Lived Experiences with Inauthenticity of the Physician Assistant Program Admission Essay: A Phenomenological Study

Inauthenticity occurs in the physician assistant program admission process when students plagiarize content of the admission essay. This qualitative research study focused on the experiences of physician assistant admission committee members with the admission process, including the experiences of physician assistant admission committee members with the authenticity of the admission process. The experience with the components of the admission process were discussed through eight interviews with physician assistant admission committee members from accredited physician assistant programs in the United States. Phenomenology was the research method used to evaluate the experience the admission committee members have had with the components of the admission process, as well as their experience with the authenticity of the admission process. I identified four themes when I analyzed the data. The first theme demonstrated that admission committee members place importance on noncognitive components of the admission process. The second theme recognized that the admission process of physician assistant programs is an evolving process that is consistently reviewed and revised. The third theme identified that some physician assistant programs have made changes to the admission process due to concerns of inauthenticity of admission materials. The fourth theme presented implementation of an on-campus writing sample in order to compare the quality of the writing of the on-campus writing sample to that of the admission essay

PENGEMBANGAN SUMBER BELAJAR KIMIA BILINGUAL (INDONESIA-INGGRIS) BERBASIS WEBSITE MATERI TERMOKIMIA DAN LAJU REAKSI UNTUK PESERTA DIDIK SMA/MA

Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian pengembangan di bidang pendidikan kimia.Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengembangkan SumberBelajar Mandiri Kimia Bilingual (Indonesia-Inggris) BerbasisWebsite Materi Termokimia dan LajuReaksi untuk Peserta Didik SMA / MA dan mengetahui kualitas Sumber Belajar Mandiri Kimia yang telah disusun berdasarkan penilaian 5 guru kimia SMA. Model pengembangan yang digunakan adalah model procedural yang meliputi tahap perencanan, pengorganisasian, pelaksanaan dan penilaian produk. Produk awal Sumber Belajar Mandiri Kimia ini ditinjau dan diberi masukan oleh 3 peer reviewer. Kualitas Sumber Belajar Mandiri Kimia dinilai oleh 5 guru kimia SMA selaku reviewer dengan mengisi angket penilaian yang mencakup 5 aspek penilaianyaitu 1) aspek pemanfaatani nformasi; 2) aspek deskripsi; 3) aspek tampilan; 4) aspek kebahasaan dan 5) aspek kemudahan pengoperasian. Hasil penilaian berupa data kualitatif yang diubah menjadi data kuantitatif dengan skala lima, kemudian ditabulasi dan dianalisis dengan pedoman kriteria kategori penilaian ideal untuk menentukan kualitas Sumber Belajar Mandiri Kimia. Produk penelitian ini berupa Sumber Belajar Mandiri Kimia materi Termokimia dan Laju Reaksi untuk Peserta Didik SMA/MA. Berdasarkan penilaian 5 guru kimia SMA, Sumber Belajar Mandiri Kimia yang disusun nilai rata-rata 89,2 dari nilai maksimal 105 sehingga memiliki kualitas sangat baik (SB) dan memiliki persentase keidealan 84,95%. Website Sumber Belajar Mandiri Kimia layak digunakan sebagai sumber belaja

MAC Protocols Used by Wireless Sensor Networks and a General Method of Performance Evaluation

Many researchers employ IEEE802.15.4 as communication technology for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, medium access control (MAC) layer requirements for communications in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) vary because the network is usually optimized for specific applications. Thus, one particular standard will hardly be suitable for every possible application. Two general categories of MAC techniques exist: contention based and schedule based. This paper explains these two main approaches and includes examples of each one. The paper concludes with a unique performance analysis and comparison of benefits and limitations of each protocol with respect to WSNs

Multidimensional Approach to Understanding Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck is the sixth most common cancer type worldwide, with the highest incidence observed in South and Southeast Asia. Comprised of a heterogeneous group of malignancies, head and neck cancers (HNC) span several anatomical subsites, including the: oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, larynx, salivary glands, paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. While ~90% of these neoplasms are morphologically characterized as squamous cell carcinoma, etiological differences across cancer subsite, along with geographic attributes that influence the variable global incidence and mortality trends, make HNC a therapeutically challenging and behaviorally variable disease. The goal of this dissertation is to improve the current state of knowledge surrounding HNC through the use of descriptive and molecular epidemiological methods. To do so, the first aim utilized several sources of cancer registry data to assess trends in head and neck, and separately nasopharyngeal, carcinoma to better understand how temporal changes in environmental and behavioral risk factors, as well as advances in clinical practices, influence cancer onset and survival. Culminating in four manuscripts, the first two focused on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); findings revealed Asian/Pacific Islanders living in the U.S., a non-endemic region, to have comparable rates of NPC incidence as those in endemic Thailand. Interestingly, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related differentiated non-keratinizing subtype was shown to be increasing across nearly all gender and race groups in the U.S., while survival rates appeared to vary. The remaining studies highlighted the role of decreasing tobacco, alcohol and betel quid use, three major risk factors in HNC development, on decreasing laryngeal and oral cavity cancer rates across the U.S. and Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, as the world’s largest tobacco manufacturer and consumer of ~30% of the world’s cigarettes, Chinese males in Shanghai experienced a 9.1% annual increase in laryngeal cancer between 1998 and 2002. The reductions in tobacco use have elucidated the role of human papilloma virus (HPV) as an important causal factor in oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC). To date, this etiological shift has almost exclusively been studied and proposed to effect Western, more developed countries. Using descriptive epidemiology in aim one to inform molecular analyses in aim two, the results of these studies challenged previous assumptions. Having undergone rapid socioeconomic change, cancer has superseded infectious disease as the leading cause of mortality in Thailand. In accordance with economic growth, changes in cultural norms have allowed for an etiological transition that has led to an increase in oral HPV infections, and consequently OPC incidence. Although far from the 80% prevalence observed in the U.S., OPC HPV rates in Thailand have increased from 16% in 2012 to 26% in 2017—expecting to exceed 50% by 2030. Despite medical advances in HNC treatment, 5-year relative survival has remained disappointingly stable at 50-60% over the past few decades. Recent studies have shown the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to be an important prognostic tool in guiding HNC treatment. For the last aim, dietary factors, which have previously been shown to be important in HNC risk, progression and prognosis, were assessed and shown to significantly influence tumor immune response and subsequently survival. Overall, the research presented in this dissertation not only provides a better understanding of HNC on a global scale, but also offers a basis for future studies to aid in elucidating etiology and improving treatment and prevention for this highly disfiguring and deadly disease.PHDEnvironmental Health SciencesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155216/1/argirion_1.pd

Efficacy of Adaptation of Smallholder Maize Production to Climate Variability in Selected Countries of Kenya

Maize is a staple food for 96 percent of Kenyans. Smallholders supply up to 75 percent of maize produced in Kenya but are affected by unpredictable timing, duration, and distribution of rainfall, especially during the growing season. To enhance maize productivity adoption of robust adaptation measures is vital. The study aimed to evaluate the level of efficacy of adaptation of smallholder maize production to climate variability in Kitui and Laikipia counties. Data from 273 smallholder maize producers drawn from Kitui and Laikipia counties was analyzed. A questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic, socio-economic characteristics, and adaptation choices. The level of efficacy of adaptation was derived based on the Multiple Criteria Evaluation. Results showed that the majority of smallholders in the study (47 percent) reported a low level of efficacy of adaptation most of whom were from Laikipia County (54 percent) as compared to Kitui County (44 percent). Overall, a very small proportion of smallholders reported a high level of efficacy of adaptation (7 percent).  The study concluded that the level of efficacy of adaptation of smallholder maize production to climate variability in semi-arid areas was low. The County Governments through the department of agriculture and environment could establish guidelines for a robust combination of adaptation choices to ensure the suitability and enhancement of maize production

Efficacy of Adaptation of Smallholder Maize Production to Climate Variability in Selected Countries of Kenya

Maize is a staple food for 96 percent of Kenyans. Smallholders supply up to 75 percent of maize produced in Kenya but are affected by unpredictable timing, duration, and distribution of rainfall, especially during the growing season. To enhance maize productivity adoption of robust adaptation measures is vital. The study aimed to evaluate the level of efficacy of adaptation of smallholder maize production to climate variability in Kitui and Laikipia counties. Data from 273 smallholder maize producers drawn from Kitui and Laikipia counties was analyzed. A questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic, socio-economic characteristics, and adaptation choices. The level of efficacy of adaptation was derived based on the Multiple Criteria Evaluation. Results showed that the majority of smallholders in the study (47 percent) reported a low level of efficacy of adaptation most of whom were from Laikipia County (54 percent) as compared to Kitui County (44 percent). Overall, a very small proportion of smallholders reported a high level of efficacy of adaptation (7 percent).  The study concluded that the level of efficacy of adaptation of smallholder maize production to climate variability in semi-arid areas was low. The County Governments through the department of agriculture and environment could establish guidelines for a robust combination of adaptation choices to ensure the suitability and enhancement of maize production