Digital Commons Network^™

Occlusionchip: A Functional Microcapillary Occlusion Assay Complementary To Ektacytometry For Detection Of Small-Fraction Red Blood Cells With Abnormal Deformability, Yuncheng Man, Ran An, Karamoja Monchamp, Zoe Sekyonda, Erdem Kucukal, Chiara Federici, William J. Wulftange, Utku Goreke, Allison Bode, Umut A. Gurkan

Faculty Scholarship

Red blood cell (RBC) deformability is a valuable hemorheological biomarker that can be used to assess the clinical status and response to therapy of individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). RBC deformability has been measured by ektacytometry for decades, which uses shear or osmolar stress. However, ektacytometry is a population based measurement that does not detect small-fractions of abnormal RBCs. A single cell-based, functional RBC deformability assay would complement ektacytometry and provide additional information. Here, we tested the relative merits of the OcclusionChip, which measures RBC deformability by microcapillary occlusion, and ektacytometry. We tested samples containing glutaraldehyde-stiffened RBCs for up …

Improving The Reliability Of Visual Inspections Conducted By Fire And Rescue Services During Pre-Incident Planning Visits, Victor Hrymak

Conference papers

Fire and rescues services the world over commonly conduct pre-incident planning familiarisation visits. During such visits, fire crews typically look for observable fire safety hazards. Accordingly, two research questions were investigated in this study being; how many fire hazards are typically observed during such familiarisation visits and can the reliability of visual inspection conduct be improved by using a novel systematic visual inspection method. A fire and rescue service with 22 fire fighters was recruited, and they conducted 21 pre-incident planning visits to occupied apartments blocks. The experimental design involved one of the fire crew being tasked with observing fire …

Deconstructing The Collapse Of Afghanistan National Security And Defense Forces, Thomas F. Lynch Iii

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

Professionalizing Special Operations Forces, C. Anthony Pfaff

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

From The Editor In Chief, Antulio J. Echevarria Ii

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

Independence, Slavery, And Freedom: Southern Women’S Thoughts During The Civil War, Bethany Susan Harper

Masters Theses

This study explores the complex relationship between southern women and their ideas of independence and freedom during the Civil War years. In addition, this study seeks to investigate how southern women’s attitudes regarding slavery changed from 1861-1865. With their husbands, brothers, and fathers serving in the war, southern women were forced to become the sole white authority figures on their estates. This reality shift made them come to understand just how dependent their independence was on slavery. Southern women believed that independence could only come to the Confederacy, and it was inconceivable to have a simultaneous future where the Confederacy …

Controlling Multiple Covid-19 Epidemic Waves: An Insight From A Multi-Scale Model Linking The Behaviour Change Dynamics To The Disease Transmission Dynamics, Biao Tang, Weike Zhou, Xia Wang, Hulin Wu, Yanni Xiao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

COVID-19 epidemics exhibited multiple waves regionally and globally since 2020. It is important to understand the insight and underlying mechanisms of the multiple waves of COVID-19 epidemics in order to design more efficient non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and vaccination strategies to prevent future waves. We propose a multi-scale model by linking the behaviour change dynamics to the disease transmission dynamics to investigate the effect of behaviour dynamics on COVID-19 epidemics using game theory. The proposed multi-scale models are calibrated and key parameters related to disease transmission dynamics and behavioural dynamics with/without vaccination are estimated based on COVID-19 epidemic data (daily reported …

Sterba’S Logical Argument From Evil And The God Who Walks Away From Omelas, Erik J. Wielenberg

Philosophy Faculty publications

The logical argument from evil, generally thought to have been defused by Alvin Plantinga’s free will defense, has been reinvigorated by James Sterba’s exposition and defense of a new version of the argument that draws on recent work in moral philosophy. Whereas J.L. Mackie’s argument uses what can now be seen to be overly simplistic principles to try to establish a logical incompatibility between the existence of God and any evil at all, Sterba’s argument uses more sophisticated moral principles and seeks to establish a logical incompatibility between the existence of God (specifically, the God of Perfect Being Theology) and …

Arabidopsis Shoot Gravitropism Requires The Mediator Coactivator Complex, Gabriella Newton

Honors Theses

Gravitropism is a plant response to gravity in directing the growth of its organs, such as the root and the stem. Gravity is sensed by statocytes, unique cells that contain starch-filled amyloplasts, which trigger gravitropic growth response by modulating the distribution of growth hormone auxin in the elongation zone of the stem and root. Despite the fact that multiple factors have been identified as key regulators of shoot negative gravitropism, how these factors are regulated at the transcriptional level is largely unknown. In this study, we explore the role of transcriptional machinery in regulating shoot gravity sensing and responses by …

Using Direct Pcr For Disaster Victim Identification Reference Samples, Mary Habib

Student Theses

Forensic genetic testing is an important tool for the identification of victims after a mass fatality event but degradation of remains, presence of PCR inhibitors, and limited amounts of sample can make testing difficult. Standard protocols typically include extraction of genetic material from recovered post-mortem samples, and from ante-mortem reference samples or families of a missing person. This is a time-consuming and laborious process and may result in the loss of trace amounts of DNA available for amplification. Incorporating workflows that bypass the extraction step and directly amplify recovered DNA for short tandem repeat (STR) profile generation has the potential …

Creating And Implementing A Principal Investigator Tool Kit For Enhancing Accrual To Late Phase Clinical Trials: Development And Usability Study., Kristin A Higgins, Alexandra Thomas, Nancy Soto, Rebecca Paulus, Thomas J George, Thomas B Julian, Sharon Hartson Stine, Merry Jennifer Markham, Maria Werner-Wasik

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Accrual to oncology clinical trials remains a challenge, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. For late phase clinical trials funded by the National Cancer Institute, the development of these research protocols is a resource-intensive process; however, mechanisms to optimize patient accrual after trial activation are underdeveloped across the National Clinical Trial Network (NCTN). Low patient accrual can lead to the premature closure of clinical trials and can ultimately delay the availability of new, potentially life-saving therapies in oncology.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to formally create an easily implemented tool kit of resources for investigators of oncology clinical …

Research Progress And Development Trend Of Staged Hydraulic Fracturing Technology In Long-Borehole Underground Coal Mine, Sun Siqing, Li Wenbo, Zhang Jian, Chen Dongdong, Zhao Jizhan, Zheng Kaige, Long Weicheng, Wang Chenyang, Jia Bingyi, Du Tianlin, Liu Le, Yang Huan, Dai Nan

Coal Geology & Exploration

Since the “13th Five-Year Plan”, significant progress has been made in the directional long-borehole staged hydraulic fracturing technology, equipment development and engineering demonstration application of underground coal mine through the technical research, equipment development and engineering test with directional long-borehole and staged hydraulic fracturing technology in combination, focusing on the two major issues of regional permeability enhancement, efficient gas drainage and rock weakening treatment of hard roof for coal seams in underground coal mine in China. It is mainly manifested in the following four aspects: (1) Two staged hydraulic fracturing technologies and tools with/without rig movement have been developed. Specifically, …

Study Of Technologies And Equipment Of Continuous Hydraulic Sand Fracturing For Permeability Enhancement At High Pressure Side Of Coal Mine Downhole, Jia Bingyi, Li Shugang, Chen Dongdong, Lin Haifei, Zheng Kaige, Sun Siqing, Zhao Jizhan

Coal Geology & Exploration

The technological concept of sand fracturing at the high pressure side is proposed against the present situation where the coal mine downhole operation space is small, the power and water supply capacities are limited, and the surface sand fracturing equipment cannot be applied directly in the coal mine downhole. On the basis of the principle of sand mixing and carrying through hydrodynamic impact, the continuous hydraulic sand fracturing equipment at the high pressure side was developed. Such equipment requires no external power source for sand mixing. It forms cyclone impact through the changes in the flow regime and flow field …

Dynamic Disaster Evolution Mechanism Of High Mine Pressure At Hard Roof And Advance Area Prevention And Control Technology, Zheng Kaige, Wang Lintao, Li Bingang, Li Yanjun, Yang Huan, Yang Sen, Dai Nan, Wang Haojie, Wang Zeyang, Xi Jie

Coal Geology & Exploration

The overlying roof on the hard roof working bench is usually not likely to fall off, while tends to form dynamic pressure disaster. The stress evolution characteristics and roof breaking mechanism before and after hard roof weakening were analyzed and revealed using the methods of numerical simulation and theoretical analysis, and the advance area prevention and control technology were proposed and applied in the field practice, for the typical dynamic disaster problem of high mine pressure that was caused by the hard roof against the background of the Buertai Coal Mine in the Shendong Mine Area. As indicated by the …

Enhanced Gas Drainage Technology By Staged Fracturing In Long Bedding Borehole In Hard Coal Bed Of Underground Coal Mine And Its Application, Wang Chenyang, Li Shugang, Zhang Yongtao, Guo Yi, Sun Siqing, Chen Dongdong, Dou Chengyi

Coal Geology & Exploration

In view of the problems of rapid attenuation, long period and low efficiency of gas drainage in hard coal bed, the enhanced gas drainage technology of increasing the permeability of coal bed by staged fracturing in long bedding borehole was put forward for the medium-to-hard coal bed. Herein, research was conducted on No.4 coal bed of Shaanxi Binchang Mining Area. Specifically, the change characteristics of micro-pore structure of coal body before and after hydraulic fracturing were comparatively analyzed by high-resolution electron microscope (SEM) in the laboratory. Meanwhile, the stress characteristics of packer and the stability of borehole were simulated with …

Floor Failure Law Of Extra-Thick Coal Seam In Fully Mechanized Caving Mining, Guo Guoqiang

Coal Geology & Exploration

The coal mining on the high-artesian water body will cause floor disturbance and damage, and lead to the thinner effective waterproof stratum, which enhances the risk coefficient of water bursting at the floor. Grouting modification of the target horizon is an effective governing measure. However, the grouting within the floor damage scope will waste a large amount of grout and affect the project effect. Therefore, it is especially important to carry out the study of the damage depth and regularity of the coal seam floor. Accordingly, the 5105 working bench of the Yushupo Coal Mine in Shanxi was adopted as …

Study Of Constitutive Model Of Frozen Sandstone Damage Based On Weibull Distribution, Yi Ming, Zhao Tao, Ma Feifei, Wang Lei, Yuan Chao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Abstract: The deformation and destruction characteristics of frozen rock is a basic mechanical problem encountered during the construction using the freezing method. Under the action of load, the mechanical characteristics and deformation characteristics are greatly different for the rock with different freezing temperatures, which significantly affects the safety and stability of the freezing wall. Therefore, the study of the damage constitutive relation of the frozen rock is significant for instructing the freezing method design and construction. In order to analyze the whole process of the frozen rock deformation and destruction under load action, the Weibull distribution was adopted to describe …

Analysis On Spatio-Temporal Evolution Law Of Freezing Temperature Field In Eastern Shaft Of Qinan Coal Mine, Huang Shiqing, Rong Chuanxin, Long Wei, Ma Haochen, He Junzhen

Coal Geology & Exploration

Three numerical calculation models of the freezing temperature fields with different soil nature and different burial depths, i.e. the calcareous clay horizon with the burial depth of 218 m, the fine sand horizon with the burial depth of 225 m and the sandy clay horizon with the burial depth of 259 m, were established respectively using the finite element software COMSOL Multiphysics based on the actual forming locations of freezing holes, with the engineering background of using the freezing method in shaft sinking for the eastern air shaft of Qinan Coal Mine Anhui Province and the study object of the …

Experimental Study On Power Matching Of Modular Double Pumping Stations Of Tunnel Drilling Rig, Lu Feifei, Fan Dong, Tian Hongliang

Coal Geology & Exploration

In order to solve the problems of heavy weight, relocation and transportation of the power pumping station of tunnel drilling rigs, it is proposed to divide the pumping station through modular design, and adopt the solution of small-displacement, dual-power and dual-pump confluence, effectively reducing the transportation size and weight of a single pump station. A single-pump station or a double-pump confluence is chosen according to the working conditions to improve the flexibility of the drilling rig and reduce energy consumption. The load-sensing system has the advantages of energy saving, good load adaptability, and convenient speed regulation. However, when the dual-load-sensing …

Assessment Of Digital Literacy Skills Among Ug Students Of Tangla College, Udalguri, Assam: A Study, F Chanchin Mawia, Boro Bhai Gyashree

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Digital literacy has the potential to be a powerful instrument for growth. People that are digitally literate are better able to communicate and stay up with contemporary developments. Digital literacy can be a beneficial evolution, as technological advancements can improve for the poor's economic chances, expand services to the underprivileged, improve organization, and promote social alteration. Students and teachers require up-to-date data for a variety of educational activities. The goal of this research is to examine digital literacy among the UG students of Tangla College, Assam. This article covers the level of agreement, awareness, regularity, and familiarity with digital literacy …

Health Related Challenges Of Rural Elderly Living In Co-Residential Family Care Arrangements, Kidus Yenealem Mefteh

The Qualitative Report

Family plays an indispensable role in the care and support of the rising number of older people particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia where the system of public transfer is minimal. Previous studies in Ethiopia focus on institutionalized and urban-dwelling elderly with little attention to the elderly in the informal care paradigm and rural areas. This study aims to explore the health-related experiences of dependent rural elderly who get care and support within a family setting. A phenomenology method was used, and in-depth interviews were employed to collect data from purposively sampled elders. Data were inductively coded and developed into …

The Pro-Fibrotic Response To Lens Injury Is Signaled In A Pi3k Isoform-Specific Manner, A. Sue Menko, Janice L. Walker

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

The signaling inputs that function to integrate biochemical and mechanical cues from the extracellular environment to alter the wound-repair outcome to a fibrotic response remain poorly understood. Here, using a clinically relevant post-cataract surgery wound healing/fibrosis model, we investigated the role of Phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) class I isoforms as potential signaling integrators to promote the proliferation, emergence and persistence of collagen I-producing alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA+) myofibroblasts that cause organ fibrosis. Using PI3K isoform specific small molecule inhibitors, our studies revealed a requisite role for PI3K p110α in signaling the CD44+ mesenchymal leader cell population that we previously identified as …

Nursing Students’ Perception And Attitude Towards Objective Structured Clinical Examination In Oman, Shaikha Alamri, Iman Al Hashmi, Kholah Shruba, Suad Jamaan, Zaina Alrahbi, Thuraiya Al Kaabi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to explore undergraduate nursing students’ perception and attitude towards the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between April–May 2020 among undergraduate nursing students at the College of Nursing at Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman. Two self-administered questionnaires were utilised to obtain data on students’ perception and attitude towards OSCE. Students’ feedback on OSCE was collected using open-ended questions about OSCE strengths, weaknesses and recommendations for improvement. Survey responses were based on a five-point ordinal scale, ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Students’ feedback on OSCE was analysed as descriptive …

Cold Bubble Humidification Of Oxygen, Sugata Dasgupta, Shrestha Ghosh, Atanu Chandra

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Ruxolitinib Versus Best Available Therapy In Treating Primary Myelofibrosis, Kawa M. Hasan, Ahmed Y. Elmeshhadany, Nazar P. Shabila

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ruxolitinib and compare it with the best available therapy in patients with primary myelofibrosis. Ruxolitinib is a Janus kinase inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of myelofibrosis. The therapeutic protocol has changed after the introduction of ruxolitinib. Methods: In this retrospective study, 72 patients with primary myelofibrosis were scrutinised from January 2012 to January 2018 at Nanakali Hemato-Oncology Teaching Centre in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan. The patients were divided into two cohorts: 26 of them were treated with ruxolitinib and 46 received the best available therapy. The patients’ characteristics, their response …

Student Perceptions Of And Attitudes Towards Academic Integrity Policies At An Omani University, Mickael A. Joseph, Jansirani Natarajan

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate Omani university students’ perceptions of and attitudes towards academic integrity policies through a comparison between healthcare (nursing and medicine) and non-healthcare students. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted during the 2018–2019 academic year wherein students were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire. Data were collected from nine colleges at Sultan Qaboos University and analysed. Results: A total of 579 students completed the questionnaire (response rate: 90%). The results revealed that healthcare students have a significantly higher perception of and better attitudes towards academic integrity policies compared to their non-healthcare counterparts. Conclusion: The results …

Giant Gastroduodenal Duplication Cyst With Juxta-Pancreatic Communication, Jhon F. Martinez-Paredes, Daniel G. Plata-Diaz, Adriana Pinilla

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Enteric duplication cysts are rare congenital malformations with a low incidence and there are only a few reports in the literature. Their clinical presentation varies according to the location and the type of duplication. Their overall prognosis is good if early surgical intervention is provided. We report a 2-month-old boy who presented with a case of a giant gastroduodenal duplication cyst with a juxta-pancreatic communication and was successfully treated surgically. It is imperative to be aware of this rare congenital malformation that can present clinically with a wide range of non-specific symptoms that can cause significant morbidity and mortality if …

A Multiple Case Study On Small And Mid-Size Enterprise Managers’ Lived Experiences On The Impact Of Job Losses On Outsourcing Practices, Nicholas M. Watson

The Qualitative Report

There is a greater need to understand how economic insecurities contribute to outsourcing practices. Previous research documented that small and medium-sized enterprises gained limited advantages from outsourcing. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study design was to explore the contribution of consumer job losses on outsourcing practices. A semi-structured open-ended interview was used to collect data from the 13 participants from the furniture, bedding, and wooden industries in Jamaica. From the analysis of the data collected, two themes emerge: (1) affordability and (2) market trends. The findings obtained from this research suggest that consumer job losses contributed to outsourcing …

Construcción De Paz En Clave Del Cuidado: Aportes De Las Mujeres De La Corporación Cornifu, Vereda Granizal (Bello, Antioquia), Heidi S. Pulido Varón, Wilman Preciado Valencia

The Qualitative Report

A continuación, se presenta el análisis de los aportes de las prácticas del cuidado de las mujeres de la Corporación Cornifu, a la construcción de paz en la vereda Granizal, Bello (Antioquia) visibilizados a través de una investigación con enfoque socio crítico, metodológicamente direccionada desde la sistematización de experiencias. Los resultados se presentan alrededor de cuatro categorías emergentes: (1) del rejo a una nueva manera de cuidar, (2) Articulación para cuidar la paz, (3) la alimentación, ejercicio político y de resistencia, (4) paces del cuidado. En conjunto, los hallazgos destacan que las mujeres por medio de las prácticas del cuidado …

Vivencias De Participación Y Exclusión Socio-Laboral En Jóvenes Con Discapacidad Intelectual, Nicolasa María Durán Palacio, Felipe Puerta Jaramillo, Magda Victoria Díaz Alzate

The Qualitative Report

Este artículo es el resultado de una investigación cualitativa cuyo objetivo fue la comprensión de las vivencias de participación y exclusión socio-laboral en jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual, mediante un acercamiento a sus narrativas. Se orientó a través de un diseño narrativo, para identificar los relatos de los participantes, las vivencias desde el punto de vista de sus protagonistas. Se realizaron entrevistas narrativas, que incluían, además de la conversación, otros textos como el dibujo y las historias. Para identificar las continuidades y discontinuidades en el análisis narrativo, se utilizó la triangulación de actores, aportando el nivel de validez requerido en los …