Digital Commons Network^™

A Cautious Path Forward On Accountable Care Organizations, Barak D. Richman, Kevin A. Schulman

Faculty Scholarship

The wave of new Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), spurred by financial incentives in the Affordable Care Act, could become the latest chapter in the steady accumulation of market power by hospitals, health care systems, and physician groups. The main purpose behind forming many ACOs may not be to achieve cost savings but instead to strengthen negotiating power over purchasers in the private sector. This would be an unfortunate sequel to the waves of mergers in the 1990s when health care entities sought to counter market pressure from managed care organizations. The possibility that ACOs might further concentrate health care markets …

Developing A Master Data Sharing Agreement: Seeking Student-Level Evidence To Support A Collaborative Community Effort In Education, Neil E. Carlson, Edwin Hernández, Chaná Edmond-Verley, Gustavo Rotondaro

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

The authors, who represent a family foundation, a college, a university, and a public school system, describe the process of developing an agreement that allows student-level data to be shared for research and evaluation purposes. Keys to reaching the agreement included clear distinctions among roles and access to data, strict adherence to consent and confidentiality agreements, and a shared commitment to using data to improve student outcomes.

Making The Team: Conducting Hierarchical Interdisciplinary Community Service Learning Research, Christine Yalda, Carly Hilinski

Faculty Scholarly Dissemination Grants

Service learning programs seek to engage students in projects that will benefit service recipients as well as maximize student learning through activities that inform future professional behaviors and responsibilities. This presentation offers a model for conducting responsible interdisciplinary service learning research that engages and integrates faculty and students across disciplines from initial conceptualization through completion of the study. The model derives in part from a community-based research project that involved over 70 social work and criminal justice faculty and students in studying the lives and needs of poor and homeless clients receiving services from an urban faith-based work program. This …

Retail Rebellion And The Second Amendment, Darrell A. H. Miller

Faculty Scholarship

When, if ever, is there a Second Amendment right to kill a cop? This piece seeks to answer that question. In District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment codifies a natural right to keep and bear arms for self-defense. That right to self-defense extends to both private and public threats, including self-defense against agents of a tyrannical government. Moreover, the right is individual. Individuals -- not just communities -- have the right to protect themselves from public violence. Individuals -- not just militias -- have the right to defend themselves against tyranny. In McDonald …

An Epidemiological Assessment Of Lung Function Decline As A Predictor Of Morbidity And Mortality, Penelope J. Baughman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Excessive lung function decline is associated with increased risks of respiratory morbidity and mortality outcomes including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a disease afflicting approximately 80 million people worldwide and as of 2002, the fifth leading cause of death. COPD is an increasing problem, with substantial increases projected in COPD deaths if there is no reduction of the causal risk factors. By 2030, COPD is projected to be the third leading cause of death worldwide, an increase mainly due to extended life expectancies and that COPD deaths occur at older ages. COPD is also largely underdiagnosed, partially due …

Insight Into The Cellular Alterations Required For Establishing Opportunistic Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infections, Dacie R. Bridge

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is responsible for causing disease of high morbidity and mortality in individuals who are immunocompromised, suffer from damaged epithelial barriers, and who have cystic fibrosis. However, the underlying host cell compromise that allows the establishment of Pa infections remains unknown and is of importance to the development of novel strategies that interrupt Pa infections. The type III secretion system (T3S) allows the direct translocation of bacterial effectors into the host cell cytosol, and in this study was used first, to identify host cell properties involved in the initiation of Pa infections, and then …

New Methodologies For In Vitro Analysis Of Binding And Functional Activity Of Sigma Receptor Ligands, James A. Fishback

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sigma receptors represent a promising drug development target for a number of therapeutic indications including cancer, depression, psychostimulant abuse and stroke. To date, two subtypes of sigma receptors have been identified; sigma1 and sigma2. Their respective roles in normal physiology and in disease processes are a subject of ongoing studies. Consequently, the discovery and development of subtype specific agonist and antagonist ligands remains a key research goal. To date, no in vitro functional assay suitable for routine screening of putative sigma ligands has been reported. As a result, radioligand binding assays are used as a primary screen. Therefore, to support …

Bioscience Laboratory: Online And Face-To-Face Laboratory Experiences In Requisite Biosciences For Nursing At A Community College, Deborah K. Folger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to analyze student perceptions of the online and face-to-face bioscience laboratory experiences in Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology. The study took place at a community college in a rural geographic area and data were collected from associate degree seeking first and second year nursing students via a survey questionnaire and student focus groups in addition to archival enrollment and graduate data. The research study was guided by the following questions: What are nursing student perceptions concerning the impact of Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology bioscience laboratory experiences on the transfer of knowledge to nursing …

The Influence Of Set-Repetition Configuration In Eccentric Exercise On Muscle Damage And Repeated Bout Effect, Roy Y.H. Chan

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

It is well known that maximal eccentric exercise induces muscle damage, especially when it is performed for the first time. However, muscle damage is attenuated in subsequent bouts of the same or similar exercise, which is known as the repeated bout effect. One of the factors affecting the magnitude of muscle damage and the repeated bout effect is the number of eccentric contractions; however, it is unknown if different set-repetition configurations with the same number of eccentric contractions would result in different magnitudes of muscle damage and adaptation. This study investigated changes in muscle strength, range of motion (ROM), muscle …

The Impact Of Assessment On Repeat Deliberate Self-Harm, Kellie Jones

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Deliberate self-harm is a pervasive issue that is the topic of worldwide clinical and research focus. Among the extensive research findings two salient issues emerge that provide the foundation for this study. The first is that a deliberate self-harm attempt is a significant risk factor for future attempts. The second is that a comprehensive assessment of a person presenting with an incident of deliberate self-harm can reduce further deliberate self-harming behaviour. A limitation of existing research is that no study has clearly identified the nature of assessments that impact on the likelihood of future self-harm attempts. The initial aim of …

Re-Presenting Gender Fluid Identity In A Contemporary Arts Practice, Matthew Jackson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This dissertation addresses the paucity of representation of gender fluid identity within contemporary imagery. An examination of historical and socio-political structures inherent in modern Western society serves as a foundational position for a broader exploration of differently gendered communities globally. The case is made for contemporary art to be encouraged as a tool for the emancipation of subjugated gender fluid identities. Examples of contemporary gender fluid visual art and artists are presented to illustrate the ability of art to enable agency within the broader gender fluid community. Finally, a commentary on my own artwork is presented and discussed in relation …

Procurement Risk Management In Beef Supply Chains, Onur Boyabatli, Paul R. Kleindorfer, Steve R. Koontz

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This chapter develops the theoretical model and provides the optimal solution for the procurement portfolio of the packer. It describes the computational results for the above model based on data for the U.S. beef industry described in the GIPSA Report, and complemented by industry demand and supply studies. The chapter determines the impact on the optimal procurement portfolio of spot price and demand uncertainty, the degree of substitution between products in final markets, as well as the cost characteristics of the packer and the nature of quality and cost differences in the contract and spot markets. It provides insights about …

A Different Way To Think About Creativity: The Case Of Autism And Outsider Art, Rk Mckenzie

Plymouth Institute of Education

No abstract provided.

Size Matters: The Late Payment Problem, S Paul, R Boden

Plymouth Business School

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Study Exploring The Experiences Of Parents Of Children Admitted To Seven Dutch Pediatric Intensive Care Units, Jos M. Latour, Goudoever Jb Van, Beatrix Elink Schuurman, Marcel J.I.J. Albers, Dam Nam Van, Eugenie Dullaart, Heerde M Van, Carin W.M. Verlaat, Vught Em Van, Jan A. Hazelzet

School of Nursing and Midwifery

No abstract provided.

Insights Into A Multidrug Resistant Escherichia Coli Pathogen Of The Globally Disseminated St131 Lineage: Genome Analysis And Virulence Mechanisms, Makrina Totsika, Scott A. Beatson, Sohinee Sarkar, P Minh-Duy, Nicola K. Petty, Nathan Bachmann, Marek Szubert, Hanna E. Sidjabat, David L. Paterson, Mathew Upton, Mark A. Schembri

School of Biomedical Sciences

No abstract provided.

A Replicating Cytomegalovirus-Based Vaccine Encoding A Single Ebola Virus Nucleoprotein Ctl Epitope Confers Protection Against Ebola Virus, Yoshimi Tsuda, Patrizia Caposio, Christopher J. Parkins, Sara Botto, Ilhem Messaoudi, Luka Cicin-Sain, Heinz Feldmann, Michael A. Jarvis

School of Biomedical Sciences

No abstract provided.

A Strategic Approach For Managing Conflict In Hospitals: Responding To The Joint Commission Leadership Standard, Part 2, Debra Gerardi, Charity Scott

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

How Smartphones Are Changing The Face Of Mobile And Participatory Healthcare: An Overview, With Example From Ecaalyx, M Boulos, S Wheeler, C Tavares, R Jones

School of Nursing and Midwifery

The latest generation of smartphones are increasingly viewed as handheld computers rather than as phones, due to their powerful on-board computing capability, capacious memories, large screens and open operating systems that encourage application development. This paper provides a brief state-of-the-art overview of health and healthcare smartphone apps (applications) on the market today, including emerging trends and market uptake. Platforms available today include Android, Apple iOS, RIM BlackBerry, Symbian, and Windows (Windows Mobile 6.x and the emerging Windows Phone 7 platform). The paper covers apps targeting both laypersons/patients and healthcare professionals in various scenarios, e.g., health, fitness and lifestyle education and …

Tension Of Apel: Perceptions Of Higher Education In Further Education Lecturers, Harriet Dismore, Anne Mcdermott, Neil Witt, Robert Stillwell, Sophie Neville, Mark Stone

Plymouth Institute of Education

No abstract provided.

Guidelines For The Pratical Stability Studies Of Anticancer Drugs: A European Consensus Conference, Gj Sewell, C Bardin, A Astier, A Vulto, J Vigneron, R Trittler, M Daouphars, M Paul, M Trojniak, F Pinguet

School of Health Professions

No abstract provided.

Physical And Chemical Stability Of Docetaxel Infusions In Polyolefin Bags Containing 0.9% Soduim Chloride Or 5% Glucose At 5 ͦC And 25 ͦC, S Macleod, Gj Sewell

School of Health Professions

Study objectives: To investigate the long-term physical and chemical stability of 0.3 mg/mL and 0.7 mg/mL infusions of docetaxel (Teva) in polyolefin bags containing either 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose, stored under refrigerated (2°C–8°C) and room temperature (25°C) conditions protected from the light. Methods: The infusions were prepared aseptically and stored at the two temperatures for 56 days. At various time points, chemical stability was determined using a validated stability-indicating, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay. Physical stability was ascertained in terms of visual appearance, pH, weight change of infusions, and sub-visible particles counts. Results: Irrespective of drug concentration, …

White Body: Animating Feminine Pleasure, K Parker

School of Art, Design and Architecture

Following Luce Irigaray’s perspective that “femininity’ ... may be recovered only in secret, in hiding’ (1985a: 30), my paper investigates the relationship between the moving image screen, feminine pleasure and the body, through critical reflection as an artist film-maker on the plasticine animation White Body (2009): in this practice-as-research film, I manipulate plasticine, sugar and dust with my fingers under the animation rostrum camera to explore my early childhood memories of secret, transgressive play; seeking to liberate a cascading feminine sensibility through the creative process of working ‘intuitively’ frame-by-frame with materiality and digital technologies.

Phytoestrogens Directly Inhibit Tnf-Α-Induced Bone Resorption In Raw264.7 Cells By Suppressing C-Fos-Induced Nfatc1 Expression., S Karieb, Sw Fox

School of Biomedical Sciences

TNF-α-induced osteoclastogenesis is central to post-menopausal and inflammatory bone loss, however, the effect of phytoestrogens on TNF-α-induced bone resorption has not been studied. The phytoestrogens genistein, daidzein, and coumestrol directly suppressed TNF-α-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. TRAP positive osteoclast formation and resorption area were significantly reduced by genistein (10(-7)  M), daidzein (10(-5)  M), and coumestrol (10(-7)  M), which was prevented by the estrogen antagonist ICI 182,780. TRAP expression in mature TNF-α-induced osteoclasts was also significantly reduced by these phytoestrogen concentrations. In addition, in the presence of ICI 182,780 genistein and coumestrol (10(-5) -10(-6)  M) augmented TNF-α-induced osteoclast formation and resorption. …

Women's Experience Of Colposcopy: A Qualitative Investigation, Dawn R. Swancutt, Sheila M. Greenfield, David M. Luesley, Sue Wilson

Peninsula Medical School

No abstract provided.

Economic Transition, Higher Education And Worker Productivity In China, Belton Fleisher, Yifan Yu, Haizheng Li, Seonghoon Kim

Research Collection School Of Economics

We investigate the role of education on worker productivity and firms' total factor productivity using a panel of firm-level data from China. We estimate the returns to education by calculating the marginal productivity of workers of different education levels based on estimates of the firm-level production function. We also estimate how the education level of workers and CEO contributes to firms' total factor productivity. Estimated marginal products are much higher than wages, and the gap is larger for highly educated workers. Our estimate shows that an additional year of schooling raises marginal product by 30.1%, and that CEO's education increases …

From Essay To Resumé : A Study Of Writing Genre And Discursive Positioning In Senior School English, Jennifer Shand

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In 2004, the Western Australian government signalled its intention to increase the school leaving age from 15 to 17 by 2008 (Carpenter, 2004). During the period from 2004 to 2006, increasing numbers of young Western Australians completed twelve years of secondary school. For English faculties in Western Australian schools, this resulted in a notably diverse cohort of students undertaking compulsory English studies in their final two years of school. The central aim of this thesis was to examine what it means to be a writer in senior school English. In doing so, the thesis investigated the construction of student writing …

Surgical Management Of Double-Chambered Right Ventricle In Adults, Ahmad K Darwazah, Mohammed Eida, Vivian Bader, Mohammed Khalil

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Double-chambered right ventricle is a congenital anomaly in which the right ventricle is divided into 2 portions by anomalous muscle bundles. These cases often present in children, but rarely in adults.

We discuss 2 cases of double-chambered right ventricle, in patients aged 42 and 35 years. When cases remain asymptomatic until adulthood, they can present with unusual symptoms that lead to incorrect diagnosis. Our cases represent 2 very different manifestations of double-chambered right ventricle, which differ in presentation, in the site of abnormal obstructive muscle bundles, and in the presence of associated lesions. Both of our patients underwent successful surgical …

Robotic Cardiac Surgery By 2031, W Randolph Chitwood

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

No abstract provided.

Mechanical Behavior Of Fully Expanded Commercially Available Endovascular Coronary Stents, Josip Tambaca, Suncica Canic, Mate Kosor, R David Fish, David Paniagua

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

The mechanical behavior of endovascular coronary stents influences their therapeutic efficacy. Through computational studies, researchers can analyze device performance and improve designs. We developed a 1-dimensional finite element method, net-based algorithm and used it to analyze the effects of radial loading and bending in commercially available stents. Our computational study included designs modeled on the Express, Cypher, Xience, and Palmaz stents.

We found that stents that did not fully expand were less rigid than the fully expanded stents and, therefore, exhibited larger displacement. Stents with an open-cell design, such as Express-like or Xience-like stents, had a higher bending flexibility. Stents …