Search

BackgroundWhile spinal cord injury (SCI) caregiving can be a rewarding experience, caregivers often experience reduced mental and physical health. ObjectiveThis article describes the methodology of a study examining the efficacy of a newly developed telehealth Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for caregivers of individuals with acute SCI. MethodsA mixed-methods, randomized controlled trial is comparing TAP outcomes to that of a standard-of-care control. The study is recruiting for 48 months and incorporating quantitative outcome measures. ResultsThis study was funded by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation in April 2017. It was approved by the institutional review boards at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center that same year. Participant recruitment and data collection began in 2018. ConclusionsThis study is implementing and testing an SCI caregiver intervention unlike any created before, targeting a critical time period that, until now, other SCI caregiver interventions have overlooked. Research personnel intend to disseminate the intervention and study findings through the publication of manuscripts and presentations at conferences. If the current study shows improvements in caregiver or patient well-being, the TAP for SCI caregivers could become part of the standard of care for acute SCI. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03244098; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03244098 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/28256

Objective: To investigate predictors of mental health help-seeking as well as identify topics for which college student-athletes are most likely to seek help. Participants: Student-athletes (N = 328) from three Division II and III universities. Method: Participants completed a survey packet on stigma, attitudes, and intentions toward seeking mental health services as well as willingness to seek help for specific topics. Results: Structural equation modeling indicated public stigma was significantly related to self-stigma, self-stigma was related to attitudes, and attitudes were related to intentions. Using logistic regression analysis, self-stigma and attitudes were associated with an increased likelihood of having sought mental health services in the past. Comment: These results can be used to help sport psychologists and other mental health staff develop programing that might increase service use among student-athletes. Using a multifaceted approach that decreases stigma and improves attitudes could have the most meaningful effect on encouraging service use.

This editorial discusses the importance of preparing communities, cities, and nations for extreme flooding events. It highlights the need to adapt infrastructure to be more resilient, while acknowledging the tradeoff between efficiency and resilience. The editorial provides examples of infrastructure failures during past flooding events and discusses the challenges of adapting critical infrastructure systems to a changing climate. The document includes articles that explore different approaches to managing flood risk, the use of satellite data for monitoring and warning systems, and the vulnerability of industrial process facilities to flood damage. The authors emphasize the need for comprehensive solutions that consider uncertainties and involve collaboration between academia and the public and private sectors. The text also mentions the challenges of developing protective infrastructures, retrofitting existing infrastructures, and considering implications throughout the lifecycle. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers have inconsistently found differences between student-athletes and nonathletes regarding levels of stigma and attitudes toward counseling. One limitation of previous comparison studies is that they do not control for factors known to influence attitudes and stigma, such as gender and previous treatment history. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine differences in stigma and attitudes toward counseling between a sample of student-athletes and nonathletes while controlling for these variables. In this brief report (N = 902), we used multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to analyze differences between the groups. After controlling for gender and previous therapy experience, there were no differences between the groups on stigma or attitudes. The results of this study have implications for future outreach and intervention with student-athlete populations.

The purpose of the current study was to explore differences in narcissistic tendencies between athletes and non-athletes, and to identify the moderating effect of athlete status on the relationship between narcissism and aggression. Participants in this study were college athletes (N = 117) from NCAA Division I and Division III programs, and non-athletes (N = 471) from the same institutions. Participants completed a questionnaire that assessed narcissistic grandiosity, narcissistic vulnerability, and general aggression. Independent samples t-tests revealed no significant differences between athletes and non-athletes in narcissistic grandiosity or vulnerability. Moderated regression analysis demonstrated that athlete status does not influence the relationship between narcissism and aggression, which was positive for both athletes and non-athletes. These findings contradict the stereotype that athletes are generally more narcissistic and support the relationship between narcissism and aggression that has been identified previously. Based on the findings, mental health and sport professionals would do well to be aware of the role narcissism may play in aggressive behaviors exhibited by their clients and players., The concept of narcissism can be traced back to Greek mythology, in which the hunter Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection and ultimately died as a result of [...]

Introduction: Endobronchial radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a novel minimally invasive approach to management of peripheral non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in medically inoperable patients. Minimally invasive ablative techniques are generally delivered with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) guidance. CBCT requires a significant number of two dimensional imaging projections to be acquired which is then reconstructed as a three-dimensional cone-beam image. The objective of this study was to determine the radiation dosimetry consequent to use of CBCT guidance for bronchoscopic RFA. Methods: Post hoc analysis of data following bronchoscopic RFA of stage I biopsy-confirmed NSCLC performed with CBCT. Effective dose estimates for these patients were calculated using PCXMC2.0 software. Results: Ten patients underwent bronchoscopic RFA, with a median 3 (range 2–4) CBCT spins per procedure. Mean dose area product (DAP) per procedure was 7,778 μGy.m2 (±4,743) with an effective dose of 11.6 mSv (±7.4). The DAP per spin for these 10 patients varied from 83.8 to 8,625.6 μGy.m2 (effective dose range 0.15–13.81 mSv). Conclusion: This is the first study to report radiation dosimetry consequent to CT guidance for bronchoscopic RFA procedures. Effective doses appear comparable to other CT fluoroscopic procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In searching for a process to help program teams of campus-based faculty and field-based educators develop five-year and annual statewide program plans, cooperative extension administrators and specialists in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences discovered that the use of the logic model process can influence the successful design of specific programs as well as outreach scholarship. The team and logic model processes that were employed have helped educators identify goals, articulate measurable impacts, and evaluate their programs, resulting in both incremental and substantial organizational change. This article illustrates how the logic model process is an organizational and leadership tool. The authors share their perspectives on the logic model process, implementation strategies, and the benefits of developing a community of learners to enhance outreach.

This research addresses the impact of cross-cultural communication competence on the performance of 24 (14 female, 10 male) collegiate doubles tennis pairings. The aims of this study were to: (1) [...]

To identify life satisfaction trajectories at 1–10 years post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) and examine which demographic and injury characteristics at the time of injury are associated with those trajectories. Participants included 1,051 Hispanic individuals from the multi-site, longitudinal TBI Model Systems (TBIMS) database. Individuals were enrolled after sustaining a TBI and while undergoing inpatient rehabilitation at a TBIMS site; they were included if they completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale during one or more follow-up data collections at 1, 2, 5, or 10 years after TBI. A linear (straight-line) movement of life satisfaction trajectories was the best fit to the data. Across the overall sample, life satisfaction increased over time, with higher trajectories for Hispanic individuals who had been partnered at baseline, born outside the US and experienced a nonviolent injury cause. There were no significant interactions between time and any of these main effect predictors, suggesting no differential change over time in life satisfaction trajectories as a function of these characteristics. Results revealed increases in life satisfaction over time among Hispanic individuals with TBI and shed light on critical risks and protective factors that may inform targeted rehabilitation services with this underserved group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work is to develop an evolutionary procedure to be used by Chemical Engineering students for the base-case design of a Vanadium Redox-Flow Battery. The design methodology is based on the work of Douglas (1985) and provides a profitability analysis at each decision level so that more profitable alternatives and directions can be indentified before additional time and effort is expended on an impractical design. Ultimately, a base case flow sheet and capital cost estimate are generated; this type of design activity as the work presented here is referred to as creation and analysis of a study level design.

This article describes a series of public space projects based on the contemporary practice of interventionist artists who seek to creatively transform spaces and disrupt the ritual of the everyday. Two of the four public space projects were planned for school spaces: (1) a mock marathon during class transitions ("Monthly Meeting Marathon"); and (2) a flash-mob nap-in during lunch ("Napel Hill High"). The other two projects were conceived for spaces in the community where the ritual of the everyday was most obvious: (1) a shopping mall; and (2) a grocery store. In the "Leash Children" project, students walked in pairs around a large shopping mall, one partner leading the other on a leashed harness. In the final project, "Colorful Grocery Store," students wore single-color clothing and independently shopped for items of the same color. In this article, the author discusses two in detail, the school-based "Monthly Meeting Marathon" and the community-based "Leash Children."

Collegiate student athletes are faced with the same developmental challenges and stressors as their nonathlete peers, but they are also expected to deal with the challenges of athletic involvement (e.g., time demands, physical demands, travel schedules). Such additional demands may put athletes at greater risk for experiencing physical and psychological health problems. The current article was written for student affairs administrators as an overview of the current knowledge about several health-related issues commonly faced by collegiate student athletes (i.e., training and overtraining, alcohol, drug use and drug testing, depression and suicidality, dysfunctional eating behaviors, injury, and hazing), and to provide assistance to these administrators for making decisions about the best practices for dealing with such issues. (Contains 1 figure.)

Objective: This study examined demographic and injury-related predictors of cognitive and motor functional independence in Hispanics with traumatic brain injury at years 1, 2, 5, and 10 after hospital discharge. Design: Hispanic participants (n = 1360) from the TBI Model Systems Study were included if they had at least one Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Cognitive and Motor score at any time point (years 1, 2, 5, or 10). Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine baseline predictors of FIM Cognitive and Motor trajectories across this period. Results: FIM Cognitive trajectories showed a quadratic movement (initial increase followed by a plateau or slight decrease), whereas FIM Motor trajectories showed a cubic movement (initial increase, followed by a plateau, then another increase). Higher FIM Cognitive trajectories were predicted by younger age, shorter length of posttraumatic amnesia, higher education, and having experienced a nonviolent mechanism of injury. Higher FIM Motor trajectories were predicted by younger age, shorter posttraumatic amnesia, and a nonviolent mechanism of injury. Conclusions: The baseline predictors of functional trajectories identified may help create tailored, evidence-based rehabilitation interventions along the continuum of recovery during the first 10 yrs for Hispanics with traumatic brain injury at risk for reduced functional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explored the role of sport in citizen diplomacy efforts using the voices of Mexican participants involved with an international sport for development and peace (SDP) program between the United States and Mexico. Collectively, participants' experiences and cultural perspectives highlighted the promising potential of sport to foster citizen diplomacy, while also emphasizing the importance of constructively critiquing such programs. In semi-structured focus group interviews, Mexican participants reflected on connecting with Americans through a sense of shared humanity, expressed optimism for continued and future partnerships with Americans in sport, and described the United States and Americans in idealistic terms. Reflection of these findings yield additional insight on how SDP researchers and practitioners can design and implement future programs to increasingly foster, and prioritize, equitable contributions across groups while also promoting and celebrating the strengths of each culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current literature examining perceived motivational climate (PMC) and achievement goal orientations (AGO) have found that these variables may be related to anxiety (Carr & Wyon, 2003) and self-confidence levels (Magyar & Feltz, 2003). Limited research exists on the compatibility/incompatibility of the interactive relationship between PMC and AGO within a sport setting. This investigation examined the interaction between PMC, AGO and experienced intensity and interpretation of anxiety and self-confidence among high-school swimmers (N=151). Results revealed no statistically significant interactions between AGO and PMC on the dependent variables; however, compatible groups had a more facilitative interpretation of somatic anxiety and high levels of self-confidence. Female participants reported higher levels of intensity of somatic anxiety and lower levels of self-confidence than males., Many factors come into play when examining anxiety and self-confidence in sport. The antecedents of anxiety in sport have been studied extensively and evidence suggests that personal issues (e.g. aspirations, [...]