79 research outputs found
Strengthening of Parenthood; Developing a Life Skills Questionnaire for Dutch Parents (LSQ-P)
AbstractLife skills of parents have a positive effect on the wellbeing of parents and development of children. Currently, no reliable instrument is available to measure these skills. This study was set up to develop a questionnaire for assessing parents’ life skills. The questionnaire was developed for professionals who are working with parents and for building behavioral interventions enhancing the wellbeing of parents. A pilot research using a translation of the Life Skills Scale (Erawan, 2010) was conducted. Construct validity and reliability by means of confirmatory factor analysis of nine scales were examined in a sample of 133 Dutch parents and reliability of the scales in terms of Cronbach's alpha was examined. Evidence for construct validity of the scales was found. Reliability coefficients were satisfactory for the scales Critical thinking, Social responsibility, Interpersonal relationships, Decision making, Self-awareness, and Creative thinking. Reliability coefficients were good for Empathy and Self-esteem. The LSQ-P can be used in social work practice as an assessment tool to measure strengths and weaknesses regarding life skills of parents. More attention for developing life skills of parents is necessary in order to increase their wellbeing. Implications for health promotion among parents are discussed. Suggestions for further research and development of the scales are outlined
Extensive polymorphism and geographical variation at a positively selected MHC class II B gene of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni)
Understanding the selective forces that shape genetic variation in natural populations
remains a high priority in evolutionary biology. Genes at the major histocompatibility
complex (MHC) have become excellent models for the investigation of adaptive variation
and natural selection because of their crucial role in fighting off pathogens. Here we
present one of the first data sets examining patterns of MHC variation in wild populations
of a bird of prey, the lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni. We report extensive polymorphism at
the second exon of a putatively functional MHC class II gene, Fana-DAB*1. Overall, 103
alleles were isolated from 121 individuals sampled from Spain to Kazakhstan. Bayesian
inference of diversifying selection suggests that several amino acid sites may have experienced
strong positive selection (ω = 4.02 per codon). The analysis also suggests a prominent
role of recombination in generating and maintaining MHC diversity (ρ = 4Nc = 0.389 per
codon, θ = 0.017 per codon). Both the Fana-DAB*1 locus and a set of eight polymorphic
microsatellite markers revealed an isolation-by-distance pattern across the Western Palaearctic
(r = 0.67; P = 0.01 and r = 0.50; P = 0.04, respectively). Nonetheless, geographical
variation at the MHC contrasts with relatively uniform distributions in the frequencies of
microsatellite alleles. In addition, we found lower fixation rates in the MHC than those
predicted by genetic drift after controlling for neutral mitochondrial sequences. Our results
therefore underscore the role of balancing selection as well as spatial variations in parasitemediated
selection regimes in shaping MHC diversity when gene flow is limited.Peer reviewe
Optically detected magnetic resonance and spin coherence in the phosphorescent state of exchange-coupled F
Evolution of cell resistance, threshold voltage and crystallization temperature during cycling of line-cell phase-change random access memory
X-ray reflectivity of an Sb delta-doping layer in silicon
X‐ray reflectivity measurements were made on Si(001) crystals containing a delta‐doping layer of Sb atoms a few nanometers below the surface. The measurements show the Sb doping profile to be abrupt towards the substrate side of the sample and to decay towards the surface with a characteristic decay length of 1.01 nm
Optically detected magnetic resonance and spin coherence of self-trapped hole centers in an excited spin-quartet state in calcium oxide
Observation of Dipolar-Induced Spin Dephasing in Ionic Solids Using Coherent Optical-Microwave Spectroscopy
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