Burden of responsibility and compensation in civilian and military nuclear ventures

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Nuclear Science and Engineering, 2008."June 2008."Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-53).Since Enrico Fermi first discovered that neutrons could split atoms in 1934, peaceful and militaristic uses of nuclear energy have become prevalent in our society. Two case studies, Three Mile Island and the Nevada Test Site, allow for the examination of radiation injury liability in the context of existing radiation compensation systems. The Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act, which governs civilian nuclear use, and the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which governs compensation for military nuclear weapons tests, are compared to determine the most efficient compensation system. Issues such as determining compensable diseases, establishing rigid criteria, and a heavy burden of proof define the efficiency of each system. A compensation system combining elements of the existing civilian and military compensation systems is proposed, which can be applied to future nuclear ventures such as the Yucca Mountain Repository.by Jeccisa Flores.S.B

POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS AND RISKY SEX IN TRAUMA-EXPOSED COLLEGE STUDENTS: THE ROLE OF PERSONALITY DISPOSITIONS TOWARD IMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been linked to heightened engagement in risky sexual behavior (RSB) across diverse samples, and impulsivity has been postulated as a potential linkage (Weiss et al., 2012). Limited information has been published on the role that impulsivity can play in strengthening the relationship between PTSD and RSB in college students. The current study examined the moderating role of impulsivity dispositions: negative/positive urgency, (lack of) perseverance, sensation seeking, and (lack of) premeditation on the association between PTSD symptoms and past-year RSB among a sample of 221 undergraduate students (77.4% female) with at least one DSM-5 defined traumatic event. Negative binomial regression models were conducted to explore each impulsivity disposition’s moderating effect on the relationship between PTSD symptoms and RSB. PTSD symptoms and positive urgency, (lack of) perseverance, and sensation seeking were independently associated with RSB. Significant interactions were found between negative urgency and PTSD symptoms, and (lack of) premeditation and PTSD symptoms, such that PTSD symptoms were more strongly linked to RSB among individuals high in these impulsivity dispositions. The present study expands on the limited literature on the role specific impulsivity dispositions can have in the relationship between PTSD and RSB in trauma-exposed college students

The Condom Use Outcomes and Sexual Functioning of Young Adult Latinas: The Roles of Intimate Partner Violence, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Marianismo Beliefs

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been linked to poorer condom use outcomes and sexual functioning in women broadly. Limited studies have examined these associations in Latina samples through a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed lens. A sample of 383 U.S. Latina/Latinx/Hispanic women (Mage = 25.29 years; SD = 4.44) who had a past-year intimate relationship completed a cross-sectional online survey of IPV history, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, marianismo beliefs (i.e., traditional Latina gender role expectations), condom use outcomes (i.e., condom use attitudes, efficacy, negotiation efficacy, and behaviors) and sexual functioning. Linear regression models found that past-year IPV was positively related to PTSD symptoms across all five models, and this association was stronger for women high in marianismo beliefs (for all models except for condom use behaviors); though the association remained positively significant for women who endorsed lower marianismo beliefs. PTSD symptoms were not significantly related to any of the condom use outcomes. The negative association between past-year IPV and sexual functioning was mediated by PTSD symptoms, and this association was moderated by marianismo beliefs, specifically the relation between past-year IPV and PTSD symptoms was stronger among those high in marianismo beliefs. Most associations became non-significant after adjusting for covariates. Exploratory models examined the effect of specific types of IPV. Study findings provide a more nuanced culturally sensitive, trauma-informed understanding of the condom use outcomes and sexual functioning of young adult Latinas with recent IPV exposure, highlighting the need to better understand the role of marianismo beliefs in the Latina sexual health literature

Multicultural Assessment Practices: A Phenomenological Study Examining Speech-Language Pathologists\u27 Self-Efficacy

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand speech-language pathologists’ (SLP) self-efficacy beliefs toward assessing culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students within public elementary schools in California. Bandura’s self-efficacy theory guided this study since it evaluated SLPs’ belief in their capacity to manage their motivation, behavior, and social environment to carry out appropriate assessment procedures for CLD students. As not all students from CLD backgrounds are accurately identified, gathering the SLPs’ lived experiences regarding current assessment practices helped provide insight into the appropriate identification of SLI. Participants included SLPs employed by rural public school districts in California, with students with cultural and ethnic diversity composing more than half the student population. The participants involved in this study were determined through total population sampling. Data were gathered through interviews, focus group discussions, and prompt letters. Three themes emerged from the data: understanding language and cultural sensitivity, the influence on confidence, and the effects of collaborative experiences when conducting multicultural assessments. Subthemes included: continual training, limited resources, pressure, uncertainty, balancing language difference versus disorder, team assessment, and colleague collaboration. The study guided implications for school districts and SLPs, emphasizing the significance of implementing policies and practices that promote culturally responsive assessments. Future research is recommended to expand the scope of the study to include varied sample pools, examine the effectiveness of specific resources to aid in assessment, and explore the long-term impact of appropriate SLI identification

Positively Impacting the Lives of Others (Mexico Service Trip)

Undergraduate student Jessica Yarely traveled to Mexico on a volunteer trip to impact the lives of local families with the help and supplies from friends and family.https://digitalcommons.wou.edu/maurice/1002/thumbnail.jp

Examining Ritual in Dance/Movement Therapy

Ritual practices have long been a part of numerous cultures’ history as mind-body actions performed for healing. Modern day rituals can be observed in baptisms, weddings, or funerals. Rituals have also been adapted into various psychotherapy approaches as effective, time-limited transformative additions through Van Gennep’s transition phases among varying populations. Ritual and dance/movement therapy are established as effective healing processes through similar concepts including sociality, dance, non-verbal communication and being body-based approaches. This literature review revealed the inner workings of ritual performance and dance/movement therapy through neuroscience. This literature review intends to present relevant research on the unique molding qualities of rituals in psychotherapy, neuroscience that further establishes the work of dance/movement therapy and ritual practices, and the effective and inclusiveness of utilizing rituals within dance/movement therapy

Pasión por la herpetología: entrevista al Dr. David Lazcano Villarreal

El Dr. David Lazcano Villarreal es egresado de las facultades de Ciencias Químicas (1978) y Ciencias Biológicas (1980). Cuenta con maestría en ciencias, con especialidad en manejo de vida silvestre y doctorado en ciencias biológicas, con la misma especialidad (2005), ambos por la Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL). Realizó su servicio social en la Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, utilizando sus conocimientos de química y biología para trabajar en un proyecto de recuperación de aguas residuales con el uso de algas verdes. Actualmente es jefe del Laboratorio de Herpetología y uno de los coordinadores de Intercambio Académico de la Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas. Desde 1979 es docente impartiendo cursos en programas de licenciatura y posgrado. Funge como miembro del cuerpo académico “Biología de la Conservación” y de la Red Nacional “Especies Exóticas de México”. Entre sus principales líneas de investigación figuran: edafología, biogeografía, taxonomía y sistemática, ecología e inventarios herpetológicos y propagación de especies en cautiverio. Ha contribuido al conocimiento de la herpetología de la región a través de 34 proyectos de investigación. Es autor de 165 artículos/notas científicos, 19 capítulos de libros y tres libros. Los resultados de investigación fueron difundidos en reuniones científicas nacionales e internacionales

Numerical Solutions for Intermediate Angles for the Laplace-Young Capillary Equations

Capillarity is the phenomena of fluid rise against a solid vertical wall. For our research, we consider bounded cases of intermediate corner angles ( p/2\u3c a + g \u3c p/2+2 g ), where g is the angle of contact and 2a is the wedge angle. The Laplace-Young Capillary equations are used to determine the rise of the fluid, especially at corners. While there exist asymptotic expansions for the height rise occurring at the corner of an intermediate angle, not all coefficients are known analytically. Therefore, numerical solutions are necessary, even though only a few numerical methods have been published. We explain our least-squares finite element method used in determining solutions to the Laplace-Young Capillary equations, and then give our numerical results

The Relationship Between Perceived Exertion and Heart Rate During Yoga

The relationship between perceived exertion and heart rate during yoga Jessica Michele Flores, John D. Smith, Ph.D. Texas A&M University-San Antonio Undergraduate Yoga has been around for centuries and has steadily increased in popularity in the West through the years, but this mind-body-spirit practice has had very little research conducted perceived intensities. PURPOSE: to assess heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of those participating in yoga classes. It is hypothesized that as HR increases, there will also be in increase in RPE. It is also hypothesized that those taking yoga classes have goals of flexibility and stress reduction rather than weight reduction and strength. METHODS: Thirty-one participants (age = 30.8±12.0 yrs, ht = 163.0±6.3 cm, wt = 74.4±17.7 kg, BMI = 27.9±6.3) were fitted with a Polar HR monitor and instructed on how to use the Borg’s 6-20 RPE scale. At the start of a 60-minute session HR was recorded. At minutes 15, 30, 45, and 60 HR and RPE were recorded. At these time-points, the investigator simply looked at the receiver and participants pointed to a number on the RPE scale. Immediately following the class, participants completed a survey that included questions about yoga and demographic data. A Pearson’s product moment correlation was used to determine the relationship between HR and RPE, with significance set at .05. Surveys were tallied to determine participant’s goals. RESULTS: Although there was a significant correlation between HR and RPE at minute 45 (r(30) = .44, p = .014), only 20% of the variance in the increase in RPE can be attributed to the increase in HR. This trend also occurred at minute 60 (r(30) = .38, p = .036), but with only 14% of the change in RPE due to the change in HR. Correlations between HR and RPE at minutes 15 and 30 were not significant (p \u3e .05). While half of the participants rated flexibility as their number one reason for participating in yoga, 16% of participants rated “aerobic” as their number one reason for participating. Ninety percent of participants felt more relaxed at the end of a yoga class. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that it is best to use caution using the Borg’s 6-20 scale to measure exercise intensity during yoga. There is evidence to show that there may be a misconception in using yoga for aerobic benefits. There is also evidence that show many people believe flexibility and stress reduction are key benefits of yoga