Stress, resilience, and leisure coping among university students : applying the broaden-and-build theory

Iwasaki and Mannell (2000) defined leisure as a coping strategy in their hierarchical model demonstrating the psychosocial functions of leisure and its relationship to stress. Evidence suggests that leisure coping is affiliated with resilience, and that both predict stress-coping and wellbeing. However, a theoretical explanation of how resilience is associated with the stress-reducing properties of leisure coping is lacking. Using the broaden-and-build theory (Fredrickson, 2001), a model was developed proposing that resilient individuals proactively use leisure coping to cultivate positive emotions and in turn enhance wellbeing. Leisure coping and positive affect were suggested to mediate the relationship between resilience and wellbeing outcomes (stress and flourishing). The model was tested among 202 UK undergraduates, a population reported to experience high stress. Structural equation modelling revealed that resilience had a significant positive effect on flourishing. Leisure coping beliefs demonstrated a positive relationship with resilience, positive affect, and flourishing. Positive affect mediated the relationship between resilience and flourishing, and between resilience and stress. Leisure coping strategies did not meaningfully contribute to the model. Leisure beliefs may have emerged as more important than leisure strategies because leisure beliefs are relatively stable with more enduring effects on health and wellbeing, while leisure strategies are transient and situation-based. Future research should examine the relationships longitudinally to explore developmental change. Implications of the findings for undergraduates are discussed. Keywords: flourishing; leisure coping; positive emotion; resilience; student stres

Where's the harm? A social marketing approach to reframing 'problem' drinking cultures

Alcohol consumption is often linked to a broad range of social and health problems, yet alcohol also plays a fundamental role in social bonding between people. This paper considers the potential of social marketing to contribute to alcohol consumption reduction and reframe social norms that encourage 'problem' drinking. Based on qualitative research with a variety of Scottish drinkers, the paper emphasises how and why a better understanding of the culturally bound meanings of alcohol (e.g. social identity, self-concept) are of crucial importance to inform any social marketing approach to reframing excessive drinking

Developmental Regulation of an Adhesin Gene during Cellular Morphogenesis in the Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Future time perspective, positive emotions and student engagement: a longitudinal study

Student engagement is an important predictor of success, retention and perseverance in higher education. This study used structural equation modelling to evaluate a gain cycle of future time perspective (FTP), positive emotion and student engagement derived from the broaden-andbuild theory (BBT). A second objective was to examine changes within study variables over time. Participants were 217 UK undergraduates sampled at two time points. Mean levels of positive emotion and engagement decreased over time, whereas FTP increased. At both time points, FTP predicted higher engagement, and engagement predicted greater positive emotion levels. Positive emotion at Time 1 predicted increased levels of FTP, engagement and positive emotion at Time 2. This was consistent with the ‘build’ hypothesis of BBT suggesting that positive emotions facilitate approach behaviour and the development of psychological resources. Findings indicate that interventions designed to enhance FTP and positive emotion can facilitate student engagement and retention in higher education

Value of routine monitoring of bone mineral density after starting bisphosphonate treatment: secondary analysis of trial data

Objective: To assess the value of monitoring response to bisphosphonate treatment by means of measuring bone mineral density

Building capacity for Quality Teaching Rounds – Victoria. Final report

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) was commissioned by the Teachers and Teaching Research Centre (TTRC) at the University of Newcastle to conduct an independent randomised controlled trial (RCT), with the goal of examining effects of Quality Teaching Rounds (QTR) on student outcomes and teachers’ practice in Victorian high schools. A total of 19 schools participated in Quality Teaching Rounds in 2022, with 20 schools in the wait list control. Data were gathered in an ongoing manner during the evaluation with: Progressive Assessment Tests in Mathematics (PAT-M) and reading (PAT-R) – baseline and follow up; student self-efficacy and aspiration surveys – baseline and follow up; teacher surveys – one questionnaire administered every term; implementation fidelity check surveys for teachers to complete for each QT Round; and implementation fidelity checks with onsite visits from ACER staff for 33% of the treatment schools. Key findings include: The mixed model analysis showed that treatment was not a significant predictor of PAT-R and PAT-M outcomes. Differences in student responses to the self-efficacy and aspiration surveys were identified. The control group showed a significant increase in the level of education that they aspired to complete (p = 0.037). Teachers in the control group had statistically significant growth in teacher efficacy, while those in the treatment group showed statistically significant lower teacher student support. Within the QTR process, the longest time was spent on discussing the coding and the individual coding process. Key observations identified from analysis of the fidelity check data are: teacher stress due to high rates of absenteeism, varied use of the Classroom Practice Guide, and analytical conversations about some elements and terms

Prediction of Pathological Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Primary Breast Cancer Comparing Interim Ultrasound, Shear Wave Elastography and MRI

Abstract Background Prediction of pathological complete response (pCR) of primary breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) may influence planned surgical approaches in the breast and axilla. The aim of this project is to assess the value of interim shear wave elastography (SWE), ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after 3 cycles in predicting pCR. Methods 64 patients receiving NACT had baseline and interim US, SWE and MRI examinations. The mean lesion stiffness at SWE, US and MRI diameter was measured at both time points. We compared four parameters with pCR status: a) Interim mean stiffness ≤ or &gt; 50 kPa; b) Percentage stiffness reduction; c) Percentage US diameter reduction and d) Interim MRI response using RECIST criteria. The Chi square test was used to assess significance. Results Interim stiffness of ≤ or &gt; 50 kPa gave the best prediction of pCR with pCR seen in 10 of 14 (71 %) cancers with an interim stiffness of ≤ 50 kPa, compared to 7 of 50 (14 %) of cancers with an interim stiffness of &gt; 50 kPa, (p &lt; 0.0001) (sensitivity 59 %, specificity 91 %, PPV 71 %, NPV 86 % and diagnostic accuracy 83 %). Percentage reduction in stiffness was the next best parameter (sensitivity 59 %, specificity 85 %, p &lt; 0.0004) followed by reduction in MRI diameter of &gt; 30 % (sensitivity 50 % and specificity 79 %, p = 0.03) and % reduction in US diameter (sensitivity 47 %, specificity 81 %, p = 0.03). Similar results were obtained from ROC analysis. Conclusion SWE stiffness of breast cancers after 3 cycles of NACT and changes in stiffness from baseline are strongly associated with pCR after 6 cycles.</jats:p

Improving arteriovenous fistula patency : transdermal delivery of diclofenac reduces cannulation-dependent neointimal hyperplasia via AMPK activation

Creation of an autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for vascular access in haemodialysis is the modality of choice. However neointimal hyperplasia and loss of the luminal compartment result in AVF patency rates of ~60% at 12months. The exact cause of neointimal hyperplasia in the AVF is poorly understood. Vascular trauma has long been associated with hyperplasia. With this in mind in our rabbit model of AVF we simulated cannulation autologous to that undertaken in vascular access procedures and observed significant neointimal hyperplasia as a direct consequence of cannulation. The neointimal hyperplasia was completely inhibited by topical transdermal delivery of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) diclofenac. In addition to the well documented anti-inflammatory properties we have identified novel anti-proliferative mechanisms demonstrating diclofenac increases AMPK-dependent signalling and reduced expression of the cell cycle protein cyclin D1. In summary prophylactic transdermal delivery of diclofenac to the sight of AVF cannulation prevents adverse neointimal hyperplasic remodelling and potentially offers a novel treatment option that may help prolong AVF patency and flow rates

Prefrontal Interneurons: Populations, Pathways, and Plasticity Supporting Typical and Disordered Cognition in Rodent Models

Prefrontal cortex (PFC) inhibitory microcircuits regulate the gain and timing of pyramidal neuron firing, coordinate neural ensemble interactions, and gate local and long-range neural communication to support adaptive cognition and contextually tuned behavior. Accordingly, perturbations of PFC inhibitory microcircuits are thought to underlie dysregulated cognition and behavior in numerous psychiatric diseases and relevant animal models. This review, based on a Mini-Symposium presented at the 2022 Society for Neuroscience Meeting, highlights recent studies providing novel insights into: (1) discrete medial PFC (mPFC) interneuron populations in the mouse brain; (2) mPFC interneuron connections with, and regulation of, long-range mPFC afferents; and (3) circuit-specific plasticity of mPFC interneurons. The contributions of such populations, pathways, and plasticity to rodent cognition are discussed in the context of stress, reward, motivational conflict, and genetic mutations relevant to psychiatric disease