Exploratory Analysis of Predictors Effecting Suicidal Thinking among Inmates Participating in a Prison Treatment Program

In this study, we use a retrospective case–control study design, to compare our outcomes of interest among inmates who have self-reported suicidal ideations (cases) with inmates who do not report suicidal ideations (controls). The sample group included participants admitted into prison treatment programs who have a co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders. In our multivariate model analyses, we will introduce control variables to understand the magnitude of effect and directionality that control variables, such as demographic and criminal history variables, have in association with our outcome of interest, suicidal ideations. Our results indicate that individuals with stable housing have significantly lower odds of demonstrating suicidal ideations. Finally, we found that individuals with prior weapons offenses and psychiatric hospitalization have higher odds of demonstrating suicidal ideations. We believe these results have implications for the development of research and theory

The 300km/s stellar stream near Segue 1: Insights From high-resolution spectroscopy of its brightest star

We present a chemical abundance analysis of 300S-1, the brightest likely member star of the 300 km/s stream near the faint satellite galaxy Segue 1. From a high-resolution Magellan/MIKE spectrum we determine a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -1.46 +- 0.05 +- 0.23 (random and systematic uncertainties) for star 300S-1, and find an abundance pattern similar to typical halo stars at this metallicity. Comparing our stellar parameters to theoretical isochrones, we estimate a distance of 18 +- 7 kpc. Both the metallicity and distance estimates are in good agreement with what can be inferred from comparing the SDSS photometric data of the stream stars to globular cluster sequences. While several other structures overlap with the stream in this part of the sky, the combination of kinematic, chemical and distance information makes it unlikely that these stars are associated with either the Segue 1 galaxy, the Sagittarius stream or the Orphan stream. Streams with halo-like abundance signatures, such as the 300 km/s stream, present another observational piece for understanding the accretion history of the Galactic halo.Comment: 13 pages, emulateapj, accepted for publication in Ap

Bcl-2 proteins and mitochondria—Specificity in membrane targeting for death

AbstractThe localization and control of Bcl-2 proteins on mitochondria is essential for the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins reside on the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) and prevent apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of the pro-apoptotic family members Bax and Bak. The Bcl-2 subfamily of BH3-only proteins can either inhibit the anti-apoptotic proteins or directly activate Bax or Bak. How these proteins interact with each other, the mitochondrial surface and within the OMM are complex processes we are only beginning to understand. However, these interactions are fundamental for the transduction of apoptotic signals to mitochondria and the subsequent release of caspase activating factors into the cytosol. In this review we will discuss our knowledge of how Bcl-2 proteins are directed to mitochondria in the first place, a crucial but poorly understood aspect of their regulation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Mitochondria: the deadly organelle

Cost-Sensitive Concurrent Planning Under Duration Uncertainty for Service-Level Agreements

This paper brings together work in stochastic modelling, using the process algebra PEPA, and work in automated planning. Stochastic modelling has been concerned with verification of system performance metrics for some time: given a model of a system, determining whether it will meet a service-level agreement (SLA). For example, whether a given sequence of transitions on a network will complete within 5 seconds 80% of the time. The problem of deciding how to reconfigure the system most cost-effectively when the SLA cannot be met has not been widely explored: it is currently solved manually. Inspired by this, we consider how planning can be used to automate the configuration of service-oriented systems. Configuring these stochastic systems presents new challenges to planning: building plans that meet SLAs, but also have low cost. To this end, we present a domain-independent planner for planning problems with action costs and stochastic durations, and show how this can be used to solve both traditional planning domains, and within the framework of configuring a larger process algebra model

European views on the UK’s renegotiation: Ireland, Portugal, Austria and Croatia

The success or failure of David Cameron’s planned renegotiation of the UK’s EU membership will depend to a large extent on how the other 27 EU member states respond to his proposals. But how do countries across the EU view the UK’s renegotiation? Building on a report published in 2014 by the German Council on Foreign Relations, EUROPP is running a series of overviews of the renegotiation from each of the EU’s member states. Compiled by Tim Oliver and written by authors based at universities and research institutions, the overviews will set out what discussion – if any – there has been about the renegotiation and the wider views within each country on the renegotiation and a potential Brexit. This post is the fourth in the series and gives views from Ireland, Portugal, Austria and Croatia. Ireland: Brexit is a matter of significant and growing concern in Ireland Portugal: Lisbon’s attitude has been fairly positive to the renegotiation, but without support for Treaty changes Austria: After Brexit and Grexit, could Auxit be next? Croatia: Zagreb sympathises with the UK’s positions, but sees few short-term gains from a renegotiatio

Testing the phrase completion response option format in a Sociopolitical Control Scale for Youth

Measurement of psychological empowerment among youth has relied on scales that use a Likert-type format, which has been subject to critique. Phrase completion is a technique that has been introduced as an alternative to the Likert-type format. This study tested the application of a phrase completion response option format in a measure of psychological empowerment, the abbreviated Sociopolitical Control Scale for Youth, with data from a sample of high school students (n = 202) from an economically disadvantaged community located in the northeastern United States. Prior to testing the new measure, we evaluated the validity of the abbreviated version of the original scale using the Likert-type format with data from a separate sample of high school students (n = 977) from the same geographic community. Results supported the validity of both formats of the scale; however, the performance of scores from the phrase completion format was superior to the Likert-type format. Findings imply that the phrase completion format, which heretofore has not appeared in the empowerment literature, may be considered a useful form in which to construct instruments that are intended to measure empowerment among youth

Preparations for a Brexit II: views from Croatia, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania and Romania

If Britain votes to leave the EU it will have to negotiate its exit and a new post-withdrawal relationship with the EU, one that will have to be agreed by the remaining 27 EU member states and the European Parliament. What positions might they take in the negotiations? Over the next few weeks the LSE’s BrexitVote blog will be running a series of overviews from each member state and the European Parliament setting out what positions they might take. Written by authors based at universities and research institutions across Europe, and compiled by the LSE’s Tim Oliver, the overviews build on an introductory piece in which Tim Oliver set out the various negotiations the EU will undertake in the event of a British exit. This post is the second in the series and gives views from Croatia, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania and Romania