Optimality of broken extremals

In this paper we analyse the optimality of broken Pontryagin extremal for an n-dimensional affine control system with a control parameter, taking values in a k- dimensional closed ball. We prove the optimality of broken normal extremals when n = 3 and the controllable vector fields form a contact distribution, and when the Lie algebra of the controllable fields is locally orthogonal to the singular locus and the drift does not belong to it. Moreover, if k = 2, we show the optimality of any broken extremal even abnormal when the controllable fields do not form a contact distribution in the point of singularity.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1610.0675

Construct dimensionality and properties of the categories in the ICF Core Set for low back pain

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore by Rasch analysis whether the Comprehensive International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set might represent a future clinical tool for measuring functioning of patients with low back pain. Material and methods: The Comprehensive ICF Core Set for low back pain was scored by health professionals for 118 patients with low back pain. Qualifier levels, invariance, construct validity and ordering of the categories in the components of Body function, Body structure, Activities and participation and Environmental factors were explored by Rasch analysis. Results: The number of qualifier levels had to be reduced. Categories within Body functions and within Environmental factors reflected a single underlying construct. The categories within the component of Activities and Participation did not meet the requirements of a single underlying construct in the present population. Few categories covered the problems reported by patients with a relatively high level of function.Conclusion: Rasch analysis indicated that the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for low back pain may be used with some modification of categories as a common tool for assessing problems within the components Body functions, and Activity and Participation. However, detecting ICF categories that reflect the higher functional levels in patients with low back pain, and revision of the qualifier levels may be necessary

The dynamics of the impact and coalescence of droplets on a solid surface.

A simple experimental setup to study the impact and coalescence of deposited droplets is described. Droplet impact and coalescence have been investigated by high-speed particle image velocimetry. Velocity fields near the liquid-substrate interface have been observed for the impact and coalescence of 2.4 mm diameter droplets of glycerol∕water striking a flat transparent substrate in air. The experimental arrangement images the internal flow in the droplets from below the substrate with a high-speed camera and continuous laser illumination. Experimental results are in the form of digital images that are processed by particle image velocimetry and image processing algorithms to obtain velocity fields, droplet geometries, and contact line positions. Experimental results are compared with numerical simulations by the lattice Boltzmann method

The effects of a dialogue-based intervention to promote psychosocial well-being after stroke: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a dialogue-based intervention targeting psychosocial well-being at 12 months post-stroke. Design: Multicenter, prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled trial with two parallel groups. Setting: Community. Subjects: Three-hundred and twenty-two adults (⩾18 years) with stroke within the last four weeks were randomly allocated into intervention group (n = 166) or control group (n = 156). Interventions: The intervention group received a dialogue-based intervention to promote psychosocial well-being, comprising eight individual 1–1½ hour sessions delivered during the first six months post-stroke. Main measures: The primary outcome measure was the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Secondary outcome measures included the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39g, the Sense of Coherence scale, and the Yale Brown single-item questionnaire. Results: The mean (SD) age of the participants was 66.8 (12.1) years in the intervention group and 65.7 (13.3) years in the control group. At 12 months post-stroke, the mean (SE) GHQ-28 score was 20.6 (0.84) in the intervention group and 19.9 (0.85) in the control group. There were no between-group differences in psychosocial well-being at 12 months post-stroke (mean difference: −0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): −3.08, 1.60). The secondary outcomes showed no statistically significant between-group difference in health-related quality of life, sense of coherence, or depression at 12 months. Conclusion: The results of this trial did not demonstrate lower levels of emotional distress and anxiety or higher levels of health-related quality of life in the intervention group (dialogue-based intervention) as compared to the control group (usual care) at 12 months post-stroke

Combined cognitive and vocational interventions after mild to moderate traumatic brain injury: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background A considerable proportion of patients with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience long-lasting somatic, cognitive, and emotional symptoms that may hamper their capacity to return to work (RTW). Although several studies have described medical, psychological, and work-related factors that predict RTW after TBI, well-controlled intervention studies regarding RTW are scarce. Furthermore, there has traditionally been weak collaboration among health-related rehabilitation services, the labor and welfare sector, and workplaces. Methods/design This study protocol describes an innovative randomized controlled trial in which we will explore the effect of combining manualized cognitive rehabilitation (Compensatory Cognitive Training [CCT]) and supported employment (SE) on RTW and related outcomes for patients with mild to moderate TBI in real-life competitive work settings. The study will be carried out in the southeastern region of Norway and thereby be performed within the Norwegian welfare system. Patients aged 18–60 years with mild to moderate TBI who are employed in a minimum 50% position at the time of injury and sick-listed 50% or more for postconcussive symptoms 2 months postinjury will be included in the study. A comprehensive assessment of neurocognitive function, self-reported symptoms, emotional distress, coping style, and quality of life will be performed at baseline, immediately after CCT (3 months after inclusion), following the end of SE (6 months after inclusion), and 12 months following study inclusion. The primary outcome measures are the proportion of participants who have returned to work at 12-month follow-up and length of time until RTW, in addition to work stability as well as work productivity over the first year following the intervention. Secondary outcomes include changes in self-reported symptoms, emotional and cognitive function, and quality of life. Additionally, a qualitative RTW process evaluation focused on organizational challenges at the workplace will be performed. Discussion The proposed study will combine cognitive and vocational rehabilitation and explore the efficacy of increased cross-sectoral collaboration between specialized health care services and the labor and welfare system. If the intervention proves effective, the project will describe the cost-effectiveness and utility of the program and thereby provide important information for policy makers. In addition, knowledge about the RTW process for persons with TBI and their workplaces will be provided. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03092713. Registered on 10 March 2017

Skin detachment from salmon and rainbow trout

A survey aimed at relevant stakeholders highlighted loose skin as a quality concern since 2019. The issue is typically detected after storage, with indications of higher prevalence during late spring-summer in Southern-West regions, while during late summer-autumn in Northern regions. The issue seems transient, i.e. skin seems to reattach after a period. Industry statistics and experiments found no correlation between common delousing methods and loose skin. Stress prevention is crucial for fish welfare, also given the observed vulnerability of the adipose tissue under the skin to collapsing under mechanical pressure. In each case of loose skin, a glossy liquid was found between the skin and muscle, being mainly composed of fat (69%), with a higher content of 18:1n-9 and 18:2n-6 (found in plant oils), and a lower content of 22:6n-3 (found in fish oil), compared with the skeletal muscle. Also, the amino acid composition varied, indicating selective leakage. We were unable to obtain rainbow trout with loose skin, but surprisingly large differences in collagen composition were found between the species. No indications of increased activity of degrading enzymes were detected, but the extent of lipid peroxidation was higher in salmon with loose skin compared with salmon with reattached skin, as well as in soft muscle in contrast to firm muscle. Microscopic examinations did not reveal any explicit signs of abnormal connective tissue structure in salmon with loose skin. Instead, variations in the morphology of myofibers were observed. Further, transcriptomics revealed substantial changes in the muscle transcriptome, including a large array of inflammatory genes in fish with loose skin. It is concluded that the issue of loose skin arises while the fish is alive, is associated with soft muscle, and becomes apparent after a certain period post-slaughter. In addition to novel knowledge on loose skin, the project provided useful knowledge that can be utilized in future research on soft texture and fillet gaping.publishedVersio

Skin detachment from salmon and rainbow trout

A survey aimed at relevant stakeholders highlighted loose skin as a quality concern since 2019. The issue is typically detected after storage, with indications of higher prevalence during late spring-summer in Southern-West regions, while during late summer-autumn in Northern regions. The issue seems transient, i.e. skin seems to reattach after a period. Industry statistics and experiments found no correlation between common delousing methods and loose skin. Stress prevention is crucial for fish welfare, also given the observed vulnerability of the adipose tissue under the skin to collapsing under mechanical pressure. In each case of loose skin, a glossy liquid was found between the skin and muscle, being mainly composed of fat (69%), with a higher content of 18:1n-9 and 18:2n-6 (found in plant oils), and a lower content of 22:6n-3 (found in fish oil), compared with the skeletal muscle. Also, the amino acid composition varied, indicating selective leakage. We were unable to obtain rainbow trout with loose skin, but surprisingly large differences in collagen composition were found between the species. No indications of increased activity of degrading enzymes were detected, but the extent of lipid peroxidation was higher in salmon with loose skin compared with salmon with reattached skin, as well as in soft muscle in contrast to firm muscle. Microscopic examinations did not reveal any explicit signs of abnormal connective tissue structure in salmon with loose skin. Instead, variations in the morphology of myofibers were observed. Further, transcriptomics revealed substantial changes in the muscle transcriptome, including a large array of inflammatory genes in fish with loose skin. It is concluded that the issue of loose skin arises while the fish is alive, is associated with soft muscle, and becomes apparent after a certain period post-slaughter. In addition to novel knowledge on loose skin, the project provided useful knowledge that can be utilized in future research on soft texture and fillet gaping.publishedVersio

LGMD2I in a North American population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is a marked variation in clinical phenotypes that have been associated with mutations in <it>FKRP</it>, ranging from severe congenital muscular dystrophies to limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I (LGMD2I).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We screened the <it>FKRP </it>gene in two cohorts totaling 87 patients with the LGMD phenotype.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The c.826C>A, p.L276I mutation was present in six patients and a compound heterozygote mutation in a seventh patient. Six patients had a mild LGMD2I phenotype, which resembles that of Becker muscular dystrophy. The other patient had onset before the age of 3 years, and thus may follow a more severe course.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings suggest that LGMD2I may be common in certain North American populations. This diagnosis should be considered early in the evaluation of LGMD.</p