Theories of Change and Mediators of Psychotherapy Effectiveness in Adolescents With Externalising Behaviours: A Systematic Review

BackgroundExternalising behaviours are becoming a remarkably prevalent problem during adolescence, often precipitating both externalising and internalising disorders in later adulthood. Psychological treatments aim to increase the social functioning of adolescents in order for them to live a more balanced life and prevent these negative trajectories. However, little is known of the intervening variables and mediators involved in these treatments' change mechanisms. We conducted a systematic review, exploring the available evidence on mediators of psychological treatments for externalising behaviours and symptoms amongst adolescents (10 to 19 years old).MethodsA systematic search was performed on Medline and PsycINFO databases, which identified studies from inception to February 23, 2020. Eligible studies included randomised controlled trials that enrolled adolescents with externalising symptoms and behaviours as, at least, one of the primary outcomes. A group of 20 reviewers from the COST-Action TREATme (CA16102) were divided into 10 pairs. Each pair independently screened studies for inclusion, extracted information from the included studies, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies and the requirements for mediators, following Kazdin's criteria. Risk of bias of RCTs was assessed by the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Extracted data from the included studies were reported using a narrative synthesis.ResultsFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA), after removing duplicates, 3,660 articles were screened. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. In a second stage, 965 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. A total of 14 studies fulfilled all inclusion criteria. The majority were related to systemic psychological treatment approaches. Two types of mediators were identified as potentially being involved in the mechanisms of change for better social improvements of adolescents: to increase healthier parent–adolescent relationships and parental discipline. However, there were significant and non-significant results amongst the same mediators, which led to discussing the results tentatively.ConclusionsFamily variables were found to be the largest group of investigated mediators, followed by relational, behavioural, and emotional variables. No cognitive or treatment-specific mediators were identified. Both adequate behavioural control of adolescents' peer behaviour and a better positive balance in their relationships with their parents seemed to buffer the effects of externalising behaviours in adolescents. Several methodological limitations concerning mediation testing design, outcome measures, and mediator selection have been identified.Ethics and DisseminationEthical approval was not required. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021231835.

Lateral forces determine dimensional accuracy of the narrow-kerf sawing of wood

The shrinking global forest area limits the supply of industrially usable raw resources. This, in combination with the ever-increasing consumption of timber due to population growth can lead to the lack of a positive balance between the annual volumetric growth and consumption of wood. An important innovation toward increasing environmental and economic sustainability of timber production is to reduce the volume of wood residues by minimizing the sawing kerf. It results in higher material yield but may impact the dimensional accuracy of derived products. Therefore, the cutting tool geometry as well as the sawing process as a whole must be carefully optimized to assure optimal use of resources. The goal of this study is to better understand the causes of machining errors that occur when sawing wood with saws of varying thickness of kerf, with a special focus on re-sawing thin lamellae performed on the gang saw. Numerical simulations were tested against experimental results, considering influence of diverse components of cutting forces, in addition to the initial and operating stiffness coefficients of the saw blade. It has been demonstrated that asymmetric loads from the cutting process for the scraper saw blade can cause sawing inaccuracies. The simulation methodology developed in this research can be straightforwardly extended towards determination of optimal geometry of other cutting tools, particularly with the reduced sawing kerf. This may lead to more sustainable use of natural resources as well as an increase in economic gain for the wood processing industries.

Positive Cumulative Fluids Balance Related to Mortality Events in Sepsis Patients Treated at Intensive Care Unit, Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembang

Introduction. Sepsis is a syndrome that describes physiological dysfunction, pathological, and biochemistry caused by infection. Fluid balance is an indicator that can monitor input and output. This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship between positive cumulative fluid balance and the mortality rate of sepsis patients treated in the intensive care unit. Method: This study design is a retrospective study. The inclusion criteria consist of patients diagnosed with sepsis written in the medical record, 18-65 years old, and patients admitted in intensive care unit dr Moh. Hoesin General Hospital. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 with the normality of data distribution, independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney analysis, chi-square, Fisher’s Exact to measure the relationship, and using Medcalc version 14 application to measure cut-off value, ROC curve AUC, cross-sectional point, sensitivity, and specificity. Result. The result showed that characteristic between age (p=0,491), gender (p=0,703) did not differ significantly between survived and non-survived patient. Length of stay (p=0,002), balance (p=0,000), and ward unit (p=0,014) has a significant different between survived and non survived patient. In chi square analysis, p value=0,000with odds ratio 7,083. Cut-off value of ROC curve is -97 mL with AUC 0,844, sensitivity 76,1% and specificity 79,3%. Conclusion. Cumulative positive balance patient in the sepsis patient correlates with increased mortality in a sepsis patient in Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital Palembang.

A Szelekció–Optimalizáció–Kompenzáció Rövid Kérdőív magyar adaptációja

Elméleti háttér: A szelekció–optimalizáció–kompenzáció modell rugalmas alkalmazkodási folyamatokat feltételez, amelyekkel az idősek képesek pozitív egyensúlyt elérni életkoruk nyereségei és veszteségei között. Ezen stratégiák mérésére alkották meg a Szelekció– Optimalizáció–Kompenzáció Kérdőívet, majd annak rövid változatát (SOC-12). Cél: Kutatásunk egyik célja a SOC-12 kérdőív magyar nyelvre történő adaptálása és pszichometriai jellemzőinek vizsgálata volt. Módszerek: Keresztmetszeti kérdőíves kutatásunkat 155 fős, 60 éves és afeletti, kognitív zavarban nem szenvedő mintán végeztük el (átlagéletkor: 74,6 év, SD = 7,9 év, terjedelem: 60–98 év; nemi megoszlás: 125 [81%] nő és 30 [19%] férfi). Mérőeszközök: SOC-12 kérdőív, Connor–Davidson Reziliencia Skála, Rövid Geriátriai Depresszió Skála. Eredmények: A teljes SOC-12 kérdőív illeszkedési mutatói a megerősítő faktorelemzésben messze elmaradnak az elfogadhatótól. Feltáró faktorelemzéssel kétfaktoros szerkezet rajzolódott ki. A SOC-12 skála egészét reprezentáló (mind a négy alskála tételeiből tartalmazó) 1. faktor tételei jó megbízhatóságú skálát képeznek (McDonald-ω [95% CI]: 0,83 [0,79–0,87]. A 2. faktoron töltődő tételekből létrehozott alskála esetén az ω [95% CI]: 0,57 [0,43–0,69], így megbízhatósága elmarad a kívánatostól. Az általunk módosított, 7-tételes SOC-kérdőív konvergens és diszkriminatív validitása egyaránt optimális, alátámasztja a skála által mért erőforrás-felhasználási stratégiák érvényességét. Következtetések: Kutatásunk alapján a módosított SOC-12 kérdőív a magyar idős populációban jó pszichometriai mutatókkal rendelkezik. Eredményeink alátámasztják, hogy segítségével az időskori alkalmazkodási folyamatok összességében jól mérhetők. A szelekciós stratégiák önálló mérése azonban az alacsony megbízhatóságú tételek miatt nem lehetséges. A kérdőív használhatóságát elősegíti, hogy a kitöltés és az értékelés egyaránt rövid időt vesz igénybe.Background: The selection-optimization-compensation model assumes flexible adaptation processes by which the elderly are able to achieve a positive balance between gains and losses of their lives. The Selection-Optimization-Compensation (SOC-12) questionnaire was developed to measure these strategies. Aim: The aim of our research was to adapt the SOC-12 questionnaire to Hungarian language and to establish its psychometric properties. Methods: Our cross-sectional research was conducted on a sample of 155 people aged 60 and over (mean age: 74.6 years, SD = 7.9 years, range: 60–98 years; gender distribution: 125 (81%) women and 30 (19%) male). Measures: SOC-12 Questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form. Results: Based on our results, the fit of the original 4 factor structure of the SOC-12 questionnaire very weak. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure. The items of factor 1, which represent the whole of the SOC-12 scale (containing items from all subscales), form a scale with good reliability (McDonald’s ω [95% CI]: 0,83 [0,79–0,87]. In the case of the subscale created from the items loading on the factor 2, the ω-value [95% CI] is 0.56 [0.43–0.69], so its reliability is less than acceptable. Both convergent and divergent validity of the modified SOC questionnaire is optimal, supporting the validity of the resource use strategies measured by the scale. Conclusions: Based on the current study, the original SOC-12 questionnaire had to be modified. Our results support that the modified questionnaire makes measurable adaptation processes in old age. Independent measurement of selection strategies is not possible due to low reliability items. The scale provides a short, easy response to measure these strategies, and both completion and evaluation take a short time.

Towards the Biologization of Vegetable Farming in the Primorsky Territory

The main elements of the biologization of the agricultural system in the vegetable growing of the Russian Far East are described: pre-filling with fresh organic matter in the repair fields and on the layer of perennial grasses, with the introduction of crop rotations with sideral steam, the introduction of agrotechnical methods that ensure a zero or positive balance of humus in the soil of a vegetable plantation.

AN ANALYSIS OF INTENTION TO DO ECOTOURISM IN THE NEW NORM: A COMPARATIVE STRUCTURAL MODEL BETWEEN MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA

Tourism contributes to the growth of economy of a nation through employment, the multiplier effect, and foreign exchange earnings. It also contributes towards a positive balance of payments. Eco-tourism is the natural evolution of tourism that cares for the environment, culture and local traditions, while promoting environmental education. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant negative effect on the tourism industry in almost all countries in Asia including Malaysia and Indonesia, therefore an analysis of the intention to undertake eco-tourism in the new norm of the post pandemic period is the basis for consideration of this research paper in a bid to turnaround the tourism industry.

The rationed feeding system of highly productive cows, taking into account their biochemical status

Researchers of the Department of Feed and Feeding of farm animals of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science “Vologda Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, as a result of research had been developed a draft system of rationed feeding system of highly productive cows, taking into account the biochemical status of the animal under different conditions of housing in the North of the European part of Russia, within the framework of the research topic AAAAA-A17-117032210064-7. A distinctive feature of the system is the physiological justification of the normative indicators of nutrient requirements for highly productive cows in the phases of lactation, depending on the level of daily productivity. The value of the development lies in a systematic approach to the requirements of complite rationed feeding of highly productive cows, feed quality, feeding regime and technique, taking into account the biochemical status of animals with different methods of housing. The feeding system provides for the year-round use of a feed mixture, which favorably affects the main indicators of the usefulness of the ration and, first of all, the concentration of energy (over 10,5 MJ/kg in dry matter), crude protein (at least 15,0 % in dry matter). The quality of raw protein characterizes the positive balance of protein not cleaved in the rumen. The practical application of the proposed rations with less than 50 % concentrated feed in their structure, the use of highly nutritious feed in the developed feeding scheme should be combined with regular monitoring of the biochemical status of the animal. Ensuring daily metabolism is based on the control of the main indicators of metabolic intensity, such as glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (not lower than 0,3 mg-eq/ml), alanine aminotransferase (not higher than 16 units/ml·h), aspartate aminotransferase (not higher than 27 units/ml·h), etc. The use of the feeding system ensures the productivity of animals at the level of 9000 kg of milk and above per lactation.

Influence of fluid balance on the prognosis of patients with sepsis

Background Early and timely fluid treatment or resuscitation are the basic measures for the active treatment of sepsis. Our aim is to further explore the relationship between fluid balance and prognosis in patients with sepsis on a daily basis for 5 days. Methods Sepsis patients in eICU Collaborative Research Database were divided into the negative balance group (NB/−) and the positive balance group (PB/+) according to daily fluid balance. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Survival differences between the groups were analyzed by using Cox regression. Then dose-response relationship between fluid balance and in-hospital mortality was studied using restricted cubic splines (RCSs). Furthermore, patients with fluid balance data for the previous three consecutive days were selected and divided into eight groups (“+/+/+”, “+/+/−”, “+/ −/−”, “+/ −/+”, “−/ −/−”, “−/ −/+”, “−/+/+”, and “−/+/−”). Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression were used to show the survival difference between groups. Results Our study, which included 19,557 patients in a multicenter database, showed that positive fluid balances on days 1, 2, and 3 after sepsis diagnosis were associated with poor prognosis with the HRs of 1.29 (1.20,1.40), 1.13 (1.01,1.27), and 1.25 (1.08,1.44), respectively, while the fluid balance on days 4 and 5 had no effect on the primary outcome. Then RCSs showed an overall trend that the risk of in-hospital mortality on days 1, 2, and 3 increased with increasing fluid balance. For three consecutive days of fluid balance, we studied 9205 patients and Kaplan–Meier curves revealed survival differences among patients in the eight groups. The cox model demonstrated that compared with the “+/+/+” group, the “+/ −/−”, “−/ −/−”, “−/ −/+”, “−/+/+”, and “−/+/−” groups had a lower risk of in-hospital mortality, with HRs of 0.65 (0.45,0.93), 0.72 (0.60,0.86), 0.63 (0.43,0.93), 0.69 (0.48,0.98), and 0.63 (0.42,0.96), respectively. Conclusions In patients with sepsis, positive fluid balance on days 1, 2, and 3 was associated with adverse outcomes. For patients with fluid balance for three consecutive days, the “+/−/−”, “−/ −/−”, “−/−/+”, “−/+/+”, and “−/+/−” groups were less likely to die in hospital than the “+/+/+” group.

Business as usual? Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to research, development and innovation (RDI) activities of universities of applied sciences

Universities of applied sciences (UAS) have a strong mandate to carry out research, development and innovation (RDI) activities in collaboration with local stakeholders. Geographical proximity is one of the key factors for the creation and success of RDI activities because of the positive balance between costs and benefits of local knowledge transfer, but they also depend on the networks of individual staff members. This paper aims to explore how maintaining and developing purpose-built and individual RDI partnerships during the COVID-19 pandemic has been managed. An enhanced conceptual framework for assessing contextual dimensions of the RDI activities beyond academic entrepreneurship as business ventures has been developed. The paper focuses on a single case study drawing on semi-structured research interviews investigating how the swap to remote working have affected RDI activities at Tampere University of Applied Sciences, one of the biggest UAS in Finland with intense regional linkages. The contribution of the study is twofold; firstly, the paper introduces an expanded theoretical approach for assessing the external and internal factors having an impact on the RDI activities beyond academic entrepreneurship. Secondly, by testing the proposed framework, it shares insights and good practices derived from empirical evidence, namely binary data and semi-structured interviews revealing experiences of RDI personnel and project managers involved with different phases of RDI process, for optimising high-quality innovation support, knowledge transfer activities and co-creation of new knowledge in exceptional circumstances.

Influence of using fertilizers on fertility indices of sod-podzolic soils and productivity of short-term crop rotation of Polissya

The influence of litter manure and straw as fertilizers in pure form and in combination with manure, green manure and mineral fertilizers on the content of humus and basic nutrients in sod-podzolic soil has been studied. A significant effect on the change of humus content on sod-podzolic soils depending on fertilizer systems has been established. The highest indicators of humus content in the soil were found in the variants with 40 t/ha of manure, 0.97–1.14% and 1.17–1.23%, respectively, and straw 4 t/ha in combination with lupine green manure — 0.94–1.15% and 1.16–1.25%. The most significant increase in humus content per rotation was observed in sidereal crop rotation, against the background without fertilizers the indicator increased by 0.05–0.29%, against the background of N40P40K120 application — by 0.03–0.21%, in crop rotation — 0.05–0.19% and 0.01-0.09%, respectively. Analyzing the dynamics of the content of easily hydrolyzed nitrogen, it was found that the greatest growth both at the beginning and at the end of crop rotation provided options with the introduction of 40 t/ha of manure (+69…+85 mg/kg of soil), 4 t/ha of straw with half dose of manure (+63…+82 mg/kg of soil) and straw with green manure (+71…+80 mg/kg of soil). The application of manure, straw and plowing of green manures contributed to the increase of the content of mobile phosphorus compounds from 9 to 69 mg/kg of soil on the background without fertilizers and 38 to 67 mg/kg of soil on the background N40P40K120. The combination of straw with manure and straw with green manure for the application of mineral fertilizers helped to increase the content of mobile phosphorus compounds to the level recorded in the variant for the application of 40 t/ha of manure, and in some versions of the experiment even exceed it. It was found that the deficit-free and positive balance of potassium for rotation of crop rotation and sidereal crop rotation was provided by variants with 4 t/ha of straw in combination with 20 t/ha of manure and 4 t/ha of straw in combination with lupine green manure against N40P40K120. Balances and productivity of arable land use in short-rotation crop rotations of Polissya are calculated. In crop rotation, the humus balance is negative for the alienation of lupine green mass for fodder. Variants with application of 10 t / ha of crop rotation area of manure (–0.03 t/ha) and 1 t/ha of straw with half dose of manure (–0.1 t/ha) on the background of N35P35K85 application allowed to get as close as possible to the deficit-free balance of humus. In sidereal crop rotation, a positive balance of humus is observed with the application of 10 t/ha of manure (+0.21…+0.29 t/ha), 1 t/ha of straw in combination with 5 t/ha of manure, 22 t/ha) and 1 t/ha of straw in combination with green manure (+0.09… +0.18 t/ha). Close to the deficit-free balance of humus is the option with the introduction of 1 t/ha of straw in its pure form. An alternative to manure in Polissya should be the use of straw in combination with green manure (including lupine), which will help preserve and reproduce the humus content in the soil, improve the balance of nutrients and increase the productivity of arable land in crop rotations.