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Many people who are homeless own a companion animal (a "pet"). For people who are homeless, pet ownership has a range of benefits. However, it may also limit a person's access to services and interventions, and so complicate or even prolong their homelessness. "Pet-friendly" services/interventions – which preserve the relationship between people who are homeless and their pets, whilst also meeting their unique needs – are important. Currently, however, there is limited knowledge about what services/interventions exist for people who are homeless with pets, the impact of these, and how they can be implemented in practice. This systematic review was undertaken to address these gaps. It was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Eleven academic journal articles were selected for inclusion. The review identified four key services/interventions which may benefit people who are homeless with pets – pet-friendly accommodation, free veterinary care, free pet food, and foster care/ boarding – in addition to a number of "other" related services/interventions. It identified multiple challenges associated with delivering these services/interventions in practice. None of the studies offered rigorous evaluations – and, therefore, evidence – about "what works." Further research is essential to identify the most effective and cost-effective approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wnt/β-catenin signaling is critical for lung development and AT2 stem cell maintenance in adults, but excessive pathway activation has been associated with pulmonary fibrosis, both in animal models and human diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). IPF is a detrimental interstitial lung disease, and although two approved drugs limit functional decline, transplantation is the only treatment that extends survival, highlighting the need for regenerative therapies. Methods: Using our antibody-based platform of Wnt/β-catenin modulators, we investigated the ability of a pathway antagonist and pathway activators to reduce pulmonary fibrosis in the acute bleomycin model, and we tested the ability of a WNT mimetic to affect alveolar organoid cultures. Results: A WNT mimetic agonist with broad FZD-binding specificity (FZD1,2,5,7,8) potently expanded alveolar organoids. Upon therapeutic dosing, a broad FZD-binding specific Wnt mimetic decreased pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis and increased lung function in the bleomycin model, and it impacted multiple lung cell types in vivo. Conclusions: Our results highlight the unexpected capacity of a WNT mimetic to effect tissue repair after lung damage and support the continued development of Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulation for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Formative Theological Education" is a book edited by Colleen M. Griffith and Hosffman Ospino that explores the concept of formative education and its application in theological education. The book emphasizes the integration of cognitive, affective, contextual, and relational ways of knowing and being, aiming to mold students' lives and equip them to be transformative agents in the world. The authors, who come from various theological disciplines, discuss themes such as justice, race, culture, and the communal nature of faith and education. While the book primarily targets Christian theological and religious educators, it also speaks to an ecumenical readership. The editors hope that the book will inspire educators and provide them with tools to navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: Discrimination and prejudice have significant implications for individuals and communities and are prevalent throughout the world towards marginalised groups. This study investigated the role of psychological sense of community (PSOC), values of self‐transcendence and openness‐to‐change, and demographic variables, with attitudes towards two different groups in Australia. Method: A convenience sample of adults living in Australia (N = 396) was randomly assigned to complete one of two online surveys; reporting on their attitudes towards Australia's First Nations People (N = 198), or towards people seeking asylum (N = 198). The study assessed the extent to which a PSOC (in reference to local, national, and global communities), self‐transcendence, and openness‐to‐change, predicted attitudes towards the two groups. Results: Self‐transcendence and psychological sense of global community consistently predicted attitudes towards both groups, with psychological sense of global community partially mediating the relationship between self‐transcendence and attitudes. Bivariately, those holding a stronger local psychological sense of community reported more positive attitudes towards people seeking asylum, whereas those holding a stronger psychological sense of national community reported more positive attitudes towards Australia's First Nations People. However, in multivariable regression models with self‐transcendence and demographic characteristics, only a higher psychological sense of national community significantly predicted more negative attitudes towards people seeking asylum. Conclusions: This research suggests that where people have a strong sense they are part of a global community they hold more positive attitudes towards people from various cultures both near and far. The research has implications for social cohesion and social policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the industrialisation of nanoparticle manufacture, the pervasive incursion of nanoparticles into the environment, the need to characterise nano-scale pharmaceuticals and living systems in replicated in vivo conditions, the continuing development of new theories to describe the electro-kinetic behaviour of nano-particles in representative ionic strengths and numerous other applications, there is an urgent requirement to provide simple and effective experimental tools to validate these models and explore new systems. Micro-electrophoresis implemented with a diffusion barrier, which isolates the dispersed phase from the electrode surface, is demonstrated as enabling such measurements for the first time, preventing the catastrophic outgassing, precipitation and sample degradation observed when the dispersed phase is in close proximity to the electrode surface. Using a measurement of a few minute's duration in a standard laboratory light scattering instrument we reproduce the theoretically predicted phenomena of asymptotic, non-zero electrophoretic mobility with increasing ionic strength, the cationic Hofmeister series dependency, charge inversion and a continuously decreasing variation in mobility with pH as molarity increases. Standard operating procedures are developed and included to encourage further work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gene encoding the cyanobacterial ferritin SynFtn is up-regulated in response to copper stress. Here, we show that, while SynFtn does not interact directly with copper, it is highly unusual in severalways. First, its catalytic diiron ferroxidase center is unlike those of all other characterized prokaryotic ferritins and instead resembles an animal H-chain ferritin center. Second, as demonstrated by kinetic, spectroscopic, and high-resolution X-ray crystallographic data, reaction of O2 with the di-Fe2+ center results in a direct, one-electron oxidation to a mixed-valent Fe2+/Fe3+ form. Iron-O2 chemistry of this type is currently unknown among the growing family of proteins that bind a diiron site within a four α-helical bundle in general and ferritins in particular. The mixed-valent form, which slowly oxidized to the more usual di-Fe3+ form, is an intermediate that is continually generated during mineralization. Peroxide, rather than superoxide, is shown to be the product of O2 reduction, implying that ferroxidase centers function in pairs via long-range electron transfer through the protein resulting in reduction of O2 bound at only one of the centers. We show that electron transfer is mediated by the transient formation of a radical on Tyr40, which lies ~4 Å from the diiron center. As well as demonstrating an expansion of the iron-O2 chemistry known to occur in nature, these data are also highly relevant to the question of whether all ferritins mineralize iron via a common mechanism, providing unequivocal proof that they do not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To evaluate graft size on outcome following Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) Methods Consecutive patients who had undergone a DSAEK for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED) and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) with at least 1 year of follow-up. Patients were divided into three groups according to the size of the donor trephine: <9, 9 and 9.5 mm. Main outcomes were postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and graft failure. Grafts were prepared using an automated microkeratome. For larger grafts (⩾9 mm), a manual dissection of the residual peripheral ring of anterior lamella was performed before trephination. Donor age, endothelial cell density (ECD) and postmortem times; recipient details including risk factors, comorbidity, surgical complications and postoperative BCVA and graft survival were analysed. Results Of 174 patients, 131 were included: 84 (64%) with FED and 47 (36%) with PBK. Mean preoperative and postoperative BCVA were 1.01±0.76 and 0.2±0.2 logMAR, respectively, at 12 months with 80.5% achieving 20/40 or better. Postoperative BCVA was significantly associated with ECD (p=0.005), PBK or FED (p=0.004), risk factors ( p=0.007) and comorbidity (p=0.016). Eleven patients (8.40%) experienced endothelial graft failure; 17.86% for <9 mm, 7.69% for 9 mm and 3.84% for 9.5 mm trephine sized grafts. Graft failure was significantly associated with ECD (p=0.039) and graft trephine size ( p=0.04). Conclusions Larger grafts occupy a smaller chord length in the eye than the trephine size and are expected to provide 10%-20% more endothelial cells. Increased graft size and donor ECD is significantly associated with a reduced graft failure rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partial hospital programs (PHPs) provide ambulatory treatment for mental health and substance-related problems when symptoms are too severe to be managed on an outpatient basis, but do not reach the threshold for inpatient admission. Groups are the primary treatment modality. This article explores the application of externalizing conversations, a core narrative intervention, to PHP group work. After a description of the setting, an overview is provided on the practice of externalizing, its place in narrative therapy, and its use in groups. With this background, two single-session group externalizing interventions are discussed using case material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Many hormone and ultrasound measurements have been assessed as possible markers of ovarian reserve and to identify potential poor responders to ovulation induction. The objective of this study is to determine whether multiple biomarkers measured in blood samples collected immediately before commencement of ovulation induction for IVF can predict the outcome of ovarian stimulation. METHODS We conducted a prospective observational study, including 356 unselected women undergoing ovulation induction/IVF at two centers. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B and FSH were measured before commencement of ovulation induction. The main outcome measures were the number of oocytes retrieved and pregnancy outcome. RESULTS Univariate analyses showed that age, FSH, inhibin B and AMH were significant predictors for poor oocyte yield. AMH presented the highest receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROCAUC) of 0.827 indicating a good discriminating potential for predicting poor ovarian response, followed by FSH with an ROCAUC of 0.721. In the multivariate analysis, the variables age, FSH and AMH remained significant and the resulting model provided a high ROCAUC of 0.819. Women with an ovarian reserve test of <0.3 have more than a 75% chance of having their treatment cycle canceled, but a value over 0.73 indicates a 38% chance of pregnancy. Number of oocytes and oocyte yield per unit FSH administered were correlated with log model for no pregnancy (r = −0.217, P < 0.001 and r = −0.367, P < 0.001, respectively) but had limited predictive value. CONCLUSIONS A derived estimate of ovarian reserve demonstrated superior ability for predicting oocyte yield after ovulation induction when compared with any single endocrine marker (AMH, inhibin B, FSH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Those who differ from the dominant heterosexual ideal of exclusively other-sex attraction and intimacy encounter unique challenges, such as the coming out process, during which individuals with alternative sexual orientations must explore, define, and disclose their orientations in a way straight individuals need not. This article focuses on how clinicians can aid clients throughout the coming out process in a way that affirms the full range of sexual orientations. Following an overview of alternative sexual orientations and models of the coming out process, a case example is used to illustrate how clinicians can help clients address three challenges of coming out: overcoming internalized biases; clarifying their sexual orientation and identity; and making decisions about disclosure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use prevention programs empowering individual adolescents to resist substance use through education and skills training are crucial to reducing substance use within this population. However, existing programs of this type are designed primarily for classroom use, and may not meet the needs of social workers intervening with adolescents outside classroom settings. A literature review identified six programs that have demonstrated statistically significant reductions in substance use when implemented outside the classroom. The current study describes these programs, identifies their common characteristics, and draws on additional prevention research to outline recommendations for practitioners seeking to apply the field’s most current knowledge base in community settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on a training program for group home supervisors that was designed to utilize positive youth development principles in work with youth transitioning from care to independent living. Over a period of 5 months, eight one-day training sessions took place across one state in the U.S. (Massachusetts) with a total of 186 group care staff in attendance. The evaluation consisted of three components: observation of participant feedback during training, training day post-test, and follow-up with participants 2–3 months after training. Implications of the data, particularly barriers to implementation of training programs, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study describes how an industrial design company developed a sustain ability management system (SMS) standard, designed and implemented an SMS throughout its business, and then became the first company in the world to achieve third-party SMS certification by a third-party certification organisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]