Two steps forward, one step back? A commentary on the disease-specific core sets of the international classification of functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is advocated as a biopsychosocial framework and classification and has been received favourably by occupational therapists, disability rights organisations and proponents of the social model of disability. The success of the ICF largely depends on its uptake in practice and it is considered unwieldy in its full format. Therefore, to make the ICF user friendly, the World Health Organisation (WHO) have condensed the original format and developed core sets, some of which are disease specific. The authors use the ICF Core Set for stroke as an example to debate if by reverting to classification according to disease, the ICF is at risk of taking two steps forward, one step back in its holistic portrayal of health

Using the ICF to clarify team roles and demonstrate clinical reasoning in stroke rehabilitation

Purpose: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is advocated as a tool to structure rehabilitation and a universal language to aid communication, within the multi-disciplinary team (MDT). The ICF may also facilitate clarification of team roles and clinical reasoning for intervention. This article aims to explore both factors in stroke rehabilitation. Method: Following a review of the literature, a summary was presented and discussed with clinicians working within stroke rehabilitation, to gather expert opinions. The discussions were informal, being part of service development and on-going education. The clinicians summarised key themes for the potential use of the ICF within clinical practice. Results: Two key themes emerged from the literature and expert opinion for the potential use of the ICF in stroke rehabilitation: i) to aid communication and structure service provision ii) to clarify team roles and aid clinical reasoning. Expert opinion was that clarification of team roles needs to occur at a local level due to the skill mix, particular interests, setting and staffing levels within individual teams. The ICF has the potential to demonstrate/ facilitate clinical reasoning, especially when different MDT members are working on the same intervention. Conclusion: There is potential for the ICF to be used to clarify team roles and demonstrate clinical reasoning within stroke rehabilitation. Further experiential research is required to substantiate this vie

Drives and benefits overview

The major technology issues for an advanced orbital transfer vehicles (OTV) engine to be used in conjunction with a space based, reusable orbit transfer vehicle are discussed. The results of the space station studies as they relate to the OTV and the ground rules and guidelines for a reusable OTV vehicle study are reviewed. The technology drives and benefit categories such as mission versatility, increased reliability or reduced cost are presented. The technology drivers and the associated benefits are covered with regard to relative significance and impact on the ongoing OTV engine technology program. It is recommended that because of the broad range of mission requirements and the long term potential cost benefits a new engine is needed for the space based reusable OTV

Forecasting Methods for Marketing:* Review of Empirical Research

This paper reviews the empirical research on forecasting in marketing. In addition, it presents results from some small scale surveys. We offer a framework for discussing forecasts in the area of marketing, and then review the literature in light of that framework. Particular emphasis is given to a pragmatic interpretation of the literature and findings. Suggestions are made on what research is needed.forecasting, marketing, methods, review, research

Computer program documentation for the pasture/range condition assessment processor

The processor which drives for the RANGE software allows the user to analyze LANDSAT data containing pasture and rangeland. Analysis includes mapping, generating statistics, calculating vegetative indexes, and plotting vegetative indexes. Routines for using the processor are given. A flow diagram is included

Magmatic Intrusions into the Sulfur-Rich Carmel Formation on the Colorado Plateau, USA: Implications for the Mars 2020 Mission

We report on basaltic dikes in the Colorado Plateau, which crosscut sulfate bearing sediments and compare this to Martian basalts and basaltic sediments in contact with sulfate mineralizations

Restoration of eucalypt grassy woodland: effects of experimental interventions on ground-layer vegetation

We report on the effects of broad-scale restoration treatments on the ground layer of eucalypt grassy woodland in south-eastern Australia. The experiment was conducted in two conservation reserves from which livestock grazing had previously been removed. Changes in biomass, species diversity, ground-cover attributes and life-form were analysed over a 4-year period in relation to the following experimental interventions: (1) reduced kangaroo density, (2) addition of coarse woody debris and (3) fire (a single burn). Reducing kangaroo density doubled total biomass in one reserve, but no effects on exotic biomass, species counts or ground cover attributes were observed. Coarse woody debris also promoted biomass, particularly exotic annual forbs, as well as plant diversity in one of the reserves. The single burn reduced biomass, but changed little else. Overall, we found the main driver of change to be the favourable growth seasons that had followed a period of drought. This resulted in biomass increasing by 67%, (mostly owing to the growth of perennial native grasses), whereas overall native species counts increased by 18%, and exotic species declined by 20% over the 4-year observation period. Strategic management of grazing pressure, use of fire where biomass has accumulated and placement of coarse woody debris in areas of persistent erosion will contribute to improvements in soil and vegetation condition, and gains in biodiversity, in the future.Funding and in-kind logistic support for this project was provided by the ACT Government as part of an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant (LP0561817; LP110100126). Drafts of the manuscript were read by Saul Cunningham and Ben Macdonald

The Influence of Student Housing and Selected Academic and Personal Demographic Characteristics on the Retention of Students from the Second to Third Year at a Research University (RU/VH)

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of participation in a content-based residential college versus non-participation in a content-based residential college on retention in the second year of study at a research university-very high research activity (RU/VH) in the southern portion of the United States. The dependent variable of the study was whether or not the traditional-age, first-time freshman students enrolled at the study institution in their fifth semester, or second to third year, of study. The target population for this study was defined as traditional-age, first-time college freshmen who enrolled in a research university-very high research activity (RU/VH) in the South. The accessible population was defined as traditional age, first-time college freshmen who enrolled in one selected research university-very high research activity (RU/VH) in the 2014-2015 academic year (n = 5,542). Of these 5,542 students, 1,373 resided in a content-based residential college during their freshmen year. The data were descriptive in nature and therefore analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique, t-tests and the chi-square test of independence technique. In addition, a Multiple Discriminant Analysis was conducted to assess if a model existed that significantly increased the researcher’s ability to correctly classify students on their retention from second to third year. Findings indicated that the number of credit hours earned in each of the first four semesters influenced the retention of students into their fifth semester, and therefore, dropping below full-time status put students at risk for not completing their degree. Findings also indicated that a higher percentage of students who participated in content-based residential college were retained to fifth semester (77.9%) than those that did not participate in a content-based residential college (73.0%), suggesting that participating in a content-based residential college increased the likelihood of retention in the second to third year, or fifth semester, of study. The researcher recommends the expansion of content-based residential colleges into multiple-year offerings across a wide variety of curricula