Implications for Local Wetland Sustainability Based on the Autonomy of Airport-Operating Entities

Wetland ecosystems across the nation are declining in both abundance and viability. Often times such decline can be linked to airport management practices, with the autonomy of the corresponding airport-operating entity having implications for local wetland sustainability. This study sought to prove the link between such observed trends, examining four major airports built on or in close proximity to wetlands to see how autonomy impacted mitigation practices. Variables were established to determine the rank of autonomy and a case-by-case analysis of mitigation ensued to prove that there indeed was a link between airports and wetland health. Those airport-operating entities with the most autonomy showed minimal investment in wetland mitigation, either transferring liability to a third party or barely meeting federal and state requirements. While those less autonomous airport-operating entities seemed to go above and beyond mandated requirements, showing their commitment to local wetland sustainability and environmental stewardship.M.S., Environmental Policy -- Drexel University, 201

The Lone Unheard: African American Fathers' Experience Navigating the Special Education System: A Narrative Study

Research has consistently shown that parent involvement positively influences students' academic outcomes (Henderson & Mapp 2002). Interestingly, studies of parent involvement focus largely on the role of mothers. This is particularly true for studies of African American parent involvement, where participants are often cast as single mothers and fathers assumed to be absent. As a result, little is known about the experiences and engagement of fathers in the education of their children - and even less is known about African American fathers. This narrative study intends to add the voices of African American fathers to this incomplete scholarly record. Given the persistently disproportionate numbers of African American children in special education, this study examines the involvement of fathers in the education of their children with special needs - with attention to their participation in their children's individual education plan (IEP) meetings. Six African American fathers participated in two in-depth interviews. Analysis of the data revealed: 1) Participants' experiences present a counternarrative to the deleterious stereotype of the absent African American father; 2) Participants' experiences also offer a counternarrative to the dominant narrative of mothers as a proxy for "parent" in discussions of parent involvement; 3) Participants' initial reactions to learning about their children's diagnosis with autism corresponds with Kübler-Ross' Grief Cycle; 4) Participants' experiences present a counternarrative to the stereotype of the dysfunctional African American family; and 5) To varying degrees, the intersection of race and gender shaped participants' involvement in their children's schools. Findings from this study inform both practice and future research.Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Management -- Drexel University, 201

Impact of Compensatory Recommendations on Consistency in Adherence to Behavioral Regimens in Traumatic Brain Injury

Background: Adherence is the extent to which one’s behavior aligns with prescribed healthcare recommendations and it has been found to be a mediating factor of rehabilitation success after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Individuals post- TBI are at risk due to executive dysfunction. Although methods of overcoming executive difficulties as they relate to adherence have been posited (e.g., compensatory strategies), there has been no systematic study of the relationship between adherence behaviors and executive functioning during an unstructured regimen in this population. Moreover, cognitively-mediated aspects of adherence, such as consistency, which may represent targetable mechanisms of non-adherence have not been explored. Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between compensatory recommendations, executive function, and adherence behaviors during a prescribed behavioral regimen. Primary aims were to investigate: 1) the impact of compensatory recommendations on consistency in adherence, 2) the impact of compensatory recommendations on overall adherence, and 3) the relationship between executive functioning and consistency in adherence. An exploratory aim investigated how relationship between compensatory strategy, executive function, and consistency in adherence changed over the course of the 4-weeks. Method: 13 adults with a history of non-penetrating head injury were recruited for the current study and randomized into two groups: one that received compensatory recommendations (n = 7; Mage = 43.71, SD = 12.16; 43% male) and one that received no strategy (n = 6; Mage = 46.00, SD = 7.13; 67% male). All participants completed cognitive testing before engaging in a 4-week online behavioral regimen. For each day of the regimen, three online cognitive activities were prescribed. Outcome measures included adherence (events completed of 84) and consistency in adherence (variability in timing of event completion). Participants also completed a follow-up survey. Results: A series of Pearson correlations and regression-based analyses revealed that presence of a compensatory strategy did not predict consistency in adherence, nor did it predict overall adherence after controlling for covariates. In supplementary analyses, individuals who received a compensatory strategy had better adherence for the CAT during week 1, but their adherence decreased to be equivalent to the no strategy group over the course of four weeks. Additionally, one measure of executive function (response inhibition) was significantly related to consistency in adherence. Upon further analyses, it was determined this relationship differed by group. Consistency in adherence followed a quadratic pattern over time, such that all individuals were least consistent during the third week of the regimen, but were more consistent before and after that point. Conclusions: Consistency in adherence does not appear to be improved by the addition of a compensatory strategy. Although this component of adherence was related to executive function, this association appeared strongest among individuals who did not receive a strategy and who were more cognitively compromised. Adherence improved with the addition of a compensatory strategy initially, but declined over time to be equal to the no strategy group. Clinically, these findings suggest that compensatory strategies may need to be nuanced and target specific mechanisms of non-adherence. Moreover, the need for regular follow-up during a behavioral regimen to encourage continued motivation over time may be necessary to maximize adherence. Limitations include a small sample size, uneven groups with respect to cognitive function, and executive functioning measures which do not approximate real-world behaviors. Future directions include continuing to identify mechanisms of non-adherence among cognitively compromised individuals as well as continued work into the importance of consistency as a support for adherence to treatment among individuals with cognitive decline.Ph.D., Psychology -- Drexel University, 201

In Vivo Performance of the Femoral Head-Neck Taper Connection and Development of an Electrochemical Framework for Quantitative Corrosion Investigations

Corrosion at the modular head-neck connection in total hip arthroplasty has been shown to have deleterious biological consequences, and recent clinical observations have postulated that it may compromise the integrity of the taper connection. This dissertation summarizes the patient demographics, clinical details, and design variables of hip implants that were examined to understand their impact on the in vivo performance of taper junctions. Furthermore, it describes electrochemical assessment methods that were developed to quantitatively evaluate the effects of corrosion phenomena. In vivo taper performance was assessed using femoral components retrieved from revision surgery and from cadaveric donors. Preliminary time-to-event analyses were conducted on a collection of 5,821 retrieved joint prostheses, identifying risks factors for infection consistent with the findings of administrative databases and implant registries. The role of an activated immune system on corrosion at the head-neck taper was then explored with a subset of these explants. The results did not indicate more severe corrosion for devices revised with infection, but suggested greater corrosion severity for devices that were implanted in male patients and during primary arthroplasty procedures. Multivariable analysis of clinical and design variables did not identify an association between corrosion and the size of the modular taper, but found increased corrosion for heavier patients, longer implantation times, greater femoral head offsets and tapers with a lower flexural rigidity. Mechanical assessment of taper connection strength demonstrated that more severely corroded stem trunnions were associated with stronger taper connections. Additionally, greater corrosion was observed on retrievals from revision surgery than on those from cadaveric donors. In consideration of the electrochemical nature of corrosion processes, a new framework was devised to overcome limitations of visual corrosion assessments. Analysis using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy identified decreased impedance and increased constant phase element (CPE) capacitance as the strongest predictors of increased corrosion severity. Additionally, lower values for impedance phase angle, CPE-exponent and polarization resistance were associated with increased corrosion. From microscopic and metallographic inspection, it was found that components with subsurface damage features had significantly higher capacitance and lower impedance values than those only exhibiting surface corrosion damage features. Given that the surface area of an electrode is inversely proportional to its impedance and directly proportional to its capacitance, electrochemical analyses may provide an opportunity to identify penetrative corrosion features without destructive metallographic evaluation.Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering -- Drexel University, 201

Formation and Early Evolution of Stellar Clusters

We describe a novel numerical method for the studying the formation and evolution of stellar clusters, Torch. This method combines the magnetohydrodynamics code Flash with the Astrophysical Multipurpose Software Environment, AMUSE. Once embedded into AMUSE, we combine Flash with the stellar evolution code SeBa, the N-body dynamics code ph4 and the multiple star system evolution module multiples to create a unique method for tracing the detailed evolution of stellar clusters through time. We then add units for radiation, stellar winds and supernovae, as well as a new star by star formation prescription to Flash that allows for star formation and stellar feedback to create and destroy star clusters and the interstellar gas they form from. The result is the most detailed star cluster formation code to date. We then demonstrate the use of these methods for studying binary star formation and the effects of stellar feedback. We find that massive dynamical binaries created in our simulations are consistent with observations. Further, we observe that wide dynamical binaries tighten due to gas dynamical friction, losing cluster energy to the natal gas, after which they are disrupted by stellar encounters. This supports theoretical predictions that embedded clusters may contract due to the interactions of gas and stars. We also find that while stellar feedback is effective at expelling gas from natal clusters, the clusters themselves remain bound even as they expand due to the loss of the binding potential of the gas. Finally, stellar clusters formed in our simulations mass segregate before the expulsion of their natal gas clouds, as expected from observations of young clusters in the Milky Way.Ph.D., Physics -- Drexel University, 201

Best Practices in Operating a Non-profit Marching Arts Organization

The marching arts are a niche activity that some people will dedicate their entire life to. Performance marching is a physically demanding and time-consuming activity. The rush experienced during performances, combined with the friendships that are built with your fellow corps members imprints the activity on your soul. In recent years there have been an alarming number of organizations experiencing scandal or ceasing operation. Information on these events are never publicly available, meaning other organizations cannot learn from the mistakes of others. This paper looks at the best practices of governance that ensure a non-profit marching arts organization like a drum and bugle corps or a winterguard should follow in order to remain relevant, financially stable, and free from scandal. Ten interviews were held with leaders of prominent marching arts organizations in order to gather information on four main themes: money, accountability, operations, and leadership. Each of these themes are vital to a marching arts organization functioning and being well-governed, which will result in a successful competitive season.M.S., Arts Administration -- Drexel University, 201

Suborbital Spaceflight Vehicle Analysis for Single Pilot Operations

The 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

Examining patient’s use of, intention to use, and perceived helpfulness of emotion regulation strategies in an acceptance based behavioral treatment for bulimia nervosa as predictors of treatment outcome

Higher rates of emotion dysregulation appear to be cross sectionally related to more severe bulimia nervosa (BN) symptoms and predict worse outcomes from treatment. As such, Mindfulness and Acceptance-based Treatments (MABTs) may be particularly helpful for individuals with BN because they directly address emotion regulation difficulties. MABTs have been shown to improve emotion regulation in individuals with EDs, however, little is known about which emotion regulation skills are the most acceptable and effective for individuals with BN. As such, the current study examined if the total number of skills a patient was using, perceived helpfulness, and intended future use of multiple skills was related to treatment outcomes. We also characterized which skills were most frequently identified by patients as helpful. Lastly, we examined if use of any specific skill was associated with better outcomes from a 20 session, outpatient Acceptance Based Behavioral Treatment (ABBT) for BN. Patients (N=14) were all females, ages 20 to 57 (M=31.57 SD=11.23) with an average BMI of 24.99 (SD=5.65) and a full threshold BN diagnosis. Observers watched video recordings of therapy sessions 18 and 19 where the therapist and patient jointly reviewed the emotion regulation strategies taught during treatment. Observers rated patient’s expressions of skill use, perceived helpfulness and intended future use of each skill. We examined the relationship between skill use and changes in behavioral (ie. frequency of binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors) and cognitive (ie. Eating Disorder Examination global scores) outcomes at post-treatment and six-month follow-up. Due to the small sample, we conducted spearman rank correlations and reported relations of at least medium strength (r ≥ .3). Unexpectedly, total number of skills a patient reported using, perceiving as helpful, and intending to use skills during future moments of need were related to improvements in cognitive symptoms, but not bulimic behaviors at end of treatment and 6 month follow-up. Consistent with hypotheses, reporting using a larger number of skill during session 18 and 19 appeared to be related to larger improvements in outcomes from end of treatment to follow up. Further, use of values appeared to be the skill most commonly associated with larger improvements from pre-treatment to end of treatment and follow up. While using experiential acceptance and self-soothing appeared to be related to larger improvements in outcomes from end of treatment to follow-up. Future treatments for BN might maximize their effectiveness by fostering patient’s use of specific emotion regulation skills (eg. committing and clarifying to values and experiential acceptance). Further, studies should measure skill use across the entire course treatment to establish whether skill use precedes changes in BN symptoms and if continued skill use is necessary for maintaining improvements long term.M.S., Psychology -- Drexel University, 201

Implementation of a Nurse-Driven Progressive Mobilization Plan among Hospitalized Older Adults

Extended time spent in bed is prevalent among hospitalized older adults thus leading to mobility decline. The published literature documents deleterious effects of immobilization during hospitalization. These effects include nosocomial infection, injurious falls, pressure ulcers, institutionalization, increased healthcare costs, and extended length of stay. Current evidence supports early mobilization to reduce functional deterioration, falls, prolonged length of stay, and readmission. This project implemented a nurse-driven progressive mobilization plan and evaluated the effect of progressive mobilization plan on the percentage of older adults ambulates within 48-72 hours of hospitalization and the length of hospital stay. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted three weeks before and three weeks after implementation of the progressive mobilization plan. Descriptive statistics analyzed the demographic data and the percentage of older adults ambulated in the unit. Inferential statistics examined the significance of the length of stay. Three weeks after implementation of the progressive mobilization plan, the percentage of older adults ambulated in the unit improved from 18% (9 of 50) to 68% (34 of 50) within 72 hours of hospitalization. However, the mean length of stay of older adults was not significantly different between the pre and post implementation groups (t (97) = -0.59, p = .560). Nurse-driven mobilization plan had an impact on early ambulation of the older adults in the unit and decreased the time spent lying in bed. Early progressive mobilization should be a standard of care in all inpatient units to prevent mobility decline during hospitalization.D.N.P., Nursing Practice -- Drexel University, 201

Real-Time Remote Soil Moisture Monitoring for Rain Garden Irrigation Efficiency with a Low-Cost Cloud-Connected Datalogger

Green stormwater infrastructure tools, such as rain gardens, combat water pollution by mimicking pre-development hydrology in urbanized areas to reduce stormwater runoff. The vegetation in rain gardens takes time to establish and initially requires irrigation to survive prolonged dry spells. In Philadelphia, public rain gardens are irrigated after four days without rain. Irrigation is applied manually and can be costly. To make these efforts more efficient, a real-time, low-cost soil moisture sensing device was developed and deployed in rain gardens across Philadelphia during the summer of 2018. The device monitors site conditions and transmits data wirelessly over the 3G cellular network to a cloud database. The device sent hourly air temperature, humidity, and soil moisture in six rain gardens. Precipitation events resulted in obvious soil moisture changes at the banks and troughs of all garden sites, but irrigation events were largely undetectable in the data. Events with greater total precipitation amounts resulted in more dramatic soil moisture increases; post-rain reductions in soil moisture were correlated with in higher average daily air temperature. If the data collected with the device were used to develop a new irrigation schedule based on real-time soil moisture values, there would have been 16 fewer irrigation events at these sites during the summer of 2018. The reduced irrigation would likely have offset the cost of required instrumentation.M.S., Environmental Engineering -- Drexel University, 201