bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary Artery Enlargement Is Associated With Right Ventricular Dysfunction and Loss of Blood Volume in Small Pulmonary Vessels in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Wells J. Michael , Iyer Anand S. , Rahaghi Farbod N. , Bhatt Surya P. , Gupta Himanshu , Denney Thomas S. , Lloyd Steven G. , Dell’Italia Louis J. , Nath Hrudaya , Estepar Raul San Jose , Washko George R. , Dransfield Mark T. 
Published: April 2015

Background—
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes significant morbidity and concomitant pulmonary vascular disease and cardiac dysfunction are associated with poor prognosis. Computed tomography–detected relative pulmonary artery (PA) enlargement defined as a PA to ascending aorta diameter ratio >1 (PA:A>1) is a marker for pulmonary hypertension and predicts chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. However, little is known about the relationship between the PA:A ratio, pulmonary blood volume, and cardiac function.

Methods and Results—

A single-center prospective cohort study of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was conducted. Clinical characteristics and computed tomography metrics, including the PA:A and pulmonary blood vessel volume, were measured. Ventricular functions, volumes, and dimensions were measured by cine cardiac MRI with 3-dimensional analysis. Linear regression examined the relationships between clinical characteristics, computed tomography and cardiac MRI metrics, and 6-minute walk distance. Twenty-four patients were evaluated and those with PA:A>1 had higher right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indices accompanied by lower RV ejection fraction (52±7% versus 60±9%;
P
=0.04). The PA:A correlated inversely with total intraparenchymal pulmonary blood vessel volume and the volume of distal vessels with a cross-sectional area of <5 mm
2
. Lower forced expiratory volume, PA:A>1, and hyperinflation correlated with reduced RV ejection fraction. Both PA diameter and reduced RV ejection fraction were independently associated with reduced 6-minute walk distance.

Conclusions—
The loss of blood volume in distal pulmonary vessels is associated with PA enlargement on computed tomography. Cardiac MRI detects early RV dysfunction and remodeling in nonsevere chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with a PA:A>1. Both RV dysfunction and PA enlargement are independently associated with reduced walk distance.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00608764.
HITS: Hurricane Intensity and Track Simulator with North Atlantic Ocean Applications for Risk Assessment
Authors: Nakamura J. , Lall U. , Kushnir Y. , Rajagopalan B. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA nonparametric stochastic model is developed and tested for the simulation of tropical cyclone tracks. Tropical cyclone tracks demonstrate continuity and memory over many time and space steps. Clusters of tracks can be coherent, and the separation between clusters may be marked by geographical locations where groups of tracks diverge as a result of the physics of the underlying process. Consequently, their evolution may be non-Markovian. Markovian simulation models, as are often used, may produce tracks that potentially diverge or lose memory quicker than happens in nature. This is addressed here through a model that simulates tracks by randomly sampling track segments of varying length, selected from historical tracks. For performance evaluation, a spatial grid is imposed on the domain of interest. For each grid box, long-term tropical cyclone risk is assessed through the annual probability distributions of the number of storm hours, landfalls, winds, and other statistics. Total storm length is determined at birth by local distribution, and movement to other tropical cyclone segments by distance to neighbor tracks, comparative vector, and age of track. The model is also applied to the conditional simulation of hurricane tracks from specific positions for hurricanes that were not included in the model fitting so as to see whether the probabilistic coverage intervals properly cover the subsequent track. Consequently, tests of both the long-term probability distributions of hurricane landfall and of event simulations from the model are provided.
The Influence of High-Frequency Atmospheric Forcing on the Circulation and Deep Convection of the Labrador Sea
Authors: Holdsworth Amber M. , Myers Paul G. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
The influence of high-frequency atmospheric forcing on the circulation of the North Atlantic Ocean with emphasis on the deep convection of the Labrador Sea was investigated by comparing simulations of a coupled ocean–ice model with hourly atmospheric data to simulations in which the high-frequency phenomena were filtered from the air temperature and wind fields. In the absence of high-frequency atmospheric forcing, the strength of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation and subpolar gyres was found to decrease by 25%. In the Labrador Sea, the eddy kinetic energy decreased by 75% and the average maximum mixed layer depth decreased by between 20% and 110% depending on the climatology. In particular, high-frequency forcing was found to have a greater impact on mixed layer deepening in moderate to warm years whereas in relatively cold years the temperatures alone were enough to facilitate deep convection. Additional simulations in which either the wind or temperature was filtered revealed that the wind, through its impact on the bulk formulas for latent and sensible heat, had a greater impact on deep convection than the temperature.
The Influence of Surface and Precipitation Characteristics on TRMM Microwave Imager Rainfall Retrieval Uncertainty
Authors: Carr N. , Kirstetter P.-E. , Hong Y. , Gourley J. J. , Schwaller M. , Petersen W. , Wang Nai-Yu , Ferraro Ralph R. , Xue Xianwu 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCharacterization of the error associated with quantitative precipitation estimates (QPEs) from spaceborne passive microwave (PMW) sensors is important for a variety of applications ranging from flood forecasting to climate monitoring. This study evaluates the joint influence of precipitation and surface characteristics on the error structure of NASA’s Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) surface QPE product (2A12). TMI precipitation products are compared with high-resolution reference precipitation products obtained from the NOAA/NSSL ground radar–based Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) system. Surface characteristics were represented via a surface classification dataset derived from NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). This study assesses the ability of 2A12 to detect, classify, and quantify precipitation at its native resolution for the 2011 warm season (March–September) over the southern continental United States. Decreased algorithm performance is apparent over dry and sparsely vegetated regions, a probable result of the surface radiation signal mimicking the scattering signature associated with frozen hydrometeors. Algorithm performance is also shown to be positively correlated with precipitation coverage over the sensor footprint. The algorithm also performs better in pure stratiform and convective precipitation events, compared to events containing a mixture of stratiform and convective precipitation within the footprint. This possibly results from the high spatial gradients of precipitation associated with these events and an underrepresentation of such cases in the retrieval database. The methodology and framework developed herein apply more generally to precipitation estimates from other passive microwave sensors on board low-Earth-orbiting satellites and specifically could be used to evaluate PMW sensors associated with the recently launched Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission.
Toward understanding the heterogeneity in obsessive-compulsive disorder: Evidence from narratives in adult patients
Authors: Van Schalkwyk Gerrit I , Bhalla Ish P , Griepp Matthew , Kelmendi Benjamin , Davidson Larry , Pittenger Christopher 
Published: April 2015

Background: Current attempts at understanding the heterogeneity in obsessive-compulsive disorder have relied on quantitative methods. The results of such work point toward a dimensional structure for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Existing qualitative work in obsessive-compulsive disorder has focused on understanding specific aspects of the obsessive-compulsive disorder experience in greater depth. However, qualitative methods are also of potential value in furthering our understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder heterogeneity by allowing for open-ended exploration of the obsessive-compulsive disorder experience and correlating identified subtypes with patient narratives. Objective: We explored variations in patients’ experience prior to, during and immediately after performing their compulsions. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder, followed by inductive thematic analysis. Participant responses were not analyzed within the context of an existing theoretical framework, and themes were labeled descriptively. Results: The previous dichotomy of ‘anxiety’ vs ‘incompleteness’ emerged organically during narrative analysis. In addition, we found that some individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder utilized their behaviors as a way to cope with stress and anxiety more generally. Other participants did not share this experience and denied finding any comfort in their obsessive-compulsive behaviors. The consequences of attentional difficulties were highlighted, with some participants describing how difficulty focusing on a task could influence the need for it to be repeated multiple times. Conclusions: The extent to which patients use obsessive-compulsive disorder as a coping mechanism is a relevant distinction with potential implications for treatment engagement. Patients may experience ambivalence about suppressing behaviors that they have come to rely upon for management of stress and anxiety, even if these behaviors represent symptoms of a psychiatric illness.
Criminal Achievement and Self-efficacy
Authors: Laferrière Dominique , Morselli Carlo 
Published: April 2015

Objectives: Self-efficacy, the subjective belief that one can successfully perform a behavior, has been shown to be an important predictor of various conventional behaviors. This study applies self-efficacy theory to offending experiences and aims at examining the factors that influence criminal self-efficacy. Methods: The study is based on a survey questionnaire that was administered to 212 inmates. The sources of information identified by self-efficacy theory—individual and contextual characteristics, physiological states, social persuasion, vicarious learning, and personal performance accomplishments—were operationalized with the data to evaluate their impact on criminal self-efficacy. Results: Results from ordered logistic regressions demonstrate that age, education, legitimate earnings, relative criminal earnings, qualifications, authority, and criminal earnings are the most potent factors influencing the development of criminal self-efficacy. Conclusion: This study’s findings are consistent with research on noncriminal contexts in that one’s self-efficacy in a given domain is primarily the result of personal and vicarious experiences as well as contextual features surrounding these activities. While this study could not evaluate the temporal horizons extending from criminal self-efficacy, we believe that these subjective outlooks bare great theoretical relevance for life course criminology and might prove informative in understanding criminal persistence and desistance.
Modified thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS) and its clinical usefulness
Authors: Park Hee Jin , Lee So Yeon , Park Noh Hyuck , Shin Hun Gyu , Chung Eun Chul , Rho Myung Ho , Kim Mi Sung , Kwon Heon Ju 
Published: April 2015

Background Thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS) is not very reliable for assessment of injury to the posterior ligament complex, even when scored by experts. It is not reasonable to score every compression fracture or burst fracture the same as there is great variety in the severity of compression fractures and burst fractures. Purpose To propose a modified TLICS (mTLICS) and evaluate the performance of the mTLICS system by measuring the agreement between scores determined by radiologists using both systems and actual treatment procedure delivered. Material and Methods We retrospectively evaluated 134 patients with acute lumbar and thoracic spinal trauma after undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using new mTLICS and conventional TLICS system. Inter-observer agreements of TLICS and mTLICS scores were analyzed using the kappa statistic. Nonparametric correlation analysis was used to determine correlation (R) among each score and the surgical intervention. Results The mTLICS system showed slightly higher correlation than TLICS (Rs, TLICS, 0.592 and 0.613 vs. mTLICS, 0.628 and 0.639). If we consider a total maximal score of 4 to be a negative surgical indication, mTLICS showed significantly higher sensitivities than TLICS, and if we consider a total minimal score of 4 to be a positive surgical indication, mTLICS showed significantly higher specificities than TLICS. Conclusion The mTLICS score corrects deficiencies in the TLICS system that lead to ambiguity in the radiological diagnostic criteria. mTLICS is a more suitable scoring system than TLICS for predicting surgical management accurately, especially for morphological injuries.
Occupation as a Quality of Life Constituent: A Nursing Home Perspective
Authors: Green Sharon , Cooper Barbara Acheson 
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapy, with its core belief in the occupational needs of individuals, facilitates independent and meaningful activity. When clients become elderly, frail and subject to multiple pathology, they may need the care of a nursing home. Here, through the lack of use of residual abilities, a spiral of decline in occupational performance can occur. To increase knowledge of the factors that contribute most to enabling occupational performance in nursing home settings, a study was carried out in the north-west of England (n=20). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the matrons to determine the philosophy of care, the daily routines and the approach to activity provision for residents. The data were analysed using a person/environment/occupation framework. The results indicated that the level of function of the residents greatly influenced the amount and types of activity offered. The matron's role was found to be crucial in recognising the therapeutic value of non-traditional activities and in maximising the use of staff and resources to enhance quality of life for the residents. Flexibility and a creative use of resources were found to have a greater positive influence on the quality of life of severely disabled residents than official policy. In these settings, the role of the occupational therapist moves from hands-on provider to consultant, primarily to the matron.
The Role of the Occupational Therapist in Addressing the Spiritual Needs of Clients
Authors: Udell Lorraine , Chandler Colin 
Published: April 2015

There is a continuing debate within the health professions on the place of spirituality and the approach to be taken towards spiritual needs within holistic care. In occupational therapy, the need for both a working definition of spirituality and evidence to validate spirituality as a performance component has been identified (Urbanowski and Vargo 1994). The aim of this study was to add to the debate by exploring the experiences of occupational therapists who have encountered spiritual needs in their practice. A phenomenological approach using semi-structured interviews with three Christian occupational therapists explored their understanding of spirituality and experience of spiritual needs in practice. While the therapists interviewed had some difficulty in putting into words the concept of spirituality, they were able to identify spiritual needs in their clients and expressed opinions regarding the possible role of the occupational therapist in dealing with the spiritual needs of clients. It was clear that spiritual counselling was not considered to be appropriate for the occupational therapist, although recognising the spiritual dimension of an individual was important. In the United Kingdom, the occupational therapy profession needs to develop further its view on spirituality in holistic care and the impact that it has on the health and wellbeing of its clients.
Occupational Therapy for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Study of the Effectiveness of a Combined Sensory Integration and Perceptual-Motor Intervention
Authors: Davidson Tracy , Williams Brian 
Published: April 2015

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a problem for a significant proportion of children during school years and may result in more enduring social and emotional problems. Both occupational therapists and physiotherapists provide services for children with DCD. However, there are few studies examining the effectiveness of interventions for this client group. This has resulted in continuing uncertainty over the most effective treatment for this condition. This paper examines past problems with regard to definitions of the disorder, research design and ethical barriers. The results of a pre-test, post-test single-group study of an occupational therapy intervention for DCD are then presented. Outcomes were measured by the Movement ABC and the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery 1982) at one-year follow-up. The results are discussed in relation to the shortcomings of research design used in the study. It is concluded that the intervention, consisting of combined sensory integration and perceptual-motor training, is likely to be ineffective at 12-month follow-up.
Clinical Governance and User Involvement
Authors: Cusack Louise , Sealey-Lapeš Christine 
Published: April 2015

Clinical governance is high on the Government's agenda for improving quality in health and social care. It was introduced to ensure fair access to effective, prompt and high quality care for all users, regardless of geographical area. An integral aspect of this initiative is the involvement of users. This paper presents current government policy on clinical governance, a working definition and an exploration of the value of user involvement. It gives an example of establishing a strategy for user involvement, from Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust, where the first author is a non-executive member of the Trust Board. It suggests methods that occupational therapists can use to involve users in various aspects of the service. The authors propose that, for occupational therapists, the whole culture of involving users must shift from being passive to being proactive. Occupational therapists are well placed to be pioneers in this agenda and must move forward in involving users, in order to create modern, dependable and user-friendly health and social care.
Joint Working between Occupational Therapy and Clinical Psychology in a School Setting: A Neurorehabilitation Case Study of a Child with an Acquired Developmental Disability
Authors: Kalpogianni E , Frampton I , Rado T 
Published: April 2015

This article presents a case study of the assessment and treatment of an 8-year-old boy with developmental disabilities following meningitis. It aims to explore the extent to which clinical child psychologists and paediatric occupational therapists share a common frame of reference that enables them to work jointly, in an effective and complementary way, to improve clinical standards. Following a combined programme of intervention, the outcome assessment showed significant improvement in the specific components of visual attention and visual search. However, more generalised improvement in daily living skills was not apparent. The implications for joint working between health professionals and for collaboration with teachers are discussed.
The Benefits to Young People Experiencing Psychosis, and Their Families, of an Early Intervention Programme: Evaluating a Service from the Consumers' and the Providers' Perspectives
Authors: Fisher Angela , Savin-Baden Maggi 
Published: April 2015

The new agenda for mental health services, driven by the National Service Framework for Mental Health, places emphasis on social inclusion, the promotion of mental health, the provision of needs-led services and the development of partnerships with users, carers and the wider community. The evaluation focused on an occupational therapy initiative that embraced this agenda and which was targeted at young people, aged between 16 and 25 years, who were experiencing or who had recently experienced psychosis. The programme, known as ‘TIME’, integrated the provision of evidence-based psychosocial therapies, namely early intervention, family intervention, cognitive therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy, and occupational therapy. It was evaluated by gaining the perspectives of all the key stakeholders, that is, both consumers and providers of the programme. Although TIME was valued by the service users, the findings indicated discrepancies between the embedded values and norms of the health care systems and those espoused by theorists and policy. Thus, if services that strive to embrace the values and standards laid down in the National Service Framework for Mental Health are to succeed, these important issues will need to be addressed and specific consideration given to the underpinning values essential to the delivery of user-led services.
Manual Handling Risk Assessments in Occupational Therapy
Authors: Hignett Sue 
Published: April 2015

The occupational therapy department at a large acute hospital identified 63 manual handling risks in its practice. To facilitate the management of these risks, a 2-year ergonomic study was carried out to rationalise these risks into generic themes. A qualitative methodological approach was taken to explore the complex professional, social and cultural issues. Data were collected using observations and interviews and then analysed with the assistance of NUD*IST. This article attempts to show the process within the study as well as the findings. An explanatory display was used to communicate the researcher's interpretation to the occupational therapists, resulting in the production of the three generic themes of treatment handling, interagency communication and non-hospital property.
Factors Influencing the Career Choice of First-Year Occupational Therapy Students
Authors: Craik Christine , Gissane Conor , Douthwaite Jane , Philp Edward 
Published: April 2015

Although there has been much literature published on occupational therapy as a career choice over the past 40 years, little has come from the United Kingdom. This quantitative study surveyed 330 first-year occupational therapy students at Brunel University, West London, between 1996 and 1999 using a purpose-designed questionnaire. Over this period there was an increase in the diversity of the student group in relation to gender and ethnic origin, with 70% of each year being over the age of 21 years. The majority of students had previously worked in a health care setting, which was the method by which 30% had first heard about occupational therapy. Although many students had pursued their interest in the profession through formal methods, 25% had used informal methods by contacting an occupational therapy service or occupational therapy friend or family member. The reasons for career choice were principally aspects of the profession such as variety and challenge and, secondly, an interest in people and a wish to help disabled people; material aspects such as job availability, promotion and salary were the least important. While the value of occupational therapists in recruitment was acknowledged, more robust and sustained promotion of occupational therapy as a career was indicated.