Differences Between Controls, Ideators, and Enactors of Self-Harm in a Sample of Transferred Prisoners Through the Lens of the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model

Self-harm is a significant and common issue in prisoners, yet very limited research has been conducted on this important topic. This thesis therefore aimed to increase our understanding of self-harm in prisoners. Part One is a conceptual review that critically and comprehensively reviews and synthesises the literature on self-harm and suicide. Specifically, the review addresses the current terminology/definition debate, evaluates the research on risk factors, and synthesises the most prominent theories/models as well as the current state of self-harm and suicide research in the general population. The review identifies several critical research gaps, the main one being the crucial need to test and apply comprehensive as well as integrative self-harm/suicide theoretical models on different populations. Part Two is an empirical paper that attempts to address the above critical research gap by testing the applicability of a comprehensive theoretical model of self-harm (Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model), originally developed for the general population, on a sample of male transferred prisoners. Specifically, this cross-sectional study aimed to examine how controls, ideators of self-harm, and enactors of self-harm differed on the IMV model’s factors (perceived entrapment, brooding rumination, social support, impulsivity, fearlessness about death, discomfort intolerance), depression, hopelessness, and a new protective factor of resilience. The results of this study provided partial support for the IMV Model. This was a joint project that was conducted with another UCL D.Clin.Psy trainee. Part Three is a critical appraisal of the entire research process. Topics discussed include: reflections on conceptual issues that arose during the research, challenges of conducting research in a prison, and ideas for future research

Brain-computer interface controlled functional electrical stimulation device for foot drop due to stroke.

Gait impairment due to foot drop is a common outcome of stroke, and current physiotherapy provides only limited restoration of gait function. Gait function can also be aided by orthoses, but these devices may be cumbersome and their benefits disappear upon removal. Hence, new neuro-rehabilitative therapies are being sought to generate permanent improvements in motor function beyond those of conventional physiotherapies through positive neural plasticity processes. Here, the authors describe an electroencephalogram (EEG) based brain-computer interface (BCI) controlled functional electrical stimulation (FES) system that enabled a stroke subject with foot drop to re-establish foot dorsiflexion. To this end, a prediction model was generated from EEG data collected as the subject alternated between periods of idling and attempted foot dorsiflexion. This prediction model was then used to classify online EEG data into either "idling" or "dorsiflexion" states, and this information was subsequently used to control an FES device to elicit effective foot dorsiflexion. The performance of the system was assessed in online sessions, where the subject was prompted by a computer to alternate between periods of idling and dorsiflexion. The subject demonstrated purposeful operation of the BCI-FES system, with an average cross-correlation between instructional cues and BCI-FES response of 0.60 over 3 sessions. In addition, analysis of the prediction model indicated that non-classical brain areas were activated in the process, suggesting post-stroke cortical re-organization. In the future, these systems may be explored as a potential therapeutic tool that can help promote positive plasticity and neural repair in chronic stroke patients

Low Cost Devices for Research in Brain-Computer Interfaces

The body of work presented is comprised of an analysis of three electronic devices developed for different purposes within the area of brain-computer interface research. The goal of these devices was to optimize effectiveness at as low of a cost as possible. Readily available components were chosen for their cost and abilities relative to similar devices used by other institutions that may require significant funding to achieve. The devices are presented in the order they were developed and represent an increase in complexity. The first was a device for measurement of motion, a simple task requiring only a single component. Secondly, a device to provide a stimulus to aid in treatment of neuropathy of the lower leg is reviewed. This device used a combination of a previously FDA approved stimulation system and electronic components used by hobbyists. Finally, a prototype for a novel device to be used for diagnosis of brain lesions is described, one which combines the scientific protocols used for brain lesion diagnosis and easy to use components into a single comprehensive piece of equipment

Integrating ReSET with glycosyl iodide glycosylation in step-economy syntheses of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens and immunogenic glycolipids.

Carbohydrates mediate a wide range of biological processes, and understanding these events and how they might be influenced is a complex undertaking that requires access to pure glycoconjugates. The isolation of sufficient quantities of carbohydrates and glycolipids from biological samples remains a significant challenge that has redirected efforts toward chemical synthesis. However, progress toward complex glycoconjugate total synthesis has been slowed by the need for multiple protection and deprotection steps owing to the large number of similarly reactive hydroxyls in carbohydrates. Two methodologies, regioselective silyl exchange technology (ReSET) and glycosyl iodide glycosylation have now been integrated to streamline the synthesis of the globo series trisaccharides (globotriaose and isoglobotriaose) and α-lactosylceramide (α-LacCer). These glycoconjugates include tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) and immunostimulatory glycolipids that hold promise as immunotherapeutics. Beyond the utility of the step-economy syntheses afforded by this synthetic platform, the studies also reveal a unique electronic interplay between acetate and silyl ether protecting groups. Incorporation of acetates proximal to silyl ethers attenuates their reactivity while reducing undesirable side reactions. This phenomenon can be used to fine-tune the reactivity of silylated/acetylated sugar building blocks

Regioselective Silyl/Acetate Exchange of Disaccharides Yields Advanced Glycosyl Donor and Acceptor Precursors

Glycoconjugates are composed of carbohydrate building blocks linked together in a multitude of ways giving rise to diverse biological functions. Carbohydrates are especially difficult to synthetically manipulate because of the similar reactivity of their numerous and largely equivalent hydroxyl groups. Hence, methodologies for both the efficient protection and selective modification of carbohydrate alcohols are considered important synthetic tools in organic chemistry. When per-O-TMS protected mono- or disaccharides in a mixture of pyridine and acetic anhydride are treated with acetic acid, regioselective exchange of silicon for acetate protecting groups occurs. Acid concentration, thermal conditions, and microwave assistance mediate the silyl/acetate exchange reaction. Regiocontrol is achieved by limiting the equivalents of acetic acid, and microwave irradiation hastens the process. We coined the term Regioselective Silyl Exchange Technology (ReSET) to describe this process, which essentially sets the protecting groups anew. To demonstrate the scope of the reaction, the conditions were applied to lactose, melibiose, cellobiose, and trehalose. ReSET provided rapid access to a wide range of orthogonally protected disaccharides that would otherwise require multiple synthetic steps to acquire. The resulting bifunctional molecules are poised to serve as modular building blocks for more complex glycoconjugates

Ready display of antigenic peptides in a protein 'mimogen'

Given the dependence of much modern biology upon the use of antibodies as tools and reagents, their variability and the often associated lack-of-detail about function and identity creates experimental errors. Here we describe the proof-of-principle for a potentially general, versatile method for the display of antigens in a soluble yet standard format on a lateral protein scaffold that mimics normal epitopes in a protein antigen (a 'mimogen') and confirm their utility in phosphorylation-dependent recognition by specific antibodies

Integrating ReSET with Glycosyl Iodide Glycosylation in Step-Economy Syntheses of Tumor-Associated Carbohydrate Antigens and Immunogenic Glycolipids

Carbohydrates mediate a wide range of biological processes, and understanding these events and how they might be influenced is a complex undertaking that requires access to pure glycoconjugates. The isolation of sufficient quantities of carbohydrates and glycolipids from biological samples remains a significant challenge that has redirected efforts toward chemical synthesis. However, progress toward complex glycoconjugate total synthesis has been slowed by the need for multiple protection and deprotection steps owing to the large number of similarly reactive hydroxyls in carbohydrates. Two methodologies, regioselective silyl exchange technology (ReSET) and glycosyl iodide glycosylation have now been integrated to streamline the synthesis of the globo series trisaccharides (globotriaose and isoglobotriaose) and α-lactosylceramide (α-LacCer). These glycoconjugates include tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) and immunostimulatory glycolipids that hold promise as immunotherapeutics. Beyond the utility of the step-economy syntheses afforded by this synthetic platform, the studies also reveal a unique electronic interplay between acetate and silyl ether protecting groups. Incorporation of acetates proximal to silyl ethers attenuates their reactivity while reducing undesirable side reactions. This phenomenon can be used to fine-tune the reactivity of silylated/acetylated sugar building blocks