bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing intention to obtain a genetic test for prostate cancer risk
Authors:   , Wayne Melissa Kezis , Williams J. Michael
Published: July 2021

As men age, they are faced with many health-related decisions. One particular area of focus is prostate cancer, since it is the most common type of cancer in men in the United States and it is highly curable if detected early. Although there is currently no genetic test for prostate cancer risk, its development is in progress, and multiple genes are implicated in the onset and progression of the disease. Since genetic testing may someday be used to tailor cancer prevention based on an individual's genotype, there is a need to better understand men's interest in testing for prostate cancer susceptibility. A fuller understanding of this decision-making process may help increase participation in screening behaviors and thereby increase early detection and survival. The present study investigated the roles played by patient characteristics, health related quality of life, beliefs about benefits, concerns about consequences, and family/social influences on men's intentions to undergo genetic testing as a preventive measure for prostate cancer. This study proposed that men's stated intention to undergo genetic testing for prostate cancer would be primarily distally related to sociodemographic characteristics and proximally related to beliefs, concerns, and influence. Structural Equation Modeling was performed in order to provide an intricate conceptual and explanatory framework describing how intention can be predicted by testing the intercorrelations, and both direct and indirect effects of the variables. The overall predictions were generally supported by the analysis. Demographic characteristics such as income, age, and education, and health related quality of life were distally related to intention and they were mediated by beliefs in benefits, concerns, and commitment to one's decision/tendency to resist influence by social network. Men's level of commitment to their decision was found to have the strongest influence on intention to test in the current model. In addition, family history was not found to significantly influence intent, concerns, or benefits, all of which were originally hypothesized. Results suggest several implications for the informed consent process including the use of a psychoeducational model incorporating information about risks and benefits of testing. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Modeling and simulations of DC and RF atmospheric pressure non-thermal micro plasma discharges
Authors:   , Farouk Tanvir Iqbal , Farouk Bakhtier , Fridman Alexander A.
Published: July 2021

Atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma discharges are attractive for a wide range of applications due to their operational flexibility. Among the different atmospheric pressure nonthermal plasma sources, atmospheric pressure non-thermal micro plasma discharge is a very recent development. However, the micron scale size of these discharges makes it difficult to measure basic plasma characteristics (species density, gas and electron temperature, electric field etc) and also to analyze the different interplaying physico-chemical processes. In this work comprehensive multi-dimensional hybrid models were developed to simulate DC and RF atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma discharges, and validated against experimental data. The basic plasma characteristics and different physico-chemical processes were explored by performing systematic parameter variations. The developed discharge models included detailed discharge physics, gas phase chemistry, surface chemistry and external circuit model. DC micro plasma discharges in argon, hydrogen and methane-hydrogen gas were simulated. The effect of the external circuit was found to be crucial in predicting the discharge characteristics accurately. The simulations indicated the discharge to be operating as a 'normal' glow discharge. Predictions from the model compared favorably to the experimental measurements. A detailed surface chemistry model was developed for a DC methane-hydrogen micro glow to study the possibility of using these micro plasma discharges in plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. RF plasma discharges in argon gas together with an extensive external circuit was simulated; special attention was devoted to the effect of external circuit parameters on the discharge characteristics. The circuit elements were found to trigger change in the mode of operation. An atmospheric pressure plasma jet in helium-oxygen feed gas was also simulated to study the possibility of surface decontamination applications. To the author's knowledge, this is the first attempt where detailed simulation of atmospheric pressure micro plasma discharge has been conducted together with an external circuit. The discharge models were used to investigate the plasma characteristics, physicochemical processes and study the effect of the external circuit and process parameters on the discharge. Better understanding of these processes will enable the tailoring and optimization of the operating conditions.
Synthesis and characterization of CdSe-coated ZnO nanowires for extremely thin absorber solar cells
Authors:   , Padawer Ishai , Baxter Jason B.
Published: July 2021

Extremely thin absorber (eta) solar cells are new and promising solid-state photovoltaic devices. eta solar cells use a nanostructured interpenetrating heterojunction featuring a thin light-absorbing layer at the interface between an n-type semiconductor and a p-type semiconductor. As a first step towards the realization of a ZnO nanowire/CdSe/CuSCN eta solar cell, I report a proof-of-concept that the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique can be used to sensitize ZnO nanowire arrays with a thin CdSe absorber layer. Scanning electron micrographs show that CdSe conformally and uniformly coats the ZnO nanowires, leaving open interstices between nanowires to be filled with CuSCN. Coating thickness depends on the number of SILAR cycles, and a thickness of ~10 nm is achieved with 150 cycles. Solar cells utilizing the CdSe-coated ZnO nanowires, but which use liquid electrolyte as the hole transport material instead of CuSCN, exhibited light harvesting efficiencies of 40-50% and incident-photon-to-electron-conversion efficiencies of 1-5% in the visible light range (400-600 nm). Response of those solar cells to visible light confirms the sensitization of ZnO nanowires with CdSe, as compared to bare ZnO nanowires which show only UV response. Effects of different sample treatments such as ZnO seeding technique, O2 plasma cleaning, and annealing on the resulting ZnO nanowires/CdSe structure are discussed.
Investigation into the electrospinning of hyaluronic acid
Authors:   , Brenner Eric Karl , Schauer Caroline L.
Published: July 2021

Electrospinning has become a popular method for the production of fibrous mats with diameters on the order of a few hundred nanometers. A simple setup has made it a versatile method for the processing of many soluble polymers into such a fibrous state. The fibers formed are capable of being chemically or physically tailored for many applications, most notably tissue engineering and filtration, due to the high surface area to volume ratio that nanofibers exhibit. The process can be adapted to large scale production, which invites much research into developing and completely understanding the process. Some have even considered the process to be an environmentally "green" method of nanomaterial production. Recently there has been much work involving the use of natural polymers, such as hyaluronic acid (HA) in the form of nanofibrous mats for the previously mentioned applications. Hyaluronic acid is a major glycosaminoglycan found in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue in higher mammals. Therefore, filtration and tissue engineering applications would greatly benefit from the use of this material, especially in nanofiber form. Although, the unique properties of these polymers, including an extremely high solution viscosity at low concentrations as well as their being polyelectrolytes, have provided for significant barriers to their electrospinnability. Currently carrier polymers, such as poly (ethylene oxide) are required in a blend to successfully produce nanofibers of HA. This work primarily focused on determining proper solvent systems that allow for the successful production of pure HA nanofibrous mats via electrospinning without the need for blending with other polymers. Specifically, the work involved using strong solvents for HA, either via basic solutions of ammonium hydroxide or aqueous solutions containing DMF and various phosphate salts to change conductivity and rheological properties and allow for successful nanofiber production. Nanofibrous mats of HA were produced in ammonium hydroxide solution as well as in water:DMF solutions containing sodium phosphate, glycerol phosphate and tripolyphosphate.
Algorithms for the visualization and simulation of mobile ad hoc and cognitive networks
Authors:   , Hennessey Daniel , Breen David E.
Published: July 2021

Visualization and simulation are important aspects of most advanced engineering endeavors. They may provide important insights into the functionality and perfor- mance of a system during the design and evaluation stage of the system's development. This thesis presents a number of algorithms and simulation algorithms that may be used for the design and evaluation of two types of engineered systems, mobile ad hoc and cognitive networks. The first set of algorithms provides signal radiation pattern and digital terrain visualization capabilities to OMAN, a mobile ad hoc network sim- ulator developed at Drexel University. The second set of algorithms provides a more general visualization capability for displaying complex graphs. These algorithms focus on simplifying a complex graph in order to allow a user to explore its underlying basic structure. The thesis closes with a description of a GPU-based implementation of a set of spectrum-sensing algorithms. Spectrum sensing is an important function- ality needed for cognitive networks. The computational speed-ups provided by the GPU implementation offer the possibility of real-time spectrum-sensing for adaptive, cognitive networks.
Efficiency enhancements in micellar liquid chromatography through selection of stationary phase and mobile phase organic modifier
Authors:   , Thomas David Paul , Foley Joe Preston
Published: July 2021

Micellar liquid chromatography (MLC) as a separation science technique remains hindered by reduced chromatographic efficiency compared to reversed phase liquid chromatography using hydro-organic mobile phases. The reduced efficiency is linked to the adsorption of surfactant monomers onto the stationary phase, resulting in a slow mass transfer of the analyte within the interfacial region of the mobile phase and stationary phase. The effect of various bonded stationary phases and silica pore sizes on efficiency in MLC was evaluated using an array of twelve liquid chromatography columns, including large-pore short alkyl chain, non-porous, superficially porous, and perfluorinated stationary phases. The effect of organic micellar mobile phase additives was also evaluated using combinations of 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, and triethylamine. A simplified equation for calculation of A[prime] and C[prime] terms from reduced plate height (h) versus reduced velocity ([nu]) plots was developed to compare efficiency data obtained with different columns and mobile phases. Analyte diffusion coefficients needed for the h versus [nu] plots were determined by the Taylor-Aris dispersion technique. Surfactant adsorption isotherms were measured for five columns with three micellar mobile phases to further understand the relationship between adsorbed surfactant, mobile phase additive, and column efficiency. Clear improvements in efficiency were observed with addition of 2% (v/v) triethylamine to 1-butanol modified aqueous micellar mobile phase in combination with the use of short alkyl chain, wide-pore silica columns, specifically, Nucleosil C4, 1000 Å pore size. This finding is supported by lower amounts of surfactant adsorbed onto the stationary phase when triethylamine is present in the mobilephase compared to surfactant only, or 1-butanol modified mobile phase. In a separate series of experiments, elevated column temperatures were evaluated to determine the effect of temperature on efficiency. Efficiency improvements from 9% to 58% were observed for different columns over the temperature range of 40 to 70°C. Finally, a quantitative method of direct injection of equine serum for detection of banned non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in equestrian events was developed to take advantage of the observed enhancements in efficiency in the area of greatest benefit for MLC, the direct injection of physiological fluids.
College Students' Artistic Exploration of their Spiritual Experience
Authors:   , Jangha Awa , Gerber Nancy E.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of the study was to explore college students' lived experience of spirituality as expressed through the artistic creation of a mandala. This study sought to address two problems: 1) A lack of qualitative research in the area of understanding the spirituality of college students and 2) The inconclusiveness of data from quantitative studies regarding the role of spirituality in the college student's life. A phenomenological design was used in the data collection and data analysis procedures for this qualitative study. Three participants were recruited, then signed informed consent and completed the data collection processes of creating a mandala of their understanding of spirituality followed by an open ended responsive interview. Four essential structures resulted from the data analysis process that spoke to the role of spirituality in their lives which was expressed both visually and verbally. The participants reflected the experiences of moving away from religion toward spirituality, experiencing struggle in spirituality, individuating from parental religious ideals, and gaining a fuller understanding of spirituality artistically in their mandalas. Derived from these essential structures was the recommendation for the inclusion of art therapy interventions into the college culture. This study's major findings suggested possible opportunities for future research to further expound upon the experience of the collegiate understanding of spirituality through visual and verbal expression.
A Phenomenological Experience of Singing Vocal Harmony With Another Person
Authors:   , Winter Krista F. , Goodill Sherry W.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain insight and a deeper understanding of the experience of singing vocal harmony with another person. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four adults capable of singing vocal harmony. Minimal prior research to explain a person's perception and psychological experience of singing vocal harmony has been published. Through informal conversation the researcher discovered that vocal harmony is often utilized within clinical practice, but there is no literature to support its use or omission. Four healthy adult participants met individually with the researcher for an interview that mixed verbal and musical components. During the interview, the participant recalled and described their previous experiences singing in vocal harmony, sang a song of their choice with the researcher in vocal harmony, and then described this experience. Following data analysis the major findings of this research indicate that the experience of singing vocal harmony includes the building and expression of relationships,intrapersonal and interpersonal insight, movement and action, and beauty. This study discovered that there are implications for the clinical use of vocal harmony when working with patients who have reported prior experience and expressed a preference for vocal harmony. Recommendations were made for future research regarding vocal harmony, its use and application within the field of music therapy.
Optimization of medical guidewires through controllability matrix
Authors:   , Burns Jason , Siegler Sorin
Published: July 2021

The procedure of catheterization with the assistance of guidewires is a very common practice in the medical field currently. This procedure can occur during many different types of treatments, for example catheterization can be used for draining fluids in the body, direct measurement of blood pressure in various arteries or veins, or for balloon angioplasty and stenting (Rutherford, 2005). Guidewire construction is currently viewed as more of an art than a science, with company secrets leading to mysticism surrounding the manufacture of these devices. This paper's goal is to use a mathematical approach to model a guidewire and then analyze its properties, leading to the ability to optimize the manufacturing of medical guidewires. The first section describes the current state of guidewire technology with a critical review of several products currently on the market. The following section has an overview of controllability and observability theory and how this can apply to the manufacture ofcurrent guidewires and to the creation of the next generation active catheters and guidewires. The third section details the finite element-based modeling which will be employed in the analysis. Following this, the results are displayed. This work shows that using the controllability of a dynamic model of a guidewire can lead to optimized design points for manufacturing. Lastly, the expected benefits of this work as well as future work to be conducted are discussed.
Transport in polymer electrolyte membranes using time-resolved FTIR-ATR spectroscopy
Authors:   , Hallinan Daniel T. , Elabd Yossef A.
Published: July 2021

Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) hold potential to improve performance in fuel cells, electrochemical devices that can generate electricity efficiently. In particular, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are promising for powering portable electronic devices, however their performance diminishes significantly because of high methanol crossover (flux) in Nafion (the most frequently used PEM) at the desired stoichiometric methanol feed concentration. Hydrogen fuel cells are attractive alternative power sources for transportation; however, their performance degrades at the desired temperatures because Nafion dehydrates, reducing proton conductivity, which is a strong function of water equilibrium content and water dynamics. Therefore, understanding sorption and diffusion of methanol and water in Nafion is critical. In this work, the diffusion and sorption of methanol and water in Nafion were measured using time-resolved Fourier transform infrared - attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR)spectroscopy. This technique is unique because of its ability to measure multicomponent diffusion and sorption within a polymer on a molecular level in real time as function ofconcentration. Both the effective mutual diffusion coefficients and concentrations of methanol and water in Nafion were determined with time-resolved FTIR-ATR spectroscopy as a function of methanol concentration and water activity. Methanol crossover (flux) was explicitly shown to increase with increasing methanol concentration. More importantly, the increase was found to be more strongly dependent on methanol sorption rather than methanol diffusion. Therefore, an effective PEM for the DMFC must be chemically incompatible with methanol or minimize swelling by methanol while maintaining sufficient proton conductivity. To this end, crosslinked sulfonated block copolymers that minimized methanol swelling were investigated and found to have decreased methanol flux and similar conductivity as compared to Nafion. Critical assessment of water transport in Nafion identified vapor-phase mass transfer resistance, explaining some of the variation in diffusion coefficients reported in literature. Also, two non-Fickian regimes were identified and modeled, where a diffusion-reaction model accounted for hydrolysis in dry conditions and diffusion and polymer relaxation were measured simultaneously in wet conditions and subsequently modeled. Furthermore, multiple states of water were identified and their effect on proton conductivity determined. The results from this study provide new insights into the fundamental transport mechanisms in PEMs for the advancement of fuel cell technology.
Pennsylvania Infectious Disease Surveillance Summary Report, 2007
Authors:   , Mahan Jessica Linn , Newschaffer Craig J.
Published: July 2021

Public health surveillance is the ongoing systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of outcome-specific health data for purposes of improving health and safety. The timely dissemination of these data to those responsible for preventing and controlling illness and injury are key to public health surveillance. An Infectious Disease Surveillance Summary Report can provide healthcare organizations and providers, government and regulatory agencies, and other concerned individuals and groups with important statistical information about potentially preventable diseases. The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA-DOH) has not published an Infectious Disease Surveillance Summary Report since 1993. Without a published report containing epidemiologic analysis of the raw count data, the healthcare community, the general public, and state policymakers lack the important information necessary for setting public health priorities. This project consisted of secondary data analysis on several de-identified datasets provided by the PA-DOH. The data were obtained through mandatory notifiable disease reporting laws and collected via the Pennsylvania Notifiable Electronic Disease Surveillance System (PA-NEDSS). Subjects were Pennsylvania residents who incurred a reportable infectious disease for which they sought medical treatment from 2003 through 2007. A concise and comprehensive annual report was created for the PA-DOH using these datasets. This annualreport includes the 2007 case count, 2007 incidence rate, 5-year (2003-2007) average case count, and 5-year (2003-2007) average incidence rate for each of the notifiable communicable diseases in Pennsylvania. In addition, the report provides disease summaries, including descriptive epidemiology, and epidemiological trend information for selected notifiable diseases from 2003-2007. Further, the high-profile outbreak investigations that were conducted by the PA-DOH in 2007 were detailed in the report. The 2007 Pennsylvania Infectious Disease Surveillance Summary Report will serve as a convenient and accessible summary of data by providing a snapshot of the patterns of disease in the state. The report also provides an assessment of the efforts undertaken by the PA-DOH Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and highlights their annual accomplishments. In addition, the annual report is an important reflection of the hard work and vigilance of healthcare providers and staff at laboratories and hospitals throughout the state.
Evaluating Roots of Happiness at the South East Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition (SEAMAAC)
Authors:   , Kwon Sophia , Villanueva Augusta M.
Published: July 2021

This project sought to evaluate the impact, if any, the South East Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition (SEAMAAC) had on depression and socializing behaviors in the elderly Vietnamese and Laotian community in Philadelphia that SEAMAAC serves. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS), two highly validated scales, were used to screen for depression and score the socializing behavior of the elders. Results of the study found that the Vietnamese exhibited much more social connectedness than the Laotian population. Vietnamese also had generally low risk of depression, but risk increased with age. The more time the Vietnamese spent with SEAMAAC and received its services, the less likely they were to socialize. However, this could be confounded due to age. The most revealing statistic was found that the frequency of services received mattered most in determining social behaviors and depression risk. The more frequently the services were received, the Vietnamese were more social and less depressed. This shows the positive impact of SEAMAAC on the South East Asian community. Based on the findings of the project, further interviews are needed to improve the power of the study and probe further into interesting trends. Outreach must be conducted toward elders who have been with SEAMAAC for at least three (3) years, but exhibit decreased social behaviors. It is important to understand the reasons behind their decreased socializing behaviors, such as the onset of disease being potentially hindering factors. Another recommendation for future similar studies would be to investigate potential problems in translations, especially with non-fluent translators. Although the GDS and Lubben Scale were designed to be simple language with basic concepts of "yes" and "no," different languages may have more difficulty than others in capturing the original spirit and subtle nuances of the English language.
Design, optimization and in vivo evaluation of a tissue-engineered anterior cruciate ligament replacement
Authors:   , Cooper James Arthur , Laurencin Cato T.
Published: July 2021

This thesis examined the development of a tissue-engineered ligament (TEL) for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair and replacement. There was an in vitro evaluation of the cellular response to the TEL and an in vivo evaluation of the optimized TEL as an ACL replacement. Scaffold fabrication was based upon the use of poly ([Greek small letter alpha]-hydroxyester) acid fibers arranged in a 3-dimensional (3-D) braided structure. In vitro cellular evaluation of the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLAGA 10:90) 3-D braided scaffold using primary rabbit ACL cells and BALB/C mouse fibroblast cell line confirmed that the scaffold was conducive to cellular attachment and proliferation. In order to select the scaffold material, a degradation study was performed on yarns of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLAGA 82:18) d poly(glycolide) (PGA). This study indicated that the PLLA possessed the best degradation profile for our ligament replacement design. Therefore, the homopolymer PLLA (Mw = 250,000) was chosen for its properties as the optimal material for the TEL replacement. Optimization of the PLLA 3-D braided scaffold showed relationships of scaffold size and braiding angle on properties. Mechanical optimization and adaptation for a rabbit model resulted in a PLLA 3-D braided structure with a maximum tensile load of 332 ± 20 N (strain rate = 2 %/sec). This scaffold possessed a pore system optimal for ligament regeneration (150-300 [Greek small letter mu]m). In vitro cellular evaluation studies were conducted using primary rabbit anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, patellar tendon and Achilles tendon cells. The results indicated that the PLLA 3-D braided scaffold promoted attachment and proliferation for all cell types. The PLLA 3-D braided scaffold was evaluated in an in vivo anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction model in rabbits. The average maximum tensile load for the rabbit ACL was 314 ± 68 N. For this investigation, seeded tissue-engineered ligament (TELS) and tissue-engineered ligament (TEL) replacements were implanted into New Zealand White Rabbits. The samples were retrieved 4 weeks and 12 weeks postoperation, and characterized by mechanical and histological evaluation. The in vivo study showed an improvement in scaffold properties over implantation time using the seeded tissue-engineered ligament (TELS) replacement.
Evaluation of an Influenza Vaccination In-Service Program for Health Care Workers in Philadelphia Nursing Homes
Authors:   , Lynch Adam Ellis , Frank Arthur L.
Published: July 2021

Background: Influenza remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Vaccination rates among Philadelphia LTCF direct-care staff are consistent with poor national averages despite minimal cost and access barriers. Low vaccination rates among LTCF staff and deficiencies in infection control practices increase the risk for facility-wide influenza outbreaks. Objectives: Providing educational in-services at select LTCFs would serve as a community intervention and secondary component of a comprehensive Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) influenza in long-term care project. Methods: In early 2009, influenza prevention in-services were provided at eight Philadelphia LTCFs. The in-service presentation consisted of a PowerPoint presentation followed by a brief written evaluation. Additional signage and guidance were provided post-in-service. Results: Fourteen presentations were delivered to 8 LTCFs in Philadelphia. The presentations reached a median of 16% of total staff (n=6). Significant attitudinal differences were found between vaccinated and unvaccinated staff for 4 of 5 Likert questions on the post-in-service evaluation. Conclusions: PDPH will use feedback from the in-services to improve current interventions directed to increasing vaccination rates and standardizing influenza prevention practices in LTCFs.
Being Examples to the Flock
Authors:   , Allen Argie J. , Davey Maureen P.
Published: July 2021

Because of the centrality of the church for many African Americans, clergy within the Black Church have long had a significant role in addressing the social, economic, political and psychological needs of African Americans and their families. Little research has explored how the beliefs about mental health services differ across levels of leadership within a Baptist mega-church, and predictors of mental health service utilization within the context of church leaderships. This cross-sectional study examined the transmission of these beliefs across three levels of Church Leadership (Associate Pastor/Minister (AP/AM), Deacon/Deaconess (D/D), and Congregation Care Giver/Deacon Aide (CCG/DA) within one Baptist African American Mega-Church. 112 individuals (41% response rate) reflecting each level of the church leadership (22 AP/AM, 34 D/D, 56 CCG/DA) were recruited from 33 of the 44 biblical houses which structure church membership (including representation from all 3 levels for 12 biblical houses; 2 levels for 13 biblical houses and 1 level from 8 biblical houses ). Results suggest that frequency of dissemination of information regarding mental health services clearly varied across levels of the church hierarchy, with more frequent communication closer to the Senior Pastor than closer to the individual parishioners. Attitudes toward mental health services also varied in a similar fashion. With regard to predictors of utilization of mental health services, religious variables emerged as the most consistent set of predictors, although there was also evidence that sociodemographic andsociocultural variables played an important but less consistent role. Results suggest that support for mental health services at the Senior Pastor level do not guarantee undiluted dissemination of information and attitudes toward use of mental health services although religious variables themselves clearly matter. More explicit attention to these issues at all levels of leadership within the church may help to promote greater utilization of mental health services and this should be considered in future research drawing upon larger sample sizes and involving multiple churches in order to include variation in attitudes at the level of the Senior Pastor.
Social Interaction Within A Series Of Dance/Movement Therapy Modified Ce'ilı' Dance Sessions
Authors:   , Draper Paige Lindsley , Schelly Hill Ellen
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study was to understand the connection of dance form, social interaction, and social experience among participants within a series of dance/movement therapy (DMT) modified Ce'ilı' dance sessions. The researcher was interested in the implications of this study for the practice of DMT. This study was a qualitative instrumental single group case study design which investigated the social interactions and experiences of participants engaged in learning and practicing an Irish Ce'ilı' dance. The researcher recruited 6 fitness club members to participate in four DMT modified Ce'ilı' dance sessions lasting one hour each. The researcher also served as instructor in teaching The Fairy Reel, an Irish Ce'ilı' dance to research participants. Three forms of data collection were used. The first described the dance as it was practiced by participants through a dance style analysis. The second was the instructor/researcher's notes which documented her observations and experiences of interactional events during each of the dance sessions. The third was an audio-recorded, semi-structured group interview conducted by the instructor/researcher following the final dance session which inquired about participants' social experience over the course of the dance sessions. Findings suggested that the DMT modified Ce'ilı' dance sessions appeared to support social interaction and the development of social relationships among participants over the duration of the study. A final case narrative integrated and triangulated themes thatgenerated from the three data sources. Some themes that generated were that shared focus and synchronous movement enhanced social connection and The Fairy Reel as a dance form itself encouraged social interaction. Clinical applications included the possibility of how codified steps and sequences may serve a social function in DMT and that Ce'ilı' dance may provide therapeutic benefits as a natural community support following or during clinical treatment. Further research may involve the exploration of introducing codified steps and various spatial formations into DMT sessions.
The Effect of Pelvic Floor Re-education on Comfort In Women Having Surgery for Urinary Incontinence
Authors:   , Zaccardi Joan E. , Wilson Linda
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a pelvic floor re-education intervention on comfort and stress urinary incontinence in women opting for surgical correction and to explore the patient's feelings regarding the ease and benefit of attending the pelvic floor re-education intervention. The following research hypotheses were tested: H1 = comfort scores will increase across time and amount of urine leaks will decrease across time in women having surgery for stress urinary incontinence. H2 = women in the pelvic floor re-education intervention group will have greater comfort as compared to women in the control group who do not have the pelvic floor re-education intervention and H3 = women in the pelvic floor re-education intervention group will have less stress incontinence as compared to women in the control group who do not have the pelvic floor re-education intervention. Stress urinary incontinence is a significant women's health problem because of its prevalence, cost and social implications. Current treatment strategies consist of pelvic floor re-education, behavior modification or surgical correction. Surgery for stress urinary incontinence yields a high objective cure. However, many women indicate dissatisfaction with surgical outcome related to voiding dysfunction and discomfort. Therefore, comfort is a nursing goal that can be used as a holistic outcome measurement in women having surgery for stress incontinence. This was a preliminary exploratory study using a quasi-experimental mixed model design. Twenty-eight women scheduled for corrective surgery for stress urinary incontinence wererandomly assigned to the control and treatment groups. Subjects were measured at three time points on comfort and stress urinary incontinence. The primary statistical analysis was mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results from the Greenhouse-Geisser corrected mixed model ANOVA revealed that only the main effect of time was significant for differences in comfort scores. Knowledge gained from this study can be used to direct further research. A larger study with adequate sample size and power will contribute to the advancement of nursing science and may translate into improved patient outcomes in the practice settings.
Search for the disappearance of a neutron with KamLAND detector
Authors:   , Miletic Tatjana , Lane Charles E.
Published: July 2021

Nucleon decay is by definition a baryon number violating process, and within the context of the Standard Model(SM) of particle physics is forbidden. Extensions of the SM, such as Grand Unification Theories (GUTs), commonly require baryon number violation and nucleon decay. The Kamioka Liquid scintillator Anti-Neutrino Detector (KamLAND) is used in a search for single neutron intra-nuclear disappearance that would produce holes in the s-shell energy level of ¹²C nuclei. Such holes could be created as a result of nucleon decay into "invisible" (inv) modes, e.g. n [right arrow] 3[nu]. The de-excitation of the corresponding daughter nucleus results in a sequence of space and time correlated events observable in the liquid scintillator detector. We report on a new limit for neutron disappearance: [tau](n [right arrow] inv) > 6.02 x 10²⁹ years (90% CL).
Retrospective Reflection through Movement
Authors:   , Verbanc Jessica Marie , Schelly Hill Ellen
Published: July 2021

The limited research looking at parental cancer and it's affects on adolescent females has shown that adolescent females whose mothers have breast cancer may be especially vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and body image disruptions (Brown et al., 2007; Compas et al., 1994). This thesis uses a phenomenological research design to understand the adolescent female's experience of a mother's breast cancer and how she perceives its impact on her own development. The study investigates this experience through the reflections of adult women who were adolescents at the time of their mother's breast cancer illness. The study facilitates the participants' access to and reflection on their experiences through a dance/ movement workshop. The researcher followed the workshop with individual in-depth interviews, in which participants were asked to recall their adolescent experience as well as their current lived movement understanding of this experience. Results showed that participants shared common ground in the arenas in which the essence of their experiences of mother's breast cancer occurred. However, the essence of each participant's experience involved its own unique dimension. Communication between mother and daughter, body image, family dynamics, and control were important components to the participants' experience. The researcher was interested in applying this understanding to the development of a dance/ movement therapy (DMT) support group model for adolescents whose mothers have breast cancer.
Nanoindentations in kinking nonlinear elastic solids
Authors:   , Murugaiah Anand , Kalidindi Surya , Barsoum Michel W.
Published: July 2021

In this work we claim that all solids with high c/a ratios that do not twin are members of a large class of solids labeled kinking non-linear elastic, KNE, solids. These include materials such as micaceous solids, layered silicates and rocks that form the bulk of the earth's surface, graphite, layered ternary carbides and nitrides such as the M_[n+1]AX_n phases, layered oxides, super conductors and semiconductors, boron nitride and probably ice among others. These solids are typically layered and are characterized by fully or near fully reversible stress strain hysteresis loops exhibiting nonlinear elastic behavior, hysteresis and discrete memory. Many materials near earth's surface exhibiting such behavior are modeled phenomenologically by invoking the presence of hysteretic mesoscopic units, (HMUs), whose physical underpinnings are unknown. Similarly the underlying mechanisms of such response of other materials in these KNE solids are not well understood to date, even though some of them have been studied for over a century. Nanoindentation experiments with a spherical indenter were used to probe the mechanical properties of some of these materials - Ti₃SiC₂, single crystal graphite, mica single crystals and layered superconductor - tetragonal YBa2Cu3O6, at very high stresses at the crystal level. Multiple indents on the same location were carried out to study the effect of cycling and it was observed that the first indent usually resulted in a permanent deformation and the subsequent indents resulted in fully reversible, hysteretic response. Our results, together with much of the literature on the mechanical properties of these layered solids, can be explained by invoking the formation of dislocation based incipient kink bands, IKB's, that give way to mobile dislocation walls that, in turn, coalesce into kink boundaries with increasing stress. The IKB's are fully reversible; the dislocation walls result in plastic deformation, and the kink boundaries result in hardening. Herein we show microstructural evidence for kink bands and the formation of a multitude of subgrains under the indenter. Remarkably, these dislocation-based mechanisms allow repeated loading without damage, while dissipating significant amounts of energy during each cycle. Since the dislocations are confined to the basal planes, they cannot entangle and can thus move reversibly over relatively large distances resulting in the dissipation of substantial amounts (up to 300 MJ/m3) of energy (the work done Wd) during each cycle. The values of the work done Wd normalized by the corresponding modulus for these solids along the indenting direction measured herein were in excellent agreement for all these layered solids, confirming that the same mechanisms are operative for these materials despite their differences in the nature of their bonding and the stress levels.
Behavior and vulnerability of reinforced masonry shear walls
Authors:   , Minaie Ehsan , Moon Franklin L.
Published: July 2021

The overarching goal of the research presented herein was to establish the key behavior mechanisms and seismic vulnerabilities of reinforced masonry (RM) shear walls. Currently, there are knowledge gaps related to partially grouted masonry shear walls, regarding their failure mechanisms, applicability of current code provisions to PG walls, and influence of bidirectional loading on the behavior of such walls. To bridge these gaps a research program that integrated both experimental and analytical approaches was conducted. The centerpiece of the experimental program was a series of full-scale, quasistatic cyclic tests of both PG and FG masonry shear walls. Key test parameters included the level of vertical stress, wall aspect ratio, and mortar formulation. Following these experiments a series of nonlinear finite element models were developed and correlated with the experimental results. These models were then used to examine the influence of bi-directional loading through a series of parametric studies with out-of-plane drift, wall aspect ratio and vertical stress as variables. Results of this study indicated a potentially significant seismic vulnerability of PG masonry shear walls that is not reflected in current design provisions. The PG masonry shear walls tested displayed shear strengths less than half of the capacity estimated by current design methods. The modeling component of this research developed an efficient nonlinear finite element modeling approach that proved capable of simulating the capacity (within 10%), failure modes and hysteretic response of both PG and FG masonry shear walls. This modeling approach was also validated for the prediction of out-of-plane response, and then used to examine the bidirectional response of PG masonry shear walls. Results from this study indicated that out-of-plane drifts corresponding to the collapse prevention limit state may reduce the inplane capacity of PG walls by more than 20%. Although the capacity of PG walls is influenced by out-of-plane drifts, their hysteretic responses, and in particular, energy dissipation and ductility capacities remain nearly unchanged. As a result, the seismic response of PG masonry walls is likely only nominally affected by bi-directional ground motions.
Bioprinted superparamagnetic nanoparticles for tissue engineering applications
Authors:   , Buyukhatipoglu Kivilcim , Clyne Alisa Morss
Published: July 2021

Novel technologies are required in tissue engineering to manufacture three-dimensional organs with complex architecture. While superparamagnetic nanoparticles have been widely used in medicine for magnetic resonance imaging and targeted drug delivery, they have not been extensively applied in tissue engineering. These nanoparticles would allow active patterning and non-destructive imaging during tissue growth and development. However, no inexpensive method exists for synthesis of commercial amounts of these nanoparticles with controlled morphology, chemistry and size. Furthermore, superparamagnetic nanoparticle cytotoxicity mechanisms are not well understood, which makes it difficult to control or block adverse nanoparticle effects on human health. In this dissertation, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were produced by flame synthesis using a coflow diffusion flame. Nanoparticle flame synthesis has significant advantages, including improved nanoparticle property control and commercial production rate capability with minimal post-processing. Final iron oxide nanoparticle morphology, elemental composition, and particle size was controlled by changing flame configuration, flame temperature, and additive loading, and morphology, elemental composition, and particle size of the synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed by electron microscopy (TEM, ESEM, EDS), and Raman Spectroscopy. Then flame synthesized iron oxide nanoparticle interaction with endothelial cells was compared to commercially available iron oxide nanoparticles. Flame synthesized particles showed no statistically significant toxicity difference from commercially available nanoparticles, as measured by Live/Dead assay, Alamar blue, and lactase dehydrogenase release. Both synthesized and purchased nanoparticles localized inside the cell cytoplasm as shown by TEM images. Iron oxide nanoparticles resulted in an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in cells within the first three hours after nanoparticle uptake, and this ROS formation contributed to actin cytoskeleton disruption. Finally, a new hybrid nano-bioprinting technique that facilitates manipulation and tracking of cells and bioactive factors within a three-dimensional tissue construct was developed. This technique combined the initial patterning capabilities of syringe-based cell deposition with the active patterning capabilities of superparamagnetic nanoparticles. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, either in the alginate biopolymer or loaded inside endothelial cells, were bioprinted using the hybrid solid freeform fabrication direct cell writing system and they were manipulated using an external magnet and imaged by MicroCT.
Partial oxidation and autothermal reforming of heavy hydrocarbon fuels with non-equilibrium gliding arc plasma for fuel cell applications
Authors:   , Gallagher Michael J. , Fridman Alexander A.
Published: July 2021

Non-thermal plasma fuel reforming technology has several advantages over traditional catalytic or thermal processes including fast start time, high productivity, relatively low electrical energy costs to operate. Several novel gliding arc plasma reformers were developed and investigated for the partial oxidation of several fuels including n-Tetradecane, Diesel, and JP-8 in the partial oxidation and autothermal reforming regimes. High conversion was achieved with efficiencies greater than 80 percent. The results show that gliding arc systems are capable of reforming heavy hydrocarbon fuels with high conversion efficiency and are an important piece of technology for on-board vehicular reforming systems that should be further developed and optimized.