Examining the Pathway from Maternal Criminal Involvement to Adolescent Delinquency

As incarceration rates across the United States have continued to rise, there has been growing concern with the unintended consequences that have resulted. This has prompted researchers across multiple disciplines to study the effects of incarceration at the individual, family, community, and societal levels. An important but overlooked factor pertains to extensive multiple social service agency involvement and missed opportunities for intervention. Families involved with the criminal justice system (CJS) are often at risk of involvement with other human service agencies, one agency being the child welfare system (CWS). Little is known about families who fall within these two systems, and neither system is charged with assessing whether families in this group are unique from those involved in either system. The current study aimed to address limitations in previous studies and supplement the literature in relation to families with dual-system involvement. A nationally representative, longitudinal data set was analyzed to examine whether maternal CJS involvement predicted later youth delinquency within the CWS population. The moderating effects of parental monitoring, nonviolent discipline, and timing of maternal arrest were also examined to gain a better understanding of the conditions in which maternal CJS involvement was exacerbated or ameliorated. Maternal CJS involvement was a significant predictor of change in youth delinquency only in the presence of the moderating variables. Youth with maternal CJS involvement experienced decreases in delinquency regardless of monitoring compared to similar youth who experienced more delinquency in the presence of low monitoring. A timing effect was found such that youth whose mothers were arrested 4.5 to 9.5 years ago were more likely to have elevated delinquency scores at the follow-up assessment. The results of the study suggest families with dual-system involvement are distinct from other families in the CWS. Given concerns to the intergenerational transmission of criminality, this study highlights the importance of interagency coordination around policy and interventions so that at-risk families avoid slipping through the cracks of multiple service involvement

Recreational Noise Exposures at Motorsport Events

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a type of hearing loss that after repeated exposure to high levels of sound for extended periods of time can result in damage to the fragile structures of the inner ear. Hearing changes caused by NIHL could be temporary or permanent. Hazardous noise levels in the workplace environment have been known to cause NIHL over time. Therefore, governing agencies have noise standards that have been enacted to decrease the risk of developing NIHL in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Mine Safety and Health Administration, and the Federal Railroad Administration are examples of these governing agencies. In addition, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the World Health Organization have provided best practice guidelines for prevention of NIHL by establishing permissible noise exposure criteria. Hazardous noise exposure is not only confined to the workplace but can be found in a variety of non-occupational settings including recreational activities. Occupational and non-occupational noise exposures are cumulative throughout a lifetime. However, there are no limits to reference for recreational exposures. Common recreational activities include target shooting, attending concerts, and attending motorsport or other sporting events among others. The motorsport industry is growing and includes countless aficionados partaking in motorsport events. Both recreational and occupational noise exposure studies have documented the risk for NIHL among individuals involved in motorsports. The range of sound pressure levels were between 63 dBA to over 100 dBA across studies investigating motorcycles, snowmobiles, stock cars, F1, monster trucks and tractor pulls (Bess & Poynor, 1974; Buhr-Lawler, 2017; Dolder et al., 2013; Jordan et al., 2004; Kardous & Morata, 2010; Moore, 2014; Morley et al., 1999; Rose et al., 2008; Ross, 1989; Van Campen et al., 2005). Hot rodding is a unique motorsport among other types that has not been evaluated for noise exposure of drivers, spectators, and event personnel. Due to an increasing number of individuals with NIHL, it is important that additional research is conducted to evaluate the noise exposures from motorsports that are contributing to this health issue. Development of prevention strategies and hearing conservation programs for individuals involved in motorsports is warranted. Recommendations for future directions and hearing health promotion activities targeting this population are provided. Audiologists can play a key role in the prevention of NIHL resulting from motorsport noise exposure by providing hearing conservation services, monitoring for auditory damage, and education for motorsport enthusiasts and employers

Empowering Latina/o Families to Navigate College Access

Background With the education crisis of Latinas/os, it is important to understand ways to increase access to college for the most vulnerable youth (Gándara & Contreras, 2009). To investigate strengths that promote college accessibility in underserved Latina/o families, the current qualitative study assessed the following: (1) Prior to beginning the intervention program and after the intervention program what forms of capital did families possess? (2) How did participating in the program change adolescents’ perception of their parents’ capital? (3) How did adolescents use agency to apply what they learned in college information intervention over time? Methods Latina/o parent-adolescent dyads (N = 11) participated in a college knowledge program in California. Sample included girls (67%) and 11-16 years of age (M = 14.0, SD = 1.78). Five of 11 families were interviewed 6-months post-effects of the intervention program. Research study used grounded theory inductive analysis approach (Corbin & Strauss, 2015). Results Question 1, Latina/o adolescents expressed aspirational, familial, navigational, and social capital before and after the intervention. Question 2, After participating in the intervention, adolescents expressed familial support through a combination of tangible (drop me off at school) and intangible (want me to be a good man) acts. Question 3, focused on the 6-month post-effects of the intervention program. Adolescents expressed agency by actively meeting requirements to apply to college, and understanding the path they need to reach their educational goals. Conclusion Discussion will focus on the importance of college information intervention programs in increasing Latino/a youth’s education experiences.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1107/thumbnail.jp

The Lived Experience of Recovery Home Residents: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Substance use disorders have had an enormous impact on individuals, families, and communities in the United States. The societal cost of substance abuse in terms of health care, crime, and lost wages is over $700 billion annually. Despite advances in evidence-based treatments, the chronicity of substance use disorders underscores the need to explore and expand long-term aftercare options to prevent relapse after acute residential treatment. Oxford Houses offer an affordable alternative to more costly and limited forms of transitional housing. These self-sustaining, democratically-run recovery homes provide a safe and sober living environment with peer support and no professional staff. Provided residents remain abstinent, pay their rent, help with household chores, and are not disruptive, they can stay as long as they want. In addition to the demonstrated effectiveness of Oxford House across populations, research has also identified the minimum dosage required to attain the maximal benefits and has found support for some of the therapeutic components associated with recovery. However, less is known about what the experience of living in an Oxford House is like from the perspective of the residents or how their attitudes regarding expectations and needs influence the impact of the therapeutic components. The current study employed a qualitative design using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach to explore the subjective experiences of Oxford House residents to gain understanding of how they assign meaning to their experience within the context of their recovery. Ten first-time Oxford House residents who had lived in an Oxford House at least two months were recruited to 2 participate in semi-structured, open-ended interviews related to their experience in the house. Findings indicated that Oxford House was perceived as a positive experience, likely due to the following factors: low expectations, limited resources, and the perception that Oxford House was responsible for providing any resources gained during their tenure (e.g. employment). In line with existing research, participants tended to prioritize basic needs before higher order needs but also highly valued resources they lacked prior to Oxford House entry. Together the governing structure and recovery-oriented communal living in Oxford House created an environment that promoted self-sufficiency, self-regulation, and social support. Additionally, residents tended to help one another to learn coping skills to manage recovery and interpersonal challenges. The adoption of recovery-oriented goals that went beyond abstinence (e.g., becoming a better person) was associated with increasing their length of tenancy. These findings call attention to the importance of expectation management and need fulfillment in the subjective experience of Oxford House residents while emphasizing the importance of personal investment via goal orientation and new relationships to increase the length of stay. Most importantly, this study gave a much needed voice to Oxford House residents and provided insight into the complex interaction of the multiple factors impacting their recovery process

Perception and Diffusion of Photovoltaic Systems among Potential Adopters in Rural Communities in Mexico : Case Study in Chiquilistlan, Mexico

This study identifies the current perceptions high school students between the ages of 15-18 in rural communities in México have of photovoltaic (PV) systems and suggests proper ways to diffuse them. The empirical data was gathered through questionnaire-type surveys and semi-structured interviews conducted among high school students in Chiquilistlán, México. PV systems exist and are readily available worldwide. However, the desired implementation levels have not yet been reached in developing countries such as México, where approximately 1.5 million people lack access to electricity. The most significant impact of PV systems ought to be seen in rural communities, which account for 23% of the Mexican population. Due to their low population density and remoteness, rural areas tend to have deficient infrastructure that impedes their inclusion in the national electricity grids. Therefore, the need to locally supply electricity arises, and PV systems become the means to close the existing energy gap in the country. Furthermore, considering the yearly rise of the median age in México, the population is getting older. Hence the importance of knowing how younger generations in rural communities perceive PV systems. From the reasons stated above, the following research question was derived: how are photovoltaic systems perceived among potential adopters in rural communities and how to diffuse them properly? In order to answer to this question, three objectives were considered: (1) to identify the core perceptions of PV systems among potential adopters in Chiquilistlán, México; (2) to understand the socio-demographic aspects of potential adopters and identify relationships with their perceptions; and (3) to propose appropriate diffusion processes suitable for rural communities. Results show a higher perception of relative advantage of PV systems, followed by observability, compatibility, and simplicity. The primary motivators of potential adopters to positively perceive PV systems were generation monitoring, solar power potential, and income monitoring. On the other hand, maintenance, installation costs, and access to providers were the main barriers to a positive perception. Additionally, it was found that the kind of stove present at their homes, having (or not) internet access every day, their overall acceptance (or rejection) of PV systems, and their environmental awareness scores had a significant impact on how they currently perceive PV systems. Given the previous finding and based on interviewees’ responses, three main ways to approach potential adopters are proposed: face-to-face, online discussion groups, and printed information. If successfully performed, the perception of PV systems in rural communities in México will positively increase, leading to broader implementation in the medium and long run. The exploratory nature of the study allowed the researcher to make recommendations for future studies. The previous will contribute to closing the existing research gap to a reasonable extent

Potential Use of Nonconventional Silages in Ruminant Feeding for Tropical and Subtropical Areas

The conventional silage uses crops such as corn, sorghum or other forages for this specific objective. The nonconventional silages use by-products, co-products and other materials obtained during the harvest or during the processing in the industry of sugarcane, juice extraction of citrus, pineapple, cassava, pumpkin and others. These products are available in high amounts during a short period of time. These by-products can be ensiled to maintain their nutritive value during longer period in the year and then used as feed for animals. These by-products have adequate characteristics for ensiling, i.e., moisture content and fermentable carbohydrates. Forages reduce their crude protein (CP) concentration in a period of the year (dry season or in winter), which may limit animal production. Most by-products used for silage have low CP concentration; some additives may help increase the nutritive value of these silages. These by-products (sugarcane, juice extraction of citrus, pineapple, cassava, pumpkin and others) can be mixed and ensiled with other by-products as poultry excreta or forage rich in protein to obtain silage with greater CP concentration. The research shows the feasibility of obtaining good quality silages from sugarcane tops, by-products of citrus, cassava and pumpkin; the particularities of each are discussed in detail in this chapter

Leading Hispanic Serving Community Colleges: Latinx Faculty Perceptions about the AACC Competencies

Latinx students are likely to enter postsecondary education at a community college. This phenomenon has led to the increase in community colleges being designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions. The designation of Hispanic Serving is not driven by mission, but rather by number of enrolled students who identify as Latinx. This preliminary descriptive study examined the perceptions of faculty at four Hispanic Serving community colleges in Texas regarding their proficiency on leadership competencies for faculty, whether there were differences in the perceptions of Latinx and non-Latinx faculty members, and whether certain leadership competencies influence faculty members’ decisions to pursue leadership opportunities. The participant sites were four urban community colleges that each have over 50% Hispanic/Latinx student enrollment. These colleges were selected because they belong to the same community college system, and therefore are subject to the same policies and procedures as dictated by the governing board and the system’s chancellor. Survey results indicated that faculty perceived their proficiency at fundamental awareness or novice level in 19 of the 58 competencies included in the survey. Based on the results of a series of one-way ANOVA statistical tests, there was a significant difference between the perceptions of Latinx faculty and other faculty on 5 of the 58 competencies. The results of the study suggest leadership development for Latinx faculty should be a priority for institutions in order to plan for leadership succession which will lead to stronger institutional outcomes

Influence of methionine supplementation of growing diets enriched with lysine on feedlot performance and characteristics of digestion in Holstein steer calves.

ObjectiveTwo trials were conducted in order to examine the effects of level of supplemental methionine on productive performance, dietary energetic, plasma amino acid concentration, and digestive function.MethodsDietary treatments consisted of a steam-flaked corn-based diet containing urea as the only source of supplemental nitrogen supplemented with no supplemental amino acid (control), or control plus 1.01% lysine and 0.032%, 0.064%, 0.096%, or 0.128% methionine. In Trial 1, 150 Holstein steer calves (127±4.9 kg) were utilized to evaluate the influence of treatments on growth-performance, dietary energetic, plasma amino acid concentration during the first 112 days of growing period. During the initial 56-d period calves received the 5 experimental diets. During the subsequent 56-d period all calves were fed the control diet.ResultsDuring the initial 56-d period, methionine supplementation increased (linear effect, p<0.01) plasma methionine. In the presence of supplemental lysine, increases on level of methionine in diet did not affect average daily gain. However, increased gain efficiency (quadratic effect, p = 0.03) and estimated dietary net energy (NE; linear effect, p = 0.05). Estimated metabolizable methionine supply was closely associated (R2 = 0.95) with efficiency NE utilization for maintenance and gain. During the subsequent 56-d period, when all calves received the control diet (no amino acid supplementation), plasma amino acid concentrations and growth performance was not different among groups. However, the effects of methionine supplementation during the initial 56-period carried over, so that following a 56-d withdrawal of supplementation, the overall 112-d effects on gain efficiency (quadratic effect, p = 0.05) dietary NE (linear effect, p≤0.05) remained appreciable. In Trial 2, 5 cannulated Holstein steers were used to evaluate treatment effects on characteristics of digestion and amino acid supply to the small intestine. There were no treatment effects on flow of dietary and microbial N to the small intestine. Postruminal N digestion increased (p = 0.04) with increasing level of supplemental methionine. Methionine supplementation linearly increased (p<0.01) duodenal flow of methionine. Likewise, lysine supplementation increased an average of 4.6% (p = 0.04) duodenal flow of lysine. In steers that received non-supplemented diet, observed intestinal amino acid supply were in good agreement with expected.ConclusionWe conclude that addition of rumen-protected methionine and lysine to diets may enhance gain efficiency and dietary energetics of growing Holstein calves. Observed amino acid supply to the small intestine were in good agreement with expected, supportive of NRC (2000, Level 1)

Forecasting and Automating Accurate Levels of Reserve for Contra Revenue, Using Artificial Intelligence

The process of balance sheet forecasting from the Contra revenue team, within HP Inc, is currently a manual process that takes a lot of manual work to make, currently only two forecasts are provided, one per business, and the scope needs to be expanded to the market level organizations in the company. The main objectives are to improve the forecast, to expand the scope and to automatize the process. The solution is a friendly executable that uses Python and an ARIMA algorithm to provide the next value of reserve entering an Excel file with organized data, that goes through the algorithm, and exiting an Excel file for the analyst to keep working on their own deliverable