Month: February 2024

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex health disparity in many Indigenous and rural populations. While it affects anyone regardless of race, age, gender, or other common differences among people, Indigenous and rural populations are at a higher risk of dying from colorectal cancer. An NCI Screen to Save (S2S) program was culturally tailored to promote awareness and knowledge of colorectal cancer and screening in both Indigenous and rural communities across a sector in Northeastern USA. Indigenous and rural community outreach teams at an NCI-designated cancer center partnered with a community advisory board to provide an indigenized/ruralized version of the NCI Screen to Save program delivered to both Indigenous and rural/suburban communities. In total, n = 79 pre/post surveys were obtained from n = 82 participants, who had an average age of 49 years. Findings demonstrated that Indigenous/rural participants in both off-territory/non-reservation communities and a tribal community that received a culturally tailored version of NCI’s S2S program were able to identify both smoking and tobacco use along with lack of physical activity as risk factors for colorectal cancer. Post-intervention, participants reported being more likely to increase physical activity. Most importantly, participants said they would be more likely to be screened for colorectal cancer along with their family and friends based on their cancer screening experiences. Culturally tailored CRC messaging is an effective means for increasing screening intentions and decreasing cancer health disparities among both indigenous and rural populations. Future research should include the relationship of diet to obesity-related cancers, greater integration of Indigenous-rural patient navigation programs, creation of more information on genetic screening, and quality improvement to service translational science initiatives.

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The overrepresentation of certain racial/ethnic groups in criminal legal systems raises concerns about the cross-cultural application of risk assessment tools. We provide a framework for conceptualizing and measuring racial bias/fairness and review research for three tools assessing risk of sexual recidivism: Static-99R, STABLE-2007, and VRS-SO.

Recent Findings

Most cross-cultural research examines Static-99R and generally supports its use with Black, White, Hispanic, and Asian men. Preliminary research also supports STABLE-2007 with Asian men. Findings are most concerning for Indigenous men, where Static-99R and STABLE-2007 significantly predict sexual recidivism, but with significantly and meaningfully lower accuracy compared to White men. For the VRS-SO and the combined Static-99R/STABLE-2007 risk levels, predictive accuracy was not significantly lower for Indigenous men, for which we discuss several possible explanations.

Summary

We offer considerations for risk scale selection with Indigenous men and highlight recent guidance produced for cross-cultural risk assessment.

Abstract

Background

Hispanic/Latino people with HIV (PWH) experience disparities in health outcomes compared with other racial and ethnic groups. Disaggregated data based on race for Hispanic/Latino PWH in the United States are rarely reported, potentially masking inequities.

Methods

The Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) is a complex sample survey of adults with diagnosed HIV. We used weighted interview and medical record data collected from June 2015–May 2021 to examine differences in social determinants of health (SDH) and health outcomes by self-reported race among Hispanic/Latino adults with diagnosed HIV.

Results

Compared with White Hispanic/Latino PWH, Black Hispanic/Latino PWH were more likely to be unemployed (PR, 1.4; CI, 1.2–1.8), have a disability (PR, 1.3; CI, 1.2–1.5), have experienced homelessness (PR, 1.8; CI, 1.2–2.6), and have been incarcerated (PR, 2.6; CI, 1.5–4.5). American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) (PR, 1.8; CI, 1.1–2.7) and multiracial (PR, 2.0; CI, 1.4–2.9) Hispanic/Latino PWH were more likely to have experienced homelessness than White Hispanic/Latino PWH. Black (PR, 1.3; CI, 1.2–1.5) and multiracial (PR, 1.2; CI, 1.1–1.5) Hispanic/Latino PWH were more likely to be virally unsuppressed than White Hispanic/Latino PWH.

Conclusion

Black, multiracial, and AI/AN Hispanic/Latino PWH experience disparities in SDH and HIV outcomes. Lumping Hispanic/Latino people into one racial and ethnic category obscures health disparities, which might limit our progress towards reaching national HIV goals. Future studies should consider disaggregating by other factors such as Hispanic origin, place of birth, immigration status, and primary language. Doing so recognizes the diversity of the Hispanic/Latino population.

Abstract

Denisovans, a group of now extinct humans who lived in Eastern Eurasia in the Middle and Late Pleistocene, were first identified from DNA sequences just over a decade ago. Only ten fragmentary remains from two sites have been attributed to Denisovans based entirely on molecular information. Nevertheless, there has been great interest in using genetic data to understand Denisovans and their place in human history. From the reconstruction of a single high-quality genome, it has been possible to infer their population history, including events of admixture with other human groups. Additionally, the identification of Denisovan DNA in the genomes of present-day individuals has provided insights into the timing and routes of dispersal of ancient modern humans into Asia and Oceania, as well as the contributions of archaic DNA to the physiology of present-day people. In this Review, we synthesize more than a decade of research on Denisovans, reconcile controversies and summarize insights into their population history and phenotype. We also highlight how our growing knowledge about Denisovans has provided insights into our own evolutionary history.

Abstract

In this article, we present a narrative review of mathematics education research on language and on communication over 2019–2022, but also look ahead by addressing challenges posed by the lack of distinction between language and communication. The persistence and significance of the problem of the distinction between language and communication are thus outlined in a historical moment of celebration of growth of research in the domain. Informed by the analysis of a selection of research journal articles and by our trajectories, we discuss influential topics in the recent discourse: multilingual mathematics classrooms; mathematics teacher education on language in mathematics teaching; multimodal mathematical communication; interaction and mathematics learning; mathematical language and discourse. We connect this with new emerging or old revisited concepts: instructional designing, gesturing, argumenting and languaging. We finish by further reflecting on multimodal mathematical communication and gesturing, and on the potential of expanding the notion of mathematics register towards a notion of mathematics communication register.

Abstract

Hypertension is a serious condition that significantly increases the risks of several cardiovascular diseases. An estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years worldwide have hypertension, and two-thirds of them live in low- and middle-income countries. Indigenous (tribal) populations are not exceptional to the threat of hypertension. Hence, there is a need to highlight the rising prevalence of hypertension among Indian tribes and to bring them under health care programmes. This paper reports the systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the prevalence of hypertension among Indian tribes by following the PRISMA guidelines. Three databases, viz. PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and Scopus, were included. The gender-wise pooled prevalences were calculated, and forest plots were depicted. Other analyses were performed, including heterogeneity test, meta-regression and sub-group analysis. Of the 1010 studies obtained, 42 were included in this review. These studies covered tribal populations in different regions of India. The pooled prevalence of hypertension among men, women and combined were 23.66% (95% confidence interval (CI): 23.25 to 24.07%), 23.37% (95% CI: 22.99 to 23.75%) and 16.68% (95% CI: 16.10 to 17.28%) respectively. Considerable heterogeneity was found among these studies. The situation of increasing prevalence, as evident from this review, is worrisome as the hypertension epidemic will affect the poor tribal communities that cannot afford to pay for treatment expenses. Therefore, people’s access to public health services must be improved. This review discusses the recent initiatives to reduce the burden of hypertension and other noncommunicable diseases in India and highlights the need of implementation research to strengthen these initiatives.

Abstract

Stingless bees are a unique resource to Afrotropical ecosystems where they pollinate crops and natural vegetation, and produce honey which has medicinal powers. Studies on African stingless bees are limited partly due to difficulties in identifying them in the field. This study aimed to explore the use of nest characteristics as a simplified technique to discriminate Tanzanian stingless bee species. A total of 49 nests belonging to eight stingless bee species were studied in 15 locations. Qualitative and quantitative data on nesting sites, nest cavities, and architecture of nest entrances, brood rearing area and food storage area were collected and analyzed by comparison of means, hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis (PCA). We found that, differences in nest characteristics among stingless bee species reflected adaptations which enhanced various functions including insulation, ventilation, defense and survival. Four of the studied species were clearly separated on the dendrogram generated by Gower’s distance and PCA plot based on quantitative data of nest architecture. Qualitative data assisted the distinction of two other species which had similar nest architecture. The findings of this study suggest that nest characteristics can facilitate identification of stingless bee species in the field. We propose the development of taxonomic tools based on key nest characteristics to provide a practical and user-friendly approach which even personnel who lack scientific expertise can use to discriminate stingless bee species. Such tools would contribute to the advancement of stingless bee management, research and extension services.

Abstract

Pacific Islander communities in the USA experienced some of the most severe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative synthesis examines the literature on Pacific Islander community responses and lessons learned from COVID-19, using a systematic search that identified 28 articles with this focus. Thematic analysis was subsequently used to classify both documented efforts by Pacific Islander communities to respond to the pandemic, as well as lessons learned and best practices from research in this area. Results revealed multiple efforts to address the pandemic, including Pacific Islander grassroots approaches, government responses, inter-sector collaboration, and research. Results further emphasized the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive outreach and messaging; partnership, engagement, and capacity building; and changes in research and policy approaches to promote health equity. Future efforts to address public health crises should make the most of Pacific Islander cultural approaches to disaster response. To achieve this, government and other organizations that work with PI communities need to support the development of the PI leadership, healthcare and research workforces, and work with Pacific Islander communities to build long-term, sustainable, and trustworthy partnerships.

Abstract

Our previous findings in the UK and Colombia show that CU traits predict later aggression specifically among children who are already aggressive. We hypothesised that this effect would be reduced in the presence of maternal praise and positivity. In a sample of 220 mothers and children from Colombia, mother–child interactions were coded for maternal praise and positivity, and mothers reported on children’s CU traits at age 3.5 and aggression at ages 3.5 and 5 years. The results show three-way interactions between CU traits, child aggression and observed parenting at age 3.5 years in the prediction of later child aggression, and two-way interactions indicating a protective effect of positive parenting in the high aggressive children. Based on our finding, it is plausible that positive parenting may modify the effect of CU traits in the highly vulnerable group of children who are already aggressive in early childhood.

Abstract

Nonprofit organizations are critical actors in the Sustainable Development Goals as they provide a wide range of social services to the community and contribute to creating a sustainable future. They must compete for funding or government contracts by showing high social performance. Among the top factors influencing social performance is capacity, and it has received considerable attention in public and nonprofit literature. Capacity refers to the resources, capabilities, and practices required to perform their functions to achieve the social mission and high social performance. However, studies concerning capacity linked with social performance remain controversial. Understanding the linkage between capacity and social performance is relevant to funders, board directors, and management as it helps them enhance organizational performance. This research aims to assess the flow of knowledge in the study field and make recommendations for future research. The study focuses on capacity of nonprofits and thoroughly reviews the literature using complementary bibliometric analysis: co-occurrence analysis of keywords, sources, and authors and bibliographic coupling analysis of documents. We conduct a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed journal articles published between 1955 and 2022. Seven significant themes emerge among the most prominent researchers: (1) the link between capacity and social performance; (2) dimensions of capacity; (3) human resource capacity linked with social performance: (4) financial capacity linked with social performance; (5) capacity building linked with social performance; (6) collaboration and capacity; and (7) factors affecting capacity–social performance. The literature on nonprofits is determined to have inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between capacity and social performance. Research on various factors influencing capacity–social performance relationships is also scarce. This article highlights major principles in the discipline and identifies significant theoretical gaps in the body of knowledge. It also outlines the conceptual foundation for the study and makes recommendations for further research. From a managerial standpoint, the study sheds light on whether capacity is linked to higher performance levels and provides policymakers with guidelines on the implications of capacity building and collaboration.