bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcomes generated by patients with rheumatoid arthritis: how important are they?
Authors: Hewlett Sarah , Carr Maggie , Ryan Sarah , Kirwan John , Richards Pam , Carr Alison , Hughes Rod 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground: It has been shown previously that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can generate a wide range of outcomes that they consider important in treatment. It is not known if these outcomes are generally important in the wider RA patient community. Objectives: (1) To examine whether recent patient‐generated outcomes are generalizable within a wider RA population; (2) to assess the relative importance of each outcome; and(3) to explore whether any important outcomes have been omitted. Methods: A questionnaire, listing 23 outcomes previously generated by RA patients, was distributed through three rheumatology centres in the UK. Patients gave an importance score to each outcome (0–3), selected their top three most important outcomes, and then listed any outcomes of personal importance that were missing.Results: 323 questionnaires were returned (65%). All outcomes were deemed important. Independence, pain, and mobility were most frequently selected by patients in their top three outcomes but were not chosen by 61–66% of patients. The next most commonly chosen outcomes related to feeling well and fatigue. Factor analysis revealed six reasonably distinct groupings: general well‐being (11.9% explained variance), day‐to‐day functioning(10.6%), emotional and psychological well‐being (10.6%), social role and confidence (10%), physical symptoms (9.5%) and medication issues (7.9%).Conclusion: Outcomes generated by patients as important in RA, are generalizable and inclusive. The most important (independence, pain and mobility) are routinely treated and measured. The next most important (feeling well, fatigue) are infrequently addressed and deserve urgent consideration for measurement, treatment and research. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adherence with drug therapy in the rheumatic diseases Part two: measuring and improving adherence
Authors: Hill Jackie 
Published: January 2006

AbstractPart one of this review highlighted the problem of high rates of non‐adherence with drug therapy in the rheumatic diseases. Part two addresses the problem of assessing adherence to drug therapy, focuses on factors affecting medication taking and discusses interventions that can help to improved adherence. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Providing specialist clinical skills in soft tissue and intra‐articular injection through a postgraduate masters module
Authors: Stevenson Kay , Waterfield Jackie 
Published: January 2006

AbstractCurrent philosophy and policy changes in the National Health Service are encouraging healthcare practitioners to extend their clinical skills to create a more patient‐centred approach thus allowing patients to be seen in a timely and more appropriate manner. This often requires further development of the practitioners' skills and knowledge. One approach to achieve this is through collaboration between employers and educational providers to ensure that educational experience is not only evidence based but also responsive to the needs of the current and future workforce. A postgraduate module was developed to raise critical and evaluative skills, as well as the technical skills of practitioners using injections in the management of joint and soft tissue pathology, while developing a professional responsibility towards injection practice. The module emphasized learning though experience by contextualizing the theoretical aspects of the module and by its student centred assessments. Further strengths of this module are that it has utilized academic and clinical expertise and knowledge to enable clinicians to gain additional skills and the multidisciplinary approach engendered good working practice Overall the module was evaluated positively by both tutors and students and not only met its aims but also addressed the current professional and policy issues around continuing professional development. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of a hand training programme in five patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Aldehag Anna Sandin , Jonsson Hans , Ansved Tor 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate hand function and self‐rated occupational performance before and after specific hand training in five participants with myotonic dystrophy (MD) type 1. MD is the commonest of the muscular dystrophies with adult onset and is associated with muscle weakness, wasting and myotonia. Compensatory techniques and strategies are mostly offered as the only intervention therapy. In the present study, the participants were their own controls using pre‐ and post‐test measures. Each participant was tested at intervals a total of nine times before and nine times after hand training. A hand‐held myometer (Microfet2™), Grippit®, Purdue Pegboard and self‐rated myotonia were used as outcome measures. Occupational performance was assessed pre‐ and post‐test using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measurement (COPM) in which the participants rated their own performance and satisfaction in five self‐chosen occupational performance areas. The participants performed hand training for a total of three months, three times per week using a specific resistance training programme including Theraputty™, a silicone‐based putty.Hand function was significantly increased and a positive change in self‐rated occupational performance was noted after the training period. This study indicates that hand training has a positive effect on hand function, i.e. motor function and occupational performance. The present results need to be replicated in a controlled study including a larger number of patients and over a longer period of time. Copyright © 2005 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
A strategy for supervising occupational therapy students at community sites
Authors: Mulholland Susan , Derdall Michele 
Published: January 2006

AbstractWithin the field of occupational therapy various innovative strategies have been used to provide students with effective clinical education (fieldwork) opportunities. One of the more unusual strategies involves the student participating in a placement at a site where there is no occupational therapist and no well‐defined role. The University of Alberta, Canada developed and piloted a new fieldwork supervisory position. Feedback was collected from both the sites and students to explore the impact of this position on the fieldwork experience for stakeholders. As well, sites and students were asked to give their opinions on more general aspects of these placements. Both sites and students positively endorsed the fieldwork educator for independent community placement's role. Most recommendations for improvement revolved around increasing the time dedicated to this position and making it permanent. Caution must be taken in generalizing the results of this study, as there may be various considerations that make this an appropriate supervision strategy in Alberta, Canada but not in other locations. Further research is required to determine whether this supervision strategy could be used with other students or professions in other locations. Copyright © 2005 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Changes in accessibility and usability in housing: an exploration of the housing adaptation process
Authors: Fänge Agneta , Iwarsson Susanne 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe purpose of a housing adaptation is to enhance daily activities and to improve housing accessibility and usability by removing physical barriers in the home. The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinal changes in housing accessibility among clients receiving grants for housing adaptations. Baseline assessments were administered one month before the housing adaptation, with the first follow‐up after two to three months, and the second follow‐up after eight to nine months. The Housing Enabler and the Usability in My Home instruments were used to collect data from 131 consecutively enrolled clients living in general housing. Accessibility and usability improved significantly, the number of physical environmental barriers decreased and dependence on mobility devices increased, but at different times along the process. The results indicate the complexity of the housing adaptation process and the need to consider person–environment interactions over time. The methodology seems useful for quality development of assessment, intervention and evaluation processes in housing adaptations performed by occupational therapists. Copyright © 2005 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Capturing the spectral response of solar cells with a quasi‐steady‐state, large‐signal technique
Authors: Mäckel Helmut , Cuevas Andrés 
Published: January 2006

AbstractA new approach to measure the spectral response of the short‐circuit current of solar cells is presented in this investigation. The main innovative feature is the light source, which produces a broad range of intensities, up to 10 suns in a quasi‐steady‐state mode, thus making the use of a bias light redundant. This results in large, integral signals that can be recorded directly without resorting to lock‐in amplification. Measurements of different solar cell structures with a conventional and the new measurement set‐up resulted in good agreement. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early cycling test as a predictor of walking performance in stroke patients
Authors: Katz‐Leurer Michal , Shochina Mara 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground and Purpose.To assess the relative contribution and the predictive value of an early cycling test to walking performance three months after stroke.Method.This follow‐up study included subjects who were inpatients after a first stroke (n = 44). A cycling test was performed at the beginning of rehabilitation, followed by three‐months' post‐stroke evaluation of walking performance. The independent variables were the ability to cycle at constant rhythm of 50 rpm, without and with resistance, lower extremity motor strength and walking function, scored by the Scandinavian Stroke Scale. Dependent variables were gait velocity, distance and stair‐climbing three months after stroke.Results.Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that rhythmic, constant cycling is the best predictor of walking velocity (r2 = 0.4), gait distance (r2 = 0.2) and number of stairs climbed (r2 = 0.26). Lower extremity motor strength and walking function had no additional separate contribution to the prediction of study outcomes.Conclusions.The inability to cycle at a constant rhythm for one minute, two weeks after stroke is a more significant predictor than lower extremity motor strength or walking function of walking performance at three months post‐stroke. Copyright © 2005 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Investigation on barrier inhomogeneities in 4H‐SiC Schottky rectifiers
Authors: Ma Xianyun , Sadagopan Priyamvada , Sudarshan Tangali S. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractIn order to investigate the Schottky barrier height inhomogeneities in 4H silicon carbide Schottky rectifiers, two surface modification processes were developed to control the influence caused by the surface defects. Both forward and reverse electrical characteristics of Schottky contacts, fabricated on different surface conditions, indicated that the inhomogeneities could be precisely controlled, completely eliminated and exactly duplicated using reactive ion etching and hydrogen‐etching surface modification processes. After removing the barrier inhomogeneities, all contacts exhibited a wide linearity region (over nine decades) which can be well explained using thermionic emission theory. The calculated ideality factor n and the Schottky barrier height Φb were in the range of 1.17–1.20 and 1.12 eV–1.22 eV respectively. Most contacts exhibited a low reverse leakage, about 10–6 A/cm2 at the reverse bias of 300 V. Finally sharp‐apex growth pits were proposed as source defects to understand the Schottky barrier height inhomogeneities. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Atomic shells from the electron localizability in momentum space
Authors: Kohout M. , Wagner F. R. , Grin Y. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe electron localizability indicator in momentum space is proposed as a functional of the same‐spin momentum pair density. This functional yields a discrete distribution of values, which are proportional to the charge needed to form a fixed very small fraction of a same‐spin electron pair. It resolves all atomic shells for the examined atoms (Li–Kr) with reasonable occupation numbers, especially in the valence region. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
A stable isotope minimal model protocol with oral glucose administration
Authors: Bluck Leslie J. C. , Clapperton Allan T. , Coward W. Andy 
Published: January 2006

AbstractA protocol for investigating glucose metabolism whereby stable isotope tracer is given intravenously after an oral glucose challenge is described. Frequent sampling of plasma glucose and insulin allows the tracer disappearance to be interpreted on the basis of established minimal models. We have investigated the glucose effectiveness and insulin sensitivity parameters and their reproducibility in a group of six healthy adults, each studied twice. A mono‐compartmental description of glucose distribution did not provide a physiological description of glucose kinetics, whereas a two‐compartment model gave adequate results in every case. The estimates of glucose effectiveness and insulin sensitivity were 2–3 times higher than those obtained in similar populations using the conventional protocol of the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test, and this appeared to be related to the kinetics of transport of glucose from accessible to remote pools. The indices of insulin sensitivity obtained in this way were highly reproducible, with a between‐test correlation of 93%. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ecological consequences of hydropower development in Central America: impacts of small dams and water diversion on neotropical stream fish assemblages
Authors: Anderson Elizabeth P. , Freeman Mary C. , Pringle Catherine M. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractSmall dams for hydropower have caused widespread alteration of Central American rivers, yet much of recent development has gone undocumented by scientists and conservationists. We examined the ecological effects of a small hydropower plant (Doña Julia Hydroelectric Center) on two low‐order streams (the Puerto Viejo River and Quebradon stream) draining a mountainous area of Costa Rica. Operation of the Doña Julia plant has dewatered these streams, reducing discharge to ∼10% of average annual flow. This study compared fish assemblage composition and aquatic habitat upstream and downstream of diversion dams on two streams and along a ∼4 km dewatered reach of the Puerto Viejo River in an attempt to evaluate current instream flow recommendations for regulated Costa Rican streams. Our results indicated that fish assemblages directly upstream and downstream of the dam on the third order Puerto Viejo River were dissimilar, suggesting that the small dam (< 15 m high) hindered movement of fishes. Along the ∼4 km dewatered reach of the Puerto Viejo River, species count increased with downstream distance from the dam. However, estimated species richness and overall fish abundance were not significantly correlated with downstream distance from the dam. Our results suggested that effects of stream dewatering may be most pronounced for a subset of species with more complex reproductive requirements, classified as equilibrium‐type species based on their life‐history. In the absence of changes to current operations, we expect that fish assemblages in the Puerto Viejo River will be increasingly dominated by opportunistic‐type, colonizing fish species. Operations of many other small hydropower plants in Costa Rica and other parts of Central America mirror those of Doña Julia; the methods and results of this study may be applicable to some of those projects. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal variability and stream flow permanency in an alpine river system
Authors: Brown Lee E. , Hannah David M. , Milner Alexander M. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractDespite the importance of thermal conditions in influencing biodiversity of alpine river systems, knowledge of year round stream temperature variability is very limited. This paper advances understanding of alpine stream temperature dynamics using hourly resolution data collected over two consecutive years at five sites within a glacierized basin in the French Pyrénées. The potential utility of temperature for understanding river flow patterns at ungauged sites (most notably during winter) is explored. The results indicated marked heterogeneity in water column temperatures; groundwater streams were typically warmer and more thermally stable than those draining snow and ice. Based upon stream temperature patterns, it appears possible to differentiate between river flow conditions including: free‐flowing, surface freezing, dewatering and snow cover. Notably, groundwater‐fed streams appeared to exhibit greater flow permanency than meltwater‐fed streams, the latter freezing for extended periods. These new insights into long‐term alpine stream thermal conditions have major implications for understanding the strategies adopted by benthic macroinvertebrate taxa when overwintering, particularly where streams freeze. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of TiO2–Au Composites by Titania‐Nanorod‐Assisted Generation of Gold Nanoparticles at Aqueous/Nonpolar Interfaces
Authors: Cozzoli P. Davide , Curri M. Lucia , Giannini Cinzia , Agostiano Angela 
Published: January 2006

AbstractHydrophobically coated anatase TiO2 nanorods can assist the reduction of AuCl4−ions at aqueous/nonpolar solvent interfaces, which results in the generation of organic‐soluble Au nanoparticles with tunable size in the absence of any metal ligands and/or phase‐transfer agents. The titania‐nanorod‐driven modulation of interfacial energy and catalysis of gold nucleation provide straightforward access to nanocomposite solutions of TiO2‐stabilized Au nanoparticles. Among colloidal approaches, this method represents a unique tool for the surfactantless, large‐scale preparation of nanostructured semiconductor–metal hybrid systems with relevant technological potential in catalysis, photocatalysis, and charge‐storage processes.
Inoperability input‐output modeling of disruptions to interdependent economic systems
Authors: Santos Joost R. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractIn this study, the Inoperability Input‐Output Model (IIM) is deployed for assessing the impacts of disruptive events on interconnected economic systems. The IIM is based on Wassily Leontief's input‐output model which is capable of describing the ripple effects of disruptions to interdependent systems. Besides describing economic impact in financial terms, the “inoperability” metric is also used in the IIM to quantify the percentage of a system's production that is affected relative to the desired level. To analyze the magnitude and extent of system linkages, an interdependency matrix based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is constructed. The study highlights four key features of the IIM. First, demand patterns in the aftermath of such events are modeled and analyzed using available sector‐based performance data. Second, the NAICS‐based capital flow data released for the first time in 2003 by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis enable applying a dynamic IIM to describe the temporal behavior of economic impacts associated with disruptive events. Third, a discussion on utilizing other sources of data, such as consumer confidence for forecasting system‐specific demand disruptions, is presented. Fourth, a visualization tool is presented for conducting a multi‐criteria ranking of the most‐affected systems using both economic loss and inoperability metrics. Ultimately, the study offers insights on describing the sensitivity of economic systems to various classes of disruptions. In the broader perspective, this can provide guidance toward policymaking activities. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 9: 20–34, 2006
Some future trends and implications for systems and software engineering processes
Authors: Boehm Barry 
Published: January 2006

AbstractIn response to the increasing criticality of software within systems and the increasing demands being put onto 21st century systems, systems and software engineering processes will evolve significantly over the next two decades. This paper identifies eight relatively surprise‐free trends—the increasing interaction of software engineering and systems engineering; increased emphasis on users and end value; increased emphasis on systems and software dependability; increasingly rapid change; increasing global connectivity and need for systems to interoperate; increasingly complex systems of systems; increasing needs for COTS, reuse, and legacy systems and software integration; and computational plenty. It also identifies two “wild card” trends: increasing software autonomy and combinations of biology and computing. It then discusses the likely influences of these trends on systems and software engineering processes between now and 2025, and presents an emerging scalable spiral process model for coping with the resulting challenges and opportunities of developing 21st century software‐intensive systems and systems of systems. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 9: 1–19, 2006
Do films about mentally disturbed characters promote ineffective coping in vulnerable youth?
Authors: Jamieson Patrick E. , Romer Daniel , Jamieson Kathleen Hall 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTSuicidal youth tend to doubt the effectiveness of professional mental health treatment. This study examined whether exposure to films about suicidal and mentally disturbed persons supports this lack of belief. Exposure to three popular films featuring suicides or the mentally ill was compared to films that featured a heroic suicide unrelated to mental illness as well as to films with violent and comedic content in a nationally representative survey of youth ages 14–22 (). Exposure to films about mental disturbance among “vulnerable” respondents who had experienced recent depressive and suicidal symptoms (24% of sample) was compared to those without these symptoms. Increasing exposure to films with mentally disturbed characters was related to belief in the treatment inefficacy of mental disorders. The findings suggest that exposure to fictional depictions of characters failing to get help for mental disorders may have long‐term effects on depressed and suicidal youth.