A Case Study of Student Success in Physical Therapist Assistant Programs: A Systems Approach

Graduating sufficient numbers of healthcare providers to fill the needs of an aging population in the United States is a major social concern. To address this problem physical therapist assistant (PTA) programs need to improve their graduation rates to keep up with the demand for qualified personnel. Applying Senge\u27s theory of effective systems, 1 medium-sized community college with an average pass rate of over 90% on the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE) was selected to address the research question: What are the systems factors and how do they operate together to support student success in an associate degree PTA program? The method was a descriptive case study consisting of interviews, classroom observations, and document review using member checking and triangulation of data, with analysis by topic in order to yield Geertz\u27s \u27thick description\u27 of efforts toward student success. A significant array of strategies and cooperative practices within the department were identified that may contribute to success on the NPTAE. Student success might be further enhanced if PTA faculty were even better connected to other College departments, and all successful retention strategies were disseminated throughout the College. While this case study cannot definitively establish a causal link between college-wide student success efforts and the high pass rate on the NPTAE, it is possible to conclude that it provides a context in which the success rate can be understood. The results of this study would suggest that other colleges that want to improve the NPTAE pass rate might consider this model to effect social change by meeting the growing health care needs and challenges in society of all people, especially an aging population

Relative Abundance, Population Structure, and Habitat Utilization of the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) and Eastern Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) in southeastern Missouri

GENERAL ABSTRACT---Alligator Snapping Turtles have not been surveyed extensively in Missouri since 1993-94. Six sites that were sampled in the early nineties were re-sampled in 2009 at the same locations where previous researchers trapped. Significantly fewer significantly fewer Alligator Snapping Turtles were captured per trapnight at all six sites. The population structure of the Alligator Snapping Turtles had a significantly different distribution in 2009 compared to 1993-94. The population structure had shifted toward smaller individuals, and fewer adult males and adult females were captured in 2009 compared to 1993-94. The 1993-94 structure was normally distributed while the 2009 structure exhibited a negative skew. Populations sampled in 2009 have an extremely female-biased sex ratio and fewer large adults, which may impact the population negatively in the future. Future sampling of Alligator Snapping Turtles at these six sites is recommended to continue monitoring their long-term trends in relative abundance and population structure. Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) and Eastern Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) were captured during the summers of 2009 and 2010. Habitat characteristics were collected at each trap that captured these species. Subsequent analysis of data revealed that Alligator Snapping Turtle presence at trap sites was characterized by increased physical structure in the stream, water depth, relatively high levels of detritus, and warmer temperatures when compared to Eastern Snapping Turtles; the amount of aquatic vegetation and bottom surface (i.e., mud or non-mud substrate) were important in characterizing Eastern Snapping Turtle presence in traps. Eastern Snapping Turtles and Alligator Snapping Turtles did not use the same areas spatially, and were only trapped at the same location once in 557 trapnights. Future conservation plans for the Alligator Snapping Turtle and Eastern Snapping Turtle should consider the microhabitat characteristics of sites utilized by these turtles, along with the possibility of interspecific interactions within Chelydridae

Responsabilidad social universitaria en Maracaibo, Venezuela

This article aims to analyze university social responsibility in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The work is based on the postulates of Rodriguez (2010), De la Cuesta (2011) and the Ministry of Education in Spain (2011), among others. It is a descriptive, field study. The population consisted of authorities from five universities, one (1) public and four (4) private, located in Maracaibo, who were accessed through a questionnaire composed of thirty-two (32) closed items. The instrument was validated by experts in the university management field. To determine the questionnaire’s reliability, the test-retest method was applied, obtaining a 0.94 coefficient. To analyze data, the arithmetic mean or average was used. Results indicate that the universities under study exhibit a social responsibility model with an instrumental, entrepreneurial tendency, where knowledge is seen as the main asset available for society’s use. However, a greater integration of these higher education institutions with their stakeholders is required.  El presente artículo tiene como objetivo analizar la responsabilidad social universitaria en Maracaibo, Venezuela. El trabajo se sustenta en los postulados de Rodríguez (2010), De la Cuesta (2011), el Ministerio de Educación de España (2011), entre otros. El estudio fue descriptivo, de campo. La población estuvo conformada por autoridades de cinco (5) universidades, una (1) pública y cuatro (4) privadas ubicadas en Maracaibo, a las cuales se accedió mediante un cuestionario compuesto por treinta y dos (32) ítems cerrados. El instrumento fue validado por expertos en el ámbito de la gerencia universitaria. Para determinar la confiabilidad del cuestionario se aplicó el método test-retest, obteniéndose un coeficiente de 0,94. Para analizar los datos se utilizó el promedio aritmético o media. Los resultados indican que las universidades estudiadas exhiben un modelo de responsabilidad social de tendencia empresarial instrumental, donde el conocimiento se perfila como el principal activo disponible para su uso por la sociedad, pero se requiere una mayor integración de las instituciones de educación superior con sus stakeholders. &nbsp

AVCAL reduction analysis model

This thesis provides decision makers with a model to analyze the impact of an Aviation Consolidated Allowance List (AVCAL) reduction onboard aircraft carriers (CVs). The Department of Defense in currently down-sizing its forces by 25 percent from FY1991 to FY1995 due to the reduction in funding caused by the significant change in the threat assessment. The implications of the current down-sizing of forces are wide-ranging throughout DoD, including the possibility of reducing a CV's AVCAL from 90 to 60 days. Both analytical and simulation models (RP-FOR and RP-SIM, respectively) have been developed. The model measure the impact of reducing an AVCAL from 90 to 60 days by comparing the benefits of savings gained from a reduction of AVCAL, versus the penalties of reduced operational availability of the aircraft.http://archive.org/details/avcalreductionan00leopLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Detección Temprana de Epilepsia Pediátrica: Progresión de los Electrodos en EEG

Epilepsy is a brain disorder caused by unexpected changes in electrical activity, manifested by unusual behaviors called seizures, which can lead to loss of consciousness and can be repeated several times during the patient's life. Pediatric epilepsy manifests itself in a very varied way with the age of children; since the type of seizures depends on the degree of maturation of the central nervous system the genetics that predominate in the structure and biochemical processes of the developing brain. In this order of ideas, the electroencephalogram (EEG) is a tool that supports the process of diagnosing this disease through the electrical recording of epileptic seizures. The bioelectrical activity of the brain is detected at the level of the scalp by the electrodes, then amplified and finally recorded. This process is known as neuromonitoring. This review describes several investigations done to determine the effectiveness and performance of different EEG electrodes, emphasizing pediatric applications given the difficulty in this type of patient. It is intended to propose emerging technologies that could shortly be used in the early detection of epileptiform events, allowing treatment strategies to be established from the beginning of patients' lives. Although pediatric electroencephalography has been evolving; however, it still lacks effective and comfortable means of monitoring EEG in early stages and long periods. Therefore, emerging technologies that manage to solve this problem continue to be investigated, such as graphene and doped polymers. La epilepsia es un trastorno cerebral producido por cambios inesperados de la actividad eléctrica del cerebro, manifestado por comportamientos inusuales llamados convulsiones, que pueden llevar hasta la pérdida del conocimiento, y pueden repetirse varias veces en el transcurso de vida del paciente. La epilepsia pediátrica se manifiesta en forma muy variada con la edad de los niños; ya que, el tipo de convulsiones depende del grado de maduración del sistema nervioso central, la genética predominante en la estructura y los procesos bioquímicos del cerebro en desarrollo. En este orden de ideas, el electroencefalograma (EEG) es una herramienta que apoya el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad por medio del registro eléctrico de las crisis epilépticas. La actividad bioeléctrica del cerebro es detectada a nivel del cuero cabelludo por los electrodos, luego se amplifica y finalmente, se registra; este proceso es conocido como la neuromonitorización. En esta revisión se describen varias investigaciones que se recopilaron de revisiones de registros existentes en base a ingeniería biomédica, para determinar la efectividad y desempeño de diferentes electrodos de EEG, con énfasis en aplicaciones pediátricas dada la dificultad en este tipo de paciente. Se pretende plantear las tecnologías emergentes que pudieran en un futuro cercano utilizarse en la detección temprana de eventos epileptiformes, permitiendo establecer estrategias de tratamiento desde el inicio de la vida de los pacientes. Aunque ha evolucionado progresivamente, la Electroencefalografía pediátrica todavía carece de medios efectivos y cómodos para monitorizar continuamente el EEG en etapas tempranas. Tecnologías como el grafeno y los polímeros dopados podrían resolver esta problemática

Detección Temprana de Epilepsia Pediátrica: Progresión de los Electrodos en EEG

Epilepsy is a brain disorder caused by unexpected changes in electrical activity, manifested by unusual behaviors called seizures, which can lead to loss of consciousness and can be repeated several times during the patient's life. Pediatric epilepsy manifests itself in a very varied way with the age of children; since the type of seizures depends on the degree of maturation of the central nervous system the genetics that predominate in the structure and biochemical processes of the developing brain. In this order of ideas, the electroencephalogram (EEG) is a tool that supports the process of diagnosing this disease through the electrical recording of epileptic seizures. The bioelectrical activity of the brain is detected at the level of the scalp by the electrodes, then amplified and finally recorded. This process is known as neuromonitoring. This review describes several investigations done to determine the effectiveness and performance of different EEG electrodes, emphasizing pediatric applications given the difficulty in this type of patient. It is intended to propose emerging technologies that could shortly be used in the early detection of epileptiform events, allowing treatment strategies to be established from the beginning of patients' lives. Although pediatric electroencephalography has been evolving; however, it still lacks effective and comfortable means of monitoring EEG in early stages and long periods. Therefore, emerging technologies that manage to solve this problem continue to be investigated, such as graphene and doped polymers. La epilepsia es un trastorno cerebral producido por cambios inesperados de la actividad eléctrica del cerebro, manifestado por comportamientos inusuales llamados convulsiones, que pueden llevar hasta la pérdida del conocimiento, y pueden repetirse varias veces en el transcurso de vida del paciente. La epilepsia pediátrica se manifiesta en forma muy variada con la edad de los niños; ya que, el tipo de convulsiones depende del grado de maduración del sistema nervioso central, la genética predominante en la estructura y los procesos bioquímicos del cerebro en desarrollo. En este orden de ideas, el electroencefalograma (EEG) es una herramienta que apoya el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad por medio del registro eléctrico de las crisis epilépticas. La actividad bioeléctrica del cerebro es detectada a nivel del cuero cabelludo por los electrodos, luego se amplifica y finalmente, se registra; este proceso es conocido como la neuromonitorización. En esta revisión se describen varias investigaciones que se recopilaron de revisiones de registros existentes en base a ingeniería biomédica, para determinar la efectividad y desempeño de diferentes electrodos de EEG, con énfasis en aplicaciones pediátricas dada la dificultad en este tipo de paciente. Se pretende plantear las tecnologías emergentes que pudieran en un futuro cercano utilizarse en la detección temprana de eventos epileptiformes, permitiendo establecer estrategias de tratamiento desde el inicio de la vida de los pacientes. Aunque ha evolucionado progresivamente, la Electroencefalografía pediátrica todavía carece de medios efectivos y cómodos para monitorizar continuamente el EEG en etapas tempranas. Tecnologías como el grafeno y los polímeros dopados podrían resolver esta problemática

Switching LPV Controllers for a Variable Speed Pitch Regulated Wind Turbine

This paper deals with the control of a variable speed, pitch regulated wind turbine in the whole plant operating area. The wind turbine operating area can be divided into several zones, depending on the wind speed, and the control objectives are different for each operating zone. An hybrid control system composed by several LPV controllers which switches during transitions from one operating area to another is designed in order to ensure asymptotic stability and a good level of performances in the whole operating area. The LPV controllers are calculated from a convex LMI formulation of the problem in order to minimize an H2=H¥ criteria that optimizes the energy conversion of the system and that reduces the mechanical fatigue of the plant mechanical structure. The proposed controller is finally compared with two more conventional ones

A Randomized Study of Food Pictures-Influenced Decision-Making Under Ambiguity in Individuals With Morbid Obesity

Background and Aims In addition to craving responses to salient food cues, the anticipation of short-term rewarding consumption of palatable food may overrun the anticipation of long-term negative consequences of obesity. The present investigation addressed the potential interplay of food cravings and decision-making abilities in individuals with obesity. Method Study 1 included 107 bariatric surgery candidates with class 2/3 obesity (OB-group) and study 2 included 54 individuals with normal weight/pre-obesity (nonOB-group). In both studies, standardized questionnaires concerning food cravings, food addiction, and psychopathology were administered. A cue-reactivity paradigm was used to measure craving responses toward semi-individualized images of highly palatable, processed food/fruit (appetitive food cues) compared to images of raw vegetables (non-appetitive food cues). Decision-making was measured with a modified computerized version of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) with food pictures. Both groups were divided into two subgroups that were randomized to different IGT conditions. In one IGT condition the advantageous IGT card decks were covered by pictures of palatable, processed food or fruit and the disadvantageous decks by images of raw vegetables (= congruent condition), and in the other IGT conditionvice versa. Results Participants in the OB-group admitted on average higher craving responses toward palatable, processed food or fruit cues compared to pictures of raw vegetables. This was not the case in the nonOB-group. Contrary to our hypothesis, decision-making performance in both groups was worse when pictures of palatable, processed food or fruit were associated with advantageous IGT card decks compared to performance when those pictures were linked to the disadvantageous decks. The interference effect of food pictures processing on advantageous decision-making has been observed particularly in those individuals of the OB-group who exhibited high craving responses toward palatable, processed food cues or high levels of food addiction. Discussion The results indicate that food pictures processing interferes with decision-making, regardless of weight status. Opposed to the hypothesis, stronger tendencies to avoid than to approach pictures presenting processed, tasty food were observed. Further research should examine how cognitive avoidance tendencies toward processed, high energy food and approach tendencies toward healthy food can be transferred to real life situations

Effect of inhaled glucocorticoids in childhood on adult height

BACKGROUND: The use of inhaled glucocorticoids for persistent asthma causes a temporary reduction in growth velocity in prepubertal children. The resulting decrease in attained height 1 to 4 years after the initiation of inhaled glucocorticoids is thought not to decrease attained adult height. METHODS: We measured adult height in 943 of 1041 participants (90.6%) in the Childhood Asthma Management Program; adult height was determined at a mean (±SD) age of 24.9±2.7 years. Starting at the age of 5 to 13 years, the participants had been randomly assigned to receive 400 μg of budesonide, 16 mg of nedocromil, or placebo daily for 4 to 6 years. We calculated differences in adult height for each active treatment group, as compared with placebo, using multiple linear regression with adjustment for demographic characteristics, asthma features, and height at trial entry. RESULTS: Mean adult height was 1.2 cm lower (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.9 to -0.5) in the budesonide group than in the placebo group (P=0.001) and was 0.2 cm lower (95% CI, -0.9 to 0.5) in the nedocromil group than in the placebo group (P=0.61). A larger daily dose of inhaled glucocorticoid in the first 2 years was associated with a lower adult height (-0.1 cm for each microgram per kilogram of body weight) (P=0.007). The reduction in adult height in the budesonide group as compared with the placebo group was similar to that seen after 2 years of treatment (-1.3 cm; 95% CI, -1.7 to -0.9). During the first 2 years, decreased growth velocity in the budesonide group occurred primarily in prepubertal participants. CONCLUSIONS: The initial decrease in attained height associated with the use of inhaled glucocorticoids in prepubertal children persisted as a reduction in adult height, although the decrease was not progressive or cumulative. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Center for Research Resources; CAMP ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00000575.)