South-central Kentucky Research Articles

Motivators of Energy Drink Consumption in South-Central Kentucky

Motivators of Energy Drink Consumption in South-Central Kentucky

Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture Nesting Habits in North and South-Central Kentucky

Black and turkey vultures inhabit all environs of Kentucky, yet nest sites are seldom reported. In this study, 44 nest locations of black vultures (Coragyps atratus) and turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) were recorded in north-central and south-central Kentucky, U.S.A., between 1999 and 2022. Black vultures comprised 65% of the nests found. For both species combined, 64% of the nests were in artificial structures. Artificial structures represented 82% of the black vulture nests and 31% of the turkey vulture nests. Black and turkey vulture nests averaged 481 and 987 m from human dwellings or activity. However, black vultures nested within 91 m, and turkey vultures had a nest 27 m from human activity. Abandoned houses and barns may provide a competitive advantage for black vultures over turkey vultures regarding nesting opportunities.

Mammals of Hazeldell Nature Preserve, Pulaski County, Kentucky: A Rare Highland Rim Ecosystem

Hazeldell Nature Preserve is a rare ecosystem on the Highland Rim of south-central Kentucky. It is the only state-protected site of its kind. This preserve is comprised of two distinct plant communities, including wet flatwoods and wet meadow. Despite its uniqueness, no ecological studies have been conducted on mammals in the past. Currently, two separate studies are underway on mammals. Here we present the results from the first of these that used camera traps set in the wet flatwoods community from 1 February to 28 March 2020. A total of 34,071 photos were taken with 553 having images of 12 species of mammals. The four most photographed species were eastern gray squirrel, Virginia opossum, white-footed deermouse, and white-tailed deer. These four species appeared in 91% of photos. The remaining 49 photos were of eight species including: eastern cottontail, coyote, bobcat, northern raccoon, striped skunk, southern flying squirrel, common gray fox, and eastern fox squirrel. Woodchuck and eastern chipmunk were not photographed during the study, yet each have ranges that include the preserve. These burrowers may avoid the preserve because of the secondary water table and saturated soil that occur during extended periods. The results of this study serve as baseline data for comparison to future camera trapping. Continued photo documentation will be used to identify changes in the mammal species composition of the preserve caused by species range changes in response to various factors, including habitat fragmentation and climate change.

From trial to practice: incidence and severity of COVID-19 vaccine side effects in a medically at-risk and vaccine-hesitant community

BackgroundThe rapid authorization and widespread rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States demonstrated a need for additional data on vaccine side effects, both to provide insight into the range and severity of side effects that might be expected in medically-diverse populations as well as to inform decision-making and combat vaccine hesitancy going forward. Here we report the results of a survey of 4825 individuals from southcentral Kentucky who received two doses of either the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) or Moderna (mRNA-1273) vaccine between December 14, 2020 and May 1, 2021. As new versions of the vaccine are rolled-out, local initiatives such as this may offer a means to combat vaccine hesitancy in reference to COVID-19, but are also important as we face new viral threats that will necessitate a rapid vaccine rollout, and to combat a growing public distrust of vaccines in general.MethodsIndividuals that received two doses of either BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 between December 14, 2020 and May 1, 2021 were sent a survey, created by the research team. Respondents were asked to rate the incidence and severity of 15 potential side effects and two related outcomes following each of their two doses of the vaccine. All statistical analyses were carried out using SYSTAT, version 13. The data were analyzed utilizing a range of statistical tests, including chi-square tests of association, Cohen’s h, Kruskal-Wallis test one-way nonparametric ANOVA, least-squares regression, and Wilcoxon signed-ranks test. Significance was assessed using Bonferroni-adjusted criteria within families of tests.ResultsIn general, the pattern and severity in side effects was similar to both clinical trial data as well as other published studies. Responses to the mRNA-1273 vaccine were more severe than to BNT162b2, though all were generally in the mild to moderate category. Individuals who reported having previously tested positive for COVID-19 reported stronger responses following the first dose of either vaccine relative to COVID-naïve individuals. The reported severity to the COVID-19 vaccine was positively correlated with self-reported responses to other vaccines.ConclusionsOur findings allow broad-scale estimates of the nature and severity of reactions one might expect following vaccination within a clinically-diverse community, and provide a context for addressing vaccine hesitancy in communities such as ours, where locally-generated data and communication may be more influential than national trends and statistics in convincing individuals to become vaccinated. Further, we argue this community-based approach could be important in the future in three key ways: 1) as new boosters and modified vaccines re-volatilize vaccine hesitancy, 2) as new vaccines receive similar testing and rapid authorization, and 3) to combat vaccine hesitancy in other arenas (e.g., annual vaccines, childhood vaccines).

Land-use impacts on the hydrology of the Hidden River groundwater subbasin, Horse Cave, Hart County, Kentucky

Hidden River Cave, located in the city of Horse Cave, Ky., forms one of the main tributaries of the Hidden River groundwater subbasin that spans multiple counties in south-central Kentucky. Hidden River Cave formed in Mississippian-aged carbonates and consists of a dendritic network of canyons and collapsed domes; a major trunk stream flows through the cave that supports myriad subsurface ecosystems and recharges the Mammoth Cave aquifer and the Green River, important water resources on which several communities depend. Poor land-use practices historically have contaminated the cave stream. As a result, the hydrology of the Hidden River groundwater subbasin has been extensively studied using fluorescent dye-tracing, and developments in groundwater resource management have improved cave conditions. However, land-use boundaries that intersect with areas of recharge still influence contaminant transport to groundwater. This study combined groundwater dye-tracing, high-resolution stage data collection, and supervised classification in a geographic information system (GIS) to assess land-use impacts on the hydrology of the Hidden River groundwater subbasin. Dye-tracing confirmed that stormwater infrastructure in Horse Cave discharges to Hidden River Cave, and, subsequently, the Hidden River groundwater subbasin. High-resolution stage data determined that the cave’s major trunk streams respond to precipitation within 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, while baselevel conditions, except after sustained precipitation, are met three to four days after precipitation ends. Supervised classification determined that development is concentrated in Horse Cave and has increased by approximately 7 % between 1989 and 2017. These results suggest opportunities for the implementation of karst-specific stormwater management regulations where such regulations are weak.

Personal protective equipment and adverse dermatological reactions among healthcare workers: Survey observations from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused an unprecedented mobilization of the United States’ healthcare workforce. In addition to working extended hours under increased duress, healthcare professionals (HCP) of all stations have been making use of various types of personal protective equipment (PPE) with greatly increased frequency and duration. Current data regarding adverse skin reactions as a possible consequence of PPE use are, particularly in the United States, largely insufficient for policy-makers to make informed decisions regarding daily PPE use among HCP.The research vehicle employed by this study is a cross-sectional 25-item survey distributed via email to workers currently employed by a five-hospital system in southcentral Kentucky. This survey was used to collect information from hospital workers of all professional roles about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on reports of adverse dermatological reactions and associated risk factors.Out of 879 respondents, 54.4% reported some type of skin irritation reaction. Skin irritation was significantly more prevalent among medical and medical support staff than non-medical hospital workers, with the highest prevalence among Certified Nurse Assistant (CNAs). Among clinical workers, those in dedicated COVID-19 units reported the highest prevalence of adverse skin reaction. The most common complaint was dryness/scaling of the skin (306 out of 439, 69.7%), and the most common location was the facial cheeks (305 out of 516, 59.1%). Among those who reported skin irritation, the average self-reported severity of skin reaction (on a scale of 1–5) was 2.00 ± 0.05, and the mean total days of skin reaction per month was 11.70 ± 0.39 days. Total days of irritation per month was found to be significantly related to “total days of PPE use per month,” “hours of PPE use per day,” “frequency of hand washing,” and “use of disinfecting UV irradiation.” Severity of skin reaction was found to be significantly related to “hours per day of PPE use,” “consecutive days of PPE use,” and “female sex.”Clinical workers that put in the most face-to-face time with patients, and those in dedicated COVID-19 units, had the highest risk of adverse skin reaction. Overall, skin reactions were found to be mild, even in those hospital workers with the heaviest PPE use. Because the widespread and consistent use of facial masks in public settings has become a key tool in our protracted struggle with SARS-CoV-2, these findings may help to ameliorate concerns that everyday facial mask and/or other PPE usage contributes to significant dermatologic morbidity among both medical professionals and public citizens.

Who Does Not Attend Farmers Markets and the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Programs?

This study uses data from 172 consumers who participated in mail survey distributed in 2020 to within the Southcentral Kentucky region. The purpose was to analyze consumer habits of attending farmers markets focusing on characteristics of those who do not attend and analyze their likelihood to participate in the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. We used both Multinomial and Ordered Logit models to analyze data. Results indicate that respective relative probabilities for “never attend”, “attend occasionally”, and “attend frequently” are 55%, 29%, and 16%, respectively. Male consumers, rural residents, primary shoppers, and those with a 2-year associate degree are less likely to attend farmers markets. This study finds that educated consumers and those who were satisfied with previous market experiences are more likely to attend a market frequently. Another finding is that consumers with interests in using an App to purchase fresh produce are more likely to attend farmers markets and participate in CSA programs. We further found that consumers are less likely to join a CSA program if they live in a rural area. This study contributes to the understanding of characteristics of consumers who do not use direct-to-consumer market outlets, particular farmers’ markets, and CSA programs. It informs policy makers who seek to promote these two market outlets. This study is also useful to managers of farmers markets and CSA programs when making marketing decisions.

Changes in student behaviors and policy opinion regarding E-cigarettes at a Kentucky University from 2014 to 2018.

The behaviors and opinions regarding e-cigarette use and campus policies prohibiting vaping vary greatly among college students nationally. Kentucky is one of the four U.S. states with the highest tobacco use prevalence, and characterizing e-cigarette use, trends and policy opinions among Kentucky undergraduates may inform interventions. To characterize population-level differences in e-cigarette-related behaviors and policy opinions among undergraduates from 2014 to 2018, results from two cross-sectional surveys (2014 and 2018) from a public regional university in south-central Kentucky were analyzed. Students from randomly selected undergraduate general studies courses completed a 5-minute in-class survey. Data were obtained from 514 and 519 respondents in 2014 and 2018, respectively. Mean age did not differ (19.9 and 20.1 years; p = 0.41) nor did class rank (p = 0.30) by survey year. Chi-square analysis indicated previous 30-day e-cigarette use was higher in 2018 than 2014 (28% vs. 18%; p < 0.001), and current cigarette use was lower in 2018 than 2014 (13% vs. 25%; p < 0.001). When current smoking and recent e-cigarette use were combined as a use variable, there was no significant difference between 2018 (29%) and 2014 (30%). Fraternity/sorority affiliation, being under 22 years old, male gender, out-of-state residency, and having a smoking parent were associated with recent e-cigarette use in multivariable logit models. Support for the on-campus vaping prohibition was lower among 2018 respondents (68% approval) compared to 2014 respondents (74% approval), respectively (p = 0.022). Overall, these findings may inform policy, population-specific health communications, and future research.

Structural, geomorphic, and hydrochemical influences on the karst hydrogeology of the Haney Limestone in south-central Kentucky, USA

South-central Kentucky (USA) has one of the world’s most intensively studied karst landscape/aquifer systems, including the carbonates that hold the Mammoth Cave System. Slightly higher in the Mississippian (Lower Carboniferous) stratigraphic section, the Haney Limestone forms a locally important but much less well-studied karst aquifer. This research provides the most comprehensive synthesis to date of the karst hydrogeology of the Haney Limestone of south-central Kentucky, focusing on the distribution of and controls on caves and karst features. In contrast to drainage systems within the underlying major limestones, joints have controlled passage development in the Haney Limestone, and passage orientation is consistent with regional jointing. Bedding planes and insoluble rock at the base of the Haney Limestone also influence conduit development. Most caves developed in the Haney Limestone in the study area are single-conduit caves that receive direct allogenic recharge. Often, cave entrances are perennial springs where streams resurge, suggesting that the caves function within the contemporary landscape as drains for localized recharge areas. Most caves developed in the Haney Limestone appear to be geologically recent phenomena. Most cave passages in the study area are hydrologically active, water resurging from the sampled springs is typically undersaturated with respect to calcite, and some caves appear to be developed along stress-release fractures associated with small young valleys. This suggests that caves in the Haney Limestone were not directly influenced by the incision of the Green River over vast periods, as was the case for Mammoth Cave, but that cave development is a largely contemporary process.

Occupational Lead Exposures among University Police Officers and Instructors at an Outdoor Shooting Range in Southcentral Kentucky

There is a potentially high risk of lead exposure among police officers and instructors at an outdoor firing range. In the United States, occupational lead exposure remains an important and significant public health problem. Lead causes both acute and chronic adverse health effects in multiple human organ systems. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has promulgated a Permissible Exposure Limit and Action Level of 50 µg/m3 and 30 µg/m3 for lead averaged over an 8-hour period, respectively (general industry standards). Excessive lead exposures have been previously reported in several studies that evaluated groups of firearm shooters and instructors at firing ranges. Many of those studies focused mainly on personal lead exposures at either indoor or covered outdoor firing ranges. The present study was conducted with a sample of 17 university police officers (14 shooters and 3 instructors) to assess their occupational lead exposures at an uncovered outdoor firing range in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The study occurred over a period of three days during the months of June and July. The results showed that personal exposures to lead ranged from a concentration of 5.5 to 146 µg/m3. In addition, personal exposures reported for some police officers significantly exceeded OSHA’s general industry lead standards, without consideration of the use of personal protective equipment. The use of copper-jacketed ammunition and personal protective equipment combined with adequate work practices are highly recommended for this group of police officers and instructors. The effective implementation of proactive control measures is necessary to reduce airborne lead levels and invariably minimize potential inhalation and absorption of lead by police officers at firing ranges.

Modifiable Risk Factors Associated With Disposal of Unused Prescription Drugs by Parents of Adolescents.

The safe disposal of unused medications is one primary prevention strategy to reduce nonmedical prescription drug use among adolescents. We sought to identify modifiable risk factors associated with disposal of unused prescription drugs by parents of adolescents residing in ten south central Kentucky counties with disposal programs. In the fall of 2017, 4148 parents of adolescents participated in an anonymous, paper-based survey. We conducted generalized logit mixed models adjusted for within-school clustering to assess the relationship between disposal behaviors and modifiable risk factors while controlling for respondents' sociodemographic characteristics. The analytic sample consisted of parents in households in which someone had been prescribed an opioid medication within the past 12months (N = 627). Our findings indicated that almost 42% of parents reported disposing of unused prescription medication within the past 12months, and the majority disposed of medications at home rather than using a disposal program. Parents who perceived that any, compared to none, of their child's close friends engaged in nonmedical prescription opioid use had higher odds of reporting use of a disposal program. Parents who were aware of disposal programs, compared to those who were not aware, had greater odds of using them, rather than not disposing at all or disposing unused prescription medications at home. Compared to parents who perceived prescription drugs to be hard for adolescents to obtain for nonmedical use, parents who believed that prescription drugs were easily accessible to adolescents for nonmedical use had lower odds of using disposal programs than disposing of medications at home. Collectively, our findings suggest that enhancing awareness of disposal programs, while addressing parents' perceptions of their children's peers' use of nonmedical prescription opioids, should be considered to facilitate the disposal of unused medications and optimize current public health prevention efforts related to adolescent nonmedical useof these drugs.

A Content Analysis of Health Promotion Topics Selected by an Old Order Mennonite Community

In the United States, population growth in the Anabaptists has increased in the past 60 years, and Kentucky is one of the few southern states with a significant Plain Anabaptist population. One Old Order Mennonite community in south central Kentucky has hosted monthly health promotion days for over 18 years in partnership with a university. Using a community-based participatory model, community members identify the health promotion topic (HPT) of interest each month and the academic partners seek an appropriate speaker to lead a discussion on the selected topic. Using a qualitative design with content analysis, four researchers examined each HPT for frequency and categorization. The health promotion topic categories included communicable disease, health lifestyle practices, mental health conditions, navigating the health care system, self-care for illness or injury, and quest for medical knowledge.

Incidence, prevalence, and risk factors of infectious uveitis and scleritis in the United States: A claims-based analysis.

BackgroundOcular inflammation causes significant visual morbidity in the United States, yet little is known about the epidemiology of infectious uveitis and scleritis. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiology of infectious uveitis/scleritis employing a large national medical claims database.MethodsThis was a retrospective, case-control study, employing Optum’s de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database, containing data from 21.5 million privately insured individuals with enrollment for at least 15 months within 2007–2015. Inclusion in the uveitis/scleritis sample required an index uveitis/scleritis diagnosis based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes. Exclusion criteria included index date within 3 months after intraocular surgery. Rates for uveitis/scleritis were determined by anatomic site. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine odds ratios for the incidence and prevalence of uveitis/scleritis by anatomic category.FindingsInfectious etiologies accounted for less than 20% of uveitis/scleritis, with mean rates of 18.9 (incidence) and 60.6 (prevalence) per 100,000 persons. The mean prevalences of infectious anterior, intermediate, posterior, panuveitis, and scleritis were 27.7, 0.17, 23.4, 4.4, and 4.6, per 100,000, respectively. Overall risk of prevalent infectious uveitis/scleritis increased with age (OR>3.3 for each decade over age 18, p<0.01), female sex (OR = 1.2, p<0.01), non-Hispanic white race (OR<1 for all other races, p<0.01), as well as the East South Central census division (OR = 1.2, p<0.01), comprising Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee. Medical comorbidities, including HIV infection (OR = 6.4, p<0.01) and rheumatologic disease (OR = 1.9, p<0.01), were common in the infectious uveitis/scleritis cohort.ConclusionsThe incidence and prevalence of infectious uveitis/scleritis in the United States were higher than previously reported estimates but remained lower than in developing countries. Rates varied by age, sex, race, and medical comorbidities, and may reflect differential susceptibility to various infectious agents with disparate geographic distributions within the United States.

Health-seeking cultural patterns in the use of available healthcare services among refugee groups in south-central Kentucky

Purpose Refugees resettle in the USA every year to escape genocide, famine, civil wars and crises in their countries. The diverse cultural identities of the refugee population in south-central Kentucky make it essential to research into their health-care usage patterns. The purpose of this study is to examine the health-seeking patterns of refugees in relation to their culture and the usage of available health services. Design/methodology/approach This is a descriptive correlational study that culled 110 refugees who completed self-administered or interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires. Questionnaires were translated into four different languages. T-tests and ANOVA assessed differences between variables. Findings Findings indicate that a demographic factor such as refugees’ nationality plays a role in both the access and use of health services [F (5, 98) = 4.29, p &lt; 0.001]. Refugees’ beliefs and social factors such as acculturation (t = −2.03, p &lt; 0.04) and having health insurance (t = −3.35, p &lt;0.001) also affect the use of health services. The level of cultural competency of the health-care facility or provider as depicted by the presence of interpreters (t = 1.92, p &lt; 0.05) was associated with increased use of the health services provided. Research limitations/implications The sample of refugees is only representative of the general refugee population in south-central Kentucky; hence, there is inadequate generalization. Originality/value Cultural diversity should be included in the health and policymaking debates that surround the refugee population of south-central Kentucky to ensure their well-being.

ECOLOGICAL AND TAPHONOMIC FIDELITY IN FOSSIL CRINOID ACCUMULATIONS

ABSTRACTAmong fossiliferous marine facies, deposits rich in stalked echinoderms, particularly encrinites, have long been suspected to be susceptible to taphonomic biases because intact calyxes are under-represented or masked by disarticulated skeletal debris. In the middle Mississippian Fort Payne Formation of south-central Kentucky, penecontemporaneous crinoid-rich facies are exposed in close proximity along the shores of Lake Cumberland. Crinoidal packstone buildups preserve a broad preservational spectrum, with articulated crinoid calyxes with arms and columns attached, intact calyxes, holdfasts, and long articulated columns, in a matrix of entirely disarticulated crinoidal fragments. Along a 250 m transect across the flanks and crest of this buildup, identification of 563 specimens of crinoids and blastoids revealed a symmetrical distribution of taxa in which the crest was dominated by disparid and camerate crinoids and the flanks were dominated by camerates. Taphonomic analysis of the same transect showed that intact crinoid calyxes with or without attached arms and column occurred across the entire buildup, but nearly complete specimens with attached arms and column were most common on the western flank and less common on the crest and eastern flank. Taxonomic and taphonomic distributions demonstrate a primary ecologic zonation across the buildup with only localized post-mortem dispersal of crinoids. This is the first demonstration of primary ecologic zonation of a crinoid community preserved within a single lithofacies. Depending on depositional and taphonomic circumstances, crinoids are preserved intact close to their living site; understanding these physical and biological processes provides a significant feedback in reconstructing these ancient depositional environments.

Arthropod fauna associated with black vulture and turkey vulture nests (Accipitriformes: Cathartidae) in south-Central Kentucky, USA

Arthropods were collected from seven black vulture and two turkey vulture nests in South-Central Kentucky. Species diversity in each nest ranged from a low of two to 10 species in total. Three nest cavities that had the highest amount of heterogeneous organic matter concomitantly had the highest number of arthropod taxa. Insects were the most abundant arthropods and included taxa from the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera and Psocoptera. Diptera and Coleoptera were represented by the highest number of families (and species), with seven (ten spp.) and four (eight spp.), respectively. Discovered Acari included eight species in seven families, of which four were members of the Mesostigmata. A majority of the insects collected were either scavengers or accidentals and do not have a strong link with the nest habitat. But taxa associated with guano or feathers for food sources or those that are predacious on fly eggs or larvae appear to have a loose association with these vulture nests.

Power of the Peer and Parent: Gender Differences, Norms, and Nonmedical Prescription Opioid Use Among Adolescents in South Central Kentucky.

This study examined risk factors of nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) among adolescents and how risk factors differ by gender. In the fall of 2017, adolescents attending 6th through 12th grades across 44 schools in 10 south central Kentucky counties were invited to participate in an anonymous, school-based survey. A total of 11,761 adolescents completed the survey. Logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between NMPOU and constructs of the Theory of Reasoned Action (i.e., attitudes and subjective norms), descriptive norms (i.e., peer use), and parental control of prescription medications in the home. There were 297 (2.7%) adolescents who reported NMPOU in the past 12months. In the adjusted multivariate logistic regression model, for both males and females, the adolescents who perceived that more of their peers engaged in NMPOU were significantly more likely to endorse NMPOU, whereas male and female adolescents who perceived their peers disapproved of use were significantly less likely to report NMPOU. Parent disapproval was significantly associated with decreased NMPOU for females only. Moderated regression analyses revealed that gender moderated the relationship between parental disapproval and NMPOU. We found that during adolescence, NMPOU is influenced by peer norms for both genders and parental norms for females. These results indicate that prevention efforts should focus on changing adolescents' peer and parental norms related to NMPOU.

Resident Perceptions of Black Bear Management in South Central Kentucky

The growth and sprawl of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) population have been observed and monitored in the past two decades, especially in south-central Kentucky. To better manage human-black bear interaction and develop informed policy and best practices, the current study sought to 1) understand south-central Kentucky residents’ current knowledge of and previous experience with black bears, 2) investigate residents’ attitudes toward black bears and regulated hunting in wildlife management; and 3) identify residents’ level of acceptance of various black bear related management actions in south-central Kentucky. From February to April 2017, residents of London and Stearns districts (southeastern regions) of the Daniel Boone National Forest, a black bear habitat, were invited to participate in this study. The results from 139 completed surveys showed that residents lacked sufficient knowledge about black bear populations in the region and received minimal information regarding black bear management efforts. In comparison to education efforts and relocation, regulated black bear hunting could be a cost-effective option to promote responsible use of wildlife resources and black bear population control. This study provided lessons and recommendations for black bear management in south-central Kentucky and may be of utilization for any other wildlife conservation areas.

Health-Seeking Behavioral Patterns among Refugee Groups – A Case-Study in South-central Kentucky

Each year, thousands of people get displaced from their homes due to genocide, famine, civil wars and other crises in their countries. The United States has traditionally been receptive to resettling refugees. These refugees view resettlement as an opportunity to obtain proper health care. Due to the diverse cultural identities of refugee populations, it is essential to research complex culturally dependent healthcare utilization patterns. A purposeful sample of four refugees from the Burmese, Congolese and Iraqi refugee communities in south-central Kentucky- completed interviews. They shared experiences and insights from their cultural points of view. Results showed demographic factors directly impacted access through nationality and language, while social factors and beliefs impacted access through religion, acculturation, health insurance, transportation and the level of cultural competency of a health care facility/provider. These findings would contribute to the popular health and policy-making debates that surround the well-being of this culturally diverse population.

Molecular Tools for Understanding Landscape Genetics and the Population Genetic Effects of Habitat Restoration on Butterflies

Habitat corridor construction is an important technique for re-establishing connections between fragmented habitats. Yet, the effectiveness of habitat corridors to increase gene flow among fragmented populations is not well studied. In 2008 and 2009, a prairie habitat corridor was created in the Green River watershed of south central Kentucky, USA to protect water quality and encourage movement of native wildlife as part of the US Environmental Protection Agency Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). In 2008, prior to the establishment of the habitat corridor, we documented the population genetic structure of 6 butterfly species (Chlosyne nycteis, Cupido comyntas, Phoebis sennae, Phyciodes tharos, Pterourus glaucus, and Pterourus troilus) with different habitat requirements and different expected responses to corridor construction using Randomly Amplified DNA Fingerprint (RAF) markers. STRUCTURE analysis of these markers subdivided each butterfly species into 2 to 8 subpopulations in the Green River watershed. By collecting data in the early stages of habitat restoration, we have established a baseline to compare with data obtained after the corridor has matured to determine the population genetic effects on previously isolated butterfly populations and to provide information about the conservation value of habitat corridors in general.