Key Factors to Promote Successful Comprehensive Reentry Initiatives

From page 22: In this article we describe key features of CRIs, their goals, and critical implementation indicators identified from the literature and experience that must be considered to ensure the short- and long-term success of high-quality multifaceted reentry initiatives. The factors will provide a roadmap to policy makers, program and initiative developers, and practitioners when they consider the time, resources, and engagement levels to successfully implement a new reentry initiative

Reconciliation Potential of Rwandans Convicted of Genocide

This study examines the reconciliation potential of Rwandans incarcerated for the crime of genocide. Utilising survey data from 302 male and female prisoners incar‐ cerated in the Rwandan Correctional System, this study explores genocide perpe‐ trators’ depression, anxiety, anger-hostility and somatic symptoms, levels of post‐ traumatic stress, degree of social support and attitudes towards unity and reconci‐ liation. The data demonstrate that engaging in killing can have deep psychological impacts for genocide perpetrators. The data indicate that although more than two decades have passed since the genocide, perpetrators are experiencing high levels of genocide-related posttraumatic suffering. Perpetrators are persistently re-experi‐ encing genocide, purposefully avoiding thoughts and memories of the genocide, and experiencing physical and emotional arousal and reactivity. The sample had a strong desire for all Rwandans to live in peace and unity. There is, however, an urgent need for physical and mental health interventions, as well as services that facilitate the rebuilding of family relationships well in advance of release. Improving the physical and mental well-being of both perpetrators of the genocide and victims can only be a positive development as Rwanda continues to build a unified, reconciled and resilient future

Recovery After Genocide: Understanding the Dimensions of Recovery Capital Among Incarcerated Genocide Perpetrators in Rwanda

Utilizing survey data from 302 men and women incarcerated in the Rwandan correctional system for the crime of genocide, and structured interviews with 75 prisoners, this mixed methods study draws on the concept of recovery capital to understand how individuals convicted of genocide navigate post-genocide healing. Genocide smashes physical and human capital and perverts social and cultural capital. Experiencing high levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms with more than two-thirds of the sample scoring above typical civilian cut-off levels, raised levels of depression, and high levels of anxiety, and failing physical health, the genocide perpetrators require multiple sources of recovery capital to foster internal resilience as they look forward to rebuilding their own lives

Substance Use Behavior Among Early-Adolescent Asian American Girls: The Impact of Psychological and Family Factors

Confronting developmental tasks and challenges associated with bridging two different cultures, Asian American adolescent girls face increasing risks for substance use. Identifying risk and protective factors in this population is essential, particularly when those factors can inform preventive programs. Guided by family interaction theory, the present cross-sectional study explored the associations of psychological and familial factors with use of alcohol, prescription drugs, and other drugs among early-adolescent Asian American girls. Between August 2007 and March 2008, 135 pairs of Asian American girls (mean age 13.21 years, SD = 0.90) and their mothers (mean age 39.86 years, SD = 6.99) were recruited from 19 states that had significant Asian populations. Girls and mothers each completed an online survey. Relative to girls who did not use substances, girls who did had higher levels of depressive symptoms, perceived peer substance use, and maternal substance use. Multiple logistic regression modeling revealed that they also had significantly lower levels of body satisfaction, problem-solving ability, parental monitoring, mother–daughter communication, family involvement, and family rules about substance use. Household composition, acculturation, and academic achievement were not associated with girls\u27 substance use. These findings point to directions for substance abuse prevention programming among Asian American girls

Substance Use Among Asian American Adolescents: Perceptions of Use and Preferences for Prevention Programming

Rarely has substance use prevention programming targeted Asian-American adolescents. Using a focus group methodology, we explored perceptions of substance use and preferences for prevention programming among 31 Asian-American adolescents in New York City. Participants considered substance use common in the community. Factors contributing to substance use among Asian-American adolescents (e.g., peer pressure, pressure to achieve, family factors, and community influence) were identified, and the need for prevention programs tailored for the Asian-American community was highlighted. Participants discussed preferred program content, delivery settings, and recruitment and retention strategies. Despite the favorable attitude for family-based prevention programming, participants raised potential issues concerning the feasibility of such a program. Study findings facilitate understanding of Asian-American adolescents\u27 substance use behavior and shed light on prevention program development for this underserved population

Recovery After Genocide: Understanding the Dimensions of Recovery Capital Among Incarcerated Genocide Perpetrators in Rwanda

Utilizing survey data from 302 men and women incarcerated in the Rwandan correctional system for the crime of genocide, and structured interviews with 75 prisoners, this mixed methods study draws on the concept of recovery capital to understand how individuals convicted of genocide navigate post-genocide healing. Genocide smashes physical and human capital and perverts social and cultural capital. Experiencing high levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms with more than two-thirds of the sample scoring above typical civilian cut-off levels, raised levels of depression, and high levels of anxiety, and failing physical health, the genocide perpetrators require multiple sources of recovery capital to foster internal resilience as they look forward to rebuilding their own lives

A genetically-encoded sensor to detect active metabolites linked to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases

Overexpression of the kynurenine pathway is implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease, due to the accumulation of the neurotoxic metabolites 3-hydroxykynurenine and quinolinic acid. Kynurenine sits at a pivotal point in the pathway, which can either branch off to generate the neuroprotectant kynurenic acid or proceed down the normal route via the generation of neurotoxic metabolites. An understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of the pathway and how it changes during disease is needed to develop novel therapeutics that halt the onset or progression of disease. A genetically-encoded sensor to detect kynurenine in cells and monitor the real-time dynamics of kynurenine metabolism has been developed, comprising of a flavoenzyme that binds kynurenine, kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), fused to a blue-fluorescent protein, Azurite, as the reporter. Isothermal calorimetry was used to determine the dissociation constant of kynurenine from KMO, which was found to be 76.9 μM. Therefore, the sensor could determine concentrations of kynurenine between 10 μM and 1 mM. KMO reactions could be monitored in live cells by a ratiometric measurement of the fluorescence emission lifetime from the sensor and NADPH (a cofactor for the KMO-catalysed reaction). Separation of the decay components of KMO-Az and NADPH allowed us to determine kynurenine concentration relative to NADPH concentration. Multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) was validated as an alternative technique for imaging the sensor in bacterial cells expressing KMO-Az. Additionally, the sensor was transfected in HEK293T cells prior to live-cell FLIM experiments. Novel cellular interactions of KMO were discovered by co-immunoprecipitating proteins that physically interact with KMO in HEK293T cells. Functional analysis revealed that KMO could play roles in the mitochondria, mitosis and microtubule-based processes. Several bona fide disease-causing (such as Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease) proteins were found to interact with KMO, further implicating KMO in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease.</p

Pupae busting - investing in cotton's future

Pupae busting is an essential component of the Bollgard II Resistance Management Plan. With over 90 per cent of cotton grown in Australia utilising the Bollgard II technology, effective resistance management is vital to the longevity of transgenic cotton in the Australia. Added to this, CSIRO's resistance monitoring research has shown that in both of the target pests, 'H. armigera' and 'H. punctigera', resistance genes to Cry2Ab are present, are higher than expected, and are probably increasing, making resistance management arguably one of the most important issues currently facing the industry

Substance Use Behavior among Early-Adolescent Asian American Girls: The Impact of Psychological and Family Factors

Confronting developmental tasks and challenges associated with bridging two different cultures, Asian American adolescent girls face increasing risks for substance use. Identifying risk and protective factors in this population is essential, particularly when those factors can inform preventive programs. Guided by family interaction theory, the present cross-sectional study explored the associations of psychological and familial factors with use of alcohol, prescription drugs, and other drugs among early-adolescent Asian American girls. Between August 2007 and March 2008, 135 pairs of Asian American girls (mean age 13.21 years, SD = 0.90) and their mothers (mean age 39.86 years, SD = 6.99) were recruited from 19 states that had significant Asian populations. Girls and mothers each completed an online survey. Relative to girls who did not use substances, girls who did had higher levels of depressive symptoms, perceived peer substance use, and maternal substance use. Multiple logistic regression modeling revealed that they also had significantly lower levels of body satisfaction, problem-solving ability, parental monitoring, mother–daughter communication, family involvement, and family rules about substance use. Household composition, acculturation, and academic achievement were not associated with girls' substance use. These findings point to directions for substance abuse prevention programming among Asian American girls