Does Migration Make You Happy?:A Longitudinal Study of Internal Migration and Subjective Well-Being

The majority of modelling studies on consequences of internal migration focus almost exclusively on the labour market outcomes and the material well-being of migrants. We investigate whether individuals who migrate within the UK become happier after the move than they were before it and whether the effect is permanent or transient. Using life satisfaction responses from 12 waves of the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) and employing a fixed-effects model, we derive a temporal pattern of migrants’ subjective wellbeing (SWB) around the time of the migration event. Our findings make an original contribution by revealing for the first time that, on average, migration is preceded by a period when individuals experience a significant decline in happiness. The boost that is received through migration appears to bring people back to their initial level of happiness. As opposed to labour market outcomes of migration, SWB outcomes do not differ significantly between men and women. Perhaps surprisingly, long-distance migrants are at least as happy as short-distance migrants despite the higher social costs that are involved

A summer time series of particulate carbon in the air and snow at Summit, Greenland

Carbonaceous particulate matter is ubiquitous in the lower atmosphere, produced by natural and anthropogenic sources and transported to distant regions, including the pristine and climate-sensitive Greenland Ice Sheet. During the summer of 2006, ambient particulate carbonaceous compounds were characterized on the Greenland Ice Sheet, including the measurement of particulate organic (OC) and elemental (EC) carbon, particulate water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), particulate absorption coefficient (σap), and particle size-resolved number concentration (PM0.1–1.0). Additionally, parallel ∼50-day time series of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), water-insoluble organic carbon (WIOC), and elemental carbon (EC) were quantified at time increments of 4–24 h in the surface snow. Measurement of atmospheric particulate carbon found WSOC (average of 52 ng m−3) to constitute a major fraction of particulate OC (average of 56 ng m−3), suggesting that atmospheric organic compounds reaching the Greenland Ice Sheet in summer are highly oxidized. Atmospheric EC (average of 7 ng m−3) was well-correlated with σap (r = 0.95) and the calculated mass-absorption cross-section (average of 24 m2 g−1) appears to be similar to that measured using identical techniques in an urban environment in the United States. Comparing surface snow to atmospheric particulate matter concentrations, it appears the snow has a much higher OC (WSOC+WIOC) to EC ratio (205:1) than air (10:1), suggesting that snow is additionally influenced by water-soluble gas-phase compounds. Finally, the higher-frequency (every 4–6 h) sampling of snow-phase WSOC revealed significant loss (40–54%) of related organic compounds in surface snow within 8 h of wet deposition

Particulate and water-soluble carbon measured in recent snow at Summit, Greenland

Water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), waterinsoluble particulate organic carbon (WIOC), and particulate elemental carbon (EC) were measured simultaneously for the first time on the Greenland Ice Sheet in surface snow and in a 3-meter snow pit. Snow pit concentrations reveal that, on average, WSOC makes up the majority (89%) of carbonaceous species, followed by WIOC (10%) and EC (1%). The enhancement of OC relative to EC (ratio 99:1) in Greenland snow suggests that, along with atmospheric particulate matter, gaseous organics contribute to snow-phase OC. Comparison of summer surface snow concentrations in 2006 with past summer snow pit layers (2002 – 2005) found a significant depletion in WSOC (20 – 82%) and WIOC (46 – 65%) relative to EC for 3 of the 4 years. The apparent substantial loss of WSOC and WIOC in aged snow suggests that post-depositional processes, such as photochemical reactions, need to be considered in linking ice core records of organics to atmospheric concentrations. Citation: Hagler, G. S. W., M. H. Bergin, E. A. Smith, J. E. Dibb, C. Anderson, and E. J. Steig (2007), Particulate and water-soluble carbon measured in recent snow at Summit, Greenland, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L16505, doi:10.1029/2007GL030110

Self-assembly, nematic phase formation and organocatalytic behaviour of a proline-functionalized lipopeptide

The self-assembly of the amphiphilic lipopeptide PAEPKI-C16 (P = proline, A = alanine, E = glutamic acid, K = lysine, I = isoleucine, C16 = hexadecyl) was investigated using a combination of spectroscopic, microscopic and scattering methods and compared to C16-IKPEAP with the same (reversed) peptide sequence and the alkyl chain positioned N-terminally and which lacks a free N-terminal proline residue. The catalytic activity of these peptides were then compared using a model aldol reaction system. For PAEPKI-C16, Cryo-TEM images showed the formation of micrometer length fibers, which by Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) were found to have a radius of 2.5 - 2.6 nm. Spectroscopic analysis shows these fibers are built from -sheets. This behaviour is in complete contrast to that of C16-IKPEAP which forms spherical micelles with peptides in a disordered conformation [Hutchinson, J. A. et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2019, 123, 613]. For PAEPKI-C16, the spontaneous alignment of fibers was observed upon increasing pH, which was accompanied by observed birefringence and anisotropy of SAXS patterns. This shows the formation of a nematic liquids and unprecedented nematic hydrogel formation was also observed these lipopeptides at sufficiently high concentrations. SAXS shows retention of an ultrafine (1.7 nm core radius) fibrillar network within the hydrogel. PAEPKI-C16 with free N-terminal proline shows enhanced anti:syn diastereoselectivity and better conversion compared to C16-IKPEAP. The cytotoxicity of PAEPKI-C16 was also lower than C16-IKPEAP for both fibroblast and cancer cell lines. These results highlight the sensitivity of lipopeptide properties to the presence of a free proline residue. The spontaneous nematic phase formation by PAEPKI-C16 points to the highly anisotropy of its ultrafine fibrillar structure and the formation of such a phase at low concentration in aqueous solution may be valuable for future applications

Autism and the U.K. secondary school experience

This research investigated the self-reported mainstream school experiences of those diagnosed on the autistic spectrum compared with the typically developing school population. Existing literature identifies four key areas that affect the quality of the school experience for students with autism: social skills, perceived relationships with teaching staff, general school functioning, and interpersonal strengths of the young person. These areas were explored in a mainstream U.K. secondary school with 14 students with autism and 14 age and gender matched students without autism, using self-report questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative analyses showed consistent school experiences for both groups, although content analysis of interview data highlighted some differences in the ways in which the groups perceive group work, peers, and teaching staff within school. Implications for school inclusion are discussed, drawing attention to how staff awareness of autism could improve school experience and success for students with autism attending mainstream schools

Standardized Patient Encounters Periodic Versus Postencounter Evaluation of Nontechnical Clinical Performance

Introduction: Standardized patients are a beneficial component of modern healthcare education and training, but few studies have explored cognitive factors potentially impacting clinical skills assessment during standardized patient encounters. This study examined the impact of a periodic (vs. traditional postencounter) evaluation approach and the appearance of critical verbal and nonverbal behaviors throughout a standardized patient encounter on scoring accuracy in a video-based scenario. Methods: Forty-nine standardized patients scored either periodically or at only 1 point in time (postencounter) a healthcare provider\u27s verbal and nonverbal clinical performance during a videotaped standardized patient encounter. The healthcare provider portrayed in this study was actually a standardized patient delivering carefully scripted verbal and nonverbal behaviors in their portrayal of an actual physician. The encounter itself was subdivided into 3 distinct segments for the purpose of supporting periodic evaluation, with the expectation that both verbal and nonverbal cues occurring in the middle segment would be more challenging to accurately report for participants in the postscenario evaluation group as a result of working memory decay. Results: Periodic evaluators correctly identified a significantly greater number of critical verbal cues midscenario than postencounter evaluators (P \u3c 0.01) and correctly identified a significantly greater number of critical nonverbal cues than their postscenario counterparts across all 3 scenario segments (P \u3c 0.001). Further, postscenario evaluations exhibited a performance decrement in terms of midscenario correct identifications that periodic evaluators did not (P \u3c 0.01). Also, periodic evaluators exhibited fewer verbal cue false-positives during the first segment of the scenario than postscenario evaluators (P \u3c 0.001), but this effect did not extend to other segments regardless of the cue type (ie, verbal or nonverbal). Discussion: Pausing lengthier standardized patient encounters periodically to allow for more frequent scoring may result in better reporting accuracy for certain clinical behavioral cues. This could enable educators to provide more specific formative feedback to individual learners at the session\u27s conclusion. The most effective encounter design will ultimately depend on the specific goals and training objectives of the exercise itself

Comparison between the Valsalva maneuver and intraoperative traction measurements in pelvic organ prolapse assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the assessment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) between the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system with Valsalva maneuver and intraoperative measurement with mechanical traction. METHODS: A prospective observational study included 100 women with POP attending a tertiary urogynecology clinic in the UK and undergoing vaginal prolapse surgical procedures between October 2011 and October 2014. The women were examined in the clinic using POP-Q with the Valsalva maneuver and in the operating theater under general anesthesia with mechanical traction. The two sets of measurements were compared. RESULTS: All POP-Q measurements obtained with traction demonstrated significantly higher descent as compared with those measured by Valsalva maneuver (mean differences: Aa 0.64 cm; Ap 1.32 cm; Ba 0.96 cm; Bp 1.34 cm; C 3.57 cm; D 3.40 cm; all P<0.001). The perineal body and total vaginal lengths did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: Measurements of six POP-Q points obtained with traction showed a higher grade of POP than those assessed with Valsalva maneuver. On this basis, surgeons might decide on the extent of surgical procedure after examination under anesthesia; however, preoperative patient counselling would be essential to obtain consent for this approach. The clinical significance of the findings requires further evaluation

The Driving Behavior Survey: scale construction and validation.

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field.Although long recognized in the clinical literature, problematic behavior characteristic of anxious drivers has received little empirical attention. The current research details development of a measure of anxious driving behavior conducted across three studies. Factor analytic techniques identified three dimensions of maladaptive behaviors across three college samples: anxiety-based performance deficits, exaggerated safety/caution behavior, and anxiety-related hostile/aggressive behavior. Performance deficits evidenced convergent associations with perceived driving skill and were broadly related to driving fear. Safety/caution behaviors demonstrated convergence with overt travel avoidance, although this relationship was inconsistent across studies. Safety/caution scores were associated specifically with accident- and social-related driving fears. Hostile/aggressive behaviors evidenced convergent relationships with driving anger and were associated specifically with accident-related fear. Internal consistencies were adequate, although some test-retest reliabilities were marginal in the unselected college sample. These data provide preliminary evidence for utility of the measure for both research and clinical practice

The Gulf Stream Front, Its Role in Larval Fish Survival and Recruitment in Florida: Hydrographic Station and Plankton Data

The goal of this project was to develop a clearer understanding of the role that the Gulf Stream system plays in larval fish survival and recruitment in Florida waters. The specific objectives of this study were to: Determine whether the biomass of fish larva, other zooplankton, microzooplankton and phytoplankton is higher at the shoreward front of the Gulf Stream than on either side of it. Characterize the assemblages of fish larvae predators and prey both at the front and on either side of it. Determine if the composition, abundance and size frequency distribution of larval and juvenile fishes in the front is different from that in the coastal zone or in the Gulf Stream. Monitor the position of the Gulf Stream by continuous measurements of physical variables at moorings located in the Gulf Stream off Fort Lauderdale and within Port Everglades. This project was a first effort to characterize the coupling between physical and biological processes that may influence the early life histories of fishes in Florida\u27s coastal waters. This report contains the hydrographic and plankton data from the project. It is intended to facilitate data access by the scientific and management communities. Interpretations and detailed analyses of these data are being given in meeting presentations, peer-reviewed journal articles (Stone et al. draft manuscript, Braker et al. draft manuscript, Frazel et al. in preparation) and graduate theses (Stone 1993; Braker 1993)