Search

This study asked whether individual differences in the influence of vision on postural stability could be used to predict the strength of subsequently induced visual illusions of self-motion (vection). In the experiment, we first measured spontaneous postural sway while subjects stood erect for 60 s with their eyes both open and both closed. We then showed our subjects two types of self-motion display: radially expanding optic flow (simulating constant velocity forwards self-motion) and vertically oscillating radially expanding optic flow (simulating constant velocity forwards self-motion combined with vertical head oscillation). As expected, subjects swayed more with their eyes closed (compared to open) and experienced more compelling illusions of self-motion with vertically oscillating (as opposed to smooth) radial flow. The extent to which participants relied on vision for postural stability-measured as the ratio of sway with eyes closed compared to that with eyes open-was found to predict vection strength. However, this was only the case for displays representing smooth self-motion. It seems that for oscillating displays, other factors, such as visual-vestibular interactions, may be more important.

This study asked whether individual differences in the influence of vision on postural stability could be used to predict the strength of subsequently induced visual illusions of self-motion (vection). In the experiment, we first measured spontaneous postural sway while subjects stood erect for 60 s with their eyes both open and both closed. We then showed our subjects two types of self-motion display: radially expanding optic flow (simulating constant velocity forwards self-motion) and vertically oscillating radially expanding optic flow (simulating constant velocity forwards self-motion combined with vertical head oscillation). As expected, subjects swayed more with their eyes closed (compared to open) and experienced more compelling illusions of self-motion with vertically oscillating (as opposed to smooth) radial flow. The extent to which participants relied on vision for postural stability-measured as the ratio of sway with eyes closed compared to that with eyes open-was found to predict vection strength. However, this was only the case for displays representing smooth self-motion. It seems that for oscillating displays, other factors, such as visual-vestibular interactions, may be more important.

Therapist-patient verbalizations reveal complex cognitive-emotional linguistic data. How these variables contribute to change requires further research. Emotional-cognitive text analysis using the Ulm cycles model software was applied to transcripts of the third session of psychotherapy for 20 patients with depression and personality disorder. Results showed that connecting cycle sequences of problem-solving in the third hour predicted 12-month clinical outcomes. Therapist-patient dyads most improved spent significantly more time early in session in connecting cycles, whilst the least improved moved into connecting cycles late in session. For this particular sample, it was clear that positive emotional problem-solving in therapy was beneficial.

Background & aims Older malnourished patients experience increased length of hospital stay and greater morbidity compared to their well nourished counterparts. This study aimed to assess whether nutritional status at hospital admission predicted clinical outcomes at 12 months follow-up. Methods Secondary data analysis of 2602 consecutive patient admissions to an acute tertiary hospital in New South Wales, Australia on or before 1st June 2009. Twelve-month data was analysed in a sub-sample of 774 patients. Nutritional status was determined within 72 h of admission using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Outcomes, obtained from electronic patient records included hospital readmission rate, total length of stay (LOS), change in level of care at discharge, and in-hospital mortality. Results A third (34%) of patients were malnourished and 55% at risk of malnutrition. Using a Cox proportional hazards regression model, controlling for underlying illness and age, patients at risk of malnutrition were 2.46 (95% CI: 1.36, 4.45; p = 0.003) times more likely to have a poor clinical outcome (mortality/discharge to higher level of care), while malnourished patients had a 3.57 (95% CI: 1.94, 6.59; p = 0.000) times higher risk. Conclusions A poor nutritional status carries a substantially greater risk of death and/or loss of dependency in older adults. Interventions to improve the nutritional status of patients during their hospital stay, and following discharge back to the community, are needed to lower the risk of adverse outcomes.

presented at the Vision Sciences Society Meeting, 10-15 May 2013, Naples, United States

Objective Personality dimensions are known to predict mortality and other health outcomes, but almost no research has assessed the effects of changes in personality traits on physical and mental health outcomes. In this article, we examined the effects of changes in the Big Five personality dimensions on health as assessed by the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Method Respondents were 11,105 Australian adults aged 2079 years (52.7% female). Latent difference score modeling was used to examine whether personality change over a 4-year period was associated with mental and physical health, and whether these effects were moderated by birth cohort. Results Increases in Conscientiousness and Extraversion were found to be associated with improved mental and physical health, whereas increased Neuroticism was linked with poorer health. The nature of these associations varied significantly by birth cohort. Conclusion The findings have implications for understanding how changes in personality traits over time are related to health, and could be used to aid the development of effective health promotion strategies targeted to specific personality traits and birth cohorts.

Background & aims Older malnourished patients experience increased length of hospital stay and greater morbidity compared to their well nourished counterparts. This study aimed to assess whether nutritional status at hospital admission predicted clinical outcomes at 12 months follow-up. Methods Secondary data analysis of 2602 consecutive patient admissions to an acute tertiary hospital in New South Wales, Australia on or before 1st June 2009. Twelve-month data was analysed in a sub-sample of 774 patients. Nutritional status was determined within 72 h of admission using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Outcomes, obtained from electronic patient records included hospital readmission rate, total length of stay (LOS), change in level of care at discharge, and in-hospital mortality. Results A third (34%) of patients were malnourished and 55% at risk of malnutrition. Using a Cox proportional hazards regression model, controlling for underlying illness and age, patients at risk of malnutrition were 2.46 (95% CI: 1.36, 4.45; p = 0.003) times more likely to have a poor clinical outcome (mortality/discharge to higher level of care), while malnourished patients had a 3.57 (95% CI: 1.94, 6.59; p = 0.000) times higher risk. Conclusions A poor nutritional status carries a substantially greater risk of death and/or loss of dependency in older adults. Interventions to improve the nutritional status of patients during their hospital stay, and following discharge back to the community, are needed to lower the risk of adverse outcomes.

Background/Objectives: Older malnourished patients experience increased surgical complications and greater morbidity compared with their well-nourished counterparts. This study aimed to assess whether nutritional status at hospital admission predicted clinical outcomes at 18 months follow-up. Subjects/Methods: A retrospective analysis of N=2076 patient admissions (65+ years) from two subacute hospitals, New South Wales, Australia. Analysis of outcomes at 18 months, according to nutritional status at index admission, was performed in a subsample of n=476. Nutritional status was determined within 72 h of admission using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Outcomes, obtained from electronic patient records, included hospital readmission rate, total Length of Stay (LOS), change in level of care at discharge and mortality. Survival analysis, using a Cox proportional hazards model, included age, sex, Major Disease Classification, mobility and LOS at index admission as covariates. Results: At baseline, 30% of patients were malnourished and 53% were at risk of malnutrition. LOS was higher in malnourished and at risk, compared with well-nourished patients (median (interquartile range): 34 (21, 58); 26 (15, 41); 20 (14, 26) days, respectively; P

Background/Objectives: Older malnourished patients experience increased surgical complications and greater morbidity compared with their well-nourished counterparts. This study aimed to assess whether nutritional status at hospital admission predicted clinical outcomes at 18 months follow-up. Subjects/Methods: A retrospective analysis of N=2076 patient admissions (65+ years) from two subacute hospitals, New South Wales, Australia. Analysis of outcomes at 18 months, according to nutritional status at index admission, was performed in a subsample of n=476. Nutritional status was determined within 72 h of admission using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Outcomes, obtained from electronic patient records, included hospital readmission rate, total Length of Stay (LOS), change in level of care at discharge and mortality. Survival analysis, using a Cox proportional hazards model, included age, sex, Major Disease Classification, mobility and LOS at index admission as covariates. Results: At baseline, 30% of patients were malnourished and 53% were at risk of malnutrition. LOS was higher in malnourished and at risk, compared with well-nourished patients (median (interquartile range): 34 (21, 58); 26 (15, 41); 20 (14, 26) days, respectively; P

Many regulatory frameworks for sediment quality assessment include consideration of contaminant bioavailability. However, the “snap-shots” of metal bioavailability provided by analyses of porewaters or acid-volatile sulfidesimultaneously extractable metal (AVS-SEM) relationships do not always contribute sufficient information. The use of inappropriate or inadequate information for assessing metal bioavailability in sediments may result in incorrect assessment decisions. The technique of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) enables the in situ measurement of metal concentrations in waters and fluxes from sediment porewaters. We utilized the DGT technique to interpret the bioavailability of copper to the benthic bivalve Tellina deltoidalis in sediments of varying properties contaminated with copper-based antifouling paint particles. For a concentration series of copper-paint contaminated sandy, silty-sand, and silty sediment types, DGTprobes were used to measure copper fluxes to the overlying water, at the sedimentwater interface, and in deeper sediments. The overlying water copper concentrations and DGT-Cu fluxes were shown to provide excellent exposure concentration−response relationships in relation to lethal effects occurring to the copper-sensitive benthic bivalve, T. deltoidalis. The study demonstrates the strength of the DGT technique, which we expect will become frequently used for assessing metal bioavailability in sediments.

Background/Objectives: Older malnourished patients experience increased surgical complications and greater morbidity compared with their well-nourished counterparts. This study aimed to assess whether nutritional status at hospital admission predicted clinical outcomes at 18 months follow-up. Subjects/Methods: A retrospective analysis of N=2076 patient admissions (65+ years) from two subacute hospitals, New South Wales, Australia. Analysis of outcomes at 18 months, according to nutritional status at index admission, was performed in a subsample of n=476. Nutritional status was determined within 72 h of admission using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Outcomes, obtained from electronic patient records, included hospital readmission rate, total Length of Stay (LOS), change in level of care at discharge and mortality. Survival analysis, using a Cox proportional hazards model, included age, sex, Major Disease Classification, mobility and LOS at index admission as covariates. Results: At baseline, 30% of patients were malnourished and 53% were at risk of malnutrition. LOS was higher in malnourished and at risk, compared with well-nourished patients (median (interquartile range): 34 (21, 58); 26 (15, 41); 20 (14, 26) days, respectively; P

Many regulatory frameworks for sediment quality assessment include consideration of contaminant bioavailability. However, the “snap-shots” of metal bioavailability provided by analyses of porewaters or acid-volatile sulfidesimultaneously extractable metal (AVS-SEM) relationships do not always contribute sufficient information. The use of inappropriate or inadequate information for assessing metal bioavailability in sediments may result in incorrect assessment decisions. The technique of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) enables the in situ measurement of metal concentrations in waters and fluxes from sediment porewaters. We utilized the DGT technique to interpret the bioavailability of copper to the benthic bivalve Tellina deltoidalis in sediments of varying properties contaminated with copper-based antifouling paint particles. For a concentration series of copper-paint contaminated sandy, silty-sand, and silty sediment types, DGTprobes were used to measure copper fluxes to the overlying water, at the sedimentwater interface, and in deeper sediments. The overlying water copper concentrations and DGT-Cu fluxes were shown to provide excellent exposure concentration−response relationships in relation to lethal effects occurring to the copper-sensitive benthic bivalve, T. deltoidalis. The study demonstrates the strength of the DGT technique, which we expect will become frequently used for assessing metal bioavailability in sediments.

Background/Objectives: Older malnourished patients experience increased surgical complications and greater morbidity compared with their well-nourished counterparts. This study aimed to assess whether nutritional status at hospital admission predicted clinical outcomes at 18 months follow-up. Subjects/Methods: A retrospective analysis of N=2076 patient admissions (65+ years) from two subacute hospitals, New South Wales, Australia. Analysis of outcomes at 18 months, according to nutritional status at index admission, was performed in a subsample of n=476. Nutritional status was determined within 72 h of admission using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Outcomes, obtained from electronic patient records, included hospital readmission rate, total Length of Stay (LOS), change in level of care at discharge and mortality. Survival analysis, using a Cox proportional hazards model, included age, sex, Major Disease Classification, mobility and LOS at index admission as covariates. Results: At baseline, 30% of patients were malnourished and 53% were at risk of malnutrition. LOS was higher in malnourished and at risk, compared with well-nourished patients (median (interquartile range): 34 (21, 58); 26 (15, 41); 20 (14, 26) days, respectively; P

Many regulatory frameworks for sediment quality assessment include consideration of contaminant bioavailability. However, the “snap-shots” of metal bioavailability provided by analyses of porewaters or acid-volatile sulfidesimultaneously extractable metal (AVS-SEM) relationships do not always contribute sufficient information. The use of inappropriate or inadequate information for assessing metal bioavailability in sediments may result in incorrect assessment decisions. The technique of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) enables the in situ measurement of metal concentrations in waters and fluxes from sediment porewaters. We utilized the DGT technique to interpret the bioavailability of copper to the benthic bivalve Tellina deltoidalis in sediments of varying properties contaminated with copper-based antifouling paint particles. For a concentration series of copper-paint contaminated sandy, silty-sand, and silty sediment types, DGTprobes were used to measure copper fluxes to the overlying water, at the sedimentwater interface, and in deeper sediments. The overlying water copper concentrations and DGT-Cu fluxes were shown to provide excellent exposure concentration−response relationships in relation to lethal effects occurring to the copper-sensitive benthic bivalve, T. deltoidalis. The study demonstrates the strength of the DGT technique, which we expect will become frequently used for assessing metal bioavailability in sediments.

Background/Objectives: Older malnourished patients experience increased surgical complications and greater morbidity compared with their well-nourished counterparts. This study aimed to assess whether nutritional status at hospital admission predicted clinical outcomes at 18 months follow-up. Subjects/Methods: A retrospective analysis of N=2076 patient admissions (65+ years) from two subacute hospitals, New South Wales, Australia. Analysis of outcomes at 18 months, according to nutritional status at index admission, was performed in a subsample of n=476. Nutritional status was determined within 72 h of admission using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Outcomes, obtained from electronic patient records, included hospital readmission rate, total Length of Stay (LOS), change in level of care at discharge and mortality. Survival analysis, using a Cox proportional hazards model, included age, sex, Major Disease Classification, mobility and LOS at index admission as covariates. Results: At baseline, 30% of patients were malnourished and 53% were at risk of malnutrition. LOS was higher in malnourished and at risk, compared with well-nourished patients (median (interquartile range): 34 (21, 58); 26 (15, 41); 20 (14, 26) days, respectively; P

Many regulatory frameworks for sediment quality assessment include consideration of contaminant bioavailability. However, the “snap-shots” of metal bioavailability provided by analyses of porewaters or acid-volatile sulfidesimultaneously extractable metal (AVS-SEM) relationships do not always contribute sufficient information. The use of inappropriate or inadequate information for assessing metal bioavailability in sediments may result in incorrect assessment decisions. The technique of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) enables the in situ measurement of metal concentrations in waters and fluxes from sediment porewaters. We utilized the DGT technique to interpret the bioavailability of copper to the benthic bivalve Tellina deltoidalis in sediments of varying properties contaminated with copper-based antifouling paint particles. For a concentration series of copper-paint contaminated sandy, silty-sand, and silty sediment types, DGTprobes were used to measure copper fluxes to the overlying water, at the sedimentwater interface, and in deeper sediments. The overlying water copper concentrations and DGT-Cu fluxes were shown to provide excellent exposure concentration−response relationships in relation to lethal effects occurring to the copper-sensitive benthic bivalve, T. deltoidalis. The study demonstrates the strength of the DGT technique, which we expect will become frequently used for assessing metal bioavailability in sediments.

The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties, including predictive validity, of the newly-developed nursing self-efficacy for mathematics (NSE-Math). The NSE-Math is a 12 item scale that comprises items related to mathematic and arithmetic concepts underpinning medication calculations. The NSE-Math instrument was administered to second year Bachelor of Nursing students enrolled in a nursing practice subject. Students' academic results for a compulsory medication calculation examination for this subject were collected. One-hundred and twelve students (73%) completed both the NSE-Math instrument and the drug calculation assessment task. The NSE-Math demonstrated two factors 'Confidence in application of mathematic concepts to nursing practice' and 'Confidence in arithmetic concepts' with 63.5% of variance explained. Cronbach alpha for the scale was 0.90. The NSE-Math demonstrated predictive validity with the medication calculation examination results (p = 0.009). Psychometric testing suggests the NSE-Math is a valid measure of mathematics self-efficacy of second year nursing students.

The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties, including predictive validity, of the newly-developed nursing self-efficacy for mathematics (NSE-Math). The NSE-Math is a 12 item scale that comprises items related to mathematic and arithmetic concepts underpinning medication calculations. The NSE-Math instrument was administered to second year Bachelor of Nursing students enrolled in a nursing practice subject. Students' academic results for a compulsory medication calculation examination for this subject were collected. One-hundred and twelve students (73%) completed both the NSE-Math instrument and the drug calculation assessment task. The NSE-Math demonstrated two factors 'Confidence in application of mathematic concepts to nursing practice' and 'Confidence in arithmetic concepts' with 63.5% of variance explained. Cronbach alpha for the scale was 0.90. The NSE-Math demonstrated predictive validity with the medication calculation examination results (p = 0.009). Psychometric testing suggests the NSE-Math is a valid measure of mathematics self-efficacy of second year nursing students.

Objective and design. A cross-sectional analytical study to determine the cardiovascular risk factor profile of older residents of fishing villages on the West Coast of South Africa, and to determine which anthropometric measures are associated with risk factors. Subjects. A convenient community-based sample of 152 subjects of mixed ancestry aged 55 years and over was recruited door-to-door using an address list of ageeligible subjects provided by the local public health care clinics .. Methods. Cardiovascular relationships were investigated between: (i) number of risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes) and body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist circumference; and (ii) continuous cardiovascular risk factor variables and physical activity, smoking, dietary intake, and 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium concentrations. Results. The prevalence of hypertension 160/95 mmHg) was 74.3% (95% CI: 67.2 - 81.4%). Neither 24- hour urinary sodium nor potassium concentrations was associated with blood pressure (BP). Past, but not present, moderate-intensity physical activity, particularly that associated with occupation, was negatively associated with systolic BP (r = -0.24, P < 0.05). The prevalence of diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia (serum cholesterol 6.5 mmolll) was 24.6% (95% CI: 17.2 - 32%) and 40% (95% CI: 31.8 - 48.2%), respectively. The percentage of subjects with 0, 1, or 2 or more cardiovascular risk factors was 13.4%,44.1 % and 42.5%, respectively. Subjects with a waist circumference 92 cm had a significantly higher number of cardiovascular risk factors than those with a waist circumference < 92 cm (t = 9.29, P < 0.01), and this association remained significant even after controlling for age, sex and smoking (P < 0.05). Neither BMI tertiles according to sex, nor a BMI cut-point 30, was significantly associated with a clustering of risk factors. Conclusion. In a sample of older South Africans of mixed ancestry at high risk o

Objective and design. A cross-sectional analytical study to determine the cardiovascular risk factor profile of older residents of fishing villages on the West Coast of South Africa, and to determine which anthropometric measures are associated with risk factors. Subjects. A convenient community-based sample of 152 subjects of mixed ancestry aged 55 years and over was recruited door-to-door using an address list of ageeligible subjects provided by the local public health care clinics .. Methods. Cardiovascular relationships were investigated between: (i) number of risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes) and body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist circumference; and (ii) continuous cardiovascular risk factor variables and physical activity, smoking, dietary intake, and 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium concentrations. Results. The prevalence of hypertension 160/95 mmHg) was 74.3% (95% CI: 67.2 - 81.4%). Neither 24- hour urinary sodium nor potassium concentrations was associated with blood pressure (BP). Past, but not present, moderate-intensity physical activity, particularly that associated with occupation, was negatively associated with systolic BP (r = -0.24, P < 0.05). The prevalence of diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia (serum cholesterol 6.5 mmolll) was 24.6% (95% CI: 17.2 - 32%) and 40% (95% CI: 31.8 - 48.2%), respectively. The percentage of subjects with 0, 1, or 2 or more cardiovascular risk factors was 13.4%,44.1 % and 42.5%, respectively. Subjects with a waist circumference 92 cm had a significantly higher number of cardiovascular risk factors than those with a waist circumference < 92 cm (t = 9.29, P < 0.01), and this association remained significant even after controlling for age, sex and smoking (P < 0.05). Neither BMI tertiles according to sex, nor a BMI cut-point 30, was significantly associated with a clustering of risk factors. Conclusion. In a sample of older South Africans of mixed ancestry at high risk o