bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-Regional Validation of the School Version of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills
Authors: Munkholm Michaela , Berg Brett , Löfgren Britta , Fisher Anne G.
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE. The objective was to determine whether the School Version of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (School AMPS) is valid when used to evaluate students in different world regions.

METHOD. Participants were 984 students, ages 3–13 yr, from North America, Australia and New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the Nordic countries, matched for age and diagnoses. We used FACETS many-faceted Rasch analyses to generate item difficulty calibrations by region and evaluate for significant differential item functioning (DIF) and differential test functioning (DTF).

RESULTS. Four School AMPS items demonstrated DIF but resulted in no DTF.

CONCLUSION. This study provided support for occupational therapists using the School AMPS to evaluate students’ quality of schoolwork task performances across regions because the School AMPS measures are free of bias associated with world region.
Occupational Therapy and Participatory Research: A Partnership Worth Pursuing
Authors: Letts Lori
Published: September 2010

This paper argues that participatory research is an approach to developing knowledge that can make significant contributions to occupational therapy. One project, working with older adults in Toronto to organize a new seniors’ organization, is used to illustrate the ways in which this approach is participatory and how it can be understood as research. Other examples of participatory research from the occupational therapy literature are then presented. These include research among occupational therapists and research with participants who are typically clients of occupational therapy services. The examples are used to illustrate the conceptual links between client-centered, occupation-based occupational therapy and participatory research. Challenges of adopting a participatory research approach in occupational therapy are discussed, although many of these can be addressed through open discussions with participants. The paper concludes that participatory research is an approach to research that should be pursued more actively in occupational therapy.
Establishing Worker Identity: A Study of People in Craft Work
Authors: Dickie Virginia Allen
Published: September 2010

Having a work-related identity is central to being an adult in America. Going to work and engaging in prescribed work behaviors in the workplace is the usual or typical way that adults achieve worker identities. The purpose of this study, developed from an ethnography of people who make crafts at home and sell their work at craft fairs, was to examine how worker identity is constructed when individuals do not have the external markers of a socially identified job and workplace. I used participant observation of craft fairs and other craft venues, and interviews of people who do this work, as major sources of data. Results of the analysis of the data related to worker identity demonstrated that these crafters followed basic steps, or rules, to achieve such a worker identity. These rules, some for work at home and some for other social contexts, encompassed complex behaviors learned through the process of doing the work as well as from other crafters. The conclusions of the study are first, that individual and social identity formation as a worker involves complex processes for which rules and guidelines do exist. Second, these rules are often discovered through the process of doing the work. Third, the meaning of work and the individual and social identities of being a worker are individual, and finally, knowledge of worker identity formation is gained through the study of both those who successfully achieve such an identity and those who do not.
Effects of an Energy Conservation Course on Fatigue Impact for Persons With Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Vanage Susan M. , Gilbertson Kirsten Kay , Mathiowetz Virgil
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE. Fatigue is a common, troublesome symptom for persons with multiple sclerosis. This study evaluated the effects of an energy conservation course on fatigue impact for persons with multiple sclerosis whose symptoms cause moderate to severe disability.

METHODS. Thirty-seven persons with progressive multiple sclerosis participated in an 8-week experimental energy conservation course treatment and an 8-week control period of traditional treatment using a crossover design. The Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) was used to assess fatigue impact before and after the experimental and control periods, and 8 weeks post-energy conservation course.

RESULTS. After participation in the energy conservation course, the average FIS total score and physical, cognitive, and psychosocial subscale scores decreased significantly, whereas the total and subscale scores did not change significantly during the control period. Additionally, decreased fatigue impact was maintained 8 weeks after course completion for evaluated participants.

CONCLUSION. This study provides evidence that this energy conservation course can be a beneficial intervention for persons with progressive multiple sclerosis.
The Development of an Assessment To Evaluate Behavioral Factors Associated With Falling
Authors: Clemson Lindy , Cumming Robert G. , Heard Robert
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this study was to report the development of the Falls Behavioral (FaB) Scale for Older People, an assessment designed to evaluate behavioral factors that could potentially protect against falling. Instrument development included content analysis, expert review, and factor analysis. Ten behavioral dimensions were identified including Cognitive Adaptations, Protective Mobility, Avoidance, Awareness, Pace, Practical Strategies, Displacing Activities, Being Observant, Changes in Level, and Getting to the Phone. The final 30item scale had a Content Validity Index of 0.93. Test–retest reliability was ICC = 0.94 (p < .01). Construct validity was established by showing that, as expected, scale scores were positively associated with increasing age (rs = 0.46, p < .01) and negatively associated with greater physical mobility (rs = −0.68, p < .01). People who had fallen utilized safer behaviors than those who had not reported a fall (p < .05) providing a benchmark for using the scale in future studies. The FaB is an easily completed, reliable, and valid tool for determining the presence or absence of protective behaviors. It has potential to assist in goal setting for falls prevention and to evaluate behavioral outcomes of fall prevention programs.
Environmental Effects on the Assessment of People With Dementia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Hoppes Steve , Davis Lori A. , Thompson David
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this pilot study was to use a standardized assessment of independent living skills to explore the effects of environment on functional performance of individuals with dementia.

METHODS. Twelve participants (6 males, 6 females), diagnosed with dementia, were given the Structured Assessment of Independent Living Skills (SAILS), a standardized assessment of functional motor, cognitive, instrumental, and social performance. Participants were assessed in their homes, in an adult day-services facility they regularly attended, and in an occupational therapy clinic.

RESULTS. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was no evidence of a learning effect from repeated assessments. Participants’ performances did not differ among the home, clinic, and adult day-services settings on the total SAILS score (F = 1.22; df = 2,20; p = 0.3176), nor on three of its subscales: cognitive score (F = 0.80; df = 2,20; p = 0.4648), instrumental activities (F = 1.37; df = 2,20; p = 0.2777), and social interaction (F = 0.34; df = 2,20; p = 0.7147). However, participants’ performance on the SAILS motor score was significantly higher in the home than in the clinic (t = 2.925, df = 11, p = 0.0138).

CONCLUSION. Participants’ motor performance was significantly better at home than in an unfamiliar environment. Effects of environment on motor performance, and absence of effects on cognitive, instrumental, and social performances, can be explained through ecological theory. These results suggest that the ability to adapt movement to an unfamiliar environment may decline with the onset and progression of dementia.
Clara: A Phenomenology of Disability
Authors: Padilla René
Published: September 2010

A phenomenological approach was used to describe the lived experience of disability of a woman who sustained a head injury 21 years ago. Data were collected through 11 face-to-face interviews and 72 e-mail messages over the period of 11 weeks. An iterative, fluid process of questioning, information-giving, analysis, and verification was characteristic of the whole study, alternating between analysis of the particular and analysis of the general. Through a process of phenomenological reduction, each interview transcript and e-mail message was divided into meaning units that denoted shifts of meaning. Similar meaning units within a transcript or message were then grouped and summarized in a phrase or word. As new meaning units emerged, additional interviews and e-mail exchanges took place in order to obtain an exhaustive description of the experience of disability. All meaning units obtained from this iterative process finally were “horizonalized” into meaning clusters of nonrepetitive themes. The themes of nostalgia, abandonment, and hope emerged through this collaborative process. A shift in view of life was noted in the participant as the reflective process of this study unfolded, suggesting a phenomenological collaboration between patient and therapist may engender a more genuine connection in which personal meaning is authentically the cornerstone of occupation-centered treatment.
Relationship Between Visual-Motor Integration and Handwriting Skills of Children in Kindergarten: A Modified Replication Study
Authors: Daly Christopher J. , Kelley Gail T. , Krauss Andrea
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of performance on the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI; Beery, 1997) to handwriting legibility in children attending kindergarten. The relationship of using lined versus unlined paper on letter legibility, based on a modified version of the Scale of Children’s Readiness in PrinTing (Modified SCRIPT; Weil & Cunningham Amundson, 1994) was also investigated.

METHOD. Fifty-four typically developing kindergarten students were administered the VMI; 30 students completed the Modified SCRIPT with unlined paper, 24 students completed the Modified SCRIPT with lined paper. Students were assessed in the first quarter of the kindergarten school year and scores were analyzed using correlational and nonparametric statistical measures.

RESULTS. Strong positive relationships were found between VMI assessment scores and student’s ability to legibly copy letterforms. Students who could copy the first nine forms on the VMI performed significantly better than students who could not correctly copy the first nine VMI forms on both versions of the Modified SCRIPT.

CONCLUSION. Visual-motor integration skills were shown to be related to the ability to copy letters legibly. These findings support the research of Weil and Cunningham Amundson. Findings from this study also support the conclusion that there is no significant difference in letter writing legibility between students who use paper with or without lines.
Spirituality as Experienced by Occupational Therapists in Practice
Authors: Egan Mary , Swedersky Jill
Published: September 2010

Despite considerable literature describing the potential place of spirituality in occupational therapy, surveys repeatedly demonstrate that therapists are uncomfortable with this concept in practice. To gain a better understanding of how spirituality might inform practice, we interviewed eight occupational therapists who stated that they considered spirituality while working with patients.

Participants defined spirituality as one’s beliefs about the world and one’s place in it and how one lives out these beliefs, through reflection and conscious actions. Four themes of consideration of spirituality in practice emerged. In the first, addressing religious concerns, therapists dealt with patients’ religious questions and issues. In the second, addressing suffering, therapists assisted patients to deal with their feelings related to loss and pain, attempted to relieve patients’ distress and helped patients move towards increased functioning. In the third, encouraging the self, therapists worked to assist patients to acknowledge their own worth and to use their unique gifts and interests. In the fourth, growing as a person, therapists themselves were transformed as a result of the therapeutic encounter.

This study represents an early attempt to determine what occupational therapists who consider spirituality actually do in practice. Future research should go deeper into the experience of such therapists, to gain a richer understanding of the phenomenon.
Classroom Seating for Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Therapy Balls Versus Chairs
Authors: Schilling Denise Lynn , Washington Kathleen , Billingsley Felix F. , Deitz Jean
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of therapy balls as seating on in-seat behavior and legible word productivity of students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Additionally, social validity was assessed to evaluate teacher and student opinions regarding the intervention.

METHOD. A single subject, A-B-A-B interrupted time series design was employed across 3 students (2 males, 1 female) with ADHD. The study was conducted in a 4th grade inclusive classroom during daily language arts. During phases 1 and 3, the 3 participants and all other class members sat on chairs (in-seat on chair); during phases 2 and 4, everyone sat on therapy balls (in-seat on ball). Dependent variables were in-seat behavior and legible word productivity. Data were graphed and visually analyzed for differences between phases.

RESULTS. Results demonstrated increases in in-seat behavior and legible word productivity for the students with ADHD when seated on therapy balls. Social validity findings indicated that generally the teacher and students preferred therapy balls.

CONCLUSION. This study provides evidence that use of therapy balls for students with ADHD may facilitate in-seat behavior and legible word productivity.
Occupational Therapy Effects on Visual-Motor Skills in Preschool Children
Authors: Dankert Heather L. , Davies Patricia L. , Gavin William J.
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the assumption that preschool children who receive occupational therapy will demonstrate significant improvement in their visual-motor skills as measured on the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) and the two supplemental Visual Perception and Motor Coordination tests.

METHOD. Preschool children with developmental delays (n = 12) received occupational therapy a minimum of one individual 30-minute session, and one group 30-minute session per week for 1 school year. Their performance was compared to that of two control groups; preschool students without disabilities who received occupational therapy (n = 16) for one 30-minute group session per week and students without disabilities (n = 15) who received no occupational therapy. The VMI and two supplemental tests were administered three times to each student, at the beginning, middle, and end of school year.

RESULTS. Planned comparison tests showed that students with developmental delays demonstrated statistically significant improvement in visual-motor skills and developed skills at a rate faster than expected when compared to typically developing peers on the VMI. The effect size for preschool students without disabilities who received occupational therapy exceeded the effect size for the VMI and Visual Perception supplemental test for the preschool students without disabilities who received no therapy, although, the difference in the posttest performance of these two groups was not statistically significant.

DISCUSSION. The results of this study demonstrate that intervention, including occupational therapy, can effectively improve visual-motor skills in preschool-aged children.
Fine Motor Activities in Head Start and Kindergarten Classrooms
Authors: Marr Deborah , Cermak Sharon , Cohn Ellen S. , Henderson Anne
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the fine motor activities in Head Start and kindergarten classrooms in order to open a dialogue between the two contexts about the fine motor activities children in preschool will face in kindergarten.

METHODS. Children in 10 Head Start and 10 kindergarten classrooms were observed for 1 day each. Time spent in activities was categorized into four groups: fine motor activities with no academic purpose, fine motor activities with academic purpose, academic activities with no fine motor component, and nonacademic activities with no fine motor component. Percentages of time were calculated and t tests were used for comparison between contexts.

RESULTS. Children in Head Start spent 27%–46% (mean of 37%) of the in-class day in all fine motor activities whereas children in kindergarten spent 36%–66% (mean of 46%). For children in kindergarten, 42% of total fine motor activity time involved paper and pencil activities. In contrast, children in Head Start spent 10% of total fine motor activity time in paper and pencil activities.

CONCLUSION. The higher mean percent of time spent in fine motor activities in kindergarten classrooms suggests a developmentally appropriate increase in fine motor demands. The percent of paper and pencil activity time the children engaged in substantially increased from Head Start to kindergarten. The findings describe a difference between the two environments, informing Head Start of the fine motor demands their graduates face in kindergarten.
Daily Time Use as a Measure of Community Adjustment for Persons Served By Assertive Community Treatment Teams
Authors: Krupa Terry , McLean Heather , Eastabrook Shirley , Bonham Alison , Baksh LeeAnn
Published: September 2010

PURPOSE. The purpose of the study was to examine daily time use of clients of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) as a measure of their community adjustment and well-being. The actual daily time use of ACT clients in the four categories of personal care, productivity, leisure, and sleep were compared to the data for Canadian population norms.

METHOD. Daily time use data were collected from 27 adult clients from two Assertive Community Treatment Teams in southeastern Ontario using recall time diaries of two weekdays. The data were coded using the Statistics Canada (1999) coding scheme. Descriptive statistics were used to determine time in the major categories of time use and z scores were used to compare the study sample to the adult Canadian population. The percentages of time spent in specific subcategories of activity were also compared.

RESULTS. The results indicated an imbalance in occupation with time use dominated by leisure and sleep activities. Study participants spent significantly more time in passive leisure compared to active leisure and socialization.

CONCLUSION. The activity patterns of ACT clients were not consistent with those associated with community adjustment, health, and well-being. Occupational therapists working in ACT are in a good position to contribute to the literature regarding occupational performance and mental illness and to lead ACT teams in discussions and practices that may promote health through activity.
A Comparison of Consultative Model and Direct–Indirect Intervention With Preschoolers
Authors: Dreiling Diann S. , Bundy Anita C.
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a consultative model of intervention with that of direct–indirect intervention for meeting goals of preschool students with mild motor delays.

METHOD. Two occupational therapists provided consultation to teams working with 11 children 1 day a week for all 40 weeks of the school year. A different occupational therapist provided direct–indirect treatment to another 9 children for a full week every 3 weeks for the 40 weeks of the school year. Data for both groups used in this study were kept for the last 4 months at the end of the school year or as the children appeared to be nearing completion of their goals of the study. All therapists met with their teams twice a month to plan and review progress. All parents carried out activities with their children at home. Goal Attainment Scaling was used to examine progress.

RESULTS. No statistically significant differences were found between the two types of intervention (t = .359; df = 18; p = .724).

CONCLUSION. The study suggests that a consultative model and a direct–indirect model are equally effective in meeting objectives for preschoolers with relatively mild motor impairments.
Self-Image, Adolescence, and Disability
Authors: Adamson Lena
Published: September 2010

The purpose of the present study was to examine the self-image of a group of young persons with cerebral palsy. The respondents (3 girls and 4 boys, ages 12 to 17 years) were interviewed and asked to complete a personality inventory. The results from the personality inventory revealed that the respondents viewed themselves in a very positive manner and rated markedly higher than norm groups. This positive view corresponded well with the findings of the interview.

The following conclusions are made: Further studies on self-image and the psychosocial development of adolescents with disabilities should (a) focus on the social interaction outside their immediate families, and (b) continue to use and develop methods where these adolescents can give voice to their own experiences and opinions.
Convergent and Predictive Validity of Three Scales Related to Falls in the Elderly
Authors: Hotchkiss Anita , Fisher Andrea , Robertson Randi , Ruttencutter Amy , Schuffert Julie , Barker David Bruce
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), and Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFE) assessments measured fear of falling in the same manner (convergent validity) and to determine if they predicted those individuals who, based upon a previous history of falls, limitation of activity, and not leaving home, had an increased potential for falling (predictive validity). One hundred and eighteen individuals, 60 years of age and older, completed each of the assessments. They self-reported activity restriction, fall history, and the number of times they left the home each week. The convergent validity of each assessment was established by correlating each assessment tool with each of the others. Findings indicated the ABC and FES were highly correlated with each other, indicating they measured similar constructs, and both were moderately correlated with the SAFE, suggesting these assessments measured different constructs. The predictive validity of each instrument in relation to the frequency of falls, limitation of activity, and frequency of leaving the home revealed no individual tool could accurately predict any of these characteristics of the sample. As a result, no one test by itself was able to identify individuals who may be at risk and a candidate for an intervention program.
Mothering a Child With Hidden Impairments
Authors: Cronin Anne Frances
Published: September 2010

When a mother has a child with a chronic impairment, the occupational demands of mothering extend to address the specialized needs of that child. This research explores how the type of hidden impairment in a child influences family routines and occupations. This qualitative study consisted of interviews with 22 mothers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a behavioral disorder, and 22 mothers of children with cystic fibrosis, a physical disorder. Open-ended questions were used to explore family demands, resources, time use, routines, concerns, and support.

The transcripts of these interviews were analyzed in terms of consistency with existing literature on parenting the child with hidden disability, and for emergent themes. In this analysis the experiences of mothers of children with cystic fibrosis were consistent with research findings on other chronic conditions, with these mothers reporting that family provides them with extensive physical and emotional support. Although mothers of children with cystic fibrosis reported a persistent emotional sorrow, they felt they were able to “normalize” their daily routines. In contrast, mothers of children with ADHD reported little family support, high perception of child-related demands, and less confidence in their success in mothering these children. In describing their daily routines, these mothers often stated that there was no such thing as a “normal” day. They felt constantly “on alert” and did not feel that they had “normal” routines. Based on this study, mothers of children with ADHD felt distress because their child did not easily conform to social standards, and were likely to express exhaustion in their role as “mother.” The pattern of responses offered by these participants differs significantly from that of the participants whose children have cystic fibrosis, and from the usual pattern of coping with chronic childhood disability documented in the literature.
Adaptation to Hand Injury: An Evolving Experience
Authors: Chan Josephine , Spencer Jean
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVES. Objectives of this study were to examine similarities and differences in physical recovery and psychosocial adaptation, engagement in occupations and relationships, perceived outcomes and expectations, and adaptive issues and strategies of 5 participants from an ongoing longitudinal study of adaptation to hand injury.

METHODS. Participants were tracked for 12 months using quantitative measures of physical recovery and psychosocial adaptation, and qualitative adaptation interviews focused on the impact of an injury experience in clients’ daily lives. A computerized graphic format documented changes over time in key quantitative and qualitative indicators in individual Adaptation Trajectories.

RESULTS. Findings included the importance of motivating occupations and relationships, changes over time in expectations for the future, and differences between independent and interdependent adaptive strategies following hand injury.

DISCUSSION. Connections between the International Classification of Functioning and Disability domains of body systems, activity capabilities, and social participation were examined. Findings support the value of individualized, occupation-based therapy that addresses the mind and spirit as well as physical recovery in occupational therapy practice with hand injury clients.
Culture Is Tricky: A Commentary on Culture Emergent in Occupation
Authors: Dickie Virginia A.
Published: September 2010

You can observe a lot by watching.—Yogi Berra
Teachers’ Survey on Problems With Handwriting: Referral, Evaluation, and Outcomes
Authors: Hammerschmidt Sandra L. , Sudsawad Pimjai
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to describe the factors that led elementary school teachers to refer students with handwriting difficulties to occupational therapy, the criteria they used to determine acceptable handwriting, and the handwriting outcomes they looked for after occupational therapy services.

METHOD. A paper questionnaire composed of 31 close-ended questions was mailed to 400 first- through fourth-grade regular education teachers from 32 states to collect data from the 2000–2001 school year. The data were analyzed descriptively using frequency counts and converted to percentages.

RESULTS. Information was obtained from 314 teachers. The main factor for handwriting referral to occupational therapy was that the student was not improving with classroom assistance alone. Teachers chose not being able to read student's writing as the main criterion they used to determine if the student's handwriting was acceptable, and increased legibility was the most important outcome they desired following occupational therapy services for handwriting remediation.

CONCLUSION. The perceptions of regular education teachers on problems with handwriting can provide valuable information to occupational therapy practitioners when providing consultation and direct services related to handwriting in schools.
Predicting Occupational Performance: Handwriting Versus Keyboarding
Authors: Preminger Fabia , (Tamar) Weiss Patrice L. , Weintraub Naomi
Published: September 2010

PURPOSE. To determine whether there is a correlation between handwriting and keyboarding speed and accuracy, and whether handwriting and keyboarding share common underlying components.

METHODS. Sixty-three typically developing 5th-grade students attended a series of 15 keyboarding lessons for a total of 5 hours. Prior to the lessons, cognitive, sensory, and motor skills related to handwriting were evaluated. Prior to and following the lessons keyboarding and handwriting accuracy and speed were also tested. Correlations were employed to examine relationships between handwriting and keyboarding skills and multiple regression analyses were used to examine the contribution of performance components to handwriting and keyboarding performance.

RESULTS. Following keyboarding instruction, a significant correlation was found between handwriting and keyboarding speed, but not in accuracy of these tasks. Similarly, some of the specific tests measuring tactile and oculo-motor functions were found to be related to both handwriting and keyboarding speed, yet accuracy of these tasks did not share common underlying components.

CONCLUSIONS. It appears that handwriting and keyboarding accuracy may entail different skills, suggesting that keyboarding may be a potential alternative writing tool for students with handwriting difficulties. It also appears that when students write slowly, handwriting speed should be considered prior to recommending keyboarding for these students. Additional research is required to further support these findings.
Client-Oriented Role Evaluation (CORE): The Development of a Clinical Rehabilitation Instrument to Assess Role Change Associated With Disability
Authors: Toal-Sullivan Darene , Henderson Peter R.
Published: September 2010

This paper describes the development of an instrument, the Client-Oriented Role Evaluation (CORE), to help meet the needs of rehabilitation clients and clinicians in their joint efforts to define realistic and meaningful therapeutic goals. The CORE is based on a model that captures the relationship among identity, roles, constituent occupations, and personal and environmental determinants. The model encourages a comprehensive approach to examining role change and role loss that occurs with disability. The instrument consists of a series of steps in which role changes are identified, role values are assigned, and satisfaction with role performance is rated at different points in time across the rehabilitation process. A description of the CORE development is presented along with preliminary data from clients involved in a chronic pain rehabilitation program.
A Training Apartment With Electronic Aids To Daily Living: Lived Experiences of Persons With Brain Damage
Authors: Erikson Anette , Karlsson Gunnar , Söderström Marianne , Tham Kerstin
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to investigate how persons with acquired brain damage experienced their 1-week stay in an apartment fitted with electronic aids to daily living (EADL). The study focused on how the individuals adapted to this artificial environment in their performance of daily activities and how their occupational experiences influenced their view of the future.

METHODS. The 11 participants were interviewed on the last day of their rehabilitation period in an EADL-equipped training apartment. The data were collected and analyzed using the Empirical Phenomenological Psychological (EPP) method.

FINDINGS. The findings revealed four main characteristics that described an adaptation process that occurred during the week in the EADL-equipped training apartment: plunging into an EADL-equipped environment, “landing” and feeling comfortable with the new environment, incorporating the “new” in daily activities, and “taking-off” for the future.

CONCLUSION. In a short time, the combination of the EADL and the aesthetically attractive environment gave the participants experiences that contributed to a “taking off” for their future life. Findings from this study suggest that, in clinical practice, clients may need initial guidance from the therapists to “land” and feel comfortable in a new environment, like a training apartment, before they can learn how to incorporate new electronic aids in their every day activities.
Responses of Preschool Children With and Without ADHD to Sensory Events in Daily Life
Authors: Yochman Aviva , Parush Shula , Ornoy Asher
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare parents’ perceptions of the responses of their preschool children, with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), to sensory events in daily life in Israel. In addition, the relationship between levels of hyperactivity and sensory deficits was examined.

METHOD. The Sensory Profile Questionnaire (SP) was completed by mothers of forty-eight 4- to 6-year-old children with ADHD, and mothers of 46 children without disabilities. A matched group comparison design was used to identify possible differences in sensory processing.

RESULTS. Based on the measure of mothers’ perceptions, children with ADHD demonstrated statistically significant differences from children without ADHD in their sensory responsiveness as reflected in 6 out of 9 factor scores (p < .001–.05), and on their sensory processing, modulation, and behavioral and emotional responses, as reflected in 11 out of 14 section scores (p < .001–.05). Scores on the SP yielded statistically significant low to moderate correlations with scores on the hyperactive scale of the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire (r = .28–.66).

CONCLUSION. The findings of the present study suggest that young children with ADHD may be at increased risk of deficits in various sensory processing abilities, over and above the core symptoms of ADHD. Early identification and treatment of sensory processing deficits from a young age may extend our ability to support the successful performance of children with ADHD in meaningful and productive occupations.
Optical closure experiments for biomass smoke aerosols
Authors: Mack L. A. , Levin E. J. T. , Kreidenweis S. M. , Obrist D. , Moosmüller H. , Lewis K. A. , Arnott W. P. , McMeeking G. R. , Sullivan A. P. , Wold C. E. , Hao W.-M. , Collett J. L. , Malm W. C.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. A series of laboratory experiments at the Fire Laboratory at Missoula (FLAME) investigated chemical, physical, and optical properties of fresh smoke samples from combustion of wildland fuels that are burned annually in the western and southeastern US The burns were conducted in the combustion chamber of the US Forest Service Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana. Here we discuss retrieval of optical properties for a variety of fuels burned in FLAME 2, using nephelometer-measured scattering coefficients, photoacoustically-measured aerosol absorption coefficients, and size distribution measurements. Uncertainties are estimated from various instrument characteristics and instrument calibration studies. Our estimates of single scattering albedo for different dry smoke samples varied from 0.428 to 0.990, indicative of observed wide variations in smoke aerosol chemical composition. In selected case studies, we retrieved the complex refractive index from measurements but show that these are highly sensitive to uncertainties in measured size distributions.
Ternary homogeneous nucleation of H2SO4, NH3, and H2O under conditions relevant to the lower troposphere
Authors: Benson D. , Markovich A. , Lee S.-H.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. Ternary homogeneous nucleation (THN) of H2SO4, NH3 and H2O has been used to explain new particle formation in various atmospheric regions, yet laboratory measurements have failed to reproduce atmospheric observations. Here, we report laboratory observations of THN made under conditions relevant to the lower troposphere (H2SO4 of 106–107 cm−3, NH3 of 0.08–20 ppbv, and 288 K). Our observations show that NH3 can enhance atmospheric H2SO4 aerosol nucleation and the enhancement factor (EF) in nucleation rate due to NH3 increases linearly with increasing NH3 and increases exponentially with decreasing H2SO4 and RH. The critical clusters of ternary homogeneous nucleation contain 3–5 molecules of H2SO4, 1–4 molecules of H2O, and only 1 molecule of NH3. The composition of H2SO4 and H2O in critical clusters and the threshold of H2SO4 concentrations required for the unit nucleation rate both do not vary in the presence and absence of NH3. These observations can be directly used to improve aerosol nucleation models to correctly assess how man-made SO2 and NH3 affect aerosol formation and CCN production at the global scale.
Magnitude and seasonality of wetland methane emissions from the Hudson Bay Lowlands (Canada)
Authors: Pickett-Heaps C. A. , Jacob D. J. , Wecht K. J. , Kort E. A. , Wofsy S. C. , Diskin G. S. , Worthy D. E. J. , Kaplan J. O. , Bey I. , Drevet J.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. The Hudson Bay Lowlands (HBL) is the second largest boreal wetland ecosystem in the world and an important natural source of global atmospheric methane. We quantify the HBL methane emissions by using the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model to simulate aircraft measurements over the HBL from the ARCTAS and pre-HIPPO campaigns in May–July 2008, together with continuous 2004–2008 surface observations at Fraserdale (southern edge of HBL) and Alert (Arctic background). The difference in methane concentrations between Fraserdale and Alert is shown to be a good indicator of HBL emissions, and implies a sharp seasonal onset of emissions in June (consistent with the aircraft data) and seasonal shut-off in September. The model, in which seasonal variation of emission is mainly driven by surface temperature, reproduces well the observations in summer but its seasonal shoulders are too broad. We suggest that this reflects the suppression of emissions by snow cover, and greatly improves the model simulation by accounting for this effect. Our resulting best estimate for HBL methane emissions is 2.3 Tg a−1, several-fold higher than previous estimates.
Investigations of aerosol impacts on hurricanes: virtual seeding flights
Authors: Carrió G. G. , Cotton W. R.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. This paper examines the feasibility of mitigating the intensity of hurricanes by enhancing the CCN concentrations in the outer rainband region. Increasing CCN concentrations would cause a reduced collision and coalescence, resulting in more supercooled liquid water to be transported aloft which then freezes and enhances convection via enhanced latent heat of freezing. The intensified convection would condense more water ultimately enhancing precipitation in the outer rainbands. Enhanced evaporative cooling from the increased precipitation in the outer rainbands would produce stronger and more widespread areal cold pools which block the flow of energy into the storm core, ultimately inhibiting the intensification of the tropical cyclone. We designed a series of multi-grid for which the time of the "virtual flights" as well as the aerosol release rates are varied. A code that simulates the flight of a plane is used to increase the CCN concentrations as an aircraft flies. Results show a significant sensitivity to both the seeding time and the aerosol release rates and support the aforementioned hypothesis.
Effect of ionospheric depth on the ionospheric feedback instability: cutoff and subsequent E|| modes
Authors: Cosgrove R. , Doe R.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. The ionospheric feedback instability (IFI), which involves feedback between ionospheric modifications and waves reflected off the magnetosphere, has up to this point been analyzed in terms of field line integrated (FLI) ionospheric quantities, that is, with the assumption that the ionospheric thickness can be ignored. In this work we test this assumption by solving the two-fluid equations for a representative ionospheric slab of finite thickness. We find that the results are for the most part incompatible with a description in terms of FLI quantities, and that their use can easily lead to an order of magnitude overestimation of the growth rate. This occurs because the first eigenmode, which is the one compatible with an FLI description, is cutoff above a certain frequency, leaving only higher order modes with wavelengths along B that are subsumed by the slab. Taking the results at face value, the parallel electric fields associated with the higher order modes are a possible contributor to electron heating and plasma structure in the E-region ionosphere.
Interpolation of externally-caused magnetic fields over large sparse arrays using Spherical Elementary Current Systems
Authors: McLay S. A. , Beggan C. D.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. A physically-based technique for interpolating external magnetic field disturbances across large spatial areas can be achieved with the Spherical Elementary Current System (SECS) method using data from ground-based magnetic observatories. The SECS method represents complex electrical current systems as a simple set of equivalent currents placed at a specific height in the ionosphere. The magnetic field recorded at observatories can be used to invert for the electrical currents, which can subsequently be employed to interpolate or extrapolate the magnetic field across a large area. We show that, in addition to the ionospheric currents, inverting for induced subsurface current systems can result in strong improvements to the estimate of the interpolated magnetic field. We investigate the application of the SECS method at mid- to high geomagnetic latitudes using a series of observatory networks to test the performance of the external field interpolation over large distances. We demonstrate that relatively few observatories are required to produce an estimate that is better than either assuming no external field change or interpolation using latitudinal weighting of data from two other observatories.
The Hamburg Ocean Atmosphere Parameters and Fluxes from Satellite Data – HOAPS-3
Authors: Andersson A. , Fennig K. , Klepp C. , Bakan S. , Graßl H. , Schulz J.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. The availability of microwave instruments on satellite platforms allows the retrieval of essential water cycle components at high quality for improved understanding and evaluation of water processes in climate modelling. HOAPS-3, the latest version of the satellite climatology "Hamburg Ocean Atmosphere Parameters and Fluxes from Satellite Data" provides fields of turbulent heat fluxes, evaporation, precipitation, freshwater flux and related atmospheric variables over the global ice-free ocean. This paper describes the content, methodology and retrievals of the HOAPS climatology. A sophisticated processing chain, including all available Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) instruments aboard the satellites of the Defense Meteorological Satellites Program (DMSP) and careful inter-sensor calibration, ensures a homogeneous time-series with dense data sampling and hence detailed information of the underlying weather situations. The completely reprocessed data set with a continuous time series from 1987 to 2005 contains neural network based algorithms for precipitation and wind speed and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) based SST fields. Additionally, a new 85 GHz synthesis procedure for the defective SSM/I channels on DMSP F08 from 1988 on has been implemented. Freely available monthly and pentad means, twice daily composites and scan-based data make HOAPS-3 a versatile data set for studying ocean-atmosphere interaction on different temporal and spatial scales. HOAPS-3 data products are available via http://www.hoaps.org.
Formulation of the Dutch Atmospheric Large-Eddy Simulation (DALES) and overview of its applications
Authors: Heus T. , van Heerwaarden C. C. , Jonker H. J. J. , Pier Siebesma A. , Axelsen S. , van den Dries K. , Geoffroy O. , Moene A. F. , Pino D. , de Roode S. R. , Vilà-Guerau de Arellano J.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. The current version of the Dutch Atmospheric Large-Eddy Simulation (DALES) is presented. DALES is a large-eddy simulation code designed for studies of the physics of the atmospheric boundary layer, including convective and stable boundary layers as well as cloudy boundary layers. In addition, DALES can be used for studies of more specific cases, such as flow over sloping or heterogeneous terrain, and dispersion of inert and chemically active species. This paper contains an extensive description of the physical and numerical formulation of the code, and gives an overview of its applications and accomplishments in recent years.
Freak waves of different types in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea
Authors: Didenkulova I. , Anderson C.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. We present a statistical analysis of freak waves1 measured during the 203 h of observation on sea surface elevation at a location in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea (2.7 m depth) during June–July 2008. The dataset contains 97 freak waves occurring in both calm and stormy weather conditions. All of the freak waves are solitary waves, 63% of them having positive shape, 17.5% negative shape and 19.5% sign-variable shape. It is suggested that the freak waves can be divided into two groups. Those of the first group, which includes 92% of the freak waves, have an amplification factor (ratio of freak wave height to significant wave height) which does not vary from significant wave height and has values largely within the range of 2.0 to 2.4; while for the second group, which contain the most extreme freak waves, amplification factors depend strongly on significant wave height and can reach 3.1. Analysis based on the Generalised Pareto distribution is used to describe the waves of the first group and lends weight to the identification of the two groups. It is suggested that the probable mechanism of the generation of freak waves in the second group is dispersive focussing. The time-frequency spectra of the freak waves are studied and dispersive tracks, which can be interpreted as dispersive focussing, are demonstrated. 1 taken to be waves whose height is 2 or more times greater than the significant wave height