Keeping Unsheltered Families Together in Polk County

This project’s aim was to increase family shelter capacity in Polk County by expanding shelter services to Monmouth, Independence, and Dallas. There are no family shelters in Polk County. A modified version of the SOAR and logic model was used to guide research and recommendations. The former builds on the strengths of current practices. The latter provides a visual diagram that illustrates how the intervention will meet the community’s needs. Family Promise provides homeless prevention services, transportation, life skills, food, shelter, and case management to all types of families in Marion County. Based on research, there was a total of 46 homeless students between the Dallas and Central school districts. Data also indicated there were at least 79 homeless families in Polk County. The research found a secure location that promotes family well-being, provides stability, a sense of normalcy, and improves family outcomes. Recommendations are to continue collaboration with Polk County Family and Community Outreach (FCO), Family Promise, Polk County Congregations, and host a community forum with community members, church leaders, Family Promise and FCO to obtain congregation support

Genetic heterogeneity and taxonomic diversity among Gardnerella species

Gardnerella spp. are the most frequent organisms found in bacterial vaginosis (BV). However, colonization by Gardnerella spp. does not always lead to BV. Developments in molecular genetics have shed new light on the diversity of the genus Gardnerella, leading to an emended description of Gardnerella vaginalis and, for the first time, the inclusion of more species of Gardnerella, namely, Gardnerella leopoldii, Gardnerella piotii, and Gardnerella swidsinskii. While no association had been made between the novel Gardnerella species and virulence potential, there is genomic evidence of a higher prevalence of some genotypes in BV cases, as compared with colonization in women in whom BV has been clinically ruled out. Gardnerella vaginalis has been considered a pivotal player in the progression of bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition associated with serious health complications. However, G. vaginalis is also commonly found in asymptomatic or BV-negative women. This has generated interest in the question of whether genetic differences among isolates might distinguish pathogenic from commensal isolates. G. vaginalis was the only recognized species in its genus for four decades, but recently an emended description of G. vaginalis and descriptions of three new species Gardnerella leopoldii, Gardnerella piotii, and Gardnerella swidsinskii have been proposed. This review provides background on the heterogeneity and diversity within the genus Gardnerella, highlighting the main features that distinguish species and clades, and how these features may impact BV development.J.C. and N.C. acknowledge the projects PTDC/BIA-MIC/28271/2017 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028271), and the strategic funding of unit UID/BIO/04469/2019, supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

δ13C and δ15N in the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

The Deepwater Horizon explosion in April 2010 and subsequent oil spill released 3.19 × 106 barrels (5.07 × 108 l) of MC252 crude oil into important foraging areas of the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii (Lk) in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM). We measured δ13C and δ15N in scute biopsy samples from 33 Lk nesting in Texas during the period 2010 to 2012. Of these, 27 were equipped with satellite transmitters and were tracked to traditional foraging areas in the northern GoM after the spill. Differences in δ13C between the oldest and newest scute layers from 2010 nesters were not significant, but δ13C in the newest layers from 2011 and 2012 nesters was significantly lower compared to 2010. δ15N differences were not statis- tically significant. Collectively, the stable isotope and tracking data indicate that the lower δ13C values reflect the incorporation of oil rather than changes in diet or foraging area. Discriminant analysis indicated that 51.5% of the turtles sampled had isotope signatures indicating oil exposure. Growth of the Lk population slowed in the years following the spill. The involvement of oil exposure in recent population trends is unknown, but long-term effects may not be evident for many years. Our results indicate that C isotope signatures in scutes may be useful biomarkers of sea turtle exposure to oil

El papel mediador de la autoeficacia entre las demandas de trabajo y el burnout

RESUMEN: Entre las enfermedades laborales que puede llegar a padecer la población colombiana, se encuentra el síndrome de agotamiento profesional o burnout. Este fue incluido como enfermedad asociada con el empleo o el desempleo por la Organización Mundial de la Salud en el año 2019. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el papel de la autoeficacia como variable mediadora entre las demandas del trabajo y el burnout, en el ámbito laboral. La autoeficacia es un recurso personal en el trabajo, que puede ayudar a evitar el deterioro de la salud mental, tema de interés en salud pública, que afecta la productividad de las empresas y, por ende, la economía del país. Se tomó como muestra un total de 10,680 trabajadores, pertenecientes a 26 empresas de Colombia, y se utilizó un modelo de regresión múltiple para el análisis de datos. Se encontró que la consistencia de rol y la influencia del trabajo sobre el entorno extralaboral fueron algunas de las demandas laborales más relacionados con la aparición de síntomas asociados al burnout. La autoeficacia correlacionó negativamente con el burnout, lo que implica que mientras mayor autoeficacia se tenga, menos probable es que se presente sintomatología asociada con el síndrome. Los resultados hallados permitieron concluir que la autoeficacia cumple un papel mediador entre el burnout y las demandas del trabajo, aunque parcial, de modo que las demandas mantienen parte de su influencia directa

The Sustainability of New Programs and Innovations: A Review of the Empirical Literature and Recommendations for Future Research

Background: The introduction of evidence-based programs and practices into healthcare settings has been the subject of an increasing amount of research in recent years. While a number of studies have examined initial implementation efforts, less research has been conducted to determine what happens beyond that point. There is increasing recognition that the extent to which new programs are sustained is influenced by many different factors and that more needs to be known about just what these factors are and how they interact. To understand the current state of the research literature on sustainability, our team took stock of what is currently known in this area and identified areas in which further research would be particularly helpful. This paper reviews the methods that have been used, the types of outcomes that have been measured and reported, findings from studies that reported long-term implementation outcomes, and factors that have been identified as potential influences on the sustained use of new practices, programs, or interventions. We conclude with recommendations and considerations for future research. Methods: Two coders identified 125 studies on sustainability that met eligibility criteria. An initial coding scheme was developed based on constructs identified in previous literature on implementation. Additional codes were generated deductively. Related constructs among factors were identified by consensus and collapsed under the general categories. Studies that described the extent to which programs or innovations were sustained were also categorized and summarized. Results: Although “sustainability” was the term most commonly used in the literature to refer to what happened after initial implementation, not all the studies that were reviewed actually presented working definitions of the term. Most study designs were retrospective and naturalistic. Approximately half of the studies relied on self-reports to assess sustainability or elements that influence sustainability. Approximately half employed quantitative methodologies, and the remainder employed qualitative or mixed methodologies. Few studies that investigated sustainability outcomes employed rigorous methods of evaluation (e.g., objective evaluation, judgement of implementation quality or fidelity). Among those that did, a small number reported full sustainment or high fidelity. Very little research has examined the extent, nature, or impact of adaptations to the interventions or programs once implemented. Influences on sustainability included organizational context, capacity, processes, and factors related to the new program or practice themselves. Conclusions: Clearer definitions and research that is guided by the conceptual literature on sustainability are critical to the development of the research in the area. Further efforts to characterize the phenomenon and the factors that influence it will enhance the quality of future research. Careful consideration must also be given to interactions among influences at multiple levels, as well as issues such as fidelity, modification, and changes in implementation over time. While prospective and experimental designs are needed, there is also an important role for qualitative research in efforts to understand the phenomenon, refine hypotheses, and develop strategies to promote sustainment

School Segregation by Boundary Line in Virginia: Scope, Significance and State Policy Solutions

This research brief explores the landscape of school segregationrelated to boundary lines in Virginia and in key regions. It also analyzes common rezoning criteria and policies in a large sample of Virginia school divisions. The brief then provides a condensed overview of existing literature on school boundaries and segregation. Finally, it offers evidence-based recommendations for Virginia to combat the relationship between school-related boundaries and segregation

Competitive initial adhesion between Lactobacillus spp. and Gardnerella vaginalis strains against vaginal epithelium

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common disorder in women of reproductive age. BV is characterized by the replacement of vaginal lactobacilli, such as Lactobacillus crispatus, by predominantly anaerobic microorganisms. However, Lactobacillus iners is frequently found in the BV. Gardnerella vaginalis, commonly associated with BV, can also be present in 50-95% of BV patients and in 20-30% of healthy women. The capacity of G. vaginalis to form biofilms on the vaginal epithelium has recently been demonstrated. Our goal was to study the colonization of endogenous vaginal microflora from Lactobacillus spp. and G. vaginalis 5-1 (isolated from a healthy woman) and G. vaginalis 101 (isolated from a BV patient), at different initial concentrations and consequently to analyze the competition and interaction during the primary step of biofilm formation: initial adhesion. ME-180 and HeLa epithelial cell monolayers were challenged with the two G. vaginalis strains with different adhesion conditions. For the competition assays, cultures of Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus crispatus or Lactobacillus iners were mixed G. vaginalis strains at different concentrations and allowed to adhere to the two cell lines for 30 minutes. To analyse interference of lactobacilli in G. vaginalis initial adhesion, different lactobacilli concentrations were allowed to adhere to the cell monolayer for 4 hours and then G. vaginalis strains at different concentrations were added and allowed to adhere for 30 minutes. These adhesion times were previously optimized. All adhesion assays were quantified by fluorescence microscopy, using DAPI for total cell count and PNA-FISH probe for G. vaginalis quantification. Our results showed that G. vaginalis 101 (pathogenic strain) had a greater adhesion capacity than G. vaginalis 5-1 in all cases tested. Also, L. casei was the least adherent of the all lactobacilli used in this study. L. casei was included in this study as a non-sense control, since this lactobacilli strain is not a common colonizer of the vagina epithelium. L. crispatus showed decreased adherence to epithelial cells in the presence of G. vaginalis 101. In contrast, adherence of L. iners did not decrease in presence of G. vaginalis 101. Our study suggests that adherence of the G. vaginalis to epithelial cells is a critical step during the stage of vaginal colonization. It was found that adherence of Lactobacillus spp to epithelial cells was influenced by a specific G. vaginalis strains. These studies help to provide insight into the clinical situation in which indigenous vaginal lactobacilli can interfere with G. vaginalis presence

Reciprocal interference between Lactobacillus spp. and Gardnerella vaginalis on initial adherence to epithelial cells

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal disorder in women of child-bearing age. It is widely accepted that the microbial switch from normal microflora to the flora commonly associated with BV is characterized by a decrease in vaginal colonization by specific Lactobacillus species together with an increase of G. vaginalis and other anaerobes. However, the order of events leading to the development of BV remains poorly characterized and it is unclear whether the decrease in lactobacilli is a cause or a consequence of the increase in the population density of anaerobes. Our goal was to characterize the interaction between two Gardnerella vaginalis strains, one of which was isolated from a healthy woman (strain 5-1) and the other from a woman diagnosed with BV (strain 101), and vaginal lactobacilli on the adherence to cervical epithelial cells. In order to simulate the transition from vaginal health to BV, the lactobacilli were cultured with the epithelial cells first, and then the G. vaginalis strain was introduced. We quantified the inhibition of G. vaginalis adherence by the lactobacilli and displacement of adherent lactobacilli by G. vaginalis. Our results confirmed that pathogenic G vaginalis 101 had a higher capacity for adhesion to the cervical epithelial cells than strain 5-1. Interestingly, strain 101 displaced L. crispatus but not L. iners whereas strain 5-1 had less of an effect and did not affect the two species differently. Furthermore, L. iners actually enhanced adhesion of strain 101 but not of strain 5-1. These results suggest that BV-causing G. vaginalis and L. iners do not interfere with one another, which may help to explain previous reports that women who are colonized with L. iners are more likely to develop BV.This work was supported by European Union funds (FEDER/COMPETE) and by national funds (FCT) under the project with reference FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-008991 (PTDC/BIA-MIC/098228/2008) and in part by funds from the National Institutes of Health (P60-MD002256). AM acknowledges the FCT individual fellowship SFRH/BD/62375/2009)

El efecto de la regulación de tarifas sobre la reducción de costos de un monopolio natural

La regulación económica surge de la necesidad de corregir fallas de mercado que afectan el bienestar de la sociedad. En el caso de los monopolios naturales, se regulan servicios que son de vital importancia para sus usuarios, y en los que simultáneamente la empresa tiene demasiado poder de mercado. El presente trabajo se centra en la regulación mediante tarifas, y el efecto que estas tienen en las decisiones de las empresas con respecto a su eficiencia y estructura de costos. Para esto se acotan los métodos de tarifación a cuatro: Tasa de retorno, precio máximo, empresa modelo eficiente y competencia referencial. Se estudian diversos casos de la región latinoamericana con el fin de tener condiciones similares entre las industrias reguladas, para hacer un balance de los resultados en estos países. Se busca validar si esta contribuyó a una reducción de los costos de la empresa monopólica