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Understanding child sexual abuse: Analyzing the components, risk factors, rates, effects, and prevention measures
No full textChild sexual abuse is an ongoing issue in the United States, with estimates of around 50,000 children per year experiencing sexual abuse. The severity of sexual abuse has been categorized as non-contact, contact, and penetrative/intercourse sexual abuse. The present study explores which types of factors—among cases processed in Texas—are related to the severity of sexual abuse. A retrospective chart review from 2017 to 2023 was conducted using a multinomial analysis of 50 females and 36 males from a foster care agency in Texas. Results indicated that mental health status and certain demographics of child victims were significantly associated with the severity of sexual abuse. Descriptive statistics produced findings that aligned with previous child sexual abuse research on victim and perpetrator demographics, complex trauma, placement disruptions, and family dynamics. This study highlights that child sexual abuse case characteristics are not linear due to a multitude of independent factors
Utilizing physical educators to monitor muscular strength and neuromuscular control among children with varied recess time
No full textIntroduction: Inactivity levels among children are climbing at alarming rates, leading to a lack of physical activities that produce muscular strength (MusS) development, which in turn creates effective neuromuscular control (NC) development. Developing appropriate MusS during childhood decreases the chances of physical injuries and many chronic diseases such as type II diabetes and cancer, which leads to healthier, active future adults. The purpose of this study was to utilize the physical education setting to examine MusS and NC factors in the Fall and Spring (Time 1 to Time 2) of one school year in a predominately Hispanic sample of second-grade children who received 60 min or 20 min of daily recess. Methods: This quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study administered four MusS tests and one NC test to District 1 (N = 59) which received 60 min of recess daily (intervention), and District 2 (N = 49) which received one 20 min daily recess (control). ANCOVAs were run for group differences at Time 2 while controlling for Time 1. Results: Intervention children significantly outperformed control children on the single leg 3-hop muscular strength test F(1,105) = 13.1, p < .001, n2 = .05, and the neuromuscular control side-step test F(1,105) = 4.77, p = .03, n2 = .04. Between group ANCOVAs controlling for body fat percentages showed the single leg 3-hop test remained significant between groups F(1,91) = 23.5, p < .001, n2 = .09. Discussion: Increased recess was shown to aid in improved lower body muscular strength and neuromuscular control among second grade children, even when controlling for body fat percentages. As 70% of American children are not participating in the recommended daily activity guidelines, and roughly 20% of American children are overweight, exploring movement opportunities for children and efficient means of monitoring MusS and NC is pivotal to future health and movement functions of children
Pre-Anesthesia Assessment of Anxiety in Pediatrics
No full textThis study evaluated the anxiety assessments that different healthcare workers conduct on pediatric patients before they undergo general anesthesia. Research has shown that pre-anesthesia anxiety in pediatrics can lead to negative surgical outcomes and an increased need for pain management therapies after surgery. The purpose of this project was to explore the use of pre-anesthesia anxiety assessment tools in pediatrics, gain more knowledge about the anxiety assessments healthcare workers use before pediatric patients go under anesthesia, with a long-term outcome being recommendations for practice. The three research questions I hoped to answer were: how is anxiety typically assessed, what assessment tools are used (if there are any specific tools used), and are there specific barriers and facilitators of using assessment tools? Participants responded to an 11-question anonymous Qualtrics survey sent via email and QR code. The results were that healthcare providers typically conducted their assessments by observing the patient's behavior and speech, asking close ended "yes" or "no" questions, and incorporating the parents in the assessment. The two assessment tools that were focused on in this research project were the mYPAS and the 0-10 scale, and when asked if the participants were willing to incorporate either of these two scales into their regular practice, many said they would need more information. The main barrier participants reported for routinely completing an anxiety assessment was a lack of time. By improving pre-anesthesia anxiety assessments, pediatric patients will experience better post-surgical outcomes, more holistic care, and a better continuity of care
Orbital cycle records in shallow unconsolidated sediments: implications for global carbon cycle and hydrate system evolution in deep-sea area sediments of the Qiongdongnan Basin
No full textMilankovitch theory has extensive application in sequence stratigraphy and the establishment of time scales. However, it is rarely applied to shallow strata rich in hydrates. Cyclostratigraphic analysis of the Quaternary unconsolidated sediments can help identify climate and sea level changes that correspond to orbital cycles and improve our understanding of the dynamic evolution of hydrates.Using the natural gamma-ray log data from the deepwater area well W01 in the Qiongdongnan Basin, Milankovitch cycle analysis was conducted to identify the primary astronomical period in W01. Anchored to existing AMS-14 C age from bivalve shell as reference point, an astronomical age scale of W01 was established. Simultaneously, through the analyses of major trace elements and total organic carbon content (TOC) in sediment samples, how astronomical orbital cycles influenced past environmental conditions. Furthermore, employing sedimentary noise models, the relative sea level change of well W01 was reconstructed.Sedimentary cycles of 27.34 m and 6.73 m were identified in the GR data from well W01, corresponding to orbital periods of 405 kyr and 100 kyr eccentricity, with a duration of approximately 2.5 Myr. The spectral analysis of paleoenvironmental proxies reveals a sedimentary cycle of approximately 27 m, while the sedimentary noise model reconstructs the fluctuating rise in sea level change. An obliquity modulation period of approximately 170 kyr was identified in the TOC data, which may reflect the combined effects of obliquity and other orbital parameters.Spectral analysis of paleoenvironmental indicators showed that long eccentricity cycle had varying degrees of influence on changes in paleoclimate, paleosalinity, and paleoredox conditions. Additionally, a 1.2 Myr cycle was identified as a significant factor influencing sea level changes during the early Pleistocene in the South China Sea (SCS). In addition, it is confirmed that the dominant period of the glacial-interglacial cycle in the SCS from 0.6 Ma to the present is 100 kyr period. Synthesize the above analysis, during phases of low amplitude in the 405 kyr cycle or minimum value of the 100 kyr cycle, which are associated with lower temperature, conditions become more conducive to hydrate accumulation
THE SYNTHESIS OF ALKALOIDS FROM CRINUM DELAGOENSE, COMPOUNDS WITH POTENTIAL TUMOR SUPPRESSING ABILITY
No full textCrinum delagoense, a plant native to South Africa, contains six different alkaloids (Nair, Campbell et al. 1997). Two of these alkaloids, delagoensine and delagoenine, had not been identified or characterized prior to the point of their initial isolation in 1997 and have since not been synthesized in a laboratory setting using a dedicated synthetic route. Due to their potential to combat certain types of human cancer, these two alkaloids are worthy targets for total synthesis. The purpose of this study is to synthesize delagoensine and delagoenine by modifying a previous route used in the synthesis of a related alkaloid system
A comparative analysis of bass trombone method books
No full textThis study presents a comparative content analysis of eight bass trombone method books published between 1953 and 2019, examining how each text addresses range, technical demands, and the evolving capabilities of the instrument. The purpose of the research is to identify emphasized instructional content areas, compare how these priorities differ across authors, and situate these variations within broader pedagogical developments. Using a structured content-analysis framework, each method book was evaluated for organization, instructional language, slide positions, valve usage, tuning systems, nomenclature, written range, and the distribution of scales, exercises, etudes, and musical examples. The results reveal substantial variation in written range, valve-category emphasis, slide-position choices, nomenclature systems, and content sequencing. Authors differ widely in how they prioritize technical areas such as low-register development, chromatic fluency, and valve coordination. Collectively, these differences demonstrate divergent pedagogical goals and reflect how instructional priorities have shifted alongside changes in instrument design
Healing Outside of a Doctor’s Office: Advancing Reproductive Wellness Through Storytelling in the Dobbs Era
No full textAmber Thurman, Candi Miller, Porsha Ngumezi, Josseli Barnica, and Neveah Crain highlight the tragic outcomes of restrictive abortion bans post-Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Their stories underscore the need to shift away from viewing medical institutions as the only sources of reproductive care. The Afiya Center’s Livable Black Futures Collective advocates for community-based knowledge through a Reproductive Justice storytelling framework. By emphasizing the injustices faced by Black women and birthing people, these narratives aim to reclaim bodily autonomy, dismantle stigma, and foster resilience, ultimately serving as a powerful catalyst for collective healing and activism against systemic oppression
Dataset: A primitive achondrite from early melting of the IIIAB iron parent body
No full textEnon is a primitive silicate bearing iron meteorite with a metal composition that matches the IIIAB group. Initially classified as a mesosiderite, Enon shows affinities to multiple meteorite groups, which has made deciphering its formational history complex. We present new analyses of major mineral chemistry, oxygen isotopes, and the thermal history of Enon, as well as the first modal mineralogy measurements, oxygen fugacity calculations and LA-ICP-MS analyses of the metal phases within the meteorite. Our conventional results match that of previous studies and confirm that Enon's silicate mineralogy is indicative of a chondritic precursor altered by reduction, while its metal phase is consistent with the IIIAB iron meteorite group. Evidence of silicate partial melting is seen throughout the sample, while the modal abundance remains mostly chondritic, suggesting that extensive melt migration did not occur. We hypothesize that the abundant metal and sulfide within Enon represent a bulk composition primitive Fe,Ni-FeS melt that never participated in IIIAB core formation. This model is tested by recalculating the measured composition of Enon s metal to include sulfur calculated from the modal abundance of troilite. This composition correlates with modeled values for the bulk composition of the IIIAB core. We propose that Enon s formation involved a primitive Fe,Ni-FeS melt from the IIIAB parent body becoming trapped within a cooler chondritic section, which then underwent reduction due to the abundance of S in the melt. Our results support the inefficient formation of protoplanetary cores in early planetesimals during early Solar System evolution
Assessing the impact of science education on urban forestry: A case study of reforestation, community engagement, and environmental stewardship in Dallas, Texas
No full textThis dissertation explores how science education influences environmental stewardship through the City of Dallas’ Branch Out Dallas tree giveaway program (2019-2024). Using a mixed-methods case study, participant survey data were analyzed to assess tree care knowledge, stewardship intentions, perceptions of program effectiveness, and tree mortality outcomes. Results showed strong engagement in basic care practices and increased learning, but they also identified gaps in long-term maintenance knowledge, which contributed to higher mortality among certain tree species. Qualitative findings emphasized the importance of accessibility, bilingual resources, and experiential learning. Grounded in constructivist learning and environmental stewardship theories, this research demonstrates that urban reforestation programs enhance civic engagement, promote environmental awareness, and strengthen urban forest resilience through education and participation
Optoelectronic transport and antibacterial properties driven by surface defects in micro- and nanoscale oxides of zinc and gallium.
No full textZinc oxide (ZnO) and beta-gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3) are semiconductors with bandgap energies of approximately 3.4 eV and 4.8 eV, respectively. These materials are utilized across diverse applications, including pharmaceuticals, radiation shielding, etc. Our investigation addresses: (1) antimicrobial properties of Zn- and Ga-containing metal oxides, and (2) studies of the role of hydrogen in the persistent n-type conductivity of β-Ga2O3. Ga- and Zn-containing metal oxides present alternative antibacterial pathways mediated by surface chemistry and defect states that are not fully understood. β-Ga2O3 is promising for high-power electronics, but its persistent n-type behavior restricts applications. Iron doping of ZnO is used to possibly reduce Zn-cation release from surface, a suggested driver of ZnO’s antibacterial activity. GaOOH particles with different defect levels and morphologies show varied antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus and E. coli. β-Ga2O3 microcrystals are treated with remote hydrogen plasma to elucidate hydrogen’s behavior as a contributor to persistent n-type conductivity