Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Forensic DNA profiling is widely used as an identification tool for associating an individual with evidence of a crime. Analysis of a DNA sample involves observation of data in the form of an electropherogram, and subsequently annotating a DNA “profile” from an individual or from the evidence. The profile obtained from the evidence can be compared to reference profiles deposited in a national DNA database, which may include the potential contributor. Following a match, a random match probability is calculated to determine how common that genotype is in the population. This is the probability of obtaining that same DNA profile by sampling from a pool of unrelated individuals. Each state has adopted various laws requiring suspects and/or offenders to submit a DNA sample for the national database (such as California’s law that all who are arrested must provide a DNA sample). These profiles can then be associated with past unsolved crimes, and remain in the database to be searched in the event of future crimes. In the case of database samples, a physical sample of the offender’s DNA must be kept on file in the laboratory indefinitely so that in the event of a database hit, the sample is able to be retested. Current methods are to collect a buccal swab or blood sample, and store the DNA extracts under strict preservation conditions, i.e. cold storage, typically -20° C. With continually increasing number of samples submitted, a burden is placed on crime labs to store these DNA extracts. A solution was required to help control the costs of properly storing the samples. FTA™ paper was created to fulfill the need for inexpensive, low maintenance, long term storage of biological samples, which makes it ideal for use with convicted offender DNA samples. FTA™ paper is a commercially produced, chemically treated paper that allows DNA to be stored at room temperature for years with no costly storage facilities or conditions. Once a sample is required for DNA testing, a small disc is removed and is to be used directly in a PCR reaction. A high quality profile is important for comparing suspect profiles to unknown or database profiles. A single difference between a suspect and evidentiary sample can lead to exclusion. Unfortunately, the DNA profile results yielded from the direct addition have been unfavorable. Thus, most crime laboratories will extract the DNA from the disc, leading to additional time and cost to analyze a reference sample. Many of the profiles from the direct addition of an FTA™ disc result in poor quality profiles, likely due to an increase in PCR inhibitors and high concentrations of DNA. Currently, standardized protocols regarding the recommended locations for removal of a sample disc from a bloodspot on an FTA™ card does not exist. This study aims to validate the optimal location by comparing DNA profiles obtained from discs removed from the center, halfway, and edge locations of a bloodspot from 50 anonymous donors. Optimal punch location was first scored on the number of failed, partial or discordant profiles. Then, profile quality was determined based on peak characteristics of the resulting DNA profiles. The results for all three disc locations were 5.3% failed amplifications, 4.2% partial amplifications, and one case of a discordant profile. Profile quality for the majority of the samples showed a high incidence of stutter and the absence of non-template adenylation. Of the three disc locations, the edge of the blood stain was ideal, due to a presumably lower concentration of DNA and likely more dilute amount of the PCR inhibitor heme. Therefore, based on the results of this study, there is a greater probability of success using a sample from the edge of a blood stain spotted in FTA™ paper than any other location of the FTA™ card.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Theoretically, inter-role conflict can occur between any life domains that place competing demands on an individual. However, inter-role conflict research has mainly focused on the conflict between only two domains: work and family. This limited focus is problematic because it has excluded many other potential life domains in which people participate. In order to focus more attention on other life domains, however, it is necessary to understand which life domains people are participating in. As such, the goal of the present qualitative research was to identify and define the full spectrum of life domains by asking two questions: What life domains are relevant to work-life conflict, and how do people value the various life domains in which they are involved? A total of 13 life domains emerged from the data. Participants engaged in an average of 9 of these domains, indicating that people engage in many activities in life outside just work and family.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Sexual encounters among gay men produce distinct meanings when methamphetamine is involved. Few studies have inquired about the meanings gay men ascribe to their meth and sex encounters. We have yet to ask, what meanings do these experiences hold and how are they constructed? Using qualitative data gathered from one-on-one semi-structured interviews with eleven men, at least 18 years of age and who report using meth during sex with another man in the past 90 days, this study explored the meanings constructed from the participants’ meth-sex experiences. The analysis revealed several important themes helping to explain why these men use meth and have sex with other men including belonging; being in, searching for and falling out of love; having sex for 12 hours; dealing with HIV; and, confronting addiction. The findings impart a meaningful role for belonging, love, sex and disease as socially constructed through the intersection of the body, mind, social interaction and the environment in which lived experiences unfold. Previous research supports several of these themes while at least one theme, i.e. love, extends our understanding of meth and sex among gay men. I assert belonging binds the themes together. The desire to belong came across more powerful and determining in its meaningfulness than the risks associated with sexual encounters where meth is present.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / In response to glucose, pancreatic islet beta cells secrete insulin in a biphasic manner, and both phases are diminished in type 2 diabetes. In beta cells, cortical F-actin beneath the plasma membrane (PM) prevents insulin granule access to the PM and glucose stimulates remodeling of this cortical F-actin to allow trafficking of insulin granules to the PM. Glucose stimulation activates the small GTPase Cdc42, which then activates p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1); both Cdc42 and PAK1 are required for insulin secretion. In conjunction with Cdc42-PAK1 signaling, the SNARE protein Syntaxin 4 dissociates from F-actin to allow SNARE complex formation and insulin exocytosis. My central hypothesis is that, in the pancreatic beta cell, glucose signals through a Cdc42-PAK1-mediated pathway to remodel the F-actin cytoskeleton to mobilize insulin granules to SNARE docking sites at the PM to evoke glucose stimulated second phase insulin secretion. To investigate this, PAK1 was inhibited in MIN6 beta cells with IPA3 followed by live-cell imaging of F-actin remodeling using the F-actin probe, Lifeact-GFP. PAK1 inhibition prevented normal glucose-induced F-actin remodeling. PAK1 inhibition also prevented insulin granule accumulation at the PM in response to glucose. The ERK pathway was implicated, as glucose-stimulated ERK activation was decreased under PAK1-depleted conditions. Further study showed that inhibition of ERK impaired insulin secretion and cortical F-actin remodeling. One of the final steps of insulin secretion is the fusion of insulin granules with the PM which is facilitated by the SNARE proteins Syntaxin 4 on the PM and VAMP2 on the insulin granule. PAK1 activation was also found to be critical for Syntaxin 4-F-actin complex dynamics in beta cells, linking the Cdc42-PAK1 signaling pathway to SNARE-mediated exocytosis. Syntaxin 4 interacts with the F-actin severing protein Gelsolin, and in response to glucose Gelsolin dissociates from Syntaxin 4 in a calcium-dependent manner to allow Syntaxin 4 activation. Disrupting the interaction between Syntaxin 4 and Gelsolin aberrantly activates endogenous Syntaxin 4, elevating basal insulin secretion. Taken together, these results illustrate that signaling to F-actin remodeling is important for insulin secretion and that F-actin and its binding proteins can impact the final steps of insulin secretion.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Parents have increasingly participated in their children’s bedside care. Parental participation has led to more provider-parent interactions and communication during such stressful events. Helping parents through such stressful events requires nurses to be skilled communicators. Brief methods of training emotion-focused communication with newly licensed nurses are needed, but as yet are rare. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a validated brief communication (Four Habits Model) training program for newly licensed pediatric nurses. The intervention focused on ways to improve nurses’ emotion-focused conversations with parents. Information processing and Benner’s novice to expert informed this study. The intervention is based on the four habits model, with “habits” providing a structure for nurses to organize their thinking and behavior during emotion-focused conversations with parents. Thirty-five pediatric nurses with 0–24 months of nursing experience at a large mid-western children’s hospital participated in the study. Mixed methods provided data for this experimental study, using a group-by-trials repeated measures ANOVA design. Participants randomized to the intervention group participated in a one-hour three-part training: adapted four habits model content, simulated nurse-parent communication activity, and debrief. Participants randomized to the control group observed a one-hour travel video. Key outcome variables were Preparation, Communication Skills, Relationships, Confidence, Anxiety, and Total Preparation. Compared with the controls, the intervention group improved significantly in the following areas: Preparation, F(1,33) = 28.833, p < .001; Communication Skills, F(1,33) = 9.726, p = .004; Relationships, F(1,33) = 8.337, p = .007; Confidence, F(1,33) = 36.097, p < .001; and Total Preparation, F(1,33) = 47.610, p < .001. Nurses’ experience level had no effect, with the exception of Anxiety. Nurses with more experience (≥ 12 m) showed a greater reduction in Anxiety, when compared to nurses with less experience (< 12 m), F(1,31) = 5.733, p = .023. Fifty-two percent of the nurses involved in the intervention later reported specific examples of implementing the four habits when working with parents in clinical settings. A one-hour four habits communication-training program is effective in improving newly licensed nurses’ preparation for emotion-focused conversations with parents.

The main purpose of this study was to explore the impact of organisational change on the lived experiences of employees’ well-being. A sample of six employees participated in the study. The requisite data was obtained using semi-structured interviews. The literature review aimed to conceptualise organisational change and its related constructs, to explore employee well-being and its related constructs, and to understand the impact of organisational change on employees’ well-being in organisational contexts. The specific aims of the empirical study were to explore the impact of organisational change on employee well-being, to provide a basic framework that may assist organisations in managing change initiatives directed at enhancing employee well-being, and to formulate recommendations for possible future research on the impact of organisational change on employee well-being. The findings of this study indicated that the impact of organisational change on employees’ well-being is generally negative owing to the uncertainty of moving from the known to the unknown. All employees are impacted by organisational changes. The findings further indicated that the adverse impacts of organisational change may be moderated by communication, participation in the organisational change process and support. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com (Industrial and Organizational Psychology)

M. Tech. (Department of Information and Communication Technology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences). Vaal University of Technology. / There are many learning paradigms in the academic field, many of which have been used since the advent of universities and other learning institutions. However, the advent and subsequent popularisation of the Internet in the early 1990's has led to the development of new learning paradigms. Simultaneously, students currently enrolled at higher education institutions (HEI) fall under the Generation Z cohort, otherwise known as Millennials. This generation has grown up with widespread usage of the internet, and research has shown that engagement with these students in an educational setting has slowed down. This study endeavoured to establish whether the use of Social Networking Services (SNSs) could aid to better engage student in the teaching and learning process, and if so, whether there would be a measurable improvement in the marks of students enrolled in a final year Information Technology (IT) module at a HEI. Facebook and YouTube were the SNSs chosen as the focus of the study. Data collection was achieved by means of mixed-methods methodology. Semi-structured interviews were held with lecturers to determine their perceptions regarding the use of Facebook from an educational perspective. thematic analysis was performed to identify prominent themes in the qualitative data. Statistical analysis was performed on the result of two groups of students that took the final year module over two semesters. An action research based case study was designed as intervention for students in the 2nd semester involving the use of SNSs. The marks of the two groups were compared and contrasted to determine whether an improvement in results had taken place. Students participating in the action research case study also completed a survey for the purpose of gauging their experiences in the use of SNSs for the action research interventions are also highlighted and discussed, and thematic analysis is performed. After analysis of the gathered data had taken place, it was clear that the majority of participants in the study found that SNSs could add value to the teaching and learning process and there was a small to moderate improvement in results. Guidelines for other institutions that would like to integrate SNSs into their teaching and learning processes are proposed and a model has been developed.

[ES] La presente tesis doctoral tiene el propósito de afirmar la existencia, así como de dar cuenta de las posibilidades, de una metodología propia de mediación entre la obra de arte contemporáneo y especialistas en educación. Su carácter es expandido y atento a la visualidad. Con expandido se entiende por una parte, la cualidad de situarse interrelacionadamente en diferentes contextos: el centro de arte, el aula universitaria y la escolar. Por otra, la de fomentar desplazamientos y cruces del campo educativo al del arte y del campo del arte al educativo. Esto desemboca en la generación de nuevas identidades docentes y nuevas formas de ser artista así como en nuevas formas de colaboración entre estos profesionales, en favor de una revitalización del hecho artístico, mejoras en la educación artística y en la educación interdisciplinar desde el arte. Con atención a la visualidad se entiende el carácter de una mediación en la que la realidad sentipensante, la estética y la visualidad se proponen como ejes de la acción de mediación y como guías que pueden equilibrar la tendencia a la sobrexposición de la subjetividad del receptor de la obra de arte y la tendencia a sobrexponer las cualidades de la obra frente a las experiencias del receptor, de tal modo que se valore un equilibrio relacional obra-sujeto. Esta propuesta de mediación tiene sentido desde un proceso deselitizador del arte, desde una perspectiva reestetizadora de la educación artística y desde una dirección repersonalizadora de la relación del artista-receptor con la obra y del artista con la sociedad. Su planteamiento filosófico de fondo es pragmatista. La investigación se sitúa en un campo entre la práctica del arte y la educación artística. El posicionamiento de la que parte es a/r/tográfico. Todos estos planteamientos se concretan en el contexto espacio y tiempo de nueve años de trabajo en el campo de la docencia desde la materia de Didáctica artística del Grado de Educación en Florida Universitaria por una profesora (la misma que investiga y escribe estas letras) de formación y trayectoria como pintora. La metodología de investigación aplicada es la educativa basada en artes visuales y la a/r/tográfica. Desde este marco metodológico se proponen dos estrategias de investigación: la fotonovela para la mediación artística y la Logotesis para la investigación a/r/tográfica. / [CA] La present tesi doctoral té el propòsit d'afirmar l'existència, així com de donar compte de les possibilitats, d'una metodologia pròpia de mediació entre l'obra d'art contemporani i especialistes en educació. El seu caràcter és expandit i atent a la visualitat. Amb expandit s'entén d'una banda, la qualitat de situar-se interrelacionadament en diferents contextos: el centre d'art, l'aula universitària i l'escolar. Per una altra banda, la de fomentar desplaçaments i entrecreuaments del camp educatiu al de l'art i del camp de l'art a l'educatiu. Això desemboca en la generació de noves identitats docents i noves maneres de ser artista així com en noves formes de col·laboració entre aquests professionals, en favor a una revitalització del fet artístic, millores en l'educació artística i en l'educació interdisciplinària des de l'art. Amb atenció a la visualitat s'entén el caràcter d'una mediació en la qual la realitat sentipensant, l'estètica i la visualitat es proposen com a eixos de l'acció de mediació i com a guies que poden equilibrar la tendència a la sobrexposició de la subjectivitat del receptor de l'obra d'art i la tendència a sobrexposar les qualitats de l'obra enfront de les experiències del receptor, de tal manera que es valore un equilibri relacional obra-subjecte. Aquesta proposta de mediació té sentit des d'un procés des-elititzador de l'art, des d'una perspectiva re-estetitzadora de l'educació artística i des d'una direcció re-personalitzadora de la relació de l'artista-receptor amb l'obra i de l'artista amb la societat. El seu plantejament filosòfic de fons és pragmatista. La investigació se situa en un camp entre la pràctica de l'art i l'educació artística. El seu posicionament és a/r/tográfic. Tots aquests plantejaments es concreten en el context espai i temps de nou anys de treball en el camp de la docència des de la matèria de Didàctica artística del Grau d'Educació a Florida Universitària d'una professora (la mateixa que investiga i escriu aquestes lletres) de formació i trajectòria com a pintora. La metodologia d'investigació aplicada és l'educativa basada en arts visuals i l'a/r/togràfica. Des d'aquest marc metodològic es proposen dues estratègies d'investigació: la fotonovela per a la mediació artística, i la Logotesis, per a la investigació a/r/togràfica. / [EN] This doctoral thesis is aimed at stating he existence, as well as to account for the possibilities, of a methodology of mediation between the work of contemporary art and education specialists. It has both an expanded and an attentive-to-visuality nature. By expanded we mean, on the one hand, the quality of situating itself interrelatedly in different contexts: the art centre, the university classroom and the school classroom. On the other hand, it encourages shiftings and crossovers from the field of education to the field of art and from the field of art to the field of education. This leads to the generation of new teaching identities and new ways of being an artist, as well as new forms of collaboration between these professionals, in favour of a revitalisation of the artistic fact, improvements in art education and interdisciplinary education from art. Attention to visuality is understood as the nature of a mediation in which thinking and sentient reality, aesthetics and visuality are proposed as axes of the action of mediation and as guides that can balance the tendency to overdisplay the subjectivity of the receiver of the work of art and the tendency to overdisplay the qualities of the work against the experiences of the receiver, in such a way that a work-subject relational balance is valued. This mediation proposal makes sense from a de-eliticising process of art, from a re-aesthetising perspective of art education and from a re-personalising direction of the relationship of the artist-recipient with the work and of the artist with society. Its basic philosophical approach is pragmatist. The research is situated in a field between art practice and art education. The position from which it starts is a/r/tographic. All these approaches take place in the space and time context of nine years of work in the field of teaching Art Didactics for the Degree in Education at Florida Universitaria by a teacher (the same one who is researching and writing these lines) with a background and career as a painter. The research methodology applied is the educational methodology based on visual arts and a/r/tography. From this methodological framework, two research strategies are proposed: the Photo-novel for the artistic mediation, and the Logothesis, for the a/r/tographic research. / Rueda Gascó, L. (2023). Mediación expandida. Un estudio a/r/tográfico y educativo basado en la visualidad entre la obra de arte contemporáneo y docentes de Infantil y Primaria [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/193687

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the existing relationship between traditional healers and nurse practitioners in Maseru Health Service Area in Lesotho and also to determine why people consult traditional healers. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to investigate the relationship between traditional healers and nurse practitioners and also to determine why people utilize the services of traditional healers. The study was limited to Maseru Health Service Area in Lesotho. Data was collected from twenty-seven (27) nurses from nineteen (19) clinics and from thirty (30) traditional healers from the same health service area. Data from traditional healers was collected using semi-structured interviews while nurse practitioners were given a questionnaire to complete. The study revealed that there was no formal relationship between traditional healers and nurse practitioners. Support for traditional healers was revealed to be limited, for example, only four (14.8%) nurses had a programme for traditional healers while twenty ( 66.7%) traditional healers did not have any contact with nurse practitioners. Involvement of traditional healers in primary health care at grassroots level has therefore been very minimal. The reasons why people utilize traditional healers were found to be as follows: • When people think they have been bewitched. • Traditional healers can tell the actual cause of disease • Failure of modern practice • For social problems According to the study, both traditional healers and nurse practitioners felt that collaboration between traditional healers and nurse practitioners was essential because it would enable planned referral of patients from one group to another where necessary; it would also facilitate exchange of ideas and knowledge for the benefit of the people served. Recommendations on collaboration and on support systems are given in Chapter Six. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Nursing Science)

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the existing relationship between traditional healers and nurse practitioners in Maseru Health Service Area in Lesotho and also to determine why people consult traditional healers. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to investigate the relationship between traditional healers and nurse practitioners and also to determine why people utilize the services of traditional healers. The study was limited to Maseru Health Service Area in Lesotho. Data was collected from twenty-seven (27) nurses from nineteen (19) clinics and from thirty (30) traditional healers from the same health service area. Data from traditional healers was collected using semi-structured interviews while nurse practitioners were given a questionnaire to complete. The study revealed that there was no formal relationship between traditional healers and nurse practitioners. Support for traditional healers was revealed to be limited, for example, only four (14.8%) nurses had a programme for traditional healers while twenty ( 66.7%) traditional healers did not have any contact with nurse practitioners. Involvement of traditional healers in primary health care at grassroots level has therefore been very minimal. The reasons why people utilize traditional healers were found to be as follows: • When people think they have been bewitched. • Traditional healers can tell the actual cause of disease • Failure of modern practice • For social problems According to the study, both traditional healers and nurse practitioners felt that collaboration between traditional healers and nurse practitioners was essential because it would enable planned referral of patients from one group to another where necessary; it would also facilitate exchange of ideas and knowledge for the benefit of the people served. Recommendations on collaboration and on support systems are given in Chapter Six. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Nursing Science)