The use of experiential acceptance in psychotherapy with emerging adults

Emerging adulthood is recognized as a growing developmental stage that varies within and across cultures. Existing research generally characterizes this period as one of identity exploration, instability, self-reflection, and optimism. For many in this cohort, life events that were once organized into a stable sequence such as entering the workforce, marriage, and having children are increasingly a highly individualized and somewhat unstructured trajectory. This lack of structure provides opportunities and potential challenges to those transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. To this end, experiential acceptance may be an important target skill for intervention in guiding emerging adults through this tumultuous period. Experiential acceptance is multiply defined in the literature, but is generally understood to be a present-focused approach that encourages a willingness to engage with one\u27s moment-to-moment experience, nonjudgment of moment-to-moment experiencing, and nonattachment to thoughts or feelings. This focus may be useful for both therapists to use as an intervention tool in helping clients to form an integrated sense of self; a developmental task that is predictive of mental health in young adults. Despite the apparent fit between experiential acceptance and the emerging adult age range, no studies to date have explored experiential acceptance as an intervention with this population. Accordingly, the purpose of the current study was to qualitatively explore how therapists facilitate experiential acceptance with emerging adult clients. A sample of 5 client-therapist pairs from community counseling centers was selected, and two videotaped therapy sessions for each participant pair were analyzed. Inductive content analysis was employed, using open coding and abstraction methodology to create a hierarchy of themes. Results indicated that experiential acceptance, overall, was rarely employed by trainee therapists in psychotherapy sessions with emerging adults. The one parent theme that emerged across participants was termed Increasing Awareness. Comments aimed at increasing flexibility in thinking were also observed, but not across participants. It is hoped that this study will provide foundational information on experiential acceptance use in psychotherapy with emerging adults, which could be used to promote more attention to skill and theory integration in clinical training and spur future research on experiential acceptance use in therapy-as-usual

The Gender of a College of Science Laboratory Bench

Oftentimes everyday objects in our environment have gendered implications that go unnoticed and unobserved. These objects may or may not have been designed with a specific gender statement in mind, however careful analysis can reveal a great deal about the gendered nature of a commonplace artifact. Such an object that I encounter in each day of my life at the Rochester Institute of Technology is a laboratory bench. This artifact, I feel, is a prime example of an everyday object that has unnoticed gender implications – about myself and my colleagues. This bench, located in the teaching laboratory room 1125 in the College of Science, is used to enable multiple students to simultaneously carry out a single experiment – individually or in groups – for educational purposes. As a result of my frequent encounters with this lab bench I have come to the conclusion that this artifact on the RIT campus is inherently gendered in both its design and its use. This gender, I have determined, is male, and the effects of the bench’s gendered state need to be explored

The Role of Upper Ocean Heat Content and Sea Surface Temperature on Northeast Pacific Hurricane Evolution during Average and Active Years

Upon comparison to typical neutral-ENSO conditions in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, the 2014 hurricane season has been identified as highly anomalous in both tropical cyclone frequency and intensity. This thesis seeks to investigate the influence of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and upper ocean heat content (UOHC), defined as the excess of heat present above 26°C, upon the upper ocean thermal structure, mesoscale features, and anomalies that led to an active hurricane season in the Northeast Pacific. The 2012 Northeast Pacific hurricane season was selected as a ‘normal’ season to fully quantify the anomalous 2014 hurricane season. Data sets utilized in this work included optimally interpolated SSTs, UOHC, and the National Hurricane Center’s post-storm observation database. Oceanic variables were extracted nearest-pixel to the hurricane path and were scrutinized through the use of along-track time series analysis, gridded UOHC fields, and a complex scheme of linear regression models. In order to quantify intensity modulation throughout a hurricane, enthalpy flux was calculated along-track for the duration of the storm with atmospheric model data, as well as from in-situ dropsonde observations. Results suggest that variable SSTs and UOHC were critical in tropical cyclone genesis, duration, and maximum intensity. A minimum requirement of 30 kJ cm-2 of UOHC was found at genesis for all storms. At least 7 of the major hurricanes interacted with a warm oceanic mesoscale feature either at genesis or along-track that induced rapid intensification periods, including one high-end Category-5 hurricane. Cool wake signatures from deep upwelling along-track were detected within gridded UOHC and were also found to be influential in changes of subsequent hurricane trajectories. Linear regressions suggested that storm-specific models, and not season-specific models, were optimal for estimating the influence of oceanic and environmental parameters within the intensification phase. Specifically, regressions for Hurricanes Emilia (2012) and Odile (2014) performed extremely well, indicating that a combination of oceanic parameters, storm position, and storm translation speed could explain 98% of along-track intensity variability. Along-track enthalpy fluxes peaked at 1234 W m-2 as the hurricane attained maximum intensity, while dropsonde-derived enthalpy emphasized stronger enthalpy fluxes within the northeast quadrants of the hurricane

Chemical Analysis and Elucidation of Anthraquinone and Flavonoid Type Compounds with Applications to Historical Artefacts and Sustainability

This thesis describes the effects of different solvents have on the extraction profile of natural dyes from dye plants: madder, weld, golden rod, and chamomile. HPLC has been used to build a fingerprint of each dye plant profile and thus used to compare to the profiles of back extraction from textiles for natural dye identification in historical artefacts. The use of solid phase extraction is compared to extraction methods with no purification step which is favourable for anthraquinone dyes but results in a major loss of glycosidic compounds when using yellow dyestuffs. Supported by 1H and 13C NMR data, the conclusive X-ray crystal structure of the natural dye ruberythric acid is presented which has never been achieved prior to this research. In a collaboration with food science two of the main components of chamomile are fully characterised by 1D and 2D, 1H and 13C NMR. These compounds are usually referred to as ferulic acid derivatives in the literature but their actual structure is reported herein. The thesis also discusses the relative dye uptake of anthraquinone compounds onto wool textiles which were measured by HPLC. Sorption isotherms for the main anthraquinones in madder; ruberythric acid, pseudopurpurin and alizarin are compared for more in-depth understanding on the method of adsorption of these compounds. Herein the glycosidic compounds in madder are shown to have a higher adsorption capacity than the aglycons. Ruberythric acid is shown to follow a Tempkin isotherm with the highest degree of correlation but both alizarin and ruberythric acid show good fitting with the Freundlich isotherm also. Pseudopurpurin was shown to follow a Freundlich isotherm with the highest degree of linearity but did also show some fitting to the Langmuir isotherm. The isotherms allow data to be collected on the energy of adsorption and draw conclusions on the effect the functional groups have on the dyeing capability which is studied herein for the first time on individual anthraquinone components. iii Studies were carried out on the acid-sensitive colorants present in madder which are degraded in the textile back extraction process. Anthraquinone aglycons alizarin and purpurin are usually identified in analysis following harsh back extraction methods, such as those using solvent mixtures with concentrated hydrochloric acid at high temperatures. Herein, a softer novel extraction method involving aqueous glucose solution was developed and compared to other back extraction techniques on wool dyed with root extract from different varieties of Rubia tinctorum. A study into the breakdown compounds of the aglycon; lucidin under acidic conditions used for traditional back extractions was also undertaken. Here it is observed that lucidin is converted into xanthopurpurin in a retro aldol like mechanism. This report discusses some of the issues raised by using these harsh back extraction methods and the problems faced in using them to analyse historic artefacts

Prenatal Care Cards: Imparting Patient Autonomy During Pregnancy.

Introduction/Problem: Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic (IU-SOC) has been providing medical care to vulnerable populations for the past 12 years. In that time, students have witnessed barriers to care impacting the neighbors in the community, including lack of health insurance due to financial limitations or limited residency documentation. These barriers are particularly burdensome to pregnant patients, and the bimonthly Prenatal Clinic was created five years ago to address this need. A major limitation is ensuring effective communication between the IU-SOC Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Practice Fusion, and the multiple health systems in the community. Intervention: After reviewing the Pan American Health Organization (P.A.H.O) recommendations for similar communities, we created a tool that can be utilized at all outreach clinics: the prenatal care card. These care cards contain all relevant prenatal information such as first, second, and third trimester prenatal labs, blood pressure measurements, fetal anatomy ultrasound results, and other tests that will allow providers to establish baseline values that determine future care. The card can be easily translated for improved clarity and is printed on sturdy, laminated cardstock. IU-SOC contact information is included on the bottom of the card in case future providers have concerns, and patients receive a photocopy of the card for safekeeping. Our copy is uploaded to Practice Fusion for future reference at IU-SOC. Conclusion: The IU-SOC prenatal care card has been implemented as a way to communicate between the clinic and other healthcare providers, in accordance with P.A.H.O. standards of perinatal care. Since September 2021, four IU-SOC patients have been offered the prenatal care card and have expressed overall satisfaction so far. The value of the prenatal card is three-fold: to provide patients with ownership of their medical information, to be easily shareable with any medical center, and to enhance their pregnancy experience overall. The utility of the prenatal card will be further established as more pregnant patients are provided this tool

Identification and Characterization of New Small Molecule Inhibitors of Picornavirus Replication

The Picornaviridae family consists of positive-strand RNA viruses that are the causative agents of a variety of diseases in humans and animals. Few drugs targeting picornaviruses are available, making the discovery of new antivirals a high priority. Here, we identified and characterized three compounds from a library of kinase inhibitors that block replication of poliovirus, coxsackievirus B3, and encephalomyocarditis virus. The antiviral effect of these compounds is not likely related to their known cellular targets because other inhibitors targeting the same pathways did not inhibit viral replication. Using an in vitro translation-replication system, we showed that these drugs inhibit different stages of the poliovirus life cycle. A4(1) inhibited the formation of a functional replication complex, while E5(1) and E7(2) affected replication after the replication complex had formed. A4(1) demonstrated partial protection from paralysis in a murine model of poliomyelitis. Poliovirus resistant to E7(2) had a single mutation in the 3A protein. This mutation was previously found to confer resistance to enviroxime-like compounds, which target either PI4KIIIβ (major enviroxime-like compounds) or OSBP (minor enviroxime-like compounds), cellular factors involved in lipid metabolism and shown to be important for replication of diverse positive-strand RNA viruses. We classified E7(2) as a minor enviroxime-like compound, because the localization of OSBP changed in the presence of this inhibitor. Interestingly, both E7(2) and major enviroxime-like compound GW5074 interfered with the viral polyprotein processing. Multiple attempts to isolate resistant mutants in the presence of A4(1) or E5(1) were unsuccessful, showing that effective broad-spectrum antivirals could be developed on the basis of these compounds. Studies with these compounds shed light on pathways shared by diverse picornaviruses that could be potential targets for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs

Debate: Is there a true global children and young people's mental health crisis, fact or fiction?

Following COVID-19, there has been increasing concern about the well-being of children and young people across the United Kingdom; however, our major problem is the lack of robust data. We discuss emerging research capturing the impact of restrictions and experiences of COVID-19 on children and young people. We suggest further and more detailed analysis is urgently required to inform an evidence-based response. We conclude that although most of the UK's kids are probably OK, it is essential that those who are in need of support receive timely and informed intervention

Exploring the evolution of professional identity formation in health professions education

This article provides a general overview of professional identity formation (PIF) in health professions education, a summary of relevant theories related to PIF, and a description of pedagogical models which promote PIF

Early College, Early Success: Early College High School Initiative Impact Study

In 2002, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched the ECHSI with the primary goal of increasing the opportunity for underserved students to earn a postsecondary credential. To achieve this goal, Early Colleges provide underserved students with exposure to, and support in, college while they are in high school. Early Colleges partner with colleges and universities to offer all students an opportunity to earn an associate's degree or up to two years of college credits toward a bachelor's degree during high school at no or low cost to the students. The underlying assumption is that engaging underrepresented students in a rigorous high school curriculum tied to the incentive of earning college credit will motivate them and increase their access to additional postsecondary education and credentials after high school. Since 2002, more than 240 Early Colleges have opened nationwideThis study focused on the impact of Early Colleges. It addressed two questions:1. Do Early College students have better outcomes than they would have had at other high schools?2. Does the impact of Early Colleges vary by student background characteristics (e.g., gender and family income)? To answer these questions, we conducted a lottery-based randomized experiment, taking advantage of the fact that some Early Colleges used lotteries in their admissions processes. By comparing the outcomes for students who participated in admissions lotteries and were offered enrollment with the outcomes for students who participated in the lotteries but were not offered enrollment, we can draw causal conclusions about the impact of Early Colleges.The primary student outcomes for this study were high school graduation, college enrollment, and college degree attainment. We also examined students' high school and college experiences. Data on student background characteristics and high school outcomes came from administrative records from schools, districts, and states; data on collegeoutcomes came from the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC); and data on high school and college experiences and intermediate outcomes such as college credit accrual camefrom a student surveyWe assessed the impact of Early Colleges on these outcomes for a sample of 10 Early Colleges that did the following:-Enrolled students in grades 9 -- 12 and had high school graduates in the study years (2005 -- 2011)-Used lotteries as part of the admission processes in at least one of the study cohorts (students who entered ninth grade in 2005 -- 06, 2006 -- 07, or 2007 -- 08)-Retained the lottery recordsEight of the 10 Early Colleges in the study were included in the student survey. The overall study sample included 2,458 students and the survey sample included 1,294 students. The study extended through three years past high school

Characterisation of Campylobacter jejuni genes potentially involved in phosphonate degradation

Potential biological roles of the Campylobacter jejuni genes cj0641, cj0774c and cj1663 were investigated. The proteins encoded by these genes showed sequence similarities to the phosphonate utilisation PhnH, K and L gene products of Escherichia coli. The genes cj0641, cj0774c and cj1663 were amplified from the pathogenic C. jejuni strain 81116, sequenced, and cloned into pGEM-T Easy vectors. Recombinant plasmids were used to disrupt each one of the genes by inserting a kanamycin resistance (KmR) cassette employing site-directed mutagenesis or inverse PCR. Campylobacter jejuni 81116 isogenic mutants were generated by integration of the mutated genes into the genome of the wild-type strain. The C. jejuni mutants grew on primary isolation plates, but they could not be purified by subsequent passages owing to cell death. The mutant C. jejuni strains survived and proliferated in co-cultures with wild-type bacteria or in media in which wild-type C. jejuni had been previously grown. PCR analyses of mixed wild-type/mutant cultures served to verify the presence of the mutated gene in the genome of a fraction of the total bacterial population. The data suggested that each mutation inactivated a gene essential for survival. Rates of phosphonate catabolism in lysates of E. coli strain DH5α were determined using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Whole-cell lysates of the wild-type degraded phosphonoacetate, phenylphosphonate and aminomethylphosphonate. Significant differences in the rates of phosphonate degradation were observed between lysates of wild-type E. coli, and of bacteria transformed with each one of the vectors carrying one of the C. jejuni genes, suggesting that these genes were involved in phosphonate catabolism