Comparison of State Appropriations by Function and by Program to Actual Expenditures for the Two-year Institutions in the Tennessee Board of Regents System

The purpose of this study was twofold. The first purpose was to determine the extent to which the 14 two-year institutions of the Tennessee Board of Regents system expended funds in functional categories equal to the amount of funds provided by the appropriations funding formula for the same functional categories. The second purpose was to determine the extent to which the 14 two-year institutions expended funds for direct instructional purposes for each academic program equal to the amount of funds provided by the appropriations funding formula for direct teaching purposes for each academic program. Using an archival research design, appropriations funding data and actual expenditure data were collected for the period 1990-91 through 1996-97 relative to the first purpose. Data for only the years 1995-96 and 1996-97 were used for the second purpose. For each of the two purposes studied, the data were adjusted to reflect comparable funding and expenditure data. The final evaluation involved a comparison of the percentage of funding expended by function and by college for the first purpose and the percentage of funding expended by academic program and by college for the second purpose. The evaluation of the percentage of funding expended by function revealed that most colleges and the system as a whole expended approximately 90% or more of the funding for the function for which funds were allocated by the appropriations formula. This level was determined to be positive, because some funding is typically set aside for transfers to plant funds for renewals and replacements. The evaluation of the percentage of funding expended for direct teaching purposes revealed that most colleges and the system as a whole expended approximately 60% or less of the funding for direct teaching purposes. This is permissible according to the policies of the TBR and THEC. The funding formula for direct teaching is based on enrollment and an average full-time faculty salary amount. However, most colleges use part-time faculty to teach a portion of its student-credit-hours; thus, excess funds accrue from this area and are available for use in other areas. Based on the findings of this study, two recommendations are offered. A review of the funding formula with regards to potentially needed modifications is recommended for the specific functions in which either substantially more or less than 100.0% of the funding was expended. Additionally, a formal analysis of the proportion of student-credit-hour enrollment taught by part-time faculty should be made to assist in determining if the funding formula calculation for direct teaching activities should include an element for the proportion of student-credit-hours taught by part-time faculty

UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Sanctions for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules) : a Gendered Critique

In 2010, the United Nations adopted the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the "Bangkok Rules"). This was a landmark step in adapting the 1955 Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners to women offenders and prisoners, and was an important precursor for the revision of the 1955 rules themselves. As 'soft law', they are human rights principles that recognize that female prisoners have different needs from male prisoners. They take into account, among others, the presence of high levels of victimization among women prisoners and their greater propensity for self-harm and suicide; the special status of some women prisoners as mothers of children; the particular health and hygiene concerns of women; the stigma and discrimination facing women prisoners; the need for gender-responsive programs and activities for women in prison; and the particular needs of indigenous women prisoners and those from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. They call for gender-responsive and gender-sensitive policies and programs in prison in a wide variety of areas: intake, classification, mental and physical healthcare, mothering in prison, searches, and the development of pre- and post-release programs that take into account the stigmatization and discrimination that women face upon release from prison, among others. We will explore the history and background of these rules, offer a critique, and discuss their implications for feminist criminological interventions related to women in prison around the world.En 2010, las Naciones Unidas adoptaron las Reglas de las Naciones Unidas para el tratamiento de las reclusas y medidas no privativas de la libertad para las mujeres delincuentes (las «reglas de Bangkok»). Esto fue un paso importante en la adaptación de las Reglas mínimas de las Naciones Unidas para el tratamiento de los reclusos de 1955 a las mujeres delincuentes y reclusas y fue un precursor importante para la revisión de las propias reglas de 1955. Como instrumentos jurídicos no vinculantes, son principios de derechos humanos que reconocen que las mujeres reclusas tienen diferentes necesidades con respecto a los reclusos varones. Entre otras cosas, tienen en cuenta la presencia de altos niveles de victimización entre las reclusas y su mayor propensión a autolastimarse y suicidarse; la condición especial de algunas mujeres reclusas como madres; las necesidades particulares de salud e higiene de las mujeres; el estigma y la discriminación que sufren las mujeres reclusas; la necesidad de programas y actividades sensibles al género para las mujeres encarceladas; y las necesidades particulares de las mujeres reclusas indígenas y de diversos orígenes religiosos y culturales. Piden políticas y programas sensibles al género en los centros penitenciarios en una amplia gama de ámbitos: ingreso, clasificación, cuidados de salud física y mental, maternidad en las prisiones, registros y elaboración de programas previos y posteriores a la puesta en libertad que tengan en cuenta la estigmatización y la discriminación que esperan a las mujeres al salir de la cárcel, entre otras. Examinaremos la historia y antecedentes de estas reglas, ofreceremos una crítica y discutiremos sus implicaciones para las intervenciones criminológicas feministas relacionadas con las mujeres reclusas en todo el mundo.El 2010, les Nacions Unides van adoptar les Regles de les Nacions Unides per al tractament de les recluses i mesures no privatives de la llibertat per a les dones delinqüents (les «regles de Bangkok»). Això va ser un pas important en l'adaptació de les Regles mínimes de les Nacions Unides per al tractament dels reclusos de 1955 a les dones delinqüents i recluses, i va ser un precursor important per a la revisió de les regles de 1955. Com a instruments jurídics no vinculants, són principis de drets humans que reconeixen que les dones recluses tenen diferents necessitats respecte dels reclusos homes. Entre d'altres, tenen en compte la presència d'alts nivells de victimització entre les recluses i la seva major propensió a autolesionar-se i suïcidar-se; la condició especial d'algunes dones recluses com a mares; les necessitats particulars de salut i higiene de les dones; l'estigma i la discriminació que pateixen les dones recluses; la necessitat de programes i activitats sensibles al gènere per a les dones empresonades; i les necessitats particulars de les dones recluses indígenes i de diversos orígens religiosos i culturals. Demanen polítiques i programes sensibles al gènere als centres penitenciaris en una àmplia gamma d'àmbits: ingrés, classificació, cures de salut física i mental, maternitat a les presons, registres i elaboració de programes previs i posteriors a la posada en llibertat que tinguin en compte l'estigmatització i la discriminació de les dones en sortir de la presó, entre d'altres. Examinarem la història i els antecedents d'aquestes regles, n'oferirem una crítica i discutirem les seves implicacions per a les intervencions criminològiques feministes relacionades amb les dones recluses a tot el món

Investigation of synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the presence of aggregates of amyloid beta (Aβ) in senile plaques and tau in neurofibrillary tangles, as well as marked neuron and synapse loss. Of these pathological changes, synapse loss correlates most strongly with cognitive decline. Understanding the contributions of different risk factors, toxic proteins, and protein networks to synaptic dysfunction and loss is essential to understanding and one day curing this disease. Oligomeric species of both Aβ and tau are implicated in synapse, however the interaction between them requires further exploration. The first aim of this thesis was to investigate the interaction of Aβ and tau in a novel mouse model AD. In this model APP/PS1 mice were crossed with mice expressing full length wild type human tau (hTau). Expression of hTau in APP/PS1 mice increased plaque size by~50% and increased plaque-associated dystrophic neurites. However, no increase in neurite curvature, neuron loss, or synapse loss was observed in the hTau APP/PS1 animals compared with APP/PS1 alone. The underlying cause of most cases of AD is not known, however genetic risk factors have been identified, the strongest of which is the APOE e4 allele. APOE e4 is associated with increased risk of developing AD and increased rates of cognitive decline compared to the more common APOE e3 allele. The second aim of this thesis was to detect differences in the AD synaptic proteome compared with controls and to also investigate the effect of an APOE e4 allele on those changes. Unbiased label free LC-MS/ MS based proteomics of synapses isolated from human AD and control post-mortem brains of known APOE genotypes was used. Of the 1043 proteins detected in 20 synaptic preparations 17% (173) were found to differ significantly (p<0.05, fold change >1.2) in AD compared with control. A significant sub-set of these proteins were affected by APOE e4 allele genotype. One of these was Clusterin which was not only increased in the AD synapse but further increased in cases with an APOE e4 allele. Clusterin is closely related to ApoE has also been genetically linked to AD in genome-wide association studies. Aim three was to further investigate the involvement of Clusterin at the synapse and the interaction of ApoE with Clusterin using array tomography. Array tomography confirmed an increase in Clusterin co-localization with presynapses and postsynapses in AD cases compared with controls and found a further increase in cases with an APOE e4 allele. Array tomography also found an increase in synapses which co-localized with Clusterin and Aβ together in cases with an APOE e4 allele. This implies that Clusterin is important in Aβ mediated synapse loss in AD. To further investigate the role of synapse loss in AD aim 4 of this thesis was to develop a novel human based model of Aβ mediated synapse loss. This model uses cortical neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells from a control individual that are challenged with Aβ extracted from brains from AD and control individuals. This model shows a significant and concentration dependent reduction in the number of synapses in response Aβ from AD brain but not to control brain extract or AD brain extract immunodepleted of Aβ. The work presented in this thesis has investigated two novel models of AD to assess the effect of known toxic proteins in AD related synapse degeneration. This work also shows that profound protein changes occur at the synapse in AD and that many of these are affected by APOE genotype. Many of these changes potentially cause or contribute to synaptic dysfunction in AD and therefore could be important for therapeutic interventions

Patients want to know about the \u27cardiac blues\u27

BACKGROUND: Much attention has been given to identifying and supporting the minority of patients who develop severe clinical depression after a cardiac event. However, relatively little has been given to supporting the many patients who experience transient but significant emotional disturbance that we term the \u27cardiac blues\u27. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate patients\u27 preferences regarding information provision about cardiac blues. METHODS: One hundred and sixty consecutive cardiac patients admitted to two Victorian hospitals in Australia were interviewed three times over six months. They were asked about emotional issues, including information provision preferences. RESULTS: Four out of five (81%) patients would like to have received information about the cardiac blues, but only a minority received this information. CONCLUSION: Most patients want to know about cardiac blues. The development and evaluation of resources for health professionals and patients to support recovery through cardiac blues appears warranted

Evidence, Theory and Context: Using intervention mapping to develop a worksite physical activity intervention

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The workplace is an ideal setting for health promotion. Helping employees to be more physically active can not only improve their physical and mental health, but can also have economic benefits such as reduced sickness absence. The current paper describes the development of a three month theory-based intervention that aims to increase levels of moderate intensity physical activity amongst employees in sedentary occupations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The intervention was developed using an intervention mapping protocol. The intervention was also informed by previous literature, qualitative focus groups, an expert steering group, and feedback from key contacts within a range of organisations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The intervention was designed to target awareness (e.g. provision of information), motivation (e.g. goal setting, social support) and environment (e.g. management support) and to address behavioural (e.g. increasing moderate physical activity in work) and interpersonal outcomes (e.g. encourage colleagues to be more physically active). The intervention can be implemented by local facilitators without the requirement for a large investment of resources. A facilitator manual was developed which listed step by step instructions on how to implement each component along with a suggested timetable.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although time consuming, intervention mapping was found to be a useful tool for developing a theory based intervention. The length of this process has implications for the way in which funding bodies allow for the development of interventions as part of their funding policy. The intervention will be evaluated in a cluster randomised trial involving 1350 employees from 5 different organisations, results available September 2009.</p

Wireless Accelerometers for Early Detection of Restenosis

AbstractThe goal of this paper is to use accelerometers as an early detection of restenosis. Restenosis (re-narrowing of the blood vessel) typically occurs within 3-6 months after the implantation of a stent. Finite element modelling of an occluded blood vessel showed that eddies along with an increase in velocity occur around the occlusion. In this paper a wireless accelerometer device was used to detect an occlusion. A human phantom model was used to mimic the wireless transmission capabilities of the system through human muscle ex-vivo. Fast Fourier transform results from the accelerometer showed that a non-occluded blood vessel had significant peaks >15Hz, whereas an occluded blood vessel had peaks <15Hz, which provides a signature template for detecting restenosis. The results of the FEM and human phantom experiments show that an accelerometer sensor is capable of detecting restenosis

Testing a workplace physical activity intervention: a cluster randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Increased physical activity levels benefit both an individuals' health and productivity at work. The purpose of the current study was to explore the impact and cost-effectiveness of a workplace physical activity intervention designed to increase physical activity levels.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 1260 participants from 44 UK worksites (based within 5 organizations) were recruited to a cluster randomized controlled trial with worksites randomly allocated to an intervention or control condition. Measurement of physical activity and other variables occurred at baseline, and at 0 months, 3 months and 9 months post-intervention. Health outcomes were measured during a 30 minute health check conducted in worksites at baseline and 9 months post intervention. The intervention consisted of a 3 month tool-kit of activities targeting components of the Theory of Planned Behavior, delivered in-house by nominated facilitators. Self-reported physical activity (measured using the IPAQ short-form) and health outcomes were assessed.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>Multilevel modelling found no significant effect of the intervention on MET minutes of activity (from the IPAQ) at any of the follow-up time points controlling for baseline activity. However, the intervention did significantly reduce systolic blood pressure (B = -1.79 mm/Hg) and resting heart rate (B = -2.08 beats) and significantly increased body mass index (B = .18 units) compared to control. The intervention was found not to be cost-effective, however the substantial variability round this estimate suggested that further research is warranted.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The current study found mixed support for this worksite physical activity intervention. The paper discusses some of the tensions involved in conducting rigorous evaluations of large-scale randomized controlled trials in real-world settings.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current controlled trials <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN08807396">ISRCTN08807396</a></p