Assessment of the 2 Conventional Physiotherapy Sessions Alone versus One Session Associated to Kabat’s Method in the Rehabilitation of Buruli Ulcer Patients (PUB), with Functional Limitations in the District Hospital of Akonolinga, Cameroon

Buruli ulcer (BU) is a chronic, indolent necrotizing disease of the skin and underlying tissues caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, which may result in functional disability. This disease is the third most frequent infection after leprosy and tuberculosis caused by a mycobacterium. The main objective of this study was to determine comparative effectiveness of conventional physiotherapy alone to its association with Kabat’s method in the management of post-Buruli ulcer functional limitations. This was an interventional randomized, comparative and prospective study. It took place at the district hospital of Akonolinga from the 12th June to 12th September 2016. The study was included, post-Buruli ulcer patients who matched the eligibility criteria, were under treatment in the physiotherapy unit, and who accepted to participate in our study. A questionnaire on the socio-demographic profile of participants, the ulcer localization, the limitation stage, previous medical history and functional mobility assessment scale was administered to the subjects before and after the intervention which lasted for twelve weeks. We had 2 groups: the case group received association of Kabat technique to conventional physiotherapy and the control group received conventional physiotherapy alone. We had 22 patients, 11 patients for the experimental group, 11 patients for the control group. The mean age was 26.18 years, 54.5% of female participation, 68.2% of leg localization, 59.1% patients with severe limitations of functional mobility, and preference for traditional medication 95.5%. After evaluation of efficiency, we concluded that there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment protocols. Further studies with larger sample size are recommended.

Performance on the Functional Movement Screen in older active adults

Background:The Functional Movement Screen(FMS^(TM)) has become increasingly popular for identifying functional limitations in basic functional movements.This exploratory and descriptive study was undertaken to confirm feasibility of performing the FMS^(TM) in older active adults,assess prevalence of asymmetries and to evaluate the relationship between functional movement ability,age,physical activity levels and body mass index(BMI).Methods:This is an observational study;97 men(n = 53) and women(n = 44) between the ages of 52 and 83 participated.BMI was computed and self-reported physical activity levels were obtained.Subjects were grouped by age(5-year intervals),BMI(normal,over-weight,and obese)and sex.Each participant's performance on the FMS^(TM) was digitally recorded for later analysis.Results:The youngest age group(50–54 years) scored highest in all seven tests and the oldest age group(75+) scored lowest in most of the tests compared to all other age groups.The subjects in the 'normal weight' group performed no different than those who were in the 'overweight' group;both groups performed better than the 'obese' group.Of the 97 participants 54 had at least one asymmetry.The pairwise correlations between the total FMS^(TM) score and age(r =-0.531),BMI(r =-0.270),and the measure of activity level(r = 0.287) were significant(p < 0.01 for all).Conclusion:FMS^(TM) scores decline with increased BMI,increased age,and decreased activity level.The screen identifies range of motion-and strength-related asymmetries.The FMS^(TM) can be used to assess functional limitations and asymmetries.Future research should evaluate if a higher total FMS^(TM) score is related to fewer falls or injuries in the older population.

THE EXTREMES OF DEPENDENT CHI-PROCESSES ATTRACTED BY THE BROWN-RESNICK PROCESS

Motivated by some recent works on the topic of the Brown-Resnick process, we study the functional limit theorem for normalized pointwise maxima of dependent chi-processes. It is proven that the properly normalized pointwise maxima of those processes are attracted by the Brown-Resnick process.

ON TRUNCATION ERROR BOUND FOR MULTIDIMENSIONAL SAMPLING EXPANSION LAPLACE TRANSFORM

The truncation error associated with a given sampling representation is defined as the difference between the signal and on approximating sumutilizing a finite number of terms. In this paper we give uniform bound for truncation error of bandlimited functions in the n dimensional Lebesgue space Lp(Rn) associated with multidimensional Shannon sampling representation.

An Explicit Iteration Algorithm for Structural Reliability and its Realization by MATLAB

Based on the improved first order second moment method of the structural reliability, an explicit iteration algorithm is proposed, which can avoid solving structural performance function to obtain reliability index β and have simple calculation forms. Finally, the validity of the explicit iteration algorithm is illustrated through two examples by MATLAB programming.

Probabilistic Failure Analysis of Composite Beams for Optimum Ply Arrangements under Ballistic Impact

The probabilistic analysis takes into consideration an effect of scatter in elastic and strength properties of composite beam, and velocity of impactor. The damage model is implemented in the FE （finite element） code by a VUMAT （user-defined subroutine）. The inter ply failure is modeled using cohesive surfaces between the plies. Dynamic response is obtained using explicit time domain integration approach. SFEA （stochastic finite element analysis） is used to study the initiation of fiber failure analysis due to ballistic impact. SFEA provided the critical stress input in the limit state which is computationally solved using reliability software. The random variation in these properties is used for determining statistics of stress in the lamina. These are compared to the random strengths in the limit state function and probability failure surface is obtained by using GPRSM （Gaussian process response surface method）. GPRSM is used to predict the Pf （probability of failure） for different ply lay-ups arrangement. The Pf of Chang-Chang initiation of fiber failure for simply supported composite beams with symmetric cross ply lay-ups are （88.9%, 1.47% and 58.1%） greater than the anti-symmetric cross ply, symmetric angle ply and anti-symmetric angle ply, respectively. Sensitivity analysis is also carried out for symmetric cross ply arrangements.

Reliability Improvement of Large Multi-state Series-parallel Systems

In the paper, excess methods for improving the reliability of multi-state series-parallel systems are presented： for the hot reserve of single components, the cold reserve of single components, and the mixed （hot and cold） reserve of single components. A process is also introduced to improve the reliability of these methods by replacing their components with more reliable ones. New theorems for multi-state limit reliability functions in homogeneous and non-homogeneous series-parallel large systems composed of components with improved reliability are presented, and applied to compare the effects of these systems in different reliability improving methods.

Reliability of a Large Series-parallel System in Variable Operating Conditions

In this paper, a semi-Markov model of system operation processes is proposed and its selected parameters are determined. A series-parallel multi-state system is considered, and its reliability and risk characteristics found. Subsequently, a joint model of system operation process and system multi-state reliability and risk is constructed. Moreover, the asymptotic approach to reliability and risk evaluation of a multi-state series-parallel system in its operation process is applied to a port grain transportation system.

THE AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF LIMIT STATE FUNCTION OF HINGED STRUCTURE

In this paper, the theorem of structure continual variation of truss structure in the analysis of structure reliability is derived, and it is used to generate limit state function automatically. We can avoid repeated assembly of global stiffness matrix and repeated inverse operations of the matrix caused by constant changes of structure topology. A new criterion of degenerate of the structure into mechanism is introduced. The calculation examples are satisfactory.

PADE APPROXIMANTS AS LIMITS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS OF BEST APPROXIMATION IN ORLICZ SPACE

In this paper, we prove that the best rational approximation of a given analytic function in Orlicz space L~*(G), where G = {|z|≤∈}, converges to the Pade approximants of the function as the measure of G approaches zero.

THE INTEGRAL AS A FUNCTlON OF THE UPPER LIMIT AND DEPENDING ON A PARAMETER TO SOLVE DRAWING THROUGH IDLING ROLLS

The relocity and sirain-rate .field which are different from Avilzur's have beenestablished in Caitesian coordinates. Using the integral as a function of the upper limitand integration depending on a parameler, an analylical upper-bound solution todrawing stress through idling rolls has been obtained in this paper.

THE INTEGRAL AS A FUNCTION OF THE UPPER LIMIT AND AN ANALYTICAL SOLUTION TO PLANE STRAIN DRAWING AND EXTRUSION

A kinematically admissible velocity field which is different from Avitzur's is established in Cartesian Coordinates. An upper-bound analytical solution to strip drawing andextrusion is obtained by using the integral as a function of the upper limit in this paper.

Functional Limit Theorems for C-R Increments of k-Dimensional Brownian Motion in Holder Norm

In this paper. based on large deviation formulas established in stronger topology generated by Hlder norm, we obtain the functional limit theorems for C-R increments of k-dimensional Brownian motion in Hlder norm

Local Functional Limit Theorems of Increments for Brownian Motion

In this paper, we present a local Csorgo- Revesz type functional limit theorem for increments of Brownian motion and give its convergence rate. The results also extend the functional forms of Levy＇s modulus of continuity for Brownian motion.

Functional Limit Theorems for d-dimensional FBM in H lder Norm

In this paper, we obtain functional limit theorems for d-dimensional FBM in HSlder norm via estimating large deviation probabilities for d-dimensional FBM in HSlder norm.

A RANDOM FUNCTIONAL CENTRAL LIMIT THEOREM FOR PROCESSES OF PRODUCT SUMS OF LINEAR PROCESSES GENERATED BY MARTINGALE DIFFERENCES

A random functional central limit theorem is obtained for processes of partial sums andproduct sums of linear processes generated by non-stationary martingale differences. It devel-ops and improves some corresponding results on processes of partial sums of linear processesgenerated by strictly stationary martingale differences, which can be found in [5].

Complex multimorbidity and health outcomes in older adult cancer survivors

Objective:To characterize complex multimorbidity among cancer survivors and evaluate the association between cancer survivorship,time since cancer diagnosis,and self-reported fair/poor health,self-rated worse health in 2 years,and 2-year mortality.Methods:We used the 2010-2012 Health and Retirement Study.Cancer survivors were indi-viduals who reported a(nonskin)cancer diagnosis 2 years or more before the interview.We defined complex multimorbidity as the co-occurrence of chronic conditions,functional limitations,and/or geriatric syndromes.In addition to descriptive analyses,we used logistic regression to evaluate the independent association between cancer survivor status and health outcomes.We also examined whether cancer survivorship differed by the number of years since diagnosis.Results:Among 15,808 older adults(age≥50 years),11.8%were cancer survivors.Compared with cancer-free individuals,a greater percentage of cancer survivors had complex multimorbidity:co-occurring chronic conditions,functional limitations,and geriatric syndromes.Cancer survivor-ship was significantly associated with self-reported fair/poor health,self-rated worse health in 2 years,and 2-year mortality.These effects declined with the number of years since diagnosis for fair/poor health and mortality but not for self-rated worse health.Conclusion:Cancer survivor status is independently associated with more complex multi-morbidity,and with worse health outcomes.These effects attenuate with time,except for patient perception of being in worse health.

Recovery of band limited functions via cardinal splines

The main result of this paper asserts that if a function f is in the class Bπ,p, 1 <p < ∞; that is, those p-integrable functions whose Fourier transforms are supported in the interval [ - π, π], then f and its derivatives f(j) j = 1, 2, …, can be recovered from its sampling sequence{f(k)} via the cardinal interpolating spline of degree m in the metric ofL q(?)), 1 <p=q < ∞, or 11 <p=q < ? ∞.

Lindeberg's central limit theorems for martingale-like sequences under sub-linear expectations

The central limit theorem of martingales is the fundamental tool for studying the convergence of stochastic processes,especially stochastic integrals and differential equations.In this paper,the central limit theorem and the functional central limit theorem are obtained for martingale-like random variables under the sub-linear expectation.As applications,the Lindeberg's central limit theorem is obtained for independent but not necessarily identically distributed random variables,and a new proof of the Lévy characterization of a GBrownian motion without using stochastic calculus is given.For proving the results,Rosenthal's inequality and the exponential inequality for the martingale-like random variables are established.

HILBERTIAN INVARIANCE PRINCIPLE FOR EMPIRICAL PROCESS ASSOCIATED WITH A MARKOV PROCESS

The authors establish the Hilbertian invariance principle for the empirical process of astationary Markov process, by extending the forward-backward martingale decomposition ofLyons-Meyer-Zheng to the Hilbert space valued additive functionals associated with generalnon-reversible Markov processes.