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Arlo's Tower
No full textThis novella focuses on the relationship between Arlo, a half-human half-dragon boy, and his human father Harland. Harland's love for Arlo manifests in ways that stunt his growth as a person, a fact that Arlo has trouble accepting. The entirety of the narrative is set in a tower that Arlo could leave at any time, if it weren?t for his love for his father. This story focuses on Arlo's acceptance of how destructively his father loves him and what he should do going forward.
The novella poses various questions about the parent-child relationship and what is owed to the parent by the child. It aims to give an understanding of both perspectives and foster empathy
A praxiological curriculum for a black church to resist voter suppression
No full textI contend that a Black Church has the liberative power to overcome voter suppression tactics
created by legislative action. This for-ministry project provides Elm Grove District Association affiliated
Black Baptist Churches with a creative, practical solution to resist voter suppression. In
Texas, as in each of the fifty states in the U.S., local governments manage election
administration. County election officials delegate voting to volunteers. During the Civil Rights
era, many Black churches served as primary institutions to register African Americans who had
been prohibited from the ballot box by southern states' Jim Crow laws. By replicating the Rev.
James M. Lawson's historic tenet of nonviolent resistance, which is voting, a Black Church
possesses the prophetic presence to resist the sin of voter suppression. Using an inductive
pedagogical approach, I created a praxiological curriculum for a Black Baptist Church to recruit
and empower (sponsor) members to become Volunteer Deputy Registrars (VDR). An
empowered VDR registers voters and practices other proactive actions, such as informing the
community about upcoming elections and changes to the election laws and preparing new voters
to engage in the sacred, democratic act of voting. Through congregational input, an empowered
VDR develops and executes an Action Plan or Voting Strategy that helps the Black Church resist
voter suppression in their community
Context-Specific FOMO Appeals in Marketing
No full textThe fear of missing out (FOMO) has been found to increase consumers? purchase likelihood. However, previous research has primarily focused on FOMO appeals made by friends or close others on social media and thus has not explored other situational FOMO contexts. Consequently, this research thesis seeks to investigate different boundary conditions and contexts which might increase feelings of situational FOMO in consumers and elevate purchase likelihood. I test and find that consumers have increased feelings of situational FOMO when celebrities (vs. influencers) post on social media, when they view a social media post about an experience (vs. a product), and when they use their mobile device (vs. computer) to view social media. In all these contexts, FOMO has a positive relationship with purchase likelihood. Taken together, these results indicate that other contexts besides friends or close others can be effective at increasing feelings of FOMO and subsequently, purchase likelihood. These outcomes also have actionable implications for marketers
The Changing Representation of Men and Women in United States Medical Residencies from 2014-2022
No full textResearch Question: How have gender trends in US medical residents changed from 2014 to 2022 across all specialties?Background and Significance: Historically, women have been underrepresented in medicine. While there have been studies on gender trends in certain individual specialties, few studies have examined the overall trends in gender among all specialties for US-based medical residents. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by examining gender trends in US medical residents from 2014 to 2022 across all specialties.Materials and Methods: The data for this study were obtained from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Report on Residents annual reports from 2014-2022. The number and proportion of men and women were recorded for each of the 32 primary residency choices. The gender distribution within each residency was then assessed and compared over the nine-year study period.Results: Our analysis showed that more women are in medical residencies in 2022 than in any other year during the study period. Over the past nine years, there has been a 2.37% average annual increase in the proportion of women in all surgical specialties. Furthermore, 62% of medical specialties have experienced an increase in the proportion of women filling residency slots in the past nine years. In 2022, the residency with the highest proportion of women was Obstetrics and Gynecology (86.4%), and the residency with the highest proportion of men was Orthopedic Surgery (81.7%).Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for further research to understand the factors contributing to these trends and how to continue to improve diversity and representation in the physician workforce
Pediatric Dermatologic Conditions and Fitzpatrick Skin Tone: Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy and Associated Familiarity with Dark Skin
No full textResearch Question: How often do physicians correctly diagnosis pediatric skin conditions between different Fitzpatrick skin types? Further, which skin type(s) have the most correct rate of diagnosis and how is accuracy of dermatological diagnosis in people of color impacted by physicians¿ skin type?Background and Significance: Healthcare disparities in the United States are well documented. These disparities disproportionately affect people of color leading to poorer health outcomes across the care spectrum. Dermatology is no exception and has documented delays in care and increased mortality in people of color. Researchers have speculated that lack of familiarity with dermatological conditions in people of color is the primary explanation for this specific issue, as dermatology textbooks often unequally depict fair skin. As the United States becomes more racially diverse, these healthcare disparities, will affect an even greater number of individuals. One previous study has investigated this same issue but quizzed medical students instead of physicians on adult rash presentation. They also did not compare the accuracy of the quiz to the physicians¿ own skin color.Materials and Methods: With the help and direction of Dr. Sloan, my SPT mentor, we developed a survey. This survey quizzes providers on 5 pediatric skin conditions i.e., Giannotti Crosti, Erythema infectiosum, Pityriasis rosea, Scarlatina, and Mollescum contagiosum. Conditions, ranging from benign to urgent, common to rare, that mostly only affect children or adolescents. The survey features different clinical images and associated questions depicting rash presentations in different Fitzpatrick skin types. Ten questions depicting light skin and ten questions depicting darker skin tones. This was sent to pediatricians and urgent care providers across Texas. After completing the survey, Doctors assess their own skin type, as well as provide background information about their familiarity with skin of color.Results: Of the 57 physicians surveyed, 47 completed the survey. Contrary to our assumptions and previous studies, our results indicated only one condition with significant difference in diagnostic accuracy, that being pityriasis rosea in the Fitzpatrick skin group 4-6. Additionally, we intended to compare accuracy with provider¿s skin color, or attendance of an HBCU, but the sample size was too small for proper statistical power.Conclusion: Our study results found that for diagnostic accuracy only pityriasis rosea demonstrated a significant difference between physicians. The small study sample is perhaps a potential reason for lack of other identifiable differences and it also precluded the investigation of various physician factors concerning familiarity with skin of color that may have an important considerations for working with patients of various skin tones
The Effects of an Interactive Exergame on a Rowing Machine
No full textIn the United States, physical activity levels are extremely low. With inactivity being linked with negative health outcomes, research has started to investigate different interventions as a way of enticing adults to increase their activity levels. Some of these interventions include music, virtual reality, and interactive exergames. Exergames combine a video game with an exercise machine in hopes of making exercise more enjoyable. The purpose of this study was to examine how exergames affect exercisers' ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), enjoyment, attentional focus, heart rate (HR), and performance outcomes during a rowing exercise task. A total of 26 participants completed a 20-minute rowing task in two conditions (i.e., Row Breaker exergame and Control) on a rowing machine at a preferred exercise intensity. Measurements for RPE, attentional focus, feelings, and HR were collected during the rowing task. Perceived enjoyment and session RPE scales were administered post-exercise. Results found no significant difference between groups for HR and RPE, however, there was a significant difference found across time for both variables (p < 0.001) indicating that HR and RPE increased as time progressed. No significant differences were found for attentional focus. Significant differences were found for feelings across time and between groups (p < 0.05) revealing that feelings decreased across time but remained higher overall during the exergame. For performance measures, the exergame condition exhibited significantly higher strokes per minute compared to the control condition (p < 0.01), due to the exergame's design. No significant difference was found between session RPE scores. A significant difference was found between groups in their perceived enjoyment scores (p < 0.001). This study reveals that exergames have the potential to increase exercise enjoyment. This research benefits healthcare providers aiming to recommend exercise to patients, as well as individuals who find it challenging to enjoy exercise
THE CREDIT REVOLUTION: An institutional and historical glance at microcredit as a culmination in economic theory
No full textMicrocredit is one of the newest and most alluring topics in the world o economy development theory and alleviation, however its results are mixed, proving to offer less benefits that proponents promised, but not being as catastrophic as opponents promised. In understanding the institutional internal structure of microcredit and its place within a historical context, on-lookers can identify both how micro credit theoretically accomplishes it goals of absolute poverty alleviation, and its place among development theory to narrow the scope of ignorance we are operating from
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion using the iFuse Titanium Triangular Implant System: Two-Year Clinical Outcome Study
No full textResearch Question: In treating patients with sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction, how does SIJ fusion (SIJF) using the iFuse implant system impact longitudinal patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and pain medication use?Background and Significance: SIJ dysfunction causes severe, debilitating lower back pain that often interferes with patients' daily living activities. It is considered a significant contributor to low back pain in the general population. However, it is amenable to treatment with minimally invasive techniques. Thus, we studied the longitudinal implications associated with SIJF using the iFuse implant system.Materials and Methods: From October 2012 to December 2019, 230 operations on 212 patients, who had undergone SIJF with the iFuse system, were identified. Demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed with patient reported outcomes (PROs) including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 5-level EuroQol-5D (EQ-5DL), and Likert scales for satisfaction and likelihood to repeat the operation for the same diagnosis. Oral morphine milligram equivalents (MME) were calculated from patient-reported analgesic use. Univariate linear regression and Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analyses were utilized to identify factors associated with outcomes.Results: A total of 35 patients (median [range] age, 62 [31-79] years; 25 [71.4%] female) responded to the online survey with outcome data of 3.84 [2.07-8.4] years. Satisfaction was 'very satisfied' in 45.7% of patients and 34.3% of patients were very likely to repeat the operation for the same diagnosis. Post-operative ODI score (33.6% [20.7]) was significantly lower than pre-operative values (49.3% [11.1]; p=0.009). Multivariate predictors of ODI disability score included follow-up time, EQ-5DL level sum score (LSS), and surgery repeat likelihood. EQ-5DL 'mobility' was 2 (range, 1-5), 'self-care' was 1 (range, 1-3), 'usual activities' was 2 (range, 1-5), 'pain discomfort' was 2 (range, 1-4), 'anxiety and depression' was 2 (range, 1-5), and 'health score' was 68 (range, 29-90). Mean EQ-5D LSS in the entire cohort was 0.56 (0.34) and multivariately predicted by ODI disability, Gabapentin daily drug dose (DDD), narcotic use, pre-operative pain duration. Most patients reported having pain for 1-3 years (n=17, 48.6%) while only 3 (8.6%) patients experienced pain for less than a year. Seventeen (48.6%) patients reported taking at least one pain medication and median MME was 0 (range, 0-75). Increased MME was univariately associated with worse VAS overall health scores (B -0.44; 95% CI -0.78,-0.09; p=.02) but not satisfaction nor likelihood to repeat the operation (p>.05). Finally, neither pre-operative ODI disability (B 0.44; 95% CI -1.2, 2.1; p=0.5) nor pre-operative pain duration were associated with MME.Conclusion: Our data suggests that SIJ fusion is associated with high satisfaction, long-term benefits, and relatively minimal long-term post-operative narcotic use. Pre-operative pain duration did not affect PROs, indicating that positive outcomes are possible regardless of the chronicity of their pain. Pre-operative disability nor chronicity of pain were associated with MME, of which increases resulted in worse health overall. Future multi-center studies are needed to identify pre-operative factors that are associated with these longitudinal effects on patient quality of life and disability following SIJF
HEATH ASSESSMENT MARKERS AND FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF GUESTS AND CULINARY APPRENTICES AT A COMMUNITY CAFE
No full textIn 2022, 12.8% of U.S. households were food insecure, making food security a legitimate concern for the nation (United States Department of Agriculture, 2023). The purpose of this study is to describe food insecurity in a sample of culinary apprentices and community cafe guests and examine the correlation between food security status and measurable indicators of health status such as blood pressure, body mass index and hemoglobin A1C. The Food Security Survey Module, developed by the United States Department of Agriculture, was used to measure if participants had adequate money and resources to access food. Participants scheduled health assessment visits, where their blood pressure, weight, height and hemoglobin A1C were measured. The researcher looked for a correlation between the participant?s level of food security based on the United States Department of Agriculture Adult Food Security Module and their health assessment data values. Current literature supports the idea that food insecure individuals will have higher rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Results from this study showed that the mean systolic blood pressure was statistically significant between the two groups, while no other biological markers were statistically different. As the sample size of the study grows, researchers anticipate that results will match the trends that other researchers have identified between health status indicators and food security
Social Media and Influencer Culture: The Impact of TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest on Sustainable Consumption within the Fashion Industry
No full textThe traditional fashion industry, known for its mass production and emphasis on profitability, has faced increasing criticism for its environmental impacts. This thesis examines the role of social media in lessening these environmental concerns by promoting the adoption of sustainable luxury fashion (e.g., resale or pre-owned fashion). Through a comprehensive literature review, we explored key concepts such as the circular economy and sustainability initiatives in the fashion industry in addition to the influence of social media on consumer behavior. An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of influencer promotion (in the form of a sponsored post on a social media platform) on the adoption of pre-owned luxury fashion. The findings showed no difference in the purchase of pre-owned luxury items between an influencer-sponsored post and a post promoted by regular consumers (i.e., a non-sponsored post). However, further analysis revealed that individuals who were active users of TikTok and Pinterest were less likely to buy pre-owned luxury fashion when it was endorsed by influencers. We also found that these users perceived a brand as more trustworthy and reliable overall when products were featured in a non-sponsored post. Our work offers practical implications for marketing managers by highlighting the importance of platform-specific strategies and the value of brand authenticity in promoting pre-owned luxury fashion