The Impact of Math Anxiety on Health-Related Quality of Life and Functional Impairment

First discussed in 1954 by Sister Mary Fides Gough, math anxiety is a topic that has been gaining more attention in recent years. Current literature focuses heavily on the intersection of math anxiety and education, yet scant research assesses the impacts on daily life. This study addressed this gap by using an embedded quantitative correlational survey with descriptive open- ended questions to identify the correlation (if any) between math anxiety and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and/or functional impairment. The study adopted Beck’s general theory of anxiety (BGTA) as a framework. The survey consisted of three established measures—the AMAS, SF-36, and SDS—administered to 113 participants. Results indicate that math anxiety and HRQOL have a negative correlation, while math anxiety and functional impairment have a positive correlation. Based on findings, this study recommend that future research should establish a consistent framework (e.g., BGTA) as well as intervention strategies that addresses HRQOL and functional impairments (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy). Finally, this study recommends that future practice should view math anxiety as a mental health issue and treat it as such

Differences of Attitudes and Norms Toward Plagiarism Between First- and Continuing-Generation College Students

This quantitative, causal-comparative study examines differences in attitudes and subjective norms between first- and continuing-generation college students toward plagiarism. Research studies have reported that up to 90% of college students admitted having committed plagiarism. Plagiarism harms the student who cheats, the reputation of the school, and all associated. First-generation college students experience greater challenges in their first years of college than their continuing-generation peers and may be more at risk for resorting to plagiarism. The researcher employed the Attitude Toward Plagiarism Questionnaire (Cronbach’s score of .79) to measure attitudes and norms toward plagiarism. The findings from the administration form the basis of determining if a causal relationship exists between first-generation college student status and having positive attitudes, negative attitudes, and social norms toward plagiarism. The questionnaire was administered to 130 students enrolled in undergraduate general studies classes at a university in the south-central United States. The data were analyzed via an examination of change for each dependent variable against the independent variables of college generation status and gender. The analysis of data reveals that first-generation and female college students appear to exhibit less positive and more negative attitudes and subjective norms toward plagiarism, but not to a statistically significant level. Based on these findings, universities need to support all incoming students by educating them on plagiarism and introducing academic support structures to ease their transition into college as part of their orientation programs

Delivery of human apolipoprotein (apo) E to liver by an [E1(-), E3(-), polymerase(-), pTP(-)] adenovirus vector containing a liver-specific promoter inhibits atherogenesis in immunocompetent apoE-deficient mice

Recombinant adenovirus (rAd)-mediated apoE gene transfer to the liver of apoE(-/-) mice is anti-atherogenic. However, first generation rAd vectors were associated with immune clearance of transduced hepatocytes, while an improved [E1(-), E3(-) polymerase(-)] adenovirus vector that persisted in the liver, had transient effects due to cellular shutdown of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter (Ad-CMV-apoE). Here, we utilise an improved class of rAd vector with multiple deletions in the E1, E3, polymerase and pTP (pre-terminal protein) genes, which contains a modular synthetic liver-specific promoter (LSP) to drive expression of the human apoE cDNA (Ad-LSP-apoE) for hepatic gene transfer. Approximately 1 year old apoE(-/-) mice were injected intravenously with 4x10(10) virus particles of either Ad-LSP-apoE or Ad-CMV-apoE. Animals were monitored for plasma apoE, total plasma cholesterol and plasma lipoprotein distribution. The effect of Ad-LSP-apoE on atheroma progression was assessed in animals killed at 8 and 28 weeks after the injections. Ad-LSP-apoE vector administration gave sustained, though low, levels of plasma apoE throughout the study period without inducing a humoral immune response, but failed to reduce plasma cholesterol or normalize the adverse lipoprotein profile. Animals killed 8 weeks after the injections, demonstrated no significant retardation of atherosclerosis, whereas aortic lesions in those killed at 28 weeks were significantly reduced by 30% ( P< 0.006) compared to untreated animals. In summary, the combination of a multiply deleted rAd vector with a liver-specific promoter provided sustained low levels of plasma apoE, resulting in significant retardation of aortic atherosclerotic lesions

Discerning quality : using the multiple mini-interview in student selection for the Australian National University Medical School

Objective: To describe the development and pilot testing of a set of admissions instruments based on the McMaster University multiple mini-interview (MMI) and designed to assess desirable, non-cognitive characteristics in order to inform final decisions on candidate selection for entry to medical school. Methods: Community and faculty consultation on desirable, non-cognitive characteristics of medical students informed the development of a 10-station interview. Two stations occurred as part of a group problem-based learning scenario and 8 occurred as individual observations. All interviewers were trained. Interviews were offered to 115 candidates on an academic merit list. Interview performance was used to exclude candidates considered unsuitable, but not to re-order the academic merit list. Admissions decisions were examined in terms of individual interview station performance. Results: This method proved to be an efficient process by which to interview candidates and to determine suitability. Retained and rejected candidates had significantly different total scores and mean scores for each station. Ten independent observations contributed to each decision, without significant interviewer or logistic burden. Candidates reported high levels of satisfaction with the interview process. Conclusions: Admissions interviews can be streamlined and efficient, yet remain informative. A longitudinal study is in progress to evaluate the value of the admissions processes in predicting successful graduation to medical practice

Retardation of atherosclerosis in immunocompetent apolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient mice followingliver-directed administration of a [E1-, E3-,polymerase-] adenovirus vector containing the elongation factor-1a promoter driving expression of human apoE cDNA

Although gene transfer of human apolipoprotein E (apoE), a 34-kDa circulating glycoprotein, to the liver of apoEdeficient(apoE-/-) mice using recombinant adenoviral vectors (rAd) is antiatherogenic, its full therapeutic potentialhas yet to be realized. First generation vectors led to immune clearance of transduced hepatocytes, while animproved vector with adenovirus regions E1, E3 and DNA polymerase deleted also had transient effects due tocellular shutdown of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Here, we have studied an alternative promoter from thecellular elongation factor 1a (EF-1a) gene, injecting 6-8 week old apoE-/- mice intravenously with 2x1010 virusparticles (vp) of the [E1-, E3-, polymerase-] rAd vector Ad-EF1·-apoE. Plasma apoE levels were low (18-55 ng/ml)and failed to reduce plasma cholesterol or normalize the adverse lipoprotein profile. By contrast, thehyperlipidaemic phenotype of apoE-/- mice treated with Ad-CMV-apoE (2x1010 vp) was transiently normalized.Nevertheless, at termination (265 days) the aortic lesion areas in animals given Ad-EF1·-apoE were significantlyreduced by 15% (P<0.05) compared to untreated animals, a decrease approaching that in Ad-CMV-apoE-treatedmice (23%; P<0.02). Importantly, the attenuation of apoE transgene expression noted with the CMV promoter wasabsent with the EF-1a promoter, which gave relatively sustained, albeit low, levels of plasma apoE throughout thestudy period

Apolipoprotein E delivery by peritoneal implantation of encapsulated recombinant cells improves the hyperlipidaemic profile in apoE-deficient mice

Plasma apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a 34-kDa polymorphic protein which has atheroprotective actions by clearing remnant lipoproteins and sequestering excess cellular cholesterol. Low or dysfunctional apoE is a risk factor for hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis, and for restenosis after angioplasty. Here, in short-term studies designed to establish proof-of-principle, we investigate whether encapsulated recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells can secrete wild-type apoE3 protein in vitro and then determine whether peritoneal implantation of the microcapsules into apoE-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice reduces their hypercholesterolaemia.Recombinant CHO-E3 cells were encapsulated into either alginate poly-L-lysine or alginate polyethyleneimine/polybrene microspheres. After verifying stability and apoE3 secretion, the beads were then implanted into the peritoneal cavity of apoE(-/-) mice; levels of plasma apoE3, cholesterol and lipoproteins were monitored for up to 14 days post-implantation.Encapsulated CHO-E3 cells continued to secrete apoE3 protein throughout a 60-day study period in vitro, though levels declined after 14 days. This cell-derived apoE3 was biologically active. When conditioned medium from encapsulated CHO-E3 cells was incubated with cultured cells pre-labelled with [H-3]-cholesterol, efflux of cholesterol was two to four times greater than with normal medium (at 8 h, for example, 7.4+/-0.3% vs. 2.4+/-0.2% of cellular cholesterol; P<0.001). Moreover, when secreted apoE3 was injected intraperitoneally into apoE(-/-) mice, apoE3 was detected in plasma and the hyperlipidaemia improved. Similarly, when alginate polyethyleneimine/polybrene capsules were implanted into the peritoneum of apoE(-/-) mice, apoE3 was secreted into plasma and at 7 days total cholesterol was reduced, while atheroprotective high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased. In a second study, apoE was detectable in plasma of five mice treated with alginate poly-L-lysine beads, 4 and 7 days post-implantation, though not at day 14. Furthermore, their hypercholesterolaemia was reduced, while HDL was clearly elevated in all mice at days 4 and 7 (from 18.4+/-6.2% of total lipoproteins to 31.1+/-6.8% at 7 days; P<0.001); however, these had rebounded by day 14, possibly due to the emergence of anti-apoE antibodies.We conclude that microencapsulated apoE-secreting cells have the potential to ameliorate the hyperlipidaemia of apoE deficiency, but that the technology must be improved to become a feasible therapeutic to treat atherosclerosis. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Deep images of cluster radio halos

New radio data are presented for the clusters A401, A545, A754, A1914, A2219 and A2390, where the presence of diffuse radio emission was suggested from the images of the NRAO VLA Sky Survey. Sensitive images of these clusters, obtained with the Very Large Array (VLA)at 20 cm confirm the existence of the diffuse sources and allow us to derive their fluxes and intrinsic parameters.The correlation between the halo radio power and cluster X-ray luminosity is derived for a large sample of halo clusters, and is briefly discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 13 figures, Astron. Astrophys. in pres

Forgotten but not gone - Scrofuloderma in a migrant student from India

A 34-year-old Indian student who immigrated to Australia&nbsp;five years ago presented with a four-week history of neck&nbsp;pain. Physical examination revealed two firm fixed cervical&nbsp;lymph nodes in the anterior triangle and midline region&nbsp;which were tender on palpation and erythematous on&nbsp;inspection. Cording phenomenon was found on ZN staining&nbsp;of FNA sample and mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) PCR&nbsp;confirmed the diagnosis with incomplete resistance to&nbsp;isoniazid. Patient was treated with other three first line antituberculosis&nbsp;medications for nine months with an excellent&nbsp;outcome. Prednisolone was also used as adjunctive therapy&nbsp;and tapered during the course of treatment