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This music score was submitted for Resonate 2024: An Open Access Call for Scores by the UCLA Music Library with Bent Frequency and Jan Berry Baker.

Background: An estimated 3 billion people, largely in low- and middle-income countries, rely on unclean fuels for cooking, heating, and lighting to meet household energy needs. The resulting exposure to household air pollution (HAP) is a leading cause of pneumonia, chronic lung disease, and other adverse health effects. In the last decade, randomized controlled trials of clean cooking interventions to reduce HAP have been conducted. We aim to provide guidance on how to interpret the findings of these trials and how they should inform policy makers and practitioners.Methods: We assembled a multidisciplinary working group of international researchers, public health practitioners, and policymakers with expertise in household air pollution from within academia, the American Thoracic Society, funders, nongovernmental organizations, and global organizations, including the World Bank and the World Health Organization. We performed a literature search, convened four sessions via web conference, and developed consensus conclusions and recommendations via the Delphi method.Results: The committee reached consensus on 14 conclusions and recommendations. Although some trials using cleaner-burning biomass stoves or cleaner-cooking fuels have reduced HAP exposure, the committee was divided (with 55% saying no and 45% saying yes) on whether the studied interventions improved measured health outcomes.Conclusions: HAP is associated with adverse health effects in observational studies. However, it remains unclear which household energy interventions reduce exposure, improve health, can be scaled, and are sustainable. Researchers should engage with policy makers and practitioners working to scale cleaner energy solutions to understand and address their information needs.

Household air pollution (HAP) from cooking with solid fuels used during pregnancy has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial was a randomized controlled trial that assessed the impact of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove and fuel intervention on health in Guatemala, India, Peru, and Rwanda. Here we investigated the effects of the LPG stove and fuel intervention on stillbirth, congenital anomalies and neonatal mortality and characterized exposure-response relationships between personal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), black carbon (BC) and carbon monoxide (CO) and these outcomes. Pregnant women (18 to

Household air pollution from solid cooking fuel use during gestation has been associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. The Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial was a randomized controlled trial of free liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves and fuel in Guatemala, Peru, India, and Rwanda. A primary outcome of the main trial was to report the effects of the intervention on infant birth weight. Here we evaluate the effects of a LPG stove and fuel intervention during pregnancy on spontaneous abortion, postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and maternal mortality compared to women who continued to use solid cooking fuels. Pregnant women (18-34 years of age; gestation confirmed by ultrasound at 9-19 weeks) were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 1593) or control (n = 1607) arm. Intention-to-treat analyses compared outcomes between the two arms using log-binomial models. Among the 3195 pregnant women in the study, there were 10 spontaneous abortions (7 intervention, 3 control), 93 hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (47 intervention, 46 control), 11 post postpartum hemorrhage (5 intervention, 6 control) and 4 maternal deaths (3 intervention, 1 control). Compared to the control arm, the relative risk of spontaneous abortion among women randomized to the intervention was 2.32 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60, 8.96), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy 1.02 (95% CI: 0.68, 1.52), postpartum hemorrhage 0.83 (95% CI: 0.25, 2.71) and 2.98 (95% CI: 0.31, 28.66) for maternal mortality. In this study, we found that adverse maternal outcomes did not differ based on randomized stove type across four country research sites.

Introduction: An innovative undergraduate helping skills course where students learn, practice, and apply a problem management model with a peer volunteer on a non-clinical issue across three supervised helping meetings is presented. Statement of the Problem: Undergraduate helping skill courses are typically offered as in-class role-plays. This course goes beyond role-plays and provides an authentic helping experience with an out-of-class peer volunteer. Literature Review: Literature supports an argument for deeper learning by extending the typical process of role-play-based helping skill learning to the application of skills to support a peer with a genuine issue. Teaching Implications: Lecture, in-class skills practice, and supervision with the instructor facilitates student capacity to work with a non-classmate peer volunteer. Instructors closely oversee student work in and outside of class to provide an ethical, structured, non-professional helping experience. Conclusion: We highlight here the constructivist and mastery underpinning of an undergraduate helping skills course. Along with instructor feedback, student learning and growth are facilitated by students' own reflections of the helping process with their peer volunteers. Student helpers describe the course as impactful. Course resources are available in open materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for premature death globally despite the existence of evidence-based and cost-effective treatments. Medication nonadherence is cited as the main cause of treatment failure for hypertension. In Peru, adherence to anti-hypertensive medications of individuals with both hypertension and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is not well studied. The few studies that have investigated differences in anti-hypertensive medication adherence among patients with and without T2D have demonstrated both positive and negative effects. Methods: In a cross-sectional study in Puno, Peru, we compared anti-hypertensive medication adherence in individuals with hypertension between those with and without comorbid T2D. The primary outcome was adherence to anti-hypertensive medications as assessed by the Hill-Bone Compliance scale. The primary exposure variable was comorbidity status (i.e., having hypertension and diabetes vs. hypertension alone). Results: Of the 204 participants with hypertension (mean age 67 ± 11 years, 60% female), 42 (21%) had comorbid diabetes. Participants with comorbid disease had higher overall anti-hypertensive adherence scores (49.5 ± 2.8 vs. 48.0 ± 4.1 points; p<0.001) and higher medication adherence scores (32.8 ± 2.2 vs. 31.3 ± 3.7 points; p<0.01) when compared to those with hypertension alone. In multivariable regression, comorbid diabetes and monthly income above 250 soles (68 USD) were associated with higher Hill-Bone Compliance scale scores by 1.5 ± 0.7 points (p=0.025) and 2.0 ± 0.7 points (p<0.01), respectively. Conclusions: Participants with comorbid hypertension and diabetes exhibited higher adherence to anti-hypertensive medications when compared to those with hypertension alone, suggesting that individuals with comorbid disease are more likely to adhere to anti-hypertensive medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although prostate cancer typically runs an indolent course, a subset of men develop aggressive, fatal forms of this disease. We hypothesize that germline variation modulates susceptibility to aggressive prostate cancer. The goal of this work is to identify susceptibility genes using the C57BL/6-Tg(TRAMP)8247Ng/J (TRAMP) mouse model of neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was performed in transgene-positive (TRAMPxNOD/ShiLtJ) F2 intercross males (n = 228), which facilitated identification of 11 loci associated with aggressive disease development. Microarray data derived from 126 (TRAMPxNOD/ShiLtJ) F2 primary tumors were used to prioritize candidate genes within QTLs, with candidate genes deemed as being high priority when possessing both high levels of expression-trait correlation and a proximal expression QTL. This process enabled the identification of 35 aggressive prostate tumorigenesis candidate genes. The role of these genes in aggressive forms of human prostate cancer was investigated using two concurrent approaches. First, logistic regression analysis in two human prostate gene expression datasets revealed that expression levels of five genes (CXCL14, ITGAX, LPCAT2, RNASEH2A, and ZNF322) were positively correlated with aggressive prostate cancer and two genes (CCL19 and HIST1H1A) were protective for aggressive prostate cancer. Higher than average levels of expression of the five genes that were positively correlated with aggressive disease were consistently associated with patient outcome in both human prostate cancer tumor gene expression datasets. Second, three of these five genes (CXCL14, ITGAX, and LPCAT2) harbored polymorphisms associated with aggressive disease development in a human GWAS cohort consisting of 1,172 prostate cancer patients. This study is the first example of using a systems genetics approach to successfully identify novel susceptibility genes for aggressive prostate cancer. Such approaches will facilitate the identification of novel germline factors driving aggressive disease susceptibility and allow for new insights into these deadly forms of prostate cancer.

Introduction Household air pollution (HAP) from the combustion of solid fuels such as wood, crop waste, and animal dung is among the leading environmental risk factors for preventable disease (Bennitt [...], Background: Household air pollution (HAP) from biomass fuel combustion remains a leading environmental risk factor for morbidity worldwide. Objective: Measure the effect of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) interventions on HAP exposures in Puno, Peru. Methods: We conducted a 1-y randomized controlled trial followed by a 1-y pragmatic crossover trial in 180 women age 25-64 y. During the first year, intervention participants received a free LPG stove, continuous fuel delivery, and regular behavioral messaging, whereas controls continued their biomass cooking practices. During the second year, control participants received a free LPG stove, regular behavioral messaging, and vouchers to obtain LPG tanks from a nearby distributor, whereas fuel distribution stopped for intervention participants. We collected 48-h kitchen area concentrations and personal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter [less than or equal to]2.5 [micro]m (P[M.sub.2.5]), black carbon (BC), and carbon monoxide (CO) at baseline and 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months post randomization. Results: Baseline mean [+ or -] standard deviation (SD)] P[M.sub.2.5] (kitchen area concentrations 1,220 [+ or -]1,010 vs. 1,190 [+ or -]880 [micro]g/[m.sup.3]; personal exposure 126 [+ or -]214 vs. 104 [+ or -] 100 [micro]g/[m.sup.3]), CO (kitchen 53 [+ or - ]49 vs. 50 [+ or -]41 ppm; personal 7 [+ or -] 8 vs. 7 [+ or -] 8ppm), and BC (kitchen 180 [+ or -] 120 vs. 210 [+ or -] 150 [micro]g/[m.sup.3]; personal 19 [+ or -]16 vs. 21 [+ or -]22 [micro]g/[m.sup.3]) were similar between control and intervention participants. Intervention participants had consistently lower mean ([+ or -] SD) concentrations at the 12-month visit for kitchen (41 [+ or - ]59 [micro]g/[m.sup.3], 3 [+ or - ]6[micro]g/[m.sup.3], and 8 [+ or -] 13 ppm) and personal exposures (26 [+ or - ]34 [micro]g/[m.sup.3], 2[+ or -]3 [micro]g/[m.sup.3], and 3 [+ or -]4ppm) to P[M.sub.2.5], BC, and CO when compared to controls during the first year. In the second year, we observed comparable HAP reductions among controls after the voucher-based intervention for LPG fuel was implemented (24-month visit P[M.sub.2.5], BC, and CO kitchen mean concentrations of 34 [+ or -]74 [micro]g/[m.sup.3], 3[+ or -]5 [micro]g/[m.sup.3], and 6 [+ or -]6 ppm and personal exposures of 17 [+ or -] 15 [micro]g/[m.sup.3], 2[+ or -]2[micro]g/[m.sup.3], and 3 [+ or -]4 ppm, respectively), and average reductions were present among intervention participants even after free fuel distribution stopped (24-month visit P[M.sub.2.5], BC, and CO kitchen mean concentrations of 561 [+ or -] 1,251 [micro]g/[m.sup.3], 82 [+ or -] 124 [micro]g/[m.sup.3], and 23 [+ or -] 28 ppm and personal exposures of 35 [+ or -]38 [micro]g/[m.sup.3], 6[+ or -]6 [micro]g/[m.sup.3], and4[+ or -] 5 ppm, respectively). Discussion: Both home delivery and voucher-based provision of free LPG over a 1- y period, in combination with provision of a free LPG stove and longitudinal behavioral messaging, reduced HAP to levels below 24-h World Health Organization air quality guidelines. Moreover, the effects of the intervention on HAP persisted for a year after fuel delivery stopped. Such strategies could be applied in LPG programs to reduce HAP and potentially improve health. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10054

Objective: Household air pollution (HAP) is a widespread environmental exposure worldwide. While several cleaner fuel interventions have been implemented to reduce personal exposures to HAP, it is unclear if cooking with cleaner fuels also affects the choice of meals and dietary intake. Design: Individually randomised, open-label controlled trial of a HAP intervention. We aimed to determine the effect of a HAP intervention on dietary and Na intake. Intervention participants received a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove, continuous fuel delivery and behavioural messaging during 1 year whereas control participants continued with usual cooking practices that involved the use of biomass-burning stoves. Dietary outcomes included energy, energy-adjusted macronutrients and Na intake at baseline, 6 months and 12 months post-randomisation using 24-h dietary recalls and 24-h urine. We used t -tests to estimate differences between arms in the post-randomisation period. Setting: Rural settings in Puno, Peru. Participants: One hundred women aged 25–64 years. Results: At baseline, control and intervention participants were similar in age (47·4 v. 49·5 years) and had similar daily energy (8894·3 kJ v. 8295·5 kJ), carbohydrate (370·8 g v. 373·3 g) and Na intake (4·9 g v. 4·8 g). One year after randomisation, we did not find differences in average energy intake (9292·4 kJ v. 8788·3 kJ; P = 0·22) or Na intake (4·5 g v. 4·6 g; P = 0·79) between control and intervention participants. Conclusions: Our HAP intervention consisting of an LPG stove, continuous fuel distribution and behavioural messaging did not affect dietary and Na intake in rural Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable isotope altimetry is a useful tool for estimating paleoelevation in sedimentary records. Yet questions remain regarding how source moisture, climate, and local topography can influence these estimates. Here we present stable isotope altimetry results on late Quaternary pedogenic carbonates of known elevation on both flanks of the Andean orogen at 33[degrees]S. We measured [[delta].sup.18]O values of pedogenic carbonates and river water samples from small drainages at regular elevation increments within the Rio Aconcagua (Chile) and Rio Mendoza (Argentina) catchments. The [[delta].sup.8]O values of river waters correlate well with elevation and show similar isotopic gradients between the Chilean (-3.7%/km) and Argentine (-4.8%/km) sides of the range. Uncertainties associated with scatter in the river water data and assumptions about the temperature of carbonate formation indicate that elevation estimates have 1[sigma] errors of 350-450 m. We estimate the isotopic composition of soil water from pedogenic carbonates on both sides of the range by assuming mean annual temperatures based the modern temperature lapse rate from meteorological station data. Combined, our data show that stable isotope altimetry produces reasonable estimates of modern elevation, with the majority of our samples (60%) within the l[sigma] uncertainties and 77 % within 2[sigma]. doi: 10.1130/G30308A.1

Household air pollution (HAP) from biomass stoves is a leading risk factor for cardiopulmonary outcomes; however, its toxicity pathways and relationship with inflammation markers are poorly understood. Among 180 adult women in rural Peru, we examined the cross‐sectional exposure‐response relationship between biomass HAP and markers of inflammation in blood using baseline measurements from a randomized trial. We measured markers of inflammation (CRP, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α) with dried blood spots, 48‐h kitchen area concentrations and personal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), and carbon monoxide (CO), and 48‐h kitchen concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in a subset of 97 participants. We conducted an exposure‐response analysis between quintiles of HAP levels and markers of inflammation. Markers of inflammation were more strongly associated with kitchen area concentrations of BC than PM2.5. As expected, kitchen area BC concentrations were positively associated with TNF‐α (pro‐inflammatory) concentrations and negatively associated with IL‐10, an anti‐inflammatory marker, controlling for confounders in single‐ and multi‐pollutant models. However, contrary to expectations, kitchen area BC and NO2 concentrations were negatively associated with IL‐1β, a pro‐inflammatory marker. No associations were identified for IL‐6 or CRP, or for any marker in relation to personal exposures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Approximately 40% of people worldwide are exposed to household air pollution (HAP) from the burning of biomass fuels. Previous efforts to document health benefits of HAP mitigation have been stymied by an inability to lower emissions to target levels. Objectives: We sought to determine if a household air pollution intervention with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) improved cardiopulmonary health outcomes in adult women living in a resource-poor setting in Peru. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled field trial in 180 women aged 25-64 years living in rural Puno, Peru. Intervention women received an LPG stove, continuous fuel delivery for 1 year, education, and behavioral messaging, whereas control women were asked to continue their usual cooking practices. We assessed for stove use adherence using temperature loggers installed in both LPG and biomass stoves of intervention households. Measurements and Main Results: We measured blood pressure, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and respiratory symptoms using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire at baseline and at 3-4 visits after randomization. Intervention women used their LPG stove exclusively for 98% of days. We did not find differences in average postrandomization systolic blood pressure (intervention - control 0.7 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, -2.1 to 3.4), diastolic blood pressure (0.3 mm Hg; -1.5 to 2.0), prebronchodilator peak expiratory flow/height2 (0.14 L/s/m2; -0.02 to 0.29), postbronchodilator peak expiratory flow/height2 (0.11 L/s/m2; -0.05 to 0.27), or St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire total score (-1.4; -3.9 to 1.2) over 1 year in intention-to-treat analysis. There were no reported harms related to the intervention. Conclusions: We did not find evidence of a difference in blood pressure, lung function, or respiratory symptoms during the year-long intervention with LPG. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02994680). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Household air pollution from biomass cookstoves is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality, yet little is known about exposures to nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Objective: To characterize NO2 kitchen area concentrations and personal exposures among women with biomass cookstoves in the Peruvian Andes. Methods: We measured kitchen area NO2 concentrations at high‐temporal resolution in 100 homes in the Peruvian Andes. We assessed personal exposure to NO2 in a subsample of 22 women using passive samplers. Results: Among 97 participants, the geometric mean (GM) highest hourly average NO2 concentration was 723 ppb (geometric standard deviation (GSD) 2.6) and the GM 24‐hour average concentration was 96 ppb (GSD 2.6), 4.4 and 2.9 times greater than WHO indoor hourly (163 ppb) and annual (33 ppb) guidelines, respectively. Compared to the direct‐reading instruments, we found similar kitchen area concentrations with 48‐hour passive sampler measurements (GM 108 ppb, GSD 3.8). Twenty‐seven percent of women had 48‐hour mean personal exposures above WHO annual guidelines (GM 18 ppb, GSD 2.3). In univariate analyses, we found that roof, wall, and floor type, as well as higher SES, was associated with lower 24‐hour kitchen area NO2 concentrations. Practical Implications: Kitchen area concentrations and personal exposures to NO2 from biomass cookstoves in the Peruvian Andes far exceed WHO guidelines. More research is warranted to understand the role of this understudied household air pollutant on morbidity and mortality and to inform cleaner‐cooking interventions for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy, ease of use, and utility of the Preferred Communication Style Questionnaire (PCSQ©), a brief assessment of communication style designed for use in a health care setting through an online survey sample of 1732 respondents stratified by gender, age, and education level. The majority (90.2%) of respondents rated the PCSQ profile as extremely or very accurate, easy to use (95.6%), and useful in practice (91.5%). Only 26.5% of respondents indicated that providers used patient-preferred communication styles extremely or very often, 93% thought patient compliance would improve if providers used the preferred style. Significant differences were found based on temperament and type. Ease of use was lower among older respondents and respondents without a college degree. Use of the PCSQ may facilitate congruent communication between patients and providers, which has been shown to improve care. Additional research is needed to assess generalizability and applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is well known that development of prostate cancer (PC) can be attributed to somatic mutations of the genome, acquired within proto-oncogenes or tumor-suppressor genes. What is less well understood is how germline variation contributes to disease aggressiveness in PC patients. To map germline modifiers of aggressive neuroendocrine PC, we generated a genetically diverse F2 intercross population using the transgenic TRAMP mouse model and the wild-derived WSB/EiJ (WSB) strain. The relevance of germline modifiers of aggressive PC identified in these mice was extensively correlated in human PC datasets and functionally validated in cell lines. Results: Aggressive PC traits were quantified in a population of 30 week old (TRAMP x WSB) F2 mice (n = 307). Correlation of germline genotype with aggressive disease phenotype revealed seven modifier loci that were significantly associated with aggressive disease. RNA-seq were analyzed using cis-eQTL and trait correlation analyses to identify candidate genes within each of these loci. Analysis of 92 (TRAMP x WSB) F2 prostates revealed 25 candidate genes that harbored both a significant cis-eQTL and mRNA expression correlations with an aggressive PC trait. We further delineated these candidate genes based on their clinical relevance, by interrogating human PC GWAS and PC tumor gene expression datasets. We identified four genes (CCDC115, DNAJC10, RNF149, and STYXL1), which encompassed all of the following characteristics: 1) one or more germline variants associated with aggressive PC traits; 2) differential mRNA levels associated with aggressive PC traits; and 3) differential mRNA expression between normal and tumor tissue. Functional validation studies of these four genes using the human LNCaP prostate adenocarcinoma cell line revealed ectopic overexpression of CCDC115 can significantly impede cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, CCDC115 human prostate tumor expression was associated with better survival outcomes. Conclusion: We have demonstrated how modifier locus mapping in mouse models of PC, coupled with in silico analyses of human PC datasets, can reveal novel germline modifier genes of aggressive PC. We have also characterized CCDC115 as being associated with less aggressive PC in humans, placing it as a potential prognostic marker of aggressive PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biomass fuel smoke is a leading risk factor for the burden of disease worldwide. International campaigns are promoting the widespread adoption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in resource-limited settings. However, it is unclear if the introduction and use of LPG stoves, in settings where biomass fuels are used daily, reduces pollution concentration exposure, improves health outcomes, or how cultural and social barriers influence the exclusive adoption of LPG stoves.Methods: We will conduct a randomized controlled, field intervention trial of LPG stoves and fuel distribution in rural Puno, Peru, in which we will enroll 180 female participants aged 25-64 years and follow them for 2 years. After enrollment, we will collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, household characteristics, and cooking practices. During the first year of the study, LPG stoves and fuel tanks will be delivered to the homes of 90 intervention participants. During the second year, participants in the intervention arm will keep their LPG stoves, but the gas supply will stop. Control participants will receive LPG stoves and vouchers to obtain free fuel from distributors at the beginning of the second year, but gas will not be delivered. Starting at baseline, we will collect longitudinal measurements of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, blood pressure, endothelial function, carotid artery intima-media thickness, 24-h dietary recalls, exhaled carbon monoxide, quality-of-life indicators, and stove-use behaviors. Environmental exposure assessments will occur six times over the 2-year follow-up period, consisting of 48-h personal exposure and kitchen concentration measurements of fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide, and 48-h kitchen concentrations of nitrogen dioxide for a subset of 100 participants.Discussion: Findings from this study will allow us to better understand behavioral patterns, environmental exposures, and cardiovascular and pulmonary outcomes resulting from the adoption of LPG stoves. If this trial indicates that LPG stoves are a feasible and effective way to reduce household air pollution and improve health, it will provide important information to support widespread adoption of LPG fuel as a strategy to reduce the global burden of disease.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02994680 , Cardiopulmonary Outcomes and Household Air Pollution (CHAP) Trial. Registered on 28 November 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth participation in structured recreational activities promotes positive youth development. Engagement with others as part of a team or through group activities allows youth to develop skills in social interaction, goal setting, discipline, emotional maturity, physical activity competence, and many other abilities. As a recreational activity, group-oriented sport, and life skill, swimming has the potential to positively affect youth development in many different domains. Despite the promise of swimming for youth development, large disparities exist in access to and use of pools and swim programming. Swimming opportunities are much less available and less utilized by minority populations, especially in inner-city urban areas. In Baltimore City, Maryland, programs have attempted to improve youth swimming abilities and promote pool use for physical fitness, but participation has been low. The objective of this study is to understand the factors influencing use of swim programming offered in Baltimore, in order to identify suggestions for improving swim programs to more effectively engage inner city minority youth. Researchers conducted 13 in-depth-interviews, three focus group discussions, and six pool observations. Informants included Baltimore City parents, teachers, young adults (18-24 years old), aquatics staff, and city officials from both swimming and non-swimming backgrounds. Findings suggest that important barriers to youth participation in swimming include inconsistent availability of swim programs, limited knowledge of swimming opportunities, variant local definitions of swimming ability, and a lack of role models. Motivators to swimming participation include supportive role models and perceptions of swimming as a gateway to employment opportunities. To improve programs promoting youth development through swimming, the identified barriers and motivators should be addressed by developing messaging focused on: skills of competent swimmers, pool and class schedules, financial costs and support, pool safety, transportation options, benefits of indoor pools, the growing diversity of swimmers, family-oriented aquatic activities, the social and physical appeal of swimming, and employment opportunities swimming can provide. Community outreach and engagement with schools and parent organizations could help change social norms and increase youth participation in swimming. This would provide youth, both in Baltimore and other urban populations, with more opportunities for positive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contributions of Cu-ligand and Cu-Cu bonding to valence delocalization and electron transfer in the CuA site of cytochrome c oxidase were investigated. Results indicated that the relatively high cysteine sulfur covalency in the CuA highest-energy molecular orbital could contribute significantly to both Cyt c -> CuA and CuA -> heme a electron transfer processes in cytochrome c oxidase.

The article focuses on the social, ecological, and health benefits of clean cooking. Topics include recent programs have shifted to focus on clean fuels, promoting cooking with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biogas, electricity, ethanol, as well as biomass pellets used in clean-burning stoves, and recent studies indicating that the transition to clean cooking requires ensuring the availability and affordability of clean fuels.