bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Physical Activity and Disability Survey — Revised (PADS-R): an evaluation of a measure of physical activity in people with chronic neurological conditions
Authors: Kayes Nicola M , Schluter Philip J , McPherson Kathryn M , Taylor Denise , Kolt Gregory S
Published: May 2009

Objective: To revise the Physical Activity Disability Scale (PADS) and to explore the acceptability and test—retest reliability of the revised measure, the PADS-R, in people with multiple sclerosis.

Design: This study was conducted over three phases: (1) PADS-R questionnaire development including modification to the original PADS, field testing and refinement; (2) PADS-R scoring; (3) PADS-R acceptability and reliability assessment, where participants completed the PADS-R twice over the telephone, three days apart, and then answered a series of semi-structured questions on the instrument's acceptability.

Subjects: Participants were recruited from the local Multiple Sclerosis Society, Stroke Foundation and Auckland District Health Board depending on the purpose of each phase: (1) PADS-R questionnaire development (n = 30, multiple sclerosis); (2) PADS-R scoring (n = 293, multiple sclerosis; and n = 83, stroke); and (3) PADS-R acceptability and reliability assessment (n = 29, multiple sclerosis).

Main measures: Physical Activity Disability Scale-Revised (PADS-R)

Results: The PADS-R took approximately 20 minutes to administer and most (n = 25; 86%) participants reported it to be easy to understand and complete. All participants reported that it enabled them to give an accurate picture of their physical activities. In terms of test—retest reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient was high (0.87 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.78, 0.96)), but the 95% limits of agreement were wide (±1.13). When observations which potentially represented important changes in activity were excluded, these limits narrowed considerably (±0.89).

Conclusions: The PADS-R appears to be a conceptually and psychometrically sound measure of physical activity for people with chronic neurological conditions.
Effects of balance training on gait parameters in patients with chronic ankle instability: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: McKeon Patrick O , Paolini Gabriele , Ingersoll Christopher D , Kerrigan D Casey , Saliba Ethan N , Bennett Bradford C , Hertel Jay
Published: May 2009

Objective: To examine the effects of a four-week balance training programme on ankle kinematics during walking and jogging in those with chronic ankle instability. A secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of balance training on the mechanical properties of the lateral ligaments in those with chronic ankle instability. Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Laboratory.

Subjects/patients: Twenty-nine participants (12 males, 17 females) with self-reported chronic ankle instability were randomly assigned to a balance training group or a control group.

Intervention: Four weeks of supervised rehabilitation that emphasized dynamic balance stabilization in single-limb stance. The control group received no intervention.

Main outcome measures: Kinematic measures of rearfoot inversion/eversion, shank rotation, and the coupling relationship between these two segments throughout the gait cycle during walking and jogging on a treadmill. Instrumented ankle arthrometer measures were taken to assess anterior drawer and inversion talar tilt laxity and stiffness.

Results: No significant alterations in the inversion/eversion or shank rotation kinematics were found during walking and jogging after balance training. There was, however, a significant decrease in the shank/rearfoot coupling variability during walking as measured by deviation phase after balance training (balance training posttest: 13.1°± 6.2°, balance training pretest: 16.2° ± 3.3°, P = 0.03), indicating improved shank/rearfoot coupling stability. The control group did not significantly change. (posttest: 16.30° ± 4.4°, pretest: 18.6° ± 7.1°, P40.05) There were no significant changes in laxity measures for either group.

Conclusions: Balance training significantly altered the relationship between shank rotation and rearfoot inversion/eversion in those with chronic ankle instability.
Integration of complementary medical treatments with rehabilitation from the perspectives of patients and their caregivers: A qualitative inquiry
Authors: Chang Ling-Hui , Wang Jye
Published: May 2009

Objective: This article uses a qualitative design and examines how patients and their caregivers integrate pluralistic health practices into rehabilitation from their perspectives.

Design: Ethnography was used as the framework for research design. Data were collected via participant observation, taped in-depth interviews and regular chart review, and all interviews were transcribed verbatim.

Setting: An inpatient rehabilitation unit in Taiwan.

Subjects: Twenty-one patients, their caregivers and their rehabilitation professionals.

Results: The patients and their caregivers used pluralistic illness explanations and treatments to make sense of their suffering, to control healing and to find the hope that rehabilitation professionals often deliberately avoided giving. Spiritual healing and therapies related to Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as functional food and herbal medicines, were popular alternative therapeutics. Although the patients and their caregivers perceived opposition from the medical staff on the unit, they used a variety of covert strategies to integrate their pluralistic illness explanations and treatments into their daily routines without openly challenging the rehabilitation primacy.

Conclusion: Aware of the rehabilitation staff's opposition, the patients and caregivers resorted to a variety of underground strategies to conceal their use of complementary medical treatments.
The RAVEN: Design and Validation of a Telesurgery System
Authors: Lum Mitchell J. H. , Friedman Diana C. W. , Sankaranarayanan Ganesh , King Hawkeye , Fodero Kenneth , Leuschke Rainer , Hannaford Blake , Rosen Jacob , Sinanan Mika N.
Published: May 2009

The collaborative effort between fundamental science, engineering and medicine provides physicians with improved tools and techniques for delivering effective health care. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques have revolutionized the way a number of surgical procedures are performed. Recent advances in surgical robotics are once again revolutionizing MIS interventions and open surgery. In an earlier research endeavor, 30 surgeons performed 7 different MIS tasks using the Blue Dragon system to collect measurements of position, force, and torque on a porcine model. This data served as the foundation for a kinematic optimization of a spherical surgical robotic manipulator. Following the optimization, a seven-degree-of-freedom cable-actuated surgical manipulator was designed and integrated, providing all degrees of freedom present in manual MIS as well as wrist joints located at the surgical end-effector. The RAVEN surgical robot system has the ability to teleoperate utilizing a single bi-directional UDP socket via a remote master device. Preliminary telesurgery experiments were conducted using the RAVEN. The experiments illustrated the system’s ability to operate in extreme conditions using a variety of network settings.
What are your thoughts when the national anthem is playing? An empirical exploration
Authors: Gilboa Avi , Bodner Ehud
Published: May 2009

It is believed that when exposed to the national anthem of their native country, people react with feelings of pride and patriotism and that the anthem has the power to unite people around similar associations. We examined these beliefs empirically. In Experiment 1, Israelis of various ages and subcultures listened to their anthem and to three other songs, and wrote down associations that came to mind. It was found that the anthem evoked more national associations than any other song and that this was a shared tendency despite the subcultural divergences. In Experiment 2, a marginal group in Israeli society participated in a similar task and appeared to regard the anthem more negatively than mainstream Israelis. In Experiment 3, associations relating to the anthem were compared to those relating to other national symbols (the flag and an emblem). The flag, but not the emblem, evoked similar association patterns. Results are discussed in light of social identity theory.
`Sounds of Intent': mapping musical behaviour and development in children and young people with complex needs
Authors: Welch Graham , Ockelford Adam , Carter Fern-Chantele , Zimmermann Sally-Anne , Himonides Evangelos
Published: May 2009

This article reports on the first year of an Esmée Fairbairn Foundation-funded research project into the design and evaluation of an original `framework' for mapping the behaviour and development in, and through, music for children with complex needs, specifically those with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). An initial four-month design and pilot phase critiqued and evaluated a framework that was grounded in video-based iterative analyses of individual case studies that had been collected during the previous two years. The piloting phase was followed by a sustained period of classroom-based music lesson observation in five special schools over a period of seven months. A total of 630 observations were made using the framework for 68 participants whose ages ranged from 4 years 7 months to 19 years 1 month. Subsequent analyses support the general design features of the observational framework and provide new evidence of PMLD musical behaviour and development.
Effects of concurrent music listening on emotional processing
Authors: Graham Rodger , Robinson Johanna , Mulhall Peter
Published: May 2009

Increased processing time for threatening stimuli is a reliable finding in emotional Stroop tasks. This is particularly pronounced among individuals with anxiety disorders and reflects heightened attentional bias for perceived threat. In this repeated measures study, 35 healthy participants completed a randomized series of Stroop tasks involving colour-naming of neutral or threatening words concurrently accompanied by either silence or music. An emotional Stroop effect was evident under silent conditions. However, a significant interaction effect was detected indicating that in the music listening condition the expected interference was significantly diminished. The presence of music therefore may serve to relax the deployment of attentional mechanisms associated with the detection of threat. Putative modes of action are discussed with reference to effects of task-irrelevant stimuli on attentional distribution, effects of music on arousal and emotional state, and neural imaging studies of brain function. Potential clinical applications are briefly outlined.
An Autologous Cartilage Tissue Implant NeoCart for Treatment of Grade III Chondral Injury to the Distal Femur
Authors: Crawford Dennis C. , Heveran Chelsea M. , Cannon W. Dilworth , Foo Li Foong , Potter Hollis G.
Published: May 2009

Background

The healing potential of damaged articular cartilage is limited. The NeoCart is a tissue-engineered collagen matrix seeded with autogenous chondrocytes designed for the repair of hyaline articular cartilage.

Hypothesis

The NeoCart implant is well tolerated in the human knee.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Eight patients (treatment group) with full-thickness cartilage injury were treated with the NeoCart and evaluated prospectively. Autogenous chondrocytes provided by arthroscopic biopsy were seeded into a 3-dimensional type I collagen scaffold. The seeded scaffold was subjected to a tissue-engineering protocol including treatment with a bioreactor. Implantation of the prepared cartilage tissue patch was performed via miniarthrotomy and secured with a collagen bioadhesive. Evaluations through 24 months postoperatively included the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee questionnaire, visual analog scale, range of motion, and cartilage-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including quantitative T2 mapping.

Results

Pain scores after NeoCart implantation were significantly lower than baseline at 12 and 24 months after the procedure (P < .05). Improved function and motion were also noted at 24 months. Six patients had 67% to 100% defect fill at 24 months with MRI evaluation. One patient had moderate (33%-66%) defect fill, and another patient had poor (less than 33%) defect fill. Partial stratification of T2 values was observed for 2 patients at 12 months and 4 patients at 24 months. No patients experienced arthrofibrosis or implant hypertrophy.

Conclusion

Pain was significantly reduced 12 and 24 months after NeoCart treatment. Trends toward improved function and motion were observed 24 months after implantation. The MRI indicated implant stability and peripheral integration, defect fill without overgrowth, progressive maturation, and more organized cartilage formation.
Chondrocyte Death and Cartilage Degradation after Autologous Osteochondral Transplantation Surgery in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Gulotta Lawrence V. , Rudzki Jonas R. , Kovacevic David , Chen Christopher C. T. , Milentijevic Dejan , Williams Riley J.
Published: May 2009

Background

Autologous osteochondral transplantation surgery requires an impact force on the graft that may cause chondrocyte death and matrix degradation. This study attempted to determine the degree to which this occurs in a rabbit model shortly after the procedure.

Hypothesis

Impaction of a press-fit autologous osteochondral graft in vivo results in chondrocyte necrosis, apoptosis, and matrix degradation at early time points.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Twenty New Zealand White rabbits underwent unilateral osteochondral transplantation (OT) surgeries, and 10, bilateral sham surgeries. Fifteen animals were sacrificed at time zero (10 sham-0 limbs, 10 OT-0 limbs), and 15, 4 days after surgery (10 sham-4 limbs, 10 OT-4 limbs). Chondrocyte viability/necrosis was determined with cell vital staining. Chondrocyte apoptosis was determined by TUNEL, Bcl-2, and M30 assays. Cartilage matrix degradation was determined by routine light and polarized light microscopy and COL2-3/4Cshort immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed with a 2-way analysis of variance (P < .05).

Results

There were significantly fewer viable cells in OT-4 than in sham-4. A similar difference in cell viability was found in OT-0 versus sham-0. There were more TUNEL-positive cells in OT-4 as compared with OT-0, sham-0, and sham-4; however, there was little or no staining of Bcl-2 and M30. Mankin scores were higher in both OT groups versus both sham groups at time zero and day 4. The OT-4 group had positive staining for COL2-3/4Cshort that corresponded with a loss of collagen birefringence at the superficial zone.

Conclusion

Osteochondral transplantation procedures performed by tamping a press-fit graft induce chondrocyte necrosis and matrix metalloproteinase—mediated cartilage matrix degradation. However, apoptosis was not found to a major contributor to cell death in this model.

Clinical Relevance

Results of osteochondral transplantation procedures may be improved by atraumatic insertion and fixation techniques or by pharmacologic agents that can block these degradative processes.
Is Hyperventilation an Effective ‘‘Activating’’ Procedure in Routine Clinical EEG Studies in Children?
Authors: Raybarman Chandan
Published: May 2009

Electroencephalography (EEG) records of consecutive 275 children (ages 3-18 years; average 11 years; 34.5% females), with generalized epilepsy, consistent with epileptiform discharges in baseline EEG, who underwent 5 minutes of voluntary hyperventilation during standard EEG recordings were reviewed in this study to determine the actual value of the voluntary hyperventilation in routine clinical EEG in provoking epileptiform EEG abnormalities. Of the 275 EEG records, only in 11.6% hyperventilation revealed increased interictal epileptiform discharges as evidenced by increase in frequency during hyperventilation when compared with the baseline EEG and in 0.7% ictal epileptiform discharges without clinical seizure. None of the 275 children elicited clinical seizure during hyperventilation. The value of voluntary hyperventilation as an ‘‘activating’’ procedure in routine clinical EEG studies even in children with generalized epilepsy was questioned in this study.
Development and Validation of a New Lucknow Development Screen for Indian Children Aged 6 Months to 2 Years
Authors: Bhave Anupama , Bhargava Roli , Kumar Rashmi
Published: May 2009

A chart was prepared using selected milestones from Baroda norms of Bayley Scales of Infant Development and Gesell’s schedules on y-axis and age in months on x-axis. A child failing to achieve any milestone to the left of the chronological age was screen positive. Interrater and test-retest reliability were calculated. For validation, the screen was administered to mothers of 142 children aged 6 to 24 months attending Pediatric Outpatients or Neurology Clinic of CSM Medical University, Lucknow, India. Acutely ill children were excluded. A full Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian infants was then done on the same children. Sensitivity and specificity were 95.9% and 73.1%, respectively. It is concluded that Lucknow Development Screen can be effectively used for screening in the community.
The Built Environment and Traffic Safety
Authors: Ewing Reid , Dumbaugh Eric
Published: May 2009

The article reaches two conclusions counter to accepted transportation engineering theory. First, the traffic environments of dense urban areas appear to be safer than the lower-volume environments of the suburbs. The reason is that many fewer miles are driven on a per capita basis, and the driving that is done is at lower speeds that are less likely to produce fatal crashes. Second, at least in dense urban areas, less-“forgiving” design treatments—such as narrow lanes, traffic-calming measures, and street trees close to the roadway—appear to enhance a roadway's safety performance when compared to more conventional roadway designs. The reason for this apparent anomaly may be that less-forgiving designs provide drivers with clear information on safe and appropriate operating speeds.
Determinants of International Students’ Academic Performance
Authors: Gang Li  , Wei Chen  , Duanmu Jing-Lin
Published: May 2009

With the increasing number of international students travelling to well-developed countries for higher education, there has been a growing interest in exploring the factors that influence their academic performance during their overseas studies. This study aims to give an insight into international students’ learning experience by investigating the differences between Chinese and non-Chinese cultural groups and leads to the identification of the key predictors of their academic achievement via multiple regression analysis. The results suggest that the perceived importance of learning success to family, English writing ability, and social communication with their compatriots are significant predictors for all international students. As the predominant group, Chinese students display some distinctive characteristics. A less active learning strategy is observed among Chinese students relative to others, but no evidence has found that this negatively affects their academic achievement.
Coping With Cancer: A Web-Based Educational Program for Early and Middle Adolescents
Authors: O'Conner-Von Susan
Published: May 2009

Educating patients is a primary responsibility of all nurses; however, because of time constraints and staff shortages, pediatric oncology nurses are often unable to adequately prepare patients for cancer treatment. Instead, patients frequently rely on the Internet as a source of information about cancer, some of which can be outdated and inaccurate. Adolescents regard the Internet as a valuable source of health information as it is easily accessible, less threatening, and confidential. Considering the need for accurate, readily available information for adolescents with cancer, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate an innovative, interactive Web-based educational program to prepare early and middle adolescents for cancer treatment. Titled “Coping With Cancer,” this program was developed by the investigator after conducting in-depth interviews of adolescent cancer survivors and their parents. Based on the transactional model of coping, the program focuses on enhancing the adolescent’s knowledge of cancer, cancer treatment, and healthy coping strategies. Coping With Cancer can be an effective resource for pediatric oncology nurses in providing ongoing education for adolescents with cancer.
Modeling and Control of Single and Two Degree of Freedom Magnetorheological Fluid-based Haptic Systems for Telerobotic Surgery
Authors: Ahmadkhanlou Farzad , Washington Gregory N. , Bechtel Stephen E.
Published: May 2009

In this study, the authors develop haptic systems for telerobotic surgery exploiting MR fluids for semiactive force feedback. To investigate the full range of tactile force exhibited by a particular MR damper design, a microstructural 3D kinetic theory-based model of MR fluids has been developed. In this model, microscale constitutive equations relate flow, stress, and particle orientation. The higher accuracy of the model in this regard gives better force representations of highly compliant objects. In this article, the model is utilized in force-feedback control of both a SDOF system and a 2DOF system. A state-feedback control algorithm is employed to track both the SDOF system, and the 2DOF system using specially designed MR force-feedback joysticks. The results demonstrate that the MR fluid-based force-feedback joysticks can be used effectively as haptic devices. It is also observed that both SDOF and 2DOF systems are nearly transparent in replicating the stiffness of different external objects, due to the light weight of the semiactive system and controller implementation.
Dry Electroactive Paper Actuator Based on Cellulose/Poly(Ethylene Oxide)—Poly(Ethylene Glycol) MicroComposite
Authors: Mahadeva Suresha K. , Yun Sungryul , Kim Jaehwan
Published: May 2009

Cellulose Electroactive Paper (EAPap) is an attractive material to construct biomimetic actuators and MEMS devices due to its lightweight, biodegradability, large displacement, and low actuation voltage. However, the performance of the actuator is sensitive to humidity levels. In this article, cellulose/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)—poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microcomposites were fabricated for EAPap actuators working at ambient humidity condition, and the effect of different PEO : PEG ratios (0.95 : 0.05 to 0.99 : 0.01) on the actuation behavior was investigated. Based on the bending displacement, power consumption, and durability, 0.95 :0.05 ratio was identified as an optimum ratio of PEO : PEG to blend with cellulose for EAPap actuator. The actuation mechanism of the cellulose/PEO—PEG actuator was addressed.
Older Breast Cancer Survivors' Views and Preferences for Physical Activity
Authors: Whitehead Sarah , Lavelle Katrina
Published: May 2009

Evidence suggests that physical activity improves quality of life and physical functioning among breast cancer patients and survivors. However, previous studies have tended to focus on younger patients, despite higher incidence and lower survival among older breast cancer survivors. In this study we explored physical activity preferences of older breast cancer survivors to inform the development of future targeted interventions. Twenty-nine female breast cancer survivors (1 to 5 years postdiagnosis) aged 59 to 86 (mean 66.54, SD 6.50) took part in either a semistructured interview or a focus group exploring physical activity patterns, motivators, facilitators, barriers, and preferences. The main factors influencing physical activity were body image, weight issues, vitality, mood, and the desire to carry on as normal. Preference was expressed for activities that were gentle, tailored to age and cancer-related abilities, holistic, involving other older breast cancer survivors, and with an instructor who was knowledgeable about both breast cancer and aging.
Evaluation of Statistical Approaches in Quantitative Nursing Research
Authors: Gross Cohn Elizabeth , Haomiao Jia  , Larson Elaine
Published: May 2009

The purposes of this study were to (a) develop a tool to assess statistical methods and (b) use the tool to evaluate recently published quantitative research. We rated the statistical approaches used in 152 studies published in the 5 top impact-factor nursing research journals from September 2005 to August 2007. Studies were generally of high quality; 45% scored between 80% and 100%, and 22% achieved a score of 100%. Predictors of high scores were interdisciplinary authorship, a statistician coauthor, and the number of aims. The authors conclude that studies published in high impact-factor nursing journals are statistically sound and provide a solid foundation for evidence-based practice.
Outside Options and Burden Sharing in Nonbinding Alliances
Authors: Songying Fang  , Ramsay Kristopher W.
Published: May 2009

The authors develop a model of alliances with outside options to study burden sharing in nonbinding alliance agreements. The analysis provides an explanation for the variation in ally contributions to NATO over time and why the post—Cold War period has seen an increase in the use of coalitions of the willing. Additionally, the analysis reveals something of an initiator’s disadvantage in burden sharing—the initiator of an alliance action pays a disproportionate cost of the military burden. The authors’ argument provides an alternative explanation for why the United States has been consistently the largest contributor to NATO.
Campaign Effects on the Accessibility of Party Identification
Authors: Grant J. Tobin , Mockabee Stephen T. , Monson J. Quin
Published: May 2009

This study uses response latency, the time required for a survey respondent to formulate an answer upon hearing a question, to examine the accessibility of partisan self identifications over the course of a political campaign season. Although the aggregate distribution of partisanship remains fairly stable during the campaign, party identifications become more accessible to individuals with weaker party identifications as the election approaches. Consistent with theoretical expectations, the authors find that partisan orientations are more useful in forming political judgments when those orientations are more accessible to the voter. The effect of partisanship on vote choice is a third greater for voters with highly accessible party identifications than for those with less accessible party identifications.
Candidate Gender and Voter Choice: Analysis from a Multimember Preferential Voting System
Authors: McElroy Gail , Marsh Michael
Published: May 2009

Women are greatly underrepresented in elected office. A large literature on the subject has considerably advanced our understanding of this phenomenon, but many questions remain unanswered. Using original aggregate and individual-level data, the authors explore the interplay of candidate gender, partisanship, incumbency, and campaign spending in a multimember preferential voting system. This setting allows unparalleled exploration of the heterogeneous nature of voter decision making. The authors find little evidence for an independent effect of candidate gender on voter choice. Voters do not discriminate against women even in an electoral environment that affords them this opportunity without any cost to their partisan preferences.
Politics and an Innate Moral Sense
Authors: Renwick Monroe Kristen , Martin Adam , Ghosh Priyanka
Published: May 2009

Part of a symposium arguing for increased interdisciplinary conversations, this article suggests how political scientists can benefit from recent scientific work in child development, evolutionary biology, behavioral economics, primatology, and linguistics. All offer empirical evidence suggesting human beings are born with a moral grammar hard-wired into their neural circuitry. The analysis challenges claims for cultural relativity and suggests psychological egoism and rational choice theory leave unexplained much political behavior because they rest on too narrow a conceptualization of basic human nature, omitting precisely the sociability that moral sense theory places as a fundamental part of our human nature.
Mutual Interests
Authors: McDermott Rose
Published: May 2009

Can neuroscientific techniques shed light on important questions in political science? The author argues for increased dialogue across disciplines as wide ranging as evolutionary psychology and biology, biological anthropology, behavioral economics, behavior genetics, behavioral ecology, and cognitive neuroscience. These fields find a clear theoretical convergence around evolutionary development models. These paradigms can be applied successfully to political decision making. In turn, political scientists can offer significant contributions to this research agenda by posing critical questions concerning human social and political behavior, including bias against out-groups, the formation and maintenance of coalitions, and the origin of preferences in decision making.
Predicting the Likelihood of Additional Nodal Metastases in Breast Carcinoma Patients With Positive Sentinel Node Biopsy
Authors: Mustać Elvira , Matušan-Ilijaš Koviljka , Marijić Blažen , Smokvina Miljenko , Jonjić Nives
Published: May 2009

Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is an important procedure in the staging of breast cancer patients. However, it is associated with a significant morbidity rate. In addition, using early diagnosis a high number of cases with negative lymph nodes can be identified. A lymph node defined as sentinel lymph node (SLN) would be the first to receive tumoral drainage. A less morbid but accurate staining procedure using mapping and SLN biopsy has been introduced. The aim of this study was to estimate the likelihood of additional disease in the axilla after SLN analysis. A total of 259 breast carcinomas and SLN biopsies followed by ALND were examined. The patient median age was 59 years, approximately 75% of them postmenopausal. Tumor size was 1.4 ± 0.8 cm (almost 80% in pT1). SLNs were positive in 59 of 259 (22.8%) carcinomas, 30 (11.6%) with micrometastases (<2.0 mm) and 29 (11.2%) with metastases. Tumor size ( P = .004) and presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI; P = .034) were found to be significant predictors of pathologically positive SLN. Following ALND, positive non-SLNs were present mostly in patients with metastasis >2 mm in SLN ( P = .003), in carcinoma with higher nuclear grade ( P = .044), decreased estrogen receptor (ER; P = .042), and progesterone receptor (PR; P = .042). Finally, lymph node status (pN) following SLN and ALND was found to be significantly associated with tumor size ( P = .006), LVI ( P = .037), PR ( P = .023), and Her-2 status ( P < .001). These results point to detailed analysis of primary tumor and SLN that may increase the precision of patient selection for further axillary surgery or radiotherapy.
Primary Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma of the Thyroid Gland Coexisting With Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Authors: Yu Lu , Yang Shou Jing
Published: May 2009

Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcoma, especially of extranodal origin, is an extremely rare malignancy of FDC origin, with only 1 case previously documented in the thyroid. The authors report the case of a 58-year-old female who presented with a painless mass in her neck. The neoplastic cells expressed monocyte/macrophage-specific marker CD68 (KP-1) and lysozymes and the dendritic cell-associated antigens CD35 and Fascin but was negative for CD1a, CD21, and CD23, most consistent with a diagnosis of FDC sarcoma. BIOMED-2 multiplex polymerase chain reaction analysis showed B-cell clonality in both tumor and its adjacent coexisting Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a rare entity of FDC sarcoma primarily involving the thyroid gland coexisting with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Symplastic Glomangioma
Authors: Arsenovic Nebojsa , Ramaiya Arjun , Moreira Ricardo
Published: May 2009

Glomus tumors are neoplasms differentiating toward specialized cells found in the glomus body, a structure involved in thermoregulation. Although the vast majority is benign, the occurrence of malignant glomus tumors is well recognized. Criteria for prediction of malignant potential include a deep location, large size, infiltration, necrosis, and nuclear atypia. Symplastic glomus tumors are benign neoplasms showing striking nuclear pleomorphism in the absence of other malignant criteria. Recognition of this rare morphologic aberration would prevent an inadvertent diagnosis of malignancy.
Ovarian Malignancies With Cytologically Negative Pleural and Peritoneal Effusions: Demons’ or Meigs’ Pseudo-syndromes?
Authors: Peparini Nadia , Chirletti Piero
Published: May 2009

The authors reviewed the original reports of the association of malignant ovarian tumors with cytologically negative pleural and peritoneal effusions, commonly known as Meigs’ pseudo-syndrome and challenged the recent attribution of this disease to Demons. They underlined the historical and clinical interest of the reports of Demons and Meigs and concluded that the term pseudo-Meigs’ syndrome, and not pseudo-Demons’ syndrome, must be used for malignant ovarian lesions with effusions with negative cytology because Demons did not describe a similar syndrome caused by malignant tumors.
The Role of the p75 Neurotrophin Receptor in Cholinergic Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Coulson E.J. , May L.M. , Sykes A.M. , Hamlin A.S.
Published: May 2009

Degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons is a common feature of Alzheimer's disease and is proposed to be an early and key event in the condition's etiology. This review discusses recent findings that strongly link the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75 NTR) to both cholinergic neuron degeneration and the production of toxic forms of amyloid-beta (Aß), which is found deposited as amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. Although elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms and the clinical significance of these findings will require further experimentation, a number of possible scenarios and future research directions are presented.
Assessing Acceptance of Violence Toward Women
Authors: Ogle Richard L. , Noel Nora E. , Maisto Stephen A.
Published: May 2009

The Acceptance of Interpersonal Violence Scale (AIV) is a self-report inventory assessing beliefs about violence toward women. This study's purpose was to test the multidimensionality of the AIV. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on half a sample of 772 male participants and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the other half. EFA indicated a two-factor solution. Factors were labeled Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence. The CFA showed this model provided a good fit and was superior to the original one-factor model. Potential problems when using the single sum score and the applicability of the derived factor structure to violence research are discussed.
Domestic Violence and Forced Sex Among the Urban Poor in South India
Authors: Solomon Suniti , Subbaraman Ramnath , Solomon Sunil S. , Srikrishnan Aylur K. , Johnson Sethulakshmi C. , Vasudevan C.K. , Anand Santhanam , Ganesh Aylur K. , Celentano David D.
Published: May 2009

This article examined the prevalence of physical and sexual violence among 1,974 married women from 40 low-income communities in Chennai, India. The authors found a 99% and 75% lifetime prevalence of physical abuse and forced sex, respectively, whereas 65% of women experienced more than five episodes of physical abuse in the 3 months preceding the survey. Factors associated with violence after multivariate adjustment included elementary/middle school education and variables suggesting economic insecurity. These domestic violence rates exceed those in prior Indian reports, suggesting women in slums may be at increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
The Misuse and Diversion of Prescribed ADHD Medications by College Students
Authors: Rabiner David L. , Anastopoulos Arthur D. , Costello E. Jane , Hoyle Rick H. , Esteban McCabe Sean , Swartzwelder H. Scott
Published: May 2009

Objective: This study assesses the misuse and diversion of prescribed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications. Method: One hundred fifteen students, attending two universities, with prescriptions for ADHD medications completed a Web survey in spring 2007. Results: Eighty-nine of 115 students (69%) used their ADHD medications as prescribed, whereas 36 (31%) had misused during college by taking larger or more frequent doses than prescribed or by using someone else’s medication. Nine students (8%) reported intranasal use during the previous 6 months, and 30 (26%) had diverted medications to peers. Misuse was associated with impulsivity and with other substance use. Enhancing the ability to study outside of class was students’ primary motive for misuse, but nonacademic reasons were also reported. Students who misused ADHD medications generally felt that doing so was helpful. Conclusions: Although most students use their ADHD medication as prescribed, misuse and diversion is not uncommon. Because enhancing academic performance was the primary motive for misuse, the results raise questions about whether undergraduates with ADHD perceive their treatment as adequate and the extent to which physicians and students communicate about issues related to medication adjustments. (J. of Att. Dis. 2009; 13(2) 144-153)
Validity of the Factor Structure of Conners’ CPT
Authors: Egeland Jens , Kovalik-Gran Iwona
Published: May 2009

Objective: A previous factor analysis of the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test (CCPT) indicates that the test measures 5 sub-functions of attention, namely focused attention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, sustained attention, vigilance, and change in control. The present study further analyzes the results from Egeland & Kowalik-Gran to test the construct- and criterion-validity of these factors. Method: Construct validity is tested by analyzing whether clinical groups known to be impaired in specified subprocesses actually differ with regard to factor scores. Comparison of CCPT factor scores from 282 individuals with ADHD, schizophrenia, affective disorders, brain injury, language disorders, and normal individuals gives validity to 4 factors, but not to the vigilance factor. Results: Other tests of controlled attention correlate only with focused attention, thus giving criterion validity to this factor and differential validity to the remaining 4 factors. Conclusion: Grouping scores on the CCPT into 4 or 5 sub-functions of attention may provide the clinician with a tool to differentiate between clinical groups. (J. of Att. Dis. 2010; 13(4) 347-357)
The Effect of Happiness and Sadness on Alerting, Orienting, and Executive Attention
Authors: Finucane Anne M. , Whiteman Martha C. , Power Mick J.
Published: May 2009

Objective: According to the attention network approach, attention is best understood in terms of three functionally and neuroanatomically distinct networks—alerting, orienting, and executive attention. An important question is whether the experience of emotion differentially influences the efficiency of these networks. Method: This study examines 180 participants were randomly assigned to a happy, sad, or control condition and undertook a modified version of the Attention Network Test. Results: The results showed no effect of happiness or sadness on alerting, orienting, or executive attention. However, sad participants showed reduced intrinsic alertness. Conclusion: This suggests that sadness reduces general alertness rather than impairing the efficiency of specific attention networks. (J. of Att. Dis. 2010; 13(6) 629-639)
Toward International Collaboration on Credentialing in Health Promotion and Health Education: The Galway Consensus Conference
Authors: Allegrante John P. , Barry Margaret M. , Auld M. Elaine , Lamarre Marie-Claude , Taub Alyson
Published: May 2009

The interest in competencies, standards, and quality assurance in the professional preparation of public health professionals whose work involves health promotion and health education dates back several decades. In Australia, Europe, and North America, where the interest in credentialing has gained momentum, there have been rapidly evolving efforts to codify competencies and standards of practice as well as the processes by which quality and accountability can be ensured in academic professional preparation programs. The Galway Consensus Conference was conceived as a first step in an effort to explore the development of an international consensus regarding the core competencies of health education specialists and professionals in health promotion and the commonalities and differences in establishing uniform standards for the accreditation of academic professional preparation programs around the world. This article describes the purposes, objectives, and process of the Galway Consensus Conference and the background to the meeting that was convened.
Building Health Promotion Capacity in Developing Countries: Strategies From 60 Years of Experience in the United States
Authors: Howze Elizabeth H. , Auld M. Elaine , Woodhouse Lynn D. , Gershick Jessica , Livingood William C.
Published: May 2009

The Galway Consensus Conference articulated key definitions, principles, values, and core domains of practice as the foundation for the diffusion of health promotion across the globe. The conference occurred in the context of an urgent need for large numbers of trained health workers in developing countries, which face multiple severe threats to the health of their people. In this article, the authors draw on the experience acquired by the health promotion profession in the United States to illustrate what might be done to build health promotion capacity in developing countries. They examine the profession's experience in the areas of accreditation and certification, research and publications, advocating for the profession, and advocating for public health policy. Finally, the authors direct a challenge to the profession in the United States to extend a hand to developing countries to assist them in expanding their capacity to prepare health promotion professionals and deliver health promotion services.
Perspectives on Terminology and Conceptual and Professional Issues in Health Education and Health Promotion Credentialing
Authors: Taub Alyson , Allegrante John P. , Barry Margaret M. , Sakagami Keiko
Published: May 2009

This article was prepared to inform the deliberations of the Galway Consensus Conference by providing a common and global reference point for the discussion of terminology and key conceptual and professional issues in the credentialing of health education and health promotion specialists. The article provides a review of the terminology that is currently employed across different countries in defining health education and health promotion as well as health educator and health promotion specialist. The terminology used to describe concepts in professional credentialing of health education and health promotion specialists and the scope of professional responsibilities of such specialists, including the terms professional competencies, professional standards, and accreditation, are also reviewed. Finally, key unresolved issues are identified and discussed from a global perspective. The article concludes that despite differences in terminology in the definitions of roles and responsibilities, health education and health promotion are conceptually more similar than different across countries.
Domains of Core Competency, Standards, and Quality Assurance for Building Global Capacity in Health Promotion: The Galway Consensus Conference Statement
Authors: Allegrante John P. , Barry Margaret M. , Airhihenbuwa Collins O. , Auld M. Elaine , Collins Janet L. , Lamarre Marie-Claude , Magnusson Gudjon , McQueen David V. , Mittelmark Maurice B. , Galway Consensus Conference
Published: May 2009

This paper reports the outcome of the Galway Consensus Conference, an effort undertaken as a first step toward international collaboration on credentialing in health promotion and health education. Twenty-nine leading authorities in health promotion, health education, and public health convened a 2-day meeting in Galway, Ireland, during which the available evidence on credentialing in health promotion was reviewed and discussed. Conference participants reached agreement on core values and principles, a common definition, and eight domains of core competency required to engage in effective health promotion practice. The domains of competency are catalyzing change, leadership, assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, advocacy, and partnerships. The long-term aim of this work is to stimulate a global dialogue that will lead to the development and widespread adoption of standards and quality assurance systems in all countries to strengthen capacity in health promotion, a critical element in achieving goals for the improvement of global population health.
Current Developments in Accreditation and Certification for Health Promotion and Health Education: A Perspective on Systems of Quality Assurance in the United States
Authors: Cottrell Randall R. , Lysoby Linda , King Laura Rasar , Airhihenbuwa Collins O. , Roe Kathleen M. , Allegrante John P.
Published: May 2009

The health education profession in the United States employs parallel, and overlapping, systems of voluntary credentialing to ensure quality in professional preparation. The U.S. approach to quality assurance comprises credentialing at the individual level, including certification, and at the institutional level, including regional and program-specific accreditation or approval of professional preparation degree programs. These multiple systems and levels of quality assurance have evolved during a half century but have not been uniformly available or universally embraced by the field, employers, or those in the institutional settings in which health educators now receive their professional preparation. This article reviews the current scope of credentialing systems in the United States and explains whom they serve and how they function. Recent developments that are now reshaping the landscape of quality assurance in health education and health promotion are also discussed.
Sleep Deprivation Impairs 12-Hr Urine Volume Excretion in Old Rats
Authors: Chaperon Claudia
Published: May 2009

Excessive nocturnal urine volumes (UVs) predict almost double the death rate in older adults. Furthermore, sleep-depriving environments may increase nocturnal UVs in old age. Thus, a pilot study was designed to examine the effects of sleep-depriving lighting treatments on the 12-hr UV excretion in young adult rats (6 months, n = 6), middle-aged rats (12 months, n = 12), old rats (16 months, n = 6), and old-old rats (>20 months, n = 5). Each animal was exposed continuously to the treatments beginning with 7 days each of standard laboratory lighting conditions of on 12 hr/off 12 hr, then 7 days continuous dim lighting, and finally 7 days of continuous dim lighting plus sleep deprivation with a noxious noise. Age group and lighting condition treatments influenced 24-hr urine volume excretion (F (2, 29) = 2.41, p = .007, r2 = .8193). During sleep deprivation, rest-phase 12-hr urine volume excretion increased in both the old and old-old rats (F (2, 5) = 7.79, p < .00001).