64 research outputs found
Connecting the past to the present : a planning strategy for urban national historical parks
Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning; and, (M. Arch. in Advanced Studies)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1976.Microfiche copy available in Archives and Rotch.Includes bibliographical references.by Dennis Frenchman.M.C.P.M.ArchAS
Abnormal bone mineral accrual in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is increasingly common in adolescent girls and occurs at a time of peak bone mass formation. Osteopenia is common in adolescent girls with AN, and in a cross-sectional study, we have reported low bone formation markers in such girls. To determine the impact of chronic undernutrition on bone mineral accrual in contrast to healthy controls, we prospectively measured bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, bone metabolism markers, and nutritional and hormonal status at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months in 19 adolescent girls with AN (mean +/- SEM, 15.4 +/- 0.4 yr) and 19 controls of comparable chronological and skeletal age. Overall, nutritional status in subjects with AN improved (mean percentage increase in body mass index from baseline, 9.2 +/- 1.9% and 15.2 +/- 2.6% at 6 and 12 months, respectively), with 11 subjects having recovered weight at 12 months. However, lumbar BMD at 12 months (AN, 0.88 +/- 0.02 g/cm(2), vs. control, 0.98 +/- 0.03 g/cm(2); P = 0.008) remained significantly reduced in AN compared with controls, even in recovered subjects. This was due to significant increases in lumbar BMD in controls vs. no change in AN subjects over the year (0.003 +/- 0.001 g/cm(2).month vs. 0.000 +/- 0.001 g/cm(2).month, respectively; P = 0.04). The most significant determinant of change in lumbar BMD at 12 months was change in lean body mass in both AN (r = 0.62; P = 0.008) and control (r = 0.80; P = 0.0006) groups. There were significant increases in surrogate markers of bone turnover in subjects with AN compared with controls as assessed by osteocalcin (AN, 0.9 +/- 0.4 micro g/liter.month, vs. control, -1.1 +/- 0.4 micro g/liter.month; P = 0.0007), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (AN, 0.6 +/- 0.5 U/liter.month, vs. control, -1.5 +/- 0.4 U/liter.month; P = 0.002), deoxypyridinoline [AN, 0.1 +/- 0.1 nmol/mmol creatinine (cr).month, vs. control, -0.4 +/- 0.1 nmol/mmol cr.month; P = 0.005], and N-telopeptide (AN, 4 +/- 4 nmol BCE/mmol cr/month, vs. control, -9 +/- 4 nmol BCE/mmol cr/month; P = 0.01). Changes in IGF-I levels over the year were highly correlated with changes in bone turnover over the same period in AN (osteocalcin, r = 0.77; P = 0.001; deoxypyridinoline, r = 0.66; P = 0.01). A rise in N-telopeptide over the year was correlated with an increase in all bone mineral measures, including lumbar bone mineral content (r = 0.58; P = 0.03) and BMD (r = 0.53; P = 0.05) and total bone mineral content (r = 0.69; P = 0.006) and BMD (r = 0.69; P = 0.006) in the AN group. Therefore, despite recovery over 1 yr, poor bone mineral accrual persists in adolescent girls with AN in contrast to rapid bone accrual in healthy girls. Normalization of bone turnover markers occurs in association with nutritional recovery and an increase in the nutritionally dependent bone trophic factor IGF-I. A rise in bone turnover markers may be an early indicator of increase in BMD in recovering girls with AN
Alterations to Melanocortinergic, GABAergic and Cannabinoid Neurotransmission Associated with Olanzapine-Induced Weight Gain
Background/Aim: Second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are used to treat schizophrenia but can cause serious metabolic side-effects, such as obesity and diabetes. This study examined the effects of low to high doses of olanzapine on appetite/ metabolic regulatory signals in the hypothalamus and brainstem to elucidate the mechanisms underlying olanzapineinduced obesity. Methodology/Results: Levels of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65, enzyme for GABA synthesis) mRNA expression, and cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) binding density (using [ 3 H]SR-141716A) were examined in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) and dorsal vagal complex (DVC) of female Sprague Dawley rats following 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg olanzapine or vehicle (36/day, 14-days). Consistent with its weight gain liability, olanzapine significantly decreased anorexigenic POMC and increased orexigenic NPY mRNA expression in a dose-sensitive manner in the Arc. GAD65 mRNA expression increased and CB1R binding density decreased in the Arc and DVC. Alterations to neurotransmission signals in the brain significantly correlated with body weight and adiposity. The minimum dosage threshold required to induce weight gain in the rat was 0.5 mg/kg olanzapine. Conclusions: Olanzapine-induced weight gain is associated with reduced appetite-inhibiting POMC and increased NPY. This study also supports a role for the CB1R and GABA in the mechanisms underlying weight gain side-effects, possibly b
The perceptions and experiences of youth on the use and abuse of alcohol within Klapmuts
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2016.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explored the youth of Klapmuts’ perceptions and lived experiences of alcohol abuse. The study sought to gain an understanding of the perceived predisposing and perpetuating factors that contribute to high prevalence of alcohol use in the community. This study is located in a social learning theory framework that emphasises how behaviour is learnt and reinforced with our interactions and observing others. Through this observation of others engaging in alcohol, we learn certain rules, attitudes and gain insight into the usefulness of the behaviour or its disadvantage and futility. In addition, the theory places emphasis on the environmental aspects which further impact on the learned or modeled behaviour.
A qualitative research methodology was utilised to gain insight into the lived experience of the youth and their understanding of the phenomenon. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants (8 males and 8 females). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and interpreted using content thematic analysis. The perceptions and experiences of the participants were distilled into the following major themes: Perception of alcohol in the lived experience, Modelling social and familial behaviour, Individuality evoking change, Underage drinking, Gender roles and observations, Social problems, and a need for intervention.
The perceptions and experiences of youth living in Klapmuts show an interesting dynamic of how they view, manage and engage with the community and alcohol use. The split in experience and perspective was discerned and may be indicative of how individual aspects and environmental exposure can influence individuals differently and result in different experiences which either reinforce the use of alcohol or decrease the interaction with alcohol. These findings indicate that the community of Klapmuts needs basic support structures to assist those with alcohol abuse as well as familial psychoeducation and support intervention.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het die persepsies en ervaringe van alkoholmisbruik onder die jeug van Klapmuts ondersoek. Die studie het daarna gestreef om die bydraende faktore tot die gebruik van alkohol in die gemeenskap te ontleed. Hierdie studie is geleë in die sosiale leerteorie raamwerk, wat klem lê op hoe gedrag aangeleer en versterk word deur middel van interaksies, asook die waarneming van ander. Deur om ander waar te neem wat betrokke raak by alkoholgebruik, kan insig verkry word tot die relevante reëls, houdings en gedrag, asook die nadeligheid of nuttelossheid daarvan.
Daarbenewens plaas die teorie klem op die omgewingsaspekte wat verdere impak het op gemodelleerde gedrag.
'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodologie was aangewend om insig te verkry tot die jeug se ervaring en begrip van hierdie verskynsel. Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude was individueel uitgevoer met 16 deelnemers, bestaande uit 8 mans en 8 vrouens. Die onderhoude was getranskribeer, en is ook na Engels vertaal. Deur middel van tematiese analise was die data verder ontleed en 7 temas is geïdentifiseer, naamlik: persepsie van alkohol en geleefde ervarings; modellering van sosiale en gesinsgedrag; individualiteit wat verandering ontlok; minderjarige gebruik van drank; geslagsrolle en persepsies; sosiale probleme en 'n behoefte aan ingryping.
Die jeug van Klapmuts se persepsies en ervarings het ‘n interessante dinamika getoon in terme van hul waarneming, bestuur, en betrokkenheid met die gemeenskap en alkoholmisbruik. Onderskeid was getref tussen ervaring en perspektief en kan moontlik ‘n aanduiding verskaf oor hoe individuele aspekte en omgewing blootstelling individue verskillend kan beïnvloed.. Gevolglik kan hierdie verskille in ervarings aanleiding gee tot ‘n versterking in die gebruik van alkohol, of ‘n afname in die interaksie met alkohol. Daar word aanbeveel dat die gemeenskap van Klapmuts ʼn basiese ondersteuningstruktuur benodig om diegene wat deur alkohol geaffekteer word, psigososiale opleiding en ondersteuning aan te bied om die impak van alkoholmisbruik aan te spreek
An Occupational Perspective on New Zealand Working Mothers’ Stress, Anxiety and Depression: an Interpretive Description Study
Globally depression affects nearly a quarter of the world’s population and is one of the leading causes of disability and morbidity (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2017a). Worldwide women are twice more likely than men to have depression in their lifetime (WHO, 2017a); with stressed working mothers significantly more vulnerable. An occupational perspective can add new understandings on how working mothers respond and deal with stress, anxiety and depression. This interpretive descriptive study aimed to uncover an occupational perspective on working mothers’ mental health to inform the development of a new kind of practice aligned to prevention focused primary health interventions. The study sought to firstly understand how an occupational perspective explains working mothers’ stress, anxiety and depression; and secondly, what the participants considered to be current and future solutions to managing the complexity of their lives.
Following ethics approval, participants were recruited via a purposive sampling method. Data were collected from nine working mothers of children under five years via individual interviews and a focus group. Transcribed data were analysed using thematic analysis.
The findings suggest that multiple, complex and interplaying personal and environmental challenges increased working mothers’ stress, anxiety and depression. The data revealed that the struggle to find the right balance, the struggle with others’ expectations and the struggle with ongoing and/or multiple events were key factors that contributed to stress, anxiety and depression. Mirroring these challenges were equally complex strategies and supports working mothers’ found useful and needed. These strategies included prioritising/reprioritising, getting help/support from others, supportive activities and wishes for the future.
The study identified that working mothers do not have access to enough relevant supports to address their complex and dynamic challenges and needs. Several new potential strategies were identified within health (including occupational therapy), social and community sectors. These strategies have the potential to more comprehensively address New Zealand working mothers’ issues and subsequently contribute to the prevention/promotion of mental health for this population. However, in order to see the culmination of these changes, a broader political, social and health sector reorientation to address gender inequality is needed
The Heavy Costs of High Bail: Evidence from Judge Randomization
In the United States, roughly 450,000 people are detained awaiting trial on any given day, typically because they have not posted bail. Using a large sample of criminal cases in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, we analyze the consequences of the money bail system by exploiting the variation in bail-setting tendencies among randomly assigned bail judges. Our estimates suggest that the assignment of money bail leads to a 12 percent increase in the likelihood of conviction and a 6–9 percent increase in recidivism. Our results highlight the importance of credit constraints in shaping defendant outcomes and point to important fairness considerations in the institutional design of the American money bail system
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