Examining the Indoctrination of Mexican American Criminal Justice Students

Mexican American Criminal Justice students (MACJS) sometimes select a career in Department of Homeland Security, which has a history of systemic racism and oppression. The purpose of this thesis is to examine MACJS conformity to U.S. ideological hegemony and examine the differences in their understanding of human rights/ethics. A questionnaire was administered to MACJS (n = 156) wishing to pursue a career in DHS. The survey instrument used is based on the concepts of Social Identification: Mexican versus U.S. American; Support for Nationalist Racist Policies, Internal Colonialism, Followership by engaging in policies/orders by the government; and Human Rights: Knowledge of Human Rights and Policies. The independent variable is the respondent’s career choice in DHS. The first dependent variable is their response to answering orders without question and the second dependent variable is the curriculum of the Criminal Justice program. Internal colonialization variables are grouped as the following: Following Racist Policies, Being Unethical, Adhere to National Security, and the Knowledge of Human Rights. The primary hypothesis (H1): MACJS that select a career in DHS will conform to the U.S. ideological hegemony. The secondary hypothesis (H2): MACJS that select a career in DHS will have a different understanding of rights/ethics with other MACJS that did not select a career in DHS. In order to test the hypotheses, ordinal regression was used as the primary data analysis. Results partially support both research hypotheses. The study found a significant difference in conforming to the ideological hegemony and a difference between understanding human rights/ethics among criminal justice students

The Effect of Covid-19 on the Physical Activity and Recreational Habits of University Students

Due to COVID-19 a majority of states across the nation were put on lockdown, limiting the recreational activities an individual could partake in, like utilizing gyms and workout studios. Pre and Post-lockdown physical activity, fitness, and recreational habits could be measured through a series of questions using a Qualtrics survey. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to review how the COVID-19 shutdowns influenced the level of physical activity engaged in prior to and during the lockdown. Additionally, this study served to investigate how college students have decided to utilize their time recreationally during the pandemic. METHODS: Enrolled students in the College of Education and Health Performance fields were virtually sent an online survey asking about recreational habits before and after the Covid-19 lockdown. Subjects were also asked about time spent on classwork, television watching, video game use, and altered fitness routines and access. Subject data (30 males and 63 females) were returned to be utilized for data analysis through SPSS, and included undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the Fall 2020 semester. Demographic and Paired-samples t-tests were used to analyze the received data. RESULTS: Although there was an increase in usage, there was no statistical significant difference in the use of gaming during the lockdown (p=.059). However, there was statistical significant differences in employment (p=.005), sleeping (p=.009), personal virtual meetings (p=.001), television watching (p=.001), completing classwork (p=.003), exercise at the gym (p=.001), and home exercise (p=.004), There were differences in every category when comparing means, every category’s mean predominantly rose in the lockdown, with exception of exercise in the gym and employment. Additional questions were asked on types of exercising locations and programming used before and during the lockdown. CONCLUSION: After evaluating the results of the surveys, a significant shift in behavior was seen in the from before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. Although we expected some categories to have a significant change, the majority of categories demonstrated considerable amount of alterations in behavior. Interpretation of these results determined that COVID-19 lockdowns may serve to place more active recreation activities at risk, but there is a propensity for individuals to use the time wisely and successfully in regards to certain health and school behaviors

Aspectos biológicos e capacidade predatória de Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) alimentado com Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) criada em genótipos de algodoeiro

Host plants may influence indirectly biological characteristics of predators, on a positive or negative way, poiting out the importance of studies evaluating the effect of cultivars on the third trophic level. This study evaluates the biological aspects and predatory capacity of Podisus nigrispinus adults fed Alabama argillacea larvae reared on cotton genotypes. The predator was fed daily with fourth instar larvae reared on leaves of the following genotypes CNPA Precoce 1 (hirsute), CNPA 9211-31 (high gossypol level), CNPA 9211-41 (medium gossypol level) and GL2 GL3 (gossypol glandless). The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods and the oviposition capacity of P. nigripinus were not affected when preyed on cotton leafworms reared on the listed cotton genotypes. Mean weight of predator females was higher (126.2 mg) when they fed on A. argillacea reared on GL2 GL3 cotton leaves, in comparison to the observed weight (96.2mg) of P. nigripinus females fed on larvae reared on CNPA 9211-41. Longevity of P. nigrispinus ranged 30.7 to 31.5 days for females and 38.0 to 66.3 days for males. P. nigrispinus females preyed 125.2 to 184.0 A. argillacea larvae during its adult stage, while adult males preyed 135.7 to 205.0 leafworms. Using plant resistance in association with P. nigrispinus is viable to control A. argillacea, because resistant genotypes do not influence negatively the biological characteristics of the predator.Plantas hospedeiras podem influenciar indiretamente as características biológicas do predador, de maneira positiva ou negativa, ressaltando assim a importância de estudos relacionando o efeito de cultivares sobre o terceiro nível trófico. Este trabalho avalia os aspectos biológicos e a capacidade predatória de adultos de Podisus nigrispinus alimentados com lagartas de Alabama argillacea criadas em genótipos de algodoeiro. Diariamente o predador foi alimentado com lagartas de quarto ínstar criadas com folhas de algodoeiro CNPA Precoce 1 (média pilosidade), CNPA 9211-31 (alto teor de gossipol), CNPA 9211-41 (teor médio de gossipol) e GL2 GL3 (sem gossipol). Essas plantas oferecidas como alimento às lagartas não influenciaram os períodos de pré-oviposição, oviposição e pós-oviposição e a capacidade de oviposição do predador. O peso médio das fêmeas foi maior (126,2 mg) quando elas foram alimentadas com lagartas de A. argillacea criadas em folhas do genótipo GL2 GL3, em comparação com aquele (96,2 mg) de fêmeas que se alimentaram de lagartas criadas em folhas do genótipo CNPA 9211-41. A longevidade de fêmeas do predador variou de 30,7 a 31,5 dias, enquanto que a dos machos apresentou intervalo de variação de 38,0 a 66,3 dias. Fêmeas de P. nigrispinus predaram, em média, de 125,2 a 184,0 lagartas, durante a fase adulta, enquanto os machos predaram no mínimo 135,7 e no máximo 205,0 lagartas. Para o controle de A. argillacea, a utilização de plantas resistentes em associação com P. nigrispinus é viável, pois genótipos resistentes não influenciam negativamente as características biológicas do predador

Synthesis and characterization of chiral germanium compounds for asymmetric hydrogermylation of organic compounds

Oligogermanes have long been studied and analyzed due to their innate ability to undergo o-delocalization along the Ge-Ge backbone. Due to this property, oligogermanes can exhibit unique optical and electrical properties, along with a tunable band gap that is dependent on their size, structure, and substituents. The focus of this dissertation will be around the synthesis of a new class of trigermanes and tetragermanes.The trigermanes ButMe2GeGePh2GeMe2But and PhMe2GeGePh2GeMe2Ph and the tetragermanes Et3Ge(GePh2)2GeEt3 and Bun3Ge(GePh2)2GeBun3 were synthesized via the hydrogermolysis reaction. These species were characterized by UV/visible spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetry. The properties of the two trigermanes were also compared with those of Bun3GeGePh2GeBun3, and the UV/visible absorption maxima of these three trigermanes fall in the narrow range of 246 - 249 nm while their oxidation potentials differ by 233 mV. Both ButMe2GeGePh2GeMe2But and Bun3GeGePh2GeBun3 exhibit two irreversible oxidation waves in their CVs and DPVs. Similarly, the absorption maxima for the two tetragermanes are similar and their oxidation potentials differ by only 58 mV. The CV and DPV of Et3Ge(GePh2)2GeEt3 exhibits three irreversible oxidation waves while that of Bun3Ge(GePh2)2GeBun3 contains only one. This dissertation will focus on gaining an understanding of the electronic properties, stability, and decomposition of these oligogermane catenates when oxidized using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry studies.This dissertation will also focus on synthesizing and characterizing germanium aryloxide compounds for hydrogermylation applications. Through the use of chiral auxiliaries and polyfunctional phenols, a germanium (II) and germanium (IV) species can be readily synthesized. The addition of a halide and an organic substituent can be added via an oxidative addition to the germanium (II) center, followed by a reduction to form a germanium hydride species. For the germanium (IV) center, a C2-symmetric chiral germanium halide species can be formed readily, followed by a reduction to form a chiral germanium hydride for hydrogenation of other compounds. Further functionality studies on the chiral germanium (IV) species have been performed as this compound readily undergoes the formation of a chiral germylium species when introduced to AlCl3. Such germylium species are rare, and with the use of a chiral auxiliary ligand, this compound to the best of our knowledge has yet to be reported

Multi-Wavelength Photobiomodulation Therapy Combined with Static Magnetic Field on Long-Term Pulmonary Complication after COVID-19: A Case Report

Introduction: Photobiomodulation therapy, alone (PBMT) or combined with a static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF), has been demonstrated to be effective in the regeneration of tissues, modulation of inflammatory processes, and improvement in functional capacity. However, the effects of PBMT-sMF on the pulmonary system and COVID-19 patients remain scarce. Therefore, in this case report, we demonstrated the use of PBMT-sMF for peripheral oxygen saturation, pulmonary function, massive lung damage, and fibrosis as a pulmonary complication after COVID-19. Case report: A 53-year-old Mexican man who presented with decreased peripheral oxygen saturation, massive lung damage, and fibrosis after COVID-19 received PBMT-sMF treatment once a day for 45 days. The treatment was irradiated at six sites in the lower thorax and upper abdominal cavity and two sites in the neck area. We observed that the patient was able to leave the oxygen support during the treatment, and increase his peripheral oxygen saturation. In addition, the patient showed improvements in pulmonary severity scores and radiological findings. Finally, the patient presented with normal respiratory mechanics parameters in the medium-term, indicating total pulmonary recovery. Conclusions: The use of PBMT-sMF may potentially lead to safe treatment of and recovery from pulmonary complications after COVID-19, with regard to the structural and functional aspects.publishedVersio

Essential Amino Acid Methyl Esters: Major Sex Pheromone Components of the Cranberry White Grub, Phyllophaga anxia (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Chiral capillary gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analysis indicates that L-valine and L-isoleucine methyl esters are the major sex pheromone components released by females of the cranberry white grub, Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte). The GC retention times and GC-mass spectrometry of the two natural compounds were identical to those of authentic standards. Of five reproducible GC-EAD active components revealed with female volatiles, the L-valine and L-isoleucine methyl esters elicited the strongest male antennal responses. The ratio of L-valine and L-isoleucine methyl esters was determined to be 3:1 by analysis of pheromone gland extracts. Chirality was shown to be critical by GC-EAD, since only the L-form of these amino acid methyl esters elicited an EAD response. In field experiments conducted in Massachusetts, a synthetic 3:1 blend of L-valine and L-isoleucine methyl esters on a rubber septum was attractive to P. anxia male

Superpulsed low-level laser therapy protects skeletal muscle of mdx mice against damage, inflammation and morphological changes delaying dystrophy progression.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of preventive treatment with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on progression of dystrophy in mdx mice. Methods: Ten animals were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups treated with superpulsed LLLT (904 nm, 15 mW, 700 Hz, 1 J) or placebo-LLLT at one point overlying the tibialis anterior muscle (bilaterally) 5 times per week for 14 weeks (from 6th to 20th week of age). Morphological changes, creatine kinase (CK) activity and mRNA gene expression were assessed in animals at 20th week of age. Results: Animals treated with LLLT showed very few morphological changes in skeletal muscle, with less atrophy and fibrosis than animals treated with placebo-LLLT. CK was significantly lower (p = 0.0203) in animals treated with LLLT (864.70 U.l−1, SEM 226.10) than placebo (1708.00 U.l−1, SEM 184.60). mRNA gene expression of inflammatory markers was significantly decreased by treatment with LLLT (p<0.05): TNF-α (placebo-control = 0.51 µg/µl [SEM 0.12], - LLLT = 0.048 µg/µl [SEM 0.01]), IL-1β (placebo-control = 2.292 µg/µl [SEM 0.74], - LLLT = 0.12 µg/µl [SEM 0.03]), IL-6 (placebo-control = 3.946 µg/µl [SEM 0.98], - LLLT = 0.854 µg/µl [SEM 0.33]), IL-10 (placebo-control = 1.116 µg/µl [SEM 0.22], - LLLT = 0.352 µg/µl [SEM 0.15]), and COX-2 (placebo-control = 4.984 µg/µl [SEM 1.18], LLLT = 1.470 µg/µl [SEM 0.73]). Conclusion: Irradiation of superpulsed LLLT on successive days five times per week for 14 weeks decreased morphological changes, skeletal muscle damage and inflammation in mdx mice. This indicates that LLLT has potential to decrease progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Neuromuscular Responses during Knee Extension Exercise in Combination with Different Blood Flow Restriction Initial Pressures

Specifications of blood flow restriction training technique have been widely discussed to create a valid and reliable protocol. One of the unexplored variables is the effect of different initial restrictive pressures (tightness of cuffs, IRP) in combination with resistance exercise on neuromuscular responses and strength. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine any differences in amplitude (RMS) and median frequency (MDF) of electromyography (EMG) signals, as well as changes in strength during knee extension exercises with IRPs of 40-45 mmHg and 60-65 mmHg. METHODS: Twenty male subjects (age = 25.7 ± 4.3 yrs), participated in this study. They were required to attend the lab on 3 different occasions, with the first one being a familiarization session. On the subsequent sessions, participant\u27s upper leg was measured starting from the lateral epicondyle to the greater trochanter of the femur. An EMG electrode was placed at one-third the distance over the longitudinal axis of the vastus lateralis (VL) after shaving, abrading and cleaning with isopropyl alcohol. Initial restrictive pressure was randomly selected and participants completed a pre-exercise maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) test to determine their torque. For dynamic exercises, load was set at 20% MVC and each participant performed one set of 30 repetitions and three sets of 15 repetitions, separated by one minute rest. Post-exercise MVC was performed to assess the changes in leg strength following exercises. RESULTS: Results showed significant main effects (p\u3c0.01) in leg strength for condition (40-45 mmHg vs. 60-65 mmHg) and trial (pre vs. post MVC). A significant main effect was observed for condition for MVC EMG amplitude (p\u3c0.01). In addition, there were significant main effects for contractions (p\u3c0.01) in both EMG amplitude and MDF during dynamic exercises. CONCLUSION: The significant decreases in knee extension strength at IRP of 60-65 mmHg compared to IRP of 40-45mmHg from pre- to post-exercise suggest that subjects experienced more fatigue at 60-65 mmHg because of the decreased availability of oxygen to the working muscle. The use of different IRP will affect the level of blood flow and oxygen supply to skeletal muscle possibly causing variation in neuromuscular adaptation due to changes in total and type of muscle fiber recruitment

A Comparison of Hypertrophy Potential between the Vastus Lateralis and Rectus Femoris during Level Walking in Combination with Vascular Restriction.

Recent research has found that by compressing blood flow to working muscle during lower body exercise involving short bouts of walk training results in an increased muscle volume and improved quadriceps strength. However, the effects of vascular restriction (VR) during walking on neuromuscular adaptations as assessed by electromyography (EMG) activity may provide insight on how low intensity training with vascular restriction can be applied to various modes of exercise. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore and compare muscle activation changes of the quadriceps muscles during walking using EMG with and without blood flow restriction. METHODS: EMG electrodes were placed along the longitudinal axis of the vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) of the right thigh of seven male volunteers (mean ± SD age = 22.7 ± 6.8 years; height = 178 ±5.4 cm; weight = 82.6 ± 7.7 kg). Placement of the electrode was marked at a point of 33.3% on VL, and RF 50% of the distance between the lateral femoral epicondyle and the greater trochanter. On two separate testing sessions, subjects walked on a treadmill for two, 10 minutes bouts separated by a 5 min rest period at a speed of 80.4 m*min-1 with and without blood flow restriction. RESULTS: There were significant main effects for both condition (with and without VR) and muscles (VL and RF), as well as an interaction between condition and muscles (condition*muscle) for EMG amplitude (RMS). On the other hand, there were no significant main effects or interactions for EMG median frequency (MDF). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that walking with VR might cause neural adaptation in both VL and RF, but the VL might have a better potential for hypertrophic response when performing slow walking with blood flow restriction. Walking speed and the pressure used for compression during walking might change the pattern of response, therefore, both need to be given careful consideration in the design of future studies

Hachimoji DNA and RNA: A genetic system with eight building blocks

Reported here are DNA and RNA-like systems built from eight (hachi-) nucleotide letters (-moji) that form four orthogonal pairs. This synthetic genetic biopolymer meets the structural requirements needed to support Darwinism, including a polyelectrolyte backbone, predictable thermodynamic stability, and stereoregular building blocks that fit a Schrödinger aperiodic crystal. Measured thermodynamic parameters predict the stability of hachimoji duplexes, allowing hachimoji DNA to double the information density of natural terran DNA. Three crystal structures show that the synthetic building blocks do not perturb the aperiodic crystal seen in the DNA double helix. Hachimoji DNA was then transcribed to give hachimoji RNA in the form of a functioning fluorescent hachimoji aptamer. These results expand the scope of molecular structures that might support life, including life throughout the cosmos