Perspectives on gender in eating disorders

This thesis examines perspectives on gender in eating disorders. Chapter one critically reviews research into psychosocial influences on adolescent boys' concerns about eating and body shape. [...] Chapter two is an empirical study of therapists' experiences of working with men with eating disorders. [...] Chapter three provides a reflective account of the author's experiences of being a Trainee Clinical Psychologist working with female patients in an eating disorder service

Characterization and durability testing of plasma-sprayed zirconia-yttria and hafnia-yttria thermal barrier coatings. Part 1: Effect of spray parameters on the performance of several lots of partially stabilized zirconia-yttria powder

Initial experiments conducted on thermal barrier coatings prepared in the newly upgraded research plasma spray facility and the burner rig test facilities are discussed. Part 1 discusses experiments which establish the spray parameters for three baseline zirconia-yttria coatings. The quality of five similar coating lots was judged primarily by their response to burner rig exposure supplemented by data from other sources such as specimen characterizations and thermal diffusivity measurements. After allowing for burner rig variability, although there appears to be an optimum density (i.e., optimum microstructure) for maximum burner rig life, the distribution tends to be rather broad about the maximum. In Part 2, new hafnia-yttria-based coatings were evaluated against both baseline and alternate zirconia-yttria coatings. The hafnia-yttria coatings and the zirconia-yttria coatings that were prepared by an alternate powder vendor were very sensitive to plasma spray parameters, in that high-quality coatings were only obtained when certain parameters were employed. The reasons for this important observation are not understood. Also not understood is that the first of two replicate specimens sprayed for Part 1 consistently performed better than the second specimen. Subsequent experiments did not display this spray order affect, possibly because a chiller was installed in the torch cooling water circuit. Also, large changes in coating density were observed after switching to a new lot of electrodes. Analyses of these findings were made possible, in part, because of the development of a sensitive density measurement technique described herein in detail. The measured thermal diffusivities did not display the expected strong relationship with porosity. This surprising result was believed to have been caused by increased microcracking of the denser coatings on the stainless steel substrates

Patterns of Change in Children’s Loneliness: Trajectories from Third Through Fifth Grades

Latent growth-mixture modeling was used to investigate patterns of change in loneliness for 170 children from third through fifth grades. A three-class model representing unique trajectories of loneliness provided the best overall fit to the data, including a Stable Low group (65%), as well as groups of Increasers (23%) and Decreasers (12%). Groups were then compared on aspects of peer functioning, including peer optimism, classroom sociometric ratings, and peer behavior nominations that were also collected in third, fourth, and fifth grades. The Stable Low group was characterized by positive peer functioning (elevated peer optimism, below-average victimization and passive social withdrawal nominations, and above-average mutual friendships). The Increasers had elevated passive social withdrawal and later victimization nominations, and possibly represent a subgroup of children at risk for developing later internalizing symptomatology. The Decreasers had a less clear pattern of peer functioning in third grade but were indistinguishable from the Stable Low group by fourth and fifth grades. Findings are discussed in the context of the development of loneliness in middle childhood

Yield Performance of Variety Vs. Variety Blends in Soybeans

Agronom

Reducing neonatal mortality associated with preterm birth: gaps in knowledge of the impact of antenatal corticosteroids on preterm birth outcomes in low-middle income countries

The Global Network’s Antenatal Corticosteroids Trial (ACT), was a multi-country, cluster-randomized trial to improve appropriate use of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) in low-resource settings in low-middle income countries (LMIC). ACT substantially increased ACS use in the intervention clusters, but the intervention failed to show benefit in the targeted < 5th percentile birth weight infants and was associated with increased neonatal mortality and stillbirth in the overall population. In this issue are six papers which are secondary analyses related to ACT that explore potential reasons for the increase in adverse outcomes overall, as well as site differences in outcomes. The African sites appeared to have increased neonatal mortality in the intervention clusters while the Guatemalan site had a significant reduction in neonatal mortality, perhaps related to a combination of ACS and improving obstetric care in the intervention clusters. Maternal and neonatal infections were increased in the intervention clusters across all sites and increased infections are a possible partial explanation for the increase in neonatal mortality and stillbirth in the intervention clusters, especially in the African sites. The analyses presented here provide guidance for future ACS trials in LMIC. These include having accurate gestational age dating of study subjects and having care givers who can diagnose conditions leading to preterm birth and predict which women likely will deliver in the next 7 days. All study subjects should be followed through delivery and the neonatal period, regardless of when they deliver. Clearly defined measures of maternal and neonatal infection should be utilized. Trials in low income country facilities including clinics and those without newborn intensive care seem to be of the highest priority.Fil: McClure, Elizabeth M.. RTI International; Estados UnidosFil: Goldenberg, Robert L.. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Jobe, Alan H.. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital; Estados UnidosFil: Miodovnik, Menachem. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child and Human Development; Estados UnidosFil: Koso Thomas, Marion. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child and Human Development; Estados UnidosFil: Buekens, Pierre. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Belizan, Jose. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Althabe, Fernando. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Work-out und Servicing von notleidenden Krediten: Berichte und Referate des HfB-NPL Servicing Forums 2006

The report deals with the current questions relating to the work-out, outsourcing and servicing of non-performing-loans. After a brief market description the paper addresses the specific problems, which arise when servicing real estate and corporate loans. Within these framework issues, which include banking secrecy rules, the risk of civil liability for banks in respect to non-performing-loans, banking regulation law, are explained and practical suggestions for a proposed line of action are made. The main objective is to identify the basic lines taken in the discussion so far and to define different approaches to the topic for the purposes of research and legal practice. --Non-performing-loans,distressed debt,portfolio-management,work-out,outsourcing,servicing, banking regulation law, banker´s duty of secrecy,civil liability risks,corporate loans, real estate loans

Self-Management Strategies Mediate Self-Efficacy and Physical Activity

Self-efficacy theory proposes that girls who have confidence in their capability to be physically active will perceive fewer barriers to physical activity or be less influenced by them, be more likely to pursue perceived benefits of being physically active, and be more likely to enjoy physical activity. Self-efficacy is theorized also to influence physical activity through self-management strategies (e.g., thoughts, goals, plans, and acts) that support physical activity, but this idea has not been empirically tested

Research results from a registry supporting efforts to improve maternal and child health in low and middle income countries

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development created and continues to support the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research, a partnership between research institutions in the US and low-middle income countries. This commentary describes a series of 15 papers emanating from the Global Network’s Maternal and Newborn Health Registry. Using data from 2010 to 2013, the series of papers describe nearly 300,000 pregnancies in 7 sites in 6 countries – India (2 sites), Pakistan, Kenya, Zambia, Guatemala and Argentina. These papers cover a wide range of topics including several dealing with efforts made to ensure data quality, and others reporting on specific pregnancy outcomes including maternal mortality, stillbirth and neonatal mortality. Topics ranging from antenatal care, adolescent pregnancy, obstructed labor, factors associated with early initiation of breast feeding and maintenance of exclusive breast feeding and contraceptive usage are presented. In addition, case studies evaluating changes in mortality over time in 3 countries - India, Pakistan and Guatemala - are presented. In order to make progress in improving pregnancy outcomes in low-income countries, data of this quality are needed