973 research outputs found

    Is Early Mobile Phone Ownership Shaping Child Development? A longitudinal study of wellbeing among adolescent girls and boys in Ireland1. ESRI Research Bulletin February 2020/05

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    Children are increasingly getting access to mobile phones at young ages, and commentators argue that these trends are having an adverse impact on children’s wellbeing and development. However, the evidence underpinning these claims is often limited, with a lack of robust analysis and data. The ubiquity of mobile phone technology allows it to have a potentially unprecedented impact on children’s development. It can easily cross into school and home settings; it is difficult for parents and teachers to supervise and monitor usage, as it accompanies the child throughout the day; and, consequently, the frequency of engagement with mobile phone technology is likely to be far higher for than other forms of technology. We use detailed data on 8,500 children in Ireland to examine whether there is an association between early mobile phone ownership and socio-emotional outcomes

    La reformulation culturelle et identitaire des Métis de Colombie-Britannique

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    Le gouvernement provincial de Colombie-Britannique refuse de reconnaître l’existence de communautés métisses originaires de Colombie-Britannique. Cette non-reconnaissance empêche les Métis de Colombie-Britannique de bénéficier des droits autochtones. Cet article a donc pour objectif de faire connaître leur existence en Colombie-Britannique et de présenter les problèmes liés à leur non-reconnaissance. De plus, même au sein du peuple métis, ils ne sont pas réellement reconnus : la plupart des Métis provenant des Prairies considèrent en effet que les véritables Métis sont issus des provinces des Prairies. À cause de cette conviction, les Métis de Colombie-Britannique ne possèdent qu’un pouvoir de décision très réduit dans l’association nationale métisse. Pour prouver leur existence, les associations métisses de la Colombie-Britannique réalisent une revalorisation culturelle et identitaire de la culture métisse de Colombie-Britannique.The provincial government of British Columbia refuses to recognize the existence of the Métis communities from British Columbia. This non-recognition prevents the Métis of British Columbia from having access to Aboriginal rights. This article therefore aims to make known their existence in British Columbia and to highlight the problems linked to their non-recognition. Furthermore, even among the Métis Nation, they are not really recognized. Most of the Métis are from the Prairies and consider that the real Métis originate from there. Because of this conviction, the Métis of British Columbia possess only a limited decision making power in the national association, the Métis National Council. In order to prove their existence, the Métis associations from British Columbia have been recently pushing for a cultural and identity “revalorization” of the Métis culture of British Columbia

    Quantitative Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biomarkers for the Characterisation of Ischaemic Cardiomyopathy

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    Our understanding of the processes that determine outcomes in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy is based on conventional physiological concepts such as ischaemia and viability. Qualitative methods for characterising these processes tend to be binary and often fail to capture the complexity of the underlying biology. Importantly, these are perhaps inadequate to evaluate treatment effects, including the impact of coronary revascularisation. The aim of this thesis was to deploy novel quantitative cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques to evaluate and distinguish between the pathophysiological processes that determine outcomes in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy, through integration of anatomical, functional, perfusion and tissue characterisation information. The work is centred around the use of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery as the method for revascularisation, and focuses on the impact of myocardial blood flow alterations on cardiac physiology and clinical outcomes. In this work, I first evaluate the impact of surgical revascularisation on myocardial structure and function in patients with impaired left ventricular (LV) systolic function, using paired assessments before and after CABG. I found that at 6 months following revascularisation, despite improvement in functional capacity, more than a third of total myocardial segments examined are no longer considered revascularised. As a result, the overall augmentation in global myocardial blood flow (MBF) following CABG surgery is significantly blunted. There are however technical concerns regarding the quantitative estimation of myocardial blood flow in patients with coronary artery grafts, particularly in relation to the impact of long coronary grafts on contrast kinetics. I therefore evaluated the impact of arterial contrast delay on myocardial blood flow estimation in patients with left internal mammary artery (LIMA) grafts. I showed that absolute MBF estimation is minimally affected by delayed contrast arrival in patients with LIMA grafts, and that irrespective of graft patency, residual native disease severity is a key determinant of myocardial blood flow. Following these findings, I then assessed the prognostic impact of myocardial blood flow in a large cohort of patients with prior CABG. The only imaging study to date examining the prognostic role of quantitative perfusion indices in this population, it demonstrated that both stress MBF and myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) independently predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes and all cause-mortality. Finally, using the existing quantitative perfusion technique and its associated framework, I co-developed and implemented a non-invasive, in-line method of measuring pulmonary transit time (PTT) and pulmonary blood volume (PBV) during routine CMR scanning. I then found that both imaging parameters can be used as independent quantitative prognostic biomarkers in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease

    Diet, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and perceptions of the environment in young adults

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    Background Few studies have explored both food behaviour and physical activity in an environmental context. Most research in this area has focused on adults; the aim of the present study was to describe perceptions of the environment, diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns in 16–20 year olds in full-time education (Newcastle, UK). Methods Participants (n = 73) recruited from a college and sixth-form college completed a UK version of the Youth Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Survey, which included measures of sedentary behaviour. A validated food frequency questionnaire was completed and a factor applied to produce an estimated mean daily frequency of intake of each item, which was converted to nutrient intakes. A rank for Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) was assigned to their home postcode. Analysis explored associations between sedentary behaviours and nutrient intake. Results In this descriptive cross-sectional study, most participants reported being physically active for at least 1 h day−1 on 3–4 (n = 28) or 5–7 days (n = 31). There were no significant differences in nutrient intake according to sample quartile IMD position. Sedentary behaviours were significantly associated with less healthy eating patterns. Higher total energy (P = 0.02), higher fat (P = 0.005), percentage energy from fat (P = 0.035) and lower carbohydrate intakes (P = 0.004) were significantly associated with more time spent watching DVDs at the weekend. Conclusions This combination of sedentary behaviour and less healthy eating patterns has important implications for long-term health (e.g. the tracking of being overweight and obesity from adolescence into adulthood). Understanding behaviour relationships is an important step in developing interventions in this age group

    Towards a Common Christology

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    Keskinäiset väärinymmärrykset ja jurisdiktioiden moninaisuus heikentävät orientaalisten ortodoksisten kirkkojen ja ortodoksisten kirkkojen yhteistä todistusta nykyajassa. Yhteistoiminnan sijaan tilanne kannustaa keskinäiseen kilpailuun. Orientaalisten ja ortodoksisten kirkkojen virallinen dialogi käynnistyi vuonna 1985. Sen saavutuksista on syytä korostaa etenkin vuoden 1990 Second Agreed Statementin toteamusta, että kumpikin perhe on säilyttänyt yhteisen ortodoksisen kristologisen uskon ja katkeama oman apostolisen perinteen – vaikkakin kristologia ilmaistaan erilaisin termein. Yhteisestä kristologiasta puhuttaessa tarkoitetaan juuri tätä vanhaa ja katkeamatonta oppia, ei mitään uudenlaista tai laimeaa kompromissien kristologiaa

    Respostas de Daphnia magna e Daphnia similis expostas a químicos durante várias gerações

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    Anthropogenic pressure negatively affects natural environments through the introduction of various types of stressors, from chemical, physical or biotic. Different species may present different sensitivities to such stressors, therefore, this research evaluated the sensitivity of two monophyletic species of daphnids, the tropical Daphnia similis and the model temperate species Daphnia magna to a lead (Pb) exposure, as well as combined with the fungicide mancozeb. Moreover, since aquatic organisms may be exposed for long periods, or pulse exposures, the experimental design used was based on a multi-generation exposure to evaluate offspring sensitivity/fitness, sensitivity and possible recovery through generations. The main goals of this study were: 1) Compare the toxicity of chemical compounds to two daphnid species, representing different climate regimes 2) Compare the effects of Pb between species in a long-term exposure, for more realistic responses 3) Estimate if Pb exposure would affect the sensitivity to other chemicals (e.g. pulse exposure), 4) Evaluate if food quantity affect organisms’ sensitivity to long-term exposures and, 5) Assess organisms’ recovery after a generational Pb exposure. In this context, D. magna presented a lower Pb sensitivity than D. similis, and mancozeb triggered opposite outcomes for the two species tested. The nine generation Pb exposure indicated a diminished Pb sensitivity for both species. A lower mancozeb sensitivity for Pb exposed organisms occurred for D. magna, while D. similis showed an opposite response. The generational assay indicated an enhanced rate of population increase (r) for both species, however, enhanced feeding rate occurred only for D. similis. Other contrasting effects among species caused by a long-term Pb exposure was seen for the Net Reproductive Rate (R0) which was not affected for D. magna and was diminished for D. similis. Meanwhile, early reproduction, reduced lifespan and AChE activity were shown for D. magna but not for D. similis. No disparity was shown between species considering adverse Pb effects. Generational Pb exposure led to carapace malformations, possible Pb granules in neonates’ dorsal region, reddish extremities in neonates (possibly indicating increased haemoglobin content). Considering reproduction, negative effects occurred such as male production, ephippias (or dormant haploid egg), eggs color variation (green and white) and abortion. Pb accumulation in D. magna through generations presented a faster and saturated Pb accumulation under usual food and a gradual concentration increase under food restriction, with a successful recovery (both food regimes). Pb exposure presented a general pattern of D. magna failed retrieval (may be due to ephigenetics) and D. similis successful retrieval (phenotypic acclimation) to levels similar to control (successful) organisms. The effect of Pb on reproduction, respiration, induction of malformation, and other adverse effects suggests that a chronic generational exposure can be harmful to both Daphnia species. The most important highlights of this study were; 1) Daphnia magna and Daphnia similis are capable of diminishing Pb sensitivity across a long-term Pb exposure, 2) Pb pre-exposure can affect daphnids’ sensitivity to other chemicals, 3) Pb exposure may increase the population of acclimated organisms in natural habitats, 4) Both species differ regarding recovery (epigenetics or physiological acclimation), 5) Different responses occur in single and generational exposures from monophyletic species (especially under oligotrophic media, typical of natural habitats). These results indicate the importance of accomplishing ecotoxicological assays with species adequate to the environment being evaluated (and of long-term), for a more realistic ecological risk assessment of contaminated areas.A pressão antropogénica pode afetar negativamente o meio ambiente, através da introdução de vários tipos de stressores, desde químicos, físicos ou bióticos. Diferentes espécies podem apresentar distintas sensibilidades a estes stressores e por isso este estudo comparou a sensibilidade de duas espécies monofiléticas, a espécie tropical Daphnia similis e a espécie modelo de regiões temperadas Daphnia magna a uma exposição a chumbo (Pb), assim como à sua combinação com o fungicida mancozebe. Tendo em conta que os organismos aquáticos podem estar expostos a químicos por longos períodos, ou a pulsos de exposição, o desenho experimental utilizado foi baseado na exposição por várias gerações de forma a avaliar a aptidão dos neonatos, a sua sensibilidade e possível recuperação de efeitos. Os objetivos principais deste estudo foram: 1) Comparar a toxicidade de diferentes químicos a duas espécies de Daphnia, 2) Comparar os efeitos de uma exposição longa a Pb em ambas as espécies, 3) Estimar se a exposição prévia a Pb afetaria a sensibilidade a outros químicos (ex: exposição a pulsos), 4) Avaliar se a quantidade de alimento afeta a sensibilidade dos organismos, 5) Estimar se os organismos são capazes de recuperar após uma longa exposição. Neste âmbito, a espécie D. magna demonstrou uma menor sensibilidade a Pb em comparação com D. similis e, o mancozebe desencadeou resultados opostos nas duas espécies. A exposição a Pb por nove gerações indicou uma diminuição de sensibilidade para ambas as espécies. Contudo, a D. magna aclimatada a Pb exibiu uma diminuição de sensibilidade a mancozebe, enquanto a D. similis demonstrou o contrário. A exposição a Pb por gerações indicou um crescimento da taxa de aumento populacional (r) para ambas as espécies, enquanto um aumento da taxa de alimentação foi demonstrado para D. similis. Outros efeitos contrários entre as espécies causados pela longa exposição ao Pb são demonstrados pela taxa reprodutiva líquida (R0), a qual não apresentou efeito em D. magna, porém, foi reduzida para D. similis. Enquanto isso, uma reprodução mais acelerada e diminuição da longevidade e da AChE foi exibida para D. magna, mas não para D. similis. As diferenças entre as espécies não foram demonstradas quanto a efeitos adversos do Pb. A longa exposição a Pb desencadeou malformações na carapaça, possíveis grânulos de Pb na parte dorsal dos neonatos, e uma coloração vermelha nas extremidades, podendo ser indicador do aumento de hemoglobina. Ao nível da reprodução, houve a produção de machos, efípias, variação da cor dos ovos (verdes e brancos) e ovos abortados. A acumulação do Pb ao longo do tempo em D. magna ocorreu de forma rápida na presença de uma quan tidade usual de alimento e um aumento gradual da acumulação quando em restrição alimentar, com uma recuperação bem-sucedida para ambos os regimes alimentares. A recuperação pós-exposição a Pb demonstrou um padrão geral no qual a D. magna demonstrou uma falha na recuperação (talvez efeito epigenético) e D. similis demonstra geralmente recuperações para níveis semelhantes ao controlo bem-sucedidas (aclimatação fisiológica). O efeito do Pb na reprodução, respiração, indução de malformações e outros efeitos adversos sugerem que uma exposição crónica de Pb por diversas gerações pode ser prejudicial para ambas espécies. Os destaques principais deste estudo foram que: 1) Daphnia magna e Daphnia similis são capazes de diminuir a sensibilidade ao Pb através de exposições crónicas de longa duração, 2) Pré-exposição a Pb pode afetar a sensibilidade de organismos a outros químicos, 3) Aclimatação a Pb pode induzir crescimento populacional de organismos menos sensíveis, 4) Ambas as espécies diferem quanto a recuperação (variação epigenética ou aclimatação fisiológica), 5) Respostas distintas entre espécies ocorrem quando os organismos são submetidos a exposição única ou geracional (especialmente em ambientes oligotróficos, comum em habitats naturais). Estes resultados sublinham a importância de utilizar espécies adequadas ao ambiente em questão em ensaios ecotoxicológicos (e de longa duração), para uma melhor avaliação de risco ecológico em áreas contaminadas.Apoio financeiro da FCT e do FSE no âmbito do III Quadro Comunitário de Apoio. Do CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) através da bolsa de doutoramento atribuída a Giuliana Seraphim de Araujo (201788/2014-4). E, projeto Re-Pulse (Responses of Daphnia magna Exposed to Chemical Pulses and Mixtures Throughout Generations; FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-019321; Refª. FCT PTDC/AAC-AMB/117178/2010)Programa Doutoral em Biologia e Ecologia das Alterações Globai

    Mapping the linguistic landscapes of the Marshall Islands

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    This paper examines code choices in the written linguistic landscape of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Due to a history of language imposition, the Marshall Islanders have long been denied the opportunity to express their linguistic identity in the public domain. A recently proposed bilingual language policy, which requires all public signs to be Marshallese-English bilingual, aims to change this status quo. We map language choices in the linguistic landscape of the RMI at the cusp of this policy with an eye on the stakeholders, production processes, and audiences involved in the creation and reception of the linguistic landscape. State-of-the-art geographical and regression analyses model the factors that govern code choices in the linguistic landscape of the RMI. Our findings allow us to pinpoint niches - both geographical as well as social - where the Marshallese assert their linguistic identity in the public realm
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