Verbatim and Gist Extraction Among University Colleges

Fuzzy Trace Theory (FTT) posits that individuals use two different cognitive processes in encoding, storing, and retrieving information. One process (verbatim) encodes the details of the information, applying cost/benefit analysis when used for a decision. The other process (gist) encodes relational information extracted from the information and uses more intuition when applied to decisions. Often, use of one process over another can lead to different decisions. Further, there exists individual differences in the skill and preference for using these processes. The current study examined whether differences in verbatim, and gist skill or preference would vary by university college (STEM, or Liberal and Applied Arts). FTT states differences in verbatim or gist affect performance on learning tasks. Given the preponderance of verbatim type requirements in the STEM fields versus other majors, it was hypothesized that STEM majors would have higher preference and performance in verbatim processing

Cultivating Parental Involvement Through the Lens of Perceived Success and Engagement

This narrative study used theoretical frameworks of Epstein’s overlapping sphere of influence and parental framework to evaluate parental perceptions of success held by parents and guardians of African American males in a southern California public school and to determine whether those perceptions influenced school- and district-based involvement and engagement. The research investigated how parents defined academic success by their children, which instructional measures used by the site and district were most appreciated, and which forms of engagement they were most likely to utilize throughout the school year. The research secured thoughts and desires of parents who are often overlooked as community members and provided an opportunity to give feedback on the instructional integrity and academic attainment of their children. The research was designed to increase parental involvement by identifying the needs and desires of the participants. In California, district-based funding is predicated on integration of parental involvement, so most schools offer parental engagement activities. However, it is not clear whether parents and guardians of African American males consider those activities as relevant and participate in them. This research addresses achievement disparities between African American males and their grade-level peers in one urban southern California school district and parents’ concepts of student success measures. Therefore, this research has the capacity to build a strategic collaboration among all members of the learning community through their overlapping spheres of influence

The Black Church and Community: A Model for Church Community Engagement and Development

This project examines the role of the Black Church in the development of the African American Community and seeks to encourage churches to embrace this role. Support for communities by churches in rural North Alabama is key to improving living conditions and achieving biblically based outreach. This project investigates the church’s theological duties for community outreach and provides a biblical mandate as a part of a larger community development model, while preparing ministry teams for outreach. This paper will consider the equipping methodology that leads to a trained ministry team able to reach, identify, and fulfill the needs of the individuals within the community. The writer will use currently available research to develop the equipping methodology. A ministry team in the writer’s church will be interviewed prior to and following training to employ the model. Ministries currently engaged in community development will also be interviewed

Small groups : an approach to teaching and learning for underprepared minority college students.

This was a pedagogical study, designed to evaluate the effects of a course for small groups in the classroom as a different approach to teaching and learning instructions for underprepared minority students\u27 academic performance, problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills. To determine the effectiveness of the small group method of approach, the pre- and post-experimental/control group design was used. The control group received thirteen two-hour-per-week sessions (one semester) of the traditional method of approach to teaching and learning instruction. At the same time, the experimental group received the non-traditional small group method of approach. Both groups consisted of sixteen students who were randomly selected. The researcher administered pre- and post-surveys and testing measurements which focused on academic performance, problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills. An independent observer was also used. The experimental group (only) received survey measurements which examined written responses relative to the influence of the small group experience. The t-test was used for data analysis to determine significant difference. Upon examination of the data, there was a significant difference in the performance of students in the experimental group than those in the control group on measures of the BSAT reading and writing, end-of-semester grade point average and problem-solving skills. There was no significant difference on the interpersonal communication measure; however, the data revealed the experimental group as having a higher improved score relative to the control group on the measure of the Interpersonal Communication Inventory. In summary, the data indicate that the small group method of approach can make a significant difference in students\u27 academic performance and improve their effectiveness in problem-solving, as well as influence their interpersonal communication skills

EXTREMAL ABSORBING SETS IN LOW-DENSITY PARITY-CHECK CODES

Absorbing sets are combinatorial structures in the Tanner graphs of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes that have been shown to inhibit the high signal-to-noise ratio performance of iterative decoders over many communication channels. Absorbing sets of minimum size are the most likely to cause errors, and thus have been the focus of much research. In this paper, we determine the sizes of absorbing sets that can occur in general and left-regular LDPC code graphs, with emphasis on the range of b for a given a for which an (a, b)-absorbing set may exist. We identify certain cases of extremal absorbing sets that are elementary, a particularly harmful class of absorbing sets, and also introduce the notion of minimal absorbing sets which will help in designing absorbing set removal algorithms

Representation of Children and the 'Other' in Black Hawk Down (2001) and Hotel Rwanda (2004)

During the early 1990s a humanitarian intervention for famine in Somalia turned warlike and in influenced the decision by Western nations to not intervene in during the genocide in Rwanda. In the early 2000s the films Black Hawk Down (2001) and Hotel Rwanda (2004) were made about their respective situations, each with their own ideological slants about whether or not intervention in African conflicts is the right America. Through textual analysis I examined both films to determine how their depictions of children and the ‘Other’ are used to promote each film’s opinionated stories and paint a picture either in favor or against African intervention

Recent advances in metallic glass nanostructures: synthesis strategies and electrocatalytic applications

Recent advances in metallic glass nanostructures (MGNs) are reported, covering a wide array of synthesis strategies, computational discovery, and design solutions that provide insight into distinct electrocatalytic applications. A brief introduction to the development and unique features of MGNs with an overview of top-down and bottom-up synthesis strategies is presented. Specifically, the morphology and structural analysis of several examples applying MGNs as electrodes are highlighted. Subsequently, a comprehensive discussion of commonly employed kinetic parameters and their connection with the unique material structures of MGNs on individual electrocatalytic reactions is made, including the hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, and alcohol (methanol or ethanol) oxidation reaction. Finally, a summary of the challenges and perspective on the future research and development relevant to MGNs as electrocatalysts is provided.317FAPESP – FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO2017/11958‐