Men\u27s Mental Health

Group Projec

Chronic Experience with Unpredictable Food Availability Promotes Food Reward, Overeating, and Weight Gain in a Novel Animal Model of Food Insecurity

Ubiquitous, easy access to food is thought to promote obesity in the modern environment. However, people coping with food insecurity have limited, unpredictable food access and are also prone to obesity. Causal factors linking food insecurity and obesity are not understood. In this study we describe an animal model to investigate biopsychological impacts of the chronic unpredictability inherent in food insecurity. Female rats were maintained on a \u27secure\u27 schedule of highly predictable 4x/day feedings of uniform size, or an \u27insecure\u27 schedule delivering the same total food over time but frequently unpredictable regarding how much, if any, food would arrive at each scheduled feeding. Subgroups of secure and insecure rats were fed ordinary chow or high-fat/high-sugar (HFHS) chow to identify separate and combined effects of insecurity and diet quality. Insecure chow-fed rats, relative to secure chow-fed rats, were hyperactive and consumed more when provided a palatable liquid diet. Insecure HFHS-fed rats additionally had higher progressive ratio breakpoints for sucrose, increased meal size, and subsequently gained more weight during 8 days of ad libitum HFHS access. Insecurity appeared to maintain a heightened attraction to palatable food that habituated in rats with secure HFHS access. In a second experiment, rats fed ordinary chow on the insecure schedule subsequently gained more weight when provided ad libitum chow, showing that prior insecurity per se promoted short-term weight gain in the absence of HFHS food. We propose this to be a potentially useful animal model for mechanistic research on biopsychological impacts of insecurity, demonstrating that chronic food uncertainty is a factor promoting obesity

Averting HIV Infections in New York City: A Modeling Approach Estimating the Future Impact of Additional Behavioral and Biomedical HIV Prevention Strategies

Background:New York City (NYC) remains an epicenter of the HIV epidemic in the United States. Given the variety of evidence-based HIV prevention strategies available and the significant resources required to implement each of them, comparative studies are needed to identify how to maximize the number of HIV cases prevented most economically.Methods:A new model of HIV disease transmission was developed integrating information from a previously validated micro-simulation HIV disease progression model. Specification and parameterization of the model and its inputs, including the intervention portfolio, intervention effects and costs were conducted through a collaborative process between the academic modeling team and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The model projects the impact of different prevention strategies, or portfolios of prevention strategies, on the HIV epidemic in NYC.Results:Ten unique interventions were able to provide a prevention benefit at an annual program cost of less than $360,000, the threshold for consideration as a cost-saving intervention (because of offsets by future HIV treatment costs averted). An optimized portfolio of these specific interventions could result in up to a 34$106,378; the total cost was in excess of $2 billion (over the 20 year period, or approximately$100 million per year, on average). The cost-savings of prevented infections was estimated at more than $5 billion (or approximately$250 million per year, on average).Conclusions:Optimal implementation of a portfolio of evidence-based interventions can have a substantial, favorable impact on the ongoing HIV epidemic in NYC and provide future cost-saving despite significant initial costs. © 2013 Kessler et al

X-ray Surface Brightness Profiles of Active Galactic Nuclei in the Extended Groth Strip: Implications for AGN Feedback

Using data from the All Wavelength Extended Groth Strip International Survey (AEGIS) we statistically detect the extended X-ray emission in the interstellar medium (ISM)/intra-cluster medium (ICM) in both active and normal galaxies at 0.3 <= z <= 1.3. For both active galactic nuclei (AGN) host galaxy and normal galaxy samples that are matched in restframe color, luminosity, and redshift distribution, we tentatively detect excess X-ray emission at scales of 1--10 arcsec at a few sigma significance in the surface brightness profiles. The exact significance of this detection is sensitive to the true characterization of Chandra's point spread function. The observed excess in the surface brightness profiles is suggestive of lower extended emission in AGN hosts compared to normal galaxies. This is qualitatively similar to theoretical predictions of the X-ray surface brightness profile from AGN feedback models, where feedback from AGN is likely to evacuate the gas from the center of the galaxy/cluster. We propose that AGN that are intrinsically under-luminous in X-rays, but have equivalent bolometric luminosities to our sources will be the ideal sample to study more robustly the effect of AGN feedback on diffuse ISM/ICM gas.Comment: Accepted in PAS

Averting HIV Infections in New York City: A Modeling Approach Estimating the Future Impact of Additional Behavioral and Biomedical HIV Prevention Strategies

Background: New York City (NYC) remains an epicenter of the HIV epidemic in the United States. Given the variety of evidence-based HIV prevention strategies available and the significant resources required to implement each of them, comparative studies are needed to identify how to maximize the number of HIV cases prevented most economically. Methods: A new model of HIV disease transmission was developed integrating information from a previously validated micro-simulation HIV disease progression model. Specification and parameterization of the model and its inputs, including the intervention portfolio, intervention effects and costs were conducted through a collaborative process between the academic modeling team and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The model projects the impact of different prevention strategies, or portfolios of prevention strategies, on the HIV epidemic in NYC. Results: Ten unique interventions were able to provide a prevention benefit at an annual program cost of less than$360,000, the threshold for consideration as a cost-saving intervention (because of offsets by future HIV treatment costs averted). An optimized portfolio of these specific interventions could result in up to a 34$106,378; the total cost was in excess of $2 billion (over the 20 year period, or approximately$100 million per year, on average). The cost-savings of prevented infections was estimated at more than $5 billion (or approximately$250 million per year, on average). Conclusions: Optimal implementation of a portfolio of evidence-based interventions can have a substantial, favorable impact on the ongoing HIV epidemic in NYC and provide future cost-saving despite significant initial costs

The Eschatological Hope Scale: Construct Development and Measurement of Theistic Eschatological Hope

This study aimed to expand psychological research on hope by contributing a construct and scale to measure central dimensions of theistic eschatological hope derived from Christian scriptures. Eschatological hope was conceptualized as the anticipation that God will make all things new, raising people to everlasting life with God in joyful celebration, including people from every culture and nation, ending all personal pain and suffering, eliminating all societal evil and harm, and bringing reconciliation and healing to all of creation. We developed the Eschatological Hope Scale with three studies (N = 1,466). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the single-factor structure of a 6-item scale with excellent internal consistency (Cronbach\u27s α \u3e .91) and good test-retest reliability. The Eschatological Hope Scale evidenced construct validity, showing significant non-redundant correlations with measures of temporal hope, religiosity, and spirituality. The Eschatological Hope Scale scores positively correlated with gratitude, forgivingness, and life hardship patience. Scores inversely correlated with depressed and anxious symptoms, negative religious coping, and negative attitudes toward God. Scores were not significantly correlated with extrinsic religiosity and searching for meaning. The Eschatological Hope Scale demonstrated incremental validity beyond other variables (hope and optimism, depression and anxiety, and religiosity) to predict three target variables: perceived presence of meaning in life, ultimate meaning, and flourishing. We offer the Eschatological Hope Scale as a gateway scale to catalyze further developments in measuring eschatological hope. We hope this work will facilitate research on the experience of living with ultimate hope across cultures and faith traditions, in seasons of suffering and celebration

Associations between serum taurine concentrations in mothers and neonates and the children's anthropometrics and early neurodevelopment:Results from the Seychelles Child Development Study, Nutrition Cohort 2

Background: High concentrations of taurine are present in the developing human brain and maternal breast milk. Taurine is thought to influence fetal growth and brain development based on experimental rodent studies. As fish is an important dietary source of taurine, we investigated associations between taurine concentrations and child outcomes in a high fish consuming population. Objective: To examine associations between maternal and cord serum taurine concentrations and birth anthropometric measures and cognitive development in children at 20 months of age. Methods: Pregnant women were recruited between 2008 and 2011 as part of Nutrition Cohort 2 (NC2) of the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS). Maternal taurine serum concentrations were measured at 28 week’s gestation and in cord serum. Child weight, length and head circumference were measured at birth and neurodevelopment was assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II) at 20 months of age. Associations between taurine status, birth measures and neurodevelopmental outcomes were examined (n = 300) using regression models and adjusted for relevant covariates. Results: Mean (SD) maternal and cord taurine concentrations were 124.9 (39.2) µmol/L (range 28.2–253.9 µmol/ L) and 187.6 (60.0) µmol/L (range 55.0–417.4 µmol/L) respectively. We found no associations between maternal taurine concentrations and child anthropometric and neurodevelopmental measures (weight β = − 0.001, SE=0.001; length β = − 0.006, SE=0.006; head circumference β = − 0.002, SE=0.002; MDI β = − 0.005, SE=0.015; PDI β = − 0.004, SE=0.016; all P > 0.05), or between cord taurine concentrations and outcomes (weight β = − 0.001, SE<0.000; length β = − 0.001, SE=0.004; head circumference β < 0.000, SE=0.002; MDI β = 0.004, SE=0.010; PDI β = − 0.015, SE=0.012; all P > 0.05). Conclusion: The Seychellois population have high maternal and cord taurine concentrations owing to their high fish intake and may be considered taurine replete compared to individuals who consume a Westernised diet. This high taurine status may explain why there were no significant associations between maternal and cord taurine concentrations and outcomes after adjusting for covariates

Large-scale genome sampling reveals unique immunity and metabolic adaptations in bats

SCV was supported by a Max Planck Research Group awarded by the Max Planck Gesellschaft, a Human Frontiers Science Program Grant (RGP0058/2016) and a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (MR/T021985/1).Comprising more than 1,400 species, bats possess adaptations unique among mammals including powered flight, unexpected longevity, and extraordinary immunity. Some of the molecular mechanisms underlying these unique adaptations includes DNA repair, metabolism and immunity. However, analyses have been limited to a few divergent lineages, reducing the scope of inferences on gene family evolution across the Order Chiroptera. We conducted an exhaustive comparative genomic study of 37 bat species, one generated in this study, encompassing a large number of lineages, with a particular emphasis on multi-gene family evolution across immune and metabolic genes. In agreement with previous analyses, we found lineage-specific expansions of the APOBEC3 and MHC-I gene families, and loss of the proinflammatory PYHIN gene family. We inferred more than 1,000 gene losses unique to bats, including genes involved in the regulation of inflammasome pathways such as epithelial defence receptors, the natural killer gene complex and the interferon-gamma induced pathway. Gene set enrichment analyses revealed genes lost in bats are involved in defence response against pathogen-associated molecular patterns and damage-associated molecular patterns. Gene family evolution and selection analyses indicate bats have evolved fundamental functional differences compared to other mammals in both innate and adaptive immune system, with the potential to enhance antiviral immune response while dampening inflammatory signalling. In addition, metabolic genes have experienced repeated expansions related to convergent shifts to plant-based diets. Our analyses support the hypothesis that, in tandem with flight, ancestral bats had evolved a unique set of immune adaptations whose functional implications remain to be explored.PostprintPeer reviewe

Concert recording 2019-04-17

[Track 1]. Concerto for clarinet and string orchestra / Aaron Copland -- [Track 2]. Dance preludes. I. Allegro molto [Track 3]. II. Andantino [Track 4]. III. Allegro giocoso / Witold Lutoslawski -- [Track 5]. Sonata for clarinet and piano in B♭major. I. Mäβig bewegt [Track 6]. IV. Kleines rondo. Gemächlich / Paul Hindemith -- [Track 7]. Five bagatelles, op. 23. I. Prelude / Gerald Finzi -- [Track 8]. Five bagatelles, op. 23. V. Fughetta / Gerald Finzi -- [Track 9]. Sonata for clarinet in B♭ and piano. I. Allegro tristamente / Francis Poulenc -- [Track 10]. Sonata for clarinet in B♭ and piano. III. Allegro con fuoco / Francis Poulenc -- [Track 11]. Introduction, theme and variations: Theme, var. 1, 2, 3, minor and major / Gioachino Rossini -- [Track 12]. Time pieces. I. Allegro risoluto [Track 13]. II. Andante espressivo / Robert Muczynski -- [Track 14].Sonata for clarinet, op. 120, no. 1. I. Allegro appassionato / Johannes Brahms -- [Track 15]. Wind in the reeds. I. March [Track 16]. II. Humoreske [Track 17]. III. A childhood memory [Track 18]. IV. Ballet russe / Gordon Jacob

The Burramys Project: a conservationist's reach should exceed history's grasp, or what is the fossil record for?

The fossil record provides important information about changes in species diversity, distribution, habitat and abundance through time. As we understand more about these changes, it becomes possible to envisage a wider range of options for translocations in a world where sustainability of habitats is under increasing threat. The Critically Endangered alpine/subalpine mountain pygmy-possum, Burramys parvus (Marsupialia, Burramyidae), is threatened by global heating. Using conventional strategies, there would be no viable pathway for stopping this iconic marsupial from becoming extinct. The fossil record, however, has inspired an innovative strategy for saving this species. This lineage has been represented over 25 Myr by a series of species always inhabiting lowland, wet forest palaeocommunities. These fossil deposits have been found in what is now the Tirari Desert, South Australia (24 Ma), savannah woodlands of the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, Queensland (approx. 24-15 Ma) and savannah grasslands of Hamilton, Victoria (approx. 4 Ma). This palaeoecological record has led to the proposal overviewed here to construct a lowland breeding facility with the goal of monitoring the outcome of introducing this possum back into the pre-Quaternary core habitat for the lineage. If this project succeeds, similar approaches could be considered for other climate-change-threatened Australian species such as the southern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) and the western swamp tortoise (Pseudemydura umbrina)