Burn injury impacts the lives of over 1.1 million people within the United States annually (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2011). Taking into account current advancements in burn trauma care, approximately 95 percent of those hospitalized will survive their injuries. With increased survival rates, greater attention is being focused on the psycho-social aspect of burn treatment and rehabilitation. There is an opportunity for health educators to affect the long-term wellness outcomes of adult burn survivors and to support their growth beyond survival status. This may not constitute recovery to their preinjury lives, but rather recovery to lives closer to optimal health/wellness as opposed to mere acceptance of their current situation. Utilizing a phenomenological qualitative design, this study explored the burn-related experiences and underlying factors of resilience among burn survivors living in the Midwestern United States. After conducting single, semi-structured interviews focused on eight burn survivors' dimensions of health, the themes that emerged through data analysis were "How it Feels," "Somehow I'm Still Me," and "Yet, I'm Better." The findings of this study support the presence of innate resilient protective factors within participants' journey toward recovery and health. Through the experiences of the participants within this study, there is an opportunity for health educators to increase their understanding of the experiences of burn trauma and the impact of resilience on positive recovery outcomes.

Jurisdictions along the Gulf Coast are threatened by hurricanes. The effects of hurricanes are devastating, and the response and recovery efforts are crucial for saving lives and property. Geospatial technologies have been implemented in the response and recovery phases. However, the potential of geospatial technologies were not utilized due to data and capability issues. This study was implemented to design and develop a tool that would help a jurisdiction determine if it can apply geospatial technologies effectively in the response and recovery phases. This tool enables a jurisdiction to complete an assessment regarding GIS data, hardware, software, and personnel capabilities. Assessment results are scored using a weighted linear model, and scores are shown to the user. A rules-based system was built to show the jurisdiction methods for improving its score to the optimum level. This tool enables jurisdictions to diagnose geospatial readiness and make modifications that enhance response and recovery.

No description available.

This study explored posttraumatic growth (PTG) in people with aphasia and is the qualitative arm of a larger mixed-methods study. After an initial experimental session, 23 people with aphasia (PWA; 12 females and 11 males) completed a 60-minute semi-structured interview during which participants expanded on previously-given questionnaire responses and then answered five additional open-ended questions about communication in their daily life. Interviews were transcribed orthographically and coded using reflexive codebook analysis. A stakeholder with aphasia was consulted to gain insight from an insider's perspective about whether codes and themes captured the experiences of aphasia. Reflexive codebook analysis revealed two themes. Within the first theme, "Recovery is a Journey," there were two categories: "Moving Toward Growth" and "Engagement." The second theme, "Having Aphasia is Challenging, but I've Grown," included four categories: "Challenges and Reactions," "Perception of Self," "General Philosophy of Life," and "Relatedness." Findings suggest that PWA experience PTG across all three primary domains: (1) changed perception of self, (2) changed relationship with others, and (3) changed general philosophy of life and that the challenging circumstances associated with aphasia were integral to the development of PTG. Findings also highlight that PTG does not necessarily develop in a linear trajectory for PWA, but that processes such as acceptance and slowing down may contribute to the development of PTG in this population. Future research should quantitatively investigate the trajectory of PTG for PWA, assess interventions that may facilitate PTG, and examine how PTG contributes to overall recovery.

Substance use and substance use disorders (SUDs) pose a significant health and economic concern in the United States. Conditions and comorbidities exist that are associated with substance use onset, continuation, and outcomes. In the theory of Reinforcer Pathology, we can categorize these conditions into vulnerabilities, or factors that may be associated with susceptibility to substance use onset and poorer outcomes in substance use recovery. The theory of vulnerabilities and reinforcer pathology is tested through three investigations. The first investigation sought to establish the relationship between cumulative vulnerabilities and adolescent substance use in a cross-sectional analysis. The second investigation evaluates the temporal relationship of cumulative vulnerabilities and substance use among adolescents. The final investigation establishes the relationship of cumulative vulnerabilities and substance use among individuals in recovery from Opioid Use Disorder. Collectively, these reports suggest that the intersection and cumulation of vulnerabilities to substance use and substance use disorders are directly related to substance use outcomes. Future research and reports in the substance use domain should consider these constructs, their accumulation, and their co-occurrence patterns. / Doctor of Philosophy / Substance use and substance use disorders are a great health and economic concern in the United States. Conditions that are related to trying substances, using substances, and outcomes of this substance use. In the theory of Reinforcer Pathology, we can call these conditions vulnerabilities, or conditions that may be associated with the likelihood of starting to use substances and having poorer substance use outcomes in the long-term. Three studies investigate the theory of vulnerabilities and Reinforcer Pathology. First, the relationship between cumulative vulnerabilities and substance use among adolescents is assessed cross-sectionally or simultaneously. The second study examines the relationship between cumulative vulnerabilities and adolescent substance use over time. The third study examines the relationship between cumulative vulnerabilities and substance use among individuals in recovery from Opioid Use Disorder. Collectively, the studies in this report suggest that the overlap and cumulation of vulnerabilities to substance use and substance use disorders is related to substance use outcomes. Future research and other reports in the substance use domain should consider these constructs, their accumulation, and their co-occurrence patterns.

Contamination of natural waters due to nitrogenous wastes has become a crucial environmental problem due to deterioration of water quality and eutrophication in aquatic eco-systems. Thus, the reduction of nitrogen accumulation in the natural environment is vital to maintain a healthy eco-system. Bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) is a promising technology for selective ammonia separation from high-strength wastewater, such as liquid digestates of food waste or wastewater sludge. This technology was recently studied for reducing membrane scaling problems associated with conventional electrodialysis (ED) systems due to the water splitting mechanism in the BPM interface. A bench-scale BMED stack was built using 5 pairs of cation exchange membranes (CEMs) and bipolar membranes (BPMs). Using the BMED stack, a simulated food liquid digestate solution was examined to separate ammonia with different voltage applications and inter-membrane distances. The highest ammonia recovery was obtained at a cell pair voltage of 5.83 V (81% separation). Experiments on investigation of optimal inter-membrane distance of BMED operation suggested that the inter-membrane distance could be increased up to 2.46 mm without a significant decrease in nitrogen recovery. The residual Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the CIP (clean-in-place) solution which explains the degree of the scaling problem in the BMED was observed consistently below 2% of the initial mass introduced to the system, indicating that BMED design and regular CIP were effective in scaling control. The ammonia loss through CEMs to the feed cell by back diffusion was minimized due to high pH in the base cell since uncharged free ammonia was dominant over ammonium cation in the base cell. The energy required for BMED operation was comparatively low; 1.93-6.93 kWh/kg-N within 90 mins. Therefore, BMED can be considered as a sustainable candidate for selective ammonia recovery at high energy efficiency with successful scaling control. / Thesis / Master of Civil Engineering (MCE)

No description available.

This research expands the theoretical concept of human adjustment to floods established by Gilbert F. White and incorporates his adjustment concept to examine the range of adjustments in business operations adopted by Texas' natural and/or cultural resources sites during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This mixed-methods study consisted of an online survey with a follow-up semi-structured phone interview. The survey data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the interview data was inductively coded for thematic analysis as well as quantitative and qualitative content analyses. Specifically, this study identifies the adjustment measures undertaken by these entities to maintain business operations while reducing the virus spread; analyses the direct and indirect factors influencing adjustment measures; examines new business opportunities that emerged from these adjustments; and evaluates whether the impact of COVID-19 on these entities varied in terms of entity characteristics. Findings indicate that cultural and/or natural resource sites implemented adjustments to maintain their fiscal stability and/or to protect human health; these serve as direct underlying motivating factors for these entities. To support these direct measures, indirect factors influenced the operations thus required adjustments such as staffing, volunteers, technology, funding, and donations. Additionally, new opportunities in business practices emerged while implementing these adjustments such as networking, maintenance, and virtual options. Across all entity types, virtual programs was a key adjustment addressing both fiscal and health concerns. From these adjustments, this study provides recommendations for cultural and/or natural resource sites to implement to improve resilience to future extreme events.

As adults age, skeletal muscles become smaller and weaker, which can ultimately lead to declines in physical function and disability. In general, older adults produce less isometric force and dynamic power than younger adults. The effects of this weakness are amplified following a series of muscle contractions that result in muscle fatigue. Since daily routines consist of repeated series of activity followed by rest, it is important to understand how muscle recovers from fatigue. In particular, muscle power has been shown to be related to physical function and balance. Thus, understanding the process of recovery from muscle fatigue will help in preventing declines in physical function in older adults. This dissertation consisted of two studies designed to understand how muscle recover following fatigue and the implications of that recovery on physical function. Study one examined recovery from muscle fatigue following a constrained task. Young and older adults were fatigued to a similar degree using a dynamometer, and recovery of power at 4 velocities, central activation, pre-motor signaling, neural efficiency and contractile properties were recorded over an hour. To evaluate the functional implications of the recovery, ratings of perceived exertion were collected and the amount of fatigue following a second fatigue bout was also recorded. The second study associated changes in physical function and balance with power following an ecologically-relevant fatiguing exercise. Following a 30 minute treadmill walk, chair rise time and balance were measured during the period of recovery from this task. As a result of fatigue, we saw increased power loss at high-velocities that did not recover over the course of an hour in older adults. . This finding was concurrent with other velocity specific changes in rates of force development, muscle acceleration, and pre-motor neural signaling. Functionally, we saw an increased in perceived effort during contraction in older adults, and an increased fatigue during a second fatigue bout. While chair rise didn't differ as a group with fatigue, there was a significant relationship with loss of high-velocity power and change in chair rise time over the hour recovery period. Balance declined immediate post-fatigue but appeared to recover to a point of greater stability over an hour. This dissertation provides novel insight about alterations in the recovery process following an acute bout of muscle fatigue, and ultimately provides data that may be useful for developing strategies to prevent disability in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Historically, the addiction field used total abstinence as the primary marker of recovery. Although harm reduction is increasingly accepted, abstinence remains a primary treatment outcome and central goal of mutual aid groups. Recovery research often measures success primarily in terms of abstinence. This focus limits knowledge about recovery progress and outcomes for non-abstinent individuals and the field’s ability to support this population. This dissertation advances research in the field because it studies a community, rather than a treatment sample; it focuses on early recovery, which is a crucial period in the recovery trajectory; and studies a rarely researched population – individuals who identify as having resolved an addiction and are non-abstinent. AIMS: This three-paper dissertation explores insights into the perceptions of individuals in a community sample about their experiences in early recovery. The first two papers used data from a survey to achieve the following aims: (1) Recruit a sample of abstinent and non-abstinent individuals with diverse substance use and treatment histories; (2) Compare abstinent and non-abstinent participants’ responses to the pre-screen questionnaire; (3) Compare participants’ addiction and treatment history and mental health and wellness (e.g., depression and difficulty regulating emotions) by abstinence-status. The third paper used interview data to achieve the following aims: (1) Explore motives for cannabis substitution; (2) Describe the experience of using cannabis; and (3) Examine whether cannabis use supported or harmed recovery. METHODS: The Socioecological Framework and Harm Reduction principles provided the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings for this dissertation. Participants completed online surveys about substance use, mental health, and life experiences known to impact recovery (e.g., addiction-stigma, racial and ethnic discrimination). Individuals were eligible for the study if they self-identified as having “resolved an addiction” evidenced by (1) reduced use, OR (2) reduced negative consequences, OR (3) improved social or occupational experiences. I recruited interview participants by posting advertisements on Facebook and Reddit in groups specifically related to addiction and recovery. Participants were eligible who reported that they had resolved an addiction to opioids or stimulants and subsequently increased their cannabis use (i.e., cannabis substitution). I analyzed the pre-screen questionnaire data via content analysis. Descriptive statistics and regression models were computed in SAS. I took a grounded theory approach to analyzing the interview data. First, I coded the data deductively for motivations in the Motivational Model and characterization of substitution effects. Then I coded inductively for emergent themes including additional motives (e.g., to manage withdrawal). RESULTS & DISCUSSION: Criteria for self-identification of resolving an addiction successfully enrolled abstinent and non-abstinent adults (N=267). Forty-five percent reported abstinence; the most common primary substances were alcohol (46%), opioids (23%), and stimulants (17%). Surprisingly, pre-screen responses about resolving an addiction did not differ according to abstinence-status. In bivariate analysis, abstinent participants had more often been to treatment and mutual aid groups, however there was no difference in past use severity. In regression modeling, abstinence-status was not associated with depression, though it was associated with difficulty regulating emotions. These results suggest that abstinence-status affects distinct mental health outcomes differently, and that positive recovery experiences may be achievable in some domains for non-abstinent adults. In paper three, interview participants (N=14) revealed a series of motives for cannabis use, including those identified in the Motivational Model and those that emerged from the data. Participants viewed cannabis use as compatible with their recovery. Though many participants reported negative side effects, for example increased social anxiety, they did not believe these outweighed the benefits of cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS: Counter to common assumptions in the addiction field about the necessity of abstinence in recovery, survey responses from both abstinent and non-abstinent participants proved to be more similar than different. Insight into how these groups perceive the process of resolving an addiction (1) enhance our understanding of recovery, including non-abstinent recovery, and (2) can facilitate engagement with individuals resolving addictions, even when abstinence is not one of their identified goals. The interview data offered additional insights into the role of cannabis in non-abstinent recovery, demonstrating its potential to support individuals during cravings. Clinicians in addiction treatment settings and other medical and mental health settings who see clients who are working on recovery can benefit from the findings reported here by supporting their clients regardless of the client’s abstinence goals. / 2025-10-24T00:00:00Z