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SHE’S GOT HER TICKET: THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF REIMAGINED IDENTITY AMONG UNIVERSITY-EDUCATED CARIBBEAN BLACK GAY WOMEN
No full textThe voice of Black gay women in the Anglophone Caribbean is often missing from the literature. This phenomenological study focuses on the lived experience of reimagined identity among university-educated Black gay women in the Anglophone Caribbean. This study also examines their meaning-making and agentive practices as they navigate cultural artifacts and negotiate their identity. Using van Manen’s data collection methods and analysis, this study highlights essential themes around a reimagined identity: reimagining requires permission, and reimagining one’s identity transforms frames of reference. Findings also highlight how participants use space and control their environment as resistance strategies and how they made meaning of their experience through shaping and feeling seen
Moving Targets: An Examination of Departmental Firearms Policies and Police Shooting at Vehicles
Get PDFResearch question: Do restrictive deadly force policies reduce the likelihood and frequency of police shootings at moving vehicles?
Conclusions:
Departments with more restrictive firearms policies re: moving vehicles were less likely to 1) have these types of shootings and 2) had fewer of them – net of controls
-Policy language instructing officers to move out of the way of moving vehicles was not associated with this subset of police shootings
Myoglobin Unfolding and Protein Stability With TMG
Get PDFMyoglobin, a widely studied protein in biophysics, is a small, helical, and highly soluble protein that has been investigated for decades. Its heme prosthetic group facilitates easy analysis of its folding state through absorbance spectroscopy. Ionic liquids (ILs), particularly room-temperature ionic liquids or molten salts, have gained significant attention in the past 15- 20 years for their potential use in electrochemical devices. Recently, their biocompatibility has become a focal point in research, given that certain IL species can either stabilize or destabilize biomolecular structures. This study employs absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy to examine how amino acid-based ILs, specifically tetramethyl guanidine and choline as cations and serine, aspartic acid, and proline as anions, impact the unfolding of myoglobin. These amino acids were chosen based on previous findings indicating their varying effects on the protein azurin. The study evaluates the individual impacts of these amino acids and their collective ability to destabilize lysozyme when denatured with guanidinium HCl, monitored through absorbance spectroscopy and fluorescence signals from the heme group, Trp fluorescence, and Trp-heme interactions
Phenotypic Features Determining Visual Acuity in Albinism and the Role of Amblyogenic Factors.
Get PDFAlbinism is a spectrum disorder causing foveal hypoplasia, nystagmus, and hypopigmentation of the iris and fundus along with other visual deficits, which can all impact vision. Albinism is also associated with amblyogenic factors which could affect monocular visual acuity. The foveal appearance in albinism can range from mild foveal hypoplasia to that which is indistinguishable from the peripheral retina. The appearance can be quickly and easily graded using the Leicester Grading System in the clinic. However, interquartile ranges of 0.3 logMAR for the grades associated with albinism limit the accuracy of the grading system in predicting vision. Here, we discuss the potential role of nystagmus presenting evidence that it may not be a major source of variability in the prediction of visual acuity. We also show that interocular differences in visual acuity are low in albinism despite high levels of amblyogenic factors indicating that active suppression of vision in one eye in albinism is uncommon
Unmasking a Silent Threat: Early Detection of Elevated HbCO Levels When the Story Doesn’t Add Up
Get PDFCarbon monoxide (CO) is difficult to detect in the surrounding environment due to its colorless, odorless, and tasteless properties. Patients acutely poisoned with CO can have a myriad of presentations including headache, dizziness, and critical illness— all with a mortality rate up to 3%. When concerned for CO poisoning, blood co-oximeter testing should be performed, with treatment surrounding the idea of providing supplemental oxygen The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment remains unclear. Here we describe an atypical scenario of a patient ultimately found to have CO poisoning, and the importance of early identification and treatment of this elusive diagnosis to provide for a better neurological outcome
Brief Review: The Refeeding Syndrome
Get PDFHere we briefly review the definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical risk scenarios, prevention and treatment of the refeeding syndrome. Refeeding syndrome is a condition which arises when a severely malnourished individual has been restarted with increased nutrition in a relatively short period of time. The refeeding process can lead to shifts in a number of fluids and electrolytes. The hallmark feature is hypophosphatemia. The true incidence of refeeding syndrome is unknown. This is said to be partly due to the lack of a universally accepted definition. Populations that are likely to experience this syndrome include patients with maladaptive eating disorders, chronic diseases such as renal failure on hemodialysis and poorly controlled diabetes, chronic alcoholism, and oncological conditions. As the body continues to experience starvation or malnutrition, existing stores of electrolytes and vitamins can be depleted to sustain metabolic activity. Muscle and other tissues decrease their use of ketones and use fatty acid as a major source of energy. This response can be seen as early as 72 hours after complete fasting. During the refeeding process, glucose loads lead to increased levels of insulin. Glucagon is decreased. The process of synthesis of glycogen (as well as the synthesis of protein) leads to the depletion of phosphate, magnesium and thiamine. Along with ATP and DNA synthesis, phosphate plays a role in the activity of the heart’s electrical transduction. Decreased levels of phosphate are associated with decreased cardiac contractility and arrhythmias along with decreased 2,3- DPG production Potassium can also be depleted. The mechanism of hypomagnesemia in the refeeding syndrome is still not entire clear. The introduction of carbohydrate can lead to a decrease in the renal excretion of sodium and water. Thiamine (B1) depletes in patients who undergo starvation or severe malnourishment Overall, hypophosphatemia is a surrogate marker for refeeding syndrome. However, hypophosphatemia has many causes and is not, in itself, diagnostic of the refeeding syndrome. Guidelines exist for the prevention and treatment of refeeding syndrome. Treatment and management vary by guidelines
Sunscreen Cost and Its Effect on Skin Cancer in Low-Income Communities: A Systemic Review
Get PDFThis research examines the pivotal connection between sunscreen affordability and its impact on skin cancer prevalence, especially in low-income communities. Despite universal dermatological recommendations for daily sunscreen use, stringent criteria contribute to elevated prices, averaging around $10 for a 6 oz unit. This financial strain is compounded for families adhering to recommended application rates, leading to significant economic burdens. Outdoor laborers, less likely to follow guidelines, face heightened risks. Government programs\u27 excluding sunscreen costs further exacerbate challenges for low-income communities, contributing to increased skin cancer incidence. This review aims to establish a correlation between sunscreen cost and skin cancer rates, emphasizing the potential to prevent deadly cancers and mitigate post-diagnosis financial burdens. The research methodology involves a systemic review, analyzing sunscreen usage patterns, and correlating them with skin cancer incidence, independent of racial factors. The ultimate goal is to collaborate on strategies for affordable sunscreen access and community education, contributing to a tangible reduction in skin cancer instances in low-income communities
Comparison of four in vitro test methods to assess nucleus pulposus replacement device expulsion risk
Get PDFBackground
Nucleus replacement devices (NRDs) are not routinely used in clinic, predominantly due to the risk of device expulsion. Rigorous in vitro testing may enable failure mechanisms to be identified prior to clinical trials; however, current testing standards do not specify a particular expulsion test. Multiple methods have therefore been developed, complicating comparisons between NRD designs. Thus, this study assessed the effectiveness of four previously reported expulsion testing protocols; hula-hoop (Protocol 1), adapted hula-hoop (Protocol 2), eccentric cycling (Protocol 3), and ramp to failure (Protocol 4), applied to two NRDs, one preformed and one in situ curing. Methods
Nucleus material was removed from 40 bovine tail intervertebral disks. A NRD was inserted posteriorly into each cavity and the disks were subjected to one of four expulsion protocols. Results
NRD response was dependent on both the NRD design and the loading protocol. Protocol 1 resulted in higher migration and earlier failure rates compared to Protocol 2 in both NRDs. The preformed NRD was more likely to migrate when protocols incorporated rotation. The NRDs had equal migration (60%) and expulsion (60%) rates when using unilateral bending and ramp testing. Combining the results of multiple tests revealed complimentary information regarding the NRD response. Conclusions
Adapted hula-hoop (Protocol 2) and ramp to failure (Protocol 4), combined with fluoroscopic analysis, revealed complimentary insights regarding migration and failure risk. Therefore, when adopting the surgical approach and animal model used in this study, it is recommended that NRD performance be assessed using both a cyclic and ramp loading protocol
LITERACY INSTRUCTION IN NATURE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF KINDERGARTEN LITERACY SKILLS
Get PDFThis thesis examines what happens when literacy instruction is implemented while students are outside in nature. Relevant theories that guided this research included the Attention Restoration Theory (ART), Stress Reduction Theory (SRT), and Culturally Relevant teaching (CRT). Throughout the four week study students participated in literacy lessons outdoors that focused on journal writing outdoors, outdoor teacher read alouds, and writing outdoors using tools found in nature. The final week of the study focused on how students incorporate these literacy skills into their own outdoor free play. This qualitative research focused on data collection from various sources such as: student artifacts, anecdotal notes, pre and post study student interviews, and audio recordings. Data was analyzed through triangulation in order to determine patterns which arose from the study. Analysis of the data suggested three patterns which emerged: high student engagement when nature is incorporated into instruction, authentic and elaborate student responses in nature, and student lead incorporation of literacy during outdoor play. The culmination of this research painted a picture of how the incorporation of nature into literacy instruction is beneficial to students. Additionally, this research offers suggestions for future study and suggestions for implementation into classrooms
A Rare Presentation: Intracranial Hemorrhage as a Symptom of Acute Leukemic Transformation in a 23-year old Male
Get PDFThis case highlights the urgency of considering acute leukemic transformation in young patients presenting with neurological deficits, emphasizing the importance of prompt evaluation and management to optimize patient outcomes. The case depicted is a tragic complication of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and its acute blast crisis. Remarkably, the patient exhibited none of the typical constitutional symptoms associated with CML