusion, this is the first study which presents the chemopreventive effects (reduction of tumour-promoting desoxycholic acid, rise in chemopreventive SCFA, protection against oxidative stress) of different nuts afterin vitrodigestion and fermentation, and shows the potential importance of nuts in the prevention of colon cancer.
Reduced glycaemic and insulinaemic responses following trehalose and isomaltulose ingestion: implications for postprandial substrate use in impaired glucose-tolerant subjects
Authors: van Can Judith G. P. , van Loon Luc J. C. , Brouns Fred , Blaak Ellen E. 
Published: December 2011

The impact of slowly digestible sugars in reducing the risk of developing obesity and related metabolic disorders remains unclear. We hypothesised that such carbohydrates (CHO), resulting in a lower glycaemic and insulinaemic response, may lead to greater postprandial fat oxidation rates in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). The present study intends to compare the postprandial metabolic responses to the ingestion of glucose (GLUC) v. trehalose (TRE) and sucrose (SUC) v. isomaltulose (IMU). In a randomised, single-blind, cross-over design, ten overweight IGT subjects were studied four times, following ingestion of different CHO drinks either at breakfast or in combination with a mixed meal at lunch. Before and 3 h after CHO ingestion, energy expenditure, substrate utilisation and circulating metabolite concentrations were determined. Ingestion of CHO drinks with a meal resulted in an attenuated rise in GLUC ( − 33 %) and insulin ( − 14 %) concentrations following TRE when compared with GLUC and following IMU, an attenuation of 43 and 34 % when compared with SUC ingestion, respectively. Additionally, there was less inhibition of the rise in NEFA concentrations and less decline in postprandial fat oxidation (22 %) after IMU when compared with SUC, whereas TRE did not differ from GLUC. The attenuated rise in GLUC and insulin concentrations following IMU ingestion attenuated the postprandial inhibition of fat oxidation compared with SUC when co-ingested with a meal. This suggests that exchange of SUC in the diet for IMU may result in a more favourable metabolic response and may help to reduce the risks associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
A promising new technique for closed reduction of arytenoid dislocation
Authors: Leelamanit V , Sinkijcharoenchai W 
Published: December 2011

AbstractObjectives:To study the effect of a new technique for closed reduction of dislocated arytenoids.Methods:The study included 21 females (72.4 per cent) and eight males (27.6 per cent) with a diagnosis of arytenoid dislocation. There were 18 cases of left arytenoid dislocation and 11 of right arytenoid dislocation.Twenty-eight cases had anteromedial dislocation and one had posterolateral dislocation. All patients were treated with closed reduction using custom-made metal rods and an operating microscope, under general anaesthesia.Results:Post-operatively, 21 patients’ voices returned completely to normal (including full vocal fold mobility), five had an improved voice and three failed to show any improvement. There were no post-operative complications.Conclusion:This new closed reduction technique is a safe procedure for patients with dislocated arytenoids. It is repeatable and the outcome is reliable and effective. Closed reduction can be a useful treatment for arytenoid dislocation.
Laser generated 300 keV electron beams from water
Authors: Uhlig Jens , Wahlström Claes-Göran , Walczak Monika , Sundström Villy , Fullagar Wilfred 
Published: December 2011

Abstract300 keV electron beams with energy peaked in the range 280–390 keV were generated by focusing a high contrast ratio but temporally double pulsed 800 nm ultrafast laser onto a flowing water jet under both helium atmosphere at ambient pressure and water aspirator vacuum conditions, using laser intensities in the range 1015–1018 Wcm−2. Their characteristics have been investigated as functions of inter-pulse delay, incidence geometry and laser pulse chirp. Shot-to-shot variation of the beams' equatorial and azimuthal distributions was also recorded in real time. Measurements of the emitted charge and energy have been performed. Secondary X-ray emission arising from impingement of the electron beams on the target chamber walls and other parts of the apparatus have been identified. Preliminary results after transition to a high repetition rate laser system have shown similar behavior. Approaches for improvements and applications are suggested.
On the observed energy of runaway electron beams in air
Authors: Mesyats G.A. , Reutova A.G. , Sharypov K.A. , Shpak V.G. , Shunailov S.A. , Yalandin M.I. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractExperiments with an air electrode gap have been performed where the current/charge of a picosecond beam of runaway electrons was measured over a wide range (up to four orders of magnitude) downstream of the absorbing foil filters. Measurements and calculations have made it possible to refer the beam current to the rise time of the accelerating voltage pulse to within picoseconds. It has been shown that, in contrast to a widespread belief, the runaway electron energies achieved are no greater than those corresponding to the mode of free acceleration of electrons in a nonstationary, highly nonuniform electric field induced by the cathode voltage. The experimental data agree with predictions of a numerical model that describes free acceleration of particles. It has been confirmed that the magnitude of the critical electric field that is necessary for electrons to go into the mode of continuous acceleration of electrons in atmospheric air corresponds to classical notions.
Self-focusing up to the incident laser wavelength by an appropriate density ramp
Authors: Sadighi-Bonabi R. , Moshkelgosha M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis work is devoted to improving relativistic self-focusing of intense laser beam in underdense unmagnetized plasma. New density profiles are introduced to achieve beam width parameter up to the wavelength of the propagating laser. By investigating variations of the beam width parameter in presence of different density profiles it is found that the beam width parameter is considerably decreased for the introduced density ramp comparing with uniform density and earlier introduced density ramp profiles. By using this new density profile high intensity laser pulses are guided over several Rayleigh lengths with extremely small beam width parameter.
Effects of dielectric discontinuity on the dispersion characteristics of the tape helix slow-wave structure with two metal shields
Authors: Zhang Yu , Liu Jinliang , Wang Shiwen , Fan Xuliang , Zhang Hongbo , Feng Jiahuai 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn the tape helix slow-wave system, discontinuous dielectrics have great effects on the dispersion characteristics. In this paper, the tape helix slow-wave system, including an inner and an outer metal shield, tape helix, nylon support and de-ionized water as filling dielectric, was analyzed. Effects of dielectric discontinuity caused by the support dielectric and filling dielectric on the dispersion characteristics were studied in detail. The dispersion relations, phase velocities, slow-wave coefficients and electric lengths of the spatial harmonics in the system were calculated. Results showed that, if the permittivity of support dielectric was smaller than that of the filling dielectric, frequencies of the spatial harmonics in the system rose, phase velocities and slow-wave coefficients increased, the slow-wave effect of the system was weakened so that the previous electric length was shortened. The reverse condition corresponded to the reverse results, and the electromagnetic simulation also proved it. By use of the helical pulse forming line of accelerator based on the studied tape helix slow-wave system, the electric lengths of the system were tested as 188.5 ns and 200 ns in experiment when the thicknesses of nylon support were 6 mm and 3 mm, respectively. The theoretical calculation results 198 ns and 211 ns basically corresponded to experimental results, which only had relative errors as 5 and 5.5%, respectively.
Nonlinear electromagnetic Eigen modes of a self created magnetized plasma channel and its stimulated Raman scattering
Authors: Verma Updesh , Sharma A.K. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA theoretical formalism is developed to obtain the mode structure of right circularly polarized nonlinear laser Eigen mode in a self created plasma channel in the presence of an axial magnetic field. The nonlinearity in electron response arises due to relativistic mass effect and ponderomotive force induced density redistribution. The Eigen mode is seen to be unstable to stimulated Raman backscattering involving an electrostatic quasi-mode and a scattered electromagnetic wave. The growth rate increases with ambient magnetic field.
Selling Germany in South-Eastern Europe: Economic Uncertainty, Commercial Information and the Leipzig Trade Fair 1920–40
Authors: GROSS STEPHEN 
Published: December 2011

AbstractOn the eve of the Second World War Germany dominated the exports and imports of south-eastern Europe. Yet the institutions that supported Germany's trade in the 1930s were formed during the previous decade. This article shows how one institution, the Leipzig trade fair, helped overcome many of the problems that had disrupted German commerce with Yugoslavia after the First World War. During a decade when German firms were only slowly returning to the region, the fair built an extensive trading network in south-eastern Europe that relayed economic news, found agents for German firms, and advertised for German products. By the 1930s the fair's representatives had become the backbone of Germany's trade network in south-eastern Europe.
Surviving in the Global Market: ‘Americanisation’ and the Relaunch of Italy's Car Industry after the Second World War
Authors: FAURI FRANCESCA 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis contribution sheds light on the successful recovery strategies developed by the Italian car industry after the Second World War and in particular the ‘innovation through creative imitation policy’ that characterised its relationship with American producers. This policy was feasible because the Italian car sector, and Fiat in particular, was fairly well prepared to measure itself against the American model and aimed at technology-transfer-based Americanisation in order to make itself competitive in the global market. Mass production adapted to Italian plants and necessities, combined with Italian style and design, was seen as a path towards international relaunch. Fiat's subsequent development of its own technological resources and innovation strategy enabled it to weather the ups and downs of its long-term business history. When in 2009 an alliance with Chrysler was signed, Fiat's technological capabilities in the field of innovative ecological and fuel-saving technology and its long-standing attention to style and interior design were judged important inputs to help the American car-maker (and Fiat itself) to survive in the global market.
France's Renewed Commitment to Commercial Diplomacy in the 1960s
Authors: BADEL LAURENCE 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe political and strategic aspects of General de Gaulle's policies, hisgrandeurrhetoric and his hostility to European integration have between them taken up the attention of historians. It has therefore been overlooked that the 1960s were a period of unprecedented mobilisation by the French state in the promotion of French exports. This policy is not only due to the history of commercial diplomacy. The senior civil servants in charge of this process were interested not only in selling but also in creating a fundamental change to the perception of France by those abroad. It was a keen fight, involving not only official and semi-official bodies, but also private enterprise, who together furthered the neo-corporatist programme of the French state.
The Sanriku‐Oki low‐seismicity region on the northern margin of the great 2011 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake rupture
Authors: Ye Lingling , Lay Thorne , Kanamori Hiroo 
Published: December 2011

We examine a region of the megathrust fault offshore of northeastern Honshu (38.75°–40.25°N, 141.5°–143.25°E) that we designate as the Sanriku‐Oki low‐seismicity region (SLSR). The SLSR, located near the northern termination of the 2011 Tohoku‐Oki (Mw 9.0) rupture, lacks historical great earthquake ruptures and has relatively low levels of moderate‐size (Mj ≥ 5.0) earthquakes, with subregions having many small events (Mj 2.5–5.0) in the Japan Meteorological Agency unified catalog. The SLSR is located downdip along the megathrust from the rupture zone of the great 1896 Sanriku tsunami earthquake and the great 1933 Sanriku outer trench slope normal‐faulting event; weak seismic coupling of the SLSR had been deduced based on the occurrences of those unusual events. Relatively low slip deficit on the SLSR megathrust was estimated based on GPS deformations prior to 2011 compared with adjacent areas with strong inferred locking to the south and north. The southern portion of the SLSR appears to have had, at most, modest levels (<5 m) of coseismic slip during the 2011 event. Some thrust‐faulting aftershocks did occur in the SLSR, primarily at depths near 40 km where there had previously been small (Mj ∼5.0) repeating earthquakes (e.g., the Kamaishi repeater). An Mw ∼ 7.4 underthrusting aftershock occurred near the northeastern edge of the SLSR ∼22.5 min after the great 2011 event. Postseismic convergence along the megathrust is peaked in the SLSR. The collective observations indicate that the SLSR is primarily undergoing quasi‐static aseismic convergence, and the lack of regional strain accumulation likely delimited the northern extent of the great 2011 rupture as well as the downdip extent of the 1896 rupture. The triggering of the Mw 7.4 aftershock and heightened activity in the downdip repeater regions suggest that high postseismic strain rates drove the region to have ephemerally increased seismic failure, but it appears unlikely that a great earthquake will nucleate or rupture through this region. Similar properties may exist on the megathrust near the southern end of the 2011 rupture.