bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning Potential in Analogical Reasoning: Construction of a Rasch-scaled Instrument for Group Wise Assessment
Authors: Bosson Mélanie
Published: July 2011

The aim of this project is to construct a new learning potential test in analogical reasoning that can be administered both individually and group wise. A first set of items has been created within the framework of Berger’s Master’s thesis (Berger; 2003). In this study (Bosson, 2003), these items were revised and applied in a primary school with 271 children, age between 6 and 13 years. The HART (Hessels Analogical Reasoning Test; Hessels, 2003) is composed of 66 analogical matrices presented in 2 (columns) by 3 (rows) or 3 by 3 format with 6 or 8 response alternatives. Items are distributed across 9 levels of complexity based on number of attributes and relations in the matrices. The test is preceded by an introductory phase, during which four examples are discussed extensively with the children. In this study, the HART is presented in three phases. After the introductory phase, each child had to individually resolve 40 to 60 items (pretest). Then a short training (20-30 minutes) about how to resolve analogical matrices was given to whole classes, followed by a posttest in which the child had to resolved another 20 items (posttest). For a first evaluation of training effects and validity of the HART, the 14 classes were randomly assigned to either the control or the experimental condition. Furthermore, the teachers were asked to give ratings of pupils’ school performance in arithmetic, French, behavior, participation, and application in class.

Analysis of pretest results permitted us to construct a generalized Rasch-scale with all 66 items. The theoretical complexity levels of the items largely concurred with their empirical difficulties. These results will allow us, in future research, to construct short tests adapted to the developmental level of each child. With regard to the validity, the low correlations between pretest, posttest and non-cognitive aspects (measured with teacher’s ratings) demonstrated that the test provides a relatively independent evaluation of factors such as behavior and application in class. The effect of training was significant: participants from the experimental group showed higher performance at posttest than those of the control group. Furthermore, the gains realized by the experimental group were not related to age, as all age groups showed to have benefited from the training to the same extent. The residual gains from pre- to posttest showed also to be significantly related to school success in the experimental group only.

The results of this study show that the experimental version of the HART allows one to estimate the learning potential of children in mainstream primary education classes. The research will continue with children in special education to evaluate the differential effects of the training and the predictive capacity of the HART, as well as the merits of different testing procedures.
Student Teachers’ Stress and Social Problem-Solving Skills
Authors: Montgomery Cameron
Published: July 2011

The relationship between stress and social problem-solving skills in student teachers (n=116) was examined in this study. Results suggest that the more student teachers increase their social problem-solving skills over the course of their student-teaching experience, the less their stress levels increase. The training of certain social problem-solving skills such as problem orientation, generation of alternative solutions, and the development of cognitive and affective strategies was found to be a promising method for reducing student teachers’ stress. The more student teachers are taught to manage their emotional stress and relax after school to increase their relaxation potential, the more they succeed in reducing anxiety and overcoming depression.
Guest Editorial: Assessment of Postsecondary Students: Why We Should be Using Dynamic Assessment
Authors: Samuels Marilyn
Published: July 2011

Over the past decade, the number of students with learning disabilities and attention disorders attending postsecondary institutions has increased dramatically. This has given rise to an increase in assessments for documentation and support purposes. This article discusses some of the problems with the assessments done on this population, including the lack of specific training of psychologists in assessment of adult students, differences between assessment of children and adults, and validity issues. The benefits of using dynamic assessment as part of a more formal assessment are discussed. Dynamic Assessment is particularly helpful when scores on standardized tests are lower than expected, the student is from a non-Western European culture, has a first language other than English and/or has an unusual school history, the student is performing poorly in a particular skill area, or when students appear unaware of what they are doing/not doing that is impeding their performance. Dynamic assessments are also helpful for providing data-based recommendations for accommodations, strategies, and assistive technologies. The need for the development of new dynamic tools and research for this population is addressed.
Immigrant Parents’ Educational Aspirations for their Children and the Required Family Support System: A Lack of Confluence
Authors: Kozulin Alex
Published: July 2011

The aim of the present study was to explore the support system that immigrant parents from Ethiopia can provide to their children who experience difficulties in school. One hundred and thirty seven families from five Israeli cities were interviewed by a specially trained team of veteran immigrants from Ethiopia who received further education in Israel. The results of the study indicate that there is a dramatic gap between the parents’ aspirations for the education of their children and the amount of support that immigrant families can or are willing to provide. Recommendations are made regarding the necessary changes in the educational support system provided to new immigrant students.
Bilingualism, Bilingual Education, and Sociocultural Identity: The Experience of Quebec
Authors: Poissant Hèlène
Published: July 2011

Questions regarding bilingual education are examined through the lens of Canada’s experience in the Province of Quebec, with particular emphasis on the social group (majority, minority) of the children and the schooling context. Several distinct approaches to bilingual education are identified and discussed, varying from an assimilation approach to a multicultural one. Early immersion in a second language is seen to have positive effects on school achievement as well as on mastery of the language. Canada’s experience may have important implications for other bilingual and multilingual-multicultural societies such as Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, and a number of African countries with a history of colonialism.
Stability and Variability Across and Within Cultures: Implications for Cognitive Theory
Authors: Miller Martin B.
Published: July 2011

Ethnic diversity is widespread in the modern world, but nations differ in their policies toward ethnic minority groups. Where assimilation of ethnic minorities is allowed or encouraged, a shift in cultural values from those held by the ethnic group to those held in the mainstream is typically part of the assimilation process. Differences in value systems between ethnic groups will affect that process, but so will differences within groups, since individuals will differ as to the extent of their identification with a given ethnic group’s values. Differences between and within groups will affect the ways parents transmit cultural values, whether traditional or mainstream, to their children. A factor is this regard is parenting style, which some theorists contend is also important in the facilitation of children’s cognitive development. Research findings are equivocal on the role of parenting style, including its interaction with parents’ ethnic identification, especially with respect to mediational parenting. It is evident that mediational parenting can facilitate children’s cognitive functioning, but other parenting styles may dominate in successful intergenerational transfer of cultural values.
From Therapist to Teacher: Development of Professional Identity and the Issue of Mediation
Authors: Hadas-Lidor Naomi , Naveh Esther , Weiss Penina
Published: July 2011

The opening of a new educational program in the Occupational Therapy Department of Tel Aviv University required retraining cognitive therapists to become faculty members in their field of specialty. This training was conducted with application of the dynamic cognitive approach; therapists working within that context are described. A group of therapists participated in a workshop aimed at developing their teaching and mediating skills. The authors evaluated attitudes held by the participants toward teaching roles before and after the workshop. On the basis of both qualitative and quantitative analyses, it appears that the workshop facilitated changes in participants’ attitudes toward teaching, on emotional, cognitive, and practical levels.
Parenting (Parental Attitude), Child Development, and Modalities of Parent-Child Interactions: Sayings, Proverbs, and Maxims of Ethiopian Jews in Israel
Authors: Berhanu Girma
Published: July 2011

The author presents and discusses typical (traditional) modalities of parent-child interaction based on proverbs, sayings and maxims, and on participant observation, informal talks, and personal experience working with Ethiopian Jews in Israel. Although the author’s assumptions are clear that there is no direct causal link between a single proverb/saying and the behavior associated with it, he also assumes that all the tens of sayings presented combined with the relevant ethnographic data may reveal some patterns of the psychological theories of the caretakers and something of their “native” theories of how children should be socialized in order to become ideal children. Some core values in child growth and development, learning, and parenting that may have great influence on children’s preparedness for formal schooling,, hence their success in scholastic achievement, are also suggested. The principal conclusion drawn from this study underscores the significance of cultural meaning systems and meta-communicative frameworks in which proverbs and sayings are embedded and highlights the largely unconscious effect they can have on socialization processes and various cognitive activities. This may also shed some light on problems related to group-based inequalities in scholastic achievement. Further, there is a need for heightened awareness of intercultural education in order to bridge the broad gap between the culture of the Ethiopian home and the Israeli school culture.
Cognitive Enhancement Training (COGENT©): What Is It? How Does It Work With a Group of Disadvantaged Children?
Authors: Das J.P. , Hayward Denyse , Samantaray S. , Panda J.J.
Published: July 2011

A classroom-based program – COGENT©, consisting of five learning modules developed for the enhancement of cognitive, language, and literacy skills, was administered to a group of 11 disadvantaged children living in an orphanage in India. Pre- and posttests of reading and cognitive measures showed that 88% of the children made modest gains at posttest in word reading. The gains in the cognitive test scores were also encouraging with 54% of children showing gains in all four cognitive processing domains on which they were tested. All children responded positively to program activities and the interactive learning ambience. Cross-cultural concerns are discussed regarding cognitive processes involved in learning to read in a foreign language.
Teaching and Learning Mathematics Visually or Verbally: A Comparison of Two Teaching Approaches and Investigation of Interactions With Pupil Cognitive Style
Authors: Woolner Pamela
Published: July 2011

Despite mathematicians’ valuing the ability to visualize a problem and psychologists’ finding positive correlations of visual-spatial ability with success in mathematics, many educationists remain unconvinced about the benefits of visualization for mathematical understanding. One reason for this is evidence that students considered to be visualizers tend to have specific problems with the subject. In this research, “visual” and “verbal” teaching approaches were compared through teaching a range of early secondary school mathematics topics to two classes using one or the other approach. The pupils were assessed using measures of specific cognitive abilities and of visualizer-verbalizer cognitive style. The two classes were compared through a post-intervention test of mathematical competency, on which the verbally taught class scored significantly higher. No interactions were found between teaching style and the learner’s preferred style although the pupils identified as “visualizers” did tend to perform less well.
Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning: Cognitive Effects of a Peer Mediation Intervention
Authors: Shamir Adina , Tzuriel David , Guy Ronit
Published: July 2011

The Peer Mediation with Young Children (PMYC) was investigated in computerized versus noncomputerized environments using process (e.g., mediation strategies) and performance variables (e.g., cognitive modifiability) as outcome measures. The sample consisted of 108 pupils drawn from fourth- (tutors) and first-grade (tutored) classes randomly assigned to experimental (n = 27) and control (n = 27) dyads. Dyads in each group were randomly assigned to either computerized or noncomputerized learning environments. Experimental tutors received training in the PMYC program whereas control tutors received general preparation for peer tutoring. Following the PMYC program, each dyad was assigned to a collaborative learning situation in which the older child taught his/her partner a problem solving task. All children were tested on a set of cognitive measures before and after the PMYC program. The findings showed that the experimental tutors used significantly higher levels of mediation strategies and achieved higher cognitive modifiability than did the control children in both learning environments. Children tutored in the computerized environment achieved higher cognitive modifiability than children tutored in the noncomputerized environment. The findings are discussed in light of Vygotsky and Feuerstein’s theories and recent research on peer-assisted learning.
Peer Tutoring in Schools: Cognitive Models and Organizational Typography
Authors: Thurston Allen , Topping Keith J.
Published: July 2011

The authors define peer tutoring and describe the types of peer tutoring reported in the literature. An organizational typography of peer tutoring in school classrooms is presented, and the variables that influence patterns, nature and effectiveness of peer interaction are explored. Cognitive models of peer tutoring approaches that follow either Piagetian theories of cognitive conflict or Vygotskian theories of co-construction are compared and the similarities and differences of each model interrogated. The influences each model may have on cognitive and affective development, as well as metacognition, are illustrated. The authors discuss knowledge transfer issues to facilitate the development of effective models of peer tutoring in the classroom practice of teachers in schools. Finally, areas for future research and development are highlighted.
Metacognition as a Form of Discourse Within a Community of Learners
Authors: Orechkina Maria J. , Greenberg Katherine H.
Published: July 2011

We explore in this article how Vygotsky’s ideas on the role of language and discourse in the formation of the higher forms of behavior can be integrated with theory of mind research and the Cognitive Enrichment Advantage educational approach for facilitating metacognitive development in children. This synthesis leads us to conclude that children’s spontaneously developed metacognitive knowledge can be brought to the level of awareness and control in a constructivist discourse about learning. The use of a metacognitive vocabulary in this discourse facilitates the development of scientific concepts about one’s mind (i.e., systematic metacognitive knowledge and independent metacognitive regulation). It is suggested that metacognition can be defined as “a form of discourse within a community of learners.”
Cognitive Aspects of Science Problem Solving: Two Mediated Learning Experience Based Programs
Authors: Schur Yaron , Kozulin Alex
Published: July 2011

Data generated by international science examinations such as TIMSS and PISA indicated that many students failed to solve science tasks not because of their lack of specific scientific knowledge, but because of poor general problem solving skills. The present study was triggered by the need to introduce middle-school students to strategies and techniques of working with unfamiliar material and using general symbolic tools. Feuerstein’s theory of Mediated Learning Experience and Vygotsky’s concept of psychological tools served as a theoretical basis for two intervention programs: The first program connected content-neutral cognitive tasks with TIMSS-like science tasks, while the second one offered students a new scientific experience Thinking Journey to the Moon. Middle-school students were pre- and posttested by TIMSS-like tasks that required minimal prior scientific knowledge. Both programs proved to be effective in improving students’ problem solving and the ability to justify their answers, though reflective ability continued to be weaker than problem solving. The relative importance of mediated learning experience vs. specific problem solving tasks is discussed.
Effects of Metacognitive Intervention in Low-Performing Vocational Students
Authors: Berger Jean-Louis , Kipfer Nadine , Büchel Fredi
Published: July 2011

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a teacher-administered metacognitive training module on the performance and strategy-use of vocational students considered as “slow learners.” Prior to the experiment all experimental teachers underwent an extended training. Moreover, they received all didactic materials of the training module as well as several mediation guides. The progress made by the trained students was controlled by a quasi-experimental design including a pretest, an immediate posttest, and a delayed posttest. The training module, both composed of decontextualized and school-related tasks, was taught in a class setting. The experimental group 1 (EG1) applied the whole training module in a prescribed way. The efficacy of this training is compared to that of an experimental group 2 (EG2) whose teachers received the same training as the teachers of the EG1, but they were free to choose only specific parts of the module, instead of the training in its entirety, and to follow the mediation guides in a less rigorous fashion. Both experimental groups were compared to a control group that did not follow any specific training. The results show that the training module had significant effects on the students’ performance in multiple domains and on the quality and quantity of strategies used. An analysis in terms of gain scores revealed an association between improvement in performance and improvement in strategy use, suggesting that the acquisition of strategies may be responsible for better performance.
Dynamic Assessment of Executive Functioning: (How) Can We Measure Change?
Authors: Weingartz Sebastian , Wiedl Karl H. , Watzke Stefan
Published: July 2011

Dynamic Assessment (DA) is a diagnostic approach that integrates specific behavioral interventions into cognitive testing procedures and thus turns these procedures into tests of learning potential. An important issue in DA is the question of how change in performance following these interventions can be expressed statistically. In this study we describe both categorical and dimensional approaches to assessment of learning potential. A sample of patients suffering from schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or bipolar affective disorders (n = 115) completed a test-training-test version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) at two times with an interval of 12 months. The goal of this analysis was to investigate psychometric properties of common measures assessing performance change in executive functioning and to evaluate pragmatically their usefulness for DA. We analyzed the stability of different learning potential measures, their intercorrelation, convergent construct validity, discriminant construct validity using a measure of psychopathology, and their concurrent and prospective criterion validity using measures of social functioning. Learner groups, posttest scores, and regression residuals proved to be the most stable and valid measures of learning potential. Pros and cons of the different approaches are discussed.
Do All Dynamic Assessment Techniques Assess Learning Potential?
Authors: Karpov Yuriy
Published: July 2011

It is not only that different dynamic assessment (DA) techniques evaluate different “learning potentials” of the individual; some such techniques do not evaluate any kind of learning potential. In particular, graduated prompts techniques, rather than evaluating learning potential of the individual, evaluate the level of his or her mastery of a certain problemsolving procedure. On the other hand, DA techniques that target the qualitative level at which the individual is able to learn a brand new problem-solving procedure evaluate indeed the individual’s general learning potential.
The Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Relationship Satisfaction Over Time for Young At-Risk Couples: The Moderating Role of Observed Negative and Positive Affect
Authors: Shortt Joann Wu , Capaldi Deborah M. , Kim Hyoun K. , Laurent Heidemarie K.
Published: July 2011

In the current study, the moderating effects of observed negative and positive affects on the association between intimate partner violence (IPV, physical aggression) and relationship satisfaction were examined over a 5-year period. Multiwave data were obtained from a sample of young adult men at risk for delinquency and their women partners (n = 121 couples; ages 21–26 years). The trajectory of each partner’s relationship satisfaction and the effects of dyadic IPV and affect were tested using HLM analyses and a two-level (within-couple and between-couple) dyadic growth model. Average levels of dyadic positive affect were associated with relationship satisfaction for both men and women. For men, increases in couples’ positive affect over time were linked to increases in relationship satisfaction, and increases in couples’ externalizing negative affect were linked to decreases in satisfaction. For women, higher levels of couples’ IPV predicted lower levels of satisfaction. Couples’ internalizing negative affect amplified the effects of IPV on satisfaction over time. Increases in IPV were associated with declines in satisfaction for couples with high levels of internalizing negative affect. Conversely, average levels of externalizing negative affect did not amplify the association between IPV and relationship satisfaction. In fact, the adverse influence of IPV on relationship satisfaction was greater for couples who displayed low levels of externalizing negative affect. Because of the inverse association between externalizing negative affect and relationship satisfaction, these findings were interpreted to suggest that the salience of IPV was greater in couples whose relationship satisfaction was not already impaired by high levels of negative affect.
An Argument for Integrating Strengths Into Work With Batterers
Authors: Simmons Catherine A. , Lehmann Peter
Published: July 2011

Beginning with grass root movements in the early 1970s, batterer intervention programs (BIP) have evolved into the most prominent and visible form of intervention for individuals who commit acts of violence against their intimate partner. Evidence indicates, however, that these programs do not demonstrate high levels of effectiveness at stopping abuse/violence. To this end, this conceptual article presents an analytic discussion that first outlines traditional BIP approaches highlighting the literature finding ineffectiveness. Next, six ideas with the potential to change the field are presented followed by a brief description of how integrating strengths into work with batterers can improve intervention.
The Survivor Moms’ Companion: Open Pilot of a Posttraumatic Stress Specific Psychoeducation Program for Pregnant Survivors of Childhood Maltreatment and Sexual Trauma
Authors: Seng Julia S. , Sperlich Mickey , Rowe Heather , Cameron Heather , Harris Anna , Rauch Sheila A. M. , Bell Susan A.
Published: July 2011

The Survivor Moms’ Companion (SMC) is a fully manualized, 10-module self-study psychoeducation program developed to address the pregnancy-specific needs of traumatic stress-affected abuse survivors. It aims to improve affect regulation, reduce interpersonal reactivity, and support posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom management despite the presence of triggers. An open pilot enrolled “survivor moms” prior to 28 weeks gestation and they completed baseline diagnostic telephone interviews, fidelity measures, pretest and posttest, and self-report measures assessing the efficacy of the proposed mechanisms of intervention effect. Of 57 eligible women invited to participate, 32 took up the intervention, 9 completed at least the core 4 modules, and 18 completed all 10 modules. Participant scores showed improvements in anger expression, interpersonal reactivity, and PTSD symptom management, suggesting that participation in the SMC is beneficial. Results will inform the protocol for a cluster randomized trial of the SMC.
Singularity analysis for autonomous and nonautonomous differential equations
Authors: Andriopoulos Kostis , Leach Peter
Published: July 2011

Singularity analysis of ordinary differential equations is an important tool
in the determination of the possible integrability of the equations. Although
singularity analysis has been studied for decades, it still seems to cause
problems in terms of the interpretation of some elements of the analysis. We
summaries these problems and try to present a delicate approach towards their
resolution by separating the treatment for autonomous and nonautonomous
equations.
Preoperative considerations for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Mandras Ana , Simic Dusica , Stevanovic Vesna , Ugrinovic Djordje , Skodric Vesna , Kalezic Nevena
Published: July 2011

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a risk factor for development of
intraoperative and postoperative pulmonary complications. Regarding the type
and the extent of surgical procedure, patients with COPD are at risk of
aggravation of pulmonary function which leads to complicated perioperative
course. In order to reduce perioperative complications, preoperative
evaluation and preoperative patient preparation are of great importance.
Goals of preoperative preparation and anesthesia in patients with COPD are
maintaining ventilation-perfusion ratio, preventing development of hipoxemia,
intraoperative brochospasm, pneumothorax and disturbances of cardivascular
system.
Preoperative preparation of the patient with the abnormalities of red and white blood cells
Authors: Tomin Dragica
Published: July 2011

The complete peripheral blood count analysis including laboratory screening
tests of haemostasis and coagulation should be done in every patient before
surgery, in order to detect specific abnormalities for primary or secundary
haematologic disorder. These abnormalities might be very important couse of
perioperative and postoperative complications. Anaemia is the most frequent
haematologic abnormality seen during preoperative period. Therapy approach
depends on the type and anaemia degree, and also on the type and time of
surgery. If surgery is not urgent specific therapy according to the anaemia
type (iron therapy, vitamin B12, folic acid, corticosteroids, recombinant
erythropoietin) should be given in all anaemias with deficiency of iron,
megaloblastic anaemias, acquired haemolytic anaemias and anaemias in end
stage renal disease. Transfusion of red cells are most frequently given in
patients with normovolemic anaemias with haemoglobin level of 10,0g/dl and
hematocrit of 0,30, but lower levels in haemodynamic stable patients.
Venesections should be done in patients with erythrocytosis in order to
reduce total red cell volume, but taking into account the perioperative
bleeding. Patients with leukocyte abnormalities suspected on primary
haematologic disorder need urgent haematologic diagnostic procedures. In
patients with leucocytosis the actual level of neutropenia is the bigger
problem than the level of leucocytosis. In those patients treatment generally
involves preventing infections, managing of febrile neutropenia with broad
spectrum antibiotics and antifungal drugs, treatment with recombinant
granulocyte hematopoetic factor, rarely transfusions of granulocyte
concentrates and intravenous immunoglobulins.
Preoperative assessment and preparation of patients with diseases affecting the central nervous system
Authors: Milakovic Branko , Dimitrijevic Ivan , Malenkovic Vesna , Markovic Dejan , Pantic-Palibrk Vesna , Gvozdenovic Ljiljana
Published: July 2011

Purpose of review: This review will examine the most important issues of
preoperative evaluation and preparation in relation to patients with deseases
affecting the central nervous system. Those patients may undergo various
forms of surgery unrelated to the central nervous system disease. We discuss
the effect of physiologic and pharmacological factors on cerebral
autoregulation and control of intracranial pressure alongside its clinical
relevance with the help of new evidence. Recent findings: Regardless of the
reason for surgery, coexisting diseases of brain often have important
implications when selecting anesthetic drugs, procedures and monitoring
techniques. Suppression of cerebral metabolic rate is not the sole mechanism
for the neuroprotective effect of anaesthetic agents. There are certain
general principles, but also some specific circumstances, when we are talking
about optimal anesthetic procedure for a patient with coexisting brain
disease. Intravenous anesthesia, such as combination of propofol and
remifentanil, provides best preservation of autoregulation. Among inhaled
agents isoflurane and sevoflurane appear to preserve autoregulation at all
doses, whereas with other agents autoregulation is impaired in a dose-related
manner. During maintenance of anesthesia the patient is ventilated by
intermittent positive pressure ventilation, at intermediate hyperventilation
(PaCO2 25 - 30 mmHg). Summary: Intraoperative cerebral autoregulation
monitoring is an important consideration for the patients with coexisting
neurological disease. Transcranial Doppler based static autoregulation
measurements appears to be the most robust bedside method for this purpose.
Preoperative preparation of patients with pituitary gland disorders
Authors: Malenkovic Vesna , Gvozdenovic Ljiljana , Milakovic Branko , Sabljak Vera , Ladjevic Nebojsa , Zivaljevic Vladan
Published: July 2011

This paper presents the most common disorders of pituitary function:
acromegaly, hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus and syndrome similar to
diabetes insipidus, in terms of their importance in preoperative preparation
of patients. Pituitary function manages almost the entire endocrine system
using the negative feedback mechanism that is impaired by these diseases. The
cause of acromegaly is a pituitary adenoma, which produces growth hormone in
adults. Primary therapy of acromegaly is surgical, with or without associated
radiotherapy. If a patient with acromegaly as comorbidity prepares for
non-elective neurosurgical operation, then it requires consultation with
brain surgeons for possible delays of that operation and primary surgical
treatment of pituitary gland. If operative treatment of pituitary gland is
carried out, the preoperative preparation (for other surgical interventions)
should consider the need for perioperative glucocorticoid supplementation.
Panhypopituitarism consequences are different in children and adults and the
first step in diagnosis is to assess the function of target organs. Change of
electrolytes and water occurs in the case of pituitary lesions in the form of
central or nephrogenic diabetes insipidus as a syndrome of inappropriate
secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Preoperative preparation of
patients with pituitary dysfunction should be multidisciplinary, whether it
is a neurosurgical or some other surgical intervention. The aim is to
evaluate the result of insufficient production of pituitary hormones
(hypopituitarism), excessive production of adenohypophysis hormones
(acromegaly, Cushing?s disease and hyperprolactinemia) and the influence of
pituitary tumours in surrounding structures (compression syndrome) and to
determine the level of perioperative risk. Pharmacological suppressive
therapy of the hyperfunctional pituitary disorders can have significant
interactions with drugs used in the perioperative period.
Preoperative assessment and preparation of patients with neurologic disorders
Authors: Palibrk Ivan , Kalezic Nevena , Vucetic Cedomir , Dimitrijevic Ivan , Arsenijevic Vladimir , Stefanova Elka
Published: July 2011

Ageing of population world wide has significant contribution as one of the
major risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders. The patients with
neurodegenerative as well as other neuological diseases presented the
population with possible great need either of small or big surgical
intervention. There are several important issues in patients with
neurological diseases: the nature, disease duration, therapy, the patient?s
ability to live without assistance. Neurological disease may become worst by
general and regional anesthesia. Stopping therapy may lead to worsening of
neurological diseases. One of the main common threat is the risk of
significant cardiorespiratory complications, which is important in assessing
operational risk, in preoperative preparation and in terms of postoperative
recovery and outcomes of surgical treatment. This has resulted in greater
preoperative care by detailed patient history evaluation and examination,
patient information and informed consent. Besides the effect of the
anaesthetic technique upon the course of the disease, there is also the
interaction of drugs administered during anaesthesia and patient medication.
Several undiagnosed diseases may be disclosed following a
surgical/anaesthetic intervention.
Preoperative preparation of alcohol and psychoactive substances-addicted patients
Authors: Dimitrijevic Ivan , Zoricic Zoran , Milenovic Miodrag , Palibrk Ivan , Dimitrijevic Draga , Milakovic Branko , Kalezic Nevena
Published: July 2011

Proper diagnosis of psychoactive substance abuse and addiction, as well as
acute intoxication, withdrawal syndrome and overdosing are of great
importance in patients who are preparing for surgical intervention. There are
some specific details in their preoperative preparation whether they
underwent emergency or elective surgery. Good knowledge of the
characteristics of psychoactive substance abuse and addiction, interaction of
psychoactive substances and anesthetics and any other drugs that could be
used in the perioperative period is important especially for anastesiologist.
In this work we present key issues for recognizing theese patients as well as
some guidelines for adequate preoperative preparation and postoperative care.
Osteo - articular diseases as comorbidity in non - orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Vucetic Cedomir , Dulic Borislav , Milakovic Branko , Simic Dusica , Djurasic Ljubomir , Vukasinovic Zoran
Published: July 2011

Osteo-articular diseases have significant presence among general population.
Osteo-articular disorders can be caused by disease or by trauma. There are
many osteo-articular diseases which have influence on general state of the
organysm and on other present diseases in a various level. The influence
appears by increasing risk of main disease complications, limited movement
complicates postoperative treatment of main disease and medicament therapy of
osteo-articular disease sometimes modifies perioperative therapy of main
disease. Trauma as comorbidity needs urgent care and, in the same time, it is
a huge complication for the injured?s condition. Osteoarticular trauma
healing usually lasts several weeks, so it prolongs the healing of
intercurrent surgical disease. Osteo-articular changes as comorbidity during
the acute surgical disease healing need proper preoperative preparing, With
the aim to minimise perioperative morbidity and mortality.
Preoperative preparation of geriatric patients
Authors: Jankovic Radmilo , Bogicevic Angelina , Stosic Biljana , Pavlovic Anica , Petrovic Anita , Markovic Dejan , Vucetic Cedomir
Published: July 2011

There is a continuous increase in the proportion of elderly patients
undergoing surgical procedures. This review will concentrate on selected
topics related to elderly care that represent current unresolved and relevant
issues for the care of the elderly surgical patient including: aging related
organ dysfunction, perioperative risk assessment of geriatrics patient,
preoperative optimization and pharmacological support of elderly patient.
Additionally, age as a clear risk factor for postoperative cognitive
dysfunction is also discussed.
Preoperative preparation of pregnant women
Authors: Likic-Ladjevic Ivana , Argirovic Rajka , Kadija Sasa , Maksimovic Milica , Zivaljevic Biljana , Terzic Milan
Published: July 2011

All the elective surgeries are to be avoided during pregnancy and pregnant
women should undergo only emergency surgical interventions. Pregnancy is
associated with different physiological changes in the organism, which should
be taken into account in preparative preparation of the pregnant women.
Expanded body fluid volume leads to dilutional anemia, however other
hematological disorders may be present as well. Extreme obesity is a frequent
comorbidity, while hypertension is associated with the highest risks since it
may lead to a life-threatening complication - eclampsia. As for other
coexisting diseases, urinary tract infections and gestational diabetes are
the most common as well as hyperthyroidism and other diseases that may also
develop. The type and severity of the acute surgical disease, extensiveness
of the planned surgery as well as the type of planned anesthesia to be
applied, occasionally necessitate, depending on the gestational age,
termination of pregnancy to be considered. Gynecological-obstetric
consultations are mandatory in all surgical interventions planned in pregnant
women.
A facile synthesis of phenazine and quinoxaline (new 1,4-benzo diazine) derivatives using magnesium sulfate heptahydrate as a catalyst
Authors: Karami Bahador , Khodabakhshi Saeed
Published: July 2011

Convenient and simple procedures for the synthesis of phenazine and
quinoxaline derivatives were developed via a reaction of ophenylenediamines
and 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds. In addition, the synthesis of two new
derivatives of 1,4-benzo diazine derivatives and the catalytic activity of
magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (MgSO4?7H2O) in the room temperature
condensation of o-phenylenediamines and 1,2- dicarbonyl compounds in ethanol
as solvent are reported. This method has many appealing attributes, such as
excellent yields, short reactions times, and simple work-up procedures.
Cerebrovascular disease morbidity on the territory of the municipality of Doljevac
Authors: Antic Ivan , Petrovic Branislav , Rancic Natasa
Published: July 2011

Introduction. Cerebrovascular diseases have drawn great public attention
recently due to a high death rate and an even higher disability rate. The aim
of the research was to determine the basic descriptive-epidemic
characteristics of patients with cerebrovascular diseases, to assess the
incidence rate according to the gender and age, as well as mortality and the
disease prognosis after one-year follow up period. Material and Methods. A
prospective survey was conducted, and the study included all registered
patients with cerebrovascular diseases from the municipality of Doljevac in
the period from 2005-2007, who were monitored for 1 year since the onset of
the disease. Results. During the period monitored, there were a total of 230
patients suffering from this disease. The average standardised incidence rate
in both genders was 274.67. Ischemic brain stroke occurred in 146 (63.4%)
subjects, the intracerebral haemorrhage in 39 (17%) and the subarachnoid
haemorrhage occurred in 9 (3.9%). The 90-day lethality was 14.8%; 1-year
lethality was 21.7%. Out of 123 patients (53.4%), who were recorded to have
various degrees of disability, 44 (35.8%) were independent in everyday
activities, 41 (33.3%) needed assistance while walking and maintaining
personal hygiene, where-as 38 (30.9) were bedridden. After a year of
monitoring, 30 (13.1%) patients suffered a recurrent brain stroke.
Conclusion. Cerebrovascular disease morbidity rate was found to be
increasing. However, there were no statistically significant differences in
morbidity by diagnosis and the disease outcome between genders.
Counterfeit drugs as a global threat to health
Authors: Golocorbin-Kon Svetlana , Mikov Momir
Published: July 2011

According to the World Health Organization, counterfeit medicines are
medicines that are mislabeled deliberately and fraudulently regarding their
identity and/or source. All kinds of medicines have been counterfeited, both
branded and generic ones. Counterfeit medicines may include products
containing correct or wrong ingredients; without active or with
insufficiently or over-active ingredients, or with fake packaging. Many
sources of information have been explored, including reports from the
national medicine regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical companies and
literature data. Since the time counterfeit drugs first appeared, they have
become more sophisticated and more difficult to be detected. The World Health
Organization estimate is that up to 1% of medicines available in the
developed world are likely to be counterfeit. This figure rises to 10%
globally, although in some developing countries it is 50%. The World Health
Organization estimate is that 50% of medicines available via the internet are
counterfeit. The knowledge about counterfeit drugs should be used to educate
students of pharmacy and medicine, health professionals and patients. The
most important players in campaign against counterfeit medicines are health
professionals. Pharmacists and doctors should stay vigilant and report
suspicious products, and consider counterfeits as a possible cause of
adverse reactions or therapeutic failure. Patients should inform their
pharmacists and doctors if they suspect any irregularity concerning their
medication, if they experience side effects or a decrease in beneficial
effect. The crucial step in the prevention of counterfeit medicines is to get
supplied from reliable sources, i.e. licensed pharmacies.
Prevention of sudden cardiac death by the implantable cardioverter defibrilator
Authors: Kovacevic Dragan , Stojisic-Milosavljevic Anastazija , Topalov Vasilije , Mihajlovic Bogoljub , Sakac Dejan , Kozlovacki Ziva
Published: July 2011

Introduction. Sudden cardiac death or, as it is also called, a modern man?s
killer occurs a few hours after the beginning of the disease. Sudden death is
the one that happens within an hour from the onset of the subjective
discomforts regardless of the existence of any previous disease. According to
modern statistics, 450.000 people die suddenly in the USA and 150,000 in
Germany. Causes of sudden death. The most frequent causes of sudden death are
cardiologic or, in other words, a heart rhythm disorder such as ventricular
tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and bradycardiac rhythm disorder. All
these reasons can be efficiently prevented by the implantation of the
cardioverter defibrillators. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In
comparison with the already known medications, the defibrillator seems to be
the most efficient in prevention of sudden cardiac death. This fact has been
confirmed by large multicentre studies. The implantation itself is a routine
procedure. It lasts about an hour and it often passes without any
complications. The patient leaves the hospital a few days after the
procedure. About 150 of these procedures are performed per year at the
Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Vojvodina. The Social Insurance Fund
bears medical costs and the patient only pays the participation fee, which is
symbolical if compared to the value and use of the device. Owing to this
fact, this device is available to every patient thus making the efficient
sudden cardiac death prevention possible.
Analysis of suspected adverse reactions following immunization against pandemic influenza
Authors: Petrovic Vladimir , Seguljev Zorica , Medic Snezana , Ristic Mioljub , Tomic Sladjana , Cvetic Gordana
Published: July 2011

Introduction. The surveillance on adverse reaction following immunization was
aimed at recording all adverse events possibly related with vaccines. During
the implementation of immunization strategy against pandemic influenza
A(H1N1) in 2009, the post-marketing comprehensive surveillance was suggested
to be conducted due to limited clinical experience in applying this
particular vaccine and because of the fact that some vaccines had been
licensed only on the basis of the data regarding their quality. Material and
Methods. The passive surveillance on adverse events following immunization
was conducted simultaneously with immunization campaign against pandemic
influenza in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Reporting of adverse
events was conducted by health care service through a specially designed
questionnaire Results. In the period from December 17th 2009 to February 7th
2010, of the total number of 55720 people who were vaccinated, 50433 received
one dose and 5287 received two doses of vaccine. The total number of doses
administered was 61007. During the observed period, some adverse reactions
were recorded in 37 people, the rate of occurrence of adverse reactions being
6.6 per 10.000 vaccinated. Since the majority of patients had several
symptoms and signs, the number of recorded clinical manifestations was much
higher (140) than the number of patients with reactions. The dominant
symptoms and signs were fever (51.4%), weakness/fatigue (48.6%), headache
(40.5%) and myalgia (31.5%). The reactions in the majority of patients were
mild and transient. Only two patients sought medical care and one was
hospitalized. Since the immunization coverage was very small, it was not
possible to record rare adverse events, whose expected incidence is, anyway,
very low. Conclusion. Surveillance on adverse reaction following immunization
represents an important component of immunization program, especially when
new vaccines are introduced. Therefore, this form of surveillance in our
country needs further improvement in order to provide more complete
information on occurrence and characteristics of adverse reactions following
immunization.
Orientation of liquid crystalline materials by using carbon nanotubes
Authors: Kamanina N.V. , Vasilyev P.Ya , Studeonov V.I.
Published: July 2011

The solution of some problems, where the initial black field is necessary for
the regime of light transmission through the electrooptical organic nematic
liquid crystal structures has been considered via a homeotropic alignment of
liquid crystal molecules on the substrate covered by carbon nanotubes. The
results of this investigation can be used to develop optical elements for
displays with vertical orientations of nematic liquid crystal molecules (for
example, for MVA-display technology).