School Uniforms: Background of and Descriptive Research

This study will examine the pros and cons of implementing a public school uniform policy along with the laws involved. By analyzing and comparing a few school districts which have created a uniform policy, a conclusion can be made about whether our public schools would have better environments if the students were dressed in uniform. This study includes information on both elementary and secondary schools in urban and suburban settings

Full-Gestational Exposure to Nicotine and Ethanol Results in Long-Term Dysregulation in the Ventral Tegmental Area

Nicotine is considered a gateway drug for other drugs of abuse. The majority of smokers that begin smoking in adolescence, continue into adulthood. Multiple factors have been linked with smoking initiation, including maternal smoking. Drug exposure during pregnancy has long been suspected to exert deleterious effects on the fetal brain. Concurrent use of smoking and drinking alcohol throughout pregnancy is an all too frequent occurrence in the human population especially in disadvantaged and younger women. The present study investigated the potential contributing factors for the enhanced nicotine selfadministration as seen in offspring with gestational exposure to nicotine and ethanol (Nic+EtOH).* We focused on the mesocorticolimbic pathway, specifically the λ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate modulators of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons that project to the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). Our animal model of full gestational exposure to Nic+EtOH exposes the developing brain to both drugs throughout the entire 3 trimester human equivalent [i.e. gestational days (GD) 1-22 and postnatal days (PN) 2-12]. Using self-administration (SA), in vivo microdialysis, quantitative PCR, and western blot analysis, we investigated alterations in the VTA of offspring. We found that the enhancement of nicotine SA acquisition of offspring with gestational Nic+EtOH exposure is not due to changes in maternal-pup interactions. The offspring with gestational Nic+EtOH exposure have a dramatic change in neurotransmitter release in response to 30µg i.v. nicotine; that displays a 75% increase of NAcc DA and a 50% reduction of VTA GABA release. In comparison, pair-fed (PF) offspring show a 20% increase in NAcc DA and a 20% decrease in VTA GABA in response to nicotine. Nic+EtOH offspring also show sensitivity to n-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) in the VTA of offspring that results in a greater increase in NAcc DA and VTA glutamate release compared to the PF offspring. The enhanced acquisition of nicotine SA seen in Nic+EtOH offspring can be reduced to PF levels with disruption to the mesocorticolimbic pathway by infusion of either a GABA agonist or a NMDA receptor antagonist into the VTA. These results correlate with the epidemiologic data that suggests that children with gestational drug exposure are more likely to smoke. The alteration of the mesocorticolimbic pathway present in the offspring with gestational Nic+EtOH exposure is present in both adult and adolescent offspring, suggesting that the neurochemical changes are long-lasting. * Matta SG, Elberger AJ (2007) Combined exposure to nicotine and ethanol throughout full gestation results in enhanced acquisition of nicotine self-administration in young adult rat offspring. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 193: 199-213

Occupational health and safety of migrant sex workers in New Zealand

This research provides an in-depth understanding of issues facing migrant sex workers in New Zealand, with a particular focus on occupational health and safety, and sexual reproductive health. It was intended that the research would provide an evidence base from which NZPC could develop and provide migrant-relevant advocacy and services. Specific research objectives include: 1. understand the New Zealand sex work context in which migrants are working 2. identify the specific needs of migrant sex workers with regards to: occupational health and safety needs; sexual and reproductive needs; and any other needs that may contribute to the general health of migrant sex workers 3. identify barriers and facilitators to migrant sex workers\u27 receipt of appropriate services and/or required assistance

Scouting as an element of education oriented towards the challenges of upbringing of young people in the 21st century

11th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation Dates: 12th-14th November, 2018. Location: Seville, SPAINThe aim of this article is to present the tradition and methods of scouting used in upbringing of young people in the 21st century. The fundamental principles of the scouting movement are “duty to God”, “duty to our neighbour” and “duty to ourselves”. The first principle relates to man’s attitude towards spiritual values, the second one to his attitude towards the society, and the third one to the duties man has in relation to himself. In the study the Author described the Polish Scouting and its traditions. He also sketched the history of scouting used in the contemporary social education of young people (including the struggle for independence carried on by Polish scouts (Polish: harcerze)). The scouting method and tradition as a way of relieving civilizational problems affecting young people nowadays were outlined. They involve using traditional methods in upbringing such as survival, and diminishing the role of electronic gadgets. The Author enlarged also on the problems of social education – describing the role of the voluntary service scouts provide and the system of education of young people. Finally, he touched upon the internationalisation of the movement as a response to the challenges to education in the global village. Link to abstract: file:///G:/files/abstracts/1617.ht