Religiosity and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Latina Adolescents: Trends from 1995 to 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine trends in the influence of religiosity on sexual activity of Latina adolescents in the United States from 1995 to 2008 and to determine if differences existed between the Mexican American and other Latina groups. Methods: The sample comprised the subset of unmarried, 15–21-year-old (mean 17 years) Latina female respondents in the 1995 (n=267), 2002 (n=306), and 2006–2008 (n=400) National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) datasets. Associations between religiosity (importance of religion and service attendance) and history of ever having sex, number of sex partners, and age of sexual debut were investigated. Results: Less than one half of Latinas in 1995 (44%) and in 2006–2008 (44%) reported that religion was very important to them, whereas in 2002, 50% reported it was important. Only in 1995 did Latinas who viewed religion as very important have a significantly lower level of sexual initiation. In 1995 and in 2006–2008, Latinas who held religion as very important had significantly fewer partners. In all three cohorts, the higher religious importance group had higher virgin survival rates. Across cohorts, approximately one third of respondents reported frequent religious attendance. In all cohorts, frequent attenders were less likely to have had sex, had fewer partners, and had older age at sexual debut. The survival rate as virgins for Mexican origin Latinas was higher in 1995 and 2002 compared to non-Mexican Latinas but was almost the same in 2006–2008. Conclusions: Religiosity had a protective association with sexual activity among Latina adolescents. The association of importance of religion with sexual activity has diminished from 1995 to 2008, however, whereas the importance of service attendance has remained stable. The influence of religion was more apparent among the Latinas of Mexican origin, but this greater influence also diminished by 2006–2008

Which Are the Most Relevant Questions in the Assessment of Outcome after Distal Radial Fractures?

A study was designed to determine which wrist scoring system best correlates with patient satisfaction and which individual variables predict a satisfactory outcome. We looked at forty-five females and 5 males with wrist fractures at 12 weeks after injury and compared their level of satisfaction with various respected outcome measures. The mean age was 66 years. Multivariate regression analysis was carried out using a statistical software package. Patient satisfaction correlated best with the MacDermid, Watts, and DASH scores. The variables in these scoring systems that predicted satisfaction were pain and ability to perform household chores or usual occupation, open packets, and cut meat. The four most important questions to ask in the clinic following wrist fractures are about severity of pain and ability to open packets, cut meat, and perform household chores or usual occupation. This may provide simple and more concise means of assessing outcome after distal radial fractures. Level of evidence is level 4

Paleogene geochronology: An integrated approach

Geochronology is the conceptual division of continuous time as measured (geochronometry) by the progression in an ordinal series of events. This is best achieved by an approach which integrates four independent data sets: magnetostratigraphy, seafloor spreading magnetic lineation patterns, biostratigraphy, and isotopic ages. This integrated approach results in an ordinal framework which can measure time with greater resolution, though perhaps less accuracy, than a radiometric approach alone. A comparative analysis of two recently proposed Paleogene geochronologic time scales is presented

The Transit Phase of Migration: Circulation of Malaria and Its Multidrug-Resistant Forms in Africa

In the third article in a six-part <I>PLoS Medicine</I> series on Migration & Health, Cally Roper and Caroline Lynch use a case study of migration and anti-malarial drug resistance in Uganda to discuss the specific health risks and policy needs associated with the transit phase of migration

Protocol for the development of an evidence-based ‘Best Practice Model’ for Teams Managing Crisis in Dementia

Background: Teams working in the community to manage crisis in dementia are available, but with widely varying models of practice it is difficult to determine the effectiveness of such teams. The aim of this study is to develop a model of best practice for dementia services managing crisis, as well as a set of resources to help teams implement this model: these will be (respectively) the Best Practice Tool and Toolkit, to improve the effectiveness of crisis teams working with older people with dementia and their carers. Objective: To detail a protocol describing the development a ‘Best Practice Model,’ to include a Best Practice Tool and Toolkit intended to measure and improve practice delivery. Methods: This paper describes the protocol for a prospective study which will use qualitative methods to establish an understanding of current practice to develop a ‘Best Practice Model,’ to include a Best Practice Tool and Toolkit intended to measure and improve practice delivery. Participants (people with dementia, carers, staff members and stakeholders) from a variety of geographical areas, with a broad experience of crisis and non-crisis working, will be purposively selected to participate in qualitative methodology including interviews, focus groups, a consensus workshop, and development and field testing of both the Best Practice Tool and Toolkit. Results: Not applicable as protocol is describing a prospective study for development of a 'Best Practice Model' for Teams Managing Crisis in Dementia. Conclusions: This is the first study to systematically explore the requirements needed to fulfil effective and appropriate home management for people with dementia and their carers at a time of mental health crisis, as delivered by Teams Managing Crisis in Dementia (TMCDs). This systematic approach to development will support greater acceptability and validity of the Best Practice Tool and Toolkit and lay the foundation for a large scale trial with TMCDs across England to investigate effects on practice and impact on service provision, and associated experiences of people with dementia and their carers. Clinical Trial: Not applicabl

Development of an Evidence-Based Best Practice Model for Teams Managing Crisis in Dementia: Protocol for a Qualitative Study

Background: Teams working in the community to manage crisis in dementia are available, but with widely varying models of practice it is difficult to determine the effectiveness of such teams. The aim of this study is to develop a model of best practice for dementia services managing crisis, as well as a set of resources to help teams implement this model: these will be (respectively) the Best Practice Tool and Toolkit, to improve the effectiveness of crisis teams working with older people with dementia and their carers. Objective: To detail a protocol describing the development a ‘Best Practice Model,’ to include a Best Practice Tool and Toolkit intended to measure and improve practice delivery. Methods: This paper describes the protocol for a prospective study which will use qualitative methods to establish an understanding of current practice to develop a ‘Best Practice Model,’ to include a Best Practice Tool and Toolkit intended to measure and improve practice delivery. Participants (people with dementia, carers, staff members and stakeholders) from a variety of geographical areas, with a broad experience of crisis and non-crisis working, will be purposively selected to participate in qualitative methodology including interviews, focus groups, a consensus workshop, and development and field testing of both the Best Practice Tool and Toolkit. Results: Not applicable as protocol is describing a prospective study for development of a 'Best Practice Model' for Teams Managing Crisis in Dementia. Conclusions: This is the first study to systematically explore the requirements needed to fulfil effective and appropriate home management for people with dementia and their carers at a time of mental health crisis, as delivered by Teams Managing Crisis in Dementia (TMCDs). This systematic approach to development will support greater acceptability and validity of the Best Practice Tool and Toolkit and lay the foundation for a large scale trial with TMCDs across England to investigate effects on practice and impact on service provision, and associated experiences of people with dementia and their carers. Clinical Trial: Not applicable

Information Display System for Atypical Flight Phase

Method and system for displaying information on one or more aircraft flights, where at least one flight is determined to have at least one atypical flight phase according to specified criteria. A flight parameter trace for an atypical phase is displayed and compared graphically with a group of traces, for the corresponding flight phase and corresponding flight parameter, for flights that do not manifest atypicality in that phase

Physical and emotional nourishment: Food as the embodied component of loving care of elderly family relatives

Purpose This purpose of this study is to examine the fluidity of family life which continues to attract attention. This is increasingly significant for the intergenerational relationship between adult children and their elderly parents. Using practice theory, the aims are to understand the role of food in elderly families and explore how family practices are maintained when elderly transition into care. Design/methodology/approach A phenomenological research approach was used as the authors sought to build an understanding of the social interactions between family and their lifeworld. Findings This study extends theory on the relationship between the elderly parent and their family and explores through practice theory how families performed their love, how altered routines and long standing rituals provided structure to the elderly relatives and how care practices were negotiated as the elderly relatives transitioned from independence to dependence and towards care. A theoretical framework is introduced that provides guidance for the transition stages and the areas for negotiation. Research limitations/implications This research has implications for food manufacturers and marketers, as the demand for healthy food for the elderly is made more widely available, healthy and easy to prepare. The limitations of the research are due to the sample located in East Yorkshire only. Practical implications This research has implications for brand managers of food manufacturers and supermarkets that need to create product lines that target this segment by producing healthy, convenience food. Social implications It is also important for health and social care policy as the authors seek to understand the role of food, family and community and how policy can be devised to provide stability in this transitional and uncertain lifestage. Originality/value This research extends the body of literature on food and the family by focussing on the elderly cared for and their family. The authors show how food can be construed as loving care, and using practice theory, a theoretical framework is developed that can explain the transitions and how the family negotiates the stages from independence to dependence