Abstract Sheltered housing for the elderly is an intermediate type of housing, between living in ones own home and living in an institution. The aim of this study was to describe the changes in physical, cognitive and psychological abilities among the elderly living in sheltered housing during a two-year follow-up period. In this study psychological abilities were represented by depressive symptoms. The changes in the abilities of the elderly people living in sheltered housing were compared with the corresponding changes among the elderly living in their own homes. Furthermore, the associated factors and the predictors of the decline in physical and cognitive abilities, as well as the depressive symptoms were examined. The control group consisted of elderly people who were matched with those living in sheltered housing in regard to age, sex, coping with activities of daily living and depressive symptoms. The data of this study were collected among elderly people living in 20 units of sheltered housing in Finland in 1994 and 1996. 725 residents were interviewed and 340 re-interviewed after two years. Cognitive capacity was assessed with the help of the Mini-Mental Examination test (MMSE). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the shortened version of the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (ZSDS). The results showed that the elderly living in sheltered housing were widows or widowers and lived alone more often than the home-dwelling elderly. They perceived their health as poorer, had less contacts with other people and had fewer hobbies than the elderly living at home. Nevertheless, they felt less lonely and were more satisfied with their lives than those living at home. During the two-year follow-up period the decline in the functional capacity of the elderly living in sheltered housing did not essentially differ from the corresponding change among the home-dwelling elderly. The decline in physical and psychological abilities among the elderly living in sheltered housing was similar to the decline among those living at home. Even if the decline in cognitive abilities among the elderly living in sheltered housing was more rapid than the change among the home-dwelling elderly, the difference between the groups was slight. Living in sheltered housing appeared to have neither a negative nor a positive effect on the functional capacity of the elderly. The predictors of the physical decline among the elderly living in sheltered housing were a high age, poor physical abilities at baseline, a high number of depressive symptoms, the use of medication and a low number of hobbies. The predictors of the physical decline among the home-dwelling elderly were the female sex, a high age, poor physical abilities at baseline, a high number of depressive symptoms, health perceived as poor and low social participation. The predictors of the decline in cognitive abilities among the elderly living in sheltered housing included a high age, poor cognitive abilities at baseline, poor education, dissatisfaction with life and health perceived as good. Among the home-dwelling elderly the predictors of the decline in cognitive abilities were poor cognitive abilities at baseline and a low number of hobbies. Among the elderly living in sheltered housing the predictors of depressive symptoms included a high number of depressive symptoms at baseline, poor cognitive abilities, health perceived as poor, a high number of feelings of loneliness, a low number of visits paid to other people and high education. Among the home-dwelling elderly the predictors of depressive symptoms were a high number of depressive symptoms at baseline and a high age.

Background Sarcopenia and age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) are important age-related conditions which significantly impact upon the quality of life of older adults. ARCD is a well-established research area, whereas sarcopenia is a relatively new field. Research into the inter-relationships between them and possible common underlying mechanistic processes is lacking. Methods Several research techniques were used: a large systematic review; the development of an image analysis technique to measure neck muscle size on volumetric MR brain scans; the subsequent use of the technique in elderly cohort studies; statistical modelling to investigate the role of glucocorticoids in sarcopenia; and an invasive clinical study to develop a novel technique to measure the activity of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD1) in the human brain in vivo. Results I consistently found a relationship between: some measures of brain structure and muscle size; markers of brain structure and muscle function, mostly grip strength and gait speed; and cognition and muscle function. However, I found no relationship between current cognition and muscle size in any of the above studies. Cortisol was identified as a possible explanatory factor in the relationship between both cognition and brain volume with gait speed. I found an association between markers of immunosenescence and sarcopenia (neck muscle CSA and grip strength) and an association between expression of the cortisol amplifying enzyme 11βHSD1 and quadriceps strength. I developed a technique to measure 11βHSD1 activity across the human brain, which found that the amount of cortisol produced within the brain was not detectable and highlighted the asymmetries within the cerebrovascular venous system. Conclusions Further longitudinal studies looking at the association between sarcopenia and ARCD are now required to investigate these important relationships further and hopefully this will lead to improved therapeutic options.

Magister Artium - MA

The study is an analytical investigation on morality decline with the youth at Higher Education Institutions in Swaziland. The contribution which this article has made with regard to the issues of morality is to share on how morals can be formed with the Youth at Higher Education Institutions. The study addressed the cultural and religious factors which contribute to the tendency of the youth to act in ways that are congruent with their own well-being and the welfare of others. The main objectives of the study were to analyze the extent to which tertiary institutions see the need for Pastoral care at higher education institutions. It was also to formulate a methodology for pastoral care that will be appropriate to the life situation of students in Tertiary institutions. This would prepare young people to be able to nature the next generation. Morals were shared with the recognition of religion and culture, of course without neglecting the value of education as the means of developing appropriate behavior with the youth more especially in Higher Education Institutions. Morals were also discussed looking at justice. Such that how to behave when the national laws are against human rights and the holy biblical mandate. Pastoral care was identified as the basic task of fostering the development of young people who respect themselves and others. This was the core concern for moral judgments and consequent actions in the content of moral development of young people. / Dissertation (MA(Theol))--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

The diploma thesis deals with the topic of liquidation as a form of economic decline of companies. In the theoretical part of the thesis economic decline is outlined and the legal regulations related to the process of liquidation are elaborated. The practical part of the thesis provides the reader with the analysis of statistical data regarding the insolvency and liquidation processes in the Czech Republic and with the further description of the particular case of liquidation on the example of Cooperative G 19.

In this thesis will be discussed about selected models of general evaluation of company which will be applied to companies in decline. After a short introduction of the thesis will follow the theoretical and methodological apparatus in which selected bankruptcy and solvent models will be described, then there will be described the method of their calculation and interpretation of the results generated. In the practical part models will be applied to selected companies which are in decline and results will be compared. At the conclusion will be evaluated the ability of these models to predict the deteriorating financial situation of company or its bankruptcy and will be discussed their advantages and weaknesses and their potential explanatory ability for firms in the Czech market conditions.

<p>In 2016, chestnut oak (<em>Quercus prinus</em>) trees across southern Indiana began displaying symptoms of decline disease. In the years following, widespread patches of mortality appeared on slopes and along ridges, prompting the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to investigate. The IDNR noted the presence of <em>Phytophthora cinnamomi </em>on one diseased chestnut oak, leading to the initiation of this study. Our goals were to (1) determine if <em>P. cinnamomi </em>contributed to the widespread decline, (2) determine what site or stand variables were associated with higher rates decline, (3) examine the growth of declining trees prior to the onset of symptoms to determine if drought contributed to decline, and (4) use Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data to examine trends in regional chestnut oak mortality.</p> <p>From 2021-2022, we collected thirty fine root and soil samples from declining chestnut oak trees within Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Yellowwood State Forest, and the Hoosier National Forest. Throughout these forests, we established sampling plots within declining and healthy chestnut oak stands. In each plot we recorded site, stand, and tree level variables, then collected tree cores from two or three chestnut oak trees. Fine root samples were tested for the presence of <em>P. cinnamomi </em>at the Purdue Pathogen and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory (PPDL) in West Lafayette, Indiana.</p> <p>We used binomial linear regression to test for significant (α = 0.05) relationships between site and stand variables and decline, where a binary decline or no decline was used as the response variable. Both basal area increment (BAI) and ring width index (RWI) chronologies were built separately for healthy, declining, and dead chestnut oak trees. We used a paired t-test (α = 0.05) to test for significant differences in 10-year segments of BAI between the three chronologies. Finally, we used linear regression to test for significant (α = 0.05) effects of the standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration index (SPEI) in current and previous year growing seasons on RWI. Chestnut oak mortality volume across the eastern United States was calculated using the EVALIdator tool provided by USDA-FS FIA. Associations between chestnut oak mortality recorded by FIA and several climate and topographical variables were examined using a random forest classification.</p> <p>Out of thirty fine root samples, only one tested positive for the presence of <em>P. cinnamomi</em>, indicating that this decline was not associated with the pathogen. The analysis of site and stand variables revealed a greater chance of decline on east and northeastern facing slopes, with a slight increase in decline likelihood with increasing stand density. There was significantly lower BAI in dead and declining trees long before decline symptoms began, a pattern consistent with previous drought induced declines. We observed a significant relationship between RWI and SPEI in the early growing season (June and 3-month June SPEI) and throughout almost all of the prior year’s growing season (May, June, 3-month June, 3-month July, and 3-month August SPEI). Chestnut oak mortality volume across the eastern US steadily increased from 2006-2020, indicating a region-wide increase in mortality. Our random forest classification indicated the importance of increased precipitation and precipitation timing on chestnut oak mortality.</p> <p>Chestnut oak decline observed in southern Indiana was induced by a series of droughts in 2005, 2007, and 2012. The greater early life BAI of chestnut oak which were impacted by decline revealed that individuals which likely prioritized stem growth over root growth were predisposed to decline and mortality from these droughts. This prioritization could be brought on by genetic differences, favoring rapid height growth in developing even-aged stands, or by an abundance of moisture availability. Our FIA analysis of mortality revealed increased mortality volume across many states from 2006-2020, and that chestnut oak mortality may be related to greater precipitation compared to historic levels. Considering these results, we suspect that chestnut oak which have recently died or are currently declining are likely individuals which lack the root system to endure repeated drought.</p>

Taproot decline (TRD), caused by an undescribed species of Xylaria, is an emerging root disease of soybean in Mississippi. Xylaria sp. isolates were collected from soybean roots and used to characterize TRD distribution as well as optimal growth temperature, pathogenicity, alternative host range, in vitro pathogenicity, and fungicide sensitivity. The 24 selected Xylaria sp. isolates from the 2016 collection had a mean optimal growth temperature of 26.7°C, and were pathogenic to soybean; however, differences in virulence occurred among isolates. Five selected Xylaria sp. isolates produced stroma on six hosts: corn, cotton, peanut, rice, sorghum, and wheat. Xylaria sp. colonized corn, cotton, and soybean seed in vitro; however, only reduced germination in soybean. Three selected Xylaria sp. isolates were exposed to fungicide-amended potato dextrose agar with concentrations up to 100 ppm of commercial products typically used in soybean production systems. Xylaria sp. isolates were insensitive to all active ingredients except thiophanate-methyl.

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