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Sex differences in opioid misuse among adults with chronic lower back pain: the roles of negative affect and related transdiagnostic factors
No full textBackground: The opioid epidemic is a significant public health concern, particularly among adults with chronic pain. Although sex differences in opioid-related behaviors have been observed, little work has examined the role of negative affect and related variables in greater opioid misuse severity risk among men. Methods: We tested whether, among 206 (72.3% female) adults (aged 18–64, M = 45.5) with chronic lower back pain (CLBP), the relation of sex with opioid misuse severity could be moderated by a range of negative affect-related variables (anxiety, depression, pain anxiety, pain catastrophizing, difficulty with emotion regulation, anxiety sensitivity, and distress intolerance). Results: Although these negative affect-related variables were related to more severe opioid misuse for both men and women; the relation of sex to misuse varied as a function of the following variables: anxiety, pain anxiety, pain catastrophizing, and difficulty with emotion regulation, such that at higher levels of these variables, men reported more severe opioid misuse than women. This same pattern was not evident for depression, anxiety sensitivity, or distress intolerance. Conclusions: Results highlight the important roles specific types of negative affect-related variables may play in observed sex differences in opioid misuse severity among individuals with CLBP
REVOLTING DRAG: FILTH, HORROR, AND THE QUEER ART OF MONSTROSITY
Get PDFThis thesis examines how The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, a horror-themed reality drag competition series, uses monstrosity as a tool of queer resistance. In contrast to mainstream drag representations, which often promote assimilationist ideals, Dragula embraces filth, grotesqueries, and failure as strategies of disrupting normative structures. Grounded in queer theory and queer of color critique, this thesis uses thematic analysis to explore how Dragula mobilizes monstrosity to resist normative portrayals of queerness. Through close analysis of the show’s season finales, the study identifies three major themes: grotesque aesthetics, beyond the binary, and identity as resistance. These findings reveal how Dragula positions monstrosity as a radical, embodied strategy for queer world-making. While the show operates within a commercialized, mainstream format, it challenges the commodification of queerness by centering nonconformity, transgression, and difference. Ultimately, this thesis argues that Dragula expands the representational possibilities of queer media, offering an alternative vision of drag that embraces and celebrates monstrosity
The Role of Epigenetics in the Advancement of Modern Medicine
No full textThe rapid evolution of epigenetics has profoundly reshaped our understanding of gene regulation and its implications for modern medicine. This literature review examines the key function of epigenetics relating to the elucidation of disease mechanisms, the drive towards therapeutic innovation and in the development of personalized medicine. This review specifically addresses heritable modifications of gene expression in particular, DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA activity through which these mechanisms affect health and disease without changing the underlying genetic code. The goals of this review are to review key areas in epigenetic research such as analysis on epigenetics towards understanding complex diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorder and autoimmune conditions, advancement in epigenetic based diagnosis and therapy and integration of epigenomics with precision medicine. The review also analyses new technologies, including epigenetic editing with CRISPR or small molecule inhibitors, intended to correct aberrant epigenetic modifications. The study finds significant forward progress in the field, with improvements in early disease detection and clinical applications utilizing novel therapies directed at specific epigenetic pathways. However, a few challenges remain, such as the dynamic interplay between epigenetic changes and ethical considerations in epigenome editing. The presence of these trends in epigenetics underscores the dual role of the discipline as a tool for discovery as well as a focus of therapeutic innovation
IMPROVING THE STABILITY AND SELECTIVITY OF METHANE DRY REFORMING CATALYSIS THROUGH ACTIVE SITE AND PROCESS TUNING
Get PDFDry reforming of methane (DRM) is a potential industrial solution to greenhouse emissions whereby CH4 and CO2 are reacted on a transition metal catalyst to produce syngas, a feed stock for higher value chemical products. Ni can be used as the catalyst for DRM replacing the high cost and low abundance noble metals (Pt, Pd, Rh). However, the harsh process conditions of DRM (T \u3e 700°C, P of 1-10 bar) readily deactivate Ni through coking and sintering. Ni supported on reducible oxides, specifically CeO2 and CeO2-ZrO2 (CZO), have been widely studied to combat the rapid deactivation during operation. However, CeO2 and CZO enhance the reverse water gas shift reaction by converting the valuable H2 product to water and decreasing the selectivity. In this study, we synthesized Ni-CeO2-ZrO2/Al2O3 (Ni/CZA) catalysts that were coated in an ultra-thin Al2O3 overlayer by atomic layer deposition, with the purpose to reduce deactivation and improve selectivity. A low conversion screening method revealed that the addition of the ALD overlayer improved the DRM rate and lowered the coking rate. In high conversion experiments the ALD coated catalyst had a H2/CO ratio ~1 and improved catalyst lifetime compared to the uncoated Ni/CZA catalyst. Post reactor experiment characterization of the ALD coated catalyst revealed the active site was a Ni with \u3e0 oxidation state and a Ni-Ce-Al mixed oxide was the most likely surface species. A 0.5nm thick overcoat was found to be the optimal thickness.
The effect of doping Ni with Ga and altering the DRM feed conditions on catalyst stability and activity were also tested. Ni-Ga/Al2O3 catalysts were synthesized with Ni:Ga molar ratios from 3:1 to 1:3. The low conversion screening method revealed that high Ga content reduced both DRM and coking rates. The 3:1 Ni:Ga/Al2O3 catalyst was tested in a high conversion reactor revealing an active, selective, and seemingly stable catalyst. However, the post-reaction characterization revealed large amounts of coke formation had occurred and the most likely active state is Ni embedded on carbon filaments. Ni/CZO, Ni:Ga/Al2O3, Ni/Al2O3, and Ni/MgO-Al2O3 were tested in experiments where the CO2:CH4 feed ratio was altered from stoichiometric 1:1 to CO2 rich 1.2:1. All catalysts experienced a change in the DRM and coking rates with an increase in CO2 pressure. Specifically, Ni/CZO and Ni/Al2O3 experienced an increase in DRM rate and a decrease in coking rate. Separately, CO or H2O were co-fed with a stoichiometric DRM feed over the Ni/CZO catalyst and no product inhibition by CO or H2O was observed. The CO2 rate order was shown to be ~1 for all catalysts
Conditions that increase the perceived likelihood of temporary restriction of firearm access: An investigation in male firearm owners
No full textIntroduction: This study evaluated hypothetical participation in temporary voluntary removal of firearms from the home to reduce future suicide risk in 408 adult male firearm owners. Methods: A delay discounting approach was applied to evaluate the degree to which these choices were influenced by two dimensions of reinforcer efficacy—delay and magnitude. The decision-making task sampled choice behavior across various durations of temporary voluntary removal of firearms (Delay) and differences in stated potential risk of suicide (Magnitude) as a result of that choice. Results: Results of mixed-effects modeling indicated that the subjective value of immediate access to a firearm was differentially sensitive to both delay and magnitude. Additionally, the scaling of these effects was linked to various other indicators of firearm-specific safety (e.g., use of trigger locks) and suicidality risk (e.g., intolerance of uncertainty). Conclusions: These results provide additional support for behavioral models of decision-making (i.e., delay discounting) when evaluating how specific environmental arrangements and framing may support (or potentially discourage) engagement in means safety activities, inclusive of temporary firearms access restriction. These findings suggest that further analysis of the ecological underpinnings of these choices may help to guide more targeted efforts to engage with firearm owners in safety planning when there are concerns about the potential for suicide
USE OF MARGINS AROUND SMALL BRAIN METASTASIS IMPROVES SPECIFICITY OF EVALUATION METHODS FOR STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY TREATMENT PLANS
Get PDFPurpose: To reduce the high false positive rates (FPRs ≥ 46%) from the evaluation of Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment plans for small brain metastases. Specifically, we modified two evaluation indices, Treated Volume Ratio (TVR) and Gradient Index (GI), which exhibited FPRs exceeding 84%. A false positive result incorrectly indicates that an acceptable plan, as determined by a medical physicist and a radiation oncologist, is inacceptable.
Methods: This study utilized training and validation datasets from Gamma Knife treatment plans from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (MBPCC). Data included doses, volumes, and evaluation indices derived from dose volume histograms (DVH). We evaluated FPRs for three methods, including: (1) the original clinically used index formulae and intervention thresholds; (2) revised formulae and thresholds; and (3) revised formulae, prescribed isodose line (IDL), and original intervention thresholds. Each index was assessed individually. We also assessed the composite FPRs of the logical OR of the dichotomous (pass/fail) results for TVR, GI, and Coverage Index (CI).
Results: The original method produced high FPRs, for TVR, GI, and logical OR yielding 97.8%, 46.2%, and 98.8% in the training dataset, 95.6%, 76.9%, and 94.07% in the first validation dataset and 100%, 85% and 100% in the second validation dataset. The second method reduced the corresponding FPRs to 1.7%, 1.7%, and 5.0% in the training dataset, 6.3%, 8.6%, and 14.9% in the first validation dataset, and all zeros in the second validation dataset. The third method reduced the FPRs to 10.0%, 0.0% and 10.0% in the second validation dataset.
Conclusion: The proposed refinements reduced FPRs from \u3e 46% for GI and TVR to \u3c 20%. The refinements are applied only to small target volumes (Vtgt \u3c 93 mm3). Reduced FPRs can improve clinical workflow efficiency by reducing the frequency of unproductive FPRs investigations
Expanding Uses of an Observation Protocol: Secondary Science Teachers’ Reflections on Integrated STEM Practice
No full textThere are few guidelines related to how to implement integrated STEM education in the K-12 science classroom. It is important that teachers have opportunities to reflect on integrated STEM instruction when implemented so that they may further develop their practice. This research aimed to understand how the STEM Observation Protocol (STEM-OP) may be used as a way for teachers to reflect on their integrated STEM practice. This exploratory case study was designed to better understand secondary science teachers’ reflections on the STEM-OP by addressing the following research questions: 1) What are secondary science teachers’ reflections on integrated STEM practices as measured by the STEM-OP? and 2) In what ways do secondary science teachers envision using the STEM-OP as a tool in their practice? A thematic analysis of four teacher participants’ interview responses revealed three main themes related to how they used the protocol to reflect their integrated STEM teaching: already doing, not yet including intentionally, and facing barriers. Participants noted the benefits of the STEM-OP as a whole, as they considered how they might use it in their practice and with others. Our results shed light on how to support teachers using the protocol as a tool for formative evaluation, improvement, and planning. When considering professional learning opportunities for pre-service and in-service science teachers, it is important to first assess what teachers are already doing, what they want to be doing, and what they believe is superfluous. This may help support teachers in their integrated STEM efforts
The disparate impact of Hurricane Maria: the relationship between recovery of public services, traumatic stress and household income of healthcare and social service industry workers
No full textThe relationship between social vulnerability and disaster recovery has been well examined; however, less attention paid to how differences in vulnerability affect recovery for healthcare and social service industry employees. The widespread impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico, including failure of the entire electrical grid, presents a unique case study for examination of the relationship between income and disaster recovery of frontline workers. Using data collected from healthcare and social service industry employees 10 months post-Maria, we found a significant relationship between household income and recovery of public services. Households with lower incomes experienced nearly a full month longer wait for electricity restoration as compared to higher-income households, after controlling for home damage and demographic characteristics. Additionally, lower income households were more likely to report higher levels of PTSS. Our findings suggest a need for targeted workplace interventions during disaster response and recovery that take into account economic inequities
The Adult Learner: The Definitive Classic in Adult Education and Human Resource Development
No full textHow do you tailor education to the learning needs of adults? Do they learn differently from children? How does their life experience inform their learning processes? These were the questions at the heart of Malcolm Knowles’ pioneering theory of andragogy which transformed education theory in the 1970s. The resulting principles of a self-directed, experiential, problem-centred approach to learning have been hugely influential and are still the basis of the learning practices we use today.
Understanding these principles is the cornerstone of increasing motivation and enabling adult learners to achieve. The 10th edition of The Adult Learner has been revised to include:
The two chapters on diversity, inclusion and belonging in adult learning, and andragogy and the online adult learner have been greatly expanded to reflect the importance of these topics to the field today.
The accompanying Instructor and Student Resources website provides free digital materials designed to enhance student learning and save instructors time when preparing lessons. Resources include:
• Ready-to-use PowerPoint slides to save instructor time when planning lessons
• Learning objectives and part outlines for structured learning
• Suggested class discussions, exercises, and scenario-based activities
• Downloadable instruments for chapters 19 to 22
• Video explaining the Andragogy In Practice model
• A chapter-by-chapter Instructor Manual and a corresponding Student Guide to enhance learning outcomes.
If you are a researcher, practitioner, or student in education, an adult learning practitioner, training manager, or involved in human resource development, this is the definitive book in adult learning you should not be without.https://repository.lsu.edu/facultybooks/1637/thumbnail.jp
The Impact of Pupil Appraisal Disseminated Information on Transition Planning for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability - Mildly Impaired in Louisiana Public Schools
No full textAs a critical issue, the impact of current transition planning services for students identified with intellectual disabilities preparing for post-secondary opportunities has fallen far short of the intentions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) envisioned possibilities (Mazzotti et al., 2016; Persch et al., 2015; Traina et al., 2023). Although regulations are being followed, a disconnect between what is on paper and the achievement of long-term successful post-secondary outcomes for these students continues (Everson et al., 2001; Goodman et al., 2020). The purpose of the study was to determine the potential impact of a pupil appraisal personnel detail-oriented dissemination of information on parental satisfaction with school system transition planning and services aimed at ensuring long-term successful post-secondary outcomes for transition-aged students identified with an Intellectual Disability – Mildly Impaired. The phrase We’ve come a long way, baby! is undoubtedly applicable to transition services for individuals with disabilities in that the assignment of being uneducable is no longer a reality for students (EAHCA, 1975). Still, while State and Local Education Authorities attempt to implement IDEA mandates while accounting for meaningful educational benefit, the literature highlighted the need for collaborative practices that included parents/guardians to ensure positive post-secondary outcomes, as they are the ones who will be taking on the primary responsibility for following through with securing transition planning goals, especially in light of the lack of agency collaboration and single-point of entry coordination of services. If, as noted, Individual Education Program/Transition Plans (IEP/TPs) generally meet guidelines but do not achieve the stated goals, it stands to reason that a different approach is warranted. Pupil appraisal input could be the link that helps ensure parental advocacy skills in securing collaborative practices during transition planning that results in educational benefit for their son/daughter. This quantitative experimental randomized (without replacement) post-test-only waitlist control group design study (Hahs-Vaughn & Lomax, 2020) provided implications for current practice and recommendations for future research, contributing to the current body of evidence for change in this country in general and specifically in the state of Louisiana