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Attentional Sub-Processes Involved with Emotional Eating
Get PDFEmotional eating behavior is characterized by eating a large amount of calorie dense sweet and/or high fat foods in an attempt to control, cope with, or avoid negative emotions. Numerous factors are likely to contribute to emotional eating behavior, including attentional factors, such as rumination and avoidance coping. Rumination based emotional eating (attention focused on negative stimuli while mindlessly eating) is often utilized to improve mood while dwelling on problems. However, for those inclined to escape/avoid troublesome thoughts, another type of emotional-eating pattern may be used. By focusing attention on food, emotional eating is believed to distract individuals from negative emotions. However, along with avoiding distressing thoughts, a strong attentional focus on food may also lead to diminished attention resources and subsequently the missing of self-preserving thoughts (e.g. dietary restraint or satiety). While Denke & Lamm (2015) explored neural mechanisms underlying rumination based emotional eating, to the best of our knowledge, no one has investigated the neural correlates underlying avoidance based emotional eating. This study examined how attentional sub-processes contribute to emotional eating behavior among female participants in a task designed to explore escape type emotional-eating behavior. Dense-array EEG and a version of the canonical attentional blink task were used to ascertain the neural correlates underlying the attentional sub-processes and how attentional activation differs for emotional eaters vs. non-emotional eaters. Findings do not support the food fixation escape type emotional-eater hypothesis, but do indicate task validity
Multi-Label Latent Spaces with Semi-Supervised Deep Generative Models
Get PDFExpert labeling, tagging, and assessment are far more costly than the processes of collecting raw data. Generative modeling is a very powerful tool to tackle this real-world problem. It is shown here how these models can be used to allow for semi-supervised learning that performs very well in label-deficient conditions.
The foundation for the work in this dissertation is built upon visualizing generative models\u27 latent spaces to gain deeper understanding of data, analyze faults, and propose solutions. A number of novel ideas and approaches are presented to improve single-label classification. This dissertation\u27s main focus is on extending semi-supervised Deep Generative Models for solving the multi-label problem by proposing unique mathematical and programming concepts and organization.
In all naive mixtures, using multiple labels is detrimental and causes each label\u27s predictions to be worse than models that utilize only a single label. Examining latent spaces reveals that in many cases, large regions in the models generate meaningless results. Enforcing a priori independence is essential, and only when applied can multi-label models outperform the best single-label models. Finally, a novel learning technique called open-book learning is described that is capable of surpassing the state-of-the-art classification performance of generative models for multi-labeled, semi-supervised data sets
Three dimensional passive localization for single path arrival with unknown starting conditions
Get PDFIntroduced in this paper is the time difference of arrival (TDoA) conic approximation method (TCAM), a technique for passive localization in three dimensions with unknown starting conditions. The TDoA of a mutually detected signal across pairs of detectors is used to calculate the relative angle between the signal source and the center point of the separation between the detectors in the pair. The relative angle is calculated from the TDoA using a mathematical model called the TDoA approximation of the zenith angle (TAZA). The TAZA angle defines the opening angle of a conic region of probability that contains the signal source, produced by each detector pair. The intersecting region of probability is determined from the conic regions of probability and represents the volumetric region with the highest probability of containing the signal source. TCAM was developed and tested using synthetic data in a simulated environment
Hydrodynamics of an Anguilliform Swimming Motion using Morison’s Equation
Get PDFIn this study, the hydrodynamic performance of anguilliform swimming motion is computed using Morison’s equation. This method was shown to predict the servo motor torques well. The anguilliform swimming motion is sinusoidal with increasing amplitude from head to tail. A “wakeless” swimming motion proposed by Vorus and Taravella (2011) with zero net circulation is considered.
This method is compared to the existing slender body theory and is validated with reference to the experimental results of NEELBOT-1.1 (Potts, 2015). The results for the study indicates that self-propulsion speed of the motion is independent of the oscillating tail amplitude at a constant advance ratio. At a constant wave speed, the self-propulsion speed attains a local maximum at an advance ratio of 0.5. Where the nominal length is equal to half the wavelength
South Broadway: A Qualitative Analysis of Legal Marijuana and Place in a Denver Commercial District
Get PDFThe economic impact of legalized marijuana has been massive, but does legal marijuana have the impact to create new types of urban spaces? The legalization of formerly illicit vices has created urban spaces thematically constructed around vice, such as The Strip in Las Vegas (gambling) or The Wallen in Amsterdam (prostitution). This paper suggests that legalized marijuana similarly has the potential to construct vice-themed urban spaces in a post-industrial economic paradigm defined by consumption. Using Denver’s South Broadway (an urban area that has been rebranded as “The Green Mile” due to the outgrowth of marijuana businesses in the area) as the foundation for the analysis, this paper uses qualitative methodologies including historical and content analysis and interviews to examine how marijuana becomes normalized through legalization and resituated for mass consumption, in turn creating the possibility for the construction of thematic urban spaces
Zooplankton Community Composition in Natural and Artificial Estuarine Passes of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana
Get PDFI assessed the composition of zooplankton communities at the three tidal inlets connecting Lake Pontchartrain to Lake Borgne and subsequently to the Gulf of Mexico. The objectives of my research were to better understand the factors contributing to both spatial and temporal differences in zooplankton communities at the three locations. Monthly samplings of the neuston were conducted from September 2009 until April 2011 and then again from September 2012 until May 2013. Sampling consisted of triplicate tows using SeaGear “Bongo” nets. Water quality data along with water turbidity were recorded at each site and during each sampling effort. All specimens collected during the survey were quantified and identified to the lowest taxonomical unit. The results indicated that there were significant differences among the aquatic invertebrate communities composition among the three sites groups averaged across months (ANOSIM, R= 0.162, p = 0.001). The outcomes from this study could have strong implications for fisheries management and will provide a baseline for future research
March 2018 Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Election Survey
Get PDFWDSU TV commissioned a survey of 767 randomly selected Jefferson Parish registered voters that was conducted March 4-5, 2018 by the University of New Orleans Survey Research Center on the topics of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s race scheduled for March 24, 2018 and on the job approval of Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni. Survey respondents were asked in an interactive voice response telephone survey (IVR)1 who they preferred in the upcoming sheriff’s race and whether they approved or disapproved of Yenni’s job performance. This survey of 767 randomly selected respondents yields a margin of error of +/- 3.5% at a confidence level of 95%. The findings from the current poll are compared with the results from an October 2017 poll of 426 randomly selected Jefferson Parish registered voters that inquired into who respondents supported in the sheriff’s election and how they evaluated Mike Yenni’s job performance. The sample size from the October study yields a margin of error of +/- 4.8% at a 95% confidence rate
An Exploration into Teachers\u27 Perceptions of School Leaders\u27 Emotional Intelligence
Get PDFAlthough the benefits of school leader emotional intelligence are well-known, leadership preparation programs lack training in emotional intelligence, thus calling for reform (Darling-Hammond, LaPointe, Meyerson, Orr, & Cohen, 2007; Johnson, Aiken, & Steggerada, 2005; Guerra & Pazet, 2016; Mills, 2009; Wallace, 2010). Emotional intelligence competencies, such as empathy, self-awareness and motivation, are closely aligned with components of transformational leadership theory, including idealized influence, individualized consideration, and inspirational motivation (Kumar, 2014). Highlighting these connections can provide guidance in identifying significant components of emotional intelligence. This study examined teachers’ perceptions of school leaders’ emotional intelligence in order to identify critical components of emotional intelligence. This research utilized a qualitative phenomenological approach to address the research problem, and questions. A purposeful sampling technique was used to recruit teachers employed in public school districts in Louisiana. Consistent with phenomenological designs, semi-structured individual interviews were the primary method of data collection, along with document analysis. Transformational leadership theory and emotional intelligence provided a framework to guide the construction of methodological approaches, including: participants, data collection, data analysis and limitations. Four major themes emerged as a result of this study: 1) school leader social skills, 2) leadership styles, 3) authentic leader-teacher relationships, and 4) perceived benefits of school leader emotional skills
Laboratory Evaluation of Recycled Crushed Glass Cullet for Use as an Aggregate in Beach Nourishment and Marsh Creation Projects in Southeastern Louisiana
Get PDFTo combat the rapid degradation of the Louisiana coast, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has planned strategic land building initiatives throughout the Louisiana Gulf coast, including beach nourishment and marsh creation projects. It is commonly agreed that the state lacks sufficient renewable sediment resources to maintain the planned CPRA land building program. However, Louisiana, the state that commonly ranks last in state recycling percentage, recycles an estimated 0.6% of the waste glass consumed in the state. Glass is predominantly silica sand. This thesis evaluates laboratory‑determined characteristics of recycled crushed glass cullet to assess its suitability as a renewable aggregate for beach nourishment and marsh creation projects. Specifically, the research herein evaluates geotechnical and settling characteristics of recycled crushed glass cullet produced in Pearl River, Louisiana. Additionally, this research evaluates the effects on beach nourishment and marsh creation design parameters of blending this material with Gulf coastal sediments