Assessing vulnerability to risk of suicide and self-harm in prisoners : a Rasch analysis of the suicide concerns for offenders in the prison environment (SCOPE-2)

BACKGROUND: With increasing levels of suicide and self-harm behaviour in the criminal justice system professionals would benefit from a tool that can identify individuals who may be at risk of self-harm and/or suicidal behaviour. METHOD: The Suicide Concerns for Offenders in the Prison Environment (SCOPE) tool was originally devised and validated in six UK prisons between 2003 and 2004. The goal of this study is to re-evaluate the SCOPE using Rasch methodology to produce a psychometrically robust instrument. Data were presented from 1051 SCOPE assessments of male and female offenders. RESULTS: The analysis produced a revised SCOPE-2 tool reducing the tool from a 27 to a 19 items and simplifying the categorical six point scale to a four item scale. CONCLUSIONS: Further validation of the new SCOPE-2 tool is required in samples of male and female prisoners to assess different cut-off points for clinical and policy use

Oxidopolyborate anions templated by transition-metal complex cations: Self-assembled syntheses and structural studies (XRD) of [Co(NH3)(6)](2)[B4O5(OH)(4)](3)center dot 11H(2)O, [Ni(phen)(3)][B7O9(OH)(5)]center dot 9.5H(2)O and [Zn(dac)(2)(H2O)(2)][B7O9(OH)(5)]center dot H2O

The new oxidopolyborate salts [Co(NH3) 6] 2[B4O5(OH)4] 3·11H2O (1), [Ni(phen)3][B7O9(OH)5]·9.5H2O (2), and [Zn(dac)2(H2O)2][B7O9(OH)5]·H2O (3), were crystallized, in moderate yields, from aqueous solutions containing B(OH)3 and the hydroxide salt of the corresponding cationic metal complex (prepared in situ) in moderate yields. Complexes 1–3, characterized by spectroscopic (NMR, IR) and thermal (TGA) methods and by single-crystal XRD studies, were obtained through cation-templated self-assembly reactions. Compound 1 contains insular tetraborate2- anions (4-1:2Δ + 2T) and 2 and 3 both contain insular heptaborate2- anions (‘O+’ isomer, 6:(3Δ + 3T) + Δ). The X-ray structures show that in all three compounds the polyborate anions are H-bonded together into extended networks, and there are multiple cation-anion H-bond interactions present in 1 and 3. Compound 2 has cation-cation π-stacking interactions. These interactions are likely to be responsible for templating the observed structures. Thermal decomposition of 1–3 in air yielded amorphous anhydrous borates of composition CoB6O10.5, NiB7O11.5 and ZnB7O11.5, respectively. </p

Pentaborate(1-) Salts and a Tetraborate(2-) Salt Derived from C 2- or C 3-Linked Bis(alkylammonium) Dications:Synthesis, Characterization, and Structural (XRD) Studies.

The synthesis of a number of pentaborate(1-) salts from cations arising from N-substituted α,α-, α,β-, and α,-diaminoalkanes has been attempted in aqueous solution from B(OH)3 and the appropriate diammine in a 10:1 ratio. Despite relatively mild work-up conditions the pentaborate(1-) salts prepared were not always as anticipated and the following compounds were isolated in good yield: [Me2NH(CH2)2NHMe2][B5O6(OH)4]2 (1), [Et2NH(CH2)2NHEt2][B5O6(OH)4]2 (2), [Et2NH2][B5O6(OH)4] (3), [Me2NH2][B5O6(OH)4] (4), [Me2NH(CH2)3NHMe2][B5O6(OH)4]2 (5), [Et2NH(CH2)3NHEt2][B5O6(OH)4]2 (6), [Me3NCH2CH=CH2][B5O6(OH)4] (7), and [Me3N(CH2)3NMe3] [B5O6(OH)4]2.0.5H2O (8). The tetraborate(2-) salt, [Me3N(CH2)2NMe3][B4O5(OH)4].2B(OH)3 .2H2O (9) was obtained in moderate yield (41%) from a 3:1 reaction of B(OH)3 with [Me3N(CH2)2NMe3](OH)2. All compounds were characterized by spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 13C NMR and IR) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). BET analysis on materials derived thermally from selected samples (1, 2, 6, 7) all had porosities of &lt; 1 m2/g, demonstrating that they were non-porous. Single-crystal XRD structures were obtained for 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9 and all contain extensive H-bonded polyborate lattices.</p

The dissolution and solid-state behaviours of coground ibuprofen–glucosamine HCl

The cogrinding technique is one of most effective methods for improving the dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs and it is superior to other approaches from an economical as well as an environmental standpoint, as the technique does not require any toxic organic solvents. Present work explores the role of d-glucosamine HCl (GL) as a potential excipient to improve dissolution of a low melting point drug, ibuprofen (Ibu), using physical mixtures and coground formulations. The dissolution of the poorly soluble drug has been improved by changing the ratio of Ibu:GL and also grinding time. The results also showed that although GL can enhance the solubility of Ibu, it also reduces pH around the Ibu particles which led to poor dissolution performance when the concentration of GL is high. The effect of GL on the solubility of Ibu could be misleading if the pH of the final solution was not measured. Grinding reduced the particle size of GL significantly but in case of Ibu it was less effective. Solid state analysis (XRPD, DSC, and FT-IR) showed that ibuprofen is stable under grinding conditions, but the presence of high concentration of GL in samples subjected to high grinding times caused changes in FT-IR spectrum of Ibu which could be due to intermolecular hydrogen bond or esterification between the carboxylic acid group in the ibuprofen and hydroxyl group in the GL

Development and validation of Physical Activity-Specific Rumination Scale for Children through UK children’s voice

Many physical activity (PA) interventions implemented to tackle the child obesity epidemic have shown limited effectiveness, possibly due to a lack of consideration of potential stress that accompanies behavior adaptation and the automatic perseverative cognition that exacerbates the stress (namely rumination). Purpose: The main aim of this paper is to develop and validate the PA-specific Rumination Scale for Children (PARSC) that assesses children’s tendencies to engage in repeated negative thoughts about PA (Study 2). Items in the scale were derived from qualitative information about factors that inherently demotivates PA participation (intrinsic barriers) through the lived experience of UK children (Study 1). Methods: For Study 1, pedometry PA data were collected from 143 children (aged 6-10 years). Twenty-one focus groups were formed based on participants’ year group, sex and PA level. For PARSC validation (Study 2), 382 children completed the questionnaire twice. Self-reported PA, objective PA and avoidant coping were also assessed. Results: Study 1 – Four overarching themes identified as intrinsic barriers were lack of competence, fear of negative experiences, external constraints and lacking a sense of purpose. Altogether, ten higher order and lower order themes were used to construct PARSC items. Study 2 - From Rasch analysis, PARSC possessed sound internal validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Self-reported PA and avoidant coping were predictive of PA-specific rumination, but not objective PA. Conclusion: PARSC is a useful tool to identify children ruminative about PA for whom interventions can be designed, with the intrinsic barriers considered, to promote PA behavior adaptation

Kannapolis: From Mill Town to Research-Based Economy

Kannapolis is a thriving city of 43,115 people located along the 1-85 corridor in the Charlotte region of North Carolina. It began as a mill community in 1906 when J.W. Cannon purchased 808 acres of former cotton fields and began construction of “Cannon’s model mill town,” which ambitiously became known as Kannapolis. In its first year of operation, Cannon built two manufacturing plants and 75 homes for carpenters and construction workers. Shortly thereafter, 75 additional homes were built for the first wave of textile workers who came to the area with the promise of new opportunities. By 1920, the population of the community had grown to 5,027 men, women and children, living in 821 new houses. The mill employees resided in the homes, paying low rental rates and enjoying free maintenance, low cost utilities, free garbage collection, and no taxes

Is Evidence-Based Medicine Relevant to the Developing World?

Systematic reviews have yet to achieve their potential as a resource for practitioners in developing countries, argue Chinnock et al