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Introduction: This paper describes the findings of a study of 1517 public library Websites in Australia, Canada, and the United States over a period of four years. These Websites are referred to as 'electronic branches' of the libraries, thereby extending the definition of physical library branches into the digital realm. The purpose of the research was to investigate the accessibility of public library Websites, the available online resources and whether library staff are available to respond to users' questions and concerns regarding the Website. Method: A quantitative study was conducted, using a spreadsheet protocol to determine if 18 criteria were present on the Websites. General comments about the Websites were also recorded and included in the analysis. Analysis: The quantitative data analysis for the 1517 Websites was done using Excel spreadsheets through formula manipulations. Descriptive statistics are used to report the findings. Results: The data revealed that the Websites of Canadian and USA libraries include more of the criteria than the Australian libraries. Overall many similarities were found between the accessibility of the Websites of the different countries. Conclusion: The study provides exemplars of an electronic branch of a public library and the services it can offer to its community members. These examples can be used to model ideal electronic branch libraries for library staff to improve their Websites.

This study estimated the social and economic costs of body dissatisfaction and appearance-based discrimination (specifically, weight and skin-shade discrimination) in the United States (USA) in the 2019 calendar year. We used a prevalence-based approach and a cost-of-illness method to estimate the annual cost of harmful appearance ideals for cases of body dissatisfaction and discrimination based on weight and skin shade. Impacts on conditions/illnesses such as eating disorders that are attributable to body dissatisfaction, weight discrimination and skin-shade discrimination were identified through a quasi-systematic literature review, which captured financial, economic, and non-financial costs. For each impact attributable to body dissatisfaction or appearance-based discrimination, annual health system and productivity costs (or labor market costs) were primarily estimated by using a population attributable fraction methodology. Only direct costs that resulted from body dissatisfaction and appearance-based discrimination were included (for example, costs associated with conditions such as depression attributable to body dissatisfaction or appearance-based discrimination). In contrast, indirect costs (e.g. costs associated with a health condition developed following skin bleaching, which was undertaken as a result of body dissatisfaction) were not included. In 2019 body dissatisfaction incurred $84 billion in financial and economic costs and $221 billion through reduced well-being. Financial costs of weight discrimination and skin-shade discrimination were estimated to be $200 billion and $63 billion, respectively, and reduced well-being was estimated to be $206.7 billion due to weight discrimination and $8.4 billion due to skin-shade discrimination. Sensitivity testing revealed the costs likely range between $226 billion and $507 billion for body dissatisfaction, between $175 billion and $537 billion for skin-shade discrimination, and between $126 billion and $265 billion for weight discrimination. This study demonstrates that the prevalence and economic costs of body dissatisfaction and weight and skin-shade discrimination are substantial, which underscores the urgency of identifying policy actions designed to promote prevention. Plain English Summary: Appearance ideals in the USA have been widely critiqued for placing unfair burden on people of color and women of all race/ethnicity groups, but little is known about the economic consequences of biased appearance standards. To attain a comprehensive understanding of the economic impact of these harmful appearance ideals on the US economy, we estimated the one-year financial, economic and non-financial costs to the economy caused by body dissatisfaction, weight discrimination, and skin-shade discrimination. We considered a wide range of costs, including costs to the healthcare system, workplace, and other costs for individuals, households, employers, and government. We found that the impact of harmful appearance ideals on the USA economy is substantial. In 2019 body dissatisfaction incurred $84 billion in financial and economic costs and $221 billion through reduced well-being. Financial costs of weight discrimination and skin-shade discrimination were estimated to be $200 billion and $63 billion, respectively, and reduced well-being was estimated to be $207 billion due to weight discrimination and $8 billion due to skin-shade discrimination. Women of all race/ethnicity groups bore the bulk of the burden, shouldering 58% of the costs for body dissatisfaction and 66% for weight discrimination. Women bore 50% of the costs for skin-shade discrimination. These costs are substantial and underscore the urgency of identifying effective policy actions to reduce the damaging effects of harmful appearance ideals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We characterize trans-inclusive social and structural educational programming at Association of American Medical Colleges-affiliated U.S. allopathic medical and Council on Education for Public Health-accredited schools of public health using responses from deans and administrators. Methods: Between December 2019 and February 2020, the Public Health and Medical Schools Transgender-Inclusive Educational Programming Study surveyed deans, administrators, and students via email about trans-inclusive social and structural educational programming strategies at their institution. Evaluated social programming included training topics, social events, and direct communications. Assessed structural strategies included admissions, policies, and mentorship. Descriptive statistics were performed for all variables while stratifying by medical versus public health schools. Bivariate analyses were used to examine differences between strata and chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, accordingly, to analyze programming strategies. Results: Of 335 deans and administrators contacted, 65 completed the survey (19% response rate) and 55.4% were from public health. Most were deans (87.7%), from public institutions (69.2%), between 51 and 59 years old (44.6%), and were ciswomen (63.5%). Comparisons of medical versus public health schools demonstrated significant differences in trans-inclusive strategies such as gender competency training (58.6% vs. 36.1%); trans-inclusive lectures (44.8% vs. 30.6%); honoring trans students' names in-person (75.9% vs. 61.1%); and goals to increase trans representation as researchers (37.5% vs. 26.7%). Conclusions: Policies aimed at creating trans-inclusive environments in these institutions should focus on bolstering affirming structural programming, encouraging prospective trans applicants, mentoring trans students' research ambitions, and consistently using students' lived names, pronouns, and gender markers in all documentation and communications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surveys have found concerningly high levels of agreement that the United States will experience civil war soon. This study assesses variation in expectation of and perceived need for civil war with respondent sociopolitical characteristics, beliefs, firearm ownership, and willingness to engage in political violence. Methods: Findings are from Wave 2 of a nationally representative annual longitudinal survey of members of the Ipsos KnowledgePanel, conducted May 18–June 8, 2023. All respondents to 2022's Wave 1 who remained in KnowledgePanel were invited to participate. Outcomes are expressed as weighted proportions and adjusted prevalence differences, with p-values adjusted for the false discovery rate and reported as q-values. Results: The completion rate was 84.2%; there were 9385 respondents. After weighting, half the sample was female (50.7%, 95% CI 49.4%, 52.1%); the weighted mean (± standard deviation) age was 48.5 (25.9) years. Approximately 1 respondent in 20 (5.7%, 95% CI 5.1%, 6.4%) agreed strongly or very strongly that "in the next few years, there will be civil war in the United States." About 1 in 25 (3.8%, 95% CI 3.2%, 4.4%), and nearly 40% (38.4%, 95% CI 32.3%, 44.5%) of those who strongly or very strongly agreed that civil war was coming, also agreed strongly or very strongly that "the United States needs a civil war to set things right." Expectation of and perceived need for civil war were higher among subsets of respondents who in Wave 1 were more willing than others to commit political violence, including MAGA Republicans, persons in strong agreement with racist beliefs or statements of the potential need for violence to effect social change, persons who strongly approved of specified extreme right-wing political organizations and movements, firearm owners who purchased firearms in 2020 or later, and firearm owners who carried firearms in public all or nearly all the time. Conclusions: In 2023, the expectation that civil war was likely and the belief that it was needed were uncommon but were higher among subsets of the population that had previously been associated with greater willingness to commit political violence. These findings can help guide prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, smoking rates increase with greater acculturation among Mexican-origin women, but not among men. Conversely, greater acculturation is associated with higher likelihood of quitting among Mexican-origin men who smoke, but not among women who smoke. Long-standing speculation is that adoption of smoking social norms in the U.S. that are less restrictive for women and more restrictive for men compared to smoking social norms in Mexico may account for these patterns. However, it is unknown whether persons who smoke actually perceive such differential norms. The current study characterized smoking social norms in the U.S. and Mexico among Spanish-speaking Mexican-origin persons who smoke. Two hundred and ninety Mexican-origin persons who smoke were surveyed on descriptive and injunctive norms for men and women in the U.S. and Mexico. Estimated means for smoking social norms in the U.S. and Mexico were compared separately among men and women. Among men, mean descriptive and injunctive norms in Mexico were significantly higher than those for the U.S. Among women, neither mean descriptive nor injunctive norms were significantly different between the U.S. and Mexico. Mexican-origin women who smoke perceive smoking among women as equally common and similarly unacceptable in the U.S. and Mexico. Findings do not support speculation that differential social norms may explain the acculturation-smoking relationship among Mexican-origin women. Mexican-origin men who smoke perceive smoking among men both less common and less acceptable in the U.S. compared to Mexico. Social norms should be investigated as a mechanism of the acculturation-cessation relationship among Mexican-origin men. Understanding direct and indirect influences of social norms on cessation among Mexican-origin men stands to inform tailoring of interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The US Food and Drug Administration is considering an update of a front-of-pack voluntary “healthy” designation that received little use or attention by the food industry. Effective communication to consumers is crucial in promoting healthy diet and lifestyle patterns. In the current food landscape, it is difficult for consumers to determine what foods are healthy. Furthermore, the healthy definition should fit the current science based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. We present an argument for required front-of-pack labeling, rooted squarely in the Dietary Guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing population of immigrant children and families to the U.S. from Latin American countries requires consideration of their unique historical, sociocultural, and linguistic contexts in child abuse and neglect prevention. In light of the Family First Prevention Services Act's focus on evidence-based child maltreatment prevention interventions, this systematic review analyzed interventions with relevance for use with immigrant populations coming from Latin American countries. Sixty-two interventions met inclusion criteria. This review revealed few gold standard interventions that address the unique needs of Latinx immigrant populations, highlighting a need for the development and study of interventions for these populations that are federally reimbursable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fundamental objective for the physical educator is to provide students with effective, age-appropriate physical education (PE) in a safe environment. The importance of PE must be emphasized in light of the strong association between regular physical activity and health. Currently, 18% of U.S. children ages 6 to 19 are classified as overweight (CDC, 2008). This is of great importance since obese children are more likely to become obese adults (Whitaker, 1997). Approximately 7.5 million high school students also choose to concurrently participate in a variety of school-sponsored, interscholastic sports (IS) (NFHS, 2010). Physical education and IS participation share many commonalities, but possess important differences that may make participation in both ideal. Physical educators often fulfill various coaching responsibilities within their schools, making an understanding of the interaction between same-day PE and IS participation valuable. This article serves to investigate the implications that PE has on markers of fatigue, recovery, injury risk, and athletic performance on same-day IS participation. Recommendations for PE teachers and coaches will be discussed, with an emphasis on empirical evidence that supports an effective and complementary coexistence between IS and PE.

Objective: To assess agreement for migraine day between self‐report and diagnostic guidelines for children and adolescents using a headache diary. Background: Trial guidelines recommend prospective collection of headache features and adoption of migraine day as an outcome measure, but there is no clear consensus on the definition of migraine day. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data from two projects—a prospective cohort study validating a pediatric scale of treatment expectancy and a clinical trial of occipital nerve blocks to treat status migrainosus. Participants completed a text message‐based diary for 4 or 12 weeks (depending on treatment), and a detailed headache assessment on a random 20% of headache days. Using this assessment, we determined whether a headache day qualified for migraine or probable migraine, based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD‐3). Results: Of 122 enrolled children and adolescents, 106 (86.9%) completed ≥1 detailed headache assessment (438 entries). We found moderate agreement between self‐reported and ICHD‐derived migraine day, with a Cohen's Kappa of 0.50 (positive predictive value [PPV]: 0.66; negative predictive value [NPV]: 0.85; correlation: 0.51). Allowing for ICHD‐derived probable migraine significantly increased PPV (0.66 vs. 0.94; 95% CI: 0.57–0.74 vs. 0.90–0.97), but decreased NPV (0.85 vs. 0.293; CI: 0.77–0.90 vs. 0.199–0.40), Cohen's Kappa (0.50 vs. 0.237; CI: 0. 389–0.60 vs. 0.139–0.352), and correlation (r = 0.51 vs. 0.302; CI: 0.41–0.61 vs. 0.192–0.41). Pain severity (OR: 5.7; CI: 2.39–13.8), photophobia (OR: 4.1; CI: 1.02–16.6), and phonophobia (OR: 7.5; CI: 1.95–29.3) were significantly associated with participants' perception of migraine. Conclusion: We found only moderate agreement between self‐reported and ICHD‐derived migraine day, suggesting both measures are not equal but may represent overlapping aspects of migraine as a disease. This highlights the difficulty of applying ICHD criteria to individual attacks. We recommend greater methodological transparency in future research to avoid readers conflating both measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Salivary gland tumors are rare among both pediatric and adult populations. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a common type of malignant salivary gland tumor that presents with atypical clinical features. It is more commonly found in adults. Most commonly, MEC was less than 2 cm in size, moderately differentiated, and localized to the gland. Surgical resection was the most common treatment modality in both pediatric and adult populations (53.5%). The pediatric population with MEC had a lower death rate compared to the adult population. Tumor size greater than 2 cm, male sex, and distant spread were factors associated with a higher risk of death. Background: Salivary gland neoplasms are uncommon in both pediatric and adult populations. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is one of the most common salivary gland tumors and usually presents with atypical clinical features. This study sought to evaluate the demographic and clinical factors affecting outcomes in adults and pediatric populations with MEC that could be used to risk stratification for treatment selection and clinical trial enrollment. Methods: Data on 4507 MEC patients were extracted from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) database (2000–2018). Patients aged ≤ 18 years were classified into the pediatric population, and those older than 18 years were placed in the adult group. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were created to analyze survival probabilities for various independent factors. Results: The pediatric population comprised 3.7% of the entire cohort, with a predominance of females (51.5%), while the adult population constituted 96.3% of the cohort, with a predominance of female patients (52.2%). Caucasians were the predominant race overall (75.3%), while more African Americans were seen in the pediatric group. In tumor size of <2 cm overall, poorly differentiated tumors with higher metastasis rates were observed more in adults (11.3% and 9.3%) than in the pediatric population (3.0% and 4.8%, p < 0.05). Surgical resection was the most common treatment option (53.9%), making up 63.6% of the pediatric and 53.5% of the adult groups. A combination of surgical resection and radiation was used in 29.8% of the entire cohort while a combination of surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy made up only 3.2%. The pediatric group had a lower overall mortality rate (5.5%) than the adult group (28.6%). Females had a higher 5-year survival rate in comparison to males (86.5%, and 73.7%, respectively). Surgical resection led to a more prolonged overall survival and 5-year cancer-specific survival (98.4% (C.I, 93.7–99.6) in the pediatric group and 88.8% (C.I, 87.5–90.0) in the adult group), respectively. Metastasis to the lung, bone, brain, and/or liver was found to have significantly lower survival rates. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that adults (hazard ratio [HR] = 7.4), Asian or Pacific Islander (HR = 0.5), male (HR = 0.8), poorly differentiated histology (HR = 3.8), undifferentiated histology (HR = 4.5), regional spread (HR = 2.1), and distant spread (HR = 3.2) were associated with increased mortality (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary glands primarily affects Whites and is more aggressive in adults than in the pediatric population. Even with surgical resection, the overall survival is poor in the adult population as compared to its pediatric counterparts. Advanced age, larger tumor size, male sex, and lymph node invasion are associated with increased mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the findings of a quantitative study of 1,698 public library websites in Australia, Canada, and the United States over a period of three years using a spreadsheet protocol. The purpose of the research was to evaluate public library websites, available online sources, and whether library staff were available to respond to users' questions and concerns regarding the website. Descriptive statistics are used to report the results. The study provides public library website information regarding which protocol criteria each country's libraries attained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is a rare endocrine malignancy and an uncommon cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. It is more common in older Caucasians, with a slight male predominance. Among the patients with available data in a large national cancer registry of the U.S. population, PC was usually 2–4 cm in size, histologically defined as well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, and localized to the native glands with negative lymph nodes. The overwhelming majority (>95%) of the patients underwent surgery, with the remaining few receiving radiation or chemotherapy. The 5-year survival rate after surgery was 84%. Factors such as large tumor size (>4 cm), older age (>40 years), male sex, Caucasian race, distant spread, and poor tumor differentiation were associated with an increased risk of death. Introduction: Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is an extremely rare entity, with a frequency of 0.005% of all malignancies. Most data related to this rare disease are limited to case series and a few database studies. We present a large database study that aims to investigate the demographic, clinical, and pathological factors, prognosis, and survival of PC. Methods: Data of parathyroid carcinoma were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) diagnosed between 1975 and 2016. Results: PC had a slightly higher incidence in men (52.2%, p < 0.005), the majority of cases affected Caucasians (75.4%, p < 0.005), and the mean age at diagnosis was 62 years. Histologically, 99.7% were adenocarcinomas not otherwise specified (p < 0.005), well-differentiated (p < 0.005), and 2–4 cm (p < 0.001) in size among the patients with available data. In cases with staging provided, most PC were organ-confined (36.8%, p < 0.001). Lymph nodes were positive in 25.2% of cases where lymph node status was reported. The main treatment modality was surgery (97.2%), followed by radiation alone (2%), and very few received chemotherapy alone (0.8%), p < 0.005. Five-year follow-up was available for 82.7% of the cases. Those who underwent surgery only or radiation alone had 5-year survivals of 83.8% and 72.2%, respectively (p < 0.037). Multivariable analysis identified tumor size >4 cm, age > 40 years, male sex, Caucasian race, distant spread, and poorly differentiated grade as independent risk factors for mortality (p < 0.001). Conclusion: PC is a very rare tumor mostly affecting Caucasian individuals in the fifth decade. Older age, poor histologic differentiation, and distant metastasis are associated with a worse prognosis. Surgical resection offers the best survival outcome. To better understand the pathogenesis and factors affecting survival, all PC patients should be enrolled in national and international registries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate one‐year costs of eating disorders in the United States (U.S.) from a societal perspective, including the costs to the U.S. health system, individual and family productivity costs, lost wellbeing, and other societal economic costs, by setting and payer. Findings will inform needed policy action to mitigate the impact of eating disorders in the U.S. Method: Costs of eating disorders were estimated using a bottom‐up cost‐of‐illness methodology, based on the estimated one‐year prevalence of eating disorders. Intangible costs of reduced wellbeing were also estimated using disability‐adjusted life years. Results: Total economic costs associated with eating disorders were estimated to be $64.7 billion (95% CI: $63.5–$66.0 billion) in fiscal year 2018–2019, equivalent to $11,808 per affected person (95% CI: $11,754–$11,863 per affected person). Otherwise Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder accounted for 35% of total economic costs, followed by Binge Eating Disorder (30%), Bulimia Nervosa (18%) and Anorexia Nervosa (17%). The substantial reduction in wellbeing associated with eating disorders was further valued at $326.5 billion (95% CI: $316.8–$336.2 billion). Discussion: The impact of eating disorders in the U.S. is substantial when considering both economic costs and reduced wellbeing (nearly $400 billion in fiscal year 2018–2019). Study findings underscore the urgency of identifying effective policy actions to reduce the impact of eating disorders, such as through primary prevention and screening to identify people with emerging or early eating disorders in primary care, schools, and workplaces and ensuring access to early evidence‐based treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Rotavirus comprises eight species, designated A to H, and two recently identified tentative species I in dogs and J in bats. Species Rotavirus A, B, C and H (RVA, RVB, RVC and RVH) have been detected in humans and animals. While human and animal RVA are well characterized and defined, complete porcine genome sequences in the GenBank are limited compared to human strains. Here, we used a metagenomic approach to sequence the 11 segments of RVA, RVC and RVH strains from piglets in the United States (US) and explore the evolutionary relations of these RV species. Metagenomics identified Astroviridae, Picornaviridae, Caliciviridae, Coronoviridae in samples MN9.65 and OK5.68 while Picobirnaviridae and Arteriviridae were only identified in sample OK5.68. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses identified multiple genotypes with the RVA of strain MN9.65 and OK5.68, with the genome constellation of G5/G9-P[7]/P[13]-I5/I5- R1/R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T7-E1/E1-H1 and G5/G9-P[6]/P[7]-I5-R1/R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1/T7-E1/E1-H1, respectively. The RVA strains had a complex evolutionary relationship with other mammalian strains. The RVC strain OK5.68 had a genome constellation of G9-P[6]-I1-R1-C5-M6-A5-N1-T1-E1-H1, and shared an evolutionary relationship with porcine strains from the US. The RVH strains MN9.65 and OK5.68 had the genome constellation of G5-P1-I1-R1-C1-M1-A5-N1-T1-E4-H1 and G5-P1-I1-R1-C1-M1-A5-N1-T1-E1-H1, indicating multiple RVH genome constellations are circulating in the US. These findings allow us to understand the complexity of the enteric virome, develop improved screening methods for RVC and RVH strains, facilitate expanded rotavirus surveillance in pigs, and increase our understanding of the origin and evolution of rotavirus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the American Academy of Periodontology's (AAP's) use of a best evidence consensus (BEC) model for defining periodontal phenotype modification therapy (PhMT) for purposes of dental restoration and orthodontic therapy. Topics, including gingival recession and phenotypes, peri-implantitis, disease classification, dental prostheses and keratinized mucosa, are discussed.

Background: This systematic review endeavored to investigate the effect of soft tissue phenotype modification therapy (PhMT-s) at sites with a tooth or an implant supported fixed dental prosthesis.Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted by two independent examiners to identify relevant studies reporting differences in clinical, esthetic, or radiographic outcomes of interest between sites underwent PhMT-s and sites that remained untreated. Risk of bias assessment was calculated for all included studies. Meta-analyses involving endpoints of interest were performed when feasible.Results: No controlled studies pertaining to tooth sites were identified. A total of six articles reporting on the outcomes of buccal soft tissue phenotype modification around implants were selected, of which, five were included in the meta-analyses. Quantitative analyses showed a weighted mean difference (WMD) of 0.98 mm (95% CI = 0.25 to 1.72 mm, P = 0.009) for change of tissue thickness; a WMD of -4.87% (95% CI = -34.27 to 24.53%, P = 0.75) for bleeding on probing (BOP); a WMD of 0.36 mm (95% CI = 0.12 to 0.59 mm, P = 0.003) for mucosal recession (MR); a WMD of 0.13 mm (95% CI = -0.11 to 0.36 mm, P = 0.30 for probing depth (PD); a WMD of 1.08 (95% CI = -0.39 to 2.55, P = 0.15) for pink esthetic score (PES), and a WMD of 0.40 mm (95% CI = -0.34 to 1.14 mm, P = 0.28) for marginal bone loss (MBL).Conclusions: Surgical modification of peri-implant soft tissue phenotype via PhMT-s may decrease the amount of MR. Future clinical trials are needed to warrant the clinical benefits of modifying soft tissue phenotype around tooth-supported restorations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Females ages 12 and older are the fastest growing segment of alcohol consumers in the United States, with the past decade showing a 16% increase in alcohol use per 12-month period and a 58% increase in high-risk drinking (i.e., > 3 drinks in a day and/or > 7 drinks in a week) per 12-month period. The increase in alcohol use and risk drinking poses unique and serious consequences for women. Women have a more rapid progression to alcohol-related problems and alcohol use disorders (AUD) than men, and if pregnant, women can potentially expose the fetus to alcohol. Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based, integrated public health approach used to identify and address risky alcohol use among women in a variety of health and social service settings. This article presents the current status of SBIRT among girls ages 12 and older, women of childbearing age, and older women. Screening instruments, brief interventions, and implementation issues specific to women of all ages are described. Through this review of the current literature, care providers can determine best practices for the prevention and treatment of risk drinking in women of all ages presenting in health care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addresses sexual harassment in the athletic training in Canada and the U.S. Definition of sexual harassment; People at risk of being sexually harassed; Sexual harassment court cases; Steps necessary to prevent sexual harassment from occurring.

The article provides an analysis and debate of a letter written by Catholic Bishops of the United States addressing moral issues posed by the United States economy. The letter is entitled "Justice for All: Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy," and may have a significant effect on United States economic priorities. The objective of the discussion presented in the article is to provide a greater understanding of the letter and how it will affect the atmosphere in which businesses operate.

Two interacting forces are subtly shifting the nature of American democracy—the public’s increased use of social media for political information and meaningful changes in the demographic characteristics of the country. This study specifically examined ways in which social media use for political purposes could leverage greater offline political participation among Hispanics and Latinos—a rapidly growing segment of the population. Using social cognitive theory, this study evaluated features of users’ social media network and social media behaviors that can facilitate greater political participation both online and offline. Results indicate that individuals’ social media network expression and social media political expression experiences influence users’ social media political efficacy, social media political expression, and eventually their offline political engagement. Special attention is given to the role of social media political efficacy in promoting broad forms of social media political expression and offline engagement for Hispanics and Latinos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a rapidly growing U.S. Latinx child population and this group’s representation in the child welfare system (CWS), limited research exists on Latinx children reported to the CWS for child sexual abuse (CSA). This study examined how the intersection of race/ethnicity, age, and biological sex impact case substantiation among Latinx, Black, and White children reported for CSA. We analyzed 2012 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System Child File data using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) to examine a sample of children reported to the CWS for CSA (n = 179,199). GLMMs indicated that among children reported for CSA, Black (AOR = 1.12) and White (AOR = 1.17) children had significantly higher odds of case substantiation compared to Latinx children, controlling for other factors. Main effects indicate older children (in mean-centered years; OR = 1.09) and female children (OR = 2.52) had higher odds of substantiation. Out of the states included in the post-hoc analysis, 16 (84%) had female to male substantiation ratios that were higher for Latinx children compared to White children. In these same states, only 9 (56%) had ratios for Black children that were higher than the rate for White children. Results indicate it is critical to continue examining how child sex, race/ethnicity, age, and state differences may affect CSA case substantiation rates. These findings underscore the importance of providing accessible culturally and linguistically appropriate CWS services that are also responsive to sex and developmental stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2017, immigration enforcement in the US has increased, and as a consequence, many more young children are vulnerable to being separated from their parents and are living with daily fear and stress of parental deportation. This article documents stories from interviews with early care service providers and immigrant parents in six states conducted by the Center for Law and Social Policy in 2017. It outlines concerns for children in the current immigration context and offers recommendations for classroom practice, family supports, and actions that early childhood educators can take when working with young children of immigrants and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An alternate approach to urban and regional planning is presented that considers the wastewater infrastructure from an energy consumption and carbon production perspective. The existing wastewater infrastructure from four counties in North East England region is investigated, which includes energy and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) data from 87 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (16 activated sludge (AS) and 71 biofilter (BF) plants) and 196 pump stations across the region. This study provides a rigorous and novel way of justifying new investments for retrofitting treatment technologies to the wastewater network. Mass and energy balances are performed across the network utilising a spread-sheet based model. Overall, energy use and CO 2 emissions are greatest in biological wastewater treatment (relative to other network elements) with estimated median levels of 0.37 kWh/m 3 and 0.40 kg-CO 2 /m 3 , respectively, per waste volume processed. However, energy-use and CO 2 emissions differed according to treatment technology with AS plants using significantly more energy (median = 0.4 kWh/m 3 ) and producing more CO 2 (median = 0.4 kg-CO 2 /m 3 ) than BF plants (medians: 0.2 kWh/m 3 and 0.3 kg-CO 2 /m 3 , respectively). Hence, directed interventions within WWTPs themselves will have the greatest positive influence on energy use and CO 2 emissions. Given water companies are often locked-in with their infrastructure, retrofitting existing treatment networks is strongly suggested. For example, adding BF pre-treatment to existing AS plants will reduce energy use, whereas anaerobic or photosynthetic technologies may be useful for reducing energy and CO 2 emissions in new-builds. This study confirms energy and carbon dioxide inefficiencies exist in modern wastewater networks, but uniquely identifies targeted actions to reduce inefficiencies, especially retrofitting existing WWTPs to reduce CO 2 emitted and energy used in the wastewater infrastructure to make major advances towards achieving climate change reduction targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although prior work has demonstrated a link between online political engagement and offline participation, less is known about which mechanisms might influence online political opinion expression. This study examined specific constructs that might lead to increased social media engagement among Latinos--a demographic group with high social media adoption, but lower levels of political participation. Results from this study, using data from the 2016 presidential election, suggest that acculturation processes can explain the likelihood of online political engagement, willingness to share opinions, and offline political participation. Findings indicate that for Latinos, the ethnic heterogeneity of one's social media network and perceptions of commonality between one's own ethnic group and other ethnic and racial groups drive willingness to share opinions, online political engagement, and, indirectly, offline political participatory behaviors. Results are contextualized in relation to the ways Latinos uniquely integrate with U.S. political culture through online engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Latino families may be at risk of experiencing stressors resulting from the immigration process, such as those related to documentation status and acculturation, that may increase their need for mental health services. However, little research exists on the mental health needs and service use of Latino children. This study examined how parental nativity and legal status influence mental health needs and service utilization among children in Latino families investigated by child welfare.Methods: Data from the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, a nationally representative, prospective study of families investigated by child welfare agencies for maltreatment, were used to examine mental health need and service use in a subset of Latino children who remained in the home following a maltreatment investigation (N=390).Results: Although children of immigrants did not differ from children of U.S.-born parents in levels of clinical need, they had lower rates of mental health service receipt. After the analyses accounted for other relevant variables, the odds of receiving services were significantly lower (odds ratio=.09) for children whose parents were undocumented compared with children whose parents were U.S. citizens.Conclusions: This study contributes to growing discourse on Latino family needs within the child welfare system. Analyses support earlier research regarding the effects of parent nativity on mental health service use and advance the literature by identifying parent legal status as a unique barrier to child service receipt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States. The incidence of inherited EC is 3-4%, with the majority of cases being attributed to Lynch Syndrome (LS). The primary goal of this study was to identify and examine disparities in high-risk EC patients in relation to rates of genetic testing referrals and completion of genetic counseling and testing. Methods: Women newly diagnosed with EC between January 1, 2014, and September 1, 2020, at a single institution were identified, and their data were retrospectively analyzed. High-risk patients were identified as (a) 50 years old or younger at the time of diagnosis, (b) positive family history for EC, or (c) evidence of loss of MMR protein expression on tumor immunohistochemistry (IHC). Data, including age, race, ethnicity, and primary insurance, were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors contributing to genetic testing and counseling completion. All analysis was done by SPSS 2.0. Results: During the study period, 674 patients were diagnosed with EC, and 268 (39.8%) were considered high risk. Patients identified as Hispanic were more likely to be at high risk due to positive family history compared to non-Hispanic patients (p<0.05). There was no difference in IHC tumor testing based on race (p=0.125), ethnicity (p=0.384), or family history (p=0.351). Among the high-risk patients, 83 (31.0%) underwent genetic counseling, and 108 (40.3%) underwent genetic testing. Of all high-risk patients, 18 (6.72%) were diagnosed with LS. Patients who were considered high risk due to positive family history were more likely to have evidence of loss of MMR protein (p<0.001), undergo genetic testing (p<0.001), and genetic counseling (p<0.001). In univariate analysis examining race and ethnicity in relation to completion of genetic counseling and testing, patients who were White (OR: 15.39, p< 0.05) and non-Hispanic (OR: 3.92, p< 0.05) were more likely to undergo genetic counseling, and patients of younger age (OR: 1.035, p< 0.05) and White race (OR: 7.327, p<0.05) were more likely to undergo genetic testing. Conclusions: This is the first study to report the relationship between genetic counseling and testing for LS and race and ethnicity in high-risk EC patients. We found a significant difference in care for patients with EC based on race and ethnicity, with White, non-His- panic patients being more likely to undergo genetic counseling and younger, White patients more likely to undergo genetic testing. Our goal is to increase awareness around existing disparities in genetic evaluation for patients with EC and ultimately create strategies to improve the equal distribution of care to all patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The underutilization of concrete services by immigrants is widely documented across several service sectors, yet evidence is lacking on the use of such services among immigrants reported to child welfare for the purposes of reducing maltreatment. It has been suggested that Latino immigrants involved with the child welfare system may face steep challenges to receiving needed services due to issues surrounding legal status, language and cultural barriers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether referral to and receipt of concrete services by Latino families reported to child welfare agencies, was associated with legal immigration status. The sample included children of Latino parents who participated in the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAWII), who remained in the home following a child welfare investigation (n=561). Over a third (37%) of Latino families were referred for at least one concrete service, yet only 17% received any. Weighted logistic regression models showed that families in which the primary caregiver was undocumented had significantly lower odds (OR=.24) of receiving services once referred. Families who had trouble paying for basic necessities (OR=7.52), those with active domestic violence in the home (OR=4.98), and those receiving ongoing child welfare services (OR=4.52) had increased odds of referral for services by the caseworker. The odds of receiving services increased when the primary caregiver was unemployed (OR=5.24), when there was domestic violence in the home (OR=4.59), and with the receipt of child welfare agency services (OR=8.83). There appears to be an unmet need for concrete services among Latinos investigated by child welfare, as demonstrated in the gap between overall service referral and receipt. A parent's legal status may be one reason for that unmet need, implying that children of undocumented parents are less likely to have basic needs met to mitigate economic stress and reduce maltreatment risk upon contact with child welfare. Policy recommendations and implications for child welfare practice are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: This study examined changes in the prevalence of daily tobacco use in the United States between 1991-1992 and 2004-2005 by socio demographic characteristics and psychiatric disorders. Methods: Secondary analyses were perfomed using data from the National Lon-gitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey, conducted in 1991-1992 (N=41,612), and wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, conducted in 2004-2005 (N=34,653). Results: Although the overall prevalence of past-year daily tobacco use decreased significantly, the reduction was not uniform across all segments of the population. In both surveys, past-year daily tobacco use was higher among respondents with a drug use disorder, an alcohol use disorder, and major depressive disorder and among individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Declines in use were slower among individuals with a lifetime alcohol use disorder or major depressive disorder. The prevalence of past-year daily tobacco use did not decrease among Native Americans. Conclusions: Individuals with substance use disorders or major depressive disorder and Native Americans reported higher rates of past-year daily tobacco use than the general population. These findings suggest the need to emphasize specific interventions for these groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative research study examined ethnic identity development among underrepresented students of color at a selective, research intensive, predominantly White university. The objective focused on influences of the campus experience on students’ ethnic identity development when they entered and as they prepared to graduate from college. Students were asked to reflect on how development of their ethnic identity intersected with outcomes as critical thinking, communication skills, and sense of competence. Findings include an increased learning about one’s ethnic group has cognitive and noncognitive benefits. Students felt further development of their ethnic identity had a considerable, positive impact on their sense of competence, sense of belonging, interpersonal relationships, and commitments. Institutional and policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Physical activity in early midlife has important implications for women's health. The present cross-sectional study investigated the relation of purposiveness to leisure-time physical activity, as mediated by health investment, in a sample of women in early midlife. Participants were 211 women between the ages of 35 and 45 years (mean 40.55 years, SD = 3.11) who responded to the second wave of the study of Midlife Development in the United States. Participants were originally selected by means of a nationally representative random-digit-dialing procedure. A structural equation analysis of data with latent variables was conducted with MPLUS. Purposiveness was indexed by measures of purpose in life, personal growth, and future planning. Health investment was indexed by thought and effort committed to health and the extent to which individuals worked hard to stay healthy. Leisure-time physical activity was indexed by both moderate and vigorous leisure-time activity. Results, controlling for sociodemographic factors, showed that purposiveness was associated with more physical activity and that the relation between purposiveness and leisure-time physical activity was fully mediated by health investment. These results suggest that women with a sense of purpose may be better able to achieve acceptable levels of physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, an increasing amount of attention has been placed on improving access to Information and Communication Technology in the United States. With the rapidity at which broadband construction projects are dotting America, it is important to understand the social impacts of these infrastructural projects. One particularly salient issue is whether access to the Internet would decrease the involvement of youth in their home communities since youth and issues of talent retention are crucial to the long-term viability of rural communities. However, findings on this topic have been a mixed bag with some studies suggesting that the use of online social networking decreases community involvement while others have found that it may maintain or even increase community involvement. This study set out to clarify the conflicting findings and in the process, it has found support for both the displacement effect as well as an augmentation effect. The dual processes suggest that merely examining time spent on social networking sites does not provide a complete picture of the effects of Internet use on community involvement. The nature of the interactions and the participants in the online social networking also play an important role. For rural community leaders working towards the long-term viability of their communities, the findings suggest that efforts should be directed towards mitigating the displacement effects of Internet use while harnessing popular Internet applications such as social networking sites to augment the involvement that youth have in their home communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study conducted to identify the factors affecting the selection process of an orthodontist using a survey involving orthodontic patients in Texas. It says that the survey offered vital information on customer's preferences particularly in large metropolitan areas where orthodontic market is considered highly competitive. It notes that the study met all the U.S. Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements.

Simple Summary: Mesotheliomas arising from the lining of the mesothelial cells of the peritoneum are rare. However, they are strongly linked to asbestos exposure, similar to the relatively well-known pleural mesotheliomas. It is slightly more common in men than in women, with the majority of cases seen in Caucasians older than 50 years. Distant spread of tumor, size > 4 cm, and negative lymph node status were observed in our study among the patients with evaluable data. Optimal outcomes are achieved when patients are treated in specialized centers with surgical debulking followed by heated chemotherapy administered intraoperatively. Systemic chemotherapy and radiation are options for the selected patient groups. Patients with poorly differentiated large tumors (>4 cm), Caucasian race, and distant spread of disease outside the abdominal cavity have worse prognosis. Background: Primary peritoneal mesothelioma (PPM) is a rare and aggressive tumor arising from the visceral and parietal peritoneum. The diagnosis and treatment of PPM are often delayed because of non-specific clinical presentation, and the prognosis is worse. The current study investigated the demographic, clinical, and pathological factors affecting patient prognosis and survival in PPM. Methods: Demographic and clinical data of 1998 patients with PPM were extracted from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database (1975–2016). The chi-square test, paired t-test, and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: The majority of PPM patients were male (56.2%, p < 0.005) and Caucasian (90.4%, p < 0.005, with a mean age of diagnosis was 69 ± 13 years. The grading, histological, and tumor size information were classified as "Unknown" in most of the cases, but when available, poorly differentiated tumors (8.7%), malignant mesothelioma, not otherwise specified (63.4%) and tumors > 4 cm in size (8%), respectively, were most common, p < 0.005. Chemotherapy was administered to 50.6% of patients, followed by resection (29.2%) and radiation (1.5%), p < 0.001. The cohort of PPM had a five-year overall survival of 20.3% (±1.1), compared to 43.5% (±5.9), 25.9% (± 8.4), and 18.7% (±1.6) for those with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy alone, respectively. Poor differentiation (OR = 4.2, CI = 3.3–4.9), tumor size > 4 cm (OR = 3.9, CI = 3.2–4.5), Caucasian race (OR = 2.9, CI = 2.6–4.4), and distant SEER stage (OR = 2.5, CI = 1.1–3.2) were all linked with increased mortality (p < 0.001). Conclusion: An extremely rare and aggressive peritoneal tumor, PPM may be difficult to identify at the time of diagnosis. Radiation therapy likely to have a limited function in the treatment of this condition, with surgery and chemotherapy being the primary choices. All PPM patients should be enrolled in a nationwide registry to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis and identify factors affecting survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Poor women of childbearing age who use crack, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin may be at risk for having an alcohol-exposed pregnancy because of concurrent alcohol use. Women who use illicit drugs may not know the harmful effects of fetal alcohol exposure. Fetal alcohol exposure is a leading cause of developmental disabilities and mental retardation. Methods: We report findings of a survey administered to 2672 women 18–44 years of age in settings serving low-income women, including an urban jail, a drug treatment facility, and healthcare facilities in Florida, Virginia, and Texas. We compared women who reported using more than one illicit drug (drug users) and women who reported never using illicit drugs (nonusers) for frequent alcohol consumption, binge drinking, failure to use contraception, unplanned pregnancies, and drinking during pregnancy. Results: Of women interviewed, 75% (2000) reported using more than one illicit drug. Drug users were more likely to report frequent drinking (33%, relative risk [RR] 12.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.9-20.4, binge drinking (39%, RR 5.7, 95% CI 4.9-7.6), and drinking during pregnancy (37%, RR 2.10, 95% CI 1.75-2.53) compared with nonusers (3%, 7%, 17%, respectively, p < 0.0001). Greater proportions of drug users (27%, RR 2.20, 95% CI 1.75-2.53) also failed to used contraception compared with nonusers (19%, p < 0.05). Notable proportions of both groups, drug users (91%) and nonusers (82%), reported unplanned pregnancies. Conclusions: The findings suggest that poor women who reported ever using more than one illicit drug were at greater risk for having an alcohol-exposed pregnancy. Unplanned pregnancies in both groups surpassed national averages. Poor women likely require enhanced education about the hazards of drinking during pregnancy and methods to reduce unplanned pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the prevalence of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in the U.S.-Mexico border, investigated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS), Mexican authorities and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2005. A case report of a woman from Brownsville, Texas with signs and symptoms of DHF is presented. The TDSHS revealed that DHF in the border state had grown to 1,251 cases that met the Mexican case definition.

Considers the social and health risks facing women in U.S. jails. Characteristics of women in jails; Impact of drug laws on rates of incarceration; Overview on health-related risk reduction programs in jails; Lessons of an intervention program that prevents an alcohol-exposed pregnancy after release from jail.

Analyzes the evolution of technology integration in education in the U.S. Development of the three-dimensional information, technology, instructional design integration system; Life cycle of the information technology integration system; Details on the information technology integration design model.

Presents examples of concomitant factors affecting changes in the United States culture and focuses on the diverse ethnicity and the changing needs of students in classrooms. United States multicultural education; Statistics of legal and illegal immigrants; Demographic shift; Power shift; Equal access to information; Conclusions.

Summarizes the events surrounding 1998 meetings on Chicano psychology. Information on the 1998 national conference on Chicano psychology; Lessons learned from the conference; Personal reflections on the conference.

Presents a paradigm for teaching counselors to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) with ethnic minority clients. Four steps in teaching the DSM-III (APA, 1980) and DSM-III-R to graduate-level counseling students; Limitations of the DSM-III-R as it applies to ethnic minority clients; Teaching counselors to use the DSM-III-R with ethnic clients; Conclusions.

The article presents strategies for counselors for using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) with Mexican Americans. MMPI-2 is frequently used by counselors to assess culturally and linguistically diverse clients, including Asian, African, and Hispanic Americans, in a variety of mental health or clinical settings. The article presents a series of strategies counselors can use to competently apply the MMPI-2 to Mexican Americans or Chicanos. The strategies focus on the application or administration and interpretation of the MMPI -2. The majority of research with either the MMPI or MMPI-2 has been conducted with Hispanics of Mexican descent. It is believed that if counselors follow these strategies they are less likely to make the types of errors that limit the usefulness of the MMPI-2 with Chicanos and are more likely to increase the possibilities of making culturally responsive interventions based on culturally competent MMPI-2 analyses. A counselor must recognize the strengths and limitations of using the MMPI-2 and always acknowledge an underlying sociocultural context in every Chicano client's MMPI-2 performance.

The author talks about the immigration humanitarian crisis around the world and the need for social workers to be prepared to deal with it. Topics discussed include the conditions for children and families in the camps; social workers' lack of expertise in immigration and child welfare policy; and the ethical duty of social workers to intervene in the issues of immigrants.