Journals@UC (University of Cincinnati)
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Educating Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurses on the Effects of Postpartum Depression (PPD) in NICU Mothers to Increase Screening Rates and Decrease Untreated PPD
No full textRecord ID: 115
Award: Excellence in Research Communication
Student Major: Nursing
Project Advisor: Paul Lewis
Abstract: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a medical condition that affects 14-15% of mothers without an infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and 28-40% of those that do. Despite nearly 2 out of 5 NICU mothers experiencing PPD, screening and referral guidelines remain unclear. When explored, research suggests the use of screening tools increases the use of mental health resources among NICU mothers. One study found that among NICU mothers who screened positive for PPD, 93% then accessed treatment resources. The objective of this project is to educate NICU nurses on how to improve screening for PPD among NICU mothers to identify mothers at risk. Education initiatives included the definition, signs and symptoms, risk factors, and prevalence of PPD as well as offered screening tool education and next steps to take in decreasing the rate of PPD in NICU mothers. The material was presented via a Powerpoint presentation with an introductory video and handouts. Surveys were administered to the NICU nurses before and after the presentation to assess prior and gained knowledge. Results pending. The outcome of this project will determine if education initiatives for NICU nurses can positively impact the rate at which NICU mothers are screened for PPD. 
Parental Allergy Status Affects the Severity of Allergic Asthma in Offspring
No full textRecord ID: 27
Capstone Competition: 1st Place Winner
Award(s): Excellence in Research Mentoring
Program Affiliation: University Honors Program, SURF Program (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship)
Project Advisor: Ian Lewkowich
Abstract: Allergic asthma is an increasingly widespread disease that affects over 300 million people worldwide. It results from a maladaptive immune response to environmental factors that causes shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing. Research shows that asthma development is affected by genetics; however, the prevalence of this disease is increasing at a rate too rapid to be based on genetics alone. Recently, researchers began investigating the impact of environmental factors - particularly those present early in life - on the development and severity of allergic asthma. Human epidemiological data suggest that parental exposures (e.g., cigarette smoke and specific job exposures such as flour processing) may influence allergic asthma in children. Thus, our lab utilizes mouse models to investigate how parental exposure to the allergen, house dust mite (HDM), impacts the allergic responses of their offspring. Our data show that when mothers were exposed to the allergen during pregnancy, their offspring had more severe allergic asthma than those with unexposed mothers. On the other hand, when fathers were exposed to the allergen immediately prior to conception, their offspring had less severe allergic asthma than those with unexposed fathers. These findings further the understanding that genetics, the environment, and the interaction between the two play a significant role in allergic asthma disease, even before conception or during pregnancy. By continuing to investigate the impact of environmental factors, scientists can begin to understand the complex development of allergic asthma, identify the risks of disease, and work to improve patient outcomes.
Archeaen Paleontology as an Analog for Possible Martian Life
No full textRecord ID: 230
Award(s): Excellence in Research Mentoring
Program Affiliation: University Honors Program
Student Major: Geology
Project Advisor: Andrea Corpolongo
Abstract: Archean paleontology seeks to locate evidence of life in 2.5 to 4 billion-year-old rock. Documenting the morphology and fossilization of microfossil-bearing facies sheds insight into the search for extraterrestrial life. Carbonate rocks located around the rim of Jezero crater, a 3.5 billion-year-old lake on Mars, resemble fossiliferous deposits of Earth\u27s Archean era. Microbialites, which are formations similar to what could be found on Mars, are any rocks formed through microbial processes. Though carbonate microbialites tend not to preserve individual microfossils, they display structures created by the bacterial colonies that formed them. Orbital imaging and spectroscopy of Jezero crater shows evidence of carbonates near ancient deltaic channels and erosional features. However promising the Martian landscape is, research must be done on Earth to establish what features definitively indicate a rock is of biological origin. We use 3D models derived from the serial imaging of Archean age microbialites from the Gamohaan formation in South Africa to establish overall colonial morphology. Raman spectroscopy is also used to observe signatures indicative of organic life. We show that ancient microorganisms formed complex, web-like structures within the texture of the rock, forming recognizable "peak" or "circus-tent" structures. Fossilized organic material can also be reliably detected through Raman spectroscopy due to its characteristic spectrum. The Perseverance rover performs Raman spectroscopy on Mars, allowing comparison with positive controls from Earth. This methodology may one day allow the discovery and study of potential extraterrestrial life in carbonates far from Earth\u27s surface.
Relationship Tempo for Bi+ Women Partnered with Cismen, Ciswomen, and Gender Minority Individuals
Get PDFRecord ID: 143
Student Major: Psychology
Project Advisor: Sarah Whitton
Abstract: The well-known "U-Haul" stereotype states that female same-sex couples become serious and move in together very quickly. Some data suggest that lesbian women develop relationships faster than heterosexual women, but this conflates partner gender (same-sex vs different-sex) with sexual identity (lesbian vs. heterosexual). To rigorously test this stereotype, we explored differences in relationship tempo by partner gender in a sample comprised solely of bisexual women. Participants were 180 bi+ women in romantic relationships with a cisman (n=107), ciswoman (n=39), or gender minority partner (n=34). 80 were cohabiting. A 4-item scale assessed tempo of getting serious. A 3-item scale assessed tempo of cohabitation. Participants also reported duration of time together before a) officially getting serious and b) cohabiting. One-way ANCOVAs assessed differences by partner gender in the four measures of relationship tempo, controlling for age and income. Results showed a significant effect of partner gender on tempo and duration to get serious. Those partnered with cismen had a faster tempo of getting serious than those partnered with ciswomen or gender minorities. Those partnered with a gender minority had longer duration before getting serious than those partnered with cismen. There was no effect of partner gender on cohabitation tempo or duration. Findings refute the U-Haul stereotype. Among bi+ women, partner gender has no effect on speed of cohabitation and those with male partners had the fastest tempo to getting serious. This highlights the importance of empirically testing, versus assuming, the validity of stereotypes about sexual minorities
Resilient Communities: Partnership Development and Experiential Learning
No full textRecord ID: 301
Award(s): Excellence in Research Mentoring
Student Major: Communication
Project Advisor: Michael Sharp
Abstract: Resilient Communities wants to develop and sustain partnerships in order to continue community building with a perpetually expanding workforce. Without these existing and future partnerships, they will be unable to accomplish the major changes they set out to create. Through the creation of worthwhile projects, our team plans to provide a new steady form of communication and connection to the University of Cincinnati\u27s offices and resources. This new avenue of communication will enable Resilient Communities to have a greater reach to engage with partners and students looking for work/experience.
Resilient Communities Marketing and Promotion
No full textRecord ID: 313
Award(s): Excellence in Research Mentoring; Excellence in Research Communication
Student Major: Communication
Project Advisor: Michael Sharp
Abstract: In the nonprofit sector, it can be difficult for smaller organizations to obtain consistent funding and assistance. They are often fueled by passion from the creators of the organizations. Resilient Communities is run by Robert Eastman Johnson, a graduate from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor\u27s in Urban Planning & Design as well as a Master\u27s in Community Planning. Resilient Communities strives to tackle projects as they are able, but are currently a small team with limited funding. Our team served Resilient Communities by using our prior design experience to create fresh and creative marketing materials to be used for reaching out to potential partners of the organization. We focused on showcasing specific projects for partners that may have specific ties to the types of projects. In addition, we have assisted in updating existing materials like the Resilient Communities website or providing feedback on social media postings that interns are creating while on their trip in Morocco. Finally, we assisted other teams working with Resilient Communities in marketing related challenges Our final deliverable consisted of five reusable templates that were created with the focus of partner outreach in mind, one long form video for use in summarizing Resilient Communities, and some updates to the website for clarity and ease of use. This allows the Resilient Communities team to focus on other projects while still expanding their marketing outreach. 
Photovoice as a tool for understanding the caring connections of vulnerable Black youth and adolescents
No full textRecord ID: 293
Award(s): Excellence in Research Mentoring
Program Affiliation: Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureat Achievement Program
Student Major: Psychology
Project Advisor: Dana Harley
Abstract: Poverty overwhelmingly affects the Black community. African Americans compose 24% of those in poverty and African American minors represent 30% of children living in poverty. The impact of being impoverished not only negatively affects the adolescents\u27 physical health but also their mental health. Seeing these issues, Dr. Harley created Photovoice as a Tool for Informing the Development of a Culturally Sensitive Behavioral Health Measure for Vulnerable Adolescents which questions how African American adolescents from low-income neighborhoods perceive and experience hope. Participants were asked to photograph what Hope means to them and were later interviewed. From these interviews five themes arose, those being basic needs, spirituality, education, personal agency, and caring connections. Seeing the photos and statements for caring connection, I decided to dive deeper and create my own research proposal. Photovoice as a tool for understanding the caring connections of vulnerable Black youth and adolescents questions how Black youth in low-income neighborhoods perceive their relationships with their parents or caregivers. Furthermore, how are these relationships connected to well-being? This study aims to understand the bond between caring connections and well-being. Understanding this relationship is vital in strengthening the Black communities\u27 physical and emotional health and most importantly creating a culturally sensitive behavioral health measure that will assist vulnerable youth. If we as researchers can continue to be mindful and vigilant in helping at-risk youth, we can create a more culturally sensitive attitude surrounding their lives and motivate them to excel in their futures.
 
Preliminary Analysis for Potential Wetland Restoration in Hamilton, Ohio
No full textRecord ID: 235
Award(s): Excellence in Research Communication
Student Major: Biology
Project Advisor: Kenneth Petren
Abstract: Before European expansion, 1/5th of Ohio was wetlands. 90% of these wetlands have been destroyed or dried out to make way for human industry like agriculture, housing, and commercial use. Today, those three species and many more wetland inhabitants are threatened in the state. In Ohio, ¼ of all plant species, ½ of fish species, ⅔ of bird species, and ¾ of amphibian species listed as threatened or endangered are associated with wetlands. Wetlands play a critical role in water control and quality; the increase of impermeable surfaces from urbanization can cause more frequent and more powerful flooding events, which can be avoided by wetland and riparian zones acting as water storage. These areas also offer ecosystem services such as carbon and nutrient storage and sequestration. In Hamilton County, farmland now owned by Hamilton County Parks shows potential for wetlands restoration. Wetlands are delineated by the presence of a high-water table, hydric soil, and aquatic vegetation. To test for these qualities, we will run soil percolation tests, analyze nutrient characteristics of the soil, and conduct vegetation sampling in a known wetland area and compare that data to that taken at the potential site. A successful wetland restoration in Hamilton County would bolster biodiversity in the area, protect some of our valuable waterways, and reduce net carbon emissions. 
The Progress of the CelebrateOne Program In Reducing Infant Mortality in Franklin County
No full textRecord: 172
Award(s): Excellence in Research Mentoring; Excellence in Research Communication
Student Major: Neuroscience; Political Science
Project Advisor: Leah Dean
Abstract: Franklin County displayed a significant reduction in its infant mortality rate (IMR) from 2011-2020, falling from 9.7 to 6.7. Despite this, the infant mortality disparity ratio (IMDR) between White and Black populations increased from 2011-2020. To better understand this phenomenon, we compare infant mortality trends within Celebrate 1 zip codes and Non-Celebrate 1 zip codes from 2011-2020 using publicly available data. Utilizing paired t-tests, we determined that White populations in Celebrate 1 areas had a significant reduction in IMR (9.2-6.4; p=0.0019), but Black populations experienced a non-significant reduction in IMR (19-13.7; p=0.325). Regression analysis further illustrated that the rate of IMR reduction for Black populations was almost 48% slower than for White populations. Finally, through paired t-testing we learned that the IMDR increase in Celebrate 1 areas was statistically significant (p=.0195), while the IMDR increase in Non-Celebrate 1 areas was not. This follows with our observation that in Non-Celebrate 1 areas neither White nor Black populations had significant reductions in IMR (7-3.4, p=0.1197; 14.1-9.3, p=0.0902). These findings led to questioning regarding how pandemic years may have affected these trends. The data hasn\u27t been fully compiled, but current data indicates Black IMR increased greatly county-wide whereas White IMR decreased in Celebrate 1 neighborhoods. Taking this into account, there appears to be a racial equity crisis in IMR across Franklin County. Achieving the county goal of reducing IMR to 5.0 by 2030 in Celebrate 1 areas then is likely to require significant investment of resources into minority communities
Reading Matters - Materiality and (Il)legible Inscriptions in Yoko Tawada’s Das Bad
Get PDFIn Das Bad, Yoko Tawadacreates a narrative that opens up to the physical materiality of language and text. Several pages of this short novel present images alongside text engaging the reader in a multi-layered process of meaning making that challenges conventional reading practices. Language is not only telling a story but also points to and connects with its own materiality spilling out onto the pages. In her novel, Tawada explores the psychological and physical violence of inscribing bodies to make them legible. The only escape for Tawada’s protagonist is illegibility, a water-like transparency that offers material existence while resisting inscription. Reading Das Badin conversation with new materialist theories of materiality, I aim to show how Tawada’s short novel envisionsbodies, identities, language as something fluid and open, something that reaches beyond its pre-conceived bounds and instead forges unexpected connections. If we are taking the violence experienced by the protagonist in the story seriously, we, as readers, have to contend with our own involvement in the process of making legible and inscribing meaning. Das Badchallenges conventional ways ofreading and meaning making by entangling sense and senses asking its reader to read more than just the story