Behavioral Couples Therapy for Smoking Cessation: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction—Behavioral couples therapy (BCT) has been found to improve long-term abstinence rates in alcohol- and substance-dependent populations but has not been tested for smoking cessation. This pilot study examined the feasibility and acceptability of BCT for smoking-discordant couples. Methods—Forty-nine smokers (smoking \u3e10 cigarettes/day) with non-smoking partners were randomized to receive a couples social support (BCT-S) intervention, or an individually-delivered smoking cessation (ST) treatment. The couples were married or cohabiting for at least one year, with partners who had never smoked or had not used tobacco in one year. Both treatments included seven weekly sessions and 8-weeks of nicotine replacement therapy. Participants were followed for six months post-treatment. The Partner Interaction Questionnaire (PIQ) was used to measure perceived smoking-specific partner support. Results—Participants were 67% male and 88% White. Biochemically-verified cessation rates were 40.9%, 50% and 45% in BCT-S, and 59.1%, 50%, and 55% in ST, at end of treatment, 3-, and 6-months, respectively, and did not differ significantly between treatment conditions at any time point (all p’s \u3e .05). Perceived smoking-specific partner support at post-treatment did not significantly differ between treatment groups (M=2.45, SD .81 in BCT-S; M=2.27, SD .92 in ST; t(38) = .67, p = .51). Conclusions—Results of this pilot study do not provide support for the efficacy of BCT in smoking discordant couples

Yeasts

Yeasts are a group of eukaryotic microfungi with a well-defined cell wall whose growth is either entirely unicellular or a combination of hyphal and unicellular reproduction. The approximately 1500 known yeast species belong to two distinct fungal phyla, the Ascomycota and the Basidiomycota. Within each these phyla, yeasts can be found in several subphyla or classes, reflecting the enormous diversity of their evolutionary origins and biochemical properties. In nature, yeasts are found mainly in association with plants or animals but are also present in soil and aquatic environments. Yeasts grow rapidly and have simple nutritional requirements, for which reason they have been used as model systems in biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology. They were the first microorganisms to be domesticated for the production of beer, bread or wine, and they continue to be used for the benefit of humanity in the production of many important health care and industrial commodities, including recombinant proteins, biopharmaceuticals, biocontrol agents and biofuels. The best-known yeast is the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which may be regarded as the world’s foremost industrial microbe

Analyse de sensibilité du modèle CEQÉROSS

L'analyse de sensibilité constitue une étape importante dans le développement et la mise en place d'un modèle de simulation. Cette analyse de sensibilité du modèle CEQÉROSS effectuée sur un petit bassin versant agricole du Québec (Canada) montre que la dimension du maillage utilisé pour découper le bassin versant de Lennoxville en éléments de calcul exerce une influence directe, mais modérée, sur la charge sédimentaire transportée à l'exutoire. Les paramètres de calage associés à l'érosivité des précipitations et les variables d'entrée décrivant la topographie influencent considérablement les résultats de la simulation pour la période considérée et, de ce fait, nécessitent une plus grande attention lors des étapes de préparation des données et de calage du modèle. La forme linéaire de l'équation de production de sédiments en rivière exerce un rôle majeur sur les charges totales annuelles simulées. L'importance relative des paramètres associés à la granulométrie des sédiments transportés en rivière indique que la capacité du cours d'eau à transporter les particules grossières limite la charge totale annuelle évacuée à l'exutoire du bassin versant de Lennoxville pendant la période d'étude. Ces résultats doivent cependant être confrontés à d'autres analyses de sensibilité afin de décider des modifications éventuelles à apporter aux équations du modèle.Sensitivity analysis is a significant step in the development of computer models used to simulate soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution because it allows to evaluate objectively the importance of changes which occur in the response of a model (output) following changes brought in the parameters and variables of the input data. The objective of this study consists of using sensitivity analysis in order to verify the influence of calibration parameters, input variables and the size of the simulation units (i.e. grid squares) on the annual suspended sediment load (net erosion) of a small agricultural watershed (78 ha) located in Lennoxville, province of Quebec (Canada) for the period October 1991 to September 1992. This sensitivity analysis uses the results of an hydro-sedimentological simulation carried out with the CEQÉROSS computer model (DUCHEMIN et al. 2001). The sensitivity analysis takes into account calibration parameters and input variables selected for their ability to influence soil and river erosion and sediment transport (table 2). The analytical procedure consists in using a sensitivity index to quantify the response of the model to extreme (minimum and maximum) values of parameters and variables. The principal results of the sensitivity analysis are presented in figure 3. The sensitivity analysis of the annual load of suspended sediments indicate that the size of the grid squares used to segment the watershed (i.e. RESOLUTION) had a direct but rather weak influence on net erosion. The results indicate that the erosivity calibration parameters EXPRP and COEFAM, the transport capacity parameters FCTS and PSDS and the topographic input variable PENTD associated to soil erosion, have a considerable influence on the annual load of suspended sediments and, therefore require a greater attention to be brought during the steps of data preparation and model calibration. The results indicate also that calibration parameters FPUSS1, FPUSS2, FSSRIV1 and FSSRIV2 associated to river erosion are the most influential. The linear form of the river sediment production equation contribute to increase the influence of these parameters on the output of the simulation. The fraction of fine sediments (POSS1) transported in the river plays an insignificant role on the annual load of suspended sediments simulated by the CEQÉROSS model. The annual suspended sediment load varies conversely to the increase of coarse sediments (POSS4). The river capacity to transport the coarse grained particles hinders the annual suspended load evacuated from the Lennoxville watershed. The results of the sensitivity analysis must be confronted with additional sensitivity analysis (i.e. larger watershed, longer period of simulation) using the CEQÉROSS model in order to decide if modifications should be undertaken to the model equations

Two units for eleventh-grade: modern American drama, and the theatre

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

A minor alternative transcript of the fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase gene produces a protein despite being likely subjected to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay

BACKGROUND: Coupling of alternative splicing with nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) may regulate gene expression. We report here the identification of a nonsense alternative transcript of the fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (fah) gene, which produces a protein despite the fact that it is subject to NMD. RESULTS: During the characterization of the effects of the W262X nonsense mutation on FAH mRNA metabolism, two alternative transcripts (del100 and del231) of the fah gene were identified. Del100 lacks exon 8 and as a consequence, the reading frame is shifted and a premature termination codon appears at the 3'end of exon 10. Exons 8 and 9 are skipped in del231, without any disruption of the reading frame. Specific amplification of these transcripts demonstrate that they are produced through minor alternative splicing pathways, and that they are not caused by the W262X mutation per se. As shown with an antiserum raised against the C-terminal part of the putative DEL100 protein, the del100 transcript produces a protein, expressed at different levels in various human tissues. Interestingly, the del100 transcript seems to be subjected to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, as its level was stabilized following a cycloheximide treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The del100 and del231 transcripts arise due to minor alternative splicing pathways and del100 is likely subjected to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. However the remaining amount of transcript seems sufficient to produce a protein in different human tissues. This suggests that NMD has a broader role than simply eliminating aberrant transcripts and when coupled to alternative splicing, may act to modulate gene expression, by allowing the production of low amounts of protein

Design and pilot evaluation of an evidence-based worksheet and clinician guide to facilitate nutrition counselling for patients with severe mental illness.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are severe, persistent mental illnesses resulting in considerable disability and premature mortality. Emerging evidence suggests that diet may be a modifiable risk factor in mental illness; however, use of nutritional counselling as a component of psychiatric clinical practice is limited. The objective of this project is the design and evaluate a worksheet and clinician guide for use in facilitating nutritional counseling in the context of existing mental health care. METHODS: The worksheet and clinician guide were developed based on the results of a recent scoping review on the relationship between diet and mental health symptoms among individuals with SSD. A feedback process involved a focus group with psychiatrists and interviews with individuals with lived experience with psychosis. Participants were asked a series of structured and open-ended questions. Interviews were transcribed and data units were allocated to categories from an existing framework. The comments were used to guide modifications to the worksheet and clinician guide. A brief interview with all participants was completed to gather feedback on the final version. RESULTS: Five psychiatrist participants and six participants with lived experience completed interviews. Participants provided positive comments related to the worksheet design, complexity and inclusion of interactive components. A novel theme emerged relating to the lack of nutritional counselling in psychiatric training and clinical practice. Many constructive comments were provided which resulted in meaningful revisions and improvements to the worksheet and clinician guide design and content. All participants were satisfied with the final versions. CONCLUSIONS: A worksheet and clinician guide designed to facilitate nutritional counselling with individuals with SSD was found to be acceptable to all participants following a process of feedback and revision. Further research and dissemination efforts aimed at increasing the use of nutritional counselling in psychiatric practice are warranted

Dietary modification in the treatment of schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A systematic review.

BackgroundSchizophrenia spectrum disorders impact functioning, reduce quality of life and increase the risk of physical illness and premature mortality. Nutritional intervention studies aimed at decreasing body weight have demonstrated efficacy in improving metabolic outcomes; however, few studies have explored the impact of interventions designed to modify diet on mental health outcomes.AimTo synthesize the existing experimental studies of adjunctive diet modification as an intervention in the treatment of psychotic disorders, analyze findings related to effectiveness and safety, highlight knowledge gaps and limitations, and set forward recommendations for future research studies.MethodsAn extensive a priori search strategy was developed and the databases Embase, Embase Classic, Ovid MEDLINE were searched. Screening and data extraction were completed in duplicate. Studies included in this analysis were experimental studies of an adjunctive dietary intervention (overall dietary pattern or education on dietary change) for treatment of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. No restrictions were placed on control groups or blinding. The studies were required to report a mental health outcome.ResultsTwenty-five clinical trials were identified, along with two additional protocols and two meta-analyses. Nineteen of the clinical trials reported improvement in one or more mental health domain including psychosis symptoms, cognition, and quality of life. A high level of heterogeneity was found with respect to patient population, intervention, and study design. All of the studies included lifestyle or psychosocial components in addition to dietary modification. The nutrition advice provided to participants was poorly described overall and compliance was not assessed. The studies that showed benefit tended to have a smaller sample size and were less likely to be randomized but were more likely to use a group delivery intervention.ConclusionFurther research assessing effectiveness and efficacy of clearly reported dietary interventions is warranted, especially those using rigorous methodology, modifying diet in isolation and assessing participant compliance

Learning While Building: Enhancing Opportunities For Teacher Candidate Development Within Professional Development Schools Through Programmatic Analysis

Abstract This study investigated the impact of differing models of practicum placements on teacher candidates’ (TC’s) abilities to practice teaching skills and receive feedback on their teaching. Within the Professional Development School (PDS) model TCs were placed as cohorts in a single PDS site with at least one college faculty member assigned as a liaison, and within the Traditional model TCs were placed across a variety of schools without college faculty connected to the various school sites. Teacher candidates completed a survey with Likert scale and open-ended items to measure TCs’ perceptions of how much time they spent teaching lessons and how much feedback they received on their teaching within each model. T-tests and ANOVAS were used to analyze the survey data, indicating TCs within the PDS model reported spending more time in schools and receiving greater feedback from host teachers than TCs in other models

Sustaining School‐Based Asthma Interventions Through Policy and Practice Change

BACKGROUND Schools are an ideal setting for implementation of asthma interventions for children; however, sustaining school‐based programs can be challenging. This study illustrates policy and practice changes brought about through the Childhood Asthma Linkages in Missouri ( CALM ) program to sustain such programs. METHODS Researchers analyzed caregiver‐reported quantitative data regarding asthma‐related outcomes in preintervention and postintervention surveys and qualitative data regarding sustainability efforts in schools reported by CALM grantees. A grounded theory approach was used to identify key concepts and themes that emerged. RESULTS In 330 children, significant improvements were seen in asthma symptoms, rescue inhaler use, health care utilization, school absenteeism, and activity limitations. Overall, 27 school‐based policy and practice changes supporting program sustainability were reported, with policy changes most often concerning the assessment and/or monitoring of children with asthma in the school setting, and practice changes most often regarding institution of regular asthma education programs for students and school personnel. CONCLUSIONS Sustaining school‐based asthma programs is challenging, but can be realized through the participation of diverse partners in enacting policy and practice changes that support the institutionalization of programs into the day‐to‐day processes of the schools.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/101775/1/josh12104.pd

Managing at the Speed of Light: Improving Mission-Support Performance

The House and Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittees requested this study to help DOE's three major mission-support organizations improve their operations to better meet the current and future needs of the department. The passage of the Recovery Act only increased the importance of having DOE's mission-support offices working in the most effective, efficient, and timely manner as possible. While following rules and regulations is essential, the foremost task of the mission-support offices is to support the department's mission, i.e., the programs that DOE is implementing, whether in Washington D.C. or in the field. As a result, the Panel offered specific recommendations to strengthen the mission-focus and improve the management of each of the following support functions based on five "management mandates":- Strategic Vision- Leadership- Mission and Customer Service Orientation- Tactical Implementation- Agility/AdaptabilityKey FindingsThe Panel made several recommendations in each of the functional areas examined and some overarching recommendations for the corporate management of the mission-support offices that they believed would result in significant improvements to DOE's mission-support operations. The Panel believed that adopting these recommendations will not only make DOE a better functioning organization, but that most of them are essential if DOE is to put its very large allocation of Recovery Act funding to its intended uses as quickly as possible