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  MIGRANT INJURY AT THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER: AN ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF UNITED STATES BORDER POLICY AND INFRASTRUCTURE ON MIGRANT HEALTH

  Oglesby, Elizabeth; Hyde, Iris Elke (The University of Arizona., 2023)

  This literature review aims to synthesize material from a variety of sources, including journal articles, news articles, reports, and government sources into an accessible introduction to the research question: How is migrant border crossers’ health impacted by U.S. border policy and infrastructure? While federal border policy is examined, the geographical focus of this analysis is the Southwestern region of the U.S.-Mexico border, with many sources being based in or near Tucson, home to the University of Arizona. Through an examination of the 1994 Prevention through Deterrence policy and the subsequent development of current border enforcement infrastructure, this thesis strives to answer the question: What does the border itself look like today? The next section illustrates why people attempt to cross the border, even with all its dangers, by describing the asylum process and its shortcomings, along with ambiguous recent border policies of exclusion and expulsion, including MPP and Title 42. Next, the most common injuries sustained by unauthorized border crossers are described. These include traumatic fall injuries from 18-30 foot border walls, and dehydration and hyperthermia resulting from exposure in the vast Sonoran Desert. Finally, the politics of emergency response to injury and death are briefly explored. This review concludes that U.S. border policy is a form of structural violence resulting in migrant injury, illness, and death. Future research should examine the mental health impacts of exclusion and expulsion, as well as the long-term costs associated with migrant injury and illness.
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  IMPROVING PHISHING REPORTING IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A USER-CENTERED DESIGN APPROACH

  Rahaman, Sazzadur; Whitaker, Rachel Mei Lee (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  Phishing attacks are a persistent cybersecurity challenge, leveraging human psychology and technological gaps to exploit unsuspecting users. Higher education institutions (HEIs) face unique vulnerabilities due to their decentralized structures, diverse user populations, and dynamic environments. This literature review examines existing phishing reporting technologies in HEIs, highlighting deficiencies in usability, user engagement, and systemic support. Despite advancements in automated detection and awareness training, user interaction with reporting tools remains underexplored, limiting their effectiveness. Drawing on research and practical experience at the University of Arizona's Security Operations Center (SOC), this work identifies key barriers to phishing reporting, including inconsistent interfaces, psychological deterrents, and limited user knowledge. It emphasizes the importance of user-centered design in reporting mechanisms, proposing that intuitive, accessible tools (such as single-button reporting systems) can significantly enhance user participation and institutional defenses. The study also evaluates behavioral and demographic factors influencing phishing susceptibility and reporting, noting gaps in targeted awareness initiatives. To address these challenges, a two-phase experiment is proposed, combining surveys and focus groups to analyze user interactions with phishing reporting systems. This approach seeks to uncover actionable insights for improving reporting rates and cybersecurity outcomes. By bridging the gap between technical solutions and user behaviors, this research contributes to the development of effective phishing mitigation strategies tailored to the needs of HEIs. Its findings have broader implications, offering a framework for enhancing user engagement and institutional resilience in combating phishing across diverse sectors.
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  AN ARTISTIC EXPRESSION OF CAREGIVING FOR A LOVED ONE DIAGNOSED WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

  Grilli, Matthew; VanDemark, Julia (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  The goal of this unique thesis is to portray the psychological effects of caregiving for a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia, focusing primarily on Alzheimer's disease- the most common form of dementia. After reading literature on Alzheimer's disease, other forms of dementia, and caregiving, interviews were then conducted with people who have acted as or are currently acting as caregivers for a loved one who has Alzheimer's disease. Participants were acquired through posts on social media, primarily the app "NextDoor". A total of six people were interviewed. The interviews were conducted over the phone, in person, or through Zoom. These interviews granted me a better understanding of the toll caregiving can have on someone. After reading the literature and conducting the interviews, a series of paintings were created. These paintings illustrate the effects of caregiving. Paintings, which can surpass language barriers, education differences, and cultural differences, can be appreciated and interpreted by a broad audience.
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  RACIAL RESTRICTIONS IN PROPERTY DEEDS: TOWARDS AN INCLUSIVE FUTURE

  Hu, Xiaoqian; Petrine, Ella Rebecca (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  The enduring impact of racially restrictive covenants has created profound effects on social norms, property ownership, and community identity in the United States. While these covenants became legally unenforceable by Shelley v. Kraemer in 1948, their legacy continues through deeply established social meanings and inequities in the housing market. Using insight from social norm theories by Lawrence Lessig, Cass Sunstein, Robert Cooter, and Richard McAdams, this research discusses how racial covenants shaped societies' perceptions of race and property. This perception has maintained segregation through collective action barriers. This thesis analyzes modern efforts to address this legacy through initiatives to dismantle systemic housing discrimination through legal and economic incentives. By combining a historical analysis of restrictive covenants with new policy evaluations, this thesis shows the importance of addressing legal and social barriers to creating inclusive housing.
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  AN EVALUATION OF VOCAL ANALYSIS RESEARCH RELATING TO PARKINSON'S DISEASE

  Miller, Julie E.; Thompson, Adriana Marie (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting almost 10 million individuals globally. It is characterized by tremors, slowness of movement, and vocal dysfunction. Voice dysfunction is one of the earliest indicators of PD and includes breathiness, roughness, reduced loudness, etc. Because most research relates to vocal fold pathology, our understanding of the brain pathology is not well understood prompting insight from animal models such as finch and rodents. These studies have shed light on how the accumulation of Lewy bodies (the aggregated form of the alpha-synuclein protein), and neurites can be key to the progression of symptoms and how it might relate to the vocal measures used in humans. Here, we review current research on the various acoustic measures utilized for PD, evaluate the limitations and strengths of the numerous measures, and provide studies which utilize the same measures. There is a multitude of both speech and voice measures that have been investigated for PD. Various studies demonstrate the potential of these measures in differentiating between those with PD and healthy controls. Yet, there are limitations to current studies including small sample size, methodological inconsistencies, and most importantly, the need for more shared measures. Ultimately, there is a need for further exploration across larger and more diverse subject populations in the future as it will expand our understanding of the disease's pathology, leading to breakthroughs in both PD diagnosis and treatment.
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  TESTING EFFECTIVE PLOIDY IN RNA-DIRECTED DNA-METHYLATION IN THE GENUS CAPSELLA

  Palanivelu, Ravi; Panferov, Kathryn Antonina Dmitrievna (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  In plants, hybridization is an important breeding technique; however, reproductive barriers can hinder viable hybrid seed production. Interploidy and interspecific crosses are common hybridization conflicts caused by improper endosperm development, leading to embryo arrest and seed abortion. This endosperm hybridization barrier is mediated by effective ploidy as it considers both the absolute ploidy (n) and the genomic strength, determined by the mating system. The RNA-directed DNA Methylation (RdDM) pathway plays an important role in plant reproduction and seed development. The loss of RdDM reduces interploidy seed lethality in diploid by tetraploid crosses in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, this has not been studied in Capsella interspecific crosses. To test the effective ploidy of RdDM mutants in Capsella, I performed intraspecific and interspecific crosses with Capsella grandiflora and Capsella rubella, where either one or both of the parents were RdDM mutants. I observed that loss of RdDM in C. grandiflora WT x C. rubella WT resulted in slightly increased normal seed production. However, there was no change in normal seed production when C. rubella RdDM mutant was crossed with C. grandiflora. This suggests that loss of RdDM plays a greater role in seed production in C. grandiflora than C. rubella, therefore, has a greater impact on the effective ploidy of C. grandiflora.
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  LIGHT THERAPY TREATMENT FOR DEMENTIA

  Goldsmith, Melissa; Nelson, Sophia Angelica (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the effects of light therapy on symptoms of dementia and to develop best practice recommendations for implementation in the healthcare setting. As dementia is a progressive condition characterized by deterioration of cerebral function and structural changes, the need for alternative therapies for symptom management is imperative. Based on current data, there are 55 million people impacted by dementia worldwide and it accounts for the seventh leading cause of death, as well as a significant cause of disability and dependency (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). Bright light therapy is a newly studied therapy that is potentially effective in improving symptoms of dementia, including sleep disturbances, behavioral and psychological symptoms, and delirium, however, the extent of the effect on these symptoms is unclear. Implementation of light therapy is an accessible and cost-effective management method to improve symptoms for affected individuals to improve their quality of life. This is a non-invasive method that can be employed in any setting, whether in a clinical or home setting. In the fourth chapter of this thesis, a proposed plan to integrate the therapy in a memory care unit of a long-term care setting is outlined based on best practice recommendations compiled contingent on current evidence-based research.
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  AIAA DBF URBAN AND MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE

  Shkarayev, Sergey; Nekolny, Adam (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  In spirit of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics Design-Build-Fly competition, the Senior Design team embarked on an engineering challenge to construct an urban mobility flight vehicle, which focuses on transportation of medical payload from disaster areas. The aircraft was tasked as per the \gls{dbf} rules to be capable of short landing and take-off within a 20 ft range, while providing sufficient payload space for passengers, medical payload, and the crew of the aircraft. Based on these requirements, the choices were to include an airfoil with a high coefficient of lift at low angles of attack. Through a trade study, the NACA 4415 was determined to be the most optimal for the aircraft, with the novel approach of applying it in tandem wing configuration. According to background research, tandem wing aircraft would allow shorter wingspan, which is beneficial for restricted areas, where landing zone might include several obstacles due to a disaster. Furthermore, the tandem wing configuration, while more sensitive to \gls{cg} changes, has a high lifting force due to the wing arrangement, which benefits the increased payload requirements. Unlike the \gls{dbf} competition rules, the aircraft focused on developing a novel approach to aircraft, through additive manufacturing as the main focus on construction, with carbon fiber and wood reinforcement. Due to this unconventional manufacturing choice, the aircraft was light and fast to construct, with the electronic system and two electric motor propulsion providing the operating and thrust capabilities. While the initial simulations and testing showcased a feasible and successfully deplorable design, the flight testing has presented a weakness in last-minute changes, which caused landing gear destructive disassembly during launch, and an instability during a throw launch technique. Despite this unsuccessful launch, the main issues discovered lied within the overuse of 3d printing parts, and lower precision when inserting batteries, which cased bigger offset to \gls{cg}, resulting in instability. With this project concluded, the members had learned the value of prototyping and extensive failure analysis in order to come out as well trained engineers.
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  PHOTOMETRIC REDSHIFT OUTLIERS AND THEIR IMPACT ON LSST WEAK LENSING COSMOLOGY: INSIGHTS FROM A GAUSSIAN ISLAND MODEL

  Eifler, Tim; Lotz, Jonah (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  Next-generation cosmological surveys, such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), will deliver unprecedented statistical power to probe fundamental aspects of the Universe, including the nature of dark energy and dark matter. However, achieving this precision requires careful control of systematic uncertainties. One critical challenge is the presence of catastrophic photometric redshift (photo-z) outliers - galaxies for which the photometric redshift estimate deviates substantially from the true (spectroscopic) redshift. These outliers can skew the inferred redshift distributions used in weak lensing analyses, biasing constraints on cosmological parameters. We investigate how catastrophic photo-z outliers affect key cosmological parameters derived from LSST-like weak lensing data. Using a "Gaussian Island Model" to represent these outliers as distinct islands in redshift space, we find that even small fractions of certain outlier populations can significantly bias constraints on matter density (Ωm), time evolution of dark energy (w), and the amplitude of matter fluctuations (S8). Our analysis shows that "false low-z" outliers (high z, low z_ph) induce more pronounced biases than "false high-z" galaxies (low z, high z_ph), making accurate estimates of the false low-z outlier fraction especially critical. This sensitivity underscores the need for careful outlier characterization, improved photo-z calibration, and strategic spectroscopic follow-up. By better understanding and mitigating these catastrophic outliers, we can preserve the integrity of cosmological inferences and fully exploit the scientific potential of next-generation weak lensing surveys.
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  THE ROLE OF DAF-16 IN C. ELEGANS RADIATION RESISTANCE

  Sutphin, George; Mosur, Aadith (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  Medical research is usually focused on diseases and their unique characteristics that could be targeted for therapy. Age is the primary risk factor for most chronic diseases in the modern era. There is a more direct focus on the biology underlying the aging process and the cellular stress individuals are put through during this period. Oxidative stress, DNA damage, and protein misfolding are just a few of many common causes for activating cellular stress pathways. Eukaryotic cells have developed various molecular pathways for dealing with the deleterious effects of different stresses. As the aging process continues, dysregulation of these stress pathways increases the risk for many age-associated diseases. By slowing this process, we can work towards maintaining health even in old age. My work with Caenorhabditis elegans delves into the effects of radiation on aging and how manipulation of specific molecular genotypes affects the lifespan of these nematodes. The DAF-16/FOXO pathway regulates genes involved in aging, stress, and metabolism, enhancing antioxidant defenses and metabolic shifts under stress conditions like starvation. My focus on this pathway and its regulation of stress response and longevity demonstrates how its activation influence survival and stress resistance under exposure to radiation. My thesis will discuss the effects of radiation and induced stress on C. elegans. It will outline the results of my experiments and how age-related deterioration is affected by specific changes in genotype.
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  SELF-CONCEPT CLARITY FOLLOWING MARITAL DISSOLUTION: INVESTIGATING THE ROLES OF ATTACHMENT ANXIETY AND DAILY SOCIAL BEHAVIORS

  Sbarra, David; Lemon, Anna Catherine (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  Self-concept clarity refers to the extent to which people feel certain about who they are as a person, and during periods of stress, including stressful interpersonal or social upheavals, this sense of clarity is often in flux and highly disturbed. The present honors thesis aims to investigate whether variability in daily social behaviors mediates the association between attachment insecurity and changes in self-concept clarity across a five-month recovery period following marital separation. One hundred and twenty adults who had recently separated from their marital partner were examined over five months, with data gathered at three different timepoints a month apart. In order to objectively measure social integration, participants wore the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR; Mehl et al., 2001) throughout the weekend of each assessment time point. The EAR is a widely validated assessment tool that allows for the calculation of an objective social integration composite, by capturing social behaviors as they naturally occur in one's daily life. We hypothesized that higher levels of attachment anxiety or avoidance would predict lower social integration in the months following marital dissolution and social integration in turn would be associated with lower self-concept recovery as it acts as a mediator of the relationship between attachment orientation and LOSROS. Our results did not reveal a mediation relationship, but a correlation between social integration and LOSROS was shown across the 5-month study period.
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  ROTATING DETONATION ROCKET DESIGN AND LAUNCH

  Head, Larry; Lefcourt, Andrew James (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  The goal of this project is to fire the first Rotating Detonation Engine powered sounding rocket in the United States. The scope of this project includes all systems in a rocket excluding the engine itself and the nozzle, which will be sponsor-provided. This includes but is not limited to propulsion systems, electronics bay and recovery systems, airframe, and Ground/Launch equipment. Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs) are the next frontier of rocket propulsion. RDE's use pressure gain combustion to increase efficiencies within a smaller package by utilizing sustained supersonic combustion. Higher efficiency propulsion allows for reduced fuel use, allowing for greater performance and lower emissions for rocket aerospace systems. In the past few years, the major challenges underlying the design of these engines have been solved, and now the technology has matured to the point of use for flight systems. The goal of this project is to develop a platform to demonstrate that technological maturity. A full static fire would prove that this rocket system would be ready for a launch. This final report illustrates the motivation of design through functional requirements and system requirements, a technical data package, and the verification of system requirements validating the operation of our design.
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  EARLY RISK-ASSESSMENT METHODS FOR PREDICTION OF PREECLAMPSIA DEVELOPMENT AND SAFER PREGNANCY OUTCOMES

  Goldsmith, Melissa; Horn, Breanna Lynn (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  Preeclampsia is a multi-system obstetrical syndrome which is responsible for up to six percent of pregnancy complications worldwide. The purpose of this thesis is to explore early-risk assessment methods for preeclampsia development utilizing combined scientific evidence about clinical risk factors and biochemical index markers, and to provide evidence-based recommendations for implementation into nursing practice. Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders account for 16% of maternal deaths in the United States (ACOG, 2020). There is emerging research which reveals that blood-based biomarkers, early risk-assessment model implementation and early routine blood pressure readings may predict preeclampsia development before the 20th week gestation. The most relevant and statistically significant clinical risk factors are shown to be history of preeclampsia and chronic hypertension. Several biochemical markers, such as Placental Growth Factor, TNF-alpha and Plasma Protein-A are shown to have relevance in predicting and diagnosing preeclampsia development. Patients who are identified as high-risk in early gestation can begin prophylactic Aspirin therapy starting at 11 weeks gestation. This is shown to reduce the incidence of preeclamptic preterm deliveries (Rolnik, et al., 2017). The last chapter includes an implementation proposal for nursing practice, and evaluation of practice recommendations utilizing the Plan-Do-Act-Study model.
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  CENTRIFUGE CUBESAT TERRARIUM

  Shkarayev, Sergey; Hathaway, Jake Daniel (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  This document serves as the comprehensive final report for the Centrifuge CubeSat Terrarium project conducted by the Wildcat Engineers Dedicated to Guarding the Ecosystem through Space (W.E.D.G.E.S.). Within these pages, we outline the evolution of our project from its inception to its final implementation, detailing the scope, changes made since the Critical Design Review (CDR), problem statement, background information, project objectives, limitations, expected functionalities, and the description of our customer. Since the Critical Design Review, significant adjustments and enhancements have been implemented based on rigorous testing, feedback, and iterative design processes. These changes have been instrumental in refining our project to meet the intended objectives effectively. The project aims to address the challenge of transporting plant samples from the moon to Earth using CubeSat technology. With the looming threat of rising sea levels endangering the Svalbard Seed Vault, scientists propose storing precious seeds cryogenically within the moon's lava tubes. Our project focuses on developing a prototype CubeSat terrarium equipped with a scissor-lift mechanism to accommodate plant growth, ensuring the safe transport of plant samples back to Earth. The scope of the project encompasses the design, construction, and testing of the CubeSat terrarium prototype, including the integration of necessary systems such as power, data collection, life support, and fungal cultivation. While the primary objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of transporting plant samples, the project is limited by factors such as size constraints, resource availability, and technological capabilities. Our customer, represented by academic advisors, industry partners, and sponsoring entities like NASA, seeks innovative solutions to address challenges in space exploration and biodiversity preservation. This project is sponsored by NASA, alongside other industry companies and adjacent faculty, who are actively seeking unique ideas to implement in future missions. Their input and support have been instrumental in shaping our project's direction and ensuring its relevance and applicability in real-world contexts.
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  INFERRING THE DEMOGRAPHIC HISTORY AND JOINT DISTRIBUTION OF FITNESS EFFECTS IN THE WILD HOUSE MOUSE, MUS MUSCULUS DOMESTICUS

  Gutenkunst, Ryan; Fernflores, Olivia (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  Much can be learned about a species' recent evolutionary past by fitting models to contemporary patterns of genetic variation. We aim to infer the distribution of mutation fitness effects (DFE) among multiple populations of wild house mice, so that the extensive knowledge of mouse molecular biology can be leveraged to understand the biological basis of the DFE. To infer the DFE, we first use synonymous mutations to infer a model of demographic history. Inferring a demographic history can be done for a single population or for two populations and helps us learn about population size(s), divergence time(s), migration rate(s), and level(s) of inbreeding. We then use the demographic model describing two populations to create a set of frequency spectra for nonsynonymous sites under a range of strengths of selection (selection coefficients), which allows us to infer the DFE. A distribution of fitness effects provides information about what proportions of mutations in nonsynonymous sites are deleterious, neutral, and advantageous, which can provide key input into the evolutionary process. We inferred demographic histories and DFEs for pairs of populations of Mus musculus domesticus from Iran and France, France and Germany, and Germany and Heligoland and found that in all population pairs, the best demographic models are those that include migration between populations following a distinct split into two populations and that account for potential inbreeding with populations. We also found that distributions of fitness effects had very high to perfect correlations for each population pair.
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  TALKING TO OURSELVES: SKEPTICISM, INTENTIONS, AND COMMITMENTS IN SELF-TALK

  Reimer, Marga; Hartman, Jack Christian (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  In her "What Is the Purpose of Self-Talk," Felicity Deamer challenges the conventional belief that individuals possess a clear understanding of their communicative intentions before speaking, suggesting that such intentions are often only partially accessible. Drawing upon Grice's communication model, Deamer argues that this partial self-blindness creates an information gap between pre- and post-speech moments, thus allowing self-talk to have a communicative purpose. However, objections emerge regarding the criteria for knowing intentions and the significance of non-verbal cues. The skeptical implications of Deamer's argument are addressed at length, prompting the following tradeoff: (1) Either non-verbal cues enable us to know our communicative intentions, sacrificing the possibility of Gricean communication, or (2) maintain partial self-blindness, preserving Gricean communication, but at the cost of skepticism. This dilemma opens broader inquiries about communicative intentions and the nature of self-talk in general. Finally, the paper takes up Geurts' speech-act account of assertions in self-talk, capturing their overlooked usefulness as commitment-binding and context-providing tools.
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  CANNABIS LAW, REGULATIONS, AND CULTURAL PERCEPTIONS IN SPAIN

  Berigan, Yadira; Ezgur, Rosie R. (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  This thesis, titled Cannabis Law, Regulations, and Cultural Perceptions in Spain, explores the multifaceted landscape of cannabis regulation and societal attitudes in Spain. The study addresses the following primary research questions: How do the lack of current cannabis laws and regulations in Spain shape public perception and use of cannabis? What are the cultural implications of legal reform within different regions of Spain, particularly in relation to Spain's unique social clubs model? The objectives of this study are threefold: to analyze the evolution and current state of cannabis legislation in Spain, to assess the cultural attitudes and social perceptions surrounding cannabis use, and to explore how these elements influence and are influenced by Spain's legal framework. By examining these factors, my research aims to contribute to the broader discourse on drug policy, public health, and cultural adaptation in the context of cannabis regulation. This research is significant because it offers a comprehensive analysis of Spain's unique approach to cannabis regulation, a model that has garnered international attention. The findings have the potential to inform policymakers in Spain and in other countries who are considering alternative approaches to cannabis regulation. The findings may also contribute to the global understanding of the interplay between law and culture in drug policy.
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  MEDICATING CHILDREN IN PAIN: A JOINT EXERCISE BETWEEN EMERGENCY PERSONNEL

  Goldsmith, Melissa; Drejza, Barbara JoanMarie (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  This service learning thesis was informed by a literature review, University of Arizona Emergency Services guidelines and expert consultation to design a curriculum to explore and address inadequate prehospital pain management in pediatric patients, emphasizing the emotional, clinical, and systemic challenges faced by EMS providers. Jeruzal et al. (2019) identified the emotional strain pediatric cases place on EMS providers, particularly when managing distressing pain in children and their families. These emotional burdens were compounded by the technical difficulties of managing pediatric trauma and pain, highlighting the need for enhanced training, better feedback systems, and recovery processes. Similarly, Holmström et al. (2019) underscored the emotional and logistical barriers experienced by prehospital nurses in pediatric care, especially regarding pain assessment, caregiver reactions, and heavy workloads. Both studies stressed the necessity of tailored training programs, reflection and repetition of local administrative guidelines, and emotional resilience strategies to improve care quality for sick children and overall provider well-being when reflecting on pediatric calls. Eimer et al. (2023) presented a quantitative analysis revealing significant disparities in prehospital pain management between pediatric trauma and non-trauma patients--indicating that children are not adequately medicated for pain. The study found that both children with traumatic complaints and medical complaints were not adequately medicated, but children with medical complaints reported even worse pain scales upon assessment to a significant extent, indicating medication under dosage (Eimer et al., 2023). This gap was partly attributed to provider hesitancy regarding opioid use in children, with ketamine being preferred but still used scantly for its perceived safety. This review collectively suggests that targeted training, improved guidelines, and comprehensive emotional and clinical support systems are essential for enhancing pediatric pain management practices. The curriculum developed for, and presented to prehospital providers integrates these insights, offering a practical solution to bridging the knowledge gap and supporting EMS teams in addressing pediatric pain effectively, with attention to both the emotional and technical aspects of care.
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  EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF STRESS ON SPATIAL NAVIGATION

  Ekstrom, Arne; Cullinan, Kailee (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  Stress profoundly influences cognitive functions and decision-making processes, impacting everyday tasks like navigation. Previous studies have found that when stressed, people are inclined to travel familiar routes, but they have not tested how varying the familiarity of a route may impact their navigation choices. This study explores the relationship between stress and navigation strategies, focusing on the effects of induced stress on individuals' ability to navigate a virtual environment. Twelve healthy adults participated in a series of navigation tasks under three conditions: no stress (control), physical stress (cold pressor task), and mental stress (fire environment). Cortisol levels were measured to determine the effectiveness of two different stress manipulations. Participants learned and recreated paths in the virtual city and then completed a navigation task that asked them to travel to specific locations in the virtual city. The participants' navigation strategies revealed differential effects of stress on path familiarity and navigation behavior. In the path recreation trials, participants were more likely to recreate the path they were more familiar with first. Statistical analyses suggest that stress induction did not produce a significant change in cortisol levels. However, with a small sample size with large variability, a definitive conclusion about the effects of stress on cortisol cannot be made. Path familiarity influenced participants' ability to recreate one of the two learned paths, with trends observed based on which path was more familiar. These findings underscore the complex interplay between stress, cognition, and navigation. While the data is limited with the size of our current sample, it suggests that stress may influence how individuals navigate in real-world scenarios. Further analysis in this study and future studies with larger and more diverse samples will help to solidify these observations.
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  THE EFFECT OF CREATIVITY ON CORTISOL SAMPLING WITH MOOD STATES

  Killgore, William; Crawshaw, Keanu Nicholas (The University of Arizona., 2024)

  The present study examined the relationship between creativity, stress, and mood. It was hypothesized that those with higher creativity would exhibit decreased cortisol activation given that any stressors present are not significantly valanced by emotion. Specifically, participants in the negative mood condition with lower levels of creativity would experience increased cortisol activation; those in the positive mood condition with high levels of creativity would experience decreased cortisol activation; and those in the neutral mood condition would have minimal cortisol activation. Participants took part in a multiphase study consisting of an overnight study visit where multiple personality and emotional state variables were collected to examine which facets are important in predicting optimal performance. One hundred and twenty participants completed personality questionnaires and cortisol sampling within the study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive positive, negative, or neutral mood inductions throughout the study. Results demonstrated that creativity had no significant effect on individual cortisol levels at baseline nor throughout the study visit. A small sample size, the state of the participants before taking part in the stress test, and the indirect measurements of creativity and mood conditions all posed as limitations in the present study. Future research should utilize a similar study design but include more participants, mood induction with a greater degree of negative and positive conditions, and a uniform participant state.

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