Early childhood transitions research: A review of concepts, theory, and practice’ Working Paper 48

Chapter 1 begins by outlining developmental concepts which underpin transition themes, in particular those associated with the theories of Jean Piaget and other ‘stage’ theorists. Their ideas are highlighted early on because so much transitions research builds on or reacts to core developmental assumptions. Chapter 1 then introduces socio-cultural perspectives on early childhood transitions. These are distinguished by their focus on how children learn by interacting with their immediate socio-cultural environments (e.g., caregivers, peers). This emphasis has been elaborated by several disciplines within the social sciences and is increasingly mirrored in early child development programmes around the world. Chapter 2 examines the different ways in which transitions are structured, drawing attention to varying logics that can be employed to mark transitions in early childhood. Institutional settings often use biological age as the criterion for readiness. By contrast, sociocultural transitions are often marked through rites of passage, following the cultural and economic reasoning of a given community. Also, around the world children engage in horizontal transitions as they move between different domains of everyday life. Chapter 3 shifts to perspectives on transitions that are informed by systems theories. These are distinguished from socio-cultural approaches by their greater emphasis on the links between individuals, macro social processes and historical changes. These approaches highlight the linkages between children, their communities and global societies and draw attention to the importance of comprehensive programmes that enable children to engage critically with the demands of a changing environment. Chapter 4 focuses on children’s active roles in shaping their transition experiences, with particular attention to the significance of peer group relationships as a moderating influence on transitions. The section then explores research methods that may enable the implementation of children’s right to participation within research and programming in this area. The final chapter discusses the findings of this review, highlighting significant research strengths and gaps of the various approaches presented, followed by a glossary of key transitions concepts discussed in the paper

Do drinking motives mediate the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and alcohol use among adolescents?

Funding: Funding for the Scottish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children was provided by NHS Scotland. This work was also supported by the 600th Anniversary Ph.D. Scholarship which was awarded to Gina Martin by the University of St Andrews.Adolescents not only vary in their alcohol use behavior but also in their motivations for drinking. Young people living in different neighborhoods may drink for different reasons. The aims of this study were to determine if neighborhood characteristics were associated with adolescent drinking motives, and whether drinking motives mediate the relationship between neighborhood context and regular alcohol use. Data from the Scottish Health Behaviours in School-aged Children 2010 survey of students in their 4th year of secondary school were used. The study included 1119 participants who had data on neighborhood characteristics and had used alcohol in the past year. Students were asked questions about the local area where they lived, their alcohol use, and their motives for drinking alcohol, based on the Drinking Motives Questionnaire Revised Short Form (DMQR-SF). Multilevel multivariable models and structural equation models were used in this study. Coping motives showed significant variation across neighborhoods. Structural equation models showed coping motives mediated the relationships between neighborhood deprivation, living in an accessible small-town, and neighborhood-level disorder with regular alcohol use. Public health policies that improve neighborhood conditions and develop adaptive strategies, aimed at improving alcohol-free methods for young people to cope better with life’s stresses, may be particularly effective in reducing inequalities in adolescent alcohol use if targeted at small towns and areas of increased deprivation.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Effects of stage of lactation and time of year on plasmin-derived proteolytic activity in bovine milk in New Zealand

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of stage of lactation (SOL) and time of year on plasmin-derived proteolytic activity in the milk of pasture-fed dairy cows in New Zealand. Four herds of 20 Friesian cows were used, one herd calving in each of January, April, July and October. Cows grazed ryegrass/white clover pasture only, except during June (winter) when all cows received supplementary pasture silage. Milk samples were collected on four occasions during the year (spring, summer, autumn and winter) from each cow in milk, to give a total of three samples per cow (early, mid and late lactation; c. 30, 120 and 220 days after calving, respectively). Milk samples were analysed for plasmin-derived proteolytic activity. There was no effect of either SOL or time of year on plasmin activity and therefore yields of plasmin followed patterns in milk yield (highest in early lactation and in summer). There were effects of both SOL and time of year on plasminogen-derived and total plasmin plus plasminogen-derived activity, both of which were highest in late lactation and in spring. Changes in plasminogen-derived activity and total plasmin plus plasminogen-derived activity due to SOL were not only due to the decrease in milk yield associated with advancing lactation, because enzyme yields were also increased with advancing lactation. Similarly, effects of time of year on plasminogen-derived activity and total plasmin plus plasminogen-derived activity could not be attributed solely to concomitant changes in milk yield, and may be influenced by the variation in the quality and quantity of feed during the year inherent in a pasture-based dairy system. Effects of SOL on proteolytic activity were greater than, and independent of, effects of time of year

A Survey of Safety Recommendations for All-Terrain Vehicle Dealers and Track Owners in Kansas

Introduction. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are associated with injury,mortality, and healthcare costs. ATV related injuries are less severewhen consistent safety practices are followed, however, ATV safetyregulations are varied among states. This study sought to surveyKansas ATV dealers and track owners to determine safety promotionpractices. Methods. A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted ofKansas ATV dealers and tracks. Survey questions included promotionand sale of safety equipment, provision of ATV safety information,and respondent characteristics. Results. Of those contacted, 32% of dealers and 31% of tracksresponded to the survey. Most ATV dealers sell safety gear (70% -100%) and all recommend safety gear to buyers and riders. All ATVtracks reported requiring helmets (100%) but were varied regardingother forms of safety gear. The majority of ATV dealers (77%) recommendedsafety courses, but only 31% of dealers and 40% of tracksoffered courses. Eighty percent of ATV tracks and 52% of dealers feltthey had a professional responsibility to educate riders/owners onsafety. Conclusions. Safety promotion by ATV dealers in Kansas consistentlywas recommended, but often limited to the sales of safety gear(helmets and gloves) or the provision of manufacturer provided safetymaterials. Further, ATV dealers reported rarely offering skills tests orsafety courses to buyers. In Kansas, safety promotion at the point ofsale or track level could be improved to increase public awareness ofATV safety practices. KS J Med 2017;10(4):76-78

Small Radioisotope Power System Testing at NASA Glenn Research Center

In April 2009, NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) formed an integrated product team (IPT) to develop a Small Radioisotope Power System (SRPS) utilizing a single Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) with passive balancer. A single ASC produces approximately 80 We making this system advantageous for small distributed lunar science stations. The IPT consists of Sunpower, Inc., to provide the single ASC with a passive balancer, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL) to design an engineering model Single Convertor Controller (SCC) for an ASC with a passive balancer, and NASA GRC to provide technical support to these tasks and to develop a simulated lunar lander test stand. The single ASC with a passive balancer, simulated lunar lander test stand, and SCC were delivered to GRC and were tested as a system. The testing sequence at GRC included SCC fault tolerance, integration, electromagnetic interference (EMI), vibration, and extended operation testing. The SCC fault tolerance test characterized the SCCs ability to handle various fault conditions, including high or low bus power consumption, total open load or short circuit, and replacing a failed SCC card while the backup maintains control of the ASC. The integrated test characterized the behavior of the system across a range of operating conditions, including variations in cold-end temperature and piston amplitude, including the emitted vibration to both the sensors on the lunar lander and the lunar surface. The EMI test characterized the AC and DC magnetic and electric fields emitted by the SCC and single ASC. The vibration test confirms the SCCs ability to control the single ASC during launch. The extended operation test allows data to be collected over a period of thousands of hours to obtain long term performance data of the ASC with a passive balancer and the SCC. This paper will discuss the results of each of these tests

NASA Light Emitting Diode Medical Applications from Deep Space to Deep Sea

This work is supported and managed through the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center-SBIR Program. LED-technology developed for NASA plant growth experiments in space shows promise for delivering light deep into tissues of the body to promote wound healing and human tissue growth. We present the results of LED-treatment of cells grown in culture and the effects of LEDs on patients’ chronic and acute wounds. LED-technology is also biologically optimal for photodynamic therapy of cancer and we discuss our successes using LEDs in conjunction with light-activated chemotherapeutic drugs

The number of discharge medications predicts thirty-day hospital readmission: A cohort study

BACKGROUND: Hospital readmission occurs often and is difficult to predict. Polypharmacy has been identified as a potential risk factor for hospital readmission. However, the overall impact of the number of discharge medications on hospital readmission is still undefined. METHODS: To determine whether the number of discharge medications is predictive of thirty-day readmission using a retrospective cohort study design performed at Barnes-Jewish Hospital from January 15, 2013 to May 9, 2013. The primary outcome assessed was thirty-day hospital readmission. We also assessed potential predictors of thirty-day readmission to include the number of discharge medications. RESULTS: The final cohort had 5507 patients of which 1147 (20.8 %) were readmitted within thirty days of their hospital discharge date. The number of discharge medications was significantly greater for patients having a thirty-day readmission compared to those without a thirty-day readmission (7.2 ± 4.1 medications [7.0 medications (4.0 medications, 10.0 medications)] versus 6.0 ± 3.9 medications [6.0 medications (3.0 medications, 9.0 medications)]; P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant association between increasing numbers of discharge medications and the prevalence of thirty-day hospital readmission (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression identified more than six discharge medications to be independently associated with thirty-day readmission (OR, 1.26; 95 % CI, 1.17–1.36; P = 0.003). Other independent predictors of thirty-day readmission were: more than one emergency department visit in the previous six months, a minimum hemoglobin value less than or equal to 9 g/dL, presence of congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, cirrhosis, and metastatic cancer. A risk score for thirty-day readmission derived from the logistic regression model had good predictive accuracy (AUROC = 0.661 [95 % CI, 0.643–0.679]). CONCLUSIONS: The number of discharge medications is associated with the prevalence of thirty-day hospital readmission. A risk score, that includes the number of discharge medications, accurately predicts patients at risk for thirty-day readmission. Our findings suggest that relatively simple and accessible parameters can identify patients at high risk for hospital readmission potentially distinguishing such individuals for interventions to minimize readmissions

Plants of the Araceae for malaria and related diseases:a review

We survey species of the Araceae family traditionally used for malaria and its symptoms. The aim is to reveal the large number of antimalarial Araceae species in use worldwide and their largely unexplored potential as sources of antimalarial natural products. The SciFinder Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google books search engines were consulted. Forty-three records were found of 36 species and 23 genera of Araceae used for malaria and symptoms. The neotropical genera Philodendron Schott and Anthurium Schott were the best represented for use in the treatment of malaria, fevers, liver problems and headaches. Leaves and tubers were the parts most used and decoction was the most common preparation method. Extracts of Araceae species inhibit the in vitro growth of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum Welch and significant median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for extracts of guaimbê-sulcado (Rhaphidophora decursiva (Roxb.) Schott), aninga (Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott), Culcasia lancifolia N.E. Br. and forest anchomanes (Anchomanes difformis (Blume) Engl.) have been reported demonstrating the antimalarial potential and cytotoxicity of extracts and sub-fractions. In the only report on the antimalarial components of this family, the neolignan polysyphorin and the benzoperoxide rhaphidecurperoxin exhibited strong in vitro inhibition of the D6 and W2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 = 368-540 ng/mL). No study on the in vivo antimalarial activity in animal models has been conducted on a species of Araceae. More bioguided chemical composition studies on the in vitro and also in vivo antimalarial activity of the Araceae are needed to further the knowledge of the antimalarial potential of this family

Proyecto de desarrollo bancarío: la titularización de la cartera hipotecaria de vivienda como herramienta para los problemas de vivienda de la clase media, media alta y alta en Guayaquil

La titularización tuvo su origen en el mercado hipotecario de los Estados Unidos, cuando las circunstancias exigían que se utilicen nuevas técnicas de financiación mediante el desplazamiento de hipotecas hacia un mercado secundario dinámico, y de generalizada aceptación; de aquí nace la titularización de activos. Este proyecto de grado trata de explicar a la Titularización de la Cartera Hipotecaria de Vivienda como una herramienta flexible para la obtención de recursos para financiar nuevos proyectos de vivienda de la clase media, media alta y alta en la ciudad de Guayaquil y así hacer más factible la obtención de vivienda para las personas de las clases antes mencionadas además para poder reactivar el sector de la construcción de viviendas. En este trabajo presentamos la información de diversas inmobiliarias y promotoras de viviendas en Guayaquil como es el costo de sus viviendas, el plazo de financiamiento de la entrada, como obtener un financiamiento por parte del BEV, conseguir prestamos hipotecarios de algunos bancos y el financiamiento a través de las cedulas hipotecarias de viviendas de los Bancos Territorial y del Pacífico. Además el ejemplo practico de la titularización de la cartera hipotecaria de vivienda de un Banco “X” en la ciudad de Guayaquil

Plants of the Araceae for malaria and related diseases:a review

We survey species of the Araceae family traditionally used for malaria and its symptoms. The aim is to reveal the large number of antimalarial Araceae species in use worldwide and their largely unexplored potential as sources of antimalarial natural products. The SciFinder Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google books search engines were consulted. Forty-three records were found of 36 species and 23 genera of Araceae used for malaria and symptoms. The neotropical genera Philodendron Schott and Anthurium Schott were the best represented for use in the treatment of malaria, fevers, liver problems and headaches. Leaves and tubers were the parts most used and decoction was the most common preparation method. Extracts of Araceae species inhibit the in vitro growth of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum Welch and significant median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for extracts of guaimbê-sulcado (Rhaphidophora decursiva (Roxb.) Schott), aninga (Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott), Culcasia lancifolia N.E. Br. and forest anchomanes (Anchomanes difformis (Blume) Engl.) have been reported demonstrating the antimalarial potential and cytotoxicity of extracts and sub-fractions. In the only report on the antimalarial components of this family, the neolignan polysyphorin and the benzoperoxide rhaphidecurperoxin exhibited strong in vitro inhibition of the D6 and W2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 = 368-540 ng/mL). No study on the in vivo antimalarial activity in animal models has been conducted on a species of Araceae. More bioguided chemical composition studies on the in vitro and also in vivo antimalarial activity of the Araceae are needed to further the knowledge of the antimalarial potential of this family