The large- and small-scale Ca IIK structure of the Milky Way from observations of Galactic and Magellanic sightlines

Aims. The large and small-scale (pc) structure of the Galactic interstellar medium can be investigated by utilising spectra of early-type stellar probes of known distances in the same region of the sky. This paper determines the variation in line strength of Ca ii at 3933.661 Å as a function of probe separation for a large sample of stars, including a number of sightlines in the Magellanic Clouds. 

Methods. FLAMES-GIRAFFE data taken with the Very Large Telescope towards early-type stars in 3 Galactic and 4 Magellanic open clusters in Ca ii are used to obtain the velocity, equivalent width, column density, and line width of interstellar Galactic calcium for a total of 657 stars, of which 443 are Magellanic Cloud sightlines. In each cluster there are between 43 and 111 stars observed. Additionally, FEROS and UVES Ca ii K and Na i D spectra of 21 Galactic and 154 Magellanic early-type stars are presented and combined with data from the literature to study the calcium column density - parallax relationship. 

Results. For the four Magellanic clusters studied with FLAMES, the strength of the Galactic interstellar Ca ii K equivalent width on transverse scales from ∼0.05-9 pc is found to vary by factors of ∼1.8-3.0, corresponding to column density variations of ∼0.3-0.5 dex in the optically-thin approximation. Using FLAMES, FEROS, and UVES archive spectra, the minimum and maximum reduced equivalent widths for Milky Way gas are found to lie in the range ∼35-125 mÅ and ∼30-160 mÅ for Ca ii K and Na i D, respectively. The range is consistent with a previously published simple model of the interstellar medium consisting of spherical cloudlets of filling factor ∼0.3, although other geometries are not ruled out. Finally, the derived functional form for parallax (π) and Ca ii column density (N_CaII) is found to be π(mas) = 1 / (2.39 × 10^-13 × N_CaII (cm^-2) + 0.11). Our derived parallax is ∼25 per cent lower than predicted by Megier et al. (2009, A&A, 507, 833) at a distance of ∼100 pc and ∼15 percent lower at a distance of ∼200 pc, reflecting inhomogeneity in the Ca ii distribution in the different sightlines studied.

Content and methodology of predoctoral Geriatric Dentistry teaching in Europe

Objectives: To explore the content and methodology of predoctoral Geriatric Dentistry teaching amongst European dental schools.
Methods: The study was conducted by the European College of Gerodontology (ECG) Education Committee. Αn electronic questionnaire has been developed with close and open-ended items, including information on the prevalence and institutional anchorage of Gerodontology programs, the educators, the content and the methodology of teaching. An electronic mail, including a hyperlink to the questionnaire, was sent to 216 dental schools in 39 European countries (Winter/ Spring 2016). The Deans were asked to either answer themselves, or forward the link to faculty members with knowledge on Gerodontology teaching at their respective schools. Repeated reminders or telephone calls were used for non-respondents and personal networks were exploited to identify potential contact persons.
Results: Until August 2016, 121 dental schools from 29 countries responded to the survey (response rate 56%, EU response rate: 60%). Gerodontology was included in the predoctoral curricula of 86% of the respondents and was compulsory in 68%. The course was mainly offered in senior students and was interdisciplinary in 30% of the schools, delivered mainly by dentists (79%), physicians (21%), psychologists (10%), and nurses (5%). It was conducted as an independent lecture series in 40% of the schools and a course director was assigned in 44% of the respondents. When embedded in other disciplines, these were mainly Prosthodontics (31%). The content included a large number of items, such as epidemiology of oral health, medical problems in old age, prosthodontic management, xerostomia, and caries risk assessment. Lectures were the most common teaching format (69%), followed by small group seminars (27%). The most common types of educational material used were scientific articles (48%), printed textbooks (44%), lecture notes (40%) and e-learning material (21%). Clinical training was offered by 64% of the respondents, within the dental school clinics (49%) and/or in outreach locations (40%).
Conclusion: Amongst the respondent European dental schools (66%) there is an increasing number that teach Gerodontology at a pre-doctoral level with significant variations in content and methodology. Official guidelines and the dissemination of the ECG pre-doctoral curriculum guidelines might help to increase the prevalence and improve the status of Gerodontology teaching in Europe.

L'impact de la création littéraire, en contexte d'aide, sur la symptomatologie psychophysiologique d'adolescents atteints d'une maladie chronique : étude interdisciplinaire et exploratoire.

Thèse réalisée dans le cadre d'un Ph.D.interdisciplinaire en Psychologie, en création littéraire et en orthopédagogie. L'impact de la création littéraire a été étudié chez des adolescents atteints d'une maladie chronique au CHU Sainte-Justine de Montréal. Cette recherche est exploratoire car la création littéraire n'a jamais été étudiée dans cette perspective. Elle a été réalisée sous la direction de Catherine Mavrikakis, professeure et écrivain à la Faculté des arts et sciences au Département des littératures francophones de l'Université de Montréal et de Jean-François Saucier, psychiatre et anthropologue à la Faculté de médecine au Département de psychiatrie de l'Université de Montréal et chercheur au CHU Sainte-Justine. Interdisciplinary Study.

Diferenças no Funcionamento Emocional, Comportamental e Social (Roberts Apperception Test for Children) e na Autoestima (Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale) entre Jovens Institucionalizados e Não Institucionalizados

Objetivos: A institucionalização é, habitualmente, um momento gerador de sentimentos negativos, tais como a perda e o abandono, fragilizando os jovens envolvidos neste processo e, eventualmente, condicionando o seu funcionamento emocional, comportamental e social. O nosso estudo tem como objetivos: 1) verificar a existência de diferenças entre uma amostra de jovens institucionalizados e uma amostra de jovens não institucionalizados nas dimensões de um instrumento que avalia o funcionamento social, comportamental e emocional (Roberts Apperception Test for Children/RATC) e na autoestima (Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale/RSES); 2) explorar se existem diferenças entre as duas amostras ao nível de diferentes variáveis sociodemográficas, familiares e clínicas (e.g. história de sintomas depressivos em toda a vida e atual). Método: A amostra é composta por 60 jovens, 30 não institucionalizados (subamostra de controlo) e 30 institucionalizados (entre os 10 e os 15 anos de idade). A amostra de controlo respondeu a um questionário sociodemográfico e à Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES). Os jovens institucionalizados responderam a esta escala e a algumas perguntas do questionário sociodemográfico, tendo outras sido completadas com base nos processos da instituição. O autor administrou, junto das duas subamostras, o Roberts Apperception Test for Children (RATC). Resultados: Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as duas amostras, no que diz respeito à RSES. Quanto ao RATC, foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas no que diz respeito apenas a quatro dimensões: Suporte aos outros, Identificação de problemas, Resolução 2 e Problema não resolvido. Verificaram-se associações significativas entre a pertença a uma ou outra subamostra e algumas variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas, por exemplo, a escolaridade do pai e da mãe e a vivência de sintomatologia depressiva em toda a vida. Conclusões: No geral, o funcionamento emocional, social e comportamental, assim como a autoestima de jovens institucionalizados parece não se diferenciar grandemente dos de jovens não institucionalizados. Ainda assim, os jovens institucionalizados parecem apresentar resultados menos adaptativos em algumas dimensões, por comparação com os jovens institucionalizados.

Blood pressure values and depression in hypertensive individuals at high cardiovascular risk

[EN]Hypertension and depression are both important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, the association of blood pressure on and depression has not been completely established. This study aims to analyze whether depression may influence the control of blood pressure in hypertensive individuals at high cardiovascular risk

Symptom Clusters and Survival in Portuguese Patients with Advanced Cancer

This study aimed to identify clusters of symptoms, to determine the patient characteristics associated with identified, and determine their strength of association with survival in patients with advanced cancer (ACPs). Consecutively eligible ACPs not receiving cancer-specific treatment, and referred to a Tertiary Palliative Care Clinic, were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. At first consultation, patients rated 9 symptoms through the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (0-10 scale) and 10 others using a Likert scale (1-5). Principal component analysis was used in an exploratory factor analysis to identify. Of 318 ACPs, 301 met eligibility criteria with a median (range) age of 69 (37-94) years. Three SCs were identified: neuro-psycho-metabolic (NPM) (tiredness, lack of appetite, lack of well-being, dyspnea, depression, and anxiety); gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, constipation, hiccups, and dry mouth) and sleep impairment (insomnia and sleep disturbance). Exploratory factor analysis accounted for 40% of variance of observed variables in all SCs. Shorter survival was observed for patients with the NPM cluster (58 vs. 23, P < 0.001), as well as for patients with two or more SCs (45 vs. 21, P = 0.005). In a multivariable model for survival at 30-days, age (HR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97-0.99; P = 0.008), hospitalization at inclusion (HR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.47-3.51; P < 0.001), poorer performance status (HR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.24-2.89; P = 0.003), and NPM (HR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.17-2.31; P = 0.005), were associated with worse survival. Three clinically meaningful SC in patients with advanced cancer were identifiable. The NPM cluster and the presence of two or more SCs, had prognostic value in relation to survival.

Clinton Multimodal (U. S. 30 Mississippi River Bridge) Study, 2003

The purpose of this memorandum is to document the benefit-cost analysis of the river crossing concept alternatives described in the "Concept Alternatives Technical Memo." Benefit-cost studies are designed to measure, in dollars, the potential positive or negative impacts of large-scale construction projects. The concept alternatives analyzed include improvements to the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) River Crossing and the U.S. Highway 30 (U.S. 30) River Crossing.

A Solidão e a Depressão nos Idosos: estudo numa amostra da população portuguesa

Daqui por 40 anos viverão em Portugal quase 3 pessoas com mais de 65 anos para cada jovem com menos de 15 anos. O nosso país estará assim, dentro de poucos anos, com uma pirâmide etária invertida. Enquanto país maioritariamente idoso, temos que saber lidar com os problemas da velhice. Com o avançar da idade é inevitável que estas pessoas sejam confrontadas com inúmeras mudanças quer físicas, psicológicas e sociais, mas também com dificuldades inerentes à velhice, como é o caso da solidão e depressão. Estas duas entidades são consideradas os principais problemas que alteram significativamente a qualidade de vida das pessoas idosas. Este estudo, de natureza exploratória, visa perceber se a solidão é uma entidade isolada da depressão. Participaram neste estudo 84 indivíduos com idades compreendidas entre os 65 e os 90 anos. Aplicaram-se as escalas UCLA e GDS de forma a averiguar se existem sujeitos sem depressão que apresentam elevados níveis de solidão. O principal resultado permite-nos constatar que se pode ter solidão, sem ter depressão. Constatou-se também que quanto mais se avança na idade maior são os sentimentos de solidão, e que as mulheres apresentam maiores níveis de solidão. / Forty years from now, Portugal will have a ratio of 3 people aged over 65 years old for 1 aged 15 years old. This means that Portugal will have an inverted age pyramid. The ageing process, inevitably, brings changes and difficulties whether physical, psychological or social. Among the problems that significantly change the quality of life of elderly people we will find depression and loneliness. In the present study, the main objective is to understand if loneliness is independent from depression or if they are concomitant entities. We also examine if loneliness changes with age and gender. The study, exploratory in nature, was constituted by 84 participants aged between 65 years old and 90 years old. It was administrated the UCLA and GDS scales. The main results show that there are people with loneliness but without depression, that loneliness feelings are higher as people advance in age and that women score higher in the loneliness scale.

Symptoms of Poststroke Depression among Stroke Survivors: An Appraisal of Psychiatry Needs and Care during Physiotherapy Rehabilitation

Purpose. To identify stroke survivors with symptoms of poststroke depression and the extent of psychiatry needs and care they have received while on physiotherapy rehabilitation. Participants. Fifty stroke survivors (22 females and 28 males) at the outpatient unit of Physiotherapy Department, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, who gave their informed consent, were randomly selected. Their age range and mean age were 26–66 years and 54.76 ± 8.79 years, respectively. Method. A multiple case study of 50 stroke survivors for symptoms of poststroke depression was done with Beck’s Depression Inventory, mini mental status examination tool, and Modified Motor Assessment Scale. The tests were performed independently by the participants except otherwise stated and scored on a scale of 0–6. Data were analyzed using -test for proportional significance and chi-square test for determining relationship between variables, at p < 0.05. Results. Twenty-one (42.0%) stroke survivors had symptoms of PSD, which was significantly dependent on duration of stroke ( = 21.680, df = 6, and p = 0.001), yet none of the participants had a psychiatry review. Conclusions. Symptoms of PSD may be common in cold compared to new cases of stroke and may need psychiatry care while on physiotherapy rehabilitation.

Prosocial Behaviour in Palliative Nurses: Psychometric Evaluation of the Prosociality Scale

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a prosociality scale within the palliative nursing context, and then examine the impact of prosocial behaviour in relation to job and educational satisfaction among palliative nurses. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in 25 Italian palliative care centres, with a total of 107 nurses completing the prosociality scale by Caprara et al (2005). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were examined to evaluate a multidimensional model of prosociality. Results: A three-factor solution with a second order factor fitted the data well. The three dimensions extracted were labelled as helping, empathy, and sharing. Participants reported high levels of prosociality. In addition, prosociality was positively associated with job and educational satisfaction. Conclusions: The prosociality scale was valid and reliable when tested with palliative nurses. Although prosociality may be embedded in nurses’ personalities, this quality should be actively promoted to expand and improve the culture and the ethics of nursing.

Adolescent depression in schools: + Contigo Project

epidemiological data. It involves a high degree of mortality, namely by suicide, which is the third leading cause of death in the 15-24 age group. Objectives: To assess the presence and severity of depressive symptoms in a non-clinical population of adolescents. Methodology: This is a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study, using the Portuguese version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). The sample was composed of 741 adolescents. Results: The results show that 31.2% of the adolescents have depression and, of these, 17.7% have moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Girls have higher levels of depression (p=.00). The total mean score in the BDI-II was 12. Conclusion: Given the adolescents' high vulnerability to depression and suicide, it is essential to implement prevention programs in schools to promote the early detection of depression and suicidal behaviors, and the referral to mental health services.

Large-Scale Controlled-Condition Experiment to Evaluate Light Weight Deflectometers for Modulus Determination and Compaction Quality Assurance of Unbound Pavement Materials

Compaction control using lightweight deflectometers (LWD) is currently being evaluated in several states and countries and fully implemented for pavement construction quality assurance (QA) by a few. Broader implementation has been hampered by the lack of a widely recognized standard for interpreting the load and deflection data obtained during construction QA testing. More specifically, reliable and practical procedures are required for relating these measurements to the fundamental material property—modulus—used in pavement design. This study presents a unique set of data and analyses for three different LWDs on a large-scale controlled-condition experiment. Three 4.5x4.5 m2 test pits were designed and constructed at target moisture and density conditions simulating acceptable and unacceptable construction quality. LWD testing was performed on the constructed layers along with static plate loading testing, conventional nuclear gauge moisture-density testing, and non-nuclear gravimetric and volumetric water content measurements. Additional material was collected for routine and exploratory tests in the laboratory. These included grain size distributions, soil classification, moisture-density relations, resilient modulus testing at optimum and field conditions, and an advanced experiment of LWD testing on top of the Proctor compaction mold. This unique large-scale controlled-condition experiment provides an excellent high quality resource of data that can be used by future researchers to find a rigorous, theoretically sound, and straightforward technique for standardizing LWD determination of modulus and construction QA for unbound pavement materials.

Major depression: does gender influence the risk of recurrence? A systematic review

Background and Objectives: A woman's lifetime risk of major depression is almost twice as high as that of a man. Major depression is associated with a high risk of recurrence, but the question of a differential risk of recurrence between genders is unclear. Based on a systematic review of the literature, this paper attempts to answer the following question: "Following a major depressive episode, do women and men have the same risk of recurrence?". Methods: We prospectively collected all studies from the period 2005-2014 where the variable gender was considered a potential predictor of recurrence. The database has also been expanded with articles cited in the bibliography of the prospectively collected articles and with a PubMed Database search covering the period January 2005-August 2014. Results: Of the prospective studies (n = 98), most found no influence of gender on recurrence risk, but a minority, mostly large sample studies, found that female gender is a statistically significant risk factor for recurrence. Results suggest a probable female-to-male relative risk of recurrence between 1.0 and 1.2. Given the heterogeneity of the studies (length of follow-up, populations, nature of the studies, choice of dependant variables, statistical methods, and available data) no meta-analyses were performed. There are many interfering variables (age of onset, subchronic evolution, treatments, etc.) that can influence the results of prospective studies. Conclusions: Women probably have a slightly higher risk of recurrence after a major depressive episode than men. This increased risk is much smaller than women's much higher lifetime risk of depression.