| 1. |
- Hermansson, Ann-Charlotte, et al.
(författare)
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Mathematical model for paved surface summer and winter temperature : Comparison of calculated and measured temperatures
- 2004
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Ingår i: Cold Regions Science and Technology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-232X .- 1872-7441. ; 40:1-2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A simulation model has been developed to calculate pavement temperature for both summer and winter conditions. Input data are hourly values for solar radiation, air temperature and wind velocity. Longwave radiation, incident to and outgoing from the pavement surface, is calculated from the air and pavement surface temperature, respectively. The portion of the incident shortwave radiation absorbed by the pavement surface is calculated from the albedo of the surface. By means of a finite difference approximation of the equation for conduction of heat, the pavement temperature profile is calculated. Apart from radiation and heat conduction, convection losses from the pavement surface are also calculated based on wind velocity, air temperature and surface temperature. The model is validated by using data from three different sections in the LTPP program USA and six different sections in Sweden. Here, hourly meteorological data as well as surface temperature are taken. One set of parameter values for albedo, emissivity, atmospheric downwelling longwave radiation and convection losses, giving a good correspondence for asphalt concrete pavement for summer conditions, and one set for winter conditions are given. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Hermansson, Liselotte M. N.
(författare)
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Upper limb reduction deficiencies in Swedish children : classification, prevalence and function with myoelectric prostheses
- 2004
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Upper limb reduction deficiency (ULRD) is a rare condition that has been known ever since the 6th century B.C. This is a lifelong deficiency which in an afflicted child can lead to practical limitations, social restrictions and physical problems. The overall aim of this research was to increase the knowledge about children with upper limb reduction deficiencies from three perspectives: the deficiencies themselves, the use of prostheses and the well being of the affected children. To validate information regarding ULRD in the Swedish Register for Congenital Malformations (SRCM), all infants reported to this register during 1973-1987 were re-classified according to a more detailed classification. The result was compared with a clinic-based register at the Limb Deficiency and Arm Prostheses Centre in Örebro, Sweden. The findings indicate that SRCM, with its calculated underestimation of 6%, can be used for studying the prevalence of ULRD in Sweden. However, as SRCM is a surveillance register, the quality of some information seems to be low, making detailed description of cases difficult. Use of the population register data for clinical purposes could therefore result in lower validity. Additional information and follow-up of specific cases are therefore recommended.The presence of scoliosis and trunk asymmetry was studied in 60 persons with transverse ULRD. Nineteen persons (31%) had a scoliosis of between 10 and 19º and 30 persons had minor curves of between 5 and 10º. There was a significant correlation between leg length inequality and side of the convexity, with the convexity directed towards the side of the shorter leg in 21 of 28 persons. This indicates that children with transverse ULRD may have a transient scoliosis of postural origin of no clinical significance.A new observation-based test, the Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control (ACMC), which measures a person’s capacity to control a myoelectric prosthetic hand during the performance of ordinary daily tasks, was developed. Occupational therapists completed 210 assessments of 75 persons. Rasch rating scale analysis was used for validation and reliability estimations. The results demonstrate internal scale and person response validity.The external reliability of ACMC was established by scorings from three raters with different degrees of experience on 27 videotapes of client performance. The major finding in this study was that in order to obtain reliable measures from the ACMC the raters have to have some experience of this group of clients. Until the ACMC can adjust for rater severity, the same rater should perform the ACMC when it is used for follow-up or clinical trials.In a study of 62 children we found that, overall, children with ULRD who have been fitted with a myoelectric prosthetic hand are just as well adjusted psychosocially as their able-bodied peers. There are indications, however, of social stigmata related to the deficiency which have to be considered differently in boys and girls. Most children who have been provided with a myoelectric prosthesis at an early age continue to use the prosthesis.
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| 3. |
- Lindner, Helen, 1967-
(författare)
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The Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control : Psychometric evidence and comparison with upper limb prosthetic outcome measures
- 2013
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Evaluation of outcomes using validated prosthetic outcome measures (OMs) is a current priority in upper limb (UL) prosthetics, and OMs with psychometric evidence toward UL prosthesis users are thus necessary. The “Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control” (ACMC) is a tool that assesses the ability to control a myoelectric prosthetic hand. Some psychometric aspects of the ACMC have been previously investigated, but others are still lacking. A major part of this thesis was thus to search and assess the psychometric evidence of the ACMC. Data were collected from prosthesis users of different ages, prosthetic sides, and sexes. Rasch analysis was used to search for validity evidence and activity influence on the users’ ACMC ability measures, while reliability statistics was used to search for reliability evidence. Overall, the validity evidence was satisfactory in terms of unidimensionality, item technical quality, item difficulty, and relation to prosthetic wearing time. In terms of activity influence, the majority of prosthesis users received similar ability measures in different activities. Reliability evidence was also satisfactory in terms of test-retest reliability and rater agreements (intra- and interrater).Besides the ACMC, several other prosthetic OMs have been developed in recent years. A comparison of these OMs would help professionals to select appropriate tools for clinical practice. Thus, a comparison of the validated UL prosthetic OMs was performed with an emphasis on what health aspects they cover. Eight OMs were chosen, and their contents were linked to the “International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health” (ICF). The results showed that the contents from different OMs were linked to the ICF categories in “Body functions,” “Activity and Participation,” and “Environmental Factors.”In conclusion, the use of a mixture of OMs is recommended to cover different aspects of health. Based on the evidence in this thesis, the ACMC can be recommended to measure the ability to control a myoelectric hand.
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| 4. |
- Norman, Christer, et al.
(författare)
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STRAMA håller fast vid Otitkonsensus
- 2007
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Ingår i: Läkartidningen. - 0023-7205 .- 1652-7518. ; 104:26-27, s. 1996-1997
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- [STRAMA sticks to the otitis consensus]
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| 5. |
- Alzbutiene, Giedre, et al.
(författare)
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Tympanic membrane changes in experimental acute otitis media and myringotomy
- 2008
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Ingår i: Medicina. - 1648-9144. ; 44:4, s. 313-321
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. The present experimental study explored pathomorphological changes and calcium depositions in the tympanic membrane during experimental acute otitis media caused by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae in myringotomized and nonmyringotomized ears. Material and methods. A rat model of experimental acute otitis media caused by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae was employed Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Four days following middle ear inoculation, a bilateral myringotomy was performed in six randomly selected animals. Another group of 10 animals was inoculated only. On days 4, 7, 14, and 28, after inoculation, two animals from each group were sacrificed The temporal bones were removed and the tympanic membranes were dissected, followed by paraffin embedding. Adjacent sections were stained with PAS-alcian blue for basic histopathological observations and by von Kossa method for determination of calcium phosphate depositions. Results. Particularly intense invasion of polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes was, seen on day 4 after inoculation. The highest infiltration of macrophages was observed on day 7. The peak number of lymphocytes was seen on day 14. No difference occurred in the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in myringotomized and nonmyringotomized tympanic membranes. The infiltration with lymphocytes and activated macrophages in all parts of the myringotomized tympanic membranes was statistically significantly higher than in the nonmyringotomized animals. The total amount of interstitial calcium phosphate depositions during days 7, 14, and 28 of study was statistically higher in the sections of pars tensa from myringotomized membranes compared to the nonmyringotomized membranes. Conclusion. Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae-induced acute otitis media and myringotomy provoke more extensive inflammatory reaction with microcalcification in the tympanic membranes.
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| 6. |
- Amer, Ahmed, 1984-
(författare)
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Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of two questionnaires for the assessment of occupational performance in children with disability : Children's Hand-use Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ) and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI)
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Globally, 93–150 million children live with some form of disability, most of them live in developing countries. Occupational performance describes a person’s ability to execute tasks that are meaningful, in the context in which the person lives. The Children’s Hand-use Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ) and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) are measurement tools developed to measure different aspects of occupational performance. However, before using these tools in another cultural context, evidence of validity in that context should be established.The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate the evidence of validity for CHEQ and the Uganda version of PEDI (PEDI-UG).Study I established the validity of revised CHEQ 1.0 for children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). The study suggested improvements and inclusion of younger children. This led to the development of CHEQ 2.0, which was culturally adapted and validated for Jordan in Study II. Study III indicated that PEDI-UG had good psychometric properties when tested on typically developing children, and it suggested improvements and further analysis in children with disability. Therefore, study IV investigated the psychometric properties on Ugandan children with CP and confirmed the instrument’s validity. However, the differential item functioning analysis comparing children with CP and typically developing children, and the developmental trajectories for both groups, suggested that a separate conversion table should be used to transform the total sum score from raw scores to a 0–100 scaled score. This thesis shows the importance of cultural adaptations and psychometric validation of measurement tools before they can be used in new cultural contexts. The Arabic CHEQ 2.0and PEDI-UG can be used in the evaluation of rehabilitation interventions and will help to fill the need for measurement tools in these countries.
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| 7. |
- Amer, Ahmed, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Cross-cultural adaptation and reliability of the Arabic version of Children's Hand-use Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ)
- 2022
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Ingår i: Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy. - : Elsevier. - 1569-1861 .- 1876-4398. ; 35:1, s. 84-95
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Validated outcome measures are essential for assessment and treatment of children with disabilities. The Children's Hand-use Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ) was developed and validated for use in Western countries for children with unilateral hand dysfunction. This study aimed to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and investigate reliability for the Arabic CHEQ.Methods: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation were performed in four phases: (i) forward-translation and reconciliation with feedback from parents and typically developing children from Jordan (n = 14); (ii) backward-translation and review; (iii) cognitive debriefing with parents and/or their children with unilateral hand dysfunction (n = 17); and (iv) review and proofreading. In the psychometric analyses, 161 children from Jordan (mean age [SD] 10y 8 m [5y 8 m]; 88 males) participated. Internal consistency was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha. Test-retest reliability was evaluated in 39 children with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and weighted kappa (kappa).Results: Synonyms of four words were added to accommodate for different Arabic dialects. On average, 93% of children with unilateral hand dysfunction and their parents understood the CHEQ items. One response alternative, 'Get help', to the opening question was unclear for 70% of the respondents and need further explanation. Two items about using a knife and fork were difficult to comprehend and culturally irrelevant. High internal consistency was demonstrated (Cronbach's alphas 0.94- 0.97) and moderate to excellent ICC (0.77-0.93). For 18 individual items, kappa indicated poor to good agreement (kappa between 0.28 and 0.66).Conclusions: After the suggested minor adjustments, the Arabic CHEQ will be comprehensible, culturally relevant and reliable for assessing children with unilateral hand dysfunction in Jordan.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Amer, Ahmed, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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The Ugandan version of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-UG). Part II : Psychometric properties
- 2018
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Ingår i: Child Care Health and Development. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0305-1862 .- 1365-2214. ; 44:4, s. 562-571
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) has been recommended as a gold standard in paediatric rehabilitation. A Ugandan version of PEDI (PEDI-UG) has been developed by culturally adapting and translating the original PEDI. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the PEDI-UG in Ugandan children by testing the instrument's rating scale functioning, internal structure, and test-retest reliability.Methods: Two hundred forty-nine Ugandan children (125 girls) aged 6 months to 7.5 years (Mean = 3.4, SD = 1.9) with typical development were tested using the PEDI-UG. Forty-nine children were tested twice to assess test-retest reliability. Validity was investigated by Rasch analysis and reliability by intraclass correlation coefficient.Results: The PEDI-UG domains showed good unidimensionality based on principal component analysis of residuals. Most activities (95%) showed acceptable fit to the Rasch model. Six misfit items were deleted from the Functional Skills scales and one from the Caregiver Assistance scales. The category steps on the Caregiver Assistance scales' rating scale were reversed but functioned well when changed from a 6-point to 4-point rating scale. The reliability was excellent; intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.87-0.92 for the domains of the Functional Skills scales and 0.86-0.88 for the domains of the Caregiver Assistance scales.Conclusion: The PEDI-UG has good to excellent psychometric properties and provides a valid measure of the functional performance of typically developing children from the age of 6 months to 7.5 years in Uganda. Further analysis of all items, including misfit and deleted items, in children with functional disability is recommended.
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| 10. |
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