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Evaluating the Adaptation of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) to West Virginia Climatic Conditions
No full textClimate change impacts agriculture and food security across the globe, therefore higher temperatures could increase in the length of the growing period and new crops would take advantages of. Research was conducted in Morgantown, WV in 2022 and 2023 to understand the growth pattern of Taro in West Virginia, and to analyzing the chemical composition of the Taro plant. The experiment was a completely randomized design in direct planting-low tunnel technology (2 replications, and 10- plants/plot), and two fertilization treatments (fertilized and non-fertilized). Spacing was 1 m within and between rows. Data were subjected to ANOVA using SAS. Dependent variables were plant height, number of shoots, width and length of the leaves, fresh and dry weight of corms. The chemical composition of shoot and corms were also determined. In 2022, the fertilized plants showed greater weight per plant than the non-fertilized ones. The plant height, number of shoots, length and leaf width were significantly affected by DAP in 2022. In 2023, both treatments were influenced by DAP and the interaction between treatment and number of DAP. There were no significant differences in leaf dry weight regarding DAP, treatment, and their interaction. However, leaf length, number of shoots, leaf length and leaf width were significantly affected by DAP while leaf width was affected by both DAP and treatment. Therefore, fertilization supports early maturity and that WV climatic conditions are suitable for its cultivation; however, extreme summer conditions may lead to reduced performance with a recommendation for irrigation in future research
Biomechanics of Teeth Alignment Using Clear Aligners with Various Attachment Shapes and Orientations
No full textClear aligners have emerged as the most popular and preferred method of treatment for patients with orthodontic malocclusions. This is greatly due to the comfort and aesthetically appealing factors when compared to fixed appliances . Clear aligners are either thermoformed or 3D direct-printed plastics that apply biomechanical forces to the surface of teeth to trigger tooth movement and bone remodeling process. Common Class I malocclusions with mild or moderate crowding can be treated with clear aligners alone. However, treatment of Class II and Class III malocclusions that require extraction of permanent teeth or correction of severe rotations, and teeth extrusions will require attachments and ancillary tools . To improve treatment efficacy, attachments are placed on the tooth surface to provide precise force application. Attachments are essentially small composite resin structures that can vary in shape and size to assist specific tooth movement. Finite element analysis provides a means to develop pre-operative methods to elucidate the efficacy of novel clear aligner treatments and validate their clinical relevance. This study aims to investigate the biomechanical responses of the teeth and corresponding anatomical structures in a multitude of common treatment scenarios. An anatomically detailed 3D reconstruction of human maxillary structure was developed, including teeth, periodontal ligaments, cortical bone, and trabecular bone. The 3D model was constructed through segmentation using multiple software packages such as 3D Slicer, Autodesk Meshmixer, and ANSYS SpaceClaim. Multiple finite element models were developed to investigate multiple clinical variables such as attachment shape, size, and aligner material selection utilizing ANSYS Mechanical software. The first study focused on the effect of the attachment shapes (flat: square, rectangle, trapezoid, and curved: ellipse, semicircle) on single molar movements, such as mesialization, extrusion, intrusion, and rotation. The effects of attachment shape and placement of tooth surface were studied on the mesialization of maxillary molars. Results showed that attachment placement on the buccal and lingual surfaces of the first molar demonstrated better control over tooth movements, incurring less tipping during mesialization and rotation. Flat attachments produced about 18% more displacement than curved attachments on average for all four types of tooth movements. This is due to having more surface area, but excess mesial tipping and anchorage loss were noted. The second study examined the effect of attachment size and shape during a space-closure treatment post the first premolar extraction. Results revealed that increasing attachments length from 2 mm to 5 mm may improve force application and increase displacement in the crown and root but may contribute to high strains in the periodontal ligaments (PDLs). The rate of effective movement in the desired direction for the canine, 2nd premolar, and 1st molar are 40%, 25%, and 17% on average, respectively. The third study elucidated the performance of different aligner materials on space-closure. Aligner materials simulated included thermoplastic polyurethane, Tera Harz, polycarbonate, and polyethylene terephthalate glycol. Results indicated that polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate glycol transmitted higher forces due to their high rigidity. The rigid plastics translated the crowns by about 60% more than thermoplastic polyurethane and Tera Harz. These findings provide a better understanding of the relevancy of clear aligner biomechanics along with key insight to clinicals for optimal attachment selection and placement coinciding with aligner material selection
An Intersectional Approach to Examining the Impact of Cigarette Taxes on Tobacco Use by Urbanization Level
No full textRates of traditional tobacco use have reached a century-level low though not universally with some vulnerable populations continuing high rates of tobacco use, such as those located in geographically isolated areas of the United States (US). Rural populations experience a unique set of challenges (i.e., decreased access to health promoting resources, high density of tobacco retailers, increased pro-tobacco advertising) that compound to produce a “cumulative disadvantage” ultimately increasing their risk of tobacco use. To curb and prevent tobacco use, tobacco control policies, such as excise taxes, can be implemented. At least one study suggests tobacco control policies are less effective in rural populations, but prior research has neglected the potential intersectional approach of rurality, tobacco control policies, and tobacco use behaviors. Thus, the present study used an intersectional approach to examine changes in three tobacco products (cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and electronic cigarettes) by 4-level urbanization as a function of changes in excise cigarette taxes. Using a nationally representative dataset including 94,641 observations between 2013-2019, Generalized Linear Mixed Effects Models (GLMMs) revealed results in line with prior studies (i.e., rural populations more likely than urban to use cigarettes and smokeless tobacco). Few significant moderation effects (i.e., advertising exposure, harm perceptions, income) were revealed when considering variables known to differ between rural and urban populations. Finally, census region appears to account for some tobacco use differences seen by urbanization level. Continued work is needed utilizing an intersectional approach to understand nuanced tobacco risk factors that may exist for different urbanization levels along with the how to best conceptualize “rurality” for tobacco research
Exploration of Occupational Therapy\u27s Consultative Role for Social Emotional Development in the Rural Childcare Setting
No full textLittle research has been conducted investigating the consultative role of occupational therapy (OT) in childcare, especially their role in supporting the social and emotional development of children aged 1 – 5 years. This project takes place in a rural childcare setting where a needs assessment found gaps in classroom routines\u27 functionality, the accessibility of center-wide age-appropriate resources, and the use of social and emotional supports in the classroom. The occupational therapy doctoral student utilized the coaching model, evidence-based research, and the foundations of occupational therapy with the intention to improve teachers’ confidence in implementing social and emotional content in the classroom and improve the self-regulation skills of the children at the site. Data was collected through observation, interaction, informal interviews, and surveys. Behavioral management, creation of social and emotional content, and functional organization were intervention themes based on the needs of the center. Findings suggest the consultative OT approach in childcare can improve the social, emotional, and self-regulation skills of teachers and children through improving the accessibility of age-appropriate resources, as well as reinforcing consistency in daily expectations and routines
Enhancing Vocational Services Through Support of Direct Care Staff for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
No full textThis mixed-method cohort study focused on supporting direct support professionals through burnout education modules. Burnout is a psychological phenomenon characterized by mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion in response to chronic stress in the workplace. Direct support professionals (DSP) provide services that include independent living and vocational skill education to adults with intellectual disabilities. Burnout has negative impacts on work quality, efficiency, and can led to high turnover rates. This project aimed to provide DSP’s with resources to mitigate the risk of burnout. The study utilized semi-structured interviews to help guide the development of education modules for staff. Based on findings from interviews, the education modules focused on resources to complete the stress cycle and establish boundaries in the workplace. Participants took a pre-survey prior to being introduced to education modules, and once modules were completed, they filled out a post-survey. Data analysis shows participants gained knowledge about burnout and were willing to continue to use stress coping strategies. Additionally, results showed a slight increase in burnout symptoms. This study demonstrates the need for further research and resources to mitigate burnout among direct support professionals
A Comparative Study on the Accuracy and Reliability of Artificial Intelligent Lateral Cephalogram Tracing Programs
No full textObjective: To compare the accuracy and reliability of two commercially available Artificial Intelligent (AI) cephalogram tracing software programs to doctor traced cephalograms.
Materials and Methods: A sample of 100 pretreatment cephalograms were analyzed with AI based software programs, Angel Aligner iCeph and WebCeph, then compared to images traced by an orthodontist using Dolphin Imaging. Of the 100 samples, 50 were skeletally Class I and 50 were skeletally Class II. For each cephalogram produced, the American Board of Orthodontics 11 measurements were acquired from each of the three tracing programs. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s HSD test was conducted to evaluate the mean difference among three types of measurements for all patients and stratified subsamples of Class I and Class II patients. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the intra-rater reliability. A two-sided p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistical significance.
Results: Pearson’s correlation coefficients for all variables were above 0.90, indicating an excellent test and retest reliability for the study. Compared to the doctor tracings, both AI software programs showed varying degrees of statistical difference. There were more statistical differences among angular measurements when compared to linear measurements. For Angel Aligner iCeph, this was primarily seen in the measurements FMA and L1 to MP. For Webceph, this was mainly seen in the measurements SNA, ANB, U1 to NA, and L1 to MP. Regarding the clinical significance (measurements differing 2 mm or 2 degrees), there was predominantly a difference in FMA, SNMP and L1 to MP for Angel Aligner iCeph. For Webceph, there was also a clinically significant difference found in L1 to MP.
Conclusion: Overall, other than FMA and L1 to MP, Angel Aligner iCeph produced results that were most in line with doctor traced cephalograms. Webceph, on the other hand, showed more issues with accuracy and reliability. It is important to recognize that both the Angel Aligner iCeph and WebCeph software programs have website pop-ups that notify the doctor that generated measurements and analyses are for reference only. It is advised to use both AI software programs with caution, remembering to utilize the semi-automatic adjustment tool to manually adjust the tracings as necessary to produce the most accurate analyses
A Benefit for the Masses: A Practical Look on How West Virginia, Rural America, and the United States Can Benefit from Statutory Horizontal Well Pooling, Leading to Increased Energy Production and Security
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Traumatic Brain Injury and Substance Use Disorder: A Clinic Based Exploratory Study
Get PDFBackground: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and substance use disorders (SUD) are common co-occurring conditions that have been investigated in isolation over the past several decades. Research regarding the conditions in unison have yielded conflicting results; however, there is a clear correlation linking negative implications of one condition on the other.
Objectives: To explore factors contributing to SUD among persons screening positive for a history of TBI and to validate the importance of screening for TBI as part of the SUD treatment program intake process.
Setting: Outpatient SUD treatment programs across West Virginia.
Design: Exploratory Study.
Methods: Those who screened positive for history of TBI according to the OSU-TBI-ID were included in the study. The Mental Health Assessment by a Non-Physician (ASAM) was incorporated in the program admission process and used for data collection.
Results: Data was analyzed from 183 SUD admissions who screened positive for a history of TBI. Most of the subjects were male (72.7%) and identified as white (87.9%). The most common referral sources were probation/parole (43%), court (21%), and self (27%). 91% of individuals had a criminal background. Participant SUD triggers were difficulty dealing with their feelings (76.5%), being in the wrong places (74.3%), and boredom (68.3%). Negative implications of drug and alcohol use were legal implications (90.7%), relationships (89.1%), finances (84.2%), and mental health (77%).
Conclusion: The significant findings indicate a need to screen individuals for TBI upon admission to SUD treatment facilities to provide appropriate and holistic care to reduce relapse and readmission rates
