The Experience of Transitioning to the Caregiving Role for a Family Member with Alzheimer\u27s Disease or a Related Dementia

Alzheimer\u27s disease is a chronic, debilitating disease that currently affects approximately 5.1 million Americans (Alzheimer\u27s Association 2007). The majority of these individuals are being cared for at home by family caregivers who are known to suffer from more depression and burden than any other group of caregivers. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of transitioning to the role of caregiver for a family member with Alzheimer\u27s disease or a related dementia. The study followed purposeful sampling and eight women and two men with a mean age of 66.3 participated in the study. These caregivers reported being in the caregiving role for an average of 5 years. In depth semi-structured interviews along with observation field notes were the sources of data collection. Data were analyzed using the hermeneutic phenomenological approach based on the Utrecht School of Phenomenology (Cohen, Kahn, and Steeves, 2000). Seven themes were uncovered through data analysis including (a) something is wrong; (b) a journey to diagnosis: ambiguity and negative emotions; (c) shifting roles and relationships: losses and challenges; (d) seeking knowledge and support: solutions and frustrations; (d) adapting to the topsy-turvy world of caregiving: finding purpose; (e) preserving self without guilt; and (e) finding a way out. Findings have implications for nursing curricula and practice as participants expressed a need for opportunities for communication and access to resources. The findings also suggest the need for health care planning early in the disease process. Policy implications include the need for public education on dementia and expanded coverage for family leave, respite care, and adult day programs. Further research is recommended to explore the experiences of caregivers during the early diagnosis period and the ethics and patterns of health care decision-making

Proceedings of the 2018 Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME) International Congress

Published proceedings of the 2018 Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME) International Congress, hosted by York University, 27-30 May 2018

A Study of Teacher Opinion Regarding Some of the Means by Which Elementary School Science Instruction Can Be Made More Effective

In this master thesis the author surveys and analyzes teacher opinion on how to best improve science instruction in the elementary school. Fifty-three elementary school teachers in East Irondequoit Central School District and 35 teachers from outer districts were polled on their opinion on how to improve science in the elementary school. Polled teachers were asked to rank specific areas of improvement according to their importance. Results indicated that the most important method of science improvement was designing a science program aimed at providing children from kindergarten through the sixth grade with a basic understanding that will enable them to pursue science instruction in the seventh grade. Other improvements deemed to be very significant include providing more for science teachers, such as lists of all science books and films available in the school, and college credit offered to teachers to keep them up to date with the latest advancements in science. Teachers generally opposed ideas of allowing other people to come in and teach specific subject materials. All suggestions of inviting others to teach segments of the class were deemed to be unimportant in improving science education

A Study of Teacher Opinion Regarding Some of the Means by Which Elementary School Science Instruction Can Be Made More Effective

Abstract was created by repository staff to aid in discovery.In this master thesis the author surveys and analyzes teacher opinion on how to best improve science instruction in the elementary school. Fifty-three elementary school teachers in East Irondequoit Central School District and 35 teachers from outer districts were polled on their opinion on how to improve science in the elementary school. Polled teachers were asked to rank specific areas of improvement according to their importance. Results indicated that the most important method of science improvement was designing a science program aimed at providing children from kindergarten through the sixth grade with a basic understanding that will enable them to pursue science instruction in the seventh grade. Other improvements deemed to be very significant include providing more for science teachers, such as lists of all science books and films available in the school, and college credit offered to teachers to keep them up to date with the latest advancements in science. Teachers generally opposed ideas of allowing other people to come in and teach specific subject materials. All suggestions of inviting others to teach segments of the class were deemed to be unimportant in improving science education.SUNY BrockportEducation and Human DevelopmentMaster of Science in Education (MSEd)Education and Human Development Master's These

Revisiting Non-Convexity in Topology Optimization of Compliance Minimization Problems

Purpose: This is an attempt to better bridge the gap between the mathematical and the engineering/physical aspects of the topic. We trace the different sources of non-convexification in the context of topology optimization problems starting from domain discretization, passing through penalization for discreteness and effects of filtering methods, and end with a note on continuation methods. Design/Methodology/Approach: Starting from the global optimum of the compliance minimization problem, we employ analytical tools to investigate how intermediate density penalization affects the convexity of the problem, the potential penalization-like effects of various filtering techniques, how continuation methods can be used to approach the global optimum, and how the initial guess has some weight in determining the final optimum. Findings: The non-convexification effects of the penalization of intermediate density elements simply overshadows any other type of non-convexification introduced into the problem, mainly due to its severity and locality. Continuation methods are strongly recommended to overcome the problem of local minima, albeit its step and convergence criteria are left to the user depending on the type of application. Originality/Value: In this article, we present a comprehensive treatment of the sources of non-convexity in density-based topology optimization problems, with a focus on linear elastic compliance minimization. We put special emphasis on the potential penalization-like effects of various filtering techniques through a detailed mathematical treatment

Preparing and Coordinating Undergraduate Engineering Design Projects

Paper presented at 2018 Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineers International Congress, 27-30 May 2018.Design projects have become common in engineering classrooms. Earlier exposure to and training in the design engineering process hold much value for an enriched experience and an in-depth understanding of engineering design. Simultaneously, students in their earlier years require more guidance and frequent feedback to inform their own expectations of learning objectives, as well as develop effective learning strategies. In this paper, we will examine the considerations required to design and conduct an undergraduate engineering design course, with reflections from several years’ experience with a second-year mechanical engineering design course

The Making of Modern-Day NIL Laws: The Past, Present, and Future of Amateurism and Commercialization in College Sport

The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of state laws governing collegiate student-athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights and place the laws within the framework of the NCAA’s historic and current views on amateurism and commercialization. To accomplish such, a content analysis of the 30 existing NIL laws/executive orders was performed to identify trends in the statutes and establish what commonalities and differences exist across states. The analysis found five themes/sections common across state laws (i.e., definitions, basic NIL rules, limitations, disclosures and review processes, agent and representation rules, and required workshops). Moreover, the evaluation revealed the basic NIL rights of student-athletes are uniform across all states. However, the limitations that are placed on them and the processes they must abide by vary from state to state. Current NCAA bylaws were found to coincide with the new state laws, while still maintaining the organization’s desire for amateurism and push to minimize commercialization

The Effect Of High Strain Rate On The Piezo-Resistance Of Polydimethylsiloxane With Carbon Nanotubes

This paper describes the piezoresistive properties of a nanocomposite made of polydimethylsiloxane and multi- walled carbon nanotubes that is subjected to high strain rate. We highlight the production process of the composite, the testing protocol, and the results obtained

Material Properties Of 3D Printed Parts: Challenges In Design And Analysis

The present paper addresses the challenges in design and analysis of 3D printed structures with anisotropic material properties. In recent years the additive manufacturing technologies have been used in most of the industries because of their freedom in fabrication of any complex geometry part. However, the final properties of the 3D printed parts are anisotropic though the material used is isotropic. Further, the properties of printed part are not homogeneous. This change in the properties is due to process parameters and build orientation of the parts. Therefore, this calls special attention of the designer for effective design and analysis of such parts. In this paper, design consideration of the parts for 3D printing and also, their structural analysis for effective design of parts for 3D printing are discussed. Further, different steps involved from design to 3D printing of a product are discussed