Preserving Innocence: Ending Perceived Adultification and Toxic Masculinity Toward Black Boys

As early as the age of ten, Black boys are viewed as older, guilty until proven innocent by law enforcement (including school resource officers), and encounter a myriad of adverse racialized academic and social experiences (e.g., explicit and implicit biases) (Goff et al., 2014; Noguera, 2008). Dancy (2014) noted how Trayvon Martin, a Black male teen murdered for essentially being seen as threatening and intimidating, was viewed as adult-aged, deviant, troubled, and shiftless. Moreover, Black boys are expected to express minimum “signs” of weakness, vulnerability, and/or sensitivity. The aforementioned social persona may contribute to young Black men and boys not feeling comfortable talking about their feelings and emotional distresses or even seeking professional help, when needed. Generally speaking, many young Black men and boys struggle with emotional vulnerability and choose to avoid or resist any attempts to examine their emotional experiences. Thus, it is important to note that the absence of healthy emotional support channels to process and disclose their feelings may lead to negative life outcomes, such as depression, cardiac arrest, and a shorter lifespan (Ford, 2020). In this article, we discuss the historical and contemporary contexts of adultification of young Black boys; present two vignettes to show examples of how boys are adultified; examine how toxic masculinity may prevent healthy relationships and emotional expressions for Black boys; and offer specific recommendations to educators and families

Culturally Responsive Postsecondary Readiness Practices for Black Males: Practice and Policy Recommendations for School Counselors

Postsecondary readiness is critical to broadening opportunities for educational and career options beyond high school. However, Black males are often at a disadvantage to gaining access to postsecondary preparation and school counselors who can respond to their academic needs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and culturally responsive practices of school stakeholders (who are predominantly Black) from an academy of engineering (career academy). The authors used a case study approach to examine culturally responsive practices school personnel utilize to enhance the college and career readiness of Black males. Findings emphasize the role of culturally responsive practices (e.g., Black male role models from business and industry in the engineering field and school counselors), cultural matching, and the role of the advisory board in ensuring the success of Black male students. Recommendations for practice, policy, and research for Black males and school counselors are discussed

From a Bag Lunch to a Buffet: A Case Study of a Low-Income African American Academy’s Vision of Promoting College and Career Readiness in the United States

The purpose of this research study was to examine the ways in which stakeholders at a low-income, predominantly African American STEAM academy implement initiatives that support the college and career readiness of their students. We found that a shift in leadership efforts to ensure that academy students were prepared to be both college and career ready provided equity and access to a quality and individualized curriculum through the implementation of career academies. As a result, stakeholders believed that students were more included, valued, and engaged in the school

WFPC2 Images of the Central Regions of Early-Type Galaxies - I. The Data

We present high resolution R-band images of the central regions of 67 early-type galaxies obtained with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Our sample strikingly confirms the complex morphologies of the central regions of early-type galaxies. In particular, we detect dust in 43 percent of all galaxies, and evidence for embedded stellar disks in a remarkably large fraction of 51 percent. In 14 of those galaxies the disk-like structures are misaligned with the main galaxy, suggesting that they correspond to stellar bars in S0 galaxies. We analyze the luminosity profiles of the galaxies in our sample, and classify galaxies according to their central cusp slope. To a large extent we confirm the clear dichotomy found in previous HST surveys: bright, boxy ellipticals with shallow inner cusps (`core' galaxies) on one hand and faint, disky ellipticals with steep central cusps (`power-law' galaxies) on the other hand. The advantages and shortcomings of classification schemes utilizing the extrapolated central cusp slope are discussed, and it is shown that this cusp slope might be an inadequate representation for galaxies whose luminosity profile slope changes smoothly with radius rather than resembling a broken power-law. In fact, we find evidence for an `intermediate' class of galaxies, that cannot unambiguously be classified as either core or power-law galaxies, and which have central cusp slopes and absolute magnitudes intermediate between those of core and power-law galaxies.Comment: 44 pages, 7 Postscript figures. Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal. The associated Appendix with figures of luminosity profiles, contour plots and isophotal parameters for all galaxies is available at http://www.astro.washington.edu/rest/centralpro

WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO HOSPITAL VARIATION IN OBSTETRIC TRANSFUSION RATES?

Background & Objectives: To explore variation in red blood cell transfusion rates between hospitals, and the extent to which this can be explained. A secondary objective was to assess whether hospital transfusion rates are associated with maternal morbidity. Materials & Methods: Linked hospital discharge and birth data were used to identify births (N=279,145) in hospitals with at least 10 deliveries per annum between 2008-2010 in New South Wales, Australia. To investigate transfusion rates, a series of random effects multilevel logistic regression models were fitted, progressively adjusting for maternal, obstetric and hospital factors. Correlations between hospital transfusion and maternal, neonatal morbidity and readmission rates were assessed. Results: Overall, the transfusion rate was 1.4% (hospital range 0.6 to 2.9) across 89 hospitals. Adjusting for maternal casemix, reduced the variation between hospitals by 26%. Adjustment for obstetric interventions further reduced variation by 8% and a further 39% after adjustment for hospital type. At a hospital level, high transfusion rates were moderately correlated with maternal morbidity (0.56, p=0.01) and low Apgar scores (0.54, p=0.002), but not with readmission rates (0.18, p=0.28). Conclusion: Both casemix and practice differences contributed to the variation in transfusion rates between hospitals. The relationship between outcomes and transfusion rates was variable, however low transfusion rates were not associated with worse outcomes.Partnership Grant from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council NHMRC (#1027262), the Australian Red Cross and the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission, NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (#1021025). ARC Future Fellowship (#120100069)

WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO HOSPITAL VARIATION IN OBSTETRIC TRANSFUSION RATES?

Background & Objectives: To explore variation in red blood cell transfusion rates between hospitals, and the extent to which this can be explained. A secondary objective was to assess whether hospital transfusion rates are associated with maternal morbidity. Materials & Methods: Linked hospital discharge and birth data were used to identify births (N=279,145) in hospitals with at least 10 deliveries per annum between 2008-2010 in New South Wales, Australia. To investigate transfusion rates, a series of random effects multilevel logistic regression models were fitted, progressively adjusting for maternal, obstetric and hospital factors. Correlations between hospital transfusion and maternal, neonatal morbidity and readmission rates were assessed. Results: Overall, the transfusion rate was 1.4% (hospital range 0.6 to 2.9) across 89 hospitals. Adjusting for maternal casemix, reduced the variation between hospitals by 26%. Adjustment for obstetric interventions further reduced variation by 8% and a further 39% after adjustment for hospital type. At a hospital level, high transfusion rates were moderately correlated with maternal morbidity (0.56, p=0.01) and low Apgar scores (0.54, p=0.002), but not with readmission rates (0.18, p=0.28). Conclusion: Both casemix and practice differences contributed to the variation in transfusion rates between hospitals. The relationship between outcomes and transfusion rates was variable, however low transfusion rates were not associated with worse outcomes.Partnership Grant from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council NHMRC (#1027262), the Australian Red Cross and the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission, NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (#1021025). ARC Future Fellowship (#120100069)

Tuning of Ranvier node and internode properties in myelinated axons to adjust action potential timing

Action potential timing is fundamental to information processing;however, its determinants are not fully understood. Here we report unexpected structural specializations in the Ranvier nodes and internodes of auditory brainstem axons involved in sound localization. Myelination properties deviated significantly from the traditionally assumed structure. Axons responding best to low-frequency sounds had a larger diameter than high-frequency axons but, surprisingly, shorter internodes. Simulations predicted that this geometry helps to adjust the conduction velocity and timing of action potentials within the circuit. Electrophysiological recordings in vitro and in vivo confirmed higher conduction velocities in low-frequency axons. Moreover, internode length decreased and Ranvier node diameter increased progressively along the distal axon segments, which simulations show was essential to ensure precisely timed depolarization of the giant calyx of Held presynaptic terminal. Thus, individual anatomical parameters of myelinated axons can be tuned to optimize pathways involved in temporal processing

Manipulation of drugs to achieve the required dose is intrinsic to paediatric practice but is not supported by guidelines or evidence

Background: A lack of age-appropriate formulations can make it difficult to administer medicines to children. A manipulation of the dosage form may be required to achieve the required dose. This study aimed to describe medicines that are manipulated to achieve the required dose in paediatric practice.Method: A structured, undisguised observational study and postal survey. The observational study investigated drug manipulations occurring in clinical practice across three sites. The questionnaire, administered to a sample of paediatric nurses throughout the UK, surveyed manipulations conducted and nurses' experiences and views.Results: The observational study identified 310 manipulations, of which 62% involved tablets, 21% were intravenous drugs and 10% were sachets. Of the 54 observed manipulations 40 involved tablets with 65% of the tablets being cut and 30% dispersed to obtain a smaller dose. 188 manipulations were reported by questionnaire respondents, of these 46% involved tablets, 12% were intravenous drugs, and 12% were nebuliser solutions. Manipulations were predominantly, but not exclusively, identified in specialist clinical areas with more highly dependent patients. Questionnaire respondents were concerned about the accuracy of the dose achieved following manipulations and the lack of practice guidance.Conclusion: Manipulations to achieve the required dose occur throughout paediatric in-patient settings. The impact of manipulations on the efficacy of the drugs, the accuracy of the dose and any adverse effects on patients is not known. There is a need to develop evidence-based guidance for manipulations of medicines in children