Pirates for Academic Success

ECU reported in 2019 that the school had an overall retention rate of 83%. Although this percentage seems high, it is nothing compared to UNC Chapel Hill’s overall retention rate of 97.2% or Duke’s rate of 97.6%, (both reported from 2013-2017.) Because of this our group decided to research why ECU’s retention rate was so much lower than surrounding universities and provide resources and information to take a step forward in solving these problems. After spending our first year conducting interviews among students, it was clear that most students were not aware of the resources offered to them on campus. Some were not even aware of their style of learning and how to effectively study for upcoming exams or quizzes. From this we created Pirates for Academic Success. Our goal was to make videos explaining not only what resources were available on campus that you may not know about but also explain different studying techniques and how discovering your style of learning can lead to a more effective study pattern. Doing this allows students who don’t know ECU campus that well or who don’t know many other students a way to find resources in a less intimidating way. This can lead to higher grades, more confidence in coursework and classes, and a higher chance of students staying at ECU for a second year. “Confident students develop relationships with faculty that can lead to participation in research and other developmental activities...this leads further to possible future connections, letters of recommendation, internships, future work, or graduate school� (Croskey, 2021). Our group has set up a vimeo containing videos ranging from how to use different online homework platforms such as cengage to resources at the library students may not be aware of and how to effectively use them. Through this we have established a relationship with the library, marketing our videos and receiving special access to the library to make more videos using their equipment

The Classification of Low Dimensional Nilpotent Lie Algebras

Nilpotent Lie algebras are the fundamental building blocks for generic (not semi-simple) Lie algebras. In particular, the classification of nilpotent algebras is the first step in classifying and identifying solvable Lie Algebras. The problem of classifying nilpotent Lie algebras was first studied by Umlauf [9] in 1891. More recently, classifications have been given up to dimension six using different techniques by Morosov (1958) [7], Skjelbred and Sund (1977) [8], and up to dimension five by Dixmier (1958) [2]. Using Morosov\u27s method of classification by maximal abelian ideals, Winternitz reproduced the Morosov classification obtaining different canonical forms for the algebras. The Winternitz tables are included in Appendix A. In chapter 1, we present some of the basic theory behind Lie Algebras and define some of the fundamental invariants, which are useful in determining whether or not two Lie a lgebras are isomorphic. Chapter 2 addresses more of the technical theory of nilpotent Lie algebras. The definitions associated with and methods of classification by maximal abelian ideal and centra l extensions are briefly discussed here. Chapter 3 gives examples of classification by basic invariants and an example of a central extension, as well as a rough idea of how maximal abelian ideals can be used to form a classification. In chapter 4, we give tables of the invariants which allow us to identify a nilpotent algebra of dimension five and six in the classification by Morosov /Winternitz. In this chapter we also give a table of how to find the appropriate maximal abelian ideal for the Winternitz classification for nilpotent algebras in dimension five and six

Handbook for Learning-centred evaluation of Computer-facilitated learning projects in higher education

This handbook supports a project funded by the Australian Government Committee for University Teaching and Staff Development (CUTSD). The amended project title is “Staff Development in Evaluation of Technology-based Teaching Development Projects: An Action Inquiry Approach”. The project is hosted by Murdoch University on behalf of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE), as a consortium of 11 universities. The rationale of the project is to guide a group of university staff through the evaluation of a Computer-facilitated Learning (CFL1) project by a process of action inquiry and mentoring, supported by the practical and theoretical material contained in this handbook

Purpose in Life and Conscientiousness Protect Against the Development of Suicidal Ideation in U.S. Military Veterans With PTSD and MDD: Results From the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study.

Background:Although several studies have examined risk factors for suicidal ideation among veterans, little is known about risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation in high-risk veteran samples. Thus, this study examined a broad range of risk and protective factors associated with the development of suicidal ideation in a high-risk sample of U.S. veterans who screened positive for current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods:Data were analyzed from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a nationally representative, prospective cohort study of U.S. veterans. Veterans completed self-report measures to screen for PTSD and MDD and to assess for risk and protective factors. The sample included 222 veterans with PTSD and/or MDD who did not endorse suicidal ideation at baseline and completed at least one assessment over a seven-year follow-up period. A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine baseline factors associated with incident suicidal ideation. Results:Nearly one in three (27.1%) of veterans with PTSD and/or MDD developed suicidal ideation over the seven-year follow-up period. Non-Caucasian race and lower scores on measures of purpose in life, conscientiousness, and frequency of religious service attendance were independently associated with incident suicidal ideation. Lower purpose in life (52.3%) and conscientiousness (33.2%) explained the vast majority of variance in incident suicidal ideation. Conclusion:Nearly 30% of veterans with PTSD and/or MDD who did not endorse suicidal ideation at baseline developed suicidal ideation over a seven-year period. Prevention and treatment efforts designed to bolster purpose in life and conscientiousness may help mitigate risk for suicidal ideation in this high-risk population

The Large, Oxygen-Rich Halos of Star-Forming Galaxies Are A Major Reservoir of Galactic Metals

The circumgalactic medium (CGM) is fed by galaxy outflows and accretion of intergalactic gas, but its mass, heavy element enrichment, and relation to galaxy properties are poorly constrained by observations. In a survey of the outskirts of 42 galaxies with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph onboard the Hubble Space Telescope, we detected ubiquitous, large (150 kiloparsec) halos of ionized oxygen surrounding star-forming galaxies, but we find much less ionized oxygen around galaxies with little or no star formation. This ionized CGM contains a substantial mass of heavy elements and gas, perhaps far exceeding the reservoirs of gas in the galaxies themselves. It is a basic component of nearly all star-forming galaxies that is removed or transformed during the quenching of star formation and the transition to passive evolution.Comment: This paper is part of a set of three papers on circumgalactic gas observed with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on HST, to be published in Science, together with related papers by Tripp et al. and Lehner & Howk, in the November 18, 2011 edition. This version has not undergone final copyediting. Please see Science online for the final printed versio

Arthopyrenia betulicola (Arthopyreniaceae, Dothidiomycetes), an Unusual New Lichenized Fungus From High Elevations of the Southern Appalachian Mountains

The crustose pyrenolichen Arthopyrenia betulicola is described as new to science based on collections from high elevations of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern North America. The species is hypothesized to be endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains where it occurs only on the bark of mature yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). It is a somewhat unusual member of the genus Arthopyrenia s.l. in consistently having a conspicuous photobiont layer of Trentepohlia. It differs from A. cinchonae, with which it is allopatric, by this feature as well as in having differently shaped and narrower ascospores

Python Scripting in the Nengo Simulator

Nengo (http://nengo.ca) is an open-source neural simulator that has been greatly enhanced by the recent addition of a Python script interface. Nengo provides a wide range of features that are useful for physiological simulations, including unique features that facilitate development of population-coding models using the neural engineering framework (NEF). This framework uses information theory, signal processing, and control theory to formalize the development of large-scale neural circuit models. Notably, it can also be used to determine the synaptic weights that underlie observed network dynamics and transformations of represented variables. Nengo provides rich NEF support, and includes customizable models of spike generation, muscle dynamics, synaptic plasticity, and synaptic integration, as well as an intuitive graphical user interface. All aspects of Nengo models are accessible via the Python interface, allowing for programmatic creation of models, inspection and modification of neural parameters, and automation of model evaluation. Since Nengo combines Python and Java, it can also be integrated with any existing Java or 100% Python code libraries. Current work includes connecting neural models in Nengo with existing symbolic cognitive models, creating hybrid systems that combine detailed neural models of specific brain regions with higher-level models of remaining brain areas. Such hybrid models can provide (1) more realistic boundary conditions for the neural components, and (2) more realistic sub-components for the larger cognitive models

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) attachment and nonstructural proteins modify the type I interferon response associated with suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins and IFN-stimulated gene-15 (ISG15)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe lower airway disease in infants and young children, but no safe and effective RSV vaccine is yet available. Factors attributing to this problem are associated with an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms by which RSV modulates the host cell response to infection. In the present study, we investigate suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1 and SOCS3 expression associated with the type I IFN and IFN-stimulated gene (ISG)-15 response following infection of mouse lung epithelial (MLE-15) cells with RSV or RSV mutant viruses lacking the G gene, or NS1 and NS2 gene deletions. Studies in MLE-15 cells are important as this cell line represents the distal bronchiolar and alveolar epithelium of mice, the most common animal model used to evaluate the host cell response to RSV infection, and exhibit morphologic characteristics of alveolar type II cells, a primary cell type targeted during RSV infection. These results show an important role for SOCS1 regulation of the antiviral host response to RSV infection, and demonstrate a novel role for RSV G protein manipulation of SOCS3 and modulation of ISG15 and IFNβ mRNA expression

Iraq as Lebanon Fears for the Future

The US Vice-President Dick Cheney and some of those close to him in Washington have been very taken with the “Lebanese model” for Iraq. Presumably, this conjures up the vision of a pluralist republic, open to free enterprise and foreign capital, presided over by an elite of zu‘ama (notables and local leaders), with sufficient common interest in the status quo to keep the whole thing going. This comes either from a selective reading of pre-1967 Lebanese political history, or from a heavily edited version of the post-Ta’if era

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) attachment and nonstructural proteins modify the type I interferon response associated with suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins and IFN-stimulated gene-15 (ISG15)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe lower airway disease in infants and young children, but no safe and effective RSV vaccine is yet available. Factors attributing to this problem are associated with an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms by which RSV modulates the host cell response to infection. In the present study, we investigate suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1 and SOCS3 expression associated with the type I IFN and IFN-stimulated gene (ISG)-15 response following infection of mouse lung epithelial (MLE-15) cells with RSV or RSV mutant viruses lacking the G gene, or NS1 and NS2 gene deletions. Studies in MLE-15 cells are important as this cell line represents the distal bronchiolar and alveolar epithelium of mice, the most common animal model used to evaluate the host cell response to RSV infection, and exhibit morphologic characteristics of alveolar type II cells, a primary cell type targeted during RSV infection. These results show an important role for SOCS1 regulation of the antiviral host response to RSV infection, and demonstrate a novel role for RSV G protein manipulation of SOCS3 and modulation of ISG15 and IFNβ mRNA expression