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An Examination of Early Termination from Trauma-Focused Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Literature Review and Mixed Methods Study Proposal
Full text linkThe high rate of early termination from evidence-based, trauma-focused psychotherapy treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impedes maximum benefit from trauma-focused treatment, making it an on-going concern for clinicians. This paper consists of a literature review regarding the problem of early termination from evidence-based, trauma-focused treatment for PTSD in adults. It then proposes a mixed methods study to investigate re-engaging veterans in trauma-focused PTSD treatment, analyzing completion rates, and evaluating participants’ experience using qualitative interviews
Vincenzo Pocci: Cataloguer, Editor, Digital Pioneer
Full text linkAn obituary of Dr. Vincenzo Pocci, author of the Guide to the Guitarist’s Modern and Contemporary Repertoire and an internationally recognized scholar of twentieth-century guitar music
Anisotropy of Nitroxide Radicals
Full text linkThe special utility of nitroxide radicals for probing orientation and motion depends on the anisotropy of g-values and hyperfine values, especially the 14N hyperfine
Copper Line Shapes
Full text linkThe spectrum of Cu2+ has 4 lines, since I = 3/2. Cu has two major isotopes, 63Cu (69.2%) and 65Cu (30.8%). The magnetic moment of 65Cu is 7% larger than that for 63Cu, so the hyperfine coupling is 7% larger. If the lines are narrow enough, one can observe superposition of spectra due to complexes of the two isotopes
Eine Analyse der Rolle der Mutterschaft in der Gesellschaft während der letzten 100 Jahre – Ein Vergleich von Deutschland und Amerika
No full textThis thesis explores the evolving societal constructions and political influences surrounding motherhood over the past century through a comparative analysis of Germany and the United States. By integrating frameworks from gender performativity (Judith Butler), identity politics(Seyla Benhabib), and the interdisciplinary field of Health Humanities, the study interrogates how expectations around motherhood shape and constrain women\u27s health, autonomy, and social roles. Historical case studies—including Nazi Germany’s eugenics policies and America’s legacy of forced sterilization—highlight how state power has used reproductive control as a means of enforcing cultural and racial norms. In the contemporary context, the thesis draws parallels between the rising conservatism in both countries—illustrated by the AfD’s growing influence in Germany and the rollback of Roe v. Wade in the U.S.—arguing that these shifts represent a resurgence of patriarchal structures that prioritize birth rates and traditional gender roles over individual rights. Ultimately, the study reveals how motherhood, far from being a purely personal or biological role, is deeply politicized and central to struggles over national identity, power, and bodily autonomy.
Diese Arbeit untersucht die Entwicklung gesellschaftlicher Konstruktionen und politischer Einflüsse rund um Mutterschaft im letzten Jahrhundert anhand einer vergleichenden Analyse Deutschlands und der USA. Durch die Integration von Ansätzen aus der Gender-Performativität (Judith Butler), der Identitätspolitik (Seyla Benhabib) und dem interdisziplinären Feld der Health Humanities untersucht die Studie, wie Erwartungen an Mutterschaft die Gesundheit, Autonomie und sozialen Rollen von Frauen prägen und einschränken. Historische Fallstudien – darunter die Eugenikpolitik Nazi-Deutschlands und das amerikanische Erbe der Zwangssterilisation – verdeutlichen, wie staatliche Macht reproduktive Kontrolle als Mittel zur Durchsetzung kultureller und rassistischer Normen einsetzte. Im aktuellen Kontext zieht die Arbeit Parallelen zwischen dem zunehmenden Konservatismus in beiden Ländern – veranschaulicht durch den wachsenden Einfluss der AfD in Deutschland und die Rücknahme des Urteils Roe v. Wade in den USA – und argumentiert, dass diese Veränderungen ein Wiederaufleben patriarchaler Strukturen darstellen, die Geburtenraten und traditionelle Geschlechterrollen über individuelle Rechte stellen. Letztlich zeigt die Studie, dass Mutterschaft weit davon entfernt ist, eine rein persönliche oder biologische Rolle zu sein. Vielmehr ist sie zutiefst politisiert und spielt eine zentrale Rolle im Kampf um nationale Identität, Macht und körperliche Autonomie
The Interplay of Physiological Stress, Sleep Quality, and Demographic Risk Factors in Mental Health Outcomes of Parents Experiencing Low Income
No full textThe current work explores the interplay of physiological stress, sleep quality, and demographic risk factors in mental health outcomes among parents experiencing low income. Previous research has found that mothers experiencing low income are more vulnerable to stressors and mental health disorders (Premo et al., 2023). However, the interplay among risk factors and their impact on individual risk for mental health disorders remains poorly understood. Physiological stress was measured through bedtime levels of salivary cortisol. Poor sleep was operationalized through two variables: one measuring sleep midpoint through actigraphy and one measuring sleep quality through a self-report measure. Anxiety and depression were also defined by self-report validated measures. The demographic risk factors were measured through a composite variable including teen pregnancy, unemployment, low educational attainment and single motherhood. We found poor sleep was significantly associated with more physiological stress and symptoms of anxiety. Additionally, the composite risk variable was positively associated with symptoms of depression. We also found that poor sleep predicted worsened mental health outcomes, even after accounting for other variables. In sum, we document that stress, sleep, and demographic risk factors predict mental health outcomes among parents experiencing low income. This work underscores the importance of sleep in mental health interventions, providing implications for policy makers and clinicians to identify sleep-related issues early on in high-risk samples
Exploring Microbial Utilization of Iron via Mass Spectrometry
No full textIron is an essential element for nearly all living organisms, playing a central role in a wide range of biochemical processes. It is crucial for DNA synthesis, immune defense, oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and mitochondrial respiration. As a critical component of enzymes and proteins, iron facilitates its diverse functions through electron exchange, underscoring its indispensable role in sustaining life and promoting overall health at the molecular level. The role of iron in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites forms the central focus of my PhD thesis. To investigate this broad research area, I conducted three distinct projects, each exploring a specific aspect of iron’s role in bacterial natural products. Throughout my research, I utilized mass spectrometry as the primary tool to address these diverse topics. In the first project, I investigated radical Sadenosylmethionine (rSAM) enzymes, which require iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters for activity. I discovered and characterized a novel class of rSAM enzymes, termed cyclopropyl synthases, that catalyze unprecedented chemical transformations on peptide substrates. In the second project, I combined advanced mass spectrometry techniques with extensive statistical analysis and novel computational tools to identify a previously unknown metal-binding molecule. Produced by the well-studied uropathogen Proteus mirabilis, this molecule significantly enhances bacterial fitness. Finally, in the third project, I examined metabolic changes in fecal samples from mice subjected to differential iron diets over a 14-week period. These findings underscore the critical role of iron not only in bacterial biochemical processes but also in host physiology, providing insights into diseases associated with nutrient availability.
Overall, my research highlights the versatility of iron in supporting a multitude of biological functions essential for health and viability. Furthermore, this work demonstrates that integrating mass spectrometry with cutting-edge computational approaches offers a robust and adaptable framework for studying natural products, even in the absence of prior knowledge of their identities
Advancing TKA Biomechanics: From Joint Simulator to Boundary Condition Development
Full text linkThis dissertation addresses four specific aims that collectively attempted to advance the experimental and computational analysis of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) components. The first study focused on the development of a novel whole knee joint simulator capable of simultaneous tibiofemoral and patellofemoral knee loading. This simulator employs custom fixturing to facilitate dynamic, unconstrained, muscle-driven PF articulation alongside controlled TF contact mechanics. Validation against experimental measurements showed strong agreement, demonstrating the simulator\u27s potential as a valuable tool for future TKA design and surgical technique investigations.
The second study verified implant-specific physiological boundary conditions which accurately simulate activities of daily living using in vivo fluoroscopic knee kinematics. This approach successfully recreated activities of daily living such as Gait, Stair Descent, and Sit-Stand, providing robust conditions for preclinical TKA testing.
The third study investigated the performance of a novel TKA insert and its ability to restore more natural knee kinematics. Cadaveric simulations revealed that the medial-stabilized design, featuring increased medial conformity, resulted in reduced anterior-posterior (A-P) translations and more natural knee rotations compared to a symmetric insert design. These findings underscore the critical role of implant conformity in achieving knee stability post-TKA.
The final study explored using retrieved tibial insert components to verify the previously developed knee loading boundary conditions and to validate an accompanying finite element (FE) model. The FE models predict contact area and pressure distributions in addition to knee kinematics. This methodology proved to be successful in assessing the validity of experimental boundary conditions to provide more accurate simulations for the pre-clinical development of TKA implants.
Together, these aims form a comprehensive approach to advancing TKA biomechanics, from innovative joint simulator development and physiologically relevant boundary conditions to the evaluation of novel implant designs and computational wear validation. This work contributes to the ongoing effort to improve TKA outcomes and patient quality of life through rigorous experimental and computational methodologies
Value-Based Healthcare Reimagined: A Mixed-Methods Study on Behavioral Health Clinicians\u27 Perspectives
Full text linkThis study explores how behavioral health clinicians perceive Value-Based Healthcare (VBHC), a model designed by Porter and Teisberg (2006) to improve outcomes relative to costs. While widely promoted in healthcare reform, VBHC poses unique challenges when applied to behavioral health settings. Using an explanatory mixed-methods design, this study first assessed clinicians’ awareness of VBHC through a survey of 23 licensed clinicians at a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) in Colorado. Quantitative findings revealed that one-third of participants were aware of VBHC with awareness differing by role prompting further exploration in a qualitative phase. Semi-structured interviews with eight clinicians provided deeper insights into their awareness and understanding of VBHC. The integration of quantitative and qualitative findings revealed a disconnect between the principles of VBHC and the realities of behavioral health practice. Clinicians emphasized client-centered care, relational dynamics, and incremental progress over cost-driven measures, highlighting the limitations of Porter and Teisberg’s value equation in behavioral health. This study underscores the need to tailor value-based frameworks to the complexities of behavioral health and offers actionable insights to better align policy-level efforts with on-the-ground practices. By advancing understanding of VBHC in behavioral health, these findings contribute to efforts to adapt VBHC to the unique realities of CMHCs and the populations they serve
Inside a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) Process: A Practitioner’s Communicative Experience Navigating Processual and Relational Power Dynamics within YPAR
No full textThis dissertation examines the communicative dimensions of Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), with particular attention to the power dynamics embedded in the processual and relational aspects of the research process. Through a meta-level examination of a nearly two-year YPAR project, this study illuminates how communication can function for YPAR practitioners as they navigate YPAR\u27s complex power structures, thereby addressing a significant gap in existing literature. The study employs Braun and Clarke\u27s thematic analysis to reveal nuanced findings in two key areas. First, it identifies the communicative complexities of enacting multiple adult roles within YPAR, including those of superior adult, facilitator, educator, and trusted adult. This analysis introduces the novel Spectrum of Adult Control as a preliminary conceptual tool for understanding power fluctuations in YPAR practice, highlighting how practitioner flexibility and strategic role pivoting are essential to achieving YPAR\u27s emancipatory aims. Second, the dissertation explores efforts to establish a confirming relational climate for youth co-researchers, applying Dailey\u27s confirmation theory, Gibb\u27s typology of defensive communication, and Wood\u27s framework of confirming-disconfirming communication. This theoretical integration offers new insights into how relational dynamics influence participation and agency within YPAR collectives. The study makes significant contributions to both communication studies and Critical/YPAR scholarship by articulating the intricate intersection between processual and relational power dynamics