Inflated Expectations: An Investigation into College Students\u27 Academic Entitlement Beliefs

Academic entitlement is defined as the belief that academic benefits, positive outcomes, or preferential treatment should be given regardless of individual effort (Chowning & Campbell, 2009; Greenberger, et al., 2008; Kopp et al., 2011). The current study investigated antecedent and outcome relationships of endorsing academic entitlement beliefs (AEBs) among undergraduate college students using structural equation modeling (SEM). Specific variables evaluated in the model as predictors of AEBs included students’ beliefs regarding achievement goals (i.e., mastery-approach, mastery-avoidance, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance), control beliefs (i.e., internal, chance, and powerful others), consumerism, narcissism, and parental involvement; as well as the background characteristics of students’ age and exposure to community college. Outcome variables included in the model consisted of students’ beliefs regarding academic policies, in-class behaviors, and academic expectations. An email was sent to all undergraduate students at a large university in the south eastern region of the United States soliciting participation for an online questionnaire. The responses of 904 participants were randomly divided into two equal subsamples: one for model evaluation and modification, and one to evaluate model stability. Results of the SEM model gave indication of multiple relationships. Specifically, powerful others, chance, mastery-avoidance goals, performance-avoidance goals, beliefs in consumerism, and parental over-involvement were all observed to positively predict AEBs. Endorsements of AEBs and consumerism beliefs were observed to positively predict students’ beliefs in preferential academic policies regarding grading, scheduling, and personal accommodations. The findings of the current model present a contemporary perspective on how AEBs relates to an array of both general and specific student beliefs. The positive correspondence between students’ endorsements of AEBs and students’ beliefs in accommodating academic policies suggests that AEBs are potential precursors to maladaptive in-class beliefs. The positive relationships observed between students’ AEBs and students’ beliefs in powerful others, parental over-involvement, consumerism, and chance all indicate that AEBs are an externally oriented system of beliefs. Future recommendations include improving measures as well as investigating developmental changes, behavioral consequences, parental over-involvement and individual differences in academic entitlement

Bayesian Hyperbolic Multidimensional Scaling

Multidimensional scaling (MDS) is a widely used approach to representing high-dimensional, dependent data. MDS works by assigning each observation a location on a low-dimensional geometric manifold, with distance on the manifold representing similarity. We propose a Bayesian approach to multidimensional scaling when the low-dimensional manifold is hyperbolic. Using hyperbolic space facilitates representing tree-like structures common in many settings (e.g. text or genetic data with hierarchical structure). A Bayesian approach provides regularization that minimizes the impact of measurement error in the observed data and assesses uncertainty. We also propose a case-control likelihood approximation that allows for efficient sampling from the posterior distribution in larger data settings, reducing computational complexity from approximately $O(n^2)$ to $O(n)$. We evaluate the proposed method against state-of-the-art alternatives using simulations, canonical reference datasets, Indian village network data, and human gene expression data

Single-Site Colectomy With Miniature \u3ci\u3eIn Vivo\u3c/i\u3e Robotic Platform

There has been a continuing push to reduce the invasiveness of surgery by accessing the abdominal cavity through a single incision, such as with laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery. Although LESS procedures offer significant benefits, added complexities still inhibit the procedures. Robotic surgery is proving to be an excellent option to overcome these limitations. This paper presents the experimental results of the single-incision in vivo surgical robot (SISR), a multifunctional, dexterous, twoarmed robot capable of performing surgical tasks while overcoming the issues associated with manual LESS operations. In vivo surgical procedures have been used to demonstrate the efficacy of using a robotic platform over traditional laparoscopic tools. The most recent experimental test resulted in the first successful in vivo robotic LESS colectomy utilizing a robot completely contained within the abdominal cavity. In this test, SISR showed significant benefits including access to all quadrants in the peritoneal cavity and improved dexterity

Impact of Load Carriage on Metabolic Efficiency

Load carriage is a crucial detail of long-distance running, especially when it comes to ultra-marathon distances (\u3e26.2 miles). Longer distances require larger loads to carry fluids and nutrition to maintain performance during these events. Running packs fitted close to the torso are the most popular methods for carrying 1-3 L of fluid, additional food, and gear; however, little is known to what extent load mass may impact running performance. PURPOSE: To identify at which point relative load mass (% of body mass) begins to negatively impact submaximal metabolic efficiency. METHODS: To date, 7 active runners (≥3 days/week, ≥16.09 km/week for the last six months) have participated in this study. Participants (27.9±6.5 yrs; 179.2±4.4cm; 74.68±15.5kg) include males (n=5) and females (n=2) that have undergone four, four-minute intervals on the treadmill at a self-selected pace with relative loads of 0%, 3%, 6%, and 9% of their total body mass using a weighted Salomon running pack. VO2 (ml/kg/min) was measured (Parvo Medics TrueOne Metabolic Measurement System, Sandy, UT) during the last minute of each interval and then averaged for analysis. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed comparing the relative load of 0% to running pack loads equating to 3%, 6%, and 9% of total body mass. RESULTS: There was a strong, positive correlation (R2 = 0.83) between pack load and VO2, although significant differences in VO2 were only observed between the relative loads of 0% and 9% (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that although a linear increase in VO2 in relation to pack load was observed, pack loads at 9% resulted in a significant increase in VO2, indicating a decrease in running economy. Identifying the relationship between relative load mass and metabolic efficiency may allow runners to better prepare and manage their loads to reduce fatigue during ultra-marathon type competitions

Modeling Megacity Medical System Response to a CBRNE Event

The collaborative effectiveness of the public health system (PHS) and the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) is limited in the case of a 10-kiloton (kt) nuclear event on a megacity due to an overall lack of knowledge and understanding among agencies. This study details an exhaustive analysis of the current medical response system using New York City as a case study. Through the problem definition phase of the Systems Decision Process (SDP), this report identifies operational gaps existing at different levels within the system. Identified operational gaps existed at the local, state, and federal levels in the areas of resources, communication, and planning within the following agencies: Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Evaluation of the operational gaps illustrated the areas which were most vulnerable. The current analysis suggests that the system in place requires adjustments of the identified gaps so that maximum efficiency can be achieved

An exploration of infant and toddler unstructured outdoor play

Unstructured outdoor play is important for children\u27s development. The present study examined infants’ and toddlers’ physical and social unstructured outdoor play behaviors within childcare centers. Children\u27s outdoor play behaviors were video recorded at two centers (A&B) and assessed using a modified version of the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children in Preschool (OSRAC-P). Children in this study primarily took part in active play (56.7%) and engaged in play without any type of prompting from a teacher (91.2%). There was a significant interaction between the effect of center and location on physically active play (p \u3c 0.001). Children at Center B were most active in open play areas (77.6%), while children at Center A were most active in gross motor play areas (72.2%). In sum, the outdoor play environment influences infants’ and toddlers’ physical and social play behaviors; however, more research is needed to determine the optimal environment for development

ENHANCING MODEL SECURITY: LEVERAGING USER-GENERATED IDS AS EMBEDDED WATERMARKS IN MACHINE LEARNING MODELS

The potential theft or unauthorized use of machine learning models developed by a company can lead to significant financial losses and damage to the company\u27s intellectual property. While existing methods of protecting machine learning models such as encryption or access controls can be circumvented by skilled attacker, techniques presented herein involve the integration of embedded watermarks into machine learning models. Such techniques involving the integration of embedded watermarks may not only uniquely identify a model but may also include a unique user identification/identity that can make it possible to track usage of the model and detect any unauthorized use of the model. Thus, if a model is leaked, redistributed, or misused, the watermark for the model makes it possible to identify a source of the leak/misuse, allowing for better traceability and accountability

Carotid Baroreflex Control of Heart Rate is Enhanced during Whole-body Heat Stress

Whole-body heat stress (WBH) reduces orthostatic tolerance. While impaired carotid baroreflex (CBR) function during WBH has been reported, study design considerations may limit interpretation of previous findings. We sought to test the hypothesis that CBR function is unaltered during WBH. CBR function was assessed in ten subjects using 5-sec trials of neck pressure (45, 30 and 15 Torr) and neck suction (-20, -40, -60 and - 80 Torr) during normothermia (NT) and passive WBH (Δ core temp ~1 °C). Analysis of stimulus response curves (4-parameter logistic model) for CBR control of heart rate (CBR-HR) and mean arterial pressure (CBR-MAP), as well as separate 2-way ANOVA of the hypo- and hypertensive stimuli (factor 1: thermal condition, factor 2: chamber pressure) were performed. For CBR-HR, maximal gain was increased during WBH (-0.73±0.37) compared to NT (-0.39±0.11, p=0.03). In addition, the CBR-HR responding range was increased during WBH (32±15) compared to NT (18±8 bpm, p=0.03). Separate analysis of hypertensive stimulation revealed enhanced HR responses during WBH at -40, -60 and -80 Torr (condition*chamber pressure interaction, p=0.049) compared to NT. For CBR-MAP, both logistic analysis and separate 2-way ANOVA revealed no differences during WBH. Therefore, despite marked orthostatic intolerance observed during WBH, CBR control of heart rate (enhanced) and arterial pressure (no change) is well-preserved