Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Electrodeposition Of Plutonium And Curium For Safeguarding The Electrorefiner, Chantell L. Murphy

Nuclear Engineering ETDs

This research investigated the electrochemical deposition behavior of plutonium (Pu) and curium (Cm) for safeguarding the electrorefiner (ER) in a pyroprocessing facility. The main goal of this investigation was to evaluate the feasibility of using a safeguards concept called the neutron balance method to account for Pu in the ER. The neutron balance method relies on a known Pu/Cm ratio and measures neutrons from Cm-244 coming into and leaving a unit operation to track Pu. The application of the neutron balance approach for pyroprocessing facilities requires that Pu and Cm remain together in all extraction, product recovery, and waste streams. …

Developing Intercultural Competence Through Online English Language Teaching, Didem Ekici

Doctoral Dissertations

With an increasing number of refugees and immigrants in European and American classrooms, teachers need to be prepared to meet their varied and complex needs. In particular, to help these diverse students succeed, teachers need to be interculturally competent, which is a combination of many skills including attitude, linguistic and cultural awareness, empathy, and flexibility. However, developing these skills not only takes theoretical knowledge but also hands-on training and practice. While many programs in school of education provide experiential practicum projects and online collaborations with diverse students, they have not expanded to the population in war zones. Moreover, a review …

Program Evaluation In Doctoral-Level Counselor Education Preparation: Concerns And Recommendations, Christopher A. Sink, Gergory Lemich

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

Within the context of intentional collaboration between doctoral-level program evaluation and counselor educators, this article addresses the need for advanced training in program evaluation for preservice doctoral-level counselor education (CE) students. To determine the current level of evaluation training provided to doctoral students attending a nationally accredited CE program, 81 institutions and their program websites and accompanying materials were analyzed. Approximately 25% of these graduate programs appeared to provide a modest level of training. Over 50% of these units did not fully identify what program evaluation preparation was required or offered to students. Recommendations to enhance the program evaluation component …

Looking Inward: Higher Education Public Relations And Internal Communication, Kelly A. Campbell

Dissertations

There has been a decline in public good will toward institutions of higher education for nearly four decades. Resultantly, the public, media, and politicians call for greater transparency. It would be beneficial for institutions of higher education to utilize strategic means to communicate their stories, successes and brand directly to various publics. A critical, albeit often an overlooked public, are the employees of the university. They can serve as ambassadors for the university interacting with outside publics. In this capacity, not only do employees need to know information about their organization to function well at their positions, they also need …

Photoreception And Eye Regeneration Mechanisms In Planarians, Taylor R. Birkholz

Dissertations

Although humans lack the ability to regenerate complete organs and limbs following amputation or injury, there are many other species (both vertebrates and invertebrates) that can. Significant advances have been made in understanding the genetic mechanisms that regulate organ regeneration in these species, including regeneration of eye tissues such as the lens and retina. Planarians are an established historical model used to study regeneration due to their ability to regenerate any organ, including the eye. With recent advances in molecular genetic analyses, planarians are now an emerging model for the specific study of eye regeneration mechanisms. Furthermore, regeneration of the …

Concussion In Student Athletes: Prevention, Assessment, And Recovery, Miriam A. Carroll-Alfano

Dissertations

The research presented in this study examines concussion among athletes from the perspectives of prevention, assessment, and recovery. The first study examines concussion education for high school athletes by surveying 157 collegiate athletes, who primarily attended high school in Illinois and Indiana, about the previous concussion education, including whether they received mandated education, the methods and providers of education, and their ability to name a variety of concussion symptoms. This study finds that despite legislative mandates in these states, 20% of student-athletes continue to report not receiving concussion education in high school, with females more likely to report not receiving …

Evaluating Recommendations Versus Utilization Of Essential Components Of A Functional Analysis Procedure, Alissa Conway

Dissertations

Functional behavior assessment (FBA) has been identified as an essential process for behavior analytic practitioners to identify the variables maintaining challenging behaviors (BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts (PECC), 3.01ab, 2014). FBAs include a range of strategies, including indirect measures (e.g., interviews and questionnaires) and direct measures of behavior (descriptive and experimental strategies). Functional analysis (FA) is typically considered the most sophisticated of the options subsumed under FBAs in that it involves both direct measures of behavior and experimental manipulation of hypothesized controlling variables to identify controlling variables for challenging behaviors. The results of FAs allow practitioners …

Protecting Privacy Of Data In The Internet Of Things With Policy Enforcement Fog Module, Abduljaleel Al-Hasnawi

Dissertations

The growth of IoT applications has resulted in generating massive volumes of data about people and their surroundings. Significant portions of these data are sensitive since they reflect peoples' behaviors, interests, lifestyles, etc. Protecting sensitive IoT data from privacy violations is a challenge since these data need to be handled by public networks, servers and clouds, most of which are untrusted parties for data owners. In this study, a solution called Policy Enforcement Fog Module (PEFM) is proposed for protecting sensitive IoT data. The primary task of the PEFM solution is mandatory enforcement of privacy polices for sensitive IoT data-whenever …

Strongly Bonded Supervisory Relationships: Demystifying The Bond Aspect Of The Supervisory Working Alliance, Melissa Heinrich

Dissertations

The current study explores the bond aspect of the supervisory working alliance through the lens of relational-cultural theory (RCT). Previous research posits a quality supervisory relationship is important for effective supervision and clinical outcomes. The Supervisory Working Alliance (SWA; Bordin, 1983) is a pan-theoretical model for the growth process in supervision including (a) mutual agreement on goals for supervision, (b) mutual agreement on associated tasks for accomplishing the goals, and (c) the emotional bond in the supervisory relationship. The process for mutual agreement of goals and tasks seems clear, the bond aspect of the SWA seems less clear. Research concerning …

Color-Blind Racial Ideology, Social Justice Attitudes, And Cultural Competency In U.S. Medical Students And Resident Physicians, Jennifer G. Hahm

Dissertations

Health disparities disproportionately affect the lives of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2015; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services NHQR, 2013). Social conditions, social determinants, and structural inequities have been acknowledged as influential forces on minority health (Link & Phelan, 1995; World Health Organization, 2011). Focusing on eliminating environmental and social conditions affecting the health status of racial and ethnic minorities should be a prerogative for healthcare professionals in reducing health disparities. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between color-blind racial ideology and social justice attitudes …

Efficacy Of Deep Learning In Support Of Smart Services, Basheer Mohammed Basheer Qolomany

Dissertations

The massive amount of streaming data generated and captured by smart service appliances, sensors and devices needs to be analyzed by algorithms, transformed into information, and minted to extract knowledge to facilitate timely actions and better decision making. This can lead to new products and services that can dramatically transform our lives. Machine learning and data analytics will undoubtedly play a critical role in enabling the delivery of smart services. Within the machine-learning domain, Deep Learning (DL) is emerging as a superior new approach that is much more effective than any rule or formula used by traditional machine learning. Furthermore, …

Phosphate Removal And Recovery Using Immobilized Phosphatebinding Proteins, Kaushik Venkiteshwaran, Nilisha Pokhrel, Faten Hussein, Edwin Antony, Brooke K. Mayer

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Progress towards a more circular phosphorus economy necessitates development of innovative water treatment systems which can reversibly remove inorganic phosphate (P_i) to ultra-low levels (<100 μg L⁻¹), and subsequently recover the P_i for reuse. In this study, a novel approach using the high-affinity E. coli phosphate binding protein (PBP) as a reusable P_i bio-adsorbent was investigated. PBP was expressed, extracted, purified and immobilized on NHS-activated Sepharose beads. The resultant PBP beads were saturated with P_i and exposed to varying pH (pH 4.7 to 12.5) and temperatures (25–45 °C) to induce P_i release. Increase in …

Effects Of Novel Calpain Inhibitors In Transgenic Animal Model Of Parkinson's Disease/Dementia With Lewy Bodies, Getaw Hassen, Leo Kesner, Alfred Stracher, Abraham Shulman, Edward Rockenstein, Michael Mante, Eliezer Masliah

NYMC Faculty Publications

Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are neurodegenerative disorders of the aging population characterized by the accumulation of alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn). The mechanisms triggering alpha-syn toxicity are not completely understood, however, c-terminus truncation of alpha-syn by proteases such as calpain may have a role. Therefore, inhibition of calpain may be of value. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of systemically administered novel low molecular weight calpain inhibitors on alpha-syn pathology in a transgenic mouse model. For this purpose, non-tg and alpha-syn tg mice received the calpain inhibitors - Gabadur, Neurodur or a vehicle, …

Applying Design Thinking To Student Outreach Projects: Experiences From An Information Systems School, Swapna Gottipati, Venky Shankararaman, Alan Megargel

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

As countries turn into Smart Nations, Infocom Technology plays a key role in enhancing their competitiveness through high skilled workforces. Reaching to younger generations and attracting them to computing programs such as Information Systems (IS) and Computer Science (CS) is a key challenge faced by universities. Many high quality students from junior colleges either don’t choose IS programs or choose IS programs as their last option during the application process. A School of Information Systems (SIS) from a large metropolitan university decided to implement an innovative outreach program to attract high quality high school aka Junior College (JC) students. JC …

Pbl In Radiotherapy Techniques Education, Ying-Hsiang Chou, Shang-Lung Dong, Cheng-Ting Shih, Chun-Chao Chuang

Journal of Medical Education

Purpose: The educational goal of the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences is to nurture high-quality and professional medical radiation technologists. Radiotherapy techniques are one of the three major clinical subjects. Our department has chosen to apply problem-based learning (PBL) to courses on radiotherapy techniques, in the hope that students can integrate the professional knowledge acquired during courses on basic medicine, diagnostic radiology, and others to enhance learning efficiency and deepen their understanding of such knowledge for practical application. Methods: This study evaluated students' learning outcomes after PBL based on the pre- and post-tests of the course evaluation questionnaire …

Caring For Thai Older Persons With Long-Term Care Needs, John Knodel, Bussarawan Teerawichitchainan, Wiraporn Pothisiri

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Objective: To provide a situation analysis of recent long-term care (LTC) needs among older persons in Thailand. Method: The 2014 Survey of Older Persons in Thailand (SOPT) provides data to assess patterns of caregiving,whether care needs are met, and who are main caregivers for older Thais. We examine how types of familial and non-familial caregivers are associated with the wellbeing of older persons. Results:The need for LTC increases sharply with age and is more common among women than men. Spouses and children constitute approximately 90% of main caregivers. The association of a family member as the main caregiver and education …

The Relationship Between Future Goals And Achievement Goal Orientations: An Intrinsic-Extrinsic Motivation Perspective, Jie Qi Lee, Dennis M. Mcinerney, Gregory Arief D. Liem, Yasmin Y. Ortiga

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

This research aimed to study the relationships between students’ future goals (FGs) and their immediate achievement goal orientations (AGOs) among 5733 Singaporean secondary school students (M age = 14.18, SD = 1.26; 53% boys). To this end, we hypothesized that the relationships between like valenced FGs and AGOs (both intrinsic or both extrinsic) will be stronger than those of opposite valenced FGs and AGOs (intrinsic–extrinsic) and tested two alternative models: Model A positing the prediction of AGOs by FGs and Model B positing the prediction of FGs by AGOs. Structural equation modeling showed the heuristic superiority of Model B in …

A Novel School-Based Suicide Prevention Course For Undergraduate Students, Yi-Yin Lin, Chia-Yi Wu, Ming-Been Lee

Journal of Medical Education

Objective: Mental health problems impact nearly one in four to five college students in Taiwan. Those who developed suicide risks may not have enough educational sources to facilitate help-seeking on campus. Education is an important primary strategy in suicide prevention at schools. The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a course in the general education field that designed to promote suicide and mental health literacy among college students, and to explore the students' motivations to take this course. Methods: The course contains weekly thematic lectures and group discussions, assignments, and term reports in a semester of eighteen weeks. The …

The Relationship Between Admission Channels And Medical Students' Performance In Their Third Year, Rui-Jen Chiou, Hei-Yin Ng, Der-Yan Han

Journal of Medical Education

Purpose: The literature shows that medical students who have a low interest in a medical career usually demonstrate problematic learning outcomes. Since 2010, in addition to the traditional exam-based admission, the authorities in Taiwan have provided two new admission channels to a college education: individual applications and the ＂Multi- Stars Recommendation Project.＂ This study attempted to examine whether the Multi- Stars-recommended medical students would have better academic scores, extracurricular participation, devotion to a medical career, and satisfactory time management in their third year of college. Methods: Participants included 147 medical students from a university in northern Taiwan. The collected data …

Safely Reducing Opioid Use For Chronic Pain In A Large, Rwca-Funded, Hiv Primary Care Practice, Joseph L. Yozviak Do, Facp, Nicholas P. Blankenberg Rn, Julie E. Vitale, Carlos Castillo Rn, Jonathan A. Asayag Msw, Veronica L. Cruz Msw, Margaret Hoffman-Terry Md, Facp, Marcelo Gareca Md, Amy Slenker Md, Robin Heacock Rn, Toby P. Goida Rn, Victoria Matos Rn, Vickie Cunningham Bsn, Rn

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Inspire : Vol 1, Issue 5, Department Of Medicine

INSPIRE – Department of Medicine Archives

Content

• Message From The Chair
• Congratulations Dr. Aysha Almas on successfully defending her Ph. D. thesis!
• Department of Medicine at Various National and International Forums
• What Are Academics Around the World Reading This Month?
• Featured Faculty Profile .Dr. Ali Raza Khan; Travel, Stay healthy and Have Fun!
• Publications

Traumatic Complications Of Inpatient Massage Therapy: Case Report And Literature Review, Ishna Sharma, D'Andrea Joseph, Orlando Kirton

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of Physical Exercise And Its Impact On Augmenting Self-Determination Levels Of College-Aged Students, Kenneth William Kirsch Jr

Theses and Dissertations

Research has demonstrated a positive link with motivation, physical exercise, and academic success. A current trend within higher education has been to increase student retention as well as deemphasize physical education. Students, who possess a higher degree of self-determined behavior, sustain greater overall success. Administrators have intensified efforts focusing on student retention; however, little research exists connecting physical exercise with self-determination and how these elements could provide solutions to address this problem. Motivation is an element, which drives people to accomplish a task and has the propensity to change when engaged in physical exercise. The motivational reasons why people participate …

The Cardiovascular Demands Of Division I Sideline Cheerleaders During Training And Football Games, Mckenna Cornett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the autonomic balance and cardiovascular demands of collegiate sideline cheerleaders between practice and game settings, and throughout four quarters of a football game; and to evaluate the physical fitness of collegiate Division I cheerleaders. Eleven cheerleaders volunteered to participate (age; 18.9+0.8y, height; 163.2+4.3cm, and body mass; 64.9+8.7kg). Basic physical fitness was assessed by evaluating blood pressure, resting heart rate, grip strength, and body composition. Physiological data (maximal heart rate [HR], average HR, physiological intensity, physiological load, maximal activity, and average activity) were collected at four practices and four games using a Zephyr …

Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction Training On Healthy Individuals Using The (B)Strong Training System: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Mallory Rockhill

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine and compare muscular fitness and subjective muscle pain between blood flow restriction (BFR) training using the (B)Strong Training System and traditional resistance training program after a 7-week intervention. Thirty-one healthy male and female young adults volunteered to participate. Participants were randomly selected into three groups: HIRES (high intensity resistance training), LIBFR (low intensity blood flow restriction training) or CON (control). All participants refrained from structured activity outside of this study for the duration of the entire study. Anthropometrics, body composition, muscular strength and endurance were measured prior to and post training. Delayed …

The Relationship Between Fall Rates And Fall Risk Inducing Drugs In Older Adult Patients In The Hospital Setting, Kristen Eldridge, Susan Kane Patton

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The aim of this study was to analyze the risk of falls relative to the use of fall risk inducing drugs (FRIDs) among older adult patients admitted to the hospital setting. Quality improvement of nursing fall risk assessment was of special interest. To analyze this a retroactive review of fall incident reports was conducted in collaboration with the study hospital’s risk manager. Medications were correlated with injuries sustained to identify high risk FRIDs. The selected study population consisted of 166 patients over the age of 65 who fell on the acute care campus of a hospital in the mid-south region …

A Word From The Writing Team (December 2018), Jennifer Wilson, Ms, Els, Pam Walter, Mfa

A Word From the Writing Team (Newsletter)

This issue includes:

• January Writing Retreat
• Find the Time Workshop

Valproate Induced Myopathy-A Different Presentation Of An Uncommon Condition, Saumya H. Mittal, Shivananda Pai, Misri Zk, Rohith Pai

Manipal Journal of Medical Sciences

We report the case of an 11-year-old girl, who presented with weakness of legs for 20 days at presentation. The symptoms started soon after the initiation of sodium valproate for generalized seizures. The patient was found to have carnitine deficiency. Majority of the reports suggest that valproate induced myopathy occurs months after the onset of treatment. We report this case where the myopathy developed within days of onset of treatment with valproate. This may have been the reason why the patient showed no changes in EMG. The patient also showed no significant risk factor for the predisposition to the carnitine …

Classification Of Arbitrary Motion Into A Canonical Basis, Michael Moger

Master's Theses and Capstones

The Empatica E4 wristwatch utilizes four sensors to capture medical data from its user - an accelerometer, a plethysmograph, an electro-dermal activity sensor, and an infrared thermophile. Utilizing these sensors, the device can provide detection-based feedback for patients suffering from various ailments. However, each sensor is coupled with the other readings, so any raw data will have a degree of noise accompanying the actual signal. After detailing a conceptual and programming knowledge of various industry-standard data processing techniques, we follow the appropriate steps to take in order to clean up a noisy E4 data signal, starting with supervised basis signals …

A Protocol For Using Long-Term Structural Health Monitoring Data To Detect And Localize Damage In Bridges, Kathryn Elaine Kaspar

Master's Theses and Capstones

The purpose of this research is to establish a protocol for using strain gauge data to characterize the undamaged state of a bridge for structural health monitoring. The Powder Mill Bridge (PMB), which has been instrumented with strain gauges since its opening in 2009, is used as a case study. and the strain gauges used in this study are located at 27 different locations throughout the bridge. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) and linear regression are presented as methodologies for characterizing the relationship between the strains at each of the stations on the bridge. One linear regression analysis was performed as …