bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposure with acceptance-based versus habituation-based rationale for public speaking anxiety
Authors:   , England Erica Lee , Herbert James D. , Forman Evan M.
Published: July 2021

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a potentially debilitating condition affecting approximately 12% of the population at some point in their life (Ruscio et al., 2008). SAD is divided into two subtypes: generalized and nongeneralized. Nongeneralized SAD refers to individuals whose fears are limited to one or two social situations, most commonly public speaking. Empirically supported treatments for public speaking anxiety generally include an exposure component (usually in vivo/simulated exposure). Exposure is often presented within the context of a habituation rationale, but cognitively- based therapies utilize a rationale for exposure based on cognitive restructuring and belief modification. Research investigating the incremental benefit of adding other treatment components to exposure has yielded mixed results; however, there is preliminary evidence that the context in which exposure is presented can have an impact on treatment outcome. Recently, acceptance-based therapies have begun to frame exposure as an opportunity to increase one's willingness to experience anxiety while engaging in valued behaviors, rather than as a vehicle for modifying maladaptive cognitions and reducing anxiety. However, little research has been conducted on the efficacy of acceptance-based therapies for public speaking anxiety, and no component control studies have examined the utility of an acceptance/cognitive defusion rationale and context for exposure. The present study compared exposure within an acceptance/defusion context to exposure with a habituation-based rationale in the treatment of public speaking anxiety. Treatment was delivered in a group format over 6 weekly sessions. The hypothesis of superior outcomes for the acceptance-based group was not supported by the data; no significant differences were found between the two treatment conditions. All participants improved on outcome measures of social/public speaking anxiety and speech quality (social skills).
Hierarchical decision making with supply chain applications
Authors:   , Liu Xiangrong , Benson Hande Yurttan , Banerjee Avijit
Published: July 2021

Hierarchical decision making is a decision system, where multiple decision makers are involved and the process has a structure on the order of levels. It gains interest not only from a theoretical point of view but also from real practice. Its wide applications in supply chain management are the main focus of this dissertation. The first part of the work discusses an application of continuous bilevel programming in a remanufacturing system. Under intense competitive pressures to lower production costs, coupled with increasing environmental concerns, used products can often be collected via customer returns to retailers in supply chains and remanufactured by producers, in orderto bring them back into "as-new" condition for resale. In this part, hierarchical models are developed to determine optimal decisions involving inventory replenishment, retail pricingand collection price for returns. Based on the simplified assumption of a single manufacturer and a single retailer dealing with a single recoverable item under deterministic conditions,all of these decisions are examined in an integrated manner. Models depicting decentralized, as well as centralized policies are explored. Analytical results are derived and detailed sensitivity analysis is performed via an extensive set of numerical computations. In the second part of this dissertation, a discrete bilevel problem is illustrated by investigating a biofuel production problem. The issues of governmental incentives, industry decisions of price, and farm management of land are incorporated. While fixed costs are natural components of decision making in operations management, such discrete phenomena have not received sufficient research attention in the current literature on bilevel programming, due to a variety of theoretical and algorithmic difficulties. When such costs are taken into account, it is not easy to derive optimality conditions and explore convergence properties due to discontinuities and the combinatorial nature of this problem, which is NP-hard. In order to solve this problem, a derivative-free search technique is used to arrive at a solution to this bilevel problem. A new heuristic methodology is developed, which integrates sensitivity analysis and warm-starts to improve the efficiency of the algorithm.
Enhancing mindfulness in a written emotional expression exercise
Authors:   , Ziadni Maisa Said , Kloss Jacqueline D.
Published: July 2021

Written emotional expression has garnered significant evidence as a therapeutic tool for the processing of traumatic life events (Frattaroli, 2006; Pennebaker, 1997). However, its underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood or clearly defined. In this study, we predicted that written emotional expression exercises could serve as a mindfulness process. The goals of this study were (a) to test whether the writing process enhances mindfulness levels and (b) whether we can enhance mindfulness levels by building on a traditional writing instruction. To pilot this exercise, we modified the instructions of the traditional writing exercise to instruct individuals how to exercise mindfulness in their writing. Participants (N = 40) were randofmly assigned to either the traditional-writing group (TG) based on the Pennebaker instructions (Pennebaker, Kiecolt-Glaser, & Glaser, 1988) or to the mindfulness-enhanced group (MG), which incorporated mindfulness-based instructions (Levitt et al., 2004; Hayes & Smith, 2005) for writing about students' most stressful life experience. The Toronto Mindfulness Scale (TMS) was used to measure reports of curiosity and decentering before and after the writing exercise. Results revealed that decentering increased after participants engaged in the traditional writing exercise but not the mindfulness-enhanced exercise. Contrary to our prediction, curiosity reports did not change significantly overtime, and the mindfulness-enhanced writing did not differentially enhance individuals' mindfulness levels compared to the traditional writing exercise. These findings provide preliminary evidence that decentering may serve as an underlying mechanism in expressive writing. Future studies should replicate these findings and assess mindfulness changes in expressive writing over the course of several days.
Fiber-reinforced Ti₃SiC₂ and Ti₂AlC mAX phase composites
Authors:   , Spencer Charles B. , Barsoum Michel W.
Published: July 2021

It was proposed that reinforcing commercially available MAX phase powders would enhance their high temperature mechanical properties in general, and their creep resistance in particular. Three reaction pairs were studied; Ti₂AlC:Al2O3, Ti₂AlC:SiC and Ti₃SiC₂:TiC:SiC. Composites were hot-pressed and hot-isostatic pressed to temperatures as high as 1500 °C. At 1300 °C dense Ti₂AlC-alumina composites were fabricated wherein the fibers did not appear to sinter together. At 1500 °C, the alumina fibers agglomerated and sintered together and presumably lost their structural integrity. At these same temperatures, the SiC fibers reacted with the Ti₂AlC matrix, losing their integrity as well. It was also shown, through the use of differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffraction that Ti₂AlC is only kinetically stable at 1500 °C and when the activity of Al in the processing environment is small, Al is lost while Ti3AlC2 and Ti-aluminides are formed. With the Ti₃SiC₂:TiC:SiC combination, however, processed at 1500 °C, no evidence for a reaction was found. The SiC/Ti₃SiC₂ interface remained sharp and reaction free. These samples were fully dense. Preliminary results have shown that ~ 6 vol. % SiC fibers, decreased the creep tensile strain rates at 1100 °C, and increased the times to failure. Based on this work, we conclude that when continuous SiC fibers are incorporated in Ti₃SiC₂, an increase in the latter's high temperature creep response will occur and is thus a viable method of extending the life of Ti₃SiC₂-based materials in high temperature load bearing applications.
The development and evaluation of a 3-dimensional, image-based, patient-specific, dynamic model of the hindfoot
Authors:   , Imhauser Carl William , Siegler Sorin
Published: July 2021

This study developed subject-specific, three-dimensional dynamic hindfoot models (1 in vivo, 1 in vitro) using 3D stress MRI data. Each model's ability to capture mechanical phenomena including those of the healthy hindfoot and the hindfoot with ligament injury was evaluated through subject-specific experimental mechanical analyses (using an arthrometer and a stress MRI technique). Existing software (3DVIEWNIXTM) was incorporated with software developed in-house (marching cubes program) to obtain the subject's bone surface geometry, collateral and subtalar ligament insertion data. The bone surface data were then imported into a reverse engineering software package (Geomagic StudioTM) to obtain CAD representations for the bone geometries. The ligaments' non-linear structural properties were obtained directly from an existing experimental study or were estimated. Contact forces between bones were modeled using cartilage's Elastic Modulus and an exponential term to imitate its non-linear compression characteristics. The ADAMS 2003TM dynamic simulation software generated and solved the dynamic equations of motion under the forcing functions and boundary conditions. The in vivo experimental kinematic data were smaller than those predicted by the model. This indicates that surrounding soft tissues excluding the ligaments may decrease joint range of motion. The in vitro model captured the experimental kinematic patterns of the ankle joint complex, but did so by under-estimating ankle joint motion and over-estimating subtalar joint motion. Better knowledge of the ankle joint and subtalar joint ligament structural properties is necessary. Similar to experimental data, the in vivo and in vitro models' ankle joint complex had non-linear load-displacement properties in all directions. They are dependent on the contact of the articulating surfaces and ligament constraints. Sensitivity analyses indicated that kinematic changes caused by altering ligament geometry are smaller than changes caused by lateral ligament removal; therefore the model may be sensitive to predicting the changes that occur during ligament rupture. The models' assumptions and limitations include differences between the experimental and modeled boundary conditions, exclusion of the cartilage geometry, estimation of the contact damping coefficient, the contact stiffness and penetration exponent, estimation of the subtalar ligaments' structural properties, generalized non-linear properties for the collateral ligaments, and soft-tissue motion during the experiments. Future work must focus on developing a larger group of patient-specific models so that the output data has sufficient statistical power.
The Nature of Ongoing Dance Engagement and Identity as a Dancer in the Identity and Professional Development of the Emerging Dance/Movement Therapist
Authors:   , Ross Stephanie Gail , Schelly Hill Ellen
Published: July 2021

The objective of this research is to understand how the dance/movement therapy student integrates identities and activities as a dancer in the process of becoming a dance/movement therapist. The researcher conducted individual, semi-structured phone interview surveys with nine second year dance/movement therapy graduate students of American Dance Therapy Association approved Dance/Movement Therapy Master's programs. The interviews consisted of open- and close-ended questions and included an embedded artistic inquiry process. At the time of the interview, participants were engaging in dance activity as little as zero times a month, to as much as 9 to 12 times a month. Only two participants were satisfied with their respective amount of engagement in dance activity. Six participants identified as dancers, three did not. Of those three, two identified as a dancer at one time, one never did. Common themes from the movement data include inner and outer attention, contained versus expanded movement, grounding and preparing movement, alternating between extremes, and self-care. Results indicated that all participants are committed to careers as dance/movement therapists; and all, regardless of dancer identity, foresee a future that incorporates both dance and dance/movement therapy activities. Limitations of the study include a small recruitment response and not allowing for greater participant reflection on the artistic inquiry. Clinical applications include dance/movement therapy faculty encouraging students to engage in self-care activities that include dance; the addition of a dance course to the dance/movement therapy curriculum; and the use of this study as an experiential exercise for current dance/movement therapy students. Implications for future research include conducting the same study with a sample of participants that are more diverse by culture and gender; allowing for greater reflection and interpretation of the movement phrases by the participants; and the use of the Artistic Inquiry method in future studies to allow for deeper reflections and discoveries.
Semigroup approach to representation theory of infinite wreath products
Authors:   , Yoo Yun S. , Boyer Robert Paul
Published: July 2021

We consider the group S(1) of all permutations of the set of naturals, N, with topology of pointwise convergence. Lieberman proved that any representation T of the S(1) is a direct sum of irreducible representations; in particular, T generates a von Neumann algebra of type I. Lieberman's proof is very complicated and can hardly be applied to more general semigroups. Olshanski found another proof of Lieberman's theorem based on semigroup approach. Using this approach we extend the Lieberman's Theorem on the case of the wreath product of S(1) with Z2 endowed with the topology of pointwise convergence.
Moving Creation
Authors:   , Nussdorfer Emily , Goodill Sherry W.
Published: July 2021

This literature-based study has been designed to create a service program grounded in developmental, socio-cultural and creative arts therapy theory for adolescent identity repair and development for emotionally disturbed, socio-economically deprived preadolescents. The service program is based upon a synthetic theory matrix that emerged out of the process of literature analysis and consolidation. The domains that emerged within the literature analysis concentrated on the socio-cultural and developmental influences upon identity formation at preadolescence and adolescence and the effectiveness of creative transformational artistic processes to assist preadolescent identity repair. The study has identified socio-cultural paradigms and processes that lead to systemic imbalance. This systemic imbalance has in turn been identified as a causal factor in the development of adolescent behavioral pathology. Principles have been identified within community psychology, feminist psychology, cultural anthropology, object relations theory, as well as within clinical dance/movement and drama therapy processes and techniques that effectively address the complex developmental needs for the targeted population. The synthetic matrix combines and distills these principles and techniques into an integrated whole for the purposes of program construction. This study presents a dance/movement and drama therapy-based, after-school service program for identity repair that is specially designed for socially marginalized, disturbed preadolescents. This service program has been designed to run in tandem with the school year and is described in detail using a 5-part framework.
The trophic ecology of guppies (Poecilia reticulata) from the streams of Trinidad
Authors:   , Zandonà Eugenia , Kilham Susan Soltau
Published: July 2021

Several factors may influence intraspecific niche differentiation, such as the different levels of resources or degrees of competition and predation organisms experience. Resource use polymorphism can lead to morphological differentiation and to the evolution of different life history traits. Trinidadian Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) inhabit streams where they experience high or low predation pressure. Guppies living in high (HP) and low predation (LP) sites have evolved different life history traits: HP guppies mature earlier, produce more and smaller offspring, and have higher overall fecundity and reproductive allotment than their LP counterparts. The objective of this dissertation was to investigate the trophic ecology of guppies and its correlation with their life histories patterns. Three methodologies were employed: gut content analysis, gut length measurement, and stable isotope analysis. In the dry season, guppies in HP sites had a higher quality diet, which consisted of a greater proportion of invertebrates. Guppies in HP sites were more selective than guppies in LP sites, avoiding invertebrates of poor quality, as measured by a high carbon:nitrogen ratio. Gut morphology data confirmed these results, as guppies with lower quality diets (from LP sites) had longer guts. Comparisons between dry and wet seasons revealed that the diet of guppies shifted during the wet season, thereby eliminating dietary differences between HP and LP guppies found during the dry season. A survey of HP and LP population pairs from six different rivers conducted in the wet season showed some similarity within stream types in their environmental and biological characteristics but with some differences between rivers. [delta]¹⁵N and [delta]¹³C stable isotope analysis across the surveyed sites showed that LP guppies generally occupied a higher trophic position than HP guppies, but that this relationship was highly influenced by the river of origin. Stable isotopes also indicated that guppies assimilated invertebrates into their tissues more than other dietary items and that the variation in diet composition between sites was high. The results of this dissertation help distinguish the mechanisms by which guppy phenotypes (HP vs. LP) affect their environment, improving the understanding of the feedback between evolutionary and ecological processes in nature.
Social problem solving as a moderator in the relationship between pregnancy-specific stressors and depressive symptoms
Authors:   , Vasilevskaia Tatiana , Nezu Christine M. , Nezu Arthur M.
Published: July 2021

Depression is a leading cause of disability among women in the contemporary world. This study attempts to extend previous findings that revealed that social problem-solving ability is an important moderator variable in the relationship between stressors and depressive symptoms by investigating this relationship in a pregnant women population and broadening the concept of stressors to include pregnancy-specific hassles and negative life events. Moderator hypothesis is proposed to highlight the notion that under similar levels of stress, more effective problem solvers are less likely to experience depressive symptoms than less effective problem solvers. This hypothesis was evaluated in a sample of 150 low socio-economic status pregnant women, predominantly of African American ethnicity. Participants were asked to complete a series of questionnaires, which included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Life Experiences Survey, thePregnancy Experiences Scale, and the Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised. Negative life events and pregnancy-specific hassles explained approximately equalamount of variance in depressive symptoms in pregnant women. Among the social problem-solving components, negative problem orientation (NPO) was the most strongly associated with depressive symptoms, followed by positive problem orientation (PPO), avoidance style (AS), and impulsivity-carelessness style (ICS). Rational problem-solving style (RPS) was not associated with depressive symptoms in this study. All four problemsolving components (PPO, NPO, ICS, and AS) improved prediction of depressive symptoms above and beyond association between depressive symptoms and relationship status, first pregnancy, depression medication, negative life events, and pregnancyspecific stressors. None of the social problem-solving components moderated the relationship between pregnancy-specific stressors and depressive symptoms in this study. Results of this study hold several implications for the clinical care of pregnant women. Women who score high on negative life events and/or pregnancy-specific stressors are particularly vulnerable to develop depressive symptoms and need to be monitored. Also, social problem solving strategies of pregnant women need to be evaluated. Group format skills training could be implemented for pregnant women who are not currentlydisplaying depressive symptoms and who score high on maladaptive problem-solving dimensions. Individual or group problem-solving therapy could be employed in pregnant women who have already developed depressive symptoms.
Acceptance-based behavior therapy for social anxiety disorder using videoconferencing
Authors:   , Yuen Erica K. , Herbert James D.
Published: July 2021

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in the United States (Grant et al., 2005; Kessler, Berglund, Demler, Jin, & Walters, 2005). Without treatment, SAD follows a chronic, unremitting course (Grant, et al., 2005), and is associated with high personal costs including decreased quality of life, work productivity, and quality of social relationships (Lipsitz & Schneier, 2000). However, more than 80% of people with SAD do not receive any type of treatment (Grant, et al., 2005), despite the existence of empirically supported cognitive behavioral treatments. Some individuals with SAD are unwilling to seek treatment in person due to their fears of social interaction, but may be willing to engage in remote treatment. Also, because CBT therapists are clustered around metropolitan areas, individuals living in non-metropolitan areas of the country have limited or no access to CBT therapists competent in the treatment of SAD. Interventions conducted through electronic communication media, such as the internet, have the potential to reach individuals who otherwise would not receive CBT. Videoconferencing technology potentially holds great promise in the widespread delivery of CBT. This uncontrolled pilot study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of an acceptance-based CBT intervention using Skype videoconferencing to treat adults with generalized SAD. Participants received 12 sessions of weekly therapy and were assessed at pre-treatment, mid-treatment, and post-treatment. Participants and therapists rated this treatment using Skype as acceptable and feasible. Most technical difficulties did not significantly impact the quality of the sessions. Analyses showed significant pre- to post-treatment improvements in social anxiety symptoms, depression, disability, and quality of life, with effect sizes comparable to or larger than previously published results of studies delivering in-person CBT for SAD. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Use of piezoelectric-excited millimeter-sized cantilever (PEMC) sensors for DNA-based detection of pathogens and disease conditions
Authors:   , Rijal Kishan , Mutharasan Rajakkannu
Published: July 2021

In this study, Piezoelectric-Excited Millimeter-Sized Cantilever (PEMC) sensors were used to detect pathogens and disease conditions using DNA-based detection technique. Using Stx-2 gene as a unique identifier, the model pathogen E. coli O157:H7 was detected using a simplified and rapid genomic DNA extraction method (30 min) in both buffer and proteinous complex matrix at ~2,000 pathogens per mL. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) of DNA of length 10 to 60 nt were detected via nucleic-acid hybridization at 1 femtomolar concentration. Synthetic single stranded DNA, 10 to 288 bases long were detected by hybridization. For the first time, Taq-polymerase based extension of captured DNA was performed on the cantilever sensor thus increasing hybridized mass by ~2.2 pg. The PEMC sensor showed high specificity in detecting complementary DNA in presence of 10,000 times higher concentration noncomplementaryDNA strands. Using antibody-antigen assay, E. coli O157:H7 was detected at 10 cells/mL and developed a protocol for regeneration of the sensor surface for multiple uses. Another significant result is the measurement of alkanethiol chemisorption on Au<111> coated sensor surface at 1 femtomolar. At higher alkanethiol concentrations the sensor responses were proportionately, but non-linearly, higher. However, the responses to C4, C8, C11, C16 and C18 alkanethiols at 1 mM were linearly proportional. We report for the first time that, once the Au-surface is equilibrated at 1 pM, further chemisorption at a lower concentration does not take place, even though over 99% of adsorption sites is vacant.
Effect of doping on the photocatalytic, electronic and mechanical properties of sol-gel titanium dioxide films
Authors:   , Kurtoglu Murat , Gogotsi Yury
Published: July 2021

Heterogeneous photocatalysis has been an active research area over the last decade as a promising solution for energy generation and environmental problems which has led to promising applications from air and water purification systems, self-cleaning and selfsterilizing surfaces to solar cells and hydrogen production from water dissociation reaction. Titanium dioxide (TiO2), an abundant material with a high photocatalytic efficiency and chemical stability, is undoubtedly the most widely studied and used among all photocatalytic materials. Although titanium dioxide has been used in powder form, its immobilized form (film) is necessary from practical application standpoint. However, there are several shortcomings of titanium dioxide films that need to be addressed to realize a wide range of successful applications: lack of visible light activity, poisoning of the catalytic performance by the substrate and the low surface area compared to powder forms. In addition, mechanical properties of such films have not been investigated thoroughly, which may be critical when abrasion and weathering resistance are necessary. To address each of these issues, a systematic experimental and theoretical investigation of doping titanium dioxide films with a variety of elementswere conducted. Utilizing theoretical calculations to filter elements for experimental studies as well as interpretation of the experimental results, several dopant or dopant combinations were found to remedy some of the issues of photocatalytic titanium dioxide films. Doping with 32 metals, nitrogen and 11 metal-nitrogen combinations are investigated theoretically and the results are used as guideline for the experimental studies. Particular attention is given to certain metal dopants such as Cr, V, Mo, Ta and Ga not just because of their relatively modest cost but also their non-toxicity and wide availability of their compatible compounds for sol-gel synthesis. While metal-dopants improved the overall efficiency and mechanical properties of titanium dioxide films, visible light activity is only achieved with nitrogen and metal-nitrogen doping where some of the metal co-dopants significantly improved the overall photocatalytic efficiency compared to nitrogen-only doped films. In addition, majority of the experimental studies is accompanied by nanoindentation technique to study the effect of doping and calcination on the key mechanicalproperties of titanium dioxide films. It is shown that good mechanical properties - good photocatalytic activity combinations can be achieved by a choice of appropriate dopant -dopant combinations and coupled with appropriate calcination parameters. Results of the theoretical and experimental investigations led to the development of first commercial photocatalytic tableware glass items which can be utilized under indoor lighting conditions by carefully selecting metal-nitrogen couples for doping of titanium dioxide films.
Moisture transport in paper and paper coatings
Authors:   , Jain Amitkumar Champalal , Cairncross Richard Allan
Published: July 2021

On applying water based adhesive coating on a silicone-coated paper, water from the coating permeates through the layer of silicone coating and is absorbed by paper. During drying, water evaporates from both the coating and the paper layers simultaneously; there is also transport of moisture between the coating and paper layers through the silicone layer. Initially, the water evaporation rate from the coating is dominant, but at longer time period the water evaporation rate from paper dominates. Mathematical models for moisture transport in an adhesive coating layer and a paper layer are developed and experimentally validated. Models for moisture transport in coating layer, paper layer and a pseudo steady state (PSS) model for moisture transport in a silicone layer are combined with appropriate boundary conditions to model drying of adhesive coating applied on silicone-coated paper. The mathematical model is solved using the Galerkin's finite element method. To extend the model for drying of adhesive coating applied on silicone-coated paper to drying of adhesive coating applied on un-coated paper, a constitutive model of paper to predict the effect of moisture on the physical and transport properties of paper is required. A constitutive model for paper is developed by mapping the results from Single fiber deformation model to predict cross-sectional shape of a paper fiber at varying stages of drying and/or moisturization, onto Unit cell models of paper structure. A method for predicting the macroscopic properties of paper from the fiber geometry in idealized structural arrangement is presented.
Tailoring interfacial performance of UHMW PE fiber composites via covalent bonding assisted by plasma surface treatments
Authors:   , Yim Jacqueline Hee Jung , Palmese Giuseppe R. , Fridman Alexander A.
Published: July 2021

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites are lightweight materials that can possess excellent mechanical properties. As a result, these materials can be found in many applications where these properties are of importance. Composite mechanical behavior, like strength and fracture toughness, is known to be dependent on the fiber-matrix interface. Composites made with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE) fibers and thermosetting matrices like epoxies have shown poor interfacial performance. This is a result of poor adhesion attributed to the chemical inertness, poor wettability and low surface energy of the fiber. Surface treatments employed through the use of non-thermal plasmas have provided the means of overcoming these limitations by increasing chemical and physical interactions of the fiber to the matrix. However, the relative importance that physical and chemical interactions have for improving interfacial performance has to this point not been clear. The focus of this dissertation is to gain a better understanding of how surface characteristics chemical and physical of the fiber govern the interfacial properties at the fiber-matrix interface. Atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma surface treatments were implemented to functionalize the surface of UHMW PE. Conventionally, low pressure plasma systems have been utilized for surface treatments; however, atmospheric pressure systems have proven to be a viable alternative. The effectiveness of the plasma treatments were evaluated using various surface analytical techniques such as SEM, ATR-FTIR, XPS, AFM, contact angle, and titrations. Chemical and physical characteristics of the fiber were correlated to interfacial properties measured using the single fiber microdroplet test. Observations strongly substantiate that covalent bonding is the dominant contributing factor for observed improvements of interfacial properties. This was further supported by results of grafting studies designed to control reactivity and reactive site surface concentration. Overall, this work has shown that covalent bonding is the governing factor controlling interfacial behavior in UHMW PE fiber- epoxy composites and that it can be used effectively to tailor performance.
Preemption control of multi-class loss networks
Authors:   , Zhao Zhen , Weber Steven P. , De Oliveira Jaudelice Cavalcante
Published: July 2021

This thesis addresses the analysis and optimization of preemption in multi-class loss networks. Preemption, admission control and rate adaptation, are control mechanisms that enable loss network operators to provide quality of service (QoS) guarantees for admitted calls. This research includes two parts: i) performance characterization of a two parallel link loss network servicing multiple classes of calls under a specific preemption and admission policy, and ii) preemption and admission control policy analysis for a single loss link servicing two classes of calls. In Part I, we consider a two parallel link multi-class loss network, where a call may preempt, if necessary, any calls with lower priorities and may in turn be preempted by any calls with higher priorities. The preemption policy permits both preemption from a preferred link to a backup link if possible, and eviction from either link if necessary. Our contributions in this part include: i) characterizing the rates of each class causing preemption of active lower priority calls, and therates of each class being preempted by an arriving higher priority call in Erlang-B functions when all classes share a common service rate; ii) simple expressions of these preemption rates through uniform asymptotic approximation; and iii) asymptotic approximation of these preemption rates using nearly completely decomposable (NCD) Markov chain techniques when classes have individual service rates. After analyzing the performance of a typical policy, we would also like to study various policies. In Part II, we analyze different preemption and admission control policies for a two-class loss link where per-class revenue is earned per unit time for each active call, and an instantaneous preemption cost is incurred whenever the preemption mechanism is employed. Our contributions in this part include: i) showing that under reasonable reward models, if we always preempt when the link is full, then it is better not to preempt at non-full states; ii) a sufficient condition under which the average revenue of optimal preemption policy without admission control exceeds that of optimal admission control policy without preemption, which are established via policy improvement theorems fromstochastic dynamic programming.
Analysis of Patient Stages of Change and Health Outcomes in 215GO!
Authors:   , Almazora Noreen Claret T. , Auchincloss Amy H.
Published: July 2021

Objectives: To examine the relationship between the subjects' stages of change at their initial visits and their return to the clinic for subsequent visits. To examine the relationship between changes in the subjects' stages of change and changes in their health outcome measures. To examine the relationship between the subjects' demographics and their stages of change. Methods: A retrospective cohort study using information from the 215GO! childhood obesitydatabase was conducted. Relevant patient information was retrieved from the 215GO! database at each health center and compiled into one complete dataset. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted using SAS 9.1.3. Results: There were 843 participants in this study. Of these participants, 88% were overweight or obese, 7% were hypertensive, and 6% were hyperlipidemic. Approximately 46% did not return to the clinic after their initial visit. Hispanic participants were more likely to return for three or more subsequent 215GO! visits than other race/ethnicities. At baseline, 31% of youthswere in the preparation stage, 12% were in the action stage, 9% were in the pre-contemplation and contemplation stages, and 48% of participants were missing data on initial stage of change. Initial stage of change was not associated with number of return visits in bivariate or multivariateanalysis: adjusted odds ratio = 1.04 (95% confidence interval = 0.73, 1.49). Models were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance type, and health center attended. Conclusion: Stage of change was not associated with patients returning to 215GO! for subsequent visits. It was found that most patients are in the preparation stage at their initial clinic visit, indicating they intend to undergo behavioral changes toward a healthier lifestyle within the next month. Despite an apparent readiness to change their behaviors, nearly half ofthe children appeared to face some barrier to returning to the 215GO! clinic. Thus, the staff were unable to engage the children in the program's standard services. A restructuring of 215GO! toprovide intensive services on the first visit and to increase health and nutrition services during all health center visits should be considered.
Creating a Standard Operating Procedure for Needlestick Injuries as a Supplement to the Exposure Control Manual for the Philadelphia Fire Department's Infection Control Program
Authors:   , DiStefano Francis , Cummings Curtis E.
Published: July 2021

Objectives: To investigate risk factors for needlestick injuries among the Philadelphia Fire Department's Firefighter-EMTs and Paramedics. The results of this analysis was then be used to design a site-specific standard operating procedure to prevent and mitigate the effects of needlesticks and other sharps injuries. Methods: Data from 62 needlestick injuries reported to and recorded by the Exposure Control Officer of the Philadelphia Fire Department's Infection Control Office [ICO] between September of 2001 (when the ICO was established) and November of 2010 were analyzed. This was a retrospective study. Results: Analysis of the needlestick and sharp injury data has found trends in the data collected. There were no seroconversions to HIV, HBV, or HCV among those who were injured during the time period studied. 46 of the needlesticks reported were found to be of clinical significance, and 19 were determined to have been preventable. Fire service paramedics were most likely to suffer needlestick injury. Needlesticks occurred most often on Saturdays, in October and March, and at night. The average cost per needlestick injury paid by the City of Philadelphia was $1317.54. Conclusions: While no seroconversions to HBV, HCV, or HIV were found, needlestick injuries remain a serious threat to the health of Philadelphia Firefighter-EMTs and Paramedics. They are also costly to the City of Philadelphia. Because of this a Standard Operating Procedure must be written and implemented as part of the Philadelphia Fire Department's Exposure Control Manual.
Treatment of the Bullying Phenomenon
Authors:   , Lonnquist Donald C. , Gerber Nancy E.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if Art Therapists were encountering children involved in the bullying phenomenon in the therapeutic milieu, and how were they assessing and/or treating these children? The method that was utilized to explore art therapists' experience of treating the bullying phenomenon with children/adolescents was a survey that was developed and distributed to art therapists registered with the American Art Therapy Association. Art therapists were surveyed about assessments and treatment employed with this population of children, settings for treatment, referral sources, artwork produced by this population, and course of treatment. Overall the results revealed that art therapists are or have treated this population of children. Group and individual art therapy were the contexts of treatment most used by the survey sample. School staff were found to be the largest source of referrals for use of art therapy with this population. As reported by respondents to the survey, artwork produced by this population had themes of aggression, lack of trust, low self esteem and depression. Due to findings indicating the school setting housing the majority of incidents of bullying, training for art therapists treating children in this setting or receiving referrals from the school staff warrant inclusion of recognition of and interventions for the bullying phenomenon. The results of this study cannot be generalized because of the limited sample size (N = 64). The study does support some of the literature found. Because of this support and the benefits that could be gained for all parties involved, a refined and expanded version of this study is recommended for more definitive results.
Plasma discharge in water and its application for industrial cooling water treatment
Authors:   , Yang Yong , Cho Young I. , Fridman Alexander A.
Published: July 2021

Plasma plays an important role in a wide variety of industrial applications, including material processing, semiconductor manufacturing, light sources, propulsion and many more. In recent years, there are increasing interests in the plasma discharges in liquids because of its potential applications for various biological, environmental, and medical technologies. For example, electric breakdown is developed as a non-chemical method for bio-fouling removal and contaminant abatement in water, with a potential for extension into a wide range of other water treatment applications. Comparing with other conventional water treatment technologies, plasma methods effectively combine the contributions of UV radiation, active chemicals, and high electric fields which leads to higher treatmentefficiency. However, the fundamental knowledge of the electric breakdown in water has not kept pace with these increasing interests, mostly due to the complexity of the phenomenon related to the plasma breakdown process. In most cases, the electric breakdown of liquids is initiated by the application of high electric field on the electrode, followed by rapid propagation and branching of plasma channels. Typically plasmas are only considered to exist through the ionization of gases and typical production of plasmas in liquids generates bubblesthrough heating or via cavitation and sustains the plasmas within those bubbles. The first part of the thesis tried to answer the question whether it is possible to ionize the liquid without cracking and bubble formation. Fast optical diagnostic platform was constructed with 500 ps time-resolution. It was demonstrated for the first time that the possibility of formation of non-equilibrium plasma in the liquid phase without bubble formation under nanosecond and subnanosecond high voltage excitation. The dynamics of excitation and quenching of non-equilibrium plasma in liquid water were investigated and it was observed that under some circumstances the plasma in liquid water possesses certain similarities as gas phase discharge. The second part of the thesis explores the application of underwater spark discharge for industrial cooling water treatment. Direct pulsed spark dischargetreatment was found to be able to accelerate the precipitation of calcium ions in supersaturated hard water. Possible pathways for the plasma-induced precipitationwere studied. Furthermore, the effect of pulsed spark discharges on the mitigation of mineral fouling in a concentric counterflow heat exchanger was investigated. The fouling resistances for the spark discharge treated cases dropped by 50 - 88% compared with those obtained for the no-treatment cases, depending on the initial hardness and flow velocity. The fouling resistance data confirmed that pulsed spark discharge was beneficial in mitigating the mineral fouling in heat exchangers by continuously producing suspended calcium carbonate particles in water.
The future of non-profit television in the digital era
Authors:   , Abboud Rebecca Elias , Tedesco Albert S.
Published: July 2021

The majority of television networks' revenue comes from different forms of advertising, while non-profit public broadcast stations who compete for audiences with all other broadcasters must develop different revenue models. In addition, the recessionary economy and funding cuts to public television that happened in 2009, hurt non-profit stations that primarily get their support from the government, donations, and membership dues. Poor financial conditions in the media industry are even harder to work with in the modern era; new media technologies are growing at a rapid rate, and without money to invest in new media developments, a station cannot evolve along with trends. One approach to a new noncommercial revenue model for public television has been attempted. It is an educational documentarystyle niche program strategy. A participant-observer study has been conducted of Z TV, a non-profit public television station located in a Major Market (Big City). A survey was distributed to the employees of Z TV followed by some in-depth interviews to help clarify the operating issues at the station. A random online survey was also posted asking about people's television-viewing habits, and helping define strategies Z TV should implement to attract more viewers. The study examined programming strategies at Z TV as well as how the incorporation of more recent media strategies to improve the station's chances for success.
A study of online audience usage in conjunction with a large market, daytime, magazine show
Authors:   , McAndrew Colleen M. , Tedesco Albert S.
Published: July 2021

With the rapid expansion of the Internet, consumers have more access to new resources offering anytime/anywhere-viewing opportunities. It is imperative for television program providers to understand their product and their consumers by analyzing the viewers' habits, practices, and behaviors. In order to understand this relationship, this research examines how an audience is using online media provided by a large market, daytime, magazine television show. A case study was conducted with the collection of data through web analytic programs such as Omniture and organized using Excel to review the following researchquestions:1. Who is the audience of the television show?2. How is the audience using the show's website?3. How is online usage correlated with traditional television viewing?The results of this case study gave insight to the demographics of the audience and the most popular video topics. In reference to website usage, peak hours of website usage and inbound websites were also researched. Correlation coefficients between traditional television viewing and online usage as well as website page views and social media usage were calculated to determine the relationship between different and similar media.
High-performance architectures for accelerating sparse LU computation
Authors:   , Cunningham Kevin , Nagvajara Prawat , Johnson Jeremy Russell
Published: July 2021

Sparse Lower-Upper (LU) Triangular Decomposition is important to many different applications, including power system analysis. High-performance sparse linear algebra software packages, executing on general-purpose processors, experience lower performance when processing power system matrices. This observation motivated previous work on the design of custom hardware, implemented, in FPGA, to improve performance of sparse LU. While improved performance was obtained, significant effort was required to design and implement the hardware. This thesis investigates the combination of general purpose architectures and a hardware accelerator, for a crucial component of sparse LU, to achieve similar performance results without the design overhead. One architecture, combining a general-purpose processor with a hardware accelerator, achieves a 1.29X speedup over software for a 26K-Bus power system. The second architecture, a modification of the Data Pump Architecture, provides a 2.27X speedup over software on the 26K-bus power system. These results show that speedup for sparse LU is possible, without designing a complete custom hardware solution, using a small hardware accelerator, provided a tightly coupled architecture is available to feed data to the accelerator.