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The Free-Play Sandbox: A Methodology For The Evaluation Of Social Robotics And A Dataset Of Social Interactions, S Lemaignan, C Edmunds, E Senft, T Belpaeme

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Evaluating human-robot social interactions in a rigorous manner is notoriously difficult: studies are either conducted in labs with constrained protocols to allow for robust measurements and a degree of replicability, but at the cost of ecological validity; or in the wild, which leads to superior experimental realism, but often with limited replicability and at the expense of rigorous interaction metrics. We introduce a novel interaction paradigm, designed to elicit rich and varied social interactions while having desirable scientific properties (replicability, clear metrics, possibility of either autonomous or Wizard-of-Oz robot behaviours). This paradigm focuses on child-robot interactions, and builds on a …

The Free-Play Sandbox: A Methodology For The Evaluation Of Social Robotics And A Dataset Of Social Interactions, S Lemaignan, C Edmunds, E Senft, T Belpaeme

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Evaluating human-robot social interactions in a rigorous manner is notoriously difficult: studies are either conducted in labs with constrained protocols to allow for robust measurements and a degree of replicability, but at the cost of ecological validity; or in the wild, which leads to superior experimental realism, but often with limited replicability and at the expense of rigorous interaction metrics. We introduce a novel interaction paradigm, designed to elicit rich and varied social interactions while having desirable scientific properties (replicability, clear metrics, possibility of either autonomous or Wizard-of-Oz robot behaviours). This paradigm focuses on child-robot interactions, and builds on a …

Seafarer Citizen Scientist Ocean Transparency Data As A Resource For Phytoplankton And Climate Research, Sd Seafarers, S Lavender, G Beaugrand, N Outram, Et Al

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

The oceans' phytoplankton that underpin the marine food chain appear to be changing in abundance due to global climate change. Here, we compare the first four years of data from a citizen science ocean transparency study, conducted by seafarers using home-made Secchi Disks and a free Smartphone application called Secchi, with contemporaneous satellite ocean colour measurements. Our results show seafarers collect useful Secchi Disk measurements of ocean transparency that could help future assessments of climate-induced changes in the phytoplankton when used to extend historical Secchi Disk data.

Establishing Cognitive Predictor Thresholds For Proficiency In Reading And Mathematics: Analysis Of The Woodcock-Johnson Iv Developmental-Age Norming Sample, Philip A. Norfolk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Assessment of specific learning disabilities (SLD) in educational settings is one important function of a school psychologist. The federal definition of SLD describes"underlying cognitive processing deficits" as part of the assessment criteria, that is also incorporated into several states' SLD eligibility criteria, that is difficult to directly evaluate using traditional assessment methods. Traditionally, use of norm-referenced scores have been used to compare an examinee's relative performance on assessment tests. Such a method does not provide direct evidence of underlying cognitive processing deficits associated with poor academic achievement. In an effort to directly inform this cognitive processing ability and academic proficiency …

Rodion Shchedrin's Five Concertos For Orchestra: Expressing Ensemble Virtuosity, Nadezda Potemkina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation introduces the work of Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin (b. 1932), and examines his approach to the genre of concerto for orchestra. Chapter one provides a brief survey of the current state of research on concertos for orchestra, as well as the composer's biography, and an overview of his compositional style. Chapter two focuses on the 1960s, the period when the first two concertos were written. It begins with an outline of the cultural and political climate that might have influenced the two pieces, and proceeds with the analysis of the Concerto for Orcehstra no. 1, the most popular …

From Here I Saw What Happened And I Cried: Carrie Mae Weems And Critiquing Institutional Histories, Katherine Layne Kizer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

While scholarship on Carrie Mae Weems's series titled From Here I Saw What Happened and I Cried often reflects the significance of the work as it relates to the African American experience and the African diaspora, critical discussion downplays the relationship the installation has to institutional critique and social practice. Through the course of this paper, I present extensive research on Weems's series. In order to conduct my investigation, I look to the genesis of the series in 1995 as a response piece to Hidden Witness. I then consider Weems's methodology and the way in which she appropriates historic photographs …

Data Collection, Body-Weight Generation And Efficient Storage Of Physiological Data, Dewashish Koirala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Data is the key for developing algorithms that can infer the causes of agitation in mentally-ill individuals. Unfortunately, appropriate datasets are not readily available due to issues such as confidentiality breach and privacy invasion. This thesis addresses three problems.First, we identify a number of publicly-available datasets that are functions of actions and emotions of mentally-ill individuals. These include datasets of physiological signals, training videos and commercial movies.Second, we synthesize change in body-weight as a function of actions and emotions by extending a well-known model. The extended model is evaluated with respect to change in diet, physical activity and stress, using …

Examining Educators' Perceptions Of The Use Of Time, The Availability Of Resources And The Quality Of Parent/Community Relations At Schools With Very Low And Very High Percentages Of Learning Disabled Students, Chantal Hess Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Abstract Hess-Taylor, Chantal. Ed.D. The University of Memphis. December 2016. Examining Educators’ Perceptions of the Use of Time, the Availability of Resources and the Quality of Parent/Community Relations at Schools with Very Low and Very High Percentages of Learning Disabled: Charisse Gulosino, Ph.D The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences in how educators view the use of instructional time, the availability of instructional resources, and the quality of parent/community relations at schools with very low and very high percentages of students categorized as learning disabled (LD). Secondary data extracted from the 2013 administration of the …

Neutropenia At The Time Of Subcutaneous Port Insertion May Not Be A Risk Factor For Early Infectious Complications In Pediatric Oncology Patients., Lisa Taylor Vanhouwelingen , Md

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The risk of infection associated with subcutaneous port (SQP) placement in patients with neutropenia remains unclear. We reviewed the rate of early infectious complications (<30 days) following SQP placement in pediatric oncology pateints with /without neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <500/mm3.Baseline characteristics and infectious complications were compared between groups using univariable and multivariable analysis.A total of 614 SQP were placed in 542 patients. Compared to non-neutropenic patients, those with neutropenia were more likely to have leukemia (94% vs 50%), pre-operative fever (22% vs 5%), pre-operative infection (19% vs 9%), and were younger (81 vs 109 months) (p values <0.01).After adjusting for fever and underlying-disease there was a non-significant association between neutropenia and early post operative infection (OR 2.41, 95% CI 0.82-7.18, p=0.116). Only pre-operative fever was a predictor of infection (OR 6.09, 95% CI 2.08-17.81, p=0.564).Neutropenia may not be a predictor of early postoperative infection following SQP placement.

New Leaders Appointed For Mexico’S Central Bank, Finance Ministry, Pemex, Carlos Navarro

SourceMex

No abstract provided.

Chamber Of Deputies Approves Controversial Public Safety Law, Carlos Navarro

SourceMex

No abstract provided.

Spectrum, Volume 39, Issue 11, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: SHU students participate in season of giving - SHU annual Christmas tree lighting -- Food review of JP's diner -- Equestrian finishes season as high point team -- Club ice hockey moves into second half of season -- Club football wins national championship

Validation Of Minimally-Invasive Sample Collection Methods For Measurement Of Telomere Length, Stephanie A. Stout, Jue Lin, Natalie Hernandez, Elyssia Poggi Davis, Judith E. Carroll, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective: The discovery of telomere length (TL) as a biomarker of cellular aging and correlate of age-related disease has generated a new field of research in the biology of healthy aging. Although the most common method of sample collection for TL is venous blood draw, less-invasive DNA collection methods are becoming more widely used. However, how TL relates across tissues derived from these sample collection methods is poorly understood. The current study is the first to characterize the associations in TL across three sample collection methods: venous whole blood, finger prick dried blood spot and saliva.

Methods: TL …

The Climate Of Neurofeedback: Scientific Rigour And The Perils Of Ideology, Robert T. Thibault, Michael Lifshitz, Amir Raz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Over the last six decades, an in-group with ideological and financial stakes has been conducting sub-par research to develop an ostensibly effective clinical intervention: EEG-neurofeedback. More recently, however, a string of independent studies featuring increased scientific rigour and tighter experimental controls has challenged the foundation on which EEG-neurofeedback stands. Earlier this year, Brain published one of the most robust EEG-neurofeedback experiments to date (Schabus et al., 2017), which sparked a flurry of correspondence concerning the therapeutic value of neurofeedback (Fovet et al., 2017; Schabus, 2017); notably, a parallel discussion continues in Lancet Psychiatry …

The Timecourse Of Phonological Competition In Spoken Word Recognition: A Comparison Of Adults And Very Young Children, Elizabeth Schoen Simmons

Master's Theses

Spoken word recognition (SWR) is the mapping of speech sounds to words from many potential candidates in one’s lexicon. In adults, words that are phonetically similar, of high frequency, or semantically related compete for recognition. An ongoing debate in the literature is whether or not very young children encode spoken words with fine-grained temporal and phonetic detail. Specifically, whether they represent words wholistically or as smaller phonetic units similar to that of adults. The adult literature demonstrates that words that are phonetically similar at onset (cohorts) and offset (rhymes) compete for recognition. As it happens, rhymes have the potential to …

An Alumnus Learns And Serves: Vincentian Mission In Education, Brian Crimmins

Journal of Vincentian Social Action

My Dad would talk about the mission of St. John’s University—and how going to St. John’s was about more than just getting an education. It was also about a commitment to service. Funny thing was—at first, like many of my peers, I looked at St. John’s and saw an opportunity to celebrate the great tradition of college basketball while also getting an education. I didn’t realize at first that what my parents were saying and doing as I grew up—namely the importance of the Vincentian mission—would ring true in my life in such a profound and lasting manner, day in …

Reflections From The Road: Vincentian Hospitality Principles In Healthcare Education For The Indigent, John M. Conry

Journal of Vincentian Social Action

Hospitality and health care are clearly connected, both etymologically and practically. Health care has traditionally been delivered in hospitals. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac developed the concept and practice of Vincentian health care, demonstrating a preferential option for the poor. It is important that those who work in healthcare understand and remain committed to Vincentian and hospitality based health care, particularly for the indigent and marginalized. The need for Vincentian and hospitality-based health care remains relevant and necessary in contemporary society, as there remains health inequity, particularly for the poor.

Vincent De Paul And The Empowerment Of Women, Louise Sullivan

Journal of Vincentian Social Action

The year 2017, marking the 400th Anniversary of the birth of the Vincentian Charism, has proven to be one of celebration for the entire Vincentian Family. While thousands of women are taking part in these celebrations around the world, the role women played in the birth and development of the charism is often overlooked. To do so however, is to miss a singularly significant aspect of Vincent de Paul’s genius, namely, the mission of charity he confided to the laity and particularly to women. Vincent de Paul’s life and his works would become what they were and what they continue …

Vincentian Social Justice: A Work In Progress, John E. Rybolt

Journal of Vincentian Social Action

St. Vincent de Paul has become a “universal” figure, a polymorph or shape-shifter, if you will. As a classic figure, somewhat like Jesus in certain circles, he is represented in various guises: founder, saint, simultaneously traditional and modern, even a revolutionary. Just like Vincent de Paul, the somewhat universal figure, his sons have attempted to follow Christ the evangelizer of the poor. Some have been more successful than others. But I am proud to be among their number: rich or poor in virtue, rich or poor in commitment, rich or poor in initiative or inventiveness.

Middle And Working Class Struggles Against Authoritarian Whig Reforms Of The Eighteenth Century: An Examination Of Mess Relations Below Deck, Roger Wadsworth

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

The fans of British naval fiction, like C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower series or Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series, are drawn into the well-researched and historically accurate depictions of the British professional navy of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. What they do not see is that from the mid-eighteenth century there were major naval reforms that converted a civilian led navy into a true military force that redefined the rules of combat. These changes created strict hierarchy and discipline on board the ships. Historian Sarah Kinkel argues that the reforms were hotly debated by the mercantile elite in the British …

Systemic Depreciation: An Analysis Of Non-White Neighborhood Vulnerability To Urban Gentrification, Abigail Mcgaha Miller

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

This paper utilizes Smith's (1979) Rent Gap Theory, Feagin's (2006) Theory of Systemic Racism, and Smith’s (2010) Generative Planning Theory to argue that non-white neighborhoods in Denver, Colorado are more likely to suffer from capital depreciation and thus, are more vulnerable to urban gentrification and displacement. While critically analyzing racially motivated zoning policies, discriminatory mortgage lending practices, and income inequality, I investigated the history of urban gentrification in Denver, Colorado neighborhoods, Auraria and Highland, starting in the 1940s. I was able to find patterns and parallels that apply to the cases of urban gentrification occurring in 2016 in the Globeville …

Kids Make Sense... And They Vote: The Importance Of Child Study In Learning To Teach Responsively, Frederick Erickson

Occasional Paper Series

A lecture that discusses the "developmental-interaction" perspective and practice that has become the hallmark of Bank Street. Erickson builds upon the relations of mutual influence among students, teachers, and learning environments, and taking account of the relations between local practice within the small-scale "here and now" interactional ecosystems of immediate learning environments and the workings of culture, language, and society across more distal connections in social space and time.

The Developmental-Interaction Approach To Education: Retrospect And Prospect, Nancy Nager, Edna K. Shapiro

Occasional Paper Series

This paper analyzes the past, present, and future of the developmental-interaction approach to education: human development and the interaction between thought and emotion as well as the interaction between learners and their environment. Shapiro and Nager review the history of the developmental-interaction approach, outlining its essential features and tracing Bank Street College's distinctive role in its evolution. They then reassess key assumptions, address criticisms of developmental theory and its place in education, and suggest possible new directions.

Rethinking Moral Obligation As A Basis For Contract Recovery, Jean Fleming Powers

Maine Law Review

Contractual arrangements are private and consensual—the result of bargains made between parties—bargains that satisfy the consideration requirement for enforcement. While the consideration requirement has its detractors, as does the consensual nature of contract, the bargained-for consideration requirement remains a staple of contract law. Yet traditional consideration analysis seems to sometimes leave deserving claimants without a remedy. Thus, a limited group of exceptions has been developed to correct this perceived failing of the doctrine. For some situations, however, the deficiency is more perceived than real, and the solution adds confusion rather than clarity to the law. This is true for the …

Global Communication And Cross-Cultural Competence: Twenty-First Century Micro-Case Studies, Kimberley Barker, Christine R. Day, Deanna L. Day, Elizabeth R. Kujava, Juliette Otwori, Robert A. Ruscitto, Alex Smith, Tianjiao Xu

Global Advances in Business Communication

Sensitivity to diversity now demands a strategic understanding of the importance of cross-cultural communication competence in every action in organizations, communities, and nations throughout the world. This article contains seven micro-cases, each of which highlights a discussion of communication and cultural impact. The cases range from issues related to handshakes, communication with powerful people, collaborating in a divergent culture, unintended impact in meetings, and regional pronunciation differences. The cases include discussion questions, references for additional reading, and one unique feature: a “bumper sticker” summary. The article features a section on Approaching the Challenges. This discusses major communication and cultural theories, …

Crossing Disciplinary Lines To Engage Students In Cross-Cultural Learning During Short-Term Study Abroad, Margaret Gonglewski, Anna Helm

Global Advances in Business Communication

This article showcases an innovative cross-disciplinary course on green business that featured a short-term study abroad (STA) program in Germany. The course and STA component were jointly developed and taught by an International Business and a German language/culture faculty member, in an attempt to capitalize on the knowledge and skills from experts in both fields. This stands in contrast to most business-focused STAs, typically designed and implemented by one business faculty member without explicit attention to the development of students' cultural competence. After presenting our case for this cross-disciplinary approach, we describe the course with relevant information about the content …

A Hierarchical Perspective Of Employees’ Knowledge Sharing Behaviors: A Two-Phase Study, Kuok Kei Law, Bertha Du-Babcock

Global Advances in Business Communication

This paper examines whether and how mid-level employees differ in their communication behaviors when sharing knowledge with targets from different hierarchical positions in an organization via a two-phase study design. The first phase of study involves semi-structured interviews with fifteen mid-level employees working in small- and medium-sized enterprises to explore how they behaved in different scenarios of knowledge sharing. Results showed that there are significant differences in their behaviors among different situations. A second-phase study was then conducted to statistically verify the effect of the three identified factors - efficiency concerns, compliance with social norms, and consideration of relationship – …

A New Island Species Of Centruroides Marx, 1890 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From The Southwestern Caribbean, Rolando Teruel, Brandon Myers

Euscorpius

Herein we describe a new species of the Buthidae scorpion genus Centruroides Marx, 1890. It occurs at least in two small offshore islands of the southwestern Caribbean: Cozumel in Mexico and Guanaja in Honduras, based upon type specimens from the former and photographic evidence from the latter. It belongs in the "gracilis" species-group and is most closely related to both Centruroides gracilis (Latreille, 1805) and Centruroides nigrescens (Pocock, 1898).

Rideout V. Riendeau: Grandparent Visitation In Maine After Troxel, Theodore A. Small

Maine Law Review

Rideout v. Riendeau presented a case in which two grandparents, Rose and Chesley Rideout, sought visitation of their three grandchildren. Though the Rideouts had served as the childrens' “primary caregivers and custodians” for significant periods of time, the childrens' parents, Heaven-Marie Riendeau, who was the Rideouts' daughter, and Jeffrey Riendeau, ended all contact between the children and the Rideouts due to a strained relationship between the Rideouts and the Riendeaus. The Rideouts filed a complaint pursuant to Maine's Grandparents Visitation Act (the Act), which allows grandparents to bring a petition for visitation when there is a “sufficient existing relationship between …

With Malice Toward One: Malice And The Substantive Law In "Class Of One" Equal Protection Claims In The Wake Of Village Of Willowbrook V. Olech, Shaun M. Gehan

Maine Law Review

It may be time to relearn the fundamentals of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. According to the Supreme Court, in a brief and unassuming per curiam opinion in Village of Willowbrook v. Olech, violations of equal protection do not of necessity rely on class-based discriminations. Federal, state, and local governments can violate the equal protection rights of an individual qua individual; a so-called “class of one.” The ramifications of this decision are just now becoming clear, and it has already led to some surprising results in areas of statutory law thought to be well settled. The only …