2,548 research outputs found
An Apology for Confederate Poetry
This paper explores the reasons why poetry written in the Confederate states during the Civil War is rarely included in the American literary canon. Historians and literary critics have dismissed Confederate poetry as nothing more than jingoistic and sentimental trash in rhyme. Nevertheless, poems buried in the mountains of Southern literary magazines and journals from the period tell a more nuanced story. Covering a wide and fascinating range of subjects, both good and bad Confederate poems aptly reflected how the Southern popular mind reacted to and dealt with the events of the war
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Encouraging independent thought and learning in first year practical classes
The transition from A-level to degree-level
practical classes then to a research project,
hence from dependent learner to independent
researcher, is a hurdle that all students face
when studying for a chemistry degree. This can
be daunting so any innovations that aid this
transition are of great value. At the University
of Reading, the first year practical course has
been redesigned to facilitate this transition by
embedding independent thought and
experimentation across all chemistry
disciplines (introductory, organic, inorganic
and physical). Examples of experiments that
provide opportunities for independent student
investigation, along with student perceptions of
the experiments of the course, are given. Using
this model for practical-class delivery, student
engagement, confidence, independence and
ultimately preparedness for year 2 were
improved
Messages that increase women\u27s intentions to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy: results from quantitative testing of advertising concepts
BackgroundPublic awareness-raising campaigns targeting alcohol use during pregnancy are an important part of preventing prenatal alcohol exposure and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Despite this, there is little evidence on what specific elements contribute to campaign message effectiveness. This research evaluated three different advertising concepts addressing alcohol and pregnancy: a threat appeal, a positive appeal promoting a self-efficacy message, and a concept that combined the two appeals. The primary aim was to determine the effectiveness of these concepts in increasing women’s intentions to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy.MethodsWomen of childbearing age and pregnant women residing in Perth, Western Australia participated in a computer-based questionnaire where they viewed either a control or one of the three experimental concepts. Following exposure, participants’ intentions to abstain from and reduce alcohol intake during pregnancy were measured. Other measures assessed included perceived main message, message diagnostics, and potential to promote defensive responses or unintended consequences.ResultsThe concepts containing a threat appeal were significantly more effective at increasing women’s intentions to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy than the self-efficacy message and the control. The concept that combined threat and self-efficacy is recommended for development as part of a mass-media campaign as it has good persuasive potential, provides a balance of positive and negative emotional responses, and is unlikely to result in defensive or unintended consequences.ConclusionsThis study provides important insights into the components that enhance the persuasiveness and effectiveness of messages aimed at preventing prenatal alcohol exposure. The recommended concept has good potential for use in a future campaign aimed at promoting women’s intentions to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy
Antithymocyte Globulin Antibody Titer Congruent With Kidney Transplantation: Analysis of Incidence, Outcomes, Cost, and Alternative Targets
Rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) use for immunosuppression induction is widespread but is contraindicated by the presence of anti-rATG antibodies. This study reports the incidence of positive anti-rATG antibody titers in patients before and after renal transplant and evaluates associated outcomes and costs. In addition, it will correlate CD40L and interleukin (IL)-21 with anti-rATG antibody titers.
Methods:
Clinical and billing records from the Indiana University Transplant Laboratory were reviewed for positive versus negative anti-rATG antibody titers, graft survival, and 7-day readmission costs between 2004 and 2018. Serum from patients with positive and negative rATG antibody titers were quantitated for CD40L and IL-21 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
On average, between 2004 and May 2018, 163 kidney transplants per year were performed. Anti-rATG antibody titers were ordered for 17 patients/year, of which 18.2% were positive at 1:100 titer either pre- or post-transplant. Time to graft loss correlated with a positive rATG titer at time of readmission. Moreover, second kidney transplant increased the anti-rATG positive rate. A weak correlation was observed between anti-rATG titer and recipient age. Seven-day readmission treatment costs were significantly lower in patients with positive anti-rATG titer. IL-21 and CD40L were significantly greater in patients with positive anti-rATG titers after transplant when compared with negative anti rATG patients.
Conclusions:
Positive anti-rATG antibody titer is associated with a significant negative impact on outcomes. Monitoring of anti-rATG antibody titer is recommended to optimize treatment options in patients, especially in the setting of second transplants. Elucidation of the mechanisms associated with positive anti-rATG antibody is required. IL-21 and CD40L are potential targets for future study
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