bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Language Minority Learners’ Home Language Use Is Dynamic
Authors: Mancilla-Martinez Jeannette , Kieffer Michael J.
Published: November 2010

This study investigates change in the home language environment of Language Minority (LM) learners between kindergarten and eighth grade, drawing on data from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten (ECLS-K) Cohort. The analytic sample included 1,538 children whose parents reported a language other than English spoken at home to any extent and for whom relevant data were available for both time points. Mantel-Haenszel chi-square tests show that patterns of language use in the home are dynamic, suggesting that such patterns among the growing school-age LM learner population cannot be treated as time-invariant.
Social Science and the Courts
Authors: Morgan Julie Margetta , Pullin Diana
Published: November 2010

Social scientists collect vital information that bears on issues of education policy. When the courts are faced with an opportunity to make a decision that shapes education, judges need access to high-quality research, but they must also be convinced that it can be useful in their decision making. This article approaches the question of how social science can be made more effective in judicial decision making. The authors examine the use of social science evidence by the courts and the theories of jurisprudence that bear on its effectiveness. As an example of the difficulty of influencing the outcome of a case, they review the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision involving the use of race in school assignments in Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1 (2007).
Using Growth for Accountability
Authors: Buzick Heather M. , Laitusis Cara Cahalan
Published: November 2010

Growth-based approaches to federal accountability are receiving considerable attention because they have the potential to reward schools and teachers for improving student performance over time by measuring student progress at all levels of the performance spectrum, including progress by students who have not reached proficiency on state accountability assessments. The use of growth in accountability holds promise for students with disabilities, but measuring changes over time in academic performance with large-scale annual assessments is complex. The authors discuss practical challenges in measuring and modeling growth for students with disabilities. In addition, they identify and describe three areas in need of research on the measurement of growth: the impact of testing accommodations, the impact of test difficulty, and the longitudinal characteristics of the population of students with disabilities.
Structured Risk Assessment in Community Forensic Mental Health Practice
Authors: Green Bob , Carroll Andrew , Brett Adam
Published: November 2010

Objective: This paper will examine the use of the Historical Clinical Risk Management-20 (HCR-20) by Australian community forensic mental health services (CFMHS) and explore some key issues involved in the application of Structured Professional Judgment (SPJ) risk assessment tools in clinical practice.

Method: We used a survey of the use of the HCR-20 by 10 Australian CFMHSs.

Results: During the 12-month survey period, the number of assessments conducted ranged from 6 to 186 (median 55). Differences in service models impacted on who was seen, whether reassessments were undertaken, and involvement of generalist mental health staff. Most services employed quality assurance processes and accessed qualified trainers.

Conclusion: The use of SPJ tools acknowledges the role of professional judgment while also providing a structure to ensure that relevant evidence-based factors are taken into account. The survey highlighted service model variation as well as the importance of training and quality assurance processes required to ensure that comprehensive violence risk assessments are completed in a valid and reliable fashion.
A Survey of the Conditionally Released Forensic Patient Population in New South Wales
Authors: Ellis Andrew , Kumar Varad , Rodriguez Marcelo , Allnutt Stephen
Published: November 2010

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the demographic and clinical variables of the conditionally released forensic patient population in New South Wales.

Method: Data were gathered from 74 conditionally released forensic patients.

Results: Of this population, 37% had committed homicides and 50% had committed serious violent offences (attempted murder, grievous bodily harm or robbery). Approximately two-thirds had their first admission to a psychiatric hospital before the age of 30. The majority (83%) of patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia and 55% had a history of substance use disorders; 24% were deemed to have been intoxicated at the time of the offence.

Conclusions: Conditionally released forensic patients in NSW show similar characteristics to those in other jurisdictions. Areas identified for further evaulation are comorbid substance use and rehabilitation, longer term outcomes and the under representation of indigenous persons.
A Pilot Investigation of the Relationship Between Community Treatment Orders and Hospital Utilization Rates
Authors: Kallapiran Kannan , Sankaranarayanan Anoop , Lewin Terry
Published: November 2010

Objectives: The aim of this project was to assess the effect of community treatment orders (CTOs) on local hospital utilization rates.

Methods: We undertook a pre-post comparison of the number of admissions and the total length of hospital stay for all 28 patients of the Hunter Valley Mental Health Service who were on a CTO at the audit date (31 July 2008). At that time, there were 611 active patients being managed by the service.

Results: Twice the number of admissions per annum (2.54 versus 1.14 admissions, p < 0.001) and length of stay (41.58 versus 20.23 days, p < 0.01) were observed during the pre-CTO year compared to the CTO period. However, there were no significant differences when the index admission was excluded from these analyses (1.54 versus 1.14 admissions, 20.00 versus 20.23 days in hospital).

Conclusion: CTOs have doubtful value in reducing hospital utilization, which may not be an appropriate outcome measure to study CTO effectiveness.
EncounteringMannahatta:A Critical Review Forum
Authors: Rose-Redwood Reuben
Published: November 2010

This review forum offers a critical assessment of Eric Sanderson's Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City (2009), a work that employs cartographic and geovisualization techniques to reconstruct Manhattan Island as it would have appeared when Henry Hudson sailed into the harbour in 1609. The book, which accompanied an exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York, was published as part of the commemorative effort to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Hudson's voyage. For this reason, the visual representations and spatial narratives presented in Mannahatta raise significant questions about the role of geovisualization in the social construction of historical memory. The contributions to this forum represent a series of critical encounters with Sanderson's Mannahatta, focusing particularly on the cultural politics of landscape representation, the seductions of visual imagery, and the cartographies of utopian desire wrapped up in the imaginative geographies of Mannahatta. The authors acknowledge the achievements of Sanderson's decade-long research project. Yet, taken together, their contributions serve as a useful counterweight to the sensationalism that has surrounded the enthusiastic embrace of the Mannahatta Project in the pages of popular magazines, newspapers, and television documentaries. Such a critique is important because it has implications not merely for how we imagine the past but, more importantly, for how we envision the future in the perpetual present.
Calcium Orthophosphates as Bioceramics: State of the Art
Authors: Dorozhkin Sergey V.
Published: November 2010

In the late 1960s, much interest was raised in regard to biomedical applications of various ceramic materials. A little bit later, such materials were named bioceramics. This review is limited to bioceramics prepared from calcium orthophosphates only, which belong to the categories of bioactive and bioresorbable compounds. There have been a number of important advances in this field during the past 30–40 years. Namely, by structural and compositional control, it became possible to choose whether calcium orthophosphate bioceramics were biologically stable once incorporated within the skeletal structure or whether they were resorbed over time. At the turn of the millennium, a new concept of calcium orthophosphate bioceramics—which is able to promote regeneration of bones—was developed. Presently, calcium orthophosphate bioceramics are available in the form of particulates, blocks, cements, coatings, customized designs for specific applications and as injectable composites in a polymer carrier. Current biomedical applications include artificial replacements for hips, knees, teeth, tendons and ligaments, as well as repair for periodontal disease, maxillofacial reconstruction, augmentation and stabilization of the jawbone, spinal fusion and bone fillers after tumor surgery. Exploratory studies demonstrate potential applications of calcium orthophosphate bioceramics as scaffolds, drug delivery systems, as well as carriers of growth factors, bioactive peptides and/or various types of cells for tissue engineering purposes.
Computational Aspects of Carbon and Boron Nanotubes
Authors: Manuel Paul
Published: November 2010

Carbon hexagonal nanotubes, boron triangular nanotubes and boron a-nanotubes are a few popular nano structures. Computational researchers look at these structures as graphs where each atom is a node and an atomic bond is an edge. While researchers are discussing the differences among the three nanotubes, we identify the topological and structural similarities among them. We show that the three nanotubes have the same maximum independent set and their matching ratios are independent of the number of columns. In addition, we illustrate that they also have similar underlying broadcasting spanning tree and identical communication behavior.
A Server-Based Mobile Coaching System
Authors: Baca Arnold , Kornfeind Philipp , Preuschl Emanuel , Bichler Sebastian , Tampier Martin , Novatchkov Hristo
Published: November 2010

A prototype system for monitoring, transmitting and processing performance data in sports for the purpose of providing feedback has been developed. During training, athletes are equipped with a mobile device and wireless sensors using the ANT protocol in order to acquire biomechanical, physiological and other sports specific parameters. The measured data is buffered locally and forwarded via the Internet to a server. The server provides experts (coaches, biomechanists, sports medicine specialists etc.) with remote data access, analysis and (partly automated) feedback routines. In this way, experts are able to analyze the athlete’s performance and return individual feedback messages from remote locations.
The Use of Helmholtz Resonance for Measuring the Volume of Liquids and Solids
Authors: Webster Emile S. , Davies Clive E.
Published: November 2010

An experimental investigation was undertaken to ascertain the potential of using Helmholtz resonance for volume determination and the factors that may influence accuracy. The uses for a rapid non-interference volume measurement system range from agricultural produce and mineral sampling through to liquid fill measurements. By weighing the sample the density can also measured indirectly.
Wall-Corner Classification Using Sonar: A New Approach Based on Geometric Features
Authors: Martínez Milagros , Benet Ginés
Published: November 2010

Ultrasonic signals coming from rotary sonar sensors in a robot gives us several features about the environment. This enables us to locate and classify the objects in the scenario of the robot. Each object and reflector produces a series of peaks in the amplitude of the signal. The radial and angular position of the sonar sensor gives information about location and their amplitudes offer information about the nature of the surface. Early works showed that the amplitude can be modeled and used to classify objects with very good results at short distances—80% average success in classifying both walls and corners at distances less than 1.5 m. In this paper, a new set of geometric features derived from the amplitude analysis of the echo is presented. These features constitute a set of characteristics that can be used to improve the results of classification at distances from 1.5 m to 4 m. Also, a comparative study on classification algorithms widely used in pattern recognition techniques has been carried out for sensor distances ranging between 0.5 to 4 m, and with incidence angles ranging between 20º to 70º. Experimental results show an enhancement on the success in classification rates when these geometric features are considered.
Fabrication of a Flexible Micro CO Sensor for Micro Reformer Applications
Authors: Lee Chi-Yuan , Chang Chi-Chung , Lo Yi-Man
Published: November 2010

Integration of a reformer and a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is problematic due to the presence in the gas from the reforming process of a slight amount of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisons the catalyst of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell subsequently degrading the fuel cell performance, and necessitating the sublimation of the reaction gas before supplying to fuel cells. Based on the use of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology to manufacture flexible micro CO sensors, this study elucidates the relation between a micro CO sensor and different SnO2 thin film thicknesses. Experimental results indicate that the sensitivity increases at temperatures ranging from 100–300 °C. Additionally, the best sensitivity is obtained at a specific temperature. For instance, the best sensitivity of SnO2 thin film thickness of 100 nm at 300 °C is 59.3%. Moreover, a flexible micro CO sensor is embedded into a micro reformer to determine the CO concentration in each part of a micro reformer in the future, demonstrating the inner reaction of a micro reformer in depth and immediate detection.
Crop Sequence Influences on Sustainable Spring Wheat Production in the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Tanaka Donald L. , Liebig Mark A. , Krupinsky Joseph M. , Merrill Stephen D.
Published: November 2010

Cropping systems in American agriculture are highly successful since World War II, but have become highly specialized, standardized, and simplified to meet the demands of an industrialized food system. Minimal attention has been given to the efficient exploitation of crop diversity and the synergistic and/or antagonistic relationships of crops in crop sequences. Objectives of our research were to determine if previous crop sequences have long-term benefits and/or drawbacks on spring wheat seed yield, seed N concentration, and seed precipitation-use efficiency in the semiarid northern Great Plains, USA. Research was conducted 6 km southwest of Mandan, ND using a 10 × 10 crop matrix technique as a research tool to evaluate multiple crop sequence effects on spring wheat (triticum aestivum L.) production in 2004 and 2005. Spring wheat production risks can be mitigated when second year crop residue was dry pea (Pisium sativum L.) averaged over all first year crop residues. When compared to spring wheat as second year crop residue in the dry year of 2004, dry pea as the second year residue crop resulted in a 30% spring wheat seed yield increase. Sustainable cropping systems need to use precipitation efficiently for crop production, especially during below average precipitation years like 2004. Precipitation use efficiency average over all treatments, during the below average precipitation year was 23% greater than the above average precipitation year of 2005. Diversifying crops in cropping systems improves production efficiencies and resilience of agricultural systems.
Viral Genomics and Bioinformatics
Authors: Seto Donald
Published: November 2010

From the recognition by Ivanovski in 1892 that tobacco mosaic disease is caused and transmitted by fine pore filtrates [1], viruses have been isolated, characterized, identified and studied from animals, plants, protists, bacteria and even other viruses [2,3]. As human and global public health pathogens that can be highly contagious and have devastating morbidity and mortality consequences, viruses are the focus of much research. The difficult challenge has been to define and study a miniscule “being” with the appropriate tools. In the past, these tools often provided only low-resolution views. A first approach to studying an unknown virus is to know exactly its identity, and to place it into context of other related and non-related viruses. For human and public health, this is important as the identity may provide a course of action to limit the effects of the pathogen. [...]
Genetic Modification of Donor Hepatocytes Improves Therapeutic Efficacy for Hemophilia B in Mice
Authors: Wu Yao-Ming , Kao Chung-Yang , Huang Yu-Jen , Yu I-Shing , Lee Hsuan-Shu , Lai Hong-Shiee , Lee Po-Huang , Lin Chia-Ni , Lin Shu-Wha
Published: November 2010

Hepatocyte transplantation (Tx) holds promise for curing genetic liver diseases. However, a limited number of donor hepatocytes can be transplanted into the host liver. Recipient preconditioning and donor cell engineering are under investigation to improve cell engraftment. In theory, genetically engineered cells secreting therapeutic proteins with superior function could compensate for poor engraftment efficiency. We have generated a bioengineered human coagulation factor IX (FIX) with augmented specific activity (named FIX-Triple). The aim of this study was to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of cell therapy using hemophilia B (HB) as a disease model by transplanting FIX-Triple-secreting hepatocytes. The donor hepatocytes were isolated from FIX-Triple knock-in (KI) or FIX-WT (wild-type) KI mice and transplanted intrasplenically into FIX knock-out (KO) mice. FIX-Triple KI recipients exhibited fourfold higher plasma FIX clotting activity than FIX-WT KI recipients. By repeated Txs, the clotting activity of FIX-Triple KI recipients even increased to more than 10% of normal mouse plasma. The engraftment and FIX production efficiencies of transplanted cells were equivalent between the FIX-WT KI and FIX-Triple KI donors. A hemostatic function assay showed that FIX-Triple KI recipients with repeated Txs had more enhanced clot kinetics and a greater maximum rate of thrombus generation than those with a single Tx. Moreover, FIX inhibitors in these recipients rarely developed. In conclusion, hepatocyte Tx with genetically engineered donor cells is an effective therapeutic strategy for HB.
Ectopic Dopaminergic Progenitor Cells from En1+/Otx2lacZ Transgenic Mice Survive and Functionally Reinnervate the Striatum Following Transplantation in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Hackl Christina , Papazoglou Anna , Ganser Claudia , Klein Alexander , Prakash Nilima , Wurst Wolfgang , Nikkhah Guido
Published: November 2010

Cell-based therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD) using neural stem cells to replace the lost dopamine neurons is currently an intense area of research. In this study we have evaluated the restorative potential of ectopic dopaminergic (DA) neurons derived from the rostral hindbrain (RH) of En1 +/Otx2lacZ transgenic mice. The genetic modification of the DA progenitor domain in the En1 +/Otx2lacZ mice is a gain of function, resulting in the enlargement of the area containing DA neurons, as well as an increase in their absolute number in the midbrain/hindbrain region. Amphetamine-induced rotation performed after cell transplantation into the unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat striatum revealed that animals with transgenic RH-derived DA grafts exhibited functional recovery similar to transgenic and wild-type ventral mesencephalon (VM)-derived DA grafts. Morphological analyses revealed equivalent numbers of surviving DA neurons from both homotopic VM- and ectopic RH-derived grafts from transgenic donors with low numbers of surviving serotonergic (5-HT) neurons. Conversely, grafts derived from wild-type donors contained predominantly surviving DA neurons or 5-HT neurons when they were prepared from the VM or RH, respectively. The study demonstrates the pattern of survival and functional potential of ectopic DA neurons derived from the RH of En1 +/Otx2lacZ transgenic mice and that cell transplantation is an important neurobiological tool to characterize newly generated DA neural stem cells in vivo.
A Novel Strategy Incorporated the Power of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Allografts for Segmental Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Zou Xiao Hui , Cai Hong Xin , Yin Zi , Chen Xiao , Jiang Yang Zi , Hu Hu , Ouyang Hong Wei
Published: November 2010

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold great promise for bone regeneration. However, the power of mesenchymal stem cells has not been applied to structural bone allografts in clinical practice. This study designed a new strategy to enhance the efficiency of allografts for segmental bone regeneration. Isolated MSCs were cultured to form a cell sheet. The MSC sheet was then wrapped onto structural allografts. The assembled structures were cultured in vitro to evaluate the differentiation potential of MSC sheet. The assembled structures were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice as well as into the segmental radius defect of rabbits to investigate the efficiency of MSC sheets to repopulate allografts for bone repair. MSC sheets, upon assembling on bone grafts, showed similar differentiation properties to the in situ periosteum in vitro. After implantation the MSC sheets accelerated the repopulation of bone grafts in nude mice. Moreover, MSC sheets induced thicker cortical bone formation and more efficient graft-to-bone end fusion at the segmental bone defects in rabbits. This study thus presented a novel, more efficient, and practical strategy for large weight-bearing bone reconstruction by using MSC sheets to deliver large number of MSCs to repopulate the bone allografts.
A complete generic phylogeny of Malpighiaceae inferred from nucleotide sequence data and morphology
Authors: Davis Charles C. , Anderson William R.
Published: November 2010

• Premise of the study: The Malpighiaceae include ∼1300 tropical flowering plant species in which generic definitions and intergeneric relationships have long been problematic. The goals of our study were to resolve relationships among the 11 generic segregates from the New World genus Mascagnia, test the monophyly of the largest remaining Malpighiaceae genera, and clarify the placement of Old World Malpighiaceae.

• Methods: We combined DNA sequence data for four genes (plastid ndhF, matK, and rbcL and nuclear PHYC) from 338 ingroup accessions that represented all 77 currently recognized genera with morphological data from 144 ingroup species to produce a complete generic phylogeny of the family.

• Key results and conclusions: The genera are distributed among 14 mostly well‐supported clades. The interrelationships of these major subclades have strong support, except for the clade comprising the wing‐fruited genera (i.e., the malpighioid+Amorimia, Ectopopterys, hiraeoid, stigmaphylloid, and tetrapteroid clades). These results resolve numerous systematic problems, while others have emerged and constitute opportunities for future study. Malpighiaceae migrated from the New to Old World nine times, with two of those migrants being very recent arrivals from the New World. The seven other Old World clades dispersed much earlier, likely during the Tertiary. Comparison of floral morphology in Old World Malpighiaceae with their closest New World relatives suggests that morphological stasis in the New World likely results from selection by neotropical oil‐bee pollinators and that the morphological diversity found in Old World flowers has evolved following their release from selection by those bees.
L'adolescent juif face à la loi transcendante : enjeux anthropologiques et psychanalytiques du rite de la bar-mitsvah
Authors: Gilbert Muriel
Published: November 2010

Résumé La bar-mitsvah est la cérémonie rituelle qui entoure la majorité religieuse de l’adolescent juif. En quoi consiste-elle concrètement ? Quel sens a-t-elle ? Quelle place a-t-elle dans la vie d’un homme juif ? Et enfin, quels sont ses enjeux à la fois anthropologiques et psychanalytiques qui sont associés à cette cérémonie ? Telles sont les principales questions que nous tenterons d’éclairer en rappelant par ailleurs en quoi consiste – dans ses grandes lignes – le judaïsme. Ce sera l’occasion d’évoquer la place singulière du texte et partant de la Loi transcendante à laquelle les hommes juifs sont soumis dès leur puberté dans ce cadre religieux, ce qui ne saurait être sans répercussions psychiques sur l’identité du jeune adolescent juif.
La première communion
Authors: Gutton Philippe
Published: November 2010

Résumé Dans une première partie je propose de réfléchir à l’expérience religieuse telle qu’elle est racontée par certains adolescents lors de la célébration du « mystère ». Je rappellerai ensuite succinctement l’ordre sociétal établi par la religion. De cette confrontation entre « rite subjectif et objectif » il apparaîtra dans une deuxième partie la nécessité de situer leur rencontre au niveau plus profond qui est celui de l’altérité c’est-à-dire du lien intersubjectal. Le raisonnement suivra les témoignages de deux écrivains sur le mystère en question : celui de F.-R. de Chateaubriand et celui d’A. Gide.
Une générosité exigeante. Pour Roland Gori
Authors: Del Volgo Marie-José
Published: November 2010

Résumé Professeur à l’Université depuis 1979, Roland Gori a accédé à l’éméritat en 2009. À cette occasion, un hommage a été rendu à l’homme et son œuvre. Une générosité exigeante, tel est l’oxymore qui caractérise l’homme et se trouve décliné tout au long de ce texte. La générosité, élan passionnel, celui du don et de la transmission, se conjugue à la rigueur de ses choix à l’université et dans la vie, rigueur épistémologique et exigence dans l’amitié. Dans le trajet de ce parcours singulier, notre rencontre en 1990 nous a amenés à travailler ensemble, à faire œuvre commune sur les questions de la psychanalyse au sein de la médecine jusqu’à cette ouverture sur le politique des métiers évalués-dévalués, avec en décembre 2008 le manifeste de l’ Appel des appels dont il a été l’initiateur avec Stefan Chedri.
« Je suis passionné, je l'avoue » (Roland Gori)
Authors: Schneider Monique
Published: November 2010

Résumé Pour approcher le phénomène d’amour passionnel, Roland Gori met à mal bien des présupposés culturels, notamment celui qui consiste à dénoncer un primitif amour de soi dont il s’agirait de se détacher pour faire place à l’objet. S’appuyant sur de Clérambault, il dénude l’originaire rapport au rien auquel l’être passionné tente d’échapper – après avoir offert sa vie à l’immolation par le rien – en réactivant une érotomanie refoulée : « L’Autre me veut quelque chose, et son désir s’avère corrélatif de mon existence comme sujet. »
D'un pathos à l'autre : la psychopathologie clinique et les discours de souffrance
Authors: Costa Pereira Mario Eduardo
Published: November 2010

Résumé L’œuvre de Roland Gori est ici examinée sous la perspective de la spécificité de sa contribution théorique dans le champ de la psychopathologie clinique. Même si elle s’organise selon des moments plus centrés sur la réflexion épistémologique et métapsychologique et d’autres plutôt tournés vers la critique des idéologies de l’hygiénisme médical et du biopouvoir, allant jusqu’à l’engagement politique, notre hypothèse est que sa référence constante aux discours de souffrance constitue un élément central de cohésion et cohérence interne de sa pensée psychopathologique.
Le « travail social » des frères Dardenne
Authors: Lebrun Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2010

Résumé Le travail cinématographique des frères Dardenne qui est analysé dans cet article contient dans sa forme d’écriture autant que dans leurs scénarios une façon de se situer dans le monde qui est devenu le nôtre, ce qui justifie – de manière certes un peu abusive – de parler aussi à ce propos de travail social. Dans tous leurs films, c’est ce qu’exige l’humanisation qui oriente leur cinéma et c’est, de ce fait, que l’on peut y lire les réponses que peut apporter le travail social aujourd’hui : toujours profiter du concret de la rencontre là où le social n’a plus à sa disposition une lecture préalable qui vaille pour tous : toujours se débrouiller pour qu’il y ait quelqu’un ! Et pour ce faire, consentir à payer le prix.
Medicare, Health Care Reform, and Older Adults
Authors: McCracken Ann L.
Published: November 2010

Nurses will play a key role in health care reform, educating and engaging consumers, providing input into and monitoring implementation, and assisting organizations with transition to new policies. As the largest group of professional health care providers, nurses must be key players in the actualization of health care reform. This article addresses how The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 will affect the solvency of Medicare, what older adults will gain, effects on quality and effectiveness of care, cost reduction, changes in taxes, and the key provisions of special interest to nurses.
Health Care Policy Development: A Critical Analysis Model
Authors: Logan Jean E. , Pauling Carolyn D. , Franzen Debra B.
Published: November 2010

This article describes a phased approach for teaching baccalaureate nursing students critical analysis of health care policy, including refinement of existing policy or the foundation to create new policy. Central to this approach is the application of an innovative framework, the Grand View Critical Analysis Model, which was designed to provide a conceptual base for the authentic learning experience. Students come to know the interconnectedness and the importance of the model, which includes issue selection and four phases: policy focus, colleagueship analysis, evidence-based practice analysis, and policy analysis and development.
Evaluation in Clinical Practice Using an Innovative Model for Clinical Teachers
Authors: Zafrir Hanna , Nissim Sara
Published: November 2010

This article describes the development and use of a practical model for clinical teachers in nursing education. One of the major problems experienced by clinical teachers is how to use information-rich interactions involving students in clinical practice. The Reflective Interaction Analysis in Nursing Education (RIANE) Model addresses this problem by facilitating clinical teachers’ translation of everyday interactions involving nursing students into objective student progress notes recorded for future use in formative and summative evaluations. The use of this model in practice by a group of nurses training to become clinical teachers is discussed.
A Survey of Nursing Faculty Needs for Training in Use of New Technologies for Education and Practice
Authors: Nguyen Diane N. , Zierler Brenda , Nguyen Huong Q.
Published: November 2010

This study describes nursing faculty’s use, knowledge of, and training needs associated with distance learning, simulation, telehealth, and informatics tools in nursing education and practice. Web-based surveys were completed by 193 faculty members from nursing schools in the western United States. More than half of the respondents were frequent users of distance learning and informatics tools. Approximately 66% of faculty reported they were competent with distance learning and informatics tools. Training and technical support for the use of distance learning was highest, yet 69% of faculty still reported a need for additional training. The availability of training and financial and technical support was associated with greater use of distance learning technologies (
p
< 0.05 for all). Although a key limitation of this survey was the overlapping definitions across the four technologies, the findings suggest nursing faculty perceive a need for training and support to effectively use educational technologies in nursing education.
Evolution of Severe Lightning Maculopathy Visualized with Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Armstrong Blair , Fecarotta Christopher , Ho Allen C. , Baskin Darrell E.
Published: November 2010

The authors report a case of lightning maculopathy with serial spectral domain optical coherence tomographs that, for the first time, elegantly illustrate the natural history of this uncommon, ominous condition.
Direct Scanning of Pathology Specimens Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography: A Pilot Study
Authors: Fine Jeffrey L. , Kagemann Larry , Wollstein Gadi , Ishikawa Hiroshi , Schuman Joel S.
Published: November 2010

Background and Objective:

Digital pathology has thus far focused on producing digital images of glass microscope slides. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) can be used to directly scan tissue blocks to produce three-dimensional histology images, potentially bypassing glass slide workflow.

Materials and Methods:

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were scanned using SD-OCT and resulting images were compared with corresponding areas on microscope slides.

Results:

Low-magnification features were recognizable, including tissue outlines, fat, vessels, and outlines of colonic mucosal crypts. Subtle textures that were suggestive of benign breast lobules and ovarian tumor features were also visible. Initial SD-OCT images lacked resolution and contrast relative to traditional microscopy, but the image content suggests that additional features of interest are present and may be revealed with improved SD-OCT resolution and more post-processing experience. Elucidation of three-dimensional histology and pathology are also future tasks.

Conclusion:

Eventual availability of diagnostic-quality three-dimensional histology would have a profound impact on anatomic pathology.
Quantitative Assessment of Photoreceptor Recovery in Atypical Multiple Evanescent White Dot Syndrome
Authors: Forooghian Farzin , Stetson Paul F. , Gross Nicole E. , Meyerle Catherine B.
Published: November 2010

Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) is part of a spectrum of disease entities known as acute zonal occult outer retinopathy-complex that share photoreceptor disruption as a cardinal feature. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows for qualitative assessment of the integrity of the photoreceptor layer via examination of the junction between the photoreceptor inner and outer segments. A patient with atypical MEWDS who demonstrated disruption of the inner segment/outer segment junction during the acute phase of the disease is described. The change in photoreceptor architecture and abnormalities on fundus autofluorescence imaging and microperimetry were restored to normal following resolution of the disease. Using a novel OCT-based method of quantitatively measuring photoreceptor outer segment length, the authors show that photoreceptor outer segment length appears decreased acutely with restoration to normal following disease resolution. OCT can assess photoreceptor recovery, both qualitatively and quantitatively, in patients with MEWDS features.
Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Findings of Acute Hydrops in a Patient with Keratoconus
Authors: Kucumen Beril R. , Yenerel Nursal Melda , Gorgun Ebru , Dinc Umut Asli
Published: November 2010

The authors describe the anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) findings of a 25-year-old patient with acute hydrops associated with keratoconus. The patient presented with decreased visual acuity, pain, and redness in the left eye. The symptoms, clinical presentation, and topographical findings of the right eye confirmed this condition to be acute corneal hydrops. The patient was closely followed up with hyper-osmotic (NaCl 5%) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (ketorolac tromethamine 0.5%) topical treatment. At the initial examination and during follow-up, the evaluation of the anterior segment was performed using optical coherence tomography. Changes in the stroma and Descemet’s membrane during the healing process of acute hydrops could be demonstrated by high-resolution AS-OCT.
Quantification of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Normal Eyes, Eyes with Ocular Hypertension, and Glaucomatous Eyes with SD-OCT
Authors: Mansoori Tarannum , Viswanath Kalluri , Balakrishna Nagalla
Published: November 2010

Background and Objective:

To quantitatively evaluate and compare retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness between normal eyes, eyes with ocular hypertension (OHT), and glaucomatous eyes in an Indian population using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Patients and Methods:

Average and quadrant RNFL values were compared among three groups (66 normal eyes, 55 OHT eyes, and 51 glaucomatous eyes) and the discriminating power of each parameter was evaluated by calculating areas under receiver operator curves (AROCs).

Results:

The mean RNFL thickness was 93.45 ± 16.9 μm in glaucomatous eyes, significantly less than in normal (112.48 ± 6.8 μm) and OHT (110.09 ± 10.9 μm) eyes. OHT eyes had significantly thinner RNFL thickness in the temporal quadrant (
P
= .006) than normal eyes. RNFL thickness in glaucomatous eyes differed significantly from normal eyes in most parameters except nasal quadrant (
P
= .1) and from OHT eyes in most parameters except temporal (
P
= .4) and nasal quadrants (
P
= .3). The parameter with the largest AROC to discriminate between OHT and normal eyes was temporal quadrant (0.65). Inferior quadrant RNFL thickness had the largest AROC (0.93) to distinguish between OHT and glaucomatous eyes and normal and glaucomatous eyes.

Conclusion:

SD-OCT identified differences in most parameters between eyes with glaucoma and normal eyes and also between eyes with glaucoma and OHT. Overlap of RNFL thickness between normal and OHT eyes limits the ability of this instrument to differentiate between normal and OHT subjects.
Measurement of Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: McCourt Emily A. , Cadena Brian C. , Barnett Cullen J. , Ciardella Antonio P. , Mandava Naresh , Kahook Malik Y.
Published: November 2010

Background and Objective:

To compare subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in normal patients and those with known ocular pathology using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Patients and Methods:

This retrospective, observational case series was conducted at a tertiary care center where 194 consecutive eyes from 102 patients were imaged. Patients were not included or excluded based on presence or absence of pathology. One masked observer imaged the choroid and a second masked observer measured SFCT. Multivariate analysis was used and a statistical model created to analyze the changes in SFCT induced by age, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, wet and dry age-related macular degeneration, and other posterior pole pathology.

Results:

The mean SFCT of the 194 eyes studied was 246.59 ± 93.17 μm with a mean age of 55.50 ± 19.70 years. A strong negative relationship was found between age and SFCT (R
2
= 0.42), with an average 3.09-μm decrease in SFCT per additional year of age. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that patients with diabetic retinopathy, wet or dry age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma all had SFCT measurements that were statistically significantly less than those of normal patients. However, when regression analysis was used to control for age, this difference was no longer significant.

Conclusion:

No differences were found in SFCT in patients with glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy compared to eyes lacking pathology when age was counted as a confounding variable. Age has a strong inverse relationship with SFCT, independently confirming prior studies and creating a foundation for more research on the relationship between ocular pathology and choroidal thickness.
Residual Refractive Error and Visual Outcome After Cataract Surgery Using Spherical Versus Aspheric IOLs
Authors: Park Choul Yong , Chuck Roy S.
Published: November 2010

Background and Objective:

To evaluate the effect of the residual refractive error on uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA) after cataract surgery using spherical versus aspheric intraocular lenses (IOL).

Patients and Methods:

There were 160 eyes of 125 patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery included. Of these, 80 eyes received spherical IOLs and 80 eyes aspheric IOLs. Corneal astigmatism was measured preoperatively. Visual acuity, manifest refraction, scotopic pupil size, and spherical aberration were measured postoperatively and analyzed to determine the independent effects of postoperative astigmatism, sphere, spherical equivalent (SE), absolute value of SE, scotopic pupil size, and spherical aberration on postoperative UCVA. Eyes with postoperative astigmatism greater than 2.0 diopters were excluded.

Results:

Postoperative UCVA showed significant correlation with age, postoperative residual astigmatism, and absolute value of SE in eyes with spherical IOLs. However, postoperative UCVA showed significant correlation with only the absolute value of SE in the aspheric IOL group.

Conclusion:

Eyes with spherical IOLs had good UCVA as long as the residual astigmatism was small. However, eyes with aspheric IOLs performed better in UCVA when the residual astigmatism was 1.5 diopters or greater.
Temporary Intraocular Pressure Lowering by Photodynamic Therapy in Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma
Authors: Parodi Maurizio Battaglia , Iacono Pierluigi , Bandello Francesco
Published: November 2010

Background and Objective:

The aim of the study was to ascertain whether photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin is able to reduce the blood–aqueous barrier impairment in eyes affected by pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PESG) with consequent intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering.

Patients and Methods:

Five patients with poorly controlled PESG were selected. The laser energy was directed to the anterior chamber angle and the iris surface by means of a Goldmann lens.

Results:

IOP reduction was registered 1 month after PDT and lasted 3 months, reaching the values registered before PDT after that. Iris fluorescein angiography 1 week and 1 month after PDT showed reduced dye leakage, but the same amount of dye leakage visible before PDT was detectable 3 months later.

Conclusion:

PDT can reduce the breakdown of the blood–aqueous barrier and can lower the IOP temporarily in eyes affected by PESG. Further studies are needed to analyze the biochemical changes after PDT in aqueous humor.
Fourier-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of Gas Tamponade Following Macular Hole Surgery
Authors: Muqit Mahiul M. , Akram Imran , Turner George S. , Stanga Paulo E.
Published: November 2010

In this prospective study, the authors report fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) imaging of gas–inner retinal tamponade following surgery for full-thickness macular hole and evaluate postoperative posturing based on FD-OCT findings. Patients underwent FD-OCT 1 day after pars plana vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peel, and gas injection. Three-dimensional FD-OCT and high-resolution line scans demonstrated gas–inner retinal tamponade across the macula with the apex of tamponade located at the fovea. Inner and outer retina landmarks could be accurately identified along the curvature of the eye using FD-OCT in x-, y-, and z-planes. No patients required face-down positioning postoperatively based on FD-OCT findings. Satisfactory gas–inner retinal tamponade with 75% fill of any gas agent in the upright position was observed. Full-thickness macular hole closure was successful in 90% at 1 day, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively. These FD-OCT findings may support decisions to not require face-down positioning postoperatively.
An Evaluation of Aged-Care Workers’ Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward the Palliative Approach
Authors: Ford Rosemary , McInerney Fran
Published: November 2010

This study, a cross-sectional survey, evaluated the knowledge of the palliative approach to care of an entire care workforce in an Australian residential aged-care organization (
n
= 116, 30% response rate). Knowledge deficits were found at all staff levels: RNs lacked a full comprehension of pain and symptom management, and personal care attendants’ knowledge scores were not statistically different from those of ancillary staff. RN division 1 reported a more positive attitude toward caring for dying patients than other staff groups. Increasing experience in the field was found to be the main determinant of knowledge of, and attitudes toward, the palliative approach, while increasing hours of palliative care education and higher post-school educational level conferred some benefit. Study findings provide strong impetus for education in the palliative approach to care for the entire interdisciplinary team. With targeted education and support, older residents’ needs for a palliative approach to care can be identified by all members of the care team, and appropriate response and/or referral can be achieved.
A Validated High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometric (Lc-Ms/Ms) Method for Simultaneous Determination of R(+)-Ketorolac and S(−)-Ketorolac in Human Plasma and Its Application to a Bioequivalence Study
Authors: Patri Sabyasachi , Patni Anil K. , Iyer Sunil S. , Khuroo Arshad H. , Monif Tausif , Rana Sachin , Kumar Sudershan , Jain Rakesh
Published: November 2010

We report a selective, accurate, and reproducible liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method that employs solid phase extraction for quantification of ketorolac enantiomers in human plasma. Resolution of R(+)-ketorolac and S(−)-ketorolac was achieved using a Chiral-AGP column and a mobile phase of ammonium formate buffer (10 mM, pH ):acetonitrile (85 : 15, v/v and 70 : 30, v/v) in a gradient time program. S(+)-etodolac was used as the internal standard (IS). Quantification was achieved using a positive electrospray ionization (ESI+) interface under multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) condition. The method was validated over the concentration range of 9.36–1198.69 ng/ml for R(+)-ketorolac and 6.07–776.74 ng/ml for S(−)-ketorolac. Matrix effect was found negligible and the method showed good performances in terms of accuracy (89.6–102.7%) and precision (1.7–6.7%) for both enantiomers.
Extraction recoveries of R(+)-ketorolac, S(−)-ketorolac, and S(+)-etodolac were 82.04, 70.94, and 93.90%, respectively. Results of all stability exercises in human plasma were within acceptable limits. The method was successfully applied to a single dose cross over bioequivalence study in healthy human male volunteers. Incurred Sample Reanalysis (ISR) was performed by randomly selecting 10% of total subject samples of the study using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Values of 91.1% for R (+)-ketorolac and 83.5% for S(−)-ketorolac indicated good acceptance for ISR.