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Background: Despite the universal nature of postpartum vaginal bleeding after childbirth and the importance of managing vaginal bleeding in the postpartum period to monitor health status, little is known about the information or products that birthing individuals are provided. Investigating current practices may offer insights to enacting more supportive and equitable postpartum care. Objective: To evaluate the patterns and content of vaginal bleeding counseling provided to birthing parents while on a postnatal inpatient unit. Design: Observational study of inpatient postpartum care. Birthing parents and their companions consented to video and audio recording of themselves, their infants, and healthcare team members during their postnatal unit stay. Methods: Following IRB approval and in coordination with clinicians at a tertiary hospital in the southeastern United States, data were collected with 15 families from August to December 2020. A multidisciplinary team coded video and audio data from each family from 12 h before hospital discharge. This analysis evaluates patterns of vaginal bleeding counseling timing, content, and language concordance and thematic content of this communication. Results: Birthing parent participants were self-identified Hispanic White ( n = 6), non-Hispanic Black ( n = 5), non-Hispanic White ( n = 3), and non-Hispanic multi-race ( n = 1). Six were Spanish-speaking and eight had cesarean section births. The timing, content, and language concordance of vaginal bleeding communication varied, with these topics mainly addressed in the hour preceding discharge. Twelve of the 15 birthing parents had communication on these topics between 2 and 5 times, 2 had one exchange, and 1 had no counseling on postpartum bleeding observed. Four of the six Spanish-speaking birthing parents had counseling on these topics that was not language concordant. Postpartum vaginal bleeding management involved the themes of access to products, patient safety, and meaningful counseling. There was a lack of adequate access, variation in accurate and respectful care, and a busy clinical environment with differences in information provided. Conclusion: Findings suggest that there are opportunities to strengthen clinical practices for more consistent, proactive, and language concordant vaginal bleeding and subsequent menstrual care postpartum. Menstrual equity is an important part of dignified and safe care.

Abstract Higher nighttime blood pressure (BP), less BP dipping, and higher BP variability have been linked with worse cognitive function in the elderly. The goal of this study is to explore whether this relationship already exists in early and middle adulthood. We further examined whether ethnic differences between African Americans and European Americans in BP parameters can explain ethnic differences in cognitive function. 24‐h ambulatory BP monitoring and cognitive function were obtained from 390 participants (average age: 37.2 years with a range of 25–50; 54.9% African Americans; 63.6% females). We observed that higher nighttime BP, decreased dipping, and higher variability were significantly associated with lower scores on the Picture Sequence Memory Test. Significant negative associations between variability and overall composite scores were also observed. No significant associations between average 24‐h or daytime BP and cognitive function were observed. Ethnic differences in nighttime diastolic pressures and dipping can explain 6.81% to 10.8% of the ethnicity difference in the score of the Picture Sequence Memory Test (ps

Background: The United States is increasingly recognizing period product insecurity, insufficient access to menstrual products and limited private spaces for managing menstruation due to financial constraints, as an issue impacting the well-being and dignity of Americans. One strategy to address period product insecurity has been distributing free period products via period supply banks. The outcomes of period product distribution outside the school setting are absent from the literature. Objectives: This study, a formative evaluation of the free period product distribution efforts of the Alliance for Period Supplies, aims to identify (1) characteristics of individuals receiving products from period supply banks and their experiences of period product insecurity and (2) health and social outcomes experienced by recipients of free period products. Design: Survey data collection occurred at two points: baseline and one-year follow-up. All study participants provided verbal consent. Methods: Between Fall 2018 and Spring 2020, 1863 baseline and 80 follow-up surveys were administered. Participants received free period products for themselves and/or a household member from one of 20 participating Alliance for Period Supplies period supply banks directly or from one of their 64 partner agencies. Results: At baseline, 72.4% of participants had to choose between buying period products and another basic need. One year after accessing a period supply bank, 36.3% of participants reported this experience ( p = 0.018). Participants reported at baseline, on average, 7.8 days in the past year of avoiding seeing others, canceling appointments, or skipping work or school because they did not have access to period products. At follow-up, this was reduced to 1.2 days, on average, t (68) = 2.214, p

Background: Period products like pads, tampons, and a variety of disposable and reusable hygiene supplies constitute just one facet essential for effectively managing menstruation in a way that allows an individual to feel comfortable carrying out their daily routine. Given the absence of comprehensive public policies ensuring access to period products for economically disadvantaged menstruating individuals, community-based basic needs banks, particularly period supply banks, were established to alleviate the challenges faced by those experiencing period product insecurity. These initiatives specifically aim to furnish essential menstrual products to individuals in need. Objectives: This study aimed to assess any organizational benefits experienced by community-based organizations distributing period products on behalf of period supply banks. Design: This cross-sectional study is a formative evaluation of the distribution of free period products by period supply banks, which provide access to essential menstrual hygiene products for individuals in need through partnership with community-based partner agencies. Methods: Staff members at agencies distributing period products were invited to complete an anonymous web-based survey at two different time points about their agency’s experiences distributing free period products. All participants provided informed consent via the web-based survey. Results: Agency staff reported that since they started providing period products, clients were more likely to: start a conversation about other needs (66.7%), extend the length of their relationship with the agency (60.0%), keep scheduled appointments (62.1%), ask for assistance with another need (75.0%), communicate between visits (42.4%), participate in other agency programming (55.9%), and seek other agency services (73.5%). Due to a shortage of period products, 41% of agencies have had to turn away clients needing period supplies. Conclusion: Period supply banks, in collaboration with community-based partner agencies, enhance access to both menstrual products and the associated support, fostering engagement with diverse resources and opportunities among recipients. However, addressing unmet needs necessitates policies and additional funding to ensure universal access to essential hygiene supplies for everyone to thrive and actively participate in society.

The identity and origin of the stem/progenitor cells for adult joint cartilage repair remain unknown, impeding therapeutic development. Simulating the common therapeutic modality for cartilage repair in humans, i.e., full-thickness microfracture joint surgery, we combined the mouse full-thickness injury model with lineage tracing and identified a distinct skeletal progenitor cell type enabling long-term (beyond 7 days after injury) articular cartilage repair in vivo. Deriving from a population with active Prg4 expression in adulthood while lacking aggrecan expression, these progenitors proliferate, differentiate to express aggrecan and type II collagen, and predominate in long-term articular cartilage wounds, where they represent the principal repair progenitors in situ under native repair conditions without cellular transplantation. They originate outside the adult bone marrow or superficial zone articular cartilage. These findings have implications for skeletal biology and regenerative medicine for joint injury repair.

Background: Compared with all other racial and ethnic groups, the rate of preterm birth (PTB) is 50% higher among non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). There are limited published data focused on the etiology of the racial disparity in PTB from the perspective of Black birthing individuals who have had a lived experience with PTB. Methods: To gain insights into the etiology of the race disparity in PTB from the NHB patient's perspective, we conducted a qualitative descriptive study with NHBs who have a history of PTB. We conducted both focus group discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews (IDIs), and used applied thematic analysis to analyze the data. Results: Seven individuals participated in 3 FGDs and 15 individuals participated in an IDI. The majority of participants named stress as a contributor to PTB among NHBs. Participants described that stress becomes an ongoing cycle with a cumulative effect on health. Three primary sources of stress were identified: (1) individual including stress from lack of personal wellness, (2) relational stress from intimate partner and familial relationships, and (3) community-level stress from occupations and societal expectations. Conclusion: Uncovering NHB patient's perspectives on the etiology of PTB is a critical step to develop interventions that mitigate the disparity impacting the Black community. Our findings suggest that multilevel interventions targeting individual-, relational-, and community-level stress may be necessary to reduce rates of PTB among NHB individuals.

Background: Despite the universal nature of postpartum vaginal bleeding after childbirth and the importance of managing vaginal bleeding in the postpartum period to monitor health status, little is known about the information or products that birthing individuals are provided. Investigating current practices may offer insights to enacting more supportive and equitable postpartum care. Objective: To evaluate the patterns and content of vaginal bleeding counseling provided to birthing parents while on a postnatal inpatient unit. Design: Observational study of inpatient postpartum care. Birthing parents and their companions consented to video and audio recording of themselves, their infants, and healthcare team members during their postnatal unit stay. Methods: Following IRB approval and in coordination with clinicians at a tertiary hospital in the southeastern United States, data were collected with 15 families from August to December 2020. A multidisciplinary team coded video and audio data from each family from 12 h before hospital discharge. This analysis evaluates patterns of vaginal bleeding counseling timing, content, and language concordance and thematic content of this communication. Results: Birthing parent participants were self-identified Hispanic White (n = 6), non-Hispanic Black (n = 5), non-Hispanic White (n = 3), and non-Hispanic multi-race (n = 1). Six were Spanish-speaking and eight had cesarean section births. The timing, content, and language concordance of vaginal bleeding communication varied, with these topics mainly addressed in the hour preceding discharge. Twelve of the 15 birthing parents had communication on these topics between 2 and 5 times, 2 had one exchange, and 1 had no counseling on postpartum bleeding observed. Four of the six Spanish-speaking birthing parents had counseling on these topics that was not language concordant. Postpartum vaginal bleeding management involved the themes of access to products, patient safety, and meaningful counseling. There was a lack of adequate access, variation in accurate and respectful care, and a busy clinical environment with differences in information provided. Conclusion: Findings suggest that there are opportunities to strengthen clinical practices for more consistent, proactive, and language concordant vaginal bleeding and subsequent menstrual care postpartum. Menstrual equity is an important part of dignified and safe care. Plain language summary: Video analysis of when and what information on vaginal bleeding was shared between people who just gave birth and their healthcare team at the hospital. Why did we do the study? After birth, people must take care of vaginal bleeding. It is important for people in the hospital to recognize warning signs for too much bleeding, have access to pads, and feel supported by their healthcare team before discharging to home. There has been little research on experiences with inpatient counseling on postpartum vaginal bleeding—a part of the reproductive life cycle—for new parents. We wanted to watch and listen in hospital rooms so we could think about the best ways for healthcare providers to talk about vaginal bleeding. What did we do? We asked 15 people who just gave birth, people staying with them at the hospital, and their healthcare team if we could video and sound record in their hospital rooms. They could start and stop recording anytime. We only recorded people who agreed to be in the study. What did we learn? We watched recordings of the last 12 hours at the hospital before each family went home. We found that most of the time, the healthcare workers did not talk about vaginal bleeding. People who spoke Spanish did not always have someone interpreting into their language. Sometimes family members had to translate and ask for pads. Some people did not have enough pads or underwear and had to wait after asking for more. What does it mean? We found ways to improve teaching about vaginal bleeding after birth. We recommend always having an interpreter when needed, giving people enough pads and underwear in their rooms, including companions in the teaching, and having enough healthcare workers to answer requests. These ideas would improve the counseling and give everyone the support needed after giving birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delivering course material in a manner that is accessible to all students including those with disabilities is important in the online environment. This article presents an analysis focusing on the accessibility of six courses presented through the Webcourses platform. Six professors volunteered one course for analysis. The tool used for analyzing the courses was the WAVE tool bar. Analysis of course was completed individually, but results were reported across courses. Overall, results indicated 13 types of challenges and of these 5 were the most prevalent across courses. The author discusses a brief history of distance education, the tool used for analysis, challenges that were identified within course and offers suggestion of how to minimize those challenges. Within the methodology, screen shots of the WAVE tool bar are provided. Visual analysis of the frequency of the 13 challenges is provided. Implications of the WAVE tool are shared with future research directions.

Applying transformational critical advocacy research in college instruction can be a powerful way to engage students in challenging inequity in society and promoting positive changes. Few studies systematically measure the impact of such pedagogy on the development of college students' beliefs about advocacy. In this mixed methods study, we worked with 21 preservice teachers through advocacy letter writing activities and collected data from pre/post surveys and focus group discussions to explore the impact of such pedagogy. The findings indicated that advocacy letter writing was a meaningful activity for preservice teachers, allowing them a professional opportunity to voice their concerns about personally meaningful issues to entities in power. A significant correlation was found between baseline advocacy experiences and baseline advocacy beliefs, suggesting that the teaching of advocacy, when combined with opportunities for meaningful practice, can contribute to shifts in belief about the importance of advocating.

Background: The United States is increasingly recognizing period product insecurity, insufficient access to menstrual products and limited private spaces for managing menstruation due to financial constraints, as an issue impacting the well-being and dignity of Americans. One strategy to address period product insecurity has been distributing free period products via period supply banks. The outcomes of period product distribution outside the school setting are absent from the literature. Objectives: This study, a formative evaluation of the free period product distribution efforts of the Alliance for Period Supplies, aims to identify (1) characteristics of individuals receiving products from period supply banks and their experiences of period product insecurity and (2) health and social outcomes experienced by recipients of free period products. Design: Survey data collection occurred at two points: baseline and one-year follow-up. All study participants provided verbal consent. Methods: Between Fall 2018 and Spring 2020, 1863 baseline and 80 follow-up surveys were administered. Participants received free period products for themselves and/or a household member from one of 20 participating Alliance for Period Supplies period supply banks directly or from one of their 64 partner agencies. Results: At baseline, 72.4% of participants had to choose between buying period products and another basic need. One year after accessing a period supply bank, 36.3% of participants reported this experience (p = 0.018). Participants reported at baseline, on average, 7.8 days in the past year of avoiding seeing others, canceling appointments, or skipping work or school because they did not have access to period products. At follow-up, this was reduced to 1.2 days, on average, t (68) = 2.214, p < 0.05. Conclusion: Period supply banks play an essential role in facilitating access to period products and the resulting benefits. Our study highlights the need for sustainable, well-funded policies and interventions to address period product insecurity effectively in society. Plain Language Summary: How people in the United States benefit when they get free period products from a period supply bank Why we did this study: In the United States, many individuals cannot afford to buy period supplies and the other stuff they need to live. Period supply banks want to help by giving them free period products. Researchers do not know if getting free period products is helpful for individuals. What we wanted to learn: The Alliance for Period Supplies is a membership program for period supply banks. We wanted to learn about the individuals who get free period products and whether getting them was helpful. What we did: For a year, starting in Fall 2018, we asked 1863 individuals to fill out paper surveys. A year later, we asked 80 of those same individuals to fill out a second survey. We asked participants to take the survey if they got free period products from a period supply bank for themselves or someone they live with. Individuals only participated in the study if they told us they wanted to. What we learned: Individuals who cannot afford period products must navigate difficult decisions between purchasing products or choosing other basic needs. Providing free products through a period supply bank has lessened the burden on these individuals, reducing the number who had to choose. Individuals unable to afford period products may sometimes opt out of going places they want to go for pleasure or miss important events, like work or school, because they do not have period products. Getting free period products has eased these challenges, letting individuals participate more fully in activities and engagements without worry about period products. Why is this important: Period supply banks are essential places where individuals receive free period products. The period supply banks need more individuals, including our government, to donate period supplies or money to buy them so they can help more individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Period products like pads, tampons, and a variety of disposable and reusable hygiene supplies constitute just one facet essential for effectively managing menstruation in a way that allows an individual to feel comfortable carrying out their daily routine. Given the absence of comprehensive public policies ensuring access to period products for economically disadvantaged menstruating individuals, community-based basic needs banks, particularly period supply banks, were established to alleviate the challenges faced by those experiencing period product insecurity. These initiatives specifically aim to furnish essential menstrual products to individuals in need. Objectives: This study aimed to assess any organizational benefits experienced by community-based organizations distributing period products on behalf of period supply banks. Design: This cross-sectional study is a formative evaluation of the distribution of free period products by period supply banks, which provide access to essential menstrual hygiene products for individuals in need through partnership with community-based partner agencies. Methods: Staff members at agencies distributing period products were invited to complete an anonymous web-based survey at two different time points about their agency's experiences distributing free period products. All participants provided informed consent via the web-based survey. Results: Agency staff reported that since they started providing period products, clients were more likely to: start a conversation about other needs (66.7%), extend the length of their relationship with the agency (60.0%), keep scheduled appointments (62.1%), ask for assistance with another need (75.0%), communicate between visits (42.4%), participate in other agency programming (55.9%), and seek other agency services (73.5%). Due to a shortage of period products, 41% of agencies have had to turn away clients needing period supplies. Conclusion: Period supply banks, in collaboration with community-based partner agencies, enhance access to both menstrual products and the associated support, fostering engagement with diverse resources and opportunities among recipients. However, addressing unmet needs necessitates policies and additional funding to ensure universal access to essential hygiene supplies for everyone to thrive and actively participate in society. Plain language summary: Positive benefits for agencies giving away free period products from a period supply bank in the United States Why we did this study: In the United States, many people with periods cannot afford to buy period supplies when needed. When people do not have enough period products, they may have to stay home from places they want to go, like work, school, or community spaces. Period supply banks want to help ensure everyone has period supplies, so that, they take in donations and buy more supplies. Then, period supply banks partner with other agencies that give period supplies for free to individuals experiencing need. What we wanted to learn: We wanted to know if the agencies that give away free period products through partnerships with period supply banks have any benefits from doing so. What we did: We asked people who work at an agency that gives away free period products received through a partnership with a period supply bank to take an online survey at two different times, when the agency began the collaboration with the period supply bank and after distributing period supplies for several months. Only people who wanted to be in the study did the survey. What we learned: Agencies who give away free period products benefit because clients are more likely to talk to them about other needs they have, enroll in a program or receive another resource from the agency, miss fewer appointments, and stay in an agency program longer. Sometimes, agencies do not have enough products for everyone who needs period supplies. More funding and policies are needed to help period supply banks buy enough period products for everyone who needs them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molten chloride salts (including MgCl2, KCl, NaCl, and ZnCl2) are being considered for heat transfer media for renewable (solar) and nuclear power generators, as fuel carrier for nuclear reactors, and as thermal energy storage media. Impurities such as oxygen, hydroxides, moisture, and sulfur are known to negatively influence the corrosion of materials in contact with the salt (e.g., structural metals). Commercially available chloride salts come with a range of impurities. Before using the chloride salts at high temperature, it is desirable to remove the impurities to increase the performance of the salt and reduce corrosion. In this study, we tested the use of thionyl chloride vaporized into a stream of argon to react with oxygenated impurities in a mixture of MgCl2-KCl-NaCl, removing them as HCl and SO2. The reagent was bubbled through the salt when both above and below the melting point. The reaction was followed using thermocouple data from the salt and by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy on the exhaust of the reactor. The reaction kinetics were followed by comparing the peaks from SO2 product to SOCl2 reagent in the FTIR spectra. The purity of the salt was assessed at the end of the purification process by x-ray diffraction and inductively coupled plasma analysis. Although the process was effective in removing the oxygen content of the mixture, ternary compounds were formed in the process, including KNiCl3 and KMgCl3. The nickel in KNiCl3 came from the reaction between the salt and the nickel vessel. Thus, these experiments suggest that improvements to the process must be made before using SOCl2 vapors for the purification of chloride salts.

Abstract Background Pregnant women with a history of preterm birth are at risk for recurrence, often requiring frequent prenatal visits for close monitoring and/or preventive therapies. Employment demands can limit uptake and adherence to recommended monitoring and preterm birth prevention therapies. Method We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using in-depth interviews (IDIs) of pregnant women with a history of preterm birth. IDIs were conducted by trained qualitative interviewers following a semi-structured interview guide focused on uncovering barriers and facilitators to initiation of prenatal care, including relevant employment experiences, and soliciting potential interventions to improve prompt prenatal care initiation. The IDIs were analyzed via applied thematic analysis. Results We described the interview findings that address women’s employment experiences. The current analysis includes 27 women who are majority self-described as non-Hispanic Black (74%) and publically insured (70%). Participants were employed in a range of professions; food services, childcare and retail were the most common occupations. Participants described multiple ways that being pregnant impacted their earning potential, ranging from voluntary work-hour reduction, involuntary duty hour reductions by employers, truncated promotions, and termination of employment. Participants also shared varying experiences with workplace accommodations to their work environment and job duties based on their pregnancy. Some of these accommodations were initiated by a collaborative employee/employer discussion, others were initiated by the employer’s perception of safe working conditions in pregnancy, and some accommodations were based on medical recommendations. Participants described supportive and unsupportive employer reactions to requests for accommodations. Conclusions Our findings provide novel insights into women’s experiences balancing a pregnancy at increased risk for preterm birth with employment obligations. While many women reported positive experiences, the most striking insights came from women who described negative situations that ranged from challenging to potentially unlawful. Many of the findings suggest profound misunderstandings likely exist at the patient, employer and clinical provider level about the laws surrounding employment in pregnancy, safe employment responsibilities during pregnancy, and the range of creative accommodations that often allow for continued workplace productivity even during high risk pregnancy.

Veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) may experience long-term challenges that compromise community reintegration (CR) outcomes. Resource facilitation (RF) is an evidence-based model of service delivery that bridges community support services following acute care or rehabilitation. Coalition building is an implementation strategy used to cultivate relationships to promote access and referral to CR services. This one-year, mixed-method community-based pilot study included a Veteran leadership planning team and thirteen coalition members. Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory (WCFI) results show a decrease in overall coalition function concerns and an increase in coalition function strengths. Themes emerged in the areas of facilitators of coalition functioning, and barriers to coalition functioning. Coalition building can be used to cultivate relationships and build partnerships to promote Veteran access and referral to CR services. Keywords: brain injuries, community integration, veterans, rehabilitation counseling, Approximately 347,962 Veterans have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) since 2000 (Defense & Veterans Brain Injury, 2017). These individuals often face dynamic, ongoing, long-term challenges that compromise outcomes [...]

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are common childhood vascular tumors.  Treatment of IH has undergone rapid change in recent years.  Since 2008, oral propranolol has been used to treat complicated IH and has proven superior to previously used therapies.  More recently, the efficacy of other systemic beta blockers, specifically atenolol and nadolol, has been reported.  In addition, topical timolol solution has been effective for treatment of smaller, more superficial IH.  The purpose of this article is to review the current literature of beta-blocker therapy for IH.

While research shows the potential benefits of local food systems to improve community economy and quality of life, there is a critique that these studies overlook how informal, non‐market food access practices contribute to local food systems, especially in rural places. McEntee promoted the concepts of traditional and contemporary localism in his work with rural food systems, arguing that the motivations of participants define the categories. Using narrative research with wild harvesters in the Ozark Highlands, we propose that while McEntee's definitions are useful for expanding the conversation about why people may choose local food or not, more efforts should focus on valuing and welcoming the broader intersection of priorities and strategies that people use to engage in local food systems in their communities. Promoting a wider portfolio of local food access strategies is important to communicate that there are a variety of ways to participate in localized food systems, some in regular market transactions and some in informal non‐market ways, and that all are potentially valuable in building sustainable food systems in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While research shows the potential benefits of local food systems to improve community economy and quality of life, there is a critique that these studies overlook how informal, non‐market food access practices contribute to local food systems, especially in rural places. McEntee promoted the concepts of traditional and contemporary localism in his work with rural food systems, arguing that the motivations of participants define the categories. Using narrative research with wild harvesters in the Ozark Highlands, we propose that while McEntee's definitions are useful for expanding the conversation about why people may choose local food or not, more efforts should focus on valuing and welcoming the broader intersection of priorities and strategies that people use to engage in local food systems in their communities. Promoting a wider portfolio of local food access strategies is important to communicate that there are a variety of ways to participate in localized food systems, some in regular market transactions and some in informal non‐market ways, and that all are potentially valuable in building sustainable food systems in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many academic libraries have actively sought to articulate their value to campus stakeholders for well over a decade, and this demonstration of utility has become even more necessary as college and university budgets are scrutinized and even imperiled. This article will examine the experience of several academic libraries that have sought multiple ways to employ assessment tools and techniques over time. Specific instances of methods and tools used to assess and to market the value of library services, spaces, and collections will be discussed in relation to their perceived impact and sustainability.

Objective: To describe first-year college student-athletes' friendship contexts and test whether their perceptions of alcohol use and approval by different types of friends are associated with their own alcohol use. Participants: First-year student-athletes (N = 2,622) from 47 colleges and universities participating in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports during February-March 2013. Methods: Student-athletes completed online surveys during the baseline assessment of an alcohol and other drug prevention program evaluation. Analyses tested whether perceptions of friends' alcohol use (descriptive norms) and perceptions of friends' approval of alcohol use (injunctive norms) predicted their alcohol use. Results: Both use and approval perceptions by upperclassmen, same-team, and most influential friends significantly predicted alcohol use. By contrast, only perceived use by first-year, nonteam, and less influential friends significantly predicted alcohol use. Conclusions: Athletics departments' alcohol policies and prevention programming for first-year student-athletes should address the potential influence of different types of friends on alcohol use.