Quantifying the effectiveness of silver ring splints to correct swan-neck deformity

Swan-neck deformity is a common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis affecting the fingers. It can be classified by hyperextension of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint [1]. Methods to correct hyperextension of the PIP joint range from surgery to splinting techniques [2]. Silver ring splints (SRSs) were recently identified as a possible alternative to surgery and traditional thermoplastic splints because patient adherence was improved by their appearance [3]. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the SRSs restrict PIP joint hyperextension during a fine dexterity task

MANACLED DESIRES: WILLIAM BLAKE\u27S STRUGGLE FOR SEXUAL AUTONOMY

This thesis closely examines William Blake’s attitudes towards women and compares and contrasts the texts with what can be known of Blake’s life and world. It examines his interest in sexual freedom and where these interests might have emerged from. The author explores the possibility that he might be interested in sexual freedom for the benefit of both men and women

“Dirty” Workplace Politics and Well-Being: The Role of Gender

We build and empirically test an integrative model of gender, workplace politics, and stress by integrating social role theory and prescriptive gender stereotypes with the transactional theory of stress. To examine the effect of gender on the relation between exposure to non-sanctioned political influence tactics (NPITs; e.g., self-serving and socially undesirable behaviors such as manipulation and intimidation) and stress outcomes, we employed a daily diary design with 64 employed adults over the course of 12 working days. In support of our hypotheses, exposure to NPITs––that is, “dirty politics”––elicited a threat appraisal that, in turn, related to the activation of negative emotions. Moreover, unlike men, women who reported higher levels of NPITs experienced heightened levels of threat appraisal and ultimately negative emotions. We demonstrate that pairing social role theory with the transactional theory of stress is a useful approach for researchers interested in better understanding gender differences in the occupational stress process. Anyone interested in reducing stress in the workplace is encouraged not only to reduce the occurrence of NPITs, but also to consider ways to reduce the threat associated with them, especially for women

Labritermes Holmgren

14 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 13-14)."Two new species, Labritermes emersoni and L. kistneri, are added to the hitherto monotypic Oriental genus Labritermes. The genus and its type species, L. buttel-reepeni, are redescribed, and the close relationship of Labritermes to the African genus Forminitermes is shown"--p. [1]

Blister beetles

p. 139-266 : ill., maps ; 26 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 261-266)."The vittata group of the genus Epicauta contains 31 species. Seven of these are confined to North America; one ranges from Central America to central South America; the rest are confined to South America. All the species from North America (Epicauta vittata, E. occidentalis, E. temexa, E. abadona, E. tamara, E. vitticollis, and E. unilineata) and three of those from southern South America (Epicauta monachica, E. luteolineata, and E. leopardina) are compared in detail with respect to ecology, behavior, and reproductive biology (courtship, copulation, oviposition, and development and hatching of eggs). Field and laboratory studies establish a high degree of uniformity among the species of the group in all characters except those of male courtship behavior. Differences in courtship behavior are especially marked between sympatric species. Little of the variation among taxa in biological characters is explicable on the basis of variation in the physical environment of the taxa. The group is formally defined and a diagnostic key to the species occurring in North America is presented. Species accounts giving synonymy, locality records, and (for the North American species) analyses of geographic variation are presented. New species in the group are Epicauta temexa, E. tamara, E. aragua, and E. apure. Epicauta kraussi var. purpureiceps is given species status as Epicauta purpureiceps"--P. 141

Interdisciplinary, Translational, and Community-Based Participatory Research: Finding a Common Language to Improve Cancer Research

Preventing cancer, downstaging disease at diagnosis, and reducing mortality require that relevant research findings be translated across scientific disciplines and into clinical and public health practice. Interdisciplinary research focuses on using the languages of different scientific disciplines to share techniques and philosophical perspectives to enhance discovery and development of innovations; (i.e., from the “left end” of the research continuum). Community-based participatory research (CBPR), whose relevance often is relegated to the “right end” (i.e., delivery and dissemination) of the research continuum, represents an important means for understanding how many cancers are caused as well as for ensuring that basic science research findings affect cancer outcomes in materially important ways. Effective interdisciplinary research and CBPR both require an ability to communicate effectively across groups that often start out neither understanding each other’s worldviews nor even speaking the same language. Both demand an ability and willingness to treat individuals from other communities with respect and understanding. We describe the similarities between CBPR and both translational and interdisciplinary research, and then illustrate our points using squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus as an example of how to deepen understanding and increase relevance by applying techniques of CBPR and interdisciplinary engagement

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act (BCCPTA) in Georgia: Women Covered and Medicaid Costs in 2003

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act (BCCPTA) provided states with an optional Medicaid eligibility category for uninsured women with breast and/or cervical cancers. The BCCPTA is the first and only such effort to use a population-based public health screening program, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) to provide a pathway to publicly funded health insurance for otherwise uninsured low-income women. Georgia was one of the first states to adopt the BCCPTA and was one of only twelve states that provided Medicaid eligibility to women screened by non-NBCCEDP providers. We use 2003 Georgia Medicaid claims and enrollment data to investigate the scope of the state’s BCCPTA enrollment and enrollees’ costs as well as demographic characteristics of breast and cervical cancer patients in Georgia’s BCCPTA and other Medicaid eligibility categories. Georgia’s Medicaid coverage of women with breast and/or cervical cancer under BCCPTA accounted for over one-third of all women with these cancers covered by the state in 2003 alone. Those newly eligible under BCCPTA were more likely to have breast, as opposed to cervical, cancer and to be older than those women with breast/cervical cancers enrolled in Georgia Medicaid due to low-income, pregnancy or disability status. Georgia’s Medicaid program spent over $29 million on BCCPTA enrollees in 2003 at a cost of over$12,000 per enrollee. BCCPTA enrollee costs were more similar to those for disabled women with these cancers, about $19,500, than to costs for low-income/pregnant women which equaled about$7,500. By expanding Medicaid coverage, BCCPTA can potentially bring women in at earlier stages of their cancer and provide needed coverage/treatment. Future research should examine the potential effect of BCCPTA on reduced morbidity and mortality among these low-income women