Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

2024 Uthealth & Memorial Hermann Quality Symposium Abstracts, Salih Selek

Teaching in Clinics

Every year, the UTHealth McGovern Medical School and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center jointly organize a Quality Symposium, where oral and poster presentations spotlight the outstanding efforts in quality improvement initiatives ongoing at both institutions. Sixty-three teams dedicated to Quality Improvement were chosen to present their projects during the afternoon Poster Session. The abstracts included in this compilation offer a glimpse into the remarkable Quality Improvement endeavors showcased at the 2024 Quality Symposium.

A Cocktail Nanovaccine Targeting Key Entry Glycoproteins Elicits High Neutralizing Antibody Levels Against Ebv Infection, Ling Zhong, Wanlin Zhang, Hong Liu, Xinyu Zhang, Zeyu Yang, Zhenfu Wen, Ling Chen, Haolin Chen, Yanran Luo, Yanhong Chen, Qisheng Feng, Mu-Sheng Zeng, Qinjian Zhao, Lixin Liu, Claude Krummenacher, Yi-Xin Zeng, Yongming Chen, Miao Xu, Xiao Zhang

Student and Faculty Publications

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects more than 95% of adults worldwide and is closely associated with various malignancies. Considering the complex life cycle of EBV, developing vaccines targeting key entry glycoproteins to elicit robust and durable adaptive immune responses may provide better protection. EBV gHgL-, gB- and gp42-specific antibodies in healthy EBV carriers contributed to sera neutralizing abilities in vitro, indicating that they are potential antigen candidates. To enhance the immunogenicity of these antigens, we formulate three nanovaccines by co-delivering molecular adjuvants (CpG and MPLA) and antigens (gHgL, gB or gp42). These nanovaccines induce robust humoral and cellular responses through efficient …

Lean Implementation Difference Between Lean Maturity, Psychological Well-Being, And Employee Engagement Of Nurses In A Hospital Setting, Kevin E. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the differences of Lean implementation in three settings; (a hospital in a health system where Lean is implemented throughout the system, a hospital that has implemented Lean in a health system that has not implemented Lean, a hospital that has not implemented Lean in a health system that has not implemented Lean) between LM, PWB, and EE among nurses in a hospital setting. The theoretical construct of the job demands-resources model is used to base the study. Three survey instruments (Psychological Well-Being Scale, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Lean Healthcare Implementation Self-Assessment Instrument) were self-administered by registered …

The Evolution Of Body Posture In The Sagittal Plane In The Sensitive Growth Period Of Children And Adolescents Undergoing Individual Scoliosis Therapy: A Pilot Study, Barbara Rosołek, Katarzyna Smółka, Diana Celebańska, Monika Szarajew, Anna Zwierzchowska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The shape of the spine in the sagittal plane undergoes evolution, which occurs specifically in children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (IS). The aim of the study was to verify the variability of body features and indicators in relation to the features and parameters of body posture in children and adolescents with IS. Materials and Methods: 61 measurements of children and adolescents (three age groups) with IS were collected. Body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, scoliosis major curve angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, lumbar lordosis angle, spine length, and pelvic tilt were measured. BMI and WHtR were calculated. …

Perspective: The Evolution Of Hormones And Person Perception-A Quantitative Genetic Framework, Christopher I Gurguis, Tyler S Kimm, Teresa A Pigott

Student and Faculty Publications

Evolutionary biology provides a unifying theory for testing hypotheses about the relationship between hormones and person perception. Person perception usually receives attention from the perspective of sexual selection. However, because person perception is one trait in a suite regulated by hormones, univariate approaches are insufficient. In this Perspectives article, quantitative genetics is presented as an important but underutilized framework for testing evolutionary hypotheses within this literature. We note tacit assumptions within the current literature on psychiatric genetics, which imperil the interpretation of findings thus far. As regulators of a diverse manifold of traits, hormones mediate tradeoffs among an array of …

Proceedings Of The Cuny Games Conference 10.0, Robert O. Duncan, Grace Axler-Diperte, Joe Bisz, Christina Boyle, Devorah Kletenik, Carolyn Stallard

Publications and Research

The ten-year anniversary (!) of the CUNY Games Conference combines workshops, idea exchanges, interactive participant presentations, playtesting, and playing tabletop games into a two-day hybrid event to promote and discuss game-based learning. The conference focuses on creative pedagogy, such as playful learning activities or games, that teachers can use in the classroom every day. Day 1 featured interactive presentations by attendees, informal idea exchange sessions, and workshops by the conference organizers. Day 2 featured select presentations and workshops, poster sessions, playtesting and game modding, and casual play of tabletop games.

The Health Risks Of Deportation: Impacts Of Family Separation On Relationships And Wellbeing In Latinx Communities, Shantay Rhea Rocha

University Honors Theses

Anti-immigration policy and deportation practices create multifaceted implications for Latinx communities in the United States. A comprehensive literature review drawing from public health and immigration studies was used to examine the direct and indirect implications of separation of families due to deportation. This thesis synthesizes existing research to illuminate the health threats pertaining to Latinx wellbeing in the context of being undocumented and fearing being separated from their family. Addressing the dimensions of deportation-related health risks, policy makers, health care professionals, and community organizations can work towards promoting Latinx health and well-being in the U.S. to mitigate the health consequences …

Biofeedback Gaming For Substance Use Disorder, Rebecca L. Chevrel

University Honors Theses

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and stress are often predictive of one another, bidirectionally causal, and mutually intensifying. This thesis describes the bi-directional connection between physiological stress-modulating systems and Substance Use Disorder, and explores some emerging biofeedback stress-reduction gaming technology as a potential adjunct to recovery treatments. Improving autonomic balance, often described by Heart Rate Variability, has been shown to be beneficial for physical and psychological recovery, as well as improving self-control. For this reason, regular biofeedback for stress relief could be helpful in augmenting SUD treatment and preventing relapse. This exploration found that presenting it through a gaming lens may …

The Effects Of Covid-19 On Asian American Perception Of Mental Health, Emily Tseung

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study describes a qualitative study using a grounded theory, constructivist approach, which sampled (N = 6) Asian American college students who lived in the United States during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research shows that COVID significantly impacted the Asian American perception of mental health, including mental health help- seeking behaviors and discrimination experienced. The long-term effects of this are still largely unknown. In depth, semi-structured interviews were used to explore the lived experiences of these Asian Americans. Qualitative analysis revealed thematic differences for the following themes: (a) experience with mental illness, (b) mental health help- seeking …

Exploring The Experiences Of Hiv Positive Pregnant Women On Prevention Of Vertical Transmission Of Hiv/Aids In Rural Malawi, Gertrude Finyiza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be the primary conduct that HIV is transmitted to children worldwide. The problem of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is having a great impact on the world's children. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Malawi continues to be a serious public health issue, especially for expectant mothers. The health outcomes of mothers and children remain significantly threatened by vertical HIV transmission, even with improvements in preventive and treatment efforts. The purpose of this thesis was to explore the experiences of HIV-positive pregnant women in Malawi. I conducted semi structured interviews with thirteen …

Cannabis Exposure During Pregnancy And Neural Mechanisms Of Parenting: Assessing Neural Responses To Infant Cues And Parenting Outcomes, Shannon Powers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As legalization of cannabis and cannabinoids spreads in the United States, access and use of cannabis during the prenatal period has increased. There is limited knowledge on the effects of prenatal cannabis use on the parental brain. One way to identify potential effects of cannabis on parenting is through studying parenting brain functions and behavior. Cannabis use disorder (CUD) has been shown to be associated with lower positive parenting and lower sensitivity to infants, but it is unclear by what mechanisms. The following two studies address this gap in knowledge by examining the association between cannabis use during the prenatal …

Exploring Cultural, Health, And Technology Intersections: A Focus On Migrant Experiences, Merna Mina, Sahij Gill

Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections

Despite the plethora of theories and frameworks addressing culture, health, and technology adoption, there remains a notable absence of a unifying theory that comprehensively encompasses all three aspects, particularly concerning newcomers. The Health Belief Model, for example, underscores individual perceptions and attitudes toward health yet fails to consider the intricate interplay between cultural factors and technology adoption among immigrant populations. The Healthy Immigrant Effect, which posits that immigrants often exhibit better health outcomes than native-born individuals, does not mention the role of technology on health outcomes. Acculturation theories, while shedding light on the adaptation process, often fall short of explaining …

Mean Affect Moderates The Association Between Affect Variability And Mental Health, Brooke N. Jenkins, Lydia Q. Ong, Anthony D. Ong, Hee Youn (Helen) Lee, Julia K. Boehm

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Increasing evidence suggests that within-person variation in affect is a dimension distinct from mean levels along which individuals can be characterized. This study investigated affect variability’s association with concurrent and longitudinal mental health and how mean affect levels moderate these associations. The mental health outcomes of depression, panic disorder, self-rated mental health, and mental health professional visits from the second and third waves of the Midlife in the United States Study were used for cross-sectional (n = 1,676) and longitudinal outcomes (n = 1,271), respectively. These participants took part in the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE II), …

Supporting Ontario Public Health Units To Address Adverse Childhood Experiences In Pandemic Recovery Planning: A Priority-Setting Exercise, Kimberly B Harding, Erica Di Ruggiero, Erick Gonzalez, Amanda Hicks, Daniel W Harrington, Sarah Carsley

Student and Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic exposures experienced during childhood, for example, neglect. There is growing evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and related socioeconomic conditions contributed to an increased risk of ACEs. As public health programs/services are re-evaluated and restored following the state of emergency, it is important to plan using an ACEs-informed lens. The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize initiatives or activities that Public Health Ontario (PHO) could undertake to support Ontario public health units' work towards ACEs-informed pandemic recovery plans.

METHODS: The Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative method …

History Of Suicidal Behavior And Clozapine Prescribing Among People With Schizophrenia In China: A Cohort Study, Yi Yin, Chen Lin, Lijing Wei, Jinghui Tong, Junchao Huang, Baopeng Tian, Shuping Tan, Zhiren Wang, Fude Yang, Yongsheng Tong, Song Chen, L Elliot Hong, Yunlong Tan

Student and Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Clozapine is an off-label drug used in most countries to prevent suicide in individuals with schizophrenia. However, few studies have reported real-world prescription practices. This study aimed to explore the association between a history of suicidal behavior and clozapine prescribing during eight weeks of hospitalization for individuals with early-stage schizophrenia.

METHODS: This observational cohort study used routine health data collected from a mental health hospital in Beijing, China. The study included 1057 inpatients who had schizophrenia onset within 3 years. History of suicidal behavior was coded from reviewing medical notes according to the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Information …

Rpe-3100 Therapeutic Recreation For Individuals With Disabilities I, Mary Lou Fierle Ms.

Open Educational Resources

This is the syllabus for the course RPE-3100 Therapeutic Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities I

“I Had To Go There For My Own Safety” Negotiations Of Access And Autonomy Among Dc Birth Settings, Elizabeth Avery Borgmann

Geography Undergraduate Senior Theses

Childbirth experiences are shaped by spatial context. This study considers the relationships between access to, selection of, and experiences with labor and delivery care among Black birthing people in Washington, DC. Informed by Reproductive Justice and reproductive geographies frameworks, I employ a mixed methods GIS design that integrates mapping of potential spatial access with qualitative analysis of community members’ lived experiences. On the quantitative side, nearest-neighbor and 2-step floating catchment area analyses reveal an east-west gradient of potential spatial access to labor and delivery wards, with low access concentrated in predominantly Black and low-income census tracts of Wards 5, 7, …

Spatial Targeting Of Irrigation Development And Water Resource Management To Mitigate Vector-Borne Disease, April Frake, Brad Peter, Grivin Chipula, Joseph Messina

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Scaling irrigated agriculture is a global strategy to mitigate food insecurity concerns. While expanding irrigated agriculture is critical to meeting food production demands, it is important to consider how these land use and land cover changes (LULCC) may alter the water resources of landscapes and impact the spatiotemporal epidemiology of disease. Here, a generalizable method is presented to inform irrigation development decision-making aimed at increasing crop production through irrigation while simultaneously mitigating malaria risk to surrounding communities. Changes to the spatiotemporal patterns of malaria vector (Anopheles gambiae s.s.) suitability, driven by irrigated agricultural expansion, are presented for Malawi's rainy and …

Period Poverty And Menstrual Perceptions Among Unhoused Menstruators In An Urban Center In Southern Ontario, Kristina D N Fernando

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this study is to uncover, describe and examine period poverty among unhoused menstruators accessing an urban shelter in Southern Ontario. Situated in a postmodern feminist lens and explored through thematic analysis, I employ participant observations and semi-structured interviews with shelter residents (n=13) and shelter staff (n=3) to conduct an exploratory case study at Dahlia Women and Family Shelter. The study findings suggest that menstruators at Dahlia experience period poverty and undergo significant challenges to their menstrual hygiene management. Menstrual perceptions were also found to vary based on the menstrual education that menstruators received …

Pediatric Obesity In The United States: Age–Period–Cohort Analysis, Ashley W. Kranjac, Dinko Kranjac, Roxanne I. Aguilera

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

The rates of obesity among American children aged 2–5 years has reached a historic high. It is crucial to identify the putative sources of population-level increases in obesity prevalence among preschool-aged children because early childhood is a critical window for obesity prevention and thus reduction of future incidence. We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data and hierarchical age–period–cohort analysis to examine lifecycle (i.e., age), historical (i.e., period), and generational (i.e., cohort) distribution of age- and sex-specific body mass index z-scores (zBMI) among 2–5-year-olds in the U.S. from 1999 to 2018. Our current findings indicate that period effects, …

Equity In Access For Veterans In The Va Community Care Program, Baligh R. Yehia, Said A. Ibrahim

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

An Exploratory Analysis Of Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Physical Functional Impairment In Icu Survivors, Megan A. Watson, Marie Sandi, Johanna Bixby, Grace Perry, Patrick J. Offner, Ellen L. Burnham, Sarah E. Jolley

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

IMPORTANCE: Physical functional impairment is one of three components of postintensive care syndrome (PICS) that affects up to 60% of ICU survivors. OBJECTIVES: To explore the prevalence of objective physical functional impairment among a diverse cohort of ICU survivors, both at discharge and longitudinally, and to highlight sociodemographic factors that might be associated with the presence of objective physical functional impairment. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a secondary analysis of 37 patients admitted to the ICU in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Denver, Colorado between 2016 and 2019 who survived with longitudinal follow-up data. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Our primary …

The Cost Of Long-Term Care In The Mountain West, 2023, Madison Dwyer, Freddy Nie, Annie Vong, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet examines data on the cost of long-term care for the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah from the Genworth “Cost of Care Survey.” Data on long-term care includes home health care, adult day health care facilities, licensed assisted living facilities, and certified and licensed nursing homes.

06-03--2024 Orsp Newsletter, Liz Williamson

ORSP Newsletter

Center for Population Studies, NSF Postdoc Berg, Quinn Appointed to HEPAP, Smitherman migraine research

Using Self-Assessment Tools And Complementary Alternative Therapy For Chronic Migraines In Menopausal Women, Krystal Rachelle Bridwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Migraine headaches are ranked as one of the highest disabling conditions in the United States. Women who are in the perimenopausal transition phase have a higher prevalence of disabling migraines that can result in a decreased quality of life, loss of income, decreased productivity, and a higher risk for emotional difficulties. The gap in practice is the lack of education on complementary alternative medicine (CAM) and the use of a migraine diary to recognize individual symptoms as a substitute or cotherapy with pharmacologic treatments. The purpose of this scholarly project was to improve clinical practice and outcomes for perimenopausal …

A Word From The Writing Team (June 2024), Pam Walter, Mfa

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

This issue includes:

• Publication Spotlight
• Sign up for the 16th Annual Jefferson Faculty Days: June 5 & 6
• Don’t Forget Summer Writing Time!
• Jefferson Held a Symposium on AI And Research Integrity – And Recorded It
• Jefferson's AI Library Guide is Available on the Library Website
• The OPWPC Canvas Page Offers Helpful Tools
• Scott Memorial Library Archive Renovations are Done—Come See!

Effects Of A Cb1 Receptor Antagonist On Anxiety In Adult Rats Exposed To Thc During Development, Jennifer Aguilera-Fonseca, Karla Colley, Atoria Hamm, Eddie Galarza, Joe Morse, Rachel Ntor, Destiny Pichardo, Vincent P. Markowski

McNair Scholars Program

No abstract provided.

The Curse Of Perfectionism, Joel Small Dds, Mba, Pcc, Fdic

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This article explores the psychological impact of perfectionism among healthcare professionals, drawing parallels with the experiences of professional athletes. It advocates for embracing a growth mindset over striving for unattainable perfection, emphasizing continual self-improvement and the dangers of setting unrealistic standards in demanding fields like dentistry.

Strengthening U.S. Jail Systems’ Response To Infectious Diseases: An Evaluation Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Erinn Bacchus

Dissertations and Theses

Jails across the United States were struck with increased infections and deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have shown the structural make up of jails, lack of preparedness plans, and overcrowding contributed to health risks and poor health outcomes both inside jails and local communities. Yet little research has been dedicated to strengthening jail responses to infectious disease outbreaks spanning prevention measures, data collection, and reentry planning. Gaps include information on the (1) myriad infectious disease mitigation strategies used in jails and adherence to CDC prevention guidelines, (2) development of a standardized epidemiologic surveillance system, and (3) experiences working at …

Associations Between Longer Leukocyte Telomere Length And Increased Lung Cancer Risk Among Never Smokers In Urban China, Jason Y Y Wong, Xiao-Ou Shu, Wei Hu, Batel Blechter, Jianxin Shi, Kevin Wang, Richard Cawthon, Qiuyin Cai, Gong Yang, Mohammad L Rahman, Bu-Tian Ji, Yutang Gao, Wei Zheng, Nathaniel Rothman, Qing Lan

Student and Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The complex relationship between measured leukocyte telomere length (LTL), genetically predicted LTL (gTL), and carcinogenesis is exemplified by lung cancer. We previously reported associations between longer pre-diagnostic LTL, gTL, and increased lung cancer risk among European and East Asian populations. However, we had limited statistical power to examine the associations among never smokers by gender and histology.

METHODS: To investigate further, we conducted nested case-control analyses on an expanded sample of never smokers from the prospective Shanghai Women's Health Studies (798 cases and 792 controls) and Shanghai Men's Health Studies (161 cases and 162 controls). We broke the case-control …