Explore the vast range of titles available.

Disproportionate access to healthcare services among the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning and others (LGBTQ+) population can be partially attributed to the lack of cultural competence among healthcare providers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an interprofessional model in improving cultural competence and clinical preparedness among dental and pharmacy students for providing LGBTQ+ specific care. This study is a retrospective observational study which used a novel interprofessional model of three different LGBTQ+ focused educational interventions within a group of dental and pharmacy students. The study used pre- and post-surveys, Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale (AITCS-II) and the Team Observed Structured Clinical Encounter (TOSCE) evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the interventions. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Welch test, Kruskal-Wallis Test, and pairwise Wilcox Test were employed to analyze quantitative data while qualitative insights were gathered from evaluator comments and student feedback. The study evaluated cultural competence among 154 dental and pharmacy students revealing improved cultural humility post-intervention, particularly for dental students although not statistically significant (p>0.05). Students participating in multiple interventions had higher mean scores, but the differences were not significant (p>0.05). Significant differences were found among interprofessional teams of students in the domains of roles and responsibilities (p = 0.039) and patient centered approach (p = 0.039). No significant differences were found in individual scores participation in the teams (p = 0.018). Students also provided positive feedback on the program's impact on their understanding of LGBTQ+ health issues and inclusive care. This program was a novel intervention aimed at improving cultural competence for health professional students in an interprofessional environment Further research in the direction can be useful in creating replicable programs.

Organic acids produced by biota have been shown to accelerate the dissolution of minerals, possibly creating biosignatures in either reacting solutions or the solid materials. We tested aqueous alteration of serpentinite in three groups of solutions: inorganic acids, organic acids created through abiotic processes (termed “abiotic–organics”), and organic acids created through biotic processes (termed “biotic acids”) over a range of temperatures relevant to conditions on Mars and Europa. A total of 48 batch reactor experiments were carried out at 0 °C, 22 °C, and 62 °C in 16 different acids at pH 2.6 over 28 days. Additional experiments were conducted in sulfuric acid solutions to assess aqueous alteration in sulfate-rich environments. These results show that biotic acids accelerate serpentinite dissolution compared to the control inorganic acid, whereas abiotic–organic acids have little or no effect. Sulfuric acid enhances serpentinite dissolution over nitric acid. Secondary precipitates found in the presence of biotic acids were consistently enhanced in Mn, Ti, and W. We propose that these preferentially released elements and secondary minerals may be potential biosignatures. We also show that the release of the rock-forming elements Mg and Si is correlated with stability constants for the metal–acid aqueous complex, providing a possible mechanistic interpretation of the observed results.

Impaired blood flow and oxygenation contribute to many ocular pathologies, including glaucoma. Here, a mathematical model is presented that combines an image-based heterogeneous representation of retinal arterioles with a compartmental description of capillaries and venules. The arteriolar model of the human retina is extrapolated from a previous mouse model based on confocal microscopy images. Every terminal arteriole is connected in series to compartments for capillaries and venules, yielding a hybrid model for predicting blood flow and oxygenation throughout the retinal microcirculation. A metabolic wall signal is calculated in each vessel according to blood and tissue oxygen levels. As expected, a higher average metabolic signal is generated in pathways with a lower average oxygen level. The model also predicts a wide range of metabolic signals dependent on oxygen levels and specific network location. For example, for high oxygen demand, a threefold range in metabolic signal is predicted despite nearly identical PO2 levels. This whole-network approach, including a spatially nonuniform structure, is needed to describe the metabolic status of the retina. This model provides the geometric and hemodynamic framework necessary to predict ocular blood flow regulation and will ultimately facilitate early detection and treatment of ischemic and metabolic disorders of the eye.

The practice of meditation appears in a positive light within the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible (Ahlgren, G. (1996). Teresa of Avila and the politics of sanctity. Cornell University Press). The Church began to condemn meditation during the Middle Ages and punished those who taught or practiced it. These negative attitudes continue today among many Christians, which hinders their ability to gain the various health and spiritual benefits that may come from these practices. This study examined Christians’ attitudes about meditation to better understand Christians’ negative attitudes about meditation and how those originated. The research question was: How do negative attitudes regarding meditation originate and develop within some Christians?A case study method was used. Ten Christian-identifying individuals from the United States who reported having negative attitudes toward at least one form of meditation were recruited. Participants completed two demographic and attitudinal surveys and one interview. Survey data were tabulated, and interview data were examined using thematic analysis.The surveys provided demographic data on the participants. The interviews revealed that the participants classify meditation into two or three categories: Christian/Biblical meditation and all other meditation or Christian/Biblical meditation, secular meditation, and other religious meditation. The study also suggested that Christians have positive attitudes regarding what is known as Christian/Biblical meditation while having negative attitudes regarding other religious meditation. Secular meditation was an acceptable practice to some and not an acceptable practice to others. The participants’ attitudes originated from various means, such as the media, relatives, ministerial training, podcasts, church leaders, and the Bible, and these attitudes developed through similar means.Study findings were consistent with mere exposure theory, as those who practiced different forms of meditation appeared to be more in favor of it. Three recommendations have been presented for future research. First, use different approaches to sampling. Second, increase the sample size. Finally, expand the survey beyond demographics to include measures related to the research question. Future research along these lines could be beneficial to expand our understanding of the ways Christians acquire and develop attitudes toward meditation.

State lawmakers passed Senate Bill 234 last week and sent the legislation to Republican Governor Jeff Landry's office for signature. Texas enacted a similar law in 2021 targeting Corporate America's firearm policies, and it has hurt some large banks' public-finance business in the state. \"In turn, this may result in a marginal but indeterminable increase in overall costs if the remaining bidders marginally increase bid rates with the knowledge that competition has been diminished.\"

Silicate minerals are the most common mineral group in the earth’s crust so it is not surprising that their weathering reactions dominate the chemistry of many earth surface processes. This project used forsterite as a model system to identify the important factors that affect silicate mineral dissolution rates and grain lifetimes in the weathering environment. I determined an empirical rate law for forsterite dissolution of forsterite in oxalic acid solutions: [special characters omitted]based on a series of 124 semi-batch reactor experiments over a pH range of 0 to 7 and total oxalate concentrations between 0 and 0.35 m at 25°C. These experiments show that oxalate-promoted dissolution rates depend upon both oxalate concentration and pH. I propose a reaction mechanism in which a hydrogen ion and an oxalate ion are simultaneously present in the activated complex for the reaction that releases H4SiO 4 into solution. By analogy, I propose that water acts as a ligand in the absence of oxalate. I also ran 82 batch reactor experiments in magnesium and sodium sulfate and magnesium and potassium nitrate solutions. These experiments show that ionic strength up to 12 m, log mMg up to 4 m, and log mSO4 up to 3 m have no effect on forsterite dissolution rates. However, decreasing aH2O slows forsterite dissolution rates. The effect of decreasing dissolution rates with decreasing aH2O is consistent with the idea that water acts as a ligand that participates in the dissolution process. Forsterite dissolution rate data from previously published studies were combined with results from my experiments and regressed to produce rate laws at low and high pH. For pH < 5.05 [special characters omitted]and for pH > 5.05 [special characters omitted]I then developed a diagram that shows the effect rate-determining variables on the lifetime of olivine grains in weathering environments using these rate laws.