829 research outputs found
The relationship of women's status and empowerment with skilled birth attendant use in Senegal and Tanzania.
BackgroundMaternal mortality remains unacceptably high in sub-Saharan Africa with 179,000 deaths occurring each year, accounting for 2-thirds of maternal deaths worldwide. Progress in reducing maternal deaths and increasing Skilled Birth Attendant (SBA) use at childbirth has stagnated in Africa. Although several studies demonstrate the important influences of women's status and empowerment on SBA use, this evidence is limited, particularly in Africa. Furthermore, few studies empirically test the operationalization of women's empowerment and incorporate multidimensional measures to represent the potentially disparate influence of women's status and empowerment on SBA use across settings.MethodsThis study examined the relationship of women's status and empowerment with SBA use in two African countries--Senegal and Tanzania--using the 2010 Demographic and Health Surveys (weighted births n = 10,688 in SN; 6748 in TZ). Factor analysis was first conducted to identify the structure and multiple dimensions of empowerment. Then, a multivariate regression analysis was conducted to examine associations between these empowerment dimensions and SBA use.ResultsOverall, women's status and empowerment were positively related to SBA use. Some sociodemographic characteristics showed similar effects across countries (e.g., age, wealth, residence, marital relationship, parity); however, women's status and empowerment influence SBA use differently by setting. Namely, women's education directly and positively influenced SBA use in Tanzania, but not in Senegal. Further, each of the dimensions of empowerment influenced SBA use in disparate ways. In Tanzania women's higher household decision-making power and employment were related to SBA use, while in Senegal more progressive perceptions of gender norms and older age at first marriage were related to SBA use.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence of the disparate influences of women's status and empowerment on SBA use across settings. Results indicate that efforts to increase SBA use and to reduce maternal mortality through the improvement of women's status and empowerment should focus both on improving girls' education and delaying marriage, as well as transforming gender norms and decision-making power. However, given the multi-dimensional and contextual nature of women's status and empowerment, it is critical to identify key drivers to increase SBA use in a given setting for contextually tailored policy and programming
Who Says Storm Is The Only Black Superheroine? : An Interpretative Textual Analysis Of The Black Superheroine
The study examines how race and gender stereotypes in popular culture shape the perception of the Black superheroine. This study also explores stereotypes and gender roles and how they impact Black female and male college studentsâ ages 18-38 and their imagination of the Black superheroine. As the status of popular culture grows, the generation of todayâs college student still remains regular consumers. Thus it was necessary to use a convenience sample of thirty-two African American male and female college-age students from four African American Studies undergraduate courses at Georgia State University that took part in a Superheroine questionnaire, in which they designed their own Black superheroine. This research employs an interpretative textual analysis research design to collect and analyze the data in which significant themes, phrases, and sentences are extracted
Efficient syntheses of climate relevant isoprene nitrates and (1R,5S)-(â)-myrtenol nitrate
Here we report the chemoselective synthesis of several important, climate relevant isoprene nitrates using silver nitrate to mediate a âhalide for nitrateâ substitution. Employing readily available starting materials, reagents and HornerâWadsworthâEmmons chemistry the synthesis of easily separable, synthetically versatile âkey building blocksâ (E)- and (Z)-3-methyl-4-chlorobut-2-en-1-ol as well as (E)- and (Z)-1-((2-methyl-4-bromobut-2-enyloxy)methyl)-4-methoxybenzene has been achieved using cheap, âoff the shelfâ materials. Exploiting their reactivity we have studied their ability to undergo an âallylic halide for allylic nitrateâ substitution reaction which we demonstrate generates (E)- and (Z)-3-methyl-4-hydroxybut-2-enyl nitrate, and (E)- and (Z)-2-methyl-4-hydroxybut-2-enyl nitrates (âisoprene nitratesâ) in 66â80% overall yields. Using NOESY experiments the elucidation of the carbonâcarbon double bond configuration within the purified isoprene nitrates has been established. Further exemplifying our âhalide for nitrateâ substitution chemistry we outline the straightforward transformation of (1R,2S)-(â)-myrtenol bromide into the previously unknown monoterpene nitrate (1R,2S)-(â)-myrtenol nitrate
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The Power of a Black Superheroine: Exploring Black Female Identities in Comics and Fandom Culture
2018 begins on very promising note for comic book fans, as the long-awaited Marvel Comics Black Panther film premieres in February. While Black Panther is the first black superhero comic character to appear in American comics in July 1966, and his stories are plentiful, the adventures of Americaâs first black superheroine are few and disparate. The appearance of âThe Butterfly,â Americaâs first black superheroine is not as well-known and documented along with many other noteworthy black female superheroines in comic books. The black female superheroineâs narrative, a diverse and complex one, is slowly building traction and worthy of scholarly attention. Her narrative is crucial and significant to the overall story of American comics. Thus, examining various Black female superheroine stories offers an opportunity to (re)explore new identities and territories in comics, reframe our understanding of certain terminology and concepts, and most notably to empower the black female voice
Distance-Based Habitat Associations of Northern Bobwhites in a Fescue-Dominated Landscape in Kansas
Northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) have a wide distribution across North America which influences itsâ associations with habitats in a variety of landscapes. We used radio-marked bobwhites and Euclidean distance to characterize land cover associations of bobwhites at generalized level 1 and specific level 2 land cover classifications during the reproductive (15 Apr-14 Oct) and covey (15 Oct-14 Apr) periods in southeastern Kansas from 2003 to 2005. Habitat associations occurred during the reproductive (Wilkesâ k 1â4 0.04, F6,36 1â4 143.682, P , 0.001) and covey (Wilkesâ k 1â4 0.056, F6, 29 1â4 81.99, P , 0.001) periods. Ranking of the reproductive period habitats indicated bobwhites preferred locations in close proximity to fescue (Festuca spp.) over all other habitats. Coveys preferred locations in close proximity to woody cover. Bobwhites were found to associate with specific habitats at the level 2 land cover classification during the reproductive (Wilkesâ k 1â4 0.006, F16, 26 1â4 284.483, P , 0.001) and covey (Wilkesâ k 1â4 0.004, F16, 19 1â4 276.037, P , 0.001) periods. Bobwhites preferred locations in close proximity to fescue pastures and roads equally over all other habitats during the reproductive period. Coveys preferred locations in close proximity to roads and Conservation Reserve Program lands during the covey period. Fescue pastures may be avoided by bobwhites during the covey period, provided adequate cover is not provided, but bobwhites are strongly associated with them during the reproductive period because they meet nesting and brooding needs not met by other habitats
Measurement of isoprene nitrates by GCMS
According to atmospheric chemistry models, isoprene nitrates play an important role in determining the ozone production efficiency of isoprene; however this is very poorly constrained through observations as isoprene nitrates have not been widely measured. Measurements have been severely restricted largely due to a limited ability to measure individual isoprene nitrate isomers. An instrument based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) and the associated calibration methods are described for the speciated measurements of individual isoprene nitrate isomers. Five of the primary isoprene nitrates which formed in the presence of NOx by reaction of isoprene with the hydroxyl radical (OH) in the Master Chemical Mechanism are identified using known isomers on two column phases and are fully separated on the Rtx-200 column. Three primary isoprene nitrates from the reaction of isoprene with the nitrate radical (NO3) are identified after synthesis from the already identified analogous hydroxy nitrate. A Tenax adsorbent-based trapping system allows the analysis of the majority of the known hydroxy and carbonyl primary isoprene nitrates, although not the (1,2)-IN isomer, under field-like levels of humidity and showed no impact from typical ambient concentrations of NOx and ozone
The Winding Road to Relapse: Forging a New Understanding of Cue-Induced Reinstatement Models and Their Associated Neural Mechanisms
In drug addiction, cues previously associated with drug use can produce craving and frequently trigger the resumption of drug taking in individuals vulnerable to relapse. Environmental stimuli associated with drugs or natural reinforcers can become reliably conditioned to increase behavior that was previously reinforced. In preclinical models of addiction, these cues enhance both drug self-administration and reinstatement of drug seeking. In this review, we will dissociate the roles of conditioned stimuli as reinforcers from their modulatory or discriminative functions in producing drug-seeking behavior. As well, we will examine possible differences in neurobiological encoding underlying these functional differences. Specifically, we will discuss how models of drug addiction and relapse should more systematically evaluate these different types of stimuli to better understand the neurobiology underlying craving and relapse. In this way, behavioral and pharmacotherapeutic interventions may be better tailored to promote drug use cessation outcomes and long-term abstinence
Cougars in Kansas
The presence of the cougar (Puma concolor) in the state of Kansas is a controversial issue. Since 1999, 234 cougar sightings have been reported to the Extension Wildlife Specialist at Kansas State University. To those who have reported such sightings, the existence of cougars in Kansas is undeniable. Others, however, question the validity of such sightings as providing evidence of cougars. After surveying other governmental agencies and organizations, we discovered that acceptable identification criteria for rare or unusual felines included things beside sightings: voucher specimens, DNA from hair or scat, tracks, prey carcasses, and photographs or videos. The cougar sightings from Kansas were plotted on a map using ArcGIS 9.1, and the Spatial Analyst Tool was used to test the 3 hypotheses of: 1) cougar sightings are located near rivers, as cover is provided; 2) sightings of cougars are located around captive felines that may be potential breeding partners; and 3) cougar sightings are located within the vicinity of cities with populations greater than or equal to 35,000 people, as the higher densities of observers may be associated with more opportunities for sightings. Our data led us to accept all 3 hypotheses
Cougars in Kansas
The presence of the cougar (Puma concolor) in the state of Kansas is a controversial issue. Since 1999, 234 cougar sightings have been reported to the Extension Wildlife Specialist at Kansas State University. To those who have reported such sightings, the existence of cougars in Kansas is undeniable. Others, however, question the validity of such sightings as providing evidence of cougars. After surveying other governmental agencies and organizations, we discovered that acceptable identification criteria for rare or unusual felines included things beside sightings: voucher specimens, DNA from hair or scat, tracks, prey carcasses, and photographs or videos. The cougar sightings from Kansas were plotted on a map using ArcGIS 9.1, and the Spatial Analyst Tool was used to test the 3 hypotheses of: 1) cougar sightings are located near rivers, as cover is provided; 2) sightings of cougars are located around captive felines that may be potential breeding partners; and 3) cougar sightings are located within the vicinity of cities with populations greater than or equal to 35,000 people, as the higher densities of observers may be associated with more opportunities for sightings. Our data led us to accept all 3 hypotheses
Morphologies of synaptic protein membrane fusion interfaces
Neurotransmitter release is orchestrated by synaptic proteins, such as SNAREs, synaptotagmin, and complexin, but the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We visualized functionally active synaptic proteins reconstituted into proteoliposomes and their interactions in a native membrane environment by electron cryotomography with a Volta phase plate for improved resolvability. The images revealed individual synaptic proteins and synaptic protein complex densities at prefusion contact sites between membranes. We observed distinct morphologies of individual synaptic proteins and their complexes. The minimal system, consisting of neuronal SNAREs and synaptotagmin-1, produced point and long-contact prefusion states. Morphologies and populations of these states changed as the regulatory factors complexin and Munc13 were added. Complexin increased the membrane separation, along with a higher propensity of point contacts. Further inclusion of the priming factor Munc13 exclusively restricted prefusion states to point contacts, all of which efficiently fused upon Ca2+ triggering. We conclude that synaptic proteins have evolved to limit possible contact site assemblies and morphologies to those that promote fast Ca2+-triggered release
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