Exercise intervention in brain injury: a pilot randomized study of Tai Chi Qigong

Objective: To examine the effects of a brief Tai Chi Chuan Qigong (‘Qigong’) exercise intervention on individuals with traumatic brain injury. Design: A single-centre randomized controlled trial pilot study. Setting: A registered charity day centre in the community. Subjects: Twenty individuals with traumatic brain injury. Intervention: Intervention participants attended a Qigong exercise session for one hour per week over eight weeks. Control participants engaged in non-exercise-based social and leisure activities for the same intervention period. Measures: Outcome was assessed at baseline and post intervention using the General Health Questionnaire-12, the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire and the Social Support for Exercise Habits Scale, to measure perceived mood, self-esteem, flexibility, coordination, physical activity and social support. Results: Groups were comparable at baseline. After the intervention, mood was improved in the exercise group when compared with controls (U ¼ 22.0, P ¼ 0.02). Improvements in self-esteem (Z ¼ 2.397, P ¼ 0.01) and mood (Z ¼ –2.032, P ¼ 0.04) across the study period were also evident in the exercise group only. There were no significant differences in physical functioning between groups. In view of the sample size, these findings are inconclusive. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that a brief Qigong exercise intervention programme may improve mood and self-esteem for individuals with traumatic brain injury. This needs to be tested in a large-scale randomized trial

Us and them: Intergroup failures of empathy

People are often motivated to increase others' positive experiences and to alleviate others' suffering. These tendencies to care about and help one another form the foundation of human society. When the target is an outgroup member, however, people may have powerful motivations not to care about or help that “other.” In such cases, empathic responses are rare and fragile; it is easy to disrupt the chain from perception of suffering to motivation to alleviate the suffering to actual helping. We highlight recent interdisciplinary research demonstrating that outgroup members' suffering elicits dampened empathic responses as compared to ingroup members' suffering. We consider an alternative to empathy in the context of intergroup competition: schadenfreude—pleasure at others' pain. Finally, we review recent investigations of intergroup-conflict interventions that attempt to increase empathy for outgroups. We propose that researchers across the range of psychological sciences stand to gain a better understanding of the foundations of empathy by studying its limitations.Princeton University (Charlotte Elizabeth Procter Fellowship)Alliance of Civilizations (Media Fund)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (grant #N000140910845

\u201cGive, but Give until It Hurts\u201d: The Modulatory Role of Trait Emotional Intelligence on the Motivation to Help

Two studies investigated the effect of trait Emotional Intelligence (trait EI) on people\u2019s moti- vation to help. In Study 1, we developed a new computer-based paradigm that tested partic- ipants\u2019 motivation to help by measuring their performance on a task in which they could gain a hypothetical amount of money to help children in need. Crucially, we manipulated partici- pants\u2019 perceived efficacy by informing them that they had been either able to save the chil- dren (positive feedback) or unable to save the children (negative feedback). We measured trait EI using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire\u2013Short Form (TEIQue-SF) and assessed participants\u2019 affective reactions during the experiment using the PANAS-X. Results showed that high and low trait EI participants performed differently after the presen- tation of feedback on their ineffectiveness in helping others in need. Both groups showed increasing negative affective states during the experiment when the feedback was negative; however, high trait EI participants better managed their affective reactions, modulating the impact of their emotions on performance and maintaining a high level of motivation to help. In Study 2, we used a similar computerized task and tested a control situation to explore the effect of trait EI on participants\u2019 behavior when facing failure or success in a scenario unre- lated to helping others in need. No effect of feedback emerged on participants\u2019 emotional states in the second study. Taken together our results show that trait EI influences the impact of success and failure on behavior only in affect-rich situation like those in which people are asked to help others in need

The relationship between priestly motivational styles and personal wellbeing in ministry : exploring the connection between religious orientation and purpose in life among Catholic priests serving in Italy

This study examines the association between priestly motivation (accessed via the psychological notion of religious orientation) and personal wellbeing (accessed via the psychological notion of purpose in life) among a sample of 155 Catholic priests serving in Italy. The data confirm a positive association between intrinsic religious orientation and purpose in life, but a negative association between quest religious orientation and purpose in life. These findings are discussed in light of the expectations placed on Catholic priests by the Church and by society

Investigating the impact of financial concerns on symptoms of depression in UK healthcare workers: data from the UK-REACH nationwide cohort study.

Exploration of the association between financial concerns and depression in UK healthcare workers (HCWs) is paramount given the current 'cost of living crisis', ongoing strike action and recruitment/retention problems in the National Health Service. To assess the impact of financial concerns on the risk of depression in HCWs, how these concerns have changed over time and what factors might predict financial concerns. We used longitudinal survey data from a UK-wide cohort of HCWs to determine whether financial concerns at baseline (December 2020 to March 2021) were associated with depression (measured with the Public Health Questionnaire-2) at follow-up (June to October 2022). We used logistic regression to examine the association between financial concerns and depression, and ordinal logistic regression to establish predictors of developing financial concerns. A total of 3521 HCWs were included. Those concerned about their financial situation at baseline had higher odds of developing depressive symptoms at follow-up. Financial concerns increased in 43.8% of HCWs and decreased in 9%. Those in nursing, midwifery and other nursing roles had over twice the odds of developing financial concerns compared with those in medical roles. Financial concerns are increasing in prevalence and predict the later development of depressive symptoms in UK HCWs. Those in nursing, midwifery and other allied nursing roles may have been disproportionately affected. Our results are concerning given the potential effects on sickness absence and staff retention. Policy makers should act to alleviate financial concerns to reduce the impact this may have on a discontent workforce plagued by understaffing

Empathy: a review of the concept

The inconsistent definition of empathy has had a negative impact on both research and practice. The aim of this article is to review and critically appraise a range of definitions of empathy and, through considered analysis, to develop a new conceptualisation. From the examination of 43 discrete definitions, 8 themes relating to the nature of empathy emerged: “distinguishing empathy from other concepts”; “cognitive or affective?”; “congruent or incongruent?”; “subject to other stimuli?”; “self/other distinction or merging?”; “trait or state influences?”; “has a behavioural outcome?”; and “automatic or controlled?” The relevance and validity of each theme is assessed and a new conceptualisation of empathy is offered. The benefits of employing a more consistent and complete definition of empathy are discussed

Effect of Fiber Source and Crude Protein Level on Nursery Pig Performance

A total of 360 pigs (200 × 400; DNA, Columbus, NE; initially = 11.0 lb) were used in a 45-d growth trial to evaluate the effects of fiber source and crude protein level on growth performance and fecal dry matter of nursery pigs. Upon arrival to the nursery research facility, pigs were randomly assigned to pens with 5 pigs per pen and 9 replicate pens per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 4 completely random­ized factorial with main effects of crude protein (21 or 18% CP) and fiber source (none, coarse wheat bran, oat hulls, or cellulose; Arbocel, J. Rettenmaier USA, Schoolcraft, MI). Treatment diets were formulated in two dietary phases from d 0 to 10 and 10 to 24, with a common post-treatment diet fed from d 24 to 45. The 21% CP diets contained 1.40% standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID) in phase 1 and 1.35% SID Lys in phase 2. Treatment diets were formulated to a maximum SID Lys:digestible CP level of 6.35%, thus SID Lys decreased in the 18% CP (1.25% SID Lys) diets to main­tain the ratio. Diets containing a fiber source were formulated to the level of insoluble fiber provided by 4% coarse wheat bran, resulting in the addition of 1.85% oat hulls and 1.55% cellulose to the respective diets. No fiber source × CP level interactions (P \u3e 0.05) were observed throughout the study. During the experimental period, decreasing dietary CP (and subsequently SID Lys) decreased (P = 0.05) ADG, and d 24 body weight (BW) and worsened feed efficiency (F/G). Average daily gain and d 45 BW decreased (P \u3c 0.05) for pigs fed 18% CP diets compared to pigs fed 21% CP diets overall from 0 to 45. Fecal dry matter on d 17 was increased (P \u3c 0.001) for pigs fed 18% CP diets compared to pigs fed 21% CP diets. No main effects of fiber source were observed for growth performance throughout the study. However, fecal dry matter percentage increased (P \u3c 0.05) for pigs fed added cellulose compared to pigs fed no fiber or coarse wheat bran on d 10 and 24 of the trial. Similarly, pigs fed cellulose had increased (P = 0.028) fecal dry matter compared to pigs fed no fiber, with pigs fed coarse wheat bran and oat hulls intermediate. In conclusion, reducing dietary crude protein resulted in decreased growth performance while minimal improvements in fecal dry matter were observed during the experimental period. The source or inclusion of insoluble fiber in nursery diets had no impact on performance. The inclusion of cellu­lose improved fecal dry matter compared to feeding no dietary fiber or coarse wheat bran

Short-Term Compassion Training Increases Prosocial Behavior in a Newly Developed Prosocial Game

Compassion has been suggested to be a strong motivator for prosocial behavior. While research has demonstrated that compassion training has positive effects on mood and health, we do not know whether it also leads to increases in prosocial behavior. We addressed this question in two experiments. In Experiment 1, we introduce a new prosocial game, the Zurich Prosocial Game (ZPG), which allows for repeated, ecologically valid assessment of prosocial behavior and is sensitive to the influence of reciprocity, helping cost, and distress cues on helping behavior. Experiment 2 shows that helping behavior in the ZPG increased in participants who had received short-term compassion training, but not in participants who had received short-term memory training. Interindividual differences in practice duration were specifically related to changes in the amount of helping under no-reciprocity conditions. Our results provide first evidence for the positive impact of short-term compassion training on prosocial behavior towards strangers in a training-unrelated task

Effect of Coarse Wheat Bran and Crude Protein Level in Nursery Pig Diets Without Pharmacological Levels of Zinc Oxide

A total of 360 pigs (200 × 400; DNA, Columbus, NE, initially = 12.4 lb) were used in a 45-d growth trial to evaluate the effects of coarse wheat bran and crude protein level in diets without pharmacological levels of zinc oxide (ZnO) on growth performance of nursery pigs. Upon arrival to the nursery research facility, pigs were randomly assigned to pens with 5 pigs per pen. Pens were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with 12 pens per treatment. Treatment diets were offered in two dietary phases (phase 1 fed from d 0 to 7, and phase 2 from d 7 to 21 post-weaning). A post-treatment period with a common diet was fed from d 21 to 45. Treatment diets included a positive control diet with pharmacological ZnO (3,000 ppm Zn in phase 1 and 2,000 ppm in phase 2); negative control without pharmacological ZnO (110 ppm Zn added from premix); and negative control with 4% coarse wheat bran and formulated to contain 21, 19.5, 18, or 16.5% crude protein (CP). The two control diets and the 21% CP diet contained 1.40% standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine in phase 1 and 1.35% SID lysine in phase 2, with the 19.5, 18, and 16.5% CP diets containing 1.33, 1.25 and 1.20% lysine, respectively in both phases. Fecal samples were collected from the same three pigs per pen on d 7, 14, 21, and 45 then pooled within pen for each day of collection and dried at 55°C in a forced air oven. All pens were individually scored on d 7, 14, 21, and 45 by the same three individuals to determine visual fecal consistency. Data were analyzed using the lmer function from the lme4 package in R. From d 0 to 21, pigs fed the positive control diet containing ZnO had increased (P \u3c 0.001) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) and improved (P \u3c 0.050) feed efficiency (F/G) compared to the negative control and the high CP coarse wheat bran diet. Reducing crude protein levels in diets containing coarse wheat bran resulted in decreased ADG and poorer feed efficiency (linear, P = 0.002); however, fecal dry matter percentage was increased (linear, P = 0.006), suggesting a greater occurrence of solid feces throughout the experimental period. Overall from d 0 to 45, decreasing crude protein level decreased (linear, P = 0.012) ADG, ADFI (linear, P = 0.038), and d 45 body weight (linear, P = 0.010). Pigs fed the positive control diet with ZnO experienced increased ADG (P = 0.014) and increased ADFI (P = 0.008) compared to the negative control. There was no evidence for differences in overall growth for the positive control compared with the 21% CP diet with coarse wheat bran. In summary, decreasing crude protein in diets with coarse wheat bran decreased overall ADG and ADFI, resulting in lower body weight throughout the study. The pigs fed these diets had poorer feed efficiency and decreased ADG during the experimental period; however, these pigs had increased fecal dry matter. Further research is warranted to determine if low crude protein diets can be modified to achieve increased fecal dry matter while maintaining growth performance of nursery pigs

Effects of High Phytase Supplementation in Lactation Diets on Sow and Litter Performance

A total of 109 sows (Line 241; DNA, Columbus, NE) were used in a study to evaluate the effect of increasing phytase concentration in lactating sow diets on farrowing duration, and sow and litter performance. On d 107 of gestation, sows were blocked by body weight and parity and allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments of increasing phytase concentration (0, 1,000, or 3,000 FTU/kg; Ronozyme HiPhos 2700; DSM Nutritional Products, Inc., Parsippany, NJ). The control diet contained no phytase and was formulated to contain 0.50% standardized total tract digestible phosphorus (STTD P; 0.45% available P) and 0.62% STTD calcium (0.90% total Ca). The phytase diets contained 1,000 or 3,000 FTU/kg also formulated to 0.50% STTD P and 0.62% STTD Ca including the release of 0.132 STTD P and 0.094 STTD Ca in both phytase diets. Diets were balanced for net energy by altering choice white grease. Diets were fed from d 107 of gestation until weaning (d 17 ± 2) and all farrowings were monitored with farrowing duration measured starting at the time the first pig was born until the first dispersal of placental tissues with no subsequent pigs born. Litters were cross-fostered within treatment until 48 h post-farrowing to equalize litter size. There were no differences among treatments in body weight at d 107 of gestation, 24 h after farrowing, or at weaning. Sow average daily feed intake (ADFI) from farrowing to weaning tended to increase (linear, P = 0.093) as phytase units increased. There was no evidence for difference in farrowing performance, wean-to-estrus interval, or litter size among dietary treatments. Although not significant (linear, P = 0.226), farrowing duration decreased for sows fed 3,000 FTU/kg. Litter weaning weight increased (quadratic, P = 0.039) and overall litter gain increased (quadratic, P = 0.047) with 1,000 FTU of phytase. In summary, sow feed intake tended to increase linearly with increasing phytase; however, feeding 1,000 FTU/kg maximized overall litter gain and weaning weight. Farrowing duration was numerically decreased with increasing units of phytase. This small-scale study presents interesting impacts on sow and litter performance due to high inclusions of dietary phytase; however, a commercial trial with more sows is warranted