Physical intimate partner violence of African American women: promising practices and pitfalls in treatment

Intimate partner violence is a serious health concern among African American women. It is estimated about 41% of African American women experience physical violence from an intimate partner. A number of risk factors, as well as cultural and contextual dynamics (e.g., gendered racism, low socioeconomic status, cultural norms, exposure to family violence, as well as cultural mistrust of the healthcare and legal systems), are associated with the high prevalence rate of African American women experiencing physical abuse. Due to the unique challenges that African American women survivors of partner violence often experience, there is a gap in the current literature on the best mental health practices for working with this population. This study aims to learn more about African American women survivors and their experience in therapy and the general approaches used in psychology they found helpful or not while in treatment. The present study interviewed six Black women with histories of partner abuse and utilized a phenomenological qualitative study to understand the treatment experience of the survivors

Creating the First Genetically Engineered Eukaryote with Circular Chromosomes

Prokaryotes and eukaryotes differ in their chromosome structure; prokaryotes have a single circular chromosome, while eukaryotes have multiple circular chromosomes. Linear chromosomes are more complex than circular ones and create problems for eukaryotes. Many of these issues are solved by telomeres—long, repetitive sequences of DNA found on the ends of most eukaryotic chromosomes. They protect the ends from harm and limit how many times a cell can divide. Two of our greatest medical challenges, cancer and aging, are closely related to telomeres; most cancers upregulate telomerase, and aging human cells display shorter telomeres. To investigate the evolution and function of telomeres, we are circularizing chromosome VII in a strain of the single-celled eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast). There is precedent set for functional and viable yeast with circular chromosomes; a naturally circularized chromosome III has been found in mutant S. cerevisiae (1); natural circularization of all 3 chromosomes has been observed in mutant Schizosaccharomyces pombe, another type of yeast (2); and a strain of S. cerevisiae has been created with all its chromosomes fused into a single, massive circular chromosome (3).https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/celebration_posters_2022/1034/thumbnail.jp

Love, Language, and Linear Algebra: Linguistic Modeling of Personality and Mate Preference

This study utilized Latent Semantic Analysis to determine whether similarities in personality predicted similarities in responses to a romantic writing prompt (Landauer & Dumais, 1997). From participants’ writing samples, we calculated thematic cosines (a measure of relatedness) between each male and female participant. Participants also completed the Big Five Personality Questionnaire Short Form (Morizet, 2014). Extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were related to cosines, which suggested small-medium relationships from personality traits to written responses. This relationship was consistent with previous studies; therefore, Latent Semantic Analysis may be useful in quantifying mate preference, especially when alongside traditional survey methods. We conclude with a discussion of the compatibility of ordinal measures (survey data) and continuous measures in examining complex phenomena in the Behavioral Sciences

A pump-probe study of the formation of rubidium molecules by ultrafast photoassociation of ultracold atoms

An experimental pump-probe study of the photoassociative creation of translationally ultracold rubidium molecules is presented together with numerical simulations of the process. The formation of loosely bound excited-state dimers is observed as a first step towards a fully coherent pump-dump approach to the stabilization of Rb$_2$ into its lowest ground vibrational states. The population that contributes to the pump-probe process is characterized and found to be distinct from a background population of pre-associated molecules.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. A (10 pages, 9 figures

Physiotherapy informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PACT):Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of PACT versus usual physiotherapy care for adults with chronic low back pain

INTRODUCTION: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common condition and source of significant suffering, disability and healthcare costs. Current physiotherapy treatment is moderately effective. Combining theory-based psychological methods with physiotherapy could improve outcomes for people with CLBP. The primary aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the efficacy of Physiotherapy informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PACT) on functioning in patients with CLBP. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The PACT trial is a two-armed, parallel-group, multicentre RCT to assess the efficacy of PACT in comparison with usual physiotherapy care (UC). 240 patients referred to physiotherapy with CLBP will be recruited from three National Health Service (NHS) hospitals trusts. Inclusion criteria are: age ≥18 years, CLBP ≥12-week duration, scoring ≥3 points on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and adequate understanding of spoken and written English to participate. Patients will be randomised to PACT or UC (120 per arm stratified by centre) by an independent randomisation service and followed up at 3 and 12 months post randomisation. The sample size of 240 will provide adequate power to detect a standardised mean difference of 0.40 in the primary outcome (RMDQ; 5% significance, 80% power) assuming attrition of 20%. Analysis will be by intention to treat conducted by the trial statistician, blind to treatment group, following a prespecified analysis plan. Estimates of treatment effect at the follow-up assessments will use an intention-to-treat framework, implemented using a linear mixed-effects model. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial has full ethical approval (14/SC/0277). It will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. The results will enable clinicians, patients and health service managers to make informed decisions regarding the efficacy of PACT for patients with CLBP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: number ISRCTN95392287; Pre-results

Policymaking ‘under the radar': a case study of pesticide regulation to prevent intentional poisoning in Sri Lanka

Background Suicide in Sri Lanka is a major public health problem and in 1995 the country had one of the highest rates of suicide worldwide. Since then reductions in overall suicide rates have been largely attributed to efforts to regulate a range of pesticides. The evolution, context, events and implementation of the key policy decisions around regulation are examined. Methods This study was undertaken as part of a broader analysis of policy in two parts—an explanatory case study and stakeholder analysis. This article describes the explanatory case study that included an historical narrative and in-depth interviews. Results A timeline and chronology of policy actions and influence were derived from interview and document data. Fourteen key informants were interviewed and four distinct policy phases were identified. The early stages of pesticide regulation were dominated by political and economic considerations and strongly influenced by external factors. The second phase was marked by a period of local institution building, the engagement of local stakeholders, and expanded links between health and agriculture. During the third phase the problem of self-poisoning dominated the policy agenda and closer links between stakeholders, evidence and policymaking developed. The fourth and most recent phase was characterized by strong local capacity for policymaking, informed by evidence, developed in collaboration with a powerful network of stakeholders, including international researchers. Conclusions The policy response to extremely high rates of suicide from intentional poisoning with pesticides shows a unique and successful example of policymaking to prevent suicide. It also highlights policy action taking place ‘under the radar', thus avoiding policy inertia often associated with reforms in lower and middle income countrie

Low volumetric flow rate injection system

Current research is being studied in polymer drag reduction within a turbulent boundary layer. This research requires precise control of the volumetric flux of solution injected into a developing boundary layer. Because of significant uncertainty in the current system, a critical developing boundary layer. Because of significant uncertainty in the current system, a critical need exists for an improved injection system that is both mobile and has a wide range of operation. This project includes the design and construction of a mobile syringe pump system that has a mobile platform, digital control of the injection rate, ability to operate over a wide range of volumetric injection fluxes, and can be used with water and polymer solutions. The system design consisted of fluid flow analysis, sizing a motor, design of the system components, and digital controls. The system was tested to verify the flow rates that could be achieved. This calibration found the maximum achievable flow rate to be 8Qs. Additional calibration will be done to the system onve the system construction is finalized

EXPANSION OF ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS THROUGH THE CREATION OF AN ACCOUNTABLE CARE COMMUNITY IN ROBESON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

Many individuals, especially those living in low-income communities and communities of color, face the challenge of access to healthy foods that support eating patterns. This has been a persistent issue for Robeson County, North Carolina. Research suggests that healthy food choices such as eating fruits and vegetables have nutritional, physical, and mental health benefits. However, there are barriers and disparities in the accessibility and availability of foods that support healthy eating patterns. In recognition of this, an Accountable Care Community plan was established to implement public health policy and program to limit barriers and improve access to healthy foods. The proposed policy involves expanding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits at the Robeson County Farmers Market. The proposed program consists of expanding the same benefits to be accessible to purchase Robeson County Farmers Market Community Supported Agriculture’s produce box. For this summary, the phrase “access to foods that support healthy eating patterns” is interchangeable with “access to healthy foods.”Master of Public Healt