Exploring Pulmonary Rehabilitation Strategies for those with Respiratory Conditions

Effective rehabilitation strategies are paramount to improve physiological and psychological health in pulmonary disease. The aim of this thesis was to investigate traditional and alternative pulmonary rehabilitation strategies in those with chronic respiratory disease. Chapter Four found that traditional pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) was physiologically and psychologically effective, regardless of respiratory disease, with socioeconomic status being a key determinant of adherence. Chapter Five investigated the feasibility and acceptability of IMT. Children aged 10.8 ± 0.8 years with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) enjoyed the IMT intervention, perceiving improvements in their physical ability and psychosocial health. The care team highlighted that future interventions needed to be longer and to monitor engagement and adherence. Chapter Six assessed the effectiveness of an alternative rehabilitation strategy, using a four-week inspiratory muscle training (IMT) intervention, on lung function and heart rate variability in children with CF aged 10.8 ± 1.1 years. There were significant and clinically meaningful increases in respiratory muscle strength, a clinically meaningful decrease in sympathetic modulation, and decreases in respiratory symptoms. Subsequently, utilising the formative, physiological and psychological findings derived from Chapters Five and Six, an eight-week IMT intervention with live biofeedback, performed at 80% maximal inspiratory pressure, three times a week was implemented, with an eight-week optional IMT top-up. Overall, Chapter Seven found that eight weeks of IMT elicited significant increases in respiratory muscle strength, aerobic capacity and in CF-specific questionnaire domains in children (11.0 ± 2.2 years) with CF, which were maintained following the eight-week top-up period. Chapter Eight demonstrated significant improvements in inspiratory muscle strength and endurance after eight weeks, with sustained improvements in physiological health after 16-weeks in adults with bronchiectasis (64.5 ± 10.3 years). CF and bronchiectasis participants demonstrated high levels of adherence and reported competency and autonomy. Overall, IMT may be an effective and feasible alternative to pulmonary rehabilitation

Five to Four over Spirited Dissent: Justification to Overrule - Payne v. Tennessee

Symposiuim on Education Law: Note

Personality, presence, and the virtual self: A five-factor model approach to behavioral analysis within a virtual environment

For several decades, researchers have explored the existence of the virtual self, or digital embodiment of self found within an avatar. It was surmised that this new component of one’s overall identity not only existed in conjunction with the public and private persona, but was replete with the necessary physical and psychological characteristics that facilitate a broad range of cognitive, cultural, and socio-emotional outcomes found within a virtual environment (e.g., Second Life, World of Warcraft). However, little is known with regard to whether these characteristics do indeed impact behavioral outcomes. For this reason, this study employed an observational assessment method to explore the virtual self as more than a set of characteristics attributed to an avatar, but rather as a relationship between personality (i.e., individual and avatar) and actualized behavior exhibited within a virtual environment. Further, presence measures were introduced to better understand whether feelings of immersion impact this relationship. Results indicated a burgeoning virtual self, linking personality with behavior along the domain of agreeableness. In other words, behavior is not solely the product of the environment but also is influenced by participant predispositions. Findings also suggest that the construct presence may now need to incorporate variables that account for this virtual self. Implications for educators, instructional designers, and psychologists are discussed

Timothy de Waal Malefyt and Robert J. Morais. Advertising and Anthropology: Ethnographic Practice and Cultural Perspectives. New York: Berg, 2012.

Book review

Workplace Violence in the Healthcare Setting

Workplace Violence (WPV) is an all-encompassing term used to describe abusive behaviours directed at another with the intent to cause harm. Although the definition varies according to situations and practice settings, there is agreement that WPV has a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of nurses and the delivery of quality nursing care (Choiniere, MacDonnell, & Shamonda, 2010; Higgins & MacIntosh, 2010; Registered Nurses Association of Ontario [RNAO], 2008; Hsinag-Chu & Lee, 2011; Vessey, DeMarco, Gaffney, & Budin, 2009). The growing epidemic of violence in the workplace is of great concern for employees, employers and government agencies and is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) as a major health priority (Hinchberger, 2009). WPV occurs between nurses, between nurses and physicians and between nurses and patients and their families. In order to implement effective strategies aimed at diminishing WPV an investigation of the multi-layered risk factors must first be explored. The RNAO (2008) suggests taking “a broad approach, examining societal, workplace, and individual factors and recognizing the dynamic relationship between them” (p.2). This literature review aims at identifying and examining the risk factors for WPV; the psychological and physical effects experienced by nurses due to WPV; the strategies nurses employ to decrease violence in the workplace; and the personal and professional costs associated with WPV. Understanding the risk factors and associated consequences of WPV on the healthcare sector could potentially lead to effective interventions aimed at decreasing WPV and increasing productivity within the health sector

Covalent Bonding of Organic Molecules to Cu and Al Alloy 2024 T3 Surfaces via Diazonium Ion Reduction

Cu surfaces and polished aluminum alloy 2024 T3 substrates were derivatized at open-circuit potential with aryl diazonium salts in both aprotic and aqueous media. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of a derivatized film on the substrates before and after exposure to boiling water and sonication in acetone. Two different Cu substrate surfaces were prepared and used for X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of the derivatization results. One surface was native oxide Cu, predominantly in the form of Cu_2O, and one surface was predominantly Cu^0. Results of the XPS analysis indicate the presence of both a Cu-O-C linkage and a Cu-C covalent bond between the aryl ring and the Cu substrate, and a high coverage of the organic layer. XPS results also indicate the formation multilayers on both types of Cu surfaces with different percentages of azo coupling within the multilayers on the two surfaces. Applications of a covalently bonded organic film on copper and alloy surfaces include adhesion promotion, corrosion protection, and possibly inhibition of oxygen reduction