Pleasure, Power, and Inequality: Incorporating Sexuality Into Research on Contraceptive Use

We know surprisingly little about how contraception affects sexual enjoyment and functioning (and vice versa), particularly for women. What do people seek from sex, and how do sexual experiences shape contraceptive use? We draw on qualitative data to make 3 points. First, pleasure varies. Both women and men reported multiple aspects of enjoyment, of which physical pleasure was only one. Second, pleasure matters. Clear links exist between the forms of pleasure respondents seek and their contraceptive practices. Third, pleasure intersects with power and social inequality. Both gender and social class shape sexual preferences and contraceptive use patterns. These findings call for a reframing of behavioral models that explain why people use (or do not use) contraception

Engaging Chicago Residents in Climate Change Action: Results from Rapid Ethnographic Inquiry

Addressing climate change requires action at all levels of society, from neighborhood to international levels. Using Rapid Ethnography rooted in Asset Based Community Development theory, we investigated climate-friendly attitudes and behaviors in two Chicago neighborhoods in order to assist the City with implementation of its Climate Action Plan. Our research suggests a means to effectively engage urban residents at the household and neighborhood level: understand the issues of importance in each neighborhood, assess the ways these are related to climate change mitigation or adaptation actions, and engage residents from this perspective, meeting mutually compatible goals. This builds upon the concept of co-benefits, but puts the neighborhood concerns rather than climate change issues in the lead in order to meet multiple goals. Rapid ethnography is a method well-suited to develop these understandings. It allows quick but in-depth insights into the attitudes, behaviors, goals, and aspirations of a neighborhood or other groups of people

A Taxonomy of Algorithmic Control Systems

Algorithmic control (AC) uses digital technologies and advanced algorithms to control workers and is rapidly becoming a central component of modern work environments. While previous research has explored the implications of AC by examining its specific forms, mechanisms, or functions, this research argues for a broader understanding of AC as socio-technical systems, explicitly considering the technological and organizational characteristics of AC. The overarching goal of this study is to identify and conceptualize the core dimensions and respective characteristics of AC systems. To achieve this goal, we develop a taxonomy based on a review of prior literature and an analysis of 21 empirical examples. Furthermore, we demonstrate the application and usefulness of the derived taxonomy by applying it to three real-world AC systems. By adopting a holistic system perspective and developing a validated taxonomy, our study contributes to the theoretical understanding of AC systems and sets the stage for deeper exploration in future research

Use of a Pressure Guidewire to Assess Pulmonary Artery Band Adequacy in the Hybrid Stage I Procedure for High‐risk Neonates with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Variants

Objective The hybrid stage I procedure is an alternative palliative strategy for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who traditionally have undergone the N orwood operation. At our institution, the hybrid stage I procedure is employed only for patients with high operative risk. Our objective was to describe our use of a pressure guidewire during the hybrid stage I procedure to assess quantitatively pulmonary artery band adequacy. Design After reviewing the charts on all high‐risk patients who underwent a hybrid stage I procedure at our institution, we compared two groups of patients: those who underwent the standard hybrid stage I palliation (standard cohort) and those with pressure wire‐facilitated assessment of distal branch pulmonary artery pressure (pressure wire cohort) to evaluate the impact of pressure guidewire use on procedural risk, radiation time, patient outcomes, and need for reoperation for pulmonary artery band adjustment. Results The pressure guidewire was used in 8 of 14 patients at the time of hybrid stage I procedure and was successful and without complication in all attempts. In the standard cohort, 67% of patients needed reoperation for pulmonary artery band adjustment, compared to 12.5% of patients in the pressure wire cohort ( P =.09). Procedure time, radiation exposure, and survival to hospital discharge were not different between groups. Conclusions This novel use of a pressure guidewire to assess quantitatively pulmonary artery band adequacy at the time of placement is feasible, safe and may decrease the need for reoperation for pulmonary artery band adjustment.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/97511/1/chd12005.pd

Outcomes of 1½- or 2-ventricle conversion for patients initially treated with single-ventricle palliation

ObjectiveAs outcomes for the Fontan procedure have improved, it has become more difficult to select between a single-ventricle repair or biventricular repair for patients with complex anatomy and 2 ventricles. However, late complications after the Fontan procedure remain a concern. Our strategy, which has favored an aggressive preferential approach for biventricular repair in these patients, has also been applied to patients initially treated on a single-ventricle track elsewhere.MethodsNine patients (4 male patients) who had previously undergone the Fontan procedure (n = 3) or bidirectional cavopulmonary shunting (n = 6) with intent for a later Fontan procedure were referred to our center for complex 1½- or 2-ventricle repair over the last 10 years. Indications for conversion in these patients were protein-losing enteropathy (n = 2), pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (n = 1), and preference for biventricular anatomy (n = 6). The conversion mainly consisted of takedown of the Fontan procedure or bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt connection, reconstruction of 1 or both of venae cavae, creation of an intraventricular pathway for left ventricular output, and placement of a right ventricle–pulmonary artery conduit (Rastelli-type operation).ResultsFive patients underwent 1½-ventricle repair, and 4 had complete biventricular repair. Median cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic crossclamp times were 202 minutes (range, 169–352 minutes) and 129 minutes (range, 100–168 minutes), respectively. There were 2 early deaths and 1 late death. At a median follow-up of 27 months (range, 3.3–99.8 months), all survivors are in New York Heart Association class I.ConclusionsPatients initially treated with intent to perform single-ventricle palliation can be converted to 1½- or 2-ventricle physiology with acceptable outcomes

Integrating asset-based community development and community-based research for social change: A beginning

This themed volume is grounded in a set of diverse case studies that bring community and university partners together using two aligned methodologies: community-based research (CBR), which evolved from higher education, and asset-based community development (ABCD), which evolved from community practice. The volume places these methodologies in dialogue with each other, to examine and begin to answer the question that guided the volume’s call for articles: can CBR and ABCD be compatible agents in equitable and sustainable change? From the case studies emerge five themes that we explore in this guest editorial: (1) the benefits of community-university partnerships; (2) the risks of community-university partnerships; (3) notions of community expertise and ‘community partner’; (4) the centrality of relationship-based methodologies in partner-building; and (5) explorations of power, equity and justice. The editorial opens and closes with discussion on the important systemic question of power imbalances between universities and communities, which has to be addressed for these methodologies to be effective, whether used on their own or in combination within community-university partnerships. It concludes with a discussion of the ‘deep, wide and connected’ community engagement that the articles as a whole suggest is necessary to have equitable and sustainable impact

Student Voices Session / Moderator: Ed Vermue

Hear how objects-based pedagogy has shaped and positively impacted the educational experiences of students. Jennifer Lin: English and East Asian StudiesUna Creedon-Carey: Medieval StudiesSarah Rose Lejeune: Book ArtsJulian Hirsch: ArchaeologyNathan Carpenter: Africatown Projec

Hybrid approach for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum: Early single center results and comparison to the standard surgical approach

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106725/1/ccd25181.pd

INTS6/DICE1 inhibits growth of human androgen-independent prostate cancer cells by altering the cell cycle profile and Wnt signaling

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The gene encoding integrator complex subunit 6 (<it>INTS6</it>), previously known as deleted in cancer cells 1 (<it>DICE1</it>, OMIM 604331) was found to be frequently affected by allelic deletion and promoter hypermethylation in prostate cancer specimens and cell lines. A missense mutation has been detected in prostate cancer cell line LNCaP. Together, these results suggest <it>INTS6/DICE1 </it>as a putative tumor suppressor gene in prostate cancer. In this study, we examined the growth inhibitory effects of <it>INTS6/DICE1 </it>on prostate cancer cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Markedly decreased <it>INTS6/DICE1 </it>mRNA levels were detected in prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, DU145 and PC3 as well as CPTX1532 as compared to a cell line derived from normal prostate tissue, NPTX1532. Exogenous re-expression of <it>INTS6/DICE1 </it>cDNA in androgen-independent PC3 and DU145 cell lines substantially suppressed their ability to form colonies <it>in vitro</it>. This growth inhibition was not due to immediate induction of apoptosis. Rather, prostate cancer cells arrested in G1 phase of the cell cycle. Expression profiling of members of the Wnt signaling pathway revealed up-regulation of several genes including disheveled inhibitor CXXC finger 4 (<it>CXXC4</it>), frizzled homologue 7 (<it>FZD7</it>), transcription factor 7-like 1 (<it>TCF7L1</it>), and down-regulation of cyclin D1.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results show for the first time a link between <it>INTS6/DICE1 </it>function, cell cycle regulation and cell-cell communication involving members of the Wnt signaling pathway.</p