Education Commons^™

Discussion In The College Classroom: Getting Your Students Engaged And Participating In Person And Online. Jay R. Howard, 2015, Jossey-Bass: San Francisco, 224 Pp., $38.00 (Hardcover)., Tiffany Flowers

Journal of Research Initiatives

Discussion in the college classroom is an important and timely book for college level instructors who want to improve, revise, and deliver engaging courses across disciplines. The purpose of this work is to help college instructors understand the purpose behind fostering classroom discussions. Issues related to participation, classroom management, and class facilitation is discussed within this work. College instructors who teach face-to-face and online courses will find the content of this book useful. In the next section of this review, the reviewer provides a detailed overview of each chapter in the book and discusses the importance of this body of …

Hookup Culture On College Campuses: Centering College Women, Communication Barriers, And Negative Outcomes, Laura Klinger

College Student Affairs Leadership

The majority of college students feel that their lives are dominated by the hookup culture, or a sexual culture of non-committed sexual encounters. However, college students are actually participating in this culture in much smaller numbers than they believe their peers to be, pointing to a culture that is driven by perception rather than clear communication or healthy desire. This article provides a comprehensive review of the literature on this subject, with particular emphasis on the challenges to communication that exist within hookup relationships with the understanding that this may contribute to the negative outcomes experienced by students. As women …

Opinion Editorial: Misclassification: The Power Of Language In Hispanic Serving Institution Designations, Gregory Lowe

College Student Affairs Leadership

Misclassification: The Power of Language in Hispanic Serving Institution Designations

Opinion Editorial: Reflecting On My Experience With Hbcus Through The Lens Of Catholic School, Nicole Rombach

College Student Affairs Leadership

My Experience with HBCUs through the Lens of Catholic School

Opinion Editorial: Challenging Minds And Changing Lives: How Historically Black Colleges And Universities Are Intentional About Educating The Whole Student, Rechard L. Peel Jr.

College Student Affairs Leadership

Challenging Minds and Changing Lives: How Historically Black Colleges and Universities are Intentional about Educating the Whole Student

Editor’S Corner: Confronting The Presence Of Difference Through Civil Discourse, Open Dialogue, And Respect, Lauren Presutti

College Student Affairs Leadership

Note from the editor-in-chief.

Which Matters Most? Perceptions Of Family Income Or Parental Education On Academic Achievement, Jennifer Chiu, Jennifer Economos, Craig Markson, Vincent Raicovi, Cheryl Howell, Elsa-Sofia Morote, Albert Inserra

New York Journal of Student Affairs

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of college students’ perception of family income, parental education levels, and race on academic achievement. Ninety-four second-year college students from a small, liberal arts, college in New York City responded to the survey during the Fall of 2009. Of the respondents, 52 were female and 42 were male. The survey collected demographic data on student perception of family income, parental education levels, and race. Academic achievement was measured by gathering students’ grade point averages. Findings in the research demonstrated that the education-level of the students’ fathers had the greatest impact …

Neoliberalism And Developmental Education: Complexity And Contradictions In California Community Colleges, Antoaneta Gulea

Journal of Critical Issues in Educational Practice

The egalitarian mission of community colleges to provide an open access to educational opportunities for all often contradicts the high academic standards for college readiness, and therefore establishes the need for developmental education. Beginning in the 1970s, neoliberalism as a form of governmentality gradually invaded schools and public services including developmental education in a community college level. This paper explores the neoliberal influence on developmental education in three aspects: the effect of decreased institutional funding for the community college system and increased cost of higher education for students in developmental education, increased curriculum management and accountability expectations on a state …

An Examination Of Cultural Competence Training In Us Medical Education Guided By The Tool For Assessing Cultural Competence Training, Valarie Blue Bird Jernigan

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

In the United States, medical students must demonstrate a standard level of “cultural competence,” upon graduation. Cultural competence is most often defined as a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in systems, organizations, and among professionals to enable effective work in cross-cultural situations. The Association of American Medical Colleges developed the Tool for Assessing Cultural Competence Training (TACCT) to assist schools in developing and evaluating cultural competence curricula to meet these requirements. This review uses the TACCT as a guideline to describe and assess pedagogical approaches to cultural competence training in US medical education and identify …

Building Community-Campus Partnerships To Prevent Infant Mortality: Lessons Learned From Building Capacity In Four Us Cities, Renata Schiavo, Isabel Estrada-Portales, Elena Hoeppner, Denisse Ormaza, Radhika Ramesh

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Infant mortality rate (IMR) is an important indicator of progress toward health equity and socio-economic development. Despite progress, the US is ranked 45th among 192 countries in IMR, with non-Hispanic black IMR 2.2 times that of non-Hispanic white rates, and higher than average IMR in Native American populations. The Preconception Peer Educators (PPE) program of the U.S. DHHS Office of Minority Health Resource Center (OMHRC) aims to raise awareness about IMR disparities in African Americans, and to promote preconception health behaviors among women of childbearing age and sexually active men. Building upon this program, this report focuses on lessons learned …

Parents' And Teachers' Collaborative Perspective: An Input For A Model On Materials Development In A Multilingual Setting, Jane Kibla Lartec

Journal of Research Initiatives

This study explored the collaborative perspective of teachers and parents on the materials development in a multilingual setting. Respondents were six parents and six teachers from two pilot schools in a melting pot city of different languages and cultures. The research design employed was qualitative to gain insights, explore the depth, richness and complexity inherent in the social or cultural phenomenon. Data were gathered from interviews with the aid of audio recorder and interview guide based on Malone (2007). The responses were transcribed and then categorized into themes according to similarities pertaining to the development of materials. It was found …

Two Models For Evaluating Evidence-Based Practices In Autism, Jennifer Lee Suppo Ed.D.

Journal of Research Initiatives

The search for evidence-based practices within the realm of autism has continued to be at the forefront of autism discussions in education. The author describes two models, CEC Practice Study Manual (2008) and the National Standards Report (National Autism Center, 2009), for evaluating interventions as evidence-based practices (EBP) in autism, and compares and contrasts their features. The author applies the National Standards Report model, as it is the most frequently used model when evaluating EBP’s, in an analysis of two interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that are known to be EBPs, and applies the same model in …

The Influence Of Creativity Inhibitors And Collectivist Dynamics, Anthony Abidemi Olalere

Journal of Research Initiatives

This study examines the mediating influence of creativity inhibitors on collectivist dynamics and faculty creativity in higher education organizations. Complexity theory was employed to frame how collectivist dynamic (Complexity Interaction) and creativity inhibitor foster faculty creativity in higher education. The Partial Least Square of Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze data using the PLS algorithm, and mediating effect to assess the predictive accuracy on creativity among 73 tenure and tenure-track faculty members in a south east research-based university in the United States. The result showed that creativity inhibitors have positive influence on the interaction between complexity interaction (collectivist) …

The 'Rules Of Engagement': The Ethical Dimension Of Doctoral Research, Christopher Berg

Journal of Research Initiatives

The pursuit of a doctorate is a rite of passage that requires a student to successfully navigate the transition from “student” to “scholar.” One area of practice, however, that is often marginalized is the role of ethics. Though there is no formal coursework in ethics, its importance cannot be understated. This essay examines the conceptual role of ethics in doctoral research as both an individual reflective essay as well as a broader discussion of ethics in general. The ethical dimension considered is broken down into eight principles or ethical research and practice in doctoral research. The “Eight Ethical Principles” will …

Anticancer Effect Of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract In Human Cancer Cell Lines, María Del Mar Zayas-Viera, Pablo Vivas-Mejia, Ph.D, Jeyshka Reyes, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Many medicinal plants are used as chemo preventives and antitumor agents in numerous experimental models of carcinogenesis. Moringa oleifera is a plant that contains several phytochemicals, which have been used for medical purposes including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, metabolism activator, anti-asthmatic, anti-anemia, hormone-producing, liver protector, and detoxifier, among others. Moringa oleifera extracts have also been proposed as potential anticancer agents. Cancer is one of the main causes of deaths worldwide. Although many drugs exist against several types of cancer, more specific agents with lower side effects are necessary. Few reports exist regarding the antitumor activity of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in cancer …

The Role Of Sumo And Coilin In The Cajal Body, Shanya Whitehorse, Mario Izaguirre-Sierra, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Our lab is solely based on learning about the molecular biology of the cell nucleus using basic model organism such as plants and flies. We focus on the study of the Cajal Body (CB) and specifically, we are interested to know how nuclear bodies can be formed without a membrane. The CB and the nucleolus are conserved nuclear bodies in all eukaryotic cells. CBs contain multiple proteins and RNA species involved in many pathways such as splicing, ribosome biogenesis and telomere maintenance.

Coilin is one of the main proteins in the nucleus and it is known to be required for …

Addressing Diabetes Prevention At The American Indian Summer Medical Wellness Camp, Mahpiya Vanderbilt, Francine Gachupin, Phd, Mph

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

American Indian youth ages 10-19 are nine times more likely of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites. A family history of diabetes, being overweight, and being inactive are the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The American Indian Summer Medical Wellness Camp is a six day camp for American Indian youth where they are taught about nutrition and fitness in an effort to prevent diabetes. What I looked at is if students who have attended the camp in previous years make different choices than the youth who have never attended camp. I hypothesize that if …

Hiv-1 Vpr Causes Synaptodendritic Damage In Neurons, María A. Torres Rivera, Richard Noel, Jr., Phd, Bethzaly Velázquez-Pérez, Neysha Martínez-Orengo, Ms

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

HIV weakens the immune system by infecting and destroying T-cells, leaving the body vulnerable to infection and the development of AIDS. Conventional treatments for HIV, such as combined anti-rectroviral therapy (cART), fail to prevent the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Neurological dysfunction has been directly related to the invasion of HIV in the central nervous system (CNS). HIV produces neurotoxic proteins, such as the Viral Protein R (Vpr), which contribute to HAND. Astrocytes are the most abundant cells in the brain and an important HIV target. We hypothesize that astrocytes expressing Vpr will cause neuronal damage in our co-culture …

Protein Expression Of Steroid Receptors In Macaca Mulatta Endometriotic Lesions, Héctor Torres, Lynette Ruiz, Phd, Olga Gonzalez, Dvm, Luisa Morales, Drph

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Endometriosis is pathologically defined as the presence of endometrial tissue in ectopic locations. Currently, there are no specific, non-invasive biomarkers and no cure for endometriosis. Non-human primates (NHP), including Macaca mulatta (rhesus macaques), have been highlighted as appropriate models to study endometriosis due to genetic, physiological, and anatomical similarities to humans. Research shows endometriosis might be associated with molecular deviations in human peritoneal endometriosis, such as increased levels of estrogen receptors and decreased levels of progesterone receptors.

The aim of this study is to determine protein expression of steroid receptors in five endometriotic lesions of rhesus macaques. We propose that …

Polymer Antimicrobial Synergy Research, Samuel Smith, Charles V. Rice, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Recent studies have shown that certain polymers, such as branched polyethylenimine (BPEI), have the potential to be antimicrobial. We have been growing certain strains of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and adding in concentrations of ampicillin to find the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). This allows us to add in different concentrations of BPEI to test for synergy between our antibiotic and our polymer.

To find the MIC of each antibiotic, we grew an overnight of the bacteria in Lysogeny Broth (LB) and let it inoculate for 20 hours. We then inoculated a 24 well culture cluster …

Mt1a Mrna Expression In Human Lung Cells (Beas 2b) After Airborne Pm10 And Copper Exposure: A Possible Biomarker For Asthma, Mariela Rosa-Casillas, Noé Crespo-Hernández, Bs, Mario Ortiz-Martínez, Braulio Jiménez-Vélez

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Puerto Ricans have the highest prevalence, morbidity and mortality of asthma than any other ethnic group in the U.S. and can be triggered by different stimuli such as airborne Particle pollution (PM). PM transfers transition metals, including cooper, to the human airways generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Metallothionein protein (MT1A) is a free radical scavenger expected to be induced in lung cells by PM exposure; however, this has never been proven nor demonstrated. The hypothesis involves the amounts of PM₁₀ in 2004, which would be significantly higher in the urban sites during months of March and June, thereby increasing …

Indirect Elisa For Detection Of Fascioliasis Igg Antibodies In Human Sera, Ernesto R. Ramos Maldonado, Ana M. Espino, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Currently, coprological examination based on egg detection in stool samples is used as the most ideal standard for the diagnosis of human fascioliasis. However, this method has been proven not to be adequate when being employed in the acute phase of the disease, and presents a poor sensitivity during the chronic phase. Serodiagnosis has become an excellent alternative to coprological examination in efforts to combat the effects of fascioliasis on human and animal health. Human fascioliasis is usually recognized as an infection of the bile ducts and liver caused by Fasciola hepatica, known to affect over 2 million humans.

In …

Investigating The Role Of The Retinoblastoma Protein In The Expression Of Immunosuppressive Factors, Felipe Pérez Deliz, Pedro Santiago-Cardona, Phd, J. González, Phd, Jaileene Pérez-Morales, Meng

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest types of cancer, causing approximately 160,000 deaths per year in the US alone. Because of its poor detection techniques and highly invasive abilities, conventional treatments -such as radiation and chemotherapy- fail to improve long-term survival of patients. At the moment, the 5-year survival rate for all stages of lung cancer is only 16%. Recent breakthroughs in cancer research establish immunotherapy, which involves the stimulation of the immune system to target and attack cancer cells, as a highly promising alternative treatment against this deadly disease. However, the efficiency of this treatment varies on each …

Protein-To-Lipid Ratio Of Meibum As A Metric For Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, Isabel Ortiz, Eric Potma, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Dry eye disease is a condition caused by inadequate moisture levels in the eye that may result from one of two prevalent situations: reduced tear production, or imbalance in tear composition. The imbalance specific to deficiencies in the fatty, outer layer of the tear film is known as meibomian gland dysfunction. Meibomian glands secrete an oily substance, meibum, which slows the evaporation of the aqueous layer of the tear film. It is believed that the chemical composition of the meibum is directly related to its ability to keep the eye at healthy moisture. In analyzing the composition of meibum samples …

The Use Of Internal Combustion Boat Motors On Lakes On The Menominee Reservation, Dante Kaquatosh, Joshua Pyatskowit, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Introduction: The use of boat motors on lakes is allowed on some but not all lakes. Does the use of motorized boats have an effect on the quality of water?

Objective or Hypotheses: We will investigate the water quality in lakes to determine if there is a difference in water quality due to boat motors. We hypothesize that lakes where boat motors are allowed will have lower water quality than lakes where boat motors are not allowed.

Methods: Four different water quality parameters were measured (pH, Alkalinity, Hardness and Conductivity), from six different lakes. Water samples were taken from each …

Polychlorinated Biphenyls And Metabolic Diseases On St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, Jasmine Jemewouk, Pamela Miller, Ms, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are industrial chemicals that were used from 1929 until 1979 as a plasticizer in paints, plastics, and rubber products. However, PCBs continue to persist in the Arctic. They enter the Arctic environment through air and ocean currents. Sunlight and weathering help break down chemicals, so the Arctic’s lack of sunlight and precipitation during the winter allows PCBs to more readily accumulate. These chemicals settle either on organic films or water and are consequently absorbed by the Arctic food web. PCBs then bioaccumulatep in fatty tissues like omega-3 fatty acids. The higher the animal is in the food …

Localization Of Fulicin-Like Immunoreactivity In The Central Nervous System And Periphery Of Biomphalaria Glabrata, An Intermediate Host For Schistosomiasis, Anthony Hernandez-Vasquez, Mw Miller, Phd, S Rolon-Martinez, Bs, Lo Vaasjo, Bs, Mb Rodriguez

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

An estimate of about ten percent of the population worldwide live at risk of contracting the parasitic disease schistosomiasis, or “snail fever”. The digenetic trematode worm species Schistosoma mansoni that is responsible for causing the most common form of intestinal schistosomiasis requires the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata to serve as its primary intermediate host, where it multiplies and develops into its cercarial form that is infectious to humans. Parasitic castration and parasitic gigantism are among some of the profound behavioral changes that the infection of B. glabrata by S. mansoni is known to cause. For this reason, a neural transcriptomics …

The Contributions Of Skeletal Muscle Pkc Theta To Diet-Induced Obesity, Erika Harness, Joseph S. Marino, Phd, Yvette Huet, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Protein Kinase C- Theta (PKCθ) is a gene predominantly expressed in hematopoietic cells and skeletal muscle. In skeletal muscle, PKCθ regulates fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity. PKCθ activity increases in response to high levels of diacylglycerol in the cell, a common outcome of chronic high fat diet consumption and obesity. PKCθ is associated with skeletal muscle metabolic dysfunction, which may exacerbate weight gain and metabolic disease. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the selective deletion of PKCθ from skeletal muscle protects against diet-induced obesity.

Mice lacking PKCθ in skeletal muscle were created using Cre-Lox recombination. …

Pilot Study: Placental Weight Ratio In Diabetic Women With Preeclampsia, Lindsey Hancock, Misti Leyva, Phd, Rd/Ld, Christopher Ashton, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Birth weight, a simple measure of birth outcome, has a key role in assessing infant health. A primary determinant of birth weight is a well grown, efficient placenta. Placental weight ratio (PWR) reflects the growth of the baby and placenta and is calculated by dividing the placental weight by fetal weight and is a proven useful health indicator. Preeclampsia (PE) is defined as new-onset hypertension and proteinuria during pregnancy and it is a major cause of maternal and fetal death worldwide. PE is associated with large placentae and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants; the PWR is expected to be increased in this …

Polymorphisms In Alcohol Dehydrogenase (Adh): A Case Study On The Effects Of Adh And Aldh On Alcoholism Among Native American Population, Sage Bingaman, Jeevan Baretto, Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Genetic variations in an individual affects the way alcohol is metabolized in the body. Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH) are the two known enzymes that participate in alcohol metabolism. Polymorphisms of these enzymes are reported to make one more or less susceptible to alcoholism in some ethnic groups. The current study is a review of various articles highlighting the effects of ADH and ALDH on different populations.

A study of 26 Native American, 21 Inuit, and 17 caucasian ethnic groups revealed the influence of ADH and ALDH on alcohol dependence. In one of the studies, different ADH allele …