Search results for " Methodology"
showing 10 items of 575 documents
Noise estimation from averaged diffusion weighted images: Can unbiased quantitative decay parameters assist cancer evaluation?
2013
Purpose Multiexponential decay parameters are estimated from diffusion-weighted-imaging that generally have inherently low signal-to-noise ratio and non-normal noise distributions, especially at high b-values. Conventional nonlinear regression algorithms assume normally distributed noise, introducing bias into the calculated decay parameters and potentially affecting their ability to classify tumors. This study aims to accurately estimate noise of averaged diffusion-weighted-imaging, to correct the noise induced bias, and to assess the effect upon cancer classification. Methods A new adaptation of the median-absolute-deviation technique in the wavelet-domain, using a closed form approximati…
Construction and testing of the Moral Development Scale for Professionals (MDSP)
2010
Moral development among students is central for nursing education, because nursing is informed by moral ends, and it is essential that professional nurses have a well developed ability for moral behaviour, ethical reasoning and decision making. The aim of this study was to construct a new instrument for measuring moral development according to Kohlberg's theory of moral development among students and professionals, and initially test it for reliability and validity among students in professional education. Thirty-two items following the conventional and postconventional stages in the theory were developed. Different actions for reducing the items were implemented. The final version of the i…
A translational approach to design effective intervention tools for informal caregivers of dependent cancer patients.
2019
OBJECTIVES: Caregivers of terminal patients often report a higher prevalence of unmet needs than cancer survivors. However, very few interventions have been carried out to support caregivers of patients in advanced stages, and, in most cases, they have not been rigorously designed and evaluated. The ultimate aim of this research was to obtain specific information about the sociodemographic characteristics, the different types of care provided, the symptoms due to burdens, the impact of caring on the quality of life, and the unmet needs of informal caregivers of dependent patients with cancer. This is to design effective intervention programs that can be implemented from the hospital setting…
Personality Variables as Predictors of Facebook Usage
2014
This study investigates the role of personality factors as predictors of Facebook usage. Data concerning Facebook usage and personality factors from 654 Facebook users were gathered using a web survey. Using path analysis, the results showed Openness was a predictor of Facebook early adoption, Conscientiousness with sparing use, Extraversion with long sessions and abundant friendships, and Neuroticism with high frequency of sessions. The possible role of Agreeableness in predicting low session frequency and friendships needs further validation.
The role of empathy and emotional intelligence in nurses' communication attitudes using regression models and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analy…
2018
Aims and objectives: To analyse link between empathy and emotional intelligence as a predictor of nurses' attitudes towards communication while comparing the contribution of emotional aspects and attitudinal elements on potential behaviour. Background: Nurses' attitudes towards communication, empathy and emotional intelligence are key skills for nurses involved in patient care. There are currently no studies analysing this link, and its investigation is needed because attitudes may influence communication behaviours. Design: Correlational study. Method: To attain this goal, self-reported instruments (attitudes towards communication of nurses, trait emotional intelligence (Trait Emotional Me…
Randomized response estimates for the 12-month prevalence of cognitive-enhancing drug use in university students.
2013
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate the 12-month prevalence of cognitive-enhancing drug use. DESIGN: Paper-and-pencil questionnaire that used the randomized response technique. SETTING: University in Mainz, Germany. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2569 university students who completed the questionnaire. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: An anonymous, specialized questionnaire that used the randomized response technique was distributed to students at the beginning of classes and was collected afterward. From the responses, we calculated the prevalence of students taking drugs only to improve their cognitive performance and not to treat underlying mental disorders such as attention-deficit-hyperactivity diso…
The clinical use of statistical permutation test methodology: a tool for identifying predictive variables of outcome.
2015
<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> To identify the predictive variables affecting the outcome after radical surgery for bladder cancer by a newer statistical methodology, i.e. nonparametric combination (NPC). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A multicenter study enrolled 1,312 patients who had undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in 11 Italian oncological centers from January 1982 to December 2002. A statistical analysis<b> </b>of their medical history and diagnostic, pathological and postoperative variables was performed using a NPC test. The<b> </b>patients were included in a comprehensive database with medical history and cli…
Complementary feeding and "donner les bases du goût" (providing the foundation of taste). A qualitative approach to understand weaning practices, att…
2013
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666313003814; International audience; Complementary feeding (CF) practices vary within and across cultures but have been investigated only to a very limited extent. It is however important to understand CF practices and how they differ, as CF sets the foundation for children's later food choices. The present study was set out to examine practices, attitudes and experiences of CF including the introduction of vegetables amongst French mothers (n = 18, 25-39 years). Thematic analysis of transcribed focus groups and interviews revealed the perceived importance of the weaning period, as a critical milestone for infants' development but with …
Control of intrauterine device insertion with three-dimensional ultrasound: is it the future?
1996
A comparative study was designed to determine whether three-dimensional transvaginal sonography (3D-TVS) offered advantages over two-dimensional transvaginal sonography (2D-TVS) for the identification and location of IUDs in 66 asymptomatic women. Hysteroscopy was performed in cases in which there was a discrepancy between the information obtained by both methods (n = 14). In eight cases (12.2%) the IUD was misidentified with 2D-TVS. In six cases (9.1%) it was not possible to identify the device model with 2D-TVS. In two cases (3.0%) 2D-TVS failed to identify the position of the device. In contrast, all IUDs were identified and located accurately with 3D-TVS. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Vesico-uterine fistula treated by amenorrhoea induced with contraceptive steroids. Two case reports.
1980
2 case reports of women with vesico-uterine fistulae who were successfully treated by inducing amenorrhea by the continuous administration of an estrogen-progestogen compound for 6 months are presented. Ortho-Novum 1/50 was used. The amenorrheic condition induced by continuous ingestion of an oral contraceptive agent allowed the fistula time to heal since fistulae rarely close spontaneously because of fluids flowing fhrough them inhibiting the healing process. This method of management should be tried before surgery the generally recommended treatment.