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The document titled "Theme 01 - Epidemiology and Informatics" provides a comprehensive overview of research conducted by multiple authors on the topics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). The authors explore various aspects of these neurodegenerative diseases, including epidemiology, informatics, and clinical characteristics. The document features a wide range of contributors from different countries, highlighting the global nature of ALS and FTD research. This resource would be valuable for library patrons interested in studying the epidemiology and informatics of ALS and FTD. [Extracted from the article]

Power wheelchair prescription, utilization, satisfaction, and cost for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: preliminary data for evidence-based guidelines. Stage at which riluzole treatment prolongs survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a retrospective analysis of data from a dose-ranging study. Support needs and interventions for family caregivers of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): a narrative review with report of telemedicine experiences at the time of COVID-19 pandemic. [Extracted from the article]

2018; 32 (1): 231 - 45. 15 A Programme for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Care in Europe (ALS-CarE). https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03081338. 2010; 9 (3): 327 - 53. 5 A Programme for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Care in Europe (ALS-CarE). https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03081338. ALS Focus-a new survey program for people with ALS and caregivers: results from Survey 1 on insurance needs and financial burdens. [Extracted from the article]

We investigate theoretically the role of carrier trapping on the efficiency of single-layer organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) by incorporating traps into the OLED device model of Davids et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 82, 6319 (1997)]. Carrier trapping directly affects the density and mobility balance between electrons and holes through its effects on injection and mobility. In addition, trap-mediated changes in density alter recombination rates and spatial profiles of recombination that become important when excited state quenching at metallic contacts is considered. We illustrate these various influences of traps on device efficiency through computations on a series of model devices. Good agreement is obtained with previous experiments by Menon et al. [Chem. Mater. 14, 3668 (2002)], where energetic disorder from transport traps was shown to reduce device efficiency. Our model, however, predicts circumstances where traps will improve device efficiency as well and can assist with selection of contacts to realistic organic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin polycrystalline films of perylenetetracarboxylic dianyhydride (PTCDA), an organic molecular solid, exhibits substantial anisotropies in its electronic transport properties. Only electrons transport in the directions along molecular planes, while mainly holes transport in the direction normal to molecular planes. A series of measurements on both field effect transistors with PTCDA active layers and light emitting diodes with PTCDA transport layers documents the anisotropy seen in the electronic transport in thin films of PTCDA. © 1997 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which examined the interface between evaporated aluminum and poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) in situ using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Materials and methods used; Description of the spectrum of a PPV film; Characteristics of the spectra after aluminum metal deposition.

Objective: To evaluate the contribution of composite foods to vegetable and fruit intakes in Irish adults and to compliance with dietary guidelines for vegetable and fruit intake.Design: Data were analysed from the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey of 18-64-year-old adults (n=1379; 662 men, 717 women), which used a 7-day food diary to estimate food intake.Results: The mean intake of vegetables (excluding potatoes) was 140 g day(-1) (men 149 g day(-1); women 132 g day(-1)), of fruit was 136 g day(-1) (men 133 g day(-1); women 140 g day(-1)) and of potatoes was 227 g day(-1) (men 296 g day(-1); women 163 g day(-1)). The mean daily intakes of vegetables, fruit and potatoes from composite foods were 37 g (26%), 6 g (5%) and 17 g (7%), respectively. The mean intake of vegetables from composite foods was unrelated to age or gender, but increased with increasing social class and level of education attained. The proportions of men and women meeting the recommendation for >or=400 g day(-1) (5 servings of 80 g per day) of vegetables and fruit were 21% (15% excluding composite foods) and 19% (12% excluding composite foods), respectively. Compliance with the dietary recommendation decreased with decreasing levels of educational attainment and social class.Conclusion: Intakes of vegetables and fruit are low compared with current dietary recommendations, particularly in those of lower levels of educational attainment and social class. Composite foods are an important source of vegetables (less importantly of fruit) and should be included when estimating vegetable intakes. Failure to do so may result in bias in estimates of intake and of compliance with dietary guidelines for population groups, as well as misclassification of individuals by level of intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The multidisciplinary approach in the management of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) has been shown to provide superior care to devolved care, with better survival, improved quality of care, and quality of life. Access to expert multidisciplinary management should be a standard for patients with ALS. This analysis explores the patient journey from symptom onset and first engagement with health services, to the initial visit to a specialist ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic (MDC) in Dublin, Ireland.Methods: A retrospective exploratory multi-method study details the patient journey to the MDC. Data from medical interviews and systematic chart review identifies interactions with the health services and key timelines for thirty five new patients presenting with a diagnosis of ALS during a 6 month period in 2013.Results: The time from first symptom to diagnosis was a mean of 16 months (median 13 months), with a mean interval of 19 months (median 14.6) from first symptoms to arrival at the MDC. The majority of patients were seen by a general practitioner, and subsequently by neurology services. There was an average of four contacts with health services and 4.8 investigations/tests, prior to their first Clinic visit. On the first visit to the MDC patients are linked into an integrated 'system' that can provide specialist care and link with voluntary, palliative and community services as required.Conclusions: Engagement with a multidisciplinary team has implications for service utilization and quality of life of patients and their families. We have demonstrated that barriers exist that delay referral to specialist services. Comprehensive data recording and collection, using multiple data sources can reconstruct the timelines of the patient journey, which can in turn be used to identify pathways that can expedite early referral to specialist services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and Objective The medication reconciliation process begins by identifying which medicines a patient used before presentation to hospital. This is time-consuming, labour intensive and may involve interruption of clinicians. We sought to identify the availability and accuracy of data held in a national dispensing database, relative to other sources of medication history information. Methods For patients admitted to two acute hospitals in Ireland, a Gold Standard Pre-Admission Medication List ( GSPAML) was identified and corroborated with the patient or carer. The GSPAML was compared for accuracy and availability to PAMLs from other sources, including the Health Service Executive Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme ( HSE- PCRS) dispensing database. Results Some 1111 medication were assessed for 97 patients, who were median age 74 years (range 18-92 years), median four co-morbidities (range 1-9), used median 10 medications (range 3-25) and half (52%) were male. The HSE- PCRS PAML was the most accurate source compared to lists provided by the general practitioner, community pharmacist or cited in previous hospital documentation: the list agreed for 74% of the medications the patients actually used, representing complete agreement for all medications in 17% of patients. It was equally contemporaneous to other sources, but was less reliable for male than female patients, those using increasing numbers of medications and those using one or more item that was not reimbursable by the HSE. What is new and conclusion The HSE- PCRS database is a relatively accurate, available and contemporaneous source of medication history information and could support acute hospital medication reconciliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]