University of Massachusetts Boston
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Seeds of Resilience: Navigating Genetically Modified Seeds & The Challenges Facing American Agriculture
No full textThis thesis explores the complex changes which are reshaping the landscape of American agriculture. Focusing on the impact of corporate mergers, genetically modified (GM) seeds, natural disasters, and the digital divide, this thesis examines the dynamics influencing the nation\u27s agricultural sustainability and food security. By analyzing the consequences of consolidation in the seed industry and the dominance of GM seeds, together with the vulnerabilities of GM crops to natural disasters and the widening digital divide, this thesis provides insight on the challenges faced by farmers, policymakers, and communities. Quantitative analyses were blended with qualitative narratives, drawing from diverse datasets and academic sources. Correlation analyses were conducted to discern the relationship between corporate mergers and crucial agricultural indicators, including the diminishing number and size of farms over time. A detailed exploration of GM seed types was undertaken, aligning them with market prevalence and scrutinizing their implications for genetic diversity and food security. The impact of natural disasters on GM crop prices was also assessed, highlighting the vulnerabilities of bioengineered crops in the face of climate-induced challenges. Concurrently, the digital divide\u27s influence on rural communities was investigated, examining technology access disparities and their far-reaching implications for small-scale farming. The findings explain correlations between corporate mergers and reductions in farm numbers and sizes, revealing a direct impact on the fabric of American agriculture. GM seed dominance, notably in crops like corn, vegetables, and soybeans, raise concerns about genetic diversity and its ramifications for long-term food security. Natural disasters have evidentially impacted GM crop prices, underlining the vulnerabilities of engineered crops, despite their claimed resilience. Moreover, the impacts of the digital divide on rural American communities reveal unequal technology access, exacerbating existing disparities and posing observed threats to small-scale agriculture in rural America. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive interventions in American agriculture. Corporate mergers, while seemingly promoting efficiency, have led to a reduction in farm numbers and sizes, creating economic pressures and limiting agricultural diversity. The dominance of GM seeds, particularly in key crops, raises fundamental questions about genetic uniformity and the long-term sustainability of the food supply. Natural disasters, intensified by climate change, present immediate challenges to GM crops, revealing their limitations in the face of evolving environmental conditions. Simultaneously, the digital divide threatens to worsen existing disparities, hindering rural communities\u27 ability to adapt and innovate. The findings emphasize the pressing need for holistic strategies that prioritize agricultural diversity, invest in climate-resilient technologies, and bridge the digital divide. Policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers must collaborate to foster sustainable agricultural practices, enhance technology access, and promote economic equity. By addressing these challenges head-on, the United States can pave the way for a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for its agricultural sector and rural communities. This thesis serves as a roadmap for informed decision-making, guiding efforts towards a more secure and sustainable food future for the nation
Biophysical Determinants of ALA Photosensitization and PDT Efficacy in Oral Cancer
No full textHead and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer globally, with a five-year survival rate below 60%. New treatments are urgently needed especially in low and middle income countries (LMICs) in south Asia where disease is disproportionately prevalent. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a light-based treatment in which wavelength-specific activation of a photosensitizing molecule leads to site-directed tumor destruction. This thesis focuses on evaluation of PDT using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) photosensitization, for treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), emphasizing in particular requirements for clinical feasibility and efficacy in resource limited settings. Initial studies focus on pre-clinical testing of a portable PDT system which was later deployed in a clinical study. Further studies, motivated by feedback from clinical collaborators focused on determinants of ALA induced protophyrin IX photosensitization and strategies for overall PDT optimization. We observed that a drug-resistant cell line characterized by a notable increase in PpIX accumulation, and down regulated in genes expression of antioxidant defense system, exhibited an enhanced response to PDT. Additionally, using 3D cell culture models, we explored spatial heterogeneity in cytotoxic response within tumor nodules, uncovering correlations in localization-based cell death, photosensitizer, and treatment effectiveness. Moreover, we investigated differentiation-promoting agents as a strategy to enhance PDT response through the combination of ALA-based PDT and preconditioning with Vitamin D analogs. Combined with recent clinical data, the findings from this thesis could assist in shaping strategies to further optimize ALA-PDT as an effective treatment for oral cancers, including drug-resistant disease
Web-based Visualization and Machine Learning in Science and Medicine
No full textThis thesis explores integrating advanced web technologies with machine learning for scientific visualization. We demonstrate innovative applications of WebGL, WebXR, and machine learning algorithms to create versatile and accessible visualization tools across various domains. The first study presents an analysis of state-of-the-art web- based visualizations, highlighting the transformative impact of new technologies in rendering complex three-dimensional graphics and immersive augmented/virtual re- ality environments, and introduces the Scientific Visualization Future Readiness Score (SciVis FRS) to assess their preparedness for technological evolution. Secondly, we propose FiberStars, a visual analysis tool designed for comparative study of diffusion MRI data. The tool uniquely combines three-dimensional anatomical visualization with compact two-dimensional representations, enabling a more effective comparison of brain connectivity patterns across different subjects and groups. We perform a user study with experts and non-experts to test usability and performance of our system. In the third project, we introduce SlicerTMS, a real-time visualization system for treatment planning in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique for treating various brain disorders and mental health diseases. By integrating deep learning, this tool revolutionizes TMS treatment by enabling rapid, precise predictions of electric field distributions, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of brain stimulation therapies. We evaluate our tool with three studies: a real-world use case scenario in a clinical setting, a comparative analysis with another TMS tool focusing on computational efficiency and an expert user study to measure our system’s usability. Lastly, the fourth work introduces AutoRL X, an open-source, web-based platform for automated reinforcement learning. Building upon the foundation of AutoDOViz, AutoRL X offers an intelligent interface with real-time visualization capabilities, enhancing the understanding and application of reinforcement learning in complex domains like healthcare. Collectively, these studies highlight the importance of visualization and machine learning for complex real-world problems, contributing to advances in scientific research, medical treatment planning, and innovative solutions in various fields
Neoliberal Youth Security Governance: South Korean Youth, Governmentality, Power Relations, and Shaping (In)Security
No full textWith the global youth population being the largest it has ever been, international security elites such as the United Nations increasingly focus on the youth demographic as “new” security actors. However, such discourses are embedded with neoliberal principles and primarily emphasize youth in developing states in dire or precarious situations. Although focusing on youth in such situations is extremely important, such an emphasis creates a limited framework for understanding the inherent power relations in neoliberal youth security governance while also leaving out the experiences of youth living in more “developed” and “secure” environments. To broaden our understanding of neoliberal youth security governance, I used Foucauldian discourse analysis with governmentality to examine the relationship between various power relations embedded in security elite discourses from the United Nations and a more “developed” and “secure” state of South Korea. I then used interviews with governmentality to examine how Korean youth conceptualize their (in)security, identity, and agency. In doing so, I reveal how young Koreans experience (in)security such as discrimination, lack of voice, and omnipresent pressure to stay productive, reflecting a nexus of (in)security or what I call hard living and the inability to live a secure life under neoliberal governance. Such experiences of (in)security reflect the messy reality of the reproduction of various power relations such as neoliberal, state security, and cultural norms that shape how youth understand their (in)security, identity, and agencies. Specifically, Korean youth reveal how various power relations shape individual and divisive security rationales that hinder addressing youth (in)security on a larger scale
Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in Adults Aged 45-49 at an Urban FQHC: A Quality Improvement Project
No full textBackground: The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends that colorectal screening begins at age 45 rather than 50. The purpose of this QI project was to improve colorectal cancer screening rates in adults to prevent diagnosis, promote earlier detection, and reduce mortality from colorectal cancer.
Local Problem: This QI project was completed at a large urban federally qualified health center (FQHC) that served a diverse and underserved population. Its colorectal cancer screening rate for adults aged 45 to 49 was low compared to older adults (50-75) and national standards.
Methods: A literature review identified technology-based outreach as the best evidenced-based intervention for the project site. The Plan-Develop-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle was used to guide the development and implementation of this project.
Intervention: Patients aged 45 to 49 seen in the last 12 months who were due for colorectal cancer screening and had email or cell phone contact information received a message from a patient-engagement platform inviting them to select a colorectal cancer screening option. These selections were then reviewed and ordered by their primary care providers.
Results: 396 patients were outreached. 44 patients responded to the message and 50% of patients who requested a screening successfully completed the stool-based test or connected with a gastroenterologist within three months. Greater than 50% of providers were satisfied with project implementation and supported similar outreach in the future.
Conclusion: Technology-based outreach improved colorectal cancer screening in adults aged 45-49. Future projects should be focused on multipronged approaches to increase screening rates
Implementing Pain Screening in a Parkinson’s Disease Clinic: A Quality Improvement Initiative
No full textBackground: Pain is a multifaceted, non-motor symptom often unnoticed and undertreated in Parkinson\u27s disease (PD). PD pain is associated with decreased quality of life (QOL) and is found in 30-85% of PD patients. The effective diagnosis and treatment of PD pain could improve patient QOL. Barriers to appropriate diagnosis and treatment include a valid and reliable PD pain assessment tool. There was an opportunity to improve the assessment of PD-related pain at the movement disorder clinic in this suburban clinic of a tertiary safety net hospital. The local movement disorder clinic did not have a standardized PD-specific tool to assess PD pain. Additionally, the PD patient may not feel the pain related to PD and, therefore, not report pain which may result in unnecessary patient suffering.
Methods: A PRISMA-guided literature review was undertaken to determine the most effective pain scales to assess pain in individuals with PD. The King’s Parkinson’s Pain Questionnaire (KPPQ) was identified as a reliable and valid self-rated screening tool. The aim was to implement and evaluate KPPQ, a self-screening tool to serve as a streamlined process to trigger discussion for assessing Parkinson’s disease-specific pain.
Intervention: The KPPQ, a self-screening tool, was implemented for PD patients in the outpatient movement disorder clinic. PD patients were asked to complete the tool and providers reviewed the pain screening tool to assess pain further. If any discussion of pain occurred between the patient and provider, it was to be noted in the chart. Later, a chart audit evaluated if the patients with pain had a pain discussion documented in the chart. Analysis of the assessment of PD pain was informed by those who completed the self-screening KPPQ tool for pain and those with pain who discussed it with the clinician. Completed screening tools identified this population\u27s most often to least reported PD-specific type of pain. Huddles that took place throughout the project provided qualitative data vis-à-vis the clinic team’s observations and opinions regarding the project and process. The clinic staff\u27s post-implementation survey identified the project\u27s satisfaction, feasibility, and added value.
Results: Most of the PD patients who completed the self-reported screening conveyed pain in this outpatient movement disorder clinic. Musculoskeletal pain was reported most often, followed by painful muscle cramps, and pain related to turning in bed during the night. Pain assessment improved, with most PD pain patients engaged in discussions as compared to prior to the implementation of the tool.
Conclusions: This project established a process flow utilizing the KPPQ screening tool to identify PD-related pain. The overwhelming prevalence of pain in this population highlights the importance of self-report of pain in PD patients. Clinic staff recognized that further assessment of PD-specific pain allows for an opportunity to improve patient care
Editor\u27s Note
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Summary of the Fourth Symposium: What are the Long-Term Effects of the War?
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Awareness Gained through Interviews with War Victims
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