Effects of restrictions to Income Support on health of lone mothers in the UK: a natural experiment study

Background: In the UK, lone parents must seek work as a condition of receiving welfare benefits once their youngest child reaches a certain age. Since 2008, the lower age limit at which these Lone Parent Obligations (LPO) apply has been reduced in steps. We used data from a nationally representative, longitudinal, household panel study to analyse the health effects of increased welfare conditionality under LPO. Methods: From the Understanding Society survey, we used data for lone mothers who were newly exposed to LPO when the age cutoff was reduced from 7 to 5 years in 2012 (intervention group 1) and from 10 to 7 years in 2010 (intervention group 2), as well as lone mothers who remained unexposed (control group 1) or continuously exposed (control group 2) at those times. We did difference-in-difference analyses that controlled for differences in the fixed characteristics of participants in the intervention and control groups to estimate the effect of exposure to conditionality on the health of lone mothers. Our primary outcome was the difference in change over time between the intervention and control groups in scores on the Mental Component Summary (MCS) of the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Findings: The mental health of lone mothers declined in the intervention groups compared with the control groups. For intervention group 1, scores on the MCS decreased by 1·39 (95% CI −1·29 to 4·08) compared with control group 1 and by 2·29 (0·00 to 4·57) compared with control group 2. For intervention group 2, MCS scores decreased by 2·45 (−0·57 to 5·48) compared with control group 1 and by 1·28 (−1·45 to 4·00) compared with control group 2. When pooling the two intervention groups, scores on the MCS decreased by 2·13 (0·10 to 4·17) compared with control group 1 and 2·21 (0·30 to 4·13) compared with control group 2. Interpretation: Stringent conditions for receiving welfare benefits are increasingly common in high-income countries. Our results suggest that requiring lone parents with school-age children toseek work as a condition of receiving welfare benefits adversely affects their mental health. Funding: UK Medical Research Council, Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office, and National Health Service Research Scotland

Identification and phenotypic characterization of a second collagen adhesin, Scm, and genome-based identification and analysis of 13 other predicted MSCRAMMs, including four distinct pilus loci, in Enterococcus faecium.

Attention has recently been drawn to Enterococcus faecium because of an increasing number of nosocomial infections caused by this species and its resistance to multiple antibacterial agents. However, relatively little is known about the pathogenic determinants of this organism. We have previously identified a cell-wall-anchored collagen adhesin, Acm, produced by some isolates of E. faecium, and a secreted antigen, SagA, exhibiting broad-spectrum binding to extracellular matrix proteins. Here, we analysed the draft genome of strain TX0016 for potential microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs). Genome-based bioinformatics identified 22 predicted cell-wall-anchored E. faecium surface proteins (Fms), of which 15 (including Acm) had characteristics typical of MSCRAMMs, including predicted folding into a modular architecture with multiple immunoglobulin-like domains. Functional characterization of one [Fms10; redesignated second collagen adhesin of E. faecium (Scm)] revealed that recombinant Scm(65) (A- and B-domains) and Scm(36) (A-domain) bound to collagen type V efficiently in a concentration-dependent manner, bound considerably less to collagen type I and fibrinogen, and differed from Acm in their binding specificities to collagen types IV and V. Results from far-UV circular dichroism measurements of recombinant Scm(36) and of Acm(37) indicated that these proteins were rich in beta-sheets, supporting our folding predictions. Whole-cell ELISA and FACS analyses unambiguously demonstrated surface expression of Scm in most E. faecium isolates. Strikingly, 11 of the 15 predicted MSCRAMMs clustered in four loci, each with a class C sortase gene; nine of these showed similarity to Enterococcus faecalis Ebp pilus subunits and also contained motifs essential for pilus assembly. Antibodies against one of the predicted major pilus proteins, Fms9 (redesignated EbpC(fm)), detected a \u27ladder\u27 pattern of high-molecular-mass protein bands in a Western blot analysis of cell surface extracts from E. faecium, suggesting that EbpC(fm) is polymerized into a pilus structure. Further analysis of the transcripts of the corresponding gene cluster indicated that fms1 (ebpA(fm)), fms5 (ebpB(fm)) and ebpC(fm) are co-transcribed, a result consistent with those for pilus-encoding gene clusters of other Gram-positive bacteria. All 15 genes occurred frequently in 30 clinically derived diverse E. faecium isolates tested. The common occurrence of MSCRAMM- and pilus-encoding genes and the presence of a second collagen-binding protein may have important implications for our understanding of this emerging pathogen

Thermocline Circulation Driven at Surface Outcrops of Isopycnal Surfaces

Potential vorticity (PV) defined as: q = Δθ .(fk + Ω) where θ is density anomaly, Ω (Δ x u) is relative vorticity, k is unit vertical vector and f the coriolis parameter, is used as a dynamical tracer to study the interior thermocline circulation. Using the generalized flux form of PV equation (Haynes and McIntyre, 1987), wind stress and buoyancy fluxes at surface outcrops of isopycnal surface are translated into PV fluxes. The PV flux condition so derived considers seasonal movement of the isopycnal outcrops and geostrophic turbulence. A constant layer depth model, forced by the above flux condition, is used to study its influence on the interior circulation. The impermeability theorem of Haynes and McIntyre (1987), justifies treatment of a single isopycnic layer in isolation. Non-linear, quasi-geostrophic equations are used to study the dynamics on a rectangular basin model. The model is forced by PV at the northern boundary of the domain, which represents the location where the PV flux enters the thermocline interior. PV input at the northern boundary allows the circulation to build up until opposite PV input at some other boundaries limits the process. The model simulation shows active northern, eastern and western boundary layers, and an interior circulation pattern with properties similar to those inferred by the homogenization theory of Rhines and Young (1982a). However, in the present study, the boundary layers control the key features of the circulation unlike in the classical models driven by Ekman pumping. The results show that the anticyclonic gyre forming in response to negative PV input on the northern boundary, has a strength depending on the intensity of the forcing, lateral diffusivity and the eastern boundary condition. In the case of an upwelled isopycnal (free slip eastern wall), the eastern boundary layer is stable and penetrates to a considerable distance south. On the contrary, for isopycnal intersecting the eastern boundary (no-slip wall), the eastern boundary layer separates at a short distance from the northeast corner, injecting massive amounts of positive vorticity into the basin. Cyclonic eddies are shed at a constant frequency near the eastern boundary, in the no-slip case, propagate towards the west and dissipate near the western boundary. Experiments with realistic subduction rates show that the PV transport due to the total pressure gradient along the isopycnal outcrop dwarfs the transport due to subduction. The results obtained mimic to a certain extent features of subtropical gyre circulation near eastern boundaries, notably in the Azores frontal area

Crystalline inclusion of wheel-and-axle diol hosts featuring benzo[b]thiophene units as a lateral construction element

By applying the “wheel-and-axle” host concept and incorporating a previously developed heteroaromatic substitution strategy, a new type of diol host featuring two di(benzo[b]thien-2-yl)hydroxymethyl units attached to both ends of a central ethynylene (3) and 1,4-phenylene (4) moiety is reported. The syntheses of the host compounds are described, and solvent inclusion formation via crystallization has extensively been studied showing a remarkable inclusion capability of the compounds. X-ray diffraction analysis of relevant crystal structures have been performed and comparatively discussed. Vapor sorption behavior of the compounds as solid receptor films coated on a quartz crystal microbalance considering a variety of solvent vapors has been scrutinized, indicating potential application as mass sensitive materials

Impact of PowerPoint and Chalkboard teaching in Physiotherapy Undergraduates.

Background: A teacher's basic tool for displaying lectures are through blackboards, pegboards, bulletin boards, transparencies with an overhead projector (TOHP), PowerPoint presentation and walk and talk. Nowadays PowerPoint presentation is commonly used as it has ability to present the information in a clear, organized and simpler manner. The present study was carried out to find out the best method of teaching amongst the undergraduate Physiotherapy students. Objective: To compare the impact of the PowerPoint multimedia presentation and chalkboard in teaching by assessing the knowledge based on the marks obtained in the pretest and posttest. Methodology: 40 students were divided into two groups and a selected content-based lecture in pharmacology was delivered. For one group lecture was delivered using PowerPoint presentation, for second group using Chalkboard. Single - best Multiple Choice Questions [MCQs] paper was used for assessing the knowledge gained. The differences in the marks obtained in the two groups were analyzed Results: Students who attended the class on chalkboard obtained significantly higher score in single best MCQ examination compared to those students who attended the same content based lecture on the PowerPoint. Conclusion: The chalkboard method of teaching was found more suitable tool of teaching and learning than PowerPoint for small group

Impact of PowerPoint and Chalkboard teaching in Physiotherapy Undergraduates.

Background: A teacher\u27s basic tool for displaying lectures are through blackboards, pegboards, bulletin boards, transparencies with an overhead projector (TOHP), PowerPoint presentation and walk and talk. Nowadays PowerPoint presentation is commonly used as it has ability to present the information in a clear, organized and simpler manner. The present study was carried out to find out the best method of teaching amongst the undergraduate Physiotherapy students. Objective: To compare the impact of the PowerPoint multimedia presentation and chalkboard in teaching by assessing the knowledge based on the marks obtained in the pretest and posttest. Methodology: 40 students were divided into two groups and a selected content-based lecture in pharmacology was delivered. For one group lecture was delivered using PowerPoint presentation, for second group using Chalkboard. Single - best Multiple Choice Questions [MCQs] paper was used for assessing the knowledge gained. The differences in the marks obtained in the two groups were analyzed Results: Students who attended the class on chalkboard obtained significantly higher score in single best MCQ examination compared to those students who attended the same content based lecture on the PowerPoint. Conclusion: The chalkboard method of teaching was found more suitable tool of teaching and learning than PowerPoint for small group

Robust Control Of Flexible Structures Using Multiple Shape Memory Alloy Actuators

The design and implementation of control strategies for large, flexible smart structures presents challenging problems. To demonstrate the capabilities of shape-memory-alloy actuators, we have designed and fabricated a three-mass test article with multiple shape-memory-alloy (NiTiNOL) actuators. The force and moment actuators were implemented on the structure to examine the effects of control structure interaction and to increase actuation force. These SMA actuators exhibit nonlinear effects due to dead band and saturation. The first step in the modeling process was the experimental determination of the transfer function matrix derived from frequency response data. A minimal state space representation was determined based on this transfer function matrix. Finally in order to reduce the order of the controller, a reduced order state space model was derived from the minimal state space representation. The simplified analytical models are compared with models developed by structural identification techniques based on vibration test data. From the reduced order model, a controller was designed to dampen vibrations in the test bed. To minimize the effects of uncertainties on the closed-loop system performance of smart structures, a LQG/LTR control methodology has been utilized. An initial standard LQG/LTR controller was designed; however, this controller could not achieve the desired performance robustness due to saturation effects. Therefore, a modified LQG/LTR design methodology was implemented to accommodate for the limited control force provided by the actuators. The closed-loop system response of the multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) test article with robustness verification has been experimentally obtained and presented in the paper. The modified LQG/LTR controller demonstrated performance and stability robustness to both sensor noise and parameter variations

Identification and Robust Control of Smart Structures using Artificial Neural Networks

This paper describes an integrated approach to design and implement robust controllers for smart structures. To demonstrate this procedure, we have designed and fabricated a structural test article incorporating shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, strain gauge sensors, signal-processing circuits and digital controllers with flexible structures. A neural-network-based structural identification method to determine a state space model of the system from its experimental input/output data is presented. To reduce the learning time required to train a neural network significantly, we have developed an accelerated adaptive learning-rate algorithm. The mathematical model derived using neural networks is compared with models obtained by more conventional and well known methods. Using this model, a modified linear quadratic Gaussian with loop transfer recovery (LQG/LTR) controller is designed for vibration suppression purposes. This robust controller accommodates the limited control effort produced by SMA actuators. A multilayered feedforward neural network is then trained to mimic this controller. These designs are all then realized as digital controllers and their closed-loop performances have been compared. In particular, the robustness properties of the controller have been verified for variations in the mass of the test article and the sampling time of the controller