The role of cognition in understanding the sleep- aggression relationship in a forensic psychiatric sample

This PhD program of work focused on the role of cognition in the sleep-aggression relationship relating to both aggression towards others and towards the self (i.e. self-injury). The research aimed to develop a preliminary model to explain the potential contribution of cognition in this complex relationship. Research methodology included a systematic literature review, qualitative interviews, a cross-sectional study and an intervention study comparing Mindfulness, Sleep Hygiene Education, and Treatment as Usual (control). The empirical studies were conducted with high secure psychiatric patients. Findings indicate that cognition is multifaceted in the relationship between sleep and aggression. Interventions to improve sleep should be tailored to individual needs and consider the cognitive factors contributing to both sleep and aggression. The preliminary model outlined acknowledges the contribution of a range of cognitions

Exploring Foodie Segmentation

Previous research studies have explored the activities, motivations, and outcomes for the culinary tourist, and researchers have theorized certain segments of culinary travelers (Boniface, 2003; Mitchell, Hall & McIntosh, 2000). Contrasting to this, investigation into “the foodie” and his or her activities at home has been strikingly infrequent. Exploring the foodie ‘at home’ or the foodie’s everyday behavior is critical to understanding different types of foodies, how to market to foodies, and their decision-making processes for culinary travel. The purpose of this study is to test, via an online survey, a scale that distinguishes between different types of foodies, and determine if their home-foodie habits are the same while traveling. The study includes five samples: all of the populations were selected to attempt to get a variety of respondents; some settings were food-focused and some were not. Factor analysis was used to group like respondents together; factors that overlapped across samples includes Sustainable Food Activist, Cooking, Cooking Competitor/Do-It-Yourself, Trendy Traveler, Gardening, and Drinking activity dimensions. Food-related businesses and tourism marketers would benefit from greater distinction between types of foodies so as to develop and market specific products to them, to create new packages with complementary activities, and to convert ‘crossover’ markets who visit for one reason but who could be convinced to ‘cross over’ to participate in other activities

Unlocking the Potential of Older Adult Volunteers: The Intergenerational Leadership Institute Model as a Resource for Bolstering Extension

The Intergenerational Leadership Institute (ILI) is a yearlong certificate training program developed by Pennsylvania State University for older adults (55-plus) seeking new lifelong learning and civic engagement experiences and opportunities to contribute to innovation and change in their communities. Data from participant surveys and observations of ILI-related training and program planning sessions indicate growth in participants\u27 intergenerational programming and leadership skills in the context of translating intervention ideas into concrete plans and programs. This article describes the process and outcomes of ILI chapters in State College, Pennsylvania, and Montgomery County, Maryland, and tools and resources for assisting with program dissemination

Evaluation of a cognitive skills programme for male prisoners – exploring treatment effectiveness

Aim: The current study provides an evaluation of a cognitive skills programme (Enhanced Thinking Skills) with adult prisoners. Method: A pre and post treatment-only design with 171 male prisoners, using self-report psychometric measures. Results: Significant differences were found in the direction expected. Clinical recovery using stringent methods was not indicated, although improvement/partial response was across a number of domains. Originality: This study represents the first prison study to distinguish between levels of positive change. It questions previous interpretations of treatment outcome. Implications for practice: Expectations for treatment outcome for short term interventions should be more realistic; Cognitive skills programmes may be best considered as precursors to longer term therapies; Treatment outcome should focus on improvement and not recovery

Comparative metal oxide nanoparticle toxicity using embryonic zebrafish

AbstractEngineered metal oxide nanoparticles (MO NPs) are finding increasing utility in the medical field as anticancer agents. Before validation of in vivo anticancer efficacy can occur, a better understanding of whole-animal toxicity is required. We compared the toxicity of seven widely used semiconductor MO NPs made from zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide, cerium dioxide and tin dioxide prepared in pure water and in synthetic seawater using a five-day embryonic zebrafish assay. We hypothesized that the toxicity of these engineered MO NPs would depend on physicochemical properties. Significant agglomeration of MO NPs in aqueous solutions is common making it challenging to associate NP characteristics such as size and charge with toxicity. However, data from our agglomerated MO NPs suggests that the elemental composition and dissolution potential are major drivers of toxicity. Only ZnO caused significant adverse effects of all MO particles tested, and only when prepared in pure water (point estimate median lethal concentration=3.5–9.1mg/L). This toxicity was life stage dependent. The 24h toxicity increased greatly (∼22.7 fold) when zebrafish exposures started at the larval life stage compared to the 24h toxicity following embryonic exposure. Investigation into whether dissolution could account for ZnO toxicity revealed high levels of zinc ion (40–89% of total sample) were generated. Exposure to zinc ion equivalents revealed dissolved Zn2+ may be a major contributor to ZnO toxicity

Using 4-D imaging of the zebrafish model to observe pharmacodynamics of a therapeutic drug on glioblastoma

Glioblastoma Multiform • Type of aggressive brain cancer • Five year survival rate of 4.70% • Not often detected until it’s in the later stages when the symptoms appear • Surgery is not an effective option due to invasion and proliferation of glioblastoma cells outside of the tumor mass before and after surgery Why the Zebrafish Model? • Transparent body • Organism size • Short assay period • Little media required • No adaptive immune system for 28 dpf • Vertebrate anatomy and brain microenvironmen

Understanding the sleep-aggression relationship in a forensic mental health sample

The contribution of cognition to the sleep-aggression relationship is explored via three connected studies, involving adult male forensic patients detained in a high secure hospital. Study 1 included 31 patients, interviewed to examine their experiences of specific sleep problems. In Study 2, 42 patients completed a series of measures examining sleep dysfunction, aggression, and cognition, while Study 3 was designed to impact on sleep via a cognitive approach. In the latter, 48 patients were randomly assigned as part of a feasibility trial to one of three conditions: mindfulness (cognitive approach), sleep education, and treatment as usual. Collectively, the studies demonstrated the multifaceted nature of cognition in the sleep-aggression relationship, with a need to account fully for cognitive factors. A preliminary conceptual model is outlined - the Cognitive Sleep Model for Aggression and Self Harm (CoSMASH), as a direction for future research to consider

Victim empathy-based content in aggression treatment: Exploring impact within a secure forensic hospital

This study explores the impact of inclusion of victim empathy-based content in offender treatment. It presents first a systematic review of 20 papers, before proceeding to consider a qualitative interviews with therapists (n= 7), and forensic patients (n= 5), who had completed a long-term violence therapy (Life Minus Violence – Enhanced, LMV-E©). The research explored perceptions of forensic patients and treatment facilitators when completing victim empathy work, and explored any negative effects this may have. Findings from the systematic review indicated five themes: (1) Interventions incorporating victim empathy can be effective; (2) There are positive risk-understanding consequences from completing victim empathy work; (3) Offenders perceive victim empathy positively; (4) The emotional impact of victim empathy work on offenders’ is poorly explored and, (5) Completing victim empathy in treatment groups receives mixed evaluations from offenders. The systematic review was used to inform the interview themes for the resulting qualitative study with facilitators and forensic patients. This study indicated six themes: (1) Victim empathy content facilitates change; (2) Victim empathy content can be difficult for patients; (3) Victim empathy content can lead to an emotional response; (4) Victim empathy content can be beneficial, with the process important; (5) Victim empathy content can help understand risk, and (6) Patients’ experience of treatment begins before attending sessions. The results are discussed with attention to similarity in perceptions and experiences between staff and patients, with suggestions made for clinical implications and future research

Discrimination of tilapia species of the genera Oreochromis, Tilapia and Sarotherodon by PCR-RFLP of 5S rDNA

n/a (brief communication - no abstract

Sex pheromone evolution is associated with differential regulation of the same desaturase gene in two genera of leafroller moths.

peer reviewedChemical signals are prevalent in sexual communication systems. Mate recognition has been extensively studied within the Lepidoptera, where the production and recognition of species-specific sex pheromone signals are typically the defining character. While the specific blend of compounds that makes up the sex pheromones of many species has been characterized, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the evolution of pheromone-based mate recognition systems remain largely unknown. We have focused on two sets of sibling species within the leafroller moth genera Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix that have rapidly evolved the use of distinct sex pheromone blends. The compounds within these blends differ almost exclusively in the relative position of double bonds that are introduced by desaturase enzymes. Of the six desaturase orthologs isolated from all four species, functional analyses in yeast and gene expression in pheromone glands implicate three in pheromone biosynthesis, two Δ9-desaturases, and a Δ10-desaturase, while the remaining three desaturases include a Δ6-desaturase, a terminal desaturase, and a non-functional desaturase. Comparative quantitative real-time PCR reveals that the Δ10-desaturase is differentially expressed in the pheromone glands of the two sets of sibling species, consistent with differences in the pheromone blend in both species pairs. In the pheromone glands of species that utilize (Z)-8-tetradecenyl acetate as sex pheromone component (Ctenopseustis obliquana and Planotortrix octo), the expression levels of the Δ10-desaturase are significantly higher than in the pheromone glands of their respective sibling species (C. herana and P. excessana). Our results demonstrate that interspecific sex pheromone differences are associated with differential regulation of the same desaturase gene in two genera of moths. We suggest that differential gene regulation among members of a multigene family may be an important mechanism of molecular innovation in sex pheromone evolution and speciation