Peers Educating Peers: Healthy Living at PSU

Peer leaders worked with eleven students to lead small groups of students using a health and wellness curriculum (HealthyCARE® by Genavix, LLC). This pilot project was used to increase student’s knowledge, awareness and implementation of health promotion skills and behaviors that reinforce the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. This pilot project engaged students weekly and individually, in a collaborative approach to deliver education on nutrition, fitness and total well-being practices to promote healthy behaviors in college students in an open and creative environment. Peer health coaches support like- minded students individually in realizing their own wellness goals through a positive, strengths-focused approach. This project is aligned with Healthy PSU\u27s overarching goal of becoming one of the healthiest campus in the nation by 2020

Framework for Automated Functional Tests within Value-Added Service Environments

Full version unavailable due to 3rd party copyright restrictions.Recent years have witnessed that standard telecommunication services evolved more and more to next generation value-added services. This fact is accompanied by a change of service characteristics as new services are designed to fulfil the customer’s demands instead of just focussing on technologies and protocols. These demands can be very specific and, therefore, diverse potential service functionalities have to be considered by the service providers. To make matters worse for service providers, a fast transition from concept to market product and low price of a new service is required due to the increasing competition in the telecommunication industry. Therefore, effective test solutions need to be developed that can be integrated in current value-added service development life-cycles. Besides, these solutions should support the involvement of all participating stakeholders such as the service provider, the test developers as well as the service developers, and, in order to consider an agile approach, also the service customer. This thesis proposes a novel framework for functional testing that is based on a new sort of description language for value-added services (Service Test Description). Based on instances of the Service Test Description, sets of reusable test components described by means of an applied Statecharts notation are automatically selected and composed to so-called behaviour models. From the behaviour models, abstract test cases can be automatically generated which are then transformed to TTCN-3 test cases and then assembled to an Executable Test Suite. Within a TTCN-3 test system, the Executable Test Suite can be executed against the corresponding value-added service referred to as System Under Test. One benefit of the proposed framework is its application within standard development life-cycles. Therefore, the thesis presents a methodology that considers both service development and test development as parallel tasks and foresees procedures to synchronise the tasks and to allow an agile approach with customer involvement. The novel framework is validated through a proof-of-concept working prototype. Example value-added services have been chosen to illustrate the whole process from compiling instances of the Service Test Description until the execution of automated tests. Overall, this thesis presents a novel solution for service providers to improve the quality of their provided value-added services through automated functional testing procedures. It enables the early involvement of the customers into the service development life-cycle and also helps test developers and service developers to collaborate

ADCP Observations of Currents and Suspended Sediment in the Macrotidal Gulf of Martaban, Myanmar

The Ayeyarwady and Thanlwin Rivers, which drain Myanmar, together form one of the largest point sources of freshwater and sediment to the global ocean. Combined, these rivers annually deliver an estimated 485 Mt of sediment to the northern Andaman Sea. This sediment contributes to a perennially muddy zone within the macro-tidal Gulf of Martaban, but little is known about the processes that dominate dispersal and trapping of sediment there, as very few water column observations are available. A research cruise in December 2017 provided a rare opportunity to obtain Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) data along transects from the Gulf of Martaban and adjacent continental shelf. Two transects were obtained from the outer portion of the Gulf of Martaban in water depths that ranged from about 20–35 m. These showed very fast currents, especially during flood tide conditions, exceeding 1.5 m/s. The backscatter record from the ADCP indicated asymmetries in distribution of suspended sediment during the ebb versus flood phase of the tide. During ebb tidal conditions, the backscatter record indicated that sediment was transported in either a surface advected layer, or fairly well-mixed throughout the water column. In contrast, during flood tidal conditions, sediment was confined to the bottom boundary layer, even though the velocities were faster during flood than the ebb conditions. The vertical structure of the currents during flood tide conditions indicated the presence of sediment–induced stratification because currents within the near-bed turbid layers were relatively slow, but speeds increased markedly above these layers. This albeit limited dataset provides an exciting glimpse into the dynamics of sediment transport within the muddy, macrotidal Gulf of Martaban, and implies the importance of tidal straining and bottom nepheloid layer formation there

Dual-Energy Computed Tomography in Stroke Imaging : Value of a New Image Acquisition Technique for Ischemia Detection after Mechanical Thrombectomy

OBJECTIVE: To assess if a new dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) technique enables an improved visualization of ischemic brain tissue after mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The DECT head scans with a new sequential technique (TwinSpiral DECT) were performed in 41 patients with ischemic stroke after endovascular thrombectomy and were retrospectively included. Standard mixed and virtual non-contrast (VNC) images were reconstructed. Infarct visibility and image noise were assessed qualitatively by two readers using a 4-point Likert scale. Quantitative Hounsfield units (HU) were used to assess density differences of ischemic brain tissue versus healthy tissue on the non-affected contralateral hemisphere. RESULTS: Infarct visibility was significantly better in VNC compared to mixed images for both readers R1 (VNC: median 1 (range 1-3), mixed: median 2 (range 1-4), p < 0.05) and R2 (VNC: median 2 (range 1-3), mixed: 2 (range 1-4), p < 0.05). Qualitative image noise was significantly higher in VNC compared to mixed images for both readers R1 (VNC: median 3, mixed: 2) and R2 (VNC: median 2, mixed: 1, p < 0.05, each). Mean HU were significantly different between the infarcted tissue and the reference healthy brain tissue on the contralateral hemisphere in VNC (infarct 24 ± 3) and mixed images (infarct 33 ± 5, p < 0.05, each). The mean HU difference between ischemia and reference in VNC images (mean 8 ± 3) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to the mean HU difference in mixed images (mean 5 ± 4). CONCLUSION: TwinSpiral DECT allows an improved qualitative and quantitative visualization of ischemic brain tissue in ischemic stroke patients after endovascular treatment

Mid-IR sensing platform for trace analysis in aqueous solutions based on a germanium-on-silicon waveguide chip with a mesoporous silica coating for analyte enrichment

A novel platform based on evanescent wave sensing in the 6.5 to 7.5 mu m wavelength range is presented with the example of toluene detection in an aqueous solution. The overall sensing platform consists of a germanium-on-silicon waveguide with a functionalized mesoporous silica cladding and integrated microlenses for alignment-tolerant back-side optical interfacing with a tunable laser spectrometer. Hydrophobic functionalization of the mesoporous cladding allows enrichment of apolar analyte molecules and prevents strong interaction of water with the evanescent wave. The sensing performance was evaluated for aqueous toluene standards resulting in a limit of detection of 7 ppm. Recorded adsorption/desorption profiles followed Freundlich adsorption isotherms with rapid equilibration and resulting sensor response times of a few seconds. This indicates that continuous monitoring of contaminants in water is possible. A significant increase in LOD can be expected by likely improvements to the spectrometer noise floor which, expressed as a relative standard deviation of 100% lines, is currently in the range of 10(-2) A.U. (C) 2020 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreemen

Biomassa de Dendrocalamus giganteus como recurso bioenergético

Seeking sustainable alternatives to diversify the energy matrix has become a goal to be achieved by all nations. Bambo biomass can be one of these alternatives because it is a CO2-neutral energy source with the possibility of use as a fuel in solid, liquid or gaseous form. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of age of 12 and 7 years on the chemical and energetic properties of Dendrocalamus giganteus stems. For this, the contents of total extractives, lignin, volatile materials, ash and fixed carbon were determined, in addition to the basic density, higher calorific value and energy density of the stems. Evaluations of gravimetric yield of charcoal and pirolenhoso liquor produced from the carbonization of the material were also performed. Bamboos aged 7 and 12 years showed good chemical properties for energy purposes. The values of lignin content, volatile materials, fixed carbon and ash were similar between ages. However, the net calorific value, energy density, gravimetric yield of charcoal and pyroligneous acid expanded/rose with increasing age, and the highest values were found in 12-year-old colm. The species Dendrocalamus giganteus presented physical-chemical and energetic properties and they meet the expected quality criteria for the use of this biomass to generate thermal energy.Buscar alternativas sustentáveis para diversificar a matriz energética tornou-se uma meta a ser alcançada por todas as nações. A biomassa de bambu pode ser uma dessas alternativas por ser uma fonte de energia neutra em CO2 com a possibilidade de uso como combustível na forma sólida, líquida ou gasosa. Neste estudo objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da idade de 12 e 7 anos nas propriedades químicas e energéticas de colmos de Dendrocalamus giganteus. Para isso, foram determinados os teores de extrativos totais, de lignina, de materiais voláteis, de cinzas e de carbono fixo, além da densidade básica, poder calorífico superior e densidade energética dos colmos. Também foram realizadas as avaliações de rendimento gravimétrico do carvão vegetal e do licor pirolenhoso produzidos a partir da carbonização do material. Os bambus com 12 e 7 anos de idade apresentaram boas propriedades químicas para fins energéticos. Os valores de teor de lignina, materiais voláteis, carbono fixo e cinzas foram semelhantes entre as idades. Entretanto, o poder calorífico líquido, densidade energética, rendimento gravimétrico do carvão vegetal e ácido pirolenhoso aumentaram com o aumento da idade, e os maiores valores foram verificados para os colmos com 12 anos. A espécie Dendrocalamus giganteus apresentou propriedades físico-químicas e energéticas, e atendem aos critérios de qualidade esperados para o aproveitamento dessa biomassa para produção de energia térmica

Guidelines for Family-Centered Care in the Neonatal, Pediatric, and Adult ICU.

OBJECTIVE: To provide clinicians with evidence-based strategies to optimize the support of the family of critically ill patients in the ICU. METHODS: We used the Council of Medical Specialty Societies principles for the development of clinical guidelines as the framework for guideline development. We assembled an international multidisciplinary team of 29 members with expertise in guideline development, evidence analysis, and family-centered care to revise the 2007 Clinical Practice Guidelines for support of the family in the patient-centered ICU. We conducted a scoping review of qualitative research that explored family-centered care in the ICU. Thematic analyses were conducted to support Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome question development. Patients and families validated the importance of interventions and outcomes. We then conducted a systematic review using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations methodology to make recommendations for practice. Recommendations were subjected to electronic voting with pre-established voting thresholds. No industry funding was associated with the guideline development. RESULTS: The scoping review yielded 683 qualitative studies; 228 were used for thematic analysis and Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome question development. The systematic review search yielded 4,158 reports after deduplication and 76 additional studies were added from alerts and hand searches; 238 studies met inclusion criteria. We made 23 recommendations from moderate, low, and very low level of evidence on the topics of: communication with family members, family presence, family support, consultations and ICU team members, and operational and environmental issues. We provide recommendations for future research and work-tools to support translation of the recommendations into practice. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines identify the evidence base for best practices for family-centered care in the ICU. All recommendations were weak, highlighting the relative nascency of this field of research and the importance of future research to identify the most effective interventions to improve this important aspect of ICU care

Blended Learning – Advancement of a training for the creation of a multimedia process description

Diese Arbeit handelt von der Überarbeitung eines Blended Learning Szenarios, welches die Theorie vom Erstellen multimedialer Prozessbeschreibungen vermittelt. Speziell soll der E-Learning-Teil, ein bereits bestehendes Web-Based-Training, überarbeitet werden. Dazu werden beispielhafte multimediale Prozessbeschreibungen sowie die Methodik und Didaktik des Einführens in das Unterrichtsmodell erstellt

The economic and spatial transformation of Krosno and its determinants.

Moja praca licencjacka porusza temat przemian gospodarczych, przestrzennych i funkcjonalnych w Krośnie w XXI wieku na tle uwarunkowań historycznych. Jest to miasto powiatowe położone w województwie podkarpackim, oddalone o 60 km na południe od Rzeszowa. Do 1997 roku pełniło funkcję miasta wojewódzkiego. Jest jednym z najważniejszych ośrodków administracyjnych i handlowych województwa. Krosno jest miastem usługowo- przemysłowym z wieloletnią tradycją determinującą rozwój przemysłu. Miasto zmaga się z problemem starzenia się społeczeństwa miasta i depopulacją, która stale się pogłębia. Charakterystyczną cechą jest niski poziom bezrobocia związany częściowo z bezrobociem ukrytym. Krosno traci swoje funkcje społeczne i gospodarcze pomimo rozwijającej się infrastruktury transportowej, budownictwa oraz polepszającego się poziomu życia.My Bachelor deals with the subject of economic, spatial and functional transformation in Krosno in the 21st century against the background of historical conditions. It is adistrict town located in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, 60 km south of Rzeszów. Until 1997, it was a provincial city. It is one of the most important administrative and commercial centers of the voivodship.Krosno is a service and industrial city with a long tradition that determines the development of industry. The city is struggling with the problem of aging city society and depopulation, which is constantly deepening. A characteristic feature is the low level of unemployment partly due to hidden unemployment. Krosno loses its social and economic functions despite the growing transport infrastructure, construction and better living standards