Leading a Mindful Classroom: A Study on Increasing Student Understanding of Literature

In this study, the researcher utilized a mindfulness-­based technique of silent reflection and guided thinking in order to see how mindfulness could affect students\u27 responses to literature and students\u27 behavior as part of the learning environment. Before taking part in the class routine of journal writing, students were asked to simply think and reflect on the topic to gather their thoughts before attempting to write their responses as well as potentially calm them down from the chaos of a high school hallway. This study was inspired by recent studies in the field of mindfulness that suggest that it can increase concentration, focus, empathy, and reduce stress (Carboni, 2012; Noggle, et al., 2012; Rosenthal, Grosswald, Ross, & N. Rosenthal, 2011; Van de Weijer­Bergsma, Formsma, De Bruin, & Bogels, 2011). This study adds to the growing field of research concerning mindfulness in the classroom, specifically the calming and focusing benefits that potentially help students gain a deeper understanding of literature as well as create an environment conducive to learning

Development and assessment of predictive spatial models for a rare Tennessee anuran: Barking treefrog (Hyla gratiosa)

In Tennessee, the Barking Treefrog (Hyla gratiosa) is listed as both rare and vulnerable, and more field data is needed to elucidate its distribution. Predictive modeling using the program MaxEnt provided results for models that guided field sampling to potential presence locations. From April-August 2017, 126 sites (63 historical; 63 predicted) were visited monthly and sampled for frog calls according to a standardized protocol. Field results revealed H. gratiosa’s auditory presence at 23 out of 63 historic sites and at nine out of 63 predicted sites. While other predictive models were also generated, MaxEnt was demonstrated to be most precise in predicting presence likelihood. Weighted regression analysis showed that shrub/scrub and woody wetland coverages were the most positively associated with presence. The results suggest that H. gratiosa is not as relatively abundant as some frog species throughout ecologically relevant landscapes in Tennessee

Training in the Historic Building Trades of New Orleans: An Inventory and Analysis

The unique cultural techniques of the historic building trades of New Orleans are currently at risk of being lost due to a lack of new master craftsmen and the demise of the current generation of master craftsmen. The purpose of this study is twofold: to analyze the historic transmission of the trades in New Orleans through the lens of workforce development and to inventory and analyze current programs that teach the trades. Analysis of historic training in the trades and best practices in workforce development inform an assessment of the strengths of current programs and their ability to enhance the supply of master craftsmen. Additional analysis of workforce development practices and programmatic strengths combine to illustrate room introducing career pathways and intermediaries into the current system of training. This system of training in New Orleans is fragmented and insufficient to truly enhance supply; however, programmatic strengths present opportunities for improvement

Electronic Drum Machine (E.D.M)

Many people argue that a drummer plays the most important role in a band of any genre. During live performances, the other band members rely on the drummer to keep the song moving forward at a proper steady pace. Even in recorded music, drums help listeners sing and dance along with their favorite songs. Thus, achieving success as a band, both in terms of recordings and live shows, absolutely requires a drummer. So, if a band does not have a drummer, and cannot afford the hefty cost of hiring a session drummer, a touring drummer, or both, how can they possibly overcome this obstacle? Simple. Purchase an electronic drum machine, like EDM, which provides the rhythmic functionality of a human drummer at a fraction of the cost. Essentially, the EDM is a small device that can produce 12 standard drum set based sounds individually (i.e. crash cymbal, open high-hat, closed high-hat, tom hits, etc.). These audio samples can then play separately or chained together at any tempo and in any order, meaning users can program their own original drum beats. Furthermore, E.D.M. features a catalog of standard drum instrumentations which also play at any user defined tempo. For increased usability, the EDM supports multiple audio outputs and utilizes battery power efficiently

READER’S RESPONSE UPON 9GAG’S MEME BY LECTURERS IN ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Abstrak Humor adalah salah satu karya satra terkenal di dunia yang memeiliki cara yang unik untuk membuat orang tertawa. Karena tiap orang memiliki pemikiran yang berbeda tentang humor, tidak semua humor itu lucu bagi seseorang. Meskipun lelucon tersebut berisikan gambar yang lucu, terkadang pesan yang ingin disampaikan oleh si penulis tidak dapat tersampaikan sepenuhnya kepada para pembaca. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis sebuah meme dalam lingkup pemahaman pembaca dengan menggunakan teori penerimaan. Transkripsi interview dan respon dosen terhadap meme merupakan data dari penelitian ini, sedangkan dosen merupakan subjek penelitian. Disamping itu, peneliti merupakan instrumen dari penelitian ini dengan menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif. Dengan menganalisis respon dan interpretasi para dosen, analisa dari penelitian ini menemukan bagaimana pembaca dapat mengerti ide dari meme yang mereka baca dan menemukan kelucuan dari meme tersebut. Hasil dari studi ini adalah respon yang diberikan oleh para dosen terdiri atas dua hal, yaitu penerimaan dan penolakan. Kata Kunci: humor, teori penerimaan, respon pembaca   Abstract Humor is one of famous literary works in the world which has a unique way to make people laugh. Since every person has different sense of humor, not every humor is funny for someone. Although the joke contains of a funny picture, the message from the author cannot be transferred fully to the reader. The aim of this study is to analyze a meme in the area of receptive skill by using the reception theory. Transcription of the interview and the lecturer’s response to the meme are the data and the lecturers are the subject of this study. Meanwhile, researcher is the instrument of this study. This study employs descriptive qualitative method. By analyzing the lecturers’ response and interpretation, the analysis of this study figured out how the readers can understand the idea of the meme and feel the sense of humor seeing the meme. The result of this study is the response of the lecturers towards the meme consists of acceptance and rejection. Keywords: humor, reception theory, reader’s respons

Structure-Function Studies of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Using Unnatural Amino Acids

This dissertation primarily describes structure-function studies of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These studies use a combination of unnatural amino acid mutagenesis and electrophysiology to determine the specific molecular interactions required for neurotransmitter binding to nAChRs. Chapter 2 examines the mode of agonist activation for the α4β2 nAChR, the receptor responsible for nicotine addiction. This study investigates the molecular interactions that differentiate the α4β2 receptor from other receptor subtypes and endow it with the ability to mediate nicotine addiction. We report that the high affinity for nicotine at the α4β2 receptor is a result of a strong cation-π interaction and a strengthened backbone hydrogen bond to a conserved tryptophan (TrpB) of this receptor. We also establish that a point mutation just four residues away from TrpB appears to influence the shape of the agonist binding site, such that it can differentiate the agonist binding mode of the α4β2 and muscle-type receptors. Chapter 3 extends studies of the point mutation near TrpB, termed the “loop B glycine.” We examine the muscle-type, α4β2, and α7 subtypes and show that the identity of this residue strongly correlates with agonist potency. Low-potency receptor subtypes have a glycine at the loop B site, while high-potency receptors have a lysine at this site. We establish that mutation of this residue can to convert a low-potency receptor to a high-potency receptor and vice versa. Chapter 4 investigates the agonist binding mechanism of the α4β4 receptor. We show both ACh and nicotine make a strong cation-π interaction to TrpB, and nicotine makes a strong hydrogen bond to the backbone carbonyl of TrpB. Additionally, chimeric β subunits are used to examine the influence of the complementary binding component on receptor pharmacology for the α4β2 and α4β4 receptors. Last, chapter 5 is a methodology-based project focused on optimizing the incorporation of unnatural amino acids into mammalian cells. Using HEK293T cells, we successfully suppressed an amber stop codon using HSAS, an in vivo aminoacylated tRNA. Additional studies will pursue the viability of in vitro aminoacylated tRNAs for nonsense suppression in mammalian cells

Evaluative Reactions to Nonnative Spanish

This study investigates whether there is a relationship between the native Spanish “Rater” evaluative reactions of Spanish spoken by second-language learners, called “Talkers,” based on the distance of their first language from Spanish. The Talkers’ first languages are grouped by distance from Spanish: close (Brazilian Portuguese and French), mid (Serbian and Polish), and far (Korean and Chinese). The Raters (n=50) are played recordings of the six Talkers reading the same story in Spanish and they are asked to rate each Talker on a 7-point Likert scale in 15 different categories (e.g. unintelligent/intelligent, easy/difficult to understand, and outgoing/shy). Results show statistically significant differences in the ratings in 13 of the 15 categories based on language distance. Talkers of close languages are rated as being the most intelligent, sophisticated, hardworking, educated, wealthy, fluent, reliable, friendly, open-minded, and outgoing (all p ≤ 0.010). Conversely, the Talkers of distant languages are rated as being unsophisticated, difficult to understand, beginning in Spanish, poor, serious, not fluent, unreliable, and shy. In addition, results show that Raters are most likely to make judgments in the categories that related to the Talkers’ Spanish competence (ease of understanding, level of Spanish, accentedness, and fluency) and most hesitant to make judgments in the categories of wealth, openmindedness, friendliness, and trustworthiness