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At Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) a Global Perspective Program (GPP) has evolved that provides an international experience for most graduates. Currently more than half of WPI students travel internationally to do academic work. The GPP grew from the basic project-based educational structure implemented over 30 years ago. In this paper, we describe the structure and operation but will emphasize the multilevel assessment process used to understand student learning and improve the program. Although our specifics are related to technical education, our assessment design and implementation may be useful to a much wider audience.

Context The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have elected to include a bereaved family member survey in public reporting of hospice quality data as mandated in the Affordable Care Act. However, it is not known what time point after death offers the most reliable responses. Objectives To examine the stability of bereaved family members' survey responses when administered three, six, and nine months after hospice patient death. Methods Bereaved family members from six geographically diverse hospices were interviewed three, six, and nine months after patient death. All respondents completed a core survey. Those whose family member died at home, in a freestanding inpatient unit, or in a nursing home also completed a site-specific module. Stability was based on top-box scoring of each item with kappa statistics, and multivariable regression models were used to assess directionality and predictors of change. To analyze the effects of grief, we assessed response stability among respondents at least one SD from the mean change in grief between three and six months. Results We had 1532 surveys (536 three-month surveys, 529 six-month surveys, and 467 nine-month surveys) returned by 643 respondents (average age 61.7 years, 17.4% black, and 50.5% a child respondent) about hospice decedents (55.3% females, average age 78.6 years, 57.0% noncancer, and 40.0% at home). The average kappa for core items between three and nine months was 0.54 (range 0.42–0.74), 0.58 (0.41–0.69) for home-specific items, and 0.54 (0.39–0.63) for nursing home. Even among individuals demonstrating large grief changes, core items demonstrated moderate to high stability over time. Conclusion Bereaved family member responses are stable between three and nine months after the death of the patient.

The Section on Pediatrics (SoP) convened an Education Summit in July 2012 to examine, discuss, and respond to documented inconsistencies and challenges in teaching pediatric physical therapy (PT) content in entry-level professional education programs. Despite previous attempts by the SoP to provide guidance around teaching pediatric PT, variability continued to be extensive across programs.This article presents the core competencies developed out of the Summit to inform pediatric content in the entry-level PT curriculum. In addition, the core competencies were linked to teaching strategies, learning activities, assessment outcomes, and curricular structures.Consensus was reached on 5 core competencies that represent a knowledge base essential to all graduates of PT programs. In contrast to prior SoP documents, these competencies were specifically designed to focus on knowledge and skills unique to pediatric practice but essential for all graduates of accredited entry-level PT education programs.For more insights from the authors, see Supplemental Digital Content 1, at http://links.lww.com/PPT/A50.

The purpose of this case report is to determine the effects of exercise training using body weight-supported treadmill walking (BWSTW) with an 18-year-old male diagnosed with Cerebral palsy (CP) who was non-ambulatory and not receiving physical therapy.Outcome measures included the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion, 3-minute walk test and physiological cost index (PCI). BWSTW sessions took place twice a week for 6 weeks with a reduction of approximately 40% of the patient's weight.Over-ground 3-minute walk test distance and PCI were essentially unchanged. BWSTW exercise time increased by 67% with a 43% increase in speed while average working HR decreased by 8%. BWSTW PCI decreased by 26%. PedsQL parent report improved in all domains. PedsQL self-report demonstrated a mild decrease. PEDI showed improvements in self-care and mobility.Exercise utilizing BWSTW resulted in a positive training effect for this young adult with CP who was non-ambulatory. Developing effective and efficient protocols for exercise training utilizing BWSTW may aid in the use of this form of exercise and further quantify outcomes. Ensuring that young adults with CP have safe and feasible options to exercise and be physically active on a regular basis is an important role of a physical therapist.

Direct-access, minimally invasive, beating-heart intracardial procedures have the potential to replace many traditional surgical procedures requiring cardio-pulmonary bypass as long as micro-emboli are prevented from entering the cardiovascular system. A new surgical port was developed to introduce surgical instruments into chambers of the beating heart during minimally invasive, intracardial surgical procedures without allowing the introduction of micro-emboli 0.1 mm or larger in size. The design consists of an outer port body that is secured to the heart wall using a purse string suture and a series of inner tubular sleeves that form the interface between the port and the transecting instrument. The design enables rapid tool changes and accommodates a wide variety of instruments. The port uses a fluid purging system to dislodge and remove emboli from a surgical instrument. Laboratory and clinical tests show that the port adequately seals around a surgical instrument and prevents the introduction of emboli with diameters greater than 0.1 mm into the heart while minimizing hemorrhage.

Contributors Michael Alley, The Pennsylvania State University; Cindy Atman, University of Washington; David DiBiasio, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Cindy Finelli, University of Michigan; Heidi Diefes-Dux, Purdue University; Anette Kolmos, Aalborg University; Donna Riley, Smith College; Sheri Sheppard, Stanford University; Maryellen Weimer, The Pennsylvania State University; Ken Yasuhara, University of Washington Background Although engineering education has evolved in ways that improve the readiness of graduates to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century, national and international organizations continue to call for change. Future changes in engineering education should be guided by research on expertise and the learning processes that support its development. Purpose The goals of this paper are: to relate key findings from studies of the development of expertise to engineering education, to summarize instructional practices that are consistent with these findings, to provide examples of learning experiences that are consistent with these instructional practices, and finally, to identify challenges to implementing such learning experiences in engineering programs. Scope/Method The research synthesized for this article includes that on the development of expertise, students' approaches to learning, students' responses to instructional practices, and the role of motivation in learning. In addition, literature on the dominant teaching and learning practices in engineering education is used to frame some of the challenges to implementing alternative approaches to learning. Conclusion Current understanding of expertise, and the learning processes that develop it, indicates that engineering education should encompass a set of learning experiences that allow students to construct deep conceptual knowledge, to develop the ability to apply key technical and professional skills fluently, and to engage in a number of authentic engineering projects. Engineering curricula and teaching methods are often not well aligned with these goals. Curriculum-level instructional design processes should be used to design and implement changes that will improve alignment.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may be used to create nanoscale compliant mechanisms that possess large ranges of motion relative to their device size. Many macroscale compliant mechanisms contain compliant elements that are subjected to fixed-clamped boundary conditions, indicating that they may be of value in nanoscale design. The combination of boundary conditions and large strains yield deformations at the tube ends and strain stiffening along the length of the tube, which are not observed in macroscale analogs. The large-deflection behavior of a fixedclamped CNT is not well-predicted by macroscale large-deflection beam bending models or truss models. Herein, we show that a pseudo-rigid-body model may be adapted to capture the strain stiffening behavior and, thereby, predict a CNT’s fixed-clamped behavior with less than 3% error from molecular simulations. The resulting pseudo-rigid-body model may be used to set initial design parameters for CNT-based compliant mechanisms. This removes the need for iterative, time-intensive molecular simulations during initial design phases. DOI: 10.1115/1.4001726

Preliminary experiments were described that demonstrate that MRI is an effective tool for the noninvasive study of hollow-fiber bioreactors. Flow-compensated velocity-encoding pulse sequences were successively applied to analyze the velocity patterns in a module operated without cells, with an artificially induced flow field perturbation. Diffusion damping pulse sequences were also used to spatially resolve regions of cell growth in a bioreactor. These experiments provide the necessary basis from which future flow and spectroscopic studies can be conducted.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure noninvasively the steady, incompressible, laminar fluid flow in an inorganic porous tube and shell module. The porous tube module was operated in closed-end or “dead-end” mode for Reynolds numbers of 100 and 200, based on the tube radius. An MIR spin-echo, time-of-flight (TOF) technique was implemented and the results were compared to those of St»hlberg (1986) and Pangrle (1991). St»hlberg (1986) predicted the signal intensity generated by flowing protons using the TOF technique and Pangrle (1991) presented a theoretically based, numerical method for predicting fluid velocities and pressures in porous tube and shell systems. The experimental measurements agreed favorably with both the values predicted by the MRI, TOF theory and the axial velocity values from the numerical method.

The finite element method was used to study steady, incompressible, laminar flow in porous tube systems. The Navier-Stokes equations were used to describe the flow phenomena in the tube and shell space while the continuum theory of Brinkman was used to describe flow in the porous tube wall. The solution method, based on the Galerkin finite element and Newton iteration techniques, provided velocities and pressures for a wide range of Reynolds numbers and operational modes. the Darcy permeability was the only adjustable parameter used in the model and it was calculated a priori. The approach was justified by a comparison to previous experimental results for flow in a porous ceramic tube and shell system. The model was then used to investigate the effect of shell diameter and tube length on the flow field for closed shell, closed end, and cross flow operation. © 1991. 46 2847 2855 2847-2855

We are using COMSOL Multiphysicstrade, a commercial finite element modeling software package, to develop simulations of equipment in our unit operations laboratory including a heat exchanger, a gas permeation membrane, and a fluid flow experiment. Our hypothesis is that computer simulations showing the solutions to the differential equations that govern the fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer within the equipment will solidify the link between experiment and theory and provide improved learning. Students in one lab section who used the simulations were compared to those in a control section who did not. A diagnostic quiz given before and after each lab provided a quantitative measure of improvement in learning via the lab experience for both groups. Content analysis of written and oral reports was used to measure any difference in higher level thinking demonstrated by the two groups. Student attitudes towards the simulations were assessed by surveys and end-of-course evaluations. Results so far, in the second year of a three-year project, indicate improvements in student satisfaction and learning but little change in critical thinking that can be attributed to the simulations.

A recyclable oil-based foam drilling fluid (OBFDF) system has been developed to expand the benefits of controlled pressure drilling with foam onto water sensitive formations. This paper describes chemical development and presents drilling results for a Gulf Coast well drilled with the oil-based foam system. Not only did results confirm the ability of the foam system to control fluid loss and preserve formation permeability, but also, show the advantages of drilling with foam. Furthermore, a bit trip was saved drilling the reservoir in a single bit run, with a high rate of penetration and reduced gas inflow while drilling. The OBFDF is versatile, stable at high temperature (up to 450°F), compatible with H2S scavengers and reusable. Foam properties were successfully adjusted in presence of gas and condensate inflow. Still, the flexibility of foaming, defoaming and refoaming allowed surface separation and fluids reuse. Therefore, recycling liquid make up hydrocarbon reduced fluids and chemical usage with the associated cost reduction. Onsite modeling showed the controlled pressure contractor modeling software used for water-based foams can be adjusted to properly predict drilling parameters with oil-based foams.

We report on the accuracy of the pseudo-rigid-body model (PRBM) in predicting the behavior of a nanoscale parallel-guiding mechanism (nPGM) that uses two single-walled (5,5) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the flexural guiding elements. The nPGM has two regions of behavior: region 1 is governed by the bulk deformation of the nanotubes, and region 2 is characterized by hingelike flexing of four “kinks” that occur due to buckling of the nanotube walls. PRBM parameters for (5,5) CNTs are proposed. Molecular simulation results of region 1 behavior match PRBM predictions of (1) kinematic behavior with less than 7.3% error and (2) elastomechanic behavior with less than 5.7% error. Although region 1 is of more interest because of its well-defined and stable nature, region 2 motion is also investigated. We show that the PRBM parameters are dependent on the selection of the effective tube thickness and moment of inertia, the lesson being that designers must take care to consider the thickness and moment of inertia values when deriving PRBM constants.

We piloted an integrated approach to engaging early engineering students in cultural and social issues within their engineering courses. Preliminary results showed an improved understanding of cultural issues related to engineering, but the ability to integrate appropriate social and cultural considerations during calculation-intensive activities was inconsistent. Students' reactions to globally-related activities were more positive than those related to diversity. There were significant, large gender differences with females showing higher understanding and depth at both the immediate and persistent levels.

The goal of this session is to provide FIE participants with an opportunity to work on the design of an education research project of their choice, with guidance from experienced mentors. This session creates a formal space (both in time and location) for new mentoring relationships to form and research planning work to be done.

CLCA (chloride channel, calcium-activated) proteins are novel pulmonary vascular addresses for blood-borne, lung-metastatic cancer cells. They facilitate vascular arrest of cancer cells via adhesion to beta4 integrin and promote early, intravascular, metastatic growth. Here we identify the interacting binding domains of endothelial CLCA proteins (e.g. hCLCA2, mCLCA5, mCLCA1, and bCLCA2) and beta4 integrin. Endothelial CLCAs share a common beta4-binding motif (beta4BM) in their 90- and 35-kDa subunits of the sequence F(S/N)R(I/L/V)(S/T)S, which is located in the second extracellular domain of the 90-kDa CLCA and near the N terminus of the 35-kDa CLCA, respectively. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent, pull-down, and adhesion assays, we showed that glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins of beta4BMs from the 90- and 35-kDa CLCA subunits bind to the beta4 integrin in a metal ion-dependent manner. Fusion proteins from fibronectin and the integrins beta1 and beta3 served as negative controls. beta4BM fusion proteins competitively blocked the beta4/CLCA adhesion and prevented lung colonization of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. A disrupted beta4BM in hCLCA1, which is not expressed in endothelia, failed to interact with beta4 integrin. The corresponding CLCA-binding domain of the beta4 integrin is localized to the specific determining loop (SDL). Again enzyme-linked immunosorbent, pull-down, and adhesion assays were used to confirm the interaction with CLCA proteins using a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein representing the C-terminal two-thirds of beta4 SDL (amino acids 184-203). A chimeric beta4 integrin in which the indicated SDL sequence had been replaced with the corresponding sequence from the beta1 integrin failed to bind hCLCA2. The dominance of the CLCA ligand in beta4 activation and outside-in signaling is discussed in reference to our previous report that beta4/CLCA ligation elicits selective signaling via focal adhesion kinase to promote metastatic growth.

A problem solving competition was used to assess teamwork and communication skills in freshman programs and problem solving in a sophomore chemical engineering curriculum. Invited students were offered compensation of $50 each for an evening's work, plus the chance to win an additional $50 if their team won the competition. Teams were given limited time and defined access to resources to solve an open-ended problem. Videotaped group work sessions were evaluated by trained raters according to a rubric that varied with the objectives of the assessment. Each group's videotaped oral presentation of their solution was sent to external experts for judging and awarding of prizes. Preliminary results suggest that this method has the potential to provide rich data about how students interact in teams and how they approach open-ended problems. Issues include cost, technical and logistical complexity, audio quality, and subject participation.

We designed a first-year, one-credit course that would engage students actively in the chemical engineering profession while increasing their understanding of writing as a problem-solving tool and means of reflection. Course success was measured using several evaluation tools, including focus groups conducted by an external evaluator, an external evaluation of the portfolios, and our own assessment of the students' portfolios.

The Center for Tissue Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the Chemical Engineering Department at WPI have collaborated on several projects involving undergraduate chemical engineering students in biomedical research. One goal is to develop a tracheal cell delivery system for smoke inhalation victims. Destruction of tracheal cell lining from smoke inhalation is a major cause of fatality and serious injury during fires. A method that delivers viable tracheal cells to a victim could significantly impact patient recovery. An undergraduate chemical engineer (A. Roberts) used a jet-atomizer to successfully nebulize viable chondrocytes suspended in a polymer solution. The polymer carrier gelled at body temperature, trapping the cells and depositing them in the inner annular region of a model trachea. Radial and axial profiles were measured. We describe the collaboration, the instructional design, and student learning outcomes that allowed significant undergraduate multidisciplinary research. The student describes his research experience including project-specific results.

This paper discusses results of the first two offerings of an experimental and innovative first-year chemical engineering curriculum. The curriculum is project-based in that it emphasizes learning through engagement in open-ended projects from early in the curriculum. It is spiral in that it revisits concepts periodically with increasing sophistication throughout the curriculum. The curriculum is intended to increase technical proficiency, communication and teamwork skills, and identification with chemical engineering as a major and profession. This paper reports results attained through comparison of students from experimental and traditional course sequences with regard to these objectives.

Methods. The model elements include: 1) monthly Web-based screening, 2) triage of patients who request a rapid response to address a source of distress, and 3) enhanced availability of palliative care throughout their disease. CF patients also provide baseline and quarterly outcome data. Eligible adults with life expectancy >6 months complete the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-CF, PROMIS Anxiety-Short Form (PASF), PROMIS Depression-Short Form (PDSF), and CF Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R). Results. Initial baseline data (n1⁄461; M age1⁄438.4 years; SD1⁄413.0; 52.5% women; 91.8% White) show that the most prevalent symptoms are cough (80.3%); fatigue (63.9%); difficulty sleeping (59.0%); sinus discharge (52.5%); and dyspnea (50.8%). Symptoms rated as ‘‘quite a bit’’ or ‘‘very’’ distressing include feeling irritable (61.5%); fatigue (48.7%); and cough (42.9%). PASF scores (T1⁄452.1; range1⁄437.1-80.1) and PDSF scores (T1⁄452.1; range1⁄438.2-78.2) suggest that 21.3% and 9.8% of patients report higher anxiety and depressive symptoms respectively, than the general adult population. On the CFQ-R, treatment burden (M1⁄453.5; SD1⁄425.3); vitality (M1⁄454.8; SD1⁄420.4); and health perceptions (M1⁄457.6; SD1⁄424.2) represent the poorest QOL domains. Conclusions. Initial data suggest high symptom burden in this sample. Implications for Research, Policy, or Practice. Our screening-and-early-intervention model has the potential to improve symptom distress for the CF population.

Summary form only given. The authors developed a project-based, spiral curriculum for chemical engineering, beginning with the sophomore year. The curriculum addresses problems in the current state of engineering education, such as lack of student motivation, poor retention, segmented learning, lack of integration and the need to deliver cost effective technical education to a student audience of diverse backgrounds and learning styles. The spiral curriculum was well received by students in the initial offering during the 1997-98 academic year.

A sophomore level chemical engineering course was redesigned to emphasize active and cooperative learning. The structure used was a peer-assisted cooperative learning model developed at WPI. The experimental course was compared to a control course taught by the passive lecture method. The control and test courses were compared using student performance, attitudes, evaluations of the course and instructor and faculty time. We found that student performance was better and content coverage was increased in the test class. Faculty time was reduced by 24% using the peer assisted cooperative learning model. Composite student evaluations of the course and instructor increased slightly from the control to the test course. Student attitudes about the profession increased during the test course, but were mixed regarding working in teams.

In this presentation, the authors describe work aimed at understanding student learning in the early stages of their professional education. The role of language-that of the teacher and that used by students during the learning process-is an important factor in understanding learning. The students' relationship to authority can also be an important indicator of their intellectual development. Their work probes these effects and suggests how as teachers, one can approach the limits in student learning. They use transcripts and/or video of student groups, and written student work from project reports and exams as evidence for their analysis.

As a result of the low yield of cartilage from primary patient harvests and a high demand for autologous cartilage for reconstructive surgery and structural repair, primary explant cartilage must be augmented by tissue engineering techniques. In this study, chondrocytes seeded on PLLA/PGA scaffolds in static culture and a direct perfusion bioreactor were biochemically and histologically analyzed to determine the effects of fluid flow and media pH on matrix assembly. A gradual media pH change was maintained in the bioreactor within 7.4-6.96 over 2 weeks compared to a more rapid decrease from 7.4 to 6.58 in static culture over 3 days. Seeded scaffolds subjected to 1 microm/s flow demonstrated a 118% increase (p < 0.05) in DNA content, a 184% increase (p < 0.05) in GAG content, and a 155% (p < 0.05) increase in hydroxyproline content compared to static culture. Distinct differences were noted in tissue morphology, including more intense staining for proteoglycans by safranin-O and alignment of cells in the direction of media flow. Culture of chondrocyte seeded matrices thus offers the possibility of rapid in vitro expansion of donor cartilage for the repair of structural defects, tracheal injury, and vascularized tissue damage.