Establishing score equivalence of the Functional Independence Measure motor scale and the Barthel Index, utilising the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and Rasch measurement theory

Introduction: Two widely used outcome measures to assess functioning in neurological rehabilitation are the Functional Independence Measure (FIM™) and the Barthel Index. The current study aims to establish the equivalence of the total score of the FIM™ motor scale and the Barthel Index through the application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and Rasch measurement theory. Methods: Secondary analysis of a large sample of patients with stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis, undergoing rehabilitation was conducted. All patients were assessed at the same time on both the FIM™ and the Barthel Index. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Linking Rules were used to establish conceptual coherency between the 2 scales, and the Rasch measurement model to establish an exchange of the total scores. Results: Using the FIM™ motor scale, items from both scales linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health d4 Mobility or d5 Self-care chapters. Their co-calibration satisfied the assumptions of the Rasch model for each of 3 diagnostic groups. A ceiling effect was observed for the Barthel Index when contrasted against the FIM™ motor scale. Conclusion: Having a Rasch interval metric to transform scores between the FIM™ motor scale and Barthel Index is valuable for monitoring functioning, meta-analysis, quality audits and hospital benchmarking

Time-dependent correlations in quantum magnets at finite temperature

In this article we investigate the time dependence of the gap mode of copper nitrate at various temperatures. We combine state-of-the-art theoretical calculations with high precision neutron resonance spin-echo measurements to understand the anomalous decoherence effects found previously in this material. It is shown that the time domain offers a complementary view on this phenomenon, which allows us to directly compare experimental data and theoretical predictions without the need of further intensive data analysis, such as (de)convolution.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

A Novel Longitudinal Mode in the Coupled Quantum Chain Compound KCuF3

Inelastic neutron scattering measurements are reported that show a new longitudinal mode in the antiferromagnetically ordered phase of the spin-1/2 quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnet KCuF3. This mode signals the cross-over from one-dimensional to three-dimensional behavior and indicates a reduction in the ordered spin moment of a spin-1/2 antiferromagnet. The measurements are compared with recent quantum field theory results and are found to be in excellent agreement. A feature of the data not predicted by theory is a damping of the mode by decay processes to the transverse spin-wave branches.Comment: 9 pages of text plus 4 postscript figures (1 color

Effects of maternal subnutrition during early pregnancy on cow hematological profiles and offspring physiology and vitality in two beef breeds

This experiment evaluated the effects of subnutrition during early gestation on hematology in cows (Bos Taurus) and on hematological, metabolic, endocrine, and vitality parameters in their calves. Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica dams were inseminated and assigned to either a control (CONTROL, 100% requirements) or a nutrient‐restricted group (SUBNUT, 65%) during the first third of gestation. Dam blood samples were collected on days 20 and 253 of gestation, and calf samples were obtained during the first days of life. Pirenaica dams presented higher red series parameters than Parda de Montaña dams, both in the first and the last months of gestation. During early pregnancy, granulocyte numbers and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were lower in Pirenaica‐SUBNUT than in Pirenaica‐CONTROL cows. Calves from the SUBNUT cows did not show a physiological reduction in red series values in early life, suggesting later maturation of the hematopoietic system. Poor maternal nutrition affected calf endocrine parameters. Newborns from dystocic parturitions showed lower NEFA concentrations and weaker vitality responses. In conclusion, maternal nutrition had short‐term effects on cow hematology, Pirenaica cows showing a higher susceptibility to undernutrition; and a long‐term effect on their offspring endocrinology, SUBNUT newborns showing lower levels of IGF‐1 and higher levels of cortisol.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Business and the European Union Regional Development Funds (INIA RTA 2013‐00059‐C02 and INIA RZP 2015‐001) and the Government of Aragon under the Grant Research Group Funds (A14_17R). A. Noya received a PhD grant from INIA‐Government of Aragon

Meaningful and measurable health domains in Huntington’s: large-scale validation of the Huntington’s disease health-related quality of life questionnaire (HDQoL) across severity stages

Objectives: While health-related quality of life is key for patients with long-term neurodegenerative conditions, measuring this is less straightforward and complex in Huntington’s disease. This study aimed to refine and validate a fully patient-derived instrument, the Huntington’s Disease health-related Quality of Life questionnaire (HDQoL), and to elucidate health domains that are meaningful to patients’ lived experience. Methods: Five-hundred and forty-one participants, from pre-manifest to end-stage disease completed the HDQoL, together with generic quality of life measures, and in-person motor, cognitive and behavioural assessments. The psychometric properties of the HDQoL were examined using factor analysis and Rasch analysis. Results: Four HDQoL domains emerged reflecting the classical triad of HD features - they were Physical-Functional, Cognitive, and two different behavioural aspects i.e. Mood-Self domain, as well as a distinct Worries domain. These domains clarify the behavioural sequelae as experienced by patients, and all showed good to excellent internal consistency. Known groups analyses illustrated significant and graded changes in clinical assesments and corresponding HDQoL domains across severity levels. Convergent and discriminant validity was demonstrated by the expected pattern of correlations between specific HDQoL domains and corresponding domain-relevant clinical assesments as well as patient-reported measures. The data demonstrate robust support for the refined HDQoL across disease stages. Conclusions: The HDQoL with its two distinct behavioural domains of Mood-Self and of Worries, as well as a Physical-Functional and a Cognitive domain, is a relevant, reliable and valid patient-derived instrument to measure the impact of Huntington’s disease across all severity stages

Magnetic Properties of (VO)_2P_2O_7 from Frustrated Interchain Coupling

Neutron-scattering experiments on (VO)_2P_2O_7 reveal both a gapped magnon dispersion and an unexpected, low-lying second mode. The proximity and intensity of these modes suggest a frustrated coupling between the alternating spin chains. We deduce the minimal model containing such a frustration, and show that it gives an excellent account of the magnon dispersion, static susceptibility and electron spin resonance absorption. We consider two-magnon states which bind due to frustration, and demonstrate that these may provide a consistent explanation for the second mode.Comment: RevTeX, 5 pages, 6 figures, compressed from first versio

Finite Temperature Dynamical Correlations in Massive Integrable Quantum Field Theories

We consider the finite-temperature frequency and momentum dependent two-point functions of local operators in integrable quantum field theories. We focus on the case where the zero temperature correlation function is dominated by a delta-function line arising from the coherent propagation of single particle modes. Our specific examples are the two-point function of spin fields in the disordered phase of the quantum Ising and the O(3) nonlinear sigma models. We employ a Lehmann representation in terms of the known exact zero-temperature form factors to carry out a low-temperature expansion of two-point functions. We present two different but equivalent methods of regularizing the divergences present in the Lehmann expansion: one directly regulates the integral expressions of the squares of matrix elements in the infinite volume whereas the other operates through subtracting divergences in a large, finite volume. Our central results are that the temperature broadening of the line shape exhibits a pronounced asymmetry and a shift of the maximum upwards in energy ("temperature dependent gap"). The field theory results presented here describe the scaling limits of the dynamical structure factor in the quantum Ising and integer spin Heisenberg chains. We discuss the relevance of our results for the analysis of inelastic neutron scattering experiments on gapped spin chain systems such as CsNiCl3 and YBaNiO5.Comment: 54 pages, 10 figure