Background: Previous studies found that 40-60% of the sarcoidosis patients suffer from small fiber neuropathy (SFN), substantially affecting quality of life. SFN is difficult to diagnose, as a gold standard is still lacking. The need for an easily administered screening instrument to identify sarcoidosis-associated SFN symptoms led to the development of the SFN Screening List (SFNSL). The usefulness of any questionnaire in clinical management and research trials depends on its interpretability. Obtaining a clinically relevant change score on a questionnaire requires that the smallest detectable change (SDC) and minimal important difference (MID) are known. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the SDC and MID for the SFNSL in patients with sarcoidosis. Methods: Patients with neurosarcoidosis and/or sarcoidosis-associated SFN symptoms (N=138) included in the online Dutch Neurosarcoidosis Registry participated in a prospective, longitudinal study. Anchor-based and distribution-based methods were used to estimate the MID and SDC, respectively. Results: The SFNSL was completed both at baseline and at 6-months’ follow-up by 89/138 patients. A marginal ROC curve (0.6) indicated cut-off values of 3.5 points, with 73% sensitivity and 49% specificity for change. The SDC was 11.8 points. Conclusions: The MID on the SFNSL is 3.5 points for a clinically relevant change over a 6-month period. The MID can be used in the follow-up and management of SFN-associated symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis, though with some caution as the SDC was found to be higher.
DOCUMENT
Objective To develop and internally validate a prognostic model to predict chronic pain after a new episode of acute or subacute non-specific idiopathic, non-traumatic neck pain in patients presenting to physiotherapy primary care, emphasising modifiable biomedical, psychological and social factors. Design A prospective cohort study with a 6-month follow-up between January 2020 and March 2023. Setting 30 physiotherapy primary care practices. Participants Patients with a new presentation of non-specific idiopathic, non-traumatic neck pain, with a duration lasting no longer than 12 weeks from onset. Baseline measures Candidate prognostic variables collected from participants included age and sex, neck pain symptoms, work-related factors, general factors, psychological and behavioural factors and the remaining factors: therapeutic relation and healthcare provider attitude. Outcome measures Pain intensity at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months on a Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) after inclusion. An NPRS score of ≥3 at each time point was used to define chronic neck pain. Results 62 (10%) of the 603 participants developed chronic neck pain. The prognostic factors in the final model were sex, pain intensity, reported pain in different body regions, headache since and before the neck pain, posture during work, employment status, illness beliefs about pain identity and recovery, treatment beliefs, distress and self-efficacy. The model demonstrated an optimism-corrected area under the curve of 0.83 and a corrected R2 of 0.24. Calibration was deemed acceptable to good, as indicated by the calibration curve. The Hosmer–Lemeshow test yielded a p-value of 0.7167, indicating a good model fit. Conclusion This model has the potential to obtain a valid prognosis for developing chronic pain after a new episode of acute and subacute non-specific idiopathic, non-traumatic neck pain. It includes mostly potentially modifiable factors for physiotherapy practice. External validation of this model is recommended.
LINK
Background: Healthcare providers’ attitudes and beliefs can influence how patients with persistent musculoskeletal pain are treated. A biopsychosocial approach is more effective than a purely biomedical approach. Ensuring healthcare professionals have appropriate pain science education (PSE) is essential for successful treatment outcomes. Objective: To validate the Spanish version of the Knowledge and Attitudes of Pain (KNAP-SP) questionnaire among Spanish physiotherapists and students and analyze its psychometric properties. Methods: From May to October 2022, two independent teams adapted the KNAP questionnaire from English to both European and Hispanic-Spanish. A cross-sectional validation study was conducted with 517 physiotherapists examining internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), structural validity (exploratory factor analysis), and construct validity (hypothesis testing). Longitudinal analyses assessed test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC2,1; n = 63]) and responsiveness following a PSE intervention using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and hypothesis testing (n = 70). Results: The KNAP-SP showed strong internal consistency [overall α coefficient = 0.86; domain 1 (α = 0.82); domain 2 (α = 0.70)], explaining 32.3% of the variance. Construct validity was supported by 75% of the hypotheses. Test–retest reliability was high (ICC2,1 = 0.84). KNAP-SP’s responsiveness was confirmed by ROC analysis (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.87 [95% CI: 0.79–0.96, p-value
DOCUMENT
Size measurement plays an essential role for micro-/nanoparticle characterization and property evaluation. Due to high costs, complex operation or resolution limit, conventional characterization techniques cannot satisfy the growing demand of routine size measurements in various industry sectors and research departments, e.g., pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials and food industry etc. Together with start-up SeeNano and other partners, we will develop a portable compact device to measure particle size based on particle-impact electrochemical sensing technology. The main task in this project is to extend the measurement range for particles with diameters ranging from 20 nm to 20 um and to validate this technology with realistic samples from various application areas. In this project a new electrode chip will be designed and fabricated. It will result in a workable prototype including new UMEs (ultra-micro electrode), showing that particle sizing can be achieved on a compact portable device with full measuring range. Following experimental testing with calibrated particles, a reliable calibration model will be built up for full range measurement. In a further step, samples from partners or potential customers will be tested on the device to evaluate the application feasibility. The results will be validated by high-resolution and mainstream sizing techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Coulter counter.
Een belangrijk vraagstuk waar we als samenleving een antwoord op moeten geven is: ?Wat te doen als grondstoffen niet meer voor handen zijn??. Want onze grondstoffenvoorraad is eindig. Het goede antwoord is dan: ?dat lossen we op door het sluiten van kringlopen en de realisatie van een circulaire economie?. Maar hoe doen we dat? Op dit moment weten we nog niet hoe een circulaire economie er idealiter uit zou moeten zien. Veel wordt erover gepraat en geschreven, maar te weinig aandacht bestaat nog voor de toepassing van circulaire processen in de praktijk. En juist in de bouw- en installatiesector, die vaak een conservatieve sector genoemd wordt, staan circulaire toepassingen nog vóór in de innovatie adoptie curve. En uitgerekend deze sector is een enorme materiaal- en grondstoffenverbruiker. De installaties in een gebouw zijn daarbij van groot belang. Bij renovatie van gebouwen heeft maar liefst 50 % van de totale aanneemsom betrekking op installaties. Grote winsten zijn dus te behalen bij de toepassing van circulaire uitgangspunten. De circulaire economie biedt hier kansen. De ontwikkeling van een aantal kennisproducten helpt de samenwerkingspartners in dit onderzoeksproject bij het ontdekken van en stappen zetten op het gebied van een circulaire economie en biedt kansen voor de sector in zijn geheel. Dit onderzoek draagt bij aan de realisatie van de circulaire economie door de ontwikkeling van verschillende kennisproducten. Deze kennisproducten worden ontwikkeld uitgaande van een relevante praktijkcase in de keten onderwijs, onderzoek, bedrijfsleven (Het Utrechtse Model). De praktijkcase is te vinden in de grootschalige renovatie van twee gebouwen. De Hogeschool heeft opdracht gegeven om in 2016 haar eigen gebouwen te renoveren: het gaat in deze samenwerking om de panden van de Hogeschool Utrecht aan de Padualaan 99 en 101 te Utrecht. Bij de aanbesteding van deze renovatie is geen expliciete uitvraag gedaan naar het circulair maken van de renovatie, maar wel naar duurzaamheid en energiebesparende maatregelen. De Hogeschool Utrecht (al drie jaar achtereenvolgend de meest duurzame hogeschool van Nederland ? aldus Studenten van Morgen) ziet deze renovatie als een kans om tevens een bijdrage te kunnen leveren aan de kennis over circulaire processen en circulaire mogelijkheden voor toekomstige renovaties.
Background:Many business intelligence surveys demonstrate that Digital Realities (Virtual reality and Augmented Reality) are becoming a huge market trend in many sectors, and North America is taking the lead in this emerging domain. Tourism is no exception and the sector in Europe must innovate to get ahead of the curve of this technological revolution, but this innovation needs public support.Project partnership:In order to provide labs, startups and SMEs willing to take this unique opportunity with the most appropriate support policies, 9 partner organizations from 8 countries (FR, IT, HU, UK, NO, ES, PL, NL) decided to work together: regional and local authorities, development agencies, private non-profit association and universities.Objective of the project:Thanks to their complementary experiences and know-how, they intend to improve policies of the partner regions (structural funds and regional policies), in order to foster a tourist channeled innovation in the Digital Realities sector.Approach:All partners will work together on policy analysis tasks before exchanging their best initiatives and transferring them from one country to another. This strong cooperation will allow them to build the best conditions to foster innovation thanks to more effective structural funds policies and regional policies.Main activities & outputs:8 policy instruments are addressed, among which 7 relate to structural funds programmes. Basis for exchange of experience: Reciprocal improvement analysis and 8 study trips with peer-review of each partner’s practices. Video reportages for an effective dissemination towards other territories in Europe.Main expected results:At least 16 good practices identified. 8 targeted policy instruments improved. At least 27 staff members will transfer new capacities in their intervention fields. At least 8 involved stakeholders with increased skills and knowledge from exchange of experience. Expected 17 appearances in press and media, including at European level.
