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Although sense of belonging has been conceptualized by higher education institutions in marginalizing ways, we reclaim the construct as authentic relationships characterized by humanization, mutuality, and respect for students' cultural assets, values, and social identities. To dismantle colonizing perspectives and foreground Indigenous ways of knowing and being, our study reflects the narratives of three cis male, Indigenous graduate and professional students and their educational experiences in the US. In a collective case study with an autoethnographic lens, our findings highlight decolonizing aspects of belonging, embracing Indigenous values of the Peoplehood matrix, emphasizing relationality in community, and bridging Indigenous knowledge with academe.

Background: The use of telemedicine to provide care for critically ill newborn infants has significantly evolved over the last two decades. Children's Health System of Texas and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center established TeleNICU, the first teleneonatology program in Texas. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Tele Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (TeleNICU) in extending quaternary neonatal care to more rural areas of Texas. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective review of TeleNICU consultations from September 2013 to October 2018. Charts were reviewed for demographic data, reasons for consultation, and consultation outcomes. Diagnoses were classified as medical, surgical, or combined. Consultation outcomes were categorized into transferred or retained. Transport cost savings were estimated based on the distance from the hub site and the costs for ground transportation. Results: TeleNICU had one hub (Level IV) and nine spokes (Levels I–III) during the study period. A total of 132 direct consultations were completed during the study period. Most consultations were conducted with Level III units (81%) followed by level I (13%) and level II (6%) units. Some common diagnoses included prematurity (57%), respiratory distress (36%), congenital anomalies (25%), and neonatal surgical emergencies (13%). For all encounters, 54% of the patients were retained at the spoke sites, resulting in an estimated cost savings of USD0.9 million in transport costs alone. The likelihood of retention at spoke sites was significantly higher for medical diagnoses compared to surgical diagnoses (89% vs. 11%). Conclusion: Telemedicine effectively expands access to quaternary neonatal care for more rural communities, helps in the triage of neonatal transfers, promotes family centered care, and significantly reduces health care costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes predictors of secondary traumatic stress and burnout in a national sample of helping professionals, with a specific focus on the unique responses of child welfare (CW) workers. Specific worker and exposure characteristics are examined as possible predictors of these forms of occupational distress in a sample of 669 professionals from across the country who responded to mailed (e-mail and post) invitations to participate in an online survey. Email and home mailing addresses were secured from licensure boards and professional membership organizations in six states from across the country that had high rates of child related deaths in 2009. Respondents completed the Professional Quality of Life IV (Stamm, 2005) to ascertain compassion fatigue (CF) and burnout symptoms. Being male, young, Hispanic, holding rural residence, and endorsing a lack of religious participation were significant predictors of secondary traumatic stress. Similarly, being male and young predicted high burnout rates, while actively participating in religious services predicted lower burnout. CW worker job status as a professional was significantly more likely to predict CF and burnout compared to all other types of behavioral healthcare professionals. Based on the findings from this study, this paper proposes strategies for enhancing self-care for CW workers, and describes the essential elements of a trauma-informed CW agency that addresses secondary traumatic stress and burnout. (Contains 5 tables.)

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States and disproportionately higher in primarily rural Northeast Texas. In order to alleviate barriers to care common in rural areas such as distance to care, patients often complete a fecal immunochemical test at home, only needing a colonoscopy if the test yields positive results. However, many patients fail to follow-up with a colonoscopy following a positive fecal immunochemical test. Methods: This study sought to examine the role of medical and sociodemographic factors in predicting nonadherence to colonoscopy following a positive fecal immunochemical test result. Participants with a positive fecal immunochemical test result (n =241) were followed for up to 1 year to examine whether they underwent a colonoscopy at an academic institution located in Smith County, TX. Results: Age, gender, race/ethnicity, insurance status, and having a previous screening did not predict the likelihood of following-up a positive fecal immunochemical test result with a colonoscopy. Individuals living within Smith County (who travel shorter distances) compared to individuals living outside of Smith County (longer travel distances) (p = .005) were 88% more likely to have a follow-up colonoscopy. Individuals living within Smith County followedup after 177.08 days (SE = 23.89), while those not living in Smith County followed-up after 231.11 days (SE = 11.22). Finally, those witha family history of colon cancer were 75% more likely (p = .030) to have a follow-up colonoscopy. Those with a family history of colon cancer followed-up after 126.89 days (SE = 28.52), while those without a history followed-up after 203.04 days (SE = 12.27). Discussion: Among primarily rural populations, the distance one travels to receive care and a family history of colorectal cancer are better predictors of receiving a colonoscopy after a positive fecal immunochemical test that other variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is the measure of social responsibility? A study of Texas banks reveals that a single or composite measure will not do. Instead, different variables explain different variations in socially responsive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Lower extremity stress fractures among athletes and military recruits cause significant morbidity, fiscal costs, and time lost from sport or training. During fiscal years (FY) 2012 to 2014, 1218 US Air Force trainees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, were diagnosed with stress fracture(s). Diagnosis relied heavily on bone scans, often very early in clinical course and often in preference to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), highlighting the need for an evidence-based algorithm for stress injury diagnosis and initial management.Evidence Acquisition: To guide creation of an evidence-based algorithm, a literature review was conducted followed by analysis of local data. Relevant articles published between 1995 and 2015 were identified and reviewed on PubMed using search terms stress fracture, stress injury, stress fracture imaging, and stress fracture treatment. Subsequently, charts were reviewed for all Air Force trainees diagnosed with 1 or more stress injury in their outpatient medical record in FY 2014.Study Design: Clinical review.Level Of Evidence: Level 4.Results: In FY 2014, 414 trainees received a bone scan and an eventual diagnosis of stress fracture. Of these scans, 66.4% demonstrated a stress fracture in the symptomatic location only, 21.0% revealed stress fractures in both symptomatic and asymptomatic locations, and 5.8% were negative in the symptomatic location but did reveal stress fracture(s) in asymptomatic locations. Twenty-one percent (18/85) of MRIs performed a mean 6 days (range, 0- 21 days) after a positive bone scan did not demonstrate any stress fracture.Conclusion: Bone stress injuries in military training environments are common, costly, and challenging to diagnose. MRI should be the imaging study of choice, after plain radiography, in those individuals meeting criteria for further workup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In the USA prescription opioids, which are misused or abused by some patients, are often obtained from pharmacies. However, screening and brief intervention ( SBI) for prescription opioid misuse has not been tested in this setting. The goal of this project was to assess pharmacists' attitudes and motivation towards delivering SBI for prescription opioid abuse. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional online survey was administered to pharmacists in Utah and Texas, USA. The survey assessed pharmacists': (1) interest in addressing prescription opioid abuse; (2) beliefs about whether pharmacies may be effective locations to deliver SBI; and (3) potential education or training needs to facilitate SBI service delivery. Results A total of 739 pharmacists responded to the survey. Despite demographic differences, responses to the survey items were similar between Utah and Texas. The highest levels of agreement for survey subscales indicated that: (1) screening and intervention resources would increase pharmacists' motivation to deliver SBI; (2) pharmacists were interested in helping patients who misuse; and (3) pharmacists possess sufficient opioid knowledge and confidence in practice to address prescription abuse. Roughly half of pharmacists that responded agreed that SBI is a service they should deliver. Conclusion Pharmacists are interested in helping those who misuse prescription opioids and believe pharmacies may be settings in which SBI services can be tested and delivered. These results require replication to assess if they portray pharmacists' views generally. If replicated, future research could examine methods of screening and intervention in the pharmacy setting for prescription opioid misuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted prescribed fires on Matagorda Island, Calhoun County, Texas, in late summers (August) and early winters (January) of 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 to determine responses of vegetation and litter. There were reduced litter loads 1 year after burning, but they approached preburn levels 2 years after burning. There was no difference in production of grasses, forbs, or the Juncus and other-Cyperaceae complex 1 year after burning. There was a significant difference in production of Juncus and other Cyperaceae when years were compared. We presume this was caused by differences in precipitation between years. There was no difference in percentage frequency between burned and control plots 1 year after burning for most species examined. However, burning in summer significantly increased occurrences of coastal mistflower (Conoclinium betonicifolium), Fabaceae, and Cyperaceae (other than Juncus) over control plots 1 year after treatment. Beach groundcherry (Physalis cinerascens) and Fabaceae also were increased by burning in summer 2 years following treatment. Prescribed burning did not affect density of vertical structure. Because coastal barrier islands serve as important wintering grounds and stopovers for many migratory birds, we recommend conducting burns in late summer every 2-5 years to increase incidence of legumes and other forage for wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the science club formed by professors and preservice teachers at the East Texas State University-Texakana and Texakana College in Texas. Goals of the science club; Benefits to members; Approval of new science specializations for science teachers.

Introduction: Adherence to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening recommendations allows for both prevention and early detection of the disease, yet approximately one-third of U.S. adults aged 50-75 years have not regularly received CRC screening. Screening rates are lower for uninsured and rural individuals. We examined the relationships between demographic factors, past CRC screening experience, family history of colon cancer, and preference for CRC screening (fecal immunochemical test [FIT] vs. colonoscopy) and completion of CRC screening in an ethnically diverse, largely rural sample, with a specific focus on uninsured individuals. Methods: Participants were 2,476 uninsured individuals (age, 45-75 years; 66% female) recruited from a community outreach program in northeast Texas. Variables included demographic factors and CRC health-related information. Chisquare tests and hierarchical logistic regression were used. Results: The CRC screening groups consisted of 1,413 who completed screening and 1,063 who did not. After controlling for demographic factors, participants who reported past CRC screening experience (odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17, 1.71, p < 0.001) and chose colonoscopy (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.55, p = 0.019) had an increased likelihood of CRC screening completion. Conclusion: Educational programs coupled with financial support for screenings may help close the gap in screenings between minority racial/ethnic and gender groups. Participants with previous experience of CRC screening and preference for colonoscopy were associated with completing CRC screening. A focus on individuals' preferences for CRC screening may help develop and target appropriate intervention for promoting CRC screening. Further examination is warranted to determine the associations among various socio-demographic factors, lifestyle and behavioral factors, and psychosocial variables in this disadvantaged population. Moreover, intervention programs should raise awareness of the importance of family history of colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Texas has nearly 4 million residents aged 10-19 years. This report provides a snapshot of injury mortality trends in Texas, stratified by intent, among children and adolescents 10-19 years old. Epidemiologists from the 10 counties with the largest child and adolescent populations in Texas (Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Hidalgo, Travis, Collin, El Paso, Denton, and Fort Bend) collaborated to analyze these trends for Texas as a whole, as well as for their individual counties. Methods: Using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WONDER, analyses for an 18-year period (1999-2016) focused on summary unintentional and intentional (homicide and suicide) injury death counts as well as annual (and three-year rolling) death rates which were calculated as the number of deaths per 100,000 age-specific population residing in Texas or the respective county. Results: Between 1999 and 2016, 11,095 children and adolescents in Texas died from unintentional injuries and 5,936 died from intentional injuries. Between 1999 and 2016, the unintentional injury death rate declined 48% (from 22.7 to 11.9), and the intentional injury death rate increased 2% (from 10.2 to 10.4). Since 2010, suicide rates increased 53% between 2010 and 2016 (from 4.3 to 6.4). Since 2012, homicide rates increased 43% (from 2.8 to 4.0). Discussion: Over the 18-year period, the state level gap between unintentional injury deaths and intentional injury deaths among children and adolescents has decreased. The report provides a snapshot of injury mortality trends in children and adolescents aged 10-19 for ten counties across Texas. Eight of the ten selected counties saw the number of intentional injury deaths surpass unintentional injury deaths over this time period. In Harris and Dallas Counties, there were consistently more homicides than suicides during 1999-2016, but this gap appears to have narrowed over time; Tarrant County has reported higher suicide rates than homicide rates in recent years. The report contributes to the recognition of injuries as a public health problem in Texas. It provides multiple public health recommendations such as: a) continuing to monitor the injury mortality trends at the state and county levels; b) support county/region Child Fatality Review Teams through participation, data sharing, and providing information on community prevention efforts; and c) continue to promote effective injury prevention interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) have been declining throughout the western United States and white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) have remained stable or increased. In areas of sympatry, it is important to understand dynamics between the two species. Crockett County, Texas, provided an area where the two species occurred sympatrically at relatively high densities. In summers 2004-2005, we captured adult deer and fitted them with radiocollars and vaginal-implant transmitters. We monitored vaginal-implant transmitters to record date of parturition, to locate birth sites, and to aid in capture of neonates. We captured 101 neonates (68 mule deer and 33 white-tailed deer). We observed 45 parturition sites and 249 day-time bedding sites of fawns. Parturition in mule deer began ca. 1 month after white-tailed deer. Birth sites of mule deer were at higher elevations and on steeper slopes than those of white-tailed deer. Mule deer gave birth under junipers (Juniperus) more often than did whitetailed deer. Our best model used elevation, height of horizontal hiding cover, type of vegetation, canopy shrub, and an interaction between vegetation type and canopy shrub to differentiate between bedding sites of fawns of mule deer and white-tailed deer. Fawns of mule deer bedded at higher elevations in shorter hiding cover and commonly under junipers, whereas fawns of white-tailed deer commonly bedded under honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) or in herbaceous vegetation. Our data show that fawns partition habitat in a manner similar to adults in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the process involved in the monitoring of Mexican rice borer Eoreuma Loftini in Louisiana. A brief historical view reveals that Eoreuma Loftini originated in Mexico and was first seen in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas in 1959. The author mentions that the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry entered into a compliance agreement with the Texas Department of Agriculture to neutralize the spread of Eoreuma Loftini in Louisiana.