18525 research outputs found
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Using Concurrent Operant Assessments to Inform Intervention for Elementary-Aged Children Who Engage in Escape-Maintained Behavior
No full textConcurrent operant assessments (COAs) have the potential to evaluate shifts in students’ preferences toward non-preferred activities when different instructional modifications and reinforcer dimensions are manipulated. Crowell et al. (in prep) conducted a recent review of the COA literature in which they identified the ways COAs have been used to inform intervention, the conditions evaluated, and in what settings and by whom the resulting interventions were implemented. They found that COAs were (1) commonly used to inform a reinforcement context of an initial intervention or evaluate the effectiveness of two or more interventions, (2) primarily used to evaluate dimensions of reinforcement, and (3) resulted in interventions that were rarely implemented in the student’s typical classroom setting or by their teacher. Even with their findings, we still do not have an understanding of COA’s utility to inform both the instructional and reinforcement contexts of an intervention and the contextual fit of the resulting COA-based interventions. In this study, I conducted COAs with two elementary-aged children with escape-maintained interfering behavior to evaluate their preferences for and the effectiveness of different instructional modifications and reinforcement dimensions selected by their teachers. I successfully identified instructional modification and reinforcement dimensions that resulted in students selecting and engaging in their non-preferred tasks or contexts for almost the entire session. Following the COA, I implemented and evaluated the COA-based intervention against a business-as-usual condition using an alternating treatments design (ATD) in the students’ classroom. I observed an intervention effect, so I transferred implementation responsibilities to their teacher. Both teachers readily implemented the intervention with fidelity. Following teacher implementation, I obtained feedback on the extent to which teachers perceived the intervention as contextually fit for their classroom and valid for their students. Both teachers had positive things to say about the components of the intervention and changes in their students’ behavior. However, neither reported that they were likely to continue using the intervention. I discuss these findings and how they inform future directions for research
Discovery and Validation of Gut Microbiome and Circulating Metabolites Associated with Dietary Patterns and Cardiometabolic Diseases
No full textDiet plays an important role in the development and progression of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD); however, the underlying biological mechanisms are not yet well understood. To address this gap, we integrated fecal metagenomics and blood metabolomics to identify and validate gut microbiome and circulating metabolites associated with different dietary patterns–Healthy Eating Index (HEI), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Potential (EDIP), Empirical Dietary Index for Hyperinsulinemia (EDIH), and Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF)–and CMD. Microbiome analyses included 514 Black/African American participants from the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS) for discovery and 2,133 participants from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) for validation. Metabolomics analyses were conducted in the SCCS (N=1688) for discovery and in the HCHS/SOL (N=5,164) and the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (N=2,315) for validation. Associations of five dietary patterns with microbiome abundance and circulating metabolites were assessed using linear regression after data transformation and adjusting for sociodemographics, lifestyles, and history of major chronic diseases. Logistic or Cox regression was used to further evaluate the associations of diet-related bacteria and metabolites with CMD. We identified and validated inverse associations between healthy dietary patterns (i.e., HEI and DASH) and abundance of Collinsella and C. aerofaciens, which were further linked to risk of obesity. Additionally, we validated a broad spectrum of metabolites across key biochemical pathways (e.g., amino acids, lipids, cofactors and vitamins, and xenobiotics) for those dietary patterns–HEI (n=89), DASH (n=52), EDIP (n=11), EDIH (n=60), and UPF (n=38); several of these diet-related metabolites were further linked to major health outcomes, including incident coronary heart disease (n=7), cardiovascular disease mortality (n=2), and total mortality (n=52). Importantly, we developed a metabolite signature for each dietary pattern, which demonstrated strong associations with disease outcomes and explained a significant proportion (>60%) of the diet-disease associations. These findings underscore the potential of multi-omics approaches to elucidate the complex interplay between diet and CMD, offering more precise insights for tailored dietary interventions
Adaptive Protection System for Microgrids
No full textThe evolution of electric power systems has seen a significant trend towards decentralizing and distributing power generation, primarily through the embracement of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) like solar photovoltaics, batteries, demand response generators and wind turbines. This trend has seen the emergence of microgrids which are small scale grids that can operate independently or in combination with the main grid. However, the dynamic nature of microgrids, characterized by frequent topology modifications due to switching operations, varying DER outputs, and mode switching between grid-connected and islanded operations, introduces difficult challenges to traditional protection schemes. The static nature of traditional protection settings makes them difficult to adjust to these changes, and as a result, miscoordination and unexpected outages follow.
This research explores the development of an adaptive overcurrent protection scheme for microgrids of diverse topological configurations. The study emphasizes the real-time dynamic adjustment of relay set points based on topology modifications to ensure ideal protection coordination. Based on the utilization of advanced algorithms and communications protocols, the proposed system dynamically readjusts protection settings by considering factors such as changes in fault currents and DER availability. To verify the system, we used OpenDSS for system simulation and Python for automating the verification of different scenarios.
The principal objective of this thesis is to enhance the reliability and robustness of microgrid protection systems in response to topological shifts. By using an adaptive overcurrent threshold setting method, the research aims to ensure reliable and quick fault detection and isolation during different microgrid configurations. Furthermore, our objective focuses on minimizing the exposure of protection miscoordination due to dynamic operating conditions when different types of DERs are integrated.
The outcome of this research is projected to serve a key part in designing vigorous, adaptive protection mechanisms, resulting in more flexible and protected microgrid operations
Findings from a Fidelity of Implementation Assessment of the “Future is Mine LLC’s” Leadership Network Program
No full textLeadership Policy and Organizations Department capstone projectThis capstone project examines the implementation fidelity of the Future is Mine LLC’s Leadership Network (FLN), a three-year initiative aimed at improving postsecondary readiness in under-resourced school districts through coaching, planning, and professional development. Using a mixed-methods approach—document analysis, survey data, site visits, and interviews with coaches and district leaders—the study assesses how faithfully FLN was implemented and evaluates the reliability of its current Fidelity of Implementation (FOI) model. Findings reveal that while program elements like coaching and assessments were widely valued, the FOI model often failed to reflect true district engagement or progress. The study proposes an updated fidelity framework rooted in Carroll et al.’s (2009) FOI model to better capture adherence, dosage, quality of delivery, responsiveness, and sustainability. Recommendations include improving onboarding, embedding professional development more explicitly, and tracking long-term district success post-partnership.Peabody College of Education and Human DevelopmentDepartment of Leadership Policy and Organization
STAY PLAY TALK WITH A CHILD WHO USES AAC IN AN INCLUSIVE PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM
No full textEven in inclusive settings, children who communicate differently from their peers are often left out of meaningful social relationships. Peer-mediated interventions like Stay-Play-Talk have been effective at increasing social interactions between socially isolated children and their peers, but there is a need for more research with children who use AAC. An ABAB Reversal design was used to evaluate the effects of Stay-Play-Talk intervention to increase the social interactions/talk between a child who uses AAC and three peers in an inclusive preschool. Results indicated an increase of social interactions of peers following Stay-Play-Talk in an inclusive classroom.Under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Ledfor
Enhancing NP Residents’ Empathy for People Living with ADRD through Virtual Reality Simulation
No full textSchool of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice Program ProjectPURPOSE:
This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) simulation in enhancing empathy and clinical competencies among post-graduate nurse practitioner (NP) residents, focusing on individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The project assessed changes in empathy, communication, and person-centered care competencies after a 60-minute VR training session.
METHODS:
Fifteen NP residents participated in a pre-and post-test study. Before the intervention, participants completed a survey assessing their baseline experience with ADRD, confidence in empathizing with individuals with dementia, and familiarity with VR technology. After the 60-minute VR session, designed to simulate the lived experience of individuals with ADRD, participants completed a post-training survey to measure changes in empathy, communication, and person-centered care competencies.
RESULTS:
Data analysis revealed improvements in participants' ability to empathize with individuals with ADRD. Empathy scores increased from a pre-training mean of 2.65 to 4.15. Similar improvements were observed in communication skills and understanding of dementia's emotional challenges. Participants reported greater confidence in managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of ADRD and felt more prepared to communicate effectively with patients. Many found the VR experience engaging and educational, providing valuable insights into the lived experience of individuals with ADRD.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:
These findings underscore the practical benefits of VR in healthcare training, particularly in deepening empathy and improving clinical competencies. The results suggest VR is a powerful tool for ADRD care training. This study advocates for the integration of immersive technologies into healthcare education, offering a valuable approach to dementia care that could extend to other healthcare professionals and caregivers. Further research is needed to assess the long-term impact and broader applicability of VR training in diverse healthcare settings
How Family Preferences Shape Competitive Enrollment Pressures and School Leader Perceptions in the New York City High School Market
No full textOver the past three decades, education policy in the United States has increasingly turned to school choice reforms to address persistent disparities in school quality and student outcomes. Advocates argue that by empowering families to select schools that best meet their needs, market pressure will drive low-performing schools to improve and promote innovation across the system. Central to this theory is the concept of competition—the idea that schools, like private firms, respond strategically when faced with the risk of losing students to better-performing alternatives. However, how competition operates in practice is poorly understood. Applying concepts and methodologies from organizational management and social network theory to family application data from the New York City high school admissions process, this dissertation outlines a new, empirically grounded framework for conceptualizing, measuring, and exploring the implications of family preference-generated school competition. Results suggest that schools vary significantly in the competition they face and pose, and various school characteristics, including performance, admissions selectivity, and curricular theme, predict schools’ market positions. Analyzing the market as a complex, networked system reveals underlying submarket structures that break the market into parts, where patterns of competitive relationships are highly clustered within submarket boundaries. Additionally, a survey of NYC high school leaders provides evidence that principals are largely aware of which other schools are more preferred by their applicant pool, and the correlation between leaders’ social network characteristics and the accuracy of their competitive scans suggests professional relationships are important conduits for market-related information
The Development of a Robust Framework to Unlock the Full Potential of Explicit pH Modeling: An Exploration into Simulating pH within a Mathematical Optimization Framework.
No full textHistorically, pH has been regarded as a controlled variable rather than an independent variable. The computation is complex, necessitating an understanding of various dissociation constants and exhibiting sensitivity to environmental conditions. Furthermore, numerous metabolic models inadequately incorporate pH-dependent effects. This dissertation addresses the computation of the pH of cell culture media within a mathematical optimization framework, with the objectives of automating the process and developing adaptable code that can be integrated into metabolic models
Sex-Specific Immune Responses and Immunomodulatory Pathways in Breast Cancer
No full textBreast cancer is a disease that affects women and men. Although less prevalent, male patients have worse disease outcomes than female patients. Sex describes characteristic biological factors associated with females and males. Sex biases are evident in the development and pathologic responses of the immune system. However, male breast cancer is managed based on our knowledge of the female disease and thus the immunobiology of male breast cancer is hugely understudied. These studies explore the role of sex and sex-related factors in shaping the immune microenvironment in breast cancer by utilizing the MMTV-PyMT transgenic murine model of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Our findings reveal distinct differences in immune cell composition, subtype frequencies, and signaling pathways between female and male tumor-bearing mice, suggesting sex-specific immune profiles that may influence disease pathology. Additionally, we demonstrate that tumor hormone receptor (HR) status is associated with the overall immune landscape of implanted tumors. However, estrogen-driven macrophage responses are more pronounced in female tumor-bearing mice, regardless of tumor HR expression. Preliminary studies also identified the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) as a potential modulator of immune responses, showing differential effects between sexes. These results underscore the importance of considering sex in breast cancer immunity and highlight a regulator of tumor immunity in a sex-dependent manner. Future research will be necessary to validate these findings and explore their clinical relevance
Interleukin-10 production by innate lymphoid cells promotes intestinal immune homeostasis in mice
No full textInterleukin-10 (IL-10) is an immunomodulatory cytokine critical for intestinal immune homeostasis. IL-10 is produced by various immune cells but IL-10 receptor signaling in intestinal CX3CR1+ mononuclear phagocytes is necessary to prevent spontaneous colitis in mice. Here, we utilized fluorescent protein reporters and cell-specific targeting and found that Rorc-expressing innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) produce IL-10 in response to anti-CD40-mediated intestinal inflammation. Deletion of Il10 specifically in Rorc-expressing ILCs led to phenotypic changes in intestinal macrophages and exacerbated both innate and adaptive immune-mediated models of experimental colitis. The population of IL-10+ producing ILCs shared markers with both ILC2 and ILC3 with nearly all ILC3s being of the NCR+ subtype. Interestingly, Ccl26 was enriched in IL-10+ ILCs and was markedly reduced in IL-10-deficient ILC3s. Since CCL26 is a ligand for CX3CR1, we employed RNA in situ hybridization and observed increased numbers of ILCs in close proximity to Cx3cr1-expressing cells under inflammatory conditions. Finally, we generated transgenic RorctdTomato reporter mice that faithfully marked RORγt+ cells that could rescue disease pathology and aberrant macrophage phenotype following adoptive transfer into mice with selective Il10 deficiency in ILC3s. These results demonstrate that IL-10 production by a population of ILCs functions to promote immune homeostasis in the intestine possibly via direct effects on intestinal macrophages