bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alcohol as a risk factor for liver cirrhosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: REHM JÜRGEN , TAYLOR BENJAMIN , MOHAPATRA SATYA , IRVING HYACINTH , BALIUNAS DOLLY , PATRA JAYADEEP , ROERECKE MICHAEL 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Introduction and Aims. Alcohol is an established risk factor for liver cirrhosis. It remains unclear, however, whether this relationship follows a continuous dose–response pattern or has a threshold. Also, the influences of sex and end‐point (i.e. mortality vs. morbidity) on the association are not known. To address these questions and to provide a quantitative assessment of the association between alcohol intake and risk of liver cirrhosis, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of cohort and case–control studies. Design and Methods. Studies were identified by a literature search of Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychINFO, ETOH and Google Scholar from January 1980 to January 2008 and by searching the references of retrieved articles. Studies were included if quantifiable information on risk and related confidence intervals with respect to at least three different levels of average alcohol intake were reported. Both categorical and continuous meta‐analytic techniques were used to model the dose–response relationship. Results. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. We found some indications for threshold effects. Alcohol consumption had a significantly larger impact on mortality of liver cirrhosis compared with morbidity. Also, the same amount of average consumption was related to a higher risk of liver cirrhosis in women than in men. Discussion and Conclusions. Overall, end‐point was an important source of heterogeneity among study results. This result has important implications not only for studies in which the burden of disease attributable to alcohol consumption is estimated, but also for prevention. [Rehm J, Taylor B, Mohapatra S, Irving H, Baliunas D, Patra J, Roerecke M. Alcohol as a risk factor for liver cirrhosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Models of policy‐making and their relevance for drug research
Authors: RITTER ALISON , BAMMER GABRIELE 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Introduction and Aims. Researchers are often frustrated by their inability to influence policy. We describe models of policy‐making to provide new insights and a more realistic assessment of research impacts on policy. Design and Methods. We describe five prominent models of policy‐making and illustrate them with examples from the alcohol and drugs field, before drawing lessons for researchers. Results. Policy‐making is a complex and messy process, with different models describing different elements. We start with the incrementalist model, which highlights small amendments to policy, as occurs in school‐based drug education. A technical/rational approach then outlines the key steps in a policy process from identification of problems and their causes, through to examination and choice of response options, and subsequent implementation and evaluation. There is a clear role for research, as we illustrate with the introduction of new medications, but this model largely ignores the dominant political aspects of policy‐making. Such political aspects include the influence of interest groups, and we describe models about power and pressure groups, as well as advocacy coalitions, and the challenges they pose for researchers. These are illustrated with reference to the alcohol industry, and interest group conflicts in establishing a Medically Supervised Injecting Centre. Finally, we describe the multiple streams framework, which alerts researchers to ‘windows of opportunity’, and we show how these were effectively exploited in policy for cannabis law reform in Western Australia. Discussion and Conclusions. Understanding models of policy‐making can help researchers maximise the uptake of their work and advance evidence‐informed policy.[Ritter A, Bammer G. Models of policy‐making and their relevance for drug research. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Leisure time activities that predict initiation, progression and reduction of cannabis use: A prospective, population‐based panel survey
Authors: SCHAUB MICHAEL , GMEL GERHARD , ANNAHEIM BEATRICE , MUELLER MAX , SCHWAPPACH DAVID 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Introduction and Aims. Frequent cannabis consumption can lead to severe physical and mental harm. As cannabis is often consumed in leisure time, this study aimed at identifying differences in leisure time activities that predicted the severity of cannabis use. Design and Methods. In a prospective population‐based survey on cannabis use a cohort of 5025 subjects aged 13–29 years were assessed by telephone interview and followed up 3 years later. Different leisure time activities and the persons (e.g. partner, friend, sibling) the activities were spent with were analysed for the initiation, progression and reduction/cessation of cannabis use over time using multinomial and ordered logistical regression models. Results. The persons the leisure time was spent with at baseline led to a higher probability of initiation and progression of cannabis use over time than the type of leisure time activity. There also was a tendency for tobacco use to increase during the progression phase and to remain high after a reduction/cessation of cannabis use. Discussion and Conclusions. The influence of persons the leisure time was spent with was of higher relevance to most phases of cannabis use than the type of leisure time activity.[Schaub M, Gmel G, Annaheim B, Mueller M, Schwappach D. Leisure time activities that predict initiation, progression and reduction of cannabis use: A prospective, population‐based panel survey. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
The risk of psychotic symptoms associated with recreational methamphetamine use
Authors: MCKETIN REBECCA , HICKEY KARINA , DEVLIN KRISTINA , LAWRENCE KERRI 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Introduction and Aims. To determine whether recreational methamphetamine use is associated with an increased risk of psychotic symptoms. Design and Method. A cross‐sectional survey of 157 people attending dance events in Sydney, Australia. Participants were assessed for psychotic symptoms in the past year using items from the Psychosis Screen. Participants with and without psychotic symptoms were compared on methamphetamine use, polydrug use and other demographic factors. An ordinal logistic regression was used to determine the probability of psychotic symptoms by methamphetamine use and level of polydrug use. Results. Psychotic symptoms in the past year were predicted by methamphetamine use and heavier polydrug use in the past year, and a history of a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective or bipolar affective disorder). After removing participants with a history of a psychotic disorder (n = 16) and adjusting for polydrug use, methamphetamine use increased the probability of two or more psychotic symptoms (indicative of psychosis risk) from 9% to 21%. There was a non‐significant increase in the risk of psychotic symptoms with higher levels of polydrug use. Methamphetamine use was typically monthly or less often (83%), and most users described their use as recreational (85%). Discussion and Conclusions. Within the context of polydrug use, recreational methamphetamine use is associated with a twofold to threefold increase in the probability of psychotic symptoms.[McKetin R, Hickey K, Devlin K, Lawrence K. The risk of psychotic symptoms associated with recreational methamphetamine use. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
The dark side of sniffing: Paint colour affects intoxication experiences among adolescent inhalant users
Authors: TAKAGI MICHAEL J. , YÜCEL MURAT , LUBMAN DAN I. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Introduction and Aims. Inhalant abuse among adolescents is a significant health concern in many countries; however, limited research has explored whether the intoxication experience differs between commonly used inhalants. The aim of the present study was to examine how exposure to different types of paints (chrome vs. non‐chrome) were experienced by adolescent users. Design and Methods. Sixteen adolescent (aged 15–19 years) regular inhalant users completed a semistructured questionnaire enquiring about their inhalant use. Participants were divided into two groups based on paint colour preference [chrome paints (n = 10) and non‐chrome paints (n = 6)] and were compared using appropriate statistical tests. Results. Relative to non‐chrome users, the chrome‐using group were more likely to report deliberately inhaling to experience altered perceptions (such as visual and auditory hallucinations). In addition, a significantly greater proportion of chrome users reported that the perceptual alterations they experienced after sniffing paint differed between paint colours, with chrome colours being associated with more vivid hallucinations. Discussion and Conclusion. While both chrome and non‐chrome users reported a comparable level of pleasure from paint sniffing, chrome paint users were more likely to be motivated by the potential to hallucinate. Our findings suggest that the type of inhalant used is an important consideration that may have relevance to clinical treatment.[Takagi MJ, Yücel M, Lubman DI. The dark side of sniffing: Paint colour affects intoxication experiences among adolescent inhalant users. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Qualitative accounts of needle and syringe cleaning techniques among people who inject drugs in Sydney, Australia
Authors: NATHANI JAI , IVERSEN JENNY , SHYING KERRI , BYRNE JUDE , MAHER LISA 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Introduction and Aims. Cleaning needles/syringes is an important second‐line harm reduction strategy, yet there is limited information on practices employed by people who inject drugs in Australia. This study attempts to identify and assess cleaning practices in terms of the techniques involved and the social contexts in which cleaning takes place. Design and Methods. As part of an exploratory qualitative study in south‐west Sydney, in‐depth interviews and simulated cleaning exercises were conducted with 12 people who inject drugs. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Open coding was used to inductively classify data into themes, and data were examined for patterns and variations in the relationships within and between themes. Results. Data indicate that cleaning and reuse of needles/syringes was common in this small sample. The most frequently utilised reagent was cool water. While all participants reported cleaning and reusing only their own equipment, none of the techniques demonstrated would have been sufficient to deactivate human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis C virus. Discussion and Conclusions. Results suggest that even where cleaning of needles and syringes is widespread, people who inject drugs may not engage in efficacious cleaning. The combination of the complexity of current cleaning messages and a lack of accurate information about efficacious techniques are likely to contribute to poor cleaning practice. Australia could benefit from the development of a nationally consistent cleaning message; however, the evidence would suggest that this would need to be accompanied by strategies designed to simplify and disseminate this information in order to increase the uptake of efficacious cleaning methods by people who inject drugs [Nathani J, Iversen J, Shying K, Byrne J, Maher L. Qualitative accounts of needle and syringe cleaning techniques among people who inject drugs in Sydney, Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Lifetime multiple substance use pattern among heroin users before entering methadone maintenance treatment clinic in Yunnan, China
Authors: LI LEI , SANGTHONG RASSAMEE , CHONGSUVIVATWONG VIRASAKDI , MCNEIL EDWARD , LI JIANHUA 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Introduction and Aims. Multiple substance use leads to greater levels of psycho‐behavioural problems, unsafe sex, and therefore a high risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, and is also more difficult to treat. This study aims to determine pattern of lifetime multiple substance use among Chinese heroin users before entering methadone maintenance treatment clinic. Design and Methods. A survey to obtain retrospective longitudinal data on lifetime multiple substance use was conducted among 203 heroin users in two of the biggest methadone maintenance clinics in Kunming City, Yunnan province. Results. All participants used more than one substance in their lifetime. Most of them used four or more substance groups (range two to seven groups). The most common substance patterns in lifetime use were alcohol, tobacco, opiates and depressants. Approximately 80% of them had a history of simultaneous substance use (co‐use). The most common combination of co‐use pattern was heroin with depressant. Common reasons for co‐use were to get high, to experiment, to sleep and to increase the potency of other drugs. Determinants of co‐use were education, marital status and family relationship. Discussion and Conclusions. Multiple substance use is highly prevalent among Chinese heroin users. Depressants are the most common substances used in combination with heroin.[Li L, Sangthong R, Chongsuvivatwong V, McNeil E, Li J. Lifetime multiple substance use pattern among heroin users before entering methadone maintenance treatment clinic in Yunnan, China. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010]
Quetiapine for the treatment of alcoholism: Scientific rationale and review of the literature
Authors: RAY LARA A. , HEYDARI ANDIA , ZORICK TODD 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIssues. The development of effective treatments for alcohol use disorders represents an important public health concern. Quetiapine, a multiple receptor antagonist at 5‐HT1Aand 5‐HT2A, dopamine D1and D2, histamine H1, and adrenergic α1and α2receptors, is an atypical antipsychotic medication that has recently shown promise for the treatment of alcoholism.Approach. This manuscript reviews the rationale and empirical literature suggesting that quetiapine may be useful for the treatment of alcohol use disorders, including a discussion of its putative neurobiological and biobehavioural mechanisms of action.Key Findings. The effects of quetiapine on drinking outcomes may be due to its effects on mood, anxiety and sleep, which may help alleviate protracted withdrawal symptoms and address psychiatric comorbidities often associated with alcohol use disorders.Implications. These findings have implications to treatment development for alcoholism and suggest that the scientific study of quetiapine for alcoholism warrants further resources and attention.Conclusion. Quetiapine has advanced as a potentially promising pharmacotherapy for alcoholism. Additional research is needed to more clearly ascertain its clinical utility as a stand‐alone treatment for this indication, as well as to identify patients who are more likely to respond favourably to this medication.[Ray LA, Heydari A, Zorick T. Quetiapine for the treatment of alcoholism: Scientific rationale and review of the literature.Drug Alcohol Rev2010]
Pavement Management System with Real time Microprocessor‐Based Computation
Authors: COX GREGORY M. , MERRILL RAHN C. , FRONEK DONALD K. 
Published: August 2010

This article is the second part of a two‐part article concerned with observing cracks on the pavement surface with very specialized microcomputer equipment mounted in a van type vehicle moving at road speeds. As one would imagine, the computing speed required to do the job is very high. In fact, to adequately handle this particular application, three camera systems, each with its own Motorola 68020 microprocessor, are required to work in parallel as the 12‐foot lane width is observed. In the first part of this article, an overview of the following technical requirements was presented [5]: 1) sensor data rate requirements, 2) hardware and software approaches, 3) pavement rating procedures, 4) system block diagram, and 5) real‐time computer algorithms.This article will extend and update previous pavement monitoring concepts while looking at the microprocessor requirements of moving a huge amount of processed data through the system. In addition, a host microprocessor (a Motorola 68010) will be responsible for system housekeeping and formatting all of the processed data for future use. Some introductory comments about the pavement monitoring system appear again for continuity.
Integrated Information Management Expert System For Structural Engineering of Buildings
Authors: Hong Sung Mok , Kim Chee Kyeong 
Published: August 2010

Abstract: This paper describes the development of an integrated Information Management expert system (IMXpert) which enables structural engineers or architects to produce results of high quality within a short time in works related to the structural engineering of buildings. IMXpert gives various data or functions according to the user's request.The study can be divided into problem analysis and system design. For the systematic representation of building structure and the structural design process, an object‐oriented design method has been used for the problem analysis. Various types of structural components and operations closely related to them have been extracted and defined as independent objects. The complete building structure and structural design process can be represented by combining these objects and operations. A centralized database has been designed for the consistent and integrated management of object instances.
Use of Spline Interpolation in Slope Stability Analysis
Authors: McClarty D. V. B. , Fredlund D. G. , Barbour S. L. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract: Spline Interpolation is a numerical procedure which is widely used to contour variables from irregularly spaced data. It has been shown that, under specific criteria, Spline Interpolation is equivalent to a well known estimation technique known as Kriging. Unlike Kriging, Spline Interpolation does not require a preliminary structural analysis. However, as a result, one should expect that the estimates obtained from Spline Interpolation are not as accurate as those obtained from Kriging. This paper examines the role of the Spline Interpolation technique in the prediction of pore‐water pressures in limit equilibrium slope stability analyses. The pore‐water pressures of interest are those at the base of a slice when the factor of safety is estimated using the method of slices and limit equilibrium techniques.The results of the study show that the Spline Interpolation technique is more accurate than the 4‐Way Interpolation technique. However, the Spline Interpolation technique requires significant computing time and computer memory. As a result, the number of known data points which can be analyzed (on a microcomputer) within a slope stability computer program is somewhat limited.
Doctor‐patient communication: a social and micro‐political performance
Authors: Fisher Sue 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn the United States the medical relationship is asymmetrical. Doctors not only control medical knowledge, they also have an institutionally based authority which allows them to act as gatekeepers, providing options to some while denying them to others. This study, conducted in a model family practice clinic of a teaching hospital, examines how decisions to do, or not to do, Pap smears are negotiated as residents and a potentially high‐risk group of patients communicate. Decision‐making occurs in layered phases ‐ opening, medical history, physical examination, and closing. Each phase expresses the doctor's control and the patient's trust. Doctors initiate phases, develop topics and make key choices. They decide when patients undress — a choice which shapes the later Pap smear decision. Decisions to undress patients and to perform Pap smears or decisions not to undress patients and not to perform Pap smears produce no conflict. When there is a conflict, avoidance strategies ‐ bowing to higher‐level specialists, selling and unselling, and letting silence speak ‐ are used as negotiating devices. The doctor's choice and the patient's agreement produce a specific and a more general outcome — managing the presenting complaint and providing medically adequate health care, respectively. Although inter‐actionally accomplished, these outcomes are institutionally constrained, and, thus are both a social and a micro‐political performance.
General practitioners and the pull of prevention
Authors: Davies Celia 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSociologists have often criticised notions of preventive health work advocated by doctors. This work has yielded important insights into victim‐blaming and into ways the economic and political causes of ill‐health have been mystified or denied. While this analytical strategy remains an important one, it needs extending in at least three directions. First, we must appreciate changes over time in the forms of arguments about preventive work; secondly, we must situate the argument both in terms of developments within the medical profession and in terms of the relationship of the medical profession to the wider society; finally, we need to make sense of the doctors’ claims that these ideas are radical/progressive.The paper is based on a recent series of reports on prevention by the Royal College of General Practitioners, and focusses in particular on the one dealing with preventive care for children.
Infant mortality, public policy and inequality – a comparison of 18 industrialised countries 1950–85
Authors: Wennemo Irene 
Published: August 2010

AbstractUsing new comparative data bases this paper examines whether infant mortality rates in industrialised nations are affected by public policies and income inequality. Particular attention is given to the role of the level of economic development, public policy and the distribution of economic resources. The study shows that the level of economic development has a strong, but decreasing impact on the infant mortality rate. Income inequality and relative poverty rates appear to be of greater importance for the variation in infant mortality rates than the level of economic development between rich countries. Levels of unemployment and of social security benefits seems to affect the infant mortality rate; the combination of high unemployment and low unemployment benefits seems to be associated with particularly high mortality rates. A high level of family benefits is also associated with low infant mortality rates.
The new genetics: some issues for social scientists
Authors: Richards M.P.M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis paper considers some of the social consequences of the deployment of techniques arising from recombinant DNA technology, the new genetics. It concentrates on late onset dominantly inherited conditions such as Huntington's disease and hereditary ovarian and breast cancer and recessively inherited disease such as β thalassaemia and cystic fibrosis. It is argued that there are widely held lay beliefs about inheritance which are often at variance with the Mendelian theories of geneticists. The nature of these beliefs and the extent to which people feel prone to genetic disease allow an explanation of the use made of genetic services.It is argued that there are many issues related to the new genetics, and inheritance more generally, which deserve more systematic study from social scientists and that, in particular, these should be approached as family issues.