Tenacity

ABSTRACT Creating my exhibition, Tenacity, was a labor of love that took place over the year and a half that I was a student in Stephen F. Austin State University of Texas’s Graduate Program. I explored new processes in painting, including the use of transfers, and did extensive research into the lives of female historical figures. This exhibition was born of a wish to share knowledge with others as well as to remind society that anyone can elicit change

Workplace Engagement Around Stewardship and Recyling in a Healthcare Setting

The healthcare industry is second only to the food industry in overall waste production, and there are many opportunities to mitigate the environmental impacts of waste through waste reduction and recycling programs in healthcare. Beaumont Royal Oak is a 1,000-bed hospital in Southeast Michigan that is part of an eight-hospital, non-profit health system called Beaumont Health. Beaumont Royal Oak is unique in that it has a voluntary training program that educates employees on environmental stewardship in the work place. The Green Officer program is administered by a Green Team made up of leaders in the hospital. In addition to running the Green Officer training program, the Green Team also implements other environmental stewardship initiatives at the hospital. While the Green Team had been successful in recruiting 483 employees to undergo the Green Officer certification program at Royal Oak, as of January 2015, they lacked information about whether Green Officer’s attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors differed from non-trained employees. At the same time, data on the hospital’s waste management revealed that the hospital’s recycling rate was lower than other hospitals with dedicated stewardship programs. This master’s project attempted to answer two questions: (1) how do Beaumont Royal Oak staff perceive and engage in environmental stewardship in the work place, and (2) how can Beaumont Royal Oak increase its recycling rate? To help us answer the second question, we used the Community-Based Social Marketing (CBSM) framework to give us guidance on how to address recycling in particular. The framework helped us focus on identifying barriers and benefits to recycling and engagement in environmental stewardship. We employed a wide variety of methods, including site visits, a literature review, an online survey, and employee interviews to answer our two questions. Our survey formed the crux of our data collection process and the findings from it provided the foundation for our recommendations. We used Qualtrics software to design our 10-minute, online survey which we distributed to both Green Officers and non-Green officers within the hospital. The goals of this survey instrument were two-fold: one, to gather data about environmental stewardship among employees at Beaumont Royal Oak, and two, to identify reasons why employees were not recycling at Beaumont Royal Oak. The first half of our survey measured whether there were differences between the environmental behavior and attitudes reported by Green Officers and non-Green Officers, while the second half narrowed in on recycling and measured employee knowledge and awareness of recycling procedures, self-reported recycling behaviors, and employee perceptions of barriers to recycling. We conducted our analysis based on a sample of 294 responses, composed of 116 GOs and 178 non- GOs. Based on our analysis, we saw that attitudes towards the hospital’s work in environmental stewardship were positive across all employees suggesting ample support for future stewardship programming. Green Officers, however, reported practicing environmental stewardship behaviors in the work place more often than their colleagues who are not Green Officers. This finding suggested that Green Officers are a key group to include in developing and rolling out behavior change interventions. The second portion of the survey focused on recycling, and for all items that we asked about, we found that Green Officers recycle them more frequently than employees who have not been trained. Our survey findings demonstrated that Green Officers are also more knowledgeable about what is recyclable in the hospital. However, across both groups we found that there was a lower level of knowledge about how recycling worked in the hospital. When we asked about barriers to recycling, we found that non- Green Officers reported finding recycling more difficult than Green Officers. They consider it more inconvenient, they are more confused about labels, and they do not feel it is as worthwhile as their Green Officers counterparts do. They also reported feeling less encouragement from supervisors and colleagues to recycle. The barriers identified by respondents demonstrated a need for greater communication about how the recycling program works and how the hospital is performing over time. The physical infrastructure of the recycling bins could also use greater standardization, while still keeping unique needs for different types of workspaces in mind. Based on our site visits, survey, literature review, and interviews, we created six recommendations that fit into three themes: convenience, awareness and knowledge, and motivation. These six recommendations are to increase bin availability, standardize bin appearance, inform employees how and where to recycle, tap into effective communication channels, renew commitments regularly, and to recognize recycling leaders for their efforts. A summary table of recommendations is shown in Section 7.3. After describing our recommendations, we provide guidance to Beaumont for completing the final steps of the CBSM process. This includes piloting, evaluating, and adjusting strategies, then scaling them up across the hospital. In conclusion, this project helps the Beaumont RO Green Team understand the current state of attitudes, knowledge, and engagement regarding environmental stewardship and recycling. After investing heavily in training hundreds of GOs, a feat unique in healthcare organizations across the country, there is still much more to do to help GOs succeed in helping their peers be better stewards at work. This project contributes to the small body of knowledge surrounding healthcare professionals’ opinions on environmental issues. This is an important contribution because healthcare professionals are trusted members of the community and can be strong environmental leaders with the right support and direction.Master of ScienceNatural Resources and EnvironmentUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/117634/1/Masters Project Beaumont Sustainability Final Report.pd

eHealth interventions for people with chronic kidney disease

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: This review aims to look at the benefits and harms of using eHealth interventions in the CKD population

Interventions for improving health literacy in people with chronic kidney disease

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: This review aims to look at the benefits and harms of interventions for improving health literacy in patients with CKD

DIVERSIDAD Y COMPOSICIÓN FLORÍSTICA DE TRES TIPOS DE BOSQUE EN LA ESTACIÓN BIOLÓGICA CAPARÚ, VAUPÉS

The Amazon forests are among the most diverse ecosystems in the planet. Although some countries of the Amazon Basin have a fairly complete record of their plants, in Colombia much effort is still needed to have a good idea of the plant diversity patterns and floristic composition. Three one hectare vegetation-land plots (dbh 10 cm) were established in Vaupés, Colombia, regarding three types of forest: Colina, Terraza (Terra Firme forests) and Igapó (periodically flooded). Plant diversity was estimated and floristic composition was described classifying the most important families and species. The highest diversity was found in Colina (Fisher's = 160.3), followed by Terraza ( = 78.4) and Igapó ( = 44.7). Fabaceae s.l. was the most important family of all plots, but in Terraza forest the importance of Arecaceae was similar to that of Fabaceae. Floristic composition was also remarkably different amongst the three forest types, especially Igapó, which was the most dissimilar. However, both Terra Firme forests showed strong floristic differences, which may be caused by differences in abiotic factors (i.e. soils). High plant diversity reported in this study agrees with the hypothesis that central and western Amazon forests are the most diverse of the Amazon Basin.Los bosques amazónicos han sido incluidos entre los más diversos del planeta. Aunque en algunos países de la Amazonía existe un amplio registro de sus plantas, en Colombia hace falta un mayor esfuerzo para tener una buena idea de su diversidad y composición florística. Se levantaron tres parcelas permanentes de vegetación (dap 10 cm) de una ha en el Vaupés colombiano, en tres tipos de bosque: Colina, Terraza e Igapó (los dos primeros de Terra Firme y el tercero inundable). El objetivo fue cuantificar la diversidad y describir la composición florística en términos de índices de importancia para familias y especies. La parcela más diversa fue la de Colina ( de Fisher = 160.3), seguida por la de Terraza ( = 78.4) y por la de Igapó ( =44.7). La familia Fabaceae s.l. fue la más importante en las tres ha, pero en el bosque de terraza la importancia de Arecaceae fue similar a la de Fabaceae. También en composición florística los tres tipos de bosque resultaron considerablemente distintos, siendo el inundable el más disímil de los tres. Sin embargo, también encontramos diferencias importantes entre los dos bosques de tierra firme, que pueden deberse a características abióticas (i.e. suelos diferentes). La alta diversidad reportada en este estudio coincide con la hipótesis que indica que las zonas más diversas de la Amazonía son la occidental y la central

Apoptotic Killing of HIV-1–Infected Macrophages Is Subverted by the Viral Envelope Glycoprotein

Viruses have evolved strategies to protect infected cells from apoptotic clearance. We present evidence that HIV-1 possesses a mechanism to protect infected macrophages from the apoptotic effects of the death ligand TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand). In HIV-1–infected macrophages, the viral envelope protein induced macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). This pro-survival cytokine downregulated the TRAIL receptor TRAIL-R1/DR4 and upregulated the anti-apoptotic genes Bfl-1 and Mcl-1. Inhibition of M-CSF activity or silencing of Bfl-1 and Mcl-1 rendered infected macrophages highly susceptible to TRAIL. The anti-cancer agent Imatinib inhibited M-CSF receptor activation and restored the apoptotic sensitivity of HIV-1–infected macrophages, suggesting a novel strategy to curtail viral persistence in the macrophage reservoir

Green Leases: An opportunity to develop a sustainable approach for tenanted commercial buildings in the UK

Approximately 98% of the building stock in Europe comprises existing buildings. Landlords of commercial existing buildings are facing increased legislation, notably the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. This is driving them to reduce their energy consumption whilst striving to remain in a competitive market. In its widest sense energy also applies to other resources. Office tenants and landlords are finding their energy performance is increasingly being scrutinised by customers. Both parties see benefits in reducing their energy consumption. However, the relative benefits of improved practice for tenants and landlords do not always match the responsibilities apportioned in the current commercial lease agreement. An investigation incorporating thirty five commercial tenants operating from five buildings in two South Wales cities identified that the commercial lease was a major systemic barrier to energy efficiency in commercial buildings. This may be due to behavioural practice within a building, lack of defined obligations and responsibilities, ineffective communication and payment structures that inhibit tenants from carrying out actions to reduce their impact. Landlords also have difficulty in justifying investments in equipment or operational changes that would lead to environmental improvements. The potential of altering the commercial lease agreement to become a tool to aid environmental improvements (rather than a barrier) was investigated. To this end clauses which could be incorporated in the commercial lease agreement were developed. These clauses provide nontechnical solutions to tackle the identified barrier and lead all parties to reduce energy consumption. As a result of this investigation, the thirty five participating tenants implemented thirty three energy minimisation initiatives, plus twenty eight relating to general waste and three relating to water. This indicates the progress which can be achieved when the barriers are addressed

Dispersión de semillas de la palma útil (Astrocaryum chambira Burret) en tres bosques amazónicos con diferente grado de intervención humana

The young leaves of Astrocaryum chambira are used by the indigenous people in the Amazon as raw material for handicrafts. However, few studies have been made on the natural history of this palm and on the indirect impact caused by the decrease of its dispersal agents. Considering that the loss of animal dispersal vectors due to hunting and landscape modification can affect seed dispersal processes of tropical forest plants, the goal of this study was to compare seed dispersal of A. chambira in three terra firme forests of the Colombian Amazon, with different degrees of human intervention. We censused densities of dispersal agents of A. chambira, and characterized the seed shadow. We also marked seeds to estimate dispersal distances, and established density and distance-dependent experimental stations to assess their relevance on seed dispersal. The results showed that seed removal was proportional to dispersal agent densities and forest intervention levels. Insects were the main seed predators in all sites but their effect was less pronounced in the low intervened forest site. Seed density did not show any effect on removal, while a higher probability of survival at intermediate distances from the parent palm (10 m) was found. Future studies should focus on seedling establishment, recruitment rates and the effects of human intervention on subsequent life stages of the palm.Las hojas jóvenes de Astrocaryum chambira son utilizadas por las comunidades indígenas amazónicas como materia prima para la fabricación de artesanías. Sin embargo, son muy pocos los estudios acerca de su historia de vida y de los impactos indirectos causados por la disminución de sus agentes dispersores. Teniendo en cuenta que la pérdida de animales dispersores de semillas por factores como cacería y modificación de hábitat afecta la dispersión de semillas de las especies de plantas tropicales, el objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la dispersión de semillas de A. chambira en tres bosques de tierra firme del Amazonas colombiano sujetos a diferentes niveles de intervención antrópica. Censamos las densidades de los agentes dispersores de A. chambira y caracterizamos la sombra de semillas. También marcamos semillas con el fin de estimar las distancias de dispersión y establecimos estaciones experimentales de densodistancio-dependencia para evaluar su relevancia en la dispersión de semillas de esta especie. Los resultados muestran que la remoción de semillas fue proporcional a la densidad de animales y al nivel de intervención del bosque. Los insectos fueron los principales depredadores en todos los sitios pero su efecto fue menos pronunciado en el bosque menos intervenido. La densidad de semillas no generó ningún efecto en la remoción, mientras que encontramos una mayor probabilidad de supervivencia a distancias intermedias de la palma (10 m). Estudios futuros se deberían enfocar en el establecimiento de las plántulas, las tasas de reclutamiento y el efecto de la intervención antrópica en los posteriores estadios de vida de esta palma tropical

Genetic control of Aedes aegypti: data-driven modelling to assess the effect of releasing different life stages and the potential for long-term suppression

Background Control of the world’s most important vector-borne viral disease, dengue, is a high priority. A lack of vaccines or effective vector control methods means that novel solutions to disease control are essential. The release of male insects carrying a dominant lethal (RIDL) is one such approach that could be employed to control Aedes aegypti. To maximise the potential of RIDL control, optimum release strategies for transgenic mosquitoes are needed. The use of field data to parameterise models allowing comparisons of the release of different life-stages is presented together with recommendations for effective long-term suppression of a wild Ae. aegypti population. Methods A compartmental, deterministic model was designed and fitted to data from large-scale pupal mark release recapture (MRR) field experiments to determine the dynamics of a pupal release. Pulsed releases of adults, pupae or a combination of the two were simulated. The relative ability of different release methods to suppress a simulated wild population was examined and methods to maintain long-term suppression of a population explored. Results The pupal model produced a good fit to field data from pupal MRR experiments. Simulations using this model indicated that adult-only releases outperform pupal-only or combined releases when releases are frequent. When releases were less frequent pupal-only or combined releases were a more effective method of distributing the insects. The rate at which pupae eclose and emerge from release devices had a large influence on the relative efficacy of pupal releases. The combined release approach allows long-term suppression to be maintained with smaller low-frequency releases than adult- or pupal-only release methods. Conclusions Maximising the public health benefits of RIDL-based vector control will involve optimising all stages of the control programme. The release strategy can profoundly affect the outcome of a control effort. Adult-only, pupal-only and combined releases all have relative advantages in certain situations. This study successfully integrates field data with mathematical models to provide insight into which release strategies are best suited to different scenarios. Recommendations on effective approaches to achieve long-term suppression of a wild population using combined releases of adults and pupae are provided