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Binding dynamics of carboxylate to amorphous aluminum oxides as studied by flow-adsorption microcalorimetry
No full textFlow-adsorption microcalorimetry was used to investigate the dynamics, energetics, and kinetics of mono- and dicarboxylate sorption onto a series of aluminum (hydr)oxides, conducted at the mineral-water interface at pH 5. A synthetic boehmite-bayerite series and γ-Al2O3 were characterized to quantify variations in hydroxyl speciation and structural order and examine surface heterogeneity effects on sorption. This work demonstrates that variations in structural hydroxyl chemistry among aluminum (hydr)oxides produce measurable and systematic effects on the energetics and kinetics of carboxylate sorption. It also highlights the dominance of outer-sphere interactions in sorption and desorption mechanics that largely depend on carboxylate pKa. A multi-step sorption/desorption framework proposed here, consisting of electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions, offers a transferable model for interpreting carboxylate-mineral interactions across heterogeneous aluminum (hydr)oxide systems
Building communities for synergistic resilience: Factors in personal and collective resilience and vocational commitment for U.S. mental health care workers during and following the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textThis dissertation, authored by V. Ruth Schulenberg and presented to the Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University for the PhD in Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Care, incorporates insights from a qualitative study of thirteen interdisciplinary mental healthcare workers between 2023-2024. It explores factors influencing personal and collective resilience and vocational commitment among U.S. mental health care workers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study defines "synergistic resilience" as a pattern of relational and collective tenacity and growth amid hardship, arguing that resilience is not solely an individual trait but is mutually created or hindered by individual, organizational, and communal factors. The research focuses on how personal and communal experiences, narrated in individual interviews and two focus groups, foster or undermine mental healthcare worker resilience and vocational commitment, incorporating insights from public health, social psychology, pastoral theology, and other disciplines. The project proposes that individual and collective resilience are interrelated, shaped by intrapsychic dynamics, interpersonal relationships, and sociocultural and institutional structures. As a pastoral theological dissertation, it explores the lived experiences of suffering and resilience narrated by mental health care workers with the aim of providing frameworks for care to alleviate suffering and promote human flourishing for mental healthcare workers and the communities they serve. As a narrative study, participant stories are examined using thematic, critical narrative, and narrative therapeutic analyses to offer constructive proposals for individual, communal, and systemic care practices. The study offers valuable insights for transformative care and advocacy that transcend religious and disciplinary boundaries to benefit mental health workers, healthcare organizations, and communities regardless of spiritual affiliation
Everywhere and nowhere: Texas boarding houses, 1900-1945
No full textThis dissertation explores Texas boarding houses between 1900 and 1945. Looking at the enterprise as a means of female entrepreneurship, it examines not only who the women who ran boarding houses were but also the choices they made to allow their business to succeed. I argue that the proprietors made active choices every step of the way from choosing the location of the house, the décor within the house, for which boarders they opened their doors, and (in some cases) partnering with local universities. Boarding house operators sold domesticity in an increasingly urbanized environment, but this was no passive business that simply added to work they already did for their own families. Boarding houses were such a common part of everyday life in the period that scholars often overlook them – making them both everywhere and nowhere
Visualizing AI Energy Use: Can Consumption Reminders Promote Social Good Mindsets?
No full textGenerative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) tools like ChatGPT are reshaping digital interactions across industries, but with significant, often invisible, environmental costs. From high energy consumption during model training and inference to large-scale water usage for data center cooling, Gen AI contributes to an expanding ecological footprint. Despite this, users remain largely unaware of their personal impact due to the seamless and abstracted nature of AI platforms. This study investigates whether integrating visual cues about energy usage into AI interfaces can raise awareness and promote more sustainable user behavior. Drawing on theories from environmental psychology, corporate social responsibility, and human-computer interaction, the research uses a mixed-methods experimental design involving 168 undergraduate university participants. Each participant interacted with a version of ChatGPT modified with different visual sustainability treatments, ranging from symbolic footnotes to interactive energy meters. While results did not show statistically significant changes in behavior across treatment groups, qualitative responses revealed increased reflection, emotional engagement, and openness to change, particularly among users exposed to subtler cues. These findings suggest that visibility alone is insufficient; effective intervention must be value-driven, emotionally resonant, and seamlessly integrated. The study contributes to the emerging field of ethical AI design by proposing that bridging the psychological distance between users and technological consumption is essential for promoting social good in the digital age
Sex Differences in Emotion Dysregulation and Impulsivity: Implications for Youth in the Legal System and Family Dynamics
No full textResearch indicates that sex differences are evident in most emotion regulation strategies including impulsivity, as measured by higher delayed discounting, even when controlling for substance use. Impulsivity, linked to deficits in self-control and delayed discounting, contributes to substance use and risk-taking behavior, with emotion dysregulation further reinforcing these patterns in youth. However, protective factors like parental support and monitoring can mitigate impulsivity by fostering moral reasoning and self-regulation, which encompasses emotion regulation, reducing risk of delinquency. A deeper understanding of emotion regulation and impulsivity can inform the development of more effective, tailored interventions for all youth in the legal system (YLS), focusing on self-control deficits and risk behaviors. This study examined sex-based variations in impulsivity and emotion regulation among YLS, while also looking at their link to substance use and family dynamics. Data utilized were from an ongoing 5-year longitudinal project with YLS. Hypotheses were tested through independent t-tests and Pearson's correlation analyses. Despite prior research with adult samples, findings indicated no significant sex differences in emotion dysregulation or delayed discounting among YLS. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between family functioning, emotional regulation, and substance use. Specifically, emotional regulation difficulties correlated with poorer family functioning, which was also linked to higher substance use. These results may suggest that future interventions can apply similar strategies for both males and females; however, they should consider the role of family functioning in emotional regulation to mitigate impulsive behaviors and risk of delinquency
The Impact of Generative AI on Customer Satisfaction in the Tourism Industry
No full textGenerative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) has not only been introduced in our society but has begun taking over entire jobs and industries. The travel and tourism industry is one that has been greatly disrupted by the introduction of gen AI. Understanding how gen AI content influences customer satisfaction is essential for the future of the industry. This study aims to explore the impact of four features of Gen AI, perceived personalization, informal tone, perceived entertainment, and perceived informativeness, on customer satisfaction for AI travel recommendations among college-aged travelers. Two moderating variables, trust in AI and user engagement were explored as well. A mixed methods approach is used, including both findings from a literature review as well as a quantitative survey. The survey was distributed to undergraduate students at Texas Christian University and analyzed using SPSS regression analysis to identify relationships between variables. The results of this study showed that perceived personalization, perceived entertainment, and informal tone were significant in contributing to AI satisfaction, however perceived informativeness was not. The moderating variable engagement was not significant either, however trust in AI was found to moderate the relationship between perceived personalization and entertainment with AI satisfaction. The analysis of this moderating relationship showed that higher trust in AI weakened the impact of perceived personalization and entertainment on satisfaction. Finally, analysis between genders revealed very notable differences in consumer preferences and will be an area of future research. All in all, the findings of this study are beneficial for AI developers and professionals in the travel and tourism industry
Soft proclivities
No full textThis Master of Fine Arts thesis exhibition, Soft Proclivities, examines how spatial interventions challenge traditional modes of representation. By situating the queer body within immersive environments, the work disrupts rigid narratives of identity and visibility. Drawing from historical and contemporary practices, the research investigates how materiality, scale, and site-responsive strategies contribute to an expanded queer aesthetic. The inquiry also considers societal expectations of masculinity, using construction-based methodologies to explore themes of labor, structure, and embodiment. Through a synthesis of painting and installation, this project proposes a new framework for understanding queer figuration—one that moves beyond the canvas into lived, participatory space
Gameplay and physical activity behaviors in adult video game players
No full textIntroduction Since the early 2000s, the video game industry has seen extraordinary booms in product development and market growth, with the total number of video game players globally reaching 2.69 billion by the end of 2020. Despite the rapid growth of the industry, there is little recent data investigating the time adult video game players spend sedentary playing video games and the time they spent engaged in physical activity. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional, non-experimental survey study is to describe the frequency and duration of video game play and physical activity in adult video game players. Methods Participants completed an online survey, evaluating their demographic and health history information, video game play, and physical activity behaviors. Results The study used data from a total of 221 participants (Males = 153, Females = 68). The mean age of the participants was 27.29 (SD 7.27) years. Of the 221 participants, 145 identified as casual players, 50 amateurs, 24 semi-professionals, and 2 professionals. The participants spent over five days per week and an average of 26.56 h per week playing video games. Personal computers were reported to have the longest duration of play of the four platforms investigated (17.59 h per week). The total amount of time participants spent engaged in cumulative moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was an average of 15.43 (SD 16.79) hours per week. The majority of this time was spent engaged in occupational physical activity (5.11 h per week). Participants spent 2.39 h per week engaged in leisure time MVPA. Conclusion Our results indicate an increase in VG play compared to 2018, suggesting United States adult video game players may be more at risk for detrimental effects to their physical health. This could be attributed to the habits formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the influences from video genre game play mechanics, and the social aspects of playing video games with friends. Future research should focus on developing research methodologies that will objectively measure adult video game player frequencies and durations in video game play alongside extensive observation of different video gameplay mechanic genres and their relationships with physical activity
"Deeds Not Words:" Lessons Learned from a Thirty-Year Army Career
No full textThis project situates the thirty-year Army career of the author's Great-Grandfather, Colonel Richard H. Verheul into the broader historical contexts through which he served. Episode one examines Col. Verheul's experience during World War II at The Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia and with the 92nd "Buffalo" Infantry Division. This episode explores race relations within the US military at the time, while also considering interactions between the US military and civilians. The second episode focuses upon Col. Verheul's time in Peru, Korea, and Japan, as well as his stint at Michigan State University as a Professor of Military Science. The episode delves into Col. Verheul's work with nuclear weapons development at Fort Monroe, Virginia. This episode focuses on US foreign policy in Latin America, the impact of ROTC programs during the Korean War, the role of military intelligence in East Asia, and the development of the Davy Crockett recoilless rifle. The third episode follows Col. Verheul to Germany with the 24th Infantry Division before his return to the US and subsequent work advising the Arkansas Army National Guard with the 39th Infantry Division. This episode focuses upon the Army's nuclear weapons strategy and reorganization during the Cold War, and what it meant for US deterrence efforts. The episode concludes by highlighting the service of National Guardsmen during the Vietnam War. Throughout the season, the author is joined by several professors who are experts on the given topic
NURSING STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS TOWARDS CHILDBIRTH AND CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIVES
No full textCertified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) play a critical role in providing holistic, patient-centered prenatal, labor, and postpartum care. Despite the benefits of CNM-attended births, including better maternal and infant outcomes, there is a shortage of CNMs in the United States. The purpose of this study was to explore nursing students' attitudes and beliefs towards childbirth and certified nurse midwives (CNMs). Nursing students play a pivotal role in promoting midwifery and a more physiologic birth process. By understanding their attitudes and beliefs, efforts can be focused on promoting a positive and accepting attitude toward CNMs and their care in the clinical setting. As the next generation of nurses, the education received on CNMs and the birthing process can help to curb the midwife shortage and promote a positive, accepting attitude toward CNMs in the clinical setting. A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational study was conducted with consenting undergraduate nursing students at Texas Christian University (TCU) via a Qualtrics survey. Participants were members of the Student Nurses Association and included students from freshman to senior levels. Survey questions were adapted from previous research, including Elizalde's survey on midwifery knowledge and Levine's Nurse Attitudes and Beliefs Questionnaire-Revised (NABQ-R) to measure nursing students' knowledge and attitudes towards midwifery and childbirth practices. The survey also included demographic questions to examine cohort differences and prior education related to maternal-child health. The survey yielded 84 total respondents; however, only 20 students completed all questions. Of the 20 respondents, 19 were female and 1 was male. The greatest number of respondents were in their senior I semester (n = 9), followed by junior II (n = 5), freshman (n = 2), sophomore I (n = 2), junior I (n =2), and sophomore II (n = 1). NABQ-R scores ranged from 76 to 92 and had a mean of 84.15, with higher scores indicating more positive attitudes toward CNMs. Participants were moderately or very likely (60%) to choose a midwife to provide care for themselves, partner, or family member during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. However, half of the respondents (n = 10) were unaware that a midwife can provide the majority of care to women and their babies during pregnancy, birth, and up to six weeks after the birth. Analysis of the 20 completed surveys provided insights into students' beliefs and attitudes toward childbirth and CNMs. The results identify gaps in students' understanding and explore the impact of educational exposure on future CNM and nurse collaboration. Although attitudes toward CNMs were generally positive, there is a clear need to develop curricula that promote a more comprehensive understanding and acceptance of midwifery care. By addressing these gaps, the nursing curriculum could help reduce the CNM workforce shortage and improve maternal and infant care outcomes