Fostering civic-mindedness in undergraduate students: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Includes bibliographical references.2022 Fall.The overarching purpose of this research study was to develop a broader understanding of various forms of civic learning and democratic engagement activities that foster a student's development of civic-mindedness and their intentions for future civic participation. The goal of the research was to understand civic-mindedness through the lens of students understanding their own civic-mindedness, how participation and involvement throughout college influenced civic-mindedness, student perception of faculty and staff on their civic-mindedness, perception of experiences not directly related to college influencing civic-mindedness, and how their collegiate experiences contribute to their future civic participation. Ten participants were selected for the study from across the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) institutions. Utilizing interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), participants shared their lived experiences during their time as an undergraduate student. The study is significant and addressed a gap in literature that provides higher education administrators, researchers, and scholars with an increased understanding of how students develop civic-mindedness through civic learning and democratic engagement activities on college campuses. Six major themes arose from the data including: exposure to civic learning and democratic engagement experiences, participation in campus experiences, participation in pre-college civic experiences, support systems, growth in civic-mindedness, and future involvement in civic participation. The overall findings of the study supported the themes and revealed that various experiences can influence the growth and development of civic mindedness. The seven findings included: exposure to experiences, curricular experiences, campus involvement, support systems and mentoring, diversity experiences, pre-college experiences, growth of civic-mindedness, and future intentions. The experiences shared by each of the participants in the study provides insight into how higher education can continue to support the growth and development of civic-mindedness in future generations of students

A prospective earthquake forecast experiment in the western Pacific

Since the beginning of 2009, the Collaboratory for the Study of Earthquake Predictability (CSEP) has been conducting an earthquake forecast experiment in the western Pacific. This experiment is an extension of the Kagan—Jackson experiments begun 15 years earlier and is a prototype for future global earthquake predictability experiments. At the beginning of each year, seismicity models make a spatially gridded forecast of the number of Mw≥ 5.8 earthquakes expected in the next year. For the three participating statistical models, we analyse the first two years of this experiment. We use likelihood-based metrics to evaluate the consistency of the forecasts with the observed target earthquakes and we apply measures based on Student's t-test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare the forecasts. Overall, a simple smoothed seismicity model (TripleS) performs the best, but there are some exceptions that indicate continued experiments are vital to fully understand the stability of these models, the robustness of model selection and, more generally, earthquake predictability in this region. We also estimate uncertainties in our results that are caused by uncertainties in earthquake location and seismic moment. Our uncertainty estimates are relatively small and suggest that the evaluation metrics are relatively robust. Finally, we consider the implications of our results for a global earthquake forecast experimen

Everolimus dosing recommendations for tuberous sclerosis complex–associated refractory seizures

ObjectiveThe present analysis examined the exposure-response relationship by means of the predose everolimus concentration (C-min) and the seizure response in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex-associated seizures in the EXIST-3 study. Recommendations have been made for the target C-min range of everolimus for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and the doses necessary to achieve this target C-min

Pseudohypericin is necessary for the Light-Activated Inhibition of Prostaglandin E2 pathways by a 4 component system mimicking an Hypericum perforatum fraction

Hypericum perforatum (Hp) has been used medicinally to treat a variety of conditions including mild-to-moderate depression. Recently, several anti-inflammatory activities of Hp have been reported. An ethanol extract of Hp was fractionated with the guidance of an anti-inflammatory bioassay (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin E2 production (PGE2)), and four constituents were identified. When combined together at concentrations detected in the Hp fraction to make a 4 component system, these constituents (0.1 μM chlorogenic acid, 0.08 μM amentoflavone, 0.07 μM quercetin, and 0.03 μM pseudohypericin) explained the majority of the activity of the fraction when activated by light, but only partially explained the activity of this Hp fraction in dark conditions. One of the constituents, light-activated pseudohypericin, was necessary, but not sufficient to explain the reduction in LPS-induced PGE2 of the 4 component system. The Hp fraction and the 4 component system inhibited lipoxygenase and cytosolic phospholipase A2, two enzymes in the PGE2-mediated inflammatory response. The 4 component system inhibited the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the Hp fraction inhibited the antiinflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Thus, the Hp fraction and selected constituents from this fraction showed evidence of blocking pro-inflammatory mediators but not enhancing inflammation-suppressing mediators.

Acute severe thrombocytopenia following non-ionic low-osmolarity intravenous contrast medium injection

Intravenous contrast medium (ICM) rarely induces anaphylactic reactions, including urticaria, hypotension and respiratory failure. Even the most modern ICM may cause such adverse events. Thrombocytopenia has been reported as an extreme rare consequence of ICM. Here we report on a case of a 72-year-old male patient with a self-limiting severe acute thrombocytopenia following administration of intravenous non-ionic low-osmolarity contrast medium. No such low platelet count has ever been reported. We also present a review of the literature. Copyright © 2012 The Korean Society of Radiology

A Simplified Classification of the Relative Tsunami Potential in Swiss Perialpine Lakes Caused by Subaqueous and Subaerial Mass-Movements

Historical reports and recent studies have shown that tsunamis can also occur in lakes where they may cause large damages and casualties. Among the historical reports are many tsunamis in Swiss lakes that have been triggered both by subaerial and subaqueous mass movements (SAEMM and SAQMM). In this study, we present a simplified classification of lakes with respect to their relative tsunami potential. The classification uses basic topographic, bathymetric, and seismologic input parameters to assess the relative tsunami potential on the 28 Swiss alpine and perialpine lakes with a surface area >1km2. The investigated lakes are located in the three main regions “Alps,” “Swiss Plateau,” and “Jura Mountains.” The input parameters are normalized by their range and a k-means algorithm is used to classify the lakes according to their main expected tsunami source. Results indicate that lakes located within the Alps show generally a higher potential for SAEMM and SAQMM, due to the often steep surrounding rock-walls, and the fjord-type topography of the lake basins with a high amount of lateral slopes with inclinations favoring instabilities. In contrast, the missing steep walls surrounding lakeshores of the “Swiss Plateau” and “Jura Mountains” lakes result in a lower potential for SAEMM but favor inundation caused by potential tsunamis in these lakes. The results of this study may serve as a starting point for more detailed investigations, considering field data

Gefahrenabschätzung von durch Unterwasserhangrutschungen ausgelösten Tsunamis in Seen

Aufsatz veröffentlicht in: "Wasserbau-Symposium 2021: Wasserbau in Zeiten von Energiewende, Gewässerschutz und Klimawandel, Zurich, Switzerland, September 15-17, 2021, Band 1" veröffentlicht unter: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-00049975

Identification of light-independent inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection through bioguided fractionation of Hypericum perforatum

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Light-dependent activities against enveloped viruses in St. John's Wort (<it>Hypericum perforatum</it>) extracts have been extensively studied. In contrast, light-independent antiviral activity from this species has not been investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we identify the light-independent inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) by highly purified fractions of chloroform extracts of <it>H. perforatum</it>. Both cytotoxicity and antiviral activity were evident in initial chloroform extracts, but bioassay-guided fractionation produced fractions that inhibited HIV-1 with little to no cytotoxicity. Separation of these two biological activities has not been reported for constituents responsible for the light-dependent antiviral activities. Antiviral activity was associated with more polar subfractions. GC/MS analysis of the two most active subfractions identified 3-hydroxy lauric acid as predominant in one fraction and 3-hydroxy myristic acid as predominant in the other. Synthetic 3-hydroxy lauric acid inhibited HIV infectivity without cytotoxicity, suggesting that this modified fatty acid is likely responsible for observed antiviral activity present in that fraction. As production of 3-hydroxy fatty acids by plants remains controversial, <it>H. perforatum </it>seedlings were grown sterilely and evaluated for presence of 3-hydroxy fatty acids by GC/MS. Small quantities of some 3-hydroxy fatty acids were detected in sterile plants, whereas different 3-hydroxy fatty acids were detected in our chloroform extracts or field-grown material.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Through bioguided fractionation, we have identified that 3-hydroxy lauric acid found in field grown <it>Hypericum perforatum </it>has anti-HIV activity. This novel anti-HIV activity can be potentially developed into inexpensive therapies, expanding the current arsenal of anti-retroviral agents.</p

A study to assess changes in myocardial perfusion after treatment with spinal cord stimulation and percutaneous myocardial laser revascularisation; data from a randomised trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and percutaneous myocardial laser revascularisation (PMR) are treatment modalities used to treat refractory angina pectoris, with the major aim of such treatment being the relief of disabling symptoms. This study compared the change in myocardial perfusion following SCS and PMR treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Subjects with Canadian Cardiovascular Society class 3/4 angina and reversible perfusion defects as assessed by single-photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion scintigraphy were randomised to SCS (34) or PMR (34). 28 subjects in each group underwent repeat myocardial perfusion imaging 12 months post intervention. Visual scoring of perfusion images was performed using a 20-segment model and a scale of 0 to 4.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean (standard deviation) baseline summed rest score (SRS) and stress scores (SSS) were 4.6 (5.7) and 13.6 (9.0) in the PMR group and 6.1 (7.4) and 16.8 (11.6) in the SCS group. At 12 months, SRS was 5.5 (6.0) and SSS 15.3 (11.3) in the PMR group and 6.9 (8.2) and 15.1 (10.9) in the SCS group. There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups adjusted for baseline (p = 1.0 for SRS, p = 0.29 for SSS).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There was no significant difference in myocardial perfusion one year post treatment with SCS or PMR.</p