Economic globalization has created a governance gap, often leaving powerful corporations largely unregulated. The result has been frequent and gross violations of human rights that too often go unpunished. This article outlines the mechanisms that currently exist for regulating the activities of multinational corporations including: (i) corporate self-regulation; (ii) regulation within the state where a company is operating (the host state); (iii) regulation within the state where a parent company is incorporated (the home state); and (iv) codes of conduct at the international level. The advantages and insufficiencies of each level are highlighted, and an argument is subsequently made that the governance gap will only be filled if firms are subjected to binding international law. The article then turns to an examination of international human rights law and discusses the place of non-state actors within this framework. It finds that corporations do have obligations under international human rights law despite the fact that systems for enforcing these duties do not currently exist. The final section discusses the difficulties that might be associated with creating enforcement mechanisms. The article ultimately argues that binding regulation at the international level is necessary in the long run; however, due to the difficulties in achieving this objective, regulation should also continue to be improved at the company, industry, host-state, and home-state levels. Keywords: multinational corporations; international law; human rights; corporate activity (regulation of)
{"title":"Global laws for a global economy: A case for bringing multinational corporations under international human rights law","authors":"A. Grant","doi":"10.21083/surg.v6i2.2573","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21083/surg.v6i2.2573","url":null,"abstract":"Economic globalization has created a governance gap, often leaving powerful corporations largely unregulated. The result has been frequent and gross violations of human rights that too often go unpunished. This article outlines the mechanisms that currently exist for regulating the activities of multinational corporations including: (i) corporate self-regulation; (ii) regulation within the state where a company is operating (the host state); (iii) regulation within the state where a parent company is incorporated (the home state); and (iv) codes of conduct at the international level. The advantages and insufficiencies of each level are highlighted, and an argument is subsequently made that the governance gap will only be filled if firms are subjected to binding international law. The article then turns to an examination of international human rights law and discusses the place of non-state actors within this framework. It finds that corporations do have obligations under international human rights law despite the fact that systems for enforcing these duties do not currently exist. The final section discusses the difficulties that might be associated with creating enforcement mechanisms. The article ultimately argues that binding regulation at the international level is necessary in the long run; however, due to the difficulties in achieving this objective, regulation should also continue to be improved at the company, industry, host-state, and home-state levels. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: multinational corporations; international law; human rights; corporate activity (regulation of)","PeriodicalId":413751,"journal":{"name":"Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114595117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The research compiled is formulated into a critique of a dated yet highly sophisticated political ideology that is perpetuating inequality in the lives of ordinary people, prevailing over the fates of Western citizens, and of those abroad in developing countries. The arguments contained herein target liberal principles via the involuntary acceptance of unrestrained capitalist structures that frame the current Western socioeconomic paradigm. Overall, the current framework of domestic laws in the West is found to be unable to justify liberal democratic interventions in developing nations. Keywords: liberalism; individual rights; imperialism; security; capitalism; personhood; Maritime Law; collectivism
{"title":"The liberalism of fear","authors":"N. Wilson","doi":"10.21083/SURG.V6I2.2031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21083/SURG.V6I2.2031","url":null,"abstract":"The research compiled is formulated into a critique of a dated yet highly sophisticated political ideology that is perpetuating inequality in the lives of ordinary people, prevailing over the fates of Western citizens, and of those abroad in developing countries. The arguments contained herein target liberal principles via the involuntary acceptance of unrestrained capitalist structures that frame the current Western socioeconomic paradigm. Overall, the current framework of domestic laws in the West is found to be unable to justify liberal democratic interventions in developing nations. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: liberalism; individual rights; imperialism; security; capitalism; personhood; Maritime Law; collectivism","PeriodicalId":413751,"journal":{"name":"Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph","volume":"107 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125057895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study examines the effect assortative mating by education has on income inequality by household. In contrast to the majority of other literature in this field which focus on the United States (U.S.) as a whole, this study makes use of state-level data to examine the marriage mating market with respect to education attainment. It also examines how homogamous partnerships increase income inequality across households by analyzing changes in the Gini coefficient over time. Panel data for this analysis is from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS-International and IPUMS-USA) from the U.S. Census of the Population. Assortative mating by education is shown in this analysis to be a contributing factor to increasing inequality among homogamous heterosexual partnerships in the U.S. from 1960 to 2005. Keywords: assortative mating; education level; United States (state-level, from 1960-2005); income inequality (household); labour economics; welfare economics
{"title":"Educational assortative mating in the United States and the effect on income inequality by household from 1960 to 2005","authors":"Kathryn Swierzewski","doi":"10.21083/SURG.V6I1.1826","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21083/SURG.V6I1.1826","url":null,"abstract":"This study examines the effect assortative mating by education has on income inequality by household. In contrast to the majority of other literature in this field which focus on the United States (U.S.) as a whole, this study makes use of state-level data to examine the marriage mating market with respect to education attainment. It also examines how homogamous partnerships increase income inequality across households by analyzing changes in the Gini coefficient over time. Panel data for this analysis is from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS-International and IPUMS-USA) from the U.S. Census of the Population. Assortative mating by education is shown in this analysis to be a contributing factor to increasing inequality among homogamous heterosexual partnerships in the U.S. from 1960 to 2005. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: assortative mating; education level; United States (state-level, from 1960-2005); income inequality (household); labour economics; welfare economics","PeriodicalId":413751,"journal":{"name":"Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132954520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Coral reef diversity is correlated with the depth at which the reefs are found, the energy available for biological processes, and the species’ roles and presence throughout the food chain. Can a specific species activity alter the whole ecosystem? Can a small-scale, short-term activity such as fish behaviour have a long-term effect on a larger scale, that of the reef? Can the life stage of a species mediate substrate competition? The three-spot damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) is hypothesized to regulate competition between substrate coverage by actively farming – protecting from herbivores and weeding – in order to regulate the algal species composition and percent coverage of the reef. This behaviour is observed in both juvenile and adult fish. Deeper patches are predicted to have less coral diversity and higher algal diversity; juvenile fish are predicted to have less diversity in their patches than adults. Coral and algal diversity are hypothesized to be negatively correlated. In this study, behaviour of the S. planifrons was classified into one of four categories (active patrolling, passing patrolling, farming, and hiding) and palatable algae surface area coverage was digitized from photographs; life stage was either juvenile or adult. Coral and algal genus diversity were measured along a depth gradient of 0-16 m where the diversity of the reef was thought to be the highest. A three-way ANCOVA was performed to test whether fish behaviour (a small-scale, short-term process), depth, or fish development stage (juvenile or adult) had a significant effect on coral or algal diversity (a large-scale, long-term process). Results showed a significant effect of fish behaviour category on algal genera diversity, and a significant effect of depth on both algal and coral genera diversity. Farming yielded significantly more algal coverage than hiding. This study shows that small-scale, short-term behaviours by S. planifrons can have an effect on algal genera diversity on coral reefs in Utila, Honduras. Keywords: Stegastes planifrons (three-spotted damselfish); behaviours (short-term, small-scale); stage of development (juvenile, adult); depth; coral reef and algal diversity (long-term, large-scale); damselfish territories
{"title":"Differences in composition of territories in relation to behaviour, stage, and depth of the three-spot damselfish, Stegastes planifrons, in Caribbean coral reefs","authors":"M. J. A. Gerez","doi":"10.21083/SURG.V6I1.2057","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21083/SURG.V6I1.2057","url":null,"abstract":"Coral reef diversity is correlated with the depth at which the reefs are found, the energy available for biological processes, and the species’ roles and presence throughout the food chain. Can a specific species activity alter the whole ecosystem? Can a small-scale, short-term activity such as fish behaviour have a long-term effect on a larger scale, that of the reef? Can the life stage of a species mediate substrate competition? The three-spot damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) is hypothesized to regulate competition between substrate coverage by actively farming – protecting from herbivores and weeding – in order to regulate the algal species composition and percent coverage of the reef. This behaviour is observed in both juvenile and adult fish. Deeper patches are predicted to have less coral diversity and higher algal diversity; juvenile fish are predicted to have less diversity in their patches than adults. Coral and algal diversity are hypothesized to be negatively correlated. In this study, behaviour of the S. planifrons was classified into one of four categories (active patrolling, passing patrolling, farming, and hiding) and palatable algae surface area coverage was digitized from photographs; life stage was either juvenile or adult. Coral and algal genus diversity were measured along a depth gradient of 0-16 m where the diversity of the reef was thought to be the highest. A three-way ANCOVA was performed to test whether fish behaviour (a small-scale, short-term process), depth, or fish development stage (juvenile or adult) had a significant effect on coral or algal diversity (a large-scale, long-term process). Results showed a significant effect of fish behaviour category on algal genera diversity, and a significant effect of depth on both algal and coral genera diversity. Farming yielded significantly more algal coverage than hiding. This study shows that small-scale, short-term behaviours by S. planifrons can have an effect on algal genera diversity on coral reefs in Utila, Honduras. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: Stegastes planifrons (three-spotted damselfish); behaviours (short-term, small-scale); stage of development (juvenile, adult); depth; coral reef and algal diversity (long-term, large-scale); damselfish territories","PeriodicalId":413751,"journal":{"name":"Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph","volume":"51 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133280977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Photox has been identified as an ADP-ribosylating toxin, produced by Photorhabdus luminescens, which targets actin. Recent unpublished studies have suggested that Photox may also target actin-related proteins (Arps). Herein we report possible interacting residues of actin, Arp1 and Arp2, with Photox. Both actin and Arp1 were predicted to interact with Photox in six main groups across the NAD+ binding surface whereas four interaction groups were proposed between Arp2 and Photox. The possible interactions evaluated included hydrogen bonds, salt bridges, and electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Our results suggest that Arp1 is a very likely target of Photox, while Arp2 is also a possible candidate; however, the possible interactions between Photox and Arp2 appear to be weaker than the possible interactions between Photox and Arp1. Understanding the various interactions of Photox and its targets may help to provide insight into its biological action, and may potentially lead to a treatment plan for similar toxin-related diseases. Keywords: ADP-ribosylating toxins; Photox (Photorhabdus luminescens); actin-related proteins (Arp1, Arp2) (targeting of); in silico modeling of protein interactions
{"title":"In silico modeling of Arp1 and Arp2 as targets of Photox ADP-ribosylation","authors":"Lianne P. Davidge, Kristen V.L. Daly","doi":"10.21083/SURG.V6I1.2116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21083/SURG.V6I1.2116","url":null,"abstract":"Photox has been identified as an ADP-ribosylating toxin, produced by Photorhabdus luminescens, which targets actin. Recent unpublished studies have suggested that Photox may also target actin-related proteins (Arps). Herein we report possible interacting residues of actin, Arp1 and Arp2, with Photox. Both actin and Arp1 were predicted to interact with Photox in six main groups across the NAD+ binding surface whereas four interaction groups were proposed between Arp2 and Photox. The possible interactions evaluated included hydrogen bonds, salt bridges, and electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Our results suggest that Arp1 is a very likely target of Photox, while Arp2 is also a possible candidate; however, the possible interactions between Photox and Arp2 appear to be weaker than the possible interactions between Photox and Arp1. Understanding the various interactions of Photox and its targets may help to provide insight into its biological action, and may potentially lead to a treatment plan for similar toxin-related diseases. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: ADP-ribosylating toxins; Photox (Photorhabdus luminescens); actin-related proteins (Arp1, Arp2) (targeting of); in silico modeling of protein interactions","PeriodicalId":413751,"journal":{"name":"Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph","volume":"70 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126167095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
East Africa is home to some of the most stunning wildlife in the world. With tourism in the region’s wildlife parks growing in popularity, it is imperative to evaluate the socioeconomic and environmental costs and benefits of this expanding industry. This study conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the various impacts that tourism has brought to Kenya’s national parks by monetarily valuating each impact. While the results of this cost-benefit analysis suggest that the benefits far outweigh the costs, even when non-measurable costs are considered, a number of fundamental issues must be addressed in order to improve the cost-benefit balance. The results are likely to be representative of the overall state of tourism in Kenya’s national parks and expose key areas where improvements can be made. Improvements to tourism in Kenya’s national parks can have positive implications for local people, the environment, wildlife species, tourists, and biodiversity conservation. Keywords: tourism; national parks; Kenya; cost-benefit analysis
{"title":"Tourism in Kenya's national parks: A cost-benefit analysis","authors":"H. Cheung","doi":"10.21083/SURG.V6I1.2019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21083/SURG.V6I1.2019","url":null,"abstract":"East Africa is home to some of the most stunning wildlife in the world. With tourism in the region’s wildlife parks growing in popularity, it is imperative to evaluate the socioeconomic and environmental costs and benefits of this expanding industry. This study conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the various impacts that tourism has brought to Kenya’s national parks by monetarily valuating each impact. While the results of this cost-benefit analysis suggest that the benefits far outweigh the costs, even when non-measurable costs are considered, a number of fundamental issues must be addressed in order to improve the cost-benefit balance. The results are likely to be representative of the overall state of tourism in Kenya’s national parks and expose key areas where improvements can be made. Improvements to tourism in Kenya’s national parks can have positive implications for local people, the environment, wildlife species, tourists, and biodiversity conservation. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: tourism; national parks; Kenya; cost-benefit analysis","PeriodicalId":413751,"journal":{"name":"Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph","volume":"18 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134511186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zuzanna Drewniak, K. Finnegan, Charlotte Miles, M. Miles
There are two primary options for the successful preservation of national resources in African national parks: centralized government management and decentralized privatized management. In this article we argue that a free market environmentalism approach to the management of national parks in Africa is preferable to centralized government management. We begin by discussing social, economic, and biophysical trends related to the operations of national parks in Africa. Next, we describe the institutional and political structures of management options, including the conventional centralized planning model, and present alternatives such as co-management and privatization. We then identify current conflicts and controversies regarding national park management in the African context, which include land tenure and expropriation, poverty, and the protection of large mammalian endangered species. Finally, we apply the free market environmentalism approach to African national park management and make a case for why this approach would allow for better protection of endangered large mammal species, benefit African citizens in the surrounding communities, eliminate the free-rider incentive which can lead to acts such as poaching, and create incentives that are necessary for the preservation of African national resources. We conclude that this market-based system is effective in protecting natural resources in areas of Africa where the private owners are willing to pay for the preservation of the environment, and on privatized and which can be successfully profitable through the aid of competition in the market. Keywords: national parks; Africa; free market environmentalism; sustainability (environmental, social)
{"title":"National parks and protected areas in African countries","authors":"Zuzanna Drewniak, K. Finnegan, Charlotte Miles, M. Miles","doi":"10.21083/SURG.V6I1.1987","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21083/SURG.V6I1.1987","url":null,"abstract":"There are two primary options for the successful preservation of national resources in African national parks: centralized government management and decentralized privatized management. In this article we argue that a free market environmentalism approach to the management of national parks in Africa is preferable to centralized government management. We begin by discussing social, economic, and biophysical trends related to the operations of national parks in Africa. Next, we describe the institutional and political structures of management options, including the conventional centralized planning model, and present alternatives such as co-management and privatization. We then identify current conflicts and controversies regarding national park management in the African context, which include land tenure and expropriation, poverty, and the protection of large mammalian endangered species. Finally, we apply the free market environmentalism approach to African national park management and make a case for why this approach would allow for better protection of endangered large mammal species, benefit African citizens in the surrounding communities, eliminate the free-rider incentive which can lead to acts such as poaching, and create incentives that are necessary for the preservation of African national resources. We conclude that this market-based system is effective in protecting natural resources in areas of Africa where the private owners are willing to pay for the preservation of the environment, and on privatized and which can be successfully profitable through the aid of competition in the market. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: national parks; Africa; free market environmentalism; sustainability (environmental, social)","PeriodicalId":413751,"journal":{"name":"Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph","volume":"9 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126356858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study evaluates a research questionnaire and responses in a recent study on the influence of the Pentecostal movement in Nigeria. It observes areas of potential confusion within the questionnaire due to its wording, and suggests revisions and additional questions that might improve the relevance of the questionnaire. Through further analysis, it notes questions that may be unintentionally written with bias, thereby influencing responses, and discusses what are suggested to be the advantages and disadvantages of formatting questions in a specific manner. Finally, this study explains the process of using the aforementioned questionnaire to create an electronic database in which to organize responses. It evaluates the use of the database as a research tool and comments on the place of quantitative analysis as a whole within the study of history. Analysis of the questionnaire and database concludes that both were largely successful in accomplishing the goals of the study for which they were created. The database is found to be a valuable tool as it provides an efficient way to establish trends and focus further analysis of the information collected. The importance of this tool to the research project suggests that quantitative analysis can be of great use in historical research, though it should not replace traditional research methodology in this field. Keywords: mixed research methodologies (evaluation of); survey research; religion and politics; Pentecostal revival; Nigeria
{"title":"Analyzing a Pentecostal \"revolution\": Reflections on research methodology","authors":"L. Burton","doi":"10.21083/SURG.V6I1.1928","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21083/SURG.V6I1.1928","url":null,"abstract":"This study evaluates a research questionnaire and responses in a recent study on the influence of the Pentecostal movement in Nigeria. It observes areas of potential confusion within the questionnaire due to its wording, and suggests revisions and additional questions that might improve the relevance of the questionnaire. Through further analysis, it notes questions that may be unintentionally written with bias, thereby influencing responses, and discusses what are suggested to be the advantages and disadvantages of formatting questions in a specific manner. Finally, this study explains the process of using the aforementioned questionnaire to create an electronic database in which to organize responses. It evaluates the use of the database as a research tool and comments on the place of quantitative analysis as a whole within the study of history. Analysis of the questionnaire and database concludes that both were largely successful in accomplishing the goals of the study for which they were created. The database is found to be a valuable tool as it provides an efficient way to establish trends and focus further analysis of the information collected. The importance of this tool to the research project suggests that quantitative analysis can be of great use in historical research, though it should not replace traditional research methodology in this field. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: mixed research methodologies (evaluation of); survey research; religion and politics; Pentecostal revival; Nigeria","PeriodicalId":413751,"journal":{"name":"Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127427257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Volunteerism and relationship status differences were examined for their relatedness to empathy level, in the context of a psychological instrument for measuring empathy, the Baron-Cohen and Wheelwright Empathy Quotient (EQ). This Likerttype scale consisting of 60 items was completed by each of 100 participants, who were categorized based on self-declared volunteerism (a volunteer or not) and relationship status (in a relationship or not). Volunteerism was found to be a statistically significant factor in empathy level: those who volunteered exhibited higher empathy levels than those who did not. Relationship status was additionally statistically significant, such that those in a relationship had higher empathy levels than those who were not. When analyzed together, the factors of volunteerism and relationship status showed significant interaction in their influence on the dependent variable, empathy. Keywords: volunteerism; relationship status; empathy
{"title":"Effects of volunteerism and relationship status on empathy","authors":"M. Milanovic","doi":"10.21083/SURG.V6I1.1981","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21083/SURG.V6I1.1981","url":null,"abstract":"Volunteerism and relationship status differences were examined for their relatedness to empathy level, in the context of a psychological instrument for measuring empathy, the Baron-Cohen and Wheelwright Empathy Quotient (EQ). This Likerttype scale consisting of 60 items was completed by each of 100 participants, who were categorized based on self-declared volunteerism (a volunteer or not) and relationship status (in a relationship or not). Volunteerism was found to be a statistically significant factor in empathy level: those who volunteered exhibited higher empathy levels than those who did not. Relationship status was additionally statistically significant, such that those in a relationship had higher empathy levels than those who were not. When analyzed together, the factors of volunteerism and relationship status showed significant interaction in their influence on the dependent variable, empathy. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: volunteerism; relationship status; empathy","PeriodicalId":413751,"journal":{"name":"Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph","volume":"286 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123309917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Iron’s activity in the body can be two-faced. On the one hand it is integral to many enzymatic reactions; on the other hand it is toxic, with a great capacity for cellular damage. This review examines iron in the brain through the lens of multiple sclerosis (MS), reviewing the functions of intracellular and extracellular iron and their impact on the disease, as well as highlighting the focus of new research and controversial therapies. The primary cause of MS has remained enigmatic, ever since its first clinical documentation. Several studies have suggested a link between MS and iron. Abnormal iron accumulation has been found as deposits in MS lesions around cerebral veins, in the macrophages surrounding MS lesions, and also in deep brain structures. There are features of MS, such as the inflammatory environment and altered vasculature, which are important in highlighting mechanisms of how iron can accumulate, and also how iron dysregulation can create a positive feedback cycle that further promotes neurodegeneration and increased iron accumulation. This potential link between iron and MS has gained widespread attention, in part due to the controversial cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) hypothesis and “Liberation Therapy” first introduced by Dr. Zamboni in 2008. Determining the role of iron in MS will help provide a better insight to the different factions of scientists who disagree on whether MS is primarily an autoimmune disorder, or whether a neurodegenerative mechanism is the instigator. Keywords: multiple sclerosis (MS) and therapies; iron (regulation in the brain, link to disease); CCSVI hypothesis; Liberation Therapy (Zamboni, 2008); review
{"title":"Iron in the brain: Heavy metal mismanagement","authors":"Erin Stephenson","doi":"10.21083/SURG.V6I1.1978","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21083/SURG.V6I1.1978","url":null,"abstract":"Iron’s activity in the body can be two-faced. On the one hand it is integral to many enzymatic reactions; on the other hand it is toxic, with a great capacity for cellular damage. This review examines iron in the brain through the lens of multiple sclerosis (MS), reviewing the functions of intracellular and extracellular iron and their impact on the disease, as well as highlighting the focus of new research and controversial therapies. The primary cause of MS has remained enigmatic, ever since its first clinical documentation. Several studies have suggested a link between MS and iron. Abnormal iron accumulation has been found as deposits in MS lesions around cerebral veins, in the macrophages surrounding MS lesions, and also in deep brain structures. There are features of MS, such as the inflammatory environment and altered vasculature, which are important in highlighting mechanisms of how iron can accumulate, and also how iron dysregulation can create a positive feedback cycle that further promotes neurodegeneration and increased iron accumulation. This potential link between iron and MS has gained widespread attention, in part due to the controversial cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) hypothesis and “Liberation Therapy” first introduced by Dr. Zamboni in 2008. Determining the role of iron in MS will help provide a better insight to the different factions of scientists who disagree on whether MS is primarily an autoimmune disorder, or whether a neurodegenerative mechanism is the instigator. \u0000 \u0000Keywords: multiple sclerosis (MS) and therapies; iron (regulation in the brain, link to disease); CCSVI hypothesis; Liberation Therapy (Zamboni, 2008); review","PeriodicalId":413751,"journal":{"name":"Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129211055","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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