Proton Shell Gaps in N=28 Nuclei from the First Complete Spectroscopy Study with FRIB Decay Station Initiator

The first complete measurement of the β-decay strength distribution of _{17}^{45}Cl_{28} was performed at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) with the FRIB Decay Station Initiator during the second FRIB experiment. The measurement involved the detection of neutrons and γ rays in two focal planes of the FRIB Decay Station Initiator in a single experiment for the first time. This enabled an analytical consistency in extracting the β-decay strength distribution over the large range of excitation energies, including neutron unbound states. We observe a rapid increase in the β-decay strength distribution above the neutron separation energy in _{18}^{45}Ar_{27}. This was interpreted to be caused by the transitioning of neutrons into protons excited across the Z=20 shell gap. The SDPF-MU interaction with reduced shell gap best reproduced the data. The measurement demonstrates a new approach that is sensitive to the proton shell gap in neutron rich nuclei according to SDPF-MU calculations.

Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Self-Cutting Behavior Among Adolescents at First Contact with the Juvenile Court

Adolescents involved in juvenile legal system are at increased risk for self-cutting behavior, however, correlates associated with elevated risk remain underresearched, particularly among youth with first involvement with the court. This study utilized an epidemiological two-year longitudinal study involving 401 adolescents at first contact with the court (Mage = 14.47; SDage = 1.94 years; 43% female; 42% Latinx/Hispanic) and an involved caregiver. Study aims examined key prospective psychosocial correlates of self-cutting behavior. Baseline assessments captured individual and family level risk and protective factors; self-cutting behavior was assessed longitudinally every four months post-baseline for 24 months. Psychosocial correlates of self-cutting behavior included adolescent affect dysregulation, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, impulsive decision making, anxiety and depression symptoms. Significant protective factors included positive communication with caregiver and family, higher self-esteem, and having a caring and supportive family. These findings suggest that internalizing symptoms as well as difficulties with emotion regulation and impulsive decision making are correlated with heightened risk for self-cutting behavior among adolescents involved in the juvenile legal system. The findings also suggest that individual and family level protective factors, like positive communication and a supportive family, are associated with decreased risk for self-cutting behavior among adolescents at first contact with the court.

Impact of Family, Neighborhood, and Schools on Behavioral Health Needs of Justice-Involved Latinx Adolescents

Latinx adolescents are overrepresented in the justice system and have high untreated behavioral health needs. We examined the family as well as promotive and inhibitive environments (i.e., neighborhood and school) and their associations on behavioral health among 181 first-time justice-involved Latinx adolescents. Results showed that more optimal caregiver-adolescent attachment was associated with fewer behavioral health needs; more negative caregiver-adolescent communication with greater behavioral health needs. Increased neighborhood disadvantage and negative school interactions served as inhibitive environments and were associated with greater behavioral health needs. Moderation analyses indicated that negative communication was associated with greater behavioral health needs among dyads with large acculturation differences but not for dyads close in acculturation. Findings underscore the need to assess the family relationships and communication, promotive/inhibitive environments, and acculturation differences when determining how to meet behavioral health needs among justice-involved Latinx adolescents.

A novel multifamily treatment targeting symptoms related to Latinx caregiver deportation

OBJECTIVE

Latinx youth who have experienced caregiver deportation show higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and internalizing symptoms compared to Latinx youth who have not. Thus, there is a need for culturally and linguistically appropriate therapeutic approaches to address psychiatric needs related to caregiver deportation. Positive Adaptations for Trauma and Healing (PATH) is a manualized 10-week group therapy for Latinx youth and their caregivers that integrates trauma-informed interventions with positive psychology and resilience interventions. The present study examined PATH for reducing trauma symptomatology for Latinx youth who endured at least three traumatic experiences in their caregiving system as well as differences for Latinx youth who experienced their caregiver's deportation.

METHOD

Self-identified Latinx youth (N = 31) and their Spanish-speaking caregivers were recruited from two urban hospitals. All youth experienced three or more traumatic events. Pre- to postintervention mean change was measured with t tests; mixed-effects analysis of variance assessed whether the program was feasible for youth who had experienced a caregiver deportation versus Latinx youth who did not.

RESULTS

Assessment with the Trauma Symptom Checklist and the UCLA PTSD Index for Youth showed statistically significant reductions on Anxiety, Depression, Anger, and PTSD subscales. Latinx youth who experienced a caregiver's deportation exhibited larger reductions in anger symptoms and PTSD symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Study results suggest that the novel group therapy intervention was feasible and acceptable for Latinx youth and their caregivers. Despite a small sample size, the intervention proved feasible for Latinx youth who experienced caregiver deportation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Ecological systems in relation to Latinx youth in the juvenile justice system: A narrative literature review

We conducted a narrative review of literature focused on Latinx youth in the Juvenile Justice System (JJS). The goal of this review was to identify the behavioral health needs and social and cultural factors that place Latinx youth at disproportionate risk for contact and entrenchment with the JJS. Ecodevelopmental Theory (ET) was used as the guiding framework for this review, and a total of 16 peer reviewed articles from Embase, PsychINFO, and Pubmed were collected, analyzed, and summarized. Consistent with ET, we organized themes from the literature into the following sections: (a) microsystem (i.e., family, psychiatric care, sexual health care, school); (b) mesosystem (i.e., family and social environment); (c) exosystem (i.e., family and neighborhood context, and bicultural stress); and (d) macrosystem (i.e., generational status, cultural stress, social class). Sociopolitical disparities, such as disproportionate sentencing by social class and trauma stemming from political violence, and intersections of cultural variables (e.g., generational status and acculturation) should be closely considered in any prevention and intervention efforts targeting Latinx youths. More research to understand and address the unique needs of this population is also needed.

Latinx Youth in First Contact with the Justice System: Trauma and Associated Behavioral Health Needs

This study examines the prevalence of trauma exposure and its association with psychiatric symptoms, substance use, and sexual activity among First-Time Offending, Court-Involved Non-Incarcerated (FTO-CINI) Latinx youth. Latinx youth (N = 181), ages 12-18, were recruited from a family court in the Northeastern region of the United States as part of a longitudinal cohort study of 423 FTO-CINI youth. Baseline data on trauma exposure and symptoms, psychiatric symptoms, substance use (alcohol/marijuana), and sexual activity among the Latinx sample were analyzed by age, gender, and offense type (status versus delinquent). Almost three-quarters of Latinx FTO-CINI youth reported lifetime trauma exposure. Almost half of Latinx youth reported lifetime marijuana use, 30% reported lifetime alcohol use, and 33% reported lifetime sexual activity. Females reported higher rates of internalizing symptoms and greater affect dysregulation. Trauma-exposed youth were more likely than their non-exposed peers to have reported more externalizing symptoms; trauma-exposed females compared to trauma-exposed males reported more severe internalizing symptoms. Latinx FTO-CINI females may have different behavioral health needs than their male counterparts. Court-based screening and assessment practices should attend to the specific behavioral needs of this unique, underserved population.

Positive adaptations for trauma and healing (PATH), a pilot study of group therapy with Latino youth

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of Positive Adaptations for Trauma and Healing (PATH), a manualized treatment for Latino youth and their caregivers. PATH is a culturally adapted program that incorporates a trauma model, positive psychology, and resilience.

METHOD

Latino youth (N = 16) recruited from an urban community clinic participated in PATH with their caregiver. Pre- and postintervention measures on trauma symptoms, resilience, depression, caregiver's view of their youth's well-being, and positive and negative emotions were gathered. Following the intake meetings (1 to 3), the families participated in 10 90-minute weekly group sessions (total of 3 groups). Caregiver groups were conducted in Spanish, and youth in English.

RESULTS

At pretest, 56% of the youth endorsed clinically significant symptoms on the UCLA PTSD Index (M = 34.2, SD = 11.2); the percentage dropped to 0% at posttest (M = 17.3, SD = 7.6). Youth reported pre- to posttest reductions on the Child Depression Inventory (mean difference [Mdiff] = 7.3; p = .004) and externalizing (Mdiff = 6.1; p < .001) and internalizing (Mdiff = 9.4; p < .001) behaviors on the caregiver-reported Child Behavior Checklist. Overall, there was high treatment engagement (93% attendance over 10 weeks).

CONCLUSION

This novel treatment engaged a community-based Latino sample. The results suggest high acceptability and significant reduction in trauma symptoms and associated symptoms. This study included a small number of participants and results should be interpreted with caution. Future iterations will target larger number of participants to further assess feasibility. (PsycINFO Database Record

Student-led intervention to inNOvate hand hygiene practice in Auckland Region's medical students (the No HHARMS study)

BACKGROUND

Hand hygiene is important in reducing healthcare-associated infections. The World Health Organization has defined 'five moments' when hand hygiene compliance is required. During 2013, New Zealand national data showed poor compliance with these moments by medical students.

AIM

To improve medical students' compliance with the five moments.

METHODS

In this prospective student-led quality improvement initiative, student investigators developed, implemented and evaluated a multi-modal intervention comprising a three-month social media campaign, a competition and an entertaining educational video. Data on individual patient-medical student interactions were collected covertly by observers at baseline and at one week, six weeks and three months after initiation of the intervention.

RESULTS

During the campaign, compliance improved in moment 2, but not significantly in moments 1, 3, 4 or 5. Statistical analysis of amalgamated data was limited by non-independent data points-a consideration apparently not always addressed in previous studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The initiative produced improvements in compliance by medical students with one hand hygiene moment. Statistical analysis of amalgamated data for all five moments should allow for the non-independence of each occasion in which clinicians interact with a patient. More work is needed to ensure excellent hand hygiene practices of future doctors.

Evaluating minimally invasive surgery training using low-cost mechanical simulations

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to develop, test, and validate the efficacy of inexpensive mechanical minimally invasive surgery (MIS) model simulations for training faculty, residents, and medical students. We sought to demonstrate that trained and experienced MIS surgeon raters could reliably rate the MIS skills acquired during these simulations.

METHODS

We developed three renewable models that represent difficult or challenging segments of laparoscopic procedures; laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and laparoscopic inguinal hernia (LH). We videotaped 10 students, 12 surgical residents, and 1 surgeon receiving training on each of the models and again during their posttraining evaluation session. Five MIS surgeons then assessed the evaluation session performance. For each simulation, we asked them to rate overall competence (COM) and four skills: clinical judgment (respect for tissue) (CJ), dexterity (economy of movement) (DEX), serial/simultaneous complexity (SSC), and spatial orientation (SO). We computed intraclass correlation (ICC) coefficients to determine the extent of agreement (i.e., reliability) among ratings.

RESULTS

We obtained ICC values of 0.74, 0.84, and 0.81 for COM ratings on LH, LC, and LA, respectively. We also obtained the following ICC values for the same three models: CJ, 0.75, 0.83, and 0.89; DEX, 0.88, 0.86, and 0.89; SSC, 0.82, 0.82, and 0.82; and SO, 0.86, 0.86, and 0.87, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We obtained very high reliability of performance ratings for competence and surgical skills using a mechanical simulator. Typically, faculty evaluations of residents in the operating room are much less reliable. In contrast, when faculty members observe residents in a controlled, standardized environment, their ratings can be very reliable.

Increasing nursing involvement in cancer prevention and control among the economically disadvantaged: the nursing challenge

The American Cancer Society sponsored a series of hearings to document the magnitude of the problems faced by the poor in seeking cancer care. The findings reflected that economically disadvantaged Americans are often forced to accept substandard health care services and face numerous problems when seeking preventive care and treatment. The glimpse from inside the circle of poverty (statements from the hearings) provides an opportunity to better understand the problems faced by the poor in accessing health care and to better recommend strategies for effecting a positive change.

Obstacles to cancer care: focus on the economically disadvantaged

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To provide additional documentation of the unmet cancer prevention and control needs of poor Americans.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Qualitative analysis of testimony provided at American Cancer Society hearings on cancer and the poor.

SAMPLE

46 economically disadvantaged individuals with personal experiences with cancer.

METHODS

Review of transcription of oral testimony and qualitative analysis for recurrent themes to identify common obstacles to cancer care.

FINDINGS

Six major obstacles were identified: care was deferred because of costs; care was described as "fragmented," "impersonal," and "symptomatic;" patients were discouraged from worrying about bodily changes; patients were discouraged from seeking state-of-the-art care; poor patients experienced difficulty communicating their needs and concerns; and poverty interfered with efforts to participate in volunteer activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Testimony is suggestive of the problems that poor patients with cancer face. Challenges to improve the situation include expanding and extending diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitative services to the poor; facilitating education and prevention; and further research to document the scope of the problem.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses should engage in the debate over healthcare reform and take advantage of the opportunities to define and participate in the development of procedures, strategies, and systems for removing obstacles to quality cancer prevention and care for the poor.

Effect of hyperimmune bovine colostrum raised against Cryptosporidium parvum on infection of guinea pigs by Cryptosporidium wrairi

Oocysts shedding was markedly reduced in guinea pigs inoculated intraintestinally with Cryptosporidium wrairi sporozoites that had been incubated with hyperimmune bovine colostrum raised to C. parvum when compared with shedding in guinea pigs inoculated with sporozoites incubated in either non-immune bovine colostrum or buffered saline. However oocyst shedding was apparently not reduced in guinea pigs inoculated by gavage with oocysts of C. wrairi and subsequently treated twice daily per os with hyperimmune bovine colostrum. Similarly, oocyst shedding was apparently not reduced by oral treatment with hyperimmune bovine colostrum when treatment was begun simultaneously with inoculation of C. wrairi oocysts.

Quantitation of bovine sperm cytoplasmic calcium with Quin-2 and Fura-2: evidence that external calcium does not have direct access to the sperm cytoplasm

Internal calcium levels of sperm loaded with Quin-2 in the absence or presence of exogenous calcium were 63 +/- 5 and 189 +/- 19 nM, respectively. These values were similar to those determined by Fura-2. Surprisingly, however, dye loaded sperm depleted of internal calcium did not take up calcium from the medium into the cytoplasm upon re-addition of this ion. Uptake was rapid and maximal, however, if these cells were exposed to the calcium ionophores A23187 or ionomycin. Increasing [Quin-2]i progressively lowered [Ca2+]i in spite of the presence of exogenous calcium during dye loading. This anomaly was not due to interference of the fluorophores with calcium uptake, since exogenous 45Ca2+ was taken up at the same rate and to the same extent by control and fluorophore loaded sperm. This 45Ca2+ uptake was mitochondrial and energy dependent. Also, inhibition of mitochondrial calcium accumulation during dye loading lowered [Ca2+]i to values similar to those observed for calcium depleted sperm. These results suggest an extreme impermeability of the sperm plasma membrane to direct calcium entry into the cytoplasm while substantial amounts of calcium entry occurs into the sperm mitochondria.

Potential artifacts in scanning electron microscopy of the trabecular meshwork in glaucoma

We examined the trabecular meshwork surface by scanning electron microscopy to investigate possible artifacts appearing during collection and preparation of trabeculectomy specimens. As controls, trabecular tissue samples from normal and glaucomatous patients were dissected from whole eyes obtained at enucleation or at autopsy. Our results suggest that the major contaminants are released during decompression of the globe at trabeculectomy; these consist of an amorphous substance, a fibrillar material, and, occasionally, red blood cells. Small tissue samples may also abe contaminated by the conducting adhesive used to fasten them to metal stubs. This silver paint may coat the surface of the meshwork and appear to be a smooth substance blocking the outflow of aqueous humor. We were unable to confirm the finding reported by others that an amorphous blocking material is present in the trabecular interstices in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Revision of filtration surgery

Forty-one procedures were performed to revise malfunctioning filtering blebs in 37 eyes. Thirty-two procedures were undertaken on underfiltering blebs, seven on overfiltering blebs, and two on normally functioning but otherwise unsatisfactory blebs. Revision procedures were successful in 24 of 32 underfiltering blebs, four of seven overfiltering blebs, and one of two normally functioning but unsatisfactory blebs.