Academic Progression and Retention Policies of Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy

Objective. To describe academic progression and retention policies used by US colleges and schools of pharmacy.Methods. Student handbooks on the Web sites of 122 colleges and schools of pharmacy were reviewed between February 2012 and May 2012.Results. Data were available and obtained from 98 (80%) programs. Most used grade point average (GPA) as a criterion for progression, with 66% requiring a minimum GPA of 2.0. Cumulative GPA was the most frequently used criteria for probation. Most handbooks did not address remediation, but 38% noted that a failed course could only be retaken once. The most common criteria for dismissal were the cumulative number of times a student was on probation. The graduation requirements of most programs were a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and completion of the program within 6 years of enrollment. Conclusions. Colleges and schools of pharmacy use various criteria for academic progression and retention and frequently provide incomplete or inadequate information related to probation, progression, and dismissal. Information regarding remediation and academic performance during experiential learning is lacking. A clearinghouse containing institutional data related to progression and retention would assist programs in developing academic policies. The study also highlights the need for ACPE to ensure this information is provided to students.     

Remediation of learning difficulties in children after treatment for a cerebellar medulloblastoma: A single-case study

In the process of establishing a methodology for individualized remediation programmes in children treated for cerebellar tumour, this study followed prospectively over 11 years a young child treated for a medulloblastoma at 18 months of age throughout the rehabilitation process. Repeated neuropsychological and academic evaluations evidenced temporary disruptive behaviour, deficient manual and visual abilities, attention and working memory difficulties, but preserved language abilities, in relation with vermian and left cerebellar damage. However, the described remediation programmes and interventions allowed the child to have fluent progression in school. Limits and benefits of rehabilitation are discussed.

Con el propósito de establecer una metodología para los programas de remedio individualizados en niños tratados por tumores cerebelares, se estudiaron en forma prospectiva durante 11 años a niños de 18 meses de edad tratados por un meduloblastoma, a lo largo del proceso de rehabiitación. En relación al daño cerebelar y vermiano se pusieron en evidencia, a través de evaluaciones académicas y neuropsicológicas aplicadas en forma repetida, una conducta alterada en forma temporal, una deficiencia en las habilidades visuales y manuales, y la presencia de dificultades en la atención y en la memoria de trabajo, pero sin alteraciones en el lenguaje. Sin embargo, los programas de remedio y las intervenciones descritos le permitieron al niño tener una progreso correcto en la escuela. Se discuten los beneficios y los límites de la rehabilitación. Palabras clave: Cerebelo, meduloblastoma, remedio, resultado, rehabilitación en equipo     

The Effect of Reading Interventions among Poor Readers at a Forensic Psychiatric Clinic

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a short period, 15 sessions, of reading interventions in a sample of adult forensic psychiatric patients: 61 patients with decoding difficulties – 44 in the experimental group and 17 in the comparison group – with an average age of 31.6 participated. Of these, 36% were female, and 29% had an immigrant background. The participants carried out a battery of reading tests. The results in the experimental group showed a medium effect size (d = .36 to .76) on all reading tests between pre- and post-test. The comparison group, however, showed no gain at all between the test occasions. The results indicate that a proportionally low reading intervention effort produces improvement in reading. This study discusses the importance of including reading assessment and offering remediation in order to reach optimal future social adjustment for patients in forensic clinics.     

MODen : programme d’éducation thérapeutique dans la schizophrénie centré sur l’équilibre alimentaire et le plaisir,sollicitant les fonctions cognitives : étude pilote

IntroductionSchizophrenia causes psychological difficulties (with positive and/or negative symptoms) as well as cognitive disabilities (attention, memory, executive functions and social cognition). Moreover, 40 to 60% of patients suffer from an excess of weight or obesity (due to bad eating habits, eating disorders or medication). All these difficulties impair their autonomy and their insertion into the society. In this context, setting-up a therapeutic tool, which may have cognitive benefits seems relevant. Thus, MODen is a therapeutic educational tool whose aim is to improve cognitive functions and the symptoms by using “nutritional balance” as an aid.MethodIn this treatment program, two therapists lead a group of 5 to 8 patients which group meets once a week during two to four hours for 16 weeks, divided in 4 cycles. The first three weeks of each cycle consists of theoretical instruction: patients talk about their eating habits, information is given about nutritional balance and preparation of meals. In the different cycles, flexibility, planning, memory and attention are trained. For instance, the work on categorisation of foods and nutritional balance allow enhancing flexibility abilities. Writing down the lists of different ingredients needed for one week's meals and preparation of meals train planning abilities. MODen also takes into account ecological issues such as the limited budget of patients to do their shopping (this budget is around 4 euros per meal in France). The budget is also linked to planning abilities and reasoning. Finally, during the last session of each cycle the group prepares a meal (from the shopping to cooking). This last session is all about sharing and social cognition abilities. By the end of the program, patients will have prepared four meals together. Also “homework” has to be done each week in order to facilitate memorisation of what has been learned during the last session and to prepare the beginning of the next session.ResultsIn a pilot study with 8 patients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV), improvements in PANSS negative symptoms and disorganization (respectively P < 0.02; P < 0.02) were observed. An underlying improvement at BECS scores was also observed (P < 0.08). Regarding those preliminary results as well as the ecological qualities of this program, this therapeutic tool could be relevant in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia.     

Impact of environmental biofilms: Industrial components and its remediation

The growth of technology and requirements globally for various commodities has brought about new challenges. Biofilms are aggregations of microbial cells, which contaminate and spoil industrial components and environments. These microbial cells with extracellular polymeric substances colonize living and nonliving surfaces and pose a serious problem for all industries, affecting their processes, leading to a reduction of product quality and economic loss. Industries, such as medical, food, water, dairy, wine, marine, power plants are exposed to biofilm formation. Pipe blockages, waterlogging and reduction of the heat-transfer efficiency, hamper the operating system of plants. Many industries do not set up remedial measures to control biofilm formation as they are not aware of this threat. Various conventional methods to control these biofilms are adopted by industries in their regular workflow, but these are temporary solutions. This calls for further research into remediation of the biofilm and its control for industrial components. This review article addresses the problems of biofilms and proposes solutions for various industrial components. Nanotechnology promises several options, and bring about a new aspect into the industrial economy, by solving the problems of environmental biofilms.     

The Impact of Pharmacy Students’ Remediation Status on NAPLEX First-Time Pass Rates

Objective. To determine whether there is a difference in pass rates on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) between students who did and did not require remediation for deficient course grades.Methods. Student-specific data were collected regarding course grade deficiencies and completion of a comprehensive examination or course for remediation. Student-specific first-time NAPLEX performance data for the graduating classes of 2008, 2009, and 2011were provided by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).Results. A significant difference was found in first-time NAPLEX mean pass rates between students who did not need to undergo remediation versus those who did ( 97% vs 70%).Conclusion. Students requiring remediation for deficient course grades had a lower pass rate on the NAPLEX compared with those who did not require remediation. The difference can be attributed to several factors and therefore further study is needed.     

Incense stick ash as a novel and sustainable adsorbent for sequestration of Victoria Blue from aqueous phase

The present investigation assessed the applicability of incense stick ash, a novel and sustainable adsorbent for remediation of Victoria Blue dye from wastewater. Incense stick ash, without any physical and chemical treatment has been applied to investigate the influence of various experimental parameters as pH, loading of adsorbent, concentration, shaking time, temperature and ionic strength on Victoria Blue remediation in a batch operation. Incense stick ash was characterized using BET, DLS, SEM-EDS, FTIR and XRD techniques. BET surface area, pore volume and pore diameter of incense stick ash are obtained as 2.245 m² g^?1, 0.0118 cm³ g^?1 and 21.02 nm, respectively. Average particle size of the adsorbent is obtained as 293.2 nm. Goodness of the fit of isotherm and kinetic model to the reported data was identified based on chi squared and coefficient of determination values. Isotherm and kinetic behavior was best represented by Freundlich and pseudo 2nd order equation, respectively. Boyd model confirmed involvement of film diffusion mechanism along with intra-particle for adsorption of Victoria Blue on incense stick ash. Maximum dye uptake was reported as 105.57 mg g^?1. Thermodynamic study revealed spontaneous and favorable adsorption of Victoria Blue on incense stick ash at higher temperature. The performed elution and subsequent regeneration study implied desorption capability of incense stick ash and its applicability as a fresh adsorbent for further cycle of adsorption. The overall study implied scavenging potential of incense stick ash, a novel and sustainable adsorbent available at zero cost towards Victoria Blue removal.