bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An international survey of training programs for treating tobacco dependence
Authors: Rigotti Nancy A. , Bitton Asaf , Richards Ann E. , Reyen Michele , Wassum Kenneth , Raw Martin 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAims  The World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) requires countries to implement tobacco dependence treatment programs. To provide treatment effectively, a country needs trained individuals to deliver these services. We report on the global status of programs that train individuals to provide tobacco dependence treatment.Design  Cross‐sectional web‐based survey of tobacco treatment training programs in a stratified convenience sample of countries chosen to vary by WHO geographic region and World Bank income level.Participants  Key informants in 48 countries; 70% of 69 countries who were sent surveys responded.Measurements  Program prevalence, frequency, duration and size; background of trainees; content (adherence to pre‐defined core competencies); funding sources; challenges.Findings  We identified 61 current tobacco treatment training programs in 37 (77%) of 48 countries responding to the survey. Three‐quarters of them began in 2000 or later, and 40% began after 2003, when the FCTC was adopted. Programs estimated training 14 194 individuals in 2007. Training was offered to a variety of professionals and paraprofessionals, but most often to physicians and nurses. Median program duration was 16 hours, but programs' duration, intensity and size varied widely. Most programs used evidence‐based guidelines and reported adherence to core tobacco treatment competencies. Training programs were less frequent in low‐income countries and in Africa. Securing funding was the major challenge for most programs; current funding sources were government (58%), non‐government organizations (23%), pharmaceutical companies (17%) and, in one case, the tobacco industry.Conclusion  Training programs for tobacco treatment providers are diverse and growing. Most upper‐ and middle‐income countries have programs, and most programs appear to be evidence‐based. However, funding is a major challenge. In particular, more programs are needed for non‐physicians and for low‐income countries.
Cost‐effectiveness of pharmacy and group behavioural support smoking cessation services in Glasgow
Authors: Boyd Kathleen A. , Briggs Andrew H. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAims  Smokers attending group‐based support for smoking cessation in Glasgow are significantly more likely to be successful than those attending pharmacy‐based support. This study examined the cost‐effectiveness of these two modes of support.Design  Combination of observational study data and information from National Health Service (NHS) Greater Glasgow and Clyde smoking cessation services.Setting  Glasgow, Scotland.Participants  A total of 1979 smokers who accessed either of the cessation services between March and May 2007.Intervention  Two smoking treatment services offering one‐to‐one support in pharmacies, and providing group counselling in the community.Measurements  Routine monitoring data on resource use and smoking status (carbon monoxide‐validated, self‐reported, non‐quitters and relapsers) at 4‐week follow‐up.Findings  The incremental cost per 4‐week quitter for pharmacy support was found to be approximately £772, and £1612 for group support, in comparison to self‐quit cessation attempts. These findings compare favourably with previously published outcomes from cost‐effectiveness smoking cessation studies. Assuming a relapse rate of 75% from 4 weeks to 1 year and a further 35% beyond 1 year, and combining this with an average of 1.98 quality adjusted life years (QALY) gained per permanent cessation, provides an estimated incremental cost per QALY of £4400 for the pharmacy service and £5400 for group support service.Conclusions  Group support and pharmacy‐based support for smoking cessation are both extremely cost‐effective.
Bortezomib, low‐dose intravenous melphalan, and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma
Authors: Popat Rakesh , Oakervee Heather , Williams Catherine , Cook Mark , Craddock Charles , Basu Supratik , Singer Charles , Harding Stephen , Foot Nicola , Hallam Simon , Odeh Liz , Joel Simon , Cavenagh Jamie 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThis multicenter phase I/II study investigated the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, and efficacy of low dose intravenous (IV) melphalan in combination with bortezomib for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM). Patients received bortezomib 1·3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 and escalating doses of IV melphalan (2·5–10·0 mg/m2) on day 2 of a 28‐day cycle for a maximum of eight cycles. Dexamethasone 20 mg was added for progressive or stable disease. Fifty‐three patients were enrolled. The MTD was defined at melphalan 7·5 mg/m2 and bortezomib 1·3 mg/m2. The overall response rate (ORR) was 68% (23% complete or near‐complete responses [CR/nCR]) whilst at the MTD (n = 33) the ORR was 76% (34% CR/nCR). After median follow‐up of 17 months, the median progression free survival was 10 months, rising to 12 months at the MTD (P < 0·05 vs. non‐MTD regimens). The median overall survival was 28 months, but was not yet reached at the MTD. Grade 3/4 adverse events included thrombocytopenia (62%), neutropenia (57%), infection (21%), and neuropathy (15%). Bortezomib and low‐dose IV melphalan combination therapy is a safe and highly effective regimen for patients with relapsed MM. These data suggest further investigation of this combination is warranted.
Responses of dryland soil respiration and soil carbon pool size to abrupt vs. gradual and individual vs. combined changes in soil temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric [CO2]: a simulation analysis
Authors: SHEN WEIJUN , REYNOLDS JAMES F. , HUI DAFENG 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWith the large extent and great amount of soil carbon (C) storage, drylands play an important role in terrestrial C balance and feedbacks to climate change. Yet, how dryland soils respond to gradual and concomitant changes in multiple global change drivers [e.g., temperature (Ts), precipitation (Ppt), and atmospheric [CO2] (CO2)] has rarely been studied. We used a process‐based ecosystem model patch arid land simulator to simulate dryland soil respiration (Rs) and C pool size (Cs) changes to abrupt vs. gradual and single vs. combined alterations in Ts, Ppt and CO2 at multiple treatment levels. Results showed that abrupt perturbations generally resulted in larger Rs and had longer differentiated impacts than did gradual perturbations. Rs was stimulated by increases in Ts, Ppt, and CO2 in a nonlinear fashion (e.g., parabolically or asymptotically) but suppressed by Ppt reduction. Warming mainly stimulated heterotrophic Rs (i.e., Rh) whereas Ppt and CO2 influenced autotrophic Rs (i.e., Ra). The combined effects of warming, Ppt, and CO2 were nonadditive of primary single‐factor effects as a result of substantial interactions among these factors. Warming amplified the effects of both Ppt addition and CO2 elevation whereas Ppt addition and CO2 elevation counteracted with each other. Precipitation reduction either magnified or suppressed warming and CO2 effects, depending on the magnitude of factor's alteration and the components of Rs (Ra or Rh) being examined. Overall, Ppt had dominant influence on dryland Rs and Cs over Ts and CO2. Increasing Ppt individually or in combination with Ts and CO2 benefited soil C sequestration. We therefore suggested that global change experimental studies for dryland ecosystems should focus more on the effects of precipitation regime changes and the combined effects of Ppt with other global change factors (e.g., Ts, CO2, and N deposition).
Predicting impacts of climate‐induced range expansion: an experimental framework and a test involving key grazers on temperate rocky shores
Authors: FIRTH LOUISE B. , CROWE TASMAN P. , MOORE PIPPA , THOMPSON RICHARD C. , HAWKINS STEPHEN J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractClimate change has strong potential to modify the structure and functioning of ecosystems, but experimental field studies into its effects are rare. On rocky shores, grazing limpets strongly affect ecosystem structure and their distribution in NW Europe is changing in response to climate change. Three limpet species co‐occur in SW Britain (Patella vulgata, Patella ulyssiponensisandPatella depressa) on open rock and in pools. Shores in Ireland are similar, but currently lackP. depressa. It is anticipated thatP. depressawill expand its range into Ireland as the climate warms, but we currently lack an empirical basis to predict the consequences of this change. Recent studies show that increasing abundance ofP. depressaon British shores has been accompanied by a decline ofP. vulgatasuggesting interspecific competition. In this study, a new experimental framework was used to examine the potential forP. depressato affectP. vulgataon Irish shores.P. vulgatawas experimentally transplanted into enclosures on open rock and in pools in both Ireland and Britain. In pools, treatments also included transplantedP. ulyssiponensisto mimic natural assemblages. Growth and mortality ofP. vulgatawere measured over 6 months with no differences between Ireland and Britain. In Britain,P. vulgatacaged in pools with transplantedP. depressaandP. ulyssiponensisshowed reduced growth, compared with when caged in pools withP. ulyssiponensisalone. There was no effect ofP. depressaon the growth rate ofP. vulgataon open rock. Results indicate that if the range ofP. depressaextends into Ireland, it would reduce the growth ofP. vulgatawhere it co‐occurs withP. ulyssiponensisin pools. The framework used here provides a field‐based approach that could be used to examine the impacts of climate‐induced range expansions on the structure and functioning of other ecosystems.
Assessing the effect of elevated carbon dioxide on soil carbon: a comparison of four meta‐analyses
Authors: HUNGATE BRUCE A. , Van GROENIGEN KEES‐JAN , SIX JOHAN , JASTROW JULIE D. , LUO YIQI , De GRAAFF MARIE‐ANNE , Van KESSEL CHRIS , OSENBERG CRAIG W. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractSoil is the largest reservoir of organic carbon (C) in the terrestrial biosphere and soil C has a relatively long mean residence time. Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations generally increase plant growth and C input to soil, suggesting that soil might help mitigate atmospheric CO2 rise and global warming. But to what extent mitigation will occur is unclear. The large size of the soil C pool not only makes it a potential buffer against rising atmospheric CO2, but also makes it difficult to measure changes amid the existing background. Meta‐analysis is one tool that can overcome the limited power of single studies. Four recent meta‐analyses addressed this issue but reached somewhat different conclusions about the effect of elevated CO2 on soil C accumulation, especially regarding the role of nitrogen (N) inputs. Here, we assess the extent of differences between these conclusions and propose a new analysis of the data. The four meta‐analyses included different studies, derived different effect size estimates from common studies, used different weighting functions and metrics of effect size, and used different approaches to address nonindependence of effect sizes. Although all factors influenced the mean effect size estimates and subsequent inferences, the approach to independence had the largest influence. We recommend that meta‐analysts critically assess and report choices about effect size metrics and weighting functions, and criteria for study selection and independence. Such decisions need to be justified carefully because they affect the basis for inference. Our new analysis, with a combined data set, confirms that the effect of elevated CO2 on net soil C accumulation increases with the addition of N fertilizers. Although the effect at low N inputs was not significant, statistical power to detect biogeochemically important effect sizes at low N is limited, even with meta‐analysis, suggesting the continued need for long‐term experiments.
Regional water resource implications of bioethanol production in the Southeastern United States
Authors: EVANS JASON M. , COHEN MATTHEW J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 mandates US production of 136 billion L of biofuel by 2022. This target implies an appropriation of regional primary production for dedicated feedstocks at scales that may dramatically affect water supply, exacerbate existing water quality challenges, and force undesirable environmental resource trade offs. Using a comparative life cycle approach, we assess energy balances and water resource implications for four dedicated ethanol feedstocks – corn, sugarcane, sweet sorghum, and southern pine – in two southeastern states, Florida and Georgia, which are a presumed epicenter for future biofuel production. Net energy benefit ratios for ethanol and coproducts range were 1.26 for corn, 1.94 for sweet sorghum, 2.51 for sugarcane, and 2.97 for southern pine. Corn also has high nitrogen (N) and water demand (11.2 kg GJnet−1 and 188 m3 GJnet−1, respectively) compared with other feedstocks, making it a poor choice for regional ethanol production. Southern pine, in contrast, has relatively low N demand (0.4 kg GJnet−1) and negligible irrigation needs. However, it has comparatively low gross productivity, which results in large land area per unit ethanol production (208 m2 GJnet−1), and, by association, substantial indirect and incremental water use (51 m3 GJnet−1). Ultimately, all four feedstocks require substantial land (10.1, 3.1, 2.5, and 6.1 million ha for corn, sugarcane, sweet sorghum, and pine, respectively), annual N fertilization (3230, 574, 396, 109 million kg N) and annual total water (54 400, 20 840, 8840, and 14 970 million m3) resources when scaled up to meet EISA renewable fuel standards production goals. This production would, in turn, offset only 17.5% of regional gasoline consumption on a gross basis, and substantially less when evaluated on a net basis. Utilization of existing waste biomass sources may ameliorate these effects, but does not obviate the need for dedicated primary feedstock production. Careful scrutiny of environmental trade‐offs is necessary before embracing aggressive ethanol production mandates.
Care dependency of hospitalized children: testing the Care Dependency Scale for Paediatrics in a cross‐cultural comparison
Authors: Tork Hanan , Dassen Theo , Lohrmann Christa 
Published: January 2009

AbstractTitle.  Care dependency of hospitalized children: testing the Care Dependency Scale for Paediatrics in a cross‐cultural comparison. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to examine the psychometric properties of the Care Dependency Scale for Paediatrics in Germany and Egypt and to compare the care dependency of school‐age children in both countries.Background.  Cross‐cultural differences in care dependency of older adults have been documented in the literature, but little is known about the differences and similarities with regard to children’s care dependency in different cultures.Method.  A convenience sample of 258 school‐aged children from Germany and Egypt participated in the study in 2005. The reliability of the Care Dependency Scale for Paediatrics was assessed in terms of internal consistency and interrater reliability. Factor analysis (principal component analysis) was employed to verify the construct validity. A Visual Analogue Scale was used to investigate the criterion‐related validity.Findings.  Good internal consistency was detected both for the Arabic and German versions. Factor analysis revealed one factor for both versions. A Pearson’s correlation between the Care Dependency Scale for Paediatrics and Visual Analogue Scale was statistically significant for both versions indicating criterion‐related validity. Statistically significant differences between the participants were detected regarding the mean sum score on the Care Dependency Scale for Paediatrics.Conclusion.  The Care Dependency Scale for Paediatrics is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the care dependency of children and is recommended for assessing the care dependency of children from different ethnic origins. Differences in care dependency between German and Egyptian children were detected, which might be due to cultural differences.
Innovative behaviour: the effect of structural and psychological empowerment on nurses
Authors: Knol Jeannette , Van Linge Roland 
Published: January 2009

AbstractTitle. Innovative behaviour: the effect of structural and psychological empowerment on nurses.Aim. This paper is a report of a study to investigate the relationship between structural empowerment/psychological empowerment and innovative behaviour.Background. Innovative behaviour is essential for nurses in today’s dynamic healthcare systems. Empowerment has become an increasingly important factor in predicting innovative behaviour. Structural empowerment refers to power based on the employee’s position in the organization, while psychological empowerment consists of the fundamental personal convictions that employees have about their role in the organization.Methods. A cross‐sectional correlational survey was conducted in the Netherlands in 2007 with 519 Registered Nurses. The instruments used were the Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire II, the Psychological Empowerment Instrument and the Questionnaire Innovative Behaviour. Four hypotheses were tested using descriptive statistics, bivariate and multiple regression and one‐way analysis of variance.Results. Structural and psychological empowerment were statistically significant predictors of innovative behaviour. Informal power and impact were the most relevant determinants of innovative behaviour, the latter the strongest. Psychological empowerment functioned as a mediator between structural empowerment and innovative behaviour. The expected moderating effect of structural empowerment was not proven.Conclusion. Organizations need to create the right conditions to be able to strengthen nurses’ empowerment. Networking is an important skill which should be incorporated in the nursing education. Future research should take into consideration nursing culture and personality traits as determining factors. Replication of this study in another setting and a study examining causality are recommended so that additional empirical evidence may be obtained.
Surviving a life‐threatening crisis: Taiwan’s nurse leaders’ reflections and difficulties fighting the SARS epidemic
Authors: Shih Fu‐Jin , Turale Sue , Lin Yaw‐Sheng , Gau Meei‐Ling , Kao Ching‐Chiu , Yang Chyn‐Yng , Liao Yen‐Chi 
Published: January 2009

Aim.  This study explored Taiwan’s nurse leaders’ reflections and experiences of the difficulties they encountered and survival strategies they employed fighting the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic and the background context framing these phenomena.Background.  On several continents in 2002–2003, the highly infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome overwhelmed health care systems and health professionals who had to provide care in situations involving high personal risk and stress, some becoming infected and dying. Nurse leaders in Taiwan had to develop new strategies and support systems for nursing care.Design.  A two‐step within‐method qualitative triangulation research design.Methods.  Focus group in‐depth interviews held with 70 nurse leaders from four Northern Taiwan hospitals involved in the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic. Participants then completed an open ended questionnaire. Content analysis was undertaken with data and stages and themes generated. Data were then analysed using Hobfall’s concepts of conservation of resources to further discuss participants’ reactions and actions in the severe acute respiratory syndrome crisis.Results.  Participants worked under incredible stress to lead the profession through a period of crisis. Five stages arose in the participants’ involvement against severe acute respiratory syndrome over 12 weeks: facing shock and chaos; searching for reliable sources to clarify myths; developing and adjusting nursing care; supporting nurses and their clients; and rewarding nurses.Conclusion.  Nurse leaders become important executors of intervention in this health disaster, requiring emotional intelligence to manage their internal conflicts and interpersonal relationships effectively. They developed sociopolitical and analytical abilities and crucial requirements for planning and implementing strategies in areas where none previously existed. Building support systems was an important resource for managing conflicts between familial and professional roles.Relevance to clinical practice.  Findings will assist nurse leaders to prepare themselves and the profession to better deal with disaster management in similar infectious outbreaks in the future.
Use of high‐pressure freeze fixation and freeze fracture electron microscopy to study the influence of the phospholipid molar ratio in the morphology and alignment of bicelles
Authors: BARBOSA‐BARROS L. , MAZA A. DE LA , WALTHER P. , LINARES A.M. , FELIZ M. , ESTELRICH J. , LÓPEZ OLGA 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThe high‐pressure freeze fixation and freeze fracture electron microscopy techniques were combined with the 31P nuclear magnetic resonance to study the morphological transitions of two different dimyristoyl‐phosphatidilcholine/dihexanoyl‐phosphocholine aggregates by the effect of temperature. Through these techniques, the relationship between magnetic alignment and the morphology of alignable and non‐alignable aggregates was evaluated. The micrographs related to the non‐alignable dimyristoyl‐phosphatidilcholine/dihexanoyl‐phosphocholine sample presented rounded objects at a temperature below the dimyristoyl‐phosphatidilcholine phase transition (Tm) and, above this temperature an increase of viscosity was followed by the appearance of large elongated aggregates. The micrographs related to the alignable dimyristoyl‐phosphatidilcholine/dihexanoyl‐phosphocholine sample presented discoidal objects below Tm. Above Tm, when the best alignment was achieved, the images showed large areas of lamellar stacked bilayers and the presence of some multilamellar vesicles. Our results reveal that the composition of the aggregates is a key factor determining the morphological transitions of the bicellar systems. Understanding of the rules governing these transitions is crucial to modulate characteristics of these systems and to adequate them for different applications.