Predicting underperformance from students in upper level engineering courses

Recent research in academic analytics has focused on predicting student performance within, and sometimes across courses for the purpose of informing early interventions. While such an endeavor has obvious merit, modern contructivist learning theory expresses an importance on more individualized support for students. In keeping with this theory, this research describes the development of a model that predicts student performance within a course, relative to their past academic performance. This study is done using the minimum sources of data possible while still developing an accurate model. Useful logistic models using data from the institution’s student information system, learning management system, and grade books some useful findings are developed. While each source of data was able to predict student success independently, the most accurate model contained data from both the grade book and student information system. These models were able to accurately identify students on track to underperform relative to their own cumulative grade point averages within the first seven weeks of a course, aligning with the studied institution’s existing requirements for a manual early intervention system

Metabolism of sucrose by Streptococcus sanguis 804 (NCTC 10904) and its relevance to the oral environment

The extracellular glucosyltransferases of Streptococcus sanguis polymerise the glucosyl moiety of sucrose to form high molecular weight complex glucans. The adhesive and agglutinative properties of these glucans are important in the formation of dental plaque and, hence, in cariogenesis. The glucosyltransferases of S. sanguis 804 (NCTC) were extensively purified (182-fold) by hollow fibre ultrafiltration (Bio-Fiber 80) followed by ammonium sulphate precipitation (0–70% of saturation). The enzymes were further purified by hydroxylapatite chromatography and appeared by this technique to consist of at least three enzymes with differing specific activities. It is not known whether these enzymes are, in fact, composed of different polypeptides or are modified forms of one protein. The activity of the glucosyltransferases can be measured as the rate of release of fructose from sucrose or as the rate of synthesis of ethanol-sodium acetate-precipitable polysaccharide (glucan). Using the former method, Kapp for sucrose for (NH4) 2SO4-purified glucosyltransferases was about 6 mmol/l and, using the latter method, Kapp was about 20 mmol/l. Glucosyltransferase activity (as rate of glucan synthesis) was stimulated 2 to 4-fold by low concentrations (0.125-0.50 μmol/l) of T2000 Dextran (Pharmacia; mol. wt. 2 × 106). Glucan synthesis was inhibited slightly by nigerose and was inhibited strongly by metrizamide (85% inhibition at 170 μmol/l metrizamide). The rate of release of fructose was not affected by either xylitol or hydrogen peroxide. The rate of synthesis of precipitable glucan was strongly inhibited by high concentrations of substrate (sucrose); the rate of release of fructose was relatively unaffected. The proposed mechanism for this effect is that sucrose acts as an alternative glucosyl acceptor (as well as donor) and thus inhibits glucosyl transfers to growing glucan chains. The oral concentrations of sucrose during and after consumptions of various sweet foods and beverages were studied and were often sufficient to inhibit glucan synthesis. In such cases, the sucrose concentrations for maximum rate of glucan synthesis only occurred as sucrose was cleared from the mouth, after the food or drink was finished. Glucan synthesis by S. sanguis is important in plaque formation. Thus, these results provide an additional explanation for the clinical finding that the incidence of caries is related to the frequency of dietary intake of sucrose and not merely the total amount of sucrose consumed

The Ursinus Weekly, April 10, 1939

All-Ursinus conference, starting Friday, will bring eminent authorities on music, art, and literature • Bartha\u27s orchestra, Love-in-a-mist to share junior week-end spotlight • Dr. Willauer to speak at Wednesday forum • 5th annual open house will be held May 6-7 • Price addresses Phila. otolaryngological society • Student finds Iturbi extremely devoted to his art, in tune with the universe • There\u27s that list again! • Weekly wins third in advertising contest • Ursinus women discuss marriage and budgeting • Seven freshmen accepted into women\u27s Debate Club • Ursinus group to attend conference on government • Ursinus nine to open season on Wednesday with Temple • Brodbeck again cops intramural honors • Von Kleeck named co-ed court capt. • Men, women tennists begin action this week • Varsity Club to banquet • Placement Bureau assists in job hunting • Goldfish gulper writes of downing 462 piscine delicacieshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1866/thumbnail.jp

The ACTN3 Gene and Differences between Playing Positions in Bone Mineral Content, Fat Mass and Lean Tissue Mass in the Arms, Legs and Trunk Of Rugby Union Football Players

Aim: The function of the present study was to identify differences between individual playing positions in bone mineral content, fat mass, and lean tissue mass, in the arms, trunk and legs of young adult Rugby Union football players who carried the ACTN3 gene. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional case control study was carried out using a candidate gene approach (n=55). Individuals belonged to a homogeneous group of players relative to age, gender, ability, and ethnicity. Players were allocated to their preferred playing position. These were the front row (n=14), second and back rows (n=16), scrum and outside-half (n=11), and centres, wings and fullbacks (n=14). A 5 ml sample of saliva was obtained from each player and specimens stored at 4oC until buccal cell DNA extraction was carried out. Height was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm and body mass to the closest 0.1 kg. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was measured using a Hologic QDR Discovery fan beam model. Statistical analyses were undertaken using ANOVA, ANCOVA and MANOVA. Results: The study sample comprised 22% RR, 60% RX, and 18% XX genotypes of the ACTN3 gene respectively. Players in the second and back rows were significantly taller than other positions. Body mass differences, were significantly greater in forwards than backs. There were non-significant differences between positions in adjusted bone mineral content or adjusted lean tissue mass. Adjusted fat mass reflected differences between left and right arms, but not left and right legs. Conclusion: At a developmental level of performance, an understanding and practical application of the structural, physiological and body composition characteristics of individual players, will facilitate personal and team accomplishment, efficiency of training and conditioning, and nurture the potential of young adult players

Benchtop simulation of the retrosigmoid approach: Validation of a surgical simulator and development of a task-specific outcome measure score

Background: Neurosurgical training is changing globally. Reduced working hours and training opportunities, increased patient safety expectations, and the impact of COVID-19 have reduced operative exposure. Benchtop simulators enable trainees to develop surgical skills in a controlled environment. We aim to validate a highfidelity simulator model (RetrosigmoidBox, UpSurgeOn) for the retrosigmoid approach to the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). Methods: Novice and expert Neurosurgeons and Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeons performed a surgical task using the model – identification of the trigeminal nerve. Experts completed a post-task questionnaire examining face and content validity. Construct validity was assessed through scoring of operative videos employing Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) and a novel Task-Specific Outcome Measure score. Results: Fifteen novice and five expert participants were recruited. Forty percent of experts agreed or strongly agreed that the brain tissue looked real. Experts unanimously agreed that the RetrosigmoidBox was appropriate for teaching. Statistically significant differences were noted in task performance between novices and experts, demonstrating construct validity. Median total OSATS score was 14/25 (IQR 10–19) for novices and 22/25 (IQR 20–22) for experts (p < 0.05). Median Task-Specific Outcome Measure score was 10/20 (IQR 7–17) for novices compared to 19/20 (IQR 18.5–19.5) for experts (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The RetrosigmoidBox benchtop simulator has a high degree of content and construct validity and moderate face validity. The changing landscape of neurosurgical training mean that simulators are likely to become increasingly important in the delivery of high-quality education. We demonstrate the validity of a TaskSpecific Outcome Measure score for performance assessment of a simulated approach to the CPA

Re-evaluating syndicalist opposition to the First World War

It has been argued that support for the First World War by the important French syndicalist organisation, the Confédération Générale du Travail (CGT) has tended to obscure the fact that other national syndicalist organisations remained faithful to their professed workers’ internationalism: on this basis syndicalists beyond France, more than any other ideological persuasion within the organised trade union movement in immediate pre-war and wartime Europe, can be seen to have constituted an authentic movement of opposition to the war in their refusal to subordinate class interests to those of the state, to endorse policies of ‘defencism’ of the ‘national interest’ and to abandon the rhetoric of class conflict. This article, which attempts to contribute to a much neglected comparative historiography of the international syndicalist movement, re-evaluates the syndicalist response across a broad geographical field of canvas (embracing France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Britain and America) to reveal a rather more nuanced, ambiguous and uneven picture. While it highlights the distinctive nature of the syndicalist response compared with other labour movement trends, it also explores the important strategic and tactical limitations involved, including the dilemma of attempting to translate formal syndicalist ideological commitments against the war into practical measures of intervention, and the consequences of the syndicalists’ subordination of the political question of the war to the industrial struggle

Genetic mechanisms of critical illness in COVID-19.

Host-mediated lung inflammation is present1, and drives mortality2, in the critical illness caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Host genetic variants associated with critical illness may identify mechanistic targets for therapeutic development3. Here we report the results of the GenOMICC (Genetics Of Mortality In Critical Care) genome-wide association study in 2,244 critically ill patients with COVID-19 from 208 UK intensive care units. We have identified and replicated the following new genome-wide significant associations: on chromosome 12q24.13 (rs10735079, P = 1.65 × 10-8) in a gene cluster that encodes antiviral restriction enzyme activators (OAS1, OAS2 and OAS3); on chromosome 19p13.2 (rs74956615, P = 2.3 × 10-8) near the gene that encodes tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2); on chromosome 19p13.3 (rs2109069, P = 3.98 ×  10-12) within the gene that encodes dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9); and on chromosome 21q22.1 (rs2236757, P = 4.99 × 10-8) in the interferon receptor gene IFNAR2. We identified potential targets for repurposing of licensed medications: using Mendelian randomization, we found evidence that low expression of IFNAR2, or high expression of TYK2, are associated with life-threatening disease; and transcriptome-wide association in lung tissue revealed that high expression of the monocyte-macrophage chemotactic receptor CCR2 is associated with severe COVID-19. Our results identify robust genetic signals relating to key host antiviral defence mechanisms and mediators of inflammatory organ damage in COVID-19. Both mechanisms may be amenable to targeted treatment with existing drugs. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials will be essential before any change to clinical practice