Generational Status and Views on Nonconforming Gender Expression among Individuals of Mexican Origin

Despite recent change of perspectives and an increase of acceptance of gender nonconformity, the concept of gender still remains a controversial topic. Gender continues to be a developing idea and maintains an influential role in many cultural contexts. Examining facets of gender in various settings can perhaps enlighten our comprehension of such and a further understanding of those who express gender nontraditionally. This study examines the concept of gender in a less traditional stance, exploring views of non-conforming gender expression among generations of Mexican Americans and individuals of Mexican origin. Through analysis of survey data on views of gender nonconformity taken by a university student and faculty population identifying as Mexican American or of Mexican origin, I bring light to the influence that generation of the individual and their hold on traditional views have on the concept of gender in a non-binary framework. I find that there is a significance in the individual’s generational status and their views on non-conforming gender expression among a Mexican Americans and individuals of Mexican decent, showing the higher the generational status the less traditional views held of gender

PERSPECTIVES ON THE BARRIERS ENCOUNTERED BY FOSTER YOUTH AT THE HIGHER EDUCATION LEVEL

The foster youth is a population in the child welfare arena where social workers continue to work and engage in providing effective and supportive resources. This population already vulnerable due to traumatic experiences, continue to lift the veil and fight against all odds. As change agents, we recognize their perspectives are critical to understanding and creating changes that will grant these youth higher academic success rates. This qualitative research includes thirteen open-ended questions regarding the perspectives of eleven former and current foster youth participants. Participants were provided the opportunity to identify the barriers they have face or are facing while attempted, attending and/or completing higher education. This insight provides an understanding of the views and obstacles that impede foster youths’ academic careers. Researchers distinguished barriers and explored options for these youths to meet higher academic success rates. Foster youths’ voices will be heard and will have a lasting imprint on students moving forward

The effects of urbanization on riparian forest plant communities in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina

Ongoing urban development is having profound impacts on ecosystems worldwide, by reducing the amount and connectivity of natural habitat and changing the local environmental conditions. Despite the ubiquity and the continued growth of urban areas, the effects of urban development on the diversity and composition of plant communities remain poorly understood. In this dissertation, I address this issue by investigating the effects of urban development on patches of remnant riparian forest in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. To do this, I used a rural-to-urban gradient approach, comparing the plant species and environmental conditions of sites surrounded by different amounts of urban development. I first explored the effects of different “filters” created by urban development on plant biodiversity using structural equation modeling. In this, I tested the predictions of an established conceptual framework and developed a general model that could be used to compare the effects of urbanization on plant biodiversity across cities. I then examined changes in plant species’ functional traits along the rural-to-urban gradient and compared the species and traits found at these sites to high-quality riparian plant communities that represent potential targets for restoration. I found that plant traits change somewhat predictably along an urbanization gradient, particularly with regard to species’ seed dispersal modes, but that traits may not be as useful for predicting which species will establish in urban restoration efforts. Finally, I assessed the ability of environmental variables and spatial variables describing habitat connectivity to explain variation in plant species composition across sites. I found that species with limited dispersal ability showed the strongest signal of dispersal limitation across sites, and that urban development between sites appears to reduce connectivity for these species. This dissertation provides insight into the ways that urban development is altering riparian forests in the Research Triangle, which may have important impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. My results have implications for land management, restoration, and urban planning in this landscape.Doctor of Philosoph

AN EXAMINATION OF HIV RISK, TESTING AND PREVENTION INTERVENTION PARTICIPATION AMONG VULNERABLE YOUTH

Background: Young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YGBM) of color are disproportionately affected by HIV and bear the burden of the disease in the United States. Gay and bisexual men – referred to in surveillance systems as men who have sex with men (MSM) – continue to be the risk group most severely affected by HIV in the United States. The dissertation study explored factors related on HIV prevention intervention participation, HIV testing and sexual risk behaviors among YGBM ages 13-29 in the Bronx. Additionally, this dissertation endeavored to study the concept of “intervention fatigue”, a component HIV prevention fatigue, which is the occurrence when prevention messages are so common to participants in the target group that they become tiresome background noise and are subsequently ignored while participating in HIV prevention behavioral interventions. The conceptual framework for this dissertation project was operationalized using Gelberg’s update of the Andersen’s Model for Healthcare utilization to create the Behavioral model for vulnerable populations. The goal of this dissertation was to: 1) to conduct a case study to incorporate feedback on recommendations for best practices for the delivery of HIV prevention services to YGBM, 2) to explore factors related to “intervention fatigue” as it applies to YGBM in the Bronx, and 3) to explore factors of HIV prevention intervention participation, HIV testing and outcomes among YGBM of color. Methods: A mixed methods approach, both qualitative and quantitative methods, was used for this dissertation study. As part of the qualitative component in depth interviews were performed with BOOM!Health Prevention staff and to inform a case study to incorporate their feedback on recommendations for best practices in delivering HIV prevention services to YGBM. With qualitative methodology, I assessed how to operationalize intervention fatigue and what factors influence this fatigue. Focus groups exploring HIV risk, testing and participation in HIV prevention interventions were conducted at BOOM!Health with a total of twenty-three (23) cisgender YGBM, one (1) transgender woman and (1) gender non-binary individual between the ages of 17-29 years old. These youth were recruited using social networks, and with the assistance of BOOM!Health staff. Quantitative data analysis was utilized to assess the relationship between intervention participation and HIV testing. The sample included a total of 2,198 clients, 2,058 cisgender men who identify as gay, bisexual or MSM (YGBM) and 140 young transgender women. Significant differences between clients who participated in HIV prevention services and clients who did not participate in HIV prevention services at BOOM!Health during this three-year period were assessed using bivariate analyses to generate χ2 statistics, t-tests and associated probabilities. The outcome variable of interest was utilization of HIV prevention services (which included either having at least one HIV test and/or participation in at least one HIV prevention intervention (group level or individual level) in 2014-2016). Covariates included: sex with men, sex with females, sex with transgender females, sex with men for drugs, sex with men who had unknown HIV status, sex with anonymous male partners, sex with men while high on drugs or intoxicated, recent sexually transmitted disease (STD), engaging in sex work and previous incarceration. Variables with significant chi-square results at p \u3c .05 were included in a binary logistic regression model. Results: Through the qualitative component of the dissertation research (aim # 1), eight themes emerged through in-depth interviews with BOOM!Health staff in the case study, that were identified as either facilitators and/or barriers to YGBMSM accessing HIV prevention services or services that this community direly need to reduce HIV risk: (1) basic needs, (2) incentives, (3) staff reflects the community (LGBT/People of Color), (4) need for peer health educators, (5) recruitment utilizing sub communities such as the house ball community, (6) packaging messages, (7) homophobia, and (8) HIV stigma. In an exploration of factors related to “intervention fatigue” among YGBM participating in HIV prevention services in the Bronx (aim # 2), I found that these men did not experience fatigue participating in interventions per say, but they do prefer innovative approaches and locally developed, or adaptations of evidence-based interventions as opposed to CDC DEBIs. The focus group component of the dissertation study identified life circumstances impacting YGBM, including homelessness, incarceration and the impact of previous involvement in foster care and unsupportive families. Other issues that were mentioned included food insecurity and the need for employment programs that include job placement. When discussing accessing HIV prevention services, many participants stated they were tested for HIV frequently, between 3-6 times a year. The participants made their preference for locally adapted interventions very clear which provide up to date HIV prevention information, include modules on PrEP and PEP, and also utilize social marketing tools that emphasize intervention participants creating and posting unique prevention messaging on social media for their friends and peers. Most participants stated there was a lack of gay sex/anal sexual health education outside of HIV prevention interventions offered by community-based organizations. When focus group participants were asked if intervention participation influenced condom use, there was a mixed response, some stated they used condoms and others did not. Intervention participation has increased PrEP awareness among YGBM, but there were varying opinions about the use of PrEP (some participants were willing to try it while others were afraid of side effects). Participants were asked about other issues impacting health and access to HIV prevention services and three themes that were discussed across the focus groups included homophobia/stigma, incentives and the need for mental health services. In the quantitative component of the dissertation study (aim # 3), significant differences between clients who participated in HIV prevention services and clients who did not participate in HIV prevention services at BOOM!Health during this three-year period were assessed using bivariate analyses to generate χ2 statistics, t-tests and associated probabilities. The exposure was compared between client groups who utilized HIV prevention services in 2014-2016 and those who did not receive services during this period. There was a difference in age of clients who participated in HIV prevention services versus those who did not (23 years old vs. 25 years old). The race/ethnicity composition for both groups did not significantly differ, many clients in both groups were Black or Latinx. However, there was a significant difference in housing status, 50% of clients who participated in HIV prevention services were homeless, unstably housed (i.e couch-surfing) or in temporary housing, compared to 28% of clients in the group who did not access prevention services ( χ 2 =110.86, p \u3c 0.001). In comparing the two groups, those who received prevention services were more likely to report having engaged in sexual activities that put them at risk for HIV. Those who engaged in HIV prevention services were significantly more like than those who did not, to have engaged in a range of behaviors that would put them at risk for HIV. Variables that were significant in bivariate analyses were included in a binary logistic regression model: sex with females, sex with anonymous male partners, sex with men while high on drugs or intoxicated, recent sexually transmitted disease (STD), as well as housing and history of incarceration, to investigate a possible relationship between these variables and the outcome variable, HIV prevention service utilization (using the framework of the Behavioral model for vulnerable populations to identify traditional and vulnerable domains). The results of the logistic regression analysis show that an association exists between previous incarceration, housing, and accessing HIV prevention services. Clients who have been previously incarcerated were significantly more likely to access HIV prevention services (AOR = 2.06; 95% CI 1.37-3.09). Housing had a negative association with HIV prevention service utilization (AOR= 0.40; 95% CI 0.33-0.48). Additionally, the following sexual health risk factors were positively associated with accessing HIV prevention services in this study, such as previous sexually transmitted infection, anonymous sex with men, and sex with cisgender women. Clients who had a recent STD were more likely to engage in HIV prevention services (AOR = 1.97; 95% CI 1.07-3.64). Clients who had a were anonymous sex with men, more likely to engage in HIV prevention services (AOR = 1.52; 95% CI 1.18-1.97). Clients who had sex with cisgender women (in addition to having sex with males as part of the study inclusion criteria) were four times more likely to participate in HIV prevention services (AOR=4.05; 95% CI 3.26-5.22). When adding lack of health insurance to the regression model as an enabling factor, as part of the traditional domain of the Behavioral model for vulnerable populations, it had a negative association on HIV prevention service utilization. Conclusion: Through my dissertation research, I learned that when engaging YGBM, tremendous importance of not only providing HIV prevention education and services, giving immediate support through incentives therefore, competing or basic needs must also be addressed. Staff delivering HIV prevention programming should be representative and/or knowledgeable of the community they serve but also these youth should have a role in developing and disseminating messages. Participants did not experience fatigue participating in interventions per say, but they respond more favorably to interventions that employ innovative approaches. I conclude this dissertation with the following strategic goals that could improve the delivery of HIV prevention services. First, there should be an enhancement of data collection and improved access to technology; second, there must be an investment in developing peer programs, with access to training and certification, and finally, HIV service agencies should create “a one stop shop” and provide participants with co-located services to address basic needs and cross-system involvement

The left and right ventricle of a patient with a R723G mutation of the beta-myosin heavy chain and severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy show no differences in the expression of myosin mRNA

Background: In familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC), asymmetric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy has been considered to be the predominant phenotypic expression, whereas right ventricular (RV) involvement is still ambiguous. In most cases, the right ventricle remains unaffected until secondary pulmonary hypertension develops. Several FHC-causing mutations of genes encoding sarcomere-related proteins have been identified which are transmitted in an autosomal-dominant manner. Methods: We report the case of a 61 year old member of a Catalan family with a Arg723Gly missense mutation of the β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC), that is associated with a malignant phenotype characterized by sudden cardiac death and heart failure. Because of progressive systolic LV dysfunction, the patient received a heart transplant in 2003. Results: Molecular analysis of the myocardial tissue of the explanted heart, taken from the left and right ventricle, showed a similar deviation of the ratio of mutant vs wild type mRNA of the β-MHC of 71.8 ± 5% and 68.5 ± 3%, respectively. This finding was confirmed for LV biopsies of this patient on protein level, showing a similar proportion of mutated β-myosin. But since the patient is heterozygous for the β-MHC mutation and the mutation is located in a coding region, the relative increase of the expression of the mutant allele is unexpected. It has been demonstrated before by our group for several β-MHC mutations that the relative abundance of mutated mRNA/protein correlates with the clinical severity of the disease. But since the right ventricle shows no (or only minor) manifestation in terms of hypertrophy or dysfunction, the level of mRNA and protein expression is not the only factor responsible for the development of the phenotype of FHC. Conclusions: Several mechanisms through which cardiac stresses may incite maladaptive cardiac remodeling primarily of the left ventricle that result in myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure are proposed. One of those triggers could be the enhanced work load of the left ventricle, especially if a LV outflow tract gradient is present, in contrast to the lesser demands to the right ventricle which is adapted to the low pressure system of the pulmonary circulation. Further studies are needed to confirm the results of this case, as well as functional studies involving both ventricles. (Cardiol J 2010; 17, 5: 518-522

Apego e impulsividad. Su relación con el desempeño académico

Una elevada impulsividad puede afectar severamente la performance en la universidad, las relaciones interpersonales o simplemente en las tareas cotidianas. La adecuada regulación de la impulsividad está íntimamente relacionada con el tipo de apego. Las personas con apego seguro autorregulan de forma adecuada sus emociones. Las impulsivas pueden ver deteriorado su rendimiento debido a los problemas de recopilación y organización de la información, dificultades en la recuperación de la información ya almacenada, la inadecuada regulación de la atención, focalización y concentración para la resolución de las tareas o durante los exámenes. Por ello pueden tener dificultades a la hora de estudiar, almacenando la información de forma superficial, saltando de un tema a otro antes de lograr profundizarlo y consolidarlo; así como problemas para seleccionar los aspectos más importantes de la información cuando tiene que realizar síntesis, por la urgencia que experimenta al desear terminar rápido, afectando la selección de las estrategias adecuadas durante la evaluación del material nuevo, y al analizar problemas nuevos para resolverlos. Durante el proyecto se trabajó con 229 alumnos de 1° y 2° año de las carreras de Psicología y Psicopedagogía de USAL. Se estudió el funcionamiento de dos instrumentos. Para conocer el tipo de apego se administró el Experiences in close relationships- Revised - ECR-R y para estudiar la impulsividad estado, la Escala de Impulsividad Estado -EIE. El 15% de los alumnos obtuvo un nivel alto en el factor gratificación, para automatismo el nivel alto fue del 15,2% y en el factor atencional se halló con nivel alto al 20% de los alumnos. Esto último representa un porcentaje considerable si se tiene en cuenta que un curso suele tener 40 alumnos y es probable encontrar en él a 8 alumnos que presenten puntajes altos en impulsividad, con dificultades en la regulación de la atención, focalización y concentración. Aunque no se han hallado correlaciones significativas que den cuenta del impacto directo sobre las calificaciones obtenidas, podría estarse generando un malestar subjetivo acumulativo que generaría sensaciones de ineficacia a la hora de estudiar o al incorporar información nueva durante las clases. Si bien en este estudio se describe que el rendimiento no se ve afectado directamente, creemos que una tendencia a la impulsividad reduce la capacidad para disfrutar durante el aprendizaje. Estimamos que los datos aportados por este estudio, a pesar de tratarse de una muestra intencional, otorgan una mayor comprensión de la problemática y podría tenerse en cuenta para elaborar talleres de aprendizaje de estrategias para la autorregulación y focalización de la atención.A high level of impulsiveness may severely affect academic performance, interpersonal relationships or simply daily tasks. Adequate regulation of impulsiveness is closely related to the style of attachment. People with a secure attachment are able to self-regulate more appropriately their feelings. Impulsive people’s performance may be impaired by information gathering and organization problems, by difficulties in recovering information already stored, by inadequate regulation of attention, focus and concentration to solve tasks or taking exams. Therefore, impulsive people may face some difficulties when studying like: storing information in a superficial way, switching from one subject to another before being able to delve and consolidate the subject, and having problems to find the most relevant aspects of a piece of information when summarizing due to the feeling of urgency to finish a task quickly that the person may experience, thus affecting the selection of adequate strategies to evaluate new information or to analyze new problems to solve them. Sometimes, performance is not directly affected but, impulsive behaviour reduces learning capacity.This project was completed with the participation of 229 students from 1° and 2° year of the careers of Psychology and Educational Psychology of USAL. The operational processes of two instruments were analyzed. The Experiences in close relationships-Revised-ECR-R (Fraley,Waller &Brennan, 200) was applied in order to recognize the styles of attachment and, the State Impulsivity Scale- EIE (Irribaren M, Jimenez, Garcia, Garcia Rubio, 2011) was applied to study the state impulsivity. High levels of each factor were found in 15% of the students in the Reward factor. In the Automatism factor, there was a high level of 15.2% and, in the Attentional factor, 20% of the students have a high level. This last figure is considered to be a remarkable percentage, if it is taken into account the fact that a class is made up of 40 students. It is possible to find 8 students with high levels of impulsiveness facing difficulties in regulating attention, focus and concentration. Although no significant correlations evidencing the direct impact over the obtained amounts were found, there may be a cumulative personal discomfort growing which may produce a feeling of inefficiency when studying or incorporating new information during classes. Although this report shows that performance is not directly affected, we believe that tendency to impulsiveness reduces the capacity for enjoying while learning. Although it is an intentional sample, we consider that the data provided in this report allows a better understanding of the problem. Furthermore, we consider that this data should be taken into account when organizing workshops about learning strategies to regulate and focus attention

Regional Invasive Species & Climate Change Management Challenge: Forest Pest Risk is Heating Up

Insect pests and pathogens, and climate change, each threaten forest health. But what happens when the two are combined? Climate change brings pests to new areas, makes pests more damaging, reduces trees’ defenses to pests, and can alter how forests recover after pest disturbance. Strategies for managing the combined impacts of forest pests and climate change include preventing new pest introductions, resisting pest spread by treating individual trees and diversifying forest stands, promoting more resilient forests that can rebound from pests, and helping forests transition to a state better adapted to our future climate

Regional Invasive Species & Climate Change Management Challenge: Embracing the Future. Promoting adaptation and resilience to invasive species and climate change

Climate change and invasive species can interact to increase disturbances and magnify changes in ecosystem form and function (Double Trouble). Increasing resilience is one of several management approaches for enabling healthy ecosystems to persist despite these changes. While resilience can be complicated and take many forms, it can generally be thought of as the “ability [of an ecosystem] to experience disturbances or environmental change without changing to a fundamentally different state” [Holling, 1973]. The accumulating effects of climate change, invasive species, or interacting effects of multiple disturbances can push an ecosystem past a tipping point and into a new ecological state. These alternative states are characterized by a different suite of species or functions, which are difficult or impossible to recover from (e.g. a shift from a closed-canopy to an open-canopy forested wetland). Actions to increase resilience help an ecosystem to maintain or return to its fundamental structure or function after a disturbance. Resilience falls in the middle of a spectrum of management goals ranging from preventing change (resistance) to promoting change (transformation) in the species composition, structure, or functions provided by an ecosystem. Clear management goals (See Table) and an understanding of the range of disturbances affecting focal ecosystems are necessary for deciding between managing for resistance, resilience, or transformation and what actions are required for successful management outcomes

Asociación entre agenesia del tercer molar y otras anomalías dentales en radiografías panorámicas de pacientes de un centro radiológico, Lima 2020 - 2022

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la asociación entre agenesia del tercer molar (AD3M) con otras anomalías dentales en radiografías panorámicas de pacientes de un centro radiológico, Lima 2020 -2022. Investigación de tipo básica, con diseño no experimental, descriptivo, prospectivo y transversal. Se evaluaron 580 radiografías panorámicas de pacientes de 14 años a 24 años, Dos investigadores se calibraron (Kappa =0.906), para recolectar la información se utilizó la técnica de observación directa, el instrumento de recolección de datos fue una ficha diseñada para este estudio. Los resultados indicaron que no se encontró asociación entre AD3M con otras anomalías dentales, la prevalencia de AD3M fue del 13,28%, La prevalencia de para agenesia de otros dientes fue de 0,17%; para dientes supernumerarios de 0,86%; y para dientes impactados de 1,03%. La frecuencia del número de AD3M fue 1 > 2 > 4 > 3, la AD3M se encontró con mayor frecuencia en maxilar superior con un 65,31% (p=0.000), según lado; se encontró con mayor frecuencia en el derecho con un 56,46% (p=0.000), y según género fue mayor en hombres con un 51,70% (p=0.955). Se concluye que no existe asociación entre agenesia del tercer molar con otras anomalías dentales

Caregiver Criticism, Help-giving and the Burden of Schizophrenia Among Mexican American Families

Objectives—The present study tested an attribution model of help-giving in family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia as it relates to caregivers’ reported burden. We hypothesized (a) that caregivers’ attributions of their ill relatives’ responsibility for their symptoms would be associated with more negative and less positive affective reactions, (b) that affective reactions would be related to perceptions of administered support, and (c) that support would in turn predict greater burden. Methods—We examined 60 family caregivers of Mexican origin living in Southern California. Mexican Americans were chosen because of their high degree of contact with their ill relative thereby facilitating the examination of help-giving and burden. Contrary to past studies, caregivers’ attributions and affective stance were assessed independently, the former based on self-report and the latter based on codes drawn from the Camberwell Family Interview. Caregiver burden was assessed at baseline and one year later. Results—Path analyses showed partial support for the attribution model of help-giving. Specifically, attributions of responsibility negatively predicted caregiver’s warmth, which in turn predicted more administered support. Contrary to hypotheses, attributions were not associated with caregiver criticism, and criticism was positively related to administered support. In addition, caregiver support was not related to burden at either baseline or a year later. Criticism was a significant predictor of burden at follow-up through burden at baseline. Conclusion—The emotional stance of caregivers predicts burden independent of the help they provide. Caregiver criticism not only predicts negative patient outcomes but can predict negative caregiver outcomes as well