339 research outputs found
An Electromyographic Study of Forward and Backward Walking in Normals and in Subjects following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair
Physical therapy strives to incorporate innovative and efficient protocols for rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgeries. Research supports the benefits of closed kinetic chain exercises (distal segment of extremity is fixed) over the traditional open kinetic chain exercises (distal segment not fixed). It is theorized that backward walking on inclined surfaces will recruit the knee musculature to a greater extent than forward walking, but there is little research to support this theory. The purpose of this study was to utilize electromyography during treadmill walking to analyze the muscle activity in the lower extremity of individuals were normal and who have had an ACL repair. Seventeen subjects (11 males, 6 females) at the mean age of25 participated in the study.
The results for all subjects were that the muscle activity of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus and biceps femoris increased during backward walking in comparison to forward walking. The semitendinosus muscle activity remained relatively equal for forward and backward walking. Increasing the angle of treadmill incline during forward and backward walking generally increased muscle activity. The subjects were classified into two groups, the normal group (N=5) and ACL group (N=12). The results from the two groups varied, however, with small subject number in each group being a large reason for the differences. Future research will need to use a larger number of subjects from both types of repair population
Toward an understanding of risk factors for binge-eating disorder in black and white women: A community-based case-control study
This study sought to identify in white women risk factors specific to binge-eating disorder (BED) and for psychiatric disorders in general, and to compare black and white women on risk factors for BED.
Decision-making and referral processes for patients with motor neurone disease: a qualitative study of GP experiences and evaluation of a new decision-support tool
Background
The diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND) is known to be challenging and there may be delay in patients receiving a correct diagnosis. This study investigated the referral process for patients who had been diagnosed with MND, and whether a newly-developed tool (The Red Flags checklist) might help General Practitioners (GPs) in making referral decisions.
Methods
We carried out interviews with GPs who had recently referred a patient diagnosed with MND, and interviews/surveys with GPs who had not recently referred a patient with suspected MND. We collected data before the Red Flags checklist was introduced; and again one year later. We analysed the data to identify key recurring themes.
Results
Forty two GPs took part in the study. The presence of fasciculation was the clinical feature that most commonly led to consideration of a potential MND diagnosis. GPs perceived that their role was to make onward referrals rather than attempting to make a diagnosis, and delays in correct diagnosis tended to occur at the specialist level. A quarter of participants had some awareness of the newly-developed tool; most considered it useful, if incorporated into existing systems.
Conclusions
While fasciculation is the most common symptom associated with MND, other bulbar, limb or respiratory features, together with progression should be considered. There is a need for further research into how decision-support tools should be designed and provided, in order to best assist GPs with referral decisions. There is also a need for further work at the level of secondary care, in order that referrals made are re-directed appropriately
The Balloon-Borne Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (BLAST) 2005: A 10 deg^2 Survey of Star Formation in Cygnus X
We present Cygnus X in a new multi-wavelength perspective based on an
unbiased BLAST survey at 250, 350, and 500 micron, combined with rich datasets
for this well-studied region. Our primary goal is to investigate the early
stages of high mass star formation. We have detected 184 compact sources in
various stages of evolution across all three BLAST bands. From their
well-constrained spectral energy distributions, we obtain the physical
properties mass, surface density, bolometric luminosity, and dust temperature.
Some of the bright sources reaching 40 K contain well-known compact H II
regions. We relate these to other sources at earlier stages of evolution via
the energetics as deduced from their position in the luminosity-mass (L-M)
diagram. The BLAST spectral coverage, near the peak of the spectral energy
distribution of the dust, reveals fainter sources too cool (~ 10 K) to be seen
by earlier shorter-wavelength surveys like IRAS. We detect thermal emission
from infrared dark clouds and investigate the phenomenon of cold ``starless
cores" more generally. Spitzer images of these cold sources often show stellar
nurseries, but these potential sites for massive star formation are ``starless"
in the sense that to date there is no massive protostar in a vigorous accretion
phase. We discuss evolution in the context of the L-M diagram. Theory raises
some interesting possibilities: some cold massive compact sources might never
form a cluster containing massive stars; and clusters with massive stars might
not have an identifiable compact cold massive precursor.Comment: 42 pages, 31 Figures, 6 table
High-Resolution X-ray and Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of the Complex Intrinsic Absorption in NGC 4051 with Chandra and HST
We present the results from simultaneous observations of the Narrow-Line
Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4051 with the Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating
Spectrometer and the HST Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph. The X-ray
grating spectrum reveals absorption and emission lines from hydrogen-like and
helium-like ions of O, Ne, Mg and Si. We resolve two distinct X-ray absorption
systems: a high-velocity blueshifted system at -2340+/-130 km/s and a
low-velocity blueshifted system at -600+/-130 km/s. In the UV spectrum we
detect strong absorption, mainly from C IV, N V and Si IV, that is resolved
into as many as nine different intrinsic absorption systems with velocities
between -650 km/s and 30 km/s. Although the low-velocity X-ray absorption is
consistent in velocity with many of the UV absorption systems, the
high-velocity X-ray absorption seems to have no UV counterpart. In addition to
the absorption and emission lines, we also observe rapid X-ray variability and
a state of low X-ray flux during the last ~15 ks of the observation. NGC 4051
has a soft X-ray excess which we fit in both the high and low X-ray flux
states. The high-resolution X-ray spectrum directly reveals that the soft
excess is not composed of narrow emission lines and that it has significant
spectral curvature. A power-law model fails to fit it, while a blackbody
produces a nearly acceptable fit. We compare the observed spectral variability
with the results of previous studies of NGC 4051.Comment: 16 pages, 13 figures included, LaTeX emulateapj5.sty, accepted for
publication in The Astrophysical Journal (this version is the same as the
first version
The BLAST View of the Star Forming Region in Aquila (ell=45deg,b=0deg)
We have carried out the first general submillimeter analysis of the field
towards GRSMC 45.46+0.05, a massive star forming region in Aquila. The
deconvolved 6 deg^2 (3\degree X 2\degree) maps provided by BLAST in 2005 at
250, 350, and 500 micron were used to perform a preliminary characterization of
the clump population previously investigated in the infrared, radio, and
molecular maps. Interferometric CORNISH data at 4.8 GHz have also been used to
characterize the Ultracompact HII regions (UCHIIRs) within the main clumps. By
means of the BLAST maps we have produced an initial census of the submillimeter
structures that will be observed by Herschel, several of which are known
Infrared Dark Clouds (IRDCs). Our spectral energy distributions of the main
clumps in the field, located at ~7 kpc, reveal an active population with
temperatures of T~35-40 K and masses of ~10^3 Msun for a dust emissivity index
beta=1.5. The clump evolutionary stages range from evolved sources, with
extended HII regions and prominent IR stellar population, to massive young
stellar objects, prior to the formation of an UCHIIR.The CORNISH data have
revealed the details of the stellar content and structure of the UCHIIRs. In
most cases, the ionizing stars corresponding to the brightest radio detections
are capable of accounting for the clump bolometric luminosity, in most cases
powered by embedded OB stellar clusters
Moderators, Mediators, and Other Predictors of Risperidone Response in Children with Autistic Disorder and Irritability
Objective/Background:
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology
(RUPP) Autism Network found an effect size of d = 1.2 in favor of risperidone on the main outcome measure
in an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for irritabilityin autistic disorder. This paper explores
moderators and mediators of this effect.
Method:
Intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses were conducted with suspected moderators and mediators entered
into the regression equations. MacArthur Foundation Network subgroup guidelines were followed in the
evaluation of the results.
Results:
Only baseline severity moderated treatment response: Higher severity showed greater improvement
for risperidone but not for placebo. Weight gain mediated treatment response negatively: Those who gained
more weight improved less with risperidone and more with placebo. Compliance correlated with outcome for
risperidone but not placebo. Higher dose correlated with worse outcome for placebo, but not risperidone. Of
nonspecific predictors, parent education, family income, and low baseline prolactin positively predicted
outcome; anxiety, bipolar symptoms, oppositional-defiant symptoms, stereotypy, and hyperactivity
negatively predicted outcome. Risperidone moderated the effect of change in 5'-nucleotidase, a marker of
zinc status, for which decrease was associated with improvement only with risperidone, not with placebo.
Conclusion:
The benefit–risk ratio of risperidone is better with greater symptom severity. Risperidone can be
individually titrated to optimal dosage for excellent response in the majority of children. Weight gain is not
necessary for risperidone benefit and may even detract from it. Socioeconomic advantage, low prolactin, and
absence of co-morbid problems non-specifically predict better outcome. Mineral interactions with
risperidone deserve further study
The interaction of young massive stars with their environment: A millimeter and submillimeter line study of NGC6334 FIR II
Using the 15-m Swedish ESO Sub-millimeter Telescope (SEST), CO, HCN, and HCO+
observations of the galactic star-forming region NGC6334 FIR II are presented,
complemented by [C I] 3^P_1--3^P_0 and 3^P_2--3^P_1 data from the Atacama
Pathfinder Experiment (APEX 12-m telescope). Embedded in the extended molecular
cloud and associated with the H II region NGC6334--D, there is a molecular
"void". [C I] correlates well with 13^CO and other molecular lines and shows no
rim brightening relative to molecular cloud regions farther off the void. While
an interpretation in terms of a highly clumped cloud morphology is possible,
with photon dominated regions (PDRs) reaching deep into the cloud, the data do
not provide any direct evidence for a close association of [C I] with PDRs.
Kinetic temperatures are ~40--50K in the molecular cloud and >=200K toward the
void. CO and [C I] excitation temperatures are similar. A comparison of
molecular and atomic fine structure line emission with the far infrared and
radio continuum as well as the distribution of 2.2um H_2 emission indicates
that the well-evolved H II region expands into a medium that is homogeneous on
pc-scales. If the H_2 emission is predominantly shock excited, both the
expanding ionization front (classified as subsonic, "D-type") and the
associated shock front farther out (traced by H_2) can be identified,
observationally confirming for the first time a classical scenario that is
predicted by evolutionary models of H II regions. Integrated line intensity
ratios of the observed molecules are determined, implying a mean C18^O/C17^O
abundance ratio of 4.13+-0.13 that reflects the 18^O/17^O isotope ratio. This
ratio is consistent with values determined in nearby clouds. Right at the edge
of the void, however, the oxygen isotope ratio might be smaller.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures, 3 tables, A&A in pres
Recommended from our members
Spatiotemporal incidence of Zika and associated environmental drivers for the 2015-2016 epidemic in Colombia
Despite a long history of mosquito-borne virus epidemics in the Americas, the impact of the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic of 2015–2016 was unexpected. The need for scientifically informed decision-making is driving research to understand the emergence and spread of ZIKV. To support that research, we assembled a data set of key covariates for modeling ZIKV transmission dynamics in Colombia, where ZIKV transmission was widespread and the government made incidence data publically available. On a weekly basis between January 1, 2014 and October 1, 2016 at three administrative levels, we collated spatiotemporal Zika incidence data, nine environmental variables, and demographic data into a single downloadable database. These new datasets and those we identified, processed, and assembled at comparable spatial and temporal resolutions will save future researchers considerable time and effort in performing these data processing steps, enabling them to focus instead on extracting epidemiological insights from this important data set. Similar approaches could prove useful for filling data gaps to enable epidemiological analyses of future disease emergence events
Amber and the Cretaceous Resinous Interval
Amber is fossilized resin that preserves biological remains in exceptional detail, study of which has revolutionized understanding of past terrestrial organisms and habitats from the Early Cretaceous to the present day. Cretaceous amber outcrops are more abundant in the Northern Hemisphere and during an interval of about 54 million years, from the Barremian to the Campanian. The extensive resin production that generated this remarkable amber record may be attributed to the biology of coniferous resin producers, the growth of resiniferous forests in proximity to transitional sedimentary environments, and the dynamics of climate during the Cretaceous. Here we discuss the set of interrelated abiotic and biotic factors potentially involved in resin production during that time. We name this period of mass resin production by conifers during the late Mesozoic, fundamental as an archive of terrestrial life, the `Cretaceous Resinous Interval (CREI).This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades [research agreement CRE CGL2017-84419 AEI/FEDER, UE] and by the Consejería de Industria, Turismo, Innovación, Transporte y Comercio of the Gobierno de Cantabria through the public enterprise EL SOPLAO S.L. [research agreement #20963 with University of Barcelona and research contract Ref. VAPC 20225428 to CN-IGME CSIC, both 2022–2025]; the Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (Brazil) [research grand PQ 304529/19–2]; National Geographic Global Exploration Fund Northern Europa [research agreement GEFNE 127-14]; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) [research agreement SO 894/6-1]; VolkswagenStiftung [research agreement 90946]; the Secretary of Universities and Research (Government of Catalonia) and by the Horizon 2020 program of research and innovation of the European Union under the Marie-Curie [research contract no. 801370, Beatriu de Pinós]; the Secretary of Universities and Research (Government of Catalonia) and the European Social Fund [research contract 2021FI_B2 00003]; this work is a contribution to the grant RYC2021-032907-I, funded by the MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union «NextGenerationEU»/PRTR; and the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) Scholarship Program [BECAS CHILE 2020-Folio 72210321].Abstract
Keywords
1. Introduction
2. Definition of the Cretaceous Resinous Interval
3. Conditional factors on resin production and preservation
3.1. Abiotic factors
3.1.1. Atmospheric gas composition, temperature, and wildfires
3.1.2. Volcanism and changes in sea level
3.1.3. Oceanic physicochemical properties and hurricanes
3.1.4. Climatic overview throughout the CREI
3.2. Biotic factors
4. Present limitations and future directions
5. Conclusions
Funding
Author contributions
Declaration of Competing Interest
Acknowledgements
Appendix A. Supplementary data
Data availability
Reference
- …