Let\u27s Talk About Sex

Panel Chair: Michael Rose, Collin Colleg

Effects of Open Marsh Water Management on Numbers of Larval Salt Marsh Mosquitoes

Open marsh water management (OMWM) is a commonly used approach to manage salt marsh mosquitoes than can obviate the need for pesticide application and at the same time, partially restore natural functions of grid-ditched marshes. OMWM includes a variety of hydrologic manipulations, often tailored to the specific conditions on individual marshes, so the overall effectiveness of this approach is difficult to assess. Here, we report the results of controlled field trials to assess the effects of two approaches to OMWM on larval mosquito production at National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). A traditional OMWM approach, using pond construction and radial ditches was used at Edwin B. Forsythe NWR in New Jersey, and a ditch-plugging approach was used at Parker River NWR in Massachusetts. Mosquito larvae were sampled from randomly placed stations on paired treatment and control marshes at each refuge. The proportion of sampling stations that were wet declined after OMWM at the Forsythe site, but not at the Parker River site. The proportion of samples with larvae present and mean larval densities, declined significantly at the treatment sites on both refuges relative to the control marshes. Percentage of control for the 2 yr posttreatment, compared with the 2 yr pretreatment, was \u3e90% at both treatment sites

Three years of ocean data from a bio-optical profiling float

Ocean color, first measured from space 30 years ago, has provided a revolutionary synoptic view of near-surface fields of phytoplankton pigments. Since 1979, a number of ocean color satellite missions have provided coverage of phytoplankton biomass and other biogeochemical variables on scales of days to years and of kilometers to ocean basin. Because of the nature of visible light and its interaction with absorbing and scattering materials in the ocean and atmosphere, these measurements are biased toward nearsurface waters and are obscured by clouds. As a consequence, ocean color satellites miss significant fractions of phytoplankton biomass, marine primary productivity, and particle flux that occur at depths beyond their sensing range. They also miss phytoplankton blooms and other events that occur during periods of extended cloud cover

Singing for people with aphasia (SPA): a protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of a group singing intervention to improve well-being

Introduction: The singing for people with aphasia (SPA) intervention aims to improve quality of life and well-being for people with poststroke aphasia. A definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) is required to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of SPA. The purpose of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of such a definitive trial and inform its design. Methods and analysis: A two-group, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled external pilot trial with parallel mixed methods process evaluation and economic evaluation. Forty-eight participants discharged from clinical speech and language therapy will be individually randomised 1:1 to SPA (10 group sessions plus a resource booklet) or control (resource booklet only). Outcome assessment at baseline, 3 and 6 months postrandomisation include: ICEpop CAPability measure for adults, Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life, EQ-5D-5L, modified Reintegration into Normal Living Index, Communication Outcome After Stroke, Very Short Version of the Minnesota Aphasia Test, Service Receipt Inventory and Care Related Quality of Life. Feasibility, acceptability and process outcomes include recruitment and retention rates, with measurement burden and trial experiences being explored in qualitative interviews (15 participants, 2 music facilitators and 2 music champions). Analyses include: descriptive statistics, with 95% CIs where appropriate; qualitative themes; intervention fidelity from videos and session checklists; rehearsal of health economic analysis. Ethics and dissemination: NHS National Research Ethics Service and the Health Research Authority confirmed approval in April 2017; recruitment commenced in June 2017. Outputs will include: pilot data to inform whether to proceed to a definitive RCT and support a funding application; finalised intervention manual for multicentre replication of SPA; presentations at conferences, public involvement events; internationally recognised peer reviewed journal publications, open access sources and media releases

Citizen and Community Science Approaches to Understanding Changes in Coastal Habitats Using Anecdata.org

Coastal ecosystems are facing increasing threats from human activities and environmental changes. Climate change, in particular, presents challenges for policymaking as it is causing significant changes to the oceans and coastlines, with social, economic, and environmental impacts on coastal communities. However, there is often a lack of data at the appropriate scales to address these concerns. Online tools that support the collection of citizen science and community science data can provide stakeholders and policymakers with a wealth of information and data on ocean-related topics, such as water quality, marine biodiversity, and ocean health. Citizen science platforms, like Anecdata.org, can facilitate data collection, raise public awareness, and encourage the engagement of stakeholders in ocean policymaking. Anecdata.org is a citizen science platform developed in Maine that supports data collection and project management for coastal conservation efforts worldwide. This community-driven platform promotes effective, open, and democratized science, hosting numerous active projects with users who are helping to address critical coastal issues. Here, we review Maine coastal projects on the Anecdata platform, examine the environmental trends highlighted in these projects, and discuss how citizen science data can play a role in coastal decision-making. These case studies will demonstrate the utility of citizen and community science approaches to monitoring Maine coastal ecosystems, understanding and predicting the impacts of climate change, and informing policymaking for coastal conservation. Taken together, these projects provide diverse, critically important data as well as a meaningful way for individuals and communities to engage in protecting and preserving Maine’s iconic coastal resources

Support for healthy breastfeeding mothers with healthy term babies

BACKGROUND: There is extensive evidence of important health risks for infants and mothers related to not breastfeeding. In 2003, the World Health Organization recommended that infants be breastfed exclusively until six months of age, with breastfeeding continuing as an important part of the infant's diet until at least two years of age. However, current breastfeeding rates in many countries do not reflect this recommendation. OBJECTIVES: To describe forms of breastfeeding support which have been evaluated in controlled studies, the timing of the interventions and the settings in which they have been used.To examine the effectiveness of different modes of offering similar supportive interventions (for example, whether the support offered was proactive or reactive, face-to-face or over the telephone), and whether interventions containing both antenatal and postnatal elements were more effective than those taking place in the postnatal period alone.To examine the effectiveness of different care providers and (where information was available) training.To explore the interaction between background breastfeeding rates and effectiveness of support. SEARCH METHODS: We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register (29 February 2016) and reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing extra support for healthy breastfeeding mothers of healthy term babies with usual maternity care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS: This updated review includes 100 trials involving more than 83,246 mother-infant pairs of which 73 studies contribute data (58 individually-randomised trials and 15 cluster-randomised trials). We considered that the overall risk of bias of trials included in the review was mixed. Of the 31 new studies included in this update, 21 provided data for one or more of the primary outcomes. The total number of mother-infant pairs in the 73 studies that contributed data to this review is 74,656 (this total was 56,451 in the previous version of this review). The 73 studies were conducted in 29 countries. Results of the analyses continue to confirm that all forms of extra support analyzed together showed a decrease in cessation of 'any breastfeeding', which includes partial and exclusive breastfeeding (average risk ratio (RR) for stopping any breastfeeding before six months 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88 to 0.95; moderate-quality evidence, 51 studies) and for stopping breastfeeding before four to six weeks (average RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.95; moderate-quality evidence, 33 studies). All forms of extra support together also showed a decrease in cessation of exclusive breastfeeding at six months (average RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.92; moderate-quality evidence, 46 studies) and at four to six weeks (average RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.89; moderate quality, 32 studies). We downgraded evidence to moderate-quality due to very high heterogeneity.We investigated substantial heterogeneity for all four outcomes with subgroup analyses for the following covariates: who delivered care, type of support, timing of support, background breastfeeding rate and number of postnatal contacts. Covariates were not able to explain heterogeneity in general. Though the interaction tests were significant for some analyses, we advise caution in the interpretation of results for subgroups due to the heterogeneity. Extra support by both lay and professionals had a positive impact on breastfeeding outcomes. Several factors may have also improved results for women practising exclusive breastfeeding, such as interventions delivered with a face-to-face component, high background initiation rates of breastfeeding, lay support, and a specific schedule of four to eight contacts. However, because within-group heterogeneity remained high for all of these analyses, we advise caution when making specific conclusions based on subgroup results. We noted no evidence for subgroup differences for the any breastfeeding outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: When breastfeeding support is offered to women, the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding is increased. Characteristics of effective support include: that it is offered as standard by trained personnel during antenatal or postnatal care, that it includes ongoing scheduled visits so that women can predict when support will be available, and that it is tailored to the setting and the needs of the population group. Support is likely to be more effective in settings with high initiation rates. Support may be offered either by professional or lay/peer supporters, or a combination of both. Strategies that rely mainly on face-to-face support are more likely to succeed with women practising exclusive breastfeeding

Words Volume 2 2009-2011

https://openspace.dmacc.edu/words/1001/thumbnail.jp

Columbia, Maryland: Residential Perspectives on the Community’s 50th Birthday

Final project for ANTH468O/689O Researching Environment & Culture (Fall 2015). Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology, University of Maryland, College Park.Planned communities are one way that people have attempted to influence land use patterns and living situations to accommodate specific sociocultural, economic, and environmental needs and desires from the very start of settlement. Columbia, Maryland, a planned community, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017. At its beginning, James Rouse and his planning team used a sociological approach to develop Columbia, and help achieve its original goals, including: the creation of a fully, self-sustaining city where residents could both live and work, respecting and integrating the natural environment into the built environment, sustainably accommodating the future growth of the community, integrating mixed income and racially diverse families, and making a profit. Almost 50 years on, Columbia, via Columbia Association, is interested in understanding the staying power of the original goals as it looks forward and plans for Columbia’s future. In Fall 2015, Columbia Association, PALS (Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability), and the Department of Anthropology at the University of Maryland collaborated to collect oral histories from Columbia’s residents on their experiences of living in the community over the past 50 years. Nine undergraduate students and one graduate student taking ANTH 468O/689O: Researching Environment & Culture, under the direction of Dr. L. Jen Shaffer in the Department of Anthropology, interviewed 28 men and women residents of Columbia. An additional four interviews from Columbia Association’s archives were added to the transcripts of the collected oral histories for further analysis. The analysis of the interview texts explored residents’ experiences of economic, demographic, sociocultural and environmental change over the past 50 years and examined responses to such change in the effort to identify ideas for developing sustainable plans to respond to future changes in Columbia. All audio and video recordings of the oral history interviews are archived at Columbia Archives at Columbia Association.Howard Count

Singing for people with aphasia (SPA): results of a pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial of a group singing intervention investigating acceptability and feasibility

Objectives: Pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) for the singing groups for people with aphasia (SPA) intervention to assess: (1) the acceptability and feasibility of participant recruitment, randomisation and allocation concealment; (2) retention rates; (3) variance of continuous outcome measures; (4) outcome measure completion and participant burden; (5) fidelity of intervention delivery; (6) SPA intervention costs; (7) acceptability and feasibility of trial and intervention to participants and others involved. Design: A two-group, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled external pilot trial with parallel mixed methods process evaluation and economic evaluation. Setting: Three community-based cohorts in the South-West of England. Participants: Eligible participants with post-stroke aphasia were randomised 1:1 to SPA or control. Intervention: The manualised SPA intervention was delivered over 10 weekly singing group sessions, led by a music facilitator and assisted by an individual with post-stroke aphasia. The intervention was developed using the Information-Motivation-Behavioural skills model of behaviour change and targeted psychosocial outcomes. Control and intervention participants all received an aphasia information resource pack. Outcome measures: Collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months post-randomisation, candidate primary outcomes were measured (well-being, quality of life and social participation) as well as additional clinical outcomes. Feasibility, acceptability and process outcomes included recruitment and retention rates, and measurement burden; and trial experiences were explored in qualitative interviews. Results: Of 87 individuals screened, 42 participants were recruited and 41 randomised (SPA=20, control=21); 36 participants (SPA=17, control=19) completed 3-month follow-up, 34 (SPA=18, control=16) completed 6-month follow-up. Recruitment and retention (83%) were acceptable for a definitive RCT, and participants did not find the study requirements burdensome. High fidelity of the intervention delivery was shown by high attendance rates and facilitator adherence to the manual, and participants found SPA acceptable. Sample size estimates for a definitive RCT and primary/secondary outcomes were identified. Conclusions: The SPA pilot RCT fulfilled its objectives, and demonstrated that a definitive RCT of the intervention would be both feasible and acceptable. Trial registration number: NCT03076736

Fit for Life: Educating About a Healthy Lifestyle in Omaha Elementary Schools

Background: The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing across the country. Health education at a young age is critical for children to establish healthy habits. The Fit for Life program is put together by Creighton medical students to inspire elementary students to lead a healthy lifestyle. The curriculum integrates physical exercise, real organ demonstrations, emotional wellness exercises, and nutritious meal building to model and encourage healthy habits. Methods: Over four weeks, medical students taught the 4th and 5th graders of two Omaha schools over live video while they followed along with hands-on activities. Before and after the program, students’ height and weight were measured to calculate BMI, and the students completed pre- and post-program quizzes. Paired t-tests were performed to analyze differences in student BMIs and quiz scores. Pre-program quiz scores of students who completed two consecutive years were compared using paired t-tests. Results: Student BMIs before and after the program showed no significant changes (p = 0.479, n = 45) however, quiz scores significantly improved after the program (p \u3c 0.001, n = 44). Self-reported survey responses after the program demonstrate increased motivation for a healthy lifestyle as well as improved understanding of the importance of sleep, exercise, reduced screen time, and healthy eating. Those who completed the program for two consecutive years had significantly higher pre-program quiz scores the second year (p \u3c 0.05, n = 18). Conclusion: Our study found a significant increase in pre- and post-program assessment scores which suggest improvement in student perspective and knowledge of healthy habits. Similarly, students who completed the program for two consecutive years demonstrated an increase in pre-program quiz scores suggesting retention of health knowledge. While there was no significant difference in pre- and post-program BMIs, results may be limited by the duration of the study, given that changes in weight are often insubstantial in the short-term.https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/chri_forum/1006/thumbnail.jp