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Socio-Cultural Correlates of Breastfeeding Behavior Among Latina Mothers and Its Implications for Child Health
No full textBackground: Latina mothers in the United States report lower rates of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity than their non-Hispanic counterparts. Lower rates of breastfeeding in infancy may lead to a higher rate of excess weight in childhood and adverse health conditions. Breastfeeding disparities in Latina women have been previously correlated with socio-cultural factors such as acculturation, education, income, nativity, and marital status. This study examines whether socio-cultural factors are associated with breastfeeding behaviors in Latina mothers in Nevada. Methods: Participants were Latina mothers [n = 214] over 18 years of age, with a child 2–5 years old. A logistic regression was conducted to assess the associations between acculturation, age, marital status, education, and nativity with breastfeeding. Results: Mothers who were married/living with their partner had 2.3 greater odds (95% CI = 1.08, 4.73; p-value \u3c 0.05) of breastfeeding than the mothers who were not in a relationship, and mothers who were born outside the US had 4 times greater odds of breastfeeding than mothers who were born in the US (95% CI = 1.178, 13.514; p-value \u3c 0.05). No significant association was found for acculturation (OR = 1.13; 95% CI = 0.74, 1.7; p-value = \u3e 0.05), maternal age (OR = 1.01; 95%; CI = 0.96, 1.07; p-value = \u3e 0.05) and education (OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.37, 1.8; p-value = \u3e 0.5). Conclusions: These findings suggest that a romantic partner may be supportive of breastfeeding, and foreign-born mothers may retain their cultural norm of breastfeeding. These results can be applied to develop a culturally tailored intervention to promote breastfeeding behavior
Understanding The Role of Drug Offenses and The Death Penalty in Iran
No full textSince the 1979 revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been governed by Islamic laws devised by Shia Muslim clerics, significantly influencing the nation\u27s legal framework in both criminal and civil contexts. The death penalty in Iran covers a broad spectrum of offenses, many of which would not be considered capital crimes or even crimes globally. This extensive application of the death penalty is an instrument of social control during periods of political tension, indicating a direct relationship between the regime\u27s stability and the enforcement of extreme punitive measures. Despite some reduction in the visibility of executions due to international scrutiny and the proliferation of digital communication, secret and unreported executions are believed to be widespread.
This study explores the extensive use of the death penalty in Iran, noting that the country has the highest per capita rate of executions globally, second only to China in absolute numbers. This research focuses on the systemic use of the death penalty for drug-related offenses.
Using data from various human rights organizations, alongside government and media sources, this study examines the patterns and implications of executions in Iran over the past 46 years. The analyses suggest that the number of executions is correlated with political unrest, social strain, and the regime\u27s perceived threats to its stability. Additionally, citing drug case narratives, the study discusses how the Iranian regime uses the death penalty as a tool to suppress opposition and maintain control, often justifying executions on the basis of religious law that diverges from international human rights norms.
The significance of this study lies in its detailed portrayal of how executions serve broader socio-political objectives in Iran, highlighting the challenges faced by those advocating for reform, democracy, and human rights in an environment dominated by an authoritarian system characterized by religious governance, where regime protection often takes precedence over individual rights. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how authoritarian regimes use legal mechanisms, such as anti-narcotics laws, to reinforce political control. It also highlights the serious human rights implications associated with this practice, particularly in the context of international norms and Iran\u27s recurrent challenges in aligning with international accountability frameworks
Foster Children’s Repeated Disruptions: A Qualitative Analysis of Stakeholder Insights on Failed Permanency in Foster Care.
No full textThis study examines factors contributing to failed permanency outcomes in the foster care system, focusing on adoptions, guardianships, and reunifications. Using strain theory as a framework, this research examines the systemic pressures and institutional barriers within dependency courts, which mirror punitive aspects of the criminal justice system. Expanding strain theory to include a meso-level analysis, the study explores how organizational practices, resource distribution, and inter-agency collaboration influence permanency outcomes. A qualitative approach utilizing semi-structured interviews with judges, attorneys, social workers, district attorneys, and healthcare professionals provides an in-depth understanding of stakeholder perspectives. This research offers actionable recommendations to address systemic barriers, improve service delivery, and enhance permanency outcomes, contributing to a more equitable and effective child welfare system
Effects of Altered Somatosensory Input on Gait Kinetics and Kinematics Via Different Footwear in Individuals with Chronic Post-Stroke Hemiparesis
No full textPurpose/Hypothesis: Individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis walk with significant asymmetries, leading to slow, effortful walking, and a high risk of falls. One contributing factor is altered sensation on the plantar surface. Studies examining altered somatosensory input via insoles, vibration and other tactile stimuli observed improvements in hemiparesis gait. This study investigates whether altering somatosensory input through different footwear can affect kinetics, kinematics and muscle activity during walking post-stroke. We hypothesized the barefoot conditions would have increased dorsiflexion (heel-strike, swing), increased plantarflexion during toe-off, increased muscle activity and kinetics, compared to memory foam conditions.
Participants: 13 individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis (4F/9M, age=56.9±14.4yrs) and 11 age-similar non-impaired controls (4F/7M, age=50.3±12.3yrs)
Materials and Methods: All participants were tested under 3 footwear conditions: self-selected sneakers (SS), barefoot (BF), memory foam slippers (MF). Trunk and lower extremity kinematics were collected utilizing a 12-camera Vicon motion analysis system. Ground reaction forces were collected utilizing an instrumented treadmill. Medial gastrocnemius (MG) and tibialis anterior (TA) activity was collected using surface EMG. Ankle angle at heel strike (HS), ankle angle at toe-off (TO), peak dorsiflexion (DF) in swing, TA co-contraction index (TA CCI), and peak propulsive impulsive were assessed using a 3 (limb: control, non-paretic (NP), paretic (P)) x 3 (footwear condition: SS, BF, MF) mixed factorial ANOVA. A priori significance was set at p ≤ .05.
Results: For ankle angle at HS, there was a statistically significant limb x footwear interaction (p\u3c .01), where in the control limb, we observed greater peak swing ankle dorsiflexion during MF (p\u3c .01) compared to SS (p=.05) and barefoot (p\u3c 0.01) conditions. For ankle angle at TO, there was a statistically significant main effect of Footwear, where regardless of limbs, greater plantarflexion at TO was observed in SS than the other conditions. For ankle angle during swing we observed a statistically significant main effect of Footwear, where regardless of limbs, greater dorsiflexion was observed when wearing MF (p\u3c .05) than other conditions. For TA CCI, there was a significant main effect of Footwear (p \u3c .01), where regardless of limbs, wearing MF promoted greater TA activity at toe off compared to SS (p = .02) and barefoot (p = .04). Statistically significant main effect of Footwear was observed for propulsive impulse, where regardless of limbs, wearing SS generated greater propulsive impulse than barefoot walking.
Conclusions: This study noted that altering plantar somatosensation through different shoes had a significant effect on ankle kinematics and muscle activation during gait. Specifically, foam slippers promoted ankle dorsiflexion angle at heel strike, during swing, and increased TA muscle activity at toe off. These findings suggest that memory foam slippers can be incorporated into post-stroke gait training to address commonly-observed reduced ankle dorsiflexion and insufficient TA muscle activity, which contribute to foot-drop during gait. However, if the goal is to increase propulsive impulse, memory slippers may not be an appropriate choice. Hence, this study may provide clinicians with new ideas for facilitating improved gait kinematics in stroke rehabilitation
Efficient Wattle Design for High-Level Nuclear Waste Tanks
No full textAt the Hanford Site in Washington state and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, there are underground steel tanks that hold high-level nuclear waste (HLW) and nearly 450 million curies of radioactivity. At these sites, some leaks have been detected in HLW tanks. While detecting these leaks allows for identification of the issue, it does not solve the problem or prevent the leakage of HLW contaminants into collection pans and secondary containment. Repairing these leaks poses potential threats to workers for exposure risk. To address this issue, the present research seeks to create and utilize an active barrier in the form of wattles made of heat-resistant and high-strength woven fabric enclosing mixed sorbents to capture the HLW contaminants, specifically, cesium and strontium, that escape through leaks around the HLW tanks by using a prototype model tank to simulate leaks. Pressure was used as a surrogate for locations in leaks of tanks, higher pressures correlated to leaks in the bottom of tanks and vice versa for smaller pressures. The effect of contact time on contaminant removal efficiency was investigated to determine best suited design conditions for max removal efficiency.Results showed that removal efficiencies for cesium at 5, 10, and 15 psi was 52.43%, 55.71% and 60.94% with contact times of 0.942 min, 0.674 min, and 0.55 min respectively. Removal efficiencies for strontium at 5, 10, and 15 psi was 46.40%, 36.88%, and 33.17% with contact times of 1.00 min, 0.741 min, and 0.592 min respectively. The results of increasing the contact time yielded removal efficiencies for cesium and strontium respectively to be 49.6%-55.9% and 67.5%-73.2% for a contact time of 34.4 min at a flow rate of 5 mL/min. A flow rate of 2 mL/min and a contact time of 86 minutes yielded removal efficiencies of 52.4% and 41.39% for cesium and strontium respectively. A contact time of 344 min and 516 min at a flow rate of 1 mL/min yielded removal efficiency for cesium and strontium to be 98.46% and 96.07% respectively for 344 min and 96.07% and 95.3% respectively. These results suggest that higher contact times generated larger removal efficiencies, therefore it is recommended that high-level radioactive waste containing \u3e100 mg/L cesium and strontium should be treated with contact times around 103.2 and 516 minutes for 200 g of natural zeolite
Reaching Out, Growing Within: An Explanatory Approach to Understanding Science Teachers’ Support-Seeking Behaviors and Self-Determination
No full textThis explanatory sequential mixed methods study investigated the complex interplay between self-determination theory (SDT) and mentorship in supporting elementary and middle school science teachers’ professional development. Grounded in Deci and Ryan’s (2000, 2017) theoretical framework emphasizing autonomy, competence, and relatedness as fundamental psychological needs, this research examined how these needs influence science teachers’ support-seeking behaviors and engagement with mentorship structures. Science teachers face distinctive challenges, including evolving educational standards, specialized content knowledge requirements, and pedagogical complexities that necessitate differentiated support approaches across educational contexts and career stages.The study employed a two-phase design integrating quantitative survey data (N = 116) from the Mentorship Balanced Measure of Psychological Needs scale and a teacher support-seeking instrument with qualitative semi-structured interviews (N = 15) to provide comprehensive insights into teachers’ lived experiences. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, correlation, and multiple regression, examined relationships between psychological needs and support-seeking behaviors, while thematic analysis of interview data revealed nuanced patterns in how teachers navigate professional support systems across different educational settings and career trajectories. Findings revealed significant patterns of convergence and divergence in how elementary and middle school science teachers experience psychological need satisfaction and engage with various support mechanisms. Relatedness emerged as the strongest predictor of support-seeking (β = 0.316, p \u3c .001), highlighting the critical role of professional relationships in facilitating teacher development. The study further identified distinctive developmental progressions in how support needs and mentorship experiences evolve throughout teachers’ careers, with implications for the design of differentiated support structures. This research addressed a significant gap in operationalizing SDT principles within educational mentorship contexts while providing concrete recommendations for enhancing science teacher support through psychologically attuned mentorship practices. The findings contribute to both theoretical advancement of SDT in professional development contexts and practical applications for educational leaders seeking to design more effective support systems for science educators, ultimately enhancing both teacher well-being and instructional effectiveness
Investigating The Influence of Environmental Stressors to Exopolysaccharide Production in Soil Cyanobacteria: Genomic and Physiological Perspectives
No full textCyanobacteria are photosynthetic microbes with essential roles in Earth’s ecosystems. The secretion of long–chain polysaccharides, known as exopolysaccharides (EPS), is a key trait facilitating cyanobacterial adaptation to diverse ecosystems. Genomics studies have shown that aquatic cyanobacteria harbor multiple gene copies encoding EPS export proteins, likely conferring a selective advantage in lakes or oceans. In addition, physiological experiments showed that nutrient limitation in aquatic habitats influences EPS production, affecting cyanobacterial fitness. However, whether terrestrial cyanobacteria also harbor multiple EPS-related genes and how nutrient limitation impacts their EPS production is not well understood.In the first chapter of my thesis, we investigated the variability in EPS gene copy numbers in genomes of aquatic and terrestrial cyanobacteria. We were further interested in exploring the factors influencing this variability. Our comparative genomic analysis revealed that soil cyanobacteria harbor more EPS-related gene copies than their freshwater counterparts. Historical horizontal gene transfer and gene loss, rather than gene duplication, may be the main factor of this variation in gene copy number. A high number of EPS-related gene copies might influence EPS structure and length, which may provide a selective advantage in highly dynamic environments such as soils. In the second chapter, we evaluated how phosphorus (P), an essential nutrient, affects the EPS production in soil cyanobacteria. Physiological experiments in the second chapter demonstrated that phosphorus limitation, in the form of a reduction in available phosphate, limits both biomass and total EPS content in soil cyanobacteria cultures. However, the EPS-to-biomass ratio remained consistent. Although the production of EPS is energetically expensive, our findings showed that soil cyanobacteria still produce EPS under P limitation. Suggesting that EPS is an important trait for cyanobacterial survival and might influence biofilm formation under P limitation. While our comparative genomics analysis indicated the presence of multiple EPS-related gene copies in soil cyanobacteria, the functional role of these multiple copies under nutrient limitation remains unclear. Our physiological analysis did not show an increase in EPS production under P limitation, nor did they indicate a complete shutdown of EPS synthesis. Future research should investigate potential structural modifications of EPS under P limitation. These modifications may provide a selective advantage for cyanobacterial survival and therefore impact on soil ecosystem function
“Do You Even Lift, Bro?”: Correlates of Muscle Dysmorphia Symptomatology in Filipino Male University Students
No full textMuscle Dysmorphia (MD) is a subtype of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and is marked by the desire to increase muscularity and reduce body fat. MD is typically more prevalent among younger male populations, and it often drives comorbid disorders, including substance abuse, eating disorders, and social anxiety. Despite the growing literature on MD, it remains understudied in certain racial/ethnic populations, such as Filipinos. Acculturation, defined as the process in which an individual adopts, acquires, and adapts to a new cultural environment as a result of immigration, influences body image by reshaping an individual’s perceptions of beauty and muscularity standards. Guided by the Social Ecological Model (SEM), this study aimed to determine the severity of MD symptomatology among Filipino male university students in the United States and evaluate the associations among acculturation, MD symptomatology, and anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use and ideation. An anonymous primary data survey administered through Qualtrics was disseminated to university students who met the inclusion criteria. R statistical software was used to conduct all data analyses, including descriptive statistics, linear regression in a structural equation model framework, and logistic regression. Results show that Filipino men showed a higher MD symptom severity than other populations previously studied. Structural equation models revealed that language use and preference (LUP) were negatively associated with drive for size (DS) (β = -0.25, p = 0.004) and functional impairment (FI) (β = -0.29, p \u3c 0.001) but positively associated with appearance intolerance (AI) (β = 0.31, p = 0.004). Additionally, ethnic social relations (ESR) were negatively associated with AI (β = -0.19, p = 0.045). Logistic regression indicated LUP was negatively associated with AAS use (OR = 0.90, 95% CI [0.82, 0.97], p = 0.007), but ESR was positively associated with AAS use (OR = 1.37, 95% CI [1.15, 1.66], p \u3c 0.001). Meanwhile, ESR (OR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.04, 1.34], p = 0.01) and FI (OR = 1.14, 95% CI [1.01, 1.28], p = 0.03) were positively associated with the likelihood of AAS ideation. These findings will help emphasize the importance of body image issues, particularly in men, and guide the development of public health interventions based on the SEM
The Effects of Sugar Alcohols on The Growth of Cariogenic Bacteria
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the potential of sugar alcohols, commonly used as sugar substitutes to reduce the activity of dental caries causing bacteria. Specifically, the sugar alcohols xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, and mannitol were placed into the growth media of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The effects on their bacterial growth were observed. 10% xylitol, 10% erythritol, 10% sorbitol, 10% mannitol, 5% xylitol + 5% erythritol, and 3.3% erythritol + 3.3% xylitol + 3.3% sorbitol combinations were compared to the control groups for differences in bacterial growth. S. mutans samples were significantly inhibited by all groups except sorbitol and mannitol. L. acidophilus samples were significantly inhibited by all groups. 10% erythritol reduced bacterial growth the most amongst all of the single sugar alcohol solutions for both bacterial groups. The xylitol + erythritol combination reduced S. mutans growth the most amongst all groups. This suggests that S. mutans may be vulnerable to the synergistic effects of more than one sugar alcohol and further research should be conducted to analyze their usefulness
Does Student Interest in Rural or Underserved Practice Change Following Exposure to a Full Time Rural or Underserved Clinical Experience?
No full textAccess to healthcare in rural areas remains a significant challenge, with rural communities facing unique barriers such as limited healthcare providers, increased travel distances, and lower insurance coverage rates. Nevada exemplifies this issue, ranking 45th in the United States in access to physical therapy services, with particularly low provider availability in its rural regions. Research suggests that clinical education experiences in rural and underserved areas may encourage healthcare professionals to practice in these communities post-graduation. This study examined the relationship between clinical experiences in rural and underserved settings amongst University of Nevada, Las Vegas Physical Therapy (UNLVPT) students’ interest in practicing in these areas. A total of 145 students completed pre- and post-surveys assessing their satisfaction with their clinical experiences, perceived benefits and barriers of rural practice, and intent to work in rural or underserved settings after graduation. Results indicated a positive correlation between student satisfaction with their clinical experience and increased interest in practicing in these settings. However, there was no significant correlation between rural upbringing and intent to practice in rural areas. The primary barriers to rural employment included distance from family, isolation, and limited resources, while the most recognized benefit of rural practice was a strong connection to the community. Although clinical experiences appear to modestly influence students’ interest in rural or underserved practice, further research is needed to assess long-term career decisions. These findings highlight the potential of rural clinical education programs to address healthcare workforce shortages while emphasizing the need for additional incentives and support systems to encourage rural practice