Musical Acoustics of Orchestral Water Crotales

An experimental investigation of orchestral crotale vibrational modes in water is presented, along with a qualitative virtual mass model describing the observed effects. Changes in frequency, overtone ratio, and mode splitting as a function of water depth are reported for a C6 crotale using electronic speckle-pattern interferometry. These data are related to perceived changes in pitch and timbre, along with the creation of audible beats at particular water depths. It is also shown that the suspension method used by musicians when dipping crotales into water leads to the creation of additional acoustically significant modes that are not excited when the crotales are mounted in the standard manner

Interactive Decision Tree Creation and Enhancement with Complete Visualization for Explainable Modeling

To increase the interpretability and prediction accuracy of the Machine Learning (ML) models, visualization of ML models is a key part of the ML process. Decision Trees (DTs) are essential in machine learning (ML) because they are used to understand many black box ML models including Deep Learning models. In this research, two new methods for creation and enhancement with complete visualizing Decision Trees as understandable models are suggested. These methods use two versions of General Line Coordinates (GLC): Bended Coordinates (BC) and Shifted Paired Coordinates (SPC). The Bended Coordinates are a set of line coordinates, where each coordinate is bended in a threshold point of the respective DT node. In SPC, each n-D point is visualized in a set of shifted pairs of 2-D Cartesian coordinates as a directed graph. These new methods expand and complement the capabilities of existing methods to visualize DT models more completely. These capabilities allow us to observe and analyze: (1) relations between attributes, (2) individual cases relative to the DT structure, (3) data flow in the DT, (4) sensitivity of each split threshold in the DT nodes, and (5) density of cases in parts of the n-D space. These features are critical for DT models' performance evaluation and improvement by domain experts and end users as they help to prevent overgeneralization and overfitting of the models. The advantages of this methodology are illustrated in the case studies on benchmark real-world datasets. The paper also demonstrates how to generalize them for decision tree visualizations in different General Line Coordinates.Comment: 36 pages, 45 figures, 5 table

Better Together: Academic Libraries and Campus Collaborations for Student Success

Academic libraries are increasingly aligning their goals and resources to support student success on their campuses. This work can combine responsibilities like information literacy instruction, library outreach, and campus collaboration. This presentation will delve into the findings of a national survey and focus groups about student success efforts in academic libraries to provide insight into strategies for campus collaboration. Participants will identify potential partnership opportunities to increase collaboration, examine roadblocks to success, and develop takeaways for expanding their approach to working with campus partners

Novel pGreen/pSoup dual-binary vector system in multiple T-DNA co-cultivation as a method of producing marker-free (clean gene) transgenic rice (Oriza sativa L) plant

The possibility of producing marker-free transgenic rice plants using a novel dual binary pGreen/pSoup vectors, in multiple T-DNA co-cultivation, was investigated and demonstrated to be feasible. The T-DNA in pSoup (pRT47) vector was engineered to contain the selection marker hygromycin phosphotransferase (aphIV) gene (plus intron in 5′ UTR), and the green fluorescent protein (gfp) as a reporter gene both driven by the CaMV35S promoter and the nopaline synthase terminator. T-DNA in the pGreen (pRT18) vector harboured the phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (bar), as selection marker gene, and the b- glucuronidase (gusA) plus intron as a reporter gene, both driven by the maize 5′ ubiquitin region and the nopaline synthase terminator. Both the pGreen and pSoup plasmids were transformed into E. coli strain DH5α using the PEG-transformation technique and into Agrobacterium strains AGL1using a freeze-thaw method. AGL1 was then used to transform embryogenic nodular units (ENU), derived from mature seeds of the model rice genotype Nipponbare. Selection on herbicide (PPT) or antibiotic (hygromycin) of co-cultured ENUs led to the production of numerous independently transformed callus clones containing both T-DNAs from the selected and unselected vector. While co- ransformation frequencies were 71% and 80% for the hygromycin only and herbicide (PPT) only selection, respectively, data showed that co-expression frequency is most useful for the production of marker free transgenic rice. About half (50%) of the independent transgenic plant lines contained at least one unlinked T-DNA integration. In this work, we showed for the first time, that the novel dual-binary pGreen/pSoup can efficiently produce marker-free transgenic rice.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (6), pp. 531-540, 200

Seeing the Forest and the Trees: Integrating Curriculum-Integrated Learning Outcome Development and Assessment with an Academic Review Process

Learn about an effort to connect the development of curriculum-integrated information fluency learning outcomes with programs\u27 self-studies in our campus\u27 program review. Discover how librarian and faculty collaboration informed an effort to strengthen the library\u27s role in the overall self-study and academic review process. Find out about the series of four summer workshops in which paired subject librarians and program faculty members jointly developed information fluency learning outcomes mapped to the curriculum. Hear from subject librarians about their experiences with the workshops. Hear what lessons have been learned after the first two years of the effort and what\u27s planned next

Chromosomal location of genes encoding for resistance to septoria tritici blotch (Mycosphaerella graminicola) in substitution lines of wheat

Chromosomal location of resistance to Mycosphaerella graminicola was studied in substitution lines of resistant Triticum genotypes into the (susceptible) cultivar Chinese Spring (T. aestivum). (Moderately) resistant genotypes for which substitution lines were available were tested in a first screening. We selected a synthetic hexaploid wheat (Synthetic 6x; T. dicoccoides × T. tauschii), T. spelta and the wheat (T. aestivum) cultivars Cheyenne and Cappelle-Desprez. In a second screening the most suitable Argentinian isolates were identified. We decided to use the isolate IPO 92067 (all sets of substitution lines), IPO 93014 (substitution lines of Synthetic 6x, Cappelle-Desprez and T. spelta) and IPO 92064 (substitution lines of Cheyenne). In the final experiments, substitution lines of the selected genotypes into Chinese Spring were grown in two different environments and inoculated with the selected isolates at the seedling stage (lines of all four selected genotypes) or the adult stage (lines of Synthetic 6x and Cheyenne). Resistance was expressed as (reduction in) necrosis percentage or pycnidial coverage percentage; the two measures were highly (linearly) correlated. When tested in the seedling stage, all chromosomes seemed to carry genes effective against M. graminicola. Many genes were effective against only one isolate or in only one environment or their effects only showed in one resistance parameter. Often these effects were minor. Only chromosome 7D of Synthetic 6x was found with a major effect against both isolates tested. When tested in the adult stage, all lines but the one carrying chromosome 4B from the resistant parent seemed to show genes effective against M. graminicola. The line carrying chromosome 7D from Synthetic 6x showed a level of resistance similar to the resistant parent for isolate IPO 92067, but not for isolate IPO 93014. Major genes, effective against both isolates, were also found on chromosomes 5A and 5D from Synthetic 6x. Lines carrying chromosome 1B, 5D or 6D from Cheyenne showed major effects against isolate IPO 92064. For both necrosis percentage and pycnidial coverage percentage, highly significant linear correlations were found between resistance in the seedling stage and resistance in the adult stage. However, the variance accounted for was only small (20-24%; n = 184).Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

A SINGLE-CASE STUDY EXAMINING FACULTY CONCEPTUALIZATIONS OF THEIR PARTICIPATION IN FUNDRAISING AT A SMALL PRIVATE INSTITUTION

Thesis (Ed.D.) - Indiana University, School of Education, 2020Given the uncertain economic conditions of the higher education sector in the United States, many institutions are reconsidering fundraising strategies. One emerging possibility involves the engagement of faculty in fundraising. However, with regards to faculty thoughts about their participation in fundraising, little research-based guidance exists. To address this gap, this qualitative single-case study employed the lens of academic citizenship to examine how tenured faculty, who are engaged in fundraising, conceptualize their participation in academic fundraising activities. The bounded case was a small private, four-year institution in the Midwest. Document analysis, focus groups, and semi-structured interviews comprised the data collection methods for the study. Via purposeful sampling, 16 tenured faculty participated in one of three 60-minute focus groups aimed at developing a shared understanding of fundraising within the institutional context. To probe more deeply into individual faculty perspectives, following the focus group phase, each participant took part in one 45-minute semi-structured interview. Findings indicated that as faculty struggled to fit fundraising within their prescribed workload expectations of teaching, research, and service, they often described fundraising as a form of service and expressed their willingness to help with this work while emphasizing concerns about constraints on faculty time. Additionally, as faculty attempted to manage perceived barriers related to fundraising activities, they were eager to form partnerships with development staff. Faculty described these partnerships as productive when the focus remained on collaboration, academic priorities, and faculty strengths. Findings also revealed that faculty engaged in fundraising activities because they felt committed to the well-being of the college, their students, and their alumni/ae relationships. Finally, fundraising was one way that faculty participants exhibited their academic citizenship. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations for college administrators include the following: (a) construct a framework to facilitate faculty and staff fundraising partnerships, (b) formally recognize faculty engaged in fundraising work, and (c) monitor the service burden imposed on tenure-track faculty

The Effects of Prompt Condition and Genre on the Writing Performance of Students in 3rd and 5th Grade

Research on writing at the elementary level has shown that prior knowledge and task environment can have a significant effect on writing performance. In addition, there is preliminary evidence that suggests that children's development in writing may vary by genre favoring the narrative over expository genres (e.g., Olinghouse & Wilson, 2011; and Camp, 1993). One way to mitigate the effects of prior knowledge on topic and genre is through varying prompting conditions. The new Common Core writing assessment context requires students to write in response to texts read. To date, however, there are no studies that simultaneously examine the effects of genre and prompt condition in the elementary grades. This study examines the effect of two prompting conditions (supported and unsupported) on students' writing performance in multiple genres (narrative, persuasive and informational report) in order to assess the potential impact of the read aloud accommodation on these new types of writing assessments along with the effect of genre simultaneously. Findings show that at the 3rd grade level, students write best in the informational report genre over the narrative and persuasive genre, and that the read aloud accommodation positively affects writing quality. At the 5th grade level, the read aloud accommodation does not have a significant effect on writing quality. Based on the findings above, there are a number of implications for current testing policy and instruction. First, features of the prompt condition such as providing a common text, and audience and genre cues resulted in higher style, organization, conventions and mechanic scores for the informational report genre in the younger grades. This contradicts earlier findings that suggest at the elementary level, the narrative genre is more accessible. Accordingly, an effort should be made by test-makers and educators to provide students with these beneficial supports when designing tests and assignments particularly for expository genres. Second, given the observed benefit of the read aloud accommodation for students in the younger grades, test makers should consider designing tests that vary the degree of supports students are provided on the read and write response tasks as they progress through the grade levels

Vascular plant changes in extreme environments: effects of multiple drivers

The Antarctic Peninsula is one of three regions of the planet that have experienced the highest rates of climate warming over recent decades. Based on a comprehensive large-scale resurvey, allowing comparison of new (2009) and historical data (1960s), we show that the two native Antarctic vascular plant species have exhibited significant increases in number of occupied sites and percent cover since the 1960s: Deschampsia antarctica increasing in coverage by 191 % and in number of sites by 104 %. Colobanthus quitensis increasing in coverage by 208 % and number of sites by 35 %. These changes likely occurred in response to increases of 1.2 °C in summer air temperature over the same time period. Both species exhibited changes with elevation due to the interaction of multiple drivers (climatic factors and animal disturbance), producing heterogeneity of responses across an elevation gradient. Below an elevation of 20 m fur seal activity exerted negative impacts. Between 20 and 60 m, both plant species underwent considerable increases in the number of sites and percent cover, likely influenced by both climate warming and nutrient input from seals. Above an elevation threshold of 60 m the maximum elevation of the sites occupied decreased for both species, perhaps as a consequence of physical disturbance at higher elevations due to the permafrost conditions and/or the snow cover thickness and persistence. Understanding the role of disturbance drivers for vegetation change in cold regions may become a research priority to enable improved forecasting of biological responses and feedbacks of climate warming on ecosystems in these globally influential regions