bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electroactive nanostructured polymers and organic-inorganic hybrid materials
Authors:   , Guo Yi , Wei Yen
Published: July 2021

Novel electroactive nanostructured polymers and organic-inorganic hybrid materials have been successfully developed for electrochemical, sensory, and tissue engineering applications. For this new class of materials, electroactivity was introduced into silica matrix through the incorporation of a silsesquioxane precursor, N,N'-bis(4'-(3- triethoxysilylpropyl-ureido)phenyl)-1,4-quinonenediimine (TSUPQD). As a derivative of emeraldine form of aniline trimer, TSUPQD was synthesized from the reaction between one equivalent of aniline trimer and two equivalents of triethoxysilylpropyl isocyanate (TESPIC) and characterized by spectroscopic methods, such as FTIR, UV-Vis, MS, NMR, and XRD. The electrochemical behavior of TSUPQD was studied by cyclic voltammetry showing two distinct oxidative states in a reversible cyclic voltammogram after doping with a protonic acid. The intrinsic electroactivity of TSUPQD is similar to polyaniline was maintained. With the presence of two triethoxylsilane groups on each TSUPQD molecule, related mesoporous electroactive hybrid materials were prepared through surfactant templated sol-gel process. The resultant hexagonally patterned porous structures were studied by BET and TEM. The materials have large surface areas and pore volumes with pore diameters ranging from 2.1 to 2.8 nm. Porous structures give rise to improved electroactivity compared to their nonporous counterparts. Multicolor silica nanospheres were prepared by coating TSUPQD onto silica surface via intermolecular condensation reaction. By varying the particle size, surface area, and organic dopant, the nanospheres exhibit multiple colors. Furthermore, luminescent nanospheres were prepared when fluorescent organic acid was employed as dopant. These nanospheres demonstrated the promising potential as sensory materials for hydrazine detection. Electroactive self-assembled monolayers were evenly attached on glass substrates, followed by covalent bonding of an adhesive oligopeptide, i.e., cyclic RGD, on the aromatic amine terminals. The biocompatibility evaluation on resultant structures from PC12 neuronal cell cultures demonstrated that this bio-derivatized substrate well supported the cell adhesion and proliferation. It is more significant that this electroactive surface stimulated spontaneous neuritogenesis of PC12 cells. Electrospun PANI-contained gelatin fibers were also investigated as conductive scaffold for tissue engineering purposes. SEM analysis of the blend fibers containing less than 3 wt% PANI revealed uniform fibers with no evidence for phase segregation. DSC studies confirmed this result. To test the utilization of PANI-gelatin blends as a fibrous matrix for supporting cell growth, H9c2 rat cardiac myoblast cell cultures were evaluated in terms of cell proliferation and morphology.
Experimental and modeling study of warm plasmas and their applications
Authors:   , Gangoli Shailesh Pradeep , Gutsol Alexander , Fridman Alexander A.
Published: July 2021

Conventionally, plasmas are classified into two main types - 'thermal' or 'equilibrium' plasmas and 'non-thermal' or 'non-equilibrium' plasmas. Based on their properties, they are applied for relevant applications such as, thermal plasma for metal spray coatings (requires high temperature) and non-thermal plasma for surface modification of materials (requires high selectivity). However, there exists another group of plasmas that cannot clearly be classified into one of the above two categories - we refer to them as 'warm plasmas'. Warm plasmas operate at moderate power densities (tens of W · cm⁻¹), intermediate gas temperature (T[g] ~ 1500 - 4000 K) and electron density (ne/n ~ 10⁻⁶ - 10⁻³), non-equilibrium electron temperature (T[e] > T[g]). This makes warm plasmas very interesting for applications where both non-equilibrium selectivity and gas temperature simultaneously contribute to the enhancement of the process. The current thesis deals with two specific applications of warm plasmas pursued at the Drexel Plasma Institute. The first part of the thesis deals with the gliding arc (GA) discharge. It is a popular choice of (warm) plasma for use in energy applications such as fuel conversion. However, its highly transient nature poses a problem for controlled plasma enhancement studies. A novel magnetically stabilized gliding arc discharge (MGA) is designed such that it can be coupled with a counter-flow burner system for the study of plasma enhanced ignition and combustion processes. The experimental development and characterization of the MGA is discussed. The second part of the thesis deals with a modeling study of production of atomic fluorine (F) using remote (warm) toroidal plasma source and its transport for cleaning of CVD chambers off silicon-based deposits is pursued. Commonly used etchant gases such as CF₄ entail the deposition of carbonaceous compounds on the chamber surfaces. They also produce perfluorocarbons (PFCs) that have global warming implications. Lately, NF₃ is being used as a substitute since its dissociation products are mostly F and N₂. A zero-dimensional chemical kinetic model is used to describe the production of atomic F from NF₃. The transport model uniquely combines both physical (diffusion, adsorption and desorption) and chemical processes (surface and three-body volume recombination) into a reduced kinetic mechanism. This helps us parametrically study the system factors contributing to fluorine recombination and suggest optimal conditions for operation.
Spherical nanoindentation
Authors:   , Moseson Alexander J. , Barsoum Michel W.
Published: July 2021

Instrumented nanoindentation is a valuable method for mechanical characterization. Typically, sharp tips are used to indent surfaces and wellestablished techniques used to determine the hardness and moduli values of a wide range of materials. Spherical indentation tips, though less common, offer the distinct advantage of providing useful insight into the elasto-plastic transition region. In this thesis the results of continuous stiffness measurements with spherical indenters - with radii of 1 [mu]m and/or 13.5 [mu]m - and Hertzian theory are used to convert indentation load/depth curves to their corresponding stress-strain curves. We applied the technique to a wide range of materials, including fused silica, aluminum, iron and single crystals of sapphire and ZnO. In all cases, the stress-strain curves clearly showed the elastic, plastic, and elastoplastic regions. The modulus and hardness obtained by our method show, for the most part, a strong correlation with bulk and Vickers values obtained on the same surface, respectively. When both the 1 [mu]m and 13.5 [mu]m indenters were used on the same material, for the most part, the indentation stress-strain curves traced one trajectory. Furthermore, accurate determination of the "zero point", first contact between an indenter tip and sample surface, has to date remained elusive. Herein a relatively simple, objective procedure by which that zero point can be determined accurately and reproducibly using a nanoindenter equipped with CSM option and a spherical tip is described. The method relies on applying a data shift, which insures that stiffness versus contact radius curves are linear and go through the origin. The method was applied to fused silica, sapphire single crystals and polycrystalline iron with various indenter sizes, to a zero point resolution of 2 nm. Errors of even a few nm can drastically alter plots and calculations which use the data, including stress vs. strain curves. The method is the first to use a parameter inherently not affected by zero point to correct the displacement and all subsequent uses thereof, which is highly sensitive to zero point. The applications of this method range from increased accuracy for all tests including stress vs. strain, to sample leveling, to individual grain characterization, and beyond. Finally, I herein present our most recent work, including further insights into the characterization of individual grains.
Molecular simulations of chaperonins
Authors:   , Sliozberg Yelena R. , Abrams Cameron F.
Published: July 2021

Chaperonins are a class of cage-like molecular machines that assist the folding of polypeptides by binding and releasing non-native substrates into their inner cavity, where sequestered from the medium the substrate can fold to its native state. The main goal of this work is to understand the structure-function relationship of chaperonin. Here we study two major aspects of this relationship: (1) thermodynamics of protein folding inside the chaperonin cavity and (2) conformational changes of the E. coli chaperonin GroEL in its reaction cycle. We have studied the thermodynamics of protein folding, confined in the chaperonin cavity using the simple HP model of protein undergoing the coil-to-globule transition. Using the Wang-Landau method we have quantified the increase in thermal stability of a native state in a spherical confining geometry, measured as an increase in melting temperature with decreasing radius of confining sphere. We are the first to show that the t [right arrow] r transition in GroEL subunit occurs spontaneously using unbiased molecular dynamics simulation. The transition pathway is shown to lie along low frequency quasi-harmonic modes of vibration. We are also the first to observe the spontaneous insertion of Ala480 into the empty nucleotide binding pocket, required for negative interring cooperativity.
Reasons for Financing R&D Using the SWORD Structure
Authors:   , Theodossiou Alexandra Kleanthis , Szewczyk Samuel Hideyo
Published: July 2021

Several companies in the science and technology-based industries used the SWORD structure to finance some of their R&D programs. Yet, there is no clear rationale or evidence that this structure is improves welfare. This study explores and/or develops 5 testable hypotheses pertaining to the reason(s) some firms use the SWORD structure. The five hypotheses are (1) Earnings management hypothesis; (2) Debt overhang/insurance hypothesis; (3) Separation of assets of different risk classes hypothesis; (4) Information asymmetries hypothesis; and (5) Sequential investment problem hypothesis. The final sample consists of 41 companies making 66 SWORD announcements. Companies that form SWORD structures are young, high growth and small capitalization companies that operate mainly in science and technology based industries. They have the same leverage ratios as the average company in their industry. They are financially healthy, and they form SWORD structures after periods of strong stock performance. The strong impact SWORD structures have on the parent company's financial statements support the earnings management hypothesis. The average leverage ratios of the sample companies fail to support the debt overhang/debt insurance problems. Consistent with the implicit assumption of increased survivability in the separation of different risk classes hypothesis we find that the formation of the first SWORD structure increases the probability of survival for the parent company, in the 5 years following the SWORD formation, by 23 percent. SWORD structures do not reduce information asymmetries for the parent company. The form of payment for the acquisition and the moneyness of the warrants at the acquisition and expiration times provide support for the sequential investment problem hypothesis. Overall the results indicate that although SWORD structures can be used to make financial statements look better, they can also provide solutions to the unique problems of R&D investment. Based on the findings further regulation but not elimination of the SWORD structures is recommended.
Nodal load estimation for electric power distribution systems
Authors:   , Wan Jie , Miu Karen Nan
Published: July 2021

Up-to-date nodal load information is required to accurately represent customers in electric power distribution systems. In addition, many operating, control and planning studies in power distribution systems directly depend on nodal load information. Thus, considering the load driven nature of power systems and the interdependence of loads and system states (voltage magnitudes and phase angles), this thesis defines and studies nodal load estimation in power distribution systems with limited synchronized measurements. This thesis presents a constrained, nonlinear optimization problem formulation that (i) treats loads as varying parameters, (ii) incorporates real-time measurements and (iii) includes practical guidelines issued by operating and loading constraints. Locally convergent algorithms are designed for power distribution networks of different structure. For radial networks, sensitivity-based network decomposition methods are presented. For general structure networks, two weighted least squares (WLS) approaches are designed. Extensive simulation results on a 20-bus unbalanced, radial test system and an actual 394-bus unbalanced distribution network with radial or meshed structures are obtained. Finally, the meter placement problem in power distribution systems is investigated for enhanced load estimation. A heuristic incremental method is presented with promising results.
The power of food scale (PFS)
Authors:   , Didie Elizabeth Rose , Lowe Michael R.
Published: July 2021

Current thinking about overeating and preoccupation with food is dominatedby restraint theory (Herman & Polivy, 1980). It is plausible however, that a preexisting vulnerability toward over-responsiveness to food produces overeating in a food abundant environment and a subsequent need to diet. A predisposition toward being highly responsive to a food plentiful environment may be detectable even in the absence of actual food consumption. The 21-item Power of Food Scale (PFS) was developed to assess the psychological influence of the mere presence or availability of food. The current study: 1) evaluated the validity of the PFS; and 2) compared the relative ability of the PFS and the Restraint Scale (RS) to predict salivary response to olfactory food cues using a sample of 81 undergraduate women. Results indicated that the PFS had acceptable internally consistency and was sufficiently homogeneous. Findings supported the convergent validity of the PFS, as it is positively correlated with measures of disinhibitition, external eating, and binge eating. Contrary to expectations the PFS was not correlated with a self-report measure of dietary restraint. Furthermore, the PFS was only weakly associated with a measure of social desirability, indicating that scores on the PFS are not likely to be contaminated by a desire to respond in a socially desirable manner. Methodological problems undermined the usefulness of the salivary responsiveness procedure as a measure of appetitive drive. Contrary to predictions, neither the PFS nor the RS predicted salivary responsiveness to food cues. Current dieting status could not account for the failure to find a relationship between RS and salivation. The PFS and the RS independently contributed to the prediction of both disinhibitory and binge eating. These results suggest that the PFS may tap a preexisting tendency toward heightened appetitive responses to food that couldcontribute to the development of obesity and some forms of disordered eating.
Mood and anxiety symptomatology in adults with insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus using intensive management regimens
Authors:   , Myers Valerie Harwell , Herbert James D.
Published: July 2021

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent health concerns present today. However, only a modest literature has examined diabetes and its related medical complications as it relates to psychological well-being. Findings suggest that individuals with DM have higher rates of mood and anxiety symptoms. However, most studies have used combined samples of individuals with Type I and Type II DM despite these disorders being different etiologically. No studies to date have attempted to (a) examine posttraumatic stress reactions in relation to hypoglycemic episodes, or (b) characterize mood and anxiety, particularly fear of hypoglycemia (FH), within individuals with Type I DM using different intensive methods of insulin administration. The present study investigated the prevalence of mood and anxiety symptomatology, including hypoglycemic fear and posttraumatic stress, among individuals with Type I DM using different intensive management regimens in an attempt to further characterize the nature of mood and anxiety in this unique population. Planned and exploratory multiple regression analyses yielded overall non-significant findings. A consistent trend displayed was that individuals using self-injecting techniques scored higher on measures of FH, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and glycemic control. Insulin shot users reported statistically higher glycosylated hemoglobin levels and behavior symptoms of FH. Results suggest that as one ages, anxiety significantly decreases, and glycemic control significantly improves, and that women report significantly higher levels of overall FH than men. A common trend was that women reported higher levels of mood and anxiety, and poorer glycemic control than men. One exception was with regards to posttraumatic stress symptoms and diagnostic criteria. Overall, this study accomplished several of its primary goals. The nature of mood and anxiety symptomatology and relative differences among Type I individuals using different methods of insulin administration were revealed. The impact of method of administration and hypoglycemic experiences on FH were systematically investigated. Finally, hypoglycemia-related posttraumatic stress was examined and revealed that 1 out of 4 individuals meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD. This provides evidence that for a subset of individuals with Type I diabetes, the medical sequelae associated with hypoglycemic states is sufficient enough to qualify as a traumatic event.
An investigation of the connections between adult student success, satisfaction, and learning preferences and usable interface design of web-based educational resources
Authors:   , Rollins Jason E. , Bach Craig N.
Published: July 2021

Whether used as a tool to enhance a traditional classroom, or as the delivery mechanism for Web-based distance learning, the recent impact of the Internet on adult higher education has been substantial. From this, one of the most important emerging challenges to educators is harnessing and adapting the power of these technologies to suit a broad range of adult learners. With the goal of addressing this challenge, this dissertation examined the connections among adult student's use of Web-based educational resources, the visual design and usability of these applications, student satisfaction, and learning preferences. In this mixed method study of adult learners, 50 volunteer subjects were tested interacting with several different Web sites. Student learning preferences, interface usability, and student self-efficacy and satisfaction with their use of the Web were observed and measured to determine the significance and scope of these associations. Test results were also subjected to linear regression analysis using SAS software. Investigation findings validated the research hypotheses and provided evidence that in many cases, adult students interact differently, and have varying levels of success and satisfaction, with Web-based learning environments depending on both their specific learning style and the visual design of these resources. Test subjects with different learning style strengths had unique preferences for individual interface elements and navigation designs but most perceived Web sites with clearly organized navigation menus, effective search features, and lists of content choices to be the most attractive and effective in facilitating learning. The most significant quantitative connections proved to be between learners with strong preferences on the Visual-Verbal dimension of The Felder / Silverman Inventory of Learning Styles (ILS) and correspondingly higher use of either graphic (for visual learners) or text (for verbal learners) interface elements. As well, the connection between higher computer self-efficacy as scored on the Eachus / Cassidy instrument and general subjective satisfaction with the test sites was supported. Also, general design recommendations were made for developing Web-based learning resources based on research findings. Results from this study may be useful to instructors, designers, and researchers working with Web-based educational applications.
Experimental studies and modeling of an information embedded power system
Authors:   , Carullo Stephen P. , Nwankpa Chikaodinaka Okechi Dike
Published: July 2021

This thesis is concerned with the design and analysis of the Interconnected Power Systems Laboratory (IPSL), which will allow students to get experience on the realistic operation and control of power systems. Drexel University' Interconnected Power Systems Laboratory (IPSL), provides an interchangeable real-life, three-bus power system network and an Energy Management System interface to the system in order to provide control and data capturing. The designed EMS system utilizes client/server and industry standard computer networking technology in order to expose students to modern data acquisition and supervisory control (SCADA) equipment and procedures used by the power industry. This thesis describes the methodology used to design the flexible power system along with the EMS system and they system's unique features. Three experiments, the Single-Phase AC Power Flow Experiment, the Three-Phase AC Power Flow Experiment, and the Fault Analysis Experiment, have been created for use with the IPSL system and will be discussed in detail.
Variation in hsp70 levels and thermotolerance among terrestrial salamanders
Authors:   , Elwood Jennifer R. Lorenz , Spotila James Robert
Published: July 2021

The Plethodon glutinosus complex is a geographically widespread salamander group inhabiting forests throughout the eastern United States and is locally abundant throughout the coastal plain. As such it is exposed to a variety of climatic conditions and makes the perfect candidate group for examining large-scale variation in thermal tolerance limits and heat shock protein expression. Thirteen populations of the P. glutinosus complex representing three physiographic regions were examined for variation in thermotolerant capabilities along environmental gradients. Measures of thermotolerance included the preferred temperature (PT), critical thermal maximum (CTM), and levels of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) as detected by ELISA. Within the P. glutinosus complex there was an unexpected inverse relationship between the stress response and climate. While salamanders exhibited a significant amount of geographic variation in PT and CTM, there was a significant negative relationship between CTM and both geographic location and climate - salamanders from warm, southern climates had lower CTMs then salamanders from northern, cool climates. Hsp70 levels varied significantly among populations and physiographic regions but not among heat shocked or control treatment groups. In addition, piedmont populations contained significantly higher levels of hsp70 than either coastal plain or montane populations. Patterns observed in the stress response of the P. glutinosus complex reflect a "constitutive" based heat shock strategy. This strategy acknowledges that hsp70 induction incurs a fitness cost and that organisms from both relatively stable and highly disturbed habitats should trade-off inducible thermotolerance for high levels of constitutive protein. This strategy predicts that organisms from habitats with intermediate levels of disturbance would have the highest levels of inducible protein. However, because this confers a potentially high energetic cost, selection should ultimately push the population towards one side of the model or the other. Salamanders occupy relatively stable habitats on a global scale of disturbance, but even within these types of habitats trade-offs are evident. Piedmont salamanders which occupy the intermediately disturbed habitats had hsp70 levels that exceeded levels observed in both montane and coastal plain populations. Coastal plain populations behaviorally avoid stressful conditions and hence have stress responses similar to the lower stress montane populations.
The role of critical thinking skills in practicing psychologists' theoretical orientation and choice of intervention techniques
Authors:   , Sharp Ian Randolph , Herbert James D.
Published: July 2021

Over the past two decades, professional psychology has witnessed a growingmovement towards the utilization of psychotherapies that have empirical support. Despite this development, therapies that have not been empirically supported continue to experience widespread use. Concurrently, a collection of novel interventions, known as Power/Energy therapies (P/ET's), has emerged. Although these therapies are based on questionable theoretical foundations and enjoy little or no empirical support, their popularity with clinicians appears to be strong and growing. There is scant research examining individual differences with respect to the practice habits of professional psychologists. The present study examined whether critical thinking skills are a factor in psychologists' choice of therapeutic interventions, including their use of P/ET's. As hypothesized, participants who reported using a number of techniques from Power and Energy therapies scored significantly lower on a measure of critical thinking skills. Also as hypothesized, individuals who reported using a number of cognitive-behavioral techniques scored significantly higher on the measure of critical thinking skills. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Wavelength effects on in vivo confocal scanning laser microscopy
Authors:   , Luedtke Michael A. , Papazoglou Elisabeth S.
Published: July 2021

The ability to optically section live biological tissue in vivo with laser light and observe reflections from single scattering events is made possible by in vivo confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). In this thesis the effects of using CSLM at different wavelengths to image in vivo human skin are reported and analyzed. Upon changing the wavelength of incident light, differences are observed while certain features are maintained. This work attempts to deconvolute differences due to wavelength artifacts from differences revealing important skin microstructure. To illustrate the differences due to the optical set up and wavelength changes, in vitro experiments were developed to characterize and model the instrumentation and tissue samples imaged. To further review and illustrate the differences in wavelengths a human test was conducted with 8 subjects to determine qualitative and quantitative differences observed at 405nm, 785nm and 830nm wavelengths from different CSLMs on live human tissue. From these experiments it was found that differences do exist among the selected wavelengths. This was surprising due to the proximity of the near infrared 785nm and 830nm wavelengths. Future work using 405nm, 785nm, and 830nm lasers on a single CSLM with identical optics in a single experimental setup will enable confirmation of our findings. In conclusion the laser wavelength used in CSLM is important even in reflectance imaging to properly understand and resolve different biological structures within human skin.
Consumer self-concept and retail store loyalty
Authors:   , Rocereto Joseph F. , Suri Rajneesh
Published: July 2021

Researchers have long been interested in understanding the effects of self-concept congruity constructs on marketing-related phenomenon. While studies have investigated the effects of such self-congruity constructs in a myriad of marketing settings, including brand loyalty, retail store loyalty, effectiveness of sales performance, and effectiveness of advertising appeal, to date no study has attempted to simultaneously assess the differing effects of more than one type of congruity construct within the context of a single model In this study, the author proposes a model of retail store loyalty using two types of self-concept congruity constructs - self-concept/brand image congruity and self-concept/store image congruity - as antecedents to mediating variables to retail store loyalty, brand commitment and trust, in order simultaneously investigate the relative impacts of each congruity construct in the model. Additionally, the model is fit to data from two separate samples, using two different types of retail stores - a brand-specific retail store and a multi-brand retail store - to investigate the varying contributions of each congruity construct between retail store type settings. The study uses structural equation modeling to fit the model to the data from each sample and to test research hypotheses. The results are very encouraging, and indicate that for both retail store type setting, self-concept/brand image congruity more significantly affects the mediating variables than does self-concept/store image congruity. Further, in a comparison of the impact of the congruity constructs between different store types, it is found that the self-concept congruity constructs play a much greater role in the model in the case of brand-specific retail stores than in the case of multi-brand retail stores. Additional meaningful findings include the empirical verification that self-concept congruity constructs lead to trust in a retail store, and that consumer commitment to brands which a retail store carries is significantly related to customer loyalty towards that retail store.
Data preparation for biomedical knowledge domain visualization
Authors:   , Synnestvedt Marie B. , Lin Xia
Published: July 2021

This thesis presents a methodology of data preparation with probabilistic record linkage and information fusion for improving and enriching information visualizations of biomedical citation data. The problem of record linkage of citation databases where only non-unique identifiers such as author names and document titles are available as common identifiers to be linked was investigated. This problem in citation data parallels problems in clinical data and Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD) methods from clinical data mining are evaluated. Probabilistic and deterministic (exact-match) record linkage models were developed and compared through the use of a gold standard or truth dataset. Empirical comparison with ROC analysis of record linkage models showed a significant difference (p=.000) in performance of a probabilistic model over deterministic models. The methodology was evaluated with probabilistic linkage of records from the Web of Science, Medline, and CINAHL citation databases in the knowledge domains of medical informatics, HIV/AIDS, and nursing informatics. Data quality metrics for datasets prepared with probabilistic record linkage and information fusion showed improvement in completeness of key variables and reduction in sample bias. The resulting visualizations offered a richer information space for users through an increase in terms entering the visualization. The significant contributions of this work include the development of a novel model of probabilistic record linkage for biomedical citation databases which improves upon existing deterministic models. In addition a methodology for improving and enriching knowledge domain visualizations though a data preparation approach has been validated with analyses of multiple citation databases and knowledge domains. The data preparation methodology of probabilistic record linkage with information fusion offers a remedy for data quality problems, and the opportunity to enrich visualizations with added content for user exploration, which in turn improves the utility of knowledge domain visualizations as a medium for assessing available evidence and forming hypotheses.
Electrokinetic chromatography using novel unilamellar vesicles for unique separations and prediction of intestinal permeability
Authors:   , Schuster Stephanie Ann , Foley Joe Preston
Published: July 2021

Using synthetic unilamellar vesicles as the pseudostationary phase in electrokinetic chromatography has several advantages. These types of vesicles are easy to prepare, inexpensive, and are similar in structure to cell membranes. The research presented in Chapter 2 explores the effect of changing the counterion of the cationic surfactant component of the vesicles from bromide to chloride. In addition, the effect of adding acetonitrile and 2-amino-1-butanol is investigated for both types of vesicles. Linear free energy relationship (LFER) analysis is performed on the vesicles in order to quantify the intermolecular interactions that are responsible for retention. The results indicate that there are unique selectivity differences between using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)/sodium n-octyl sulfate (SOS) and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC)/SOS vesicles. Chapter 3 investigates the potential of using a partially fluorinated vesicle by combining CTAB with sodium perfluorooctanoate (FC7). The goal was to identify vesicles with smaller mean diameters in order to increase the sensitivity of the analysis. In addition, the effect of the fluorinated surfactant on selectivity was determined along with LFER analysis in order to compare to the CTAB/SOS vesicles. The resulting CTAB/FC7 vesicles were smaller than the CTAB/SOS vesicles and the CTAC/SOS vesicles. The CTAB/FC7 vesicles, however, were difficult to work with in terms of their reproducibility and unstable baseline at short wavelengths. In Chapter 4 are presented the correlations of Caco-2 permeability and intestinal permeability with retention factor measured by CTAB/SOS vesicles and CTAC/SOS vesicles for 22 pharmaceutical compounds. The results were promising in terms of the neutral and cationic analytes. However, there was difficulty in correlating the retention factors of the anionic compounds to both the Caco-2 and the intestinal permeabilities due to problems in being able to accurately calculate retention factor. In addition, the logarithm of the octanol-water partition coefficient for each compound was also correlated to the logarithm of the retention factors. This research has proven that two new unilamellar vesicle systems (CTAC/SOS and CTAB/FC7) are viable as pseudostationary phases for use in electrokinetic chromatography. Furthermore, there were promising results in terms advancing VEKC as a high throughput method for screening intestinal permeability.
A survey of dance/movement therapists and the effects of pregnancy on their clinical experiences
Authors:   , Herrin Denick Colgan , Schelly Hill Ellen
Published: July 2021

This study examines the experience of pregnancy for the dance/movement therapist (D/MT). 830 surveys were sent to registered D/MTs nationwide with a resulting 47.4% response rate. Of these, 143 qualified for the study. To qualify the D/MT needed to have experienced a full-term pregnancy while practicing dance/movement therapy. The survey instrument was composed of both multiple choice and short answer questions in the areas of transference, countertransference, pregnancy disclosure,supervision, and co-worker relationships in relation to the pregnant dance/movementtherapist. In addition, it contained questions about the movement qualities of both the therapist and her clients in relation to her pregnancy. Major findings include themes of protection and caretaking of the D/MT by clients, co-workers, and herself. Also, some respondents noted a diminishment or restraint of movement and a change in the boundaries of the kinesthetic and therapeutic relationship in both clients and themselves. Population specific reactions to the therapist's pregnancy are suggested in the results, especially with elderly, eatingdisordered, and seriously mentally ill clients. The research confirms that pregnancy affects the D/MT on multiple levels, including her movement repertoire, approach to clients, and her clients' responses to her. Supervision is strongly advised for the pregnant D/MT to process these changes and use their effects as a way to facilitate therapy with clients.
The movement phrase and its clinical value in dance/movement therapy
Authors:   , Shapiro Aliza Ivy , Goodill Sherry W.
Published: July 2021

Movement occurs through a sequencing between action and pause, also known as phrasing. The movement phrase is a basic and ubiquitous form of behavioral organization, but the concept and phenomenon is relatively under-studied in the field of Dance/Movement Therapy. Several questions about the phrase are addressed in this literature-based study. They are: if the phrase is a form oforganization that parallels the larger forms of organization in a person's life, could an intervention on the level of phrase have more global implications? More precisely, what was the relationship between phrasing and mental health?To research these questions this thesis begins by investigating sources of the phrase. The CNS provides the physiological substrate for phrase, and the psyche modifies it. How the psyche modifies the action corresponds to how it copes, or what coping mechanisms it utilizes. After thistheoretical groundwork is laid, literature is reviewed that draws connections between phrase and character, phrase and diagnosis, and phrase and behavior in the clinical setting. As very little literature exists on phrasing, future directions for research and clinical work are introduced. The directions include locating the phrase on a developmental line, utilizing the pause between phrases, and mining the relational aspects of phrase. Principles for intervention thatwere consistent across all disciplines covered were: 1. The greater range of phrases at one's disposal, the greater ability one has to cope with her/his environment. This greater ability to cope is an aspect of mental health. 2. When intervening, the clinician must begin with the client's ownnatural phrasing.
A place for my self
Authors:   , Phipps Kelly M. , Goodill Sherry W.
Published: July 2021

As homelessness in the United States continues to rise, research into the specific needs for treatment of this population is increasing. Both personal and social factorscontribute to homelessness as well as different reasons due to gender (North and Smith,1993). Loss of personal, interpersonal and societal space occur as a result ofhomelessness. This loss of spatial boundaries can lead to the inability of an individual to overcome his homeless condition. This study was undertaken in an effort to demonstrate a relationship between issues of space among the homeless and dance/movement therapy concepts to produce a program that would be beneficial to women living in a homeless shelter. As literature pertaining to dance/movement therapy with the homeless is extremely limited, the study consisted of a literature review of women and homelessness, space and dance/movement therapy with relavent populations. In addition, clinical application of dance/movement therapy to this population is given and illustrated with short case vignettes. Findings showed that dance/movement therapy concepts of space were applicable to the traumas such as physical and sexual abuse, drug addiction and victimization experience by homeless women. The non-verbal nature and use of the body in dance/movement therapy is able to address these issues at the site of their experience. The conclusion is that dance/movement therapy, especially work geared toward personal space and boundary development, can play a beneficial role in helping women escape patterns of homelessness.
Imparting bioadhesive properties to injectable hydrogels for nucleus pulposus treatment and augmentation
Authors:   , Brewer Erik C. , Lowman Anthony M.
Published: July 2021

Degenerative Disc disease (DDD) is a disorder of the intervertebral disc resulting from a dehydrated nucleus pulposus. Current treatment methods for have had mixed long-term results and possibly promote further degeneration. In the early-stages of DDD, a simpler and less-invasive procedure would be to augment only the nucleus pulposus while leaving the rest of the disc intact. Hydrogels have high potential to serve as prosthetic material due to their mechanical and physiological similarities to tissue. Hydrogels exhibiting lower critical phase separation, such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), have the unique ability to transition from a free-flowing aqueous solution to a hardened gel in vivo, allowing them to be injected rather than surgically inserted into the spine. Imparting bioadhesive properties to these hydrogels would help create a cohesive nucleus/hydrogel network and prevent further migration or expulsion from the disc segments. Adhesive properties can be created by blending hydrogels with poly(ethylenimine) (PEI), a cationic, branched polymer followed by treatment of a crosslinking agent, glutaraldehyde. The reaction bridges amine groups in PEI with other PEI chains in addition to the collagen proteins found in native tissue, creating an adhesive bond. Adhesion tests showed that hydrogel/PEI blends were capable of producing bonds up to 302.8 ± 41.2 kPa in strength. Bond strength was found to increase with increasing PEI chain length, though decrease with increasing PEI concentration. Release studies revealed that blends with higher PEI concentrations released less PEI during the phase separation, thus allowing less to adhere to tissue and weaker bonds to form. Though PEI and glutaraldehyde treatment have affected the mechanical properties of hydrogels in past studies, the addition of PEI and glutaraldehyde had minimal influence on the mechanical properties of the hydrogels used in this study. Treatment methods used in this study proved ineffective in a simulated nucleus pulposus injection. Glutaraldehyde injected into a hydrogel that had undergone phase separation was unable to diffuse to the hydrogel/tissue surface. Methods replicating epoxy adhesive systems, where two separate components are injected and mixed simultaneously, broke down the three-dimensional hydrogel network due to the instantaneous speed of the PEI/glutaraldehyde reaction compared to the rate of the phase transition. Future studies should focus on more advanced glutaraldehyde delivery methods.
Does problem-solving ability moderate the relationship between infertility related stressors and psychological distress in infertile women?
Authors:   , Zwick Marni Leigh , Nezu Arthur M.
Published: July 2021

The experience of infertility can be a major stressor, especially for women. The current study attempted to explore the relationships between infertility related stressors, distress (i.e., depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms and negative affect), positive affect and problem solving coping in infertile women. Seventy infertile women completed self-report questionnaires. Results indicated that infertility related stressors, as well as some problem solving styles, predicted distress. Furthermore, it was found that certain effective problem solving styles predicted positive affect. However, problem solving styles were not found to moderate the relationship between stressors and distress in this population. The clinical and research implications of this study are discussed.
Dance/movement therapy impact on quality of life in clients with co-occurring HIV, addiction, and mood disorders
Authors:   , Fairfax Angela M. Tatum , Goodill Sherry W.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this experimental clinical case study was to investigate dance/movement therapy as an integrated interpersonal form of treatment that would meet the needs of a person with co-occurring diagnoses. To pursue this goal, three subjects diagnosed with co-occurring HIV, addiction, and mood disorders received individual dance/movement therapy twice a week for four weeks during the intervention phase of the study. A search of the literature found that clients with these particular cooccurring disorders generally received either psychiatric care with substance use treatment or medical care. One basis of the treatment outcome provided through dance/movement therapy offered these chents an opportunity to experience integration of cognitive, physical, emotional, and social aspects of being. This treatment modality provided a nonverbal approach to therapy that allowed the client to directly express emotions through the body; hence, stimulating unrestricted verbal expression of painful and frightening emotions. The eight-week study was a multiple baseline single-case experimental design using the ABA format (i.e. baseline-intervention-baseline phases) with repeated measures. Data was collected and analyzed from 1) pre- and post Health-Related Quality of Life assessment tool Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 version 2 Health Survey (MOS SF-36v2), 2) pre- and post interviews, and 3) researcher field notes of individual dance/movement therapy sessions. The results of the study partially supported the hypothesis that dance/movement therapy impacts quality of life in mental and physical health for the targeted population.
The use of bipolar electrochemistry in nanoscience
Authors:   , Ndungu Patrick Gathura , Bradley Jean-Claude
Published: July 2021

Bipolar electrochemistry occurs when an isolated conductive substrate inside an electric field supports both oxidation and reduction reactions. The method requires no direct contact between the power supply and the substrate. In the following thesis bipolar electrochemistry has been used to deposit palladium onto isolated graphite platelets, carbon nanofibers (CNF), and carbon nanotubes (CNT), as well as, various metals, a semiconductor, and an electropolymer on CNTs. Initial work used pulsed DC electric fields to deposit palladium onto isolated graphite platelets. Transmission electronmicroscopy (TEM) studies on the platelets found palladium metal on one area, indicative of a bipolar mechanism, and palladium deposits that varied from surface bound to highly ramified deposits. No correlation was found betweenthe frequency used to prepare the deposits and the palladium metal dispersion. The same field intensities and frequencies used on the graphiteplatelets were used to produce CNFs with palladium on one tip. The amount of palladium deposited on one tip of a CNF was controlled by adjusting how long the electric field was applied. Preliminary experiments to produce bulkquantities of CNFs with palladium bipolar electrodeposits used CNFs ball milled with silica, and CNFs suspended in tetrahydrofuran or methylene chloride. The palladium content, measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy,of the functionalized CNFs in silica showed no difference with increased CNF loading; however, TEM studies found a small number of functionalized CNFs with palladium on one tip. Work on CNFs suspended in THF and methylenechloride used suspensions with high loadings of CNFs which led to small percentages of CNFs with bipolar electrodeposited palladium. Finally CNTsobtained commercially and CNTs grown using chemical vapor deposition were successfully functionalized using bipolar electrodeposition. These experiments demonstrate a reliable and controlled method to modify nanostructured materials.