The role of decision-making and impulsivity in beverage consumption.

Soft drink and alcohol consumption have become significant public health issues. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of decision-making processes in the relationship between trait impulsivity and calorie dense beverage consumption. Participants comprised a community sample of 300 adults (aged 19-75). They completed self-report measures assessing impulsivity (SUPPS-P), reward sensitivity (RST-PQ), and participated in decision-making tasks related to risk propensity (BART), short-term strategy preference (IGT), and delay discounting rate. Beverage consumption was calculated using the BEVQ-15. Impulsivity was conceptualised within the framework of the two-factor model as consisting of rash impulsivity and reward sensitivity. Both facets of impulsivity were positively associated with both alcohol and soft drink consumption, and each independently predicted consumption of these beverages. Additionally, there was a significant interaction between rash impulsivity and reward sensitivity on soft drink consumption. Importantly, there were significant indirect effects of both rash impulsivity and reward sensitivity on soft drink consumption via delay discounting. The results support the logic of the two-factor model of impulsivity in the prediction of consumption of unhealthy beverages. Furthermore, the mediating role of delay discounting supports the hypothesis that personality traits can pass through to behaviour via decision-making processes. Further research should extend these findings to other consumption domains in both clinical and non-clinical populations.

High-Sensitivity Seismometer Development for Lunar Applications.

Lunar seismology is a critical area of research, providing insights into the Moon's internal structure, composition, and thermal history, as well as informing the design of safe and resilient habitats for future human settlements. This paper presents the development of a state-of-the-art, three-axis broadband seismometer with a low-frequency range of 0.001-1 Hz and a target sensitivity over one order of magnitude greater than previous Apollo-era instruments. The paper details the design, assembly, methodology, and test results. We compare the acceleration noise of our prototype and commercial seismometers across all three axes. Increasing the test mass and reducing its natural frequency may further improve performance. These advancements in seismometer technology hold promise for enhancing our understanding of the Moon's and other celestial bodies' internal structures and for informing the design of future landed missions to ocean worlds.

Probing the Conformational States of a pH-Sensitive DNA Origami Zipper via Label-Free Electrochemical Methods.

DNA origami structures represent an exciting class of materials for use in a wide range of biotechnological applications. This study reports the design, production, and characterization of a DNA origami "zipper" structure, which contains nine pH-responsive DNA locks. Each lock consists of two parts that are attached to the zipper's opposite arms: a DNA hairpin and a single-stranded DNA that are able to form a DNA triplex through Hoogsteen base pairing. The sequences of the locks were selected in a way that the zipper adopted a closed configuration at pH 6.5 and an open state at pH 8.0 (transition pKa 7.6). By adding thiol groups, it was possible to immobilize the zipper structure onto gold surfaces. The immobilization process was characterized electrochemically to confirm successful adsorption of the zipper. The open and closed states were then probed using differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with solution-based redox agents. It was found that after immobilization, the open or closed state of the zipper in different pH regimes could be determined by electrochemical interrogation. These findings pave the way for development of DNA origami-based pH monitoring and other pH-responsive sensing and release strategies for zipper-functionalized gold surfaces.

Evaluating evidence-based interventions in low socio-economic-status populations.

OBJECTIVE: Socio-economic-status (SES) has rarely been reported or investigated in eating disorders (EDs) research. This Research Forum considers, from various perspectives, how SES may impact on evaluating evidence-based treatments for EDs. METHOD: We first reviewed previous literature that informs how SES impacts prevalence of EDs, help-seeking, and treatment outcome. We then present findings from a case series effectiveness study of an early intervention program in low SES areas for EDs and discuss implications about the impact of SES on the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions. Finally, we examine barriers to conducting rigorous evaluations in this population and discuss directions for future treatment outcome research. RESULTS: Evidence suggests a higher level of disordered eating but less help seeking in lower SES groups. In our case series, 96 participants started treatment and completed a mean of 13.85 sessions, 84 (87.5%) completed a mean of 6.40 sessional measures on ED cognitions and behaviors, but only 31% completed more extensive pre-treatment and post-treatment measures. The completer effect size decrease for the global Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire score was 2.05 (95% CI: 1.43, 2.68) commensurate with other effectiveness studies in mixed SES groups. The high rates of missing data related to more extensive assessment present a barrier to evaluating evidence-based treatments in this population. DISCUSSION: Evidence from the present study revealed individuals from low SES can achieve similar treatment outcomes to other populations when receiving evidence-based ED treatment. Future studies should investigate a range of approaches to maximizing data collection, including use of shorter sessional measures.

Brief school-based interventions to assist adolescents' sleep-onset latency: Comparing mindfulness and constructive worry versus controls.

Difficulties falling asleep are common among adolescents, especially during times of stress. Adolescents may thus benefit from brief techniques (15 min) that decrease pre-sleep cognitive-emotional arousal and sleep-onset latency. The present study used a 3 (intervention: mindfulness bodyscan mp3, constructive worry, control) by 3 (time: baseline, week 1, week 2) mixed-model design on a school-based sample of adolescents (N = 232; Mage  = 15.9 ± 0.8 years, range = 14-18 years; 19% male), and a sub-sample of adolescents with prolonged sleep-onset latency (i.e. ≥30 min; N = 119; Mage  = 16.9 ± 0.9 years; 21% male). It was expected that the 15-min pre-recorded breath-based mindfulness bodyscan, and constructive worry, would decrease sleep-onset latency and pre-sleep arousal similarly over time, relative to the control condition. A significant interaction was observed among adolescents with prolonged sleep-onset latency, who completed ≥3 days for at least 1 week (p = .001), where mindfulness decreased sleep-onset latency relative to constructive worry and the control. Neither technique changed pre-sleep worry or cognitive-emotional arousal, or associated daytime functioning (both the whole sample and sub-sample). A pre-recorded mp3 breath-based mindfulness bodyscan technique is a promising means by which adolescents with prolonged sleep-onset latency can decrease sleep-onset latency. This simple tool has potential for scalable dissemination by stakeholders (e.g. teachers), unqualified to treat adolescent sleep difficulties. Future studies are needed to determine whether benefits may extend to academic performance and mental health, if performed for a longer time period with increased compliance.

Psychics, aliens, or experience? Using the Anomalistic Belief Scale to examine the relationship between type of belief and probabilistic reasoning.

A growing body of research has shown people who hold anomalistic (e.g., paranormal) beliefs may differ from nonbelievers in their propensity to make probabilistic reasoning errors. The current study explored the relationship between these beliefs and performance through the development of a new measure of anomalistic belief, called the Anomalistic Belief Scale (ABS). One key feature of the ABS is that it includes a balance of both experiential and theoretical belief items. Another aim of the study was to use the ABS to investigate the relationship between belief and probabilistic reasoning errors on conjunction fallacy tasks. As expected, results showed there was a relationship between anomalistic belief and propensity to commit the conjunction fallacy. Importantly, regression analyses on the factors that make up the ABS showed that the relationship between anomalistic belief and probabilistic reasoning occurred only for beliefs about having experienced anomalistic phenomena, and not for theoretical anomalistic beliefs.

Addressing the gap of early intervention for eating disorders in primary health care.

AIM: Only one in four individuals with eating disorders (EDs) seek help, with many barriers to treatment-seeking present. Placing an early intervention model in primary mental health care settings is one approach to reducing these barriers. To date, only one model (emerge-ED) has been evaluated in the literature. METHODS: We aimed to replicate findings from the initial emerge-ED evaluation. We report on treatment outcomes in a new cohort and their views on barriers to treatment-seeking. We then examine how this early intervention model in primary health care has evolved to overcome the barriers to treatment delivery cited by health professionals in the initial evaluation. RESULTS: Eighty participants commenced treatment between July 2020 and March 2022 and completed a mean of 8.98 sessions, 70 (87.5%) completed >1 sessional measure on ED cognitions and behaviours, but only 31% (n = 24) completed lengthier assessments. Findings replicated initial emerge-ED outcomes, with small to moderate effect size decreases in the ED sessional measure at 70 days since treatment commencement for cognitions (d = .63) and ED behaviours (d = .09., .69). The most cited barrier by participants was "belief that my problem is not bad enough", reflective of denial of illness. Lastly, to overcome barriers to treatment delivery clinicians had to deviate from treatment protocols and work collaboratively with other healthcare providers. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings replicated the initial emerge-ED evaluation and highlight the importance of considering primary health care settings as an essential site in delivering early intervention services for EDs.

The effect of expertise on memory conformity: a test of informational influence.

Conforming to erroneous memory reports of co-witnesses can have serious impacts on subsequent forensic investigation and court reports. One theoretical explanation proposed is that memory conformity arises due to informational influence; the co-witness desires to give accurate information and reports the co-witness's version because they perceive the co-witness as being more credible. We tested the idea that perceptions of credibility drive memory conformity. We manipulated credibility through expertise; specifically, by telling participants that the (confederate) co-witness had previously worked as either a policeman (high expertise) or an electrician (low expertise). After a discussion with the co-witness, we assessed cued-recall memory and perceptions of credibility about the co-witness and the self. We found that higher expertise led to greater memory conformity. Although higher expertise also led to higher credibility assessments of the co-witness, this was only for perceptions of the credibility as an eye-witness and memory confidence, neither of which predicted memory conformity. By contrast, memory accuracy of the co-witness relative to self-memory accuracy predicted memory conformity, but this was not affected by expertise. These results show support for an informational influence explanation but suggest that expertise perceptions operate differently from our explanation.

Signal Amplification in Electrochemical DNA Biosensors Using Target-Capturing DNA Origami Tiles.

Electrochemical DNA (e-DNA) biosensors are feasible tools for disease monitoring, with their ability to translate hybridization events between a desired nucleic acid target and a functionalized transducer, into recordable electrical signals. Such an approach provides a powerful method of sample analysis, with a strong potential to generate a rapid time to result in response to low analyte concentrations. Here, we report a strategy for the amplification of electrochemical signals associated with DNA hybridization, by harnessing the programmability of the DNA origami method to construct a sandwich assay to boost charge transfer resistance (RCT) associated with target detection. This allowed for an improvement in the sensor limit of detection by two orders of magnitude compared to a conventional label-free e-DNA biosensor design and linearity for target concentrations between 10 pM and 1 nM without the requirement for probe labeling or enzymatic support. Additionally, this sensor design proved capable of achieving a high degree of strand selectivity in a challenging DNA-rich environment. This approach serves as a practical method for addressing strict sensitivity requirements necessary for a low-cost point-of-care device.

What factors need to be addressed to support dental hygienists to assist their patients to quit smoking?

INTRODUCTION: Dental hygienists are well placed to assist their patients to quit smoking. Smoking affects oral health and dental treatments, and hygienists report greater time with patients than dentists with more focus on prevention. However, there has been little research into the extent to which hygienists assist patients to quit smoking and strategies to support them in this role. METHODS: A 2-stage survey of Australian dental hygienists was conducted. The first survey measured potential predictors of asking patients about smoking and assisting patients to quit smoking using the Theory of Planned Behavior as a framework. The second survey measured these behaviors in the past week. Structural equation modeling was used to examine predictors of the two behaviors. RESULTS: A total of 362 hygienists returned the first questionnaire. Intentions to ask and assist patients were high. The 273 hygienists who returned the second questionnaire assisted an estimated total of 1,394 patients to quit smoking in 1 week. Predictors within the Theory of Planned Behavior framework explained significant variance in asking (11%) and assisting (29%) behaviors, with self-efficacy the most critical predictor in both cases (ß = .27 and .32, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Dental hygienists may be a viable and willing avenue for addressing smoking. Hygienists may be best supported in this role through increasing skills and confidence around asking sensitively about smoking, building rapport, and assisting patients to quit smoking. Incorporation of smoking status into general history taking and adoption of organizational policies on assisting patients to quit smoking could also be encouraged.

Evaluating an implementation model of evidence-based therapy for eating disorders in non-specialist regional mental health settings.

BACKGROUND: Many people with eating disorders (EDs) either do not access treatment, access it well after symptoms first start, or drop out of treatment. This study evaluated ways to improve early access to evidence-based interventions for those with EDs in a non-specialist community setting. METHODS: In an Australian regional community, links were formed between general medical practitioners and treatment providers (psychologists, mental health social workers and dietitians), who received ongoing training, feedback and support. Service users had access to 20-40 subsidised treatment sessions. Data were collected from 143 patients over 18 months. Our outcomes are reported according to the RE-AIM implementation framework: Reach (we measured uptake and treatment completion); Effectiveness (impact on disordered eating cognitions, body mass index, remission, and moderators of effectiveness including illness duration, previous treatment, presence of comorbidities, presence of a normative level of disordered eating, presence of any ED behaviours, weighing in treatment, multidisciplinary case conferencing, number of dietetic sessions); Adoption (drop-out and predictors); Implementation (barriers encountered); Maintenance (subsequent activity designed to embed new practices). RESULTS: Treatment was completed by 71%; significant large decreases in eating disorder cognitions were achieved; remission was obtained by 37% (intent-to-treat). Treatment completion was predicted by lower baseline levels of disordered eating, uptake of ≥ 3 dietetic sessions, and ≥ 2 team case conferences. Greater improvement over time was predicted by regular case conferencing and in-session weighing. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of this model in a regional community setting produced completion rates and outcomes comparable to those found in specialist clinical trials of ED treatments. Service providers identified care coordination as the most important factor to connect users to services and help navigate barriers to ongoing treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This research was an invited evaluation of a project implemented by the Australian Department of Health. The project did not introduce any new clinical practice but sought to improve access to evidence-based multidisciplinary treatment for people with EDs by removing four known systemic barriers: securing an accurate diagnosis, availability of multidisciplinary treatment, cost of treatment, and intensity of treatment. As such, the project did not require trial registration. Notwithstanding, this evaluation obtained ethics approval (Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee, Application No: 2018-09-728-FR-1).

Many people with eating disorders (EDs) either do not access treatment, access it well after symptoms first start, or drop out of treatment. This study evaluated ways to improve early access to the best treatments for those with EDs in regional Australia. Links were formed between general medical practitioners and treatment providers (such as psychologists and dietitians) who received ongoing training, feedback and support. This approach achieved completion rates and outcomes equivalent to those found in specialised clinical trials of ED treatments. A key finding was the benefit of a care coordinator to connect users to services and help navigate barriers to ongoing treatment.

Diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility? Comparing the theories when determining the outcomes for children born before 33 weeks' gestation.

Infants born preterm (less than 37 weeks completed gestation) have a higher risk of suboptimal cognitive and behavioral outcomes when compared with their term-born counterparts. The risk and severity of poor outcome increases as gestational age at birth decreases; however, not all children born preterm will develop deficits, and environmental influences post birth may have a role in shaping developmental outcomes. Whilst early preterm birth is not preventable, it may be possible to intervene after birth via the environment in order to improve outcomes. The diathesis-stress theory hypothesizes that vulnerable individuals will have worse outcomes after a negative environmental exposure, whereas the differential susceptibility theory posits that vulnerable (or plastic) individuals can be both adversely and positively affected by environmental factors. These two theories were compared in 535 children born <33 weeks' gestation. The interaction between the degree of prematurity and the home environment (as measured by the Home Screening Questionnaire) at 18 months on cognition (Intelligence Quotient from the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence) and behavior (Total Difficulties Score from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) at 7 years was explored. Evidence was not found for either theory, although a supportive/stimulating home environment appeared to contribute to a decrease in the risk or severity of suboptimal scores. Future research is needed to establish stronger evidence in order to inform interventions to improve the home environment of children born preterm.

Social media, body image, and the question of causation: Meta-analyses of experimental and longitudinal evidence.

This article presents four meta-analyses that can inform causality in the relationship between social media and body image; 24 experimental samples comparing the effect of appearance-ideal social media images to non-appearance-related conditions (n = 3816); 21 experimental samples examining the effect of contextual features (e.g., comments and captions) accompanying appearance-ideal social media images (n = 3482); 14 experimental samples investigating the effect of appearance-ideal images versus other appearance images on social media (n = 2641); and 10 longitudinal samples on social media use and body image (n = 5177). Social media appearance-ideal images had a moderate negative effect on body image (Hedges' g = -0.61, p < .01), were more damaging in higher- than lower-risk contexts (Hedges' g = -0.12, p < .01), and were moderately more impactful than other social media appearance images (Hedges' g = -0.68, p = .05). These effects were smaller but significant with outliers removed. Social media use had a very small, negative correlation with body image longitudinally (Fisher's Z = -0.08, p < .001). No significant moderators emerged. Clinicians should consider approaches to managing social media use, particularly exposure to appearance-ideal imagery, in case conceptualisation and psychoeducation for clients at risk of, or experiencing, body image disturbance.

A metastatic colon cancer model using nonoperative transanal rectal injection.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to develop a noninvasive orthotopic model for metastasis of colon and rectal cancer using a transanal approach. Currently, the most accurate orthotopic representation of metastatic human colon cancer is via a cecal injection. The transanal model allows for further examination of systemic immune responses, tumor take, and onset of metastasis without prior surgical intervention. METHODS: For this study, 60 Balb/c mice were anesthetized and subjected to gentle anal dilation using blunt-tipped forceps at the anal opening. Murine colon cancer parental CT26 or luciferase-labeled CT26 (CT26-luc) cells were injected submucosally into the distal posterior rectum (30 CT26 and 30 CT26 injections) at concentrations of 2.5 x 10(4), 1 x 10(5), and 1 x 10(6) in a volume of 50 microl. Tumor growth and metastatic development was monitored at 5-day intervals for 50 days. All the remaining mice were killed on postinjection day 50. RESULTS: The optimal concentration for metastasis and survival of the mice was 2.5 x 10(4) cells. Higher concentrations of cells yielded higher mortality but did not result in metastasis. The overall success of tumor growth in both experiments using the transanal rectal injection was 65%. Histology showed that all tumors were poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. Two mice (3.3%) from the 2.5 x 10(4) CT26-luc group showed metastatic colonic adenocarcinoma to the liver on postinjection day 50. CONCLUSION: Transanal rectal injection of colon cancer cells offers a nonoperative orthotopic murine model for colon cancer that may lead to the development of metastasis. By using an orthotopic model, more aspects of metastatic colon cancer can be evaluated without the influence of a previous abdominal incision. These results warrant more investigation.

Does perfectionism or pursuit of excellence contribute to successful learning? A meta-analytic review.

Confusion exists about the construct of perfectionism, considered to consist of perfectionistic strivings (PS) and perfectionistic concerns (PC). Recent theory suggests that pursuit of excellence is related to PS but differentiated by having a more positive impact. To test this hypothesis, we used a meta-analytic analysis to examine the associations between different measures of perfectionism and academic achievement. Correlations between academic measures (performance, academic burnout and stress, test anxiety, procrastination, self-efficacy, engagement, satisfaction, adjustment, hardiness, learning strategies) and subscales of the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, Hewitt Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, Almost Perfect Scale-Revised, and Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale were investigated in students (Mage = 19.31, SD = 4.26). A systematic literature search yielded 67 studies (378 effect sizes). Subscales relating to standards (High Standards, Personal Standards, Self-Oriented Perfectionism) were positively related to academic performance and helpful academic outcomes. Only High Standards, which has a focus on striving for excellence, had negative associations with unhelpful academic outcomes. Two of the four subscales that measured PC (Discrepancy, Doubts about Actions) were negatively related to academic performance, and Discrepancy shared a negative association with helpful academic outcomes. All PC subscales were positively associated with unhelpful academic outcomes. As such, PC are maladaptive for successful learning and a distinction between PS and healthy pursuit of excellence is worth further exploration. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

The effect of cognitive and behavioral therapy for insomnia on week-to-week changes in sleepiness and sleep parameters in patients with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: While cognitive and behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) is an effective treatment in patients with comorbid moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), there is concern that the bedtime restriction component of CBTi might dangerously exacerbate daytime sleepiness in such patients. We examined randomized controlled trial data to investigate the effect of OSA severity, and pretreatment daytime sleepiness on week-to-week changes in daytime sleepiness and sleep parameters during CBTi and no-treatment control. METHODS: One hundred and forty-five patients with untreated physician-diagnosed OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥15) and psychologist-diagnosed insomnia (ICSD-3) were randomized to a 4-week CBTi program (n = 72) or no-treatment control (n = 73). The Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and sleep diaries were completed during pretreatment, weekly CBTi sessions, and posttreatment. Effects of OSA severity, pretreatment daytime sleepiness, and intervention group on weekly changes in daytime sleepiness and sleep parameters were investigated. RESULTS: The CBTi group reported a 15% increase in ESS scores following the first week of bedtime restriction (M change = 1.3 points, 95% CI = 0.1-2.5, p = 0.031, Cohen's d = 0.27) which immediately returned to pretreatment levels for all subsequent weeks, while sleep parameters gradually improved throughout CBTi. There were no differences in changes in daytime sleepiness during treatment between CBTi and control groups or OSA-severity groups. Higher pretreatment ESS scores were associated with a greater ESS reduction during CBTi. CONCLUSIONS: CBTi appears to be a safe and effective treatment in the presence of comorbid moderate and severe OSA. Nevertheless, patients living with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea and treated with CBTi should be monitored closely for increased daytime sleepiness during the initial weeks of bedtime restriction therapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Treating comorbid insomnia with obstructive sleep apnoea (COMISA) study: A new treatment strategy for patients with combined insomnia and sleep apnoea, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id = 365184 Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12613001178730. Universal Trial Number: U1111-1149-4230.

Stapled transanal rectal resection vs. transvaginal rectocele repair for treatment of obstructive defecation syndrome.

PURPOSE: Stapled transanal rectal resection has been introduced as a new technology for the management of obstructive defecation syndrome. In this study we observed the clinical outcomes for stapled transanal rectal resection as compared with transvaginal rectocele repair for obstructive defecation syndrome. METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of patients who received transvaginal rectocele repair for obstructive defecation syndrome from June 1997 to February 2002 as compared with patients who received stapled transanal rectal resection from June 2005 to August 2007. The clinical outcomes observed were operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, complication rate, procedure failure rate, recurrence rate, time to recurrence, and dyspareunia rate. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients had transvaginal rectocele repair for management of obstructive defecation syndrome, and 36 patients had stapled transanal rectal resection. There was no difference in the age of patients receiving either procedure (transvaginal rectocele repair, 57.92 years old; stapled transanal rectal resection, 53.19 years old; P = 0.1096). Evaluation of the clinical outcomes showed that transvaginal rectocele repair had a longer operative time (transvaginal rectocele repair, 85 minutes; stapled transanal rectal resection, 52 minutes; P = or<0.0001), greater estimated blood loss (transvaginal rectocele repair, 108 ml; stapled transanal rectal resection, 43 ml; P = 0.0015), and a lower complication rate (transvaginal rectocele repair, 18.9 percent; stapled transanal rectal resection, 61.1 percent; P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The stapled transanal rectal resection procedure can be done with shorter operative times and less blood loss than transvaginal rectocele repair, however, it has a higher complication rate.

The effects of social support and negative appraisals on acute stress symptoms and depression in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of social support on both acute stress symptoms and depression in children and adolescents following a single-incident trauma as well as the potential mediating effects of negative appraisals. DESIGN: A cross-sectional concurrent design was used. METHOD: Ninety-seven children (aged 7-17 years) and a parent of each were recruited through the emergency department or in-patient ward of two metropolitan hospitals. Negative appraisals, child perception of social support, parent availability to provide social support, prior trauma and psychological difficulties, depression and acute stress symptoms were measured within 4 weeks of trauma. RESULTS: Negative appraisals about the trauma were highly correlated with both acute stress and depression symptoms. Social support was negatively correlated with depression symptoms, but not acute stress symptoms. There was a trend for social support to be negatively correlated with negative appraisals. There was no evidence that negative appraisals mediated the social support-symptoms relationships. CONCLUSIONS: The findings lend support to recent cognitive and developmental models of the aetiology of post-traumatic stress disorder, and the possible shared cognitive vulnerability between trauma symptoms and depression. Clinically, the results indicate that, appraisals, social support, and depression symptoms should be assessed in addition to trauma symptoms following single-incident traumatic events. The findings also suggest that when depression symptoms are present following trauma exposure, it may be useful to ensure children have adequate social support. Future research should also develop trauma specific measures of social support.

Gendered mortality differentials over the rural-urban continuum: The analysis of census linked longitudinal data from England and Wales.

BACKGROUND: Previous research shows that mortality varies significantly by residential context; however, the nature of this variation is unclear. Some studies report higher mortality levels in urban compared to rural areas, whereas others suggest elevated mortality in rural areas or a complex U-shaped relationship. Further, the extent to which compositional factors explain urban-rural mortality variation, the extent to which contextual factors play a role and whether and how the patterns vary by gender also remain unclear. This study investigates urban-rural mortality variation in England and Wales and the causes of this variation. METHOD: The study applies survival analysis to the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study; the population aged 20 and older in 2001 is followed for 10 years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The analysis demonstrates a clear urban-rural mortality gradient, with the risk of dying increasing with each level of urbanisation. The exceptions are those living in areas adjacent to London, who consistently exhibit lower mortality than anticipated. Once the models are adjusted to individuals' socio-economic characteristics, the variation across the urban-rural continuum reduces substantially, although the gradient persists suggesting contextual effects. Females are found to be influenced more by their surrounding environment and males by their socio-economic position, although both experience lower mortality in rural compared to urban areas.

SAM Composition and Electrode Roughness Affect Performance of a DNA Biosensor for Antibiotic Resistance.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in the treatment of infectious disease worldwide. Point-of-care (PoC) assays which rapidly identify antibiotic resistance in a sample will allow for immediate targeted therapy which improves patient outcomes and helps maintain the effectiveness of current antibiotic stockpiles. Electrochemical assays offer many benefits, but translation from a benchtop measurement system to low-cost portable electrodes can be challenging. Using electrochemical and physical techniques, this study examines how different electrode surfaces and bio-recognition elements, i.e. the self-assembled monolayer (SAM), affect the performance of a biosensor measuring the hybridisation of a probe for antibiotic resistance to a target gene sequence in solution. We evaluate several commercially available electrodes which could be suitable for PoC testing with different SAM layers and show that electrode selection also plays an important role in overall biosensor performance.