You are here

In-class Exercises

Outline Attempt

Submitted by ifernandez on Wed, 07/31/2019 - 15:28

Introduction

  1. Leafminer Liriomyza trifolii is a damaging pest
    1. Low damage crops helped by insecticide for leafminer control (Cox et al. 1995)
    2. Overuse of insecticides cause resistance in L. trifolli. (Leibee 1981, Parrella and Keil 1984)
    3. Cyromazine and abamectin both successful for leafminer control (Trigard)
    4. One case of L. trifolli being resistant to Cyromazine in 1990 Florida (G. L. Leibee and J.S.F., unpublished data)
    5. Unstable resistance and no cross resistance of cyromazine and abamectin
    6. 1991 survey said cyromazine resistance only affects celery in one location (G. L. Leibee and J.S.F., unpublished data)
    7. No published reports of abamectin and cyromazine resistance on leafminers
  2. Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association gathers scientists, commercial growers, and the agricultural chemical industry to try to make a leafminer resistance program
    1.  

 

Post:

Outline

Submitted by srabbitt on Wed, 07/31/2019 - 15:23

Stigmella multispicata Rociene. & Stonis, an Asian leafminer on Siberian elm, now widespread in eastern North America (LepidopteraNepticulidae)

Introduction

Topic: Increased invasive insect populations in the US

  • originate from Europe and Asia
    • Mattson W, Vanhanen H, Veteli T, Sivonen S, Niemelä P (2007) Few immigrant phytophagous insects on woody plants in Europe: legacy of the European crucible? Biological Invasions 9: 957–974. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-007-9096-y
  • Leaf consuming insect species 310 from Europe and 77 from Asia in 2007 (Mattson et al. 2007)
  • Increased global travel/transport of goods are the cause  growing number of established alien  species (Work et al. 2005)
    • Work TT, McCullough DG, Cavey JF, Komsa R (2005) Arrival rate of nonindigenous insect species into the United States through foreign trade. Biological Invasions 7: 323–332. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-004-1663-x
  • Not as many Lepodatra as other species (Pohl et al, 2018)
  • DNA barcoding enabled better tracking of these porly studied groups (Landry et al. 2013)
    • Landry J-F, Nazari V, DeWaard JR, Mutanen M, Lopez-Vaamonde C, Huemer P, Hebert PDN (2013) Shared but overlooked: 30 species of Holarctic Microlepidoptera revealed by DNA barcodes and morphology. Zootaxa 3749. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3749.1.1.

Concluding statment: Report about insect from asia that was ID through DNA barcoding

Topic: James Vargo found UK species of Stigmella in Indiana USA

  • Material sent to DNA specialist who did not recognize the moths as being native to the US
  • Another specimen from Missisippi UNK

Conclusion: DNA barcoding matched these with a leafminer from Beijing China

(Final Paragraph) Redescribe S. multispicata and compare to Europian S. ulmivora  and North Americain species of Nepticulidae feeding on Ulmus.

Conclusion: Discuss probility coming from Asia to North America

Post:

Reverse Outline

Submitted by rmegarry on Wed, 07/31/2019 - 15:22

OUTLINE FOR GENTAMICIN AND VANCOMYCIN INTERFERENCE…..

 

Introduction

    Interference in medical tests

        some type of interference exists.

            Yadav S, Sanjaya KC Interference of drugs on clinical 

chemistry—shall we start thinking? 

        Analytical interference defined.

    Nikolac N. Ispitivanje interferencija. In: Simundic AM, ed. Upravljanje 

kvalitetom laboratorijskog rada. Zagreb, Croatia: Medicinska naklada; 

2013:51– 64. 3. 

 

Dodig S. Interferences in quantitative immunochemical methods. Biochem 

Med. 2009;19(1):50–62.

Incorrect test results.

     Lippi G, Becan-McBride K, Beh´ulova´ D, et al. Preanalytical quality 

improvement: in quality we trust. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2013;51(1):229–241. 

 

Kailajarci M, Takala T, Gr ¨ onroos P, et al. Reminders of drug effects on ¨ 

laboratory test results. Clin Chem. 2000;46(9):1395–1400. 

 

Nikolac N, Simundic AM, Miksa M, et al. Heterogeneity of manufacturers’ declarations for lipemia interference—an urgent call for standardization. 

Clin Chem Acta. 2013;426(1):33–40.

 

Also, the knowledge of laboratory staff and clinicians about possible drug interferences is often overlooked or unknown.

     Sonntag O. Quality in the analytical phase. Biochem Med. 

2010;20(2):147– 153.

 

Classification of interferences

 

Interferences are classified as endogenous or exogenous. 

No sources

 

An endogenous interference originates from the substance found naturally in the 

patient’s sample, like bilirubin, hemoglobin, glucose, antibodies, or proteins,

2,8–12

 

with hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia as the most common interferences.

13

 

 An exogenous interference results from substances not naturally found in a patient’s 

specimen, like drugs, their metabolites and additives, herbal products, or other 

Toxins.

2,8–11 

Interference effect depends on the concentration of an interfering substance, but not necessarily in a proportional way.

3,14

 

    Interference mechanisms

 

Drugs can interfere with laboratory measurements via several mechanisms. 

No ref

Biological interferences occur when a drug activates one of the mechanisms, like 

induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes, enzyme inhibition, or drug 

displacement from protein-binding site. 

    No ref

However, these changes reflect a true state in the human body and thus are not 

considered analytical errors. Analytical (or chemical) interference is present when 

a drug causes falsely decreased or increased results of laboratory parameters. 

    No Ref

Mechanisms of interference often include structural similarity of the drug to the 

tested analyte, drug inhibition of the reaction used in the analyte measurement, 

or changes in the structural integrity of the matrix (ie, viscosity or turbidity).

    No Ref

 However, these effects can often go unrecognized in the laboratory because of 

the lack of relevant information about patient drug therapy or unavailability of 

methods for drug concentration measurement.

Kroll HM, Elin JR. Interference with clinical laboratory analytes. Clin Chem. 1994;40(11):1996–2005. 16. 

 

Forman TD, Young SD. Drug interference in laboratory testing. Ann Clin Lab Sci. 1976;6(3):263–271. 17. 

 

Benet LZ, Sheiner LB. Pharmacokinetics: The Dynamics of Drug Absorption, Distribution and Elimination. New York, NY: Macmillan; 1985:13– 22. 18. 

 

Caraway WT, Kammeyer CW. Chemical interference of drugs and other substances with clinical laboratory test procedures. Clin Chim Acta. 1972;41(1): 395–434. 19. Kroll MH, Ruddel KW, Blank DW. A model for assessing interference. Clin Chem. 1987;33(7):1121–1123.

        Seems these references cover the whole paragraph    

    

Last Paragraph

    Introduce objects of interest

    Introduce function of objects

    Concern

        . Review of vancomycin-induced renal toxicity: an update

        

Factors impacting unbound vancomycin concentrations in different patient 

populations

    Hypothesis

        We hypothesized that high drug concentrations might affect results of clinical 

chemistry tests.

Aims

    

 

Post:

Control of invasive Liriomyza leafminer species and compliance with food safety standards by small scale snow pea farmers in Kenya

Submitted by riyjpatel on Wed, 07/31/2019 - 15:21

Introduction

1. Kenyan horticultural industry faced new pests being Liriomyza huidobrensis (leaf miners) hurting the economic importance. The paper outlines the farmers' awareness of the pests and diffuculties facing and controlling them.

          a. Questionnaire survey showed that snow pea farmers in kenya rely on pesticides for control of suck insects. (Weinberger and Lumpkin, 2007, Ekesi, 2010)

          b. Snow pea farmers signed contracts with exporters abd whose production practices with GlobalGAP to contraol them using more stratergies.

          c. The findings imply that pest status of Liriomyza leafminers is liely to increase and snow pea production will decrease in central areas of Kenya.

This all can be prevented if they use a intergrated leafminer management strategy and farmers are educated on methods of identifying them in their early stages of attack and use of appropriate chemicals and methods. Although, this is leading to the effect on business.

2. A new threat of invasion with pests are affecting the fresh produce export business. Slowly they are affecting the vegetable production and fresh produce export businesses due to the amount of pests around Kenya.

          a. Three species are attacking a variety of crops of commercial value including snow peas. (HDCA, 2009)

          b. The study is then focused on the small scale farmenrs growing snow peas for export at the market where they have devolped control strategies against leafminer pests however, must be in compliancewith the pesticide that as restrictions from GlobalGAP.

         c. The present study examines the current level of Liriomyza leafminers awareness and control strategies being employed by Kenyan snow pea farmers against the pests.

The objectives of this study is to analyze farmers awareness about Liriomyza leafminer infesations and assess their current status at the farm level to analyze leafminer control stratgies used by snow peas farmers and examine factors affecting the choice of control statergie in snow peas production systems.

 

Post:

Small animals grow funny

Submitted by sbrewer on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:07

All small animals that have hard skin and six legs get bigger by getting rid of their old skin and making a new skin hard. Young of these animals just have parts for feeding and growing, but older animals need parts for having sex and making babies -- and sometimes don't need parts for feeding any more.  

Some animals grow up by changing little by little but others change themselves completely at one point. When this happens, almost all of their inside parts actually die and a whole new animal grows again from just a few tiny bits of their inside parts. When the parts die the stuff they were made out of is used by the parts still alive to grow all of the new inside parts.

Often the new animal looks very different from its young form and may have body parts like wings and sex parts that the younger form didn't have. Often these new animals don't live very long -- just long enough to have sex and then lay eggs or have babies -- and then die.

 

Post:

Persuasive Argument of a Dog Breed

Submitted by riyjpatel on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 14:02

I feel as if an Alaskan Malamute should be saved if there were a virus going on that is killing all dog breeds. I choose this breed because affectionate, devoted, dignified, loyal, playfiul and friendly. It features a powerful, sturdy body built for stamina ans strength. These dogs are sensitive and need open space. They are high energy dogs and therefore require vigiorous exercise. They love definitely a cooler climate. I would pick this dog because I feel I would an intelligent and loving companionfor life. These dogs haave a good adaptability they also posess tremedous strength, energy, endurance, and independance. Since alaskan malamutes look like wolves so it might scare an intruder off and they will protect you to any defense. Malamutes are very healthy dogs. They are also patient with children and love attention. They are quieter than most dogs but they tend to howl.

Post:

Persuasive Dog Essay

Submitted by nstockbridge on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 13:57

If the world was going to lose all of its domestic dogs except for one breed I would choose the closest decendant to the wolf. There is no concrete answer on the closest single breed but the general consensus from the internet would be a breed from the Spitz Dog family which originated in the Arctic Circle and were known to have bred directly with some types of wolves. You would want a close descendant from the wolf because that is originally how all domesticated dogs were even created. So by starting at the top of the genetic chain again you would eventually be able to create every domesticated dog breed over again. On the flip side if you started with a dog that was already a lot closer to the bottom of the genetic pool you wouldn't get as much of a variation of breeds that the world has now. Picking any of the Spitz breeds would be a good choice to carry on the domestication of dogs but to pick one specifically I would go with the Akita Inu from the Spitz family. They are a medium sized dog that can be extremely loyal and protective as well as being able to assist hunting trips for survival. The Akita Inu is a top choice because they are a strong dog with minimal genetic problems that could cause issue in restarting the dog population.

Post:

Which dog shall we save?

Submitted by srbuckley on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 13:57

     The dog that is the most logical to save is the labrador retriever. Labrador retrievers make excellent service and hunting dogs. (AKC website) They are able to do search and rescue as well as drug and bomb detection. Even if they were the last breed left on Earth, handicapped people could still have help getting their needs met. Police officers would still be able to deploy them to find drugs and explosives and it would make the world a safer place. Labrador retrievers are also great family and companion dogs. Little children could still have their furry friends. It would be tragic to lose other dog breeds but saving the lab would make it a little less catastrophic. 

Post:

Persuasion - Pit Bulls

Submitted by rmegarry on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 13:51

 

With the recent viral epidemic wiping out our canine companions, I offer the best selection possible for our single use vaccine. The American Pit Bull is the only choice worth considering the use of this medicine on. First, we need to consider the viability of the dog breed itself. Pit bulls are a short hair breed which makes them comfortable in warm climates. With human intervention, these dogs can sport cold weather gear to help adapt to frigid climates as well, making them viable in most temperature ranges, and allowing anyone to own them once the population becomes large enough. The American Pit Bull is also a mid to large sized dog, which allows for it to become a reliable service dog. According to an article at servicedogcertifications.org, The Pit Bull is capable of assisting with even the most strenuos of tasks, such as pulling a wheel chair. Pit Bulls are often looked upon with fear because of the misinformation that surrounds them. Pit Bulls are involved in a large amount of attacks on humans, however, they are also trained as gaurd dogs which makes them more likely to be involved in defensive scenarios. According to an article on therapypet.com, thier aggressive nature stems from the love they have for their owners, which is the same love that makes them safe around children, and loyal companions. The breed lives on average 12-16 years, which gives allows for the Pit Bull to undergo more mating cycles, allowing the population to recover faster. Overall, the only dog breed capable of surviving both extreme cold and heat, providing physical work, offering endless amounts of love, and with an acceptably long life cycle, the American Pit Bull is the only dog breed that is capable of filling in for the entire species.

Post:

Save the Chessipeake Bay Retrievers

Submitted by srabbitt on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 13:47

        The American breed known as the Chesapeake Bay Retriever (Chessie)is a strong, reliable, intense, and built for endurance. This powerful working dog's ancestors were rescued from the icy waters of the Chesapeake Bay in 1807 (American Kennel Club). Originally this breed was use as a sporting dog, capable of retrieving 300 ducks in extreme cold in a single day. After the long day of retrieving these dogs were again tasked with defending the camp while the owners were out. Now Chessies are used for much more then that. They have an acute senting ability that has made them popular with K-9 handlers in the fields of search and rescue, drug, and bomb detection. This breed is a very loyal breed and forms a very strong bond with its handler. This versatile dog should be at the top of the list for saving because of its versatility.

 

Post:

Thing Explainer

Submitted by smlong on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 13:19

Today you will write a science comic similar to those in the Thing Explainer.

Rules!

You must hand draw your comic (It's okay if it is not a masterpiece).

You must label your comic using only the 10,000 most commonly used words. 

You can use this website to find out if your word is part of the 10,000. :

https://xkcd.com/simplewriter/

Select one of the following scientific stories to tell in your comic.

1. Bombardier Beetles - Draw a cartoon explaining how bombardier beetles spray chemicals to defend themselves

http://news.mit.edu/2015/how-bombardier-beetles-produce-defensive-spray-0430

2. Barreleye Fish - Describe the unique anatomy of the barreleye fish, what the shield is used for and how they rotate their eyes.

http://www.mbari.org/barreleye-fish-with-tubular-eyes-and-transparent-head/

http://www.bioone.org/doi/pdf/10.1643/CG-07-082

3. How Wolves Change Rivers - Describe how the reintroduction of wolves changed the rivers in Yellowstone.

https://www.yellowstonepark.com/things-to-do/wolf-reintroduction-changes-ecosystem

4. The sea cucumber and the pearlfish - Describe the unusual relationship between the pearlfish and the sea cucumber, the sea cucumbers unique defenses and how the pearlfish avoids them.

https://www.wired.com/2014/02/absurd-creature-of-the-week-pearlfish/

5. Decapitated flatworms can avoid light - describe the visual anatomy of flatworms and their ability to avoid light without heads

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2142167-flatworms-can-still-see-even-after-they-are-decapitated/

6. Slave making ants - describe how some ants make enslave other ant colonies rather than start their own.

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20151028-a-few-species-of-ant-are-pirates-that-enslave-other-ants

When done, take a photo of your comic and upload it as an in-class activity. We will look at them at the end of the class.

Post:

Biodiversity and Conservation

Submitted by srabbitt on Thu, 07/18/2019 - 16:19

Manuscript submission for this journal has rules that need to be followed. All submissions need to be in English. Brittish or American is not important as long as the writing is consistant. Doubble spacing in a normal font like 10 point Times New Roman. All submitted work has to be original unpublished work. Permissions need to be obtained for all preiviously published documents. Tables numbered usins arbic numerals and in consuctive numarical order. Please put a title explaining the componants of the table. Cite references in the text by name and year in parentheses. Reference lists should only contiain works that are cited in text and have been preiviously published. No foot notes or end notes. To upload your maunscript authouthors should follow the "Submit Online" link found on the home page.    

Post:

Process Biochemistry Guidelines

Submitted by rmegarry on Thu, 07/18/2019 - 15:51

Important Guidelines/ Formatting

5 references of international standing should be cited
Discussion and Results can be merged into one section
All images have to have high resolution
sentances should be short and "very concise"
Types of Papers:

        Full length is 25 pages, 15 figure max, and references are not page length

       Short Papers are 10 pages 5 figure max

        Reviews are 20 pages, 10 figures

        correspondence articles are 800 words and 10 reference max
one person needs to be listed for correspondence
Competing interest statement must be signed regardless of exitence of competing interests which includes full disclosure of all backers and personal relationships that may have an influence (bias) on the work performed
Must use fully inclusive language "he or her" instead of "he" chairperson instead of chairman, flight attendent instead of stewardess
FORMATTING
double space, all lines numbered
Must follow structure Title page; second page contains the Abstract and keywords; subsequent pages include the Introduction, Materials and methods, Results, Discussion, Acknowledgement(s), References, Figure legends, Tables, and Figures Figure legends should be gathered on a separate page(s), followed by Tables and Figures with a separate page for each one
should keep introduction short, backround info that lead to project

Material and Methods 

Provide sufficient details to allow the work to be reproduced, including the information about suppliers and catalogue numbers when appropriate. Methods already published should be indicated by a reference: only relevant modifications should be described.

Results and discussion 

These two parts can be separated as "Results" and "Discussion" or combined into one section. The discussion about each major point of the results is very important, and should not repeat the experimental results; generally citation of related references is necessary.

Conclusions 

This section is not obligatory and can exist as a short paragraph at the end of "Results and Discussion" section. When it exists as a section, it should be short and concise but should not repeat the Abstract. Generally the Conclusion does not cite references, and it is different from the discussion.

 

 

Post:

Manuscript Submission

Submitted by srbuckley on Thu, 07/18/2019 - 15:48

 For the in-class activity I have researched how to submit a manuscrpt to Advanced Robotics. The first thing that stuck out to me was that it must be an original work that you submit. It can not be under consideration, peer review, or accepted for publication or publsihed by another journal. There are also limits on word counts. An abstract must be included in written as well as image form. You must use consistent spelling. Single rather than double quotation marks should be used. No changes can be made to the submission unless there is an approval for a co-author. The manuscript must have author details. Up to 5 key words must be included to make the manuscript easier to find for interested parties. There must be funding details included. A biographical note shoould be included for each author. Must include supplemental online material. Figures, tables, equations, and units are required. You must pay for colored figures. 

Post:

Manuscript Guidelines

Submitted by riyjpatel on Thu, 07/18/2019 - 15:42

My chosen journal is blood cells, molecules and diseases. It not only talks about blood cells but covers the molecular basis of hematologic and the studies of the disease itself. In order to write the manuscript, you need to include the keywords and all figures with tables and ensure that all has been cited. Another thing to consider is to make sure that the manuscript has been spell checked and grammar checked. Before you begin you need to make sure you have the ethics in publishing and declaration of in interest. You also need to have it peer reviewed and the article structure incudes- Introduction, Material and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, Appendices. Title page is also required where you need to put the title and author names and affiliations and corresponding author. Research data is good also.

Post:

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology Manuscript Publication Requirements

Submitted by nstockbridge on Thu, 07/18/2019 - 15:40

To get a manuscript published on World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology they give you a long list of guidelines your paper needs to follow. The first thing they focus on is being positive all authors and any other authorities all approve of the manuscript going in for review with no objections. The rest of the guidline shows you what kind of order they would want the paper to be in with what kind of topics and specific file sizes.

Post:

Manuscript Submission Guidelines Activity

Submitted by sbrewer on Thu, 07/18/2019 - 12:49

Complete this activity as background for discussing manuscript submission guidelines. Look through this list of life science journals and identify a journal that you might want to submit an article too. Google that journal to find their page of "instructions to authors" and look for their manuscript submission guideslines.  Write two or three paragraphs as an In-class Exercise that briefly summarize the kinds of specifications that the instructions to authors require.

Post:

What a day

Submitted by srabbitt on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 15:57

Wake up.

Put on watch

Walk down stairs and make coffee

After being greeted by the dogs I bring them outside for their morning rituals

Drink coffee and watch the news paying particular attention to the weather

Take medications and eat breakfast

Begin the chore list

Complete chores

Eat lunch

Take a bike ride

Shower

Make/eat supper

Take dogs for walk

Watch more news

Read book

Watch show on tv

Go to sleep

Morning routine

Work

Caring for dogs

Eating

Personal care

TV

When I awake in the morning I put on my watch grab my phone and make my way downstairs and turn on the coffee pot. When I get downstairs my dogs great me with their wagging tails awaiting their morning scratch. After their scratching and petting I bring them outside so they can take care of their business. After this I pour myself a cup of coffee and sit down and turn on the TV to watch the morning news. The local news has generally gone through all of their stories in about a half an hour. Once I am satisfied that I know what the weather is going to be like for the day I plan for what to do next. During my planning stage I eat breakfast and take my medications. Mowing the lawn and weedwacking takes about 2 hours. In the process of mowing I generally notice things that need attention, and take care of them. In between this the dogs need to be let out a few times, plus I play with them for some time so things take much longer then they should. When this is finished I eat some lunch. Next up is my long-awaited bike ride. I collect my gear and place my bike on the carrier and head out. The bike ride lasts around 3 hours plus about 30 a minuet of travel each direction. I return home and put my bike and gear away and take a shower. I prepare food for supper and eat a decent dinner. Now it’s time for more news watching to see what happened that day. After that disappointment I take out my book and read for a few hours. Now that I have relaxed I take the dogs out for their final trip outdoors for the day and go to bed. I watch tv for about an hour then I go to sleep.

Post:

Methods Practice

Submitted by nstockbridge on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 15:41

Today I pulled into campus driving 25mph listening to metallica until I arrived at the parking garage.
When I arrived at the parking garage I clicked the ticket button to give me my slip and raise the front gate.
Once gate was open I drove in and traveled up two levels higher in the garage before parking next to three other vehicles.
Once parked I finished my coffee turned the music and car off and gathered all my materials for class.
When I had all my stuff I started making my way out of the parking garage and towards the campus pond.
On the way to the pond I passed a few different groups of people students, faculty, campus police and a military member.
After I had finally reached the pond after about 5 minutes of walking I started to search for leaf miners to document for our class project.
I slowly walked around 3/4 of the pond checking all the plants and flowers and trees before I finally found a good single leaf example of the leaf miners.
After taking the pictures that I needed I proceeded to class to start making the figure.
I walked another 7 minutes from the pond up to Morrill building 3 room 311
Once in class I found my spot and started logging on and loading up the computer.
I then emailed all my new photos of the leaf miners to myself so I could open them online.
After getting all the pictures online I opened and used inkscape and gimp photo editing software to construct my figure.

Categories

-Driving
lines 1-4

-Walking
lines 5-10

-Class
lines 9+

Post:

Daily Routine

Submitted by riyjpatel on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 15:40

I woke up at 9am. I checked my phone. I spoke to my parents in India. Then, I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I took a shower. I did my prayers. I headed to the kitchen. I made pancakes and had orange juice to eat. I got ready for college. Before, I went to the bus stop I checked my mail. I got on the bus. I got off the morrill center on the umass campus. I came to class. I went back downstairs to look for a leaf miner. I took pictures of a leaf. I came back to class. I went back downstairs and took more pictures of the leaves. I came back to class. I finished class and headed to Walmart. I took the bus home after grocery shopping. I cooked Indian food.    I ate. I did homework. I watched Netflix. I spoke to parents. I watched a documentary on the anatomy of the heart. I brushed my teeth. I went to bed.

 

 

Post:

Methods Paragraph Practice

Submitted by rmegarry on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 15:38

Woke up

Checked media

Played games

Showered, brushed teeth

Got dressed

Drove to work

Worked

Got lunch

Went to umass

Found where to park

Looked up Morril

Got lost

Found Morril 4

Found Morril 2

Walked around aimlessly confused as to where Morril 3 could of been

Attended class

Left class

Drove to a different parking lot

Got my Umass Id made

Drove to west springfield

Obtained necessary supplies

Attended group meeting

Fixed necessary equipment

Drove home

Travel: Drove to Hadley

    Drove to Umass

    Parked

    Located Morril 4,2,3

    Drove to otherside of campus

    Drove to West Springfield

    Drove to Belchertown

 

Method Paragraph Practice

    There are a lot of locations that had to be visited in order to successfully complete a day. The locations vary in distance, but most of them can be reached by driving. I drove to these locations with my windows down, and music playing loudly enough to cause hearing impairment if subjected to its presence over a relatively large period of time. I planned all driving routes as the fastest paths towards my destinations. The drives were planned so that arrival would be 15 minutes earlier than any scheduled appointment. All appointments were reached early except for one appointment that was reached exactly on time.

Post:

Detailed day

Submitted by ifernandez on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 15:33

I woke up and I picked up my glasses from my nightstand and put them on. I then picked up my phone and scrolled through my notifications and after that I disconnected my phone from its charger and started watching youtube videos. A little bit later, I got up stretched and walked over to my Playstation and turned it on with my controller as I picked up my headset. I turned on my tv and walked over to my computer chair. As I sat down and booted up NBA 2K19, I checked to see if any of my friends were online while the game loaded up. I loaded up MyTeam and checked to see if my KD sold. I quickly redeemed my 370,000 MyTeam points from selling my KD. I then threw my controller and headset on my bed and got up . I walked over to the kitchen while I greeted everyone in my house. I cut up some strawberries and a banana, then I scooped out about a cup of vanilla ice cream, and I took milk out of the fridge and poured out about ¾ cups. I then made a milkshake by blending all those ingredients together. 

Post:

Daily Activities

Submitted by srbuckley on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 15:28

I woke up this morning at 5:45 in the morning. I walked into my kitchen to make coffee. I also used the bathroom. I proceeded to return to my room while the coffee brewed to check my phone. I texted my friend to ask her how quitting cigarettes was going for her. I returned to the kitchen to pour my freshly brewed coffee and add sugar and cream. I stirred the coffee and returned to my room. I turned the television on and watched some true crime television. My cat started meowing so I made my way back into the kitchen to feed him. I hadn’t slept well and was still tired so I lay back down to doze off when I watched TV. I fell back asleep for a while and got up in time for school. I took a shower and got ready to face the world. I got into my car and proceeded to drive over to the UMASS campus. I found a decent parking spot and went into my class. I went around the campus looking for leaf miner specimens. I found several leaves that had leaf miner activity and documented them. Class was over and I got back into my car to drive home. On the way home, I stopped at the local Stop and Shop to get a few groceries. I checked out and drove home to make supper. My son wanted meatballs so I made him meatballs. After making the meatballs I assembled a couple of grinders for my son. I cleaned up after supper and proceeded to my room to finish writing my post for the blog for this class. Next, I watched some crime television to put an end to my night. I took my meds after the show and fell asleep.

 

Sleeping/Waking

I woke up this morning at 5:45 in the morning.

I hadn’t slept well and was still tired so I lay back down to doze off when I watched TV.

I fell back asleep for a while and got up in time for school. 

I took my meds after the show and fell asleep.

 

 

Eating/Drinking

I proceeded to return to my room while the coffee brewed to check my phone.

I returned to the kitchen to pour my freshly brewed coffee and add sugar and cream.

I stirred the coffee and returned to my room.

On the way home, I stopped at the local Stop and Shop to get a few groceries.

I checked out and drove home to make supper.

My son wanted meatballs so I made him meatballs. 

After making the meatballs I assembled a couple of grinders for my son.

My cat started meowing so I made my way back into the kitchen to feed him.

 

School/Leafminers

I got into my car and proceeded to drive over to the UMASS campus.

I found a decent parking spot and went into my class.

I went around the campus looking for leaf miner specimens.

I found several leaves that had leaf miner activity and documented them.

Class was over and I got back into my car to drive home.

proceeded to my room to finish writing my post for the blog for this class.

 

Personal hygiene/Sanitation

I took a shower and got ready to face the world.

I cleaned up after supper

Post:

Exploratory Data Analysis

Submitted by sbrewer on Fri, 03/08/2019 - 11:00

 

  • Install R and Rcmdr.
  • Refer to R Commander Installation Notes for details: http://socserv.socsci.mcmaster.ca/jfox/Misc/Rcmdr/installation-notes.html
  • Import the data:
    • In Rcmdr. under “Data” menu “Import data” from “text file”
    • Set the “Field Separator” to “Commas”.
    • Navigate to the CSV file and select it.
    • Click the “Edit data set” button to open the data set in a window.
    • Make a note of all outliers (to put in the legend of the figure).
    • Click on the number of each row with an outlier, then right-click and “Delete current row”.
    • Click OK to save edited data set.
  • Under “Graphs” choose “Scatterplot matrix...”
    • Select all three variables.
    • Click “Plot by groups”, select Gender, and click OK.
    • Click “Options” and select the checkbox for Least-squares line and click OK.
    • Check for outliers and repeat as necessary.
  • Each student independently choose one pair of variables to report in a scatter plot
    • Choose independent and dependent variables
    • Click “Plot by groups”, select Sex, and click OK.
    • Click “Options” and select the checkbox for Least-squares line and click OK.
    • Save as PDF (use this for posters)
    • Convert to PNG (use this to post at website)
    • Post as Image: write legend that includes title, description, and reports outliers.
    • (If time available, report relevant statistics, e.g. means, linear regression, or one-way ANOVA)

GIYF and here is a book for additional assistance: https://stellmack.dl.umn.edu/sites/g/files/pua2461/f/media/_the_rcmdr_gu...

Post:

Making Figures with Inkscape

Submitted by sbrewer on Fri, 02/09/2018 - 12:02

Screencasts for making multipanel scientific figures using Inkscape

Creating Figures: Part 1. Compositing
Creating Figures: Part 2. Labels and Arrows
Creating Figures: Part 3. Document Properties and Exporting

Hints

  • Think ahead of time. What is your figure going to look like? Should you crop imagery ahead of time? Do you need to adjust image or exposure? (Note: Some journals don't allow digital manipulation of imagery). Do this in a bitmap editing program (e.g. GIMP or Photoshop).
  • Do all your work in a folder. Put your image files in there. Save your SVG file in there. Save early and often.

Workflow

  1. Import all your images: Either Link or Embed. Note things can be “above” or “below” others. Click or drag over to select. Hold the “shift” key to select multiple objects.
  2. Composite your images to make your design: Lock proportions to avoid stretching. Turn “snapping” on or off. Set height and width directly to resize. Use Align and Distribute (switch to "relative to first selected").
  3. Construct one label: Consider font and contrast.
  4. Duplicate label to make more: Select label, duplicate object, move. Repeat as necessary.
  5. Finish each label: Replace each letter as necessary. Use Align and Distribute to center. Use align and distribute to put labels at corners of each panel.
  6. Create arrows: Use the Line Tool to draw a straight line segment (click, click-click). Then use Fill and Stroke tool to set the line width and add arrow head to start (or end).
  7. Set the Page Size: Open Document Properties. Resize Page to Drawing. Set background to not be transparent (increase alpha channel to 255).
  8. Export Finished Figure: Export PAGE. Set width to 1200pixels. Save with name “Lastname-Original.png” The resultant PNG file is your finished figure.

Note: Do not share your finished figure or include in your METHODS manuscript until your methods have been followed!

Post: