Crossed Product Algebras over Dihedral Field Extensions

Let F be the field of fractions of R, a ring of power series with coefficients in some field. Let K/F be a finite Galois extension, and assume the integral closure S of R in K is also a power series ring. In this paper, we consider a construction from ring theory called a crossed product algebra and an associated function f: G × G →K called a cocycle that is used to define a multiplication operation for the crossed product algebra. Consider a crossed product algebra whose cocycle f takes values in S. We give a proof concerning which of f’s values must be invertible in S when G is dihedral. We apply the results of this proof to create an algorithm, which computes the values in the cocycle table. We consider the question of which values the cocycle f can take and thus learn about the possible multiplicative structures for crossed product algebras arising from dihedral field extensions

The Perception of Creaky Voice: Does Speaker Gender Affect our Judgments?

This study focuses on the phonetics of creaky voice saliency and the perceptual sociolinguistic indexes that are evoked during creaky voice use. This study consists of two experiments: the first a listener judgment based Likert scale, the second an AXB study. The first experiment used modal and creaky voice statement-of-fact tokens to determine whether the speaker is or isn’t x characteristic (intelligent, feminine, educated, masculine, hesitant, and confident). This study found that both male and female speakers were found to be less intelligent, less educated, less feminine, more masculine, less confident, and more hesitant when using creaky voice phonation as compared to the modal register. Participants also rated male and female speakers as statistically different. During the second experiment the participants listened to continuums that went from modal register to extreme creaky voice (based on F0 levels). Participants performed an AXB task to determine ability at distinguishing levels of creaky voice along the continuum. This study found that participants were less able to correctly detect the level of creaky voice in the female speaker for the lower half of the continuum when compared to the male speaker

Mom\u27s Best Friend

My project is the exploration of a solution to criticism, judgment and stereotypes mothers face in today’s world. Mothers in today’s world are too often judged, forced into stereotypes; based on whether they are a stay at home mom, or a working mom, and criticized no matter which type they choose to be, there is always something they seem to be doing wrong. Mothers make a significant percentage of the world, and it’s important that they get the credit that they deserve, not judgment on how anyone else thinks they should mother. The point of this project is to show support for mothers in terms of a blog called: Mom’s Best Friend

The Auditory Nerve Overlapped Waveform (ANOW) detects small endolymphatic manipulations that may go undetected by conventional measurements

Electrocochleography (ECochG) has been used to assess Ménière's disease, a pathology associated with endolymphatic hydrops and low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. However, the current ECochG techniques are limited for use at high-frequencies only (≥1 kHz) and cannot be used to assess and understand the low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss in ears with Ménière's disease. In the current study, we use a relatively new ECochG technique to make measurements that originate from afferent auditory nerve fibers in the apical half of the cochlear spiral to assess effects of endolymphatic hydrops in guinea pig ears. These measurements are made from the Auditory Nerve Overlapped Waveform (ANOW). Hydrops was induced with artificial endolymph injections, iontophoretically applied Ca2+ to endolymph, and exposure to 200 Hz tones. The manipulations used in this study were far smaller than those used in previous investigations on hydrops. In response to all hydropic manipulations, ANOW amplitude to moderate level stimuli was markedly reduced but conventional ECochG measurements of compound action potential thresholds were unaffected (i.e., a less than 2 dB threshold shift). Given the origin of the ANOW, changes in ANOW amplitude likely reflect acute volume disturbances accumulate in the distensible cochlear apex. These results suggest that the ANOW could be used to advance our ability to identify initial stages of dysfunction in ears with Ménière's disease before the pathology progresses to an extent that can be detected with conventional measures

Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Educator Practices and Preferences in Clinical Education

The shortage of clinical education fieldwork sites coupled with a concern over the quality of the required fieldwork experience poses an unintended outcome for the recent changes in the health care system and an increasing number of occupational therapy students. While the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) issues standards for fieldwork education, the quality of the experience is known to vary. The present study employed a mixed methods concurrent nested design with a quantitative online survey alongside qualitative individual semi-structured online interviews to examine the practices and preferences of fieldwork educators in Pennsylvania ACOTE accredited programs. From the 49 quantitative online survey participants, 10 practices and preferences considered important when supervising fieldwork students emerged. Another five themes related to a quality fieldwork experience were garnered from the six qualitative semi-structured interviews. The results suggest that fieldwork educators understand the value of clinical education and intend to continue to supervise students in the future. However, while fieldwork educators value their role as an educator, they often lack the time and resources necessary to feel effective. Therefore, future research into resource use and ways in which academic programs and professional associations can support fieldwork educators is necessary

Impact of the Novel CoronaviruS (COVID-19) on Frontline PharmacIsts Roles and ServicEs: INSPIRE Worldwide Survey.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacy has been recognized as a vital healthcare profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective of the INSPIRE Worldwide survey was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on pharmacy practice and pharmacists\u27 roles around the world. METHODS: A cross-sectional online questionnaire with pharmacists who provided direct patient care during the pandemic. Participants were recruited through social media, with assistance from national and international pharmacy organizations between March 2021-May 2022. The questionnaire was divided into (1) demographics, (2) pharmacists\u27 roles, (3) communication strategies, and (4) practice challenges. The data were analyzed using SPSS 28, and descriptive statistics were used to report frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: A total of 505 pharmacists practicing in 25 countries participated. The most common role that pharmacists undertook was responding to drug information requests (90%), followed by allaying patients\u27 fears and anxieties about COVID-19 (82.6%), and addressing misinformation about COVID-19 treatments and vaccinations (80.4%). The most common challenges were increased stress levels (84.7%), followed by medication shortages (73.8%), general supply shortages (71.8%), and inadequate staffing (69.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacists within this study were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and took on new or adapted roles (e.g., providing COVID-specific information, managing patients\u27 emotions, and educating on public health measures) to meet the needs of their communities. Despite, the significant challenges (e.g., increased stress, supply chain challenges, addressing misinformation, and staffing shortages) faced by pharmacists, they continued to put their patients\u27 needs first and to provide pharmacy services

Data Sharing in Satellite Systems: Review of the Past and Opportunities in the Age of Large LEO Constellations

Since 1957, more than 14,000 satellites have been launched into space; 2022 marks a record year with the launch of 2,163 satellites [1]. The increased number of satellites in combination with technological advancements in satellite communications has enabled operators to collect vast amounts of science data and satellite telemetry. These large data sets can be utilized to ensure coexistence between the ever-increasing number of satellite systems, potentially reducing both the risk of harmful interference and in-orbit collisions. Additionally, they can act as decentralized information sources, improving our understanding of the space environment and increasing the reliability of satellites. Modern data sharing practices for space mission data can be categorized into either post-mission or real-time analysis. Post-mission analysis can lead to detecting anomalies that occurred during a mission by correlating data points from individual or different satellites. In contrast, real-time data sharing can also help avoid harmful communication interference events and in-orbit collisions. This paper provides a review of data collection and sharing practices across three types of satellite systems: university smallsat missions, federal government missions, and private sector/commercial missions. In this review and synthesis, the utility of those datasets is identified along with challenges associated with moving towards standard structures and stakeholder sharing practices

TRPM7-like Channels are Functionally Expressed in Oocytes and Modulate Post-Fertilization Embryo Development in Mouse

The Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are a family of cationic ion channels widely distributed in mammalian tissues. In general, the global genetic disruption of individual TRP channels result in phenotypes associated with impairment of a particular tissue and/or organ function. An exception is the genetic ablation of the TRP channel TRPM7, which results in early embryonic lethality. Nevertheless, the function of TRPM7 in oocytes, eggs and pre-implantation embryos remains unknown. Here, we described an outward rectifying non-selective current mediated by a TRP ion channel in immature oocytes (germinal vesicle stage), matured oocytes (metaphase II eggs) and 2-cell stage embryos. The current is activated by specific agonists and inhibited by distinct blockers consistent with the functional expression of TRPM7 channels. We demonstrated that the TRPM7-like channels are homo-tetramers and their activation mediates calcium influx in oocytes and eggs, which is fundamental to support fertilization and egg activation. Lastly, we showed that pharmacological inhibition of the channel function delays pre-implantation embryo development and reduces progression to the blastocyst stage. Our data demonstrate functional expression of TRPM7-like channels in mouse oocytes, eggs and embryos that may play an essential role in the initiation of embryo development

Characterizing quantum physics students’ conceptual and procedural knowledge of the characteristic equation

Research on student understanding of eigentheory in linear algebra has expanded recently, yet few studies address student understanding of the Characteristic Equation. In this study, we explore quantum physics students’ conceptual and procedural knowledge of deriving and using the Characteristic Equation. We developed the Conceptual and Procedural Knowledge framework for classifying the quality of students’ conceptual and procedural knowledge of both deriving and using the Characteristic Equation along a continuum. Most students exhibited deeper conceptual and procedural knowledge of using the Characteristic Equation than of deriving the Characteristic Equation. Furthermore, most students demonstrated deeper procedural knowledge than conceptual knowledge of deriving the Characteristic Equation. Most students demonstrated conceptual knowledge that was as deep or deeper than their procedural knowledge of using the Characteristic Equation. Examples of student work are provided, including descriptions of student work exhibiting rich knowledge of the characteristic equation. Implications for instruction and future research are discussed