Psychometric properties of the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II among Kenyan adolescents

IntroductionCuriosity is a fundamental trait that drives exploration, motivation, learning, and growth. However, research on this character strength in sub-Saharan African populations is very scarce. To address this gap in the literature, we sought to determine the psychometric properties of the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory- II (CEI-II), a measure for trait curiosity, to provide evidence of validity for its use in research among populations in sub-Saharan Africa. We also aimed to assess for demographic and psychosocial correlates of curiosity among Kenyan high school students.MethodsA sample of 375 participants in Kenya completed the CEI-II, as well as demographic information on sex, age, form in school, psychosocial measures of depression, anxiety, school climate, and social support. Using cross-sectional data, parallel analysis, scree plot, and structural equation modeling were used to determine the factor structure of the CEI-II among the Kenyan adolescent population.ResultsA one-factor solution was found to be the best fitting model, differing from the two-factor structure found in the original development of the measure. Internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, and predictors of trait curiosity were also examined. The CEI-II demonstrated good internal consistency and convergent validity with social support from family, friends, significant others, and school climate. Discriminant validity was demonstrated by the non-significant correlation between curiosity and depression. A hierarchical regression model showed that curiosity was significantly predicted by social support from family, significant others, school climate, and anxiety, with males being more curious than females.DiscussionThe CEI-II is a valid measurement tool to capture trait curiosity in Kenyan adolescents, and our findings provide insight into the relationship between curiosity and other psychosocial factors in this population

Process redesign of a surgical pathway improves access to cataract surgery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South East Queensland

The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) aimed to improve access to cataract surgery in urban South East Queensland (SEQ) for Indigenous Australians, without compromising clinical visual outcomes. The Penchansky and Levesque concept of access as the ‘fit’ between the patient’s needs and the ability of the system to meet those needs was used to inform the redesign of the mainstream cataract surgical pathway. The IUIH staff and community stakeholders mapped the traditional external cataract surgical pathway and then innovatively redesigned it to reduce the number of patients being removed by the system at key transition points. The integration of eye health within the primary health care (PHC) clinic has improved the continuity and coordination of care along the surgical pathway, and ensured the sustainability of collaborative partnerships with key external organisations. Audit data demonstrated a significant increase in utilisation of cataract surgical services after the process redesign. Previous studies have found that PHC models involving integration, coordination and continuity of care enhance patient health outcomes; however, the IUIH surgical model extends this to tertiary care. There is scope to apply this model to other surgical pathways and communities who experience access inequity

A Fasciclin-Like Arabinogalactan-Protein (FLA) Mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, fla1, Shows Defects in Shoot Regeneration

Extent: 11p.BACKGROUND: The fasciclin-like arabinogalactan-proteins (FLAs) are an enigmatic class of 21 members within the larger family of arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs) in Arabidopsis thaliana. Located at the cell surface, in the cell wall/plasma membrane, they are implicated in many developmental roles yet their function remains largely undefined. Fasciclin (FAS) domains are putative cell-adhesion domains found in extracellular matrix proteins of organisms from all kingdoms, but the juxtaposition of FAS domains with highly glycosylated AGP domains is unique to plants. Recent studies have started to elucidate the role of FLAs in Arabidopsis development. FLAs containing a single FAS domain are important for the integrity and elasticity of the plant cell wall matrix (FLA11 and FLA12) and FLA3 is involved in microspore development. FLA4/SOS5 with two FAS domains and two AGP domains has a role in maintaining proper cell expansion under salt stressed conditions. The role of other FLAs remains to be uncovered. METHOD/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here we describe the characterisation of a T-DNA insertion mutant in the FLA1 gene (At5g55730). Under standard growth conditions fla1-1 mutants have no obvious phenotype. Based on gene expression studies, a putative role for FLA1 in callus induction was investigated and revealed that fla1-1 has a reduced ability to regenerate shoots in an in vitro shoot-induction assay. Analysis of FLA1p:GUS reporter lines show that FLA1 is expressed in several tissues including stomata, trichomes, the vasculature of leaves, the primary root tip and in lateral roots near the junction of the primary root. CONCLUSION: The results of the developmental expression of FLA1 and characterisation of the fla1 mutant support a role for FLA1 in the early events of lateral root development and shoot development in tissue culture, prior to cell-type specification.Kim L. Johnson, Natalie A. J. Kibble, Antony Bacic and Carolyn J. Schult

Gender Identity, Ethnic Identity, and Smoking among First Nations Adolescents

Smoking rates among Aboriginal adolescents are the highest of any population group in British Columbia, Canada. Recent studies suggest that substance use is affected by gender and ethnic identity among youth. The purpose of our study was to explore the association of gender and ethnic identity with smoking behaviour among First Nations adolescents. This study is based on a convenience sample (i.e., an on-hand, readily available sample) of 124 youth (123 First Nations and 1 Métis) recruited at youth drop-in centres, health fairs, and cultural activities. We obtained information on demographics, smoking history, Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI), composite measure of gender and gender identification (GID), and Moran’s Bicultural Ethnic Identity Questionnaire (Bicultural ID). We examined the associations between gender role identification and cultural identification on current smoking status among First Nations youth by using logistic regression analyses stratified by gender. In stratified multivariate regression analysis among girls, current smoking was significantly associated with lower scores on the aggressive masculinity index of the Gender ID scale and the White/Canadian index of the Bicultural ID scale. Among boys, current smoking was significantly associated with higher scores on the affective femininity index of the Gender ID scale and lower scores on the White/Canadian index of the Bicultural ID scale. Reducing smoking among First Nations groups remains an important priority for tobacco control in Canada. Understanding the gendered and cultural aspects of smoking may be instrumental in improving prevention and cessation efforts among First Nations youth

Association between Participation in Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation and Self-Reported Receipt of Lifestyle Advice from a Healthcare Provider: Results of a Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

We test the hypothesis that the odds of self-reported receipt of lifestyle advice from a health care provider will be lower among outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (OCR) nonattendees and nonreferred patients compared to OCR attendees. Logistic regression was used to analyse cross-sectional data provided by 65% (4971/7678) of patients aged 20 to 84 years discharged from public hospitals with a diagnosis indicating eligibility for OCR between 2002 and 2007. Among respondents, 71% (3518) and 55% (2724) recalled advice regarding physical activity and diet, respectively, while 88% (592/674) of smokers recalled quit advice. OCR attendance was low: 36% (1764) of respondents reported attending OCR, 11% (552) did not attend following referral, and 45% (2217) did not recall being invited. The odds of recalling advice regarding physical activity and diet were significantly lower among OCR nonattendees compared to attendees (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.21, 0.56 and OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.25, 0.44, resp.) and among nonreferred respondents compared to OCR attendees (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.07, 0.15 and OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.14, 0.22, resp.). Patients hospitalised for coronary heart disease should be referred to OCR or a suitable alternative to improve recall of lifestyle advice that will reduce the risk of further coronary events

Association between Participation in Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation and Self-Reported Receipt of Lifestyle Advice from a Healthcare Provider: Results of a Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

We test the hypothesis that the odds of self-reported receipt of lifestyle advice from a health care provider will be lower among outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (OCR) nonattendees and nonreferred patients compared to OCR attendees. Logistic regression was used to analyse cross-sectional data provided by 65% (4971/7678) of patients aged 20 to 84 years discharged from public hospitals with a diagnosis indicating eligibility for OCR between 2002 and 2007. Among respondents, 71% (3518) and 55% (2724) recalled advice regarding physical activity and diet, respectively, while 88% (592/674) of smokers recalled quit advice. OCR attendance was low: 36% (1764) of respondents reported attending OCR, 11% (552) did not attend following referral, and 45% (2217) did not recall being invited. The odds of recalling advice regarding physical activity and diet were significantly lower among OCR nonattendees compared to attendees (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.21, 0.56 and OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.25, 0.44, resp.) and among nonreferred respondents compared to OCR attendees (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.07, 0.15 and OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.14, 0.22, resp.). Patients hospitalised for coronary heart disease should be referred to OCR or a suitable alternative to improve recall of lifestyle advice that will reduce the risk of further coronary events

Targeting sexual health services in primary care: a systematic review of the psychosocial correlates of adverse sexual health outcomes reported in probability surveys of women of reproductive age

BACKGROUND: Women using primary care vary in need for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing and contraception. Psychosocial correlates of these needs may be useful for targeting services. We undertook a systematic review to identify psychosocial correlates of STI acquisition, unplanned pregnancy (UP), abortion and risky sexual behaviours in general population samples of women of reproductive age. METHODS: We searched bibliographic databases for probability surveys of women aged 16-44years in the European Union, USA, Canada, Australia, UK or New Zealand undertaken January 1994-January 2014. RESULTS: Eleven papers were included. Unplanned pregnancy was associated with smoking, depression, being single and sexual debut <16years. Abortion was associated with lack of closeness to parents, leaving home at an early age, and relationship break-up. Multiple partnerships were associated with intensity of marijuana and alcohol use, and smoking. STI diagnosis was associated with relationship break-up and younger partners. Non-use of contraception was associated with smoking, obesity, relationship status, sedentary lifestyles, fatalistic pregnancy attitudes and lower alcohol use. Condom non-use was higher (at first sex) with partners 5+years older and lower (at last sex) in less stable partnerships. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial variables, particularly relationship status and smoking, may help identify women in primary care for STI testing and contraception advice and supply

In utero ultrafine particulate matter exposure causes offspring pulmonary immunosuppression.

Early life exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) in air is associated with infant respiratory disease and childhood asthma, but limited epidemiological data exist concerning the impacts of ultrafine particles (UFPs) on the etiology of childhood respiratory disease. Specifically, the role of UFPs in amplifying Th2- and/or Th17-driven inflammation (asthma promotion) or suppressing effector T cells (increased susceptibility to respiratory infection) remains unclear. Using a mouse model of in utero UFP exposure, we determined early immunological responses to house dust mite (HDM) allergen in offspring challenged from 0 to 4 wk of age. Two mice strains were exposed throughout gestation: C57BL/6 (sensitive to oxidative stress) and BALB/C (sensitive to allergen exposure). Offspring exposed to UFPs in utero exhibited reduced inflammatory response to HDM. Compared with filtered air (FA)-exposed/HDM-challenged mice, UFP-exposed offspring had lower white blood cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and less pronounced peribronchiolar inflammation in both strains, albeit more apparent in C57BL/6 mice. In the C57BL/6 strain, offspring exposed in utero to FA and challenged with HDM exhibited a robust response in inflammatory cytokines IL-13 and Il-17. In contrast, this response was lost in offspring exposed in utero to UFPs. Circulating IL-10 was significantly up-regulated in C57BL/6 offspring exposed to UFPs, suggesting increased regulatory T cell expression and suppressed Th2/Th17 response. Our results reveal that in utero UFP exposure at a level close to the WHO recommended PM guideline suppresses an early immune response to HDM allergen, likely predisposing neonates to respiratory infection and altering long-term pulmonary health

Element release and reaction-induced porosity alteration during shale-hydraulic fracturing fluid interactions

The use of hydraulic fracturing techniques to extract oil and gas from low permeability shale reservoirs has increased significantly in recent years. During hydraulic fracturing, large volumes of water, often acidic and oxic, are injected into shale formations. This drives fluid-rock interaction that can release metal contaminants (e.g., U, Pb) and alter the permeability of the rock, impacting the transport and recovery of water, hydrocarbons, and contaminants. To identify the key geochemical processes that occur upon exposure of shales to hydraulic fracturing fluid, we investigated the chemical interaction of hydraulic fracturing fluids with a variety of shales of different mineralogical texture and composition. Batch reactor experiments revealed that the dissolution of both pyrite and carbonate minerals occurred rapidly, releasing metal contaminants and generating porosity. Oxidation of pyrite and aqueous Fe drove precipitation of Fe(III)-(oxy)hydroxides that attenuated the release of these contaminants via co-precipitation and/or adsorption. The precipitation of these (oxy)hydroxides appeared to limit the extent of pyrite reaction. Enhanced removal of metals and contaminants in reactors with higher fluid pH was inferred to reflect increased Fe-(oxy)hydroxide precipitation associated with more rapid aqueous Fe(II) oxidation. The precipitation of both Al- and Fe-bearing phases revealed the potential for the occlusion of pores and fracture apertures, whereas the selective dissolution of calcite generated porosity. These pore-scale alterations of shale texture and the cycling of contaminants indicate that chemical interactions between shales and hydraulic fracturing fluids may exert an important control on the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing operations and the quality of water recovered at the surface