General College Research Articles

Morality Cultivation in College English Reading and Writing Course Through Blended Learning

In recent years, “blended learning” and “curriculum-based morality cultivation” have become two research hotspots in Chinese tertiary foreign language education field. Enhancing morality cultivation (also termed as moral education or ideological-political education by some researchers) is the goal for higher education achieved through the instruction of general and specialized college courses. Blended learning, an inevitable product of “Internet + Education” era, provides an effective approach for both teachers and students to reach the goal. For decades, English is learned more as a tool than a means to cultivate students’ humanistic values. Besides, there’s a serious insufficiency in the training of higher-order thinking skills in tertiary EFL classes. To tackle the two problems prevalent in today’s college English teaching, this paper, guided by two important official Guidelines, analyzes the connotation and ways of cultivating morality through language teaching. It also reviews the research on blended learning and blended language learning to show the potentials of this learning model. One specific teaching example from College English Reading and Writing Course is given to demonstrate the ways of imparting knowledge, developing skills and cultivating values by effectively integrating face-to-face and online learning. The study is expected to provide a feasible solution to the two problem mentioned above, deepen readers’ understanding of the two research hotspots and enable teachers of College English Courses in China to apply this model to their teaching practice.

SCREENING COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER USING DYSMORPHIC CONCERN QUESTIONNAIRE: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY COMPARING PUBLIC SECTOR MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL STUDENTS IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Background and Objectives: Body Dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by preoccupation with an imagined flaw in appearance or slight defect in one's body. It is a disabling obsessive- compulsive spectrum disorder often goes unrecognized in clinical practice and found to be associated with social anxiety, distress and suicidal tendency. The aim of this study was to screen public sector college students for body dysmorphic disorder using a validated dysmorphic concern questionnaire® through an online survey and describing family, peers and media influences in relation to its occurrence.
 Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was undertaken in two public sector medical colleges (Lahore and Sialkot) and one public sector general education college (Sialkot) during November 2019 to June 2022. Overall, 378 students completed a validated 7-items Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ)® online. Participants provided responses on a 4-point scale. They also responded to questions regarding social pressures and media influencing the dysmorphic concern. A BDD score was computed as per method described by Mancuso et al. and participants with score more than 14 were labelled as having BDD. Association between family, peers and media influences with BDD score was analyzed using logistic regression technique in SPSS version 25.®
 Results: Of 378 participants, 251 (66%) were medical students and 127 (34%) were general education students. About 1.3% medical students and 5.0 % non-medical students were classified having potential body dysmorphic disorder respectively. Adjusted odds ratio comparing medical and non-medical students for BDD is 4.4 (95% CI: 1.2-15.9; p=0.02) with higher odds of BDD observed for those aged 18-20 years (OR=3.3) and in females (OR=1.1, 95% CI=0.4-2.8; p=0.83).
 Conclusion: BDD is comparatively frequent in non-medical female students aged 18-20 years. Family and peer pressure alongside the influences from social, print and electronic media had considerable effect on non- medical students comparatively and may contribute the occurrence of body dysmorphic disorder.

Transcultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the Thai-Brief Resilient Coping Scale: a cross-sectional study during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Thailand

This study aimed to examine the transcultural adaptation, construct validity, and psychometric properties of the Thai-Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) among the general population and college students through the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Thailand. We invited the 4004 participants to complete sets of anchor-based measurement tools, including depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, well-being, and perceived social support. The scale factor structure of the Thai-BRCS was assessed using factor analysis, and nonparametric item response theory (IRT) analysis. The psychometric properties of the Thai-BRCS for validity (convergent and discriminant) and reliability (internal consistency and reproducibility) were assessed. Based on the construct validity testing, factor analysis, and nonparametric IRT analysis reaffirmed the unidimensionality with a one-factor structure of the Thai-BRCS version. For convergent validity, the scale was significantly correlated with all sets of anchor-based measurement tools (all P < 0.001). The discriminant validity was satisfactory with a group of medium and low resilience and the risk of adverse mental outcomes. For scale reliability, it revealed excellent internal consistency (alpha = 0.84, omega = 0.85) and reproducibility (intraclass correlation = 0.91). The Thai-BRCS version fulfills transcultural adaptation with satisfactory psychometric properties to measure psychological resilience in the Thai population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysis of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for choledocholithiasis-a prospective study

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) remains the cornerstone of treatment worldwide for coexisting CBD and gall bladder calculi. The interval between ERCP and LC is disputed. In our study, LC is performed at or more than 6 weeks after ERCP keeping in view by allowing the gall bladder to recover from the acute inflammatory changes if operated upon earlier.Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study in the postgraduate department of general surgery government medical college Srinagar J and K India over a period of 2 years. The 25 patients above age of 18 years and with cholecysto-choledocholithiasis who underwent ERCP and LC at or more than 6 weeks were included.Results: In our study the mean age was 45.3 years. Male: female ratio was 1:3.2. the distribution of patients as per Nassar grading scale 1 (4%) patient had grade I,12 (48%) patients had grade II, 5 (20%) patients had grade III and 7 (28%) patients had grade IV. In patients with grade I, the mean duration of surgery was 36.0 minutes, in grade II the duration of surgery ranged from 34-60 minutes with mean duration of surgery of 43.4 min (SD±8.9), in grade III duration of surgery ranged from 42-68 minutes with mean duration of surgery of 55.2 min (SD±10.06) and in grade IV duration of surgery ranged from 68-116 minutes with mean duration of surgery of 91.3 min (SD±17.66). We observed a definite relationship between the intraoperative Nassar grading scale and the post ERCP interval, 1 patient of grade I scale operated at 12 weeks post ERCP. 12 patients were between the post ERCP interval of 8-12 weeks (mean 10.1 weeks) and they had grade II. In grade III we had 5 patients with post ERCP interval of 7-11 weeks (mean 9.2 weeks). In grade IV we had 7 patients with post ERCP interval of 6-10 weeks (mean 7.9 weeks). p=0.008.Conclusions: Interval LC after ERCP is safe but challenging, longer the interval time between ERCP and LC lesser the chances of encountering intra-operative complications. We recommend LC more than 6 weeks after ERCP is safe.

“COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CONSERVATIVE VERSUS OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT IN CASES OF ABDOMINAL KOCH'S”

Background: Abdominal tuberculosis is sixth most common type of extra- pulmonary tuberculosis. It can affect any intra-abdominal organ and any part of the intestinal tract. Patients are managed conservatively and Surgery in patients with Abdominal Tuberculosis is reserved for those with acute surgical complications including intestinal obstruction, perforation, abscess, colocutaneous stula, excessive bleeding and patients who are not responding to medical management. Our study was conducted on 65 Patients of abdom Methods: inal tuberculosis admitted in department of general surgery RD Gardi Medical College, Ujjain between December 2019 to July 2021. Out of 65 patients, 66.2% were managed Results: surgically and 33.8% managed conservatively. Exploratory laparotomy With Segmental Bowel Resection due to multiple ileal strictures with ileostomy with ileostomy closure after 3 months of ATT is done in 30.23% patient in our study. Exploratory laparotomy with loop ileostomy for ileocaecal mass and abdominal abscess 2ndstage surgery after 3 months of ATT right hemicolectomy with ileotransverse anstomosis done in 20.93 % patients. Exploratory laparotomy With Resection Of ileocaecal Mass with ileoascending anastomosis is done in 20.93% of patients in our study In our study, exploratory laparotomy with adhesiolysis with release of bands with loop ileostomy. 2ndstage surgery done after 3 months of ATT, reexploration with right hemicolectomy with ileotransverse anastomosis done in 11.62 % patients.Exploratory laparotomy with right hemicolectomy with ileotransverse anastomosis is done in 10.76 % patients.In our study, slight seroma discharge from wound site is the most common complication seen post operatively (35%). In our study, fecal stula is seen only in 5% of patients. In our study, there are complications developed during and after ATT in which 6 patients required surgery Abdominal tuberculos Conclusions is is an increasingly common disease that poses diagnostic challenge despite advances in diagnostic modalities, as the symptoms and signs of the disease are nonspecic, which may lead to diagnostic delays and eventually lead to development of complications. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is an important factor in early diagnosis. Patients are managed conservatively and Surgery in patients with Abdominal Tuberculosis is reserved for those with acute surgical complications.

Examining Emailed Feedback as Boosters After a College Drinking Intervention Among Fraternities and Sororities: Rationale and Protocol for a Remote Controlled Trial (Project Greek).

College students involved in Greek life (ie, members of fraternities and sororities) tend to engage in more high-risk alcohol use and experience more negative consequences than those not involved in Greek life. Web-based alcohol interventions, such as Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO, have been successful in reducing alcohol use and consequences among the general college student population, but interventions targeting alcohol reduction among those involved in Greek life have had limited success. Booster emails including personalized feedback regarding descriptive norms and protective behavioral strategies have shown potential in increasing the effectiveness of web-based interventions among college drinkers. Studies are needed to determine the efficacy of these boosters among those involved in Greek life. The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of booster emails sent to Greek life students who complete Alcohol eCHECKUP TO GO. Specifically, we expect that participants who receive the booster emails will reduce their alcohol consumption and related problems (primary aim 1), reduce perceived peer drinking, and increase the number of protective behavioral strategies they use over time (primary aim 2) relative to those who do not receive boosters. Contingent upon finding the emailed booster efficacious and sufficient enrollment of members from each organization, an exploratory aim is to examine social mechanisms of change (ie, through selection vs socialization). This study is a remote, controlled intervention trial following participants for up to 6 months. Participants must be aged at least 18 years, undergraduate students, and members of a participating fraternity or sorority. Eligible participants complete a web-based baseline survey to assess their alcohol consumption behaviors and beliefs, including norms and protective behavioral strategies, and information about their social networks. After completing the baseline survey, they participate in the web-based intervention. Follow-up surveys are sent 1, 3, and 6 months after the intervention. Those in the booster condition also receive emails containing personalized feedback at 2 weeks and 14 weeks after the intervention. Latent growth models and R-Simulation Investigation for Empirical Network Analysis will be used to analyze the data. As of September 2022, we have enrolled 18 participants from 2 fraternities and 2 sororities, and they have completed the baseline survey. Overall, 72% (13/18) of participants have completed the 1-month follow-up. Enrollment will continue through December 2022. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of personalized feedback booster emails sent after an alcohol intervention among members of college Greek life. A secondary, exploratory aim is to provide information about social mechanisms of change (if possible). The current methodology targets whole network recruitment, with chapter presidents serving as gatekeepers and facilitators. Unique challenges of recruiting whole networks and working with campus administrators are discussed. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05107284; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05107284. DERR1-10.2196/42535.

중등 예비교사의 교직 적⋅인성 분석 연구

Objectives The purpose of this study was to analyze the teacher aptitude and character test in-depth for the secondary school pre-service teachers and to derive implications for the pre-service teacher training programs. Methods The study analyzed the results of responses conducted for 5,026 cumulative students from 2018 to 2021 who completed teaching courses at A University’s a general college, a college of education, and a graduate school of education. Fundamental statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA, chi-square test, and Scheffé test were applied using Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS 23 for data processing. Results First, the annual average of the teacher aptitude and character test for pre-service teachers showed a significant increase. Second, among the 14 sub-areas of the teacher aptitude and character test, pre-service teachers showed the highest level in the sense of calling and teaching profession but the lowest in the sub-area of creativity and application ability. Finally, comparing the ratio of eligible pre-service teachers for the teacher aptitude and character test before and after the outbreak of COVID 19, the proportion of eligible teachers increased significantly in 2020 compared to 2019. Conclusions This study is meaningful in providing fundamental data for the development of more professional and practical pre-service teacher training programs in the future.

The Master Course Design Process Explained Using General College Botany as a Case Study

This paper describes the master course design process at the largest institution of higher education in Colorado, USA. The master course design process demonstrated principles of backwards design and employed a team-based approach to course development. The course map was the primary vehicle for communicating the design of the course during development and later for accountability. This case study presented the redesign of General College Botany. The General College Botany curriculum employed authentic assessment and provided an andragogical learning environment. The central authentic assessment in the course was a term-long research project. Other assignments included wiki-building discussions, traditional quizzes, and at-home labs. The accounting of this process and the assignments described for an online science course provide a template for other institutions to follow when considering the implementation of master courses in higher education settings. As botanical curricula continue to be cut from degree programs and the need for remote learning becomes imminent in the modern world, the scaling of educational resources is facilitated by master course design. Master course design promotes accountability and standardization while also affording a well-researched, constructive, and blended learning environment.

Revealing the Inner-relevance of College Students' Physical Fitness by Association Analysis and Neural Network.

The physical activity and health status of the students in China are not optimistic, there is a general lack of exercise volume and exercise intensity. Normal college students shoulder the future of China's education. Promoting their physical health is the basic requirement for cultivating teachers in the new era; Methods:Testing and recording 1123 male, 3266 female college students' physical fitness indicators in a normal college, the relationship between these indicators was mined by correlation analysis and Apriori, and the intelligent prediction models was constructed according to the mined knowledge; Results: There was no correlation between male 1000m running and vital capacity (P > 0.05), but it was correlated with vital capacity weight index (P < 0.05); Most indicators of women showed varying degrees of correlation. There are many association rules between female 50m sprint and standing long jump, sit-ups, and BMI. The introduction of vital capacity weight index slightly improved the accuracy of the 1000m run prediction model; The prediction model of female 50m sprint with standing long jump, sit-ups and BMI as inputs not only keeps the accuracy in a reasonable range, but also reduces the complexity and parameters; ConclusionsFor male students, the ostensibly paradoxical relationships between vital capacity and a 1000 meter run and between vital capacity and pull up were actually due to body shape; Body shape, lower limb explosive power, and core strength play key roles for female college students' speed quality; BMI, standing long jump and one minute sit-up can be used to predict the 50m sprint performance of general female college students.

Cross-sectional study of gender differences in physical activity-related injuries amongst Chinese college students majoring in rehabilitation.

The main objective of the paper was to explore the potential risk factors for physical activity-related injuries (PARI) amongst college students majoring in rehabilitation and to analyse gender differences. A random whole group sampling method was used to recruit freshmen to seniors aged 15–25 years from over 90 universities in China that offer rehabilitation. The total number of people included was 6,032, of which 1,989 were male and 4,043 were female. The underlying risk factors for PARI of different genders were assessed using a structured self-management questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity levels, risk-taking and protective behaviors, and PARI. Totally 6,032 questionnaires were obtained for final analysis, with 792 total number of injured persons (415 males, 377 females), the sum of the cumulative frequency of injuries to injured persons is 1,607 (881 males, 726 females) and a PARI risk of 0.27 (males: 0.44, females: 0.18; p < 0.001; sum of the cumulative frequency of injuries/total number of people surveyed/year). For male and female students, participation in sports teams, having a high level of PA as well as with antisocial behavior were risk factors for developing PARI. Regarding female students, regional differences was associated with elevated odds to suffer from PARI. The prevalence rates of PARI vary between male and female students. The research subjects were university students in rehabilitation. Compared to general college students, rehabilitation students have a certain knowledge base related to injuries, which defines the specificity and research value of this subjects. This study provides guidance for reducing PARI in students in rehabilitation and may provide a basis for developing future injury prevention mechanisms for university students in general.

Application of Improved K -Means Clustering Algorithm in Targeted Practice of College Volleyball Fitness Training Classification

The high-level men’s volleyball team in ordinary colleges and universities is an important place for the country to cultivate outstanding volleyball reserve talents. Especially under the background of “integration of sports and education,” the status of high-level men’s volleyball teams in ordinary colleges and universities in my country’s volleyball career has been further improved. In affirmation and attention, routine training is an important part of the work of high-level men’s volleyball teams in ordinary colleges and universities. Cultivating high-level and high-quality outstanding volleyball reserve talents is an important goal of high-level men’s volleyball teams in ordinary colleges and universities. The growth of high-level men’s volleyball players requires high quality. For training support, in order to improve the training quality of the men’s volleyball team at the general college level, it is necessary to evaluate the training quality of the existing high-level sports teams. In order to achieve “different from person to person” and “teaching according to aptitude” college students’ volleyball training behavior prediction and guidance content recommendation, and to achieve a classification promotion strategy, this research uses the K -means clustering algorithm and PCA-GS-SVM algorithm to train college students’ volleyball training, adhering to behavior. The data classifier has high training efficiency, and the accuracy rate is higher than 87% in both the training set and the test set, which can meet the application requirements of college students’ volleyball training adhere to the classification and promotion strategy of behavior information platform and effectively support the practical application of the model. The volleyball training adherence behaviors are divided into eight categories, and specific classification promotion strategies are formulated according to the characteristics of different categories of behaviors.

INDISCRIMINATE COAGULATION TESTING FOR BLEEDING RISK ASSESSMENT PRIOR TO ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY. IS IT A RATIONAL APPROACH?

Abstract Objective: Indiscriminative preoperative coagulation testing to identify patients at risk of bleeding is commonly practiced. However, this practice is no longer supported by current recommendations. We conducted this study with an aim to evaluate the advantage of doing screening testing for coagulation and hemostasis in unselected patients prior to elective orthopedic surgeries in our setting. Material and Methods: It was a retrospective, cross sectional study carried out at Medicare Cardiac and General Hospital, Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Karachi. All the patients admitted for elective orthopedic bilateral total knee replacement and Hip replacement surgeries from March 2016 to December 2018 were included in the study. Electronic data of patients’ pre-operative test results for Prothrombin time, activated partial Thromboplastin time was retrieved. Frequency of patients with deranged coagulation screening was calculated. Results: A total of 367 patients underwent pre-surgical coagulation testing. Male to female ratio was 1:3. Median age of patients was 61±5 years. A total of 2.9% (n=11) patients were found to have deranged coagulation profile. Out of which 3 patients did not undergo surgery and were loss to follow up. Out of total 0.54% (n=2) patients had both prolonged PT and APTT, 1.6% (n=6) patients had prolonged APTT and 0.3% (n=1) patient experienced intraoperative bleeding requiring one unit of packed cell transfusion. Only 0.3% (n=1) patient experienced post-operative bleeding and dropped her Hemoglobin and received transfusion. Conclusion: The overall results of the study suggest that indiscriminate coagulation screening does not provide any additional information unless further detailed hemostatic evaluation is carried out. It is suggested that routine screening tests should not be performed unless a medical history is indicative of bleeding tendency. Key Words: Coagulation screening, Bleeding risk, Orthopedic surgery.

Which dimensions of forgiveness mediate and moderate childhood trauma and depression? Insights to prevent suicide risk among university students

BackgroundCollege students who are depressed as a direct or indirect effect of childhood trauma are at risk of suicide. Although for-giveness buffers mental health problems, there are inconsistencies in the results according to the object of forgiveness. This study aimed to examine the role of forgiveness, both as a mediator and as a moderator, for the association between childhood trauma and depression among university students.Participants and procedureThe sample comprised 398 students from a university in Semarang, Indonesia (M = 18.60, SD = 0.60, male = 26.1%) ob-tained through cluster random sampling. Measurements used were the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) question-naire, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Forgiveness Scale which contained the dimensions of self, others, and situations.ResultsThe path analysis and the investigation of CI result showed that forgiveness mediated the relationship between ACEs and depression. Forgiveness of self and situations were also mediating, but not forgiveness of others. On the other hand, the moderating effect only applied to the forgiveness of others, the effect of which increased positively when the level was high.ConclusionsThe result of this study indicates how the addition of ACEs affects lower level of forgiveness, thus explaining the higher level of depression among college students. Only forgiveness of others among the dimensions of forgiveness is not deter-mined by the number of ACEs, but its increase determines the addition of depression level when there are more ACEs. The discussions highlight the mechanism of each dimension, contribution of collectivistic culture, different types of ACEs and limited incidence of ACEs among the general college student population.

Acute Sleep Deprivation Impairs Motor Inhibition in Table Tennis Athletes: An ERP Study

Excellent response inhibition is the basis for outstanding competitive athletic performance, and sleep may be an important factor affecting athletes’ response inhibition. This study investigates the effect of sleep deprivation on athletes’ response inhibition, and its differentiating effect on non-athlete controls’ performance, with the aim of helping athletes effectively improve their response inhibition ability through sleep pattern manipulation. Behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) data were collected from 36 participants (16 table tennis athletes and 20 general college students) after 36 h of sleep deprivation using ERP techniques and a stop-signal task. Sleep deprivation’s different effects on response inhibition in the two groups were explored through repeated-measures ANOVA. Behavioral data showed that in a baseline state, stop-signal response time was significantly faster in table tennis athletes than in non-athlete controls, and appeared significantly longer after sleep deprivation in both groups. ERP results showed that at baseline state, N2, ERN, and P3 amplitudes were lower in table tennis athletes than in non-athlete controls, and corresponding significant decreases were observed in non-athlete controls after 36 h of sleep deprivation. Table tennis athletes showed a decrease in P3 amplitude and no significant difference in N2 and ERN amplitudes, after 36 h of sleep deprivation compared to the baseline state. Compared to non-athlete controls, table tennis athletes had better response inhibition, and the adverse effects of sleep deprivation on response inhibition occurred mainly in the later top-down motor inhibition process rather than in earlier automated conflict detection and monitoring.

Empathy and ageism among college students in non-medical institutions: the mediating role of empathy

ABSTRACT Understanding college students’ level of ageism is important for older adults’ social inclusion and recruiting future workforce. This study extends the understanding of ageism among students of health- and non-health-oriented majors and the factors associated with students’ attitudes. 246 students participated in this survey study and were measured their levels of empathy and ageism. The study found different levels of ageism and empathy among students in a general college setting. Empathy is a strong predictor for ageism when controlling for all other predictors. Path analysis revealed a moderate to strong mediating effect through empathy toward ageism. Future implications suggest that gerontological coursework should focus on more than physical and psychological curriculum design to include additional societal and sentimental understanding of the older population. Empathy should become an essential target to improve when aiming to reduce ageism among college students.

Factor Structure of the Sexual Risk Survey Among U.S. College Students with and without ADHD: Assessing Clinical Utility with a High-Risk Population.

Young adults, particularly college students, report a higher prevalence of risky sexual behavior than the general population, increasing their likelihood for unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and negative psychological outcomes. Although sexual risk behavior and its consequences are a major public health concern, current prevention literature is insufficient and relies on sexual risk measures with limited psychometric support. The present study, therefore, examined the psychometric properties of a sexual risk survey (SRS; Turchik, Garske, in Arch Sex Behav 38:936-948, 2009), using data from the first year of a longitudinal study following the outcomes of college students with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; N = 410). Principal components analyses were conducted to assess the factorial structure of the SRS comparing results from a general college population and a college population considered to be high-risk (ADHD). Results revealed four components across both samples. Internal consistency estimates for component scores and total scores ranged from .627 to 918. Implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions for future studies are advanced.

Is It Necessary to Launch a School-Based Financial Literacy Curriculum? Evidence From China.

As starting university is a critical independence milestone for many young people, it would also be the best time to provide them with some financial education (FE). Although there have been many initiatives aimed at enhancing individual financial literacy (FL) and/or financial decision-making, meta-analyses have shown that the effectiveness of FE has been mixed. This study examined the driving forces behind the decision by college students to enroll in a targeted financial literacy curriculum (FLC) and the impact of this attendance on their FL. An endogenous switching model (ESM) was employed to account for the heterogeneity in the decision to attend or not attend the FLC and to counteract any unobservable characteristics. It was found that students with higher self-perceived FL did not prefer to attend the FLC; however, for others, FLC attendance was found to significantly boost their FL in areas such as financial knowledge (FK), financial attitude (FA), and financial behavior (FB), especially for the non-attendees under the counterfactual framework. These “non-attendees” were observed to have some characteristics (e.g., prior knowledge) that made them more financially literate regardless of attendance; however, if they had attended the FLC, they would have gained a greater FL than the attendees. As the FL of the attendees would have been much lower if they had not attended, the FLC appeared to be particularly important for the attendees, which strengthened the case for making the FLC a compulsory part of a general college education.

College Chemistry Textbooks Aid and Abet Racial Disparity

This study examines the representation of people of color in 10 US general chemistry textbooks published between 2016 and 2020. On average, people of color appear every 320 pages of text, while white figures are observed every 24 pages. The average percentage of people of color in the textbooks (12%) is well below the percentage in the US general population (40%), college population (46%), and science technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce (33%). Of the images that do include people of color, 26% portray explicitly negative stereotypes (e.g., unclean, poor, sick, primitive, unskilled) and only 31% depict STEM activities. Several textbooks in this study were reported in 2007 to contain racial bias, but no evidence of improvement was observed. To understand the persistence of racial bias, biographical information was used to illuminate the values held by the eight scientists that all 10 textbooks have in common. These eight universally prominent scientists include a lifelong supporter and profiteer of slavery, a trustee of the Human Betterment Foundation (an organization promoting mandatory sterilization for “race betterment”), an executive board member of the Swedish Society for Racial Hygiene, an anti-Semitic bigamist, and a modern advocate of eugenics. We posit that general chemistry textbooks reveal two mechanisms by which racial disparity in STEM is preserved and advanced: (1) through the invisibility and negative stereotyping of people of color and (2) via an oblivious idolatry of scientists who have promoted racist ideologies.

Management of Ludwig's Angina at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Region of India

IntroductionLudwig’s angina is cellulitis of submandibular space, submental space, and sublingual space. The main causative factors include dental infections (dental caries with atypical periodontitis, pericoronitis, and dental procedures). Other predisposing conditions include poor dental hygiene, dental caries, malnutrition, diabetes mellitus, AIDS, and various other immunocompromised states. It presents as an acute onset and spreads very rapidly causing bilateral diffuse neck swelling, edema of floor of mouth, pain, fever, trismus, foul-smelling pus discharge, difficulty in swallowing, airway edema, and tongue displacement creating a compromised airway with stridor. So it requires early diagnosis and aggressive management.Material and methodsClinical data of all patients with clinical diagnosis of Ludwig’s angina managed at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sir Takhatsinhji (T) General Hospital and Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, India, from 2015 to 2019 were analyzed retrospectively in this study.ResultOver the review period, 30 cases were diagnosed as Ludwig’s angina, out of which 12 (40%) were males and 18 (60%) were females; male to female ratio was 1:1.5. The age of the patients ranged from six months to 64 years, with a mean age of 38.86 years. Fever, neck swelling, and neck pain were present in all patients.In 16 patients, incision and drainage were done under general anesthesia while the rest five patients required only local anesthesia. In six patients (20%), for maintenance of airway, tracheostomy was required. The most common complication was necrotizing fasciitis and death followed by septicemia. Mortality was observed in three patients (10%) in this study.ConclusionDespite improved outcomes compare to pre-antibiotic era, Ludwig's angina still remains a potentially life-threatening disease in ENT at present. Dental caries, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and malnutrition are commonly associated conditions. With early diagnosis, close airway observation, aggressive intravenous antibiotic treatment, and timely surgical intervention, morbidity, and mortality can be reduced.

Prevalence of Food Insecurity in the General College Population and Student-Athletes: a Review of the Literature.

Purpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to examine the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) among the general college student population with a focus on student-athletes and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on FI in these groups.Recent FindingsFI is estimated to be more prevalent in college students than in the general population, although ranges vary widely. Less is known about FI among college student-athletes. Data on changes in FI prevalence pre-pandemic and during is mixed.SummaryColleges and universities should invest in interventions to address FI on their campuses, and further research on FI among student-athletes and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on FI is needed.