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Time and Punishment: Rethinking Fair Sentencing Across the Lifespan
Get PDFThis paper examines the equitable implementation of incarceration through the lens of "punitive bite" - the actual burden experienced by offenders during imprisonment. I argue that current sentencing approaches, focused primarily on equal time served, fail to account for significant age-dependent factors that create disparate punitive experiences. Two key phenomena make incarceration inherently more burdensome for younger offenders: neurological differences cause younger people to experience time as passing more slowly; and incarceration at a younger age disrupts the critical period for developing relationships, careers, and other temporal goods that compound throughout life. To achieve truly equitable justice, I propose an age-adjusted sentencing framework that accounts for these disparities. While recognizing that other social dimensions also influence punitive bite, I demonstrate why age-based adjustments uniquely avoid compromising relational equality among citizens. Using Thomas Schelling's two-dimensional policy approach, I outline a practical implementation strategy that ensures fair sentencing across the lifespan without imposing excessive sentences on elderly offenders. This proposal reframes equal justice from rigid uniformity to a dynamic process that adapts to the varied experiences of those being sentenced.Bachelor of Art
The Role of NAGNAG 3’ Splice Sites in the Flow of Genetic Information
Get PDFThe 3’ end of introns are typically identified by the dinucleotide AG. Consequentially, given the presence of two possible recognition sites, NAGNAG 3’ splice sites have strong potential for alternative splicing in the human genome, which has been shown to impact human health. However, the mechanisms underlying the effect of NAGNAGs on the flow of genetic information remain largely unknown, and there are limited studies focused on the selective pressures on NAGNAGs, particularly with respect to their effect on the proteome. To investigate whether NAGNAGs have been subject to selection, we computationally identified 13,208 NAGNAGs in hg38 using NCBI RefSeq data. We found this to be a little less than half of what we would expect stochastically, with respect to the total number of 3’ splice sites in the human genome. We then determined the local amino acids that differ between the two possible transcript isoforms for each NAGNAG and found that, for the vast majority of NAGNAGs, the two protein isoforms resulting from the two possible splice forms are very similar in terms of their amino acid sequences, which directly affects structure and function. Together, these findings demonstrate that there is selection on NAGNAGs, indicating that NAGNAGs are not a neutral occurrence. By studying the selective pressures on NAGNAGs and what is tolerated in the genome, we can better understand how NAGNAGs canonically function. This can provide insights into why NAGNAG-affecting mutations cause their observed phenotypes in NAGNAG-associated diseases, such as Stargardt disease 1, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Bachelor of Scienc
Exploring the Socio-Economic and Health Impacts of Landfill Distribution in the United States: A Focus on Income, Race, Poverty, Asthma, Methane Emissions, and West Nile Virus
Get PDFMunicipal solid waste sites (MSWS) are critical for waste management; however, their distribution and resulting impacts on nearby communities remains a gap in current research. As population continues to increase and urban expansion encroaches on landfill sites, it is important to understand the potential detriments of living on or near MSWS as well as which populations are impacted most. This study examines spatial distribution of MSWS across the United States as well as their socio-economic and health implications based on data collected from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the U.S. Census Bureau. Landfill density is assessed at the county level, and health data is compared across regions with various landfill presence. Socio-economic factors such as income, race, and poverty levels are analyzed to determine environmental justice concerns that may be associated with landfill distribution. The analysis revealed a clear connection between landfill presence and negative health and socio-economic impacts. Higher rates of asthma hospitalization were observed in areas with greater numbers of landfills and methane emissions, counties with larger landfill areas showed an increase of West Nile Virus (WNV). Landfills were determined to be disproportionately located in economically disadvantaged places and communities with higher percentages of non-white populations.Bachelor of Scienc
The Relationship Between Housing Insecurity and COVID-19 Infection In New York City
Get PDF This thesis examines the relationship between housing insecurity and household-level COVID-19 incidence in New York City. Housing insecurity is conceptualized as a multi-dimensional issue, encompassing housing cost burden, poor housing unit conditions, residential instability, and overcrowding. Using data from the 2021 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey, this study uses linear probability models to descriptively analyze the extent to which these factors of housing insecurity can predict COVID-19 incidence.
The findings reveal that overcrowding predicts COVID-19 infection across income levels, while housing cost burden is positively associated with COVID-19 incidence among lower income households. Some variables related to poor housing conditions have significant relationships with probability of COVID-19 incidence, but these relationships are idiosyncratic and inconsistent. Residential instability does not appear to have a significant relationship with probability of COVID-19 incidence, but the constraints of this study make the operationalization of that dimension relatively poor.
These findings highlight the ways in which housing influences exposure and vulnerability to pandemic disease and situate this paper within the evolving literature on housing as a social determinant of health. They highlight the need for public policy interventions to mitigate housing insecurity in New York City, a necessary part of building community resilience to future pandemics and public health crises.Bachelor of Business Administratio
APOE4 reshapes the lipid droplet proteome and modulates microglial inflammatory responses
Get PDFExcess lipid droplet (LD) accumulation is implicated in various diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet the mechanisms underlying this accumulation remain unclear. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a droplet-associated protein, and its E4 variant confers the greatest genetic risk for late-onset AD while also being linked to increased neuroinflammation and LD accumulation. In this study, we compared the lipid and protein composition of hepatic LDs in targeted replacement mice expressing human E3 (neutral) or E4 (risk variant), under both baseline conditions and following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Lipidomic analysis revealed that E4 LDs exhibit a shift in glycerophospholipid distribution, with an increase in phosphatidylcholine species, such that their baseline profile resembles that of LPS-treated LDs. Quantitative proteomics indicated that E4 LDs are enriched in proteins related to vesicle transport but show decreased levels of proteins involved in fatty acid β-oxidation. Notably, many LD-associated proteins overlapped with those identified in AD postmortem and microglial 'omics studies, suggesting a role for LDs in AD pathogenesis. To further explore these findings, primary microglia from E3 and E4 mice were exposed to exogenous lipids, LPS, and necroptotic N2A cells. Under most conditions, E4 microglia accumulated more LDs and secreted higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1β, IL-10) compared to E3 microglia, although their LPS response was blunted. These data suggest that altered LD dynamics in E4 microglia may contribute to the increased AD risk associated with APOE4
Examining recent effects of caffeine on default mode network and dorsal attention network anticorrelation in youth
Get PDFObjectives In adolescence, caffeinated beverage consumption is negatively associated with cognitive functioning. The default mode network and dorsal attention network are anticorrelated brain systems that are essentially implicated in attention. Despite the importance of the anticorrelation of default mode network – dorsal attention network on cognitive functioning, no studies have examined the association between this anticorrelation and recent caffeine consumption among youths. This study analyzed baseline data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development℠ Study, the largest longitudinal study examining brain development and adolescent health in the United States, to explore the associations between caffeinated beverage consumption and the strength of anticorrelation between the default mode network – dorsal attention network. Methods A total of N = 4,673 early adolescents (average age 9.9 years, standard deviation = 0.6) had self-report data for two caffeine variables: [a] last 24-hour caffeinated beverage consumption (Yes/No) and [b] weekly caffeinated beverage consumption (continuous). A mixed-effects model was fitted with default mode network – dorsal attention network anticorrelation strength as the outcome. Results Most of the baseline ABCD sample did not consume a caffeinated beverage in the last 24 hours (n = 3,910; 83.7%). Controlling for covariates (age, attention problems, BMI, family, head motion, MRI scanner, and sex), neither the caffeinated beverage variables nor their interaction were statistically significant. Conclusions Our study findings identified that approximately 16% of our sample consumed caffeine in the last 24 hours prior to the magnetic resonance imaging scan. We did not find caffeine to impact the default mode network – dorsal attention network anticorrelation strength in this sample. This study may guide the interpretation of functional magnetic resonance imaging results among adolescents who consume caffeinated beverages
Perceived shifts in routine vaccine confidence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kinshasa Province, DRC: A mixed-methods approach
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted routine immunizations worldwide, decreasing confidence in vaccination programs. We used mixed methods to examine changes in vaccine confidence from before to during the pandemic in HBV-negative adults in Kinshasa who were exposed to HBV in the household, and eligible for HBV vaccination. We measured changes in routine HBV vaccine confidence with a previously validated Shift in Vaccine Confidence (SVC) self-report measure that was verbally administered in Lingala (local language). We compared vaccination confidence before versus during the pandemic using Chi-square tests. We also interviewed participants and coded open-ended responses to the SVC scale to explore context-specific perceptions. From April 2022 to February 2023, we administered the SVC tool to a purposive sample of 41 participants: 7 vaccinees, 23 willing to receive HBV vaccine, and 11 refusers. Participants had a median age of 32 years, were predominantly affiliated with Revivalist churches, and most reported unemployment and no education beyond secondary school. We observed statistically significant declines across all five vaccine confidence domains when comparing responses before and during the pandemic (p<0.01): vaccines prevent diseases (85.4%-68.3%), are safe (80.5%-46.3%), important for a child’s health (92.7%-87.8%) and one’s own health (87.8%-68.3%), and new vaccines carry no more risk than routine vaccines (78.1%-63.5%). Qualitative analysis identified four themes impacting uptake decisions: vaccine confidence, knowledge, risks, and external influences. Rising uncertainty about efficacy, safety, and distrust in the COVID-19 vaccine undermined vaccine confidence among our participants. Factors such as distrust in manufacturers and government, fear of side effects, perceived low illness risk, and inconvenient healthcare access contributed to low vaccine uptake. These insights underscore the pandemic’s impact on routine immunization and emphasize the need for consideration in future vaccination campaigns
Removal of surrogate viruses from water using chitosan coagulation
Get PDFChitosan polymers can serve as effective coagulants for removal of turbidity and particles in drinking water. Research suggests chitosan coagulation can remove viruses, but the effects of polymer characteristics on virus reduction and the mechanisms of reduction are unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dose, molecular weight (MW), degree of deacetylation (DD), and the addition of functional groups on the efficacy of chitosan coagulation-flocculation for the reduction of bacteriophage MS2, a surrogate non-enveloped virus, in artificial surface water used as a model for household drinking water. MW and dose had significant effects on virus reduction; higher MW gave higher reduction, and virus reduction within each MW was significantly higher at doses 3, 10, and 30 mg/L than 1 mg/L. 85% and 95% DD had the highest virus reductions, occurring at a dose of 10 mg/L. Overall, MW between 100,000 and 1,000,000 Da, DD from 85%-95%, and doses of 3 and 10 mg/L gave the highest viral reductions. Under these conditions, chitosan coagulation can produce ≥ 2 log10 and up to 5 log10 virus reduction. Combined with their ability to remove turbidity, chitosan polymers are an effective option to improve poor water quality for drinking water applications
Self-Reported Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFIMPORTANCE: Identifying factors associated with resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic can inform targeted interventions and resource allocation for groups disproportionately affected by systemic inequities. OBJECTIVE: To examine factors associated with self-reported resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic in racially and ethnically diverse, community-dwelling US adults. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study was conducted as part of the Collaborative Cohort of Cohorts for COVID-19 Research (C4R) study, which assessed the associations of the pandemic with self-reported resilience of participants from 14 established US prospective cohorts since January 2021. This report includes participants who responded to the self-reported resilience question on C4R questionnaires. Data was initially analyzed from October 2023 to May 2024, with updated analyses performed from August 2024 to April 2025. EXPOSURE: Race and ethnicity, behavior factors, health conditions, and social determinants of health measurements accessed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic through cohort visits and C4R questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Self-reported resilience was collected via 1 question (from the Brief Resilience Scale) in C4R questionnaires, "I tend to bounce back quickly after hard times." Participants who answered agree or strongly agree were classified as resilient, and those who reported neutral, disagree, or strongly disagree were classified as not resilient. Modified Poisson regression was performed to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and access multivariable-adjusted associations with resilience. RESULTS: Of 31 045 participants (18 672 [60%] women; 10 746 [34.6%] aged <65 years), 1185 (3.8%) identified as American Indian, 6728 (21.7%) as Black, 293 (0.9%) as East Asian, 6311 (20.3%) as Hispanic, 565 (1.8%) as South Asian, and 15 961 (51.3%) as White; a total of 23 103 participants (74.4%) self-identified as resilient. Compared with White participants, Black and Hispanic participants had higher prevalence of self-reported resilience (adjusted PR [aPR], 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06; aPR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.11; respectively) and American Indian and East Asian participants had lower prevalence (aPR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.86-0.94; aPR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.68-0.84; respectively). Higher education, being married or living as married, higher income, and overweight were also associated with higher prevalence of resilience. Being female, having diabetes, and being unemployed were associated with lower prevalence of self-reported resilience. Compared with participants with public insurance only, participants with private insurance had higher prevalence of resilience (aPR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.10). COVID-19 vaccination and infection statuses were not significantly associated with resilience. Modification analyses showed important racial and ethnic differences in how factors such as hypertension, marital status, and insurance status were associated with resilience. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cross-sectional study of 31 045 adults, self-reported resilience varied by race, ethnicity, and sociodemographic factors. These findings highlight the complex interplay of individual and social factors in shaping the perception of resilience
EXPLORING PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THE DESIGN OF PERSON-BASED BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE THE BURDEN OF SNAKEBITE IN CAMEROON
Get PDFSnakebite affects approximately 5 million people annually, with 108,000 deaths, disproportionately impacting disadvantaged communities in tropical regions. An estimated 92 million people live in proximity to venomous snakes and face a triple burden: high incidence of snakebite, limited access to treatment, and poor health-seeking behavior. Despite increased advocacy, no proven methods currently exist to prevent snakebite. Behavioral interventions, informed by lived experiences, offer potential to reduce this burden. This dissertation explored how public health practitioners can involve patients and the public in designing complex behavioral interventions to reduce snakebite-related disease burden in disadvantaged settings. The first aim assessed obstacles and facilitators to Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in snakebite research through key informant interviews with victims and researchers. The second aim applied the Person-Based Approach (PBA) via a focus group discussion with snakebite victims to develop core guiding principles (content, format, and timing) for a behavioral intervention in Cameroon. Data collection included audio recordings and field notes, with transcripts coded in two cycles using NVivo v14.23.0. Findings revealed limited understanding and experience of PPI among academics, with common obstacles including financial and time constraints, difficulty locating victims, and cultural barriers. Facilitators included researchers competent in PPI, snakebite patient registries, effective communication, direct benefits to participants, and involvement of local gatekeepers. Guiding principles for intervention content focused on beliefs and perceptions about snakes and snakebite and identified behaviors to discourage (harmful) or encourage (effective). Participants preferred traditional media - radio and television - for dissemination, with suggested frequencies ranging from bi-weekly to bi-annually. The Advocacy Planning Framework will use these findings to bridge the “knowledge-policy nexus,” demonstrating that snakebite victims can actively contribute solutions. Findings will be co-delivered by an academic and a snakebite victim at community restitution sessions, international conferences, and stakeholder gatherings. Long-term plans include advocating for new sub-targets in the 2029 WHO NTD roadmap or future WHO strategies for snakebite prevention.This dissertation contributes to the literature on PPI in snakebite research and demonstrates that victims can play a central role in developing strategies to reduce burden, through approaches grounded in mutual respect, collaboration, power sharing, and equity.Doctor of Public Healt