Bulletin of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (BCSEE)
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Has Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Increased the Time to Seroreversion in HIV Exposed but Uninfected Children?
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Bringing in the Black Body: A Phenomenological Study of Disability among Haitian Earthquake Survivors
No full textDisability scholars in sociology and disability studies have sought to 1) understand disability in the context of the global South and 2) center the body in disability research. Yet, despite a growing interest in sustaining these efforts, there continues to be a paucity of research on disability in Haiti, a low-income country in the global South.With this in mind, the current qualitative research study was conducted by adopting a phenomenological perspective coupled with an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to address the following research question: What is the lived experience of Haitians with a physical disability acquired from the earthquake of 2010? Twenty-five Haitian earthquake survivors shared their stories during in-depth semi-structured interviews.The study’s findings indicate that acquiring physical impairments (through crushed injuries, infections, and limb amputations) from the disaster changed the research participants’ experiences of time, space, relationships with others, and the taken-for-granted understanding of the lifeworld and the built environment. Moreover, these experiences appeared to have complicated the participants’ ability to navigate local environments (social and built), which were fraught with barriers, violence, and hostility to disabled people. Nevertheless, participants managed their everyday life and relied on their social networks of friends and family for support.By centering the body as a site of knowledge production, this study explores the biographies of disabled bodies in a low-income Caribbean country and offers a glimpse at the reciprocal relations between bodily experiences of disability and the effects of the social and physical environments.</p
Communicating Corporate Social Advocacy When Stakeholders Disagree: Corporate Response Strategies to Comments Criticizing Corporate Social Advocacy
No full textIn recent years, companies have become increasingly engaged in controversial socio-political issues via corporate social advocacy (CSA), while the public has become more politically polarized. However, several studies have shown that the net effects of CSA tend to be negative. Thus, examining how companies should respond to criticism of CSA is imperative. Yet, this issue has received scant attention in the literature. To address this research gap, the present work conducted two studies sequentially to explore how companies can best respond to criticism of CSA on social media. By analyzing 148 corporate replies to user comments on their CSA tweets, the first study sought to understand how U.S. companies responded to different types of comments on their social media CSA posts, especially harsh criticism, and whether/how companies incorporate intergroup conflict resolutions into their replies. Study 1 uncovered that companies adopted two strategies to deal with negative comments on CSA: acknowledgment and explanation/reassurance. The second study employed experimental design to test the effectiveness of using intergroup conflict resolution to address comments criticizing the stance of CSA and whether its effectiveness would be moderated by pre-existing issue stance. Study 2 suggested that compared to the corporate reply that only acknowledged receipt of negative comments, utilizing intergroup conflict resolution to address comments criticizing CSA’s position increased the perception of CSA authenticity among the public whose view aligns with the CSA. In addition, among the public who shares the CSA’s stance, using the intergroup conflict resolution - creating empathy for outgroup members - as a response to comments against CSA could increase perceived CSA authenticity compared to not responding to the comment. This dissertation research emerged as one of the first studies investigating the response strategies that companies can leverage to address criticism of CSA, with significant theoretical and practical implications outlined.</p
A Mixed Methods Evaluation of User Engagement in a Family-Based Digital Lifestyle Intervention for Hispanic Parents and Adolescents
No full textHispanic adolescents have the highest rates of pediatric obesity relative to any other racial or ethnic groups. Digital lifestyle interventions for obesity prevention show promise in reducing weight status and promoting healthy lifestyles in youth but are highly underutilized among Hispanics. Understanding user engagement with these interventions is key for them to be efficacious. The following mixed methods study assessed user engagement in a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a family-based digital obesity prevention intervention (“Healthy Juntos”) for Hispanic parents and their 12-15 year old adolescents. Healthy Juntos is a web-based application that includes eight modules of content for parents and adolescents delivered over 10-12 weeks. Systems usage data were examined to understand frequency, time, intensity, and type of engagement; qualitative data from one-one interviews were used to understand participants’ likes and dislikes as well as any improvement suggestions. Of the 25 parent-adolescent dyads participating in the pilot RCT, 14 were randomly assigned to the Healthy Juntos condition and were included in the present study.Fifty-seven percent of parents completed between 88-100% of eight weekly modules while 36% of the adolescents completed at least 50% of the modules, with a strong positive correlation (r=0.825, p < 0.001) between parent and adolescent completion. Parents used the app for 20.43 ±13.02 days, with 44.89 ± 22.12 minutes of weekly usage; adolescents used the app for 8.21 ± 5.29 days, with 28.12 ± 22.56 minutes of weekly usage. Qualitative data supported quantitative findings, reinforcing parents' higher engagement and enthusiasm with the program and highlighting barriers to using it, such as time. Results from this project summarize how and why participants engaged with the intervention and allow us to determine the necessary changes for technological or procedural improvements that might impact future users’ engagement with the program.</p
Experimental Investigations of Spatial Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics in Laboratory Saccharomyces cerevisiae
No full textThe study of eco-evolutionary dynamics has expanded in recent years due to the increasing recognition that evolution can occur much more quickly than previously thought. Eco-Evolutionary dynamics is a complex field of study with two main components: ecological processes and evolutionary responses. Eco-evolutionary dynamics examines how ecological and evolutionary processes interact with each other. By understanding ecological processes and evolutionary responses and how these two processes interact, we can better understand how populations will respond to environmental changes. Laboratory experiments provide an opportunity to explore the complex nature of eco-evolutionary dynamics while isolating for specific factors. Some factors that can impact eco-evolutionary dynamics are resource availability, competition, diffusion, and environmental stress. To further expand knowledge of coevolutionary dynamics, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly known as baker's yeast, was used as a model organism to set up laboratory experiments. The first examination was to determine if populations could establish coexistence and if that coexistence would be maintained over time. The second examination was how resource distribution and population diffusion impact total population abundance. The third examination was an empirical study on whether a resident population in a deteriorating environment can adapt in time to stave off an invading population. The research of eco-evolutionary dynamics can be used to help understand how populations evolve and can adapt to environmental conditions
Characterizing the Role of Ephrin Receptor Signaling in Traumatic Optic Neuropathy
No full textOptic neuropathy (ON) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, but the precise factors contributing to neuronal damage remain unclear. Research has identified 'ephrin signaling' as a key dysregulated pathway in the early stages of ON with varying causes. During development, ephrin signaling orchestrates retinotopic mapping by influencing neuronal membrane cytoskeletal dynamics through repulsive mechanisms. However, little is known about the role of ephrin signaling in the post-natal visual system and its relationship with ON onset. To investigate this, we conducted a study using postnatal mouse retinas. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of seven Eph receptors. We induced ON through optic nerve crush (ONC) and analyzed proteomic changes during the acute phase of neuropathic onset. Confocal and super-resolution microscopy showed the cellular localization of activated Eph receptors post-ONC injury, and we assessed the neuroprotective effects of Eph receptor inhibitors. Our findings indicate that diverse Eph receptors are functionally present in the postnatal mammalian retina, capable of influencing various biological processes. Pan-Eph receptor activation contributes to ON onset, with a preference for neuronal processes in the inner retina following optic nerve injury. Importantly, Eph receptor activation occurs before neuronal loss, and inhibiting Eph receptors shows a neuroprotective effect on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). This study underscores the significance of investigating the repulsive ephrin pathway in early optic neuropathies and offers a comprehensive characterization of the receptors present in the developed mouse retina, which is relevant to both normal functioning and disease processes.</p
LGBT+ Inclusive Healthcare: A Qualitative Descriptive Study of LGBT+ People in South Florida
No full textAn estimated 24.4 million (7.2%) U.S. adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT+) and 989,000 adult residents in Florida identify as LGBT+. The literature reports that LGBT+ individuals are at increased risk for worse mental and physical health compared to cisgender-heterosexual people.A concept analysis of LGBT+ inclusive health care was completed prior to the start of the study. Walker and Avant’s approach for concept analysis development was used. Three antecedents were identified: 1) cultural competence of healthcare providers, 2) healthcare environments, and 3) client’s lived experiences. Three defining attributes were identified: 1) normalizing sexual orientation and gender identity, 2) sexual orientation and gender identity-affirming environment, and 3) client-health care provider relationship. Consequences include: 1) client experience, 2) health outcomes, and 3) health care-seeking behaviors of LGBT+ individuals.A qualitative descriptive research design was used to describe the perceptions and expectations about health care from the perspective of LGBT+ adults in South Florida and describe the salient factors of LGBT+ inclusive health care. Data were collected through 19 individual interviews. The following themes emerged: 1) barriers to accessing health care, 2) health care experiences, and 3) ideal LGBT+ inclusive health care. Participants also verbalized the challenges of increasing anti-LGBT policies in the U.S. Participants feel attacked by the government and believe that LGBT+ discrimination will worsen and negatively impact the healthcare-seeking behaviors of LGBT+ individuals. Participants also feel unsafe in Florida and want to move to more LGBT+ friendly states.Establishing policies that promote LGBT+ inclusivity, understanding sources of discrimination and stigma, improving LGBT+ representation in healthcare, and acknowledging LGBT+ clients’ sexual orientation and gender identity are methods that may help establish LGBT+ inclusive health care to support the LGBT+ community and reduce health disparities.</p
Facilitators and Barriers to Maintaining a Healthy Weight among Firefighters
No full textOccupational studies have found that around 80-90% of the firefighter workforce has overweight or obesity. Given the scope of their job responsibilities, firefighters must be physically and mentally ready to respond to any emergency to do their job with precision. Carrying excess body weight is one factor that may prohibit firefighters from performing their responsibilities to the best of their ability. In addition, several chronic health conditions have been linked to obesity and are seen among firefighters including cancer, sleep disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Firefighters that have obesity are at especially high risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer, the leading causes of death among the fire service workforce. The factors contributing to the differences in these obesity rates among firefighters across the U.S. are generally unknown. Using a multi-phase, mixed-methods study design grounded in the NIOSH Total Worker Health. approach, the specific aims of this dissertation are to: 1) Examine the association of weight status and a) chronic health conditions b) risky health behaviors and c) socio-demographic and work characteristics of retired firefighters; 2) Explore facilitators and barriers to maintaining a healthy weight among firefighters through qualitative analysis; and 3) Design and administer a survey instrument to a sample of firefighters to quantify newly identified facilitators and barriers (from aims 1 & 2) to maintaining a healthy weight. Taken together, this dissertation identifies various factors associated with weight status among retired firefighters and reports the challenges and opportunities firefighters encounter to maintaining a healthy weight. Lastly, it developed a new survey instrument for the firefighter workforce that assesses firefighter- and fire department-level factors impacting firefighter weight
Bioconjugate Peptides for Functional Nanomaterials
No full textThe main aim in this contribution is to discuss the application of bioconjugates for 2D material exfoliation and catalysis. Many emerging biosensors have incorporated bioconjugates and nanomaterials in their design due to their electronic character, size, biocompatibility, and high sensitivity. Various types of bioconjugates, mainly fatty acid based, are discussed in Chapter 1, as well the conditions to be considered for designing multifunctional chimeric peptides. Bio-inspired nanosystems are also discussed to give insight into the effects of functionalizing a nanoparticle or nanosheet with bioconjugates. Past research that used bioconjugates for exfoliation and catalysis were included to give validity to the results observed in this study. Fatty-acid modified peptides were the first biomolecules to be constructed and examined for their binding affinity to graphene (Chapter 2). Theses peptides were constructed by coupling fatty acids of varying length, from 6 to 12 carbons, at the N- or C-terminus of P1 (sequence: HSSYWYAFNNKT), a peptide proven to bind to the basal plane of graphene. Once the binding of these bioconjugates was confirmed, these peptides were used to exfoliate graphene via probe sonication, as seen in Chapter 3. A new method for peptide-driven graphene exfoliation was established, which proved more efficient than bath sonication. These same methods were used for peptide driven MoS2 exfoliation in aqueous medium (Chapter 4). MoS2 and graphene were both exfoliated using similar methods to demonstrate the diversity and utility of peptides/bioconjugates. Chapter 5 further emphasizes their versatility by functionalizing chimeric peptides to a gold (Au) nanoparticle to be used for tandem catalysis. The chimeric peptides consist of two peptide domains, a material binding and catalytic domain, separated by a 4-glycine space. The combined works presented here led to optimized conditions for the binding of bioconjugates onto nanomaterials for exfoliation and catalysis.</p