Predictive factors associated with ethnic minorities' selection of college academic major: emphasis on mathematics and science selection

2010 Spring.Includes bibliographic references (pages 122-145).Covers not scanned.Print version deaccessioned 2022.The percentages of African American undergraduate students entering college continues to rise or remain consistent but, the number of African American students who choose to major in STEM related fields remains below that of Asian or White students. The review of literature reports that African American students displayed an initial interest in STEM fields but more often than not chooses college academic majors in non-STEM fields. This research study examined the factors that affect African American undergraduate students’ choice of college academic major (STEM versus Non-STEM). Multiple factors were examined to see if there were differences between students who choose to switch academic majors and those who do not. This study also examined if there are any predictive factors that lead students to choose STEM academic majors. The participants were Southern University Agricultural and Mechanical College, undergraduate students (N = 238) classified as juniors or seniors, enrolled in the spring semester 2008. An independent sample f-test did not reveal any statistically significant differences between students who switched majors versus students who did not switch majors on 13 factors that might influence a student’s choice of major. Two by two factorial ANOVAs revealed statistically significant results between gender on the variables desire to help others through research or practice, desire to teach, mathematics grades, science grades, and advance placement/gifted talented classes took in high school. Statistically significant results were found between major on desire to attend graduate school, desire to attend professional school, desire for a high salary, desire to help others through research or practice, job stability, opportunity for more scholarships, science perception, mathematics grades, and advanced placement/gifted talented classes took in high school. The interaction between gender and major yielded statistically significant results for interest in discipline or field, father’s education, and science grades. Discriminate analysis revealed that high school preparation contributed most in predicting choosing a STEM college major. A t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between students who took calculus, physics, and trigonometry and participated in a STEM club in high school with selection of a STEM major

Extended and continuing education needs of the professional members of the National Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences

The traditional agricultural workforce is changing at an alarming rate. These changes are being caused by new and developing technologies, changing demographics of the workforce and changes in employers needs. This phenomenon has caused many corporations to establish their own facilities for training and retraining of employees. This practice is working for now, but numerous companies are looking to higher education to help meet their training needs. To help fill this void in the educational arena, colleges of agriculture are exploring various means and methods to assist these corporations with their educational needs through the use of distance education technologies;Retraining of the workforce is only one of the factors impacting on the agricultural industry. Another factor is the predicted shortfall of graduates with expertise in the various disciplines of the food and agricultural sciences. And besides the shortfall of graduates, demographic shifts suggest that new audiences will have to become engaged in agricultural disciplines to fill the demand. Although, members of minority populations have not historically had positive experiences in agriculture, this predicted shortfall should award employment opportunities in good positions to those who pursue careers in agriculture related discipline;The national society of minorities in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences (MANRRS) heavily promotes the involvement of minorities in the agricultural related disciplines. The professional members of this organization were surveyed to measured their perceptions of participation in and the necessity of extended and continuing educational activities particularly through the use of distance education technologies. MANRRS members reported that courses taught by satellite or compressed video were of the same quality as courses taught on campus. However, most participants felt that courses taught by videotape were of lesser quality than courses taught on campus. The most desired feature in an educational program was that the information presented be based on the most current unbiased research available and presented in a usable form

Glutathione Peroxidase-Based Amperometric Biosensor for the Detection of S -Nitrosothiols

A new biosensor is described for the detection of S -nitrosothiols (RSNOs) based on their decomposition by immobilized glutathione peroxidase (GPx), an enzyme containing selenocysteine residue that catalytically produces nitric oxide (NO) from RSNOs. The enzyme is entrapped at the distal tip of a planar amperometric NO sensor. The new biosensor shows good sensitivity, linearity, reversibility, and response times towards various RSNO species in PBS buffer, pH 147.4 . In most cases, the response time is less than 5 14min, and the response is linear up to 6 ΜM of the tested RSNO species. The lowest detection limit is obtained for S -nitrosocysteine (CysNO), at approx. 0.2 14ΜM. The biosensor's sensitivity is not affected by the addition of EDTA as a chelating agent; an advantage over other potential catalytic enzymes that contain copper ion centers, such as CuZn-superoxide dismutase and xanthine oxidase. However, lifetime of the new sensor is limited, with sensitivity decrease of 50% after two days of use. Nonetheless, the new amperometric GPx based RSNO sensor could prove useful for detecting relative RSNO levels in biological samples, including whole blood.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/55900/1/2043_ftp.pd

Qualitative research design and approaches in radiography

Introduction Radiography, as with other health care professions, aims towards establishing full professional recognition. A recognized research background is considered an essential component of this. Usually, emphasis is placed on quantitative research which focuses on the deductive component of the scientific 'confirmatory' method. However, this situation changed after the emergence of a post-positivist philosophy of medical research, which suggests the need for both quantitative and qualitative research to grasp a better understanding of the reality. The nature of qualitative research, unlike quantitative, is inductive and exploratory, providing insight into certain topics of which little is known and hence complementing quantitative research. Purpose: This article identifies the main qualitative research traditions that can be applied to radiography, providing a review in terms of their applications, areas of inquiry, and strengths and weaknesses according to the nature of the study. Previous radiography studies using qualitative approaches are critically reviewed to illustrate these issues. Their applications are also discussed based on the proposed radiography research framework by Adams and Smith, who identified broad radiography research areas aiming to further the research capacity of radiographers and the profession, especially by means of qualitative research.Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the CINAHL and ScienceDirect databases and the journal Radiography, and by using the keywords qualitative research to identify articles focusing on qualitative research. Only articles that were related to health care disciplines were then selected for the review. Conclusion: Three approaches, that are grounded theory, phenomenology and ethnography, can all be applied to the proposed radiography research framework to study intra- and inter-professional issues and clinical practice, and patient and health delivery issues. Hence, qualitative research methods can be used to rigorously study these important areas so as to produce high quality outcomes and promote the use of qualitative approaches in the radiography research culture

К вопросу формирования маркетинговой компетентности студента вуза

Interview topic guide. This document is the topic guide used by the researcher to structure all participant interviews. (DOCX 15 kb

Glomerular thrombosis in pregnancy: Role of the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway

Glomerular thrombosis in pregnancy: Role of the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway. E. coli endotoxin (LPS) and certain cytokines induce synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine, but also promote endothelial injury and intravascular coagulation. NO has vasodilator and antithrombogenic properties. We investigated the relationship between the L-arginine-NO pathway and the susceptibility to LPS-induced glomerular thrombosis in pregnancy. Pregnant rats were given either 0.15 or 0.75 mg/kg/body wt of LPS intraperitoneally. In rats given 0.15 mg/kg/body wt of LPS urinary NO2−/NO3− (end products of NO) increased 200% (P < 0.05), plasma L-arginine did not change, and glomerular thrombosis was minimal. Pregnant rats given 0.75 mg/kg/body wt of LPS developed glomerular thrombosis in 75% of glomeruli (P < 0.05). In these rats plasma L-arginine fell 98%, from 53 ± 4 to 1.4 ± 0.9 mmol/liter (P < 0.05) but the urinary NO2−/NO3− did not increase. Oral administration of L-arginine but not D-arginine increased urinary NO2−/NO3− by 250% and averted glomerular thrombosis in these rats (P < 0.05). Virgin rats given 0.75 mg/kg/body wt of LPS did not contract glomerular thrombosis. In these rats plasma L-arginine decreased only 40% while urinary NO2−/NO3− concomitantly increased over 200% (P < 0.05). Plasma endothelin-1 increased only in rats exhibiting glomerular thrombosis. Thus, limited maternal reserve capability for NO synthesis may underlie, at least in part, the susceptibility for glomerular thrombosis in pregnancy

Amyloid-β Inhibits No-cGMP Signaling in a CD36- and CD47-Dependent Manner

Amyloid-β interacts with two cell surface receptors, CD36 and CD47, through which the matricellular protein thrombospondin-1 inhibits soluble guanylate cyclase activation. Here we examine whether amyloid-β shares this inhibitory activity. Amyloid-β inhibited both drug and nitric oxide-mediated activation of soluble guanylate cyclase in several cell types. Known cGMP-dependent functional responses to nitric oxide in platelets and vascular smooth muscle cells were correspondingly inhibited by amyloid-β. Functional interaction of amyloid-β with the scavenger receptor CD36 was indicated by inhibition of free fatty acid uptake via this receptor. Both soluble oligomer and fibrillar forms of amyloid-β were active. In contrast, amyloid-β did not compete with the known ligand SIRPα for binding to CD47. However, both receptors were necessary for amyloid-β to inhibit cGMP accumulation. These data suggest that amyloid-β interaction with CD36 induces a CD47-dependent signal that inhibits soluble guanylate cyclase activation. Combined with the pleiotropic effects of inhibiting free fatty acid transport via CD36, these data provides a molecular mechanism through which amyloid-β can contribute to the nitric oxide signaling deficiencies associated with Alzheimer's disease

The Challenge of Changing Tongues in Business University Education WWW-publicatie

Contains fulltext : 68687.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access