Maternal-fetal attachment, temporal orientation and locus of control: implications for prenatal care behaviors and HIV risk reduction during pregnancy

Pregnancy presents an important time in a woman‟s life for added HIV prevention behaviors as HIV exposure during pregnancy could lead to delivery of an infected infant. Unfortunately, pregnancy is generally regarded as a time when HIV preventative behaviors, specifically condom use, decrease as most women report using condoms specifically for pregnancy prevention. Maternal fetal attachment (MFA), a characteristic which describes the relationship between a pregnant woman and her developing fetus has been shown to be positively related to health promotion behaviors during pregnancy. Similarly, temporal orientation and health related locus of control (LOC) have also been shown to increase HIV preventative behaviors, although these have never previously been tested in pregnant women. One hundred low-income, minority women (81% Non-Hispanic Black) were recruited from the waiting room of an urban prenatal care clinic in order to test the hypotheses that higher levels of the aforementioned variables are associated with better adherence to prenatal care behaviors and HIV prevention behaviors as measured by condom use during pregnancy. Findings revealed that while MFA had a significant moderating effect on the relationships between LOC and prenatal health behaviors and temporal orientation and prenatal health behaviors, respectively, the same conclusions could not be drawn between these variables and HIV prevention behaviors as measured by condom use during pregnancy. It should be noted that while the majority of the women in the study discontinued condom use once pregnancy was confirmed they reported engaging in other HIV preventative behaviors including decreasing the number of sexual partners and frequency of sexual contact during pregnancy. Clinical implications and directions for future research to clarify some of these findings are discussed.Ph.D., Clinical Psychology -- Drexel University, 201

Methods and systems for synthesis of an ultra high molecular weight polymer

A method for controlling the physical state of an ultra-high molecular weight polymer to make the ultra-high molecular weight polymer suitable for further processing, and related polymers compositions methods and systems, wherein the method comprises combining a catalyst, monomers, and an additive, for a time and under condition to allow synthesis of a nascent polymer and eo-crystallization of the nascent polymer with the additive

Elevating Voices, Addressing Depression, Toxic Stress, and Equity through Group Prenatal Care: A pilot study

INTRODUCTION: Elevating Voices, Addressing Depression, Toxic Stress and Equity (EleVATE) is a group prenatal care (GC) model designed to improve pregnancy outcomes and promote health equity for Black birthing people. This article outlines the foundational community-engaged process to develop EleVATE GC and pilot study results. METHODS: We used community-based participatory research principles and the Ferguson Commission Report to guide creation of EleVATE GC. The intervention, designed by and for Black birthing people, centers trauma-informed care, antiracism, and integrates behavioral health strategies into group prenatal care to address unmet mental health needs. Using a convenience sample of patients seeking care at one of three safety-net health care sites, we compared preterm birth, small for gestational age, depression scores, and other pregnancy outcomes between patients in individual care (IC), CenteringPregnancy™ (CP), and EleVATE GC. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients enrolled in the study ( DISCUSSION: Our findings model a systematic approach to design a feasible, patient-centered, community-based, trauma-informed, antiracist intervention. Further study is needed to determine whether EleVATE GC improves perinatal outcomes and promotes health equity

Rheological Link Between Polymer Melts with a High Molecular Weight Tail and Enhanced Formation of Shish-Kebabs

Presence of an ultra high molecular weight (UHMw) fraction in flowing polymer melts is known to facilitate formation of oriented crystalline structures significantly. The UHMw fraction manifests itself as a minor tail in the molar mass distribution and is hardly detectable in the canonical characterization methods. In this study, alternatively, we demonstrate how the nonlinear extensional rheology reveals to be a very sensitive characterization tool for investigating the effect of the UHMw-tail on the structural ordering mechanism. Samples containing a UHMw-tail relative to samples without, exhibit a clear increase in extensional stress that is directly correlated with the crystalline orientation of the quenched samples. Extensional rheology, particularly, in combination with linear creep measurements, thus, enables the conformational evolution of the UHMw-tail to be studied and linked to the enhanced formation of oriented structures

Exploring the need for interventions to manage weight and stress during interconception

Interventions to manage weight and stress during the interconception period (i.e., time immediately following childbirth to subsequent pregnancy) are needed to promote optimal maternal and infant health outcomes. To address this gap, we summarize the current state of knowledge, critically evaluate the research focused on weight and stress management during the interconception period, and provide future recommendations for research in this area. Evidence supports the importance of weight and stress management during the reproductive years and the impact of weight on maternal and child health outcomes. However, evidence-based treatment models that address postpartum weight loss and manage maternal stress during the interconception period are lacking. This problem is further compounded by inconsistent definitions and measurements of stress. Recommendations for future research include interventions that address weight and stress tailored for women in the interconception period, interventions that address healthcare providers\u27 understanding of the significance of weight and stress management during interconception, and long-term follow-up studies that focus on the public health implications of weight and stress management during interconception. Addressing obesity and stress during the interconception period via a reproductive lens will be a starting point for women and their families to live long and healthy lives