17 research outputs found
Astronomy in the ancient world: early and modern views on celestial events
No full textAlexus McLeod explores every aspect of the lesser-known history of astronomy in the Americas (Mesoamerica and North America), China and India, each through the frame of a particular astronomical phenomena. Part One considers the development of astronomy in the Americas as a response, in part, to the Supernova of 1054, which may have led to a cultural renaissance in astronomy. He then goes on to explore the contemporary understanding of supernovae, contrasting it with that of the ancient Americas. Part Two is framed through the appearances of great comets, which had major divinatory significance in early China. The author discusses the advancement of observational astronomy in China, its influence on politics and its role in the survival or failure of empires. Furthermore, the contemporary understanding of comets is also discussed for comparison. Part Three, on India, considers the magnificent observatories of the Rajput king Jai Singh II, and the question of their purpose. The origins of Indian astronomy are examined in Vedic thought and its development is followed through the period of Jai Singh, including the role played by solar eclipses. The author also includes a modern explanation of our understanding of eclipses to date. In the final section of the book, McLeod discusses how ancient traditions might help modern civilization better understand Earth’s place in the cosmos
Patient Experience as a Non-Clinical Contributor to Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Among a Sample of Women in Georgia
No full textAmong all developed countries, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate and is the only one, out of the developed countries, where mortality rates are steadily rising. In addition, in the United States, there are significant disparities in maternal mortality rates based on race and ethnicity. During 2017–2019, the PRMR for non-Hispanic Black women was 39.9 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to non-Hispanic White women with 14.1 deaths per 100,000 live births. Much has been written about physical causes of maternal mortality such as cardiomyopathy, pre-eclampsia, and eclampsia as clinical indicators. However, there is limited research on non-clinical factors such as access to care, perceived level of care, provider bias, and provider decision-making as non-clinical indicators of maternal mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine a) non-clinical influences and factors contributing to poor quality of care in a sample of women and (b) assess the relationship between self-reported quality of care and maternal health outcomes, as measured by current perceived health status. Method: This study explored self-reported non-clinical factors influencing perceived quality of obstetric care and their relationship to post-partum health status. Women aged 18-49 who gave birth in Georgia within the past five years were recruited using purposive sampling. Results: The study found no link between structural factors and self-reported poor quality of care, nor between provider-patient relationships and perceived care quality. Shared decision-making was associated with higher quality ratings and rurality was associated with low perceived health status. Discussion: Shared decision-making was linked to higher self-reported quality of care while other structural factors were not, contradicting previous research. No connection was found between quality of care and postpartum health, though rural women reported poorer health. A key limitation was the lack of racial diversity, limiting insights into Black women’s experiences. The study highlights the need for more diverse samples, provider assessments, and community engagement. Findings emphasize the importance of equity-focused policies and interventions to reduce maternal health disparities and improve outcomes
Motivational Interviewing Impact on Cardiovascular Disease
No full textabstract: Harm reduction in cardiovascular disease is a significant problem worldwide. Providers, families, and healthcare agencies are feeling the burdens imparted by these diseases. Not to mention missed days of work and caregiver strain, the losses are insurmountable. Motivational interviewing (MI) is gaining momentum as a method of stimulating change through intrinsic motivation by resolving ambivalence toward change (Ma, Zhou, Zhou, & Huang, 2014). If practitioners can find methods of educating the public in a culturally-appropriate and sensitive manner, and if they can work with community stakeholders to organize our resources to make them more accessible to the people, we may find that simple lifestyle changes can lead to risk reduction of cardiovascular diseases. By working with our community leaders and identifying barriers unique to each population, we can make positive impacts on a wide range of issues that markedly impact our healthcare systems
Empathizing with Daddy: Child Maltreatment and Generational Alcoholism: Are They One In the Same?
No full textEveryone has “issues”. However, those “issues” can range from a numerous of things: self, family, work, mental, physical, or emotional (i.e “daddy issues” or “mommy issues”). According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, childhood exposure to trauma has been linked with alcohol dependence, suggesting that adverse childhood experiences contribute to this environmental risk.
For this paper, I plan to discuss child maltreatment and the effect it could or could not have on one throughout childhood, adolescence years, and adulthood. Also I’m addressing alcoholism, in which child maltreatment could possibly contribute a connection along with factors, such as domestic violence and development delay in offspring.
I’ve decided to include a personal experience, with having a recovering alcoholic as a parent, so that my reader(s) can see a connection between myself and this review; not one full of numbers or “according to’s”, as if “I” am just the messenger and could not relate. I want other students and readers to understand that everyone has history, and that everyone has “issues,” but to understand that at the end of the day, you are the author of your life’s story and master of your fate
Emerg Infect Dis
No full textPersons living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) were disproportionately affected by COVID-19. We used wastewater surveillance to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection in this setting by collecting and testing 24-hour composite wastewater samples 2-4 times weekly at 6 LTCFs in Kentucky, USA, during March 2021-February 2022. The LTCFs routinely tested staff and symptomatic and exposed residents for SARS-CoV-2 using rapid antigen tests. Of 780 wastewater samples analyzed, 22% (n = 173) had detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The LTCFs reported 161 positive (of 16,905) SARS-CoV-2 clinical tests. The wastewater SARS-CoV-2 signal showed variable correlation with clinical test data; we observed the strongest correlations in the LTCFs with the most positive clinical tests (n = 45 and n = 58). Wastewater surveillance was 48% sensitive and 80% specific in identifying SARS-CoV-2 infections found on clinical testing, which was limited by frequency, coverage, and rapid antigen test performance
On self-annihilation: bending the borrowed light
No full text2016 Summer.These stories attempt to capture greater meaning in narrative by employing a philosophical, though pragmatic, backbone: the idea of Harmonic Resonance, or a musical outlook of the world that acknowledges the pivotal role of light and sound. With our technological progress and the frightening amount of information now available, the world continues to become exceedingly complex, dissonant, and specialized. This specialization has arguably had the unfortunate side-effect of fragmenting society, including the individual, and I have tried here to share stories that instill our world instead with a sense of connection, mystery, and magic, while focusing on the difficulties inherent in the mundane. The struggle against personal self-annihilation, and the striving to bridge the ideal and the actual, is the main, recurrent thematic element that characterizes this work
An escape from anger and other Buddhist contributions to the philosophy of emotions
No full text2016 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.This paper begins with an examination of several theories of emotion in general—a ‘mixed theory’, an ‘attitudinal theory’, and a Buddhist ‘componential theory.’ I argue that the Buddhist theory has a theoretical advantage over these alternatives insofar as it avoids two ‘thin’ characterizations of emotions that exclude either affective or conative states from the concept. The Buddhist theory of emotions, I claim, has another advantage insofar as it brings practicality to the forefront, connecting our theorizing about emotions with what is most important—developing good character and bringing about the welfare of beings. Chapter 2 proceeds to an in- depth analysis of the emotion of anger in particular, examining several philosophically important accounts—those of Aristotle, Seneca, and the Buddha. I raise problems of definition, highlight some typical and contentious features of anger, and draw from several classical sources to reconstruct a Buddhist account of anger. In the final chapter, I argue that typical anger is not necessary for moral life, addressing myself to arguments from Zac Cogley and Emily McRae. I continue by demonstrating that Buddhism has resources that allow us to both eliminate or largely attenuate anger, and to approach the problems we face without anger; finally, I sketch out exactly how this can be accomplished
