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Developmentally Appropriate Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Get PDFAs specialized healthcare professionals educated in developmental care, occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) have a role in educating, coaching, and assessing the needs of infants, their families, and the staff in the NICU. These high-risk and medically fragile infants require specialized care that considers the incorporation of neurodevelopment, neurobehavioral regulation, sensory stimulation, and motor development through supportive and appropriate interventions. A project addressing these needs across 14 weeks was implemented as part of an Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) capstone experience at WVU Medicine Children’s in Morgantown, West Virginia. This project examined the results of the NICU staff\u27s confidence, knowledge, and awareness after providing developmentally appropriate care for their infants before and after the educational program targeting the environment, bottle feedings, developmentally appropriate positioning, handling, and care, and family-centered care. Based on the surveys, the nurses’ scores trended downward after receiving education, however, this is likely due to the fact that they gained more awareness, confidence, and knowledge of what they didn’t know or felt as strong addressing as compared to the pre-test. Through observations, improvements have been made in the unit regarding awareness of environmental stimuli and the use of new developmental equipment by the nursing staff
Teaching Cultural Humility Practices in Appalachia: The Value of Conducting Conversations Based in Education
Get PDFRecent literature highlights the paradigm shift from utilizing cultural competence practices to cultural humility practices within the field of occupational therapy, and health sciences (Fisher- Borne, et al., 2015). The idea of cultural competency suggests that culture is unchanging, and individuals can master cultural knowledge. The perception of knowing culture can be perceived as an unwillingness to learn about culture. In contrast, cultural humility promotes the value of lifelong learning and introspection, encouraging greater self-awareness, reflection of personal biases, and recognition of power imbalances. This approach aims to better integrate educational approaches to serve diverse populations in a culturally affirming way. The value of implementing and modifying cultural humility education to enhance the understanding of culture for West Virginia University’s Occupational Therapy program is essential. Acknowledging the need for continuous cultural education throughout the lifespan, as well as upholding accountability to identify personal biases affecting personal and professional interactions, can foster culturally effective practice environments. This project aims to promote the inclusion of a student-developed instructor manual on integrating a cultural humility lens when developing and providing education, as well as experiential learning opportunities and trainings for WVU occupational therapy students and professionals. Cultural humility approaches will be integrated within the current curriculum to progress the outcomes of therapeutic intervention utilizing a holistic and client-centered lens
Selective Recovery of Various Critical Metals from Acid Mine Drainage Sludge
Get PDFNon-fuel minerals and commodities vital to the modern economy and national security are known as critical minerals. They are essential to modern high-tech industries, defense applications, clean technology, fuel cells, mobile phones, high-capacity batteries, permanent magnets, phosphors, and metal catalysts, among other things. Over fifty elements are deemed essential to varying degrees (European Commission, 2017; Department of Energy, 2020; Burton, 2022). Given their current position, a single supplier or small group of producers can easily dominate the mineral pricing as they supply the majority of these essential minerals. Due to the extended area of usage, ongoing population expansion, and increased technology use, industrial demand is still predicted to rise even though the market prices of several essential minerals decreased somewhat as a result of source diversification (Guyonnet et al., 2015). For instance, the market for rare earths, valued at about 20 billion by 2024 (Song et al., 2017). While some of the essential minerals can be extracted from traditional sources, most of them cannot, necessitating the discovery of new and alternative sources. Based on these projections and concerns, increasing the reserves of currently available resources and creating new ones have become extremely important. According to recent research, a variety of critical minerals can potentially be recovered in significant quantities from coal-based resources, such as coal refuse, coal ash, and acid mine drainage (Huang et al., 2018; Zhang et al., 2018; Valentim et al., 2019; Zhao et al., 2019; Zhou et al., 2021; Bagdonas et al., 2022). A review of previous and present state-of-the-art processing technologies for a few key minerals was carried out because of their significance in the development of high-tech products, the manufacturing of batteries, and the applications of these minerals in military and defense systems. These minerals include rare earth elements (REEs), cobalt, and manganese from various sources. The objective of the review study is to provide insight into the potential advancement of cutting-edge separation methods in the future for recovering various critical minerals from coal and coal-based sources. In this manner, several acid mine drainage treatment sludges were characterized for critical minerals. iii Following the characterization studies, the Tobby mine sample was identified as the primary feedstock. Subsequently, a novel separation method was developed to recover aluminum, rare earth elements, manganese, and magnesium. The presence of high impurities in the sample, such as silicon and iron, posed a significant challenge in the recovery of critical metals. Initially, critical metals were extracted using the sulfuric acid leaching method. Subsequently, iron, one of the major impurities, was systematically removed through stage-wise precipitation. The oxidation precipitation method was employed during this stage, and optimization studies were conducted on H2O2 dosage and time parameters. Following the successful removal of iron, aluminum was the second most abundant metal recoverable at low pH. Given its classification as a critical metal according to the USGS list, studies were conducted to recover aluminum. Reaction time and pH optimization studies were undertaken to produce a pre-concentrate. As a result of the optimization studies, an aluminum pre-concentrate was generated with a purity of 25.95% by weight. After this point, two options were considered. The first involved implementing a multi-stage precipitation process to generate pre-concentrates. The second option entailed conducting comprehensive experiments using solvent extraction to subsequently generate pure concentrates. The outcome of the multi-stage precipitation method resulted in the production of both pre-concentrate and concentrate. Various pH conditions were explored for pre-concentrate production. Test results revealed that at pH 8.6, the initial product was manganese pre-concentrate with a purity of 37.64% Mn, 2.05% Total Rare Earth Elements (TREEs), 1.12% Ni, 0.27% Co, 3.73% Zn, and 2.80% Mg. Subsequent studies were undertaken to obtain magnesium concentrate. In order to generate a purer product, pH values and different precipitants were tested. In this context, precipitation studies were conducted using sodium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide. The results of the studies carried out with sodium hydroxide at pH 10 yielded a magnesium concentrate containing 39% Mg by mass. The second option involved the loading of rare earth elements into the organic phase using the solvent extraction method. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate was used as the organic solvent and dissolved in kerosene. The impurities in the REEs-loaded organic phase were initially scrubbed, resulting in the removal of approximately 60% of zinc, as well as manganese, magnesium, and other impurities. Subsequently, the organic phase underwent a stripping process with hydrochloric acid, achieving a stripping efficiency of close to 100% for the REEs. Simultaneously, the aqueous phase from the REE extraction step transitioned into the manganese extraction process. This led to the loading of approximately 90% of manganese into the organic phase, leaving the remaining solution enriched in magnesium. This provided an opportunity for the recovery of magnesium, a critical metal in the solution. The loaded organic was further stripped using sulfuric acid, with optimization studies leading to the selection of 0.5M sulfuric acid for manganese stripping, considering minimal differences in co-stripped metals. The resulting solid product, containing 49.5% manganese by mass, was obtained from the stripped solution. iv On the other hand, studies on magnesium recovery from magnesium-rich solution following manganese extraction were conducted. Despite minimal impurities in the solution, a manganese, nickel, and cobalt-rich pre-concentrate was initially obtained, which can be further purified. The critical metal concentrations in this obtained pre-concentrate are 5.54% Mn, 5.40% Mg, 3.75% Ni, 0.76% Co, and 0.12% Cu. Subsequently, when magnesium recovery studies were carried out with the remaining filtrate solution at a higher pH, a concentrate containing 38.07% magnesium by weight was produced. Consequently, five products were obtained from AMD treatment sludge. Two of these products are pre-concentrates, while the other three are concentrates. One pre-concentrate contains 26.95% aluminum, while the other contains 5.54% Mn, 5.40% Mg, 3.75% Ni, 0.76% Co, and 0.12% Cu. In addition, a rare earth oxalate product with 1 18.16% total rare earth elements was produced. In comparison, the other two manganese and magnesium products with a purity of 49.5% Mn and 38.07% Mg, respectively, were also obtained from the developed process
Machine Learning and RNA Bioinformatics
No full textThe applied science of bioinformatics encompasses computational analysis of molecular biology data. Advances in genomics and DNA sequencing technology have enabled computational analysis of ribonucleic acids (RNAs), which play diverse and critical roles in most cells. To assist the study of human RNA, we trained machine learning models on RNA nucleotide sequences, devoid of domain knowledge. We built models that distinguish long non-coding lncRNA from protein-coding mRNA, and models that predict the cytoplasmic vs. nuclear preferences of lncRNAs. In a review of published lncRNA subcellular localization classifiers, we show that the commonly used validation protocol generates optimistic performance measures, and we propose a new benchmark for this application of machine learning. To assist the study of plant biology, we applied our own alignment-based method to the analysis of maternal vs. paternal imbalance of mRNA in seeds. We also generated initial results indicating how k-mer-based methods might complement our alignment-based methods. Finally, we developed and published a machine learning method that improved the accuracy of our alignment-based method in the specific case of detecting parental imbalance in interspecies hybrids. These results demonstrate several enhancements to the field of RNA bioinformatics through the application of machine learning
Anxiety and Depression in Older Adults Post Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Get PDFResearch has investigated challenges that are created when one experiences a disaster within populations such as older adults and other vulnerable groups of people. However, there is little to no consideration given to how age in combination with trauma history are related to well-being after a disaster. Using two theories, socioemotional selectivity theory (SST, Carstensen, 2006) and the strength and vulnerability integration model (SAVI, Charles, 2010). I compared older adults post disaster vulnerabilty to depression and anxiety to that of younger adults with trauma history as a moderator. The 2,508 participants in the current study were from the Survey of Trauma, Resilience, and Opportunity among Neighborhoods in the Gulf (STRONG; Finucane, Lee, & Ramchand, 2018) and resided in the US Gulf Coast region during 2016 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Results were consistent with SST as older age was associated with lower depression and anxiety symptoms and all of the interactions were non significant. The findings within this study highlight that there are age-related benefits that can foster emotional well-being, even when there is the presence of unavoidable stressors such as exposure and prior trauma
Occupational Therapy’s Role in Low Vision Throughout the Lifespan
Get PDFLow vision and blindness significantly affect individuals\u27 engagement in occupational performance. While West Virginia (WV) offers low vision rehabilitation programs to enhance occupational performance, several challenges remain unresolved. This doctoral capstone project aimed to collaborate with low vision professionals to deliver comprehensive low vision services and advocate for the integration of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) in the low vision field. A needs assessment and literature review were conducted to identify gaps and develop strategies for addressing the gaps. A qualitative study design was chosen to explore the perspectives of current low vision providers regarding the role of OTPs. The study sample (n = 4) included a certified low vision therapist (CLVT), orientation and mobility specialists (COMS), and teachers of the visually impaired (TVI). Collaborations occurred in adult and children vision clinics, schools across WV, and community events for children and adolescents. Pre- and post-interviews, along with observation field notes, were utilized to assess outcomes. The capstone student collaborated with vision professionals to assess and intervene in fine motor, sensory, positional, functional mobility, and activities of daily living challenges among individuals with low vision. Materials developed for collaboration included an enlarged visual recipe made for a sandwich making activity for a community event, fine motor and sensory screening assessments, and an adult home modification screening assessment. Analysis of interviews and observation field notes revealed improvements in occupational performance among children with low vision or blindness. Low vision professionals found the perspectives of OTPs beneficial and reported positive impacts on the children’s occupational performance. Fine motor and sensory screening assessment and recommendations will continue to be implemented. Future collaborations and program development should focus on enhancing resources for adults with low vision in WV
Analyzing Viability of Blue Indium Gallium Nitride LEDs for use in Space Missions Using a Low Earth Orbit Cubesa
Get PDFThe payload capacity of spacecraft is constrained by the weight of the craft itself, including fuel and electronic systems. The protective measures used to shield onboard electronics from the harsh space environment, characterized by high-energy particles and significant temperature fluctuations, can further diminish the available payload capacity. This thesis explores the potential of naturally radiation-hard alternatives to commonly used electronic materials, such as Silicon, to reduce the need for shielding and other protective measures, thereby decreasing the weight and cost of space missions.
III-V semiconductor materials, such as Gallium Nitride (GaN), are known for their inherent resilience to temperature swings and lattice damage. Despite their successful application on Earth, GaN-based electronics have not been widely adopted in space missions. Most evaluations of GaN materials’ resilience to radiation and temperature have been conducted terrestrially using accelerated lifetime testing approaches. However, there is a lack of studies evaluating GaN materials in actual space environments over timeframes consistent with space missions.
This thesis describes a CubeSat experiment designed to investigate the effects of radiation and temperature on 24 GaN Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) housed inside a 3U cube satellite in low earth orbit at 500km, as part of West Virginia’s STF-1 mission. Using a custom-designed Low-powered Optoelectronic Characterizer for CubeSat (LOCC), periodic current and voltage measurements were taken to construct the current/voltage (IV) curves of each LED. Additionally, the luminosity and color of the LEDs (designed for 465nm emission) were measured.
Data collected since 2019 has been processed, revealing a likely outcome that the LEDs are still functioning with minimal damage. The data from the MaZET MTCSiCF MCDC04 Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) was interpreted for plotting in a Commission Internationale de l’éclairage (CIE) 1931 X Y Z color space. A correction matrix K was calculated, where K = () * ; T is a reference matrix consisting of reference measurements, and S is the Signal matrix interpreted from the ADC values. The X, Y, and Z ADC values were multiplied by K to obtain the X, Y, and Z CIE colorimetric plot values, which were then plotted on a two-dimensional CIE graph. This study provides valuable insights into the performance of GaN LEDs in space environments, contributing to the development of more efficient and cost-effective space missions
Machine Learning for Environmental Sustainability
Get PDFThis research proposes a comprehensive approach to address pressing challenges in environmental sustainability, agricultural residue management, using machine learning based approaches. Machine learning (ML) techniques have emerged as powerful tools for addressing environmental sustainability challenges by facilitating the analysis and prediction of ecological phenomena, and optimization of resource management strategies. The study explores the synergies between environmental sustainability and machine learning to develop a framework that leverages artificial intelligence techniques covering a wide range of tasks including crop residue management, soil CO2 flux prediction, and forest carbon system prediction for sustainable development. The study analyze various ML models, such as, random forests, support vector machines, and ensemble learning techniques, highlighting their strengths and limitations. The contribution of this study not only enhances agricultural productivity but also mitigates environmental degradation associated with conventional farming practices. By synthesizing insights from environmental science, agriculture, and machine learning, this study not only contributes to the growing field of interdisciplinary research but also offers practical solutions to urgent global challenges at the intersection of sustainability and technology. Finally, we identify emerging trends and future research directions in this field, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of domain expertise with ML methodologies to address complex environmental challenges effectively
Adverse Childhood Experiences Predict Mortality Risk: The Role of Social Support & Social Strain
Get PDFChildhood adversity has long-lasting negative effects across the lifespan including increased mortality risk. The love and support individuals receive from others, also known as social support, has shown to be a protective factor against ACEs. However, little research has investigated the amplifying effects of social conflict and strain that often accompanies social relationships. Utilizing data from the Midlife Development in the U.S. (MIDUS) study, I tested whether higher levels of social support would buffer the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences on mortality risk, and whether higher levels of social strain would amplify these associations. The sample included 6,150 participants (Mage = 46.89; Female = 88.99%; white = 90.33%) who completed wave 1 of the MIDUS study in 1995-96 and had available data on mortality. Early life adversity was computed using 20 retrospective items assessing emotional and physical abuse, socioeconomic disadvantage, familial instability, and early-life poor health. Social support and social strain were each computed using four-family, four-friend, and six-spouse items assessing the reliability and emotion availability from others, or the annoyance and disappointment from others. Vital status was indexed through National Death Index updates up until December 31, 2021 (26-year follow up period). During this time, 1,723 died (28.27%) and the mean survival time among those deceased was 15.40 years. I estimated a series of Cox proportional hazards models to test study hypotheses. It was found that higher levels of ACEs, higher social strain, and lower social support all uniquely predicted a significant increased risk of dying. Higher levels of social support interacted with ACEs, demonstrating a reduced mortality risk (buffering effect). Findings from this study suggest that intervention work should focus on improving social support in response to the experience of adversity
A Test of the Extended Theoretical Model of Communal Coping among Graduate Students: Investigating the Influence of Communal Coping on Graduate Students’ Psychological Well-Being
Get PDFThe purpose of this dissertation was to test the extended theoretical model of communal coping (T. Afifi et al., 2020) in a graduate student sample by exploring predictors and outcomes of communal coping processes among 554 graduate students. The extended theoretical model of communal coping specifies that communal coping occurs when individuals within a community—such as graduate students within an academic program—perceive stressors as shared and are willing to take joint action to overcome those stressors. Results of this dissertation provided evidence that graduate students’ academic stress and the severity of individual academic stressors negatively impacted their psychological well-being. The impact of academic stress on the two dimensions of communal coping (shared appraisals and joint action) was not contingent upon the closeness of graduate students’ relationships with their peers. However, graduate students in this sample were more likely to communally cope with their peers in their program when they experienced greater levels of stress and, independently, when they felt close to one or more of their academic peers. This dissertation also hypothesized that communal coping among graduate students would indirectly lead to increased psychological well-being through enhanced self-efficacy to cope with academic stressors, moderated such that the positive effect of communal coping on coping self-efficacy would only exist and become stronger as graduate students showed greater willingness to communicate about their stressors with their peers and, independently, felt efficacious in communicating about their academic stressors with their peers. Results did not provide evidence for this first-stage dual additive moderated mediation model or the unconditional mediation model in which graduate students’ communal coping efforts enhanced psychological well-being through enhanced coping self-efficacy (having removed the moderators). However, results from alternative model testing provided evidence to suggest that graduate students’ communal coping efforts with their peers may benefit their psychological well-being through increased relational connectedness with those in their graduate program, supporting the extended theoretical model of communal coping. Implications for the extended theoretical model of communal coping as well as practical implications are discussed