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The Monarch Method: Incorporating Authentic Movement into the College Counseling Framework
No full textThe purpose of this capstone thesis was to develop a method that looks at the ways in which Authentic Movement can be implemented into verbal therapy settings. Specifically, I looked at how the elements of "Noticing, Responding and Verbalizing" could help students deepen intrapersonal, interpersonal and unconscious processes within the therapeutic context. This is a collaboration that has never been previously done, but it is one that has the potential to increase the possibility for dance/movement therapy inclusion within verbal counseling settings. The literature review includes sources addressing trauma, the body and movement, college counseling, dance/movement therapy, and authentic movement. The Monarch method is intended to increase the potential for unconscious processing within verbal therapy by utilizing dance/movement therapy in the form of a modified Authentic Movement approach.M.A., Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling -- Drexel University, 201
The effect of insulin on self-assembly and toxicity of amyloid [beta]-protein: Implications to type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease
No full textAlzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with self-assembly of amyloid [beta]-protein (A[beta]) into soluble oligomers. Of the two predominant A[beta] alloforms, A[beta]40 and A[beta]42, the latter is particularly strongly linked to AD. Longitudinal studies revealed a correlation between AD and type 2 diabetes (T2D), characterized by abnormal insulin levels and insulin resistance. Although administration of intranasal insulin is explored as a therapy against AD, it is unclear to which extent insulin affects A[beta] dynamics and activity. We here investigate the effect of insulin on A[beta]42 self-assembly and characterize the capacity of insulin, A[beta]42, and A[beta]42 coincubated with insulin to disrupt the integrity of biomimetic lipid vesicles. We demonstrate that quiescently incubated insulin, which does not form amyloid fibrils, over time develops membrane-disrupting capacity which may be attributed to misfolded insulin monomers. These toxic insulin monomers might contribute to the development of insulin resistance in early stages of T2D, which are associated with abnormally high insulin levels. We show that in contrast to quiescent incubation, insulin incubated at agitated conditions readily forms amyloid fibrils, which protect against membrane permeation. Insulin quiescently incubated with A[beta]42 attenuates both A[beta]42 fibril formation and the ability of A[beta]42 to disrupt membranes in a concentration dependent manner. Our findings offer insights into interactions between insulin and A[beta]42 that are relevant to understanding the molecular basis of intranasal insulin as a therapy against A[beta]-induced AD pathology, thereby elucidating a plausible mechanism underlying the observed correlations between AD and T2D pathologies.Ph.D., Physics -- Drexel University, 201
Criminal Prosecution of Substance Use During Pregnancy: An Examination of Judicial and Public Perceptions
No full textAs substance use disorders continue to impact society, the number of women who misuse substances during pregnancy has increased. The resulting growing prevalence of neonatal withdrawal has medical, legal, and child welfare implications. However, approaches to intervention have been met with a significant lack of consensus among treatment providers, the general public, policymakers, and the legal system. This study examined judges’ and the general public’s opinions on a legal and child welfare approach to prenatal substance use. Participants in the judge sample (N = 175), which consisted of United States judges who preside over state-level court, were randomized to one of three prenatal substance use conditions: 1) alcohol; 2) benzodiazepine; and 3) prescription opioid. Participants in the general public sample (N = 467), which consisted of voting-eligible United States citizens, were randomized to one of four conditions: 1) alcohol; 2) benzodiazepine; 3) prescription opioid; and 4) heroin. Overall, only 37.7% of judges recommended that the mother be criminally prosecuted after giving birth to a child with NAS, whereas the majority of the general public (72.2%) recommended prosecution. General public participants were significantly more likely to recommend ongoing monitoring for a woman who used benzodiazepines and loss of custody for a woman who used heroin. Significant differences in child welfare and criminal prosecution outcomes did not emerge among the judge sample as a function of type of substance use. Implications for research, policy, legal practice, and rehabilitation are discussed.Ph.D., Psychology -- Drexel University, 201
Resting state functional connectivity of loss of control eating and weight concern in youth
No full textEating disorders (EDs) are difficult to treat and understanding the etiology of symptoms of the disease, including neural correlates, can aid in uncovering early risk factors to target for disease prevention. Loss of control (LOC) eating that accompanies binge eating in individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge eating disorder (BED), and the over-concern with weight and shape (WC), a characteristic of individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and BN, are two symptoms that often predict later development of EDs. In this study we examine fMRI resting state functional connectivity in individuals from a population sample (ages 10-20 years) with LOC (n =39), WC (n=43) and with both LOC and WC (n =37), compared to controls (n =36), to uncover differential brain networks underlying these symptoms. Results showed that individuals with LOC eating had decreased connectivity of executive control regions to regions related to self-processing, and individuals with WC had decreased connectivity within sensory regions, and between somatosensory to visual processing regions. The group with both LOC and WC had decreased connectivity within sensory and reward regions, and between reward regions to visual and attentional processing regions, as well as increased connectivity between an inhibitory control region to sensory regions. Results suggest altered brain connectivity is related to ED symptoms even in the absence of ED diagnosis, and because the results were in a young sample these disruptions are likely early neurological markers prior to onset of disease.M.S., Psychology -- Drexel University, 201
Models Addressing Sustainability and Risk Issues in Global Supply Chains
No full textGlobal supply chains have become increasingly complex, interconnected and interdependent, thus, managing this complexity and the associated supply chain risks is the key for a firm to gain and maintain competitive advantage. Nowadays, sustainability has introduced another layer to supply chain complexity, and addressing supply chain risks and sustainability issues together are the two greatest concerns for supply chain executives. Thus, this dissertation explores three important strategic issues in global supply chains. The first strategic issue deals with the design of contracts to mitigate the exchange rate volatility risk between a buyer and a supplier in global supply chains during outsourcing. Two types of currency exchange rate flexibility contracts are proposed to explore the characteristics of exchange rate risk mitigation policies for the buyer and the supplier. Furthermore, the effects of contract structures on the optimal order quantity, as well as the expected profits of both supply chain members are investigated. The second major issue addressed focuses on the trade-off between supply chain sustainability-related risks and cost in the supplier selection and order allocation problem, often encountered in outsourcing manufacturing. An integrated model that utilizes principal component analysis-based approach for evaluating supplier's sustainability performance and a bi-objective mixed integer programming model for supplier selection and order quantity allocation is developed. Then, an illustrative example of outsourcing contract manufacturers in the US apparel industry is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework in practice. The final strategic issue examined in this dissertation is the design of an integrated production-distribution network to reduce environmental risk, which focuses on the minimization of carbon emissions from transportation activities in the entire supply chain. A mixed integer linear programming model is developed for a three-echelon supply chain network design problem, in a deterministic, multi-period, multi-product environment with a finite planning horizon. This model minimizes the total supply chain cost and solves strategic, tactical, and operational decision-making problems which include: locating distribution centers, the quantity of each product to produce, frequency of flow of delivery vehicles, as well as the allocation of inventory to each echelon of the supply chain. A numerical study is conducted through illustrative examples in order to demonstrate the applicability of this model and gain some managerial insights.Ph.D., Business Administration -- Drexel University, 201
Understanding the Effects of Age and Safety Countermeasures on Occupant Kinematics in Low-Acceleration, Time-Extended Events
No full textA significant role of safety countermeasures and vehicle restraints is to minimize contact between the occupant and vehicle interior; thereby significantly reducing the risk and incidence of injury. Current testing protocols evaluate restraint performance with an optimally positioned ATDs or HBMs (e.g., seated upright against the seat back, gaze forward and hands on the lap); however, occupant position may be influenced by pre-crash maneuvers. Low-acceleration time-extended (LATE) events, such as evasive swerving, often precede a crash event. The inertial forces during LATE events have the potential to cause changes to the occupant's initial state (initial posture, position, muscle tension). Evasive swerving can displace occupants away from idealized seating positions and may induce bracing or muscle tensing as inherent reaction strategies. In turn, the occupant's pre-crash state may compromise the restraint system's performance and its contribution to occupant protection during the crash phase. Common out-of-position or sub-optimal positions and the injury risks associated with them have yet to be determined. In addition, the level of restraint robustness to accommodate changes in occupant size and state remains largely unknown. Hence, it is imperative to study occupant kinematics during pre-crash events because the optimal performance of restraint systems requires an accurate assessment of the pre-crash position of the occupant. Developmental differences that occur between adolescence to adulthood may also affect occupant kinematic responses. Therefore, the objective of this study is to quantify the kinematic response of restrained pediatric, young adult and adult human volunteers during a simulated evasive swerving maneuver and evaluate the effects of age, two safety countermeasures (e.g., pre-pretensioning and inflated torso bolsters), and muscle response, on occupant kinematics. This research was approved by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Drexel University Institutional Review Boards. A novel laboratory device was custom constructed for this study to expose human subjects to non-injurious loading conditions that mimic real-world evasive swerving events. A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to determine the appropriate oscillatory acceleration and magnitude that is safe for human subject testing and also representative of dynamic pre-crash field data. The acceleration pulse was determined to be safe and repeatable and exposed subjects to oscillatory peak lateral accelerations of 0.72 ± 0.04 g. Healthy male subjects were selected such that they resembled the broad range of occupant ages and sizes found in the second-row passenger seat of a motor vehicle. In total, 40 male human volunteers, ages 9-11 years (n=10), 12-14 years (n=10), 15-17 years (n=10) and 18-40 years (n=10), were tested. Each subject was exposed to a series of test conditions (relaxed, braced, pre-pretensioned seat belt, sculpted vehicle seat with and without inflated torso bolsters) while their kinematics were captured using 3D motion‐capture and muscle activity was recorded. The implementation of a pre-pretensioner, otherwise known as a reversible motorized seat belt, was an effective vehicle countermeasure during a simulated evasive swerving maneuver as it substantially reduced lateral head and trunk displacement as well as limited transverse trunk rotation by approximately 50%. Kinematic differences were observed across the subsequent cycles of the test; the first cycle, likely representing an unaware occupant, experienced the largest lateral displacement, despite having the lowest lateral acceleration. Bracing was studied as a volunteer induced countermeasure, and it significantly reduced peak lateral head and trunk displacement by approximately 40%, independent of age. Analysis of the mean muscle response aligned with the resulting kinematics. These results suggest that the occupants employ various neuromuscular strategies to counteract motion as they become more aware of the loading condition. Last, some subjects employed transverse trunk rotation during the cyclic maneuver; however, this kinematic strategy did not have age-specific implications. Findings from this data set can help guide the implementation of safety countermeasures that are relevant to the pre-crash phase. Additionally, acquisition of such data, which includes a broad range of occupant ages and sizes, is essential for the validation of computational human body models and anthropomorphic testing devices. Although such data has an automotive focus, this research emphasizes the study of biomechanics is at the interface of active and passive safety.Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering -- Drexel University, 201
Suborbital Spaceflight Vehicle Analysis for Single Pilot Operations
No full textThe advent of commercial spaceflight vehicles has yielded a question as to the number of crewmembers required to safely and efficiently operate these vehicles. No studies have been conducted on the subject due to the novelty of the industry, nor have similar relevant studies been performed in adjacent disciplines. A study was conducted to determine if a winged suborbital spaceflight vehicle (SSV) can be flown by only one pilot. It is hypothesized that this will be case. If these vehicles can be flown with one pilot, this will simplify the design of the craft, reduce the operating costs for the industry and increase opportunities for flights. In the absence of real vehicles, a dynamic flight simulation capable high-performance human centrifuge was modified with an SSV representative aeromodel and utilized as a surrogate for an actual vehicle. The study utilized two well established rating scales, the Cooper-Harper and Bedford, in order to determine if the vehicle can be flown on the required trajectory, including monitoring systems, by a single pilot. The study did find that for the conditions examined an SSV can be flown by a single pilot.Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering -- Drexel University, 201
Exploring Student and Staff Perceptions of Customer Service Support Within a Student Enrollment System in University A
No full textCreating a supportive environment for new students in an institution of higher education (IHE) is imperative for a university. Within the supportive environment, the IHE stakeholders must understand what the students' needs are and build structures and procedures to meet those needs. When the customer service support needs of students are not met, this could result in a decline in enrollment for an institution. There is a need to understand higher education student and staff perceptions of the quality of customer service provided within enrollment service areas for new students in University A. In addition, it is important to understand student satisfaction and their need for support offered during the enrollment process. The purpose of this concurrent mixed methods study was to explore student and staff perceptions about the effectiveness of a decentralized enrollment services model to understand student satisfaction with support services and customer service needs in University A. In doing so, this study sought to unveil how student support needs are being met and the barriers that could be affecting the efficacy of a decentralized student enrollment services model. The researcher conducted a concurrent mixed methods research design study to explore and collect quantitative data through a student survey and qualitative data through individual staff interviews. The results indicated (a) there is a lack of structure surrounding university policies and procedures as it relates to customer service at University A, (b) new students do not have one clear identified path to take when contacting the University, (c) enrollment service staff are currently trained only in their own service area and do not feel as if they have the cross-training or knowledge to provide new students with guidance as it pertains to other service areas, and (d) quantitative student data and qualitative staff correlate to identify a need to improve customer service offerings for new students. This information will guide future initiatives and opportunities for improvement within the service areas at the University.Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Management -- Drexel University, 201
Authentic Engagement and Education: Identifying the Key Factors of Authentic Engagement in High School Seniors
No full textThis qualitative case study explored the characteristics of authentic engagement of high school seniors. School engagement is a positive influence on a student's academic achievement, but to fully comprehend school engagement, understanding and perspectives of student experiences is needed. This study intended to capture student perceptions of the factors and characteristics that shaped their sense of belonging, connectedness, and engagement with high school. Literature pertaining to a creating sense of belonging, engagement opportunities of high school students, and the different dimensions of school engagement were reviewed and served as the research foundation for the study. A social constructivist approach was used to understand the factors that influence school engagement and answer the research questions that focused on the forces and challenges of engagement with the school community. A review of archival records on various student engagement levels and student grade point average along with four focus groups interviews was utilized to explore the key characteristics of school engagement of high school students.Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Management -- Drexel University, 201
Retrospective Student Experiences: A Study of Living with Persistent Environmental Stress During High School
No full textHome lives filled with stressors such as poverty, mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness are some of the often-unrecognized realities students in schools across America face. These realities often put high-school students at risk for underperforming. Many current political policies are not suited to deal with the issues these students present, even though many of these policies provide guidelines for specific preventive measures, often in the form of student support programs embedded within high schools. However, little is known of the students' own perceptions of the intersection between their stressful home lives and high-school success. This study proposes to consider the experiences and stories of former high school students reflecting on their chronically stressful home environments and their experiences with supportive programs in high school. Understanding students' own perceptions will inform future practice within high schools. The findings of this study may be significant in redesigning student assistance programs across the state to provide supports that allow students to achieve academically and personally to their fullest potential. This phenomenological study is based on a conceptual framework with three main streams: struggles of students living with chronic stress, student support programs, and policy considerations. It also seeks to answer the following central question and three related sub-questions: 1. Central Question: How do former high-school students describe their chronically stressful home environments during high school, and how did the high school and supportive programming they may or may not have received at the time influence their home, social, or academic experiences? 2. Sub-Questions: a. What specific characteristics of high school do former high-school students identify as successfully supporting their ability to manage their chronically stressful environments? b. How did these characteristics allow for greater success during their high-school years? c. How do former high-school students who endured chronically stressful home environments describe their personal interactions with and attitudes toward school-facilitated services and support programs while in high school?Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Management -- Drexel University, 201