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Selected AbstractsBiological phenotypes associated with individuals at high risk for developing alcohol-related disorders.ADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2000Part This paper reviews comparisons of populations at higher and lower risk for alcoholism on biological phenotypes. The results of studies must be considered in the context of the research methods used including the need for large, carefully defined samples and longitudinal designs. Comparisons of children of alcoholics and controls have revealed potentially important differences on level of response to alcohol, cognitive attributes and differences in alcohol-metabolizing and other enzyme systems responsible for various aspects of the body's reaction to alcohol. Many opportunities for future research in this area exist, including large-scale, longitudinal studies that simultaneously evaluate multiple domains of influence, and searches for candidate genes or other biological material that will simplify procedures and increase the accuracy of measurement. [source] An architecture for exploiting multi-core processors to parallelize network intrusion preventionCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 10 2009Robin Sommer Abstract It is becoming increasingly difficult to implement effective systems for preventing network attacks, due to the combination of the rising sophistication of attacks requiring more complex analyses to detect; the relentless growth in the volume of network traffic that we must analyze; and, critically, the failure in recent years for uniprocessor performance to sustain the exponential gains that for so many years CPUs have enjoyed. For commodity hardware, tomorrow's performance gains will instead come from multi-core architectures in which a whole set of CPUs executes concurrently. Taking advantage of the full power of multi-core processors for network intrusion prevention requires an in-depth approach. In this work we frame an architecture customized for parallel execution of network attack analysis. At the lowest layer of the architecture is an ,Active Network Interface', a custom device based on an inexpensive FPGA platform. The analysis itself is structured as an event-based system, which allows us to find many opportunities for concurrent execution, since events introduce a natural asynchrony into the analysis while still maintaining good cache locality. A preliminary evaluation demonstrates the potential of this architecture. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Examining Drivers of Course Performance: An Exploratory Examination of an Introductory CIS Applications CourseDECISION SCIENCES JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE EDUCATION, Issue 1 2006Rhonda A. Syler ABSTRACT The accelerating diffusion of broadband Internet access provides many opportunities for the development of pedagogically robust Web-based instruction (WBI). While the supporting technology infrastructure of broadband disseminates, the attention of academic researchers focuses upon issues such as the drivers of student usage of WBI. Specifically, the research presented herein examined the impact of WBI on a student's aggregate course performance. We hypothesized that learning independence (LI) is a determinate factor in a student's use of WBI. In this study, we employed structural equation modeling techniques to examine the data and assess the direct and indirect effects of LI on WBI usage. The subjects, students in an introductory Computer Information Systems applications course, used a Web-based tutorial program for skills instruction. The findings of this study suggest that WBI usage has a significant impact on a student's course performance. Despite its plausibility, the effect of LI on WBI usage was not significant. However, we did conclude that two of the second order factors of the LI construct have a direct effect on a student's performance in the course. [source] Teaching Evidence-based Medicine to Medical StudentsACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 12 2004Richard B. Ismach MD Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the rubric for an approach to learning and practicing medicine that applies skills from clinical epidemiology, library science, and information management to clinical practice. Teaching EBM effectively requires a longitudinal approach throughout medical education. This presents many opportunities for academic emergency physicians, especially in the setting of an emergency medicine clerkship. EBM is best taught at the bedside, although this depends on a skilled and interested faculty. Bedside teaching of EBM also requires ready access to modern information resources. Other venues for teaching EBM include morning report, teaching conferences, and journal clubs. Many tools can be used to aid the process, including Web-based sources such as UpToDate, textbooks, and Web-based tutorials, educational prescriptions, and critically appraised topics. [source] Waste minimization techniques and options for the wet and pretreatment sections of coil coating plantsENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 3 2004Nicola J. Brown Abstract Waste minimization has proven successful in recent years for many companies in reducing their raw material and utility consumption and costs as well as their waste-treatment and disposal costs. Although waste minimization opportunities can be identified through observation of plant operation practices and through application of generalized heuristic principles, many opportunities are determined only through analysis of plant data. In this study, two preassessment techniques (scoping audit and true cost of waste assessment) and two techniques for a more detailed assessment (mass balances and monitoring and targeting) were evaluated to determine whether they identified similar waste minimization opportunities on two coil coating lines. All techniques identified similar waste minimization opportunities, although the true cost of waste assessment and the monitoring and targeting analysis were found to be the most accurate in prioritizing the waste minimization opportunities. The raw material "scope to save" percentage in the scoping audit requires modification for application to South African industry. General waste minimization options for the wet and pretreatment sections of the coil coating industry are also presented. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 23: 185,193, 2004 [source] Approaches to the development of medications for the treatment of methamphetamine dependenceADDICTION, Issue 2007Frank J. Vocci ABSTRACT Background Methamphetamine abuse has become an increasing problem in both the United States and globally with concomitant increases in adverse medical, social and environmental sequelae. Behavioral therapies have been used with some success to treat methamphetamine abusers and dependent individuals, but are not universally efficacious. Methamphetamine has a rich pharmacology that theoretically provides many opportunities for potential pharmacotherapeutic intervention. Nevertheless, there are no approved medications with an indication for treating methamphetamine abusers or addicts at this time. Aim To describe briefly how methamphetamine functions and affects function in brain and report how basic researchers and clinicians are attempting to exploit and exploiting this knowledge to discover and develop effective pharmacotherapies. Results Scientifically based approaches to medications development by evaluating medications that limit brain exposure to methamphetamine; modulate methamphetamine effects at vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT-2); or affect dopaminergic, serotonergic, GABAergic, and/or glutamatergic brain pathways that participate in methamphetamine's reinforcing effects are presented. Conclusion The evidence supports the rationale that pharmacotherapies to decrease methamphetamine use, or reduce craving during abstinence may be developed from altering the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of methamphetamine or its effects on appetitive systems in the brain. [source] Enhancing Learners' Communication Skills through Synchronous Electronic Interaction and Task-Based InstructionFOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS, Issue 1 2002Lina Lee ABSTRACT: Online interactive exchange offers the learner many opportunities to use the target language to negotiate both meaning and form in a social context that is crucial for second language acquisition. This paper discusses a pilot study using synchronous electronic chats combined with task-based instruction (TBI) to enhance learners' communication skills. TBI focuses on the two-way exchange of information on real-life topics. This pilot study shows that computer-mediated communication using less structure-controlled but more open-ended exchange had a significant impact on the process of language learning. Students benefited from online task-based activities because they had to access different functional skills to construct and negotiate meaning collaboratively. However, foreign language educators need to be aware that the quick cyberspace interactions impeded students from producing correct and coherent discourse, especially during learner-learner interaction. One corrective technique is to make students reexamine and revise their exchanges with guided instruction. [source] Patient participation in collective healthcare decision making: the Dutch modelHEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 1 2010Hester M. Van De Bovenkamp MA Abstract Objective, To study whether the Dutch participation model is a good model of participation. Background, Patient participation is on the agenda, both on the individual and the collective level. In this study, we focus on the latter by looking at the Dutch model in which patient organizations are involved in many formal decision-making processes. This model can be described as neo-corporatist. Design, We did 52 interviews with actors in the healthcare field, 35 of which were interviews with representatives of patient organizations and 17 with actors that involved patient organizations in their decision making. Results, Dutch patient organizations have many opportunities to participate in formal healthcare decision making and, as a result, have become institutionalized. Although there were several examples identified in which patient organizations were able to influence decision making, patient organizations remain in a dependent position, which they try to overcome through professionalization. Discussion, Although this model of participation gives patient organizations many opportunities to participate, it also causes important tensions. Many organizations cannot cope with all the participation possibilities attributed to them. This participation abundance can therefore cause redistribution effects. Furthermore, their dependent position leads to the danger of being put to instrumental use. Moreover, professionalization causes tensions concerning empowerment possibilities and representativeness. Conclusion, Although the Dutch model tries to make patient organizations an equal party in healthcare decision making, this goal is not reached in practice. It is therefore important to study more closely which subjects patients can and should contribute to, and in what way. [source] REALISE-ing their potential?: implementing local library projects to support evidence-based health careHEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 2 2001Louise Falzon Librarian involvement in Evidence-based Health Care provides many opportunities at a local level. Unfortunately, the potential for innovative projects to inform future developments is generally lost by a failure to ,pass the baton',to identify lessons learnt and transferable principles. The ,Library Support for Evidence-based Health Care' Project, funded by the NHS Executive Northern and Yorkshire, resulted in the implementation of locally responsive packages of hardware and software in six of the Region's libraries. The opportunity to evaluate the collective experience of these sites, and to synthesize principles of good practice, was provided by a separately funded post-hoc evaluation, the Research Evaluation to Audit Library and Information Support for EBHC (REALISE). This paper reports on how this evaluation was conducted, documents the strengths and weaknesses of the Project itself, and attempts to provide a checklist for use in similar projects. The paper concludes by outlining the relevance of the findings to the introduction of planned organizational approaches to quality (clinical governance) and the development of local implementation strategies across the UK, required by the NHS Information Strategy, Information for Health. [source] Animal use replacement, reduction, and refinement: Development of an integrated testing strategy for bioconcentration of chemicals in fish,INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2007Watze de Wolf Abstract When addressing the use of fish for the environmental safety of chemicals and effluents, there are many opportunities for applying the principles of the 3Rs: Reduce, Refine, and Replace. The current environmental regulatory testing strategy for bioconcentration and secondary poisoning has been reviewed, and alternative approaches that provide useful information are described. Several approaches can be used to reduce the number of fish used in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Test Guideline 305, including alternative in vivo test methods such as the dietary accumulation test and the static exposure approach. The best replacement approach would seem to use read-across, chemical grouping, and quantitative structure-activity relationships with an assessment of the key processes in bioconcentration: Adsorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Biomimetic extraction has particular usefulness in addressing bioavailable chemicals and is in some circumstances capable of predicting uptake. Use of alternative organisms such as invertebrates should also be considered. A single cut-off value for molecular weight and size beyond which no absorption will take place cannot be identified. Recommendations for their use in bioaccumulative (B) categorization schemes are provided. Assessment of biotransformation with in vitro assays and in silico approaches holds significant promise. Further research is needed to identify their variability and confidence limits and the ways to use this as a basis to estimate bioconcentration factors. A tiered bioconcentration testing strategy has been developed taking account of the alternatives discussed. [source] Photography in Pink ClassroomsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ART & DESIGN EDUCATION, Issue 1 2007Liz Ashburn The teaching of photography provides many opportunities to attack the assumption of universal heterosexuality, which is central to our society, in order to provide space for other sexualities such as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. This article is based on many years of lecturing in art schools and focuses on the classroom teaching of photography. It offers four perspectives for the expression of sexuality and possible change through the opening up of the curriculum to allow the inclusion of homosexual and queer art in the cultural capital of society; strategies to oppose heteronormativity; ways of treating students in the classroom in order to gain social justice in regard to sexual preference and finally the social benefits to all when heteronormativity is replaced with more equitable understandings, which could lead to a more inclusive community. [source] Multiphase Systems for the Recycling of Alkoxycarbonylation CatalystsADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 12-13 2006Jeroen J., M. de Pater Abstract This review evaluates the various multiphasic systems that have been developed for catalyst recycling in the context of alkoxycarbonylation of alkenes and alkynes. Immobilization of the catalyst on an insoluble support, such as silica, alumina, clay or a polymer, as well as immobilization in the inorganic phase of several liquid/liquid biphasic systems (aqueous/organic, ionic liquid/organic, fluorous/organic or supercritical CO2/organic) has been described. In several cases detailed information on the efficiency of catalyst separation and recycling is available. Most of the work was focused on the alkoxycarbonylation reactions of alkenes, for which several efficient methods for catalyst recycling were demonstrated. The recycling of catalyst through specific precipitation from supercritical CO2 or selective dissolution in a fluorous phase, has received only scant attention but offers many opportunities for further improvement. [source] Euro benefits for cash managementJOURNAL OF CORPORATE ACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 1 2006Rita H. Grant Adoption of the euro has created many opportunities,including benefits for cash management. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Effects of E-Commerce on Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Case Study of Grocery Home Delivery in FinlandJOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2002Hanne Siikavirta Summary In this article, we present a literature review of the general and environmental effects of e-commerce in various parts of the demand-supply chain. These are further translated into effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the food production and consumption system. The literature study revealed many opportunities for e-commerce to reduce GHG emissions in the food production and consumption system. Some possibly negative effects were also identified. Electronic grocery shopping (e-grocery) home delivery service was chosen as the subject of a case study because of its direct and indirect potential for reducing the GHG emissions in the food production and consumption system. GHG emission reduction potential through the implementation of various e-grocery home delivery strategies was quantified. Depending on the home delivery model used, it is possible to reduce the GHG emissions generated by grocery shopping by 18% to 87% compared with the situation in which household members go to the store themselves. We estimate that the maximum theoretical potential of e-grocery home delivery service for reducing the GHG emissions of Finland is roughly 0.3% to 1.3%; however, the current and estimated future market potential is much smaller, because the estimated market share of e-grocery services is only 10% by 2005. Narrowing the gap between the theoretical and the actual potential requires a model that would simultaneously provide additional value to the consumer and be profitable to companies. To be able to achieve significant reductions in GHG emissions, system-level innovations and changes are required. Further research is needed before conclusions can be reached as to whether e-commerce and e-grocery are useful tools in that respect. [source] Benchmarking in nursing care by the RAFAELA patient classification system , a possibility for nurse managersJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 7 2007Dean, LISBETH FAGERSTRÖM PhD Aim, The aim of the study was to explore the possibilities of benchmarking with the RAFAELA system. In this study, comparisons are made between: (1) costs for one nursing care intensity point; (2) the nursing care intensity per nurse; (3) the relationship between nursing care intensity per nurse and (4) the optimal nursing care intensity. Background, During the period from 1994 to 2000 a new system for patient classification, the RAFAELA system, was developed in Finland. Methods, 86 wards from 14 different hospitals in Finland took part in the study. Results, The costs for one nursing care intensity point on the adults' wards were on average 7.80,. The average workload was 25.2 nursing care intensity points per nurse. The optimal nursing care intensity was exceeded during 49.5% of the days and under during 20% of the days. Conclusions, The study shows that benchmarking with the RAFAELA system provides many opportunities for the nurse managers' resource allocation and their personnel administration. [source] Let us talk about it: Safe adolescent sexual decision makingJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 9 2007CS (Assistant Professor), Josie A. Weiss PhD Abstract Purpose: To discuss important factors that influence teens and provide guidance for nurse practitioners (NPs) to promote safe adolescent sexual decision making. Data sources: A selective review of current professional literature and professional practice. Conclusions: To promote safe sexual decision making in adolescents, communication with parents, other significant adults, and teens is essential. Being knowledgeable about factors that influence the choices of adolescents and willing to discuss them openly is an important component of NP practice and could make a difference in the lives of many teens. Implications for practice: NPs are frontline healthcare providers who have many opportunities to promote safe adolescent sexual decision making. This article provides a guide to assist in this work. [source] Obesity and Physical Activity in College Women: Implications for Clinical PracticeJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 7 2004APRN-BC, Jacquelyn M. Clement PhD Purpose To investigate the relationships between levels of physical activity, health attitudes and behaviors, and specific health indicators in women attending college. Data Sources A convenience sample of 116 college women, ages 18 to 24 years, participated in this research study at a moderate-sized midwestern university. The data were obtained through self-administered questionnaire; trained technicians collected physiological measurements. Conclusions The young women in this study had, on average, normal body mass indexes (BMIs) and reported activity levels consistent with or greater than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. Items used to assign participants into the appropriate stage of the transtheoretical model of change were correlated with participants' perceived personal physical activity levels. Similarly, the participants, whose scores fell in the higher stages of the transtheoretical model, reported greater levels of physical activity; consumption of more fruits, vegetables, and water; and less consumption of high-fat/high-calorie foods. Implications for Practice The years between ages 18 and 24 are a critical time in the lives of young women. During this period, they develop physical activity and nutrition habits that will affect their health across the life span. Because of the sometimes insidious development of major health problems, young women's current health status may not accurately reflect the possible longterm results of negative health habits. Nurse practitioners (NPs) have many opportunities to identify and address major factors that, if unattended, may threaten the life-long health status of women. Health teaching in the areas of physical activity and dietary habits may be useful even in young women who appear to be healthy, are of normal weight, and are physically active.Poor dietary habits, if unattended, may eventually contribute to the development of obesity and related illnesses. [source] Refugees and medical student training: results of a programme in primary careMEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 7 2006Kim Griswold Context, Medical schools have responded to the increasing diversity of the population of the USA by incorporating cultural competency training into their curricula. This paper presents results from pre- and post-programme surveys of medical students who participated in a training programme that included evening clinical sessions for refugee patients and related educational workshops. Methods, A self-assessment survey was administered at the beginning and end of the academic year to measure the cultural awareness of participating medical students. Results, Over the 3 years of the programme, over 133 students participated and 95 (73%) completed pre- and post-programme surveys. Participants rated themselves significantly higher in all 3 domains of the cultural awareness survey after completion of the programme. Conclusions, The opportunity for medical students to work with refugees in the provision of health care presents many opportunities for students, including lessons in communication, and scope to learn about other cultures and practise basic health care skills. An important issue to consider is the power differential between those working in medicine and patients who are refugees. To avoid reinforcing stereotypes, medical programmes and medical school curricula can incorporate efforts to promote reflection on provider attitudes, beliefs and biases. [source] Point/Counterpoint: The Role of Carotid UltrasoundPREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Point: Uses Of Carotid Plaque Measurement As A Predictor Of Cardiovascular Events Vascular prevention is most cost-effective in high-risk patients, but secondary prevention misses many opportunities. The high-risk strategy-identifying patients with high levels of risk factors-is problematic because traditional risk factors predict only half of vascular events. In multiple regression, traditional risk factors explained only half of carotid atherosclerosis. New strategies are being explored, such as electron-beam computerized tomographic measurement of coronary calcification, to identify high-risk patients. Carotid plaque is a powerful tool for identifying and managing high-risk vascular patients, as it explains twice as much of unexplained vascular risk as coronary calcium by electron beam computerized tomography, and it has significant advantages compared with intimal-medial thickness. After adjustment for risk factors, patients in the highest quartile of baseline plaque area have 3.5 times the risk of stroke, death, or myocardial infarction compared with those in the lowest quartile. Those with regression or stable plaque have half the risk of those with progression after adjustment for the same panel of risk factors. The therapeutic target is plaque regression or stabilization, not just control of traditional risk factors. Trying to treat arteries without measuring plaque is like trying to treat hypertension without measuring the pressure, or hyperlipidemia without measuring the lipids. [source] Exploring snake venom proteomes: multifaceted analyses for complex toxin mixturesPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 4 2008Jay W. Fox Dr. Abstract Snake venom proteomes are complex mixtures of a large number of distinct proteins. In a sense, the field of snake venom proteomics has been under investigation since the very earliest biochemical studies on venoms where peptides and proteins were isolated and structurally and biologically characterized. With the recent developments in mass spectrometry for the identification of proteins, coupled with venom gland transcriptomes, has the field of snake venom proteomics began to flourish. These developments have led to exciting insights into the protein composition of venoms and subsequently their pathological activities. In this review, we will discuss the state of art of snake venom proteomics. Although we have not reached the ultimate goal of characterizing and quantifying all unique proteins in a venom proteome, current technologies have opened many opportunities for high-throughput proteomic studies that have gone beyond simple protein identification to analyzing various functional aspects, such as post-translational modifications, proteolytic processing and toxin-target interactions. In this review, we will discuss the technological approaches used in the study of venom proteomics highlighting the advances made and future directions. [source] Australian issues in the provision of after-hours primary medical care services in rural communitiesAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2006Kathryn Zeitz Abstract Objective:,In 2003 the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency in South Australia (SA) facilitated the ,SA Rural Hospital After Hours Triage Education and Training Program'. It was designed to improve communication between rural general practitioners (GPs) and nurses undertaking after-hours triage, provide training in triage for rural nurses and develop local collaborative after-hours primary medical care models that can be applied in other settings. Design:,The program consisted of a series of three workshops. The first workshop provided an opportunity for GPs and nurses to discuss local issues relating to after-hours primary medical care service delivery. This was followed by a one-day workshop on triage for nurses. A follow-up refresher workshop was conducted approximately six months later. Setting:,Twenty-three rural communities in SA. Participants:,Rural GPs and nurses working in rural communities. Results:,This paper reports on the issues highlighted by clinicians in providing after-hours primary medical care in rural and remote communities. These included community expectations, systems of care, scope of practice, private practice/public hospital interface, and medico legal issues. Conclusion:,The issues facing after-hours health services in rural communities are not new. There are many opportunities for improvement of systems. A formal program including workshops and training has provided a useful forum to commence service improvements. [source] Research Opportunities in Simulation-based Medical Education Using Deliberate PracticeACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2008William C. McGaghie PhD Abstract There are many opportunities for the academic emergency medicine (EM) community to engage in simulation-based educational research using deliberate practice (DP). This article begins by defining and giving examples of two key concepts: deliberate practice and mastery learning. The article proceeds to report six lessons learned from a research legacy in simulation-based medical education (SBME). It concludes by listing and amplifying 10 DP research opportunities in academic EM. A coda states that the research agenda is rich and ambitious and should focus on the goal of educating superb, expert clinicians. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||