Finger Lickin’ Good: An Analytical Investigation into the Urban Diet

In this analysis, the origins, customs and implications of fast-food culture will be explored with important focus on the customs of fast-food urban eating. Research indicates that lower-income urban areas are more likely to consume fast-food. The high consumption of fast-food subsequently results in the development of social and economical implications, which include health implications, economic dilemmas, a disconnection between consumers and their consumption and issues of social classification. This analysis also explores the customs of fast-food culture of Pine Hills, Florida with added emphasis on Pine Hills’ cultural uniqueness

Nucleic acid-based methods for on-site detection of plant pathogens : approaches and applications

The ability to perform nucleic acid-based detection of plant pathogens away from conventional laboratory facilities has the potential to be beneficial in situations where results are required very rapidly or where resources and access to laboratory equipment are limited. Methods for use in such situations must combine sensitivity and specificity with rapid and simple workflows. The aim of this project was to investigate aspects of on-site testing for plant pathogens by developing detection methods for a range of target species. Detection methods based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) exhibit characteristics which make them potentially suitable for on-site testing. LAMP-based methods were developed for detection of plant pathogens with three potential non-laboratory testing scenarios in mind: testing during plant health inspection (assays for Phytophthora ramorum, P. kernoviae and Guignardia citricarpa); testing to assess inoculum levels in the processing of plant products (an assay for Botrytis cinerea); and testing in under-resourced settings (assays for Cassava brown streak virus and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus). In developing these detection methods, attempts were made to address some of the specific requirements of potential end-users of the tests in each case. For testing in the context of inspection, a particular emphasis was placed on the need for simple, rapid methods for nucleic acid extraction. As well as investigating the use of rapid extraction methods in conjunction with LAMP, work was also carried out to investigate how on-site nucleic acid extraction using lateral flow devices could be integrated with current field and laboratory testing for P. ramorum

Diagnosis of acute kidney injury and its association with in-hospital mortality in patients with infective exacerbations of bronchiectasis: cohort study from a UK nationwide database.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with bronchiectasis have recurrent hospitalisations for infective exacerbations. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is known to be associated with increased in-hospital mortality. This study examined the frequency of AKI, associated risk-factors, and the association of AKI with in-hospital mortality among patients with bronchiectasis. METHODS: Anonymised data of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, linked to Hospital Episode Statistics, were used to identify hospitalisations with a primary diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), from 2004 to 2013. After estimating the proportion of AKI diagnoses, a multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to investigate which background factors were associated with AKI. In-hospital mortality was compared between hospitalisations with and without an AKI diagnosis, with subsequent logistic regression analyses carried out for the association between AKI and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of 7804 hospitalisations due to LRTI observed in 3477 patients with bronchiectasis, 230 hospitalisations involved an AKI diagnosis, an average of 2.9%. However, the percentage increased from less than 2% in 2004 to nearly 5% in 2013. After taking this temporal change into account, AKI was independently associated with older age, male sex, decreased baseline kidney function, previous history of AKI, and a diagnosis of sepsis. In-hospital mortality was 33.0% (76/230) and 6.8% (516/7574), in hospitalisations with and without AKI, respectively (P < 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, diagnosis of AKI remained associated with in-hospital mortality (Odds ratio 5.52, 95% confidence interval: 3.62-8.42). CONCLUSIONS: Among people with bronchiectasis hospitalised for infective exacerbations, there is an important subgroup of patients who develop AKI. These patients have substantially increased in-hospital mortality and therefore greater awareness is needed

Nucleic acid-based methods for on-site detection of plant pathogens : approaches and applications

The ability to perform nucleic acid-based detection of plant pathogens away from conventional laboratory facilities has the potential to be beneficial in situations where results are required very rapidly or where resources and access to laboratory equipment are limited. Methods for use in such situations must combine sensitivity and specificity with rapid and simple workflows. The aim of this project was to investigate aspects of on-site testing for plant pathogens by developing detection methods for a range of target species. Detection methods based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) exhibit characteristics which make them potentially suitable for on-site testing. LAMP-based methods were developed for detection of plant pathogens with three potential non-laboratory testing scenarios in mind: testing during plant health inspection (assays for Phytophthora ramorum, P. kernoviae and Guignardia citricarpa); testing to assess inoculum levels in the processing of plant products (an assay for Botrytis cinerea); and testing in under-resourced settings (assays for Cassava brown streak virus and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus). In developing these detection methods, attempts were made to address some of the specific requirements of potential end-users of the tests in each case. For testing in the context of inspection, a particular emphasis was placed on the need for simple, rapid methods for nucleic acid extraction. As well as investigating the use of rapid extraction methods in conjunction with LAMP, work was also carried out to investigate how on-site nucleic acid extraction using lateral flow devices could be integrated with current field and laboratory testing for P. ramorum

Relations Between Sexual and Gender Minority Stress, Personal Hardiness, and Psychological Stress in Emerging Adulthood: Examining Indirect Effects via Human-Animal Interaction

Introduction: Although there is emerging evidence that companion animals are important sources of comfort and support for many LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexual and gender minority identities) individuals, little is known about the interplay between sexual and gender minority (SGM) stress, human-animal interaction (HAI), and psychological adjustment in this population. To address this gap in the literature, the current study examined the role of HAI in relations between SGM stress (i.e., microaggressions, victimization) and psychological adjustment (i.e., self-efficacy, psychological stress) during emerging adulthood. Methods: Our sample included LGBTQ+ young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 years (N = 136; 37.5% racial/ethnic minority; 49.2% transgender or gender-expansive; 98.5% sexual minority). Participants were recruited via convenience sampling methods in partnership with community agencies. We tested a mediation model using structural equation modeling with a bootstrapping approach to examine direct and indirect associations between SGM stress, HAI, and psychological adjustment, controlling for the effects of demographic factors. Results: The hypothesized mediation model fit the data well (Χ2/df = 1.71, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.04). Results indicated that SGM microaggressions were significantly associated with HAI (β = 0.45, p \u3c .001, 95% CI [0.24, 0.62]) and psychological stress (β = 0.36, p \u3c .001, 95% CI [0.19, 0.54]), but not self-efficacy. Victimization was not significantly associated with HAI, self-efficacy, or psychological stress. HAI was significantly and positively associated with self-efficacy (β = 0.31, p \u3c .001, 95% CI [0.13, 0.47]), but was not significantly related to psychological stress. Finally, we found evidence of only one indirect-only effect of SGM microaggressions on self-efficacy via HAI (β = 0.14, p = .001, 95% CI [0.07, 0.24]). Conclusion: This is the first study, to our knowledge, that explored the potential mediating role of HAI in the relations between SGM microaggressions, victimization, self-efficacy, and psychological stress. Results of this study suggest that exposure to SGM stress may lead LGBTQ+ young adults to seek out relationships with pets, which in turn, may promote self-efficacy, a factor associated with resilience. However, due to the cross-sectional nature of our data, we cannot infer causation. Further research is needed to explore the longitudinal reciprocal associations between SGM stress, HAI, and psychological adjustment over time, and mechanisms through which HAI may promote resilience in this population.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1129/thumbnail.jp

Revisit Your Welcome Mat: Successes & Challenges in Library Orientation at the Atlanta University Center

A team of four librarians at the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library (RWWL) discuss success and challenges in library orientation for the four institutions they serve – Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College and Spelman College. In 2011, a former library colleague described the partnership and coordination details of new student orientation at RWWL. The team will revisit that presentation and offer further best practices for effective, higher-impact orientation. The presentation will share how RWWL met the challenges their unique institution faces and share the successes they achieved since 2011. The presentation will focus on one-shot instruction, orientation collateral (i.e. handouts or giveaways), and the nature of campus collaboration – both precarious and rewarding – in a complicated environment

Reliability and Validity of Instruments for Assessing Perinatal Depression in African Settings: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: A major barrier to improving perinatal mental health in Africa is the lack of locally validated tools for identifying probable cases of perinatal depression or for measuring changes in depression symptom severity. We systematically reviewed the evidence on the reliability and validity of instruments to assess perinatal depression in African settings. Methods and Findings: Of 1,027 records identified through searching 7 electronic databases, we reviewed 126 full-text reports. We included 25 unique studies, which were disseminated in 26 journal articles and 1 doctoral dissertation. These enrolled 12,544 women living in nine different North and sub-Saharan African countries. Only three studies (12%) used instruments developed specifically for use in a given cultural setting. Most studies provided evidence of criterion-related validity (20 [80%]) or reliability (15 [60%]), while fewer studies provided evidence of construct validity, content validity, or internal structure. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS), assessed in 16 studies (64%), was the most frequently used instrument in our sample. Ten studies estimated the internal consistency of the EPDS (median estimated coefficient alpha, 0.84; interquartile range, 0.71-0.87). For the 14 studies that estimated sensitivity and specificity for the EPDS, we constructed 2 x 2 tables for each cut-off score. Using a bivariate random-effects model, we estimated a pooled sensitivity of 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-0.99) and a pooled specificity of 0.77 (95% CI, 0.59-0.88) at a cut-off score of ≥9, with higher cut-off scores yielding greater specificity at the cost of lower sensitivity. Conclusions: The EPDS can reliably and validly measure perinatal depression symptom severity or screen for probable postnatal depression in African countries, but more validation studies on other instruments are needed. In addition, more qualitative research is needed to adequately characterize local understandings of perinatal depression-like syndromes in different African contexts

Electromyographic Examination of Hip and Knee Extension Hex Bar Exercises Varied by Starting Knee and Torso Angles

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(1): 541-551, 2022. Variations of the deadlift can be executed using the hexagonal (hex) bar by altering, for instance, the knee and torso angles while maintaining a constant hip angle at the start position. PURPOSE: To examine muscle activation patterns of the biceps femoris, rectus femoris, and erector spinae during three deadlift variations using the hex bar. METHODS: Twenty resistance-trained male and female subjects performed hex bar deadlift variations in three different starting knee flexion positions: 128.4 ± 8.5°, 111.9 ± 8.7°, and 98.3 ± 6.5°. Subjects performed three repetitions at 75% of their three-repetition maximum. Electromyography sensors were placed on the dominant biceps femoris, rectus femoris, and lumbar erector spinae. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to detect differences in mean and peak EMG values normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) (p \u3c 0.05). RESULTS: As knee flexion increased at the starting position, mean activation of the rectus femoris increased (24.7 ± 21.5 35.5 ± 25.4 62.1 ± 31.3% MVIC, p \u3c 0.001), while biceps femoris (40.6 ± 17.9 34.0 ± 16.4 28.1 ± 14.5% MVIC, p = 0.003) and erector spinae (73.0 ± 27.6 65.9 ± 34.4 54.9 ± 32.5% MVIC, p = 0.009) activation decreased. Peak activation of the rectus femoris increased (46.9 ± 33.0 60.9 ± 38.7 99.3 ± 41.6% MVIC, p \u3c 0.001) while decreasing in the erector spinae (118.6 ± 47.1 105.9 ± 49.4 89.1 ± 40.1% MVIC, p = 0.008). The rectus femoris experienced the greatest mean differences of the three muscles. CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners should consider the muscular goals when adjusting the starting position of a hex bar deadlift as posterior chain recruitment diminished and quadriceps activation increased as knee flexion increased