Quality of Condensate from Air-Handling Units

Areas with humid climates, such as Georgia, are currently experiencing a severe drought. Collecting condensate from large AHUs for on-site use is compelling, but how do you assess the quality of this water? The authors discuss how condensate from properly maintained large AHUs is high-quality water. They go on to explain how system design and maintenance affect its quality, and they give the readers guidance for how to use the condensate for on-site application

Technology Competency Within The Non-Traditional Preservice Teacher Candidate Population: Survey Results

This study utilized action research with quantitative data analysis to investigate the personal technological skills and use of web-based applications of nontraditional teacher candidates enrolled in elementary education courses at a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in the southeastern section of the USA. The goal was to gain a better understanding of the technological challenges encountered by non-traditional candidates and to determine how technology can inform instructional delivery of curriculum to improve this population’s representation, expression, and engagement of learning outcomes. Data were collected through an anonymous electronic survey distributed to each student enrolled in the elementary education courses. A total of 320 students were enrolled, 148 respondents participated in the survey to equal 46% (N = 148) of the elementary education teacher candidate population. Of the 148 participants, 109 classified themselves age 24 and older; for the purposes of this study, this group is defined as nontraditional teacher candidates. The results revealed that (a) the H0 was rejected for seven of the eight tested categories, therefore strengthening the HA; (b) 50% of teacher candidates, whether traditional or nontraditional, self-reported in the Learner to Basic levels category; (c) 47% of traditional and non-traditional candidates reported Proficient to Advanced level, thereby strengthening the alternative hypothesis. These findings are compelling and led to the development of a new conceptual framework, the Teacher Education Technology and Web-Based Application Survey (TETWAS), which proposes that faculty in an elementary preparatory program could promote and enhance the learning experiences of candidates

Electrochemical sensors based on enzymes, biopolymers and nanoparticles

The work described in this Dissertation includes three research projects, designed to make a contribution to the field of electrochemical sensors and biosensors. The electrochemical, spectroscopic, and microscopic analyses were used to explain encountered phenomena. The first project (Chapter 3) describes a unique case of minimally destructive activation of carbon nanotubes (CNT) toward the electro-oxidation of dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). NADH is an important biomolecule because it acts as a co-factor of hundreds of dehydrogenase enzymes and a biomarker of metabolic disorders. The proof-of-concept experiments are also presented for the development of new reagentless biosensors based on the activated CNT and NAD+-dependent dehydrogenases. The second project (Chapter 4) is focused on the non-enzymatic direct determination of glucose at gold electrodes in physiologically relevant neutral buffer solutions. Electrochemical determination of glucose at the conventional gold disc electrodes is compared with that at electrodes based on gold nanoparticles and gold nanostructured films. In addition, the effects of the ionic composition of a solution on the electrochemical determination of glucose at gold surfaces are also documented. The third project (Chapter 5) probes the role of the direct electron transfer (DET) between the enzyme glucose oxidase and CNT in electrochemical biosensing of glucose. It shows that the proper understanding of the mechanistic aspects of biosensing is critically important to the progress in development of a new generation of electrochemical devices including the mediatorless electrochemical biosensors and DET-based biological fuel cells

A Research Study on the Technology Competence of Preservice Teacher Candidates and the UDL Methodology as Pedagogy

This study utilized action research with quantitative data analysis to investigate the technological challenges encountered by non-traditional teacher candidates and to determine how technology can inform instructional delivery of curriculum to improve this population’s representation, expression, and engagement of learning outcomes. The null hypothesis, H0 = There will be no differences in technological competency between traditional and non-traditional candidates, with our alternative hypothesis, HA = There will be an observed difference in the technological competency between traditional and non-traditional candidates. Data was collected via an anonymous electronic survey of 148 participants, 46% (N = 148. The results revealed (a) the H0 was rejected for seven of the eight tested categories, therefore strengthening the HA; (b) 50% of teacher candidates, whether traditional or nontraditional, self-reported in the Learner to Basic levels category; (c) 47% of traditional and non-traditional candidates reported Proficient to Advanced level, thereby strengthening the alternative hypothesis. These findings led to the development of a new conceptual framework, the Teacher Education Technology and Web-Based Application Survey (TETWAS), which proposed that primary faculty in an elementary preparatory program could promote enhanced learning experiences for candidates as a result of the feedback using the survey findings

A randomized clinical trial of coenzyme Q10 and GPI-1485 in early Parkinson disease

OBJECTIVETo determine if future studies of coenzyme Q(10) and GPI-1485 in Parkinson disease (PD) may be warranted.METHODSWe conducted a randomized, double-blind, calibrated futility clinical trial of coenzyme Q10 and GPI-1485 in early untreated PD using placebo data from the DATATOP study to establish the futility threshold.RESULTSThe primary outcome measure (change in total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores over 1 year) did not meet the prespecified criteria for futility for either agent. Secondary analyses using calibration controls and other more recent placebo data question the appropriateness of the predetermined definition of futility, and suggest that a more restrictive threshold may be needed.CONCLUSIONSCoenzyme Q(10) and GPI-1485 may warrant further study in Parkinson disease, although the data are inconsistent. Additional factors (cost, availability of other agents, more recent data on placebo outcomes, other ongoing trials) should also be considered in the selection of agents for Phase III studies

A randomized, double-blind, futility clinical trial of creatine and minocycline in early Parkinson disease

BACKGROUNDCreatine and minocycline were prioritized for testing in Phase II clinical trials based on a systematic evaluation of potentially disease modifying compounds for Parkinson disease (PD).OBJECTIVETo test whether creatine and minocycline alter the course of early PD relative to a predetermined futility threshold for progression of PD in a randomized, double-blind, Phase II futility clinical trial. Agents that do not perform better than the futility threshold are rejected as futile and are not considered for further study.METHODSParticipants had a diagnosis of PD within 5 years, but did not require medications for the management of symptoms. The primary outcome was the change in the total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score from baseline to either the time when there was sufficient disability to warrant symptomatic therapy for PD or 12 months, whichever came first. Subjects were randomized 1:1:1 to receive creatine 10 g/day, minocycline 200 mg/day, or matching placebo. The futility threshold was set as a 30% reduction in UPDRS progression based on the placebo/tocopherol arm of the Deprenyl And Tocopherol Antioxidative Therapy Of Parkinsonism (DATATOP) trial. p values < or = 0.1 indicate futility.RESULTSTwo hundred subjects were randomized to the three groups. Neither creatine (p = 0.96) nor minocycline (p = 0.66) could be rejected as futile based on the DATATOP futility threshold. The rate of progression for the calibration placebo group fell outside the 95% CI for the DATATOP historical control. In a sensitivity analysis, based on the threshold derived from the calibration placebo group, again neither drug could be rejected as futile. Tolerability was 91% in the creatine group and 77% in the minocycline group. Common adverse events included upper respiratory symptoms (26%), joint pain (19%), and nausea (17%).CONCLUSIONSBoth creatine and minocycline should be considered for definitive Phase III trials to determine if they alter the long term progression of Parkinson disease (PD). Additional factors must be weighed before selecting agents for Phase III trials, including safety, tolerability, activity, cost, and availability of these two agents in comparison with other agents currently in development for PD