Voices of Change from Great Britain

SPEA Lecturer Bill Foley highlights students' experiences while studying national security in London during Brexit

Tough Decisions: Defending the Homeland

Produced by WFYI, in partnership with the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis and the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Tough Decisions: Defending the Homeland takes viewers behind-the-scenes at a groundbreaking simulation of terrorism event. The exercise forces a new generation of global leaders to develop innovative counter-terrorism tactics and strategies in order to disrupt terrorist activities, while restoring public safety and maintaining First Amendment rights. Viewable at https://iu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Tough+Decision.mp4/1_slb6dra

The influence of leg-to-body ratio, arm-to-body ratio and intra-limb ratio on male human attractiveness.

Human mate choice is influenced by limb proportions. Previous work has focused on leg-to-body ratio (LBR) as a determinant of male attractiveness and found a preference for limbs that are close to, or slightly above, the average. We investigated the influence of two other key aspects of limb morphology: arm-to-body ratio (ABR) and intra-limb ratio (IR). In three studies of heterosexual women from the USA, we tested the attractiveness of male physiques that varied in LBR, ABR and IR, using figures that ranged from -3 to +3 standard deviations from the population mean. We replicated previous work by finding that the optimally attractive LBR is approximately 0.5 standard deviations above the baseline. We also found a weak effect of IR, with evidence of a weak preference for the baseline proportions. In contrast, there was no effect of ABR on attractiveness, and no interactions between the effects of LBR, ABR and IR. Our results indicate that ABR is not an important determinant of human mate choice for this population, and that IR may exert some influence but that this is much smaller than the effects of LBR. We discuss possible reasons for these results, including the limited variability in upper limb proportions and the potentially weak fitness-signal provided by this aspect of morphology

Recommendations to reduce semi-tractor trailer incidents on Indiana's major roadways

The following analysis summarizes research and recommendations regarding the importance of safety associated with drivers utilizing Indiana’s major roadways, specifically, drivers operating semi-tractor trailers. This 34-page analysis including references, has been compiled over the course of one semester and details extensive themes related to the overall well-being of semi-tractor trailers. Based on extensive research, the following items are recommended to reduce semi-tractor trailer accidents on Indiana’s major roadways: • Install ignition interlocks on semi-tractor trailers • Implementing cable barriers is a cost-effective method to eliminate the risk of cars crossing the centerline while driving • Encourage the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and its partners to conduct research on where to place cable and steel barriers • Create speed restrictions in non-interstate highways for vehicles with a gross weight greater than 26,000 pounds (lbs.) to improve the safety of rural roadways • Increase the width of these roadways will decrease the possibility of vehicles departing the road • Create situational speed restrictions for the counties listed in the “Other Restrictions Regarding Semi-Tractor Trailers” section • Post speed limit and no passing zone signs in regular intervals with proper placement in rural areas where vehicles may attempt to pass local vehicles, including farm equipment, with limited knowledge of the architecture of the roadways • Consider advocating for rest areas to be implemented on U.S. state roads in addition to interstate roadways • Construct additional rest areas on I-69 near Petersburg, IN and on I-70 in either Vermillion or Gibson County • Expand upon the rest area in White County to resolve issues of capacity and safety The transportation infrastructure continues to be a vital instrument for the Crossroads of America. As a global center of transportation and logistics, the economy of Indiana relies heavily on freight movement (INDOT, n.d.). Freight movement will continue to aid the State of Indiana in competitive advantage compared to other states. By 2040, the expected increase of freight flow is 60 percent (INDOT, n.d.). The work behind this analysis directly supports the expansion of freight mobility while promoting Indiana as a leader in prioritizing driving safety

Addressing the Needs of Sara Holbrook Community Center Caregivers

Previous research: parental stress can negatively impact behavioral and cognitive development of children. Each year, over 4,000 people use SHCC resources: preschool, after school care, teen programs, food shelf, ESL services, etc. SHCC supports families at the center itself, but many families still experience difficulties at home that contribute to caregiver stress. The purpose of this study: understand the needs of the caregivers of students who attend SHCC and propose actionable solutions to address the top identified needs.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1315/thumbnail.jp

Parathyroid Hormone Hormone-Related Protein and the PTH Receptor Regulate Angiogenesis of the Skin

In developing organs, parathyroid hormone (PTH)/parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) receptor (PPR) signaling inhibits proliferation and differentiation of mesenchyme-derived cell types resulting in control of morphogenic events. Previous studies using PPR agonists and antagonists as well as transgenic overexpression of the PPR ligand PTHrP have suggested that this ligand receptor combination might regulate the anagen to catagen transition of the hair cycle. To further understand the precise role of PTHrP and the PPR in the hair cycle, we have evaluated hair growth in the traditional K14-PTHrP (KrP) and an inducible bitransgenic PTHrP mice. High levels of PTHrP trangene expression limited to the adult hair cycle resulted in the production of shorter hair shafts. Morphometric analysis indicated that reduced proliferation in the matrix preceded the appearance of thinner hair follicles and shafts during late anagen. CD31 staining revealed that the late anagen hair follicles of the KrP mice were surrounded by reduced numbers of smaller diameter capillaries as compared to controls. Moreover, the fetal skins of the PTHrP and PPR knockouts (KOs) had reciprocal increases in the length, diameter, and density of capillaries. Finally, crossing the KrP transgene onto a thrombospondin-1KO background reversed the vascular changes as well as the delayed catagen exhibited by these mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that PTHrP's influence on the hair cycle is mediated in part by its effects on angiogenesis