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“Rights Not Rescue”: How Stigma Influences Harmful Legislation Toward Sex Workers in the Deep South
No full textIn the United States, while prostitution or sex work is not explicitly illegal at a federal level, certain characteristics have been criminalized, mainly in indirect ways. This is significant when considering the different ways that sex work is regarded (both positively and negatively) at an institutional level. The current study examines the potential correlation between structural/institutional stigma regarding sex work/sex workers and legislation meant to directly or indirectly harm sex workers. The overall goal of this research was to answer the following question: How does structural/institutional stigma against sex workers present itself in legislation? To accomplish this, I conducted a qualitative content analysis of anti-prostitution statutes in the states that fall within the “Deep South” region of the United States. The “Deep South” constitutes roughly as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina” (Davis et al., 2009:3). A qualitative content analysis was used to reintroduce the information provided in of each states’ anti-prostitution statute(s) into numerical data that can be categorized regarding the language within the statutes themselves. This analysis centered primarily on the rate and frequency of certain keywords used in each statute by each state and their legislature. Three categories were specifically created due to a significant amount of the literature cited centering on these elements when discussing how anti-sex work legislation was designed and drafted: punitive, supportive and stigmatizing. This analysis yielded significant results when analyzing one of the three perspectives used to frame this analysis: Stigmatizing. There were very little results regarding supportive language used in the statutes from each state. Overall, this analysis found that the language used in each states’ statutes was more punitive and stigmatizing and less supportive
Investigating the role of selenium-dependent Stickland reactions in Clostridioides difficile bioenergetics
No full textClostridioides difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium and one of the leading causes of antibiotic- associated diarrhea. Colonization depends on the metabolism of certain nutrients in the host gut, namely amino acids and carbohydrates. C. difficile ferments amino acids as an integral part of its metabolism via Stickland reactions, utilizing the selenoproteins D-proline reductase (Prd) and glycine reductase (Grd) to generate energy. Specificity of selenocysteine incorporation reflects the intracellular levels of selenophosphate, the activated selenium donor synthesized by selenophosphate synthetase (SelD). SelD is coincidentally a selenoprotein itself, containing a UGA codon at position 17 (Sec-17). The functional and physiological importance of Sec-17 has not been previously investigated in C. difficile. Furthermore, while the role of selenoproteins in C. difficile amino acid catabolism is well known, recent in vivo experiments suggest a preference for proline and glycine, as well as certain sugars during infection. In this study, we generated a deletion mutant in the hypervirulent strain R20291 unable to produce selenoproteins (∆selAB), as well as created strains with a mutated Sec-17 in the SelD protein. We performed physiological and metabolic assays in defined minimal media supplemented with different carbohydrate sources and found that selenoprotein deficiency decreased viability and motility, demonstrating a selenium-dependent phenotype related to carbohydrate metabolism. This implies that the oxidation of carbohydrates may be coupled to the reduction of different substrates depending on the carbohydrate source. Moreover, we found that mutating Sec-17 to a cysteine residue in SelD decreased Grd levels in a minimal medium and impacted amino acid and carbohydrate metabolic pathways. These results provide a direct link between carbohydrate and selenium-dependent Stickland reactions in C. difficile, broadening the field’s insight into the complex metabolism of this pathogen
Roles of IFN-Alpha/Beta and IFN-Gamma in Enhancing and Inhibiting NK Cell Mediated Killing of Oncolytic Virus Infected Tumor Cells
No full textType I interferon (IFN-I) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) are potent cytokines that can be produced by virus-infected cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells, respectively. The relative roles of these two IFNs in promoting NK cell killing of tumor cells was tested in the context of combining particle-based ex vivo expanded PM21-NK cells and infection with oncolytic Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5). Activated NK cells produce IFN-γ, which can upregulate NK cell inhibitory ligands on tumor cells and reduce NK cell killing. We hypothesized that resistance of tumor cells to NK cell killing could be overcome by expression of the PIV5 V protein, which has known roles in blocking IFN-γ signaling. Delivery of V protein to neuroblastoma cells conferred resistance to IFN-γ-mediated increases in NK cell inhibitory ligands and increased susceptibility to PM21-NK cell-mediated killing. We used a PIV5 P/V gene mutant that is a strong inducer of IFN-I synthesis and WT PIV5 which is a poor inducer of IFN-I to test the hypothesis that IFN-I positively mediates NK cell functions. Both WT and P/V mutant viruses infected PM21-NK cells and caused extensive cytopathic effects. In a co-culture model, WT PIV5 was able to spread to naïve NK cells but IFN-I induction by the P/V mutant protected NK cells from virus spread. Direct treatment of PM21-NK cells with IFN-I: 1) enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity towards tumor cells, due in-part to upregulation of the death ligand TRAIL, and 2) also reduced IFN-γ secretion. Our results uncover opposing effects of IFN-I and IFN-γ on NK cell killing of tumor cells in culture, with IFN-I promoting PM21-NK cell killing by multiple mechanisms. Our findings provide a foundation for exploiting properties of PIV5 oncolytic viruses (e.g., V protein, IFN-I induction) to promote their therapeutic use along with adoptively transferred NK cells
A Community-Based Wellness Program to Increase Exercise Adherence For Menopausal and Postmenopausal Women: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study
No full textEvidence exists that long-term commitment to an exercise routine is beneficial. Contrarily, there is a notable lack in exercise adherence among menopausal and postmenopausal women. Though research has thoroughly examined the reasons why menopausal and postmenopausal women may not be committed to an exercise routine, it remains unclear what motivates those who are adherent. This pilot study employed a mixed-methods design through administering surveys and conducting in-person focus group interviews. Additionally, an 8-week buddy system was implemented to assess the role of social support and its effect on exercise adherence. For quantitative data collection, a total of 7 participants enrolled in the study with, 6 participants submitting complete data. For qualitative data collection, a total of 5 participants volunteered to take part in the focus group interviews. Social Support Theory guided this study in understanding how social networks influenced exercise adherence among menopausal and postmenopausal women during a life stage often marked by symptoms that can impact overall quality of life. Findings from the quantitative data analysis may suggest that women who experienced symptoms of menopause had greater exercise self-efficacy. Results from the qualitative data analysis provided a deeper understanding into the reasons why menopausal and postmenopausal women remained committed to an exercise routine and revealed how the women used motivational self-talk as a cognitive process in overcoming challenges to showing up to their exercise classes. This pilot study laid the foundation for a larger study to be conducted which may include health education sessions and expanding the inclusion criteria to include participants who are not already adherent to an exercise routine to compare to those who are. Furthermore, a future exercise adherence model was developed that could be potentially put into practice at local community-based wellness facilities.
Keywords: menopause, postmenopausal, exercise adherence, social support, buddy system, partner workou
A Forgotten Kairos: Rhetorical Memory in 16th Century Europe
No full textIn 16th century Europe the nearly 2000-year-old discipline of rhetoric, still a pillar of education, underwent significant change. One of the more curious changes occurred in rhetoric’s subdivision known as memory, memoria, that is, memory’s “artificial” cultivation. During the 16th century rhetorical memory was paradoxically both maximized and marginalized as a discipline. And by the early 17th century memoria was all but extinct as a branch of rhetoric. The causal mechanisms of this transformation remain underexamined, particularly by rhetoric and composition scholars, and most explanations remain unclear and uncompelling. Accordingly, this thesis attempts a new approach to rhetorical memory’s puzzling obsolescence. Still adhering to traditional historiographic methods, other, non-traditional, markedly rhetorical techniques are employed. Rhetorical terms such as kairos, topoi and “rhetorical situation” are layered into and substituted for conventional, less-interrogated paradigms and ideas, such as chronology, education, the Reformation, and so on. By adjusting the metaphorical substructures and traditional heuristics of conventional analysis, new perspectives on this important chapter in the history of rhetoric and education are achieved
American Muslim Women’s Experiences with Pregnancy And Childbirth In The United States Healthcare System
No full textMuslim women adhere to specific religious beliefs and practices, which can inform their healthcare decisions and requirements during pregnancy and childbirth. Despite an increase in the Muslim population in the U.S., there is currently limited research on Muslim women\u27s maternity care and experiences. To address the gaps in knowledge, this study explored Muslim women’s experiences with pregnancy and childbirth in the U.S. Data consists of interviews from 20 Muslim women who had pregnancy and childbirth in the U.S. A thematic analysis was used to analyze and report the findings. The findings revealed that modesty was a significant concern during pregnancy and childbirth for all participants. Participants expressed that their beliefs and practices on modesty are influenced by their Islamic faith. Their beliefs and practices regarding external modesty (physical covering of the body) and internal modesty (characteristics, interactions, and conduct) influenced their needs and experiences during pregnancy and childbirth. Participants reported that for them to maintain their external and internal modesty requirements during pregnancy and childbirth, they needed female-only healthcare providers, private rooms, and for their bodies to remain appropriately covered during medical exams and childbirth. Birthing locations were chosen based on the cost, their birth method, the overall environment, access to midwives, and access to medical facilities. Participants shared that the ideal environment for Muslim women to experience pregnancy and childbirth would be accommodating to their religious and personal beliefs, have qualified female-only healthcare providers, provide halal food, and offer physical, spiritual, and emotional support. These findings are significant because they can create more inclusive spaces for Muslim women, with the potential to contribute to a maternity care system that serves women from various backgrounds
Exploring the Role of Fatty Acid Signaling in Macrophages
No full textDietary fatty acids play critical roles in both the gustatory and immune systems. In taste, they serve as the sapid molecules that underlie the ability to taste fat, whereas in the immune system, they serve as messengers that help facilitate the fuel-based reprogramming of macrophages (MΦ) that underlie optimal immune function. It has become clear in recent years that there is a functional interaction between the taste and immune system, and fatty acid signaling pathways serve as one focus of this overlap. Similar to taste receptor cells (TRCs), MΦ express G protein-coupled fatty acid receptors GPR120 and GPR84, and our calcium imaging assays reveal they respond over a similar concentration range. As a first approach, we explored the interaction between taste and immune function by exploring the direct effects of fatty acids on MΦ polarization from M0 into M1 or M2 phenotypes using both RAW 264.7 cells and acutely isolated MΦs. We report changes in the MΦ phenotype in response to stimulation with saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and subsequent changes in cytokine release. TRCs are known to express a variety of cytokine receptors, including IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1ß, and may serve as the target for these different M1- and M2-mediated cytokines and provide a pathway for immune modulation of taste. TRCs, as well, release cytokines that, in turn, may influence immune function. We will present data that reflects efforts toward our eventual goal of understanding this relationship between gustatory and immune system function
Optimized HIV/AIDS Resource Allocation in Ohio: A linear programming approach
Get PDFThis study employs a linear and integer programming approach to optimize HIV resource allocation in Ohio, aiming to minimize new infections and enhance the impact of limited resources. With the advances in HIV prevention and treatment, Ohio faces challenges in addressing disparities in access to healthcare, particularly among high-risk populations. The proposed model integrates data on infection rates, transmission patterns, demographic factors, and cost-effectiveness to provide a decision-support framework for policymakers. Using epidemiological data and equity constraints, the model prioritizes high-risk regions and populations while ensuring fair resource distribution. Results indicate that increased funding allocations significantly enhance the potential to avert new infections. This research underscores the importance of data-driven strategies in achieving the objectives outlined in the HIV National Strategic Plan, emphasizing targeted interventions and equitable healthcare access to curb the epidemic effectively
Comparative Evaluation of Linear Regression, Cross Validation and Regularization Approaches in Multivariate Data Analysis
Get PDFThis study evaluates linear regression and its enhanced variants incorporating cross-validation and regularization techniques for high-dimensional, multivariate datasets. We address challenges such as multicollinearity and overfitting. Methods including Ridge, LASSO, and Elastic Net are compared against ordinary least squares regression. Empirical analysis using an automobile dataset for fuel efficiency prediction shows that while OLS regression captures basic relationships, its limitations are mitigated through regularization and cross-validation, resulting in improved model interpretability. The findings provide a comprehensive framework for predictive modeling in complex data environments and offer insights into statistical methodology and practical applications in the automobile industry
Student Perspectives on Open Education and Open Ed Live Closing
No full textHow does open education shape the student experience? Beyond access to course materials, open educational practices foster collaboration, creativity, and new ways of learning. This panel brings together UCF students who have engaged with open education from different perspectives—as learners, as advocates, and as innovators. Panelists will share how approaches to open education have influenced their academic journeys, from accessing open educational resources, to co-creating content and engaging in participatory learning experiences. They will also discuss the challenges and opportunities of openness in education and how students can play an active role in shaping the future of learning. Join us for a discussion on the impact of open education inside and outside the classroom, and hear how student voices and ideas are driving meaningful change