Patient-reported outcome measures for patients with hand-specific impairments-A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used to provide evidence for treatment effects and to guide rehabilitation. To our knowledge, no disease-specific PROM exists for the assessment of patients with flexor tendon lesions of the hand. We believe that PROMs used to assess hand function, regardless of diagnosis, contain relevant items for patients with flexor tendon lesions of the hand. PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to identify and collect items from pre-existing PROMs used by clinical experts to assess the health status and function in patients with reduced hand function. STUDY DESIGN: A scoping review searching for PROMs with hand-specific content was conducted to ensure face validity. As these items are assumed to have been through an evaluation process by the clinical specialists, they have the advantage and likelihood of being useful. METHODS: We searched five bibliographic databases. All PROMs with hand-specific content used to assess hand function were considered for inclusion. Questionnaires written in English, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian were included. An analysis of content redundancy was conducted, and items were grouped according to The World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. RESULTS: Seventy-three PROMs were included with a total of 1,582 items. The majority of the items were redundant across measurement instruments, and redundant items were consolidated, resulting in 179 nonredundant items. All nonredundant items were classified according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health components. CONCLUSIONS: This review presents a collection of 179 items ensuring face validity for patients with hand-related disease/injury.

Increasing market opportunities for renewable energy technologies with innovations in aquifer thermal energy storage.

Heating and cooling using aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) has hardly been applied outside the Netherlands, even though it could make a valuable contribution to the energy transition. The Climate-KIC project "Europe-wide Use of Energy from aquifers" - E-USE(aq) - aimed to pave the way for Europe-wide application of ATES, through the realization and monitoring of six ATES pilot plants across five different EU countries. In a preceding paper, based on preliminary results of E-USE(aq), conclusions were already drawn, demonstrating how the barriers for this form of shallow geothermal energy can be overcome, and sometimes even leveraged as opportunities. Based on final pilot project results, key economic and environmental outcomes are now presented. This paper starts with the analysis of specific technological barriers: unfamiliarity with the subsurface, presumed limited compatibility with existing energy provision systems (especially district heating), energy imbalances and groundwater contamination. The paper then shows how these barriers have been tackled, using improved site investigation and monitoring technologies to map heterogeneous subsoils. In this way ATES can cost-efficiently be included in smart grids and combined with other sources of renewable (especially solar) energy, while at the same time achieving groundwater remediation. A comparative assessment of economic and environmental impacts of the pilots is included, to demonstrate the sustainability of ATES system with different renewables and renewable-based technologies. The paper concludes with an assessment of the market application potential of ATES, including in areas with water scarcity, and a review of climate beneficial impact.

Low carbon heating and cooling by combining various technologies with Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage.

A transition to a low carbon energy system is needed to respond to global challenge of climate change mitigation. Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) is a technology with worldwide potential to provide sustainable space heating and cooling by (seasonal) storage and recovery of heat in the subsurface. However, adoption of ATES varies strongly across Europe, because of both technical as well as organizational barriers, e.g. differences in climatic and subsurface conditions and legislation respectively. After identification of all these barriers in a Climate-KIC research project, six ATES pilot systems have been installed in five different EU-countries aiming to show how such barriers can be overcome. This paper presents the results of the barrier analysis and of the pilot plants. The barriers are categorized in general barriers, and barriers for mature and immature markets. Two pilots show how ATES can be successfully used to re-develop contaminated sites by combining ATES with soil remediation. Two other pilots show the added value of ATES because its storage capacity enables the utilization of solar heat in combination with solar power production. Finally, two pilots are realized in countries with legal barriers where ATES systems have not previously been applied at all.

Health-related quality of life in patients with chronic rheumatic disease after a multidisciplinary rehabilitation regimen.

INTRODUCTION: Multidisciplinary rehabilitation has beneficial effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic rheumatic diseases. However, whether this intervention benefits different age groups in women or men is largely unknown. PURPOSE: To investigate HRQoL in patients with chronic rheumatic disease after completion of a 3-week multidisciplinary treatment, with special focus on differences in effect between age and gender groups. METHOD: HRQoL was measured with SF-36. Mean scores for all SF-36 domains were compared before and after the 3-week regimen and again at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Multivariable linear regression models using generalized estimating equations to account for repeated measurement were employed. A weighting procedure to account for differential dropouts was applied. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-six women and 74 men with chronic rheumatic disease were included. There were short-term improvements in all SF-36 domains irrespective of age or gender. These effects persisted for up to 1 year in the psychological, social, and energy domains for women under 50. We found no lasting effects for men; however, young men showed similar trends. CONCLUSION: Inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation improves short-term HRQoL in all patients. Younger women maintain these beneficial effects for up to 1 year. Additional intervention should be considered for elderly women and for men in order to sustain rehabilitation effects.

Optimized determination of elastic constants of crystals and their uncertainties from surface Brillouin scattering.

Surface Brillouin scattering of light allows the angular-dependent velocities of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves (SAW), pseudo-SAW and longitudinal lateral waves (L) on the surface of an opaque crystal to be measured, and the elastic constants thereby determined. Closed form expressions exist for the surface wave velocities in high symmetry directions on crystallographic symmetry planes, and these have been exploited in the past for obtaining the values of the elastic constants. This paper describes a procedure for obtaining an optimized set of elastic constants from SAW, pseudo-SAW and L velocities measured in arbitrary directions in the (001) and (110) surfaces of cubic crystals. It does so by affecting a linearization of the numerically determined angular-dependent SAW and pseudo-SAW velocities near the best fit, and using analytic expressions for the L velocity. The method also generates covariance ellipsoids, from which the uncertainties in the determined values of the elastic constants can be read off. The method is illustrated using surface Brillouin scattering data to obtain the room-temperature elastic constants C11, C12 and C44 of the cubic crystals VC0.75 and Rh3Nb.

Dimensionality of the Knee Numeric-Entity Evaluation Score (KNEES-ACL): a condition-specific questionnaire.

The benefit of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been questioned based on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Valid interpretation of such results requires confirmation of the psychometric properties of the PROM. Rasch analysis is the gold standard for validation of PROMs, yet PROMs used for ACL reconstruction have not been validated using Rasch analysis. We used Rasch analysis to investigate the psychometric properties of the Knee Numeric-Entity Evaluation Score (KNEES-ACL), a newly developed PROM for patients treated for ACL deficiency. Two-hundred forty-two patients pre- and post-ACL reconstruction completed the pilot PROM. Rasch models were used to assess the psychometric properties (e.g., unidimensionality, local response dependency, and differential item functioning). Forty-one items distributed across seven unidimensional constructs measuring impairment, functional limitations, and psychosocial consequences were confirmed to fit Rasch models. Fourteen items were removed because of statistical lack of fit and inadequate face validity. Local response dependency and differential item functioning were identified and adjusted. The KNEES-ACL is the first Rasch-validated condition-specific PROM constructed for patients with ACL deficiency and patients with ACL reconstruction. Thus, this instrument can be used for within- and between-group comparisons.

Development of the Knee Numeric-Entity Evaluation Score (KNEES-ACL): a condition-specific questionnaire.

Patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) are commonly used to gauge treatment effects in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency. Valid measures of specific conditions depend on relevant item content. While item content can be derived either from clinicians (face validity) or from patients, item relevance and comprehensiveness can only be confirmed by the patient (content validity). Focus group and single interviews were conducted with patients' pre- and post-ACL reconstruction in order to construct a condition-specific PROM for the target patients. One hundred fifty-seven items from a previously conducted literature search were used as a basis for content genesis. Content saturation was achieved after three focus groups and seven single interviews. Thirty-eight items from the literature search were directly endorsed, and five modified items were endorsed. Twelve new item themes with verbatim content emerged. Thus, a 55-item pilot PROM consisting of six conceptual domains was assembled. We have constructed a condition-specific PROM for measurement of surgical and non-surgical treatment effects on ACL deficiency. The instrument possesses face and content validity. A pilot survey to assess the psychometric properties will be performed using Rasch measurement theory.

Rasch analysis of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS): a statistical re-evaluation.

The knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), based on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), is widely used to evaluate subjective outcome in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructed patients. However, the validity of KOOS has not been assessed using Rasch analysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the viability of KOOS as an outcome measure for ACL reconstruction using the partial credit Rasch model. Rasch analysis was applied to 200 KOOS questionnaires completed by patients consecutively tested 20 weeks after ACL reconstruction and subsequent rehabilitation. Rasch analysis showed that of the five proposed subscales in KOOS, only knee-related quality of life (QoL) and sport and recreational related function (Sport/Rec) fulfilled the criteria of a unidimensional measurement scale when applied to these patients. The three subdomains in KOOS extracted from WOMAC did not fulfill these criteria. While the content of KOOS appears to be relevant for knee patients, the psychometric measurement properties of KOOS are insufficient for use on patients 20 weeks subsequent to ACL reconstruction. A new knee measure targeted for these patients could be developed based on the content of KOOS. This study demonstrates that knee measurement instruments constructed for a specific condition cannot necessarily be used on patients with other similar conditions.

Effects of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole on the inhibition of copper corrosion in acidic chloride solutions.

Effects of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATA) on the inhibition of copper corrosion in 0.5 M HCl solutions have been studied using gravimetric, electrochemical, and Raman spectroscopy investigations. Weight-loss measurements after varied immersion periods revealed that the dissolution rate of copper decreased to a minimum, while the inhibition efficiency (zeta%) and consequently the degree of surface coverage (theta) increased with the presence of ATA and the increase of its concentration. Potentiodynamic polarization, chronoamperometric, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements after 0, 24, and 48 h immersion of the copper electrode in the test solutions showed that the presence of ATA molecules significantly decreased cathodic, anodic, and corrosion (jcorr) currents and corrosion rates (Rcorr) and greatly increased polarization resistance (Rp), zeta%, and theta; this effect was increased on increasing the ATA content in the solution. Raman spectroscopy confirmed that ATA molecules strongly adsorbed onto the copper surface, blocking its active sites and preventing it from being corroded easily.

Corrosion of copper in aerated synthetic sea water solutions and its inhibition by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole.

Corrosion of copper in aerated synthetic sea water (3.5% NaCl) solutions and its inhibition by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATA) have been studied using electrochemical, gravimetric, and pH measurements, along with Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical measurements indicated that the presence of ATA and the increase of its concentration suppress the corrosion process on the copper surface. This effect decreases cathodic, anodic, and corrosion (jcorr) currents and corrosion rates (Kcorr), while increasing polarization resistance (Rp), surface coverage (theta), and inhibition efficiency (IE%). Weight loss measurements indicated that the dissolution of copper and the accompanying change of pH decreased to a minimum even after 24 days immersion due to the presence of ATA and the increase of its concentration. Raman investigations revealed that the inhibition of copper corrosion is achieved by strong adsorption of ATA molecules onto the copper surface, preventing it from being corroded easily.

Corrosion of copper in aerated acidic pickling solutions and its inhibition by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole-5-thiol.

Corrosion of copper in aerated acidic chloride pickling (0.5 M HCl) solutions and its inhibition by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole-5-thiol (ATT) have been investigated using electrochemical techniques and weight-loss measurements, along with Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical measurements for copper after varied immersion periods of 0, 24, and 48 h showed that the presence of ATT and the increase of its concentration significantly decrease cathodic, anodic, corrosion (j(Corr)) currents and corrosion rates (K(Corr)), as well as the dissolution currents at 300 mV vs Ag/AgCl, while increasing polarization resistance (Rp), degree of surface coverage (theta) and inhibition efficiency (IE%) to a great extent. Weight-loss measurements after different immersion periods of 6 to 48 h revealed that the dissolution of copper decreased to a minimum and the corresponding IE% increased with increasing ATT concentration. The detection of ATT molecules on the copper surface by Raman spectroscopy indicated that inhibition of copper corrosion is achieved by strong adsorption of ATT molecules onto the copper surface.

The study of guided waves in surfaces and thin supported films using surface Brillouin scattering and acoustic microscopy.

This paper reviews the use of surface Brillouin scattering (SBS) and acoustic microscopy (AM) in studying the surface dynamics of solids in order to obtain information about the near-surface elastic properties of solids and thin supported films. The vibrational modes that are probed by these means include Rayleigh surface and pseudo-surface acoustic waves, longitudinal lateral waves (surface skimming bulk longitudinal waves) and various thin film guided modes, such as Sezawa and Love waves. SBS is the inelastic scattering of light, mediated by thermodynamic fluctuations in the surface elevation and near surface elastic strains. The scattering cross-section is conveniently expressed in terms of Fourier domain elastodynamic Green's functions. AM depends on the insonification of a surface through a coupling fluid, and the resulting excitation and subsequent decay of the various surface modes. The complex reflectivity of the fluid-loaded surface, and the line and point force surface Green's functions are invoked in the interpretation of different modalities of AM, yielding much the same information about the surface dynamics. The focus in this paper is on the Green's function approach. A number of illustrative examples, drawn from the authors' research, are provided.

Analysis of voice outcomes in pediatric patients following surgical procedures for laryngotracheal stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term (> 2 years) voice function and corresponding anatomical features in children who have undergone augmentation procedures for laryngotracheal stenosis. DESIGN: Follow-up survey assessment. SETTING: Academic pediatric referral center. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: The families of 50 patients were contacted by mail, and completed home questionnaires. Of these 50 patients, 33 agreed to participate in a comprehensive hospital-based voice assessment, and 28 of these underwent fiberoptic endoscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Hospital-based evaluation and parental questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Perceptual voice assessment from taped samples by using the Vocal Profile Analysis protocol performed by 3 speech and language therapists, (2) fiberoptic laryngeal endoscopy assessment performed by 3 otolaryngologists, and (3) parental assessment of voice by questionnaire. The conditions of the patients were categorized by etiology, the degree of stenosis, coexisting laryngeal lesions, and the type of surgical procedure that was done based on a review of medical records. RESULTS: Eight of 33 patients were judged perceptually by using an amended version of the Vocal Profile Analysis scheme to have "normal" voices. In the remaining 25 patients, abnormalities were demonstrated in the parameters, including harshness (52%), whisper (36%), ventricular band phonation (21%), continuity (27%), mean pitch (27%), and falsetto voice (12%). By using endoscopy, 3 of 25 larynges were judged to be anatomically normal. Abnormalities that were found in the other patients included altered vocal fold mobility (42%), abnormal subglottis (38%), supraglottic vibration (31%), and anterior commissure blunting (31%). Supraglottic vibration corresponded with the perceptual judgment "ventricular band phonation type," and was seen in children with glottic insufficiency. Only 12% of parents indicated by questionnaire that deterioration of voice and dissatisfaction with voice function occurred after surgical procedures were performed. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of children who have undergone laryngotracheal surgical procedures for stenosis demonstrate chronic voice and endoscopic abnormalities. The effects of these surgical procedures and preexisting laryngeal abnormalities on voice continue to be difficult to establish in the pediatric population. Careful management by speech and language therapists who are familiar with such children is essential for optimal voice function.