bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heat flow and deep temperatures in the Southeast Basin of France: Implications for local rheological contrasts
Authors: Guillou-Frottier Laurent , Lucazeau Francis , Garibaldi Cynthia , Bonte Damien , Couëffe Renaud
Published: January 2011

Triassic salt at 5–10 km depth may drive some of the recent tectonic features in southeastern France. We estimate the likely temperature range of the salt using two different approaches. The first of these, based on the extrapolation of deep temperatures obtained in oil exploration wells, predicts temperatures at a depth of 8 km to be in the range of 230–300°C. However, this prediction could be biased by a lack of deep measurements and problems related to lateral heat transfer caused by thermal conductivity contrasts. The second approach can overcome these problems by modelling the actual heat transfer for appropriate basin geometry, including temperature-dependent thermal properties, and a mantle heat flow of 35 mW.m−2. This latter value enables us to reproduce available temperature measurements and surface heat flow data. Here we evaluate the stationary temperature field along two sections constrained by seismic profiles, one at a local scale across the Vistrenque graben and the other at a more regional scale across the Southeast Basin. Our findings suggest that the temperatures in the deepest parts of the evaporitic layer (11 km depth) can reach up to 398°C, but can be as low as 150°C on the edge of the basin at the top of the salty layer. This temperature difference leads to important changes in salt viscosity. Results indicate that at a depth of 8 km, lateral viscosity contrasts within the evaporitic layer may reach 40. Such rheological contrasts might favour and amplify local subsidence, as seems to have been the case near the two Palaeogene half-grabens of Vistrenque and Valence, where deep hot zones are identified.
Cretaceous folding in the Dévoluy mountains (Subalpine Chains, France): gravity-driven detachment at the European paleomargin versus compressional event
Authors: Michard André , Dumont Thierry , Andreani Louis , Loget Nicolas
Published: January 2011

Located in the southern Subalpine Chains, the Dévoluy-Bochaine (D-B) area displays an “ante-Senonian” (Turonian) unconformity classically interpreted as the result of a compressional event. We argue that the D-B unconformity results from a major synsedimentary collapse on the slope of the European paleomargin. During the Tithonian-Late Cretaceous interval, the D-B area was located on a steep slope between the European platform (Vercors) and the Vocontian basin of SE France where mass-flows and resedimented deposits accumulated. Under the unconformity, the Dévoluy folding affects the Kimmeridgian-Cenomanian series detached on the Mid-Upper Jurassic marl-rich “Terres Noires”. Truncation of the top of the collapsed unit resulted from normal faulting and fragmentation of the poorly consolidated sediments and from their erosion by deep sea currents. Neither subaerial deposits nor shallow water conglomerates occur at the unconformity interface, where fault scarp breccias are locally exposed. The subsequent, mostly Coniacian-Maastrichtian onlapping formation (“Calcaires en Lauzes”) consists of channelized sandy calci-turbidites where slumping events occur again. To conclude, the Dévoluy-Bochaine massifs offer the first example exposed in the External Western Alps of a major synsedimentary collapse comparable to the Niger or Israel offshore study cases.
Combinatorial Dichotomies in Set Theory
Authors: Todorcevic Stevo
Published: January 2011

We give an overview of a research line concentrated on finding to which extent compactness fails at the level of first uncountable cardinal and to which extent it could be recovered on some other perhaps not so large cardinal. While this is of great interest to set theorists, one of the main motivations behind this line of research is in its applicability to other areas of mathematics. We give some details about this and we expose some possible directions for further research.
Managing a Female Patient with Left Low Back Pain and Sacroiliac Joint Pain with Therapeutic Exercise: A Case Report
Authors: Boyle Kyndall L.
Published: January 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this case study is to describe the management of a female patient with chronic left low back pain and sacroiliac joint pain (LBP/SIJP) using unique unilateral exercises developed by the Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) to address pelvic asymmetry and left hip capsule restriction, which is consistent with a Right Handed and Left Anterior Interior Chain pattern of postural asymmetry.

Client Description: The client was 65-year-old woman with a 10-month history of constant left LBP/SIJP and leg pain.

Intervention: The patient was seen six times to correct pelvic position/posture and left hip posterior capsule restriction via (1) muscle activation (left hamstrings, adductor magnus, and anterior gluteus medius) and (2) left hip adduction to lengthen the left posterior capsule/ischiofemoral ligament. Stabilization exercises included bilateral hamstrings, gluteus maximus, adductors, and abdominals to maintain pelvic position/posture.

Measures and Outcome: Left Ober's test (initially positive) was negative at discharge. Pain as measured on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (initially 1/10 at best and 8/10 at worst) was 0/10–0/10 at discharge. Oswestry Disability Index score (initially 20%) was 0% at discharge. The patient no longer had numbness in her left leg, and sexual intercourse had become pain free.

Implications: Interventions to restore and maintain the optimal position of pelvis and hip (femoral head in the acetabulum) may be beneficial for treating patients with chronic LBP/SIJP. The patient's pain was eliminated 13 days after she first performed three exercises to reposition the pelvis and restore left posterior hip capsule extensibility and internal rotation.
Decentralization and REDD+ in Brazil
Authors: Toni Fabiano
Published: January 2011

Recent discussions on REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, plus conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks) have raised optimism about reducing carbon emissions and deforestation in tropical countries. If approved under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), REDD+ mechanisms may generate a substantial influx of financial resources to developing countries. Some authors argue that this money could reverse the ongoing process of decentralization of forest policies that has spread through a large number of developing countries in the past two decades. Central states will be accountable for REDD+ money, and may be compelled to control and keep a significant share of REDD+ funds. Supporters of decentralization argue that centralized implementation of REDD+ will be ineffective and inefficient. In this paper, I examine the relation between subnational governments and REDD+ in Brazil. Data show that some state governments in the Brazilian Amazon have played a key role in creating protected areas (PAs) after 2003, which helped decrease deforestation rates. Governors have different stimuli for creating PAs. Some respond to the needs of their political constituency; others have expectations to boost the forest sector so as to increase fiscal revenues. Governors also have led the discussion on REDD+ in Brazil since 2008. Considering their interests and political power, REDD+ is unlikely to curb decentralization in Brazil.
Molecular Photovoltaics in Nanoscale Dimension
Authors: Burtman Vladimir , Zelichonok Alexander , Pakoulev Andrei V.
Published: January 2011

This review focuses on the intrinsic charge transport in organic photovoltaic (PVC) devices and field-effect transistors (SAM-OFETs) fabricated by vapor phase molecular self-assembly (VP-SAM) method. The dynamics of charge transport are determined and used to clarify a transport mechanism. The 1,4,5,8-naphthalene-tetracarboxylic diphenylimide (NTCDI) SAM devices provide a useful tool to study the fundamentals of polaronic transport at organic surfaces and to discuss the performance of organic photovoltaic devices in nanoscale. Time-resolved photovoltaic studies allow us to separate the charge annihilation kinetics in the conductive NTCDI channel from the overall charge kinetic in a SAM-OFET device. It has been demonstrated that tuning of the type of conductivity in NTCDI SAM-OFET devices is possible by changing Si substrate doping. Our study of the polaron charge transfer in organic materials proposes that a cation-radical exchange (redox) mechanism is the major transport mechanism in the studied SAM-PVC devices. The role and contribution of the transport through delocalized states of redox active surface molecular aggregates of NTCDI are exposed and investigated. This example of technological development is used to highlight the significance of future technological development of nanotechnologies and to appreciate a structure-property paradigm in organic nanostructures.
A Wireless Electronic Nose System Using a Fe2O3 Gas Sensing Array and Least Squares Support Vector Regression
Authors: Song Kai , Wang Qi , Liu Qi , Zhang Hongquan , Cheng Yingguo
Published: January 2011

This paper describes the design and implementation of a wireless electronic nose (WEN) system which can online detect the combustible gases methane and hydrogen (CH4/H2) and estimate their concentrations, either singly or in mixtures. The system is composed of two wireless sensor nodes—a slave node and a master node. The former comprises a Fe2O3 gas sensing array for the combustible gas detection, a digital signal processor (DSP) system for real-time sampling and processing the sensor array data and a wireless transceiver unit (WTU) by which the detection results can be transmitted to the master node connected with a computer. A type of Fe2O3 gas sensor insensitive to humidity is developed for resistance to environmental influences. A threshold-based least square support vector regression (LS-SVR) estimator is implemented on a DSP for classification and concentration measurements. Experimental results confirm that LS-SVR produces higher accuracy compared with artificial neural networks (ANNs) and a faster convergence rate than the standard support vector regression (SVR). The designed WEN system effectively achieves gas mixture analysis in a real-time process.
Sensor-based Fall Risk Assessment – an Expert ‘to go’
Authors: Rehwald A. , Wolf K. H. , Gietzelt M. , Nemitz G. , Meyer zu Schwabedissen H. , Haux R. , Marschollek M.
Published: January 2011

Background: Falls are a predominant problem in our aging society, often leading to severe somatic and psychological consequences, and having an incidence of about 30% in the group of persons aged 65 years or above. In order to identify persons at risk, many assessment tools and tests have been developed, but most of these have to be conducted in a supervised setting and are dependent on an expert rater.

Objectives: The overall aim of our research work is to develop an objective and unobtrusive method to determine individual fall risk based on the use of motion sensor data. The aims of our work for this paper are to derive a fall risk model based on sensor data that may potentially be measured during typical activities of daily life (aim #1), and to evaluate the resulting model with data from a one-year follow-up study (aim #2).

Methods: A sample of n = 119 geriatric inpatients wore an accelerometer on the waist during a Timed ‘Up & Go’ test and a 20 m walk. Fifty patients were included in a one-year follow-up study, assessing fall events and scoring average physical activity at home in telephone interviews. The sensor data were processed to extract gait and dynamic balance parameters, from which four fall risk models – two classification trees and two logistic regression models – were computed: models CT#1 and SL#1 using accelerometer data only, models CT#2 and SL#2 including the physical activity score. The risk models were evaluated in a ten-times tenfold cross-validation procedure, calculating sensitivity (SENS), speci ficity (SPEC), positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), classification accuracy, area under the curve (AUC) and the Brier score.

Results: Both classification trees show a fair to good performance (models CT#1/ CT#2): SENS 74% / 58%, SPEC 96% / 82%, PPV 92% / 74%, NPV 77%/82%, accuracy 80% / 78%, AUC 0.83 / 0.87 and Brier scores 0.14 / 0.14. The logistic regression models (SL#1/ SL#2) perform worse: SENS 42% / 58%, SPEC 82% / 78%, PPV 62% / 65%, NPV 67% / 72%, accuracy 65% /70%, AUC 0.65 / 0.72 and Brier scores 0.23 / 0.21.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that accelerometer data may be used to predict falls in an unsupervised setting. Furthermore, the parameters used for prediction are measurable with an unobtrusive sensor device during normal activities of daily living. These promising results have to be validated in a larger, long-term prospective trial.
Putting Executive Performance in a Theoretical Context
Authors: Connor Lisa Tabor , Maeir Adina
Published: January 2011

This article provides a theoretical context to understand the role of executive functions in occupational performance. The authors provide definitions of the components of executive functions and their occupational significance. Assessment and intervention strategies for individuals with executive function deficits are discussed.
Mild Impairment of Cognition Impacts on Activity Participation after Stroke in a Community-Dwelling Australian Cohort
Authors: Spitzer Jacinta , Tse Tamara , Baum Carolyn M. , Carey Leeanne M.
Published: January 2011

Ongoing disability following stroke can severely impact activity participation and quality of life. The authors investigated the association between cognition and mood and activity participation in 30 survivors of stroke living in the community, using quantitative assessment tools. Non-parametric correlation analyses quantified the presence and strength of association between variables. Differences for those with cognitive impairment or with depressive symptoms were investigated. Survivors of stroke with cognitive impairment of even mild severity had significantly reduced participation in all activity domains. Significant differences in activity participation were not found with mood, although relatively few were identified as being depressed. The findings suggest that mild cognitive impairment after stroke is associated with participation limitations that are important for occupational therapists to consider when planning intervention.
Validation of the Executive Function Route-Finding Task (EFRT) in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Kizony Rachel , Demayo-Dayan Tal , Sinoff Gary , Josman Naomi
Published: January 2011

Reliability and validity of the Executive Function Route-finding Task (EFRT) with people diagnosed as having mild cognitive impairment was examined. Twenty-three people with mild cognitive impairment with a mean age of 77.4 (± 7.5) years and 23 healthy controls with a mean age of 74.3 (± 4.9) years participated. The EFRT was administered along with other tests for executive functions: Executive Interview and two subtests from the Executive Functions Performance Test (EFPT). Findings showed high inter-rater reliability for the EFRT. In addition, the control group performed significantly better on all tests, thus confirming the construct validity of the EFRT. However, further examination into the clinical significance of these findings is needed. Concurrent validity was partially demonstrated by low to moderate significant correlation between the EFRT and one subtest from the EFPT. The results of this study support the reliability and validity of the EFRT among people with mild cognitive impairment.
Application of the Multicontextual Approach in Promoting Learning and Transfer of Strategy Use in an Individual with TBI and Executive Dysfunction
Authors: Toglia Joan , Goverover Yael , Johnston Mark V. , Dain Barry
Published: January 2011

The multicontext approach addresses strategy use and self-monitoring skills within activities and contexts that are systematically varied to facilitate transfer of learning. This article illustrates the application of the multicontext approach by presenting a case study of an adult who is 5 years post-traumatic brain injury with executive dysfunction and limited awareness. A single case study design with repeated pre-post measures was used. Methods to monitor strategy generation and specific awareness within intervention are described. Findings suggest improved functional performance and generalization of use of an external strategy despite absence of changes in general self-awareness of deficits. This case describes the multicontext intervention process and provides clinical suggestions for working with individuals with serious deficits in awareness and executive dysfunction following traumatic brain injury.
Executive Functions and Real-World Performance: How Good are We at Distinguishing People with Acquired Brain Injury from Healthy Controls?
Authors: Bottari Carolina , Dawson Deirdre R.
Published: January 2011

Individuals with cognitive deficits sometimes make errors during the performance of everyday tasks, such as forgetting to turn off the stove. Despite the implicit assumption that clinicians can discriminate individuals with executive function deficits from healthy controls, investigating the validity of this assumption is critical to informed treatment plans. A convenience sample of 90 occupational therapists and neuropsychologists were recruited. Clinicians analyzed 27 one- to three-minute video clips illustrating errors made during the Baycrest Multiple Errands Test (Dawson et al., 2009). The clinicians indicated whether each error had been committed by a person with or without neurological impairment. Clinicians attributed only 15 of the 27 errors (55.6%) to the correct population at a proportion significantly different than chance ( p < .05). Therapists should be cautious when interpreting single errors observed in individuals with cognitive deficits.
Fragmentos para armar. Indicios sobre la presencia artiguista en Buenos Aires
Authors: Herrero Fabián
Published: January 2011

Este estudio presenta indicios sobre la presencia de agentes artiguistas operando en la escena política de Buenos Aires durante el decenio de 1810. A partir de los documentos que ofrece el Archivo Artigas, los órganos de prensa local y diferentes legajos de gobierno del Archivo General de la Nación, es posible rastrear algunas de sus actividades y reconocer algunos de sus planes políticos. Toda esta evidencia pone en duda la imagen fuerte de la historiografía federal que considera que en esta provincia no se presentan ideas de ese signo durante los primeros años revolucionarios.
¿Qué es el multiculturalismo? La nueva cuestión étnica en el Chile neoliberal
Authors: Boccara Guillaume , Bolados Paola
Published: January 2011

Desde la vuelta a la democracia se ha iniciado en Chile un proceso de redefinición de la relación del estado con los pueblos indígenas del país. Definiendo en una sola palabra de aparente sencillez este nuevo panorama social, legal e institucional, el multiculturalismo se ha instalado con fuerza en la arena pública. En este ensayo, examinamos la naturaleza política de este nuevo proyecto cultural nacional a través de sus prácticas y representaciones cotidianas en sitios etnográficos específicos. Inscribiéndonos en el nuevo campo de reflexión abierto por la antropología crítica del desarrollo y la etnografía del estado neoliberal, focalizamos nuestra atención sobre el programa de etnodesarrollo llamado Orígenes y más específicamente sobre la formación del campo etnoburocrático de la salud intercultural en el norte de Chile mediante el análisis de la primera consultoría en salud intercultural en la Comuna de San Pedro de Atacama.
Sobre la supuesta influencia de la independencia de los Estados Unidos en las independencias hispanoamericanas
Authors: Rodríguez O. Jaime E.
Published: January 2011

La independencia de Estados Unidos no infundió en los hispanoamericanos la idea de separarse de la Monarquía española. Sin embargo, su inacción no obedeció a la ignorancia. Por el contrario, numerosas obras impresas les proporcionaron información detallada sobre los acontecimientos ocurridos en Norteamérica. Ya desde la Guerra de los Siete Años, periódicos y publicaciones en lengua española mantenían al público informado sobre el descontento en las colonias del norte, el proceso de independencia y el establecimiento de un gobierno republicano. Más tarde, un acontecimiento sin precedentes —la invasión francesa a la Península española— transformaría el mundo hispánico. La expulsión del rey de España desencadenó una serie de acontecimientos que culminaron en la instauración de un gobierno representativo en aquella entidad política mundial y que, finalmente, resultaron en la disolución de la Monarquía española agregada. Así pues, la independencia de Estados Unidos y la de Hispanoamérica no sólo ocurrieron en distintos momentos, sino también bajo distintas circunstancias.
El Fénix en las Marianas (1747)
Authors: Coello de la Rosa Alexandre
Published: January 2011

Este artículo analiza la ceremonia de coronación de Fernando VI en las islas Marianas —y las exequias de su padre, Felipe V, que la precedieron— como una representación barroca del poder (1747). Se trataba de dos funciones complementarias —Alejandra Osorio lo ha denominado las dos «caras de Jano»— que se orientaban a re-presentar la figura del monarca español y a reforzar la lealtad y fidelidad de sus súbditos en unas islas situadas en los márgenes del imperio
El asociacionismo negro en Cuba: una vía de integración en la sociedad republicana (1920-1960)
Authors: Pignot Elsa
Published: January 2011

En la Cuba recién independizada el asociacionismo negro fue cobrando funciones particulares en este nuevo contexto republicano de la primera mitad del siglo XX. A partir del análisis especializado de dos sociedades negras de instrucción y recreo de la ciudad de Pinar del Río, se observa cómo se convirtieron en considerables plataformas de integración social de sus miembros. Sin embargo esa meta, conforme con el imaginario nacional en construcción, implicaba una continuación del proceso de aculturación y de la heterogeneización de la población negra. Finalmente, estos dos espacios de sociabilidad fueron espejos del sistema jerárquico imperante en Cuba.
La institucionalización de la cosmografía americana: la Casa de la Contratación de Sevilla, el Real y Supremo Consejo de Indias y la Academia de Matemáticas de Felipe II
Authors: Sánchez Martínez Antonio
Published: January 2011

En el contexto del creciente interés historiográfico que está provocando el mundo de la ciencia ibérica, especialmente entre autores extranjeros, durante el periodo moderno posterior al descubrimiento de América, en este artículo el autor pone de manifiesto cómo se llevó a cabo el gran proyecto de institucionalización de la cosmografía a lo largo del siglo XVI, desde los Reyes Católicos hasta Felipe II. A través del funcionamiento interno de la Casa de la Contratación, el Consejo de Indias y la Academia de Matemáticas se pone de relieve cómo la Monarquía Universal y su lema conquistador del «Plus Ultra» intentaron cercar el mundo atlántico, primero, y dominar el Nuevo Mundo, después, por medio de la cosmografía, una ciencia elemental para el mantenimiento de un imperio de ultramar.
Cytotoxicity of Algae Extracts on Normal and Malignant Cells
Authors: Bechelli Jeremy , Coppage Myra , Rosell Karen , Liesveld Jane
Published: January 2011

Algae preparations are commonly used in alternative medicine. We examined the effects of algae extracts on normal hematopoietic cells and leukemia cells. Ethanol extracts were prepared of Dunaliella salina (Dun), Astaxanthin (Ast), Spirulina platensis (Spir), and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA). Cell viability effects were completed by Annexin staining. Ast and AFA inhibited HL-60 and MV-4-11 whereas Dun and Spir had no effect. Primary AML blasts demonstrated increased apoptosis in AFA. Primary CLL cells showed apoptosis at 24 hours after exposure to Dun, Ast, Spir, and AFA. High AFA concentrations decreased viability of normal marrow cells. Normal viability was inhibited by Dun. Dun and AFA inhibited BFU-E, but all extracts inhibited CFU-GM. Cell-cycle analysis of AML cell lines showed G0/G1 arrest in the presence of AFA. These data suggest that algae extracts may inhibit AML cell lines and leukemia blasts, but they may also have potential inhibitory effects on normal hematopoiesis.
High prevalence of tobacco use, alcohol use and overweight in a rural population in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Kaur P , Rao SR , Radhakrishnan E , Ramachandran R , Venkatachalam R , Gupte MD
Published: January 2011

Background:

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death in India. There is high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in urban Tamil Nadu. There are limited data on the prevalence of behavioral risk factors and overweight in rural Tamil Nadu.

Aim:

We estimated prevalence of behavioral risk factors, overweight and central obesity in a rural population in Tamil Nadu, India.

Setting and Design:

We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 11 villages in Kancheepuram/Thiruvallur districts, Tamil Nadu.

Materials and Methods:

Study population included 10,500 subjects aged 25-64 years. We collected data on behavioral risk factors and anthropometric measurements. Body mass index (BMI) was categorized using the classification recommended for Asians. Central obesity was defined as waist circumference ≥90 cm for men and ≥80 cm for women. We computed proportions for all risk factors and used trend chi-square to examine trend.

Results:

Among the 10,500 subjects, 4927 (47%) were males. Among males, 1852 (37.6%) were current smokers and 3073 (62.4%) were current alcohol users. Among females, 840 (15.1%) were smokeless tobacco users. BMI was ≥23.0 kg/m2 for 1618 (32.8%) males and 2126 (38.2%) females. 867 (17.6%) males and 1323 (23.7%) females were centrally obese. Most commonly used edible oil was palm oil followed by sunflower oil and groundnut oil.

Conclusion:

We observed high prevalence of tobacco use, alcohol use and central obesity in the rural population in Tamil Nadu. There is need for health promotion programs to encourage adoption of healthy lifestyle and policy interventions to create enabling environment.
Pneumococcal infections and immunization in diabetic patients
Authors: Mohan V , Unnikrishnan R , Thomas N , Bhansali A , Wangnoo SK , Thomas K
Published: January 2011

India is today facing a diabetes epidemic and has the maximum number of patients with diabetes in the world. People with diabetes are more prone to develop all types of infections. Pneumococcal infections are a common cause of morbidity and mortality, and people with diabetes are more prone to develop pneumococcal infections. With the availability of the pneumococcal vaccine, most international organizations now recommend that people with diabetes should be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. This article tries to provide a balanced review of the place of pneumococcal vaccination in Indian diabetic patients.
HIS-based support of follow-up documentation – concept and implementation for clinical studies
Authors: Fritz F. , Rahbar K. , Stegger L. , Schäfers M. , Dugas M. , Herzberg S.
Published: January 2011

Objective: Follow-up data must be collected according to the protocol of each clinical study, i.e. at certain time points. Missing follow-up information is a critical problem and may impede or bias the analysis of study data and result in delays. Moreover, additional patient recruitment may be necessary due to incomplete follow-up data. Current electronic data capture (EDC) systems in clinical studies are usually separated from hospital information systems (HIS) and therefore can provide limited functionality to support clinical workflow. In two case studies, we assessed the feasibility of HIS-based support of follow-up documentation.

Methods: We have developed a data model and a HIS-based workflow to provide follow-up forms according to clinical study protocols. If a follow-up form was due, a database procedure created a follow-up event which was translated by a communication server into an HL7 message and transferred to the import interface of the clinical information system (CIS). This procedure generated the required follow-up form and enqueued a link to it in a work list of the relating study nurses and study physicians, respectively.

Results: A HIS-based follow-up system automatically generated follow-up forms as defined by a clinical study protocol. These forms were scheduled into work lists of study nurses and study physicians. This system was integrated into the clinical workflow of two clinical studies. In a study from nuclear medicine, each scenario from the test concept according to the protocol of the single photon emission computer tomography/computer tomography (SPECT/CT) study was simulated and each scenario passed the test. For a study in psychiatry, 128 follow-up forms were automatically generated within 27 weeks, on average five forms per week (maximum 12, minimum 1 form per week).

Conclusion: HIS-based support of follow-up documentation in clinical studies is technically feasible and can support compliance with study protocols.
Assessing Father–Infant Interactions Using the NCAST Teaching Scale: A Pilot Study
Authors: Nakamura Wendell M. , Stewart Katherine B. , Tatarka Mary E.
Published: January 2011

Objective. The purpose of this pilot study was to gather preliminary data on father–infant dyads using the Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Training (NCAST) Teaching scale, a parent–infant interaction measure, to determine whether and how fathers score differently than mothers from normative samples.

Method. Interactions between first-time fathers (N = 15) and their infants, 3 months to 6 months of age, during the instruction of an unfamiliar play activity were rated using the NCAST Teaching scale. Scores were compared both with a normative database (N = 2,123) of mother–infant dyads and with a subsample (n = 34) of the normative database to control for demographic variables, including the age, gender, and birth parity of the child and the age, education, marital status, and ethnicity of the parent.

Results. The fathers scored significantly lower on items related to fostering the infants’ cognitive growth than the mothers in the normative database. However, the infants in this study provided clearer behavioral cues and were more responsive to their fathers than the infants in the normative sample. These findings were also true for the subsample comparison. The fathers also scored significantly lower than the normative subsample on items measuring their ability to foster the social and emotional growth of their infants.

Conclusion. There may be important differences in the interactions of father–infant dyads compared with mother–infant dyads, but further research with a larger, more representative sample of fathers on this parent–infant interaction measure is warranted to support this. The development of normative scores for fathers and their infants is recommended to accurately interpret father–infant interactions when administering the NCAST Teaching scale.
Perceptual-Motor Function of School-Age Children With Slow Handwriting Speed
Authors: Tseng Mei Hui , Chow Susanna M. K.
Published: January 2011

Objectives. This study investigated differences in perceptual-motor measures and sustained attention between children with slow and normal handwriting speed and the relationship between these factors.

Method. Thirty-four slow handwriters and 35 normal speed handwriters (7 to 11 years of age) attending elementary schools in Taiwan were given three perceptual-motor tests and a vigilance task to assess sustained attention. Performances on these measures were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance and regression analyses.

Results. A significant difference was found between slow and normal handwriters in upper-limb coordination, visual memory, spatial relation, form constancy, visual sequential memory, figure ground, visual-motor integration, and sustained attention. The three significant predictors of handwriting speed for the slow handwriters were age, visual sequential memory, and visual-motor integration. For the normal speed handwriters, age and upper-limb speed and dexterity were the only two significant predictors.

Conclusions. Slow and normal speed handwriters responded to handwriting demands through different perceptual-motor systems. Whereas upper-limb speed and dexterity seems to play an important role in normal speed handwriters, slow handwriters seem to rely more on visually directed processes, including sequence memory and visual-motor integration.
A Comparison of the Allen Cognitive Level Test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in Adults With Schizophrenia
Authors: Secrest Lori , Wood Amanda Ernst , Tapp Andre
Published: January 2011

Objective. This study examines the relationship among executive function, visuospatial problem solving, and measures of occupational functioning in 33 adult men with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Method. Three measures were administered in a onetime assessment session. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) was used to measure executive functioning, abstract reasoning, and problem-solving abilities. The Allen Cognitive Level (ACL) Test was used to measure learning, problem solving, and visuospatial abilities. The Routine Task Inventory (RTI) measured the level of performance in activities of daily living.

Results. Using multiple regression controlling for age, the WCST significantly predicted performance on the ACL the RTI. Perseverative errors on the WCST were negatively correlated with the ACL (r = −.47) and RTI scores (r = −.59). The ACL and RTI were also significantly correlated (r = .67).

Conclusion. Both the WCST and the ACL are sensitive to similar domains of functioning and are predictive of task performance. The results support the use of the ACL as a quick measure of a person’s cognitive and functional abilities.
The Experience of Being an Occupational Therapist With a Disability
Authors: Velde Beth P.
Published: January 2011

Objective. This study addressed what it is like to practice as an occupational therapist with a disability.

Method. Open-ended interviews using a phenomenological approach were conducted with 10 participants until data saturation was achieved. Each transcripted interview was coded for categories, and the common themes across transcripts were identified.

Results. These major themes were identified: “I am sensitive to their needs”;“The issue is how to cope with life”; and “Recognize your own strengths and limits.” Each theme had several subcategories.

Conclusions. Occupational therapists with disabilities approach their practice from a unique perspective and may be able to motivate and challenge clients in a different manner than therapists without disabilities. Therapists with disabilities perceive themselves as uniquely skilled persons who have developed successful strategies to cope with the experience of disability.
Measuring Knowledge of School-Based Occupational Therapy
Authors: Harris Mary B. , Alley Sidney T.
Published: January 2011

Objective. The primary purpose of this study was to develop a measure of Knowledge of Occupational Therapy in School settings (KNOTS) for occupational therapy students. A secondary purpose was to develop a scale of Self-Efficacy in School Settings (SESS) for occupational therapy students.

Method. One hundred forty-five university students enrolled in either occupational therapy classes or education classes completed a questionnaire consisting (in part) of the 60-item KNOTS scale and the SESS scale. Analyses of internal reliability, group comparisons, and correlations were computed on the scores.

Results. The reliabilities of the KNOTS (.85) and SESS (.94) were reasonably high. Occupational therapy students performed significantly better than did education students, and senior occupational therapy students scored significantly higher than did juniors on the KNOTS. SESS scores were positively but not significantly correlated with KNOTS scores.

Conclusion. If further investigation provides additional evidence for the reliability and validity of the KNOTS and SESS, both measures have a number of potential practical applications.
Consumer Empowerment Through Occupational Therapy: The Americans With Disabilities Act Title III
Authors: Redick Allison Greiner , McClain Linda , Brown Catana
Published: January 2011

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether occupational therapists (a) value a role educating consumers about the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA; Public Law 101–336); (b) are knowledgeable regarding Title III of the ADA; and (c) implement provisions and empower consumers who use wheelchairs to access public accommodations.

Method. A random sample of 510 occupational therapists was surveyed, with 229 responding. Of those surveys returned, 152 respondents who serve clients who use wheelchairs met inclusion criteria.

Results. Although 90% of the participants agreed that occupational therapists should have ADA knowledge and should educate consumers, the mean score of ADA accessibility knowledge on a 10-point quiz was 1.85. The mean score of reported actions to implement ADA provisions with clients was 11.78 of a possible 40 points. There was a significant positive correlation between implementation and attitude (r = .3609, p = .01) and between implementation and knowledge (r = .3376, p = .01); however, the correlation between attitude and knowledge (r = .1673, p = .05) was not significant.

Conclusion. Therapists’ lack of knowledge and their self-reported inaction with regard to ADA Title III may affect the accessibility of the environment, independence, and empowerment of clients who are wheelchair mobile and, therefore, may impede progress toward fully inclusive communities.
Mothers With Disabilities: In Their Own Voice
Authors: Farber Ruth S.
Published: January 2011

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the personal experience of women with disabilities engaged in the occupation of mothering and their perceptions of their interpersonal environment, including interaction with family, professional caregivers, and the community.

Method. In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews were conducted with a diverse sample (n = 8) of mothers with disabilities or chronic illnesses to uncover the nature of their mothering experience. Data were analyzed for themes with the constant comparison approach of grounded theory.

Results. The quality of the participants’ experience varied with the degree of perceived similarity or dissimilarity with other mothers and acceptance of these differences. In addition, their perception of the supportive or nonsupportive nature of their interpersonal environment had an impact on their mothering experience.

Conclusion. The results suggest that mothers with disabilities tend to value the importance of performing maternal occupations according to a perceived culturally common way, although self-acceptance of their own unique differences in performing these occupations facilitates maternal engagement as well.
Adaptive Strategies of Mothers With Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Enfolding and Unfolding Occupations
Authors: Segal Ruth
Published: January 2011

Objective. To describe adaptive strategies of time use among mothers with children with attention deficit hyper activity disorder (ADHD) and, in particular, the adaptive strategies of unfolding occupations that were commonly used by these mothers.

Method. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 families with children with ADHD. Parents were asked to describe their family’s daily schedule, routines, and how occupations were performed. Data were analyzed using the grounded theory approach.

Findings. Mothers used three adaptive strategies: enfolding occupations, temporal unfolding of occupations, and unfolding occupations by inclusion. Enfolding occupations means performing more than one occupation at a time. Unfolding occupations means taking chunks of activities or occupations out of previously established sequences of enfolded occupations to be performed at a different time (temporal unfolding) or by a different person (unfolding by inclusion). The child’s special needs and the availability of financial and human resources influenced the selection of adaptive strategy. Using these adaptive strategies enabled the mothers to care for their children. However, using enfolding or temporal unfolding meant that mothers had less time for other occupations.

Conclusion. The benefits and limitations of the adaptive strategies of enfolding and unfolding occupations suggest a need to study time use in different contexts. Before suggesting use of these adaptive strategies by parents of children with special needs, therapists need to be aware of the family’s financial and human resources.
Effects of Occupational Therapy Services on Fine Motor and Functional Performance in Preschool Children
Authors: Case-Smith Jane
Published: January 2011

Purpose. This study examined how performance components and variables in intervention influenced fine motor and functional outcomes in preschool children.

Method. In a sample of 44 preschool-aged children with fine motor delays who received occupational therapy services, eight fine motor and functional performance assessments were administered at the beginning and end of the academic year. Data on the format and intervention activities of each occupational therapy session were recorded for 8 months.

Results. The children received a mean of 23 sessions, in both individual and group format. Most of the sessions (81%) used fine motor activities; 29% addressed peer interaction, and 16% addressed play skills. Visual motor outcomes were influenced by the number of intervention sessions and percent of sessions with play goals. Fine motor outcomes were most influenced by the therapists’ emphasis on play and peer interaction goals; functional outcomes were influenced by number of sessions and percent of sessions that specifically addressed self-care goals.

Conclusion. The influence of play on therapy outcomes suggests that a focus on play in intervention activities can enhance fine motor and visual motor performance.
Validating the Draw-A-Man Test as a Personal Neglect Test
Authors: Chen-Sea Mei-Jin
Published: January 2011

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of a Draw-A-Man Test in measuring personal neglect in patients with right brain stroke.

Method. Draw-A-Man Test was administered to 51 persons with right cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and 110 age-matched persons without brain insult. A categorical classification was developed based on the man drawn in the test. Participants who showed homogeneous bilateral representation of body parts were considered to not have personal neglect, whereas those who showed unilateral body parts were considered to have personal neglect. The completed tests were used to blindly categorize the persons with and without personal neglect according to the above definition by two raters for calculating interrater reliability. The Klein-Bell ADL (Activities of Daily Living) Scale was also administered to the participants with right CVA to validate the Draw-A-Man Test.

Results. This dichotomy—bilateral representation versus unilateral representation—showed a high percentage of agreement between two raters. Rater A classified all 110 “normal” participants as being without personal neglect and classified 13 of the 51 participants with stroke as having personal neglect. Participants demonstrating personal neglect showed significantly poorer ADL performance than did those without personal neglect. ADL performance was also found to be significantly related to somatosensation, motor status of the impaired limbs, and muscle strength of the sound limbs. However, even after controlling the effect of these variables by partial correlation, personal neglect was still highly related to ADL performance.

Conclusion. The Draw-A-Man Test is a reliable and valid tool for discriminating clients with personal neglect from those without.
On the propagation of MHD eigenmodes in a 2-D-magnetotail
Authors: Fruit G. , Louarn P.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. The propagation of MHD kink/sausage low frequency waves in the magnetotail with a finite normal Bz component is addressed. The general idea is to investigate how a finite Bz may affect the propagation of MHD eigenmodes in the plasma sheet. The standard MHD equations are linearized and solved numerically in a modified Harris sheet. Boundary conditions are chosen such that energy flows outward of the frame box (free propagating system). An initial perturbation is set up in the pressure gradient term and the wave energy is then traced in the system. While a pure 1-D-Harris sheet constitutes an efficient wave guide for MHD eigenmodes, the introduction of a finite Bz in the zero-order geometry changes significantly the propagation of MHD fluctuations: the eigenmodes propagate much more slowly and carry little energy whereas a pure sound wave is excited and propagates isotropically in the system. The presence of a finite Bz thus tends to inhibit the MHD propagation of energy along the plasma sheet. It tends rather to spread the energy throughout the magnetotail. As an application of the above study, the role of a permanent X-point structure on MHD propagation in the plasma sheet is also explored.
Assessment of a vertical high-resolution distributed-temperature-sensing system in a shallow thermohaline environment
Authors: Suárez F. , Aravena J. E. , Hausner M. B. , Childress A. E. , Tyler S. W.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. In shallow thermohaline-driven lakes it is important to measure temperature on fine spatial and temporal scales to detect stratification or different hydrodynamic regimes. Raman spectra distributed temperature sensing (DTS) is an approach available to provide high spatial and temporal temperature resolution. A vertical high-resolution DTS system was constructed to overcome the problems of typical methods used in the past, i.e., without disturbing the water column, and with resistance to corrosive environments. This system monitors the temperature profile each 1.1 cm vertically and in time averages as small as 10 s. Temperature resolution as low as 0.035 °C is obtained when the data are collected at 5-min intervals. The vertical high-resolution DTS system is used to monitor the thermal behavior of a salt-gradient solar pond, which is an engineered shallow thermohaline system that allows collection and storage of solar energy for a long period of time. This paper describes a method to quantitatively assess accuracy, precision and other limitations of DTS systems to fully utilize the capacity of this technology. It also presents, for the first time, a method to manually calibrate temperatures along the optical fiber.