A meta-analytic review of depression prevention programs for children and adolescents: Factors that predict magnitude of intervention effects.

In this meta-analytic review, the authors summarized the effects of depression prevention programs for youth as well as investigated participant, intervention, provider, and research design features associated with larger effects. They identified 47 trials that evaluated 32 prevention programs, producing 60 intervention effect sizes. The average effect for depressive symptoms from pre-to-posttreatment (r = .15) and pretreatment to-follow-up (r = .11) were small, but 13 (41%) prevention programs produced significant reductions in depressive symptoms and 4 (13%) produced significant reductions in risk for future depressive disorder onset relative to control groups. Larger effects emerged for programs targeting high-risk individuals, samples with more females, samples with older adolescents, programs with a shorter duration and with homework assignments, and programs delivered by professional interventionists. Intervention content (e.g., a focus on problem-solving training or reducing negative cognitions) and design features (e.g., use of random assignment and structured interviews) were unrelated to effect sizes. Results suggest that depression prevention efforts produce a higher yield if they incorporate factors associated with larger intervention effects (e.g., selective programs with a shorter duration that include homework). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Metamemory judgments and the benefits of repeated study: Improving recall predictions through the activation of appropriate knowledge.

Correspondence between judgments of learning (JOLs) and actual recall tends to be poor when the same items are studied and recalled multiple times (e.g., A. Koriat, L. Sheffer, & H. Ma’ayan, 2002). The authors investigated whether making relevant metamemory knowledge more salient would improve the association between actual and predicted recall as a function of repeated exposure to the same study list. In 2 experiments, participants completed 4 study–recall phases involving the same list of items. In addition to having participants make item-by-item JOLs during each study phase, after the 1st study–recall phase participants also generated change-in-recall estimates as to how many more or fewer words they would recall given another exposure to the same study list. This estimation procedure was designed to highlight repeated study as a factor that can contribute to recall performance. Activating metamemory knowledge about the benefits of repeated study for recall in this way allowed participants to accurately express this knowledge in a free-recall context (Experiment 2), but less so when the memory test was cued recall (Experiment 1). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The water quality of the River Thame in the Thames Basin of south/south-eastern England

The water quality of the River Thame, a tributary of the River Thames in the Thames basin, is described in relation to point and diffuse contaminant inputs and runoff from permeable and impermeable bedrock geology with their own characteristic water quality. The data is examined to see if the market town of Aylesbury in the upper part of the catchment influences water quality. Previous studies highlighted the influence of Aylesbury sewage treatment works (STW) on soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentrations in the river before and after phosphorus (P) stripping at the STW. Variations in water quality along the river are described and the study indicates that, apart from SRP, water quality determinants seem to be relatively unaffected by Aylesbury. The Thame water quality is compared with other catchment typologies and it is very similar to that of the main stem of the Thames even though the Thames is mainly Chalk groundwater fed. Differences in water quality largely link to the amount of STW effluent within the rivers and to the endmember compositions of the groundwater and near surface water sources.     

Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in the environment and humans: a review

Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are brominated aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbons used as flame retardants in thermal insulation building materials, upholstery textiles, and electronics. As a result of their widespread use and their physical and chemical properties, HBCDs are now ubiquitous contaminants in the environment and humans. This review summarizes HBCD concentrations in several environmental compartments and analyzes these data in terms of point sources versus diffuse sources, biomagnification potential, stereoisomer profiles, time trends, and global distribution. Generally, higher concentrations were measured in samples (air, sediment, and fish) collected near point sources (plants producing or processing HBCDs), while lower concentrations were recorded in samples from locations with no obvious sources of HBCDs. High concentrations were measured in top predators, such as marine mammals and birds of prey (up to 9600 and 19 200 ng/g lipid weight, respectively), suggesting a biomagnification potential for HBCDs. Relatively low HBCD concentrations were reported in the few human studies conducted to date (median values varied between 0.35 and 1.1 ng/g lipid weight). HBCD levels in biota are increasing slowly and seem to reflect the local market demand. One important observation is the shiftfrom the high percentage of the gamma-HBCD stereoisomer in the technical products to a dominance of the alpha-HBCD stereoisomer in biological samples. A combination of factors such as variations in solubility, partitioning behavior, uptake, and, possibly, selective metabolism of individual isomers may explain the observed changes in stereoisomer patterns. Recommendations for further work include research on how HBCDs are transferred from products into the environment upon production, use, and disposal. Time trends need to be analyzed more in detail, including HBCD stereoisomers, and more data on terrestrial organisms are needed, especially for humans. Whenever possible, HBCDs should be analyzed as individual stereoisomers in order to address their fate and effects.     

Technical note: Serum total protein and immunoglobulin G concentrations in neonatal dairy calves over the first 10 days of age

Efficacy of passive transfer of immunity in young calves is commonly assessed using total serum protein (STP) or serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration tested within the first few days of life. To our knowledge, no research has measured changes in these concentrations over this period to establish an appropriate age range for testing. The aim of this study was to monitor changes in STP and serum IgG concentrations from birth until 10 d of age to provide a basis for recommendations for when passive transfer of immunity in dairy calves can be measured. Concentrations of STP and IgG of 12 calves were measured at 11 time points: at approximately 30 min before colostrum feeding, at 24 h after colostrum feeding, and daily from d 2 to 10 of age. Mean (± standard deviation) STP and IgG concentrations were 4.61 ± 0.3 g/dL and 0.6 ± 0.6 mg/mL at birth, 5.83 ± 0.73 g/dL and 22.2 ± 9.6 mg/mL at 24 h after colostrum feeding, and 5.78 ± 0.52 g/dL and 16.1 ± 7.3 mg/mL at d 10 of age, respectively. The IgG concentration declined over subsequent days relative to IgG measured at 24 h at a rate of approximately 0.69 mg/mL per day, declining by 27.6 ± 6.2% (mean ± SD) on d 10. The concentration of STP did not decrease over time. Concentrations of IgG at 24 h after colostrum feeding were highly correlated with each of the measures of IgG over the 10-d period (r ≥0.97). These correlations were supported by the Bland-Altman plots of agreement between the 24-h sample and subsequent samples. Compared with the reference value at 24 h, STP concentrations were highly correlated on d 2 and 3 (r ≥0.98), highly correlated but variable from d 4 to 9 (r ≥0.88), and lower at d 10 (r = 0.76). These results indicate that calves may be reliably tested for passive transfer of immunity using IgG or STP concentrations up to 9 d of age.     

A comparison of behaviors and play themes over a six-week period: Two case studies in play therapy.

As a method for counseling children, play therapy continues to demonstrate effectiveness through research and to be included in mental health training programs throughout the country. However, like other counseling interventions, capturing the essence of the therapeutic environment is complex and dependent on individual perspectives and experiences. In this article, two case studies are presented to demonstrate the use of quantitative and qualitative measures in comparing the behavioral changes as rated by caregivers on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and play themes observed by play therapists over a 6-week period. For both children in the study, behaviors and themes were related. As the children made changes in their play themes over the 6-week period, they also made changes in their behaviors at home. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mass Spectrometry-Based Disulfide Mapping of Lysyl Oxidase-like 2

Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) catalyzes the oxidative deamination of peptidyl lysines and hydroxylysines to promote extracellular matrix remodeling. Aberrant activity of LOXL2 has been associated with organ fibrosis and tumor metastasis. The lysine tyrosylquinone (LTQ) cofactor is derived from Lys653 and Tyr689 in the amine oxidase domain via post-translational modification. Based on the similarity in hydrodynamic radius and radius of gyration, we recently proposed that the overall structures of the mature LOXL2 (containing LTQ) and the precursor LOXL2 (no LTQ) are very similar. In this study, we conducted a mass spectrometry-based disulfide mapping analysis of recombinant LOXL2 in three forms: a full-length LOXL2 (fl-LOXL2) containing a nearly stoichiometric amount of LTQ, Δ1-2SRCR-LOXL2 (SRCR1 and SRCR2 are truncated) in the precursor form, and Δ1-3SRCR-LOXL2 (SRCR1, SRCR2, SRCR3 are truncated) in a mixture of the precursor and the mature forms. We detected a set of five disulfide bonds that is conserved in both the precursor and the mature recombinant LOXL2s. In addition, we detected a set of four alternative disulfide bonds in low abundance that is not associated with the mature LOXL2. These results suggest that the major set of five disulfide bonds is retained post-LTQ formation.     

CD40–CD40L in Neurological Disease

Immune-inflammatory conditions in the central nervous system (CNS) rely on molecular and cellular interactions which are homeostatically maintained to protect neural tissue from harm. The CD40–CD40L interaction upregulates key proinflammatory molecules, a function best understood in the context of infection, during which B-cells are activated via CD40 signaling to produce antibodies. However, the role of CD40 in neurological disease of non-infectious etiology is unclear. We review the role of CD40–CD40L in traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, epilepsy, nerve injury, multiple sclerosis, ALS, myasthenia gravis and brain tumors. We also highlight therapeutic advancements targeting the CD40 system to either attenuate the neuroinflammatory response or leverage the downstream effects of CD40 signaling for direct tumor cell lysis.     

A Multicultural Test of the Theory of Work Adjustment: Investigating the Role of Heterosexism and Fit Perceptions in the Job Satisfaction of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Employees.

Two expanded models (i.e., mediated and moderated) of the theory of work adjustment (TWA; R. V. Dawis, G. England, & L. H. Lofquist, 1964; R. V. Dawis & L. H. Lofquist, 1984) were tested for their capacity to explain the job satisfaction of a sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual employees (N=397). Consistent with cultural critiques of the TWA, person-organization fit perceptions were tested as the mediator of the relationship between heterosexism and job satisfaction in one set of hypotheses, and experiences with informal heterosexism were tested as a moderator in the relationship between person-organization fit perceptions and job satisfaction in a separate set of hypotheses. The mediated model but not the moderated model was supported. Results were confirmed by a cross-validation sample. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Constructing Facial Identity Surfaces for Recognition

We present a novel approach to face recognition by constructing facial identity structures across views and over time, referred to as identity surfaces, in a Kernel Discriminant Analysis (KDA) feature space. This approach is aimed at addressing three challenging problems in face recognition: modelling faces across multiple views, extracting non-linear discriminatory features, and recognising faces over time. First, a multi-view face model is designed which can be automatically fitted to face images and sequences to extract the normalised facial texture patterns. This model is capable of dealing with faces with large pose variation. Second, KDA is developed to compute the most significant non-linear basis vectors with the intention of maximising the between-class variance and minimising the within-class variance. We applied KDA to the problem of multi-view face recognition, and a significant improvement has been achieved in reliability and accuracy. Third, identity surfaces are constructed in a pose-parameterised discriminatory feature space. Dynamic face recognition is then performed by matching the object trajectory computed from a video input and model trajectories constructed on the identity surfaces. These two types of trajectories encode the spatio-temporal dynamics of moving faces.