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Views of Rural Community Members on Building or Rebuilding Public Trust in Healthcare
No full textHow, why, and what determines public trust in health entities is a critical element that is yet to be well documented particularly among rural residents. Identifying the perceptions of rural community members on trust in health entities is considered a fundamental strategy for improving health outcomes. To investigate the views of rural community members on trust in health entities, the purpose of this study was to assess and conceptualize a framework of building and rebuilding public trust in health entities among rural communities in the U.S.
Two different research strategies were utilized to complete this dissertation. First, a mixed-methods approach including a review process with systematic elements was performed to locate and evaluate the literature followed by a narrative approach to complete a scoping review. Second, a qualitative research study was used to explore the views of rural community members on trust in health entities using three different interview formats (intercept, dyadic, and focus groups).
Three major themes emerged based on both the scoping review and the qualitative research study. The themes included sources of information, trust barriers, and rebuilding trust which further resulted in other subthemes within each of them. The most common sources of information identified by both studies were medical professionals. Trust barriers according to the scoping review were specific to the health outcome and therefore the response identified varied from what was recorded in the qualitative studies. The qualitative study identified low expectations as the most dominant barrier of all others listed. Likewise, strategies identified for rebuilding trust included the inclusion of leadership engagement strategies, increasing awareness through information, and availability of services as the most presented.
In conclusion, the findings of the dissertation noted that strategic and multidimensional measures are required that are sustainable and long-term in order to increase public trust in health entities among rural communities in the U.S
Multi Agent-Based Model for Residential Households Trading Market of Renewable Energy in Qatar
No full textPeer-to-peer energy trading (P2P) is a new paradigm for operating energy systems. You can generate energy from renewable energy sources (RES) in your home or office and share it locally. RES is crucial for the transition to sustainable development. The integration of distributed energy resources (DER) and energy storage systems (ESS) has several advantages, such as reduced Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, loss reduction, and reduced dependency on the grid.
An architectural energy market model was proposed and simulated to represent the design and interoperability aspects of components for P2P energy trading between nano-grids. An equitable marketplace is simulated using agent-based modeling (ABM) and game theory to enable owners of photovoltaic (PV) systems to sell their electricity to neighbors and the grid. The transacting entities include decentralized energy producers, consumers, or both, such as residential entities. Each residential entity is a villa simulated as a nano-grid having a battery and solar PV panels. This model was developed as a case study for Qatar.
Solar energy is traded at a rate local energy producers and consumers determine. The energy price is dynamic and depends on changes in the generation-to-demand ratio throughout the day. The amount of excess energy produced can be purchased by anyone and is listed in the market by all available sellers, along with the generation type, price, and location. Buyers place orders for energy, and the trading market framework matches prospective buyers with sellers. Game theoretical
modeling is used for the decision-making between the agents. A novel method integrating game theory and agent-based modeling to simulate the P2P market is developed and validated.
The market framework was tested using various scenarios, including battery storage, reduction of subsidies for non-renewable energy, introduction of a carbon tax, and increasing PV capacity to study plausible outcomes of solar PV trading. The results suggest that when greater PV capacity is assumed, the benefits of trading increase, and a larger proportion of household demand is met locally without the need to buy energy from the grid. Adding battery storage to the system enhances trading, provides more energy for sale, and reduces the amount of energy purchased from the grid.
The universality of this market framework is confirmed through comprehensive validation exercises involving data from Qatar and Europe (Germany), representing distinct regions. The proposed model exhibits scalability, offering the potential to extend its application to entire neighborhoods or even entire cities in various geographical locations. This adaptable framework can address diverse energy trading needs and preferences across different regions
Framework for Interactive, Individualized Feedback Design to Improve Thinking Skills in Construction Education
No full textOrganizational improvement relies heavily on having a competent workforce. To facilitate continuous improvement in the construction industry, this study examined the weaknesses in problem-solving skills among today's students (the future workforce). Based on these findings, a new educational approach was proposed, taking today���s student characteristics such as Acquired Attention Deficit Disorder (AADD) into consideration. This proposed educational approach was proved to have immediate and lasting effects beyond class periods on students��� learning through improved thinking skill exercises.
Initial investigations focused on identifying weaknesses in exercising adequate thinking skills in problem-solving and determining the cause beyond the weaknesses. Weaknesses were identified when faced with information processing, locating inputs from multiple sources, repeating the same cognitive processes over extended periods, unfamiliar calculation direction, and ignoring industry common sense due to a calculation-oriented mindset. The lack of fundamentals was identified as the primary cause of the weakness.
To resolve the weaknesses by addressing the cause behind the weaknesses, a new educational approach was proposed and validated through a mixed method. First, a feedback framework was designed which functions for knowledge delivery. Feedback was designed to deliver highly relevant knowledge to the problem at hand and to be presented in a size to allow easy information consumption in real-time considering the target students��� characteristics and learning preferences, Generation Z.
Feedback, a knowledge delivery tool, had immediate effects on exercising thinking skills in problem-solving on a sample of 13 graduate-level students in the Department of Construction Science at Texas A&M University who volunteered for the experiment and the following interview. Especially, two factors of feedback were counted as the key to improving thinking skills, and they are the feedback that was given immediately in real-time when it was in need (when in need) and the feedback that matched the target knowledge in question (what is needed).
The design feedback also had a lasting impact on exercising adequate thinking skills, by which improved academic achievement was demonstrated in a sample of 24 students enrolled in a construction estimating course for undergraduate students at Western Kentucky University. The result of the paired t-test evidenced the effectiveness of feedback on knowledge retention and academic achievement. Additionally, 71% of 24 study participants responded to the self-confidence survey, and the positive self-confidence in exercising thinking skills in each category in Bloom���s Taxonomy also denoted the efficacy of knowledge feeding in feedback.
This study theoretically expanded types of feedback by adding knowledge delivery to the existing feedback types. With this addition, feedback now functions not only giving confirmation or correction for the performance, but it also functions as a vehicle for knowledge delivery. Pragmatically, this study proposed a novel educational approach which aligns with today���s students��� learning preferences and weaknesses
Exploiting Plant-Based Protein Functionalities Through Tannin-Mediated Structural Modification and Application as Texturized Vegetable Protein (TVP��) and Edible Film
No full textThe surging global demand for alternative diverse and sustainable sources has been driven by an increasing global population and a growing number of health-conscious consumers. The current trend has caused a significant focus on pulse proteins as a potential alternative, primarily because of their exceptional nutritional profile and the reduced consumer concerns surrounding allergens, and negative perception. As a result, research initiatives are now underway to improve the functionality and value of pulse proteins, with a specific goal of enhancing their role as alternatives meat source as texturized vegetable proteins (TVP��) and edible films. The major obstacle for pulse proteins is their limited effectiveness when compared to conventional sources. Pulse proteins face limited competitiveness due to high solubility and low cross-linking propensity in comparison to traditional meat sources. This stems from their high solubility and a low propensity for cross-linking, which affects their ability to imitate the texture and structure of the meat. To address these areas, this research primarily revolves around the utilization of polymeric polyphenols, specifically proanthocyanidins (PA), to modify and enhance the structure and rheological properties of pulse proteins. The fundamental premise of this approach is to harness the abundant biofunctional polyphenols found in tannins to fundamentally alter the characteristics of pulse proteins. This alteration aims to improve key attributes such as solubility, water-binding capacity, and texture. The ultimate objective is to make pulse proteins highly functional and competitive as meat substitutes and edible films, thereby meeting the demands of health-conscious consumers while addressing concerns about the sustainability of food production systems.
In this research, we investigated the effect of PA on pulse protein rheology and film properties and assessed the mechanisms behind these interactions. The main focus of this research was to develop texturized pulse proteins (TXVP) utilizing a twin-screw extruder using pea proteins (PP), lentil proteins (LP), faba bean proteins (FP) and conduct post testing with these texturized proteins extrudates. Commercial pea protein (77.4% protein), lentil protein (81.9% protein), and faba bean protein (80.9 % protein) were prepared for production of texturized vegetable proteins and soy proteins (SP, 66.5% protein) was used as a control.
Polymeric PA from sorghum (mean degree of polymerization, mDP 19.5) dramatically strengthened pulse protein, e.g., at 2.5 mg/g flour. The network of the texturized proteins from the two pulses (pea and faba) also exhibited increased hardness and springiness, which are indications of the protein crosslinking and holding together better with increasing levels of PA. Lentil proteins did not texturize and that of soy was not showing consistent properties. Polymeric surface hydrophobicity of protein (pea and faba) was reduced by PA (69 ��� 75% vs control).
To evaluate the opposite behavior of lentil protein during extrusion (did not texturized because of its high-water holding capacity), lentil protein and pea protein were utilized for making edible films. Polymeric PA increased lentil protein film strength (e.g., at 2.5 mg/g protein, force to extend was 2.3X greater than control without reduced extensibility). Thus, PA may improve lentil film flexibility and structural integrity. Overall evidence indicates PA complexed with pulse protein by hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonding. In conclusion, the research outlined in this study holds the promise of transforming pulse proteins into versatile and sustainable alternatives to traditional meat sources and edible films. By enhancing their functionality and competitiveness, this work seeks to contribute to the global effort to promote sustainable food production and meet the evolving dietary preferences of a growing population
The Reconstruction of Riesman's Social Character Social Types: Loss of Indigenous Cultural Identity
No full textThe Navajo tribe is one of the largest Indigenous tribes in the United States. With the continuous issues that the Navajo population faces, the loss of cultural identity is a primary concern. Applying David Riesman's theory of social characters, the three recontextualizations: tradition-directed, inner-directed, and other-directed, have yet to be done. Applying and recontextualizing David Riesman's theory will continue to identify and explore Indigenous cultural identity. David Riesman writes mainly about white American suburban society (other-directed) and applies his neglected concepts on traditional directedness. Applying ancestral traditions through the recontextualization of tradition-directed and inner-directed can cause the loss of connection between the Navajo tribe, cultural roots, and cultural identity. Applying Riesman theory to Indigenous tribes will reflect that the difference between the white population (other-directedness) and the Indigenous tribes (traditional-directedness) continues to fit even today. It will return to full circle and follow Riesman's concepts to a certain extent. The other recontextualization is the struggle between each type of social character's three social traits and the direction of modernization
Unveiling the Persistence of Residual Microislands of Calculus After Periodontal Procedures Using a Videoscope: An Initial Investigation into Clinical and Microbiological Associations
No full textPeriodontitis is a chronic disease which is addressed in cases with probing depths of more than 6mm with surgical intervention. In this study, our objective is to use an additional visualization tool, the videoscope, to understand the persistence of microislands of calculus and their clinical and microbial manifestations in human patients.
The videoscope was used to visualize residual calculus in patients after periodontal procedures, and three examiners identified the calculus in 25 micrographs. For the second part of the study, six patients underwent open flap debridement procedure, and clinical and microbiological parameters were compared.
92% of cases had residual calculus present after flapped periodontal procedures performed by multiple periodontics residents. The consensus between trained and untrained examiners on identifying residual microislands of calculus was not statistically different. Probing depths were significantly reduced prior to and after the procedure in both control and test groups; however, one patient with AA showed significantly better clinical results at 3 months in the test quadrant compared to the control.
Residual microislands of calculus are frequently observed when using conventional visualization tools such as surgical loupes. In addition, there is a trend indicating a potential advantage in incorporating additional visualization tools like videoscopes during open flap periodontal procedures
Role of Steroid Hormones and Their Neuroactive Metabolites in Pavlovian Fear Conditioning
No full textIn the United States, one in every three individuals will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Importantly, there are significant sex differences in the incidence of these disorders. Anxiety disorders are almost twice as prevalent in females than in males, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This significant sex difference indicates a possible role for gonadal hormones in the development of these disorders. Indeed, progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone have been found to modulate fear and anxiety in clinical populations and in rodent research models. A better understanding of how hormones contribute to the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders is vital to the development of targeted, effective treatments. Here, we use a Pavlovian fear conditioning model in which rats are trained to associate a context and cue with an aversive footshock, which leads to conditioned responding in the absence of the footshock. Using this model, we explore the role of progesterone (PROG), its metabolite allopregnanolone (ALLO), and the testosterone metabolite 3a-androstanediol (3a-diol) on the acquisition, expression, and extinction of conditioned fear. Ovariectomized females were treated systemically with PROG whereas intact males received either ALLO or 3a-diol infusions into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a sexually dimorphic brain structure shown to modulate anxiety and context-dependent fear. Our laboratory has previously shown that intra-BNST ALLO in male rats and estrous cycle phase in cycling female rats can confer state dependence to contextual fear such that retrieval of the fear memory is optimal when animals are tested in the same hormonal state experienced during conditioning. The results here demonstrate that although acute changes in systemic PROG of ovariectomized females can causes changes in conditioned fear expression, they do not mirror the state-dependent regulation observed in cycling females. In male rats, intra-BNST 3a-diol confers state dependence to contextual, but not cued, fear such that animals trained and tested in different hormonal states exhibit a state-dependent generalization decrement. Finally, we show that in male rats, intra-BNST ALLO can modulate extinction learning but not in a state-dependent manner. The work presented here further demonstrates that hormones and their neuroactive metabolites can influence different aspects of acquisition, expression, and extinction of conditioned fear and supports the consideration of interoceptive cues associated with hormonal state when developing treatments and interventions for anxiety- and trauma-related disorders
Biogas Processing and Safety Challenges: Improving Process Components Functionality Through Reliability Engineering Approach
No full textTo achieve the objectives of carbon neutrality, energy security, and sustainability, biogas is increasingly used as fuel in the transportation and power generation sectors. Due to the support strategies for the reduction of greenhouse gases and air pollution implemented by several governments around the world, biogas production has tripled recently, leading to an increase in the number of related facilities. The forecast indicates a further increase in biogas facilities up to 2035. The number of incidents in the biogas industry has increased more than five times from 2001-2012; this trend outpaces the number of biogas facilities. The following categories of causes can be categorized (in order of quantitative relevance) in the analysis of accident causes and consequences: Failures of the entire piece of equipment, component failures, operational errors, design flaws, and maintenance errors.
The aim of this study is to address safety issues of biogas processing activities based on the process components��� failure analysis and reliability studies. Because of the scarce number of documented biogas processing components��� failure rates and the limited details available, biogas processing plants can benefit from the technologies already used for the processing of conventional natural gas, but due to the modest amounts of biogas produced by production and upgrading plants, the size of biogas processing plants must be substantially smaller. On this basis, this work sourced the existing reliability data from conventional natural gas components��� failure rates databases such as: Industrial database (e.g., Offshore and Onshore Reliability Equipment Database-OREDA), manufacturer���s field failure studies and end-user field failure studies. Selected biogas processing components��� unit(s) from active biogas piping and instrumentation diagram P&ID were utilized and data sourced from industrial database was used to perform series of failure analysis and reliability studies; results obtained from this study can be used to analyze the reliability of biogas processing units.
Enhancing the quality of failure data is critical to decreasing the uncertainties associated with biogas processing system reliability estimates to improve the system availability and maintainability and reduce the increasing number of accidents related to biogas processing. Consequentially, improve system availability and maintainability substantially, hence leading to improved productivit
Improving the In Vitro-to-In Vivo Extrapolation to Predict Environmental Chemicals Toxicokinetics and Hazard by Construction of New In Silico Models with In Vitro Testing Data
No full textIn light of the vast number of chemicals present in diverse environmental media, necessitating exposure assessments to protect human health, in vivo studies have traditionally been considered gold standards for providing hazard and kinetic data for risk assessments. However, their limited throughput and higher costs mean only a fraction of chemicals possess sufficient toxicity data for assessing health risks. To address this crucial data gap, New Approach Methodologies (NAM), particularly the application of in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) with in vitro studies and in silico computational models, have been developed. The demand for assessing risks for numerous chemicals necessitates effective and high-throughput methodologies. Nonetheless, IVIVE faces challenges, including the accuracy of in silico predictions on toxicokinetic (TK) properties based on in vitro datasets and linking in vitro adverse outcomes to whole-organ level phenotypes.
We here hypothesized that that innovative computational approaches integrated with in vitro studies will enhance TK predictions and hazard identification for environmental chemicals while advancing high-throughput screening methodologies. To test this hypothesis, three specific aims were proposed: (1) developing a physiologically-based gut absorption model for probabilistic prediction of environmental chemical bioavailability based on in vitro permeability measurements, (2) improving the prediction of renal clearance for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances by integrating in vitro toxicokinetic datasets from different assays with physiologically-based kidney model to implement IVIVE, and (3) identifying the proarrhythmic potential of environmental chemicals by integrating an in vitro human model with Bayesian population modeling.
The achievement of these aims will demonstrate how novel in silico models and in vitro datasets can enhance the prediction of hazards and toxicokinetics for environmental chemicals. Additionally, these studies will facilitate the application of in vitro datasets in high-throughput screening of chemicals for risk assessment. Ultimately, we anticipate that these endeavors will contribute to filling critical data gaps related to TK properties and hazards for environmental chemicals, aligning with the long-term goal of protecting human health from exposures to hazardous environmental chemicals
���Let the Storm Begin!���: Ethnic Politics, German Americans, and the Mass Lynching of Eleven Italians in New Orleans, 1830-1899
No full textThis thesis argues elite German New Orleanians used the anti-Italian hysteria in New Orleans following Police Chief David Hennessy���s death in 1890 to promote their precarious social status among the elite White New Orleans native-born community. 1890 is only one year in the German community���s long endeavor to prove their status as members of elite White New Orleans society. Upon their arrival in the 1830s, German immigrants navigated anti-immigrant sentiment directed towards them. Not until after the Civil War did the German New Orleanians��� social status begin to shift within the southern socio-racial hierarchy. This thesis will demonstrate that German New Orleanians benefitted directly from the expansion of the definition of whiteness in the late nineteenth century as they participated in the racialization of the city���s Italian community. Sources for this study came largely from the city���s local English-language and German-language presses