Identification of the Causes and Characteristics of Suicide Among American Indian Youth

Blackfeet youth suicide Attempters and a sample of non-suicide Attempters were compared on the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES- 111), the Family Environment Scale (FES), the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI), the revised Beck Depression Scale (BDI) and a biographical inventory. The purpose of this study was to define a set of variables that identify Indian youth with a high potential for suicide. The study sample consisted of 60 participants between the ages of 15-24, 30 suicide Attempters and 30 non-suicide Attempters, from the Blackfeet reservation. Fifteen identified variables were proposed to differentiate between the two groups. Analyses involving nine variables revealed a significant correlation between the revised Beck Depression Inventory variable of depression and the Biographical Inventory self-report variable of suicide attempt. Results indicated that suicide Attempters scored higher on the revised Beck Depression Inventory than did those subjects who did not attempt suicide

TRAINING TEACHERS TO IMPLEMENT SYSTEMATIC STRATEGIES IN PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS WITH FIDELITY

This study examined the fidelity of implementation by four Head Start teachers using the teaching strategies of constant time delay, enhanced milieu teaching, and system of least prompts with children with and without disabilities in an inclusive early childhood setting. The teachers worked with the researcher to determine appropriate skills to target for each teaching strategy. A multiple probe across behaviors design replicated across four teachers was used to determine the effects of teachers’ fidelity of implementation of evidence-based teaching strategies. The results showed that Head Start teachers could implement systematic teaching strategies with fidelity. The study also examined if children with and without disabilities can make progress towards their target skills. The results showed that children were able to make progress towards their target skills

TRAINING TEACHING ASSISTANTS TO IMPLEMENT SYSTEMIC TEACHING STRATEGIES IN PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS WITH RELIABILITY

We are currently in an era of accountability, so the need for measuring fidelity of implementation is gaining attention. However, there is little research in the area of fidelity of implementation and an inclusive early childhood classroom. In addition, most of the research is conducted using teachers. This study examined the fidelity of implementation by two teaching assistants using the teaching strategies of time delay and system of least prompts with children with and without disabilities in an inclusive early childhood setting. A multiple-probe design with conditions across two behaviors and across two participants design was used to determine the effects of teaching assistants’ fidelity of implementation of evidence-based teaching strategies. Also a multiple probe across two behaviors, replicated across children was used. Most importantly, the results showed that teaching assistants could implement systematic teaching strategies with fidelity. Secondly, the children were able to make progress towards their target skills

The Role of BRF1 and BRF2 in the Immune Response

Tristetraprolin (TTP), butyrate response factor 1 (BRF1) and butyrate response factor 2 (BRF2) are members of a family of zinc finger containing ARE binding proteins known as the Zfp36 family. They all possess a conserved tandem zinc finger domain, which facilitates their binding to mRNAs that contain adenosine/uridine rich elements (ARE) in their 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR). Binding to the target mRNA results in its destabilisation. Several mRNAs containing an ARE in their 3’UTR are stabilised by the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 pathway. Both the expression and the mRNA destabilising function of TTP are controlled by the p38 MAPK pathway. Much less is known about BRF1 and BRF2 functions, and it is not clear whether their expression or function is regulated by the p38 MAPK pathway. So far no difference has been seen in the binding specificities of the three proteins in vitro, however the phenotypes of knockout mice suggest that they have distinct functions, and may have different mRNA targets in vivo. Western blotting and quantitative PCR (qPCR) have been used to investigate the expression of members of the Zfp36 family. RNA interference was used to knock down the expression of BRF1 and BRF2 in HeLa cells, and the effects on p38-regulated inflammatory mediator expression were examined. BRF1-/- mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cell lines were used to investigate the function of this family member. No evidence that BRF1 or BRF2 contributes to the post-transcriptional regulation of inflammatory mediators by the p38 MAPK pathway in HeLa cells or MEFs was found. BRF1 null MEFs over-expressed IL-6, protein, IL-6 mRNA and Cox-2 mRNA but did not over-express KC protein. The hypothesis that BRF1 is regulating IL-6 and Cox-2 by controlling mRNA stability was disproved. As a result investigation of the transcriptional regulation of these genes was researched. Primary transcript qPCR showed that both IL-6 and Cox-2 under-go more rapid transcription in BRF1-/- MEFs. This suggests that IL-6 and Cox-2 are indirect targets of BRF1 and that their regulation is through a transcription factor which is itself a target of BRF1

Manually defining regions of interest when quantifying paravertebral muscles fatty infiltration from axial magnetic resonance imaging : a proposed method for the lumbar spine with anatomical cross-reference

Background: There is increasing interest in paravertebral muscle composition as a potential prognostic and diagnostic element in lumbar spine health. As a consequence, it is becoming popular to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine muscle volume and fatty infiltration in lumbar paravertebral muscles to assess both age-related change and their clinical relevance in low back pain (LBP). A variety of imaging methods exist for both measuring key variables (fat, muscle) and for defining regions of interest, making pooled comparisons between studies difficult and rendering post-production analysis of MRIs confusing. We therefore propose and define a method as an option for use as a standardized MRI procedure for measuring lumbar paravertebral muscle composition, and to stimulate discussion towards establishing consensus for the analysis of skeletal muscle composition amongst clinician researchers. Method: In this descriptive methodological study we explain our method by providing an examination of regional lumbar morphology, followed by a detailed description of the proposed technique. Identification of paravertebral muscles and vertebral anatomy includes axial E12 sheet-plastinates from cadaveric material, combined with a series of axial MRIs that encompass sequencing commonly used for investigations of muscle quality (fat-water DIXON, T1-, and T2-weighted) to illustrate regional morphology; these images are shown for L1 and L4 levels to highlight differences in regional morphology. The method for defining regions of interest (ROI) for multifidus (MF), and erector spinae (ES) is then described. Results: Our method for defining ROIs for lumbar paravertebral muscles on axial MRIs is outlined and discussed in relation to existing literature. The method provides a foundation for standardising the quantification of muscle quality that particularly centres on examining fatty infiltration and composition. We provide recommendations relating to imaging parameters that should additionally inform a priori decisions when planning studies examining lumbar muscle tissues with MRI. Conclusions: We intend this method to provide a platform towards developing and delivering meaningful comparisons between MRI data on lumbar paravertebral muscle quality

Advancing imaging technologies for patients with spinal pain : with a focus on whiplash injury

Background: Radiological observations of soft-tissue changes that may relate to clinical symptoms in patients with traumatic and non-traumatic spinal disorders are highly controversial. Studies are often of poor quality and findings are inconsistent. A plethora of evidence suggests some pathoanatomical findings from traditional imaging applications are common in asymptomatic participants across the life span, which further questions the diagnostic, prognostic, and theranostic value of traditional imaging. Although we do not dispute the limited evidence for the clinical importance of most imaging findings, we contend that the disparate findings across studies may in part be due to limitations in the approaches used in assessment and analysis of imaging findings. Purpose: This clinical commentary aimed to (1) briefly detail available imaging guidelines, (2) detail research-based evidence around the clinical use of findings from advanced, but available, imaging applications (eg, fat and water magnetic resonance imaging and magnetization transfer imaging), and (3) introduce how evolving imaging technologies may improve our mechanistic understanding of pain and disability, leading to improved treatments and outcomes. Study Design/Setting: A non-systematic review of the literature is carried out. Methods: A narrative summary (including studies from the authors' own work in whiplash injuries) of the available literature is provided. Results: An emerging body of evidence suggests that the combination of existing imaging sequences or the use of developing imaging technologies in tandem with a good clinical assessment of modifiable risk factors may provide important diagnostic information toward the exploration and development of more informed and effective treatment options for some patients with traumatic neck pain. Conclusions: Advancing imaging technologies may help to explain the seemingly disconnected spectrum of biopsychosocial signs and symptoms of traumatic neck pain

The Two-Body Photodisintegration of Deuterium from 200 Mev to 600 Mev

This thesis presents an experimental study of the D(gamma,p)n breakup channel of the photodisintegration of deuterium in which both the total cross section (sigmatot, and the differential cross section, dsigma/dO, have been measured over the photon energy range 200-600 MeV. The experiment was performed at the recently completed tagged photon facility of the 855 MeV Microtron MAMI-B, at the Mainz Institut fur Kernphysik, Germany. The experiment used the GLASGOW tagging spectrometer in conjunction with the large acceptance detector DAPHNE achieving systematic and statistical errors of a few percent and extending the range of photon energies previously studied. Data taking started in May 1992, as part of the first round of approved experiments at MAMI-B. The GLASGOW tagging spectrometer was used to determine the photon energy with a resolution of about 2 MeV at intensities up to 5 x 10e5 photons per channel. Photon flux normalisation was determined to +/- 2%. A 270 mm long cryogenic target filled with liquid deuterium was placed coaxially with the beam. Protons were detected in the large acceptance tracking detector DAPHNE (3.7pi steradians) whose coverage of the azimuthal angle was complete and whose polar angular range was 2

Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers 2023

These guidelines are intended for library workers in reference and information services, in all types of libraries, who answer informational questions or conduct reference interviews. The goal of these guidelines is to support excellent, user-centered service. Some guidelines might not prove applicable in all contexts. Where that is the case, the goal should be to adapt these guidelines as appropriate to your environment

Intra and interrater reliability and clinical feasibility of a simple measure of cervical movement sense in patients with neck pain

Pattern tracing tasks can be used to assess cervical spine movement sense (CMS). A simple clinical measure of CMS (tracing fixed figure-of-eight (F8) and zigzag (ZZ) patterns with a head mounted laser) has been proposed and assessed in asymptomatic subjects. It is important to determine if examiner ratings of the traces are reliable and feasible for clinical use in those with neck pain. We therefore examined the intra- and inter-rater reliability of rating video recordings of the CMS tasks, and the feasibility of undertaking the tests in clinic by comparing slow motion versus real-time video ratings