The Efficacy of Journal Writing in Assisting Survivors of Sexual Trauma towards Post-Traumatic Growth

Along with a cultural shift in the United States to advocate against sexual assault, there is an increase in literature suggesting clinical interventions to promote transformation following trauma by sexual assault. Historically, research and clinical application has focused on post-traumatic stress disorder, but there is an increase in literature that encourages clinical intervention following trauma to encourage survivors to intercept symptoms of post-traumatic stress and transform their experience into post-traumatic growth. Journal writing therapy may be an efficient, evidence-based therapeutic technique for encouraging this transformation towards post-traumatic growth.[k1] A review of the literature on writing therapy practice and post-traumatic stress disorder was used to compare and expand upon available literature on journal therapy and post-traumatic growth. Journal writing assists by decreasing symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and promotes a context for post-traumatic growth to occur. Journal writing can be applied to target specific indicators of PTG, including increased social interest, finding meaning in life, and coping skills. Through identifying specific coping skills, reflecting to identify meaning of the traumatic experience, and providing exposure to the trauma, journal therapy encourages transformation through emotional disclosure and present insight

The Warrior, Military Ethics and ContemporaryWarfare: Achilles Goes Asymmetrical, by PaulineM. Kaurin

Pauline Kaurin is associate professor of philosophy at Pacific Lutheran University, specializing in the just war tradition and military ethics. For this volume, Kaurin developed her research during time at the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Military Academy and in dialogue with academic colleagues in the International Society for Military Ethics

Considering the benefits of research participation: insights from a study of adult EAL educators

Despite the professional learning benefits that may be realised through participation in research, many institutions and teachers are reluctant to get involved. They (correctly) anticipate that it will require some time, effort, and commitment. They may understand that research is important for improving education practices but more direct and immediate value for them and, importantly, how to gain it may not be obvious. To address this issue, we report a part of a six-month study that used institutional ethnography as the method of inquiry. We present and analyse three generative episodes that we observed and experienced in the context of our research collaboration with the participants at one adult community-based English as an Additional Language (EAL) institution in Melbourne (Australia). These episodes provide important insights into the ways in which our participants were proactive in realising the benefits of participating in the research. The participating teachers brought research and practice into regular dialogue and strategically utilised our partnership for their professional learning. We conclude by discussing some practical strategies for EAL institutions, teachers, and researchers who want to unlock and maximise the learning potential of research partnerships

The in vitro effects of resistin on the innate immune signaling pathway in isolated human subcutaneous adipocytes

Context: Obesity-associated inflammation is a contributory factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); the mechanisms underlying the progression to T2DM are unclear. The adipokine resistin has demonstrated pro-inflammatory properties in relation to obesity and T2DM. Objective: To characterize resistin expression in human obesity and address the role of resistin in the innate immune pathway. Furthermore, examine the influence of lipopolysaccharide, recombinant human resistin (rhResistin), insulin and rosiglitazone in human adipocytes. Finally, analyze the effect of rhResistin on the expression of components of the NF-κB pathway and insulin signaling cascade. Methods: Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue was obtained from patients undergoing elective liposuction surgery (n = 35, aged: 36-49 yr; BMI: 26.5 ± 5.9 kg/m2). Isolated adipocytes were cultured with rhResistin (10-50 ng/ml). The level of cytokine secretion from isolated adipocytes was examined by ELISA. The effect of rhResistin on protein expression of components of the innate immune pathway was examined by Western blot. Results: In-vitro studies demonstrated that antigenic stimuli increase resistin secretion (P < 0.001) from isolated adipocytes. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were increased in response to rhResistin (P < 0.001); this was attenuated by rosiglitazone (P < 0.01). When examining components of the innate immune pathway, rhResistin stimulated Toll-like receptor-2 protein expression. Similarly, mediators of the insulin signaling pathway, phosphospecific JNK1 and JNK2, were upregulated in response to rhResistin. Conclusion: Resistin may participate in more than one mechanism to influence pro-inflammatory cytokine release from human adipocytes; potentially via the integration of NF-κB and JNK signaling pathways

Multi-scale gyrokinetic simulations: Comparison with experiment and implications for predicting turbulence and transport

To better understand the role of cross-scale coupling in experimental conditions, a series of multi-scale gyrokinetic simulations were performed on Alcator C-Mod, L-mode plasmas. These simulations, performed using all experimental inputs and realistic ion to electron mass ratio ((mi/me)1∕2 = 60.0), simultaneously capture turbulence at the ion (kθρs∼(1.0)) and electron-scales (kθρe∼(1.0)). Direct comparison with experimental heat fluxes and electron profile stiffness indicates that Electron Temperature Gradient (ETG) streamers and strong cross-scale turbulence coupling likely exist in both of the experimental conditions studied. The coupling between ion and electron-scales exists in the form of energy cascades, modification of zonal flow dynamics, and the effective shearing of ETG turbulence by long wavelength, Ion Temperature Gradient (ITG) turbulence. The tightly coupled nature of ITG and ETG turbulence in these realistic plasma conditions is shown to have significant implications for the interpretation of experimental transport and fluctuations. Initial attempts are made to develop a “rule of thumb” based on linear physics, to help predict when cross-scale coupling plays an important role and to inform future modeling of experimental discharges. The details of the simulations, comparisons with experimental measurements, and implications for both modeling and experimental interpretation are discussed.United States. Department of Energy (DE-AC02-05CH11231)United States. Department of Energy (DE-FC02-99ER54512-CMOD)United States. Department of Energy (DE-SC0006957)United States. Department of Energy (DE-FG02-06ER54871

Conceptual design study for heat exhaust management in the ARC fusion pilot plant

The ARC pilot plant conceptual design study has been extended beyond its initial scope [B. N. Sorbom et al., FED 100 (2015) 378] to explore options for managing ~525 MW of fusion power generated in a compact, high field (B_0 = 9.2 T) tokamak that is approximately the size of JET (R_0 = 3.3 m). Taking advantage of ARC's novel design - demountable high temperature superconductor toroidal field (TF) magnets, poloidal magnetic field coils located inside the TF, and vacuum vessel (VV) immersed in molten salt FLiBe blanket - this follow-on study has identified innovative and potentially robust power exhaust management solutions.Comment: Accepted by Fusion Engineering and Desig