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A flow-based model for electronegative impurity transport in EXO-200
No full textAn observation of neutrinoless double beta decay, a hypothetical second-order weak interaction, may reveal the Dirac/Majorana nature of the neutrinos and demonstrate lepton number violation. The EXO-200 experiment was designed to search for neutrinoless double beta decay using an ultra-low background single-phase time projection chamber. The detector contains 110~kg of active liquid xenon, isotopically enriched in Xe-136, which acts as both the decaying nucleus and detection medium. To optimize the signal of such a detector, the liquid xenon needs to be kept free of electronegative impurities which could interact with drifting electron signals and reduce energy resolution. This study investigates whether fitting the ionization signals from the two time projection chamber halves separately or combining the datasets for fitting yields a more accurate purity correction. The latter method was found to improve the purity correction on the EXO-200 data and has been implemented in the EXO-200 standard analysis pipeline. Using the combined dataset, a purification model and its modifications have been developed and tested. The purification model utilizes the physical parameters measured in the detector and can improve the understanding of purity behavior in the detector, while providing detector measurements. The fitting performance of the 2-Phase Model to EXO-200 electron lifetime data is shown to be comparable to that of the polynomial function method. In addition, the 2-Phase Model can adapt to changes in the system and does not require human input, thus eliminating any inconsistency in the purity correction for the ionization energy in the physics data.Ph.D., Physics -- Drexel University, 201
Imagery of Elements: A Trauma/Informed Dance Movement Therapy Method to Stabilize Adults in a Short-Term Psychiatric Hospital
No full textThe purpose of this capstone project thesis was to develop a method to stabilize adults in a short-term psychiatric hospital using dance/movement therapy (DMT) within a trauma-informed framework. A vast number of the population has experienced trauma at some point in their life and extensive literature links trauma and long-term mental health concerns. The literature supports the need for clinicians to practice within a trauma-informed framework to prevent further harming or re-traumatizing clients. Dance/ movement therapy literature suggests that DMT is an effective way of treating survivors of trauma by utilizing the somatic responses to trauma which are reflected through movement. With this knowledge, this method was developed as a structured, explorative method to help survivors of various traumas engage in reflection and self-expression to maintain a present-centered focus and reach emotional regulation. The developed method is entitled Elements, and includes a sequence structure of three main components: sensory awareness, rhythmic synchrony and self-generated imagery of elements. Case vignettes are provided to demonstrate the development of this method and how the Elements method solidified within four sessions.M.A., Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling -- Drexel University, 201
SEEDS: Using Dance/Movement Therapy to Observe and Foster Attunement Between Caregivers and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
No full textThe purpose of this project is to develop a method to foster attunement between caregivers and their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The literature review includes relevant articles and research addressing dance/movement therapy, self-regulation, nonverbal communication, attunement, relational interventions, and assessment scales. The method, entitled SEEDS, is intended to facilitate attunement between caregivers and their children with ASD through the use of dance/movement therapy (DMT) interventions in dyadic sessions. The SEEDS method is a guide for dance/movement therapists that spans from the first meeting with the dyad, through to summarization of the sessions together. Additionally, I reflect on my experience developing the method, the strengths and challenges of the method, future implications of the method, and my growth as an emerging dance/movement therapist.M.A., Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling -- Drexel University, 201
An Explanatory Mixed-Methods Study of How First Year Students Perceive Their Creativity and Innovation at a College of Technology in Pennsylvania
No full textIncreasingly, employers are demanding further development and attainment of soft skills from college graduates; namely, the cluster of personality traits such as time management, decision-making and creativity that characterize positive working experiences and relationships (Kamin, 2013; IBM, 2010). This phenomenon is due to employers recognizing that future economic success can only be achieved when future employees are able to adapt to a changing and more complex world, and more precisely, develop their ability to think creatively and innovatively (IBM, 2010). The literature shows that higher education has sought to respond to these industry needs and has implemented elective creativity and innovation courses with limited success, but has not addressed this issue in a holistic manner for all college graduates. Follow-up studies continue to show a creativity and innovation disconnect still occurs (Marshall & Kinser, 2012). Therefore, addressing this issue in a systematic and sustainable manner, this study will examine implementing creativity and innovation in a non-elective First Year Experience (FYE) course in a college of technology. Building upon the literature, this explanatory mixed-methods study seeks to show how the FYE course serves as an appropriate paradigm to address these desired outcomes in an effort to adequately prepare college graduates for the 21st century workforce.Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Management -- Drexel University, 201
The Flow of Sickle Blood Through Glass Capillaries and Its Diagnostic Implications
No full textSickle Cell Anemia is a genetic disease arising from a point mutation on the [beta]-subunit of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells. This change in a single amino acid ([beta]6: Glu to Val) leads to polymerization of sickle hemoglobin into stiff fibers that cause the cell to become rigid upon deoxygenation. Sickle cell disease affects approximately 80,000 Americans, and it is estimated that 300,000 children are born each year with sickle cell disease. In this work we investigate whether there is sufficient information contained within the flow of blood through narrow glass capillaries to detect the presence of sickle hemoglobin. Blood samples are observed to flow through these capillaries via capillary action, and a relative viscosity is deduced. We observe the flow of blood in both oxygenated and deoxygenated states. We observe the deoxygenated flow of blood is considerably slower than the flow of oxygenated blood for sickle blood, while there is no change in AA blood. We find that the relative viscosities for oxygenated and deoxygenated blood vary by genotype. Sickle disease detection is most reliably achieved by observing the ratio of deoxygenated to oxygenated relative viscosity. We find an average ratio value of 2.8 for sickle genotypes, while the ratio for AA was measured as 1.1. We find that the sickle genotypes are distinguishable as well, though with less resolution. The method is expected to be resistant to confounding effects such as temperature differences and viscosity increasing conditions, such as malarial infections. We find that this method is able to indicate the presence of anemia as well as sickle cell therapy efficacy. We also report on the formation of a dense phase behind the advancing meniscus in deoxygenated sickle blood flow experiments. This cap grows linearly with displacement. We find the cap to be the probable source of the deviation from Lucas-Washburn behavior. An analysis of all deoxygenated flow measurements showed that these characteristic deviations can be described by an added back-pressure in the Lucas-Washburn equation. This back-pressure term was found to be of the same functional form as the hydrostatic back-pressure due to gravity in the vertical rise through capillaries.Ph.D., Physics -- Drexel University, 201
Investigation of Neurobiological Reward Processing: Impact on Treatment Outcomes for Binge Eating
No full textPoor inhibition and high food reward sensitivity are linked with binge eating pathology, but few studies have examined whether these variables predict treatment outcome, especially with neuroimaging methods. We examined the relation of pre-treatment neurobiological correlates and neurocognitive measures of food-based reward inhibition to outcomes from a 7-session Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy guided self-help treatment for binge eating. Participants were 13 adults with clinically significant binge eating (69.2% female; body mass index M=34.68, SD=4.15). Pre-treatment, we measured prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation with a wearable neuroimaging tool, functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy, during a behavioral task with blocks of 5-second video clip trials. We created contrast values between two blocks (12 trials each) that instructed participants to either: cognitively "resist" palatable food videos versus "watch" neutral videos. We additionally measured reward inhibition by performance on a food-based stop-signal task (SST). We examined relation of PFC activity and SST performance to: (1) percent change in binge eating frequency pre-treatment to post-treatment; (2) change in Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) global scores pre- to post-treatment; and (3) percent change in binge eating frequency pre-treatment to 3-month follow-up. Due to the small sample, we reported relations of at least medium strength (r ≥ .3). Greater activation in left ventromedial prefrontal cortex (region responsible for response inhibition) was significantly related to greater decreases pre- to post-treatment in EDE scores (r = .714, p = .047). Other PFC regions responsible for inhibition (left ventrolateral and bilateral ventromedial) showed similar relations with pre- to post-treatment percent changes in binge eating (r = .358 to .418) and changes in EDE scores (r= .500 to .583), at trend level. Greater reward inhibition performance (SST) also significantly related to greater decreases pre- to post-treatment in EDE scores (r = .764, p = .006) and at trend level, related to greater percent decreases pre- to post-treatment in binge eating (r = .469). However, relations between pre-treatment inhibition (neural correlates and inhibition performance) and pre-treatment to post-treatment binge eating change were not maintained by 3-month follow-up. In fact, greater percent increases pre-treatment to 3-month follow-up in binge eating frequency was associated with greater activation in the left ventromedial PFC (r = .345 to .633) and left superior frontal gyrus (r = .582), but all at trend level. Pre-treatment to 3-month follow-up binge frequency change was not related to other inhibition areas of the PFC or reward inhibition performance (SST). We found that there was variability in participant changes in binge eating from post-treatment to 3-month follow-up, including two participants with large decreases in binge eating during treatment but relapses after treatment. Overall, our results extend previous food-based SST research and preliminarily support that food-based reward inhibition, evidenced by activation in specific inhibitory PFC regions and inhibition performance, may represent an important therapeutic target for binge eating during the course of treatment. Additional research is needed with larger samples, particularly for post-treatment follow-up time points.M.S., Psychology -- Drexel University, 201
Examining the Knowledge and Perceptions of Division II Collegiate Athletic Administrators, Staff, and Coaches Regarding Gender Equity and Title IX Standards
No full textTitle IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education (The United States Department of Justice, n.d.). Although Title IX was enacted over 45 years ago, college athletic departments remain non-compliant with the law (U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 2016; Women's Law Project, 2014), suggesting a need for research regarding barriers to compliance. A central piece in the Title IX enforcement mechanism is engagement on the part of constituencies who are affected by the law. In effect, the accountability mechanism to ensure Title IX compliance rests with those who are educated about its requirements. Within athletic departments, those constituencies include coaches, administrators, staff members, and athletes. This paper provides an overview of the literature that documents knowledge deficiencies among those constituencies (Staurowsky & Weight, 2013; Weight & Staurowsky, 2014; Staurowsky, Zonder, & Reimer, 2017) as well as the lack of Title IX compliance, proportionality gaps, and ongoing litigations among Division II institutions (U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 2012, 2014, 2015a, 2016; Women's Law Project, 2014, 2017). The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative, cross-sectional survey research was to examine the levels of knowledge and perceptions among Division II athletic administrators, staff, and coaches regarding Title IX standards at their institution. More specifically, this study sought to gain a more in-depth understanding of overall knowledge and perceptions among Division II participants, as well as, determine if any differences existed between the respondents based on gender, position, and team coached. This study found that, on average, participants' knowledge ranged from 0 to 6 with a mean of 3.04 (SD = 1.64). In addition, this study revealed that the main effect of position was statistically significant; (F(2, 124)=6.99, p.05). Further, it was discovered that the main effect for coach by team gender was not statistically different between groups (p>.05). Regarding perceptions, participants' perceptions were similar when looking at Overall Perceptions, Opportunities for Participation & Scholarship, Benefits and Services, Awareness and Understanding. This study found the main effect of gender and the interaction effect between position and gender was not statistically significant (p.05). Finally, the main effect for coach by team gender was not statistically different between groups (p>.05). The value of this kind of research lies in its potential to influence the implementation of Title IX policy at the institutional and department level with the goal of achieving full Title IX compliance within university athletic departments.Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Management -- Drexel University, 201
Investigation into synaptic and post-synaptic events of RAD51 mediated Homologous Recombination
No full textHomologous Recombination (HR) is the only means by which the deadliest form of DNA damage (Double Strand Break) can be repaired without error. Thus, I set out to better understand HR. Specifically, I wanted to address two holes in the field which were: (1) how are the template DNA strands found (synapsis) during HR; and (2) what happens afterwards. To address these two questions, I purified the main mammalian recombinase (RAD51) and other key proteins involved in HR to study in vitro. Through my studies, I have found that synapsis occurs through RAD51-nucleoprotein complexes which we term Homology-Search-Networks. This network has the following characteristics: (1) it consists of ssDNA, dsDNA, and RAD51; (2) it is essential to strand-exchange; (3) it is organized ; and (4) it is based upon multiple weak contacts. Furthermore, I found that in the post-synaptic phase, RAD51 dissociates D-Loops by unwinding dsDNA. Moreover, this process can be controlled by BRCA2 through BRC4 interaction. The result is a fine-tuning mechanism at the site of DNA damage to control strand-exchange and thereby HR. The implication is that the old notions of co-aggregates during synapsis can be updated and the current findings fit nicely with new single-molecule studies by Kowalczykowski, Ha, and Greene. Furthermore, my post-synaptic findings provide a solid molecular mechanism of the RAD51-BRCA2 homeostasis that controls Homologous Recombination. Together, my work will impact the fields of DNA repair, cancer biology, and genetic engineering.Ph.D., Biochemistry -- Drexel University, 201
Chemical Synthesis of Antibody-Recruiting Small Molecule (ARM) HIV Entry Inhibitors
No full textHIV-1 accounts for the vast majority cause of AIDS in the world. Viral entry is the first phase of the HIV replication cycle which begins with the attachment of virus onto the surface of the host cell and ends with the injection of viral genetic materials into the infected cells after the fusion of the viral and cell membrane. In recent years, antibody therapies are playing an influential role in treating human diseases, especially for viral infections. Because the limitations of contemporary combination remedies and antibody-based therapies, patients need a cure medication to thoroughly eliminate HIV from their body. Now we introduce antibody-recruiting small molecules (ARMs) as a cutting-edge strategy to treat AIDS. ARMs are bifunctional small molecules which are able to simultaneously associate with target cells or pathogens and recruit endogenous antibodies. The immune-mediated clearance will activate once the ternary complexes are formed, thus leading to the apoptosis or lysis of the targeted pathogenic cells or virus. Here, this work introduced the synthesis of several CCR5- and gp120-binding ARMs which are not only can recruit antibodies to the cells and virus, but also able to block CCR5 and gp120 receptors to inhibit the entry of HIV into the host cells. Also, this study indicated the modification of current HIV inhibitors into ARMs would not discard their inhibitory effect.M.S., Pharmacology and Physiology -- Drexel University, 201
Drexel University Community-Based Master’s Project Students Care Hospital Buddy Program
No full textPsychosocial can relate to how individuals use their personal experiences to structure how they create new perspectives, coping with situations, and problem-solving. The term psychosocial pertains to the relation of the intertwining of social factors and individual thought and behavior (Dictionary). There are approximately 40,000 children across the world that are diagnosed and make the decision to undergo cancer treatment (Cure Search). The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that every year 9,000 new children are diagnosed with cancer (American Psychological Association). StudentsCare, a non-profit organization, focuses on improving the overall hospital experience for pediatric residents by supporting their psychosocial needs and care. StudentsCare incorporates a subsection of their organization, the Hospital Buddy Program, to help create an environment promoting compassion and emotional support for patients. In this study, we assessed ways that StudentsCare could be able to achieve improvement in hospital ratings, patient health outcomes, and empathy-related care. This was done through the identification of the various themes and knowledge for program need, impact, and empathy-related care. Program impact is the general understanding of the importance of psychosocial support services and the positive influence that they serve to patients and their families. Empathy-related care incorporates compassion and a deeper understanding of one and what strategies can be put in place to increase ones over wellbeing. To incorporate these mechanisms to improve psychosocial services, we've concluded findings in research to extend current data collection tools and the development of patient/parent satisfactory surveys to measure short and long-term goals. The logic model provided by StudentsCare showed an overview of their goals and mission to ultimately reach their impact goal of improving the hospital experience for pediatric oncology patients and their families. Stakeholders such as patients, parents, and volunteers are a measure to ensure that their needs are being met. Throughout this study, we found some barriers in the research included limited research topic, relying on quantitative survey methodology, limited volunteer psychosocial programs, and possible self-reporting bias.M.P.H., Community Health and Prevention -- Drexel University, 201