bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability and validity of a shorter Chinese version for Ryff’s psychological well-being scale
Authors: Li Ren-Hau 
Published: June 2014

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a new and shorter Chinese version of Ryff’s psychological well-being scale. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: In recent years there have been several versions of this scale, including 84-item, 54-item and 18-item versions. Researchers in different countries have built on Ryff’s version to create their own versions in various languages. However, most versions have not yielded improved confirmatory factor analysis results. Shorter versions of the scale in the past were also less reliable in terms of internal consistency. Method: This study used a sample of 820 middle-aged and older people from Taiwan with an average age of 59.8 years. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to select items for inclusion. Results: After item selection, a new version of 18 items based on Ryff’s 84-item version was established with improved confirmatory factor analysis validity and reliability. The results for this 18-item version indicated that factor loadings were at least .60, and the reliability alpha coefficients were 0.92 and 0.60–0.75 for its six subscales. Additionally, a significant correlation with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)-15 and quality of life criteria indicate very acceptable criterion-related validities. Conclusion: The 18-item Chinese version does not include any reversely worded items after the item selection processes, thus reducing method artefacts. It also exhibited very acceptable confirmatory factor analysis results.
The physically active lifestyle of Flemish secondary school teachers: A mixed-methods approach towards developing a physical activity intervention
Authors: Bogaert Inge , De Martelaer Kristine , Deforche Benedicte , Clarys Peter , Zinzen Evert 
Published: June 2014

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to describe and analyse the physical activity and sedentary levels of secondary school teachers in Flanders. A secondary aim was to collect information regarding a possible worksite intervention of special relevance to secondary school teachers. Design: Mixed-methods quantitative and qualitative enquiry. Setting: Secondary school teachers in Flanders. Method: An online survey was conducted consisting of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, demographic information and teaching aspects. Additionally, four focus groups ( n = 27) took place. Results: Respondents reported an average of 137.2 ± 96.8 minutes/day of physical activity and an average sitting time of 4.6 ± 4.2 hours/day. Overall, 66% of Flemish teachers met the physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a week. Lower levels of activity were more prevalent among female teachers, teachers working in technical and general education and those teaching theoretical courses. In focus group discussions, two types of barriers were identified influencing teachers’ physical activity at school: organisational barriers such as planning and lack of accommodation, and individual barriers such as having other responsibilities. Conclusions: Interventions can be developed to target less active teachers. However, a classic worksite physical activity intervention during working hours is not suitable for most teachers. Promoting leisure-time activity and active commuting are more fitting components of an intervention for this target group. Actions at school should be achievable and unforced, supporting teachers’ development of physical literacy.
Mental health stigma and attitudes to psychiatry among Bangladeshi medical students
Authors: Giasuddin Noor Ahmed , Levav Itzhak , Gal Gilad 
Published: June 2014

Background: The shortage of specialized human resources in mental health in Bangladesh requires active recruitment of psychiatric residents. In addition, the involvement of positively inclined health personnel, for example, medical doctors, emerges as an immediate priority. Aim: To explore stigma among medical students toward persons with mental disorders (PMDs) and their attitudes toward psychiatry. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Faridpur Medical College in Bangladesh before (First year) and following psychiatric rotation (Fifth year). Students ( N = 200) filled anonymous questionnaires measuring stigma toward PMDs and attitudes to psychiatry. Results: Upper medical school year ( p = .028), older age ( p = .005), mother’s lower academic level ( p = .043), upper and lower socioeconomic level affiliation ( p = .008) and self-consultation for mental or neurological complaints ( p = .032) were associated with increased stigma toward PMDs. More favorable attitudes toward psychiatry were found in upper medical school year ( p = .073) and were significantly associated with female gender ( p = .018) and middle socioeconomic level affiliation ( p = .013). Conclusion: The relative improvement in attitudes toward psychiatry in the upper medical school year is overshadowed by the increased stigma toward PMDs. Specific anti-stigma program in the curriculum and strategies to improve the attitudes are required.
Computed tomographic versus catheterization angiography in tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Garg Naveen , Walia Rohit , Neyaz Zafar , Kumar Sunil 
Published: June 2014

Aim To compare multidetector computed tomographic angiography with the gold standard cardiac catheterization and angiography in tetralogy of Fallot. Methods In 40 consecutive patients over 5 years of age with tetralogy of Fallot, multidetector computed tomographic angiography and catheterization angiography studies were compared for intracardiac anatomy, pulmonary anatomy and indices, coronaries and collaterals. Safety parameters, relative advantages and limitations were also analyzed. Results All catheterization studies required hospitalization whereas all tomographic studies were performed as outpatient procedures. The need for sedation and amount of contrast used were significantly greater in catheterization than in tomographic studies. Complications noted during catheterization were access site complications in 4 patients, cyanotic spells in 2, transient complete heart block requiring temporary pacing in 2, and air embolism in one. No complication was observed during tomographic studies. All tomographic studies were adequate, but 2 catheterization studies were inadequate. Ventricular septal defects, aortic override, level of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and pulmonary artery anatomy were equally assessed by both imaging modalities. However, tomographic studies missed additional small muscular ventricular septal defects. There was a linear correlation between tomographic and catheterization studies for pulmonary annulus size, artery sizes, Z-score, and Nakata index. There was complete concordance with respect to side of aortic arch and detection of collaterals. Coronary anatomy was better delineated in tomographic studies. Conclusions For preoperative evaluation of tetralogy of Fallot patients, multidetector computed tomographic angiography can be used as a reliable noninvasive alternative to cardiac catheterization angiography.
A study to evaluate patterns of superficial venous reflux in patients with primary chronic venous disease
Authors: Qureshi Mahim I , Gohel Manj , Wing Louise , MacDonald Andrew , Lim Chung S , Ellis Mary , Franklin Ian J , Davies Alun H 
Published: June 2014

Objective This study assessed patterns of superficial reflux in patients with primary chronic venous disease. Methods Retrospective review of all patient venous duplex ultrasonography reports at one institution between 2000 and 2009. Legs with secondary, deep or no superficial reflux were excluded. Results In total, 8654 limbs were scanned; 2559 legs from 2053 patients (mean age 52.3 years) were included for analysis. Great saphenous vein reflux predominated (68%), followed by combined great saphenous vein/small saphenous vein reflux (20%) and small saphenous vein reflux (7%). The majority of legs with competent saphenofemoral junction had below-knee great saphenous vein reflux (53%); incompetent saphenofemoral junction was associated with combined above and below-knee great saphenous vein reflux (72%). Isolated small saphenous vein reflux was associated with saphenopopliteal junction incompetence (61%), although the majority of all small saphenous vein reflux limbs had a competent saphenopopliteal junction (57%). Conclusion Superficial venous reflux does not necessarily originate from a saphenous junction. Large prospective studies with interval duplex ultrasonography are required to unravel the natural history of primary chronic venous disease.
A pilot study investigating the effect of a patient-held pain assessment tool in palliative care outpatients attending a rural Kenyan hospital
Authors: Besley Charlie , Kariuki Hellen , Fallon Marie 
Published: June 2014

Background: Pain is a frequent and distressing symptom in palliative care patients worldwide. Careful assessment is the first vital step to relieve this suffering. Assessment tools form a useful adjunct to pain management, but whether they make a difference to the patient is not known. Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the use of a patient-held pain assessment tool can make a difference in patient’s pain control. Setting and Participants: AIC Kijabe Hospital, Kenya, has had a nurse-led Palliative Care Service since 2002, with an annual case-load of around 600 patients. Study participants were recruited from among adult palliative care patients attending the Outpatient Department. Design: A quantitative experimental study methodology was employed. In the pre-intervention phase, pain was assessed at study entry and at 2 weeks, following ‘standard’ care at home; 49 patients were recruited for this phase. In the intervention phase, pain assessments were made at entry, with follow-up assessment after introduction to a patient-held pain assessment tool taken home by each patient; 50 patients were recruited for this phase. Analysis involved a comparison of baseline and 2-week pain scores between the two groups. Results: The results demonstrated that the use of a patient-held pain assessment tool led to an increase in the number of patients reaching satisfactory pain relief, from 30% in the pre-intervention group, to 69% in the intervention group. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that a simple pain assessment tool, when linked to some action, may help achieve better analgesia.
Return to Play After Partial Lateral Meniscectomy in National Football League Athletes
Authors: Aune Kyle T. , Andrews James R. , Dugas Jeffrey R. , Cain E. Lyle 
Published: June 2014

Background: Lateral meniscal injury is a common and possibly career-threatening injury among players in the National Football League (NFL). The rate of return to play (RTP) and factors that affect RTP after lateral meniscal injury in NFL players are currently not defined. Purpose: The aims of this study were to determine the rate of RTP to regular-season NFL game play of NFL players after arthroscopic partial lateral meniscectomy and to identify factors that can predict the ability to return to play. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Seventy-two patients undergoing 77 arthroscopic lateral partial meniscectomies were followed to determine the rate of RTP (defined as successful RTP in at least 1 regular-season NFL game after meniscectomy) and factors predicting players’ ability to return to play. Perioperative variables were recorded using retrospective chart review. Players’ heights and weights, dates of return, draft rounds, and counts of games, starts, and seasons both before and after meniscectomy were all collected from statistical databases maintained by the NFL. Chi-square and Student t tests were performed to assess differences among covariates with respect to an athlete’s ability to return to play, and odds ratios were calculated as appropriate. All percentages were calculated as percent of total procedures performed (n = 77). Results: Of the 77 partial lateral meniscectomies performed, 61% (n = 47) resulted in the athlete returning to play at his previous level of competition with an average length of time to RTP of 8.5 months; 19 (40%) of those who returned were still active in the NFL at the time of follow-up. Age at time of surgery, games and seasons played before surgery, and individual position were not significantly different between those who did and did not return to play. Undergoing a concomitant procedure did not affect an athlete’s ability to return to play, nor did concurrent arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction affect a player’s likelihood to return to play. Players drafted in the first 4 rounds of the NFL draft were 3.7 times more likely to return to play than players drafted after the fourth round, and players who started more than 46.2% of their games played (the mean value for this population) were 2.8 times more likely to return to play. Speed-position players (running backs, receivers, linebackers, and defensive backs) were 4.0 times less likely to return to play than non–speed position players (linemen and tight ends). Conclusion: The majority of NFL players undergoing arthroscopic lateral meniscectomy are able to return to play. Players selected earlier in the NFL draft and who are listed as starters in more of their games are more likely to return to play, as are linemen and tight ends. It is significantly more difficult for running backs, receivers, linebackers, and defensive backs to return to play.
A new magnetic nanocapsule containing 5-fluorouracil: In vivo drug release, anti-tumor, and pro-apoptotic effects on CT26 cells allograft model
Authors: Shakeri-Zadeh Ali , Shiran Mohammad-Bagher , Khoee Sepideh , Sharifi Ali Mohammad , Ghaznavi Habib , Khoei Samideh 
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this study was to create an optimized method for preparation of 5-fluorouracil-loaded magnetic poly lactic- co-glycolic acid nanocapsules and to investigate its potential as multifunctional carriers to deliver therapeutic agents for tumor-targeted therapies. The in vitro release of the newly synthesized 5-fluorouracil-loaded poly lactic- co-glycolic acid magnetic nanocapsules was investigated in phosphate-buffered saline medium using the dialysis method. In vivo release studies of the magnetic nanocapsules were performed in rabbits. Finally, the targeting properties, anti-tumor, and pro-apoptotic effects of this new magnetic nanocapsule on CT26 cells allograft model were studied. The effective diameter of nanocapsules was 67.2 nm. In vivo release investigations showed that 5-fluorouracil has a sustained release profile, prolonged lifetime in the rabbit plasma, and increased tissue appetency when loaded into the magnetic nanocapsule. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that the magnetic nanocapsules were successfully targeted to the tumor. Additionally, the anti-tumor studies revealed that the targeted therapy with magnetic nanocapsules containing 5-fluorouracil effectively inhibits the growth of tumors compared with 5-fluorouracil alone (P < 0.01). The present study demonstrates that this new magnetic nanocapsule can be considered a new nanotechnology-based cancer chemotherapy agent in vivo.
Determination of Manufacturing Conditions for Hot-Gas-Aided Thermoplastic Tape Winding
Authors: Mazumdar S. K. , Hoa S. V. 
Published: June 2014

Carbon/PEEK (APC-2) thermoplastic composite rings are manufactured by the thermoplastic tape winding process using hot nitrogen gas as a heat source. In the tape winding process, localized melting causes a high rate of heating and cooling, which demands different manufacturing conditions from hot pressing and autoclave processing. Heating rate and cooling rate are found to be more than 20,0000C/min and 5,0000C/min, respectively, and melt time is found to be in the range of 1 to 4 seconds for hot gas processing. Shorter melt times and higher heating rate during the on-line consolidation process require higher processing temperatures (greater than 600'C) for sufficient molecular interdiffusion. Higher molecular interdiff-usion would produce better interlaminar properties. During the production of thermoplastic composite parts using the thermoplastic tape winding process, several parameters such as heat intensity, tape speed, consolidation pressure, preheating temperature of tape and tool material, and cooling rate can affect the properties of an end product. A judicious selection of such parameters can produce a composite part which has fewer voids, better consolidation, minimum residual stress, desired crystallinity and high quality. Effects of dominant processing parameters such as heat intensity, tape speed, and consolidation pressure on temperature distribution, processinduced deformation, quality of consolidation, and crystallinity are examined.
Effect of Stacking Sequence on Failure of [±45/90/0]s Quasi-Isotropic Coupons with a Hole under Compression
Authors: Iyengar Nirmal , Gürdal Zafer 
Published: June 2014

A combined experimental and numerical study of the compression response and the failure characteristics of various quasi-isotropic coupons with a hole obtained from a [±45/90/0]s quasi-isotropic laminate was carried out. Specimens with various quasi-isotropic stacking sequences of [±45+ l=O//90 + l=O/l=O]s, were acquired by cutting the coupons at various angles k from the quasi-isotropic laminate. Analysis of the coupons based on 2-D and 3-D finite element models were performed to evaluate the stresses around the hole. Two different compressive failure prediction techniques based on distinctly different failure modes, namely fiber kinking and delamination, have been evaluated. The validity of these techniques was measured against experimental data of quasiisotropic coupons tested. The failure of the laminated coupons with a hole has been shown to be sensitive to the stacking sequence. It is also shown that a 2-D finite element model does not provide the required stacking sequence sensitivity. Thus, a 3-D analysis of the stress state in the vicinity of the hole is necessary. The study shows that no one mode of failure is responsible for limiting the strength for all laminate off-axis orientations, but rather the failure mode changes with change in stacking sequence. The analysis also substantiates the experimental data presented, that the peak strength of the laminate is achieved for a stacking sequence of [32.5/-57.5/77.5/-12.5], which corresponds to an off-axis angle of 12.5 with respect to the loading direction.
Characterization of a Fiber-Reinforced New Fully Aromatic Liquid Crystalline Polymer
Authors: la Mantia F. P. , Sortino G. , Scaffaro R. , Bertolini G. , Montani E. , Pedretti U. 
Published: June 2014

A new rigid liquid crystalline polymer that demonstrates good mechanical and thermomechanical properties and acceptable processing temperature has been recently synthesized and characterized. The melting temperature and some thermomechanical properties do not seem, however, suitable for use in some applications at high temperature or in the presence of aggressive fluids. The use of appropriate inorganic fillers can overcome these shortcomings. In this work the new LCP, polymerized in a bench-scale apparatus, and the same sample filled with carbon fibers are characterized. The properties of the carbon fiber filled LCP are compared with those of another filled wholly aromatic commercial LCP, a carbon filled semirigid LCP, and the same semirigid LCP reinforced with glass fibers. In general, the mechanical properties of the filled LCP sample increase remarkably when the filler concentration is about 20%; however, with further increases in filler content, a decrease is observed. The thermal and chemical resistance of this new rigid LCP seems slightly influenced by the addition of fibers, while the thermal resistance of the other two LCP samples is remarkably improved.
Effect of Fiber Waviness on the High-Strain-Rate Behavior of Composites
Authors: Hsiao H. M. , Daniel I. M. 
Published: June 2014

The effect of fiber waviness on the high-strain-rate behavior of carbon/epoxy composite materials was investigated. Falling weight impact and Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar systems were developed for basic characterization of unidirectional aligned composites in compression at strain rates up to 1800 s-1. Seventy-two and forty-eight-ply unidirectional carbon/epoxy (IM6G/3501-6) laminates loaded in the longitudinal and transverse directions were characterized. Compression tests on 45° off-axis laminates of the same unidirectional material were also conducted to obtain the in-plane shear stress-strain behavior. Strain rates over a wide range, from quasi-static up to 1800 s-1, were recorded. An incremental analysis was then used to predict the high-strain-rate behavior of composites with fiber waviness using the results obtained from the strain rate characterization. It is shown that, under longitudinal compressive loading, the nonlinear stress-strain behavior shows significant stiffening as the strain rate increases due to the shear component involved.
Bagasse Fiber-Polypropylene Based Composites
Authors: Vázquez A. , Domínguez V. A. , Kenny J. M. 
Published: June 2014

Processing and properties of bagasse fiber-polypropylene composites are reported. Four different chemical treatments of the vegetal fibers were performed in order to improve interface adhesion with the thermoplastic matrix: namely isocyanate, acrylic acid, mercerization, and washing with alkaline solution were applied. The effects of the treatment reactions on the chemical structure of the fibers were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. Optical photomicrographs indicate that a highly fibrillated surface is achieved when fibers are mercerized. The effects of the fiber chemical treatment on the tensile properties of the molded composite, produced by different processing routes, were also analyzed. It was observed that the tensile strength and the elongation at break of the polypropylene matrix composite decrease with the incorporation of bagasse fibers without treatment. However, isocyanate and mercerization treatments enhance the tensile properties of the composite. Moreover, creep measurements were also carried out on the various composites studied. The best results were obtained on materials with treated fibers. The highest creep activation energy was obtained on the composite with the mercerized fiber.