Motivation for Gluten-Free Diet Adherence among Adults with and without a Clinically Diagnosed Gluten-Related Illness

Background and Purpose: Historically used as the sole treatment for celiac disease, there has been a substantial rise in popularity of the gluten-free diet (GFD) as both a diet plan and alternative form of medicine in the United States (US). Approximately 1% of the US population suffers from celiac disease, but various reports show 30% to 80% of adults have an interest in, or are currently adhering to, a GFD. This study aimed to understand this disproportion by exploring GFD adherence motivations, in addition to medical diagnoses, within a population of gluten-free followers. Methods. An anonymous, internetbased survey was administered to assess GFD motivations and adherence within the general population (n=99). Results. Of those currently following or who had previously followed a GFD, medical diagnosis was reported by only 28.6% as motivation for GFD adherence, with 60.7% reporting general health motivations, 25.0% reporting weight loss motivations, and 21.4% reporting curiosity. Conclusion. This study supports previous research suggesting that adherence to a GFD may occur for reasons outside of a medical diagnosis. Public health educators should inform individuals about risks and misconceptions associated with GFDs when implementing healthy eating programs for adults without medically diagnosed digestive conditions

Russian food and agricultural policy : how the country’s hungry history shapes its contemporary approaches

When the food price spikes of 2007/8 and 2010-12 occurred, Russia responded with export restrictions on wheat that contributed to short-term panic, price transmission to importing countries, greater long-term price instability and shifting trading patterns. Russia’s actions and the subsequent impacts exposed how integrated the formerly-communist country now is and how much the global commodity market has shifted since the early 2000s. Today, Russia is the top exporter of wheat with its leverage in recipient countries growing, along with its ability to take disruptive action through agricultural and food policies. The dramatic shift in global wheat markets makes it imperative to understand the motivations and potential actions of Russian policymakers. Through an examination of Russia’s food history from 1922 to the present, the analysis reveals the enduring impulses that shape Russia’s contemporary food policy as a facet of national security and foreign policy strategy. The report ends with a brief survey of the circumstances that may impact the country’s position as the top exporter and the implications of its dominance for other major exporters and import-dependent countries.Public Affair

Influences of Labour Participation Among Persons With Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Best Evidence Synthesis

A systematic literature review was conducted to assess the individual, organisation, societal, and legal influences of labour participation among individuals with a disability. Methods: Nine databases were searched, for peer-reviewed studies of individual, organisation, societal, and legal influences among disabled populations published between 1990 and 2010. Results: Of a total of 809 papers initially selected, only 46 studies were deemed to be of sufficient quality to be included in the review. Conclusions: Numerous studies have examined labour participation among persons with physical disabilities, some among persons with chronic disabilities, and few among persons with mental disabilities. Strong evidence was found for individual and organisation influences of labour participation among persons with physical disabilities in particular pain, catastrophising, job strain, and support. Only individual influences provided strong evidence among persons with chronic disabilities and no influences provided strong evidence among those with mental disabilities. The results are presented along with methodological weaknesses and future recommendations

Every Dataset has a Story

Downloading has historically been the primary communication between researchers and data archives due, in part, to bandwidth limitations. Today’s network connections allow for more two-way communication between researchers and archives. Researchers can continue to download data and codebooks, but they can also contribute notes, programs, scales and narratives about analyzing archived data. These stories can expand upon documentation and help mentor new researchers by allowing them to learn from others’ experience with the data. Stories can become data for analysis; however, stories about data can also become enhanced documentation and metadata. One challenge for a 21st century archive is how to encourage and enable end-user contributions. Shared community knowledge and experience about data will enrich the scientific enterprise, in addition to specific datasets. Integrating end-user contributions into archival activities will require some “pump priming.” The Data Sharing for Demographic Research (DSDR) project at ICPSR (University of Michigan) is engaging data users so that they will contribute back information. The DSDR initiatives focused on end-user contributions include: • Mini interviews with study PIs to tell stories of why datasets were collected; and • Stories from researchers about their data experience, particularly if they overcame obstacles when analyzing data.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152040/1/Rush&Marcotte-Data Stories-IASSIST2018.pdfDescription of Rush&Marcotte-Data Stories-IASSIST2018.pdf : Slide

Class Standing Differences in Bystander Intervention Intentions to Prevent Sexual Assault: A Reasoned Action Approach

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in determinants of bystander intervention (BI) participation based on undergraduate students\u27 year in school using the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA). Students (n = 291) were recruited from general education courses at two universities in the United States and completed an online survey evaluating intentions, attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) associated with engaging in BI. Next, attitudes, perceived norms, and PBC were used to predict intentions using separate linear regression models – one model with upper-level students and another model with first-year students. Both models significantly predicted intentions, with the upper-level student model (adjusted R2 = 0.609) accounting for more variance compared to the first-year student model (adjusted R2 = 0.469). When compared to upper-level students, freshman also had significantly greater knowledge, intentions, and perceived norms, PBC and autonomy to engage in BI (p \u3c .05). These findings provide an in-depth understanding regarding the role of class standing in BI behavior. Results indicate students have different reasons for engaging/not engaging in BI based on year in school and support the need for targeted BI reinforcement sessions throughout the college years

Mathematical Methods for studying DNA and Protein Interactions

Deoxyribnucleic Acid (DNA) damage can lead to health related issues such as developmental disorders, aging, and cancer. It has been estimated that damage rates may be as high as 100,000 per cell per day. Because of the devastating effects that DNA damage can have, DNA repair mechanisms are of great interest yet are not completely understood. To gain a better understanding of possible DNA repair mechanisms, my dissertation focused on mathematical methods for understanding the interactions between DNA and proteins. I developed a damaged DNA model to estimate the probabilities of damaged DNA being located at specific positions. Experiments were then performed that suggested that the damaged DNA may be repositioned. These experimental results were consistent with the model's prediction that damaged DNA has preferred locations. To study how proteins might be moving along the DNA, I studied the use of the uniform motion “n-step” model. The n-step model has been used to determine the kinetics parameters (e.g. rates at which a protein moves along the DNA, how much energy is required to move a protein along a specified amount of DNA, etc.) of proteins moving along the DNA. Monte Carlo methods were used to simulate proteins moving with different types of non-uniform motion (e.g. backward, jumping, etc.) along the DNA. Estimates for the kinetics parameters in the n-step model were found by fitting of the Monte Carlo simulation data. Analysis indicated that non-uniform motion of the protein may lead to over or underestimation of the kinetic parameters of this n-step model

Specifying Disclosure Protection Rules for Reporting Results from Restricted-use Data

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154770/1/Specifiying-Disclosure-Rules.pdfDescription of Specifiying-Disclosure-Rules.pdf : Poste

Development and Validation of an Instrument Measuring Determinants of Bystander Intervention to Prevent Sexual Assault: An application of the Reasoned Action Approach

Bystander Intervention (BI) is an evidence-based approach that is considered the gold standard by governmental organizations to reduce sexual assault in college. Few survey instruments are available to measure the predispositions students have towards engaging in BI. Valid and reliable instruments are greatly needed, especially those tailored to BI. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an instrument based on the reasoned action approach with college students at two U.S. universities. An elicitation of beliefs was accomplished to inform survey items (i.e., behavioral, normative, and control beliefs). Then, an initial draft was developed and sent to an expert panel to establish validity. The final instrument was administered to undergraduate students (n = 291), and further psychometric properties (construct validity and internal consistency reliability) were evaluated. Data were fit into two separate models to evaluate fit. In the first model, a four-factor solution was evaluated (intentions, attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control), and while results were modest, the second seven-factor solution model contained a better fit (intentions, instrumental and experiential attitudes, injunctive and descriptive norms, capacity, and autonomy). Researchers and practitioners examining BI in college can use this instrument to measure theory-based determinants of BI to reduce sexual assault

Geographic Differences in Event Rates by Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72232/1/j.1600-6143.2006.01508.x.pd