bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A patient perspective of pharmacist prescribing: ‘crossing the specialisms‐crossing the illnesses’
Authors: McCann Laura M. , Haughey Sharon L. , Parsons Carole , Lloyd Fran , Crealey Grainne , Gormley Gerard J. , Hughes Carmel M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe drive for non‐medical prescribing has progressed quickly since the late 1990s and involves a range of healthcare professionals including pharmacists. As part of a commissioned research project, this qualitative element of a larger case study focused on the views of patients of pharmacist prescribers.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore patients' perspectives of pharmacists as prescribers.MethodsThree pharmacists working as independent prescribers in the clinical areas of (i) hypertension, (ii) cardiovascular/diabetes management, (iii) anticoagulation were recruited to three case studies of pharmacist prescribing in Northern Ireland. One hundred and five patients were invited to participate in focus groups after they had been prescribed for by the pharmacist. Focus groups took place between November 2010 and March 2011 (ethical/governance approvals granted) were audio taped, transcribed verbatim, read independently by two authors and analysed using constant comparative analysis.ResultsThirty‐four patients agreed to participate across seven focus groups. Analysis revealed the emergence of one overarching theme: team approach to patient care. A number of subthemes related to the role of the pharmacist, the role of the doctor and patient benefits. There was an overwhelming lack of awareness of pharmacist prescribing. Patients discussed the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to their care and recognized limitations of the current model of prescribing.ConclusionPatients were positive about pharmacist prescribing and felt that a team approach to their care was the ideal model especially when treating those with more complex conditions. Despite positive attitudes, there was a general lack of awareness of this new mode of practice.
Development of a fragile X syndrome (FXS) knowledge scale: towards a modified multidimensional measure of informed choice for FXS population carrier screening
Authors: Ames Alice G. , Jaques Alice , Ukoumunne Obioha C. , Archibald Alison D. , Duncan Rony E. , Emery Jon , Metcalfe Sylvia A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundGenetic carrier screening is increasingly possible for many conditions, but it is important to ensure decisions are informed. The multidimensional measure of informed choice (MMIC) is a quantitative instrument developed to evaluate informed choice in prenatal screening for Down syndrome, measuring knowledge, attitudes and uptake. To apply the MMIC in other screening settings, the knowledge scale must be modified.ObjectiveTo develop and validate a modified MMIC knowledge scale for use with women undergoing carrier screening for fragile X syndrome (FXS).Setting and participantsResponses to MMIC items were collected through questionnaires as part of a FXS carrier screening pilot study in a preconception setting in Melbourne, Australia.DesignTen knowledge scale items were developed using a modified Delphi technique. Cronbach's alpha and factor analysis were used to validate the new FXS knowledge scale. We summarized the knowledge, attitudes and informed choice status based on the modified MMIC.ResultsTwo hundred and eighty‐five women were recruited, 241 eligible questionnaires were complete for analysis. The FXS knowledge scale items measured one salient construct and were internally consistent (alpha = 0.70). 71% (172/241) of participants were classified as having good knowledge, 70% (169/241) had positive attitudes and 27% (65/241) made an informed choice to accept or decline screening.Discussion and conclusionsWe present the development of a knowledge scale as part of a MMIC to evaluate informed choice in population carrier screening for FXS. This can be used as a template by other researchers to develop knowledge scales for other conditions for use in the MMIC.
Patient involvement in mental health care: culture, communication and caution
Authors: Tse Samson , Tang Jessica , Kan Alice 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundPatient or service user involvement in mental health services (MHS) is a hallmark of the recovery approach.ObjectiveIn this viewpoint article, we review Tambuyzer et al. paper ‘Patient involvement in mental health care: One size does not fit all’ in order to express our opinion of their work. We also suggest specific actions that may enhance the implementation of patient involvement in MHS.DiscussionWe make three main points about Tambuyzer et al. model. First, the cultural dimension of patient involvement seems underemphasized in the model. Second, the model might be improved if the increasing role of communications technology in patient involvement is taken into consideration. Third, it is important to acknowledge that the process of patient involvement is not linear, and participation is not a homogeneous experience.ConclusionsWe suggest that the model be expanded and that further work be carried out on the implementation of patient involvement in MHS.
How doctors make use of online, point‐of‐care clinical decision support systems: a case study of UpToDate©
Authors: Addison John , Whitcombe Jo , William Glover Steven 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundOnline point‐of‐care evidence‐based information tools are becoming increasingly popular.ObjectivesTo discover how doctors actually use one such tool – UpToDate – in clinical practice.MethodsAn online survey was distributed to doctors at healthcare organisations in the north‐west of England which subscribed to UpToDate. Some survey questions asked for quantifiable data (e.g. demographic details), whilst other questions were open‐ended and sought examples of clinical scenarios and actual point‐of‐care use of UpToDate. Open‐ended responses were then analysed into emerging themes.ResultsThe open‐ended responses include evidence illustrating a large variety of clinical scenarios in which the use of UpToDate influenced clinical practice.ConclusionsThese results show how just one point‐of‐care tool is used in a variety of ways that benefit the patient, the doctor and the healthcare organisation. Direct quotations reported will provide compelling evidence for librarians to present to senior managers who may be unsure of the value of point‐of‐care tools in clinical practice.
Stability of athlete passport parameters during extended storage
Authors: Ashenden M. , Clarke A. , Sharpe K. , d'Onofrio G. , Plowman J. , Gore C. J. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryIntroductionExtended intervals between sample collection and analyses render athlete's whole‐blood specimens collected in the field for antidoping purposes susceptible to storage degradation. The aim of this study was to characterize the stability of key blood variables under different storage durations and temperatures.MethodsWe evaluated stability of full blood count indices (plus reticulocytes) in individual tubes left undisturbed during 36, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 and 168 h of storage at approximately 4, 6 and 12 °C. Samples were measured on a Sysmex XT‐2000i instrument.ResultsThe two key variables in the context of antidoping (haemoglobin concentration, reticulocytes) were stable for at least 168 h, except under 12 °C (stable 48 h only). Volume‐dependent variables changed in a predictable manner that enabled a nomogram to be generated to predict original values provided storage duration and temperature were known.ConclusionKey blood results can be relied upon for at least 7 days if storage temperature is kept at 4–6 °C.
Gambling in Britain: the application of restraint erosion theory
Authors: Orford Jim 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTAim  To provide an overview of gambling and problem gambling in Britain, including historical background, current regulations and the recognition, prevalence and treatment of problem gambling.Methods  A new theory, Gambling Restraint Erosion Theory (GRET), is used as a framework for understanding the history of gambling regulation in Britain in the 20th century and evidence about the prevalence of gambling and problem gambling, as well as public attitudes towards gambling, in Britain in the first decade of the 21st century.Findings  Restraints on gambling were progressively dismantled as regulation moved from partial prohibition, to tolerance, and then to liberalization by the turn of the millennium. British adult gambling prevalence surveys carried out in 1999/2000, 2006/07 and 2009/10 suggest that the British public is still relatively restrained in its engagement in gambling, and is still suspicious of gambling. There is evidence from the last of those surveys that engagement in some forms of gambling, and the prevalence of problem gambling, have risen, and that attitudes have become less negative towards gambling.Conclusions  Restraints which kept British gambling circumscribed, and the prevalence of problem gambling low, may be in the process of being eroded. Meanwhile, an effective public health response to problem gambling is constrained by lack of Department of Health interest and a failure to develop a research and treatment base independent of the gambling industry.
National gambling experiences in the United States: will history repeat itself?
Authors: Petry Nancy M. , Blanco Carlos 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTAims  The aim of this paper is to offer an account of the history and current status of gambling research in the United States.Methods  A review of the literature.Results  Gambling has been a part of society in the United States since its early history. However, it was not until 1980 that the medical profession in the United States first recognized pathological gambling as a psychiatric disorder. Today, it is still rarely diagnosed or treated, and relatively little federal funding is available to support research in this area. With the upcoming fifth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, pathological gambling is likely to be included alongside substance use disorders as the first non‐substance‐related addictive disorder. This change may represent an opportunity to expand research on gambling and treatment of pathological gambling.Conclusions  We provide 10 suggestions for reducing societal and personal harm associated with this disorder.
Gambling experiences, problems, research and policy: gambling in Germany
Authors: Ludwig Monika , Kräplin Anja , Braun Barbara , Kraus Ludwig 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimsThe objective of this paper is to present an overview of gambling in Germany, including historical development, legislative and economic changes as well as treatment options and their effectiveness.MethodsThe available scientific literature and research reports on gambling in Germany were reviewed to obtain relevant information on history, commercialization, legislation, treatment and research agenda.ResultsGambling in Germany is characterized by compromises between protective and economic efforts. At present, gambling is illegal in Germany, and provision is subject to the state monopoly. Mere gaming machines (specific slot machines) are not classified as gambling activity, permitting commercial providers. In recent years, implementing regulations for state gambling and gaming machines have been changed. Concerning the treatment of pathological gambling, various options exist; treatment costs have been covered by health and pension insurance since 2001. Information on the effectiveness of treatment in Germany is limited. Similarly, the number of peer‐reviewed publications on gambling is small.ConclusionsGerman gambling legislation was subject to major changes in the past years. Based on the available body of research (longitudinal), studies on risk and protective factors and the aetiology of pathological gambling are needed. The effectiveness of pathological gambling treatment in Germany and the impact of gambling regulations on gambling behaviour also need to be investigated.
Adaptation and the physiology of ocean acidification
Authors: Kelly Morgan W. , Hofmann Gretchen E. 
Published: October 2012

Summary

Ocean acidification, caused by the uptake of atmospheric CO2, is a threat to marine biodiversity, potentially rivalling the threat imposed by rising temperatures in some marine ecosystems. Although a growing body of literature documents negative effects of acidification on marine organisms, the majority of this work has focused on the effects of future conditions on modern populations, ignoring the potential effects of adaptation and physiological acclimatization.

We review current literature on the potential for adaptation to elevated pCO2 in marine organisms. Although this body of work is currently quite small, we argue that data on the physiological effects of acidification, natural variation in pH and lessons learned from previous work on thermal adaptation can all inform predictions and priorities for future research.

Spatially varying selection is one of the most important forces maintaining intraspecific genetic variation. Unlike temperature, pH lacks a strong and persistent global gradient, and so selection may maintain less adaptive variation for pH than for temperature. On the other hand, we are only beginning to amass long‐term data sets for pH variation in natural habitats, and thus, pH gradients may be more common than previously observed.

Two of the most important effects of elevated pCO2 are reduced calcification and changes in metabolism. We discuss the ways that a detailed understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying these effects is key to predicting the capacity for acclimatization and adaptation.

Important priorities for future research will be to assess local adaptation to pH conditions and to measure the capacity for adaptation to future acidified conditions in natural populations. Tools for this work include traditional quantitative genetics, transcriptomics and the adaptation of ion‐sensitive field‐effect transistor (ISFET) technology for use in continuous seawater pH monitoring in the field.
Wide‐azimuth angle gathers for anisotropic wave‐equation migration
Authors: Sava Paul , Alkhalifah Tariq 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTExtended common‐image‐point gathers (CIP) constructed by wide‐azimuth TI wave‐equation migration contain all the necessary information for angle decomposition as a function of the reflection and azimuth angles at selected locations in the subsurface. The aperture and azimuth angles are derived from the extended images using analytic relations between the space‐ and time‐lag extensions using information which is already available at the time of migration, i.e. the anisotropic model parameters. CIPs are cheap to compute because they can be distributed in the image at the most relevant positions, as indicated by the geologic structure. If the reflector dip is known at the CIP locations, then the computational cost can be reduced by evaluating only two components of the space‐lag vector. The transformation from extended images to angle gathers is a planar Radon transform which depends on the local medium parameters. This transformation allows us to separate all illumination directions for a given experiment, or between different experiments. We do not need to decompose the reconstructed wavefields or to choose the most energetic directions for decomposition. Applications of the method include illumination studies in complex areas where ray‐based methods fail, and assuming that the subsurface illumination is sufficiently dense, the study of amplitude variation with aperture and azimuth angles.
Apoplastic infusion of sucrose into stem internodes during female flowering does not increase grain yield in maize plants grown under nitrogen‐limiting conditions
Authors: Peng Yunfeng , Li Chunjian , Fritschi Felix B. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractNitrogen (N) limitation reduces leaf growth and photosynthetic rates of maize (Zea mays), and constrains photosynthate translocation to developing ears. Additionally, the period from about 1 week before to 2 weeks after silking is critical for establishing the reproductive sink capacity necessary to attain maximum yield. To investigate the influence of carbohydrate availability in plants of differing N status, a greenhouse study was performed in which exogenous sucrose (Suc) was infused around the time of silking into maize stems grown under different N regimes. N deficiency significantly reduced leaf area, leaf longevity, leaf chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate. High N‐delayed leaf senescence, particularly of the six uppermost leaves, compared to the other two N treatments. While N application increased ear leaf soluble protein concentration, it did not influence glucose and suc concentrations. Interestingly, ear leaf starch concentration decreased with increasing N application. Infusion of exogenous suc tended to increase non‐structural carbohydrate concentrations in the developing ears of all N treatments at silking and 6 days after silking. However, leaf photosynthetic rates were not affected by suc infusion, and suc infusion failed to increase grain yield in any N treatment. The lack of an effect of suc infusion on ear growth and the high ear leaf starch concentration of N‐deficient maize, suggest that yield reduction under N deficiency may not be due to insufficient photosynthate availability to the developing ear during silking, and that yield reduction under N deficiency may be determined at an earlier growth stage.
Carbohydrate and nitrogen stores in Festuca paniculata under mowing explain dominance in subalpine grasslands
Authors: Baptist F. , Secher‐Fromell H. , Viard‐Cretat F. , Aranjuelo I. , Clement J.‐C. , Creme A. , Desclos M. , Laine P. , Nogues S. , Lavorel S. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractCessation of traditional management threatens semi‐natural grassland diversity through the colonisation or increase of competitive species adapted to nutrient‐poor conditions. Regular mowing is one practice that controls their abundance. This study evaluated the ecophysiological mechanisms limiting short‐ and long‐term recovery after mowing for Festuca paniculata, a competitive grass that takes over subalpine grasslands in the Alps following cessation of mowing. We quantified temporal variations in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content, starch, fructan and total soluble sugars in leaves, stem bases and roots of F. paniculata during one growth cycle in mown and unmown fields and related them to the dynamics of soil mineral N concentration and soil moisture. Short‐term results suggest that the regrowth of F. paniculata following mowing might be N‐limited, first because of N dilution by C increments in the plant tissue, and second, due to low soil mineral N and soil moisture at this time of year. However, despite short‐term effects of mowing on plant growth, C and N content and concentration at the beginning of the following growing season were not affected. Nevertheless, total biomass accumulation at peak standing biomass was largely reduced compared to unmown fields. Moreover, lower C storage capacity at the end of the growing season impacted C allocation to vegetative reproduction during winter, thereby dramatically limiting the horizontal growth of F. paniculata tussocks in the long term. We conclude that mowing reduces the growth of F. paniculata tussocks through both C and N limitation. Such results will help understanding how plant responses to defoliation regulate competitive interactions within plant communities.
Resistance of European tree species to drought stress in mixed versus pure forests: evidence of stress release by inter‐specific facilitation
Authors: Pretzsch H. , Schütze G. , Uhl E. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWhile previous studies focused on tree growth in pure stands, we reveal that tree resistance and resilience to drought stress can be modified distinctly through species mixing. Our study is based on tree ring measurement on cores from increment boring of 559 trees of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.), European beech (Fagus sylvatica [L.]) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) in South Germany, with half sampled in pure, respectively, mixed stands. Indices for resistance, recovery and resilience were applied for quantifying the tree growth reaction on the episodic drought stress in 1976 and 2003. The following general reaction patterns were found. (i) In pure stands, spruce has the lowest resistance, but the quickest recovery; oak and beech were more resistant, but recover was much slower and they are less resilient. (ii) In mixture, spruce and oak perform as in pure stands, but beech was significantly more resistant and resilient than in monoculture. (iii) Especially when mixed with oak, beech is facilitated. We hypothesise that the revealed water stress release of beech emerges in mixture because of the asynchronous stress reaction pattern of beech and oak and a facilitation of beech by hydraulic lift of water by oak. This facilitation of beech in mixture with oak means a contribution to the frequently reported overyield of beech in mixed versus pure stands. We discuss the far‐reaching implications that these differences in stress response under intra‐ and inter‐specific environments have for forest ecosystem dynamics and management under climate change.
Relationships between intra‐specific variation in seed size and recruitment in four species in two contrasting habitats
Authors: Lönnberg K. , Eriksson O. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractLarge seeds contain more stored resources, and seedlings germinating from large seeds generally cope better with environmental stresses such as shading, competition and thick litter layers, than seedlings germinating from small seeds. A pattern with small‐seeded species being associated with open habitats and large‐seeded species being associated with closed (shaded) habitats has been suggested and supported by comparative studies. However, few studies have assessed the intra‐specific relationship between seed size and recruitment, comparing plant communities differing in canopy cover. Here, seeds from four plant species commonly occurring in ecotones between open and closed habitats (Convallaria majalis, Frangula alnus, Prunus padus and Prunus spinosa) were weighed and sown individually (3200 seeds per species) in open and closed‐canopy sites, and seedling emergence and survival recorded over 3 years. Our results show a generally positive, albeit weak, relationship between seed size and recruitment. In only one of the species, C. majalis, was there an association between closed canopy habitat and a positive seed size effect on recruitment. We conclude that there is a weak selection gradient favouring larger seeds, but that this selection gradient is not clearly related to habitat.