28360 research outputs found
Sort by
Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on online eating disorder communities on Reddit
Full text linkLike precedent disease outbreaks, COVID-19 has immense implications for health challenges. The social restrictions and disruption in daily activities pose a psychological burden for humans worldwide and may be particularly detrimental for individuals with mental disorders. Psychological stressors stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant stay-at-home orders may exacerbate Eating Disorder(ED)- related triggers and present a challenging environment for individuals with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. In this research, we aim to comprehend how COVID-19 has affected individuals with eating disorders through a comparative analysis of data obtained from online communities. We developed a tool for extracting information from well-known social media communities such as Reddit. We collected data spanning two years before and after the declaration of the pandemic from the subreddits r/AnorexiaNervosa, r/BingeEatingDisorder, and r/EatingDisorders. The research presents multi-faceted tasks where we analyze the content of each of the subreddits by applying a strategy that combines topic modeling, social network analysis, and time series modeling for a better understanding of these communities on both content and
network levels. Through a comparative analysis, we address the discussion topic changes based on users? content and determine how COVID-19 leads to changes in communication patterns within the communities. Finally, we implement time series models like ARIMA, Prophet, LSTM, and
Transformer on daily posts and comments count to forecast users? activities within the subreddit and establish a performance comparison of these time series models. The findings indicate that both the content of users? discussions and the level of communication and online support-seeking related to eating disorders on Reddit underwent significant changes during the pandemic
Pediatric Preparedness in a Rural Health System
Full text linkPediatric emergencies present significant challenges and emotional strain in healthcare settings. In critical access hospitals, the provision of safe, effective, and high-quality emergency response for pediatric cases is especially demanding. Many rural hospitals have infrequent exposure to pediatric emergency care, which can contribute to a lack of confidence when caring for this population. Diminished confidence in pediatric skills and procedures has been linked with a reduction in overall patient safety. Research on pediatric emergency preparedness in rural settings outlines the need for further multi-faceted education to achieve increased provider comfort and preparedness.
The practice improvement project aimed to understand health provider comfort related to pediatric trauma preparedness at a critical access hospital in rural southwest North Dakota. A pediatric education-based seminar was developed in response to the facility healthcare providers? educational needs and was implemented to further evaluate the impact that simulation, didactic education, and hands-on skills have on perceived comfort and knowledge. Evaluation of the concluded practice improvement project showed valuable insights into the state of pediatric preparedness in rural healthcare. A pre-seminar needs assessment and post-survey were administered. Post-survey results reflected an increase in knowledge related to caring for pediatric patients after the seminar. The positive influence of education reflected an increase in comfort levels among participants. Many participants felt that their future practice would be changed due to the seminar education. Findings supported a need among healthcare providers for regular education and training. Overall, the analysis and results of the project supported the need for future pediatric preparedness training and the positive impact that education can have on healthcare providers. These findings support the project's potential to influence the future direction and emphasis of rural health education
Embarking on the analytical odyssey: a phenomenological exploration of the psychoanalytic journey of formation
Full text linkThis Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study explored the lived experiences of Lacanian psychoanalysts undergoing formation. The research aimed to elucidate the subjective dimensions of the psychoanalytic journey by addressing three primary questions: (a) What are psychoanalysts? fundamental experiences and challenges during their formation and training? (b) How do psychoanalysts perceive the impact of their formation on their professional development? (c) What roles do supervision, personal analysis, and organizational support play in the formation of psychoanalysts?
Three participants affiliated with the Colorado Analytic Forum were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using IPA?s six-step process, incorporating reflexive journaling and member-checking to ensure trustworthiness.
Four Group Experiential Themes (GETs) emerged: Challenge, Personal and Professional Growth, Effects/Acts, and Formation. Participants navigated clinical, conceptual, and personal challenges, with growth occurring through validating inner strengths and reconciling external ideals with internal truths. Pivotal turning points, catalyzed by adversity and realization, led to decisive actions that realigned developmental trajectories. Formation itself emerged as an ongoing process of reconciling theory and practice, external pressures and internal ethics.
The findings illuminate the transformative nature of the psychoanalytic formation journey, characterized by continuous self-reflection, immersion in the analytic method, and the pursuit of understanding the unconscious. Supervision, personal analysis, and organizational support played crucial roles, facilitating growth, providing guidance, and shaping the participants? evolving identities as analysts.
This study contributes to the understanding of the subjective dimensions of contemporary Lacanian psychoanalytic formation. The findings offer valuable insights for enhancing training practices, support mechanisms, and the ongoing development of psychoanalysts. By embracing the complexity and perpetual nature of formation, this research invites further exploration of the profound personal and professional odyssey undertaken by those dedicating themselves to the practice of psychoanalysis
The effect of shale energy activity on house values
No full textThe combination of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling has fundamentally raised the volume of oil and gas that can be extracted domestically in the US. Increased shale oil and gas production benefits U.S. consumers and helps boost local and regional economies. On the other hand, the costs attributed to shale activity appear to be much more localized, prompting the question of whether shale activity benefits the local communities that bear its externalities. Previous conclusions on the net impacts of shale activity on local house values have been mixed. This study analyzes the effect of shale production on typical house prices across counties in the continental U.S. from 2010 to 2019. Our findings suggest that shale activity does not significantly impact typical house prices. We deduce that at a county level, the pros and cons of shale activity related to residential real estate values appear to offset each other
At the intersection of gender and sexuality: the role of a counselor in the co-transitioning process
Full text linkTransgender and gender-diverse people experience prejudice, invalidation, and minority stress. There have been strides towards counselor competency when working with this population, however research is limited in exploring how a counselor can help the cisgender partners and partner dynamics. The research becomes scanter if the cisgender partner identifies as gay or lesbian. ?Co-transitioning? is a term introduced by Theron & Collier (2013) that refers to the adaptation process a partner undergoes alongside their transitioning partner (Theron & Collier, 2013, as cited in Siboni et al., 2023). While a trans individual is transitioning, their partner must also renegotiate different aspects of their identity, as well as navigate a new relationship dynamic. Thus, the cisgender partner is engaging in a transition of their own. With limited evidence-based research available, counselors may not be providing competent services to trans partners. Research suggests that the partners who seek counseling services often experience a lack of psychological support (Van Acker et al., 2023). To combat the lack of research and support, this study aimed to answer the following research question: ?What is a counselor?s role in helping gay/lesbian, cisgender partners of trans individuals navigate the co-transitioning process?? The goal of this study was to explore this population's needs and how a counselor may assist these individuals through the co-transitioning process
REDUCCI?N DEL TRIGO CON CRESTA (AGROPYRON CRISTATUM (L.) GAERTN) Y MEJORACI?N DE LA SALUD DEL SUELO PARA FACILITAR LA RESTAURACI?N DE PLANTAS NATIVAS
No full textLand managers seek to restore diversity of native plant species to areas dominated by introduced crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.; CWG). This study was initiated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to find the most effective treatment or treatment combination in reducing CWG cover and enhancing soil for native species establishment. Our treatments used alone and in combination were tillage, herbicide, cover crops, and a soil amendment.
We found that CWG reduction was dependent on tillage or herbicide, with the highest reduction in their combination. The combination of these included the addition of cover crops and amendment but still led to the lowest total microbial abundances, along with the lowest fungal-to-bacterial ratio. Cover crop was highest in microbial abundances in the greenhouse and amendment was highest in the field. Herbicide led to increased soil nitrate and low labile carbon, but this was offset by cover crop addition
The integration of multiple cardiovascular and pulmonary models into a single unified cardiopulmonary model
Full text linkThere has been an increasing effort to employ cardiovascular (CV) and pulmonary models to assist in the study of disease, answer research questions, and study the effects of a medical treatment or device. To properly study the intricate dynamics of the CV and pulmonary systems, a comprehensive model is required to achieve a holistic understanding of its mechanics and view the emergent properties of the complex and dynamic cardiopulmonary system. This study builds on the work of Mauro Ursino et al., by taking their multiple CV and pulmonary models and integrating them together within the scalable environment of MATLAB and Simulink. Multiple published mathematical models were implemented and integrated together within Simulink and MATLAB, its hemodynamics and lung mechanics were verified, and the model was additionally adapted for use simulating an invasive pressure-volume (PV) study of the effects of vascular aging of the aorta on cardiac function and efficiency
Structural Basis of Key Conserved Cell-Surface Signaling Pathways Involved in Iron Import
Full text linkCell surface signaling (CSS) allows Gram-negative bacteria to transcriptionally regulate gene expression in response to external stimuli. CSS pathways involve three key components: an outer membrane transducer for sensing the extracellular stimuli; an inner membrane sigma regulator for relaying the signal; and a cytoplasmic sigma factor, which activates transcription of target genes. The goal of this research was to structurally and biophysically characterize events leading to the processing of the sigma regulator that results in transcription activation. Our model systems are the Pseudomonas capeferrum BN7/8 (Pup) and Escherichia coli ferric citrate (Fec) uptake pathways.
We detail the X-ray crystal structure of the N-terminal signaling domain (NTSD) of the transducer, PupB, complexed with the C-terminal cell-surface signaling domain (CCSSD) of the sigma regulator, PupR. Stabilization of the PupR CCSSD by the PupB NTSD provides a rationale for the formation of a preformed CSS complex. Additionally, we probed the FecR CCSSD and FecA NTSD interaction and observed similarities. We found the FecA NTSD complexes with the FecR CCSSD and stabilizes the domain in nonsignaling conditions indicating a conserved mechanism.
Further, we show that access to the PupR CCSSD is only possible in the absence of the PupB NTSD. Pulldown assays, isothermal titration calorimetry, protease assays, and mass spectrometry analysis demonstrate the site-1 protease, Prc, only recognizes and degrades PupR in the absence of the PupB NTSD. X-ray crystal structures of Prc mutants and potential product peptides reveal transitions between ?closed? and ?open? conformations as well as catalytic intermediates in the protease active site. Size exclusion small angle X-ray scattering data confirms the Prc conformations in solution and an elongated molecular envelope of the Prc:PupR complex. Together this provides new structural insights into protease activation during CSS.
Finally, we studied the TonB C-terminal domain of P. capeferrum by size exclusion small angle X-ray scattering. Our results indicate it forms a monomeric structure in solution.
Overall, our results indicate there is a conserved CSS pathway that has been characterized by our individual signal transduction states. Thus, we have provided novel implications in ferric siderophore uptake and the mechanism of iron import mediated CSS
Kibera Public School: Empowering Kenya Through the Use of Local Materials and Labor
Full text linkKibera Public School seeks to empower the individuals living in Kibera Slum, Kenya,
through the use of local materials and labor. Due to Kibera?s substantial percentage of children
who are not attending school, Kibera Public School provides an affordable, comfortable, safe,
and sustainable environment for the students living in Kibera Slum, who cannot afford to attend
a private school. Furthermore, this school is dependent on the use of local materials and labor
and through the utilization of these resources, it provides the community of Kibera with valuable construction skills that can be used elsewhere and a sense of ownership in the school. This thesis examines the current conditions of school environments, in Kenya, showing how local materials and labor can be used to enhance the overall conditions of its schools affordably and sustainably
