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Exploring Divergent Views: A Comparative Study of Uterus Transplantation Perceptions among Transplant and Obstetrics/Gynecology Providers
No full textBackground: Uterus transplantation (UTx) provides women with absolute uterine-factor infertility (AUFI) the opportunity to carry their own pregnancy and deliver a child. There are multiple ethical and medical concerns associated with UTx. Since the last survey of US provider perceptions of UTx in 2018, there have been additional reports of successful transplantations and pregnancies. This study aimed to identify the perception of UTx among providers involved in the diagnosis of AUFI and on the transplant team to help us understand knowledge gaps and determine what barriers must be overcome for UTx to be used in general clinical practice. Methods: We administered REDCap surveys to conference attendees at the 2023 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) conference and 2023 American Transplant Congress (ATC). Participants were recruited by medical student volunteers. Results: Two hundred ACOG and ATC attendees completed the survey. Medical concerns related to UTx were reported by 42% of providers from ACOG compared to 22% of providers from ATC. Overall, 76% of participants agreed that UTx should be an option for patients with congenital AUFI. Lastly, 68% of participants agreed that the procedure should be presented as an option for transgender women. Conclusions: This study further elucidates the perception of UTx among obstetricians/gynecologists and transplant physicians. We found greater support for the procedure than in previous studies. This study also demonstrates provider support for presenting this procedure as an option for transgender women
FROM GESTURES TO WORDS: AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE END-TO-END DEEP LEARNING INTEGRATION WITH TRANSFORMERS AND MEDIAPIPE
No full textSpeech impairment ranks among the world's most prevalent disabilities, affecting over 430 million adults [1]. Despite its widespread impact, many existing video-conferencing applications lack a comprehensive end-to-end solution for this challenge. In response, we present a holistic approach to translating American Sign Language (ASL) to subtitles in real-time by leveraging advancements in Google Mediapipe, Transformer models, and web technologies. In March 2024, Google released the largest dataset for the problem domain with over 180 GB in size, containing ASL gesture sequences represented as Mediapipe numeric values. Our methodology begins with the implementation and training of a Transformer model using a preprocessed Google dataset, followed by the establishment of a back-end server that encapsulates the trained model for application integration. This server handles video input preprocessing and real-time inference, communicating with client services as a Representational State Transfer (REST) endpoint. To demonstrate the practicality of our approach, we developed a video conferencing application utilizing the AgoraRTC Software Development Kit (SDK), which communicates with our back-end server to transcribe user gestures to text and display the characters on the receiving end. Through this end-to-end system, we enable video calls enhanced by the real-time transcription of fingerspelled gestures with low latency and high accuracy, effectively bridging the communication gap for individuals with speech disabilities.
With a growing imperative for AI applications engineered for human well-being, our project seeks to promote the integration of AI in applications designed to enhance human wellness, thus bringing broader awareness and adoption of this endeavor
MEAL SWIPES: THE EFFICIENCY OF HAVING MEAL SWIPES FOR FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS RELATED TO FOOD INSECURITY AT TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
No full textThis research adds to the ongoing discussion about food insecurity among college students and aims to bridge the gap in knowledge about how access to meal swipes specifically affects first-generation students. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and interviews, to explore how meal swipes impact first-generation students' perception of academic success and campus involvement at TCU. The findings suggest that the inconsistent availability of food through meal swipes has a negative impact on first-generation students' learning, grades, extracurricular participation, social connections, and well-being. This highlights the need for universities like TCU to develop comprehensive solutions to support food-insecure first-gen students, as meeting their basic needs is crucial for ensuring equal opportunities for academic success and overall wellbeing. This research is relevant because it provides insights into a significant yet often overlooked issue that affects many first-gen students' health, achievement, and college experience, contributing to the broader conversation about college student food insecurity
Pre-Health Students’ Knowledge and Perception of the Role of the Registered Dietitian in Healthcare
No full textMedical nutrition therapy (MNT) is evidence-based nutrition therapy provided by a Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN) to help treat medical conditions. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the current understanding and perception of the RD/RDN role in healthcare among undergraduate pre-health students. Following IRB approval, a convenience sample of TCU pre-health students (n=94) completed an electronic survey. Data were coded into and analyzed using SPSS 29. 23% (n=22) of participants had previously taken a nutrition course. Participants were asked on their opinions regarding the importance of the RD/RDN in improving the quality of care for patients with a variety of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, stroke, cancer, chronic kidney disease, Parkinson's disease, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, eating disorders, and ulcerative colitis. 55% (n=52) of participants reported that the RD/RDN would be important in the care for all of these conditions. When asked if they would either refer a patient with a specific disease to an RD/RDN for nutrition counseling, provide a nutrition handout, briefly educate patient on nutrition themselves, or recommend online nutrition information from an official source, over half of participants would refer to an RD/RDN for obesity, celiac disease, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, eating disorders and ulcerative colitis. Fewer than half of participants would refer patients with Parkinson's disease, cancer and stroke to an RD/RDN. Less than a quarter of pre-health students have taken a nutrition course and therefore most are likely unfamiliar with MNT recommendations appropriate for various chronic diseases
The effects of positive action, a character curriculum, on the social and emotional development of elementary children
No full textReduced peer interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to
higher rates of psychopathologies, suicide rates, and negative affect in elementary-aged
children. The current study examined the effects of Positive Action (PA), a character
education curriculum, on the social and emotional skills of K-3 students from two school
districts receiving 60 minutes of daily recess in addition to a 15-minute daily PA lesson.
The study sample included K-3 children (N=2,000): 1,000 children from a north Texas
school district and 1,000 children from a central Texas school district. PA lessons
focused on developing social-emotional learning (SEL) skills such as empathy, respect,
honesty, trust, confidence, and self-esteem. Throughout the school year, teachers
delivered the Positive Action 15-minute daily character development lessons and
provided four 15-minute child-directed, outdoor recesses daily. At the end of each
semester, SEL skills were tested using xSEL, a web-based computer assessment that
examines four subscales in early elementary students: emotion regulation (understanding
what others are feeling), social problem-solving (ability to think through social
challenges), social perspective-taking (understanding others’ thought and intentions), and
self-control (ability to modulate thoughts and feelings to achieve a goal). School districts
scheduled a specific week that teachers would collect xSEL data for their classes in both
semesters. The teachers took the children to the computer lab where they would sit at
individual computers and respond to facial expressions and social situations on-screen
that related to the four xSEL subscales. The test took approximately 25 minutes. Once
completed, the assessment was submitted online directly to the xSEL database for data
analysis. The data was accessible by the researcher once completed. The independent
variables of the study were school district, age, and sex, and the dependent variables were
the four xSEL subscales. A repeated measures MANOVA was used to determine score
differences among the independent variables and change scores between Fall and Spring
semesters. Results showed differences in subscale scores by district and grade but were
similar between sexes and races across time. Children need more time in the school day
to play and receive daily character guidance to develop their emotions and social skills.
Positive Action is helping children of all races, sexes, grades, and geographic location get
back on track developmentally; they are able to use the character lessons as a model to
practice positive emotional and social skills with each other during recess and in the
classroom
Impact of Intrapartum Nurses' Personal Demographics and Hospital-Specific Characteristics on Labor Support Self-Efficacy
No full textIn 2020, the United States cesarean birth rate was 32%, nearly an 8% increase from 2000. Cesarean births increase infection risk, blood clots, pelvic pain, and postpartum depression. Labor support has been shown to reduce cesarean births; however, intrapartum (IP) nurses do not universally provide it in hospitals. The purpose of this study is to explore relationships between IP nurses' personal demographics and hospital-specific characteristics with their self-efficacy in providing labor support.
This study is a secondary analysis of data collected from online surveys in April-August 2020. Participants include members of Association for Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Texas Chapter who identify as IP nurses (N=106) and were recruited through AWHONN to take two surveys: personal and hospital-specific characteristics and the Self-Efficacy in Labor Support Scale (SELSS). Correlational and descriptive analyses were conducted on personal and hospital data to determine the impact on self-efficacy in labor support.
Scores for SELSS range from 20 to 98 with a mean of 85. Results identify three prominent predictors of labor support, including years worked as an IP nurse (r=0.48, p<0.001), professional certification obtainment (p<0.05), and personal birth experience (p<0.05). Hospital characteristics including nurse-to-patient ratio, geographic location, and hospital type were not predictors of self-efficacy.
Intrapartum nurses with personal birth experience hold a unique perspective having been in the patient role, thus influencing care they provide. Further, experienced IP nurses gain confidence in labor support skills through practice. Experienced IP nurses should be encouraged to mentor new nurses in providing labor support. Despite the correlation between certification and self-efficacy, there lacks a national certification on labor support. National organizations should create a labor support certification to educate on best-practices and quality care for laboring women thus decreasing cesarean births and improving birth outcomes
Understanding the Effect of Novel Anti-Inflammatory Compounds on NF-kB
No full textAlzheimer's Disease (AD), the most common form of Dementia, is a brain disorder that affects memory, cognition, and behavior. It currently affects 6.7 million Americans in the United States and interferes with daily life. Neuroinflammation in the brain is thought to worsen symptoms and drive the progression of the disease. Inflammation is mediated by the transcription factor NF-kB, which typically leads to transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-a and IL-1B. The transcription of these cytokines can lead to a cycle of chronic inflammation if left unregulated. In collaboration with P2D Biosciences and Dr. Kayla Green's Lab, we focused on testing compounds for their ability to reduce inflammation. Some of the compounds tested here have been shown to reduce cognitive defects in a mouse model of AD. In this study we are trying to understand the mechanism of action of these drugs. We are looking at the effect on the transcription factor NF-kB
EMERGING ADULTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE IMPACT OF COVID ON MENTAL HEALTH: A MIXED METHODS STUDY
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health of emerging adults, who must navigate the tasks of early adulthood. This mixed methods study used surveys and focus group interviews to examine emerging adults' perceptions about the effects of COVID-19 on their mental health and supports available to them during the pandemic. Sixteen 18-25-year-old undergraduate and graduate level students attending a private university in southern United States participated in a study approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the author's university. Their survey responses indicated effects of COVID and thoughts of COVID on their sleep, appetite, and grades. They reported not feeling supported by their school during the lockdown. However, the majority feel happy at least sometimes with how things are currently going in their life. Themes from focus group responses shed light on negative effects of lockdown and non-optimal home life. They also highlighted unmet support needs and the extra steps participants had to take to access resources. In contrast, there were protective factors connections and supports, movement and exercise, resilience and positive relationships served as buffers for emerging adults and predicted positive outcomes.
Moving forward, it is crucial that we prioritize easy access to counseling and mental health services, breaking down barriers for students seeking support. Additionally, fostering collaboration between college campuses, professionals, and students can lead to the development of workshops, curricula, and programs aimed at promoting healthy coping skills and overall well-being of emerging adults
The effects of measurement, input, and AAC devices on word knowledge of children who speak using AAC
No full textThe purpose of this dissertation is to evaluate the impact of measurement, input, and AAC devices on word knowledge of children who speak using augmentative or alternative communication (AAC). The first study in this dissertation manuscript compares language sample elicitation strategies with children who speak using AAC (CAAC). A generic play-based elicitation strategy yielded the most valid samples when correlated with another valid measure. The second study compares two vocabulary input approaches to determine the approach that yields more words learned for CAAC. Explicit instruction yielded better vocabulary outcomes for all participants. Finally, the third study evaluates CAAC’s taxonomic knowledge in comparison to their age-matched, vocabulary-matched, and IQ-matched peers. Findings suggest that cognition, vocabulary size, and AAC device use influence CAAC’s taxonomic knowledge and that CAAC present with disordered taxonomic knowledge in language-based tasks. All results yield clinically relevant findings that will support CAAC in the early word learning process
REVIEW OF THE PRIMARY PROFITABILITY INDICATORS FOR VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTORS IN EMERGING MARKETS
No full textThis study highlights the macroeconomic financial and regulatory indicators that researchers and investors primarily focus on regarding venture capital (VC) investing in emerging markets. It will review several of the more impactful research studies done on the topic over the past several years. This study will also use data sourced from the Global Private Capital Association (GPCA) as well as The World Bank to draw conclusions on the relationships between certain variables and their impact on VC investment into emerging markets. This study aims to reveal several findings. First, that the globalization of the private capital industry increased funds invested into nations that VC Investors previously considered non-viable. Second, that non-economic factors, such as regulatory status and control of corruption, are also important aspects for VC investors when choosing a market to enter. Finally, from 2017-2022, VC investors used specific financial indicators to select emerging markets in which to invest. This study provides insights for researchers and industry professionals to draw upon when analyzing possible indicators and methods to employ as they choose which emerging market to invest venture capital funds