Breast Cancer Survival, Work, and Earnings

Relying on data from the Health and Retirement Study, we examine differences between breast cancer survivors and a non-cancer control group in employment, hours worked, wages, and earnings. Overall, breast cancer has a negative impact on the decision to work. However, among survivors who work, hours of work and, correspondingly, annual earnings are higher compared to women in the non-cancer control group. These findings suggest that while breast cancer has a negative effect on women's employment, breast cancer may not be debilitating for those who remain in the work force. We explore numerous possible biases underlying our estimates especially selection based on information in the Health and Retirement Study, and examine related evidence from supplemental data sources.

Improving Student Outcomes: A Comprehensive Program for At-Risk Students

In 2014 our school system piloted a program to help ninth students who were at-risk for failure to graduate. The results were far better than we ever could have imagined. The program involves several steps. First, we identified at-risk students based on behavior referrals, attendance, number of nurses visits, and poor grades. Once these students were identified, they were given the opportunity to participate in a program that involved social skills classes (two days a week), Anger Replacement Training (one day per week), and Check-In, Check-Out and study skills/organizational training (two days per week). Students were able to set short-term and long-term goals, taught how to monitor their progress toward meeting those goals, and could set and earn rewards for meeting them. Additional supports were also provided in the form of parent contact, teacher consultations, scheduling tutorials, individual meetings with the counselor and/or psychologist, and effective communication strategies. We worked closely with parents to keep them informed of their student’s progress and help them to implement the school supports in the home setting. Qualitative and quantitative data from pre- and post-intervention assessments indicated an increased feeling of belongingness in the school setting, decreased stress and anxiety at school (with moderate decreases in the home setting), decreased discipline referrals for the targeted population, increase in school attendance, and fewer reports of feelings of anger and aggression. Minimal impact was seen in the number of visits to the nurse and end-of-year grades

Teachers Creating Safe School Environments: Prevention of Elementary Student-to-Student Bullying

Student-to-student bullying is still a current issue within elementary schools nationwide. Educators are often unaware, improperly trained and/or unwilling to help in student bullying incidences. Without training or willingness, teachers often are driven into silence and inaction, effectively putting the wellbeing of students at risk. The present study examines this topic through previous literature, gathers data to raise further awareness and better understanding of this issue, and provides proactive bullying prevention strategies for teachers. The present study collects data quantitatively and qualitatively with the conduction of surveys and personal interviews of pre-service and veteran educators respectively. Findings reveal increasing efforts to address student bullying, and evidence suggests pre-service and veteran teachers are still underprepared to handle student bullying. There remains ongoing need for further research to provide best methods of bullying prevention for all students involved in order to bring about positive and lasting change

Employment-Contingent Health Insurance, Illness, and Labor Supply of Women: Evidence from Married Women with Breast Cancer

We examine the effects of employment-contingent health insurance on married women's labor supply following a health shock. First, we develop a theoretical model that examines the effects of employment-contingent health insurance on the labor supply response to a health shock, to clarify under what conditions employment-contingent health insurance is likely to dampen the labor supply response. Second, we empirically evaluate this relationship using primary data. The results from our analysis find that -- as the model suggests is likely -- health shocks decrease labor supply to a greater extent among women insured by their spouse's policy than among women with health insurance through their own employer. Employment-contingent health insurance appears to create incentives to remain working and to work at a greater intensity when faced with a serious illness.

Recombinant Netrin-4 Does Not Signal Through the Netrin-1 or Netrin-3 Pathway in \u3cem\u3eTetrahymena thermophila\u3c/em\u3e

Netrin 4 protein and its homologs are found throughout the animal kingdom. Netrin-4 is known to have a protective role against vascular damage. Previous studies have shown that human netrin-1 has a role in angiogenesis. This information about human netrin-1 and netrin-4 led us to research the pathway of netrin-4 in Tetrahymena thermophila. Our previous studies of the netrin proteins show that netrin-1 and netrin-3 are both repellents in Tetrahymena thermophila. The data in this study show that netrin-4 is also a repellent of Tetrahymena thermophila. These data suggest that netrin-4 could signal through the same pathway as netrin-1 and netrin-3. Furthermore, in our previous studies of the signaling pathways for netrin-1 and netrin-3, we discovered that netrin-1 signals through a tyrosine kinase pathway and netrin-3 signals through a serine/threonine kinase pathway. Because of this we decided to investigate whether or not netrin-4 signals through the same or different pathway as netrin-1 or netrin-3. We performed a cross adaptation assay on Tetrahymena thermophila using netrin-1, netrin-3, and netrin-4. The data from this assay suggests that netrin-4 does not signal through the same pathway as netrin-1 or netrin-3. Netrin-4 also was shown to have no effect on mitosis, which is similar to previous findings with netrin-1 in this organism. In contrast, netrin-3 peptides have been shown to inhibit mitosis in this organism

Development of a readiness ruler for use with alcohol brief interventions

Background A quick method of assessing readiness to change was needed for a major study of implementing screening and alcohol brief intervention in England. For this purpose, a Readiness Ruler that had been validated among a sample of male college students in the USA was adapted and applied to a sample of excessive drinkers in a general medical practice located in a deprived area of Gateshead, England. Methods 72 participants identified as excessive drinkers by health professionals completed a single-item Readiness Ruler, the 12-item Readiness to Change Questionnaire (RCQ) and the AUDIT questionnaire. Results In terms of concurrent validity, the relationships between the Readiness Ruler, on the one hand, and either stage of change allocation or a dimensional score derived from the RCQ, on the other hand, were highly significant but weaker than expected. When patients who endorsed the “maintenance” point on the Readiness Ruler were excluded from the analysis, the above relationships were considerably strengthened for reasons that are discussed. On this basis and with another small change, a final Readiness Ruler was developed. Conclusion If the validity of the Readiness Ruler is confirmed in subsequent research, a quick and simple way of measuring readiness to change will be available for research or clinical work with alcohol brief interventions

Unlocking the Potential of Older Adult Volunteers: The Intergenerational Leadership Institute Model as a Resource for Bolstering Extension

The Intergenerational Leadership Institute (ILI) is a yearlong certificate training program developed by Pennsylvania State University for older adults (55-plus) seeking new lifelong learning and civic engagement experiences and opportunities to contribute to innovation and change in their communities. Data from participant surveys and observations of ILI-related training and program planning sessions indicate growth in participants\u27 intergenerational programming and leadership skills in the context of translating intervention ideas into concrete plans and programs. This article describes the process and outcomes of ILI chapters in State College, Pennsylvania, and Montgomery County, Maryland, and tools and resources for assisting with program dissemination