Have Basic Mathematical Skills Grown Obsolete In The Computer Age: Assessing Basic Mathematical Skills And Forecasting Performance In A Business Statistics Course

The purpose of this study was to measure the comprehension of basic mathematical skills of  students enrolled in statistics classes at a large regional university, and to determine if the scores earned on a basic math skills test are useful in forecasting student performance in these statistics classes, and to determine if students’ basic math skills have changed over time. The results showed that 22 percent of the students’ final grades in business statistics courses were explained by their scores on this skills test.  These findings may be of use to statistics faculty in identifying students who experience difficulties in these courses in the future.  The current students’ scores were compared to scores from a test previously given to students in 1992/1993.  The students from the first group had significantly higher scores than the current group of students.&nbsp

Business Faculty and Undergraduate Students\u27 Perceptions of Online Learning: A Comparative Study

In this paper, the authors compare business faculty and undergraduate students\u27 perceptions of online learning. Specifically, a survey was given to a convenience sample of 893 undergraduate students (of which 890 were usable) at two regional universities in the southern United States; a modified version of the survey was mailed to a random sample of 1,175 business faculty members throughout the United States. Comparison of the results from each group showed that a number of differences in perception exist, due, perhaps, to the heterogeneous points of view and motivations for online learning between faculty and students. Since many universities are still deciding the extent of their offerings of such courses, this information may be helpful to university administrators in deciding which types of courses at their universities might be offered online. Faculty who are considering teaching one or more online courses may find the results of this study helpful in structuring these online offerings. The results of this study should assist students in gaining a realistic expectation of what to anticipate from online learning courses based on information we have found and studies we have done. It is important that students have a realistic perception of the online learning experience

Student Perceptions Of The Online Classroom: An Update

In this paper, the authors compare perceptions of 2001-2002 undergraduate students toward online courses, with the attitudes of undergraduate students matriculating in 2005. Specifically, a questionnaire developed and used in a study during the period 2001-2002, in which there were eight hundred ninety-six (896) undergraduate students at two medium-sized southern universities, was again given to six hundred twenty-six (626) undergraduate students at these same two universities in 2005. The results suggest that students continue to have questions about the overall appeal of online courses, despite the fact that three to four years have elapsed. The results of this study should be of interest to university administrators, faculty members, and students who plan to offer, teach, or take online courses in the future. This information may be helpful to university administrators in deciding which types of courses at their universities might be offered online. Faculty who are considering teaching one or more online courses may find the results of this study helpful in structuring these online offerings. This research is also intended to give students a realistic expectation of what to anticipate from online courses, based upon information we have found and studies we have done

Anticancer Gene Transfer for Cancer Gene Therapy

Gene therapy vectors are among the treatments currently used to treat malignant tumors. Gene therapy vectors use a specific therapeutic transgene that causes death in cancer cells. In early attempts at gene therapy, therapeutic transgenes were driven by non-specific vectors which induced toxicity to normal cells in addition to the cancer cells. Recently, novel cancer specific viral vectors have been developed that target cancer cells leaving normal cells unharmed. Here we review such cancer specific gene therapy systems currently used in the treatment of cancer and discuss the major challenges and future directions in this field

Plant ecology meets animal cognition: impacts of animal memory on seed dispersal

We propose that an understanding of animal learning and memory is critical to predicting the impacts of animals on plant populations through processes such as seed dispersal, pollination and herbivory. Focussing on endozoochory, we review the evidence that animal memory plays a role in seed dispersal, and present a model which allows us to explore the fundamental consequences of memory for this process. We demonstrate that decision-making by animals based on their previous experiences has the potential to determine which plants are visited, which fruits are selected to be eaten from the plant and where seeds are subsequently deposited, as well as being an important determinant of animal survival. Collectively, these results suggest that the impact of animal learning and memory on seed dispersal is likely to be extremely important, although to date our understanding of these processes suffers from a conspicuous lack of empirical support. This is partly because of the difficulty of conducting appropriate experiments but is also the result of limited interaction between plant ecologists and those who work on animal cognition

How Do Place and Objects Combine? “What-Where” Memory for Human-Like Agents

Abstract. Believable spatial behaviour is important for intelligent virtual agents acting in human-like environments, such as buildings or cities. Existing models of spatial cognition and memory for these agents are predominantly aimed at issues of navigation and learning of topology of the environment. The issue of representing information about possible objects ’ locations in a familiar environment, information that can evolve over long periods, has not been sufficiently studied. Here, we present a novel representation for “what-where” information: memory for locations of objects. On a simplified model of a virtual character living in a virtual house, we investigate how this representation is formed and how it evolves based on how objects are moved within the environment. The behaviour of the model is also compared with behaviour of real humans conducting an analogical task. The results allow us to conclude that this model can be incorporated to other memory models for virtual agents.

Long-term Outcomes of Cystectomy and Crossfolded Ileal Reservoir Combined with an Afferent Tubular Segment for Heterotopic Continent Urinary Diversion: A Longitudinal Single-centre Study.

BACKGROUND The crossfolded ileal reservoir combined with an afferent tubular isoperistaltic segment for heterotopic continent urinary diversion has been performed on a regular basis for over 20 years. Yet data on long-term-outcomes remain sparse. OBJECTIVE To report long-term functional and oncological outcomes, gastrointestinal and metabolic disturbances, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and quality of life. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Long-term functional and oncological outcomes of a consecutive series of 118 patients undergoing cystectomy and construction of a continent cutaneous crossfolded ileal reservoir from 2000 to 2018 were evaluated. INTERVENTION Patients underwent cystectomy and construction of a continent cutaneous crossfolded ileal reservoir according to the Studer technique for bladder reconstruction. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Pre- and postoperative data until last follow-up appointment were entered prospectively in the departmental database. Self-reported questionnaires regarding quality of life, patient satisfaction, and difficulty in catheterisation were sent to patients preoperatively; after 3, 6, 12, and 24 mo; and at last follow-up, and were then manually entered in the departmental database. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS The median follow-up was 7.8 (interquartile range 3-12.7) yr. Patient satisfaction was high in 77.4% and moderate in 16.9%. Serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate remained stable during follow-up. Of all patients, 81% (96/118) had at least one UTI during follow-up. Recurrent UTIs occurred in 67% (79/118) of patients. Urolithiasis was found in 12% (14/118), with 6% (7/118) having a single and 6% a recurrent event. Of all stone formers, 79% (11/14) had recurrent UTIs. In oncological patients, 12.5% (10/79) developed a local recurrence. Cancer-specific survival and overall survival were 90% and 88%, and 68% and 56% after 1 and 10 yr, respectively. A limitations is the retrospective analysis from prospectively assessed data. CONCLUSIONS A high satisfaction level, stability of kidney function, and low rates of urolithiasis in patients with a heterotopic continent ileal reservoir can be achieved, provided that close attention is paid to intra- and postoperative details. Regular lifelong follow-up is essential for timely detection and treatment of complications. Oncological outcome is not affected by the urinary diversion. PATIENT SUMMARY In patients with a continent cutaneous ileal reservoir, good quality of life and a high satisfaction rate are possible provided that patients adhere to regular lifelong follow-up