Systems for Maximizing Student Learning, Engagement, and Academic Achievement

The rapid expansion of computer science education has placed significant strain on educators and students alike, particularly in large introductory programming courses. Traditional assessment methods often fail to balance timely feedback, effective student engagement, and scalable instructor support. In response, this dissertation presents TA-Bot, a novel automated assessment tool designed to incentivize early engagement, improve code quality, and encourage office-hour participation through an adaptive, non-punitive reward system. TA-Bot integrates a Time Between Submissions mechanism, dynamically modulating feedback frequency to discourage trial-and-error programming while fostering thoughtful code development. The system also implements gamification principles to motivate students to start assignments earlier and interact with course support structures. By shifting away from punitive restrictions and invasive data tracking, this research explores how positive reinforcement strategies can enhance student learning behaviors without discouraging participation. A longitudinal study was conducted across multiple semesters to evaluate the effectiveness of TA-Bot. The findings indicate that students using the system demonstrated higher engagement levels, improved code quality, and greater office-hour attendance, leading to better overall retention and performance. This work contributes to the broader discourse on CS education by demonstrating the efficacy of behavioral nudges and incentive-driven assessment tools in fostering productive learning habits

Zuckerberg Facebook Reel singing Benson Boone song at Priscilla\u27s birthday party

https://epublications.marquette.edu/zuckerberg_files_videos/1458/thumbnail.jp

Cardiac and Coronary Hemodynamics: Using an Integrated Ex-vivo Beating Heart Experiments and Computational Modeling

Cardiovascular function arises from the complex interactions among the heart, the arterial system, and the coronary circulation. Questions such as how variations in left ventricular (LV) loading conditions affect LV and aortic functions through LV–aorta interactions; and how coronary artery diseases, such as stenosis, impact cardiac function and myocardial perfusion including left and right coronary perfusion via LV–coronary interactions, remain understudied. To answer these questions, this thesis focuses on two core objectives: (1) investigate the effects of LV loading conditions on LV and aortic functions through LV–aortic interactions by performing ex-vivo beating rat heart experiments, and (2) elucidate the impact of coronary artery stenosis on coronary perfusion in the left and right coronary arteries (LCA and RCA) by developing a Distributive Model and a one-dimensional Navier-Stokes Model. Understanding LV–aorta interaction is essential for revealing how alterations in preload and afterload affect cardiac output and hemodynamic efficiency. To investigate these interactions, we conducted ex-vivo beating heart experiments that allowed independent modulation of preload and afterload to quantify their effects on LV and aortic functions. In the ex-vivo beating heart experiments, LV and aortic functions including LV pressure and volume waveforms, aortic pressure waveforms, aortic flow rate, were measured by independently varying LV preload and afterload. Our results demonstrated that increased afterload led to reduced aortic flow and elevated LV developed pressure (DP), whereas increased preload enhanced aortic flow and was accompanied by a rise in DP. These findings indicate that aortic pressure predominantly governs aortic flow under varying afterload conditions, whereas LV DP plays a dominant role in regulating aortic flow under different preload conditions. In parallel, a Distributive Model and a one-dimensional Navier-Stokes Model were developed to investigate cardiac–coronary interactions, focusing on how coronary artery stenosis impacts myocardial perfusion, in both LCA and RCA. Specifically, a one-dimensional Distributive Model and Navier–Stokes Model, incorporating anatomical LCA and RCA networks, vessel compliance, and fractional flow reserve (FFR), were developed to simulate coronary functions and regional perfusion under varying degrees of stenosis in a closed-loop of systemic circulation. The model predicts that as stenosis severity increased, coronary flow decreased significantly in both the LCA and RCA, demonstrating the nonlinear nature of hemodynamic impairment. Notably, coronary flow reduction in the RCA is more pronounced than that in the LCA, indicating a vessel-specific susceptibility to stenotic effects. These results highlight two key findings: (1) stenosis severity exerts a nonlinear impact on coronary pressure and flow, and (2) the RCA exhibits greater perfusion loss compared to the LCA under equivalent levels of stenotic conditions. Together, the ex-vivo beating heart experiments not only demonstrate mechanistic insights into how ventricular loading and aortic properties collectively shape cardiovascular function but also provide valuable information for computational modeling (e.g., measured hemodynamics serve as boundary conditions and reconstructed contractility-flow relationship) and rigorous model validation. The developed computational modeling can predict detailed hemodynamics in coronary vessels and elucidates how ventricular loading and coronary artery stenosis influence myocardial perfusion and overall cardiovascular performance, which is difficult to measure in experiments, overcoming the limitations in pure experimental studies. These findings have important implications for advancing the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, aortic stenosis, and coronary artery disease. The developed integrated experimental and computational tools can be applied to understand the underlying mechanisms of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases in future

COMPARISON OF LEVELING A DEEP CURVE OF SPEE WITH EXTRACTIONS VERSUS NON-EXTRACTION: A BIOMECHANICAL PERSPECTIVE

Introduction: This study evaluated and compared orthodontic forces from different archwire designs and materials used to correct a deep curve of Spee. Methods: A three-dimensional orthodontic force tester (OFT) was used to measure forces and moments exerted by archwires on brackets from central incisors to first molars. Two setups were tested: one with a full dentition from central incisor to first molar, and another simulating bicuspid extractions with the first premolar removed. Dentoform models representing a deep curve of Spee were created using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data. The setup employed 0.022 × 0.028-inch zero-prescription brackets secured with elastomeric ligatures. Three types of 0.016 × 0.022-inch archwires were tested (n = 10 per group): reverse curve of Spee nickel-titanium (rNiTi), stainless steel with step-down bends (SSSD), and titanium-molybdenum alloy with step-down bends (TMASD). The rNiTi wires had a preformed reverse curve, while SSSD and TMASD included bilateral 1.0-mm step-down bends between the canine and lateral incisor and between the lateral and central incisor. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) evaluated the effect of wire design and material on the magnitude and direction of forces and moments on incisors and molars, with p \u3c 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among the archwires tested, the lowest intrusive force occurred with non-extraction rNiTi (2.06 N), while the highest was seen in the extraction SSSD group (2.23 N). First molars experienced intrusive forces in the extraction setup (0.003–0.006 N) and extrusive forces in the non-extraction setup (–0.02 to –0.07 N). The rNiTi archwire produced the greatest buccal-crown moment on the lateral incisors (6.11–6.22 Nmm), followed by SSSD, with TMASD generating the least. Molars exhibited buccal-crown moments ranging from 0.88 to 1.31 Nmm across all tests. In the extraction scenario, rNiTi created a 3.2 Nmm lingual-crown moment on the second premolar, while TMASD produced a –0.71 Nmm buccal-crown moment in the non-extraction setup. Conclusions: Force distribution varied across all archwires. Material, wire size, and severity of overeruption significantly influenced tooth loading, particularly in buccal-lingual moments. The most notable difference occurred on the second premolar between extraction and non-extraction setups. Although varying archwire materials are expected to behave differently, in vivo studies are needed to compare the efficiency and efficacy of Curve of Spee leveling

The Roles of Supervisor Care and Trust and Sense of Belonging in Promoting Internship Satisfaction

This study examines how relational aspects of the internship experience, namely students’ perceptions of a supervisor’s care and trust and students’ sense of belonging, factor into students’ satisfaction with their internship experience. We found that relational aspects impacted internship satisfaction. Although students’ perceptions of a supervisor’s care and trust were not a significant predictor of satisfaction, their sense of belonging was significant. Further analysis pointed to opportunities to use career related skills and gain confidence to pursue future job opportunities as significant in building students’ sense of belonging

Clients\u27 Preferences for Their Therapists\u27 Relational Styles in Psychotherapy: A Consensual Qualitative Research Study

Background Accommodating clients\u27 preferences is a cornerstone of evidence-based practice. However, little is known of clients\u27 preferences for their therapists\u27 relational styles. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis focused on identifying clients\u27 preferences for their therapists\u27 relational styles, using original data from Cooper et al.\u27s (2023) consensual qualitative research (CQR) study. Initial data collection involved conducting semi-structured interviews with a cohort of 13 clients who had completed up to 24 sessions of pluralistic psychotherapy. Of these participants, 10 identified as female and three identified as male. Findings Four themes and six sub-themes emerged: (1) Clients preferred their therapist to be active/not passively disengaged and to provide input, challenge and guidance (n = 10); (2) Clients preferred their therapist to display relatedness, warmth and validation (n = 8); (3) Clients preferred some flexibility, attunement and for their therapist to adapt the therapy to their unique needs (n = 5); (4) Clients preferred to be listened to, having a space to talk and to explore (n = 4). Implications for Practice The themes offer insights that can serve as a foundational framework for future research and contribute to the development of training programmes tailored to enhance counselling psychologists\u27 preference work and relational styles

A Systematic Review of Parents’ Mental Health Literacy Programs: Examining Program Effectiveness and Parent Satisfaction

Current estimates suggest that nearly one in five youth in the United States have a clinically significant mental health problem. Many of these youth do not receive services, and if they do, they are often not evidence-based treatments. Parents are critical to the utilization of psychological services for youth; they are typically considered the gatekeepers to mental health services and frequently initiate help-seeking on behalf of their youth. Research has demonstrated that parents do not have sufficient knowledge and skills needed to handle youth mental health problems (i.e., mental health literacy), which likely contributes to the youth treatment disparity. To address this, the current systematic review explored global mental health literacy programs for parents to examine program effectiveness and parent satisfaction with programs. Nine programs were identified and described in terms of structure, content, and delivery method. Several programs demonstrated improvement in at least one component of parents’ mental health literacy. Additionally, when assessed, parent satisfaction was generally positive, though areas for improvement were noted (e.g., program content lacked specificity, need for more practical parenting skills). Overall, findings have meaningful implications for future research and program development

Zuckerberg Facebook reel celebrating July 4 on hydrofoil in eagle costume

https://epublications.marquette.edu/zuckerberg_files_videos/1466/thumbnail.jp