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Turner MJ, Costello N, Miller A, Wood AG. When not hitting your sales target is 'the end of the world': Examining the effects of rational emotive behaviour therapy on the irrational beliefs and emotional reactivity of UK-based sales professionals. Stress Health 2024:e3391. [PMID: 38414157 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, workplace wellbeing is a key priority for employers. Severe market and health conditions continue to bring inevitable problems that could be reduced with the application of psychological interventions to prevent mental and physical health issues, making this study a highly pertinent and valuable contribution to the field. This paper reports the effects of a rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) programme on the irrational beliefs and emotional reactivity of 56 office-based sales professionals located in the northwest region of the UK. A pre-test, post-test experimental design was utilised, and a mixed model ANOVA (repeated measures) was adopted to assess changes in mean differences concerning irrational beliefs and emotional reactivity at pre and post-test stages for the intervention group, in comparison to a control group. Results indicate that those in the REBT group reported significant reductions in irrational beliefs and emotional reactivity, whilst those in the control group reported no such changes. It is recommended that future research studies consider utilizing a mixed methods design and focus on a strategic collaboration of organisational and individual level interventions for improving the psychological wellbeing and performance of sales personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Turner
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - N Costello
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - A Miller
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - A G Wood
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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2
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Bluett-Duncan M, Astill D, Charbak R, Clayton-Smith J, Cole S, Cook PA, Cozens J, Keely K, Morris J, Mukherjee R, Murphy E, Turnpenny P, Williams J, Wood AG, Yates LM, Bromley RL. Neurodevelopmental outcomes in children and adults with Fetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder: A contribution from the ConcePTION project. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2023; 100:107292. [PMID: 37666366 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2023.107292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM To describe the neurodevelopmental phenotype of older children and adults with a diagnosis of Fetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder (FVSD). METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 90 caregivers were recruited and completed a series of questionnaires regarding the neurodevelopmental outcomes of 146 individuals aged 7-37 years (M = 18.1), including individuals with a formal diagnosis of FVSD (n = 99), individuals exposed to Valproate but without an FVSD diagnosis (n = 24), and individuals not exposed to Valproate (N = 23). The mean dose of valproate exposure for individuals with an FVSD diagnosis was 1470 mg/day. RESULTS Individuals with a diagnosis of FVSD showed significantly higher levels of moderate (43.4%) and severe (14.4%) cognitive impairment than other groups (p = 0.003), high levels of required formal educational support (77.6%), and poorer academic competence than individuals not exposed to Valproate (p = 0.001). Overall psychosocial problems (p = 0.02), internalising problems (p = 0.05) and attention problems (p = 0.001), but not externalising problems, were elevated in individuals with a diagnosis of FVSD. Rates of neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autistic spectrum disorders (62.9%) and sensory problems (80.6%) are particularly central to the FVSD phenotype. There was no evidence of a statistical dose-dependent effect, possibly due to the high mean dose of exposure having a uniformly negative impact across the sample. Individuals with FVSD had required a significant number of health and child development services. INTERPRETATION Children and young adults with a diagnosis of FVSD are at an increased risk of a range of altered neurodevelopmental outcomes, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach to clinical management across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bluett-Duncan
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, UK.
| | - D Astill
- Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome New Zealand, Aukland, New Zealand
| | - R Charbak
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, UK
| | - J Clayton-Smith
- Division of Evolution, Systems and Genomics, University of Manchester, UK
| | - S Cole
- Pharma Consent, London, UK
| | - P A Cook
- School of Health and Society, University of Salford, UK
| | - J Cozens
- Organisation for Anti-Convulsant Syndrome, UK
| | - K Keely
- Organisation for Anti-Convulsant Syndrome, Ireland
| | - J Morris
- Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome New Zealand, Aukland, New Zealand
| | - R Mukherjee
- Department of Health and Social Science, University of Salford, Allerton Building, Salford, England, UK
| | - E Murphy
- Independent Fetal Anti-Convulsant Trust, Preston, UK
| | - P Turnpenny
- Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK
| | - J Williams
- Independent Fetal Anti-Convulsant Trust, Preston, UK
| | - A G Wood
- Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, & School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia; Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment, Aston University, UK
| | - L M Yates
- Northern Genetics Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK; KRISP, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - R L Bromley
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, UK; Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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3
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Westrupp EM, Bennett C, Berkowitz T, Youssef GJ, Toumbourou JW, Tucker R, Andrews FJ, Evans S, Teague SJ, Karantzas GC, Melvin GM, Olsson C, Macdonald JA, Greenwood CJ, Mikocka-Walus A, Hutchinson D, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M, Stokes MA, Olive L, Wood AG, McGillivray JA, Sciberras E. Child, parent, and family mental health and functioning in Australia during COVID-19: comparison to pre-pandemic data. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 32:317-330. [PMID: 34417875 PMCID: PMC8379590 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-021-01861-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic presents significant risks to population mental health. Despite evidence of detrimental effects for adults, there has been limited examination of the impact of COVID-19 on parents and children specifically. We aim to examine patterns of parent and child (0-18 years) mental health, parent substance use, couple conflict, parenting practices, and family functioning during COVID-19, compared to pre-pandemic data, and to identify families most at risk of poor outcomes according to pre-existing demographic and individual factors, and COVID-19 stressors. Participants were Australian mothers (81%) and fathers aged 18 years and over who were parents of a child 0-18 years (N = 2365). Parents completed an online self-report survey during 'stage three' COVID-19 restrictions in April 2020. Data were compared to pre-pandemic data from four Australian population-based cohorts. Compared to pre-pandemic estimates, during the pandemic period parents reported higher rates of parent depression, anxiety, and stress (Cohen's d = 0.26-0.81, all p < 0.001), higher parenting irritability (d = 0.17-0.46, all p < 0.001), lower family positive expressiveness (d = - 0.18, p < 0.001), and higher alcohol consumption (22% vs 12% drinking four or more days per week, p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, we consistently found that younger parent age, increased financial deprivation, pre-existing parent and child physical and mental health conditions, COVID-19 psychological and environmental stressors, and housing dissatisfaction were associated with worse parent and child functioning and more strained family relationships. Our data suggest wide-ranging, detrimental family impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; and support policy actions to assist families with financial supports, leave entitlements, and social housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Westrupp
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia.
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.
| | - C Bennett
- Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
| | - T Berkowitz
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - G J Youssef
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - J W Toumbourou
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - R Tucker
- Deakin HOME Research Hub, Victoria, Australia
| | - F J Andrews
- Deakin HOME Research Hub, Victoria, Australia
| | - S Evans
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - S J Teague
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - G C Karantzas
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - G M Melvin
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
- Centre for Educational Development Research and Appraisal, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - C Olsson
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - J A Macdonald
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - C J Greenwood
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - A Mikocka-Walus
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - D Hutchinson
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
- The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - M Fuller-Tyszkiewicz
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - M A Stokes
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - L Olive
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
- IMPACT Institute, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
| | - A G Wood
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - J A McGillivray
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - E Sciberras
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
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Carneiro APB, Dias MP, Oppel S, Pearmain EJ, Clark BL, Wood AG, Clavelle T, Phillips RA. Integrating immersion with
GPS
data improves behavioural classification for wandering albatrosses and shows scavenging behind fishing vessels mirrors natural foraging. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - M P Dias
- BirdLife International Cambridge UK
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, cE3c & Department of Animal Biology, Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - S Oppel
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds The David Attenborough Building Cambridge UK
| | | | | | - A G Wood
- British Antarctic Survey Natural Environment Research Council Cambridge UK
| | - T Clavelle
- Global Fishing Watch Washington District of Columbia USA
| | - R A Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey Natural Environment Research Council Cambridge UK
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5
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Dunn MJ, Adlard S, Taylor AP, Wood AG, Trathan PN, Ratcliffe N. Un-crewed aerial vehicle population survey of three sympatrically breeding seabird species at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Polar Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-021-02831-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSurveying seabirds in polar latitudes can be challenging due to sparse human populations, lack of infrastructure and the risk of disturbance to wildlife or damage to habitats. Counting populations using un-crewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) is a promising approach to overcoming these difficulties. However, a careful validation of the approach is needed to ensure comparability with counts collected using conventional methods. Here, we report on surveys of three Antarctic bird species breeding on Signy Island, South Orkney Islands; Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarctica) and Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) Penguins, and the South Georgia Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps georgianus). We show that images from low-altitude UAV surveys have sufficient resolution to allow separation of Chinstrap Penguins from contiguously breeding Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis adéliae), which are very similar in appearance when viewed from overhead. We compare data from ground counts with manual counts of nesting birds on images collected simultaneously by low-altitude aerial photography from multi-rotor UAVs at the same colonies. Results at this long-term monitoring site confirmed a continued population decline for Chinstrap Penguins and increasing Gentoo Penguin population. Although both methods provided breeding pair counts that were generally within ~ 5%, there were significant differences at some locations. We examine these differences in order to highlight potential biases or methodological constraints that should be considered when analysing similar aerial census surveys and comparing them with ground counts.
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6
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Calderan SV, Black A, Branch TA, Collins MA, Kelly N, Leaper R, Lurcock S, Miller BS, Moore M, Olson PA, Širović A, Wood AG, Jackson JA. South Georgia blue whales five decades after the end of whaling. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2020. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Blue whales Balaenoptera musculus at South Georgia were heavily exploited during 20th century industrial whaling, to the point of local near-extirpation. Although legal whaling for blue whales ceased in the 1960s, and there were indications of blue whale recovery across the wider Southern Ocean area, blue whales were seldom seen in South Georgia waters in subsequent years. We collated 30 yr of data comprising opportunistic sightings, systematic visual and acoustic surveys and photo-identification to assess the current distribution of blue whales in the waters surrounding South Georgia. Over 34000 km of systematic survey data between 1998 and 2018 resulted in only a single blue whale sighting, although opportunistic sightings were reported over that time period. However, since 2018 there have been increases in both sightings of blue whales and detections of their vocalisations. A survey in 2020 comprising visual line transect surveys and directional frequency analysis and recording (DIFAR) sonobuoy deployments resulted in 58 blue whale sightings from 2430 km of visual effort, including the photo-identification of 23 individual blue whales. Blue whale vocalisations were detected on all 31 sonobuoys deployed (114 h). In total, 41 blue whales were photo-identified from South Georgia between 2011 and 2020, none of which matched the 517 whales in the current Antarctic catalogue. These recent data suggest that blue whales have started to return to South Georgia waters, but continued visual and acoustic surveys are required to monitor any future changes in their distribution and abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- SV Calderan
- Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Argyll PA37 1QA, UK
| | - A Black
- Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Government House, Stanley FIQQ 1ZZ, Falkland Islands
| | - TA Branch
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - MA Collins
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - N Kelly
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
| | - R Leaper
- International Fund for Animal Welfare, London SE1 8NL, UK
| | - S Lurcock
- South Georgia Heritage Trust, Dundee DD1 5BT, UK
| | - BS Miller
- Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
| | - M Moore
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - PA Olson
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NMFS/NOAA, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - A Širović
- Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - AG Wood
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - JA Jackson
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
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7
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King DJ, Ellis KR, Seri S, Wood AG. A systematic review of cross-sectional differences and longitudinal changes to the morphometry of the brain following paediatric traumatic brain injury. Neuroimage Clin 2019; 23:101844. [PMID: 31075554 PMCID: PMC6510969 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Paediatric traumatic brain injury (pTBI) is a leading cause of disability for children and young adults. Children are a uniquely vulnerable group with the disease process that occurs following a pTBI interacting with the trajectory of normal brain development. Quantitative MRI post-injury has suggested a long-term, neurodegenerative effect of TBI on the morphometry of the brain, in both adult and childhood TBI. Changes to the brain beyond that of anticipated, age-dependant differences may allow us to estimate the state of the brain post-injury and produce clinically relevant predictions for long-term outcome. The current review synthesises the existing literature to assess whether, following pTBI, the morphology of the brain exhibits either i) longitudinal change and/or ii) differences compared to healthy controls and outcomes. The current literature suggests that morphometric differences from controls are apparent cross-sectionally at both acute and late-chronic timepoints post-injury, thus suggesting a non-transient effect of injury. Developmental trajectories of morphometry are altered in TBI groups compared to patients, and it is unlikely that typical maturation overcomes damage post-injury, or even 'catches up' with that of typically-developing peers. However, there is limited evidence for diverted developmental trajectories being associated with cognitive impairment post-injury. The current review also highlights the apparent challenges to the existing literature and potential methods by which these can be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J King
- School of Life and Health Sciences & Aston Brain Centre, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - K R Ellis
- School of Life and Health Sciences & Aston Brain Centre, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - S Seri
- School of Life and Health Sciences & Aston Brain Centre, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - A G Wood
- School of Life and Health Sciences & Aston Brain Centre, Aston University, Birmingham, UK; Child Neuropsychology, Clinical Sciences, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
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8
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Wood AG, Barker JB, Turner MJ, Sheffield D. Examining the effects of rational emotive behavior therapy on performance outcomes in elite paralympic athletes. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2017; 28:329-339. [DOI: 10.1111/sms.12926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. G. Wood
- Life Sciences and Education; Staffordshire University; Stoke-on-Trent UK
| | - J. B. Barker
- Life Sciences and Education; Staffordshire University; Stoke-on-Trent UK
| | - M. J. Turner
- Life Sciences and Education; Staffordshire University; Stoke-on-Trent UK
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9
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Jiménez S, Domingo A, Brazeiro A, Defeo O, Wood AG, Froy H, Xavier JC, Phillips RA. Sex-related variation in the vulnerability of wandering albatrosses to pelagic longline fleets. Anim Conserv 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Jiménez
- Laboratorio de Recursos Pelágicos; Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; Montevideo Uruguay
- British Antarctic Survey; Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross; Cambridge UK
| | - A. Domingo
- Laboratorio de Recursos Pelágicos; Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; Montevideo Uruguay
| | - A. Brazeiro
- Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales; Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República; Montevideo Uruguay
| | - O. Defeo
- UNDECIMAR, Departamento de Ecología & Evolución; Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República; Montevideo Uruguay
| | - A. G. Wood
- British Antarctic Survey; Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross; Cambridge UK
| | - H. Froy
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology; University of Edinburgh; Edinburgh UK
| | - J. C. Xavier
- British Antarctic Survey; Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross; Cambridge UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology; IMAR-CMA-Institute of Marine Research, University of Coimbra; Coimbra Portugal
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre; Faculty of Sciences and Technology; IMAR-CMA-Institute of Marine Research, University of Coimbra; Coimbra Portugal
| | - R. A. Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey; Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross; Cambridge UK
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10
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Wood AG, Mountain LJ, Connors RD, Maher MJ, Ropkins K. Updating outdated predictive accident models. Accid Anal Prev 2013; 55:54-66. [PMID: 23510788 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2013.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2012] [Revised: 02/19/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Reliable predictive accident models (PAMs) (also referred to as safety performance functions (SPFs)) are essential to design and maintain safe road networks however, ongoing changes in road and vehicle design coupled with road safety initiatives, mean that these models can quickly become dated. Unfortunately, because the fitting of sophisticated PAMs including a wide range of explanatory variables is not a trivial task, available models tend to be based on data collected many years ago and seem unlikely to give reliable estimates of current accidents. Large, expensive studies to produce new models are likely to be, at best, only a temporary solution. This paper thus seeks to develop a practical and efficient methodology to allow currently available PAMs to be updated to give unbiased estimates of accident frequencies at any point in time. Two principal issues are examined: the extent to which the temporal transferability of predictive accident models varies with model complexity; and the practicality and efficiency of two alternative updating strategies. The models used to illustrate these issues are the suites of models developed for rural dual and single carriageway roads in the UK. These are widely used in several software packages in spite of being based on data collected during the 1980s and early 1990s. It was found that increased model complexity by no means ensures better temporal transferability and that calibration of the models using a scale factor can be a practical alternative to fitting new models.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Wood
- School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, UK.
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11
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Richardson J, Wood AG, Neil A, Nowacek D, Moore M. Changes in distribution, relative abundance, and species composition of large whales around South Georgia from opportunistic sightings: 1992 to 2011. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2012. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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12
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Abstract
Craniofacial disorders are routinely diagnosed using computed tomography imaging. Corrective surgery is often performed early in life to restore the skull to a more normal shape. In order to quantitatively assess the shape change due to surgery, we present an automated method for intracranial space segmentation. The method utilizes a two-stage approach which firstly initializes the segmentation with a cascade of mathematical morphology operations. This segmentation is then refined with a level-set-based approach that ensures that low-contrast boundaries, where bone is absent, are completed smoothly. We demonstrate this method on a dataset of 43 images and show that the method produces consistent and accurate results.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Adamson
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
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13
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Nadebaum C, Anderson VA, Vajda F, Reutens DC, Barton S, Wood AG. Language skills of school-aged children prenatally exposed to antiepileptic drugs. Neurology 2011; 76:719-26. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e31820d62c7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe a protocol for use in young children and adolescents for determining language representation. METHODS We performed 130 fMRI studies in 48 children and 17 adults. Verb generation (VG) and orthographic lexical retrieval (OLR) were used. The localization and lateralization of activation was rated visually. Regional voxel counts measured asymmetry and extent of activation. RESULTS Activation was predominantly left-lateralized (children 85%, adults 94%), and there was no difference in the localization of activation for either paradigm. Children's typical sites of activation included mesial (96%), inferior (94%) and middle frontal (92%) gyri, the inferior (85%) and superior (65%) temporal cortex, and the cerebellum (67%). Less frequently activated sites were insular (50%) and posterior parietal (48%) cortices. Quantitative asymmetry index scores and visual inspection of laterality were concordant. Greater quantitative asymmetry for VG than OLR occurred in children. Laterality was not related to age, sex, task proficiency, or handedness. Frontal region voxel counts lower in children than adults and left sided counts correlated with task proficiency. CONCLUSIONS Language fMRI can be performed in young children using resources available to clinical centers. The similarity in frequency of left language lateralization between children and adults suggests that language representation establishes early in development. The reduced amount of frontal region of interest activation in task-specific regions in children may reflect different levels of ability. However, the left-right distribution of activation does not appear to depend on task performance or age. These normative data provide a basis for decisions about language laterality in pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Wood
- Brain Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
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15
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Abstract
Words presented to the right visual field (RVF) are recognised more readily than those presented to the left visual field (LVF). This RVF advantage could reflect: (a) the direct connection between the RVF and left hemisphere, (b) an attentional bias directed towards the RVF, or (c) an attentional advantage, where the left hemisphere is able to recognise words using less attention than the right hemisphere. The attentional bias and advantage models were tested in 20 dextral adults during a divided visual field word-naming task. Spatial attention was manipulated with valid, invalid, or neutral central cues. Error and reaction time measures revealed a RVF advantage for word recognition. If the attentional bias model is correct, the RVF advantage should have been attenuated for valid and invalid cues compared to neutral cues. Instead of this, an interaction emerged whereby the cueing effect was stronger for words in the LVF than the RVF. This interaction has been reported previously in studies using peripheral spatial cues. The interaction suggests that the RVF requires less attention to process words than the LVF. This left hemisphere attentional advantage may reflect asymmetries between the hemispheres in their word processing styles.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Nicholls
- Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Wood AG, Saling MM, Abbott DF, Jackson GD. A neurocognitive account of frontal lobe involvement in orthographic lexical retrieval: an fMRI study. Neuroimage 2001; 14:162-9. [PMID: 11525325 DOI: 10.1006/nimg.2001.0778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the relationship between activation induced by an orthographic lexical retrieval (OLR) task and performance across time on the standard clinical version of OLR, the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT). The number of significantly activated pixels in a frontal lobe region of interest (encompassing middle and inferior frontal gyri) were measured for the left and right cerebral hemispheres in 20 volunteers. A relationship between the pixel count and the total number of words retrieved during the COWAT was found for the left but not the right hemisphere. Further examination of the left-sided relationship showed that the number of pixels in the left middle frontal region of interest correlated significantly with the second, but not the first, 30-s COWAT epoch. By contrast, the first epoch, but not the second, correlated significantly with the pixel count within the left inferior frontal region of interest. These relationships suggest differential involvement of dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex in specific cognitive processes fundamental to the production of language. Interindividual variation in activation levels may reflect underlying differences in cognitive processing capacity. This study is the first attempt to examine the relationship between fMRI activation and standard verbal fluency performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Wood
- Brain Imaging Research Institute and Department of Neuropsychology, University of Melbourne, Australia
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Wood AG. Anticipating the colonias: popular housing in El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, 1890-1923. J Southwest 2001; 43:493-504. [PMID: 20039493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
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Abstract
We studied a group of 31 temporal lobe epilepsy patients (25 left, 6 right) with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis evident on magnetic resonance imaging. Single slice T2 relaxation times were acquired for the left and right hippocampi. Principal components analysis of preoperative memory data resulted in two factors that reflect a distinction between arbitrary and semantic forms of verbal recall. The former component correlated with left hippocampal T2 relaxation time, while the latter component did not. This study suggests that variation in left hippocampal integrity is more related to the acquisition of arbitrary associates than semantically structured material, and reinforces the possibility that the left temporal lobe is functionally heterogeneous with respect to memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Wood
- Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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19
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Abstract
Portraits, both photographic and painted, are often produced with more of one side of the face showing than the other. Typically, the left side of the face is overrepresented, with the head turned slightly to the sitter's right. This leftward bias is weaker for painted male portraits and non-existent for portraits of scientists from the Royal Society. What mechanism might account for this bias? Examination of portraits painted by left- and right-handers and of self-portraits suggests that the bias is not determined by a mechanical preference of the artist or by the viewer's aesthetics. The leftward bias seems to be determined by the sitters and their desire to display the left side of their face, which is controlled by the emotive, right cerebral hemisphere. When we asked people to portray as much emotion as possible when posing for a family portrait, they tended to present the left side of their face. When asked to pose as scientists and avoid portraying emotion, participants tended to present their right side. The motivation to portray emotion, or conceal it, might explain why portraits of males show a reduced leftward bias, and also why portraits of scientists from the Royal Society show no leftward bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Nicholls
- Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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20
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Abstract
Left-to-right reorganization of verbal memory following early left hemisphere damage has been reported in patients whose expressive language is governed by the right hemisphere. We present a case in which verbal memory performance was intact, despite severe left mesial temporal damage, and despite aphasia on left internal carotid sodium amytal ablation. The distribution and degree of left mesial temporal damage was assessed visually and quantitatively on MRI. These findings raise the possibility that verbal memory may shift to the language-nondominant hemisphere as a result of early left mesial temporal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Wood
- Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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21
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Abstract
Perceptual asymmetries have been explained by structural, attentional bias and attentional advantage models. Structural models focus on asymmetries in the physical access information has to the hemispheres, whereas attentional models focus on asymmetries in the operation of attentional processes. A series of experiments was conducted to assess the contribution of attentional mechanisms to the right visual field (RVF) advantage found for word recognition. Valid, invalid and neutral peripheral cues were presented at a variety of stimulus onset asynchronies to manipulate spatial attention. Results indicated a significant RVF advantage and cueing effect. The effect of the cue was stronger for the left visual field than the RVF. This interaction supports the attentional advantage model which suggests that the left hemisphere requires less attention to process words. The attentional asymmetry is interpreted in terms of the different word processing styles used by the left and right hemispheres. These results have ramifications for the methodology used in divided visual field research and the interpretation of this research.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Nicholls
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Wood AG, Delany DJ, Sterling GM. Lymphadenopathy in diffuse pulmonary haemorrhage. Clin Radiol 1994; 49:291-2. [PMID: 8162696 DOI: 10.1016/s0009-9260(05)81867-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Abstract
Small amounts of a 23-kilobase covalently closed circular DNA molecule were isolated from unwashed cells of Methanococcus voltae A3. Further investigation indicated the presence of greater quantities of the circular DNA in the culture supernatant, complexed with protein in a manner rendering the DNA resistant to DNase. Electron-microscopic examination of supernatant material revealed the presence of particles which morphologically resemble virus. Phenol extraction of viruslike particle preparations resulted in the recovery of DNase-sensitive open-circular DNA molecules. As many as 30 viruslike particles per cell were recovered from some cultures. Hybridization data clearly indicated the presence of a chromosomally integrated copy of the viruslike particle DNA. Although M. voltae PS was not observed to produce viruslike particles, DNA homologous to the viruslike particle DNA was detected in its chromosome. A mutant of M. voltae A3 was isolated which produced no particles; its DNA was deleted for 80% of the integrated viruslike particle DNA. Despite any similarities to lysogenic bacteriophages of eubacteria, neither infectivity nor inducibility of the viruslike particles could be demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Wood
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801
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Abstract
Of 21 recently isolated strains of methanococci, one was found to harbor a small, cryptic, low copy number plasmid. Reproducible recovery was achieved by alkaline lysis of cells pretreated with proteinase K in an osmotically stabilizing buffer. The plasmid was found to contain a single AvaI site. No homology was detected between the plasmid and DNA from any of the other new strains or from five known species of methanococci.
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Wood AG, Konisky J. Activation of expression of a cloned archaebacterial gene in Escherichia coli by IS2, IS5, or deletions. Mol Gen Genet 1985; 198:309-14. [PMID: 2984520 DOI: 10.1007/bf00383012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A DNA fragment from the methanogenic archaebacterium Methanococcus voltae, when cloned into the PstI site of the plasmid vector pBR322, complements the Escherichia coli argG mutation strongly or weakly depending on its orientation. Faster-growing variants derived from a strain containing the poorly expressed fragment were found to harbor plasmids which had undergone genetic rearrangements. Some of the plasmids were shown to have acquired an insertion element (IS2 or IS5), derived from the E. coli chromosome, close to the region essential for complementing activity. Other plasmids exhibited no homology with E. coli chromosomal DNA. These were found to represent multimeric forms of the parental plasmid in which 2-3 kb of DNA between the tet promoter and the argG-complementing region had been deleted. Growth rates of the variant strains in the absence of arginine varied significantly, suggesting differences in efficiency of activation of the cloned DNA.
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Wood AG, Redborg AH, Cue DR, Whitman WB, Konisky J. Complementation of argG and hisA mutations of Escherichia coli by DNA cloned from the archaebacterium Methanococcus voltae. J Bacteriol 1983; 156:19-29. [PMID: 6352676 PMCID: PMC215046 DOI: 10.1128/jb.156.1.19-29.1983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA derived from the methanogenic archaebacterium Methanococcus voltae was digested with PstI restriction endonuclease and cloned into the PstI site of pBR322. The recombinant plasmids generated were used to transform a multiply auxotrophic strain of Escherichia coli with selection for tetracycline resistance. Plasmids complementing the argG(pAW1) or hisA(pAW2) mutations were isolated and characterized. Nick-translated pAW1 and pAW2 hybridized to the predicted M. voltae PstI fragments but not to digested E. coli DNA. A novel 55,000-dalton protein was synthesized in UV-irradiated cells by pAW1, whereas pAW2 synthesized a novel 26,000-dalton protein. Derivatives of pAW1 carrying insertion elements no longer complemented the argG mutation and failed to produce the 55,000-dalton protein. When an AccI fragment was deleted from pAW2, complementation of hisA did not occur and no 26,000-dalton protein was synthesized. The effect of orientation of the cloned DNA within the vector on complementation and polypeptide synthesis was examined.
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Wood AG. TWO PLANT MATERIAL DRIERS. Plant Physiol 1928; 3:515-7. [PMID: 16652587 PMCID: PMC440029 DOI: 10.1104/pp.3.4.515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A G Wood
- Grove City College, Grove City, Pa
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