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Background: Between 2018 and 2025, a national implementation programme is funding more than 500 new mental health support teams (MHSTs) in England, to work in education settings to deliver evidence-based interventions to children with mild to moderate mental health problems and support emotional wellbeing for all pupils. A new role, education mental health practitioner (EMHP), has been created for the programme. Aims: A national evaluation explored the development, implementation and early progress of 58 MHSTs in the programme's first 25 'Trailblazer' sites. This paper reports the views and experiences of people involved in MHST design, implementation and service delivery at a local, regional and national level. Methods: Data are reported from in-depth interviews with staff in five Trailblazer sites (n = 71), and the programme's regional (n = 52) and national leads (n = 21). Results: Interviewees universally welcomed the creation of MHSTs, but there was a lack of clarity about their purpose, concerns that the standardised CBT interventions being offered were not working well for some children, and challenges retaining EMHPs. Conclusions: This study raises questions about MHSTs' service scope, what role they should play in addressing remaining gaps in mental health provision, and how EMHPs can develop the skills to work effectively with diverse groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackgroundAimMethodResultsConclusionsBlack men are one of the most disadvantaged groups when accessing mental health services in the UK. There is extensive guidance from qualitative research on how to bring equity, but it is unclear how this evidence is being implemented.To systematically review interventions that help Black men access timely and appropriate mental health care and to explore their nature and effectiveness.We registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022345323). We searched electronic databases up to September 2023 for studies with at least 50% of Black male participants receiving an intervention to improve access to mental health support in community settings. We conducted a narrative synthesis of eligible studies.Five studies met our inclusion criteria. An important characteristic was discussing thoughts and feelings through peer support, leading to a normalization of experiences.There is a paucity of research into interventions that support Black men accessing community mental health support. Proactively testing interventions, not just seeking qualitative feedback, is required. Evidence-based strategies to support recruitment of Black men into research is necessary. Commissioners could consider evidence typically seen as less robust to mitigate against an underlying racial bias within research and stimulate the growth of an evidence base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we draw from our collaboration across a diverse cadre of colleagues who have focused on different aspects of teaching, higher education, and carcerality. In particular, our research team, known as STEM-OPS (STEM Opportunities in Prison Settings), studied higher education in prison with a specific focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and incarceration. We present interrelated findings from interviews across four people who are formerly incarcerated. Most Higher Education in Prison (HEP) programs are taught by university professors who are experts in content areas (such as science, chemistry, and math) and not pedagogy. As such, we believe teacher educators have an opportunity and an obligation to build professional learning opportunities related to pedagogy to support these instructors' practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigated the effects of a behavior skills training on listening behaviors of adults in romantic relationships. Participants' partners selected desired criteria ranges for six potential behaviors to target through pretest surveys, video questionnaires, and verbal report. The researcher then selected three behaviors to target (e.g., minimal encouragers, supportive statements, and paraphrasing) and used a behavior skills training to train those behaviors to the desired amount. The results showed that the training was effective for four participant couples in increasing effective listening behaviors in their relationships. Participants' performances generally maintained at criterion during confederate probes and partner probes after the skills training with the researcher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The symptom of cognitive fatigue is reported as one of the longest lasting and most debilitating symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Virtual reality may be one of the most suitable technologies for neurorehabilitation, able to integrate evidence-based neuroscientific principles into motivating rehabilitation simulations. The purpose of this study was to seek perspectives of individuals with lived experience of TBI and experienced rehabilitation clinicians in the co-design of a novel technology-based tool for cognitive fatigue after TBI. Co-design focus groups with a sample of clinicians and individuals with lived experience of TBI were used to identify the design parameters. A prototype was developed using inter-disciplinary design iterations. Focus groups were repeated with participants testing the prototype. Qualitative data were analysed using a general inductive approach. Feasibility of VR in this population was well tolerated. The focus groups guided development of domains including environment, tasks, level progression, outcome measures and considerations about clinical implementation of VR. By merging advancements in VR science with a translational approach, a co-designed virtual reality tool to increase awareness and self-management of cognitive fatigue has been developed, suitable for use in persons with TBI. Immersive virtual reality tools show promise for addressing awareness of cognitive fatigue after traumatic brain injury in rehabilitation settings. Early engagement with consumers is recommended to produce a usable rehabilitation product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Football League (NFL) altered the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in canceled preseason games and a dynamic regular season schedule to accommodate for canceled games. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the disrupted training and preseason schedule lead to increased injury rates as seen in other professional sports. We hypothesized that the overall injury rate would be higher in the 2020 season compared to the 2018–2019 seasons and that this increase will affect all body regions equally. Publicly released NFL weekly injury reports were queried to identify players listed as out or placed on the injured reserve for at least one game in the 2018–2020 seasons. Injuries were categorized into upper extremity, lower extremity, spine/core, head, illness, not injury related and undisclosed injuries. Incidents per 1000 athlete exposures were calculated for the prior two seasons (2018–2019) and for the 2020 season separately. Percentage of injuries occurring in each position was calculated separately for the pre-COVID-19 (2018 and 2019) and post-COVID-19 (2020) cohorts. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and confidence intervals were used to compare injury rates in 2018–2019 versus 2020. The z-test for proportions was used to determine significant differences between injury incidences. The overall incidence rate per 1000 athlete exposures in 2020 was not significantly different compared to pre-COVID-19 seasons (21.6 versus 23.1, IRR 0.94, 95% CI: 0.9–1.0 p > 0.999). The proportion of injuries by position did not change before and after COVID-19 either (p > 0.999). Out listings due to illness were significantly increased during the 2020 season (0.8 versus 0.3, IRR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.4–5.2, p = 0.004). The incidence of NFL injuries did not significantly change in 2020. The distribution of injuries did not change with respect to position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that students need authenticity by welcoming their stories, even causing tension and discomfort with complex topics, encouraging discussion, and questioning. Our study explores undergraduates' open-ended reflections on using young adult literature to challenge dominant, deficit perspectives about themselves and others, which is not yet the norm but more common in high school settings. We explored how students questioned their implicit biases and assumptions toward a more critically aware identity through a holistic qualitative case study. Our analysis of students' open-ended reflections produced three major themes: (a) Importance of Diverse Books and Analysis; (b) Books as an Impetus for a Change in Thinking and Awareness of Self; and (c) Lingering Tensions and Ongoing Resistance. Although many students expressed a change in thinking, there were still instances that reflected resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jealousy is the emotional response to a real or imagined threat to an important relationship, and is a common source of distress within romantic and other close interpersonal relationships. In contrast, compersion is the experience of joy in response to a partner experiencing emotional or sexual attraction toward and interactions with another person. In this paper the authors present a contingency analysis of jealous responding and identify ways in which contingencies may be altered to produce a reduction in jealous responding in situations in which this is a targeted goal. Contingencies involved in compersive responding are also propounded, with suggestions as to how compersive responding may be fostered within relationships in which compersion is a goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science fiction has its origins alongside literary modernism but developed its characteristic generic style in a different direction for most of its history. More recently, science fiction has increasingly converged stylistically with mainstream literary writing, adopting some of its patterns particularly around the articulation of consciousness and perspective. However, the genre-basis of science fiction means that it is likely that readers will generate different effects even from similar stylistic patterns, in encounters with science fiction compared with non-sf. This article explores these functions of stylistic variation in some contemporary science fiction works. It argues that stylistic experimentalism in science fiction is in principle iconic of the world being constructed, rather than being an arbitrary compositional matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organisms exposed to endocrine disruptors in early life can show altered phenotype later in adulthood. Although the mechanisms underlying these long-term effects remain poorly understood, an increasing body of evidence points towards the potential role of epigenetic processes. In the present study, we exposed hatchlings of an isogenic lineage of the self-fertilizing fish mangrove rivulus for 28 days to 4 and 120 ng/L of 17-α-ethinylestradiol. After a recovery period of 140 days, reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS) was performed on the liver in order to assess the hepatic genome-wide methylation landscape. Across all treatment comparisons, a total of 146 differentially methylated fragments (DMFs) were reported, mostly for the group exposed to 4 ng/L, suggesting a non-monotonic effect of EE2 exposure. Gene ontology analysis revealed networks involved in lipid metabolism, cellular processes, connective tissue function, molecular transport and inflammation. The highest effect was reported for nipped-B-like protein B (NIPBL) promoter region after exposure to 4 ng/L EE2 (+ 21.9%), suggesting that NIPBL could be an important regulator for long-term effects of EE2. Our results also suggest a significant role of DNA methylation in intergenic regions and potentially in transposable elements. These results support the ability of early exposure to endocrine disruptors of inducing epigenetic alterations during adulthood, providing plausible mechanistic explanations for long-term phenotypic alteration. Additionally, this work demonstrates the usefulness of isogenic lineages of the self-fertilizing mangrove rivulus to better understand the biological significance of long-term alterations of DNA methylation by diminishing the confounding factor of genetic variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with "Forms of Education: Rethinking Educational Experience Against and Outside the Humanist Legacy" author Emile Bojesen is presented. She talks about her criticism of the humanist legacy in education and its relationship to the title of her book. She discusses the concepts of humanist forms of education. She explains the moral aspects of humanist education.

This study aims to understand the perceptions and attitudes of Japanese young people toward multiculturalism and immigrants in Japan. Different variables such as the perceived threat from the influx of immigrants and the degree of national identity and pride were measured and analyzed. How these variables affect perceptions of and attitudes toward multiculturalism and immigrants were also explored. The study was conducted in three universities in Tokyo and the main sample comprised 332 Japanese students who had no migration background. According to the results, Japanese students showed very divergent attitudes toward cultural diversity, equality, and equal opportunity in multiculturalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managed alcohol programs (MAPs) have been implemented in Canada to reduce harms of severe alcohol use disorder and homelessness. Programs traditionally provide participants with regulated doses of alcohol as part of residential housing or shelter services. This study describes the experience of members of a non-residential, peer-initiated and peer-run MAP in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 14 members of the Community Managed Alcohol Program (CMAP) using questionnaires from the larger Canadian Managed Alcohol Program Study. Participants were recruited through word of mouth; interviews were audio-taped and transcribed. Data were coded inductively and analyzed using the constant comparative method. The CMAP was a community response to ongoing harms and increasing deaths related to the consumption of non-beverage alcohol (NBA). Participants reported that daily doses of self-managed alcohol and other supports provided by the program enabled them to change harmful drinking patterns, reduce NBA consumption, engage in program activities and feel a greater sense of well-being. Implementation of a non-residential, peer-initiated and peer-run MAP had an overall positive impact on participants' lives. Reported benefits included shifting away from NBA use, self-managing levels of alcohol consumption and developing stronger community engagement. Further investigation of this model of MAP is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with U.S. labor activist Norman Stockwell is presented. He discusses the origins of his political opinions and his involvement in some media democracy projects in the 1990s. He also talks about the influence the civil rights and the antiwar movement have had on his activism, as well as his involvement in solidarity work with Central America.

An essential component of a three-dimensional air quality model is its gas-phase mechanism. We present an overview of the necessary atmospheric chemistry and a discussion of the types of mechanisms with some specific examples such as the Master Chemical Mechanism, the Carbon Bond, SAPRC and the Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanism (RACM). The first versions of the Carbon Bond and SAPRC mechanisms were developed through a hierarchy of chemical species approach that relied heavily on chemical environmental chamber data. Now a new approach has been proposed where the first step is to develop a highly detailed explicit mechanism such as the Master Chemical Mechanism and the second step is to test the detailed explicit mechanism against laboratory and field data. Finally, the detailed mechanism is condensed for use in a three-dimensional air quality model. Here it is argued that the development of highly detailed explicit mechanisms is very valuable for research, but we suggest that combining the hierarchy of chemical species and the detailed explicit mechanism approaches would be better than either alone. Implication: Many gas-phase mechanisms are available for urban, regional and global air quality modeling. A "hierarchy of chemical species approach," relying heavily on smog-chamber data was used for the development of the early series of mechanisms. Now the development of large, explicit master mechanisms that may be condensed is a significant, trend. However, a continuing problem with air quality mechanism development is due to the high complexity of atmospheric chemistry and the current availability of laboratory measurements. This problem requires a balance between completeness and speculation so that models maintain their utility for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, sale of recreational marijuana products has been permitted in several states and countries resulting in rapid growth of the commercial cannabis cultivation and processing industry. As previous research has shown, biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted from plants can react with other urban air constituents (e.g., NOx, HO radical) and thus negatively affect regional air quality. In this pilot study, BVOC emissions from Cannabis plants were analyzed at four grow facilities. The concentrations of measured BVOCs inside the facilities were between 110 and 5,500 μg m−3. One adult Cannabis plant emits hundreds of micrograms of BVOCs per day and thus can trigger the formation of tropospheric ozone (approximately 2.6 g day−1 plant−1) and other toxic air pollutants. In addition, high concentrations of butane (1,080– 43,000 μg m−3), another reactive VOC, were observed at the facilities equipped with Cannabis oil extraction stations. Implications: High concentrations of VOCs emitted from Cannabis grow facilities can lead to the formation of ozone, secondary VOCs (e.g., formaldehyde and acrolein), and particulate matter. Our results highlight that further assessment of VOC emissions from Cannabis facilities is needed, and this assessment is one of the key factors for developing policies for optimal air pollution control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How human resource management professionals view organizational change and their roles in it matters because those perceptions serve as a foundation for how they define their roles and as a boundary for what they might see as possible. Despite the importance of understanding these perspectives, few studies have explored human resources professionals' views of organizational change and their roles in it. Data from 547 human resources professionals across a wide range of industries and organizational levels reveal the perception of top-leader involvement in 80 percent of successful changes. The data also suggest that human resources professionals hold numerous roles in change efforts, including those of 'change agent' and 'consultant.' Additionally, the data revealed that most human resource management professionals tended to view successful organizational change as primarily occurring in a top-down, hierarchical manner. A minority – yet potentially consequential – portion of the respondents viewed their role in organizational change as limited or not very important. We discuss these findings in light of relevant theoretical frameworks of organizational change, offering practical and scholarly implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, ischaemic heart disease is a major contributor to premature morbidity and mortality. A significant number of young Myocardial Infarction (MI) patients (aged <55 y) have subsequent cardiac events within a year of their index event. This study used Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) methylation to understand the pathogenesis in this subset of young MI patients, comparing them to a cohort of patients without recurrent events. Cases and controls were matched for age, gender, ethnicity, and comorbidities. Differential methylation analyses were performed on Reduced Representation Bisulphite Sequencing (RRBS) data. Across the group and within case–control pairs' variation were analysed. Pairwise comparisons across each matched case–control pair resulted in a list of genes that were consistently significantly differentially methylated between all 16 matched pairs. This gene list was input into pathway analysis databases. Of particular relevance to cardiac pathology the following pathways were identified as over-represented in the patients with recurrent events; cell adhesion, transcription regulation and cardiac electrical conduction, specifically relating to calcium channel activity. This study looked at methylation differences between two populations of young MI patients. There were significantly different methylation profiles between the two groups studied; key pathways were identified as specifically affected in the patients with recurrent cardiac events. Matched pairwise comparisons and detailed interpretations of DNA methylation data may help to elucidate complex pathogeneses within and between clinical subtypes. Further analysis will determine whether these epigenomic differences can be useful as predictive biomarkers of clinical progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ozone abatement strategy for the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) has been proposed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and the California Air Resources Board (ARB). The proposed emissions reduction strategy is focused on the reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by the year 2030. Two high PM2.5 concentration episodes with high ammonium nitrate compositions occurring during September and November 2008 were simulated with the Community Multi-scale Air Quality model (CMAQ). All simulations were made with same meteorological files provided by the SCAQMD to allow them to be more directly compared with their previous modeling studies. Although there was an overall under-prediction bias, the CMAQ simulations were within an overall normalized mean error of 50%; a range that is considered acceptable performance for PM modeling. A range of simulations of these episodes were made to evaluate sensitivity to NOx and ammonia emissions inputs for the future year 2030. It was found that the current ozone control strategy will reduce daily average PM2.5 concentrations. However, the targeted NOx reductions for ozone were not found to be optimal for reducing PM2.5 concentrations. Ammonia emission reductions reduced PM2.5 and this might be considered as part of a PM2.5 control strategy. Implications: The SCAQMD and the ARB have proposed an ozone abatement strategy for the SoCAB that focuses on NOx emission reductions. Their strategy will affect both ozone and PM2.5. Two episodes that occurred during September and November 2008 with high PM2.5 concentrations and high ammonium nitrate composition were selected for simulation with different levels of nitrogen oxide and ammonia emissions for the future year 2030. It was found that the ozone control strategy will reduce maximum daily average PM2.5 concentrations but its effect on PM2.5 concentrations is not optimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses political liberalism at the end of empire in British Africa through analysis of British ideas about institution building below the level of parliamentary democracies. It suggests that while processes of institution-building have largely been discussed through the prism of development, they also constitute fruitful sites for the exploration of British ideas about the nature of politically-liberal systems. I argue that new articulations of an imperial liberalism during decolonisation had an energising effect on some Britons within domestic institutions whose expertise was called upon to assist with the development of successor institutions in emergent states. As they engaged in a process of institution-building, these individuals acted in ways that were not only determined by Western liberalism, but also by distinctive British ideas of the appropriate relationship of institutions to the state. I suggest, however, that while their approach to institution building in emergent states reflected deep rooted convictions about the kind of institutions that were essential to the operation of politically liberal systems, these ideals were in tension with more self-interested concerns which could in practice compromise efforts to replicate British institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Human health is complex and multifaceted; there is a need for biomarkers that reflect the multidimensional nature of health. Objective: To identify potential epigenomic biomarkers of health in women aged 18-40 participating in a six-month lifestyle intervention, next level health. Materials and methods: Methylation data were obtained by reduced representation bisulphite sequencing of 21 female intervention participants as well as three non-participants. The Differential Methylation Analysis Package (DMAP) was used to investigate inter- and intra-individual variability and to identify potential targets of transient epigenetic control in the population studied. Results: Eleven genes were identified as significantly differentially methylated post- intervention in all 21 participants. 1884 genomic locations were found to be differentially methylated amongst the total female population studied representing potential epigenomic biomarkers. Conclusions: The ability to demonstrate epigenetic changes arising from a lifestyle intervention can provide key information on the relationship between gene regulation, human behaviour and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:In 2016, BC Canada declared a public health emergency in response to increasing illicit drug overdose deaths. Previous research has shown that adverse social conditions including unstable housing and insufficient harm reduction services can exacerbate public injection and overdoses. Methods:Cross-sectional interview data from Victoria (2008–2015) and Vancouver (2008–2012), BC (n = 548) were analysed using multivariate logistic regression models to assess differences in risks and harms for people 19+ who inject drugs in street-based settings. Results:Living in Victoria (OR: 5.55, 95%CI: 3.44–8.95;p < 0.001), having unstable housing (OR: 4.24, 95%CI: 2.75–6.54;p < 0.001), injecting daily (OR: 2.24, 95%CI: 1.40–3.58;p < 0.001), sharing needles (OR: 3.00, 95%CI: 1.22–7.38;p < 0.05), and sexual minority status (OR: 2.14, 95%CI: 1.06–4.34;p < 0.05) were significantly associated with increased risk of public injection. Being older (OR: 0.96, 95%CI: 0.94–0.99;p < 0.01), identifying as Indigenous (OR: 0.58, 95%CI: 0.34–0.98;p < 0.05) and later survey year (OR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.74–0.93;p < 0.001) were associated with a decreased risk of public injection. Living in Victoria (OR: 2.21, 95%CI: 1.30–3.75;p < 0.01) was significantly associated with higher risk of overdose and being older (OR: 0.96, 95%CI: 0.94–0.99;p < 0.01) was associated with decreased risk. Conclusions:Mitigating risk environments for public injection and overdose requires attention to micro- and macro-level factors. Overall findings indicate that implementation of a supervised injection facility in Victoria would likely reduce public injection and overdoses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study adapted web-based exploratory tasks using WebQuests as a means of enabling students to understand and reflect on both the target and their own culture. Learners actively used various authentic resources selected to meet their linguistic and cognitive needs to complete the tasks. The aim of this study was to help Japanese university students in a homogeneous cultural environment enrolled in an intercultural communication class to understand various cultural contexts through a systematic inquiry-based approach using WebQuests, with the goal of eventually improving their intercultural competence. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-surveys and an adapted version of the Generalised Ethnocentrism-scale questionnaires, whereas qualitative data included analyses of students’ reflection in weekly online forums and a final essay. The results of the study showed students’ reduction in ethnocentricity and suggested students had acquired a deeper understanding of both their own culture and other cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on an attempt to engage undergraduate students in extra-curricular writing activities in order to induct them into the tacit knowledge and understanding of a writing community. Using Etienne Wenger's notion of communities of practice as a model for considering learning it argues that in order to welcome students into a community they need to be empowered so that they construct their identity as members of that subject group. A study of the literature surrounding communities of practice, and Participatory Action Research (PAR) led to the adoption of PAR as a mode of consultation with students and as an instrument for change. Students’ views on their experience of the extra-curricular activity are presented and the subsequent progress made in revising the provision is reported, along with the extension of the consultation to include the student view on their curriculum and an attempt to accommodate some of those views in revised delivery. The paper concludes with the proposal that the use of PAR may be a useful tool in promoting autonomy amongst undergraduate students and that Creative Writing tutors may be uniquely well placed to exploit it. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The association of research and teaching, and the roles and responsibilities of students and academic staff and the nature of their interrelationship are important issues in higher education. This article presents six undergraduate student researchers’ reports of their learning from collaborating with academic staff to design, undertake and evaluate enquiries into aspects of learning and teaching at a UK University. The students’ reflections suggest that they identified learning in relation to employability skills and graduate attributes and more importantly in relation to their perceptions of themselves as learners and their role in their own learning and that of others. This article draws attention to the potential of staff–student collaborative, collective settings for developing pedagogic practice and the opportunities they can provide for individual student's learning on their journey through higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Before widespread antiretroviral therapy (ART), an estimated 17% of people delayed HIV care. We report national estimates of the prevalence and factors associated with delayed care entry in the contemporary ART era. We used Medical Monitoring Project data collected from June 2009 through May 2011 for 1425 persons diagnosed with HIV from May 2004 to April 2009 who initiated care within 12 months. We defined delayed care as entry >three months from diagnosis. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were calculated to identify risk factors associated with delayed care. In this nationally representative sample of HIV-infected adults receiving medical care, 7.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.3–8.8) delayed care after diagnosis. Black race was associated with a lower likelihood of delay than white race (aPR 0.38). Men who have sex with women versus women who have sex with men (aPR 1.86) and persons required to take an HIV test versus recommended by a provider (aPR 2.52) were more likely to delay. Among those who delayed 48% reported a personal factor as the primary reason. Among persons initially diagnosed with HIV (non-AIDS), those who delayed care were twice as likely (aPR 2.08) to develop AIDS as of May 2011. Compared to the pre-ART era, there was a nearly 60% reduction in delayed care entry. Although relatively few HIV patients delayed care entry, certain groups may have an increased risk. Focus on linkage to care among persons who are required to take an HIV test may further reduce delayed care entry. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examined the effects of varying future reductions in emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) on the location and magnitude of peak ozone levels within California’s South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB or Basin). As ozone formation is currently VOC-limited in the Basin, model simulations with 2030 baseline emissions (−61% for NOxand −32% for VOC from 2008) predict 10–20% higher peak ozone levels (i.e., NOxdisbenefit) in the western and central SoCAB compared with the 2008 base simulation. With additional NOxreductions of 50% beyond the 2030 baseline emissions (−81% from 2008), the predicted ozone levels are reduced by about 15% in the eastern SoCAB but remain comparable to 2008 levels in the western and central Basin. The Basin maximum ozone site shifts westward to more populated areas of the Basin and will result potentially in greater population-weighted exposure to ozone with even a relatively small shortfall in the required NOxreductions unless accompanied by additional VOC reductions beyond 2030 baseline levels. Once committed to a NOx-focused control strategy, NOxreductions exceeding 90% from 2008 levels will be necessary to attain the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The findings from this study and other recent work that the current VOC emission estimates are underestimated by about 50% suggest that greater future VOC reductions will be necessary to reach the projected 2030 baseline emissions. Increasing the base year VOC emissions by a factor of 1.5 result in higher 2008 baseline ozone predictions, lower relative response factors, and about 20% lower projected design values. If correct, these findings have important implications for the total and optimum mix of VOC and NOxemission reductions that will be required to attain the ozone NAAQS in the SoCAB. Implications: Results of this study indicate that ozone levels in the western and central SoCAB would remain the same or increase with even a relatively small shortfall in the projected NOxreductions under planned NOx-focused controls. This possibility, therefore, warrants a rigorous analysis of the costs and effects of varying reductions of VOC and NOxon the formation and combined health impacts of ozone and secondary particles. Given the nonlinearity of ozone formation, such analyses should include the implications of gradually increasing global background ozone concentrations and the Basin’s topography and meteorology on the practical limits of alternative emission control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Barriers exist for drinkers who wish to comply with low-risk guidelines when these are expressed in terms of numbers of 'standard drinks' of alcohol. The increasing variability of container sizes and alcoholic strengths mean that percent alcohol by volume (%ABV) labels alone may be insufficient. Aims: To investigate whether standard drink (SD) labels would improve drinkers' accuracy when estimating personal alcohol consumption. Setting: Private liquor stores near the University of Victoria, BC. Design: A 2 × 3 × 3 experimental design was employed with two labels (%ABV and SD), three beverages (beer, wine, and spirits) and three beverage strengths in balanced order. Subjects estimated the number of standard drinks that would be consumed in scenarios involving containers of their preferred beverages presented with different labels. Participants: A convenience sample of 301 liquor store patrons, aged 19 years and over. Measurements: Participants' accuracy was determined by the relative and absolute percent errors in their estimations in comparison with correct answers. Results: Estimates were significantly more accurate with SD than %ABV labels in almost all the scenarios. Significantly more underestimation errors were made with %ABV labels. Mixed model regression analysis indicated younger respondents, beer drinkers and those with higher education made significantly fewer errors. Most (82.7%) supported SD labelling and believed SD labels would help them to comply with low-risk drinking guidelines (68.3%). Conclusions: The addition of clear SD labels helps consumers to make more accurate estimates of the SD content of their usual beverages than %ABV labels alone and would be more likely to help them comply with drinking guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of energy-efficient building envelopes has been an ongoing effort in many countries owing to the pressing need to achieve energy independence. In this study numerical optimization techniques and finite element analysis provide the means to find a compromise point between adding phase-change materials (PCMs) to a concrete wall, the energy savings and the wall's structural capacity. The primary objective is to minimize the overall lifetime cost of a wall by understanding the implications of PCM layer thickness, material properties and position in the wall on the overall energy consumption. While it is difficult to manually configure a typical wall for the lowest total cost, the developed computational framework provides an automated tool for searching for the best design. The results show that successful designs can be obtained where material and energy costs can be minimized through a judicious combination of existing building materials with thermal energy storage materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Mohave tui chub (Siphateles bicolor mohavensis) is an endangered cyprinid fish endemic to the Mojave Desert region of southeastern California, USA. Here, we describe the complete 16,607 base pair (bp) mitochondrial genome ofS. b. mohavensis. The mitogenome has a nucleotide base composition of A (29.08%), T (26.91%), G (17.58%), and C (26.43%), and encodes 13 protein subunits, 22 tRNAs, a 12S rRNA of 956 bp and 16S rRNA of 1691 bp, and a 929 bp D-loop control region, each located in the conserved mtDNA structure typical for cyprinid fishes. All protein-coding genes have initiation codons of ATG or GTG, and only theND1,CO1,ATPase8,NDL4,ND4, ND5, andND6genes have complete stop codons. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the relationship ofS. b. mohavensisto several genera of cyprinids (e.g.Gila,Acrocheilus) also endemic to western North America. This characterized mitogenome may help inform management practices forS. b. mohavensisby facilitating future studies on how allopatric populations of this imperiled species are evolving across refuge habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) Research Conference held in Antwerp, Belgium in 2014. Topics discussed include the conference theme of research challenges associated with computer assisted language learning, research topics including linguistics, design, and pedagogy, and the use of technology to create effective learning environments.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether, among clients receiving substance abuse treatment ( n = 616), those dependent on alcohol or cocaine differed significantly from those concurrently dependent on both drugs in terms of physical, mental, social, and economic harms as well as substance use behaviors. Methods: Clients from five substance abuse treatment agencies presenting with a primary problem of cocaine or alcohol were classified into three groups as dependent on: (1) alcohol alone, (2) cocaine alone, or (3) both cocaine and alcohol (i.e. concurrent dependence). Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that included details of their drug and alcohol use, physical health, mental health, social health, economic health, and demographic characteristics. Results: The concurrent group drank similar amounts of alcohol as those in the alcohol group and used similar amounts of cocaine as the cocaine group. The alcohol group had significantly ( p < .05) poorer health profiles than the concurrent group across most variables of the four health domains. An exception was significantly more accidental injuries ( p < .05) in the alcohol group. In both bivariate and multivariate analyses, the concurrent group had significantly ( p < .05) more accidental injuries, violence, and overdoses than the cocaine group. As well, the concurrent group had significantly ( p < .05) higher scores on the anxiety and sexual compulsion scales than the cocaine group, controlling for demographic variables. Conclusion: These findings can aid health care professionals to better respond to issues related to concurrent dependence of cocaine and alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ice nucleating particles (INP) initiate heterogeneous ice nucleation in mixed-phase clouds, influencing cloud phase and onset temperatures for ice formation. Determination of particle types contributing to atmospheric INP populations requires isolation of the relatively rare INP from a total particle sample, typically followed by time-consuming single-particle characterization. We propose a method to estimate the contributions of light-absorbing, primarily refractory black carbon (rBC), particles to INP populations by selectively removing them prior to determination of INP concentrations. Absorbing particles are heated to their vaporization temperature using laser induced incandescence in a single particle soot photometer (SP2) and the change in INP number concentrations, compared to unheated samples, is assessed downstream in the CSU Continuous Flow Diffusion Chamber (CFDC). We tested this approach in the laboratory using strongly-absorbing and nonabsorbing aerosol types to confirm effective removal of rBC INP and to explore the impact of the processing on non-light-absorbing INP. An INP-active rBC particle type was efficiently removed, while nonabsorbing kaolinite and a soil-based INP were not affected by laser exposure. Results for the products of wiregrass combustion indicated that absorbing particles, primarily rBC, accounted for about 40% of all INP, consistent with electron microscopy of INP emitted during prescribed burns of this fuel type. However, kaolinite internally mixed with rBC exhibited reduced activity after passing through the SP2, suggesting that the validity of the method for realistic internal mixtures needs additional research. The sensitivity of the CFDC presently limits applicability of the method to relatively high INP number concentration samples. Copyright 2014 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine nonfatal overdose events experienced among a sample of recreational drug users. We sought to determine predictors of nonfatal overdose from alcohol and/or drugs among a sample of recreational drug users. In addition, we examined the substance(s) used at the last overdose event. Methods: Participants were 637 recreational illicit drug users (had used illicit drugs other than marijuana, in a club or party setting), aged 19 or older, from Victoria or Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Data were obtained in structured interviews conducted from 2008 to 2012 as part of the Canadian Recreation Drug Use Survey (CRDUS). Results: In the 12 months prior to interview, 19.3% ( n = 123) of the participants had experienced an overdose. In multivariate analysis, younger age, unstable housing, and usually consuming eight or more drinks containing alcohol, when drinking, significantly increased overdose risk. In addition, polysubstance use was reported by 67.5% ( n = 83) participants at their last overdose event. Conclusions: Intervention and prevention measures seeking to reduce overdoses among recreational drug users should not only address illicit drug use but also alcohol and polysubstance use. In addition, measures may target those who usually consume high amounts of alcohol when drinking are younger and who experience housing instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual fantasy is common among humans and often serves to facilitate sexual arousal. Although some fantasies may be directly related to a person's past experiences, others may be unrelated to direct history, and these are thus more difficult to explain. Relational frame theory is a comprehensive account of human language and cognition that may assist in understanding the processes involved in the emergence of sexual fantasy. This article presents a primer on relational frame theory, along with examples of how relations between stimuli may influence a person's private experience of sexual fantasy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess the concordance of self-reports of cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines usage, with a saliva point-of-collection drug test, the DrugWipe 5+, in an emergency department (ED) setting. Methods: A random sample of people admitted to either of two emergency departments at hospitals in British Columbia, Canada were asked to participate in an interview on their substance use and provide a saliva test for the detection of drugs. Analyses: Concordance of self-reports and drug tests were calculated. Prior to DrugWipe 5+, sensitivity and specificity estimates were compared against a gold standard of mass spectrometry and chromatography (MS/GC). This was used as a basis to assess the truthfulness of self-reports for each drug. Results: Of the 1584 patients approached, 1190 agreed to participate, which is a response rate of 75.1%. For cannabis, among those who acknowledged use, only 21.1% had a positive test and 2.1% of those who reported no use had a positive test. For cocaine and amphetamines respectively, 50.0% and 57.1% tested positive among those reporting use, while 2.1% and 1.3%, respectively, reported no use and tested positive. Self-reports of cannabis and amphetamines use appear more truthful than self-reports of cocaine use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]