A dissonance intervention to reduce implicit prejudice against Arab Muslims

With constant media coverage of hostility in the Middle East, and given recent acts of domestic terrorism such as the attacks of September 11, 2001, it is reasonable to assume that prejudice against the Arab-Muslim population has been increasing in the United States (Moore, 2002). There are many active campaigns advocating for both acceptance and the reduction of various types of prejudice and discrimination in our society. However, the question is if these campaigns are actually successful in their goals. The current study sought to fill this gap by assessing a social intervention on its effectiveness in reducing prejudice towards the Arab-Muslim population. Using the induction of cognitive dissonance, 40 students at a mid-Atlantic university participated in a social intervention to possibly reduce implicit prejudice towards Arab-Muslims. Dissonance was induced by having a sample of participants with higher ratings on the anti-Arab-Muslim Prejudice scale publicly advocate for a pro-Islam community event. Reduction in implicit prejudice was measured by the difference in scores between the pre- and post- IAT test a week later. Due to a small sample size, no statistical significance could be found (184 words)

Hmong Student Mentorship: Increasing IS Student Success

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects US employers will require an additional 810,800 IT-related positions over the next 10 years (2019). Employers and Higher Education institutions continue to seek approaches to meet this demand. Traditional approaches to solve these shortages have focused on changes to course design, recruitment efforts, or pursuing the latest technology “gadgets”. We have identified an existing segment that is being underserved: Hmong-American (Hmong) IS students. Introducing a formal mentoring program for Hmong students will have several benefits for both students and their mentors. In addition, we believe that this mentoring program will increase the number of Hmong students seeking the IS degree

2-Aminopyridine Analogs Inhibit Both Enzymes of the Glyoxylate Shunt in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for many hospital-acquired infections. P. aeruginosa can thrive in diverse infection scenarios by rewiring its central metabolism. An example of this is the production of biomass from C2 nutrient sources such as acetate via the glyoxylate shunt when glucose is not available. The glyoxylate shunt is comprised of two enzymes, isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase G (MS), and flux through the shunt is essential for the survival of the organism in mammalian systems. In this study, we characterized the mode of action and cytotoxicity of structural analogs of 2-aminopyridines, which have been identified by earlier work as being inhibitory to both shunt enzymes. Two of these analogs were able to inhibit ICL and MS in vitro and prevented growth of P. aeruginosa on acetate (indicating cell permeability). Moreover, the compounds exerted negligible cytotoxicity against three human cell lines and showed promising in vitro drug metabolism and safety profiles. Isothermal titration calorimetry was used to confirm binding of one of the analogs to ICL and MS, and the mode of enzyme inhibition was determined. Our data suggest that these 2-aminopyridine analogs have potential as anti-pseudomonal agents

2-Aminopyridine Analogs Inhibit Both Enzymes of the Glyoxylate Shunt in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for many hospital-acquired infections. P. aeruginosa can thrive in diverse infection scenarios by rewiring its central metabolism. An example of this is the production of biomass from C2 nutrient sources such as acetate via the glyoxylate shunt when glucose is not available. The glyoxylate shunt is comprised of two enzymes, isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase G (MS), and flux through the shunt is essential for the survival of the organism in mammalian systems. In this study, we characterized the mode of action and cytotoxicity of structural analogs of 2-aminopyridines, which have been identified by earlier work as being inhibitory to both shunt enzymes. Two of these analogs were able to inhibit ICL and MS in vitro and prevented growth of P. aeruginosa on acetate (indicating cell permeability). Moreover, the compounds exerted negligible cytotoxicity against three human cell lines and showed promising in vitro drug metabolism and safety profiles. Isothermal titration calorimetry was used to confirm binding of one of the analogs to ICL and MS, and the mode of enzyme inhibition was determined. Our data suggest that these 2-aminopyridine analogs have potential as anti-pseudomonal agents

ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL WELL-BEING AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH SCHOOL-BASED TELEHEALTH THERAPY AND EVIDENCE-BASED NUTRITION EDUCATION

Education access and quality is a social determinant of health that impacts individuals' health outcomes, as those with higher education often live longer, healthier lives (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023). Physical and mental health can impact an individual's ability to attend and engage in classes, therefore impacting their academic performance. In Durham County, North Carolina 35% of high school students reported feelings of depression and 28% of high school students described themselves as overweight in 2019 (Naney, 2019; Obesity, Diabetes, and Food Access, 2022). We hope to increase equity while addressing mental health and nutritional well-being for all students at Durham County public high schools by providing greater opportunities and resources with school-based telehealth therapy and the Let’s Eat Healthy Nutrition curriculum that can boost their overall health and education.Master of Public Healt

ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL WELL-BEING AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH SCHOOL-BASED TELEHEALTH THERAPY AND EVIDENCE-BASED NUTRITION EDUCATION

Education access and quality is a social determinant of health that impacts individuals' health outcomes, as those with higher education often live longer, healthier lives (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023). Physical and mental health can impact an individual's ability to attend and engage in classes, therefore impacting their academic performance. In Durham County, North Carolina 35% of high school students reported feelings of depression and 28% of high school students described themselves as overweight in 2019 (Naney, 2019; Obesity, Diabetes, and Food Access, 2022). We hope to increase equity while addressing mental health and nutritional well-being for all students at Durham County public high schools by providing greater opportunities and resources with school-based telehealth therapy and the Let’s Eat Healthy Nutrition curriculum that can boost their overall health and education. Keywords: Social determinant of health, education access, mental health, nutrition education, Durham CountyMaster of Public Healt

ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL WELL-BEING AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH SCHOOL-BASED TELEHEALTH THERAPY AND EVIDENCE-BASED NUTRITION EDUCATION

Education access and quality is a social determinant of health that impacts individuals' health outcomes, as those with higher education often live longer, healthier lives (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023). Physical and mental health can impact an individual's ability to attend and engage in classes, therefore impacting their academic performance. In Durham County, North Carolina 35% of high school students reported feelings of depression and 28% of high school students described themselves as overweight in 2019 (Naney, 2019; Obesity, Diabetes, and Food Access, 2022). We hope to increase equity while addressing mental health and nutritional well-being for all students at Durham County public high schools by providing greater opportunities and resources with school-based telehealth therapy and the Let’s Eat Healthy Nutrition curriculum that can boost their overall health and education. Keywords: Social determinant of health, education access, mental-health, nutrition education, Durham CountyMaster of Public Healt

A cluster-randomized trial of workplace ergonomics and neck-specific exercise versus ergonomics and health promotion for office workers to manage neck pain : a secondary outcome analysis

Background: Neck pain is prevalent among office workers. This study evaluated the impact of an ergonomic and exercise training (EET) intervention and an ergonomic and health promotion (EHP) intervention on neck pain intensity among the All Workers and a subgroup of Neck Pain cases at baseline. Methods: A 12-month cluster-randomized trial was conducted in 14 public and private organisations. Office workers aged ≥18 years working ≥30 h per week (n = 740) received an individualised workstation ergonomic intervention, followed by 1:1 allocation to the EET group (neck-specific exercise training), or the EHP group (health promotion) for 12 weeks. Neck pain intensity (scale: 0–9) was recorded at baseline, 12 weeks, and 12 months. Participants with data at these three time points were included for analysis (n = 367). Intervention group differences were analysed using generalized estimating equation models on an intention-to-treat basis and adjusted for potential confounders. Subgroup analysis was performed on neck cases reporting pain ≥3 at baseline (n = 96). Results: The EET group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in neck pain intensity at 12 weeks compared to the EHP group for All Workers (EET: β = − 0.53 points 95% CI: − 0.84– − 0.22 [36%] and EHP: β = − 0.17 points 95% CI: − 0.47–0.13 [10.5%], p-value = 0.02) and the Neck Cases (EET: β = − 2.32 points 95% CI: − 3.09– − 1.56 [53%] and EHP: β = − 1.75 points 95% CI: − 2.35– − 1.16 [36%], p = 0.04). Reductions in pain intensity were not maintained at 12 months with no between-group differences observed in All Workers (EET: β = − 0.18, 95% CI: − 0.53–0.16 and EHP: β = − 0.14 points 95% CI: − 0.49–0.21, p = 0.53) or Neck Cases, although in both groups an overall reduction was found (EET: β = − 1.61 points 95% CI: − 2.36– − 0.89 and EHP: β = − 1.9 points 95% CI: − 2.59– − 1.20, p = 0.26). Conclusion: EET was more effective than EHP in reducing neck pain intensity in All Workers and Neck Cases immediately following the intervention period (12 weeks) but not at 12 months, with changes at 12 weeks reaching clinically meaningful thresholds for the Neck Cases. Findings suggest the need for continuation of exercise to maintain benefits in the longer term. Clinical trial registration: hACTRN12612001154897 Date of Registration: 31/10/2012

In‐person interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness: An evidence and gap map

BackgroundSocial isolation and loneliness can occur in all age groups, and they are linked to increased mortality and poorer health outcomes. There is a growing body of research indicating inconsistent findings on the effectiveness of interventions aiming to alleviate social isolation and loneliness. Hence the need to facilitate the discoverability of research on these interventions.ObjectivesTo map available evidence on the effects of in-person interventions aimed at mitigating social isolation and/or loneliness across all age groups and settings.Search MethodsThe following databases were searched from inception up to 17 February 2022 with no language restrictions: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, EBM Reviews—Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, APA PsycInfo via Ovid, CINAHL via EBSCO, EBSCO (all databases except CINAHL), Global Index Medicus, ProQuest (all databases), ProQuest ERIC, Web of Science, Korean Citation Index, Russian Science Citation Index, and SciELO Citation Index via Clarivate, and Elsevier Scopus.Selection CriteriaTitles, abstracts, and full texts of potentially eligible articles identified were screened independently by two reviewers for inclusion following the outlined eligibility criteria.Data Collection and AnalysisWe developed and pilot tested a data extraction code set in Eppi-Reviewer. Data was individually extracted and coded. We used the AMSTAR2 tool to assess the quality of reviews. However, the quality of the primary studies was not assessed.Main ResultsA total of 513 articles (421 primary studies and 92 systematic reviews) were included in this evidence and gap map which assessed the effectiveness of in-person interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness. Most (68%) of the reviews were classified as critically low quality, while less than 5% were classified as high or moderate quality. Most reviews looked at interpersonal delivery and community-based delivery interventions, especially interventions for changing cognition led by a health professional and group activities, respectively. Loneliness, wellbeing, and depression/anxiety were the most assessed outcomes. Most research was conducted in high-income countries, concentrated in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, with none from low-income countries. Major gaps were identified in societal level and community-based delivery interventions that address policies and community structures, respectively. Less than 5% of included reviews assessed process indicators or implementation outcomes. Similar patterns of evidence and gaps were found in primary studies. All age groups were represented but more reviews and primary studies focused on older adults (≥60 years, 63%) compared to young people (≤24 years, 34%). Two thirds described how at-risk populations were identified and even fewer assessed differences in effect across equity factors for populations experiencing inequities