Implementing Sustainable Literacy in Grand Rapids, MI

Recognizing the dimensions and complexity of wicked problems, Phoenix Farms has decided to address the issue of sustainable illiteracy in Western Michigan. With a goal to work with local stakeholders, we have partnered with Sonder Farms in order to develop advertisements and classes aimed to raise awareness about, and interest in, sustainability. This partnership with Sonder Farms, a self-sustaining farm located in the Grand Rapids and Allendale communities, has given us the opportunity to put our skills, knowledge, and values to use in our local community. Sonder Farms practices conventional farming as well as aquaponics. Their hope is to target the community by countering issues such as environmental injustice, sustainable illiteracy, economics, education, health, and much more. They plan to offer classes to the community, covering subjects such as diet/nutrition, the environment, finances, sustainable agriculture and many more. Seeking to develop ideas of mutual benefit, we worked closely with Sonder Farms in order to co-create and implement compelling and relevant action-plans. For instance, we have developed promotional materials illustrating the dimensions of sustainable illiteracy, highlighting Sonder Farms mission, and detailing the research we have conducted about downtown Grand Rapids residents. We have sought to make sustainability education accessible in the greater Grand Rapids area along four dimensions, including (1) posters (2) guerrilla advertisements, (3) the development of monthly newsletters, and (4) a plan for increasing the accessibility of Sonder Farm classes. The following describes our ultimate efforts, the process by which we came to this work, and the challenges we confronted. Through detailing our work, we hope to engage people who are enthusiastic about environmental justice, thereby increasing the chances these efforts will lead to systemic, long-term change

Preconception knowledge, beliefs and behaviours among people of reproductive age: a systematic review of qualitative studies.

The health of parents before pregnancy influences the short- and long-term health of their offspring. This systematic review explored the preconception knowledge, beliefs and behaviours held by women and men of childbearing age. Databases were searched from 2009 to 2022 (MEDLINE, CINAHL Full-text, PsycINFO, EMBASE). Inclusion criteria specified qualitative research papers which recruited individuals of reproductive age (16–45 years) without existing chronic illnesses. Data were quality assessed and analysed using thematic synthesis. Twelve papers met inclusion criteria. Six themes were identified (cultural context, pregnancy planning, knowledge, gender roles and responsibility, information seeking, prior health behaviours) which relate to individual, social, psychological and cultural factors. Cultural context was related to all other themes. Pregnancy planners had greater motivation to optimise their health whereas those not actively planning were focused more on becoming financially stable. Women and men's knowledge of how and why to engage in health protective behaviours was limited, with health risks and behaviour change discussed in the context of pregnancy rather than preconception. Gender roles influenced individual responsibility for preparation for pregnancy, which in turn influenced information seeking behaviours and engagement in health behaviours. Online sources of support and information were seen as desirable, regardless of pregnancy planning stage. Our findings indicate that behaviour change interventions designed to support people to optimise health before conception should address cultural, individual, social and psychological factors to facilitate behaviour change. Development of online resources may help to increase accessibility for people across different cultural contexts and stages of pregnancy planning

Infusing a Cure into the Medical Laboratory Science Program

All students in the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) cohort of 2021 (n=22) participated in a course based undergraduate research experience (CURE) in the fall semester 2019. The 5 basic components for a CURE include: 1) use of multiple scientific practices, 2) the outcome is unknown, 3) there is a broader relevance or importance beyond this classroom experience, 4) collaboration is essential among students and instructors, and 5) iteration is built into the process. Members of this MLS cohort took on the role of primary researcher in an applied research protocol by collecting, analyzing, and reporting data from specimens they collected from residential plumbing determining the incidence of opportunistic mycobacteria present. MLS students assembled the collection kits and then collected specimens from residential plumbing faucets (bathroom sink, bathtub, showerhead, kitchen sink, or laundry room sinks). Each student analyzed the specimens they collected for the presence of opportunistic mycobacteria. Opportunistic mycobacteria are included as one of five different opportunistic plumbing pathogens that can be found in residential plumbing. An Auramine O fluorescent antibody stain, specific for opportunistic mycobacteria, was performed on each specimen. The data for the applied research portion indicated that 7% (n=44) of the specimens collected were positive for opportunistic mycobacteria in the residential plumbing specimens. City water was the water source for all faucets tested and specimens originated from 6 different zip code areas. These same MLS students then reflected on the overall CURE experience as the human subjects involved in this research. Students were asked to complete 4 short anonymous surveys regarding the areas of the IRB process, the collection protocol, the fluorescent staining process, and meeting the objectives of a CURE. The data generated from these reflections indicated students felt they had a better understanding of the IRB process, the collection protocol was efficient, there was agreement that the staining and interpretation of the modified Auramine O fluorescent staining was a positive experience, and that the overall CURE experience met the parameters of a true CURE. This CURE model included all students and provided equal access and an equitable experience as a part of their class participation.https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/urshsc/1002/thumbnail.jp

Evaluation of nutrient intakes of pregnant and non-pregnant women

During pregnancy, women need to increase their energy intake and certain vitamins and minerals to ensure that both the mother and fetus remain healthy. Therefore, it is crucial that women-- both pregnant and those capable of becoming pregnant-- are properly nourished to provide a healthy environment for their child. The objective of this study was to determine if pregnant women’s dietary intakes meet their dietary reference intakes (DRIs) independent of supplementation and to determine if non-pregnant women of childbearing age have adequate intakes of key nutrients important for conception and pregnancy. Our study examined 15 pregnant and 15 non-pregnant women between the ages of 20 and 33 years recruited from the Urbana-Champaign area. Study participants completed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). FFQ data was then analyzed using Diet*Calc (2013, NCI) and Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Nutrient data was compared to the 2001 Dietary Reference Intake values. There were no differences in mean nutrient intakes between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Both pregnant and non-pregnant women exceeded the DRIs for vitamins A, B12, and C, riboflavin, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Our findings indicate that both pregnant and non-pregnant women from the Champaign-Urbana area may benefit from dietary education and/or supplementation in order to prevent development of adverse health effects in the fetus.Ope

Aberdeen breeds comparison

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