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Selected AbstractsMeaning-Making and the matrix model: Does one size really fit all?JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 9 2005Robert A. NeimeyerArticle first published online: 17 JUN 200 Despite the multifocal complexity of the matrix model (C.R. Snyder & T.R. Elliott, this issue), its close correspondence with the theoretical dialectics and philosophy of clinical constructivism auger well for its capacity to articulate with existing approaches to graduate education in psychology. In this article points of contact are documented between the two approaches, and a caveat is included about the limits of the matrix model in ensuring greater relevance of clinical training to the settings in which contemporary professionals will work. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol. [source] A potential role for isothermal calorimetry in studies of the effects of thermodynamic non-ideality in enzyme-catalyzed reactions,JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR RECOGNITION, Issue 5 2004Thierry G. A. Lonhienne Abstract Attention is drawn to the feasibility of using isothermal calorimetry for the characterization of enzyme reactions under conditions bearing greater relevance to the crowded biological environment, where kinetic parameters are likely to differ significantly from those obtained by classical enzyme kinetic studies in dilute solution. An outline of the application of isothermal calorimetry to the determination of enzyme kinetic parameters is followed by considerations of the nature and consequences of crowding effects in enzyme catalysis. Some of those effects of thermodynamic non-ideality are then illustrated by means of experimental results from calorimetric studies of the effect of molecular crowding on the kinetics of catalysis by rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase. This review concludes with a discussion of the potential of isothermal calorimetry for the experimental determination of kinetic parameters for enzymes either in biological environments or at least in media that should provide reasonable approximations of the crowded conditions encountered in vivo. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Genetic and Other Contributions to Alcohol Intake in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)ALCOHOLISM, Issue 3 2006Joseph G. Lorenz Background: The etiology of alcoholism and alcohol abuse, like many other complex diseases, is heterogeneous and multifactorial. Numerous studies demonstrate a genetic contribution to variation in the expression of alcohol-related disorders in humans. Over the past decade, nonhuman primates have emerged as a valuable model for some aspects of human alcohol abuse because of their phylogenetic proximity to humans. Long-term, longitudinal studies of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) have provided much insight into environmental influences, especially early life experiences, on alcohol consumption and behavior patterns that characterize alcohol intake later in life. It is not known, however, whether there is a genetic component as well to the variation seen in alcohol consumption in rhesus macaques. A significant genetic component to variation in alcohol consumption in rhesus macaques would show for the first time that like humans, for nonhuman primates additive genetic influences are important. Moreover, their use as a model for alcohol-related disorders in humans would have even greater relevance and utility for designing experiments incorporating the expanding molecular genetics field, and allow researchers to investigate the interaction among the known environmental influences and various genotypes. Methods: In this study, we investigate factors contributing to variation in alcohol consumption of 156 rhesus macaques collected over 10 years when subjects were adolescent in age, belonging to a single extended pedigree, with each cohort receiving identical early rearing backgrounds and subsequent treatments. To measure alcohol consumption each animal was provided unfettered simultaneous access both to an aspartame-sweetened 8.4% (v/v) alcohol-water solution, the aspartame-sweetened vehicle, and to water for 1 hour each day during the early afternoon between 13:00 and 15:00 in their home cages for a period of 5 to 7 weeks. We use multiple regression to identify factors that significantly affect alcohol consumption among these animals and a maximum likelihood program (ASReml) that, controlling for the significant factors, estimates the genetic contribution to the variance in alcohol consumption. Results: Multiple regression analysis identified test cohort and rearing environment as contributing to 57 and 2%, respectively, of the total variance in alcohol consumption. Of the remaining 41% of the variance about half (19.8%) was attributable to additive genetic effects using a maximum likelihood program. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that, as in humans, there are additive genetic factors that contribute to variation in alcohol consumption in rhesus macaques, with other nongenetic factors accounting for substantial portions of the variance in alcohol consumption, Our findings show the presence of an additive genetic component and suggest the potential utility of the nonhuman primate as a molecular genetics tool for understanding alcohol abuse and alcoholism. [source] General principles to enhance practice patterns in gastrointestinal endoscopyALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2002A. Sonnenberg To develop general rules on how to pursue a therapeutic goal of interventional endoscopy without getting lost in abundant details. Methods: The influences of various medical interventions on the survival of a patient with gastrointestinal haemorrhage are modelled by an influence diagram. Survival is the focal point of multiple influences affecting its overall strength. Any downstream influence can represent the focal point of other preceding upstream influences. The mathematics underlying the influence diagram are similar to those of a decision tree with some notable exceptions. Its formalism allows one to consider inhibitory and additive influences and to include in the same analysis non-commensurable qualities, such as correct diagnosis, haemostasis or survival. Results: The analysis reveals five general rules. First, the large number of factors involved in successful endoscopy render the influence of each individual factor less important. Second, a single factor that exerts its influence on many subsequent factors tends to be associated with an overall greater relevance. Third, remote influences are of lesser relevance than those directly linked to the final outcome. Fourth, factors multiplied by several consecutive probabilities lose their influence. Fifth, endoscopists need to assess the relevance of individual factors with respect to the immediate goals of endoscopy, as well as the general goals of patient well-being. Conclusions: The influence model of endoscopic haemostasis reveals several general principles that can be utilized as tools in endoscopy training. [source] Teaching and evaluating point of care learning with an Internet-based clinical-question portfolioTHE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue 4 2009MSc Associate Professor of Medicine, Michael L. Green MD Abstract Introduction: Diplomates in the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program satisfy the self-evaluation of medical knowledge requirement by completing open-book multiple-choice exams. However, this method remains unlikely to affect practice change and often covers content areas not relevant to diplomates' practices. We developed and evaluated an Internet-based point of care (POC) learning portfolio to serve as an alternative. Methods: Participants enter information about their clinical questions, including characteristics, information pursuit, application, and practice change. After documenting 20 questions, they reflect upon a summary report and write commitment-to-change statements about their learning strategies. They can link to help screens and medical information resources. We report on the beta test evaluation of the module, completed by 23 internists and 4 internal medicine residents. Results: Participants found the instructions clear and navigated the module without difficulty. The majority preferred the POC portfolio to multiple-choice examinations, citing greater relevance to their practice, guidance in expanding their palette of information resources, opportunity to reflect on their learning needs, and "credit" for self-directed learning related to their patients. Participants entered a total of 543 clinical questions, of which 250 (46%) resulted in a planned practice change. After completing the module, 14 of 27 (52%) participants committed to at least 1 change in their POC learning strategies. Discussion: Internists found the portfolio valuable, preferred it to multiple-choice examinations, often changed their practice after pursuing clinical questions, and productively reflected on their learning strategies. The ABIM will offer this portfolio as an elective option in MOC. [source] ,O sibling, where art thou?'- a review of avian sibling recognition with respect to the mammalian literatureBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2004Shinichi Nakagawa ABSTRACT Avian literature on sibling recognition is rare compared to that developed by mammalian researchers. We compare avian and mammalian research on sibling recognition to identify why avian work is rare, how approaches differ and what avian and mammalian researchers can learn from each other. Three factors: (1) biological differences between birds and mammals, (2) conceptual biases and (3) practical constraints, appear to influence our current understanding. Avian research focuses on colonial species because sibling recognition is considered adaptive where,mixing potential'of dependent young is high; research on a wide range of species, breeding systems and ecological conditions is now needed. Studies of acoustic recognition cues dominate avian literature; other types of cues (e.g. visual, olfactory) deserve further attention. The effect of gender on avian sibling recognition has yet to be investigated; mammalian work shows that gender can have important influences. Most importantly, many researchers assume that birds recognise siblings through,direct familiarisation'(commonly known as associative learning or familiarity); future experiments should also incorporate tests for,indirect familiarisation'(commonly known as phenotype matching). If direct familiarisation proves crucial, avian research should investigate how periods of separation influence sibling discrimination. Mammalian researchers typically interpret sibling recognition in broad functional terms (nepotism, optimal outbreeding); some avian researchers more successfully identify specific and testable adaptive explanations, with greater relevance to natural contexts. We end by reporting exciting discoveries from recent studies of avian sibling recognition that inspire further interest in this topic. [source] | ||||||||||