10 research outputs found
Text Mining Online Discussions in an Introductory Physics Course
We implemented a social networking platform called Course Networking (CN) in IUPUI’s introductory calculus
based mechanics course and recorded three semesters of online discussions. We used the Syuzhet package
in R to evaluate sentiment in the recorded discussions, and to quantify the incidence of eight basic emotions:
anger, anticipation, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, surprise, and trust. We applied this text mining method to over
nine thousand posts and replies to identify and analyze student sentiment during three semesters. We also investigated
the variation of these emotions throughout the semester, the role played by the most vocal students as
compared to the least frequent posters, and gender differences. With an abundance of students’ online discussions,
text mining offers an expedient and automated means of analysis, providing a new window into students
thinking and emotional state during semester-long physics course
The Design and Validation of the Quantum Mechanics Conceptual Survey
The Quantum Mechanics Conceptual Survey (QMCS) is a 12-question survey of
students' conceptual understanding of quantum mechanics. It is intended to be
used to measure the relative effectiveness of different instructional methods
in modern physics courses. In this paper we describe the design and validation
of the survey, a process that included observations of students, a review of
previous literature and textbooks and syllabi, faculty and student interviews,
and statistical analysis. We also discuss issues in the development of specific
questions, which may be useful both for instructors who wish to use the QMCS in
their classes and for researchers who wish to conduct further research of
student understanding of quantum mechanics. The QMCS has been most thoroughly
tested in, and is most appropriate for assessment of (as a posttest only),
sophomore-level modern physics courses. We also describe testing with students
in junior quantum courses and graduate quantum courses, from which we conclude
that the QMCS may be appropriate for assessing junior quantum courses, but is
not appropriate for assessing graduate courses. One surprising result of our
faculty interviews is a lack of faculty consensus on what topics should be
taught in modern physics, which has made designing a test that is valued by a
majority of physics faculty more difficult than expected.Comment: Submitted to Physical Review Special Topics: Physics Education
Researc
Developing the Lunar Phases Concept Inventory
This paper, presented at the 2002 Physics Education Research Conference, discuss the development of the Lunar Phases Concept Inventory, as well as results from field-testing the instrument at five institutions across the United States. The Lunar Phases Concept Inventory (LPCI) was developed to aid instructors in assessing students' mental models of lunar phases. Based upon an in-depth qualitative investigation of students' initial models of lunar phases, this multiple-choice inventory was designed to take advantage of the innovative model analysis theory and to probe the different dimensions of students' mental models of lunar phases. The development of this inventory will be discussed, as well as the processes involved in establishing its reliability and validity
Observations of Student Behavior in Collaborative Learning Groups
In an effort to determine how our students were responding to the use of collaborative learning groups in our large enrollment introductory astronomy (ASTRO 101) courses, we systematically observed the behavior of 270 undergraduate students working in 48 self-formed groups. Their observed behaviors were classified as: (i) actively engaged; (ii) watching actively; (iii) watching passively; and (iv) disengaged. We found that male behavior is consistent regardless of the sex-composition of the groups. However, females were categorized as watching passively and or disengaged significantly more frequently when working in groups that contained uneven numbers of males and females. This case study observation suggests that faculty who use collaborative learning groups might find that the level of student participation in collaborative group learning activities can depend on the sex-composition of the group
The impact of palliative care on quality of life, anxiety, and depression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a randomized controlled pilot study
Evaluation of the National Weather Service Extreme Cold Warning Experiment in North Dakota
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Stability of gut microbiome after COVID-19 vaccination in healthy and immuno-compromised individuals.
Bidirectional interactions between the immune system and the gut microbiota are key contributors to various physiological functions. Immune-associated diseases such as cancer and autoimmunity, and efficacy of immunomodulatory therapies, have been linked to microbiome variation. Although COVID-19 infection has been shown to cause microbial dysbiosis, it remains understudied whether the inflammatory response associated with vaccination also impacts the microbiota. Here, we investigate the temporal impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the gut microbiome in healthy and immuno-compromised individuals; the latter included patients with primary immunodeficiency and cancer patients on immunomodulating therapies. We find that the gut microbiome remained remarkably stable post-vaccination irrespective of diverse immune status, vaccine response, and microbial composition spanned by the cohort. The stability is evident at all evaluated levels including diversity, phylum, species, and functional capacity. Our results indicate the resilience of the gut microbiome to host immune changes triggered by COVID-19 vaccination and suggest minimal, if any, impact on microbiome-mediated processes. These findings encourage vaccine acceptance, particularly when contrasted with the significant microbiome shifts observed during COVID-19 infection
Diagnosis and management of pulmonary nodules
There are an increased number of pulmonary nodules discovered on CT scan images in part due to those performed for lung cancer screening. Risk stratification and patient involvement is critical in determining management ranging from interval imaging to invasive biopsy or surgery. A definitive diagnosis requires tissue biopsy. The choice of a particular biopsy technique depends on the risks/benefits of the procedure, the diagnostic yield and local expertise. This review will focus on the evaluation and management of pulmonary nodules based on the Fleischner Society and American College of Chest Physician guidelines. There have been recent changes to both societies' recommendations for incidental detection of solid and subsolid nodules, risk stratification, imaging, minimally invasive diagnostic techniques and definitive surgical options