Searching the Web: Observing Spiders to Learn How Different Structures Serve Different Functions

Through exploration and small group discussion, first grade students made connections between physical structures of organisms and their function. Additionally, students explored various spider “homes”. This activity promotes National Science Education Content Standard C

Role of the Oxytocin System in Alcohol Consumption and Stress-Induced Alcohol Relapse-like Behavior

Alcoholism is a widespread public health concern with limited therapeutic interventions available to help individuals battle relapse, moderate their use, and sustain abstinence. While many variables contribute to relapse vulnerability, stress is considered to play a prominent role in triggering relapse. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) has recently been implicated in a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, including drug and alcohol use disorders. Given that OXT is known to interact with brain reward systems and exert anxiolytic and anti-stress effects in humans and rodents, the main overall hypothesis of this dissertation is that OXT (and OXT receptor signaling) will be effective in reducing alcohol consumption and stress-induced alcohol relapse-like behavior. We demonstrate that systemic administration of OXT reduced binge-like alcohol drinking, operant oral self-administration of alcohol, and stress-induced relapse-like behavior in a dose-related manner in male and female mice. Targeted chemogenetic activation of OXT neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) reduced binge-like alcohol drinking and operant oral self-administration in a similar manner as systemic administration of the neuropeptide and this effect was reversed by pretreatment with the centrally-active OXTR antagonist in males. Finally, administration of an OXTR antagonist systemically and directly into the central amygdala blocked the effects of OXT on stress-induced alcohol relapse-like behavior in male, but not female mice. These data highlight potential sex differences in oxytocin receptor signaling and support the therapeutic potential for OXT in treating alcohol use disorder

Too much stuff: Motivators of overconsumption

The purpose of this research is to determine what motivates consumers to make purchases of clothing, and what factors influence their decision to continue to participate in the overconsumption of clothing. Research questions of interest include: Why do women buy clothing? What retailers encourage these consumption patterns? Are women overconsuming intentionally

Policy Poisoning in Batch Learning for Linear Quadratic Control Systems via State Manipulation

In this work, we study policy poisoning through state manipulation, also known as sensor spoofing, and focus specifically on the case of an agent forming a control policy through batch learning in a linear-quadratic (LQ) system. In this scenario, an attacker aims to trick the learner into implementing a targeted malicious policy by manipulating the batch data before the agent begins its learning process. An attack model is crafted to carry out the poisoning strategically, with the goal of modifying the batch data as little as possible to avoid detection by the learner. We establish an optimization framework to guide the design of such policy poisoning attacks. The presence of bi-linear constraints in the optimization problem requires the design of a computationally efficient algorithm to obtain a solution. Therefore, we develop an iterative scheme based on the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) which is able to return solutions that are approximately optimal. Several case studies are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm in carrying out the sensor-based attack on the batch-learning agent in LQ control systems.Comment: First appeared at CISS 202

Podcasting practices: Mediators of archival work, ELA teacher education curricula, and digital identities

This paper investigates how a semester-long online course in a language and literacy teacher education department coupled a podcast project with archival pedagogy and restorying to explore how ELA (English Language Arts) teachers (preservice, inservice teachers, and those seeking re-entry) worked collaboratively to enrich understandings of instruction embedded in a high-tech environment. The course was taught in the southeastern United States at the height of a global pandemic. After the semester ended, three graduate students (from a class of 21) joined the instructor to qualitatively analyze data collected during the previous 14 weeks. Data sources included digitally stored videos, archived library objects, class emails, rubrics, asynchronous discussion boards, synchronous Zoom discussions, and student-generated podcast projects. Findings point to the merit of providing agentic-learning opportunities through podcasting practices that mediated students’ archival work, ELA teacher education curricula, and digital identity formation. Implications are drawn for ELA classroom teachers and teacher educators

The Man of La Mancha press release

April 7-11 and 14-18, 1982. University Theatre, Viertes Haus 100. Book by Dale Wasserman. Lyrics by Joe Darion. Music by Mitch Leigh. Based on the novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. Directed by Therald Todd. Music Director Joseph Rohm. Choreography by Lee Brooke and Sue Steele. Costumes by Jaqueline Easter. Set design by H. Paul Mazer. Starring Kurt E. Payne as Captain of the Inquisition; R. J. Musser as Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote, Alonso Quijana; J. R. Vega as Sancho Panza.https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/theatre_posters/1125/thumbnail.jp

Improving Accessibility of Food Resources in Polk County

This project sought to increase awareness regarding food insecurity and available food resources in Polk County to bridge the gaps of food availability for residents. The SOAR (strengths, opportunities, aspirations, results) model was used to facilitate change. Research on available food assistance agencies and Community Health Assessments (CHA) proved a greater need for available food resources throughout Polk County. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a need was identified for increased awareness and access of food resources. A survey of Polk County residents indicated a gap of knowledge regarding food bank and food pantry locations and a recurring trend of inaccessibility (Polk County Family and Community Outreach, 2020). Additionally, a majority of the surveyed residents responded that they would “absolutely use” a food box delivery service and indicated evening hour preference for accessing food banks and food pantries (Polk County Family and Community Outreach, 2020). Barriers to combating food insecurity included: pandemic restrictions, limited communication between food banks, and volunteer-run agencies that limited hours of operation. From this research it was concluded that Polk County residents would benefit from an increase in food resource availability with additional volunteers, extended hours of operations, communication between food assistance agencies, use of food delivery services, and more accessible marketing of the available resources. Keywords: food insecurity, food resources, food accessibility, Polk County, food bank, food pantry References Polk County Family and Community Outreach. (2020). Access to food in Polk County [Unpublished raw data]. Stavros, J. M., & Hinrichs, G. (2009). The thin book of SOAR: Building strengths-based strategy. Thin Book Publishing

Effects of Noise Exposure on the Vestibular System: A Systematic Review

Despite our understanding of the impact of noise-induced damage to the auditory system, much less is known about the impact of noise exposure on the vestibular system. In this article, we review the anatomical, physiological, and functional evidence for noise-induced damage to peripheral and central vestibular structures. Morphological studies in several animal models have demonstrated cellular damage throughout the peripheral vestibular system and particularly in the otolith organs; however, there is a paucity of data on the effect of noise exposure on human vestibular end organs. Physiological studies have corroborated morphological studies by demonstrating disruption across vestibular pathways with otolith-mediated pathways impacted more than semicircular canal-mediated pathways. Similar to the temporary threshold shifts observed in the auditory system, physiological studies in animals have suggested a capacity for recovery following noise-induced vestibular damage. Human studies have demonstrated that diminished sacculo-collic responses are related to the severity of noise-induced hearing loss, and dose-dependent vestibular deficits following noise exposure have been corroborated in animal models. Further work is needed to better understand the physiological and functional consequences of noise-induced vestibular impairment in animals and humans

Reducing Poverty in California…Permanently

If California were to seriously commit to equalizing opportunity and reducing poverty, how might that commitment best be realized? This is of course a hypothetical question, as there is no evidence that California is poised to make such a serious commitment, nor have many other states gone much beyond the usual lip-service proclamations. There are many reasons for California’s complacency, but an important one is that most people think that poverty is intractable and that viable solutions to it simply don’t exist. When Californians know what needs to be done, they tend to go forward and get it done. When, for example, the state’s roads are in disrepair, there are rarely paralyzing debates about exactly how to go about fixing them; instead we proceed with the needed repairs as soon as the funds to do so are appropriated. The same type of sure and certain prescription might appear to be unavailable when it comes to reducing poverty. It is hard not to be overwhelmed by the cacophony of voices yielding a thick stream of narrow-gauge interventions, new evaluations, and piecemeal proposals.1 Although the research literature on poverty is indeed large and may seem confusing, recent advances have in fact been so fundamental that it is now possible to develop a science-based response to poverty. In the past, the causes of poverty were not well understood, and major interventions, such as the War on Poverty, had to be built more on hunch than science. It is an altogether different matter now. The causes of poverty are well established, and the effects of many possible policy responses to poverty are likewise well established. The simple purpose of this essay is to assemble these advances into a coherent plan that would, if implemented, reduce poverty in California substantially