Study of behavioral modifications resulting from exposure to high let radiation

Animal irradiations, behavioral studies, neurological studies, and nuclear medicine studies are discussed

Differential Expression of Chemokines in a Mouse Model of Wound Healing

Macrophages have a multifaceted role in wound healing. While their initial activity may be in the degradation and elimination of damaged tissue, macrophages also produce and secrete a variety of mediators that can participate in the repair process as well. To perform these functions, macrophages must be recruited to a wound site. Our purpose was to examine the temporal and spatial expression of macrophage chemoattracting cytokines (chemokines) at a surgical wound site. A surgical wound was prepared on the dorsal aspect of B6AFI/J mice. Biopsies were obtained from the wound and a comparable nonwounded area between 6 and 72 hr after wounding. The presence or absence of various chemokine mRNAs was detected by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemical staining and in situ RT-PCR determined localization of cells producing chemokines. In wounded tissue, both macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP -1) were detected; however, the time of expression differed for each molecule. MCP-1 mRNA was detected at 6 hr after wounding, with decreased expression at subsequent time periods. In contrast, MIP-1 messages were not observed until 24 hr after wounding, and steadily increased thereafter. MCP-1 and MIP-1 mRNA and protein were localized predominantly in keratinocytes. The rapid and strong expression of MCP-1 and MIP -1 messages within the wound site suggests a pivotal role for these chemokines in the repair process. The differences in appearance and level of expression over time, however, suggest distinctive functions for each chemokine and indicate that the local milieu, rather than a single cytokine, influences macrophage recruitment and/or activation

Enlisting in the Military: The Influential Role of Genetic Factors

Given that enlistment in the U.S. military is completely voluntary, there has been a great deal of interest in identifying the various factors that might explain why some people join the military, whereas others do not. The current study expanded on this line of literature by estimating the extent to which genetic and environmental factors explained variance in the liability for lifetime participation in the military. Analysis of twin pairs drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) revealed that 82% of the variance was the result of genetic factors, 18% of the variance was the result of nonshared environmental factors, and none of the variance was accounted for by shared environmental factors. In light of a number of limitations, replication studies are needed to determine the robustness of these findings and whether they are generalizable to other samples and populations

Thermo-Regulated Device for Extremities Affected by Raynaud’s Disease

Raynaud’s condition is a disease in which blood vessels in the extremities constrict in response to emotional stimuli and cold environments. This results in extreme discoloration and pain in the regions affected (Figure 1), and can cause permanent tissue damage. Although there is no current cure for this disease, there are several methods of pain mitigation including the use of drugs, gloves, avoiding exposure to cold weather, and using heating devices. However, these solutions are only temporary. Most gloves do not provide adequate insulation or have a short battery life. This project is aimed at mediating the negative physiological effects of Raynaud’s disease by developing a thermo-regulated device to regulate the temperature of the extremities. The final prototype utilizes a micro-controller that activates a steel-fiber heating element placed inside of a glove. The closedloop control reacts to a thermocouple signal that measures the user’s hand temperature at several strategic locations. This ensures that the heating element is activated when the hand approaches dangerously low temperature and is deactivated when the temperature of the hand returns to a safe temperature. This automated process eliminates the need for the wearer to manually control the heat setting, while maximizing battery life. Additionally, undesired side effects of overheating such as sweating are avoided. A device of this nature would revolutionize the world of a person suffering from Raynaud’s disease. Other applications of the gloves include first responders operating in extreme weather. Future studies include optimization of the materials to maximize dexterity without sacrificing insulation.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1133/thumbnail.jp

Gender and cohort differences in high school students' sex role orientation, 1984-1987

The purpose of this study was to examine teenage sex-role orientation by gender and cohort. A 24-item Likert-type scale was used to measure Sex-Role Orientation (SRO). This sample consisted of three high school cohort groups totaling 543 students, 355 female and 188 male, from a high school in one county in the central part of North Carolina in 1984, 1985, and 1987. The hypothesis that males would be significantly more traditional in SRO than females was supported. Even though both males and females were found to be essentially nontraditional in orientation, an analysis of variance showed that males were significantly less nontraditional than females. The hypothesis that high school cohorts would be more traditional across years 1984, 1985, and 1987 was rejected. An analysis of variance showed no significant differences between student cohorts. In fact, scores of both males and females tended to be in the direction of more nontraditional over time. The hypothesis that there would be an interaction of sex and time on SRO scores was rejected. No interaction was found

Evaluation as a means for teacher improvement : using the North Carolina Performance Appraisal System as a model

The purpose of the research was to assess educators' perceptions of a state-mandated system for evaluation of teachers and to examine these perceptions as they related to a review of the literature an evaluation. The differences between teachers' and administrators' perceptions of The North Carolina Performance Appraisal System were also examined. Three questionnaires were administered to 400 teachers, 32 principals, and 18 central office personnel in the Rowan County Schools, Salisbury, North Carolina. The first administration was prior to the implementation of the new, state-mandated appraisal system. The second questionnaire was given at the end of the first year; the third administration was after the second year of using the appraisal system. The results of the questionnaires were investigated using percentages, means, and chi-squares for each group. The principals and central office personnel were then combined into one group and the chi-square statistic was applied to study changes that existed between teachers and administrators

The influence of emotional reaction on help seeking by victims of school bullying

Research has started to focus on how victims of school bullying cope, but there is still very little understanding if why pupils cope in one way and not another. This paper aimed to examine the effects of gender, school-stage, frequency of victimization and different emotions (anger, vengeance, self-pity, indifference, and helplessness) upon the choice of social support that children report using. Questionnaires were completed by 6282 Maltese schoolchildren aged between 9 and 14 years old. Analyses revealed that specific patterns of emotion and victimization predict whether pupils report using certain sources of social support. Results are discussed in relation to their relevance for possible intervention, future research needs and implications for the theoretical framework used

A Quantitative Genetic Analysis of the Associations Among Language Skills, Peer Interactions, and Behavioral Problems in Childhood: Results From a Sample of Twins

A body of empirical research has revealed that there are associations among language skills, peer interactions, and behavioral problems in childhood. At the same time, however, there has been comparatively less research devoted to exploring the mutual unfolding of these factors over the first few years of life. The current study is designed to partially address this gap in the literature by examining how language skills, negative peer interactions, and behavioral problems are interrelated in a sample of twins drawn from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Birth Cohort (ECLS-B). Employing a quantitative genetic framework, the results of the current study revealed that variance in language skills, negative peer interactions, and externalizing behavioral problems were all due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Bivariate Cholesky models indicated that most of the covariance among language skills, negative peer interactions, and externalizing behavioral problems was due to common genetic factors. Additional analyses using a modified DeFries–Fulker approach nested within a path model revealed a bidirectional association between negative peer interactions and externalizing behavioral problems, wherein there appeared to be feedback loops between the two. Implications of the results are discussed and avenues for future research are offered

Being Healthy: a Grounded Theory Study of Help Seeking Behaviour among Chinese Elders living in the UK

The health of older people is a priority in many countries as the world’s population ages. Attitudes towards help seeking behaviours in older people remain a largely unexplored field of research. This is particularly true for older minority groups where the place that they have migrated to presents both cultural and structural challenges. The UK, like other countries,has an increasingly aging Chinese population about who relatively little is known. This study used a qualitative grounded theory design following the approach of Glaser (1978). Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 33 Chinese elders who were aged between 60 and 84, using purposive and theoretical sampling approaches. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method until data saturation occurred and a substantive theory was generated. ‘Being healthy’ (the core category) with four interrelated categories: self-management, normalizing/minimizing, access to health services, and being cured form the theory. The theory was generated around the core explanations provided by participants and Chinese elders’ concerns about health issues they face in their daily life. We also present data about how they direct their health-related activities towards meeting their physical and psychological goals of being healthy. Their differential understanding of diseases and a lack of information about health services were potent predictors of non�help seeking and ‘self’ rather than medical management of their illnesses. This study highlights the need for intervention and health support for Chinese elders