Academic Outcomes of Cooperative Education Participation

Academic Outcomes of Cooperative Education ParticipationOutcomes and benefits of cooperative education (co-op) participation have been welldocumented; however, they have focused primarily on grade point averages (GPA) and careeroutcomes. Previous work on predictors of participation shows no significant differences bygender in the aggregate, but there are significant differences by ethnicity and major. Women inMechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering (especially Hispanic women) persist athigher rates than men, possibly indicating that gender becomes significant in academicoutcomes. One reason students may not participate in co-op is the perception of increased time tograduation; however, other benefits may outweigh that. This research furthers the literature byexamining academic outcomes not previously considered, such as persistence in engineering andtime to graduation. The work is situated at the intersection of ethnicity/race and gender, aimingto answer the following questions: 1) what are the academic outcomes of co-op participation and2) focusing on diversity, which underrepresented groups and disciplines experience or benefit themost from co-op participation?This study uses a longitudinal database of engineering students across six institutions, includingco-op participants and non-participants. The sample includes undergraduate students fromAerospace, Chemical, Computer, Civil, Electrical, Industrial & Systems, and MechanicalEngineering majors. Propensity score analysis is a preferred method to reduce potential selectionbias in the data; therefore, it is applied in this study. Outcome variables include whether or not astudent graduated from a particular institution, persistence in engineering, and time tograduation. Results are expected to show that co-op students are more likely to graduate inengineering with higher GPAs than their non-participant counterparts, although they will takelonger to graduate. The implications of this study can be used by administrators and educators tounderstand differences in how co-op affects a diverse population of students, especially thosefrom underrepresented groups. The research will also inform co-op program policy making

Factors Associated with Student Participation in Cooperative Education Programs (Co-Ops)

Factors that Influence Student Participation in Co-OpsA cooperative education program (co-op) in engineering is a partnership between an academicinstitution and an employer designed to engage students in practical engineering experiencethrough rotations of full-time employment and course study. Co-op employment providesstudents with discipline-relevant professional experience, financial support, and early entry intothe engineering labor force while serving as a recruitment tool for co-op companies. Using asequential mixed-methods approach, this research aims to identify factors that influence studentaccess to and participation in cooperative education programs.The quantitative analysis of co-op participation uses comprehensive, longitudinal academicstudent records from six partner institutions that comprise the Multiple-Institution Database forInvestigating Engineering Longitudinal Development (MIDFIELD). MIDFIELD includes 23years of student demographic and transcript data from 1987 through 2009. The qualitativeexamination focuses on individual student interviews from a research-intensive MIDFIELDinstitution. Across MIDFIELD institutions and years, an average of 23% of engineering studentsin the population participated in a co-op experience; however, the fraction of studentsparticipating in co-ops differed by engineering discipline and matriculation year.The logistic regression analysis shows that there is no difference in co-op participation bygender, except in Aerospace engineering where women are 20% more likely than men toparticipate. Meanwhile, Asian, black, and international students are less likely to engage in co-ops than their counterparts. Preliminary findings from the individual student interviews exploringwhy students decided not to pursue co-ops despite an initial interest fall into four broad themes:1) interest in other extracurricular activities and internship options, 2) concerns regarding thelengthy time commitment, 3) uncertainty or not well-developed plans regarding major andemployment goals, and 4) minimum eligibility requirements not met. Research findings have thepotential to be applied toward the development of strategies to further enhance co-op recruitmentand engagement of engineering students from a broader range of backgrounds, interests, andexperiences as a pathway to potentially increase the overall diversity of the professionalengineering labor force

Dimensions of Equity: Undergraduate Research Through Vertically Integrated Projects at Five Institutions

In this innovative practice work-in-progress paper, enrollment data from five institutions was used to examine equity in undergraduate research through Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Programs. VIP is a model for undergraduate research in which large student teams are embedded in faculty-driven projects. The American Association of Colleges and Universities recognizes undergraduate research as a high-impact experience, associated with higher graduation rates and greater learning gains in college. Participation in multiple high-impact experiences yields cumulative gains to students from all backgrounds, and compensatory gains for minoritized and marginalized students. Nationally however, minoritized students, first-generation college students, and transfer students participate in undergraduate research at lower rates than their peers. In this study, VIP enrollments at five institutions (N = 6,651 over two semesters) were compared to demographics of the institutions to determine the degree to which programs achieved equity among historically underserved minorities, transfer students, first-generation college students, and by gender. Analysis accounted for demographics and level of participation of the academic units involved, comparing enrollments with what would be expected under equitable enrollment. Analyses were done for each institution and across the pooled sample. By institution, equity across categories varied. Across the pooled sample, results show small effects sizes for status as a historically underserved minority, very small effect sizes for first-generation students and transfer students, and slightly higher participation among women than men. The large-scale nature of VIP teams enables institutions to scale-up their undergraduate research offerings. This paper begins answering the question of whether this scaling increases access for marginalized populations, and the results are encouraging. The paper is a work-in-progress, because data needs to be collected from more VIP institutions for a wider-ranging study. The chisquare test and the importance of using effect sizes in interpreting results will be explained, so others can apply the same method. Results, implications, and next steps are discussed

El impacto en los nuevos productos de los derivados de la caña de azúcar: El caso de la panela en el Perú 2010- 2016

En la investigación el impacto de los nuevos productos de los derivados de la caña de azúcar: el caso de la panela en el Perú 2010-2016. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar el impacto que puede ocasionar los nuevos productos que sirven para sustituir el azúcar bien sabemos que existen derivados como la panela que es un producto que al igual que el azúcar también endulza, pero este producto es natural y es del Perú. La investigación se desarrolló bajo un diseño descriptivo con enfoque cualitativo. Se utilizó el método descriptivo y la muestra lo conformaron 20 entrevistados de las diferentes empresas de panela. Para mejorar la información entrevistamos a los dueños de cada empresa donde se tiene la venta de los diferentes tipos de panela, previamente validamos aquellos datos y se demostró la validez y confiabilidad, mediante la opinión de cada entrevistado y sus experiencias económicas y sociales. Se utilizó la técnica de las entrevistas y sus instrumentos las preguntas. En la presente investigación se obtuvo la conclusión que existe un consumo responsable y un comercio justo en la distribución de las importaciones y exportación de la panela , además hoy en día se conoce que el azúcar, es uno de las fuentes de energía “más saludables”, pero verdaderamente no es así, puesto que en la actualidad existen muchos fenómenos que, de alguna forma, ya sea directa o indirecta perjudica los costes de producción, por esto es que las empresas tienen como única opción la de utilizar químicos en la elaboración del azúcar. (Rodríguez, 2015). Por lo tanto, se comprobó la hipótesis y el objetivo general del estudio

Logistical, technical, and radiation safety aspects of establishing a radiopharmaceutical therapy program: A case in Lutetium-177 prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) therapy

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a cell surface protein highly expressed in nearly all prostate cancers, with restricted expression in some normal tissues. The differential expression of PSMA from tumor to non-tumor tissue has resulted in the investigation of numerous targeting strategies for therapy of patients with metastatic prostate cancer. In March of 2022, the FDA granted approval for the use of lutetium-177 PSMA-617 (Lu-177-PSMA-617) for patients with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have been treated with androgen receptor pathway inhibition and taxane-based chemotherapy. Therefore, the use of Lu-177-PSMA-617 is expected to increase and become more widespread. Herein, we describe logistical, technical, and radiation safety considerations for implementing a radiopharmaceutical therapy program, with particular focus on the development of operating procedures for therapeutic administrations. Major steps for a center in the U.S. to implement a new radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) program are listed below, and then demonstrated in greater detail via examples for Lu-177-PSMA-617 therapy

From Interest to Decision: A Comparative Exploration of Student Attitudes and Pathways to Co-op Programs in the United States and the United Kingdom

Cooperative education programs (co-op) play a vital role in developing engineering and computing students’ applied technological skills and professional self-confidence. Nevertheless, not all students choose to participate in co-ops. Through empirical data collection undertaken at two universities, this article explores the reasons why some students did not participate in an optional co-op program and the perceptions students have about the co-op program. Because students’ backgrounds may play a role in their choice, demographic data were also considered. The 408 participants were in one of three groups: A) co-op participants, B) interested applicants and non-applicants, or C) those not interested and/or did not apply. Using Rational Choice Theory as an interpretive framework, a mixed methods approach including quantitative and qualitative analysis of surveys and interviews was used to compare and contrast experiences, approaches, motivations and attitudes across student groups in the United States and the United Kingdom. Results show that US and UK students who identified as not being interested in co-op shared similar perceptions, including the perceived cost of additional time to graduation. Students also expressed concern that taking time away from campus to complete a co-op would affect social interactions with their peers. The results of this work can be used to inform co-op program processes and policies, highlighting ways in which programs can increase participation. The study also shows how key stakeholders can learn cross-cultural ‘best practices’ to make co-op education accessible and effective

From Interest to Decision: A Comparative Exploration of Student Attitudes and Pathways to Co-op Programs in the United States and the United Kingdom

Cooperative education programs (co-op) play a vital role in developing engineering and computing students’ applied technological skills and professional self-confidence. Nevertheless, not all students choose to participate in co-ops. Through empirical data collection undertaken at two universities, this article explores the reasons why some students did not participate in an optional co-op program and the perceptions students have about the co-op program. Because students’ backgrounds may play a role in their choice, demographic data were also considered. The 408 participants were in one of three groups: A) co-op participants, B) interested applicants and non-applicants, or C) those not interested and/or did not apply. Using Rational Choice Theory as an interpretive framework, a mixed methods approach including quantitative and qualitative analysis of surveys and interviews was used to compare and contrast experiences, approaches, motivations and attitudes across student groups in the United States and the United Kingdom. Results show that US and UK students who identified as not being interested in co-op shared similar perceptions, including the perceived cost of additional time to graduation. Students also expressed concern that taking time away from campus to complete a co-op would affect social interactions with their peers. The results of this work can be used to inform co-op program processes and policies, highlighting ways in which programs can increase participation. The study also shows how key stakeholders can learn cross-cultural ‘best practices’ to make co-op education accessible and effective

Clinical outcomes of patients with unresectable primary liver cancer treated with yttrium-90 radioembolization with an escalated dose

PURPOSE: Yttrium-90 (90Y) radioembolization with an escalated dose has been shown to improve clinical outcomes compared with standard dose radioembolization, but there are few data on the local control of primary liver tumors. We reported the clinical outcomes of patients with unresectable primary liver tumors treated with 90Y radioembolization with an escalated dose. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Clinical data of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CC), and biphenotypic tumors (cHCC-CC) treated with radioembolization with an escalated dose (≥150 Gy) between 2013 and 2020 with \u3e3 months follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. The primary endpoint was freedom from local progression. Clinical response was defined by Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours and toxic effects were assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients with HCC and 15 patients with CC/cHCC-CC were analyzed. The median dose delivered was 205 Gy (interquartile range, 183-253 Gy) and 198 Gy (interquartile range, 154-234 Gy) for patients with HCC and CC/cHCC-CC, respectively. The 1-year freedom from local progression rate was 54% (95% confidence interval [CI], 38%-78%) for patients with HCC and 66% (95% CI, 42%-100%) for patients with CC/cHCC-CC. For patients with HCC, United Network for Organ Sharing nodal stage 1 ( CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of unresectable primary liver tumors with 90Y radioembolization with an escalated dose was safe and well tolerated. Delivery of \u3e268 Gy may improve local tumor control of HCC. Determination of the maximum tolerated dose needs to be performed in the context of future prospective dose-escalation trials to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of such an approach

Predictive Analytics for Quantifying the Long-Term Costs of Defects During Bridge Construction

SPR-4526During the lifecycle of a bridge, deterioration of the concrete deck originates from many sources, e.g., corrosion due to water infiltration in conjunction with chlorides from the use of de-icing salts. Such deterioration may be affected by any one of the following six actions relevant to a bridge from conception to demolition: design, construction, in-service conditions, maintenance, repair and rehabilitation, and replacement. Many researchers have studied the relationships between these sources and their consequences. However, the relationship between construction defects and inspection practices, and its impact on the deterioration process has not yet been identified. This project focuses on the development of predictive models to assess the impact that defects present during concrete bridge deck construction may have on the lifecycle performance of the bridge deck in terms of the chemical and environmental deterioration relevant to Indiana. Based on the relevant cost information from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), a methodology is developed here to determine the potential costs associated with this deterioration. Recommendations relevant to construction and inspection and data collection practices are discussed to improve future bridge construction and inspection practices. The models and methods developed in this work will enable INDOT to better predict the accelerated deterioration of a concrete deck when a construction defect has been identified and the associated additional cost

Predicting Academic Performance: A Systematic Literature Review

The ability to predict student performance in a course or program creates opportunities to improve educational outcomes. With effective performance prediction approaches, instructors can allocate resources and instruction more accurately. Research in this area seeks to identify features that can be used to make predictions, to identify algorithms that can improve predictions, and to quantify aspects of student performance. Moreover, research in predicting student performance seeks to determine interrelated features and to identify the underlying reasons why certain features work better than others. This working group report presents a systematic literature review of work in the area of predicting student performance. Our analysis shows a clearly increasing amount of research in this area, as well as an increasing variety of techniques used. At the same time, the review uncovered a number of issues with research quality that drives a need for the community to provide more detailed reporting of methods and results and to increase efforts to validate and replicate work.Peer reviewe