bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of online training for the provision of opioid substitution treatment by community pharmacists in New Zealand
Authors: WALTERS CARINA , RAYMONT ANTONY , GALEA SUSANNA , WHEELER AMANDA 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. The role of community pharmacists in the provision of opioid substitution treatment (OST) is pivotal and integral to addiction treatment. An online training program for pharmacists in OST management was piloted in New Zealand in 2010, following recognition of the difficulty in recruitment and retention of community pharmacists to provide OST services. Our aim was to evaluate the OST online training that was made available for any community pharmacist in New Zealand and to establish the feasibility and acceptability of this format of training for community pharmacists. The evaluation explored participants' attitudes, skills and knowledge both pre‐ and post‐training in OST.Design and Methods. All pharmacists registering to participate in the training program were asked to complete an evaluation questionnaire immediately before (pre) and immediately after (post) completing the training. Participants were also invited to participate in a brief 10 min structured telephone interview about their training experience.Results. In the first 4 months 190 pharmacists commenced the training; 101 completed both evaluations. Improvements in the confidence and skills of pharmacists were demonstrated through both the quantitative and qualitative analyses. Statistically significant changes in attitudes were also demonstrated. Overall the OST training was well received and the online format was feasible and highly acceptable.Discussion and Conclusion. Online training is an appropriate and economical method of improving pharmacists' clinical skills with respect to this client group, and has the potential to reach a wider audience of pharmacists. Further research is required to investigate OST client experiences in community pharmacy.[Walters C, Raymont A, Galea S, Wheeler A. Evaluation of online training for the provision of opioid substitution treatment by community pharmacists in New Zealand. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:903–910]
Use of MRI and CT for fat imaging in children and youth: what have we learned about obesity, fat distribution and metabolic disease risk?
Authors: Samara A. , Ventura E. E. , Alfadda A. A. , Goran M. I. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryChildhood obesity is a matter of great concern for public health. Efforts have been made to understand its impact on health through advanced imaging techniques. An increasing number of studies focus on fat distribution and its associations with metabolic risk, in interaction with genetics, environment and ethnicity, in children. The present review is a qualitative synthesis of the existing literature on visceral and subcutaneous abdominal, intrahepatic and intramuscular fat. Our search revealed 80 original articles. Abdominal as well as ectopic fat depots are prevalent already in childhood and contribute to abnormal metabolic parameters, starting early in life. Visceral, hepatic and intramuscular fat seem to be interrelated but their patterns as well as their independent contribution on metabolic risk are not clear. Some ethnic‐specific characteristics are also prevalent. These results encourage further research in childhood obesity by using imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. These imaging methods can provide a better understanding of fat distribution and its relationships with metabolic risk, compared to less detailed fat and obesity assessment. However, studies on bigger samples and with a prospective character are warranted.
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT USING ADAPTIVE LEARNING ITINERARIES
Authors: Vazquez Jose Manuel Marquez , Gonzalez‐Abril Luis , Morente Francisco Velasco , Ramirez Juan Antonio Ortega 
Published: April 2012

In this paper, Bayesian‐Networks (BN) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) techniques are combined to find the best path through a graph representing all available itineraries to acquire a professional competence. The combination of these methods allows us to design a dynamic learning path, useful in a rapidly changing world. One of the most important advances in this work is that the amount of pheromones released is variable. This amount is calculated by taking into account the results acquired in the last completed course in relation to the minimum score required.By using ACO and BN, a fitness function, responsible of automatically selecting the next course in the learning graph, is defined. This is done by generating a path that maximizes the probability of each user's success in the course. Therefore, the path can change to improve learners’ average performance, taking into account the pedagogical weight of each learning unit and the social behavior of the system. Furthermore, a discrete dynamical system is obtained and its stability is studied. How to wrap an existing Learning Management System is also described in this work. Finally, an experiment compares this approach with the old on‐line learning system being used previously.
TALKING THE WALK AND WALKING THE TALK: Stanley Hauerwas's Contribution to Theological Ethics
Authors: Werpehowski William 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTStanley Hauerwas's contribution to the study of Christian ethics is analyzed in the course of offering an overview of his work, including (1) his early reflections on “vision,”“narrative,” and moral agency; (2) his continuing focus on Christian virtues and practices in contrast to the ethos of moral and political liberalism; and (3) his specific attention to the meaning of peaceableness and the rejection of violence. The essay concludes by considering Hauerwas's legacy as a postliberal theologian, a critical participant in American Protestant ethics, and a conversation partner with Roman Catholics.
EVERYONE AT THE TABLE: Religious Activism and Health Care Reform in Massachusetts
Authors: Craig David M. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTUsing interviews with activists and Lisa Sowle Cahill's concept of participatory discourse, this article examines how the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) built solidarity for the 2006 Massachusetts health care reform law. The analysis explores the morally formative connections between GBIO's activist strategies and its public liturgy for reform. The solidarity generated through this interfaith coalition's activities and religious arguments contrasts with two standard types of policy discourse, economics and liberalism. Arguments for health care reform based on economic efficiency or positive rights are hampered by the lack of solidarity in U.S. political culture. GBIO's congregation‐based organizing offers a performative model of public argumentation for religious groups committed to achieving affordable, quality health care for all Americans.
The bidirectional relationship between headache and chronic musculoskeletal complaints: an 11‐year follow‐up in the Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT)
Authors: Hagen K. , Linde M. , Steiner T. J. , Zwart J.‐A. , Stovner L. J. 
Published: April 2012

Background and purposeChronic daily headache (CDH) and chronic musculoskeletal complaints (CMSCs) are associated disorders, but whether there is a causal relationship between them is unclear.ObjectiveTo determine whether CMSCs are associated with the subsequent development of CDH and vice versa.MethodsThis longitudinal population‐based cohort study used data from two consecutive surveys in the Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT 2 and 3) performed in 1995–1997 and 2006–2008. Amongst the 51 383 participants aged ≥ 20 years at baseline, 41 766 were eligible approximately 11 years later. Of these, 26 197 (63%) completed the questions regarding headache and CMSCs in HUNT 3.ResultsA bidirectional relationship was found between headache and CMSCs. In the multivariate analyses adjusting for known potential confounders, a nearly two fold risk (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.5–2.3) for developing CDH was found for those with CMSCs at baseline. Vice versa, a similarly elevated risk of CMSCs (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.2–2.6), and even higher risk of chronic widespread MSCs (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.6–4.7), was found at follow‐up amongst those with CDH at baseline.ConclusionCMSCs predispose to CDH and CDH predisposes to CMSCs 11 years later. This may have relevance to understanding the pathophysiology of these disorders. CMSCs should be treated not only to relieve them but also to prevent the development of CDH, and vice versa.
Increased incidence of Guillain–Barré syndrome after surgery
Authors: Gensicke H. , Datta A. N. , Dill P. , Schindler C. , Fischer D. 
Published: April 2012

Background and purposeAntecedent surgery has been described to trigger Guillain/x96Barré syndrome (GBS), but its evidence is poor and based on case reports only.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 63 patients with GBS admitted to the University Hospital Basel and University Children's Hospital Basel from January 2005 to December 2010. We calculated and compared the incidences of post‐surgical and non‐exposed patients with GBS in the study population and those reported previously in literature.ResultsSix of 63 (9.5%) GBS cases had had a surgery within 6 weeks prior to GBS. The relative risk of developing GBS during the 6‐week period after surgery is 13.1 times higher than the normal incidence in the study population (95% confidence interval: 5.68, 30.3; P ≤ 0.0001), suggesting an attributable risk of 4.1 cases per 100 000 surgeries. In addition, the incidence of post‐surgical GBS is significantly higher than influenza vaccine‐associated GBS in the study population (P = 0.01) as well as in comparison with previous reported vaccine‐associated GBS (P ≤ 0.0001) and background incidences (P ≤ 0.0001).ConclusionSurgery must be considered to be a potential risk factor for developing GBS.
Using the results of a satisfaction survey to demonstrate the impact of a new library service model
Authors: Powelson Susan E. , Reaume Renee D. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:  In 2005, the University of Calgary entered into a contract to provide library services to the staff and physicians of Alberta Health Services Calgary Zone (AHS CZ), creating the Health Information Network Calgary (HINC).Objectives:  A user satisfaction survey was contractually required to determine whether the new library service model created through the agreement with the University of Calgary was successful. Our additional objective was to determine whether information and resources provided through the HINC were making an impact on patient care.Methods:  A user satisfaction survey of 18 questions was created in collaboration with AHS CZ contract partners and distributed using the snowball or convenience sample method.Results:  Six hundred and ninety‐four surveys were returned. Of respondents, 75% use the HINC library services. More importantly, 43% of respondents indicated that search results provided by library staff had a direct impact on patient care decisions.Conclusions:  Alberta Health Services Calgary Zone staff are satisfied with the new service delivery model, they are taking advantage of the services offered, and using library provided information to improve patient care.
Are zooplankton invasions in constructed waters facilitated by simple communities?
Authors: Parkes Samantha M. , Duggan Ian C. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAimConstructed water bodies (e.g. water supply and hydroelectricity dams, ornamental ponds) are invaded at faster rates than natural waters, but the mechanisms that lead to this pattern are uncertain. We aimed to determine whether constructed lakes have lower zooplankton species richness or differ in species composition relative to natural waters, which might allow them to be invaded more readily.LocationNorth Island, New Zealand.MethodsSediment cores were collected from 23 natural and 23 constructed lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Zooplankton diapausing eggs were hatched from sediments to assess species composition and richness.ResultsAverage species richness between natural and constructed water bodies was not significantly different. Stepwise linear regression indicated latitude and maximum depth were significant predictors of species richness in natural waters (P = 0.002 and 0.016, respectively). No significant predictors were elucidated for constructed waters. Species in natural waters consisted mainly of planktonic species, while assemblages in constructed waters were more varied, comprising of more littoral and benthic species, and included many species recorded from only single water bodies. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that trophic state explained the greatest proportion of variation in species composition of natural waters (P = 0.002). Distance to nearest water body and number of water bodies within a 20 km radius (i.e. opportunity) explained the greatest proportion in constructed waters (P = 0.040 and 0.038, respectively).Main conclusionsNatural and constructed waters had similar species richness per water body, but community composition varied between them. The core group of species found in natural waters are better adapted to pelagic conditions, and may therefore be better at reducing establishment rates of new arrivals than assemblages in constructed water bodies, which had more varied assemblages. Our study suggests that manipulating new water bodies, so that they develop mature communities faster, may reduce establishment rates of non‐indigenous species.
A Nonparametric Statistical Method That Improves Physician Cost of Care Analysis
Authors: Metfessel Brent A. , Greene Robert A. 
Published: April 2012

ObjectiveTo develop a compositing method that demonstrates improved performance compared with commonly used tests for statistical analysis of physician cost of care data.Data SourceCommercial preferred provider organization (PPO) claims data for internists from a large metropolitan area.Study DesignWe created a nonparametric composite performance metric that maintains risk adjustment using the Wilcoxon rank‐sum (WRS) test. We compared the resulting algorithm to the parametric observed‐to‐expected ratio, with and without a statistical test, for stability of physician cost ratings among different outlier trimming methods and across two partially overlapping time periods.Principal FindingsThe WRS algorithm showed significantly greater within‐physician stability among several typical outlier trimming and capping methods. The algorithm also showed significantly greater within‐physician stability when the same physicians were analyzed across time periods.ConclusionsThe nonparametric algorithm described is a more robust and more stable methodology for evaluating physician cost of care than commonly used observed‐to‐expected ratio techniques. Use of such an algorithm can improve physician cost assessment for important current applications such as public reporting, pay for performance, and tiered benefit design.
Facing Nuclear Risks: Lessons from the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster
Authors: HASEGAWA KOICHI 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis paper discusses the sociological lessons learnt from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident that occurred on 11 March 2011. This disaster is the second largest nuclear accident after the Chernobyl accident. Meltdown and explosions occurred because of the hydrogen released from the damaged core. A large amount of radioactive materials has been released. Many people, around 150 000, are still in evacuation by government order or by their own choice. The incident has several characteristics. First, it is the first severe accident of a nuclear power station, the complex disaster being triggered by a large earthquake and tsunami. Second, the four reactors were simultaneously endangered. Third, the uncontrolled situation of the melted‐down reactors has continued for more than 9 months. Fourth, it is the first severe accident of a nuclear power plant on the coast. Scientists are worried about serious contamination of seawater and damages to the ecosystem. This accident is a human disaster which an electric company and the national government are very much responsible for due to a series of “underestimates,” such as that of the height of a possible tsunami, the possibility of a “station blackout” and lengthy periods of no AC power. A lot of confusing and misleading information, along with the deliberate concealment of information and delay in information disclosure occurred. Located in the background of all of this is the “Atomic Circle,” a very closed relationship between politicians, government, academics, industry and the media. We should try and learn from all of this in building a post‐nuclear East Asia. This would be the greatest lesson from the tragic Fukushima disaster and the greatest message to East Asia, the world and future generations.
Trust and Subjective Well‐being after the Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Meltdown: Preliminary Results
Authors: HOMMERICH CAROLA 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis paper presents preliminary results of an analysis of trust in governmental institutions and social networks after the disaster of 11 March 2011, as well as an investigation of the implication of such trust resources for subjective well‐being. Using data from a postal survey carried out in the Tōhoku and Kanto region in September 2011, differences in trust resources are explored by regional proximity to the disaster area as well as by personal affliction. Levels of social trust prove to be generally high, whilst trust in governmental institutions is low, especially when personally affected by the disaster. Trust resources are shown to contribute positively to subjective well‐being and thus to constitute an important asset in the process of coping with disaster.
How Does the Restoration of Tōhoku Society Begin? Center and Periphery in the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: YAMASHITA YUSUKE 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWhat can we learn from the Great East Japan Earthquake? In this article, I examine the effects of the overarching physical and social system that has developed in Japanese society for the last half century. I use the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident as an example. I will also look to the meaning of kuni (the Japanese word for country, state or nation), and emphasize the urgent need to advance sociological comparative analysis of different forms of nation, state and country in times of emergency.
Enforced Pax6 Expression Rescues Alcohol‐Induced Defects of Neuronal Differentiation in Cultures of Human Cortical Progenitor Cells
Authors: Mo Zhicheng , Milivojevic Verica , Zecevic Nada 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundAlcohol is the most widely consumed substance of abuse, and its use during pregnancy can lead to serious disorders of brain development. The precise molecular action of alcohol on human brain development, however, is still unknown. We previously enriched multipotent progenitor cells, radial glia (RG) cells, from human fetal forebrain and demonstrated that they express transcription factor Pax6 that is necessary for their neurogenic fate.MethodsEnriched human fetal RG cells were maintained in vitro as either control or Pax6‐expressing retrovirus infected cells. Cultures were treated with increasing doses of alcohol to evaluate Pax6 expression, proliferation, and differentiation of RG cells by immunocytochemistry, Western blot, and RT‐PCR methods.ResultsIn vitro treatment with alcohol reduced the expression of transcription factor Pax6 and proliferation of RG cells, which decreased neurogenesis. Consistent with this finding, the overexpression of Pax6 in RG cells under alcohol treatment rescued cell proliferation and restored the generation of neurons. In contrast to this effect on neurogenesis, the overexpression of Pax6 inhibits the generation of astroglia regardless of alcohol treatment, implying lineage‐specific effects.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the effect of alcohol on human neurogenesis is partially due to the reduced expression of transcription factor Pax6 in RG cells.
Trajectory Analyses in Alcohol Treatment Research
Authors: Chen Jinsong , Johnson Bankole A. , Wang Xin‐Qun , O'Quigley John , Isaac Maria , Zhang Daowen , Liu Lei 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundVarious statistical methods have been used for data analysis in alcohol treatment studies. Trajectory analyses can better capture differences in treatment effects and may provide insight on the optimal duration of future clinical trials and grace periods. This improves on the limitation of commonly used parametric (e.g., linear) methods that cannot capture nonlinear temporal trends in the data.MethodsWe propose an exploratory approach, using more flexible smoothing mixed effects models, more accurately to characterize the temporal patterns of the drinking data. We estimated the trajectories of the treatment arms for data sets from 2 sources: a multisite topiramate study, and the Combined Pharmacotherapies (acamprosate and naltrexone) and Behavioral Interventions study.ResultsOur methods illustrate that drinking outcomes of both the topiramate and placebo arms declined over the entire course of the trial but with a greater rate of decline for the topiramate arm. By the point‐wise confidence intervals, the heavy drinking probabilities for the topiramate arm might differ from those of the placebo arm as early as week 2. Furthermore, the heavy drinking probabilities of both arms seemed to stabilize at the end of the study. Overall, naltrexone was better than placebo in reducing drinking over time yet was not different from placebo for subjects receiving the combination of a brief medical management and an intensive combined behavioral intervention.ConclusionsThe estimated trajectory plots clearly showed nonlinear temporal trends of the treatment with different medications on drinking outcomes and offered more detailed interpretation of the results. This trajectory analysis approach is proposed as a valid exploratory method for evaluating efficacy in pharmacotherapy trials in alcoholism.
Lower alloimmunization rates in pediatric sickle cell patients on chronic erythrocytapheresis compared to chronic simple transfusions
Authors: Wahl Shannon Kelly , Garcia Alicia , Hagar Ward , Gildengorin Ginny , Quirolo Keith , Vichinsky Elliott 
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND: Erythrocytapheresis (ECP), automated red blood cell exchange, is increasingly being used for chronic transfusion therapy in sickle cell disease (SCD) as it is an isovolumetric transfusion, is more effective in lowering hemoglobin (Hb)S, and can limit iron overload. Because ECP requires increased blood exposure compared to simple transfusions there is concern for increased transfusion complications, including alloimmunization. We compared alloimmunization rates between patients receiving simple or exchange chronic transfusions.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected for 45 SCD patients (n = 23 simple, n = 22 ECP) on a chronic transfusion program as of December 2010 to determine the rate of antibody formation (antibodies formed per 100 units transfused).RESULTS: The 45 patients received 10,949 units and formed six new alloantibodies during the study period (1994‐2010); therefore, the overall alloimmunization rate was 0.055 alloantibodies per 100 U. There were three antibodies formed in three patients on ECP, one allo (anti‐rhi) and two autoantibodies. There were six antibodies in four patients on a simple transfusion program, five allo (anti‐Lea, M, D, C, and Kpa) and one autoantibody. The ECP group received significantly more blood (338.5 units/patient vs. 152.2 units/patient, p = 0.001). The rate of antibody formation (auto plus allo) was 0.040 antibodies per 100 U in the ECP group and 0.171 antibodies per 100 U in the simple transfusion group (p = 0.04). The alloantibodies formed per 100 units was 0.013 in the ECP group and 0.143 in the simple transfusion group (p = 0.03).CONCLUSION: Chronic ECP should be considered in patients requiring optimal management of HbS levels and iron burden. Concerns about increased alloimmunization with ECP may be unjustified.