Online mental health forums and rural resilience: mixed methods study and logic model

Background: Rural mental health is a growing area of concern internationally, and online mental health forums offer a potential response to addressing service gaps in rural communities. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore and identify pathways by which online peer support mental health forums help to build resilience for rural residents experiencing mental ill-health by contributing to overcoming their specific contextual challenges. Methods: We developed a Theoretical Resilience Framework and applied it to 3000 qualitative posts from 3 Australian online mental health forums and to data from 30 interviews with rural forum users. Results: Drawing on the findings and an abductive approach, a logic model was developed to illustrate links between the resilience resources built and enabling features of forums that make them spaces that facilitate resilience. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that online forums make valuable contributions to social well-being and access to a range of timely support services for rural people experiencing mental ill-health, and, while doing so, involve users in the processes of resilience building. The study provides a new way for practitioners to frame the work of and value produced by forums. It gives a logic model that can be used in evaluation and audit as it facilitates a causal framing of how forums, as an intervention, link with resilience outcomes. Ultimately, the study contributes to developing new knowledge about how rural resilience building can be conceptualized and measured while showing how forums are part of contemporary health service provision in rural places

Couplings and Rotating Machines

Short CourseThis course covers the application of couplings on rotating machines. It covers both drive and driven machines with their characteristics, and how this affects the coupling. It will also cover the various types of coupling in the market, and where they are utilised. It then looks at the oil and gas industry needs, and why certain couplings are preferred. Other subjects that are included are shaft end connections, balancing, shaft alignment and failure analysis. It concludes with coupling selection, derived from the data provided from the customer

Roles of fibrin α- and γ-chain specific cross-linking by FXIIIa in fibrin structure and function

Factor XIII is responsible for the cross-linking of fibrin γ-chains in the early stages of clot formation, whilst α-chain cross-linking occurs at a slower rate. Although γ- and α-chain cross-linking was previously shown to contribute to clot stiffness, the role of cross-linking of both chains in determining clot structure is currently unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the role of individual α- and γ-chain cross-linking during clot formation, and its effects on clot structure. We made use of a recombinant fibrinogen (γQ398N/Q399N/K406R), which does not allow for γ-chain cross-linking. In the absence of cross-linking, intact D-D interface was shown to play a potential role in fibre appearance time, clot stiffness and elasticity. Cross-linking of the fibrin α-chain played a role in the thickening of the fibrin fibres over time, and decreased lysis rate in the absence of α2-antiplasmin. We also showed that α-chain cross-linking played a role in the timing of fibre appearance, straightening fibres, increasing clot stiffness and reducing clot deformation. Cross-linking of the γ-chain played a role in fibrin fibre appearance time and fibre density. Our results show that α- and γ-chain cross-linking play independent and specific roles in fibrin clot formation and structure

Impacts of elevated atmospheric CO₂ on nutrient content of important food crops.

One of the many ways that climate change may affect human health is by altering the nutrient content of food crops. However, previous attempts to study the effects of increased atmospheric CO2 on crop nutrition have been limited by small sample sizes and/or artificial growing conditions. Here we present data from a meta-analysis of the nutritional contents of the edible portions of 41 cultivars of six major crop species grown using free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) technology to expose crops to ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations in otherwise normal field cultivation conditions. This data, collected across three continents, represents over ten times more data on the nutrient content of crops grown in FACE experiments than was previously available. We expect it to be deeply useful to future studies, such as efforts to understand the impacts of elevated atmospheric CO2 on crop macro- and micronutrient concentrations, or attempts to alleviate harmful effects of these changes for the billions of people who depend on these crops for essential nutrients

Differences in the distribution of F-actin in outer hair cells along the organ of Corti

There is evidence of differences in the structure, innervation and physiological responses between outer hair cells (OHCs) of the basal and apical turns of the mammalian cochlea. In this study we have used rhodamine-labelled phalloidin to investigate the differential distribution of F-actin in OHCs along the organ of Corti of the guinea pig. Isolated OHCs and surface preparations and cryosections of the organ of Corti were studied. F-actin was observed in stereocilia and the cuticular plate of all OHCs. In addition, some OHCs had a network of F-actin extending from the cuticular plate towards the nucleus. This infracuticular network was observed in most OHCs of the apical cochlear turns but was not seen in any OHCs of the basal turn. These microstructural differences between OHCs of the base and apex could be related to differences in OHC function between the apical and basal portions of the cochlea.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/26926/1/0000492.pd

Suspected lead poisoning in two captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) in South Africa, in 2008 and 2013

CITATION: North, M. A. et al. 2015. Suspected lead poisoning in two captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) in South Africa, in 2008 and 2013. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 86(1), Art. #1286, doi:10.4102/jsava.v86i1.1286.The original publication is available at http://www.jsava.co.zaWhilst lead poisoning in raptors, scavenging birds and waterfowl is well studied and common knowledge, there is surprisingly little literature detailing the risk to mammalian scavengers and captive carnivores fed hunted meat. This case report describes the death of two captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) following acute onset of nervous symptoms. Clinical signs included hyper-excitability, seizures, arched back, tail held abnormally high and hyper-salivation. Necropsy findings included bullets or a bullet in their stomachs. Kidney and liver lead levels from one cheetah (15.6 ppm and 17 ppm respectively) were consistent with a diagnosis of lead poisoning; liver from the second cheetah was not available for testing. Both animals were routinely fed hunted antelope or game birds. This is the first report of oral lead poisoning in captive large carnivores, although these are unlikely to be the first cases. Without awareness of the risks of feeding hunted game, lead exposure will continue to be an underdiagnosed reality in the rehabilitation of endangered carnivores.http://www.jsava.co.za/index.php/jsava/article/view/1286Publisher's versio

Neurocognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes: evidence for shared genetic aetiology

Aims/hypothesis: Type 2 diabetes is associated with cognitive impairments, but it is unclear whether common genetic factors influence both type 2 diabetes risk and cognition. Methods: Using data from 1892 Mexican-American individuals from extended pedigrees, including 402 with type 2 diabetes, we examined possible pleiotropy between type 2 diabetes and cognitive functioning, as measured by a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. Results: Negative phenotypic correlations (ρp) were observed between type 2 diabetes and measures of attention (Continuous Performance Test [CPT d\u27]: ρp = -0.143, p = 0.001), verbal memory (California Verbal Learning Test [CVLT] recall: ρp = -0.111, p = 0.004) and face memory (Penn Face Memory Test [PFMT]: ρp = -0.127, p = 0.002; PFMT Delayed: ρp = -0.148, p = 2 × 10-4), replicating findings of cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes. Negative genetic correlations (ρg) were also observed between type 2 diabetes and measures of attention (CPT d\u27: ρg = -0.401, p = 0.001), working memory (digit span backward test: ρg = -0.380, p = 0.005), and face memory (PFMT: ρg = -0.476, p = 2 × 10-4; PFMT Delayed: ρg = -0.376, p = 0.005), suggesting that the same genetic factors underlying risk for type 2 diabetes also influence poor cognitive performance in these domains. Performance in these domains was also associated with type 2 diabetes risk using an endophenotype ranking value approach. Specifically, on measures of attention (CPT d\u27: β = -0.219, p = 0.005), working memory (digit span backward: β = -0.326, p = 0.035), and face memory (PFMT: β = -0.171, p = 0.023; PFMT Delayed: β = -0.215, p = 0.005), individuals with type 2 diabetes showed the lowest performance, while unaffected/unrelated individuals showed the highest performance, and those related to an individual with type 2 diabetes performed at an intermediate level. Conclusions/interpretation: These findings suggest that cognitive impairment may be a useful endophenotype of type 2 diabetes and, therefore, help to elucidate the pathophysiological underpinnings of this chronic disease. Data availability: The data analysed in this study is available in dbGaP: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/gap/cgi-bin/study.cgi?study_id=phs001215.v2.p2