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Conceptualizations of effective approximations of practice in mathematics teacher education
Get PDFThis is the first of two blogs centered on effective approximations of practice in mathematics teacher education. In a 2024 position statement on linking mathematics education research and practice, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) states that “research should identify high-leverage, effective, equitable mathematics practices shared in useful, actionable ways” (NCTM, 2024). In this blog, we argue that approximations of practice offer a promising approach to addressing the NCTM’s call by highlighting frameworks that might form a useful starting point and drawing attention to the potential areas of tension that will need to be addressed
Poetic Philosophy and the Moralization of Social Networks
Get PDFIn this paper, I aim to explore the question, “What distinguishes philosophy in its original sense? ” My intent is not to provide a historical overview of philosophy, but to concentrate on what makes philosophy a liberating practice. I argue that this practice is rooted in its poetic and affirmative way of organizing life. To emphasize this idea, I contrast it with the presumed organization found in social media and networks. While social media and networks encourages commitment by simplifying complexity, they also restrict users\u27 freedom, responsibility, and ability to make meaningful decisions. To support these claims, I examine the role of algorithms in the organizing function of social media and networks, viewing them through the lens of a poetic philosophy to determine if a more affirmative and liberating forms of existential organization is possible
GNNs for Network Classification in Single Cell RNA Sequencing Data
No full textA common technique when investigating a disease is to profile gene expression, as this gives unique insights into the functions of a cell. Gene expression data gathered from single cell RNA sequencing can be encoded into a gene co-expression network, which is a graph of potential relationships between different genes. One method for interpreting data encoded as a graph is to use a graph neural network, or GNN. This project designs and implements a GNN architecture to accomplish classification tasks on graph data. Then, given a dataset of gene co-expression networks made from multiple single cell RNA sequencing studies, the model architecture is used to train a GNN for classifying the health state a given gene co-expression network represents. The trained GNN model is used to judge the effectiveness of the architecture across discipline
Optimizing Silver/Aluminum Electrodes for Transparent Light-Emitting Diodes
No full textAs optoelectronic devices have grown into one of the foremost applications of physics and chemistry breakthroughs, researchers are naturally seeking to expand the functionality of light-emitting diode (LED) devices. One such application is that of the transparent LED, which is an LED that can emit light in multiple directions due to it being comprised of transparent materials. The central hypothesis of this paper is that the transparent cathodes utilized in transparent LEDs can be optimized by using thin layers of silver and aluminum and the selective inclusion of molybdenum oxide layers. By finding the optimal thickness of these layers, the cathode of an LED can be made more transparent while retaining typical LED functionality. The thin films described in this paper are fabricated using physical vapor deposition (PVD). Transmittance measurements are conducted using UV-Visible spectrophotometry techniques, and resistance measurements with four-point sensing probes. The roughness and general morphology of thin films were measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Transmittance and sheet resistance experiments found that a transparent aluminum-silver cathode should be comprised of no more than 10 nanometers of aluminum and no less than 5 nanometers of aluminum to possess acceptable transmittance and conductivity properties. Transmittance and morphology measurements indicated that including two thin layers of molybdenum oxide on both sides of the silver layer is beneficial for maximizing cathode performance
Effects of different forms of dietary zinc on weaned steers when fed prior to weaning
No full textZinc (Zn) is crucial for many life sustaining processes within the body. Additional Zn is known to be beneficial during certain periods of increased stress. Weaning is one of the most stressful periods of beef calves’ lives. Due to this it was hypothesized that additional zinc in an organic form would increase weight gain and immune response compared to additional zinc in an inorganic form or no added zinc. No differences were found for ADG, Th score, IgG concentration, or mineral concentration among treatments. However, there was a novel and unexpected finding when there was no difference found in preweaning to post weaning concentrations of Immunoglobulin G concentrations. Based on the results of this study, when Zn was supplemented once daily with 2 mg of zinc/kg BW for five weeks it did not influence weight gain or immunity in weaned steers
Adjuvants to improve pre- and postemergence weed control in soybean
No full textCover crops provide soybean producers with multiple benefits; however, cover crop residue can impose a physical barrier for herbicide spray droplets and hinder the deposition and performance of soil-applied residual herbicides. Adjuvants are routinely mixed with herbicides to improve weed control performance and may provide a way to help the spray droplets overcome the barrier that the cover crops impose. This research evaluated the effectiveness of several soil applied herbicide-adjuvant combinations to control Amaranthus spp. L., Sida spinosa L., and [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.] in soybean and the effectiveness of two surfactants for improving preemergence herbicide efficacy in a cover crop system. Generally, the herbicide/adjuvant combinations evaluated did not affect weed control; however, weed control differences due to herbicide were observed. Additionally, using an NIS adjuvant with herbicides generally improved soil deposition; however, soil deposition of herbicides was not improved by adding an OS adjuvant. A correlation was observed between treatment solutions that produced a higher proportion of droplets smaller than 100 μm in diameter and increased deposition at the soil surface. These data suggest that optimizing soil deposition and herbicide efficacy requires considering factors such as droplet size, rather than exclusively relying on adding adjuvants
An approach to expanding the Industrial Training and Assessment Center to the residential sector
No full textThe Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC) conducts no-cost energy audits for small and medium sized industrial and commercial buildings across the United States, with a goal to train students in energy optimization and cost reduction, while helping companies to reduce inefficiencies and waste. Expanding this program to the residential sector can reduce energy usage across the United States, largely due to this sector contributing to 15% of America’s energy usage. This research examines the development of a procedure to transition the ITAC into including the residential sector. To ensure a seamless introduction of this sector, the procedure must contain features already implemented in the ITAC’s assessment process. This audit procedure must be easily accessible by the ITAC team, not require extensive training, and display the assessment results in a way that is understandable by a homeowner that may not have technical training to understand the nuances of an audit
The role of institutional image in first-generation student choice to attend a rural Southern community college
No full textAs higher education continues to become more competitive with each passing year, research indicates that a favorable image perception of an institution can be achieved through strategic social media presence. With previous literature primarily discussing the impacts of institutional image at a university level, this dissertation explores the role of institutional image in first-generation student choice to attend a rural Southern community college. Using photo elicitation, this qualitative study sought to understand how a rural community college’s social media influences rural, first-generation student’s perception of the college. Results indicated that institutional image perception through social media may play a role in affecting participants\u27 college choice decisions. This study examined the perceptions of nine participants and how five social media images from a single, rural Southern community college might influence their college decision process. The findings highlighted the roles that relationships, attainability and visualization play on participant perception and ultimately college choice. Interestingly, the findings highlight that participant perceptions shape their realities. Many of these participants were confident in their perceptions about a single rural, Southern community college in many cases without ever setting foot on the campus. The present study added to existing literature by expanding on Perna’s (2006) conceptual model to include first generation, rural participant perceptions into the higher education college choice context. Future qualitative research on institutional image perception may consider investigating additional samplings of participants including dual credit students. Future research may continue the present study to understand perceptions of first-generation, rural college students after enrollment to explore if their institutional image perceptions were confirmed after becoming a full time student at the community college
Unraveling exoplanetary signatures from stellar activity: A journey beyond the known in RV mass measurements of K dwarf planets
No full textA precise radial velocity (RV) monitoring campaign was conducted for two Targets of Interest (TOI), TOI-2443 b and TOI-139 b, identified by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) as exoplanet candidates orbiting K dwarf stars. Preliminary estimates of the transmission spectroscopy metric (TSM) indicate that the transiting planets are promising targets for atmospheric follow-up. I perform a multi-planet RV analysis of the TOI-2443 system, combining infrared and optical RV data. The model robustly recovers the signal of TOI-2443 b, an eccentric warm sub-Neptune, with a semi-amplitude of 2.54 ± 0.24 m/s, corresponding to a mass of 7.11 ± 0.67 ��⊕ . With a radius of 2.69 ± 0.55 ��⊕ and an equilibrium temperature of 515 K, TOI-2443 b has a TSM value of 157, highlighting it as a strong atmospheric characterization candidate. TOI-2443 c, a potential habitable zone companion orbiting with a period of 92.39 ± 0.95 days, is recovered with a semi-amplitude of 1.67 ± 0.26 m/s and a weakly constrained eccentricity of 0.33 ± 0.18, warranting additional RVs to refine its ephemeris and assess transit probability, ultimately determining whether it is suitable for atmospheric follow-up. The TOI-139 system hosts at least one transiting sub-Neptune candidate and exhibits youth indicators, including chromospheric emission and quasi-periodic photometric variability in the TESS light curves. Despite collecting 31 infrared RVs, stellar variability produces RV scatter of ∼10–20 m/s, obscuring the planetary signal. These results emphasize the necessity of Gaussian Process (GP) modeling to mitigate stellar-induced noise in young, active stars. A future GP fit with additional infrared and optical RVs is necessary to isolate the planetary signal. This work demonstrates the importance of combining high-cadence photometry, precise RVs, and modern GP modeling techniques to constrain the orbital and physical properties of planets around K dwarfs. These systems contribute to our understanding of planet formation and migration in dynamically rich environments and represent valuable targets for future atmospheric studies
Impact of fertilizer timing and cover crop establishment methods on bedded soybean cropping systems in Mississippi
No full textMississippi’s agriculture faces challenges from high rainfall, bedded cropping systems, and varying soil testing methods. Many producers apply phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) in the fall to reduce spring workload and rain-related delays. While fall fertilization raises concerns about yield losses, research indicates minimal differences in soybean (Glycine max L.) yield between fall and spring applications. Raised beds also limit cover crop (CC) establishment despite their potential benefits. We explored strategies to integrate CCs into bedded systems while assessing bed stability and residue management during soybean production. Additionally, Mississippi’s use of two soil nutrient extraction methods highlights the need for correlation and calibration. Our studies aim to refine fertility management, optimize CC use, and improve soil test interpretation to enhance soybean production in the region