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Predicting Past and Future Anthropogenic Global Harvest and Land Use
No full textAnthropogenic appropriation of natural lands has long sustained human populations and activities. Human use of the environment has resulted in the degradation of green spaces and depletion of natural, particularly plant-based, resources. Human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP) is a globally available, spatially explicit measure of this human-driven extraction and diversion of plant biomass through harvesting (HANPPharv) and land use change (HANPPluc). Models for HANPP have been limited temporally (e.g., a year) or in terms of complexity (e.g., one predictor). In this study, I predict HANPPharv and HANPPluc from 1960 to 2010 at decadal intervals using Bayesian spatiotemporal models and demographic, economic, technological, and environmental variables. Models were then used to project HANPP to 2060 using the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) for future sustainability (SSP1) and regional rivalry (SSP3) scenarios. Models were robust and reliable, with predicted:observed R2 values of 0.99 and 0.98 for HANPPharv and HANPPluc, respectively. HANPPharv and HANPPluc were best predicted with population, gross domestic product (GDP), and anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Population was the primary predictor of both HANPP components. Using selected models, both HANPPharv and HANPPluc were projected to stabilize based on the SSP1 and continuously increase based on the SSP3. Results highlight the interconnections among humans, socioeconomic systems, and the environment. International collaboration to address environmental issues and the global displacement of environmental impacts, along with sustainable and efficient resource use and conservation of natural areas, will remain important for mitigating human-driven environmental impacts
Achievement in Performing Arts at Title I Schools in Florida: A Case Study on the Impact of Administrative Leadership and Financial Decisions on Student Performance
No full textResearchers have established that the leadership strategies of a principal can directly impact student achievement, though it has not been clearly stated how that occurs (Cox & Mullen, 2023). This single-case instrumental study investigates the financial and administrative priorities of a principal at a Title I high school in Florida and the impact they have on the Music Performance Assessment (MPA) ratings of band, chorus, and orchestra programs at the district level. Additionally, the purpose of this case study is to provide insight into how the principal at a Title I high school whose performing arts programs have a trend of Superior and Excellent ratings at the district level MPA prioritize financial and administrative decisions that support their programs. The data for this research was collected through an interview with the principal of a Title I high school with performing arts programs that have earned Superior or Excellent MPA ratings for at least 5 years between 2017 - 2024. The results of a thematic analysis of the data identify alternative financial resources, leadership strategies, school budget, and students and community impact as factors that impact the overall success of the performing arts programs at this high school. The findings from this case study serve as structural suggestions for principals at Title I high schools wanting to support improvement at the district level MPA and the overall success of their performing arts programs
Differential Interferon Synthesis and Signaling Between Parainfluenza Virus Acute and Persistently Infected Cells
No full textRNA virus infections can transition from an initial acute infection to a prolonged or persistent infection, in which infected cells survive and continue to produce progeny virus. This presents a major clinical problem as persistently infected (PI) cells extend viral shedding, maintain inflammation, and provide potential sources for new viral variants. The RNA virus, Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5), with mutations in the P/V gene region (P/V mutant) is a strong inducer of antiviral responses. Interestingly, over time, there is an emergence of cells that survive as P/V mutant PI cells. Given that changes in innate immune signaling pathways can occur in PI cells, we tested the hypothesis that interferon (IFN) synthesis and signaling of P/V mutant-infected cells would differ between acute-infected and PI cells. In this study, we addressed the activity of IFN against P/V mutant infection. Acute-infected cells showed high IFN synthesis, and induction of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs), whereas PI cells exhibited very little IFN expression or ISG expression. Transcriptomic and biochemical analysis assays revealed decreased IFN synthesis and signaling in PI cells correlated with significant downregulation of transcription factors (RIGI, MDA5, IRF7, STAT1, STAT2, and IRF9), compared to acute-infected cells, where these transcription factors are highly upregulated. The finding of diminished IFN synthesis and signaling after the transition from an initial acute P/V mutant infection to persistent raises the potential to inform therapeutics for PI cells based on modulating IFN pathways
Podcast Narratives of Cybercrime Perpetration
No full textThe growth of the internet and cybertechnology has created the opportunity for new types of crime. Given the recency of these developments, little is known about cybercrime perpetration and there is scant existing data gathered from those who have perpetrated cybercrime. This project applied thematic analysis to 30 episodes of a popular podcast focused on cybercrime to explore pathways men take to committing and continuing to commit cybercrimes against networks and information, financial cybercrime, and sales of products on illegal online marketplaces. Findings suggest that podcast narratives of perpetration reveal shifting motivations, gradual immersion in online deviant and criminal communities, and evolving moral justifications for cybercriminal behaviors. Key themes that emerged include: the importance of access to criminogenic spaces and tools; peer influence in encouraging and reinforcing behaviors; the use of anonymity and operational security to compartmentalize identity and reduce risk; the pursuit of digital prestige and validation - often linked to masculinity; and the use of perceived victimization as a moral justification, often framed as responses to systemic injustices or emotional detachment. Although podcasts are curated platforms, future research should consider the use of podcasts as a valuable data source for accessing hard-to-reach or anonymized populations, particularly those involved in illicit or stigmatized behavior. Podcast interviews offer a unique lens into individuals’ self-narratives and provide an alternative to more traditional forms of data collection
The Role Individual Differences and Environmental Factors in Automated Driving Performance
No full textA series of experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of ADHD diagnosis, inclement weather, non-driving-related tasks (NDRT), automation failures, and traffic density on driving performance and takeover performance. This study also examined the relationship between dispositional factors (i.e., trust in automation, cognitive failures, and self-efficacy) and dynamic factors (i.e., mental workload, situation awareness, and situational trust) in relation to automated driving performance. A total of 156 participants were recruited for this study, including drivers with and without attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Each participant completed four experimental drives and two baseline drives. Mental workload, heart rate variability (HRV), situational trust, and situation awareness were also measured during the drives. Experiment 1 examined the effects of ADHD diagnosis, inclement weather (rain versus no rain), and non-driving-related tasks (NDRT versus no NDRT) on driving and takeover performance. Results indicated that ADHD drivers exhibited greater steering variability and stronger brake pressure during takeovers in conditions with rain and the NDRT. The presence of both rain and NDRT produced two-way and three-way interactions. The added complexity of rain and the NDRT likely increased the mental workload of non-ADHD and ADHD drivers. For Experiment 2, automation failures were introduced as the environmental manipulation, which involved the absence of a takeover alert in the proximity of an approaching hazard. For Experiment 3, traffic density was introduced in place of NDRTs. Results indicated that high traffic density increased takeover performance and brake pressure. Lastly, following a series of correlation and regression analyses, trust in automation, risk perception, self-efficacy, and cognitive failures were identified as significant predictors of driving performance in all three experiments. Overall, these findings highlight the importance for transportation researchers, traffic engineers, and legislators in prioritizing safety and developing individualized driver profiles when designing HAVs
March Madness Plus
No full textMarch Madness, the NCAA marketing term, often is anything but. This year in both the women’s and men’s rendition, March Madness spilled over, as it often does into April. The final weekend, featuring the men’s and women’s semi-finals and finals, offered more madness than could have been hoped for
Ichiro
No full textIchiro Suzuki was born October 23, 1973, in Nishi Kasugai-gun, Japan; attended Aikoudai Meidin High School in Nagoya, Japan where he played baseball. On Sunday, Ichiro will be making history when he is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York
Coding OpenAI in an Open-sourced Code Sharing Platform: Exploring the Collaboration Networks on ChatGPT Projects on GitHub
No full textAmid rapid advancements in generative AI (GenAI) tools, individuals and organizations—including both professional and amateur developers—are actively sharing and collaboratively developing GenAI code on open-source platforms, driving the adaptation and creation of new applications. However, it remains unclear whether such collaboration disrupts existing technological hierarchies or reinforces them; addressing this question is crucial for assessing the democratizing potential of open-source practice and informing policies for equitable innovation. Drawing on world-systems theory, we examine owner-contributor networks in ChatGPT-related GitHub repositories since ChatGPT’s launch in late 2022, complemented by qualitative content analysis of major repository themes and code functions. We find that peripheral countries are increasingly leveraging regional collaboration to challenge established power centers. This study illuminates evolving patterns of global collaboration and innovation
“Made Classes Easier Than a Coloring Sheet”: Student Perceptions and Uses of GenAI
No full textStudent use of GenAI is growing and so are the faculty concerns. With research providing mixed suggestions and approaches, this study sought to understand the student perspective on ethical uses, their own motives and perceived benefits of GenAI use, the risks involved, and their perceptions of susceptibility and severity related to unethical use (i.e., plagiarism/cheating). Results revealed the complexity of student considerations regarding the uses, risks, and benefits of GenAI and its potential for personalized learning enhancement. Students generally view the likelihood of being caught submitting AI-generated work as their own as high and the consequences as severe. The viability of applying persuasive theory to ethical decision-making and HMC, as well as implications of interweaving examinations of instructor-student communication and HMC are discussed
UCF LIBRARIES PROMOTION CRITERIA
No full textAt UCF, library faculty are promoted on the basis of their professional effectiveness and their demonstrated record of achievement. As noted above, performance of Professional Responsibilities is the most important factor in promotion, as this accounts for the majority of a librarian’s annual responsibilities. Achievements in Research/Scholarship/Creative Works and Service are also required, with standards delineated later in the document