Rural resilience and prosperity : the relevance of government and community networks

Dominant ‘society centred’ interpretations of social capital in Australia are inadequate to explain the economic fortunes and social prosperity of rural Australian communities. Given the continued contention over interpretations and measurement of social capital, this research sought to assess the relationship between different interpretations of social capital and rural communities’ resilience and prosperity. ¶ Utilising both quantitative and qualitative techniques to establish the relative levels of social capital in two communities of divergent growth, the primary objective was to test the association asserted between levels of social capital and prosperity and resilience in the rural Australian context. ¶ The research findings highlight three notable issues. Surveying social capital with current instruments is only effective in establishing the well being of rural communities which appears related to their resilience, not their ability to prosper. Secondly, the operational frameworks and responsibilities for social capital adopted by governments dictate the manner in, and degree to which they deem bridging and linking networks necessary and appropriate. This significantly affects the role social capital is perceived to play in communities. Lastly, while interpretations of social capital regard it as a normative factor in social life, rather than being comprised of different and dynamic elements affecting communities’ ability to prosper, the concept will remain unable to effectively contribute to the policy domain

Work Accomplished by the Preparatory Commission for the 40th General Assembly 2004

IX+507hlm.;26c

Sex-Specific Physical Activity Levels and Energy Intake in US Young Adults with Depression: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017 – 2020 Pre-Pandemic Data

Background: Rising depression rates among young adults pose significant public health concerns. Engaging in physical activity (PA) can exert antidepressant effects. And there is a prevalent association between depression and unhealthy dietary habits. Aims: We explored the intricate relationships between physical activity (PA), energy intake, depression, and potential sex disparities. Methods: Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from March 2017 to the pre-pandemic period in 2020. Our sample encompassed 750 young adults aged 18–24, including 381 men. Results: Significant interaction effects between sex and depression emerged, notably in vigorous recreation activity (F(1, 749) = 24.089, p < 0.001). Both men and women with depression spent significantly less time in such activities than non-depressed individuals (p < 0.001). Significant interaction effects between sex and depression emerged, notably in protein intake (F(1, 749) = 8.830, p < 0.001). Both men and women with depression exhibited significantly lower protein intake than non-depressed individuals (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our investigation of US young adults highlighted marked disparities in depression prevalence, low vigorous recreational activity, and low protein intake, contingent upon the individual’s sex. These findings underscore the significance of designing targeted physical activity and nutrition interventions based on specific sex considerations

The mediating role of attachment and mentalising in the relationship between childhood maltreatment, self-harm and suicidality

Background Although the relationship between childhood maltreatment, self-harm and suicidality is well-established, less is known about the mediating mechanisms explaining it. Based on a developmental mentalisation-based theoretical framework, childhood adversity compromises mentalising ability and attachment security, which in turn increase vulnerability to later stressors in adulthood. Objective This study aimed to investigate the role of attachment and mentalising as potential mechanisms in the relationship between childhood maltreatment, self-harm and suicidality. Participants and setting We recruited 907 adults from clinical and community settings in Greater London. Methods The study design was cross-sectional. Participants completed self-report questionnaires on retrospectively rated childhood trauma, and current attachment to the romantic partner, mentalising, self-harm, suicidal ideation and attempt. We used structural equation modelling to examine the data and conceptualized childhood maltreatment as a general factor in a confirmatory bifactor model. Results The results showed that childhood maltreatment was both directly associated with self-harm and suicidality and indirectly via the pathways of attachment and mentalising. Conclusions These findings indicate that insecure attachment and impaired mentalising partially explain the association between childhood maltreatment, self-harm and suicidality. Clinically, they provide support for the potential of mentalisation-based therapy or other psychosocial interventions that aim to mitigate the risk of self-harm and suicidality among individuals who have experienced childhood maltreatment via increasing understanding of self and other mental states

Engaging Adolescent and Young Adults in Microbiome Sample Self-Collection: Strategies for Success

Human microbiome research provides rich opportunities to elucidate factors influencing health, uncover novel biomarkers, and expand disease treatment options. A well-conducted microbiome study depends not only on a rigorous design but also on successfully engaging participants in collecting quality samples. In this paper, we aim to describe (1) strategies our team used to engage adolescents and young adults in vaginal and gut microbiome sample self-collection and (2) their effectiveness. In our prospective, longitudinal, feasibility study of 20 female adolescents and young adults, research participants self-collected vaginal and gut microbiome samples at home. Using a participatory and iterative process, we developed strategies to engage participants in sample self-collection, including (1) providing clear instructions to ensure comprehension and buy-in, (2) providing a user-friendly take-home package, (3) minimizing disgust/embarrassment associated with sample collection, and (4) follow-up communications to facilitate sample collections and return. With these strategies, we achieved 100% participant retention and 100% sample return rates. All samples (n = 80, 100%) were usable for downstream 16s rRNA gene sequencing and analysis. All participants rated the study procedures as acceptable, and qualitative data showed that strategies were well received by participants. This study suggests that carefully planning and implementing strategies to engage participants in sample self-collection can result in high degrees of participant compliance, sample quality, and participant satisfaction in microbiome research

History of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, Blood Pressure, and Subclinical Vascular Measures in Late Midlife: SWAN (Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation)

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142563/1/jah32800_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142563/2/jah32800.pd

Differential Neural Responses to Food Images in Women with Bulimia versus Anorexia Nervosa

BACKGROUND: Previous fMRI studies show that women with eating disorders (ED) have differential neural activation to viewing food images. However, despite clinical differences in their responses to food, differential neural activation to thinking about eating food, between women with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) is not known. METHODS: We compare 50 women (8 with BN, 18 with AN and 24 age-matched healthy controls [HC]) while they view food images during functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). RESULTS: In response to food (vs non-food) images, women with BN showed greater neural activation in the visual cortex, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right insular cortex and precentral gyrus, women with AN showed greater activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, cerebellum and right precuneus. HC women activated the cerebellum, right insular cortex, right medial temporal lobe and left caudate. Direct comparisons revealed that compared to HC, the BN group showed relative deactivation in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus/insula, and visual cortex, and compared to AN had relative deactivation in the parietal lobe and dorsal posterior cingulate cortex, but greater activation in the caudate, superior temporal gyrus, right insula and supplementary motor area. CONCLUSIONS: Women with AN and BN activate top-down cognitive control in response to food images, yet women with BN have increased activation in reward and somatosensory regions, which might impinge on cognitive control over food consumption and binge eating

Knowledge transfer in pair programming: an in-depth analysis

Whilst knowledge transfer is one of the most widely-claimed benefits of pair programming, little is known about how knowledge transfer is achieved in this setting. This is particularly pertinent for novice-expert constellations, but knowledge transfer takes place to some degree in all constellations. We ask “what does it take to be a good “expert” and how can a “novice” best learn from a more experienced developer?”. An in-depth investigation of video and audio excerpts of professional pair programming sessions using Interaction Analysis reveals: six teaching strategies, ranging from “giving direct instructions” to “subtle hints”; and challenges and benefits for both partners. These strategies are instantiations of some but not all teaching methods promoted in cognitive apprenticeship; novice articulation, reflection and exploration are not seen in the data. The context of pair programming influences the strategies, challenges and benefits, in particular the roles of driver and navigator and agile prioritisation which considers business value rather than educational progression. Utilising these strategies more widely and recognizing the challenges and benefits for both partners will help developers to maximise the benefits from pairing sessions