Showing papers by "United States Department of the Army published in 2002"
TL;DR: The wet spinning of silk monofilaments spun from a concentrated aqueous solution of soluble rc–spider silk protein (ADF-3; 60 kilodaltons) under modest shear and coagulation conditions showed toughness and modulus values comparable to those of native dragline silks but with lower tenacity.
Abstract: Spider silks are protein-based "biopolymer" filaments or threads secreted by specialized epithelial cells as concentrated soluble precursors of highly repetitive primary sequences. Spider dragline silk is a flexible, lightweight fiber of extraordinary strength and toughness comparable to that of synthetic high-performance fibers. We sought to "biomimic" the process of spider silk production by expressing in mammalian cells the dragline silk genes (ADF-3/MaSpII and MaSpI) of two spider species. We produced soluble recombinant (rc)-dragline silk proteins with molecular masses of 60 to 140 kilodaltons. We demonstrated the wet spinning of silk monofilaments spun from a concentrated aqueous solution of soluble rc-spider silk protein (ADF-3; 60 kilodaltons) under modest shear and coagulation conditions. The spun fibers were water insoluble with a fine diameter (10 to 40 micrometers) and exhibited toughness and modulus values comparable to those of native dragline silks but with lower tenacity. Dope solutions with rc-silk protein concentrations >20% and postspinning draw were necessary to achieve improved mechanical properties of the spun fibers. Fiber properties correlated with finer fiber diameter and increased birefringence.
750 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined three UHTC materials under conditions more representative of a propulsion environment, i.e., higher oxygen partial pressure and total pressure, and showed that these materials offer a good combination of properties that make them candidates for airframe leading edges on sharp-bodied reentry vehicles.
Abstract: Among the ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTC) are a group of materials consisting of zirconium diboride or hafnium diboride plus silicon carbide, and in some instances, carbon. These materials offer a good combination of properties that make them candidates for airframe leading edges on sharp-bodied reentry vehicles. These UHTCperform well in the environment for such applications, i.e. air at low pressure. The purpose of this study was to examine three of these materials under conditions more representative of a propulsion environment, i.e. higher oxygen partial pressure and total pressure. Results of strength and fracture toughness measurements, furnace oxidation, and high velocity thermal shock exposures are presented for ZrB2 plus 20 vol.% SiC, ZrB2 plus 14 vol.% SiC plus 30 vol.% C, and SCS-9a SiC fiber reinforced ZrB2 plus 20 vol.% SiC. The poor oxidation resistance of UHTCs is the predominant factor limiting their applicability to propulsion applications. # 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
688 citations
TL;DR: It appears that patients with low back pain likely to respond to manipulation can be accurately identified before treatment, and the probability of success with manipulation is increased from 45% to 95%.
Abstract: Study design A prospective, cohort study of patients with nonradicular low back pain referred to physical therapy. Objective Develop a clinical prediction rule for identifying patients with low back pain who improve with spinal manipulation. Summary of background data Development of clinical prediction rules for classifying patients with low back pain who are likely to respond to a particular intervention, such as manipulation, would improve clinical decision-making and research. Methods Patients with nonradicular low back pain underwent a standardized examination and then underwent a standardized spinal manipulation treatment program. Success with treatment was determined using percent change in disability scores over three sessions and served as the reference standard for determining the accuracy of examination variables. Examination variables were first analyzed for univariate accuracy in predicting success and then combined into a multivariate clinical prediction rule. Results Seventy-one patients participated. Thirty-two had success with the manipulation intervention. A clinical prediction rule with five variables (symptom duration, fear-avoidance beliefs, lumbar hypomobility, hip internal rotation range of motion, and no symptoms distal to the knee) was identified. The presence of four of five of these variables (positive likelihood ratio = 24.38) increased the probability of success with manipulation from 45% to 95%. Conclusion It appears that patients with low back pain likely to respond to manipulation can be accurately identified before treatment.
631 citations
TL;DR: Temperature, rainfall, vapour pressure and the number of months suitable for P. falciparum transmission have not changed significantly during the past century or during the period of reported malaria resurgence, suggesting claimed associations between local malaria resurgences and regional changes in climate are overly simplistic.
Abstract: The public health and economic consequences of Plasmodium falciparum malaria are once again regarded as priorities for global development. There has been much speculation on whether anthropogenic climate change is exacerbating the malaria problem, especially in areas of high altitude where P. falciparum transmission is limited by low temperature. The International Panel on Climate Change has concluded that there is likely to be a net extension in the distribution of malaria and an increase in incidence within this range. We investigated long-term meteorological trends in four high-altitude sites in East Africa, where increases in malaria have been reported in the past two decades. Here we show that temperature, rainfall, vapour pressure and the number of months suitable for P. falciparum transmission have not changed significantly during the past century or during the period of reported malaria resurgence. A high degree of temporal and spatial variation in the climate of East Africa suggests further that claimed associations between local malaria resurgences and regional changes in climate are overly simplistic.
521 citations
TL;DR: The compartmentalization of Ebola and Marburg viral proteins within lipid rafts during viral assembly and budding is reported, suggesting that viral exit occurs at the rafts and that the entry of filoviruses requires functional rafts.
Abstract: Spatiotemporal aspects of filovirus entry and release are poorly understood. Lipid rafts act as functional platforms for multiple cellular signaling and trafficking processes. Here, we report the compartmentalization of Ebola and Marburg viral proteins within lipid rafts during viral assembly and budding. Filoviruses released from infected cells incorporated raft-associated molecules, suggesting that viral exit occurs at the rafts. Ectopic expression of Ebola matrix protein and glycoprotein supported raft-dependent release of filamentous, virus-like particles (VLPs), strikingly similar to live virus as revealed by electron microscopy. Our findings also revealed that the entry of filoviruses requires functional rafts, identifying rafts as the site of virus attack. The identification of rafts as the gateway for the entry and exit of filoviruses and raft-dependent generation of VLPs have important implications for development of therapeutics and vaccination strategies against infections with Ebola and Marburg viruses.
422 citations
TL;DR: The authors' findings increase understanding of dengue virus transmission and disease severity in a well-defined cohort population and offer a study design in which to test the efficacy of potential d Dengue vaccines.
Abstract: Dengue viruses are a major cause of morbidity in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Knowledge about the epidemiology and host determinants of inapparent and severe dengue virus infections is limited. In this paper, the authors report findings from the first 3 years of a prospective study of dengue virus transmission and disease severity conducted in a cohort of 2,119 elementary school children in northern Thailand. A total of 717,106 person-school days were observed from 1998 to 2000. The incidence of inapparent and of symptomatic dengue virus infection was 4.3% and 3.6% in 1998, 3.2% and 3.3% in 1999, and 1.4% and 0.8% in 2000, respectively. Symptomatic dengue virus infection was responsible for 3.2%, 7.1%, and 1.1% of acute-illness school absences in 1998, 1999, and 2000, respectively. The early symptom complex of acute dengue virus infection is protean and difficult to distinguish from other causes of febrile childhood illnesses. The authors' results illustrate the spatial and temporal diversity of dengue virus infection and the burden of dengue disease in schoolchildren in Thailand. Their findings increase understanding of dengue virus transmission and disease severity in a well-defined cohort population and offer a study design in which to test the efficacy of potential dengue vaccines.
407 citations
TL;DR: The current results indicate that hot and cold temperature exposure have a negative impact on performance and that other variables (e.g., length of exposure to the temperature or task duration) may modify this relationship.
Abstract: A meta-analysis to mathematically summarize the effect of hot and cold temperature exposure on performance was completed. The results from 515 effect sizes calculated from 22 original studies suggest that hot and cold temperatures negatively impact performance on a wide range of cognitive-related tasks. More specifically, hot temperatures of 90°F (32.22°C) Web Bulb Globe Temperature Index or above and cold temperatures of 50°F (10°C) or less resulted in the greatest decrement in performance in comparison to neutral temperature conditions (14.88% decrement and 13.91% decrement, respectively). Furthermore, the duration of exposure to the experimental temperature, the duration of exposure to the experimental temperature prior to the task onset, the type of task and the duration of the task had differential effects on performance. The current results indicate that hot and cold temperature exposure have a negative impact on performance and that other variables (e.g., length of exposure to the temperature or task duration) may modify this relationship.
406 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors found that the consumption of a functional food will be inversely related to the severity of off-flavor and to the required frequency and duration of consumption.
378 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that surface stiffness affects running economy without affecting running support mechanics, and postulate that an increased energy rebound from the compliant surfaces studied contributes to the enhanced running economy.
Abstract: Mammals use the elastic components in their legs (principally tendons, ligaments, and muscles) to run economically, while maintaining consistent support mechanics across various surfaces. To examine how leg stiffness and metabolic cost are affected by changes in substrate stiffness, we built experimental platforms with adjustable stiffness to fit on a force-plate-fitted treadmill. Eight male subjects [mean body mass: 74.4 +/- 7.1 (SD) kg; leg length: 0.96 +/- 0.05 m] ran at 3.7 m/s over five different surface stiffnesses (75.4, 97.5, 216.8, 454.2, and 945.7 kN/m). Metabolic, ground-reaction force, and kinematic data were collected. The 12.5-fold decrease in surface stiffness resulted in a 12% decrease in the runner's metabolic rate and a 29% increase in their leg stiffness. The runner's support mechanics remained essentially unchanged. These results indicate that surface stiffness affects running economy without affecting running support mechanics. We postulate that an increased energy rebound from the compliant surfaces studied contributes to the enhanced running economy.
377 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, three different charging techniques (corona charging, tribocharging, and electrostatic fiber spinning) were used to charge fibers or fabrics of different polymer types.
343 citations
TL;DR: The Defense Medical Surveillance System is the central repository of medical surveillance data for the US armed forces and the Department of Defense Serum Repository is a central archive of sera drawn from service members for medical surveillance purposes.
Abstract: The Defense Medical Surveillance System (DMSS) is the central repository of medical surveillance data for the US armed forces. The DMSS integrates data from sources worldwide in a continuouslyexpanding relational database that documents the military and medical experiences of servicemembers throughout their careers. The Department of Defense Serum Repository (DoDSR) is a central archive of sera drawn from servicemembers for medical surveillance purposes. Currently, the DMSS contains data relevant to more than 7 million individuals who have served in the armed forces since 1990, and the DoDSR contains more than 27 million specimens that are linkable to data in the DMSS. Recent applications of the DMSS and DoDSR provide glimpses of the capabilities and uses of comprehensive public health surveillance systems.
TL;DR: Seizure control was strongly associated with protection against acute lethality and brain pathology, and midazolam was more rapid in controlling seizure than atropine, trihexyphenidyl, or diazepam against each agent.
TL;DR: The findings suggest that infection of mononuclear phagocytes is critical, triggering a cascade of events involving cytokines/chemokines and oxygen free radicals, and that induction may occur independent of viral replication.
TL;DR: The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become a valuable adjunct in wound healing in dentistry as mentioned in this paper, and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor-β have been shown in vivo to accelerate wound healing through different mechanisms.
Abstract: Background Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, has become a valuable adjunct in wound healing in dentistry. Postsurgically, blood clots initiate the healing and regeneration of hard and soft tissues. Clinicians and scientists are investigating the use of PRP in dentistry as a way to enhance the body's natural wound-healing mechanisms. Types of Articles Reviewed The authors reviewed scientific articles that discuss the basic knowledge of wound healing mechanisms and that directly studied the growth factors shown to be concentrated in PRP. They also reviewed articles written by clinicians and researchers in dentistry fields, including oral and maxillofacial surgery and periodontics to determine applications of PRP in the field of dentistry. Results All of the reviewed articles expressed promise in PRP use and in the growth factors expressed by the platelets concentrated in PRP—namely platelet-derived growth factor, or PDGF, and transforming growth factor-β, or TGF-β—as an adjunct to postsurgical wound healing. Both PDGF and TGF-β have been shown in vivo to accelerate wound healing through different mechanisms. The development of an autologous PRP has been shown to be relatively easy, to be effective as a surgical adjunct, to retain high levels of the desired growth factors after preparation and to be clinically effective in accelerating postsurgical healing in both periodontal and oral surgery applications. Clinical Implications PRP has proven to be effective at improving surgical results in a variety of procedures in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. PRP also shows promise in periodontal regenerative therapy and should continue to be studied by scientists and clinicians alike.
TL;DR: Japanese encephalitis virus is a mosquito-borne zoonotic flavivirus that infects a wide range of vertebrate species in an enzootic cycle primarily of large waterfowl birds and swine.
Abstract: Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is a mosquito-borne zoonotic flavivirus that infects a wide range of vertebrate species in an enzootic cycle primarily of large waterfowl birds and swine. Horses and humans are considered bystanders to this enzootic cycle and, once infected, dead-end hosts. JE infection in humans can manifest in a spectrum of disease from asymptomatic infection to a mildly febrile symptomatic illness to a life-threatening disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS). The latter is associated with a high morbidity and mortality as well as long-term neurologic sequelae. The pathogenesis and disease severity of JE is discussed elsewhere in this volume. JE is the most common cause of encephalitis in most of Asia and causes an estimated 35,000 cases of encephalitis annually (Igarashi 1992). By all accounts this is an underestimate of the true disease burden of this virus and evidence suggests that this virus is endemic over a far wider region today than 50 years ago, despite the use of an effective vaccine for humans and animals.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors summarize the current understanding of these interactions, identify significant data deficiencies, and briefly discuss the drivers of future research in this area, concluding that factors affecting leaching and transport, microbial degradation, phytotoxicity and plant uptake, and invertebrate and vertebrate toxicity are determinants of ultimate environmental fate and hazard potential.
TL;DR: In this paper, the supercontinuum spectrum of an intense femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser pulse propagating in condensed optical media (water, chloroform and glass), at various input laser energies, below and above the threshold for filamentation of the laser pulse was measured.
TL;DR: It is argued that the third-harmonic pulse maintains both its peak intensity and energy over distances much longer than the characteristic coherence length due to a nonlinear phase-locking mechanism between the two pulses in the filament and is independent of the initial material wave-vector mismatch.
Abstract: It is shown, both theoretically and experimentally, that during laser pulse filamentation in air an intense ultrashort third-harmonic pulse is generated forming a two-colored filament. The third-harmonic pulse maintains both its peak intensity and energy over distances much longer than the characteristic coherence length. We argue that this is due to a nonlinear phase-locking mechanism between the two pulses in the filament and is independent of the initial material wave-vector mismatch. A rich spatiotemporal propagation dynamics of the third-harmonic pulse is predicted. Potential applications of this phenomenon to other parametric processes are discussed.
Patent•
16 Apr 2002TL;DR: In this paper, a wound dressing system having a dressing and an irrigation system in communication with the dressing is described, and the dressing preferably includes a first layer for contacting the wound/injury site of a patient and a second layer that has a backing layer to prevent seepage from the wound and moisture within the dressing from soiling the surrounding environment.
Abstract: The invention preferably is a wound dressing system having a dressing and an irrigation system in communication with the dressing. The dressing preferably includes a first layer for contacting the wound/injury site of a patient and a second layer that has a backing layer. The backing layer preferably prevents seepage from the wound and/or moisture within the dressing from soiling the surrounding environment.
TL;DR: Interestingly, some antibody-treated animals survived despite developing high-level viremia, suggesting that the mechanism of protection by KZ52 may extend beyond reduction of vireia by virus neutralization.
Abstract: A neutralizing human monoclonal antibody, KZ52, protects guinea pigs from lethal Ebola Zaire virus challenge. Administration before or up to 1 h after challenge resulted in dose-dependent protection by the antibody. Interestingly, some antibody-treated animals survived despite developing high-level viremia, suggesting that the mechanism of protection by KZ52 may extend beyond reduction of viremia by virus neutralization. KZ52 is a promising candidate for immunoprophylaxis of Ebola virus infection.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a survey of microwave applications of acoustic waves, including thin-film resonators and filters, transversal filters, and filters for correlative analog signal processing.
Abstract: This paper surveys applications of acoustic waves in microwave devices. After a general and historical introduction to bulk acoustic waves (BAWs), surface acoustic waves (SAWs), practical wave types, and acoustoelectric transducers, a review is given of technologically important materials for microwave acoustic applications. Following this, we discuss BAW and SAW microwave devices and their technologies. Specifically reviewed are thin-film resonators and filters, transversal filters, and filters for correlative analog signal processing. Finally, an overview of the most important microwave applications is given, along with manufacturing and packaging issues.
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of pure nickel, iron and cobalt on the growth of aligned carbon nanotubes was systematically studied by plasma-enhanced hot-filament chemical vapor deposition.
Abstract: The effect of pure nickel, iron and cobalt on growth of aligned carbon nanotubes was systematically studied by plasma-enhanced hot-filament chemical vapor deposition. It is found that the catalyst has a strong effect on the nanotube diameter, growth rate, wall thickness, morphology and microstructure. Ni yields the highest growth rate, largest diameter and thickest wall, whereas Co results in the lowest growth rate, smallest diameter and thinnest wall. The carbon nanotubes catalyzed by Ni have the best alignment and the smoothest and cleanest wall surface, whereas those from Co are covered with amorphous carbon and nanoparticles on the outer surface. The carbon nanotubes produced from Ni catalyst also exhibit a reasonably good graphitization. Therefore, Ni is considered as the most suitable catalyst for growth of aligned carbon nanotubes.
TL;DR: The widespread increase in resistance of the malaria parasite to drugs and the decrease in vector control activities are found to be more likely driving forces behind the malaria resurgence in East Africa.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the nature of diffusive and advective (ventilation) interstitial transport processes at Summit, Greenland and compare with measurements from previous years.
Patent•
10 Jun 2002TL;DR: In this paper, a controlled release microcapsulate pharmaceutical formulation for burst-free, sustained, programmable release of hydrophobic bioactive agent over a duration from 24 hours to 100 days comprising: and a blend of end-capped uncapped poly(lactide/glycolide).
Abstract: A controlled release microcapsulate pharmaceutical formulation for burst-free, sustained, programmable release of hydrophobic bioactive agent over a duration from 24 hours to 100 days comprising: and a blend of end-capped uncapped biocompatible, biodegradable poly(lactide/glycolide).
TL;DR: Combined sequence and morphological data revealed the presence of two morphologically similar taxa, M. vaginatus and Microcoleus steenstrupii Boye‐Petersen, and the rRNA operons of these taxa were sufficiently dissimilar that the two taxa belong in separate genera.
Abstract: Thirty-one strains of Microcoleus were isolated from desert soils in the United States. Although all these taxa fit the broad definition of Microcoleus vaginatus (Vaucher) Gomont in common usage by soil algal researchers, sequence data for the 16S rRNA gene and 16S‐23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region indicated that more than one species was represented. Combined sequence and morphological data revealed the presence of two morphologically similar taxa, M. vaginatus and Microcoleus steenstrupii BoyePetersen. The rRNA operons of these taxa were sufficiently dissimilar that we suspect the two taxa belong in separate genera. The M. vaginatus clade was most similar to published sequences from Trichodesmium and Arthrospira. When 16S sequences from the isolates we identified as M. steenstrupii were compared with published sequences, our strains grouped with M. chthonoplastes (Mertens) Zanardini ex Gomont and may have closest relatives among several genera in the Phormidiaceae. Organization within the 16S‐23S ITS regions was variable between the two taxa. Microcoleus vaginatus had either two tRNA genes (tRNA Ile and tRNA Ala ) or a fragment of the tRNA Ile gene in its ITS regions, whereas M. steenstrupii had rRNA operons with either the tRNA Ile gene or no tRNA genes in its ITS regions. Microcoleus vaginatus showed no subspecific variation within the combined morphological and molecular characterizations, with 16S similarities ranging from 97.1% to 99.9%. Microcoleus steenstrupii showed considerable genetic variability, with 16S similarities ranging from 91.5% to 99.4%. In phylogenetic analyses, we found that this variability was not congruent with geography, and we suspect that our M. steenstrupii strains represent several cryptic species.
TL;DR: Serotype-specific antibody levels prior to the dengue transmission season were not predictive of the incidence of d Dengue virus infections or the predominant serotype transmitted at individual schools, although DEN-3 produced more severe symptoms than the other denge serotypes.
Abstract: Dengue virus occurs as four distinct serotypes, each of which causes epidemics throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Few studies have examined co-circulation of multiple dengue virus serotypes in a well-defined cohort population over time and their capacity to produce severe dengue disease. In this paper, the authors report the details and findings of the first 3 years (1998-2000) of an ongoing prospective study of dengue virus transmission and disease severity in a cohort of children in northern Thailand. A total of 108 dengue virus isolates were obtained from 167 acute dengue virus infections; 23% were DEN-1, 35% were DEN-2, 41% were DEN-3, and 1% were DEN-4. Despite the proximity of the schools, there was marked spatial and temporal clustering of transmission of each dengue serotype. Serotype-specific antibody levels prior to the dengue transmission season were not predictive of the incidence of dengue virus infections or the predominant serotype transmitted at individual schools. All dengue serotypes produced severe dengue illness, although DEN-3 produced more severe symptoms than the other dengue serotypes. The authors' findings emphasize the complexity of dengue serotype-specific virus transmission and severe dengue disease and have important implications for dengue control and vaccine development.
TL;DR: The human eye is exquisitely sensitive to light, and when dark-adapted, the retina can detect a few photons of blue-green light, so it is therefore not at all surprising that ocular tissues are also more vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) and light damage than the skin.
Abstract: The human eye is exquisitely sensitive to light (i.e., visible radiant energy), and when dark-adapted, the retina can detect a few photons of blue-green light. It is therefore not at all surprising that ocular tissues are also more vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) and light damage than the skin. For this reason, humans have evolved with certain anatomical, physiological, and behavioral traits that protect this critical organ from the UV damage that would otherwise be certain from the intense bath of overhead solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) when we are outdoors during daylight. For example, the UV exposure threshold dose for photokeratitis ("welders' flash" or "snow blindness")--if measured as falling on a horizontal ground surface--would be reached in less than 10 minutes around midday in the summer sun. There are three critical ocular structures that could be affected by UV exposure: the cornea, the lens, and the retina. The cornea transmits radiant energy only at 295 nm and above. The crystalline lens absorbs almost all incident energy to wavelengths of nearly 400 nm. In youth, a very small amount of UV-A reaches the retina, but the lens becomes more absorbing with age. Thus there are intraocular filters that effectively filter different parts of the UV spectrum and allow only of the order of 1% or less to actually reach the retina. Nevertheless, this small fraction of energy--if phototoxic--could still be of concern. Finally, oblique rays entering the eye from the temporal side, can actually reach the equatorial (germinative) area of the lens.
TL;DR: Differences in postural stability during gait initiation between participants with early and middle stages of PD and 2 other groups of participants without PD indicated that individuals with impaired postural control allow less COM-COP distance than do individuals with no known neurologic problems.
Abstract: Background and Purpose. Initiation of gait requires transitions from relatively stationary positions to stability with movement and from double- to single-limb stances. These are deliberately destabilizing activities that may be difficult for people with early Parkinson disease (PD), even when they have no problems with level walking. We studied differences in postural stability during gait initiation between participants with early and middle stages of PD (characterized by Hoehn and Yahr as stages 1–3) and 2 other groups of participants without PD—older and younger adults. Subjects. The mean ages of the 3 groups of participants were as follows: subjects with PD, 69.3 years (SD=5.7, range=59–78); older subjects without PD, 69.0 years (SD=3.9, range=65–79); and younger subjects without PD, 27.5 (SD=3.9, range=22–35). Methods. A 3-dimensional motion analysis system was used with 2 force platforms to obtain data for center of mass (COM) and center of pressure (COP). The distance between the vertical projections of the COM and the COP (COM–COP distance) was used to reflect postural control during 5 events in gait initiation. Results. By use of multivariate analysis of variance, differences in COM–COP distance were found among the 3 groups. An analysis of variance indicated differences for 4 of the 5 events in gait initiation. A Scheffe post hoc analysis demonstrated differences in gait initiation between the subjects with PD and both groups of subjects without PD (2 events) and between the subjects with PD and the younger subjects without PD (2 events). Discussion and Conclusion. The COM–COP distance relationship was used to measure postural control during the transition from quiet standing to steady-state gait. Differences between groups indicated that individuals with impaired postural control allow less COM–COP distance than do individuals with no known neurologic problems. The method used could prove useful in the development and assessment of interventions to improve ambulation safety and enhance the independence of people with impaired postural control.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a system for early detection of disease outbreaks such as influenza and possibly intentional acts in the US military using ICD-9-CM codes from 99 military emergency rooms and primary care clinics.