UMP clinched 9 medals at BioMalaysia 2011

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) continued to record successful achievements by garnering a gold medal, a silver medal and seven bronze medals at the BioMalaysia 2011 and Pacific RIM Summit on Industry and BioEnergy 2011 in Kuala Lumpur recently. The event was officially opened by Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on November 21, 2011

Parents Served by Assertive Community Treatment: A Needs Based Assessment

poster abstractAssertive Community Treatment (ACT) represents an effective treatment for individuals with severe mental illness. Though studies estimate roughly half of all people with severe mental illness are parents, little is known about consumers receiving ACT services who are parents. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to 1) estimate the prevalence of parent ACT consumers, 2) identify current ACT team policies and services for parent consumers, and 3) examine the perspective of parent consumers served by ACT teams. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed via two studies. In study 1, 82 ACT providers from 76 teams in the US and Canada were surveyed. Providers estimated roughly 21.6% of ACT consumers were parents. Only 46.3% of providers reported formally asking consumers about parental status and 20.7% of providers belonged to ACT teams that offer services designed for parent consumers. The majority of providers (75.6%) reported negative or mixed attitudes about parents with severe mental illness. In study 2, seventeen parents receiving ACT services were interviewed. All parents endorsed positive attitudes about parenting, though most (76.5%) also identified negative aspects of parenting. Almost all parents (88.2%) reported loss of custody at least once. Parents expressed interest in parent-focused treatment services like family therapy, parenting skills, communication skills training, and peer support groups. Regarding satisfaction with ACT services, most parents with adult children (87.5%) reported no unmet parent-related needs and high satisfaction (4.63 of 5) with ACT services, whereas parents with young children (77.8%) reported unmet parenting needs and low satisfaction (3.78 of 5) with ACT services. Thus, results indicate the ACT treatment model may not be adequately serving parents with young, dependent children. Overall, findings suggest the need for more focus on parents with severe mental illness, including formal identification of parental status and parent-related treatment services and support

Quantity and Quality Limit Detritivore Growth: Mechanisms Revealed by Ecological Stoichiometry and Co-Limitation Theory

Resource quantity and quality are fundamental bottom-up constraints on consumers. Best understood in autotroph-based systems, co-occurrence of these constraints may be common but remains poorly studied in detrital-based systems. Here, we used a laboratory growth experiment to test limitation of the detritivorous caddisfly larvae Pycnopsyche lepida across a concurrent gradient of oak litter quantity (food supply) and quality (phosphorus : carbon [P:C ratios]). Growth increased simultaneously with quantity and quality, indicating co-limitation across the resource gradients. We merged approaches of ecological stoichiometry and co-limitation theory, showing how co-limitation reflected shifts in C and P acquisition throughout homeostatic regulation. Increased growth was best explained by elevated consumption rates and improved P assimilation, which both increased with elevated quantity and quality. Notably, C assimilation efficiencies remained unchanged and achieved maximum 18% at low quantity despite pronounced C limitation. Detrital C recalcitrance and substantive post-assimilatory C losses probably set a minimum quantity threshold to achieve positive C balance. Above this threshold, greater quality enhanced larval growth probably by improving P assimilation toward P-intensive growth. We suggest this interplay of C and P acquisition contributes to detritivore co-limitation, highlighting quantity and quality as potential simultaneous bottom-up controls in detrital-based ecosystems, including under anthropogenic change like nutrient enrichment

The “Critical” Elements of Illness Management and Recovery: Comparing Methodological Approaches

This study examined three methodological approaches to defining the critical elements of Illness Management and Recovery (IMR), a curriculum-based approach to recovery. Sixty-seven IMR experts rated the criticality of 16 IMR elements on three dimensions: defining, essential, and impactful. Three elements (Recovery Orientation, Goal Setting and Follow-up, and IMR Curriculum) met all criteria for essential and defining and all but the most stringent criteria for impactful. Practitioners should consider competence in these areas as preeminent. The remaining 13 elements met varying criteria for essential and impactful. Findings suggest that criticality is a multifaceted construct, necessitating judgments about model elements across different criticality dimensions

Make Art Real

The Make Art Real project aims to introduce new audiences to the arts. It supports Theme II of VCU’s Quest for Distinction by promoting and fostering creative expression through innovative collaborations. The project involves displaying existing connections between art and non-art disciplines, as well as making new connections. These unusual pairings are then placed on exhibition through a lunch-time lecture series named “Unexpected_Connections,” which allow faculty, staff, and students to lead and participate in discussions about the reality of art. The lecture series is the first sustainable and reoccurring program to be held in the Depot building, a multidisciplinary facility which is intended to foster interdisciplinary collaborations. The targeted audience includes faculty, staff, students, and members of the greater VCU community

Factors Affecting Implementation of an Evidence-Based Practice in the VA: Illness Management and Recovery

Objective: Illness management and recovery (IMR) is an evidence-based practice that assists consumers in managing their illnesses and pursuing personal recovery goals. Although research has examined factors affecting IMR implementation facilitated by multifaceted, active roll-outs, the current study attempted to elucidate factors affecting IMR implementation outside the context of a research-driven implementation. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 20 local recovery coordinators and 18 local IMR experts were conducted at 23 VA medical centers. Interviews examined perceived and experienced barriers and facilitators to IMR implementation. Data were analyzed via thematic inductive/deductive analysis in the form of crystallization/immersion. Results: Six factors differed between sites implementing IMR from those not providing IMR: awareness of IMR, importer-champions, autonomy-supporting leadership, veteran-centered care, presence of a sensitive period, and presence of a psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery center. Four factors were common in both groups: recovery orientation, evidence-based practices orientation, perceived IMR fit within program structure, and availability of staff time. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: IMR can be adopted in lieu of active implementation support; however, knowledge dissemination appears to be key. Future research should examine factors affecting the quality of implementation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved

Job-Related Burnout among Juvenile Probation Officers: Implications for Mental Health Stigma and Competency

The high demands and responsibilities of probation work, particularly with juvenile clients, may lead to burnout, which can negatively impact how probation officers work with clients, particularly individuals with behavioral health concerns. Yet, research examining burnout and related outcomes among juvenile probation officers (JPOs) is limited. We surveyed 246 JPOs in a Midwestern state to identify the prevalence, predictors, and potential outcomes of burnout. JPOs reported moderate levels of burnout; about 30% of the sample scored in the high range for emotional exhaustion and cynicism. Contrary to study hypotheses, there were no group-level differences in burnout scores across gender, race/ethnicity, age, or education. In regression models, burnout was predicted by being White (vs. minority), serving in an urban (vs. rural) county, dissatisfaction with department guidelines, job dissatisfaction, viewing job role as more treatment-oriented along the enforcement−treatment continuum, and turnover intention. JPOs with burnout were more likely to endorse mental health stigma and lack of mental health competency to address juvenile clients with behavioral health concerns. Findings suggest burnout prevention and intervention programs should be considered for JPOs to increase job satisfaction, limit job turnover, reduce burnout, and possibly increase effective practices for managing juvenile clients with behavioral health needs