Orienting to Extinguished Signals in Hemispatial Neglect

This study tested for spatial orienting effects, without awareness to signals presented in the neglected hemifield of 2 hemispatial-neglect patients. The experiment adapted a spatial precuing paradigm for measuring the effects of visual attention. Contralesional orienting hastened subsequent target detection at the location of an extinguished precue. These findings validate a claim that orienting can occur independently of overt detection and indicate that location information is registered in the neglected field.     

Factors affecting the disease course in multiple sclerosis

This study investigate the significance of various data of patient's and family's history according to the disease activity of MS. 350 patients with definitive MS were divided into two groups according to a different clinical course. There was no difference in the frequency of the registered factors between these two groups. Our conclusion is, that the evaluated factors don't have prognostic significance in the course of MS. The results support the model of a phase characteristic course of MS which has been suggested by Fog and Linnemann.     

Side-effects of lithium therapy]

Side-effects and complications of lithium therapy were examined by evaluation of data registered from 73 patients. Transitory subjective complaints would often occur during the initial phase of therapy, but they do not require any additional therapy. Occasional development of struma and sometimes high increase of body weight require regular controls of these values. Disposing factors concerning the possible occurrence of epileptic seizures and extra-pyramidal disorders under lithium therapy are Melipramin as well as organic cerebral lesions.     

Value Priorities and Organ Donation in Young Adults

This research identifies major personal values among American university students that predict organ-donation registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Participants responded to a factual test of their knowledge about organ donation, indicated whether or not they had registered as posthumous donors, and filled out a personality inventory measuring their personal values (Schwartz, 1992, 1994). The data indicated a high level of factual knowledge about organ donation; and the greater the level of knowledge, the more likely participants were registered to donate their organs. Also, participants higher in benevolence, universalism, achievement, and stimulation were more likely to have registered to donate their organs. The results are discussed in terms of the need to develop more effective health-communication campaigns by using specific health-education messages tailored to students majoring in different disciplines or to people in various occupations as a means of increasing their willingness to donate.     

Restauration d’un contexte de libre choix et insertion professionnelle des allocataires du RMI

This study deals with the vocational rehabilitation of minimum wage integration beneficiaries (RMI) and their commitment with an assistance service of vocational rehabilitation. We postulate that these public is perceived like not very autonomous by the welfare workers and that their freedom of action is some reduced. So we studied the impact of a context of freedom on the course of these public. Two results appeared. Firstly, a high context of freedom increases the commitment of people towards the welfare workers. Secondly, we observed that context of freedom did not have impact on the vocational rehabilitation of the individuals recently registered in RMI device. Nevertheless, in a freedom context, people registered since longer had the same probability to success that people recently registered in RMI device.     

Influences of visibility,intentions, and probability in a peripheral cuing task

According to the concept of direct parameter specification, nonconsciously registered information can be processed to the extent that it matches currently active intentions of a person. This prediction was tested and confirmed in the current study. Masked visual information provided by peripheral cues led to reaction time (RT) effects only if the information specified one of the required responses (Experiments 1 and 3). Information delivered by the same masked cues that did not match the intentions was not used. However, the same information influenced RT if it was provided by visible cues (Experiments 2 and 3). The results suggest that the processing of nonconsciously registered information is flexible because it is susceptible to the changing intentions of a person. Yet, these processes are apparently restricted, as nonconsciously registered information cannot be used as easily for purposes not corresponding to the currently active intentions as better visible information.     

Pain Sensitivity: An Unnatural History from 1800 to 1965

Who was truly capable of experiencing pain? In this article, I explore ideas about the distribution of bodily sensitivity in patients from the early nineteenth century to 1965 in Anglo-American societies. While certain patients were regarded as “truly hurting,” other patients’ distress could be disparaged or not even registered as being “real pain.” Such judgments had major effects on regimes of pain-alleviation. Indeed, it took until the late twentieth century for the routine underestimation of the sufferings of certain groups of people to be deemed scandalous. Often the categorizations were contradictory. For instance, the humble status of workers and immigrants meant that they were said to be insensitive to noxious stimuli; the profound inferiority of these same patients meant that they were especially likely to respond with “exaggerated” sensitivity. How did physicians hold such positions simultaneously? Pain-assignation claimed to be based on natural hierarchical schemas, but the great Chain of Feeling was more fluid than it seemed.     

Evaluation of psychological performance parameters in the use of Finlepsin and Convulsofin

The psychomotorial tempo was investigated in a particular case study of seven patients during the introduction of Convulsofin respectively Finlepsin. For this end the reaction rate was registered at the same moment as the EEG. The valuation of the psychological parameters referred to optimal courses of the introduction. Three months after the beginning of introduction the examined criterions (psychological, clinical, pharmacological, EEG) showed a equally positive tendency. An observation period for the prognosis valuation of at least three months is recommended. Negative deviations can be involved by drugs or by disturbances of the compliance.     

Epidemiologic studies of neuropsychiatric morbidity in the Reichenbach/V. district (analysis of 1980)

The medicostatistical evaluation of the total of neuropsychiatric patients belonging to the district Reichenbach/V. with outpatient medical care for 50.3 thousand inhabitants (from 16 years onward) of the year 1980 is presented. From 8665 persons registered 1510 (e. g. 2.5% of the total population/59.3 thousand) consulted the psychiatrist; 811 of them consulted the doctor for the first time, whereas in case of 699 patients it had happened repeatedly. From the total of 4066 consultations there belong 820 to the department of psychiatry (54.3%) and 690 (45.7%) to the neurological department including borderline cases. Taking into account all specialized clinical inpatient care and permanent nursing in asylums the period-prevalence for schizophrenia is 1.83% (ICD-295) and for affective psychoses (ICD-296) 1.27%.     

Supporting child witnesses during identification lineups: Exploring the effectiveness of registered intermediaries

Performance at identification lineup was assessed in eighty‐five 6‐ to 11‐year‐old typically developing children. Children viewed a live staged event involving 2 male actors, and were asked to identify the perpetrators from 2 separate lineups (one perpetrator‐present lineup and one perpetrator‐absent lineup). Half the children took part in lineups adapted by a registered intermediary (an impartial, trained professional who facilitates understanding and communication between vulnerable witnesses and members of the justice system), and half took part in “best‐practice” lineups, according to the current guidance for eyewitness identification in England and Wales. Children receiving assistance from a registered intermediary (relative to children who received best‐practice lineups) were more accurate in their identifications for perpetrator‐present lineups, and there was some evidence that they were also more accurate for perpetrator‐absent lineups. This provides the first empirical evidence for the effectiveness of registered intermediary support during identification lineups.     

A psychometric assessment of a Swedish translation of Spreitzer's empowerment scale

The psychometric properties of a Swedish translation of Spreitzer's (1995a) empowerment scale were assessed. Three parallel assessments were made of data from 1,107 female registered nurses, 758 female assistant nurses, and 107 male registered and assistant nurses. The analyses indicated that the psychometric properties of the scale can be considered satisfactory. Suggestions are made regarding future research in the fields of psychometrics and work- and health-psychology.     

Epidemiology and psychopathology of epileptics in Bydgoszca Province registered between 1976 and 1980

In the years 1976-1980, the province of Bydgoszcz had a total of 2635 registered epileptics, or 0.37% of the entire population, over the age of 16. From these, 200 patients were randomly selected, and between 1983 and 1985 a complats clinical follow-up investigation was carried out. Among the most frequent mental disorders found were postparoxysmal twilight state (19.5%) and affective psychoses (11%), among the chronic disorders, dementia of varying intensity (26.5%). In contrast with previous investigations the present investigation made it possible to determine with precision the cause of epileptic attacks. The ratio was 61% to 31%.     

Motivational Interviewing Promotes Adherence and Improves Wellbeing in Pre-Dialysis Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease

Low rates of adherence to medical treatments and adverse emotional states are a widespread problem in advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD). Motivational interviewing using the stages of change model is an effective combination in promoting behavior modifications. The objective of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of an individual, pre-dialysis intervention program (monthly sessions of 90 min over a 6-month period) in terms of adherence, emotional state and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Forty-two patients were evaluated for adherence, depression, anxiety and HRQL with standardized self-report questionnaires. Biochemical markers were also registered. The results show that after the intervention, patients reported significantly higher levels of adherence, lower depression and anxiety levels, and better HRQL (i.e., general health and emotional role domains). Biochemical parameters were controlled significantly better after the intervention, except for iPTH. These findings highlight the potential benefit of applying individual psycho-educational intervention programs based on motivational interviewing and using the stages of change model to promote adherence and wellbeing in ACKD patients.     

Pain perception in patients undergoing bone marrow puncture--a pilot study

The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between the perception of pain, anxiety, and depressive tendency in performance of bone marrow puncture. 93 consecutive patients (62% men, 38% women) from a hematological oncology outpatient department ages 20 to 85 years (M age = 53.7, SD = 15.1) were questioned. On average, the patients had undergone 2.5 (+/- 2.6) punctures. The underlying disease was leukemia in 49%, malignant lymphoma in 41%, another malignant disease in 2%, and there was a benign condition in 8%. Depression and general anxiety were measured using the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS-D). Fear of puncture and perception of pain were registered with visual analog scales. Patients with increased scores of anxiety or depressive tendency on the HADS-D suffered significantly more severely from fear of puncture and pain than patients with normal scores. However, the puncture-related fear in the group as a whole correlated markedly more closely with the intensity and tolerability of pain than did general fear and depressive tendency. This finding must be considered when planning psychological interventions in this group of patients.     

Assertion training: the effectiveness of a comprehensive cognitive--behavioral treatment package with professional nurses

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral treatment package with a professional population of registered nurses using multiple self-report and role-play measures. Twenty-six self-referred registered nurses were randomly assigned to either a Treatment or Control group. The treatment package consisted of five weekly 2-hr sessions of group assertion training using the cognitive-behavioral model of Lange and Jakubowski. The Assertiveness Self-statement Test, the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule, the Adult Self-expression Scale, two Likert scales and role-play were used to evaluate changes over time. The results indicated: (1) the nurses in both groups at Pretreatment were clearly subassertive; (2) by Posttraining the Treatment-group members increased significantly their assertiveness as indicated on the self-report tests; (3) Treatment-group members had successfully maintained their improved assertiveness by the 2-month Follow-up; (4) the role-play ratings paralleled and supported the self-report results, but not at significant levels; (5) there was strong empirical support for the social validity of the treatment package; and (6) there was a high degree of treatment credibility for the cognitive-behavioral Assertion-training group. Overall, the results indicate clear support for the effectiveness of a broad-based cognitive-behavioral treatment package for treating subassertive behavior in a professional population of registered nurses.     

The registered distance of the celestial sphere: some historical cross-cultural data

Estimates of the diameters of the sun and moon expressed in centimetres have been reported by several authors in the past. These estimates imply that the sizes of the sun and moon are perceived as if these bodies are only some tens of metres distant. In this study five units of length that were used by ancient astronomers to estimate arcs on the celestial sphere were investigated. The purpose was to determine whether the lengths and angles represented by these units imply a specific registered distance of the star sphere. The sizes of the Babylonian cubit, Arab fitr and shibr, Greek eclipse digit, and Chinese chang support the conclusion that the registered distance of the stars was about 10 to 40 metres in these four cultures over the last two millennia.     

To Be a Donor or Not to Be? Applying an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Posthumous Organ Donation Intentions

Using a theory of planned behavior (TPB) perspective, individual intentions to register and discuss the decision of organ donation with significant others were examined. In addition to standard TPB variables (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control [PBC]), self-identity and moral norm were incorporated into the TPB as predictors. Australian university students ( N  = 303) completed a survey comprising standard and additional TPB constructs. Separate analyses were conducted for both registered and nonregistered participants. In general, results provide support for the extended TPB model in predicting intentions to register and discuss the donation decision, with the exceptions that self-identity did not predict discussion intentions for either registered or nonregistered participants, and PBC did not predict discussion intentions for nonregistered participants.     

Perceptions of Registered Nurses/Midwives and Obstetricians on Having Males as Expectant Fathers Present in the Delivery Room at Public Hospitals in Trinidad and Tobago: Implications for Women and Their Partners

This study explored the perspectives of obstetricians and registered nurses/midwives on the presence of expectant fathers in the delivery room with a view to understanding the implications for the mother as well as the expectant father. A qualitative research design using a phenomenological approach to understand the nuances and challenges that affect the perceptions and attitudes of obstetricians and registered nurses/midwives on the research issue. Five focus group discussions and five key informant interviews were the data collection strategies. Data were coded openly then combined to form themes which were utilized as the framework for data analysis. Three major themes emerged in the findings which included potential benefits to the mother, potential benefits to the father and potential benefits to the relationship. Generally, obstetricians and registered nurses/midwives held positive views about their presence in the delivery suite. This was related to the perceived positive impact that he could have on the woman during the inter-natal and post-natal periods as well as the quality of the relationship. By extension, their presence could have positive long term benefits on the quality of the relationship. The presence of expectant fathers in the delivery room could have a positive impact on the delivery experience for mothers, fathers and the long term relationship. The findings could provide a framework for other studies including a prospective study on the long term implications for the presence of expectant fathers in the delivery room.     

Development of the near-death phenomena knowledge and attitudes questionnaire

In the first study of nurses' knowledge of and attitudes toward near-death phenomena and patients who have experienced them (NDErs), 20 registered nurses in Intensive or Cardiac Care Units completed a questionaire containing 29 true/false/undecided statements about near-death phenomena (alpha reliability .83), 29 Likert items concerning attitudes toward such phenomena (alpha .84), and 25 Likert items concerning attitudes toward care of NDErs (alpha .81). The revised questionnaire has high levels of content and construct validity, and acceptable levels of internal consistency, and is therefore a valid and reliable tool.This paper was derived in part from her M.S.N. thesis submitted to the University of Cincinnati, and was based on a study conducted at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.     

Médicaments princeps vs. marché concurrentiel. De la motivation obligatoire,au contrôle des motifs médicaux ?

Physicians are free to prescribe the drugs they consider the best for their patients, and simultaneously required to seek healthcare’ cost-effectiveness — especially after patents expiry. While the physician choice of a given molecule is indisputable, French pharmacists gradually gained a large power to choose the brands on chemicals’ and biologics’ competitive markets. In May 2018, the highest judicial Court decided the physician must expressly motivate his exclusive choice of a given brand, and can not simply refuse the brand’ substitution by pharmacists. This unprecedented requirement is extrapolable to all substitutable drugs in France (registered generics and biosimilars). It raises the possible examination of medical choice motives — but in our opinion, it finishes, rather than it opens the arms race between prescribers and mandatory health insurers in France.