Shoe microclimate: An objective characterisation and subjective evaluation.

Shoe microclimate (temperature and humidity) has been suggested to contribute to perceptions of foot thermal comfort. However, limited data is available for perceptual responses in relation to shoe microclimate development both over time and within different areas of the shoe. This study evaluates perceptions of foot thermal comfort for two running shoes different in terms of air permeability in relation to temporal and spatial characteristics of shoe microclimate. The temporal characteristics of shoe microclimate development were similar for both shoes assessed. However, higher temperatures and humidity were observed for the less permeable shoe. Changes to shoe microclimate over time and differences between shoes were perceivable by the users. This study provides the most detailed assessment of shoe microclimate in relation to foot thermal comfort to date, providing relevant information for footwear design and evaluation.

Low versus high prevalence of AIDS: effect on nursing students' attitudes and knowledge.

The purpose of this study was to compare AIDS knowledge and attitudes of baccalaureate nursing students living in a state with a high prevalence of AIDS and those who resided in a state with a low prevalence of AIDS. Students from the high-prevalence state had significantly higher AIDS knowledge scores than did students from the low-prevalence state. However, overall, respondents from the low-prevalence state viewed the person living with AIDS with more accepting attitudes than did the respondents from the high-prevalence state. Students in the high-prevalence state interacted with persons living with AIDS (PLWA) primarily through professional contact. In contrast, students in the low-prevalence state identified both personal and professional contact with PLWA as their most significant interactions. Personal experience of nursing students appears to be a key to decreasing stigmatization of PLWA.

The influence of dietary and genetic cues on the ability of rats to discriminate between the urinary odors of MHC-congenic mice.

This study directly compared the role of genetic and dietary factors in the production of individual urinary odors in mice by investigating the ability of male Long-Evans hooded rats to discriminate between urine samples from two strains of mice (C57BL/6-H-2Kb/J and C57BL/6-H-2Kbml/ByJ), which differ at only one locus of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and which were maintained on two different diets. Groups of rats were trained in an olfactometer on a go/no-go operant task with water as reinforcement to discriminate between one of the following four pairs of mouse urinary odors: individual mice differing at the MHC and maintained on the same diet (task 1), individual mice differing at the MHC and maintained on different diets (task 2), individual mice of the same MHC type maintained on the same diet (task 3), or individual mice of the same MHC type maintained on different diets (task 4). The urinary odors of mice on different diets (task 2 and 4) were more readily discriminable than those of mice maintained on the same diet (tasks 1 and 3), irrespective of genetic differences at the MHC. It was more difficult to discriminate between urinary odors of mice on the same diet whether they were genetically identical (task 4) or differed at the MHC (task 1). A second experiment revealed that it was no less difficult for rats to discriminate between the urinary odors of mice that differed at three MHC loci than it was for rats to discriminate between two mice that differed at one MHC locus. Thus, the results from Experiment 1 were not caused by the degree of genetic difference at the MHC. Overall, these results provide further evidence that dietary as well as genetic cues contribute to individual odors in rodents, and demonstrate the ability of rats to make very subtle discriminations between odors when trained in an olfactometer.

Attitudes of baccalaureate nursing students toward persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome according to mode of human immunodeficiency virus transmission.

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to (1) examine differences in baccalaureate nursing students' attitudes toward persons living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWAs) according to mode of transmission and (2) identify demographic and academic variables influencing baccalaureate nursing students' attitudes toward PLWAs. Two hundred forty-six students from five geographically dispersed baccalaureate programs returned a completed demographic data sheet, AIDS Knowledge Scale, and AIDS Attitude Scale. The AIDS Attitude Scale, based on Goffman's theory of stigma, assesses stigmatizing attitudes, perceptions of deservedness of care, and attitudes of respect and regard for PLWAs according to five modes of human immunodeficiency virus transmission. The findings of this study demonstrated overall that baccalaureate students were the most stigmatizing toward persons who had developed AIDS through injecting drugs followed by sexual contact (both homosexual and heterosexual) and least stigmatizing toward PLWAs who contracted the virus through maternal transmission or a blood transfusion. Perhaps the PLWA who contracted AIDS through either maternal transmission or a blood transfusion was viewed as an "innocent victim" of the disease, whereas PLWAs who contracted the virus through either shared needles or sexual transmission were viewed as having acquired the infection through the results of their actions. The demographic characteristics of the respondents did not influence AIDS attitudes.

Cognitive and educational attainment in different ethnic groups.

The educational attainment of over 2000 children aged 7-15 years from six different ethnic groups was assessed. Children of Pakistani and of Bangladeshi origin tended to obtain the lowest mean scores on all tests, often well below those of West Indian children, who tended to perform as well as Indian children and often no worse than the indigenous majority. There were few signs of any reliable trends over age. Differences were more pronounced on tests of reading and vocabulary than on tests of mathematics but, on tests of non-verbal reasoning, most ethnic minorities also obtained low scores. Many of these differences were associated with differences in social and family circumstances.

PIP: Researchers analyzed data on 2066 7-15 year old children (6 years 2 months to 16 years 4 months) from 6 ethnic groups attending either primary or secondary schools within a 50-mile radius of Cambridge, England to compare their performance with national norms and with each other and to gather recent data. The ethnic groups included British, Bangladeshi, European (other than UK), Indian, West Indian, and Pakistani. The tests were reading, vocabulary, mathematics, and reasoning tests. The only ethnic group that had mean scores on all tests higher than those of british children was the European group. Yet the differences were not significant. After the British children, the West Indian children received the next highest scores and almost always did better than the Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi children. The Indians generally did better than both the Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. West Indian children always did better than Asians on reading and vocabulary tests (even doing better sometimes than the Europeans), yet often did worse than Asians on mathematics and reasoning tests. The difference between West Indian and British children tended to be the same regardless of the test, but Asian children, especially the Indians, tended to receive scores 50% lower than the standard deviation on mathematics and reasoning, but on reading and vocabulary the difference tended to be considerably over the standard deviation. Among 7 and 8 year olds, girls tended to do better than boys, but they did not consistently do better after 8 years old. Among children of at least 15 years old, the Pakistani boys received considerably higher scores than girls on the reasoning test and the West Indian girls received considerably higher scores than boys on vocabulary and mathematics tests. Family size and health and social problems did not affect test scores. Availability of free school meals and father's employment status were significantly associated with all 4 test scores.

Rats can discriminate between the urine odors of genetically identical mice maintained on different diets.

Male Long-Evans hooded rats were tested in a habituation-dishabituation procedure for their ability to discriminate between the urine odors of male C57BL/6J mice maintained on two different diets. There were discriminable differences between the urinary odors of two individual mice maintained on different diets. The rats did not dishabituate when presented with urine odors from two individuals on the same diet or two odor samples from the same individual. These results indicate that individual urinary odors of genetically identical mice are influenced by diet. We discuss the hypothesis that diet may act together with genetic differences, commensal bacteria, and hormonal changes to convey olfactory information used for individual recognition.

Cardiovascular risks: among Black and White rural-urban low income women.

The purpose of this descriptive comparative pilot study was to determine if there are rural-urban and racial differences in the prevalence of four modifiable risk factors (blood pressure, serum cholesterol, diabetes and smoking) for cardiovascular disease among low income Black and White women. Of the 163 low income women who participated in the study, it was found that Black women had a significantly higher prevalence of elevated blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels than White women. The observed rates for smoking and diabetes were highest among rural White women. Implications for health education and continued research are presented.

Health needs of the Vietnam veteran exposed to agent orange.

This article discusses the use of sprayed herbicides during the Vietnam conflict and the health problems exhibited by the veterans exposed to these chemicals. A short history of health problems attributed to herbicide exposure is given. Experimental research on the effects of dioxin, a byproduct in the manufacture of some herbicides, is limited to laboratory animals. In every instance the tested animal exhibited some ill effects following exposure. The research has shown that the lethal dose varies according to animal species and that the effects of dioxin exposure are cumulative. Reasons are given for the lack of research on the effects of human exposure. Numerous physical and psychological signs and symptoms attributed to agent orange exposure are listed. The stresses on the veteran with these health problems are discussed. The nurse practitioner may be the first health care professional to see these patients. Specific interventions are suggested for the nurse to incorporate into practice.

Social work practice and chronic pediatric illness.

The role of social workers in a pediatric chronic illness setting is presented. The difference between acute and chronic illness is explored, with emphasis on the ramifications of these differences for social work practice. Early assessment of patients and families provides the social worker with a data base from which to select an appropriate intervention with families. Of primary importance is the amelioration of feelings of helplessness, dependency, and isolation. This may be accomplished by helping families anticipate problems, mobilizing resources to help, and encouraging families to share their experiences with other families. Because the medical system, particularly in a teaching hospital, may not provide continuity of care for patients, the relationship of the social worker to patient and family, and resulting knowledge of the family, becomes an important resource in the provision of high-quality care.