bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting health‐related quality of life by using a health promotion model among Iranian adolescent girls: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Mohamadian Hashem , Eftekhar Hasan , Rahimi Abas , Mohamad Hosein Taghdisi , Shojaiezade Davod , Montazeri Ali 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPredicting the significant determinants of health‐related quality of life through the application of structural equation modeling in adolescents has received little attention in the health education and health promotion literature. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between self‐efficacy, barriers, social support, health‐promoting lifestyle, and health‐related quality of life among Iranian adolescent girls. Pender's health promotion model guided this study. This was a cross‐sectional survey of 500 students who were recruited in Kashan, Iran. Their health‐related quality of life was measured by using the Short Form Health Survey. A path analysis was conducted to predict the health‐related quality of life determinants. The results indicated that 71% of the variance in health‐related quality of life could be predicted by the variables. The results affirmed that self‐efficacy was the most significant predictor of the students' health‐related quality of life. It was concluded that interventions that are aimed at improving self‐efficacy can lead to the enhancement of health‐related quality of life among adolescent girls in the developing country of Iran.
Turnover intention among Italian nurses: The moderating roles of supervisor support and organizational support
Authors: Galletta Maura , Portoghese Igor , Penna Maria Pietronilla , Battistelli Adalgisa , Saiani Luisa 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the variables that are related to person–environment fit in Italian nurses, highlighting the role of supervisor support and organizational support in the relationship between nurses' perceptions of care adequacy, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. Therefore, 1240 nurses from three hospitals completed a self‐administered questionnaire. The results showed that supervisor support and organizational support act differently as moderators of the care adequacy–job satisfaction–turnover intention relationship. Finally, job satisfaction was a mediating variable between care adequacy and turnover intention. These findings have important implications for hospitals because they help to promote effective work environments and to reduce turnover intention.
Views of Iranian patients on life with cancer: A phenomenological study
Authors: Nasrabadi Alireza Nikbakht , Bahabadi Abbas Houshmand , Hashemi Fatemeh , Valiee Sina , Seif Hadi 
Published: May 2011

AbstractCancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide. The diagnosis of this disease can cause significant stress, which destroys the patient's hopes, dreams and expectations. The aim of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of 23 Iranian patients about life with cancer using in‐depth and semi‐structured interviews as the method of data collection. The data were analyzed using Benner's interpretive thematic analysis method. Four main themes were clarified by studying the patients' experiences of life with cancer: (i) cancer as a kind of divine test; (ii) a very bitter and debilitating experience; (iii) chemotherapy as the most difficult experience of cancer; and (iv) a continuous struggle. Life with cancer is full of suffering, stress and bitterness. Fear and hope are intertwined; this phase can be successfully endured by patience, tolerance and stability. It is also helpful if close relatives can raise the patient's morale. Certainly, in this process, religious beliefs, faith and culture‐oriented interventions can significantly help patients deal with cancer.
Contributions of food web modelling to the ecosystem approach to marine resource management in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Coll Marta , Libralato Simone 
Published: May 2011

AbstractEcological modelling tools are applied worldwide to support the ecosystem‐based approach of marine resources (EAM). In the last decades, numerous applications were attempted in the Mediterranean Sea, mainly using the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) tool. These models were used to analyse a variety of complex environmental problems. Many applications analysed the ecosystem impacts of fishing and assessed management options. Other studies dealt with the accumulation of pollution through the food web, the impact of aquaculture or the ecosystem effects of climate change. They contributed to the scientific aspects of an ecosystem‐based approach in the region because they integrated human activities within an ecosystem context and evaluated their impact on the marine food web, including environmental factors. These studies also gathered a significant amount of information at an ecosystem level. Thus, in the second part of this review, we used this information to quantify structural and functional traits of Mediterranean marine ecosystems at regional scales as the illustration of further potentialities of EwE for an EAM. Results highlighted differential traits between ecosystem types and a few between basins, which illustrate the environmental heterogeneity of the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, our analysis evidenced the importance of top predators and small pelagic fish in Mediterranean ecosystems, in addition to the structural role of benthos and plankton organisms. The impact of fishing was high and of a similar intensity in the western, central and eastern regions and showed differences between ecosystem types. The keystone role of species was more prominent in protected environments.
Allocating Homes for People with Intellectual Disability: Needs, Mix and Choice
Authors: Wiesel Ilan 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAllocation of housing and support services for people with intellectual disability is based on three major sets of criteria: an assessment of the applicants' needs; considerations of social mix; and the applicants' own choices. This article examines the philosophical and institutional rationales underlying each of these notions and the tensions arising when seeking to achieve a balance between them. The first section of the article is based on a review of related studies in the UK, the USA and Australia, mainly on allocation policies in mainstream social housing. The second section presents original empirical work carried out in the state of Victoria, Australia, in 2007–08, illustrating some of the implications of a new balance that was created between needs, mix and choice in allocation of housing and support for people with intellectual disability. The article argues that the concepts of needs, mix and choice should be redefined in a way which reflects the interdependencies between them. Further, the article calls for more extensive mutual learning between studies of mainstream social housing and housing for people with intellectual disability.
The Role of Non‐profit Organizations in the Mixed Economy of Welfare‐to‐Work in the UK and Australia
Authors: Wright Sharon , Marston Greg , McDonald Catherine 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis article charts the development of welfare‐to‐work policies and compares and contrasts the traditions of delivery in the UK and Australia. We find that in the UK, employment services and social security benefit administration have been dominated by the central state, traditionally affording a key role to civil servants as direct delivery agents. However, in federal Australia, mixed economies of welfare‐to‐work operate in the different states, there is a far greater role for social services and non‐profit organizations are firmly established as key providers of frontline employment services. Since the late 1990s, UK welfare reforms have been gradually following the Australian lead in contracting non‐state actors as delivery agents. As this trend seems set to continue and intensify, we examine the Australian experience in order to reflect on the role of non‐profits in policy reform.
Migration and Displacement Triggered by Floods in the Mekong Delta
Authors: Dun Olivia 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe links between environmental change and migration is a theme which has caused much public debate. This debate is driven partially by the lack of empirical research on the linkages and relationship between environment and migration. This article offers a contribution to the limited literature which examines the ways in which migration is linked to environmental push factors. Initial research into the current dynamics of population displacement and migration linked to flooding in the upper reaches of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta was carried out in late 2007. Annual cyclical flooding in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam is a regular event and essential to the livelihoods of people living in the region. Over the last decade, however, there have been unusually large flooding events in the Mekong Delta region which have adversely impacted the lives and livelihoods of local communities. The research aimed to determine whether flooding could be considered a cause for migration or displacement. Results show that the impacts of regular flooding of the Mekong Delta can trigger independent household or individual migration decisions and are a cause for government‐initiated resettlement of households. This research contributes to an increased understanding of the role of environmental change/degradation in causing displacement and migration, since forced migration and migration studies have more commonly focused on economic, political and social reasons for population displacement.
Experiences of living with increased risk of developing colorectal and gynaecological cancer in individuals with no identified gene mutation
Authors: Persson Eva , Lindholm Elisabet , Berndtsson Ina , Lundstam Ulf , Hultén Leif , Carlsson Eva 
Published: May 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2012; 26; 20–27

Experiences of living with increased risk of developing colorectal and gynaecological cancer in individuals with no identified gene mutationBackground:  In most families with familial cancers, mutations have not been demonstrated; thus, healthy individuals cannot be tested for mutation status. As a consequence, many persons at risk of familial cancer live with an unknown, but presumably high, risk of developing cancer.Aim:  The aim of this study was to describe individuals’ perceptions of living with an increased risk of colorectal and gynaecologic cancer where the gene mutation is unknown.Methods:  Interviews were conducted with 30 individuals with familial colorectal cancer. These persons have no known mutation and therefore should be considered presumptive carriers. In connection with the interviews, all participants were offered to take part in a surveillance programme consisting of a colonoscopy and gynaecological examinations. The interview transcriptions were analysed by the use of qualitative content analysis.Results:  Two themes emerged from the analyses: first, living under a threat with two subthemes, threat awareness and distancing oneself from the threat. The second theme, living with uncertainty, was divided into four subthemes: influencing one’s family, being on the safe side, facing emotions evoked by examinations and trust and disappointment to the medical services.Conclusion:  These persons live with a lifelong uncertainty with a varying intensity depending on what happens throughout the life trajectory. They have no diagnosis or patient group to relate to; therefore, the entire situation is often perceived as abstract. Thus, providing information and counselling needs to be more deeply elucidated, and we need to address both situational and existential ways of uncertainty. This will, however, require professionals of all disciplines to understand the meaning of uncertainty and help ensure that its adverse effects are decreased with adequate nursing interventions.
A New Model of Centrifugal Blood Pump for Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Design Improvement, Performance, and Hemolysis Tests
Authors: Leme Juliana , Fonseca Jeison , Bock Eduardo , da Silva Cibele , da Silva Bruno Utiyama , dos Santos Alex Eugênio , Dinkhuysen Jarbas , Andrade Aron , Biscegli José F. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractA new model of blood pump for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) application has been developed and evaluated in our laboratories. Inside the pump housing is a spiral impeller that is conically shaped and has threads on its surface. Worm gears provide an axial motion of the blood column. Rotational motion of the conical shape generates a centrifugal pumping effect and improves pumping performance. One annular magnet with six poles is inside the impeller, providing magnetic coupling to a brushless direct current motor. In order to study the pumping performance, a mock loop system was assembled. Mock loop was composed of Tygon tubes (Saint‐Gobain Corporation, Courbevoie, France), oxygenator, digital flowmeter, pressure monitor, electronic driver, and adjustable clamp for flow control. Experiments were performed on six prototypes with small differences in their design. Each prototype was tested and flow and pressure data were obtained for rotational speed of 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000 rpm. Hemolysis was studied using pumps with different internal gap sizes (1.35, 1.45, 1.55, and 1.7 mm). Hemolysis tests simulated CPB application with flow rate of 5 L/min against total pressure head of 350 mm Hg. The results from six prototypes were satisfactory, compared to the results from the literature. However, prototype #6 showed the best results. Best hemolysis results were observed with a gap of 1.45 mm, and showed a normalized index of hemolysis of 0.013 g/100 L. When combined, axial and centrifugal pumping principles produce better hydrodynamic performance without increasing hemolysis.
Development of a Voxel Model of the Heart for Dosimetry
Authors: Fonseca Keila R. , Trindade Bruno M. , Campos Tarcísio P.R. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis article investigates the dosimetry of a radioactive stent and radioactive liquid balloon placed into the heart vasculature to prevent restenosis after atherosclerosis treatment. The research aims to know the dosages to establish a suitable activity which achieves restenosis control and thereafter minimize radiation effects in the cardiac muscle. In order to accomplish the dosimetric analysis, a heart voxel model was assembled based on tomographic images. The computational model consists of a three‐dimensional matrix taken from 60 tomographic images representing the major heart tissues. A radioactive 153Sm liquid balloon is simulated as well as a 32P radioactive stent, inserted in an arbitrary heart artery. After simulation processing, the absorbed dose rate was evaluated in the heart musculature. The models are presented in two‐ and three‐dimensional previews and the dosage profiles are shown by isodose curves superimposed onto the heart model.
In Vitro Properties and Performance of Glutaraldehyde‐Crosslinked Bovine Pericardial Bioprostheses Treated With Glutamic Acid
Authors: Braile Maria Christiane Valéria Braga , Carnevalli Nelly Cristina , Goissis Gilberto , Ramirez Vladimir Aparecido , Braile Domingo Marcolino 
Published: May 2011

AbstractCalcification is one of the major causes of failure of heart valve bioprostheses (HVBs) derived from glutaraldehyde (GA)‐processed bovine pericardium (BP) or porcine aortic valves. New crosslinking reagent procedures are still far from giving satisfactory results, and this is the main reason why GA is still the reagent of choice for the fixation of native tissue intended for HVB manufacture. Nevertheless, two new findings with respect to GA processing may significantly improve HVB performance postimplantation: the finding that increasing concentrations of GA result in a decrease in calcification; the blocking of free aldehyde usually by nucleophyles or the treatment of processed material at low pH. This work investigates the in vitro properties of BP fixed with GA followed by the treatment with glutamic acid under alkaline conditions in order to prepare BP materials with lower calcification potential postimplantation. In comparison to conventional processing, except for the tensile strength that was slightly lower, elongation and toughness were higher than the accepted values. No significant differences were observed in the performance indexes (mean pressure gradient, mean effective area, regurgitant fraction, performance and efficiency indexes) with wear resistance over 150 × 106 cycles. These results indicate that the processing of BP described in this work may be of potential use in the manufacture of HVBs.
Single Axis Controlled Hybrid Magnetic Bearing for Left Ventricular Assist Device: Hybrid Core and Closed Magnetic Circuit
Authors: da Silva Isaias , Horikawa Oswaldo , Cardoso Jose R. , Camargo Fernando A. , Andrade Aron J.P. , Bock Eduardo G.P. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIn previous studies, we presented main strategies for suspending the rotor of a mixed‐flow type (centrifugal and axial) ventricular assist device (VAD), originally presented by the Institute Dante Pazzanese of Cardiology (IDPC), Brazil. Magnetic suspension is achieved by the use of a magnetic bearing architecture in which the active control is executed in only one degree of freedom, in the axial direction of the rotor. Remaining degrees of freedom, excepting the rotation, are restricted only by the attraction force between pairs of permanent magnets. This study is part of a joint project in development by IDPC and Escola Politecnica of São Paulo University, Brazil. This article shows advances in that project, presenting two promising solutions for magnetic bearings. One solution uses hybrid cores as electromagnetic actuators, that is, cores that combine iron and permanent magnets. The other solution uses actuators, also of hybrid type, but with the magnetic circuit closed by an iron core. After preliminary analysis, a pump prototype has been developed for each solution and has been tested. For each prototype, a brushless DC motor has been developed as the rotor driver. Each solution was evaluated by in vitro experiments and guidelines are extracted for future improvements. Tests have shown good results and demonstrated that one solution is not isolated from the other. One complements the other for the development of a single‐axis‐controlled, hybrid‐type magnetic bearing for a mixed‐flow type VAD.
Specification of Supervisory Control Systems for Ventricular Assist Devices
Authors: Cavalheiro André C.M. , Santos Fo Diolino J. , Andrade Aron , Cardoso José Roberto , Horikawa Osvaldo , Bock Eduardo , Fonseca Jeison 
Published: May 2011

AbstractOne of the most important recent improvements in cardiology is the use of ventricular assist devices (VADs) to help patients with severe heart diseases, especially when they are indicated to heart transplantation. The Institute Dante Pazzanese of Cardiology has been developing an implantable centrifugal blood pump that will be able to help a sick human heart to keep blood flow and pressure at physiological levels. This device will be used as a totally or partially implantable VAD. Therefore, an improvement on device performance is important for the betterment of the level of interaction with patient's behavior or conditions. But some failures may occur if the device's pumping control does not follow the changes in patient's behavior or conditions. The VAD control system must consider tolerance to faults and have a dynamic adaptation according to patient's cardiovascular system changes, and also must attend to changes in patient conditions, behavior, or comportments. This work proposes an application of the mechatronic approach to this class of devices based on advanced techniques for control, instrumentation, and automation to define a method for developing a hierarchical supervisory control system that is able to perform VAD control dynamically, automatically, and securely. For this methodology, we used concepts based on Bayesian network for patients' diagnoses, Petri nets to generate a VAD control algorithm, and Safety Instrumented Systems to ensure VAD system security. Applying these concepts, a VAD control system is being built for method effectiveness confirmation.
Processing of hematopoietic stem cells from peripheral blood before cryopreservation: use of a closed automated system
Authors: Zinno Francesco , Landi Fabiola , Scerpa Maria Cristina , Aureli Viviana , Lanti Alessandro , Ceccarelli Stefano , Caniglia Maurizio , Miele Massimino Jan , Daniele Nicola , Landolfo Attilio , Cometa Angela Maria , Locatelli Franco , Isacchi Giancarlo 
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is commonly used to treat several oncohematologic diseases. The autologous hematopoietic progenitor cells collected through apheresis (HPC‐A) must be cryopreserved and stored before use in vivo. Cell processing that precedes cryopreservation of HPC‐A includes volume reduction aimed at reducing the amount of dimethyl sulfoxide used, as well as storage space.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness of volume reduction performed with an automated closed system, namely, the Sepax S100 cell separation device (Biosafe SA). A total of 165 procedures were carried out on concentrates collected from 104 adult and pediatric patients. As a control group, 30 HPC‐A units processed according to the standard method (i.e., centrifugation at a speed of 850 × g for 10 minutes, followed by manual plasma reduction) were evaluated.RESULTS: The volume reduction obtained was 59% (range, 20.54%‐84.21%; standard deviation [SD], ±12.19%), going from 236 mL (range, 100‐443 mL; SD, ±80.41 mL) to 97 mL (range, 33.00‐263.00 mL; SD, ±47.41 mL); recovery of nucleated cells was 90% (range, 64.84%‐105.93%; SD, ±8.76%), while that of CD34+ cells was 91% (range, 59.30%‐119.37%; SD, ±13.30%). These values did not differ from those obtained using the standard method. Automated processing required 20 minutes versus 40 minutes of manual processing.DISCUSSION: Our data demonstrate that volume reduction carried out with the Sepax S100 automated system was particularly effective; cell recovery was excellent and the time spent was short. Moreover, the closed system allows cell processing to be carried out in a contamination‐controlled environment, in accordance with good manufacturing practice guidelines.