Characterization of Vitellogenesis in the Bonnethead Shark Sphyrna tiburo

Vitellogenin (Vtg) is a precursor to yolk-proteins produced in the liver of many invertebrates and non-mammalian vertebrates; its synthesis is stimulated by the hormone estradiol (E2). This study is the first to characterize vitellogenin synthesis in a placental viviparous elasmobranch, the yolk-sac placental bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo. This study focused on determining where and when Vtg is produced, as well as what hormonal factors regulate Vtg production. The liver was confirmed as the site of Vtg production via immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactivity was also observed within granulosa cells of ovarian follicles; further experimentation is needed to determine if this is indicative of Vtg production by these cells. Using immunoblotting, the highest proportions of Vtg positive females were found in March, with Vtg production continuing into April and May. Putative Vtg production was found to begin in August for some individuals, with production continuing throughout the fall and winter months. In regards to hormonal regulation, immunohistochemical analysis identified receptors for E2 and progesterone (P4) within the liver. Comparison of the monthly E2 and Vtg cycles provides evidence that E2 stimulates Vtg production in S. tiburo, as high or increasing concentrations of E2 correlated with Vtg presence in the plasma. Preliminary results also suggest in vitro production of Vtg by liver tissue when exposed to E2. Comparison of the monthly P4 and Vtg cycles suggests P4 may inhibit Vtg synthesis, with higher levels of P4 found in the months when Vtg production declines. Additionally, the methods developed for this study were able to identify Vtg in the plasma of other elasmobranch species. Vtg detection in plasma may thus be an ideal new, nonlethal method for characterizing elasmobranch reproductive periodicity, which will aid in assessing population growth and allow for managers to possess more accurate information to make appropriate decisions for the populations

The use of natural resources in the Scottish Highlands, with particular reference to the Island of Mull

The thesis examines the use of natural resources in a case study area of the West Highlands, the Island of Mull. A review of history and description of present conditions leads on to an exploration of the island's future prospects and subsequently to a discussion of the island's problems in the more general context of remote Highland communities. Mull has been the subject of extensive previous survey, a review of which forms a foundation to the main part of the work, the exploration of some possible future patterns of resource-use. Three specific scenarios of the period 1980-2030 AD allow assessments of carrying capacity for a human community. In each case, a maximum feasible solution is described for the supply of food and shelter, and to a lesser extent of energy and material goods (in other words, the support of an economy) within the constraints set by the scenario. The first scenario explores a future in which Mull's present connections with the outside world are severed, enforcing self-sufficiency. In this case, the land and energy resources available on the island could support about 8000 people at a subsistence level. The second scenario envisages increasingly detailed resource planning at a national level. Mull's population is barely maintained, or declines to just below 2000, while raw material output, particularly of timber, and tourism potential is increased significantly. The third scenario anticipates a change of direction for remote communities, with a technologically sophisticated but self-reliant population. This community has considerable autonomy, and is able to provide food and energy for a population of about 10 000. While these anticipations are exploratory and in no way predictive, they all envisage a large increase in output accompanied in two cases by increases in population, a contrast with the present situation of 2500 population, declining agriculture, constrained forestry and significant dependence on tourism. In the final chapters, the barriers to resource development are discussed and the concept of 'appropriateness', coupled to analysis of the functional roles of natural resources and technology, is put forward. In the final analysis, there are clearly considerable current pressures in the direction explored in the second scenario. Whether this is desirable is questioned. It is recognised that attempts to direct development cannot succeed if they impose externally determined priorities and values, but may do so if they encourage and enhance community self-confidence

“Football- It’s in Your Blood”—Lived Experiences of Undertaking Recreational Football for Health in Older Adults

Physical inactivity is prevalent in older adults and contributes to age-related decline in function, health, well-being, and quality of life. Recreational football for older adults has shown promise for promoting health benefits. This study explores the lived experiences of older adults engaging in a walking and recreational football intervention and identifies factors that affect behaviours and can encourage change in this population. A purposive sample (n = 14; aged 67 ± 5 years) of the lived experiences of those participating in a recreational football intervention took part in two focus groups. The participants’ responses were grouped into three-time reflecting specific points in their lives: what stopped them from playing football, what got them playing, and what is needed for them to continue playing in the future. Within each of these time points in their lives, themes were identified. The key findings and practical recommendations were that football needs to be adapted and local, that the priority to play football changes over time, and that football itself is a fundamentally intrinsic motivator; ‘it’s in your blood’. The findings can be used to inform future interventions, encourage participation, and advise on the best practices for key stakeholders in the physical activity domain

Deficits in Emotion Recognition: An Eye-tracking Investigation

Historical conceptualizations of psychopathic personality emphasized affective deficits as characteristic of the disorder. Contemporary research reports deficits in facial emotion recognition, with particularly strong effects for recognition of fearful faces. Researchers have proposed a number of theories to explain the interaction between psychopathic traits and emotion processing deficits. The response modulation hypothesis emphasizes deficits in shifting attention from goal-directed behavior, whereas the Integrated Emotions System model emphasizes deficits in moral socialization due to abnormalities in fear processing. The current research investigated whether individuals elevated in psychopathic traits displayed deficits in recognizing emotion overall, deficits specific to fear recognition, and/or deficits in attention to fearful faces. A sample of 110 undergraduate students completed the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure, a facial emotion recognition task, and a visual dot probe task. Participants relatively elevated in psychopathic traits also completed an attentional retraining task to determine if their attention could be directed to fearful faces. Finally, an ASL Eye-Trac 6 eye-tracker was used to investigate whether gaze fixations on the eyes or the mouth of an emotional face were associated with deficits in emotion processing. Accuracy of emotion identification was recorded for each participant. Additionally, a facilitation index was calculated for the dot probe task to measure attentional orientating to emotional stimuli. Contrary to hypotheses, individuals elevated in psychopathic traits did not display overall deficits in identification of emotional faces overall or for fear faces specifically. Results indicated that individuals elevated in psychopathic traits displayed deficits in identifying disgusted faces. As hypothesized, reduced response time to fearful faces in the dot probe task was associated with elevations in psychopathic traits. However, the attentional retraining task did not increase attention to fearful faces. Finally, deficits in emotion recognition and emotional attention were not associated with eye gaze. The results suggest that psychopathy may not be universally associated with emotion recognition performance. Instead, deficient emotion processing in psychopathic individuals may be due to attentional deficits rather than inability to identify emotional facial expressions. Interpretations of these results are limited by small sample size and the use of an undergraduate student sample

The Effect of 12-Weeks Recreational Football (Soccer) for Health Intervention on Functional Movement in Older Adults

There is growing evidence that recreational football offers health benefits for older adults and an important pathway for physical activity for older adult groups. Despite anecdotal evidence that recreational football is beneficial for older adults, no empirical data are available to support this assertion. This study addressed this issue and examined the effects of a 12‐week recreational football intervention on the functional fitness of older adults. Using a pre–post case–control design, thirteen males, aged 61–73 years (mean age ± SD = 66 ± 4 years) undertook a twice‐weekly, 12‐week recreational football for health intervention, and were matched with a control group, comprising thirteen males, aged 62–78 years (mean age ± SD = 66 ± 4 years) who maintained their typical exercise habits during the intervention period. Pre‐ and postintervention, participants underwent assessment of functional fitness, using the Rikli and Jones functional fitness battery as well as an assessment of body fatness, via bioelectrical impedance analysis and dominant handgrip strength using handgrip dynamometry. Results from a series of 2 (pre–post) X 2 (intervention vs. control) repeated‐measures ANOVAs indicate significant pre–post X group interactions for the 30‐second chair stand (p = 0.038, Pƞ2 = 0.168), 8‐foot timed up and go (p = 0.001, Pƞ2 = 0.577) and 6 min walk test (p = 0.036, Pƞ2 = 0.171). In all cases, performance improved significantly after the intervention for the football intervention group but not the control group. There were no significant differences in the 30 s arm curl test or dominant handgrip strength (p > 0.05). There was a non‐significant trend (p = 0.07, Pƞ2 = 0.127) towards a pre–post X group interaction for body fatness, showing a decreased percent body fat for the intervention group over the control group. The results of the present study demonstrate the utility of recreational football as a physical activity intervention in older adults to improve functional movement

Training of workplace-based clinical trainers in family medicine, South Africa : before-and-after evaluation

CITATION: Mash, R., et al. 2018. Training of workplace-based clinical trainers in family medicine, South Africa : before-and-after evaluation. African Journal of Primary Health care & Family Medicine, 10(1):a1589, doi:10.4102/phcfm.v10i1.1589.The original publication is available at https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfmPublication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.Background: The training of family physicians is a relatively new phenomenon in the district health services of South Africa. There are concerns about the quality of clinical training and the low pass rate in the national examination. Aim: To assess the effect of a five-day course to train clinical trainers in family medicine on the participants’ subsequent capability in the workplace. Setting: Family physician clinical trainers from training programmes mainly in South Africa, but also from Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and Botswana. Methods: A before-and-after study using self-reported change at 6 weeks (N = 18) and a 360-degree evaluation of clinical trainers by trainees after 3 months (N = 33). Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, and qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results: Significant change (p < 0.05) was found at 6 weeks in terms of ensuring safe and effective patient care through training, establishing and maintaining an environment for learning, teaching and facilitating learning, enhancing learning through assessment, and supporting and monitoring educational progress. Family physicians reported that they were better at giving feedback, more aware of different learning styles, more facilitative and less authoritarian in their educational approach, more reflective and critical of their educational capabilities and more aware of principles in assessment. Despite this, the trainees did not report any noticeable change in the trainers’ capability after 3 months. Conclusion: The results support a short-term improvement in the capability of clinical trainers following the course. This change needs to be supported by ongoing formative assessment and supportive visits, which are reported on elsewhere.https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/1589Publisher's versio

The C-CAP process: a comprehensive approach to community resource mapping

Introduction Place-based systems change approaches are gaining popularity to address the complex problems associated with locational disadvantage. An important stage of place-based systems change involves understanding the context that surrounds (re)produces a target problem. Community resource mapping can be used to establish the context and identify the strengths of a community that might be leveraged through systems change efforts. Approaches to community resource mapping draw on a range of philosophical assumptions and methodological frameworks. However, comprehensive, practical guidance for researchers and practitioners to conduct community resource mapping is scarce. Method Drawing on the learnings from a literature review, scoping workshops, and reflective practice sessions, we developed a flexible, methodologically robust process called the Contextualize, Collect, Analyze, and Present (C-CAP) process: a four-phase approach to preparing for, conducting, and reporting on community resource mapping. The C-CAP process was co-developed by researchers and practitioners and was tested and refined in two different communities. Results The C-CAP process provides robust guidance for conducting and reporting on a community resource mapping project. The C-CAP process can be applied by public health practitioners and researchers and adapted for use across different communities, problems, and target groups. We encourage others guided by differing theoretical perspectives to apply C-CAP and share the learnings. Conclusion Application of the C-CAP process has the potential to improve the comparability and comprehensiveness of findings from community resource mapping projects and avoids duplication of effort by reducing the need to design new processes for each new community resource mapping activity

Scoping review of practice-focused resources to support the implementation of place-based approaches

Issue Addressed There is increasing interest across public health research, policy, and practice in place‐based approaches to improve health outcomes. Practice‐focused resources, such as grey literature, courses and websites, are utilised by practitioners to support the implementation of place‐based approaches. Methods A detailed search of two search engines: Google and DuckDuckGo to identify free practice‐focused resources was conducted. Results Forty‐one resources met inclusion criteria, including 26 publications, 13 web‐based resources and two courses. They were mainly focused on collaboration, developed by not‐for‐profit organisations, focused on a broad target audience, and supported people living with disadvantage. The publications we reviewed generally: clearly stated important information, such as the author of the publication; used their own evaluations, professional experience and other grey literature as supporting evidence; included specific, practical implementation strategies; and were easy to read. Conclusions Based on findings, we recommend that: (1) the development of resources to support evidence‐informed practice and governance be prioritised; (2) resources clearly state their target audience and tailor communication to this audience; (3) resources draw on evidence from a range of sources; (4) resources continue to include practical implementation strategies supported by examples and (5) resource content be adaptable to different contexts (e.g., different settings and/or target populations). So What? This is the first review of practice‐focused resources to support the implementation of place‐based approaches and the findings can be used to reduce duplication of efforts and inform future research, policy, and practice, particularly the refinement of existing resources and the development of future resources

The management and outcome for patients with chronic subdural hematoma: a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study in the United Kingdom

Symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) will become an increasingly common presentation in neurosurgical practice as the population ages, but quality evidence is still lacking to guide the optimal management for these patients. The British Neurosurgical Trainee Research Collaborative (BNTRC) was established by neurosurgical trainees in 2012 to improve research by combining the efforts of trainees in each of the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland's neurosurgical units (NSUs). The authors present the first study by the BNTRC that describes current management and outcomes for patients with CSDH throughout the UK and Ireland. This provides a resource both for current clinical practice and future clinical research on CSDH