Predicting The Outcome of Marketing Negotiations: Role-Playing versus Unaided Opinions

Role -playing and unaided opinions were used to forecast the outcome of three negotiations. Consistent with prior re search, role-playing yielded more accurate predictions. In two studies on marketing negotiations, the predictions based on role-playing were correct for 53% of the predictions while unaided opinions were correct for only 7% (ppredicting, negotiations, marketing, role-playing, unaided opinion

Characterization of the innate response to the RagB protein of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

More than 64 million people in the US suffer from some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal diseases are bacterial infections of the hard and soft tissues surrounding the teeth which can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal tissue destruction is caused by inflammatory host-pathogen interactions. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major causative agent of periodontal diseases and is a keystone periodontal pathogen. The 55kDa immunodominant RagB outer membrane protein of P. gingivalis has been proposed to facilitate iron transport. However, potential interactions between RagB and the innate response have not been examined. RagB homologues in gut Bacteroidetes have been associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, we hypothesized that RagB aids in virulence of P. gingivalis and elicits a pro-inflammatory host response in innate cells. We determined that RagB exposure led to the differential and dose-related expression of multiple genes encoding pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and CCL2) in primary human monocytes and to the secretion of TNF, IL-6 and IL-8. RagB was shown to be a TLR2 and TLR4 agonist that activated STAT4 and NFκB transcription factors. ΔragB mutants also induced a reduced inflammatory response compared to the wild type strain as well as reduced survivability when exposed to oral epithelial cells which adds evidence to the role of ragB in epithelial cell colonization. These results suggest that ragB elicits a major pro-inflammatory response in primary human monocytes and therefore could play an important role in the etiology of periodontitis and systemic sequelae

Engaging Adolescent to Young Adult Females in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields

Over the years women have made significant advances in the workforce and in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, but there are still disparities that exist and are yet to be overcome. Women are still underrepresented in many STEM fields and progress still needs to be made. There is significant research backing this up and trying to explain why these issues still exist. In June 2015, The University of Akron put on a See UA! Women in Engineering Camp that allowed high school females interested in engineering the opportunity to learn more about engineering, the different possible fields within engineering, available careers, and worked to advance the skills and interest necessary for this field. Through helping with this camp I saw first-hand some activities, topics, and methods that were effective at engaging as well as being thought-provoking for high school females in these fields. In addition, much of the research and observations from the camp show what could be done in the high school classroom in order to engage all students, in particular females, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields

Measuring Arousal through Physiological Responses to Packaging Designs: Investigating the Validity of Electrodermal Activity as a Measure of Arousal in a Realistic Shopping Environment

The validity of electrodermal activity is investigated in the context of packaging design evaluation as a sensitive measure of arousal. Analysts agree that purchasing decisions are subconscious and emotional decisions, contrasted against the popular belief that consumers make purely rational decisions. To understand the personal and rapid character of a consumer\u27s purchasing decisions we must find methods of which to measure and interpret consumer reactions to various packaging designs. Focus groups are discussed as antiquated research methods and new, advanced technologies are outlined as physiological responses. Past literature displays methodological approaches to using electrodermal activity measures in consumer studies, however these studies observe participants outside of the shopping context. This thesis argues that the behavior found in a traditional lab setting is not indicative of true consumer behavior experienced in the shopping context. Through utilizing electrodermal activity within the realistic shopping environment, designers can attempt to better collect and interpret a consumer\u27s preference towards a packaging design. This physiological approach to packaging design evaluation proposes a methodology for collecting and interpreting electrodermal activity to better match the consumer behavior discussed by marketing professionals. The findings of an additional post-pilot study indicate that, at this time, there is not enough research available to disregard electrodermal activity as a tool for packaging designers. Significance is found with the use of the Self Assessment Manikin as an aid to qualify the use of the emotional stimuli presented. No significance is found in the reporting of electrodermal activity and eye tracking data from the full-scale study. While a shopping context will produce natural, subconscious reactions to packaging, the quick and non-linear movements of consumers make recording and understanding these reactions very difficult. Before a complete dissociation between packaging design evaluation and electrodermal activity is formed, it is recommended that researchers closely parallel the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and physiology in order to understand the benefits of updated measures of emotion. A visual concept is introduced as a method of triangulating measures from the exports of electrodermal activity, eye tracking, and self-report measures. Parameters are recorded throughout this thesis to document a foundation for future research in the field of consumer emotions, highlighting the struggles and successes of measuring one\u27s physiological responses. A general theme is established in hopes that it will endure with future research, stating that true reactions are captured in true contextual frames

Comparison of electrocoagulation and chemical coagulation treatment effectiveness on frac flowback and produced water, A

2015 Spring.Includes bibliographical references.Development and production of tight shale for crude oil and natural gas is increasing rapidly throughout the United States and especially in the Wattenberg field of Northern Colorado. Hydraulic fracturing is used to stimulate the shale formation, which allows previously trapped oil and gas to flow to the surface. According to Goodwin (2013), approximately 2.8 million gallons of water are required to hydraulically fracture a horizontal well. Freshwater makes up the vast majority of water used to create these fracturing fluids with a small portion coming from recycling of previously used fracturing fluid. In a semi-arid climate such as Northern Colorado, there are multiple demands for freshwater, often exceeding the supply. Once a well is fractured, water flows back to the surface along with the targeted oil and gas. This fluid is typically referred to as flowback or produced water. In some areas around the United States as much as 10 barrels of water flows to the surface for every barrel of oil recovered. For the purposes of this research, flowback is defined as water that flows to the surface within the first 30 days after fracturing. After fracturing, up to 71% of the water (produced water) used to fracture the well flows back to the surface along with oil and gas, with approximately 27% flowing back in the first 30 days (Bai et al, 2013). The flowback and produced water is currently being disposed of either by deep underground injection or in evaporation ponds. There has been very little effort to capture, recycle, and reuse this flowback or produced water as it has traditionally been considered a waste product. Due to the limited freshwater supply in Colorado, recycling and reuse should be explored in greater detail and with a sense of urgency. The ultimate goal for the oil and gas industry should be to recycle and reuse 100% of flowback and produced water in the creation of hydraulic fracturing fluid for other production wells, creating a closed-loop system. Before flowback and produced water can be reused, treatment of the water is required. Treatment for reuse typically consists of removal of solids, organic compounds, and some inorganic ions. Historically, chemicals have been the dominant method used for coagulation to remove solids, as they are readily available and in many cases can be cheaper than other methods. Electrocoagulation (EC) is now also being considered as a produced water treatment method. EC involves running electric current across metal plates (sacrificial anodes) in a solution, which creates an in situ coagulant dose (Emamjomeh and Sivakumar 2008). There is a time component to water quality changes over the life of a well. Early flowback typically has higher concentration of aluminum, solids, and total organic carbon (TOC) as it is influenced mostly by the makeup of the fracturing fluid. At some point around the 30-day mark, a transition in water quality begins. The formation or connate water seems to have a greater influence on water quality than does the fracturing fluid. Treatment seems to correlate to the changing water quality, as treatment is less effective on the early flowback compared to produced water. TOC and low ionic strength may be the reason early flowback is more difficult to treat. Also, chemical coagulation (CC) is more effective than EC at removing TOC and aluminum in early flowback water compared to EC, while EC is more effective at removing iron. However, both treatments are effective after day 27

Rock Strength: A Main Control of Yosemite\u27s Topography?

Although contrasts in rock strength correlate to variations in topography, the role of rock strength in shaping the landscape of Yosemite National Park is uncertain. Magmatic processes may create variations in mineralogy within a single plutonic unit, while tectonic processes may result in contrasts in joint density and foliation, all of which may lead to variations in rock strength. For this study, the relationship between differences in mineralogy, joint density, and foliation in Yosemite National Park is analyzed to determine the role of rock strength in shaping Yosemite’s topography. Modal mineral abundance and grain size are determined by analyzing cut rock samples, while joint density and foliation intensity are recorded at 83 sites. Also, a Schmidt hammer is used to compare rock strength readings to elevation at all 83 sites. This study finds that variations in joint density shape many topographic features, including Mount Hoffman, a topographic high point in Yosemite. High potassium feldspar and low plagioclase abundance may also be a factor in Mount Hoffman’s erosion resistance. No significant relationship between foliation and other factors is observed. Schmidt hammer readings typically increase with elevation, which is likely a result of weathering differences. Decreasing joint density across Yosemite National Park is found to be associated with decreased forestation. Overall, while few correlations are observed across the entire landscape, rock strength shapes the landscape of Yosemite at varying scales

CLEW’d In: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Leaders Performing Clinical Learning Environment Walks (CLEWs)

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of leadership using Clinical Learning Environment Walks (CLEWs) to ascertain the current culture of the clinical learning environment. Physician trainees deserve the opportunity to train in an environment where staff are high performing and continually work to improve the quality of care provided to patients. The capacity to assess the clinical learning environment in its entirety is a novel concept brought to the forefront recently by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) due to the need for critical communication that is inherent in creating an optimal learning environment. Survey tools exist to ascertain the perception of residents regarding the clinical learning environment. There is little knowledge of tools using the framework of walking rounds in which leaders can ascertain the qualities of the clinical learning environment in their entirety. Participants of the study included eight leaders who are physicians, nurses, and management within the university and healthcare system. The purposeful sample was identified using participants currently participating in the Clinical Learning Environment Walks (CLEWs) process. The study applied Giorgi’s phenomenological methods to analyze leaders’ conscious descriptions of their lived experience conducting CLEWs. The findings provide a greater understanding of the lived experiences of leadership using CLEWs to ascertain the current state of the clinical learning environment in its entirety. Six themes emerged from the analysis: Us vs Them; Open and Honest Communications; Improved Communications; Enhanced Focus; Opportunities for Improvement, and Culture Change. The findings also include a diagram representing the connections between these themes. Researchers must continue to explore the efficacy of the CLEWs process in determining the current state of the clinical learning environment, which during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now more important than ever