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A Mixed Methods Comparison of Oral Hygiene Behaviors by Gender Among Mexican-Origin Young Adults in California
Full text linkObjectiveThis mixed methods study explores gender differences in, and reasons for, toothbrushing and flossing among Mexican-origin adults.MethodsInterviews and surveys about oral hygiene behaviors were collected from 72 adults (ages 21-40) living on the California-Mexico border. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed in their original language (English/Spanish), then coded. Survey responses were linked to coded transcripts in Dedoose. Qualitative reports were thematically analyzed for each behavior, stratified into four groups by gender and whether or not participants met American Dental Association (ADA) weekly guidelines (brushing ≥ 14/week; flossing ≥ 7/week). Self-reported weekly frequencies of brushing and flossing were collected continuously, and then dichotomized as meeting guidelines or not. Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests assessed differences in hygiene behavior frequency by gender. Negative binomial and logistic regressions were performed, accounting for socio-demographic characteristics.ResultsOverall, 76% and 40% of adults met ADA guidelines for brushing and flossing, respectively. There were no differences in meeting ADA guidelines by gender. When brushing was examined continuously, women brushed 1.24 (1.05-1.47; p = 0.0099) times the rate of weekly brushing than men in the full model; flossing frequency differences were not found. Men and women, whether ADA guidelines were met or not, identified similar brushing and flossing facilitators (health concerns, aesthetics), and barriers (lack of time, not being home). Some women (mothers) were motivated to brush to be role models for their children. Self-efficacy, or confidence in ability to brush or floss, was described differently by adults who met ADA guidelines (high self-efficacy) compared to the adults not meeting guidelines (low self-efficacy).ConclusionsIntegrating quantitative and qualitative data obtained from Mexican-origin adults identified few differences in both oral hygiene behaviors and the factors that influence their enactment
Soil and climate contribute to maintenance of a flower color polymorphism
No full textPREMISE: Floral pigments such as anthocyanins are well known to influence pollinator attraction, yet they also confer tolerance to abiotic stressors such as harsh soils, extreme temperatures, low precipitation, and UV radiation. In such cases, environmental variation in abiotic stressors over space or time could lead to the maintenance of flower color variation within species. Under this scenario, flower color in natural populations should covary with environmental stressors. METHODS: Using a comparative approach, we tested whether abiotic variables predict flower color in Leptosiphon parviflorus, a species with pink and white flower color morphs. We conducted in-depth field studies to assess morph frequency, soil chemistry, and climate. We then employed community scientist-powered iNaturalist observations to examine patterns across even larger spatial scales. RESULTS: Across 21 field sites, L. parviflorus had a higher frequency of pink morphs in sites with serpentine soil, higher average annual temperatures, and higher average climatic water deficit (a proxy for drought stress). iNaturalist observations supported this finding-the probability of flowers being pink is greater in locations with serpentine-derived soil, especially when the local average UV radiation and climatic water deficit are higher. CONCLUSIONS: Spatial variation in abiotic stressors may contribute to the maintenance of flower color variation across the geographic range of L. parviflorus. Future studies will examine mechanisms by which flower color affects stress tolerance and will assess whether fitness trade-offs in contrasting habitats across the range are associated with flower color
Chiral effects at the metal center in Fe(III) spin crossover coordination salts
Full text linkEvidence of chirality was observed at the Fe metal center in Fe(III) spin crossover coordination salts [Fe(qsal)2][Ni(dmit)2] and [Fe(qsal)2](TCNQ)2from x-ray absorption (XAS) spectroscopy at the Fe 2p3/2core threshold. Based on the circularly polarized XAS data, the x-ray natural circular dichroism for [Fe(qsal)2][Ni(dmit)2] and [Fe(qsal)2](TCNQ)2is far stronger than seen for [Fe(qsal)2]Cl suggesting this natural circular dichroism signature is a ligand effect rather than a result of just a loss of octahedral symmetry on the Fe core. The larger the chiral effects in the Fe 2p core to bound XAS, the greater the perturbation of the Fe 2p3/2to 2p1/2spin-orbit splitting seen in the XAS spectra
DIY Affordable Window Shading
Full text linkThis document shows how you can easily and affordably shade your windows to keep your home from getting too hot on sunny days. This phenomenon (what researchers call “solar heat gain”) can threaten occupant comfort and safety, especially during heatwaves. Still, many homes lack adequate protection.
All of these solutions can be implemented inexpensively using common household items or items that can easily be purchased online. Additionally, you don’t need specialized tools or expertise to install them. Note that these are ideally temporary fixes, so households with sufficient means should still pursue permanent ones (e.g.,shades—preferably on the outside—or specialized windows or films). In their absence, the stopgap measures described
below can help protect you and your loved ones during
heatwaves and other exceptional events
The surface termination of a Fe (III) spin crossover molecular salt
Full text linkFrom a comparison of the known molecular stoichiometry and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, it is evident that the Fe(III) spin crossover salt [Fe(qsal)2Ni(dmit)2] has a preferential surface termination with the Ni(dmit)2moiety, where qsal = N(8quinolyl)salicylaldimine, and dmit2-= 1,3-dithiol-2-thione-4,5-dithiolato. This preferential surface termination leads to a significant surface to bulk core level shift for the Ni 2p x-ray photoemission core level, not seen in the corresponding Fe 2p core level spectra. A similar surface to bulk core level shift is seen in Pd 3d in the related [Fe(qsal)2]2Pd(dmit)2. Inverse photoemission spectroscopy, compared with the x-ray absorption spectra at the Ni-L3,2 edge provides some indication of the density of states resulting from the dmit2-= 1,3-dithiol-2-thione-4,5-dithiolato ligand unoccupied molecular orbitals and thus supports the evidence regarding surface termination in the Ni(dmit)2moiety
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) Final Report - MITRE Domain Specific Language (DSL) for synthetic biology workflows
Full text linkAssociation between behavioural risk factors for hypertension and concordance with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension dietary pattern among South Asians in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study
No full textAbstract:
South Asians are among the fastest-growing immigrant population group in the United States (U.S.) with a unique disease risk profile. Due in part to immigration and acculturation factors, South Asians engage differently with behavioural risk factors (e.g. smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and diet) for hypertension, which may be modified for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Using data from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America cohort, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis to evaluate the association between behavioural risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diet. We created a behavioural risk factor score based on smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and TV watching. We also calculated a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary score based on inclusion of relevant dietary components. We used both scores to examine the association between engaging with risk factors for hypertension and the DASH diet among a cohort of South Asian adults. We found that participants with 3–4 behavioural risk factors had a DASH diet score that was 3 units lower than those with no behavioural risk factors (aβ: –3.25; 95% CI: –4.28, –2.21) and were 86% less likely to have a DASH diet score in the highest category compared to the lowest DASH diet score category (aOR: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.37) in the fully adjusted models. These findings highlight the relationship between behavioural risk factors for hypertension among South Asians in the U.S
On the number of squares in a finite word
Full text linkLet be a nonempty finite word, a square is a word of the form . In this paper, we prove that for a given finite word , the number of distinct square factors of is bounded by , where denotes the length of and denotes the number of distinct letters in . This result answers positively a conjecture stated by Fraenkel and Simpson in 1998 and the -step conjecture stated by Deza, Franek and Jiang in 2011.Mathematics Subject Classifications: 68R15, 68R10, 68R05Keywords: Combinatorics on words, squares, repetitio
Conservation of Paraguay’s floristic biodiversity: a biogeographical analysis with a multi-scale spatial approach for the identification of priority areas
Full text linkAreas of endemism are defined as regions where two or more species share congruent distributions, representing primary homologies in historical biogeography. These areas are critical for conservation efforts. This study identified areas of endemism in Paraguay using an endemicity analysis (EA) with NDM/VNDM software, based on 2,587 records of 106 plant species. We used grids of 0.5° and 0.6° latitude and longitude to evaluate the stability of these areas across different spatial scales. Sixty areas of endemism were identified and grouped into seven consensus areas. Two of these areas, located in the Dry Chaco and the Alto Paraná Atlantic Forest (BAAPA), were consistent across both scales. No endemism areas were found in the Humid Chaco or Pantanal regions. In the Cerrado, two consensus areas overlapped with those of the BAAPA. Additionally, a consensus area was identified in the Cordillera de los Altos and the southern BAAPA region, highlighting a biogeographic transition and the ecotonal nature of the area
