Category: research

Y. Yang

Summary
The projections for rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations indicate that the pH levels of the ocean surface could decrease by 0.3-0.4 units by the end of the 21st century. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of pH on the exoskeletons of six aquatic organisms commonly found in South Florida coastal waters. The exoskeleton samples studied were from the common nutmeg (Cancellaria reticulate), lettered olive (Oliva sayana), stiff pen shell (Atrina rigida), kitten’s paw (Plicatulidae), fan coral (Gorgonia ventalina), and common slipper shell (Crepidula fornicate). The exoskeleton samples were exposed to saltwater (34% salinity) at pH levels ranging from 8.3 to 6.0 for 5 days. The changes in the masses of the samples before and after exposure were compared. We normalized the data in reference to the observations at pH=8.3, which is the current pH level of the ocean surface. The fan coral had the highest percent mass loss, which increased with decreasing pH until pH 6.5. Exoskeleton samples from the stiff pen shell were not affected by the pH changes. Exoskeletons from the common nutmeg, lettered olive, and common slipper shell had similar responses to pH changes with relatively small changes in mass. Exoskeletons from the kitten’s paw had significant mass loss at lower pH conditions. The research results show that as ocean acidification increases, the exoskeletons of marine organisms will be affected. Some organisms, such as the fan coral and kitten’s paw, may lose their exoskeletons. Other organisms that rely on the marine organisms with exoskeletons for shelter and food could also be affected.

 

Derya Z. Tansel (1), Ariadna Arreaza (2), Berrin Tansel (2)

Click here for PDF file: January2014(2)

Summary
A nationally representative study of video game play among adolescents in the United States showed that 97% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years play computer, web, and portable (or console) video games (Lenhart et al., 2008). We hypothesized that if people play games as a regular exercise regime, gaming will correlate with an improvement in their cognitive skills. For this experiment, a few games that tested the logical reasoning and critical analysis skills under a given time constraint were coded in Python using Pygame and were played by a group of 7th grade students. In order to test whether there is a relationship between gaming and test performance, we divided the students into two groups and gave them tests before and after the experimentation period in order to measure their improvement. One group played the games while the other did not. In the group of students that played the games, an average improvement of 62.19% was seen (p < 0.0001). The group that did not play the games only improved their performance by an average of 18.51% (p = 0.0882).

 

Mohnish Chakravarti and Arati Chakravarti

Parents’ Perception of Online College Degree Programs for their Children

 

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed the rapid increase in enrollments in online learning programs as an effective alternative to traditional school settings because of various advantages offered by such programs, including convenience, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. As a result, online college degree programs have received increased research attention in the field of education. This study examines parents’ attitudes toward online college degree programs and investigates whether there are any differences in their perceptions depending on the gender or age of their children. The study also considers the most important factors influencing parents’ perception of online college degree programs and analyzes any gender or age differences in the factors they emphasize. The results indicate that although parents generally had favorable attitudes toward online college degree programs regardless of the gender of their children, those with female students were more likely to support online programs than those with male children. In terms of the age of the child (measured based on the child’s level of education–elementary, middle, or high school), parents with middle school students were most likely to favor online college degree programs. Parents with female children were most likely to emphasize program quality as the most important factor, whereas those with male students, program credibility. Parents were most likely to emphasize program quality as the most important factor regardless of the age of the child. These results have important implications for school administrators, teachers, and policymakers, and some limitations of the study are discussed.

Keywords: Online Degree Program, Parents, Attitudes, Children

Kelly Sunho Park

Summary
Sound can be focused through a non-linear acoustic lens to produce high-energy waves capable of a variety of applications, such as eradicating cancer cells. Our previous research focused sound using a primitive system incapable of precise and predictable targeting. We engineered and assembled an improved device for focusing longitudinal waves that consisted of a non-linear acoustic lens, a release system, and a microphone recording array for data collection. During experimental trials the non-linear acoustic lens had a force applied to each of the 11 chains depending on the chain number from the desired focal point. Central trials focused sound waves to a calculated focal point to the center of the lens, while right side trials focused sound waves to the right side of the lens. The relative sound amplitude was recorded using a microphone array, analyzed, and averaged using sound analysis software. The average relative amplitudes of the control data compared to the experimental data at the predicted focal points were examined using a two-tailed t-test and were significantly different. This research was considered a success because the non-linear acoustic lens produced an evident increase in relative amplitude at a specific focal point in both sets of experimental trials.

Thorsen M. Wehr and Jeffery R. Wehr

Click here for PDF file: July2014