Everyday experiences of post-diagnosis life with dementia: A co-produced photography study

There has been surprisingly little research capturing people’s everyday lives in the early years following a diagnosis of dementia. This project was co-produced by three people with dementia and two university researchers. The co-researchers with dementia formulated the aims of this project as: (1) to explore post-diagnosis life with dementia and (2) to use data collection methods as a form of peer support and confidence building for the participants. The intent was to provide the opportunity to learn new skills and support participants to share their experiences without putting them on the spot. Five participants with recent diagnoses received a photography lesson and cameras to take photographs of their everyday lives. This was followed with a focus group in which the photographs were discussed. The participants used their photographs to explain: (1) the differences between their past and present with dementia, (2) how dementia affected their thought processes, (3) pets and grandchildren as facilitators of reciprocal joy and support, (4) the emotional effects of living with a dementia diagnosis, and (5) the solace and stability of nature in a changing world. The participants’ creative use of photography supported them to express the complex emotions felt after a diagnosis of dementia and they reported the benefit of doing this in an environment with peers going through the same experiences. The role of the co-researchers with dementia was the key to the success of this project, drawing on their own experiences to design the project and support the participants. Future research should draw on the experiences of people with dementia to design research projects and care interventions

The Marseilles March

Transcribed and arranged by G. Dooley from a facsimile copy of manuscript in Jane Austen's handwriting obtained from Jane Austen's House Museum.Version of the Marseillaise, the French national anthem. 6 verses.Jane Austen's House Museum collection

Effects of selected minor alloying additions on the structure deformation characteristics of beryllium

Solid solution alloying was employed in an attempt to produce some relatively ductile form of beryllium. If the c/a ratio could be significantly altered, it was felt new or different slip systems could be activated. The following elements were selected on the basis of atomic size, melting point, crystal structure and density for adding to beryllium in amounts of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 10.0 atomic percentages: boron, manganese and, titanium. All samples were non-consumable arc melted, machined and sectioned for wet chemical, spectrographic, X-ray diffraction and metal-lographic analysis as well as for mechanical (compression) testing. These tests showed all alloy samples exceeded the solubility limits in each respective system. Be₄₋₅B, Be₈Mn and Be₁₂Ti were identified as the second phases in the individual systems. Beryllium-boron alloys exhibited an eutectic or peritectic reaction and the eutectic composition in the beryllium-manganese system was established at 22.0 weight percent manganese. The samples Be /0.5B, Be /1.0Mn and Be /0.5Ti gave yield strengths of 47,200 psi, 56,600 psi and 81,250 psi respectively in compression testing. These same specimens yielded work hardening rates of 1.07 x 10⁶ psi, 1.3 x 10⁶ psi and 1.52 x 10⁶ psi respectively. Long wide twins in pure beryllium were accompanied by large amounts of cross-slip. The boron sample displayed long wide twins and also very short narrow twins, no cross-slip and extensive areas with microcracks present. Shorter and narrower twins characterize the manganese specimens. The beryllium-titanium alloys exhibited extremely small twins emanating from particles of second phase Be₁₂Ti; however, the majority of the twins in this system are long, extremely narrow and are seen to be internally constricted along the length of the twin. These constrictions have been ascribed to a strain relief process which further prevented the twin from growing parallel to its shorter dimension. The near total absence of cross-slip in the three alloy systems was attributed to a lessening of the stacking fault energy as a result of increasing the solute concentration. The drop in the stacking fault energy decreases the probability for cross-slip, makes extensive deformation difficult and explains higher yield strengths and work hardening rates. Evidence presented suggests slip occurs prior to gross twin propagation. The relationship between twinning shear and twin shape suggests for the beryllium-titanium alloys twinning on higher order planes (e.g., {.1121} or 11122 }) rather than the {1012} twinning normally observed

Some Microbiological and Sanitary Aspects of Military Operations in Greenland

Describes, from a longer report (cf. No. 64724.) studies of sanitation practices and problems of wound healing and fly-borne contamination at Camp Tuto, 14 mi from the Thule Air Force Base, supplemented with data from two camps on the icecap. Bacteria from water supplies, from surface snow, and soil and also bacteria from wounds and from flies were isolated, identified and counted. No evidence of water contamination was found though bacteria appear to survive the arctic winter in the soil

A population-based study of dystrophin mutations in Canada

Introduction: We carried out a population-based study of dystrophin mutations in patients followed by members of the Canadian Paediatric Neuromuscular Group (CPNG) over a ten-year period. Objectives: We aimed to describe the changes in diagnostic testing for dystrophinopathy and to determine the frequency of dystrophin mutations from 2000 to 2009. Methods: De-identified data containing the clinical phenotypes, diagnostic methods, and mutational reports from dystrophinopathy patients followed by CPNG centres from January 2000 to December 2009 were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: 773 patients had a confirmed diagnosis of dystrophinopathy based on genetic testing (97%), muscle biopsy (2%), or family history (1%). 573 (74%) had complete deletion/duplication analysis of all 79 exons or whole gene sequencing, resulting in 366 (64%) deletions, 64 (11%) duplications, and 143 (25%) point mutations. The percentage of patients who were diagnosed using currently accepted genetic testing methods varied across Canada, with a mean of 63% (SD 23). 246 (43%) mutations involved exons 45 to 53. The top ten deletions (n=147, 26%) were exons 45-47, 45-48, 45, 45-50, 45-55, 51, 45-49, 45-52, 49-50, and 46-47. 169 (29%) mutations involved exons 2 to 20. The most common duplications (n=29, 5.1%) were exons 2, 2-7, 2-17, 3-7, 8-11, 10, 10-11, and 12. Conclusion: This is the most comprehensive report of dystrophin mutations in Canada. Consensus guidelines regarding the diagnostic approach to dystrophinopathy will hopefully reduce the geographical variation in mutation detection rates in the coming decade

Improving the Robustness of the Advanced LIGO Detectors to Earthquakes

Teleseismic, or distant, earthquakes regularly disrupt the operation of ground–based gravitational wave detectors such as Advanced LIGO. Here, we present EQ mode, a new global control scheme, consisting of an automated sequence of optimized control filters that reduces and coordinates the motion of the seismic isolation platforms during earthquakes. This, in turn, suppresses the differential motion of the interferometer arms with respect to one another, resulting in a reduction of DARM signal at frequencies below 100 mHz. Our method greatly improved the interferometers\u27 capability to remain operational during earthquakes, with ground velocities up to 3.9 μm s−1 rms in the beam direction, setting a new record for both detectors. This sets a milestone in seismic controls of the Advanced LIGO detectors\u27 ability to manage high ground motion induced by earthquakes, opening a path for further robust operation in other extreme environmental conditions

Investigating Whether Consuming Meals in a Dining Room Impacts Patients’ Mood, Level of Interaction, and Subsequent Nutrient Intake in a Stroke Rehabilitation Ward.

Background/objectivesMalnutrition is evident in hospitals and stroke patients are at increased risk. Protected mealtimes may help increase nutrient intake especially when patients interact and enjoy the dining room atmosphere. The aim of this research is to investigate if eating in a communal dining room increases nutritional intake compared to eating at the bedside and to investigate whether patient interaction and mood affects patient nutrient intake. Population/methods:A randomised cross-sectional study of 20 patients, assessing a comparison of patient’s mealtime consumption at lunchtime in the dining room and at the beside. Patients’ meals were weighed before and after consumption as well as an estimated percentage of their meals consumed. Patients’ interaction was observed and noted using a modified case report form. The Hammond depression scale was used to score patients’ mood. Patient and staff satisfaction surveys were completed at the end of the study period. Results:There was no significant difference in protein and energy consumption in the dining room (16.4g protein and 379.2kcal) compared to at the bedside (13.2g protein and 333.8kcal), p=0.160 and p=0.110 respectively. Interaction was higher in the dining room. The percentage mealtime consumption increased the more interactive a patient was from a mean of 74% in less interactive patients to 98% in highly interactive patients (p=0.193). There was no significant association between depression score and mealtime consumption. All 19 patients enjoyed eating in the dining room and 14 out of the 19 patients preferred eating in the dining room. Conclusion:Further studies are required to explore how intake can be improved among stroke rehabilitation patients

Correlates of psychological distress following armed robbery

Although mental health professionals have long been aware of the impact of traumatic events, it was not until 1980 that the term posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was introduced into the DSM-III. Since then, one major goal of research has been to identify factors associated with distress following trauma; as yet, few reliable indicators have emerged. Within the population of armed robbery victims, this is particularly true. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible correlates of posttrauma distress in armed robbery victims, and to assess the overall level of distress within this group. A questionnaire was mailed out to 57 robbery victims, aged 15 to 65, who were recruited as study volunteers via community outreach. Severity of the trauma, vulnerability attributions, and avoidant coping were significantly related to distress level, and victims exhibited a high level of distress