Background: In this study, we enhanced a diagnostic questionnaire which had been previously developed to measure stress and social support. Methods: 101 patients with chronic periodontitis and 50 healthy control subjects completed our questionnaire package after which we analyzed the data for trends and associations. Results: Our enhanced questionnaire provided a valid and reliable measure of stress and social support in patients with chronic periodontitis. Conclusion: Our enhanced questionnaire provided both a valid and a reliable measure of stress and social support in patients with chronic periodontitis however requires further refinement to predict periodontal disease experience and severity.

This study determined the sensitivity and specificity of questionnaires and administrative databases compared to a clinical reference standard for asthma. 208 schoolchildren from a population-based sample participated. They underwent a physician assessment, spirometry, methacholine challenge, exhaled nitric oxide and skin testing. Data was linked to the Ontario Asthma Surveillance Information System. “Questionnaire diagnosis” was an affirmative response to physician-diagnosed asthma. “Database diagnosis” was 2 outpatient visits or 1 hospitalization within 2 years. “Clinical diagnosis” required a physician assessment and objective findings of asthma. “Questionnaire diagnosis” of asthma was specific (92.1%) but not sensitive (75.3%) compared to the “clinical diagnosis”. “Database diagnosis” was sensitive (87.5%) but not specific (64.8%). Both sources had an excellent negative predictive value (97-98%) but poor positive predictive value (24-55%). Epidemiologic methods accurately identify those without asthma but are poor at identifying those with asthma, leading to an overestimation of asthma prevalence and dilution of risk estimates.

This study determined the sensitivity and specificity of questionnaires and administrative databases compared to a clinical reference standard for asthma. 208 schoolchildren from a population-based sample participated. They underwent a physician assessment, spirometry, methacholine challenge, exhaled nitric oxide and skin testing. Data was linked to the Ontario Asthma Surveillance Information System. “Questionnaire diagnosis” was an affirmative response to physician-diagnosed asthma. “Database diagnosis” was 2 outpatient visits or 1 hospitalization within 2 years. “Clinical diagnosis” required a physician assessment and objective findings of asthma. “Questionnaire diagnosis” of asthma was specific (92.1%) but not sensitive (75.3%) compared to the “clinical diagnosis”. “Database diagnosis” was sensitive (87.5%) but not specific (64.8%). Both sources had an excellent negative predictive value (97-98%) but poor positive predictive value (24-55%). Epidemiologic methods accurately identify those without asthma but are poor at identifying those with asthma, leading to an overestimation of asthma prevalence and dilution of risk estimates.

Background: In this study, we enhanced a diagnostic questionnaire which had been previously developed to measure stress and social support. Methods: 101 patients with chronic periodontitis and 50 healthy control subjects completed our questionnaire package after which we analyzed the data for trends and associations. Results: Our enhanced questionnaire provided a valid and reliable measure of stress and social support in patients with chronic periodontitis. Conclusion: Our enhanced questionnaire provided both a valid and a reliable measure of stress and social support in patients with chronic periodontitis however requires further refinement to predict periodontal disease experience and severity.

Reprint from: Allergology International 55(1), 2006, p.59-65

L'évaluation de programme est un domaine d'activités en émergence auquel maints établissements recourent afin d'évaluer leurs programmes, projets ou politiques. L'évolution historique de cette pratique témoigne des développements et des changements qui ont façonné son utilisation et qui ont conduit progressivement vers son état actuel. Elle fait l'objet de nombreuses critiques quant à la qualité des jugements générés au sein des rapports rédigés. Plusieurs théoriciens ont élaboré des modalisations du processus évaluatif, mais elles ont toutes une conceptualisation linéaire, dont le jugement constitue l'ultime produit, ce qui les rend inefficaces. Suite à cette problématique, certains chercheurs ont tenté de cerner les conditions requises afin de générer un jugement acceptable, lesquels ont identifié une carence au niveau de l'élaboration de l'argumentation et plus précisément sur le plan de la synthèse des informations (Scriven, 1990; Bossiroy, 2009). Une recension des écrits quant aux notions du jugement et de la crédibilité permet de constater une nouvelle perspective à explorer. En effet, le jugement doit être perçu comme un processus entier, résultant d'une compétence humaine. De plus, la crédibilité qui lui est accordée serait tributaire de la mise en place de certaines conditions optimales, mais demeurerait le fruit d'une démarche externe réalisée par les personnes concernées par ce jugement. Inévitablement, cette approche amène les chercheurs à étudier des volets autres que ceux de la méthodologie. Dans une perspective multidisciplinaire, il devient alors fort intéressant de s'attarder à l'analyse de pratiques professionnelles diverses, socialement reconnues, menant à la formulation d'un jugement. Ainsi, le projet de recherche dans lequel s'inscrit cette étude exploratoire prévoit conduire des entrevues individuelles auprès de professionnels amenés à porter des jugements quotidiennement, en vue de mieux comprendre et cerner les conditions essentielles requises pour générer un jugement crédible. Les résultats obtenus permettront ensuite de modéliser le processus de production d'un jugement crédible et d'identifier les éléments transférables à la pratique en évaluation de programme. Pour ce faire, il demeure essentiel de travailler avec un questionnaire d'entretien de qualité permettant d'engendrer l'information souhaitée. L'élaboration et la validation de ce questionnaire constituent ainsi les visées spécifiques de cette recherche. L'élaboration théorique du questionnaire ainsi que la validation par expérimentation permettent de conclure en l'efficacité de la démarche et du questionnaire. De plus, l'analyse des données obtenues présente des résultats concluants et très prometteurs quant aux suites à donner à cette étude et témoigne de la qualité de l'information générée par notre démarche. Il en ressort principalement l'influence de la subjectivité de l'évaluateur ainsi que de sa compétence, tout au long du processus de formulation d'un jugement crédible. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : Compétence, crédibilité, évaluation de programme, jugement

Background: Studies have consistently found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in adolescents. Few validated dietary intake assessment tools for vitamin D exist for adolescents. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if a short food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) can be used to effectively assess vitamin D intake in adolescents compared to a previously validated long food frequency questionnaire (LFFQ). Participants/setting: 140 healthy 6-12 year old (male n=81) Caucasian and African American (n=94) children from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania completed a SFFQ and LFFQ at two time points 6 months apart. Main outcome measures: Reliability and validity of a SFFQ by comparison with a previously validated LFFQ for children and adolescents. Statistical analysis: Reliability, validity, sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: Mean vitamin D intake from the SFFQ (range, 434 to 485 IU) was higher than the LFFQ (range, 320 to 378 IU). Overall association between the SFFQ and the LFFQ for vitamin D intake was modest (r=0.36, P<0.001). When stratified by race, the overall degree of association was weak for African Americans (r=0.26, P=0.001) and moderate for Caucasians (r=0.57, P<0.001). Overall reliability testing results were modest and significant for the LFFQ (r=0.28, P=0.002) and SFFQ (r=0.33, P<0.001). Association between mean vitamin D intake from LFFQs and SFFQs was used to determine validity. The association for validity was found to be modest (r=0.51, P<0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the SFFQ were 90%, 64%, 0.78, and 0.58, respectively. Conclusion: The SFFQ was found to be modestly valid and reliable in an early adolescent population. Associations between African Americans were not as strong as Caucasians which may be due to errors in reporting dietary consumption related to higher body weight.

Abstract Eco-tourism gives consideration to both ecological conservation and recreation, aiming to protect resources by means of making tourists recognizing the importance of ecosystem."Houbihu Marine Conservation Area "in the National Kenting Park is established for the conservation of biological diversity from protecting sea urchins in 2003 to all marine organisms two years later. Recovery of marine resources encouraged the idea to develop eco-tourism in the area; not only to propagate the benefits from resources conservation by allowing tourists for near contacts to marine ecosystem and sharing the achievements of protection, but also to promote transformation of local fishers and to improve their economic conditions. This study explores the feasibility of this idea, by literature reviews, questionnaire survey and in-depth interview with the six groups of people: tourists, managers, enforcement officials, experts (including scholars), industries and non-government organization. Discussions on the results and recommendations were provided in the study. ¡ikeyword ¡jEco-tourism¡BBiologicaldiversity¡BHoubihuMarine¡Bliterature reviews¡Bquestionnaire survey¡Bin-depth interview

Leadership has been a foundational component of secondary agricultural education and teachers are recognized as the program leader; furthermore, agriculture teachers are expected to develop leadership in their students. However, research examining the leadership style of agriculture teachers has not been fully vetted. The purpose of this study was threefold: to examine transformational leadership in secondary agricultural education from philosophical, qualitative, and quantitative perspectives. The study was conducted through a qualitative case study of an agricultural education program at the local level and through a quantitative study of secondary agricultural educators at the national level. The philosophical portion of the study gave an overview of the agricultural education model and the transformational leadership approach. A dynamic model was developed for agricultural education which places an emphasis on the leadership approach of the agricultural educator. The Transformational Leadership and Community Impact (TLCI) Model was developed to provide a more holistic approach for operating a high quality secondary agricultural education program. The qualitative portion of the study was a case study to examine the leadership styles of two agriculture teachers in a high quality secondary agriculture program. The transformational leadership approach of Bass and Avolio provided the framework to explore the leadership styles of the agriculture teachers as perceived by those closely associated with the agriculture program. The results of this case study suggest that the transformational leadership style of the agriculture teachers was a positive and effective way to lead. The quantitative portion of the study sought to identify the preferred leadership style of a random sample of agricultural educators across the nation who taught secondary agriculture during the 2008-2009 school year. Data were collected online using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). Descriptive statistics were used for reporting the demographic and personal characteristics of respondents. Mean scores were calculated to determine the leadership style and leadership factors of the agriculture teachers. The study concluded that secondary agricultural educators were more transformational in their preferred style in contrast to transactional and laissez-faire leadership styles. The highest mean score for a factor in transformational leadership was Individualized Consideration and the highest mean score for a factor in transactional leadership was Contingent Reward.

An improved understanding of the costs of diseases is obtained by conducting a case study of the costs associated with end stage renal disease (ESRD). In estimating the costs of ESRD, the costs incurred by both patients and their primary unpaid caregivers are calculated. Most economic studies of the costs of diseases ignore either the patients’ or unpaid caregiver side, focusing on one or the other. From a theoretical standpoint, it is shown unpaid caregiving lowers the costs of diseases to society. Unpaid caregiver lowers the cost, because for unpaid caregiving to occur, the net benefits of unpaid caregiving must be lower than the net benefits of hiring a paid caregiver. Using patients and their primary caregivers at the Gambro Dialysis Center in College Station, Texas as a case study, estimated total ESRD costs range from $84,000 to $121,000 / year / case. The distribution of these costs is positively skewed. Of the total costs, approximately 2% to 25% can be attributed to unpaid caregiving. Excluding direct medical costs in total ESRD costs, unpaid caregiving is 14% to 65% of total ESRD costs. Consideration of unpaid caregiving costs is, therefore, an important component of the costs of diseases. These estimates are conservative as the costs associated with lifestyle changes and health effects are noted, but no monetary value is placed on them. Results also indicate the patients’ and caregivers’ perception of the quantity of caregiving varies. An alternative water supply system to improve the efficiency of water supply systems taking into account water pricing, marketing, and treatment costs is proposed. This system treats and supplies water differently depending on the source of the water and if the end-use of the water is a potable or non-potable use, then may reduce treatment costs. Decreased treatment costs may make more stringent water standards more affordable. More stringent water standards may cause a decrease in the risk of water-related diseases including ESRD induced by water-borne toxins. Reducing the risk of ESRD will reduce society’s costs associated with chronic illnesses. Possible benefits and costs of the proposed system are discussed, but not calculated.