18 research outputs found
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Northern Eurasia Future Initiative (NEFI): facing the challenges and pathways of global change in the 21st century
During the past several decades, the Earth system has changed significantly, especially across Northern Eurasia. Changes in the socio-economic conditions of the larger countries in the region have also resulted in a variety of regional environmental changes that can
have global consequences. The Northern Eurasia Future Initiative (NEFI) has been designed as an essential continuation of the Northern Eurasia Earth Science
Partnership Initiative (NEESPI), which was launched in 2004. NEESPI sought to elucidate all aspects of ongoing environmental change, to inform societies and, thus, to
better prepare societies for future developments. A key principle of NEFI is that these developments must now be secured through science-based strategies co-designed
with regional decision makers to lead their societies to prosperity in the face of environmental and institutional challenges. NEESPI scientific research, data, and
models have created a solid knowledge base to support the NEFI program. This paper presents the NEFI research vision consensus based on that knowledge. It provides the reader with samples of recent accomplishments in regional studies and formulates new NEFI science questions. To address these questions, nine research foci are identified and their selections are briefly justified. These foci include: warming of the Arctic; changing frequency, pattern, and intensity of extreme and inclement environmental conditions; retreat of the cryosphere; changes in terrestrial water cycles; changes in the biosphere; pressures on land-use; changes in infrastructure; societal actions in response to environmental change; and quantification of Northern Eurasia's role in the global Earth system. Powerful feedbacks between the Earth and human systems in Northern Eurasia (e.g., mega-fires, droughts, depletion of the cryosphere essential for water supply, retreat of sea ice) result from past and current human activities (e.g., large scale water withdrawals, land use and governance change) and
potentially restrict or provide new opportunities for future human activities. Therefore, we propose that Integrated Assessment Models are needed as the final stage of global
change assessment. The overarching goal of this NEFI modeling effort will enable evaluation of economic decisions in response to changing environmental conditions and justification of mitigation and adaptation efforts
Does a DVD improve compliance with home exercise programs for people who have sustained a traumatic hand injury? Results of a feasibility study
Purpose: This feasibility study sought to determine if compliance and understanding of a home exercise program following a traumatic hand injury is improved when patients are provided with a DVD and a brochure when compared to using brochures only. Method: Patients who presented with a traumatic hand injury and commenced on a hand therapy protocol were randomly assigned into two groups. The control group received brochures while the experimental group were provided with exercise instructions on DVD as well as brochures. Compliance was measured through the use of exercise diaries, clinic attendance, a checklist to measure correctness and understanding of exercises and a follow-up survey. Results: No significant improvement was found in the mean exercise compliance score (p = 0.344) between the intervention and control groups. From the survey results almost half of all participants reported that pain interfered in their ability to perform their home exercises and a third acknowledged that time limited their ability to perform their exercises. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate the multidimensional nature of compliance. The provision of DVD technology, while not shown to cause a statistically significant change in overall compliance, did help improve understanding of exercises; as such DVDs could be utilised as part of a program that facilitates the patient--therapist relationship.\ud
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Implications for Rehabilitation\ud
•Limited time and level of pain are highlighted as reasons for non compliance with exercise and treatment programs.\ud
•The use of DVDs can improve understanding and execution of exercises and can be part of a treatment program that facilitates increased patient therapist contact for rural and remote clients