bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring and comparing the spatiotemporal evolution of accident hot spots
Authors:   , Al Hamami Muqdad
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] One reality of transportation systems is that vehicular accidents can happen practically anywhere and at any time. An increasing body of research suggests though that spatial and/or temporal dependencies (i.e., clusters or hot spots) among accidents likely exist. Along with understanding where and when such spatiotemporal dependencies may occur, another important facet to consider is the geographic extent or area associated with the hot spots. For example, an accident hot spot may involve a small, isolated portion of the transportation system or a much more expansive geographic area. Better delineation and quantification of the morphological characteristics of accident hot spots can provide valuable decision support for planning for accident hot spot mitigation and prevention. As the size and shape of accident hot spots may evolve over time, the capability to track such dynamics is vital, especially with respect to the identification of effecting processes of hot spot occurrence as well as assessments of the efficacy of efforts to mitigate factors underlying hot spot development. For example, a hot spot that is increasing in size over time may indicate areas that are started with a small cluster size then become a part of a larger cluster size during the next periods. Likewise, a cluster that is decreasing in size may signify that some areas may participate with a big cluster size then decrease to a smaller cluster size later. Besides understanding the trend of cluster size evolution during multiple time periods, another important aspect to consider is the percentage or amount of similarity/dissimilarity of cluster morphological characteristics between different urban areas. Better understanding and quantification of morphological characteristics of accident hot spots' similarity characteristics over different urban area levels can also provide valuable decision support for accident safety planning and improve accident alleviation and prevention. To this end, a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) based framework is outlined to facilitate the analysis and comparison of the morphological characteristics of hot spots over time. The analysis framework is applied to a case study of vehicular accidents reported over a two-year period for Morphological analysis and a three-year period for statistical comparison computing to demonstrate its practical utility. The application results of the morphological analysis indicate that patterns of change in hot spot morphology can be effectively quantified, and a variety of informative spatial and temporal patterns can be detected. In addition, the results of cluster statistical comparison computing revealed that the level or percentage of cluster characteristics similarity between urban areas decreases with the increment of the urban city size and road levels complexity.
The business imperative of newsroom diversity: how identities influence Indonesian women media leaders' perceptions and implementation of newsroom changes and innovation
Authors:   , Andayani Fitria
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] News organizations tend to preserve male-dominated organizational culture and have been historically oriented to serve the male reader market. This, however, stifles innovation and fails to respond to rapid changes in the journalism industry. The situation called for change through newsroom diversity initiatives as it is essential for business success and fulfilling journalism's moral obligation of representing diverse perspectives and realities. Women and minority leaders are arguably seen as better positioned to lead newsroom diversity initiatives and thus remedy the situation. This study challenges such assumptions through in-depth interviews with 31 Indonesian women media leaders, focusing on their perspectives and experiences with diversity initiatives in the newsroom ecosystem and how such initiatives impact business and innovation. It finds that newsroom diversity cannot be accomplished solely by increasing the number of women sitting in top management positions. Only a woman leader who has a solid conviction in diversity can add value to business success. The dissertation explains how women's intersected identities and their flexibility in accessing their professional and social roles shape their various understandings of diversity. It also highlights how women with a diversity mindset could create a democratic working environment that allows the company to adapt and change during disruptive times and obtain and explore distinct and new ideas to produce innovation.
Maintenance of relational bindings: working memory or long-term memory?
Authors:   , Decker Reed
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] While there has been a wealth of research examining the effects of feature binding in working memory (WM), it remains unclear how relational bindings (pairings of items, or of an item to its presented serial position) are stored in WM. We proposed a hypothesis in which relational bindings are not maintained in WM, but rather pass directly to long-term memory (LTM), even over short spans. In order to test this hypothesis, we performed a series of experiments examining the effects of short-term memory conditions, as well as both temporally distinct and non-distinct LTM conditions, on serial position curves for words and for relational bindings. We predicted that, unlike in item memory, for relational bindings there would be no effect of either LTM condition on recency relative to the STM condition. In Experiment 1, we presented participants with sets of unrelated word pairs and measured performance on an associative recognition test after a short-term interval, a long-term interval, and a long-term interval in which interstimulus interval was also increased to maintain temporal distinctiveness of the items. In Experiment 2 we used a similar procedure but attempted to increase serial position effects by testing binding between word and serial position, rather than between items. In Experiment 3, the study procedure was again similar, but participants were tested on item recognition and on item-position binding using an order reconstruction test. While the experiments demonstrated either no effect of condition on recency, or evidence against such an effect, post-hoc analysis was able to demonstrate that many participants responded in a unique way to the STM test, with the unique pattern predicting success for this test. As such, we conclude that relational bindings are likely stored in WM, rather than being passed directly to LTM.
A case study of teen leadership development within a 4-H camp counselor experience
Authors:   , Femrite Stephanie
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] Utilizing teens as camp counselors for overnight camping is common within Missouri 4-H. It is also an experience that is often described as providing teens an opportunity to develop leadership skills. The purpose of this multi-case study was to describe and uncover the processes and structures that support teen leadership development experiences provided by Missouri 4-H through the camp counselor experience, as perceived by the program directors and participants; to describe how program directors utilized camp counselors training and implementation at camp to develop teen leadership. Through extensive participant interviews, photo elicitation, and document analysis, four themes emerged. Data were analyzed utilizing three frameworks: Hart's Ladder of Participation (Hart, 1992), Leadership Identity Development (LID) model (Komives et al., 2005, 2006, and 2009), and Western's (2019) four discourses of leadership. An overarching understanding developed from this study. While good things are happening at camp, and that counselors look forward to coming back each year, the philosophical intent of program directors to provide an environment to support leadership development is not present in the structure and processes. Findings suggest the following: (a) there is conflation between relationship development and leadership development, (b) the primary role of counselors is to manage camper behavior, (c) tradition is highly prioritized, (d) and evidence that leadership development is supported through the counselor experience is lacking.
Design and development of geospatial analytical research knowledgebase (GeoARK)
Authors:   , Haithcoat Timothy
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] Enabling the use of spatial context is vital to understanding today's digital health problems. Any given location is associated with many different contexts. It is paramount to build a robust spatial data analytics framework that integrates social, environmental, and infrastructural knowledge base to empower health researchers' use of geospatial context to timely answer population health issues. Needed is a novel analytical framework designed to leverage location to create new contextual knowledge. The Geospatial Analytical Research Knowledgebase (GeoARK), is a unique analytical tool using location as the key was developed. It allows integration across source, geography, and time to create a geospatial big table with over 162 million individual locations (X-Y points that serve as rows) and 5549 attributes (represented as columns). The concept of context (adjacency, proximity, distance, etc.) has been quantified through geo-analytics and captured as new distance, density, or neighbor attributes within the system. This research resource has the robust, locationally integrated, social, environmental, and infrastructural information to address today's complex questions, investigate context and to spatially-enable health investigations. GeoARK is different from other Geographic Information Systems (GIS) resources in that it has taken the layered world of GIS and flattened it into a Big Data table that ties all the data and information together using location and developing its context. The goal is two-fold in that it embodies an innovative technological approach and serves to ease the educational burden for health researchers to think spatially about their problems. Case studies, including telehealth assessment in North Carolina, national income inequality and health outcomes disparity, and a Missouri COVID-19 risk assessment, are chapters used to demonstrate the capability to support robust and efficient geospatial understanding of a wide spectrum of population health questions. This research has identified, compiled, transformed, standardized, and integrated the multifaceted data required to better understand the context of health events within a large location-enabled database. The GeoARK system empowers health professionals to engage more complex research where the synergisms of health and geospatial information will be robustly studied. No longer is the need to know how to do geospatial processing an impediment to the health researcher, but rather the development of how to think spatially becomes the greater challenge.
Exploring the determinants of academic self-efficacy in intercollegiate student-athletes
Authors:   , Hoffman Amanda
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] The academic motivation of student-athletes is largely understudied, particularly regarding academic self-efficacy and self-regulated learning. These concepts can be critical in engaging with these students and promoting their academic success. This study sought to explore the predictors of academic self-efficacy and self-regulatory behaviors. It also served a secondary purpose of determining if there is a difference in the analysis of these concepts at the scale and item level. It was found that academic identity, class year, and starter status predicted academic self-efficacy. Class year and sport season were significant predictors of self-regulatory behaviors. The study also found that predictors were different at the scale and item levels, which provides support for the use of the loglinear Bradley-Terry model for self-efficacy and self-regulatory behaviors. Results of this study can help to inform practices for athletic academic support personnel at the Division I level.
Testing narrative integration and persuasion focus in prosocial health communication: an extended model of organ donation
Authors:   , Hu Sisi
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] This study explored how narratives can be used to address misperceptions and promote prosocial health behavior. In a 2 (narrative integration: high vs. low) x 2 (persuasion focus: egoistic vs. altruistic) plus one control condition with 2 (message repetitions: medical mistrust vs. bodily integrity) online between-subjects experiment (N = 438), this study examined how narrative integration and persuasion focus influence people's perceived barriers and benefits to organ donation registration, perceived closeness to narrative character, psychological reactance, and, in turn, influence people's attitudes, perceived subjective norms, behavioral intentions, and finally, actual organ donation registration behavior. Results revealed narrative (vs. non-narrative) correctives generated less psychological reactance and more favorable attitudes. High-integrated narrative correctives outperformed low-integrated narrative correctives in all above outcome variables. Altruistic- (vs. egoistic-) focused narratives produced more narrative engagement, greater perceived closeness to characters, and less psychological reactance. The model predicted significant actual registration behavior only within altruistic people. The findings from this study added to the literature on narrative persuasion by deepening the understanding of narrative integration and verifying the effectiveness of using narrative to overcome health misinformation and promote prosocial health behavior. I recommend that health professionals use high-integrated narratives to address misinformation and promote organ donor registration within altruistic people to maximize the campaign effects.
A meta-analysis exploring the effect of age on weight loss following a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Authors:   , Karasko Danielle
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] Obesity is a grave concern within the United States, resulting in lost productivity, increased medical costs and obesity related comorbidities with lifelong repercussions. The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a treatment option for obesity and is performed in both adolescents and adults. Outcomes in the adolescent and adult are typically reported separately. A meta-analysis was conducted combining adolescent and adult literature to determine the overall effect of the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and to explore age, biological sex and baseline BMI as moderating variables. The laparoscopic sleeve was effective at facilitating weight loss postoperatively. Age, biological sex and baseline BMI were not found to influence outcomes; however, there were limitations including a paucity of adolescent data. Changes in comorbidities following weight loss after the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were unable to be examined due to a lack of reporting in primary studies and inconsistent definitions. Attrition was a barrier to assessing long term outcomes across studies. Further research is warranted to investigate long term outcomes and changes in comorbidities following the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Additionally, standardization in reporting methods should occur when defining obesity related comorbidities.
Ensayo de memoria: el empobrecimiento y la recuperacion del ensayo en el contexto de la revolucion cubana.
Authors:   , Molina Placeres Aliuska
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] En esta disertacion hacemos un estudio amplio de las condiciones politicas e ideologicas que dieron lugar al empobrecimiento del ensayo en los tiempos de la Revolucion cubana de 1959, y de las primeras senas de recuperacion que da la disciplina hacia finales de los anos ochenta e inicio de los noventa. Exploramos las razones ideologicas pero tambien politicas que dieron lugar a ese empobrecimiento y recobro. Nuestra pesquisa avanza paralelamente en la historia del ensayo latinoamericano y en la de la Revolucion cubana: la estirpe americanista del genero y el humanismo presumible en todo proceso revolucionario de aceptacion popular, crearon una coyuntura que fue aprovechada para pautar formas y contenidos a la produccion del genero en las nuevas condiciones del pais. Una gran cantidad de autores quedaron eclipsados o silenciados, mientras otros -en gran medida por lo aprovechable o lo inocuo del contenido politico de sus obras, recibian el espaldarazo del sistema cultural en conformacion. Nuestro estudio es tambien, entonces, un analisis de la Revolucion cubana en su doble faz de proceso liberador y opresivo. Para este analisis encontramos un gran respaldo en los trabajos del historiador Hugh Thomas y en teoricos de los sistemas de poder y de las revoluciones como Hannah Arendt y Michael Foucault.
The role of heat shock protein 72 in endothelial insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes: using passive heat therapy to improve endothelial insulin responsiveness
Authors:   , Pettit-Mee Ryan J.
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] Impaired endothelial insulin signaling and consequent blunting of insulin-induced vasodilation is a feature of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and contributes to vascular disease and glycemic dysregulation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying endothelial insulin resistance remain poorly known. Herein, the hypothesis that endothelial insulin resistance in T2D is attributed to reduced expression of HSP72 was tested. HSP72 is a cytoprotective chaperone protein that can be upregulated with heating and is reported to promote insulin sensitivity in metabolically active tissues, in part via inhibition of JNK activity. Accordingly, it was further hypothesized that, in T2D individuals, seven days of passive heat treatment via hot water immersion to waist-level (one hour/day) would improve leg blood flow responses to an oral glucose load (i.e., endogenous insulin stimulation) via induction of endothelial HSP72. Contrary to the hypotheses, it was found that: 1) endothelial insulin resistance in T2D mice and humans was not associated with reduced HSP72 in aortas and endothelial cells, respectively; 2) after passive heat treatment, improved leg blood flow responses to an oral glucose load did not parallel with increased endothelial HSP72; 3) downregulation of HSP72 (via small-interfering RNA) or upregulation of HSP72 (via heating) in cultured endothelial cells did not impair or enhance insulin signaling (i.e., activation of Akt), respectively, nor was JNK activity altered. Collectively, these findings do not support the hypothesis that reduced HSP72 is a key driver of endothelial insulin resistance in T2D but provide novel evidence that lower-body heating may be an effective strategy for improving postprandial blood flow in subjects with T2D.
Whole-class read-alouds with diverse children's literature: primary teachers' perspectives and practices
Authors:   , Reid Sarah D.
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] The purpose of this qualitative research study was to investigate primary teachers' perspectives about whole-class read-alouds with diverse children's literature (DCL) and their practices for implementing and conducting them. This multiple and instrumental case study drew from critical sociocultural perspectives. Five primary teachers (grades K- 3) participated in semi-structured interviews and journal writing, as well as sharing classroom artifacts related to their read-alouds with DCL. Data analysis included open and axial coding, constant-comparative analysis, and within- and cross-case analysis. Findings from the study indicate that the teachers had to negotiate their school contexts to hold read-alouds with DCL, even in schools that worked toward diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, teachers viewed their read-alouds with DCL as a space where students could (re)shape their identities and social understandings. Findings also indicate that the teachers constructed read-alouds with DCL to foster identity building and recognition, including developing a sense of community identity. Teachers also had an open format for their read-alouds that encouraged their students to enact their power and agency to make meaning with the text and their peers. Implications for future research, primary teachers, administrators, and early childhood/elementary teacher education faculty are provided.
Rites of leaving
Authors:   , Rhodes Katie
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] The school of Stoic philosophy traces its roots back to 300 B.C.E and thrived until the 4th century C.E, when it fell into decline and was ultimately assimilated into other systems of philosophy. It experienced a limited revival during the Renaissance and in the late 20th century. We own the resurgence of modern interest in Stoicism to the 1971 publication Problems in Stoicism by A.A. Long. Interest in modern Stoicism has only deepened in recent years, with non-academic self-help publications rooted in Stoic philosophy finding commercial success. Notably, the bulk of the modern Stoic movement is based on online modalities, including online forums, podcasts, Facebook groups, digital Zoom conferences, and pay-on-demand online lectures.
Novel biomaterials for controlled immunomodulatory drug delivery
Authors:   , Wang Xiaofei
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] With the success of solid organ transplantation, a next generation approach has been developed known as vascularized composite allografts which requires the transplantation of a whole functional unit comprised of many tissues including skin, bone, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves as a single unit from a deceased donor to the patient. However, similar to other solid organ transplants, the biggest challenge associated with vascularized composite allografts is their post-surgery acute rejection. To prevent and alleviate this problem, broad-spectrum immunosuppressants are required which unfortunately have two major disadvantages: (1) low on-target efficiency and/or severe adverse side effects and (2) require conventional oral and subcutaneous administration routes that can lead to systemic immunosuppression, which together increase the risk of infection or developing cancer. To address the first problem, I studied a promising biocompatible and immunomodulatory biologic -- vasoactive intestinal peptide and designed vasoactive intestinal peptide amphiphile micelles with different chemical formulations, shapes, and sizes to determine factors that influence the bioactivity of this peptide therapeutic. While specifically important for the development of novel immunosuppressant therapies, the impact micellar physical properties have on incorporated bioactive peptides determined from this research will help us continue to understand structure-function relationships more broadly for nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. To avoid the undesirable systemic effects induced by oral administration or subcutaneous injection of immunosuppressants, I have designed a novel polyester hydrogel drug delivery device capable of achieving localized and controllable delivery of thiol-containing immunomodulatory peptides. Glutathione was used as a candidate therapeutic to test this system for which the hydrophilicity of the polymer backbone was modulated to achieve sustained drug release over six to ten days.
"Rape is a part of life where I live" the normalization of girl-child sexual abuse in Jamaica
Authors:   , Watson Patricia
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] This research focused on understanding the role of institutions, social and cultural factors, and women's socio-economic status in (re)producing and perpetuating the sexual abuse of girls in Jamaica. Using an interpretive phenomenology and a Caribbean Intersectional Feminist (CIF) lens, data were collected and examined from six child sexual abuse survivors, seven mother/daughter pairs (14) impacted by sexual abuse, four key experts, and a focus group of 12 persons from five select communities with high incidences of girl-child sexual abuse (GCSA), to understand how this feminised crime is maintained and normalised in Jamaica. The study indicates that girl-child sexual abuse (GCSA) is normalised in Jamaica and defended through the inattention to structural and systemic issues in communities highly impacted by violence and poverty. Gender inequalities, specifically women's socio-economic status, male impunity and privilege, institutional weakness, and trauma associated with structural violence, perpetuate GCSA. Finally, the way the law interprets childhood and child sexual abuse are constructed differently by men and women and the communities in which they live. These findings have important implications for child protection and family violence in Jamaica.
Experimental investigation of the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) method for estimating depth of bedrock in Central Missouri
Authors:   , Chi Chang
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] Determining the depth to bedrock is important in geotechnical site investigations, especially for foundation, slope stability, and settlement problems. Although methods such as drilling can be used to determine the depth to bedrock, geophysical methods are excellent supplemental tools to fill in the space between borings. However, many geophysical methods require extensive equipment to deploy and expertise to interpret the data. A recent, simple method to estimate the depth to bedrock is the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) method, which is a single-station measurement that only requires ambient noise and can be easily deployed and completed by a single person within 15 minutes. The objective of this study is to determine if a reliable relationship of depth to bedrock could be developed for the University of Missouri (MU) campus using the HVSR method alone without shear wave velocity measurements. In total, 65 HVSR measurements were performed around the MU campus over an approximate area of 1,200,000 m2. Measurements were performed with a three-component geophone, hand-held data acquisition system, and laptop computer. Relationships were developed between HVSR frequency versus depth to bedrock for all data and subsets of data based on the bedrock conditions. The results showed a reliable relationship can be developed for soil over limestone profiles, where the average errors were within 12 percent, which is consistent with similar past studies. However, when shale was present, the bedrock depth predictions were unreliable with errors as large 58 percent. Therefore, in practice, the HVSR relationship developed in this study should only be used at sites where shale is known to be absent, based on supplemental information. The HVSR relationship developed in this study was applied at a major construction project near the University of Missouri campus and showed good agreement between the prediction from HVSR and refraction results performed by another contractor. The errors in the depth predictions were within the range of 0.5 to 3.2 ft.
Inhibitory control in male and female adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Authors:   , Cissne Mackenzie N.
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] Recent research suggests that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience particular difficulty resisting interference from visual distractors (RIVD) relative to other aspects of inhibitory control (e.g., prepotent response inhibition and resistance to proactive interference). The literature further suggests that the ASD-related disruptions in inhibitory control may be age-related, such that RIVD difficulty may be more pronounced in young verses older adolescents. Much less is known, however, regarding potential sex-related differences in the inhibitory profile (i.e., strengths and weaknesses) in individuals with ASD. The present study was designed to further examine potential age- and sex-related differences in inhibitory ability in individuals with and without ASD. A sample of 44 adolescents (25 males, 19 females) with ASD and 45 adolescents without ASD (22 males, 23 females) participated. Participants completed a computerized flanker visual filtering task and a go/no-go task, which assessed RIVD and prepotent response inhibition, respectively. No significant effect of group (ASD, non-ASD) was observed for the flanker task (F(1,65) [less than] 1, p = .34, [eta]p2= .014) or the go/no-go task (F(1,69) [less than] 1, p = .90, [eta]p2 [less than] .001). There were also no significant interactions between sex and group for either task (F [less than] 1, p [greater than] 0.43, [eta]p2 [less than] 0.01, in both instances). However, a significant relationship between flanker performance and age was observed for the ASD group, with the older children showing smaller flanker effects (i.e., better inhibitory ability) as compared to the younger children (t(25) = 3.24, p = .003, pr2 = 0.30). Consistent with previous research (e.g., Christ et al., 2011), there was no evidence of ASD-related impairment in prepotent response inhibition as measured by the go/no-go task. Also consistent with past findings (e.g., Boland et al., 2019), age-related differences in RIVD ability were evident for the ASD group. Notably, we found no evidence of sex-related differences in the inhibitory profile of individuals with ASD.
The effects of extinction on positive and negative reinforcement
Authors:   , Healzer Olivia
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] A controversial topic in Applied Behavior Analysis is whether there needs to be a distinction between positive and negative reinforcement. Some researchers argue there is no need for the distinction because the overall effect of the behavior change is the same for both concepts (i.e., increases the future likelihood of the behavior). However, others believe there is a fundamental difference between positive and negative reinforcement. Further research is needed to determine if there is a difference between the two. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of extinction on positive and negative reinforcement with college students. The results indicate that the effects of extinction were slightly different for positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement regarding the overall rate of responding across conditions for some individuals.
Performance evaluation of text augmentation methods with BERT on imbalanced datasets
Authors:   , Hu Lingshu
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] Recently deep learning methods have achieved great success in understanding and analyzing text messages. In real-world applications, however, labeled text data are often small-sized and imbalanced in classes due to the high cost of human annotation, limiting the performance of deep learning classifiers. Therefore, this study examines the effectiveness of Word2Vec and WordNet augmentation methods with BERT fine-tuning on datasets of various sizes (e.g., 500, 1,000, and 5,000 training documents) and imbalance ratios (e.g., 4:1 and 9:1). It compares them with other methods for imbalanced data, including boosting, SMOTE, and simple oversampling, combined with widely used machine learning models, including logistic regression, fully connected neural network, and LSTM. Experimental results show that Word2Vec augmentation improves the performance of BERT in detecting the minority class, and the improvement is most significantly (9 percent-30 percent recall increase compared to the base model and 11 percent-12 percent recall increase compared to the model with the oversampling method) when the data size is small (e.g., 500 training documents) and highly imbalanced (e.g., 9:1). When the data size increases or the imbalance ratio decreases, the improvement generated by the Word2Vec augmentation becomes smaller or insignificant. Moreover, Word2Vec augmentation plus BERT achieves the best performance compared to other models and methods, demonstrating a promising solution for small-sized, highly imbalanced text classification tasks.
Bayesian model averaging for mathematics achievement growth rate trends
Authors:   , Kim Minsun
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] In this study, we investigated the use of Bayesian model averaging (BMA) for latent growth curve models. We used the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) to predict growth rates in 8th-grade students' mathematics achievement. The dataset on male and female students' mathematics achievement contained 6 predictors, meaning that 64 model combinations were generated. Results highlighted science achievement score and teaching years as the most important predictors of both male and female students' growth in mathematics achievement. In this study, the growth rate of mathematical achievement for each country was compared with the predicted density and the density based on actual data. Most countries did not differ significantly in observed and predicted growth rates for male and female groups. For sensitivity analysis, the model prior had the smallest log-predictive score (LPS) value when specified as a binomial model with m = 4 for both the male and female data groups, regardless of the parameter prior. When comparing the fixed prior and flexible prior for parameters, the LPS value was relatively small when the fixed prior for parameters was set regardless of the model prior.
Hospital gowns in the health care system: a study exploring whether the hospital gown preserves a patient's dignity, modesty, and comfort
Authors:   , Lorts Ashten
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] Over the years, hospital gowns have become accepted as the standard attire worn by patients in healthcare settings, especially in hospitals. The need for hospital gowns is still present in today's medicine, but new medical practices and patients' preferences may lead to gown modifications. Therefore, this study aimed to discover how patients perceive satisfaction when wearing and using a hospital gown during medical intervention. A qualitative research method was used for this research study to determine whether the patients' preferences of comfort, modesty, and dignity regarding the hospital gown are met while maintaining the functionality of the gown for healthcare providers. Overall, the patients viewed the hospital gown as an unpleasant medical necessity that the patient had to endure as a part of the outpatient or inpatient experience. The patients were willing to endure the unpleasant experiences because they believed the gown was a medical necessity. Further, the data supports the finding that patients were willing to endure the use of the gown even though the hospital gown was described as oversized, exposing, and self-conscious. Based on the results, the data support the need for a redesign using the guiding principles of the FEA Consumer Needs Model and LCPT. Many patients have even suggested ways to make the gown more patient-centered. For the patients, this study acts to represent their opinions on a garment that has been widely used for many centuries. The research helps healthcare providers understand how a patient feels when donning a hospital gown.
"Futures possible": reading for realism in contemporary literary genre fiction
Authors:   , Spoltore Dane
Published: September 2022

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 6/1/2023] This thesis reads three contemporary novels, Colson Whitehead's Zone One, Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice, and Lydia Millet's Mermaids in Paradise in relation to literary realism. What is so novel about this approach is that all three of these novels are, to varying degrees, genre texts. Whitehead's novel is a post-apocalyptic zombie novel, Pynchon's is a stoner detective pastiche, and Millet's is a fantasy novel about a newly discovered cadre of mermaids. The point, simply put, is that these novels are not easily understood as literary realism--and with (somewhat) good reason. Despite the obvious genre elements, however, all three of these novels deny genre in service of a more "realistic" (my quotations) approach to their material. These novels, then, leave room for interpretation via a model of literary realism. The goal of this thesis is to understand how contemporary writers deploy genre and realism to both image a possible future and sketch the limitations of such a project.
Florida 4-H Officers' Handbook
Authors: Tesdall Tracy , Levings Judith , Baker Ali , Hensley Sarah , Ellison Stacey
Published: September 2022

The duties and responsibilities of each of the club officer roles are outlined in this helpful guide. It also includes a 4-H club meeting checklist and information about club performance recognition. This 15-page fact sheet was revised by Tracy Tesdall, Judith Levings, Ali Baker, Sarah Hensley, Stacey Ellison, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, September 2014.

4HGCM10/4H049: The Florida 4-H Officer's Handbook (ufl.edu)
How to Start a 4-H Club (for Youth Ages 8–18)
Authors: Diem Keith G. , Jordan Joy , Terry Bryan , Pracht Dale , Butterfield Judy , Cletzer Adam , McConnell Lindsey , Knowles Ben
Published: September 2022

Being in a 4-H club provides important opportunities for youth to learn subject matter and life skills while working with a caring adult and other youth. Once youth are 4-H members, they become eligible for a variety of the benefits of belonging to 4-H, including awards, trips, and special events. Of course, it’s meant to be fun for the kids and the leaders too! Starting a 4-H club isn’t difficult, and you are encouraged to seek help from parents or other volunteers. Local Extension/4-H staff can help you get started. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Keith G. Diem, Joy Jordan, Bryan Terry, Dale Pracht, Judy Butterfield, Adam Cletzer, Lindsey McConnell, and Ben Knowles, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, July 2014.

4H336/4H336: How to Start a Club (for Youth Ages 8–18) (ufl.edu)
Adopting 4-H Club Bylaws
Authors: Diem Keith G. , Levings Judy , Knowles Ben
Published: September 2022

Why does a 4-H club (for youth ages 8–18) need bylaws? For the same reason our country needs a constitution! By having fair and written rules, the rights of all members can be protected. The following is a suggested format for 4-H bylaws. The bylaws below may be adapted to meet local conditions. Be sure to send a copy of your club’s approved bylaws to your county 4-H office. Include in the bylaws the date when they were approved and most recently revised. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Keith G. Diem, Judy Levings, and Ben Knowles, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, July 2014.

4H338/4H338: Adopting 4-H Club Bylaws (ufl.edu)
Planning a Successful Field Trip
Authors: Diem Keith G. , Knowles Ben
Published: September 2022

Field trips can be great experiences for youth to learn project content and life skills. Field trips also contribute to the experiential learning philosophy of 4-H. This document includes some suggestions to make a field trip fun, safe, and educational. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Keith G. Diem and Ben Knowles, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, July 2014.

4H339/4H339: Planning a Successful Field Trip (ufl.edu)
Protecting Youth and Volunteers by Planning Ahead, Reducing Risk
Authors: Diem Keith G.
Published: September 2022

The UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program is committed to the safety and well-being of its youth as well as the volunteers who help deliver 4-H programs under the supervision of 4-H faculty and staff. All things in life involve some sort of risk. This is especially true when working with youth, but there are many ways that volunteers can minimize this risk and lead safe 4-H activities. Proper planning and common sense certainly go a long way. Although not to be considered legal advice, here are some facts and issues to know and keep in mind while serving as a 4-H volunteer. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Keith G. Diem, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, July 2014.

4H342/4H342: Protecting Youth and Volunteers by Planning Ahead, Reducing Risk (ufl.edu)
Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems: Leader’s Activity Guide—Introduction
Authors: Blyler Karen , Jordan Joy
Published: September 2022

The new Florida 4-H Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems: Leader’s Activity Guide helps leaders address the 4-H Science Initiative and is part of the Environmental Sciences Framework, OUR NATURAL WORLD. This framework includes the basic premise that aquatic/marine environments are important in children’s lives, particularly to those children in Florida. The 4-H Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems curriculum provides an opportunity for young people to practice a variety of life skills while learning marine science concepts. The curriculum also utilizes science inquiry as a way for young people (9-14) to gain a deeper curiosity about the natural world. Written by Karen Blyler and Joy Jordan, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, November 2014.

4H346/4H346: Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems: Leader's Activity Guide—Introduction (ufl.edu)
Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems—Lesson 1: Aquatic and Marine Ecosystem Connections
Authors: Blyler Karen , Jordan Joy
Published: September 2022

The new Florida 4-H Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems: Leader’s Activity Guide helps leaders address the 4-H Science Initiative and is part of the Environmental Sciences Framework, OUR NATURAL WORLD. This framework includes the basic premise that aquatic/marine environments are important in children’s lives, particularly to those children in Florida. The 4-H Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems curriculum provides an opportunity for young people to practice a variety of life skills while learning marine science concepts. The curriculum also utilizes science inquiry as a way for young people (9-14) to gain a deeper curiosity about the natural world. Written by Karen Blyler and Joy Jordan, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, November 2014.

4H347/4H347: Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems—Lesson 1: Aquatic and Marine Ecosystem Connections (ufl.edu)
Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems—Lesson 2: Wetland Ecosystems—Freshwater Marshes and Swamps
Authors: Blyler Karen , Jordan Joy
Published: September 2022

The new Florida 4-H Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems: Leader’s Activity Guide helps leaders address the 4-H Science Initiative and is part of the Environmental Sciences Framework, OUR NATURAL WORLD. This framework includes the basic premise that aquatic/marine environments are important in children’s lives, particularly to those children in Florida. The 4-H Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems curriculum provides an opportunity for young people to practice a variety of life skills while learning marine science concepts. The curriculum also utilizes science inquiry as a way for young people (9-14) to gain a deeper curiosity about the natural world. Written by Karen Blyler and Joy Jordan, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, November 2014.

4H348/4H348: Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems—Lesson 2: Wetland Ecosystems: Freshwater Marshes and Swamps (ufl.edu)
Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems—Lesson 3: Aquatic Ecosystems—Lakes, Springs & Rivers
Authors: Blyler Karen , Jordan Joy
Published: September 2022

The new Florida 4-H Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems: Leader’s Activity Guide helps leaders address the 4-H Science Initiative and is part of the Environmental Sciences Framework, OUR NATURAL WORLD. This framework includes the basic premise that aquatic/marine environments are important in children’s lives, particularly to those children in Florida. The 4-H Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems curriculum provides an opportunity for young people to practice a variety of life skills while learning marine science concepts. The curriculum also utilizes science inquiry as a way for young people (9-14) to gain a deeper curiosity about the natural world. Written by Karen Blyler and Joy Jordan, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, November 2014.

4H349/4H349: Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems—Lesson 3: Aquatic Ecosystems: Lakes, Springs, and Rivers (ufl.edu)
Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems—Lesson 4: Coastal Ecosystems—Beach, Estuary, Marsh & Swamp
Authors: Blyler Karen , Jordan Joy
Published: September 2022

The new Florida 4-H Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems: Leader’s Activity Guide helps leaders address the 4-H Science Initiative and is part of the Environmental Sciences Framework, OUR NATURAL WORLD. This framework includes the basic premise that aquatic/marine environments are important in children’s lives, particularly to those children in Florida. The 4-H Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems curriculum provides an opportunity for young people to practice a variety of life skills while learning marine science concepts. The curriculum also utilizes science inquiry as a way for young people (9-14) to gain a deeper curiosity about the natural world. Written by Karen Blyler and Joy Jordan, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, November 2014.

4H350/4H350: Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems—Lesson 4: Coastal Ecosystems: Beach, Estuary, Marsh, and Swamp (ufl.edu)
Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems—Facilitator Evaluation
Authors: Blyler Karen , Jordan Joy
Published: September 2022

The new Florida 4-H Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems: Leader’s Activity Guide helps leaders address the 4-H Science Initiative and is part of the Environmental Sciences Framework, OUR NATURAL WORLD. This framework includes the basic premise that aquatic/marine environments are important in children’s lives, particularly to those children in Florida. The 4-H Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems curriculum provides an opportunity for young people to practice a variety of life skills while learning marine science concepts. The curriculum also utilizes science inquiry as a way for young people (9-14) to gain a deeper curiosity about the natural world. Written by Karen Blyler and Joy Jordan, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, November 2014.

4H353/4H353: Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems—Facilitator Evaluation (ufl.edu)
Fins & Scales: An Introduction to Bony Fish—A Marine Science Project Book for 4-H Intermediate Members
Authors: Blyler Karen
Published: September 2022

In this project, youth will learn about fish and their adaptations for living in water. This revised 48-page Intermediate level (ages 11-13) project book was written by Karen Blyler, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, October 2014.

Contents: A. What is a fish? B. How do fins help a fish? C. How does body shape help a fish? D. How does body color help a fish? E. Why do fish have different mouths? F. Why do fish have scales? G. How can we determine a fish’s age?

4H354/4H354: Fins & Scales: An Introduction to Bony Fish—A Marine Science Project Book for 4-H Intermediate Members (ufl.edu)
Fins & Scales: An Introduction to Bony Fish—A Marine Science Project Guide for 4-H Leaders and Educators
Authors: Blyler Karen
Published: September 2022

The Fins and Scales Project is intended for youth age 11-13 (Intermediate 4-Hers). The Leaders Guide follows the layout of the Youth Project Book and provides a suggested approach for each section. Each section of the Leaders Guide contains: Additional background information, answer key, additional activities, opportunities to review, “dive deeper,” and “think like a scientist.” This 52-page project guide was written by Karen Blyler, and published by the UF Department of 4-H Youth Development, October 2014.

4H355/4H355: Fins & Scales: An Introduction to Bony Fish—A Marine Science Project Guide for 4-H Leaders and Educators (ufl.edu)
Bermudagrass Production in Florida
Authors: Newman Yoana C. , Vendramini Joao M. B. , Johnson F. A.
Published: September 2022

This is a minor revision of the same title, dropping the names of former authors G.C. Chambliss and M.B. Adjei, who are both deceased.