bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parenting satisfaction during the immediate postpartum period: factors contributing to mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions
Authors: Salonen Anne H , Kaunonen Marja , Åstedt‐Kurki Päivi , Järvenpää Anna‐Liisa , Isoaho Hannu , Tarkka Marja‐Terttu 
Published: April 2010

Aims.  To compare mothers’ and fathers’ parenting satisfaction; to identify factors contributing to their parenting satisfaction; and to evaluate the effect of these factors.Background.  Parenting satisfaction is important for parents’ motivation to care, nurture and interact with their child. Parenting is influenced by attributes of parent, infant and the environment. However, more research is needed to understand the contributing factors.Design.  Parenting satisfaction and several parent, infant and environment attributes were measured at hospital or in one week of discharge. A total of 2600 questionnaires were handed out to a convenience sample of Finnish speaking parents in two hospitals during the winter of 2006. Multiple‐birth and early‐discharge parents receiving support at home were excluded. Responses were received from 863 mothers (66%) and 525 fathers (40%).Methods.  Comparisons were made by percentages and means. Significances were determined by GEE models and One Way anova tests. Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlations were used to determine correlations and multiple regression analysis to clarify the effect size.Results.  Mothers were more satisfied than fathers with their parenting. Self‐concept, depressive symptoms, infant centrality, state of mind on discharge and perception of infant contributed most to parenting satisfaction. Family functioning, health and advice from personnel were major contributory factors as well.Conclusion.  Hospital practices and social support from personnel did not correlate with parenting satisfaction. More research is recommended to evaluate them, since they had an effect when combined with other attributes.Relevance to clinical practice.  Our results will help professionals understand the experiences, resources and challenges faced by parents. Family‐oriented care and sound advice have the potential to offer the most supportive environment for both parents. If professionals can identify mothers who are afraid, concerned or insecure during pregnancy, they can also offer them extra support before the child is born.
Preventing aggressive incidents and seclusions in forensic care by means of the ‘Early Recognition Method’
Authors: Fluttert Frans AJ , Van Meijel Berno , Nijman Henk , Bjørkly Stål , Grypdonck Mieke 
Published: April 2010

Objective.  The Early Recognition Method aims at improving collaboration between nurses and patients to prevent aggression in forensic psychiatric care. To achieve this goal, Early Recognition Method strongly focuses on early signs of aggression. In the current study, we investigated whether application of Early Recognition Method led to a significant decrease in inpatient incidents.Background.  Nurses in forensic settings are often confronted with patients’ aggression. Better collaboration between nursing staff and patients may improve patients’ ability to self manage aggression and contribute to a decrease in inpatient aggression.Design.  Naturalistic one‐way case‐crossover design.Methods.  The Early Recognition Method was introduced on 16 wards of a maximum security forensic hospital. Using a one‐way case‐crossover design, where cases were their own controls, the effects of Early Recognition Method were assessed by comparing the number of incidents of 189 patients during ‘Treatment As Usual’ with the period after Early Recognition Method was implemented. The Early Recognition Method intervention involved weekly evaluations of signs of aggression between staff and patients. The outcome measures were the number of seclusions and the severity of inpatient incidents.Results.  A significant decline in the number of seclusions was observed after Early Recognition Method was introduced. Apart from this decrease, the mean severity of inpatient incidents was also found to be lower during the post intervention period. The effect size was most pronounced for patients with substance abuse and personality disorders. Patients with schizophrenia, however, showed modest, yet significant, effect sizes.Conclusions.  The results suggest that Early Recognition Method may be an innovative and effective risk management method for forensic psychiatric patients, in particular for patients with personality disorders.Relevance to clinical practice.  This article aims to contribute to evidence‐based risk management for nurses in collaboration with their patients, resulting in a decrease in inpatient aggression.
Influence of a lifestyle intervention among persons with a psychiatric disability: a cluster randomised controlled trail on symptoms, quality of life and sense of coherence
Authors: Forsberg Karl A , Björkman Tommy , Sandman Per O , Sandlund Mikael 
Published: April 2010

Aims and objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate how a lifestyle intervention programme influences psychiatric and psychosocial factors among persons with psychiatric disabilities.Background. Persons with psychiatric disabilities often suffer from a simultaneous physical health problem, where circulatory disorder, hyperlipideamia, digestive disease, diabetes mellitus and obesity are prevalent. Studies have also shown a relationship between physical activity and mental health. But few randomised controlled trails have been aimed specifically at lifestyle interventions and their effect on psychiatric health and quality of life among persons with psychiatric disabilities.Design. A cluster randomised controlled trail.Methods. Forty‐one persons with a DSM‐IV diagnosis in eight supported housing facilities and two housing support programmes and their carers were on cluster level randomly assigned to a 12‐month health intervention programme in the form of study circles with diet sessions and physical activities or a control programme. The changes in the mean of quality of life, level of functioning, psychiatric symptoms and sense of coherence was investigated and its relationship to physical health and attendance.Results. A significant increase in the sense of coherence was seen in both programmes but also significant improvements in the intervention group compared to controls at the follow‐up.Conclusions. Structured activities in the form of lifestyle intervention programmes with a sufficient level of challenge that encourage persons with psychiatric disabilities to participate in activities in a social context may contribute to a significant increase in the sense of coherence.Relevance to clinical practice. Improving physical health with lifestyle programmes in the form of study circles and when involving their cares will in addition to increased physical health end in improved sense of coherence.
Infection probability score, APACHE II and KARNOFSKY scoring systems as predictors of infection onset in haematology–oncology patients
Authors: Apostolopolou Eleni , Raftopoulos Vasilios , Terzis Konstantinos , Pissaki Kiriaki , Pagoni Maria , Delibasi Sossana 
Published: April 2010

Aim.  To assess the predictive power of three systems: Infection Probability Score, APACHE II and KARNOFSKY score to the onset of healthcare‐associated infections in haematology–oncology patients.Background.  The high incidence of healthcare‐associated infections is a frequent problem in haematology–oncology patients that affects morbidity and mortality of these patients.Design.  A retrospective surveillance survey.Method.  The survey was conducted for seven months in the haematology unit of a general hospital in Greece to assess the predictive power of Infection Probability Score, APACHE II and KARNOFSKY score to the onset of healthcare‐associated infections. The sample consisted of 102 hospitalised patients. The diagnosis of healthcare‐associated infections was based on the definitions proposed by CDC.Results.  Among the participants, 53 (52%) were males and 49 (48%) were females with a mean age of 53·30 (SD 18·59) years old (range, 17–85 years). The incidence density of healthcare‐associated infections (the number of new cases of healthcare‐associated infections per 1000 patient‐days) was 21·8 infections per 1000 patient‐days. Among the 102 patients, healthcare‐associated infections occurred in 32 (31·4%) patients who had a total of 48 healthcare‐associated infections (47·5%). Among the 38 patients with neutropenia, 26 (68·4%) had more than one healthcare‐associated infection. Of the 48 detected healthcare‐associated infections, the most frequent type was blood‐stream infection (n = 17, 35·4%), followed by Clostridium difficile infection (n = 11, 22·9%) and respiratory tract infection (n = 8, 3·4%). The best cut‐off value of Infection Probability Score (IPS) for the prediction of a healthcare‐associated infection was 10 with sensitivity of 59·4% and specificity of 74·3%.Conclusions.  Between the three different prognostic scoring systems, IPS had the best sensitivity in predicting healthcare‐associated infections.Relevance to clinical practice.  IPS is an effective tool and should be used from nurses for the early detection of haematology–oncology patients who are susceptible to the onset of a healthcare‐associated infection.
Protective immunization of calves against Ostertagia ostertagi using fourth stage larval extracts
Authors: HALLIDAY A. M. , SMITH W. D. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryConA lectin was used to isolate glycoproteins from detergent extracts of fourth stage Ostertagia ostertagi larvae. This preparation contained proteins additional to those observed in a similar fraction prepared from adult O. ostertagi. Two vaccine trials were conducted with this preparation, and sub‐fractions thereof, in groups of 6–8 worm‐free calves. All groups were challenged with 50 000 O. ostertagi larvae 1 week after the final immunization, and protection was assessed by comparing the egg and worm counts of the immunized groups with their respective controls. Immunization with the ConA‐binding antigen or its sub‐fractions induced high titre serum antibody responses. In the first trial, the cumulative egg count of the group immunized with unfractionated antigen was 60% lower than the corresponding control value, and worm counts were 47% lower. In the second trial, the cumulative egg counts of the vaccinated groups ranged from 70% to 85% lower than the corresponding controls, with worm counts up to 64% lower. It was concluded that detergent‐soluble, ConA‐binding extracts prepared from O. ostertagi fourth stage larvae contained protective immunogens that were as effective as the best antigens published for O. ostertagi to date.
Improving animal and human health through understanding liver fluke immunology
Authors: PIEDRAFITA D. , SPITHILL T. W. , SMITH R. E. , RAADSMA H. W. 
Published: April 2010

SummarySheep, goats and cattle represent the most numerous and economically important agricultural species worldwide used as sources for milk, fibre and red meat. In addition, in the developing world, these species often represent the sole asset base for small‐holder livestock farmers and cattle/buffaloes often provide the majority of draught power for crop production. Production losses caused by helminth diseases of these animals are a major factor in extending the cycle of poverty in developing countries and a major food security issue for developed economies.Fasciolaspp. are one of the most important zoonotic diseases with a global economic impact in livestock production systems and a poorly defined but direct effect on human health. Improvements in human and animal health will require a concerted research effort into the development of new accurate and simple diagnostic tests and increased vaccine and drug development againstFasciolainfections. Here, the use of definitive natural host breeds with contrasting resistance toFasciolainfections is discussed as a resource to contrast parasite–host interactions and identify parasite immune evasion strategies. Such studies are likely to boost the discovery of new vaccine, drug and diagnostic candidates and provide the foundation for future genetic selection of resistant animals.
The immunology of human hookworm infections
Authors: McSORLEY H. J. , LOUKAS A. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryHookworms are one of the most prevalent parasites of humans in developing countries, but we know relatively little about the immune response generated to hookworm infection. This can be attributed to a lack of permissive animal models and a relatively small research community compared with those of the more high‐profile parasitic diseases. However, recently, research has emerged on the development of vaccines to control hookworm infection and the use of hookworm to treat autoimmune and allergic disorders, contributing to a greater understanding of the strategies used by hookworms to modulate the host’s immune response. A substantial body of research on the immunobiology of hookworms originates from Australia, so this review will summarize the current status of the field with a particular emphasis on research carried out ‘down under’.
Ontogenetic Changes in Web Design in Two Orb‐Web Spiders
Authors: Hesselberg Thomas 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe first orb web built by newly hatched spiders resembles the adult web in its overall form and structure. However, many details show ontogenetic changes. One possible explanation for these changes is that the tiny early‐instar spiders with their minute brains will make more mistakes and build less ‘perfect’ orb webs than older and larger juveniles and adults. To test this hypothesis, known as the size limitation hypothesis, I analysed orb webs from three developmental stages, spiderlings, juveniles and adult females, in two neotropical orb‐web spiders, the araneid Eustala illicita and the nephilid Nephila clavipes. Neither species showed clear signs of being behaviourally limited or more prone to committing errors as spiderlings than were older juveniles or adults. These findings therefore do not support the size limitation hypothesis in either species. Finally, I looked for evidence of the ‘biogenetic law’, which predicts that juveniles should build less derived orb webs than the adults. Evidence for this was found in E. illicita, but not in N. clavipes.
Transcriptional control of the pvdS iron starvation sigma factor gene by the master regulator of sulfur metabolism CysB in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Imperi Francesco , Tiburzi Federica , Fimia Gian Maria , Visca Paolo 
Published: April 2010

SummaryIn the Gram‐negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the alternative sigma factor PvdS acts as a key regulator of the response to iron starvation. PvdS also controls P. aeruginosa virulence, as it drives the expression of a large set of genes primarily implicated in biogenesis and transport of the pyoverdine siderophore and synthesis of extracellular factors, such as protease PrpL and exotoxin A. Besides the ferric uptake regulatory protein Fur, which shuts off pvdS transcription under iron‐replete conditions, no additional regulatory factor(s) controlling the pvdS promoter activity have been characterized so far. Here, we used the promoter region of pvdS as bait to tentatively capture, by DNA‐protein affinity purification, P. aeruginosa proteins that are able to bind specifically to the pvdS promoter. This led to the identification and functional characterization of the LysR‐like transcription factor CysB as a novel regulator of pvdS transcription. The CysB protein directly binds to the pvdS promoter in vitro and acts as a positive regulator of PvdS expression in vivo. The absence of a functional CysB protein results in about 50% reduction of expression of PvdS‐dependent virulence phenotypes. Given the role of CysB as master regulator of sulfur metabolism, our findings establish a novel molecular link between the iron and sulfur regulons in P. aeruginosa.
Learning from games: Does collaboration help?
Authors: van der Meij Hans , Albers Eefje , Leemkuil Henny 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis paper examines whether people benefit more from playing a commercial off‐the‐shelf game in pairs rather than in solitary mode. The basic idea behind this didactic method is that there is a serious risk that solitary game play yields insufficient articulation and explanation for learning to take place. Participants in the experimental condition played a strategy game in collaborative mode (pairs). Solitary play formed the control condition. During game play data were gathered about engagement (ie, flow). Also, the dialogues of the pairs were recorded. After game completion participants individually completed a knowledge test. For solitary players this ended the session. Collaborating pairs could discuss test answers (without receiving experimenter feedback) and give a final group answer. Collaboration was found not to affect game engagement and also did not affect individual knowledge test scores. The collaboration presumably did not advance the players' individual knowledge because the game dialogues mainly dealt with superficial game features such as move proposals. The collaborating players benefitted significantly from the opportunity to discuss test scores. The discussion revolves around game selection and game didactics (including scripted collaboration and debriefing) as routes for future studies to follow in ways of improving game utilisation in school.
Game‐based feedback for educational multi‐user virtual environments
Authors: Charles Darryl , Charles Therese , McNeill Michael , Bustard David , Black Michaela 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIt is generally accepted that informative and timely feedback is important to a student's learning experience within higher education. In the study of commercial digital games it has also become increasingly understood that games are particularly good at providing effective feedback of this form to gameplayers. We discuss recent game based learning research that attempts to harness the motivating qualities of digital games to inform the design of educational technology. Results from this research demonstrate student participation and performance can be improved by providing Game‐Based Feedback (GBF) to students. The GBF approach awards points to students for the successful completion of tasks throughout a course of study. Points and achievements accumulated over time builds a profile that provides a student with a potentially powerful representation of their educational identity. In this paper, we argue that virtual worlds are particularly suitable for this form of GBF and can further enhance a student's understanding of their educational standing. We outline a Virtual Learning Landscape (VLL) design that is embedded within a multi‐user virtual environment, where educational feedback is supplied to students via their avatar and a virtual world's landscape. The core structural principles of the proposed VLL are explained and several examples of the use of the VLL are provided to illustrate the system.
Does the New Digital Generation of Learners Exist? A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sánchez Jaime , Salinas Alvaro , Contreras David , Meyer Eduardo 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThis paper seeks to contribute to the discussion on the current generation of students and their relationship to technology, providing qualitative, empirical information obtained in the Chilean context. The study analyses and discusses the ideas regarding the emergence of a new generation of learners, or digital natives, as characterised by wide‐ranging access to digital media and by having new skills and abilities. In‐depth interviews held with students and teachers from four different cities in the country are analysed. The data shows evidence of a generation of learners without shared traits, with segments of learners presenting practices that do not characterise the entire generation. In addition, the data shows that the skills and abilities described in the literature do not represent a precise description of those that the students exploit when using technology. Beyond the ability to work simultaneously on several tasks, some learners have the ability to manage the attention that they pay to their work on the computer in sophisticated ways, and although some prefer images to words on paper, among others, there is still a taste for reading actual printed books. All in all, students and teachers describe a certain distance and conflict between the practices with the use of ICTs and their everyday school experiences.
Benford’s Law and Fraud Detection: Facts and Legends
Authors: Diekmann Andreas , Jann Ben 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Is Benford’s law a good instrument to detect fraud in reports of statistical and scientific data? For a valid test, the probability of ‘false positives’ and ‘false negatives’ has to be low. However, it is very doubtful whether the Benford distribution is an appropriate tool to discriminate between manipulated and non-manipulated estimates. Further research should focus more on the validity of the test and test results should be interpreted more carefully.
Localized convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage – a sign of early cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
Authors: Panda S. , Prashantha D. K. , Ravi Shankar S. , Nagaraja D. 
Published: April 2010

Background:  The diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) requires a high index of suspicion owing to the wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Amongst the different presentations, radiological evidence of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) often leads to diagnostic errors.Methods:  Between March 2005 and December 2007, 233 patients with CVST were reviewed at our centre, and this report summarizes 10 cases that presented with SAH. The early clinico‐radiological pointers towards a diagnosis of CVST are highlighted and previously published reports are reviewed.Results:  The mean age at presentation was 33 years (range 25–50), and the median duration from onset of symptoms to admission was 5 days (range 2–15). In all cases, there was radiological evidence of SAH with or without associated parenchymal bleeding or other signs of CVST. SAH was usually localized, involving the sulci of the cerebral convexity and sparing the basal cisterns. Aetiologically, there were two cases with both hyperhomocysteinaemia and polycythaemia and one case each of antiphospholipid antibody (APLA) syndrome, post‐partum state, oral contraceptive use and dehydration because of diarrhoea. Eight patients improved with anticoagulant therapy despite the presence of SAH.Conclusions:  Localized SAH (whether focal, unilateral or bilateral), especially when confined to the parasagittal or dorsolateral convexity of the brain and without involvement of the basal cisterns, may provide an early pointer towards an underlying CVST. The presence of predisposing factors for CVST accords a further diagnostic hint.