The phylogenetic Kantorovich-Rubinstein metric for environmental sequence samples

It is now common to survey microbial communities by sequencing nucleic acid material extracted in bulk from a given environment. Comparative methods are needed that indicate the extent to which two communities differ given data sets of this type. UniFrac, which gives a somewhat ad hoc phylogenetics-based distance between two communities, is one of the most commonly used tools for these analyses. We provide a foundation for such methods by establishing that, if we equate a metagenomic sample with its empirical distribution on a reference phylogenetic tree, then the weighted UniFrac distance between two samples is just the classical Kantorovich-Rubinstein, or earth mover's, distance between the corresponding empirical distributions. We demonstrate that this Kantorovich-Rubinstein distance and extensions incorporating uncertainty in the sample locations can be written as a readily computable integral over the tree, we develop L(p) Zolotarev-type generalizations of the metric, and we show how the p-value of the resulting natural permutation test of the null hypothesis 'no difference between two communities' can be approximated by using a Gaussian process functional. We relate the L(2)-case to an analysis-of-variance type of decomposition, finding that the distribution of its associated Gaussian functional is that of a computable linear combination of independent [Formula: see text] random variables.     

A Concept Mapping Study on Social Inclusion in Hong Kong

A focus group study involving concept mapping was conducted in September 2012 to investigate how the concept of social inclusion was understood by Hong Kong residents. It was a replication of an earlier UK study. Seven groups involving 61 participants (38 females; 23 males) were interviewed, including non-professional workers at a Non-government Organisation service, senior centre users, a mixed group of community residents, people with severe mental illness, professional social service providers, communication studies students, and social work students. Data analysis using Nvivo 10 and systematic thematic analysis identified six major themes including: (1) material resources and wealth, (2) work, (3) social (dis)harmony and diversity, (4) discrimination, (5) communication, and (6) participation in activities. An overall final model of Social Inclusion for Hong Kong based on concept maps for all seven groups is presented. The results will inform the conceptualisation and development of a Chinese-language measure of social inclusion (SCOPE-C) based on translation and cultural adaption of the Social and Community Opportunities Profile (SCOPE) developed in UK.     

Enhancing quality of life in the population at large

The purpose of this review was to identify and discuss emerging issues in the literature on quality of life in the population at large. Interest in the topic has developed from a desire to compare cultural units, to develop normative data, and to establish programs to enhance quality of life. An attempt is made to impose some empirical and theoretical order on the numerous definitions and measures of quality of life, that have been used with the population at large. A taxonomy is provided that outlines the relationship among measures of quality of life. Following this discussion, studies identifying those factors that may influence quality of life in the population at large are examined, and a model linking these factors is proposed. The model includes Personal/Dispositional Factors, Biosociophysical Environmental Factors, General and Domain Specific Skills, Affective Tone, Social Support and Cognitive Appraisal as they relate to Quality of Life. Potential Quality of Life enhancement programs are considered with respect to their orientation (Person, Environment) and their mode of delivery (One on one, Education, Legislation). Recommendations concerning measures that can be implemented to enhance quality of life in the population at large are made.     

Behaviour and the life cycle: a consideration of the role of longitudinal time use studies

This paper discusses the application of time use data for the study of behavioural change over the life cycle. The longitudinal design reduces the need for complex statistical controls and sample matching procedures and simplifies the problem of distinguishing period effects from cohort and development effects.The data are based upon 24 hour time diaries of a panel of 453 persons in Halifax, Canada who were interviewed on the same day of the week in the Fall of both 1971 and 1981. Data for each gender are presented illustrative of the kinds of changes in time use which might be associated with aging or with changes in occupational, financial, educational, or familial status. Cross-sectional time use data from different periods can be used in conjunction with the longitudinal time use data to differentiate between behavioural change based upon maturation or other individual changes and that deriving from a broader base of cultural change.     

Stress and Pressures in Mental Health Social Work: The Worker Speaks

Two-thirds of councils with social services responsibilities(CSSRs) took part in a UK survey of mental health social workers.A one in five sample of front line workers was drawn, and 237respondents completed a questionnaire and diary about theirwork context and content, and their attitudes to their work,their employer, mental health policy and the place of mentalhealth social work in modernized mental health services. Thequestions, that called for free-text responses, were completedin detail and at length. This paper reports the results of aqualitative analysis of these responses using NVIVO software.The paper is structured around the themes emerging from theanalysis: pressure of work; staffing matters; job satisfactionand well-being; recruitment and retention issues; and beingvalued. The conclusions are that the social workers value faceto face contact with service users, and that their commitmentto service users is an important factor in staff retention.The most unsatisfactory aspects of their work context arisefrom not feeling valued by their employers and wider society,and some of the most satisfactory from the support of colleaguesand supervisors. Without attention to these factors, recruitmentand retention problems will remain an unresolved issue.     

Two Approaches to Seeing People with Disabilities

This study tests the possibility that attitudes to people with disabilities can be divided into two types: attitudes at the societal level and attitudes at the personal level. This distinction was made with the aim of clarifying ambiguities from previous research. One test of the proposed distinction rests on the assumption that personal contact with people with disabilities will influence attitudes at the personal level but not at the societal level. Sixty subjects were assigned to either a control group or intervention groups which experienced interventions involving a person with a disability. The attitudes of all subjects were measured one month before and at the time of the intervention. Data on prior contact were also collected. The results, which supported the two level approach, are discussed in terms of their implications for improving attitudes to people with disabilities.     

Responding to the experiences of minority ethnic children in virtually all-white communities

This paper aims to contribute to the relatively small body of literature on the minority ethnic experience in almost entirely white communities, by reporting the findings of qualitative research into the experiences of minority ethnic children living in the South Wales valleys. Twenty‐eight interviews were conducted with children and their parents/carers. Interviews with children also included sentence completion and card‐sorting tasks. The paper focuses on the views expressed about quality of life, sense of community, leisure activities, experience of racism and dealings with institutions. The children and adults revealed a complex picture, which challenges both optimistic accounts of ‘traditional’ communities and also the negativity of pressure group reports on racism in similar areas. There is considerable variety of experience, mediated by class and gender. Whilst racism is in many respects an ever‐present reality for these children, many of them find creative ways of responding to their situation. Several also spoke of their lives in the valleys in generally very positive terms. The paper concludes by reflecting on the potential implications of the research for policy and practice.