Noncommutative resolutions of ADE fibered Calabi-Yau threefolds

In this paper we construct noncommutative resolutions of a certain class of Calabi-Yau threefolds studied by F. Cachazo, S. Katz and C. Vafa. The threefolds under consideration are fibered over a complex plane with the fibers being deformed Kleinian singularities. The construction is in terms of a noncommutative algebra introduced by V. Ginzburg, which we call the "N=1 ADE quiver algebra"

Environmental factors influence both abundance and genetic diversity in a widespread bird species.

Genetic diversity is one of the key evolutionary variables that correlate with population size, being of critical importance for population viability and the persistence of species. Genetic diversity can also have important ecological consequences within populations, and in turn, ecological factors may drive patterns of genetic diversity. However, the relationship between the genetic diversity of a population and how this interacts with ecological processes has so far only been investigated in a few studies. Here, we investigate the link between ecological factors, local population size, and allelic diversity, using a field study of a common bird species, the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). We studied sparrows outside the breeding season in a confined small valley dominated by dispersed farms and small-scale agriculture in southern France. Population surveys at 36 locations revealed that sparrows were more abundant in locations with high food availability. We then captured and genotyped 891 house sparrows at 10 microsatellite loci from a subset of these locations (N = 12). Population genetic analyses revealed weak genetic structure, where each locality represented a distinct substructure within the study area. We found that food availability was the main factor among others tested to influence the genetic structure between locations. These results suggest that ecological factors can have strong impacts on both population size per se and intrapopulation genetic variation even at a small scale. On a more general level, our data indicate that a patchy environment and low dispersal rate can result in fine-scale patterns of genetic diversity. Given the importance of genetic diversity for population viability, combining ecological and genetic data can help to identify factors limiting population size and determine the conservation potential of populations

How do factors of sociodemographic, health literacy and dementia experience influence carers' knowledge of dementia?

BACKGROUND: Dementia is a life limiting disease following a progressive trajectory. As carers often become key decision makers, their knowledge of dementia will have health implications for the person living with dementia as well as carer’s psychological wellbeing. AIM: To explore how sociodemographic factors, health literacy and dementia experience influence family carers knowledge about dementia. METHOD: In this cross-sectional, mixed methods study, we interviewed 150 family carers and assessed their dementia knowledge using the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS). Linear regression analyses were used to examine whether health literacy, previous experiences of dementia, support group attendance and sociodemographic characteristics predicted knowledge. Sixteen carers also completed qualitative interviews which explored unmet information needs. Transcripts and field notes were thematically analysed. RESULTS: Most participants were partners (47%) or adult children (48%) and cared for someone with severe (32%) or moderate (43%) dementia. Mean DKAS scores were 34.8/50 (SD = 7.0, range = 17–48) reflecting 8/25 incorrect answers. Backwards elimination regression found greater dementia knowledge was associated with greater health literacy for appraising information (coef 3.48, 95% CI (1.38, 5.58); p = 0.001) and more years of education (coef 0.39, 95% CI (0.12, 0.65); p = 0.004). Although not significant, knowledge was slightly lower in those who attended a support group, and a trend was found between ability to understand health information and knowledge. Only 39% accurately identified dementia as life shortening, indicating notable gaps in knowledge. Four qualitative themes were identified; arm yourself with information, ability to steer through information, other experience of dementia can be helpful and the importance of relationships with health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS: In an information age, vast amounts of information are available, but this can bring difficulties. Carers with more years of education and higher health literacy knew more about dementia. Professionals should consider how carers with lower health literacy can be supported through provision of timely, relevant information

Exploring how family carers of a person with dementia manage pre-death grief: A mixed methods study

Objectives Many family carers of a person with dementia experience pre-death grief. We aimed to identify strategies that help carers manage pre-death grief. We hypothesised that emotion and problem focussed styles would be associated with lower, and dysfunctional coping with higher grief intensity. Methods Mixed methods observational study using structured and semi-structured interviews with 150 family carers of people with dementia living at home or in a care home. Most participants were female (77%), caring for a parent (48%) or partner/spouse (47%) with mild (25%), moderate (43%) or severe (32%) dementia. They completed the Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory Short Form and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE) questionnaire. We asked carers to identify strategies used for managing grief. We recorded field notes for 150 interviews and audio-recorded additional interviews with a sub-sample of 16 participants. Results Correlations indicated that emotion-oriented coping was associated with lower grief (R = −0.341), and dysfunctional coping with higher grief (R = 0.435), with a small association with problem-focused strategies (R = −0.109), partly supporting our hypothesis. Our qualitative themes broadly match the three Brief-COPE styles. Unhelpful strategies of denial and avoidance align with dysfunctional coping strategies. Psychological strategies (including acceptance and humour) and seeking support were consistent with emotion-focused strategies, but we did not identify a theme relating to problem-focused strategies. Conclusion Most carers identified multiple strategies for processing grief. Carers could readily identify supports and services that they found helpful for managing pre-death grief, yet current services appear under-resourced to meet growing demand. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03332979)

Deep Hole States in Medium Mass Nuclei

Supported by the National Science Foundation and Indiana Universit

Scanning electron microscopy image representativeness: morphological data on nanoparticles.

A sample of a nanomaterial contains a distribution of nanoparticles of various shapes and/or sizes. A scanning electron microscopy image of such a sample often captures only a fragment of the morphological variety present in the sample. In order to quantitatively analyse the sample using scanning electron microscope digital images, and, in particular, to derive numerical representations of the sample morphology, image content has to be assessed. In this work, we present a framework for extracting morphological information contained in scanning electron microscopy images using computer vision algorithms, and for converting them into numerical particle descriptors. We explore the concept of image representativeness and provide a set of protocols for selecting optimal scanning electron microscopy images as well as determining the smallest representative image set for each of the morphological features. We demonstrate the practical aspects of our methodology by investigating tricalcium phosphate, Ca3 (PO4 )2 , and calcium hydroxyphosphate, Ca5 (PO4 )3 (OH), both naturally occurring minerals with a wide range of biomedical applications

Why Should ACT Work When CBT Has Failed? a Study Assessing Acceptability and Feasibility of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Paediatric Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)

AIMS: Paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) effects 0.5–3.28% of children. NICE guidance recommends Activity Management, Graded Exercise Therapy or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for fatigue (CBT-f). Approximately 15% of patients do not achieve full recovery within one year with current treatments. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an effective treatment in many chronic illnesses. There are no studies investigating ACT for paediatric CFS/ME. This feasability study aimed to assess if ACT is a feasible and acceptable alternative treatment when current treatment has not led to recovery. METHODS: This feasability cohort study aimed to enrol a minimum of 12 participants aged 11–18 yearswith CFS/ME attending the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust Specialist Paediatric CFS/ME Service, who were still symptomatic after 12 months or 12 sessions of standard treatment and were offered six to 12 sessions of ACT. Retention and recruitment data were analysed. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires before, during and after treatment. A selection of participants and their parents were interviewed about their experience of the study. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: 19 participants (95% of those approached) were recruited. Only 4 participants of this hard-to-reach group did not complete treatment. In almost all sessions participants reported that they felt ‘totally’ listened to in post session questionnaires (31/33 sessions). Preliminary interviews (n = 12) indicate acceptability of ACT, with all young people and their parents stating that they thought ACT should be offered to this population. Participants particularly commented that the absence of thought challenging (used in CBT-f) was a positive element of ACT. Participant's openness to try new approaches and altruistic desire to be in a study was noted. CONCLUSION: Recruitment data indicate that it is feasible to recruit and retain 11–18-year-olds with CFS/ME to a study offering ACT. Interviews with participants and parents were broadly positive suggesting ACT is an acceptable treatment in this population. Results indicated that it is both feasible and acceptable to offer ACT to 11–18-year-olds with CFS/ME using this protocol, supporting the prospect of an RCT in this area

'Reclaiming the criminal' : the role and training of prison officers in England, 1877-1914

This article examines the role and training of prison officers in England, between 1877 and 1914. It is concerned with the changing penal philosophies and practices of this period and how these were implemented in local prisons, and the duties of the prison officer. More broadly, this article argues that the role of the prison officer and their training (from 1896) reflect wider ambiguities in prison policy and practice during this period

Rapid Systematic Review: The Impact of Social Isolation and Loneliness on the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in the Context of COVID-19

OBJECTIVE: Disease containment of COVID-19 has necessitated widespread social isolation. We aimed to establish what is known about how loneliness and disease containment measures impact on the mental health in children and adolescents. METHOD: For this rapid review, we searched MEDLINE, PSYCHINFO, and Web of Science for articles published between 01/01/1946 and 03/29/2020. 20% of articles were double screened using pre-defined criteria and 20% of data was double extracted for quality assurance. RESULTS: 83 articles (80 studies) met inclusion criteria. Of these, 63 studies reported on the impact of social isolation and loneliness on the mental health of previously healthy children and adolescents (n=51,576; mean age 15.3) 61 studies were observational; 18 were longitudinal and 43 cross sectional studies assessing self-reported loneliness in healthy children and adolescents. One of these studies was a retrospective investigation after a pandemic. Two studies evaluated interventions. Studies had a high risk of bias although longitudinal studies were of better methodological quality. Social isolation and loneliness increased the risk of depression, and possibly anxiety at the time loneliness was measured and between 0.25 to 9 years later. Duration of loneliness was more strongly correlated with mental health symptoms than intensity of loneliness. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents are probably more likely to experience high rates of depression and probably anxiety during and after enforced isolation ends. This may increase as enforced isolation continues. Clinical services should offer preventative support and early intervention where possible and be prepared for an increase in mental health problems

Loneliness and mental health in children and adolescents with pre-existing mental health problems: A rapid systematic review

Objectives: Periods of social isolation are associated with loneliness in children and young people, and loneliness is associated with poor mental and physical health. Children and young people with pre-existing mental health difficulties may be prone to loneliness. Containment of COVID-19 has necessitated widespread social isolation, with unprecedented school closures and restrictions imposed on social interactions. This rapid review aimed to establish what is known about the relationship between loneliness and mental health problems in children and young people with pre-existing mental health problems. Methods: We sought to identify all primary research that examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between loneliness/perceived social isolation and mental health in children and young people with pre-existing mental health problems. We also aimed to identify effective interventions that reduce the adverse impact of loneliness. A rapid systematic search was conducted using MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Results: Of 4,531 papers screened, 15 included children and young people with pre-existing mental health conditions. These 15 studies included 1,536 children and young people aged between 6 and 23 years with social phobia, anxiety and/or depression, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Loneliness was associated with anxiety and depression both cross-sectionally and prospectively in children and young people with mental health problems and neurodevelopmental conditions. We found preliminary evidence that psychological treatments can help to reduce feelings of loneliness in this population. Conclusions: Loneliness is associated with depression and anxiety in children and young people with pre-existing mental health conditions, and this relationship may be bidirectional. Existing interventions to address loneliness and/or mental health difficulties in other contexts may be applied to this population, although they may need adaptation and testing in younger children and adolescents. Practitioner points: Loneliness is common in children and young people, and during periods of enforced social isolation such as during COVID-19, children and young people report high levels of loneliness (or increased rates of loneliness). The review showed that loneliness is associated, both cross-sectionally and prospectively, in children and young people with mental health problems and also in children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder. Thus, loneliness is a possible risk factor of which mental health providers should be aware. Maintaining social contact both by direct and by indirect means, especially through the Internet, could be important in mitigating loneliness. Interventions to address loneliness should be further developed and tested to help children and young people with pre-existing mental health problems who are lonely by preventing exacerbation of their mental health difficulties, in particular anxiety and depression