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Blind Entanglements
Get PDFFor my performance presentation, I will first discuss our current and future relationship with technology. Then, I will perform an excerpt of a short story called “Hustle Helpers.” The story is told by Greg, an employee of a large tech corporation called Eternity Enterprises. Greg has been injected with nanobots that cause him to hallucinate Jason, a person who motivates him to work harder and faster until he becomes exhausted and must choose between his life and his job. The story explores the erasure between life and work, the dwindling border between the real world and the virtual world, and individual choice in a world that enforces efficiency and productivity at all costs. I will follow the reading with questions. My goal for this presentation is to encourage people to think more reflectively about the technology we use and how it becomes entangled in our lives. I see the possibility for technology to be both advantageous and detrimental, especially as we adopt technologies that are productive, efficient, and life changing, but that also trap us in cycles of dependence, addiction, physical ailment, and overwork. The stories I write are meant to be an example of such reflection.
For my performance presentation, I will first discuss our current and future relationship with technology. Then, I will perform an excerpt of a short story called “Hustle Helpers.” The story is told by Greg, an employee of a large tech corporation called Eternity Enterprises. Greg has been injected with nanobots that cause him to hallucinate Jason, a person who motivates him to work harder and faster until he becomes exhausted and must choose between his life and his job. The story explores the erasure between life and work, the dwindling border between the real world and the virtual world, and individual choice in a world that enforces efficiency and productivity at all costs. I will follow the reading with questions. My goal for this presentation is to encourage people to think more reflectively about the technology we use and how it becomes entangled in our lives. I see the possibility for technology to be both advantageous and detrimental, especially as we adopt technologies that are productive, efficient, and life changing, but that also trap us in cycles of dependence, addiction, physical ailment, and overwork. The stories I write are meant to be an example of such reflection.
For my performance presentation, I will first discuss our current and future relationship with technology. Then, I will perform an excerpt of a short story called “Hustle Helpers.” The story is told by Greg, an employee of a large tech corporation called Eternity Enterprises. Greg has been injected with nanobots that cause him to hallucinate Jason, a person who motivates him to work harder and faster until he becomes exhausted and must choose between his life and his job. The story explores the erasure between life and work, the dwindling border between the real world and the virtual world, and individual choice in a world that enforces efficiency and productivity at all costs. I will follow the reading with questions. My goal for this presentation is to encourage people to think more reflectively about the technology we use and how it becomes entangled in our lives. I see the possibility for technology to be both advantageous and detrimental, especially as we adopt technologies that are productive, efficient, and life changing, but that also trap us in cycles of dependence, addiction, physical ailment, and overwork. The stories I write are meant to be an example of such reflection
Fintech: how and is it being taught in academia?
Get PDFMerriam Webster defines Fintech as “products and companies that employ newly developed digital and online technologies in the banking and financial services industries” (Merriam-Webster). Fintech, short for financial technology, is not new; however, it has become a hot topic as of recently. During the pandemic, Fintech and the many apps and programs that make up financial technology began to surge. Applications that made applying for loans and moving money easily between friends and businesses were of utmost importance during this time. Instant financial results and access are only continuing in demand. The days of going into a brick-and-mortar building and sitting with a person for a lengthy period to discuss your finances are starting to become outdated. However, even with the demand for Fintech and its abilities to streamline monetary transactions, the trust in the security of these applications is still low. Cumulatively, there has been over $7 billion stolen in the crypto space, so it is also clear that the cybersecurity of crypto and public trust in adoption is also an important topic (Thapa, 2022). Our data collection comprises of a survey that is sent out to the faculty at various schools to gather data about the current state of how Fintech is being taught at universities. In addition, we examine a plethora of academic journals to gather information about what is being taught, what should be taught and how the current state of Fintech in academia can be improved
Heterogeneity Among Harveyi Clade-Specific Virulence Genes and Attribution of These Genes to Possible Environmental Carriers
Get PDFIn the face of global warming, waterborne pathogens are evolving rapidly and expanding geographically. The Vibrio Harveyi clade encompasses a number of human and aquatic organism pathogens, and due to their physiology, they may benefit from ongoing changes in the temperature, pH, and salinity of the global Ocean. With this, the Southeastern United States might become an accommodating environment for Harveyi clade species, and it is imperative to monitor for their abundance and distribution in the environment. A qPCR assay was developed for the detection and quantification of clade-specific virulence genes toxRvh, hly, toxR, luxR, srp, vhha, vhh, and vhp. These genes were detected in waters and sediments at all three study sites in Georgia (USA). This study showed а usual temporal trend with higher gene concentrations in summer months while also revealing a heterogeneity in Harveyi clade virulence genes. These results evidence that the Harveyi clade Vibrio are split into two distinct groups in Georgia waters; one group represented by toxR and srp were less adapted to elevated temperatures, alkali pH, and low salinity compared to the group harboring luxR, vhp, vhha, and vhh. Moreover, lack of detection of V. harveyi and V. campbellii, the most known pathogens of the clade, suggests that these Vibrios are not the carriers for the aforementioned virulence genes. The positive response to elevated temperature and low pH exhibited by Vibrio pathogens in this research demands their future study as prospective agents of future Vibrio disease outbreaks
An introduction to dirings
No full textIn this paper, we introduce the notion of diring as a generalization of rings and digroups. We treat basic properties of dirings and provide several examples. In addition, several notions of ring theory such as ideals and homomorphisms are considered in the newly introduced framework. Finally, we construct Leibniz algebra and quasi-Jordan algebra structures on non-commutative algebras by using diring operations
Sense of Belonging and Transition to College: A Qualitative Case Study of Freshmen and Sophomores in Physics and Chemistry
No full textDifficulty in retaining college students in STEM majors is one of the key contributors to the scarcity of STEM graduates and a short supply of STEM workers in the United States. Two factors that are closely related to retention and achievement are transition to college and sense of belonging and involvement. We conducted a case study to explore the transitional experiences and sense of belonging of five low-income, academically talented college freshmen and sophomores in chemistry and physics. Although participants reported a high sense of belonging, this alone did not necessarily lead to retention. Involvement in academic organizations and activities such as clubs and research groups played a more important role in the scholars’ decisions to remain in their degree programs. The findings of our research also suggest that faculty in STEM areas may benefit from systematic professional development with a focus on curriculum design and pedagogy
Assessing the Validity of Criminological Theories of Misconduct in Jail
No full textThis research examines the validity of criminological theories of misconduct in jails, a setting often overlooked in research on this topic. Prior research suggests that the processes that underlie offending within prisons are distinct from those which contribute to community offending. To determine if the context of misconduct within jails is distinct from that which occurs in prisons, and to test other theories of deviance, we surveyed those incarcerated in two jails about their misconduct experiences. Findings indicate that importation, code support, and differential associations are robust predictors of misconduct in this jail sample. Given the prevalence of jails in the criminal justice system, it is imperative to continue to assess misconduct to improve the safety of these institutions
IS professors’ perspectives on AI-assisted programming
No full textWith the rapid rise in generative AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT and SQL Query Builder, there has been an increased interest in how these programs play a role in academia, specifically in higher education. The goal of this research paper is to gain an understanding on how Computer Science (CS) and Information Systems (IS) professors view these new technologies, and how they perceive they will affect academia moving forward. A survey was conducted, whereby we wanted to gain an insight into how the sudden rise of AI chatbots, specifically ChatGPT and SQL Query Builder, were playing a part in academia, and where professors believe it will lead. Our findings are discussed, and the data collected from the responses is also displayed. Finally, we conclude with a discussion on what we believe should be future areas of research with regards to this topic, based on other questions that came about as a result of our research
Diatom Voucher Flora and Comparison of Collection and Taxonomic Methods for Biodiversity Hotspot Upper Three Runs Creek
No full textIncorporating diatoms species and their autecology from reference stream conditions is essential for improving the accuracy of North American diatom bioassessments. This study documents a voucher flora and physicochemical conditions of Upper Three Runs Creek (UTRC), a tributary to the Savannah River that has been protected from heavy human activity for the last 50 years. The algae of UTRC and its watershed have been monitored continuously during this time by the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia to detect potential impacts from the Savannah River Site and Plant Vogtle. Standard protocols were used to sample and denote substrate types and preferences and to estimate relative abundances of diatom species. Data from artificial substrates (diatometers) were compared to composite samples. Phenotypic plasticity of taxa from Gomphonema parvulum, Eunotia incisa, and Tabellaria flocculosa sensu lato species complexes were considered in biodiversity metrics. We provide documentation of these separations. A total of 297 species/operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were recorded. For 2018 samples, Eunotia rhomboidea accounted for 8.3% for separated taxa methods and G. parvulum sensu lato (16.2%) dominated for combined taxa methods. Luticola goeppertiana (5.4%) was the most abundant taxon in the 1956 samples. The 1956 composite samples species richness means were greater and significantly greater than those for other sample types (ANOVA, df = 3, p = 0.004). The recounted 1956 composite samples had the highest species richness (153) followed by the left diatometer (129). At the same location, the right and left diatometers were not similar. Both methods (diatometers and composite sampling) are useful when assessing species richness. Diatom community composition indicated an acidic and highly oxygenated environment
Development of a Novel COX II Mitochondrial DNA Marker for Rat Fecal Contamination.**
No full textRodent feces can contain dangerous human microbial pathogens that are a serious health hazard to the human population. Currently, there is no known rapid assay to detect rodent fecal contamination. In this study, a rapid PCR-based mitochondrial DNA primer pair was constructed as it enabled the detection of rodent fecal pollution in environmental samples. Environmental samples were all tested using end-point PCR after filtration and then extraction of DNA using the DNeasy Powersoil pro kit. These primers were designed to specifically detect rodent feces that belong to the Rattus Sp. taxonomic group. Rodent samples from various counties in Georgia were obtained and used as positive controls. PCR primers for rat COX-II mitochondria DNA were used to specifically detect rodent fecal DNA from several rat samples. The primers did not cross react with human, dog, cow, deer, chicken, mice, or squirrel fecal DNA. The rodent fecal PCR assay was then successfully used to detect rodent fecal pollution in estuarine water samples. The link between prominent disease-causing pathogens and rodent fecal pollution in heavily populated areas is cause for concern. This study can then aid in rapid detection of rodents, enabling the strategic construction of disease management protocols
