Girls and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in Catholic Schools: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Interest, Confidence, and Perceptions of STEM

Over the past decade, there has been a considerable push in emphasizing STEM—an acronym standing for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math—as an integral aspect of educational curriculums. Even though research suggests that females tend to outperform males in standardized testing in STEM areas, they remain underrepresented in STEM careers and in the achievement of STEM degrees. In preparing this dissertation, therefore, the researcher investigated this issue by looking specifically at 4th- through 8th-grade girls in Catholic schools in the Diocese of San Jose, CA, which covers the Greater Silicon Valley region, one of the world\u27s epicenters for technological innovations. In particular, this researcher examined girls’ attitudes and confidence in STEM areas, while looking at strategies that encourage their long-term interest in these areas, especially in the unique context of Catholic schools. By using a mixed methods approach, the researcher surveyed hundreds of female students within the Diocese of San Jose, while conducting interviews with each of the girls\u27 science teachers. Among other findings, the main discovery of this research is that a direct connection exists between the teacher’s own interests and excitement that makes STEM curriculum more meaningful for girls. The culture of the Catholic school environment supports achievement and helps the girls feel more involved within the school environment, especially in the formation of 21st century learning skills. The girls rated themselves high in areas of collaboration and leadership, which corresponded with the teachers’ view that the girls were highly effective in the STEM areas. This direct influence is related to the theoretical framework of this study, Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model. In conclusion, then, girls are influenced most directly by STEM teachers, their families, and the Catholic school environment

Mixtures of discrete and continuous variables: considerations for dimension reduction

For this dissertation, we will examine mixtures of different types of data, the analytic challenges that such data can present, and some approaches for addressing this issue. Specifically, we will consider mixtures of continuous and discrete data. For the theoretical developments that follow, we will focus on the general location model (GLOM)-based methodology for deriving the joint probability distribution of continuous and discrete random variables as the product of conditional and marginal probability distributions. As we will show, the general specification of this joint distribution is a finite mixture of Gaussian distributions. We will consider both the univariate and multivariate cases. For the univariate case we will first determine the distribution of the sample variance, and for the multivariate case we will first determine the distribution of the sample covariance matrix. When the component distributions of the mixture have different variances (univariate) or covariance matrices (multivariate), any analysis can become more challenging. In such cases, we propose approximating the mixture density with a non-mixture density from the same parametric family (e.g., multivariate Gaussian). Finally, we will present some extensions of this work to the field of dimension reduction. Public Health Significance: Mixtures of continuous and discrete variables are somewhat common in public health settings (e.g., genetics, health services research), but statistical methods for the analysis of such data are not nearly as developed and robust, compared to the analysis of only one type of data (e.g., continuous). The methods developed in this dissertation could be used to expand inferential approaches to non-normal data which are commonly seen in public health settings. For example, hypothesis testing of the proportionate contribution of eigenvalues could be adapted to mixtures of different types of data, and these methods could possibly be extended to high-dimensional data (e.g., genetics) by examining mixtures of singular Wishart distributions

Investment decisions: Influence of an Internet stock message board.

The Internet provides many sources of financial information that investors can use to help with investment decisions and in interpreting companies' accounting information. One source of information is Internet stock message boards such as those at Yahoo! Finance. This source allows for anonymous postings and information exchange. Despite the possibility of the information being incorrect many individuals visit these message boards. The purpose of this study is to investigate Internet stock message boards and address the primary question: From an individual investor perspective, do message boards, which contain accounting information, influence investment decisions? The question is addressed using psychology rumor literature and attitude theories. Message board postings are a type of rumor, since not all the information is verified and is usually intended to persuade a belief or influence a decision. Further, the messages may influence an investor by causing a change in attitude about the investment. Using an experiment, message board influence on an investment decision and attitude was tested. The results indicated that individuals that received negative message board postings did have a significantly higher change in investment amount as compared to a control group that did not receive any message postings. The positive message board group and the control group were not significantly different in their amount of investment change. The results of the study also show that message board postings influenced attitude, those that received negative (positive) postings had a negative (positive) attitude about the investment. It was further found that those with a negative (positive) attitude decreased (increased) their investment. Finally, contrary to expectations, investment experience did not lead to an individual being less influenced by message board postings. This study contributes to the accounting literature by investigating an additional source of Internet financial reporting that may or may not contain correct information. The SEC is concerned over the manipulative opportunities that are available within these message boards and many investors are exploring these new sources of information instead of relying on traditional accounting information. This study finds that negative postings have an influence on investment decision and possibly should be investigated as manipulative techniques

Restauration morpho-dynamique et redynamisation de la section court-circuitée du Rhin en aval du barrage de Kembs (projet INTERREG / EDF)

National audienceThe Upper Rhine River has been heavily impacted by channelization for flood protection and navigation, and then by damming for hydropower generation. In normal non flooding conditions, most of the flows are diverted in a canalized section whereas the regulated “old Rhine” bypassed reach runs a minimum flow. Between Huningue and Neuf-Brisach, engineering works induced simplification and stabilization of the channel pattern from a formerly braiding sector to a single incised channel, hydrological modifications, bottom armouring due to bedload decrease, and thus ecological alterations. Two complementary and interdisciplinary projects have been initiated to restore alluvial morphodynamics: i) the international “INTERREG IV - Redynamisation of the old Rhine” project (2009-2012) coordinated by the Alsace region, France; ii) the left bank “controlled erosion” project launched by Electricité de France (EDF) within Kembs hydroelectric station relicensing process since 2003-2004. The purpose of these projects is to evaluate the feasibility of an important hydro-morphological and ecological restoration plan on a 45 km long reach, through both field testing of bank erosion techniques at favourable locations, and artificial sediments input from right bank excavations. This will help define possible long term prospective scenarios, in order to restore sustainable sediment transport, morphodynamics variability and associated ecological functions. The study will involve historical analysis, hydro-morphological / hydraulic physical and numerical modelling, physical and ecological monitoring, and sociological aspectsLe Rhin alsacien-allemand a enregistré de profondes modifications morphologiques et hydrologiques à la suite de sa correction et de sa régularisation pour la protection contre les crues et la navigation, puis après la construction de barrages hydro-électriques. Les aménagements réalisés entre Huningue et Neuf-Brisach ont engendré une simplification et une stabilisation du style fluvial. Un fleuve en tresses a cédé la place à un chenal unique incisé. Le fond de chenal est devenu pavé à cause d’une diminution des apports de charge de fond et des altérations écologiques ont été observées (simplification des habitats aquatiques et riverains). Deux projets complémentaires et interdisciplinaires ont été engagés afin de restaurer une dynamique des formes alluviales : i) le projet international INTERREG IV – Redynamisation du Vieux Rhin (2009-2012) sous l’impulsion de la région Alsace ; ii) le projet d’érosion maitrisée des berges de la rive gauche conduit par Electricité de France (EDF) dans le cadre du renouvellement de la concession de l’aménagement de Kembs. L’objectif des deux projets est de définir un plan de restauration hydro-morphologique et écologique conduisant à la redynamisation d’un tronçon de 45 km. L’étude repose sur une analyse historique, l’exploitation de modèles à la fois physiques et numériques, et les suivis morphologiques in situ d’une recharge artificielle en sédiments et d’érosions de berge contrôlées. Ces études de faisabilité sont complétées par des analyses écologique et sociologique pour apprécier l’impact socio-environnemental de ces projets

Uso de diferentes estrat?gias de ensino no aprendizado de estudantes da ?rea da sa?de

?rea de concentra??o: Pol?ticas de integra??o, sa?de e educa??o.Os cursos de gradua??o da ?rea da sa?de vivem uma nova realidade com a inclus?o de novas estrat?gias no seu processo de ensino/aprendizagem. Hoje, o conhecimento exigido para a pr?tica segura de cuidados aos doentes demanda uma estrat?gia de ensino que vai al?m do ensino did?tico tradicional. O processo tecnol?gico tem possibilitado novas formas de trabalhar o conhecimento no ensino superior, a simula??o ? um exemplo. Esse trabalho objetivou avaliar o conhecimento, satisfa??o e autoconfian?a adquiridos com o uso de diferentes estrat?gias de ensino, em estudantes de Medicina e Enfermagem de uma Universidade P?blica. Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental, explorat?rio e anal?tico, sobre a utiliza??o da metodologia tradicional com aula expositiva e da interven??o simulada, avaliando a autoconfian?a do estudante no atendimento ao paciente cr?tico. Na coleta de dados utilizou-se de formul?rio para obter a caracteriza??o do sujeito, provas te?ricas antes e depois, Escala de Satisfa??o dos Estudantes e Autoconfian?a na Aprendizagem para avalia??o da simula??o. Os dados coletados foram tabulados e analisados com software Statistical Package for Social Sciences(SPSS), vers?o 23.0. Para verificar se houve diferen?a entre as pontua??es obtidas nas provas, os resultados foram submetidos ao teste de Friedman, com p?s-teste de Wilcoxon. A associa??o de dados categ?ricos foi verificada pelo teste Qui-quadrado. Foi adotado o n?vel de signific?ncia de 95% (p<0,05). Comparando as duas metodologias de ensino utilizadas nesse estudo, os testes demonstraram que os estudantes obtiveram maior ?ndice de acerto nas quest?es da prova, ap?s a simula??o real?stica (p<0,001). Em rela??o ? escala de satisfa??o e autoconfian?a, os dados demonstraram satisfa??o e autoconfian?a dos estudantes ap?s a simula??o real?stica (p<0.001). A integra??o da metodologia tradicional com a da simula??o, teoria e pr?tica, mostrou-se eficaz para a obten??o e consequentemente melhora do conhecimento. Conclui-se que a simula??o ? uma metodologia inovadora e ativa que permite melhorar o conhecimento do estudante, proporcionando maior satisfa??o e autoconfian?a na aprendizagem. Pode-se dizer que a simula??o melhorou o aprendizado ao proporcionar atrav?s da viv?ncia, experi?ncias que simulam a pr?tica cl?nica.Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-gradua??o em Ensino em Sa?de, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2016.The health of undergraduate living a new reality with the inclusion of new strategies in their teaching/learning process. Today, the knowledge required for the safe practice of patient care requires a teaching strategy that goes beyond the traditional didactic teaching. The technological process has enabled new ways of working knowledge in higher education; an example of this is the simulation. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, satisfaction e self-confidence acquired through the use of different teaching strategies in Medicine and Nursing students of a Public University. It is a quasi-experimental, exploratory and analytical study about the use of the traditional methodology with expository class and simulated intervention, evaluating the student's self-confidence in critical patient care. In the data collection, a form was used to obtain the characterization of the subject, theoretical tests before and after, Student Satisfaction Scale and Self-confidence in Learning to evaluate the simulation. Data were tabulated and analyzed with software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. To check whether there was difference between the scores obtained in the tests, the results were submitted to the Friedman test, with post Wilcoxon test. The categorical data binding was checked by chi-square test. The significance level of 95% (p <0.05) was adopted. Comparing the two teaching methods used in this study, the tests have shown that students had higher success rates after the realistic simulation (p<0.001). Regarding the scale of student satisfaction and self-confidence, the data showed satisfaction and self-confidence of students after realistic simulation (p<0.001). The integration of traditional methods with the simulation, theory and practice, proved to be effective to achieve and consequently improves knowledge. We conclude that the simulation is an innovative and active methodology to improve student knowledge, providing satisfaction and confidence in learning. It can be said that the simulation by providing improved learning by experience, experiments that simulate the clinical practice

Canadian guidelines for rhinosinusitis: practical tools for the busy clinician

Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) frequently present in clinical practice. Guidelines for management of these conditions have been published extensively in the past. However, a set of guidelines that addressed issues specific to the Canadian environment while offering clear guidance for first-line clinicians was needed, and resulted in the recent publication of Canadian clinical practice guidelines for ABRS and CRS. In addition to addressing issues specific to Canadian physicians, the presented guidelines are applicable internationally, and offer single algorithms for the diagnosis and management of ABRS and CRS, as well as expert opinion in areas that do not have an extensive evidence base. This commentary presents major points from the guidelines, as well as the intended impact of the guidelines on clinical practice

Electric field assisted reduction of NOx emission: A numerical study

The paper reports simulation results on the influence of a direct-current driven radial electric field on the emission characteristics; especially NOx and CO of a premixed methane/air laminar jet flame. A multi-physics computational model is developed in the OpenFOAM framework to simulate electric-field-coupled premixed combustion process. The computational framework consists of coupled species, momentum and energy conservation together with a Poisson’s equation solver to resolve the electric field distribution. Electron and ion conservation equations are resolved to consider the ionic wind body force in the momentum conservation equation and the associated possible electric field distortion due to the space charge distribution. The simulations are conducted for a stochiometric and fuel rich condition and over a range of jet flow rates for a configuration representative of a test-scale experimental setup. The model predictions show that for an applied voltage of 50 kV, the flame structure changes significantly for both the stoichiometric and fuel rich conditions. The flame is stretched significantly by the electric field due to ionic wind. For the fuel rich condition, the ionic wind allows additional mixing of the fuel rich stream with the surrounding air and drastically altering the flame structure. The electric field was found to reduce the NOx emission significantly for both stoichiometric and rich conditions. Over the entire range of flowrate conditions, the stochiometric fuel-oxidizer mixture showed a decrease in maximum NOx by a factor of 1.6 in presence of electric field. For the fuel rich case, however as the flow rate is increased, the NOx reduction factor decreased from 12.0 to 1.6. For CO emissions, the presence of electric field reduces the concentration under fuel rich conditions and vice versa for the stoichiometric flame. The role of kinetics is analyzed and discussed

Simulação realística como método de ensino no aprendizado de estudantes da área da saúde

Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento, a satisfação e autoconfiança de estudantes de cursos de graduação em Enfermagem e Medicina, que participaram da simulação realística. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo quase experimental, exploratório e analítico, sobre a utilização do método de ensino tradicional com aula expositiva e método de ensino com simulação realística. Para coleta dos dados, utilizou-se formulário de caracterização dos participantes, avaliação de conhecimento e Escala de Satisfação dos Estudantes e Autoconfiança na Aprendizagem. Análises descritiva e univariada foram conduzidas. Resultados: A cada método de ensino utilizado houve ganho de conhecimento dos participantes (

Simulação realística como método de ensino no aprendizado de estudantes da área da saúde

Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento, a satisfação e autoconfiança de estudantes de cursos de graduação em Enfermagem e Medicina, que participaram da simulação realística. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo quase experimental, exploratório e analítico, sobre a utilização do método de ensino tradicional com aula expositiva e método de ensino com simulação realística. Para coleta dos dados, utilizou-se formulário de caracterização dos participantes, avaliação de conhecimento e Escala de Satisfação dos Estudantes e Autoconfiança na Aprendizagem. Análises descritiva e univariada foram conduzidas. Resultados: A cada método de ensino utilizado houve ganho de conhecimento dos participantes (