Christian Nationalism Among Evangelical Christians Through a Critical Race Theory Lens

In this study, I conducted ethnographic participant observations and semi-structured interviews at two evangelical congregations in central Florida, Free Baptist Church (FBC) and Cornerstone Church (CC), to explore how Christian nationalist ideas (CN) are negotiated, embraced, and/or rejected in church messaging and among congregants. I collected notes from eight sermons at each church and interviewed a total of 14 congregants regarding their concerns and lived experiences as Christians in the U.S. and their opinions on racial injustice. Expanding on previous research on CN, I incorporated Critical Race Theory (CRT) as an analytical framework to understand CN as inextricably connected to White evangelicalism, White supremacy, settler colonialism, and other systems of oppression. According to my findings, both FBC and CC operated as White heteropatriarchal institutional spaces being led exclusively by White men and adhering to complementarian doctrine which favors male headship, heteronormative marriage, and the subjugation of women and children to men\u27s authority. The messaging in Sunday sermons at FBC and CC also contributed to the fostering of White, heteropatriarchal hegemonic ideals among congregants. Main themes included topics like boundary-making, the spiritual warfare, transcendence of social problems through a future global Christian Kingdom, law and order based on Christian principles, support for border control, and opposition to reproductive rights, affirmation of LGBTQ+ people, and racial justice initiatives such as Black Lives Matter and CRT (particularly among White participants). Ultimately, such messaging contributed to CN views among the majority of congregants I interviewed. This study is significant as it applies a CRT lens to provide a foundation for future research on CN that will extend beyond understanding CN as a distinct cultural framework and point scholars back to the White, heteropatriarchal social structure that sustains it

Origin and Control Strategies of Biofilms in the Cultural Heritage

Biodeterioration is defined as the undesirable change in the properties of materials caused by the activity of biological agents. This process is complex and involves alterations in the physicochemical and mechanical properties by the action of organisms and depends on the microorganisms involved, type of substrate, and environmental conditions. The biodeterioration of cultural heritage is the physical or chemical damage caused by microorganisms on objects, monuments, or buildings that belong to the cultural heritage. Among the main materials that can be affected are: stone, metal, ceramic, polymers, and other materials. Among the main undesirable effects to these materials are: discoloration, dissolution, rupture, and efflorescence among others. Biofilms represent the usual form of growth of bacteria and consist of communities of microorganisms that grow attached to an inert surface or a living tissue, surrounded by an extracellular matrix that they themselves synthesize. The importance of biodeterioration by biofilms is mainly related to changes in pH values, ionic concentrations, oxide-reduction reactions in the biofilm thickness, and in the interface with the substrate and enzymatic degradation. This chapter presents evidence of the participation of biofilms and associated mechanisms in biodeterioration as well as the main prevention and control strategies

Adrenal Hypercortisolism: A Closer Look at Screening, Diagnosis, and Important Considerations of Different Testing Modalities

Although prolonged hypercortisolism is associated with increased mortality and substantial morbidity, the clinical signs and symptoms are wide ranging and often nonspecific, contributing to challenges in diagnosis, as well as treatment delays. Greater awareness is needed among clinicians to help identify which patients should undergo biochemical screening for excess cortisol. Several biochemical tests are available, each with important caveats that should be considered in the context of the individual patient. Cortisol secretion varies widely, further complicating the biochemical diagnosis of hypercortisolism, which relies on the use of definitive cutoff values. Patients with hypercortisolism resulting from adrenal adenomas, including those discovered incidentally, often do not present with overt Cushingoid features (plethora, striae, muscle weakness, moon facies, etc.). However, the consequences of prolonged exposure to even slight elevations in cortisol levels are profound, including increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, fractures, cardiovascular events, and mortality. Because most cases of hypercortisolism resulting from an adrenal adenoma can be managed, it is imperative to identify patients at risk and initiate testing early for the best outcomes. The aim of this report is to increase awareness of the indications for screening for hypercortisolism and to review the biochemical screening tests and diagnosis for hypercortisolism associated with adrenal adenomas

Edible Lepidoptera in Mexico: Geographic distribution, ethnicity, economic and nutritional importance for rural people

In this paper, we reported the butterflies and moths that are consumed in Mexico. We identified 67 species of Lepidoptera that are eaten principally in their larval stage in 17 states of Mexico. These species belong to 16 families: Arctiidae, Bombycidae, Castniidae, Cossidae, Geometridae, Hepialidae, Hesperiidae, Lasiocampidae, Noctuidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Pyralidae, Saturniidae, Sesiidae, and Sphingidae. Saturniidae, Pieridae, Noctuidae and Nymphalidae were the more species consumed with 16, 11, 9, and 8 species, respectively. The genera with the largest numbers of species were: Phassus, Phoebis, Hylesia and Spodoptera, with three species. Their local distribution, corresponding to each state of Mexico, is also presented

Tropical Cyclone Landfall Frequency and Large-Scale Environmental Impacts along Karstic Coastal Regions (Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico)

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are natural systems that develop over ocean basins and are key components of the atmospheric activity during the warm season. However, there are still knowledge gaps about the combined positive and negative TC impacts on the structure and function of coastal socio-ecosystems. Using remote sensing tools, we analyzed the frequency, trajectory, and intensity of 1894 TCs from 1851-2019 to identify vulnerable hotspots across the Yucatan Peninsula (YP), Mexico. A total of 151 events hit the YP, with 96% of landings on the eastern coast. We focused on three major hurricanes (Emily and Wilma, 2005; Dean, 2007) and one tropical storm (Stan, 2005) to determine the impacts on cumulative precipitation, vegetation change, and coastal phytoplankton (Chl-a) distribution across the YP. Despite a short inland incursion, Wilma\u27s environmental damage was coupled to strong winds (157-241 km/h), slow motion (4-9 km/h), and heavy precipitation (up to 770 mm). Because of an extensive footprint, Wilma caused more vegetation damage (29%) than Dean (20%), Emily (7%), and Stan (2%). All TCs caused a Chl-aincrease associated to submarine discharge and upwelling off the peninsula coastlines. Disaster risk along the coast underscores negative economic impacts and positive ecological benefits at the regional scale

Bacteriological Water Quality Indicators in Natural Waters

Abstract A number of natural waters were analyzed for the presence of somatic coliphages, total and fecal coliforms (TC and FC), Escherichia coli (Ec), heterotrophic plate count (HPC) and fecal streptococci (FS). Sources sampled include permanent and intermittent streams, irrigation canals, potable water treatment plant influents and sewage treatment plant influents and effluents and receiving waters above and below those effluents. Earlier studies in Puerto Rico have suggested that coliphages are only detected in natural waters contaminated with sewage(1). In this study most sources had coliphages most of the time. Coliphage densities are compared with the bacteriological indicators analyzed. Standard Methods(2) includes formulae for the estimation of total and fecal coliform densities from coliphage results. For this study coefficients of empirical formulae to estimate TC and FC densities from coliphage occurrence are given and extended to E. coli densities. Coliphages have proven to be reliable indicators of the occurrence of TC and FC, though not Ec, in these samples and the ease, reliability and precision of the method suggest that it may with confidence be substituted for other methods for natural water monitoring. Key Words: coliphage, natural water quality. Methods & Materials Samples were collected in clean, sterile polypropylene 0.5 or 1 L bottles. A dechlorinating agent was not used for samples from non-chlorinated sources. All samples were transported immediately to the laboratory and refrigerated. All analyses were completed within thirty hours of sample collection. Analyses for coliphage, total coliform(TC), fecal coliform(FC) and fecal streptococci(FS) were in accordance with Standard Methods(2). Heterotrophic plate counts were made on R2A medium, by spread plate techniques and were incubated in the dark for 168 hours at ambient temperature. All coliphage determinations were made utilizing the host culture, Escherichia coli C, ATCC 13706 and following the technique in Standard Methods. Plaques were counted at 6 hours. Presumptive E. coli, (Ec) determinations were made utilizing MPN methods with media containing MUG. MUG-positive cultures (cultures which fluoresce when exposed to long-wave UV -approximately 340 nm) are presumed positive for the presence of E. coli. Samples were collected from 4 sites on an irrigation canal system (canal samples), 5 sites on Río Guanajibo (river samples), a sewage treatment plant influent and effluent and a potable water treatment plant influent (collected at the plant, piped from a small reservoir). Two of the canal sample sites are the influent and effluent of a large wetland, consisting of approximately 350 acres with an average depth of water of 1.5 -2 feet (1.8 billion gallons, 648,000 m 3 )with an unknown residence time. Statistical analyses were performed utilizing PC software, SPSS and SYSTAT, both from SPSS, Inc, Chicago, IL. Estimates of TC and FC identified as "calculated" (TCcalc, e.g.) were according to formulae 1 and 3 from Standard Methods

Recrystallization of amorphous nano-tracks and uniform layers generated by swift-ion-beam irradiation in lithium niobate.

The thermal annealing of amorphous tracks of nanometer-size diameter generated in lithium niobate (LiNbO3) by Bromine ions at 45 MeV, i.e., in the electronic stopping regime, has been investigated by RBS/C spectrometry in the temperature range from 250°C to 350°C. Relatively low fluences have been used (<1012 cm−2) to produce isolated tracks. However, the possible effect of track overlapping has been investigated by varying the fluence between 3×1011 cm−2 and 1012 cm−2. The annealing process follows a two-step kinetics. In a first stage (I) the track radius decreases linearly with the annealing time. It obeys an Arrhenius-type dependence on annealing temperature with activation energy around 1.5 eV. The second stage (II) operates after the track radius has decreased down to around 2.5 nm and shows a much lower radial velocity. The data for stage I appear consistent with a solid-phase epitaxial process that yields a constant recrystallization rate at the amorphous-crystalline boundary. HRTEM has been used to monitor the existence and the size of the annealed isolated tracks in the second stage. On the other hand, the thermal annealing of homogeneous (buried) amorphous layers has been investigated within the same temperature range, on samples irradiated with Fluorine at 20 MeV and fluences of ∼1014 cm−2. Optical techniques are very suitable for this case and have been used to monitor the recrystallization of the layers. The annealing process induces a displacement of the crystalline-amorphous boundary that is also linear with annealing time, and the recrystallization rates are consistent with those measured for tracks. The comparison of these data with those previously obtained for the heavily damaged (amorphous) layers produced by elastic nuclear collisions is summarily discussed

The Effect of a Physical Activity Program on the Total Number of Primary Care Visits in Inactive Patients: A 15-Month Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background: Effective promotion of exercise could result in substantial savings in healthcare cost expenses in terms of direct medical costs, such as the number of medical appointments. However, this is hampered by our limited knowledge of how to achieve sustained increases in physical activity. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a Primary Health Care (PHC) based physical activity program in reducing the total number of visits to the healthcare center among inactive patients, over a 15-month period. Research Design: Randomized controlled trial. Subjects: Three hundred and sixty-two (n = 362) inactive patients suffering from at least one chronic condition were included. One hundred and eighty-three patients (n = 183; mean (SD); 68.3 (8.8) years; 118 women) were randomly allocated to the physical activity program (IG). One hundred and seventy-nine patients (n = 179; 67.2 (9.1) years; 106 women) were allocated to the control group (CG). The IG went through a three-month standardized physical activity program led by physical activity specialists and linked to community resources. Measures: The total number of medical appointments to the PHC, during twelve months before and after the program, was registered. Self-reported health status (SF-12 version 2) was assessed at baseline (month 0), at the end of the intervention (month 3), and at 12 months follow-up after the end of the intervention (month 15). Results: The IG had a significantly reduced number of visits during the 12 months after the intervention: 14.8 (8.5). The CG remained about the same: 18.2 (11.1) (P = .002). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a 3-month physical activity program linked to community resources is a shortduration, effective and sustainable intervention in inactive patients to decrease rates of PHC visits. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0071483

Biodiversity and benthic megafaunal communities inhabiting the Formigas Bank (NE Azores)

The Formigas Bank is an offshore seamount located in the easternmost part of the Azores archipelago (northeast Atlantic). It rises from abyssal depths to the surface, including a small set of islets. The bank holds multiple nature conservation designations, including a Natura 2000 Special Area of Conservation, an OSPAR Marine Protected Area, a RAMSAR site and a Nature Reserve declared under the Azores network of protected areas. The protection is based on the presence of sublittoral biotopes of high conservation interest, and importance as feeding grounds, spawning and nursery areas for many marine species, including fish, cetaceans and turtles. Although some information exists on the sublittoral communities occurring on the seamount summit (e.g., infralittoral Cystoseira and Laminaria beds, circalittoral hydrarian and sponge gardens, rich pelagic fauna), virtually no information was available on the deep-sea communities inhabiting the seamount flanks. Therefore, during the MEDWAVES cruise, the flanks of the Formigas bank have been surveyed using multibeam sonar, an ROV and oceanographic profiles, with the objective to characterise deep-sea biodiversity and megafaunal communities as well as the environment where they occur. This communication will present results from the video annotations of the ten dives made on the seamount slopes between ~500m and ~1,500 m depth. Diverse communities of sedentary suspension-feeding organisms were observed, with more than 20 cold-water coral species (mainly octocorals) being recorded, as well as many different sponge morphotypes. Dense coral garden habitats and sponge grounds were identified on several occasions, confirming the presence of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) and of ecologically or biologically significant areas (EBSAs). Differences in the abundance and composition of these habitats between the northern and southern dive transects are interpreted as reflecting substrate and geomorphological differences, as well as the potential influence of the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW). The new knowledge on deep-sea megafaunal communities reinforces the importance of this seamount as an area of high conservation interest