Theoretical investigations of r-f induction heated plasmas

Radio frequency induction heated plasmas with power deposition and energy remova

Research and investigation of gas dynamic lasers

Chemical mixing laser investigations were conducted (1) to investigate the properties of a bimolecular exchange laser system pumped by the H + Cl2 yields HCl(v) + Cl reaction, initiated by arc-dissociated H2, with lasing occurring between wavelengths of 3.4 and 4.0 microns, and (2) to establish the feasibility of an atom recombination-transfer laser employing recombination of arc-dissociated nitrogen with subsequent transfer of vibrational energy to CO2 for lasing at 10.6 microns. One-dimensional analytical results indicate higher results should be obtained with up to v = 3 to 2 transitions participating. Diagnostic and analytical results show that the reaction mechanism during mixing, a back reaction of HCl(v) with H atoms, reaction of Cl with H2(v), moderately fast V-V, V-T processes, and possible HCl(o) initial contaminant level may explain the low performance. N2-CO2 thermal mixing laser studies were extended to measure the efficiency of transfer of recombination energy in such a nonequilibrium N2 source to 10.6 microns optical energy. The low level of efficiency suggests that V-T decay processes may prevent vibrational energy freezing until much lower temperatures are achieved and that trapping of energy in long-lived electronic excitation of N2 may be a factor

Hierarchical Linear Modeling with Maximum Likelihood, Restricted Maximum Likelihood, and Fully Bayesian Estimation

Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) is a useful tool when analyzing data collected from groups. There are many decisions to be made when constructing and estimating a model in HLM including which estimation technique to use. Three of the estimation techniques available when analyzing data with HLM are maximum likelihood, restricted maximum likelihood, and fully Bayesian estimation. Which estimation technique is employed determines how estimates can be interpreted and the models that may be compared. The purpose of this paper is to conceptually introduce and compare these methods of estimation in HLM and interpret the computer output that results from using them. This is done for the intraclass correlation, parameter estimates, and model fit indices using a simulated dataset that is available online. The statistical program R is utilized for all analyses and syntax is provided in Appendix 1. This paper is written to aid applied researchers who wish to better understand the differences between the estimation techniques and how to interpret their HLM results. Accessed 5,153 times on https://pareonline.net from April 12, 2017 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right

Optimizing the Involvement of Women with Opioid Use Disorder in the Care of Their Infants Experiencing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

The incidence of opioid use disorder (OUD) has grown to epidemic proportions. Infants exposed to opioids inutero are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms during the hours and days immediately following birth, known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Research indicates maximizing non-pharmacologic, supportive management decreases Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions, the length of stay, and the severity of NAS. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effects of an antepartum consult designed to prepare mothers with OUD to participate in this nonpharmacologic care. The Women and Infants Substance Help (WISH) Center delivers prenatal care for women with OUD. Women receiving care at WISH were given an antenatal consult to inform them of the proposed plan of care for their infant after delivery. Outcomes were compared to mothers from WISH who did not receive the consult, to assess the consistency of mothers rooming-in and breastfeeding to treat NAS in the first 5-7 days, as measured by whether the mother roomed-in with her baby, the percentage of babies who received their mother’s milk, and the length of hospital stay for the baby. While there was a small improvement in these measures among the mothers who received the consult, it did not reach statistical significance. A secondary analysis supported existing studies which associated rooming-in and breastfeeding with shorter lengths of stay for infants. The overall success of this model of care warrants continuation. Further investigation is needed to identify and refine the factors which contribute to this success

In-game promotions and their effects on sporting event attendees : a look at brand awareness and purchase behavior

"May 2014."Thesis chair: Dr. Cynthia Frisby.In today's world of DVR and ad blockers, advertisers struggle to capture the full attention of their audiences. Advertisers are forced to break out of the norm in order to communicate their messages. Sporting events have become a great avenue for advertisers. This study looks at which form of in-game promotions are most effective, in terms of brand awareness and purchase behavior. The forms of in-game advertising were separated into three categories: on-screen, live action, and constant. Surveys were administered at two University of Missouri Men's basketball games, in which participants were asked questions about various brands that were advertised at the game, as well as questions regarding their need for cognition, or their tendency to engage in and enjoy thinking. This study determined that brands that advertise with on-screen and live action promotions are recalled almost 25 percent of the time more than those who advertise with constant promotions. Conversely, constant promotions yielded the more favorable purchase behavior. Both advertisers and sports teams can benefit from the information included in this study. By having a better understanding of which types of promotions yield which results, advertisers can more effectively communicate their message to their audience. Sports teams will have more leverage in negotiations with advertisers by gaining knowledge of which forms of promotions are most effective with different types of thinkers.Includes bibliographical references (pages 41-44)

Is prevention possible? : the search for a vaccine for the HIV virus : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been the focus of vaccinologists since the virus that causes the disease was first described in 1984. With all of AIDS unique characteristics, the virus to date has evaded the successful development of a preventative vaccine. This vaccine being developed, current research that has been sought as a cure to the disease, and what steps the potential vaccines have to undergo before they are available for human usage.Honors CollegeThesis (B.?

Using Deployed Medical Providers to Support in Garrison Tele ENT Care- A Model to Capture Excess Medical Capacity Using Telemedicine

Within the military context telemedicine technology is commonly used to link specialty providers in rear area medical centres to support far forward, deployed medical needs. This paper describes a reverse of that concept, whereby deployed specialty providers in Afghanistan were linked by telemedicine technology to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl Germany to provide tele-ENT consultations. This approach can be used to utilise excess medical specialty capacity from deployed specialty providers using telemedicine. Maintenance of competence is a problem for deployed military medical personnel who may be providing combat care instead of practicing their medical specialty. Using teleconsultation to allow them to practice their specialty may be a way to decrease this skill loss

Establishing a Low-Cost Telecommunications Method to Provide Tele ENT Consultations From a Military Medical Center to Deployed Locations

In many deployed locations, access to expert medical advice can be limited. The expansion of telemedicine has bridged this gap; however, the large and costly technology required to perform telemedical activities hinders its accessibility. This study aimed to develop a low-cost telemedicine method in order to perform tele ENT consultations for deployed military personnel. The results indicated an ability to transmit clear endoscopic images between deployed and garrison locations using low weight/volume/cost laptop based telemedicine technology

Physical Activity and Academic Achievement: An Analysis of Potential Student- and School-Level Moderators

Background: Many children do not engage in sufficient physical activity, and schools provide a unique venue for children to reach their recommended 60 daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Prior research examining effects of MVPA on academic achievement is inconclusive, and few studies have investigated potential moderators of this relationship. This study examined whether student-level characteristics (gender, race/ethnicity, free/reduced-price lunch status) and school-level characteristics (proportion of students qualifying for free/reduced-price lunch, physical activity environment and opportunities) moderate the relationship between MVPA and academic achievement. Methods: In a large, diverse metropolitan public school district in Georgia, 4,936 students in Grade 4 were recruited from 40 elementary schools. Students wore accelerometers to measure school-day MVPA for a total of 15 days across three semesters (fall 2018, spring 2019, fall 2019). Academic achievement data, including course marks (grades) for math, reading, spelling, and standardized test scores in writing, math, reading, and Lexile (reading assessment), were collected at baseline (Grade 3, ages 8–9) and at follow-up in Grade 4 (ages 9–10). Standardized test scores were not measured in Grade 5 (ages 10–11) due to COVID-19-related disruptions. Multilevel modeling assessed whether student-level and/or school-level characteristics were moderators in the cross-sectional and longitudinal MVPA-academic achievement relationship. Results: Cross sectional analyses indicated that the MVPA and AA relationship was moderated only by student Hispanic ethnicity for Grade 4 fall spelling marks (β = -0.159 p \u3c 0.001). The relationship for Grade 4 fall spelling marks was also moderated by school physical activity opportunities (β = -0.128 (p \u3c 0.001). Longitudinally, there was no significant moderation of the MVPA-academic achievement. A relationship by student gender, free/reduced-price lunch status, race/ethnicity; nor for school-level factors including proportion of students qualifying for free/reduced-price lunch, physical activity environment, and physical activity opportunities. Conclusions: Overall, our results did not suggest that student- or school-level characteristics moderate the MVPA-academic achievement relationship. While statistically significant results were observed for certain outcomes, practical differences were negligible. In this population, school-based MVPA does not appear to differently affect academic performance based on student gender, race/ethnicity, free/reduced-price lunch, nor school characteristics