Design and development of cellulose based composites for the built environment

Cellulose is a versatile material with numerous contemporary applications in textiles, food, and biomaterials. Contemporary research is focused on modifying the structural and thermal properties of cellulose to create novel composites with cellulose nano-crystals, lignocellulosic pulp, and foamed cellulose to name a few. Significant advances have been made in improving the properties of cellulose. Adding aligned cellulose nano-fibers to concrete to improve its mechanical properties or combining with polymers for better durability can lead to new applications specifically in design and construction. These new forms of cellulose through optimization and combination with other materials provide opportunities for reducing material usage, as the life-cycle cost involved in the transformation of traditional materials such as brick, concrete, and steel in construction is significant. Therefore, this thesis reviewed cellulose research pertinent to the field of building construction and explored three cellulose based applications at two different scales. The three investigations explored utilizing cellulose, in two forms, as an alternative to non-renewable materials that constitute the standardized wall assembly. Focusing on a widely available, renewable, and bio-degradable material such as cellulose would provide an alternative to the energy intensive materials that make up the standardized wall assembly. Therefore, the primary goals were: 1. Reducing the percentage of non-renewable materials utilized in the contemporary wall assembly. 2. Utilizing a widely available, biodegradable, and renewable material like cellulose as an alternative to traditional building materials. 3. Transforming cellulose, manifesting as various fibers, into a structural or thermal component based on location, availability, and programmatic requirements. For the first study, the mobile diagnostics lab was utilized to generate Data from custom concrete panels inserted into the removable wall assembly creating a baseline to compare future cellulose concrete panels. The fiber composite study primarily optimized fiber proportion for effective mechanical properties. Therefore, additional work needs to be carried out into fiber and mix proportion optimization to create a thermally efficient composite panel. For the second investigation, cellulose based thin shell structures were cast as a framework for future applications utilizing cellulose available in various forms around the world (Table 5 1). The shells were envisioned as enclosures for community gathering spaces in rural regions. Additionally, they could serve as a blueprint for crafting spaces in regions facing humanitarian crises and shortage of traditional building materials such as lumber, glass, steel, and brick. The third study investigated the interfacial bond between the fiber and cement matrix in concrete by coating the fiber surface in polyester resin and shellac prior to dispersion in the composite mix. The coated sisal fiber embedded composites exhibited improved toughness, ductility, and flexural capacity, compared with unreinforced ECC composites

Types and correlates of school non-attendance in students with autism spectrum disorders

School non-attendance in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has received very little attention to date. The study aimed to provide a comprehensive description of school non-attendance in students with ASD. Through an online survey, parents of 486 children (mean age 11 years) reported on school attendance over one month, and reasons for instances of non-attendance. On average, students missed five days of school of a possible 23 days. Persistent non-attendance (absent on 10%+ of available sessions) occurred among 43% of students. School non-attendance was associated with child older age, not living in a two-parent household, parental unemployment and, especially, attending a mainstream school. School refusal accounted for 43% of non-attendance. School exclusion and school withdrawal each accounted for 9% of absences. Truancy was almost non-existent. Non-problematic absenteeism (mostly related to medical appointments and illness) accounted for 32% of absences. Non-problematic absenteeism was more likely among those with intellectual disability, school refusal was more likely among older students, and school exclusion was more likely among students from single-parent, unemployed, and well educated households. Findings suggest school non-attendance in ASD is a significant issue, and that it is important to capture detail about attendance patterns and reasons for school non-attendance

Differentiation Between School Attendance Problems: Why and How?

School attendance problems (SAPs) are heterogeneous with respect to etiology and presentation. The long history of conceptualizing SAPs has led to a vast array of terms and definitions as well as different perspectives on the most helpful approach to classification. For educators, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers, this presents a challenge in understanding, assessing, and intervening with SAPs. This paper outlines evolution in the conceptualization of SAPs, focusing on two contemporary approaches to differentiating between them. One approach draws on the longstanding differentiation between SAP types labeled school refusal, truancy, and school withdrawal. A fourth type of SAP, labeled school exclusion, is also considered. The other approach focuses on the function of absenteeism, measured via the School Refusal Assessment Scale (SRAS). Anecdotal and scientific support for the SAP typology is presented, along with the benefits and shortcomings of the SRAS approach to differentiation. The paper offers suggestions for how to differentiate between SAPs and introduces the SNACK, a brief screening measure that permits differentiation by SAP type

Integration of hatha yoga and evidence-based psychological treatments for common mental disorders : An evidence map

Background Interest in the use of yoga to enhance engagement with and augment the benefits of psychological treatment has grown. However, a systematic approach to reviewing existing research examining the use of yoga with psychological treatment is lacking. Materials and Methods This mapping review identified and synthesised research trialling yoga as an integrated or adjunct therapy with evidence-based psychological interventions for the treatment of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and eating disorders. Results Overall, the review identified ten published and three unpublished studies, representing either single group or small quasi-experimental research designs. Discussion Limited but promising findings were shown for yoga with CBT for anxiety and depression, and the integration of yoga within intensive treatment models for PTSD. Conclusions Future research is encouraged to focus on controlled trials that enable examination of the component effect of yoga when applied with evidence-based psychological treatment and acceptability and feasibility data to further knowledge regarding a role for yoga in clinical practice

Evaluating the effect of parent-child interactive groups in a school-based parent training program : parenting behavior, parenting stress and sense of competence

The Exploring Together program is a group-based parent training program that comprises separate parent, child, and teacher components, and a combined parent-child interactive component. A cluster-randomized trial design was used to compare the Exploring Together program with (Exploring Together; ET) and without (Exploring Together-Adapted; ET-Adapted) the parent-child interactive component. One hundred and thirty-six parents and their children (aged 5-10 years) with externalizing and/or internalizing problems participated in the trial, recruited from primary schools. There was a significant reduction in negative parenting behavior across both treatment groups (ET and ET-Adapted) but no significant improvement in positive parenting behaviors. Parenting self-efficacy improved significantly across both treatment groups however there was no significant change in parenting satisfaction or parenting stress. There was no consistent evidence of superiority of one version of the Exploring Together program over the other. Further investigation regarding treatment dosage and mastery of parenting skills associated with the program is warranted. [Abstract copyright: © 2021. The Author(s).

Telemedicine for the Spine Surgeon in the Age of COVID-19: Multicenter Experiences of Feasibility and Implementation Strategies.

STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter study. OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has obligated physicians to recur to additional resources and make drastic changes regarding the standard physician-patient encounter. In the last century, there has been a substantial improvement in technology, which over the years has opened the door to a new form of medical practicing known as telemedicine. METHODS: Healthcare workers from three hospitals involved in the care for COVID-19 patients in the united states were invited to share their experience using telemedicine to deliver clinical care to their patients. RESULTS: Since the appearance of this worldwide outbreak, social distancing has been a key factor in preventing the spread of the virus, for which measures have been taken to limit physical contact. Because of the ongoing situation, telemedicine has been progressively incorporated into the physician-patient encounters and quickly has become an essential component in the day-today medical practice. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to deliver viable spine practice with the use of telemedicine. A proper patient selection of patients requiring virtual treatment versus those requiring in-person visits should be considered

1951: Abilene Christian College Bible Lectures - Full Text

Delivered in the Auditorium of Abilene Christian College Abilene, Texas February 18-22, 1951 Price, $3.00 FIRM FOUNDATION PUBLISHING HOUSE Austin, Texa

Safety and Efficacy of Risuteganib in Intermediate Non-exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Purpose : Risuteganib is a small synthetic peptide that regulates select integrin functions involved in the pathogenesis of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study evaluated the safety and efficay of risuteganib for the treatment of dry AMD. Methods : Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study in eyes with intermediate dry AMD presenting with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between 20/40-20/200 was conducted across multiple centers in the United States. Patients were randomized to receive either intravitreal 1.0mg risuteganib or sham injection at baseline. At week 16, patients in the risuteganib group received a second dose and the sham group crossed over and receive a single dose of 1.0mg risuteganib. The primary endpoint was the percentage of population with ≥ 8 letters BCVA gain from baseline to week 28 in 1.0mg risuteganib vs baseline to week 12 for sham. Results : Forty-five patients were enrolled in the study. At baseline, mean patient age was 78.8 and 75.9 years and mean baseline BCVA was 67.1 and 64.4 letters in the sham and risuteganib groups, respectively. The primary endpoint was met; 48% of patients in the risuteganib group at week 28 and 7% of patients in the sham group at week 12 gained > 8 letters from baseline (p=0.013). Of the risuteganib treated patients, 20% gained > 15 letters at week 28; no patients in the sham group at week 12 had this gain. On a post-hoc masked analysis by 2 independent reading centers, greater outer retinal and photoreceptor thickness and volume and smaller ellipsoid zone defect area in the central 1 mm zone at baseline were associated with increased BCVA response to risuteganib. Risuteganib demonstrated a good safety profile in this study. Conclusions : Risuteganib showed significant benefit over sham in patients with dry AMD with respect to proportion of patients gaining > 8 letters of BCVA from baseline. Furthermore, post hoc analysis provides preliminary insights into baseline anatomic features that may help to determine likelihood of BCVA response to risuteganib. These findings will be confirmed in an upcoming larger trial