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Beliefs Related to Diagnosing BPD and Complex PTSD
Get PDFThere has been speculation that Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (Complex PTSD) are the same disorder or represent separate disorders on a broader trauma spectrum (Frost et al., 2020; Lewis & Grenyer, 2009). BPD and Complex PTSD share several symptoms but differ in their presentation (Ford & Courtis, 2021). Because the two disorders present so similarly, it could be that clinicians have difficulty differentiating them, leading to misdiagnosis (Miller, 2014). This study examined clinicians’ diagnostic decision-making and stigma toward BPD and Complex PTSD. Participants (N = 426) completed an online survey where they diagnosed a written case vignette and completed measures of their familiarity with each disorder, stigma, and symptom importance for their diagnosis. Results indicated that clinicians were significantly less familiar with BPD than with Complex PTSD; however, only familiarity with Complex PTSD predicted diagnostic decisions. Higher familiarity with BPD was associated with lower stigma toward BPD, whereas familiarity with Complex PTSD predicted lower stigma for both disorders. Stigma levels were significantly higher for BPD than for Complex PTSD, but only stigma toward Complex PTSD predicted diagnosis. Demographic factors (e.g., gender, profession, degree, theoretical orientation) did not influence diagnosis or stigma. No significant evidence of anchoring bias was found in diagnostic decisions. However, symptom ranking strongly influenced diagnosis, with clinicians more likely to assign a diagnosis based on symptoms they associated with BPD or Complex PTSD. BPD stigma influenced rankings of BPD symptoms, whereas Complex PTSD stigma affected rankings across all symptom categories. These findings suggest that familiarity and stigma play crucial roles in shaping diagnostic decisions and highlight the need for improved clinician training to mitigate biases and enhance diagnostic accuracy
News Mediated Reporting and Governmental Narratives about the Enforcement of Elite Criminality: Exploring the Social Construction of Financial Frauds and Discrepancies in Punishment
Get PDFThis study examines how financial crime enforcement decisions are socially constructed through a qualitative content analysis of news articles and government communications pertaining to two specific cases: the Enron scandal of 2001 and the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008. The study was guided by a theoretical framework that utilizes Barak’s (2017) theory of state-routinized crime control. The rigorous analysis of 394 news articles and government communication documents revealed that the media and the state rarely framed the subprime mortgage crisis as a criminal issue. Although the Enron scandal was frequently described as financial crime, journalists and government communicators were often reluctant to identify victims. These findings align with the theory of state-routinized crime control by demonstrating how communication techniques justify the selective enforcement of financial crimes. The analysis also discovered emergent qualitative codes that represent unique communication techniques used to obscure possible criminal behaviors. For example, descriptions of the subprime mortgage crisis attempted to universalize blame by extending culpability beyond Wall Street to include the actions of ordinary consumers or the general public. Overall, these results suggest that communication techniques play an important role in the social construction of financial crime enforcement decisions
Motor behaviors using continuous temporally guided active and passive vibrotactile prompts
No full textVibrotactile tools have become more increasingly common instruments of study in rehabilitation research as they are often small and discreet, cost effective, and stimulate the somatosensory system. Three studies examining motor behaviors during a wrist flexion-extension task guided by active vibrotactile prompts (AVP) were conducted. In Study 1, participants were provided with one of three different AVPs of increasing temporal complexity. Significantly poorer task performance was observed as task temporal complexity increased and participants employed a speed-sensitive motor control strategy consisting primarily of pulse-height modulation. Prior to engaging with the AVP and while attending to a distraction task, participants in Study 2 were provided with a passive vibrotactile prompt (PVP) of either the target AVP sequence (PVP-S) or a stochastic signal (PVP-R). Possible differences appeared early, but participants quickly adopted similar movement patterns after few trials and no statistical differences were observed. Relatively medium to large between-group effect sizes were observed among performance measures, particularly during the performance phase of testing. Such trends indicate that PVP-R could superiorly promote perceptual learning. Study 3 examined possible differences between those provided with AVP only and users given PVP. Despite a lack of statistical differences between the groups, possible differences appeared during early trials, partially indicating PVP may outperform AVP in promoting task performance. These trends were not sustained during the learning phase of the task. The overall results highlight the potential of vibrotactile tool integration into the rehabilitation protocols for diseases/disorders where sensorimotor deficits are common
Development and Application of Xerogel Insulated Glazing for Enhanced Building Insulation
No full textThe research and development of new building materials and techniques for energy saving insulation is a main focus in the building sector. In recent years, the application of aerogels as insulating components of window glazing has shown promising results, however, due to the nature of the synthesis of these materials, they remain an impractical solution. The aim of this research is to address the growing demand for energy-efficient building solutions by leveraging the unique properties of xerogels to improve thermal performance and reduce heat transfer in insulated glass units. This research will address the growing demand for energy efficient window insulation by integrating a transparent silica xerogel into a traditional single, double, and triple pane insulated glazing, significantly lowering thermal transfer through windows and increasing energy efficiency
The Impact of Regular E-Cigarette Usage on Cardiovascular Health in Young Adults
No full textIntroduction: Electronic (e-) cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat e-liquid into an aerosol that users inhale. They are the most commonly used tobacco products among youth and young adults. Short-term e-cigarette use has been associated with adverse markers of cardiovascular health; however, the long-term effects of regular use on cardiovascular health and disease risk remain unclear.
Purpose: The main objective of this dissertation is to examine the impact of regular e-cigarette use on cardiovascular health and disease risk.
Methods: We investigated cardiovascular health in regular users of e-cigarettes and non-users who are otherwise young, apparently healthy individuals. A comprehensive evaluation of cardiovascular health through cardiorespiratory fitness, macrovascular health, microvascular function, and autonomic health was completed.
Results: The major findings of the study indicate that, compared to non-users, young and apparently healthy, regular users of e-cigarettes exhibited impaired cardiovascular health. In particular, reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, impaired microvascular function, and altered autonomic health were observed while macrovascular function was diminished in those who use e-cigarettes for a longer time. Additionally, underlying mechanisms contributing to impaired microvascular function in users of e-cigarettes were also identified.
Conclusion: This work contributes to a growing body of literature on the cardiovascular effects of regular e-cigarette use in young adults offering new insights into mechanisms affected by the use
Supporting and Promoting the Well-Being of Sexual Assault Survivors
No full textThis three-paper dissertation aims to explore how to support and promote the well-being of sexual assault survivors. Paper 1 investigates the relationship between posttraumatic growth (PTG), adverse childhood experiences, anxiety, and mindfulness among 233 college students who experienced sexual violence. Results showed that mindfulness significantly mediates the positive relationship between ACEs and anxiety among sexual violence survivors and also highlights the role of anxiety as a mediator in the relationship between ACEs and PTG. In addition, a serial mediation pathway was examined. Higher levels of ACEs were associated with lower mindfulness, which subsequently contributed to more anxiety and ultimately resulted in greater post-traumatic growth. Paper 2 is a systematic review that explores peer-reviewed studies that examine protective factors for survivors’ well-being and intervention strategies tailored to these marginalized student populations. Twenty relevant studies were selected. This review identified 12 protective factors that promote survivors’ well-being and 15 suggestions regarding interventions for practitioners and/or universities to support underserved clients. It underscores the need for more inclusive research and targeted interventions to better support all college sexual assault survivors, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. Paper 3 seeks to identify mental health protective factors among sexual assault survivors and examine whether these factors differ between those with one minority identity and those with multiple minority identities. Structural equation modeling analysis illustrates the group differences in mental health protective factors. The findings of this study indicate that, compared to sexual assault survivors with one minority identity (OMI), those with multiple minority identities (MMI) exhibit lower resilience and higher PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and SCL (mental health symptoms checklist). The practical implications, suggestions for future research, and limitations of the study are discussed
Senior Living Guide: Strategies for Aging in Place in Chesterfield County
Get PDFThe Senior Living Guide: Strategies for Aging in Place in Chesterfield County provides a comprehensive framework to support the county\u27s growing older adult population in maintaining independence and quality of life within their homes and communities while aging in place. This plan outlines demographic trends, housing conditions, and the needs of older residents, and offers actionable planning strategies to make Chesterfield County a supportive locality for those aging in place. Emphasizing universal design, accessible infrastructure, and integrated support services, this plan promotes a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that aging in place is a viable and equitable option for all residents. Key recommendations include expanding affordable and adaptable housing options, enhancing physical accessibility and mobility, increasing connectivity and access to supportive services, and addressing home maintenance concerns for the aging population. This plan ultimately aims to create a resilient, inclusive, and age-friendly community that empowers older adults to thrive while aging in place
INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF DIACYLGLYCEROL LIPASE-β (DAGLβ) IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND TREATMENT OF ALCOHOL-INDUCED PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY IN MICE
No full textAlcohol-induced peripheral neuropathy (AIPN) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by chronic alcohol intake and is associated with peripheral nerve damage and somatosensory symptoms, such as allodynia. Current treatments lack efficacy and do not target underlying pathology emphasizing the need for preclinical models of AIPN to elucidate mechanisms and novel targets. Thus, the purpose of the dissertation was to 1) characterize a mouse model of AIPN, 2) identify a novel target involved in AIPN and test a pharmacological target as a treatment strategy for AIPN, and 3) test the role of target in alcohol intake. In the first aim, we showed chronic alcohol intake induced hypersensitivity and deficits in spontaneous behaviors ethanol (EtOH) concentration-, time- and sex-dependent manners. Additionally, following long-term alcohol cessation, chronic alcohol-induced mechanical hypersensitivity persisted but cold hypersensitivity fully recovered. In our mouse model of AIPN chronic alcohol intake also produced spontaneous pain and deficits in spontaneous behaviors in time dependent manners. Duration of alcohol intake impacted alcohol-induced deficits in peripheral nerve electrophysiology amplitude and intra-epidermal nerve fiber density. We characterized an extensive time-course of chronic alcohol-induced neuroinflammation in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord and found significant time, sex and tissue effects. We also investigated the role of acetaldehyde, the immediate metabolite of EtOH, in the development of AIPN and found aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) inhibition accelerated and exacerbated the development of chronic alcohol-induced hypersensitivity in mice. In Aim 2, we showed chronic alcohol intake induces an upregulation of diacylglycerol lipase-β (DAGLβ) expression in the spinal cord. The development of chronic alcohol-induced mechanical and cold hypersensitivity was attenuated and prevented, respectively. Additionally, acute pharmacological inhibition of DAGLβ by KT109 produced antinociceptive effects and reversed chronic alcohol-induced mechanical and cold hypersensitivity. The antinociceptive effects of KT109 to reverse chronic alcohol-induced hypersensitivity did not undergo tolerance following repeated administration during alcohol intake or during alcohol withdrawal. Intrathecal administration demonstrated increased potency of the antinociceptive effects of KT109 in the reversal of chronic alcohol-induced hypersensitivity and elucidated a role for the spinal cord in mediating the antinociceptive effects of KT109 in a mouse model of AIPN. The third aim used a genetic and pharmacological approach to investigate a role of DAGLβ in alcohol intake, acute effects of alcohol and alcohol metabolism. Genetic knockout and pharmacological inhibition of DAGLβ decreased alcohol intake and preference in a continuous access two bottle choice alcohol model. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of DAGLβ decreased alcohol intake and preference in an intermittent access two bottle choice alcohol model. These effects were not mediated by any underlying effects of DAGLβ knockout or inhibition on the acute intoxicating effects of alcohol or EtOH metabolism. Overall, these results support that DAGLβ plays a role in the development of AIPN and implicated DAGLβ inhibition as a potential pharmacological strategy for the treatment of AIPN
Love Letter
Get PDFI applied to graduate school to reconnect with and better understand my studio practice, acquire language, and to disrupt my known ways of making. Generally speaking, I see my practice as being about being seen, and unseen, and the pain and pleasure of being perceived. I’ve learned about my ways of being in the studio. I’ve come closer to speaking honestly about my relationship with my materials, processes, tools, how I value my own labor, and how this informs my work. I am grateful for the cascade of small epiphanies that came and left me while I worked in my studio, (I wish I’d written them down) and for the time I was given to take risks, explore new materials, processes, and to love my studio practice again
¡Bip Bip!
No full text¡Bip Bip! is a body of work that investigates the car as it exists in the American imagination, a metaphorical and physical object where culture, identity, and power intertwine. This work uses painting, printmaking, collage, video, and installation to explore the car as a space of expression, interiority, and understanding the world through a marginalized lens.
Central to my practice is my personal vehicle, Guadalupe, which functions as both muse and metaphor, the main driver of the framework within ¡Bip Bip! My practice examines the different but congruent contexts intersections of this iconic American symbol, the car. In my paintings, the car is a space where Latinidad and queerness are modes of expression. In my prints and image transfers, the car is an agent of American imperialism and ecological destruction. As driver and artist, I navigate the larger systemic underpinnings of car culture, while using my body and gender as ways for how this car culture can shape and change.
In ¡Bip Bip! the structure of my car’s body parts gives structure to different facets of my exploration of the car and American car culture: Interior, Exterior, Windshield, Body Shop, and Crash. At the center of ¡Bip Bip! is my thesis work, an installation that threads all these facets together. I replicated Guadalupe within the ICA at VCU museum by placing four car seats in front of a painted wooden “windshield” that frames a video of dashcam footage of the drive southbound on I-95. My installation connects how the car is an interface or prosthetic that changes the perception of the world around us while also creating a space for interiority, rumination, and conversation. Around this installation I hung, salon style, a series of paintings and prints that have been created throughout my Masters of Fine Arts degree, a road map of the path towards this installation, multifaceted, just like Guadalupe