According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maternal mortality disparities, or differences in the rates of maternal mortality among certain populations, are a particular concern. The maternal mortality rate in Black women has increased, at the same time it has decreased for other racial groups. This study investigated the awareness level among undergraduate students from a variety of majors with a range of professional aspirations about maternal mortality rates and the associated disparities in the United States (U.S.). Seventy-two undergraduate students from a medium-sized public, Midwestern university participated in this study by completing an online survey. The survey included demographic questions, academic major, and professional aspirations. Respondents answered questions about maternal mortality rates and factors linked to maternal mortality in the U.S. The framework of the Community Readiness Model (CRM) was used to determine the campus stage of readiness based on the reported levels of awareness. Analysis of the survey responses indicated most students recognized health disparities related to maternal mortality are a problem in the U.S. This student data, in conjunction with other community factors such as the leadership and activities of the Office of Community Enrichment, led to a determination that the community was in the Preplanning stage of readiness. These results inform efforts to move the community into the Preparation stage in which decisions will be made about the evidence-based advocacy actions to address maternal mortality disparities at the state and federal levels.

Osseointegration is a surgical technique that allows for the direct skeletal attachment of a prosthetic limb, offering a modern alternative to traditional socket prostheses. While socket prostheses remain widely used, they are often associated with issues such as skin irritation, poor fit, discomfort, and limited mobility, which can negatively impact an amputee’s daily life and independence. The current study explores the full recovery timeline of osseointegration, beginning with surgery and continuing through rehabilitation and eventual functional prosthetic use as compared to the traditional socket prostheses process. A comprehensive review of current literature was conducted, drawing from case studies and long-term clinical data from the United States but also primarily from Sweden and Germany, where osseointegration is more commonly practiced. Results suggest that osseointegration may offer improved outcomes in prosthesis comfort, mobility, and wear time. Patients often report a greater ability to perform daily activities with less discomfort and fewer skin complications. However, challenges such as risk of infection, the need for multiple surgeries, limited access in the United States, and lack of insurance coverage remain significant barriers. Understanding the timeline to recovery is crucial for setting patient expectations, guiding rehabilitation protocols, and expanding access to this promising approach in prosthetic care.

Adductor Laryngeal Dystonia (AdLD) is a neurological disorder that causes vocal fold spasms during speech. This results in voice disruptions that cause reduced intelligibility and a breakdown of communication. This disorder has no cure, and from the patient's perspective, this means symptomatic treatment with injections of botulinum toxin (BTX) every 3-4 months. A key barrier to improving treatment is the difficulty of objectively and efficiently evaluating the efficacy of new interventions. The current gold-standard approach involves manually measuring voice disruptions, which is both time-intensive and susceptible to human error. The use of automated detection to identify and measure disruptions could address this by increasing the objectivity and efficiency of voice analysis in AdLD. The purpose of the current study is to determine the accuracy of automated detection of voice disruptions. Manual analysis will be completed by three human raters. Accuracy of automated detection will be measured with intraclass correlation coefficients between the automated detection and manual measurements. Results will help determine whether this tool can be used in the analysis of voice for treatment response monitoring in AdLD. This could aid the development and assessment of more novel interventions.

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is an essential micronutrient crucial for multiple physiological processes. Deficiency is common in areas where diets depend heavily on polished white rice. Sub-clinical levels of thiamine deficiency undercut infants’ neurocognitive development, with negative consequences for health and socio-cognitive functioning. My project is conducted within the context of a recent randomized, controlled trial in rural Cambodia. 335 breast-feeding mothers received daily thiamine supplementation of either 0mg (placebo), 1.2mg, 2.4mg, or 10mg from 2 to 24 weeks post-partum. Findings confirmed that maternal thiamine supplementation protects at-risk infants’ neurocognitive development. What remains uninvestigated is how thiamine supplementation may influence playful mother/infant interactions, which are known to benefit infants’ health and well-being. Mothers and infants participated in the Primary Engagement Task (PET) at 2, 12, and 24 weeks post-partum; mothers attempted to coax a smile from the infant with graduated cues to playful engagement. Mothers’ playful engagement is rated on six dimensions; eye contact, facial and vocal engagement, tactile interaction, affective signaling, and contingent responsiveness. We predict a significant quadratic pattern in mothers’ engagement ratings across the PET, and higher maternal engagement ratings as infant age and thiamine dose increase. Results of this project hold the potential to shape health policy by bolstering the case for population-level intervention to prevent thiamine deficiency in at-risk regions globally.