Undocumented, Unafraid, and Unapologetic: Exploring the Role of Activism in DACAmented Latinas/os/xs’ Thwarted Transition into Adulthood

Given the growing population of undocumented Latina/o/x immigrants who came to the United States as children, there is a need for research that explores the risk and protective factors of their experiences growing up in the United States. As they transition through adolescence, they emerge as adults in a very different world. No longer protected from deportation, they must take more serious risks with employment. Without access to federal financial aid, they face the reality that they may never be able to utilize their college education in the United States. Against these odds, and with the temporary protection of DACA, an increasing number of undocumented childhood arrivals are civically engaged in the immigrant rights movement. Employing a qualitative method based on constructivist and feminist frameworks called Consensual Qualitative Research, this study sought to explore the impact of activism in Latina/o/x DACAmented immigrants’ thwarted transition to adulthood, highlighting the ways in which Latina/o/x cultural values mitigate the impact of activism. The sample consisted of 12 Latina/o/x DACAmented activists, eight women and four men, ages 18-32, from Mexico (n = 10), Guatemala (n = 1), and Dominican Republic (n = 1). The findings in this study not only suggested that protective migration factors, DACA-related privileges, and strong coping skills contributed to Latina/o/x DACAmented immigrants’ decision to become activists, but they also noted that activism has been a protective factor in and of itself. The results also showed the ways in which Latina/o/x cultural values helped them make sense of their unique experiences and were consistent with the values within their activist communities. Existing clinical recommendations, resources, and research methods were highlighted as ways in which mental health providers can apply these findings in their clinical, training, and research practice

Are the Oceans in Trouble? (8th Grade)

The goal of this unit is to equip students to explore how environmental changes affect organisms in an ecosystem and use that skill to defend an argument for or against the crisis in the ocean ecosystems. Additionally, students will determine the consequences of the role they play in global ecosystems and ways they could modify their behavior for more favorable global conditions. Students begin their exploration by manipulating kelp forest ecosystem food webs and creating stable ecosystems that can best withstand crisis. From there students explore how changes in single organisms (specifically ecosystem engineers) affect the entire system, as well as how changes in the environment affect an ocean’s ecosystems. The final project focuses on how human activities specifically affect the ocean. Students must answer the question “Are the oceans in trouble?” and defend their conclusion in a class presentation. After the defense, students must reveal an ad campaign that advocates ways the average student could respond to their conclusions

The Stateless Agent: A Multidisciplinary Analysis of Transboundary Air Pollution in the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez Region of the U.S.-Mexico Border

The El Paso-Ciudad Juárez (EPJ) region has a history of nonattainment for ozone and particulate matter. Given transboundary air pollution in the EPJ region is not confined to the U.S.-Mexico border, it is important to implement a transnational response that accounts for the health and safety of everyone, including marginalized communities in EPJ. This thesis assesses the state of air quality and transboundary air pollution in the EPJ region through a multidisciplinary perspective that focuses on issues of data monitoring, environmental governance, and transnational environmental justice. Analysis of the quantity and placement of ambient monitoring stations reveals EPJ residents near major pollution sources are underrepresented in the air monitoring network. Cross-border governmental collaboration efforts are found to be at stake in the dispute to blame Ciudad Juarez for El Paso’s ozone nonattainment status. Community organizations in El Paso were found to address air pollution concerns, yet the lack of community organizations in Ciudad Juarez doing such work calls for the opportunity to implement a transnational network addressing transboundary air pollution concerns. Results of this multidisciplinary research suggest a transnational response that increases ambient monitoring stations near major pollution sources, addresses air pollution reduction rather than blame, and fosters a transnational network, will improve the wellbeing of marginalized border communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution in the EPJ region. Located along the U.S.-Mexico border, Latine communities and Latine environments in El Paso-Ciudad Juárez have long been rendered marginal by the government institutions in place

Biologics May Prevent Cardiovascular Events in Rheumatoid Arthritis by Inhibiting Coronary Plaque Formation and Stabilizing High-Risk Lesions.

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) decrease cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and whether biologic DMARDs might have a beneficial effect on coronary plaque formation or progression.MethodsIn this single-center observational cohort study, 150 patients underwent computed tomographic angiography for evaluation of coronary atherosclerosis (total, noncalcified, mixed/calcified, and low-attenuation plaque); 101 had repeat assessments within a mean ± SD of 6.9 ± 0.3 years to evaluate plaque progression. All CVD events were prospectively recorded, including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, revascularization, stroke, claudication, and hospitalization for heart failure. The Framingham-D'Agostino score was used to assess cardiovascular risk. The segment stenosis score was used to measure plaque burden. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated.ResultsAfter adjustment for the segment stenosis score, the Framingham-D'Agostino score, and time-varying Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the C-reactive protein level using marginal structural models, current biologic DMARD use was associated with lower long-term CVD risk (OR 0.15 [95% CI 0.04-0.60]). Noncalcified and low-attenuation plaque presence moderated the effect of biologic DMARDs on CVD risk; specifically, biologic DMARD use was associated with lower CVD risk in patients with noncalcified or low-attenuation plaque at baseline (OR 0.21 [95% CI 0.04-0.99] and OR 0.08 [95% CI 0.01-0.70], respectively), but not in those without noncalcified or low-attenuation plaque. Per-segment plaque progression analyses showed that biologic DMARD exposure was associated with transition of noncalcified to mixed/calcified plaque (OR 4.00 [95% CI 1.05-15.32]). Biologic DMARD exposure predicted a lower likelihood of new plaque forming in segments without plaque among patients without mixed/calcified plaque in other coronary segments (OR 0.40 [95% CI 0.17-0.93]), but not among those with calcification. Biologic DMARD treatment also predicted low-attenuation plaque loss (P = 0.042).ConclusionOur findings indicate that in RA, biologic DMARD use is associated with reduced CVD risk, protective calcification of noncalcified lesions, and lower likelihood of new plaque formation in patients with early atherosclerosis

Schools in vulnerable contexts: Galapagos Islands’ principals and accountability

Rural and remote areas present challenges in the organization of schools, especially when implementing new practices. In this study, we examine the leadership challenges faced by principals in the Galapagos Islands, under the Ministry of Education in Ecuador. The purpose of this case is to examine the work of principals leading schools in this unique context observing the expectations and demands for principals under a newly implemented accountability system. Significant in this study is the examination of leadership in highly vulnerable contexts, including the remote islands of Galapagos, and leadership values respective to the success of schools and communities

Physical Science - UNDER PRESSURE: Matter and its Interactions

Air pressure, or atmospheric pressure, is the force exerted on objects by the atmosphere. Barometers are typically used to measure atmospheric pressure. Made of a liquid filled glass tube, the level of liquid will rise when the pressure increases and fall when the pressure drops. Lower barometric pressure tends to be associated with precipitation and cloudiness, while higher readings are related to sunshine and calmer weather. Air is made of invisible particles. The density of these particles is affected by atmospheric pressure. The greater the pressure, the more densely packed the particles are. In comparison, less pressure means a lower density of air particles. While the particles are too small to be observed, the effects of the particles and changing their density are often visible. Everything is made of matter, which is composed of atoms. Atoms are too small to be seen with the human eye. Matter has volume and mass. Mass refers to the amount of matter in an object. Volume will be affected by pressure changes, whereas mass will not

Hacia una epistemología de la comunicología: la teoría de la comunicación en Serres y en Martín-Barbero

Numerosos trabajos que evocan la epistemología de la comunicología se refieren al grado de cientificidad de la disciplina más que al estudio de la elaboración conceptual y metodológica de las teorías de la comunicación. En este trabajo nos concentramos en el análisis de las elaboraciones epistemológicas que sustentan los enfoques comunicológicos de Jesús Martín Barbero y Michel Serres, para avanzar hacia una reconstrucción de la epistemología de la comunicología. Para tal fin, exponemos de manera introductoria la formación de ambos autores. Enseguida partimos de la epistemología del mundo contemporáneo para ubicar el análisis comunicacional de los autores. En un tercer momento, analizamos en los autores sus concepciones metodológicas en la traducción y las mediaciones. En seguida, abordamos el papel de la tecnicidad y la noción de red en la comunicación. Al final presentaremos las conclusiones epistemológicas de este ejercicio comparativo y las lecciones que podrían emplearse para avanzar en una epistemología de la comunicología.Numerosos trabajos que evocan la epistemología de la comunicología se refieren al grado de cientificidad de la disciplina más que al estudio de la elaboración conceptual y metodológica de las teorías de la comunicación. En este trabajo nos concentramos en el análisis de las elaboraciones epistemológicas que sustentan los enfoques comunicológicos de Jesús Martín Barbero y Michel Serres, para avanzar hacia una reconstrucción de la epistemología de la comunicología. Para tal fin, exponemos de manera introductoria la formación de ambos autores. Enseguida partimos de la epistemología del mundo contemporáneo para ubicar el análisis comunicacional de los autores. En un tercer momento, analizamos en los autores sus concepciones metodológicas en la traducción y las mediaciones. En seguida, abordamos el papel de la tecnicidad y la noción de red en la comunicación. Al final presentaremos las conclusiones epistemológicas de este ejercicio comparativo y las lecciones que podrían emplearse para avanzar en una epistemología de la comunicología

First Year Experience: Create an Ideal College Campus

First Year Experience 101 Assignment: Working in partners, design your ideal college campusbased on six areas of college life discussed this term