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Learning to Think Like a River Rat: Understanding Place and Identity Beyond the Nature/Society Divide
Full text linkPlace has been an important sociological concept in urban and rural sociology. Sociological scholarship has recognized the place as a physical setting, a location for social action, and full of social meanings. Sociology has historically focused most of its attention on place’s social dimensions, including its cultural meanings and purposes (Bell, 1994; Gieryn, 2000; Lofland, 1998). Environmental sociology, specifically the co-constructionist posture (Rice, 2013), calls us to consider how place’s physical and social dimensions are conjointly constituted (Freudenburg et al., 1995). In this paper, I draw upon the co-constructionist posture to bridge the gap between environmental sociology and other sociological understandings of place and place-based identity. I use the co-constructionist approach as an ontological orientation for analyzing social and material interconnections at work in the Mississippi River town of Sabula, Iowa. I analyze Sabula residents’ descriptions, experiences, and practices through which they understand the river town they live in and their connection to it. This case study highlights how the co-constructionist posture can build on the existing place literature to offer a more blended approach to the dimensions of place and identity
Impact of Implementing an Updated Cervical Cancer Screening Protocol in the Primary Care Setting
Full text linkCervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women globally. Current screening methods by clinicians include cytology sampling, high-risk human papillomavirus sampling, or co-testing with both methods. These tests may detect cell changes before they become cancerous, yet the uptake of these methods has decreased in recent years (Aginga, 2022; Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2023; Popalis et al., 2022; Sung et al., 2021). The primary purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to determine if the implementation of an updated cervical screening protocol improved the linkage of abnormal results to appropriate clinical follow-up in average-risk females in the primary care setting. Additionally, the project evaluated whether the protocol resulted in an increased uptake of cervical cancer screening services. Established patients who met inclusion criteria for the project after chart review were recruited by personal invitation via postal mail, which included an educational fact sheet endorsed by the CDC. The project facilitator’s patient schedule was reviewed weekly for eligible participants who scheduled screening appointments at the project site. Five women aged 25-65 from an urban outpatient primary care clinic in northwest Indiana participated in the project. After agreeing to participate, informed consent was signed, detailed demographic information was obtained, and screening using co-testing was performed. Participants were also surveyed to determine whether the intervention impacted their decision to schedule screening and if they would prefer self-sampling screening methods over current methods in the future. Based on the participant’s results and current practice guidelines, the provider determined appropriate follow-up recommendations. Data regarding appropriate follow-up was analyzed using binomial testing with an expected proportion of 80% of results being correctly addressed. It was found that 100% of the results were correctly addressed (p = .007). These findings encourage clinicians to utilize current practice guidelines, HPV self-sampling, and individualized methods based on their target population to increase cervical cancer screening rates and help alleviate barriers to uptake in these services
Affordable Ambient Particulate Matter Monitoring
No full textThe affordability of ambient air monitors has allowed the public to make informed decisions about their local air quality. The accuracy of these monitors, along with the accessibility of them to the general public is therefore important. While most low-cost monitors are not as accurate as EPA’s standards, they still perform comparably and with an accuracy that is acceptable for their purpose. The accessibility of these monitors is more varied as different ones have used different methods to improve their accessibility. We found that most of the monitors we analyzed were both accurate and accessible to the public, with cost being one of the large determining factors. With different ones taking different approaches to making the data understandable and readable to the general public. Most of the instruments tested were user friendly and easy to learn how to use
Disease Modifying Drugs in Osteoarthritis: Structural & Symptomatic Outcomes
No full textObjective: This capstone project aimed to evaluate whether proposed disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs), compared to placebo, can slow or halt structural joint changes and subsequently improve pain and function in adults with osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCO, focusing on studies published since 2019 that evaluated proposed DMOADs (lorecivivint, sprifermin, chondroitin, and glucosamine) versus placebo in adults with clinical or radiographic knee OA. Inclusion required reporting on joint space width (JSW), pain, and/or function. Studies involving pediatric or animal subjects, prior joint surgery, malignancy, and non-placebo comparators, or lacking structural or symptomatic outcomes were excluded. Primary outcomes were JSW or cartilage thickness via X-ray or MRI; secondary outcomes included pain and function scores via Western Ontario Montreal and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores.
Results: Sprifermin preserved or increased JSW and cartilage thickness but did not significantly improve pain or function, Lorecivivint demonstrated both structural and symptomatic benefits, though only in a small subgroup with unilateral knee OA. Chondroitin improved pain and function, while glucosamine had a more notable effect on joint structure. However, combined glucosamine-chondroitin therapy showed no benefit on either outcome.
Conclusion: No single DMOAD evaluated consistently improved both joint structure and symptoms. These findings highlight the complexity of OA and the need for therapies that align structural modification with clinically meaningful symptom relief.
Keywords: osteoarthritis, disease-modifying drugs, joint space narrowing, pain, WOMA
Exploring the Relationship Between E-cigarette Use and COPD Compared to Traditional Cigarette Users and Non-Smokers
No full textE-cigarettes recently entered the tobacco market as a healthier alternative to cigarettes, although there is lacking data on their long term health effects. The objective of this project is to see if a relationship exists between e-cigarette usage and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development compared to traditional cigarettes. The research done for this project was collected from Valparaiso University Library and Google Scholar. Keywords used to obtain information included E-cigarette use and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, E-cigarette use and COPD development, and E-cigarette and cigarette and COPD. Studies included in this project had the following criteria: e=cigarette use, current or former cigarette use, adults \u3e18, no prior diagnosis of COPD. Studies excluded from this project included: prior diagnosis of COPD, other forms of tobacco that are not e-cigarettes or traditional cigarettes, \u3c18 years of age. The primary endpoint evaluated in this project was COPD development. There is similar COPD development in e-cigarette users compared to combustible cigarette users. Compared to non-smokers, those that use e-cigarettes are at a higher risk of developing COPD. Findings also showed that people who use both e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes are at a higher risk of developing COPD than those who only use one type. E-cigarettes pose a threat to lung health and should be used with caution. The statement that e-cigarettes are less harmful than combustible cigarettes should be avoided when counseling patients due to the findings of these studies. While more research should be done, ultimately e-cigarettes pose a health risk
Personalizing OSA Treatment: Balancing Efficacy and Adherence
No full textObjective: This study compares the effectiveness of surgical versus nonsurgical management in reducing the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard, its long-term success if often limited by poor adherence. This research explores whether surgical interventions offer a viable alternative for improving clinical outcomes and long-term disease control.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using ResearchRabbit. Search terms included CPAP and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (6 results) and apnea-hypopnea index, CPAP, and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (3 results). Inclusion criteria: studies published in or after 2019, in English, with full-text availability; adult OSA patients; and use of AHI as a severity measure. Exclusion criteria: articles published before 2019, not in english, or without full text. Outcomes of interest included AHI reduction, sleep efficiency, snoring, daytime sleepiness, adherence, and long-term symptom relief.
Results: UPPP significantly reduced AHI, with some studies showing greater initial reduction then CPAP. However, AHI tended to increase again over time, raising concerns about long-term surgical durability. CPAP remains superior for long-term AHI control but is limited by adherence. Barbed reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP and mandibular advancement devices (MAD) emerged as alternatives; MADs had better adherence but lower efficacy that CPAP, while BRP showed benefit when combined with hyoid suspension (HS).
Conclusion: CPAP remains the most effective treatment for AHI reduction, but adherence limitations necessitate alternative options. Surgical treatment may benefit select patients, underscoring the importance of individualized care planning
Mindfulness vs SSRIs: Managing Anxiety in Adults with GAD
No full textThis study evaluated whether mindfulness practices are more effective than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in reducing anxiety symptoms in adults aged 17 years and older diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) over one year. A structured literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, Valpo Summons, and PubMed. Search terms included “Mindfulness,” “SSRIs,” “GAD,” “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors,” “generalized anxiety disorder,” and “Placebo.” A total of five relevant studies were identified: three from Google Scholar, one from Valpo Summons, and one from PubMed. Inclusion criteria were studies published in English from 2019 onward, with full-text access, involving participants aged 17 or older diagnosed with GAD or another anxiety-related disorder. Studies were excluded if published before 2019, not in English, lacked full-text access, or did not focus on anxiety-based conditions. The primary outcome examined was the change in severity of anxiety symptoms following treatment with either SSRIs or mindfulness practices. Measures included pre- and post-treatment scores using validated anxiety assessment tools. Findings from the selected studies indicated that both SSRIs and mindfulness-based interventions produced comparable reductions in anxiety symptoms. SSRIs such as escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline showed significant benefit, while mindfulness practices, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), demonstrated similar efficacy
Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy for Treatment Refractory Mental Illness
No full textThis project explores the potential of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy (KMT) as adjunctive therapy for refractory mental illness. Evidence suggests that ketogenesis can reverse mitochondrial dysfunction, a pathophysiological feature commonly associated with major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and schizophrenia disorder (SD), leading to measurable improvements in psychiatric symptoms, metabolic biomarkers, and body composition. While preliminary results are promising, current data are based on small sample sizes and short study durations, limiting the generalizability of findings. Therefore, KMT cannot yet be considered a broadly validated adjunctive treatment for severe mental illness. Continued research, particularly longitudinal studies, is essential to determine the long-term efficacy and sustainability of symptom improvement. Despite these limitations, KMT represents a promising and underutilized therapeutic tool to help improve the symptoms, if not put those into remission, of their treatment refractory mental illness
Bridging the Language Gap: Challenges, Consequences, and the Path to Better Access
No full textObjective: This project investigates the challenges and consequences of language barriers in healthcare, particularly affecting patients with limited English proficiency (LEP), and proposes practical strategies to enhance accessibility and equity in care delivery. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Search terms included LEP , adult patients , interpretation , and language barriers . Studies were selected based on relevance to adult LEP populations and focused on patient outcomes, satisfaction, interpretation modalities, and provider perspectives. Exclusion criteria included pediatric studies and English-native populations. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were synthesized to evaluate outcomes. Results: Findings consistently demonstrated that LEP patients face poorer health outcomes, including increased medical errors, reduced satisfaction, and lower comprehension of care plans. Professional interpretation was associated with improved patient understanding and satisfaction. LEP patients were significantly more likely to experience post-discharge complications and required greater support. Providers identified time constraints, limited interpreter access, and inadequate training as barriers. Despite legal mandates for language access, interpreter services remain underutilized due to institutional and systemic challenges. Recommendations included integrating interpretation into workflows, increasing bilingual staff, standardizing policies, and providing provider training on interpreter use. Conclusion: Language barriers remain a major contributor to healthcare disparities for LEP patients. While professional interpretation improves outcomes, systemic underuse persists. To promote health equity, healthcare systems must institutionalize consistent, accessible language services and provider training. Standardized use of professional interpretation can significantly enhance patient safety, understanding, and satisfaction while reducing long-term system costs