Human responses to disasters: a pilot study on peritraumatic emotional and cognitive processing

This research article presents the qualitative development and cross-cultural pilot testing of a new instrument measuring emotional and cognitive processing during disasters. The instrument was developed according to a theoretical framework based on narratives from survivors of different types of disaster across Europe. Peritraumatic emotions and cognitions were assessed at three different stages of a disaster. The pilot study consisted of 311 participants responding to the questionnaire using scenario versions of disasters as well as 25 survivors working through the questionnaire using their experiences of real disasters. Both types of analysis were performed across seven countries. Differences in emotions and cognitions during the course of a disaster were displayed. Also, gender, the type of scenario participants were allocated to, and professional experience of emergencies led to differences in item response. As there was little difference between survivors’ and scenario participants’ responses, the use of a scenario in order to test pilot forms of questionnaires for purposive samples with certain characteristics such as limited sizes or access can be supported. For future research, the instrument should be field tested. It is envisaged it will be beneficial for a cross-cultural understanding of the influence of peritraumatic emotions and cognitions not only on posttraumatic psychological outcomes but also on related behavioural responses displayed during disasters

The effect of elicitation methods on ambiguity aversion: an experimental investigation

In this paper we elicit preferences for the classical three-color Ellsberg Paradax employing three different methods, choices, minimal selling prices and maximal buying prices. The resulting data reveal a high frequency of preference reversals which have not been analyzed before in choice under uncertainty. Moreover, we analyze the effect of elicitation methods on the degree of ambiguity aversion. While there is no apparent difference in the attitude towards ambiguity between selling and buying prices we observe a rather distinct pattern of behavior for choices: Compared to choices, eliciting preferences by pricing tasks decreases the number of subjects being ambiguity averse in both tasks and increases the number of subjects being ambiguity neutral or prone. We argue that this difference between pricing and choice supports the hypothesis of comparative ignorance.Ellsberg Paradox, ambiguity aversion, preference reversal, comparative ignorance

Dziecko z rodziny niepełnej w środowisku przedszkolnym – zarys teoretyczny i wskazówki praktyczne

Nowadays, the subject of a family is often mentioned and researched. It’s needs, transformations, crisis, roles and functioning are widely discussed. It is indeed a very complex issue. The article present the theoretical background and mention diverse sources concerning issues such as: single families, preschool environment, child development, single parenting – definitionsand models, pre-school environment, child development, challenges and support for a child from single parent family in a kindergarten. The great role of teacher-educator and other specialists, but also working with institutions in the process of supporting the family. In the text the organization of comprehensive assistance for the child was also highlighted. In conclusion, the author referred to the results of her mini-resources and pointed to the need to support the child in the area of emotional and social functioning, which in case of children from single parent family is particularly vulnerable and shaky.3633752

Lifestyle intervention vs. metformin in the maintenance of normoglycemia in prediabetic adolescents

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), once thought to be an adult disease, now affects large numbers of children. The prevalence of T2DM in children increased 35% between 2001 and 20091 and while it appears to now be leveling off, it is clear that much of the burden of disease falls disproportionately on ethnic minorities. It is well known that there are changes occurring in the microvasculature well before diabetes is diagnosed, and these changes are thought to contribute to micro- and macrovascular complications. Therefore, prediabetes, which is a time of mild hyperglycemia that exists between normal glucose metabolism and overt diabetes, provides a target for behavior modification and potentially the prevention of complications. The mainstay of treatment for diabetes has been lifestyle intervention and treatment with metformin. Research has shown that both intensive lifestyle interventions and metformin are effective for the treatment of T2DM. However, much of this knowledge comes from studies on adults and is simply inferred to youth. Thus, at this time it is still unknown to what extent treatments including lifestyle intervention and metformin should be used, or how they should be utilized, in youth. This is especially true for youth with prediabetes, as this is likely where prevention of the disease needs to occur to have the greatest overall benefit. PROPOSED STUDY: Thus, the proposed study will directly compare two groups treated with standard of care and either metformin daily or intensive lifestyle intervention with a CrossFit™ training modality. The primary outcome is treatment failure and development of diabetes. A secondary outcome is achievement of normoglycemia and its durability. CONCLUSIONS: This study will be the first to examine the longer term outcomes of the use of metformin in youth as well as the effects of high intensity functional training (HIFT) using the CrossFit™ modality. While there is accumulating evidence about the safety of the use of metformin in youth, most studies are of short duration and this study will provide longer term results. Additionally, CrossFit™, a relatively new exercise modality, has not been tested in the literature on youth and as a form of combined aerobic and resistance training, it may provide and effective and interesting means of lifestyle intervention and reversion to normoglycemia in adolescents. In conclusion the results from this study will provide significant clinical relevance

How does the local wind field control the aerosol distribution in coastal Dronning Maud Land?

Atmospheric circulation patterns and chemical concentrations in firn cores are highly related to each other. Atmospheric winds transport aerosols like sea salt and mineral dust over the globe and redistribute them. Because of this, it is possible to reconstruct atmospheric circulation bringing aerosol to Antarctica by analyzing chemical impurities in firn and ice. With these analyses, the gap caused by sparse atmospheric measurements can be filled and this knowledge can then be used to improve the understanding of local and global circulation patterns.Due to a very high accumulation rate (~600 kg/m²*a), coastal Dronning Maud Land (CDML) is a perfect site to conduct these studies.Here, the upper 6m of two firn cores drilled on Halvfaryggen and Sörasen (covering the time interval from 2002- 2007) were analyzed on ionic concentrations. This data was then contrasted to measurements from the air chemistry laboratories at Neumayer (NM) and Kohnenstation (KS), and synoptic measurements from automatic weather stations (distributed in CDML and at NM).The analyses show very different results: Sea salt ions (e.g. Na+) are higher correlated to ions measured in aerosol samples at the air chemistry laboratory at KS than to the one located at NM. In contrast, ions representing mineral dust (e.g. nss-Ca2+) only have a weak correlation over the whole area and time period. Accordingly, the deposition of aerosol is highly dependent on its origin and the topography in coastal Antarctica suggesting different transport pathways for sea level and higher altitude sites

Epithelial organization and cyst lumen expansion require efficient Sec13-Sec31-driven secretion

Epithelial morphogenesis is directed by interactions with the underlying extracellular matrix. Secretion of collagen and other matrix components requires efficient coat complex II (COPII) vesicle formation at the endoplasmic reticulum. Here, we show that suppression of the outer layer COPII component, Sec13, in zebrafish embryos results in a disorganized gut epithelium. In human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2), Sec13 depletion causes defective epithelial polarity and organization on permeable supports. Defects are seen in the ability of cells to adhere to the substrate, form a monolayer and form intercellular junctions. When embedded in a three-dimensional matrix, Sec13-depleted Caco-2 cells form cysts but, unlike controls, are defective in lumen expansion. Incorporation of primary fibroblasts within the three-dimensional culture substantially restores normal morphogenesis. We conclude that efficient COPII-dependent secretion, notably assembly of Sec13–Sec31, is required to drive epithelial morphogenesis in both two- and three-dimensional cultures in vitro, as well as in vivo. Our results provide insight into the role of COPII in epithelial morphogenesis and have implications for the interpretation of epithelial polarity and organization assays in cell culture

The Political Career of Henry Johnson

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Coordinating Development in Conflict States: Donor Networks in Somalia

Aid coordination is part of the governance of public policy, affecting the accountability and effectiveness of aid as well as power relationships. Using the case of Somalia, this article analyses the coordination of aid in conflict settings. Somalia is marked by multidimensional involvement, ‘remote control’ from Nairobi, and a general unease about impact and accountability across all involved (donors, UN and Somali actors). ‘Comprehensive’ aid strategies that straddle various logics of engagement need to be given shape in situ , i.e. by relatively autonomous donor country offices. Here networks of relationships and coordination mechanisms shape decision?making and problem?framing. Often the size of one's development budget provides limited leverage. Despite much distrust, UN agencies provide a gatekeeper function vis?à?vis Somalia counterparts. Trilateral dialogue about aid remains largely symbolic and at the diplomatic level. While effective solutions to problems can be found, a lack of joint engagement based on publicly traceable ‘technical’ principles undermines both accountability and joint learning over time, in turn impacting trust

Lateral transport of thermal capillary waves

We demonstrate that collective motion of interfacial fluctuations can occur at the interface between two coexisting thermodynamic phases. Based on computer simulation results for driven diffusive Ising and Blume-Capel models, we conjecture that the thermal capillary waves at a planar interface travel along the interface if the lateral order parameter current j_op(y) is an odd function of the distance y from the interface and hence possesses opposite directions in the two phases. Such motion does not occur if j_op(y) is an even function of y. A discrete Gaussian interface model with effective dynamics exhibits similiar transport phenomena but with a simpler dispersion relation. These findings open up avenues for controlled interfacial transport on the nanoscale.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure