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Perception in a Second Language
Get PDFAny person who has attempted to learn a second language knows it brings certain difficulties. Although progress can be made with time and practice, even some of the most advanced second language speakers encounter difficulties with replicating the sound production and the accent of native speakers. The realms of speech production and speech perception are closely related. The importance of speech perception in a second language can be expressed in this way: in certain cases, until a second language learner can correctly perceive sounds, they cannot consistently produce those sounds. There are many factors that affect the perception, or the lack of perception, in a second language; these include personal factors, factors of the native language or the new language, and time spent in the language
Relaxation of Microwave Nonlinearity in a Cuprate Superconducting Resonator
Get PDFThe second- and third-order nonlinear microwave response of a superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 thin-film resonator was synchronously measured using three input tones. This technique permits the local measurement, and hence mapping, of intermodulation distortion inside the resonator. Second- and third-order IMD measured with a fixed probe relaxed in remarkably different ways after the removal of a static magnetic field. The second-order IMD relaxed by two different magnetic processes, a fast process that appears related to bulk remanent magnetization and a slow process that fits the description of Bean and Livingston. The third-order IMD relaxes by only one process that is distinct from the two processes controlling second order relaxation
Jane Eyre: The Musical
No full textHope College Theatre Department’s production of “Jane Eyre: The Musical” presented an array of unique challenges. Research for this production started with a general analysis of the script for technical elements. This analysis included a thorough evaluation of the settings, props, costumes, lighting, sound, and other unique challenges called for in the original script. This analysis was conducted with the understanding that many of those elements called for could be removed, minimized, or changed throughout the rehearsal process. After this initial analysis was conducted further analyses were performed during production meetings and throughout the rehearsal process. To gain a complete understanding of our production, all the pieces involved, and how they all work together, close attention was payed to the requests and comments of the director and designers. These requests and comments were recorded in production meeting and rehearsal reports throughout the process. Along with this a detailed record of the movements of actors, props, and set pieces was kept throughout the process. All this information was eventually compiled and used to formulate a record of the production both on and offstage assisting in a smooth and consistent run during each performance
Boston\u27s Bicentennial Blues: How the Unraveling of Boston\u27s Expo \u2776 Revealed America\u27s Crisis of Confidence, 1967-1976
No full textOn September 9th, 1969, eight members of Boston\u27s city council voted unanimously against a proposed Bicentennial exposition of grand proportion. For more than three years, Boston\u27s public planners had fought to establish Expo \u2776, the ambitious urban project, as a proposal for a World\u27s Fair exposition within America\u27s Bicentennial year. Council members stated that the site of the exposition was unsuitable and that the exposition\u27s financing scheme was not in the best interests of the city of Boston. Superficially, it appeared that financial misgiving or poor timing was the cause of the panel\u27s decision. But there was more to the decision than that. Boston\u27s malaise over its proposed commemorative exposition serves as a case study of America\u27s soul searching throughout its Bicentennial years. My research elaborated upon the unexplored story of 1976 Boston\u27s Bicentennial celebration. By producing a scholarly paper and accompanying website, this project provided a 21st-century lens upon which to view the Bicentennial and its context in 20th-century American history. My project was a thematic extension of my previous research, as I transitioned from exploring the Vietnam War\u27s impact upon Holland to one on a larger national scale: Boston. This project highlighted the impact of the Vietnam War, but more importantly, it explored the emphasis placed on recovery instead of disillusionment during this era. It was my intention to answer the question: To what degree did the preparation and execution of Boston\u27s Bicentennial celebrations reflect or deflect a national atmosphere of disillusionment
Elucidating the Anti-Tumor Mechanisms of Naturally Derived Capsaicin
No full textNeuroblastoma is an extra-cranial solid cancer that primarily affects children. Aggressive neuroblastoma tumors typically demonstrate resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic regimens. The Capsicum chinense pepper fruit is heavily grown and consumed by indigenous people in the southern Americas, southeastern Asia, and West Africa. Multiple reports have pointed to the pepper fruit to have multiple health benefits, including the ability to combat cancer. Combining these findings with the need for novel and safer pediatric cancer treatments, this study tested if Capsicum chinense pepper fruit extract has therapeutic potential for neuroblastoma. More specifically, we tested the hypothesis that capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin-containing extracts from Capsicum chinense decreased viability of neuroblastoma cells. To test this hypothesis, ripe Capsicum chinense red fruits were grounded to paste and weighed. Next, the capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin components were extracted using hexane. Then, a range of concentrations (1pg/mL–100 mg/mL) of the extract was administered to cultured SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Lastly, the trypan blue assay was conducted to measure cell viability. Our findings showed that capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin-containing extract from Capsicum chinense reduced neuroblastoma cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 of 69.75 µg/mL. These results illustrated that Capsicum chinense extract containing capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin is effective in reducing viability of neuroblastoma cells in vitro and may serve as a naturally derived treatment source for this pediatric cancer
Development and Optimization of Amperometric Glucose Biosensors Based on Glucose Oxidase and Tris[5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline]Iron(II) Polymer Films
No full textGlucose biosensors are typically used for detecting blood glucose levels in diabetics. These sensors electrochemically detect glucose through a specific mechanism that involves biochemical and physical transducers. A method to form the enzyme layer onto the physical transducer was optimized. Electrochemical behavior of Iron(II)-5-amino-1, 10-phenanthroline [Fe (Phen NH2)] polymer films was investigated as a redox mediator in a glucose biosensor. The biosensors gave the largest response in the pH range of 7-8. Interferences including ascorbic acid and lactic acid did not give a false positive response. There was no significant difference between the detection of glucose using a biosensor stored at room temperature versus one stored at 4°C. Both films lasted 20 days. The detection limit of the biosensors was found to be 0.30 mM which corresponds to a signal to noise ratio of 3:1
Utilizing a Home-Built Confocal Fluorescence Microscope to Study Neuroregeneration
No full textSpinal cord injuries affect approximately 282,000 people within the United States alone (National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, Facts and Figures at a Glance. Birmingham, AL: University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2016). Studying neuroregeneration in vertebrates such as zebrafish, to understand the mechanism behind this process, may allow us to apply the concept to humans and assist in recovery from spinal cord injuries. A home-built confocal fluorescence microscope will be used for both live cell imaging and laser ablation. Laser ablation is a technique that will allow us to non-invasively induce the neuroregenerative process by causing individual neurons to undergo apoptosis. Results from a variety of calibration samples and preliminary zebrafish imaging are shown comparing our home-built confocal microscope with a commercial confocal microscope as a standard
Development of Inexpensive Air Quality Monitors as a STEM Teaching Tool
No full textFor the last several years, governing bodies have encouraged introduction of STEM experiments in teaching curriculum. The air quality monitors offer a way to expose students to data collection and analysis with results that are important to the students. The air quality monitors continuously track particulate matter, CO2, temperature, and humidity in a location the students want to investigate. The students create their own hypotheses and testing protocols, then conduct the tests and analyze the results. The program has been a powerful introduction to students on collection of real time data and how air quality data is measured
Health Indicators and Health Literacy of an Older Adult Population with the Institution of a Nurse Managed Wellness Center
No full textFederal standards define a vulnerable population for older adults as individuals the age of ≥65 with chronic disease and limited resources for health. Thirteen percent of individuals 65 and older account for 34% of national healthcare expenditure. Therefore it is important to develop strategies to promote and maintain this population’s health. The purpose of this study describes trends in health indicators and health literacy in an older adult population meeting the federal definition of being vulnerable. The sample received services from an onsite student nurse managed wellness program and clinic (SNMWP). This convenient sample, ≥55 years, resides in a lower income, independent living community in Western Michigan, living with at least one chronic disease or disability. King’s Theory of Goal Attainment was used as it supports relationship building to achieve attainable health goals. A retrospective chart review obtained data on health indicators from the first year of the SNMWP. The BRIEF health literacy screening surveyed the participants for their level of health literacy. Previous literature indicates this as a reliable tool. SPSS 21 and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Of the 117 residents on site, twenty-five (21.40%) attended the clinics regularly (females: n=16; males: n=9). Attendance at residential activities ranged from 3-35 participants weekly. Mean findings from several health indicators reveal the following: random blood sugars m = 125.84 (SD = 32.36); blood pressure m = 132.39/74.86, (SD=9.874/8.17); pulse oximetry m = 96.83 (SD=1.03). The BRIEF health literacy findings (n = 8) indicate that 62.5% had adequate health literacy scores; 25% marginal scores; and 12.5% limited scores. In conclusion, participants’ health indicators were within normal ranges. Participants were also fairly health literate at the end of the first year of the SNMWP, but may need occasional outside assistance. Limitations include a small sample size, a convenient sample, limited sample diversity, and single site data collection. Implications for nursing indicate on-site nursing clinics may help to improve participants’ health indicators and health literacy. Attainment of health care goals can be improved by creating a trusting environment for residents. However, more research is necessary over time to compare differences and relationships in the data
Student Autonomy in a Nontraditional Middle School Classroom: How Do Students Handle Freedom?
No full textSTREAM School is a nontraditional, project-based learning program at a rural middle school in western Michigan. The program promotes high levels of student autonomy, which has been shown to lead to higher levels of engagement in projects (Bowman, 2011). In order to obtain a holistic understanding of students’ experiences in the seventh-grade STREAM program, this research utilized a convergent-parallel mixed methods design (Creswell & Plano-Clark, 2011). Qualitative data were collected from face-to-face interviews with 51 seventh-grade students and analyzed using grounded theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1990). Quantitative data were taken from 50 students’ pre-post responses to the S-STEM Survey for Middle and High School (S-STEM; Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, 2012) and the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI; Ryan, 1982). Paired-samples t-tests were run on the S-STEM and IMI survey data to determine if students’ attitudes and motivations changed over the course of the school year. Furthermore, scores from the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) were collected and analyzed using independent-samples t-tests to compare STREAM (n = 60) and non-STREAM (n = 138) students. Ultimately, researchers found that students frequently mentioned the autonomous atmosphere of STREAM School when describing their experiences. For some, the transition to a highly autonomous environment was difficult and required teacher scaffolding. However, analysis of standardized test scores demonstrated that STREAM students either outperformed or were right on par with their peers in math, science, and language arts. These findings indicated the program was not detrimental to students’ mastery of mandated content standards. In addition, the S-STEM and IMI surveys indicated that students’ attitudes toward math improved after their STREAM School experience, and students felt most motivated by the projects that offered them the most freedom and choice. This study addresses a major issue in modern education: how to provide students with freedom in their learning while keeping them deeply engaged in the material and performing well on standardized tests