IMPACT (Integrated Management of Physician-Delivered Alcohol Care for Tuberculosis patients) is a randomized, controlled effectiveness trial based in Tomsk, Russia, that assesses the effect of oral naltrexone and brief behavioral counseling on tuberculosis outcomes and alcohol use in 200 patients. Tuberculosis physicians without addiction experience delivered interventions as part of routine care over a 6-month period, focusing on alcohol intake reduction to support successful tuberculosis treatment. We describe design, training, and fidelity monitoring using a Russian and American team of physicians, bilingual coders, and supervisors. Culturally appropriate adaptations, limitations, and implications for future trials are discussed. The clinical trial identification number is NCT00675961. Funding came from the National Institutes of Health and National Institute on Drug Abuse.

IMPACT (Integrated Management of Physician-Delivered Alcohol Care for Tuberculosis patients) is a randomized, controlled effectiveness trial based in Tomsk, Russia, that assesses the effect of oral naltrexone and brief behavioral counseling on tuberculosis outcomes and alcohol use in 200 patients. Tuberculosis physicians without addiction experience delivered interventions as part of routine care over a 6-month period, focusing on alcohol intake reduction to support successful tuberculosis treatment. We describe design, training, and fidelity monitoring using a Russian and American team of physicians, bilingual coders, and supervisors. Culturally appropriate adaptations, limitations, and implications for future trials are discussed. The clinical trial identification number is NCT00675961. Funding came from the National Institutes of Health and National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The rhetorical core of adaptation studies is a comparison between two texts, and the type of comparison that has sparked the most reactions, whether in its use or in speaking out against it, is fidelity criticism. As David Johnson and Simone Murray point out, fidelity criticism has long been rejected as an unscholarly mode of interpretative analysis because it is caught up in subjective value judgments and imprecise conjectures of a text’s “essence.” I contend, however, that the understanding of essences is critical to understanding both fidelity and the adaptation experience because something like essence is fixed in the human consciousness. Recent research in neuro-studies suggests that the mind creates “essences” by recognizing networks of structural elements in objects (namely texts for the purposes of this paper). The essence then becomes an experienced-based abstraction that can be recalled whenever useful. The individual is able to use the abstraction the mind creates to interpret the world, including the object itself, other objects, and the relationship all those objects have with him/herself, the individual. That relationship, in turn, influences and changes both the object and the individual interpreting the object. Thus the concept of a text’s essence, though often disregarded, becomes a useful interpretative tool when understood through a combination of overlapping theoretical traditions. Combining a reception-based structural and Heideggerian utilitarianism with recent neuroscientific findings grants productive insights clarifying our understandings and definitions of essence, especially in regard to adaptations in particular.

In this study, we examined the structural validity of the Secondary Transition Fidelity Assessment (STFA), a measure of secondary schools’ use of programs and practices demonstrated by research to lead to meaningful college and career outcomes for all students, including students at-risk for or with disabilities, and students from diverse backgrounds. Drawing from evidence-based practices endorsed by the National Technical Assistance Center for Transition and the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Career Development and Transition, the instrument development and refinement process was iterative and involved collecting stakeholder feedback and pilot testing. Responses from a national sample of educators (N = 1,515) were subject to an exploratory factor analysis resulting in five measurable factors: (a) Adolescent Engagement, (b) Inclusive and Tiered Instruction, (c) School-Family Collaboration, (d) District-Community Collaboration, and (e) Professional Capacity. The 5-factor model was subject to a confirmatory factor analysis which resulted in good model fit. Invariance testing on the basis of geographical region strengthened validity evidence and showed a high level of variability with regard to implementing evidence-based transition services. Findings highlight the need for consistent and regular use of a robust, self-assessment fidelity measure of transition service implementation to support all students’ transition to college and career.

Ett CMS, vilket är en förkortning av Content Management System, är ett webbaserat program som bidrar med möjligheten för en användare utan programmeringskunskaper att separat uppdatera en hemsidas innehåll. Detta examensarbete går ut på att ta fram en prototyp för ett CMS som är framtagen med hjälp av användarcentrerad design. De tilltänkta slutanvändarna, vilket är anställda hos ett svenskt möbelföretag, har genom en designprocess varit delaktiga och bidragit med designbeslut hur de själva önskar att deras framtida CMS ska vara utformat. Forskningen bakom ett CMS, har endast haft en liten roll i hur prototypen blev utformad. Tanken var att låta användarna själva bedöma vilka funktioner som deras framtida CMS skulle tillhandahålla och hur dessa funktioner skulle bli implementerade i ett gränssnitt. Med utvalda metoder utformades till slut en prototyp som skiljde sig från andra moderna CMS vad gäller design och funktion.

A significant growth was witnessed in the field of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), in the previous decade. The objective of this study has been Survey of micro controllers and short-range radio transceivers for wireless sensors and provide an extensive overview of micro controllers and RF-transceivers in the Market and compare the relevant properties for designing wireless sensor nodes. In the survey, RF-transvers from Nordic semiconductors is extensively presented for short-rang wireless protocols some of the protocols are RF-Communication Module, Bluetooth Low Energy Module, ZigBee module and Wi-Fi module.          In WSNs node design Power consumption is one the most important design issue, this thesis work present the different type of WSN protocols energy consumption efficiency and power consumption, compared and conclude graphically.        Microcontrollers are the main part of WSNs node for processing and gathering sensor data. There is different microcontroller’s products in the market however the WSN protocols presented in this thesis uses Cortex-M4 processor which is one of ARM product, the specification and comparison of this product with other products is presented.

Reference samples are a vital part of the forensic analysis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence. Efficient processing and analysis of these sample types are required for comparative analysis of an unknown electropherogram (EPG) and forensic databasing purposes (12). These reference samples can be derived from blood swabs or cheek swabs, the latter also being known as buccal cell swabs (20, 22, 32). Buccal cells, or epithelial cells of the oral cavity, are the preferred cell type for known samples as their collection is non-invasive and painless (20-21). Buccal cell collection devices typically consist of a swab (cotton or foam) and a filter paper, commonly FTA paper (1). FTA paper contains proprietary chemicals that lyse cell membranes upon contact, trapping and stabilizing DNA for downstream processing (21, 34). FTA paper also inhibits bacterial and viral growth and protects against damage from UV radiation, nucleases and oxidation (21, 34). Some of the benefits of using FTA cards include the ability to store the cards at ambient temperature for years (21, 35, 37) and to perform direct amplification of the samples thereby removing the need to utilize DNA extraction and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) (32, 37, 39). The EasiCollectTM (EC) and EasiCollectTM + (EC+) Buccal Sample Collection Devices (General Electric (GE) Healthcare Life Sciences, Buckinghamshire, UK) have FTA sample collection cards that contain a proprietary dye that changes color from pink to white, indicating where colorless fluids, such as saliva, were likely deposited (42). This study consisted of four phases. Phase 0 determined the optimal amplification conditions, including number of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cycles and an appropriate capillary electrophoresis (CE) injection time for high template, single source samples obtained from FTA cards using the EC and EC+ buccal cell collection devices. Samples were obtained from EC FTA cards with a Harris 1.2-mm Uni-Core Punch and amplified using the GlobalfilerTM Express PCR Amplification Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) using the manufacturer’s protocol with 26, 27 or 28 PCR cycles (28). Fragment separation was achieved on an ABI 3500 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) with 5, 15 and 25 second (s) 1.2 kiloVolt (kV) injections. Samples were analyzed on GeneMapper® ID-X v1.4 (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) with an analytical threshold of 150 RFU (relative fluorescence units) (31). It was determined that amplification with 26 PCR cycles was optimal for high template, single source samples from FTA cards in this laboratory. The three injection times were utilized in the remaining phases and no other parameters were changed. In Phase 1 of this study, the optimal collection method for the EC+ device from various processes was assessed using the following collection variables: 1) a dry or saliva-wet swab; 2) a circular or up-down/side-to-side motion; 3) 2, 3 or 4 motions; and 4) swabbing of one or both cheeks. This resulted in a total of 24 distinct collection processes. We found that collection techniques that involved wetting the foam head of the EC+ device provided higher peak heights, improved heterozygote balance (Hb) and minimized the rate of drop-out in EPGs. When swabbing two cheeks versus one, the median peak heights increased, indicating an increase in transfer of cellular material onto the FTA surface. The motion of swabbing - circular or up-down/side-to-side - did not have an effect on the overall quality of the EPG data. During Phase 2a, the distribution of cellular material was assessed for two collection processes that involved swabbing of two cheeks with a wet swab four times; the variation among the methods being the motion (circular or up-down/side-to-side). Two punches taken surrounding the original punch assessed during Phase 1 showed similar average peak heights (i.e. ca. 3500 RFU at a 5 s injection on the ABI 3500 Genetic Analyzer) for both collection processes. No allelic drop-out was observed with either collection technique. Phase 2b compared the EPG signal of the EC and EC+ collection devices. The EC+ collection process used for this comparison involved rubbing a wet swab across two cheeks using four circular motions as this produced no allelic drop-out and fewer samples which saturated the CE laser detector. Therefore, this method provided more data for analysis. Samples from both devices produced comparable peak heights and PHRs above 0.6 with no allelic drop-out and stutter ratios below the thresholds set by the manufacturer (28). The EC+ device was found to be robust and provided full profiles using a minimalist sample collection method. However, the probability of drop-out increased as both the number of motions and the number of cheeks decreased. Based on this study, a collection using four circular motions divided between two cheeks with a wet swab is recommended with a 5 s, 1.2 kV injection on an ABI 3500 Genetic Analyzer, since full DNA profiles were obtained with balanced heterozygote loci, expected stutter ratios, and acceptable levels of minus A artifact. Further, it was determined that this recommended collection method resulted in high-fidelity DNA signal for up to three punches. Thus, the EC+ device is reliable, easy-to-use and non-invasive for the collection of buccal cells for known reference samples. A sample obtained from the area of transfer on an FTA card from the EC+ device can produce an EPG of the quality required for the comparison of known samples to an evidentiary profile as well as for input of the genotype into a national forensic database.

This study was designed to address teachers' difficulties implementing Response-to-Intervention (RtI) program strategies at a low-performing school in south Texas in response to students failing to meet statewide assessment standards in reading. This exploratory case study investigated the perceptions of Grades 3 and 4 teachers to assist in understanding a pathway to increase higher fidelity of RtI implementation and improve student academic performance. Knowles's theory of andragogy and Lewin's change theory provided the framework for the study. The study included interview data from 6 purposefully selected Grades 3 and 4 teachers supplemented by document reviews of professional development (PD) presentations and RtI implementation policies. All data were analyzed using comparative and inductive analysis and coded into 7 emergent themes. The findings included the need for administrative supervision, a lack of RtI fidelity of implementation, and a need for PD focusing on interventions and organizational tools. The project, which was developed based on the findings and literature review, includes opportunities for learning and participating in campus RtI planning to gain support for the program, attending district-approved PD sessions to assist teachers' techniques to improve student performance in reading, and training in specific RtI progress monitor reporting to document use of the various interventions for individuals in the classroom. By ensuring that students receive RtI instruction that is designed to meet their individual academic needs, the project may help the school district decrease referrals to special education and improve students' reading abilities.

In a Texas school district, administrators did not monitor the fidelity of implementation (FOI) of the Montessori kindergarten program implemented in 2005, which left administrators without empirical data regarding program implementation. The purpose of this qualitative evaluative case study was to explore teachers' and administrators' perceptions and implementation of the Montessori program. Using the implementation of science framework, which involves examining FOI by monitoring interventions, implementation methods, enabling contexts, and intended outcomes, data were collected through interviews, nonparticipatory observations, and a review of archived Montessori documents. A convenience sample of 10 Montessori teachers, who met criteria of over 5 years of teaching experience, and 2 or more years experience teaching in the Montesorri program, and administrators who met criteria of supervising Montesorri grades, volunteered to participate in this study. Data were analyzed using comparative and inductive analyses and analytical coding. Findings from the data resulted in emergence of 5 themes: administrative support and capacity building for the Montessori program to support FOI, availability of more advanced Montessori resources, peer coaching to support novice Montesorri teachers, precise and consistent comprehension of the Montessori learning model, and relevant and targeted professional development related to Montesorri program implementation. A 3-day professional development project was designed to promote FOI of the Montessori program for teachers and administrators. The project will improve stakeholders' knowledge and capacity building to strengthen Montesorri program FOI and promote students' academic success. Fidelity of Implementation of an Urban Elementary Montessori Kindergarten Program by DaMesia D. Starling MS, Walden University, 2010 BS, Jarvis Christian College, 2003 Project Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University April 2018

Hospitalized patients increasingly present with complex health issues that place them at risk for acute patient deterioration (APD). Novice nurses are ill-equipped with the critical clinical skills to function competently in recognizing APD, placing patients at risk for negative health outcomes. This project addressed the need to educate novice nurses to recognize APD and answered the project focused questions that asked if an educational intervention with high-fidelity simulation (HFS) would improve nurse knowledge and clinical confidence in recognizing APD. Benner's novice-to-expert and the constructivism theory were used to guide the project. Based upon a review of the literature, the HFS was developed to provide scenarios in which participants would view APD evolving case studies and demonstrate knowledge and skill for caring for patients with APD. A convenience sample of 11 novice nurses participated in the pre- and posttest design project to determine if knowledge and clinical competence increased. Data from the HFS program were analyzed; results showed no statistically significant change in knowledge or confidence post intervention (p = 0.441). A larger sample size is recommended for future HFS interventions at the site to determine if the program of education will increase knowledge and clinical confidence with future iterations of HFS. The project has the potential to promote positive social change as novice nurses learn to recognize and respond to APD and as APD events are reduced.