Objective Quantification of Daytime Sleepiness

BACKGROUND: Sleep problems affect people of all ages, race, gender, and socioeconomic classifications. Undiagnosed sleep disorders significantly and adversely impact a person’s level of academic achievement, job performance, and subsequently, socioeconomic status. Undiagnosed sleep disorders also negatively impact both direct and indirect costs for employers, the national government, and the general public. Sleepiness has significant implications on quality of life by impacting occupational performance, driving ability, cognition, memory, and overall health. The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence of daytime sleepiness, as well as other quantitative predictors of sleep continuity and quality. METHODS: Population data from the CDC program in fatigue surveillance were used for this secondary analysis seeking to characterize sleep quality and continuity variables. Each participant underwent a standard nocturnal polysomnography and a standard multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) on the subsequent day. Frequency and chi-square tests were used to describe the sample. One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare sleep related variables of groups with sleep latencies of \u3c5 \u3eminutes, 5-10 minutes, and \u3e10 minutes. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association of the sleep variables with sleep latency time. RESULTS: The mean (SD) sleep latency of the sample was 8.8 (4.9) minutes. Twenty-four individuals had ≥1 SOREM, and approximately 50% of participants (n = 100) met clinical criteria for a sleep disorder. Individuals with shorter sleep latencies, compared to those with longer latencies reported higher levels of subjective sleepiness, had higher sleep efficiency percentages, and longer sleep times. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale, sleep efficiency percentage, total sleep time, the presence of a sleep disorder, and limb movement index were positively associated with a mean sleep latency of \u3c5 \u3eminutes. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a significant percentage of sleep disorders within our study sample validate prior suggestions that such disorders remain unrecognized, undiagnosed, and untreated. In addition, our findings confirm questionnaire-based surveys that suggest a significant number of the population is excessively sleepy, or hypersomnolent. Therefore, the high prevalence of sleep disorders and the negative public health effects of daytime sleepiness demand attention. Further studies are now required to better quantify levels daytime sleepiness, within a population based sample, to better understand their impact upon morbidity and mortality. This will not only expand on our current understanding of daytime sleepiness, but it will also raise awareness surrounding its significance and relation to public health

LEGISLATOR SUPPORT FOR NEW PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INITIATIVES : A CASE STUDY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DENTAL MEDICINE

This study addresses the need for leaders in public higher education to possess a general knowledge of how new initiatives in public higher education gain support from state legislators to advance and implement their initiatives. This study's research question is: What is the process by which public higher education institutions receive legislative support for new initiatives? This question was explored through a qualitative, historical case study investigating the evolution of the School of Dental Medicine (SoDM) at East Carolina University (ECU) as an example of a new initiative in public higher education (four-year level institutions) that was successful during the Great Recession and a period with limited resources in the University of North Carolina System.   Through a combination of semi-structured interviews and archival documents, information was coded in an effort to analyze the evolution of the events leading to the successful creation and funding of the SoDM at ECU through the lens of Kingdon's (2003) Multiple Streams Model and Primeval Soup Concept. Analysis of the findings extracted from primary and secondary coding of informants' responses revealed data that guided recommendations of strategies/approaches for public higher education leaders to consider utilizing in order to advance new initiatives at their institutions of public higher education that rely on support from state legislative approvals and appropriations for establishment.    While Kingdon has focused on the federal level of decision making, in areas such as healthcare and transportation, this study applied his concepts to the state level of decision making in the arena of public higher education. This study went beyond establishing which streams were most influential on the overall process of political decision making in public higher education by exploring deeper into the realms of where events of change occurred and the themes of influences that were most active with respect to advancing and challenging the initiative throughout its evolution. Strategies/approaches to advancing new initiatives of public higher education, based on this study's results, are included in the discussion of this study's results.  Ed.D

The Development of Sexual Health Educational Canvas Modules for Cal Poly Students

Purpose: Sexual health education continues to be a taboo topic underrepresented in young adult health education. Many high school students do not receive the sexual health education they need. One study found that 34% of girls and 42% of boys left high school without education on birth control methods (Wong et al., 2019). Furthermore, students entering college have varying, often inadequate, levels of sexual health knowledge. After examining sexual health data at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), the Cal Poly Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Lab found that students engage in risky sexual behaviors. For example, nearly one quarter (22.9%) of cisgender female students reported using the pull-out method as their only form of contraception the last time they had vaginal intercourse (ACHA-NCHAIII, 2021). Additionally, 42.4% of students reported using a barrier method during anal sex (ACHA-NCHAIII, 2021). These statistics are concerning as Cal Poly students believe the pull-out method is effective for birth control. Further, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the increased risks associated with unprotected anal sex. While on-campus peer health education programs have attempted to fill these gaps, no specific sexual health training is required for all students. Methods: Through the conduction of a literature review, analysis of past SRH lab & ACHA data, assessment of students\u27 and campus partners\u27 knowledge and needs regarding sexual health education, and a review of California State University sexual health education offerings, apparent gaps in student knowledge were identified which revealed the need for learning modules with a sexual health educational focus. Results: The Cal Poly SRH Lab developed a set of comprehensive sexual health education learning modules. Ten modules focus on healthy sexual relationships, barrier methods, contraception, pregnancy options, STIs, testing, and access to resources. Reading material, specialized graphics and educational videos were compiled. Interactive modules were produced using the Canvas course management platform students currently use for their academic courses. Conclusion: After this resource was launched June 2023, all students now have access to reliable sexual health information in one place with complete anonymity whenever they have a question. Overall, it is predicted that the number of students regularly using a barrier method during sex will increase, STI testing rates will improve, and open conversations surrounding sexual health will become more normalized on campus. References: American College Health Association (2021). National College Health Assessment III Fall 2021 Reference Group Data Report. https://www.acha.org/documents/ncha/NCHAIII_FALL_2021_REFERENCE_GROUP_ DATA_REPORT.pdf Wong T, Pharr JR, Bungum T, Coughenour C, Lough NL. Effects of Peer Sexual Health Education on College Campuses: A Systematic Review. Health Promotion Practice. 2019;20(5):652-666. doi:10.1177/152483991879463

The Development of Sexual Health Educational Canvas Modules for Cal Poly Students

Purpose: Sexual health education continues to be a taboo topic underrepresented in young adult health education. Many high school students do not receive the sexual health education they need. One study found that 34% of girls and 42% of boys left high school without education on birth control methods (Wong et al., 2019). Furthermore, students entering college have varying, often inadequate, levels of sexual health knowledge. After examining sexual health data at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), the Cal Poly Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Lab found that students engage in risky sexual behaviors. For example, nearly one quarter (22.9%) of cisgender female students reported using the pull-out method as their only form of contraception the last time they had vaginal intercourse (ACHA-NCHAIII, 2021). Additionally, 42.4% of students reported using a barrier method during anal sex (ACHA-NCHAIII, 2021). These statistics are concerning as Cal Poly students believe the pull-out method is effective for birth control. Further, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the increased risks associated with unprotected anal sex. While on-campus peer health education programs have attempted to fill these gaps, no specific sexual health training is required for all students. Methods: Through the conduction of a literature review, analysis of past SRH lab & ACHA data, assessment of students\u27 and campus partners\u27 knowledge and needs regarding sexual health education, and a review of California State University sexual health education offerings, apparent gaps in student knowledge were identified which revealed the need for learning modules with a sexual health educational focus. Results: The Cal Poly SRH Lab is developing a set of comprehensive sexual health education learning modules. Ten modules focus on healthy sexual relationships, barrier methods, contraception, pregnancy options, STIs, testing, and access to resources. Reading material, specialized graphics and educational videos were compiled. Interactive modules were produced using the Canvas course management platform students currently use for their academic courses. Conclusions: After this resource was launched June 2023, all students now have access to reliable sexual health information in one place with complete anonymity whenever they have a question. Overall, it is predicted that the number of students regularly using a barrier method during sex will increase, STI testing rates will improve, and open conversations surrounding sexual health will become more normalized on campus. References: American College Health Association (2021). National College Health Assessment III Fall 2021 Reference Group Data Report. https://www.acha.org/documents/ncha/NCHAIII_FALL_2021_REFERENCE_GROUP_ Wong T, Pharr JR, Bungum T, Coughenour C, Lough NL. Effects of Peer Sexual Health Education on College Campuses: A Systematic Review. Health Promotion Practice. 2019;20(5):652-666. doi:10.1177/152483991879463

Responding to Campus Shootings: Two Studies Exploring the Effects of Sex and Placement Strategy on Knowledge Acquisition and Organizational Reputation

Two separate studies used quasi-experimental procedures to examine how college students learn about campus shootings from press releases, television news, or exposure to both. The first study found that women tend to report higher levels of learning than men and that participants generally learn the most when exposed to messages delivered through multiple media. The second study extended the findings to include consideration of the impact of learning on organizational reputation. Taken together, the results of both studies offer further evidence that knowledge acquisition can help mitigate against the formation of negative impressions of an organization in crisis. They also offer that the relationship between learning and attitude formation may be mediated by sex. The results are discussed in terms of message placement strategy and sex differences in mediated learning processes. Implications for the relationship between these learning processes and organizational reputation are addressed

First report of \u3ci\u3eBrachyplatys subaeneus\u3c/i\u3e (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Plataspidae) in the United States

Brachyplatys subaeneus (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Plataspidae), is reported from Miami Beach, FL, the first report from the United States. It was noticed first on a photo-sharing site (iNaturalist) providing an example of the importance of these sites for helping to track introduced species. Information on distribution, host plants and potential spread are provided along with photos and taxonomic characters to assist with identification of this recently introduced species. ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:332C0E76-9AE9-4069-9240-F55CADC6416

Increasing Invasive Plant Pest Early Detection Through Interagency First Detector Education

The Collaborative and Enhanced First Detector Training program has expanded invasive species detection efforts by teaching participants to scout for, identify, and submit suspect exotic species samples. Workshops were delivered to agriculture professionals, master gardeners, and other Extension audiences. Topics included introduction pathways, regulatory agency procedures, identification of invasive pests or pathogens, monitoring procedures, and sample submission. Survey data indicated the intent of participants to augment detection efforts and the efficacy of Extension workshops in improving participants\u27 perceptions of government agencies. Respondents perceived increases in knowledge related to particular invasive species, identification of potential future invaders, and sample submission. Other implications related to Extension programming on invasive species education are discussed

Voluntary Exercise Reduces Alzheimer’s-like Pathology After Inflammation in Mice

Current global statistics estimate that 44.4 million people are afflicted with dementia, and that 50%-75% of these patients suffer from Alzheimer’s disease (AD; Prince et al. 2013). AD, a progressive disorder categorized by neuronal and behavioral deterioration, is the 6th leading cause of death in America (Alz facts and figure 2012). One hallmark pathology of AD is the presence of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the brain, which can limit cell-to-cell communication, leading to cognitive deficits, and neuronal cell death. Although the exact origins of this disease still remain unknown, one possible catalyst of AD pathology is inflammation. Our lab has previously shown that 7 consecutive peripheral injections of a bacterial mimetic led to systemic inflammation, increased levels of Ab in the brain, and cognitive dysfunction (Kahn et al., 2012; Weintraub et al., 2013). Currently there are very few effective treatments that diminish AD symptomology. One documented way to decrease inflammation without the use of pharmaceuticals is through regular physical exercise (Cho et al., 2003; Cotman & Berchtold, 2002; Cotman et al., 2007). The present study tested the hypothesis that voluntary exercise would decrease the level of brain Ab following inflammation. Interestingly, we found that two weeks of voluntary wheel running after inflammation led to a reduction of Ab when compared to sedentary recovery. These results indicate that exercise may be an effective modality to reduce AD-like pathology, and that these effects appear to be facilitated by higher versus lower levels of exercise, as measured by total distance run