Reducing the rate of teenage conceptions: a review of the evidence (US, Canada, Australia & NZ)

This report examines the variation in teenage conception and birth rates across the United States,Canada, Australia and New Zealand

Neuromodulation in the treatment of upper limb spasticity

In this thesis I investigated neurophysiological changes following transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) at 100 Hz, and TENS and transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) applied with high-frequency (10 kHz) trains (HF-TENS and HF-tSCS, respectively). I also assessed literature studying neuromodulation for spasticity in SCI and developed a mobile application (app) which aimed to improve spasticity self-management through education of triggers. Paired-pulses of cervical tSCS caused post-activation depression in posterior-root reflexes (PRRs) in wrist flexors and extensors at interstimulus intervals of < 2 s; showing a similar pattern of modulation observed in previous studies with H-reflex activity (8 healthy, able-bodied participants). Another study compared TENS, HF-TENS and HF-tSCS to sham stimulation. Changes in PRRs and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in the wrist flexor and extensor were assessed. HF-tSCS was most efficient at modulating corticospinal excitability immediately after intervention, causing a decrease in flexor MEPs lasting 30 minutes (p = 0.015), as well as a trend towards an increase in extensor MEPs. Late spinal inhibition of wrist flexors occurred following 60 minutes of HF-tSCS (p = 0.018). An app was designed to support users in identifying factors which trigger their spasticity by logging and rating events (Penn spasm frequency scale). The design of the app was assessed using questionnaires sent to clinicians and people with spasticity. Results showed that all responders felt that the design of the app could have potential in benefitting symptoms of spasticity. Bringing together neurophysiological and clinical measures of spasticity, a systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 studies assessed the effects of neuromodulation on spasticity in SCI. This revealed a lack of randomised control trials (RCTs). In 3 RCTs and 17 studies without a control group, there was a reduction in spasticity immediately following electrical stimulation according to clinical measures. Four studies included the H-reflex as an outcome measure, with 3/4 reporting no change, or varied results between participants

Experiment Vs Nature: Using Amphiboles To Test Models Of Magma Storage And Pre-Eruptive Magma Dynamics Preceding The 2006 Eruption Of Augustine Volcano, Alaska

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2013This study investigates magmatic conditions preceding the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano through the use of amphibole compositions and textures. Due to their restricted stability region and common occurrence in calc-alkaline magmas, amphiboles are important for investigating pre-eruptive magmatic conditions at subduction zone volcanoes. Chapter 1 presents a study into geochemical and textural variations of natural amphibole phenocrysts in the erupted magmas. Magnesiohornblendes in the high- and low-silica andesites exhibit limited compositional variability. Intermediate-silica andesites and quenched mafic enclaves contain amphiboles that vary in composition and classification (magnesiohornblende-magnesiohastinsitetschermakite). Compositional variations are controlled by temperature-dependent substitutions. Both high-and low-silica andesites represent magmas that were stored in the shallow crust at 4-8 km depth, remaining distinct due to a complex sub-surface plumbing system. Intermediate-silica andesites and quenched mafic inclusions represent newly formed hybrids of resident high- and low-silica andesite magmas and an intruding basalt. Chapter 2 presents the results of a phase equilibria study the refines the model for high-silica andesite storage. The natural phase assemblage was reproduced between 860-880�C and 120-200 MPa. Experimental plagioclase and groundmass glass compositions most closely replicate natural samples at ~130-140 MPa. Estimated storage conditions fall within the ranges suggested by natural petrological data and modeled storage depths from geodetic data. The high temperature stability of experimental quartz and biotite (not identified in natural samples) may reflect the high f 02 of the Augustine system as well as the rapid kinetics associated with the crystal-poor sintered starting material of some experiments. Chapter 3 presents results of the first experimental study to target heating-induced amphibole reaction rim formation. Experiments show that reaction rims form on remarkably short timescales. They share mineralogical and textural features with natural reaction rims previously thought to represent decompression processes. Reaction rims cannot be simply classified on the basis of semi-quantitative observations. Rather, in-depth data collection (e.g. X-rap mapping), and the calculation of kinetic parameters (e.g. crystal nucleation rates), is necessary. Chapter 4 presents a new MATLABRTM based program that performs mineral formula recalculations and the associated propagation of analytical uncertainty

An investigation of the views, understanding, knowledge, experience and attitudes of sixth form teachers in regard to the preparedness of their students for the transition to university

Research has identified that many students feel significantly unprepared for university life and study While much work has been done to identify ways in which universities can successfully support their students through transition, little attention has been paid, in the literature, to the preparation students receive in school. This report details a mixed methods study to better understand the role of 6th form teachers in preparing students for university and their perceptions of how prepared their students are for Higher Education A number of recurring themes emerged from the resultant transcripts and where supported by quantitative findings. The teachers in the study clearly believed that they had an important role to play in preparing their students for university. Much of this role is currently focussed on career planning, promoting university, helping students make choices and supporting them through the application process. While some work is taking place to help students develop personally and academically, most teachers indicated that they would like to be able to do more in this area. There were broad agreements and concerns about the personal growth and emotional resilience of students. Focus group participants, whose students are, in the main, from non-traditional university going backgrounds also indicated cultural barriers. Teachers in both phases of the research also indicated concerns that many of their students were unable to visualise the future or prioritise beyond immediate concerns and this was undermining planning and preparation. Academic concerns were not shared by all schools, although some indicated that they believed many of their students would struggle to integrate academically into higher education. Teachers in the qualitative phase also identified time, resources, culture and current student attitudes and behaviours as barriers to their ability to do more to prepare their students.Funded through the National Network for Collaborative Outreach, North East Midlands Collaborative Outreach Networ

The experience of service privatization in developing countries : the case of South Africa's PPP prisons.

Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.Privatization, and particularly privatization of services, is a worldwide trend that has grown tremendously over the past 25 years. This growth has been particularly pronounced in developing countries in recent years. Prison services is one of many sectors that has contracted with the private sector, however, until South Africa outsourced the design, construction, finance, and operation of two maximum security prisons to the private sector for a period of 25 years, private prison companies were only involved in some developed countries. Many argue that the sector's involvement in South Africa signals its intention to expand throughout the developing world, and undoubtedly, South Africa's experience will be influential in the future growth of this sector in such countries. This paper aims to explore the experience of South Africa's public-private partnership (PPP) prisons thus far, within a context of international and domestic service privatization, in order to identify key trends and issues which may be relevant to future private sector involvement in prisons and other service sectors. Research was conducted qualitatively, with a total of 12 interviews carried out telephonically and in person. Respondents included members of the government, PPP prison administrations, and members of civil society in order to gain as wide a perspective as possible. An extensive review of the literature, as well as relevant government sources, was also undertaken. While these prisons have certainly brought benefits to South Africa's correctional service, a number of key concerns about private sector involvement in service provision were identified through this research. Firstly, the whole experience, starting with the initial decision, has lacked transparency and debate. Although contracting with the private sector was supposed to lead to increased efficiency and reduced cost, the prisons have, in fact, led to unexpected high costs and risks for the DCS. Furthermore, private sector involvement has led to a tiering of prison services, with PPP prison services generally much better than the public sector. Finally, the research indicates that there are serious questions to be raised about the effectiveness of the regulation of this sector and whether PPP prison companies are truly being held accountable by government

Neurophysiological and clinical outcome measures of the impact of electrical stimulation on spasticity in spinal cord injury: Systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to determine whether non-invasive electrical stimulation (ES) is effective at reducing spasticity in people living with spinal cord injury (SCI). PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched in April 2022. Primary outcome measures were the Ashworth scale (AS), Modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Pendulum test and the Penn spasm frequency scale (PSFS). Secondary outcomes were the Hoffman (H)- reflex, motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and posterior-root reflexes (PRRs). A random-effects model, using two correlation coefficients, (Corr=0.1, Corr=0.2) determined the difference between baseline and post-intervention measures for RCTs. A quantitative synthesis amalgamated data from studies with no control group (non-RCTs). Twenty-nine studies were included: five in the meta-analysis and 17 in the amalgamation of non-RCT studies. Twenty studies measured MAS or AS scores, 14 used the Pendulum test and one used the PSFS. Four measured the H-reflex and no studies used MEPs or PRRs. Types of ES used were: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS), functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling and FES gait. Meta-analyses of 3 studies using the MAS and 2 using the Pendulum test were carried out. For MAS scores, non-invasive ES was effective at reducing spasticity compared to a control group (p = 0.01, Corr=0.1; p = 0.002, Corr=0.2). For Pendulum test outcomes, there was no statistically significant difference between intervention and control groups. Quantitative synthesis of non-RCT studies revealed that 22 of the 29 studies reported improvement in at least one measure of spasticity following non-invasive ES, 13 of which were statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). Activation of the muscle was not necessary to reduce spasticity. Non-invasive ES can reduce spasticity in people with SCI, according to MAS scores, for both RCT and non-RCT studies, and Pendulum test values in non-RCT studies. This review could not correlate between clinical and neurophysiological outcomes; we recommend the additional use of neurophysiological outcomes for future studies. The use of TSCS and TENS, which did not induce a muscle contraction, indicate that activation of afferent fibres is at least required for non-invasive ES to reduce spasticity

Assessment of Multiple Concussive Athletes with Dual Task Triple Stroop and Aerobic Exercise

BACKGROUND: Athletic concussion testing has mostly recently relied on a sedentary computer neurocognitive test battery called the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT). Previous tests directly compare baseline with post-concussion analysis of patient in regards to different cognitive aspects including; working memory, processing speed, and response time. No physical tests are included in the ImPACT analysis for return-to-play action. PURPOSE: In previous studies from our lab in these populations we concluded that the combination of a physical neural impediment with cognitive tests (dual-task with balance impairment) created a greater degree of impairment not observed in the sedentary ImPACT test. However, changes in the Post-concussed group were significant but not statistically significant in the participants with 5 or more concussions without a concussion diagnosed in the past month. Thus we hypothesized that increasing the degree of neural impediment with exercise at a moderate workload during treadmill exercise while completing a neurocognitive test (Triple Stroop) would show a higher cognitive impairment in the Post-concussed participants. METHODS: In this test participants were asked to come back to the lab within a week of completing their hour long cognitive battery to assess potential neurocognitive deficits of post concussive symptoms similar to our previous work. During the follow-up visit that participants completed the battery of Triple Dual Task Stroop while on a treadmill. After a brief 4 minute walking warm up, participants were tasked with increasing their speed in one minute speed increases until they reached their age and resting heart rate calculated 60% of heart rate reserve. At that point they were given a random sequence from the 4 possible patterns of the Triple Stroop 120 question cognitive test which asks the shape, color of the work, the word color, and/or the color of the shape. RESULTS: Of those who participated in the study (9 non-concussed and 7 multi-concussed) there is significant differneces in the cognitive deficites between the two groups of control and multi-concussed tested. However, there is a time deficit on average in the multi-concussed group, 108 seconds to complete as opposed to the non-concussed (84 sec) In addition the number of correct per minute was higher in the control than the multi-concussed group.DISCUSSION: These results have shown that it takes multi-concussed participants a greater time to process the cognitive testing while having the distraction of a physical test. The ultimate concern associated with the cognitive and reaction time deficits can be that atheltic trainers and/or coaches are allowing their athletes to participate in the event placing the athlete at a greater risk for additional head injury in sports with higher incidence of concussion including football, basketball, soccer and hockey. In addition to testing non-concussed and multi-concussed athletes, we aim to conduct the procedure on those who are recently diagnosed as post-concussed to determin whether a more appropriate field test like the Triple Stroop would show a more sensitive assessment of cognitive deficit in sports concussion protocols

The Impact of Intrinsic Alignments: Cosmological Constraints from a Joint Analysis of Cosmic Shear and Galaxy Survey Data

Constraints on cosmology from recent cosmic shear observations are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their treatment of potential systematic effects. Here we present cosmological constraints which include modelling of intrinsic alignments. We demonstrate how the results are changed for three different intrinsic alignment models, and for two different models of the cosmic shear galaxy population. We find that intrinsic alignments can either reduce or increase measurements of the fluctuation amplitude parameter sigma_8 depending on these decisions, and depending on the cosmic shear survey properties. This is due to the interplay between the two types of intrinsic alignment, II and GI. It has been shown that future surveys must make a careful treatment of intrinsic alignments to avoid significant biases, and that simultaneous constraints from shear-shear and shear-position correlation functions can mitigate the effects. For the first time we here combine constraints from cosmic shear surveys (shear-shear correlations) with those from "GI" intrinsic alignment data sets (shear-position correlations). We produce updated constraints on cosmology marginalised over two free parameters in the halo model for intrinsic alignments. We find that the additional freedom is well compensated by the additional information, in that the constraints are very similar indeed to those obtained when intrinsic alignments are ignored, both in terms of best fit values and uncertainties.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figure