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Initial Levels (initial + level)
Selected AbstractsINITIAL LEVELS OF DIFFERENTIATION AND REDUCTION IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS FOR CLIENTS IN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPYJOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, Issue 1 2005Suzanne Bartle-Haring Using Bowen Family Systems Theory as a theoretical underpinning, in this study, we investigated the hypothesis that clients with higher levels of differentiation would improve more quickly in therapy than clients with lower levels of differentiation. Hierarchical Linear Modeling was used to analyze the data over nine sessions of therapy in a sample from an on-campus training clinic. The results suggest that there was variation in the initial levels of psychological symptoms and that differentiation was a significant predictor of this variance. The results also suggest that although psychological symptoms decreased over the nine sessions of therapy, there was very little variance in this change. These results are discussed in relation to Bowen Theory. The difficulties of doing this type of research and the lessons learned from this project are also discussed. [source] Sexual orientation and substance use trajectories in emerging adulthoodADDICTION, Issue 7 2010Amelia E. Talley ABSTRACT Aims The current study examined developmental changes in substance use behaviors (SUBS) based upon sexual orientation. The analyses also attempted to address a number of methodological limitations in the extant longitudinal literature (i.e. distinct operationalizations of sexual orientation, timing of sexual orientation assessment with respect to reports of SUBs, non-linear growth). Participants Data were drawn from a longitudinal study of incoming first-time college students at a large public university (n = 3720). Design After a paper-and-pencil assessment just prior to matriculation, participants completed a web-based survey every fall and spring for 4 years (sub-sample n = 2854). Findings Latent growth models revealed that sexual minorities demonstrated significant heterogeneity with regard to substance use trajectories. Initial levels and trajectories of the frequency of substance use for sexual minority individuals were distinct, generally, from their exclusively heterosexual peers. Methodologically, the timing of the assessment of sexual orientation influenced the results, and modeling non-linear components indicated that sexual minorities are at risk for exponential increases in their frequency of certain SUBs over time (i.e. drunkenness; cannabis use). Conclusions Sexual minority and majority individuals exhibited differences in SUBs during emerging adulthood, especially when using self-identification to define sexual orientation. Individuals who endorsed a sexual minority self-identification at the onset of emerging adulthood, as opposed to 4 years later, evidenced exponential increases in rates of drunkenness and cannabis use. These results support that the timing of assessment is important and that some trajectories of sexual minority SUBs are non-linear during this developmental period. [source] Effects of Fungal Phytase on Utilization of Dietary Protein and Minerals, and Dephosphorylation of Phytic Acid in the Alimentary Tract of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Fed an All-Plant-Protein DietJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2002Weibing Yan A feeding trial was conducted to quantify the effects of phytase at levels of 0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000 units (U) per kg diet on utilization of dietary protein and minerals by fingerling (12 g) channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus fed an all-plant-protein diet composed of soybean meal, corn, and wheat middlings. The effects of phytase on dephosphorylation of phytic acid (phytate) in the alimentary tract of catfish also were determined. After 14 wk, mean weight gains (30.2,43.9 g/fish), feed conversion ratios (2.27,2.40 g feed consumed/g weight gain), protein efficiency ratios (1.47,1.61 g weight gaid/g protein consumed), and dietary protein retentions (23.8,26.7%) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among treatment groups. A digestibility trial conducted after the feeding trial showed no difference (P > 0.05) in mean digestibility of diet dry matter (49.0,58.3%) or crude protein (85.4-88.5%) among treatment groups. Concentrations of ash (46.7,48.6%), calcium (Ca, 17.9,18.5%), phosphorus (P, 9.1,9.5%), and manganese (Mn, 65.5,74.1 mg/kg) were significantly higher (P , 0.05) in bone of fish fed , 500 U/kg than in bone of fish fed 0 U/kg (ash, 43.5%; Ca, 16.4%; P, 8.4%; and Mn, 49.0 ma/kg), but concentrations of these minerals did not differ (P > 0.05) in bone of fish fed , 500 Uk/g. The magnesium (Mg) content of bone did not differ (P > 0.05) between fish fed 0 U/kg (0.29%) or 500 U/kg (0.34%), but was significantly lower in fish fed 0 U/kg than in fish fed , 1,000 U/kg (0.35,37%). Bone Mg levels did not differ (P > 0.05) among fish fed , 500 U/kg. The amount of zinc (Zn) in bone of fish fed 8,000 U/kg (153.3 mg/kg) was significantly higher than that in fish fed 0 U/kg (115.7 mg/kg) or 500 U/kg (130.3 mg/ kg), but did not differ from Zn levels in bone of fish fed 1,000,4,000 U/kg (134.5,135.8 mg/ kg). Dephosphorylation of phytate occurred primarily in the stomach within 2,8 h after diet ingestion, depending on the level of phytase supplementation. Initial levels of total phytate in the diet decreased 32,94% in stomach contents of fish fed l,000,8,000 U/kg within 2 h after feeding. Eight hours after feeding, stomach contents of fish fed , 1,000 U/kg contained less than 6% of initial total dietary phytate. Stomach contents of fish fed 500 U/kg retained 92% of initial total dietary phytate 2 h after feeding and 15% of total dietary phytate 8 h after feeding. Results of this study indicate that phytase supplementation at levels up to 8,000 U/kg diet did not increase weight gain or improve dietary protein utilization of channel catfish fed an all-plant-protein diet. Addition of phytase at a level of 1,000 U/kg diet was sufficient to significantly increase the Ca, P, Mg, and Mn content of bone, relative to fish fed an unsupplemented diet, and significantly decrease the quantity of total phytate in feces. A phytase level of 8,000 U/kg diet significantly increased the bioavailability of naturally occurring Zn in feed ingredients and increased the rate of phytate dephosphorylation in the stomach, compared with a diet containing no added phytase. Increased utilization of naturally occurring minerals in feed ingredients reduces the need for mineral supplements in diets and results in decreased elimination of minerals in feces. Thus, use of phytase in catfish feeds can be expected to provide both economic and environmental benefits. [source] Effects of a brief intervention on social support and psychiatric morbidity in breast cancer patientsPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 4 2002J. Steven A. Simpson (1) To cross-sectionally and longitudinally investigate relationships between the availability and adequacy of both close personal attachment and interactional support, and psychiatric morbidity in a sample of early stage breast cancer patients participating in a 6-week psychoeducational intervention. (2) To address the question of directionality in these longitudinal relationships. (3) To investigate the effects of the intervention on levels of social support. Eighty-nine women were enrolled in the study, and randomly assigned to either the treatment or control condition. They were evaluated with the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction (ISSI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Global Severity Index (GSI) of the Symptom Checklist (SCL) ,90-R, and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID) at three time periods: baseline (pre-intervention), 1 year post-intervention and 2 years post-intervention. Relationships between social support and the psychiatric measures were evaluated both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Cross-sectionally, there were strong associations at each time period between being diagnosed with a DSM-III-R Axis I disorder and having less adequate perceived social support from both close relationships and more distant social ties. Initial levels of psychiatric symptoms on the BDI and GSI were better predictors of later social support than initial social support variables were of later psychiatric symptoms. Participation in the group intervention did not result in changes in social support at 1 or 2 years post-intervention. Cross-sectionally, there was a strong relationship between social support and psychiatric morbidity in these patients with early-stage breast cancer. Longitudinally, it appeared that although social support influenced psychiatric symptomatology somewhat, the influence of psychiatric symptoms on social support was greater. This illustrates the importance of both working to bolster social support and dealing with psychiatric symptomatology in this population. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Parents Do Matter: Trajectories of Change in Externalizing and Internalizing Problems in Early AdolescenceCHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2003Nancy L. Galambos This study examined the relative influence of three parenting behaviors (support, behavioral control, and psychological control) and deviant peers on trajectories of externalizing and internalizing problems in early adolescence. A white, working-to-middle-class sample of adolescents and their mothers and fathers in two-earner families participated in a 3½-year longitudinal study (N=lies). The study began when the adolescents were in sixth grade (M age=rs). Analyses showed that parents' firm behavioral control seemed to halt the upward trajectory in externalizing problems among adolescents with deviant peers. Initial levels of internalizing problems were higher among adolescents with parents who reported lower levels of behavioral control and among adolescents with deviant peers. This study suggests that parenting exerts an important influence in adolescents' lives and may do so even in the face of potentially negative peer influence. [source] FSH and ovarian response: spontaneous recovery of pituitary,ovarian activity during the pill-free period vs. exogenous recombinant FSH during high-dose combined oral contraceptivesCLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 4 2002A. M. Van Heusden Summary ojbective Compare spontaneous recovery of pituitary,ovarian activity during the pill-free period following the correct use of low-dose oral contraceptives and subsequent ovarian function during the administration of exogenous recombinant FSH (recFSH) after switching to continued Lyndiol® (2·5 mg lynestrenol + 0·05 mg ethinyl-oestradiol) medication. design Prospective, randomized, group-comparative, single-centre study. Following the monitoring of the pill-free period (week 1) and subsequent treatment with Lyndiol® (for a total of 5 weeks), all subjects were randomly allocated to one of four groups receiving daily FSH injections for 1 week [75, 150, 225 IU recFSH or 150 IU purified urinary FSH (uFSH)] during the fourth week of Lyndiol® use. patients Thirty-six healthy volunteers aged 18,39 years, prestudy oral contraceptive use for at least 3 months, cycle length between 24 and 35 days. measurements Serum FSH, LH and oestradiol (E2) concentrations as well as transvaginal ultrasound assessment of the number and diameter of follicles > 2 mm were used to monitor pituitary ovarian function. results At the start of the pill-free period following the prestudy contraceptive medication, 67% of the women presented with LH and FSH levels < 1 IU/l and only one follicle > 10 mm was observed. Initial levels of LH and FSH correlated (P < 0·05) with the extent of pituitary,ovarian activity during the pill-free period. At the end of the pill-free period a follicle > 10 mm had emerged in one subject only. During the first 3 days of Lyndiol® use, seven women (19%) eventually showed at least one follicle > 10 mm. During combined exogenous FSH and Lyndiol® administration, LH levels remained completely suppressed (, 0·5 IU/l) in all women studied. FSH levels and number and size of follicles increased with increasing doses of exogenous FSH in a dose-dependent manner. E2 levels remained low in all groups (< 150 pmol/l). During the week following FSH administration, FSH levels and E2 levels decreased gradually while the number of follicles > 10 mm still increased. conclusions We have confirmed that dominant follicles > 10 mm are present at the end of the pill-free period and during the first days after resumption of pill intake. Once follicles > 10 mm arose at the end of the pill-free period, continued use of Lyndiol® did not reduce follicle diameters. One week of Lyndiol® reduces pituitary,ovarian activity to levels observed after 3 weeks of low-dose pills. FSH administration during Lyndiol® resulted in dose-dependent follicle growth despite extremely low LH levels. E2 secretion (56 ± 51 pmol/l) occurred to a limited and variable extent along with extremely low serum LH concentrations. Recovery of pituitary,ovarian activity at the end of the pill-free period is comparable to FSH levels and follicle dynamics following 7 days of 75,150 IU/l recFSH. [source] Rumination as a predictor of drinking behaviour in alcohol abusers: a prospective studyADDICTION, Issue 6 2010Gabriele Caselli ABSTRACT Aims To investigate the role of depression and rumination in predicting drinking status (absence or presence of alcohol use) and level of alcohol use at 3, 6 and 12 months following a brief course of cognitive,behavioural therapy for alcohol abuse. Methods A total of 80 out-patients with a diagnosis of alcohol abuse completed measures of depression (Beck Depression Inventory), rumination (Ruminative Responses Scale) and alcohol use (Quantity,Frequency Scale). Results These indicated that rumination predicted drinking status and level of alcohol use at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up. The contribution of rumination was independent of depression and initial level of alcohol use. Conclusions The results confirm that rumination is an important prospective predictor of drinking status and level of alcohol use in alcohol abusers and highlight the potential relevance of targeting rumination in the treatment of alcohol abuse. [source] Does sports participation during adolescence prevent later alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use?ADDICTION, Issue 1 2009Tove Wichstrøm ABSTRACT Aims To study whether participation in organized sports during adolescence predicts increased smoking of tobacco, alcohol intoxication and cannabis use from late adolescence to adulthood when controlling for potential confounders. Moreover, to study whether such increased drug use varies according to type of sport (team versus individual), main skills needed (endurance, strength or technical) and level of competition. Design, setting and participants Survey of national sample of Norwegian high school students (aged 13,19 years) in 1992 (T1) followed-up in 1994 (T2), 1999 (T3) and 2006 (T4) (n = 3251). Measurements Outcome measures included smoking of tobacco and 12-month prevalences of alcohol intoxication and cannabis use, respectively. Confounders included pubertal timing, friends' drug use, perceived social acceptance, grades and parental socio-economic status. Findings Latent growth curve analyses showed that initial level of participation in organized sports predicted growth in alcohol intoxication. Those involved initially in team sports had greater growth in alcohol intoxication, but lower growth in tobacco use and cannabis use, during the adolescent and early adult years compared to those involved in technical or strength sports. Practising endurance sports, as opposed to technical or strength sports, predicted reduced growth in alcohol intoxication and tobacco use. Conclusions Sports participation in adolescence, and participation in team sports in particular, may increase the growth in alcohol intoxication during late adolescent and early adult years, whereas participation in team sports and endurance sports may reduce later increase in tobacco and cannabis use. [source] The Birth of the CAP Die Geburt der GAP La naissance de la PACEUROCHOICES, Issue 2 2008David R. Stead Summary The Birth of the CAP Fifty years ago, a Conference was held at Stresa which could be said to be the single event that most appropriately marks the birth of the CAP. Although five policy objectives had been written into the 1957 Treaty of Rome, these have been widely criticised for being vague and contradictory, and the Treaty contained very few stipulations on the specific policy instruments to be adopted. The Stresa Conference made important, but incomplete, progress towards finalising the policy framework. Most notably, it was generally agreed to avoid a level of price support that created unwanted commodity surpluses and inhibited structural adjustment. But these good intentions, and the positive ,European spirit' of the Conference, began to unravel as soon as the fraught decisions were taken on the details of unifying the protectionist agricultural policies of six different countries. In particular, the decision to fix the initial level of common cereals prices at the upper end of the national spread set an unsatisfactory reference point for other support prices; and an attempt to introduce a genuine common structural policy was rejected. At the turn of the 1970s, the CAP was clearly unbalanced and protectionist, but the Community's first fully-fledged common policy had been constructed. Il y a cinquante ans, s'est tenue à Stresa une Conférence qui pourrait être considérée comme l'évènement unique qui marque le mieux la naissance de la PAC. Bien que cinq objectifs pour l'action publique aient été inscrits dans le Traité de Rome en 1957, leur caractère imprécis et contradictoire a fait l'objet de nombreuses critiques et le Traité ne comportait que de très rares indications sur les instruments de politique à adopter. La Conférence de Stresa a permis de réaliser des progrès importants mais incomplets dans la définition du cadre de l'action publique. Intéressant à noter, il a généralement été convenu d'éviter un niveau de soutien des prix qui engendrerait des surplus excessifs de produits de base et empêcherait l'ajustement structurel. Mais ces bonnes intentions, ainsi que l'esprit "européen" positif de la Conférence, ont commencéà se dissoudre dès que des décisions problématiques furent prises sur le détail de l'uniformisation des politiques agricoles protectionnistes de six pays différents. En particulier, la décision consistant à fixer le niveau initial des prix communs des céréales à la borne supérieur du spectre des prix nationaux a constitué un point de référence peu satisfaisant pour les autres prix de soutien; et la tentative d'introduire une vraie politique commune des structures a avorté. Au tournant des années soixante dix, la PAC était nettement déséquilibrée et protectionniste, mais la première politique complètement commune de la Communautéétait en place. Vor 50 Jahren fand in Stresa eine Konferenz statt, bei welcher es sich wohl um das einzige Ereignis handelt, welches am zutreffendsten als Geburtstag der GAP betrachtet werden kann. Obgleich die politische Zielsetzung bereits 1957 in den Römischen Verträgen festgelegt worden war, standen diese wegen ihrer vagen Formulierung und Widersprüchlichkeit häufig im Kreuzfeuer der Kritik. Die Verträge enthielten nur sehr wenige konkrete Vereinbarungen im Hinblick auf die einzuführenden politischen Instrumente. Durch die Konferenz in Stresa konnten wichtige, jedoch unvollständige, Fortschritte bei der Ausarbeitung der politischen Rahmenbedingungen erzielt werden. Vor allem gab es den allgemeinen Konsens, dass es aufgrund der Preisstützung nicht zu unerwünschten Überschüssen bei Agrarprodukten und zu einer Hemmung der Strukturanpassungen kommen dürfe. Diese guten Absichten und die "europäische Gesinnung" der Konferenz schwanden jedoch, als die bedeutsamen Entscheidungen hinsichtlich der Einzelheiten für die Vereinheitlichung der protektionistischen Agrarpolitiken der sechs verschiedenen Länder getroffen wurden. Insbesondere die Entscheidung, das Anfangsniveau der gemeinsamen Preise für Getreide an der oberen Grenze der nationalen Preisspannen festzumachen, legte einen unbefriedigenden Referenzpunkt für die übrigen Stützpreise fest. Der Vorschlag, eine originär gemeinsame Strukturpolitik einzuführen, wurde abgelehnt. Um 1970 war die GAP eindeutig unausgewogen und protektionistisch; der Entwurf der ersten vollständigen gemeinsamen Politik der Gemeinschaft war jedoch abgeschlossen. [source] Human alcoholism studies of genes identified through mouse quantitative trait locus analysisADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Marissa A. Ehringer Coding region DNA sequence variants have been recently identified in several QTL candidate genes in a mouse model of differential sensitivity to alcohol [inbred long-sleep (ILS) and inbred short-sleep (ISS)]. This work has been extended into a human population characterized for their initial level of response to alcohol (LR). The coding region of one of the most promising of these candidate genes, zinc finger 133 (Znf133), has been sequenced completely in 50 individuals who participated in alcohol challenges at approximately age 20 and have been followed subsequently for the last 15 years. PCR products were obtained for the protein coding region of ZNF133 using human genomic DNA and directly sequenced using automated sequencers. Novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected by analyzing the sequence data using a suite of bioinformatics programs including Consed, Phred, Phrap and Polyphred. Five human SNPs were detected, two that correspond to amino acid changes in the protein, two that are silent DNA changes and one located in an intron. In this small sample, no significant association between any of the SNPs and alcohol diagnosis was detected. A follow-up of these SNPs in a larger sample should allow a more definitive conclusion to be reached. Significantly, the data presented here demonstrate the feasibility of directly testing genes in human alcoholic populations that had been identified first by comparative DNA sequencing of candidate genes located within mouse alcohol-related QTLs, even without detailed knowledge of the gene's function. [source] The influence of success and failure experiences on agencyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Andrea E. Abele Agency is,besides communion,a basic dimension of traits. It can be specifically linked to behavioral outcomes, to status, mastery, self-esteem and to success. The present paper analyzes the situational malleability of agency. Two studies tested whether an individual's agency (but not communion) is situationally influenced by the experience of success versus failure at a task, as well as whether this effect is the same for men and women. Supporting our hypotheses, the induction of success versus failure experiences led to changes in agency that were independent of actual performance, independent of type of task (memorizing vs. face recognition), independent of induction methodology (easy vs. difficult task vs. manipulated performance feedback), and independent of self-esteem, initial level of agency and of the participants' gender. Communion was not influenced by this kind of experience. Implications for both the basic dimension of agency and for theories on gender and gender stereotypes are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Influence of narrowband UVB phototherapy on vitamin D and folate statusEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2010Emanuela Cicarma Please cite this paper as: Influence of narrowband UVB phototherapy on vitamin D and folate status. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: e67,e72. Abstract Background:, A variety of studies have shown beneficial effects of different types of phototherapy in skin disorders. Such therapy leads to enhanced cutaneous vitamin D synthesis, which may be one of the mechanisms of action. Furthermore, another nutrient, folate, can probably also be influenced by UV radiation. Objective:, The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of low-dose narrowband UVB (nUVB) phototherapy of patients with psoriasis, atopic eczema and other skin disorders on serum levels of 25(OH) vitamin D (the serum marker for vitamin D status) and on serum and erythrocyte-folate. Methods:, 25(OH) vitamin D (25(OH)D), serum and erythrocyte-folate levels were measured before and after low-dose nUVB (TL-01 tubes) phototherapy of these patients. The spectrum of the TL-01 tube was compared with the solar spectrum, and the efficiency spectra of vitamin D photosynthesis were calculated. Results:, For patients with a high initial 25(OH)D serum level (> 80 nmol/l), no significant (P = 0.36) increase in 25(OH)D levels was seen, in contrast to patients with a low initial level (< 80 nmol/l) where a significant increase (P < 0.001) was observed. The increase was 30,60%, depending on the UVB dose (2.35,13.4 J/cm2). No significant nUVB-effect was found on the erythrocyte and serum-folate level. Conclusion:, Low-dose nUVB treatment gives a significant increase (P < 0.001) of the vitamin D status in persons with low initial levels of 25(OH)D, but no effect on the folate level. [source] The microfood web of grassland soils responds to a moderate increase in atmospheric CO2GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 7 2005Ilja Sonnemann Abstract The response of the soil microfood web (microflora, nematodes) to a moderate increase in atmospheric CO2 (+20%) was investigated by means of a free air CO2 enrichment experiment. The study was carried out in a seminatural temperate grassland for a period of 4 consecutive years (1 year before fumigation commenced and 3 years with fumigation). Several soil biological parameters showed no change (microbial biomass, bacterial biomass) or decline (microbial respiration) in the first year of elevated CO2 treatment as compared with controls. Each of these parameters were higher than controls, however, after 3 years of treatment. The relative abundance of predaceous nematodes also decreased in year 1 of the experiment, increased in year 2, but decreased again in year 3. In contrast, the relative abundance of root hair feeding nematodes, at first, increased under elevated CO2 and then returned to the initial level again. Increased microbial biomass indicates enhanced C storage in the labile carbon pool of the active microfood web in subsequent years. According to measurements on the amounts of soil extractable C, changes in resource availability seem to be key to the response of the soil microfood web. We found a strong response of bacteria to elevated CO2, while the fungal biomass remained largely unchanged. This contrasts to findings reported in the literature. We hypothesize that this may be because of contrasting effects of different levels of CO2 enrichment on the microbial community (i.e. stimulation of bacteria at moderate levels and stimulation of fungi at high levels of CO2 enrichment). However, various CO2 effects observed in our study are similar in magnitude to those observed in other studies for a much higher level of atmospheric carbon. These include the particular sensitivity of predaceous nematodes and the long-term increase of microbial respiration. Our findings confirm that the potential of terrestrial ecosystems to accumulate additional carbon might be lower than previously thought. Furthermore, CO2 -induced changes of temperate grassland ecosystems might emerge much earlier than expected. [source] Teacher,child interactions: relations with children's self-concept in second gradeINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2010Geertje Leflot Abstract This study examined whether teacher,child interactions characterized by teacher involvement, structure, and autonomy support at the beginning of second grade predicted children's global, academic, social, and behavioural self-concept at the end of second grade. The study was conducted in 30 second grade classrooms with 570 children and their teachers. Data included teacher reports of teacher,child interactions and child reports of self-concept. Results showed that, when controlling for the initial level of self-concept, children's social self-concept was predicted by teacher involvement, structure, and autonomy support. In addition, teacher autonomy support predicted high academic self-concept. Finally, these teacher,child interaction characteristics did not contribute to the behavioural and global self-concept. The results were similar for boys and girls. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Assessing the longitudinal course of depression and economic integration of south-east Asian refugees: an application of latent growth curve analysisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2002K.A.S. Wickrama Abstract This paper has both methodological and substantive application for mental-health researchers. Methodologically, it presents the latent growth curve (LGC) technique within a structural equation modelling (SEM) framework as a powerful tool to analyse change in depressive symptoms and potential correlates of such changes. The rationale for LGC analysis and subsequent elaboration of this statistical approach are presented. The limitations of traditional analytical methods are also addressed. Substantively, the paper considers socio-contextual factors as correlates of change in symptoms, and examines the dynamic systematic relationship with the degree of economic integration of south-east Asian immigrants in Canada over time. Using the LGC technique, this study also investigated how the longitudinal course of sub-clinical depression places individuals at risk for developing full-blown major depression. The LGC results provided strong evidence for the reciprocal influence between economic integration and subclinical depression of immigrants. The initial level of economic integration negatively influenced the rate of change in subclinical depression whereas the initial level of sub-clinical depression negatively influenced the rate of change in economic integration. Both initial level and the rate of change in subclinical depression placed individuals at risk for full-blown major depression. However, traditional auto-regressive models were not capable of revealing these dynamic associations. Thus, an investigation of within-individual change in symptoms and potential correlates of such changes is necessary to understand the process that results in full-blown mental disorder. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] The assumed effects of positive feedback paired with success on motivation to do a task: The cases of characters with high and low initial levels of interestJAPANESE PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2001Sachiyo Tanaka This study investigated the effects of positive feedback paired with success on motivation to do a task, and examined whether this differed according to whether the person performing the task had a high or low initial level of interest in that task. Subjects (448 junior college students) were asked to rate (from 0,10) the level of motivation of characters in four different stories. Subjects believed that positive feedback would encourage the character to do a task regardless of initial level of interest. However, when positive feedback could not be expected, ratings for motivation fell. Ratings for motivation were further analyzed when no positive feedback could be expected, either after an earlier experience of positive feedback paired with success or after success only (no feedback). In the case of a low initial level of interest, it was assumed that motivation would be increased after positive feedback, but in the case of a high initial level of interest motivation was assumed to be decreased by an earlier experience of positive feedback paired with success. These results suggest that the effect of positive feedback paired with success will differ according to the level of a person's initial interest. [source] The role of genotypic diversity in determining grassland community structure under constant environmental conditionsJOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2007RAJ WHITLOCK Summary 1A recent experiment varied the genetic diversity of model grassland communities under standardized soil and management conditions and at constant initial species diversity. After 5 years' growth, genetically diverse communities retained more species diversity and became more similar in species composition than genetically impoverished communities. 2Here we present the results of further investigation within this experimental system. We proposed that two mechanisms , the first invoking genetically determined and constant differences in plant phenotypes and the second invoking genotype,environment interactions , could each underpin these results. This mechanistic framework was used as a tool to interpret our findings. 3We used inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) DNA markers to confirm which of the individuals of six study species initially included in the model communities were unique genotypes. We then used the molecular markers to assess the survival and abundance of each genotype at the end of the 5-year experimental period. 4The DNA marker data were used to create, for the first time, a genotype abundance hierarchy describing the structure of a community at the level of genotypes. This abundance hierarchy revealed wide variation in the abundance of genotypes within species, and large overlaps in the performance of the genotypes of different species. 5Each genotype achieved a consistent level of abundance within genetically diverse communities, which differed from that attained by other genotypes of the same species. The abundance hierarchy of genotypes within species also showed consistency across communities differing in their initial level of genetic diversity, such that species abundance in genetically impoverished communities could be predicted, in part, by genotypic identity. 6Three species (including two canopy-dominants) experienced shifts in their community-level genotype abundance hierarchies that were consistent with an increased influence of genotype,environment interactions in genetically impoverished communities. 7Our results indicate that under relatively constant environmental conditions the species abundance structure of plant communities can in part be predicted from the genotypic composition of their component populations. Genotype,environment interactions also appear to shape the structure of communities under such conditions, although further experiments are needed to clarify the magnitude and mechanism of these effects. [source] A new Bayesian formulation for Holt's exponential smoothingJOURNAL OF FORECASTING, Issue 3 2009Robert R. Andrawis Abstract In this paper we propose a Bayesian forecasting approach for Holt's additive exponential smoothing method. Starting from the state space formulation, a formula for the forecast is derived and reduced to a two-dimensional integration that can be computed numerically in a straightforward way. In contrast to much of the work for exponential smoothing, this method produces the forecast density and, in addition, it considers the initial level and initial trend as part of the parameters to be evaluated. Another contribution of this paper is that we have derived a way to reduce the computation of the maximum likelihood parameter estimation procedure to that of evaluating a two-dimensional grid, rather than applying a five-variable optimization procedure. Simulation experiments confirm that both proposed methods give favorable performance compared to other approaches. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Sodium thiosulfate as an effective antioxidant substance at experimental mycotoxin zearalenon poisoningJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 2002M. K. Karagyozyan Mycotoxin zearalenon (MZ) in concentration 2.5,15.0 ,g/mL of alcohol solution activates the reactions of monoamines biosynthesis, while 20.0,25.0 ,g/mL of MZ has a contrarary effect. The molecular mechanism of changes noticed is conditioned by action of MZ on numerous proteins functioning in chromaffin granules mainly in their membranes, such as the cytochrome B561, an acidic cooper-containing protein and the membrane-bound form of dopamine-,-monooxigenase, which catalyses the reaction of transformation of dopamine into noradrenaline. It has been established also that in the brain mitochondrial and microsomal membranes the MZ induces pronounced abnormalities in the ratio of phospholipid-phospholipid interrelations. These changes are conditioned by significant intensification of the phospholipase A2 and phosphatidylserine (PS) decarboxylase activites, with formation of high concentrations of lysophosphatidylcholines, free polyenic fatty acids, lipid peroxides and by increasing of PS quantity in the systems studied. Using on this background single intramuscular administration of 1.0 mL of 10.0% aquaus solution of sodium thiosulfate (ST) normalizes and establishes the initial level of phospholipid (PL) metabolism intensity. The content of PL in the investigated membranes remains unchanged if ST was administrated before the MZ poisoning modulation. Antioxidant properties of ST are conditioned in particular by elevation of PS quantity, which are of great importance in stimulation of cell respiratory function, hence the cell activity in general. [source] Attachment, decay, and social networkJOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, Issue 6 2001Ronald S. Burt To study decay in attachment to an organization, I analyse data on women who obtained an MBA from the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business (GSB). I measure attachment in terms of network embedding: an alumna is attached to the GSB to the extent that people close to her graduated from the GSB. Behavioral data corroborate the network data in that alumnae measured to be more attached are more likely to have joined an alumni club and made a financial contribution to the school. The hypothesis is that alumnae attachment will decay over time, more slowly when the school is deeply embedded in an alumna's network, more quickly when disruptive events compete for the alumna's time and energy. As expected, attachment declines across the years after graduation (linearly for the first 20 years to about half its initial level), and decay is inhibited when connections with GSB graduates are embedded in stable relations of family, work, or long-term friendship. Decay is remarkably robust to events after graduation (which account for only 2 per cent of explained variance in attachment). In other words, an alumna's attachment today was largely determined while she was in school. The results should be of practical value to people who design programmes to build personal attachment to organizations, and of theoretical interest to scholars who study such connections. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Identification of Susceptibility Loci for Alcohol-Related Traits in the Irish Affected Sib Pair Study of Alcohol DependenceALCOHOLISM, Issue 11 2006Po-Hsiu Kuo Background: Alcoholism is a phenotypically and probably genetically heterogeneous condition. Thus, one strategy for finding genes influencing liability to alcoholism is to study the components of alcoholism, which may be more directly related to the underlying pathophysiology than is clinical diagnosis. The goal of this study was to identify genomic regions containing susceptibility loci for alcohol-related traits. Methods: A 4-cM dense whole-genome linkage study was conducted in the Irish Affected Sib Pair Study of Alcohol Dependence. Probands, affected siblings, and parents were evaluated by structured interview. Variance component linkage analysis was applied to data from 485 families for 5 measures: initial sensitivity and tolerance (based on scales from the self-report of the effects of ethanol; maximum drinks within 24 hours, an empirically derived factor score based on withdrawal symptoms, and age at onset of alcohol dependence. Results: Evidence for linkage (p<0.005) was found on 9 chromosomes. For age at onset, 2 regions were found on chromosome 9 (highest Lod=2.3, p=0.0005). For initial level of response to alcohol, suggestive regions were on chromosomes 1 and 11 (highest Lod=2.9, p=0.0001 on chromosome 11), while those for tolerance signals were on chromosomes 1, 6, and 22. Maximum drinking was associated with regions on chromosomes 12 and 18. For withdrawal symptoms, the highest peak was on chromosome 2 (Lod=2.2, p=0.0007). Conclusions: Using quantitative measures of components of alcohol dependence, we identified several regions of the genome that may contain susceptibility loci for specific alcohol-related traits and merit additional study. [source] Quantification of uncertainty using Bayesian and bootstrap models to simulate the impact of nitrogen fertilisation on ,-glucan levels in barleyJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 11 2009Marta Fontana Abstract BACKGROUND: ,-Glucans have enjoyed renewed interest as a functional food ingredient, with current attention focused on optimising ,-glucan levels in finished products without compromising final product quality. In order to measure the uncertainty about the level of ,-glucans in barley, two different statistical methods (Bayesian inference and Bootstrap technique) were applied to measured levels of ,-glucan in three different varieties of barley grain (n = 83). RESULTS: The resulting probability density distributions were similar for the full data set and also when applied to smaller sample sizes, highlighting the potential for either method in quantifying the total uncertainty in ,-glucan levels. Bayesian inference was used to model the effect of nitrogen treatment on ,-glucan and protein contents in barley. The model found that a low level of fertilisation (50 kg N ha,1) did not have a significant effect on ,-glucan or protein content. However, fertilisation above this level did result in an increase in ,-glucan and protein levels, the effect seeming to plateau at 100 kg N ha,1. In addition, the uncertainty distributions were significantly different for two consecutive years of data, highlighting the potential environmental influence on ,-glucan content. CONCLUSION: The model developed in this study could be a useful tool for processors to quantify the uncertainty about the initial level of ,-glucan in barley and to evaluate the influence of environmental factors, thus enabling them to formulate their ingredient base to optimise levels of ,-glucan without compromising final product quality. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] The prevalence of PTSD following the violent death of a child and predictors of change 5 years laterJOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 1 2003Shirley A. Murphy Abstract In this study, we examined the violent death bereavement trajectories of 173 parents by following them prospectively for 5 years after their children's deaths by accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined causes. Using latent growth curve methodology, we examined how the initial level of PTSD and the rate of change over time were influenced by 9 predictors: the deceased children's causes of death, parents' gender, self-esteem, 3 coping strategies, perceived social support, concurrent levels of mental distress, and an intervention offered in early bereavement. Six of the nine factors predicted initial levels of PTSD: however, only parents' gender and perceived social support predicted change in PTSD over the 5-year time. Five years postdeath, 3 times as many study mothers (27.7%) met diagnostic criteria for PTSD and twice as many study fathers (12.5%) met diagnostic criteria for PTSD compared with the normative samples. [source] Effect of hindered piperidine light stabilizer molecular structure and UV-absorber addition on the oxidation of HDPE.JOURNAL OF VINYL & ADDITIVE TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2004Part 1: Long-term thermal, photo-oxidation studies This series of papers explores the effect of structural characteristics of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-based hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) on the long-term (40 months) thermal (110°C in air) and photo-stabilization (Microscal unit wavelength >300 nm) performance characteristics of high-density polyethylene formulations. Possible synergism with a triazine functional UV absorber is also explored. Under thermal degradation (measured by carbonyl index) the polymeric HALS performed best, mainly because of reduced volatilization. Additionally, >N-methyl HALS generally showed superior performance under thermal degradation. There was no synergism between an N-CH3 polymeric HALS and the UV1164 triazine additive. However, the equivalent N-H polymeric HALS interacted in a complex manner with UV1164, giving synergism and antagonism, depending on HALS/UV1164 ratio. Strong synergism was evident with the monomeric HALS when the total stabilizer level was 0.2% w/w. Reduction in the overall stabilizer level to 0.05% w/w eliminated the synergism. The UV1164 alone led to rapid and intense yellowing; however, the rate and intensity of yellowing reduced dramatically upon combination with HALS, particularly when the UV1164 level was above 0.1% w/w. When the formulation was under UV attack, the molar mass and the type of N-substitution had no influence on stabilization performance because of the relatively low temperature of testing (leading to reduced volatilization), and the similarly effective UV-stabilization routes for N-methyl HALS and N-H HALS. Under UV attack, yellowing reached a maximum and then decreased to approximately the initial level, while HALS/UV1164 combinations generally showed weak antagonism. J. Vinyl Addit. Technol. 10:79,87, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers. [source] Multiphonon processes in impurity centres: nonperturbative theoryPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 2 2005V. Hizhnyakov Abstract A nonperturbative theory of the multiphonon relaxation of a strongly excited local vibration is developed. It is found that for a high initial level, the relaxation first accelerates in time, and later starts to slow down. The experimental evidence of such a non-monotonous relaxation is given by the hot luminescence in solid Xe. A theory of optical transitions in a center with strongly reduced local springs in the final electronic state is also developed. In this case a resonant increase of the local density of states of low-frequency phonons takes place, and a low frequency pseudo-local mode emerges. Appearance of such a mode in the final state means that a strong mode mixing takes place at the transition. This results in strong increase of the mean number of created low-frequency phonons. As a consequence, the zero-phonon transition practically disappears and the long-wave part of the phonon sideband is strongly enhanced, resulting in formation of so-called lambda-shaped spectrum. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Mapping the Timing, Pace, and Scale of the Fertility Transition in BrazilPOPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW, Issue 2 2010Joseph E. Potter Between 1960 and 2000, fertility fell sharply in Brazil, but this transition was unevenly distributed in space and time. Using Bayesian spatial statistical methods and microdata from five censuses, we develop and apply a procedure for fitting logistic curves to the fertility transitions in more than 500 small regions of Brazil over this 40-year period. Doing so enables us to map the main features of the Brazilian fertility transition in considerable detail. We detect early declines in some regions of the country and document large differences between early and late transitions in regard to both the initial level of fertility and the speed of the transition. We also use our results to test hypotheses regarding changes in the level of development at the onset of the fertility transition and identify a temporary stall in the Brazilian transition that occurred in the late 1990s. A web site with project details is at http://schmert.net/BayesLogistic. [source] Short-term food deprivation does not improve the efficacy of a fish oil finishing strategy in Murray codAQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 6 2009G. PALMERI Abstract Two groups of fish (Maccullochella peelii peelii) were fed for a 90-day conditioning period on a canola oil diet (CO) or a fish oil diet (FO). Canola oil diet fed fish were then shifted to the FO diet for a 90-day finishing period. A variable period of starvation (0, 5, 10 and 15 days) was introduced to reduce the initial lipid level of CO fed fish at the beginning of the finishing period and therefore accelerate the rate of recovery of FO-like fatty acids. During starvation, fish did not show significant reduction in total lipid content, either in the fillet or whole body. At the end of the conditioning period, fatty acid composition of the diet was mirrored in fish tissues. These differences came close to levelling out following re-feeding, with the exception of n - 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). However, no effects of the starvation periods on the final fatty acid make-up of fish were recorded. The results of this trial show that Murray cod, when subjected to a starvation period of up to 15 days, does not lose an appreciable quantity of lipid and, therefore, the tested starvation approach to reduce the initial level of lipid has to be considered unsuccessful. [source] Devices for Noninvasive Transcranial Electrostimulation of the Brain Endorphinergic System: Application for Improvement of Human Psycho-Physiological StatusARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 3 2002Valery P. Lebedev Abstract: It is well known that deficit of endorphins plays an important role in disturbances of human psycho-physiological status. Previously, we revealed that brain endorphinergic structures have quasiresonance characteristics. On the basis of these data, a method of activation of the brain endorphinergic structures by means of noninvasive and rather selective transcranial electrostimulation (TES) as a kind of functional electrical stimulation (FES) was elaborated. New models of TES devices (TRANSAIR) were developed for indoor and outdoor usage. To increase the efficacy of TES, the frequency modulation according to normal distribution in the limits of the quasiresonance characteristics was put into operation. The blind and placebo-controlled (passive and active placebo) study was produced to estimate the TES effects on stress events and accompanied psycho-physiological and autonomic disturbances of different intensities on volunteers and patients in the following groups: everyday stress and fatigue; stress in regular military service and in field conditions; stress in the relatives of those lost in mass disaster; posttraumatic stress (thermal burns); and affective disorders in a postabstinence period. Some subjective verbal and nonverbal tests and objective tests (including heart rate variability) were used for estimation of the initial level of psycho-physiological status, which changes after TES sessions. It was demonstrated that fatigue, stress, and other accompanied psycho-physiological disturbances were significantly improved or abolished after 2,5 TES sessions. The TES effects were more pronounced in cases of heavier disturbances. In conclusion, activation of the brain endorphinergic structures by TES is an effective homeostatic method of FES that sufficiently improves quality of life. [source] Control of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic reflex motor responses in circular muscle of guinea-pig small intestine by Met-enkephalinAUTONOMIC & AUTACOID PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Chr. Ivancheva Summary 1 A triple organ bath method allowing the synchronous recording of the motor activity of the circular muscle layer belonging to the oral and anal segments of guinea-pig small intestine adjacent to an electrically stimulated middle segment was developed to study the ascending and descending reflex motor responses. 2 Electrical field stimulation (0.8 ms, 40 V, 5 Hz, 10 s) applied to the middle part of the segments elicited tetrodotoxin (1 ,m)-sensitive ascending and descending contractile responses of the nonstimulated parts, oral and anal, respectively. The ascending contraction was more pronounced as compared with the descending contraction. 3 In the presence of phentolamine (5 ,m), propranolol (5 ,m) and atropine (3 ,m) a significant decrease in the amplitude of the ascending contraction was seen and a descending relaxation, instead of a contraction was observed. 4 Met-enkephalin applied at a single concentration (0.1 ,m) or cumulatively (0.001,1 ,m) inhibited both non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) descending relaxation and ascending contraction with similar efficacy but different potency, IC50 being 5.9 ± 0.3 and 39.0 ± 4 nm, respectively. Naloxone (0.5 ,m) prevented the effects of Met-enkephalin. 5 L-NNA (0.5 mm), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, increased the ascending contraction and strongly reduced but not abolished the descending relaxation. l -Arginine (0.5 mm) restored the motor responses to the initial level in l -NNA-pretreated preparations, d -Arginine (0.5 nm) had no effects. 6 Met-enkephalin (0.1 ,m) depressed the l -NNA-dependent increase of the ascending contraction and failed to change the l -NNA-resistant part of the descending relaxation. 7 Met-enkephalin did not alter spontaneous NANC mechanical activity. SNP (1 or 10 ,m), an exogenous donor of nitric oxide, caused a concentration-dependent relaxation. The effects of SNP persisted in Met-enkephalin (0.1 ,m)-pretreated preparations. 8 NANC reflex ascending contraction and descending relaxation were synchronously induced by a local nerve stimulation indicating a functional coactivation of NANC orally projected excitatory and anally directed inhibitory pathways. Acting prejunctionally, Met-enkephalin provided a negative controlling mechanism inhibiting both ascending and descending, mainly nitric oxide mediated, reflex responses. A higher sensitivity of the descending relaxation to Met-enkephalin was observed suggesting an essential role of opioid(s) in reducing the efficacy of descending motor activity. [source] Preoperative urodynamic and symptom evaluation of patients undergoing transurethral prostatectomy: analysis of variables relevant for outcomeBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2003O.W. Hakenberg OBJECTIVE To assess the value of preoperative symptom score assessment and pressure-flow measurement in men undergoing transurethral prostatectomy (TURP). PATIENTS AND METHODS In a prospective study, 95 men (mean age 74.3 years) scheduled for TURP because of their lower urinary tract symptoms, flow rates and urinary residual volumes were assessed using the self-administered International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and urodynamic pressure-flow studies. At 3 months after TURP the patients were reassessed with a flow rate measurement and the IPSS. The baseline IPSS and urodynamic values were analysed with respect to the endpoints of the study, flow rate and IPSS after TURP, and the improvements thereof, respectively. RESULTS There were significant improvements in mean IPSS (, 10.87 points) and peak flow rate (+ 7.06 mL/s) 3 months after TURP. Classifying the patients into subgroups with distinctly different initial values for IPSS, flow rate, residual urine volume and degree of obstruction (as expressed by Abrams-Griffiths number) showed that the flow rate and degree of obstruction influenced the improvement in flow rate but not in symptoms after TURP. Symptom improvement was only related to the initial level of symptoms. In a multivariate analysis, only age was an independent predictor of the outcome variables of flow rate and symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Clinical decision-making remains a valid instrument for selecting patients for TURP. Both the IPSS and pressure-flow assessment are useful to exclude patients who are unlikely to benefit from TURP. Age is an important predictor of the improvement in symptoms and flow rates after TURP for the lower urinary tract symptom complex associated with benign prostatic enlargement. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||