bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Mammalian Circadian System Is Resistant to Dioxin
Authors: Pendergast Julie S. , Yamazaki Shin
Published: April 2012

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that is bound and activated by many toxic ubiquitous environmental contaminants, including the halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD). The AhR belongs to a family of proteins that contain basic helix-loop-helix/Per-ARNT-SIM (bHLH/PAS) domains. The circadian clock protein, BMAL1, is also a bHLH-PAS transcription factor and has been shown to interact with the AhR. AhRs are expressed in nearly every mammalian tissue, including the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), and previous studies have suggested that activation of the AhR with dioxins affects rhythmicity in circadian clocks. In this study, the authors tested the hypothesis that activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor with the potent dioxin, TCDD, alters the organization of the mammalian circadian system by measuring bioluminescence from tissues explanted from PER2::LUCIFERASE mice. They found that in vitro treatment of explanted tissues with TCDD did not alter the periods, amplitudes, or damping rates of the PER2::LUC rhythms compared with controls. Likewise, in vivo treatment with TCDD had no effect on the phase relationship between central and peripheral oscillators. Together, these data demonstrate that activation of the AhR with TCDD does not directly or systemically alter the mouse circadian system.
Sleep Problems, Chronotype, and Diurnal Preferences in Children and Adults with Spina Bifida
Authors: Edelstein Kim , Cirino Paul T. , Hasher Lynn , Fletcher Jack M. , Dennis Maureen
Published: April 2012

Spina bifida meningomyelocele (SBM) is a neural tube defect that involves dysraphism of the spinal cord and extensive reorganization of the brain. The authors assessed the relationship between chronotype, diurnal preferences, and sleep problems in individuals with SBM and healthy controls. Although individuals with SBM showed the characteristic decelerating quadratic relationship between age and chronotype, the curve was displaced, peaking at a younger age in controls compared with SBM (23.4 vs. 29.2 years). Groups did not differ in morningness-eveningness preferences. Individuals with SBM endorsed more sleep problems than controls. Further examination of the relationship between entrainment and sleep in SBM is warranted.
Age Affects Photoentrainment in a Nocturnal Primate
Authors: Gomez Doris , Barbosa Alexandra , Théry Marc , Aujard Fabienne , Perret Martine
Published: April 2012

The endogenous circadian clock is entrained by external cues, mainly the light-dark cycle received by photopigments located in the retina. The authors investigated (1) the effect of aging on the synchronization of the rest-activity rhythm and (2) the physiological basis of light photoreception in the gray mouse lemur, a nocturnal Malagasy primate. Old individuals were tested at different irradiance levels under 3 different light wavelengths previously shown to trigger maximal response in young adults. Investigators analyzed animal activity and temperature waveforms and used 2 reference treatments, strong white light and continuous darkness. The investigation revealed manifold effects of aging picturing a general loss of responsiveness to light and age-related changes in activity and temperature. In addition, the investigation shows that photoentrainment is a continuous process. Short wavelengths (430 nm) are more efficient than longer wavelengths (470-540 nm) at low light levels at dawn and across all light levels at dusk. This suggests an implication of S-cones, differential at dawn and dusk. This results, surprising for several reasons, calls for further investigation. The study brings an interesting contribution to the understanding of the physiological processes underlying synchronization to light.
timeless Is an Essential Component of the Circadian Clock in a Primitive Insect, the Firebrat Thermobia domestica
Authors: Kamae Yuichi , Tomioka Kenji
Published: April 2012

Recent studies show that the timeless ( tim) gene is not an essential component of the circadian clock in some insects. In the present study, we have investigated whether the tim gene was originally involved in the insect clock or acquired as a clock component later during the course of evolution using an apterygote insect, Thermobia domestica. A cDNA of the clock gene tim ( Td’tim) was cloned, and its structural analysis showed that Td’TIM includes 4 defined functional domains, that is, 2 regions for dimerization with PERIOD (PER-1, PER-2), nuclear localization signal (NLS), and cytoplasmic localization domain (CLD), like Drosophila TIM. Td’tim exhibited rhythmic expression in its mRNA levels with a peak during late day to early night in LD, and the rhythm persisted in DD. A single injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of Td’tim (ds tim) into the abdomen of adult firebrats effectively knocked down mRNA levels of Td’tim and abolished its rhythmic expression. Most dsRNA-injected firebrats lost their circadian locomotor rhythm in DD up to 30 days after injection. DsRNA of cycle ( cyc) and Clock genes also abolished the rhythmic expression of Td’tim mRNA by knocking down Td’tim mRNA to its basal level of intact firebrats, suggesting that the underlying molecular clock of firebrats resembles that of Drosophila. Interestingly, however, ds tim also reduced cyc mRNA to its basal level of intact animals and eliminated its rhythmic expression, suggesting the involvement of Td’tim in the regulation of cyc expression. These results suggest that tim is an essential component of the circadian clock of the primitive insect T. domestica; thus, it might have been involved in the clock machinery from a very early stage of insect evolution, but its role might be different from that in Drosophila.
Managing Pet Owners’ Guilt and Grief in Veterinary Euthanasia Encounters
Authors: Morris Patricia
Published: April 2012

Through examining the emotion-laden encounters between veterinarians and bereaved pet owners, this study focuses attention on a group of medical professionals who manage the emotions of their clients in light of opposing contextual goals. While negotiating possible outcomes for animal patients, veterinary emotion work is designed to assuage guilt and grief to facilitate timely and rational decisions. However, after clients make the difficult decision to euthanize their pet, veterinary emotion work is geared toward creating “safe” emotional space for grieving clients. This study illustrates that veterinarians have a growing commitment to comforting the owners of euthanized animals and to validating their feelings of grief, pain, and sorrow. On a broader, theoretical level, this study also applies and extends concepts developed in previous sociological analyses of emotion management and human–animal relationships.
Beyond Good Intentions: The Structural Limitations of NGOs in Haiti
Authors: Edmonds Kevin
Published: April 2012

The catastrophic earthquake which devastated Haiti on 12 January 2010 revealed the deep socio-economic divides which plague the nation. The vivid scenes of trauma led to a massive influx of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on behalf of the goodwill of the global community. However, more than one year later the reconstruction process has been shown to be a very lucrative undertaking for many private organizations. Haiti remains in ruins, with NGOs benefiting from the extreme privatization of the Haitian state, resulting in a patchwork system of services which are unaccountable to the Haitian people. The Interim Haiti Reconstruction Committee, led by Bill Clinton, seeks to entrench the same neoliberal policies which laid the foundation for much of the pre-earthquake poverty and dependency. Such efforts raise serious questions about the legitimacy of the current reconstruction and whether these organizations are committed to help Haiti, or themselves – and what alternatives exist.
Heterogeneity in Depression Symptoms and Health Status Among Older Adults
Authors: Mora Pablo A. , Beamon Teerah , Preuitt LeAnn , DiBonaventura Marco , Leventhal Elaine A. , Leventhal Howard
Published: April 2012

Objectives: We assessed whether distinct classes of depression symptoms could be identified. In addition, we determined how these classes differed in terms of health status. Methods: Data were analyzed with latent profile analysis. MANOVA tests were used to compare the health status of the various classes. Results: A four-class model had the best fit. Classes were labeled according to participants’ responses to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D) items and their overall score: low depression symptoms, high depression symptoms, subthreshold with anhedonia, and subthreshold with anhedonia and negative interpersonal feelings. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses showed that health status differed across classes. Conclusions: The results provide support for the idea that there is heterogeneity in the presentation of depression symptoms among older adults. These data showed that about a third of our sample of older adults reported increased levels of anhedonia and that negative interpersonal feelings were uncommon.
Improving in-orbit responsiveness of low earth orbit sun-synchronous satellites by selection of ground segment location
Authors: Navabi M , Khamseh Hossein Bonyan
Published: April 2012

Responsiveness is a key requirement for spaceborne systems to sustain competitive advantage over non-spaceborne systems. For an operational satellite, in-orbit responsiveness is defined as the agility of the satellite to respond to a given demand. In this article, the average wait time to pick up user demand from the ground segment is adopted as the metric to evaluate the effect of ground segment location on in-orbit responsiveness of low earth orbit sun-synchronous satellites. The average wait time metric depends on the pattern of ground segment access to satellite and also on distribution of user demands. An analytical method is employed to determine pattern of ground segment access to satellite. Distribution of user demands in time domain is modeled by the means of cumulative distribution function concept. Monte Carlo simulations are adopted to capture inherent uncertainty in distribution and total volume of user demands. Based on average wait time metric, ground segment locations which improve in-orbit responsive of satellite are found. In order to show feasibility of our proposed approach, a case study is adopted and improvement of average wait time metric depending on ground segment location is demonstrated. Also, average wait time metric for various ground segment locations is given for illustration.
Embodied Metaphors and Creative “Acts”
Authors: Leung Angela K.-y. , Kim Suntae , Polman Evan , Ong Lay See , Qiu Lin , Goncalo Jack A. , Sanchez-Burks Jeffrey
Published: April 2012

Creativity is a highly sought-after skill. Prescriptive advice for inspiring creativity abounds in the form of metaphors: People are encouraged to “think outside the box,” to consider a problem “on one hand, then on the other hand,” and to “put two and two together” to achieve creative breakthroughs. These metaphors suggest a connection between concrete bodily experiences and creative cognition. Inspired by recent advances in the understanding of body-mind linkages in the research on embodied cognition, we explored whether enacting metaphors for creativity enhances creative problem solving. Our findings from five studies revealed that both physical and psychological embodiment of metaphors for creativity promoted convergent thinking and divergent thinking (i.e., fluency, flexibility, or originality) in problem solving. Going beyond prior research, which focused primarily on the kind of embodiment that primes preexisting knowledge, we provide the first evidence that embodiment can also activate cognitive processes that facilitate the generation of new ideas and connections.
Testosterone Affects Gaze Aversion From Angry Faces Outside of Conscious Awareness
Authors: Terburg David , Aarts Henk , van Honk Jack
Published: April 2012

Throughout vertebrate phylogeny, testosterone has motivated animals to obtain and maintain social dominance—a fact suggesting that unconscious primordial brain mechanisms are involved in social dominance. In humans, however, the prevailing view is that the neocortex is in control of primordial drives, and testosterone is thought to promote social dominance via conscious feelings of superiority, indefatigability, strength, and anger. Here we show that testosterone administration in humans prolongs dominant staring into the eyes of threatening faces that are viewed outside of awareness, without affecting consciously experienced feelings. These findings reveal that testosterone motivates social dominance in humans in much the same ways that it does in other vertebrates: involuntarily, automatically, and unconsciously.
On Near Misses and Completed Tasks
Authors: Sweeny Kate , Vohs Kathleen D.
Published: April 2012

What is the nature and function of relief? Relief has been studied little in psychological science despite its familiarity and pervasiveness. Two studies revealed that relief can result from two distinct situations: the narrow avoidance of an aversive outcome ( near-miss relief) and completion of an onerous or aversive event ( task-completion relief). Study 1 found that recollections of near-miss relief were marked by more downward counterfactual thoughts and greater feelings of social isolation than recollections of task-completion relief. Study 2 experimentally elicited the two types of relief and found mediational evidence that relief following near misses elicits feelings of social isolation via its stimulation of counterfactual thinking. That near-miss relief is characterized by counterfactual thinking suggests that it prompts people to contemplate how to avert similar experiences in the future, whereas task-completion relief may serve to reinforce endurance during difficult tasks.
Identification of novel coding mutation in C1qA gene in an African–American pedigree with lupus and C1q deficiency
Authors: Namjou B , Keddache M , Fletcher D , Dillon S , Kottyan L , Wiley G , Gaffney PM , Wakeland BE , Liang C , Wakeland EK , Scofield RH , Kaufman K , Harley JB
Published: April 2012

Objectives: Homozygous C1q deficiency is an extremely rare condition and strongly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. To assess and characterize C1q deficiency in an African-American lupus pedigree, C1q genomic region was evaluated in the lupus cases and family members. Methods: Genomic DNA from patient was obtained and C1q A, B and C gene cluster was sequenced using next generation sequencing method. The identified mutation was further confirmed by direct Sanger sequencing method in the patient and all blood relatives. C1q levels in serum were measured using sandwich ELISA method. Results: In an African-American patient with lupus and C1q deficiency, we identified and confirmed a novel homozygote start codon mutation in C1qA gene that changes amino acid methionine to arginine at position 1. The Met1Arg mutation prevents protein translation (Met1Arg). Mutation analyses of the patient’s family members also revealed the Met1Arg homozygote mutation in her deceased brother who also had lupus with absence of total complement activity consistent with a recessive pattern of inheritance. Conclusion: The identification of new mutation in C1qA gene that disrupts the start codon (ATG to AGG (Met1Arg)) has not been reported previously and it expands the knowledge and importance of the C1q gene in the pathogenesis of lupus especially in the high-risk African-American population.
BISFT – A Tribute
Authors: Boyce-Tillman June
Published: April 2012

This article describes the dilemmas posed in my life by a conflict between the role models offered to educated women in the 1950s and 1960s and those offered by the surrounding culture. The absence of feminism in the education system and the separation from other women by constructs of the family and motherhood resulted in mental illness. The role of mental health services in reinforcing the surrounding culture is explored and tributes paid to the Britain and Ireland School of Feminist Theology (BISFT) and other feminist theology groups for helping me to find a way out of the imprisoning power of patriarchy through my creativity, especially in the area of hymn writing and performance.
Feminist Theology Now
Authors: Rafferty Agnes
Published: April 2012

In light of the development of Feminist Theology that has presented an expanded view of some of its foundational concerns including the concept of ‘woman’ and ‘experience’ this article considers the relevance of Feminist Theology at the present time. Feminist Theology is placed both within the context of women’s stories as indicative of its viability and within the new areas of scientific knowledge that are highlighting interdependence and relationality as essential elements for the growth of humanity. This suggests that the initial concerns of Feminist Theology are not only still valid but essential elements in any future reflection on the divine/human relationship.
Why Women, Men and Other Living Things Still Need the Goddess: Remembering and Reflecting 35 Years Later
Authors: Christ Carol P.
Published: April 2012

Carol P. Christ reflects on her influential essay ‘Why Women Need the Goddess,’ responding to misinterpretations and arguing that women, men, and other living things still need the symbol of Goddess. As long as ‘Goddess’ and ‘God-She,’ like the word ‘feminist’ are controversial, we still have a long way to go before we as a culture can fully accept female power as a beneficent and independent power.
Girls, the Divine and the Prime Time
Authors: Paule Michele
Published: April 2012

Drawn from a larger research project exploring discourses of ability and gender, this paper identifies a narrative theme, ‘Girls Find God’, emerging both from teen-orientated television dramas and as a topic of discussion among participants in an online forum, www.smartgirls.tv . It considers the relationship between teens and the media, and the implications for the development of cultural identities and practices.

Identifying some key tenets of television dramas which have a girl’s connection with the supernatural at their core, and exploring reflections of on-line forum participants, I argue that the ‘Girls Find God’ narrative goes beyond a simple reinforcement of some historically inscribed relationships between divinity, gender and genius. While it is true that connectedness and service are maintained as the inevitable direction of girls’ talents and reinforced by a divine authority, this narrative also provides a locus for negotiation of what such hegemonic inscriptions might mean in contemporary contexts for girls.
Intelligent Island to Biopolis: Smart Minds, Sick Bodies and Millennial Turns in Singapore
Authors: Clancey Gregory
Published: April 2012

This essay tells a cultural and political history of biomedicine in Singapore. It takes as its starting point the ‘Intelligent Island’ discourse of the 1990s. It argues not for continuity but dissonance between the two projects, while embedding them in local as well as global cultural politics. Singapore’s adaptation of biomedicine was more than an economic decision, and has had more than economic consequences.
The Lab, the Clinic, and the Image: Working on Translational Research in Singapore’s Eye Care Realm
Authors: Coopmans* Catelijne , Graham** Connor , Hamzah*** Haslina
Published: April 2012

Since the turn of the millennium, Singapore has made significant investments in its biomedical research sector, with in recent years an increasing emphasis on efforts to ‘translate’ the fruits of research into clinical applications. In this paper, we investigate how translational research trajectories are built in present-day Singapore, through a case study pertaining to the use of retinal photography for disease screening. The circulation of such images in the context of a tele-ophthalmology pilot service designed to support the early detection of eye disease related to diabetes, helps attune research to clinical practice and vice versa, in ways that open possibilities for future medical innovation. Our case study points to an inversion of the typical characterization of translational research as a process that begins at the ‘bench’ and then moves downstream (to the ‘bed’) in a linear fashion. It also illuminates certain distinctive features of the current biomedical innovation landscape in the city-state that may provide insights for other countries embarking on medical research.
Bios, Polis and the Autoimmune
Authors: Phillips* John W.P.
Published: April 2012

Discourses about immunological structure have been historically productive in both the biological sciences and in political theory. In this article I argue that a deeper historical structure underlies both kinds of discourse and I attempt to draw some implications from this in relation to the current state of biomedical research in Singapore. Taking the establishment of Singapore’s dedicated biomedical research institution, Biopolis, as a starting point, the article raises several questions: the first concerns the role of biomedical research in Singapore in relation to its larger political economy; the second concerns the relationship between Asian bioscience in relation to international trends; the third concerns the deeper historical structures that, as I will argue, underlie the contemporary situation. After discussing the role of Biopolis in Singapore I outline some theoretical considerations towards an understanding of the kinds of immunological structure that characterize the relations discussed in the first part. I argue that the structure of relations might be understood as auto-immunological (or self-immunizing) and in making the case I draw selectively on disparate fields: mathematics, biology and philosophy.
Nanotechnology as Ideology: Towards a Critical Theory of ‘Converging Technologies’
Authors: Gelfert* Axel
Published: April 2012

The present paper contributes to a growing body of philosophical, sociological, and historical analyses of recent nanoscale science and technology. Through a close examination of the origins of contemporary nanotech efforts, their ambitions, and strategic uses, it also aims to provide the basis for a critical theory of emerging technologies more generally, in particular in relation to their alleged convergence in terms of goals and outcomes. The emergence, allure, and implications of nanotechnology, it is argued, can only be fully appreciated if one looks beyond its immediate technical and scientific payoffs to its infrastructural and ideological aspects. While nanotechnology aims to reshape the world ‘atom by atom’, its most tangible result so far has been the profound effect it has had on the organization of science-at-large, not least as the result of a thorough reshaping of the ‘soft’ funding infrastructure that places significant constraints on the pursuit of long-term scientific research programmes. The paper concludes by noting a persistent, and perhaps deepening, gap between the utopian visions of some of nanotechnology’s most vocal proponents and the realities of contemporary nanotechnological practice, which continue to be marked by global inequities.
The Paradox of Modernity in Turkey
Authors: Hürsoy Siret
Published: April 2012

The central argument of this article is that the strong state-centred tradition of Turkey has recently gone out of fashion. The breakdown of authoritarianism and state-centred approach and moving into a successful democratic consolidation and society-centred approach in Turkey requires choices to be made and alliances to be formed among intellectual-bureaucratic elite, the military, political parties, trade unions, other interest groups and various types of societal organisations. One of the most important difficulties for consolidating democracy in Turkey has been the complexity of creating stable, viable, accountable, responsive, predictable, representative, transparent, efficient and problem-solving oriented legitimate institutions where all citizens, regardless of ethnic origin or religious orientation, have a voice and enabling representation in such bureaucratic organs that altogether make-up the institution of state. This article will assert that the forces of democratic transition from a state-centred approach to a society-centred approach in Turkey are based on resolving the two main potentially difficult problems that are related with constant questioning of the legitimacy and democratic consolidation of the state apparatus: ethnic and religious paradoxes.
The Influence and Implications of Chinese Culture in the Decision to Undertake Cross-Border Higher Education
Authors: Bodycott Peter , Lai Ada
Published: April 2012

Little is known about how a family in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) makes decisions on cross-border study. International marketers and managers in higher education turn to research based on Chinese student preferences. However, such research ignores cultural traditions steeped in Confucian ideals of family and the subsequent roles and influence of parents. Using surveys and interviews with Chinese students our findings indicate that despite exponential financial and social development in contemporary Chinese society, traditional Confucian values are still largely upheld by parents. The influence of these parents extends beyond initial decision making and impacts on the student’s social and academic well-being. To effectively market, manage and provide academic and welfare support for Chinese students studying across borders requires host universities to develop strategies that acknowledge and demonstrate respect for cultural traditions, parental perspectives and related ongoing influences.
“Brits Abroad”
Authors: Bartram Brendan
Published: April 2012

In the context of international growth in higher education exchanges and recent expansion in U.K. mobility rates after a period of some decline, this article examines the perspectives of U.K. students who have decided to spend part of their degree at universities abroad. Based on an analysis of data generated by a cross-institutional survey of “credit-mobile” U.K. students, the article explores their views, evaluations, and priorities with regard to one particular aspect of the study abroad experience—student support. The findings reveal a blend of academic, practical, and socioemotional needs, alongside a predominant reliance on self-direction and proactive social participation as strategies for addressing them. Finally, a number of recommendations for home and host institutional practice and student preparation—in the United Kingdom and other (English-speaking) countries—are considered.
Respect, Protection, Faith, and Love
Authors: Morris Edith J.
Published: April 2012

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to discover universal and diverse care meanings and expressions of the selected urban African American adolescent gang culture within a qualitative paradigm.

Design:

The study was conducted using ethnonursing research methodology and was guided by Leininger’s theory of culture care. Thirteen key participants and 28 general participants were selected from a school setting in a Midwestern city. Data were collected and analyzed over a 12-month period, in which the researcher participated daily in school and extracurricular activities of the gang members. Leininger’s Data Analysis Guide included collection of raw data and maintenance of a field journal, coding and examining of the data for behavioral patterns and structural meanings, and finally formulation of major themes.

Findings:

Culture care constructs that emerged from the major themes were respect, being listened to/accepted, worthiness, concern for others, protection, surveillance, trust, and faith.

Conclusions:

Nurses may promote health and well-being through collaborative partnerships with gang members and working with other caregivers to encourage more healthy lifestyles. Nurses should assume a leadership role in restructuring health policy that would give equal voice to underprivileged members of American society.
European Higher Health Care Education Curriculum
Authors: Koskinen Liisa , Kelly Hélène Taylor , Bergknut Eva , Lundberg Pranee , Muir Nita , Olt Helen , Richardson Eileen , Sairanen Raija , De Vlieger Lily
Published: April 2012

This article concerns the European Curriculum in Cultural Care Project (2005-2009), which aimed at developing a curriculum framework for the enhancement of cultural competence in European health care education. The project was initiated and supported by the Consortium of Institutes in Higher Education in Health and Rehabilitation, whose goal is to nurture educational development and networking among member institutions. The framework is the result of a collaborative endeavor by nine nurse educators from five different European countries. The production of the framework will be described in accordance with the following tenets: developing cultural competence is a continuing process, cultural competence is based on sensitivity toward others, and cultural competence is a process of progressive inquiry. Critique concerning the framework will be presented.
Development of Scales to Assess Patients’ Perception of Physicians’ Cultural Competence in Health Care Interactions
Authors: Ahmed Rukhsana , Bates Benjamin R.
Published: April 2012

This study describes the development of scales to measure patients’ perception of physicians’ cultural competence in health care interactions and thus contributes to promoting awareness of physician–patient intercultural interaction processes. Surveys were administrated to a total of 682 participants. Exploratory factor analyses were employed to assess emergent scales and subscales to develop reliable instruments. The first two phases were devoted to formative research and pilot study. The third phase was devoted to scale development, which resulted in a five-factor solution to measure patient perception of physicians’ cultural competence for patient satisfaction.
Strategies to Develop Students’ Conceptual Understanding and Singing Accuracy of Pitch
Authors: Reifinger James L.
Published: April 2012

Students’ skill development in the production and discrimination of music pitches is a goal for most music education programs. The development of these skills can begin with students’ earliest music experiences. Music activities addressing pitch should be structured and sequenced in ways that are most effective in helping students develop conceptual understanding as well as performance ability. These activities can also help prepare students for future achievement with more advanced pitch skills. To facilitate learning, teachers should incorporate a variety of activities and techniques, such as singing with a neutral syllable, singing individually, using visual and kinesthetic aids, using classroom instruments, selecting repertoire judiciously, and using effective questioning techniques that lead students to cognitively attend to and discover characteristics of musical pitches.
Cross-Cultural Adaptation of an Intimate Partner Violence Questionnaire
Authors: Sundborg Eva , Törnkvist Lena , Wändell Per , Saleh-Stattin Nouha
Published: April 2012

The aim of this study was to describe the translation and the cross-cultural adaptation process of questionnaire about intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV is a serious threat to women’s health. There is a need for instruments to measure the results of educational interventions. The Violence Against Women Health Care Provider Survey was found suitable for translation and adaptation to the Swedish cultural context. A five-step process according to Guillemin et al. was followed: (a) translation by independent translators, (b) back translation of each translation independently from each other, (c) committee review with multidisciplinary members produces the final version, and (d) pretesting to ensure equivalence between source and final version, and (e) weighting scores. The Swedish version consisted of the same number of items as the original. The results indicated that the questionnaire can be used in Sweden to measure the effectiveness of IPV training programs.
Practices and Procedures to Prevent the Transmission of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in High School Athletes
Authors: Fritz Stephanie A. , Long Marcus , Gaebelein Claude J. , Martin Madeline S. , Hogan Patrick G. , Yetter John
Published: April 2012

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are frequent in student athletes and are often caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). We evaluated the awareness of CA-MRSA among high school coaches and athletic directors in Missouri ( n = 4,408) and evaluated hygiene practices affecting SSTI transmission. Of 1,642 (37%) respondents, 61% received MRSA educational information during the past year and 32% indicated their school had written guidelines for managing SSTIs in athletes. Coaches and athletic directors aware of written guidelines reported a lower incidence of SSTIs in student athletes (26%) compared to those without written policies (34%, p = .03). When confronted with SSTIs, 49% of respondents referred student athletes to the school nurse or a physician. A relationship exists between school policies for SSTI management and lower incidence of SSTIs. Educational initiatives by school nurses in conjunction with athletic staff may lead to practices that limit SSTIs in this at-risk population.
Sleep and Television and Computer Habits of Swedish School-Age Children
Authors: Garmy Pernilla , Nyberg Per , Jakobsson Ulf
Published: April 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate sleep, television and computer habits and enjoyment and feelings of tiredness in school of school-age children and adolescents in Sweden. An instrument found to be valid and reliable here was distributed to 3,011 children aged 6, 7, 10, 14, and 16 years. Those sleeping less than the median length of time reported a significantly lower degree of enjoyment of school. Short sleep was found to be associated with having a bedroom TV, spending more than 2 hr a day at the TV or the computer, being tired in school, and having difficulties both in waking up and in sleeping. Discussing sleep and media habits with schoolchildren and their parents regarding matters of optimal sleep and of how media habits affect sleep and learning is seen to be an important task of the school health service.
Family Influences on Adolescents’ Birth Control and Condom Use, Likelihood of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Authors: Kao Tsui-Sui Annie , Manczak Melissa
Published: April 2012

This study explored the relationships among personal factors, family structure and family function, adolescents’ self-efficacy for safe sex, and sexual behaviors among sexually active adolescents. A subset sample from the first three waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) was selected for this exploratory secondary data analysis. Hierarchal and logistic regressions were conducted to explore the relationships among personal factors, family factors, and adolescents’ self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STI) over time. Findings suggest that adolescents’ racial/ethnic background, parents’ disapproving attitudes, and family connectedness are significant predictors for birth control and condom use among adolescents. Although adolescents’ personal factor and family structure play a role in their sexual behavior, positive family function significantly protects adolescents from STIs over time. School nurses can provide a vital point of care for at-risk adolescents by finding ways to encourage and incorporate parental and familial influences.
Associating Parental to Child Psychological Symptoms
Authors: Fanti Kostas A. , Panayiotou Georgia , Fanti Savvas
Published: April 2012

The current study investigated the longitudinal transactional association among paternal and maternal depressive symptoms and child internalizing and externalizing difficulties. Data were collected on preschool- to adolescent-age youth via a total of six assessments. The sample (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [NICHD] Study of Early Child Care) consisted of 1,098 biological mothers and 770 biological fathers. The findings suggest that boys were at lower risk for exhibiting internalizing problems across time and girls were less likely to exhibit externalizing problems. Compared with fathers, mothers reported higher levels of depressive symptoms. The Autoregressive Latent Trajectory models provided evidence for parental and child effects across time, which emphasizes the dynamic association among parental and child psychological symptoms. Differences in the timing of effects were also identified. Transactional associations among maternal and paternal depressive symptoms and child problem behaviors and emotions were identified during the transition from toddlerhood to school age and during adolescence. Finally, gender differences were evident in the transactional associations between parental and child psychological symptoms.
Health Care Providers Style May Impact Acceptance of Telemonitoring
Authors: Pecina Jennifer L. , Vickers Kristin S. , Finnie Dawn M. , Hathaway Julie C. , Takahashi Paul Y. , Hanson Gregory J.
Published: April 2012

Health care provider’s acceptance of telemonitoring is pivotal for implementation. The aim of this study was to determine provider’s feelings about telemonitoring using a qualitative method. In regard to method, we interviewed physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses to explore their attitudes toward telemonitoring. Thematic and content analysis strategies were used to identify core concepts and develop categories for coding interview data. Results reveal that providers view telemonitoring as most appropriate for specific types of patients, especially older patients with chronic medical conditions. Telemonitoring offers reassurance to patients and providers. Some providers expressed concerns about excessive information that at times may not be clinically useful. In conclusion, home telemonitoring provides reassurance to patients and health care providers. Taking provider preferences into consideration when implementing telemonitoring may improve provider acceptance of this form of care.
Effects on Postoperative Salivary Cortisol of Relaxation/Music and Patient Teaching About Pain Management
Authors: Good Marion , Albert Jeffrey M. , Arafah Baha , Anderson Gene Cranston , Wotman Stephen , (deceased) DDS , Cong Xiaomei , Lane Deforia , Ahn Sukhee
Published: April 2012

The physiological and psychological stress of surgery and postoperative pain can leave patients more susceptible to infection and complications. The present study was designed to determine whether two interventions, patient teaching (PT) for pain management and relaxation/music (RM), reduced cortisol levels, an indicator of stress, following abdominal surgery. Patients (18–75 years) were randomly assigned to receive PT, RM, a combination of the two, or usual care; the 205 patients with both pre- and posttest cortisol values were analyzed. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to compare groups for PT effects and RM effects. Stress was measured by salivary cortisol before and after 20-min tests of the interventions in the morning and afternoon of postoperative Day 2. Saliva was stimulated with lemon juice and analyzed with high-sensitivity salivary cortisol enzyme immunoassay. Comparisons using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for baseline levels, showed no PT effect or RM effect on cortisol in the morning or afternoon. Post hoc ANCOVA showed no significant effects when intervention groups were compared to the control group. Although in previous studies, RM reduced pain and music reduced cortisol on Day 1, in the present study the cortisol response to surgery was not attenuated by PT or RM on Day 2. The RM intervention can be used for pain but needs to be further tested for effects on plasma cortisol in abdominal surgery patients on their first postoperative day.
Stress, Cortisol, and Nighttime Blood Pressure Dipping in Nonhypertensive Black American Women
Authors: Barksdale Debra J. , Woods-Giscombé Cheryl , Logan Jeongok G.
Published: April 2012

Black American women have among the highest hypertension (HTN) rates in the world. Research suggests that nighttime might be a critical period of vulnerability for the development of HTN in Blacks. In the present study, personal factors (age, body fat, income, family history), psychological factors (stress, emotions, and John Henryism), and physiological factors (salivary cortisol and blood pressure [BP]) were explored in 30 Black women, ages 26–51 years. Data were collected in participants' homes. BP was monitored while participants were awake and asleep. Cortisol samples were obtained within the first hour after awakening. The usual pattern for BP is a drop or dipping of 10–20% during sleep; however, the BP for about a third of the subjects did not dip adequately during sleep. Though not statistically significant, this nondipping was clinically relevant and was associated with positive family history of HTN, more stress, lower positive and higher negative affect scores, and higher early morning cortisol levels. These findings add to the HTN risk profile and support the need to further explore the relationship between nondipping nighttime BP and cardiovascular disease in Black women.
Sleep Quality in Nurses
Authors: Niu Shu-Fen , Chu Hsin , Chung Min-Huey , Lin Chun-Chieh , Chang Yu-Shiun , Chou Kuei-Ru
Published: April 2012

The study investigated the number of days off nurses working night shifts need to recover their sleep quality to the level of daytime workers during their days off. This study included 30 day-shift nurses and 32 night-shift nurses. It was conducted as a randomized clinical trial in the medical and surgical wards of a medical center in northern Taiwan in May and June 2010 using sleep diaries and sleep parameters collected by actigraphy on different workdays and days off. On workdays, the night-shift group had significantly less total sleep time (TST) on Day 5 and significantly lower sleep efficiency (SE) on Day 3 than the day-shift group. TSTs of the two groups on days off were higher than those on workdays. On the 4th consecutive day off, higher TST, a decrease in WASO, and an increase in SE suggests that the night-shift group had recovered their sleep quality to the level of the day-shift group on their days off. The SE of the night-shift group exceeded that of the day-shift group after the 4th consecutive day off, though the difference was not statistically significant in the present study. Based on these data, it is recommended that night-shift workers arrange a period of at least 4 days off after 5 consecutive night shifts and at least 5 days off if the staff who have previously worked night shifts are being assigned a set of different shifts.
Leadership of learning and reflective practice: An exploratory study of nursing managers
Authors: Matsuo Makoto
Published: April 2012

Although the role of leadership has been emphasized in facilitating learning in the workplace, there is limited systematic research directly linked to leadership and learning. This study investigated the characteristics of leadership behaviors that facilitate workplace learning, using data from a survey of 228 nursing managers in 22 hospitals. Results of structural equation modeling indicate that encouraging reflective practice plays a central role in enhancing workplace learning, and reflective practice was facilitated by clarifying the mission of the unit and promoting role modeling. The findings suggest that reflective practice combined with goal setting and social learning promotes workplace learning. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
The risk of fracture in incident multiple sclerosis patients: The Danish National Health Registers
Authors: Bazelier Marloes T , Bentzen Joan , Vestergaard Peter , Stenager Egon , Leufkens Hubert GM , van Staa Tjeerd-Pieter , de Vries Frank
Published: April 2012

Background:

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may be at increased risk of fractures owing to osteoporosis and falling.

Objective:

To evaluate the risk of fracture in incident MS patients drawn from a dedicated MS registry compared with population-based controls.

Methods:

We conducted a population-based cohort study (1996–2007) utilising the Danish National Health Registers that were linked to the Danish MS Registry and the Danish MS Treatment Registry. Incident MS patients (2963 cases) were 1:6 matched by year of birth, gender, calendar time and region to persons without MS (controls). Cox proportional hazards models and logistic regression were used to estimate the risk of fracture in MS. Time-dependent adjustments were made for age, history of diseases and drug use.

Results:

Compared with controls, patients with MS had no overall increased risk of fracture (adjusted hazard ratio (adj. HR): 1.0, 95% CI: 0.9–1.2). However, the risk of femur/hip fracture (adj. HR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1–3.4) was significantly increased compared to controls. As compared with unexposed patients, MS patients who had been exposed to a short course of methylprednisolone in the prior year had no significantly increased risk of osteoporotic fracture (adj. HR: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.5–2.9). Disabled MS patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] scores between 6 and 10, had a 2.6-fold increased risk of osteoporotic fracture (adjusted odds ratio (adj. OR): 2.6, 95% CI: 1.0–6.6) compared to patients with an EDSS score between 0 and 3.

Conclusion:

Patients with MS had a higher risk of femur/hip fracture than controls. Disability status is probably more important than glucocorticoid use in the aetiology of MS and osteoporotic fracture.
Examining the Validity of a Juvenile Offending Risk Assessment Instrument Across Gender and Race/Ethnicity
Authors: Baglivio Michael T. , Jackowski Katherine
Published: April 2012

Analysis of predictive validity of the risk/needs assessment used by a criminal justice agency is paramount. The validity of the Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT) across gender/race/ethnicity in a juvenile sample was examined. Results demonstrate recidivism increases as PACT score increases, with minor exceptions. Findings suggest similar prediction of referral/arrest and adjudication/conviction across subgroups. 95% confidence intervals overlapped for all subgroups on 13 of 19 measures examined. However, which factors predict recidivism across subgroups differ. Criminal history was the most prevalent predictor, while no factor predicted White female offending. “Gender-responsive” item inclusion measuring abusive/traumatic circumstances did not improve prediction.