Matching Items (44)
Description
This research presents an analysis of the main institutions and economic incentives that drive farmers behaviors on water use in the Chancay-Lambayeque basin, located in Lambayeque (Peru), a semi arid area of great agricultural importance. I focus my research on identifying the underlying causes of non-collaborative behaviors in regard to water appropriation and infrastructure provisioning decision that generates violent conflicts between users. Since there is not an agreed and concrete criteria to assess "sustainability" I used economic efficiency as my evaluative criteria because, even though this is not a sufficient condition to achieve sustainability it is a necessary one, and thus achieving economic efficiency is moving towards sustainable outcomes. Water management in the basin is far from being economic efficient which means that there is some room for improving social welfare. Previous studies of the region have successfully described the symptoms of this problem; however, they did not focus their study on identifying the causes of the problem. In this study, I describe and analyze how different rules and norms (institutions) define farmers behaviors related to water use. For this, I use the Institutional Analysis and Development framework and a dynamic game theory model to analyze how biophysical attributes, community attributes and rules of the system combined with other factors, can affect farmers actions in regard to water use and affect the sustainability of water resources. Results show that water rights are the factor that is fundamental to the problem. Then, I present an outline for policy recommendation, which includes a revision of water rights and related rules and policies that could increase the social benefits with the use of compensation mechanisms to reach economic efficiency. Results also show that commonly proposed solutions, as switch to less water intensive and more added value crops, improvement in the agronomic and entrepreneurial knowledge, or increases in water tariffs, can mitigate or exacerbate the loss of benefits that come from the poor incentives in the system; but they do not change the nature of the outcome.
ContributorsRubinos, Cathy (Author) / Eakin, Hallie (Committee member) / Abbot, Joshua K (Committee member) / York, Abigail (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2013
Description
In the digital humanities, there is a constant need to turn images and PDF files into plain text to apply analyses such as topic modelling, named entity recognition, and other techniques. However, although there exist different solutions to extract text embedded in PDF files or run OCR on images, they typically require additional training (for example, scholars have to learn how to use the command line) or are difficult to automate without programming skills. The Giles Ecosystem is a distributed system based on Apache Kafka that allows users to upload documents for text and image extraction. The system components are implemented using Java and the Spring Framework and are available under an Open Source license on GitHub (https://github.com/diging/).
ContributorsLessios-Damerow, Julia (Contributor) / Peirson, Erick (Contributor) / Laubichler, Manfred (Contributor) / ASU-SFI Center for Biosocial Complex Systems (Contributor)
Created2017-09-28
Description
Because collective cognition emerges from local signaling among group members, deciphering communication systems is crucial to understanding the underlying mechanisms. Alarm signals are widespread in the social insects and can elicit a variety of behavioral responses to danger, but the functional plasticity of these signals has not been well studied. Here we report an alarm pheromone in the ant Temnothorax rugatulus that elicits two different behaviors depending on context. When an ant was tethered inside an unfamiliar nest site and unable to move freely, she released a pheromone from her mandibular gland that signaled other ants to reject this nest as a potential new home, presumably to avoid potential danger. When the same pheromone was presented near the ants' home nest, they were instead attracted to it, presumably to respond to a threat to the colony. We used coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to identify candidate compounds from the mandibular gland and tested each one in a nest choice bioassay. We found that 2,5-dimethylpyrazine was sufficient to induce rejection of a marked new nest and also to attract ants when released at the home nest. This is the first detailed investigation of chemical communication in the leptothoracine ants. We discuss the possibility that this pheromone's deterrent function can improve an emigrating colony's nest site selection performance.
ContributorsSasaki, Takao (Author) / Hoelldobler, Bert (Author) / Millar, Jocelyn G. (Author) / Pratt, Stephen (Author) / College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / ASU-SFI Center for Biosocial Complex Systems (Contributor) / Center for Social Dynamics and Complexity (Contributor)
Created2014-09-01
Description
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States. Uninsured women are less likely to receive breast cancer screenings, more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage, and more likely to have poorer outcomes following a breast cancer diagnosis (Abdelsattar et al., 2016; Akinlotan et al., 2021; Ko et al., 2020; & Ntiri et al., 2018). Women in underserved communities often experience socioeconomic barriers which impact obtaining preventative screenings, such as mammograms. Lack of patient navigation, transportation, and financial concerns interfere with obtaining breast cancer screening (Akinlotan et al., 2021 & Miller et al., 2019). Through the intervention of mobile mammography, uninsured women in underserved communities can be reached and access to screening mammograms can be achieved (Stanley et al., 2017 & Vang et al., 2018). Two mobile mammography events were hosted at the project site which provided 35 women with screening mammograms. All scheduled mammogram time slots at the events were filled and completed. Offering mobile mammography to this population has the potential to increase breast cancer surveillance.
ContributorsGlessner-Vallee, Paula (Author) / Santerre, Jennifer (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-04-26
Description
Introduction: The objective of this study is to emphasize the significance of exclusive breastfeeding (EB) and investigate methods to encourage and sustain it within a hospital environment. Using the self-efficacy theory, the study seeks to improve the current support system for breastfeeding mothers and their families. Methods: The project was approved by the university IRB and facility IRB; guidelines were maintained. The project takes place in a non-profit organization in the southwestern United States. Education was conducted at a required staff meeting for Women and Infant Services (WIS) floor about supporting breastfeeding mothers. A pre- and post-education Breastfeeding Knowledge Scale (BKS) survey was performed, effectiveness was measured using a two-tailed t-test. The reliability of the BKS scale is 0.83 and the validity of the scale is reported to be strong. The hospital measures the EB rates of patients that are greater than 37 weeks gestation without need for neonatal intensive unit care and the mom requests to breastfeed. Results: The goal was 42% rate of EB in the first 48 hours after birth. After education the average rate of EB was 39.6%, lower than the goal but higher than the 33.7% rate before education. A two-tailed paired sample t-test (n=27) was used for BKS and the results were significant based on an alpha value; thus, showing significant knowledge gain. Conclusion: Consistent staff education improves breastfeeding support for moms in the hospital, leading to successful exclusive breastfeeding. This project benefits various settings, such as pediatric, postpartum, labor and delivery, and pediatric offices.
ContributorsHudson, Jennifer (Author) / Esperas, Amanda (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-04-26
Description
Introduction: Depression screening in the pediatric setting is a crucial part of the adolescent's examination. A standardized screening tool and protocol streamlines the process of assessing adolescents and minimizes the chances of serious mental health disorders going undetected and untreated. Evaluation of current evidence demonstrates the use of a standardized tool improves detection, diagnosis, and management of depression and other mental health illnesses.
Method: The Patient Health Questionnaire—modified for adolescents (PHQ9-A) was administered to all eligible adolescents, ages 12-18, during an annual well visit for a period of 6 weeks. Lewin's Change Theory guided a system change in the electronic health record, and the questionnaire results were documented and provided to the pediatric provider at the time of the appointment. A chart review was conducted to determine whether all eligible patients were administered the questionnaire and if a depression diagnosis or mental health referral had been made.
Results: Out of 76 eligible well visits, 65 (86%) patients completed the PHQ9-A. The average score was 5.29 (SD = 6.49) with a maximum score of 25. Out of those that completed screening, 11 (17%) had a positive PHQ9-A score resulting in 8 referrals to mental health services and 2 mental health diagnoses in the clinic.
ContributorsCoomer, Meagan (Author) / Rauton, Monica (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-04-27
Description
Background: There is growing evidence that persistent exposure to the adverse effects of stressful work conditions, abuse, and re-traumatization without proper intervention leads to compassion fatigue (CF) and reduced compassion satisfaction (CS). Without appropriate intervention, the outcome of CF affects the patient, staff, and the organization. Despite proposed self-care measures, mental health (MH) workers continue to struggle with CF and lack the resources to combat the issue.
Objectives: Ongoing awareness on the implications of trauma and its impact on one's behavior, supports the use of Trauma-informed care (TIC) skills in creating a conducive work environment. This quality improvement project examines the efficacy of TIC education as an intervention for CF pre/post-one-hour education session among MH workers.
Methods: MH nurses (n=8) from diverse backgrounds in a Phoenix inpatient psychiatric hospital gave consent for the study. Participation was sought via flyers and entailed attending the one-hour education session, filling out a demographic, and pre/post-professional quality of life (ProQol) surveys. The ProQol standardized tool measures CF, CS, and burnout with reliability >0.70. Expected outcomes include a reduction in CF and an improvement in CS. Data analysis using intellectus software involved descriptive analysis and paired t-tests to compare outcomes.
Results: Pre/post data analysis was statistically significant, P = 0.003, which shows a reduction in CF and an improvement in CS.
Conclusion: TIC as an intervention for CF looks promising. MH nurses can manage their stress symptoms and that of their patients using TIC skills.
ContributorsOnyia, Nneka (Author) / Guthery, Ann (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-04-29
Description
Substance use disorder has been increasing in the United States year after year. Modern treatments fail as often as they succeed. The current standards of practice fail to provide patients with the ability to harness thoughts and control anxiety. Mindfulness practices are currently being adapted as a therapeutic technique to address some of these concerns. An exhaustive literature review was conducted to investigate how various mindfulness techniques impact substance use disorder. Ten high-quality studies were retained and synthesized to show current understandings of the effectiveness of a mindfulness therapeutic technique. An evidence-based intervention is suggested for implementing mindfulness-based relapse prevention into a residential treatment facility. The intervention created incorporates the self-efficacy theory and an adapted health-belief model. Adults in a residential treatment facility for substance use disorder were given eight mindfulness sessions over the course of four weeks. Participants were given pre- and post-intervention screenings for mindful attention and anxiety. The data analysis after two-tailed paired T-tests showed that anxiety significantly decreased (α=.05, p<.001) and mindful attention increased significantly (α=.05, p=.015). Overall, mindfulness shows promise in its potential to reduce substance abuse.
ContributorsWandler, Ryan (Author) / Nunez, Diane (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-04-27
Description
An alarming number of youth have mental health concerns, but of those who are diagnosed, only half receive treatment. Using Bandera's social cognitive theory, one can achieve behavioral changes through self-efficacy and control their actions by self-regulation. Mindfulness activities, when implemented early, can decrease stress, and improve well-being in youth.
Methods:
This project was implemented among students attending an alternative high school in Arizona. Nine students participated in four different mindfulness, hands-on activities during two classes- 1 hour each. Participants completed a pre and a post-test with the 10-item questionnaire Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and a 3-question survey to evaluate the program at the end of the second week.
Results: Among the 9 participants (mean age = 16 SD=2.06), the stress levels were considered low to moderate in the pretest (mean=16.56) and the post-test (mean=15.89). Stress level scores were reduced after the education although the difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, all participants agreed that the content and activities were appropriate, 88.9% agreed they had a "better understanding of how to reduce stress," and 77.8% stated their "knowledge of stress has improved."
Discussion/Conclusion:
This project aimed to help reduce vulnerable adolescents' stress level through mindfulness activities. Mental health education like this may help adolescents better manage stress and consequently promote their overall well-being. Future projects should recruit a larger sample and implement a longer time for larger and longer effects.
ContributorsQualman, Stephanie (Author) / Chen, Angela (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-05-10
Description
Mental health challenges are becoming a significant public health issue for adolescents/teenagers, and primary interventions have been focused on mental health education. Because adolescents spend most of their time in school, primary mental health interventions should be prioritized in this setting. A PICOT question was developed to determine if mental health literacy (MHL) in adolescents would improve while decreasing stigma and improving help-seeking behaviors after a program of enhanced mental health education. Partnering with a large Arizona suburban school district social work department, a teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) pilot program was implemented for a class of nine (n = 9) adolescent students (aged 17-18 years) old during the school day. tMHFA was delivered in three 90-minute class days. Using the Mental Health Literacy questionnaire (MHLq), a pre and post-test design revealed a significant (p value=less than 0.05) increase in the students' MHL, help-seeking behaviors, and decreased stigma after delivery. This quality improvement project was IRB approved, and all human subjects' rights were protected. In conclusion, there is strong evidence that enhanced mental health programming, such as tMHFA, effectively educates adolescents about mental health challenges and, perhaps, could promote behavioral changes in future generations.
ContributorsJones, M. Christina (Author) / Schiller, Zita (Thesis advisor) / College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2023-05-15