State of Health Equity Movement, 2011 Update Part B: Catalog of Activities DRA Project Report No. 11-02

State of Health Equity Movement, 2011 Update Part B: Catalog of Activities DRA Project Report No. 11-0

State of Health Equity Movement, 2011 Update Part C: Compendium of Recommendations DRA Project Report No. 11-03

State of Health Equity Movement, 2011 Update Part C: Compendium of Recommendations DRA Project Report No. 11-0

State of Health Equity Movement, 2011 Update: DRA Project Report No. 11-01

State of Health Equity Movement, 2011 Update Part A: Overview DRA Project Report No. 11-0

Efficient Esterification of Oxidized l-Glutathione and Other Small Peptides

xidized l-glutathione was esterified to the tetra methyl ester using thionyl chloride in methanol solvent. Other alcohols were tested and the reaction progress was monitored via ESI-MS. This procedure proved to be compatible with other small peptides not containing serine and cysteine residues. In contrast to previously reported methods this procedure provided convenient access to esterified peptides requiring no purification, extended reaction times, or complicated reaction setups

Postpartum Depression

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10-20% of women in the US. It is a condition in which mothers’ experience depression during pregnancy or within 4 weeks postpartum. Numerous physiological, socio-economic, and psychological factors have been linked to postpartum depression. Mothers with postpartum depression can experience feelings of (a) extreme sadness, (b) anxiety, and (c) exhaustion that may make it difficult for them to complete activities of daily living for themselves or for others. PPD in its severest form can lead to suicide and acts of harming the newborn. Methodology: Information was gathered using the search engines: (a) Pubmed, (b) PubMed Central, and (c) Google scholar. The terms used in the search were: (a) Postpartum Depression AND Risk Factors, (b) Postpartum Depression AND Epidemiology, (c)Postpartum Depression AND Pathophysiology, and (d) Postpartum depression treatment, specifically articles published between the years of 2013 and 2018, in English. Results: The literature search on postpartum depression yielded information on the (a) risk factors, (b) epidemiology, (c) pathophysiology, and (d) treatment options relating to this population. Significant risk factors include: (a) women over the age of 30, (b) psychological, physical, or sexual abuse, (c) low socioeconomic status, and (d) unplanned pregnancy. PPD has also been linked to physiologic changes in new mothers including (a) altered maternal brain responses (b) hormonal fluctuations, and (c) effects on immunity. Additionally, women with (a) poor marital relationship, (b) stressful life events, and (c) poor physical health/body image have been found to be of greater risk for PPD. Signs and symptoms of PPD include: (a) mood swings, (b) suicidal thoughts, (c) thoughts of harming the newborn, (d) insomnia, and (e) feelings of helplessness. PPD prevalence varies by state and can be as high as 1 in 5 women. PPD may resolve spontaneously within weeks after its onset; however, about 20% of women will continue to have depression up to one year following delivery, and about 13% after 2 years. Approximately 40% of women will have a relapse of their symptoms with subsequent pregnancies. Within the population of those identified at risk for PPD, only about half had undergone previous screening by a clinician since the birth of the child. Screening tests found to be valid for identification of at-risk mothers include the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Effective treatments have been found to include counseling, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and antidepressant medication. Conclusion: Without treatment, PPD can have detrimental effects on the health and welfare of the mother and child. Immediate family should be educated on the signs and symptoms of PPD. New mothers should be assisted with childcare activities and housekeeping responsibilities. Clinicians should screen and frequently follow up with patients that have established PPD. Assessments should include: (a) past psychiatric problems, (b) social stressors, and (c) biochemical changes. Treatment options include: (a) counseling, (b) group therapy, (c) hormonal therapy, (d) antidepressant medications, or (e) any combination therapy. These interventions have the potential to improve the detection and management of PPD

An Enantiodivergent Synthesis of C\u3csup\u3eα\u3c/sup\u3e-Methyl Nipecotic Acid Analogues From δ-Lactam Derivatives Obtained Through a Highly Stereoselective Cyclization Strategy

A stereoselective and enantiodivergent strategy for the construction of δ-lactams is described. The strategy utilizes chiral malonic esters prepared from enantiomerically enriched mono esters of disubstituted malonic acid. A cyclization occurs with the selective displacement of a substituted benzyl alcohol as the leaving group. The resulting δ-lactams are then converted into nipecotic acid analogues using straightforward transformations. The resulting nipecotic acid analogues proved capable organocatalysts in Mannich reactions

Bastrop Asset Map Tool

Developed in partnerhsip with Bastrop Community Cares and the Texas Target Communities program at Texas A&M University by graduate students in the Master of Urban Planning program.A guidebook that describes the process for using ESRI online mapping platform to map social service assets in the community. The purpose of this map is to be use by social service providers and non-profit workers to point individuals or families to services and opportunities in the Bastrop County community

La Grange, Texas Housing Needs Assessment

A housing quality study was conducted to evaluate the current housing stock in the City of La Grange. It was found that the majority of housing is maintained or well maintained and that although the City has an older housing stock, it is very well taken care of. There has been no new residential construction since 2010 and the vacancy rate for owner occupied households is at zero percent. Housing tenure patterns show that many residents moved into their homes during the period of 2000 to 2009 and growth has continued since then. Housing is affordable within the City, especially for owner occupied households. The City is however, lacking in housing options for renters and the elderly.The City of La Grange has been experiencing growth at a higher rate than expected in the City’s comprehensive plan. Due to this, the City is nearing build out capacity and housing has become limited. Local real estate agents and developers have expressed concern to the City in regards to the limited housing options for their clients. In response, the City contacted Texas Target Communities at Texas A&M University to conduct a Housing Needs Assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to provide an inventory of current housing, identify future demand, and explore other possible housing related issues and, or concerns for the area.Texas Target Communitie

Dickinson Comprehensive Plan 2015 to 2030

The City of Dickinson is located in Galveston County and is part of the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The City has historically been a residential community, serving the surrounding major metropolitan areas. Moving forward, the City of Dickinson plans to distinguish itself as a self-sufficient city with local opportunities for life, work, education, and play

City of El Campo Downtown Revitalization Plan

The Revitalization Plan for Downtown El Campo is a planning document that provides guidance for the development of Downtown El Campo. This planning document includes an overview and analysis of the existing conditions in the City of El Campo and the El Campo Downtown Revitalization Area, a design proposal with vision, goals, and objectives for enhancing Downtown El Campo and a detailed implementation chapter for successful execution of the plan.This planning document presents the revitalization plan for downtown El Campo, Texas. This document was developed by Texas Target Communities (TTC) in partnership with the City of El Campo. The City of El Campo collaborated with Texas Target Communities in fall 2016 through the summer of 2017 to create a plan for revitalization of downtown El Campo. The purpose of the collaboration was to assess current community conditions, develop goals, objectives, and implementation strategies related to future development & growth strategies, through a public participatory process, in order to help guide the future growth of the City