bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
'Zur Abkurtzung unnötiger Processualweitläufigkeiten', Een bijdrage over de geschiedenis van het Hof van Appel te Thorn 1718–1795
Authors: Berkvens A.M.J.A. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractUntil the end of the War of the Spanish Succession, the constitutional status of the former kaiserlich freie Reichsstift Thorn in the present Dutch province of Limburg was disputed. After the Emperor Charles VI had established its constitutional position as a member of the Holy Roman Empire in 1718, a Court of Appeal was established to symbolise Thorn's sovereignty and serve as an intermediary court between the local lower jurisdictions and the Reichskammergericht and the Reichshofrat. The organisation and jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal were laid down in ordinances by the sovereign abbess Francisca Christina of Paltz-Sulzbach (1717–1776). Since the Court's judges did not reside in Thorn – they lived predominantly in the free imperial town of Aachen – complaints about undue delay in civil proceedings and the high cost involved urged the sovereign abbess to directly intervene in the Court's jurisdiction. The ensuing conflicts negatively affected the Court's credibility, as is evidenced by the number of revision petitions and appeals lodged with the Reichskammergericht from ca. 1775 onwards. Reform efforts undertaken by the sovereign abbess Maria Cunegonda of Saxony (1776–1795) arrived too late to restore the credibility and authority of the Court of Appeal.
With Aristotelians Like These, Who Needs Anti-Aristotelians? Chymical Corpuscular Matter Theory in Niccolò Cabeo's Meteorology
Authors: Martin Craig 
Published: April 2006

AbstractNiccolò Cabeo, a Jesuit based in Northern Italy, wrote a massive commentary on Aristotle's Meteorology that was first printed in 1646. The central concepts of this work emerged from the chymical philosophy of his time. Cabeo advocated a corpuscular matter theory that integrated Paracelsian principles and Aristotelian elements. Furthermore, he rejected the application of metaphysics and mathematics to natural philosophy. Instead he promoted experiential and experimental practices, including chymical ones, to investigate what he called the "real physical" world. Cabeo's epistemology sustained his adaptation of Aristotle, whereby substantial forms have no explanatory role, but matter and form are two different kinds of substances that differ with respect to the size of their constituent corpuscles and their forces. Maintaining the need to use Aristotle as a foundation, Cabeo relied on his unique interpretations of the text of the Meteorology in order to demonstrate that his matter theory was not alien to Aristotelianism.
The influence of early cycling training on balance in stroke patients at the subacute stage. Results of a preliminary trial
Authors: Katz-Leurer Michal , Sender Iris , Keren Ofer , Dvir Zeevi 
Published: April 2006

Objective: To investigate the effect of early cycling training on balance and motor abilities of stroke patients in their subacute stage. Design: Randomized clinical trial. Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation. Subjects: Twenty-four patients who had had a first stroke were randomly assigned to a cycling training group ( n = 10) or to a control ( n = 14) group. Intervention: All subjects received their usual rehabilitation programme; the cycling training group received in addition a daily session of leg cycle ergometer, lasting three weeks. Both groups were followed for six weeks. Main outcome measurements: Balance was assessed using the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) and the standing balance test. The motor function of the lower extremity was also assessed by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). Results: In the within-group comparison, both the exercise group and the control group had improved significantly (P B=0.01) with time with respect to PASS total (exercise group 18.79=2.8 to 31.19=2.2, control group 18.19=3.2 to 26.49=3.8) and PASS subscores, as well as the FMA score (exercise group 17.29=7.5 to 29.19=5.9, control group 16.69=6.4 to 22.19=6.8). In addition there was a significant group=time interaction effect, with exercise group patients demonstrating better performance in both the total PASS score and PASS subscores and FMA score relative to the control patients (P B=0.01). Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that stroke patients in the subacute stage can improve their motor and balance abilities after an early short duration of cycling training.
Jump training is feasible for nearly ambulatory patients after stroke
Authors: Mehrholz Jan , Rutte Katja , Pohl Marcus 
Published: April 2006

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of jump training for nearly ambulatory patients after stroke. Design: Case series. Setting: A rehabilitation centre for adult people with neurological disorders. Subjects: Six subacute, nearly ambulatory patients with hemiparesis due to stroke. Interventions: A modified form of jump training performed over a period of six weeks. Measures: Impairments: We used the Motricity Index to measure strength, the Fugl-Meyer subtest passive joint motion/pain for range of motion and pain and the modified Tardieu Scale to measure spasticity at baseline and after six weeks. Activity level: To assess walking ability we used the Functional Ambulation Category, to measure walking quality we used 10-m gait velocity, stride length and Rivermead Visual Gait Index and to assess walking capacity we used the six-minute walk test. Results: No severe adverse events were observed during the study period. Motricity Index sum score of the affected leg increased from 38±11 points (mean±SD) to 56±15 points; P = 0.028. Modified Tardieu Scale and Fugl-Meyer subtest passive joint motion/pain remained unchanged over time (P=1.0; P=0.157, respectively). All patients were able to walk at the end of training (median Functional Ambulation Category grade five, P=0.023). Gait quality improved as shown in increased gait velocity (from 0.3±0.1 to 1.1±0.5 m/s; P = 0.028), improved stride length (from 0.3±0.1 to 0.6±0.2 m; P = 0.028) and improved Rivermead Visual Gait Index score (from 38.7±5.6 points to 24.8±7.0 points; P = 0.027). All patient increased gait capacity (from 97±33 m to 289±134 m; P = 0.028). Conclusion: Jump exercises are feasible for selected subacute stroke patients with hemiparesis.
Effects of botulinum toxin type A on upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Authors: Reeuwijk Alexander , van Schie Petra EM , Becher Jules G , Kwakkel Gert 
Published: April 2006

Objective: To evaluate whether botulinum toxin type A injections improve upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: An extensive search was carried out in PUBMED, CINAHL, PICARTA, EMBASE, PEDRO and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Controlled and uncontrolled studies were included and evaluated on the basis of a best evidence synthesis. Results: Twelve out of 645 identified studies were included: three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) ( n = 64) of high methodological quality, and nine uncontrolled studies ( n = 107) of sufficient methodological quality. In one of the three RCTs a short-term, significant decrease of spasticity was found in favour of the botulinum toxin type A group, which was supported by five of the seven uncontrolled studies that also measured spasticity. In one RCT significant changes in range of motion were reported for wrist and thumb extension. This finding was supported by two out of seven uncontrolled studies. One RCT reported a significant improvement in activities after one month, according to the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test and the Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory, whereas five out of the nine uncontrolled studies reported an improvement in functional activities. Conclusion: Insufficient evidence is found for the effects of botulinum toxin type A injections to reduce spasticity or to increase range of motion and upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy. Besides differences in treatment goals, the lack of evidence is mainly due to the use of invalid assessment instruments and insufficient statistical power to demonstrate treatment effects.
Driving experiences of disabled drivers
Authors: Prasad R S , Hunter J , Hanley J 
Published: April 2006

Objective: To study the influence of non-standard controls on return to driving after disability, including prevalence of accidents/retraining difficulties. Design: Postal questionnaires sent within two years of assessment to 972 disabled drivers seen over a three-year period. Setting: Scottish Driving Assessment Service. Subjects: All patients considered capable of driving after assessment during the study period. Results: Five hundred and eighty-nine people (61%) replied who were representative of the total population (mean age 55 years, range 19-87); 73% were male and 70% were disabled for up to two years. Overall 79% respondents had returned to driving (highest reported success with standard manual car (86%) and lowest using left foot to accelerate and brake (66%) (χ2 = 16.6, P = 0.005)). A significantly higher proportion of the 30 patients (6.5%) admitting to accidents and 25 (5.4%) to problems with retraining were using non-standard driving techniques, especially the use of hand controls. Conclusion: Disabled drivers returning to drive using non-familiar controls had lower success and a higher proportion of accidents and/or problems with retraining than people using conventional controls. If confirmed in larger studies this may have implications for policy-makers as well as specialist practitioners.
Gait analysis and WOMAC are complementary in assessing functional outcome in total hip replacement
Authors: Lindemann U , Becker C , Muche R , Aminian K , Dejnabadi H , Nikolaus Th , Puhl W , Huch K , Dreinhöfer K E 
Published: April 2006

Objective: To investigate the correlation between objective and subjective evaluation of patients with total hip replacement.Design: Prospective preliminary trial comparing the Western Ontario and McMaster University questionnaire (WOMAC) and gait analysis preoperatively and three months postoperatively.Setting: A German academic orthopaedic centre specializing in total hip replacement surgery.Subjects: Seventeen patients (median age 70 years) with hip osteoarthritis.Intervention: All patients had had a primary unilateral total hip replacement.Main measures: WOMAC questionnaire to assess self-perceived health status and gait analysis to determine objective gait parameters.Results: Performance of walking as well as subjective judgement of health status improved following surgery (gait speed P = 0.0222; stride length P = 0.038; stance phase ratio P = 0.0466; WOMAC P < 0.0001). However, the correlation between gait parameters and WOMAC was poor ( r = -0.27 or less). Correlation between changes of walking parameters and WOMAC was bad to good ( r = 0.01 to r = -0.72).Conclusion: The WOMAC questionnaire might not reflect walking performance. The addition of gait analysis is recommended to gain objective information about the quality of gait.
The effect of visual feedback plus mental practice on symmetrical weight-bearing training in people with hemiparesis
Authors: Yoo Eun-young , Chung Bo-in 
Published: April 2006

Objective: To investigate the effect of visual feedback with mental practice on symmetrical weight-bearing training in three individuals with hemiparetic stroke. Design: A single-subject experimental design, alternating with multiple baselines across individuals. Setting: Laboratory of a department of occupational therapy. Participants: Three individuals with left hemiparesis from stroke. Intervention: Visual feedback with mental practice on symmetrical weight-bearing training. Main outcome measures: The proportion of the participant's weight-bearing by the affected limb while standing was measured using Limloader. Results: For participants 1, 2 and 3, the respective average weight-bearing proportions of the affected limb were 27%, 31% and 21% at baseline, 47%, 48% and 47% after visual feedback with mental practice, and 42%, 48% and 42% after visual feedback only, immediately following each training session. When the participants had visual feedback with mental practice, they placed a greater proportion of their weight on the affected limb, and this effect was maintained for 1 h. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the visual feedback approach alone can effect improvement but visual feedback together with mental practice produces further positive effect on improving and maintaining a symmetrical stance posture in people with hemiparetic stroke.
Anti-dsDNA and anti-Sm antibodies do not predict damage in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Prasad R , Ibañez D , Gladman D , Urowitz M 
Published: April 2006

We aimed to determine whether anti-dsDNA and anti-Sm antibodies predict damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Five-hundred inception patients from the University of Toronto Lupus Clinic were studied. Predictors assessed for the entire study period were: 1) raised anti-dsDNA on two consecutive occasions; 2) anti-dsDNA levels (normal, mildly or highly elevated); 3) presence of anti-Sm on any occasion. To account for disease duration, the following were assessed at three years post-inception: raised anti-dsDNA on two consecutive occasions; anti-dsDNA levels. These predictors were correlated with the following outcomes: 1) overall SLICC/ACR Damage Index (SDI) at the end of the study period; 2) frequency of damage in the cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, musculoskeletal and renal components of SDI; 3) SDI at five years for the predictors assessed at three years post-inception. In the multivariate analysis, presence of anti-DNA antibodies or of anti-SM were non-significant but sex, age at SLE diagnosis, disease duration, corticosteroid use and cumulative dose were strong predictors of damage. Raised anti-dsDNA on two occasions or anti-dsDNA levels in the three years post-inception patients did not predict damage at five years. The presence and levels of anti-dsDNA and anti-Sm antibodies do not predict damage in SLE.
Genomic-Assisted Prediction of Genetic Value With Semiparametric Procedures
Authors: Gianola Daniel , Fernando Rohan L , Stella Alessandra 
Published: April 2006

AbstractSemiparametric procedures for prediction of total genetic value for quantitative traits, which make use of phenotypic and genomic data simultaneously, are presented. The methods focus on the treatment of massive information provided by, e.g., single-nucleotide polymorphisms. It is argued that standard parametric methods for quantitative genetic analysis cannot handle the multiplicity of potential interactions arising in models with, e.g., hundreds of thousands of markers, and that most of the assumptions required for an orthogonal decomposition of variance are violated in artificial and natural populations. This makes nonparametric procedures attractive. Kernel regression and reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces regression procedures are embedded into standard mixed-effects linear models, retaining additive genetic effects under multivariate normality for operational reasons. Inferential procedures are presented, and some extensions are suggested. An example is presented, illustrating the potential of the methodology. Implementations can be carried out after modification of standard software developed by animal breeders for likelihood-based or Bayesian analysis.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling Contributes to Variation for Wing Shape inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Dworkin Ian , Gibson Greg 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWing development in Drosophila is a common model system for the dissection of genetic networks and their roles during development. In particular, the RTK and TGF-β regulatory networks appear to be involved with numerous aspects of wing development, including patterning, cell determination, growth, proliferation, and survival in the developing imaginal wing disc. However, little is known as to how subtle changes in the function of these genes may contribute to quantitative variation for wing shape, per se. In this study 50 insertional mutations, representing 43 loci in the RTK, Hedgehog, TGF-β pathways, and their genetically interacting factors were used to study the role of these networks on wing shape. To concurrently examine how genetic background modulates the effects of the mutation, each insertion was introgressed into two wild-type genetic backgrounds. Using geometric morphometric methods, it is shown that the majority of these mutations have profound effects on shape but not size of the wing when measured as heterozygotes. To examine the relationships between how each mutation affects wing shape hierarchical clustering was used. Unlike previous observations of environmental canalization, these mutations did not generally increase within-line variation relative to their wild-type counterparts. These results provide an entry point into the genetics of wing shape and are discussed within the framework of the dissection of complex phenotypes.
Genetic Map-Based Analysis of Genome Structure in the Homosporous Fern Ceratopteris richardii
Authors: Nakazato Takuya , Jung Min-Kyung , Housworth Elizabeth A , Rieseberg Loren H , Gastony Gerald J 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Homosporous ferns have extremely high chromosome numbers relative to flowering plants, but the species with the lowest chromosome numbers show gene expression patterns typical of diploid organisms, suggesting that they may be diploidized ancient polyploids. To investigate the role of polyploidy in fern genome evolution, and to provide permanent genetic resources for this neglected group, we constructed a high-resolution genetic linkage map of the homosporous fern model species, Ceratopteris richardii (n = 39). Linkage map construction employed 488 doubled haploid lines (DHLs) that were genotyped for 368 RFLP, 358 AFLP, and 3 isozyme markers. Forty-one linkage groups were recovered, with average spacing between markers of 3.18 cM. Most loci (∼76%) are duplicated and most duplicates occur on different linkage groups, indicating that as in other eukaryotic genomes, gene duplication plays a prominent role in shaping the architecture of fern genomes. Although past polyploidization is a potential mechanism for the observed abundance of gene duplicates, a wide range in the number of gene duplicates as well as the absence of large syntenic regions consisting of duplicated gene copies implies that small-scale duplications may be the primary mode of gene duplication in C. richardii. Alternatively, evidence of past polyploidization(s) may be masked by extensive chromosomal rearrangements as well as smaller-scale duplications and deletions following polyploidization(s).
Metabolic Disruption in Drosophila Bang-Sensitive Seizure Mutants
Authors: Fergestad Tim , Bostwick Bret , Ganetzky Barry 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
We examined a number of Drosophila mutants with increased susceptibility to seizures following mechanical or electrical stimulation to better understand the underlying factors that predispose neurons to aberrant activity. Several mutations in this class have been molecularly identified and suggest metabolic disruption as a possible source for increased seizure susceptibility. We mapped the bang-sensitive seizure mutation knockdown (kdn) to cytological position 5F3 and identified citrate synthase as the affected gene. These results further support a role for mitochondrial metabolism in controlling neuronal activity and seizure susceptibility. Biochemical analysis in bang-sensitive mutants revealed reductions in ATP levels consistent with disruption of mitochondrial energy production in these mutants. Electrophysiological analysis of mutants affecting mitochondrial proteins revealed an increased likelihood for a specific pattern of seizure activity. Our data implicate cellular metabolism in regulating seizure susceptibility and suggest that differential sensitivity of neuronal subtypes to metabolic changes underlies distinct types of seizure activity.
Glial and Neuronal Functions of the Drosophila Homolog of the Human SWI/SNF GeneATR-X(DATR-X) and thejingZinc-Finger Gene Specify the Lateral Positioning of Longitudinal Glia and Axons
Authors: Sun Xuetao , Morozova Tatiana , Sonnenfeld Margaret 
Published: April 2006

AbstractNeuronal–glial communication is essential for constructing the orthogonal axon scaffold in the developing Drosophila central nervous system (CNS). Longitudinal glia (LG) guide extending commissural and longitudinal axons while pioneer and commissural neurons maintain glial survival and positioning. However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling these processes are not known. Previous studies showed that the midline function of the jing C2H2-type zinc-finger transcription factor was only partially required for axon scaffold formation in the Drosophila CNS. We therefore screened for gain-of-function enhancers of jing gain of function in the eye and identified the Drosophila homolog of the disease gene of human α-thalassemia/mental retardation X-linked (ATR-X) as well as other genes with potential roles in gene expression, translation, synaptic transmission, and cell cycle. jing and DATR-X reporter genes are expressed in both CNS neurons and glia, including the LG. Coexpression of jing and DATR-X in embryonic neurons synergistically affects longitudinal connective formation. During embryogenesis, jing and DATR-X have autonomous and nonautonomous roles in the lateral positioning of LG, neurons, and longitudinal axons as shown by cell-specific knockdown of gene expression. jing and DATR-X are also required autonomously for glial survival. jing and DATR-X mutations show synergistic effects during longitudinal axon formation suggesting that they are functionally related. These observations support a model in which downstream gene expression controlled by a potential DATR-X–Jing complex facilitates cellular positioning and axon guidance, ultimately allowing for proper connectivity in the developing Drosophila CNS.
Determination of thyroxine in pharmaceuticals using flow injection with luminol chemiluminescence inhibition detection
Authors: Waseem Amir , Yaqoob Mohammad , Nabi Abdul 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA simple flow injection method is reported for the determination of thyroxine, based on its inhibition effect on luminol–iron(II) chemiluminescence in alkaline medium in the presence of molecular oxygen. The detection limits (2s) for d‐ and l‐thyroxine are 0.08 and 0.1 mg/L, respectively, with a sample throughput of 100/h. The calibration data for d‐ and l‐thyroxine over the range 0.2−1.0 mg/L gives correlation coefficients (r2) of 0.9915 and 0.984 with relative standard deviations (RSD; n = 4) in the range 1.2−2.8%. The effects of some organic compounds was studied on luminol‐iron(II) CL system for thyroxine determination. The method was applied to pharmaceutical thyroxine tablets and the results obtained (in the range 50.5 ± 2.0−51.6 ± 1.2 µg l‐thyroxine/tablet) were in reasonable agreement with the value quoted. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chitinase‐Catalyzed Synthesis of a Chitin‐Xylan Hybrid Polymer: A Novel Water‐Soluble β(1 → 4) Polysaccharide Having an N‐Acetylglucosamine‐Xylose Repeating Unit
Authors: Kobayashi Shiro , Makino Akira , Tachibana Naoki , Ohmae Masashi 
Published: April 2006

AbstractSummary: A chitin‐xylan hybrid polysaccharide having β(1 → 4)‐linked alternating structure of N‐acetyl‐D‐glucosamine and D‐xylose was synthesized via chitinase‐catalyzed polymerization. An oxazoline derivative of D‐xylosyl‐β(1 → 4)‐N‐acetyl‐D‐glucosamine (1) was effectively polymerized by the catalysis of chitinase from Bacillus sp., giving rise to a water‐soluble chitin‐xylan hybrid polysaccharide (2) in good yields. Molecular weights ($\overline M _{\rm n}$) of 2 reached 1 500, which corresponds to 8–10 saccharide units.A chitin‐xylan hybrid polysaccharide (2) synthesized via chitinase‐catalyzed polymerization.magnified imageA chitin‐xylan hybrid polysaccharide (2) synthesized via chitinase‐catalyzed polymerization.