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Apathy, Sleep Disturbance, and the CLOCK Gene among Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease
No full textSleep disturbance and apathy are common symptoms among persons with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput (CLOCK) gene assists in regulating circadian rhythms and prosocial behaviors. Additional research is needed to better understand how the CLOCK gene modifies these patterns in persons with AD. This study was based on the Need-Driven Dementia-Compromised Behavior Model that focuses on understanding difficult behaviors, including sleep disturbance and apathy. The first aim of this comparative study was to amplify a specific region of the CLOCK gene containing the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of interest, rs6832769, using real time polymerase chain reaction. The second aim was to analyze relationships between genotype data and phenotype data, including sleep disturbance and apathy subscales of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Allelic discrimination was used to determine genotype frequency among 115 persons with AD from institutional facilities and community settings. Frequency of genotypes was as follows: AA genotype: n=53 (46%); AG genotype: n=37 (32%); GG genotype: n=13 (11%). There were 12 undetermined samples. One-way ANOVA was conducted using SPSS Version 23 to compare mean apathy severity score by genotype. A trend emerged between apathy severity and CLOCK gene SNP rs6832769, where persons with the GG genotype were less likely, though not significantly, to display more severe apathy (F=0.07, df=2, p=0.93). The study was limited by testing only one SNP and by sample size, as there was only NPI data for a subset of 48 of the 115 participants with very few experiencing sleep disturbance (n=8). With further investigation, targeted nonpharmacological nursing interventions may be used within this population to promote more regular sleep schedules and to reduce apathy
Exploring Quantitative Analysis of Metalloprotein Stoichiometries with PIXE and NRA
No full textWhile approximately a third of all proteins are metalloproteins, their stoichiometric ratios are still largely unknown. Current elemental analysis procedures are capable of determining which metals are in a protein, but it is difficult to determine how many. To address this, an ion beam analysis method is being developed using Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA). PIXE determines the elemental composition of the sample and provides a metal-to-metal ratio while NRA uses Rutherford scattering cross-sections to determine an exact ratio of number of atoms to number of proteins. This combination makes it possible to accurately determine the desired metal-to-protein stoichiometric ratio. In order to ensure accuracy, this method is being developed on Cyanocobalamin (B12) and checked against Cytochrome C Equine which have known stoichiometries. This method will allow us to obtain the atomic ratios of additional metalloproteins with confidence. Recent advances include revising sample preparation, refining the substrate, and improving data analysis. Current work includes expanding the data set to include more metalloproteins
Electronic Nonlinearity in Superconducting Resonator Devices
No full textSuperconducting resonators play an integral role as circuit elements in the microwave filters that are used in wireless applications, primarily for base stations in cellular networks. Compared to their conventional counterparts, superconducting resonators in these systems greatly reduce signal loss and improve the frequency response shape factor. However, superconducting materials can degrade certain device performance metrics. Nonlinearity evident in intermodulation distortion (IMD) produces spurious signals that conventional microwave filters would not produce. At Hope College, a test system has been constructed to characterize these nonlinearities. Four main points of focus take precedent in this work: the high-power saturation of IMD, the influence of probe power on saturation, the distinction between saturation in second and third order IMD nonlinearities, and the influence of temperature on saturation, especially near the superconductor critical point. In this paper, saturation of second and third order nonlinearities will be presented. Second and third order IMD nonlinearities are found to possess different saturation characteristics, indicating that different mechanisms are responsible for different orders of nonlinearity
Up with Uncertainty, Down with Demand: How do information shocks impact automotive purchasing behavior?
No full textAs a result of an information shock, when new consumer information becomes available in a market characterized by information asymmetry, the consumer must alter his purchasing behaviors in light of that new information to effectively maximize utility. Understanding these changes in purchasing behavior allows firms to react more proactively when information shocks occur, which could lead to more effective profit maximization through reduced forecasting errors and optimized resource allocation. When third-party ratings—such as EPA tests of automobile emissions or lab results for nutritional supplement purity—are called into question by an information shock, the market may respond to the new information on the particular good, but also with increased uncertainty about related products. This research examines vehicle sales data to ascertain the impact of an uncertainty-increasing information shock on a particular vehicle make on sales across brands and automotive segments. The revelation through routine re-testing in 2015 that Volkswagen AG diesel emissions were inconsistent with EPA test results provides the random variation necessary for a modified difference-in-differences strategy using interaction terms to identify the direct effect of the information on diesel vehicle sales for Volkswagen AG. Indicators for country of origin, brand, fuel type, and vehicle category allow for the evaluation of spillover effects generated throughout the industry as a result of the increased uncertainty. The analysis concludes that Volkswagen AG diesels and other non-Volkswagen AG, German diesels experienced a statistically significant decrease in monthly sales volume as a result of the information shock. The impact on non-German diesel vehicles, non-diesel Volkswagen, and other German non-diesel vehicles is statistically indistinguishable from zero
A Case Study of Gender Based Violence in the United States with an Emphasis on Domestic Violence
No full textWomen and men around the world face gender based violence (GBV), keeping in mind that this phenomenon is independent of place, culture, and religion. In America the cases of gender based violence becomes diverse as we have more variables to observe. Such variables are nationality, sexual orientation, and socio-economic backgrounds. For the purpose of this paper the researcher will focus on domestic violence in American society observing religious beliefs, legal system, and economic factors that come into play when discussing the matter of domestic violence. The paper will put the issue in the context of intersectionality and why this still continues to be an issue in today\u27s time
What Causes Terrorism?
No full textThis research attempts to identify some of the causes of terrorism. I explore the levels of inequality, GDP, and the degree of democracy within a country and observe their influence on terrorist activity. I rely on the Global Terrorism Database, to discover the leading factor of terrorism
To What Degree Does Expanding Political Freedoms Affect an Individual’s Satisfaction?
No full textThis research will analyze whether governmental expansion or restriction of political freedoms affect an individual’s personal satisfaction and outlook. I rely on the 2012 Voice of the People End of Year Survey, containing approximately 60,000 responses from citizens of 56 different countries, asking a variety of questions related to individual values and degree of personal contentment
Childhood Physical Activity and Nature Experience as Predictors of Adult Perspectives on Nature
No full textPrevious research has explored the benefits of connecting children with nature (Louv, 2005, Wells, 2006). A parallel discussion has emerged focusing on adults’ experience of “nature deficit disorder” due to lack of connection to nature (Louv, 2011). Prior research suggests a relationship between childhood experiences and adult preferences. Some studies have specifically compared adults’ nature exposure to their preference for being outdoors and physically active as children (Thompson et al., 2008, Henniger, 1994). Similarly, this study explores the relationship between retrospective childhood physical activity and nature experience and current adult perspectives on nature exposure. The study utilizes a self-report survey aimed at understanding college students’ perspectives and experiences. We hypothesized that those who were encouraged to and spent more time in nature as children would be more likely to value and spend time in nature as adults. Preliminary correlational analyses revealed a significant relationship between parental encouragement of free-time outdoor play and enjoyment of outdoor activities as children. Additionally, participants indicated they would be less restrictive with their own children with respect to activities that they, themselves, enjoyed in childhood. Those who considered nature an important part of learning enjoyed more outdoor and physically active activities as children. There was also a correlation between weekly hours spent outside as a child and hours per week spend outside as an adult. These preliminary findings underscore the importance of the childhood-nature connection and its implications for mitigating nature deficit disorder in adulthood. Further analyses explore which childhood nature experiences serve as predictors for current engagement with nature, physical activity level, and perceptions of nature’s importance and benefit for learning
Acoustic Variation among African American and European American Children: Age, Gender, and Ethnicity
No full textPrevious research shows that vowels are acoustically specified based on formant frequencies (Peterson & Barney, 1952). Their study was replicated and extended to include temporal and spectral measurements (Hillenbrand et al., 1995). While both studies included children, Peterson and Barney did not indicate age or gender, Hillenbrand et al. did not distinguish across gender, and neither study included data with respect to ethnicity. Therefore, more data is needed that provides the acoustic targets for children that take age, gender, and ethnicity into consideration. This study explores variations across age, gender, and ethnicity. There is a gradual lowering of the fundamental frequency of the voice beginning with the onset of puberty, which could begin as early as age 10 (Berger, 2008). This influences the phonological space, which could result in differences across gender, especially for the 11 to 12 year olds. Children recorded lists containing neutral consonantal context /h-vowel-d/ words and sentences. We hypothesize that fundamental and formant frequencies will be higher for 8 to 9 year olds than for 10 to 12 year olds and higher for girls (by age 10). With respect to ethnicity, we anticipate no significant differences in frequency measures between European-American and African-American children. We will present MANOVA results for age, gender, and ethnicity with temporal and spectral parameters. Additionally, we will report correlational analysis of height and weight with the acoustic measures. This study will contribute to our knowledge of developmental trajectories for specific acoustic parameters. As gender and ethnicity are vital cues for adult speakers, it is important to investigate how salient the acoustic parameters are for child speakers and at what ages the child parameters begin to approximate adult measures. Results will have implications for audiologists, speech language pathologists, developmental and speech scientists, and others in the field of communication sciences and disorders
Promoting Best Practices in the Tenure Process
No full textThe current study is an evaluation of pre-tenured and tenured faculty and their practical and emotional experiences to the tenured process. Previous empirical evidence suggests that post tenured professors are less happy with tenure than they thought they would be (Wilson, 2012). The topic of tenure and the academic’s experience around tenure abounds in popular literature, however the gaps are plentiful in regards to peer reviewed, empirical research. While the literature separately discusses various aspects of acculturation, flourishing, gender, race, culture shock, emotional processes, and the abilities for professors to affectively forecast their emotions, the current study jointly integrates all of these topics. An online snowball survey sample over the course of two and a half months allowed for geographically and institutionally diverse subjects. Preliminary results from this study suggest that higher levels of mainstream acculturation, alignment with the institution’s values, and guidance leads to higher levels of general positive emotion. Second, higher levels of heritage acculturation lead to higher levels of general positive emotion. Third, mainstream and heritage acculturation are positively correlated with flourishing scores. Additionally, there was also a significant difference between public and private institution faculty feelings toward the tenure process. Pre-tenured faculty members, who show higher levels of anxiety and depression, also display inaccurate affective forecasting of their emotions around the tenure process. The methodology and results will be presented as well as suggestions for institutional opportunities for improvement and future research