bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reductions in cannabis and other illicit substance use between treatment entry and early recovery in patients with first‐episode psychosis
Authors: Hinton Mark , Edwards Jane , Elkins Kathryn , Harrigan Susy M. , Donovan Kerri , Purcell Rosemary , McGorry Patrick D. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjective: Reductions in cannabis use have been observed during the first year following treatment entry for first‐episode psychosis (FEP), but there is little indication of the pattern of cannabis and substance misuse generally in the very early course of treatment.Methods: Patterns of cannabis and other substance use (including alcohol) were examined prospectively among 130 FEP patients assessed at treatment entry and again at early follow up (median 9 weeks 4 days). Differences between cannabis users and non‐users at both time‐points were compared on descriptive features, psychopathology, social functioning and functional disability.Results: Of 72 patients using cannabis at treatment entry, 29 (40.3%)were abstinent at follow up. Notably, almost half (41%) of those cannabis users who were abstaining at follow up had been using on a daily or multiple daily basis. Among 58 individuals abstinent at treatment entry, 11 (19%) had commenced cannabis use at follow up. There were no significant differences between cannabis users and non‐users on any psychopathology measure at treatment entry, however, those using cannabis at early follow up scored significantly higher than non‐users on general psychopathology and positive symptomatology, and lower on health functioning.Conclusions: This study demonstrates significant fluctuation in cannabis use in the context of receiving specialist treatment for FEP, and suggests that a substantial proportion of young patients are contemplating changing harmful patterns of use in this critical early phase.
Defining, operationalizing and measuring the duration of untreated psychosis: advances, limitations and future directions
Authors: Compton Michael T. , Carter Tandrea , Bergner Erin , Franz Lauren , Stewart Tarianna , Trotman Hanan , McGlashan Thomas H. , McGorry Patrick D. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjective: Substantial converging evidence from schizophrenia researchers indicates that the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) represents a modifiable predictor of outcome during the early course of schizophrenia. As DUP is increasingly assessed in research settings, focused attention should be given to the complexities of measurement of this critical construct. In this review, three aspects of measurement are addressed: (i) definition of DUP, (ii) operational criteria for the construct, and (iii) methods used for measurement. Recent advances, current limitations and future directions are discussed.Methods: Inclusion of published articles for this systematic review was based on two recent seminal meta‐analyses examining associations between DUP and outcomes. Other relevant articles were reviewed to glean information on standardized instruments used to date and limitations regarding measurement of DUP.Results: Whereas the general definition of the DUP construct has been quite consistent across research groups, considerable variability exists in the operationalizations of the onset and endpoint of DUP. Several standardized instruments have been developed to measure DUP, although many articles fail to discuss reliability and validity of measurements. The literature lacks comparative assessments of the relative reliability and validity of the various measures and methods used to assess DUP.Conclusions: Given the importance of DUP and implications for secondary prevention, the complicated measurement issues that arise in quantifying this construct are addressed. A number of important advances from a variety of research groups have made the systematic assessment of DUP feasible and of great value for early psychosis research. Yet, several limitations must be considered as measurement of DUP progresses.
The service for Monitoring and Early Intervention against psychoLogical and mEntal suffering in young people (SMILE) at the University of L'Aquila: first year experience
Authors: Pollice Rocco , Di Giovambattista Emanuela , Ussorio Donatella , Di Pucchio Alessia , Tomassini Annarita , Mazza Monica , Roncone Rita , Casacchia Massimo 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim: To establish a comprehensive early intervention service for young people with mental suffering in L'Aquila, Italy, and to evaluate its effectiveness in delivering user friendly integrated interventions.Methods: The Service for Monitoring and early Intervention against psychoLogical and mEntal suffering in young people (SMILE) began operation in November 2005 under the auspices of the Department of Mental Health, University of L'Aquila, Italy. It is the mission of our service to reduce the burden of mental suffering in young people by means of an earlier recognition of signs and symptoms, systematic evaluation of psychological distress and promotion of attitudes that encourage young people to seek care. We also aim to reduce the delays that young people at incipient risk of severe psychiatric illness experience in accessing appropriate psychiatric care.Results: Between November 2005 and November 2006, 216 young people (127 women, 89 men; mean age 21.8 ± 5.7 years) were referred for assessment. Thirty‐five per cent of patients had a diagnosis of severe mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, incipient risk of psychosis). In addition, 80.5% of patients were admitted to the service more than once, totalling 685 admissions. Treatment modalities comprised cognitive behavioural treatment (61.5%), integrated psychosocial treatment (25.5%) and psychopharmacotherapy (15.9%).Conclusions: The SMILE service provides most of the mental health service requirements for young people with various forms of psychological suffering in Italy. Moreover, it offers appropriate case management with an early multimodal approach.
Is untreated psychosis socially toxic?
Authors: Norman Ross M. G. , Malla Ashok K. , Manchanda Rahula 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim: This study was to assess whether any relationship between duration of untreated psychosis and social support can be explained by the role of an individual's family and friends in recognizing the need for help or by other confounds.Method: Data were carefully collected on 122 first episode patients concerning their length of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), social support at time of presenting for treatment and after 1 year, and various clinical and premorbid characteristics.Results: We found a significant relationship between DUP and social support. We then tested an alternative hypothesis that this reflects low social support bringing about treatment delay through delay in recognition by others of need for help. We also assessed whether the relationship between DUP and social support is a result of confounding by other clinical or demographic characteristics. No support was found for either of these alternate explanations.Conclusions: The results suggest that DUP may be socially toxic.
One‐year outcome of an early intervention in psychosis service: a naturalistic evaluation
Authors: Singh Swaran P. , Grange Tom , Vijaykrishnan Ajay , Francis Sasha , White Sarah , Fisher Helen , Chisholm Brock , Firn Mike 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim: We conducted a 1‐year prospective evaluation of an early intervention in psychosis service (Early Treatment and Home‐based Outreach Service (ETHOS)) during its first 3 years of operation in South‐west London, UK.Methods: All patients referred to ETHOS underwent structured assessments at baseline and at 1‐year follow‐up. In addition, hospitalization rates of ETHOS patients (intervention group) were compared with a non‐randomized parallel cohort (comparison group) of first‐episode patients treated by community mental health teams.Results: The Early Treatment and Home‐based Outreach Servicepatients experienced significant improvements in symptomatic and functional outcomes, especially vocational recovery. The service received only a quarter of eligible patients from referring teams. ETHOS patients did not differ from the comparison group in number of admissions, inpatient days or detention rates. Although number of referrals increased over time, there was no evidence that patients were being referred earlier.Conclusions: There is now robust evidence for the effectiveness of specialist early intervention services. However, such services must be adequate resourced, including an early detection team and provision of their own inpatient unit.
A comparison between patients with dysfunctional breathing and patients with asthma
Authors: Hagman Carina , Janson Christer , Emtner Margareta 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIntroduction:  The term dysfunctional breathing (DB) has been introduced to describe patients who display a divergent breathing pattern and have breathing problems that cannot be attributed to a specific medical diagnosis such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or sensory hyper‐reactivity.Objective:  The objective of this study was to investigate similarities and differences in patients with DB, and patients with well‐controlled asthma regarding health‐related quality of life, anxiety, depression, sense of coherence (SOC), hyperventilation and effects on daily life.Methods:  Twenty‐five consecutive patients with DB, and 25 age‐ and sex‐matched patients with asthma (ages 20–73 years) participated in the study. The diagnosis of DB was based on the presence of a dysfunctional breathing pattern and at least five symptoms associated with DB.Results:  The group with DB had lower health‐related quality of life (short form 36): vitality (mean) 47 vs 62, social functioning 70 vs 94 and role emotional 64 vs 94 (P < 0.05) than the asthmatic group. The DB group also had a higher prevalence of anxiety (56% vs 24%) and a lower SOC (134 vs 156) (P < 0.05). Hyperventilation, defined according to the Nijmegen symptoms questionnaire, was observed in 56% of patients with DB vs 20% in the asthma group (P = 0.02).Conclusions:  The results of the study indicate that patients with DB are more disabled than patients with well‐controlled asthma. There is a great need for more knowledge about breathing symptoms of a dysfunctional nature, to be able to identify and manage these patients adequately.Please cite this paper as: Hagman C, Janson C and Emtner M. A comparison between patients with dysfunctional breathing and patients with asthma. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 86–91.
Mastitis Caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in Israeli Dairy Cattle and Public Health Implications
Authors: Shwimmer A. , Freed M. , Blum S. , Khatib N. , Weissblit L. , Friedman S. , Elad D. 
Published: October 2007

Summary Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was isolated from mastitis cases in nine dairy cows in Israel. Six cases occurred on one farm (three instances of two cows, 2 months apart) and three cases on one farm each. Seven cows suffered from clinical and two from subclinical mastitis. All but two of the cows were culled. The literature describing cases of bovine mastitis caused by Y. pseudotuberculosis is reviewed and the human public health implications are discussed.
Risk Factors for the Introduction of Avian Influenza Virus into Commercial Layer Chicken Farms During the Outbreaks Caused by a Low‐Pathogenic H5N2 Virus in Japan in 2005
Authors: Nishiguchi A. , Kobayashi S. , Yamamoto T. , Ouchi Y. , Sugizaki T. , Tsutsui T. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryAvian influenza outbreaks caused by a low‐pathogenic H5N2 virus occurred in Japan from June to December 2005. All 41 affected farms housed layer chickens. Therefore, we conducted a case–control study targeting all commercial layer chicken farms within the movement restriction areas in Ibaraki prefecture, where most outbreaks were detected, to investigate the risk factors for the introduction of avian influenza virus (AIV). Four variables were identified as risk factors associated with the introduction of AIV by multivariate logistic regression: ‘introduction of end‐of‐lay chickens ‘ (odds ratio (OR) = 36.6), ‘sharing of farm equipment among farms’ (OR = 29.4), ‘incomplete hygiene measures of farm visitors on shoes, clothes and hands’ (OR = 7.0), and ‘direct distance to the nearest case farm’ (0–500 m, OR = 8.6; 500–1000 m, OR = 0.8; 1000–1500 m, OR = 20.1; referenced more than 1500 m). We fully believe that strict biosecurity measures should be applied against any incursion points so as not to introduce AIV into more farms.
REAGENTLESS BIO-SAMPLING METHODS FOR IR DETECTION
Authors: DOUCETTE LUKE D. , LI HE , NINNESS BRIAN J. , TRIPP CARL P. 
Published: October 2007

Currently there exists a critical need within the military and homeland defense for highly sophisticated yet, small, lightweight portable sensors and detection systems for identifying and quantifying biological and biowarfare agents (BWA) in both liquid and aerosolized form. Our proposed BWA detection system is based upon Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), where the main advantages of this approach are that it is reagentless, operates in heterogeneous aqueous environments, and provides fast detection and high sensitivity/selectivity to bacterial spores with minimal false alarms. The key enabler to using FTIR for BWA detection is to develop selective and robust sampling protocols coupled to a miniaturized, portable FTIR unit. To that end, we have developed front-end liquid flow cells which incorporate electric field (E-Field) concentration methods for spores onto the surface of an Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) IR crystal. IR spectra are presented which show collection and detection results with BG spores in water. The approaches we have developed take advantage of the fact that all spores are negatively charged in neutral pH solutions. Therefore, E-Field concentration of spores directly onto an ATR sampling element enables low level concentration measurements to be possible.
PRECONCENTRATION OF MICROORGANISMS INTO A TINY VOLUME OF LIQUID FOR ENHANCED SPECTRAL DETECTION
Authors: ZAROMB SOLOMON , MARTELL DENNIS , SCHATTKE NATHAN , HANKINS GARY 
Published: October 2007

Concentration of 1-micron-size micro-organisms from about 100 ml of liquid, whether drawn from a bio-aerosol collector or from an environmental water source, into a volume of 1 to 2 ml. is achieved by a liquid flow system including a reversible filter through which filtered liquid can be recirculated or disposed of and from which a concentrated sample is recovered by opening a solenoid valve leading to a detector or to a collection container and reversing the pump for a short time. The reversing action flushes the collected particles off the filter and into the detector or container. The effectiveness of this approach was demonstrated by measuring the cumulative fluorescence of 1-micron-size blue fluorescent microspheres versus cumulative volume withdrawn from our WEP collector after capture from an aerosol suspension of about 140 particles/ml drawn from a test chamber over a 5-minute period at a sampling rate of 500 liters/minute. As the liquid was being withdrawn from the WEP collector, it was filtered at a rate of 1 ml/second and the filter back-flushed with small portions of filtrate at 1-minute intervals. The relative cumulative concentration of captured particles in the first back-flushed 1-ml fraction was around 56 as compared with a value of 1.4 in the first 60-ml filtered fraction, which constitutes a liquid-to-liquid concentration enhancement by a factor of 40 and an air-to-liquid concentration factor of >1.25 × 106.
Kafka's Jewish Languages: The Hidden Openness of Tradition
Authors: Suchoff David 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThis essay connects Kafka's German and his Jewish linguistic sources, and explores the trans-national perspective on literary tradition they helped him create. I begin with a critique of Deleuze and Guattari's view of Kafka as a minority writer, showing how their cold war nationalism scants the positive contributions that Yiddish and Hebrew made to his work. I continue with an examination of the "twilight of containment," when this postcontemporary Kafka began to break through his cold war canonization after 1989. Other sections include: "German-Jewish Traditions: The Echoes of Yiddish," on Kafka's cultural politics; "Hebrew: Zionism in a Transnational Key"; and "Goethe's Jewish Voices," on Yiddish as a model for Kafka's new conception of national writing. I conclude by considering the Jewish and other sources of Kafka's "linguistic turn," and the general, transnational focus on tradition that Jewish languages brought to his classic texts.
R. Joseph Albo's Discussion of the Proofs for the Existence of God
Authors: Ehrlich Dror 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIn his Sefer ha-'Ikkarim [Book of Principles] R. Joseph Albo discusses Maimonides' proofs for the existence of God. The following paper offers an analysis of Albo's discussion of the proofs, advancing two theses: (1) Albo's main argument in his central discussion is that proofs for the existence of God cannot be based on the theory of the eternity of the universe. This argument, however, is contradicted by his other remarks on the topic, which appear elsewhere in the Sefer ha-'Ikkarim. (2) Albo's discussion of this issue includes several expressions of independent and critical thought.
Peer relationships
Authors: Thompson Sanna J. , Kim Jihye , McManus Holly , Flynn Patrick , Kim Hyangcho 
Published: October 2007

English Homeless youth peer relationships in the USA and South Korea were examined in the context of youth homelessness as a growing global concern. Although some aspects of street life transcended culture, individual and group behaviors varied according to perspectives related to individualism or collectivism. Service delivery systems need to develop culturally specific interventions. French Cette recherche sur les relations entre les jeunes aux États-Unis et en Corée du Sud a été entreprise dans le cadre du phénomène croissant des jeunes sans-abri à l’échelle mondiale. Bien que certains aspects de la vie dans la rue transcendent la culture, les comportements individuels et de groupe varient en fonction des perspectives relatives à l’individualisme ou au collectivisme. Les systèmes de prestation de services doivent donc mettre au point des approches pouvant répondre aux spécificités culturelles. Spanish Se examinó la relación entre los jóvenes sin hogar en los Estados Unidos y en Corea del Sur, en el contexto de la juventud en desamparo, como una preocupación creciente a nivel global. Aunque algunos aspectos de la vida en la calle transcienden la cultura, las conductas individuales y grupales variaron de acuerdo con perspectivas relativas al individualismo o al colectivismo. Los sistemas de otorgamiento de servicios necesitan desarrollar intervenciones culturalmente específicas.
Institutionalized child abuse
Authors: Kimmel Carrie E. , Roby Jini L. 
Published: October 2007

English In this article the practice of using child soldiers is examined in the light of the structural elements that facilitate and perpetuate this form of institutionalized child abuse. Based on new models for understanding this form of child abuse, the authors suggest intervention methods at the macro and micro levels. French Cette étude examine la pratique du recrutement des enfants à titre de soldats et fait ressortir des é léments structurels qui facilitent et contribuent à perpé - tuer cette forme de maltraitance institutionnalisé e. En s’appuyant sur de nouveaux modè les pour comprendre cette forme de maltraitance à l’égard des enfants, les auteurs proposent des méthodes d’intervention sur les plans macro et micro. Spanish En este trabajo se examina la prá ctica del uso de niñ os soldados, a la luz de los elementos estructurales que facilitan y perpetúan esta forma de institucionalización de abuso infantil. Con base en nuevos modelos para la comprensión de esta forma de abuso infantil, los autores recomiendan métodos de intervención en los niveles macro y micro.
Comparing the policy response to violence against women in the USA and South Korea
Authors: Postmus Judy L. , Ah Hahn Sur 
Published: October 2007

English Violence against women is a major public health and human rights crisis affecting women from all countries. This article presents a comparative policy analysis of the Violence Against Women Act (USA) and the Protection Act (South Korea), providing social work and research implications. French La violence faite aux femmes est un fléau affectant les femmes de tous les pays, qui constitue un important problème de santé publique tout en allant à l’encontre des droits humains. Cette étude présente une analyse comparée de deux lois, la Violence Against Women Act (É .-U.) et la Protection Act (Corée du Sud), et tire des conclusions utiles pour le travail social et la recherche dans ce domaine. Spanish La violencia contra las mujeres supone un importante problema de salud pública y derechos humanos que afecta a las mujeres de todos los países. Este trabajo presenta un análisis comparativo de las políticas Acción de Violencia contra las Mujeres (EUA) y Acción de Protección (Corea del Sur) en el que se implica al trabajo social y a la investigación.
Domestic water consumption benchmark development for Hong Kong
Authors: Mui K.W. , Wong L.T. , Law L.Y. 
Published: October 2007

Fresh water consumption is of primary importance to the design of water systems in sustainable buildings and various benchmarks of water consumption have been developed for the indication of building sustainability. For rating probable water consumption performance in residential buildings, simple normalization with a single parameter might not be indicative and complicated benchmarking models could impose difficulties in general adaptation. In this study, a simple benchmarking model for residential buildings was developed using Monte-Carlo simulations. The model was tested in a case study based on an existing domestic water consumption survey in which the average water consumption distribution of 60 apartments in Hong Kong was the input of the simulation model. The distribution was compared with the Hong Kong global fresh water consumption patterns to derive the water consumption benchmarks for residential buildings in the region. This simple model could be useful for benchmarking the domestic water consumptions and for promoting sustainable building practices without inclusive measurements. Practical application: The proposed simple benchmarking model for water consumption of residential buildings could be useful for promoting sustainable building practices without inclusive measurements.
Moisture measurement in building materials: an overview of current methods and new approaches
Authors: Phillipson M.C. , Baker P.H. , Davies M. , Ye Z. , McNaughtan A. , Galbraith G.H. , McLean R.C. 
Published: October 2007

The measurement of moisture in building materials has been of importance to building professionals for many years to aid them in diagnosing the nature and cause of building defects. Likewise building researchers have developed an extensive selection of measurement approaches to aid them in more detailed studies of the fundamental physical processes that underlie moisture transport. This paper reviews current moisture measurement practices within the UK, and examines the more sophisticated techniques being utilised, including three particular techniques: dual probe heat pulse method; time domain reflectometry; and more sophisticated electrical approaches. These three are currently the focus of a study to evaluate how advanced research techniques can be applied to the in-situ measurement of moisture contents in practice. Practical application: This paper reviews the current UK application of measurement techniques to assessing the moisture content of building materials. It discusses the differences between the techniques used by building professionals and building researchers, and highlights potential areas currently in development which may yield more advanced site measurement options in the future.