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Contested identity: The negotiation of disabled lives
No full textIn this research, I center the voices of adults who identify as disabled to generate new ways of defining and theorizing disability and disabled identity. Existing models of disability – the medical and social models of disability – continue to fail to consider the lived experience of disability. I contend this is because they were developed within ableist norms and need correction. Data were collected from semi-structured qualitative interviews that focused on participants’ development of disabled identity, experiences with passing, disclosure, and discrimination related to their disability/s. Guided by Critical Disabilities Studies, I use Borderlands Theory to explore how disabled people make sense of living with disability in dominant ableist culture. From these findings, I consider how current theorization and models of disability contribute to the stigmatization of disability
Characterizing 12-N-12 Gemini surfactants and their novel interactions with DNA; oil; and nanoparticles
No full textThe physical and chemical properties of six cationic Gemini surfactants (GS) are characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, MS, Conductivity, ITC, TGA, and DLS studies. The structure and composition of the GSs were explored and determined by FTIR and MS. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) was determined via Conductivity and ITC studies. TGA provided thermal stability of each, and DLS studies were used to determine the size of formed micelles. The evaluation of the GS reveals that there is a dependence of many of their properties on n, the number of linkers in the headgroup. The GS were also introduced to DNA, oil, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in separate experiments to determine the interactions between each and evaluate their efficacy in DNA transfection, oil remediation, and nanoparticle dispersion. Parts of these findings have been published in the Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry and ACS Omega
Could Viral Proteins Lead to Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease?
No full textAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is being seen at higher rates than ever before. One pathology is the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein. In recent years, studies have found a correlation between herpesviruses and AD. This information has led to several studies testing the role of herpesviruses in Alzheimer’s pathology. Dr. Hanson’s lab found an initial decrease and later increase in tau hyperphosphorylation in murine cytomegalovirus-infected (MCMV) cells. My research seeks to understand the mechanism of the apparent decrease in hyperphosphorylation. I harvested uninfected and MCMV- infected B35 lysates at various times after infection with or without an inhibitor of viral replication. Through western blot, I have confirmed the presence of proteins by probing tubulin, presence of viral infection by probing E1, and inhibition of late gene expression by probing major capsid protein. I am currently looking at tau. We predict that the inhibitor will lead to lower than normal phosphorylation of tau. (Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Laura Hanson
Experimental and computational studies of the surface interactions between polyethylene microspheres, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and kaolinite and montmorillonite clay mineral particles
No full textSince the end of the 20th century plastic pollution has become ubiquitous. Plastic can be found in the hydrosphere, in soils, and even in foods. The purpose of this study is to better understand the surface interactions between polyethylene microspheres, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and kaolinite and montmorillonite clay mineral particles from both experimental and computational aspects. A particle size analyzer was used to understand the clay particle sizes before and after filtrations. Thermodynamic values such as H and S was used to better understand the surface interaction through knowledge of this energy exchange. Comparing the theoretical information given through computations with the accumulated experimentation data helped in the understanding of these surface interactions. ITC data shows the effect of the presence of microplastic in correlation with the all in one titrator graphs
Effects of Environmental Design in a Classroom Setting On The Way Children Act, Think, Behave, and Perform
No full textAs occupational therapy practitioners, one of our roles is to modify, select, create, and use the environment to promote participation, well-being, and independence in our clients’ occupations. Environmental factors can include natural environment/human made changes, products and technologies, supports and relationships, attitudes, services, systems, and policies or the physical environment such as lighting, acoustics, temperature, air quality, etc. (Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 2020). In current literature there are many articles that discuss what factors could make an ideal environment. “Environmental comfort directly influences student’s learning. It is important to consider the most favorable environmental conditions when designing and constructing infrastructure for educational purposes” (Arroyo et. al 2023). Many children and young adults are having trouble concentrating or can be overstimulated in their classroom or work setting, causing them to underperform despite their abilities. It is important as occupational therapists we pay attention to these environmental factors that can inhibit our clients from achieving their best occupational performance and participation.Kiddie Academ
An Analysis of Scottish Rite for Children's Learn to Golf Program
No full textAn analysis of Scottish Rite for Children's Learn to Golf program revealed 5 overall themes. 1) Learn to Golf (LTG) provides opportunity for community and connection. 2) Facilitators and barriers to participation in the LTG program. Participants identified facilitators and barriers to engage in the LTG program including expert teaching, scholarship funds, equipment, time, distance, and participant health. 3)Program is inclusive of all activity levels. 4) Program provides new opportunities and promotes wellbeing. 5)Program structure and leadership are core components of the LTG program's success.Scottish Rite for Childre
Exploring Emerging Dimensions: What Is Openness in Open Education in an AI World?
No full textAs open education promotes access and participative pedagogies, artificial intelligence (AI) innovations present opportunities for engagement and sustainability. In this keynote, Dr. Elizabeth Robertson Hornsby will discuss the ethical integration of AI to expand open education's impact. Guiding this discussion is a conceptualization of openness that works towards creating collaboratively designed systems that shape digitally-enabled education futures. Through this lens, AI holds the potential to enrich rather than replace human ingenuity. Dr. Hornsby's presentation will outline this symbiotic vision between emerging AI ideas and open education advancement and set an aspirational yet practical tone for responsible innovation
An autoethnographic exploration of the lived experiences of a death row exoneree's sister (#115)
No full textLimited research has been conducted examining the impact incarcerations have on the family unit. However, the lived experiences of siblings who support their loved ones have yet to be fully documented, explored, and examined. Sisters are often assigned new roles as they attempt to support and free their siblings. Sisters play a unique role in advocating for and supporting their loved ones upon arrest, trial, incarceration, and reintegration. Facilitating the reintegration of an exoneree is not a linear process. In some instances, the family dynamic is considerably modified, and roles shift within the family unit accordingly. The current study establishes and highlights the significance of being a Black woman whose brother was wrongfully sentenced to death while centering myself within the entire experience. Through established themes, the study highlights the role of resilience, competent family structure, Black women, and community during tragic events. In general, the current study focuses on how my family persists, overcomes, achieves, and maintains established family core values in the midst of tragedy
Identifying chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite reaction products and the environmental implications of its interaction with cotton fibers
No full textChlorhexidine is heavily used in the medical and dental field and is prescribed for multiple uses related to healthcare. When in contact with sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine breaks down into several toxic compounds that are not fully understood, and these compounds have impacts on the environment and human health, due to its heavy use in the medical field. Chlorhexidine breaks down into compounds that permanently adhere to and damage the cellulose fibers found in cotton fabrics and alter the visible quality of fabric, which leads to re-washing of fabrics or outright disposal of fabric due to the staining and damage. Chlorhexidine is also used in conjunction with sodium hypochlorite in dental procedures, such as root canals, and the toxic nature of this interaction is not fully understood. Previous studies have identified several products of this reaction, one being para-chloroaniline, suggesting that chlorhexidine should not be used in conjunction with chemical oxidizers like bleach until the toxic products are further studied and identified. Understanding how chlorhexidine interacts with textile fibers like cellulose will save water and cotton fabric from being prematurely disposed of and negatively impacting the environment. This project will work to understand the reaction between chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite, the toxic products that result from this reaction, and its interactions with cotton fiber textiles to reduce its impact on health and the environment
Effectiveness of a virtual nutrition education intervention for parents of children with autism and obesity: A YouTube study
No full textAim: The primary aim of this dissertation was to develop and test a YouTube-delivered nutrition education curriculum to a) increase self-efficacy and nutrition knowledge among parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and overweight or obesity to feed their children a healthy diet; b) The secondary aims were to improve their child’s mealtime behaviors and
dietary variety.
Methods: For Study 1, five parents tested a brief (2-week) intervention which consisted of 6 videos on MyPlate, food groups, a recipe, and a Social Story™. Parents were advised to watch these videos and complete 5 surveys: demographics, self-efficacy, nutrition knowledge, ASA24, and Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) to test their validity. Parents also
answered a qualitative feedback survey to suggest ways to modify the curriculum. For Study 2, fifteen parents were randomized into intervention (n = 10) or control (n = 5). The intervention group participated in an 8-week YouTube-delivered nutrition education program while the control did not. Both groups completed baseline, midpoint, and endpoint surveys to assess self-efficacy, nutrition knowledge, ASA24, and BAMBI, followed by a qualitative satisfaction survey by the intervention group only. Non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon ranked test) were used to compare between groups mean scores over time. NVivo was used for qualitative analysis.
Results: In Study 1, participants expressed the need for longer videos on education topics along with more recipe demonstrations. In Study 2, participants in the intervention group (n = 10) showed improvements in parental nutrition knowledge (p = 0.046) and self-efficacy (p = 0.050). However, no improvements were observed in the children’s mealtime behaviors or nutrient intake scores. Analysis of the satisfaction survey revealed that parents found the YouTube curriculum easy to follow, thorough, and effective in encouraging positive eating behaviors in their child with ASD.
Conclusions and recommendations: The findings suggest that an 8-week YouTube-based intervention may improve parents’ self-efficacy and nutrition knowledge in children with autism and weight issues, but a longer study period is needed to see changes in their child’s mealtime behaviors and dietary intake. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of this
curriculum in a large population for a longer duration