Teaching cardiac electrophysiology modeling to undergraduate students: laboratory exercises and GPU programming for the study of arrhythmias and spiral wave dynamics

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezio Bartocci ◽  
Rupinder Singh ◽  
Frederick B. von Stein ◽  
Avessie Amedome ◽  
Alan Joseph J. Caceres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Graphics Processing Units ◽  
Cardiac Electrophysiology ◽  
Cardiac Cells ◽  
Spiral Waves ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Central Processing ◽  
Hands On ◽  
The Waves

As part of a 3-wk intersession workshop funded by a National Science Foundation Expeditions in Computing award, 15 undergraduate students from the City University of New York 1 collaborated on a study aimed at characterizing the voltage dynamics and arrhythmogenic behavior of cardiac cells for a broad range of physiologically relevant conditions using an in silico model. The primary goal of the workshop was to cultivate student interest in computational modeling and analysis of complex systems by introducing them through lectures and laboratory activities to current research in cardiac modeling and by engaging them in a hands-on research experience. The success of the workshop lay in the exposure of the students to active researchers and experts in their fields, the use of hands-on activities to communicate important concepts, active engagement of the students in research, and explanations of the significance of results as the students generated them. The workshop content addressed how spiral waves of electrical activity are initiated in the heart and how different parameter values affect the dynamics of these reentrant waves. Spiral waves are clinically associated with tachycardia, when the waves remain stable, and with fibrillation, when the waves exhibit breakup. All in silico experiments were conducted by simulating a mathematical model of cardiac cells on graphics processing units instead of the standard central processing units of desktop computers. This approach decreased the run time for each simulation to almost real time, thereby allowing the students to quickly analyze and characterize the simulated arrhythmias. Results from these simulations, as well as some of the background and methodology taught during the workshop, is presented in this article along with the programming code and the explanations of simulation results in an effort to allow other teachers and students to perform their own demonstrations, simulations, and studies.

Integrating Disciplines in a Plant Chemistry Laboratory Module to Enhance Interdisciplinary and Scientific Thinking in Undergraduate Students

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Busta ◽  
Sabrina E. Russo
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Chemistry Laboratory ◽  
Scientific Thinking ◽  
Written Communication ◽  
Plant Chemistry ◽  
Hands On

Here, we describe a hands-on medicinal plant chemistry laboratory module (Phytochemical Laboratory Activities for iNtegrative Thinking and Enhanced Competencies; PLANTEC) for undergraduates that targets the development of core competencies in (i) critical thinking and analysis of text and data, (ii) interdisciplinary and systems thinking, (iii) oral and written communication of science, and (iv) teamwork and collaboration.<br>

Analysis of Demographics and Factors Influencing Student Choice of Major at Five Universities

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 510b-510
Author(s):  
Tammy Kohlleppel ◽  
Jennifer C. Bradley ◽  
Jayne Zajicek
Keyword(s):  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
Student Choice ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Choice Of Major ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
University History ◽  
Insight Into

In recent years horticulture programs at universities across the United States have experienced a decline in student numbers. Researchers at the Univ. of Florida and Texas A&M Univ. have developed a survey to gain insight into the influences on undergraduate students who major in horticulture. Five universities participated in the survey of undergraduate horticulture programs, these include the Univ. of Florida, Texas A&M Univ., Oklahoma State Univ., Univ. of Tennessee, and Kansas State Univ. Approximately 600 surveys were sent to the schools during the 1997 fall semester. The questionnaires were completed by horticulture majors and nonmajors taking classes in the horticulture departments. The survey consisted of two main sections. The first section examined student demographic information, high school history, university history and horticulture background and was completed by all students. Only horticulture majors completed the second section, which examined factors influencing choice of horticulture as a major. Results examine fundamental predictors in promoting student interest in horticulture, demographic variables that may influence student choice of major, and student satisfaction and attitude toward current collegiate horticulture programs. Findings from this study will provide insight into the status of post-secondary horticulture education and assist in identifying methods to increase student enrollment in horticulture programs across the country.

Open-Ended Curiosity-Driven Fluids Lab Project

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Shepard ◽  
Christopher Haas ◽  
Rajagopala Menon
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Mechanics ◽  
Undergraduate Curriculum ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Field Trips ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Great Opportunity ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Design Build ◽  
Course Material ◽  
Positive Results

The lab component of a fluid mechanics course permits a great opportunity for students to engage with course material. These labs can take many forms including field trips, guided inquiry exercises, formulaic lab exercises, practical/hands-on skill development, CFD and design-build-test projects to name a few. Previous literature on self-determination theory suggests that many positive results can be gained by giving students a choice in their studies. Related literature on the importance of curiosity in students suggests similar benefits. This paper describes a multi-week lab experience where students were given the opportunity to study anything remotely related to fluid mechanics with very few restrictions on implementation. The project goals were proposed by a student, or a team of two students, and then refined with the assistance of the course instructor to ensure proper scope. Pre-project surveys were used to gage the importance students place on studying material which is of personal interest and to determine how other parts of the undergraduate curriculum match up with student interest. Post-project surveys were used to gather input on the student experience of completing the curiosity project. This paper details the results from the various assessments and discusses feedback from the course instructor, lab instructors and students relating to project implementation, opportunities for improvement and some of the advantages of such a lab experience.

scholarly journals Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Keberkesanan Amali Kerja Kayu dari Perspektif Pelajar Sekolah Menengah Vokasional di Provinsi Acheh

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1-5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lailan Fachrah ◽  
Nor Azlina Hasbullah ◽  
Ashah Ab Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Vocational Schools ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Equipment Safety ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Stepwise Method

This study aims to identify factors that influence the effectiveness of practical woodworking and determine the effectiveness of practical woodworking from the perspective of students of secondary vocational schools in the province of Aceh. Factors studied were the workshop equipment, safety workshops, teaching skills, the workshop environment and student interest. This study was designed to investigate the significant differences concerning factors woodworking practical effectiveness based on demographic factors. A total of 130 respondents were randomly selected from six vocational schools in the province of Aceh. The instrument consists of a set of questionnaire consisting of 49 items and distributed to second level students. Data analysis using the two types of statistics, namely descriptive statistics and statistical inference. The results showed no significant difference between factors woodworking practical effectiveness based on demographic factors except the income level of parents and the parents of the respondents work. The results of multiple linear regression analysis stepwise method found that only four factors (environmental factors workshops, the students interest, the skills of teachers and workshop equipment factors) that affect the practical effectiveness of woodworking with the correlation coefficient R = 0.779. This shows there is a significant effect of the four factors, the effectiveness of practical woodworking, accounting for 60.6% (R2 = 0.606) changes in the variance in effectiveness of hands-on woodworking, and between the four factors, the workshop environment is the factor that most influences the effectiveness practical woodworking by contributing 43.3% (R2 = 0.433) of the variance in effectiveness of practical woodworking. The main implication of this study is the need for attention from the authorities to be more serious in efforts to improve the facilities and infrastructure in the workshop as well as security issues in practical workshops so that the effectiveness of the woodwork to be more robust.

scholarly journals Comparative study of the implementation of the Lagrange interpolation algorithm on GPU and CPU using CUDA to compute the density of a material at different temperatures

2021 ◽  
Vol 119 ◽  
pp. 07002
Author(s):  
Youness Rtal ◽  
Abdelkader Hadjoudja
Keyword(s):  
Parallel Computing ◽  
Graphics Processing Units ◽  
Lagrange Interpolation ◽  
Polynomial Interpolation ◽  
Programming Model ◽  
Interpolation Method ◽  
Processing Unit ◽  
Central Processing ◽  
Computational Performance ◽  
Different Temperatures

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are microprocessors attached to graphics cards, which are dedicated to the operation of displaying and manipulating graphics data. Currently, such graphics cards (GPUs) occupy all modern graphics cards. In a few years, these microprocessors have become potent tools for massively parallel computing. Such processors are practical instruments that serve in developing several fields like image processing, video and audio encoding and decoding, the resolution of a physical system with one or more unknowns. Their advantages: faster processing and consumption of less energy than the power of the central processing unit (CPU). In this paper, we will define and implement the Lagrange polynomial interpolation method on GPU and CPU to calculate the sodium density at different temperatures Ti using the NVIDIA CUDA C parallel programming model. It can increase computational performance by harnessing the power of the GPU. The objective of this study is to compare the performance of the implementation of the Lagrange interpolation method on CPU and GPU processors and to deduce the efficiency of the use of GPUs for parallel computing.

scholarly journals Efficient estimation of bounded gradient-drift diffusion models for affect on CPU and GPU

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Loossens ◽  
Kristof Meers ◽  
Niels Vanhasbroeck ◽  
Nil Anarat ◽  
Stijn Verdonck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parameter Estimation ◽  
Continuous Time ◽  
Graphics Processing Units ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Likelihood Function ◽  
Efficient Estimation ◽  
Closed Form Expression ◽  
Central Processing ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Non Linear

AbstractComputational modeling plays an important role in a gamut of research fields. In affect research, continuous-time stochastic models are becoming increasingly popular. Recently, a non-linear, continuous-time, stochastic model has been introduced for affect dynamics, called the Affective Ising Model (AIM). The drawback of non-linear models like the AIM is that they generally come with serious computational challenges for parameter estimation and related statistical analyses. The likelihood function of the AIM does not have a closed form expression. Consequently, simulation based or numerical methods have to be considered in order to evaluate the likelihood function. Additionally, the likelihood function can have multiple local minima. Consequently, a global optimization heuristic is required and such heuristics generally require a large number of likelihood function evaluations. In this paper, a Julia software package is introduced that is dedicated to fitting the AIM. The package includes an implementation of a numeric algorithm for fast computations of the likelihood function, which can be run both on graphics processing units (GPU) and central processing units (CPU). The numerical method introduced in this paper is compared to the more traditional Euler-Maruyama method for solving stochastic differential equations. Furthermore, the estimation software is tested by means of a recovery study and estimation times are reported for benchmarks that were run on several computing devices (two different GPUs and three different CPUs). According to these results, a single parameter estimation can be obtained in less than thirty seconds using a mainstream NVIDIA GPU.

scholarly journals Expanding Medical Student Interaction In Neurology With A Redesigned Student Interest Group In Neurology (SIGN) Chapter

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohit Gummi ◽  
Ross Smith ◽  
Raghav Govindarajan
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Journal Club ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Related Research ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Neurology Clinic ◽  
Second Year

Abstract Background: SIGN chapters across the country provide opportunities for medical students to participate in clinical, research, and service activities in neurology. Despite these, enrollment in SIGN chapters has been traditionally low.Methods: Following changes were introduced: an open board style SIGN chapter executive committee with greater active engagement of first and second year students, new types SIGN chapter activities including journal club articles, hands on workshop (example EMG), celebration/cause events (example ALS walk). In addition, a free neurology clinic was introduced. Activities were planned in consultation with office of medical education, and were organized during ‘down times’. Data on student enrollment, activities successfully carried out, students interested in neurology residency, number of neurology-related research projects with student involvement were collected prior to changes and compared to values after changes were introduced.Results: Post intervention, student engagement in neurology activities and projects increased significantly. There were also significantly more students engaged in neurology related research projects and significantly more students reported interest in neurology. However, a similar increase in applications to neurology residency was not yet observed.Conclusions: An open chapter with early engagement and involvement of first and second year medical students, creating a variety of chapter activities with greater hands on involvement, planned in conjunction with office of medical education has reinvigorated our SIGN chapter.

Thoughts and Highlights Involving an Urban Museum Education Partnership and a University

2021 ◽  
pp. 186-204
Author(s):  
Bryna Bobick
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Elementary Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Museum Education ◽  
Art Museum ◽  
Urban Art ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Museum Professionals ◽  
University Museum ◽  
The University

This chapter examines the partnership between an urban art museum and a university. It involves museum educators, art education faculty, and undergraduate students. It specifically explores the development of hands-on museum activities for elementary students created by the university participants. The chapter is written from a higher education perspective. It provides a description of all facets of the partnership from its planning to the completion of the museum activities. The partnership provided the university students authentic museum experiences and ways to make professional connections with museum professionals. Recommendations for those who wish to develop university/museum partnerships are shared.

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