Qualitative study: Understanding Mexican American women's experience in intimate partner violence

The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain an understanding of the experiences of Mexican American women living with intimate partner abuse relevant to the process of disclosure of abuse. Limited research exists on the experiences of women who are of Mexican descent living with intimate partner abuse and their disclosure of abuse. Factors that influence disclosure for other populations are well articulated in the literature however, these factors have not been adequately verified in persons of Mexican descent. Data are reported from in-depth interviews with 26 clients at a shelter and an outreach agency in a south Texas-Mexico border community. Semi-structured interview guide was used to elicit information over an 11 month period. A grounded theory ethnography approach was used to analyze data. Verification strategies and constant comparison techniques (e.g. investigator responsiveness, methodological coherence, sampling adequacy, an active analytic stance, and saturation) enhanced rigor of analysis. Nineteen Mexican immigrant women and seven Mexican American women participated in the study. Several themes were discerned related to women's experiences in abuse: painful living, questioning endurance, and confronting reality. In almost every participant's account there was a description of repeated victimization by her intimate partner or partners, and again, by others within and outside her network. The participants discussed several cultural factors (e.g. embarrassment, concerns for family, avoidance of causing pain to family, protection of partner, avoidance of being judged) that hindered their decisions whether or not to disclose. Participants noted that healthcare workers rarely asked probing questions regarding abuse. The timing and process of disclosure took many turns for women in this study. Some of the factors hindering women from disclosing were found to be influenced by cultural practices. The consequences of disclosure for many of the women led them to re-victimization. Implications for practice to avoid missed opportunities with women living in abuse are to: ask questions routinely to encourage disclosure of abuse and offer community resource information for women living in abuse or both.^

Occupational injuries among day laborers in Houston

Research has indicated that day laborers engage in higher risk occupations and suffer a high number of occupationally related fatal and non-fatal injuries. Although there have been some studies focusing on immigrant workers and their occupational injuries, none to our knowledge has studied Houston’s day laborers. An exploratory study of Houston’s day laborer population was conducted in 2008 by Dr. Fernández-Esquer from the University of Texas. ^ The aims of the current study are to analyze secondary data from this parent study and describe the prevalence of the self reported occupational injuries among Houston immigrant day laborers seeking work during the months of October through December 2008. The study also aims to determine if the reported injuries varied by age group, education level, length of time living in the U.S. and length of time working as day laborers and describe if injuries were more common by the number of different job types or job conditions reported or the use of personal protective equipment used (PPE). ^ This study analyzed 325 questionnaires that included job-related information from the parent study. One hundred and nine workers (35 %) reported an occupational injury or illness in the year before the interview. The most frequent injuries or illnesses reported were falls (26.7 %), cuts and lacerations (23.3 %) and being struck by an object (18.3 %). Over half of the workers (57 %) reported working 4 to 6 different jobs in the year before the interview, followed by 22.5 % reporting 1 to 3 different jobs. A combined 79 % of day laborers in Houston reported exposure to 7 or more of the job conditions listed and 69 % of those workers also reported an injury or illness. PPE use varied from 44 % of workers reporting using 4 to 6 PPE items to 6.8 % reporting not using any type of PPE. Thirty two percent of workers reporting not using any PPE also reported an injury or illness. ^ Injuries were found not to have varied significantly by age group, time living in the US, time working as a day laborer, numbers of different job types and the number of PPE used. Injuries did vary significantly by education level of the participants and the number of different job conditions reported (education, X2 (4, N = 315) = 12.651, p =0.013; and job conditions, X2 (3, N = 319) = 14.698, p = 0.002). ^ Although this first study of Houston’s day laborers was successful at engaging the population and getting background information regarding the occupational health of these workers, more studies are needed to further characterize the day laborers occupational experiences and injuries along with determining what specific job types and job conditions were present when injuries occurred and what kind of PPE was being used at the time. It is also clear that these workers need better safety training programs regarding working in potentially dangerous jobs and job conditions. They would also benefit from programs that would help empower them to negotiate for safer conditions.^

Association between length of stay in the U.S. and diabetes risk factors among Chinese Americans in Houston, Texas in 2004-2005

Studies have suggested that acculturation is related to diabetes prevalence and risk factors among immigrant groups in the United States (U.S.), however scant data are available to investigate this relationship among Asian Americans and Asian American subgroups. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between length of stay in the U.S. and type 2 diabetes prevalence and its risk factors among Chinese Americans in Houston, Texas. Data were obtained from the 2004-2005 Asian-American Health Needs Assessment in Houston, Texas (N=409 Chinese Americans) for secondary analysis in this study. Diabetes prevalence and risk factors (overweight/obesity and access to medical care) were based on self-report. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic characteristics, diabetes prevalence, and reasons for not seeing a doctor. Logistic regression, using an incremental modeling approach, was used to measure the association between length of stay and diabetes prevalence and related risk factors, while adjusting for the potential confounding factors of age, gender, education level, and income level. Although the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was highest among those living in the U.S. for more than 20 years, there was no significant association between length of stay in the U.S. and diabetes prevalence among these Chinese Americans after adjustment for confounding factors. No association was found between length of stay in the U.S. and overweight/obese status among this population either, after adjusting for confounding factors, too. On the other hand, a longer length of stay was significantly associated with increased health insurance coverage in both unadjusted and adjusted models. The findings of this study suggest that length of stay in the U.S. alone may not be an indicator for diabetes risk among Chinese Americans. Future research should consider alternative models to measure acculturation (e.g., models that reflect acculturation as a multi-dimensional, not uni-dimensional process), which may more accurately depict its effect on diabetes prevalence and related risk factors.^

Rosalia de Castro y la visión poética de Galicia

Este artículo estudia la visión de la poeta española Rosalía de Castro (1837-1885) de su Galicia natal a partir de algunos de sus poemas, en especial del libro En las orillas del Sar (1884), la colección lírica considerada como la más importante de la autora. Desde el análisis de algunas piezas significativas sobre el tema de Galicia, se cubre inicialmente su visión personal de contestación a favor de su tierra natal. La segunda parte del estudio se centra en la temática social en Rosalía de Castro en relación con la defensa del emigrante gallego.

Campanian-Maestrichtian planktonic foraminifera of the southern South Atlantic

Campanian-Maestrichtian planktonic foraminifers were examined from Sites 698 (2128 m water depth) and 700 (3611 m water depth) on the Northeast Georgia Rise (southern South Atlantic, 51°S). Site 698 penetrated 72.5 m of Campanian-Maestrichtian chalk and limestone with only 18.2% recovery, whereas Site 700 recovered 66.8% of a 152.7-m section of Coniacian-Maestrichtian limestone. Preservation of planktonic foraminifers from both sites is moderate in Maestrichtian samples, but worsens with increasing depth in the Campanian. The Northeast Georgia Rise planktonic foraminifers are typical of Late Cretaceous Austral Province faunas described from other southern high-latitude sites; species diversity is low and the assemblages are dominated by species of Heterohelix, Globigerinelloides, Hedbergella, and Archaeoglobigerina. Five species, including Globigerinelloides impensus Sliter, Archaeoglobigerina australis Huber, Archaeoglobigerina mateola Huber, Hedbergella sliteri Huber, and Rugotruncana circumnodifer (Finlay), are considered to be endemic to the Austral Province. Formation of a cool temperate water mass in the circum-Antarctic region, resulting from the final breakup of the Gondwana continents, may have led to increased provincialism of the Austral Province planktonic foraminifers during Campanian-Maestrichtian time. Magnetobiostratigraphic correlation of eight planktonic foraminifer datum events at Hole 700B with ages determined for datums at ODP Leg 113 Holes 689B and 690C (Maud Rise, 65°S) demonstrates regional synchroneity of first and last occurrences within the Austral Province. As was observed at the Maud Rise, several keeled and nonkeeled species previously thought to have been restricted to warmer low-latitude regions first occur later at the Northeast Georgia Rise than at the low-latitude sites. The causes for high-latitude diachroneity among these immigrant species are not clear; neither oxygen and carbon isotope data from the Maud Rise sites nor calcareous nannoplankton distributions for the southern South Atlantic region show conspicuous changes that correlate to the delayed first occurrences.

A escrita da emigração : Memórias e estudos do arquivo familiar do galego Francisco Moura

The article discusses the memories and the history stored in the family archive of Francis Mouro, migrant in Rio de Janeiro, in the first half of the twentieth century. The Mouro family, since the nineteenth century, decided to adopt Brazil as preferred destination. However, like so many Galician families also choose other destinations, moving to Portugal, Uruguay and Argentina. Through letters and personal documents preserved by the immigrant family is possible to reconstruct the migratory chains formed over more than half a century, the solidarity networks and migration of a city of intense immigration to Rio de Janeiro, as the galego city Santa Comba

Reflexiones metodológicas sobre algunas contribuciones de la terapia familiar sistémica a un estudio antropológico de la familia

El fenómeno migratorio ha sido tratado a partir de diferentes estudios históricos, sociológicos, demográficos y antropológicos. Muchas veces estos abordajes solo ofrecen respuestas parciales a las problemáticas que conforman la migración. Nuestras investigaciones se centraron en el estudio de grupos de inmigrantes caboverdeanos en Argentina, aportando modelos sobre la organización e interacción de esos grupos, con el fin de explorar temas críticos, como inmigración y familia, identidad y etnicidad, entre otros. Luego de años de trabajo hemos ajustado metodologías, sobre todo las derivadas de la antropología tradicional, buscando alternativas, "reciclando" premisas, pautas y técnicas de otras disciplinas como la psicología (en particular la terapia familiar de orientación sistémica). En este trabajo reflexionamos sobre algunas cuestiones metodológicas, particularmente el uso de genogramas puestos en práctica en el estudio del parentesco y de la familia caboverdeana en un contexto migratorio, cuyo análisis fue uno de los objetivos planteados en el proyecto de investigación sobre el mencionado grupo en la Argentina

La moda neoliberal : El retorno de los talleres clandestinos de costura

En este artículo se analiza el resurgimiento de talleres de costura clandestinos en grandes ciudades del centro y la periferia mundial, para entender los cambios dados en la industria de la moda durante las últimas cuatro décadas y sus consecuencias sobre los trabajadores. Para ello se realizaron dos estudios de caso: uno en la ciudad de Buenos Aires y otro en la provincia de Prato (Italia). Los resultados de esta investigación demuestran que este sector fue pionero en los procesos de reorganización industrial en la época neoliberal. En ambos estudios de caso, el cierre de fábricas y la utilización masiva de subcontratación a talleres urbanos informales tuvieron como consecuencias una significativa concentración de capital por un lado, y un marcado deterioro de las condiciones de trabajo por el otro. De hecho, la existencia de trata de personas y reducción a la servidumbre de miles de trabajadores inmigrantes es fundamental para el funcionamiento de esta industria

A escrita da emigração : Memórias e estudos do arquivo familiar do galego Francisco Moura

The article discusses the memories and the history stored in the family archive of Francis Mouro, migrant in Rio de Janeiro, in the first half of the twentieth century. The Mouro family, since the nineteenth century, decided to adopt Brazil as preferred destination. However, like so many Galician families also choose other destinations, moving to Portugal, Uruguay and Argentina. Through letters and personal documents preserved by the immigrant family is possible to reconstruct the migratory chains formed over more than half a century, the solidarity networks and migration of a city of intense immigration to Rio de Janeiro, as the galego city Santa Comba

Reflexiones metodológicas sobre algunas contribuciones de la terapia familiar sistémica a un estudio antropológico de la familia

El fenómeno migratorio ha sido tratado a partir de diferentes estudios históricos, sociológicos, demográficos y antropológicos. Muchas veces estos abordajes solo ofrecen respuestas parciales a las problemáticas que conforman la migración. Nuestras investigaciones se centraron en el estudio de grupos de inmigrantes caboverdeanos en Argentina, aportando modelos sobre la organización e interacción de esos grupos, con el fin de explorar temas críticos, como inmigración y familia, identidad y etnicidad, entre otros. Luego de años de trabajo hemos ajustado metodologías, sobre todo las derivadas de la antropología tradicional, buscando alternativas, "reciclando" premisas, pautas y técnicas de otras disciplinas como la psicología (en particular la terapia familiar de orientación sistémica). En este trabajo reflexionamos sobre algunas cuestiones metodológicas, particularmente el uso de genogramas puestos en práctica en el estudio del parentesco y de la familia caboverdeana en un contexto migratorio, cuyo análisis fue uno de los objetivos planteados en el proyecto de investigación sobre el mencionado grupo en la Argentina

La moda neoliberal : El retorno de los talleres clandestinos de costura

En este artículo se analiza el resurgimiento de talleres de costura clandestinos en grandes ciudades del centro y la periferia mundial, para entender los cambios dados en la industria de la moda durante las últimas cuatro décadas y sus consecuencias sobre los trabajadores. Para ello se realizaron dos estudios de caso: uno en la ciudad de Buenos Aires y otro en la provincia de Prato (Italia). Los resultados de esta investigación demuestran que este sector fue pionero en los procesos de reorganización industrial en la época neoliberal. En ambos estudios de caso, el cierre de fábricas y la utilización masiva de subcontratación a talleres urbanos informales tuvieron como consecuencias una significativa concentración de capital por un lado, y un marcado deterioro de las condiciones de trabajo por el otro. De hecho, la existencia de trata de personas y reducción a la servidumbre de miles de trabajadores inmigrantes es fundamental para el funcionamiento de esta industria

A escrita da emigração : Memórias e estudos do arquivo familiar do galego Francisco Moura

The article discusses the memories and the history stored in the family archive of Francis Mouro, migrant in Rio de Janeiro, in the first half of the twentieth century. The Mouro family, since the nineteenth century, decided to adopt Brazil as preferred destination. However, like so many Galician families also choose other destinations, moving to Portugal, Uruguay and Argentina. Through letters and personal documents preserved by the immigrant family is possible to reconstruct the migratory chains formed over more than half a century, the solidarity networks and migration of a city of intense immigration to Rio de Janeiro, as the galego city Santa Comba

La moda neoliberal : El retorno de los talleres clandestinos de costura

En este artículo se analiza el resurgimiento de talleres de costura clandestinos en grandes ciudades del centro y la periferia mundial, para entender los cambios dados en la industria de la moda durante las últimas cuatro décadas y sus consecuencias sobre los trabajadores. Para ello se realizaron dos estudios de caso: uno en la ciudad de Buenos Aires y otro en la provincia de Prato (Italia). Los resultados de esta investigación demuestran que este sector fue pionero en los procesos de reorganización industrial en la época neoliberal. En ambos estudios de caso, el cierre de fábricas y la utilización masiva de subcontratación a talleres urbanos informales tuvieron como consecuencias una significativa concentración de capital por un lado, y un marcado deterioro de las condiciones de trabajo por el otro. De hecho, la existencia de trata de personas y reducción a la servidumbre de miles de trabajadores inmigrantes es fundamental para el funcionamiento de esta industria

Reflexiones metodológicas sobre algunas contribuciones de la terapia familiar sistémica a un estudio antropológico de la familia

El fenómeno migratorio ha sido tratado a partir de diferentes estudios históricos, sociológicos, demográficos y antropológicos. Muchas veces estos abordajes solo ofrecen respuestas parciales a las problemáticas que conforman la migración. Nuestras investigaciones se centraron en el estudio de grupos de inmigrantes caboverdeanos en Argentina, aportando modelos sobre la organización e interacción de esos grupos, con el fin de explorar temas críticos, como inmigración y familia, identidad y etnicidad, entre otros. Luego de años de trabajo hemos ajustado metodologías, sobre todo las derivadas de la antropología tradicional, buscando alternativas, "reciclando" premisas, pautas y técnicas de otras disciplinas como la psicología (en particular la terapia familiar de orientación sistémica). En este trabajo reflexionamos sobre algunas cuestiones metodológicas, particularmente el uso de genogramas puestos en práctica en el estudio del parentesco y de la familia caboverdeana en un contexto migratorio, cuyo análisis fue uno de los objetivos planteados en el proyecto de investigación sobre el mencionado grupo en la Argentina

List of phytoplankton, zooplankton and zoobenthos species abundances

We studied the effects of changed quality of inflow water of aquaculture ponds on three aquatic communities, phytoplankton, zooplankton and zoobenthos, during two seasons of rearing common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The new water source coming from a deep tube well was markedly different in water chemistry from the surface water sources previously used to maintain the investigated fish ponds. Ponds supplied by the tube well water were characterized by lower oxygen and water hardness, and higher total ammonia and conductivity reaching subsaline conditions. Multivariate analysis (co-inertia) revealed that all investigated groups, except Mollusca (zoobenthos), decreased in species richness, abundance and biomass due to changed water chemistry, but differed in the level of susceptibility to stressors. Assemblages of Rotifera and Cladocera were the most affected showing a sharp decline in density and number of species since 29 out of 44 species disappeared from the ponds. The abundance of Copepoda (Cyclopoida) was relatively high although significantly lower in new environmental conditions (P<0.05), with adults being more tolerant to changed inflow water than larvae. Phytoplankton, except Bacillariophyta, had a highest potential to replace previous species with newcomers more adapted to changed inflow water, providing 36 immigrant species while 49 became extinct. Although mainly influenced by fish predation, Chironomidae (zoobenthos) were undoubtedly affected by changed water chemistry, decreasing from 11 to only 3 species. These results suggest that this pattern was a result of the shift from freshwater to subsaline conditions.