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Open Access Publications from the University of California

Scholarly Works (2 results)

  • Article
  • Peer Reviewed
Electronic Green Journal, Issue 37 (2014)

This study investigated if alteration of cues and rewards of people at a university workout center could impact water bottle disposal behaviors. Using a Social Cognitive Theory model, two 8-week interventions were conducted. After a baseline was determined, educational signs were posted and then environmental changes were made to affect on awareness and cognition. Results recorded changes from a baseline proportion 73.2% of recyclable plastic and glass bottles disposed of in garbage cans to 26.8%  in the recycling bins to 26.1% of the bottles in the garbage cans and 73.9% in the recycling bins after the interventions. Surveys also suggested supportive cognitive changes. The simple interventions used to nurture, support and reinforce pro-environmental behaviors would not only lower garbage costs, research indicates these actions also improve morale, well-being, and public image. This study documents destructive waste habits can be changed toward positive recycling behaviors with proper support and design.

    Cover page: Initiating Sustainable Behavior: Feel Good for Doing Good
    • Article
    • Peer Reviewed
    UC Irvine Previously Published Works (2010)
    Diagnosing sinusitis remains a challenge for primary care physicians. There is a need for a simple, office-based technique to aid in the diagnosis of sinusitis without the cost and radiation risk of conventional radiologic imaging. We designed a low-cost near-infrared (NIR) device to transilluminate the maxillary sinuses. The use of NIR light allows for greater interrogation of deep-tissue structures as compared to visible light. NIR imaging of 21 patients was performed and compared with computed tomography (CT) scans. Individual maxillary sinuses were scored on a scale from 0 to 2 based on their degree of aeration present on CT and similarly based on the NIR signal penetration into the maxilla on NIR images. Our results showed that air-filled and fluid/tissue-filled spaces can be reasonably distinguished by their differing NIR signal penetration patterns, with average NIR imaging scores for fluid-filled maxillary sinuses (0.93+/-0.78, n=29) significantly lower than those for normal maxillary sinuses (1.62+/-0.57, n=13) (p=0.003). NIR imaging of the sinuses is a simple, safe, and cost-effective modality that can potentially aid in the diagnosis of sinusitis. Long-term, significant device refinement and large clinical trials will be needed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of this technique.
      Cover page: Near-infrared imaging of the sinuses: preliminary evaluation of a new technology for diagnosing maxillary sinusitisCreative Commons 'BY' version 4.0 license
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