En undersökning om det åländska sjömanslivet.Syftet med detta arbete vara upptäcka hur livet var på sjön på de åländska fartygen under mellan åren 1900- 1945. Det andra syftet var att utifrån hieratiska sjömanslivet få fram vad som gav status på de åländska fartygen.  Resultatet visar att för att få de åländska fartygen gällde det att individen skulle uppfylla sjömansidealet. Sjömansidealet var bland annat att sjömannen skulle vara modig, fysisk stark och ha erfarenhet. Status kunde sjömannen få inom två kategorier, inom arbetet och inom det sociala. De faktorer som gav status inom arbetet var att arbetsam, kunnig, fysiskt stark, modig, beslutsam, erfaren, hård. Det som gav status inom det social var att sjömannen skulle vara ärlig, tystlåten, rättsam, pålitlig, hård, humoristisk, gott sprithuvud, fysiskt stark, erfaren, försynt. Det räckte inte för sjömannen att ha bara en statusfaktor inom arbetet respektive sociala. Utan det gällde att ha en kombination av flera statusfaktorer för att kunna få en viss status inom den åländska sjömanskulturen. Till exempel att få status inom det sociala var faktorer som fysisk stark, gott sprithuvud och humoristisk var en stark kombination för att få en hög status bland manskapet.

In Nuclear family as status Dennis Wijk examines if and how the nuclear family ideals and norms permeates family law secretaries work with families. The aim of the study is to investigate if the nuclear family has the status of ideals and norms in the family law secretaries practice. In order to achieve the aim of conducted four interviews with family law secretaries in Stockholm city. The interviews have been the main data collection. Theoretical concepts which are central in the study are: the nuclear family, institution, ideals, standards, and established and outsiders. By the results of the study demonstrated that family law secretaries do not meet nuclear family in its practice and it detected no direct efforts to promote such ideals. Nuclear family's status as an ideal and norm turns out to be low in the three themes of four, where the fourth indicates a high status. In the fourth theme raised by that it is first in the family law secretaries own starting points that the nuclear family is becoming a reality and generates a higher status as ideal and norm. / I kärnfamiljens status undersöker Dennis Wijk om och hur kärnfamiljen som ideal och norm genomsyrar familjerättssekreterares arbete med familjer. Syftet med studien är att undersöka vad kärnfamiljen har för status som ideal och norm i familjerättssekreterarnas praktik. För att uppnå syftet utfördes fyra intervjuer med familjerättssekreterare inom Stockholm stad. Intervjuerna har varit den huvudsakliga datainsamlingen. Teoretiska begrepp som är centrala i studien är kärnfamiljen, institution, ideal, normer samt etablerade och outsiders. Av studiens resultat visas att familjerättssekreterarna inte möter kärnfamiljen i sin praktik och det upptäcks heller inga direkta strävanden efter att arbeta för ett sådant ideal. Kärnfamiljens status som ideal och norm visar sig vara låg i tre teman av fyra, där det fjärde visar på en hög status. I det fjärde temat lyfts det fram att det är först i familjerättssekreterarnas egna utgångspunkter som kärnfamiljer blir ett faktum och genererar en högre status som ideal och norm.

This thesis utilizes a regression model and three different occupational status scores, namely, Duncan‘s SEI, Nam-Powers-Boyd Occupational Status Score and Prestige Score of Nakao and Treas, to examine the impact of sexual orientation. Previous studies have found that lesbian women have an advantageous wage effect, compared to their heterosexual counterparts irrespective of marital status. A special focus of comparing the occupational status of cohabiting lesbians with married women and cohabiting heterosexual women has not been studied in the past. Using 2006 ACS sample data from IPUMS-USA, the results of this analysis suggested that compared to married women, lesbians obtain a significant advantage in occupational status only with the Nam-Powers-Boyd metric. Compared to cohabiting heterosexual women, lesbians were shown to have an occupational status advantage with regard to each of the three occupational status metrics. In conclusion, using the most appropriate occupational status score such as the Nam-Powers-Boyd Score, lesbians have more occupational status points compared to their heterosexual peers and human capital theory provides a powerful explanation for the lesbians‘ advantageous occupational status.

Abstract The metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells is a research area that has not been intensively pursued. It is generally believed that cancer cells are persistently oxidative stressed. The consequence of this phenomenon will result in changes of the characteristic of a cancer cell. Whether or not the oxidative stress has a role in regulating the metastatic potential of a cancer cell is a research area that has been totally neglected. Using a group of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines with distinct disparity in their differentiation status, established by their morphological observation and the abilities of synthesizing at least 15 plasma proteins, as the experimental model, we proposed to investigate the possibility that the constitutive oxidative stress status of these HCC cells may be modulated by their differentiation status. As a result, varying degrees of oxidative stress status of these cells will affect the propensity of expression of a few redox-sensitive transcription factors, such as NF-kB and AP-1, which may eventually modulate the metastasis- related gene expression. If these proposed hypotheses turn out to be true, we will then investigate the underlying mechanism(s) associated with the phenomena observed. Firstly, we demonstrated previously (Liu et al., 2000) that the total antioxidative capacity (as expressed by the composite propensities of expressing 4 antioxidant enzymes and the intracellular glutathione contents) as well as GSH/GSSG ratios of the HCC cells we studied were excellently correlated with their differentiation status, with an order of HepG2 > Hep3B > J5 > SK-Hep-I. To further confirm this observed phenomenon, we quantified the steady state mRNA expressions of the four antioxidant enzymes by duplex RT-PCR method. In this study, we further confirmed that well-differentiated HCC cells, such as HepG2 and Hep3B expressed higher levels of extracellular GPx (eGPx) and catalase mRNAs. Conversely, the expression of mRNA for both enzymes in a poorly-differentiated HCC cells, such as SK-Hep-I and Mahlavu, was trace or even negligible. Since GSH biosynthesis is controlled by g-glutamylcysteine synthetase (g-GCS), a rate-limiting enzyme composing of a catalytic heavy subunit ( gGCS h ) and a regulatory light subunit ( gGCSl) ,we wanted to further substantiate that differentiation status-mediated upregulation of GSH is regulated by this enzyme. We demonstrated that the g-GCSh expression was again differentiation status regulated, established by using either a HPLC or a duplex RT-PCR method. The order of ranking for the expression of g-GCS was HepG2 > Hep3B > J5 > SK-Hep-I. In contrast, we found that g-GCSl mRNA seemed not to be influenced by the differentiation status. It has been documented that the transcription factors NF-kB and AP-1 are redox-sensitive. Thus, we wanted to see if both transcription factors could constitutively be activated. Also, is the expression propensity of these transcription factors modulated by the oxidative stress status of these HCC cells? Using EMSA and supershift techniques, we demonstrated that varying degrees of expressions of both transcription factors can be seen, with an order of expression propensity of SK-Hep-I > Mahlavu > J5 > Hep3B > HepG2. Having known that both NF-kB and AP-1 could modulate a group of metastasis-related gene expression, we then investigate if the constitutive metastatic potential of these HCC cells can be varied depending upon how extensive the expression propensity of both NF-kB and AP-1, we used a panel of markers for evaluating the metastatic potential, namely: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), interleukin 8 (IL-8) and an adhesion molecular E-cadherin. Using both activity and duplex RT-PCR methods, we demonstrated that only a poorly differentiated HCC cells were capable of expressing MMPs (SK-Hep-I predominately expressed a large amount of MMP-9 and mRNA; Mahlavu predominately expressed MMP-2 along with a trace amount of MMP-9). HepG2, Hep3B and J5 were completely devoid of MMP expression. Using ELISA assay, we measured the secretion of IL-8 in the culture media by these HCC cells and demonstrated that the propensity of secretion having an order of SK-Hep-I > HepG2 > Hep3B (J5 and Mahlavu expressed only a trace amount). Next, we used western blotting and duplex RT-PCR techniques to demonstrate that the expressions of E-cadherin were predominately existed in only well-differentiated cell lines, HepG2 and Hep3B. J5, Mahlavu and SK-Hep-I were all devoid of expression. Finally, for the purpose of demonstrating that the intracellular oxidative stress status does have a role in regulating the above-mentioned metastasis-related gene expression, we transfected g-GCSh cDNA to SK-Hep-I cell and obtained a cell type, termed GCS 30, in which its g-GCSh activity, mRNA and GSH content has been proved to be higher than its untransfected counterpart, SK-Hep-I. We then measured the oxidative stress status of GCS 30 using DCFDA-flowcytometric method. From our data, we did demonstrate that the oxidative-stress status of GCS 30 was shown to be decreased as compared to its counterpart. However, we were surprised to find out that GSH/GSSG ratio remained unchange in GCS-30 as compared to SK-Hep-I cells. Using EMSA technique, we showed that GCS 30 cells only exhibited relative strong binding activity to NF-kB, but not for AP-1 binding. Surprisingly, we found that the MMPs activities in GCS 30 cells were relatively comparable to SK-Hep-I, indicating that MMP expression might be regulated by a pathway other than AP-1. The mechanism(s) underlying this observed phenomenon await further clarification.

In 2003-2004, the Texas A&M University Ranch to Rail South program evaluated 430 steers in Edroy, TX. Data were analyzed on several traits, but feeder calf frame and muscle grades and health status were emphasized. Muscle thickness grade (M), frame size grade (F), muscle thickness by frame size interaction (M*F), sire breed type classification (SIRECODE), lung score (LUNG), ranch of origin (RANCH), and level of treatment (LVLTRT) were evaluated as independent variables as affecting ribeye area (REA), marbling score (MARB), fat thickness (FAT), hot carcass weight (HCW), average daily gain (ADG), medicine costs (MED), days on feed (DOF), initial value (VALUE), carcass value (CARVAL), and initial weight (INWT). M (P < .0001), F (P < .0001), M*F (P < .0001), SIRECODE (P < .0001), RANCH (P < .0001), LVLTRT (P = .0016), and INWT (P < .0001) were all significant influences on initial value upon arrival. SIRECODE (P = .0344), RANCH (P = .0571), and INWT (P < .0001) were significant in impacting carcass value. RANCH (P = .0045) and INWT (P < .0001) were very significant influences upon ribeye area when the steers were harvested. RANCH (P < .0001) was also influential on marbling score, and LVLTRT (P = .1096) was slightly significant for MARB. M (P = .0659), F (P = .0721), and M*F (P = .0722) were moderately significant in influencing fat thickness. However, SIRECODE (P = .0148) and RANCH (P < .0001) were significant in impacting FAT. HCW was significantly affected by SIRECODE (P = .0056), RANCH (P < .0001), and INWT (P < .0001). For live performance, SIRECODE (P = .0120) and RANCH (P < .0001) were significant influences upon average daily gain. SIRECODE (P < .0001), RANCH (P < .0001), LVLTRT (P < .0001), and INWT (P < .0001) were significant influences on days on feed for the steers. Finally, RANCH (P < .0001) and LVLTRT (P < .0001) were significant in affecting medicine costs. These findings suggest ranch of origin and breed type play major roles in affecting live and carcass performance.

While parenting style and its relevant dimensions have long been studied in the area of child development, studies on the effects of perceived parenting behaviors on children’s/adolescents’ nutritional health status have been largely neglected. The present study examined whether perceived parenting style and its dimensions are associated with older children’s/young adolescents’ health outcomes, including self-concept, eating behaviors, physical activity behaviors, energy and nutrient intake, and body measurements. This study placed a distinct emphasis on gender differences by exploring the effects of maternal and paternal parenting behaviors on male versus female subjects’ health outcomes in separate analyses. In addition, this study extended the investigation of the roles family meal behaviors play in an environment in which general parenting behaviors exert their impact on children’s/adolescents’ health. Sources of insight from nutrition, psychology, and sociology contributed to this holistic examination of children’s/adolescents’ health. The study subjects included 123 children (9-11 years old) and 106 adolescents (13-15 years old). Data were obtained through survey questionnaires, dietary recall and records, and anthropometry. Various statistical methods were employed in this study, including multiple regression analysis, cluster analysis, factor analysis, and path analysis. Findings of this study confirmed that an authoritative style is more desirable for study subjects’ health outcomes, compared with a non-authoritative style. Generally, maternal/paternal nurturing appeared to be desirable, but maternal/paternal control was an undesirable predictor of youth health, while the subjects’ age (9-11 versus 13-15 years) and gender played critical roles in the associations. Family meal behaviors appeared to be significant predictors of youth health outcomes. Findings from path analysis suggested that the effects of maternal/paternal nurturing/control on the subjects’ health outcomes are mediated by family meal behaviors. Perception that family dinner meals are family rituals turned out to be the most important mediator of the relationship between maternal/paternal nurturing and the subjects’ health outcomes. Of interest, lack of food pressure by parents appeared to be detrimental to eating behaviors and essential nutrient intake of study subjects. Finally, this study showed that fathers play positive roles in improving male/female subjects’ as well as children’s/adolescents’ health outcomes, especially their physical activity behaviors and self-concept.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wyoming, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Dec. 7, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 55-63).

Not available / text

The first goal of this study is to test the prediction that children who perceive similarity between a novel physical event and the real world will be more likely to express belief in the reality of a novel character involved in the event than children who do not perceive such similarity. The second goal is to test the effects of familiarity on similarity judgements, reality status beliefs, and their association. In this study, children ages 4 and 6 years were visited 5 times and were repeatedly told about a novel character performing either a highly similar, moderately dissimilar, or a highly dissimilar physical event. Their similarity judgements and reality status judgements were solicited on days 1 and 5. Results revealed high rates of association between similarity and reality status beliefs for the highly similar and moderately dissimilar events but low levels of association for the highly dissimilar event on day 1. With repeated exposure, children’s positive similarity judgements increased for the highly dissimilar event leading to higher rates of association. / text

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences