Explaining the Longitudinal Association Between Puberty and Depression: Sex Differences in the Mediating Effects of Peer Stress

This research investigated whether exposure to peer stress serves as one pathway through which pubertal development contributes to depression over time, differentially for girls and boys. Youth (N = 149; 9.6–14.8 years) and their caregivers provided information at two waves, 1 year apart, on puberty (Wave 1), peer stress (occurring between Waves 1 and 2), and depression (Waves 1 and 2). Structural equation modeling analyses examined sex differences in the extent to which peer stress mediated the impact of pubertal status and timing on subsequent depression (i.e., tests of moderated mediation). Significant sex-moderated mediation was found for both pubertal status and timing. As indicated by moderate effect proportions, in girls, heightened peer stress partially mediated the longitudinal association between (a) more advanced pubertal status and depression; and (b) linear, but not curvilinear, pubertal timing (i.e., earlier maturation) and depression. This research contributes to our growing understanding of the interplay among physical, psychological, and social processes involved in the sex difference in adolescent depression

Contributing factors to potential turnover in a sample of South African management-level employees

Purpose: The overall purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which a number of key organisational variables influence the potential decision to leave the organisation in a sample of managerial-level employees. Organisational variables focused on included: career path strategies, management style, intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, team dynamics, training and development opportunities, and work / life balance. Methodology: An exploratory and descriptive research design was adopted. A questionnaire was developed by the researchers based on the related literature. 106 MBA students based in KwaZulu-Natal participated in the study. Findings: The three aspects of internal organisational functioning found to have a significant influence on the participant's potential turnover considerations were: management / leadership style, career path strategies and rewards. Value of the research: According to the Department of Labour (2008:5) there is need for an additional 22 600 managers in various professions in South Africa. As a result of the skills shortages, South African organisations find themselves competing with international organisations for managerial-level employees, resulting in a 'war for talent'. This research is of significant value to organisations as it provides information relevant to the design and support of talent management and retention strategies in South African organisations

Anxiety and Depression During Childhood and Adolescence: Testing Theoretical Models of Continuity and Discontinuity

The present study sought to clarify the trajectory (i.e., continuous vs. discontinuous) and expression (i.e., homotypic vs. heterotypic) of anxiety and depressive symptoms across childhood and adolescence. We utilized a state-of-the-science analytic approach to simultaneously test theoretical models that describe the development of internalizing symptoms in youth. In a sample of 636 children (53% female; M age = 7.04; SD age = 0.35) self-report measures of anxiety and depression were completed annually by youth through their freshman year of high school. For both anxiety and depression, a piecewise growth curve model provided the best fit for the data, with symptoms decreasing until age 12 (the “developmental knot”) and then increasing into early adolescence. The trajectory of anxiety symptoms was best described by a discontinuous homotypic pattern in which childhood anxiety predicted adolescent anxiety. For depression, two distinct pathways were discovered: A discontinuous homotypic pathway in which childhood depression predicted adolescent depression and a discontinuous heterotypic pathway in which childhood anxiety predicted adolescent depression. Analytical, methodological, and clinical implications of these findings are discussed

Impact of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (pcv13) on invasive pneumococcal disease and carriage in Alaska

AbstractBackgroundAlaska Native (AN) children have experienced high rates of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). In March 2010, PCV13 was introduced statewide in Alaska. We evaluated the impact of PCV13 on IPD in children and adults, 45 months after introduction.MethodsPneumococcal sterile site isolates, reported through state-wide surveillance, were serotyped using standard methods. We defined a pre-PCV13 time period 2005–2008 and post-PCV13 time period April 2010–December 2013; excluding Jan 2009–March 2010 because PCV13 was introduced pre-licensure in one high-risk region in 2009.ResultsAmong Alaska children <5 years, PCV13 serotypes comprised 65% of IPD in the pre-PCV13 period and 26% in the PCV13 period. Among all Alaska children <5 years, IPD rates decreased from 60.9 (pre) to 25.4 (post) per 100,000/year (P<0.001); PCV13 serotype IPD decreased from 37.7 to 6.4 (P<0.001). Among AN children <5 years, IPD rates decreased from 149.2 to 60.8 (P<0.001); PCV13 serotype IPD decreased from 87.0 to 17.4 (P<0.001); non-PCV13 serotype IPD did not change significantly. Among persons 5–17 and ≥45 years, the post-vaccine IPD rate was similar to the baseline period, but declined in persons 18–44 years (39%, P<0.001); this decline was similar in AN and non-AN persons (38%, P=0.016, 43%, P=0.014, respectively).ConclusionsForty-five months after PCV13 introduction, overall IPD and PCV13-serotype IPD rates had decreased 58% and 83%, respectively, in Alaska children <5 years of age when compared with 2005–2008. We observed evidence of indirect effect among adults with a 39% reduction in IPD among persons 18–44 years

Orbiter Boundary Layer Transition Prediction Tool Enhancements

Updates to an analytic tool developed for Shuttle support to predict the onset of boundary layer transition resulting from thermal protection system damage or repair are presented. The boundary layer transition tool is part of a suite of tools that analyze the local aerothermodynamic environment to enable informed disposition of damage for making recommendations to fly as is or to repair. Using mission specific trajectory information and details of each d agmea site or repair, the expected time (and thus Mach number) of transition onset is predicted to help define proper environments for use in subsequent thermal and stress analysis of the thermal protection system and structure. The boundary layer transition criteria utilized within the tool were updated based on new local boundary layer properties obtained from high fidelity computational solutions. Also, new ground-based measurements were obtained to allow for a wider parametric variation with both protuberances and cavities and then the resulting correlations were calibrated against updated flight data. The end result is to provide correlations that allow increased confidence with the resulting transition predictions. Recently, a new approach was adopted to remove conservatism in terms of sustained turbulence along the wing leading edge. Finally, some of the newer flight data are also discussed in terms of how these results reflect back on the updated correlations

The quantification of biological nitrogen fixation by Trifolium repens as affected by soil organic matter

Management of the soil environment must receive special attention. Future research will not only be on increasing soil quality, but also on rectifying problems caused by our abusive past practices. Soil organic C is the main factor that influences soil quality, which will in turn determine sustainability and profitability.http://www.elsenburg.co

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival in international airports

Background  The highest achievable survival rate following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is unknown. Data from airports serving international destinations (international airports) provide the opportunity to evaluate the success of pre-hospital resuscitation in a relatively controlled but real-life environment.  Methods  This retrospective cohort study included all cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest at international airports with resuscitation attempted between January 1st, 2013 and December 31st, 2015. Crude incidence, patient, event characteristics and survival to hospital discharge/survival to 30 days (survival) were calculated. Mixed effect logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of survival. Variability in survival between airports/countries was quantified using the median odds ratio.  Results  There were 800 cases identified, with an average of 40 per airport. Incidence was 0.024/100,000 passengers per year. Percentage survival for all patients was 32%, and 58% for patients with an initial shockable heart rhythm.  In adjusted analyses, initial shockable heart rhythm was the strongest predictor of survival (odds ratio, 36.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 15.5 to 87.0). In the bystander-witnessed subgroup, delivery of a defibrillation shock by a bystander was a strong predictor of survival (odds ratio 4.8; 95% CI, 3.0 to 7.8). Grouping of cases was significant at country level and survival varied between countries.  Conclusions  In international airports, there was 32% of patients survived an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, substantially more than in the general population. Our analysis suggested similarity between airports within countries, but differences between countries. Systematic data collection and reporting is essential to ensure international airports continually maximise activities to increase survival

Bewertung der SGB II-Umsetzung aus gleichstellungspolitischer Sicht: Jahresbericht 2007 des Gender-Projekts; Kurzfassung - 5. Oktober 2007; Projektnr. 03/06

Im Zentrum der vorliegenden Kurzfassung des ersten Jahresberichtes stehen die Ergebnisse einer Online-Befragung der Personen, die bei den SGB II-Trägereinheiten für Chancengleichheit, Gleichstellung oder Gender Mainstreaming zuständig sind. Die Befragung diente in erster Linie dem Ziel, ein Bild vom Ausmaß der konzeptionellen, organisatorischen und personellen Verankerung des Gleichstellungszieles zu erhalten. Darüber hinaus enthält der Bericht eine erste geschlechterdifferenzierende Bestandsaufnahme des Leistungsbezugs im SGB II auf Basis von öffentlich zugänglichen Statistiken und Befragungsergebnissen. Neben dem Umfang und der Zusammensetzung der Bezieher/innen von Grundsicherungsleistungen nach SGB II wird analysiert, inwieweit geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede in Bezug auf die Arbeitslosigkeit, die Abgangsdynamik, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Maßnahmeteilnahme festzustellen sind

The effect of soil carbon on symboitic nitrogen fixation and symbiotic Rhizobium populations in soil with Trifolium repens as host plant

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the main attribute of high-quality soil. The amount of nitrogen fixed by Rhizobium symbiotically with Trifolium repens (white clover) is ultimately determined by the quality of the soil environment. The effect of SOC on the total number of symbiotic and saprophytic rhizobia was determined. Subsequently, the amount of nitrogen (N) fixed was assessed by using the N difference technique. Most Rhizobium was detected between a SOC content of 2.03% to 3.80% in both inoculated and non-inoculated soils. Inoculation increased the number of rhizobia in soil. Most N was fixed in the soil with the lowest SOC content. Although the amount of N fixed increased as the level of SOC decreased, the efficiency of N fixation decreased proportionally to SOC. Subsequently, more N was rhizodeposited. It was concluded that symbiotic rhizobia introduced by the inoculant were more efficient than free-living rhizobia in soils with higher carbon content, which highlights the importance of inoculation in improving the sustainable production of T. repens pastures.http://tandfonline.com/loi/tarf20nf201