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An Evaluation of Tape for the Collection of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Non-Porous and Porous Surfaces
Get PDFIgnitable liquids are flammable mixtures used to accelerate a fire. ILs are composed of a broad range of hydrocarbons and include commonly encountered materials such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. In the event of a suspected arson, ILR may be found within the pores of materials at the crime scene such as concrete. Traditionally, the whole material is collected and packaged into air-tight containers to prevent evaporation and allow transportation back to the lab. However, this may require the use of heavy machinery, such as a jack hammer, which takes a lot of manpower to operate and may increase the probability of loss of the ILR during collection. Recent research has investigated other options for direct collection of the ILR, including the use of absorbent materials because they are able to penetrate the pores of the fire debris evidence and achieve a higher collection efficiency. These materials have included granular minerals, hydrophobic absorbent pads, or everyday absorbers such as paper towels and microfiber cloths. Each of these have had limitations stemming from the ability to penetrate and/or be removed from a porous material as well as in compatibility with the individual components of an IL. In this work, tapes of a variety of compositions are investigated for direct ILR collection from nonporous and porous surfaces. Tape is a cost-effective absorbent material selected because of its sturdy but flexible backing. Additionally, the adhesive is typically composed of nonpolar films and resins which are chemically compatible with the hydrocarbons in the ILs. This work will discuss six different types of tape to classify which tape provides the highest collection efficiency of ILR and has the least amount of interference with a standard passive headspace collection using activated charcoal strips, direct solvent extraction, and analysis using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The tapes used came from a wide variety such as normal household repair tapes to stronger industrial and laboratory tapes. All six tapes were checked for interferences from the adhesive and backing. The effectiveness of the tape’s collection is assessed by comparing the amount of standard homologous n-alkanes collected by the tape to the amount left on a small area of nonporous tile or porous concrete (a relative collection efficiency). Overall, the most common household tape demonstrated some interferences with the process and the more specialized tapes show more promise
Elevational Gradients Shape Bee Network Structure and Community Composition Across Tropical Lowland to Montane Forests in Costa Rica
Get PDFMutualistic networks, such as those between plants and pollinators, play a crucial role in ecosystem stability and resilience. Previous theoretical work has posited that mutualistic networks with higher diversity, connectance, nestedness, interaction diversity and more generalist species are more resilient and stable. However, in some ecosystems, specialized interactions and specialists may promote network stability. Drivers of network properties in the neotropics, especially low and mid-elevations, remain relatively unknown, and thus this area should receive special attention. Replicated empirical networks comparing properties along environmental gradients in these regions can help contribute to resolving this debate. A total of 28 networks, replicated within five elevational bands spanning between 200 to 1500 m elevation, were constructed in smallholder farms in three life zones: tropical dry forests, premontane forests, and montane forests in the mountains of Costa Rica. Results revealed a marginally significant decreasing relationship between elevation and network specialization. Connectance and modularity both statistically differed by elevation band with modularity decreasing and connectance increasing with increasing elevation. Collectively, elevation explained 28.28% of the variation in bee community composition. These results suggest that neotropical lowland networks tend to be more specialized, more modular, and less connected compared to higher elevations. These findings contribute to the ongoing debate by demonstrating that network properties are sensitive to elevation in the neotropics, with lowland networks exhibiting more specialized and modular structures. Therefore, lowland elevations should remain a priority in conservation as they may harbor more species interactions
Occupational Therapy in Psychiatry: A Safe, Affordable Approach for Better Care
Get PDFOccupational therapy (OT) is a therapeutic practice designed to enhance independence in individuals’ activities of daily living (ADL) across all age groups. While widely recognized for its role in physical rehabilitation, it is less commonly applied in mental health care. This underutilization can be attributed to a significant gap in the literature regarding the effectiveness of OT in improving occupational function (OF) for individuals experiencing the negative effects of mental illnesses. Notably, OT in mental health care is not a new concept and dates to before World War I (WWI). This thesis conducts a literature review of fifty-one sources to explore the application of OT in mental health facilities and to identify the root causes of the existing literature gap. The review focuses on sources published within the past twenty-five years, accessed through both online and physical library databases. Findings indicate that OT is an effective, low-risk, and cost-efficient therapeutic intervention for adults with severe mental illnesses (SMI). However, poor documentation of care plans, limited outcome tracking, and a lack of long-term follow-up studies contribute to the literature gap. OT is an evidence-based practice, thus further research is essential to demonstrate its full value in mental health rehabilitation
Sensory Training for School Based Professionals
Get PDFThe purpose of this ALE presentation was to develop a sensory-based training for school system professionals in Floyd County Schools regarding the purpose of sensory-based interventions and sensory-based equipment to improve student outcomes and academic performance. Professionals were educated regarding the appropriate use of sensory equipment within their school’s sensory room and sensory supports to utilize within the classroom. All professionals were trained to ensure optimal outcomes for students utilizing the new and finalized sensory rooms in Floyd County. After the finalization of 8 sensory rooms, and over 10 sensory-based trainings, Floyd County professionals were assessed utilizing equipment with students, as I provided modeling and feedback as needed during use of sensory-based interventions/equipment. The collaboration amongst occupational therapists, teachers, paraeducators, and other related-service professionals regarding the use of sensory intervention within the schools aims to mend the gap of interdisciplinary communication and result in improved students’ sensory processing skills, academic participation, and occupational performance.https://encompass.eku.edu/otd-capstone-posters/1001/thumbnail.jp
Wobble and Transcending the Challenges of Novice Teachers
No full textThis paper explores a novice teacher\u27s experiences and challenges in order to discuss the importance of supporting new teachers. We examine the new identity that novice teachers take on as they enter the workforce, requiring them to bring two competing worlds into dialogue with one another. By highlighting the moments of struggle and uncertainty that one new teacher encountered, the paper calls attention to the need to support new teachers and help them transcend the persistent problem of isolation in the teaching profession. This article identifies how teacher educators can help prepare teacher candidates and novice teachers to respond to challenges
Advising Postsecondary Students to Success and Retention: The P.A.S.E. Model
No full textAdvising students toward success at the university and college levels often solely focuses on academic advising alone, leaving them struggling in other areas of their postsecondary educational experiences, which can greatly hinder student retention rates (Karp et al., 2021). However, when postsecondary students have access to highly effective advisors who invest more deeply into the advising process, the students become confident, empowered, and invested in their college experiences; as a result, they continue to re-enroll each semester. Recently, there has been increased insight into the importance of non-academic support provided by academic advisors to students, such as helping gain employment as well as providing social and emotional support (Small, 2013). Hence, this manuscript focuses on an original advising model that promotes an increase in student retention, including, but not limited to, at-risk students, first-generation students, and underclassmen. By implementing strategies from an original creation of the P.A.S.E. Advising Model, university and college advisors can learn how to form connections with their advisees by using specific techniques that keep their students passionate, driven, and focused on completing their programs and earning their degrees. The P.A.S.E. Advising Model focuses on the following areas to improve retention rates: Professional, Academic, Social, and Emotional success. This manuscript draws on research-based evidence from peer-reviewed articles to support the given approaches
Caregiver Mediated Positive Behavioral Intervention Training: A Solution for HCBS Waitlisted Families
Get PDFAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability characterized by persistent challenges in social communication and interaction, and restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior. These challenges manifest heterogeneously, resulting in a wide range of presentations and levels of support needs for individuals with the disorder. Behavioral intervention is an empirically supported treatment designed to support early skill development for people on the spectrum. Many Kentucky caregivers rely on two Medicaid waivers, the Supports for Community Living and Michelle P Waiver for these supports. However, there are currently over 14000 people on the waitlists for these waivers. The creation and implementation of Kentucky’s HCBS waivers targeting people on the spectrum is discussed. After a review of Kentucky’s support landscape is narrowed to behavioral intervention, caregiver mediated behavioral supports’ viability as an intervention model is explored. This project first reviews literature related to service barriers in Kentucky, the HCBS waivers in the state, and then the efficacy of caregiver mediated behavior supports for families. Combined with information provided by parents in a brief qualitative survey, a training framework was developed
3D Printing Technology Acceptance through a Peer-Assisted Learning Continuing Education Course
Get PDFAs rehabilitation technologies rapidly develop, the lack of evidence-based training remains a barrier to technology adoption. Continuing education (CE) may provide training opportunities for new technologies, specifically 3D printing. Current models of CE course design rely on traditional, pedagogical methods, including didactic delivery, as opposed to applying adult learning models, which integrate experiential, self-directed learning to promote collaboration and problem-solving. This study sought to determine whether the active learning approach of peer-assisted learning (PAL) promoted collaboration and transference of knowledge between rehabilitation clinician peers when learning 3D printing. In this mixed methods study, 35 clinicians from occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech language pathology disciplines participated in two hours of CE, which integrated tenets of PAL to explore attitudes toward technology adoption perceptions as measured by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Pretest and posttest results were analyzed using paired permutation tests. All TAM responses improved significantly (p \u3c .05), suggesting that for rehabilitation clinicians, CE using an andragogical PAL approach contributed to improving technology acceptance of 3D printing. Content analysis of posttest open-ended questions further explored PAL implementation. The qualitative themes were: (1) Active opportunities supported learning, (2) group format facilitated problem-solving within a team, (3) technology was easier than expected, and (4) barriers remain for technology application in practice. In conclusion, the themes support the integration of PAL as a delivery method of CE to enhance technology adoption
Princess Proportions & Perceptions: Disney’s Deterioration of Young Girls’ Self-Esteem
Get PDFAnimated children’s media is becoming increasingly thinner, particularly as society demands continually smaller waists in the ideal female body size. The present study is focused on analyzing the origin and effects of abnormally small waist-to-hip ratios in animated Disney Princesses on a younger, primarily female audience. Exposure to these unrealistic body standards may result in internalization that leads to body dissatisfaction, as well as a drive for impossible thinness that results in disordered eating, mental health concerns, and suicide ideation. Adolescents and preadolescents are particularly at risk, due to daily entertainment screen time nearly tripling since 1999. While the risks associated with exposure to Disney Princess movies is great, particularly when exposure is repeated, the present study also proposes solutions to this problem. Removing the movies from adolescents’ lives is an unrealistic solution; instead, adding preventative care surrounding media consumption is considered. These additions (active mediation, body diverse media, and media literacy interventions) better equip children to understand the unrealistic nature of thin-ideal media in general, not only in the Disney Princess movies that they are regularly exposed to. The risk of internalization is greatly reduced with these interventions, and they are solutions that benefit adolescents into their adult lives, where thin-ideal media is still present
Death and Drugs: Exploring Grief and Addiction Among College Students
Get PDFGrief and addiction are typically associated with death and drugs. However, there are many types of non-death losses and behavioral addictions that are overlooked in research and daily living. The experiences of grief and addiction affect everyone, often at many points in their lifetime. College students are at particular risk for these factors, as many changes are occurring in their environment during these years. This research aims to explore the impact and relationship of grief and addiction on college students. The main hypothesis is that grief and addiction are positively correlated with one another. To study this, a survey was distributed to a randomized sample of 1,500 Eastern Kentucky University students. From the responses, over half of students reported significant non-death losses and behavioral addictions, which displays the influence of these events. Furthermore, there was a moderate, positive correlation between the addiction level and grief severity. In all, this research supports the idea that grief and addiction can amplify each other in a feedback loop. More awareness should be brought to these topics to support those who are struggling, as no one should feel alone in their battles