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This paper reports on a prospective study exploring risk factors specifically related to the onset of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) during adolescence. We examined cumulative incidence and predictors of onset of NSSI over 1 year among 1,973 school-based adolescents (13-19 years old; M = 14.9, SD = 0.96) from five states in Australia. Data showed cumulative incidence of 3.8 % (95 % CI [3.0-4.7 %]) over 1 year. Multiple socio-demographic and psychosocial factors were assessed using sequential logistic regression models. Onset of NSSI was associated with being female (OR = 3.47, 95 % CI [1.48-8.18]), being born outside of Australia (OR = 3.05, 95 % CI [1.10-8.47]), not identifying as religious or spiritual (OR = 1.80, 95 % CI [1.04-3.10]), increased psychological distress (OR = 1.12, 95 % CI [1.08-1.16]), poor social support from family (OR = 0.89, 95 % CI [0.83-0.95]), poor self-esteem (OR = 0.90, 95 % CI [0.83-0.98]), and poor problem-solving coping (OR = 0.90, 95 % CI [0.82-0.99]). These findings may assist to better identify young people more likely to start self-injuring and also highlight issues to provide a focus for prevention initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensory ecology investigates the information that underlies an animal's interactions with its environment. A sensory ecology approach provides a framework in which to investigate a wide range of topics in ornithology. This review provides a range of examples of this approach. Discussed are some of the more general principles which apply with respect to the ways in which information from different sensory systems may complement each other, or information is traded-off within a sensory modality in the achievement of particular tasks. The emphasis is upon the task of foraging, but other behaviours, such as locomotion and predator detection, are also addressed. Examples discussed consider: (1) the perceptual challenges of nocturnal activity and how they are differently solved by information from different sensory system in owls, kiwi, oilbirds and penguins; (2) the use of tactile information in foraging and how this interacts with visual information in probing birds, and in skimmers; and (3) the visual information used to guide stealth foraging in herons, and how vision is influenced by the filter feeding techniques of ducks and flamingos. In addition, two case studies are discussed. These explore: (a) the restrictions on the information available to guide foraging in turbid waters by cormorants, and (b) the application of a sensory ecology approach to understanding why birds collide with artefacts, such as power lines and wind turbines, which intrude into the open airspace. Among the general conclusions discussed are: (1) the idea that all sensory systems are selective within their own modality and that the range of information that is available to a particular species have been tuned to particular perceptual challenges through natural selection; it is also argued that this tuning can take place at the individual species level such that there may be key differences in sensory information even among birds in the same genus; (2) sensory systems detect only a small part of the total information that is available in the environment; no species has available to it all the information that is potentially available in its environment; in essence, all species share the same planet but live in different worlds that are dictated by the information that their sensory systems extract from the environment; (3) there may be complex and subtle trade-offs between different types of sensory information; and (4) the overall conclusion is that the world through birds' eyes is quite different from the world as seen through human eyes but there are many different 'bird eye views'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare embryo survival, pregnancy and implantation rates after cryopreservation of human cleavage-stage embryos with slow-rate cryopreservation or vitrification. Study design: 262 patients, attending for assisted reproduction, were prepared for oocyte retrieval using standard controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocols. Excess embryos were cryopreserved on day 3 either by vitrification, or slow-rate cryopreservation in a programmable freezer. Cycles of thawing were monitored for thaw efficiency, pregnancy and implantation rates. Results: Clinical pregnancy and implantation rates were highly comparable between cycles in which day 3 embryos were thawed either after slow-rate cryopreservation or vitrification. Conclusions: These data suggest that vitrification of human embryos during assisted reproduction cycles achieves comparable success rates to fresh cycles and therefore can be applied in the laboratory of assisted reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heritage professionals are keen to see analytical science applied in support of the long-term preservation and access of our heritage. While textiles and other organic artefacts can be characterised by laboratory-based, non-destructive microanalytical techniques, rapid analytical methodology which is non-invasive, requires no sampling and can be performed on-site conveys particular advantages. Here we present an overview of our recent studies which have been directed at developing near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as such a non-invasive collections management tool to assist textile curators and conservators. We review some of our earlier studies on FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, which were the prelude to our recent venture, before recounting our experiences with the NIR technique in the textile heritage context. It is our contention that a NIR spectrometer will become an essential part of the conservation scientist’s tool-kit for interrogating textiles directly, enabling the identification of modern fabrics that inform decisions on storage and display, and the non-inteventive, routine condition assessment of aged textiles such as historic silks, informing the collections management strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Great cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo are foot propelled diving birds that seem poorly suited to locomotion on land. They have relatively short legs, which are presumably adapted for the generation of high forces during the power stroke of aquatic locomotion, and walk with a pronounced “clumsy waddle”. We hypothesise (1) that the speed, independent minimum cost of locomotion ( C min, ml O2 m−1) will be high for cormorants during treadmill exercise, and (2) that cormorants will have a relatively limited speed range in comparison to more cursorial birds. We measured the rate of oxygen consumption $$ (\dot{V}_{{\rm O}_{2}}) $$ of cormorants during pedestrian locomotion on a treadmill, and filmed them to determine duty factor (the fraction of stride period that the foot is in contact with the ground), foot contact time ( t c), stride frequency ( f), swing phase duration and stride length. C min was 2.1-fold higher than that predicted by their body mass and phylogenetic position, but was not significantly different from the C min of runners (Galliformes and Struthioniformes). The extrapolated y-intercept of the relationship between $$ \dot{V}_{{\rm O}_{2}} $$ and speed was 1.9-fold higher than that predicted by allometry. Again, cormorants were not significantly different from runners. Contrary to our hypothesis, we therefore conclude that cormorants do not have high pedestrian transport costs. Cormorants were observed to use a grounded gait with two double support phases at all speeds measured, and showed an apparent gait transition between 0.17 and 0.25 m s−1. This transition occurs at a Froude number between 0.016 and 0.037, which is lower than the value of ~0.5 observed for many other species. However, despite the use of a limited speed range, and a gait transition at relatively low speed, we conclude that the pedestrian locomotion of these foot propelled diving birds is otherwise generally similar to that of cursorial birds at comparable relative velocities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the idea that a sense of school subject image is a necessary feature of curriculum management and a potent force for change. The discussion centres on the view that all school subjects have an image and that if those intimately involved with the subject do not control the image then someone else does! In such circumstances the image is the product of past encounters and old euphemisms and is unlikely to hold the changed realities. The UK developments in Design and Technology education (the term Design and Technology is used to denote the school subject defined under this heading by the UK National Curriculum, 1995) have created something of an 'image problem' which has interesting international parallels. Some of these problems are due to clearly discernible internal tensions and an ambiguous relationship with other subject areas. Through greater attention to subject image internal controversies might be acknowledged and resolved, relationships with other subject areas can be more meaningfully understood and practitioners can be helped to make sense of curriculum change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the possible doubling of recognized bird species being advocated by taxonomists. DNA analysis; Definition of species; Ecological issues; Debate on two principal species concepts; Impact on the status of birds in international wildlife conservation.

Presents a letter to the editor published in the May 8, 2003 issue of the journal 'Nature,' on the article 'Dynamic diversity,' in vol. 422. Problems involved in the preservation of life on Earth; Discussion on the concept of balance in nature.

Distinct behaviors such as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and firesetting may represent functionally equivalent attempts to regulate difficult affective/cognitive or social experiences during adolescence. This study examined possible mechanisms leading to NSSI, as opposed to firesetting, as well as co-occurrence of these behaviors. Participants aged 12-18 years ( N = 2,356; 67.5 % female) completed self-report questionnaires measuring NSSI and firesetting, as well as socio-demographic and psychosocial factors including personality traits related to impulsivity and anxiety, negative life events, emotion regulation, and coping. The findings indicated the presence of general risk factors (e.g., negative life events and poor coping) that increase the likelihood that adolescents will engage in any of a range of maladaptive behaviors. The probability of at-risk adolescents engaging in NSSI was increased by psychological states (i.e., rumination and poor self-esteem), whereas socio-demographic and personality traits were associated with firesetting. Implications for prevention and early intervention initiatives are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, increasing concern regarding non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents has prompted investigation of factors that may prevent this behavior. This study examined the relationship between psychological distress and NSSI in a community sample of adolescents, and the moderating effect of both optimism and rumination on this association. Two thousand five hundred seventy-two participants (12-18 years) completed self-report questionnaires assessing psychological distress, cognitive, and emotional characteristics, and NSSI history. Ten percent of the sample reported a history of NSSI, and as hypothesized, optimism moderated the relationship between psychological distress and NSSI; the association was only evident when optimism was low. Rumination was not found to moderate the relationship between psychological distress and NSSI. These findings highlight the utility of considering optimism in NSSI prevention and early intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While researchers are beginning to reach consensus around key psychological correlates of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), comparatively less work has been done investigating the role and influence of peers. Given evidence that engagement in this behavior may be susceptible to peer influence, especially during the early stages of its course, the current study prospectively explored whether knowing a friend who self-injures is associated with the onset, severity, and subsequent engagement in NSSI. The moderating roles of adverse life events, substance use and previous suicidal behavior in this relationship also were explored. Self-report data were collected from 1,973 school-based adolescents (aged 12-18 years; 72 % female) at two time points, 1 year apart. Knowing a friend who self-injured, negative life events, psychological distress and thoughts of NSSI differentiated those who self-injured from those who did not, and also predicted the onset of NSSI within the study period. Further, adverse life events and previous thoughts of NSSI moderated the relationship between exposure to NSSI in peers and engaging in NSSI at Time 2. However, the effect of having a friend who self-injures was not related to the severity of NSSI. Having a friend who self-injures appears to be a risk factor for self-injury among youth who are experiencing high levels of distress. Implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychotic experiences (PEs) are robustly associated with subsequent non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide attempts, but questions remain as to the temporal relation and underlying cause of this association. Most investigations have incorporated only two waves of data, and no study has comprehensively investigated mediating pathways. This study aimed to investigate both the PE-NSSI and PE-suicide attempt association, and their relevant mediators, across three waves of prospective data. Participants were from an Australian prospective longitudinal cohort of 1100 adolescents (12–17 years); data were collected at three time points over 2 years. NSSI and suicide attempts were measured using the Self-Harm Behaviour Questionnaire. Items from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children were used to assess four PE subtypes (auditory hallucinatory experiences [HEs] and three delusional experiences). Potential mediators of interest included: psychological distress, self-reported mental disorders, self-esteem, recent traumatic life events (e.g. bullying, sexual assault), emotion regulation, and impulsivity/other personality traits. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographics and substance use. Auditory HEs were indirectly associated with future NSSI and suicide attempts via recent traumatic life events, high psychological distress, and low self-esteem, across three waves of data. Other PE subtypes were generally not associated with incident NSSI/suicide attempts at 1- and 2-year follow-up, either directly or indirectly. These findings highlight the importance of screening for auditory HEs when assessing a young person's self-harm/suicide risk. Clinical assessment would be further enhanced by a comprehensive review of recent interpersonal traumatic events, as well as levels of self-esteem and distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food availability influences multiple stages of the breeding cycle of birds, and supplementary feeding has helped in its understanding. Most supplementation studies have reported advancements of laying, whilst others, albeit less numerous, have also demonstrated fitness benefits such as larger clutches, shorter incubation periods, and greater hatching success. Relatively few studies, however, have investigated the effects of supplementary feeding for protracted periods across multiple stages of the breeding cycle. These effects are important to understand since long-term food supplementation of birds is recommended in urban habitats and is used as a tool to increase reproductive output in endangered species. Here, we compare the breeding phenology and productivity of blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus and great tits Parus major breeding in food-supplemented and non-supplemented blocks in a broadleaf woodland in central England over three seasons (2006–2008). Supplementation was provided continuously from several weeks pre-laying until hatching, and had multiple significant effects. Most notably, supplementation reduced brood size significantly in both species, by half a chick or more at hatching (after controlling for year and hatching date). Reduced brood sizes in supplemented pairs were driven by significantly smaller clutches in both species and, in blue tits, significantly lower hatching success. These are novel and concerning findings of food supplementation. As expected, supplementary feeding advanced laying and shortened incubation periods significantly in both species. We discuss the striking parallels between our findings and patterns in blue and great tit reproduction in urban habitats, and conclude that supplementary feeding may not always enhance the breeding productivity of birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceived parental expressed emotions have a substantial effect on adolescents' well-being and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The present study examines the mediating effects of self-criticism and depression in the relationship between perceived parental expressed emotions and NSSI. In total, 358 adolescents between the ages of twelve and twenty were examined. The brief NSSI assessment tool was used to assess NSSI. Depressive symptoms and self-criticism were examined with the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI-NL) and the Self Rating Scale. Finally, the self-report questionnaire of the level of expressed emotions was used to assess perceived parental expressed emotions. The lifetime prevalence of NSSI in the current study was 13.41 %. Results of a mediation analysis show the relationship between self-criticism and NSSI is mediated by depressive symptoms. Furthermore, results of a path model analysis, explaining 20 % of the variance in NSSI frequency, show a direct effect of perceived parental environment (perceived lack of emotional support and perceived parental criticism) on NSSI frequency, as well as indirect paths via adolescent risk factors (depressive symptoms and self-criticism). Perceived lack of parental emotional support had a direct effect on frequency of NSSI, as well as an indirect effect via depressive symptoms. Perceived parental criticism on the other hand, had no direct effect on frequency of NSSI, but showed an indirect effect through self-criticism. This study improves our understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in NSSI by interrelating significant family and adolescent risk factors. Limitations and clinical implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) occurs in approximately 10 % of adolescents. To establish effective prevention and intervention initiatives, it is important to understand onset, maintenance and cessation of NSSI. We explored whether the relationships between interpersonal factors (i.e. attachment, social support) and NSSI were mediated by intrapersonal factors (i.e. emotion regulation, self-esteem, self-efficacy). Participants were 1973 students (1414 female and 559 male) aged between 12 and 18 years ( M = 13.89, SD = 0.97) recruited from 40 Australian high schools. Participants completed a questionnaire at two time-points with a 12-month interval. At baseline, 8.3 % of adolescents engaged in NSSI, increasing to 11.9 % at follow-up. Family support was most salient in onset, maintenance and cessation of NSSI. Attachment anxiety was related to NSSI onset. Of the intrapersonal variables, self-esteem and self-efficacy were significant in predicting onset of NSSI. Self-esteem, self-efficacy and cognitive reappraisal mediated the relationship between attachment anxiety and NSSI onset. A combination of interpersonal and intrapersonal variables contributes to the onset, maintenance and cessation of NSSI in adolescence. Perceived family support appears to be an important safeguard against NSSI. Strategies targeting family functioning and teaching cognitive reappraisal techniques to adolescents may reduce the number engaging in NSSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire (RTSQ) is a 20-item measure assessing a single dimension of rumination over and above valence, temporal orientation of thought content, and the cognitive-affective context in which it occurs. The current study examined the factor structure of rumination as measured by the RTSQ, and whether findings of its initial validation study could be replicated within an adolescent sample ( N = 2,362). An exploratory factor analysis and a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis were undertaken on two subsamples (n = 1,181) which did not significantly differ in gender and age. Five items with factor loadings of <.50 or cross loadings of >.30 on a second factor were removed. As hypothesised, an exploratory factor analysis on the final 15 items demonstrated the RTSQ was comprised of four rumination subcomponents, labelled 'Problem-Focused Thoughts', 'Counterfactual Thinking', 'Repetitive Thoughts', and 'Anticipatory Thoughts'. A confirmatory factor analysis supported this, contrary to the initial validation study. Each of these subscales had differential contributions to psychological distress and coping styles in separate multiple regressions. Our findings support the increasing body of evidence suggesting a multidimensional structure for rumination, and clinical implications are noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]