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Analysis of Mercury Methylation in the Black River with Respect to Geographic Relation to a Wetland Ecosystem and Water Level Fluctuations
No full textThe presence of harmful elements, notably mercury (Hg), in Wisconsin waters is a widespread problem because it can lead to health problems associated with bioaccumulation, in people and animals that live in and around contaminated water (Wiener et al., 2002). The Black River was chosen as the study site because the Wisconsin DNR has issued mercury advisories for fish. Studies have indicated that wetlands, as well as fluctuations in water levels, can result in increased methylmercury present in aquatic environments. Unfiltered grab samples were obtained on multiple days preceding a rain event in the summer of 2022 and then on subsequent days following a rainstorm. These samples were collected both upstream and downstream of a wetland to analyze its effects on methylation. Dissolved Oxygen and pH were also measured at the sampling times to analyze if they correlate with methylation as well. Samples were analyzed for total mercury concentrations through oxidation, purge and trap, and cold-vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy and methylmercury was analyzed through distillation, aqueous ethylation, purge and trap, and cold-vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. The concentrations of both total mercury and methylmercury were higher at the upstream sampling location than the downstream location. The proportion of methylmercury to total mercury was greater at the downstream location but did not prove to be significant. There was not a significant relationship in the concentrations of the mercury species with water level fluctuations. These findings indicate that the wetland that was researched may not possess the qualities that result in increased methylation and/or there may be hydrological factors that influence the mobility of mercury in the river. A study in the same location analyzing a more intense rainstorm than the one involved in this study may reveal different results
Nutrition Counseling for College Students in Correlation With Iron Levels
No full textSeveral studies have reported that nutrition counseling has an impact on helping to improve a specific area of concern; however, few, if any have looked at hemoglobin levels in college students in correlation with iron nutrition counseling. Iron is essential to produce hemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen throughout the body. In this study, we had 15 Viterbo University volunteers who either received nutrition counseling or did not. Their levels of hemoglobin were tested, using a HemoCue, at the beginning and end of four weeks. The importance of iron levels within normal limits was explained at the first meeting with a handout in the experiment group. . Then at the halfway point, two weeks later, participants that received nutrition counseling got an email with an iron rich food handout and had the opportunity to ask questions. Results showed that participants that received nutrition counseling overall had an increase in hemoglobin levels, compared to the group that did not. This signifies the importance of nutrition therapy when monitoring a measurement in the body
Social Media and the Eating Behaviors of College Undergraduate Students
No full textSocial media and the influencers it supports affect self-perception and body satisfaction of young adults as a result of the culture comparison it fosters. Due to the pressures created by social media to achieve an unrealistic thin ideal, many individuals resort to extreme weight loss measures, including fad dieting. These diets have a health halo around them that is not supported by research and may contribute to negative health consequences over time. While there is a wide range of research related to the impact of social media usage on eating patterns, most focus on one dietary pattern or social media platform and do not consider the impact of social media on perceived healthfulness of these diets. Additionally, no studies have focused on differences in perception of information on social media based on college major. The present research utilized a Qualtrics survey to investigate the impact of social media usage on the dietary patterns of undergraduate students at Viterbo University, a largely STEM focused college. The information gathered by 42 respondents suggests that young adults with a background in science are still predisposed to viewing health information on social media as credible, though they may not be influenced to change their own eating habits as a result. This may be beneficial in shaping the way professors address social media from a public health standpoint. However, more research is warranted to understand if these findings are unique to STEM majors and the full impact of social media usage on the dietary patterns of young adults
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health: Parent Perceptions of the Barriers to Access
No full textThis study sought to explore parent perspectives of the barriers to accessing parent training programs to support the mental health of their infants and young children. A snowball sample was used to recruit parents of children ages birth through five years, and participation was completed through Qualtrics. Once participants completed the informed consent, they were redirected to complete a survey that included demographic items and open-ended questions. Modified consensual qualitative research (CQR-M) design was used to analyze data. Results suggest multiple factors related to parental awareness, accessibility, supports, and predicted benefit must be considered to address barriers faced by parents. Additionally, findings highlighted the need for increased parental awareness related to infant and early childhood mental health. Furthermore, responses emphasize the need for more consistent screening and assessment practices�potentially within integrated service models. Recommendations include expanded studies to include interviews and/or focus groups and continued efforts to gain perspectives of a more diverse participant population. Further studies may also explore applications of other models, such as those that consider accessibility to healthcare
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Counselor Education and Supervision Faculty Becoming Exemplary Teachers
No full textThis interpretative phenomenological analysis study examined the lived experience of exemplary Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) faculty. Faculty spend a large portion of time in the classroom or preparing to teach, however, there is little exploration into what makes a teacher an expert. Nine participants shared insights through a narrative exploration based on a semi-structured interview. The superordinate themes that emerged included characteristics of exemplary teachers, guiding principles of exemplary teaching, impact of feedback, realities of gatekeeping, and teacher expertise - a work in progress? Each of the themes were produced by examining the rich, thick, narrative of lived experience. Implications for counselor educators and programming for doctoral students were revealed in the findings. This study examined the lived experience of exemplary counselor education faculty to assist with advancing teaching within the field of counselor education
Addressing Mental Health and Wellness Among Graduate Students: Implications for Counselor Educators
No full textThe purpose of the study was to determine if a summative program evaluation on mental health and wellness needs of counseling graduate students was a helpful training for doctoral counselor education and supervision (CES) students. The researcher hypothesized that doctoral CES students in the audience would find the program to be a helpful training on the mental health and wellness of counseling graduate students. The presentation was created with the following content: stressors, common mood disorders, role overload, burnout, signs of impairment, tips, strategies for counselor educators, and mental health services offered on campus. Using descriptive statistics, it was determined that doctoral student participants (n=6) found the program helpful and were likely (M = 4 out 5 on a Likert scale) to recommend the program to other students. Summative program evaluations demonstrate one way that counselor educators can address mental health and wellness in higher education
Impact of Flexible Work Opportunities on Employee Engagement and Retention in Higher Education
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic forced organizations to explore alternative ways of doing business. Many organizations experienced success in the work-from-home (WFH) model. Employees in the WFH found greater productivity, work/life balance, and less commute time valuable. Employees experienced challenges with social isolation and collaboration while working remotely. The Great Resignation has seen employee turnover at record levels across all sectors including higher education. ""A study by Fractl reveals that flexible hours can influence 88% of respondents to choose a job that offers a lower salary over an opportunity with a higher salary but a fixed schedule."" Statement of purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the effects flexible work opportunities have on employee engagement and retention in higher education. Research Question: Does the opportunity for flexible work modalities have an impact on employee engagement and retention in higher education
What Variables Preoperatively Could Predict Weight Regain One to Two Years Post Bariatric Surgery for Patients Receiving the Roux En Y Gastric Bypass Procedure or the Sleeve Gastrectomy? A Retrospetive, Case Control Study
No full textSeveral studies in the current literature have reported variables post-operatively that can lead to weight regain for individuals that undergo bariatric surgery. However, limited research has identified preoperative variables that could put an individual at risk of weight regain one to two years post bariatric surgery, particularly those pursuing a sleeve gastrectomy or a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure. For the current study, the researcher, in conjunction with the research team at Gundersen Health System, collected data on various preoperative variables from 100 participants that had either a sleeve gastrectomy or a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure and attended at least their one year post-operative appointment, up until their two-year visit. The collected data was then analyzed to determine associations between the preoperative variables and weight or body composition changes post-bariatric surgery. Our study found that 1) men, 2) participants that underwent a sleeve gastrectomy, 3) had a higher preoperative body mass index (BMI), 4) had hypertension (HTN), 5) sleep apnea, 6) and unbalanced eating patterns typically lost a smaller percent of their weight at one year post-operative. Next, males had a slightly higher increase in muscle mass compared to females, and participants that were moderately compliant with their preoperative visits and had sleep apnea had a significantly larger decrease in fat mass between nine months and one year post-operative. Additionally, 1) males, 2) those that underwent a sleeve gastrectomy, 3) participants that had a higher preoperative BMI, 4) and those that had HTN significantly lost a smaller percent of their weight at 18 months post-operative. Lastly, participants that had a gastric bypass and those that had anxiety/depression had a larger decrease in their muscle mass between one year and 18 months post-operative. This study helped to address the gaps in knowledge regarding preoperative variables that could put one at risk of weight regain post-bariatric surgery. However, more research is warranted to determine the validity of these findings and to allow them to be more generalizable
The Effect of Collagen Protein Supplements and Recovery From Intention Muscle Damage: An Evidence Analysis
No full textThe aim of this evidence analysis is to assess the impact of collagen protein supplements on recovery time after bouts of intentional muscle damage. Various databases such as PubMed, SpringerLink, and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) were screened to identify double-blind, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on collagen proteins. The measure outcome of this evidence analysis was the recovery time at which the individuals would experience after performing exercises that result in muscle damage. A comparison table as well as the Quality Criteria Checklist (QCC) will be used to assess the quality of each finding. A total of 141 participants and four (4) studies were included in this evidence analysis. All four studies earned a positive quality rating based on the scores through evaluation of the Quality Criteria Checklist, answering questions to assess the studies' relevance and validity. The results determined that there is a fair amount of evidence that supports collagen protein supplements can reduce the amount of time it takes to recover after engaging in physical activity as compared to withholding supplements. However, more research will need to be conducted to strengthen these claims. Although there was a study that included 77 individuals, the participants were all premenopausal women. Additionally with a larger sample size and diversity among the candidates, length of the study should be increased to further evaluate how well collagen protein supplements affect muscle recovery time
Filipino Culture's Perspective on Addressing Mental Health Through a Nurse's Lens
No full textMental health is a growingly common and serious issue that is prevalent in every culture across the globe. However, the stigma around it is more pronounced in certain cultures compared to others. By a certain culture not accepting the severity of mental concerns and their validity being equal to physical health concerns, there is a barrier created in the willingness for an individual to seek treatment. Among the Filipino population, there is a sense of shame in an individual addressing mental health concerns. Due to the shortage of attention towards mental health in their culture, individuals commonly do not seek treatment because of fear of rejection from their family and community members. A qualitative ethnographic study was done by research, immersion, interviewing, and observation in Western Visayas Medical Center to better understand how mental health is addressed in their healthcare facilities, primarily emergency rooms. Upon admission of a suspected mental health concern, therapeutic communication is utilized for the assessment and patient is observed for four hours upon arrival to ER to determine if admission is needed. There is common difficulty for the nurses to diagnose and treat the patient due to family members not disclosing the entire situation. With few specialized psychiatric facilities accessible, there is trouble in finding adequate care for common disorders of anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar. Inaccessibility of mental health resources causes delay in care that leads to worsening of disorders. Despite family members and significant others playing a primary role in care, it is common for them to create a barrier in mental healthcare for the patient