<p> Although clinical trials are essential for the development of cancer treatments, only approximately 3% of cancer patients in the U.S. participate in them. While 55% of these patients are enrolled in cancer clinical trials through community-based practices and around 80% of all cancer patients are seen at this type of practice, there is a lack of knowledge about the enrollment barriers at these sites. This study evaluates enrollment barriers at a community-based cancer clinic at the levels of the investigative site, healthcare provider, and patient. Barriers to enrollment and strategies to increase enrollment are evaluated through historical data analyses and results from a survey assessing the opinions of healthcare providers on enrollment and research practices. </p>

<p> Microbial pathogens and their hosts have evolved complex adaptations to ensure their individual survival, resulting in a so-called "molecular arms race." While hosts may have acquired diverse mechanisms to protect themselves from the microbial invader, pathogens have developed elaborate strategies to evade and subvert these defenses. Viruses and hookworms are important pathogens which have evolved to successfully invade and infect their human hosts. Although structural biology has provided significant mechanistic insight into these processes of invasion, many specific host-pathogen interactions and their dynamics have not been well studied or characterized.</p><p> The work presented in this dissertation clarifies the mechanisms of cellular entry of one particular family of viruses, the flaviviruses, and discusses strategies for viral clearance by host cells. Additional insight into the role of a cytoplasmic DNA sensor, LRRFIP1, in mediating an innate immune response to non-flavivirus microbial infection is presented. Finally, strategies for the development of small-molecule or peptide inhibitors of virus entry and hookworm infection are proposed.</p>

Tremendous pressure is being placed on organisations to improve their work performance and to become increasingly competitive. In order to survive in a highly competitive economy, organisations in both the public and the private sector are undergoing major re-structuring and can no longer guarantee employees with life time employment, thus leading to job insecurity. A relatively large amount of research can be found in the literature regarding the relationship between job insecurity and various outcomes, for example, reduced job satisfaction and organisational commitment, and reduced well-being. Limited research has, however, been conducted on possible mediators of the job insecurity - outcomes relationship. Such research may be useful for the development of programmes to reduce the negative impacts of job insecurity. The primary objectives of this research were to investigate the relationship between job insecurity and general health of employees (N = 337) in both the public and the private sector, as well as to determine whether situational sense of coherence mediates the relationship between job insecurity and general health. A further objective was to compare the job insecurity levels of public and private sector employees. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Constructs were measured by means of the Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (Form S), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and a biographical questionnaire. Results indicated that a practically-significant relationship exists between job insecurity and general health, implying that high levels of job insecurity are associated with ill health (as displayed in somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and social dysfunction). Regression analyses confirmed the partially mediating effect of situational sense of coherence on the relationship between job insecurity and general health. It was also found that public sector employees displayed higher levels of affective job insecurity than their private sector counterparts. Conclusions and recommendations were made / Thesis (Ph.D.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

Individuals employed within the South African workforce are finding themselves operating in an increasingly uneven playing field. The global marketplace is continually amplifying the already stiff competition, forcing employers to reduce the security they are able to offer their workers, in an effort to off-set their profit margins. Examining and consequently addressing these private sector employees' functioning in those spheres that may influence their health and consequent work performance, which in turn affects the performance of the industry - and therefore the economy – is thus essential. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between job insecurity, resilience and general health of personnel (N= 207) employed within the motor-trade industry and to examine differences among the job insecurity, resilience and general health levels of different demographic groups. A cross-sectional survey design was implemented. The constructs were measured by means of the Job Insecurity Scale (JIS), the Resilience Scale (RS) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The research method for the article consists of a concise literature review, followed by an empirical study. Cronbach alpha coefficients inter-item correlation coefficients and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine the validity and reliability if the measuring instruments. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data and Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, as well as regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between the constructs employed in this research. No significant differences were found to exist based on biographical characteristics regarding job insecurity, resilience and general health. Job insecurity and the somatic symptoms, social dysfunction and severe depression subscales of the general health measure were found to be statistically significantly negatively correlated. Statistically significant correlations were displayed between resilience and general health, as well as all of its subscales. Resilience was shown to play a moderating role in the relationship between job insecurity and social dysfunction (and not in any of the other general health dimensions), as results indicated that the social functioning of individuals measuring high on resilience was less affected by job insecurity than those individuals measuring low on resilience. Conclusions are made, limitations of the current research are discussed and recommendations for future research are put forward. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2007.

Tremendous pressure is being placed on organisations to improve their work performance and to become increasingly competitive. In order to survive in a highly competitive economy, organisations in both the public and the private sector are undergoing major re-structuring and can no longer guarantee employees with life time employment, thus leading to job insecurity. A relatively large amount of research can be found in the literature regarding the relationship between job insecurity and various outcomes, for example, reduced job satisfaction and organisational commitment, and reduced well-being. Limited research has, however, been conducted on possible mediators of the job insecurity - outcomes relationship. Such research may be useful for the development of programmes to reduce the negative impacts of job insecurity. The primary objectives of this research were to investigate the relationship between job insecurity and general health of employees (N = 337) in both the public and the private sector, as well as to determine whether situational sense of coherence mediates the relationship between job insecurity and general health. A further objective was to compare the job insecurity levels of public and private sector employees. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Constructs were measured by means of the Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (Form S), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and a biographical questionnaire. Results indicated that a practically-significant relationship exists between job insecurity and general health, implying that high levels of job insecurity are associated with ill health (as displayed in somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and social dysfunction). Regression analyses confirmed the partially mediating effect of situational sense of coherence on the relationship between job insecurity and general health. It was also found that public sector employees displayed higher levels of affective job insecurity than their private sector counterparts. Conclusions and recommendations were made / Thesis (Ph.D.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

Individuals employed within the South African workforce are finding themselves operating in an increasingly uneven playing field. The global marketplace is continually amplifying the already stiff competition, forcing employers to reduce the security they are able to offer their workers, in an effort to off-set their profit margins. Examining and consequently addressing these private sector employees' functioning in those spheres that may influence their health and consequent work performance, which in turn affects the performance of the industry - and therefore the economy – is thus essential. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between job insecurity, resilience and general health of personnel (N= 207) employed within the motor-trade industry and to examine differences among the job insecurity, resilience and general health levels of different demographic groups. A cross-sectional survey design was implemented. The constructs were measured by means of the Job Insecurity Scale (JIS), the Resilience Scale (RS) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The research method for the article consists of a concise literature review, followed by an empirical study. Cronbach alpha coefficients inter-item correlation coefficients and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine the validity and reliability if the measuring instruments. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data and Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, as well as regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between the constructs employed in this research. No significant differences were found to exist based on biographical characteristics regarding job insecurity, resilience and general health. Job insecurity and the somatic symptoms, social dysfunction and severe depression subscales of the general health measure were found to be statistically significantly negatively correlated. Statistically significant correlations were displayed between resilience and general health, as well as all of its subscales. Resilience was shown to play a moderating role in the relationship between job insecurity and social dysfunction (and not in any of the other general health dimensions), as results indicated that the social functioning of individuals measuring high on resilience was less affected by job insecurity than those individuals measuring low on resilience. Conclusions are made, limitations of the current research are discussed and recommendations for future research are put forward. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2007.

<p> During end-of-life care, nurses face ethical dilemmas on a daily basis with minimal operative scholastic preparation and professional expertise. The diverse source of ethical quandaries includes patient care issues related to legalities, inappropriate medical interventions, social roles, and professional and personal values. Ethical discourse in end-of-life care occurs within institutions where policies, professional relationships, and economic factors constrain ethical reflection. Thus, it is imperative that ethics education take into account the professional and social context of nursing, in addition to traditional teachings focused on many principles and theories, codes of conduct, and legal ramifications. The purpose of this research was to explore how experienced nurses' successfully resolved day-to-day ethical dilemmas during end-of-life care. This study utilized narrative analysis to analyze data generated from one-on-one interviews with six hospice nurses. The semi-structured interviews were conducted in two phases. Using core story creation, several different ethical dilemmas were identified divulging struggles with key stakeholders. Thematic analysis was then used to create three main themes: Ethics within Practice, Ethical Knowledge, and Ethical Solutions discussed within the framework of situational context, deliberations, and ethical actions. The results gained from this research provide information on how to improve nursing ethics education through the use of narratives of experienced nurses. The nurses used in this research told their stories depicting a keen awareness of ethical conflicts situated by contextual factors including social, political, and personal issues. Their deliberations were informed through formal, experiential, and intuitive knowledge creating a sense of phronesis as they negotiated the right course of actions. The nurses solved ethical predicaments by either following rules or choosing acts of resistance. It is my contention that the results of this study will empower practicing nurses and nurse educators to appreciate and incorporate context and different forms of knowledge to inform ethical discourse. We can utilize the experienced nurses' wisdom to improve nursing ethics education which ultimately translates to providing better deaths for patients.</p>

<p> There is a growing interest in exploring the emotional intelligence (EI) of pharmacy leaders. The purpose of this research was to explore the differences between leadership-certified and non-leadership-certified pharmacy leaders and their Total emotional quotient (EQ) score, as measured by the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i 2.0&reg;). A secondary purpose was to identify if there was a difference between leadership-certified and non-leadership-certified pharmacy leaders and their EI scores with regard to the EQ-i 2.0&reg; composite scales (Self-Perception, Self-Expression, Interpersonal, Decision Making, and Stress Management). In addition, the relationship between demographic features of pharmacy leaders and Total EQ scores was evaluated. A quantitative, non-experimental design using secondary data was used to measure EI in a stratified random sample of pharmacy leaders, including 2008-2012 graduates and 2013 participants of the American Society for Health System Pharmacy (ASHP) Foundation Pharmacy Leadership Academy (PLA). The results revealed a mean Total EQ score of 101.11, indicating an average level of EI function among pharmacy leaders. Leadership-certified pharmacy leaders had statistically significantly higher Total EQ scores than non-leadership-certified pharmacy leaders. Furthermore, leadership-certified pharmacy leaders scored significantly higher than non-leadership-certified pharmacy leaders on all five composite scales of EI. No demographic factors were significant predictors of Total EI score of pharmacy leaders. The results indicate graduates of the ASHP PLA had higher EI than current participants of the PLA, but there is a need for continued leadership and EI training for all pharmacy leaders across all areas of EI function.</p>

A novel osteopathic treatment has been discovered during the clinical practice of the author which alleviates many of the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) known in the UK as CFS/ME. The efficacy of this manual approach was tested using two separate clinical trials. The first examined the change in the symptoms following a year of treatment. The second repeated the first study and examined the possible mechanisms of the improvement. The studies were designed to develop a greater understanding of the disorder, for which there is much scientific uncertainty regarding the cause, diagnosis and treatment. Phase 1 of the research trials included self report questionnaires to examine overall symptom change. With post-exercise fatigue being a major symptom of CFS/ME, the treatment protocol was best evaluated by determining its effects on muscle function which was analysed utilising isometric testing of the knee extensor muscles measuring the impulse torque. The second trial, which included the same self report questionnaires assessing symptom relief as in the initial trial, was divided into two parallel phases. Phase 2 primarily took the form of brain analysis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to confirm if brain abnormalities seen in previous research were found in sufferers of CFS/ME. No cerebral abnormality was detected in the patient group. Central lymph scans were also carried out showing a possible trend of enlargement in CFS/ME sufferers. In the other part, phase 3, isometric tests were repeated with more accurate equipment than in phase 1. Integrated EMG and median frequency of the power spectrum were measured using surface electromyography (sEMG). Overall this study has provided strong evidence that an important component of CFS/ME involves a disturbance of lymphatic drainage of the brain and muscles. The novel osteopathic treatment developed by the author has been statistically validated in both phases of the study, emphasising the need to focus future research on the biomechanical aspectso f this disorder.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1982. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 43-02, Section: B, page: 0512.