The Evolution of Herbs

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Some Issues in the Methodology of Attitude Research. ESRI Policy Series No. 3. November 1980

Following the publication of the paper Attitudes in the Republic of Ireland Relevant to the Northern Ireland Problem (ESRI Paper No. 97), by E. E. Davis and R. Sinnott, the Executive Committee of the lnstitute proposed that a paper be devoted to the subject which would enable the authors to respond fully to criticisms of Paper No. 97, and would allow the methodological and scholarly Issues that arise to be discussed in an appropriate academic forum. The present paper is the outcome

The pros and cons of using SDL for creation of distributed services

In a competitive market for the creation of complex distributed services, time to market, development cost, maintenance and flexibility are key issues. Optimizing the development process is very much a matter of optimizing the technologies used during service creation. This paper reports on the experience gained in the Service Creation projects SCREEN and TOSCA on use of the language SDL for efficient service creation

Library Assessment Practices in North Carolina Public Libraries: What are they measuring and how are they measuring it?

Assessment and evaluation of library performance can inform both internal and external decision making, and libraries are increasingly being held accountable to a variety of stakeholders; therefore, it is important that any measurements of library use, services, collections, and patron attitudes reflect the value and impact of the library. Traditionally, libraries have demonstrated their worth via input and output measures, but the demand has increased for public libraries to begin measuring more complex outcome measures to assess their performance. This research study involved a survey of the 77 public library systems of North Carolina about what performance concepts they are measuring, how they are measuring these concepts, and identifying any barriers to collecting performance measures. The study found that NC public libraries are now commonly measuring input and output measures, while beginning to assess more complex performance concepts as the demand for demonstrating value and impact increases

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and later-life depression: perceived social support as a potential protective factor.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and later-life depressive symptoms; and to explore whether perceived social support (PSS) moderates these. METHOD: We analysed baseline data from the Mitchelstown (Ireland) 2010-2011 cohort of 2047 men and women aged 50-69 years. Self-reported measures included ACEs (Centre for Disease Control ACE questionnaire), PSS (Oslo Social Support Scale) and depressive symptoms (CES-D). The primary exposure was self-report of at least one ACE. We also investigated the effects of ACE exposure by ACE scores and ACE subtypes abuse, neglect and household dysfunction. Associations between each of these exposures and depressive symptoms were estimated using logistic regression, adjusted for socio-demographic factors. We tested whether the estimated associations varied across levels of PSS (poor, moderate and strong). RESULTS: 23.7% of participants reported at least one ACE (95% CI 21.9% to 25.6%). ACE exposures (overall, subtype or ACE scores) were associated with a higher odds of depressive symptoms, but only among individuals with poor PSS. Exposure to any ACE (vs none) was associated with almost three times the odds of depressive symptoms (adjusted OR 2.85; 95% CI 1.64 to 4.95) among individuals reporting poor PSS, while among those reporting moderate and strong PSS, the adjusted ORs were 2.21 (95% CI 1.52 to 3.22) and 1.39 (95% CI 0.85 to 2.29), respectively. This pattern of results was similar when exposures were based on ACE subtype and ACE scores, though the interaction was clearly strongest among those reporting abuse. CONCLUSIONS: ACEs are common among older adults in Ireland and are associated with higher odds of later-life depressive symptoms, particularly among those with poor PSS. Interventions that enhance social support, or possibly perceptions of social support, may help reduce the burden of depression in older populations with ACE exposure, particularly in those reporting abuse

Germination rates of Carex spp. seed after long-term storage

This study explores the germination rates of Carex spp. seed that has been in storage for five to ten years. The genus Carex is a group of ecologically important grass-like species that constitute up to 25% of the aboveground biomass in tallgrass prairies. In the early 2000s, seed production plots of 18 Carex species were established from remnant prairie seed at the Tallgrass Prairie Center in Cedar Falls, IA. Seed harvested from the Carex plots from 2009 to 2014 was made available for release to the native seed industry for commercial production, with the remainder stored in an onsite seed bank at 4°C and 45% humidity. As the seed harvested from these original plots ages in storage, it is likely that viability will decrease. The rate of decline in seed viability of many Carex species in dry storage is not well known, and is important for determining when seed lots need to be regenerated. Species under examination are C. annectens, C. bebbii, C. brevior, C. cristatella, C. molesta, C. stricta, C. tribuloides, and C. vulpinoidea. After removal from storage, seeds were placed in cold-moist stratification for 28 days. Four replicates of 100 seeds from each species were arranged on moistened blotter paper in germination boxes. They were then placed in a growth chamber set to 30/15°C corresponding to a light regime of 12 hours light/12 hours dark. The cumulative count of germinated normal seedlings was used as an indicator for the viability of the seed. By determining the viability of seeds in storage, we can better inform the stewardship of foundation seed banks and improve the availability of genetically diverse and regionally adapted Carex seed for restorations

Enabling quantitative data analysis through e-infrastructures

This paper discusses how quantitative data analysis in the social sciences can engage with and exploit an e-Infrastructure. We highlight how a number of activities which are central to quantitative data analysis, referred to as ‘data management’, can benefit from e-infrastructure support. We conclude by discussing how these issues are relevant to the DAMES (Data Management through e-Social Science) research Node, an ongoing project that aims to develop e-Infrastructural resources for quantitative data analysis in the social sciences

The skiers knee without swelling or instability, a difficult diagnosis: a case report

Skiing as a recreational activity has increased exponentially in the last twenty-years. Similar to any sporting activity, participants can sustain various types of injury, which provides the emergency departments with a continuous supply of patients. The injury pattern from the slopes has also changed over this time period, due to alterations and improvements in ski equipment. An increased diversity in alpine skiing techniques, as well as snowboarding and cross-terrain disciplines has also influenced this change. We present a multi-media experience of a high-speed ski fall that caused a valgus-external rotation injury to the right knee that precluded the patient from further ski activity. There was no bruising, swelling or instability demonstrated and the patient returned to ski activities 24-hours post-injury. Although this injury appeared clinically benign initially, the patient complained of persistent pain around the right knee which was causing occupational difficulties. Following normal clinical assessment, the patient returned to work but continued to complain of persistent pain at the lateral aspect of the right knee. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) demonstrated extensive bone marrow oedema (BMO), a mild depression of the articular cortex compression with a small focus of articular cartilage disruption and microfractures of the lateral tibial plateau. The patient was treated conservatively and remains well with avoidance of impact exercises 14-months post-injury. In the presence of any high speed injury, we would stress that regardless of initial normal investigations, clinical suspicion should remain paramount and not deter the physician from further investigation in the presence of continuing symptomatology

Young people's conceptualizations of the nature of cyberbullying: A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd Introduction: Cyberbullying is a serious public health problem facing young people. Adults do not have first-hand experience of being immersed in social media in their youth and this necessitates the inclusion of youth voice in efforts to understand and address cyberbullying. This study aimed to synthesize qualitative studies which had explored young people's conceptualizations of the nature of cyberbullying, with a view to informing conceptual and intervention development. Methods: A systematic review and meta-ethnographic synthesis of qualitative studies was conducted. Nine databases were searched from inception to July 2018. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program assessment tool was used to appraise the quality of included studies. Results: Of 4872 unique records identified, 79 were reviewed in detail and 13 studies comprising 753 young people from 12 countries were included. Five key concepts were identified: Intent, Repetition, Accessibility, Anonymity and Barriers to Disclosure. A “line of argument” illustrating young people's conceptualization of cyberbullying was developed. Conclusion: The significance of information and communication technology in young people's lives, and the complexity of the cyber world in which they connect, must be recognized in conceptualizations of cyebrbullying. The distinctive features of cyberbullying identified in young people's characterization can be used to inform bottom-up research and intervention efforts.This research was funded by the Health Research Board through the SPHeRE Programme SPHeRE/2013/