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Early Math Enrollment in Washington State Community Colleges
Get PDFMore than half of students in Washington state community colleges enroll in developmental mathematics, but a relatively small percentage of these students persist to the second year. Many students place into these courses and never enroll; others enroll at some point after the first academic term, even when faced with a large number of developmental courses before reaching college level. Some national policy reports (Couturier & Cullinane, 2015) identified mandating early math enrollment as a best practice, but this is not a statewide policy in Washington. This study assessed the impact of the student’s decision to enroll or not in developmental mathematics in the first term on their academic performance and persistence. This included an analysis to determine if there are different effects for students starting at different developmental levels.
The study examined math success for 42,816 first-time-in-college Washington community college students with an initial intent to transfer to a four-year university. These students entered the community colleges between 2011 and 2014. The study used contingency tables and comparison tests to evaluate differences in first term grade point average and college level math course completion between students beginning math in the first term of enrollment and students delaying their initial math enrollment. Hierarchical linear modeling and hierarchical generalized linear modeling were used to identify variables contributing to significant differences in student outcomes.
The study found a negative impact in first term grade point average associated with first term math enrollment, but a positive benefit on the completion of a college level math course within shorter time frames. Over longer time intervals, the difference in outcomes between early and later enrollees decreased. While impacts resulting from enrollment in a math course in the first term of attendance were identified, these impacts were small compared to the dramatic impacts on math success resulting from students’ initial math placement level and success in the first math course.
The findings suggested that policy makers at institutions and in community college systems need to address student math progression challenges through major changes to placement structures. In addition, attention to student support while enrolled in math courses and immediately after any course setbacks is needed. Finally, policy makers and administrators should undertake major revisions to developmental mathematics pathways.
Keywords: community college, developmental mathematics placement, developmental education, persistence, remedial mat
Influence of Political Liberalism on Contracting Prison Health Care
Get PDFStudies on prison contracting have typically focused on the privatization of entire facilities and carceral services offered to inmates. There has been limited research, however, as to how political ideology influences the extent to which state prisons contract out health care services. There also appears to be a need for further scholarship relating to how variation in health disparities among the incarcerated population influences a state or facility to seek outsourcing health care services. Since the 1980s the U.S. has witnessed increasing privatization, especially regarding prison management. Previous research suggests that conservative political ideology employs significant explanatory power in a state government’s decision to outsource public services to private firms. This essay will contribute to the literature by examining the effects of political liberalism on contracting out prison health care services in state prison systems. This study uses ordinary least squares regression analysis to examine the most currently available state-level data from all Departments of Corrections in the United States provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2011. The analysis used in this study found political ideology to not hold significant explanatory power in the extent to which Departments of Corrections contract out health services
Atomic Bifurcations of Degenerate Curves in 3D Linear Symmetric Tensor Fields
Get PDFTensor field topology is of importance to research areas of medicine, science, and engineering. Degenerate curves are one of the crucial topological features that provide valuable insights for tensor field visualization. In this thesis, we study the atomic bifurcations of degenerate curves in 3D linear second-order symmetric tensor fields, and present the findings of sub-scenarios generated by changing the number of degenerate curves, by reconnecting degenerate curves, and by varying the number of transition points on different degenerate curves in such fields
Divergent Exercise Outcomes of Self-Objectification in Young Adults
Get PDFSelf-objectification occurs through the internalization of unrealistic social standards of attractiveness which leads to excessive valuing of one’s physical features over functionality. Previous studies have associated self-objectification with a host of negative consequences including two opposing exercise-related outcomes, public exercise avoidance and exercise dependence. The main purpose of the present study was to examine whether social appearance anxiety and upward appearance comparison were the underlying mechanisms that explained the relationship between self-objectification and public exercise avoidance and exercise dependence, respectively. In addition, I wanted to explore if loneliness had a moderating effect on the path from self-objectification and these variables. Previous literature associated salient exercise-related factors – exercise participation, exercise location, presence of exercise partner, exercise frequency and duration, and motivation for exercise – with the variables of interest stated above and warranted further investigation. Therefore, the current study was divided into two major parts. The first focused on determining significant differences on mean self-objectification, loneliness, social appearance anxiety, upward appearance comparison, public exercise avoidance, and exercise dependence scores across exercise-related factors through ANCOVAs. The second tested two moderated mediation models whereby social appearance anxiety mediated the relationship between self-objectification and public exercise avoidance and upward appearance comparison mediated the relationship between self-objectification and exercise dependence with loneliness as a moderator. The models were analyzed via the PROCESS macro (Hayes, 2018) in SPSS version 27. Gender and body mass index (BMI) were used as covariates in all analyses. Three hundred eligible participants, 72 men (age = 20.57, SD = 3.13) and 229 women (age = 19.54, SD = 2.24), were recruited to answer an online survey. Results demonstrated that individuals not currently exercising, in general, reported greater negative outcomes related to self-objectification, loneliness, social appearance anxiety, and public exercise avoidance. Other significant differences were elaborated upon in the study. In addition, loneliness was not a significant moderator in the models. However, social appearance anxiety and upward appearance comparison fully mediated the relationship between self-objectification and public exercise avoidance and exercise dependence, respectively. These findings identified key mechanisms that predict unhealthy exercise behavior in self-objectified young adults and can inform intervention efforts
The Role of Emotional Narratives in Fostering Water Nationalism. The Case of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) in Turkey
Get PDFThis study explores the role of emotions in extensive hydraulic projects that become part of nation-state building processes and have transboundary impact. The main objective is to investigate how political leadership uses emotional narratives to foster water nationalism in the case of the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP) in Turkey. The theoretical framework is based on the previous works from the international relations field on emotions, with emphasis on ‘affective community’ and ‘chosen trauma’ concepts developed by Emma Hutchison, building also on Foucault’s understanding of knowledge generation as exercise of power. This study also uses the water nationalism concept developed by Jerome Allouche, which describes the deliberate process of nation-building through use of symbols and slogans around hydraulic projects. The methodology is based on a case study with the use of a computer-assisted narrative analysis, in which NVivo coding software was used to analyze public speeches of two Turkish presidents. The results of this research show that political leaders use a ‘hero-protector’ narrative, in which the current government is portrayed both as a protector from perpetrators and a source of improvement of people’s welfare. This image is further strengthened by reiteration of negative emotions around suffering and struggles related to traumatic experiences. This research contributes to a better understanding of the behavior of Turkey vis-à-vis its riparian neighbors at the transboundary level and towards international water law. Incorporation of an analysis of emotions in political discourse allows to understand that state actions are motivated not only by rational choices based on economic or political interests but are also the result of nation-state building processes that incorporate politically constructed emotional narratives
Analytical Meditation on Motivation to Meditate
Get PDFMeditation research in recent decades has disproportionately focused on the Buddhist derived practice of “mindfulness” meditation while leaving most other Buddhist meditation practices unstudied. The current study seeks to remedy this homogeneity through the adaptation of a novel meditation practice used in Tibetan Buddhism to affect motivation. We explored traditional Buddhist models of meditation and connected psychological theories of motivation with our target meditation, particularly in terms of self-efficacy, value, cost, intrinsic, and extrinsic motives. Based on these hypothesized relationships, we constructed a meditation practice and an RCT to understand whether the novel motivation meditation influenced these motivational constructs or changed at-home meditation behaviors. Participants (n = 48) were randomized to either a mindfulness-only or a mindfulness plus motivation meditation condition. Both groups received 90-minute Zoom courses for 8-weeks. Data was collected at baseline, throughout the weekly courses, and at endpoint. While results showed unforeseen sampling issues, analyses indicated that self-efficacy and attainment value with respect to meditation practice were both strengthened by participation in the study
Evaluation of Cross-sector Collaborations in Transition Toward the Bioeconomy: Benefits, Challenges, and Opportunities in the Forest Sector
Get PDFExisting strategies and policies have emphasized the need for cross-sector collaboration as a means for the forest sector to be more competitive. Cross-sector collaboration initiatives of forest sector companies with neighboring industries such as energy, chemicals, plastics, textiles, and packaging are gaining increasing attention as a necessary element for a successful transition to the bioeconomy. This situation presents a significant opportunity for forest sector companies to develop new products, explore new markets, and replace human dependence on fossil-based products with renewable, bio-based materials. Despite this, limited empirical research has investigated cross-sector collaborations involving forest sector companies and the challenges that these companies face in implementing collaboration across sectors.
In this dissertation, a three-phase qualitative research design was followed to investigate the key elements involved in collaborations between forest and neighboring sector companies, as well as assess forest sector company potential to collaborate with other industries. In the first phase, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify the main drivers, benefits, and challenges of cross-sector collaboration in the forest sector, and to improve the understanding of company-level, collaborations. Results show that little empirical work has been done regarding the link between forest sector companies and other sectors. Cost reduction, competitiveness, and environmental sustainability are considered the main drivers and benefits. Forest business culture, lack of trust, and lack of parameters to evaluate costs and savings are the key challenges to implementing these collaborations.
In the second phase, a multi-case study was implemented to document four collaboration cases involving eight companies. Turbulent environments and desire to be ahead of competitors are the main reasons these forest sector companies chose to collaborate. The documented collaborations that started with an early research and development process and established with startups are more likely to be successful. Findings shed light on the elements, mechanisms, and conditions needed to implement and manage cross-sector collaborations by forest sector companies.
In the third phase, the Progress Triangle framework was adapted and used to determine the potential of Oregon’s forest sector companies to collaborate with neighboring industries. Results illustrate a high perceived need to collaborate and a moderate collaborative potential in Oregon’s forest products industry. Training for employees to gain new knowledge and skills on creativity and negotiation skills, increasing their exposure to new technologies and building diverse teams may help to improve the collaborative potential in the industry. Forest sector managers can use recommendations from this dissertation to implement and manage cross-sector collaborations, and address issues, barriers, and challenges in implementing collaborations with firms from neighboring industries
Understanding Secondary School Counselor Experience of Conducting Suicide Screenings and Assessments: Two Studies on the Experience Working with Students and the Experience Working with Parents and Guardians
Get PDFSuicide rates in adolescents are at an all-time high in the United States and currently the 2nd leading cause of death in adolescents ages 10-19 (CDC, 2017). School counselors have an ethical obligation to protect students from unforeseeable harm and are often on the front lines of intervening when a student is at risk of suicide (ASCA Ethical Standards, 2016). To assess suicide risk, many school counselors use risk assessment tools (screeners and assessments), followed by an intervention and referral plan (ASCA Ethical Standards, 2016). A common practice in many suicide protocols is including a parent interview to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the students’ symptoms. Although school counselors may be tasked with determining the level of suicide risk a student is encountering, no research exists on the experience of school counselors when performing screeners and assessments (ie. Suicide protocol). The researcher analyzed the high school counselor’s experience when using suicide risk assessment tools, as well as their work with the parent/ guardian during the suicide risk assessment process through two studies.
Each study utilized interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) as the qualitative research approach. This approach examines a particular moment that may be ordinary, conducting a suicide assessment, and focuses on the significance of what has happened by allowing the individual to reflect and make sense of what has occurred (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2009). The researcher recruited eight participants in the Clark County School District (CCSD) in Las Vegas, NV, the 5th largest school district in the country (CCSD, 2018). Participants met the following criteria: high school counselors, have received training in suicide screeners and assessments, and administered at least 10 suicide protocols, including the parent interview component. The researcher used Smith and Osborn’s (2003) step-by-step analysis process. Following analysis, a master table was created of themes discovered. Strategies were used to increase trustworthiness, including peer debriefing, research reflexivity, and member checking (Morrow, 2005).
The first study (N=8) explored the experience of school counselors as they engage in suicide screeners and assessments with students. Findings suggest that school counselors experience conflict between their role as a school counselor and reality, feel deep emotional responses, convey the seriousness of focusing on the student in front of them, and experience a need for positive collaborations with other staff members. Additionally, school counselors experience their prior training and education not fully preparing them for the ambiguity of this work.
The second study (N=8) explored the experience of school counselors when working with the parents/guardians of students while conducting suicide screeners and assessments. Findings suggest that when school counselors work with parents/guardians during suicide protocols, they experience the need to understand the parent/guardian while making efforts to develop a relationship with the parent/guardian in order to secure appropriate treatment for the student. Additionally, school counselors experience emotional responses during their work with parents/guardians.
Implications for research are directed towards the growth of knowledge in the experience of school counselors during crisis response, specifically in working with students who are suicidal. The findings provide insight into the profound impact this work has on school counselors, personally and professionally. Implications are directed to practicing school counselors, counselor educators, school districts, families, and other stakeholders working with adolescent populations
Cancer Cell Detection with Mask R-CNN
Get PDFInstance segmentation, the classification and localization of objects in an image, is a problem in cellular biophysics due to the physiological relevance of cell morphology. Particularly, cancer cells migrate in tissue space by changing their body shape similarly to how humans extend their limbs to swim through water. Monitoring such shape changes in a dense cell population requires high throughput methods to process and analyze microscopy timelapse video frames. This thesis explores the use of a deep learning algorithm in the instance segmentation of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells at varying densities. We employ Mask R-CNN and characterize the model's performance with varying hyperparameters, including learning rate, gradient clip norm, learning momentum, non-max suppression, and anchor ratios. We apply performance metrics, namely the precision-recall curve and mean average precision, to validate the model's detections. We then explore how well Mask R-CNN generalizes from a low cell density training set to high density images. Our results demonstrate Mask R-CNN as a reliable instance segmentation model to segment dense cell populations, and serves as a starting point to develop an automated pipeline for cell experiments.Key Words: Deep Learning, Mask R-CNN, Cancer Cell, Cellular Biophysic
Mental Health in Eastern Europe during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Depression and Anxiety
Get PDFObjective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence rate of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, and insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eastern Europe in the general population, as well as within select sub-populations (i.e., students, general healthcare workers, and frontline workers).
Data sources: Articles in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Psycinfo, and medRxiv up to February 20th, 2021.
Eligibility criteria and data analysis: Prevalence rate of mental disorders in the general population and select sub-populations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eastern Europe. Data was pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis in order to estimate the prevalence rates of clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Results: The meta-analysis identifies and includes 21 studies and 26 independent samples in Eastern Europe. Poland (n=4), Serbia (n=4), Russia (n=3), and Croatia (n=3) represented the greatest number of studies. To our knowledge, no studies were conducted in 11 Eastern European countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus. The pooled prevalence of anxiety in 18 studies with a pooled sample of 22 was 30% (95% CI: 24% - 37%, I²: 99.6%) and that of depression in 18 studies with a pooled sample of 23 was 27% (95% CI: 21% - 34%, I²: 99.6%). The analysis indicated high heterogeneity and varying prevalence rates.
Discussion: The cumulative evidence from the meta-analysis reveals that there are high prevalence rates of clinically significant symptoms in Eastern Europe during the COVID-19 crisis. The findings suggest a significant public health burden in Eastern Europe attributable to COVID-19 during pandemic. Our synthesis also reveals high heterogeneity and a relative lack of studies in certain Eastern European countries, calling future research and interventions to pay more attention to those gaps to help inform evidence-based mental health policymaking and practice in Eastern Europe.Key Words: Meta-Analysis; COVID-19; Mental Health; Epidemic; General Population; Healthcare Workers; Frontline Healthcare Workers; Anxiety; Depression; Psychiatry; Central Europe; Eastern Europ