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Biomedical subjects

K J Burns

Publications and source records attributed to K J Burns.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Mental models of line drawings.

Mental models are internal representations of world structure, used to accomplish cognitive tasks. I postulate specific representations (of objects and images) and associated context (of world and view) for mental models of line drawings. I then analyze the representations and context to predict specific perceptual modes, including the relative strengths of these modes. The predicted modes are supported by a well-known example [from Rock, 1983 The Logic of Perception (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press)] where object perception changes with image orientation.

Bayes Theorem↗
PubMed2000

Power and effect size: research considerations for the clinical nurse specialist.

Frequently, a goal for a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is to determine whether research results are clinically meaningful and appropriate for adoption into practice. Often, the evaluation of research involves an examination of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the intervention under study. Attention to two concepts from research methodology--power and effect size--can help the CNS evaluate research findings and design studies to produce clinically meaningful results.

Clinical Nursing Research↗
PubMed1998

Beyond classical reliability: using generalizability theory to assess dependability.

Generalizability theory (GT), an approach to estimating measurement dependability, offers researchers the ability to assess comprehensively various sources of measurement error simultaneously. Application of GT identifies the conditions that contribute most substantially to error and offers remedies to enhance dependability. A review of GT is presented and a practical application discussed. Researchers who develop instruments or plan studies using observation or questionnaires will appreciate the advantages offered by GT.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Predictors of referral to cardiac rehabilitation and cardiac exercise self-efficacy.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has known benefits after myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Yet, only a small percentage of patients are referred for outpatient CR after hospital discharge. This study investigates patient characteristics related to referral to CR and cardiac exercise self-efficacy, a salient predictor of health behavior change and maintenance. Two hundred nineteen patients enrolled in the study. Of the 185 patients who were CR candidates, 74 were referred to CR. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables related to CR referral. Results indicate that patient characteristics of having had fewer MIs or CABGs, having attended CR in the past, and being less physically active during leisure time are related to an increased likelihood of being referred to CR. Multiple regression analysis indicates that leisure physical activity is a predictor of cardiac exercise self-efficacy. Implications for nurses who recruit patients for CR are discussed.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

Molecular systematics of tanagers (Thraupinae): evolution and biogeography of a diverse radiation of neotropical birds.

The tanagers (Passeriformes: Emberizidae: Thraupinae) are a diverse group of mostly Neotropical birds with a wide range of feeding morphologies, behaviors, plumage patterns and colors, and habitat preferences. Phylogenetic relationships of genera in this lineage were investigated using cytochrome b sequence data. This study indicates that the genera Euphonia and Chlorophonia (traditionally considered part of Thraupinae) do not form a monophyletic group with the other tanagers. Within the rest of Thraupinae, several monophyletic groups are identified that agree with traditional sequential taxonomies. Other monophyletic groups provide novel interpretations of biogeographic patterns and morphological evolution within tanagers. In several lineages, plumage patterns and colors persist despite dramatic changes in bill morphology. Phylogenetic structure and estimated timings of divergence events indicate that tanagers probably originated on Caribbean islands and later diversified throughout Central and South America during the mid-Tertiary.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Counseling for physical activity: what primary-care physicians should know.

In Connecticut, 22.1% of the adult population report no physical activity other than activities of daily living. Primary care physicians can play a vital role in the flight against a sedentary lifestyle. As outlined in Healthy People 2000 and the Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, the primary-care physician's role in the assessment and advising of physical activity is critical. The primary-care physicians that responded to the Connecticut survey appear to be doing an excellent job in delivering this important message. Recommendations made by the primary-care physician can be a great source of motivation for the patient. The primary-care physician's initial goal should be to get the patient active on a daily basis and than progress to more health-based fitness goals. The patient needs to receive instruction on goal setting, safe exercise tips, and adherence strategies. The primary-care physician's low-cost intervention of advising physical activity can help prevent medical problems in the future. The most current recommendation on physical activity states that, "All U.S. adults should accumulate 30 minutes or more of continuous or intermittent amounts of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week." This latest recommendation offers primary-care physicians a broader range of activities to suggest to their patients. An overwhelming number of research studies indicate that physical activity is a powerful weapon in combating a host of lifestyle-related health problems.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Refinement of the Habitual Physical Activity Index for use with American adults.

The relationship between physical activity and health outcomes makes the assessment of physical activity important to many health professionals. Numerous physical activity questionnaires exist but none is tailored to the assessment of physical activity in cardiac patients. Ideally, a questionnaire should be appropriate for both healthy individuals and those with cardiac disease to allow comparison of epidemiologic and intervention research. The purpose of this research is to adapt and validate an existing physical activity questionnaire for use with healthy individuals and those with coronary artery disease. The Habitual Physical Activity Index (HPAI) is an easy to administer questionnaire developed in the Netherlands by Baecke, Burema, and Frijters (1982). The factorial validity and alpha internal consistency of the HPAI were examined to evaluate its potential for use in assessing physical activity of hospitalized cardiac patients in the U.S. The sample was 213 cardiac patients. A factor analysis produced a meaningful two-factor solution that differed from the original Dutch results. This suggested the HPAI should be modified for use with American adults with cardiac disease. New items were generated and added to the HPAI. The modified HPAI was tested using classical testing theory and generalizability theory. Stability estimates are high and relative generalizability acceptable. However, the absolute generalizability estimates indicate that the addition of new items to the HPAI could improve its use for absolute decision making.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A new recommendation for physical activity as a means of health promotion.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine have issued a recommendation for physical activity to achieve health promotion and disease prevention. The recommendation signals a shift in the exercise-fitness paradigm to emphasize the relationship between physical activity and health. A distinction is made between scheduled vigorous exercise and Intermittent moderate physical activity. Moderate physical activity, which can include occupational, household, and recreational activity, is recommended for all Americans. Contrary to previous beliefs, one no longer needs to adhere to a rigid schedule of vigorous exercise to achieve health benefit. Through the promotion of physical activity, primary care practitioners have an opportunity to significantly impact the nation's public health. Strategies to help clients achieve the desired activity levels are needed. Careful assessments and creative strategies will help clients meet the physical activity objective.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗
PubMed1991

Cross-protective immunity and the serological classification system for Bacteroides nodosus.

The relationship between the serological classification system for serogroup B and for serogroup H of Bacteroides nodosus and cross-protection between subgroups within these serogroups was examined. Protection against ovine footrot following vaccination was achieved against other subgroup strains provided sufficient cross-reactive antibody was induced by shared pilus antigens. Within serogroup B, better cross-protection against one subgroup was obtained with a pili vaccine than a whole cell vaccine which correlated with higher pilus antibody titres induced by the former. For serogroup H, a lack of cross-protection and serological reactivity between subgroups was demonstrated, which indicates that the prototype strain of subgroup H2 should be designated a new serogroup.

Agglutination Tests↗