The effect of massed compared with massed followed by evenly spaced practice on the learning of a motor skill

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Collective spin waves in arrays of Permalloy nanowires with single-side periodically modulated width

We have experimentally and numerically investigated the dispersion of collective spin waves prop-agating through arrays of longitudinally magnetized nanowires with periodically modulated width. Two nanowire arrays with single-side modulation and different periodicity of modulation were studied and compared to the nanowires with homogeneous width. The spin-wave dispersion, meas-ured up to the third Brillouin zone of the reciprocal space, revealed the presence of two dispersive modes for the width-modulated NWs, whose amplitude of magnonic band depends on the modula-tion periodicity, and a set of nondispersive modes at higher frequency. These findings are different from those observed in homogeneous width NWs where only the lowest mode exhibits sizeable dis-persion. The measured spin-wave dispersion has been satisfactorily reproduced by means of dynam-ical matrix method. Results presented in this work are important in view of the possible realization of frequency tunable magnonic device

High resolution modeling of tick density and detection of Rickettsia spp. in Dermacentor spp. ticks at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, WA

The tick species Dermacentor andersoni and Dermacentor variabilis are known vectors of pathogens. One such pathogen is the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii, which causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The detection of this bacterium in ticks at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR) indicates a potential risk to human health. In order to follow up on this discovery, we had two separate objectives. First we developed a high resolution predictive map for Dermacentor spp. distribution across the public use area of TNWR. To do so, 50m transects (27 in total) were established across the public use area. Ticks were collected weekly within the transects from March 26th – June 5th, 2018. The transects were characterized by measuring percent vegetative cover, small mammal abundance, and large mammal usage (20 transects). Additionally, land cover class and 2017 burn status were determined for each transect. Generalized linear modeling (GLM) was used to evaluate which factors were the strongest predictors of Dermacentor spp. abundance. The strongest predictors included 2017 burn status, percent forb cover, percent shrub cover, and land cover class. All factors with the exception of forb cover were mapped across the public use area of TNWR at a 10m resolution using LiDAR and data from TNWR. These predictors were used with the corresponding GLM to map Dermacentor spp. density across the public use area of TNWR at a 10m resolution. The highest predicted Dermacentor density occurred in open shrubland cover class with high shrub density, which was not burned in 2017. To confirm previous detections of Rickettsia rickettsii in ticks, 452 Dermacentor ticks collected in 2018 were tested for Rickettsia spp. by PCR amplification of the rOmpB gene fragment. Ticks that were putatively infected with R. rickettsii (positive for rOmpB) were further assessed by amplifying fragments of the gltA and rOmpA genes. Sequencing of the rOmpB gene fragment showed 21 ticks positive for Rickettsia spp. and 6 ticks positive for R. rickettsii. However, both gene fragments (gltA and rOmpA) were positive for Rickettsia peacockii, a non-pathogenic Rickettsia spp. that may also block the infection of R. rickettsii in ticks. While our results are inconclusive, they suggest that Rickettsia rickettsii is likely not present at TNWR

The Lived Experience Of New Physical Therapy Graduates Working In The Early Intervention Setting: Perceptions Of Preparation

Understanding the experiences of new physical therapists transitioning to the early intervention workforce will provide a richer exploration of the preparation of physical therapists, which can guide educators to ensure adequate preparation. Since passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1994, an increasing number of children qualify for service creating a growing need for physical therapists to provide service in the early intervention program. In this qualitative, interpretive phenomenological analysis, the researcher explored the lived experience of new physical therapy graduates. The preparation and adequacy of entry-level physical therapist education to work in the early intervention setting following graduation using a Discrepancy Evaluation Model was studied. A thorough review of the literature found significant variability in pediatric content taught in entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapist (DPT) programs. Additionally, limited research exists related to the lived experience of physical therapists working in the early intervention setting, specifically new graduates embarking on a career in this setting. The study was guided by the research question of how recent physical therapy graduates with less than two years of practice describe their lived experience of transitioning from a student to a therapist working in early intervention. The researcher used semi-structured, individual interviews with eight physical therapists working in the early intervention setting that graduated within 24 months. Findings suggest that, despite gaps in the participants’ preparation to work in the early intervention setting and numerous job challenges, therapists chose to enter and remain in this specific practice setting because they find purpose and validation in their relationships with children and families. The most meaningful pre-professional preparation strategy was full-time pediatric clinical education experiences. Mentorship and post-professional continuing education were necessary during the transition into the early intervention workforce. Recommendations for future research include exploring the unique provider-patient relationships in early intervention, the impact of mentorship in this setting, cross-disciplinary competencies necessary for comprehensive personnel development in the DPT curriculum, and exemplar pedagogy

A mass spectrometer observation of NO in an auroral arc

NO measurement in auroral arc by mass spectrometer onboard Aerobee rocke