Now showing items 21-40 of 42129

    • Disability Is Not Inability: Overcoming Sociocultural Barriers Through Creative Art Making

      Kraehe, Amelia M.; Mugambi, Lucy Njeri; DiCindio, Carissa M.; Shirai, Yumi (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      In Kenya, children with disabilities are often marginalized in educational settings. This research investigates the impact of art making activities on students' well-being and sociocultural connections, particularly when students with diverse abilities participate together. The study also explores how engaging in these activities influenced my own art, research, and teaching practices. The research Utilizes the arts-based participatory action research (Ab and Par) approach and interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) for data analysis. The findings revealed the following (1) improved self-esteem and empowerment; (2) formation of friendships, social connectedness, and a sense of belonging; (3) expression and communication of emotions through art; (4) mutual learning and understanding; (5) enhanced financial well-being; (6) overcoming adversity; and (7) fostering intercultural harmony. These results underscore the transformative potential of inclusive art making activities, offering valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and practitioners who are responsible for supporting and integrating children with disabilities in educational contexts.The Ab and Par approach enabled a broad exploration of the elements embedded in our daily lives, which may appear ordinary but in fact harbor underlying complexities.
    • Education And Evaluation on Carbohydrate Loading Before Cardiac Surgery: A Quality Improvement Initiative

      DeBoe, Joseph C.; Rusing, Jestine Braswell Baxter; Bartlett, Courtney; Rusing, Jack C. (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Purpose. This quality improvement initiative aimed to introduce the essential concepts of oral carbohydrate loading (OCH) and assess cardiovascular surgical nurses’ knowledge and perceived confidence in incorporating OCH into their practice following an educational presentation.Background. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability and a significant source of healthcare spending in the United States. Advanced cardiovascular disease may require surgical intervention, and most morbidity and mortality occur during the postoperative period. A method to improve postoperative outcomes is blunting the effects of the surgical stress response and ensuing complications by limiting pre-operative fasting and providing a clear-liquid carbohydrate beverage two hours before anesthesia induction. Despite the current evidence-based recommendations on OCH and limiting pre-operative fasting, St. Joseph Hospital does not educate the nurses nor practice OCH. Methods. Cardiovascular nurses were invited to participate in a voluntary, online, and on-demand educational presentation on the core essentials of OCH. Participants took a pre-survey to assess their baseline knowledge, perceived confidence in understanding the content, and likelihood of integrating OCH into their practice. Following the presentation, the participants took a posttest to assess the effectiveness of the education on their knowledge and confidence in changing their practice. Results. The averages between the pre-posttest scores were compared using inferential statistics. Knowledge of OCH improved from an average score of 3.6 to 4.3, t (8) =0.04, p <0.05. Confidence in understanding the content improved from 1.8 to 3.9, t (8) =.003, p <.05. Lastly, the likelihood of integrating OCH into practice increased from 3.7 to 4.4, t (8) = .04, p<.05. Conclusions. The educational session on OCH's benefits, indications, and contraindications resulted in a statistically significant improvement in knowledge, confidence in knowing the content, and likelihood of integrating OCH into practice.
    • Effective Expectations: A Binomial Approach Toward Predicting Auto Registrations

      Thompson, Gary; Addison, Paul Nathan; Shockey, James; Aradhyula, Sateesh (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Automotive manufacturers sell their products to consumers through dealerships in a successive market structure. Manufacturers have a vested interest in both monitoring and influencing the behavior of the dealers who sell their products, but the methods by which this monitoring is accomplished can be improved by accounting for variation in local markets. Indeed, US courts have found that the current methods used to monitor selling behavior, called sales effectiveness, are unreliable and ill-suited for monitoring automotive dealerships. In this paper, a method is presented which provides predicted automotive registrations of particular manufacturers for local markets by employing a log-odds regression with demographic covariates. The methodology provides a marked improvement from the methods which manufacturers have historically employed.
    • Embodying the Borderlands: The Borderlands Feminisms, Marginalized Knowledges, Borderlands Activisms, and Borderlands Sensibilities of Chicana and Mexicana Activists and Scholar Activists

      O'Leary, Anna M.; Teso, Barbara Ann; Rubio-Goldsmith, Raquel; Wilkinson-Lee, Ada; Magana, Maurice (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Marginalization of peoples of color within the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands endures. The documentation of the feminisms, knowledges, activisms, and sensibilities of Chicana and Mexicana activists and scholar activists in addressing this marginalization and advancing social and political change within these Borderlands spaces, including academia, is critical. The multiple research questions asked by this study center on how and why Chicana and Mexicana activists and scholar activists develop and express their Borderlands feminisms, knowledges, activisms and sensibilities to overcome oppression and injustices and create meaningful change within contexts of marginalization. By using testimonio methods, 15 Chicana and Mexicana activists and scholar activists were interviewed, via telephone, to provide their detailed testimonios about their expressions and embodiments of these phenomena. Thematic analysis was used to analyze these testimonios, which resulted in the identification and shaping of 26 themes that elucidate the research questions posed above. The key findings reveal that these Borderlands women: 1) develop and express their feminisms by constructing testimonios of survival of marginalization via multigenerational cuentos and by embracing mujeres fuertes as role models, 2) create a feminist consciousness by nurturing and participating in women-centered spaces, 3) develop and express their marginalized knowledges as women’s ways of knowing and knowledges of their homespaces, 4) focus their activisms on a broad range of injusticias, issues and concerns that affect their barrios and communities, and 5) foster and express a Borderlands sensibility by cultivating a deep presence and sense of belonging within these unique Borderlands spaces.
    • Empowering ICU Nurses: A Quality Improvement Initiative for Post-ICU Syndrome Education and Prevention

      Deboe, Joseph C.; Puma, Sarah Christine; Carlisle, Heather L.; Kenneally, Maria (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project was to enhance ICU nurses' knowledge regarding Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) and, secondarily, encourage ICU nurses to implement PICS prevention strategies, with a specific focus on ICU liberation practices, ICU diaries, and music therapy. The project aimed to address existing knowledge gaps, perceived barriers, and the intrinsic motivation necessary for ICU nurses to adopt evidence-based practices that reduce PICS risk among ICU patients. Background: PICS is a complication following intensive care, marked by physical, cognitive, and psychological impairments that can persist long after discharge. New physical impairments occur in 25-80% of patients, cognitive disabilities occur in 30-80% of patients, psychological illnesses occur in 8-57% of patients, and 80% of family members suffer from PTSD after ICU discharge. Evidence-based interventions, such as early mobility, sedation reduction, and family engagement, have shown promise in reducing PICS incidence. However, barriers to implementing these practices, including time constraints, resource limitations, and knowledge deficits, are prevalent. Methods: A descriptive quantitative study design was used for this QI project. The project coordinator employed a pre- and post-survey, involving 28 ICU nurses in a surgical ICU within a large academic medical center. Baseline surveys assessed nurses' knowledge of PICS, perceived barriers to implementation, and readiness to adopt PICS prevention strategies. Following an educational intervention that included content on PICS and preventative strategies, a post-survey evaluated changes in knowledge, barriers, and readiness. Data were analyzed via descriptive statistics to determine percentage changes in responses and shifts in confidence and readiness levels. Results: The educational intervention led to notable improvements in knowledge, with increases in correct responses on knowledge-based questions about PICS components and prevention strategies. Confidence and readiness to implement ICU liberation and ICU diaries improved significantly, with a 450% increase in the number of nurses reporting they felt “very confident” in adopting these practices. Perceived barriers, such as time constraints and lack of resources, saw reductions, with a 35.3% decrease in time-related barriers and a 63.6% decrease in perceived resource limitations. Additionally, openness to using music therapy, a new concept introduced during the session, was high, with over half of the nurses expressing strong receptivity. Conclusions: This QI project demonstrated that targeted educational interventions can effectively increase ICU nurses’ knowledge, reduce perceived barriers, and enhance readiness to implement PICS prevention practices. By fostering a proactive and informed approach to patient care, this project supports the integration of evidence-based strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of PICS and improving long-term outcomes for ICU survivors. These findings highlight the value of structured education and institutional support in promoting sustained improvements in critical care settings.
    • Empowering Parents: Enhancing Cyberbullying Awareness and Communication in Adolescent Primary Care

      Edmund, Sara; Trauscht, Alyssa Clare; Gallagher, Shawn; Daly, Patricia (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Purpose: This DNP project aims to design, implement, and evaluate an educational intervention that enhances parental knowledge, communication strategies, and confidence in addressing cyberbullying among adolescents during well-child visits. Background: Cyberbullying is a prevalent issue affecting adolescent mental health, yet parents often lack adequate knowledge and skills to address it. This project addresses this gap through a targeted educational intervention in a primary care setting. Methods: A total of 10 parents of adolescents aged 10-18 participated in the educational session. Pre- and post-education surveys assessed changes in participants' knowledge, communication strategies, and confidence levels. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired t-test. Results: The pre-and post-surveys indicated a marked improvement in parental knowledge about cyberbullying, with post-survey scores reaching 100% accuracy on knowledge-based questions. While familiarity, preparedness, and confidence levels remained stable, qualitative feedback showed that parents valued the session and intended to discuss cyberbullying with their children. Conclusions: The educational intervention improved parents' knowledge and confidence in addressing cyberbullying. The observed changes demonstrate meaningful, real-world improvements in parental preparedness and engagement. This project highlights the potential of integrating cyberbullying education into routine pediatric care as a practical strategy for enhancing parental involvement in managing adolescent online safety.
    • Enhancing Provider Education on the Concomitant Use of Psychedelic Substances and Psychotropic Medications

      Young, Janay; YARYAN, HEATHER RENEE; Shaver, Joan; Edmund, Sara (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Purpose: The purpose of this project was to enhance provider knowledge of the clinical considerations involved in the concurrent use of psychedelic substances and psychotropic medications and promote patient-centered harm reduction strategies. Background: Limited knowledge existed about drug-drug interactions between psychedelics and psychotropic medications, despite both influencing similar neurotransmitters and metabolic pathways. This project focused on three substances—lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Additionally, stigma associated with psychedelic use often prevents patients from disclosing non-clinical substance use. Incorporating a harm-reduction framework in clinical practice encourages open communication, supporting patient autonomy, enhancing safety, and improving treatment outcomes. Methods: This project was part of a quality improvement initiative that included an educational session designed to increase provider knowledge, attitudes, and motivation. The session, delivered via a prerecorded presentation, covered the pharmacological interactions between psychedelics and psychotropic medications, common adverse effects, and harm-reduction strategies. Pre- and post-surveys assessed the intervention’s effectiveness. Results: Limited participation and a small sample size (n = 1) impacted the statistical significance and generalizability of the findings. However, survey results indicated that the intervention partially improved provider knowledge and confidence in discussing psychedelics, although some knowledge gaps persisted. The provider demonstrated high motivation throughout, suggesting sustained engagement to support future learning. Expanding participation and addressing specific gaps were recommended to refine the intervention and increase its impact. Conclusions: This project underscored the importance of provider education on the interactions between psychedelic substances and psychotropic medications to enhance patient safety and improve harm reduction efforts. While initial results showed that targeted education boosted knowledge and confidence, greater participation is essential to validate these findings. Expanding research and integrating psychedelic education into mental health practice will be key to advancing clinical care and optimizing patient outcomes in this emerging area.
    • Evaluating Group Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression and Trauma-Related Symptoms

      Young, Janay R.; Alapizco, Isela; Lacasse, Cheryl L.; Castillo, Erica (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project evaluates the efficacy of group ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) in treating depressive symptoms, trauma-related symptoms (i.e., intrusion, avoidance, cognition and mood, arousal and reactivity), and suicidality in comparison to individual KAP and a mix of individual/group KAP.Background: Adjunct group psychotherapy may enhance ketamine’s efficacy and facilitate enduring therapeutic outcomes. A Treatment Clinic in the Southwest (TCSW) offers group KAP for clients predominantly presenting with depressive and trauma-related symptoms. To date, an evaluation of TCSW’s group KAP program outcomes has not been conducted to assess its effectiveness in addressing depressive symptoms, trauma-related symptoms, and suicidality. Methods: This evaluation, adhering to CDC guidelines, employed paired t-tests to assess group KAP efficacy by comparing pre-and post-intervention changes in depressive (PHQ-9), trauma-related (PCL-5), and suicidality (PHQ-9 Q9) symptoms. A one-way ANOVA compared group KAP effectiveness to individual and mixed KAP approaches. The study spanned from June 2021 to May 2024, examining improvements in depression, trauma symptoms (intrusion, avoidance, cognition/mood changes, arousal/reactivity alterations), and suicidality, aiming to elucidate group KAP's efficacy in treating depressive symptoms, trauma-related symptoms, and suicidality. Results: Statistical analysis using paired t-tests revealed that group KAP proved to be the most effective in addressing trauma-related symptoms, encompassing intrusion, avoidance, cognition and mood changes, and alterations in arousal and reactivity. Clients with depressive symptoms also showed improvement through group KAP. However, suicidality, as assessed by the ninth question of the PHQ-9 focusing on suicidal thoughts, remained largely unchanged in this treatment modality. ANOVA findings indicate comparable effectiveness across the different KAP formats (group KAP, individual KAP, or mixed individual/group KAP) in treating depressive symptoms, trauma-related symptoms, and suicidality. Discussion: The results demonstrated the efficacy of group KAP, with optimal effectiveness in addressing trauma-related symptoms and moderate improvement in depressive symptoms. The impact on suicidality was less evident. Comparable effectiveness across KAP formats (group, individual, mixed) suggests similar therapeutic benefits, enabling treatment flexibility based on client preferences, practical considerations, and specific therapeutic goals without compromising efficacy.
    • Evidence-Based Education to Enhance Swim School Staff Knowledge Regarding Drowning Terminology

      Gallagher, Shawn; Trujillo, Amber; Edmund, Sara; Sparks, John (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Purpose. The purpose of this project is to educate staff at Hubbard Family Swim School regarding correct drowning terminology, how to discuss caregiver concerns regarding dry drowning, what symptoms to look out for after a drowning event, and to evaluate their perceived comfort level with discussing drowning terminology with caregivers of swimmers at Hubbard Family Swim School. Background. The World Health Organization and The World Congress of Drowning revised the definition of drowning in 2002. Despite this, studies have shown that over 25 different definitions of drowning are still being used in the literature and medical community. Another study showed that peer-reviewed articles from 2010 to 2016 discussing drowning used non-accepted terminology regarding drowning. This indicates that education is still needed to discuss correct drowning terminology. Many cases of alleged dry drowning are reported every year, although each case has been found to be due to an underlying medical diagnosis. Methods. This quality improvement project consisted of conducting an in-person educational session for a single group of swim school staff members. The participants underwent a pretest and posttest questionnaire to evaluate the effectiveness of the presentation. A convenience sample was used to recruit participants for this project. Participants were sent an email with information regarding the project along with the disclosure form and then given the choice to participate. Results. A total of seven eligible participants participated in this project. All seven participants completed the pretest, educational session, and posttest. The scores showed increased participant knowledge between the pretest and posttest surveys for the knowledge-based questions. The average score on the pretest survey was 17.14%. For the posttest survey, all seven participants scored 5/5 (100%) on the five knowledge-based questions. This data was analyzed, and the results were considered statistically significant. Conclusion. This project was highly effective since there was a statistically significant increase in the knowledge-based questions. The posttest survey showed increased participants' comfort, familiarity, and knowledge of dry drowning, drowning terminology, and signs and symptoms to look out for after a drowning event.
    • Evolutionary Landscapes and Resurfacing Processes of Planetary Surfaces

      McEwen, Alfred S.; Mills, Mackenzie; Hughes, Amanda N.; Byrne, Shane; Andrews-Hanna, Jeffrey C.; Bray, Veronica J. (The University of Arizona., 2025)
      Geomorphology is the study of features on the surface of Earth and other planetary bodies. It is an important tool to study the evolution of solar system bodies, and how they relate to what we know about Earth. Spacecraft exploration has provided high-quality data leading to unprecedented discoveries about the geological inner-workings of other planets, moons, and bodies of the solar system. This dissertation presents a multi-faceted study of current geomorphology on planetary surfaces and how it can be used to determine past geologic history where little or no field data exists. This includes (1) using imagery to observe types of surface features, (2) analyzing how features are distributed over a planetary surface, (3) identifying processes that can cause local resurfacing on planetary surfaces, and (4) modeling how such processes may have altered the appearance of planetary surfaces. This dissertation has two main planetary focuses: (1) Mars, specifically the northern lowlands, and (2) Europa and the icy satellites. In Chapter 1, I summarize the state of knowledge about the northern plains on Mars and their past geologic history. I also summarize the current knowledge about Europa and the processes suggested to be active on the icy satellites. In Chapter 2, I present a study of pitted cones and their population alignments within Utopia Planitia (a northern plains’ basin) on Mars, along with a local geomorphologic map. In Chapter 3, I present the first global dataset of pitted cones on Mars using a deep learning technique. In Chapter 4, I study band-like features on the surface of Mars and use modeling to explore how they may have formed. In Chapter 5, I investigate how seismic shaking may be resurfacing local regions on icy satellites. In Chapter 6, I present the conclusions of this dissertation research and its implications for the remaining questions about planetary surfaces. Chapter 7 contains appendices and author contributions. Chapter 8 contains references.
    • From Functional Architecture to Cultural Heritage: Unveiling the Significance, Evolution, and Present Challenges of the Catalan Masia

      Robinson, Clare M.; Estrany Bover, Montserrat; Weinstein, Beth M.; Chorover, Gina (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      A Masia is a traditional type of construction that originated for agricultural purposes in the early 10th century in the northern Mediterranean side of Spain. This type of construction, also known as Mediterranean or Catalan farmhouse is the main building type in the Mas, an agricultural site composed of the main house (Masia), the agricultural land that surrounds it, forests, and ranches. For many decades, Masies were the center of family life, with members working the fields from a young age. They also served as early navigational landmarks in towns, before named roads and streets existed. Each Masia represented the family that owned it, and its name was often linked to nearby landscape features or other local elements. This naming tradition is why the names of these houses were commonly preceded by the words Cal, Can, Mas, or Ca (shortened forms of the Catalan word casa, meaning house), followed by either the family’s last name or notable features of the surrounding environment. In other words, Masos and Masies are, and should be considered as, “Spatial Biographies”. Understanding Masies as spaces that hold historical and cultural narratives essential to understanding the past and informing future activism. In recent decades, the expansion of urban areas, together with the agricultural policies of the European Union, and the changes in agricultural production, have led to widespread abandonment of these lands, severing the traditional relationship between the farmhouses and their fields. As a result, many Masies have been repurposed into summer homes, secondary residences, rural tourist accommodations, or left abandoned. This thesis examines the current state of these farmhouses, focusing on the challenges they face today. The survey included in this research is centered on Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana, a small town in the central-southern area of Catalonia, Spain. The methodology combines physical and theoretical approaches, including a chronological analysis to trace the historical events that contributed to the decline of vernacular landscapes and Masies, an evaluation of existing heritage protection policies in Spain, and a survey to determine the current condition of these buildings. Additionally, geospatial mapping and data collection are employed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the present rural landscape in a specific region. The findings of this research will target improvements in local heritage conservation policies and procedures, addressing a gap in the protection of Masies which has thus far remained underdeveloped. Furthermore, the study offers a better understanding and interpretation of the significance of these farmhouses to improve their conservation efforts, as well as their incorporation in rural development plans.
    • GABA-T Inhibition and Its Effects on the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Aging

      Stern, Jennifer; Renquist, Benjamin; Ngu, Emily; Yao, Guang (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Outside of its role in the central nervous system as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, ɣ-aminobutyric-acid (GABA) acts as a hepatokine within the liver. NAFLD is associated with increased risk of developing HCC. We have previously demonstrated obesity increases production and excretion of hepatic GABA. Furthermore, GABA can drive the progression of HCC. In regards to aging, obesity shortens lifespan and healthspan, thus contributing to accelerated aging. We performed two studies assessing the effects of GABA-transaminase inhibition on NAFLD-associated HCC and age-associated metabolic and physical declines. To assess the role of GABA within NAFLD-associated HCC, we created an accelerated diet-sensitive mouse model and targeted hepatic GABA production using ethanolamine-O-sulfate (EOS), a GABA-transaminase inhibitor. We found HCC decreased mRNA expression of the GABA shunt enzymes (GABA-transaminase and succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase), decreased mRNA expression of export-type GABA transporters (SLC6A12 and SCL6A13), and decreased mRNA expression of GABA A receptor subunits. Overall, GABA-transaminase inhibition using EOS had no effect on tumor burden after 16 weeks of exposure to cancer-causing stimuli. To assess the role of GABA in aging, we tested measures of metabolic and physical performance in 6 months-old-, 12 months-old-, and 18 months-old mice. After administering EOS for 4 weeks, we observed modest improvements to glucose clearance, basal insulin, and all-limb grip strength in aged mice. Additionally, GABA-transaminase inhibition caused weight loss and lowered serum triglycerides in both young and aged mice.
    • Ideal Theory

      Hammond, Mike; Pescaru, George-Michael; Henderson, Robert; Fountain, Amy (The University of Arizona., 2025)
      The puzzle of how children are able to acquire linguistic structures and principles with seemingly little to no input to guide them – the “poverty of the stimulus” – has long motivated research in linguistics, particularly in generative syntax, where it has shaped the search for innate principles of grammar. I propose that the poverty of the stimulus is not an empirical generalization, but an artifact of model choice: the stimulus can be “enriched” simply by using a formalism that accounts for the interactions between the subsymbolic structures underlying symbolic language use. In this dissertation, I develop such a formalism using ideals, collections of subsymbolic cognitive patterns reflecting the range of variation in the cognitive representation for some concept, as the basic structural element. By exploiting the combinatorial properties of ideals, agents of a model gain access to vast stores of indirect positive evidence in the input that they can use to overcome the poverty of the stimulus. To show how, I build models of anaphoric one, Principle C, and the interaction between wh-movement and the complex noun phrase island constraint, all commonly considered evidence of an impoverished stimulus. In each case, agents can use ideals to construct linguistic representations that reflect the observed behavior by relying only on evidence freely available in the input. These examples demonstrate a set of strategies for solving poverty of the stimulus puzzles in general – without the need for innate grammatical principles.
    • Implications of Non-Compositional Effects on Spectral Characterization of Natural and Artificial Space Objects

      Reddy, Vishnu; Battle, Adam; Asphaug, Erik; Barnes, Jessica; Furfaro, Roberto; Sanchez, Juan (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      The study of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) is one of a few sub-disciplines of astronomy and planetary science that offers researchers the thrill of acquiring tangible samples related to their astronomical targets. Furthermore, these studies can help better understand impactor threats to life on Earth and have real and actionable consequences. Although the official mandates for NASA are to detect, track, and characterize NEAs larger than 140 m, characterization lags behind the pace of detection despite being crucial for understanding the threat posed by these targets. Visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy can provide information about asteroid surface properties, including specific minerals present on the surface. Spectroscopic measurements can be altered, however, by both observational and physical, non-compositional effects that may distort the analysis of the asteroid’s surface. Among these alteration effects are grain size variations, metal content, shock darkening, space weathering, and phase angle. This dissertation explores a selection of these alteration effects (shock darkening, space weathering, phase angle) using laboratory studies of meteorites, visible to NIR spectroscopy and photometry of asteroids, and visible spectroscopy of geostationary satellites. The studies presented here represent hundreds of nights of observations and the development of a visible spectroscopy data processing pipeline. Results include the first evidence of observed shock darkening on the surface of an NEA, multi-year spectral monitoring of an active asteroid to test space weathering hypotheses, and an atlas of spectral phase variations in geostationary satellites visible from Tucson, AZ. In addition to probing these spectral alteration effects, these studies also reveal interesting implications for the H chondrite parent body and provide a baseline of artificial object spectra for differentiating between natural and artificial objects in near-Earth space. Although these results are very useful, they also highlight the ongoing need for NEA characterization work. Additional studies of space weathering are especially critical since this is often invoked for explaining asteroid spectral features, but the effects on asteroids are not fully understood.
    • Increasing Pediatric Hospitalist Knowledge of Evidence-Based 15- and 30-Month Developmental Milestones

      Bouchard, Lindsay A.; Molina, Tiffany Lourdes; Williams, Deborah K.; Riggs, Kelli (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to provide an evidence-based educational presentation to inpatient pediatric hospitalists with the intent to improve provider knowledge on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated developmental milestones for the 15-and-30 month well child visits. Background: Recent updates through the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” program was conducted to enhance early developmental surveillance and screening amongst providers in order to identify developmental delays and disabilities to ensure timely interventions and improve patient outcomes. Current evidence suggests that there is a need for further inpatient provider education on these modifications provided by the AAP to improve the continuity of care amongst pediatric patients. Methods: This DNP group project utilized a pre-and posttest survey to assess provider knowledge on the updated 15-and 30-month developmental milestones and their evaluation on the applicability of knowledge into practice within an inpatient setting. Descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze the participants’ familiarity with the new 15-and 30-month developmental milestones and their applicability of assessing these milestones in practice. Average scores from the pre-and posttest surveys were collected and compared using a paired t-test. Results: A total of three participants completed the requirements of this DNP project which included viewing the pre-recorded PowerPoint and completing the pre/posttest surveys. The mean pretest score was 5.4/8 (67%) and mean posttest score was 7.3/8 (92%) with a p-value of 0.037. These results demonstrate a 25% increase in knowledge of developmental milestones. One provider (33%) ‘agreed’ and two providers (67%) ‘strongly agreed’ that they learned information from the intervention. Finally, one provider (33%) ‘agreed’ and two providers (67%) ‘strongly agreed’ that the presented information was applicable to their current practice. Conclusion: This short educational intervention showed a statistically significant increase in provider knowledge of updated 15- and 30-month milestones (p = 0.037). This finding was supported by 100% of providers reporting that they learned information from this intervention. Despite the small sample size, a statistical significance was found indicating the effectiveness of the intervention and assumes that there may be a much larger impact if this intervention can reach additional pediatric inpatient providers. Additionally, 100% of participants acknowledged that the information provided in the educational presentation was applicable to their current practice as an inpatient pediatric provider. This may indicate the important role of understanding pediatric development in managing disease in the hospital setting.
    • Increasing Pediatric Primary Care Providers Knowledge and Confidence Level of Screening for Depression in Caregivers of Chronically Ill Pediatric Patients

      Williams, Deborah K.; Chavez, Aisha Michelle; Shirley, Electine N.; Godfrey, Timian M. (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Purpose: The purpose of this DNP Quality Improvement (QI) project is to provide education on increasing providers’ knowledge and confidence level of screening for depression in caregivers of chronically ill pediatric patients. Background: Chronic diseases in children are defined as health conditions that persist for more than three months or have a high probability of recurring at least three times in the recent year. Having a child diagnosed with a chronic disease is associated with losing the healthy child that caregivers thought they had. Providing care for a child with a chronic health problem can cause depressive symptoms in caregivers. Increased caregiving demands may cause chronic stress and emotional as well as physical fatigue, which can lead to caregiver depression. A reliable, validated tool that can be used to screen for depression in caregivers is the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Utilizing this screening tool as a future implementation in clinic can aid in identifying depression in the caregiver population of chronically ill pediatric patients. Methods: A pretest-posttest survey was used to assess provider knowledge and confidence level of screening to change practice. The pretest-posttest questionnaires were delivered using Qualtrics to generate, collect, and analyze data. The project was implemented over a 2-week period at a federally qualified health center (FQHC), El Rio Community Health Center Pediatric Department in Tucson, Arizona. The participants were given 1 week to complete the pretest-posttest questionnaire. Results: A total of 15 pediatric primary care providers participated in the educational intervention PowerPoint and completed the pretest and posttest. Ten of those 15 completed the evaluation Likert-based questions. A 50% response rate was achieved as the original email was sent to 30 pediatric providers. After participating in the educational intervention, more than half of the participants acknowledged that their confidence level was above an 8/10, where 10 were “very comfortable,” and 80% of the 10 evaluation question participants answered the intend to apply this knowledge in clinical practice. Conclusions: Providing an educational intervention regarding evidence-based information on the importance of screening for depression and mental health concerns in Arizona was an effective way to increase pediatric providers’ knowledge and confidence level in screening for depression in caregivers of chronically ill children by utilizing the PHQ-9 tool. Future recommendations include implementing the screening of these caregivers in clinical practice by pediatric primary care providers, with regard and intent of referring to the embedded behavioral health program at El Rio.
    • Interparental Conflict, Support and Affection, and Coparenting Alliance Among Lower-Income, Unmarried Couples During the Transition to Parenthood

      Curran, Melissa; Aroz-Moscoso, Grace; Barnett, Melissa; Knapp, Darin (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Guided by family systems theory and the spillover hypothesis, data from the Building Strong Families project was used to test how mothers’ and fathers’ constructive conflict, destructive conflict, and support and affection were associated with mothers’ and fathers’ coparenting alliance by utilizing a strengths-based approach. The study consisted of 1,516 different-sex couples from the United States who were primarily low-income, unmarried and experiencing the transition to parenthood when their children were around 36 months of age. The current study results are reported here, while noting that multiple tests of model fit yielded poor model fit; thus, the findings reported here should be interpreted with caution. The study findings provided support for family systems and the spillover hypothesis, specifically in regard to instances of positive spillover, such that higher constructive conflict and support and affection (e.g., partner encouragement) for both mothers and fathers was associated with higher coparenting alliance for both mothers and fathers. However, the current study did not find support for negative spillover seeing as mothers’ and fathers’ destructive conflict was not significantly associated with coparenting alliance. These results underscore the importance of including a variety of constructs, and reports from both mothers and fathers, to understand more about coparenting alliances for these families. Further, the current study highlights key areas within romantic relationships that, when strengthened, have the potential to positively spillover into other areas of the family.
    • It's Not The Students' Fault: A Qualitative Study on the Ways in Which Academic Capitalism Impacts College Student Food Insecurity

      Mars, Matt; Riebe, Bridgette J.; Rhoades, Gary; Torres, Robert; Martinez, Suzanna (The University of Arizona., 2025)
      This research explores the vital role of campus pantries in decreasing food insecurity among college students, revealing significant systemic challenges rooted in academic capitalism. This dissertation is based on qualitative methods to interview thirteen employees at six higher education institutions to understand how systemic practices further perpetuate or mitigate food insecurity. Findings from this study highlight that the reliance on external funding creates instability and highlights a disparity between performative institutional support and the genuine commitment needed for sustainable operations. Findings suggest that staff members expressed a desire for consistent funding, emphasizing the inadequacy of current practices that often disguise underlying issues. Employing the concept of organizational theater, the study illustrates how curated displays of support can obscure the urgent need for systemic change. Additionally, the research utilizes the framework of structural violence to uncover how institutional policies marginalize vulnerable populations, perpetuating food insecurity. By addressing the root causes, stakeholders can develop interventions that go beyond mere symptom management. Recommendations for improving practice include enhancing communication between pantry staff and university leadership, establishing formalized funding strategies, and fostering direct engagement to better align resources with needs. Ultimately, the findings advocate for a multifaceted approach that balances external funding with genuine institutional commitment. By prioritizing authentic support for campus pantries, universities can create a more equitable environment that empowers all students to thrive, reinforcing their mission to promote education and providing opportunities for every student to graduate.
    • Is Vigilance Something to Keep an Eye on? Understanding Ethnic Variance in Cardiovascular Disease Risk

      Ruiz, John M.; Ibarra Mevans, Amelia; Sbarra, David A.; Hamann, Heidi A. (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Social vigilance, the active behavior of scanning one’s environment for possible interpersonal challenges or threats, is associated with the activation of stress responses related to downstream disease outcomes, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hispanics/Latinxs (H/L) living in the U.S. navigate significant economic, psychosocial, and physical stressors that may influence their vigilant behavior including high rates of poverty, neighborhood segregation, interpersonal discrimination, and poor healthcare access. Despite greater stress exposure, H/L exhibit relatively better physical health and lower mortality compared to Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), a phenomenon known as the Hispanic Health Paradox. The sociocultural hypothesis suggests that collectivistic values within H/L communities may buffer stress perception, reducing the need for social vigilance. Related to culturally driven differences in health, Anglo acculturation, which is an individual’s sense of inclusion within English-speaking sociocultural contexts, has been shown to be related to worsening health status among H/L. To address possible ethnic differences in stress-related pathways to better health outcomes among H/L, our study aimed to test whether H/L display less social vigilance than expected compared NHW, and to examine differences in stress experience among ethnic groups as a pathway through which stress exposure is associated with social vigilance. Additionally, we explored if these differences were moderated by social support and acculturation. The current study assessed a subsample of H/L (n=1,297) and NHW (n= 1,118) young adults from a larger cross-sectional psychosocial survey across the U.S. Results revealed that H/Ls reported lower social vigilance than NHW, with the differences primarily driven by Latina women in the sample. Stress experience mediated the relationship between stress exposure and social vigilance, suggesting that perceptions of stress influence the need for vigilance, though no differences were observed among racial/ethnic groups. Consistent with the sociocultural hypothesis, social support moderated this relationship for the H/L group. Additionally, Mexican orientation predicted lower stress experience, indicating that lower acculturation was associated with reduced social vigilance scores. Our findings supported our main hypothesis, consistent with the literature on stress appraisal processes and cultural stress-buffering effects of collectivism and the benefits of larger, tighter social networks.
    • Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and its Effects on Self-Transcendence: A Program Evaluation

      Young, Janay R.; Stepita, Michael; Velo, Jamie; Reed, Pamela G. (The University of Arizona., 2024)
      Purpose: This DNP project conducted a summative evaluation of Tucson Counseling Associates’ (TCA) Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) program, assessing its effectiveness in enhancing patients’ self-transcendence and overall well-being. Background: Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has been used since the 1960s as an anesthetic. Its neuroplasticity-enhancing and dissociative properties have led to its off-label psychiatric use for conditions such as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), suicidal ideation, substance use disorders (SUD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Domino, 2010). KAP integrates sub-anesthetic ketamine doses with psychotherapy to optimize therapeutic effects. The Self-Transcendence Scale (STS) is used to measure self-transcendence, a concept tied to spiritual and existential growth, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of KAP's psychological and existential impacts (Reed, 2009). Methods: A retrospective chart review analyzed pre- and post-treatment STS scores from TCA clients receiving KAP between July 2021 and August 2024. Data included diagnosis, session counts, STS responses, and total STS scores. Statistical analysis was conducted using paired t-tests to assess significance, with Cohen’s d to evaluate effect size. An alpha level of 0.05 determined statistical significance. Furthermore, Cronbach’s Alpha was used to test for internal consistency of the STS. ResultsSignificant improvements in self-transcendence were observed, with mean STS scores rising from 44.61 pre-treatment to 46.87 post-treatment (p = 0.017, d = 0.35). Notable increases were found in adaptability, finding meaning in one’s past, and letting go of regrets, with "Finding meaning in past experiences" showing the largest effect (d = 0.95, p < 0.000001). Participants with lower baseline self-transcendence showed the greatest gains, particularly those in the low-moderate group, whose mean STS score rose from 34.13 to 41.38 (p = 0.0016, d = 1.56). Lastly, running a Cronbach’s Alpha test on the data to assess internal consistency produced a value of 0.80, indicating that the STS scale has a good level of internal consistency. Conclusions: KAP effectively enhances self-transcendence, especially in domains of personal growth, purpose, and connectedness. The findings suggest KAP is particularly beneficial for individuals with initially low self-transcendence, supporting it as a promising approach that not only mitigates mental health symptoms but also promotes holistic well-being.