Confocal microendoscopy provides real-time high resolution cellular level images via a minimally invasive procedure. Results from an ongoing clinical study to detect ovarian cancer with a novel confocal fluorescent microendoscope are presented. As an imaging modality, confocal fluorescence microendoscopy typically requires exogenous fluorophores, has a relatively limited penetration depth (100μm), and often employs specialized aperture configurations to achieve real-time imaging in vivo. Two primary research directions designed to overcome these limitations and improve diagnostic capability are presented. Ideal confocal imaging performance is obtained with a scanning point illumination and confocal aperture, but this approach is often unsuitable for real-time, in vivo biomedical imaging. By scanning a slit aperture in one direction, image acquisition speeds are greatly increased, but at the cost of a reduction in image quality. The design, implementation, and experimental verification of a custom multi-point-scanning modification to a slit-scanning multi-spectral confocal microendoscope is presented. This new design improves the axial resolution while maintaining real-time imaging rates. In addition, the multi-point aperture geometry greatly reduces the effects of tissue scatter on imaging performance. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has seen wide acceptance and FDA approval as a technique for ophthalmic retinal imaging, and has been adapted for endoscopic use. As a minimally invasive imaging technique, it provides morphological characteristics of tissues at a cellular level without requiring the use of exogenous fluorophores. OCT is capable of imaging deeper into biological tissue (~1-2 mm) than confocal fluorescence microscopy. A theoretical analysis of the use of a fiber-bundle in spectral-domain OCT systems is presented. The fiber-bundle enables a flexible endoscopic design and provides fast, parallelized acquisition of the optical coherence tomography data. However, the multi-mode characteristic of the fibers in the fiber-bundle affects the depth sensitivity of the imaging system. A description of light interference in a multi-mode fiber is presented along with numerical simulations and experimental studies to illustrate the theoretical analysis.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a technology that enables 2D cross-sectional images of tissue microstructure. This interferometric technique provides resolutions of approximately 10-20 um with a penetration depth of 1-2 mm in highly scattering tissues. With the use of fiber optics, OCT systems have been developed for intravascular imaging with a demonstrated improvement in both resolution and dynamic range compared to commercial intravascular ultrasound systems. OCT studies of normal, atherosclerotic, and stented arteries indicate the ability of OCT to visualize arterial structures. These results suggest OCT may be a valuable tool for studying luminal structures in tissue engineered constructs.In the present study, new endoscopic OCT systems and analysis techniques were developed to visualize the growth and response of the cellular lining within a tissue engineered blood vessel mimic (BVM). The BVM consists of two primary components. A biocompatible polymeric scaffold is used to form the tubular structure. Human microvessel cells from adipose tissue are sodded on to the inner surface of the scaffold. These constructs are then developed and imaged within a sterile bioreactor.Three specific aims were defined for the present study. First, an OCT longitudinal scanning endoscope was developed. With this endoscope, a study of 16 BVMs was performed comparing images from OCT and corresponding histological sections. The study demonstrated that endoscopic imaging did not visually damage the mimic cellular lining. OCT images showed excellent correlation with corresponding histologicalsections. Second, a concentric three element endoscope was developed to provide radial cross-sections of the BVM. OCT images using this endoscope monitored lining development on three types of polymeric scaffolds. In the third specific aim, automated algorithms were developed to assess the percent cellular coverage of a stent using volumetric OCT images.The results of the present study suggest that OCT endoscopic systems may be a valuable tool for assessing and optimizing the development of tissue engineered constructs. Conversely, the BVMs modeled the arterial response to deployed stents allowing the development of automated OCT analysis software. These results suggest that blood vessel mimics may be used to advance OCT technology and techniques.

Advanced optical imaging techniques are emerging as useful ways to screen tissues for the presence of cancer. Plasmon resonant nanoparticles have unique optical properties that make them ideal for use as optical contrast agents. The capacity of these particles to serve a multifunctional role dependent on their composition and the intensity of incident light enables them to serve as diagnostic tools and to provide the therapeutic capability of photo-thermal energy conversion or the controlled release of an encapsulated agent. Likewise, the ability to degrade into components of a clearable size may enable the clinical translation of these types of particles.These properties were demonstrated by means of experiments in the support of three specific aims. The first specific aim was to determine whether the unique and tunable optical properties of nanorods lend them to generate signal in advanced optical imaging techniques, and that nanorods can facilitate photo-thermal conversion. The second specific aim was to show that liposomes can serve as a scaffold for the support of an array of gold nanodots to generate a structure that exhibit tunable plasmon resonant characteristics and a resultant ability to generate signal in optical imaging techniques while having the capability to degrade into inert particles of a size that can be readily cleared from the body via the kidney. The final specific aim was to determine whether the gold-coated liposomes of the second specific aim can serve as system for light-based delivery of an encapsulated agent in addition to its role as an optical contrast agent and its biodegradation capacity.Plasmon resonant nanorods and plasmon resonant gold-coated liposomes were generated by reducing free gold from solution onto surfactant coated seed particles and phospholipid liposomes, respectively. Both structures demonstrated the ability to generate signal in optical coherence tomography and in multi-photon confocal microscopy images. Nanorods in high intensity light demonstrate a capacity to mediate photo-thermal energy conversion. While, in similar conditions, gold-coated liposomes are shown to release their contents. Gold-coated liposomes are also shown to degrade to bioinert components of a size reasonable for rapid renal clearance using either surfactant or enzyme.

Tyrimo tikslas: Ištirti gydytojų psichikos sveikatą, vidinę darną, suicidiškumo ir nuostata savižudybės atžvilgiu ypatumus. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. įvertinti ir palyginti gydytojų psichikos sveikatą ir jos aspektus pagal socialinius demografinius duomenis. 2. ištirti gydytojų psichikos sveikatą ir jos aspektus lyginant pagal specialybę. 3. išnagrinėti gydytojų psichikos sveikatą lyginant pagal vidinės darnos lygį. 4. įvertinti ir išnagrinėti gydytojų suicidiškumą bei nuostatas į savižudybę lyginant pagal socialinius demografinius duomenis. 5. palyginti gydytojų suicidiškumą bei nuostatas į savižudybę pagal specialybę. 6. palyginti gydytojų suicidiškumą bei nuostatas į savižudybę pagal vidinės darnos lygį. 7. įvertinti ir palyginti gydytojų vidinę darną ir jos komponentus pagal socialinius demografinius duomenis. 8. išanalizuoti gydytojų vidinės darnos ir jos komponentų lygį lyginant pagal specialybę. 9. išnagrinėti gydytojų psichikos sveikatos ir suicidiškumo, tarpusavio ryšį. 10. ištirti ryšį tarp psichikos sveikatos ir nuostatų savižudybės atžvilgiu Darbo metodai: Mokslinės literatūros analizė, anketinė apklausa, statistinių duomenų analizė. Tyrime dalyvavo: 78 onkologai, 63 bendrosios praktikos gydytojai ir 63 psichiatrai. Tyrimo rezultatai: Tyrimo rezultatai patvirtino mūsų hipotezę, gydytojai, pasižymintys blogesne psichikos sveikata, žemesne vidine darna, turi teigiamą nuostatą savižudybės atžvilgiu bei turi suicidiškumo požymių (yra linkę pritarti savižudybei)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Goal of the research: To analyze peculiarities of the doctors’ mental health, sense of coherence and attitude towards suicide. Tasks of the analysis research: 1. To estimate and compare the doctors' mental health and it‘s aspects according to social data and demographics. 2. To investigate the doctors' mental health comparing by the specialties. 3. To examine the doctors' mental health comparing by the level of sense of coherence. 4. To estimate and examine the doctors' suicidity and attitudes towards suicide comparing by social data and demographics. 5. To compare doctors' suicidity and attitudes towards suicide according to specialty. 6. To compare doctors' suicidity and attitudes towards suicide according to the level of sense of coherence. 7. To estimate and compare the doctors' sense of coherence and it‘s components according to social data and demographics. 8. To analyze doctors' sense of coherence and it‘s components according to specialty. 9. To examine correlation between the doctors' mental health and suicidity. 10. To investigate correlation between mental health and attitude towards suicide. Research methods: Analysis of scientific literature, survey with questionnaires, analysis of statistical data. Research participants: 78 oncologists, 78 general practitioners and 78 psychiatrists. Results of the research: Our hypothesis was being confirmed by the results, the doctors of worse mental health and lower sense of coherence have positive... [to full text]

The relationships that people have with their work, and the difficulties that can arise when those relationships turn sour, have been long recognised as a significant phenomenon of the modem age. The use of the term burnout for this phenomenon began to appear with some regularity in the 1970s in the United States, especially among people working in the human services. Burnout can be expected amongst engineers, technicians and electricians, due to the integration of their work activities and the quality of support received from their supervisors or managers as well as from other departments. Front line staff can be expected to experience higher levels of burnout, because of their direct contact with difficult customers (cut-offs due to non-payments, for instance), certain job demands (restoration of power interruptions), staff shortages, training of new staff, and so on. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between burnout, job stress, sense of coherence and coping of engineers, technicians and electricians in a South African electricity distribution organisation. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The study population consisted of 38 engineers, 86 technicians and 91 electricians. Four questionnaires were used, namely the Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey, a Job Stress Questionnaire, the Orientation to Life Questionnaire and COPE. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the results. The results showed that stress because of job demands, lack of support, supervision and transformation, as well as a weak sense of coherence predicted exhaustion. Exhaustion and avoidance predicted cynicism. A causal sequence was found between sense of coherence, job stress and exhaustion. Active coping moderated the effect of sense of coherence on professional efficacy. Employees with a lower job grade show higher levels of cynicism and lower levels of professional efficacy compared with those with a higher job grade. An explanation might be that the lower job grades lack the necessary coping skills. Therefore, it seems that employees who have a weak sense of coherence are inclined to suffer from job stress, which will lead to exhaustion. Sense of coherence and the use of active coping strategies seem to contribute to the professional efficacy of employees, which may lead to health-enhancing behaviours and better social adjustments. Job stress impacts on exhaustion and sense of coherence, and a strong sense of coherence moderates the effects of job stress on exhaustion. Sense of coherence also protects employees from developing low professional efficacy. Active coping strategies moderate the effects of sense of coherence on professional efficacy. Avoidance as a coping strategy mediated the relationship between sense of coherence and cynicism. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The aim of the research was to design and assess the effectiveness of a hope enhancement programme for a group of adults and the resulting influence on their general psychological well-being. The purpose of the programme was to increase hope, as conceptualised by Snyder et al. (1991), by enhancing participants' abilities to set feasible goals, planning ways to reach those goals (pathways) and increasing determination and motivation (agency) towards goal achievement. The workshop-format programme, presented by the researcher, consisted of six two-hour sessions spread over five days. The programme was developed through incorporating suggestions from existing Hope literature together with health psychological and positive psychology principles. In order to determine the impact of the programme, four measurement instruments were used, namely the Hope Scale, the Hunter Opinions and Personal Expectations Scale (HOPES), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC-29). A pre and post-test design included an experimental group (n = 8), control group (n = 8) and 'chat' group (n = 8). Prior to group compilation, screening interviews were conducted with interested participants to exclude those who had recently experienced trauma or displayed overt signs of psychological pathology. The control group received no intervention, while the 'chat' group, of which the researcher was also a member, was allowed to discuss topics of their choosing. The study groups comprised both men and women of different ages and socio-economic status. All participants were White and Afrikaans speaking. Descriptive statistics, psychometric analysis of the measuring instruments and significant differences between groups were calculated with the assistance of the STATISTICA (version 6) computer programme (Statsoft Inc., 2003). Reliability indices compared well with those recorded in the literature for the various scales. For the experimental group, the findings indicated an increase in the hope levels as reflected by significant improvement on the Hope Scale and the Hopefulness subscale of the HOPES. Subjective feedback from the group confirmed these findings. Psychological well-being improved, as shown by a significant increase in Sense of Coherence (SOC-29) along with a positive change in Satisfaction with Life (SWLS). Neither the control nor experimental groups revealed any significant changes. It was established that the hope enhancement programme is effective in increasing the levels of hope and general psychological well-being of a group of adults relatively free of psychological pathology. Considering the findings, it is recommended that future wellness intervention should not focus solely on individuals with established psychological pathology, but also consider a preventative approach within the average population. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The impact of change on organisations and the transforming role of the protection services member means that protection services members perform under more stress than members of almost any other profession. They are human and experience the same or sometimes more severe forms of depression, anxiety and other symptoms than other people. The objectives of this study were to determine the construct validity and internal consistency of the MBI-GS, UWES, OTLQ and Health subscales of the ASSET for protection services members. The relationship between work wellness, sense of coherence and health and the development of a model of work wellness for protection services members was determined. The research method consists of a literature review and an empirical study using a cross-sectional survey design to collect data. An availability sample (N = 341) from protection services members was taken. The Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MI-GS), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OTLQ), Health subscales of the ASSET and a Biographical questionnaire were administered. The statistical analysis was carried out with the help of the SPSS-programme and AMOS. The statistical methods utilised in the article consisted of descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, exploratory factor analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and structural equation modelling methods. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed a two-factor model of work engagement, consisting of vigour/dedication and absorption. In previous research of protection services members, two factors in the MBI-GS could also be extracted, namely, burnout and professional efficacy. The MBI-GS and UWES both showed acceptable internal consistencies. Construct equivalence for different language groups was confirmed for the MBI-GS and UWES. vii Product-moment correlation coefficients showed significant negative correlations between Burnout and Vigour/Dedication, Burnout and Sense of Coherence, Sense of Coherence and Physical Health, Sense of Coherence and Psychological Health. There were significant positive correlations between Physical Health and Psychological Health, Professional Efficacy and Vigour/Dedication, Professional Efficacy and Absorption, Vigour/Dedication and Absorption and lastly Physical Health and Psychological Health. A causal model of work wellness was developed. The first two hypothesis were accepted: Work Wellness consists of Burnout and Work Engagement and high levels of burnout may result in either physical of psychological health problems. The third hypothesis was only partially accepted: the path coefficient from Sense of Coherence to Work Wellness and I11 Health is significant. Sense of Coherence partially mediated the impact of Burnout as part of Work Wellness on Ill Health. The path coefficient from Sense of Coherence to Ill Health was also found to be significant, indicating that higher levels of Sense of Coherence can result in fewer health problems. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

A growing economy demands a skilled workforce, and the reality of the situation in South Africa is that, due to former apartheid policies and job reservation, there are large numbers of unemployed people with little hope of employment in the formal sector because they lack skills and experience. The National Skills Development and the Skills Development Levy Act gave rise to the development of the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS). The NSDS is now entering its second five-year cycle with the scoreboard reflecting both gains and challenges for Sector Education Training Authorities (SETAs) as the primary delivery institutions of the NSDS. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between job demands and job resources and the work wellness of employees in SETAs, using a cross-sectional survey design. The survey consisted of 159 SETA employees in South Africa. The Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey, the Utrecht Work engagement Scale, the ASSET (An Organizational Stress Screening Evaluation Tool) and the Orientation to Life Questionnaire, were administered. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analyses, Pearson correlations and structural equation modelling were used to analyse the data. The results of this study confirmed the construct validity and reliability of the scales which were employed to measure work-related well-being. Furthermore, the results showed that overload predict exhaustion. Cynicism was best predicted by a lack of resources (specifically growth opportunities and lack of organisational support) and a weak sense of coherence. Vigour and dedication were predicted by growth opportunities, organisational support and a strong sense of coherence Exhaustion predicted physical ill-health, while both exhaustion and cynicism contributed to psychological ill-health. Affective organisational commitment was predicted by vigour and dedication, while behavioural organisational commitment was predicted by high vigour and low exhaustion. Recommendations for SETAs and future research were made / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Aim The aim of this study has been to examine how health enhancement teachers in Montana, USA, view the value of physical activity from a lifelong perspective. In what way does the health enhancement teacher think the importance of physical activity from a lifelong perspective could be presented? What resources are available for teachers to present the value of physical activity from a lifelong perspective? Method The issue has been answered through qualitative interviews consisting of six health enhancement teachers, four women and two men, in Montana, USA. One of the teachers worked at an elementary school (for 30 years), three teachers worked at middle schools (20, 10 and 8 years of work experience) and two of the teachers interviewed worked at a high school (30 and 3 years).   Results The majority of teachers feel that a wide variety of activities, adapted to an individual level, and the understanding of a healthy lifestyle are important in order for the teacher to present the value of physical activity from a lifelong perspective. The teachers felt they had sufficient material in order to present the value of physical activity, where the school budget provided the teachers with materials every year. In addition to the budget, all the teachers had 12 hours of professional development every year where they could attend conferences or their own choice of professional development. Conclusion With the help in forms of professional development offered by the school, conferences, meeting with other teachers, and their own choice of development, the teachers instruction techniques could increase which could help the teachers to find the pupils’ interest for different kinds of physical activities. Keywords Physical education and health, physical activity, SOC, sense of coherence. / Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med studien har varit att undersöka hur lärare, i ämnet idrott och hälsa på skolor i Montana, USA, ser på värdet av fysisk aktivitet i ett livslångt perspektiv. På vilket sätt anser läraren i idrott och hälsa att vikten av fysisk aktivitet i ett livslångt perspektiv kan förmedlas till eleverna?  Vilka hjälpmedel finns till förfogande för läraren att förmedla värdet av fysisk aktivitet i ett livslångt perspektiv? Metod Frågeställningen har besvarats genom kvalitativa intervjuer gjorda på sex lärare, i ämnet idrott och hälsa, i Montana, USA. Lärarna som medverkade bestod av fyra kvinnor och två män. En lärare arbetade på låg- och mellanstadiet (30 år som lärare), tre lärare på högstadiet (20, 10 respektive 8 år som lärare) samt två lärare på gymnasienivå (30 respektive 3 år inom yrket). Resultat Majoriteten av lärarna ansåg att en bred variation av aktiviteter, anpassning till individnivå samt kunskaper om en hälsosam livsstil är viktiga medel för att kunna förmedla vikten av fysisk aktivitet i ett livslångt perspektiv. Lärarna ansåg sig ha tillräckligt med hjälpmedel, i form av utrustning, för att förmedla värdet av fysisk aktivitet, där skolans budget erbjuder lärarna att inhandla material varje år. Utöver budgeten hade samtliga lärare 12 timmar av professionell utveckling varje år i form av konferencer eller annan egen vald professionell utveckling. Slutsats Med hjälp av de hjälpmedel som skolan erbjuder i form av konferenser, samtal med andra lärare samt egna valda alternativ för utveckling, kan lärarens undervisning förbättras och på sätt fånga fler elevers intressen. Nyckelord Idrott och hälsa, fysisk aktivitet, KASAM, känsla av sammanhang.

This thesis presents the first work, to our knowledge, to evaluate the potential of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) as an intravascular imaging modality to characterize and guide interventions on chronic total occlusions (CTOs) in arteries. An ex vivo imaging study using OCT is presented that characterizes various pathologies associated with peripheral CTOs and illustrates the ability to differentiate between the vessel wall and the occluded lumen. We also found that, while OCT could image approximately 1mm through tissue, it was effective for imaging deeper through clarified microchannels seen within the occluded lumen. While others had reported observing such microchannels within the lumen before, little was known about the global architecture of these channels. This motivated a study of the global morphology of microchannels in occlusions using micro computed tomography (microCT). In this microCT study, we found that microchannels within the occluded lumen of the artery appeared to be continuous over several millimeters. However, these channels also exited the artery frequently, suggesting the need for some form of imaging guidance. As a potential intravascular imaging set-up, a forward-viewing OCT catheter was built. This catheter uses a novel scanning mechanism that combines high voltage and a dissipative polymer to achieve fast compact actuation. Doppler OCT results are presented using this catheter to image flow in the forward direction. Doppler OCT imaging of microchannels in vivo is also shown in a surgically exposed occluded artery in situ.