Showing papers by "Saint Anselm College published in 2018"

Competency Education Implementation: Examining the Influence of Contextual Forces in Three New Hampshire Secondary Schools:

Abstract: Competency education, a K–12 reform aimed to ensure that all students meet high expectations, requires that students demonstrate mastery of competencies to advance and earn credit, typically through assessments where students apply knowledge. Students receive more time and possibly personalized instruction to demonstrate mastery if needed. Competency education demands changes to traditional practices, including scheduling and grading. This qualitative case study describes how three districts in New Hampshire implemented this reform in secondary schools. Findings reveal that despite over 6 years of progress at each site, the reform had not been fully implemented due to inertial, technical, normative, and political challenges. Changes to grading and assessment were particularly difficult to implement.

Learning about noise

Abstract: This paper studies how acquisition of non-fundamental information (learning about noise) affects financial markets. We develop a rational expectations model with investors who are endowed with fundamental and non-fundamental information of heterogeneous quality and who optimally allocate learning capacity between fundamentals and noise. We demonstrate that learning about noise increases price informativeness, and the price can be the most informative when the majority of investors acquire non-fundamental information. We also find that i) investors whose prior fundamental information is relatively precise (imprecise) compared to their prior non-fundamental information learn only about fundamentals (noise) and ii) learning about fundamentals (noise) increases (decreases) the heterogeneity in the fundamental information quality across investors.

Livability: A politics for abnormative lives:

Abstract: This article introduces the concept of abnormativity as way of theorizing the realities of subjects who suffer from marginalization and/or erasure, specifically sex workers. It then develops livability as a playbook of political action which attends to the abnormative lives of sex workers by balancing resistance to institutionalized forms of marginalization with queer critical approaches to heteronormativity. It proposes this framework as suitable for frontline sex-worker support projects, outlining the limitations and benefits of three ethico-political models that aim to address the conditions of abnormativity: the politics of recognition, intersectional recognition, and critical intelligibility. It argues that each of these models is insufficient on its own, but that intersectional recognition and critical intelligibility can be mobilized productively together as the politics of livability.

Measuring outcomes of digital technology-assisted nursing postpartum: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: AIM To determine if delivering electronic messages from nurses during the first 6 months postpartum is feasible, acceptable and effective in improving mood and decreasing parenting stress. BACKGROUND Competing demands during the postpartum hospitalization make focused time for nurses to provide education and support difficult. Unmet needs following discharge may increase the incidence of postpartum depression. Untreated depression negatively affects families, especially for vulnerable women with limited access to health care. DESIGN This is a longitudinal cohort study in three phases. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed during Phases 1 & 2. Phase 3 is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with three conditions. METHODS This protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the maternity hospital on 12 May 2015 and reviewed annually. Women are enrolled during the maternity hospitalization, after which randomization occurs. The control group receives usual care. Intervention I participants receive a standardized electronic message four times/week for 6 months postpartum. Intervention II participants receive the messages and the option to request a call from a nurse. Electronic surveys at 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months postpartum measure depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and parenting stress using the Parenting Stress Index-Short form. Patient satisfaction, nursing time and expertise required are also measured. DISCUSSION Phase 1 and 2 have demonstrated the intervention is feasible and acceptable to women. Phase 3 enrolment is completed, and the last follow-up surveys were emailed to participants in February 2018. Results will help inform efforts to continue nursing care after hospital discharge.

Visible Light-Induced Radical Mediated DNA Damage.

Abstract: Light-responsive compounds have been used to manipulate biological systems with spatial and temporal control of the event of interest. Illumination of alkylcobalamins with green light (>500 nm) produces carbon-centered radicals, which have been demonstrated to effectively cause DNA damage. Molecules that cause DNA and RNA strand scission are useful for studying polynucleotide structure and the binding of small molecules and proteins to polynucleotides. Most molecules that cause DNA damage in a light-dependent manner require high energy, short wavelength ultraviolet light, which is readily absorbed by nucleotide bases causing damage to the polynucleotides. Therefore, using alkylcobalamins is advantageous for causing strand scission of polynucleotides, because they are activated by light wavelengths that are not absorbed by nucleotide bases. Green-light illumination of methylcobalamin effectively causes DNA strand scission based on gel mobility assays. This cleavage is due to the generation of carbon-centered radicals based on the results of a radical trapping study. In addition, synthesis of an alkylcobalamin with a DNA binding moiety, spermine, improves DNA cleavage efficacy by an order of magnitude in comparison with methylcobalamin.

The Conflicted Juvenile Delinquency Court after Gault: A Qualitative Examination of Actors and Processes in Two Contemporary Courts

Abstract: The contemporary juvenile court aims to protect juveniles' due process rights and to address the social welfare of youth. The seminal case In re Gault (1967) requires juvenile court judges to make determinations of fact using standards resembling the adult criminal process. At the same time, the Supreme Court in Gault aimed to preserve a focus on the treatment and rehabilitation of adolescent offenders. Contemporary juvenile courts continue to have both adversarial and rehabilitative elements. While experts note the potential conflict between due process protections and social welfare objectives, little research has examined how, in practice, the balance is struck between these two goals in the contemporary juvenile court. This research examines the ability of two contemporary juvenile courts to provide constitutional protections while also responding effectively to youths' social welfare needs. By combining 106 observations of court hearings and attorney meetings with 86 interviews of parents and...

Measuring acceleration using the Purcell effect

Abstract: We show that a two-level atom resonantly coupled to one of the modes of a cavity field can be used as a sensitive tool to measure the proper acceleration of a combined atom-cavity system. To achieve it we investigate the relation between the transition probability of a two-level atom placed within an ideal cavity and study how it is affected by the acceleration of the whole. We indicate how to choose the position of the atom as well as its characteristic frequency in order to maximize the sensitivity to acceleration.

Macrogeographic variation in song of the MacGillivray's Warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei)

Abstract: Geographic variation in mating signals is of interest to evolutionary biologists because the consequences of spatial divergence may lead to behavioral discrimination, assortative mating, and speciation Birdsong is a mating signal of songbirds, and geographic variation in the form of small-scale dialects or large-scale regiolects has been documented in many species We studied macrogeographic variation in song of the MacGillivray's Warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei) to determine the pattern of song variation in this species Hypotheses used to explain the evolution of song divergence were also examined We found extensive individual variation in the cultural units and physical parameters of song that overwhelmed differences among populations We did not find dialects in the breeding range but did find a pattern of clinal variation with song differences increasing with increasing geographic distances among populations Hypotheses that explain patterns of song divergence in other species did not apply to

God’s Dice and Einstein’s Solids

Abstract: What role does chance play in the universe? Quantum theory suggests that randomness is a fundamental part of how the universe works and yet we live mostly intentional, ordered lives. We make decisions with the expectation that our decisions matter. How is it possible for this directed and seemingly deterministic world to arise from mere randomness? In this essay I show that simple combinatorial systems behave in precisely this manner and I discuss the implications of this for theories that include notions of free will.

Deep learning in low-power stereo vision accelerator for automotive

Abstract: Various forms of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architectures are used as Deep Learning (DL) tools for learning the similarity measure on video patches in order to run the stereo matching algorithm — the most computationally intensive stage of the pipeline for the stereo vision function used in designing an autonomous car. We propose a hybrid system implementation of the algorithm for real-time, low-power and high-temperature environment. The accelerator part of our system is a programmable many-core system with a Map-Reduce Architecture. The paper describes and evaluates the proposed accelerator for different versions of the stereo matching algorithm.

Practical problem-based learning: An interdisciplinary approach

Abstract: This paper describes our experiences using an interdisciplinary approach in practical problem-based learning to benefit the students, faculty and the local community. This research uses an integrated project-based learning approach to engage students and prepare them for success. This interdisciplinary project has been externally funded and uses a cohort of students and faculty from the Computer Science and the Biology departments to solve a problem pertinent to the local community. It is a work in progress and we present some interesting results from the data collected so far. The project has yielded good results and has changed students' perception of science in that they now better understand its interdisciplinary nature. All the students involved in this project now appreciate the cross disciplinary nature of scientific research. Computer science students understand that what they have learnt in their major can be used in other areas beside pure computer science. Students from other majors see the power of computing and have a better appreciation of computer science. This research project also involves one of the ABET goals to prepare students to address current and future environmental and societal challenges.

Genome Sequence of Bacillus Phage Saddex.

Abstract: The complete genome of Bacillus phage Saddex was determined and annotated in this study Saddex has distinct sections with similarities to other Bacillus phages, such as Kida, even though these phages were isolated more than 800 km apart by separate laboratories

New Hampshire Senate Race: Closest in the Nation

Abstract: The New Hampshire Senate race between Maggie Hassan (D) and incumbent Kelly Ayotte (R) was the closest in the nation; Hassan won by just over a thousand votes. This was a closely watched race in 2016, as many believed it could decide the balance of the Senate. This meant significant outside money pouring into a small state. Reasons for Hassan’s victory include the increasingly Democratic lean of the New Hampshire electorate when it comes to federal offices, strong support for the Democratic candidate from women, young people, and minorities, Hassan’s high levels of popularity and name recognition, as well as the influence of the presidential campaign.

What Do Women Want? Beyond Discharge and Postpartum

Abstract: Summary: The voices of childbearing women, their partners and nurses are heard in the results of this focus group research. Themes identifying mother’s needs are compared to needs identified by nurses and contribute to knowledge about providing appropriate and focused education during and after the maternity hospitalization. Content Outline:

Complete Genome Sequence of Cluster C2 Bacillus Phage Maceta.

Abstract: Bacillus phage Maceta was isolated from the soil of commercially purchased annual flowers using the host Bacillus thuringiensis serovar kurstaki. Isolated DNA was then sequenced and annotated. Maceta has a relatively small genome, containing 45,023 bp, and shares an average nucleotide identity of 96% with other cluster C2 Bacillus phage.

Random walks on combs and brushes

Abstract: Random walks is a rare example of a mature and still very active research field which allows a relatively easy access for undergraduate students. While requirements for the theoretical background may be quite high (typically, of the graduate school level), numerical simulations of many random walks problems may be an excellent choice for undergraduate research projects for students specializing in computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Here we describe an example of such a project and discuss its possible extentions. Some of the findings were presented as a conference talk [1] and published in Ref. [2].

Intrinsic ratchets: A Hamiltonian approach

Abstract: An asymmetric Brownian particle subjected to an external time-dependent force may acquire a net drift velocity and thus operate as a motor or ratchet, even if the external force is represented by an unbiased time-periodic function or by a zero-centered noise. For an adequate description of such ratchets, a conventional Langevin equation linear in the particle's velocity is insufficient, and one needs to take into account the first nonlinear correction to the dissipation force which emerges beyond the weak coupling limit. We derived microscopically the relevant nonlinear Langevin equation by extending the standard projection operation technique beyond the weak coupling limit. The particle is modeled as a rigid cluster of atoms and its asymmetry may be geometrical, compositional (when a cluster is composed of atoms of different types), or due to a combination of both factors. The drift velocity is quadratic in the external force's amplitude and increases with decreasing the force's frequency (for a periodic force) and inverse correlation time (for a fluctuating force). The maximum value of the drift velocity is independent on the particle's mass and achieved in the adiabatic limit, i.e., for an infinitely slow change of the external field.

A Recursive Growing & Featuring Mechanism for Nanocomputing Structures

Abstract: The huge amounts of physical possibilities offered by the emerging nanotechnologies must be accompanied, beyond the uniform growing mechanisms supposed by the current serial and/or parallel extensions, by an appropriate structuring mechanism able to support efficiently the increasing functional demands. A recursive growing mechanism is proposed for the upcoming Nano-Era. The current growing mechanism involves only pure quantitative aspects. We consider as mandatory, for the very big sized systems, another mechanism which interleaves the quantitative aspects with the functional ones. Because the computational parallelism is implicit for the big sized systems, the growing mechanism must be supported also by an appropriate computational model. For the current systems we started from gates. For Nano-Era structuring mechanism we will start from cellular automata. The main difference is that for nanoarchitectures the growing mechanism and the featuring mechanism are unified in an unique recursive mechanism.

Can Technology-Assisted Nursing Intervention Improve Postpartum Mood and Decrease Parenting Stress?

Abstract: Summary: The effectiveness of electronic messages provided to postpartum women for improving mood and decreasing parenting stress is being measured in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Initial feasibility data demonstrates that participants respond positively to the nursing intervention without significant time burden on nurses. Preliminary outcomes and implications will be addressed.