Factors Affecting Minority Drowning

Research has revealed that racial or ethnic minorities historically drown at higher rates than the general population. Current research still has not identified or exposed fully the risk factors experienced by these groups that account for this disparity. By employing a review of the literature approach typical of the methods used in the humanities, the present article identifies many of the factors that explain this difference (e.g. age, sex, location, access, supervision, swimming lessons, and communication) and suggests future research that would help to illuminate the detailed circumstances that account for this ethnic gap in drowning rates (e.g. drowning -related research that takes race and ethnicity into account more consistently)

Synaptic nanomodules underlie the organization and plasticity of spine synapses.

Experience results in long-lasting changes in dendritic spine size, yet how the molecular architecture of the synapse responds to plasticity remains poorly understood. Here a combined approach of multicolor stimulated emission depletion microscopy (STED) and confocal imaging in rat and mouse demonstrates that structural plasticity is linked to the addition of unitary synaptic nanomodules to spines. Spine synapses in vivo and in vitro contain discrete and aligned subdiffraction modules of pre- and postsynaptic proteins whose number scales linearly with spine size. Live-cell time-lapse super-resolution imaging reveals that NMDA receptor-dependent increases in spine size are accompanied both by enhanced mobility of pre- and postsynaptic modules that remain aligned with each other and by a coordinated increase in the number of nanomodules. These findings suggest a simplified model for experience-dependent structural plasticity relying on an unexpectedly modular nanomolecular architecture of synaptic proteins

Utilizing Community-Based Social Marketing in a Recycling Intervention With Tailgaters

The purpose of the current study was to design and implement a pilot intervention following the community-based social marketing (CBSM) process (McKenzie-Mohr & Smith, 1999) and Darnton’s (2008) social marketing framework to change the recycling knowledge and behaviors of tailgaters during home football events for a particular institution of higher education. Researchers asked what effect does a CBSM intervention have on the recycling behavior (via self-reported opinion and actual materials recycled) as well as self-reported knowledge among tailgaters during home football events for a particular IHE. In addition, researchers asked whether the use of students and student-athletes, from the respective IHE, as recycling educators would be better received by tailgaters than some other set of individuals. Both objective and subjective evidence support a conclusion that the pilot intervention enhanced the recycling behavior and recycling knowledge of tailgaters. Subjective evidence supports a conclusion that the tailgaters were more receptive to students and student-athletes than they would have been had some other set of individuals been the recycling educators. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by demonstrating that community-based social marketing approaches to behavior change, particularly multifaceted approaches incorporating a variety of techniques, are effective in positively changing behavior in a sport tailgating setting. Furthermore, this study provides insights for managers that tailgaters, in a context rife with identifiable constraints, are receptive to educational and behavior change-based interventions and participating in a research study utilizing the methodologies outlined in the current study. The CBSM approach described herein may serve as an effective manner in which to approach these behavior-change initiatives, green or otherwise. The present study provides an example of how sport organizations, and college athletics in particular, can operate to address proenvironmental efforts specific to mitigating the burden that sport places on the physical environment

“Mantenha suas palavras”: A juventude Indígena, política local, e o trabalho no fortalecimento da língua

This article focuses on the work of cultural and language maintenance and fortification with Indigenous youth populations. Here, the idea of work represents two strands of thought: first, research that is partnered with Indigenous youth-serving institutions and that prioritizes Indigenous youth perspectives; and second, the work of cultural and linguistic engagement that is often taken for granted as part of the sociocultural fabric of Indigenous communities where youth are active participants. By highlighting a study with Pueblo Indian youth in the southwestern United States, we aim to build on the counter-narrative frameworks of other educational scholars and community-based researchers in order to offer alternative approaches towards understanding how Indigenous youth can and do participate in representing themselves as cultural and language agents of change. Arriving at this realization requires several key steps, including deconstructing dominant assumptions, holding ourselves accountable for interrogating and revisiting our own biases, and ultimately committing to long-term research and support with Indigenous youth. As such, we offer empirical evidence that contradicts universal discourse of Indigenous peoples and youth as victims at risk. Instead, we focus on the ways in which Indigenous youth demonstrate both tentative and bold fortification of key elements in their Indigenous identities and illustrate promise in contribution to multiple levels of policy development to address their communities’ most urgent needs and goals. Este artículo se enfoca en el mantenimiento y fortalecimiento de las culturas e idiomas indígenas con jóvenes indígenas. Representamos dos líneas de pensamiento – primero, investigaciones en asociación con instituciones que sirven jóvenes indígenas y que priorizan las perspectivas de la juventud Indígena, y en segundo lugar, el trabajo de participación cultural y lingüístico que a veces se da por descontado como parte de la estructura de comunidades indígenas donde jóvenes participan activamente. Destacando un estudio de investigación con jóvenes indígenas Pueblo del suroeste de los Estados Unidos, nuestro objetivo es fortalecer contra-narrativas de otros intelectuales y de investigadores insertos en comunidades Indígenas para ofrecer propuestas alternativas para la comprensión sobre como los jóvenes participarán y participan para representarse como agentes culturales y de idiomas para cambios sociales. Estas tareas requieren varios pasos, incluso deconstruir suposiciones dominantes, responsabilizándonos a nosotros mismos para interrogar y volver a visitar nuestros prejuicios, y finalmente, comprometiéndonos a estudios de investigación de largo plazo y que apoyen jóvenes indígenas. Ofrecemos pruebas empíricas que contradicen el discurso general que caracteriza a los pueblos Indígenas y sus jovenes como victimas en situación de riesgo. Nosotros nos enfocamos en las maneras como los jovenes indígena fortalecen tentativamente y audazmente elementos importantes para sus identidades indígenas e ilustramos sus contribuciones en múltiples niveles de desarrollos políticos para abordar las necesidades y metas más urgentes en sus comunidades.Este artigo foca no trabalho de manter e fortalecer a cultura da língua indígena com as populações de jovens indígenas. O trabalho representa dois aspectos de pensamento - primeiro, pesquisas associadas com instituições que sirvam à juventude indígena e que priorizam as perspectivas da juventude Indígena, e segundo, o trabalho de engajamento cultural e linguístico que muitas vezes é algo adquirido como parte da estrutura sociocultural de comunidades Indígenas onde os jovens participam ativamente. Destacando um estudo com a juventude indígena Pueblo do sudoeste dos Estados Unidos, nosso objetivo é desenvolver sistemas de contra-narrativa de outros estudiosos e pesquisadores com base nas comunidades indígenas a fim de oferecer propostas alternativas para a compreensão de como jovens indígenas participaram e participam representando a si mesmos como agentes culturais e linguísticos em uma mudança social. Chegar à essa realização requer várias etapas, incluindo desconstruir suposições dominantes, mantendo-nos responsáveis para interrogar e revisitar nossos próprios preconceitos, e, por fim, comprometendo-se a investigação a longo prazo e apoio com os jovens indígenas. Como tal, oferecemos evidência empírica que contradiz o discurso universal dos povos Indígenas e os jovens como vítimas em risco. Em vez disso, focamos em formas em que os jovens indígenas demonstram fortificação tanto hesitante como ousada nos elementos principais para suas identidades Indígenas e ilustram o nível de contribuição a múltiplos níveis de desenvolvimento político para abordar as necessidades e metas mais urgentes em suas comunidades

Derivation and analysis of a novel bi-directional non-isolated multi-level DC-DC (MLDC) converter

A novel non-isolated Multi-level DC/DC (MLDC) converter using vertical interleaving technique is reported in this paper. This MLDC offers a wide range of voltage transfer ratio by using reduced number of low voltage power electronic devices and reduced size of the DC inductor, making this converter a potential candidate solution for high power Medium to Low Voltage (MV to LV) DC/DC conversion such as energy storage connection to Medium Voltage (MV) systems or drives. The derivation of the generic topology and power electronic device voltage rating selection have been given. Design considerations and all possible arrangement of the vertical interleaving sequences used in this MLDC has been introduced with mathematical expressions

Low-density series expansions for directed percolation I: A new efficient algorithm with applications to the square lattice

A new algorithm for the derivation of low-density series for percolation on directed lattices is introduced and applied to the square lattice bond and site problems. Numerical evidence shows that the computational complexity grows exponentially, but with a growth factor \lambda < \protect{\sqrt[8]{2}}, which is much smaller than the growth factor \lambda = \protect{\sqrt[4]{2}} of the previous best algorithm. For bond (site) percolation on the directed square lattice the series has been extended to order 171 (158). Analysis of the series yields sharper estimates of the critical points and exponents.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures (3 of them > 1Mb

Ziram, a pesticide associated with increased risk for Parkinson's disease, differentially affects the presynaptic function of aminergic and glutamatergic nerve terminals at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction

Multiple populations of aminergic neurons are affected in Parkinson's disease (PD), with serotonergic and noradrenergic loci responsible for some non-motor symptoms. Environmental toxins, such as the dithiocarbamate fungicide ziram, significantly increase the risk of developing PD and the attendant spectrum of both motor and non-motor symptoms. The mechanisms by which ziram and other environmental toxins increase the risk of PD, and the potential effects of these toxins on aminergic neurons, remain unclear. To determine the relative effects of ziram on the synaptic function of aminergic versus non-aminergic neurons, we used live-imaging at the Drosophila melanogaster larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ). In contrast to nearly all other studies of this model synapse, we imaged presynaptic function at both glutamatergic Type Ib and aminergic Type II boutons, the latter responsible for storage and release of octopamine, the invertebrate equivalent of noradrenalin. To quantify the kinetics of exo- and endo- cytosis, we employed an acid-sensitive form of GFP fused to the Drosophila vesicular monoamine transporter (DVMAT-pHluorin). Additional genetic probes were used to visualize intracellular calcium flux (GCaMP) and voltage changes (ArcLight). We find that at glutamatergic Type Ib terminals, exposure to ziram increases exocytosis and inhibits endocytosis. By contrast, at octopaminergic Type II terminals, ziram has no detectable effect on exocytosis and dramatically inhibits endocytosis. In contrast to other reports on the neuronal effects of ziram, these effects do not appear to result from perturbation of the UPS or calcium homeostasis. Unexpectedly, ziram also caused spontaneous and synchronized bursts of calcium influx (measured by GCaMP) and electrical activity (measured by ArcLight) at aminergic Type II, but not glutamatergic Type Ib, nerve terminals. These events are sensitive to both tetrodotoxin and cadmium chloride, and thus appear to represent spontaneous depolarizations followed by calcium influx into Type II terminals. We speculate that the differential effects of ziram on Type II versus Type Ib terminals may be relevant to the specific sensitivity of aminergic neurons in PD, and suggest that changes neuronal excitability could contribute to the increased risk for PD caused by exposure to ziram. We also suggest that the fly NMJ will be useful to explore the synaptic effects of other pesticides associated with an increased risk of PD

The Development of Swimming Skills for African American Youth: Parent and Caregiver Perceptions of Barriers and Motivations

African American urban youth participate in swimming at an alarmingly low rate with 69% self-reporting low or no swimming skill (Irwin, Irwin, Martin,&Ross, 2010). This lack of participation translates into a drowning rate three times as high as than their White/European American peers (CDC, 2009). To investigate this issue, 12 focus groups were conducted with parents and caregivers of swimming and nonswimming children at YMCAs in six American cities. Parents/caregivers who self-identified as Black or African American shared attitudes and values that impacted their child\u27s swimming participation. Some participants in the study identified structural barriers such as a lack of time, money, or facilities. Others shared attitudes of fear and discomfort in being in and around water. Parent/caregiver attitudes had a substantial impact on children\u27s opportunities to learn to swim. There was evidence that cultural expectations about swimming impacted the choices parents in this study made regarding swimming participation. Focus group participants shared strategies of effective messaging to influence caregiver attitudes to positively impact participation. © 2014 Human Kinetics, Inc

Population Genetic Structure of the Dwarf Seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) in Florida

The dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) is widely distributed throughout near-shore habitats of the Gulf of Mexico and is of commercial significance in Florida, where it is harvested for the aquarium and curio trades. Despite its regional importance, the genetic structure of dwarf seahorse populations remains largely unknown. As an aid to ongoing conservation efforts, we employed three commonly applied mtDNA markers (ND4, DLoop and CO1) to investigate the genetic structuring of H. zosterae in Florida using samples collected throughout its range in the state. A total of 1450 bp provided sufficient resolution to delineate four populations of dwarf seahorses, as indicated by significant fixation indices. Despite an overall significant population structure, we observed evidence of interbreeding between individuals from geographically distant sites, supporting the hypothesis that rafting serves to maintain a degree of population connectivity. All individuals collected from Pensacola belong to a single distinct subpopulation, which is highly differentiated from the rest of Floridian dwarf seahorses sampled. Our findings highlight the utility of mtDNA markers in evaluating barriers to gene flow and identifying genetically distinct populations, which are vital to the development of comprehensive conservation strategies for exploited taxa

Ephrin-B3 controls excitatory synapse density through cell-cell competition for EphBs

Cortical networks are characterized by sparse connectivity, with synapses found at only a subset of axo-dendritic contacts. Yet within these networks, neurons can exhibit high connection probabilities, suggesting that cell-intrinsic factors, not proximity, determine connectivity. Here, we identify ephrin-B3 (eB3) as a factor that determines synapse density by mediating a cell-cell competition that requires ephrin-B-EphB signaling. In a microisland culture system designed to isolate cell-cell competition, we find that eB3 determines winning and losing neurons in a contest for synapses. In a Mosaic Analysis with Double Markers (MADM) genetic mouse model system in vivo the relative levels of eB3 control spine density in layer 5 and 6 neurons. MADM cortical neurons in vitro reveal that eB3 controls synapse density independently of action potential-driven activity. Our findings illustrate a new class of competitive mechanism mediated by trans-synaptic organizing proteins which control the number of synapses neurons receive relative to neighboring neurons