Fomenting Democracy: The Case for Federal – Local Cooperation

This essay profiles a program in a rural, black Mississippi community called Youth-in-Agriculture. This case study of Mileston, Mississippi depicts the collaborative efforts of the federal government and community organizations through nearly a century. This essay also describes the ways in which the Trump administration could most support agricultural communities like Mileston, MS

Black Agrarianism: The Significance of African American Landownership in the Rural South

Agrarianism is important in the American mythos. Land represents both a set of values and a store of wealth. In this article, we ask how land matters in the lives of rural, southern, Black farmland owners. Drawing on 34 interviews, we argue that, since the end of slavery, land has continued to operate as a site of racialized exclusion. Local white elites limit Black farmers’ access to landownership through discriminatory lending practices. At the same time, Black farmland owners articulate an ethos in which land is a source of freedom, pride, and belonging. This we term “Black agrarianism.” They cultivate resistance to the legacies of slavery and sharecropping and contemporary practices of social closure. These Black farmland owners, then, view land as protection from white domination. Thus, we demonstrate how landownership is a site for the re‐creation of racial hierarchy in the contemporary period while also offering the potential for resistance and emancipation.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146353/1/ruso12208_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146353/2/ruso12208.pd

Comorbid mood and anxiety disorders, suicidal behavior, and substance abuse among Black Caribbeans in the U.S.A.

The purpose of this study was to examine nativity and country of origin differences in comorbid mood (major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and bipolar I and II disorders) and anxiety (post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, agora- phobia, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive compulsive disor- der) disorders among Black Caribbeans in the U.S.A. The paper also examines the relationship between comorbid psychiatric disorders and substance abuse disorders and suicidal behavior. Data are taken from the Black Caribbean sub-sample (N0 1,621) of the National Survey of American Life. Multinomial logistic regression and logistic regression analysis are used and odd ratios, relative risk ratios, and 95 % confidence intervals are presented. Seven percent (7.19 %) of respondents had comorbid mood and anxiety disorders, 8.66 % had a mood disorder only, and 11.46 % had an anxiety disorder only. First-generation Black Caribbeans were less likely than US-born respondents to have a lifetime mood or anxiety disorder and also less likely to have a lifetime substance disorder or a lifetime suicidal attempt. Black Caribbean men were more likely than Black Caribbean women to: (1) have anxiety disorders only versus neither mood or anxiety disorders, (2) to have a substance disorder, and (3) to have had a suicidal attempt. Lastly, Black Caribbeans with both mood and anxiety disorders have significantly higher rates of mental health services utilization. These and other findings are discussed in detail.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107408/1/10.1007_s12111-012-9237-y.pdfDescription of 10.1007_s12111-012-9237-y.pdf : Main articl

The Effects of Multiple Dimensions of Risk and Protective Factors on Depressive Symptoms Among Nonresident African American Fathers

Compared to other groups, African American men experience proportionately greater adverse social and economic circumstances, which have been linked to poor mental health. A growing body of literature has begun to examine depressive symptoms among African American men; however, limited literature has examined the concurrent contributions of risk and protective factors among nonresident African American fathers. This study examined the relative contribution of perceived financial strain, perceived neighborhood characteristics, and interpersonal stress on depressive symptoms among 347 nonresident African American fathers. Social support was examined as a protective factor for depressive symptoms. Results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated interpersonal stress was associated with depressive symptoms even after controlling for perceived financial strain, perceived neighborhood characteristics, and specific sociodemographic factors. Additionally, among fathers with high interpersonal stress, having more social support buffered the negative effect of interpersonal stress on depressive symptoms. Findings suggest experiencing strain from multiple dimensions can increase the risk of depressive symptoms among nonresident African American fathers. We also found that interpersonal stress was especially harmful for mental health. Family service providers and mental health professionals should incorporate stress management techniques to reduce stressful interpersonal relationships as a way to lower depressive symptoms among nonresident African American fathers.HighlightsMultiple risk factors influence depressive symptoms for nonresident African American fathers.Interpersonal stressors are especially harmful for their mental health.Interpersonal stress management techniques should be considered for reducing depressive symptoms.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146878/1/ajcp12275_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146878/2/ajcp12275.pd

A framework for designing serious games

Integrating traditional learning content with the feeling of enjoyment that has made commercial video games wildly popular presents a significant design challenge. Serious video games, or games for learning, are most often studied from the viewpoint of disciplines such as psychology or education. There is a lack of applied research to guide serious game design, particularly the development process. Such frameworks are nonexistent or in their infancy. This thesis extends game design theory and creates an applied design framework for serious game development. It focuses on gameplay - the connection between the interactive engagements happening on-screen and the methods by which those events are manifest. Two game design constructs are conceptualized, linked, and illustrated: player archetypes and gameplay themes. The design framework is an applied tool to help serious game designers make video games that are both fun and educational, and that maximize audience appeal. The framework has broad design utility and is suited for use across a spectrum of serious game genres and content areas. The framework is illustrated with examples based on a University of British Columbia serious game project that is the focus of a community-based participatory research project with the municipality of Delta, British Columbia. The game, Future Delta 2, represents a new way to engage hard-to-reach community groups like youth in building awareness and action around the local causes and impacts of climate change.Applied Science, Faculty ofArchitecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School ofGraduat

University Neighbourhood Association Open House Assessment

Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”Applied Science, Faculty ofArchitecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School ofUnreviewedGraduat

The Effects of Over-the-Counter Phytoestrogens on Breast Cancer Cells

Phytoestrogens, plant produced hormones, are marketed to alleviate menopausal symptoms because studies indicate increased incidence of breast cancer in women undergoing estrogen Hormone Replacement Therapy. We studied the potential proliferative effects of phytoestrogens on the breast cancer cell line T47D-KBluc. HPLC isolated components of black cohosh, red clover, and grape seed extracts were assessed for proliferative effects using the MTT assay. Our results suggest that grape seed demonstrated the greatest proliferative effects

Population Control in India: Empower Educate Provide

India cannot support its rapidly growing population. Our approach will be to educate, empower, and provide means of family planning to women, improving overall quality of life of themselves and their families