The Development and Evaluation of Non-invasive Methods to Characterise the Disease States of Patients Utilising Selective Discrimination, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Chemometrics

The ‘smell’ of illness, disease or age has been known for many centuries, mainly created by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Dogs were first reported to detect cancer in 2004. Increasingly, the profiles of VOCs are being utilised as non-invasive diagnostic methods. The aim of the thesis was to develop and evaluate the performance of analytical methods to characterise the disease states of patients utilising selective discrimination, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and chemometrics. The primary analytical technique investigated was GC-Time-of-Flight-MS coupled with headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME-GC-ToFMS). A robust and sensitive method was developed by optimisation of all sample analysis parameters and was applied to clinical samples from bladder and prostate cancer patients and those with hepatic disorders. This evidence was obtained by quantifying an internal standard, present in every sample and blank throughout the studies. Based on these findings, large numbers of clinical samples were analysed with confidence. Statistically significant mathematical models were developed in partnership with Cranfield University to classify the diseased state of samples and clinically relevant controls. PLS-DA was determined as the best classifier. The results from the HS-SPME-GC-ToFMS studies were highly promising. Bladder cancer gave a mean accuracy of >80 % and even low-grade tumours gave a sensitivity of 73 %, superior to urine cytology. Higher clinical performance was obtained in the prostate cancer study, with BPH distinguishable from cancer. Hepatic disorders were better again (>86 %). Preliminary studies on sepsis detection also showed promise. Several recommendations were made to enable significant clinical results in the future based on analytical rigour

Young Forests and Fire: Using Lidar–Imagery Fusion to Explore Fuels and Burn Severity in a Subalpine Forest Reburn

Anticipating fire behavior as climate change and fire activity accelerate is an increasingly pressing management challenge in fire-prone landscapes. In subalpine forests adapted to infrequent, stand-replacing fire, self-limitation of burn severity in short-interval fire is incompletely understood. Spatially explicit fuels data can support assessments of landscape-scale fire risk and fuel feedbacks on burn severity. For a ~1450-km2 largely forested landscape in the US Northern Rocky Mountains, we used airborne lidar and imagery to predict and map canopy and surface fuels. In a fire that burned mature (\u3e125-year-old) and also reburned young (~30-year-old) subalpine forest, we then asked: (1) How do prefire fuels and burn severity compare between young and mature forests that burned under similar fire weather conditions? (2) How well do prefire fuels and forest structure predict burn severity under extreme versus moderate fire weather? Lidar–imagery fusion predicted fuel characteristics with high accuracy across forest and shrubland vegetation. Young postfire forests had abundant, densely packed canopy fuels, and both young and mature forests had similar canopy fuel loads and coarse wood biomass. Under similar weather conditions, young and mature forests burned at similar severity. Overall, fuels were weak predictors of burn severity and, surprisingly, better predicted severity under extreme rather than moderate fire weather. Our findings are relevant for subalpine landscapes increasingly dominated by young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) forests vulnerable to short-interval fire and provide a benchmark to assess how fuels influence burn severity in future fires. Fire managers should continually reassess fuels and update expectations about fire behavior as landscapes change. Although recovering postfire forests can limit fire spread and severity for a period of time, our results suggest that young subalpine forests in the Northern Rocky Mountains have sufficient fuel loads to burn at high severity and should not be considered effective fire breaks

What May Be Associated with Young Adult E-Cigarette Use? Examination of Key Correlates

Given increasing rates of e-cigarette use among young adults, research is needed on the attitudes and beliefs that drive use among this age group. Tobacco control approaches used to prevent cigarette smoking may not work as effectively for preventing e-cigarette use. To address this research gap, the present study applied the Integrated Behavior Model (IBM) encompassing the affect heuristic theory to examine the individual-level determinants (i.e., attitude, perceived norm, personal agency, intention, and e-cigarette risk perception) of young adults\u27 e-cigarette use. The 2013-2014 Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Wave 1 baseline adult dataset consisted of 9,112 young adults (ages 18-24). A total of 3,887 (42.7%) reported ever having used an e-cigarette even one or two times, and reported now using e-cigarettes every day (n=160), some days (n=947), or not at all/non-users (2,780). Structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that both the affect heuristic theory and constructs adapted from the IBM were significant drivers of e-cigarette use among young adults. The final structural model demonstrated acceptable fit (CFI = 0.935; TLI = 0.925; RMSEA = 0.024, 90% CI: 0.022-0.026). As expected for the IBM, as young adults’ positive feelings, perceived benefits, and normative beliefs of e-cigarettes increased, their intention to quit e-cigarettes decreased; which increased the likelihood of currently using e-cigarettes. As perceived benefit and positive feelings increased, young adults\u27 risk perceptions decreased resulting in a higher likelihood of using the device. These findings suggest that future communication, educational, and policy strategies to prevent e-cigarette use among young adults should highlight the health risk of e-cigarettes to address the high perceived benefits and low risk perceptions reported by young adults in this study

Exploring resilience in the lives of women leaders in early childhood health, human services, and education

Women leaders in early childhood health, human services, and education face tremendous challenges in their efforts to cultivate resilience amidst a myriad of risk factors including incessant stress, low wages, and limited professional support. Women who foster mental health in young children and high-risk families are vulnerable to secondary traumatic stress. The purpose of this feminist phenomenological study was to understand the resilience process with women leaders in Early Childhood. No studies were found that centered on resilience with this interdisciplinary profession. Research was guided by principles of feminist standpoint, relational-cultural, and resiliency theories. Twenty women alumnae of a leadership development program sponsored by a university in a western state were interviewed twice to learn about professional and personal aspects. The findings indicate alarming levels of professional stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Sixty-five percent of the women experienced acute and chronic professional stress resulting in significant health issues. Fifty-five percent are at risk for burnout and secondary traumatic stress due to limited resources, lack of effective supervision and organizational leadership, and escalating needs of high-risk children and families. Women also described significant personal stress including 65% from childhood traumas, 45% from adulthood adversities, and 80% from parenting children including 65% who have children with special needs. All of the women have experienced discrimination: 85% reported sexism and 53% reported sexual harassment. All of the women of color and one of the women in a biracial marriage have experienced racism. Seventy-five percent of younger women have experienced ageism. Women employed a myriad of strategies to cultivate resilience first through supportive relationships, then resource finding, spiritual and cultural beliefs, self-care, and education. The women fostered an array of resilient qualities and skills including strategic problem solving, assertive boundary setting, positive outlook, and self-reliance. Women leaders persevere motivated by their altruistic purpose to make a difference in the lives of children, families, and communities. The study concludes by discussing recommended changes within all levels of an ecological system to foster resilience with women leaders in Early Childhood. Suggestions for additional research are outlined to explore the resilient reintegration process with this interdisciplinary profession

A systematic review of associations between maternal exposures during pregnancy other than smoking and antenatal fetal measurements

Acknowledgements The authors thank Dr Juleen Lam for her advice on the use of the Navigation guide and for her helpful comments on a draft of the submitted manuscript. Funding This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.Peer reviewedPostprin

Native Americans with Disabilities: A Comparison of Male and Female Eastern Tribal Members

This study identified prevalence of disabilities, employment, and rehabilitation needs of four eastern tribal members. Chi-square tests were conducted to compare females to their male counterparts. Females were more likely to experience arthritis and orthopedic challenges; males to experience substance abuse. No gender difference in employment rate was found