University of Haifa

About: University of Haifa is a education organization based out in Haifa, Israel. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 7558 authors who have published 27141 publications receiving 711629 citations. The organization is also known as: Haifa University & Universiṭat Ḥefah.

Vertebral body shape variation in the thoracic and lumbar spine: Characterization of its asymmetry and wedging

Abstract: This study was designed to characterize the vertebral body (VB) shape, focusing on vertebral wedging, along the thoracic and lumbar spine, and to look for shape variations with relation to gender, age, and ethnicity. All thoracic and lumbar (T1–L5) dissected vertebrae of 240 individuals were measured and analyzed by age, gender, and ethnicity. A 3D digitizer was used to measure all VB lengths, heights, and widths, and their ratios were calculated. This study showed that the VB size was independent of age or ethnicity. VB left lateral wedging was found in most vertebrae of most individuals, yet systematically was absent in six vertebrae (T4, T8–T9, T11, L3–L4) with a greater tendency in females than males (∼92% vs. 86%). The VB was anteriorly wedged from T1 through L2 (peak at T7), nonwedged at L3, and posteriorly wedged at L4–L5 (peak at L5). VB width decreased from T1 to T4 and then increased toward L4–L5, so that the spinal configuration in the coronal plane resembled two pyramids of opposite directions, sharing an apex at T4. The inferior VB width was significantly greater than the superior width of both the same vertebra and the adjacent lower vertebra, indicating a trapezoidal shape of the VB and an inverted trapezoidal shape of the intervertebral space. In conclusion, these findings indicate that the human vertebra, in its normal condition, maintains its external dimensions with age, independent of gender or ethnic origin. Clinical and surgical implications of the unique thoracolumbar architecture are discussed. Clin. Anat. 21:46–54, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The Physics Laboratory A Historical Overview and Future Perspectives

Abstract: In the framework of teaching the natural sciences, ``laboratory'' is a general name for activities based on observations, tests, and experiments done by students. It is hard to imagine learning to do science, or learning about science, without doing laboratory or fieldwork. In this paper, a historical overview of the place, purposes, and goals of the laboratory in physics teaching is presented, together with perspectives for its future related to the most recent results of research in physics education, mainly those concerning the constructivist and social constructivist learning approaches. Based on these approaches we try to validate the belief that microcomputer-based laboratories (MBLs) are one of the most promising perspectives in physics laboratory teaching, based on both theoretical and empirical grounds.

Prevalence, Detection and Correlates of PTSD in the Primary Care Setting: A Systematic Review.

Abstract: Research suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common, debilitating and frequently associated with comorbid health conditions, including poor functioning, and increased health care utilization. This article systematically reviewed the empirical literature on PTSD in primary care settings, focusing on prevalence, detection and correlates. Twenty-seven studies were identified for inclusion. Current PTSD prevalence in primary care patients ranged widely between 2 % to 39 %, with significant heterogeneity in estimates explained by samples with different levels of trauma exposure. Six studies found detection of PTSD by primary care physicians (PCPs) ranged from 0 % to 52 %. Studies examining associations between PTSD and sociodemographic variables yielded equivocal results. High comorbidity was reported between PTSD and other psychiatric disorders including depression and anxiety, and PTSD was associated with functional impairment or disability. Exposure to multiple types of trauma also raised the risk of PTSD. While some studies indicated that primary care patients with PTSD report higher levels of substance and alcohol abuse, somatic symptoms, pain, health complaints, and healthcare utilization, other studies did not find these associations. This review proposes that primary care settings are important for the early detection of PTSD, which can be improved through indicated screening and PCP education.

Simulating Independence: New Constructions of Condensers, Ramsey Graphs, Dispersers, and Extractors.

Abstract: We present new explicit constructions of deterministic randomness extractors, dispersers and related objects. We say that a distribution X on binary strings of length n is a δ-source if X assigns probability at most 2−δn to any string of length n. For every δ>0, we construct the following poly(n)-time computable functions:2-source disperser: D:({0, 1}n)2 → {0, 1} such that for any two independent δ-sources X1,X2 we have that the support of D(X1,X2) is {0, 1}.Bipartite Ramsey graph: Let N=2n. A corollary is that the function D is a 2-coloring of the edges of KN,N (the complete bipartite graph over two sets of N vertices) such that any induced subgraph of size Nδ by Nδ is not monochromatic.3-source extractor:E:({0, 1}n)3→ {0, 1} such that for any three independent δ-sources X1,X2,X3 we have that E(X1,X2,X3) is o(1)-close to being an unbiased random bit.No previous explicit construction was known for either of these for any δ

Knowledge about symptoms of Alzheimer's disease: correlates and relationship to help-seeking behavior.

Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to assess relationships between knowledge about symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and help seeking intention among the lay public. Design, setting and participants A convenience sample of 150 community-dwelling persons aged over 45, who did not have a close relative diagnosed with AD, participated in the study. Measures Knowledge about 11 warning signs of AD as described in the information provided by the Alzheimer's Association, and four non-AD symptoms was assessed, together with intentions to seek help from professional and non-professional sources. Background characteristics included socio-demographic characteristics, personal experience with AD, and perceived threat. Results Although participants' knowledge about AD symptoms overall was fair, only a slight percentage reported memory problems to be symptoms of the disease. Participants differentiated between AD warning and non-warning signs. Older participants reported consistently more AD and non-AD symptoms, while higher concerns about developing the disease was associated with reporting more non-AD symptoms. Higher knowledge about AD symptoms was associated with increased intentions to seek help from professional sources. Conclusions Efforts to increase knowledge about AD symptoms should be expanded, with special attention to risk groups. Improved recognition of AD symptoms will promote adequate help-seeking behaviors and will increase early identification and treatment of AD. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.