789 research outputs found
The duality of ocean acidification as a resource and a stressor
Ecologically dominant species often define ecosystem states, but as human disturbances intensify, their subordinate counterparts increasingly displace them. We consider the duality of disturbance by examining how environmental drivers can simultaneously act as a stressor to dominant species and as a resource to subordinates. Using a model ecosystem, we demonstrate that CO2-driven interactions between species can account for such reversals in dominance; i.e., the displacement of dominants (kelp forests) by subordinates (turf algae). We established that CO2 enrichment had a direct positive effect on productivity of turfs, but a negligible effect on kelp. CO2 enrichment further suppressed the abundance and feeding rate of the primary grazer of turfs (sea urchins), but had an opposite effect on the minor grazer (gastropods). Thus, boosted production of subordinate producers, exacerbated by a net reduction in its consumption by primary grazers, accounts for community change (i.e., turf displacing kelp). Ecosystem collapse, therefore, is more likely when resource enrichment alters competitive dominance of producers, and consumers fail to compensate. By recognizing such duality in the responses of interacting species to disturbance, which may stabilize or exacerbate change, we can begin to understand how intensifying human disturbances determine whether or not ecosystems undergo phase shifts
Assessment of alcohol problems using AUDIT in a prison setting: more than an 'aye or no' question
<br>Background: Alcohol problems are a major UK and international public health issue. The prevalence of alcohol
problems is markedly higher among prisoners than the general population. However, studies suggest alcohol
problems among prisoners are under-detected, under-recorded and under-treated. Identifying offenders with
alcohol problems is fundamental to providing high quality healthcare. This paper reports use of the AUDIT
screening tool to assess alcohol problems among prisoners.</br>
<br>Methods: Universal screening was undertaken over ten weeks with all entrants to one male Scottish prison using
the AUDIT standardised screening tool and supplementary contextual questions. The questionnaire was
administered by trained prison officers during routine admission procedures. Overall 259 anonymised completed
questionnaires were analysed.</br>
<br>Results: AUDIT scores showed a high prevalence of alcohol problems with 73% of prisoner scores indicating an
alcohol use disorder (8+), including 36% having scores indicating âpossible dependenceâ (20-40).
AUDIT scores indicating âpossible dependenceâ were most apparent among 18-24 and 40-64 year-olds (40% and
56% respectively). However, individual questions showed important differences, with younger drinkers less likely to
demonstrate habitual and addictive behaviours than the older age group. Disparity between high levels of
harmful/hazardous/dependent drinking and low levels of âtreatmentâ emerged (only 27% of prisoners with scores
indicating âpossible dependenceâ reported being âin treatmentâ).
Self-reported associations between drinking alcohol and the index crime were identified among two-fifths of
respondents, rising to half of those reporting violent crimes.</br>
<br>Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify differing behaviours and needs among prisoners
with high AUDIT score ranges, through additional analysis of individual questions. The study has identified high
prevalence of alcohol use, varied problem behaviours, and links across drinking, crime and recidivism, supporting
the argument for more extensive provision of alcohol-focused interventions in prisons. These should be carefully
targeted based on initial screening and assessment, responsive, and include care pathways linking prisoners to
community services. Finally, findings confirm the value and feasibility of routine use of the AUDIT screening tool in
prison settings, to considerably enhance practice in the detection and understanding of alcohol problems,
improving on current more limited questioning (e.g. âyes or noâ questions).</br>
Women, resettlement and desistance
With the numbers of women imprisoned increasing across Western jurisdictions over the last 15 or so years, so too have the numbers of women returning to the community following a period in custody. Despite increasing policy attention in the UK and elsewhere to prisoner resettlement, womenâs experiences on release from prison have received limited empirical and policy attention. Drawing upon interviews with women leaving prison in Victoria, Australia, this article discusses the resettlement challenges faced by the women and highlights their similarity to the experiences of women leaving prison in other jurisdictions. Women had mixed (and predominantly negative) experiences and views of accessing services and supports following release, though experiences of parole supervision by community corrections officers were often positive, especially if women felt valued and supported by workers who demonstrated genuine concern. Analysis of factors associated with further offending and with desistance, points to the critical role of flexible, tailored and women-centred post-release support building, and, where possible, upon relationships established with women while they are still in prison
Brief report:effects of sensory sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty on anxiety in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder
This study examined the relations between anxiety and individual characteristics of sensory sensitivity (SS) and intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in mothers of children with ASD. The mothers of 50 children completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Highly Sensitive Person Scale and the IU Scale. Anxiety was associated with both SS and IU and IU was also associated with SS. Mediation analyses showed direct effects between anxiety and both IU and SS but a significant indirect effect was found only in the model in which IU mediated between SS. This is the first study to characterize the nature of the IU and SS interrelation in predicting levels of anxiety
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Evaluation of fast atmospheric dispersion models in a regular street network
The need to balance computational speed and simulation accuracy is a key challenge in designing atmospheric dispersion models that can be used in scenarios where near real-time hazard predictions are needed. This challenge is aggravated in cities, where models need to have some degree of building-awareness, alongside the ability to capture effects of dominant urban flow processes. We use a combination of high-resolution large-eddy simulation (LES) and wind-tunnel data of flow and dispersion in an idealised, equal-height urban canopy to highlight important dispersion processes and evaluate how these are reproduced by representatives of the most prevalent modelling approaches: (i) a Gaussian plume model, (ii) a Lagrangian stochastic model and (iii) street-network dispersion models. Concentration data from the LES, validated against the wind-tunnel data, were averaged over the volumes of streets in order to provide a high-fidelity reference suitable for evaluating the different models on the same footing. For the particular combination of forcing wind direction and source location studied here, the strongest deviations from the LES reference were associated with mean over-predictions of concentrations by approximately a factor of 2 and with a relative scatter larger than a factor of 4 of the mean, corresponding to cases where the mean plume centreline also deviated significantly from the LES. This was linked to low accuracy of the underlying flow models/parameters that resulted in a misrepresentation of pollutant channelling along streets and of the uneven plume branching observed in intersections. The agreement of model predictions with the LES (which explicitly resolves the turbulent flow and dispersion processes) greatly improved by increasing the accuracy of building-induced modifications of the driving flow field. When provided with a limited set of representative velocity parameters, the comparatively simple street-network models performed equally well or better compared to the Lagrangian model run on full 3D wind fields. The study showed that street-network models capture the dominant building-induced dispersion processes in the canopy layer through parametrisations of horizontal advection and vertical exchange processes at scales of practical interest. At the same time, computational costs and computing times associated with the network approach are ideally suited for emergency-response applications
Genetic Variants of APOL1 Are Major Determinants of Kidney Failure in People of African Ancestry With HIV
INTRODUCTION: Variants of the APOL1 gene are associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people of African ancestry, although evidence for their impact in people with HIV are sparse. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study investigating the association between APOL1 renal risk alleles and kidney disease in people of African ancestry with HIV in the UK. The primary outcome was end-stage kidney disease (ESKD; estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] of 30 mg/mmol), and biopsy-proven HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the associations between APOL1 high-risk genotypes (G1/G1, G1/G2, G2/G2) and kidney disease outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 2864 participants (mean age 48.1 [SD 10.3], 57.3% female) were genotyped, of whom, 354 (12.4%) had APOL1 high-risk genotypes, and 99 (3.5%) had ESKD. After adjusting for demographic, HIV, and renal risk factors, individuals with APOL1 high-risk genotypes were at increased odds of ESKD (odds ratio [OR] 10.58, 95% CI 6.22â17.99), renal impairment (OR 5.50, 95% CI 3.81â7.95), albuminuria (OR 3.34, 95% CI 2.00â5.56), and HIVAN (OR 30.16, 95% CI 12.48â72.88). An estimated 49% of ESKD was attributable to APOL1 high-risk genotypes. CONCLUSION: APOL1 high-risk genotypes were strongly associated with kidney disease in people of African ancestry with HIV and accounted for approximately half of ESKD cases in this cohort
Sickle Cell Trait and Kidney Disease in People of African Ancestry With HIV
Introduction: Sickle cell trait (SCT) has been associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in African Americans, although evidence for its impact in Africans and people with HIV is currently lacking. We conducted a cross-sectional study investigating the association between SCT and kidney disease in people of African ancestry with HIV in the UK. Methods: The primary outcome was estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 50 mg/mmol), and albuminuria (albumin-to-creatinine ratio >3 mg/mmol). Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the associations between SCT and kidney disease outcomes. Results: A total of 2895 participants (mean age 48.1 [SD 10.3], 57.2% female) were included, of whom 335 (11.6%) had SCT and 352 (12.2%) had eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. After adjusting for demographic, HIV, and kidney risk factors including APOL1 high-risk genotype status, individuals with SCT were more likely to have eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (odds ratio 1.62 [95% CI 1.14â2.32]), eGFR <90 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (1.50 [1.14â1.97]), and albuminuria (1.50 [1.09â2.05]). Stratified by APOL1 status, significant associations between SCT and GFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, eGFR <90 ml/min per 1.73 m2, proteinuria, and albuminuria were observed for those with APOL1 low-risk genotypes. Conclusion: Our results extend previously reported associations between SCT and kidney disease to people with HIV. In people of African ancestry with HIV, these associations were largely restricted to those with APOL1 low-risk genotypes
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