Mott Community College

Ample research has identified several features of a learning experience likely to enhance student learning, including collaboration, open-ended exploration, and problem-based learning in real-life scenarios. Missing is a model of how instructors might combine these elements into a single project that works flexibly across disciplines and institutions. This article fills this gap by offering such a model and reporting on its effectiveness in fostering student engagement. It describes a project that instructors at four colleges and universities in Flint, Michigan (USA) piloted during the height of the Flint water crisis. The project asked students to apply class content to the real-world problem unfolding around them, and offered students an opportunity to collaborate with peers. We collected qualitative and quantitative data on students’ reactions to the project, and found that the project succeeded in engaging students. We offer recommendations for how instructors can create similar projects in their own classrooms.

Microextraction for analytical sample preparations became a reality with the introduction of solid phase microextraction (SPME) in 1987–90, followed by the development over the next two decades of the liquid phase microextraction (LPME) modes: single drop microextraction (SDME), hollow-fiber microextraction (HF-LPME), electromembrane extraction (EME) and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME). Parallel to the developments of SPME and LPME, more sensitive instrumentation and environmentally friendly solvents were also being developed, requiring reduced sample amounts and solvent volumes. Automation, using standard instrumental autosamplers, fluid techniques and 96 well plate systems, has further enhanced microextraction methods. Over the last decade, a further reduction in sample size and extraction volume, along with automation, has been possible with the development of microfluidic systems. A crucial companion to this progress has been the introduction of tools for assessing the relative overall greenness of analytical microextraction methods, which should be used in comparing proposed methods with published procedures. In this review we provide the reader with categorized lists of microextraction reviews and application papers, which contain hundreds of additional references, as an aid to accessing needed information for use in further developments of these important analytical techniques.

Abstract Due to the transitory nature of students at community colleges, it is often difficult for student affairs professionals to connect with LGBT students and even more difficult for them to provide services for this invisible population.

Higher patient acuity and shortage of healthcare professionals have led to an expansion in the role and responsibilities for nurses, and ultimately, nursing students. Nursing faculty are challenged to develop strategies based on core competencies to obtain optimal practice within this complex system. Use of patient simulators is an effective strategy as it allows for deliberate practice of skills and standardized exposure to limited scenarios. The rarity of pediatric codes and opportunities for students to interact in teams led faculty to develop an interdisciplinary pediatric mock code simulation. Senior baccalaureate students function as members of a pediatric code team with emergency nurse practitioner students as code team leaders. Student preparation included Web-based information and an interactive class on code skills and team communication during a sentinel event. The scenario incorporated team roles and family-centered care. The debriefing session reinforced the evidence and reviewed quality improvement and safety through error identification and patient consequences. A total of 43 BSN students and 12 emergency nurse practitioner students participated. The simulation was rated very highly for realism, enjoyment, concept clarification in debriefing, increasing knowledge base, ability to function in the clinical setting, and increasing confidence in caring for a critically ill infant.

Abstract The solubility of benzene, benzoic acid, and hexanol in aqueous solutions containing various salts or dipolar molecules was examined. Both the anion and cation of guanidinium or other salts determines the salting-in properties. The solubility of benzene was found to be a linear function of the molar concentration of salt, CS, to the saturation point of the salt; i.e., the solubility constant kS remains the same. In other words, the interaction of benzene with hydrated ions is the same at extremely low ionic strengths as at high ionic strengths. This result agrees with the proposal that the B region (or negatively hydrated region) of ions consists of a single monomolecular layer of water molecules. Moreover, since in such concentrated salt solutions all water molecules are hydrated, the disappearance of any proposed clathrate structure in concentrated salt solutions should alter the value of kS. Consequently, the constant kS values show that water clathrate structures do not surround hydrocarbons. The solubility studies in concentrated salt solutions at 25 and 60°C also show that clathrate water structures cannot exist around hydro-carbons, since in all cases the solubility of the hydrocarbon increases with an increase in temperature. The association of NH4 + and OH− ions to form the dipolar NH4 δ+OHδ− molecule reduces the amount of electrostatic charge per surface area, and hence the solubility of benzene in NH4OH solutions is increased. In concentrated solutions of NH4Cl (or HCl) there appears to be a similar electro-static interaction between the NH4 + and Cl− (or H+ and Cl−) ions which reduce the charge per unit surface area on these ions. From these results it is concluded that solubility studies of benzene can be used to detect ion association reactions. Thiourea salts-in more than urea because of less charge per unit surface area, indicating that urea as well as thiourea exists as a zwitterion. Positive hydration is shown to exist for fluoride ions. These results are applied to the properties of proteins and other polymers.

Ninety-two pregnant and nonpregnant patients were randomly selected from two obstetric-gynecologic clinics for the purpose of investigating factors that affect the incidence and severity of vaginal candidiasis. Six factors were found to be significantly associated with the incidence of Candida albicans: drug addiction, obesity, birth control pills, pregnancy, antibiotic therapy, and diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: New metrics of household water insecurity have been validated for low- to middle-income countries, but it is unclear how these measurements apply to the experiences of people living in high-income countries. This project aims to develop and validate a novel metric for household water insecurity experiences in the United States (HWISE-USA) using a cross-sectional design and data from the Southwest, Midwest, and Western regions. METHODS: We outline the protocol for the development and validation of a novel household water insecurity scale for the United States to address this scientific need, including the following key steps: (1) item development through literature and theory; (2) pre-testing of items and expert review; (3) scale development and item reduction; and (4) scale validation. To assess the performance of the HWISE-USA scale, we will follow the same scale development analytics on a separate, quasi-nationally-representative U.S. sample. The scale will be generated from household survey data collected from communities at risk of water insecurity throughout the United States. DISCUSSION: We explain how a novel metric of water insecurity experiences for households in the United States has important implications for resource allocation, structural interventions, public health and infrastructure planning, and reductions in inequalities. REGISTRATION: osf.io/zvqs4.

Individuals with intersecting marginalized identities experience body image and eating pathology at disproportionately high rates. To date, research in this area has been limited by an absence of overarching and guiding frameworks to support hypothesis-driven research and interpretation of the findings. This constitutes an important barrier to the development of theoretically grounded intervention strategies. In this article, we review theoretical frameworks relevant to the investigation of body image and eating pathology among marginalized individuals using an intersectional lens and considering how processes of both risk and resilience unfold at multiple levels. We describe factors at the macrosystem (e.g., structural racism, capitalism, patriarchy), exosystem (e.g., food environment, social media, mass media), and microsystem (e.g., family, peers) levels. At the macrosystem level, we review critical race theories and those illuminating the role of systems that maintain power, privilege, and oppression, which describe how systemic discriminatory practices have led to marginalized individuals being neglected in efforts to conceptualize, identify, prevent, and treat body image and eating pathology. At the exosystem level, marginalized individuals experience heightened socioeconomic stressors and associated lack of access to resources that may impact body image and eating pathology. Furthermore, sociocultural theories focus on how visible marginalized identities are discriminated against, while white appearance ideals are upheld. At the micosystem level, we review sociocultural and minority stress theories that account for how interpersonal agents may perpetuate oppressive discourses and how marginalized individuals may experience negative interpersonal experiences that impact body image and eating pathology. We provide a comprehensive theoretical framework to guide future research on the distribution and determinants of inequities in body image and eating pathology among marginalized populations.

Food samples require extensive sample preparations for instrumental analyses due to the complex matrices involved. Food safety regulatory agencies also require sample preparation procedures that are accurate, sensitive, robust, and, above all, fast, to handle the requirements for determining the safety of the massive amounts of foods and food products needed for human, pet and livestock consumption. There is also an inseparable interconnection between environmental, agricultural, forensic, cosmetic and industrial analytical chemistry involved in this requirement, and advances in analytical methodology are simultaneously applicable to all of these realms. As a response to these needs, the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method was developed to provide multiclass analysis of agricultural products, and remains the basis for regulatory procedures for large scale analyses of food samples containing a wide variety of possible contaminants. However, since QuEChERS does not enhance analyte concentrations during sample preparation of these complex samples, the methodology also requires very expensive, very sensitive final analytical instrumentation, requiring highly trained personnel and continual maintenance. Smaller regulatory and field laboratories may also need sample preparation procedures for only a limited number of specific pesticides, metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or other contaminants, requiring much less expensive and labor-intensive preparations and instrumentation. This is the role of liquid phase microextraction (LPME) in food sample preparation and analysis. LPME, individually or in combination with other sample preparation procedures, such as QuEChERS or traditional techniques such as solid phase extraction (SPE), can meet the requirements for sensitive and accurate analyses of specific analytes found in complex matrices, providing not only cleanup, but concentration of sample extracts, allowing the use of greener, less expensive and low maintenance final determination analytical instrumentation. Crucial review and application publications are tabulated to allow analysts easier access to appropriate publications to use this information for developing new or improved and greener validated methods for plant and animal food analyses.

(2012). Little Known, Much Needed: Addressing the Cocurricular Needs of LGBTQ Students. Community College Journal of Research and Practice: Vol. 36, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Issues at Community Colleges, pp. 482-493.

ABSTRACT Several gaps remain in understanding individuals' water consumption reliance outcomes in disadvantaged communities. We utilize a cross-sectional sample of household-level survey data from predominantly low-income, minoritized households in Detroit, MI, to examine the relationship between tap and tap-alternative drinking water consumption and purchase behavior. We collected survey data from one English-speaking adult per household in May–October 2021 (n = 259). Consistent with past studies, tap water consumption is negatively correlated with single-use bottled water consumption and consuming drinking water from multiple sources. We also find tap distrust is correlated with tap-alternative water consumption, yet there is a surprising positive relationship between tap and overall bottled water consumption levels. Very low-income households were more likely to rely on bottled water and multiple other water sources simultaneously. Female respondents reported lower levels of most types of water consumption. Black respondents reported lower tap water and bottled water consumption but had higher levels of other tap-alternative source consumption. Our results call into question whether higher tap water consumption is synonymous with tap trust or with reduced bottled water consumption. Public health interventions must further address high levels of bottled water consumption among low-income individuals, and low tap water consumption among Black individuals.

As technology has enabled people across the world to collaborate and create virtual communities, the ability to interact in computermediated, cross-cultural environments in a meaningful way has become a necessity. This is particularly true for younger adults who operate in virtual teams during their studies, for instance in virtual exchange projects, and later in their professional life. In this qualitative study, we examined the features and functionality of cross-cultural communication in virtual exchange teams. By analysing three datasets produced by Finnish university and American community college students (n=38) who participated in a virtual exchange, we examined what kinds of challenges emerge in the communication of virtual teams and how students use theories of computer-mediated communication when trying to make sense of those challenges. The results of the reflexive thematic analysis indicated that the challenges in communication of virtual teams stem from cultural and motivational differences. These challenges could be alleviated by increasing the shared work time allocated for social information sharing and for constructing appropriate, teamspecific ways to express online social presence and propinquity. The findings highlight the meaningfulness and relationality of virtual team communication and provide insight into motivational factors and the sense of belonging when communication challenges arise.

This paper presents a systematic, baseline picture of workplace education programs in small and medium-sized businesses (less than 500 employees) in Michigan. Specifically, it addresses why some firms are offering and other firms are not offering workplace education programs, what are the characteristics of the programs being provided, and what are the impacts of these programs on firms and employees. The paper draws upon two data sources. Case studies of 28 Michigan businesses were undertaken between May 1991 and July 1992 and a combination mail/telephone survey of small businesses in Michigan was conducted in early 1992. The paper finds that a significant share of the employed population, perhaps 25 to 40 percent of hourly workers, have basic skills difficulties that are reported to impair their productivity. Yet very few of the workers have an opportunity to receive education in basic skills through their workplace.

BACKGROUND: Globally, individuals with mental illness get in contact with the law at a greater rate than the general population. The goal of this review was to identify and describe: (1) effectiveness of mental health interventions for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) who have criminal legal involvement; (2) additional outcomes targeted by these interventions; (3) settings/contexts where interventions were delivered; and (4) barriers and facilitating factors for implementing these interventions. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted to summarize the mental health treatment literature for individuals with serious mental illness with criminal legal involvement (i.e., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder). Searches were conducted using PsychINFO, Embase, ProQuest, PubMed, and Web of Science. Articles were eligible if they were intervention studies among criminal legal involved populations with a mental health primary outcome and provided description of the intervention. RESULTS: A total of 13 eligible studies were identified. Tested interventions were categorized as cognitive/behavioral, community-based, interpersonal (IPT), psychoeducational, or court-based. Studies that used IPT-based interventions reported clinically significant improvements in mental health symptoms and were also feasible and acceptable. Other interventions demonstrated positive trends favoring the mental health outcomes but did not show statistically and clinically significant changes. All studies reported treatment outcomes, with only 8 studies reporting both treatment and implementation outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight a need for more mental health research in this population. Studies with randomized design, larger sample size and studies that utilize non-clinicians are needed.

The U.S. has moved beyond peak water security. Infrastructural degradation, institutional inertia, and climate change are reducing the ability of households and communities to benefit from near-universal safe, adequate, affordable, sustainable water services. Yet, current supply-side research tools, that focus largely on system performance, are not equipped to measure the prevalence and lived experiences of household water insecurity, thus limiting the evidence available to policymakers, utilities, and communities to make decisions about water services. We discuss how demand-side metrics, such as household-level water insecurity scales validated for high-income contexts, such as the U.S., can help stakeholders to better identify local variation in user water issues, guide resource allocation, and improve hazard and disaster response. Targeted infrastructure investments informed by these metrics can enhance water security, reduce reliance on emergency social services, and promote public health and economic vitality. To address 21 st -century water challenges effectively, we must integrate experiential measures into local, regional, and national water assessments.

Abstract Background Combined metabolomic and HPLC-based analyses have identified significant metabolic alterations in serum and plasma amino acid levels of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, underscoring their potential as biomarkers. However, it remains unclear whether these biochemical changes also manifest within the central nervous system or are confined to peripheral metabolism, reflecting systemic metabolic disturbances. Methods To address this issue, here we measured the levels of 44 different amino acids in post-mortem brain samples from MPTP-intoxicated, L-DOPA-treated monkeys and PD patients at different Braak Lewy body (LB) stages, compared to their respective controls, through targeted Ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Results In MPTP-intoxicated monkeys, UPLC-MS revealed significant elevations in GABA, citrulline, threonine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, valine, glycine, and serine in the putamen, whereas we failed to detect alterations in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG). In PD patients, caudate-putamen (CPu) analysis demonstrated consistent serine upregulation across Braak LB stages 3–4 and 6, with stage 6 specifically showing additional proline increases and phosphoethanolamine decreases. Notably, serine was the sole amino acid significantly altered in both the putamen of MPTP-intoxicated monkeys and the CPu of PD patients. No significant amino acid alterations were observed in the SFG of PD patients, mirroring the findings in monkeys. In contrast, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patient SFG samples showed significant increases in tryptophan, phenylalanine, threonine, tyrosine, and methionine relative to controls. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that cerebral amino acid alterations in PD are region-specific and primarily localized to brain areas receiving nigrostriatal dopaminergic innervation. Moreover, the cortical amino acid profile in AD differs substantially from that in PD, suggesting disease-specific metabolic signatures in distinct neurodegenerative conditions.

BACKGROUND: Infants born with long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) pose unique physiologic risks in the newborn period. Anatomic and physiologic anomalies require an extended hospitalization with procedural analgesia and sedation that impact the mother's experience of birth, maternal response, and nurturing of her infant. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to understand the meaning of experiences that mothers of infants born with LGEA encounter in the neonatal intensive care unit while their infant undergoes esophageal repair. METHODS: A hermeneutical phenomenological design was used to guide this inquiry. Three mothers were interviewed on 3 separate occasions. The conversations were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The findings were analyzed using fundamental existential lifeworld themes. RESULTS: The essence that conceptualized the study was "making connections: day-by-day." Themes that emerged are (a) the many phases; (b) the long and winding road; (c) a new me, my purpose; and (d) our new community. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses' knowledge and understanding of maternal experiences of having an infant with LGEA will enable for increased physical closeness, optimizing time spent together to learn their infant's unique personality. Creating partnerships with mothers can enhance our understanding of their perspectives, concerns, needs, and guide interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Further exploration of family dynamics including fathers, siblings, and contextual factors may illuminate interventions to enhance relationships and communication that may influence developmental outcomes for families of infants with LGEA.

Among the many factors contributing to increased consumption of ultraprocessed foods, a societal decline in cooking skills is a barrier to achieving healthy dietary patterns among children and adolescents. The current study assessed the effectiveness of a healthy cooking program, its geographic reach, and whether program format (child only, in-person format vs. family-based, virtual format) influenced outcomes. This was a quasi-experimental comparison study using youths' (8-18 years old) pre-post surveys, paired t-tests, propensity score matching, and hot spot analysis. Children participated in one of two healthy cooking programs: Flint Kids Cook (FKC)] in-person or [Flint Families Cook (FFC) virtual. FKC was facilitated inside a farmers' market commercial kitchen, whereas FFC took place virtually, in families' homes. Youth were eligible to participate in FKC if they were age 8-18 years, spoke English, and had not participated in a prior session. Families were eligible to participate in FFC if they had a child(ren) age 8-18 years, spoke English, and had not participated in a prior session of FKC or FFC. A total of 246 children (152 FKC; 94 FFC) completed assessments. FFC participants reported improved cooking self-efficacy (p < 0.001), intake of vegetables (p = 0.04), health-related quality of life (HRQoL; p = 0.01), and physical functioning (p < 0.001). Geographic reach, cooking self-efficacy, attitude towards cooking, and HRQoL exit scores did not differ between virtual or in-person programs. However, virtual program participants reported higher intake of whole grains (p = 0.02) and total fruits (p = 0.02) than in-person participants. Differences in outcomes based on program format included notable dietary improvements among youth who participated in the family-based virtual program.

In my work on the college's Committee on Multiculturalism and Ethnic Studies, I found that much of the written work done in our community college was based on lower level cognition, requiring none of the assessment or exploration that is emblematic of critical thought in a democracy. Most of the assignments asked students simply to recite information without any demand for assessments, values, or analysis of the material. Most seemed rooted in inculcation rather than creative thought. In the workshops I conducted with colleagues, I endeavored to stress the importance of transcending the simple cookie-cutter essay, urging faculty that critical thinking and even the strength of our democracy depend on our students’ ability to use information to construct new ideas and propose provocative and original theories.

BACKGROUND: Criminal legal system-involved individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) experience more challenges accessing mental health and other community services than those without a history of criminal legal system involvement. A formative qualitative study was conducted to explore feasibility and acceptability and inform the adaptation of a mental health peer navigation intervention for individuals with SMI reentering the community after jail incarceration. METHODS: In-depth qualitative interviews and focus-group discussions were conducted with mental health peer navigators (i.e., certified mental health peer support specialists, peer recovery coaches) and individuals with lived experience of SMI and criminal legal system involvement (N = 20 total). Data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged: (1) Feasibility and acceptability of peer-provided services: all participants reported that peer navigation services would be feasible and acceptable for individuals with SMI reentering the community after jail incarceration; (2) roles of peer navigators in addressing barriers to care: peers can address barriers to care experienced during community reentry and contribute towards service linkage/engagement; (3) shared identity and combating stigma: having a shared identity with peer navigators may minimize the impact of stigma and make it easier for clients with multiple marginalized identities to seek support; and (4) peer navigator skills and recommendations for the planned program: essential peer navigation skills include authenticity, reliability, active listening, advocacy, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and empathy. Recommendations for the planned program include initiating services while clients are in custody, emphasizing the voluntary nature of peer support, knowing the limits of a peer navigation intervention, and offering support for peer navigators while on the job. CONCLUSION: Participants saw peer navigation services for individuals with SMI with criminal legal system involvement as potentially feasible and acceptable. Such programs may enhance their impact by offering supportive supervision, emphasizing the voluntary nature of the service, and acknowledging recovery as a self-directed endeavor.