Daring to Dream

Many people are unaware of the DREAM Act and its benefits; however, many scholars agree that the DREAM Act at the federal level is potentially beneficial to those undocumented students and to the United States. These scholars have researched the various benefits of the DREAM Act, such as an increase in human capital, increase in education revenue, and increase in taxable income. The DREAM Act can potentially give students the opportunity to obtain a higher education and ultimately a job and a better life. Most likely, ignorance of the DREAM Act has obscured the benefits it provides. People are more likely to dismiss something they do not understand, especially if it involves immigration. In defense of the students Juan Gomez explains that it was not our decision to come here, and I find this an injustice of our society, and for that I will never forget where I came from (Gomez, 12). I have researched the potential benefits the DREAM Act has on the United States and on the students

Plasma catalysis using low melting point metals.

Plasma catalysis is emerging as one of the most promising alternatives to carry out several reactions of great environmental importance, from the synthesis of nanomaterials to chemicals of great interest. However, the combined effect of a catalyst and plasma is not clear. For the particular case of 1-D nanomaterials growth, the low temperatures synthesis is still a challenge to overcome for its scalable manufacturing on flexible substrates and thin metal foils. Herein, the use of low-melting-point metal clusters under plasma excitation was investigated to determine the effectiveness in their ability to catalyze the growth of 1-D nanomaterials. Specifically, plasma catalysis using Gallium (Ga) was studied for the growth of silicon nanowires. The synthesis experiments using silane in hydrogen flow over Ga droplets in the presence of plasma excitation yielded tip-led growth of silicon nanowires. In the absence of plasma, Ga droplets did not lead to silicon nanowire growth, indicating the plasma-catalyst synergistic effect when using Ga as catalyst. The resulting nanowires had a 1:1 droplet diameter to nanowire diameter relationship when the droplet diameters were less than 100 nm. From 100 nm to a micron, the ratio increased from 1:1 to 2:1 due to differences with wetting behavior as a function of droplet size. The growth experiments using Ga droplets derived from the reduction of Gallium oxide nanoparticles resulted in silicon nanowires with size distribution similar to that of Gallium oxide nanoparticles. Systematic experiments over 100 ºC – 500 ºC range suggest that the lowest temperature for the synthesis of silicon nanowires using the plasma-gallium system is 200 ºC. A set of experiments using Ga alloys with aluminum and gold was also conducted. The results show that both Ga rich alloys (Ga-Al and Ga-Au) allowed the growth of silicon nanowires at a temperature as low as 200 ºC. This temperature is the lowest reported when using either pure Al or Au. The estimated activation energy barrier for silicon nanowire growth kinetics using Al-Ga alloy (~48.6 kJ/mol) was higher compared to that using either pure Ga or Ga-Au alloy (~34 kJ/mol). The interaction between Ga and hydrogen was measured experimentally by monitoring pressure changes in a Ga packed batch reactor at constant temperature. The decrease of the pressure inside the reactor when the Ga was exposed to plasma indicated the absorption of hydrogen in Ga. The opposite effect is observed when the plasma is turned off suggesting that hydrogen desorbed from Ga. This experimental observation suggests that Ga acts as hydrogen sink in the presence of plasma. The formation of Ga-H species in the Ga surface and in the bulk as intermediate is suggested to be responsible for the dehydrogenation of silyl radicals from the gas phase and subsequently for selective dissolution of silicon into molten Ga. The proposed reaction mechanism is also consistent with the experimentally determined activation barrier for growth kinetics (~34 kJ/mol). In addition, theoretical simulations using VASP (Vienna Ab-initio Simulation Package) were used to study atomic hydrogen – molten Ga interactions. The simulation results suggest significant interaction of atomic hydrogen with molten Ga through formation of Ga-H species on the surface and fast diffusion through bulk Ga while supporting the proposed model to explain the Plasma-Ga synergistic effect. Finally, plasma synthesis of silicon nanotubes using sacrificial zinc oxide nanowire thin film as a template was investigated for lithium ion battery anode applications. The silicon nanotube anode showed high initial discharge capacity during the first cycle of 4600 mAh g−1 and good capacity retention (3600 mAh g−1 after 20 cyles). The silicon nanotubes preserved their morphology after cycling and the observed performance was attributed to the change in phase from nanocrystalline silicon hydrogenated (nc-Si:H) to amorphous silicon hydrogenated (a-Si:H) during lithiation. This dissertation demonstrated the plasma synergism with molten metals during vapor-liquid-solid growth of silicon nanowires. A model based on atomic hydrogen interactions with molten metals under plasma excitation has been proposed and validated through systematic experimental studies involving Ga and its alloys with gold and aluminum and theoretical studies involving first principles computations. Finally, the plasma-Ga system has been used to grow successfully silicon nanowires on various technologically useful substrates at temperatures as low as 200 ºC

Characterization of Continuously Oscillating Neurons (CONs) of the Medial Septum of Rats

Theta oscillation is the largest extracellular synchronous signal that can be recorded from the mammalian brain. It is known to influence information retention in the hippocampus, which plays a key role in declarative memory, recognition memory, working memory, and spatial memory. The theta oscillation field frequency is between 3 and 12 Hz and is present during exploratory behavior and sleep in rodents. Theta rhythm in the hippocampus is postulated to be produced by the rhythmical activity of pacemaking cells in the medial septumvertical limb of the diagonal band of Broca (MS-vDBB). Previous work in our laboratory demonstrated the existence of continuously oscillatory neurons (CONs), the pacemaking cells, and sporadically oscillatory neurons (SONs) in the MS-DB. CONs were found to fire rhythmical action potential bursts within the duration range of a theta wave. The frequency at which they fire correlates with the simultaneously recorded hippocampal theta rhythm. It is believed that inputs from CONs and other ascending neurons are necessary to recruit non-rhythmic neurons to fire along a theta oscillation pattern. Altogether, this initiates a propitious environment for hippocampal theta frequency, which becomes the foundation for memory formation important in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The MS oscillatory mechanism is believed to lead and recruit theta rhythm generation in the hippocampus. However, the statedependent alterations of the septo-hippocampal connection and the possible imbalance leading to septal or hippocampal dominance are poorly understood. In our investigations, we report that our CON cell recording was immuno-reactive to vi a GABAergic marker, supporting our hypothesis that MS GABAergic neurons are key cells in pacing hippocampal theta. Additionally, we report our findings for one SON cell and one NON-NC cell recorded in the MS

Outcomes of Communication, Workflow Efficiency, & Patient Care Quality Resulting from a Hands-free, Wireless Communication Device

Purpose: Failures in communication have long been identified as one of the root causes of preventable medical errors. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to assess staff perceptions on the outcomes of communication, workflow efficiency, and patient care quality after the implementation of a hands-free, wireless communication device in a federal acute care setting. Methodology: Replicating the quantitative component of a 2012 study by De Grood et al., a 10-item survey using a 5-point Likert scale was administered within a 4-week period to healthcare team members from two inpatient units composed of monitor technicians, nurses, nursing assistants, and unit clerks. Results: Out of 110 staff sampled, 84 surveys were returned garnering a 76.4% response rate. Frequencies for each of the 10 survey statements within the strongly agree/agree category ranged between 54%-88%. Pearson correlation coefficient generated statistically significant results and yielded strong, positive correlation values between each pair: communication and patient care quality, workflow efficiency and patient care quality, and communication and workflow efficiency. Implications: Healthcare team members positively perceive the use of the hands-free, wireless communication device. Staff believed that as communication improved, their workflow efficiency increased, and the quality of patient care they delivered was enhanced with the technology used. Investments in communication technology can positively influence patient care quality and staff satisfaction