Potential Alzheimer\u27s Disease Plasma Biomarkers

In this series of studies, we examined the potential of a variety of blood-based plasma biomarkers for the identification of Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) progression and cognitive decline. With the end goal of studying these biomarkers via mixture modeling, we began with a literature review of the methodology. An examination of the biomarkers with demographics and other health factors found evidence of minimal risk of confounding along the causal pathway from biomarkers to cognitive performance. Further study examined the usefulness of linear combinations of biomarkers, achieved via partial least squares (PLS) analysis, as predictors of various cognitive assessment scores and clinical cognitive diagnosis. The identified biomarker linear combinations were not effective at predicting cognitive outcomes. The final study of our biomarkers utilized mixture modeling through the extension of group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM). We modeled five biomarkers, covering a range of functions within the body, to identify distinct trajectories over time. Final models showed statistically significant differences in baseline risk factors and cognitive assessments between developmental trajectories of the biomarker outcomes. This course of study has added valuable information to the field of plasma biomarker research in relation to Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline

Using Daily Learning Objectives to Guide Teaching and Assessment with Chris Estepp -New Faculty Lunch Discussion

Daily learning objectives should drive instruction and assessment. This talk will discuss creating measurable, student-centered objectives and how to create assessments that can effectively measure student learning

NCAA Division I Athletic Trainers\u27 Perceptions and Use of Psychological Skills during Injury Rehabilitation

Applied sport psychology research suggests that the use of psychological skills (e.g., positive self-talk, goal-setting, relaxation) during the rehabilitation process increase recovery rates, increase adherence to rehabilitation, and decrease anxiety and stress (Heaney, 2006). Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) hold a critical role within injury rehabilitation as the primary health care professional who interacts with injured athletes. Therefore, properly trained, ATCs have been identified as the ideal professional to implement psychological skills during injury rehabilitation (Larson, Starkey, & Zaichkowsky, 1996). The purpose of this study was to explore National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (D-I) ATCs use of psychological skills and perceptions of qualifications to implement psychological skills with athletes during rehabilitation. Results revealed that participants reported using goal-setting, communication, and time management most frequently with athletes. Results of a stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that participants confidence in their ability to effectively demonstrate psychological skills significantly predicted their use of psychological skills, along with perceptions of the effectiveness of psychological skills and previous level of training in sport psychology. Lastly, participants perceived psychologists to be the most qualified professional to implement psychological skills with injured athletes. Implications for ATCs and sport psychology professionals are education. This includes ATCs educational requirements to be more detailed and clear for athletic training students as well as education by sport psychology consultants to help other professional better understand their role in the overall sport team

Modification of Silver Nanoparticles in Homogeneous Solutions

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are used for many analytical and imaging techniques because they represent the most efficient mechanism by which light interacts with matter. The stability of AgNPs remains an important factor for their application. Due to their tendency to aggregate, methods for stabilizing AgNPs, mainly the addition of surfactants, have been developed. Surfactants can prevent agglomeration of AgNPs, however they can inhibit further surface modification of the particles. To overcome this problem, AgNPs were synthesized in the presence of Na2SiO3, yielding a silica shell that substantially improved the particles\u27 stability without compromising their surface chemistry. Potential benefits are described in chapter 1. Details of this method allowing controlled thickness of a silica shell via ethanol precipitation are presented in chapter 2. These silica shells can act as a scaffold for further surface modification as well as allow the synthesis of asymmetric structures. To prove the concept of the asymmetric structure synthesis, silver dimers were synthesized by impregnating the silica shell with silver ions. Uniform dimers were made via a homogeneous solution reaction. The method is expected to find general applicability for synthesizing various oligomeric nanostructures. In chapter 4, shape change via partial dissolution of crystalline AgNPs in aqueous suspension are discussed. The dissolution of particles yielded more rounded crystals contain many small facets which are more reactivity than the large facets of the initial crystalline state. This finding opened the possibility for producing more reactive nanoparticles. That can find applications such as Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering as well as catalysis are expected to be improved upon using this more reactive crystalline form of AgNP

Integrating the FEW-Nexus into an Agricultural Issues Course

To address the global challenges facing the agricultural industry, graduates of agricultural degree programs must learn to utilize systems thinking skills, which can help them view the interconnectedness among issues and design holistic solutions. The Food-Energy-Water (FEW)-Nexus is an interdisciplinary framework that can support undergraduate student achievement of sustainability education competencies, including systems thinking. This project utilized the FEW-Nexus framework in an agricultural issues course to help students improve their systems thinking. Students were given lectures on various agricultural issues by experts in those areas. Two assignments, agricultural issue concept maps and critical reflections over each speaker’s session were completed by students. Analysis of these assignments showed that students were able to increase the complexity of their systems thinking. Providing students with a framework to guide their thinking about agricultural issues can be useful. Plans include collecting more data in the agricultural issues course to empirically examine students’ systems thinking skills. Additionally, we plan to integrate more activities using the FEW-Nexus into the course

Agricultural Knowledge and Perceptions Among Students Enrolled in Agriscience Programs in Texas Counties Bordering Mexico

Hispanics are rapidly becoming the predominant ethnic group in Texas. While many secondary agriculture programs have seen increased participation by Hispanic students, in comparison to the demographics of Texas secondary school enrollment, Hispanics are underrepresented in agricultural education. As a result, agricultural education programs should continue to become more diverse and provide curriculum engaging to a wide variety of students. The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study was to determine the agricultural literacy rates and perceptions of agriculture among Hispanic and non-Hispanic high school agriculture students enrolled in agriculture programs in Texas counties bordering Mexico. Results showed both groups have agricultural literacy rates congruent with previous studies; however, Hispanic students tended to have lower knowledge scores in all areas except agricultural career knowledge, as well as lower perceptions of agriculture. Agricultural career knowledge scores were the lowest area for all respondents. Recommendations include: 1) more research should be conducted to better determine levels of agricultural literacy in minority agricultural education students in Texas and other areas, and 2) more emphasis on agricultural career knowledge should be incorporated into agriscience courses to better inform students about postsecondary education and career options within the agricultural industry

Exploring Undergraduate Absenteeism at a Small, Regional, Minority-Serving Institution

While research has shown class attendance is important for undergraduate student success, few studies have examined why students choose to not attend class. What is more, existing research has focused on absenteeism among undergraduates at land-grant institutions and professional schools. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine reasons for absenteeism among students at a small, regional, minority-serving institution. Three focus groups were used to collect data, and thematic data analysis revealed class attendance was impacted by (a) teacher attributes, (b) student attributes, (c) process variables, and (d) context variables. Based on these attributes and variables, recommendations are provided to instructors and administrators on how to improve class attendance at small, regional, minority-serving institutions

Using ChatGPT with Novice Arduino Programmers: Effects on Performance, Interest, Self-Efficacy, and Programming Ability

A posttest-only control group experimental design compared novice Arduino programmers who developed their own programs (self-programming group, n =17) with novice Arduino programmers who used ChatGPT 3.5 to write their programs (ChatGPT-programming group, n = 16) on the dependent variables of programming scores, interest in Arduino programming, Arduino programming self-efficacy, Arduino programming posttest scores, and types of programming errors. Students were undergraduates in an introductory agricultural systems technology course in Fall 2023. The results indicated no significant (p \u3c .10) differences between groups for programming rubric scores (p = .50) or interest in Arduino programming (p = .50). There were significant differences for Arduino programming self-efficacy, (p = .03, Cohen’s d = 0.75) and Arduino posttest scores, (p = .03, Cohen’s d = 0.76); students in the self-programming group scored significantly higher on both measures. Analysis of students’ errors indicated the ChatGPT group made significantly (p \u3c .01) more program punctuation errors. These results indicated novice students writing their own programs developed greater Arduino programming self-efficacy and programming ability than novice students using ChatGPT. Nevertheless, ChatGPT may still play an important role in assisting novices to write microcontroller programs

Effects of Neuronic Shutter Observed in the EEG Alpha Rhythm

The posterior alpha (α) rhythm, seen in human electroencephalogram (EEG), is posited to originate from cycling inhibitory/excitatory states of visual relay cells in the thalamus. These cycling states are thought to lead to oscillating visual sensitivity levels termed the “neuronic shutter effect.” If true, perceptual performance should be predictable by observed α phase (of cycling inhibitory/excitatory states) relative to the timeline of afferentiation onto the visual cortex. Here, we tested this hypothesis by presenting contrast changes at near perceptual threshold intensity through closed eyelids to 20 participants (balanced for gender) during times of spontaneous α oscillations. To more accurately and rigorously test the shutter hypothesis than ever before, α rhythm phase and amplitude were calculated relative to each individual’s retina-to-primary visual cortex (V1) conduction delay, estimated from the individual’s C1 visual-evoked potential (VEP) latency. Our results show that stimulus observation rates (ORs) are greater at a trough than a peak of the posterior α rhythm when phase is measured at the individual’s conduction delay relative to stimulus onset. Specifically, the optimal phase for stimulus observation was found to be 272.41°, where ORs are 20.96% greater than the opposing phase of 92.41°. The perception-phase relationship is modulated by α rhythm amplitude and is not observed at lower amplitude oscillations. Collectively, these results provide support to the “neuronic shutter” hypothesis and demonstrate a phase and timing relationship consistent with the theory that cycling excitability in the thalamic relay cells underly posterior α oscillations

Using Self-Efficacy Theory to Design Arduino Instruction for Novices: A Replication Study

A replication study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of an instructional treatment based on self-efficacy theory when used with novice Arduino microcontroller users. Students (n = 32) in an introductory university agricultural systems technology course participated in a lesson on Arduino microcontrollers, circuit breadboarding, and Arduino programming which included four hands-on practice tasks, designed to provide students with positive mastery, vicarious and social persuasion experiences. Next, students completed a laboratory activity and were provided additional opportunities for mastery, vicarious, and social persuasion experiences. The one-group pretest-posttest design indicated the instructional treatment had significant (p \u3c .001) and large effects in increasing students’ interest in Arduino, breadboarding self-efficacy, programming self-efficacy, and Arduino knowledge. These findings were consistent with the original study and provided additional evidence for self-efficacy theory as an effective model for developing instruction for novice Arduino users. Students’ written comments provided additional insight concerning the instructional treatment