Case Study Analysis of Minority Stress Regarding the Academic and Social Emotional Health of a Transgender Student

In a single case study, a transgender student in Scotland is given a voice to provide in-depth information about his school experience and journey navigating the school system, and sharing his raw feelings about harassment, bullying, depression, anxiety, suicide attempts, school policy, and a discriminating staff. Through the application of the minority stress model, the researcher uncovers how challenging it is for a transgender teenager growing up in a rural town within a small high school of approximately 125 students. Transgender students currently face hostile school climates while negotiating their own proximal stressors. Compared to their Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) and cisgender peers, transgender students are consistently reporting higher levels of harassment and assault and are less likely to feel included in their school community, in addition to experiencing negative educational outcomes. These self- reports demonstrate how young people who do not conform to heteronormative societal norms are at risk of victimization during adolescence. Consequently, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) teenagers are at an increased risk of negative psychological issues such as suicidality, anxiety, and depression

Biodiversity Education Initiative for Middle School Students

This report, prepared for the Smithsonian Institution\u27s Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Program, details the research done to determine the current world state of biodiversity education and the best possible methods and format for a biodiversity education program targeted at middle school students. Within the report is an explanation of the purpose, need, goals, methods, execution, results, and recommendations of this project

Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance amongst parents of children under 18 years of age in Ireland

As COVID-19 vaccination for children becomes commonplace in Ireland, it is important to understand parent’s willingness to vaccinate their children and factors associated with hesitancy and resistance. Amongst a nationally representative sample of parents from Ireland, surveyed in March/April 2021, 52.1% had, or were intending to have their child vaccinated; 30.1% reported they might vaccine their child; and 17.8% reported they would not vaccinate their child. Compared to vaccine-accepting parents, hesitant parents were more likely to be younger, less educated, poorer, to not know somebody who was sick from COVID-19, to believe the COVID-19 vaccines were unsafe, and to hold negative beliefs about scientists and healthcare professionals. Vaccine-resistant parents were more likely to be younger, living alone, to distrust scientists, and to believe the COVID-19 vaccines were unsafe. Public health messaging should target younger, lower income parents with clear information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for children

The RAG1 V(D)J Recombinase/Ubiquitin Ligase Promotes Ubiquitylation of Acetylated, Phosphorylated Histone 3.3

Histone variant H3.3 is associated with transcriptionally active chromatin and accumulates at loci undergoing preparation for V(D)J recombination, a DNA rearrangement required for the assembly of antigen receptors and development of B and T lymphocytes. Here we demonstrate that the RAG1 V(D)J recombinase protein promotes ubiquitylation of H3.3 that has been heavily acetylated and phosphorylated on serine 31 (acetyl-H3.3 S31p). A fragment of RAG1 promoted formation of a mono-ubiquitylated H3 product that was identified using mass spectrometry as ubiquitylated acetyl-H3.3 S31p. H3 was ubiquitylated at multiple lysine residues, and correspondingly, di-, tri- and higher-order ubiquitylated products were detected at low levels. Ubiquitylation was dependent on an intact RAG1 RING finger/ubiquitin ligase domain and required additional regions of the RAG1 amino terminus that are likely to interact with H3. Acetylated residues within the H3 amino terminal tail were also required. Purified, recombinant H3.1 and H3.3 were not good substrates, suggesting that post-translational modifications enhance recognition by RAG1. A complex including damage-DNA binding protein has also been shown to ubiquitylate H3 in response to UV treatment, suggesting the H3 ubiquitylation may be a common step in multiple DNA repair pathways

Cannabis and psychosis: the impact of polydrug use

Purpose While research has consistently identified an association between cannabis use and psychosis, few studies have examined this relationship in a polydrug context (i.e. combining cannabis with other illicit substances). The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The present study sought to examine the association between recreational drug use (cannabis only vs polydrug) and psychotic disorders. Analysis was conducted on a large, representative survey of young Danish people aged 24 (n=4,718). Participants completed self-report measures of lifetime drug use and this information was linked to the Danish psychiatric registry system. Findings Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between drug use (no drug use, cannabis only, cannabis and other drug) and ICD-10 psychotic disorders, while controlling for gender and parental history of psychosis. Compared with no drug use, the use of cannabis only did not increase the risk of psychosis while the odds ratio for cannabis and other drug were statistically significant. Research limitations/implications Psychosis risk may be associated with the cumulative effect of polydrug use. Practical implications Cannabis use may be a proxy for other drug use in research studies. Originality/value This study is innovative as it uses linked self-report and administrative data for a large sample. Administrative data were used to as an objective mental health status indicator

Resistance to COVID-19 vaccination has increased in Ireland and the United Kingdom during the pandemic

Objectives: Hesitance and resistance to COVID-19 vaccination poses a serious challenge to achieving adequate vaccine uptake in the general population. Cross-sectional data from the early months of the pandemic indicates that approximately one-third of adults in multiple nations are hesitant or resistant to a vaccine for COVID-19. Using longitudinal data, we tracked changes in attitudes to COVID-19 vaccination during the pandemic. Study design: This is a quantitative, longitudinal design. Method: Nationally representative samples of the adult general population of the Republic of Ireland (N ¼ 1041) and the United Kingdom (N ¼ 2025) were assessed for their attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination at three points from March to August 2020. Results: Statistically significant increases in resistance to COVID-19 vaccination were observed in Irish (from 9.5% to 18.1%) and British (from 6.2% to 10%) adults. Conclusion: Resistance to vaccination has significantly increased in two European nations as the pandemic has progressed. Growing resistance to COVID-19 vaccination will pose a challenge to public health officials responsible for ensuring sufficient vaccine coverag