Effectiveness of abstinence-based incentives: Interaction with intake stimulant test results.

Intake urinalysis test result (drug positive vs. negative) has been previously identified as a strong predictor of drug abuse treatment outcome, but there is little information about how this prognostic factor may interact with the type of treatment delivered. The authors used data from a multisite study of abstinence incentives for stimulant abusers enrolled in outpatient counseling treatment (N. M. Petry, J. M. Peirce, et al., 2005) to examine this question. The first study urine was used to stratify participants into stimulant negative (n = 306) versus positive (n = 108) subgroups. Abstinence incentives significantly improved retention in those testing negative but not in those testing positive. Findings suggest that stimulant abusers presenting to treatment with a stimulant-negative urine benefit from abstinence incentives, but alternative treatment approaches are needed for those who test stimulant positive at intake. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attribute-oriented fuzzy generalization in proximity- and similarity-based relational database systems

In this article we investigate an attribute-oriented induction approach for acquisition of abstract knowledge from data stored in a fuzzy database environment. We utilize a proximity-based fuzzy database schema as the medium carrying the original information, where lack of precise information about an entity can be reflected via multiple attribute values, and the classical equivalence relation is replaced with the broader fuzzy proximity relation. We analyze in detail the process of attribute-oriented induction by concept hierarchies, utilizing the original properties of fuzzy databases to support this established data mining technique. In our approach we take full advantage of the implicit knowledge about the similarity of original attribute values, included by default in the investigated fuzzy database schemas. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 22: 763–779, 2007.     

Association between posttreatment gambling behavior and harm in pathological gamblers.

This study investigated the relationship between posttreatment gambling behavior and harm in a sample of treatment-seeking pathological gamblers. One year after initiating treatment, participants (n = 178) completed the Gambling Timeline Followback (D. C. Hodgins & K. Makarchuk, 2003; J. Weinstock, J. P. Whelan, & A. W. Meyers, 2004) and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS; H. R. Lesieur & S. B. Blume, 1987), both of which assessed gambling behaviors and problems over the prior 6 months. Based upon self-reports of gambling-related problems on the SOGS, participants were classified as problem free (SOGS scores = 0) or symptomatic gamblers (SOGS scores ≥ 1). Receiver operator characteristic curves evaluated classification by gambling behaviors for individuals classified in these 2 groups. Behavioral indicators for problem-free gambling were gambling no more than once per month, gambling for no more than 1.5 hr per month, and spending no more than 1.9% of monthly income on gambling. Alternative behavioral indicators were examined along a continuum of harm (SOGS cut-points of 1-5). These results provide preliminary data regarding intensity of gambling behavior associated with problem-free to probable pathological gambling in gamblers who presented for treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Health correlates of pathological gambling in a methadone maintenance clinic.

This study compared methadone maintenance patients with and without pathological gambling (n = 167). Participants completed a self-report survey assessing lifetime pathological gambling and past-2-month gambling behavior, and they completed the SF-12v2 Health Survey (J. E. Ware, M. Kosinski, & S. D. Keller, 1996), a measure of current mental and physical health. In the sample, 52.7% were classified as lifetime pathological gamblers, and the majority of pathological gamblers were actively gambling within the past 2 months. Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that methadone maintenance patients with pathological gambling had significantly poorer mental and physical health than methadone maintenance patients without pathological gambling. These results suggest that pathological gamblers receiving methadone maintenance may benefit from additional psychosocial services. In fact, most pathological gamblers in the sample expressed interest in gambling-related services. These results extend previous research in other populations that has found that pathological gamblers report poorer mental and physical health than nonpathological gamblers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Expression of connexin 43 and gap junctional intercellular communication in the cumulus-oocyte complex in sheep

To evaluate the effects of FSH, LH and/or cAMP on expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in the ovine cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) and gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) of cumulus cells, two experiments were carried out. In experiment 1, Cx43 was immunodetected in the COC, before or after maturation, obtained from non-treated or FSH-treated ewes. The expression of Cx43 in the COC was greater (P < 0.01) on day 16 than on day 15 of the estrous cycle. In vivo FSH treatment decreased (P < 0.02) Cx43 expression on day 16 but not on day 15 of the estrous cycle. In experiment 2, intact COCs or isolated cumulus cells obtained from small and large follicles from FSH-treated ewes were cultured with or without FSH, LH or cAMP agonist and evaluated for GJIC by laser cytometry. For large follicles, the basal rate of GJIC was greater (P < 0.01) for cumulus cells in intact COCs than for isolated cumulus cells. FSH increased (P < 0.04) GJIC in cumulus cells in intact COCs and tended to increase (P < 0.1) GJIC in isolated cumulus cells from small follicles but decreased (P < 0.01) GJIC in cumulus cells in intact COCs from large follicles. LH also increased (P < 0.01) GJIC in isolated cumulus cells from small follicles but decreased GJIC in intact COCs (P < 0.01) and isolated cumulus cells (P < 0.02) from large follicles. cAMP increased (P < 0.01) the GJIC in both intact COCs and cumulus cells from small and large follicles. These results indicate that day of estrous cycle, stage of maturation and duration of FSH treatment affect expression of Cx43 in ovine COCs. In intact COCs, GJIC in cumulus cells was enhanced, probably due to the presence of the oocyte. In addition, the effects of FSH and LH, but not cAMP, on GJIC of cumulus cells depended on the stage of follicular development and on the presence of the oocyte.     

A randomized trial of contingency management delivered in the context of group counseling.

Objective: Contingency management (CM) is efficacious in reducing drug use. Typically, reinforcers are provided on an individual basis to patients for submitting drug-negative samples. However, most treatment is provided in a group context, and poor attendance is a substantial concern. This study evaluated whether adding CM to group-based outpatient treatment would increase attendance and drug abstinence relative to standard care. Method: Substance abusing patients (N = 239) initiating outpatient treatment at 2 community-based clinics were randomized to standard care with frequent urine sample monitoring for 12 weeks (SC) or that same treatment with CM delivered in the context of group counseling sessions. In the CM condition, patients earned opportunities to put their names in a hat based on attendance and submission of drug-negative samples. At group counseling sessions, therapists selected names randomly from the hat, and individuals whose names were drawn won prizes ranging from $1 to $100. Results: Patients assigned to CM earned a median of $160 in prizes, and they attended significantly more days of treatment (d = 0.25), remained in treatment for more continuous weeks (d = 0.40), and achieved longer durations of drug abstinence (d = 0.26) than patients randomized to SC. Group adherence and therapeutic alliance also improved with CM. In addition, HIV risk behaviors were significantly lower in CM relative to SC patients during early phases of treatment and at the 12-month follow-up. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that CM delivered in the context of outpatient group counseling can increase attendance and improve drug abstinence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

How treatments for pathological gambling can be informed by treatments for substance use disorders.

Substance use disorders and pathological gambling share similarities in terms of diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, and clinical course. However, relatively few studies have evaluated the efficacy of treatments for gambling disorders. As interest in pathological gambling grows, adaptation of effective treatments from the field of substance abuse may advance the study of treatment for pathological gambling. This article reviews the similarities and differences between pathological gambling and substance use disorders. It describes psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments for substance use disorders and their translation to pathological gambling. Future research should consider investigating the onset and course of pathological gambling within the context of other psychiatric disorders, biological abnormalities associated with gambling, and combined effects of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of this disorder. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A framework for linguistic relevance feedback in content-based image retrieval using fuzzy logic

We describe a new approach for exploiting relevance feedback in content-based image retrieval (CBIR). In our approach to relevance feedback we try to capture more of the users’ relevance judgments by allowing the use of natural language like comments on the retrieved images. Using methods from fuzzy logic and computational intelligence we are able to reflect these comments into new targets for searching the image database. Such enhanced information is utilized to develop a system that can provide more effective and efficient retrieval.     

Prechallenge high neutralizing antibodies and long-lasting immune reactivity to gp41 correlate with protection of rhesus monkeys against productive simian immunodeficiency virus infection or disease development

This article aims to explore the ethical issues arising from the sharing of information in the context of interprofessional collaboration. The increased emphasis on interprofessional working has highlighted the need for greater collaboration and sharing of client information. Through the medium of a case study, we identify a number of tensions that arise from collaborative relationships, which are not conducive to supporting interprofessional working in an ethically sound manner. Within this article, it is argued that the way forward within these collaborative relationships is to set clear parameters to the professional-client relationship, paying full regard to the autonomy of both the clients and the professionals involved. We conclude that this approach to working will place the client at the centre of care provision and arguments used for not collaborating that are based on breaches of confidentiality will be negated. Using the approach offered, collaborative working will be not only possible but desirable.     

Beitrag zur Messung der spezifischen elektrischen Leitfähigkeit von Schlacken

Bestimmung der Zellkonstante aus Impedanzmessungen einer KCl-Salzlösung. Impedanzmessung einer ESU-Schlacke und einer CaF₂-Schmelze. Berechnung der Ortskurven, der spezifischen Leitwerte der Elektrolyte und der Meßfehler. Diskussion der für den Zellaufbau wichtigen Kriterien.