Pharmacological Evaluation of Choline on α4β2 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

Choline is the precursor and metabolite of acetylcholine (ACh), the endogenous neurotransmitter responsible for activation of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Choline is known to activate some nAChRs, which suggests that it may play a role in neurotransmission beyond being a precursor/metabolite. Using electrophysiological techniques, this study investigates effects of choline on currently known α4β2 nAChRs stochiometries ― (α4)3(β2)2 and (α4)2(β2)3. The results suggests that choline activates (α4)3(β2)2 nAChRs with EC50 of 0.4mM and a maximal efficacy of 4%. In contrast, it did not produce any response on (α4)2(β2)3. When co-applied with ACh we revealed that low concentrations of choline potentiated currents induced by 1 µM and 10 µM ACh, but inhibited by choline in concentrations of 1mM or higher. Choline was also tested on mutant receptors engineered to only have α4α4 or α4β2-like binding sites in (4)3(23M)2 or (43M)3(2)2 respectively. On these mutant constructs, choline activated the (4)3(23M)2 receptors with EC50 of 0.3mM and a maximum response of 4%. In contrast, choline had no effect on (43M)3(2)2 nAChRs. Overall our results show that at least one α4α4 binding site is required to notice choline activity on α4β2 nAChRs. Choline also modulates ACh-mediated activation of nAChRs

Making a Difference? European Union’s Response to Conflict and Mass Atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (1994-2009)

This dissertation scrutinises two related claims that were particularly heightened in 2009 as the European Union (EU) was celebrating the first tenth anniversary of its European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), the implementing arm of its Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). First, the two policy frameworks allegedly embodied sufficient added value for bettering EU intervention for human protection purposes in third places. Second, the ESDP supposedly enabled the EU to make a difference in its response to two bloody wars that broke out in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) successively in 1996 and 1998. This thesis argues that the alleged added value and difference have been overstated at best. While various studies have taken a similar position, they have important shortcomings for at least four reasons: lack of a comprehensive account of the CFSP motives, capacities, and response; exclusive focus on civil and military operations; focus on the post-Second Congo War period; and a lack of conceptual clarity regarding two key terms – ‘conflict resolution’ and ‘peacebuilding’. This thesis goes beyond generalisation and undertakes a forensic examination of the CFSP statements, decisions, and actions precisely through the lens of Conflict Resolution (CR): a specific subject area of study with its own normative, theoretical, and practical advantages and shortcomings; and with a more comprehensive and indeed seminal conceptualisation of peacebuilding. The outcome is a far more nuanced assessment of failure and success of the EU’s peace endeavours in this context than can be obtained through a broad-brush approach to analysisEuropean Community-funded Sustainable Peacebuilding (SPBUILD) Research Training Network; University of Deusto’s ‘RETOS’ research group on socio-cultural and human rights challenges in a changing world

Making a Difference? European Union’s Response to Conflict and Mass Atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (1994-2009)

This dissertation scrutinises two related claims that were particularly heightened in 2009 as the European Union (EU) was celebrating the first tenth anniversary of its European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), the implementing arm of its Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). First, the two policy frameworks allegedly embodied sufficient added value for bettering EU intervention for human protection purposes in third places. Second, the ESDP supposedly enabled the EU to make a difference in its response to two bloody wars that broke out in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) successively in 1996 and 1998. This thesis argues that the alleged added value and difference have been overstated at best. While various studies have taken a similar position, they have important shortcomings for at least four reasons: lack of a comprehensive account of the CFSP motives, capacities, and response; exclusive focus on civil and military operations; focus on the post-Second Congo War period; and a lack of conceptual clarity regarding two key terms – ‘conflict resolution’ and ‘peacebuilding’. This thesis goes beyond generalisation and undertakes a forensic examination of the CFSP statements, decisions, and actions precisely through the lens of Conflict Resolution (CR): a specific subject area of study with its own normative, theoretical, and practical advantages and shortcomings; and with a more comprehensive and indeed seminal conceptualisation of peacebuilding. The outcome is a far more nuanced assessment of failure and success of the EU’s peace endeavours in this context than can be obtained through a broad-brush approach to analysisEuropean Community-funded Sustainable Peacebuilding (SPBUILD) Research Training Network; University of Deusto’s ‘RETOS’ research group on socio-cultural and human rights challenges in a changing world

Understandings and Responses to Domestic Violence in the African Great Lakes Communities of Western Sydney

The project is a partnership between the Sexualities and Genders Research initiative of Western Sydney University (WSU) and the Great Lakes Agency for Peace and Development (GLAPD). The project is guided by three research questions: what are the views and attitudes of Great Lakes community members in Australia on domestic violence within their communities?; what are the views and experiences of health professionals on domestic violence in the Great Lakes community?; and how can health and welfare responses to domestic violence in the Great Lakes community be improved? We found five overlapping themes to be core to understandings and responses to domestic violence. These were cultural dissonance resulting from migration and displacement; responsibility within and outside of communities; trust; cultural codes of shame and respect; and broader social and structural factors such as racism and socio-economic disadvantage arising from unemployment. Our recommendations were for education within the Great Lakes communities, and of service providers; building trust within Great Lakes communities and between service providers and these communities; and legal sanctions as a last resort