A cross-sectional analysis of undergraduate medical student attitudes towards interprofessional education

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Alcohol Drinking Behaviour and Attitudes in Three Areas of Britain With Different Official Rates of Problem Drinking

Background There is considerable variation in alcohol-related problems between the regions of Great Britain. Previous investigations have clearly shown that the magnitude of such problems is considerably higher in northern areas than in southern areas of Britain. Yet consideration of the survey literature (Chapter 4) demonstrates that the relationship between regional variations in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems within a British context is not well understood. Aims The aim of the project was to consider the drinking practices and attitudes in three areas of Britain which manifest markedly different rates of problem drinking. These were the Highland and Tayside regions of Scotland, and part of the South East Thames Health Board (effectively "East Kent" but referred to as "Kent") in England. Of the three areas Highland Region manifested the highest problem drinking rates and Kent the lowest rates. The specific aim of the project was to determine whether the consumption practices of persons in Highland region differed from those from the other two areas in such a way as to account for the different problem drinking rates. Method Between 8th September and 10th October 1982, 2349 adults aged 18 and over were randomly selected and interviewed about their alcohol consumption habits, experience of adverse consequences from drinking, and their attitudes and knowledge about alcohol use and misuse (Chapter 6). A commercial survey organisation was hired for this purpose. Response rates At 69% the response rate was modest in comparison to previous British general population surveys (Chapter 7). However, consideration of previous studies and of a follow-up survey (Appendix 8) of non-participants to the main survey suggested that the findings from this survey were valid. Results It was hypothesised that the Highlands would be characterised by one or more of the following: more drinkers; more heavy drinkers; more frequent drinking occasions; more binge drinking; higher mean consumption levels; faster consumption rates; more negative attitudes towards drinking; and greater awareness of alcohol-related problems within the community. None of the hypotheses relating to consumption were supported (Chapter 8). Indeed, if anything, Taysiders exhibited the greatest consumption levels, rates etc. There was mixed support for hypotheses relating to attitudes. Nor was there evidence that the drinking patterns of specific population sub-groups (Chapter 9) varied in accordance with problem drinking statistics. There was, however, a greater tendency for the Scots, irrespective of region to firstly, indulge in binge drinking and secondly, to report adverse consequences in the previous two years. Discussion A number of possible explanations were offered to account for the failure to relate variations in consumption patterns to variation in alcohol consumption patterns (Chapter 10). There was, for example, some admittedly crude (Appendix A) evidence that the effect of various biases upon alcohol consumption levels varied by region. Highlanders, for example, appeared to suffer greater memory loss for number of drinking days in the past week, while males from Kent were more likely to under-report when interviewed in the presence of another household member. There was also evidence that the Scots reacted differently to alcohol than did those from Kent. But it is not clear whether this reflected culturally based differences in expectations about alcohol; genetic differences in the reaction to alcohol; or the operation of other factors including diet, lack of exercise, smoking etc, which act in combination with alcohol to increase risk of harm. Regarding the latter explanation it is, for example, well established that the Scots exhibit a particularly unhealthy life style and are at a greater risk of a variety of diseases. There is also strong evidence that at least one of the commonly employed official indicators of problem drinking, namely hospital admissions for alcohol dependence, abuse and psychosis is suspect. Latcham (1985) in a companion study observed that Highlanders were 12.5x more likely to be admitted to a hospital bed with such a diagnosis than were people from Kent. But when psychiatric out- and day-patient rates were added to in-patient rates this difference disappeared. Clearly care has to be taken when interpreting official statistics relating to problem drinking. Policy implications are discussed

Analysis of Differential Gene Expression by Boolean Selection: Identification of Transcripts Associated with the Formation and Reorganization of Neuronal Networks.

The quantitative comparison of gene expression represents one of the major approaches for the analysis of gene function. Recently, the discovery of unknown genes based only upon their expression pattern has become possible through the application of various differential cloning methods, including subtractive hybridization, differential display, and expressed sequence tag analysis. Due to numerous technical and procedural limitations, however, none of these technologies is currently capable of rapidly identifying differentially regulated transcripts based on multiple expression-related criteria. Therefore, an alternative approach was devised which allows for the sequential application of numerous selection criteria during the initial screening process, thereby enabling the rapid identification of transcripts with highly specific expression patterns. Because of its use of multiple positive and negative selection steps, this approach is called Boolean selection. One of the first applications of this new approach was the search for novel genes associated with the formation and reorganization of neuronal networks in the mammalian brain. An ideal model system for this analysis is the retinocollicular system of the rat, where numerous aspects of neurite outgrowth, axon guidance, synapse formation and reorganization, and regulation of neuronal survival can easily be studied. Boolean selection was applied for the identification of transcripts preferentially expressed in the superior colliculus during late prenatal development as well as after the loss of afferent input in the adult animal. An initial analysis of several of these selected transcripts revealed that all satisfied at least one selection criterion and that over half satisfied both, indicating the usefulness of Boolean selection for the rapid identification of differentially regulated genes. Although additional analysis by in situ hybridization will still be necessary to verify the extent of differential expression and to provide information on the cellular localization of the transcripts identified so far, it was possible with this preliminary screen to gain new insight into some of the molecular and cellular activities in the superior colliculus during periods associated with the formation and reorganization of synaptic connections. Some of the identified transcripts encode proteins associated with post-transcriptional protein synthesis and modification events, including ribophorin (an essential subunit of the protein glycosylation complex ligosaccharyltransferase), calnexin (a membrane-associated molecular chaperone of the endoplasmic reticulum), and translation initiation factor, which together suggest enhanced levels of protein production and secretion. Other transcipts include rSec6 (part of the protein complex involved in the docking and fusion of synaptic vesicles to the plasma membrane) and Fyn (a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase found at high concentrations in axonal growth cones and also known be involved in synaptic plasticity), Fas-associated protein factor (a recently identified molecule potentially involved in Fas-mediated signal transduction during program m ed cell death), and a novel member of the EOF superfamily of transmembrane growth factors (which presently includes the EGF/TGFa family and the neuregulins). Further analysis of these molecules may provide additional information about the signaling mechanisms and cell-cell interactions at work during the establishment and modification of neuronal networks

Stereochemistry of Perhydrophenanthrene Derivatives

The stereochemistry of the adduct between 1-phenyl-1:3-butadiene and acrolein has been studied. The reaction has been proved to produce a cis-configuration, and conflicting claims by earlier workers have been shown to be due to Inversion on the carbon atom a to the aldehyde group. Hydrolysis of the aldehyde bisulphite compound with acid or alkali gives a similar cis-trans isomerisafcion, but the use of formalin leads to retention of configuration. The existence of both a cis and trans series of 2-phenyl-cyclo-hexyl compounds derived from this has been demonstrated, and their relationship to a hexahydrofluorene and hexahydro-fluorenone established. Interconversion between the cis-and trans forms has been achieved in some cases. A new synthesis of cis-9-keto-as-octohydrophenan-threne is described in which 3-bromo-2-phenyl-qyelo-hexene is condensed with diethyl malonate followed by hydrolysis, decarboxylation, hydrogenation, and cyclisation. The reduction of trans-9-keto-as-octohydrophenan-threne has been shown to give mainly elimination of oxygen and the formation of a perhydpophenanthrene. A little cis-anti-trans-perhydro-9-phenanthrol is formed at the same time A synthesis of trans-anti-trans-9-keto-perhydro-phenanthrene from the corresponding perhydrodiphenic acid has been accomplished, but attempts to extend the scope of the method to produce other isomers were unsuccessful. The perhydrophenanthrene derivative obtained by a Diels-Alder reaction between di-Delta-1:1'-cyclo-hexene and maleic anhydride, with subsequent hydrolysis, esterification and catalytic hydrogenation over Raney nickel, has been shown to possess the cis-anti-trans configuration. The conversion of this and the product obtained by hydrogenation of the corresponding acrolein adduct, into a cis-anti-trans-9-keto-perhydrophenanfchrene, could not, however, be effected

rpanel: Simple Interactive Controls for R Functions Using the tcltk Package

In a variety of settings it is extremely helpful to be able to apply R functions through buttons, sliders and other types of graphical control. This is particularly true in plotting activities where immediate communication between such controls and a graphical display allows the user to interact with a plot in a very effective manner. The tcltk package provides extensive tools for this and the aim of the rpanel package is to provide simple and well documented functions which make these facilities as accessible as possible. In addition, the operations which form the basis of communication within tcltk are managed in a way which allows users to write functions with a more standard form of parameter passing. This paper describes the basic design of the software and illustrates it on a variety of examples of interactive control of graphics. The tkrplot system is used to allow plots to be integrated with controls into a single panel. An example of the use of a graphical image, and the ability to interact with this, is also discussed.

Pilgrims of Beauty: Art and Inspiration in 19th Century Italy

Exhibition Notes, Number 38, Spring 2012. In the 19th century Italy was the most desirable destination for travelers from every corner of Europe and beyond. Thousands crossed mountains, even oceans, to go there, leaving their barbarous” homelands to study and admire Italy’s unsurpassed aesthetic and cultural riches. A poem in the New England Magazine in 1831 described the goals and ideals of visiting Italy on a European Grand Tour, calling those who did so pilgrims of beauty.” Like religious pilgrims of centuries past, these lovers of art participated in a ritual journey, a powerful shared experience of Italy’s magnificent landscape, history, architecture, and museums. In response to everything seen, felt, and imagined while exploring Italy, 19th-century artists and tourists created and purchased a variety of new works of art. Many visited repeatedly or settled for extended stays in Rome, Florence, Naples, and Venice, making Italy an important meeting point for artists and patrons. The vibrant atmosphere enriched the careers of many of the era’s great artists. This exhibition presents the vast array of media and materials in which they worked, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, furniture, and jewelry. Furthermore, the diversity of themes and styles among these objects, from Neoclassicism through Post-Impressionism, demonstrates that Italy remained an important center for artistic training and a consistent source of inspiration throughout a century of revolutionary changes in the worlds of politics, science, and art.https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/risdmuseum_journals/1013/thumbnail.jp

Deposition of zinc oxide by spray pyrolysis

The objective of this work was to grow doped ZnO by spray pyrolysis at low temperature. This was achieved via the initial objective of growing ZnO in unhoped-for over a wide range of conditions, in order to understand the growth behaviour of ZnO from Zn(acac)2.H(_2)O and to establish the optimum growth procedure at high and low temperature. Various techniques were employed to characterize the films and thus determine the optimum growth conditions (i.e measurement of film thickness, resistivity, Hall coefficient. X-ray diffraction and reflection electron diffraction to name but a few).With the growth of undoped films it was found that the film properties varied with temperature and moisture content and that the optimum conditions for low temperature growth in a dry ambient were at 200ºC and for high temperature growth in a wet ambient at 300ºC.An analysis of the growth behaviour of ZnO was carried out and it was suggested that there were at least four mechanisms leading to the decomposition of the precursor used (Zn(acac)2.H(_2)O). They were decomposition by miramolecular, mtermolecular, thermolysis and hydrothermolysis processes. A kinetic analysis demonstrated that evaporation was the dominant process which reduced the efficiency of utilization of Zn(acac)(_2).H(_2)O. The growth of doped ZnO in glass and plastic at low temperature using InChl(_3) as a dopant yielded conducting films. The results also showed that films obtained using solutions with low concentrations of Zn(acac)(_2).H(_2)O and high concentrations of InCl(_3) were even more conducting ( p ≈ 10(^-5)Ωm). The morphology of film growth was dominated by the presence of dopant. High temperature growth of doped ZnO in a wet ambient using InCl(_3) also yielded conducting films and these were compared with indium, aluminium and gallium doped films where alternative dopant matericds such as In(acac)(_3), Al(OPr)(_3), AICL(_3) and Ga(acac)(_3) at a variety of different solution concentrations had been used. This was undertaken to discover whether these materials functioned as well as InCl(_3) in producing low resistivity ZnO. Doped films were characterised using the same techniques as before. Elemental analysis, photoluminescence and optical measurements were also carried out on these films. The main conclusions were that : (1) The growth rate of ZnO from Zn(acac)2 .H2O is heavily influenced by the growth temperature and other conditions. (2) The film resistivity was influenced by growth temperature. A minimum in the film resistivity was observed when a growth temperature of 300ºC was used. (3) Undoped ZnO films grown below 200ºC had a different preferred order to those grown above 200ºC.(4) The best high temperature conditions for the deposition of undoped conducting adherent ZnO lay in the region of 276 - 306ºC. (5) The best low temperature conditions for the growth of undoped conducting ZnO were in the region of 200ºC. (6) The low temperature growth (175-200ºC) of doped ZnO produced films with resistivities of the order of l-5xl0(^-5)Ωm and a visible transmittance of 80%. This compares favourably with ZnO:Al and SnO(_2) which have also been grown at low temperature

Targeting hyperarousal: Mantram Repetition Program for PTSD in US veterans.

Background: Hyperarousal appears to play an important role in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, but current evidence-based treatments appear to address this symptom type less effectively than the other symptom clusters. The Mantram Repetition Program (MRP) is a meditation-based intervention that has previously been shown to improve symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may be especially helpful for hyperarousal. If MRP is an effective tool for decreasing this often treatment-resistant symptom cluster, it may become an important clinical tool. Objective: The goal of this secondary analysis was to examine the effect of the MRP on hyperarousal and other PTSD symptom clusters and to examine hyperarousal as a mediator of treatment response. Method: Secondary analyses were conducted on data from a randomized controlled trial in which Veterans with PTSD (n = 173) were assigned to the MRP or a non-specific psychotherapy control and assessed pre-treatment, post-treatment and 8 weeks after treatment completion. The impact of the interventions on PTSD symptom clusters was examined, and time-lagged hierarchical linear modelling was applied to examine alternative mediation models. Results: All PTSD symptom clusters improved in both treatments. MRP led to greater reductions in hyperarousal at post-treatment (Hedge's g = 0.57) and follow-up (Hedge's g = 0.52), and in numbing at post-treatment (Hedge's g = 0.47). Hyperarousal mediated reductions in the composite of the other PTSD symptom clusters. Although the reverse model was significant as well, the effect was weaker in this direction. Conclusion: Interventions focused on the management of hyperarousal may play an important role in recovery from PTSD. The MRP appears efficacious in reducing hyperarousal, and thereby impacting other PTSD symptom clusters, as one pathway to facilitating recovery