19304 research outputs found
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Prospective Associations Between Alcohol Use in Adolescence and Mental Health Diagnoses in Adulthood
No full textAlcohol use during adolescence may disrupt typical neurological development, thus influencing mental health conditions like attention hyperactivity/attention deficit disorder (ADHD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Existing research predominantly relies on retrospective designs. This project aims to probe the prospective relationship between adolescent alcohol use and ADHD, PTSD diagnoses reported in adulthood. This study involved 5,113 adolescents (Mage = 14.99, SDage = 1.76; 54% female, 68% Caucasian) recruited to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (AddHealth) who provided alcohol-related data (frequency of drinking, number of drinks per day, frequency of heavy drinking, frequency of drinking to intoxication, and frequency of alcohol-related problems) at Wave 1 (1994-95) and mental health diagnosis data (ADHD, PTSD) at Wave 4 (2007-08). Results indicated more frequent past-year drinking nearly doubled the likelihood of a PTSD diagnosis reported in adulthood (OR=1.90, p=0.001). Frequency of alcohol-related problems was the only alcohol variable associated with increased likelihood (OR=1.22, p=0.031) of reporting a dual ADHD-PTSD diagnosis. Collectively, these results highlight mental health risks associated with various alcohol-related behaviors during vulnerable periods of development. These results also stress the importance of early interventions that target specific drinking behaviors, not just underage drinking in general.Psychology, Department ofHonors Colleg
Corrosion-Under-Coating Detection with Pulsed Infrared Thermography
No full textCorrosion under coatings represents a significant challenge for infrastructure maintenance, particularly for naval vessels where the U.S. Navy spends approximately $3.6 billion annually on corrosion-related repairs. Traditional inspection methods require destructive testing that is labor-intensive, costly, and damages protective coatings. This research presents a non-destructive testing approach that combines pulsed infrared thermography with advanced image processing techniques to detect hidden corrosion beneath thermal spray nonskid (TSN) coatings. Our methodology employs a custom-built inspection system featuring a Hadron 640R infrared camera, halogen lamps, and an NVIDIA Jetson Nano edge computing platform for field deployments. The system enables controlled field data collection under various conditions. Our image processing pipeline applies Contrast-Limiting Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE) and homography transformations to align thermal and visible imagery, enhancing detection of subsurface anomalies. A key contribution is the development of a novel, annotated corrosion-under-coating dataset with precise ground truth labels for both visible and hidden corrosion regions. Future work focuses on developing a synthetic data generation pipeline that extracts physical parameters from real-world measurements to create training data for deep learning-based semantic segmentation models. This approach will enhance the robustness of corrosion detection across varied environmental conditions and coating types, potentially reducing maintenance costs for critical naval infrastructure.Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department ofHonors CollegeElectrical and Computer Engineering, Department o
Examining the Impact of Self-Compassion on Intuitive Eating and Weight Status
No full textThis study explores the relationship between self-compassion, intuitive eating, and body mass index (BMI) among undergraduate students at the University of Houston. Self-compassion, a positive and nonjudgmental attitude toward oneself, has been linked to healthier eating patterns, including intuitive eating-a behavior characterized by responding to internal hunger and fullness cues rather than external rules or emotional triggers. Intuitive eating is associated with better weight regulation and reduced disordered eating behaviors. The study aimed to determine whether individuals with greater self-compassion are more likely to engage in intuitive eating and whether self-compassion moderates the relationship between intuitive eating and BMI. The hypothesis posited that higher self-compassion promotes intuitive eating resulting in weight maintenance. A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 849 eligible undergraduate students. Participants completed an online survey assessing self-compassion, intuitive eating behaviors, and demographic data. Anthropometric measurements, including BMI, were collected during lab appointments. Recruitment was conducted via course portals, with course credit offered as an incentive. Students under 18, graduate students, pregnant individuals, and those enrolled in advanced nutrition or kinesiology courses were excluded. Ethics approval was obtained from the University of Houston Institutional Review Board. Results indicated that self-compassion significantly predicted higher intuitive eating behaviors (p < .001; ß = 0.278), demonstrating a small to moderate effect size. Higher BMI was associated with lower intuitive eating scores; however, the relationship between self-compassion and intuitive eating remained significant regardless of BMI. These findings suggest that self-compassion is an important factor in fostering intuitive eating behaviors and warrant further exploration into this relationship.Health and Human Performance, Department ofHonors Colleg
The Great Indian Divide of 1947: Reconstructing and recovering South Asian histories through literature, history, and personal narratives
No full textThe Great Indian Divide of 1947, sometimes referred to as the Partition, occurred when the British forces retreated from South Asia and left over fourteen million people uprooted from their ancestral homes (Bhalla, 2022). During the Partition, at least three million people died from hunger, violence, suicide and disease. (Bhalla, 2022). The purpose of the Partition once the British relinquished their control of India and giving the subcontinent their independence, was to create a country for Muslims called Pakistan. This decision was emphasized by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who believed that the relation ties between Hindus and Muslims were far from being repaired due to the tension created by colonization and fought for a two-nation division where Muslims would have a homeland for themselves (Roy, 2021). The decision to divide India caused families to be separated, brought psychological trauma on witnesses, and identity loss, some of the many human costs that the partition brought. For a while, the Great Indian Divide of 1947 has been studied as a political event rather than a humanitarian catastrophe. The aim of this thesis is to intervene the heavy focus placed upon politics in regard to Partition studies and expand on how Partition literature written by first and second generation authors can be used as a field of study to better understand the human experience and aspects of the Partition that the lenses of politics and history are unable to cover within their scope of range. Furthermore, explore the impacts Partition literature has on South Asian American communities. This is done through a literature review of Partition literature, connecting the historical phenomenon's present in Partition literature, and an oral history with Saadia Faruqi, author of The Partition Project.Honors CollegeEnglish, Department o
Houston Hydrogen Transportation Pilot
No full textAs Houston emerges as a key hub for hydrogen fuel adoption, the strategic placement of hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) is critical to achieving cost-effective, zero-emission transportation. This research integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS), cost modeling, and Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate the feasibility of repurposing existing infrastructure and developing new hydrogen fueling sites. By comparing Steam Methane Reforming with Carbon Capture (SMRCC) and electrolysis pathways, we analyze Levelized Total Cost of Hydrogen (LTCH) across different site configurations, including retrofitted gas stations and greenfield locations. Our study provides key insights into the economic and environmental trade-offs of hydrogen transportation solutions in the Greater Houston Area (GHA), considering land availability, policy incentives, and infrastructure scalability. The findings inform policymakers and industry stakeholders on optimal site selection strategies, demonstrating that repurposed infrastructure can facilitate competitive hydrogen pricing without requiring extensive subsidies. This work advances Houston's potential as a leader in hydrogen mobility and contributes to national decarbonization goals.Petroleum Engineering, Department ofHonors CollegeElectrical and Computer Engineering, Department o
A Systems Design Approach for a Circular Economy in the Coffee Industry and Community – Brewing a Sustainable Future: Transforming Spent Coffee Grounds (SCG) into Engergy for Texas
No full textGlobally, 18 million tons of spent coffee grounds (SCG) are produced annually, with most being improperly disposed of in landfills, contributing significantly to methane emissions. In the U.S., landfills emitted 100.9 million tons of methane in 2022, representing 17.7% of national methane emissions (Franca et al., 2022). SCG directly contribute to this, as 6 million tons produce 1.22 million tons of methane annually (Mohammed et al., 2022). Vulnerable communities, especially in low-income areas and the global south, face disproportionate consequences, including health risks, lower property values, and groundwater contamination. This research addresses the inefficiency of organic waste management by exploring community-driven solutions for SCG disposal. The issue is compounded by consumer habits that neglect proper waste separation, exacerbating environmental harm. This study proposes a scalable systems design centered on community involvement to establish a circular economy model for repurposing SCG, reducing their environmental footprint, and offering sustainable alternatives to general landfill disposal. Case studies, such as the German company Kaffeeform, demonstrate how local communities can effectively repurpose SCG into bioplastic products, emphasizing the potential of localized waste reuse. This research also investigates the role of communities in Texas, focusing on converting SCG into alternative energy sources, particularly during weather-related crises. The hypothesis suggests that integrating community participation in SCG management can provide both environmental and economic benefits, enhancing energy resilience and sustainability by involving local actors in repurposing waste and closing the loop in the coffee consumption cycle.Architecture and Design, Gerald D. Hines College ofHonors Colleg
UBUNTU: “I am because we are”
No full textThis thesis is about urban domesticity and how to blur the lines between interior and urban spaces using the philosophy of UBUNTU.Honors CollegeArchitecture and Design, Gerald D. Hines College o
Integrating WES and Total RNA-Seq to Identify Gene Fusions in 11q13, in Development of a Personalized Peptide Vaccine for Breast Cancer
No full textGene fusions are critical drivers of cancer initiation and progression, often creating unique neoantigenic regions that can be targeted for immunotherapy. This study focuses on the RNF121-XRRA1 fusion, identified within the 11q13 chromosomal band, a region frequently amplified in breast cancer and associated with poor prognosis. Using Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) and Total RNA-seq, we identified the in-frame RNF121 (Exons 1 of 19) - XRRA1 (Exons 16-19) in two Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) models (ST3105B and ST3105C). The fusion was validated through RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing, confirming its presence in the tumor microenvironment. To explore the therapeutic potential of this fusion, we employed OptiType to determine the six major HLA class I alleles present in the patient. From these, HLA-B18:01 was selected for further analysis due to its high binding affinity to the most peptides in NetMHCpan 4.1. Using NetMHCpan 4.1 and APE-Gen, we identified 34 candidate peptides (8-mer, 9-mer, 10-mer, and 11-mer) derived from the RNF121-XRRA1 junction and assessed their binding affinity to HLA-B18:01. Seven unique neopeptides were predicted as strong binders, with potential for eliciting an immune response. Our findings highlight the RNF121-XRRA1 fusion as a promising target for personalized peptide vaccine development in breast cancer. Future work will involve in vitro validation of peptide-HLA binding affinity using flow cytometry and assessment of immunogenicity via ELISpot IFN-γ assays on HLA-matched peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). This study underscores the potential of integrating genomic and computational approaches to identify and validate neoantigenic targets for cancer immunotherapy. [This project was completed with contributions from Michael Wick from XenoSTART and Birkir Raynisson from the Technical University of Denmark.]Biology and Biochemistry, Department ofHonors Colleg
Lateral Flow Assay to Detect Carbonic Anhydrase IX in Seromas of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma
No full textBackground/Objective: Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has affected more than 1700 women with textured breast implants. About 80% of patients present with fluid (seroma) around their implant. BIA-ALCL can be cured by surgery alone when confined to the seroma and lining of the peri-implant capsule. To address the need for early detection, we developed a rapid point of care (POC) lateral flow assay (LFA) to identify lymphoma in seromas. Methods: We compared 28 malignant seromas to 23 benign seromas using both ELISA and LFA. LFA test lines (TL) and control lines (CL) were visualized and measured with imaging software and the TL/CL ratio for each sample was calculated. Results: By visual exam, the sensitivity for detection of CA9 was 93% and specificity 78%, while the positive predictive value was 84% and negative predictive value 90%. Quantitative image analysis increased the positive predictive value to 96% while the negative predictive value reduced to 79%. Conclusions: We conclude that CA9 is a sensitive biomarker for detection and screening of patients for BIA-ALCL in patients who present with seromas of unknown etiology. The CA9 LFA can potentially replace ELISA, flow cytometry and other tests requiring specialized equipment, highly trained personnel, larger amounts of fluid and delay in diagnosis of BIA-ALCL
Art in the Democratization of Life: CADA’s Art Actions and Counter Hegemonic Struggle Under Pinochet
No full textIn this thesis, I analyze the art actions of Colectivo Acciones de Arte, or CADA, through a lens of seeking to understand how they contribute to and open up counter hegemonic discourse and action in opposition to the Pinochet regime. I center the scope of the thesis by focusing on three actions that cover the arch of the period when CADA was active. The actions I examine are Para no morir de hambre en el arte (1979), ¡Ay Sudamérica¡ (1981), and NO+/ No más (1983). These art actions are responsive to the historical situations they are situated and reflect the form of resistance possible at those times. CADA operated within and sought to modify and contribute to discursive systems to incite participants to partake in the expansion of life as a mode of resistance. I rely on archival research of the newspapers El Mercurio and Solidaridad to understand the development of national hegemonic and counter hegemonic discourse during the years of CADA's art actions