The Next Geographical Pivot

In the summer of 2007, when the Russian fl ag was placed on the ocean fl oor at the North Pole and the Arctic ice cover receded to the lowest extent ever recorded, the media sought story lines that would grab the public’s attention. Titles and headlines such as “Arctic Meltdown,” “A New Cold War,” and “Arctic Land Grab,” focusing on Russian activities in the Arctic, all fed a sense of competition, conflict, and crisis

Reducing Stigma toward the Transgender Community: An Evaluation of a Humanizing and Perspective-Taking Intervention

Transgender (TG) individuals are an understudied group at high risk of experiencing discrimination and associated adverse mental health outcomes (IOM, 2011). Although many studies demonstrate that contact reduces negative attitudes toward out-groups, few studies have examined the link between contact and attitudes toward the TG community (Hill & Willoughby, 2005; Walchet al., 2012). This study represents one of the first attempts to understand how to effectively reduce stigma toward the TG community. Results indicate that education alone is not enough to change attitudes; in fact, there is some evidence that associating transgenderism with psychopathology may heighten stigma. Consistent with prior research on stigma towards the mentally ill, the current study suggests that both exposure to intimate media depictions of the “other” (Reinke et al., 2004) and perspective-taking (Mann & Himelein, 2008) could strengthen educational campaigns designed to combat stigma

The Role of Schwann Cells in Nerve Injury: Forskolin-Mediated cAMP Activation Upregulates TNFα Expression Despite NF-κB Downregulation in LPS-Treated Schwann Cells

Although Schwann cells are known to play a role in axonal regeneration following nerve injury and inflammation, the exact mechanism is unknown. This study explores two potential mechanisms: the NF-κB and cAMP pathways. The NF-κB pathway produces cytokines, such as TNFα, to regulate inflammation, whereas the cAMP pathway is anti-inflammatory and regulates Schwann cell proliferation via AKAP95 and cyclin D3. Although it is well-known that NF-κB and cAMP are involved in inflammation, not much is known regarding the effects of forskolin-mediated cAMP activation on LPS-mediated NF-κB activation in Schwann cells. In this study, RT4-D6P2T immortalized rat Schwann cells were treated with 0.1, 1, or 10 μg/mL of LPS, with or without 2 μM of forskolin, for 3 hours, and then an MTT viability assay and Western blot were performed. It was found that cAMP activation decreased cell viability regardless of LPS dose compared to the control. It was also found that at high doses of LPS, cAMP activation upregulated TNFα expression despite a downregulation of NF-κB, meaning cAMP may regulate TNFα through NF-κB-independent mechanisms. Furthermore, at high doses of LPS, cAMP activation downregulated AKAP95 and cyclin D3 expression and decreased cell viability, meaning that at high LPS doses, NF-κB might inhibit cAMP\u27s ability to upregulate AKAP95 and cyclin D3, decreasing cell proliferation and thus viability. A better understanding of the potential interactions between the NF-κB and cAMP pathways in Schwann cells may help to find a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of nerve injury and inflammation.https://digitalcommons.misericordia.edu/research_posters2023/1029/thumbnail.jp

Wearable vibrotactile stimulation for upper extremity rehabilitation in chronic stroke: clinical feasibility trial using the VTS Glove

Objective: Evaluate the feasibility and potential impacts on hand function using a wearable stimulation device (the VTS Glove) which provides mechanical, vibratory input to the affected limb of chronic stroke survivors. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, controlled feasibility study including sixteen chronic stroke survivors (mean age: 54; 1-13 years post-stroke) with diminished movement and tactile perception in their affected hand. Participants were given a wearable device to take home and asked to wear it for three hours daily over eight weeks. The device intervention was either (1) the VTS Glove, which provided vibrotactile stimulation to the hand, or (2) an identical glove with vibration disabled. Participants were equally randomly assigned to each condition. Hand and arm function were measured weekly at home and in local physical therapy clinics. Results: Participants using the VTS Glove showed significantly improved Semmes-Weinstein monofilament exam, reduction in Modified Ashworth measures in the fingers, and some increased voluntary finger flexion, elbow and shoulder range of motion. Conclusions: Vibrotactile stimulation applied to the disabled limb may impact tactile perception, tone and spasticity, and voluntary range of motion. Wearable devices allow extended application and study of stimulation methods outside of a clinical setting

Prophecies of Hope, Acts of Refusal: Self-Determination and Ceremony at Standing Rock

This thesis examines the intersections of prophecy, ceremony, and refusal as seen in the Standing Rock Mni Wiconi movement. A Lakota end-of-time prophecy states that a Black Snake will come and kill off the people. At Standing Rock, the pipeline has been interpreted by some to be that of the Black Snake presented in the prophecy. I bridge together my observations of ceremony and prophecy in the camps with an analysis of refusal. In my discussion of ceremony within the camps, as seen in prayers, offerings, water ceremonies, and direct actions, I argue that these ritual acts can be understood through an analytical framework of refusal. Refusal is, thus, performed through various ritual acts and prophetic speech acts by Water Protectors in the Mni Wiconi movement to stop the construction of DAPL

Psycho-Emotional Education for Occupational Therapists Supporting Individuals Assuming the Role of Family-Caregiver for People With a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The purpose of this research was to identify the psycho-emotional needs of family-caregivers of individuals who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and measure if there was a change in knowledge among occupational therapists, and occupational therapy students following a two-hour seminar covering topics identified in the literature. The topics covered in the seminar included the concept of ambiguous loss, the importance of validating emotions, the caregiver grieving process, and the importance of providing caregiver resources. To measure the change in knowledge, researchers utilized primarily a quantitative research design using pre- and post-test questionnaires with Likert- scale questions. The questionnaire also included a small number of qualitative, free response, follow up questions. A total of 15 participants completed the questionnaires and the quantitative data indicated an overall increase in knowledge among participants in this study. The qualitative, free-response questions were used to explore the clinical utility of this seminar and to determine directions for future research. The results of this research suggest that there is value in providing this type of education to occupational therapy clinicians and students. This type of seminar could be a valuable tool that better prepares occupational therapy clinicians to address the psycho-emotional needs of caregivers supporting an individual with a TBI

I Didn\u27t Know How All This Works : A Case Study Examining The Transition Experiences of Student-Athletes from High School to a Mid-Major DI Program

The transition period from high school to college includes a myriad of issues specific to student-athletes (Bernhard & Bell, 2015; Bjornsen & Dinkel, 2017; Comeaux, 2015). The present study sought to illuminate the specific transition issues faced by mid-major, DI student-athletes by providing them the platform to describe them in their own words, and provide their own recommendations for improvement. Utilizing a semi-structured interview guide which addressed transition issues, the qualitative study included 23 student-athletes in focus group settings. Analysis of interview data led to the emergence of two themes, with accompanying subthemes: 1) Encounters with academic support, with subthemes of transitioning to campus and perceived responsibilities of athletic academic advisors; and 2) Skewed perceptions and expectations of student-athlete life, with subthemes of expectations regarding the coach-athlete relationship, lifestyle modifications, and high stress practice environments. The findings suggest a notable trend – student-athletes lack the support they need to successfully deal with the transition. The transition process itself also appears to involve three specific periods: 1) Prior to arrival on campus; 2) Initial arrival on campus; and 3) Following the initial transition to campus. The findings will help to better design standards for helping student-athletes navigate the transition process

“A Threat on the Ground”: The Consequences of Witnessing Stereotype-Confirming Ingroup Members in Interracial Interactions

Objectives: Three studies explored interpersonal consequences of engaging in interracial interactions after witnessing racial ingroup members’ stereotypical behavior. Method: Study 1 used experience-sampling methodology to assess ethnic minority students’ (n = 119) intergroup anxiety, metastereotypes, and anticipatory behaviors following one of three types of interpersonal interactions: (a) a White person and a racial ingroup member who had behaved stereotypically, (b) a White person and a nonstereotypical ingroup member, or (c) neither. Studies 2 (n = 273) and 3 (n = 379) experimentally examined whether witnessing an ingroup member’s stereotypically negative behavior in interracial interactions, compared to stereotypically positive (Study 2) or nonstereotypically negative behavior (Study 3) differentially affected anxiety, metastereotypes, and anticipatory behaviors in interracial versus intraracial interactions among Black Americans. Results: In Study 1, minorities reported greater anxiety, metastereotypes, and motivation to disprove stereotypes, but less interest in future interracial contact, following interracial interactions involving stereotype-confirming ingroup members compared to other interactions. In Studies 2 and 3, adverse interaction consequences were most severe when ingroup behavior was both negative and stereotypical compared to neutral, stereotypically positive, and nonstereotypically negative ingroup behavior. Additionally, metastereotypes (and, to a lesser degree, anxiety) mediated individuals’ motivation to disprove stereotypes and desire future interactions with White witnesses following stereotypically negative ingroup behavior in interracial (vs. intraracial) interactions. Conclusions: This research highlights the emotional, metaperceptual, and motivational outcomes following ingroup members’ stereotypical behavior in intergroup contexts that extend beyond dyadic encounters

The impact of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on virtual water trade flows

Through the network of international trade in agricultural goods, water resources are virtually transferred from the country of production to the country of consumption. The volume of agricultural products traded on the global market, and the water embedded in them, has grown rapidly, marking the importance of food security and (other) issues related to this trade in goods. Introduced in 2019, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to increase trade within the African continent, improving its capacity to ensure food and nutrition security. This project aims to study the effects of AfCFTA implementation on virtual water trade involving the African continent, using the MAGNET computable general equilibrium (CGE) model. We calibrate the baseline with the virtual water trade matrices developed within the CWASI project, and then develop an AfCFTA scenario under the assumption of continent-wide tariff liberalization as well as other complementary measures, including investment in interregional infrastructure. The following paper reports on the first phase of our project: the study of virtual water flow trends both on a global scale and in detail for the state of Burkina Faso and West Africa, as a region subject to strong water-related climate events. Historical trends in Burkina Faso's virtual water fluxes reveal a significant increase in water exchanged through primary agricultural products. However, this increase is not due to an increased demand for water by crops but is the result of an intensification of the trade network over time and an increase in the quantities of products traded