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Design of a Decision Support Based Mobile Application for Crisis Support Utilizing User Centered Design Methods
No full textPh.D.Suicide rates for all age groups over 15 have increased since 2000 (Centers for Disease Control, 2016). Despite researchers’ best efforts, this problem continues to grow and there have been few effective solutions. A promising area of research is the use of mobile technology to address the problem, although, there have been few successes thus far in this area of research. One gap in the research is neglecting the inclusion of those with mental health concerns in the design process. Most existing applications have been designed based on the perceived needs and preferences of those with mental health concerns. This research sought to address this by utilizing a user centered design approach to design a decision support based mobile application for use during mental health crises. This research occurred in three phases. In the first phase, cognitive task analysis was utilized to determine the decision-making process and decision support needs of those in crisis. User requirements gathering was also conducted in this phase to determine the preferences of users for content and design of a mobile application. In the second phase, an interactive prototype was constructed based on data from phase one and a heuristic evaluation was performed with the prototype. In the final phase, user testing was conducted with a group of representative users to determine the utility and usability of the application. It is important to note that the group of representative users was homogenous in terms of racial and ethnic diversity and that future development of this application would benefit from further user testing with diverse samples. Results of phases one and three were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively as was appropriate to type of data. A primary finding was the need for decision support to focus on awareness and connection of resources that address the precipitant for the crisis. This finding guided the construction and function of the Connections mobile application. Additional findings included creation of abstraction hierarchies and a decision ladder that conceptualizes the decision-making process during a crisis, a list of decision support needs of individuals in crisis, a set of heuristics adapted for heuristic evaluation of interfaces that will be used by those with mental health concerns, and key adaptations and considerations that must be made to the user centered design process when working with those with mental health concerns.**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*
Bad Translator: Experimental Translation in New North American Poetry
No full textPh.D.This dissertation analyses poetry from Canada, Mexico, South Korea, the Caribbean, and the US as a crucible for studying the importance of translation to the twentieth-century rise of the US empire. While attempts to translate poetry highlight the obvious—that no language is entirely commensurate with another, and no literary work entirely extractable from its cultural context—poetry is also, as a textual genre, largely unique in its use of translation as a critical literary device. Taking as its subject poetic texts that use translation as a technique, this dissertation makes crucial observations about the active workings of translation more broadly, as a function of contemporary global life and a key process in making and remaking our understandings of history and geography.**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*
Philanthropic Giving and Museum Ethics
No full textM.A.Here in the United States, there is very little governmental support to help sustain nonprofit cultural and art organizations. This circumstance makes it necessary for museums and cultural institutions to rely heavily on charitable funding. Philanthropy, as it relates to the charitable act of donating to cultural institutions and organizations, is a noble deed when aimed at supporting the community. However, philanthropic giving does not always come as unconditional support, it sometimes comes with expectations for something in return; or they are predominately motivated by tax deduction benefits, especially with respect to gifts of art. This paper explores the nature and different facets of philanthropy, and how they help museums to flourish or to obstruct their original purpose. I will be presenting public perceptions – positive and negative – of the concept "philanthropy" and demonstrate the complexity of the museum-philanthropy relationship by discussing the Sackler family case and their history as philanthropists. This case study is both unique and exemplary for observing the evolution of charitable practices by wealthy donors and board members. The Sackler family's history traces this evolution from philanthropy as an act of civic pride and source of positive recognition to being the basis of widespread public protests and demands for accountability. This exploration provides an overview of how public perceptions of the Sackler company practices have tainted the family's philanthropic activities and prompted museums affiliated with the Sackler foundation to reconsider their relationship and past support. The purpose of this research paper is to shed light on today's philanthropic entanglements with museums and to express the importance of establishing clear standards and policies for museum ethics to regulate the museum-donor relationship.**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*
Message Framing and Reactions: An Examination of Alpine Sports
No full textPh.D.The present study examines tailored communication intended to bring about behavior change within the domain of helmet use. Through the application of prospect theory, the present study examined differences in participants' reactions to pro helmet-use messages when presented as a loss-frame or as a gain-frame. This study is unique as it tested messages emphasizing helmet benefits beyond physical safety and analyzed differences between participants who are primarily interested in skiing and those primarily interested in snowboarding. The present study was formed as follows: First, 303 participants recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) were issued a survey in which they indicated their preferred alpine sport (skiing or snowboarding), and their current levels of participation and helmet use. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of two message categories; helmet functionality or helmet safety. Within these message categories, participants were randomly presented with either a gain-framed pro helmet message, a loss-framed pro helmet message, or a control condition devoid of helmet-related messaging. Finally, participants completed the survey with sections measuring their reactions to stimuli and their intentions to wear a helmet. To analyze the data, statistical methods including ANOVA, Regression, and ANCOVA were used. While gain- and loss-framed messages were found to significantly outperform the control in terms of favorable message reactions, there was no significant differences between the gain and loss frames. Supplemental analyses revealed other significant differences in regards to region, activity preference, psychological reactance, and behavioral intentions, but the data did not confirm any of the original hypotheses.**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*
Physicochemical Aspects of Phosphate Ore Processing
No full textM.S.Phosphorus is an essential element due to its unique role in life. Phosphorus is recovered from phosphate ores, which are unevenly distributed over the world, with over 70% of phosphate reserves located in Morocco. The continuously increasing consumption of phosphorus presents a threat on phosphate ore depletion and relying on one country for phosphate production. Furthermore, improper water management is an important factor that stimulates eutrophication, which results in deteriorating water quality. The high consumption of phosphates causes the high quality reserves of phosphate to be depleted. Therefore, it is required to improve the available technologies and to develop new technologies in order to enhance the recovery of low-quality phosphate ore. To this end, the study of physiochemical aspect of phosphate ores, such as particle size, surface roughness, particle interactions, chemisorption, and physisorption, could help in enhancing the recovery of phosphorus from phosphate ore and reducing the concentration of hazardous minerals. Physicochemical interactions play an important role in phosphate flotation, dissolution, and crystallization. In flotation, understanding surface interactions and the effect of additives such as surfactants could help in improving the available techniques. In dissolution, organic acids shows promise in dissolving calcareous phosphate ores compared to the sulfuric acid commonly used in industry, however, the use of organic acids to dissolve phosphate ores still needs to be improved. Phosphate crystallization into struvite is a promising method that could assist in recovering phosphorus from wastewater and reducing eutrophication; further, struvite can be used as a fertilizer.**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*
Targeting Acute Stress-Induced TNF-Alpha to Reduce and/or Prevent Depressive Behavior
No full textM.S.Chronic stress and stressful events have a strong correlation with the onset of depression and re-occurrence of depressive episodes. Stress has also been shown to be associated with elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, including Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF). Additionally, patients with depression have been found to have higher levels of inflammatory cytokines. When coupled with the knowledge that certain tricyclic antidepressants reduce TNF when administered chronically, which corresponds to their time of clinical efficacy, this supports that inflammatory cytokines play a role in the development of depression. Previous preclinical studies targeted brain TNF by directly injecting TNF antibody (Ab) into specific brain regions, and decreased depressive behaviors. However, the direct injection of the treatment is invasive, and is not feasible clinically. As such, it is desired to find a better alternative method to administer this treatment while retaining its efficacy as an antidepressant. The present study is aimed to examine the capability of the TNF Ab to reduce and/or prevent acute stress-induced depressive behaviors when administered through a single, perispinal (PS) injection. Depressive symptoms were assessed in both male and female Sprague-Dawley rats using either the forced swim test (FST) or a novelty-induced hypophagia test (NIH). FST Animals received one of five treatments: PS TNF Ab, PS IgG isotype monoclonal Ab, PS saline, intraperitoneal (IP) Ketamine, the positive control, or IP saline, the vehicle negative control. Animals which underwent the NIH assessment received either the PS TNF Ab, PS IgG isotype monoclonal Ab, or PS saline. Following behavioral testing, rats were sacrificed, and target brain regions were harvested for TNF quantification using a WEHI bioassay. Peritoneal macrophages were additionally harvested and cultured for analysis of TNF production to determine peripheral effects of these treatments. Results of the NIH test showed a reduction in depressive-like consumption behaviors in rats receiving the PS TNF Ab, in both male and female animals. Additionally, male and female animals' reduction in latency difference scores was also observed in Female and Male NIH animals also saw a reduction in latency difference scores in animals which had received the anti-TNF ab. The results of the male and female FST were inconclusive due to the presence of confounding variables. In both behavioral assessments, stress-induced dysregulation in the production of TNF by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages was restored to normal (that is, similar to LPS-simulated macrophages from control animals) with PS TNF Ab for both the alpha-2 adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Results from these studies will expand our knowledge on whether the regulation of central and/or peripheral TNF levels may indicate a possible target for treatment of depression.**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*
Increasing Provider Self-Efficacy to Manage Chronic Cancer Pain
No full textUB SON, DNP Research ProjectPain is a significant problem for those with a cancer diagnosis. Oncology providers often use opioid therapy to manage cancer related pain. Access to opioid therapy has been limited due to the opioid epidemic. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released guidelines to optimize pain management for patients with oncologic diagnosis. The goal of this doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project was to create an educational session and evaluate self-efficacy in providers who manage chronic cancer pain. There was a voice over PowerPoint educational intervention used to discuss key points of the guidelines, which included addressing aberrant behaviors, safe opioid prescribing and interdisciplinary pain management. . The Plan-Do-Study-Act was used as the framework for this quasi-experimental study with a pre/post education survey design. A total of 18 advance practice providers were recruited from a level 1-trauma center in upstate, NY. Participants reviewed the educational intervention and completed a series of surveys to assess tool satisfaction and self-efficacy scores. Data analysis revealed a significant increase in the mean self-efficacy scores on the post-education Jackson Opioid Therapy Self-Efficacy tool. The educational intervention was associated with improved perceptions of self-efficacy when managing chronic cancer pain. The guidelines released by ASCO should be reviewed and used to optimize pain management and self-efficacy in providers who work with oncologic patients. Furthermore, future research is recommended to assess if reviewing evidence based guidelines affect patient outcomes
Motor Learning in the Presence of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
No full textPh.D.The full text PDF of this dissertation is embargoed at author's request until 2021-02-19.In response to the growing chronic pain epidemic, a greater emphasis has been placed on finding conservative interventions to manage patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. More recently, exercise strategies using motor learning principles are increasingly being promoted by rehabilitation specialists like physical therapists to improve movement impairments in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. However, our understanding of the process of motor learning in the presence of chronic musculoskeletal pain is underdeveloped. Few studies suggest individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain may present with an impaired ability to motor learn, which could negatively impact the effectiveness of the prescribed exercise. This study takes a comprehensive look at explicit and implicit motor learning, as well as, cognitive and sensorimotor characteristics of the participants to better understand motor learning abilities in a population with a chronic neck pain. Using a cross-sectional study design, we aimed to investigate whether participants with chronic neck pain (n = 17), present with impaired explicit or implicit motor learning compared to age matched controls without a history of chronic neck pain (n = 21). During a single session, participants in both groups performed a repetitive upper limb reaching task, reaching outward to a circle of peripheral targets and inward towards a central target. The repetitive task was broken up into three conditions: an explicit condition where participants received instructions about the order of targets, an implicit condition with targets appearing in a sequential order but instructions about the order of targets was withheld, and a pseudo-random condition where participants could not anticipate the next location of a target. A 30-minute delay was also included to examine short-term retention of the sequence of targets acquired during the implicit motor learning condition. Additionally, participants completed demographic questionnaires, cognitive assessments (attention, working memory, and verbal working memory), and clinical examination measures (range of motion, left/right discrimination, touch localization, and pressure pain threshold) in an effort to better describe the participants with chronic neck pain. Results from the analysis indicated that there was no difference in cognitive function or physical measures for participants with chronic neck pain compared to the control group. As for the primary aim of the study, results indicated that participants with CNP explicitly and implicitly motor learned the repetitive upper limb reaching task similar to the control group. Following a 30-minute delay, both groups retained the ability to perform the upper limb reaching task. Findings from this study may have the potential to inform how rehabilitation specialists develop and prescribe interventions to improve motor skills in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain
Investigation of Blood-Based Biomarkers and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Intracranial Aneurysms
No full textPh.D.The full text PDF of this dissertation is embargoed at author's request until 2022-02-19.Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are lesions within cerebrovasculature with potentially fatal consequences if they rupture. The prevalence in general population is estimated at 3.2%, though it is impossible to ascertain the true percentage as most IAs are asymptomatic. Though the annual rupture rate is estimated to be only 1%, the consequences of rupture are dangerous. Rupture leads to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), which has high rates of morbidity and mortality. Within the first year after SAH, 45% of patients die while 50% of those who do survive are faced with major disabilities. Detection of IAs before rupture would allow them to be appropriately monitored and treated, saving many individuals from the aforementioned complications. Currently, IAs are only detected upon rupture, incidentally by imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography angiography (CTA), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA), or in the uncommon event that they cause symptoms. Imaging, however, is not recommended as a screening method because of its high costs and potential risks to patients. A blood test would provide a quick and minimally invasive alternative to manage IA detection. In pursuit of this goal, our lab conducted a preliminary RNA-sequencing study using circulating neutrophils from patients with and without IA. Neutrophils have been found to alter their transcriptomes in diseases associated with inflammation, similar to IA. Therefore, we hypothesized that the contact between circulating neutrophils and the aneurysmal lesion would produce detectable changes in the neutrophils’ transcriptomes. The original study demonstrated proof of concept and resulted in an 82 transcript signature specific to IA. Subsequently, I worked with Dr. Tutino to use these differential expression profiles to create a 26 transcript biomarker for presence of unruptured IA, achieving an accuracy of 0.90 in an independent testing cohort. In this dissertation, I continued this line of inquiry, substantially expanding the neutrophil cohort to 134 samples and developing new biomarkers using more advanced machine learning techniques. The random forest model using the transcripts identified by LASSO performed the best with a testing AUC of 0.99. Furthermore, whole blood transcriptomes have also been found to be altered in patients with vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, thoracic aortic aneurysm, and arteriovenous malformation. As multiple cell types contribute to IA pathogenesis and we ultimately hope to have our test implemented clinically, I pursued the feasibility of using whole blood transcriptomes to develop predictive models for unruptured IAs. Using this heterogeneous cell population, I was able to develop a predictive model with training and testing accuracies of 85% in a dataset of 67 samples total. The features selected for this model reflect activation of leukocytes, activation of macrophages, and inflammatory response. These ontologies suggest the biomarker, despite being composed of a small set of genes, is capturing processes critical in IA pathogenesis. From this transcriptome profiling work, we often questioned whether the transcriptomic abnormalities we were detecting were a result of aneurysm presence or if they existed before the aneurysm and led to its formation. I examined the genetic landscape around regions with associated risk and determined if any of the genes our lab identified corresponded to those implicated by predicted risk. I found no overlap, suggesting the transcriptomic aberrations we have detected are in response to the aneurysmal lesion and not a precursor to IA formation. I also examined chromatin features in these risk associated regions in multiple cell types related to IA, including endothelial cells, monocytes, neutrophils, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. I found that known genetic alterations associated with IA are present in endothelial cells to a greater degree than immune cells, implying that genetic risk factors for IA are more likely affecting the vascular wall than circulating inflammatory cells. Ultimately in this dissertation, I demonstrate the feasibility of developing blood-based biomarkers to predict presence of unruptured IAs. I achieved success with models built with both neutrophil and whole blood transcriptomes. Further, I investigated networks and ontologies associated with differentially expressed genes and genes selected for biomarkers, finding a common theme of inflammation and cell activation in IA samples. Lastly, from my epigenetic study I reported that these transcriptional differences are more likely a response to the disease as genetic risk associates with endothelial cells. In the future, blood-based IA biomarkers such as those developed in this dissertation will permit screening in greater populations, ultimately shifting IA management from reactive to proactive.**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*
Into the Digital Universe: Digital Cameras from Electromagnetism to Recognition—A Practice-Based Theory
No full textPh.D.The full text PDF of this dissertation is embargoed at author's request until 2022-02-19.This dissertation puts forth a novel presentation of the digital camera. Through analysis of digital optics, image processing, and machine recognition, I chart the specificities of digital camera technologies as having their own form of digital index. By beginning at the turn of the century with the development of the thermal camera—a camera that came into existence in the electronic age—I tell a different narrative of digital cameras, or what I call a ‘digital-only’ camera. From the thermal camera’s optics, I move to digital image processing as a specific form of processing of photography. Across the chapters, I build the foundation for a new theory of the digital camera after the simulation of analog photography and after computer graphics. Case studies highlight the specifics of digital camera processes through an analysis of various kinds of cultural practices and artworks, including my own media art experiments. Analyses of case studies is further framed through the lens of the practices of users, artists, programmers, and ultimately, through a newly constructed inhuman observer with machine recognition. Through both case study analysis of digital camera processes deployed in contemporary digital culture and my own media art experiments, I propose a specificity of digital camera processes as computations of photography. My media art works propose creative ways to frame digital image processing and present a speculative form of digital cameras. This dissertation is proposed as a hybrid research–practice. A selected subset of the artworks created for public exhibition are presented within the dissertation’s conceptual framework. In this way, the dissertation method is a multi-modal inquiry through practice-based media art experimentations alongside technical and cultural analysis.**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*