bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The planned development’s effect on the performance in ice hockey
Authors: Géczi Gábor , Velenczei Attila , Nagy Attila , Bognár József
Published: June 2016

The sports are growing everywhere in the world, so there is no other way to maintain or to increase the level of quality just the strategic planned development (GÉCZI, 2012), because thousands of specialist are working hardly on the better results worldwide. The aim of this study was to monitor the ice hockey players’ physical development in Hungary since 2007, focusing the results after opening the federations’ Methodical Center (MC). One can see a remarkable development during the last years in the domestic ice hockey, which is perceptible following the sport performance and results. The first step of the planned development was the reform of the curriculum in the coaches courses (from 2004 continuously) at every level, the second step was the opening our MC in 2010, where the Hungarian players and experts (coaches and officials) can develop their skills and their knowledge about the ice hockey. We examined the effect of the above mentioned procedures, comparing the national try-out test running events (10 m, 60 m, 6×9 m, 400 m, 1500 m) by the best twenty U18 players (N=80). According to the opening of the Methodical Center, we used the data from 2012, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
A study into the awareness and acceptance of utilizing vine branches in the micro-region of Gyöngyös
Authors: Gonda Cecília
Published: June 2016

Every year, a significant amount of renewable dendromass is generated in Hungary. Various possibilities have been recognised by today that are not widespread yet. The greatest obstacle is frequently derived from the lack of the farmers’ knowledge as without having the required knowledge obtained they can become distrustful or adequate efficiency will not be achieved during utilisation. In order to improve the rate of utilisation, targeted information methodologies should be applied that comply with the farmers’ knowledge. In this present study, the awareness and acceptance of vine-growers from the Micro-region of Gyöngyös related to the use of vine branches will be analysed based on the results of a questionnaire survey. The survey was conducted in accordance with the number of wine-community members in personal interviews. The questionnaire contained questions about the farm, the use of vine branches as well as about the farmers. Based on the results, information was obtained on the reasons for the use of by-products not being wide-spread among farmers as well as on the sources of information obtained. For the fragmented farms which are typical here it is important to know whether by-products are not utilised as it is not how they can be used or whether the vineyard is cultivated by others therefore the farmer lacks machinery. The level of acceptance was also studied by asking a question on the possible offer of the by-products for greater-scale site. Our intention is to assist the generally badly off farmers to use the annually generated by-products in a reasonable way. This can be realized by various ways of providing information. By applying the results of the survey, adequate methods and knowledge can be provided for farmers.
Theory and practice in the management of university championships organized in Hungary
Authors: Hédi Csaba
Published: June 2016

After the 1989-1990 political changes the aim of the Hungarian University Sports Federation was to follow its traditions of nine decades in foreign policy as well, therefore the organization of international competitions in Hungary was promoted. Up to now the study of the management of these international events was neglected in the Hungarian scholarly literature, although all university sporting events held in Hungary were successful and they were highly appreciated internationally. Taking the example of three university world championships hosted by Hungarian towns, the objective of this paper is to analyze how the management succeeded to solve the major tasks of the organizational work and how some management theories were implemented in its activity. In order to collect data the following methods were used: analysis of documents, in-depth interviews and participant observation. The results are presented on the basis of some theses of the event planning theory, the event management theory, and the situational leadership theory. More specifically, the issues of motives-decisionactions, consistency- coherency- harmony and these of the quantity indicators of event organization in connection of the three underscored world championships organized in Hungary are discussed. In conclusion it is stated that in the management the situation theory had to be taken into consideration the most in the leading process. It was proven that despite preparations lasting often for several years and expanding to every detail of requirements, the flexibility of the management was crucial to search and to find response to every critical situation.
Innovative training methods in business higher education
Authors: Árváné Ványi Georgina , Gál Tímea , Nábrádi András , Csapó Zsolt , Pető Károly
Published: June 2016

A unique business-oriented educational method was launched in 2010 at the University Of Debrecen, Hungary, in the Faculty Of Applied Economics and Rural Development; the method has existed in the JAMK University of Applied Science in Jyväskylä (Finland) since 1993, and is called Team Academy. The gist of this training is that the students learn entrepreneurship through their ‘living’ organisations with the application of the principle ‘learning-by-doing’. Besides developing the students’ entrepreneurial competencies and skills, this educational model also offers team coaching tools to develop teams of 12-13 students that can cooperate in an efficient way. The key point of Team Academy, which has been launched in several European higher education institutes over the past years (e.g. Spain, France, the Netherlands, etc.), is that the most efficient way of learning how to operate a successful company is to learn it in practice. During the professional and project trainings, the cooperation of the team and their company’s efficiency is continuously developing with the help of team coaches. A quite wide variety of team coaching tools is used in this system, e.g. 360◦ evaluation, which is a very important tool of human resource management. Feedback from students also plays an important role in developing team cooperation; the professional frame for this is also given by the above-mentioned methodology. This method is used successfully at the Debrecen Team Academy which / and (do you mean that the a) Team Academy or b) the above-mentioned methodology will be presented? If B), then write ‘and’ instead of ‘which’) will be presented in this study. A database of 150 questionnaires is analysed through qualitative research methods.
Swot analysis and identification of the needs, potential and development strategies of the fruit and vegetable sector in Montenegro
Authors: Jovović Radislav , Janković Dragoljub
Published: June 2016

Fruit and vegetable production in Montenegro benefits from naturally favourable conditions in terms of climate, soil and water resources. Such conditions enable high quality fruit, vegetables and vines to be grown, and fruit and vegetable production and viticulture have a long tradition as well as the cultivation of a wide assortment of produce. A significant number of Montenegrin households therefore deal with horticultural and wine production, although on a small-scale. Along with the global market trends, the level of domestic consumption, the expected evolution of the distribution system in Montenegro and the planned dynamic developments in the tourist sector, these natural conditions contribute to creating basic conditions for the development of the considered sector. Market opportunities are favourable and represent an additional contributing factor towards its development. In spite of the favourable climate for production in this sector and the supportive market opportunities, the real value of Montenegrin products at sector level is quite low. We conduct a SWOT analysis of the sector aimed to find out its potential as well as the needs of the sector. Our starting hypothesis is that the potential of this sector in Montenegro is greater than current activity/production, and that suitable strategies can provide higher results in this sector. The main outcome of this paper will be our suggestions for improvement within the sector. The SWOT analysis will be completed according to the PESTEL categorisation, after which Opportunities and Threats will be grouped into three major strategic categories: “New market trends”, “Sector financing” and “Structure and functioning of the value chain”. The SWOT analysis outcomes, when regarded alongside a review of global market trends and domestic production potential, lead to strategies for the improvement of the sector.
Using sustainable development tools for solving property rights in Montenegro
Authors: Janjusevic Jelena
Published: June 2016

In recent months Montenegro has been faced with serious budget problems , one proposed solution of which has been to reduce the number of employees in state administration. Additionally, the costs of living are above the disposable budget of most households, in particular the high cost of electricity. While the government warns about a lack of electricity, the citizens are hardly in the position to cover these costs. Montenegro is dealing with the double challenge of inefficient use of space (the country features over 100,000 illegal homes)(I don’t understand the link between inefficient use of space and illegal homes) and inefficient energy use (Montenegro needs an average of 8.5 times more energy per unit produced than an average EU country). How can these problems be solved in a way which pleases both sides? In this paper, an approach is presented which links the solving of the problem of illegal construction with increasing the level of energy efficiency in households, businesses and other facilities. There is a model developed by UNDP Montenegro – an integrated policy solution to the double challenge of providing energy efficiency measures to incentivise households to legalise their homes. The legalisation of illegal buildings by the introduction of mandatory energy efficiency measures in them may at the same time result in an increase of revenue to the central and local budgets, the reduction of negative impacts on the environment, an increase in employment, the engagement of the economy, a reduction of electricity consumption and thereby to reduce the need to import electricity, and ultimately the increased welfare of the population.
The marketing strategies of Serbian honey producers
Authors: Zarić Vlade , Vasiljević Zorica , Nedić Nebojša , Petković Danijela
Published: June 2016

Serbian honey producers are exposed to the increased international competition of recent years. To face up to the new changes, producers are progressively using diversification strategies, such as direct sales and production diversification. The direct sales strategy allows the producers to increase the product added value, while diversification aims to offer new products to the consumers. The aim of this paper is to analyse the honey marketing strategy of Serbian honey producers. The first part of the paper analyses the structure of production costs, production performances as well as the determinants of the honey supply. In the second part of the paper, analysis is focused on the determinants of direct sales. Finally, in the third part of the paper, diversification strategies are discussed. The data for this research has been obtained on the basis of a representative sample consisting of 84 Serbian honey producers interviewed in 2011 and 2012. The results show that the Serbian honey producers operate with more or less similar production costs and with production performances that do not differ significantly. They use direct marketing for two reasons: firstly, it affords personal contact with consumers, and secondly, they aim to decrease the transaction costs, thereby keeping a higher share of the product’s final value. Offering new products to consumers is an attempt to create additional product demand.
The influence of direct support under common agricultural policy on farm incomes in Poland
Authors: Judzińska Agnieszka
Published: June 2016

The main objective of the paper is the analysis of changes on the level of income of agricultural producers, which took place in Poland in the early years of the accession to the EU, as well as a determination of the scale of the impact of financial support under the Common Agricultural Policy on the farm income situation. Poland’s membership in the EU gives rural farms opportunities to improve their economic situation. Financial aid, mainly in the form of a direct payment, has been the main factor determining the economical status of rural farms, whilst the other income making factors, such as improved productivity and increased agricultural production have played a much smaller role. The increase in revenue has enabled farmers not only to increase current expenditures, but also to carry out modernization efforts, which will determine the future economic and structural situation of the Polish agricultural sector and its competitiveness. However, a strong differentiation in terms of the economic situation of rural farms according to their size and specialization in production was also noticed. As a result, there is a still large number of farms in which the revenues received by farmers are insufficient to assure them adequate life standard. Therefore such farms are not able to both develop and invest. Only economically strong rural farms with high production potential have such opportunities, meaning that EU support will never be able to fully minimize the effects of small-scale production or to offset the insufficient efficiency and productivity of production factors.
On the conveyor belt of public employment programs between 2009 and 2013 in Hajdúböszörmény
Authors: Oláh Judit , Szabó Andrea
Published: June 2016

Present study focuses on the national and European popularity of public employment programs within the Active Labour Market Policies (ALMP) between 2009 and 2013, and emphasizes the lack of their transitive effects by two national empirical researches. It is a crucial question at either the governmental level or the local level or even at the level of the people that after the participation whether the supported employees can find a job, whether the programs have transitive effects or the possibility of re-employment is greater. 50% one-time participation defined in the first hypothesis was examined in two empirical studies. In the first case this ratio was verified neither in input sampling (45,6%) nor in output sampling (40,83%). In case of the sampling in 2013 it was successful (78%). In Hajdúböszörmény revealing the situation of the labour market we concluded that practically people after the supported employment have minimal chance to find a job, there are still negative tendencies in the primary market, and local government tries to struggle with the price by utilizing public employment as a single tool. The two empirical sampling drew the attention that the lower the transitive effects of the examined programs are, the stronger the phenomenon of locking-in and rotating is.
The possibilities of energetic applicability and economic evaluation of grape in the Szentantalfa township
Authors: Brazsil József , Pintér Gábor , Veszelka Mihály
Published: June 2016

Energy production has become one of the key problems in the recent years. Hungary is lacking fossil fuels, but could play a leading role of biomass utilization in Europe. In the concept of biomass not only main-, but by-products (e.g. grape) are be included. Since farmers face a variety of difficulties in disposing of garpe from plantation sites it would be beneficial to encourage grape use in energy production. In our opinion due to varying transportation costs it is crucial to investigate the amount of potentially usable grape both for the whole country and in local township levels. Our economic studies were done on the Szentantalfa Township’s Balatonfüred-Csopak Vine Region. According to our findings the total amount of grape generated in the township theoretically amounts to 5.28 TJ exploitable that would operate a 360 kW boiler for a whole heating period (6 months). In our opinion the appearance of local energy production based on grape could significantly raise the ability of the future potential income of townships.
Technical efficiency analysis of maize production: evidence from Ghana
Authors: Bempomaa Beatrice , Acquah Henry de-Graft
Published: June 2016

The study applies the single-stage modelling stochastic frontier approach to investigate the performance of maize farmers in the Ejura-Sekyedumase District of Ghana. It estimates the level of technical efficiency and its determinants for 306 maize farmers. Findings indicated that land, labour and fertilizer influenced output positively whilst agrochemicals and seeds affected output negatively. A wide variation in output was also found among producers of maize. The study further revealed that age, sex and off-farm work activities were significant determinants of technical inefficiencies in production. Results from the maximum likelihood estimate of the frontier model showed that averagely, farmers were 67% technically efficient, implying that 33% of maize yield was not realized. The return to scale which measures the productivity level of farmers was 1.22, suggesting that the farmers are operating at an increasing returns to scale.
Tourism performance of destinations based on settlement approach
Authors: Szalók Csilla , Holczerné Szentirmai Ágnes , Probáld Ákos , Kovácsné Székely Ilona
Published: June 2016

Recently in the regional development researches the attention draw to the way of measuring destination's development and competitiveness. The further development of the Hungarian Tourism depends on the regions, destinations' developments, their success in competitiveness and the ongoing innovation in tourism. The research of the Budapest Business School Institute of Tourism Department intends to elaborate a complex tourism destination indicator based on former researches and experiences.
RESPONSABILIDADE SOCIAL DA UNIVERSIDADE: UMA LEITURA NA REGIÃO OESTE DE SANTA CATARINA/BRASIL
Authors: Eidt Paulino , Strieder Roque
Published: June 2016

A Região Oeste foi a última área do Estado de Santa Catarina a ser colonizada (início do século XX).  A dinâmica que se estabeleceu desde o início da colonização da Região se caracterizou pela predominância das iniciativas comunitárias na organização da vida socioeconômica e cultural da população. O sonho de trazer o Ensino Superior para o interior do estado de Santa Catarina teve seu marco com a criação da primeira instituição de ensino superior no final da década de 1970. Após intensa mobilização da Sociedade Regional, adotou-se a universidade comunitária como sendo a ideal, face seu compromisso com a responsabilidade social. A partir dos esforços individuais e coletivos, nasceu a Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina (UNOESC). Ao longo das últimas décadas a instituição zelou no campo epistemológico pela construção, transmissão e conservação do conhecimento. No campo da pesquisa e extensão procurou respostas para os problemas teóricos e práticos do tempo e do lugar nos quais se insere e é parte. O modelo comunitário de instituição buscou seu fortalecimento na região, mostrando suas características primordiais e suas diferenças em relação àquelas mantidas pelo poder público e, também, àquelas instituições estritamente privadas. O presente artigo, enfoca a experiência e o compromisso Social do programa de Pós Graduação mestrado em Educação da UNOESC (Stricto sensu), através de dois projetos de forte impacto social e na formação de professores da Educação Básica dos 118 municípios da mesorregião Oeste de Santa Catarina/ Brasil.
Grape berry development : A review
Authors: Diakou-Verdin Paraskevi , Carde Jean-Pierre , Gaudillère Jean-Pierre , Barrieu François , Ollat Nathalie , Moing Annick
Published: June 2016

Grape berry development is reviewed with special focus on berry growth, structure, substances imported, organic acid and sugar metabolism. Berry growth is divided into two growth periods. Berry structure and ultra structure are adapted to sink function. Exocarp cells are characterized by intensive metabolic capacities, flesh cells by a storage role. Early growth is highly sensitive to internal and external parameters. Berry size is largely defined during the first growth period. After "véraison", the berry becomes a major storage sink. Many changes occur in berry metabolism and gene expression. Genomic researches are promising to elucidate the mechanisms of berry development.
Use of encapsulated yeast for the treatment of stuck and sluggish fermentations
Authors: Silva Sofia , Ramón Portugal Felipe , Silva Patricia , Texeira Maria de Fatima , Strehaiano Pierre
Published: June 2016

In this work, encapsulated whole cells of S. cerevisiae in calcium-alginate gel (S. cerevisiae-CAG) were used for the treatment of sluggish and stuck fermentation in vinification. S. cerevisiae-CAG can be applied into the must grape and then they can be withdrawn easily at the end of alcoholic fermentation. For the treatment of sluggish and stuck fermentations, S. cerevisiae-CAG were applied following two steps: firstly S. cerevisiae-CAG were introduced into permeable bags and they were activated in a liquid medium; secondly, after an activation period of eight hours, the immobilized yeast cells were introduced into the fermentation tank. In this work, the obtained results for the treatment of sluggish and stuck fermentations in several French and Portuguese wineries are presented. Preliminary results obtained in micro-vinification conditions have shown that the use of immobilized yeast was better than traditional method (which uses free cells) for the treatment of stuck and sluggish fermentations. The large success rate of immobilized yeast can be explained by one adaptation step of yeast cells to high ethanol concentrations during the immobilization process. The application of immobilized cells of S. cerevisiae under real conditions of vinification has shown a consumption rate of 2.8 g/L per day of reducing sugar with a concentration of 5 million of viable cells per mL. It was never observed any increase of the volatile acidity or of other undesirable compounds.
Study of five strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with regard to their metabolism towards geraniol
Authors: García-Moruno Emilia , Ribaldone Monica , Di Stefano Rocco , Conterno Lorenza , Gandini Annibale
Published: June 2016

Geraniol is the main monoterpenic alcohol of some red grapes occurring both in the free form (aromatic) and in the glycosilated (neutral) form. Free geraniol is transformed into other terpenic compounds (linalool and α-terpineol) through acid hydrolysis. During fermentation, yeasts also change must free geraniol into citronellol. The final aroma of wines is mainly due to both the unchanged geraniol and the formed citronellol, thus the key role played by yeasts in the vinification of those aromatic wines is proved. In the present work the metabolism towards geraniol of 5 different strains of S. cerevisiae were studied. The laboratory tests were carried out using a must from neutral grapes as the fermentation medium. Two different amounts of geraniol were added to the medium to evaluate the influence, if any, of the initial concentration of monoterpenic alcohol on the transformation rate of this compound. At different stages of fermentation geraniol and citronellol, as well as other terpenic compounds, were evaluated by means of GC on samples extracted by SPE on a C18 cartridge.

The results proved that the yeast strain dramatically affects the amount of both geraniol and citronellol occurring in the medium at the end of fermentation. Therefore in the fermentation of aromatic musts in which geraniol is the main component, the choice of the yeast proves decisive for the quality of wines.

The influence of tween 80, added to the medium as a source of oleic acid, on the biosynthesis of citronellol was evaluated as well. The results showed that tween 80 increases the production of citronellol, though no remarkable changes in the consumption of geraniol were observed. It can therefore be concluded that the production of citronellol by yeasts is a minor way of utilizing geraniol when no longer needed for the synthesis of cell fats.
Assessing the identity of grapevine plants from vineyards from Crete and Samos by microsatellite profiling
Authors: Lefort François , Roubelakis-Angelakis Kalliopi A.
Published: June 2016

Four nuclear microsatellite markers were used for testing 45 plants visually selected from 18 locations in controlled origin wine areas of Crete and Samos, and representing 7 cultivars. Discrepancies between the obtained profile and a profile from a plant of reference of a given cultivar, were found for 26 plants. This suggested that microsatellite profiling at a small number of loci was an efficient procedure in order to detect and remove inappropriate material at an early stage of selection. In a second case, three plants were sampled from a vineyard, located in the controlled origin wine area of Dafnes in Crete, for testing their identity in comparison to cultivars of reference at 15 nuclear microsatellite loci. Only one matched its identity profile of reference. One of them was found to be a continental cultivar, named Fegi and not usually grown in Crete. This showed the resolution of microsatellite profiling for problems where misnaming at an early stage in nursery or trade could have important consequences for growers in controlled origin wine areas.
Hybrids Saccharomyces cerevisiae X Saccharomyces bayanus var. uvarum having a high liberating ability of some sulfur varietal aromas of Vitis vinifera Sauvignon blanc wines
Authors: Masneuf-Pomarède Isabelle , Murat Marie-Laure , Naumov Gennadi I. , Tominaga Takatoshi , Dubourdieu Denis
Published: June 2016

We measured ability of some indigenous Saccharomyces bayanus var. uvarum wine yeasts to release volatile thiols from their S-cysteine conjugate precursors, odorous compounds responsible for the characteristic aroma of Sauvignon blanc wines. We also made interspecific hybrids between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces bayanus var. uvarum strains and verified their hybrid origin with karyotypes and MET2 PCR-RFLP analysis. As compared to the parents, some hybrids could release high amounts of volatile thiols from the S-cysteine conjugate precursor without producing excessive amounts of β-phenylethyl alcohol and its acetate. One hybrid was retained for industrial production under a dry form and successfully compared with Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains in experimental tests in different cellars.
An Impact of Personality on Academic Achievement of Prospective Teachers
Authors: Topno Dr.(Fr.) Ignatius , Singh Sushil Kumar
Published: June 2016

An individual's personality is an aggregate conglomeration of the decisions they have made throughout their life and the memory of the experiences to which these decisions led. There are inherent natural, genetic, and environmental factors that contribute to the development of our personality. Academic achievement has been the criterion for judging the individual's right from the start of formal education. If the goal of education is enhancing academic achievement of the individual, then researchers will have empirically to find answers to various questions related to achievement. The objective of the study were : to study the difference in the mean score of personality on the basis of Gender, to study the difference in the mean score of personality on the basis of their Educational Qualification., to study the difference in the mean score of academic achievement on the basis of Gender and to study the difference in the mean score of academic achievement on the basis of their Educational Qualification. Self constructed and validated tool on Personality test and academic achievement were employed. The findings were : there is no significant difference between male and female in their openness, Conscientiousness, extra version, agreeableness, neuroticism and personality development, there is no significant difference between graduate and post graduate in their openness, Conscientiousness, Extra version, Agreeableness, Neuroticism and personality development, there is a significant difference between male and female in quality of institutional delivery, institutional facility, quality of course content, mode of evaluation and their academic achievement and there is no significant difference between graduate and post graduate in their staff, quality of institutional delivery, entry requirement, institutional facility, quality of course content, mode of evaluation and academic achievement.
Reading culture development among the youth as a humanitarian-pedagogical problem
Authors: Kolesnikova O. I. , Russkhikh E. V.
Published: June 2016

The article deals with the problem of reading in a modern society, suggests ways of its solution evidently for the youth reading audience. The concept of an art-linguistic competence as a component of reading culture is substantiated. The esthetic potential of a literary text for the youth is considered as a mean of developing such competence. The authors propose the problem specific solutions in a process of the research program realization.
Subject indexing of local lore documents: a technological aspect (a case of Kemerovo Regional Scientific Library named after V. D. Fyodorov)
Authors: Rudakova T. P. , Sakova O. Ya.
Published: June 2016

The article considers subject indexing of local history documents with the technological approach point of view. It gives characteristics of each element component structure of the technological process of local lore documents subject indexing in Kemerovo Regional Scientific Library named after V. D. Fyodorov.
Ancient books in a modern library: storage and use
Authors: Borodikhin A. Yu.
Published: June 2016

The article presents main directions of work with old books in a specialized department of a scientific library (collection characteristics, acquisition, processing, studying). The perspective forms of activity with early printed books and old manuscripts are described at the present stage.
Libraries electronic catalogs in the struggle for users: «old» and new approaches
Authors: Skaruk G. A.
Published: June 2016

Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) is considered as a tool to ensure the usefulness and attractiveness of libraries for users. Modern approaches to make a search in OPAC effective and convenient, to satisfy the requirements and expectations of readers are characterized. The views of researchers and practitioners in this regard are compared.
Does School Functioning Matter in Patients of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services?
Authors: Stødle Einar S. , Jozefiak Thomas
Published: June 2016

Objective: General population studies have demonstrated that good school functioning protects children and adolescents against mental health problems. However, no such studies of clinical populations have been conducted. Therefore, we explored the association between school functioning and mental health in patients referred to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). We also examined whether good school functioning and general social competence at referral predicted better mental health outcomes after six months of outpatient treatment.

Method: Of 345 patients, aged 8–15.5 years, referred as outpatients to CAMHS in a Norwegian county, 192 were eligible for a six-month follow-up study. Parents filled out the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for 120 of these children and teachers completed the Teachers’ Report Form (TRF) for 122 children.

Results: Teacher-reported adaptive functioning (r = −0.65) and academic skills (r = −0.42), and parent-reported social competence (r = −0.35) and school competence (r = −0.27) were significantly (p < 0.01) negatively associated with total emotional and behavioral problems at baseline. Parent-reported school competence and the total level of emotional and behavioral problems at referral significantly (p < 0.05) predicted the total level of emotional and behavioral problems six months after referral.

Conclusion: Both teacher- and parent-reported school functioning were associated with mental health in CAMHS patients. Only parent-reported school competence predicted total levels of emotional and behavioral problems six months after referral. Therapists, teachers, and parents should cooperate closely when planning and conducting child and adolescent psychiatric treatments, and school should be considered an important area for intervention.
Immigrant Preadolescents and Risk of Emotional Distress
Authors: Alves Daniele E. , Corliss Heather L. , Roysamb Espen , Zachrisson Henrik D. , Oppedal Brit , Gustavson Kristin
Published: June 2016

Background:

The question of whether immigrants have more emotional problems than their non-immigrant peers has yielded mixed results. In Norway, there has been a tendency toward immigrant youth reporting higher rates of emotional problems. In addition to studying levels of emotional problems across those with immigrant backgrounds, there is a need to investigate whether the phenomenology of these problems is comparable across ethnic groups.

Objectives:

We used latent class analysis (LCA) to identify subgroups of preadolescents with distinct types of emotional problems in a multiethnic sample in Norway and to investigate associations with immigrant status after controlling for other demographic and risk factors related to emotional problems.

Methods:

Preadolescents between the ages of 10 and 12 years (n = 1042) completed a questionnaire that assessed emotional problems and sociodemographic factors such as gender, grade level, city, economic hardship, school hassles, and parental achievement values. LCA was used to identify subgroups of preadolescent emotional problems. Multinomial logistic regressions were conducted to assess the relationships between these subgroups and the presence of an immigrant background with four immigrant groups (all backgrounds, Pakistan, Turkey, and Sri Lanka). The reference group was the ethnic Norwegians.

Results:

LCA identified three classes according to the severity of the problems; these were labeled healthy, borderline, and distressed. Multinomial logistic regression analyses found the presence of an immigrant background as compared with a non-immigrant background to increase the odds of a person belonging to the distressed class by an approximate factor of 2, depending on the immigrant group. This finding remained consistent after controlling for risk factors.

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that, even as early as preadolescence, the presence of an immigrant background may significantly increase the odds of an individual belonging to a subgroup characterized by emotional distress (as compared with belonging to a healthy class). These findings also suggest similarity across ethnic backgrounds with regard to the expression of emotional problems during preadolescence. This is the first study to identify classes of emotional problems among specific preadolescent immigrant groups.
Exploring the Contribution of Parental Perceptions to Childhood Anxiety
Authors: Esbjørn Barbara H. , Caspersen Ida D. , Sømhovd Mikael J. , Breinholst Sonja , Reinholdt-Dunne Marie Louise
Published: June 2016

Parental rearing practices such as over-involvement are associated with childhood anxiety; however, little is known about the contribution of parental perceptions to child anxiety. This study explores the relationship between maternal and paternal perceptions of parenting and childhood anxiety. The perceived rearing behaviors and parental sense of competence (i.e., satisfaction and efficacy) of the parents of anxious children (n = 59) were compared with those of a non-clinical control sample (n = 44). In line with the findings from the literature that addresses externalizing disorders, parental sense of competence was significantly associated with childhood outcomes. Logistical regression suggested that paternal efficacy beliefs, acceptance, and maternal satisfaction were associated with an absence of clinical anxiety and lower levels of anxiety symptoms in children. Parental perceptions may thus provide an important area for understanding childhood anxiety.
Early-Onset Schizophrenia: Exploring the Contribution of the Thought Disorder Index to Clinical Assessment
Authors: Andersen Dorte Bundgaard , Vernal Ditte Lammers , Bilenberg Niels , Væver Mette Skovgaard , Stenstrøm Anne Dorte
Published: June 2016

Background:

Differentiating diagnostically between schizophrenia and emotional and personality disorders with psychotic or psychotic-like symptoms is a challenging task. It is especially difficult when working with adolescent patients, because their symptoms tend to manifest at lower levels as compared with adult patients. Thought disorder is a core symptom of schizophrenia, and the Rorschach Inkblot Method is widely used for the assessment of formal thought disorder.

Objective:

In this study, which is situated within ongoing clinical practice, we investigated whether the Rorschach test is helpful for assessing early-onset schizophrenia due to its ability to detect thought disorder. We also wanted to examine whether the Thought Disorder Index (TDI) is superior to the Comprehensive System (CS) for differentiating between patients with early-onset schizophrenia and non-psychotic patients experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations. An additional aim was to examine whether the TDI correlated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).

Methods:

Twenty-three subjects between the ages of 12 and 18 years were examined with the use of the Rorschach test, and the protocols were scored according to both the TDI and the CS. All subjects were also assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. The sample included 14 subjects who fulfilled the criteria for schizophrenia and 9 subjects who were experiencing hallucinations that emanated from severe emotional and relational problems but who had different non-psychotic disorders.

Results:

Although the two groups could not be distinguished with regard to their total scores for thought disorder, the identification of specific thought disorder types proved useful for differential diagnosis. Verbalizations that were categorized by the TDI as “absurd responses,” “fluidity,” “contamination,” “autistic logic,” and “word-finding difficulty” were only given by patients who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. When patients’ responses were scored with the use of the CS, the “contamination” score was the only one found to be specific to schizophrenia.

Conclusions:

Although the sample size limits the conclusions that can be drawn, the results indicate that the TDI may be superior to the CS for the identification of thought disorder specific to—but not always present in—adolescents with schizophrenia. In other words, the absence of severe thought disorder is not synonymous with the absence of severe psychopathology, but the presence of the most severe thought disorder types (i.e., “absurd responses,” “fluidity,” “incoherence,” “contamination,” and “autistic logic”) seems to be a strong indicator of schizophrenic psychopathology.
The Growing Trend of Prescribing Antipsychotics for Young People in Finland, 2000 to 2010
Authors: Haapasalo-Pesu Kirsi-Maria , Karukivi Max , Saarijärvi Simo
Published: June 2016

Background:

According to previous reports from many countries (e.g., the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom), the use of antipsychotic drugs has increased among young people. Antipsychotics have also increasingly been prescribed for non-psychotic disorders.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to estimate the rate at which antipsychotics were prescribed for young people in the age groups of 10 to 14 years, 15 to 19 years, and 20 to 24 years in Finland in the years 2000, 2005, and 2010.

Methods

This was a nationwide register study using data from the databases of Statistics Finland and the Finnish National Prescription Register. Statistics Finland’s databases provided background information, including the total number of young people and the Finnish National Prescription Register keeps record of all drug orders reimbursed by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland.

Results

The prescription of antipsychotics grew 6.8-, 4.6-, and 2.6-fold over the study period for these three age groups, respectively. For the youngest age group, use was more common among males than females in all three periods studied. During the course of the study period, the use of antipsychotics became more common among females: in 2010, antipsychotics were more commonly used among females than males in both the 15- to 19-year-old age group and the 20- to 24-year-old age group. The younger the patient, the higher the probability that the indication for medication was a non-psychotic disorder.

Conclusions

In Finland, the trends involved in the prescription of antipsychotic medications resemble those seen in many Western countries. Therefore, it is important that the safety and effectiveness of these pharmaceuticals be investigated among young people as well.
A Danish study of One-session Treatment for Specific Phobias in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Nielsen Mette Djernes , Andreasen Christina Linddahl , Thastum Mikael
Published: June 2016

Background:

One-session treatment (OST) is a short-term massed exposure therapy for the treatment of specific phobias in children and adults. Systematic reviews have demonstrated the effectiveness of the treatment for children and adolescents across countries and age groups.

Objective

A single-group open trial design was used to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of OST for youths with specific phobias in a Danish context.

Method

At the Anxiety Clinic of Aarhus University, 10 youths between the ages of 7 and 17 years who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for specific phobias were treated in accordance with the OST manual. The participants were assessed via semi-structured diagnostic interviews, clinician severity ratings, a behavioral approach test, and self- and parent report measures. Feasibility was assessed with the use of patient- and parent-report measures. Assessments were completed at before and after treatment and at the 3-month follow-up appointment.

Results

All outcome measures changed significantly from the pretreatment period to the 3-month follow-up assessment. Four (40%) of the participants were free of the targeted specific phobia after treatment, and eight (80%) were free of the phobia at the 3-month follow-up. The families were moderately satisfied with the treatment, and no patients dropped out of the study.

Conclusion

On the basis of the results of this pilot study, it may be tentatively concluded that OST could be useful for the treatment of youths with specific phobias in Denmark.
A Sustainable Rural Food–Energy–Water Nexus Framework for the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Sieverding Heidi L. , Clay David E. , Khan Eakalak , Sivaguru Jayaraman , Pattabiraman Mahesh , Koodali Ranjit T. , Ndiva‐Mongoh Mafany , Stone James J.
Published: June 2016

Core Ideas

Rural food–energy–water nexus sustainability is a wicked problem with no easy solution.

Rural areas are net exporters of products.

Sustainability must begin at the source of the supply chain—the farm, ranch, mine, or well.

Rural areas have strengths, critical vulnerabilities, opportunities, and threats.

Regional threshold indicators can be used to prevent tipping points and avoid system collapse.

The expected worldwide demand for agriculture, energy, and manufactured products will result in a supply chain that is increasingly dependent on exported rural products (e.g., livestock, cereal grains, fossil fuel, and biofuel). Rural areas such as the northern Great Plains are net exporters of food and energy, essentially “mining” valuable water and nutrient resources to do so. Rural areas are the foundation of supply chains; thus, to achieve sustainability, one must begin focusing at the source of the supply chain– with the farm, ranch, mine, or well. There are many knowledge gaps within the food–energy–water nexus in rural areas that shroud regional sustainability thresholds. Research and legislation are needed to address these critical issues.
Characterization of Endosperm Carbohydrates in isa2–339 Maize and Interactions with su1‐ref
Authors: De Vries Brian D. , Tracy William F.
Published: June 2016

Selection for genetic modifiers of starch and sugar accumulation in sugary1‐ref (su1‐ref) maize (Zea mays L.) has led to the improvement of flavor characteristics in su1 sweet corn hybrids. The Su1 gene encodes a starch debranching enzyme that when defective causes large quantities of water‐soluble polysaccharides (WSP) to be produced in maize endosperm tissue. Another gene in maize, Isoamylase2 (Isa2), produces a starch debranching enzyme known to interact with the wild‐type SU1 protein in developing maize endosperm. Experiments were conducted to determine if a mutant of the Isa2 gene significantly modifies carbohydrate composition in su1‐ref inbreds and therefore is potentially useful for modifying flavor characteristics of su1 sweet corn. Using isa2–339, a mutant at the Isa2 locus, a population was created in which the su1‐ref and isa2–339 alleles were segregating. Lines developed from this population were used for single kernel carbohydrate analysis in 2012 and carbohydrate analysis of replicated ears in 2013. In 2012 and 2013, individual kernels and replicated ears fixed for the su1‐ref and isa2–339 alleles contained less starch and more total sugar compared with the su1‐ref, Isa2 parent, which was the source of the su1‐ref allele in this population. When the su1‐ref, isa2–339 mutant lines were reciprocally crossed with the Su1, isa2–339 parent, starch and WSP contents were significantly different among the Su1, isa2–339 parent and the hybrids. Kernels of both types of reciprocal hybrids had more WSP and less starch than did the Su1, isa2–339 parent. Kernels with two doses of the su1‐ref allele have more WSP and less starch than kernels with a single dose of the su1‐ref allele. In this population, starch content is further reduced in su1‐ref, isa2–339 double mutant genotypes compared with the su1‐ref parent. The su1‐ref/su1‐ref, isa2–339/isa2–339 lines developed in this experiment are the first documented double mutants of su1‐ref with another isoamylase starch debranching enzyme mutant.