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Prediction of Surface Water Temperature and Its Spatial-Temporal Variation Characteristics of 11 Main Lakes in Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau
No full textIn the context of global warming, the lake surface water temperature (LSWT) exhibits a general upward trend. As an indicator of climate change, the surface water temperature of plateau lakes is particularly sensitive to climate warming. In this study, the machine learning model and physical process model are combined to predict water temperature in lake systems: The Air2water model and the long short term memory (LSTM) model are combined to form a prediction model for the inversion and prediction of 11 typical plateau lakes in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The modeling results show that the Air2water model performs best, followed by the LSTM model. Overall, the Air2water model and the LSTM model effectively reproduce the monthly, seasonal, and interannual variations of LSWT dynamics in the 11 lakes. The research results show that the LSWT dataset from 2021 to 2025 is constructed based on the forecast result, and it is found that six lakes, including Caohai, Dianchi, Erhai, Qionghai, Xingyun Lake, and Yangzonghai, showed significant warming in the next five years (the maximum warming rate was less than +0.2 degrees C/year), while the remaining five lakes showed no significant changes, and the size classification of LSWT data in different spaces on the interannual scale was consistent with the classification of altitudes. By conducting extensive exploration and research on the inversion of LSWT using physical process models and machine learning models, this study offers novel solutions for LSWT prediction and inversion. The study also provides a solid theoretical and practical foundation for future LSWT research, thereby holding practical significance and research value
Comparing Retention of Equivalence Classes Following Equivalence-Based Instruction and Comprehensive Instruction
No full textA retention test that followed equivalence-based instruction (EBI) was analyzed with the goal of understanding how variations of this teaching methodology impacted memory for taught and untaught associations between stimuli. In EBI, a small number of relations between pieces of information are taught directly, which leaves other relations to emerge. This study was conducted online during COVID-19 with 61 participants who learned three-4 member stimuli classes. The participants were randomly assigned to three experimental groups. The two EBI groups included many-to-one (EBI- MTO) and linear series (EBI-LS) training designs. The control group received complete instruction (CI), in which they were taught all stimulus relations. The retention test occurred two weeks after the original study. The test had two identical 36-trial blocks and demonstrated that overall performance increased from Block 1 to Block 2. However, there were no significant differences in performance between groups. Therefore, this suggests that both EBI structures did not improve retention for taught information in comparison to the control group. Additional research is needed to further evaluate retention in EBI teaching designs
Immunotherapy-Related Toxicities and Renal Cell Carcinoma
No full textResearch Question: What are the barriers to recognizing and diagnosing immunotherapy related toxicities and how does prompt initiation of steroids improve patient outcomes? In adult patients with advanced stage renal cell carcinoma, does timely recognition of immunotherapy toxicity including both PDL-1 and PDL inhibitors as well as CTLA-4 inhibitors (ex. ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab) and time to steroid treatment initiation lead to a better outcome? We will explore the barriers to both early toxicity recognition and beginning proper steroid treatment.Background and Significance: According to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN guidelines), ¿Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for most high-grade immunotherapy-related adverse events (irAE) and short-term use of corticosteroids to treat irAEs has not been shown to reduce anti- tumor efficacy.¿ (NCCN version 2.2019) Immunotherapy is used to boost one¿s immune system response to target cancer cells. Prompt holding of these agents and initiation of steroids cause suppression of the immune therapy related toxicities to alleviate conditions. Our study focused on renal cell carcinoma, and the immunotherapies ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab to identify barriers in the onset of steroid treatment. Some barriers for starting steroids are fear of worsening hyperglycemia in diabetics, fear of counteracting immunotherapy response, delay of re-initiation of therapy once on steroids, a long taper over 4-6 weeks, etc.Materials and Methods: Under the guidance of my mentor, Dr. Ina Patel, I will conduct a retrospective study analyzing adult patients (ages 18-75) being treated for renal cell carcinoma at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Moncrief Cancer Institute (MCI) from 2016-2021. This will be done using the Epic electronic medical record database from the clinic both in Dallas and Fort Worth locations. Patients will be identified for the study through a chart review, and their immunotherapy medication, possible toxicities, duration of steroid medication, timing of steroid medication after identifying toxicity, overall patient outcome, etc. will be documented. We will record this data, de-identify it and analyze this data with the help of a biostatistician from UT Southwestern Medical Center.Results: Upon review of 201 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) stage III/IV, the most common toxicity found was colitis (28.4%), followed by transaminitis (9.0%) and pneumonitis (9.0%). The most common methods for identification of toxicities was routine lab work performed before immunotherapy administration (30.4%), check-ins at regularly scheduled appointments (21.7%), and after-hour physician telephone lines (19.6%). Additionally, the average time from irAE identification to steroid administration was 1.45 days. Excluding toxicities found either at office appointments or on routine lab work, the average time to steroids from identification was 3.55 days.Conclusion: Our study largely revealed that the current practices were successful in helping patients and providers identify irAEs in a timely fashion, leading to quicker steroid administration, and in turn, a sooner return to immunotherapy treatment. This study can be used as a blueprint and expanded to further investigate irAEs in other solid tumors as well as contribute to management of the ever-evolving immunotherapy landscape
Analyzing Google Search Trends for Migraine Surgery and Nurtec in Response to Public Announcements
No full textBackground: Nurtec, a versatile migraine medication, has gained popularity. However, the awareness of migraine surgery remains uncertain. Methods: Following a descriptive approach, this cross-sectional study used Google Trends data as of December 1, 2023, to analyze internet search patterns. Approval from Vanderbilt University’s institutional review board and adherence to Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were confirmed. Monthly relative search volume (RSV) data for “migraine surgery,” “Nurtec,” and “Rimegepant” were collected from January 1, 2004, to November 11, 2023, within the United States. Statistical analysis involved determining mean monthly RSV values and percentage changes for critical periods. Results: For “Nurtec,” a significant surge in RSV occurred from March 2020 to April 2020 (344%). Additional peaks were observed from June 2020 to July 2020 (66%), October 2020 to December 2020 (169%), May 2021 to June 2021 (33%), and May 2023 to June 2023 (14%). “Migraine surgery” exhibited a notable 400% increase in RSV, from March 2005 to May 2005. However, post-2006, RSV for “migraine surgery” consistently remained low without noticeable peaks. Conclusions: The analysis of RSV trends for “Nurtec” and “migraine surgery” from 2004 to 2023 reveals the impact of pivotal events and marketing strategies on public interest. The distinct peaks in “Nurtec” RSV align with Food & Drug Administration approvals and marketing campaigns, highlighting the medication’s accessibility. Conversely, the consistently low RSV for “migraine surgery” indicates limited awareness, emphasizing the need for enhanced promotion and education regarding surgical interventions
Diffusiophoresis of Macromolecules within the Framework of Multicomponent Diffusion
No full textDiffusiophoresis is the isothermal migration of a colloidal particle through a liquid caused by a cosolute concentration gradient. Although diffusiophoresis was originally introduced using hydrodynamics, it can also be described by employing the framework of multicomponent diffusion. This not only enables the extraction of diffusiophoresis coefficients from measured multicomponent-diffusion coefficients but also their theoretical interpretation using fundamental thermodynamic and transport parameters. This review discusses the connection of diffusiophoresis with the 2 x 2 diffusion-coefficient matrix of ternary liquid mixtures. Specifically, diffusiophoresis is linked to the cross-term diffusion coefficient characterizing diffusion of colloidal particles due to cosolute concentration gradient. The other cross-term, which describes cosolute diffusion due to the concentration gradient of colloidal particles, is denoted as osmotic diffusion. Representative experimental results on diffusiophoresis and osmotic diffusion for polyethylene glycol and lysozyme in the presence of aqueous salts and osmolytes are described. These data were extracted from ternary diffusion coefficients measured using precision Rayleigh interferometry at 25 degrees C. The preferential-hydration and electrophoretic mechanisms responsible for diffusiophoresis are examined. The connection of diffusiophoresis and osmotic diffusion to preferential-interaction coefficients, Onsager reciprocal relations, Donnan equilibrium and Nernst-Planck equations are also discussed
A Unique Case of Concurrent, Multilocational Papillary Thyroid Cancer in Hyoid Bone: Case Report
No full textPapillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common thyroid cancer, occurring in approximately 80% of cases with a peak incidence around age 30 to 50. PTC has a great prognosis with a 5-year survival rate approaching 99% when regionalized. Foregoing, we discuss the report of a 50-year-old male with synchronous papillary thyroid cancer with hyoid bone invasion and destruction. To our knowledge, involvement of the hyoid bone is extremely rare and has only been reported twice in English-language literature
A Range of Pandemic Adjustments: Changes to Texas Heritage Site Business Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textDuring the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, heritage sites, which protect natural and cultural resources, experienced the dauting task of sustaining business operations during the pandemic while serving the public by preserving and conserving resources. These businesses undertook risk reduction measures, conceptualized as adjustments, to mitigate the spread of disease while maintaining business operations. By engaging with Gilbert White's (1942) Adjustment Theory, this study examines the adjustments made by Texas heritage sites in response to emerging risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we analyze adjustments made to reduce risk to visitors, financial stability, and programmatic offerings; explore the extent to which these adjustments facilitated sustainability, business expansion, and innovation; and identify what factors contributed to or hindered their recovery. This mixed-methods study employed an online survey and a follow-up semi-structured phone interview with heritage site managers. Our findings indicate Texas heritage sites implemented a range of fiscal and health related adjustments in response to the pandemic. Specific to fiscal adjustments, we found changes in visitors led to adjustments in business operations which also facilitated revenue generation for these entities. We also observed how new opportunities arose from the health adjustments in the form of remote offerings and new markets. Our findings emphasize the importance of adjustments made by heritage sites to continue their operations during the pandemic while also offering strategies to mitigate future risks
Science teacher perspectives on professional development
No full textHigh school science teachers are a unique subset of teachers with distinctive PD needs in content, pedagogy, and technology, yet there is scant research about PD from the perspective of secondary science teachers. This qualitative research study used narrative research methods with grounded theory to explore how a group of seven high school science teachers perceive professional development (PD). The purpose of this research was to explore high school science teacher experiences with PD and ways teachers describe their priorities for teaching and learning in relation to their PD needs. The research explored how individuals remember, describe, and explain their experiences with PD as high school science teachers. The following research question framed the research in time and space: How do teachers from the same high school science department describe their experiences with PD? Data collection included pre- and post-interview surveys, a focus group, and observations of the teachers during their back-to-school week of PD. Narratives were written to describe the science teachers’ unique experiences with PD, along with their preferences for teaching and learning. It was important to “see and hear” the participants’ voices in the narratives and not lose sight of their individual interests, passions, and ideas.
Analysis of data revealed two major themes: the teachers’ perspectives on the teaching profession and their thoughts about PD. The profession of science teaching theme included why science is a unique subject, how the teachers relate to students, and how teachers find support in a difficult profession. The PD theme included science content and pedagogy, technology, environment, personal learning, and required training. The seven teachers in this research study implicitly described a top-down control of PD planning and decision-making. Teachers want to have more ownership in the PD process and more input in the planning of PD experiences. Science teachers deserve to have opportunities to reflect on their own professional learning needs and should be encouraged to advocate for choice and differentiation in PD. Dismantling the top-down power control of PD will require a collaboration between science education scholars, school leaders, and classroom teachers who are all treated with equal power and authority. This research study offers the potential to fill a void in scholarly literature describing high school science teachers’ experiences with PD and inform the field of science education about how science teachers negotiate PD as they move through their careers. The information gained from asking teachers about their perspectives on PD is of value to science teacher educators, campus and district administrators, science specialists, and even other science teachers
Word density effects on phonological awareness in children who are deaf and hard of hearing
No full textPhonological awareness skills are imperative for literacy and academic development. Current literature has shown us that children who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) struggle with phonological awareness. The current study aimed to explore word density and its impact on phonological awareness skills.
Word density impacts were explored over time through an experimental phonological blending task. Children who are DHH (with cochlear implants or hearing aids) and children with typical hearing (TH) were assessed at four time points (age five and a half, age six, first grade, and second grade).
The findings showed that the children who are DHH experienced a facilitation effect on the high-density words. Therefore, they performed better on the high-density words. For the children with TH, they did not experience a facilitation effect from the high- or low-density words.
Results suggest that clinicians could consider word structure when tailoring intervention for phonological awareness
Intersection and inflection points: Exploring the lived experience of advanced placement calculus students using narrative inquiry
No full textThis dissertation uses narrative inquiry, a qualitative methodology, to explore the lived experience of two Advanced Placement Calculus BC students. The research questions are as follows: What are the lived experiences of advanced placement calculus students? What do those experiences tell us about secondary mathematics education in the 21st century? What relationship do students experience between their coursework and their daily lives? In this study, the participants are in the process of navigating the challenges of a high-level mathematics course while in the final year of their secondary education. The personal narratives of the participants and their teacher are communicated through the use of interview excerpts, journal entries, correspondence, and classroom artifacts. These stories intersect with broader educational, social, and institutional frameworks, including high-stakes testing, the role of family in education, and the U.S. education system’s “senior year” phenomenon. While Advanced Placement coursework provides an intersection point for the participants and their teacher, the study also explores the role of mentorship, support services, and the importance of prior knowledge. The findings offer insight into how narrative inquiry can play a role in understanding student learning in rigorous science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses. Additionally, the study contributes to broader discussions of pedagogy, curriculum design, and Advanced Placement programs