An undergraduate peer mentoring program at a Canadian university: Impact on student learning as perceived by instructors, peer mentors, and students

Large undergraduate courses make it difficult for students to achieve learning outcomes, in part due to the lack of resources available to course instructors to support student learning in these intimidating and often impersonal settings. One way to support instructor teaching and student learning is the implementation of undergraduate peer mentoring programs, which capitalize on the Students-as-Partners framework. Undergraduate mentors’ relatability to their peers and their mastery of the course content make them excellent resources. This paper describes the development and implementation of a university-wide undergraduate peer mentoring program at McGill University in Canada and its impact on student learning as perceived by three populations: instructors, peer mentors, and students. Data on perceived learning was gathered through qualitative surveys. This case study presents one implementation model that may guide and inform the implementation of similar programs at other higher education institutions

Exploring the contributing factors that influence the volition of adolescents with cerebral palsy: A directed content analysis

Background. Communication, behavioural disturbances and low motivation influence the functional potential and the effectiveness of interventions in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). While the model of human occupation (MOHO) is a conceptual model in occupational therapy, no research on the volition of adolescents with CP in daily activities has been undertaken. Aim. To explore the elements contributing to the volition of adolescents with CP based on their own experience Methods. A qualitative approach using directed content analysis with volition of MOHO as a framework was applied. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with five adolescents with CP and five parents of the same adolescents. Results. In this study primary codes were categorized into eight categories: family and community-related values, individual values, individual perceptions of ability level, sense of control over conditions, enjoying performing activities, enjoying interpersonal relationships, physical context features and social context features. Conclusions. Personal causation in interaction with environmental features is strongly influenced by adolescents’ motivation. Significance. Occupational therapists could improve the motivation of adolescents with CP in interaction with the individual’s volition with focussing on self-efficacy for promoting personal causation. Adapting to the physical environment and changing the attitudes of others to these adolescents is necessary

Predictors of interest in performing activities among Iranian adolescents with cerebral palsy

Objectives: Generally, adolescents who are interested in performing activities experience positive emotions and report high levels of well-being. However, adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (CP) encounter various issues affecting their interests. The present research was planned to investigate the predictor factors that affect the interest in performing activities in Iranian adolescents with CP. Methods: In total, 312 adolescents with CP (10-19-year-olds, Mean±SD age: 14.08±2.34 y) participated in this cross-sectional study. Their gross motor function was assessed by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), and their manual ability was evaluated by the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) in random order by an occupational therapist. All study participants also completed the Adolescent Interest Inventory-Cerebral Palsy (AII-CP). The predictive model was analyzed using a multiple linear regression model by the enter method. Results: The multiple linear regression analysis data presented that the highest independence in motor performance, personal values, social environment support, and age appeared to be the strongest predictors of interest in performing activities in the explored adolescents with CP (R2: 0.475). Discussion: Interest as a significant factor for participation and motivation in conducting daily living activities is associated with the highest independence in motor performance, personal values, social environment support, and the age of adolescents with CP

Semaphorin 6A Improves Functional Recovery in Conjunction with Motor Training after Cerebral Ischemia

Background: We have previously identified Semaphorin 6a (Sema6A) as an upregulated gene product in a gene expression screen in cortical ischemia [1]. Semaphorin 6a was regulated during the recovery phase following ischemia in the cortex. Semaphorin 6a is a member of the superfamily of semaphorins involved in axon guidance and other functions. We hypothesized that the upregulation indicates a crucial role of this molecule in post-stroke rewiring of the brain. Here we have tested this hypothesis by overexpressing semaphorin 6a in the cortex by microinjection of a modified AAV2-virus. A circumscribed cortical infarct was induced, and the recovery of rats monitored for up to 4 weeks using a well-established test battery (accelerated rotarod training paradigm, cylinder test, adhesive tape removal). We observed a significant improvement in post-ischemic recovery of animals injected with the semaphorin 6a virus versus animals treated with a control virus. We conclude that semaphorin 6a overexpressed in the cortex enhances recovery after cerebral ischemia

Performance Optimization of Lifetime Sensitive Devices Based on Coupled Optical, Process, and Device Modeling

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2015The market for silicon electronic devices such as photovoltaics and image sensors has been experiencing explosive growth in recent years. Silicon solar cells are gathering increasing attention as promising means of satisfying part of the growing need for green energy supply and recent advances in the design of complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors have led to their adoption in several high volume products incorporating mobile imaging and digital still and video cameras. Such devices are sensitive to carrier lifetime and their fabrication requires precise control of impurities and defects present in the silicon wafers. Failure to do so not only degrades the performance and efficiency, it also poses a great threat to the survival of commercial electronics companies in today’s competitive market. Particularly, in order to enable solar cells to significantly contribute to the world’s energy resources further cost reduction must be accomplished by enhancing their efficiencies through development of new technologies and optimization of their device structures and processes. Complex modern processes involving multiple thermal steps make this impossible without the aid of computational models which help us gain better understanding of the involved atomic processes and their impact on the device performance. In this dissertation a reliable and comprehensive TCAD framework is developed establishing the connection between processing conditions and the resulting device performance. It also provides us with optimization tools in a cost-effective way simply because the cost of experiments are increasing as process equipment becomes more expensive and complex. The focus of this dissertation, in the process modeling, was on the gettering of transition metals. The competitive gettering of metal impurities (Cu, Ni, Fe, Mo, and W) by boron doped, phosphorus doped regions, and dislocation loops was modeled. Ab initio density functional theory calculations were first performed to determine the binding energies of metals to the gettering sites, and based on that, continuum models were developed to model the redistribution and trapping of the metals. Critical model parameters were calibrated against experimental measurements. It was found that Fe is most strongly trapped by the dislocation loops while Cu and Ni are most strongly trapped by the P4V clusters formed in high phosphorus concentrations. In addition, it is found that none of the mentioned gettering sites are effective in trapping Mo and W. Finally, the calculated metal redistribution was coupled with device simulation via Shockley-Read-Hall recombination model to calculate carrier lifetime and the resulting device performance. Thereby, processing conditions and performance of a generic image sensing photodiode was optimized. The TCAD framework can be extended to other ULSI devices, as well. Also, the performance of a textured metal-wrap-through solar cell were analyzed using coupled optical and device 3D numerical simulations. All of the models and parameters in the simulation were calibrated based on experimental measurements. The simulation results were very close to the measurements done on fabricated devices, demonstrating the reliability of the developed TCAD framework for solar cell optimization. The opportunities to attain efficiencies exceeding 20% were investigated

The Smn-Independent Beneficial Effects of Trichostatin A on an Intermediate Mouse Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Trichostatin A (TSA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor with beneficial effects in spinal muscular atrophy mouse models that carry the human SMN2 transgene. Whether TSA specifically targets the upregulation of the SMN2 gene or whether other genes respond to TSA and in turn provide neuroprotection in SMA mice is unclear. We have taken advantage of the Smn2B/- mouse model that does not harbor the human SMN2 transgene, to test the hypothesis that TSA has its beneficial effects through a non-Smn mediated pathway. Daily intraperitoneal injection of TSA from postnatal day 12 to 25 was performed in the Smn2B/- mice and littermate controls. Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated that treatment with TSA increased the median lifespan of Smn2B/- mice from twenty days to eight weeks. As well, there was a significant attenuation of weight loss and improved motor behavior. Pen test and righting reflex both showed significant improvement, and motor neurons in the spinal cord of Smn2B/-mice were protected from degeneration. Both the size and maturity of neuromuscular junctions were significantly improved in TSA treated Smn2B/- mice. Here, we have shown that TSA treatment does not increase the levels of Smn protein in mouse embryonic fibroblasts or myoblasts obtained from the Smn2B/- mice. Further, qPCR analysis revealed no changes in the level of Smn transcripts in the brain or spinal cord of TSA-treated SMA mice. Similarly, western blot analysis revealed no significant increase in Smn protein levels in the brain, spinal cord, hind limb muscle, heart muscle, or the liver of TSA treated Smn2B/- mice. However, TSA has beneficial effects in the muscles of Smn2B/- mice and improves motor behavior and myofiber size. TSA improves muscle development by enhancing the activity of myogenic regulatory factors independent of the Smn gene. The beneficial effect of TSA is therefore likely through an Smn-independent manner. Identification of these protective pathways will be of therapeutic value for the treatment of SMA

Performance Evaluation of Artificial Neural Network Models for the Prediction of the Risk of Heart Disease

According to world health organization, cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally and most of them can be prevented by addressing risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, diabetes and raised lipids. Hence early and correct diagnosis and administering the appropriate and effective treatment is important. Physicians often make decisions based on current clinical tests and previous experience of diagnosing patients with similar symptoms but it is a difficult task since a lot of factors are contributing to the prediction. In this paper, a clinical decision support system is designed and implemented that can help the doctors in predicting the risk of heart disease. This system is based on the optimal artificial neural network model identified among the different models evaluated using accuracy measures on standard heart disease database. An interface is also developed based on the optimal model to facilitate the doctors in predicting the risk of heart diseas

Proposing a new model for waste dump site selection: case study of ayerma phosphate mine

The purpose of developing a mining project is to meet the demand for metals and minerals resources. This is obviously connected with the generation of a considerable volume of waste. However, one of the most important strategies in waste management is to select the optimum waste dump site. To face with this problem, managers go in search of the techniques that not only can consider the technical and economic factors but also take into account environmental aspects to get a better perspective on the problem under consideration. The merit of using multicriteria decision making (MCDM) model is to consider different criteria. One of the most standard techniques used for the formulation of a complex problem under different criteria is Additive Ratio ASsessment (ARAS). In this paper, the ARAS based group decision making (GARAS) for evaluating the possible alternatives under partial or incomplete information is proposed. The proposed model contains three main stages: (i) identifying the main and sub-criteria, (ii) evaluating the feasible alternative by using fuzzy GARAS technique, and (iii) conducting a sensitivity analysis to determine how the importance weights influence the process of the decision making. To demonstrate the potential application of the proposed model, a real case study is illustrated. The strength of the proposed model is its effectiveness and capability to produce proper solutions under the inherent uncertainty involved in the process of modeling a real-life problem