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National Cybersecurity and Public Trust in Government
No full textIn an age of uncertainty and insecurity—where a lack of legislative precedent and the growing pains of globalization reign indefinitely—the issue of national cybersecurity gains saliency. However, as international actors attempt to navigate uncharted waters, private individuals remain vulnerable to the shortcomings of both the state and international community. Therefore, this study seeks to observe the impact of perspectives on national cybersecurity and public trust in government. The method includes statistical analysis on a former longitudinal study of public trust of government in the United States, which maps to dates of publicized threats to US national cybersecurity; another method includes data on self-described public awareness of the landscape of national cybersecurity threats
The Superior Colliculus (SC) is Necessary for the Normal Display of Diurnal Behavior in Nile Grass Rats
No full textThe circadian system regulates daily rhythms of physiology and behavior and thus, it affects many aspects of daily life. Although there has been tremendous progress elucidating the mechanisms responsible for the workings of the circadian system in nocturnal species, little is known about the mechanisms that support a diurnal profile of activity in species like our own. Recent data has shown that retinorecipient brain areas such as the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) and olivary pretectal nucleus (OPT) are critical for the display of normal patterns of daily activity in diurnal grass rats (Arvicanthis niloticus) (Gall et al., 2013, 2014). Specifically, grass rats with IGL and OPT lesions behave in ways similar to nocturnal animals. Importantly, both the IGL and OPT project to one another in nocturnal species, and there is evidence that these two brain regions also project to the superior colliculus (SC). The superior colliculus (SC) receives direct retinal input, is involved in the triggering of REM sleep in nocturnal rats (Miller et al., 1998), and is disproportionately large in the diurnal grass rat (Gaillard et al., 2013). The objective of the current study was to use diurnal grass rats to test the hypothesis that the SC is critical for the expression of diurnal behavior and physiology. We performed bilateral electrolytic lesions of the SC to examine the diurnal behavioral patterns and acute responses to light in these animals. The majority of grass rats with SC lesions expressed significantly reduced activity in the presence of light. Exposing the grass rats to constant darkness reinstated activity levels during the subjective day, suggesting that light masks their ability to display a diurnal activity profile in 12:12 LD. Altogether, our data suggest that the SC is critical for maintaining diurnal behavior. This research has implications for understanding Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD), neurological disorders in which diurnal behavior is severely disrupted
Inclusivity or…?: A Multi-Lens Feminist Analysis of H&M’s She’s a Lady Commercial
Get PDFIn September 2016, clothing company H&M released an ad seemingly unparalleled in terms of diversity. With the release of this minute-long commercial, the company projected a message of inclusivity to the public, and redefined the word “lady” by including women of different races, body types, and walks of life. However, upon a closer inspection, one can see that key demographics are not represented in this ad - such as women with physical disabilities. Furthermore, H&M is known for labor practices which fail to empower women in the ways which this ad would suggest. This study explores intersectionality within the ad via feminist disability and postcolonial feminist lenses. Analysis of this ad was conducted by repeated viewing of the commercial and its critical scenes, as well as by bringing in work from other scholars to explore H&M’s values and practices. This study aims to critique what is shown as well as what is absent from the ad. By evaluating both positive and negative aspects of H&M’s “She’s a Lady” commercial, I hope to emphasize the importance of viewing media with a critical eye, and diving beneath the surface when consuming such content
Groundwater under Hope College\u27s Campus: Suspended Load Characterization
Get PDFUrban groundwater has received considerable study over the past 30 years due to contamination and subsequent remediation. However, less attention has been paid to the solid suspended load in urban groundwater. This study investigated the fine, near-nano fraction (4.2-0.7 µm) of solids present in groundwater wells penetrating a shallow (3-7m below grade), homogeneous, sandy Midwest aquifer. Two relationships were examined: (1) Whether suspended particle concentration and size distribution are related to current or historical surface land use; and, (2) Whether naturally-occurring suspended fractions can be distinguished from anthropogenic suspended load. Samples were collected from 11 wells and 1 drainage ditch within a 1 km2 area. Land use areas consisted of street, lawn, sidewalk, parking lot, former industrial location, storm surge basin on former industrial location, municipal drainage ditch, and surface drainage ditch sites. Suspended particle concentrations and size distributions were determined using spectrophotometric techniques, dynamic imaging particle analysis, and adapted Navier-Stokes settling calculations. Suspended load chemistry was evaluated by SEM-EDS and PXRD analysis and was utilized as a first approximation to distinguish naturally-occurring material from anthropogenically-derived particles. Preliminary results show the total suspended load concentrations (SLC) range from ~ 140 to 4900 ppm. The highest SLC concentration was observed in the groundwater (GW) beneath a residential lawn. GW under streets, sidewalks and surge basins had intermediate SLC values (1500-2550 ppm), and GW associated with a former industrial site and parking lot had consistently lower SLC (280-1030 ppm). Composition analysis of the ≤ 0.76 µm fractions from different locations indicated that silicates of quartz, feldspar and clay are common natural suspended matter throughout the aquifer. The most conspicuous anthropogenic material is graphite/graphitized carbon black, distinguishing the street, sidewalk and surge-basin sites from other land uses. Results suggest that current land-use practices may have greater influence on GW SLC, while historical activities more heavily influence particulate chemistry
Effects of Junk Food Diet and High Fat Diet Manipulation on Working Memory of Sprague Dawley Rats
Get PDFObesity has become not only a nationwide problem, but a cause for worldwide concern as the prevalence of processed junk-food is currently on the rise. Along with numerous physical ailments induced by obesity, emerging evidence suggests that consumption of a high-fat diet has negative neurological implications. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), known to play an important role in mediating “executive” functions such as inhibitory control, working memory, and decision-making is one region that appears to be affected by consumption of a junk food diet. In this study, we explored the effects of a junk-food diet and a high fat diet on PFC function. Rats were fed either a junk-food diet (19.6% fat) intended to mimic a typical Western diet, a high fat diet (60% fat), or a standard chow diet. Behavioral testing were then conducted following a 4 week exposure to the diets and included the Egocentric Morris Water Maze, Spontaneous Alternation, Novel Object Recognition and Attentional Set Shift. These behavioral tests were performed in order to identify any differences in working memory or attention between groups
History Behind The Hashtag: The Historical Roots of the Black Lives Matter Movement
Get PDFIt began as a hashtag. Generated by the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin in July of 2013, the Black Lives Matter movement emerged as an online response to claims of police brutality and racial discrimination. By August, 2014, the movement had transferred from the screen to the streets as demonstrators filled Ferguson, Missouri to protest the killing of Michael Brown. Subsequent reports of racial profiling and police killings only added fuel to the movement’s fire and its message quickly captured national attention. The apparent spontaneity in which the Black Lives Matter movement developed is belied, however, by the long history of racial injustice in the United States and the protest movements that have sought to respond to oppression. In an effort to understand this centuries-old story, this team examined the historical roots of the Black Lives Matter movement in the areas of politics and law, culture, organized responses, and violence. Specifically, this project sought to explore the Black Lives Matter movement within the context of the Brown v. Board court decision, the media, the women’s sit-in movement, and the 1967 Buffalo riots
A Longitudinal Study of Resident Emotional Stability, Self-Reported Health and Perceptions of Programmatic Support
Get PDFPurpose: Certain characteristics such as acceptance, planning, and humility have correlated with less burnout among resident physicians. However, less is known about residency program culture, socialization, and support. The purpose of this study is to investigate social isolation, solidarity, stress, and frustration over time, their self-reported health, as well as the programmatic support.
Methods: A longitudinal self-administered survey implemented within an academic pediatric residency program to track resident characteristics over time.
Results: In Wave 1, among 101 residents, 78 (77%) responded. In Wave 2, among 98 residents, 73 (74%) responded. 45 residents were in both Wave 1 and 2. All measures of resident characteristics were stable over time. Worse overall health at Wave 2 is associated with feeling alone in residency at Wave 1 (r-.48). More stress (r.35), frustration (r.36) and feeling alone (r.53) (Wave 1) is associated with higher reports of bad mental health in Wave 2 while inversely associated with socializing frequently with other residents outside of work (r-.36) (Wave 1). Thinking the program helps residents cope with stress (r-.49) and that they communicate resources (r-.35) (Wave 1) correlate with improved mental health (Wave 2).
Conclusion: Both negative characteristics such as stress and frustration as well as positive ones such as trust and socialization are stable over time. Some Wave 1 characteristics are healthful for residents while others deleterious at Wave 2. Perceptions of programmatic involvement may be helpful for resident mental health
Digital Holland
Get PDFFounded in 2014, Digital Holland is a publicly accessible website that hosts research about the communities that include and surround Hope College. The website, digitalholland.org, was developed by students in the college’s Mellon Scholars Program, a three-year curriculum of digitally-enabled collaborative research and experiential education funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The website features engaging galleries and pages covering a wide variety of topics, highlighting the diversity and historical importance of the Holland community. The site also hosts relevant artifacts including images, audio, and video files shared with permission by the Joint Archives of Holland and the Holland Museum. The project continues to grow as Hope College students, Mellon Scholars, and community members contribute to the site. In the 2016-2017 academic year, Digital Holland underwent both an aesthetic and conceptual shift, redefining our audience and user experience. The new Digital Holland actively promotes community engagement through local partnerships, a joint venture in digital public history. In addition, the site features research projects completed by Hope College students from a variety of disciplines, providing a platform to disseminate exemplary scholarship. Our poster highlights both the process and product of the Digital Holland redesign: our work product as a team and the engaging, community-oriented repository of research. We will feature examples of student research exhibits as well as crowd-sourced articles. Digital Holland can serve as an example for other communities and institutions committed to partnering on digital public scholarship
Physicians\u27 Moral Dispositions, Role Perceptions, and Patient Interactions: Exploratory Findings from Physicians in the Midwestern United States
Get PDFWe know that patients and their well-being is important to physicians, but what this means in terms of their practice is not always as clear. One potentially fruitful approach to understanding this variation is to look to physicians\u27 value dispositions and moral foundations. Prior work within the general population has highlighted the place and importance of religion/spirituality, but very little is known about physicians and how moral foundations matter for medicine more broadly. The purpose of this research note is to explore these issues with a sample of physicians in Michigan. We find that individual characteristics are related to physicians\u27 moral domains, and that these moral domains are related to perceptions of religion/spirituality\u27s medical relevance and perceptions of good physicians
Day of the Dead at Kruizenga Art Museum
Get PDFA poster advertising Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) events on Friday, October 27, 2017 (Presentation of the Altar), and Saturday, October 28, 2017 (Community Day), hosted by the Kruizenga Art Museum and Hope College Latino Student Organization (LSO).https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/kam_poster/1022/thumbnail.jp