University of Southern Mississippi
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Lack of Inflammatory Response in Mouse Embryonic Cells to Listeria Infection
No full textApproximately 1 in 5 pregnancies in the United States results in miscarriage, with a significant percentage of these losses attributed to failed implantation due to immunological challenges encountered by the early embryo. Recent research has shown that key cell types within mouse blastocysts, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), exhibit remarkable resilience against the cytotoxic effects associated with viral infections and embryotoxic cytokines, such as TNFα and IFNγ, both of which are known to hinder blastocyst development. However, the immune properties of the preimplantation stage embryo, specifically the blastocyst, remain poorly understood. Using mouse cell model, this study aims to investigate how embryos at the blastocyst stage respond to bacterial pathogens. Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), a gram-positive intracellular bacterium known to cause severe pregnancy complications, including miscarriages in humans, serves as an appropriate model for this study. I hypothesize that the attenuated innate immunity of ESCs and TSCs allows these cells to evade the cytotoxic effects of Lm infection, serving as a self-protective mechanism that limits bacterial entry during early embryogenesis. To test this hypothesis, comparative experiments were conducted using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and a fibroblast-like cell line (10T1/2) as controls. The results from this study showed that upon Lm infection, ESCs and TSCs exhibit an attenuated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, an inactivated NF-κB signaling pathway, and low infectivity, unlike the responses observed in MEFs and 10T1/2 cells. Furthermore, similar attenuated immune responses were observed when ESCs and TSCs were exposed to Lm-conditioned medium derived from infected macrophages, which contained various inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, the results from this thesis presents evidence that the attenuated innate immunity observed in ESCs and TSCs is likely an intrinsic feature that may offer a developmental advantage during early embryogenesis
Investigating the Connection Between Scientists and Low Optimism
No full textScientists are less optimistic than the general public; however, no prior research has attempted to determine if scientists have low optimism when they choose to become scientists or if they become less optimistic as a result of their education and training. This dissertation examines this gap by comparing Physical Science students to English and History students when grouped by their years of experience in higher education.
Psychometric surveys and a background information survey were distributed to students attending public universities in the same state located in the Southeastern United States. The surveys measured Psychological Capital which includes Hope, Optimism, Self-Efficacy, and Resilience, as well as Big Five personality traits. All surveys were completed in the same semester to help minimize the effects of historical context such as proximity to COVID-19.
Analyses found that there were no significant differences between Physical Science Students grouped by years of higher education; however, 3rd year History students, and 4th year English students had significantly lower Optimism measured with the Compound Psychological Capital Scale 12 Revised (CPC 12R). Additionally, there were no significant differences in Big Five Traits between the majors.
These results indicate that Physical Science students are not losing Psychological Capital during their studies; however, they are not making any significant gains either. Further, the mean scores for each group in this study were lower than previously reported data collected from large samples, suggesting that many university students are suffering from lower Psychological Capital than average, not just the science students
Investigating Nature-Based Mindfulness in Nurse Anesthesia Students: A Pilot Study
Get PDFAcross the country, the mental health crisis continues to rage. Varying degrees of depression, stress, and anxiety are commonly found in college-age students. The COVID-19 pandemic augmented this crisis, but the pandemic is not the sole culprit for the escalation of mental health disorders in the United States. Students across the globe suffer mental health disorders that include depression, anxiety, and stress. Research has shown that graduate students are six times more likely to develop anxiety and depression than the general population. Student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) are vulnerable to mental health disorders. SRNAs enter labor-intensive doctoral programs fraught with stressors. Research concludes that untreated mental health disorders predispose students to various consequences including drug and alcohol abuse, poor relationship building, academic dishonesty, and death by suicide. Previous studies have shown that mindfulness-based interventions decrease anxiety. In addition, the element of nature has effectively reduced anxiety and depression. The purpose of this study is to blend these two approaches—mindfulness and nature—and investigate a nature-based mindfulness intervention (NBMI) in nurse anesthesia students. Using a pretest/posttest design, 18 third-year SRNAs participated in the pilot study. Participants’ levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21. After pre-intervention scores are obtained, participants are engaged in eight NBMI sessions. Statistical analysis included paired samples t-test and analysis of variance. Statistical significance (p-value \u3c 0.05) was achieved in the difference between pre-intervention and post-intervention anxiety scores. In conclusion, the author argued that NBMIs are effective measures to lower depression, anxiety, and stress in SRNAs. Administrators and faculty were encouraged to incorporate NBMIs into all phases of SRNA education, identify at-risk students, and enhance mental health resources across the university. Limitations and recommendations for future studies will be considered
The Effects of Ambient Light Intensity on Affordance Perception
Get PDFHumans can reliably perceive whether a slanted ground surface can be stood on or not. In the present study we investigated how differences in ambient lighting conditions affected the perception of stand-on-ability. The study manipulated lighting conditions (photopic, mesopic, scotopic) under which participants made affordance judgements about the stand -on-ability of a presented ramp in a virtual reality environment. We hypothesized that less visual information would be available in the scotopic condition, which would result in changes to affordance boundaries and movement complexity, when measured from head sway and center of pressure. Results indicated that participants’ affordance judgements were more conservative in low lighting and that movement complexity decreased at the affordance boundary. In addition, we showed that affordance responses can be predicted by movement complexity. The study demonstrated that exploratory activity exhibited through postural adjustments of the body generates information that specifies affordance perception
Expanding Standards Through Embracing Diversity: The Clarinet Quintets of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Joyce Solomon Moorman, and James Lee III
No full textDiversity in music education has been a long-standing discussion amongst educators. This document advocates for the recognition and acceptance of the intrinsic and extrinsic values of diverse peoples and their musical contributions while creating tolerance and respect. The focus lies with three composers, two African American and one African English, in service of promoting inclusion for composers of minority groups within the clarinet repertoire.
The goal is to expand standard clarinet repertoire, with “standard” defined as compositions considered important in building a well-rounded clarinetist in America, to include works such as Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in F-sharp Minor, Op. 10, Dr. Joyce Solomon Moorman’s Clarinet Quintet, and Dr. James Lee III Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet. I aim to display a wide range of compositional genre and biographical data obtained through research and interviews with Dr. Moorman and Dr. Lee. Each composer had a significant support system in their pursuit of a career in music which greatly contributed to their successes. Biographical information on Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is gathered from journal articles and texts featuring the composer. Also included are music analyses of each quintet reflecting the composer’s identity and life experience. Specifically, sources providing information on the misidentification of colored peoples as gleaned from Lee’s quintet. The compositional stipulations of each work provides support in their musical and cultural importance to clarinet literature.
Elements of racial bias and the underrepresentation toward people of color are discussed historically in conjunction with these composers to better understand the importance of inclusion and the intrinsic value of works composed by underrepresented composers. For bringing changes to the approach of music education and its students, information is gathered from articles within Music Educators Journal and Action, Criticism, and Theory for Music Education.
The intention of this document is to bridge the gap between standard clarinet repertoire and works by underrepresented composers, increasing visibility of students and their potential for success within a musical career. By focusing on inclusion, students are better cared for on a personal and musical level, creating a more tolerant learning environment and future educator
Identifying New Potential Breeding Pond Sites for the Dusky Gopher Frog in Southern Mississippi
No full textThe main objective of this thesis was to identify potential new pond sites across southern Mississippi for the critically endangered dusky gopher frog (DGF). Ephemeral ponds are the preferred breeding habitat for the species, but they are quite rare in the region due to the diminishment of the longleaf pine ecosystem. This research addresses gaps in the current literature by providing a broad overview of dusky gopher frog breeding habitat identification. LiDAR derived datasets as well as tools within ArcGIS Pro were utilized in order to perform spatial analysis on sites of interest in south Mississippi. By using this methodology I hope to provide valuable information on the viability of potential ponds for DGF habitation in a time efficient manner. Field observations and drone imagery allowed for the examination of four potential pond sites identified within the ArcGIS software. Although one site was eliminated for failing to meet the criteria for dusky gopher frog introduction, the remaining three sites appear promising for housing the species. Furthermore, several potential ponds were examined solely within ArcGIS and a few of these ponds may also warrant further investigation. Ultimately, this project demonstrates the utility of spatial analysis tools when attempting to identify optimal habitat sites across a large geographic range
Effects of Flipped Explicit Reading Instruction on College EFL Trainees’ Reading Comprehension Proficiency
Get PDFThe flipped classroom, a contemporary model, and explicit reading instruction, a widely recognized conventional approach, both offer unique benefits and have their own place in education. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Flipped Explicit Reading Comprehension Instruction (FERCI) on college EFL trainees’ Reading Comprehension Proficiency (RCP) and its impact on course achievement test scores. Conducted at Injibara College of Teachers Education in Ethiopia, the study involved 53 participants from October 7 to February 6, 2023, utilizing a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test non-equivalent group design. The participants were assigned into experimental (N=28) and control (N=25) groups. The experimental group received the course using FERCI, which involved providing educational content outside of the classroom through videos and readings before class, while the control group received explicit reading comprehension instruction (ERCI). Data were collected through RCP pre-tests, post-tests, and course achievement test scores. The results revealed that both FERCI and ERCI were significantly effective in enhancing RCP, with large effect sizes (eta squared = 0.93 for EG and 0.87 for CG) further supporting substantial improvements in both groups. However, both FERCI and ERCI had distinctive effects, with FERCI showing a significantly better (moderate effect size eta squared =. 464) impact on RCP test scores compared to ERCI
Remembering, Forgetting, and Artifact Deposition in Late Prehistoric Florida
Get PDFMaterial culture plays a fundamental role in memory processes. Artifacts are an important means of both connecting with and cutting ties with a real or imagined past. They can be reminders or symbols of connection to other people, places, things, powers, or memories, making them key components within networks and relations. The way materials are deposited or destroyed often follows specific customs or responds to environmental factors. Specific situations, like interactions with outside groups or socio-political changes, prompt particular depositional events. During the Mississippi period, such circumstances were prevalent throughout the Southeast. By treating artifacts in specific ways during deposition, Florida societies either chose to remember and build upon Mississippian foundations or to reject and forget their connections to the Mississippian world, emphasizing their own identity instead. Using C.B. Moore’s expeditions in Florida, I expected to find that Mississippi period societies would have more instances of forgetting deposits associated with increased involvement with Mississippian practices and institutions at the expense of Woodland traditions. Instead, I found that Mississippian-influenced societies featured more remembering practices, which I argue to mean certain groups focused on integrating and reinforcing Mississippian identity, while others were attempting to resist and forget these new institutions. This research explores a novel area in archaeological and memory studies, showing its potential to offer significant insights into past cultures. A new archaeological methodology focused on memory and deposition is proposed and tested to address broader anthropological questions about how materials influence the proliferation and transformation of practices and memories