Characterizing Community-Based Mental Health Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Disruptive Behavior Problems

This study describes the characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with disruptive behavior problems served in community-based mental health clinics, characterizes psychotherapy process and outcome, and examines differences between children with ASD and a non-ASD comparison group. Results indicate that children with ASD served in this setting are high functioning and diagnostically complex. Certain research-based behavioral and cognitive behavioral psychotherapeutic strategies were observed frequently, while parent training strategies and active teaching strategies were observed less frequently. The intensity or thoroughness with which strategies were pursued was relatively low. Outcome analyses indicate improvement in child symptoms and family functioning. Treatment delivery and outcome were similar for children with and without ASD. These findings represent the first detailed observational data characterizing community-based mental health services for children with ASD

[Multicenter study on bronchopneumonia treated in a hospital environment in Friuli-Venezia Giulia: 2) Antibiotic therapy].

An analysis of a year's admissions for Pneumonia in all the Paediatric Department of the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia is presented. The study was conducted as activity of the Regional Section of the Italian Paediatric Society. The survey of the 14 Paediatric Centres produced a total of 536 cases of Pneumonia in the period January-December 1982 and was focused on antimicrobial therapy adopted pre and after hospitalization. General and specific therapeutic choices are discussed. Drawing the attention on the differences among centres

[Multicenter study on bronchopneumonia treated in a hospital environment in Friuli-Venezia Giulia: 1) Epidemiology].

Results are presented of a vast analysis into Bronchopneumonia (B.P.) conducted in North East Italy as activity of the Regional Section of the Italian Paediatric Society. The survey of the 14 Paediatric Centres in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, produced a total of 536 cases of B.P. in the period January-December 1982. Some significant connections between the several epidemiologic parameters investigated, with special interest in length of hospitalization, are commented. Bed occupancy, short vs. long stays, efficient management are discussed having also in consideration specific possible necessities of some local communities

The impact of ward climate on staff perceptions of barriers to research‐driven service changes on mental health wards: A cross‐sectional study

Introduction: To create successful change programmes for mental health wards, it is necessary to understand which aspects of ward climate prevent change. Question: Does ward climate influence mental health nurse's perceptions of barriers to change? Method: Random‐effects models were used to test whether the following ward climate variables influenced the outcome measure “staff perceptions of barriers to change” (VOCALISE) and its subscales (powerlessness/confidence/demotivation): (a) Perceptions of ward climate (VOTE: subscales included work intensity/job satisfaction/interaction anxiety). (b) Ward climate indicators (incidents/detention under the Mental Health Act (2007)/staffing/bed pressure). As known predictors of VOCALISE, burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory) and occupational status were included in the models. Results: Perceptions of ward climate (VOTE), incidents, temporary staff, occupational status and burnout significantly and negatively affected perceptions of barriers to change (VOCALISE). Staff with low job satisfaction (VOTE) and high interaction anxiety (VOTE) also had low confidence (VOCALISE). Staff with low job satisfaction (VOTE) were also demotivated (VOCALISE). Discussion: Ward climate is an important predictor of how staff regard service changes in mental health wards. Implications for practice: Staff perceptions of ward climate and barriers to change should be assessed ahead of service changes to identify pressures that impede progress and lower morale

Scaffolding, analysis and materials: contributing factors in an unexpected finding of advanced infant/toddler pretend play?

As part of a longitudinal study, infant/toddler pretend play development and maternal play modelling were investigated in dyadic context. A total of 21 children were videotaped in monthly play sessions with their mothers, from age 8 to 17 months. Child and mother pretend play frequencies and levels were measured using Brown’s Pretend Play Observation Scale. Child IQ assessments at 5 years (Stanford–Binet IV) indicated average to high ability levels (M = 122.62). Descriptive analyses showed that children’s levels of pretend development were markedly in advance of age-typical expectations. With a previous analysis showing no specific associations between play levels and IQ, intensive maternal scaffolding, data analysis approaches and use of abstract play materials are proposed as possible contributory factors to the children’s advanced pretend play development

H3+ characteristics in the Jupiter atmosphere as observed at limb with Juno/JIRAM

NASA’s Juno spacecraft has been orbiting Jupiter since August 2016, providing unprecedented insights into the giant planet’s atmosphere. The Jupiter Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) experiment on board Juno has made spectroscopic observations of the trihydrogen cation (H3+) emissions in both northern and southern auroral regions (Dinelli et al. 2017; Adriani et al. 2017; Mura et al. 2017) and at mid-to-low latitudes (this paper). Observations targeting the limb of the planet from 60° North to 60° South latitudes were acquired with JIRAM’s spectrometer in August 2016 and March 2017. We use these observations to characterize, for the first time, the vertical distribution of the H3+ emissions as a function of latitude across Jupiter’s sunlit face dayside. H3+ emission features in the 3-4 μm spectral band were used to retrieve the H3+ volume mixing ratio (VMR) and atmospheric temperatures as a function of altitude. The H3+ density profile has a quasi-symmetric distribution with latitude, decreasing from 5×105 cm-3 at 500 km altitude above the 1-bar level to 2×105 cm-3 at 650 km (column densities of 3.5×1013 cm-2 to 1.4×1013 cm-2, assuming a 700 km column depth; altitudes are referenced to 1-bar pressure level). The H3+ VMR is higher in the Southern hemisphere than in the North with values at 500 km altitude of ~4×10-4 ppmv at 40°N and ~8×10-4 ppmv at 40°S. Retrieved temperatures increase almost monotonically with increasing altitude, hovering around 400 K at 300 km and greater than 900 K at about 700 km.JUNO - PRODE