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Contribution of Anxiety Symptoms to Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) Scores
No full textAbstract Purpose: Postpartum depression and anxiety bear negative consequences for maternal and child health. While much attention is given to postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety is not as well characterized. This study sought to better characterize postpartum anxiety in Vermont patients to support the healthy development of maternal and child health within the state. Methods: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a validated 10-item questionnaire utilized for depression screening. A retrospective chart review of University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) postpartum patients who completed EPDS screens at various timepoints was performed. Data analysis was completed in SPSS to evaluate contributions of individual questionnaire components to overall composite scores as well as investigate differences based on patient race. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between various symptom sub-scores for EPDS screens at any timepoint. However, anxiety sub-scores were significantly different by race at p < .001 with a medium effect size (η2 = 0.056). Further, while the mean of non-anxiety sub-scores was higher than the mean of anxiety sub-scores for positive initial EPDS screens (7.58 and 5.60, respectively), the reverse was true for negative initial EPDS screens (1.28 for non-anxiety sub-scores and 1.67 for anxiety sub-scores). Conclusion: These observations bear implications for how providers may approach the topic of perinatal depression and anxiety with patients. The statistical and clinical significance of the observed differences may serve as a reminder for providers to thoughtfully integrate this discussion in a way that is informed by patients’ identities and lived experiences
Quality Improvements for Closing the Loop in Diabetic Eye Care Management
No full textThere is an opportunity to improve closed loop communication of care plans across organizations and specialists. The concept of this project is to foster patient engagement through healthcare education and leverage that engagement to address areas of identified weaknesses in collaboration. If successful, this could improve communication and coordination of care plans
Dietary Fiber as a Means of Optimizing Health
No full textMore than 90% of the US population does not meet the recommended dietary fiber intake goal of 25-30g per day. Dietary fiber is an essential component of a well-rounded diet and is associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Further, dietary fiber is linked with a reduced risk for colon cancer and has been found to alleviate constipation. Regionally, in Newport, VT, rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity among youth (grades 9-12), and T2DM were significantly higher when compared to the state average. This project aims to inform the community about the importance of incorporating fiber in their diet. Two individuals were interviewed in the Newport community and described the need for more information regarding dietary fiber. A tri-fold pamphlet was created to highlight the role of fiber in the body, how much fiber should be consumed daily, types of food sources rich in fiber, and price breakdowns of non-traditional fiber sources from local supermarkets. The results of this intervention have not been shown. With social determinants of health in mind, the desired outcome is for members of the community to become more conscientious about their diet and the role of dietary fiber in optimizing health outcomes
Commercially integrated GaN resonators for power conversion
No full textGraduateMicromachining provides the capability of producing micro-electro-mechanical resonators (MEMS) with micrometer footprints that are widely used for filtering, timing, and transducing applications. An emerging power electronics trend leverages piezoelectric resonators to achieve power density superior to conventional electromagnetic approaches. We identify the opportunity to leverage the piezoelectric properties of the Gallium Nitride (GaN) material used in next- generation power electronics for a fully integrated piezoelectric DC/DC converter to power on-chip loads. Finite element analysis is used to iterate on resonator implementations constrained by Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre capabilities. Figures of merit are discussed in the context of use cases in power conversion
Acoustic-field driven nanoparticle organization in semi-crystalline polymer matrix
No full textGraduatePrevious work demonstrated that nanoparticles (NP) can be organized within amorphous regions of semicrystalline polymers through isothermal crystallization, though slow crystallization rates posed challenges. Applying an acoustic field increases NP diffusivity via acoustic radiation forces, dependent on particle volume, matrix compressibility, and acoustic contrast factor. Experiments with polyethylene oxide (PEO)-silica NP nanocomposites (20 wt%) using probe sonication during crystallization revealed enhanced NP organization, characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Specifically, at 54oC, an acoustic field significantly accelerated NP ordering, forming structured domains absent without acoustic stimulation. Further studies examine effects of molecular weight, acoustic parameters, and particle size
Vermont Forest Carbon Inventory
No full textForests play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and storing the carbon in trees, both living and dead, as well as in the soil. Climate change is driven by atmospheric CO₂ levels, for which the balance between carbon sequestration and emissions is key. When sequestration exceeds emissions, additional carbon is withheld from the atmosphere and storage within forests increases; when emissions surpass sequestration, carbon is lost from the land and released back into the atmosphere. The Vermont Forest Carbon Inventory aims to communicate and monitor the carbon benefits of Vermont’s forest sector. This inventory incorporates carbon stored in forests, as well as carbon gains and losses across the forest sector—including sequestration by existing forests, urban trees, newly established forest land, and harvested wood products in use and in landfills, alongside emissions from when a forest is converted to another type of land use, such as development or agriculture. Emissions from harvested wood products in the form of bioenergy and decay are accounted for in existing forests (see Key Information for more details). The forestland-based estimates in this inventory are based on data from the U.S. Forest Service which follows guidelines established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The Agency of Natural Resources Vermont Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Forecast is the official accounting source for statewide fluxes, including those from the land use sector
From Methane To Milk: The Potential Of Milk Biomarkers For Methane Assessment
No full textClimate change is a growing concern that poses a threat to the global population and production systems alike. Cattle production systems are responsible for nearly a quarter of anthropogenic methane (CH4) emissions in the United States. Establishing non-invasive, practical tools to estimate CH4 emissions from dairy cattle is critical for developing sustainable agricultural practices that mitigate climate change. Current CH4 measurement techniques used in research are expensive and need to be revised to adapt to commercial production systems. These methods generally involve animal isolation, extensive training, and complex equipment, which limit large-scale applicability. Milk is easy to collect, and its components are known to reflect rumen methanogenesis indirectly. Thus, utilizing milk fatty acids (FA) and proteins as biomarkers to assess CH4 emissions may help the dairy industry balance productivity with environmental sustainability.The overarching goal of this thesis was to evaluate the milk FA and low-abundance protein profiles of cows producing low methane (LM) and high methane (HM) emissions and identify candidates that may serve as biomarkers for assessing CH4 emissions. Forty-eight Holstein cows were enrolled in a 48-h exploratory study. Milk samples were collected thrice daily at each milking, CH4 measurements were taken thrice daily using the Greenfeed tie-stall system, and dietary intake was recorded daily. The first objective (Chapter 2) was to compare the milk FA profiles of LM- and HM- emitting cows to identify candidate biomarkers for assessing CH4 output (g/d), CH4 yield (g/kg dry matter intake (DMI)), and CH4 intensity (g/kg energy corrected milk (ECM)). The second objective (Chapter 3) was to investigate differences in the low-abundance milk protein profiles of LM- and HM- emitting cows to identify candidate biomarkers indicative of CH4 output. Milk FA were determined via gas-liquid chromatography, and low-abundance proteins were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. There was no difference in production parameters (i.e., DMI, milk yield, ECM, feed efficiency) between the LM and HM groups. Significant correlations were observed between CH4 metrics and specific FA, including novel associations with 13:0-anteiso, 11-cyclohexyl-11:0, and 20:3 c5,c8,c11. Furthermore, underexplored FA such as 17:0-iso, and 20:1 c9 demonstrated high predictive performance, highlighting their potential as suitable biomarkers. Regression models incorporating FA and production parameters accurately predicted CH4 output, CH4 yield, and CH4 intensity. Proteomic analysis identified 23 low-abundance proteins differently abundant between the CH4 emission groups, with 10 exhibiting potential associations with CH4 emissions. Proteins such as polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIgR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARD), and laminin subunit β-1 (LAMB1) were positively correlated with CH4 output, while transcobalamin 2 (TC2) was negatively correlated. Overall, these findings demonstrate the utility of milk FA profiling as an effective method for predicting CH4 emissions in dairy cows and underscore the complexity of the milk proteome. This research provided novel insights into the relationships between CH4 emissions, milk FA, and low-abundance proteins, supporting the development of precision dairy farming through non-invasive approaches.Animal BiosciencesMaster of Science (MS
Investigating Multiple Value Types And Their Relation To Environmental Behavior and Attitudes
No full textSustainable relationships among social and natural systems are predicated, in part, on values. The four studies that make up this dissertation are linked by their investigations of the diverse ways that communities value the natural environment and how their values ultimately interact with attitudes and action. In my first study, I characterize the attitudes of members of the US public towards the relationship between the environment and economy. Using conceptual framing adapted from ecological economics, I determine whether people view the environment and economy as being in opposition or in concert with one another. I find that exposure to extreme, climate-related events predicts alignment with survey items that illustrate the economy as a dependent subset of the environment, even in light of strong political polarization. My second study reviews empirical literature featuring the relational values concept. I summarize the ways in which authors have operationalized a concept with philosophical roots in diverse research contexts and propose ways to promote cohesion in future work. My third and fourth studies focus on maple syrup-producing forests in Vermont to investigate interactions among financial costs, relational values, and biodiversity “friendly” forest management actions. Study three compares annual costs across varied engagement with forest management; I find that enrollment in conservation programming predicts management engagement, but costs do not. Study four investigates the impact of relational values on forest management actions. I find that maple syrup producers express distinct prioritizations of relational values, and that sustainability-aligned forest management actions are considered differently across value prioritizations. This interdisciplinary collection of scholarship provides empirical evidence relevant to regional conservation partners and contributes to broad literatures interested in the complex relationships among diverse values, environmental sustainability, and human behavior.Natural ResourcesDoctor of Philosophy (PhD
Addressing Polypharmacy in Older Adults in Primary Care
No full textPolypharmacy is a common problem affecting older adults, leading to increased medication burden, risk of falls and negative health outcomes, hospitalizations, and mortality. This community project attempts to improve medication management in older adults without increasing provider burden. A brief checklist was created to be included in provider note templates, prompting a consult with a clinical pharmacist if the patient meets criteria. Results have yet to be studied
Toward feedback-based coordination and optimization in a distributed slack bus framework
No full textGraduateOptimization and coordination problems in power systems are typically solved offline with optimal power flow solvers in five-to-fifteen minute intervals. While this is sufficient for many problems, a feedback-based approach could provide a more computationally efficient method for solving the same problems while also allowing the system to adapt to uncertainties in real time. In this work, an affine expression for the active power output of generators under a distributed slack bus is expanded into a feedback-based method for optimally coordinating grid resources in real time while preventing the violation of various system constraints