Attitudes Toward Motherhood Among Sexual Minority Women in the United States

In this article, we use data from the National Survey of Fertility Barriers—a national, population-based telephone survey—to examine how sexual minority women construct and value motherhood. We analyze the small (N = 43) random sample of self-identified sexual minority women using “survey-driven narrative construction,” which entails converting the structured answers and open-ended responses for each respondent into narratives and identifying themes. We focused on both sexual minority women’s desires and intentions to parent and on the importance they place on motherhood. We found that there is considerable variation in this population. Many sexual minority women distinguish between having and raising children, suggesting a broad notion of motherhood. We also found that sexual minority women without children are not all voluntarily childfree. Our results suggest that survey research on fertility would improve by explicitly addressing sexuality

Synergistic Effect of 3D Current Collectors and ALD Surface Modification for High Coulombic Efficiency Lithium Metal Anodes

Improving the performance of Li metal anodes is a critical bottleneck to enable nextâ generation battery systems beyond Liâ ion. However, stability issues originating from undesirable electrode/electrolyte interactions and Li dendrite formation have impaired longâ term cycling of Li metal anodes. Herein, a bottomâ up fabrication process is demonstrated for a current collector for Li metal electrodeposition and dissolution composed of highly uniform vertically aligned Cu pillars. By rationally controlling geometric parameters of the 3D current collector architecture, including pillar diameter, spacing, and length, the morphology of Li plating/stripping upon cycling can be controlled and optimal cycling performance can be achieved. In addition, it is demonstrated that deposition of an ultrathin layer of ZnO by atomic layer deposition on the current collector surface can facilitate the initial Li nucleation, which dictates the morphology and reversibility of subsequent cycling. This coreâ shell pillar architecture allows for the effects of geometry and surface chemistry to be decoupled and individually controlled to optimize the electrode performance in a synergistic manner. Using this platform, Li metal anodes are demonstrated with Coulombic efficiency up to 99.5%, providing a pathway toward highâ efficiency and longâ cycle life Li metal batteries with reduced excess Li loading.A 3D current collector architecture based on vertically aligned Cu for Li metal anodes is reported. By rationally tuning geometric parameters and surface chemistry of the 3D architecture, the morphology of Li plating/stripping can be controlled. Leveraging the synergistic effects of the optimized geometry and interface modification, cycling of Li metal anodes is demonstrated with Coulombic efficiency up to 99.5%.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147805/1/aenm201802534-sup-0001-S1.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147805/2/aenm201802534_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147805/3/aenm201802534.pd

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Student-Run Free Clinic Services for an Underserved Urban Patient Population

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted healthcare delivery in high density urban communities. This clinic provides free medical care to patients in an urban Midwestern community including limited prescriptions, vaccines, and over-the-counter medications. This study aims to understand how the patient demographics and medical services offered at the clinic have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Walk-in student-run clinics were held weekly on Saturday mornings in an urban Midwestern city, with patients consisting of underinsured and uninsured residents experiencing housing instability. Number of returning and new patients, physicals, flu shots, blood glucose readings, HbA1c, lipid panels, and referrals were collected by student coordinators and recorded by year (2019-2020 vs 2021-2022). Comparisons were made using paired two-tailed t-tests. Results: A total of 274 and 293 patients were seen between 2019-2020 and 2021-2022, respectively. Preliminary results demonstrate the number of patients significantly varied from December to February (p\u3c0.05). Number of physicals and the number of blood glucose tests in 2021-2022 significantly differ from those of 2019-2020 (p\u3c0.05). Number of Covid-19 vaccines significantly differed between these two time periods (p\u3c0.01), while the number of flu shots did not. Conclusion: Patients at walk-in clinics rely on free, interdisciplinary services to obtain healthcare services, medications, and vaccines. Patients during the 2021-2022 year became more vigilant about their health, reflected by the increase in total physicals and increase in total patients. The clinic\u27s improved pre-screening of patients\u27 overall health aims to diagnose individuals earlier, expedite essential medication provision, and reduce the frequency of patient visits

LGBTQ parenting post heterosexual relationship dissolution

The chapter examines parenting among sexual and gender minorities post heterosexual relationship dissolution (PHRD). Reviewing the literature around intersecting identities of LGBTQ parents, we consider how religion, race, and socioeconomic status are associated with routes into and out of heterosexual relationships and variation in the lived experience of sexual and gender identity minorities, in particular how LGBTQ parents PHRD feel about being out. Further consideration is given to examining how family relationships change and develop as parental sexual and/or gender identity changes. We also explore the impact of PHRD identity and parenthood on new partnerships and stepfamily experiences. The chapter addresses the reciprocal relationship between research on LGBTQ parenting and policy and legal influences that impact upon the experience of LGBTQ parenting PHRD when custody and access are disputed. Finally, the chapter includes future research directions and implications for practice in an area that has been revitalized in recent years

Is now the time? Review of genetic rescue as a conservation tool for brook trout

Abstract Brook trout populations have been declining throughout their native range in the east coast of the United States. Many populations are now distributed in small, isolated habitat patches where low genetic diversity and high rates of inbreeding reduce contemporary viability and long‐term adaptive potential. Although human‐assisted gene flow could theoretically improve conservation outcomes through genetic rescue, there is widespread hesitancy to use this tool to support brook trout conservation. Here, we review the major uncertainties that have limited genetic rescue from being considered as a viable conservation tool for isolated brook trout populations and compare the risks of genetic rescue with other management alternatives. Drawing on theoretical and empirical studies, we discuss methods for implementing genetic rescue in brook trout that could yield long‐term evolutionary benefits while avoiding negative fitness effects associated with outbreeding depression and the spread of maladapted alleles. We also highlight the potential for future collaborative efforts to accelerate our understanding of genetic rescue as a viable tool for conservation. Ultimately, while we acknowledge that genetic rescue is not without risk, we emphasize the merits that this tool offers for protecting and propagating adaptive potential and improving species' resilience to rapid environmental change