scholarly journals A pilot study of a neuroscience-based, harm minimisation programme in schools and youth centres in Australia

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e033337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Debenham ◽  
Louise Birrell ◽  
Katrina Champion ◽  
Mina Askovic ◽  
Nicola Newton
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Harm Minimisation ◽  
Older Adolescents ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Evaluation Trial ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Youth Centre

ObjectivesThe primary aim is to evaluate the feasibility of a newly developed, neuroscience-based, alcohol and other drug (AOD) use prevention programme, ‘The Illicit Project’, in Australian older adolescents. The secondary aim is to investigate the impact of the programme on students’ drug literacy levels (a combination of knowledge, attitudes and skills).DesignA pilot study examining the feasibility of The Illicit Project in Australian schools was conducted.ParticipantsStudents aged 15–19 years from two secondary schools and a youth centre and 11 teachers and health professionals from various organisations in Sydney were recruited.InterventionThe intervention consisted of three 90 min workshops delivered by trained facilitators within a month.Primary and secondary measuresStudents completed a drug literacy questionnaire before and after intervention. All participants (students, teachers and health professionals) completed an evaluation questionnaire postprogramme delivery. A paired-sample t-test and descriptive analytics were performed.ResultsStudents (n=169) demonstrated a significant increase in drug literacy levels from preintervention to postintervention (t(169) = −13.22, p<0.0001). Of students evaluating the programme (n=252), over threequarters agreed that The Illicit Project was good or very good (76%), that the neuroscience content was interesting (76%) and relevant (81%), and that they plan to apply the concepts learnt to their own lives (80%). In addition, all teachers and health professionals (n=11) agreed that the programme was feasible and valid for schools and perceived the programme to be effective in reducing the harms and use of AOD.ConclusionsThere is evidence to suggest that The Illicit Project is credible and feasible in the school environment and there are preliminary data to suggest it may help to improve drug literacy levels in young people. A large-scale evaluation trial of the intervention will be conducted to determine the programme’s effectiveness in minimising the harms of AOD in older adolescents.

scholarly journals THU0642-HPR EVOLUTION OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF RA PATIENTS AFTER EDUCATION PATIENT SESSION TEACHING METHOTREXATE SELF-INJECTION A PROSPECTIVE PILOT STUDY

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 566.1-566
Author(s):  
S. Afilal ◽  
H. Rkain ◽  
B. Berchane ◽  
J. Moulay Berkchi ◽  
S. Fellous ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Median Duration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Education Session ◽  
Prospective Pilot Study ◽  
Mean Delay ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Level Of Satisfaction ◽  
Before And After

Background:Methotrexate is a gold standard for treatment of RA. In our context, RA patients prefer to be injected by paramedics rather than self-injecting. This can be explained by patients’ bad perceptions of self-injection or lack of information. Appropriate self-injection education can therefore be an important element in overcoming these obstacles and improving disease self-management.Objectives:Compare the RA patients’ perceptions on methotrexate self-injection before and after a patient education session.Methods:Prospective pilot study that included 27 consecutive patients (81.5% female, mean age 44.4 years, illiteracy rate 40.7%) with RA (median duration of progression of 4 years, mean delay in referral for specialist of 6 months, median duration of methotrexate use of 1 year). The patients benefited from an individual patient education session to learn how to self-inject with methotrexate subcutaneously. The patient education session was supervised by a nurse and a rheumatologist with a control a week later. Perceptions of the reluctance to self-inject and the difficulties encountered by patients were assessed before the patient education session, after the 1st and 2nd self-injection of methotrexate using a 10 mm visual analog scale. Patients also reported their level of satisfaction (10 mm VAS) after the 1st and 2nd self-injection.Results:The mean duration of patient education session is 13 min.Table I compares the evolution of the degrees of reluctance to self-injection, the difficulties encountered, and the satisfaction experienced by the patients.Table 1.Evolution of RA patients’ perceptions on the methotrexate self-injection. (N = 27)BeforeAfter the 1stself-injectionAfter the 2end self-injectionpVAS reluctance (0-10mm)6,5 ± 3,62,2 ± 2,91,0 ± 2,3<0,0001VAS difficulty (0-10mm)7,5 ± 2,62,5 ± 2,71,0 ± 1,9<0,0001VAS satisfaction (0-10mm)-8,9 ± 1,89,5 ± 1,50,002Conclusion:This study suggests the effectiveness of a methotrexate self-injection patient education session in RA patients. It also highlights the value of patient education in rheumatologic care. A large-scale study is necessary to better interpret and complete these preliminary results from this pilot study.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

The Importance of Similarity: How Gender Congruence Matters for the Impact of Leadership Training

2021 ◽  
pp. 009539972110642
Author(s):  
Trine H. Fjendbo ◽  
Christian B. Jacobsen ◽  
Seung-Ho An
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Training ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Leadership Behaviors ◽  
Leadership Behavior ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Perceived Leadership ◽  
Scale Field ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Large Scale Field ◽  
The Impact

Leadership training is key to promoting more active leadership, but the effects of leadership training can depend on the gender context. Gender congruence between manager and employee can affect how the manager employs leadership behaviors adapted from training and how employees perceive leadership behavior. Quantitative data on 474 managers’ 4,833 employees before and after a large-scale field experiment with leadership training enable us to examine changes in employee-perceived leadership following training. The results show that gender congruence between manager and employee is associated with stronger leadership training effects on employee-perceived leadership behaviors. Female gender congruence shows the most pronounced effects.

scholarly journals Impact of the first COVID-19 shelter-in-place order in the United States on emergency department utilization, Marin County, California

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett R. Bayles ◽  
Michaela F George ◽  
Haylea Hannah ◽  
Patti Culross ◽  
Rochelle R. Ereman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Emergency Department Utilization ◽  
Marin County ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
The Impact

Background: The first shelter-in-place (SIP) order in the United States was issued across six counties in the San Francisco Bay Area to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on critical care resources. We sought to assess the impact of this large-scale intervention on emergency departments (ED) in Marin County, California. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive and trend analysis of all ED visits in Marin County, California from January 1, 2018 to May 4, 2020 to quantify the temporal dynamics of ED utilization before and after the March 17, 2020 SIP order. Results: The average number of ED visits per day decreased by 52.3% following the SIP order compared to corresponding time periods in 2018 and 2019. Both respiratory and non-respiratory visits declined, but this negative trend was most pronounced for non-respiratory admissions. Conclusions: The first SIP order to be issued in the United States in response to COVID-19 was associated with a significant reduction in ED utilization in Marin County.

scholarly journals Energy conservation by retrofitting of dwellings

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 03010
Author(s):  
Imrich Sánka ◽  
Dušan Petráš
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Air Exchange Rate ◽  
Energy Auditing ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

This article investigates the impact of energy renovation on the indoor environmental quality of apartment building during heating season. The study was performed in one residential building before and after its renovation. Energy auditing and classification of the selected building into energy classes were carried out. Additionally, evaluation of indoor air quality was performed using objective measurements and subjective survey. Thermal environment and concentration of CO2 was measured in bedrooms. Higher concentrations of CO2 was observed in the residential building after its renovation. The concentrations of CO2, in some cases exceeded the recommended maximum limits, especially after implementing of energy saving measures on the building. The average air exchange rate was visible higher before renovation of the building. The current study indicates that large-scale of renovations may reduce the quality of the indoor environment in many apartments, especially in the winter season.

Cigarette and cigar sales in Hawaii before and after implementation of a Tobacco 21 Law

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Glover-Kudon ◽  
Doris G Gammon ◽  
Todd Rogers ◽  
Ellen M Coats ◽  
Brett Loomis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Upward Trend ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
The Us ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Youth And Young Adults ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Product Sales ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionOn 1 January 2016, Hawaii raised the minimum legal age for tobacco access from 18 to 21 years (‘Tobacco 21 (T21)’) statewide, with no special population exemptions. We assessed the impact of Hawaii’s T21 policy on sales of cigarettes and large cigars/cigarillos in civilian food stores, including menthol/flavoured product sales share.MethodsCigarette and large cigar/cigarillo sales and menthol/flavoured sales share were assessed in Hawaii, California (implemented T21 in June 2016 with a military exemption), and the US mainland using the only Nielsen data consistently available for each geographical area. Approximate monthly sales data from large-scale food stores with sales greater than US$2 million/year covered June 2012 to February 2017. Segmented regression analyses estimated changes in sales from prepolicy to postpolicy implementation periods.ResultsFollowing T21 in Hawaii, average monthly cigarette unit sales dropped significantly (−4.4%, p<0.01) coupled with a significant decrease in menthol market share (−0.8, p<0.01). This combination of effects was not observed in comparison areas. Unit sales of large cigars/cigarillos decreased significantly in each region following T21 implementation. T21 policies in Hawaii and California showed no association with flavoured/menthol cigar sales share, but there was a significant increase in flavoured/menthol cigar sales share in the USA (7.1%, p<0.01) relative to Hawaii’s implementation date, suggesting T21 may have attenuated an otherwise upward trend.ConclusionsAs part of a comprehensive approach to prevent or delay tobacco use initiation, T21 laws may help to reduce sales of cigarette and large cigar products most preferred by US youth and young adults.

scholarly journals The impact of screening method on HLA antibody detection before and after lung transplantation: A prospective pilot study

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Severine Cao ◽  
Andrew M. Courtwright ◽  
Anthony M. Lamattina ◽  
Indira Guleria ◽  
Patrick Burkett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Lung Transplantation ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Prospective Pilot Study ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hla Antibody

scholarly journals Effect of Facial Cosmetic Acupuncture on Facial Elasticity: An Open-Label, Single-Arm Pilot Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Younghee Yun ◽  
Sehyun Kim ◽  
Minhee Kim ◽  
KyuSeok Kim ◽  
Jeong-Su Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Muscle Tone ◽  
Common Adverse Event ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Moiré Topography

Background. The use of acupuncture for cosmetic purposes has gained popularity worldwide. Facial cosmetic acupuncture (FCA) is applied to the head, face, and neck. However, little evidence supports the efficacy and safety of FCA. We hypothesized that FCA affects facial elasticity by restoring resting mimetic muscle tone through the insertion of needles into the muscles of the head, face, and neck.Methods. This open-label, single-arm pilot study was implemented at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong from August through September 2011. Participants were women aged 40 to 59 years with a Glogau photoaging scale III. Participants received five treatment sessions over three weeks. Participants were measured before and after FCA. The primary outcome was the Moire topography criteria. The secondary outcome was a patient-oriented self-assessment scale of facial elasticity.Results. Among 50 women screened, 28 were eligible and 27 completed the five FCA treatment sessions. A significant improvement after FCA treatment was evident according to mean change in Moire topography criteria (from 1.70 ± 0.724 to 2.26 ± 1.059,P<0.0001). The most common adverse event was mild bruising at the needle site.Conclusions. In this pilot study, FCA showed promising results as a therapy for facial elasticity. However, further large-scale trials with a controlled design and objective measurements are needed.

Impact of a Large-Scale Coach Education Program from a Lifelong-Learning Perspective

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Deek ◽  
Penny Werthner ◽  
Kyle J. Paquette ◽  
Diane Culver
Keyword(s):  
Lifelong Learning ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Coach Education ◽  
Coach Learning ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Coaching Certification ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

This study examines the impact of a coach education program on coach learning and perceived changes to coaching practices, while situating this episodic learning experience within a lifelong-learning perspective. Three sets of in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 coaches taking part in one of three competition-development modules within Canada’s National Coaching Certification Program (Coaching and Leading Effectively, Managing Conflict, and Psychology of Performance). It was found that (a) the coaches’ biographies varied widely, (b) all of the coaches reported learning from the modules, (c) eight of ten coaches reported a change in their coaching practices as a result of participation in one of the modules, and (d) the coaches credited a combination of mediated, unmediated, and internal learning situations for their learning before and after the modules. These findings suggest that a large-scale coach education program can have an impact on coaches when the program takes a lifelong-learning perspective and integrates constructivist principles into its design and delivery.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF EMERGENCIES ON THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE DISEASES OF FARM ANIMALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF KHAKASSIA

2021 ◽  
pp. 336-341
Author(s):  
Medkova ◽  
Krasovskaya
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Invasive Diseases ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
The Impact

In the conditions of the Shirinsky District, monitoring was carried out for the first time for the change in number of helminthic diseases before and after fires. Fires have led to changes in the properties of the ground cover, soil, and simplification of communities; the complex of soil-dwelling arthropods has undergone a number of significant changes, which are manifested in a decrease in number and species diversity. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of various parasites in farm animals after large-scale fires on the example of the Shirinsky District of the Republic of Khakassia. The study subject was eggs, larvae and helminths of the studied animals. The study object was farm animals. The studies were carried out by the method of sequential washing of fecal samples. Based on the study results of 786 fecal samples from various animals, we received the following results. We have proved that the fire had a great impact on the parasitofauna of animals in the Shirinsky District; the number of invasive diseases first decreased after fires and then increased again. We found out that the decrease in number of parasitic diseases was associated with the following: fires had an adverse effect on the ecological state of the environment and changed the existence conditions of living organisms. The fire destroyed eggs, larvae and definitive hosts of the parasites.

scholarly journals Using AlphaFold to predict the impact of single mutations on protein stability and function

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina A Pak ◽  
Karina A Markhieva ◽  
Mariia S Novikova ◽  
Dmitry S Petrov ◽  
Ilya S Vorobyev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Folding ◽  
Protein Stability ◽  
Structure Prediction ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Single Mutation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

AlphaFold changed the field of structural biology by achieving three-dimensional (3D) structure prediction from protein sequence at experimental quality. The astounding success even led to claims that the protein folding problem is "solved". However, protein folding problem is more than just structure prediction from sequence. Presently, it is unknown if the AlphaFold-triggered revolution could help to solve other problems related to protein folding. Here we assay the ability of AlphaFold to predict the impact of single mutations on protein stability (ΔΔG) and function. To study the question we extracted metrics from AlphaFold predictions before and after single mutation in a protein and correlated the predicted change with the experimentally known ΔΔG values. Additionally, we correlated the AlphaFold predictions on the impact of a single mutation on structure with a large scale dataset of single mutations in GFP with the experimentally assayed levels of fluorescence. We found a very weak or no correlation between AlphaFold output metrics and change of protein stability or fluorescence. Our results imply that AlphaFold cannot be immediately applied to other problems or applications in protein folding.

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