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Training Latinos in Philadelphia to Increase Community Resilience: A Qualitative Analysis
No full textFor Latinos, increased risk for health disparities such as poverty, low education, and even discrimination lead to a potentially greater impact of poor health outcomes such as HIV/AIDS, violence, mental health disorders, and alcohol abuse. New strategies to promote resilience in the Latino community can be employed to offer a strengths-based approach that highlights adaptability among groups who experience adversity. This Community-Based Masters' Project paper explores the connection of Latino health improvement and community resilience by way of trainings conducted in Philadelphia. A qualitative study which incorporated semi-structured interviews with individuals who previously completed a Community Resilience training sought to demonstrate how Community Resilience training affected Latinos immigrants and to highlight specific suggestions from the CR training participants for future Latino-focused interventions in Philadelphia. The specific aims proposed were: 1. Understand how CR training transforms participants' self-perceptions and opinion of their own resilience; 2. Evaluate if and how CR participants have used the knowledge and skills gained from the training to effectively impact their communities; and 3. Provide recommendations for future interventions by addressing potential changes in CR training design and methods. The CR training was found to be impactful to both the individual and the community. Participants were able to define resilience as well as contribute recommendations for future implementation of CR trainings. Results suggest that there is a need in Philadelphia for safe and supportive spaces where community members can come together and continue to learn about resilience. Additionally, removing barriers such as costs and location can increase the effect of recruitment efforts on CR training for Latinos. In particular, essential to strengthening the resilience of Latino immigrants in Philadelphia, is making the CR training better known as the target population already has an interest in interventions that allow personal growth and interaction with the community. Finally, the data gathered from the qualitative analysis serves to provide additional strategies for implementation of future CR trainings for Latinos. Through the analysis of the data from the participant interviews, results were gathered that might help inform future initiatives for Latino health and propose recommendations for future CR trainings.M.P.H., Community Health and Prevention -- Drexel University, 201
Effects on the Rotation of a Body Containing a Freely Moving Mass Along an Axis
No full textIn this study, a wing system in three different coordinates, x, y and z, was established. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of increasing rotation of a vehicle in order to escape some dangerous conditions in a short time interval. The angular velocities of masses on the three coordinate axes were examined and the effect of their position on the angular velocity was investigated. The aim was to determine how the angular velocity is increased or decreased and if this occurs immediately by changing the location of the masses. Ultimately, the investigation of changing angular velocity instantaneously to prevent dangerous accidents was targeted by sudden rotation of the vehicle. Initially, the state of the angular velocity was studied when the masses are stationary because the moment of inertia does not play an important role. The result is that the angular velocities for the different masses will be the same value as their initial value. Also, it is assumed that there are no external forces such as gravity and friction. Therefore, our vehicle rotates at the same initial speed. Second, the effect on the angular velocities when some mass on each axis change position and move further down to the outer ends of the system was studied. In this case, 'some mass' means the mass on the axes in which the vehicle is not rotating. In other words, in order to rotate the vehicle about the x-axis, we need to know the positions of the y and z masses. Therefore, there are only two masses that play a role on the vehicle rotation. After setting the initial conditions it was obtained that when the position of the masses was altered, the angular velocities were seen to decrease based on our simulations using the Matlab program. Changing the position of the mass undeniably changes the moment of inertia which in turn cause the angular velocity to change and not stay at the same speed. The last simulation in this study was investigated for the condition when all the masses are not stationary. In this case, all three masses on their respective axes are moving. The respective distances of each mass from its initial starting point and its effect on the angular velocity as the masses moved further towards the outer ends of the system was examined. In the previous case only, movement of two of the three masses were simulated and its effect on angular velocity determined. The critical positioning of the three masses was expected to greatly affect the angular velocity considering that the positions of the mass can significantly alter the angular velocity. The change in positions were simulated in Matlab and it was observed that as the masses moved further outward the angular velocities decrease and reached a constant limit.M.S., Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics -- Drexel University, 201
Through a Viewfinder: An Art Therapy Intern's Experience Working in Hospice Care
No full textThe purpose of this arts-based heuristic study was to explore the experience of an art therapy graduate student interning at a hospice care facility using photography and journaling as a means of identity exploration. The researcher engaged in a heuristic inquiry as modeled by Moustakas's six-phase process. The rationale for this study was to gain a greater understanding of an art therapy intern’s experience in hospice care and explore how end of life care impacts one's spiritual, personal, and professional identity. The themes identified by the researcher were nature, grief process, flexibility, seeking support, humor, self-care, and wishes, which contributed to the researchers’ greater understanding of working in hospice care. Implications include reengagement in this heuristic process to explore long term impacts of end of life care. Additionally, other clinicians interested in self-exploration or the heuristic process may benefit from the photography and narrative methodology.M.A., Art Therapy and Counseling -- Drexel University, 201
Feminist-informed approaches to art therapy in cancer care
No full textThe purpose of this capstone thesis was to develop a method that incorporated the use of verbal processing, art making, and patient narrative exploration through feminist theory and art therapy among patients living with life-threatening diseases. Adults with cancer tend to have a variety of psychosocial and physical challenges that come with cancer and cancer treatments. Many individuals living with cancer may also experience intense emotions, feelings of grief and loss, fears of reoccurrence or death, or changes in perceptions in the way they view the world or how others might view them. The literature demonstrated that art therapy sessions with adults living with cancer tend to be beneficial in the exploration of meaning-making, decision making, emotion regulation, reduction of anxiety and depression, and to strengthen sense of self and control. Literature that explored art therapy in oncology through a feminist approach was limited to date, but demonstrated the importance of empowerment and human connection. Through my work as an art therapy intern at an inner-city hospital, I found that feminist-informed art therapy approaches allowed patients to explore their narrative, promoted empowerment, and encourage attunement in a way that was different to "traditional" art therapy. I uncovered four main principles through my research, my studies, and working directly with patients; variability and flexibility, empowerment and control, the socioemotional states alongside the medical, and the use of the clinician as the material. I am sure with further research that more principles will be added but these four principles allowed my method to become more organized and solidified.M.A., Art Therapy and Counseling -- Drexel University, 201
The role of norepinephrine in modulating amyloid beta peptides: Implications for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disease
No full textNorepinephrine (NE) exerts a global influence on brain function, from modulating local neuro-inflammatory responses to facilitating large-scale, task-related behaviors. Targeting the brain NE system has proven to be a powerful tool for the treatment of stress-related psychiatric diseases such as depression and anxiety. The ability of NE to influence these highly complex disorders is at least in part due to its role in mediating the central stress response, whose dysregulation results in hyper-arousal, mood-disorders, and a number of other chronic systemic diseases. Stress is also a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and emerging evidence suggests an important role of NE in the etiology and progression of AD. Amplification of the stress system disrupts cellular and molecular processes at the synapse, promoting the production and secretion of A[beta]42 peptides and numerous studies indicate that NE can exert profound effects on the production and clearance of A[beta]42 peptides. Thus, the dysregulation of NE under conditions of chronic stress, psychiatric disease, or LC degeneration may directly contribute to an aberrant increase in A[beta]42, suggesting that targeting the NE system may be a novel approach to modulating A[beta]42 levels in early stages of AD to slow or halt the progression of disease. To investigate the subcellular relationship between NE and A[beta], neuroanatomical studies were conducted in the locus coeruleus (LC)- medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) pathway to determine the distribution of endogenous monomeric A[beta]42 peptides with respect to NE neurons. A42 levels were then measured in two murine models that underwent depletion of NE. Results showed that A[beta]42 was localized to the LC and mPFC of male and female rats. NE depletion reduced A42 levels in both models, an effect potentially mediated by the 2-adrenergic receptor (AR). To better understand the link between NE, chronic stress and aberrant A42 accumulation, we used mice that conditionally overexpress corticotropin releasing factor (CRF OE) to determine if perturbation of the stress-signaling axis would alter A[beta]42 levels or distribution. While overall levels of A42 were not significantly different, we observed a redistribution of A[beta]42 in the LC of male and female CRF OE mice such that significant increases in frequency of co-localization of NE markers and A[beta]42 immunolabeling were observed by immunoelectron microscopy. Results of this research indicate that dysregulation of the LC-mPFC circuit via chronic stress may initiate reversible mechanisms of degeneration. With time, in mid-life, it would be expected that the severity of these alterations would increase given that mechanisms of neuronal resilience decline naturally with age. Therefore targeting the LC-NE system in early stages of AD may have significant therapeutic potential in altering the progression of the disease.Ph.D., Pharmacology and Physiology -- Drexel University, 201
Dancing Is Care: A Movement-Based Support Group for Chinese/Chinese Immigrant Mothers
Get PDFThis capstone project was a community engagement program that introduced movement-based activity to the community and established a support group for Chinese/Chinese immigrant mothers in the West Philadelphia area. This population had limited access to mental health care and postnatal care, have language barriers and culture differences, lack of family and social support, and experienced high stress due to the role adjustment of becoming a new immigrant, homemakers, and mother. The author used dance movement as a medium to create a nonclinical but therapeutic support group in the community. This program focused on using movements to provide self-care and social interactions to release stress, explore self-strength/self-worth, and self-expression. In the long term, the project aimed to empower the mothers to use their own resources and autonomously initiate support for each other in the community. This program includes a pre-program which had twenty weekly meetings, a main program which had four weekly closed-group meetings, and post-main program which had weekly meetings. After the four-weekly closed-group meetings, the author reflected on the experience of the program developing and group meetings and summarized some suggestions for those who would like to work with a Chinese community. Moreover, she highlighted important themes and connections that the community project was conducted.M.A., Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling -- Drexel University, 201
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Foundation Funding for Arts and Culture: Foundation Statements and Grantee Perspectives
No full textThis thesis analyzes the current discourse on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in foundation funding for arts and culture. It looks at both the foundation and grantee perspective, considering the power dynamics between the two. To analyze the foundation perspective, I conducted a discourse analysis of the DEI statements of forty-two well-known foundations to reveal common language, patterns, and themes. For the grantee perspective, I interviewed nine individuals from diverse arts and culture organizations. The resulting comparison shed light on some of the complexities, nuances, and challenges of putting DEI theory into practice within foundation funding for arts and culture. This thesis shows that there is great variability in foundation DEI statements as well as grantee perspectives on the state of DEI in foundation funding for arts and culture. Despite this variability, there are distinct trends in how a foundation’s budget size, structure, and choice of DEI statement type impact its approach to DEI. The interviews revealed that DEI statements are not universally effective as tools for conveying foundations’ values. I conclude with a discussion of how foundations can fix the common mistakes they make when trying to support DEI in arts and culture. I also suggest ways in which foundations can make their DEI statements more impactful.M.S., Arts Administration -- Drexel University, 201
Age and Sex-Related Analysis of Pediatric Spinal Motion and Comparisons with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
No full textAdolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a three - dimensional deformity which is characterized by abnormal curvature and rotation of the spine. Dynamic measurements of normative spinal range of motion (ROM) are commonly used to assess the changes in functionality of the spine due to scoliotic deformity. However, due to the inherent changes in anatomical structures due to growth in children, normative ROM values are also likely to change based on age and sex. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to characterize the age and sex-related changes in the spinal ROM in normative children, quantify muscle activation corresponding to those ROM, and to determine the functional differences in spinal motion between normative and pre-operative AIS pediatric subjects. A total of 30 normative male and female pediatric subjects between the ages of 6-21 years were recruited to participate in this institutional review board approved study. Subjects performed six active motions to their maximum ROM: forward flexion, extension, lateral bending (left and right), and axial rotation (left and right). Dependent kinematic variables included the angles between adjacent spinal segments and total spinal ROM. Additionally, peak muscle activation during each ROM was measured through surface electromyography electrodes placed bilaterally on the erector spinae, latissimus dorsi, internal and external oblique muscles. Spinal ROM normalized to subjects' standing height varied significantly with age for flexion and axial rotation movements. No significant patterns of muscle activation were present; however, trunk muscles activated according to the directionality of the movement suggesting that a combination of forces are responsible for controlling motion. AIS patients had significantly reduced ROM in the spinal region containing the apex of the deformity as compared to age and sex-matched normative subjects; suggesting that the scoliotic deformity restricts motion in the location of the primary curvature. In addition to providing clinicians with a normative database of trunk kinematics and muscle activation data, these normative kinematic data can also be used to validate subject-specific computational models of the normative pediatric spine.M.S., Biomedical Engineering -- Drexel University, 201
Art Therapy and PBIS: Treating At-risk Adolescents within a High School Setting
No full textThe intention of this capstone thesis was to develop, promote, and implement an art therapy program within my school district as an intervention for at-risk students and incorporate it into the structure of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The integrative description of this capstone method development specifically highlighted how PBIS and Art therapy have been incorporated at an Urban High School in Southern California to address the increasingly growing number of at-risk students within this traditional public educational setting. At-risk behaviors in youth have been determined as signs of individual and familial distress by many researchers. With that framework in mind, my capstone project review of an ongoing implementation of PBIS in this urban high school included detailed art therapy applications that addressed themes of accountability, communication, collaboration, motivation, skill development, and goal setting for small groups of high school students, grades 9-12. As there is growing but limited data on PBIS as it applies to high school settings and very limited school art therapy programs with at-risk high school students, this work was intended to promote and to inform the district’s teachers, administrators, community members, and policymakers of the potential of utilizing school-integrated art therapy as an intervention option.M.A., Art Therapy and Counseling -- Drexel University, 201
Using Educational Learning Models to Inform and Guide the Design of a Virtual Learning Environment
No full textThis MS thesis project sets out to explore the implementation of learning models in the design and construction of an interactive 3D virtual reality (VR) learning environment. The intent of the environment is to introduce visitors to women pop artists who have long been overlooked and ignored in the history of the pop art movement and to provide information about the importance of their participation. For the purpose of this project, Martha Rosler’s Vacuuming Pop Art (Woman with a Vacuum) (1966-1972) is recreated as the interactive 3D (VR) learning environment, based on the learning models of Fowler, Chen, and Mishra et al. The visitor will perform tasks, such as collecting objects and manipulating pieces, as (s)he navigates through the environment. The project demonstrates and discusses the feasibility of implementing learning theories in the design and construction of an interactive 3D VR learning environment.M.S., Digital Media -- Drexel University, 201