Exploring forgiveness of self and others using integrative methodologies.

The thesis combines qualitative and quantitative methodology to broaden the research into forgiveness. The first part of the thesis uses predominately qualitative methodology to gain information about the understanding of forgiveness and the forgiveness issues of ten mothers who are residing in a six-month drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre. The women provided written life histories and standardised measures to enable psychometric profiles to be generated. Semi-structured interviewing and interpretative phenomenological analysis (Smith, 1996) was then used to discover the forgiveness experiences and their meanings for the ten women who took part. Forgiveness issues relate to the forgiveness triad, and the themes to emerge are, intimate relationships, domination, pseudo-forgiveness, the value of forgiveness, process of forgiveness, remorse, instantaneous forgiveness, attitude towards the aggressor, unforgivable, family as forgivers/blood is thicker than water, desire for forgiveness from their children, forgiveness without truth is impossible, forgiveness doesn't always feel good, allowing oneself to be the victim, parenting issues, prostitution, and not to blame. Although there are striking similarities in the forgiveness issues of the women, the study also touches on how individuals can conceptualise forgiveness very differently. This study goes some way to showing that we are all individuals with our own meanings, ideas and realities. People make their own decisions about what forgiveness is and what it means to them.The second part of the thesis uses standardised psychometric tests with student and non-student samples n a series of studies. Some of the studies focussed on variables that seemed to be theoretically relevant from the qualitative studies, in the first part of the thesis, while others followed up theoretical issues suggested by the wider literature on forgiveness. As gender differences in forgiveness have not been studied in great detail in previous studies and the evidence is equivocal all the studies explore for sex differences. No significant sex difference is found with regard to forgiveness of self. However with forgiveness of others the results appear more complex. Females are found to be more forgiving of others than males in two of the studies, while no difference is found in the remaining studies.Failure to forgive self is found to be to be associated with higher anxiety and depression and less hope in males and females and higher somatic symptoms in males. In females failure to forgive others is accompanied by higher anxiety and lower scores on the hope scale, Further, forgiveness of self is found to be more strongly associated with measures of psychological well being than forgiveness of others. In relation to Sukhodolsky et al.'s (2001) 4-factor model of anger rumination many of the anger rumination sub-scales correlated with forgiveness of self and forgiveness of others therefore a series of multiple regressions were performed. Anger memories are found to be the most important aspects in forgiving oneself, and dealing with revenge thoughts are found to be crucial with forgiveness of others.Further, forgiveness of self is found to share a significant positive correlation with emotional intelligence, self-liking, self-competence and optimism among males and females. Also, forgiveness of others shares a significant positive correlation with emotional intelligence among males and females. With forgiveness of self, multiple regression suggests that self-liking and emotional intelligence account for the unique variance In scores among males and optimism and self-liking account for the unique variance in scores among females. With regards to parenting and forgiveness, males forgiveness of self is not significantly correlated with any of the parenting styles of either parent, but forgiveness of others has a significant negative correlation with permissive parents. In females there is no correlation with forgiveness of others and any of the parenting styles. But with regards to forgiveness of self there is a significant negative correlation with the father's authoritarian parenting style. There is a significant positive correlation between democratic father's parenting style and forgiveness of self

Projected impacts of warming seas on commercially fished species at a biogeographic boundary of the European continental shelf

This is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordProjecting the future effects of climate change on marine fished populations can help prepare the fishing industry and management systems for resulting ecological, social and economic changes. Generating projections using multiple climate scenarios can provide valuable insights for fisheries stakeholders regarding uncertainty arising from future climate data. Using a range of climate projections based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change A1B, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios, we modelled abundance of eight commercially important bottom dwelling fish species across the Celtic Sea, English Channel and southern North Sea through the 21st century. This region spans a faunal boundary between cooler northern waters and warmer southern waters, where mean sea surface temperatures are projected to rise by 2 to 4°C by 2098. For each species, Generalized Additive Models were trained on spatially explicit abundance data from six surveys between 2001 and 2010. Annual and seasonal temperatures were key drivers of species abundance patterns. Models were used to project species abundance for each decade through to 2090. Projections suggest important future changes in the availability and catchability of fish species, with projected increases in abundance of red mullet Mullus surmuletus L., Dover sole Solea solea L., John dory Zeus faber L. and lemon sole Microstomus kitt L. and decreases in abundance of Atlantic cod Gadus morhua L., anglerfish Lophius piscatorius L. and megrim Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis L. European plaice Pleuronectes platessa L. appeared less affected by projected temperature changes. Most projected abundance responses were comparable among climate projections, but uncertainty in the rate and magnitude of changes often increased substantially beyond 2040. Synthesis and applications. These results indicate potential risks as well as some opportunities for demersal fisheries under climate change. These changes will challenge current management systems, with implications for decisions on target fishing mortality rates, fishing effort and allowable catches. Increasingly flexible and adaptive approaches that reduce climate impacts on species while also supporting industry adaptation are required.Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture ScienceNatural Environment Research Council (NERC

Interferon beta treatment is a potent and targeted epigenetic modifier in multiple sclerosis

IntroductionMultiple Sclerosis (MS) has a complex pathophysiology that involves genetic and environmental factors. DNA methylation (DNAm) is one epigenetic mechanism that can reversibly modulate gene expression. Cell specific DNAm changes have been associated with MS, and some MS therapies such as dimethyl fumarate can influence DNAm. Interferon Beta (IFNβ), was one of the first disease modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, how IFNβ reduces disease burden in MS is not fully understood and little is known about the precise effect of IFNβ treatment on methylation.MethodsThe objective of this study was to determine the changes in DNAm associated with INFβ use, using methylation arrays and statistical deconvolutions on two separate datasets (total ntreated = 64, nuntreated = 285).ResultsWe show that IFNβ treatment in people with MS modifies the methylation profile of interferon response genes in a strong, targeted, and reproducible manner. Using these identified methylation differences, we constructed a methylation treatment score (MTS) that is an accurate discriminator between untreated and treated patients (Area under the curve = 0.83). This MTS is time-sensitive and in consistent with previously identified IFNβ treatment therapeutic lag. This suggests that methylation changes are required for treatment efficacy. Overrepresentation analysis found that IFNβ treatment recruits the endogenous anti-viral molecular machinery. Finally, statistical deconvolution revealed that dendritic cells and regulatory CD4+ T cells were most affected by IFNβ induced methylation changes.DiscussionIn conclusion, our study shows that IFNβ treatment is a potent and targeted epigenetic modifier in multiple sclerosis

International genome-wide meta-analysis identifies new primary biliary cirrhosis risk loci and targetable pathogenic pathways.

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a classical autoimmune liver disease for which effective immunomodulatory therapy is lacking. Here we perform meta-analyses of discovery data sets from genome-wide association studies of European subjects (n=2,764 cases and 10,475 controls) followed by validation genotyping in an independent cohort (n=3,716 cases and 4,261 controls). We discover and validate six previously unknown risk loci for PBC (Pcombined<5 × 10(-8)) and used pathway analysis to identify JAK-STAT/IL12/IL27 signalling and cytokine-cytokine pathways, for which relevant therapies exist

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Training on Environmental Risk Assessment as a component of EFSA’s risk assessments

This final report evaluates the training courses delivered under the contract NP/EFSA/SCER/2018/01. The courses are to explain the basics of how to conduct environmental risk assessments (ERA’s) with a particular focus on (1) living organisms, i.e. the deliberate commercial release into the environment of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s), or the introduction and spread of invasive alien species that are harmful to plant health; and (2) substances used as pesticides or as feed additives (FA).A total of six training courses were organised, which were attended by in total 113 participants. The first four trainings were organised in 2019 and they took place at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Parma. The last two trainings were organised as webinar training courses.The targeted participants of the training courses were members of EFSA’s Scientific Committee/Panels and their working groups, preferably the newly designated ones. Members of the EFSA Networks as well as EFSA scientific staff could also participate in the training courses.The delivered training courses were perceived by the participants as good to very good