Bulletin of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (BCSEE)
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Evaluating the Role of Peer Effects in Achieving Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development
No full textMitigating the current and future impacts of climate change requires bold actions from all of us. Most of us consume energy generated using fossil fuels (and other non-renewable sources) at home and work, and also while commuting. This consumption contributes to climate change. Thus, we have an opportunity to contribute to the mitigation efforts by being conservative when we consume energy, and whenever possible, adopting technologies that are energy efficient. Though the concepts of energy conservation and adoption of energy efficient technologies are well-known, little is clearly understood about what actually triggers a person to make short-term and long-term pro-environmental behavioral changes that result in non-capital solutions such as energy conservation or capital-intensive technologies such as the adoption of energy efficient technologies. My research addresses this knowledge gap. It focuses on identifying the role played by peer effects in inducing pro-environmental latent attitude changes among communities. Specifically, by using a mix of concepts, surveys, and econometric modeling, I (a) identify the role of peer effects in influencing long-term pro-environmental latent attitude changes for non-capital solutions, and (b) identify the barriers in adoption of capital-intensive pro-environmental technologies and (c) build database of adopter of electric vehicles (EVs) for commuting and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for home energy use in Florida who can be targeted to enhance EV/PV co-adoption. In addition, results are used to identify potential policies to enhance peer diffusion to expand upon pro-environmental tendencies with the objective to increase the resilience of the community and accelerate achieving net zero energy targets for the State of Florida for the building sector and transportation sector.</p
Neural Excitability during Single-Leg Balance in Patients with an Acute Ankle Sprain
No full textThe purpose of this dissertation was to examine neural excitability of the fibularis longus (FL) in patients with and without acute ankle sprains (AAS) during single-leg balance 2) corticospinal excitability of FL in patients with and without AAS during single-leg balance and relationships between corticospinal excitability of FL during single-leg balance and postural control measures in single-leg balance in individuals with and without AAS. For study 1, fourteen patients with AAS (19.8±2.0yrs) and 14 uninjured controls (20.7±2.3yrs) volunteered. We measured the Hmax/Mmax ratio, H-reflex, and H-latency for spinal excitability during a single-leg balance position. There was no significant difference in spinal excitability between the two groups. These results suggest that spinal excitability of FL is not altered after AAS during single-leg balance. For study 2, the same subjects from study 1 were included in the study. We used an outcome measure of the normalized motor evoked potential (MEP) to quantify the corticospinal excitability. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) was provided once participants maintained a single-leg balance position. We also quantified single-leg balance performance with Center-of-Pressure (COP) excursion. We found the MEP in patients with AAS was significantly higher than that of uninjured participants. As expected, our AAS group presented impaired postural control. Further, impaired postural control was correlated with increased corticospinal excitability. Our findings are unique in that AAS may alter the corticospinal excitability during single-leg balance. The facilitated excitability in the FL suggests the compensatory supraspinal mechanism to maintain a single-leg stance for 10 seconds following AAS.</p
Anionic clay surface facilitates electron transfer between an excited donor encapsulated within a cationic capsule and a cationic electron acceptor
No full textTrochanteric Bolt Failure in a Modular Femoral Revision System
No full textWith the incidence of primary total hip arthroplasty continuing to rise in the United States, the innovation behind improving current total hip arthroplasty systems inevitably grows with it—each new design potentially ushering in new flaws. We report a case of screw failure with the Arcos Modular Femoral Revision System–Trochanteric Bolt and Claw Technique in a 74-year-old male patient. The patient presented to the investigator's clinic for their 20-month follow-up evaluation of their complex right hip revision. Radiographs revealed failure of the screw attaching the claw plate to the stem resulting in dislodgement and relocation of the screw within the intra-articular cavity. The patient elected for nonsurgical management and will continue to be monitored. Consent by the patient involved in this case report was obtained
Classification and growth rate of chorioretinal atrophy after voretigene neparvovec-rzyl for RPE65-mediated retinal degeneration
No full textPURPOSEClassify the appearance and quantify the growth rate of chorioretinal atrophy in patients who received voretigene neparvovec-rzyl (VN) for RPE65-mediated retinal degeneration. DESIGNMulticenter retrospective analysis SUBJECTS: Patients who underwent subretinal VN injection at 5 institutions and demonstrated posterior pole chorioretinal atrophy. METHODSUltra-widefield scanning laser ophthalmoscopy or color fundus photos were assessed before and after subretinal VN. Atrophy was defined as regions with at least two of the following: (1) partial or complete retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) depigmentation, (2) round shape, (3) sharp margins, (4) increased visibility of choroidal vessels. Atrophy was qualitatively classified into different subtypes. All atrophy was manually segmented. Linear mixed effects models with random slopes and intercepts were fit using atrophy area and square root of atrophy area. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESNumber of eyes with each atrophy pattern, and slopes of linear mixed effects models. RESULTSTwenty-seven eyes from 14 patients across 5 centers developed chorioretinal atrophy after subretinal VN. A mean of 5.8 ± 2.7 images per eye obtained over 2.2 ± 0.8 years were reviewed, and atrophy was categorized into touchdown (14 eyes), nummular (15 eyes), and perifoveal (12 eyes) subtypes. Fifteen eyes demonstrated more than one type of atrophy. Thirteen of 14 patients demonstrated bilateral atrophy. The slopes of the mixed effects models of atrophy area and square root of atrophy area (estimate ± standard error) were 1.7 ± 1.3mm2/year and 0.6 ± 0.2 mm/year for touchdown atrophy, 5.5 ± 1.3 mm2/year and 1.2 ± 0.2 mm/year for nummular atrophy, and 16.7 ± 1.8 mm2/year and 2.3 ± 0.2 mm/year for perifoveal atrophy. The slopes for each type of atrophy were significantly different in the square root of atrophy model, which best fit the data (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONSChorioretinal atrophy following subretinal VN for RPE65-mediated retinal degeneration developed according to a touchdown, nummular, and/or perifoveal pattern. Perifoveal atrophy grew the most rapidly whereas touchdown atrophy grew the least rapidly. Understanding the causes of these findings, which are present in a minority of patients, merits further investigation
Understanding the student’s experience of community health nursing simulations
No full textAbstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore nursing students’ experiences after completing community health nursing simulation encounters. Methods The study used a descriptive qualitative design. Through conventional content analysis, the research team analyzed the experiences of 73 nursing students after participating in community health nursing simulation encounters. The data come from nursing students’ responses to three post-simulation qualitative questions. Results Nursing students identified both positive aspects (simulation as a great learning method, useful in understanding community health nurses’ roles, faculty’s role in facilitating an effective learning environment) and opportunities for improvement (needing for clear objectives, expectations, and roles). Conclusions Community health nursing simulation encounters can be a powerful educational method to help students experience and understand the roles of community health nurses. Implications for international audience Augmentation of the pre-brief component will further improve students’ simulation experiences
"The Platysma Contraction Pattern in Healthy Adults: A Vector Analysis Study."
No full textThe platysma muscle's role in lower face dynamics is complex. Multiple insertion points to soft-tissue structures at various levels in the lower face create make for a multi-faceted contraction pattern. To avoid adverse effects in cosmetic procedures when targeting the platysma, its anatomy and physiology must be understood. Clinical observations hint to a bi-directional contraction pattern.
Eighteen healthy volunteers (13 women and 5 men) with a mean age of 44.2 ± 10.1 years were enrolled. Skin displacement vector analysis was used upon maximal platysma contraction to characterize and calculate the movement of the neck and lower-face skin.
In all of the participants a bidirectional movement of the skin was observed: the skin of the lower face and inferior to the jaw-line moved caudally, while the skin of the lower neck moved cephalad. Both movements converged at a line situated at 54±10 percent and 55±8 percent of the length between the clavicle and the inferior base of the ear lobe in men and women respectively (p = 0.70).
The platysma is a bidirectional muscle with a line-of convergence. While the superior portion acts as lip depressor, the lower portion elevates the skin of the upper chest and lower neck. This transition can explain some of the clinically observed adverse effects of neuromodulation of the neck area. It can potentially direct neuromodulation injections to focus above the convergence line to better address lower-face descent
Resource Partitioning of Sympatric Lutjanids in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Using Stable Isotope Analysis
No full textLutjanid snappers are ubiquitous at reef sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), but the degree of niche overlap and basal resource utilization is unknown for most species. Muscle tissue for stable isotope analysis was opportunistically sampled from red snapper (Lujanus campechanus), gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus), lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris), and vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens) recreational catches across the northern Gulf. A Bayesian mixing model used to compare resource utilization indicated that Lutjanids occupy niches with varying degrees of overlap among regions but maintain a consistent hierarchy in isotopic composition. Scale shifts among regions were likely due to differences in riverine outflow, nitrogen fixation, and anoxic zones that alter prey abundance or isotopic d(15)N ratios. All four Lutjanid species had high percent contributions from particulate organic matter and benthic microalgae with little contribution by macroalgae to any species in any region. Ontogenetic shifts in stable isotope values were observed in most species indicating that size plays an important role in avoiding niche overlap due to intense competition for high-value prey items among congeners at isolated reef sites. Diet specialization is modest but likely plays an important role in avoiding complete niche overlap
Identifying anatomic landmarks and median nerve characteristics for the analysis of persistent carpal tunnel syndrome using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
No full textCommon Data Element Collection in Underserved School Communities: Challenges and Recommendations
No full textOBJECTIVESTo provide recommendations for future common data element (CDE) development and collection that increases community partnership, harmonizes data interpretation, and continues to reduce barriers of mistrust between researchers and underserved communities. METHODSWe conducted a cross-sectional qualitative and quantitative evaluation of mandatory CDE collection among Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-Underserved Populations Return to School project teams with various priority populations and geographic locations in the United States to: (1) compare racial and ethnic representativeness of participants completing CDE questions relative to participants enrolled in project-level testing initiatives and (2) identify the amount of missing CDE data by CDE domain. Additionally, we conducted analyses stratified by aim-level variables characterizing CDE collection strategies. RESULTSThere were 15 study aims reported across the 13 participating Return to School projects, of which 7 (47%) were structured so that CDEs were fully uncoupled from the testing initiative, 4 (27%) were fully coupled, and 4 (27%) were partially coupled. In 9 (60%) study aims, participant incentives were provided in the form of monetary compensation. Most project teams modified CDE questions (8/13; 62%) to fit their population. Across all 13 projects, there was minimal variation in the racial and ethnic distribution of CDE survey participants from those who participated in testing; however, fully uncoupling CDE questions from testing increased the proportion of Black and Hispanic individuals participating in both initiatives. CONCLUSIONSCollaboration with underrepresented populations from the early study design process may improve interest and participation in CDE collection efforts