The Importance of Nutrition in Oral Health in the General Population and Among Children and Adolescents

Having good oral health is vital for the U.S. population. Although there have been improvements, too many suffer from dental caries and tooth loss. Providing education, dental procedures, and nutritional foods can help prevent these issues. Healthy choices include having a diet with adequate protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, and the vitamin B complex to support proper tissue development in the oral cavity. Keeping good oral health is crucial for those suffering from diabetes mellitus. Studies show that doing this can help lower the patient\u27s A1C, therefore helping with the management of blood glucose levels and potentially slowing the progression of the disease. As children transition into adolescents, the prevalence of e-cigarette usage increases. Additional studies are needed to ensure validity with the relationship between tooth decay and use, but the studies currently show a negative impact. Sweetened beverages are another factor in the progression of poor oral health. It is necessary to ensure proper oral hygiene if regular consumption of these products occurs. Preventative measures against poor oral health include fluoride in the community water supply or oral hygiene routine, sealants, dietary choices, proper oral hygiene, and seeing a dentist. With these measures, the U.S. population can make progress in helping those suffering from poor oral health

Lichen Tour of Iowa State

For my project, I have sought to bridge the disconnect between technology and the natural world though the creation of “The Iowa State Lichen Trail”, which is hosted on a mobile friendly website. The website will guide, students, staff, faulty and visitors across ISU’s campus, stopping at multiple locations. Since most of the visitors will have never learned about this organism before, I have included a “getting to know us” and “basic anatomy” page to help orient visitors. At each stop, there are multiple pictures guiding the user to locate and identify the key features of the lichen. Each stop lists the names, both scientific and common, pertinent information about its ecology, and at several spots, how to distinguish the species from similar species. I collected, identified, and chose all the lichens represented on the webpage. I intentionally chose long-living, permanent lichen to ensure the trail can be enjoyed for the years to come

Dynamical Henneaux-Teitelboim Gravity

We consider a modified gravity model which we call "dynamical Henneaux-Teitelboim gravity" because of its close relationship with the Henneaux-Teitelboim formulation of unimodular gravity. The latter is a fully diffeomorphism-invariant formulation of unimodular gravity, where full diffeomorphism invariance is achieved by introducing two additional non-dynamical fields: a scalar, which plays the role of a cosmological constant, and a three-form whose exterior derivative is the spacetime volume element. Dynamical Henneaux-Teitelboim gravity is a generalization of this model that includes kinetic terms for both the scalar and the three-form with arbitrary couplings. We study the field equations for the cases of spherically symmetric and homogeneous, isotropic configurations. In the spherically symmetric case, we solve the field equations analytically for small values of the coupling to obtain an approximate black hole solution. In the homogeneous and isotropic case, we perturb around de Sitter space to find an approximate cosmological background for our model.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure

Challenges facing online research: Experiences from research concerning cyber-victimisation of people with disabilities

Abstract The victimisation of people living with disabilities and chronic conditions is a documented phenomenon. It ranges from harassment incidents to disability hate crimes, and causes physical, mental and psychosocial consequences. The Internet has further reshaped this phenomenon which lead to “cyber-victimisation” experiences, with no less impact upon victims. This methodology paper focuses mainly on the challenges and implications of using online methods in a UK-based study exploring the impact of cyber-victimisation on people coping with disabilities and chronic conditions. Mixed-method design was adopted via an online-survey followed by in-depth interviewing of victims. Online recruitment was through victim-support groups, patient-support groups, and social media. Out of 80 organisations and charities approached, 51(63.8%) gatekeepers helped to reach participants. Recruitment and data collection process was challenged by four overarching themes: 1) social identity in online support groups, 2) the role of online gatekeepers, 3) the contradictory role of social media, and 4) promoting inclusivity. These challenges were theorised from the perspective of the Social Identity Theory. Representing self as a victim and/or a disabled-person had its implications on virtual groups’ membership, social media use, gatekeepers’ decisions and subsequent participation. Some identity aspects were highlighted as positive points to improve engagement with research. In conclusion, the Internet has aggravated the vulnerability of people with disabilities, but it also has a huge potential in researching sensitive topics with this group. Future research in the cyberspace should acknowledge the challenges of online identities of disabled victimised people, and focus on positive identity aspects to facilitate the research process and encourage collaborative participation at early stages of research. Keywords: cyberstalking; cyberharrasment; disability hate crime; Social Identity Theory; online research; methodological challenge

Veto for the ZEPLIN-III dark matter detector

Cold dark matter in the form of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) is a favoured explanation to the galactic dark matter puzzle and could account for a large proportion of the missing mass of the Universe. There are currently numerous detectors around the world attempting to observe a WIMP signal. The ZEPLIN-III detector is one such device. Utilising liquid xenon as a target medium, identification is based on extraction of scintillation and electroluminescence signals from the two-phase xenon target caused when WIMPs scatter and has recently completed its first science run (FSR). With no WIMP signal observed, ZEPLIN-III has excluded a WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross section above 8.1 × 10−8 pb (90% confidence limit) for a WIMP mass of 60 GeV/c2 and also set a 90% confidence upper limit of a pure WIMP-neutron spin-dependent cross section of 1.9 × 10−2 pb for a 55 GeV/c2 WIMP mass. However, the focus of this thesis is the future of the ZEPLIN-III detector with regards to the second science run (SSR). As with all dark matter detectors, background reduction from neutrons and gamma-rays plays a significant part in obtaining competitive WIMP detection sensitivities. The author has contributed significantly to the design, development and testing of a low radioactivity veto for the ZEPLIN-III detector, to be retrofitted in time for the SSR. It will detect neutrons and gamma-rays in coincidence with the ZEPLIN-III target allowing these events to be removed as candidate WIMP events. This thesis describes the author’s contribution to the design, construction, testing and evaluation of the veto. Also discussed is the development of a comprehensive Monte Carlo simulation, utilised to aid in the design process, to determine the background rates emanating from the veto components (and therefore possible impact on the low sensitivity running of ZEPLIN-III), and to provide an accurate estimation of the overall veto efficiency to reject coincident neutrons and gamma-rays. The veto will have a neutron rejection factor of 67%, reducing the expected neutron background in ZEPLIN-III from 0.4 neutrons/year to 0.14 neutrons/year, a significant factor in the event of a possible WIMP observation. In addition to the work performed on the ZEPLIN-III veto, the author has also contributed to the first science run analysis program by profiling the historical evolution of the electron lifetime throughout the FSR, and implementing consideration of this to improve the data quality

The Impact of Cybervictimization on the Self-Management of Chronic Conditions:Lived Experiences

BackgroundCybervictimization of people with long-term conditions is a disturbing phenomenon with a documented impact on health and well-being. These experiences are primarily examined using quantitative methods, focusing on children and young people. However, research centered on the cybervictimization of adults with chronic conditions is scarce, with limited qualitative input from the victims as experts in their own experiences. ObjectiveThis study aims to understand the impact of cybervictimization on the self-management of long-term conditions among adults with chronic conditions and disabilities in the United Kingdom. MethodsThis paper reports the findings from the qualitative phase of a phenomenologically informed mixed methods study. The biographical disruption concept was used to conceptualize the study. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 13 participants with chronic conditions who experienced cybervictimization. A codebook was developed, and a zigzag approach to thematic analysis was used to define and refine themes. Ethical considerations and risk assessment were ongoing during the research process because of the sensitivity of the topic and cases of harassment. ResultsCybervictimization has direct and indirect impacts on the self-management of chronic conditions. This impact was verified across 6 overarching themes that emerged from this study. First, biomedical events included overall health deterioration because of existing conditions, new diagnoses, and subjective physical complaints. Second, the impact on mental health was perceived through psychological consequences and psychiatric disorders that developed after or during this traumatic experience. Third, the multilevel impact theme focused on disrupting the strategies for coping with health conditions and involved unplanned changes to victims’ health management priorities. Fourth, the impact of complexity reflected the perceived uniqueness in each case, intersectionality, struggle to obtain formal support, and subsequent health complications. Fifth, social network involvement comprised the effects of social isolation, victim blaming, and deception. Finally, the disability discrimination theme focused on prejudice, issues on inclusion, and hostility in society, with subsequent effects on well-being. ConclusionsPeople with long-term conditions experienced different forms of cybervictimization, all disruptive with various effects on health. Disability discrimination was a prominent finding to be further investigated. This paper reports the impact as themes to guide further research and practice, with the recognition that long-term conditions and impairments are not a homogeneous group. Despite the devastating consequences, there are positive points that strengthen potential interventions. Awareness-raising campaigns, training of support channels, and multidisciplinary research are recommended to tackle this issue and initiate change

Understanding dental professionals’ roles in oral health education

Re-orientation of dentistry towards prevention is leading to a greater emphasis on attempts to encourage patient self-care through Oral Health Education (OHE) in general dental practice. Little is known about how dental professionals define prevention and how it is applied in practice or on how patients’ expectations influence their understanding of the OHE interaction. The main research question addressed in this thesis is “How is oral health education understood and delivered within a preventive approach?”. Qualitative data were gathered from semi-structured interviews with 30 dental professionals (17 dentists, seven dental nurses, and six dental therapists) and 87 patients. Prior to the Covid-19 restrictions, case studies of two NHS general dental practices generated 14 dental professional interviews (six dentists, three dental therapists, and six dental nurses), and 20 patient telephone interviews (10 per practice). Following the Covid-19 restrictions, telephone interviews were carried out with a further 11 dentists and three dental therapists. Sixty-seven patients were recruited for telephone interview via HealthWise Wales. The data were analysed using Thematic Analysis and mapped onto the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) using qualitative content analysis. Findings included a favourable view of the perceived importance and patient benefit of OHE by both patients and dental professionals, and patient trust in the expertise of dental professionals. Key practice-related and dental professional-patient communication barriers to OHE provision were identified such as time-pressured appointments owing to insufficient remuneration and perceptions of patient disinterest or of dental professionals’ communication of blame or judgement. Professional responses to OHE outcomes and motivation, and barriers and facilitators to behaviour change (e.g., new knowledge, retaining dentition) were also identified. The findings highlight the interactional nature of OHE and illustrate how the encounter is constrained or facilitated by contextual factors operating at different levels, both for the dental professional and the patient

‘The language is disgusting and they refer to my disability’: the cyberharassment of disabled people

Disabled people face hostility and harassment in their sociocultural environment. The use of electronic-communications creates an online context that further reshape this discrimination. We explored the experiences of 19 disabled victims of cyberharassment. Five themes emerged from the study: disability and health consequences, family involvement, misrepresentation of self, perceived complexity, and lack of awareness and expertise. Cyberharassment incidents against disabled people were influenced by the pre-existing impairment, perceived hate-targeting, and perpetrators faking disability to get closer to victims online. Our findings highlight a growing issue requiring action and proper support

A whole-team approach to optimising general dental practice teamwork: development of the Skills-optimisation Self-evaluation Toolkit (SOSET)

Introduction Studies across the health service reveal benefits of teamwork and barriers to its optimal use. Drawing upon the established Maturity Matrix Dentistry method, the Skills Optimisation Self-Evaluation Toolkit (SOSET) was developed to enable the whole dental team to critically review how they address skill-mix in delivery of patient-centred oral healthcare in their practice. This paper outlines the development of the SOSET and explores its usefulness to general dental practice teams. Methods Research literature and interview data from general dental practice teams were coded for high-level factors (positive and negative) influencing teamwork. We used this coding to identify skill-mix domains, and within each, define criteria. The SOSET process was refined following consultations with dental professionals and piloting. Results Eighty-four papers were coded and 38 dental team members were interviewed across six sites. The SOSET matrix was developed containing nine domains reflecting the use of skill-mix, each containing six development-level criteria. The domains addressed factors such as team beliefs on skill-mix and knowledge of team members' scope of practice, patient demand, the business case, staffing and training, and the practice premises. The process was piloted in 11 practices across South Wales, and feedback was received from 92 staff members. Results showed that the SOSET process was straightforward, that the whole team could contribute to discussion and that it would be used to improve practice. Following piloting, four domains were merged into two new domains, and the number of criteria within all domains was reduced and the wording simplified (seven domains, with four criteria each). Conclusion We used a systematic and rigorous process to develop the SOSET to support dental teams to progress their teamwork practices. Its usefulness was demonstrated in the pilot. The SOSET is now being offered to general dental practices across Wales

Appearance-focused Internet Use and the Thin-beauty Ideal

Websites featuring appearance-focused content are a medium for constant appearance comparisons, addiction and pressure to meet existing beauty-ideals. This study investigated a sample of 264 males and females who use appearance-focused websites, with a view to determining the relationship with appearance dissatisfaction and self-worth. Data collection involved posting links to online questionnaires on popular social networking sites. Internet appearance exposure was found to correlate with a greater drive for thinness in females, suggesting that exposure to the thin-ideal body images presented online reinforces women’s desire to achieve the cultural expectations of body shape and weight. Furthermore the study highlighted that internet addiction was associated with a drive for thinness and low self-esteem in both males and females, with differences exhibited in regards to body-esteem. These findings emphasise the need for pathological internet use to be incorporated into media literacy programs and to encourage a critical stance toward current beauty standards