bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Intelligence in Media Industries
Authors:   , Cheng Gong , Salas Philip W.
Published: July 2021

The implementation of artificial intelligence has become mainstream in the development of social media due to its advantages of automatic data processing, content generating and efficient interaction with customers. This thesis utilized a mixed research method, including an internet-based questionnaire survey and a semi-structured interview, to identify how artificial intelligence could help improve customers' experiences when using the Chinese website AutoHome as a tool to search vehicle resources and information. A review of the literature indicates three main factors; relevance, updating frequency and degree of accuracy, that could significantly influence the effectiveness of applying AI in the social media industry. On this theoretical basis, the thesis determines three explanatory variables and collects primary data from respondents through a survey. An OLS multivariate linear regression model with critical evaluation is used to identify how customers' visiting frequency is influenced. The statistical results demonstrate that updating frequency and peoples' dissatisfaction on content relevance will cast a substantial impact on their visiting frequency, while people rarely care about what they read and comment on the information. The further interviews with three different groups of users imply that a focus on different influential factors would vary according to users' goals in using the social media platform. Based on discussions and analyses, this thesis recommends that AutoHome should build an information database to trace visitors and manage the comment area.
An Impact Study of Public Funding in the City of Philadelphia
Authors:   , Stegura Mary L. , Brody Jean
Published: July 2021

The Philadelphia Cultural Fund strives to promote arts and culture and provide the funds to enhance the cultural life and vitality of the City of Philadelphia and its residents. Through examining the City of Philadelphia's view on culture, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund itself, the Fund's relationship with the arts and cultural non-profit organizations in Philadelphia, and information from recipients of the Fund's services, this thesis identifies the Philadelphia Cultural Fund's influence on its community. I have explored how this particular government funding entity affects the non-profit arts and culture sector in Philadelphia within the categories of programmatic choices, operations, financial reporting and organizational structure and can identify how Philadelphia and the United States can move forward to value and continue to support the arts and culture organizations that shape our communities. The Philadelphia Cultural Fund has been instrumental in providing resources to improve the arts and cultural sector within the City of Philadelphia. Through their grants, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund has been able to provide as much as $3.14 million in general operating support in 2017 to over 300 organizations. In addition to providing funding to the arts and cultural community, the grant application process has impacted arts and culture non-profit organizations by preparing smaller organizations for future funding opportunities.
Stability, Mobility, and Integration
Authors:   , Agosto Suraija K. , Morningstar Dawn
Published: July 2021

This capstone thesis project is a development of a dance/movement therapy (DMT) method in an urban charter school setting for graduating high school seniors who were identified as needing support in their transition process. These students ranged in cognitive level, abilities, and services they were receiving. The DMT method, explored the preparation stage of change model with the Laban movement themes of Stability and Mobility. It incorporated the use of journaling and visual mapping as a practice in crystallizing the movement experience and as a process for students' individual reflection. The primary goal of this method was to explore the preparation stage of the stages of change model through movement to eventually move the students to the action stage. The literature reviewed was integrated and informed the creation of this staged method. This project includes session vignettes which describe the work that was done with students in each session. Each vignette includes a conceptualization of themes that emerged throughout sessions. Overall, this method increased awareness of the self within the transition process and provided a safe space for reflection and preparation for the future.
Imagery of Elements
Authors:   , Pranzo Erika I. , Goodill Sherry W.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this capstone project thesis was to develop a method to stabilize adults in a short-term psychiatric hospital using dance/movement therapy (DMT) within a trauma-informed framework. A vast number of the population has experienced trauma at some point in their life and extensive literature links trauma and long-term mental health concerns. The literature supports the need for clinicians to practice within a trauma-informed framework to prevent further harming or re-traumatizing clients. Dance/ movement therapy literature suggests that DMT is an effective way of treating survivors of trauma by utilizing the somatic responses to trauma which are reflected through movement. With this knowledge, this method was developed as a structured, explorative method to help survivors of various traumas engage in reflection and self-expression to maintain a present-centered focus and reach emotional regulation. The developed method is entitled Elements, and includes a sequence structure of three main components: sensory awareness, rhythmic synchrony and self-generated imagery of elements. Case vignettes are provided to demonstrate the development of this method and how the Elements method solidified within four sessions.
Button Making
Authors:   , Kodish-Eskind Sarah A. , Awais Yasmine J. , Dougherty Abby
Published: July 2021

The development of this method explored how art therapy can be applied differently when the space and system in which it is practiced focuses on power-with dynamics, connection, and empowerment. This was explored through an integration of alternative art therapy practices and relational-cultural theory. The development of this method aimed to support connection, facilitate access to art making, and work from a position of empowerment through power-with rather than power-over dynamics. Third spaces were utilized as an ideal place of practice for this method due to their relational quality and tendency towards a collective sense of ownership and access. Button making was the art process mobilized for this method due to the history of buttons as a visual tool for collective messaging, personal and community identification, organizing, and empowerment.
Humane Slaughter Does Not Exist
Authors:   , Glassman Emily , Dilworth Richardson
Published: July 2021

The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) was created to protect animals from egregious forms of cruelty in United States slaughterhouses. Under HMSA means of slaughter must be rapid, effective, and performed before the animal is processed. In addition, the animal must be rendered insensible to pain. It is important to note who is protected under HMSA, as the act only applies to the following animals: cattle, calves, horses, mules, sheep and swine. ' Unfortunately, various outlets including Government Accountability Office, Office of the Inspector General, and first person accounts, have proven HMSA is not achieving its intended goal of protecting animals from egregious acts of cruelty. This case study makes recommendations to improve policy surrounding the treatment of animals in slaughterhouses and cites specific examples as evidence for these policy recommendations. Most significantly, this study seeks to understand how regulatory policy has failed in reducing harm to animals prior to slaughter.
Black Women's Health in the Philadelphia Promise Zone
Authors:   , Adams-Williams Zora , Carroll-Scott Amy
Published: July 2021

Black women have high prevalence of co-morbidities including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke (American Heart Association, 2017; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017; DHHS, 2017) From 2013 - 2014, the National Health and Nutrition Survey found 57.2% of Black women were obese (DHHS, 2017). Chronic disease prevention programs for Black women need to address their chronic disease risk factors. The problem being addressed by this study is the high prevalence of chronic disease risk factors among urban Black women. The Promise Zone neighborhoods in West Philadelphia were chosen given their high prevalence of chronic diseases among adults for a mixed methods formative assessment. A chronic disease prevention program for Black women are needed in these neighborhoods. The significance of this study lies in the unique opportunity to understand factors contributing to Black women's poor health outcomes and address these factors in the creation of a women's health prevention program at the Drexel affiliated community-based health promotion center, the Wellness HUB in West Philadelphia. The purpose of this mixed-methods formative assessment is to hear from community leaders' and Black female residents on Black women's health and health programming needs from the Promise Zones neighborhoods. A mixed-methods design will be used because chronic disease prevalence data alone does not explain Black women's health disparities in the Promise Zone, thus qualitative tools will fill this gap by hearing from Black female residents and community leaders.
Exploration of Cultural Humility in Medical Art Therapy
Authors:   , Keselman Mariya , Awais Yasmine J.
Published: July 2021

The predominant medical model prioritizes physical conditions and often overlooks cultural identities and psychological needs of patients, which are necessary considerations for implementation of holistic treatment. Several studies have demonstrated the benefit of cultural humility in healthcare, but no research was conducted within medical art therapy. This study aimed to address the gap in the literature by exploring cultural humility practices in medical art therapy. Medical art therapists were recruited to participate in this study through convenience and snowball sampling methods. Using exploratory multiple-case study methodology, four participants completed a semi-structured interview, which included visual elicitation and verbal interview components. Results were analyzed through cross-case analysis. Assertions found across cases reflected participants' practices of cultural humility within their work as medical art therapists. These included: awareness of self in relation to others, collaborative relationship with patients, and consideration of art therapy within larger systems. Implications of these results include suggestions for better integration of components of cultural humility into clinical practice, greater inclusion of multiculturalism into art therapy education, and increased involvement of medical art therapists in advocacy.
Low-Latency Image Fusion Implementation using FPGA
Authors:   , Yeoh Chan , Nagvajara Prawat
Published: July 2021

Image fusion is useful for obtaining multiple input from the camera and may enhance details of a given scene. For example, a regular RGB combined with heat vision may allow a visual example of the scene's heat, or widen the the view, i.e., the panorama view or similar to that of a human's visual field. In current applications, image fusion is not done in real time. Users would have to wait for a period of time before the images are combined together. This project uses a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) to present image fusion with low latency of about 17 ms, which is not noticeable by the human eye. The paper also presents novel approaches to minimizing hardware usage and effectively uses Vivado's architecture to communicate with the processor to fuse two 1080p videos. The result of the program produces a ghosting effect on the output result because of the lack of homography transformation and noise coming from the webcam frame-to-frame.
Arts and the economy
Authors:   , Buczynski Victoria E. , Brody Jean
Published: July 2021

In the recent economic and political climate, the arts are seen as extra, or as an add-on, easily cut from funding to make room for other budgets that seek more tangible results. In consideration of the current budget cuts from federal arts funding, this paper makes the case the arts can and have been used to positively effect and revitalize communities. The information revealed throughout this research process provides evidence that favors the concept that the arts have an intrinsic impact on society that prove valuable economically. The research conducted in this study successfully frames the utilization of the arts as an economic revitalization tool. There are two case studies within this framework, including South Orange, New Jersey and Rahway, New Jersey. The case study surrounding the city of South Orange, New Jersey is inconclusive due to the inability to gain well-rounded insight from professionals currently working within the city. However, the case study based on the city of Rahway, New Jersey is an ideal example of how to utilize the arts as a resource for economic revitalization and rehabilitation. This paper addresses various aspects of the utilization of the arts including funding issues, highlights the success of Rahway's efforts, and suggests recommendations to others pursuing economic revitalization.
Professional Development for Transformational Technology Integration
Authors:   , Tachau Elena M. , Smith Brian K.
Published: July 2021

The rapid advancement of technology tasks K-12 schools with providing professional development for technology integration. This study sought to address the effectiveness of a TPACK-aligned professional development model in preparing in-service teachers to use technology in ways that transform teaching and learning. Through a single-subject, experimental mixed methods design, this study investigated the relationship between a TPACK-aligned professional development intervention and teacher self-assessment of the following TPACK framework constructs: technological knowledge (TK), technological content knowledge (TCK), technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK), and technological, pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) in a rural, K-12 public school district. The following question guided this research: How does a TPACK- aligned professional development model influence teacher self-assessment of TPACK? The findings of this study contribute to existing literature on the design of professional development for technology integration in technology-rich learning environments and address a gap in the literature on TPACK-aligned, in-service teacher professional development for transformational technology integration.
An analysis of grit and school-based anxiety in elementary third grade students
Authors:   , Hoffert Andrew R. , Gullo Dominic F.
Published: July 2021

The increased focus on standardized testing and assessment as a measure of performance and accountability has contributed to a significant increase in the presentation of anxiety in children and adolescents in the elementary school setting, impacting between 6% and 18% of our youngest school-aged children (Brown, 2013; Reinblatt & Riddle, 2007). Students are afraid of failure and the perceptions and consequences, perceived or realistic, that are experienced as a result of poor test performance. Grit and growth mindset are two related cognitive viewpoints that can teach students to look at failure and setbacks as learning opportunities, and that improvement towards long term goals can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. Grittiness and a shift to a growth mindset are examined in this proposed study as potential interventions to counteract the identified increase in anxiety related performance issues in the elementary school environment. Through an explanatory correlational approach, the researcher will utilize the Short Grit Scale (Grit-S), both self-report and informant versions, along with the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale, Second Edition (RCMAS-2) to compare student and parent responses and identify whether or not a relationship between the two traits is evident.
Priming for Flow States Through Engagement Within Music Therapy Improvisation
Authors:   , Eccles Bonnie Rose , Nolan Paul
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this thesis is to develop a method to promote flow states in patients in an inpatient psychiatric hospital through group music making. Relevant literature will be reviewed to inform and provide context for the method. The reviewed literature includes an overview of everyday issues associated with depression on quality of life, common practice in the treatment of depression, an introduction to positive psychotherapy, defining characteristics of flow states, benefits of frequently reaching and sustaining flow states, common music therapy practice, music eliciting flow, and flow within the context of music therapy. With the elements of flow in mind, this method was developed to promote complete immersion during group improvisation in order to exploit the benefits of engagement in the intrinsically rewarding experience that group improvisation can be. These benefits include self-growth, a greater sense of connection with the group or to oneself, and increases in subjective well-being, while accessing individuals' internal areas of health and strength. Additionally, I reflect on what I learned while developing and implementing the method, and how this experience has influenced who I am as a music therapist.
The Effect of Thermal Nonequilibrium on Helmet Streamer Plasma and the Solar Wind
Authors:   , Schlenker Michael John , McMillan Stephen L. W. , Antiochos Spiro K.
Published: July 2021

Helmet streamers are comprised of long magnetic loops that define the boundary between open and closed magnetic flux on the Sun. Since observations from Sheeley et al. (1997), these features have been shown to release plasmoids from their cusp into the slow solar wind. Further observations of these transient features in Viall & Vourlidas (2015) revealed that these plasmoids contained substructures in their densities with periodicities of approximately 90 minutes. Previous efforts to model helmet streamers (Endeve et al. (2003), Allred & MacNeice (2008)) were unsuccessful in producing density variations on such timescales. Here, we propose and investigate with numerical simulations the process of thermal nonequilibrium (TNE) as the mechanism that produces the slow wind substructure. TNE is a process where coronal material can rapidly cool to chromospheric temperatures provided that the length of magnetic loops is a factor of 8 larger than the heating scale height of the corona (Antiochos et al. (1999); Karpen et al. (2001a)). We utilize a 2.5 MHD code called Arc7 (Allred & MacNeice (2008)) to demonstrate that helmet streamers can undergo the TNE process and calculate the effects of this process on the evolution of the streamer's magnetic field. We then proceed to analyze the character of the solar wind plasma above the streamer in cases where TNE is and is not present within the system. A comparison of these two cases shows that a streamer experiencing TNE will exhibit more density structure at higher periodicities than that seen for a streamer not undergoing TNE. Density variations ranged from 15 to over 20 hours if TNE was not present within the helmet streamer to approximately 5 hours if TNE was shown to occur. Furthermore, the solar wind density profile in the cases with TNE showed substructures that are very similar to those seen in the observations. This proof of concept recommends further study in this area to ascertain whether time scales down to 90 minutes can be achieved. These results also establish that a deep connection between coronal heating and solar wind dynamics exists.
Evaluating a Novel Approach to Community Based Instruction (CBI) in Elementary School for Students with Autism
Authors:   , Schwind Deborah Bruce , Orlin Margo N
Published: July 2021

The aim of this program evaluation was to determine if there was knowledge and positive attitudes from three different stakeholder groups - parents, administrators and staff- regarding a Community Based Instruction (CBI) program implemented in a self-contained classroom for students with autism in the elementary school. The program is designed to promote generalization of skills outside of the classroom in the school community. While performing jobs within the school community, job skills, career interests, work behaviors, and self-determination skills are also addressed. A mixed methodologies approach was utilized to determine the attitudes and knowledge regarding the program. There were 74 stakeholders that participated in the quantitative survey and 25 stakeholders that participated in the qualitative focus groups. Quantitative results from a survey and qualitative results from the thematic analysis from three separate focus groups indicate that there is positive knowledge and positive attitudes regarding this program. There were differences found in attitudes between administrators and parents as well as differences in attitudes between stakeholders who had more exposure to the program. Six themes emerged from the thematic analysis; positive attitudes about the program, culture of inclusion and belonging in the school community, authentic skill development, self-esteem and self-determination through roles and identities, stakeholder expectations for the students and program expansion and enhancement. Results from this study indicate stakeholders are supportive of developing job skills, work behaviors, career interests and self-determination skills in elementary school. Results from this program evaluation have implications for teaching strategies and expanded roles of related service providers.
SEEDS
Authors:   , Flynn Emilie Lauren , Manders Elizabeth Jeanne
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this project is to develop a method to foster attunement between caregivers and their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The literature review includes relevant articles and research addressing dance/movement therapy, self-regulation, nonverbal communication, attunement, relational interventions, and assessment scales. The method, entitled SEEDS, is intended to facilitate attunement between caregivers and their children with ASD through the use of dance/movement therapy (DMT) interventions in dyadic sessions. The SEEDS method is a guide for dance/movement therapists that spans from the first meeting with the dyad, through to summarization of the sessions together. Additionally, I reflect on my experience developing the method, the strengths and challenges of the method, future implications of the method, and my growth as an emerging dance/movement therapist.
Microtubule-mediated nerve regeneration
Authors:   , Matamoros Andrew Javier , Jameson Bradford Aldrich
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this thesis was to explore the effects of fidgetin knockdown in adult dorsal root ganglia both in vitro and in vivo. Our lab has demonstrated that fidgetin knockdown in embryonic cortical neurons increased microtubule mass and axon length. It is known that microtubules are paramount for axon growth and an effect that increases their mass and axon length is attractive as a potential regenerative target. Adult dorsal root ganglia were utilized because they are the only adult neuron capable of being cultured in a dish and they are relevant to nerve regeneration both within the peripheral and central nervous system. The adult dorsal root crush rodent injury model was used as the complementary in vivo system. In the coming pages, I describe why microtubules are essential to neurons and attractive therapeutic targets. Microtubules are paramount for nerve regeneration and the discovery of novel microtubule associated proteins, small molecules that bind tubulin to affect its stability properties, and the expansion of the tubulin code all has the potential to reveal novel therapeutic targets for regeneration. The remaining chapters describe how fidgetin knockdown in adult dorsal root ganglia neurons, in vitro, increases a specific domain of microtubule mass responsible for expanding microtubules, increases the length of axons on and off the inhibitory spots, and promotes cellular growth on and across the inhibitory spots. Finally, I conclude with our promising in vivo results that fidgetin augments nerve regeneration in vivo, thus highlighting fidgetin as a novel therapeutic target to augment nerve regeneration. Furthermore, my work serves as a "plug-and-play" system for future investigations of microtubule-based therapies and combinatorial treatments such as chondroitinase, growth factors, and other viral transductions.
Enhancing an Existing School Based Bullying Prevention Program using Dance/Movement Therapy
Authors:   , Griffin Kathryn M. , Morningstar Dawn
Published: July 2021

In the past 25 years, bullying has been a growing problem amongst school aged populations. Bullying is defined as someone "exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons" (Olweus, 1994, p. 98). Bullying can lead to serious health implications as well as future interpersonal problems. Therefore, it is important to engage students in a curriculum that will create awareness of interpersonal bullying, and allow them to increase their pro social skills. This grant proposal capstone proposes introducing dance/movement therapy as an enhancement to an existing anti-bullying program within a school district. Movement based interventions will be informed by the already existing program, which utilizes the concept of 'stop, walk and talk'. As seen in other dance/movement therapy programs from Kornblum and Koshland, the use of dance/movement therapy can be incorporated into this program to engage students in fully embodied movement that will emphasize empathy, spatial awareness, emotional regulation, and assertion (Kornblum, 2002;Koshland, 2004).
Spectrum Awareness Using Bayesian Nonparametric Pattern Recognition
Authors:   , Ford Gabriel , Kam Moshe , Hrebien Leonid
Published: July 2021

To accommodate an increasing demand for scarce spectrum resources, dynamic spectrum access (DSA) opens portions of the spectrum currently dedicated to licensed primary users, for access by unlicensed cognitive radio secondary users. A key requirement is that the secondary users do not interfere significantly with the primary users. Previous DSA research focuses on sense-and-avoid spectrum sharing strategies. The secondary user occupies a primary user channel only when it is not in use, and vacates immediately upon detecting primary user transmissions. In this setting, spectrum sensing is intended to provide little information aside from instantaneous primary user spectral-temporal occupancy. However, we anticipate that more adaptive and intelligent spectrum sharing strategies will require more advanced sensing capabilities allowing a secondary user to infer the primary user higher-layer protocol state and behavior. This type of feedback about the primary user will enable a secondary user to optimize its own spectrum access while also monitoring for potential impact to the primary user. In this study, we explore Bayesian nonparametric pattern recognition as a tool for informing intelligent secondary-user DSA strategies. We present a framework for learning and inferring primary user protocol state at the application and MAC layers from simple low-level energy detector features. We demonstrate, using a physical wireless network testbed, how this approach discovers actual primary user application layer protocol states and also detects anomalous primary user behavior caused by secondary user interference. We then extend the spectrum awareness framework to handle several simultaneous primary/secondary traffic flows, of potentially different types, multiplexed together onto a single wireless broadcast medium. We use the multi-flow framework to infer the application-layer states of the interleaved flows directly from observations of the aggregate traffic. In this process we circumvent deinterleaving the transmissions of the component flows, a particularly difficult task in cognitive radio environments with parameter-agile transmitters. We demonstrate the performance of the resulting technique on a network scenario with multiple simultaneous flows carrying different application layer traffic types, both in emulation and on an over-the-air hardware testbed.
Promoting Kinesthetic Empathy with Dance/Movement Therapy
Authors:   , Lodwick Kathryn Elizabeth , Biondo Jacelyn
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this capstone is to develop and implement an evidence-informed practice protocol that promotes kinesthetic empathy in de-escalation practice in inpatient psychiatric care. The protocol will be developed as a one-hour in-service and be implemented on an inpatient psychiatric unit in an urban university medical center. Foci within the in-service include kinesthetic empathy, self-awareness, non-verbal communication, somatic countertransference, and identification of early warning signs of aggression. Relevant literature and research will be included to help inform the process and guide the protocol formation as well as reflections on participants' experiences of the in-service following its implementation. The literature review includes research studies and theoretical articles examining de-escalation trainings, psychiatric nurses' emotional experiences of patient violence, the effects of burnout on empathy, and dance/movement therapy skills including mirroring, attunement and clashing, and kinesthetic empathy. The protocol was developed to address identified limitations within psychiatric nursing literature, however is also beneficial to other mental health staff. It seeks to support and emphasize body-related aspects of de-escalation practice to bolster staff's body awareness, empathy, and non-verbal cues of both themselves and others. Sections detailing the experience of staff who attended and participated in the in-service experience will be included, highlighting their past experiences of de-escalation and their efforts to improve their process. The method will show how a dance/movement therapy informed supplemental de-escalation in-service can help mental health staff implement kinesthetic empathy into their de-escalation process.
Examining Risk and Protective Factors in the Development of Unhealthy Eating Behaviors in College Athletes
Authors:   , Lagacey Madeline Alexandra , Juarascio Adrienne S.
Published: July 2021

The current study aimed to identify risk and protective behaviors for the development of unhealthy eating behaviors (e.g. disordered eating and eating behaviors that facilitate weight gain) in college freshmen athletes. Specifically, we examined: 1) if disordered eating behaviors and eating behaviors that facilitate weight gain in freshmen athletes increase over a 3-month observation period, and 2) whether specific baseline characteristics serve as either risk or protective factors in the development of disordered eating behaviors and eating behaviors that facilitate weight gain during the observation period. In our sample of 69 student athletes who completed surveys at both time points, we found overall increases in both concern about eating behaviors and engagement in healthy eating behaviors increased over the three-month time period. Many of the hypothesized risk and protective factors studied did not emerge as significant predictors of change in eating behavior, However, we did find that athletes participating in a lean sport (i.e., a sport where having a thin body is seen as a competitive advantage) were actually less likely to develop disordered eating behaviors than their peers participating in other types of sports. Higher baseline nutritional knowledge also appeared to protect against the development of eating behaviors that facilitate weight gain. Lastly, we found that wearing a uniform that increases shape or weight concern as well as participating in our "other" (non-lean, non-aesthetic, and non-weight division) category of sports were risk factors for developing disordered eating behaviors. These findings could ultimately help identify athletes at-risk for the development of both disordered eating behaviors and eating behaviors that facilitate weight gain and could inform the development of targeted preventative treatments.
Assessment of Work Environment Health in a Suburban Nursing Facility
Authors:   , Cook Wesley E. , Donnelly Gloria Ferraro , DiMaria-Ghalili Rose Ann
Published: July 2021

Background: Developing and maintaining healthy work environments in healthcare organizations is vital to quality outcomes and optimized reimbursement. While the American Association of Critical Care Nurses' Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments are well established in the acute care setting, little is known about their impact in the post-acute environment. Methods: A modified version of the Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT) was distributed electronically to nurses, unlicensed assistive personnel, and nurse leaders over a 30-day period. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographics and survey responses by item and in the aggregate. Results: The response rate was low, rendering any inferential analysis moot. Participants somewhat-to-strongly agreed in greater than 80% of the responses that the site upholds the Standards in skilled communication, effective decision making, and authentic leadership. Conversely, participants somewhat-to-strongly disagreed in 20% or greater of the responses that the site could improve Standards performance in true collaboration, appropriate staffing, and meaningful recognition. Discussion: Recommendations are made for further exploration of specific aspects of the Standards as well as to repeat the survey. Major limitations of the study include the modification of the HWEAT and a low response rate. Conclusion: Further exploration is necessary to provide trustworthy data for site-specific quality improvement. Further research would better describe how healthy work environment standards may benefit post-acute settings overall.
The Effect of Simulation on Learner Satisfaction and Self-Confidence Using Simulated CPR Education
Authors:   , Shields Beverly C. , Wilson Linda
Published: July 2021

"Simulation as a teaching modality is gaining wide acceptance in nursing education in academia and clinical settings" (Nagle, McHale, Alexander, & French, 2009, p. 18). Contemporary research suggests simulation education can improve competence and enhance educational outcomes (McGaghie, Issenberg, Pertrusa, & Scalese, 2010). Many types of simulation devices exist which serve numerous functions. Providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to employees is an important role of hospital nurse educators. The quality of training, changing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines, and a weakened chain of survival post cardiac arrest, all played a role in the decision to implement HeartCode® in one organization (American Heart Association (AHA), 2017). HeartCode® is a computerized self-learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification course that uses simulation manikins to validate rescue breathing and chest compression skills (AHA, 2017). This project will examine the effect of a high-fidelity simulation on satisfaction, self-confidence and experience level using simulated CPR education.
Evaluation of a Reminder System for Perinatal Psychiatric Appointments
Authors:   , Clayton Lacy R. , Serembus Joanne , Zuzelo Patti Rager
Published: July 2021

Abstract Background: Rates for missed appointments (no-shows) are especially high in psychiatry. Perinatal women are particularly at risk for missing appointments due to logistics such as childcare and transportation. Though rates of depression are higher for perinatal women than the general population, perinatal women often remain untreated. Appointment reminder systems are an effective method for increasing appointment attendance and cancellations. Literature suggests providing two reminders within seven days of the appointment. Maintaining accurate patient contact information is a challenge to delivering reminders. Purpose: Compare the appointment reminder system of a large, urban hospital to evidence-based practice in an effort to reduce the 60% no-show rate within its perinatal psychiatry service. Methods: A two-hour work-group meeting with five identified key experts evaluated the appointment reminder system within the perinatal psychiatry service. A semi-structured interview compared the intended appointment reminder process to its actual delivery. Strengths and challenges were identified. Results: The institution's appointment reminder system consists of one automated reminder 48 hours prior to the appointment. The scheduling database is not updated to reflect patients who cancel appointments, causing available appoint times to remain unfilled. Depending on the referral source, some patients receive additional personal reminders from clinicians. Conclusions: The current appointment reminder system may benefit from adding an additional reminder based on evidence-based practice which suggests two reminders are preferred. Attention should be given to appointment cancelations to optimize provider time and increase patient access. Keywords: appointment reminders, SMS reminders, appointment no-show.
Intimacy and Social Anxiety
Authors:   , Safavi Daniel K. , Goodill Sherry W.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this Capstone Thesis Project, which is a critical review of the literature, is twofold. First is to examine the current landscape of social anxiety in the context of intimacy. Past seminal research, as well as up-to-date research is included. The landscape of social anxiety in the context of intimacy is explored through three main categories: 1) Communication and Intimacy 2) Emotion, Cognition and Well-Being and 3) Interventions. The second purpose revolves around ideas on how to enhance current treatment protocols. These ideas are both didactic and experiential in nature, the latter of which incorporates principles from dance/movement therapy. Finally, a general reflection on the observations, as well as a reflection on the process of writing the thesis, is included.
Investigation into synaptic and post-synaptic events of RAD51 mediated Homologous Recombination
Authors:   , Wang Charles X. , Azizkhan-Clifford Jane , Mazin Alexander V.
Published: July 2021

Homologous Recombination (HR) is the only means by which the deadliest form of DNA damage (Double Strand Break) can be repaired without error. Thus, I set out to better understand HR. Specifically, I wanted to address two holes in the field which were: (1) how are the template DNA strands found (synapsis) during HR; and (2) what happens afterwards. To address these two questions, I purified the main mammalian recombinase (RAD51) and other key proteins involved in HR to study in vitro. Through my studies, I have found that synapsis occurs through RAD51-nucleoprotein complexes which we term Homology-Search-Networks. This network has the following characteristics: (1) it consists of ssDNA, dsDNA, and RAD51; (2) it is essential to strand-exchange; (3) it is organized ; and (4) it is based upon multiple weak contacts. Furthermore, I found that in the post-synaptic phase, RAD51 dissociates D-Loops by unwinding dsDNA. Moreover, this process can be controlled by BRCA2 through BRC4 interaction. The result is a fine-tuning mechanism at the site of DNA damage to control strand-exchange and thereby HR. The implication is that the old notions of co-aggregates during synapsis can be updated and the current findings fit nicely with new single-molecule studies by Kowalczykowski, Ha, and Greene. Furthermore, my post-synaptic findings provide a solid molecular mechanism of the RAD51-BRCA2 homeostasis that controls Homologous Recombination. Together, my work will impact the fields of DNA repair, cancer biology, and genetic engineering.
Development of a Cell Free MALDI TOFMS Method for the Identification of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Yeast Strain & Studies of the Molecular Properties of MALDI Matrices
Authors:   , Gorre Elsa , Owens Kevin Glenn
Published: July 2021

This thesis is divided into two parts, where the molecular properties and salt contamination of MALDI matrices are first investigated, followed by the development of a cell-free method for the identification of yeast strains by MALDI TOFMS. In Part 1, the solubility of several common MALDI matrices are measured in a variety of solvents and mixtures of acetonitrile and water. In addition to the solubility measurements, sublimation and recrystallization methods are used to reduce the alkali contamination present in commercially available MALDI matrices. Work in both areas resulted in improved sample preparation, which aided the work described in part 2. In Part 2 of the thesis, a cell-free method was developed as an alternative to the currently used Bruker Biotyper method for the identification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains via MALDI TOFMS analysis. SPE was used for concentrating the desired peptide/protein analytes and for removing interferences. Factorial design optimization experiments were performed to increase the efficiency of the SPE method, while MALDI TOFMS in combination with the Bradford protein assay were used to monitor the optimization. Problems were encountered with the Bradford assay, including interference from the presence of acetonitrile in the elution solution. Results showed that the extent of interference depends on the protein used as the standard for the assay; Angiotensin I was found to be a better standard than BSA, and relationship between peptide standard size and the number of dye molecules bound to the protein was uncovered. Yeast strains were successfully identified using the Bruker Biotyper method which requires the lysing of viable cells to obtain signal from ribosomal proteins. As an alternative, a new cell-free approach is introduced where liquid samples of the cell supernatant is used for the analysis. The new approach is also successful in correctly identifying yeast strains, and it demonstrated 33% success rate in identifying the yeast strain used to brew 3 homebrewed beers.
Effect of an Educational Program for Nurse Informaticists to Reduce Medication Errors through use of the Import Feature of the EHR
Authors:   , Schroeder Cheryl Anne , Rundio Al
Published: July 2021

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on the use of the medication reconciliation module import feature in the electronic health record (EHR) to reduce the incidence of medication errors. Design: Pre and post-interventional survey to measure the nurse informaticists knowledge about the EHR import feature. Setting: Surveys conducted online from 26 January 2018 through 9 March 2018. Participants: Eighty (80) nurse informaticists identified from the ANIA and LinkedIn websites volunteered to participate in this pilot project. This group selected because of their role as a nurse informaticist. Methods: Surveys were completed before and after the educational intervention to measure knowledge about the use of the EHR import feature and its impact on medication errors. Results: Analysis of the surveys identified that the recommended settings for the import feature before the intervention using a paired t-test which demonstrated a statistically significant result (t= 6.452, p>.000). Most significant finding identified (post-education survey) of 3-6 months setting (M=5.81) recommended compared to (M=8.92) pre-education survey. Conclusion: The level of knowledge indicated a lack of understanding before the education, related to establishing settings for past medication information to pull into the EHR through the import feature.
Performance of random walks and sampling for graph search
Authors:   , Stokes Jonathan , Weber Steven P.
Published: July 2021

This thesis discusses several random walk and sampling algorithms and analyses the expected cost of using these algorithms to find target nodes in large graphs. The first algorithms discussed are degree biased random walks. A degree biased random walk variant is introduced entitled Self Avoiding Walk Jump (SAWJ). The innovation is in roughly upper bounding the expected unit cost for SAWJ to find a maximum degree node using a discrete time Markov chain model. Second this thesis estimates the expected unit and linear cost to find a target node in Erdos Renyi (ER) graphs under three variants of star sampling, where a random node is selected and it and its neighbors are sampled. These estimates are shown numerically to be accurate on ER and some real-world graphs. Third this thesis looks at questions tangentially related to analyzing graph search algorithms. Counter examples are given showing greedy wiring or rewiring algorithms do not necessarily construct maximally assortative simple graphs and an estimate is given of the expected samples to find a near maximum value in a set of elements with known distribution but unknown parameterization.
Using Teach-Back method to enhance self-efficacy in medication use and adherence among community-dwelling older adults experiencing polypharmacy
Authors:   , Jung Rachel H. , Slaughter-Acey Jaime C.
Published: July 2021

Clear communication is fundamental to quality nursing care. Research shows that the communication gap between healthcare providers and older adult patients contributes to poor medication management. More than half of the older adult population in the U.S. have low health literacy. Low health literacy is one of the primary reasons for the communication gap between healthcare providers and community-dwelling older adults. Many older adults suffer from multiple chronic illnesses and polypharmacy. The aim of the project is to evaluate the impact of using the Teach-Back method for education on self-efficacy in medication use and adherence among community-dwelling older adults experiencing polypharmacy. The project used a one group pretest-posttest design. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used in SPSS for the analysis of the test scores. The instruments used for pretest and posttest were Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale (SEAMS-13) (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.89) and Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS-7) (Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.80). Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test revealed that the posttest scores of ARMS-7 were statistically significantly lower than the pretest scores of ARMS-7, Z = -3.826, P < 0.01. Also, the posttest scores of SEAMS-13 were statistically significantly higher than the pretest scores of SEAMS-13, Z = -4.207, P < 0.01. Primarily, the evidence-based communication method of Teach-Back is cost-effective but straightforward. The effectiveness of using Teach-Back can be paramount to improve self-efficacy in medication use and adherence among community-dwelling older adults experiencing polypharmacy.
First-Run Syndication
Authors:   , Mijatovic Mislav , Salas Philip W.
Published: July 2021

First-run syndication is an important element of the history of television in the US. This thesis will explore that history from the years 1987 to 2018. In this thesis, a number of potential reasons will be examined, as to why the first-run syndication business in the US increased so much over the years after 1987 and then later decreased until 2018. Furthermore, this thesis will examine where that business could have potentially move to and into what direction. This will be accomplished by analyzing the shows produced for first-run syndication over the years and at the same time, look at the production of cable shows of a similar genre that have potentially replaced first-run syndicated shows.