Covering Arrays and Fault Detection

Given their several applications, covering arrays have become a topic of significance over the last twenty years in both the mathematical and computer science fields. A covering array is a N × k array with strength t, k rows of length N, entries from the set {0, 1, ..., v − 1}, and all vt possible combinations occur between any t columns, where N,k,t, and v are positive integers. The focus of our research was to explore the different constructions of strength two and strength three covering arrays, to find better covering arrays (i.e. more cost and time efficient covering arrays), and to see if covering arrays can detect a fault in a system. Through analyzing the covering arrays that we constructed, we were able to successfully prove that in general, a covering array of strength k + 1 can detect a single fault between any k or fewer variables in a system. Some areas of future research would include finding the location of a fault in a system or detecting two or more faults in a system

The Short-Term Effects of Viewing Relationally Aggressive Media on Hostile Cognitions in College Women

Correlational and experimental research indicates that relationally aggressive media exposure is associated with increased aggression (e.g., Coyne, Archer, & Eslea, 2004; Coyne et al., 2008; 2011). The General Aggression Model (GAM) (Anderson & Bushman, 2002) suggests that cognitions about aggression mediate the relationship between aggressive media exposure and subsequent behavior, but little research has examined this possibility in regards to relationally aggressive media. The goals of this study were (1) to examine the short-term effects of viewing relationally aggressive media on hostile response generation in women, and (2) to examine whether pre-existing relational aggression moderates these effects. 158 college women were randomly assigned to view either a relationally aggressive or neutral movie clip. After viewing, participants read 5 vignettes that described interpersonal conflicts, and then were asked to generate a behavioral response to each scenario. There was a significant interaction of type of movie clip viewed and pre-existing relational aggression. Specifically, watching the relationally aggressive movie clip caused participants who were high on relational aggression to generate significantly more hostile responses than those low on relational aggression. These findings provide evidence that relationally aggressive media exposure affects cognitive processes underlying aggressive behavior, but that these short-term effects are moderated by individual differences in aggression. Implications for future research are discussed

OR05-3 Mir-21 Contributes to Cytokine-Induced Beta Cell Dysfunction via Inhibition of mRNAs Regulating Beta Cell Identity

A hallmark of diabetes is the loss of physical or functional β cell mass. Alterations in β cell microRNA (miRNA) profiles have been described in diabetes. MiRNAs have also been shown to serve as important regulators of β cell development and function, implicating them in β cell dysfunction during diabetes development. Our lab has previously demonstrated that β cell microRNA 21 (miR-21) is increased in models of diabetes. However, a comprehensive analysis of the β cell effects of miR-21 remain poorly defined, and the effects of miR-21 on in vivo glucose homeostasis have never been explored. To this end, we performed a comprehensive in silico analysis of bioinformatics databases to identify potential β cell targets of miR-21, which yielded multiple targets in the Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 (Tgfb2) and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (Fgfr3) pathways associated with regulation of differentiation. We hypothesize that β cell miR-21 plays a critical role in inhibiting β cell function and inducing loss of β cell identity. To validate targets in vitro, we developed a model whereby miR-21 is upregulated using a dose dependent lentiviral Tetracycline-on system in INS1 cells. Overexpression of miR-21 led to a reduction in expression levels of several members of the Tgfb2 and Fgfr3 pathways as well as multiple transcription factors associated with β cell function and identity, and an increase in aldehyde dehydrogenase transcripts, consistent with β cell dedifferentiation. To verify direct interactions between miR-21 and candidate target mRNAs, a biotin pulldown experiment was performed using a 3’ biotinylated mature miR-21 construct and a 3’ biotinylated cel-miR-67 control construct. Several mRNAs associated with β cell identity were enriched in the pulldown, indicating a direct interaction with miR-21. Lineage tracing was performed within an in vivo zebrafish model of β cell specific oxidative stress in which β cells expressed a nuclear GFP signal. Whole body knock down of miR-21 by morpholino microinjection showed a protective effect in stressed β cells and rescued against a dedifferentiated phenotype. To test the effect of miR-21 on glucose tolerance in vivo, inducible β cell specific knockout (βmiR-21KO) and overexpression (βmiR-21) mice were generated by crossing Ins1tm1(CreERT2)Thor mice with miR-21 floxed mice and miR-21-CAG-Z-EGFP mice, respectively. When compared to littermate controls, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IPGTT) exhibited hyperglycemia in βmiR-21 mice and euglycemia in βmiR-21KO mice. Metabolic studies, including glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) are ongoing in our mouse models. Our results implicate miR-21 as a regulator of β cell dedifferentiation during diabetes development

The Shakespeare death tercentenary celebrations in England and Scotland: How British was Shakespeare in 1916?

The tercentenary of Shakespeare’s death fell in 1916, during the Great War. Scholarship on the commemorations has so far focused on English attitudes to Shakespeare, with critics demonstrating how celebrants in England linked Shakespeare to notions of patriotism and national pride. This paper shows that celebrants in both Scotland and England used Shakespeare to stress the importance of British unity in wartime, and associated him with a range of concerns unrelated to national identity. It concludes with the idea that the flexibility of Shakespeare’s figure mirrors the nature of “Britishness,” making the Shakespeare of 1916 a “British icon.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the Nutrition Care Process

This paper displays the role that Registered Dietitians can play in the care of patients with COPD and it’s related side effects. A registered dietitian nutritionist’s (RDNs) job is to ensure adequate care through thorough assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation, otherwise known as the Nutrition Care Process (ADIME-NCP). Through the story of my uncle and his journey with COPD you are able to understand the struggles this chronic disease can have and how RDN’s play a role in their care

Advancing Pay Equity in Nonprofits through Feminist Leaders

Abstract Low wages in nonprofits have led to a focus on pay equity as a major concern for sector leaders. Some hypothesize that the low wages result from the sector’s association with “women’s work.” As such, the undervaluing of nonprofit labor reflects the lack of value placed on women’s labor. There are major gaps in the literature about feminist leadership and about how nonprofits can address pay equity. This qualitative study explored how feminist leaders are advancing pay equity in nonprofits through semi-structured interviews with five self-identified feminist leaders with experience leading nonprofit pay equity efforts. Acker’s (2006) inequality regimes and Brown’s (2017) emergent strategies were used as theoretical frameworks to interpret the findings. The results of this study demonstrated that willingness to question existing norms and introduce small, iterative changes over time are ways that feminist leaders work toward pay equity in nonprofits. The four themes of this study illustrate recommended actions for feminist nonprofit leaders working toward pay equity: Challenge the Status Quo, Operate with Transparency, Create a Supportive Work Environment, and Lead Sector Change. Pay equity is a much-discussed topic in nonprofits, with many nonprofit leaders grappling with questions about aligning their compensation systems with their expressed values and commitments to equity. Women make up the majority of the nonprofit workforce, yet we know little about the connections between feminism, leadership, and pay equity. This study seeks to give voice to the practices of feminist leaders advancing pay equity within nonprofits

Utilizing the Growth Mindset to Boost Perseverance and Academic Achievement

In order to be successful in academics and life, children must have a certain level of perseverance, or willingness to work through challenges. Without perseverance, a child may quickly give up or request assistance and, thus, stunt his or her learning and potential. Due to its important implications for success, it would be beneficial for educators to develop perseverance in their students. One method for building perseverance in children is by fostering a growth mindset. A growth mindset is a belief that traits, such as intelligence, are malleable, often through effort and perseverance. When fostered by educators, a growth mindset in students may lead to greater academic success and achievement. The current author conducted a thorough literature review, analyzing quantitative and qualitative research to determine the potential benefits of the growth mindset on perseverance and academic achievement. Current research demonstrated that the growth mindset is positively correlated to perseverance and academic achievement, though to varying degrees. Furthermore, studies have shown that growth mindset interventions can positively impact both student mindsets and academic achievement. Based on the findings, it may be of value for educators and administrators to incorporate the ideas of the growth mindset in educational settings. Below, the current author described the findings of the literature review, expounded on their potential implications for education, and discussed its applications for the classroom, as well as the needs for future research

The SAT: Sine qua Non or Negligible for College Admissions?

Last summer I began interning at the Provost’s office at URI. Through this experience, I discovered just how critical the admission process is to the University, since the future of a university lies with its student body, both from the perspective of its mission and revenue. Admitting students on a fair and equal basis can be extremely difficult. I became interested in the SAT Reasoning Test (SAT) because it is a highly criticized aspect of the admission process. The SAT Reasoning test was formerly known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test, but the acronym holds no formal meaning now. The SAT was introduced to colleges after being used as IQ tests for the military in the 1920’s. After the GI Bill was introduced in 1944, colleges and universities embraced the use of the SAT in order to limit the number of college students. Harvard University President James Conant believed only the elite deserved to attend college and encouraged the SAT as a way to keep people in their socioeconomic place. It was an easy way for colleges to rank students, and soon enough, colleges were also ranked by their students’ average SAT scores. I have come to believe that the admission process has grown to rely too heavily on the SAT both at the University of Rhode Island and throughout the majority of colleges and universities in the country. This test (and to some degree the ACT) are also a major part of the criteria for many merit scholarships. There are various problems with the SAT. One of the most crucial problems is portrayed by national SAT averages which indicate that socioeconomic factors affect the scores. The test structure favors middle and upper-class students, and this bias is reflected by members of these social strata receiving higher SAT scores than the lower class students. The test is owned by a non-profit organization, Educational Testing Services (ETS), which, according to its Internal Revenue Service 990 tax form for 2004, earned over $547 million from higher education program services. The current CEO of ETS, Kurt Landgraf, is also trying to capture the K-12 market since the No Child Left Behind Act has stressed the importance of standardized testing. In the past few months, the College Board, a not-for-profit membership association and partner with ETS, has made colossal mistakes in the grading of SAT tests, which has affected thousands of college-bound seniors across the country in a string of highly publicized errors. While the errors may be a one-time event, they helped to underscore how strongly the SAT score can impact a student and his or her educational opportunities. There are alternatives to using the SAT. Some public and private universities are beginning to make the SAT optional. A pioneer in this trend is Bates College, which implemented an SAT-optional policy in 1984. Public universities like the California public system and the Texas public system have admitted students in the top percent of their class, regardless of their SAT scores. Various other alternatives are used that evaluate the student in a more holistic manner. Overturning the dominance of the SAT can be done, and the University of Rhode Island needs to evaluate its own admission process to see if the SAT is indeed of value. This paper addresses the critical problems affiliated with the SAT which must be addressed in order for our higher education system to have fair and equal opportunity access

THE SUBSCRIPTION VIDEO-ON-DEMAND INDUSTRY – PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

In the past few years, we have seen a massive change in television viewing habits. More Americans subscribe to video streaming services than to cable and satellite, and most subscribe to several. While the streaming industry is rapidly growing, it is unclear where the industry is heading, and projections in the literature vary. Using data I collected and aggregated into original data sets, I explore the evidence to uncover patterns and trends. Specifically, I analyze the pricing strategies that select streaming services have used over time. My research focuses on six popular subscription video-on-demand services with similar organizational structures: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, and Peacock. I determine that the industry operates under monopolistic competition. Further, I find that while the market equilibrium quantity is increasing, streaming services are waiting until they establish a strong customer base before raising prices. I conclude with predictions for the futures of the six services, with particular concern for Netflix’s prospects