1941 research outputs found
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Implicit Relational Learning In Multiple-Object Tracking Task: Do People Really Track Objects?
No full textOlga F. Lazareva (Mentory)Earlier, we showed that multiple-object tracking task can be used to examine explicit relational learning. In this task, participants were instructed to track four out of eight objects and report at the end of the trial whether a single cued object was among those they tracked (yes/no task). The display also contained two bars of different width. In Informative condition, the location of the cued object predicted the correct choice. If the answer was "yes", then the object was located next to the narrower bar; otherwise, it was located next to the wider bar (or vice versa). In Random condition, the location
of the object did not predict the correct choice. We found that participants in Informative condition
were more accurate when instructed to track 2 out of 8 objects than when instructed to track 4 out 8 objects. This result suggests that participants in Informative condition do track the objects, even though their answer at the end of the trial is clearly influenced by the contextual background information. In the next experiment, we manipulated the availability of background information by either presenting the bars at the very end of the trial (Bars Shown condition) or removing them at the very end of the trial (Bars Removed condition). We found that performance in Bars Removed condition has deteriorated significantly, while performance in Bars Shown condition remained highly accurate, suggesting that the contextual background information is utilized when participants are making their final choice.Drake University, Department of Psychology, College of Arts & Science
Identifying Human Host Proteins That Interact With Influenza A Polymerase Proteins Using The Yeast Two-Hybrid System
No full textHeidi Sleister, MentorInfluenza viruses are enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses which cause 250,000 to 500,000 deaths per year. Understanding how influenza A viral proteins interact with human proteins is essential for identifying factors for species specificity and for developing effective antiviral treatments. The influenza A genome encodes up to 12 proteins, including the polymerase complex consisting of PB1, PB2, and PA. Influenza genes used in this study were amplified from influenza A viruses isolated from swine: H1N1 (PB1-NC, PB2-NC, PA-NC, all of swine origin) and H3N2 (PB1-MN (human origin), PB2-MN (avian origin)). PCR, with a high fidelity polymerase and gene-specific primers, was used for amplification of each of the influenza A genes. PCR products were isolated and used for recombination cloning with the pGBKT7 vector in E. coli cells. Thus far the “bait” pGBKT7 plasmid has been successfully constructed. Yeast 2-hybrid technology (Y2H) will be used to identify which human “prey” proteins interact with the influenza A polymerase proteins.Drake University, Department of Biology, Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology Program, Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Department of Chemistry, College of Arts & Science
An Empirical Study Of The Promise And Effectiveness Of Teachers From Professional Development Vs. Traditional Models Of Education
Full text link109 pagesTeacher preparatory programs need to evaluate their programs to determine if they are
producing highly effective teachers. This study utilized the professional development school
(PDS) program versus the traditional program to determine if there was a difference in the
promise and effectiveness of pre-service teachers.
The study analyzed the difference between PDS and traditional pre-service teachers
utilizing descriptive statistics, t-tests for independent means, and the Fisher’s Exact Test to
consider the background of pre-service teachers. Promise was assessed using t-tests for
independent means focusing on the Praxis II scores. Effectiveness was evaluated using the
Mann-Whitney U tests for independent means utilizing the percent of students scoring proficient
on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests during the teachers’ first year teaching. Effect
size and power were also calculated.
The findings yielded one statistically significant difference between PDS and traditional
pre-service teachers within the demographic evaluation; there were proportionately more males
enrolled in the traditional program. There were no statistically significant differences found in
the areas of promise and effectiveness. When measuring the effect sizes a medium –to-large
difference was found showing the mean percent of proficient students in the PDS group being
larger than the mean percent of proficient in the traditional group in mathematics. This result
should be considered an area of further investigation.
This study is recommended to be replicated on a statewide basis to include all colleges
that participate in PDS programs due to the medium-to-large effect sizes found. Qualitative
studies are warranted to learn more about the impact the PDS program has on pre-service
teachers and the students in their future classrooms
Characterization of Matrix Metalloproteinases From Breast Cancer Cells
No full textPramod Mahajan (Mentor)Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes in the extracellular matrix that are involved in a variety of functions including differentiation of cells, cell adhesion, and cell-to-cell interactions. A subclass of MMPs known as gelatinases (MMP-2 and -9) are associated with breast cancer metastasis due to their ability to degrade type-IV collagen, a constituent of basement membranes. Therefore, significant interest exists in developing therapeutic agents, which might prevent or decrease cancer metastasis. Breast cancer is the most prevalent invasive cancer in women worldwide. Genistein, a soy isoflavone has anti-breast cancer properties. This project seeks to measure the effect that genistein on the activity of the gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. Here we describe our experiments to (i) establish assays for the gelatinases, (ii) detection of gelatinases in human breast cancer cells and (iii) analyze effects of genistein on gelatinase activity. Mammary carcinoma cells HTB-19 and HTB-20 are grown to log phase, harvested by trypsinization and whole cell extracts were prepared using well-established protocols. Activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 is detected by gelatin zymography using 10% acrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by reactivation, incubation of the gel in presence of specific metal ions and coomassie blue staining. Presence of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human breast cancer cells is confirmed by western blot analysis using specific antibodies against these proteins. Results obtained in these studies and their significance for growth of human mammary cancer cells will be discussed.Drake University, Department of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical & Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Health Science
Perceptions of Truthfulness and Communication Anxiety in Online Employment Interviews
Full text link56 pagesIn organizations, the past decade has seen an increase in the popularity of Skype as a firstround
employment interview tool. Due to Skype’s speed, quality, and transmittal of sound and
video, it is sometimes thought of as a substitute for face-to-face. However, is this a fair
substitution? In a survey-based study, we investigated the difference between Skype and faceto-
face interviews by examining two critical assessment traits: truthfulness and communication
anxiety. Our results showed that interviewers in an academic setting perceived candidates to be
less honest via Skype than they do face-to-face, even when candidates seemed equally
competent. Our results also showed that interviewers perceived equal communication anxiety
through both mediums, though prior research suggests interviewee communication anxiety
would be higher over Skype
Ionization Of The Hydrogen Molecular Ion By Ultrashort Intense Elliptically Polarized Laser Radiation
No full textXiaoxu Guan (Mentor) ; Klaus Bartschat (Mentor)We report results for the single- and multi-photon ionization of the H2 + ion irradiated by ultrashort elliptically polarized laser pulses with central photon energies from the ionization threshold up to 300 eV. Using the fixed-nuclei approximation, the electronic response of the system is calculated through an ab initio time-dependent grid-based approach implemented in two-center prolate spheroidal coordinates. Cross sections for single-photon absorption are analyzed by means of a time-independent picture. We show that a concise decomposition of the cross-section pattern exists in terms of the linear and circular portions of the generally elliptical polarization. An asymmetric rotational effect in the angular distribution of the ejected electron is predicted and discussed according to the above decomposition. Furthermore, the dependence of the angular distributions on the pulse length is analyzed in detail.Drake University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, College of Arts & Science
Can Ficus Sp. Forests Be Restored Through Vegetative Propagation?
No full textMichael Renner (Mentor) ; Keith Summerville (Mentor) ; Ben Beck (Mentor)Gishwati forest lies within the Albertine Rift and contains great biodiversity. The forest, however, has been reduced in size because of post-genocide era habitat loss and agricultural expansion. Conservation efforts working to preserve the forest include a Rwandan NGO called Vision 2012, which planted approximately 400 Ficus sp. branch cuttings in summer 2011. Our goal was to assess the viability of these cuttings to see if vegetative propagation is a tool that can be used to reforest a corridor to connect forest fragments in western Rwanda. A corridor could greatly increase the biodiversity in Rwanda by allowing movement of the small chimpanzee population residing in Gishwati. During summer 2012, we located the Ficus sp. cuttings, mapped their spatial distribution using GPS and took measurements on height, DBH, and leave count. A total of 57.1% of the Ficus sp. that were originally planted survived the year and of those surviving, 90% contained at least 11 leaves per 25cm of height. A significant correlation between height of the individual and its leaf count was found, suggesting that the initial Ficus sp. cutting height may be a predictor of one-year survival probability. Our survivorship results support previous studies that have found survivorship from 0-77% depending on the Ficus species and the time of year the clippings were planted. Since 90% of the Ficus sp. were in fair condition and Ficus sp. is a common fall back food for chimpanzees in the Rwandan dry season, we conclude that Ficus sp. is a good candidate for corridor reforestation.Drake University, Environmental Science & Policy Program, College of Arts & Science
Digital Immigrants Teaching Digital Natives : A Phenomenological Study of Higher Education Faculty Perspectives on Technology Integration with English Core Content
Full text link1 online resource (154 leaves)In the last two decades, technology use has escalated and educators grapple with its
advances and integration into the classroom. Issues surrounding what constitutes a literate
society, the clarion calls for educational reform emanating from US presidents to parent
teacher organizations, and educators’ ability to cope with advances in technology in the
classroom demand attention. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to
explore and understand the professional and educational experiences of six English faculty
members teaching undergraduate courses at Midwest universities. Using the framework of
Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge – TPACK (Koehler and Mishra 2008), the
major focus of the study was to determine how faculty members understood what
characterized the nature of teaching with technology in undergraduate classrooms.
Results of this study revealed the following five themes showing how the
participants were introduced to technology, how they assimilated it into their pedagogy,
and how they integrated it into teaching practice:
Theme 1: Early pioneers in using technology with English course content;
Theme 2: Constant evolution of technologies proved to be challenging;
Theme 3: The changing nature of student learning prompted investment in teaching
with technology;
Theme 4: Expanded opportunities for depth and breadth of content;
Theme 5: Technology, pedagogy, and content are seamless in learning.
This study has the potential to impact the nature of illustrating the methods and
techniques used by the six participants as they merge technology, pedagogy, and content
knowledge and set in motion classroom practices that assist faculty at all levels to develop
and teach technology skills necessary for the 21st century and to better prepare students
for thinking critically about how to use digital advances
The Relationship Between The National Council of Churches of Christ and Roman Catholicism in the U.S.A.: As of 1967
Full text link1 online resource (58 p.
On The Integral Coding Advantage In Unit Combination Networks
Full text linkNetwork coding is a networking paradigm which allows network nodes to combine different pieces of data at various steps in the transmission rather than simply copying and forwarding the data. Network coding has various applications, and can be used to increase throughput, routing efficiency, robustness, and security. The original benefit that was demonstrated was improving the allowable transmission rate for a multicast session, and this application has been the focus of much research. One important parameter, the coding advantage, is the ratio of throughput with network coding to that without. The multicast networks that have a non-trivial coding advantage (i.e., coding advantage greater than 1) all seem to contain a substructure called the combination network which has a source, n relay nodes, and (n/k) receivers in which each receiver is adjacent to a unique subset of k relay nodes. The coding advantage in combination networks has previously been determined for networks with fractional routing. In this paper, we address integral routing, which is more appropriate for networks (like optical wavelength-division-multiplexing networks) which allow only coarse-grained subdivision of the available bandwidth on any given channel. We give exact formulas for the integral coding advantage in both directed and undirected networks