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A Zooarchaeological Metadata Analysis of Animal Domestication in the Neolithic Northern Levant
No full textThis project compiles and examines 17 published faunal assemblages spanning the Epipaleolithic to the Pottery Neolithic in the Northern Levant to uncover early trends in animal management practices. Through a close examination of indices tracking the proportions of low and high-ranked prey, wild versus domestic game, and taxonomic diversity, it is possible to examine the trends in and deduce the approximate timing of the shift toward early animal management practices. To examine the conditions from which this phenomenon emerged, analyses of hunting intensity and taxonomic tradeoffs were implemented. Hunting intensity provides an analysis of low and high-ranked prey to examine the background conditions from which animal management emerges, i.e. a time of abundance or resource pressure, while taxonomic tradeoffs provide evidence for specific changes in the predominant species that comprise the assemblages. From this data, it appears as though hunting intensity decreases, while specifically domesticated ungulate taxa increase in abundance through the time period examined, effectively replacing wild taxa by the end of the sequence. It is also possible to approximate this shift as emerging around the PPNA/EPPNB. This approximation is consistent with nearby regional metadata analyses, which argue a shift occurs around the EPPNB in the southern Levant and central Anatolia. While this shift occurs earlier in the northern Levant, it is not nearly as early as once theorized
Mechanistic Examination of Protist-Mediated Plant Growth Through the Comparative Development of Medicago truncatula
No full textProtists are known to increase plant growth through two main mechanisms: the microbial loop and the alteration of the root microbiome. The microbial loop is a nutrient recycling method in which protists provide inorganic nitrogen ions to the plant. Alteration of root microbiome leads to the removal of plant pathogens and shifting communities towards plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). This study aimed to elicit which mechanism could produce the largest boost in shoot weight for Medicago truncatula. A series of microcosm experiments were explored in which M. truncatula was grown with variable microbiome structures to allow for mechanism differentiation. The resulting shoot weights showed no difference between treatment groups. The failure to observe the differences between mechanisms was likely due to the bacteria in the inoculum not being able to proliferate in the sandy soils in which M. truncatula was planted. As a result, the growth promotion mechanisms were not able to occur as they both require bacterial presence. Additionally, Cercomonas was observed to increase shoot weight with nitrogen fertilizer application in a protist-only growth experiment. Future directions include repeating the experiment in a more native soil conformation and conducting 15N tracing experiments with fertilizer to determine if Cercomonas enhances fertilizer uptake
Exploring the Effects of Christian Worldviews on Heart Rate, Stress, and Adjustment After Loss in Bereaved Individuals
No full textThe objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between Christian values, perceptions of God, and physiological stress, assessed through heart rate, among individuals who are experiencing grief due to the loss of a loved one. Previous studies have analyzed various physiological effects on the body. There are very few studies that examine the correlation between Christian values and heart rate in bereaved participants. To explore these topics further, this study analyzes 59 undergraduate students who have recently lost a loved one, identify as a Christian, and are at least 18 years old. The participants\u27 perceptions of God and Christian worldviews were assessed in a survey. On the physiological side, heart rate is measured as an indicator of stress. We hypothesized that bereaved participants with a stronger perception of God and Christian values would have lower levels of physiological stress, which would reflect a lower heart rate. This hypothesis is based on the idea that Christian values, faith, and religious beliefs could serve as coping mechanisms that provide comfort, support, and meaning in times of distress, thereby reducing the physiological stress response. Although the results show minimal correlation between Christian worldviews and heart rate, it still serves as a valuable contribution to the field by opening up the discussion about the potential connections between Christian values and coping after loss. This project implies the need for more extensive research involving larger and more diverse samples which could give us more insight on the intricate connection between the religious mind and body. It prompts further extensive research and inspires scholars to delve deeper into the utilization of Christian teachings as holistic coping mechanisms for managing physiological stress and overall well-being
Assessment of the triple reuptake inhibitor diclofensine: effort-based decision-making in a rodent model of motivational dysfunction
No full textSerotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressant medications. Despite their popularity, they remain relatively ineffective at treating effort-related motivational symptoms of depression such as fatigue and anergia. Increasing research on triple reuptake inhibitors (TRIs) that target three neurotransmitters—dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine—has suggested that TRIs could have efficacy in targeting motivational dysfunction due to their dopaminergic effects. Previous research has shown that the dopamine depleting agent tetrabenazine can reliably induce motivational deficits in rats, as evidenced by a shift towards low-effort behavior in effort-based choice tasks, and provide a validated approach to creating a model of motivational dysfunction. This is consistent with human studies showing that people with major depression exhibit a bias toward low-effort activities. Diclofensine is a TRI with a relatively high affinity for the dopamine transporter and, therefore, it was hypothesized that this drug could improve motivational symptoms. The present study analyzed the ability of diclofensine to treat motivational deficits of depression through a rodent model of effort-based choice, the fixed ratio 5/chow feeding choice task. Diclofensine demonstrated the ability to partially reverse the effort-related effects of tetrabenazine; it increased selection of high-effort FR5 lever pressing in rats at the 10.0 mg/kg dose and decreased chow intake at the 5.0 mg/kg and 10.0 mg/kg doses. Given the devastating impact to society, families, and individuals of inadequately treated depressive disorders, it is imperative that there is continued investment in the discovery of highly efficacious and tolerable antidepressants. This study contributes to the understanding and possible utility of TRIs as a treatment of motivational dysfunctions involved in depression in humans
Mary Parker Follett, A Modern Conceptualization of Power Nearly a Century in the Making
No full textMore than a synthesis of Mary Parker Follett\u27s work, this paper examines how her work on organizational dynamics is even more relevant now than it was nearly a century ago when written. Synthesizing Follett’s work with the outward mindset developed by the Arbinger Institute, this paper advances how leaders at all levels can build capacity in others through coactively resolving conflicts and by so doing contribute to a positive climate and achieving school improvement goals
An Exploratory Constructivist Grounded Theory Study: Science Teachers\u27 Binary Thought Processes
No full textUsing constructivist grounded theory, this study explores science teachers’ binary thought processes when interpreting students’ scientific models that are comprised of drawings. Using theoretical and inductive data, the study highlights the role of Western culture in shaping science teachers’ binary interpretation of scientific drawings. In addition, the study points out science disciplinary cultural practices that perpetuate the dominant ideologies on science assessments
Investigation of a Cross-age Dialogic Reading Intervention for Improving Reading in Struggling Elementary Students
No full textThis pilot study investigates whether a dialogic reading approach can be implemented as a cross-age intervention in a Title I elementary school to improve reading outcomes of struggling readers. First, fifth, and sixth graders were administered standardized pre- and post-tests of vocabulary, comprehension, and word recognition. Six fifth graders and eight sixth graders were chosen to be Big Buddies who were trained in 3-5 small-group sessions, then individually read to 10 first grade Little Buddies over 6 weeks. All first and fifth graders were struggling readers. Fifth graders made substantial gains on vocabulary and reading comprehension compared to typically-achieving peers
An Empirical Study of Machine Learning Techniques for Accurate Stock Price Forecasting
No full textThis paper presents a comprehensive approach to predicting future stock prices of companies using machine learning and time series analysis. The research problem is centered around addressing the complexity and emotion-driven nature of stock investment decisions. To create an objective determinant in stock decisions, we propose a machine learning model utilizing time series data from major companies, including Amazon, Apple, Google, Nvidia, Meta, Tesla, Salesforce, Intel, and Microsoft. We explore the use of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks, to capture the temporal dynamics of stock prices. These models are designed to process sequential data, maintaining short term and long term information, which is crucial for accurate forecasting in financial time series. In addition to deep learning methods, we examine Gradient Boosted Trees (GBT), with a specific focus on XGBoost. XGBoost\u27s efficiency and scalability make it an ideal choice for modeling stock price movements. It uses a series of weak learning trees to progressively correct errors from previous models, making it highly effective for regression tasks like stock price prediction. Furthermore, we delve into the Seasonal Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average with Exogenous Regressors (SARIMAX) model. SARIMAX extends the ARIMA model by incorporating seasonality and exogenous variables, making it well-suited for time series data with seasonal patterns. We implemented two models each for LSTM and XGBoost, one for predicting a single stock and one for predicting multiple stocks. We implemented one SARIMAX model for predicting a single stock. The models are trained and tested on historical stock data, aiming to forecast closing prices accurately. This research contributes to the study in applying machine learning to financial use cases by providing robust machine learning solutions to the complex problem of stock price prediction
Developing Visions for the Future? A Reflection on Utopias in Music Teacher Education
No full textAs society changes, new challenges arise for education. Major social upheavals have led to increasing awareness of social justice issues and critical reflection within the field of music education, as well as calls for social and educational change. In this article, five music teacher educators discuss how music teacher educators and pre-service music teachers can develop spaces for envisioning future music teacher education through utopian thinking. We consider utopias as social dreaming reflecting a desire for a better way of life, and utopian pedagogy as experimenting to envision new alternatives, tell new stories and construct new realities. The article starts with outlining theories of utopia and utopian pedagogy, before moving on to reflecting on challenges related to music teacher education. A situation where preservice music teachers were invited to think utopian is then critically explored, as is our double position as researchers/educators. Finally, we address the envisioning of possible futures within the field of music teacher education
Developing augmentative systems to assist both Irish L1 users and L2 learners
No full textBackground and context:
The period of not being able to attend school during the pandemic has been challenging for both students and educators from an education, communication, connection and relationship perspective. Furthermore, it has been argued that there has been an even greater challenge for students with specific and additional education needs, including those with who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to communicate effectively. The availability of AAC systems for students for whom Irish is their first language and for L2 learners of Irish has been limited to date and is an additional challenge. Notwithstanding this however, ongoing device development and research continues to emerge and progress, all the time broadening to be more inclusive for those who utilise these systems.
Research Aims and Objectives:
Optimising AAC technology for the Irish language offers inclusive and accessible ways to communicate for those with speech and language difficulties who are educated through both remote and hybrid access. This paper explores what key features are necessary for Irish AAC (bilingual, layout, high-tech or low-tech) and why such technology is in demand by those who need to communicate in Irish, as an L2 learner or as members of the Irish-speaking community.
Methods and data sources:
A needs analysis survey was conducted to establish if and in what way Irish AAC is required for Irish language users and L2 learners of Irish to communicate effectively in education settings. The survey yielded 130 responses which were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively using a Qualtrics platform.
Key findings:
Results confirm an interest in the specific development of Irish language based AAC technology. Key recommendations include integrating Irish text-to-speech synthesis into the AAC system, along with significant interest in a keyboard with Irish diacritics and the opportunity for users to model their own phrases. Other recommendations include working with Speech and Language Therapists to help address the lack of AAC assessment available through the medium of Irish