Learning with technology: use of case-based physical and computer simulations in professional education

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a low dosage (0.3 mg/day) of unopposed conjugated estrogens can be used without incurring an elevated risk of endometrial cancer. METHODS: In this case-control study, cases (n = 484) consisted of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer between 1985 and 1991 in three counties in Western Washington. Controls (n = 780) were identified using random digit dialing within the same three counties. Subjects were interviewed in person to obtain basic demographic and medical history information, as well as specific information about hormone use. RESULTS: Eighteen cases and eight controls had taken 0.3 mg/day of unopposed conjugated estrogens and no other dose or preparation of estrogens (risk relative to that of women who had not taken postmenopausal hormones = 5.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3, 13.0). The risk was particularly high in women whose use of this dose was both current and of more than 8 years' duration (odds ratio = 9.2, 95% CI 2.9, 29.0). The elevation in risk in users of 0.3 mg/day was similar in size to that associated with the daily unopposed use of 0.625 mg of conjugated estrogens. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a dosage of 0.3 mg per day of unopposed conjugated estrogens is associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer.     

Perceptual distance and competition in lexical access

Two experiments use rhyme priming techniques to explore the decision space for lexical access. The 1st experiment, using intramodal (auditory-auditory) priming, covaried the phonological distance of a spoken rhyme prime (e.g., pomato) from its source word (e.g., tomato) with the presence or absence of close lexical competitors. The results showed strong effects of phonological distance and no significant effects of competitor environment. The 2nd experiment, using ambiguous rhyme primes in a cross-modal (auditory-visual) priming task, showed that phonetically ambiguous primes could fully match their source words, but only in the appropriate lexical environment. The results support a view of lexical access in which the listener's perceptual experience is based on strict requirements for a bottom-up match with the speech input, and in which competitor environment does not directly modulate the on-line goodness-of-fit computation.     

我国铝电解槽计算机仿真技术的研究发展及现状

铝电解槽的多物理场仿真及在线动态仿真分析研究对铝电解槽大型化、微机过程控制化的开发、优化设计、生产启动和运行管理具有重要的指导意义.文中阐述了铝电解槽物理场模型和计算方法的发展过程及主要的商业化分析软件,列举了21世纪以来我国科研工作者在铝电解槽电、热、磁、流体和应力场仿真及智能多模式控制系统领域的重要科研成果.文中分析了我国铝电解槽多物理场及在线动态仿真的研究现状与发展前景,并提出了未来我国在铝电解槽计算机仿真研究领域亟待解决的问题,即磁流体全槽模型的建立与分析;多物理场同一计算平台的耦合解析;铝电解槽的全息仿真技术、在线动态仿真技术以及焙烧启动方式、材料属性对铝电解槽运行影响的研究分析;强适用性、参数化建模应用软件的开发.     

The Internet: facilitating an international nursing culture for psychiatric nurses

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may develop a peripheral neuropathy, sometimes attributed to nutritional deficiency. Other patients present with a demyelinating neuropathy which is presumed to be the result of an autoimmune process that affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems. We report a case of concurring MS and demyelinating neuropathy, without a positive family history, in whom genetic testing proved the neuropathy to be hereditary and not autoimmune. Hereditary neuropathy should be a consideration in sporadic cases of peripheral neuropathy and MS.     

Substance abuse education for clinical nurses: a controlled study

BACKGROUND: A study was conducted to evaluate a substance abuse component of a workshop for nurses being promoted to the position of Advanced Clinical Nurse. METHODS: We compared whether the 88 nurses who received the educational intervention increased their knowledge and enhanced their feelings of competence regarding the care of chemically dependent patients more than a control group of nurses who received the promotion workshop without the substance abuse component. RESULTS: The nurses in the intervention group had greater increases in knowledge and competence. CONCLUSIONS: This study points out the importance of providing hospital nurses with continuing education on substance abuse to compensate for their educational deficiencies, to provide the information they need and desire, and to help them meet the ANA's practice standards.     

我国网络银行监管制度初探

网络银行的发展改变了银行的经营方式,它在给我们带来快捷便利的同时,也带来了额外的风险。文章提出应在适当借鉴国际经验的基础上,结合我国网络银行发展的实际情况,构建适应我国网络银行发展需要的监管体系。     

Identification, intervention and education: essential curriculum components for chemical dependency in nurses

BACKGROUND: A documented need exists for continuing education in the area of chemical dependency as it relates not only to patient care, but also to nurses who are susceptible to addiction. This is significant due to the fact that nurses are at risk for chemical dependency and many nurse peers are unable to recognize the signs of chemical dependency and therefore unable to actively intervene. CONCLUSION: According to the literature, which includes current research, nurses lack knowledge regarding specific risk factors, symptoms of chemical dependency in peers, and steps for intervention. In addition, the literature revealed that nursing curricula allot little time to chemical dependency issues. The results of a small-scale learning needs assessment support this literature finding. Continuing education courses can effectively educate nurses to be able to identify their own susceptibility and those of chemically dependent peers, intervene appropriately, and begin the healing process for the impaired nurse. This article outlines a curriculum and additional resources to address the learning needs of nurses related to chemical dependency.     

Role assignment and continuing education for college graduate nurses

The levels of alpha-granule membrane protein (GMP-140) on the surface of platelet and serum TXB2 were determined in 55 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and 20 healthy individuals before and after exercise test. Among the 55 CHD patients, 36 had positive and 19 had negative results. The number of GMP-140 molecules on the platelet surface and serum TXB2 level were significantly increased in the patients with positive exercise test, P < 0.05. The increase was transient and GMP-140 returned to the preexercise level 15 minutes after the exercise test. In contrast, GMP-140 and TXB2 levels were not elevated in CHD patients with negative exercise test and also in normal subjects after exercise. The result indicates that platelet activation may be related to the exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in CHD patients.     

Psychology of computer use: XLV. Cognitive spontaneity as a correlate of computer anxiety and attitudes toward computer use

The relationship of cognitive spontaneity with measures of computer anxiety and attitudes toward computer use was investigated in a sample of 178 individuals attending advanced courses in management. As expected, a significant negative relationship between cognitive spontaneity and computer anxiety was found. The relationship remained significant even with statistical control for computer experience. The relationship between cognitive spontaneity and attitudes toward computer use was positive but not significant. The results imply both a direct and an indirect relationship between cognitive spontaneity and computer anxiety. Further, the results support the suggestion that computer anxiety and attitudes toward computer use are related but distinct constructs.     

An international health and nursing informatics module for distance education

This paper describes why a module about health and nursing informatics is a necessary component for nursing education. Several developments in society and health care force health providers to manage the large amount of health data adequately. A module about health and nursing informatics was developed in international cooperation by three schools of nursing from Germany, The Netherlands and the UK. The content and learning activities of the realized example module for distance learning are described. Future plans include making this course material available in different languages on the World Wide Web.     

Compensatory education in Israel: Conceptions, attitudes, and trends.

Presents various approaches and perceptions concerning the progress of disadvantaged students in Israel, and discusses activities aimed at rehabilitation and achievement. The high incidence of school failure among students whose families immigrated from Middle and Near Eastern countries is caused by, on the one hand, the social and cultural conditions in the various countries of origin and, on the other, the crisis that occurred upon arrival in Israel. Because of the centrality of this problem, the country has devoted resources to compensatory education. Activities designed to prevent failure include manipulation (or literal change) of the educational environment and compensatory activities that teach or reinforce certain abilities and skills to different age groups (from birth to adolescence). The achievements of the Israeli educational system are presented in both educational and general social terms. Based on this summary, it is concluded that there has been success concerning the disadvantaged student, although the educational differences between various groups in the population remain problems to be overcome. (1? p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Subdoctoral education in psychology: A study of issues and attitudes.

Discusses several psychological conferences and committee's attitudes toward the desirability of "programs to train for psychological service at less than the doctoral level." 7 central areas of contention concerning subdoctoral training are (1) type of training, (2) level of training, (3) responsibility for training, (4) locus of training, (5) degree and/or title, (6) roles and duties, and (7) implications for psychology. The 7 issues served as the basis of the specific questions in a large scale survey. The sample (N = 4308) included American Psychological Association members of the Clinical, School, and Counseling Divisions of Psychology and chairmen of graduate departments of psychology. Results indicate that "the large majority of psychologists recognize the need for and approve the training of people at less than the doctoral level to do psychological work." A consensus as to how this is to be implemented was not reached. (17 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Instrumentation and computer technology: Applications and influences in modern psychology.

Notes that over the past several years, the most significant instrument influences in psychology have resulted from advances in and applications of computer technology. Various computer uses (e.g., micro- and minicomputers) and some guidelines for instrument purchase are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Occupational health nurses and occupational hygiene: a study of South African nurses' attitudes

The objectives of this study were to assess the current occupational hygiene practices of occupational health nurses and to assess their attitudes to the identification and initial quantification of workplace hazards. A questionnaire was mailed to all occupational health nurses registered with the South African Society of Occupational Health Nurses. Responses were obtained from 221 (53.7%). Responders and non-responders did not differ on key characteristics. Only 14 (6%) of the respondents performed occupational hygiene tasks as part of their routine work and only 31 (14%) volunteered hazard identification and quantification as tasks that would significantly improve practice. Nevertheless, when asked directly, 120 (54%) agreed that occupational hygiene fell into the ambit of occupational health nursing. Over 70% were positive about receiving theoretical and practical hygiene training. Constraints to greater hazard identification included limited time and resources and concern about intruding into the domains of other practitioners. Sufficient numbers of occupational health nurses were interested in identifying hazards in the workplace for training courses to be planned and offered now; however, restraints to practice need to be clarified and removed for these new skills to be used effectively.     

Integrating play and family therapy methods: A survey of play therapists' attitudes in the field.

The researchers surveyed 295 members of the Association for Play Therapy on their attitudes related to working with families when treating children. The results indicated the majority of play therapists held attitudes conducive to involving families in their approaches with children. However, mixed findings were found in specific areas related to the implementation of play therapy with families, suggesting barriers may exist. These mixed findings included a decreased percentage of play therapists that felt like play therapy was effective in family therapy when compared with the high level who felt that play and family therapy approaches could be integrated. Moreover, the respondents were divided on issues such as parents' willingness to be involved in therapy with their children and if parents were actually resistant to being included in sessions with their children. These mixed findings suggest that a wide range of attitudes and experiences about parental involvement exist among play therapists in the field. The authors raise key questions for the play therapy field to consider in more depth and suggest improvements that may be needed in play therapy education to increase the efficacy of play therapists' skills in working with families. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

现代远程教育教学站点的建设和发展

远程教育从已从函授、广播电视阶段发展到了网络阶段,基于互联网的远程教育,将在构建终身学习的社会框架中发挥重要作用。本文结合包钢职工大学现代远程教育教学站点的建立,论述了现代远程教育在学历教育、岗位培训和继续教育中的地位、作用以及发展前景。     

Advances in computer technology: impact on the practice of medicine

Advances in computer technology provide a wide range of applications which are revolutionizing the practice of medicine. The development of new software for the office creates a web of communication among physicians, staff members, health care facilities and associated agencies. This provides the physician with the prospect of a paperless office. At the other end of the spectrum, the development of 3D work stations and software based on computational chemistry permits visualization of protein molecules involved in disease. Computer assisted molecular modeling has been used to construct working 3D models of lens alpha-crystallin. The 3D structure of alpha-crystallin is basic to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in lens fiber cell maturation, stabilization of the inner nuclear region, the maintenance of lens transparency and cataractogenesis. The major component of the high molecular weight aggregates that occur during cataractogenesis is alpha-crystallin subunits. Subunits of alpha-crystallin occur in other tissues of the body. In the central nervous system accumulation of these subunits in the form of dense inclusion bodies occurs in pathological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis and toxoplasmosis (Iwaki, Wisniewski et al., 1992), as well as neoplasms of astrocyte origin (Iwaki, Iwaki, et al., 1991). Also cardiac ischemia is associated with an increased alpha B synthesis (Chiesi, Longoni et al., 1990). On a more global level, the molecular structure of alpha-crystallin may provide information pertaining to the function of small heat shock proteins, hsp, in maintaining cell stability under the stress of disease.