A Linear Regression Analysis for Understanding High School Grade Point Average (GPA)

This project analyzes different aspects that may contribute to the grade point average (GPA) of high school students. GPA is important because it is one of the fundamental measures of student success. I gathered data on 206 individuals from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997-2010. I selected variables for the regression analysis from categories including general motivation for success and optimism; use of time; other academic measures; and health habits and lifestyle. Using SPSS to run the regressions, I found that variables that I believed most related to GPA – such as amount of sleep, time spent studying, and number of absences – were not found to be significant. A student\u27s SAT score was the only variable directly related to school that was significant in the regression. On the other hand, the variables for whether a student spends regular time in prayer and whether they consider themselves organized show a significant impact on GPA. Individual identity variables of race and gender were significant as well

Group Cognition in Problem Solving Dialogues: Analyzing differences between voice and computer transcripts

This project shadows the work of student groups in Math 110, a quantitative literacy class, engaged in exploratory learning excercises. An instructor monitors these groups by both walking around the room and observing group conversation at another computer. Our goal is to put this exercise online, and as a result leave the entire monitoring process up to the computer, assuming the role that the instructor traditionally assumes. Using annotation techniques to decipher meaning in dialogue of students working in groups for a Math 110, we try to see how students collaborate to solve problems together. “Bits of realization”, conversation, and problem solving tags are sorted out and gathered to identify the main points that are expressed during the problem solving of the two-person game, Poison. Expanding upon previous research done by other students, we are able to add bits of realization that students encounter in their work. Our first effort is to explore the differences between voice recorded dialogue and computer-mediated chat dialogue

Computer-Monitored Problem-Solving Dialogues

This project shadows the work of student groups in Math 110, a qualitative literacy class, engaged in exploratory learning exercises. An instructor monitors these groups by both walking around the room and observing group conversation at another computer. Our goal is to put this exercise online, and as a result leave the entire monitoring process up to the computer, assuming the role that the instructor traditionally assumes. Using labeling techniques to decipher meaning in dialogue of students working in groups for Math 110, we try to see how students collaborate to solve problems together. Bits of realization, conversation, and problem-solving tags are sorted out and gathered to identify the main points that are expressed during the problem solving of the two person game, Poison. Expanding upon previous research done by other students, we are able to add to bits of realization that students encounter in their work. One purpose is to explore the differences between voice-recorded dialogue and computer-mediated chat dialogue. By examining these transcripts, researchers can raise questions about what sort of content is discussed to solve a problem and prepare the computer to recognize bits or realization in students\u27 work

Physical Therapists\u27 Knowledge and Perceptions of Patient Care Team Meeting Styles in the Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting

This study was designed to analyze what types of team meetings are being utilized for patient care in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. It was also designed to look at physical therapists\u27 knowledge of the criteria that differentiates the interdisciplinary team approach from the multidisciplinary team approach. A perceptual questionnaire was sent to physical therapists involved in the inpatient rehabilitation setting in the State of Michigan. Only 1.7% of the physical therapists are involved in a true interdisciplinary team. The other respondents reported that their teams have some characteristics of both the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary team approach. However, when asked what type of team they perceive is utilized at their rehabilitation site, 61.3% of the physical therapists stated that they are involved in an interdisciplinary team. These findings show that physical therapists are unaware of the characteristics that define the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary team approaches. They also indicate that it is a combination of these two team approaches which is being utilized in the inpatient rehabilitation units in Michigan

Group Cognition in Problem Solving Dialogues: Analyzing differences between voice and computer transcripts

This project shadows the work of student groups in Math 110, a quantitative literacy class, engaged in exploratory learning excercises. An instructor monitors these groups by both walking around the room and observing group conversation at another computer. Our goal is to put this exercise online, and as a result leave the entire monitoring process up to the computer, assuming the role that the instructor traditionally assumes. Using annotation techniques to decipher meaning in dialogue of students working in groups for a Math 110, we try to see how students collaborate to solve problems together. “Bits of realization”, conversation, and problem solving tags are sorted out and gathered to identify the main points that are expressed during the problem solving of the two-person game, Poison. Expanding upon previous research done by other students, we are able to add bits of realization that students encounter in their work. Our first effort is to explore the differences between voice recorded dialogue and computer-mediated chat dialogue

Liminal States

My life is influenced by decisions that I have made. They are informed by my past and cultivate my future. I inquisitively dig through past experiences to comprehend my choices in life. Whether they are painful, mundane, or pleasurable they facilitate a change, a metamorphosis. And so, change is nestled within my decisions and within the present, in between my past and my future. Whether decisions are guided by intuition, animal instinct, the subconscious, or the conscious, they manipulate who I was and whom I will be. With my art, I search to understand where learned behavior, thought processes, and repeated patterns of decision making may occur. This investigation is not always easy or clear due to the emotional impact change can induce

Intuitive Tools for the Design and Analysis of Communication Payloads for Satellites

In an effort to make future communications satellite payload design more efficient and accessible, two tools were created with intuitive graphical user interfaces (GUIs). The first tool allows payload designers to graphically design their payload by using simple drag and drop of payload components onto a design area within the program. Information about each picked component is pulled from a database of common space-qualified communication components sold by commerical companies. Once a design is completed, various reports can be generated, such as the Master Equipment List. The second tool is a link budget calculator designed specifically for ease of use. Other features of this tool include being able to access a database of NASA ground based apertures for near Earth and Deep Space communication, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) base apertures, and information about the solar system relevant to link budget calculations. The link budget tool allows for over 50 different combinations of user inputs, eliminating the need for multiple spreadsheets and the user errors associated with using them. Both of the aforementioned tools increase the productivity of space communication systems designers, and have the colloquial latitude to allow non-communication experts to design preliminary communication payloads

Tackling Difficult Conversations: Student-Athletes, Mental Health, and Emerging Technology

Given the exponential growth of mental health issues on colleges campuses and the concerns regarding mental health disorders among elite level athletes, the NCAA (2016) has made recommendations to support and promote student-athlete mental health. However, to successfully address the increase in mental health issues, the development of effective communication skills is required. To address this, the researchers developed and built an immersive learning experience focused on “difficult conversations” using Mursion® technology. This pilot study contributes to this important conversation by analyzing the influence of an immersive experience on the student-athletes’ communication skills. Using a quasi-experimental design, 79 NCAA Division I student-athletes took part in the study (40 control; 39 Mursion®). Both groups completed a pre-survey to assess their ability to deal with “difficult” scenarios, and a post-survey 3-5 weeks after the pre-test. Results indicate that Mursion® participants experienced, although not statistically significant, increase in interpersonal communication competence. The results also demonstrated differences across gender and racial/ethnic categories. This study provides the initial evidence that Mursion® is an effective, timely, cost-effective tool to enhance athletes’ communication skills; consequently, it is critical to not only improving the student-athlete experience but also addressing future student-athlete mental health and well-being

Heterogeneity in HIV and cellular transcription profiles in cell line models of latent and productive infection: implications for HIV latency.

BackgroundHIV-infected cell lines are widely used to study latent HIV infection, which is considered the main barrier to HIV cure. We hypothesized that these cell lines differ from each other and from cells from HIV-infected individuals in the mechanisms underlying latency.ResultsTo quantify the degree to which HIV expression is inhibited by blocks at different stages of HIV transcription, we employed a recently-described panel of RT-ddPCR assays to measure levels of 7 HIV transcripts ("read-through," initiated, 5' elongated, mid-transcribed/unspliced [Pol], distal-transcribed [Nef], polyadenylated, and multiply-sliced [Tat-Rev]) in bulk populations of latently-infected (U1, ACH-2, J-Lat) and productively-infected (8E5, activated J-Lat) cell lines. To assess single-cell variation and investigate cellular genes associated with HIV transcriptional blocks, we developed a novel multiplex qPCR panel and quantified single cell levels of 7 HIV targets and 89 cellular transcripts in latently- and productively-infected cell lines. The bulk cell HIV transcription profile differed dramatically between cell lines and cells from ART-suppressed individuals. Compared to cells from ART-suppressed individuals, latent cell lines showed lower levels of HIV transcriptional initiation and higher levels of polyadenylation and splicing. ACH-2 and J-Lat cells showed different forms of transcriptional interference, while U1 cells showed a block to elongation. Single-cell studies revealed marked variation between/within cell lines in expression of HIV transcripts, T cell phenotypic markers, antiviral factors, and genes implicated in latency. Expression of multiply-spliced HIV Tat-Rev was associated with expression of cellular genes involved in activation, tissue retention, T cell transcription, and apoptosis/survival.ConclusionsHIV-infected cell lines differ from each other and from cells from ART-treated individuals in the mechanisms governing latent HIV infection. These differences in viral and cellular gene expression must be considered when gauging the suitability of a given cell line for future research on HIV. At the same time, some features were shared across cell lines, such as low expression of antiviral defense genes and a relationship between productive infection and genes involved in survival. These features may contribute to HIV latency or persistence in vivo, and deserve further study using novel single cell assays such as those described in this manuscript

Innovative Industry: Environmental horticulture professionals’ perceptions on wildlife-friendly plants and a potential certification offering

Plants can improve people’s lives and mental health, but consumers have become increasingly concerned about the impact of plant production practices on the environment and wildlife. Previous research has not explored the interest and ability of plant producers and suppliers to provide wildlife friendly plant options for consumers. The University of Florida is considering the development of a wildlife-friendly plant certification to enhance production protocols for growers and connect consumers to sustainable plant options. This study explored perceptions of this certification through 11 in-depth interviews with environmental horticulture professionals. The study was guided by the following research questions: 1) What experiences do environmental horticulture professionals have with wildlife-friendly plants?, 2) What trends do environmental horticulture professionals see with consumers?, 3) What are the benefits and barriers to adopting this wildlife-friendly plant certification?, and 4) What communication strategies are needed to make this wildlife-friendly plant certification viable? Results indicate environmental horticulture professionals recognize the advantages of wildlife-friendly plants. However, the interviews revealed specific barriers to adoption and communication considerations that would impact certification diffusion. Implications of this research include a need for strategic programming regarding the wildlife-friendly plant certification and cohesive communication strategies among environmental horticulture organizations to educate professionals and consumers about wildlife-friendly plant options