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Four Colorful Methods for Finding the Chromatic Polynomial
Full text linkMathematicians apply algebraic graph theory to address and interpret problems arising out of data structures and optimization. For example, graph coloring problems have intrigued mathematicians and computer scientists alike. The chromatic polynomial was created to help solve such problems. This research aims to create a greater understanding of the underlying structures behind chromatic polynomials by analyzing the algebraic, deletion-contraction, and color partition methods. Each method has differing applications, but by viewing them all together, this research hopes to show the depth of this most interesting subject in a condensed manner
Factors that Contribute to Completing Gateway Math Course at Southern University
Full text linkAt Southern University in Shreveport, Louisiana, there are several pathways students can take to complete the institution’s required Gateway Math Courses (GMC). The GMC consists of Math 133, Math 135, and Math 136. Currently, there is a significantly low passing rate for these courses potentially due to several factors such as the student’s math ACT score, the student’s age, whether or not the student took optional developmental math courses beforehand, and whether or not the student took these courses online or in person
Computational Design of Complex Concentrated Alloys
No full textA high-throughput parameterization of modified embedded atom model (MEAM) interatomic potentials for combinations of Cu, Ti, Ni, Cr, Co, Al, Fe, and Mn was carried out using a genetic algorithm. Unary systems were parameterized based on DFT calculations and experimental results. MEAM potentials for 28 binary and 56 ternary combinations of the elements were parameterized to DFT results that were carried out with semi-automated frameworks. Specific attention was made to reproduce properties that impact compositional segregation, material strength, and mechanics. Utilizing the MEAM interatomic potentials and a Monte Carlo scheme, phase segregation in the CrNiCo, CuNiCr and CuNiCo fcc alloys was investigated. It was shown that while CrNiCo remained single phase, CuNiCr and CuNiCo segregated to a considerable degree. Calculating the probability distribution of minimum energy structures demonstrated that the CuNiCr and CuNiCo had two sharp peaks including a Cu-poor hard phase and Cu-rich soft phase. This specific behavior of identified CCAs in phase segregation provides an extra pathway to tailor the mechanical properties of CCAs and predicting phase transformation from single phase to dual phase at high temperatures. The results of the new models were validated against CALPHAD predictions and experimental measurements. The effects of W content on phase segregation and the shear strength of CrNiCo were studied using a set of newly developed MEAM interatomic potentials. The models were fit to the physical and mechanical properties of unary, binary, and ternary systems to reproduce experiment and density functional theory results. Calculations showed that phase segregation occurred at 6-10% W content, consistent with experiment. For fully mixed systems, the simulations demonstrated that W content had little impact on the shear strength of crystals without dislocations. However, in the cases with a dislocation, a small amount of W significantly increased the shear strength in a similar manner as experiment. The presence of W was shown to cause dislocation pinning effects that hindered shear displacement. The CuNiCr alloy was observed to compositionally segregate into two fcc phases, one that was Cu rich soft phase, while the other was Cu poor hard phase. The soft phase was found to have lower shear strength than the hard phase by a modest degree for systems without dislocations present. When dislocations were introduced, the difference between the soft and hard phases was much greater. Simulations revealed that when the matrix is hard with a soft precipitate containing a dislocation, the shear strength is comparable to the fully mixed system with the same composition. In contrast, a soft matrix containing a dislocation with a hard precipitate enhances the system’s strength significantly in comparison to a fully mixed system with the same composition. These were found to be a consequence of the hard phase hindering dislocation movement. These observations align well with experimental data from literature
Case Study of How Effective School Leaders Influence the Contexts of Formative Evaluations that Strengthen Teacher Efficacy
Full text linkAn instrumental case study was implemented to understand how effective school leaders influence the contexts of formative evaluations that strengthen teacher efficacy. The study took place in a rural, public school district ranked as an A school by the State Department of Education in student achievement for the past three years. The principal, two master teachers, and four classroom teachers were interviewed and observed to explore how the context of formative evaluations strengthened teacher efficacy at their school. Findings from this study show that school leaders successfully facilitate teachers’ professional efficacy by personalizing the evaluation process and being goal-oriented, focusing evaluations on growth rather than accountability, consistently communicating high-quality feedback, providing opportunities for collaboration, and building relationships. The school leadership team is responsible for creating an environment where the relationship between the overall school context and the formative evaluations context works in tandem to build teacher efficacy and improve student achievement
Exploring the Relationships between Motivations, Beliefs, Emotions, and Behaviors in the Context of Organizational Change Readiness
Full text linkOrganizational change is an inevitable and key feature of an organization’s lifecycle, especially in today’s constantly shifting technological, cultural, and corporate landscapes. However, organizations often struggle to adapt, and change initiatives rarely succeed. Because of this, organizational change readiness has become a popular area of study in the field of industrial-organization psychology. Change readiness in the organizational context has been redefined several times over the past four decades, with recent efforts focused on developing a comprehensive definition and corresponding instrument of measurement for the concept. Change readiness at the individual level is intended to evaluate the psychological state in which someone is inclined to accept or support a change that alters the current condition of their organization. An employee’s level of change readiness has implications for the organization as a whole and is predictive of whether a change initiative will succeed or fail. Understanding the unique personal, social, and contextual elements that precede individual change readiness and how to measure them accurately is critical to the organizational change model. Without this information, it is difficult to accurately predict when, how, or why one may engage in change-supportive behaviors. This study builds on an existing change-readiness model by incorporating motivation as a key component of the individual attributes that influence one’s level of readiness for change. Motivation is assessed through the lens of reversal theory, as this theory offers a unique view of capturing individual variability in response to change. Prior work has focused mainly on the cognition (belief) and affect (emotion) components of change readiness. This study examines the ever-changing relationship between motivations, beliefs, and emotions in the context of organizational change readiness. This is done through developing a theory-based instrument, utilizing novel research methods of congruency, and assessing positive organizational outcomes. The goal of the study was to contribute to both the theoretical and practical domains of organizational change by offering a deeper understanding of the human element and providing a valuable tool for practitioners in industrial-organizational psychology and human resource management. A linear model with an interaction term was utilized to assess the relationship between motivations and behaviors in regard to change-supportive behaviors. The results of this study reveal instances of support for a congruence effect between beliefs and motivation, particularly when individuals are motivated by goal achievement and organizational cohesion. Affect was shown to have a significant relationship with change-supportive behaviors, and further analyses revealed a nuanced relationship between affect and the congruency effect of beliefs and motivations. Overall, the results and limitations of this study provide contributions to the current literature, as well as potential avenues for future research
What\u27s Age Got to Do with It? A Re-Examination of the Factor Structure of the Revised Fraboni Scale of Ageism
Full text linkIndividuals in the workforce increasingly achieve higher education, live longer, and remain in the workforce longer than previous generations. At the same time, ageist stereotypes and age discrimination persist, costing companies millions of dollars, generating negative PR, and contributing to harmful physical and mental effects on individuals. There have been calls for more research on ageism and its measurement tools to continuously evaluate the psychometric quality and construct validity of ageism scales. Therefore, the primary purpose of the current research was to replicate previous work related to the construct validity and factorial composition of the Fraboni Scale of Ageism, a commonly applied instrument measuring ageist attitudes. Factor analyses on a new, representative U.S. sample supported the FSA\u27s multidimensionality. However, they revealed inconsistencies in the composition of items falling into these factors compared to the 2005 version of the instrument. Specifically, the findings of this research indicated a somewhat contrasting clustering of items than that of the original (1990) and revised (2005) versions of the instrument. In addition to these findings, younger individuals had higher ageism scores than older individuals, and men had higher ageism scores than women, reiterating findings of prior research and posited theory on ageist attitudes. Practical and theoretical implications of these conclusions are discussed, including the notion of moving toward the application of measures that capture more modern, contemporary ageism theory as opposed to older measures grounded in outdated theoretical frameworks. From a practical perspective, this research could also have implications on organizational intervention design related to factors like organizational climate, culture, or DE&I that can potentially contribute to addressing ageism
Terrestrial Salinization Impacts on Growth and Behavior of a Common Detritivore Armadillidium vulgare (Isopoda)
Full text linkClimate change and human activities are changing the nutritional landscape by increasing the availability of some essential elements and decreasing others. Sodium (Na) is an essential element in heterotrophs, which is required for water regulation, nerve function, and muscle function. Heterotrophs can acquire Na through diet and environment, often experiencing limited availability of Na due to plants concentrating Na 10-100 times less than heterotrophs need. The Sodium Subsidy-Stress (SSS) hypothesis posits that organismal performance follows a hump-shaped curve of a physiological response, where Na acts as a subsidy, increasing organismal performance such as growth until an optimal threshold is reached, after which Na becomes stressful to organisms and performance decreases. The SSS hypothesis can apply to heterotrophs and salt taken in though diet or environment. This refers not only to herbivores consuming living plant life but also to detritivores consuming the detritus that plants produce. This means that decomposers can also experience a salt subsidy or stress. The physiological and ecological consequences of both dietary and environmental Na availability on detritivores, specifically the terrestrial isopod, Armadillidium vulgare, can indirectly affect decomposition rates. I tested the predictions that isopods (Armadillidium vulgare), which are nearly ubiquitous detritivores, follows a subsidy stress response to a gradient of Na availability. Additionally, I tested how dietary NaCl and environmental NaCl pathways impacted growth, survival, assimilation efficiency, mass-specific consumption, water body content, behavior, and tissue concentration. Isopods were exposed to a 3x3 factorial design of dietary NaCl (low, medium, and high) and environmental NaCl (low, medium, and high). In the first experiment, dietary Na availability was manipulated using an artificial diet, and a natural diet with single isopods in laboratory microcosms. In a second experiment, isopod dietary Na availability was manipulated using a natural diet of senesced oak leaves with single isopods in a laboratory microcosm. In these two experiments, environmental Na treatments were the same. Lastly, in a third experiment, environmental Na was manipulated as only low and medium NaCl on isopods raised in groups of 10 per microcosm, and dietary Na was not manipulated. In this way, we were able to explore different diets\u27 effects on salt intake and look at group effects on salt intake via environmental NaCl. A behavioral trial with four quadrant petri dishes of varying environmental NaCl (low, medium, high, and a higher option) was used to look for lasting effects of dietary Na and environmental Na treatments on isopod salt selection. A Na tissue analysis was used to look at internal Na content after treatments. Isopod growth in the artificial diet experiment was minimal but followed a subsidy-stress curve (a quadratic relationship) driven primarily by the environment. In contrast, growth was minimal or negative in the natural diet experiment and showed a positive linear relationship between growth and sodium. The artificial diet also found a slight quadratic relationship driven by environment isopod percent body water content and isopod tissue concentration. The artificial diet also showed a difference in assimilation efficiency in the first week with low environmental treatments showing higher efficiency. The natural diet showed an environmentally driven quadratic relationship in Na tissue content and an interaction between diet and the environment for mass-specific consumption. The group\u27s trials showed no effect sodium treatments had on growth, isopod body water content, and isopod tissue. In addition, in behavioral trials, isopods consistently choose to be in higher salt levels compared to lower levels. These results add to evidence that Na acts as a constraint on decomposition and that ecosystem responses follow a subsidy-stress curve
Assessment of Mediterranean Diet Adherence Using the KIDMED Diet 2.0 Tool: College Student Questionnaire
Full text linkThe Mediterranean Diet has garnered increasing popularity due to its multifaceted health benefits. The MedDiet enhances well-being across all age groups, emphasizing high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and whole grains and moderate fish, poultry, and dairy intake. Recent research underscores the significant impact of Mediterranean diet adherence on college students\u27 physical and mental health. The diet\u27s emphasis on nutrient-dense foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants supports cognitive function, which is pivotal for academic performance. Moreover, the abundant presence of healthy fats, particularly from olive oil and fatty fish, may contribute to improved mood regulation, potentially alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression commonly experienced by college students. This study aimed to explore the dietary habits of college students and their adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, investigating its potential correlations with academic performance, cognitive function, and mental health outcomes. While previous research has highlighted the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet in various populations, including adults and elderly individuals, its specific impact on college students remains underexplored. Given this demographics’ unique stressors and lifestyle challenges, understanding how dietary choices influence their physical and mental well-being is crucial. The rationale for this study stems from the growing concern over the nutritional status and mental health of college students, who often experience high levels of stress and academic pressure. Poor dietary habits during this critical developmental stage may compromise immediate health and impact long-term outcomes. The Mediterranean Diet offers a promising framework for promoting health among college students, as its components support physiological functions essential for learning, memory retention, and emotional regulation. Furthermore, the Mediterranean Diet aligns with current nutritional guidelines that emphasize the consumption of whole, minimally processed foods over highly processed alternatives. By focusing on natural sources of nutrients and antioxidants, this dietary approach may mitigate the detrimental effects of poor nutrition commonly observed in young adults, including inadequate micronutrient intake and imbalanced fatty acid profiles. The primary objectives of this study include assessing the prevalence of Mediterranean Diet adherence among college students, identifying factors influencing dietary choices within this population, and examining associations between diet quality and academic performance. Methodologically, the study employs a cross-sectional survey design to collect dietary data and academic metrics from a diverse sample of college students across multiple campuses. The lack of culinary knowledge and the skills necessary for meal prep have emerged as significant barriers, emphasizing the need for educational interventions to equip students with the tools to make healthier dietary choices. This study highlights the significant role of cooking skills and confidence in shaping dietary habits among college students. Older students, who are more confident in their cooking abilities, tend to have higher KIDMED scores and cook more frequently, leading to better adherence to the MedDiet principles. Additionally, Barr et al. (2020) noted that 83% of participants perceived healthier diets due to cooking classes, underscoring the importance of culinary education in fostering more nutritious eating habits. Ultimately, combining cooking skills and cooking frequency directly correlates with dietary choices and nutritional intake, which is pivotal in determining long-term health outcomes and aging trajectories. From the results of this study, participants with greater confidence in their cooking skills had higher KIDMED scores. Participants with greater confidence in their cooking skills cooked more often, which correlated with higher KIDMED scores. Older college students typically have more experience with independent living, including cooking and meal preparation, enhancing their confidence in cooking skills. With more years spent in college, these students often develop better time management skills, allowing them to allocate time for preparing balanced and nutritious meals. Furthermore, they are more likely to have increased awareness and understanding of the importance of healthy eating habits due to prolonged exposure to health education and resources available on campus. The study found that participants who cooked more frequently had higher KIDMED scores. Frequent cooking is associated with greater control over food choices, portion sizes, and ingredient quality. Individuals who regularly prepare their meals are more likely to incorporate fresh, wholesome ingredients aligned with MedDiet guidelines, improving dietary adherence. This finding is supported by Bernardo et al. (2021), who identified characteristics such as high knowledge of nutrition and the importance placed on a healthy diet as predictors of increased vegetable consumption. Although our study noted some discrepancies, the overall trend suggests that cooking at home plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy diet. In conclusion, promoting the adoption of MedDiet principles among college-age students holds significant promise for enhancing their health and well-being. Research suggests that such dietary practices improve cognitive function, aid in weight management, and contribute to better mental health outcomes. However, future studies should consider the limitations identified, such as sample size variability and potential biases in self-reported data, to refine our understanding and ensure broader applicability across diverse student populations. By incorporating MedDiet principles into their daily routines, college students can establish healthy habits that support academic success and long-term well-being, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and sustained research in this crucial area of public health
Oral Nutritional Supplement Prescription and Adherence Perspectives
Full text linkOral nutritional supplements (ONS) are nutrient-dense beverages that aid in meeting the nutrient needs of patients. Recent research has indicated that patient adherence to prescribed nutritional supplements may depend on palatability, tolerance, and taste fatigue. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are healthcare professionals who may prescribe these supplements directly or make recommendations to the patient’s physician for a prescription, thereby influencing patient adherence. Little research has been documented regarding taste fatigue and the influences of the RDN’s decisions on patient adherence to nutritional supplement adherence. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the perspectives of nutrition professionals regarding oral supplement prescriptions, patient/client adherence issues, and taste fatigue. A convenience, purposive sample of adults over the age of 18 was recruited using network sampling. Those who were RDNs, Dietetic Technicians, and Food Service Employees were eligible to participate. An online questionnaire was developed and distributed using Qualtrics survey software. Eligible potential participants were first provided with a consent form and, if consented, were linked to a 29-question researcher-developed questionnaire. The questionnaire included characteristics of their workplace, ONS prescription processes, patient education regarding the ONS prescription, and the RDN perceptions of ONS taste fatigue and other issues impacting adherence. Data analysis was completed utilizing SPSS version 28.0. Findings included that approximately half of the participants’ report prescribing ONS as a daily supplement, the most common frequency being twice daily. Thirty-eight percent of the participants reported spending less than five minutes explaining the benefits and importance of ONS prescription adherence. Interestingly, the participants also reported that they considered this an adequate amount of time despite their experience with adherence. Increasing time spent with the patient could lead to identifying the root cause of the individual’s adherence barrier. In doing so, nutrition professionals could determine understanding of the supplement prescription as part of medical nutrition therapy, determine if the cost will be an issue and, if so, provide home-prepared recipes to limit cost, and thereby take steps to prevent taste fatigue while increasing prescription adherence. Facilities could create standard education materials highlighting the importance and benefits of complying with ONS prescriptions. The educational sheet should include the facility-specific ONS formulary for ease. The sheet could highlight the main components to look for e.g.- calories and protein. This procedure and/or policy in place could ensure nutritional professionals are spending an adequate amount of time with the patient/client educating them on the importance of ONS compliance. About half of the participants (50.8%) identified that their patients had a brand preference for ONS, and more than half of those preferred a different ONS brand than the one offered by their facility. Further exploring could reveal if there is a preferred brand by the majority of their patient population. If a particular brand is preferred, nutrition professionals could speak to their administration about formulary changes. If the brand preference is related to cost, nutritional professionals could potentially work with the patient’s care team to receive ONS insurance approval. Thirty-two percent of patients receive ONS during mealtimes and between mealtimes, and 19.7% receive ONS exclusively at mealtimes. Prescribing ONS during mealtimes could decrease the patient/client’s food intake during mealtimes. This procedure would be problematic because ONS are designed to meet the gap between a patient/client’s food intake and nutritional requirements. Nutritional professionals could work with food service employees to implement ONS delivery between mealtimes to help with ONS adherence and not interfere with the patient’s food intake. The study found that RDNs felt that 67.2% of the participants’ patients experienced taste fatigue. Taste-tasting various ONS brands could aid in selecting ONS for the patient. Nutrition professionals could provide patients with recipes and/or individual ingredients that could enhance the “base” flavor, such as a vanilla ONS. Enhancing the “base” flavor could allow the patient/client to experience many flavors to help with taste fatigue. Interestingly, 26.2% of nutritional professionals reported there were no formal discharge plans for prescribing ONS and only 11.5% of them sent a prescription prior to discharge. Formal discharge plans could also include the nutritional professional’s ONS prescription and the ONS educational handout in the discharge paperwork to reiterate the importance of this prescription. If insurance does not cover the ONS prescription, ONS coupons could also be included with the patient’s discharge paperwork to aid in cost. These could help with increasing ONS adherence which could decrease the presence of malnutrition. Fifteen percent of the participants reported they were unsure what their patient’s adherence barriers included. To understand their patients’ barriers, it would be beneficial and necessary for the nutritional professional to follow up with their patients/clients. This could potentially mean there is a gap in inpatient/outpatient care. This indicates that formal discharge planning is vital in patient care outcomes. A 15-minute follow-up a couple of weeks after the patient is discharged could aid the nutritional professional in further recommendations based on what the patient/client reports. This would also bridge the gap for nutritional professionals being unsure of what their patient/client’s adherence barriers are. Cost was the main barrier to adherence (41%). Forty-one percent of the participants reported they recommend home-prepared oral nutrition supplements. Of those, 34.4 percent of them provided recipes. Home-prepared ONS could help patients with cost when compared to commercial-prepared ONS. Further research is needed regarding home-prepared ONS as it could decrease cost and taste fatigue. Also, exploring many enhancers to this home-prepared “base” ONS could give the patient/client the ability to experience many types of flavors. Giving them the option to enhance their ONS with many flavors could decrease the likelihood of taste fatigue
The Post-Closet Home: Queer Domesticity, Enclosure, and Queer Southern Gothicism in Lee Mandelo\u27s Summer Sons
Full text linkIn current discussions of queer theory, terms such as “post-gay” leave room for misrepresentation. The premise behind this term serves a primarily cisgenderheterosexual agenda by promising the assimilation of queer individuals into the dominant society. For this reason, I prefer to align the term “post-closet” with the queer person’s journey towards, and past, such societal barriers while maintaining the significance of foundational queer theories. In his novel Summer Sons, Lee Mandelo depicts Andrew Blur’s journey through the grief-ridden confines of the closet as he seeks a new identity following the death of his best friend. Mandelo accomplishes this by juxtaposing two layers of enclosure to the openness of nature. The first layer of these enclosures is that of automotives as a primary means of expressive masculinity and sexuality. The bedrooms in the house at Capitol Street serve as the next layer of enclosure, but they are not as confining as the cars. Andrew is free to move from one room to another as he progresses through his sexual identity. These enclosures oppose the openness of nature as Andrew must return to the old family home to release a cursed and haunted past back into the earth. As a self-identified Queer Southern Gothic novel, Summer Sons utilizes familiar gothic themes to translate Andrew’s journey through the familiar gothic-as-queer tradition as he progresses towards a post-closet identity