997 research outputs found
Psychosocial characteristics and social networks of suicidal prisoners: towards a model of suicidal behaviour in detention
Prisoners are at increased risk of suicide. Investigation of both individual and environmental risk factors may assist in developing suicide prevention policies for prisoners and other high-risk populations. We conducted a matched case-control interview study with 60 male prisoners who had made near-lethal suicide attempts in prison (cases) and 60 male prisoners who had not (controls). We compared levels of depression, hopelessness, self-esteem, impulsivity, aggression, hostility, childhood abuse, life events (including events occurring in prison), social support, and social networks in univariate and multivariate models. A range of psychosocial factors was associated with near-lethal self-harm in prisoners. Compared with controls, cases reported higher levels of depression, hopelessness, impulsivity, and aggression, and lower levels of self-esteem and social support (all p values <0.001). Adverse life events and criminal history factors were also associated with near-lethal self-harm, especially having a prior prison spell and having been bullied in prison, both of which remained significant in multivariate analyses. The findings support a model of suicidal behaviour in prisoners that incorporates imported vulnerability factors, clinical factors, and prison experiences, and underscores their interaction. Strategies to reduce self-harm and suicide in prisoners should include attention to such factors
Optimal Schedules for Parallelizing Anytime Algorithms: The Case of Shared Resources
The performance of anytime algorithms can be improved by simultaneously
solving several instances of algorithm-problem pairs. These pairs may include
different instances of a problem (such as starting from a different initial
state), different algorithms (if several alternatives exist), or several runs
of the same algorithm (for non-deterministic algorithms). In this paper we
present a methodology for designing an optimal scheduling policy based on the
statistical characteristics of the algorithms involved. We formally analyze the
case where the processes share resources (a single-processor model), and
provide an algorithm for optimal scheduling. We analyze, theoretically and
empirically, the behavior of our scheduling algorithm for various distribution
types. Finally, we present empirical results of applying our scheduling
algorithm to the Latin Square problem
Prevention of suicidal behaviour in prisons: an overview of initiatives based on a systematic review of research on near-lethal suicide attempts
Background: Worldwide, prisoners are at high risk of suicide. Research on near-lethal suicide attempts can provide important insights into risk and protective factors, and inform suicide prevention initiatives in prison. Aims: To synthesize findings of research on near-lethal attempts in prisons, and consider their implications for suicide prevention policies and practice, in the context of other research in custody and other settings. Method: We searched two bibliographic indexes for studies in any language on near-lethal and severe self-harm in prisoners, supplemented by targeted searches over the period 2000â2014. We extracted information on risk factors descriptively. Data were not meta-analyzed owing to heterogeneity of samples and methods. Results: We identified eight studies reporting associations between prisoner near-lethal attempts and specific factors. The latter included historical, prison-related, and clinical factors, including psychiatric morbidity and comorbidity, trauma, social isolation, and bullying. These factors were also identified as important in prisoners' own accounts of what may have contributed to their attempts (presented in four studies). Conclusion: Factors associated with prisoners' severe suicide attempts include a range of potentially modifiable clinical, psychosocial, and environmental factors. We make recommendations to address these factors in order to improve detection, management, and prevention of suicide risk in prisoners
Toughening and asymmetry in peeling of heterogeneous adhesives
The effective adhesive properties of heterogeneous thin films are
characterized through a combined experimental and theoretical investigation. By
bridging scales, we show how variations of elastic or adhesive properties at
the microscale can significantly affect the effective peeling behavior of the
adhesive at the macroscale. Our study reveals three elementary mechanisms in
heterogeneous systems involving front propagation: (i) patterning the elastic
bending stiffness of the film produces fluctuations of the driving force
resulting in dramatically enhanced resistance to peeling; (ii) optimized
arrangements of pinning sites with large adhesion energy are shown to control
the effective system resistance, allowing the design of highly anisotropic and
asymmetric adhesives; (iii) heterogeneities of both types result in front
motion instabilities producing sudden energy releases that increase the overall
adhesion energy. These findings open potentially new avenues for the design of
thin films with improved adhesion properties, and motivate new investigation of
other phenomena involving front propagation.Comment: Physical Review Letters (2012)
Modeling the origin of parkinsonian tremor
poster abstractEven though much is known about the biophysics, anatomy and physiology of basal ganglia networks, the cellular and network basis of parkinsonian tremor remains an open question. Multiple experimental data suggest that the physiological origin of parkinsonian tremor is different from the physiological origin of other parkinsonian motor symptoms. However, the exact origin of the tremor genesis in Parkinsonâs disease remains unknown. A large body of experimental evidence supports the hypothesis, that the tremor arises due to pathological interaction of potentially oscillatory cells within the loop formed by basal ganglia and thalamocortical circuits. We suggest a model of this circuitry, which helps to clarify this potential mechanism of tremor genesis
An Evaluation of Ultrasound-Guided Regional Block Anesthesia in Outpatient Hand Surgery
Introduction: The utilization of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks in orthopedic surgery has increased in popularity as the anesthesia of choice for the management of perioperative pain. Peripheral nerve blockade has been shown to increase overall surgical efficiency, improve patient satisfaction, reduce postoperative narcotic use, and decrease the duration of facility admissions, while increasing overall cost-effectiveness. To date, scant literature exists regarding the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular blocks used in common hand surgery procedures, and the rate of neurologic and vascular complications remains unknown.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and complication rate of supraclavicular nerve blocks in hand surgery.
Methods: With institutional review board approval, 713 cases of outpatient upper extremity surgery, performed by three board certified orthopedic hand surgeons at a single ambulatory surgery center over a consecutive period of 2 years, were retrospectively reviewed. Adverse outcomes related to regional blocks were identified through reviewing the electronic medical record of the immediate 24-hour postoperative telephone call and the first postoperative visit note within two weeks of surgery.
Results: 20 patients (2.8%) reported an excessively long block and 1 patient reported inadequate pain control in the PACU (0.1%), but no clinically significant pulmonary or neurovascular complications were identified.
Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block was associated with a high success rate and low complication rate. This technique as described may be safe for outpatients, although larger numbers of subjects will be required to make this statement with certainty
Original research by Young twinkle students (ORBYTS): when can students start performing original research?
Involving students in state-of-the-art research from an early age eliminates the idea that science is only for the scientists and empowers young people to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects. It is also a great opportunity to dispel harmful stereotypes about who is suitable for STEM careers, while leaving students feeling engaged in modern science and the scientific method.
As part of the Twinkle Space Mission's educational programme, EduTwinkle, students between the ages of 15 and 18 have been performing original research associated with the exploration of space since January 2016. The student groups have each been led by junior researchersâPhD and post-doctoral scientistsâwho themselves benefit substantially from the opportunity to supervise and manage a research project. This research aims to meet a standard for publication in peer-reviewed journals. At present the research of two ORBYTS teams have been published, one in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series and another in JQSRT; we expect more papers to follow.
Here we outline the necessary steps for a productive scientific collaboration with school children, generalising from the successes and downfalls of the pilot ORBYTS projects
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