Elizabethtown College

About: Elizabethtown College is a education organization based out in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Social work & Spacetime. The organization has 329 authors who have published 636 publications receiving 10083 citations.

Activities of daily living with bionic arm improved by combination training and latching filter in prosthesis control comparison.

Abstract: Advanced prostheses can restore function and improve quality of life for individuals with amputations. Unfortunately, most commercial control strategies do not fully utilize the rich control information from residual nerves and musculature. Continuous decoders can provide more intuitive prosthesis control using multi-channel neural or electromyographic recordings. Three components influence continuous decoder performance: the data used to train the algorithm, the algorithm, and smoothing filters on the algorithm’s output. Individual groups often focus on a single decoder, so very few studies compare different decoders using otherwise similar experimental conditions. We completed a two-phase, head-to-head comparison of 12 continuous decoders using activities of daily living. In phase one, we compared two training types and a smoothing filter with three algorithms (modified Kalman filter, multi-layer perceptron, and convolutional neural network) in a clothespin relocation task. We compared training types that included only individual digit and wrist movements vs. combination movements (e.g., simultaneous grasp and wrist flexion). We also compared raw vs. nonlinearly smoothed algorithm outputs. In phase two, we compared the three algorithms in fragile egg, zipping, pouring, and folding tasks using the combination training and smoothing found beneficial in phase one. In both phases, we collected objective, performance-based (e.g., success rate), and subjective, user-focused (e.g., preference) measures. Phase one showed that combination training improved prosthesis control accuracy and speed, and that the nonlinear smoothing improved accuracy but generally reduced speed. Phase one importantly showed simultaneous movements were used in the task, and that the modified Kalman filter and multi-layer perceptron predicted more simultaneous movements than the convolutional neural network. In phase two, user-focused metrics favored the convolutional neural network and modified Kalman filter, whereas performance-based metrics were generally similar among all algorithms. These results confirm that state-of-the-art algorithms, whether linear or nonlinear in nature, functionally benefit from training on more complex data and from output smoothing. These studies will be used to select a decoder for a long-term take-home trial with implanted neuromyoelectric devices. Overall, clinical considerations may favor the mKF as it is similar in performance, faster to train, and computationally less expensive than neural networks.

Dealing With Major Life Events and Transitions: A Systematic Literature Review on and Occupational Analysis of Spirituality.

Abstract: This systematic literature review analyzed the construct of spirituality as perceived by people who have experienced or are experiencing a major life event or transition. The researchers investigated studies that used narrative analysis or a phenomenological methodology related to the topic. Thematic analysis resulted in three major themes: (1) avenues to and through spirituality, (2) the experience of spirituality, and (3) the meaning of spirituality. The results provide insights into the intersection of spirituality, meaning, and occupational engagement as understood by people experiencing a major life event or transition and suggest further research that addresses spirituality in occupational therapy and interdisciplinary intervention.

A 207Pb NMR study of the adducts of triphenyllead chloride and diphenyllead dichloride

Abstract: 207Pb NMR spectra were used to determine the structure of adducts of triphenyllead chloride and diphenyllead dichloride in CH2Cl2 and CH3CN. The bases included several phosphorus donors, such as tributylphosphine, oxygen donors, such as tributylphosphine oxide, and nitrogen donors, such as pyridine. A number of bidentate bases were also studied. The 207Pb spectra indicate that rapid exchange occurs in the adducts, even at temperatures of −90 °C. The magnitude of the shift relative to the lead acid indicates that all of the bases, including the bidentate bases, form five-coordinate adducts with triphenyllead chloride. Diphenyllead dichloride forms six-coordinate adducts, except for the adduct with tributylphosphine, which is five-coordinate. This is the first report of a five-coordinate adduct of diphenyllead dichloride. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An Old Tool Reexamined Using the Star Power Simulation to Teach Social Inequality

Abstract: This study examined the effectiveness of the Star Power simulation for teaching stratification and inequality to students of the net generation. The data for this study were obtained through the use of survey methodology and content analysis of 126 course papers from introductory sociology classes. Papers were analyzed for identification and application of class concepts, recommendation of the simulation, and perceived value of the simulation as a learning tool. Analysis of data revealed 100 percent of students found Star Power worthwhile, and 98 percent recommended it be used in future classes. The most common concepts students linked with their simulation experience were inequality, stratification, and social structure. Finally, six themes were identified illustrating students’ perceived value of the simulation.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Bis(salicylaldiminato)magnesium Complexes of Varying Aggregation and Coordination State

Abstract: A series of salicylaldiminato ligands [C6H5N=CHC6H4OH (1L), 2,6-iPrC6H3N=CHC6H4OH (2L), and 2,6-iPrC6H3N=CH-3,5-tBu2C6H2OH (3L)] were treated with Bu2Mg in the presence of the appropriate solvent system to yield the crystalline compounds [(1L6Mg3)·thf] (1), [(2L2Mg·thf)] (2), and [3L2Mg] (3). The products were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that 1 adopts a unique trimeric aggregation state consisting of six-coordinate magnesium centers. Substitution of the ligand backbone resulted in the formation of the monomeric species 2 and 3. X-ray crystallographic analyses revealed 2 as a five-coordinate, distorted square-pyramidal magnesium complex and 3 as a four-coordinate, distorted tetrahedral species. Inspection of the metrical parameters in 1–3 indicates a decrease in the Mg–O and Mg–N bond lengths and an increase in the N–Mg–O bite angle with a decreasing coordination number at magnesium.