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Understanding the Financial Burden of Chronic Respiratory Conditions in Houston
No full textThe United States spends nearly twice as much on healthcare per capita compared to other OECD nations; however, it continues to have worse overall health outcomes. Despite high expenditures, the U.S. has lower physician visit rates, fewer practicing physicians, and remains the only high-income country without guaranteed health coverage. This study examines the inequities and inefficiencies within the American healthcare system, focusing on chronic lower respiratory diseases, which are exacerbated by environmental factors such as air pollution and heat exposure-both prevalent in Houston, Texas. Harris County, in particular, has the highest uninsured rate in the region, with lower-income, Black, and disabled populations facing disproportionate financial burdens. This study indicates that self-pay healthcare costs account for a significantly higher percentage of income among lower-income and minority households, with Black households facing an even greater burden. Additionally, Medicare charges remain the highest across all payment categories, suggesting an increased financial strain on disabled individuals under 65. These disparities perpetuate the systemic barriers to healthcare access, exacerbating health inequities and leading to poorer health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Addressing these structural deficiencies is critical in ensuring equitable access to affordable healthcare and improving public health.Honors Colleg
Racial Socialization, Racial Identity, and Internalizing Symptoms: The Underlying Role of Emotion Suppression in Black Youth
No full textIntroduction: Parental racial socialization messages that communicate the barriers and adversity faced by Black Americans have been shown to both confer and buffer against risk for internalizing symptoms in Black youth. Likewise, negative public regard—a form of racial identity which describes the extent to which a Black individual believes others view Black Americans unfavorably—is both positively and negatively associated with internalizing psychopathology. However, the affective mechanisms which underlie the differential effects of parental racial barrier socialization and negative public regard on internalizing symptoms in Black youth remain understudied. The present investigation examined direct and indirect effects of (1) parental racial socialization messages regarding racial barriers and (2) negative public regard on internalizing symptoms through emotion suppression. It was hypothesized that greater emotion suppression in Black youth would partially explain the relationship of (1) racial socialization messages regarding racial barriers, and (2) negative public regard, with internalizing symptoms. Method: Black youth (N = 100; Mage = 11. 77 years, SD = 2.64; 73% male) were recruited nationally and administered self-report measures of racial socialization, racial identity, emotion management strategies, and anxiety and depression symptoms. Results: Tests of indirect effects revealed a significant indirect effect of racial socialization messages regarding racial barriers on self-reported internalizing symptoms via emotion inhibition/suppression (b = 0.44, PM =0.24, SE = 0.23; 95% CI [0.07, 0.96]). A significant indirect effect of negative public regard on self-reported internalizing symptoms via emotion inhibition/suppression was also observed (indirect effect b = -0.55, PM =0.46, SE = 0.20; 95% CI [-0.96, -0.18]). Discussion: Black youth who report greater frequency of exposure to parental racial socialization messages regarding racial barriers or who endorse negative public regard beliefs are more likely to engage in emotion suppression. Consequently, they are more likely to report greater levels of internalizing symptoms. Future work should examine emotional and sociocultural protective factors for Black youth that buffer against racism-related stress
Analysis of Numerical Methods for Incompressible Multiphase Flows with Thermal Convection
No full textThis dissertation is dedicated to the development and analysis of numerical methods to approximate the solutions of incompressible multiphase flows with thermal convection whose dynamics is governed by the Navier-Stokes equations and the temperature equation under the Boussinesq approximation. Unlike traditional schemes that rely on using the temperature and velocity as primary variables, our schemes use the momentum and internal energy. In addition, our schemes involve a semi-implicit projection method, which effectively decouples momentum and pressure. This choice of primary variables and decoupling leads to time independent stiffness matrices which enhance the computational performance of our numerical methods. We establish the stability and convergence properties of the proposed time marching algorithms. These analyses are based on assumptions regarding the gradient of the density approximation sequence, which we assume is either bounded by a constant or controlled by the time step. Under the Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy condition, these assumptions lead to an order of convergence of one or one-half, respectively. To validate our conclusions and assess the performance of our hydrodynamic and thermal solvers, we conduct a series of tests in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional domains. These tests are designed to challenge the schemes under various conditions, including setups with sharp density gradients and discontinuous density functions. Through these tests, we aim to demonstrate the effectiveness and versatility of our numerical schemes in accurately simulating multiphase incompressible flows. Our numerical illustrations are performed using the FreeFEM++ and SFEMaNS codes. Additionally, we contribute to the advancement of the SFEMaNS code by integrating our thermal solver and use this solver to study of turbulent thermal convection
A Suburban School District Mentoring Programs’ Influence of Black Male Students’ Desire to Continue in Higher Education After High School
No full textBackground: According to Harper and Davis (2012), "Blacks experience school as social institutions that reinscribe hegemonic power structures, and therefore, they resist academic success to protect a collective cultural identity" (p. 106). This protection of their cultural identity is often seen as defiance and results in disciplinary actions, leading to distrust and a dislike for school structures (e.g., educators, administrators, policies, procedures, programs) and the institution of education. This view of education does not hold all parties accountable for the growth of Black male development in education, placing the onus and burden of developing a belief in education on the students. Creating safe and positive interactions can balance the students' educational experience. Purpose: This study aims to determine if the school-based mentoring of Black males attending Opportunity ISD mentoring program can influence their decisions to attend colleges and /or universities. This case study will give insight into the experiences of suburban school districts, and the program provides for students who are Black males with similar populations and socioeconomic surroundings. Yampolskaya et al. (2006) reported that "studies on mentoring have shown that failure to complete high school and poor academic performance can relate to serious adverse individual, social, and economic consequences" (p. 458). Gaining more insight into how mentoring in Opportunity ISD helps young Black men develop an interest in attending colleges and universities could potentially help their communities socially and economically. Methods: This study's methodology derives from the research questions, which will examine Opportunity ISD mentor programs' effectiveness in mentoring and improving Black males' interest in continuing their education after high school. The research is guided by Symbolic Interactionism theory. The researcher will rely on the school district to select participants with shared characteristics and features provided by the researcher. The district has a Black population in a suburban area outside of a major city in Texas. All senior Black male students in the Opportunity ISD program will be observed and interviewed along with the Black male graduates from the program. The three research questions designed to support the study drive the interview questions. Results: Previous researcher such at Walton and his colleges in the journal entitled; A culturally specific approach to mentoring young African American males. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, studied extensively about interventions and programs custom tailored to meet the needs of young Black and African American males unique to their cultural needs (Watson, et al., 2015). This research examined the Opportunity ISD’s mentoring program effectiveness in improving the interest of Black males' desire to continue their education after high school. The goal of my study was to determine if the school-based mentoring of Black males attending Opportunity ISD mentoring program can influence their decisions to attend colleges and /or universities. This section discusses the implications for each of the research questions presented in this study. Conclusion: The young men showed an abondance of emotional intelligence during the interviews and was able to articulate their personal experience concerning their conversations about attending a college or university. Their conversations about attending colleges ot university were about how important it can be, how it was a great experience, and how education is important, but it was rare for the mentor to take them through the applying process and the importance of an education specifically for a young Black man
Limb Coordination Patterns Are Modified Depending Upon the Perceived Consequences During a Reach and Grasp Task
No full textFalling in the elderly population is a significant public health issue with substantial costs in terms of financial and individual suffering. Identifying differences in coordination strategies between young healthy people and elderly individuals could result in physical training regiments designed to improve the stability of elderly individuals at risk of falling. This study focuses on understanding how people coordinate their arms and legs while walking and grasping objects. Specifically, it examines if the consequences of grasping a particular object modify the coordination patterns as one approaches and reaches for the object. By identifying coordination patterns of young adults, we aim to establish a baseline for healthy walking and grasping activities and gain insight into how different movement consequences impact limb coordination. Identifying differences in coordination strategies between young healthy people and elderly individuals could result in physical training regiments designed to improve the stability of elderly individuals at risk of falling. The purpose of this research is to investigate the coordination patterns between the arms and legs during walking and object grasping when the consequence of that grasp varies.Health and Human Performance, Department ofHonors Colleg
Quantifying Abnormal Flexion Synergy Using an Upper-Extremity Exoskeleton for Stroke Rehabilitation
No full text75% of all stroke patients suffer from some sort of upper extremity motor impairment which can make everyday tasks such as reaching or holding a cup nearly impossible. Recent research suggests that flexion synergy is a key cause of impairment of reaching tasks after stroke. Flexion synergy is the abnormal coupling between elbow flexion and shoulder abduction. This study investigates the abnormal flexor synergy in stroke survivors using the Harmony exoskeleton, a three-dimensional, bimanual system, to analyze the joint angles in nine stroke participants and eight age-matched control participants as they perform various kinematic movements. Our analysis showed a significant 7.7-fold increase in joint coupling in stroke patients during shoulder abduction tasks (P < 0.001). This project marries robotics with standard clinical practices by utilizing the Harmony exoskeleton in dynamic reaching tasks. Furthermore, our results suggest that flexion synergy can be decoupled by isolating joint angles. This supports the idea that robotics can potentially be an effective tool to advance stroke rehabilitation.Biomedical Engineering, Department ofHonors Colleg
Upcycling of Polyolefins Through Functionalization
No full textPlastics constitute an important component of a range of materials used in modern society. Polyolefins (PO), mainly low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP), constitute ~57% of global plastic production, taking an essential role in our every day. Yet, the versatility and convenience of these materials have also threatened the environment as less than 4% is being recycled (in the U.S), the rest is incinerated or leaked to the natural environment. Momentum has therefore shifted towards looking for a solution to address PO waste in order to move to a circular economy. Post-use modification (or functionalization) has shown promising results in upcycling polyolefins, removing limitations of inertness, and potentially improving the final physical properties of the recycled material while extending its useful lifetime. Specifically, the functionalization of POs with hydroxyl groups provides new opportunities in the development of thermoset polyurethanes (PUs), which have not yet been explored. Thermoset PUs, known for their long-lasting properties, are frequently used in foams, elastomers, and film production. This provides the opportunity to upcycle POs to durable, value-added products with long lifetimes. In this work, polypropylene (PP) was hydroxylated through various means and upcycled to a PU. On the first route, a PP-based polyol was synthesized through hydroxylation of maleic anhydride-grafted PP and subsequently cured with a diisocyanate to form a thermoset PU. The crystal structure (unit cell and lamellar structure) and crystallization and nucleation kinetics of the PP were preserved in the PU, indicating the formation of a urethane network did not impact the PP crystallization process. The presence of PP crystallization in the PU led to a higher modulus than that of traditional polyester or polyether PUs, with a trade-off in diminished ductility. The mechanical integrity of the PU was maintained through several reprocessing cycles due to the melt processability enabled by the presence of a urethane exchange catalyst. On the second route, PP was oxidated in a melt extruder using several flow conditions, extrusion time and additives. Several functionalities were obtained with the tradeoff of the decrease in molecular weight. The effect of functionalization and molecular weight to the thermal properties, crystal structure and crystallization kinetics were studied to fully understand these materials upon forming the PU. Additionally, in this work, the concepts of upcycling were extended beyond higher education contexts. We developed a series of hands-on activities showing the importance of the plastic sorting process for K-12 students. The activities effectively enhanced students’ awareness of the sorting process of recycled waste as studied through pre- and post- evaluations and open questions laying the foundation for future inquiry and outreach project design
Promoting Better Outcomes for Black Girls with Multiple Youth-Serving System Involvement through Benevolent Childhood Experiences
No full textBlack girls in America have borne the burden of systemic disenfranchisement, enduring a legacy of injustice and discrimination. Scholarly discourse has persistently highlighted the systemic inadequacies of the youth-serving systems—the Child Welfare System (CWS), Juvenile Legal System (JLS), education system (ES), and mental health system (MHS)—despite their role in safeguarding vulnerable youth. Youth involved with the CWS are more likely to have JLS contact and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), yet research on benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) for Black girls with multisystem involvement remains limited. Further complicating this oversight is a lack of precision in quantitative measure of BCEs and system involvement, and inadequate collaboration between systems, perpetuating the marginalization of Black girls. This dissertation addresses these gaps by examining the relationship between BCEs, mental health, and educational outcomes for Black girls with no system involvement, single system involvement, and multisystem involvement. Utilizing intersectionality and Critical Race Feminism (CRF), this study critically analyzes data from the 2023 Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS). Descriptive statistics reveal trends in system involvement and outcomes. Inferential analyses found no statistically significant difference in BCE scores or GPA across groups. However, Black girls with a dual status reported significantly higher likelihoods of depression and anxiety compared to those with no system involvement. Correlation analyses showed that higher BCE scores were significantly associated with higher GPAs within each group, with the strongest association observed among Black girls with a dual status. These findings underscore the strength of Black girls navigating system involvement and emphasizes the urgency of centering their strengths, voices, and lived experiences
The role of shame and guilt in negative outcomes of alcohol use
No full textPurpose: This study aims to explore the distinct roles of guilt and shame in alcohol misuse among high-risk college students, specifically hypothesizing that individuals with higher levels of shame proneness will experience increased alcohol-related problems, while those with higher levels of guilt proneness will exhibit lower levels of such problems. Methodology: The research involved a sample of 590 undergraduate students from a large southern public university. Participants were eligible if they reported at least one heavy drinking episode in the past month. They were assessed for their levels of shame and guilt proneness, negative emotional expression, and the extent of alcohol-related problems using validated self-report instruments, including the Tests of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA-2) for measuring guilt and shame, and the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (BYAACQ) for alcohol-related issues. Generalized linear models were employed to determine the relationship between these variables. Key Findings: Results revealed that shame-proneness is statistically significant and uniquely associated with an increase in alcohol-related problems, while guilt-proneness was not. Negative emotional expression was independently associated with alcohol-related problems, highlighting its significance in understanding drinking consequences. The analysis revealed no statistically significant interaction effects between guilt and shame with negative emotional expression, indicating that these factors contribute to alcohol-related issues in an additive manner rather than multiplicatively. Specifically, individuals exhibiting any one of these emotional challenges- guilt, shame, or difficulties in emotional expression- demonstrated elevation in the rates of drinking problems. However, the presence of multiple issues did not exacerbate the severity of alcohol related problems but instead illustrated a cumulative risk.Honors CollegePsychology, Department o
Essays on Applied Microeconomics from the Perspective of Taiwan
No full textThis dissertation consists of two applied microeconomic studies with a background in Taiwan. First, superstitions have been shown to influence people’s decision-making in various areas. However, little research discusses how superstition affects people when they make medical decisions. Using a reduced-form model with a sample of administrative data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan, I find that when people are in their Taisui years, which are considered unlucky times in one’s life in East Asia, they adjust their healthcare usage, and people with more severe illness have stronger reactions. However, the average change is less than 1%. From a case study on heart attack patients, I find that treatment decisions are not significantly affected by beliefs about Taisui. The results show that superstition can influence medical decisions, but the effects are small. Second, mandatory wage reveal on job postings is a popular pay transparency policy recently. However, the evaluation of the policy’s effectiveness is still rare. Using online job posting data and representative survey data, I examine Taiwan’s wage reveal policy enacted in 2018. With a difference-in-differences model, I find that while the earnings of workers with stronger policy exposure increase, the policy does not close the gender wage gap in general. The following robustness check excludes the potential bias due to annual minimum wage increases. My paper shows that external/cross-firm pay transparency can raise the wage for low-paying jobs, but no evidence supports that the policy can reduce gender inequality. The finding implies that the government can apply a wage reveal policy to help workers in low-wage jobs