Digital Commons Network^™

Θ And The Η ′ In Large N Supersymmetric Qcd, Michael Dine, Patrick Draper, Laurel Stephenson-Haskins, Di Xu

Physics Department Faculty Publication Series

We study the large N θ dependence and the η ′ potential in supersymmetric QCD with small soft SUSY-breaking terms. Known exact results in SUSY QCD are found to reflect a variety of expectations from large N perturbation theory, including the presence of branches and the behavior of theories with matter (both with N f ≪ N and N f ∼ N ). However, there are also striking departures from ordinary QCD and the conventional large N description: instanton effects, when under control, are not exponentially suppressed at large N , and branched structure in supersymmetric QCD is always associated …

The Importance Of Institutional Design For Distributed Local-Level Governance Of Groundwater: The Case Of California’S Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Michael Kiparsky, Anita Milman, Dave Owen, Andrew T. Fisher

Environmental Conservation Faculty Publication Series

In many areas of the world, groundwater resources are increasingly stressed, and unsustainable use has become common. Where existing mechanisms for governing groundwater are ineffective or nonexistent, new ones need to be developed. Local level groundwater governance provides an intriguing alternative to top-down models, with the promise of enabling management to better match the diversity of physical and social conditions in groundwater basins. One such example is emerging in California, USA, where new state law requires new local agencies to self-organize and act to achieve sustainable groundwater management. In this article, we draw on insights from research on common pool …

From Planning To Passing: The Amherst, Massachusetts Plastic Bag Ban, Kevin J. Hollerbach

Student Showcase

This case study will detail the background and influences for a plastic bag ban in the town of Amherst, outline the steps taken from planning to passage, and address roadblocks and missteps that may be avoided with the implementation of future bans. It is my hope that this document will not only serve as a guide, but also an inspiration for additional local action in Massachusetts and across the country. No matter what the national political climate or attitude towards environmental issues, local action is always possible, and change is usually easier than you think. Think globally, act locally!

The Perfect Storm: Lasting Impacts Of Structural Adjustment Programs And Pressures Of Climate Change In Latin America And Ghana, Africa, Sam Kefferstan

Student Showcase

This work examines the intersectionality of economic, social and environmental impacts of the International Monetary Fund’s and World Bank’s application of structural adjustment programs (SAPs) within Latin America and Ghana, Africa. Varying economic and social indicators illustrate the underperformance of SAPs in their intended mission to reduce poverty and debt in developing nations. This research argues Gross Domestic Product is an imperfect measure of improving quality of life and points towards other indicators such as increasing national debt, rising incidences of poverty, and exacerbated regional disparities to demonstrate the shortcomings of SAPs. This piece also investigates the limitations adjustment imposes …

Umass Amherst Guide To Zero-Waste Events, Kevin J. Hollerbach, Ainsley Brosnan-Smith

Student Showcase

As the University of Massachusetts Amherst continues to grow, and as programming for the campus community becomes an ever-rising priority, events organizers will need to consider the waste implications of every event to comply with state and University standards, goals, and policies. This "Guide to Zero-Waste Events" aims to streamline the planning process as well as provide tips and examples for follow-through to implementing a successful zero-waste event. The guide also presents actionable policy recommendations for the University to reduce waste and increase diversion from large-scale outdoor events on the UMass Amherst campus.

What Will It Take To Make Solar Panels Cool?, Luke Fateiger, Cameron A. Lane, M. Donald Rollings, Cameron J. Smith-Freedman

Student Showcase

With the predicted results of climate change looming, humanity must do all it can to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Maintaining a habitable environment along with the high quality of living associated with developed nations requires investment in renewable energy. Because national governments often fail to make responsible decisions for their country's future, this burden falls to institutions like UMass Amherst. Although costly investments like solar panels substantially improve the sustainability of campus, some innovative improvements of existing solar energy infrastructure can go a long way. For example, when solar panels heat up they lose photovoltaic efficiency. We propose that UMass …

Proposal For Implementation Of An E-Receipt System And Non-Toxic Compostable Receipt Paper At Umass Dining Facilities, Patricia Murphy, Randa Kallin, Kyle Grasso, Taryn Ramey

Student Showcase

For our junior year writing course, we were given the assignment to write a proposal to fix something on campus. As students passionate about sustainability, our group elected to improve an aspect of campus we thought could boost our universities impressive green reputation. We all realized receipt printing is a large and wasteful process at UMassAmherst while both large-scale stores such as Home Depot and smaller venues in downtown Amherst were able to implement an e-receipt system which saves money and resources. Although this proposal started as a class project, our group found through our research that this idea had …

Alcohol Consumption And Breast Tumor Gene Expression, Jun Wang, Yujing J. Heng, A. Heather Eliassen, Rull M. Tamimi, Aditi Hazra, Vincent J. Carey, Christine B. Ambrosone, Victor P. De Andrade, Adam Brufsky, Fergus J. Couch, Tari A. King, Francesmary Modugno, Celine M. Vachon, David J. Hunter, Andrew H. Beck, Susan E. Hankinson

Biostatistics and Epidemiology Faculty Publications Series

Background

Alcohol consumption is an established risk factor for breast cancer and the association generally appears stronger among estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors. However, the biological mechanisms underlying this association are not completely understood.

Methods

We analyzed messenger RNA (mRNA) microarray data from both invasive breast tumors (N = 602) and tumor-adjacent normal tissues (N = 508) from participants diagnosed with breast cancer in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and NHSII. Multivariable linear regression, controlling for other known breast cancer risk factors, was used to identify differentially expressed genes by pre-diagnostic alcohol intake. For pathway analysis, we performed gene …

Natural Implementation With Semi-Responsible Agents In Pure Exchange Economies, Michele Lombardi, Naoki Yoshihara

Economics Department Working Paper Series

We study Nash implementation by natural price-quantity mechanisms in pure exchange economies when agents have intrinsic preferences for responsibility. An agent has an intrinsic preference for responsibility if she cares about truth-telling that is in line with the goal of the mechanism designer besides her material well-being. A semi-responsible agent is an agent who, given what her opponents do, acts in an irresponsible manner when a responsible behavior poses obstacles to her material well-being. The class of efficient allocation rules that are Nash implementable is identified provided that there is at least one agent who is semi-responsible. The Walrasian rule …

Comments On “Full Industry Equilibrium: A Theory Of The Industrial Long Run” By Arrigo Opocher And Ian Steedman (2015), Naoki Yoshihara

Economics Department Working Paper Series

No abstract provided.

An Empirical Analysis Of Minsky Regimes In The Us Economy, Leila E. Davis, Joao Paulo A. De Souza, Gonzalo Hernandez

Economics Department Working Paper Series

In this paper we analyze Minskian dynamics in the US economy via an empirical application of Minsky’s financing regime classifications to a panel of nonfinancial corporations. First, we map Minsky’s definitions of hedge, speculative and Ponzi finance onto firm-level data to describe the evolution of Minskian regimes. We highlight striking growth in the share of Ponzi firms in the post-1970 US, concentrated among small corporations. This secular growth in the incidence of Ponzi firms is consistent with the possibility of a long wave of increasingly fragile finance in the US economy. Second, we explore the possibility of short-run Minskian dynamics …

Eds Usability Testing Final Report, Zachary Lizee, Kathleen Berry, Catherine Knapp, Heather Deirdre, Sally Krash

University Libraries Publication Series

Usability studies in academic libraries are essential tools to assess functionality and accessibility of library services. The University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries recently conducted usability studies on EBSCO’s Discovery Service, which is to be the default search platform on the University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries’ website beginning on July 2017. During the spring of 2017, Information Resources Management’s Usability Team utilized surveys, focus groups, and hands-on testing of students and faculty to assess how library patrons interacted with the new discovery service (EDS) and other related library services. The following report documents this usability study, findings discovered, and recommendations hitherto. …

2017 Chart Book: Disease Management, Erika Saalau Rojas, Frank Caruso

Cranberry Chart Book - Management Guide

No abstract provided.

2017 Chart Book: Resistance Management, Martha Sylvia, Katherine Ghantous

Cranberry Chart Book - Management Guide

No abstract provided.

A Friendly Adolescent Care Environment For Utilization Of A Pregnancy Prevention Program (Face-Up): Providing Pregnancy Prevention Strategies For At-Risk Youth, Ashley Turner

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Problem: Teen pregnancy often results in a variety of economic and social costs for the adolescents and their children. Despite recent declines, teen pregnancy rates continue to be the highest in the United States versus other industrialized nations. Purpose: Evaluate the efficacy of an educational intervention DNP project, called the Friendly Adolescent Care Environment for Utilization of a Pregnancy Prevention Model (FACE-UP), in providing pregnancy prevention strategies to at-risk high school students in Washington, D.C. The goal of this educational intervention was to decrease risk behavior patterns and increase knowledge to empower student participants. Method: The Realityworks’ Healthy Choices Curriculum …

Refugee Health Education: “Learn To Succeed. Together We Build Our Community.”, Maria Theresa P. Panizales

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: The United States Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP) advocates and supports resettled refugees towards self-sufficiency within 8 months of arriving in the US. The program assumes that refugees are able to attain autonomy within a limited time frame notwithstanding a lack of English language proficiency, low literacy, and socio-cultural discordance. After the RRP support, resettled refugees continue to experience disparities in health knowledge and a gap in socio-cultural awareness, which contribute to poor health outcomes. Purpose: To develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of a comprehensive culturally sensitive health education program in addressing resettled refugees’ identified health needs resulting from …

Integrative Review For Identifying Patients Appropriate For End-Of-Life Care Interventions By, Melissa Ellis

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: End of life is defined as the last 12 months before a person dies, with 1% of the total population passing each year. Primary care providers can predict end of life and implement interventions. Early identification of patients for palliative care prevents crises, meets the needs of patients and families, and reduces the cost of healthcare. Screening for end-of-life care needs in primary care using the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) and the Prognostic Indicator Guidance (PIG) tool/surprise question will minimize risk of missed interventional opportunities.

Purpose: This educational intervention served to increase provider knowledge of the GSF …

Advanced Directives In Primary Care, Kathryn Sondrini

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

The disclosure of information to patients on the subject of code status is variable as there is a lack of evidence based practice or standardized disclosure of information. Multiple articles and studies have been reviewed which illustrate such a deficit but do not indicate how to either create or implement evidence-based practice to address this deficit. The review of literature will further illustrate the knowledge and communication deficits between patients and providers with code status discussions. The purpose of this study was the creation and evaluation of a standardized discussion/disclosure of code status information and a checklist of topics completed …

Improving Overall Health Outcomes Through Public Health Workforce Development, Zienna Blackwell

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Poor health outcomes among South Carolinians, indicated by an overall U.S. health ranking of 42 (America's Health Rankings, 2016) may be the result of an underdeveloped public health workforce. This can be mediated through a thorough assessment of the public health workforce followed by the implementation of a workforce development plan. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to assess the competency level of the South Carolina public health workforce and to develop, implement, and evaluate a workforce development plan to address the weaknesses identified through the assessment process. The Competency Assessment for Public Health Professionals developed by the …

Hypertension: Enhancing Lifestyle Management Through Patient Education And Pender’S Health Promotion Model, Katherine Holcomb

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Uncontrolled hypertension is a significant problem in the United States with 46% of hypertensive adults not achieving adequate blood pressure control. Inadequately treated HTN results in increased risk of renal disease, cardiovascular disease, and associated mortality. Interventions aimed at improving blood pressure control have targeted providers, patients, or a combination of providers and patients. Methods: The objective of this project was to enhance lifestyle management of patients with uncontrolled hypertension as measured by patient self-report in post-discharge interviews. The intervention incorporated education for patients on lifestyle management recommendations for hypertension as well as health promotion strategies inspired by Nola …

Evaluating Health-Related Quality Of Life For People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Quality Improvement Project To Promote Peer Support, Nicole Caron

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that impacts the central nervous system, resulting in symptoms of fatigue, numbness, tingling, weakness, dizziness, pain, spasticity, gait disturbance, and depression. How individuals cope with MS may shape adjustment, impacting health outcomes both physically and psychologically. The difficulties that MS may present can result in patients experiencing depression and decreased quality of life. Peer support has been shown to help reduce problematic health behaviors and depression, and to improve medication behavior adherence. While peer support is known to be beneficial in many types of chronic illness, it is unclear whether peer support …

The Impact Of Spinal Manipulation Therapy (Smt) For Nonspecific Low Back Pain In The Military Population: An Integrative Review With Presentation Of The Smt Toolkit To Primary Care Providers, Kelsey Ress

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Nonspecific Low Back Pain (NLBP) continues to be a frequent cause for medical care and creates significant direct and indirect costs for the patient and healthcare system. Military members are a unique patient population that is at increased risk for experiencing NLBP. Evidence supports spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) for the treatment of NLBP and clinical practice guidelines (CPG) recommend the use of SMT in the treatment of NLBP. Purpose: The purpose of this integrative review was to determine if SMT is an effective intervention for the military population experiencing NLBP. Presentation and Toolkit: An educational presentation …

Fluoride Varnish Application In The Pediatric Population, Ellen Gnaedinger

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Purpose: The United States (U.S.) has a persistent problem of dental caries in primary teeth with a greater prevalence of dental caries found in minority and poor children. The majority of children in the U.S. experience dental caries in their primary teeth by age eight. This problem could be addressed by primary care providers applying fluoride varnish (FV) to children's teeth starting at the age of primary tooth eruption. The causes of dental caries in children’s primary teeth are multifactorial and therefore require multiple interventions. Around the world providers are utilizing FV as an effective and easily administered strategy. This …

Identification And Ptsd Screening Of Military Veteran Patients In Community Healthcare: A Quality Improvement Project, Caitlin Rose Budrewicz

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Military veterans are at an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to their prior military service. Establishing veteran status of patients cared for in civilian healthcare and screening for PTSD will increase the likelihood of identifying symptoms and prompt appropriate treatment. Purpose: The focus of this project is to increase practitioner awareness and knowledge of PTSD in veteran patients as well as to identify and screen veteran patients for PTSD symptoms utilizing the primary care PTSD screen (PC-PTSD). Method: To determine veteran status, patients over the age of 18 years in an internal medicine clinic will be …

Nurse Practitioner Screening For Adverse Childhood Outcomes In Adult Primary Care, Mary B. Shafer

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) contribute to negative health outcomes. The impact of ACE is linked with physical, mental, and developmental disruption, increase in health-risk behaviors, and increased healthcare utilization. Approximately sixty percent of the US population reports a history of ACE. Despite this growing evidence that ACE is associated with health problems, primary care providers infrequently screen patients for ACE, nor do they consider the impact of ACE on health. The lack of routine screening for ACE in primary care represents lost opportunities to impact health outcomes and promote wellness. The overall goal of this project is to translate research …

Oral Sex And Hsv-1 Knowledge Among College Freshmen Females, Karen Hendry

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) disease transmission to the genitals has life long health consequences for young women. The aim of this DNP project was to assess knowledge among female college freshmen regarding HSV-1 transmission to the genitals during oral sex.

A voluntary and anonymous online survey was e-mailed to 648 female college freshmen using their college e-mail account. A 19% (N=121) survey response rate was achieved. Seventy-three percent of the college females reported receiving oral sex. Ninety-five percent of the college females knew the possible risk of HSV-1 transmission during oral sex. Ninety-six percent of the female students …

Education And Mindfulness In The Treatment Of Substance Use Disorders, Terri Morris

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: The complex psychological and social needs of patients with substance use disorders present challenges for healthcare providers. A multidisciplinary approach that includes medications, psychosocial treatment, and education to assist the patient with disease management is common. This approach improves outcomes and promotes recovery. Evidence clearly suggests that tailored treatment programs incorporating medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in conjunction with behavioral modification and psychotherapy yield positive treatment outcomes (NIDA, 2016). Purpose: The purpose of this project was to determine whether an educational program coupled with existing treatment modalities was comprehensive and innovative in MAT approaches. The educational program focused on …

Decreasing Hyperglycemia And Diabetic Ketoacidosis In Adolescents On The Insulin Pump: A Quality Improvement Project, Jane Macharia

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: The rate of hyperglycemia in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) who use insulin pump therapy is three times higher than in those using multi-dose insulin. Current literature suggests that the causes of the increased hyperglycemia rate are insufficient patient education, missed insulin boluses for meals/snacks, pump malfunction, psychological effects, pubertal physiological changes, and adolescents’ risky behavior.

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to reduce the rate of hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis in adolescents age 12–18 with T1DM on insulin pump therapy through evidence-based interventions.

Methods: Participants were recruited from four western Massachusetts public schools. Innovative diabetes self-care …

Improving Latino Diabetes Patients' Physiologic Measurements Utilizing Culturally Competent Interventions, Christine Hoogasian

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Latinos have a high risk of developing poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, which may be at least partly due to their cultural beliefs. Many health care clinics lack consistent use of culturally competent educational interventions when providing diabetes education to Latinos. The literature demonstrates that clinics using culturally competent interventions tend to accomplish significant clinical improvements in outcomes such as lower glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) levels, weight loss, increase in daily steps walked, and improved diabetes knowledge. The purpose of this Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to use Latino-tailored culturally competent diabetes education to achieve a reduction in weight, …

Toolkit For Direct Support Profesionals, Mariame Kounta, Mariame Kounta

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

The physical and psychological health factors associated with Developmental Disability (DD) puts affected individuals more at risk for being overweight/obese, less likely to receive medical screenings and preventative health care and more likely to develop chronic health conditions than the general population (Krahn, Walker & Correa-De-Araujo, 2015). As such, adults with DD are found to develop chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and diabetes quicker than their counterparts (Krahn, et al., 2015). Direct support professionals (DSPs), who care for people with DD on a daily basis are expected to manage these illnesses with minimal training. The …