Objective: (1) To evaluate constraint-induced movement therapy for chronic stroke patients modified into group practice to limit the demand on therapist resources. (2) To explore whether extended mitt use alone may enhance outcome. Design: A combined case-control and randomized controlled study with pre- and post-treatment measures by blinded observers. Setting: A university hospital rehabilitatio

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the quantitative factor V (FV) deficiency associated with the FV R2 haplotype, 4 missense mutations, Met385Thr, His1299Arg, Met1736Val, and Asp2194Gly, identified in the R2 haplotype allele, were analyzed by in vitro expression studies. The FV variant carrying all 4 mutations showed a markedly lower steady-state expression level than wild-type FV because

A quantum coherent capacitor subject to large amplitude pulse cycles can be made to emit or reabsorb an electron in each half cycle. Quantized currents with pulse cycles in the GHz range have been demonstrated experimentally. We develop a nonlinear dynamical scattering theory for arbitrary pulses to describe the properties of this very fast single electron source. Using our theory we analyze the a

The intrinsic spin Hall effect on spin accumulation and electric conductance in a diffusive regime of a 2D electron gas has been studied for a 2D strip of a finite width. It is shown that the spin polarization near the flanks of the strip, as well as the electric current in the longitudinal direction, exhibit damped oscillations as a function of the width and strength of the Dresselhaus spin-orbit

The aim was to investigate quality of life (QoL) in elderly persons newly diagnosed with cancer (65+ years) in relation to age, contact with the health-care system, ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL), hope, social network and support, and to identify which factors were associated with low QoL. The sample consisted of 101 patients (75 women and 26 men) newly diagnosed with cancer.

The halotolerance of a cold adapted alpha-amylase from the psychrophilic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis (AHA) was investigated. AHA exhibited hydrolytic activity over a broad range of NaCl concentrations (0.01-4.5 M). AHA showed 28% increased activity in 0.5-2.0 M NaCl compared to that in 0.01 M NaCl. In contrast, the corresponding mesophilic (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) and thermostable

Quantum chemical calculations providing detailed information of dye-sensitized semiconductor nanocrystals are presented. The calculations are used to elucidate both structural and electronic properties of photoelectrochemical devices, such as environmentally friendly Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs), at the molecular level. Quantum chemical calculations have recently been performed on both organ

A co-ordinated series of field experiments were conducted to consider the effects of elevated UV-B radiation applied directly to decomposing plant litter. Betula pubescens was decomposed under ambient and elevated UV-B (simulating a 15% ozone depletion) using outdoor irradiation facilities at Adventdalen, Norway (78° N), Abisko, Sweden (68° N), Amsterdam, The Netherlands (52° N,) and Patras, Greec

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been reported to be useful in the differential diagnosis between abscesses and cystic or necrotic tumours. However, experience is still limited and the true sensitivity and specificity remain to be determined. Our purpose is to describe a ring-enhancing metastasis of adenocarcinoma with a DWI pattern similar to that reported for abscesses. The tumour had a diam

Aim The distribution of taxa ('microspecies') in the apomictic species complexes Hieracium L. sect. Hieracium and H. sect. Vulgata (Griseb.) Willk. and Lange have been analysed to test whether the geographical distribution of species within each complex will reflect historical processes and phenomena, e.g. historical barriers to migration and range expansion. It is argued that apomictic species ca

The outcome of management of diabetic foot ulcers is poor and there is uncertainty concerning optimal approaches to management. We have undertaken a systematic review to identify interventions for which there is evidence of effectiveness. A search was made for reports of the effectiveness of interventions assessed in terms of healing, ulcer area or amputation in controlled clinical studies publish

The classic Sherman-Lauricella integral equation and an integral equation due to Muskhelishvili for the interior stress problem are modified. The modified formulations differ from the classic ones in several respects: Both modifications are based on uniqueness conditions with clear physical interpretations and, more importantly, they do not require the arbitrary placement of a point inside the com

Social insects have evolved remarkable physiological adaptations and behavioural strategies that enable them to access new temporal foraging niches (for example [1]). Here we report striking correlations between the timing of foraging bouts and the modification of eye structure in four species of ants belonging to the primitive genus Myrmecia. Most noteworthy, photoreceptor diameters progressively

AIM: Estimation of microvessel density (MVD) in primary breast cancer in core needle biopsies (CNB) may predict response to systemic therapy. The aim of the present study was to explore the accuracy of assessment of MVD in CNB related to MVD in excised tumours. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MVD was estimated in core biopsies and subsequently excised tumours in 54 consecutive patients with breast cancer wi

In a previous report we used the Linked Dipole Chain model unintegrated gluon densities to investigate the uncertainties in the predictions for central exclusive production of scalars at hadron colliders. Here we expand this investigation by also looking at other parameterizations of the unintegrated gluon density, and look in more detail on the behavior of these at small k(). We confirm our concl

Background. Independent risk factors for death in patients waiting for elective coronary artery bypass surgery have previously been identified. A prioritization where these factors are considered may potentially reduce waiting list mortality. A simple score based on the risk factors was constructed and validated. Methods. A scoring system based on risk factors in 5,864 consecutive patients operate

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key factors of innate immunity that detect pathogen invasion and trigger a host response. TLR4 can mediate a response through adaptor molecules, MyD88 or TRIF. In the present study, streptomycin-treated MyD88(-/-), Tlr4(-/-), Trif (Lps2/Lps2), and C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice were infected with either Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing or non-producing Escherichia coli O157:

Hydrophobic interactions are highly selective, and differences in surface hydrophobicities between proteins can be used as an efficient handle to facilitate protein isolation. Aromatic amino acid residues are of particular importance for molecular recognition because they have a key role in several biological functions. The hydrophobicity of a protein can easily be altered with minor genetic modif