Facilitators and Barriers Highlighted by On-Campus Service Providers for Students Seeking Mental Health Services

The prevalence of mental illness is increasing among post-secondary students. Despite more mental health services being of-fered within post-secondary institutions, uptake among students remains suboptimal. This study aimed to examine facilitators and barriers for students seeking mental health services through service providers’ perspectives. Twenty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted at a southwestern Ontario post-secondary institution and were analyzed using thematic analysis using NVivo. Facilitators revealed include strengthening communication techniques; improving equity, diversity, and inclu-sion; increasing social media promotion; and providing incentives. Barriers identified include fear of judgement, time con-straints, individual perceptions of the need for services, unawareness, and higher-level barriers such as lowered capacity of staff and physical resources. These facilitators and barriers should be used in tandem with the Theory of Planned Behaviour to help improve uptake and effectiveness of campus mental health services.La prévalence des troubles mentaux augmente pour les étudiants postsecondaires. Malgré l’augmentation des services de santé mentale offerts dans les établissements postsecondaires, l’adoption parmi les étudiants reste sous-optimale. Cette étude visait à examiner les facilitateurs et les obstacles pour les étudiants cherchant des services de santé mentale du point de vue des fournisseurs de services. Vingt-quatre entretiens semi-structurés ont été menés dans un établissement postsecondaire du sud-ouest de l’Ontario et ont fait l’objet d’une analyse thématique à l’aide de NVivo. Les facilitateurs révélés comprennent le renforcement des stratégies de communication, l’amélioration des pratiques d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion, l’augmentation de la promotion sur les réseaux sociaux et l’offre d’incitatifs. Les obstacles recensés compren-nent la peur du jugement, les contraintes de temps, les perceptions individuelles du besoin de services, l’ignorance et les obstacles de niveau supérieur tels que la capacité réduite du personnel et des ressources physiques. Ces facilitateurs et obstacles devraient être utilisés en tandem avec la théorie du comportement planifié pour améliorer l’utilisation et l’efficacité des services de santé mentale sur les campus

Measurement-based analysis of the dynamic performance of microgrids using system identification techniques

The dynamic performance of microgrids is of crucial importance, due to the increased complexity introduced by the combined effect of inverter interfaced and rotating distributed generation. This paper presents a methodology for the investigation of the dynamic behavior of microgrids based on measurements using Prony analysis and state-space black-box modeling techniques. Both methods are compared and evaluated using real operating conditions data obtained by a laboratory microgrid system. The recorded responses and the calculated system eigenvalues are used to analyze the system dynamics and interactions among the distributed generation units. The proposed methodology can be applied to any real-world microgrid configuration, taking advantage of the future smart grid technologies and features

Spectrum Sharing Dynamic Protection Area Neighborhoods for Radio Astronomy

To enforce incumbent protection through a spectrum access system (SAS) or future centralized shared spectrum system, dynamic protection area (DPA) neighborhood distances are employed. These distances are distance radii, in which citizen broadband radio service devices (CBSDs) are considered as potential interferers for the incumbent spectrum users. The goal of this paper is to create an algorithm to define DPA neighborhood distances for radio astronomy (RA) facilities with the intent to incorporate those distances into existing SASs and to adopt for future frameworks to increase national spectrum sharing. This paper first describes an algorithm to calculate sufficient neighborhood distances. Verifying this algorithm by recalculating previously calculated and currently used neighborhood distances for existing DPAs then proves its viability for extension to radio astronomy facilities. Applying the algorithm to the Hat Creek Radio Observatory (HCRO) with customized parameters results in distance recommendations, 112 kilometers for category A (devices with 30 dBm/10 MHz max EIRP) and 144 kilometers for category B (devices with 47 dBm/10MHz max EIRP), for HCRO's inclusion into a SAS and shows that the algorithm can be applied to RA facilities in general. Calculating these distances identifies currently used but likely out-of-date metrics and assumptions that should be revisited for the benefit of spectrum sharing.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, 5 tables, published to WCNC 202

Dynamic performance of a low voltage microgrid with droop controlled distributed generation

Microgrids are small-scale highly controlled networks designed to supply electrical energy. From the operational point of view, microgrids are active distribution networks, facilitating the integration of distributed generation units. Major technical issues in this concept include system stability and protection coordination which are significantly influenced by the high penetration of inverter-interfaced distributed energy sources. These units often adopt the frequency-active power and voltage-reactive power droop control strategy to participate in the load sharing of an islanded microgrid. The scope of the paper is to investigate the dynamic performance of a low voltage laboratory-scale microgrid system, using experimental results and introduce the concept of Prony analysis for understanding the connected components. Several small disturbance test cases are conducted and the investigations focus on the influence of the droop controlled distributed generation sources

Salivary cortisol levels in Parkinson's disease and its correlation to risk behaviour

Objective To investigate salivary cortisol samples in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with and without impulsive compulsive behaviours (ICB) during a risk task.Methods Salivary cortisol levels were measured in 13 PD patients without ICB (PD-ICB) and in 15 PD patients with ICB (PD+ICB) before, after medication and throughout the day, and were compared with results with 14 healthy controls. All participants also performed a gambling task to assess risk taking behaviour.Results Significantly higher diurnal cortisol levels were found in the PD-ICB group compared with healthy controls but no differences were seen between the PD+ICB and the control group. Increased cortisol levels were significantly correlated with increased risk taking in PD+ICB patients but no interaction was found in the PD-ICB group.Conclusions The findings are in keeping with previous studies which have linked low cortisol levels with antisocial behaviour. The higher cortisol levels during the risk task in the PD+ICB group are consistent with reports in pathological gamblers during gambling and addicts during drug abuse. The results support the hypothesis that cortisol plays an important role in risk taking in ICBs

Upper limb muscle strength and knee frontal plane projection angle asymmetries in female water-polo players

Water-polo players frequently perform overhead throws that could result in shoulder imbalances. For overhead throws, execution of the ‘eggbeater kick’ (cyclical movement of the legs) is required to lift the body out of the water. Although a symmetrical action, inter-limb differences in task execution could lead to knee frontal plane projection (FPPA) differences. The present study examined imbalances shoulder and knee FPPA in female players. Eighteen competitive female field players (24.1 ± 5.5 years, 1.68 ± 0.06 m, 72.9 ± 13.3 kg) had their shoulder strength assessed in a shot-mimicking position with a portable dynamometer, standing and seated (isolating the shoulder contribution). Anterior: posterior and shooting: non-shooting shoulder comparison were made. Additionally, players performed a drop jump. Knee FPPA was recorded from digitising and comparing the frames just before landing and at stance phase. During standing, players exhibited higher shooting: non-shooting asymmetry (p = 0.032) in the anterior contraction direction, while during seated the shooting shoulder anterior: posterior asymmetry was higher (p = 0.032). Interlimb knee FPPA asymmetry was higher in the stance phase (p = 0.02). Despite the overhead throwing and egg-beater demands impacting differently on each limb, considerable asymmetries do not develop, suggesting the overall training requirements (e.g. swimming, resistance training) were sufficient to maintain the asymmetry within desirable limits

N=1 String Duality

We discuss duality between Type IIA string theory, eleven-dimensional supergravity, and heterotic string theory in four spacetime dimensions with $N=1$ supersymmetry. We find theories whose infrared limit is trivial at enhanced symmetry points as well as theories with $N=1$ supersymmetry but the field content of $N=4$ theories which flow to the $N=4$ fixed line in the infrared.Comment: 14 pages, harvma

Urban Design of Bristol Waterfront, Lower Thames Street

The marketplace is going to be one of the highlights on Thames Street, serving as a destination for leisure, shopping and dining. The concept of the project is to have indoor space continue out to the water, providing an outdoor space for dining and leisure, but also giving the boardwalk a resting point. The building is planned as two floors, with the fish market and multipurpose area on the first and an eatery, sitting area, balcony and facilities on the second. The building will be made of a light metal frame with panels to enclose the space and is designed with a folded glass panel that can be opened up to the outside, yet decrease wind pressure in a storm

Post thoracotomy spinal cord compression in a child. A word of caution

AbstractINTRODUCTIONOxidised regenerated cellulose is a commonly used haemostatic agent in surgery which, in rare cases, has been held responsible for severe complications.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 6-year-old girl developed flaccid paraplegia following the excision of a large thoracic ganglioneuroblastoma. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed spinal cord compression at the T10–11 level and the patient underwent emergency decompression via the previous thoracotomy. At operation the causative factor was found to be a mass consisted of cellulose used at the original procedure to control local bleeding in the vicinity of the intervertebral foramen.DISCUSSIONThe accessibility of the spinal canal from the thoracic cavity through the opening of the intervertebral foramen may allow migration of material and in this case oxidized regenerated cellulose, commonly used during cardiothoracic procedures, can cause rare but severe complications such as compression of the spinal cord.CONCLUSIONThe value of hemostatic gauze is well established in cardiothoracic surgery. However, surgeon should be cautious with the application of material in the proximity of the intervertebral foramen, especially if this is to leave behind after the completion of the procedure

Hair cortisol and childhood trauma predict psychological therapy response in depression and anxiety disorders

Objective Around 30–50% of patients with depression and anxiety disorders fail to respond to standard psychological therapy. Given that cortisol affects cognition, patients with altered hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis functioning may benefit less from such treatments. To investigate this, reliable pretreatment cortisol measures are needed. Method N = 89 outpatients with depression and anxiety disorders were recruited before undergoing therapy within an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. Three-month hair cortisol was determined, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was administered. Patients were classified as responders if they showed significant decreases in depression (>= 6 points on the Patient Health Questionnaire) or anxiety (>= 5 points on the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale). Results Non-responders in terms of depression (57%) had lower pretreatment hair cortisol concentrations (P = 0.041) and reported more physical abuse (P = 0.024), sexual abuse (P = 0.010) and total trauma (P = 0.039) when compared to responders. Non-responders in terms of anxiety (48%) had lower pretreatment hair cortisol (P = 0.027), as well as higher levels of emotional abuse (P = 0.034), physical abuse (P = 0.042) and total trauma (P = 0.048). Conclusion If future research confirms hair cortisol to be a predictor of psychological therapy response, this may prove a useful clinical biomarker which identifies a subgroup requiring more intensive treatment