Neuropsychological Functioning of Homeless Men

Numerous biological and psychological factors associated with impaired neurological functioning have been identified as common among the homeless, but there has been relatively little systematic examination of the cognitive functioning of homeless people. This study explored the neuropsychological functioning of 90 homeless men. There was great variability in their test scores, but the presence of possible cognitive impairment was detected in 80% of the sample. Average general intellectual functioning and reading abilities were found to be relatively low, and the incidence of impairments in reading, new verbal learning, memory, and attention and concentration was high. These findings suggest that the homeless men in this study had considerable assessment and treatment needs that were not being met by most of the health and social services offered to them

Identifying factors that contribute to mango resin canal discolouration

Resin canal discolouration (RCD) is a quality defect that reduces the market value of ripe mango fruit. Market reports of RCD have increased during the past two mango seasons, particularly for early-season ‘Kensington Pride’ fruit produced near Darwin in the Northern Territory. A 1-year project was undertaken during the 2013 mango season to start identifying possible factors that contribute to RCD. The research focused on ‘Kensington Pride’ fruit produced in the Darwin production area. The research team monitored fruit from orchard to market, conducted specific trials, and completed detailed scientific evaluation of affected fruit. Preliminary findings suggest that RCD: • Can also occasionally be found in green fruit on the tree or at grading but only when the fruit or stems have severe physical injury or pathogen infection. • Occurrence can vary considerably between different orchards and for different harvest dates. • Increases in severity as fruit develop from firm ripe to overripe. • Incidence is higher in fruit that are exposed to commercial handling procedures than those ripened directly off the tree. • Can be present in the flesh without symptoms being exhibited on the skin. • Incidence can be higher in early-season fruit than those picked later. • Incidence can be higher in fruit harvested soon after a rain event. • Symptoms may be associated with bacterial infection. The observations to-date suggest that RCD is likely to occur when field conditions result in the production of ‘sensitive’ fruit that, in turn, express the defect when exposed to the common harvest and postharvest stresses. Follow-on R&D will aim to confirm the causes of RCD and to develop reliable control measures

Fast-framing ballistic imaging of velocity in an aerated spray

We describe further development of ballistic imaging adapted for the liquid core of an atomizing spray. To fully understand spray breakup dynamics, one must measure the velocity and acceleration vectors that describe the forces active in primary breakup. This information is inaccessible to most optical diagnostics, as the signal is occluded by strong scattering in the medium. Ballistic imaging mitigates this scattering noise, resolving clean shadowgram-type images of structures within the dense spray region. We demonstrate that velocity data can be extracted from ballistic images of a spray relevant to fuel-injection applications, by implementing a simple, targeted correlation method for determining velocity from pairs of spray images. This work presents the first ballistic images of a liquid-fuel injector for scramjet combustion, and the first velocity information from ballistic images relevant to breakup in the near-field of a spray

An exploration into the roles of managerial support and occupational stigma in the employee turnover process amongst non-managerial quick service workers in Guyana

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the role of managerial support and occupational stigma in the employee turnover process amongst non-managerial employees (crew members) in the quick service sector. Guided contextually by the Decent Work Agenda and framed theoretically by the Resource-Based View, this sequential explanatory mixed-method study was conducted with the employees of a large quick service operator in Guyana. The entire population of crew members was surveyed via questionnaire, whilst a mixture of random and purposive sampling was used to identify fifteen managers who participated in structured interviews. A key feature of the study is the ethical dimension, as the author of the study is the owner and CEO of the study organization. This necessitated the use of a professional research assistant to administer the questionnaires and interviews, as well as undertake the transcription and anonymization of the data.Correlation analysis was used to analyze the quantitative data, whilst thematic analysis was deployed to decipher data from structured interviews. The study produced four important findings. First, the study, in a new geographical context, supported previous research which found managerial support to be positively associated with employee retention. Second, the study identified the prevalence of impulsive quits as a result of pervasive supervisor incivility. Third, the study discovered that perceptions of slavery exist around quick service work. Fourth, the study detected the stigma of homosexuality in relation to males employed in the quick service sector.The findings of the study underpin its contributions to knowledge and practice. A Model of the Employee Turnover process was developed. This model demonstrates the relationships between managerial support, work-life conflicts, career development and supervisor incivility in the turnover process. The study also generated a Retention Toolkit, which provides a framework for improving human resource systems/practices and, second, training aimed at developing the leadership skills of managers in the sector.The findings of this study may also be applicable to non-managerial workers in the wider hospitality sector and to other shop floor workers. Future studies, using the findings of this study as a base, should target other workers in the hospitality sector in Guyana and the wider English-speaking Caribbean, where the hospitality industry has a very significant role

Hydrocooling of 'B3' lychee fruit maintained in cold storage

Este experimento visou a estudar o efeito de diferentes temperaturas e tempos de pré-resfriamento em água sobre a qualidade de lichias 'B3', após a frigoconservação. Os tratamentos foram: T1 = controle (sem pré-resfriamento); T2 = imersão por cinco minutos em água a 2,5°C; T3 = imersão por 10 minutos em água a 2,5°C; T4 = imersão por 20 minutos em água a 2,5°C; T5 = imersão por sete minutos em água a 6°C; T6 = imersão por 20 minutos em água a 8°C e T7 = imersão por 10 minutos em água a 10°C. Após a aplicação dos respectivos tratamentos, os frutos foram acondicionados em filmes de polietileno de 24µm, selados e posteriormente armazenados a 5°C e 90% UR, por um período de sete dias, seguido por três dias de comercialização simulada a 20°C e 70% UR. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, com tratamentos fatoriais de 7x3 (tratamentosxtempo). Foram utilizadas quatro repetições por tratamento, sendo cada uma composta por 150g de frutos. Determinaram-se: perda de massa fresca, coloração (L*, a e b), escurecimento (%) e podridões (%). De acordo com os resultados, o pré-resfriamento com água reduz a percentagem de escurecimento, o decréscimo da luminosidade (L*) e os valores de a. Por outro lado, esse tratamento favorece o surgimento de altos índices de podridão.This project studied the effects of different precooling temperatures and times with water on lychee 'B3' fruit quality cold storage. The treatments were: T1 = control (without precooling); T2 = immersed in water at 2.5°C for five minutes; T3 = immersed in water at 2.5°C for ten minutes; T4 = immersed in water at 2.5°C for 20 minutes; T5 = immersed in water at 6°C for seven minutes; T6 = immersed in water at 8°C for 20 minutes and T7 = immersed in water at 10°C for ten minutes. After treatments application, the fruits were then placed into polyethylene bags of 24µm, sealed, and stored for seven days at 5°C and 90% RH, plus 3 days at 20°C and 70% RH to simulate commercial conditions. Completely randomized experimental design, with factorial 7x3 (treatments x time). The research used four replicates for treatment, approximately 150g. It was determined: weight loss, color (L*, a and b), browning (%) and rots (%). According to the results, the lychee hydrocooling reduced the browning percentage, the brightness decrease (L *) and a values. In the other hand, this treatment also resulted in higher percentage of rots

Developmental contributions to macronutrient selection: A randomized controlled trial in adult survivors of malnutrition

Background and objectives: Birthweight differences between kwashiorkor and marasmus suggest that intrauterine factors influence the development of these syndromes of malnutrition and may modulate risk of obesity through dietary intake. We tested the hypotheses that the target protein intake in adulthood is associated with birthweight, and that protein leveraging to maintain this target protein intake would influence energy intake (EI) and body weight in adult survivors of malnutrition.Methodology: Sixty-three adult survivors of marasmus and kwashiorkor could freely compose a diet from foods containing 10, 15 and 25 percentage energy from protein (percentage of energy derived from protein (PEP); Phase 1) for 3 days. Participants were then randomized in Phase 2 (5 days) to diets with PEP fixed at 10%, 15% or 25%.Results: Self-selected PEP was similar in both groups. In the groups combined, selected PEP was 14.7, which differed significantly (P < 0.0001) from the null expectation (16.7%) of no selection. Self-selected PEP was inversely related to birthweight, the effect disappearing after adjusting for sex and current body weight. In Phase 2, PEP correlated inversely with EI (P = 0.002) and weight change from Phase 1 to 2 (P = 0.002). Protein intake increased with increasing PEP, but to a lesser extent than energy increased with decreasing PEP.Conclusions and implications: Macronutrient intakes were not independently related to birthweight or diagnosis. In a free-choice situation (Phase 1), subjects selected a dietary PEP significantly lower than random. Lower PEP diets induce increased energy and decreased protein intake, and are associated with weight gain

Trematodes of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia: emerging patterns of diversity and richness in coral reef fishes

The Great Barrier Reef holds the richest array of marine life found anywhere in Australia, including a diverse and fascinating parasite fauna. Members of one group, the trematodes, occur as sexually mature adult worms in almost all Great Barrier Reef bony fish species. Although the first reports of these parasites were made 100 years ago, the fauna has been studied systematically for only the last 25 years. When the fauna was last reviewed in 1994 there were 94 species known from the Great Barrier Reef and it was predicted that there might be 2,270 in total. There are now 326 species reported for the region, suggesting that we are in a much improved position to make an accurate prediction of true trematode richness. Here we review the current state of knowledge of the fauna and the ways in which our understanding of this fascinating group is changing. Our best estimate of the true richness is now a range, 1,100–1,800 species. However there remains considerable scope for even these figures to be incorrect given that fewer than one-third of the fish species of the region have been examined for trematodes. Our goal is a comprehensive characterisation of this fauna, and we outline what work needs to be done to achieve this and discuss whether this goal is practically achievable or philosophically justifiable

Past, Present, and Possible Future Human Infection with Influenza Virus A Subtype H7

These viruses have resulted in >100 cases of human infection since 2002, and their pandemic potential should not be underestimated