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Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between critical thinking and the use of concept mapping (CM) and problem-based learning (PBL) during care plan development. Method: A quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest design was conducted using a convenience sample ( n = 49) of first-semester undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students. Critical thinking was measured using the Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric. Data analysis consisted of a repeated measures analysis of variance with post hoc mean comparison tests using the Bonferroni method. Results: Findings indicated that mean critical thinking at phase 4 (CM and PBL) was significantly higher, compared with phase 1 (baseline), phase 2 (PBL), and phase 3 (CM [ p < 0.001]). Conclusion: The results support the utilization of nontraditional instructional (CM and PBL) methodologies in undergraduate nursing curricula. [ J Nurs Educ. 2015;54(8):455–459.]

Background Although regular factor replacement can reduce the incidence of joint bleeds and slow down the development of haemophilic arthropathy, the ankle joint remains particularly vulnerable even in children with haemophilia on primary or secondary prophylaxis and is now the primary joint affected. The heterogeneity in the pathoaetiology of haemophilic ankle arthropathy means that the functional consequences of early stage of ankle arthropathy are difficult to define as early morphological and structural changes can be observed in clinically asymptomatic ankles. In this context, understanding biomechanics of the normal and arthritic foot is complex and difficult to quantify unless considering the foot as multiple functional segments using more sophisticated assessment tools such as multisegment foot models. However, this understanding can undoubtedly aid in the analysis of an underlying clinical problem and provide a strategic basis for a more optimal management. Aims The purpose of this narrative review was firstly to revise information on the anatomy and biomechanics of the foot and ankle. Finally, related biomechanical markers of human motor performance, which are potentially implicated in the development of haemophilic ankle arthropathy, will be discussed based on published literature and expert opinion. Materials and methods Searches in published literature were limited to the year 2000 onwards. Results Although the ankle (tibiotalar joint) is the most commonly affected joint, associated subtalar joint (SJT) involvement is often seen. This would therefore imply that an alternative phraseology might be better. Discussion and conclusion In this context, the authors propose the use of ‘haemophilic tarsal pan-arthropathy’ (HTPA) which encompasses both tibiotalar and subtalar joints.

Accurately predicting NCLEX-RN ® success has a positive impact on all nursing education stakeholders. This study focused on the ability to predict NCLEX-RN pass rates on the basis of prenursing academic aptitude variables and the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) nursing aptitude program. The ATI predictors were the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and five ATI subject tests: Fundamentals, Medical Surgical, Nursing Care of Children, Mental Health, and Maternal Newborn. The prenursing variables comprised the prenursing grade point average, a prerequisite communication course, and the ATI TEAS composite subscores of TEAS Reading, TEAS Math, TEAS Science, and TEAS English. This study included participants from four baccalaureate nursing programs in the California State University system. Results of canonical correlation, multiple linear regression, and logistic regression revealed a significant correlation among prenursing, ATI scores, and NCLEX-RN first-try pass rates. Prediction of NCLEX-RN success rate using standardized testing data was supported, with the strongest predictors being the ATI Medical Surgical and ATI Mental Health tests. [ J Nurs Educ. 2014;53(3):151–159.]

article i nfo Article history: Received 6 December 2012 Accepted 20 May 2013 Background: The ankle continuestobeoneofthemostaffectedjoints inthe haemophiliapatient,andascartilage damage progresses, the joint can feel unstable, painful and stiff. Anecdotally, patients often report that sports trainers can improve their pain and daily function, however the actual mechanism for this remains unclear. Methods: Nine patients with ankle haemarthropathy and three controls were examined using 'CODAmotion' analysis and a force plate. Kinematic and kinetic variables of the hip, knee and ankle were recorded. Data was imported from CODA to Excel, where a programme using 2D modelling of the ankle joint forces was employed. This calculated intra-articular force from heel strike to toe-off. Findings: The haemophilia group at midstance showed an increase in intra-articular force in the ankle when wearing the trainer compared to the shoe (P = b 0.05). Overall the haemophilia cohort had an increased joint force in both the trainers and shoes, compared to controls. Interpretation: The type of footwear worn by individuals with ankle arthropathy has a significant effect on the amount of force acting at the joint surface. Sports shoes, in providing better comfort and foot support, may facilitate an increased muscular activity around the ankle and therefore improved dynamic joint stability, accountingforwhysomepatientswithanklearthropathyreportlesspain.Furtherresearchisneededtoestablish levels of acceptable force and the combined effects of orthotics and footwear.

We conducted a neuropsychological and cognitive assessment study to determine whether time of day affects cognitive performance. We measured executive control (fluency), processing speed, semantic memory, and episodic memory performance. We followed 56 students across 3 different times of day, testing performance on vocabulary, fluency, processing speed, and episodic memory. Results showed an advantage for fluency and digit symbol task performance in the afternoon and evening testing times relative to morning testing (regardless of testing order), but that time of day did not affect semantic or episodic memory performance. These results suggest that optimal executive functioning and processing speed may occur for typical college students in the afternoon and evening regardless of time-of-day preference.

The construction industry has long been regarded as a high-risk industry in relation to health and safety issues. The purpose of this research was to investigate the extent of occupational health and safety provision within the residential development sector of the construction industry in Britain. An additional aim was to gauge the sectors' attitudes toward health promotion. Data were collected using a self-completed questionnaire that was sent to 200 residential developers; a 46% response rate was achieved. The results revealed a high level of knowledge of health and safety legislation; occupational health provision in the sector is low, but a strong appreciation was demonstrated of the value of such services. There was a low level of health promotion policy development in relation to the areas of alcohol, smoking, and skin cancer.

Between April 4 and May 10, 1982, fifty-four individuals developed a poison ivy-like dermatitis 1 to 8 days after eating imported cashew nuts. The patients had a very pruritic, erythematous, maculopapular eruption that was accentuated in the flexural areas of the body. Three had blistering of the mouth and four had rectal itching. Nineteen volunteers (eleven ill and eight well) were patch-tested with 2.5 gg of poison ivy urushiol and an acetone extract of cashew nut shells. Patch testing did not predict illness since positive tests to both materials occurred in those who had been ill as well as in those who had been well. Absence of cashew nut shells from two thirds of the bags probably accounted for the lack of correlation between patch testing and illness. All nine who reacted to the cashew extract also reacted to poison ivy urushiol. The three who were not sensitive to poison ivy had no reaction to cashew extract. Mass spectrometry of the cashew shell extract suggested the presence of cardol, one of the allergens in cashew shell oil. (J AM ACAD DERMATOI. 10:627–631, 1984.)