Habits of collective memory.

Collective memory can generally be defined as an account of the past that is shared by members of a group and is part of their identity project. In this paper, we attempt to discuss collective memory in terms of narrative, schema, and habit, three constructs that reflect an underlying assumption that humans are "cognitive misers" who gravitate toward ways to handle large amounts of information in efficient ways. Narrative makes it possible to grasp together a series of events into a meaningful whole, and collective memory emerges when members of a group share the same narrative tools.

Competing national memories of World War II.

We assessed the knowledge of 1,338 people from 11 countries (8 former Allied and 3 former Axis) about World War II. When asked what percentage their country contributed to the war effort, across Allied countries, estimates totaled 309%, and Axis nations' estimates came to 140%. People in 4 nations claimed more than 50% responsibility for their country (Germany, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States).

Association between wrist ratio and carpal tunnel syndrome: Effect modification by body mass index.

Introduction: Previous studies have reported higher wrist ratios (WR) related to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) but have not assessed effect modification by obesity and may have inadequately controlled for confounders.

Methods: Baseline data of a multicenter prospective cohort study were analyzed. CTS was defined by nerve conduction study (NCS) criteria and symptoms.

Association Between Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Pooled Occupational Cohorts.

Objective: The aim of the study was to ascertain if cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors are carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) risk factors.

Methods: Analysis of pooled baseline data from two large prospective cohort studies (n = 1824) assessed the relationships between a modified Framingham Heart Study CVD risk score both CTS and abnormal nerve conduction study prevalence. Quantified job exposures, personal and psychosocial confounders were statistically controlled.

Impacts of differences in epidemiological case definitions on prevalence for upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders.

Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate prevalence based on variations in case definitions used for epidemiological studies of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Background: Prior studies of MSDs have mostly relied on a single case definition based on questionnaires.

Method: In a multicenter prospective cohort study, we systematically collected data to evaluate impacts of differences in case definitions of MSDs on prevalence of three common musculoskeletal disorders: (a) shoulder tendinosis, (b) lateral epicondylalgia, and (c) carpal tunnel syndrome.

The WISTAH hand study: a prospective cohort study of distal upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.

Background: Few prospective cohort studies of distal upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders have been performed. Past studies have provided somewhat conflicting evidence for occupational risk factors and have largely reported data without adjustments for many personal and psychosocial factors.

Methods/design: A multi-center prospective cohort study was incepted to quantify risk factors for distal upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and potentially develop improved methods for analyzing jobs.

The Strain Index (SI) and Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for Hand Activity Level (HAL): risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a prospective cohort.

Unlabelled: A cohort of 536 workers was enrolled from 10 diverse manufacturing facilities and was followed monthly for six years. Job physical exposures were individually measured. Worker demographics, medical history, psychosocial factors, current musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) were obtained.

Measuring sensory nerve action potential electrical power.

Sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitudes are frequently examined for evidence of axonal loss. Because digital nerves have parallel fibers, and parallel voltages do not add, SNAP amplitude may not accurately reflect axonal loss. In contrast, electrical power can be measured for digital nerves, and is additive.

Fatigue analysis before and after shaker exercise: physiologic tool for exercise design.

Recent studies suggest that the Shaker exercise induces fatigue in the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening muscles and sternocleidomastoid (SCM), with the SCMs fatiguing earliest. The aim of this study was to measure fatigue induced by the isometric portion of the Shaker exercise by measuring the rate of change in the median frequency (MF rate) of the power spectral density (PSD) function, which is interpreted as proportional to the rate of fatigue, from surface electromyography (EMG) of suprahyoid (SHM), infrahyoid (IHM), and SCM. EMG data compared fatigue-related changes from 20-, 40-, and 60-s isometric hold durations of the Shaker exercise.

Collective memory: conceptual foundations and theoretical approaches.

In order to outline the conceptual landscape that frames discussions of collective memory, three oppositions are proposed: collective memory versus collective remembering; history versus collective memory; and individual memory versus collective remembering. From this perspective collective remembering is viewed as an active process that often involves contention and contestation among people rather than a static body of knowledge that they possess. Collective remembering is also viewed as privileging identity formation and contestation over the sort of objective representation of the past that is the aspiration of formal historical analysis.

Biomechanics of the double rocker sole shoe: gait kinematics and kinetics.

The use of footwear with contoured soles is common in treatment and care of patients with diabetes; these rocker sole shoes are designed to alleviate loading in key areas on the plantar surface of the foot, reducing pressure in key areas and alleviating pain, and potential soft tissue damage. While investigations of pressure changes have been conducted, no quantitative study to date has addressed the three-dimensional (3D) kinematic and kinetic changes that result from using these shoes. Forty subjects were tested wearing both unmodified and double rocker sole shoes, and the resulting motion patterns were compared to assess change caused by the rocker sole.

Biomechanics of the double rocker sole shoe: gait kinematics and kinetics.

This paper reports the kinematic and kinetic changes in gait with bilateral double rocker sole shoe modifications. Three-dimensional motion analysis techniques were used to evaluate gait characteristics (temporal-spatial, kinematic, and kinetic measures) of forty (40) subjects while wearing baseline and double rocker sole shoes. Walking speed was unchanged by the double rocker modification.

Nerve conduction topography in geriatric hand assessment.

Motor nerve conduction is a noninvasive clinical test used to diagnose nerve problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome or peripheral neuropathy. Current techniques use a single-site recording over a superficial muscle. This traditional approach does not account for the electrical contributions from the other muscles innervated by the nerve being stimulated, which need to be considered with thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) degenerative joint disease (DJD) because these electrical contributions may change the anatomic relationship of the thenar muscles.

Effects of the toe-only rocker on gait kinematics and kinetics in able-bodied persons.

Rocker sole shoes are commonly prescribed to diabetic patients with insensate feet. Recent passage of the therapeutic shoe bill has drawn an increased focus on prescription of rehabilitative footwear. The purpose of this work is to investigate the dynamics of lower extremity joints (hip, knee, and ankle) with the application of a toe-only rocker sole shoe under controlled laboratory conditions.

Biomechanical implications of the negative heel rocker sole shoe: gait kinematics and kinetics.

Rocker sole shoes are commonly prescribed to diabetic patients with insensate feet. Recent passage of the therapeutic shoe bill has drawn an increased focus to prescription rehabilitative footwear. The purpose of this work is to investigate the dynamics of lower extremity joints (hip, knee and ankle) with the application of a negative heel rocker sole shoe under controlled lab conditions.

Effect of rocker soles on plantar pressures.

Objective: To examine the effect of different types of rocker soles on plantar pressures.

Design: In-shoe plantar pressures were measured in subjects without deformity with baseline shoes and 3 types of rockers: toe-only, negative heel, and double.

Setting: Medical college.

Quantitative electromyography.

Quantitative EMG is an MUAP analysis technique providing objective information on the NEE. The concept and techniques are not new; however, with the advancement of computer technology, quantitative EMG is now more easily performed. The study requires solid knowledge of basic neurophysiology and access to the appropriate instrument to provide smooth technique and accurate interpretation.

Development of a quantitative reflex hammer for measurement of tendon stretch reflex.

Quantification of tendon stretch reflex requires precise measurement of the tapping force of a reflex hammer. A quantitative reflex (QR) hammer consisting of two cut rubber pieces from a generic rubber reflex hammer and a uniaxial force transducer was constructed. Finite element stress analyses were conducted to estimate the natural frequency characteristics of the hammer and to find the stress distributions during the impact.

Effect of reference electrode position on the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) onset latency.

Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) onset latency is interpreted to reflect the arrival time at the muscle of impulses in the fastest-conducting motor nerve fiber. However, we have observed that the position of the reference or indifferent electrode (E2) affects CMAP onset latency. Motor nerve conduction studies (NCS) of the median, ulnar, and deep ulnar motor (DUM) nerves on 20 normal hands were performed using both traditional bipolar and experimental monopolar (referenced to the contralateral hand) montages.

Analysis of postural control synergies during quiet standing in healthy children and children with cerebral palsy.

Objective: To estimate the contribution of body transverse rotation using weighted differential center of pressure signals during quiet standing in healthy children and in children with cerebral palsy.

Design: Body sway was indirectly measured through center of pressure data, which was calculated using dual force platforms.

Background: Assessment of postural control synergies using center of pressure data provides a unique method for center of mass data analysis in characterizing complex balance sway.

Digit distribution of proper digital nerve action potential.

Antidromic sensory nerve action potential testing is well characterized and commonly used to assess the sensory component of the upper limb median and ulnar nerves. The final terminal segments of these nerves are the proper digital nerves. Ring recording electrodes are commonly used to detect the proper digital nerves' antidromic responses.

Acute hypothalamic instability in traumatic brain injury: a case report.

. Acute hypothalamic instability occurs in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). It usually occurs in the form of autonomic dysfunction syndrome (also known as diencephalic seizures or paroxysmal sympathetic storms); however, there are other causes of acute hypothalamic instability of which the clinician must be aware.

Spectral analysis of surface electromyography (EMG) of upper esophageal sphincter-opening muscles during head lift exercise.

Although recent studies have shown enhancement of deglutitive upper esophageal sphincter opening in healthy elderly patients performing an isometric/isotonic head lift exercise (HLE), the muscle groups affected by this process are not known. A shift in the spectral analysis of surface EMG activity seen with muscle fatigue can be used to identify muscles affected by an exercise. The objective of this study was to use spectral analysis to evaluate surface EMG activities in the suprahyoid (SHM), infrahyoid (IHM), and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle groups during the HLE.

Instantaneous postural stability characterization using time-frequency analysis.

Postural stability assessment is critical to a more accurate understanding of sway and balance control. The center of pressure (COP) metric has been shown to be a suitable output measure for time and frequency analysis. However, the center of pressure is a non-stationary signal.

Effects of surface electrode size on computer simulated surface motor unit potentials.

Surface myoelectric signals are recorded in motor nerve conduction, fatigue and kinesiologic studies using discrete electrodes. Single site recordings have limited means to reduce cross-talk and to enhance timing and quantification of relative muscular activity. These limitations are compounded by the effects of the electrode size.