Investing in Native Youth: Grantmaking Trends from the Native Youth and Culture Fund

In this report, First Nations highlights a snapshot of grant requests under our Native Youth and Culture Fund from 2010 through 2014

Low-carbohydrate diets for gestational diabetes

Nutrition therapy provides the foundation for treatment of gestational diabetes (GDM), and has historically been based on restricting carbohydrate (CHO) intake. In this paper, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are reviewed to assess the effects of both low- and higher CHO nutrition approaches in GDM. The prevailing pattern across the evidence underscores that although CHO restriction improves glycemia at least in the short-term, similar outcomes could be achievable using less restrictive approaches that may not exacerbate IR. The quality of existing studies is limited, in part due to dietary non-adherence and confounding effects of treatment with insulin or oral medication. Recent evidence suggests that modified nutritional manipulation in GDM from usual intake, including but not limited to CHO restriction, improves maternal glucose and lowers infant birthweight. This creates a platform for future studies to further clarify the impact of multiple nutritional patterns in GDM on both maternal and infant outcomes

American Indian Leadership: Strengthening Native Communities and Organizations (Winter 2013)

Despite attempts to diminish, belittle and totally transform Native concepts, belief systems and values of leadership, strong leadership remains one of the most important assets in Native communities. American Indian leaders have held steadfast to tribal belief systems and values and fought for the preservation and perpetuation of Native identity, land and sovereignty. Leaders of Native nations today are still committed to these values. Native leaders still recognize that strong, ethical and innovative leadership from various sectors has the ability to transform American Indian communities.The primary goal of this paper is to provide a brief overview of American Indian leadership within an historical perspective, including what led to the development of tribal governments and Indian-led organizations today. Drawing on data from more than 93 leadership programs, organizations and initiatives, this paper provides a summary of findings on the current state of leadership programs in Native communities. Based on these findings, this paper offers recommendations for proceeding with the development of Native leadership programs in American Indian communities

FYRE 2020 Syllabus

This syllabus was created for Xavier\u27s summer 2020 iteration of The Leadership Alliance\u27s First-Year Research Experience (FYRE). The summer\u27s goal was to provide students a chance to create and conduct an original research project while exposing them to research surrounding diversity in higher education and library spaces

Let\u27s Clear the Air: Regulating Electronic Cigarette Use in New York City

On April 29, 2014, New York City passed Local Law 152, which amended the city’s existing antismoking legislation to require users of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to abide by the same restrictions as traditional cigarette smokers. This note focuses on New York City’s legislation as a useful study on the effective regulation of e-cigarettes within a context of the devices’ uncertain health implications and the complex social dynamics regarding their use. It proposes that if the courts ultimately find Local Law 152 invalid, the New York City Council should fold e-cigarette products and usage within the current legislative definitions of “tobacco product” and “smoking.” This approach would minimize the harm to New Yorkers from the proliferation of e-cigarettes while also serving as a useful framework for other government bodies seeking to regulate e- cigarette use

Let\u27s Clear the Air: Regulating Electronic Cigarette Use in New York City

On April 29, 2014, New York City passed Local Law 152, which amended the city’s existing antismoking legislation to require users of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to abide by the same restrictions as traditional cigarette smokers. This note focuses on New York City’s legislation as a useful study on the effective regulation of e-cigarettes within a context of the devices’ uncertain health implications and the complex social dynamics regarding their use. It proposes that if the courts ultimately find Local Law 152 invalid, the New York City Council should fold e-cigarette products and usage within the current legislative definitions of “tobacco product” and “smoking.” This approach would minimize the harm to New Yorkers from the proliferation of e-cigarettes while also serving as a useful framework for other government bodies seeking to regulate e- cigarette use

Biologics May Prevent Cardiovascular Events in Rheumatoid Arthritis by Inhibiting Coronary Plaque Formation and Stabilizing High-Risk Lesions.

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) decrease cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and whether biologic DMARDs might have a beneficial effect on coronary plaque formation or progression.MethodsIn this single-center observational cohort study, 150 patients underwent computed tomographic angiography for evaluation of coronary atherosclerosis (total, noncalcified, mixed/calcified, and low-attenuation plaque); 101 had repeat assessments within a mean ± SD of 6.9 ± 0.3 years to evaluate plaque progression. All CVD events were prospectively recorded, including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, revascularization, stroke, claudication, and hospitalization for heart failure. The Framingham-D'Agostino score was used to assess cardiovascular risk. The segment stenosis score was used to measure plaque burden. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated.ResultsAfter adjustment for the segment stenosis score, the Framingham-D'Agostino score, and time-varying Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the C-reactive protein level using marginal structural models, current biologic DMARD use was associated with lower long-term CVD risk (OR 0.15 [95% CI 0.04-0.60]). Noncalcified and low-attenuation plaque presence moderated the effect of biologic DMARDs on CVD risk; specifically, biologic DMARD use was associated with lower CVD risk in patients with noncalcified or low-attenuation plaque at baseline (OR 0.21 [95% CI 0.04-0.99] and OR 0.08 [95% CI 0.01-0.70], respectively), but not in those without noncalcified or low-attenuation plaque. Per-segment plaque progression analyses showed that biologic DMARD exposure was associated with transition of noncalcified to mixed/calcified plaque (OR 4.00 [95% CI 1.05-15.32]). Biologic DMARD exposure predicted a lower likelihood of new plaque forming in segments without plaque among patients without mixed/calcified plaque in other coronary segments (OR 0.40 [95% CI 0.17-0.93]), but not among those with calcification. Biologic DMARD treatment also predicted low-attenuation plaque loss (P = 0.042).ConclusionOur findings indicate that in RA, biologic DMARD use is associated with reduced CVD risk, protective calcification of noncalcified lesions, and lower likelihood of new plaque formation in patients with early atherosclerosis

Links Between Environmental Conditions and Whole Body Regeneration of a Colonial Ascidian

Botrylloides diegensis is among the most common colonial ascidian invaders with the ability to undergo whole body regeneration (WBR), as do other botryllid ascidians. This phenomenon allows entire adult zooids to arise from minute fragments of vascular tissue including single ampullae. With the global spread and unknown environmental range of B. diegensis this study focuses on the ecological component in the process of WBR, particularly the influences of temperature and salinity on the rate of regeneration. Six adult colonies were collected and clonal replicates were established allow comparison of regeneration at a variable field site (16-19 °C;28-31 salinity) and a fixed lab setting (14 °C; 33 salinity). Using clonal replicates, each genotype was subjected to four ampullar isolation treatments : 1- Single, one ampulla; 2- Double, two ampullae; 3- Triple, three ampullae; 4- Quad, four ampullae. Daily microscope photographs were taken to track the process of WBR. Preliminary results showed an unanticipated and clear difference in mortality between field and lab replicates. Field replicates showed a loss of ampullae across all four treatments at a more rapid rate than those in the lab setting. Observations suggest other environmental stressors also influenced field individuals, such as more predators and marine invertebrate settlers in competition for space. This data contributes knowledge on the importance of environmental conditions and on what the most suitable conditions are in the process of regeneration. Further work will provide guidelines towards management of B. diegensis in identifying conditions inhibiting WBR. Ongoing genetic analysis will additionally assist in defining the unknown distribution and native region of B. diegensis in order to conserve invaded habitats

Investigation of Anti-Phase Asymmetric Quiet Rotor Technology

The future of urban air mobility has a well-known tall pole challenge in the form of community acceptance which largely comes from the noise. This paper presents a proposed anti-phase rotor technology that could reduce noise sources such as blade vortex interaction noise. The anti-phase rotor technology includes a rotor design with various anti-phase alternating trailing edge patterns and a rotor design with an asymmetric blade tip. Four small-scale anti-phase rotors are fabricated by 3D printing for acoustic measurements conducted in a low-speed open-circuit wind tunnel to assess the effectiveness of the proposed anti-phase rotor technology. Preliminary test results appear to be promising and indicate that the anti-phase rotor designs could be a practical means of reducing blade vortex interactions and noise. The four tested anti-phase rotor designs have peak acoustic performance depending on the RPM and thrust which suggests improved performance through design optimization could be achieved for specific mission requirements