The culture of care within psychiatric services: tackling inequalities and improving clinical and organisational capabilities.

INTRODUCTION: Cultural Consultation is a clinical process that emerged from anthropological critiques of mental healthcare. It includes attention to therapeutic communication, research observations and research methods that capture cultural practices and narratives in mental healthcare. This essay describes the work of a Cultural Consultation Service (ToCCS) that improves service user outcomes by offering cultural consultation to mental health practitioners. The setting is a psychiatric service with complex and challenging work located in an ethnically diverse inner city urban area. Following a period of 18 months of cultural consultation, we gather the dominant narratives that emerged during our evaluation of our service. RESULTS: These narratives highlight how culture is conceptualized and acted upon in the day-to-day practices of individual health and social care professionals, specialist psychiatric teams and in care systems. The findings reveal common narratives and themes about culture, ethnicity, race and their perceived place and meaningfulness in clinical care. These narratives express underlying assumptions and covert rules for managing, and sometimes negating, dilemmas and difficulties when considering "culture" in the presentation and expression of mental distress. The narratives reveal an overall "culture of understanding cultural issues" and specific "cultures of care". These emerged as necessary foci of intervention to improve service user outcomes. CONCLUSION: Understanding the cultures of care showed that clinical and managerial over-structuring of care prioritises organisational proficiency, but it leads to inflexibility. Consequently, the care provided is less personalised and less accommodating of cultural issues, therefore, professionals are unable to see or consider cultural influences in recovery

Laboratory Measurements of the Deep Venusian Atmosphere

NASA Glenn Research Center has designed and built a test chamber that can recreate the hot, dense atmospheric conditions of the deep Venusian atmosphere, where pressures range as high as 92 atmospheres and temperatures as high as 740 K. The majority of this thesis lies in experimentally measuring and quantifying the infrared absorption of CO2 at Venus-like conditions in this laboratory setting. In particular, we describe the challenges and solutions involved in achieving repeatable laboratory test conditions, as well as the iterative process of modifying/optimizing our experimental test setup, including proposed future improvements. We discuss our measured CO2 absorption spectra, qualitatively, in terms of theoretical models, and quantitatively, through comparisons with other available laboratory data. Specifically, we replicated two tests conducted by European Space Agency (ESA) researchers. The first of these tests looked at the effects of high pressure on the infrared absorption of CO2. For this test, a band integration method was used to compare our results to ESA\u27s, resulting in agreement to 1.08 . The second of these tests involved taking CO2 absorption measurements at conditions found 22 km above Venus\u27s surface, measuring the effects of both high pressure and high temperature on the infrared spectra. Band-integrated areas were also calculated for this test, however, since ESA did not publish their band-integrated results, our comparison was based on individual absorbance peaks. For this test, our measurements differed by approximately -12.0 compared with the literature. This difference was attributed to thermal inhomogeneity in our test setup at elevated temperatures, and modifications to improve thermal homogeneity were proposed. Finally, we describe the relevance of this work, especially with regards to the quantification of trace gasses against the strong CO2 background. Specifically, we present data showing how elevated temperatures and pressures modify the spectrum of CO2, and discuss th

Laboratory Measurements of the Deep Venusian Atmosphere

NASA Glenn Research Center has designed and built a test chamber that can recreate the hot, dense atmospheric conditions of the deep Venusian atmosphere, where pressures range as high as 92 atmospheres and temperatures as high as 740 K. The majority of this thesis lies in experimentally measuring and quantifying the infrared absorption of CO2 at Venus-like conditions in this laboratory setting. In particular, we describe the challenges and solutions involved in achieving repeatable laboratory test conditions, as well as the iterative process of modifying/optimizing our experimental test setup, including proposed future improvements. We discuss our measured CO2 absorption spectra, qualitatively, in terms of theoretical models, and quantitatively, through comparisons with other available laboratory data. Specifically, we replicated two tests conducted by European Space Agency (ESA) researchers. The first of these tests looked at the effects of high pressure on the infrared absorption of CO2. For this test, a band integration method was used to compare our results to ESA\u27s, resulting in agreement to 1.08 . The second of these tests involved taking CO2 absorption measurements at conditions found 22 km above Venus\u27s surface, measuring the effects of both high pressure and high temperature on the infrared spectra. Band-integrated areas were also calculated for this test, however, since ESA did not publish their band-integrated results, our comparison was based on individual absorbance peaks. For this test, our measurements differed by approximately -12.0 compared with the literature. This difference was attributed to thermal inhomogeneity in our test setup at elevated temperatures, and modifications to improve thermal homogeneity were proposed. Finally, we describe the relevance of this work, especially with regards to the quantification of trace gasses against the strong CO2 background. Specifically, we present data showing how elevated temperatures and pressures modify the spectrum of CO2, and discuss th

A commercial porcine circovirus(PCV)type 2a-based vaccine reduces PCV2d viremia and shedding and prevents PCV2d transmission to naïve pigs under experimental conditions.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccination has been effective in protecting pigs from clinical disease and today is used extensively. Recent studies in vaccinated populations indicate a major PCV2 genotype shift from the predominant PCV2 genotype 2b towards 2d. The aims of this study were to determine the ability of the commercial inactivated PCV2a vaccine Circovac® to protect pigs against experimental challenge with a 2013 PCV2d strain and prevent transmission. Thirty-eight pigs were randomly divided into four groups with 9–10 pigs per group: NEG (sham-vaccinated, sham-challenged), VAC (PCV2a-vaccinated, sham-challenged), VAC + CHAL (PCV2a-vaccinated and PCV2d-challenged), and CHAL (sham-vaccinated, PCV2d-challenged). Vaccination was done at 3 weeks of age using Circovac® according to label instructions. The CHAL and VAC + CHAL groups were challenged with PCV2d at 7 weeks of age and all pigs were necropsied 21 days post-challenge (dpc). The VAC-CHAL pigs seroconverted to PCV2 by 21 days post vaccination (dpv). At PCV2d challenge on 28 dpv, 3/9 VAC and 1/9 VAC + CHAL pigs were seropositive. NEG pigs remained seronegative for the duration of the study. Vaccination significantly reduced PCV2d viremia (VAC + CHAL) at dpc 14 and 21, PCV2d fecal shedding at dpc 14 and 21 and PCV2d nasal shedding at dpc 7, 14 and 21 compared to CHAL pigs. Vaccination significantly reduced mean PCV2 antigen load in lymph nodes in VAC + CHAL pigs compared to CHAL pigs. When pooled serum or feces collected from VAC + CHAL and CHAL pigs at dpc 21 were used to expose single-housed PCV2 naïve pigs, a pooled fecal sample from CHAL pigs contained infectious PCV2 whereas this was not the case for VAC + CHAL pigs suggesting reduction of PCV2d transmission by vaccination. Under the study conditions, the PCV2a-based vaccine was effective in reducing PCV2d viremia, tissue loads, shedding and transmission indicating that PCV2a vaccination should be effective in PCV2d-infected herds

O uso excessivo das tecnologias digitais como agente causador do estresse digital : um estudo exploratório

Orientador: Profª. Drª. Taiane Ritta CoelhoCoorientador: Prof. Dr. Jose Marcelo Almeida Prado CestariTrabalho de Conclusão de Curso (graduação) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas, Curso de Gestão da Informação.Inclui referênciasResumo : Este estudo aborda os impactos do estresse digital decorrentes da dependência tecnológica causada pelo uso excessivo e indiscriminado de tecnologias digitais entre os estudantes de graduação do setor de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas da Universidade Federal do Paraná. O objetivo é observar as consequências nas relações sociais e comportamentais, bem como na saúde física e mental dos estudantes. O estudo identifica as fontes de estresse digital e analisa as implicações organizacionais e pessoais resultantes do uso excessivo de tecnologias digitais. Um dos principais focos é alertar a sociedade sobre os riscos da dependência tecnológica e expor os impactos negativos resultantes do uso indiscriminado dessas tecnologias. A pesquisa se baseia em referências da literatura, realizando uma revisão bibliográfica abrangente sobre o estresse digital, explorando conceitos, tipos, sintomas, fatores causadores e consequências. Além disso, são utilizadas técnicas estatísticas para medir e quantificar as variáveis em estudo. O levantamento bibliográfico é realizado para embasar a pesquisa, e a coleta de dados é feita por meio de uma survey, visando extrair as percepções dos participantes sobre o uso das tecnologias digitais e o estresse digital. Para a análise dos dados, é utilizado o software estatístico SPSS®, permitindo uma abordagem quantitativa para identificar padrões e tendências. Por fim, o estudo apresenta análises e inferências dos resultados coletados da amostra, oferecendo insights relevantes sobre a problemática do estresse digital resultante do uso excessivo de tecnologias digitais entre esses estudantes universitários. Busca-se responder o seguinte problema de pesquisa: Quais são os principais fatores de estresse digital relacionados à frequência de uso das tecnologias digitais? O estudo examina a relação entre a frequência de uso das tecnologias digitais e os fatores que desencadeiam o estresse digital, fornecendo uma compreensão mais aprofundada dos elementos-chave desse fenômeno.Abstract: This study addresses the impacts of digital stress arising from technology dependence caused by excessive and indiscriminate use of digital technologies among undergraduate students in the Applied Social Sciences sector of the Federal University of Paraná. The aim is to observe the consequences on social and behavioral relationships, as well as on students' physical and mental health. The study identifies the sources of digital stress and analyzes the organizational and personal implications resulting from the excessive use of digital technologies. One of the main focuses is to alert society about the risks of technology addiction and expose the negative impacts resulting from the indiscriminate use of these technologies. The research is based on literature references, conducting a comprehensive literature review on digital stress, exploring concepts, types, symptoms, causative factors, and consequences. In addition, statistical techniques are used to measure and quantify the variables under study. A literature survey is conducted to support the research, and data collection is done through a survey, aiming to extract the participants' perceptions about the use of digital technologies and digital stress. For data analysis, SPSS® statistical software is used, allowing a quantitative approach to identify patterns and trends. Finally, the study presents analyses and inferences of the results collected from the sample, offering relevant insights into the problem of digital stress resulting from the excessive use of digital technologies among these college students. It seeks to answer the following research problem: What are the main factors of digital stress related to the frequency of use of digital technologies? The study examines the relationship between the frequency of digital technology use and the factors that trigger digital stress, providing a deeper understanding of the key elements of this phenomenon

Discovering the meaning of Internet Safety

An in-depth analysis was conducted with the purpose of discovering the meaning of Internet safety. A case study was used to derive themes from multiple sources of data (documents, interviews, observations, artifacts). Data collected during the study includes interviews from elementary teachers, parents, students, and district-level administrators. It also includes a literature review, documents, and the application of Karl Weick’s Organizational Theory. Internet safety problems were studied at a small school district of approximately 2,500 students in central New York State where the case study was conducted. The current software the district uses is a highly restrictive server level program. A dynamic definition of Internet safety is proposed as a result of the case study.Russell Kahn , advisor ; Keith Kempney, Subject Matter ExpertSUNY Polytechnic Institut

Cysteamine inhibits lysosomal oxidation of low density lipoprotein in human macrophages and reduces atherosclerosis in mice

Background and aims: We have shown previously that low density lipoprotein (LDL) aggregated by vortexing is internalised by macrophages and oxidised by iron in lysosomes to form the advanced lipid/protein oxidation product ceroid. We have now used sphingomyelinase-aggregated LDL, a more pathophysiological form of aggregated LDL, to study lysosomal oxidation of LDL and its inhibition by antioxidants, including cysteamine (2-aminoethanethiol) which concentrates in lysosomes by several orders of magnitude. We have also investigated the effect of cysteamine on atherosclerosis in mice. Methods: LDL was incubated with sphingomyelinase, which increased its average particle diameter from 26 to 170 nm, and was then incubated for up to 7 days with human monocyte-derived macrophages. LDL receptor-deficient mice were fed a Western diet (19-22 per group) and some given cysteamine in their drinking water at a dose equivalent to that used in cystinosis patients. The extent of atherosclerosis in the aortic root and the rest of the aorta was measured. Results: Confocal microscopy revealed lipid accumulation in lysosomes in the cultured macrophages. Large amounts of ceroid were produced, which colocalised with the lysosomal marker LAMP2. The antioxidants cysteamine, butylated hydroxytoluene, amifostine and its active metabolite WR-1065, inhibited the production of ceroid. Cysteamine at concentrations well below those expected to be present in lysosomes inhibited the oxidation of LDL by iron ions at lysosomal pH (pH 4.5) for prolonged periods. Finally, we showed that the extent of atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic root and arch of mice was significantly reduced by cysteamine. Conclusions: These results support our hypothesis that lysosomal oxidation of LDL is important in atherosclerosis and hence antioxidant drugs that concentrate in lysosomes might provide a novel therapy for this disease

The application of metagenomic sequencing to detect and characterize emerging porcine viruses

Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of Diagnostic Medicine/PathobiologyRaymond R. R. RowlandEmerging viral diseases threaten the health of the US swineherd and have the potential to impact the industry. Parvoviruses are capable of infecting birds, livestock and humans, however, in swine, parvoviruses cause reproductive failure and contribute to a devastating set of diseases termed porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD). Here, a divergent porcine parvovirus, porcine parvovirus 7 (PPV7), distantly related to known parvovirus sequences, was identified in market pigs in the US. The PPV7 non-structural protein displayed 42.4% similarity to Eidolon helvum parvovirus 2 and 37.9% similarity to turkey parvovirus. Conserved parvovirus replicase motifs including three rolling circle replication (RCR), two NTP-binding motifs and a helicase- binding domain, were present in PPV7. Analysis by qPCR of 182 porcine samples found 16 (8.6%) positive, suggesting moderate nucleic acid prevalence in US swine. Paramyxoviruses are capable of infecting various species including cattle, pigs and humans, causing respiratory disease and importantly, can overcome species barriers causing disease. In 2013, a novel paramyxovirus sequence was described in Hong Kong, China in slaughterhouse pigs, and subsequently named porcine parainfluenza virus 1 (PPIV1). The second study identifies two complete PPIV1 genomes in US pigs originating in Oklahoma and Nebraska that display 90.0-95.3% identity to the Chinese strains. Molecular analysis by qPCR resulted in 6.1% prevalence in 279 porcine respiratory samples. Further serological analysis revealed 66.1% of 59 porcine sera samples were positive by PPIV1 F ELISA. Eleven 3-week old nursery pigs from a PPIV1 naturally infected herd were monitored for signs of infection. No clinical signs were seen in the animals, however, six pigs and the lungs of one animal tested qPCR positive by the conclusion of the study. Taken together, PPIV1 is moderately prevalent in US swine-herds. Previously known to infect avian species, canines and swine, recent reports have identified circoviruses in bats, mink, and human feces. In pigs, porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) is essential to PCVAD, a group of diseases including reproductive failure, respiratory disease complex (PRDC), porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) and postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). Additionally, PCV2 nucleic acid has been detected in mammalian species other than swine such as cattle and mink. The final study focuses on the identification and characterization of a divergent circovirus, porcine circovirus 3, identified in aborted mummies taken from sows displaying clinical and histological signs of PDNS. Putative capsid and replicase open reading frames display 37% and 55% identity to PCV2, respectively. A retrospective study of 48 PDNS cases, PCV2 negative by immunohistochemistry (IHC), identified 45 positive and 60% of a subset, positive for PCV3 by IHC. Molecular and serological prevalence studies revealed 12.5% nucleic acid and 55% antibody prevalence in US swine samples. Collectively, these studies identify emerging porcine viruses with the potential to cause disease using metagenomic sequencing. The results of these studies will help to mitigate the risk attributed to emerging swine viruses causing disease outbreaks