Social capital experiences of solo middle school librarians at a public school district in south Texas: A phenomenological study.

Purpose The results of a pilot study (Lilly Hughes, 2013) I completed in 2013 sparked my interest in investigating the social capital activities of the solo middle school librarian. I investigated a sample of middle school solo librarians in a large Texas school district as they shared their participation and experiences with librarian-to-librarian social capital. First, the social capital activities in which solo middle school librarians and other librarians participate were identified. Second, the social capital activities in which solo middle school librarians participate with other solo librarians within their school district were identified. Third, the factors that influenced the solo middle school librarian’s ability to participate in social capital activities were examined. Method A qualitative approach was used to determine solo middle school librarians’ opinions about social capital experiences at a public school district in south Texas. A phenomenological approach was used because this study involves real-life, contemporary settings. Five solo middle school librarians were interviewed in this study. Recorded, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the solo middle school librarians at each school or home allowing the participants to describe their feelings about and perceptions of these experiences. Using the participants’ responses in the interviews, I interpreted the data to understand the phenomenon. Results A high degree of consensus across the 5 solo middle school librarians led to the themes of collegiality, professional organizations, principal support, librarians are teachers, and isolation. Implications for practice included librarian advocacy for principal support of additional support staff. Findings relevant for policy included the need for updated state library standards. The need for increased library staffing and opportunities for solo middle school librarian to experience social capital opportunities was confirmed. Not all participants in this study value all social capital experiences. The same was discovered true for each participant regarding the benefit of social capital experiences provided by professional organizations and social media on their professional practice. All participants agreed some form of self-imposed restrictions have been made regarding involvement in social capital experiences because each is alone on the job, which restricts their time and stamina to engage with other school librarians

Examination of the Hepatic and Renal Toxicity from Concurrent Oral Exposure to Chloroform and Trichloroethylene

Increased hepatic and renal toxicity occurs following concurrent exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and trichloroethylene (TCE) relative to that seen from each chemical alone. Consequently, the interaction of TCE and chloroform (CHCl3), a close structural analogue of CCl4, was examined. Adult male F-344 rats were gavaged with 0, 0.5 or 1.0 ml CHCl3/kg, 0 or 1.0 ml TCE/kg or their factorial combinations in corn oil. Urine was collected at 0, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hrs, and hepatotoxicity was assessed at 24 and 48 hrs. To examine the influence of gavage vehicle, additional rats were gavaged with 0, 0.5 or 1.0 ml CHCl3/kg, 0 or 1.0 ml TCE/kg or their factorial combinations in an aqueous vehicle (10% Emulphor 620). Urine was collected at 0, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hrs, and hepatotoxicity was assessed at 24 and 48 hrs. CHCl3 alone caused hepatic and renal toxicity. At 48 hours post dosing, serum AST and LDH were observed to increase 88-146 fold and 45-48 fold, respectively, when CHCl3 was administered in corn oil. Increases in AST and LDH were significant when CHCl3 was administered in the aqueous solution; however, elevations were no more than 3-fold for either enzyme. Vehicle differences were also observed in increases of ALT and bile acids. Both were significantly elevated when administered in oil compared to the aqueous vehicle. Peak hepatotoxicity was observed to be 48 hours when CHCl3 was administered in oil whereas in the aqueous vehicle, 24 is greater or equal to 48 hours, based on elevations in ALT and bile acids. CHCl3 appeared to be more nephrotoxic when administered in the oil vehicle compared to the aqueous. Histopathological lesions (both renal tubule degeneration and renal tubule necrosis) were more severe in the groups receiving CHCl3 in oil compared to the aqueous vehicle. In contrast to CHCl3, TCE alone was not overtly toxic to either organ. Concurrent exposure to both CHCl3 and TCE produced significantly less toxicity relative to CHCl3 alone. This was observed in serum enzymes at 24 and 48 hours and in urinary enzymes at 36 and 48 hours. Additionally, histological lesions were consistently less severe when CHCl3 was administered in the presence of TCE compared to CHCl3 alone. In conclusion, hepatic and renal toxicity were observed following CHCl3 exposure and no effects were observed from TCE alone. CHCl3 was significantly more acutely hepatotoxic when administered in an oil than in an aqueous vehicle. Relative to CHCl3 alone, serum and urinary indicators were significantly decreased following concurrent administration of CHCl3 and TCE which appeared to be independent of the dosing vehicle.Master of Science in Public Healt

Shattered Assumptions, Coping and Religiosity in Intimate Partner Violence Survivors: A Partial Explanation for Variation in PTSD Symptoms?

Every year, millions of women around the globe are exposed to violence in intimate relationships. The cost of this violence is substantial, affecting women’s economic, physical and emotional health. One common outcome of intimate partner violence (IPV) is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which has been shown to be disproportionately high in IPV survivors in relation to the general population. However, various factors have been implicated that can serve either to protect against or put at risk for PTSD symptom development in IPV survivors. The current project seeks to explore several factors that have been implicated in PTSD symptoms, such as world assumptions, coping style and religiosity, and to determine whether these place women at risk for PTSD symptoms following IPV. A secondary aim is to establish whether these factors operate differentially as a function of ethnicity in predicting PTSD symptoms. The present work incorporated the theory of shattered assumptions to the study of IPV survivors, finding that shattered assumptions was related to exposure to more overall IPV, as well as heightened reports of PTSD symptoms. Coping style was found to be related to both IPV and PTSD; namely, emotion-focused coping was related to more overall IPV and higher reports of PTSD. However, a moderation analysis found that problem-focused coping in the face of high rates of IPV similarly increased risk for PTSD symptoms. Finally, religiosity was found to be related to PTSD such that individuals who reported more overall religious involvement also reported heightened levels of PTSD, confirming the hypotheses that religiosity would signal distress and attempts to cope for IPV survivors. Consistent with the hypotheses, several interethnic differences emerged in the data. African American women, for example, reported more IPV and more religiosity than their European American counterparts. Contrary to the hypotheses, however, African American women reported equivalent rates of PTSD and shattered assumptions in relation to European American women. The meaning behind religiosity, shattered assumptions and coping in relationship to PTSD symptoms is discussed, as well as the implication for these factors in relationship to ethnicity. A model is proposed for future testing with a larger sample size.Ph.D.Psychology and Women's StudiesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/60705/1/grossmm_1.pd

Emirati Pre-service Teacher Behaviors in Mathematics Classrooms

The purpose of this study was to investigate the teaching behaviors of Emirati pre-service teachers in mathematics classrooms. Using a validated ecobehavioral assessment tool, the Mainstream Code for Instructional Structure for Instructional Software (MS-CISSAR), the current study examined the teaching behaviors of nine pre-service teachers in general education Cycle 1 (elementary) public schools in Abu Dhabi. Results revealed the pre-service teachers taught mathematics using instructional groupings of whole class for 62% of the time and small group sessions for 22% of the time. Independent work time was assigned for only 8% of the mathematics class. The participants engaged students in discussion for 32% of the time and used other media such as a mathematics video and/or manipulatives for 31% of the time. Worksheets were assigned for only 16% of the time. The pre-service teachers spent 45% of class time talking or asking questions about academics and 15% of the time engaged in talk related to managing the classroom. Implications for teacher education and directions for future research are discussed. Keywords: Pre-service teachers, Mathematics, Ecobehavioral assessment, MS-CISSAR, Middle Eas

Development and Validation of the Trauma-Related Cognitions Scale

Cognitive theories suggest the manner in which individuals process trauma-related information influences posttraumatic sequelae. Interpretations about trauma can be maladaptive and lead to cognitive distortions implicated in the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through the processes of overaccommodation and assimilation. Alternatively, adaptive interpretations about trauma through the process of accommodation can lead to post-trauma resilience and recovery. The Trauma-Related Cognitions Scale (TRCS) provides a measure of beliefs associated with these cognitive processes. The TRCS was developed over the course of four phases. During Phase 1, 94 items derived from previously validated trauma cognition/beliefs measures were aggregated with 40 items developed by the authors. Phase 2 investigated the TRCS factor structure by fitting exploratory factor analysis (EFA) models to data from a non-clinical sample, resulting in a reduced 69-item TRCS representing four factors: the three theoretical cognitive processes of overaccommodation, assimilation, and accommodation, and an additional optimism factor. Phases 3 and 4 fit confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models of the 69-item TRCS in a new non-clinical and a clinical sample, respectively, and further validation analyses were conducted. Initial evidence suggests the TRCS is a valid and reliable measure of trauma beliefs. Continued validation can determine its utility in both research and clinical contexts

Gender and PTSD: What Can We Learn from Female Police Officers?

Studies of civilians typically find that female gender is a risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Police and military studies often find no gender differences in PTSD. We compared 157 female police officers and 124 female civilians on several variables including trauma exposure, peritraumatic emotional distress, current somatization, and cumulative PTSD symptoms. We found that despite greater exposure to assaultive violence in the officer group, female civilians reported significantly more severe PTSD symptoms. Elevated PTSD symptoms in female civilians were explained by significantly more intense peritraumatic emotional distress among female civilians. We also found that female officers showed a stronger direct relationship between peritraumatic emotional distress and current somatization. Our findings suggest that apparent gender differences in PTSD may result from differences in peritraumatic emotionality, which influence subsequent PTSD and somatization symptoms. Emotionality may be more important than biological sex in understanding gender differences in PTSD

Coriocarcinoma durante la perimenopausia: reporte de un caso

ResumenIntroducciónExisten pocos casos reportados en la literatura de enfermedades trofoblásticas gestacionales en mujeres posmenopáusicas, y existen menos reportes aún de coriocarcinoma en esta etapa. En este artículo presentamos el caso de una paciente con diagnóstico de coriocarcinoma uterino, cuyo último evento obstétrico fue 14 años antes del padecimiento actual.ConclusionesLos estudios de polimorfismo de microsatélites de ADN son los más específicos para confirmar el origen gestacional del tumor. Actualmente se estudia el índice de pulsatilidad de la arteria uterina como predictor de resistencia a metotrexato, fármaco de primera línea en el tratamiento de esta neoplasia.AbstractIntroductionThere are few cases reported in the literature on gestational trophoblastic disease in postmenopausal women, and there are even fewer reports of choriocarcinoma at this stage. The case is presented of a patient diagnosed with uterine choriocarcinoma, whose last obstetrical event was 14 years before the current condition.ConclusionsStudies of DNA microsatellite polymorphism are the most specific to confirm gestational tumour origin. Pulsatility index of the uterine artery used as a predictor of resistance to methotrexate, first-line drug in the treatment of this cancer, is currently being studied

The worst and the best:New insights into risk and resilience in young adults from the COVID-19 pandemic

Historic declines in young people’s mental health began to emerge before the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of this youth mental health crisis, the pandemic constituted a naturalistic stressor paradigm that came with the potential to uncover new knowledge for the science of risk and resilience. Surprisingly, approximately 19-35% of people reported better well-being in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic than before. Therefore, in May and September 2020, we asked N=517 young adults from a cohort study to describe the best and the worst aspects of their pandemic lives (N=1,462 descriptions). Inductive thematic analysis revealed that the best aspects included the deceleration of life and a greater abundance of free time, which was used for hobbies, healthy activities, strengthening relationships, and for personal growth and building resilience skills. Positive aspects also included a reduction in educational pressures and work load and temporary relief from climate change concerns. The worst aspects included disruptions and changes to daily life; social distancing and restrictions of freedoms; negative emotions that arose in the pandemic situation, including uncertainty about the future; and the growing polarization of society. Science that aims to reverse the youth mental health crisis must pay increased attention to sources of young people’s distress that are not commonly measured (e.g., their educational, work, and time pressures; their fears and uncertainties about their personal, society’s, and the global future), and also to previously untapped sources of well-being – including those that young people identified for themselves while facing the COVID-19 pandemic

The worst and the best: new insights into risk and resilience in young adults from the COVID-19 pandemic

Historic declines in young people’s mental health began to emerge before the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of this youth mental health crisis, the pandemic constituted a naturalistic stressor paradigm that came with the potential to uncover new knowledge for the science of risk and resilience. Surprisingly, approximately 19-35% of people reported better well-being in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic than before. Therefore, in May and September 2020, we asked N=517 young adults from a cohort study to describe the best and the worst aspects of their pandemic lives (N=1,462 descriptions). Inductive thematic analysis revealed that the best aspects included the deceleration of life and a greater abundance of free time, which was used for hobbies, healthy activities, strengthening relationships, and for personal growth and building resilience skills. Positive aspects also included a reduction in educational pressures and work load and temporary relief from climate change concerns. The worst aspects included disruptions and changes to daily life; social distancing and restrictions of freedoms; negative emotions that arose in the pandemic situation, including uncertainty about the future; and the growing polarization of society. Science that aims to reverse the youth mental health crisis must pay increased attention to sources of young people’s distress that are not commonly measured (e.g., their educational, work, and time pressures; their fears and uncertainties about their personal, society’s, and the global future), and also to previously untapped sources of well-being – including those that young people identified for themselves while facing the COVID-19 pandemic

Higher paracetamol levels are associated with elevated glucocorticoid concentrations in hair: findings from a large cohort of young adults

Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter medications. Experimental studies suggest a possible stress-suppressing effect of paracetamol in humans facing experimental stress-inducing paradigms. However, no study has investigated whether paracetamol and steroid hormones covary over longer time frames and under real-life conditions. This study addresses this gap by investigating associations between steroid hormones (cortisol, cortisone, and testosterone) and paracetamol concentrations measured in human hair, indexing a timeframe of approximately three months. The data came from a large community sample of young adults (N = 1002). Hair data were assayed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Multiple regression models tested associations between paracetamol and  steroid hormones, while adjusting for a wide range of potential confounders, such as sex, stressful live events, psychoactive substance use, hair colour, and body mass index. Almost one in four young adults from the community had detectable paracetamol in their hair (23%). Higher paracetamol hair concentrations were robustly associated with more cortisol (β = 0.13, η$_{p}$ = 0.016, p < 0.001) and cortisone (β = 0.16, η$_{p}$ = 0.025, p < 0.001) in hair. Paracetamol and testosterone hair concentrations were not associated. Paracetamol use intensity positively correlated with corticosteroid functioning across several months. However, a potential corticosteroid-inducing effect of chronic paracetamol use has yet to be tested in future experimental designs