Density functional scheme for calculating the pair density

The density functional scheme for calculating the pair density is presented by means of the constrained-search technique. The resultant single-particle equation takes the form of the modified Hartree-Fock equation which contains the kinetic contribution of the exchange-correlation energy functional as the correlation potential. The practical form of the kinetic contribution is also proposed with the aid of the scaling relations of the kinetic energy functionals.Comment: 5 page

The role of posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms in mother-infant bonding

Background: There is some evidence posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth may impact on the mother-infant bond. However, the evidence is inconsistent over whether PTSD or co-morbid depressive symptoms are primarily related to impaired bonding. This study therefore aimed to examine the relationship between PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms and mother-infant bonding. Methods: A cross-sectional online study included 603 mothers of infants aged 1–12 months. Measures were taken of PTSD (City Birth Trauma Scale, Ayers et al., 2018) which has two subscales of birth-related PTSD symptoms and general PTSD symptoms; depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Cox et al., 1987) and mother-infant bonding (Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, Brockington et al., 2001). Results: Impaired bonding was related to both dimensions of PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms in bivariate analysis. Path analysis testing the model of whether depressive symptoms mediated the effect of PTSD symptoms on mother-infant bonding found a differential role of birth-related and general PTSD symptoms. Birth-related PTSD symptoms did not have any effect on bonding or depressive symptoms. In contrast, general PTSD symptoms had a direct effect on bonding and an indirect effect on bonding via depressive symptoms. Limitations: Self-report measures of PTSD and depression symptoms were used. Conclusions: Further research regarding different aspects of postpartum PTSD, depression and other disorders in the context of mother-infant bonding are needed. Future preventive programs should focus on diminishing symptoms of postpartum PTSD and depression so that the mother-infant bonding remains optimal

The harmonisation of light and architecture: A case study of the San Lorenzo Church, Florence

This report details the findings of an investigation into the interior lighting conditions found within the San Lorenzo Church in Florence. It incorporates both quantative and subjective assessments and attempts to highlight the factors that contribute to visual harmony within interior spaces

Haze in the Klang Valley of Malaysia

Continuous measurements of dry aerosol light scattering (Bsp) were made at two sites in the Klang Valley of Malaysia between December 1998 and December 2000. In addition 24-h PM2.5 samples were collected on a one-day-in-six cycle and the chemical composition of the aerosol was determined. Periods of excessive haze were defined as 24-h average Bsp values greater than 150 Mm-1 and these occurred on a number of occasions, between May and September 1999, during May 2000, and between July and September 2000. The evidence for smoke being a significant contributor to aerosol during periods of excessive haze is discussed and includes features of the aerosol chemistry, the diurnal cycle of Bsp, and the coincidence of forest fires on Sumatra during the southwest (SW) monsoon period, as well as transport modelling for one week of the southwest Monsoon of 2000. The study highlights that whilst transboundary smoke is a major contributor to poor visibility in the Klang Valley, smoke from fires on Peninsular Malaysia is also a contributor, and at all times, the domestic source of secondary particle production is present

Long noncoding RNAs and their link to cancer.

The central dogma of molecular biology, developed from the study of simple organisms such as Escherichia coli, has up until recently been that RNA functions mainly as an information intermediate between a DNA sequence (gene), localized in the cell nucleus, serving as a template for the transcription of messenger RNAs, which in turn translocate into the cytoplasm and act as blueprints for the translation of their encoded proteins. There are a number of classes of non-protein coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which are essential for gene expression to function. The specific number of ncRNAs within the human genome is unknown. ncRNAs are classified on the basis of their size. Transcripts shorter than 200 nucleotides, referred to as ncRNAs, which group includes miRNAs, siRNAs, piRNAs, etc, have been extensively studied. Whilst transcripts with a length ranging between 200 nt up to 100 kilobases, referred to as lncRNAs, make up the second group, and are recently receiving growing concerns. LncRNAs play important roles in a variety of biological processes, regulating physiological functions of organisms, including epigenetic control of gene regulation, transcription and post-transcription, affecting various aspects of cellular homeostasis, including proliferation, survival, migration and genomic stability. LncRNAs are also capable of tuning gene expression and impact cellular signalling cascades, play crucial roles in promoter-specific gene regulation, and X-chromosome inactivation. Furthermore, it has been reported that lncRNAs interact with DNA, RNA, and/or protein molecules, and regulate chromatin organisation, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Consequently, they are differentially expressed in tumours, and they are directly linked to the transformation of healthy cells into tumour cells. As a result of their key functions in a wide range of biological processes, lncRNAs are becoming rising stars in biology and medicine, possessing potential active roles in various oncologic diseases, representing a gold mine of potential new biomarkers and drug targets

Deriving the Hirshfeld partitioning using distance metrics

A

Supporting women with postpartum anxiety: exploring views and experiences of specialist community public health nurses in the UK

Anxiety is common among postpartum women and can have adverse effects on mother's and child's somatic and psychological health if left untreated. In the UK, nurses or midwifes with a specialisation in community public health nursing, also called health visitors (HVs), work with families who have children younger than 5 years of age and are therefore in a key position to identify and support women with postpartum mental health issues. Until recently, postpartum mental health support provided by HVs mainly focused on identifying and managing depression, but the updated clinical guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence also includes guidance regarding screening and psychological interventions for perinatal anxiety. This study therefore aimed to explore HVs' experiences of supporting women with postpartum anxiety and their views on currently available care. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 HVs from the UK between May and October 2015. Participants were interviewed in person at their workplace or on the phone/Skype. Using thematic analysis, four main themes emerged: identification and screening issues; importance of training; service usage; and status of current service provision. Women with postpartum anxiety were commonly encountered by HVs in their clinical practice and described as often heavily using their or other related healthcare services, which puts additional strain on HVs' already heavy workload. Issues with identifying and screening for postpartum anxiety were raised and the current lack of perinatal mental health training for HVs was highlighted. In addition, HVs described a current lack of good perinatal mental health services in general and specifically for anxiety. The study highlights the need for HV perinatal mental health training in general and postpartum anxiety specifically, as well as better coverage of specialist mental health services and the need for development of interventions targeted at postpartum anxiety