British signals intelligence and the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland

Historians for decades have placed Room 40, the First World War British naval signals intelligence organization, at the centre of narratives about the British anticipation of and response to the Easter Rising in Ireland in 1916. A series of crucial decrypts of telegrams between the German embassy in Washington and Berlin, it has been believed, provided significant advance intelligence about the Rising before it took place. This article upends previous accounts by demonstrating that Room 40 possessed far less advance knowledge about the Rising than has been believed, with most of the supposedly key decrypts not being generated until months after the Rising had taken place

Transition and technology reliance: experiences of youth exiting high school

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000Objective. For students with special needs, the end of this century brings a long history of education-for-all practices, enthusiasm for uses of technology, and a focus on student's outcomes after graduation. However, disappointing results are observed with some students and particular experiences of those that rely on assistive technology (AT) are just starting to be considered. This study explored AT users' experiences with transition from high school to young adult life.Method. Eight students or recent graduates participated who had a reliance on AT to enhance mobility and communication. Transition experiences and perspectives were studied with a phenomenological approach wherein interviews, observations, and school records were used in thematic analysis.Findings. Participants were transitioning toward unclear or tentative outcomes regarding post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. The school's role in transition was acknowledged but not seen as pivotal to outcomes. Participants valued membership in school, but a sense of being a pioneer with disability in the school environment was exhausting and sometimes disappointing. Demands for self-advocacy seemed to generalize as a desire to support others with disability in school and community. Accommodations required deliberate planning, but authority and specificity about alterations were often unclear. Disability and reliance on AT created dilemmas because needs for human assistance continued and was broadened to require technical experts as part of a support network. A recurrent cycle of technology evaluation, selection, acquisition, training, and use inevitably lead to getting stranded because of changing needs, device failure, or new options and features of technology that necessitated re-training. Participants' had few expectations for technology, but were hoping to find greater access and acceptance in the community.Discussion. Person-centered planning and use of role models with disability are encouraged with transition practices. These suggestions will challenge students' advocacy skills and require them to have a better awareness of what to expect within other community settings. Planning and using accommodations that include technology reliance may be understood better by considering outcomes relative to participation, performance, and productivity. In schools, participation is emphasized, but performance and productivity appear to be critical to young adult life in the community

Sensory impairment after stroke: exploring therapists' clinical decision making

Background. Stroke survivors experience sensory impairments that significantly limit upper-limb functional use. Lack of clear research-based guidelines about their management exacerbates the uncertainty in occupational therapists' decision making to support these clients. Purpose. This study explores occupational therapists' clinical decision making regarding upper-limb, post-stroke sensory impairments that can ultimately inform approaches to support therapists working with such clients. Method. Twelve therapists participated in a qualitative descriptive study. Transcripts of semi-structured interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Findings. Three overarching categories were identified: deciding on the focus of interventions (describing intervention choices), it all depends (outlining factors considered when choosing interventions), and managing uncertainty in decision making (describing uncertainty and actions taken to resolve it). Implications. Providing training about post-stroke sensory impairment and decision making may improve therapists' decision making and ultimately improve client outcomes. Further research is needed to understand the impact of uncertainty on occupational therapy decision making and resulting care practices

Virtual cues and functional mobility of people with Parkinson\u27s disease: A single-subject pilot study

In this study, adults with Parkinson\u27s disease (PD) used virtual cueing spectacles (VCS) mimicking kinesia paradoxa in home and community settings to assess the impact on mobility and participation. We used an ABA single-subject design with repeated measures. Six adults with PD, akinesia, and stage III or IV Hoehn and Yahr rating scale status used VCS in their homes and communities for a week or more. Our main outcome measures included participant counts of losses of balance and freezes, pre-/postintervention completion of the Parkinson\u27s Disease Questionnaire-39, observation of baseline and intervention gait, and an interview regarding user satisfaction with VCS. We also assessed participants\u27 preuse baseline and return to baseline. Use of VCS decreased length of freezes as well as number of freezes for some participants. All participants expressed satisfaction with VCS. VCS shows promise in simulating kinesia paradoxa to improve the gait of some adults with PD in the home and community

Supports and Barriers as Experienced by Individuals with Vision Loss from Diabetes

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived environmental supports and barriers to daily functioning for people with low vision due to diabetic retinopathy and the adaptive strategies used by these individuals to improve person-environment fit. Method: The researchers used a qualitative descriptive approach with eight participants with low vision as a result of diabetic retinopathy. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, observation of participants’ home environments and focus group discussions. Results: Participants described aspects of the physical environment, the social environment and psychological adjustment as important in adapting to vision loss and diabetes. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: “It’s a Complicated Life”, “The World Isn’t Accessible”, “Making it Work” and “Learning to be Blind”. Conclusions: Physical and social environmental influences on functioning are complex. Adaptation to vision loss is an ongoing process that may be aided by peer interactions and more community-based rehabilitation. To best rehabilitate people with low vision due to diabetic retinopathy, the influence of both the physical and social environment along with psychological adaptation need to be considered. Periodic rehabilitation, interventions taking place in community settings and the formal inclusion of peers in the rehabilitation process may be indicated.Implications for Rehabilitation Consideration of the social as well as the physical environment is essential in the rehabilitation of people with low vision due to diabetic retinopathy. Adaptation to vision loss by those with diabetic retinopathy is complicated by the fact that diabetes is a systemic disease that affects multiple body systems. Psychological adaptation to vision loss is characterized by cycles of grieving and acceptance, which affects readiness for rehabilitation. Alternative approaches to rehabilitation may be indicated for people with low vision due to diabetic retinopathy, including periodic intervention over time and the inclusion of peers in the rehabilitation process

Understanding upper extremity home programs and the use of gaming technology for persons after stroke

Background Many persons post-stroke continue to have difficulty using their more involved upper extremity and home programs may be poorly adhered to limiting the amount of practice an individual receives. More information on the experience of traditional home program and the acceptability of a novel home intervention was sought. Objective To qualitatively describe 1) upper extremity use at home, 2) previous home exercise or activity programs, and 3) the acceptability of a novel upper extremity home program, NeuroGame Therapy (NGT), that combines surface electromyography (sEMG) biofeedback and a commercial computer game. Methods A purposeful sample of ten persons with moderate to severe upper extremity motor impairment used the NGT intervention in their home for four weeks and completed nested (pre and post) one-on-one interviews. Written transcripts from the interviews were coded and themes were identified to address stated objectives. Results Participants reported that while use of their upper extremity in daily activities was recommended it occurred infrequently. Most participants described previous home programs as being non-specific, were often not carried out as recommended or were self-modified. Participants found NGT to be engaging and motivating, but reported minimal changes in the functional uses of their upper extremity. Conclusion These findings suggest that after stroke upper extremity use may be infrequent and home program approaches could be re-examined. NGT was reported to be an acceptable home intervention, but it will require further development and study to understand its value and role in post-stroke rehabilitation