The Factor Structure of Resilience and the Relationship Between Resiliance and Physical Activity

It is not too difficult to get an individual to start a physical activity program. It is incredibly difficult to get an individual to maintain a physical activity program over time. All of life’s major and minor inconveniences can become a barrier to performing physical activity, and thus lead to sedentary behavior. The construct of resilience, defined as positively adapting to adverse circumstances, may be helpful in the maintenance of physical activity. However, resilience as a construct is not entirely understood in the current literature. Some theorists suggest resilience is a single construct, while other theorists suggest that resilience is a hierarchical construct that is comprised of other traits. The first portion of this dissertation tested a hierarchical model of resilience. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factors analyses suggest six traits underlie resilience (purpose in life, self-esteem, life satisfaction, cognitive flexibility, proactive coping, and social support). The hierarchical model of resilience found in the first part of this dissertation was then used for the second portion where structural equation modeling tested if resilience mediated the relationship between barriers to physical activity and physical activity. Consistent with a mediational model, the results showed a significant negative relationship between barriers to physical activity and resilience, and a significant positive relationship between resilience and physical activity. However, there was also a significant direct negative link between barriers to physical activity and physical activity. Thus, results suggest that resilience can help mediate the relationship between barriers to activity and being active, although there is also a direct link. Future research may want to examine this relationship longitudinally, and further refine the hierarchical model

Nondestructive analysis of potassium in ancient glass on the base of its natural gamma activity

The concentration of K₂O in historical glass objects was measured by gamma ray spectrometry. The method involved using moulds of the objects filled with material of known K₂O content. The results obtained were found to be close to results previously obtained by traditional methods and well within accepted tolerances in such cases. Gamma ray spectrometry produces results based on the whole object, not just on a sample of it which in the case of historical glass may not be representative. The method is completely nondestructive as no sample is taken, which allows it to be used for museum glass when destrucdon may not be permitted

Measurements of natural radioactivity in historical glasses

Natural radioactive components of historical glasses and two methods of the respective measurement of the radioactivity are discussed. The evaluation of radioactivity of glass objects using a Geiger-Müller counter and high-resolution gamma ray spectrometry is presented. Α survey of the Warsaw National Museum glass collection with a Geiger-Müller counter allowed distinguishing the vessels made of potassium and sodium glass by their level of natural radioactivity. Gamma spectrometry, on the other hand, enables estimating a specific radionuclide content. Special attention is given to uranium glasses. One 19th Century Bohemian vessel, coloured with a uranium compound, was carefully examined using gamma spectrometry. K2O and U content were estimated to be 16.2 and 0.33 %, respectively

Image-guided dissection of human white matter tracts as a new method of modern neuroanatomical training

Neuronavigation is a kind of image-guided surgery used during neurosurgical procedures. Based on specific equipment which is compatible with the software calculating and processing the patient’s data; this method allows the determination of the location of anatomical structures and visualisation of surgical instruments in the operative field. Although standard brain dissection is still the best method of neuroanatomical training, some limitations occur. The most important of these is the inability of conversion from three-dimensional (3D) view to flat pictures of the brain structures, as viewed on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), being essential in neuroanatomical training nowadays. The aim of the study was the implementation of a neuronavigating system for brain anatomy training purposes. The study was performed on 10 human brain hemispheres, dissected due to classical methods (standard brain anatomical sections, stepwise ventricular system opening and partial dissection of white matter tracts using Klingler’s dissection technique). The material was scanned in a 1.5 T magnetic resonance scanner using a modified neuronavigation protocol. The brains were prepared before dissection as proposed by Klingler. The subsequent steps of the dissection were documented with a digital camera. The progress of the dissection was visualised using the neuronavigation system (Medtronic Stealth Station Treon) with cranial application software. In the course of the study, numerous 3D and 2D images were obtained. The images were related to each other and linked anatomical structures in the specimen with their appearance on CT and MRI scans. The implementation of a neuronavigation system for brain structures dissection facilitates visualization and understanding of their proper location. This new method offers a constant and precise orientation and simplifies understanding of the relation of the 3D view of a specimen to that of the 2D image

Exploring Changes in Caregiver Burden and Caregiving Intensity due to COVID-19

This study explored self-reported changes in caregiving intensity (CI) and caregiver burden (CB) among informal caregivers due to the COVID-19 pandemic overall and by gender. Informal caregivers for someone age 50+ completed a survey via Amazon’s MTurk in June 2020. Participants reported changes in CI and CB due to COVID-19 and provided demographic information. Multinomial logistic regression models assessed changes in CI and CB attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic overall and by gender. The sample (n = 835) was 68.5% male and had an average age of 34 years (SD 9.8); 55.7% had increased CI, and 53.1% had increased CB attributed to the pandemic. Increased CB due to COVID-19 was associated with increased CI (OR 5.67, 95% CI 3.92–8.00). Male caregivers with decreased CI due to COVID-19 were nearly seven times as likely as those with no change in CI to have reduced CB due to COVID-19 (OR 6.91, 95% CI 3.29–14.52). Women with decreased CI due to COVID-19 were over eight times as likely to have reduced CB due to COVID (OR 8.30, 95% CI 2.66–25.91). Results indicate that many caregivers experienced increases in CI and CB since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that these changes are complex and vary by gender

Enhanced Binding of Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 and Ku80/70 to the ITGA2 Promoter via an Extended Cytosine-Adenosine Repeat

Background: We have identified a cytosine-adenosine (CA) repeat length polymorphism in the 59-regulatory region of the human integrin a2 gene ITGA2 that begins at 2605. Our objective was to establish the contribution of this polymorphism to the regulation of integrin a2b1 expression, which is known to vary several-fold among normal individuals, and to investigate the underlying mechanism(s). Methodology/Principal Findings: In combination with the SNP C-52T, previously identified by us as a binding site for the transcription factor Sp1, four ITGA2 haplotypes can be distinguished, in the order in which they enhance ITGA2 transcription: (CA)12/-52C.(CA)11/-52C.(CA)11/-52T.(CA)10/-52T. By DNA affinity chromatography and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, we show that poly (ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and Ku80/70 bind specifically and with enhanced affinity to the longer (CA)12 repeat alleles. Conclusions/Significance: The increased binding of PARP-1 and Ku80/70, known components of transcription co-activator complexes, to the longer (CA)12 alleles of ITGA2 coincides with enhanced a2b1 expression. The most likely explanation for these findings is that PARP-1 and Ku80/70 contribute to the transcriptional regulation of ITGA2. These observations provide new insight into the mechanisms(s) underlying haplotype-dependent variability in integrin a2b1 expression in huma

Rural-Urban Differences in Caregiver Burden Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic among a National Sample of Informal Caregivers

The objective of this exploratory study was to explore potential associations between changes to caregiver burden (CB) due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rural-urban status using a nationally representative sample of 761 informal caregivers. Tertiles of two measures of rural-urban status were used: Rural-Urban Commuting Areas (RUCAs) and population density. Bivariate and multivariable binary and ordinal logistic regression were used to asses study objectives. Using RUCAs, rural informal caregivers were more than twice as likely as urban informal caregivers to report a substantial increase in CB due to COVID-19 (OR 2.27, 95% CI [1.28–4.02]). Similar results were observed for population density tertiles (OR 2.20, 95% CI [1.22–3.96]). Having a COVID-19 diagnosis was also significantly associated with increased CB. Understanding and addressing the root causes of rural-urban disparities in CB among informal caregivers is critical to improving caregiver health and maintaining this critical component of the healthcare system

Self-reported changes in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and screen time among informal caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Informal caregivers providing unpaid assistance may be vulnerable to changes in health behaviors due to modifications in caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this cross-sectional study explored self-reported changes in physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and screen time among informal caregivers providing care for older adults aged 50+ during the pandemic. Methods: Study participants were recruited via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and reported their perceived changes (increased a lot, increased a little, remained the same, decreased a little, decreased a lot) in moderate-intensity PA (MPA), vigorous-intensity PA (VPA), sedentary behavior, and screen time (weekday and weekend) during the pandemic. For analytic purposes, response categories were categorized into three-level ordinal variables—increased (increased a lot, increased a little), no change (remained the same), decreased (decreased a little, decreased a lot). Multinomial logistic regression models assessed the likelihood of changes (vs. no change) in MPA, VPA, sedentary behavior, and screen time (weekday, weekend) based on caregiving and demographic characteristics. Results: In total, 2574 individuals accessed the study link, 464 of whom did not meet eligibility requirements. In addition, people who completed 80% or less of the survey (n = 1171) and/or duplicate IP addresse (n = 104) were excluded, resulting in an analytic sample of n = 835. The sample was 69% male, had a mean age of 34 (SD = 9.7), and 48% reported increased VPA, while 55% reported increased MPA. The majority also reported increased sedentary behavior, as well as increased screen time. Respondents living with their care recipient were more likely to report increased weekday screen time (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.55, 95% CI 1.11–2.16) and sedentary behavior (OR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.28–2.53) than respondents not living with the care recipient. Those living with their care recipient were also more likely to reported increased MPA (OR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.16–2.32), and VPA (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.09–2.15), but also more likely to report a decrease in VPA (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.14–2.70). Conclusion: The majority of respondents reported that their MPA, VPA PA, sedentary behavior, and screen time had changed during the pandemic. Living with the care recipient was associated with both positive and negative changes in behavior. Future research can explore factors associated with these reported changes in behavior

Keep Your Stats in the Cloud! Evaluating the Use of Google Sheets to Teach Quantitative Methods

Teaching quantitative methods at the undergraduate level is a difficult yet rewarding endeavor due to the challenges instructors face in presenting the material. One way to bolster student learning is through the use of statistical software packages. Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet program capable of many basic statistical procedures, which has yet to be evaluated for use in quantitative methods courses. This article contains pros and cons to using Google Sheets in the classroom and provides an evaluation of student attitudes toward using Google Sheets in an introductory quantitative methods class. The results suggest favorable student attitudes toward Google Sheets and which attitudes toward Google Sheets show a positive relationship with quantitative self-efficacy. Thus, based on the positive student attitudes and the unique features of Google Sheets, it is a viable program to use in introductory methods classes. However, due to limited functionality, Google Sheets may not be useful for more advanced courses. Future research may want to evaluate the use of third-party Google Sheets applications, which can increase functionality, and the use of Google Sheets in online classes