A boundary integral equation method for oblique water-wave scattering by cylinders governed by the modified Helmholtz equation

In this work we are concerned with the interaction of a train of regular deep-water waves with an infinitely long, surface-piercing or submerged cylinder of arbitrary shape (diffraction problem). We are also concerned with the complementary problem of fluid motion induced by the forced oscillations of the cylinder in each of its degrees of freedom: heave, sway, and roll (generalized radiation problem). The amplitude of the oscillation is assumed to vary sinusoidally along the cylinder axis. The problem is solved via the Boundary Integral Equation method by using an appropriate Green function and Green's second identity. According to this method, the initial boundary value problem is formulated as a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind posed on the body boundary. The efficiency of the method depends on the accuracy with which the numerical evaluation of the Green function is performed. For this purpose we employ two alternative representations of the Green function, in conjunction with fast and accurate algorithms for the numerical integration of highly oscillatory functions. Numerical results are presented for a floating semi-circle, a floating inverse T, a submerged circle, and a submerged rectangular cylinder. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed algorithm is tested with existing results, as well as results for the limiting case of the Laplace equation for which much information is available. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Validity and reliability of the newly translated Hellenic Neuropsychiatric Inventory (H-NPI) applied to Greek outpatients with Alzheimer's disease: a study of disturbing behaviors among referrals to a memory clinic

Context No rating scales of the neuropsychiatric symptoms of patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have previously been developed or translated. Objectives To develop a Hellenic translation of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), to evaluate it’s reliability and validity, and to compare NPI results in Greek patients referred to a neuropsychiatry clinic for either of two reasons: disturbing behaviors evoking embarrassment and disturbing behaviors evoking fear in the caregiver. Methods The Hellenic translations of the NPI, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and Emotional Distress Scale (EDS) were compared in evaluating 29 consecutive referrals of patients with AD. Results The Hellenic NPI (H-NPI) demonstrated a high degree of internal consistency reliability, and of concurrent validity when compared to the BPRS or the EDS. Patients referred for behaviors evoking embarrassment presented with higher scores on NPI ratings of apathy. However, patients referred for behaviors evoking fear presented with higher scores on NPI ratings of aggression and irritability. Conclusions These results indicate that the H-NPI is a reliable instrument, able to detect differences in clinically referred groups of AD patients. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd

A randomized, controlled, clinical trial of activity therapy for apathy in patients with dementia residing in long-term care

Background Apathy is a common symptom inpatients with dementia and has adverse consequences for patients and care-givers. Most treatments for apathy, particularly non-pharmacologic interventions, have not been evaluated in controlled trials. Objectives This study evaluated the efficacy of a kit-based activity intervention, compared to a time and attention control (one-on-one meetings with an activity therapist) in reducing apathy and improving quality of life in 37 patients with dementia. Methods The design was a randomized, controlled, partially masked clinical trial. All outcome measures were administered at baseline and follow-up. The primary outcome measure was the apathy score of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Other outcome measures were the NPI total score, the Alzheimer Disease Related Quality of Life scale(ADQRL), and the Copper Ridge Activity Index (CRAI). Results There was a significant reduction in NPI apathy scores in both treatment groups. The only significant difference between the two treatment groups was a modest advantage for the control intervention on the CRAI cueing subscale (p = 0.027), but not on the other CRAI subscales. There was also a greater within group improvement in quality of life ratings in the control intervention (p = 0.03). Conclusions Despite the substantial improvement in apathy scores during the course of the study, there was no clear advantage to the reminiscence-based intervention over the time and attention, one-on-one control intervention. More research is needed to develop specific behavioral interventions for apathy in patients with dementia. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd