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Abstract: The oxidation of a Mo(Si,Al)2 composite is investigated at 1500 °C in dry air using exposure times from 1 to 1000 h. Cross sections are examined with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the phase composition is analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The material forms a continuous and protective alumina layer, the growth of the alumina layer following parabolic kinetics. Immediately below the scale Mo(Si,Al)2 is replaced by a Mo5(Si,Al)3 layer due to the flux of aluminum to the scale. The Al concentration in the Mo(Si,Al)2 phase in the underlying substrate decreases from 27% before exposure to 16–17% after 1000 h. The continuous alumina layer becomes covered by a top layer consisting of alumina grains embedded in a viscous melt with approximate composition 7 Na2O–15 Al2O3–78 SiO2. With time, sodium is volatilized from the melt and the top scale layer transforms to a mixture of alumina, mullite and silica melt. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The FeCrAIRE (where RE is reactive element) alloy Kanthal AF was exposed isothermally at 600 and 800°C for 72 h in dry O2 and in °2 with 10 vol % H2O. The mass gains were 3-5 times higher at the higher temperature. The presence of water vapor increased the oxidation rate at 800°C, while no significant effect was observed at 600°C. A thin two-layered oxide formed at 600°C: an outer (Fe,Cr)2O3 corundum-type oxide, containing some Al, and an inner, probably amorphous, Al-rich oxide. At 800°C a two-layered oxide formed in both environments. The inner layer consisted of inward grown α-A12O3. In dry O2 the originally formed outward grown αy-Al2O3 had transformed to α-A12O3 after 72 h. Water vapor stabilized the outward grown y-A12O3 and hence no transformation occurred after 72 h in humid environment. RE-rich oxide particles with varying composition (Y, Zr, and Ti) were distributed in the base oxide at both temperatures and in both environments. The RE-rich particles were separated from the alloy substrate by a layer of Al-rich oxide. At 800°C the Y-rich RE particles were surrounded by thick oxide patches in both dry and humid O2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Nursing home residents constitute a frail, multi-diseased and heterogeneous group. As physical activity is essential for the preservation of function, personalized training and activities are of great importance. The main objective of this study was to describe the influence of an indiVidually tailored intervention program, in a nursing home setting, on physical capacity, degree of dependence in Activities of Daily LiVing (ADL), long-term participation in physical ancVor daily activities, and self-rated wellbeing. The aim of the present work is to describe the overall design of the study. Methods: Nursing homes in Sweden, Norway and Denmark were involved, and 322 residents were randomized to either Intervention or Control groups. The intervention lasted for three months and consisted of physical and daily activities, led by physiotherapists and occupational therapists, and was built on their evaluations and on the goals expressed by each resident. Tests of muscle strength, mobility, balance function and confidence, ADL, level of physical activity, wellbeing and cognitive function were performed at baseline, directly after the intervention period and three months later. Results: They will be presented in articles to follow. Conclusions: Although it isa great challenge to carry out an intervention study directed toward such a frail population, it is of great interest to find out whether individually tailored and enhanced activities can lead to decreased dependence in ADL and increased wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The oxidation of a (Mo, W)Si2-based composite was investigated in the temperature range (350–950°C). The influence of temperature and water vapour on the oxidation was examined. The kinetics was studied using a thermobalance whereas the morphology and composition of the oxides were examined using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Focused ion beam (FIB) milling was performed on some of the oxide scales which allowed us to look at a non-mechanically disturbed scale/oxide in cross-section. Rapid oxidation was found to occur in the 550–750°C temperature range. The mass gains were significantly larger in O2 than in O2 +10%H2O. The different mass changes in the two exposure atmospheres were attributed to the higher vapour pressure of the volatile MoO2(OH)2 and WO2(OH)2 species in O2 +10%H2O than that of (MoO3)3 and (WO3)3 in dry O2. The peak mass gain was found to occur at a temperature of about 750°C in O2 and 650°C in O2 +10%H2O. At temperatures above 850°C, especially when water vapour is present, the removal of Mo and W from the oxide scales is rapid enough to allow partial healing of the silica, causing the oxidation rate to drop. At 950°C in O2 +10%H2O, a protective SiO2 scale could be re-established quickly and maintained, causing the oxidation to essentially cease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of the review was to determine, from a physiotherapeutic perspective, existing tools that assess neglect and whether there was support for the positive effect of physiotherapeutic interventions on neglect after stroke. The review was based on publicized randomized controlled studies and reviews about neglect and stroke. The databases PubMed (Medline), Ahmed, Cinahl, PeDRO and PsycINFO were queried from 1980 until March 2007. A checklist from the Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU) was used to evaluate the quality of randomized controlled studies; a model for analysis of systematic reviews from SBU was used for reviews. Specific training for the neglect syndrome was recommended. There was moderate evidence for spatio-motor cueing and scanning training towards the effected side. The literature also indicated that trunk rotation or repeated neck muscle vibrations when associated with an extensive training programme, mental imagery training, video feedback training and prism adaptation could be recommended for the rehabilitation of stroke patients with neglect. Treatment with Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) has shown some promising results. None of the tools designed to assess neglect evaluated physical performance. From a physiotherapeutic point of view, there is limited evidence for treatment of patients with neglect after stroke and the way neglect should be assessed. Scanning training and activation of the affected hemisphere with spatio-motor cueing can be effectual. Several assessment tools in combination are recommended. Further randomized controlled trials with larger samples concerning physiotherapeutic interventions are warranted, in order to evaluate new techniques targeting cognitive processes contributing to clinical manifestations of neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this prospective study, undertaken in elderly patients with stroke undergoing rehabilitation, were to determine to what extent fall-related self-efficacy changes over time, its relationships to objectively assessed functions and activities, and the predictive capacity of self-efficacy at discharge for activities of daily living 10 months after stroke. METHODS: The study comprised 37 patients, aged 66-89 years. Main outcome measurement instruments were the Falls Efficacy Scale (Swedish version), Berg Balance Scale and Functional Independence Measure. RESULTS: Significant improvements occurred in all these measures from admission to discharge, but patients with low self-efficacy at discharge showed less pronounced improvements than those with high self-efficacy. Falls Efficacy Scale (Swedish version) was closely associated with all other measures and was a more powerful predictor of activities of daily living than the observer-based measures of balance. CONCLUSION: To minimize dependence in activities of daily living, rehabilitation interventions should incorporate self-efficacy enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principal aim of this investigation was to relate perceived confidence in task performance without falling and observer-assessed balance, both to each other and to motor function at three different times after a first stroke. Sixty-two patients 24-65 years of age participated in this study. Perceived confidence in task performance was self-reported using a Swedish modification of the Falls-Efficacy Scale (FES(S)). For observer assessments the Berg Balance Scale and the balance and motor function sections of the Fugl-Meyer Stroke Assessment Instrument were used. Assessments were performed on admission, at discharge, and at a 10-month follow-up. FES(S) was significantly associated with observer-assessed balance (rho = 0.46-0.68) and motor function (rho = 0.45-0.56) on admission and on discharge (rho = 0.38-0.51) . At follow-up these correlations were generally weaker, ranging from 0.20-0.49. We conclude that self-reported confidence in task performance is a valuable measure in clinical practice, adding information to that gained from objective assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To examine the scaling properties and test-retest reliability of an expanded version of the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) and to compare group differences in the scores. The expanded version focuses on more basic, primary activities of daily living (ADL), which makes the scale more suitable for subjects with moderate to low functional ability, e.g. patients with stroke. DESIGN: A test-retest reliability study with one group convenience sample. SETTING: Two day-care units: a rehabilitation unit and a geriatric rehabilitation unit. SUBJECTS: A volunteer sample of 30 patients (mean age 65 years, SD 11 years) who had sustained stroke between 5 and 84 months prior to the investigation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: A 13-activity questionnaire (the Swedish modification of the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES(S)) comprising the 10 activities of the original FES and three additional activities was used. Falls efficacy was rated on a 10-point visual analogue scale for each activity on two occasions, 5-22 (mean 10, Md 7) days apart. RESULTS: The overall test-retest reliability of the FES(S) was high (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.97). The ICC for the personal ADL (items 1-6) scores was 0.93 and for the instrumental ADL (items 8-13) 0.97. ICC for the individual items ranged from 0.76 to 0.97. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these preliminary findings, the FES(S) appears to have acceptable test-retest reliability. The test may be a reasonable addition for assessing stroke patients with balance disturbances and risk for falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six middle-aged patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes and six normoglycemic control subjects were fed protein-rich and fat-poor (diet A) or protein-poor and fat-rich food (diet B). The patients were hyperglycemic, VLDL triglycerides levels were higher, and HDL cholesterol levels lower than corresponding findings in control subjects. Bile acid formation and biliary lipid composition did not differ between the two groups, but net steroid balance in the patients was elevated by a factor of ~2. A switch from diet A to B in control subject was associated with an increase in HDL cholesterol and decreases in bile acid synthesis and net steroid balance. Lipoprotein pattern in the patients remained unchanged, and effects on total bile acid production and steroid balance were less consistent. It is suggested that the response in the patients reflected diabetes-associated abnormalities in lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bile acid composition was determined in duodenal and jejunal aspirates obtained under fasting conditions in normolipidaemic controls and in patients with the type IIa and type IV lipoprotein patterns. In 17 out of the 22 subjects studied, the duodenal as compared with the jejunal aspirates contained proportionally more CD (chenodeoxycholic acid) than C (cholic acid). The two types of aspirates also differed slightly with regard to the D (deoxycholic acid): CD ratio, which was higher in samples drawn from the jejunum. These findings, compatible with an absorpiton of about 30% of CD in the upper small intestine, were approximately the same in all groups of patients. As evidenced by additional experiments in two subjects, an oral intake of cream does not significantly influence the absorption of CD in the upper small intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]