Upregulation of the endocannabinoid enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) has been linked to abnormal activity in frontoamygdalar circuits, a hallmark of posttraumatic stress disorder. We tested ...the hypothesis that FAAH levels in the amygdala were negatively correlated with functional connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, subserving stress and affect control.
Thirty-one healthy participants completed positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with the FAAH probe C-11CURB, and resting-state functional MRI scans. Participants were genotyped for the FAAH polymorphism rs324420, and trait neuroticism was assessed. We calculated amygdala functional connectivity using predetermined regions of interest (including the subgenual ventromedial prefrontal cortex sgvmPFC and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex dACC) and a seed-to-voxel approach. We conducted correlation analyses on functional connectivity, with amygdala C-11CURB binding as a variable of interest.
The strength of amygdala functional connectivity with the sgvmPFC and dACC was negatively correlated with C-11CURB binding in the amygdala (sgvmPFC: r = -0.38, q = 0.04; dACC: r = -0.44; q = 0.03). Findings were partly replicated using the seed-to-voxel approach, which showed a cluster in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, including voxels in the dACC but not the sgvmPFC (cluster-level, family-wise error rate corrected p < 0.05).
We did not replicate earlier findings of a relationship between an FAAH polymorphism (rs324420) and amygdala functional connectivity.
Our data provide preliminary evidence that lower levels of FAAH in the amygdala relate to increased frontoamygdalar functional coupling. Our findings were consistent with the role of FAAH in regulating brain circuits that underlie fear and emotion processing in humans.
How Change Happens Green, Duncan
Oxford University Press eBooks,
01/2016
eBook
Odprti dostop
Human society is full of would-be ‘change agents’, a restless mix of campaigners, lobbyists, and officials, both individuals and organizations, set on transforming the world. They want to improve ...public services, reform laws and regulations, guarantee human rights, get a fairer deal for those on the sharp end, achieve greater recognition for any number of issues, or simply be treated with respect. Striking then, that not many universities have a Department of Change Studies, to which social activists can turn for advice and inspiration. Instead, scholarly discussions of change are fragmented with few conversations crossing disciplinary boundaries, rarely making it onto the radars of those actively seeking change. This book aims to bridge the gap between academia and practice, bringing together the best research from a range of academic disciplines and the evolving practical understanding of activists to explore the topic of social and political change. Drawing on many first-hand examples from the global experience of Oxfam, one of the world’s largest social justice NGOs, as well as insights gleaned from studying and working on international development, it tests ideas and offers the latest thinking on what works to achieve progressive change.
Oxidative stress has been implicated in psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Currently, the status of glutathione (GSH), the brain's most abundant antioxidant, in ...PTSD remains uncertain. Therefore, the current study investigated brain concentrations of GSH and peripheral concentrations of blood markers in individuals with PTSD vs. Healthy Controls (HC).
GSH spectra was acquired in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using MEGA-PRESS, a J-difference-editing acquisition method. Peripheral blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP)-1,2, and myeloperoxidase (MPO).
There was no difference in GSH between PTSD and HC in the ACC (
= 30 PTSD,
= 20 HC) or DLPFC (
= 14 PTSD,
= 18 HC). There were no group differences between peripheral blood markers (
> 0.3) except for (non-significantly) lower TIMP-2 in PTSD. Additionally, TIMP-2 and GSH in the ACC were positively related in those with PTSD. Finally, MPO and MMP-9 were negatively associated with duration of PTSD.
We do not report altered GSH concentrations in the ACC or DLPFC in PTSD, however, systemic MMPs and MPO might be implicated in central processes and progression of PTSD. Future research should investigate these relationships in larger sample sizes.
The New Economic Diplomacy Woolcock, Stephen, Dr; Bayne, Nicholas, Sir; Fratianni, Professor Michele ...
2012, 2011, 2011-11-01, 20110101
eBook
The New Economic Diplomacy explains how states conduct their external economic relations in the 21st century: how they make decisions domestically, how they negotiate internationally, and how these ...processes interact. It documents the transformation of economic diplomacy in the 1990s and 2000s in response to the end of the Cold War, the advance of globalization and the growing influence of non-state actors such as private business and civil society. Fully revised, this third edition brings economic diplomacy up to date to reflect the rise of the emerging powers and the impact of the recent financial and economic crises. Based on the authors' work in the field of international political economy, it is suitable for students interested in the decision making processes in foreign economic policy including those studying international relations, government, politics and economics but will also appeal to politicians, bureaucrats, business people, NGO activists, journalists and the informed public.
Faces of Latin Americahas sold more than 50,000 copies since it first appeared in 1991, and is widely considered to be the best available introduction in English to the economies, politics, ...demography, social structures, environment and cultures of Latin America. Duncan Green and Sue Branford take the reader beyond the conventional media's fixation on the drug trade, corrupt politicians and military leaders, death squads, and guerrilla movements to celebrate the vibrant history and culture of Latin America's people. Faces of Latin America examines some of the key forces - from conquest and the growth of the commodity trade, military rule, land distribution, industrialization, and migration to civil wars and revolutions, the debt crisis, neoliberalism, and NAFTA - shaping the region's political and social history. Green also analyzes the response to these transformations - the rise of freedom fighters and populists, guerrilla wars and grassroots social movements, union organizing and trade movements, liberation theology, and the women's movement, sustainable development and the fight for the rainforest, popular culture and the mass media - providing a fascinating and unparalleled portrait of the continent. This new edition is thoroughly updated and covers recent developments in Latin America such as the growing costs of export agriculture, the rise of Brazilian manufacturing, connections between the war on drugs and the war on terror, the social costs of neoliberalism, the Argentinian default, the search for new economic models in Venezuela and elsewhere, the decline in direct U.S. military intervention in the region, growing urbanization, urban poverty and casual employment, outmigration and the importance of family remittances from abroad, rampant environmental destruction, the struggles of indigenous movements, and more.
Faces of Latin America has sold more than 50,000 copies since it first appeared in 1991, and is widely considered to be the best available introduction in English to the economies, politics, ...demography, social structures, environment and cultures of Latin America. Duncan Green and Sue Branford take the reader beyond the conventional media's fixation on the drug trade, corrupt politicians and military leaders, death squads, and guerrilla movements to celebrate the vibrant history and culture of Latin America's people. Faces of Latin America examines some of the key forces-from conquest and the growth of the commodity trade, military rule, land distribution, industrialization, and migration to civil wars and revolutions, the debt crisis, neoliberalism, and NAFTA-shaping the region's political and social history.Green also analyzes the response to these transformations-the rise of freedom fighters and populists, guerrilla wars and grassroots social movements, union organizing and trade movements, liberation theology, and the women's movement, sustainable development and the fight for the rainforest, popular culture and the mass media-providing a fascinating and unparalleled portrait of the continent.This new edition is thoroughly updated and covers recent developments in Latin America such as the growing costs of export agriculture, the rise of Brazilian manufacturing, connections between the war on drugs and the war on terror, the social costs of neoliberalism, the Argentinian default, the search for new economic models in Venezuela and elsewhere, the decline in direct U.S. military intervention in the region, growing urbanization, urban poverty and casual employment, outmigration and the importance of family remittances from abroad, rampant environmental destruction, the struggles of indigenous movements, and more.
One Door Opens: Another Door Shuts? Faciolince, María; Green, Duncan
Development and change,
March 2021, 2021-03-00, 20210301, Letnik:
52, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
ABSTRACT
This article explores some of the consequences of open access (OA) for scholars in the global South, centring on what constitutes their equal participation in the global circuit of knowledge ...production. Building on critical reflections by contributors to the ‘Power Shifts’ project within the From Poverty to Power blog, the limitations of the OA model are shown to be tied to a series of structural features characteristic of the twin systems of academic research and publishing. What the challenges faced by many scholars in the global South demonstrate is that ‘openness’, or inclusion in this format, is not yet the guarantee for equality that many had hoped. The article frames this as a systemic knowledge issue at a global scale that cannot be remedied by a simple reform to academic publishing. The article points to some creative efforts by scholars to forge alternative models for scholarly communication that move away from a marketized and restrictive model of knowledge production, and towards epistemic justice. The authors conclude that while OA represents a positive step forward in making knowledge a public good, it is no substitute for a more comprehensive rethink to pluralize our ways of knowing.
Preclinical evidence suggests that increasing levels of the major endocannabinoid anandamide decreases anxiety and fear responses potentially through its effects in the amygdala. Here we used ...neuroimaging to test the hypothesis that lower fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the main catabolic enzyme for anandamide, is associated with a blunted amygdala response to threat.
Twenty-eight healthy participants completed a positron emission tomography (PET) scan with the radiotracer for FAAH, 11CCURB, as well as a block-design functional magnetic resonance imaging session during which angry and fearful faces meant to activate the amygdala were presented.
11CCURB binding in the amygdala as well as in the medial prefrontal cortex, cingulate and hippocampus correlated positively with blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal during processing of angry and fearful faces (pFWE < 0.05).
Our finding that lower levels of FAAH in amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, cingulate and hippocampus was associated with a dampened amygdala response to a threatening social cue aligns with preclinical and neuroimaging studies in humans and suggests the involvement of FAAH in modulating stress and anxiety in humans. The current neuroimaging study also lends support for the potential use of FAAH inhibitors to control amygdala hyperactivity, which is known to be involved in the pathophysiology of anxiety and trauma-related disorders.
Abstract
Motivation
This article explores adaptive approaches to development programmes that aim at improving service provision in underperforming sectors in fragile and conflict‐affected states ...(FCAS). It does this through a case study of the IMAGINE (Integrated Maji Infrastructure and Governance Initiative for Eastern Congo) public‐private partnership model for water provision in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Purpose
The processes and decisions that culminated in the model used for IMAGINE emphasize the need for programming that is culturally and politically aware, responsive to events, learns in real‐time, is entrepreneurial, and works with the grain of local institutions to support change. Detailed case studies of such ways of working are crucial for programmes that seek to challenge and reform the status quo in FCAS.
Methods and approach
The article is based on 42 semi‐structured interviews conducted in the summers of 2019 and 2020. They reflect the broad spectrum of actors—individuals, public authorities, and organizations—involved in IMAGINE's evolution.
Findings
The narrative focuses on IMAGINE's attempts to professionalize and commercialize Goma's water sector. It shows how, as IMAGINE repeatedly adapted to ground realities, it took on the characteristics of a public authority, thereby, engendering backlashes that threated its longer‐term goals. However, by revisiting its initial values and logics it was able to get things done and achieve its aims.
Policy implications
IMAGINE's story suggests that adaptive programmes should put politically savvy local development professionals in key positions and enable them to carefully construct coalitions of allies across the systems they aim to disrupt. This may also require them to revisit and adapt their initial ideas, guiding principles, and values as greater understandings of development problems are gained. A public authorities approach, attuned to the logics that programmes seek to address and introduce to FCAS, may help analysts to focus on the implications of such adaptations.
Motivation
This article explores adaptive approaches to development programmes that aim at improving service provision in underperforming sectors in fragile and conflict‐affected states (FCAS). It ...does this through a case study of the IMAGINE (Integrated Maji Infrastructure and Governance Initiative for Eastern Congo) public‐private partnership model for water provision in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Purpose
The processes and decisions that culminated in the model used for IMAGINE emphasize the need for programming that is culturally and politically aware, responsive to events, learns in real‐time, is entrepreneurial, and works with the grain of local institutions to support change. Detailed case studies of such ways of working are crucial for programmes that seek to challenge and reform the status quo in FCAS.
Methods and approach
The article is based on 42 semi‐structured interviews conducted in the summers of 2019 and 2020. They reflect the broad spectrum of actors—individuals, public authorities, and organizations—involved in IMAGINE's evolution.
Findings
The narrative focuses on IMAGINE's attempts to professionalize and commercialize Goma's water sector. It shows how, as IMAGINE repeatedly adapted to ground realities, it took on the characteristics of a public authority, thereby, engendering backlashes that threated its longer‐term goals. However, by revisiting its initial values and logics it was able to get things done and achieve its aims.
Policy implications
IMAGINE's story suggests that adaptive programmes should put politically savvy local development professionals in key positions and enable them to carefully construct coalitions of allies across the systems they aim to disrupt. This may also require them to revisit and adapt their initial ideas, guiding principles, and values as greater understandings of development problems are gained. A public authorities approach, attuned to the logics that programmes seek to address and introduce to FCAS, may help analysts to focus on the implications of such adaptations.
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