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ABSTRACTSocial work education promotes a critical lens through which students engage with power systems. As educators, faculty often decide whether to share their own identities with students, yet we lack research on reasons faculty choose to share (or not share) their identities, and the ways in which privilege and marginalization affect that decision. Using a mixed-method approach, this study (N=84) addresses that gap. Quantitative analysis revealed that age was associated with intentionally sharing that identity; no other social identity was significantly related to disclosure practices. Qualitative analysis revealed the nuanced reasons that faculty elected to disclose or not disclose their identities. Discussion of these findings is situated in critical pedagogy, examining how faculty address power structures in the classroom.

Background:Undergraduate outdoor orientation programs facilitate students’ transition into college. Research has yet to be conducted on the few programs at medical schools, which may have unique benefits given the specific challenges of transitioning to medical school and high rates of burnout among medical students. Purpose:This mixed methods study examines the impact of one medical school's outdoor orientation program on its participants. Methodology/Approach:A survey was administered immediately following the 2018 trip (N= 56 responses). Follow-up focus groups were conducted with a sample of the same participants (N= 18) in 2019. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings/Conclusions:Participants felt that the program helped ease their transition into medical school, establish a support system, and hone personal development and wellness skills. Many of these effects persisted up to one year later. Implications:These findings are of particular interest to the medical and experiential education communities because many outcomes persisted for at least one year after the original trip and aligned with factors believed to protect against medical student burnout. There is opportunity for additional research as well as expansion of similar programs to other medical schools.

To characterize the mistreatment identified within the University of Michigan's Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) clerkship and compare the rates of mistreatment to that of other clerkships in an effort to improve the learning environment.

ABSTRACTIn this article, we use case study methodology to provide a detailed description of the life of Lucy, a single, lesbian mother living in a rural community on a low income. Using the lens of stigma and minority stress theory (Meyer, 2003), we highlight the ways in which sexual-minority stress interacts with other life stressors, and analyze how they affect health and well-being. Four main themes emerged to describe Lucy's understanding of these stress processes: the intersection of her identities as a local, lesbian mother; the portability or mobility of these identities; conflicting messages of support and hostility; and the permanent or transitory nature of her stress. We contribute to the literature by examining the tenets of Meyer's original minority stress model and extending its theoretical applications.

AbstractThis study explores how rural, low-income mothers use family-based nature activities to promote the health of themselves and their families. Data were collected through in-person interviews with a sub-sample of mothers (n= 85) who participated in a larger multistate, mixed-methods longitudinal project. Grounded theory analysis techniques were used to depict the social process of how mothers engage in family-based nature activities to promote physical, psychological, and social health of each family member, as well as the health of the entire family within the context of rural poverty.

Recent research findings correlate an increased risk for dieases such as diabetes, macular degeneration and cardiovascular disease (CVD) with diets that rapidly raise the blood sugar levels; these diets are known as high glycemic index (GI) diets which include white breads, sodas and sweet deserts. Lower glycemia diets are usually rich in fruits, non-starchy vegetables and whole grain products. The goal of our study was to compare and contrast the effects of a low vs. high glycemic diet using the biochemical composition and microstructure of the heart. The improved spatial resolution and signal-to-noise for SR-FTIR obtained through the coupling of the bright synchrotron infrared photon source to an infrared spectral microscope enabled the molecular-level observation of diet-related changes within unfixed fresh frozen histologic sections of mouse cardiac tissue. High and low glycemic index (GI) diets were started at the age of five-months and continued for one year, with the diets only differing in their starch distribution (high GI diet = 100% amylopectin versus low GI diet = 30% amylopectin/70% amylose). Serial cryosections of cardiac tissue for SR-FTIR imaging alternated with adjacent hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained sections allowed not only fine-scale chemical analyses of glycogen and glycolipid accumulation along a vein as well as protein glycation hotspots co-localizing with collagen cold spots but also the tracking of morphological differences occurring in tandem with these chemical changes. As a result of the bright synchrotron infrared photon source coupling, we were able to provide significant molecular evidence for a positive correlation between protein glycation and collagen degradation in our mouse model. Our results bring a new insight not only to the effects of long-term GI dietary practices of the public but also to the molecular and chemical foundation behind the cardiovascular disease pathogenesis commonly seen in diabetic patients.

The article discusses the advantages of making art clays with children. Enhancement of the child's creativity; Development of parent-child relationship; Citation of sharing experiences with children.

Relates the author's experience in raising a child in a community. Pros and cons of raising a child in an intentional community; Popularity of cohousing; Conflict on the differing parenting styles within the community.

Presents tools and techniques in making art clays. Types of clay; Importance of creative hands as a tool; Suggestion of wedging clay before beginning the creation.