title: Risk and protective factors for SADness in the furry community: An exploration of suicide, anxiety and depression within the furry community

authors: Simpson, Moses

subjects: Psychology

abstract: This research explored the risk and protective factors for mental well-being within the furry community. It provided an insight into the prevalence of suicidality, anxiety and depression within the furry community. Finally, this research also sought to explore how being a member of the furry community impacted daily life and life stressors. There is little research that has been performed investigating the mental well-being of the furry community. we therefore draw comparisons with sexual minority communities as there are parallels with the furry community. This research was based upon Meyer (2003)’s Minority Model of Stress which states that minority mental well-being is modified by a range of general stressors, minority stress processes (risk factors), minority identity status, and coping and social support (protective factors).
	The participant sample consisted of 1249 self-identified furries, recruited from 57 countries. Participants were required to complete an online questionnaire comprising of items relating to suicidality, depression, anxiety, disclosure of furry identity, level of bullying faced, experiences of being bullied, effect of furry community on daily life, fanship, and perceived social support.
We found that suicide, anxiety and depression were significant issues within the furry community and the literature suggests that there are several risk and protective factors which influence the mental well-being for members of the furry community. We found limited evidence that these risk factors were associated with mental well-being.  Both bullying for non-furry specific reasons was found to be significantly positively associated with all mental well-being measures. Fanship was also found to be positively associated with anxiety and depression.
	Participants reported that the furry community provided a wide range of support including emotional and social support. which was reported by many participants to have been an influential factor on improving their mental well-being and decreasing their suicidal ideation and self-harming. This study has highlighted that the furry community may provide protective factors including social support to its members. It appears to provide both practical support including providing income or housing, as well as emotional support such as providing a place to seek advice, or to vent and share their emotions.

text: Risk and protective factors for SADness in the furry community: An exploration of suicide, anxiety and depression within the furry community This research explored the risk and protective factors for mental well-being within the furry community. It provided an insight into the prevalence of suicidality, anxiety and depression within the furry community. Finally, this research also sought to explore how being a member of the furry community impacted daily life and life stressors. There is little research that has been performed investigating the mental well-being of the furry community. we therefore draw comparisons with sexual minority communities as there are parallels with the furry community. This research was based upon Meyer (2003)’s Minority Model of Stress which states that minority mental well-being is modified by a range of general stressors, minority stress processes (risk factors), minority identity status, and coping and social support (protective factors).
	The participant sample consisted of 1249 self-identified furries, recruited from 57 countries. Participants were required to complete an online questionnaire comprising of items relating to suicidality, depression, anxiety, disclosure of furry identity, level of bullying faced, experiences of being bullied, effect of furry community on daily life, fanship, and perceived social support.
We found that suicide, anxiety and depression were significant issues within the furry community and the literature suggests that there are several risk and protective factors which influence the mental well-being for members of the furry community. We found limited evidence that these risk factors were associated with mental well-being.  Both bullying for non-furry specific reasons was found to be significantly positively associated with all mental well-being measures. Fanship was also found to be positively associated with anxiety and depression.
	Participants reported that the furry community provided a wide range of support including emotional and social support. which was reported by many participants to have been an influential factor on improving their mental well-being and decreasing their suicidal ideation and self-harming. This study has highlighted that the furry community may provide protective factors including social support to its members. It appears to provide both practical support including providing income or housing, as well as emotional support such as providing a place to seek advice, or to vent and share their emotions.

year: 2018

title: Dynamic Electroporation Modelling

authors: Talele, Sadhana

subjects: electroporation

abstract: In this thesis, modelling and simulation of the effects of electric fields on a single spherical cell are undertaken. Of interest is the effect that different electric field waveforms have on the induced transmembrane potential of the cell and by consequence the electropermeabilization of the cell membrane in terms of pore density or the fraction of the cell area that the pores occupy. Conventional biotechnology processes of electroporation make use of unipolar electric field pulses, which are known to generate undesirable conditions such as asymmetrical electropermeabilization. These electrical protocols also contribute to lower efficiencies in electroporation based applications (in terms of uptake of molecules in the cell) by being sensitive to cell radii.

Until recently, theoretical models of electroporation have lagged behind the experimental research. In order to optimize the efficiency of electroporation, it is important to consider as many biological and physical aspects as possible and it is a necessity that a variety of electric pulse parameters be tested. Thus a comprehensive model which can predict electropermeabilization as a result of any form of applied electric field and other important electroporation parameters is necessary. None of the existing theoretical modelling studies present simulations of dynamic electroporation modelling as a cell response to bipolar electric field wave-shapes. Developing such a model is the aim of this thesis.

In this thesis two numerical models are developed. These models consider electroporation as a dynamic process and include the non-linear dynamic effects of membrane electropermeabilization. The first model assumes all pores are identical and small (0.76~nm radius) and is capable of simulating transmembrane potential and pore density temporally and spatially, given any form of applied electric field and other important electroporation system parameters such as external medium, membrane, and cytoplasm complex dielectric properties. The piece-wise step response model presented here is used to simulate cell response to several different applied electric field wave-shape pulses.% including a unipolar square wave, bipolar square wave, bipolar sine wave, bipolar rectangular wave (rectangular pulse train), and a bipolar triangular wave.

Additional results from the first model demonstrate how the efficiency of electroporation related applications can be significantly improved by appropriately adjusting the parameters of the applied electric field and the  extracellular conductivity. Emphasis is given on the normalization of the degree of electroporation (in terms of pore density) for  two  cell radii (7.5~$\mu$m and 15~$\mu$m).

Although, these results gave a fair indication of the extent of electroporation in terms of pore density, the approximation that all pores have the same size, and do not change with time, may not be  appropriate. There is a need to model electroporation so as to reflect the growth or shrinkage of pores with time, as well as efficiently handle arbitrary waveshapes of electric fields. The additional information about pore radius evolution  gives a more realistic picture of the extent of electroporation, especially if one is to model for longer time (longer than 1~$\mu$s) or if an application necessarily required existence of larger pores (radius lager than 1~nm) rather than just the total pore area. Pore radius and pore numbers  affect the transmembrane potential, which in turn  affects pore density and pore radius.
Literature includes information on spatial and temporal aspects of pore radius evolution. However, the electric fields used in these models were limited to unipolar DC pulses and details of temporal and spatial evolution of transmembrane potential and pore radius have not been reported.
 
The second model developed in this thesis   simulates  spatial and temporal aspects of pore radius as an effect of  any given form  of applied electric field (including unipolar or bipolar), and other important electroporation system parameters.   The transmembrane potential and pore radii as function of time and angular position about the cell membrane   are presented. The results show that pore  radii    tend to be more normalized when an AC (bipolar)    field is used when compared to a  DC (unipolar) field (pore radii ranging from 1~nm to 8~nm for DC protocol compared with 1~nm to 3.4~nm for AC protocol when  the pulse amplitude used in both  cases is such as to give a similar fractional pore area at the end of 2~$\mu$s).
 
Additional simulation results from this model are  used to  compare the extent of electroporation   in response to sinusoidal AC (bipolar) electric field pulses of two different frequencies in a range of extracellular conductivity for two different cell radii (7.5~$\mu$m and 15~$\mu$m). 
It is   observed that  a higher frequency (1~MHz) bipolar sinusoidal applied electric field pulse reduces the relative difference in fractional pore area   for the two cell sizes compared to a lower frequency  (100~kHz) pulse. Nevertheless for the high frequency, a significantly higher amplitude is required to create the same level of average fractional pore area. Asymmetry of fractional pore area between the two hemispheres of the cell is observed for both field protocols.

text: Dynamic Electroporation Modelling In this thesis, modelling and simulation of the effects of electric fields on a single spherical cell are undertaken. Of interest is the effect that different electric field waveforms have on the induced transmembrane potential of the cell and by consequence the electropermeabilization of the cell membrane in terms of pore density or the fraction of the cell area that the pores occupy. Conventional biotechnology processes of electroporation make use of unipolar electric field pulses, which are known to generate undesirable conditions such as asymmetrical electropermeabilization. These electrical protocols also contribute to lower efficiencies in electroporation based applications (in terms of uptake of molecules in the cell) by being sensitive to cell radii.

Until recently, theoretical models of electroporation have lagged behind the experimental research. In order to optimize the efficiency of electroporation, it is important to consider as many biological and physical aspects as possible and it is a necessity that a variety of electric pulse parameters be tested. Thus a comprehensive model which can predict electropermeabilization as a result of any form of applied electric field and other important electroporation parameters is necessary. None of the existing theoretical modelling studies present simulations of dynamic electroporation modelling as a cell response to bipolar electric field wave-shapes. Developing such a model is the aim of this thesis.

In this thesis two numerical models are developed. These models consider electroporation as a dynamic process and include the non-linear dynamic effects of membrane electropermeabilization. The first model assumes all pores are identical and small (0.76~nm radius) and is capable of simulating transmembrane potential and pore density temporally and spatially, given any form of applied electric field and other important electroporation system parameters such as external medium, membrane, and cytoplasm complex dielectric properties. The piece-wise step response model presented here is used to simulate cell response to several different applied electric field wave-shape pulses.% including a unipolar square wave, bipolar square wave, bipolar sine wave, bipolar rectangular wave (rectangular pulse train), and a bipolar triangular wave.

Additional results from the first model demonstrate how the efficiency of electroporation related applications can be significantly improved by appropriately adjusting the parameters of the applied electric field and the  extracellular conductivity. Emphasis is given on the normalization of the degree of electroporation (in terms of pore density) for  two  cell radii (7.5~$\mu$m and 15~$\mu$m).

Although, these results gave a fair indication of the extent of electroporation in terms of pore density, the approximation that all pores have the same size, and do not change with time, may not be  appropriate. There is a need to model electroporation so as to reflect the growth or shrinkage of pores with time, as well as efficiently handle arbitrary waveshapes of electric fields. The additional information about pore radius evolution  gives a more realistic picture of the extent of electroporation, especially if one is to model for longer time (longer than 1~$\mu$s) or if an application necessarily required existence of larger pores (radius lager than 1~nm) rather than just the total pore area. Pore radius and pore numbers  affect the transmembrane potential, which in turn  affects pore density and pore radius.
Literature includes information on spatial and temporal aspects of pore radius evolution. However, the electric fields used in these models were limited to unipolar DC pulses and details of temporal and spatial evolution of transmembrane potential and pore radius have not been reported.
 
The second model developed in this thesis   simulates  spatial and temporal aspects of pore radius as an effect of  any given form  of applied electric field (including unipolar or bipolar), and other important electroporation system parameters.   The transmembrane potential and pore radii as function of time and angular position about the cell membrane   are presented. The results show that pore  radii    tend to be more normalized when an AC (bipolar)    field is used when compared to a  DC (unipolar) field (pore radii ranging from 1~nm to 8~nm for DC protocol compared with 1~nm to 3.4~nm for AC protocol when  the pulse amplitude used in both  cases is such as to give a similar fractional pore area at the end of 2~$\mu$s).
 
Additional simulation results from this model are  used to  compare the extent of electroporation   in response to sinusoidal AC (bipolar) electric field pulses of two different frequencies in a range of extracellular conductivity for two different cell radii (7.5~$\mu$m and 15~$\mu$m). 
It is   observed that  a higher frequency (1~MHz) bipolar sinusoidal applied electric field pulse reduces the relative difference in fractional pore area   for the two cell sizes compared to a lower frequency  (100~kHz) pulse. Nevertheless for the high frequency, a significantly higher amplitude is required to create the same level of average fractional pore area. Asymmetry of fractional pore area between the two hemispheres of the cell is observed for both field protocols.

year: 2009

title: Systemic racism in clinical psychology: Symposia

authors: Wairoa-Harrison, Sophia

subjects: Racial oppression

abstract: This study constitutes a part of the Working to End Racial Oppression (WERO) project on Systemic Racism in Health Education, Training, and Practice. The focus is on the three dimensions of racism in psychology in Aotearoa New Zealand: its costs, systems and the potential responses that exist. Content: To set the scene, the session will begin with a 30-minute presentation that outlines evidence from three WERO studies on different levels of racism affecting indigenous Māori and minoritised groups. First study presents findings from a desktop analysis of papers across university psychology departments. The findings will be compared with previous studies (Levy, 2007; Levy & Waitoki, 2015) to identify the changes in inclusion of Māori and culturally focused paper at different timepoints. The second study involves semi-structured interviews with Māori students enrolled in clinical psychology training programmes (n = 19) to understand the extent of cultural responsiveness, support, disparities, and representation within programmes. The third study draws on preliminary survey findings with directors of training programmes to depict the progress towards including taha Māori and cultural competency in the psychology curriculum since the studies by Abbott and Durie (1987) and Nathan (1999). The rest of the session will be conducted as a wānanga or a forum that includes a panel discussion amongst WERO research team while allowing for a reciprocal exchange of knowledge with the attendees. Opportunities will be provided for attendees to ask questions, provide feedback to the research analyses and findings, and share their experiences of witnessing or encountering racism in psychology. The session will be opened with a karakia (prayer) and attendees to be offered manaakitanga (hospitality) and tikanga (custom) to ensure cultural safety. Goals: In this session, the research team will bring the evidence derived from robust analyses on existence and ramifications of racism in psychology to the fore. These findings will be integrated with the Waitangi Tribunal claim (Levy, 2018) to shed light on the manifestations of racism across systems and agents responsible for the regulation, training and employment of psychologists. Findings will be used to inform ways for all in psychology to embark on Te Tiriti-focused, culturally-competent and equitable approaches in the quest of indigenising the psychology discipline and advancing it to be relevant to the multicultural nature of Aotearoa populations.

text: Systemic racism in clinical psychology: Symposia This study constitutes a part of the Working to End Racial Oppression (WERO) project on Systemic Racism in Health Education, Training, and Practice. The focus is on the three dimensions of racism in psychology in Aotearoa New Zealand: its costs, systems and the potential responses that exist. Content: To set the scene, the session will begin with a 30-minute presentation that outlines evidence from three WERO studies on different levels of racism affecting indigenous Māori and minoritised groups. First study presents findings from a desktop analysis of papers across university psychology departments. The findings will be compared with previous studies (Levy, 2007; Levy & Waitoki, 2015) to identify the changes in inclusion of Māori and culturally focused paper at different timepoints. The second study involves semi-structured interviews with Māori students enrolled in clinical psychology training programmes (n = 19) to understand the extent of cultural responsiveness, support, disparities, and representation within programmes. The third study draws on preliminary survey findings with directors of training programmes to depict the progress towards including taha Māori and cultural competency in the psychology curriculum since the studies by Abbott and Durie (1987) and Nathan (1999). The rest of the session will be conducted as a wānanga or a forum that includes a panel discussion amongst WERO research team while allowing for a reciprocal exchange of knowledge with the attendees. Opportunities will be provided for attendees to ask questions, provide feedback to the research analyses and findings, and share their experiences of witnessing or encountering racism in psychology. The session will be opened with a karakia (prayer) and attendees to be offered manaakitanga (hospitality) and tikanga (custom) to ensure cultural safety. Goals: In this session, the research team will bring the evidence derived from robust analyses on existence and ramifications of racism in psychology to the fore. These findings will be integrated with the Waitangi Tribunal claim (Levy, 2018) to shed light on the manifestations of racism across systems and agents responsible for the regulation, training and employment of psychologists. Findings will be used to inform ways for all in psychology to embark on Te Tiriti-focused, culturally-competent and equitable approaches in the quest of indigenising the psychology discipline and advancing it to be relevant to the multicultural nature of Aotearoa populations.

year: 2023-03-25