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Handgrip strength (HS) and knee extensor muscle strength (KEMS) showed a negative correlation with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score at one month following cardiac surgery. We performed a longitudinal study to examine changes in HS/KEMS and DASH score during phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients after cardiac surgery. We measured and assessed HS, KEMS, and DASH score in 41 consecutive patients at one and three months following cardiac surgery and examined the relation between these factors at three months following cardiac surgery. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to analyze the results. Finally, 26 patients (63.2 years, 73.1% male) were analyzed. There were significant differences from one month to three months following cardiac surgery in HS (26.78 ± 8.26 to 31.35 ± 9.41 kgf, p < 0.001), KEMS (1.53 ± 0.42 to 1.72 ± 0.46 Nm/kg, p = 0.001), and DASH score (14.76 ± 12.58 to 7.62 ± 9.29, p < 0.001). DASH score correlated negatively with HS (r = −0.41, p = 0.01) but not with KEMS (r = −0.32, p = 0.09) after three months of phase II CR. Although HS, KEMS, and DASH scores changed significantly from one to three months following cardiac surgery during phase II CR, only HS correlated negatively with DASH score at three months following cardiac surgery.

Background and aims: Maximum phonation time (MPT), which is related to respiratory function, is widely used to evaluate maximum vocal capabilities, because its use is non-invasive, quick, and inexpensive. We aimed to examine differences in MPT by age, following recovery phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Methods: This longitudinal observational study assessed 50 consecutive cardiac patients who were divided into the middle-aged group (

A study of pairs of commutative rings with the same set of prime ideals appears in the literature. In this paper, we investigate pairs of subrings, not necessarily commutative, with a common set of proper ideals.

Background: The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a valid and reliable patient-reported outcome measure. DASH can be assessed by self-reported upper extremity disability and symptoms. We aimed to examine the relationship between the physiological outcome of muscle strength and the DASH score after cardiac surgery. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed 50 consecutive cardiac patients that were undergoing cardiac surgery. Physiological outcomes of handgrip strength and knee extensor muscle strength and the DASH score were measured at one month after cardiac surgery and were assessed. Results were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficients. Results: The final analysis comprised 43 patients (men: 32, women: 11; age: 62.1 ± 9.1 years; body mass index: 22.1 ± 4.7 kg/m2; left ventricular ejection fraction: 53.5 ± 13.7%). Respective handgrip strength, knee extensor muscle strength, and DASH score were 27.4 ± 8.3 kgf, 1.6 ± 0.4 Nm/kg, and 13.3 ± 12.3, respectively. The DASH score correlated negatively with handgrip strength (r = −0.38, p = 0.01) and with knee extensor muscle strength (r = −0.32, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Physiological outcomes of both handgrip strength and knee extensor muscle strength correlated negatively with the DASH score. The DASH score appears to be a valuable tool with which to assess cardiac patients with poor physiological outcomes, particularly handgrip strength as a measure of upper extremity function, which is probably easier to follow over time than lower extremity function after patients complete cardiac rehabilitation.

The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a valid and reliable patient-reported outcome measure. DASH can be assessed by self-reported upper extremity disability and symptoms. We aimed to examine the relationship between the physiological outcome of muscle strength and the DASH score after cardiac surgery. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed 50 consecutive cardiac patients that were undergoing cardiac surgery. Physiological outcomes of handgrip strength and knee extensor muscle strength and the DASH score were measured at one month after cardiac surgery and were assessed. Results were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficients. Results: The final analysis comprised 43 patients (men: 32, women: 11; age: 62.1 ± 9.1 years; body mass index: 22.1 ± 4.7 kg/m2; left ventricular ejection fraction: 53.5 ± 13.7%). Respective handgrip strength, knee extensor muscle strength, and DASH score were 27.4 ± 8.3 kgf, 1.6 ± 0.4 Nm/kg, and 13.3 ± 12.3, respectively. The DASH score correlated negatively with handgrip strength (r = --0.38, p = 0.01) and with knee extensor muscle strength (r = --0.32, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Physiological outcomes of both handgrip strength and knee extensor muscle strength correlated negatively with the DASH score. The DASH score appears to be a valuable tool with which to assess cardiac patients with poor physiological outcomes, particularly handgrip strength as a measure of upper extremity function, which is probably easier to follow over time than lower extremity function after patients complete cardiac rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we consider the product of all elements in the group of units in a finite ring and we generalize Wilson's theorem to finite rings. As an application, we study some generalizations of Wilson's theorem on residually finite Dedekind domains. And we also give some examples for such rings. Moreover we study some generalizations of Wilson's theorem on rings of matrices over a finite commutative ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information about a poster presentation entitled "A New Approach Toward Fall Risk Assessment for Elderly People," by Masumi Nakamura and Yukiko Oya of Saga University, Japan. The presentation questions whether the current assessment for falling propensities in the elderly is sufficient and offers a new screening test that includes risk factors associated with tripping. The study examined the availability of the Recognition of Maximum Stride Length test as a new screening test and also attempted to analyze the relationship between motor control of the lower limb when older people step over obstacles under restricted view conditions.

White blood cells, especially lymphocytes, are susceptible to radiation exposure. In the present study, red blood cell, total white blood cell, and lymphocyte counts were repeatedly measured in cattle living on three farms located in the "difficult‐to‐return zone" of the Fukushima nuclear accident, and compared with two control groups from unaffected areas. Blood cell counts differed significantly between the two control groups, although almost all the values fell within the normal range. The blood cell counts of the cattle in the "difficult‐to‐return zone" varied across sampling times even on the same farms, being sometimes higher or lower than either of the two control groups. However, neither a statistically significant decrease in blood cell counts nor an increase in the rate of cattle with extremely low blood cell counts was observed overall. The estimated cumulative exposure dose for the cattle on the most contaminated farm was within a range of 500–1000 mSv, exceeding the threshold for the lymphopenia. Because of the low dose rate on these farms, potential radiation damages would have been repaired and have not accumulated enough to cause deterministic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Maximum phonation time (MPT), which is related to respiratory function, is widely used to evaluate maximum vocal capabilities, because its use is non-invasive, quick, and inexpensive. We aimed to examine differences in MPT by age, following recovery phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Methods: This longitudinal observational study assessed 50 consecutive cardiac patients who were divided into the middle-aged group (<65 years, n = 29) and older-aged group (≥65 years, n = 21). MPTs were measured at 1 and 3 months after cardiac surgery, and were compared. Results: The duration of MPT increased more significantly from month 1 to month 3 in the middle-aged group (19.2 ± 7.8 to 27.1 ± 11.6 s, p < 0.001) than in the older-aged group (12.6 ± 3.5 to 17.9 ± 6.0 s, p < 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference occurred in the % change of MPT from 1 month to 3 months after cardiac surgery between the middle-aged group and older-aged group, respectively (41.1% vs. 42.1%). In addition, there were no significant interactions of MPT in the two groups for 1 versus 3 months (F = 1.65, p = 0.20). Conclusion: Following phase II, CR improved MPT for all cardiac surgery patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a design method of transmissions for underactuated mechanisms. This transmission consists of active and passive gear trains that align a series of gears over several joints. The transmission has no kinematic singular point that restricts the workspace. Thus, arbitrary joint-connected motions of the underactuated mechanisms can be designed by combining the gear trains. We investigate the kinematics and statics of underactuated mechanisms to find a transmission matrix that realizes the desired connected motions and adaptive grasps. We also develop a method to design gear trains that corresponds to the transmission matrix. We extend this design method with stepped gears and belt–gear mechanisms to increase the design flexibility. The proposed method was experimentally validated using the two- and three-jointed mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Little information exists on the relation between respiratory muscle strength such as maximum inspiratory muscle pressure (MIP) and sarcopenia in elderly cardiac patients. The present study aimed to determine the differences in MIP, and cutoff values for MIP according to sarcopenia in elderly cardiac patients. Methods: We enrolled 63 consecutive elderly male patients aged ≥65 years with cardiac disease in this cross-sectional study. Sarcopenia was defined based on the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People algorithm, and, accordingly, the patients were divided into two groups: the sarcopenia group ( n = 24) and non-sarcopenia group ( n = 39). The prevalence of sarcopenia in cardiac patients and MIP in the patients with and without sarcopenia were assessed to determine cutoff values of MIP. Results: After adjustment for body mass index, the MIP in the sarcopenia group was significantly lower than that in the non-sarcopenia group (54.7 ± 36.8 cmHO; 95 % CI 42.5-72.6 vs. 80.7 ± 34.7 cmHO; 95 % CI 69.5-92.0; F = 4.89, p = 0.029). A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis of patients with and without sarcopenia identified a cutoff value for MIP of 55.6 cmHO, with a sensitivity of 0.76, 1-specificity of 0.37, and AUC of 0.70 (95 % CI 0.56-0.83; p = 0.01) in the study patients. Conclusion: Compared with elderly cardiac patients without sarcopenia, MIP in those with sarcopenia may be negatively affected. The MIP cutoff value reported here may be a useful minimum target value for identifying elderly male cardiac patients with sarcopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we investigate: conditions under which a primitive idempotent in a ring is central; the set of right idealseRwhere e is a primitive idempotent in a ring R; the set of primitive idempotent ideals of a ring; and idempotent elements in the ring of matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Little is known about differences in the risk of poor nutritional status as assessed by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) in relation to physical performance in elderly female cardiac inpatients. The present study aimed to determine both differences in physical performance based on the GNRI and physical performance cut-off values according to the GNRI in elderly female cardiac inpatients. Methods: We enrolled 105 consecutive female Japanese inpatients aged ≥65 years (mean age, 74.6 years) with cardiac disease in this cross-sectional study. We divided the patients into two groups according to GNRI: high-GNRI group (≥92 points) ( n = 71) and low-GNRI group (<92 points) ( n = 34). Handgrip strength (HG), knee extensor muscle strength (KEMS), gait speed (GS), and one-leg standing time (OLST) were assessed as indices of hospital physical performance and compared between the two groups to determine cut-off values of physical performance. Results: After adjustment for age and left ventricular ejection fraction, HG, KEMS, GS, and OLST were significantly lower in the low-GNRI versus high-GNRI group. Cut-off values by ROC curve analysis were 16.2 kgf (AUC = 0.66; p < 0.001) for HG, 34.3 % of body weight (AUC = 0.62; p = 0.04) for KEMS, 1.24 m/s (AUC = 0.72; p < 0.01) for GS, and 8.28 s (AUC = 0.62; p = 0.04) for OLST. Conclusion: The risk of poor nutrition, as indicated by a low GNRI, might be a predictor of lower physical performance. Cut-off values determined in this study might be minimum target goals for physical performance that can be attained by elderly female cardiac inpatients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We continue the study of the right finite intersection property under a weaker condition on annihilators, introducing the concept of generalized right finite intersection property (simply, generalized right FIP). We observe the structure of rings with the generalized right FIP and examine the generalized right FIP for various kinds of basic extensions of rings with the property. We show that the generalized right FIP does not go up to polynomial rings, and that the 2-by-2 full matrix ring over a domain has the generalized right FIP. In the process, we also obtain an equivalent condition for which a nonzero polynomial, over the ring of integers modulo n ≥ 2, is a non-zero-divisor. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We consider a ring whose left modules of finite length are semisimple and prove some results on such a ring. We also consider when such a ring is a left V-ring. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Let R be a semisimple Artinian ring with a partial action α of  on R, and let R[x; α] be the partial skew polynomial ring. By the classification of the set E of all minimal central idempotents in R into three different types, a complete description of the prime radical of R[x; α] is given. Moreover, it is shown that any nonzero prime ideal of R[x; α] is maximal and is either principal or idempotent. In the case where α is of finite type, it is shown that R[x; α] is a semiprime hereditary ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New characteristic properties of left GPGV-rings are given. It is shown that if R is a left GPGV-ring, then for any nonzero element a in R, there is a positive integer n such that an≠ 0 and (RaR+ l(an))⊕ L=R for some left ideal L contained in Soc(RR). As a corollary of this result, we are able to give a positive answer to a question raised by Yue Chi Ming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate a ring R with the property that for every right R-module M and every ideal I of R the annihilator of I in M is a direct summand of M, and determine conditions under which such a ring is semisimple Artinian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the structure of rings R with the property that, for every right R-module M and an ideal I of R, the annihilator of I in M is a direct summand of M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing evidence that human hematopoietic stem cells can develop into lymphocytes expressing T cell surface markers in the organ culture of murine embryonic thymic lobes. If human T cells with functional maturity are inducible from human stem cells in the mouse, it may be a useful model to investigate human T cell development and the human immune response in vivo. To approach this, we produced a hybrid cluster of murine fetal thymic epithelial cells and human cord blood‐derived CD34+ cells (hu/m cluster) using reaggregate thymic organ culture, and subsequently implanted it under the kidney capsule of NOD/SCID mice. The implanted hu/m cluster grew in volume under the kidney capsule and contained increased numbers of CD4+CD8+cells as well as CD4 or CD8 single‐positive cells with low CD1a expression. These lymphocytes were also shown to possess activity for producing IL‐2 and IL‐4. Characteristics similar to human T cells also developed in the thymus of newly established mice lacking NK activity from NOD/SCID mice. These results indicate that functionally mature T cells can develop in vivo from human hematopoietic progenitors in the murine environment composed of thymic epithelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A ring R is called (left principally) quasi-Baer if the left annihilator of every (principal) left ideal of R is generated by an idempotent. We show that if R is (left principally) quasi-Baer and G is an ordered monoid, then the monoid ring RG is again (left principally) quasi-Baer. When R is (left principally) quasi-Baer and G is an ordered group acting on R, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for the skew group ring R#G to be (left principally) quasi-Baer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]