Selection and appointment of teachers (with special reference to Massachusetts): a survey of the history, policies, procedures, and techniques of personnel selection

This item was digitized by the Internet Archive. Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Improving Polk County Service Integration Team\u27s Resource Sharing

Background: Polk County Service Integration (SI) collaborates with community partners to provide resources/information for individuals and families within the community. This collaboration includes a monthly newsletter to promote community resources, services, and events. Aim: The aim was to create a standardized submission tool for newsletter contributors to use to improve communication and promote resource utilization by community members. Methodology: This process improvement was structured using the Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) model. The PDSA model allowed for reassessment of project needs, and multiple cycles were done to develop a comprehensive evaluation and recommendation for the SI newsletter process. One assessment completed was a survey of SI partners.Results: The focus of survey data was surrounding the partner\u27s participation in submitting information to the SI newsletter. It revealed an overarching theme that partners do not feel they have relevant information to contribute. This thought represented the majority of respondents with a percentage of 68.3%. Discussion: Based on the results, we recommend implementation of the standardized submission tool. Through evaluation of results, it was found that users had difficulty with the submission process as a whole. With addition of the submission tool, these problems will be mitigated via guided questioning that will spark contribution ideas from the partners. To evaluate the continued effectiveness of the submission tool, participation of partners will be monitored. Implications: Implementation of the submission tool will begin January 2021. The implications of this are to ease the submission process for the SI coordinator and improve utilization of resources

3D Perfusable, Endothelialized Tumor Model

Metastatic cancer is a debilitating disease. Development of oncological drugs require testing on platforms that are representative of the human tumor microenvironment. Current in vitro testing systems do not accurately mimic this as they lack a consistent endothelial monolayer and controlled fluid flow. Poor quality models result in an 8% success rate for drugs in clinical trials. We propose a perfusion bioreactor system using a lyophilized 10% silk scaffold embedded with a collagen hydrogel seeded with an endothelial monolayer and cultured in vitro with physiologically accurate controlled flow. Preliminary data confirmed the development of a viable endothelial monolayer in a sterile, reperfusable system that is promising for future co-culture and in vitro oncological drug testing

Enantioselective Analytical- and Preparative-Scale Separation of Hexabromocyclododecane Stereoisomers Using Packed Column Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) is an additive brominated flame retardant which has been listed in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention for elimination of production and use. It has been reported to persist in the environment and has the potential for enantiomer-specific degradation, accumulation, or both, making enantioselective analyses increasingly important. The six main stereoisomers of technical HBCDD (i.e., the (+) and (−) enantiomers of α-, β-, and γ-HBCDD) were separated and isolated for the first time using enantioselective packed column supercritical fluid chromatography (pSFC) separation methods on a preparative scale. Characterization was completed using published chiral liquid chromatography (LC) methods and elution profiles, as well as X-ray crystallography, and the isolated fractions were definitively identified. Additionally, the resolution of the enantiomers, along with two minor components of the technical product (δ- and ε-HBCDD), was investigated on an analytical scale using both LC and pSFC separation techniques, and changes in elution order were highlighted. Baseline separation of all HBCDD enantiomers was achieved by pSFC on an analytical scale using a cellulose-based column. The described method emphasizes the potential associated with pSFC as a green method of isolating and analyzing environmental contaminants of concern.publishedVersio

Current and Innovative Strategies in Energy Efficiency: A Case Study of Astrakhan State University

The purpose of this Interactive Qualifying Project was to conduct an energy audit on three buildings at Astrakhan State University in Russia and propose recommendations regarding ways in which electrical energy efficiency could be improved. After researching multiple energy-saving technologies, we recommend that Astrakhan State University install more efficient light bulbs and motion sensors. We also recommend Astrakhan State University implement piezoelectric flooring to become a leader in energy sustainability among universities in Russia

Challenges in the Analyses of Organophosphate Esters

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) have been subject to considerable scientific and public scrutiny in recent years. The combination of their physicochemical characteristics and lack of standard analytical methods has resulted in growing concerns with respect to the validity of OPE concentrations reported in the literature. The goal of this study was to address the analytical challenges in analyses of OPEs by comparing the precision and accuracy of data generated for individual target analytes by different laboratories. Eleven international research laboratories were recruited in this study, and a total of 16 OPEs, chosen among the most frequently reported ones, were targeted. Results demonstrate the participating laboratories had generally good to very good consistency for the suite of OPEs analyzed, but accuracy was found to be a problem for several OPEs and laboratories. Methods utilized for the quantification of tri-<i>m</i>-tolyl phosphate, tri-<i>p</i>-tolyl phosphate, and tris­(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate performed worst overall, as highlighted by their zeta-scores, suggesting that interpretation and comparison of results for these OPEs should be made with caution and that current analytical methods may need to be improved. Liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry performed best for both precision and accuracy