An Examination of the Stability of Positive Psychological Capital Using Frequency-Based Measurement

The purpose of this study was to explore the utility of frequency-based measurement as an alternative method for examining the stability of psychological capital, a higher-order construct introduced by Luthans and colleagues (2007), consisting of self-efficacy, hope, resilience, and optimism. Frequency-based measurement is a new approach based on the distributional assessment model (Kane, 1986; 2000) that provides information on the relative frequency of occurrence for specific behaviors over a given period of time, and offers a distribution that depicts the scope of an individual’s behavior. One advantage of this approach is that it can provide information on a person’s behavior over time in a single administration, allowing researchers to examine the temporal stability of constructs without having to conduct longitudinal studies (e.g., personality, Edwards & Woehr, 2007). To investigate the usefulness of this new approach, a series of studies was conducted using a sample of students from a large southeastern university. The first study compared a frequency-based measure of psychological capital to the more traditional Likert-type measure. Results indicated that the two are equivalent measures of the central tendency of psychological capital. The frequency-based measure was also compared to the Likert-type measure given across three contexts (family, school, and social settings) in a second study. Results indicated that the two approaches offered similar information in terms of consistency, with both approaches demonstrating some variability in responses over time or across contexts. Thus, this study provided further evidence that frequency-based measurement offers additional information not available in a single administration using a Likert-type measure. The last study investigated agreement between an individual’s self-reported psychological capital and ratings of their psychological capital given by an acquaintance. Contrary to my expectations, within-item consistency did not moderate self/other agreement. The implications of these findings are outlined, in addition to suggestions for future research

Chemical and mineralogical transformations accompanying the weathering of retorted oil shale

The development of western oil shale reserves will present major environmental problems due to the generation of huge quantities of mineral waste (retorted oil shale). The goals of this study are to investigate the extent of weathering within a retorted oil shale (ROS) spoil pile, in order to better understand the long term environmental impact of the material. The U.S. Bureau of Mines operated a pilot scale retort facility in Rulison, Colorado from 1926 to 1929. Core samples from the spoil pile associated with this project were obtained by the U.S. Geological Survey, and serve as the basis for this work. The effects of over 50 years of natural weathering were investigated by using batch equilibration studies to characterize the aqueous dissolution rates of analytes from samples obtained at different depths in the spoil pile. In support of the dissolution studies, differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray analysis were used to examine changes in the composition and morphologies of the particles. Dissolution rate curves, in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy, suggest the existence of different phases of an ROS particle. A highly weathered surface sample consists of two phases; the bulk silicate mineral matrix which is only very slowly soluble, and a second phase external to the bulk which consists primarily of readily soluble salts. In contrast, subsurface samples which are not highly weathered, often contain a third phase, formed from the translocation and redeposition of material at various depths. Rates of dissolution depend on the phase from which the analyte originates, although solubility and ion exchange equilibria contribute to the shapes of the dissolution curves. Weathering processes have not significantly altered the major mineral composition of ROS as yet. The mineral matrix itself has remained largely intact. However, laboratory weathering studies and x-ray diffraction analysis suggest that accelerated weathering of the silicate mineral matrix will occur in the presence of these highly alkaline leachates

A realist process evaluation of Enhanced Triple P for Baby and Mellow Bumps, within a Trial of Healthy Relationship Initiatives for the Very Early years (THRIVE): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: THRIVE is a three-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) that aims to evaluate whether antenatal and early postnatal interventions, Enhanced Triple B for Baby (ETPB) plus care as usual (CAU) or Mellow Bumps (MB) plus CAU (versus CAU alone), can: 1) improve the mental health and well-being of pregnant women with complex health and social care needs; 2) improve mother-infant bonding and interaction; 3) reduce child maltreatment; and 4) improve child language acquisition. This paper focuses on THRIVE’s realist process evaluation, which is carefully monitoring what is happening in the RCT. Methods: Realistic evaluation provides the theoretical rationale for the process evaluation. We question: 1) how faithfully are MB and ETPB implemented? 2) What are the mechanisms by which they work, if they do, and who do they work for and how? 3) What contextual factors are necessary for the programmes to function, or might prevent them functioning? The mixed-methods design includes quantitative measures, which are pre- and post-training/intervention questionnaires for facilitators and mothers-to-be, and post-session evaluation forms. Qualitative data collection methods include participant observation of facilitator training and the delivery of a series of antenatal sessions in selected intervention groups (n = 3 for ETPB and n = 3 for MB), semi-structured interviews with facilitators, pregnant women, partners, and referring facilitators, and telephone interviews examining the content of the postnatal components of ETPB and MB. Discussion: The findings of this process evaluation will help researchers and decision makers interpret the outcomes of THRIVE. It will provide a greater understanding of: how the interventions work (if they do); the extent and quality of their implementation; contextual factors facilitating and constraining intervention functioning; variations in response within and between subgroups of vulnerable parents; and benefits or unintended consequences of either intervention. Few studies to date have published detailed research protocols illustrating how realist process evaluation is designed and conducted as an integral part of a randomised controlled trial

Postpartum Visit Attendance Increases the Use of Modern Contraceptives

Background. Delays in postpartum contraceptive use may increase risk for unintended or rapid repeat pregnancies. The postpartum care visit (PPCV) is a good opportunity for women to discuss family planning options with their health care providers. This study examined the association between PPCV attendance and modern contraceptive use using data from a managed care organization. Methods. Claims and demographic and administrative data came from a nonprofit managed care organization in Virginia (2008–2012). Information on the most recent delivery for mothers with singleton births was analyzed (N = 24,619). Routine PPCV (yes, no) and modern contraceptive use were both dichotomized. Descriptive analyses provided percentages, frequencies, and means. Multiple logistic regression was conducted and ORs and 95% CIs were calculated. Results. More than half of the women did not attend their PPCV (50.8%) and 86.9% had no modern contraceptive use. After controlling for the effects of confounders, women with PPCV were 50% more likely to use modern contraceptive methods than women with no PPCV (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.31, 1.72). Conclusions. These findings highlight the importance of PPCV in improving modern contraceptive use and guide health care policy in the effort of reducing unintended pregnancy rates

Electrochemical sensors, MTT and immunofluorescence assays for monitoring the proliferation effects of cissus populnea extracts on Sertoli cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We describe the development of an electrochemical sensor array for monitoring the proliferation effects of cissus populnea plant extracts on TM4 Sertoli cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The proliferation activities of the extracts on Sertoli cells were studied using a high-throughput electrochemical sensor array (DOX-96) and the analytical sensor characteristics were compared with conventional colorimetric MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and fluorescence spectroscopy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This work shows that there is a definite positive trend in the proliferation effect of the extract of <it>Cissus populnea </it>on the TM4 Sertoli cells. All of the three techniques confirmed that the most effective concentration for the proliferation is 10 ppm. At this concentration, the proliferation effect was established around 120% for both DOX-96 and MTT techniques, whereas fluorescence assays showed a higher level (120-150%). DOX-96 showed a lower limit of detection (1.25 × 10(4) cells/ml); whereas the LOD recorded for both MTT and fluorescence techniques was 2.5 × 10(4) cells/ml. Visual examination of the cells by means of confocal fluorescence microscopy confirmed the proliferation of Sertoli cells as was determined using the MTT assay. This investigation provides a confident interpretation of the results and proved that the most effective concentration for the proliferation using <it>Cissus populnea </it>plant extract is 10 ppm.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Overall, the DOX results compared well with the conventional methods of checking proliferation of cells. The fascinating feature of the sensor array is the ability to provide continuous proliferation experiments with no additional reagents including 96 simultaneous electrochemical experiments. The use of the DOX-96 could reduce a typical bioassay time by 20-fold. Thus the DOX-96 can be used as both a research tool and for practical cell culture monitoring.</p

Calcium alginate microencapsulation of ovarian follicles impacts FSH delivery and follicle morphology

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that suspension culture prevents follicle flattening and maintains three-dimensional follicle architecture better than culture on flat plates. However, many of the follicles cultured in suspension do eventually rupture, as basement membrane integrity is lost and the three-dimensional structure of the follicle is altered. Therefore, the objective of this study is to support three-dimensional follicle architecture during in vitro growth of ovarian follicles through encapsulation in calcium alginate, while maintaining responsiveness to FSH stimulation. METHODS: Preantral follicles (150 – 160 micrometers in diameter) were isolated from the ovaries of juvenile rats and grown in culture tubes or encapsulated in calcium alginate and grown in culture tubes. Previous studies revealed that follicles maintained structural integrity but did not grow as well when encapsulated in calcium alginate. In these studies, we evaluated the effect of calcium alginate on FSH-stimulated follicle growth, survival, and morphology in suspension culture. Follicles were grown under 5 culture conditions: 1) not encapsulated; with FSH in the medium, 2) encapsulated in the absence of FSH, grown in medium without FSH, 3) encapsulated with calcium alginate containing FSH but grown in medium without FSH, 4) encapsulated without FSH but grown in medium containing FSH and 5) encapsulated with calcium alginate containing FSH and in medium containing FSH. To assess growth rates, follicles were cultured for 72 hours and analyzed for follicle size increase and DNA content. Survival analysis for encapsulated and unencapsulated follicles was performed by constructing a Kaplan Meier survival curve of daily observations of intact follicle survival. Three-dimensional architecture was assessed histologically and by analysis of the pattern of connexin 43 expression in the cultured follicles. RESULTS: In the absence of FSH, follicle diameter increased by only 6.4%. When FSH was included in the alginate bead alone or the media alone, the follicle diameter increased by 13.5% and 19.9% respectively. This was greater than follicles cultured in the absence of FSH (p < 0.05), but less than that of the FSH-treated unencapsulated follicles (p < 0.05). However, when follicles were cultured with FSH included in both the media and the bead, a 32.6% increase in follicle diameter was observed, statistically no different than the growth rate of the unencapsulated follicles grown with FSH. CONCLUSION: Microencapsulation supports three-dimensional follicle growth, but may limit access to hormones in the medium resulting in altered development compared to unencapsulated follicles. Inclusion of FSH in the alginate bead restores the follicle growth response to FSH, while also providing a scaffold of support for three-dimensional growth. The application of tissue engineering principles to the problems of follicle culture in vitro may provide advances applicable to fertility preservation in women and endangered species

Activation of the LH receptor up regulates the type 2 adiponectin receptor in human granulosa cells

PURPOSE: Adiponectin is a predominantly adipocyte-derived hormone which influences insulin sensitivity and energy homeostasis through at least two receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. In animal models, adiponectin may regulate ovarian steroidogenesis, folliculogenesis, and ovulation. The receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 are present in the human ovary, but their regulation is unknown. In these studies, we determined the effects of LH receptor activation on the expression and function of the two adiponectin receptors in human granulosa cells. METHODS: Granulosa cells were obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cells were isolated and cultured for 48 h in DMEM/F12 medium with 5 % FBS and 50 ug/ml gentamicin. Medium was changed to low serum for 12 h and cells were treated with hCG (100 ng/ml), forskolin (30 μMol/L), or FSH (1 IU/ml) for 24 h for mRNA experiments. mRNA was isolated and RT PCR was performed using Taqman assays and quantification with the delta delta CT method. For immunocytochemistry, cells were grown on chamber slides and treated with hCG for 1 to 24 h and fixed with acetone. ICC was performed with polyclonal rabbit primary antibodies followed by alexa fluor goat anti-rabbit antibody and imaging with a fluorescence microscope and Zeiss software analysis. 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) enzyme activity was determined by measuring the progesterone produced when cells were provided with an excess of 22-hydroxy-cholesterol as substrate following an incubation with hCG (1 IU/ml) and/or adiponectin (10 ng/ml). Progesterone content in the media was determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Messenger RNA for the two Adiponectin receptors is differentially regulated by activation of LHR with hCG treatment. AdipoR2 was increased nearly 4-fold (p < 0.05), whereas AdipoR1 expression was not changed by hCG treatment. Treatment with either FSH or forskolin (an activator of cAMP) had similar effects. Basal AdipoR2 protein was fairly low in granulosa cells in culture however treatment of cells with hCG resulted in a discernible increase in immunodetectable cytoplasmic protein as early as 6 h after treatment and was maintained for at least 24 h. The number of cells positive for AdipoR2 at 6 h increased from a basal of 20 % to almost 60 % (p < 0.05). Adiponectin treatment of hCG-primed cells resulted in increased 3βHSD activity by approximately 60 % over hCG alone and more than 3-fold over basal levels. CONCLUSIONS: AdipoR2 is regulated by the LH receptor function via a cAMP dependant mechanism. Increased expression of adipoR2 prior to and following ovulation may contribute to enhanced 3βHSD activity and increased progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum of the ovary. Dysregulation of adiponectin that may occur with PCOS may impair normal progesterone production

Reflections on Mental Health Advocacy Across Differing Ecological Levels

Background: According to the World Health Organization, mental health advocacy is comprised of a range of actions designed to change aspects of attitudes and structures that impede the achievement of positive mental health in populations. Methods: According to the World Health Organization, mental health advocacy is comprised of a range of actions designed to change aspects of attitudes and structures that impede the achievement of positive mental health in populations. Results: We have proposed interventions and advocacy effort for each ecological level. Project UPLIFT, a distance-delivered intervention for mental health is presented as an example of an effort that can affect several levels of the social ecology. Conclusions: Advocacy and interventions that make an effort to encompass the levels of the social-ecological model may contribute to greater progress in improving mental health outcomes

Factors associated with the development of anxiety among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

"Given that children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) are known to experience difficulties with anxiety at a higher rate than the general population, this study's overall goal was to examine potential risk factors that may explain the link between AD/HD and comorbid anxiety. Sixty-three male and female children diagnosed with AD/HD and their mothers were administered various questionnaires to assess six domains (demographics, faulty thinking, parenting factors, school functioning, treatment, and AD/HD severity) to ascertain possible risk factors for the development of comorbid anxiety. In addition, mothers were administered a diagnostic interview to assess their children's AD/HD and separate anxiety diagnoses. Results supported variables most consistently in the faulty thinking, parenting factors, and school functioning domains as potential risk factors contributing to comorbid anxiety in children with AD/HD. Contrary to expectations, AD/HD severity made no direct contribution to comorbid anxiety above and beyond the other variables. However, it most likely makes an indirect contribution by its impact on the faulty thinking, parenting factors, and school functioning domains. Further, although causality cannot be addressed by the current research design, the three identified domains serve as a foundation for future research targeting directionality and risk in the development of anxiety among children with AD/HD. Based on this study's findings, implications for assessments and treatments for clinical practice were also discussed."--Abstract from author supplied metadata