Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Background: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education recently proposed an optimal P/S ratio of 1:1 on APEs. Intuitively, such a ratio enables an optimal learning environment; however, objective evidence to support this 1:1 ratio is lacking. The objective of this study is to compare the preceptor and student evaluations of 1:1 vs. 1:2 P/S ratios on APE.

Methods: IRB approval was obtained. Clerkship records of students assigned to full-time faculty preceptors between August 2003 and December 2005 were reviewed to identify cases and controls. Cases were identified as a sole student assigned to the preceptor (P/S 1:1) and controls as students assigned to the same preceptor/rotation with P/S of 1:2. Further, cases and controls were matched for program (accelerated vs traditional) and timing of rotation (+/- 3 modules apart from case). The primary outcome measure was the student and preceptor evaluation; numeric data were compared using non-parametric tests. Written comments specific to the presence/absence of an additional student were evaluated for a preference of P/S 1:1 or 1:2.

Results: Twenty –two case/control pairs of students assigned to 15 preceptors were identified. Comparison of 33 student and 20 preceptor numeric evaluation items demonstrated no differences (p > 0.14). Five students (3 cases, 2 controls) and 5 preceptors (3 cases, 2 controls) offered comment; of students, 3 preferred 1:2, and 2 preferred 1:1; of preceptors, 2 preferred 1:2 and 3 were neutral.

Implications: This small sample shows no difference in student or preceptor evaluations with respect to P/S ratios of 1:1 or 1:2.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The abstinence, be faithful and condom use (ABC) approach for HIV/AIDS prevention is criticized for its lack of gender sensitiveness. Gender inequality in heterosexual relationships is increasingly being cited as an important determinant of the higher rate of HIV infection among women in sub-Saharan Africa. Using a population-based survey of 1418 women aged 20 to 44 in Moshi Urban District (Moshi) in northern Tanzania, this study examined the hypothesis that gender inequality (violence at first intercourse, lifetime physical violence, couple’s age difference and partner’s financial contribution) elevates women’s HIV risk even after adjustment for other risk behaviors. Women had increased risk of HIV-1 infection if their partners were at least ten years older, or their partners made low financial contributions to the household, after controlling for risk behaviors and background characteristics. The effect of forced first intercourse on HIV-1 infection was explained away by inequalities in current relationship and other risk behaviors, while lifetime physical violence was not associated with HIV-1 infection. This study provided further evidence that the women’s subordination in sexual relationships in sub-Saharan Africa increases the spread of HIV among women. Thus, addressing gender inequality should be given higher priority in HIV prevention programs.

Supporting Publications:
Supporting Document

Publication Type: Poster
Abstract: Beta cell replacement therapy via islet transplantation is a promising possibility for the optimal treatment of type 1 diabetes. However, such an approach is severely limited by the shortage of donor organs. This problem could be overcome if transplantable islets can be generated from stem cells. We showed previously that adult beta cells could originate from duct or duct-associated cells. Ductal progenitor cells in the pancreas are thus particularly useful target for therapies that target beta cell replacement in diabetic patients, since duct cell types are abundantly available in the pancreas of these patients or in donor organs. We have tested various embryonic transcription factors in adult mouse and human duct cells for their effectiveness in inducing differentiation of ductal cells into insulin producing cells. Transfection with an adenovirus expressing PDX-1, Ngn3, NeuroD, or Pax4 induced expression of the insulin gene. The Pax4 adenovirus strongly induced Ngn3 expression, while Pax 4 is considered the downstream target of Ngn3. These data suggest that over-expression of transcription factors facilitates pancreatic progenitor cell differentiation into insulin-producing cells.
Currently we are examining the potential of embryonic stem (ES) cells differentiation. Specific aims of our research include establishing a protocol for the enrichment of definitive endoderm from murine embryonic stem cells, and investigating the biologic affects of these developmentally associated transcription factors in inducing the differentiation of murine ES cells into pancreatic -like cells. Our goal is to provide useful information with respect to the optimization of differentiation protocols and improvement of -cell function for the treatment of diabetes.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: While communication scholars suggest that the Internet can serve as an important resource for social movement communication, few studies examine whether and how social movements actually use the Internet. This paper examines social movement Internet use by surveying how national social movement organizations utilize this communication resource at one of its most visible points of access, the World Wide Web. Drawing on alternative media studies, the paper develops a typology that identifies the communication functions most central to social movements and surveys the Web sites of social movement organizations (SMOs) to determine the degree to which their Web-based activities and attributes perform these functions. The survey results suggest that the majority of national SMOs are not utilizing the Web to its full potential and posits a number of reasons why this might be the case, including organizational objectives, organizational resources, and the structure of the larger Web-based networks of which SMOs are a part.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper examines biological, chemical, and nuclear warfare preparedness exercises involving the United States and allied states (especially Canada and the European Union). We draw upon research examining preparedness exercises in the United States presented at ISA 2004 (and currently under submission). However, we expand our research cross-nationally, laying the foundation for a larger research project examining biowar and other preparedness exercises across the globe. We argue that biological warfare preparedness exercises are not designed solely to test the internal security and public health apparatus of individual states, and the links between such apparatuses of allied states. Rather, they are also explicitly designed as forms of information warfare and perception management, targeted both at reassuring civilian populations of states' ability to respond to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents, and to communicate a message of deterrence to potential enemies. These include domestic or transnational terrorist networks, criminal organizations, and state actors. We locate the current counterterror and homeland security(US)/civil protection (EU)/resilience (UK) mobilization in a broader historical context by comparing current preparedness exercises and guidelines to civil defense exercises and guidelines of the Second World War and Cold War conducted by the US and allied states (especially NATO exercises). Our core cases include TOPOFF (Top Officials) 1and 2, and the upcoming TOPOFF 3 preparedness exercises, which are centered in the United States but have also have a distinct international composition (TOPOFF 2 involved Canada and TOPOFF 3 will involve the UK). We also include Global Mercury (Canada, Spring 2004) and the upcoming Summer 2004 European Union joint biowar attack desktop exercise. We analyze these cases both qualitatively and quantitatively based on a content analysis of official dialogue, media coverage, and public opinion data regarding the exercises. We examine the discourse used by the planners and participants in these exercises at both the multilateral, bilateral, federal/central, state/provincial and local levels. We conclude with an assessment of the effectiveness of these preparedness exercises in meeting their proclaimed goals. The case studies are designed to answer the questions posed in our title: do these exercises demonstrate preparations that will prevent terrorist acts, or at least dramatically lessen the consequences of such attacks? Are the exercises necessary tests of the capacity of internal security apparatuses and public health systems (the first responders) to cope with likely scenarios? Or are the exercises staged events and perception management aimed more at assuring civilian populations and deterring potential enemies than providing rigorous tests of domestic security systems?