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Notes From The Field - Conference Proceedings, Summer Fellows 2024, Center For Latin American, Caribbean, And Latino Studies (Clacls)

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

CLACLS presents proceedings papers from the second CLACLS Summer Fellows Showcase Conference, held on November 7, 2024. The day-long event showcased fieldwork results of CLACLS 2024 Summer Fellows, and was curated into five panels: “Feminist and Queer Critical Perspectives”, “Transnational Exchanges/Diasporic Experiences”, “Ecocritical Lenses”, “Social Movements, Cultural and Economic Practices and Political Imagination", and "Countering State/Official Narratives.”

Bridging The Gap Between Knowledge And Practices Pertaining To Naloxone Use: A Single-Institution Experience In North Carolina, Michael S. Argenyi, Gisele Bailey, Christopher J. Mclouth, Erin Barnes, Candice J. Mcneil

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Naloxone is a life-saving medication for opioid overdose, which claims many lives annually. This study investigated provider attitudes about, beliefs about, and barriers to naloxone use to inform an increase in provider prescription of naloxone. The survey took place at a large Southern tertiary health center. An adapted REDCap survey utilizing validated questions was distributed via institutional e-mail listservs. The results (N = 181) were analyzed using descriptive and chi-square statistics. While 90.9% of the providers had heard of the strategy of prescribing naloxone to prevent overdose, only 72.1% of providers would have considered prescribing naloxone. Providers reported implementing treatment …

The Fabrication Of Seo2 Nanoparticles From Cinnamon Extract: Optical Properties And Its Application, Saad Khalid Rahi, Rusul Adnan Al-Wardy, Hanan Abd Ali Thjeel Al Ogaili

Baghdad Science Journal

Nanoparticle biogenic synthesis (NP) has attained widespread interest due to its benefits such as simplicity, environmental friendliness, rapidity and cost-effectiveness. Selenium nanoparticles (SeO₂NPs) were synthesized utilizing Cinnamomum verum bark extracts (CVBE) and selenium tetrachloride. In this study. XRD, TEM, UV and FTIR techniques ecrc used to characterize the biosynthesized SeO₂ NPs. The crystal structure of SeO₂-NPs is hexagonal as evidenced by XRD results. The crystalline size was achieved at about 24.5 nm and lacTEM image showed that the diameter of SeO₂ was less than 100 nm with spherical and - iaacrsyhP icis shapes. The …

Core Grade 1: Overview Of The Core Grade Approach, Gordon Guyatt, Thomas Agoritsas, Romina Brignardello-Petersen, Reem A. Mustafa, Jamie Rylance, Farid Foroutan, Manya Prasad, Arnav Agarwal, Hans De Beer, M. Hassan Murad, Stefan Schandelmaier, Alfonso Iorio, Liang Yao, Roman Jaeschke, Per Olav Vandvik, Linan Zeng, Sameer Parpia, Rohan D'Souza, David Rind, Derek K. Chu, Prashanti Eachempati, Kameshwar Prasad, Monica Hultcrantz, Victor M. Montori

Peninsula Dental School

This first article in a seven part series presents an overview of the essential elements of the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach that has proved extremely useful in systematic reviews, health technology assessment reports, and clinical practice guidelines. GRADE guidance has appeared in many articles dealing with both core issues and more specialised and complex guidance, and it has evolved over time. This series of articles presents GRADE essentials, Core GRADE, focusing on the core judgments necessary to summarise the comparative evidence about alternative care options and to make recommendations that apply to the care of …

Incalculable Harm: Analyzing The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Immigration Detention In Canada, Efrat Arbel, Molly Joeck

All Faculty Publications

This paper reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigration detention in Canada. Drawing on research spanning 2020 to 2022, we analyze how the pandemic impacted rates of detention, conditions of detention, and other related issues. Data released by the Canada Border Services Agency shows that despite an initial decrease in absolute numbers, Canada detained people at a higher rate after the onset of the pandemic than it did prior. Canada also held people for longer periods of time and relied more heavily on jails than dedicated Immigration Holding Centres. Conditions of confinement deteriorated significantly across all detention …

Sars-Cov-2 N Protein And Anti-Spike Serologies: Insights Into Covid-19 Disease Severity And Mortality-A Secondary Analysis Of The Activ-1 Trial, Alfredo J Mena Lora, Kimi Enders, Huimin Wu, Luis Parra-Rodriguez, Christopher Palma, Katy Saliba, Sylvain Laverdurre, P Brian Smith, Kevin J Anstrom, Samuel A Bozzette, William G Powderly

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Understanding factors that predict progression to severe COVID-19 is critical. Antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein confer protection, while the N protein of SARS-CoV-2 plays roles in viral replication and immune dysfunction. This study explores the significance of N protein and anti-spike antibodies on disease severity, progression, and mortality.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 N protein and anti-spike antibody levels with disease severity, clinical outcomes, and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

DESIGN: A secondary analysis of serologic data from participants in the ACTIV-1 randomized clinical trial, which evaluated immunomodulators for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. …

The Havcr1-Centric Host Factor Network Drives Zika Virus Vertical Transmission, Wenzhe Yu, Jun Tao, Hongmin Cao, Wanshan Zheng, Beiang Zhang, Yue Zhang, Peiqun Xu, Yiwei Zhang, Xuan Liu, Yinan Wang, Han Cai, Gang Liu, Fan Liu, Haibin Wang, Haiyan Zhao, Indira U Mysorekar, Xiaoqian Hu, Bin Cao

Center on Aging Staff Publications

Zika virus (ZIKV) vertical transmission results in devastating congenital malformations and pregnancy complications; however, the specific receptor and host factors facilitating ZIKV maternal-fetal transmission remain elusive. Here, we employ a genome-wide CRISPR screening and identify multiple placenta-intrinsic factors modulating ZIKV infection. Our study unveils that hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1 (HAVCR1) serves as a primary receptor governing ZIKV entry in placental trophoblasts. The GATA3-HAVCR1 axis regulates heterogeneous cell tropism in the placenta. Notably, placenta-specific Havcr1 deletion in mice significantly impairs ZIKV transplacental transmission and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes. Mechanistically, the immunoglobulin variable-like domain of HAVCR1 binds to ZIKV via …

Impacts Of Climate Change On Cannibalism And Disease Transmission In The Fall Armyworm, Kale Rougeau

LSU Master's Theses

Climate change may alter host-pathogen dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems due to rising global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels. Here, we examined cannibalism and disease transmission using the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive agricultural pest, and its species-specific lethal baculovirus, Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV), under various potential challenges of climate change. We used three temperature treatments (cooler, optimal, warmer) based on the fall armyworm’s thermal performance curve to simulate a changing climate and four artificial diets with various protein-to-carbohydrate ratios (low, equal, high, standard) to manipulate resource quality from altered carbon dioxide levels. We found that higher …

Synthesis Of Novel Five-Membered Heterocycles As Bioactive Agents, Subrata Roy

Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation outlines the synthesis of various types of heterocyclic small molecules across three chapters. The first chapter discusses the efficient synthesis of seventy-one fluorinated pyrazole molecules and thirty-five 3,4-dihydroxy and 4-hydroxy phenyl-substituted thiazole molecules. These molecules were designed and synthesized for their potential antibacterial properties. The second chapter discusses the synthesis of fused thiazole molecules with enone-based steroidal natural products. This chapter reports on sixty-five novel fused thiazole molecules distributed across three libraries featuring different steroidal natural products: ethisterone, bisnoralcohol, and diosgenin. These molecules were designed and synthesized as potential anticancer agents. The third chapter comprises the development of …

From Ancient Wisdom To Modern Medicine: The Cultural And Therapeutic Significance Of Ficus Carica L. (Moraceae) Extracts In Colorectal Cancer Treatment, Esra Hacimüftüoğlu, Azizeh Shadidizaji, Kağan Tolga Ci̇ni̇sli̇, Songül Karakaya

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Figs, mentioned in the Torah, the Bible, and the Quran, are of historical and cultural significance and have been used for medical treatment, prompting extensive research. Colorectal cancer (CRC), the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, is expected to significantly increase in terms of mortality rates by 2035, with its progression closely linked to inflammatory processes. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), an enzyme encoded by the Ptgs2 gene, plays a key role in these processes by converting arachidonic acid into prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a mediator of inflammation. In the present study, the potential of natural antiinflammatory compounds, specifically fumaric acid and …

Parapneumonic Empyema Complicating Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Etiology In The Era Of Pneumococcal Vaccination And Role Of Molecular Diagnosis, Antonio C Arrieta, Stephanie Osborne, Lindsay R Grant, Bradford D Gessner, Anne J Blaschke, Kristina G Hulten, Delma J Nieves, Ashley Miller, Cody Bender, Raul Isturiz, Ronika Alexander, Shannon M Nielsen, Linda B Lamberth, Alejandro Cane, Adriano Arguedas

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on pneumococcal disease is well described; pneumococcus is infrequently identified by culture in pneumonia. Yield is higher when pleural fluid is cultured. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in pleural fluid samples improves pathogen identification, particularly in the case of S. pneumoniae.

Methods: Healthy children with empyema who underwent pleural fluid drainage were eligible. Demographics and PCV immunization status were collected. Blood/pleural fluid cultures were obtained. Pleural fluid samples were sent for PCR for pathogen. Serotyping was done by Neufeld-Quellung reaction on pneumococcus isolates, and PCR in culture negative cases.

Results: From December 2018 to …

Human Skeletal Remains From Wadi El-Halaf (Near Khirbat Ras Abu Ma‘Aruf), Jerusalem, Tzipi Kahana

'Atiqot

No abstract provided.

We Are What We Maintain—Including Ourselves: Infrastructure And Interdependence Of Library Work In The Midst Of Disruption, Mary J. Snyder Broussard, Joel M. Burkholder, Jeremy Mcginniss, Donna Witek

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Library workers need a language and a framework for advocacy that effectively names and makes visible the key elements and interconnected nature of our work. This article proposes Burkholder’s and McGinniss’s (2020) maintenance schema, which consists of resources, platform, energy, and vision, as a viable language and framework for this kind of advocacy. It does this by analyzing several major issues facing academic libraries that were exacerbated by the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic: declining budgets, inequalities in academic libraries, and wide-spread exhaustion among library workers. The application of the maintenance schema to these specific issues demonstrates how the schema …

Air Temperature And Gastroenteritis Among Rohingya Populations In Bangladesh Refugee Camps, Takuya Takata, Xerxes Seposo, Nasif Hossain, Kayo Ueda

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Publications

Importance

The Rohingya displaced population in Bangladesh is the largest stateless population in the world. Infectious diseases, such as gastroenteritis, respiratory infections, and fever, are among the major health problems the Rohingya population has faced. Although associations between gastroenteritis and air temperature have been reported in various regions, no study has yet been carried out among the displaced populations.

Objectives

To evaluate the association between air temperature and risk of gastroenteritis among the forcibly displaced Rohingya population in refugee camps in Bangladesh.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this cross-sectional study, daily time series data derived from facility-based case reports were …

2025 North Texas Gme Research Forum Program, Hca Healthcare

North Texas Research Forum 2025

No abstract provided.

Synthesis, Characterization And Biological Activity Of New Ligand Derived From 4-(Dimethylamino) Benzaldehyde And Nano Copper Complex, Enass J. Waheed

Baghdad Science Journal

The general formula of new complexes [M₂(BDS)Cl₄] are resulting from the reaction of a new ligand [N1, N4- bis (1H- benzo [d] imidazol- 2- yl) -N1, N4 -bis(4-(dimethyl amino) benzyl) succinimide] (BDS) with metal ions M(II) = Cd, Co, Hg, Cu and Ni. This ligand was derived from the reaction of the three substances 4-(Dimethyl amino) benzaldehyde, 2-amino benzimidazole, and succinyl chloride. The compounds are characterized by FT-IR, NMR, UV-Vis and Mass spectroscopy. The serine protease SplB of Staphylococcus aureus and the A chain of Rhomboid-protease-GLPG of Escherichia coli were chosen to study the binding strength …

Neonatal Gut Microbiota Succession In Mice Mapped Over Time, Site, Injury And Single Immunoglobulin Interleukin-1 Related Receptor Genotype., Shahid Umar, Wei Yu, Hao Xuan, Ishfaq Ahmed, Cuncong Zhong, Michael Morowitz, Mathew Brian Rogers, Mark Ivan Attard, Venkatesh Sampath

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Microbial succession during postnatal gut development in mice is likely impacted by site of sampling, time, intestinal injury, and host genetics. We investigated this in wild-type and Sigirr transgenic mice that encode the p.Y168X mutation identified in a neonate with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Temporal profiling of the ileal and colonic microbiome after birth to weaning revealed a clear pattern of progression from a less diverse, Proteobacteria/Escherichia_Shigella dominant community to a more diverse, Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes dominant community. Formula milk feeding, a risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis, decreased Firmicutes and increased Proteobacteria leading to enrichment of bacterial genes denoting exaggerated glycolysis and increased …

Holistic Wellness In The Workplace, Tiffany Youngberg

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a significant disconnect between the eight dimensions of wellness with employees and the workforce. Near the turn of the 20th century, there has been more focus on wellness in the workplace to increase productivity, with more of a push around the 1990s to improve health. Unfortunately, current research still has significant gaps. Most wellness programs focus on physical health, which does not address all wellness needs, as there are eight dimensions of wellness for working-age adults. Even holistic wellness programs are missing some crucial aspects; they focus on limited components of wellness with a heavy focus on physical …

Determining The Mental Health Climate Of The Ministers Of Christian Churches In Metro Vancouver After The Reopening Of The Churches Since Covid-19 Closure, Lap Cho Chan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The burnout of ministers is real. Ministers are human, just like everyone else in the world. Too many people (such as church officials and leaders) underestimate the adverse effects of burned-out ministers in their churches. The pandemic had a huge impact on all the churches in Metro Vancouver, Canada. Ministers experienced exceptionally high stress and anxiety after the reopening of churches after the COVID-19 closure. Thus, the purpose of this DMIN action research project is to use the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), surveys, questionnaires, and interviews to research, qualify, and quantify the mental health climate of ministers in Metro Vancouver. …

The Perceived Impact Of Covid-19 On The Grief Process Of African American Adults, Tondra Crumpler Mclaurin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected African Americans in the areas of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Research studies have historically focused primarily on the grief experiences of European Americans. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the bereavement experience of African American adults. The theoretical frameworks used to guide this study were attachment theory, individual differences model, and meaning reconstruction model. Three research questions were the focus of the qualitative study: what are the lived grief experiences of African American adults who experienced the death of a loved one during the …

Associations Between Linguistic Factors And Vaccine Attitudes In A Hispanic Immigrant Population In The United States, Jamie Jensen

ScholarsArchive Data

Data are results of a nationwide survey administered by Qualtrics to Hispanic Immigrants concerning HPV vaccine uptake and hesitancy factors.

Characterization Of The Gut Microbiome In Alzheimer Disease And Mild Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults In Uganda: A Case-Control Study, Martha Sajatovic, Scott M. Williams

Faculty Scholarship

Alzheimer disease (AD) is associated with significant shifts in the gut microbiome and is characterized by reduced microbial diversity and changes in the abundance of specific taxa. These alterations can disrupt the gut-brain axis, leading to increased intestinal permeability ("leaky gut"), systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Such microbial changes are thought to contribute to neurodegenerative changes, as observed in AD and cognitive decline, thus emphasizing the role of the microbiome in aging-related neurological health. Our study in urban and rural population in Uganda recruited 104 participants aged 60 years and older, categorized into AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and control …

Trend And Burden Of Adult Cancer-Related Hospitalizations In The United States, Muni Rubens, Anshul Saxena, Venkataraghavan Ramamoorthy, Atulya Khosla, Peter Mcgranaghan, Yanjia Zhang

All Publications

To calculate national trends and estimates of cancer-related hospitalizations, hospital outcomes, and hospitalization costs. The current study was a retrospective analysis of National Inpatient Sample data, collected during 2008 to 2019. Adult cancer hospitalizations were identified by Clinical Classifications Software codes. We estimated weighted frequencies, proportions, and trends in cancer-related hospitalizations, hospital outcomes, and hospitalization costs. The primary outcome of the study was cancer-related hospitalizations, and secondary outcomes were the reasons for hospitalization, disposition status, hospital length of stay, and hospitalization cost. There were 371 million weighted hospitalizations during 2008 to 2019, of which 15.1% (56 million) were cancer related. …

The Consequences Of Social Isolation On Early Adolescent Youth: The Rise Of Gender Identity Questioning, Rachele Hauck

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The year 2020 brought forth a global pandemic that changed the way human beings went about their daily life. Coinciding at the same point in history, the number of adolescents questioning their gender identity almost doubled. This transcendental phenomenological qualitative study sought to understand the journeys of seven adolescents surviving the stay-at-home mandates put in place by officials attempting to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in a rural midwestern town. These participants identify as a gender that does not align with the gender they were given at birth. Their voices are documented with subject led interviews and attention to expressionistic …

Unveiling The Detrimental Effects Of Racial Profiling On Hispanics In The Rgv By Dps Under Operation Lone Star, Veronica G. Salinas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of whether racial profiling by DPS on the Hispanic community in the RGV was indeed an ongoing issue that was causing adverse impacts. Moreover, to design better training for DPS troopers to address the problem of racial profiling against Hispanics. The setting of this study was based on Hispanics born or raised in the RGV. Interviews and focused groups were used to collect data. The MAXQDA was used to help analyze and identify common themes. The two main common themes were positive and negative experiences, with 11 out of …

Enriched Pathways In Gut Microbiome Predict Response To Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment Across Demographic Regions And Various Cancer Types, Xunhui Cai, Jennifer Y Cho, Lijun Chen, Yufeng Liu, Fenghu Ji, Katia Salgado, Siyi Ge, Dehua Yang, Hui Yu, Jianbo Shao, P Andrew Futreal, Boris Sepesi, Don Gibbons, Yaobing Chen, Guoping Wang, Chao Cheng, Meng Wu, Jianjun Zhang, Ansel Hsiao, Tian Xia

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Understanding the effect of gut microbiota function on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) responses is urgently needed. Here, we integrated 821 fecal metagenomes from 12 datasets to identify differentially abundant genes and construct random forest models to predict ICI response. Gene markers demonstrated excellent predictive performance, with an average area under the curve (AUC) of 0.810. Pathway analyses revealed that quorum sensing (QS), ABC transporters, flagellar assembly, and amino acid biosynthesis pathways were enriched between responders (R) and non-responders (NRs) across 12 datasets. Furthermore,

Prevalence Of Long Covid In Liberty University College Students, Faith Dillmuth, Nicole Durham

Liberty University Research Week

Long COVID is a newly observed set of symptoms lasting for an extended period after a COVID-19 diagnosis. As such, the public health community is examining the long-term effects of COVID, especially in otherwise healthy communities like college-aged students. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Long COVID symptoms in Liberty University’s residential population. Knowing the prevalence of Long COVID can determine the relationship between symptoms and impairment, which leads to better treatment protocols, improved accommodations for students, and further research into the lasting effects. The data were collected through an online survey, and the patterns …

Epstein Barr Virus Associated Venous Thromboembolism, Yeli̇z Çi̇çek, Ali̇ Mert

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Sex Differences In Adult Frailty At The Late-Terminal Classic (C. 750-1000 Ce) Maya Site Of Lower Dover, Rose Rioux

Honors Thesis

While it has been suggested that the compounded effects of population growth and climatic pressures over the Classic period (c. 300-1000 CE) led to a health crisis among the Maya, there is no current knowledge of whether there were significant sex differences in risks of mortality and frailty associated with metabolic stressors. This research assesses sex differences in frailty and mortality of adults (n=52) from the medium-sized Maya polity of Lower Dover in the upper Belize River Valley from the Late Preclassic (c. 300 BCE-150 CE) to Terminal Classic (c. 750-1000 CE). Osteological methods of estimating age and sex were …

Surgical Smoke Evacuation Quality Improvement Project, Angela Howell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Surgical smoke is a byproduct produced during surgical procedures when high-energy producing devices are used to vaporize tissue. This smoke poses health risk to anyone present in the operating room.

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to educate and minimize the exposure of both staff and patients to the hazardous toxic fumes and vapors produced by energy-generating electrocautery devices.

Methods: The intervention based on the Kim Ball Smoke Evacuation Compliance Model was implemented in a large military hospital with 20 operating rooms and three labor and delivery suites. Implementation included formal education strategies, equipment …