bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Beliefs and Behaviour of Cervix Cancer Patients
Authors: AwasthiI P. , Mishra R. C. , Shahi U.P.
Published: April 2006

When people fall prey to a chronic disease they develop their own formulations about the disease. Patients often hold a variety of beliefs about causes, consequences, control and outcomes of the disease. This study examines illness beliefs and health seeking behaviour of educated, uneducated, rural and urban women suffering from the cancer of cervix. A control group (of non–patients) was also studied. The findings revealed that individual and psychosocial causes were more strongly represented in the belief system of patients than environmental or supernatural causes. The perceived consequence of illness was negatively correlated with the degree of social support available to patients. Patients characterised by a high level of social support strongly believed that their disease was in control of either “self ” or “doctor”. They resorted more to “approach–coping” strategy, experienced lesser pain and severity of illness, and expressed greater hope for a disease free life than patients characterised by low social support.
Mothers and Others
Authors: Chaudhary Nandita , Bhargava Pooja
Published: April 2006

Being a mother is a serious business in India, and much cultural activity is devoted to preparation for motherhood, a role that enjoys special status. This paper is based on the narrative of one Indian woman as she weaves her story of motherhood in response to interview questions. Kamla's responses bring out dramatic generalisations, serious presumptions and strong beliefs, all in the process of presenting her views. Kamla was selected for many reasons. She was enthusiastic to participate in the research, and requested a recording of the session as she wanted to preserve it for her grandchildren. She viewed herself as the custodian of the dying Indian tradition that appeared to be slipping away between her fingers as modernisation takes over. The discussion centred around the main themes emerging from her observations. It was argued that her views are neither contrary to the prevailing cultural beliefs, nor a minority voice.
Dynamic Simulation and Test Verification of MR Shock Absorber under Impact Load
Authors: Wang Jionag , Li Yancheng
Published: April 2006

The magnetorheological (MR) shock absorber is one of the most promising new devices for vibration reduction. Many investigations have been carried out on low velocity and frequency applications of MR devices. The use of the MR shock absorber under impact load is of great interest. The now widely used MR damper models, such as the Bingham model, cannot explain sufficiently the shear thinning behavior under impact loads. However, the Herschel–Bulkley model can be used to explain the same. The main purpose of this study is to analyze the behavior of the MR shock absorber under impact load and to verify the analytical conclusions and experiments. First, some dynamic simulations on the MR shock absorber under impact loads in Matlab and Simulink are carried out. The model describes the dynamic characteristics especially the shear thinning behavior of the shock absorber, based on this model, then analyzes the variations of piston acceleration and back cavity pressure of MR shock absorber at both same and different flow indices. A test rig is developed to test the characteristics of the long-stroke MR shock absorber under impact loads. Comparisons between the simulation and the test results are made to validate our conclusions. The results indicate that the peak acceleration value of the piston rod and the pressure of the back cavity are decided by the peak value and the duration of the impact force. The peak value of the acceleration and the cavity pressure cannot be changed, but the transitional time of the acceleration of the piston and the pressure of the back cavity of MR shock absorber can be controlled by changing the applied current in the electromagnetic coil. MR shock absorbers will be the most promising shock reduction device under an impact environment.
Energy Dissipation in Electrorheological Damping Devices
Authors: Shulman Z. P. , Korobko E. V. , Levin M. L. , Binshtok A. E. , Bilyk V. A. , Yanovsky Yu. G.
Published: April 2006

The analytical solution obtained in this study permits the hydrodynamic calculation of Bingham fluid flow in the annular gap of an electrorheological (ER) damper when the yield stress and plastic viscosity depend on the inhomogeneity of the electrical field strength. The main parameters that influence the dissipation processes have been determined. The analytical dependence of the dissipation capacity of the ER damper versus the electric field strength has been obtained.
Design and Modeling of a Magnetorheological Valve with Both Annular and Radial Flow Paths
Authors: Ai H. X. , Wang D. H. , Liao W. H.
Published: April 2006

In this article, an MR valve possessing simultaneously annular fluid flow resistance channels and radial fluid flow resistance channels is designed, and its structure and working principle are described. In addition, a mathematical model for the MR valve with both annular and radial flow paths is developed and the simulation is carried out to evaluate the newly developed MR valve. The simulation results based on the proposed model indicate that the efficiency of the MR valve with circular disk-type fluid resistance channels is superior to that with annular fluid resistance channels under the same magnetic flux density and outer radius of the valve. Furthermore, the results also show that the efficiency of the MR valve can be improved significantly with two types of fluid flow resistance gaps, viz. annular fluid flow resistance gaps and circular disk-type fluid flow resistance gaps simultaneously.
Vibration Control of Rotor by Squeeze Film Damper with Magnetorheological Fluid
Authors: Wang J. , Feng N. , Meng G. , Hahn E. J.
Published: April 2006

Using magnetorheological (MR) fluid in place of lubricating oil in a traditional squeeze film damper (SFD) can build a variable-damping SFD controlled by an magnetic field, and can be used to control the vibration of rotor systems. The structure of an MR fluid SFD is introduced. The Reynolds equation of the MR fluid squeeze film is derived and solved based on the Bingham model, and the formulas for flowing velocity, pressure distribution, film force, and the magnetic pull force of the damper are presented. The mechanical properties of the squeeze film and the unbalance response characteristics of the MR fluid damper-rigid rotor system are analyzed theoretically.
Design, Testing and Modeling of a Magnetorheological Damper with Stepped Restoring Torque
Authors: Sun Wei , Hu Haiyan , Weng Jiansheng
Published: April 2006

This article presents a novel rotary type magnetorheological (MR) damper, which has 12 input coils inside so that the restoring torque of the MR damper can be divided into 13 different levels, including the torque without input voltage. By connecting two arbitrary coils in series, one can realize the restoring torque of seven levels. The article first outlines the theoretical analysis, based on the inner structure and the theory of rheology, to reveal the relationship between the torque levels and the powered coils. Then, it presents the dynamic performance of the MR damper through an experiment under the sinusoid excitation, with the excitation frequency varying from 0.5 to 20 Hz. The experiment data enable one to train an adaptive neural network so as to establish a mathematical model for the MR damper. The result shows that the network can well predict the restoring torque for different excitation amplitudes and frequencies. For a control system using MR dampers, it is always necessary to know the input voltage (current) to MR dampers from the desired restoring force. The input voltage (current) can be determined by using a neural network or a fuzzy logical system, or by using the so-called on–off control, where the input voltage (current) is either zero or maximum compared with the desired restoring force. Instead of adjusting the input voltage (current), the restoring torque of this MR damper can be precisely controlled by selecting different sets of coils. If the desired restoring force settles in a level range, one can select the number of coil sets to make the restoring torque close to it. Thus, the control system using this MR damper requires no more additional neural network or fuzzy logical system to determine the input voltage (current). Furthermore, unlike the on–off control, the MR damper can refine the restoring torque to track the desired force. The stepped MR damper makes the control system less complicated and the control algorithm simple.
An Application of Magnetorheological Suspension Seal to Pressure Relief Device
Authors: Saito Tsuyoshi , Ikeda Hiroyasu , Oguro Masahiko
Published: April 2006

The feasibility of the application of a magnetorheological (MR) suspension to the seat surface seal is examined to completely prevent the leakage of inner fluid at the seat surface of pressure relief devices. The burst pressure of the MR suspension seal (MRSS) formed between fixed magnetic poles is measured and the relationships between the burst pressure and the shape factors of the magnetic pole are clarified. The burst pressure of the MRSS is at least 4.0 MPa. Furthermore, the accuracy and repeatability of the relief operation are evaluated by using a model of pressure-relief device, which applies the MRSS. It is confirmed that the general requirement of the pressure-relief device, that the device has an opening pressure variation of within 3%, can be satisfied by the MRSS from the experimental results.
Research on Continuous Damping Control Improving Force Isolation of a SDOF Mounting System
Authors: Chen L. S. , Qiu K. , Chen D. Y.
Published: April 2006

In this article, principle for force isolation in a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) mounting system is proposed depending on the mechanism of the transmitted force, and a continuous damping control law considering the time constant of the controllable damper is constituted. Excitation force in the form of single frequency, dual frequencies, and bidirectional swept frequencies are chosen in the simulation. With a suitable time constant of the controllable damper, the continuous damping control law ruled SDOF mounting system obtains nearly minimum force transmissibility compared to corresponding passive system and high dynamic performance compared to frequency domain method. The continuous damping control law is suitable for the mounting system with the controllable damper based on smart materials such as magnetorheological (MR) or electrorheological (ER) fluids.
The Effect of Laminate Kinematic Assumptions on the Global Response of Actuated Plates
Authors: Robbins D. H. , Chopra Inderjit
Published: April 2006

The effects of accurately accounting for transverse shear strain, transverse normal strain, and discrete layer kinematics on the computed global response of actuated plates are investigated using a hierarchical displacement-based, two-dimensional (2-D) finite element model that is developed specifically for composite laminates. The hierarchical model is used to obtain the first-order shear deformation model, a higher-order cubic equivalent-singlelayer model, a type-I layerwise model, and a type-II layerwise model as special cases. Each of the first three models uses a reduced constitutive matrix that is based on the assumption of zero transverse normal stress; however, the models differ significantly in their assumed distribution of transverse shear strain. The type-II layerwise model utilizes a full 3-D constitutive matrix and includes both discrete layer transverse shear effects and discrete layer transverse normal effects. The scope of the study is restricted to homogeneous plates with surface-mounted actuators covering a wide range of span-to-thickness ratios. The results clearly demonstrate that as the span-to-thickness ratio of the actuated region decreases, discrete layer kinematics become very important for accurately characterizing the global response of the actuated plate. The set of laminate kinematic assumptions utilized by a particular model influence the predicted global response primarily through the so-called local kinematic effect where a portion of the available actuation energy is diverted to the production of localized transverse shear deformation and localized transverse normal deformation in the vicinity of the actuator edges, thereby reducing the amount of actuation energy that is available for producing the intended global deformation mode.
Racial Variation in Self-Labeled Child Abuse and Associated Internalizing Symptoms Among Adolescents Who Are High Risk
Authors: Lau Anna S. , Huang Marissa M. , Garland Ann F. , McCabe Kristen M. , Yeh May , Hough Richard L.
Published: April 2006

One thousand and ten Non-Hispanic White, African American, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific Islander youth who were high risk and receiving public sector services were interviewed regarding history of child emotional and physical abuse and current internalizing symptoms. The study examined whether race moderated the association between adolescents’ reports of specific parent behaviors and their self-labeling as victims of abuse. The study also examined whether reports of parental behaviors or self-labeled abuse better predicted internalizing symptoms, and whether these associations differed by race. When reporting punitive parent behavior, Non-Hispanic White youth were more likely to describe themselves as abused compared to Asian Pacific Islanders. Reported punitive parental behaviors accounted for more variance in internalizing symptoms than did self-labeled abuse. Reports of parent behaviors were more strongly related to concurrent internalizing symptoms among ethnic minority youth than among Non-Hispanic White youth. Results are discussed in the context of cultural competence in identification of child abuse.
Challenges in the Treatment of Depression
Authors: Mahan Vanita
Published: April 2006

Depression often coexists with chronic illnesses and complicates the diagnosis and treatment of any patient who suffers from either of these health problems. Ethnicity, culture, stigma, and economics add to the difficulty of recognition and treatment of depression. In this Point of View article, possible solutions are addressed.
Genetic Counseling for Mental Health Disorders
Authors: Pestka Elizabeth L.
Published: April 2006

The sequenced map of the DNA base pairs in the human genome is making it easier to understand the biological pathways involved in mental illnesses and to develop better methods of diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately prevention. This article describes the genetic counseling process for psychiatric disorders, including the use of a family pedigree and predicting genetic inheritance risks based on family history. It also addresses client education issues and the health professionals involved in genetics counseling services. Ethical, legal, and social implications of psychiatric genomics are discussed.
Screening for Perinatal Depression With Limited Psychiatric Resources
Authors: Jevitt Cecilia , Zapata Lauren , Harrington Monalisa , Berry Estrellita
Published: April 2006

BACKGROUND: The reported rates of perinatal depression range from 10% to 15%. Many communities have limited resources for diagnosis and treatment of depression. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this descriptive study were to evaluate the feasibility of screening women over time for perinatal depression and making appropriate referrals for diagnosis and treatment. DESIGN: Registered nurses, including community health nurses and a midwife, attempted to screen clients during the prenatal period and at 72 hours and 6 weeks postpartum. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used. RESULTS: Registered nurses were able to screen 180 women at least one time. Based on the initial screen, 63 (35%) women screened positive for depression and had the potential to be referred to a licensed social worker for diagnosis and/or treatment. CONCLUSION: Registered nurses were successful in screening for perinatal depression and making appropriate referrals. Longitudinal screening was difficult due to client refusal to be screened, participants being lost to follow-up, and/or moving outside the designated census tracts. Consistent with the literature, 10.6% of women were diagnosed with a depressive disorder.
Falls in an Inpatient Geriatric Psychiatric Population
Authors: Blair Ellen , Gruman Cynthia
Published: April 2006

BACKGROUND: Falls are a major health care concern for older adults in hospital settings. The incidence of falls on psychiatric units tends to be higher than that on general acute care hospital units, with estimated rates of 13.1 to 25 per 1,000 inpatient days compared to 3 to 5 per 1,000 inpatient days, respectively. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to quantify the number and types of falls and identify the associated risk factors relevant to a psychiatric inpatient setting. DESIGN: This was a descriptive study. Data were collected over a 6-month time period. Patients on a 28-bed acute care geriatric psychiatric unit provided the sampling frame. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients fell during the study period for a total 45 falls. Six patients experienced multiple falls during their stay. Most of the falls that occurred did not result in serious injury. Individuals who experienced a fall were about 3 years older than nonfallers (73.6 years versus 76.36 years). There was no difference by gender as to rate of falls. Activity level was higher for the patients who had a fall, and medication had the strongest relationship to a falls episode. When census was low, the fall rate was slightly higher. CONCLUSIONS: There are many variables that contribute to the phenomenon of falls in an acute geriatric psychiatric inpatient unit. Use of research findings will allow the development of a fall risk prevention protocol to provide the safest environment and best quality of care possible for the geriatric patient.
Examining the Perspectives of Texas Minors Cited for Possession of Tobacco
Authors: Loukas Alexandra , Spaulding Carol , Gottlieb Nell H.
Published: April 2006

This study examined the personal experiences of twenty 14-to-19-year-old Texas youth cited for tobacco possession and attending a court-mandated tobacco awareness class. Guided by labeling theory, focus group questions addressed the process of citation, how youth viewed themselves following citation, how parents and peers viewed youth following citation, and youths’ views on the purpose and effects of the policy. Many youth felt stupid for being caught or determined that they were unlucky. Parents were upset that youth were caught smoking; however, most knew their children smoked. Peers felt sympathy for cited youth or made fun of them for being caught. Participants felt that the law was in existence to deter younger children from initiating smoking or to encourage older minors to quit smoking. However, youth also indicated that there was no purpose to the law and that instead of decreasing smoking it could lead to its continuation. Implications for practice are discussed.
Demographic and Past Screening Behaviors of Men Attending a Free Community Screening Program for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Parker Patricia A. , Cohen Lorenzo , Bhadkamkar Vijaya A. , Babaian Richard J. , Smith Murray A. , Gritz Ellen R. , Basen-Engquist Karen M.
Published: April 2006

This study characterizes demographic and past prostate screening behaviors of men who participated in a free screening for prostate cancer. Demographics, past prostate screening behavior, perceived risk, and cancer worry were assessed in 1,680 men. Mean age was 58.2 years, 56% were White, and 76% had health insurance. Men with insurance were more likely to have had a previous prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal exam (DRE). White men were more likely to have had a previous PSA and DRE and to have discussed PSA testing with a physician than African American men. African American men reported greater perceived risk and more worry than White men. Screening differences between African American and White men were explained by insurance status. These results may help guide the development of and promotion for future screening programs. Future efforts should be directed at increasing awareness about screening procedures for prostate cancer.
Out of the Mainstream: Low-Income, Lone Mothers’ Life Experiences and Perspectives on Heart Health
Authors: Higgins Joan Wharf , Young Lynne , Cunningham Susanna , Naylor Patti-Jean
Published: April 2006

Cardiovascular disease remains a health issue in North America, particularly for marginalized citizens. Although lifestyle issues and behavioral risk reduction continue to dominate prevention initiatives, an emerging literature suggests that contextual factors such as poverty and social exclusion also influence health. Using group and personal interviews (N = 38), this research explored the social and economic contexts shaping heart health-related experiences from the perspectives of low-income, lone mothers. The transcripts were analyzed using McKinlay and Marceau's upstream-midstream-downstream framework. The overriding pattern characterizing lone mothers’ discussions was that the women felt out of the mainstream of everyday life. They lacked the resources and power to effect change, particularly regarding heart health behaviors that were not perceived to be a priority compared to more pressing survival issues. Results are discussed in terms of concepts from the population health and social determinants literature, concluding with policy implications for enhancing health while living in poverty.
Creative Partnerships for Community Health Improvement: A Qualitative Evaluation of the Healthy Carolinians Community Micro-Grant Project
Authors: Johnso Hans H. , Bobbitt-Cooke Mary , Schwarz Miriam , White David
Published: April 2006

This qualitative study evaluated a recent innovative strategy used to involve community-based organizations (CBOs) in implementing health-related projects through locally administered microgrants. The purpose of this study was to identify key elements that enabled the success of the CBO projects, barriers and challenges to project success, and ways to effectively engage CBOs as partners in local health initiatives. In addition, this study sought to identify aspects of this approach that can be replicated. Study findings revealed that microfinancing CBOs aided in building partnerships, developing local leadership and expertise, and providing resources that enabled progress toward CBO missions and goals. These positive outcomes far out-weighed barriers and challenges faced by CBOs. Furthermore, the results of this study revealed ideas and information that provide useful guidelines for establishing and administering microgrant projects through local organizations that encourage community groups to design and implement community based health initiatives.
Girl World: A Primary Prevention Program for Mexican American Girls
Authors: Kelly Patricia J. , Bobo Tess J. , McLachlan Kate , Avery Shana , Burge Sandra K.
Published: April 2006

Theories about women's health have not traditionally been extended to include the healthy development of young women. This article applies a women's health perspective to the implementation and evaluation processes of a gender-specific primary prevention program that worked with 9-to 14-year-old Hispanic girls in a low-income community. Although community-based after-school programs can be an important venue for education and girls’ development, long-term effects are elusive to evaluate. The authors used ethnographic techniques to learn more about girls and their interactions with the program and to assess short-term program impact. Three themes were found: Program environment can contribute to girls’ expression and behavior, issues of struggling families can slide girls into early adulthood, and mentoring can benefit both girls and adult women. Community-based primary prevention programs, although an essential part of a social safety net available to low-income girls, provide researchers with a unique set of evaluation challenges.
Survey of Accredited Master of Public Health (MPH) Programs With Health Education Concentrations: A Resource for Strengthening the Public Health Workforce
Authors: Woodhouse Lynn D. , Auld M. Elaine , Livingood William C. , Mulligan Lori A.
Published: April 2006

The authors designed survey research to assess accredited master of public health (MPH) programs with health education concentrations. A Web-based survey was distributed to program directors and was used to collect characteristics of program faculty, students, graduates, internships, employment, and competency development. Results indicate that students and graduates are diverse; 72% of students complete internships and 61% of graduates work in government or community public health–related agencies; 98% of faculty hold a doctoral degree and 67% have at least one degree from an accredited public health school or program; and 85% of programs build competencies in most of the Institute of Medicine–suggested areas. The authors conclude that accredited MPH programs with a concentration in health education train diverse public health practitioners highly likely to work in a government or community public health agency with competencies to enhance public health.
Adaptation of Venue-Day-Time Sampling in Southeast Asia to Access Men Who Have Sex with Men for HIV Assessment in Bangkok
Authors: Mansergh Gordon , Naorat Sathapana , Jommaroeng Rapeepun , Jenkins Richard A. , Jeeyapant Supaporn , Kanggarnrua Kamolset , Phanuphak Praphan , Tappero Jordan W. , van Griensven Frits
Published: April 2006

This article describes adaptation and implementation of venue-day-time (VDT) sampling to enroll Thai men who have sex with men (MSM) through bars, saunas, and parks in Bangkok for the first community-based assessment of HIV prevalence and risk behavior. VDT sampling had four phases: (1) identification and geographic mapping of venues, (2) enumerating foot traffic at a subset of venues, (3) determination of eligibility and willingness to participate at a further subset of venues, and (4) enrollment of participants at a final set of venues. Field staff included peer staff, information technologists, and lab specialists. Survey data were collected with handheld computers; oral fluid specimens were collected for HIV testing. Local stakeholders were included in the process. The VDT sampling process took 6 months to complete, with 1,121 MSM enrolled. The successful implementation of VDT sampling provides a model for adapting the method to access and assess hard-to-reach populations in other non-Western settings.
The Active Participant-Observer: Applying Social Role Analysis to Participant Observation
Authors: Johnson Jeffrey C. , Avenarius Christine , Weatherford Jack
Published: April 2006

Participant observation approaches have been important components of ethnographic research. Generally, however, observation has been emphasized over participation. But there are many ethnographic contexts in which active participation by the ethnographer is advantageous, if not essential, to the collection of quality data. This article provides a framework for analyzing the potential benefits of an ethnographer participating in an active role in a given ethnographic setting. Using theories from organizational studies and the organization of work, a framework for determining the attributes relevant to a given active role for the collection of ethnographic data is presented. Three case studies are analyzed using such a framework. They include an ethnographic study of a fish camp in Alaska; a study of the red-light district in Washington, D.C.; and a study of Chinese and Taiwanese immigrant communities in Southern California.
Professorial Capital: Blue-Collar Reflections on Class, Culture, and the Academy
Authors: Kosut Mary
Published: April 2006

Merging theory with autoethnographic reflections, the author critically explores the relationship between social class and the reproduction of inequality within the upper ranks of the academy, while reflexively and purposefully challenging traditional modes of academic discourse. Drawing from the author's experiences as a blue-collar sociology doctoral student, the concept of an academic class ceiling is elaborated. In an attempt to link everyday practices within a larger structural framework, the author advances a theory of professorial capital derived from Bourdieu's concept of cultural capital. This article argues that unless the everyday dynamics of class exclusion are explicitly problematized, institutions will continue to implicitly reproduce the culture of the elite, and working-class voices will remain marginalized and silent.
Gender Imago: Searching for New Feminist Methodologies
Authors: Yanay Niza , Berkovitch Nitza
Published: April 2006

Invoking Butler's notion of gender performativity, Kristeva's concept of foreignness, and Laplanche's reconceptualization of otherness, the authors examine the power of fantasy to change the women and men that we always already are. Using “writing-in-response,” they discuss the meaning of gender performance in relation to their theoretical commitments. The article is structured around three different forms of dialogue: (a) two lectures that the authors presented, each one contesting accepted ideas of gender, self, and society; (b) seven e-mail correspondences that develop the ideas presented in the lectures and that dramatize the transition from speaking to writing-in-response; and (c) a discussion, developed both together and separately, that raises the possibility of exploring a new language of gendered subjectivity. The article challenges the concept of “direct experience,” the separation between psychology and sociology, and destabilizes the space between gender fantasy and performance.
Home/Self/Ecology/Politics
Authors: Vannini Phillip
Published: April 2006

Building on Deleuzian philosophy, deep ecology, Carol Ronai's model of the layered text, andWendell Berry's post-9/11 writings, the author recollects his story of ourWest and reflects on the meanings of home for the self and in particular on how environmentally destructive politics problematizes the security of ecological space. Based on both fieldwork and autoethnography, this article draws inspiration from Emile Zola's “J'Accuse”— his inveterate condemnation of the late 1800s French regime implicated in the Dreyfus scandal. Autoethnographic reflections and ethnographic conversations with inhabitants of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, are layered within the text to blur the boundaries existing between home/self/ ecology/politics and to condemn anthropocentric ideologies.
Re/Forming the Anorexic “Prisoner”: Inpatient Medical Treatment as the Return to Panoptic Femininity
Authors: Bell Mebbie
Published: April 2006

Through a theoretical and discursive text analysis, medical protocols for the inpatient treatment of anorexia nervosa are exposed as part of a disciplinary regime that enforces women's embodied conformity to normative femininity. Although anorectic practices are read as a threat to the patriarchal social apparatus because they represent women's autonomous manipulation of their bodies, medical protocols are read as a means of returning the female body to masculinist control. From a Foucauldian and feminist perspective, treatment mechanisms of surveillance and routinization function as a medical panopticon constructed to re/form the anorexic woman. Her return to the broader social panopticon is achieved only through her disciplined conformity, whereas her “recidivism” is deemed an individual failure. Medicine's collusion with the subjectifying force of normative femininity is thus laid bare: For her failure to conform to the punitive identity of “woman,” the anorexic individual becomes a patient/prisoner of the medical panopticon.
Development of a Comprehensive Questionnaire of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Cancer Patients and Survivors
Authors: Humpel Nancy , Jones Sandra C.
Published: April 2006

The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot test a comprehensive measurement tool to quantify all aspects of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among cancer survivors. Data are from 81 cancer patients and survivors with a mean age of 62 years and 77.2% women. CAMwas used by 63% of the sample. The most common CAM was regular exercise (50%), meditation (48.5%), and fresh fruit and vegetable juices (38.8%). The main motivations for using CAM were to boost the immune system and enhance quality of life. More than 65% had told a doctor they were using CAM. Reported benefits included feeling better, having more energy, and providing a distraction. The main sources of information were support groups (61.5%), books (50%), and friends (45.3%). Few participants used CAM to cure the cancer, and they had realistic expectations about benefits they may receive from using CAM. Further studies are needed with larger sample sizes to confirm whether findings can be generalized to the broader population of cancer patients and survivors.
Influence of an Experiential Education Session on Nursing Students’ Confidence Levels in Performing Selected Complementary Therapy Skills
Authors: Chlan Linda , Halcon Linda , Kreitzer Mary Jo , Leonard Barbara
Published: April 2006

Efforts are under way in many nursing education programs across the United States to incorporate content into curricula on complementary/alternative therapies (CAT). Many of these efforts focus on didactic presentation of content. There is an absence of nursing programs that provide students with opportunities to actually experience and practice CAT skills; little is known about how these hands-on learning experiences affect confidence in applying selected CAT skills in beginning nursing practice. This article highlights efforts at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing to integrate practice and experience in selected CAT skills (music, hand massage, imagery, breathing/ mindfulness, reflexology) into an existing senior undergraduate clinical skills laboratory course. Students (n= 86) who participated in the class reported significant increases in their confidence levels after the experiential sessions for all of the CAT skills practiced. Directions for future curriculum integration efforts are discussed as well as opportunities for expansion of CAT skills experiences.
Prayer for Health Among U.S. Adults: The 2002 National Health Interview Survey
Authors: Bell Ronny A. , Suerken Cynthia , Quandt Sara A. , Grzywacz Joseph G. , Lang Wei , Arcury Thomas A.
Published: April 2006

Data for the United States is limited on prayer for health, including associations with other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities. The 2002 National Health Interview Survey and Alternative Health Supplement data were examined for associations between prayer for health and demographic, health, and CAM use characteristics. Forty-five percent of adults reported some form of prayer for health. Use of prayer for health was associated with increasing age, ethnic minority status, lower socioeconomic status, southern/midwestern U.S. region, poorer health, and use of most forms of CAM. These data provide information about prayer for health in the United States. Further research could examine associations between prayer for health and healthrelated decisions, behaviors, and outcomes.
Effects of Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement on Balance in Adults With Chronic Neurological Deficits Following Stroke: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Batson Glenna , Deutsch Judith E.
Published: April 2006

The Feldenkrais Method is a complementary approach to motor learning that purports to induce change in chronic motor behaviors. This preliminary study describes the effects of a Feldenkrais program on balance and quality of life in individuals with chronic neurological deficits following stroke. Two male (48 and 53 years old) and 2 female participants (61 and 62 years old), 1 to 2.5 years poststroke, participated as a group in a 6-week Feldenkrais program. Pretest and posttest evaluations of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) were administered. Data were analyzed using aWilcoxon signed-rank test. DGI and BBS scores improved an average of 55.2% (p=.033) and 11% (p=.034), respectively. SIS percentage recovery improved 35%. Findings suggest that gains in functional mobility are possible for individuals with chronic stroke using Feldenkrais movement therapy in a group setting.
E2f4 regulates fetal erythropoiesis through the promotion of cellular proliferation
Authors: Kinross Kathryn M. , Clark Allison J. , Iazzolino Rosa M. , Humbert Patrick Orson
Published: April 2006

The E2F proteins are major regulators of the transcriptional program required to coordinate cell cycle progression and exit. In particular, E2f4 has been proposed to be the principal family member responsible for the regulation of cell cycle exit chiefly through its transcriptional repressive properties. We have previously shown that E2f4–/– mice display a marked macrocytic anemia implicating E2f4 in the regulation of erythropoiesis. However, these studies could not distinguish whether E2f4 was required for differentiation, survival, or proliferation control. Here, we describe a novel function for E2f4 in the promotion of erythroid proliferation. We show that loss of E2f4 results in an impaired expansion of the fetal erythroid compartment in vivo that is associated with impaired cell cycle progression and decreased erythroid proliferation. Consistent with these observations, cDNA microarray analysis reveals cell cycle control genes as one of the major class of genes down-regulated in E2f4–/– FLs, and we provide evidence that E2f4 may directly regulate the transcriptional expression of a number of these genes. We conclude that the macrocytic anemia of E2f4–/– mice results primarily from impaired cellular proliferation and that the major role of E2f4 in fetal erythropoiesis is to promote cell cycle progression and cellular proliferation.
Proper levels of c-Myb are discretely defined at distinct steps of hematopoietic cell development
Authors: Sakamoto Hiroshi , Dai Guoyou , Tsujino Kaori , Hashimoto Kazuaki , Huang Xin , Fujimoto Tetsuhiro , Mucenski Michael , Frampton Jon , Ogawa Minetaro
Published: April 2006

The definitive hematopoietic cell lineages have been proposed to originate from hemogenic endothelial cells during mouse embryogenesis. c-Myb is a transcription factor that is essential for the development of definitive hematopoiesis. To investigate the functional role of c-Myb in hematopoietic cell development from endothelial cells, we introduced a c-myb transgene expressed under the control of a tetracycline-regulated promoter into the c-myb–/– embryonic stem (ES) cell line, with the aim of inducing c-Myb expression at any stage and at any level. Induction of c-Myb expression after replating c-myb–/– endothelial cells rescued the generation and proliferation of definitive hematopoietic progenitor cells, suggesting that c-Myb expression in developing endothelial cells is not a prerequisite for their hematogenic potential. Overexpression of c-Myb, however, prevented the terminal differentiation of erythrocytes and megakaryocytes and completely abolished B-lymphocyte development. Our results indicate that c-Myb is a major factor that controls differentiation as well as proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells derived from hemogenic endothelial cells, and that appropriate levels of c-Myb protein are strictly defined at distinct differentiation steps of each hematopoietic cell lineage.
The role of interleukin-17 during acute rejection after lung transplantation
Authors: Vanaudenaerde B. M. , Dupont L. J. , Wuyts W. A. , Verbeken E. K. , Meyts I. , Bullens D. M. , Dilissen E. , Luyts L. , Van Raemdonck D. E. , Verleden G. M.
Published: April 2006

Acute rejection (AR) is an important complication that can occur after lung transplantation and constitutes a risk factor for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, which is characterised by a neutrophilic airway inflammation. The specific aim of this study was to investigate the role of interleukin (IL)-17, which promotes chemotaxis of neutrophils by inducing IL-8 production, in AR.

Cell differentials, mRNA and protein levels were quantified in bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs) taken from patients at 28 and 90 days after lung transplantation. The patient's rejection status was assessed by transbronchial biopsy.

An AR was found in nine out of the 26 patients examined, 28 days after transplantation. The number of BAL neutrophils and lymphocytes were increased in these patients. IL-17 mRNA and protein levels in the BAL were increased in patients with AR. Analysis of BAL obtained at day 90 after transplantation, demonstrated that the increase in IL-17 had disappeared, whereas the increase in neutrophils and lymphocytes persisted.

These data showed that interleukin-17 is temporarily upregulated in bronchoalveolar lavage during acute rejection. The number of lymphocytes and neutrophils are increased in bronchoalveolar lavage during acute rejection and may persist up to 2 months after acute rejection. These findings suggest that interleukin-17 is important in the pathophysiology of acute lung rejection.
Walking with continuous positive airway pressure: Fig. 1—
Authors: Dieperink W. , Goorhuis J. F. , de Weerd W. , Hazenberg A. , Zijlstra J. G. , Nijsten M. W. N.
Published: April 2006

A ventilator-dependent child had been in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) ever since birth. As a result, she had fallen behind considerably in her development.

After 18 months, continuous positive airway pressure was successfully administeredviaa tracheostomy tube with a novel lightweight device. This enabled her to walk in the PICU. With this device, the child was discharged home where she could walk with an action range of 10 m. Subsequently, her psychomotor development improved remarkably.

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient, adult or paediatric, who could actually walk with a sufficient radius of action while receiving long-term respiratory support.
Incidence of asthma among workers exposed to sulphur dioxide and other irritant gases
Authors: Andersson E. , Knutsson A. , Hagberg S. , Nilsson T. , Karlsson B. , Alfredsson L. , Torén K.
Published: April 2006

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether repeated peak exposure (gassings) to sulphur dioxide (SO2) and other irritant gases increases the risk of new-onset asthma. A questionnaire was sent to 4,112 sulphite workers, of whom 1,919 completed the questionnaire and 396 completed the short-form questionnaire, which was sent out as a last reminder. A sample of 130 nonrespondents completed a telephone interview using the short-form questionnaire.

The incidence of adult-onset, physician-diagnosed asthma during employment duration was analysed in relation to exposure to SO2and gassings giving rise to respiratory symptoms. Incidence rates, as well as incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI), were calculated. Further Cox regression models were used allowing assessment of hazard ratios (HR) stratified for sex and adjusted for atopy, smoking habits and age.

The incidence rate for asthma among sulphite mill workers reporting gassings of SO2was 6.2 out of 1,000 person-yrs, compared with 1.9 out of 1,000 person-yrs among subjects unexposed to SO2and any gassings (HR (95% CI) 4.0 (2.1–7.7)). Among males reporting gassings to SO2, the HR (95% CI) for asthma was 5.8 (2.6–13) compared with unexposed males.

In conclusion, repeated peak exposure to sulphur dioxide increased the incidence of asthma during work in sulphite pulp mills, which supports the hypothesis of irritant-induced asthma.
Interleukin-10 polymorphism in position -1082 and acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Gong M. N. , Thompson B. T. , Williams P. L. , Zhou W. , Wang M. Z. , Pothier L. , Christiani D. C.
Published: April 2006

The GG genotype of the interleukin (IL)-10 promoter polymorphism in position -1082 (-1082GG) has been associated with increased IL-10 production. The current authors hypothesised that the-1082GGgenotype is associated with the development of, and outcomes in, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

A nested case–control study was conducted in 211 Caucasian cases of ARDS and 429 controls who were admitted to an intensive care unit with sepsis, trauma, aspiration or massive transfusions. Cases were followed for organ failure and 60-day mortality.

The-1082GGgenotype was associated with the development of ARDS, but only in the presence of a significant interaction between the-1082GGgenotype and age. Among patients with ARDS, the-1082GGgenotype was associated with decreased severity of illness on admission, lower daily organ dysfunction scores and lower 60-day mortality.

In conclusion, the high interleukin-10-producing-1082GGgenotype may be associated with variable odds for acute respiratory distress syndrome development depending on age. Among those with acute respiratory distress syndrome, the-1082GGgenotype is associated with lower mortality and organ failure. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Genetic association between COPD and polymorphisms in TNF, ADRB2 and EPHX1
Authors: Brøgger J. , Steen V. M. , Eiken H. G. , Gulsvik A. , Bakke P.
Published: April 2006

There is evidence of a hereditary component in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A number of genetic association studies have been performed to find susceptibility genes of COPD.

The current authors performed a case–control, genetic-association study and a meta-analysis of 16 studies, involving seven polymorphisms in three well-studied genes: microsomal epoxide hydroxylase (EPHX1); tumour necrosis factor; and β2-adrenoreceptor. A total of 492 Caucasian smokers and former smokers were recruited from hospital databases and population cohort studies.

In the present study, a protective effect of the EPHX1 Tyr113His polymorphism was found (homozygous odds ratio (OR) 0.5). In the meta-analysis, homozygotes for this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) also had a pooled OR of 0.5. The same effect has been found in several lung cancer studies. Effects for other candidate SNPs were weak or statistically insignificant, and probable genotyping error was common.

In conclusion, the present data and meta-analysis support a role for microsomal epoxide hydroxylase in the aetiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Mixed community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalised patients
Authors: de Roux A. , Ewig S. , García E. , Marcos M. A. , Mensa J. , Lode H. , Torres A.
Published: April 2006

The role of mixed community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence, principal microbial patterns, clinical predictors and course of mixed CAP.

The current study included 1,511 consecutive hospitalised patients with CAP. Of these, 610 (40%) patients had an established aetiology. One pathogen was demonstrated in 528 patients and 82 (13%) patients had mixed pneumonia. Cases including CAP, by a pyogenic bacteria and a complete paired serology for “atypicals”, revealed that 82 (13%) patients had definite single pyogenic pneumonia and 28 patients (5%) had mixed pyogenic pneumonia.

In patients with mixed CAP,Streptococcus pneumoniaewas the most prevalent microorganism (44 out of 82; 54%). The most frequent combination wasS. pneumoniaewithHaemophilus influenzae(17 out of 82; 21%). Influenza virus A andS. pneumoniae(five out of 28; 18%) was the most frequent association in the mixed pyogenic pneumonia group. No clinical predictors for mixed pneumonias could be identified. Patients with mixed pyogenic pneumonia more frequently developed shock when compared with patients with single pyogenic pneumonia (18versus4%).

In conclusion, mixed pneumonia occurs in >10% of cases with community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalisation.