MU Interdisciplinary Innovations Fund Grant final report : mental health cross-training project ($24,240)

Project Supervisors: Dr. Connie Brooks (psychology) and Dr. Laine Young-Walker (psychiatry)Final report for the 2010/2011 IIF project, "Mental Health Clinician Cross-Training: Psychiatry and Psychology." From the original description: "This report summarizes the key grant activities and progress toward identified objectives which occurred between July of 2010 and May of 2011 for the cross-training project."MU Interdisciplinary Innovations Fun

Dark and Quiet Skies II Working Group Reports:

This Report presents the main results of the Conference “Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society II” which took place on-line on 3–7 October 2021. This conference was the logical follow-up of the first one, organized as an on-line workshop with the same title on 5–9 October 2020. Both conferences were co-organized by UNOOSA, IAU and the Government of Spain and were well attended. The focus of the second conference was about the feasibility of implementing the recommendations presented by the first one in its extensive report. The main qualifying difference between the first and the second conferences was a more explicit involvement of the industrial stakeholders and of space policy experts, whose contributions were instrumental in presenting a credible review of the proposed mitigating measures as well as of possible regulatory guidelines

Characterizing and Quantifying Night Sky Brightness in Utah and Arizona

As part of a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program with the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), I (with mentor Dr. Constance Walker of NOAO) characterized light pollution in and near Tucson, Arizona using eight Sky Quality Meters (SQMs). In order to analyze the data in a consistent way for comparison, we created a standard procedure for reduction and analysis using python and MATLAB. The series of python scripts and MATLAB codes to remove faulty data and examine specifically anthropogenic light pollution and illustrate how the light pollution changes in relation to time, distance from the city, and airglow. Data are then analyzed by a recently developed sky brightness model created by Dan Duriscoe of the U.S. National Park Service. To quantify the measurements taken by SQMs, we tested the wavelength sensitivity of the devices used for the data collection. The findings from the laboratory testing have prompted innovations for the SQMs as well as given a sense of how data gathered by these devices should be treated. Dr. Shane Larson and I are implementing findings and procedures at Utah State University (USU), along with equipment acquired through the Undergraduate Research and Cre- ative Opportunities (URCO) grant to create a light-map of the university campus and surrounding city. Addi- tionally, the luminosity output of outdoor light fixtures will be analyzed via a Pocket Lux Light Meter. As USU has a sustainability program, Blue Goes Green, that has already implemented lighting codes, the goal of this project is the work with the collegiate administration to renovate old lighting fixtures

Perusing The Headwaters Of Diversity Among University Presidents

Females and minorities are gaining clout in higher education as the numbers of graduates in each of these groups indicate.  Diversity among university presidents is a reality.  Indications are that the number of women receiving advanced degrees will continue to grow for some time.  Low estimates of graduation rates among women and minorities from years ago do not hold.  The impacts of this reality in higher education will continue to be felt for some time

Plasma ATP concentration and venous oxygen content in the forearm during dynamic handgrip exercise

Background It has been proposed that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) released from red blood cells (RBCs) may contribute to the tight coupling between blood flow and oxygen demand in contracting skeletal muscle. To determine whether ATP may contribute to the vasodilatory response to exercise in the forearm, we measured arterialised and venous plasma ATP concentration and venous oxygen content in 10 healthy young males at rest, and at 30 and 180 seconds during dynamic handgrip exercise at 45% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Results Venous plasma ATP concentration was elevated above rest after 30 seconds of exercise (P < 0.05), and remained at this higher level 180 seconds into exercise (P < 0.05 versus rest). The increase in ATP was mirrored by a decrease in venous oxygen content. While there was no significant relationship between ATP concentration and venous oxygen content at 30 seconds of exercise, they were moderately and inversely correlated at 180 seconds of exercise (r = -0.651, P = 0.021). Arterial ATP concentration remained unchanged throughout exercise, resulting in an increase in the venous-arterial ATP difference. Conclusions Collectively these results indicate that ATP in the plasma originated from the muscle microcirculation, and are consistent with the notion that deoxygenation of the blood perfusing the muscle acts as a stimulus for ATP release. That ATP concentration was elevated just 30 seconds after the onset of exercise also suggests that ATP may be a contributing factor to the blood flow response in the transition from rest to steady state exercise

Estudio de Evaluabilidad: ¿Cuán preparado está un programa para la evaluación?

English abstractResumen en españo

An Action Research Collaboration to Promote Mental Wellbeing Among Men of Color

Background:&nbsp;Action research seeks to affect social change by prioritizing partnership and participation. This approach fosters the equitable engagement of marginalized populations in research. In Boston, the marginalization of men of color has resulted in inequitable outcomes in education, employment, health, and other indicators of wellbeing. Objectives:&nbsp;A Boston-based coalition of community organizations was tasked with developing an action plan to promote mental wellbeing among men of color. The coalition engaged in action research to identify the individual, organizational, and community-level factors that contribute to mental wellbeing. Methods:&nbsp;The coalition collected 174 surveys and facilitated focus groups with 55 men. The planning process created valuable opportunities for relationship building and partnership development. Lessons Learned:&nbsp;The planning process reinforced the importance of proactive community engagement, continuous capacity building, inclusive data collection, and cross-sector collaboration.&nbsp; &nbsp; Conclusions:&nbsp;Centering lived experience resulted in community-driven, culturally sensitive solutions to promote mental wellbeing among men of color

An Action Research Collaboration to Promote Mental Wellbeing Among Men of Color

Background:&nbsp;Action research seeks to affect social change by prioritizing partnership and participation. This approach fosters the equitable engagement of marginalized populations in research. In Boston, the marginalization of men of color has resulted in inequitable outcomes in education, employment, health, and other indicators of wellbeing. Objectives:&nbsp;A Boston-based coalition of community organizations was tasked with developing an action plan to promote mental wellbeing among men of color. The coalition engaged in action research to identify the individual, organizational, and community-level factors that contribute to mental wellbeing. Methods:&nbsp;The coalition collected 174 surveys and facilitated focus groups with 55 men. The planning process created valuable opportunities for relationship building and partnership development. Lessons Learned:&nbsp;The planning process reinforced the importance of proactive community engagement, continuous capacity building, inclusive data collection, and cross-sector collaboration.&nbsp; &nbsp; Conclusions:&nbsp;Centering lived experience resulted in community-driven, culturally sensitive solutions to promote mental wellbeing among men of color

Youth Engagement in Electoral Activities: A Collaborative Evaluation of a Civic Education Project

Youth civic engagement is recognized as an essential component necessary for the preservation of democratic practices; however, inadequate levels of civic participation persist among young people. Past research has shown that young people are more likely to participate in politics when they are informed. We present survey data collected from middle and high school students during a collaborative evaluation of a civic education project. A total of 4492 students participated in the pre-survey, and 3180 students participated in the post-survey. The aim of this part of the evaluation was to explore students’ civic engagement before and after the infusion of civic education into the curriculum. We discuss reasons hindering students’ intent to vote, their satisfaction level with the 2008 presidential election, and how students planned to become involved in the 2012 presidential election. The results of the post-survey show an increase in students registered to vote and students’ intent to register to vote after the infusion of civic education into the curriculum. The findings suggest that civic education seems to positively influence students’ political behavior