bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self-Regulated Learning and Instructional Factors in the Scientific Inquiry of Scientifically Gifted Korean Middle School Students
Authors: Yoon Cho-Hee 
Published: April 2009

This correlational study investigated the direct and indirect effects of instructional factors and motivational and cognitive components of self-regulated learning on scientific inquiry performance in a sample of scientifically gifted middle school students. A total of 166 students were selected from nine gifted classes in the public school system with after-school enrichment programs in Korea. Students responded to self-report measures of mastery-oriented learning goals, self-efficacy, self-regulatory strategy use, and inquiry activities in science class. Performance data were obtained from work on a scientific inquiry task. Results of a path analysis revealed that students' self-efficacy and perceived degree of inquiry activities in science class were the only factors directly influencing their scientific inquiry skills. Whereas open inquiry learning that allows for choices and decisions in students' inquiry procedure directly influenced use of self-regulatory strategies, the extent of inquiry activities directly influenced self-efficacy. Self-regulatory strategy use was not a significant predictor for scientific inquiry skills. Based on the results, implications for future science gifted education are discussed. Putting the Research to Use: This study, by incorporating instructional factors in the framework of self-regulated learning of gifted students, extended the previous research that had examined the relationships among the components of self-regulated learning in relation to achievement. Also, it explored such relationships in a much less studied area, science, and extended the scope of science achievement by including scientific inquiry skills as a criterion of academic performance. In general, it reveals that inquiry learning increases gifted students' scientific inquiry skills while open inquiry does not contribute much to this process and that the only learner characteristic influencing scientific inquiry skills is self-efficacy. For educators working with scientifically gifted students, this study urges them to plan open inquiry learning more systematically and make it accessible to students, by providing assistance and guidance with the inquiry process at the outset of learning and increasingly incorporating the open nature of inquiry. Motivational beliefs of gifted students in their abilities also need to be encouraged and fostered in the classroom.
Musical exploration using ICT in the middle and secondary school classroom
Authors: Ward Christopher J. 
Published: April 2009

In this article, I explore musical creativity through Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This article aims to show that secondary school pupils can compose freely using ICT in the classroom, easing and `democratizing' the creative process, enabling a high standard for all, regardless of formal musical training. The fieldwork project was conducted across one secondary school (Years 9—13, ages 14—18) and one middle school (Years 5—8, ages 9—13) in Windsor, UK from November 2002 to December 2003. There were opportunities in the music classrooms of both schools to develop creative ideas based around tonalities of the last 40 years in spite of the fact that creativity in a non-tonal medium was well established in the professional field. I intended to show that pupils were more inventive and motivated in the music classroom when given opportunities to: (1) use ICT as an integral part of the creative process; (2) explore new sounds in a non-fixed-tonal environment; and (3) promote motivation through learning by relevant and interesting lesson content, enthusiastic delivery and an informal class atmosphere. Pupil response, and multi-levelled and open-ended lesson content were the key to impetus, with creative catalysts and subject matter reflecting the interests of mixed-ability pupils. The students became self-motivating, and were captivated by their `play-art'. Semi-supervision became possible as pupils worked on the assignment in their groups, with the teacher helping to facilitate ideas in turn. Action research was used to continuously improve the learning environment. ICT enabled pupils to follow Bruner's constructivist philosophy and go beyond the information given. Pupils became less inclined to adopt media-generated tonal attitudes merely because they were the `norm' after the research, and showed more independence of mind in discussion and evaluation.
Effects of plantar hardness discrimination training on standing postural balance in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Morioka Shu , Hiyamizu Makoto , Fukumoto Tahahiko , Kataoka Yasunori , Yagi Fumio 
Published: April 2009

Objective: To investigate the effects of sensory perception exercises for discrimination of surface hardness by the soles of the feet on standing postural balance in the elderly. Design: A randomized two-group parallel controlled trial. Subjects: Twenty-four healthy people aged from 61 to 71 years were enrolled and randomly assigned to a perception exercise group (n = 12) or a control group (n = 12). Intervention: The perception exercise group were given a task designed to train ability to discriminate different degrees of hardness of foam rubber. The training period was 10 days. Control group subjects were instructed to maintain a standing posture on foam rubber for 10 seconds for a total of 10 days. Measurements: Before and after training we measured centre-of-gravity sway with the subject standing, obtaining sway path length and area of ellipse. The Functional Reach Test was used to measure the forward displacement distance of the centre of gravity. Results: Our data revealed a significant reduction in centre-of-gravity sway post training in the perception exercise group as well as a significant increase in forward displacement of the centre of gravity. These parameters were unchanged in the control group. As to change values (difference between pre- and post-training values), the perception exercise group had significantly better values than the control group, indicating the efficacy of sensory perception exercises. Conclusions: We demonstrated that standing postural balance was improved by sensory perception exercises involving the soles of the feet. Used in addition to balance training, such training for hardness discrimination could be effective in the clinical setting to improve balance in the elderly.
Randomized controlled trial for clinical effects of varying types of insoles combined with specialized shoes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the foot
Authors: Nam Soon Cho  , Ji Hye Hwang  , Hyun Jung Chang  , Eun Mi Koh  , Hae Soo Park  
Published: April 2009

Objective: To determine the effects of specialized shoes with insoles in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the differences in terms of type of insole and anatomical location of foot pathology. Design: Single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting: Outpatients of physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic at university hospital. Subjects: Forty-two patients with rheumatoid foot lesions were randomly assigned to two different orthotic intervention groups. The anatomical locations of the foot lesions were recorded (hindfoot or forefoot). Intervention: Participants were provided with an extra deep forefoot-rockered shoe and either a custom-made semi-rigid insole or a ready-made simple soft insole. They wore the provided footwear for at least 3 hours a day over six months. Main outcome measures: Primary outcome measures were foot pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Foot Function Index (FFI). Secondary outcome measures were erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels in blood, amounts of medications and active joint counts. These were checked at baseline and post intervention. Results: Eight patients dropped out at follow-up after six months of treatment. At six-month follow-ups, VAS scores and total Foot Function Index scores had decreased significantly in both groups versus baseline but intergroup comparison showed no significant differences in view of type of insoles and anatomical locations of foot pathology. Conclusions: We were unable to identify differences between the types of insoles in terms of their clinical effects or between anatomical locations of foot lesions in the two groups, but both groups improved. Therapeutic shoes plus soft insoles might be effective enough in terms of foot pain and foot function for specific patients with rheumatoid foot problems regardless of the location of foot pathology.
Person—environment fit predicts falls in older adults better than the consideration of environmental hazards only
Authors: Iwarsson Susanne , Horstmann Vibeke , Carlsson Gunilla , Oswald Frank , Wahl Hans-Werner 
Published: April 2009

Objective: To test the hypotheses that the empirical consideration of objective person—environment fit in the home environment is a stronger predictor of indoor falls among older adults than the assessment of environmental barriers only, and that perceived aspects of home play a role as predictors for falls. Design: Survey study with data collection at home visits, followed up by self-reports about falls at home visits one year later. Setting: Urban districts in Sweden, Germany, Latvia. Participants: Eight hundred and thirty-four single-living, older adults (75—89 years), in ordinary housing. Measurements: An assessment of objective person—environment fit in the home environment (housing enabler), a self-rating of the perceived home environment (usability in my home) and retrospective self-reports on indoor falls. Results: The participants reporting falls tended to be frailer than the non-fallers. The number of environmental barriers in the home was similar for the fallers and non-fallers; the magnitude of person—environment fit problems was higher among the fallers. The person—environment fit problem variable was a stronger fall predictor (odds ratio (OR) = 1.025; P=0.037) than number of environmental barriers (n.s.), even after controlling for confounders. Fallers also experienced lower usability of their home. Conclusion: The results suggest that much of the inconclusiveness of the data in the relationship between environmental hazards and falls in the previous falls literature could be due to the neglect of person—environment fit assessment. The effectiveness of environmental interventions based on the notion of person—environment fit compared with traditional home hazard checklists remains to be tested.
Changing self-efficacy in individuals following a first time stroke: preliminary study of a novel self-management intervention
Authors: Jones Fiona , Mandy Anne , Partridge Cecily 
Published: April 2009

Objective: To examine the effects of a self-management workbook intervention designed for use with individuals disabled after first time stroke.Design: Multiple-participant two-phase (baseline followed by treatment) single subject design. The intervention was introduced at a randomly generated time-point.Setting: Community.Subjects: Seven men and three women, with a mean age of 61.5 years (SD 8.15), on average 24.2 weeks (SD 18.29) following first stroke, all with residual restriction of activity and participation.Intervention: An individualized self-management workbook based on self-efficacy principles, incorporating sections to increase mastery, vicarious experience and feedback.Main measures: Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Recovery Locus of Control Scale, Rivermead Mobility Index, Rivermead Activities of Daily Living Scale, Subjective Index of Physical and Social Outcome and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Individual data were analysed with weighted mean trend test and two standard deviation band test. Group data were analysed with a randomization test.Results: Visual inspection of the data over the 14-week period showed steady improvement for all of the 10 participants on the majority of variables. A randomization test indicated a statistically significant change in Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire scores and Recovery Locus of Control Scale scores which followed introduction of the intervention. Measures of activity, participation and mood scores did not show a statistically significant change.Conclusion: There is preliminary evidence that the use of an individualized stroke self-management intervention is acceptable and can lead to a change in self-efficacy in this small sample.
A preliminary investigation of a novel design of visual cue glasses that aid gait in Parkinson's disease
Authors: McAuley JH , Daly PM , Curtis CR 
Published: April 2009

Objective: Parkinson's disease is a relatively common progressive neurodegenerative disorder, one of whose main features is difficulty with walking. This can be partially corrected by providing cues for the placement of each step. We piloted the potential benefit of simple custom-designed `walking glasses' worn by the patient that provide visual and auditory cues to aid in step placement. Design: We used a repeated measures design to compare gait performance when unaided and when using the walking glasses with different patterns of visual and auditory stimulation by timing patients' walking over a `real-life' predefined 30-m course. Setting: Hospital outpatient clinic. Subjects: Fifteen patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who had significant gait problems and no other condition affecting gait performance. Main measures: Timed walk. Results: Using the glasses, 8 of 15 patients achieved a significant and meaningful average improvement in walking time of at least 10% (mean (95% confidence interval) improvement in these patients was 21.5% (3.9%)), while a further 2 had subjective and modest objective benefit. Different patterns of visual and auditory cues suited different patients. Visual cueing alone with a fixed horizontal cue line present all the time statistically resulted in the greatest improvement in walking time. Conclusions: This pilot study shows promising improvement in the gait of a significant proportion of Parkinson's disease patients through the use of a simple, inexpensive and robust design of walking glasses, suggesting practical applicability in a therapy setting to large numbers of such patients.
Clinical examination tools for lateropulsion or pusher syndrome following stroke: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Babyar Suzanne R , Peterson Margaret GE , Bohannon Richard , Pérennou Dominic , Reding Michael 
Published: April 2009

Objective: To examine the clinimetric properties and clinical applicability of published tools for `quantifying' the degree of lateropulsion or pusher syndrome following stroke. Data sources: Search through electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Science Citation Index) with the terms lateropulsion, pushing, pusher syndrome, validity, reliability, internal consistency, responsiveness, sensitivity, specificity, posture and stroke. Databases were searched from their inception to October 2008. Review methods: Abstracts were selected by one author. A panel of experts then determined which should be included in this review. Five abstracts were reviewed and the panel agreed to omit one abstract because those authors did not write a full manuscript. The panel critiqued manuscripts according to predetermined criteria about clinical and clinimetric properties. Results: Four manuscripts referencing three tools for examining lateropulsion were found. Validity and reliability data support the clinical use of the Scale for Contraversive Pushing, the Modified Scale for Contraversive Pushing and the Burke Lateropulsion Scale. The Scale for Contraversive Pushing has the most extensive testing of clinimetric properties. The other tools show promising preliminary evidence of clinical and research utility. More testing is needed with larger, more diverse samples. Reviewers' conclusions: The Scale for Contraversive Pushing, the Modified Scale for Contraversive Pushing and the Burke Lateropulsion Scale are reliable and valid measures with good clinical applicability. Larger, more varied samples should be used to better delineate responsiveness and other clinimetric properties of these examination tools.
Comparative Evaluation of the Measurement Properties of Various Shoulder Outcome Instruments
Authors: Oh Joo Han , Jo Ki Hyun , Kim Woo Sung , Gong Hyun Sik , Han Seo Gyeong , Kim Yeon Ho 
Published: April 2009

Background Various shoulder outcome instruments have been used despite lack of information on their measurement properties; reliability, responsiveness, and validity; and correlation with health-related quality of life. Hypothesis Most shoulder outcome instruments have poor correlation with Short Form−36, a general measure of health-related quality of life, and with each other. Study Design Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods A consecutive group of 285 patients who had undergone shoulder surgery completed several shoulder outcome instruments—Short Form−36; University of California, Los Angeles shoulder score; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons shoulder evaluation form; Constant score; Simple Shoulder Test; Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index; and the rating sheet for Bankart repair (Rowe score)—preoperatively and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. Internal consistency, standardized response mean, effect size, and Pearson correlation were used to evaluate reliability, responsiveness, and validity. Results The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons form, Simple Shoulder Test, and Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index displayed good internal consistency. The University of California, Los Angeles shoulder score and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons form exhibited good responsiveness, whereas Short Form−36 showed the least responsiveness. Pearson correlation coefficients between the shoulder outcome instruments and Short Form−36 were less than excellent ( r < .60). Pearson correlation coefficients between the outcome instruments were generally low except for the Constant score and University of California, Los Angeles shoulder score ( r = .673, P < .01). Conclusion There was no single shoulder outcome instrument that was superior to the others in terms of the measurement properties. Most of the tested shoulder outcome instruments did not reflect health-related quality of life well and poorly correlated with each other. This meant that the comparison of a given surgical result with different outcome instruments might be of little practical utility. Further prospective and serial studies should be conducted to develop better shoulder outcome instruments that have significant reliability, responsiveness, validity, and correlation with health-related quality of life. A careful combination of outcome instruments might be necessary to compensate the current evaluation systems.
Prevalence of residual excessive sleepiness in CPAP-treated sleep apnoea patients: the French multicentre study
Authors: Pépin J-L. , Viot-Blanc V. , Escourrou P. , Racineux J-L. , Sapene M. , Lévy P. , Dervaux B. , Lenne X. , Mallart A. 
Published: April 2009

The percentage of compliant continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)-treated apnoeic patients that continue to experience residual excessive sleepiness (RES) is unknown.RES was defined by an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score of ≥11. In total, 502 patients from 37 French sleep centres using CPAP >3 h·night−1attending their 1-yr follow-up visit were eligible.ESS and polysomnographic data as well as symptoms, quality of life, depression scores and objective CPAP compliance at 1 yr were collected. Overall, 60 patients remained sleepy on CPAP (ESS 14.3±2.5) leading to a prevalence rate of RES of 12.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 9.1–14.8). After having excluded associated restless leg syndrome, major depressive disorder and narcolepsy as confounding causes, the final prevalence rate of RES was 6.0% (95% CI 3.9–8.01). Patients with RES were younger and more sleepy at diagnosis. The relative risk of having RES was 5.3 (95% CI 1.6–22.1), when ESS before treatment was ≥11. Scores of emotional and energy Nottingham Health Profile domains were two times worse in patients with RES.As 230,000 obstructive sleep apnoea patients are currently treated in France by continuous positive airway pressure, more than 13,800 of them might suffer from residual excessive sleepiness.
Plasmapheresis for treatment of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: Fig. 1—
Authors: Luisetti M. , Rodi G. , Perotti C. , Campo I. , Mariani F. , Pozzi E. , Trapnell B. C. 
Published: April 2009

Whole lung lavage (WLL) is currently the standard therapy for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). Nevertheless, some PAP patients respond poorly to WLL or require it frequently. The present paper reports a patient with autoimmune PAP with persistent disease despite three WLL treatments over 10 months.Plasmapheresis with ten 1.5-L plasma exchanges was performed, which lowered the serum granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) autoantibody level from 250 μg·mL−1to 156 μg·mL−1but did not improve respiratory impairment. Further WLL therapy was required and transiently effective. Serum GM-CSF autoantibody levels declined progressively, reaching a value of 56 μg·mL−180 weeks after completion of plasmapheresis. However, this decrease was not accompanied by clinical improvement and the patient required additional WLL therapy.The results confirm that minor reductions in serum granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor autoantibody levels from plasmapheresis are not reflected in clinical improvement in the severity of lung disease in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
Effectiveness and safety of endobronchial ultrasound–transbronchial needle aspiration: a systematic review
Authors: Varela-Lema L. , Fernández-Villar A. , Ruano-Ravina A. 
Published: April 2009

The aim of the present systematic review was to assess the effectiveness and safety of real time endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS–TBNA) in patients with suspected or known bronchopulmonary carcinoma, as well as in other clinical indications presented by lymphatic adenopathies.A systematic review was carried out in November 2007 and updated in April 2008 using the main databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the papers retrieved.A total of 20 publications were included. Of these, 14 were original studies that investigated the clinical usefulness of the technique in visualising and staging lymph nodes in patients with suspected or established lung cancer. Sensitivity ranged 85–100% and negative predictive value ranged 11–97.4%. Three studies assessed the clinical usefulness of the technique in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. EBUS–TBNA was diagnostic in 88–93% of patients. One retrospective study evaluated the use of EBUS–TBNA in the diagnosis of lymphoma. None of the studies included in the present review reported important complications.Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration is a safe and highly accurate procedure for the examination and staging of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes in patients with known or suspected lung malignancy. The evidence is promising for sarcoidosis but is not sufficient for lymphoma.