Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Physical Problems (physical + problem)
Selected AbstractsChanges in quality of life for patients with chronic venous insufficiency, present or healed leg ulcersJOURNAL DER DEUTSCHEN DERMATOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT, Issue 11 2009Regina Renner Summary Background: Patients with chronic leg ulcers are handicapped in daily life, both by physical complaints and social problems. The aim of our study was not only to assess a possible impairment of quality of life (QOL) of leg ulcer patients but also to evaluate if there is a real improvement of QOL after healing of the ulcer. Patients with chronic venous insufficiency served as the control group. We further analyzed if there were significant differences in the response between patients who were and were not performing compression therapy. Patients and method: We interviewed three groups of patients (active venous leg ulcer, healed venous leg ulcer and patients with chronic venous insufficiency using the ,Freiburger Life Quality Assessment für Venenerkrankungen" (FLQAv). Results: Physical problems, daily handicaps and social problems all increased with age. Contrary to our expectations, healing of a leg ulcer did not lead to a significant increase in QOL. Instead, patients with active ulcers did not regard their QOL as lower than those in the other groups. Compression therapy also did not impair QOL in the three groups. Conclusion: Even though ulcer healing is an admirable goal, it does not necessarily lead to an improved QOL, probably because of the numerous comorbidi-ties in this patient group. Nonetheless, it is important to control problems associated directly with the wound to allow ulcer patients to participate actively in everyday life and minimize social problems. [source] Trivial reductions of dimensionality in the propagation of uncertainties: a physical exampleENVIRONMETRICS, Issue 1 2004Ricardo Bolado Abstract When performing uncertainty analysis on a mathematical model of a physical process, some coefficients of the differential equations appear as a result of elementary operations of other coefficients. It is shown in this article that variance reduction techniques should be applied on the ,final' or ,reduced' coefficients and not on the original ones, thus reducing the variance of the estimators of the parameters of the output variable distribution. We illustrate the methodology with an application to a physical problem, a radioactive contaminant transport code. A substantial variance reduction is achieved for the estimators of the distribution function, the mean and the variance of the output. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease on quality of life of patients with chronic liver diseaseHEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2008Kazutomo Suzuki Aim:, Reflux esophagitis is becoming increasingly more prevalent in Japan. It has been noted that symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic liver disease may adversely affect patients' quality of life. Methods:, In the present study, 238 chronic liver disease patients (151 patients with chronic hepatitis and 87 patients with liver cirrhosis) were enrolled. The diagnosis of GERD was made based on the Quality-of-Life and Utility Evaluation Survey Technology questionnaire. Health-related quality of life was evaluated using the Short Forum 36 questionnaire. Results:, Symptomatic GERD was present in 31.8% (48/151) of patients with chronic hepatitis and 36.8% (32/87) of patients with liver cirrhosis. Among the chronic hepatitis group, compared to the GERD-negative group, the GERD-positive group had significantly lower scores in six domains, including "rolelimitation due to physical problem", "bodily pain", "general health perception", "vitality", "role limitation due to emotional problem", and "mental health". Among the cirrhotic group, compared to the GERD-negative group, the GERD-positive group had significantly lower scores in the "role limitation due to emotional problem" domain. Significant improvement in the "physical functioning", "bodily pain", and "general health perception" domain scores was noted in chronic hepatitis patients treated with rabeprazole. Conclusion:, The QOL of chronic liver disease patients with symptomatic GERD was impaired. [source] A G space theory and a weakened weak (W2) form for a unified formulation of compatible and incompatible methods: Part I theoryINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 9 2010G. R. Liu Abstract This paper introduces a G space theory and a weakened weak form (W2) using the generalized gradient smoothing technique for a unified formulation of a wide class of compatible and incompatible methods. The W2 formulation works for both finite element method settings and mesh-free settings, and W2 models can have special properties including softened behavior, upper bounds and ultra accuracy. Part I of this paper focuses on the theory and fundamentals for W2 formulations. A normed G space is first defined to include both continuous and discontinuous functions allowing the use of much more types of methods/techniques to create shape functions for numerical models. Important properties and a set of useful inequalities for G spaces are then proven in the theory and analyzed in detail. These properties ensure that a numerical method developed based on the W2 formulation will be spatially stable and convergent to the exact solutions, as long as the physical problem is well posed. The theory is applicable to any problems to which the standard weak formulation is applicable, and can offer numerical solutions with special properties including ,close-to-exact' stiffness, upper bounds and ultra accuracy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Dynamics of Jovian atmospheres with applications of nonlinear singular vector methodINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 8 2007Zhiyue Zhang Abstract Nonlinear singular vectors (NSVs) of a Jovian atmosphere model are obtained numerically in this paper. NSVs are the initial perturbation, whose nonlinear evolution attains the maximal value of the cost function, which is constructed according to the physical problem of interest. The results demonstrate that the motions of Jupiter's atmosphere is relatively stable under some assumptions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Designer polynomials, discrete variable representations, and the Schrödinger equationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 4-5 2002Charles A. Weatherford Abstract The general procedure for constructing a set of orthonormal polynomials is given for an arbitrary positive definite weight function, w(x), in the interval [a, b]. The Lanczos method is used to generate the three-term recursion relation, which is then used to produce the polynomial coefficients. A discrete variable representation (DVR) is constructed from Gaussian nodes and weights that result from the three-term recursion relation. These are termed "designer polynomials" and the associated "designer DVRs." It will be shown by construction that every such set of "synthetic polynomials" carries an associated DVR. The term "designer" derives from the fact that the interval [a, b] and the weight function w(x) are arbitrary (except that w(x) must be positive definite on [a, b] and must have continuous derivatives except at a finite number of isolated discontinuities) and may be adapted to the physical problem of interest. The difficulties of applying a DVR to a "bare" Coulomb problem will be illustrated on a "toy" model in one dimension (1-D hydrogen atom). A solution for the 1-D Coulomb problem will be given, thereby motivating the need for designer DVRs. In doing so, a new set of polynomials is defined with a weight function w(x) = |x|kexp(,,|x|), (such that k = ,1, 0, +1, +2, ,) between the symmetrical limits [,,, +,]. These are called "synthetic Cartesian exponential polynomials (SCEP)." These polynomials are then used in a spectral and pseudospectral (DVR) representation to solve the 1-D hydrogen atom problem. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002 [source] The Return of the Slum: Does Language Matter?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2007ALAN GILBERT Abstract The ,cities without slums' initiative has resuscitated an old and dangerous term from the habitat vocabulary. Use of the word ,slum' will recreate many of the myths about poor people that years of careful research have discredited. The UN has employed the word in order to publicize the seriousness of urban problems and to improve its ability to attract funding with which to tackle the issue. But in using such an emotive word the UN risks opening a Pandora's box. The campaign implies that cities can actually rid themselves of slums, an idea that is wholly unachievable. The word is also dangerous because it confuses the physical problem of poor quality housing with the characteristics of the people living there. The UN knows that earlier research has rehabilitated most ,slum dwellers' but ignores the danger of conjuring up all of the old images. In the process, the campaign also offers an oblique invitation to governments to look for instant solutions to insoluble problems. Demagogic governments have always shown a willingness to demolish slums despite the fact that experience has shown that policy to be ineffective. I fear that the new campaign will encourage more to employ this foolish policy. Words need to be employed carefully. Résumé L'initiative ,Villes sans taudis' a ressuscité un terme ancien et dangereux du vocabulaire de l'habitat. Utiliser le mot ,taudis' va recréer toute une mythologie sur les pauvres que des années de recherches consciencieuses avaient réfutée. L'ONU a fait ce choix pour souligner la gravité des problèmes urbains et renforcer sa capacitéà attirer des fonds avec lesquels résoudre la question. Cependant, ce mot étant connotéémotionnellement, l'ONU risque d'ouvrir une boîte de Pandore. La campagne implique que les villes peuvent réellement se débarrasser des taudis, ce qui est totalement irréalisable. Le mot est dangereux aussi parce qu'il mélange le problème matériel de la piètre qualité des logements et les caractéristiques des populations qui y vivent. L'ONU sait que des études antérieures ont réhabilité la plupart des ,habitants de taudis', mais elle ignore le risque liéà l'évocation des vieilles images. Parallèlement, la compagne invite indirectement les gouvernements à trouver des solutions immédiates à des problèmes insolubles. Les gouvernements démagogues se sont toujours montrés disposés à démolir les taudis même si l'expérience a prouvé l'inefficacité de cette politique. Je crains que cette nouvelle campagne n'en encourage d'autres à appliquer cette stratégie insensée. Il faut employer les mots avec circonspection. [source] A variable order constitutive relation for viscoelasticityANNALEN DER PHYSIK, Issue 7-8 2007L.E.S. Ramirez Abstract A constitutive relation for linear viscoelasticity of composite materials is formulated using the novel concept of Variable Order (VO) differintegrals. In the model proposed in this work, the order of the derivative is allowed to be a function of the independent variable (time), rather than a constant of arbitrary order. We generalize previous works that used fractional derivatives for the stress and strain relationship by allowing a continuous spectrum of non-integer dynamics to describe the physical problem. Starting with the assumption that the order of the derivative is a measure of the rate of change of disorder within the material, we develop a statistical mechanical model that is in agreement with experimental results for strain rates varying more than eight orders of magnitude in value. We use experimental data for an epoxy resin and a carbon/epoxy composite undergoing constant compression rates in order to derive a VO constitutive equation that accurately models the linear viscoelastic deformation in time. The resulting dimensionless constitutive equation agrees well with all the normalized data while using a much smaller number of empirical coefficients when compared to available models in the literature. [source] Assessing the impact of late treatment effects in cervical cancer: an exploratory study of women's sexualityEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 4 2007M. BURNS rn, m.phil, professional development nurse Cancer survivorship has become a major issue due to people living longer with the effects of cancer treatment. A key issue in this area are the ,iatrogenic effects' of cancer treatments and their adverse impact on the quality of long-term patient survival. This paper considers the late physical effects of treatment for cervical cancer, in particular psychosocial problems associated with sexuality. The aim of this paper was to explore women's sexuality following treatment for cervical cancer. A qualitative phenomenological design was used to explore the lived experiences of a purposive sample of 13 women 2,3 years after treatment, using in-depth interviewing. The findings demonstrate that cancer treatment can result in a number of late physical effects, including bladder and bowel dysfunction. Moreover, the physical problems led to sexual difficulties experienced several years after treatment. Concerns were expressed by patients about perceived psychosexual difficulties encountered as a result of treatment. In conclusion, the study raises issues associated with the management of late treatment effects and its impact on sexuality. The findings underline the need for effective communication of possible iatrogenic effects of treatment during follow-up care and a need for research to consider the advice and information that women require about long-term treatment effects. [source] Boundary Perturbation Methods for Water WavesGAMM - MITTEILUNGEN, Issue 1 2007David P. Nicholls Abstract The most successful equations for the modeling of ocean wave phenomena are the free,surface Euler equations. Their solutions accurately approximate a wide range of physical problems from open,ocean transport of pollutants, to the forces exerted upon oil platforms by rogue waves, to shoaling and breaking of waves in nearshore regions. These equations provide numerous challenges for theoreticians and practitioners alike as they couple the difficulties of a free boundary problem with the subtle balancing of nonlinearity and dispersion in the absence of dissipation. In this paper we give an overview of, what we term, "Boundary Perturbation" methods for the analysis and numerical simulation of this "water wave problem". Due to our own research interests this review is focused upon the numerical simulation of traveling water waves, however, the extensive literature on the initial value problem and additional theoretical developments are also briefly discussed. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Shoulder and neck morbidity in quality of life after surgery for head and neck cancerHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 10 2004C. P. van Wilgen PT Abstract Background. Quality of life has become a major issue in determining the outcome of treatment in head and neck surgery with curative intent. The aim of our study was to determine which factors in the postoperative care, especially shoulder and neck morbidity, are related to quality of life and how these outcomes compared between patients who had undergone surgery and a control group. Methods. We analyzed physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, and social and functional well-being at least 1 year after surgery and evaluated the differences in quality of life between patients who had undergone head and neck surgery and a control group. Results. Depression scores contributed significantly to all domains of quality of life. Reduced shoulder abduction, shoulder pain, and neck pain are related to several domains of quality of life. The patient group scored significantly worse for social functioning and limitations from physical problems but scored significantly better for bodily pain and health changes. Conclusion. Depression and shoulder and neck morbidity are important factors in quality of life for patients who have undergone surgery for head and neck cancer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck26: 839,844, 2004 [source] The health status burden of people with fibromyalgia: a review of studies that assessed health status with the SF-36 or the SF-12INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 1 2008D. L. Hoffman Summary Objective:, The current review describes how the health status profile of people with fibromyalgia (FM) compares to that of people in the general population and patients with other health conditions. Methods:, A review of 37 studies of FM that measured health status with the 36-item Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) or the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Results:, Studies performed worldwide showed that FM groups were significantly more impaired than people in the general population on all eight health status domains assessed. These domains include physical functioning, role functioning difficulties caused by physical problems, bodily pain, general health, vitality (energy vs. fatigue), social functioning, role functioning difficulties caused by emotional problems and mental health. FM groups had mental health summary scores that fell 1 standard deviation (SD) below the general population mean, and physical health summary scores that fell 2 SD below the general population mean. FM groups also had a poorer overall health status compared to those with other specific pain conditions. FM groups had similar or significantly lower (poorer) physical and mental health status scores compared to those with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, myofacial pain syndrome, primary Sjögren's syndrome and others. FM groups scored significantly lower than the pain condition groups mentioned above on domains of bodily pain and vitality. Health status impairments in pain and vitality are consistent with core features of FM. Conclusions:, People with FM had an overall health status burden that was greater in magnitude compared to people with other specific pain conditions that are widely accepted as impairing. [source] Earlier stress exposure and subsequent major depression in aging womenINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2010Stephanie Kasen Abstract Objective Despite evidence that stress exposure earlier in the life course may have long-term consequences for psychopathology, most models of vulnerability for late life depression are limited to current stressors or to retrospective reports of stress history. This study estimates the influences of earlier stressors assessed longitudinally on subsequent major depressive disorder (MDD) in women at average age 60 (range 50,75). Method MDD, negative life events (NLE), and marital stress were assessed multiple times in a community-based sample of 565 women followed for three decades. Adverse events experienced in childhood also were assessed prior to outcome. Results Greater childhood adversity, earlier high levels of NLE and marital stress, and a more rapid increase in marital stress over time elevated the odds of MDD at average age 60 independent of all stressors and other salient risk factors. Childhood adversity was mediated in part by intervening risks. Prior depression, earlier poor health status, a more rapid deterioration in health with age, and current disability owing to physical problems also were related independently to later MDD. Conclusions These findings support the enduring effects of earlier stress burden on MDD in women into old age and, in light of the increasing proportion of older women in the population, have important clinical implications for identification and treatment of those at risk for depression. Findings also underscore the need to develop resources to counteract or buffer similar stress exposure in younger generations of women. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Quality of life in Chinese elderly people with depressionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 4 2006Sally W. C. Chan Abstract Background Depression is the most prevalent functional mental disorder of later life. It is estimated that about 5% of the elderly population of Hong Kong are suffering from depression. Aim To investigate the self-rated quality of life of community-dwelling elderly people diagnosed with depression, and to examine the relationships between quality of life and mental, physical health, functional status and social support. Methods and results A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in psychiatric outpatient clinics. A convenience sample of 80 Chinese elderly people with a diagnosis of depressive disorder was recruited. Perception of quality of life was measured by the Hong Kong Chinese World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale,Brief Version. Participants' mental status, functional abilities, physical health condition, and social support status were assessed. Sixty-one (76.3%) participants were female. They were least satisfied with ,meaningfulness of life', ,life enjoyment', ,concentration and thinking', ,energy' and ,work capacity'. Functional abilities had a positive association with participants' perceived quality of life, level of depression and number of physical health conditions had a negative association. Participants had low ratings of quality of life when compared with healthy persons and persons with chronic physical problems. Findings are discussed in light of the socio-cultural environment in Hong Kong. Conclusion Comprehensive treatment and better control of depression, including different modes of medical and psychosocial intervention, could help to improve participants' perception of quality of life. A longitudinal study with a larger sample with various levels of depression and socio-demographic characteristics is recommended. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Emotional outcome after intensive care: literature reviewJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2008Janice E. Rattray Abstract Title., Emotional outcome after intensive care: literature review. Aim., This paper is a report of a literature review to identify (a) the prevalence of emotional and psychological problems after intensive care, (b) associated factors and (c) interventions that might improve this aspect of recovery. Background., Being a patient in intensive care has been linked to both short- and long-term emotional and psychological consequences. Data sources., The literature search was conducted during 2006. Relevant journals and databases were searched, i.e. Medline and CINAHL, between the years 1995 and 2006. Review methods., The search terms were ,anxiety', ,depression', posttraumatic stress', ,posttraumatic stress disorder' and ,intensive care'. Results., Fifteen papers were reviewed representing research studies of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress, and seven that represented intensive care follow-up clinics and patient diaries. Being in intensive care can result in significant emotional and psychological problems for a number of patients. For the majority of patients, symptoms of distress will decrease over time but for a number these will endure for some years. Current evidence indicates that emotional problems after intensive care are related to both subjective and objective indicators of a patient's intensive care experience. Evidence suggests some benefit in an early rehabilitation programme, daily sedation withdrawal and the use of patient diaries. However, additional research is required to support such findings. Conclusion., Our understanding of the consequences of intensive care is improving. Psychological care for intensive care patients has lagged behind care for physical problems. We now need to focus on developing and evaluating appropriate interventions to improve psychological outcome in this patient group. [source] Establishing a Case-Finding and Referral System for At-Risk Older Individuals in the Emergency Department Setting: The SIGNET ModelJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 10 2001Lorraine C. Mion PhD Older emergency department (ED) patients have complex medical, social, and physical problems. We established a program at four ED sites to improve case finding of at-risk older adults and provide comprehensive assessment in the ED setting with formal linkage to community agencies. The objectives of the program are to (1) improve case finding of at-risk older ED patients, (2) improve care planning and referral for those returning home, and (3) create a coordinated network of existing medical and community services. The four sites are a 1,000-bed teaching center, a 700-bed county teaching hospital, a 400-bed community hospital, and a health maintenance organization (HMO) ED site. Ten community agencies also participated in the study: four agencies associated with the hospital/HMO sites, two nonprofit private agencies, and four public agencies. Case finding is done using a simple screening assessment completed by the primary or triage nurse. A geriatric clinical nurse specialist (GCNS) further assesses those considered at risk. Patients with unmet medical, social, or health needs are referred to their primary physicians or to outpatient geriatric evaluation and management centers and to community agencies. After 18 months, the program has been successfully implemented at all four sites. Primary nurses screened over 70% (n = 28,437) of all older ED patients, GCNSs conducted 3,757 comprehensive assessments, participating agency referrals increased sixfold, and few patients refused the GCNS assessment or subsequent referral services. Thus, case finding and community linkage programs for at-risk older adults are feasible in the ED setting. [source] Financial Debt and Suicide in Hong Kong SAR,JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 12 2007Paul S. F. Yip The presence of indebtedness is known to be a risk factor that can trigger stressed persons to contemplate suicide. This study compares the profiles of suicides with and without debt problems based on 2002 Coroner's Court death files. The category of men aged 25,39 has seen a 70% increase in suicide rate since 1997, and the number using carbon monoxide poisoning has increased from 1% of the total deaths in 1997 to about 26% of the total deaths in 2002. Suicides associated with debt problems seem to involve fewer mental and physical problems with formal job attachment than do suicides without debt problems. Gambling is a significant contributing factor to unmanageable indebtedness. [source] Quality of life and symptom attribution in long-term colon cancer survivorsJOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 2 2008Etienne Phipps PhD Aims and objectives, This study investigates how long-term colon cancer survivors evaluate their health, functional status and quality of life, and whether there are differences based on age, gender or ethnicity. Methods, Thirty long-term survivors of at least stage I colon cancer were interviewed in person between December 2004 and May 2005. The interview protocol included the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form, Quality of Life , Cancer Survivor, and study-specific questions that asked about physical and non-physical problems they attributed to colon cancer. Results, Substantial percentages of survivors attributed their problems with lack of energy (83%), sexual functioning (67%), bowel problems (63%), poor body image (47%) and emotional problems (40%) to having had colon cancer. Of those problems attributed to colon cancer, sexual functioning and pain were given the highest severity rankings by survivors. The majority of long-term colon cancer survivors reported distress regarding future diagnostic tests, a second cancer, and spread of cancer. Women reported greater problems completing daily activities as a result of physical problems (P = 0.003) and more pain (P = 0.07) than men. African Americans appear to report marginally better overall quality of life (P = 0.07) and psychological well-being than whites (P = 0.07). Conclusion, The majority of long-term colon cancer survivors with resected colon cancer and disease-free for 5 years reported problems with low energy, sexual functioning and bowel problems. [source] General practitioners: Their contact with maternal and child health nurses in postnatal careJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 2 2000C Mbwili-Muleya Objective: To assess the level of contact of general practitioners (GP) with maternal and child health nurses (MCHN) in postnatal care. Methodology: A postal survey of 1104 Victorian GP was used, with a response rate of 70%. To account for the clustered sampling frame, hierarchical data analysis techniques were used. Results: Half of the GP (351/710) had no contact with their local MCHN in the previous month; and one in 10 had four or more contacts. Eighty-eight per cent of GP described the contact as helpful. In 56% of cases the MCHN was reported as the usual initiator of the contact. The most common reason for contact concerned the baby's physical problems (42%). After adjusting for the number of women seen for the routine 6-week postnatal review and other GP characteristics, male GP were as likely as female GP to report MCHN contact (odds ratio (OR) = 1.00; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.67,1.62). General practitioners aged 31,40 years were more likely to report contact with MCHN than GP aged 51,60 (OR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.22,0.86) as were GP with the FRACGP qualification (OR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.21,2.45). Conclusions: This study provides baseline information on the level of GP contact with MCHN as they provide postnatal care. Although there were GP in Victoria who maintained a level of contact with MCHN, almost half reported no contact in the previous month. Most GP who reported contact with MCHN found it useful. This finding should encourage GP and MCHN coordination to improve continuity and postnatal care outcomes. [source] Application of amplitude,frequency formulation to nonlinear oscillation system of the motion of a rigid rod rocking backMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 2 2010S. S. Ganji Abstract The scope of this paper is evaluating an oscillation system with nonlinearities, using a periodic solution called amplitude,frequency formulation, such as the motion of a rigid rod rocking back. The approach proposes a choice to overcome the difficulty of computing the periodic behavior of the oscillation problems in engineering. We are to compare the solutions results of this method with the exact ones in order to validate the approach and assess the accuracy of the solutions. This method has a distinguished feature, which makes it simple to use and agree with the exact solutions for various parameters. Moreover, it is perceived that with one-step iteration high accuracy of the solution will be achieved. We may apply the results of the solution to explain some of the practical physical problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Reliability of computational scienceNUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 4 2007I. Babu Abstract Today's computers allow us to simulate large, complex physical problems. Many times the mathematical models describing such problems are based on a relatively small amount of available information such as experimental measurements. The question arises whether the computed data could be used as the basis for decision in critical engineering, economic, and medicine applications. The representative list of engineering accidents occurred in the past years and their reasons illustrate the question. The paper describes a general framework for verification and validation (V&V) which deals with this question. The framework is then applied to an illustrative engineering problem, in which the basis for decision is a specific quantity of interest, namely the probability that the quantity does not exceed a given value. The V&V framework is applied and explained in detail. The result of the analysis is the computation of the failure probability as well as a quantification of the confidence in the computation, depending on the amount of available experimental data. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 23: 753,784, 2007 [source] Is Sanfilippo type B in your mind when you see adults with mental retardation and behavioral problems?,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS, Issue 3 2007Ute Moog Abstract Sanfilippo type B is an autosomal recessive mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS IIIB) caused by deficiency of N -acetyl-,- D -glucosaminidase, a lysosomal enzyme involved in the degradation of heparan sulfate. It is characterized by neurologic degeneration, behavioral problems, and mental decline. Somatic features are relatively mild and patients with this disorder can reach late adulthood. It is the most common subtype of MPS in the Netherlands and probably underdiagnosed in adult persons with mental retardation (MR). In order to increase knowledge on the adult phenotype and natural history in Sanfilippo type B, we present the clinical data of 20 patients with this disorder. Sixteen of them were followed for one to three decades. Six died between 28 and 69 years of age, mainly from pneumonia and cachexia; the surviving patients were 18,63 years old. Apart from the youngest, they had lost mobility at 36,68 years. Most had developed physical problems, in particular in the 4th,6th decade of life: cardiac disease (cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillations), arthritis, skin blistering, swallowing difficulties requiring feeding by a gastrostomy tube, and seizures. The course of the disease was dominated in most of them by challenging behavioral problems with restlessness, extreme screaming and hitting, difficult to prevent or to treat pharmaceutically. Even in absence of knowledge of the history of an elderly patient with MR, the presence of behavioral problems should prompt metabolic investigation for MPS. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Body Handlers After Terrorism in Oklahoma City: Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress and Other SymptomsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 4 2002Phebe Tucker MD Posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms were assessed in 51 body handlers after Oklahoma City's 1995 terrorist bombing. Although many handlers were inexperienced and knew someone killed, symptoms were low postdisaster and decreased significantly after 1 year. Higher symptomatology and seeking mental health treatment correlated with increases in alcohol use and new physical problems but not with demographics, exposure, or experience. Four respondents with the highest posttraumatic stress symptoms at both time points reported high physical and alcohol use problems and mental health treatment use, suggesting that these should be carefully assessed in body handlers postdisaster. Coping techniques are described, as well as possible reasons for unexpected resilience in the majority. [source] Standardized versus open-ended assessment of psychosocial and medical concerns among African American breast cancer patientsPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 5 2006Rebecca A. Shelby Abstract Standardized quality of life measures have been developed and used primarily with Caucasian and middle-class cancer patients. This study assessed the ability of several widely used standardized measures to capture the concerns and problems of 89 African American breast cancer patients. Concerns and problems were assessed using both an open-ended format and standardized measures. The degree of overlap in responses from these two formats was examined. The most frequently reported problems in the open-ended format included physical (43%), financial (40%), and worry about others (30%). Overall, standardized measures had significant overlap with open-ended concerns and problems. The Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System-Short Form subscales/items were associated with corresponding open-ended physical, financial, and social problems (R2 change=0.07,0.16, p's,0.02), the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-Short Form was associated with open-ended social problems (R2 change=0.11, p=0.004), and the Mental Health Inventory was associated with open-ended psychological distress problems (R2 change=0.08, p=0.01). One category of open-ended problems, worry about others, was not captured by standardized measures. With the exception of associations between open-ended physical problems and psychological distress measures, there were few significant correlations between standardized measures and dissimilar problem categories. These findings suggest that the standardized measures in this study reflected the concerns and problems of African American breast cancer patients. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the utility of other widely used standardized measures that have not been developed or standardized among non-white samples. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Association of Lifestyle and Relationship Factors with Sexual Functioning of Women During MidlifeTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2009Rachel Hess MD ABSTRACT Introduction., As women progress through menopause, they experience changes in sexual functioning that are multifactorial, likely encompassing biological, psychological, and social domains. Aim., To examine the effects that physical activity, sleep difficulties, and social support have on partnered sexual activity and sexual functioning in women at different stages of the menopausal progression. Methods., As part of an ongoing 5-year longitudinal study, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of sexual functioning data. Main Outcome Measures., Participation in partnered sexual activities, reasons for nonparticipation in such activities among sexually inactive women, and, among sexually active women, sexual functioning defined as engagement in and enjoyment of sexually intimate activities. Results., Of 677 participants aged 41,68, 68% had participated in any partnered sexual activities (i.e., were sexually active) during the past 6 months. Reasons for sexual inactivity included lack of a partner (70%), lack of interest in sex (12%) or in the current partner (5%), and physical problems (4%). Sexually active participants tended to be younger, married, more educated, have more social support in general, fewer comorbid medical illnesses, a lower body mass index, and a higher prevalence of vaginal dryness. Among the sexually active participants, their scores for engagement in activities ranging from kissing to sexual intercourse were higher if they were physically active, had more social support, and lacked sleeping difficulties. Likewise, scores for sexual enjoyment were higher if they were physically active, had more social support, and lacked vaginal dryness. Engagement and enjoyment scores were not associated with marital status or other factors. Conclusions., In midlife women, having social support and being physically active are associated with enhanced sexual engagement and enjoyment. Hess R, Conroy MB, Ness R, Bryce CL, Dillon S, Chang CCH, and Matthews KA. Association of lifestyle and relationship factors with sexual functioning of women during midlife. J Sex Med 2009;6:1358,1368. [source] Development of a Japanese Version of the Care Planning Assessment ToolAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2010Sumiko Kanegae Aim:, To develop a Japanese version of the Care Planning Assessment Tool (J-CPAT), originally developed in Australia as a comprehensive assessment of people with dementia. Methods:, The process of adapting the CPAT into Japanese included translation into Japanese, assessment of item comprehension, and a validity and reliability study. The J-CPAT is composed of eight domains: Communication, physical problems, self-help skills, confusion, behaviour, social interaction, psychiatric observations and carer dependency. The participants were 199 aged care clients. Measures were the J-CPAT, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Care Levels used in the Long-term Care Insurance scheme. Results:, Cronbach's alpha values in each J-CPAT domain were 0.74,0.95. The correlation coefficient between the score of Confusion and MMSE was ,0.90, and those between physical problems, self-help skills, carer dependency in the J-CPAT, and care level were 0.70, 0.75 and 0.67. Conclusions:, The J-CPAT appears to be a reliable and valid tool for care planning in Japan. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||