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The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has a longstanding practice of accrediting social work programs nestled within institutions of higher education that openly discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) faculty, staff, and students through harmful policies and procedures. Though these policies and procedures contradict the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, these institutions are deemed religiously exempt. In an effort to understand the breadth of this issue, this paper describes a qualitative study examining the presence and substance of LGBTQ+ discriminatory policies at religiously affiliated institutions of higher learning (N = 190) that contain CSWE accredited social work degree programs. Utilizing content analysis, 101 discriminatory excerpts were identified within the 299 publicly available student and/or faculty handbooks, representing 40% of the institutions. Excerpts were coded into three distinct categories: belief expression (66.3%), belief expression and offer of formalized religious or spiritual support (13.9%), and belief expression with punishment (19.8%). In order to attempt to increase trustworthiness, the researchers used coder triangulation, intercoder reliability, and researcher reflexivity. Implications for social work hiring, policy advocacy, education, accreditation, and research are discussed, highlighting the direct conflict between the profession's standards and values and current accreditation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The internalization of ageist stereotypes or messages based on the framework of an aging gay man is known as internalized gay ageism. Internalized gay ageism may influence an older gay man’s sexual satisfaction. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between internalized gay ageism and sexual satisfaction and determine if body image was a potential mediator. A cross-sectional online survey collected data on sexual satisfaction and other variables related to sexual health and well-being among older gay men. Inclusion criteria included: aged 50 or older, identified as gay, identified as male, assigned male at birth, and resided in the Midwestern region of the United States. Descriptive, bivariate, and mediation analyses were conducted. A complete mediation effect was found between internalized gay ageism and sexual satisfaction when mediated by body image. Older gay men who were in open relationships were more sexually satisfied than single/widowed older gay men. Future research should continue to explore internalized gay ageism, relationship status, body image, and sexual satisfaction among older gay men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Psychodidae is described by a well-preserved adult male trapped in Miocene amber from Simojovel, Chiapas, Mexico. The new species named Trichomyia vetusta sp. nov., is described, illustrated, and compared with the other Trichomyia fossil species from Mexican amber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asilidae represents one of the most diverse Diptera families, the adults are rapacious predators of arthropods. Despite the huge diversity of extant species, robber flies are considered uncommon to extremely rare in amber or any type of fossil. Here we present the first Laphriinae fossil description from Miocene based on a well-preserved adult male trapped in amber from Simojovel, Chiapas, Mexico. The fossil corresponds to a new genus and species named Mioatomosites mexicanus gen. et sp. nov. This fly was likely a tree visitor, inhabiting tree trunks and vegetation, such as the Hymenaea trees that grew near mangrove swamps in Chiapas during the Miocene, which increased the chance of it being trapped in the amber. The new taxon is described and compared with other extant similar Neotropical Laphriinae genera. We postulate that Mioatomosites gen. nov. would be likely placed at the root of a given clade comprising the extant related genera, but future phylogenetic studies are necessary to better understand the relationship among Atomosiini genera. The South American continent is considered a centre of diversity for Atomosiini. This fossil record and the presence of extant Atomosiini genera in the Caribbean islands, which are currently far away from the continent, indicates that a complete land bridge would not be necessary for these “early species” to colonize what today is Central America and South of Mexico during the Miocene or even earlier.http://www.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:63E9410B-D8F1-4A72-ACB0-C302525ADB35 http://www.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:5797565F-3F3F-46CF-A982-868F7B1A141Fhttp://www.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:1A8CB958-C745-4AF8-81B8-9AD9062E42E7 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new flat bark beetle fossil (Laemophloeidae) is described from a well-preserved adult female specimen, trapped in amber, from the Miocene of Simojovel (Chiapas, Mexico). The fossil belongs to Placonotus MacLeay, a large extant genus of Laemophloeidae. The new species, Placonotus sepulvedae Gomes & Souza sp. nov, is compared with other Nearctic and Neotropical living species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the test–retest reliability and measurement error of the Brazilian version of the modified Gait Efficacy scale (mGES-Brazil) in individuals who have had stroke. The mGES-Brazil was applied on two occasions, five to seven days apart, in a research laboratory setting. Test–retest reliability and measurement error, which included the standard error of measurement (SEM), smallest detectable change (SDC), and analysis of the limits of agreement by the Bland–Altman plots, were examined. Fifty individuals who have had stroke (18 men), with a mean age of 64 ± 11 years, were evaluated. All individual items showed good reliability (Intra-class Correlation Coefficient – ICC2,1 > 0.90). The ICC was 0.98 (95% CI 0.97 to 0.99) and the Bland and Altman plots revealed no systematic changes in the mean test–retest scores. The SEM (SEM%) was 3 (5%), within the recommended values, while the SDC was 8 points. The mGES-Brazil demonstrated to be reliable to be applied within clinical and research contexts for the assessment of changes in walking confidence of individuals who have had stroke. Changes in mGES scores ≥8 points reflect real changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how individual pollution sources contribute to ambient sulfate pollution is critical for assessing past and future air quality regulations. Since attribution to specific sources is typically not encoded in spatial air pollution data, we develop a mechanistic model which we use to estimate, with uncertainty, the contribution of ambient sulfate concentrations attributable specifically to sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from individual coal-fired power plants in the central United States. We propose a multivariate Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) process approximation to the dynamics of the underlying space-time chemical transport process, and its distributional properties are leveraged to specify novel probability models for spatial data that are viewed as either a snapshot or time-averaged observation of the OU process. Using US EPA SO2 emissions data from 193 power plants and state-of-the-art estimates of ground-level annual mean sulfate concentrations, we estimate that in 2011—a time of active power plant regulatory action—existing flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) technologies at 66 power plants reduced population-weighted exposure to ambient sulfate by 1.97 μg/m3 (95% CI: 1.80–2.15). Furthermore, we anticipate future regulatory benefits by estimating that installing FGD technologies at the five largest SO2-emitting facilities would reduce human exposure to ambient sulfate by an additional 0.45 μg/m3 (95% CI: 0.33–0.54). for this article are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine whether using a cane would improve spatiotemporal parameters of walking, i.e., speed, stride length, cadence, and symmetry after stroke. Searches were conducted in eight databases. The experimental condition was walking with a cane. Four outcomes were of interest: walking speed, stride length, cadence, and symmetry. Twelve studies were included. Results from nine studies suggested that individuals with stroke walked 0.01 m/s (SD 0.06) slower with a single-point cane, compared with no cane. Two studies suggested a reduction in cadence (MD-5 steps/min, SD2) and an increase in stride length (MD 0.08 m, SD 0.01). Three studies suggested that individuals walked 0.06 m/s (SD 0.07) slower with a four-point cane, compared with no cane. Four studies suggested that individuals walked 0.06 m/s (SD 0.04) faster with a single- point cane compared with a four-point cane. Results regarding other outcomes were inconclusive. Results showed no worthwhile improvements in spatiotemporal parameters of walking with a single-point cane and a slight reduction with a four-point cane, compared with no cane. Individuals walked slightly faster with a single-point cane compared with a four-point cane, but the evidence is insufficient to support this superiority. A single-point cane may not improve spatiotemporal parameters of walking after stroke. Walking with a four-point cane may slightly decrease spatiotemporal parameters of walking. Canes may be prescribed without the fear of negatively impairing walking kinematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable, renewable, and environmentally friendly glycerol-based wood adhesives were synthesized through polycondensation reaction between dicarboxylic acids (sebacic and citric acid) and glycerol using different molar ratios, i.e. poly(glycerol sebacate) – PGS, poly(glycerol citrate-co-sebacate) – PGCS, and poly(glycerol citrate) – PGC. Thermal properties of the synthesized polymers were evaluated after cross-linking. Results showed that thermal stability was influenced by polymer molecular structure, being lower for PGC due to the presence of quaternary carbons of citric acid. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses showed an intermediate glass transition for the copolymer in comparison with homopolymers. Tensile shear strength tests showed that the presence of citric acid in the polymer improves adhesion and reduces adhesive flexibility, contrary to what happens to polymers with sebacic acid. This behavior was also proved through morphological analyses of the fracture surface. Adhesives with tailor-made properties were produced from glycerol, opening up new revenues for a by-product of the biodiesel production chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first neriid fossil is described from a well-preserved adult female trapped in amber from the Miocene of Simojovel, Chiapas, south-eastern Mexico. The fossil corresponds to a new genus and species named Palaeonerius souzai Sepúlveda & Gomes gen. et sp. nov. The new taxon is described and compared with other, extant Neotropical neriid genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytopathogenic diseases impact the development and yield of grapevines, resulting in economic, social and environmental losses. Sick plants have their metabolism changed, leading to alterations in their reflectance spectra. Little is known on these alterations, and a better knowledge could be used in the development of sensors able to detect diseases through fast, non-destructive techniques. This study was aimed at detecting spectral changes of grape leaves (Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon), with early symptoms of downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), powdery mildew (Uncinula necator), black-foot (Dactylonectria macrodidyma) and Petri disease (Phaeoacremonium spp.). Plants grown in pots and kept in a greenhouse were inoculated with the pathogens. In early stages of disease development, reflectance measurements were performed using a FieldSpec 3 spectroradiometer with leaf-clip attachment. The investigation began with discriminant analysis, which revealed that symptomatic plants are separated from the control ones. Reflectance spectra were, therefore, further investigated, looking for alterations on the shape of the spectra, characteristic of each disease. The disease descriptors were based on ratios between spectral features internal to a spectrum, a procedure which allowed the derivation of parameters intrinsic to each disease. A set of thresholds, defined as the ratios of reflectance at selected wavelengths, were derived for the studied diseases. For these ratios, the selected wavelengths (nm) were R443/R496, R443/R573, R443/R695, R443/R1900, R496/R573, R496/R695, R516/R1900 and R1900/R2435. The spectra from symptomatic plants present shape changes of as much as 20% with respect to healthy plants. The observed spectral changes are larger for black-foot and powdery mildew, but some wavelength ratios are also indicators of downy mildew and Petri disease. Data from wavelengths shorter than 700 nm in general carry more information than measurements at near infrared. These results are potentially useful to the development of low-cost devices to field use, providing real-time disease detection to early assessment of vineyard health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]