Formative study of aggression prevention and reduction in junior primary school: final report presented to the Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation: book 1 of 2

This one year formative study aimed to conduct a feasibility trial of current evidencebased practice to reduce and prevent aggression among junior primary school age children. The project comprised three stages: assessing the types of direct and indirect aggression among junior primary school students and the current practices of teachers and schools to address this behaviour and linking successful current practices to evidence-based research to inform the development of a classroom teaching and behaviour management intervention. Aggression is broadly defined as negative acts which are used intentionally to harm others, and may be classified as proactive, reactive or instrumental aggression. (Smith, Cowie, Olafsson, & Liefooghe, 2002). Whilst interventions to reduce aggression in junior primary school are limited, much research has described the risk and protective factors of aggression. Risk factors of aggressive behaviour include familial, school, and individual. Familial risk factors include: parents not providing clear rules, use of corporal punishment, setting poor examples, displaying conflict or violence and providing poor supervision. School risk factors comprise a lack of school structure and adult supervision, indifferent attitudes of school staff toward aggression; and few consequences of negative behaviours. Individual risk factors such as an impulsive and dominant personality, positive attitudes toward school violence and negative self concept also contribute to aggressive behaviours in young children. Conversely, research has also identified protective factors that are likely to reduce a child\u27s use of aggressive behaviours. These can also be classified as familial, school and individual factors and comprise: parental involvement, attitudes and beliefs not supportive of aggression, emotional and social support from teachers and peers at school; high self esteem; positive outlook and pro-social skills. This study aimed to combine a thorough review of available literature with consultation with stakeholders and teachers to develop and test principles for best practice to reduce aggression and improve social skills. Outcomes of this study have provided an insight into current practice in Western Australian schools as well as stakeholders opinions on this current practice and their ideas for future directions in this field. Most importantly, this research has presented an evidence-based summary of best practice in reducing aggression and improving social skills of junior primary school children. Further, this model has been validated by experts and summarised according to the Health Promoting Schools model for ease of future implementation. This best practice model will be used in future research to inform the development of a large scale aggression reduction and social skill development intervention trial for Western Australian primary schools

Medición de las condiciones habitacionales: una propuesta metodológica para analizar desigualdades inter e intraterritorios urbanos

La medición de las condiciones habitacionales de un territorio resulta de especial interés para la implementación de políticas públicas. Los métodos tradicionales se concentran en la medición de los déficits y dejan de lado aquella parte de la población que se encuentra cerca del umbral. Con base en propuestas específicas, estándares de organismos internacionales, legislación nacional y la importante participación de especialistas, en este estudio se genera una metodología cuantitativa, que evita esa pérdida de información al incluir a toda la población de un territorio, asignándole un puntaje a cada persona de acuerdo a las características del hogar que habita. Para validar la propuesta, se presenta una aplicación con datos de Argentina, donde se constata su versatilidad, dado que permite detectar problemáticas particulares en cada dimensión, y también consigue analizar el nivel promedio, la distribución intra e interterritorios y la pérdida de bienestar por desigualdad.The measurement of the housing conditions of a territory is particularly important for the implementation of public policies. Traditional methods focus on the measurement of deficits and leave aside that part of the population which is closer to the threshold. Based on specific proposals, the standards of international organizations, national legislation, and a significant participation of specialists, this study proposes a quantitative methodology, which avoids said loss of information by including the entire population of a territory, assigning a score to each person according to the characteristics of the household they live in. To validate this proposal, we present an application with data from Argentina, where its versatility is verified given that it allows for the detection of issues in each dimension while also getting to analyze the average level, the intra and interterritorial distribution, and the welfare loss due to inequality.Fil: Actis Di Pasquale, Eugenio. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Sociales; Argentina

Influences on History

Panel Chair: Angela Payne Papers Presented: The Humble Essense of America (A Research Paper on Ben Carson) by Caleb Robb The Passing of Hettie Jones: Transition of the Harlem Renaissance into the Beat Generation by Emily Ellison Defying the Odds: A Brief Overview of the Life of Alexander Hamilton by Sarah Hornstein To What Extent was Lawrence of Arabia responsible for the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire (1870-1923)? by Mays Salama MIA in Vietnam: The Life and Death of Lt. Col. Richard Castillo by Clare Hamilto

Toxocara spp. (L. Robertson (eds), Part 3: Specific Excreted Pathogens: Environmental and Epidemiology Aspects - Section 4: Helminths)

No abstract available

Integration of Neural Architecture within a Finite Element Framework for Improved Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling

Neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) models can aid in studying the impacts of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems on one another. These computational models facilitate studies investigating mechanisms and treatment of musculoskeletal and neurodegenerative conditions. In this study, we present a predictive NMS model that uses an embedded neural architecture within a finite element (FE) framework to simulate muscle activation. A previously developed neuromuscular model of a motor neuron was embedded into a simple FE musculoskeletal model. Input stimulation profiles from literature were simulated in the FE NMS model to verify effective integration of the software platforms. Motor unit recruitment and rate coding capabilities of the model were evaluated. The integrated model reproduced previously published output muscle forces with an average error of 0.0435 N. The integrated model effectively demonstrated motor unit recruitment and rate coding in the physiological range based upon motor unit discharge rates and muscle force output. The combined capability of a predictive NMS model within a FE framework can aid in improving our understanding of how the nervous and musculoskeletal systems work together. While this study focused on a simple FE application, the framework presented here easily accommodates increased complexity in the neuromuscular model, the FE simulation, or both

Identification of the major proteins of an immune modulating fraction from adult Fasciola hepatica released by Nonidet P40

Fasciola hepatica NP-40 released antigens (FhTeg) exhibit potent Th1 immunosuppressive properties in vitro and in vivo. However, the protein composition of this active fraction, responsible for Th1 immune modulatory activity, has yet to be resolved. Therefore, FhTeg, a Nonidet P-40 extract, was subjected to a proteomic analysis in order to identify individual protein components. This was performed using an in house F. hepatica EST database following 2D electrophoresis combined with de novo sequencing based mass spectrometry. The identified proteins, a mixture of excretory/secretory and membrane-associated proteins, are associated with stress response and chaperoning, energy metabolism and cytoskeletal components. The immune modulatory properties of these identified protein(s) is discussed and HSP70 from F. hepatica is highlighted as a potential host immune modulator for future study

After hours nurse staffing, work intensity and quality of care - Missed Care Study: South Australia

During November, 2012, the Flinders University After Hours Nurse Staffing, Work Intensity and Quality of Care project team, in collaboration with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, SA Branch (ANMFSA), administered the MISSCARE survey to a sample of 354 nurse/midwife members of ANMFSA. The survey contained 13 demographic questions, 28 questions that explored working conditions, 96 questions concerning missed nursing care (defined as care that is omitted, postponed, or incomplete) and 17 questions concerning perceived reasons care is omitted in the settings in which the nurse/midwives practice. In addition, respondents were asked to add comments of their own concerning nursing care that is missed and why

Mental practice with motor imagery in stroke recovery: Randomized controlled trial of efficacy

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the therapeutic benefit of mental practice with motor imagery in stroke patients with persistent upper limb motor weakness. There is evidence to suggest that mental rehearsal of movement can produce effects normally attributed to practising the actual movements. Imagining hand movements could stimulate restitution and redistribution of brain activity, which accompanies recovery of hand function, thus resulting in a reduced motor deficit. Current efficacy evidence for mental practice with motor imagery in stroke is insufficient due to methodological limitations. This randomized controlled sequential cohort study included 121 stroke patients with a residual upper limb weakness within 6 months following stroke (on average <3 months post-stroke). Randomization was performed using an automated statistical minimizing procedure. The primary outcome measure was a blinded rating on the Action Research Arm test. The study analysed the outcome of 39 patients involved in 4 weeks of mental rehearsal of upper limb movements during 45-min supervised sessions three times a week and structured independent sessions twice a week, compared to 31 patients who performed equally intensive non-motor mental rehearsal, and 32 patients receiving normal care without additional training. No differences between the treatment groups were found at baseline or outcome on the Action Research Arm Test (ANCOVA statistical P = 0.77, and effect size partial η2 = 0.005) or any of the secondary outcome measures. Results suggest that mental practice with motor imagery does not enhance motor recovery in patients early post-stroke. In light of the evidence, it remains to be seen whether mental practice with motor imagery is a valid rehabilitation technique in its own right

Quantification and uncertainty of root growth stimulation by elevated CO₂ in a mature temperate deciduous forest

Increasing CO2 levels are a major global challenge, and the potential mitigation of anthropogenic CO2 emissions by natural carbon sinks remains poorly understood. The uptake of elevated CO2 (eCO2) by the terrestrial biosphere, and subsequent sequestration as biomass in ecosystems, remain hard to quantify in natural ecosystems. Here, we combine field observations of fine root stocks and flows, derived from belowground imaging and soil cores, with image analysis, stochastic modelling, and statistical inference, to elucidate belowground root dynamics in a mature temperate deciduous forest under free-air eCO2 to 150 ppm above ambient levels. eCO2 led to relatively faster root production (a peak volume fold change of 4.52 ± 0.44 eCO2 versus 2.58 ± 0.21 control), with increased root elongation relative to decay the likely causal mechanism for this acceleration. Physical analysis of 552 root systems from soil cores support this picture, with lengths and widths of fine roots significantly increasing under eCO2. Estimated fine root contributions to belowground net primary productivity increase under eCO2 (mean annual 204 ± 93 g dw m−2 yr−1 eCO2 versus 140 ± 60 g dw m−2 yr−1 control). This multi-faceted approach thus sheds quantitative light on the challenging characterisation of the eCO2 response of root biomass in mature temperate forests.</p