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Measurement Points (measurement + point)
Selected AbstractsIdentification of genetic aberrations on chromosome 22 outside the NF2 locus in schwannomatosis and neurofibromatosis type 2,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 6 2005Patrick G. Buckley Abstract Schwannomatosis is characterized by multiple peripheral and cranial nerve schwannomas that occur in the absence of bilateral 8th cranial nerve schwannomas. The latter is the main diagnostic criterion of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), which is a related but distinct disorder. The genetic factors underlying the differences between schwannomatosis and NF2 are poorly understood, although available evidence implicates chromosome 22 as the primary location of the gene(s) of interest. To investigate this, we comprehensively profiled the DNA copy number in samples from sporadic and familial schwannomatosis, NF2, and a large cohort of normal controls. Using a tiling-path chromosome 22 genomic array, we identified two candidate regions of copy number variation, which were further characterized by a PCR-based array with higher resolution. The latter approach allows the detection of minute alterations in total genomic DNA, with as little as 1.5,kb per measurement point of nonredundant sequence on the array. In DNA derived from peripheral blood from a schwannomatosis patient and a sporadic schwannoma sample, we detected rearrangements of the immunoglobulin lambda (IGL) locus, which is unlikely to be due to a B-cell specific somatic recombination of IGL. Analysis of normal controls indicated that these IGL rearrangements were restricted to schwannomatosis/schwannoma samples. In the second candidate region spanning GSTT1 and CABIN1 genes, we observed a frequent copy number polymorphism at the GSTT1 locus. We further describe missense mutations in the CABIN1 gene that are specific to samples from schwannomatosis and NF2 and make this gene a plausible candidate for contributing to the pathogenesis of these disorders. Hum Mutat 26(6), 540,549, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Ten-Year Longitudinal Relationship Between Physical Activity and Lumbar Bone Mass in (Young) Adults,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2003Ingrid Bakker Abstract Little is known about the influence of long-term daily physical activity (PA) on lumbar bone mass after peak bone mass has been reached, that is, during [young] adulthood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal relationship between PA and lumbar bone mineral density (LBMD) in healthy subjects over a 10-year period. The data reported here relate to 225 male and 241 female participants in the Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study, who were measured at the mean ages of 27, 32, and/or 36. LBMD, habitual daily PA, total body weight, and calcium intake were assessed at each measurement point. The effects of two aspects of PA were analyzed: the mechanical (MECHPA; sum of all ground reaction forces) and metabolic (METPA; weighted metabolic score of intensity, frequency, and duration) components, each within a separate model. Multilevel analysis was used to investigate the relationship between PA and LBMD over the 10-year period. Gender, total body weight, and calcium intake were included in the analysis as covariates. The results indicated that MECHPA was a significant positive linear predictor of LBMD for males (r = 0.09; p < 0.001) but not for females. For the METPA, no linear longitudinal relationship with LBMD was found. The results suggest that there is a metabolic threshold at which extra PA becomes "deleterious" and METPA in its totality becomes ineffective for LBMD. It is concluded that during the (young) adult period, between 27 and 36 years of age, PA causing mechanical loading on the skeleton has a small positive influence on LBMD in males. [source] A prospective study on the persistence of infant crying, sleeping and feeding problems and preschool behaviourACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2010G Schmid Abstract Aim:, To determine the persistence of regulatory problems (RP), i.e. excessive crying (>3 months of age), feeding and sleeping difficulties from infancy to preschool age, and to evaluate whether RP at 5 months are predictive of preschool adaptive behaviour and social skills. Method:, A prospective population study of newborns admitted to neonatal care. RP at 5, 20 and 56 months of age were obtained via parent interviews and neurological examination and preschool adaptive behaviour and social skills by parent ratings. Logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted and controlled for psychosocial and neurological factors. Results:, More than half of the sample had RP at least at one measurement point. In about 8% of infants, RP persisted across the preschool years. Multiple RP and feeding problems increased the odds of eating problems at 20 and 56 months. Persistent RP and feeding problems were predictive of deficits in preschool adaptive behaviour and social skills. In addition, sex differences were found. Conclusions:, Multiple RP and feeding problems had the highest stability. Persistent RP were predictive of adverse social and adaptive behaviour. Understanding of the aetiology may help to prevent persistent RP [source] A refined technique for determining the respiratory gas exchange responses to anaerobic metabolism during progressive exercise , repeatability in a group of healthy menCLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING, Issue 1 2004Anita G. M. Wisén Summary The respiratory gas exchange and ventilation during an incremental cycle exercise test were analysed in a group of 19 healthy, moderately fit men. Different computer algorithms were used to estimate the V,O2 values where: (i) the rate of V,CO2 increase just exceeds the rate of V,O2 increase (DX, derivative crossing), (ii) V,CO2/V,O2 = 1·00 (PX, point of crossing) and (iii) ventilation (V,E) increases disproportionately in relation to V,CO2 (PQ, point of V,CO2 equivalent rise). The DX and PQ measurements were analysed using a new approach employing polynomial regression and the value of PX was determined following low-pass filtration of raw data. The repeatability of the measurements was evaluated with a 5,6 week interval between the tests. The correlations between tests were 0·75 at DX, 0·85 at PX and 0·62 at PQ. The mean differences between the repeated tests were not statistically significant. The repeatability of V,O2, in absolute values expressed as ±2 SD of the differences between the tests, had values of 5·0, 6·1 and 9·5 ml min,1 kg,1 for DX, PX and PQ, respectively. The mean value of V,O2 for each measurement point expressed as a percentage of V,O2max was 54% at DX, 68% at PX and 70% at PQ. The most common sequence of the measured values was DX < PX < PQ, but the sequence DX < PQ < PX was also observed. It is concluded that the gas exchange responses to developing anaerobic metabolism during progressive exercise can be characterized by a series of thresholds. However, the considerable variation in absolute values in the two testing occasions requires further attention. [source] Coping as a mediator between personality and stress outcomes: a longitudinal study with cataract surgery patientsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 3 2005Nina Knoll Personality and coping were specified as predictors of emotional outcomes of a mildly stressful medical procedure. Situation-specific coping was examined in contrast to dispositional coping, and it was tested whether one or the other would mediate the relationship between higher-order personality factors and stress outcomes. Cataract patients (N=110) participated at four measurement points in time during a six-week period surrounding their scheduled surgery. Dispositional coping did not mediate the personality,outcome relationship. In contrast, situation-specific coping acquired a mediator status between personality and adaptational criteria and accounted for independent outcome variance once personality traits were included as predictors in the models. Thus, the data suggest that whether or not coping mediates between personality factors and affective outcomes may be related to the methodological approaches of its operationalization. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Nursing home care: whodunit?JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 11 2006Aggie TG Paulus PhD Aims and objectives., (1) To analyse and compare (changes and differences in) activity profiles of various types of nursing home care. (2) To assess the impact of integrated care on these activity profiles. Background., Because of an ongoing introduction of integrated nursing home care, caregivers increasingly have to co-ordinate their activities, engage into interprofessional relationships and take over each other's tasks. Consequently, activity profiles [i.e. combinations of (contributions to) care activities and the roles that perform them] are expected to change. Design/methods., At three measurement points in the period 1999,2003, caregivers (in 18 different roles) recorded and listed direct and indirect care activities. A total of 41 335 lists were analysed to derive activity profiles of traditional, transitional and integrated nursing home care in the Netherlands. Results., Traditional, transitional and integrated care shared some comparable activity profiles. Integrated care differed from the other types with respect to the contribution of the geriatric nurse, recreational activities supervisor, nutrition assistant, household assistant and nursing assistant to activities such as extra care, handling food and club activities. Contrary to the other roles, the licensed practical nurse contributed to (almost) all activities in all types of care. Conclusions., Nursing home care has several recurring activity profiles. These profiles are the same in all types of nursing home care. The introduction of integrated care implies that particular profiles have to be added to these profiles. As a generalist, the licensed practical nurse seems to play a key role in all activity profiles. Relevance to clinical practice., Because of demographic and financial pressures, integrated care for older people becomes increasingly important. By addressing the impact of integrated care on activity profiles, this paper provides information on how new types of care can be delivered in the most effective manner. [source] Adherence to a daily flossing regimen in university students: effects of planning when, where, how and what to do in the face of barriersJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 9 2006Benjamin Schüz Abstract: Objectives: Regular (daily) dental flossing is recommended for preventing oral diseases, but adherence is unsatisfactory. Social cognitive theory (SCT) specifies determinants of dental flossing: Cognitions about risk, positive and negative outcome expectations and the perceived ability to perform behaviour predict motivation, which in turn predicts behaviour. Recent research suggests that motivation alone may not suffice to predict behaviour, and proposes if-then-planning. This study aims to predict flossing adherence from social cognitive variables and planning. Material and Methods: Questionnaire data from 157 non-dental university students on flossing, SCT variables and planning were gathered at three measurement points over 6 weeks. Residual floss was used to validate behaviour self-reports. Results: Social cognitive variables and planning correlated significantly with flossing at all times. Discriminant function analysis suggests that after controlling for Time 1 flossing, planning Time 2 (Wilk's ,=0.77; p<0.01) is more important in discriminating between adherent and non-adherent participants at Time 3 than Time 1 social cognitive measures. Regression analyses confirmed this result with planning as only predictor of flossing change (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest targeting planning in interventions to increase compliance with flossing recommendations. Implications for such interventions are discussed. [source] Hepatocyte dynamics in a three-dimensional rotating bioreactorJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 11 2007Mitsuo Miyazawa Abstract Background and Aims:, The use of an artificial liver system with extracorporeal circulation or a three-dimensional bioreactor perfused with liquid culture medium inevitably exposes hepatocytes to fluid mechanical stress (MS). The expression of liver-specific hepatocyte functions seems to be modulated by the magnitude of MS. Nonetheless, few studies have focused on the direct effects of MS on hepatocytes. We subjected hepatocytes to MS using an MS loading device and investigated the effects on the cytoskeleton and hepatocyte dynamics inside three-dimensional scaffolds by monitoring the changes in actin fiber, one of the components of the cytoskeleton. We also assessed the influence of MS on specific hepatocyte functions. Methods:, We subjected hepatocytes to MS by a rotating radial flow bioreactor (RRFB) and examined the effects by comparing the MS-loaded culture cells with cells cultured under stationary conditions without MS loading. The hepatocytes (1 × 106/cm3) were seeded on gauze without collagen coating and examined to determine morphological changes after 60 h incubation. Actin filaments in samples from the MS-loaded hepatocyte culture were stained by fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled phalloidin. Results:, Hepatocyte aggregation was observed in the MS-loaded culture, but not in the unloaded stationary culture. Better albumin products were observed in the MS-loaded group than in the stationary culture group at all measurement points. Actin filaments extended toward the scaffold after the start of MS loading incubation and polymerized around the hepatocytes. The hepatocyte aggregation eventually advanced to the formation of spheroids. Conclusion:, These results suggest that MS-induced polymerization of actin filaments stimulate hepatocyte aggregation and thereby improve hepatocyte-specific function. [source] A psychological contract perspective on organizational citizenship behavior,JOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, Issue 8 2002Jacqueline A-M. This study examined the contribution of the psychological contract framework to understanding organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) using survey data gathered at three measurement points over a three-year period from 480 public sector employees. Separating perceived contract breach into its two components (perceived employer obligations and inducements), the data suggest that perceived employer obligations explained unique variance in three dimensions of citizenship behavior (helping, advocacy and functional participation) beyond that accounted for by perceived employer inducements. Employees' acceptance of the norm of reciprocity moderated the relationship between employer inducements and the dimensions of advocacy and functional participation. Employees' trust in their employer moderated the relationship between perceived employer obligations and the dimensions of advocacy and functional participation. Contrary to the hypothesis, procedural or interactional justice did not moderate the relationship between employer inducements and OCB. The implications of the findings for psychological contract research are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Contribution of Self-Efficacy Beliefs to Dispositional Shyness: On Social-Cognitive Systems and the Development of Personality DispositionsJOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 6 2003Gian Vittorio Caprara Self-efficacy measures, taken at the initial measurement period, included indices of perceived self-efficacy for forming and maintaining social relationships, dealing effectively with parents, managing negative emotions, and expressing positive emotions towards others. Levels of self-reported shyness as well as emotional stability were assessed also at time 1, with shyness measured again at the follow-up assessment two years later. Structural equation modeling indicated that two of the four self-efficacy measures uniquely contributed to levels of shyness reported at time 1, and that perceptions of social self-efficacy uniquely contributed to shyness at time 2 even when considering the effects of time 1 shyness levels. Emotional stability did not uniquely contributed to time 2 shyness after considering the relation between shyness at the first and second measurement points. The broad implications of social-cognitive analyses for the study of personality development are discussed. [source] Impact of an exercise and walking protocol on quality of life for elderly people with OA of the kneePHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2003Rosângela Corrêa Dias Abstract Background and Purpose The knee is the weight-bearing joint most commonly affected by osteoarthritis (OA). The symptoms of pain, morning stiffness of short duration and physical dysfunction in the activities of daily living (ADL) can have an effect on many aspects of health, affecting quality of life. Regular and moderate physical activity adapted to individuals' life-styles and education, and joint protection strategies have been advocated as conservative management. The purpose of the present study was to assess the impact of an exercise and walking protocol on the quality of life of elderly people with knee OA. Method The study design was a randomized controlled clinical trial. The subjects comprised 50 elderly people, aged 65 or more, with knee OA who had been referred to the geriatric outpatient unit for rehabilitation. Changes in severity of pain and quality of life were compared between a control group (CG) and an experimental group (EG). Both groups participated in an educational session and the EG also received a 12-week exercise and walking protocol. Both groups were assessed at baseline and after three and six months by an independent observer. The Lequesne Index of Knee OA Severity (LI), the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used as measurement instruments. Results In the CG, the measures of quality of life (SF-36), the HAQ and the LI between subjects did not yield statistically significant differences over the three measurement points. For the EG, there was a significant improvement in function, measured by HAQ, and decreasing OA symptom severity, measured by LI. For the SF-36 there were significant improvements in physical function, functional role limitation and pain. Comparisons between the groups showed statistically significant differences after three and six months for all measures, except for the SF-36 emotional domains. Conclusion The exercise protocol and walking programme had a positive effect on the quality of life of elderly individuals with knee OA. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] LDA Velocity Measurements of High-Viscosity Fluids in Mixing Vessel with Vane Geometry ImpellerTHE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2007Lidija Slemenik Perse Abstract The object of this work was to measure the velocity field in non-Newtonian fluids inside mixing vessel. The six-bladed vane rotor used for mixing was designed from rotating vane geometry of a sensor system, commonly used for rheometrical measurements of complex fluids (Barnes and Nguyen, J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 98, 1-14 (2001); Schramm, 1994). During mixing, the viscosity was determined by measuring the torque at different impeller speeds, and compared to rheologically obtained shear dependent viscosity. The velocity field was determined by LDA measurements at twelve places inside mixing vessel. It was observed that axial and radial component of the velocity were insignificant at all measurement points. On the other hand, the results showed the periodic nature of tangential component of the velocity, which was confirmed with computer-aided visualization method. Ce travail avait pour objectif de mesurer le champ de vitesse dans des fluides non newtoniens dans un réservoir de mélange. Le rotor à six pales utilisé pour le mélange a été conçu d'après la géométrie des ailettes rotatives d'un système de senseurs, communément utilisés dans les mesures rhéométriques de fluides complexes (Barnes and Nguyen, J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 98, 1-14 (2001); Schramm, 1994). Lors du mélange, on a déterminé la viscosité en mesurant le couple à différentes vitesses de turbine, puis on l'a comparée à la viscosité de cisaillement obtenue rhéologiquement. Le champ de vitesse a été déterminé par des mesures LDA à douze positions dans le réservoir de mélange. On a observé que la composante axiale et radiale de la vitesse était négligeable pour tous les points de mesure. Par ailleurs, les résultats montrent la nature périodique de la composante tangentielle de la vitesse, ce qui est confirmé par une méthode de visualisation assistée par ordinateur. [source] Pre-oxygenation in healthy volunteers: a comparison of the supine and 45° seated positions,ANAESTHESIA, Issue 10 2010S. J. Smith Summary Pre-oxygenation in the seated (sitting) position has been associated with better oxygenation. This randomised, cross over study compared oxygenation in the supine position with that in the 45° seated position in 40 young, healthy volunteers. Oxygen was administered through a circle system and tight fitting facemask. Transcutaneous Po2 levels were recorded at 10-s intervals from two measurement points during 4 min of oxygenation in the two positions. The mean (SD) values of 12 measurements taken between the third and fourth minute were recorded. There was no difference in the increase in tissue oxygenation when comparing the supine and seated positions (32.7 (7.3) vs 32.6 (6.7) kPa, respectively). We conclude that there is no evidence that pre-oxygenation in the 45° seated position improves tissue oxygenation in young healthy volunteers compared with the supine position. [source] Smoking, alcohol use and engagement in exercise and cognitive performance among older adultsAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 2 2002Janet Bryan Objectives: To examine cross-sectional and longitudinal effects of history of smoking, alcohol use and engagement in exercise on cognitive performance. Method: Health habits and cognitive performance of a large community sample of older adults were assessed at measurement points two years apart. Results: Past smokers performed more poorly on tests of recall and speed of information processing at times 1 and 2 than those who had never smoked. Past smokers and moderate users of alcohol performed better on confrontation naming and working memory, than those who had never smoked or drank alcohol. Engagement in exercise was related to immediate recall and speed of processing before, but not after, controlling for covariates. Health habits were not related to longitudinal change in cognition. Conclusions: The results suggest a negative effect of history of smoking on effortful cognitive tasks and a protective effect of alcohol use on more automatic cognitive tasks among older adults. [source] A Standard Protocol for Liana Censuses,BIOTROPICA, Issue 2 2006Jeffrey J. Gerwing ABSTRACT A recent increase in published studies of lianas has been paralleled by a proliferation of protocols for censusing lianas. This article seeks to increase uniformity in liana inventories by providing specific recommendations for the determination of which taxa to include, the location of diameter measurement points on individual stems, the setting of minimum stem diameter cutoffs, the treatment of multiple-stemmed and rooted clonal groups, and the measurement of noncylindrical stems. Use of more uniform liana censusing protocols may facilitate comparison of independently collected data sets and further our understanding of global patterns in liana abundance, diversity, biomass, and dynamics. RESUMEN El reciente incremento de publicaciones sobre bejucos ha estado acompañado por una proliferación de protocolos para censarlos. Este artículo busca incrementar la uniformidad de los inventarios de lianas dando recomendaciones específicas sobre los taxa que deben incluirse, la ubicación de los puntos de medición del diámetro en tallos individuales, el establecimiento de diámetros mínimos de medición, la forma de tratar a grupos de tallos múltiples y clones arraigados, y la medición de tallos no cilíndricos. El uso de protocolos de medición más uniformes facilitará la comparación de bases de datos colectadas de forma independiente y incrementará nuestro entendimiento de patrones globales de abundancia, diversidad, biomasa y dinámica de lianas. [source] Parameter identification for lined tunnels in a viscoplastic mediumINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 12 2002B. Lecampion Abstract This paper is dedicated to the identification of constitutive parameters of elasto-viscoplastic constitutive law from measurements performed on deep underground cavities (typically tunnels). This inverse problem is solved by the minimization of a cost functional of least-squares type. The exact gradient is computed by the direct differentiation method and the descent is done using the Levenberg,Marquardt algorithm. The method is presented for lined or unlined structures and is applied for an elastoviscoplastic constitutive law of the Perzyna class. Several identification problems are presented in one and two dimensions for different tunnel geometries. The used measurements have been obtained by a preliminary numerical simulation and perturbed with a white noise. The identified responses match the measurements. We also discuss the usage of the sensitivity analysis of the system, provided by the direct differentiation method, for the optimization of in situ monitoring. The sensitivity distribution in space and time assess the location of the measurements points as well as the time of observation needed for reliable identification. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||||||||