1854 research outputs found
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In-Vivo E-Cigarette Usage is Associated with Fluctuations in Positive and Negative Affect
Full text linkThe use of e-cigarettes has become a popular replacement for traditional cigarettes since they were first introduced to the market in 2006. Evolution of these customizable devices has provided young adults with a plethora of different ways to vape nicotine. Although e-cigarettes are increasingly widely used, little research has been conducted to learn about factors that motivate and maintain usage of these devices at the intersection of affect, stress, and overall mood. The current study utilizes ecological momentary assessment (EMA) as a way to collect information in the moment, representative of daily life. In the study, 25 participants responded to a baseline survey and four daily surveys over the course of a 2-week period, providing information about their vaping behaviors. Results indicated that vaping prior to the daily survey prompt was associated with reduced negative affect (within-subjects b = -0.03, p = 0.04; between-subjects b = -0.17, p \u3c .001) and enhanced positive affect (within-subjects b = 0.05, p = 0.004; between-subjects b = 0.13, p \u3c .001), and that experiencing beneficial changes to affect as a result of vaping at one daily survey predicted likelihood of vaping at the next (positive affect between-subjects b = 0.15, p = 0.02; negative affect between-subjects b = -0.4, p \u3c .001). Contrary to study hypotheses, participants’ beliefs about the positive and negative consequences of vaping at baseline were generally not associated with daily vaping behavior. Participants’ baseline belief that vaping provides negative affect reduction was associated with their change in negative affect following vaping in the daily surveys (b = -0.16, p = 0.04). This study is among the first to use EMA to examine vaping behaviors in-vivo and demonstrates that participants’ affective responses to vaping indeed influence their continued usage. These findings have implications for interventions aimed at curbing young adults’ e-cigarette consumption
Season 1, Episode 5: Translating Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”: A Conversation with Dr. Mark Harman
No full textIn this episode, Dr. Mark Harman, Professor Emeritus of German and English at Elizabethtown College and award-winning translator of Kafka and other authors, discusses his recent work, translating Kafka’s novella, commonly titled, “The Metamorphosis” in English but which Mark entitles, “The Transformation.” His translation is part of a forthcoming collection of Kafka stories on which Mark is currently working. We discuss the story, the translation process, and Kafka’s enduring appeal
Expression of SV40 T Antigen is Not Sufficient to Alter TEAD-1 Isoform Production in Immortalized Human Diploid Fibroblasts
Full text linkSV40 T-ag is capable of transforming rodent cells in culture and inducing tumor formation in animal models through interactions with cellular proteins. The TEAD-1/TEF-1 transcription factor, discovered complexed with T-ag, activates early viral gene expression and is essential for the YAP/TAZ proliferation and anti-apoptosis pathway. Studies in rat cells showed expression of T-ag induced an alternatively spliced isoform of TEAD1; thus, this study investigated if this isoform existed in human cells and what role it may play in transformation. Using T-ag-transformed HDFs, TEAD1 was assessed by RT-PCR and immunoblot. Preliminary RT-PCR data showed 2 of 3 primer sets exhibited a banding pattern shorter than predicted. Of the several expected isoforms, only the 37 kDa was detected by immunoblotting in all cell lines. Co-immunoprecipitation studies are underway to determine if the 37 kDa isoform is complexed with T-ag, and additional PCR primer sets will determine if C-terminal splice variants exist
Peacebuilding Since World War II: Relations Between Japan and The United States
Full text linkRecognition and evaluation of history is vital for us to understand the international relations by outlining events happened between states and connecting each history to present structure of relationship. This research project will identify some of the key histories between Japan and the United States. It examines how the various aspects of societies and people developed in the past have led the way of relationship how it is now between two nations. Comprehending history supports acquisition of facts about the process of change in partnership over time and the shape of current relations in terms of peacebuilding, military and security, economy, politics, trade, and cultural exchange. This evaluation also includes a case study to answer a question of how different United States presidential administrations affect foreign relations between two nations and how this differs from the Japanese parliamentary system. Evaluation of history is vital to understanding the complexities of international relations. Analysis of historical events and the nuances of relationships between countries is best understood through a historical lens. The current project sought to better understand the present day relationship between Japan and the United States by delving into the nuances of this complicated, international relationship since the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the US in 1945. Various aspects of the relationships between the two countries are considered including peacebuilding, military and security, economy, politics, trade, and cultural exchange. Additionally, the research used a case study design to evaluate the impacts of several different United States’ administrations on the relationship and to tease out the differences between the two governmental structures. The following research questions will be addressed: What events triggered the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and what reconciliations have been conducted between two nations
Globalization in Japan: Rakugo as a Gateway for Foreigners
Full text link日本の伝統芸能とグローバリゼーション：
外国人による落語文化の国際化
This presentation examines foreigners’ interest in Japanese Traditional Arts and explores how globalization has affected them, by specifically focusing on Rakugo, one of the performing art forms centered around storytelling with more than 300 years of history.
In Japan, there are many traditional performing arts, such as Kabuki and Noh that Japanese people hold dear to their hearts and give them pride as people. These arts are still popular among the masses till this day as they began to modernize to appeal to new audiences. For a long time, they have been performed exclusively by Japanese natives and have not been very open to foreign nationals. In recent years, however, there has been a noticeable trend of foreigners showing great interest in these art forms and coming to Japan to learn them while immersing themselves into the culture.
This trend can be explained by the notion of cultural globalization, which refers to spreading ideas and values with those outside of one’s country. Due to this type of globalization, this study argues that the traditional performing art masters have become more inclusive to accept foreigners as apprentices to learn their country’s culture.
By researching the art of Rakugo, and from first-hand experiences obtained by interviewing with current Japanese Rakugo masters, this study outlines the history of Rakugo and how globalization has affected Japan, concluding with a positive light for foreigners being able to become part of Japan’s culture, and its impact in the future for Japanese Traditional Arts
Dissecting Personhood in Models of Occupational Therapy
Full text linkDispersed among the Earth, individuals find identity in thousands of cultures and societal organizations (Mthembu & Duncan, 2021). Many of these cultures, although each unique in their own way, fall into two distinct categories of values (Hofstede, 1991). Individualistic cultures and collectivist cultures pervade the countries in a variety of forms; however, they all share similar values within these two categories (Triandis, 1993). Individualist cultures operate under the notion of self-interest with the goal of independence (Hofstede, 1991). Collectivist cultures believe that one functions as a member of the group with the goal of harmony and relationship (Mthembu & Duncan, 2021). These two contrasting values allow the establishment of various societies interpreting the cultural values and allowing them to influence political, emotional, and societal standards (Mesquita, 2001). Common to both organizations is the concept of personhood which ties together the members of all cultures. What makes an individual a person? What defines one’s identity? These questions apply to all and individualist and collectivist cultures each interpret the search in accordance with their values. Personhood will be defined separately in the contexts of the two cultures during the literature review.
One such profession deeply rooted in the care for people is occupational therapy. Since its conception, the field of occupational therapy facilitates ways for individuals to maintain their identity through the use of occupations (Mroz, et al., 2015). Models of occupational therapy practice help influence practitioners in their provision of services and help supply perspectives to manage each client and person in the best way. Two models in particular reflect the values of collectivist and individualist cultures as previously mentioned. As both models advise therapists on ways to interpret their clients, both provide different views on the treatment of the person. Throughout this paper, the topic of personhood will be explored in the contexts of two contrasting models of occupational therapy: The Model of Human Occupation and the Kawa model
Habitat Suitability Index for Crassostrea Virginica within the Chesapeake Bay using GIS
Full text linkThe eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) resides within the Chesapeake Bay and their oyster reefs act as a habitat for many other species in the Bay. Within the Chesapeake Bay, the eastern oyster has optimal conditions that are best suited for its growth and survival, however that may be negatively affected by current changes to the Bay such as water pollution from fertilizer and animal waste, sea level rise, and ocean acidification. Therefore, it is important to find the locations within the Chesapeake Bay where optimal conditions for the eastern oyster are met because they are a critical species to the health of the Bay and the surrounding community. I created a habitat suitability index for the eastern oyster using ArcMap, a geographic information system software. The habitat suitability index incorporates data on pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity, total suspended solids, Secchi depth, and chlorophyll a. These data were obtained from monitoring stations (n = 19), provided by the Chesapeake Bay Program. Since the monitoring stations only have the water quality values for their location, spatial interpolation was done using inverse distance weighting to estimate the surrounding water quality values. This area was found by overlaying interpolated values for each variable to determine which areas of the Bay satisfy the habitat requirements for the oyster, as reported in the literature. This information would be useful to anyone seeking to grow the oyster populations or focus energy on protecting them. It was discovered that the portion of the Bay that is best suited for eastern oysters is found between Annapolis and St. Leonard. The area of the overall optimal region for eastern oyster suitability is 59770.415hectares
Effect of nitrous oxide (NO) on the structure and function of nitrogen-oxide reducing microbial communities
No full textNitrous oxide (NO) is a potent greenhouse gas that can be produced by nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. Yet the effects of NO on microbial communities is not well understood. We used batch tests to explore the effects of NO on mixed denitrifying communities. Batch tests were carried out with acetate as the electron donor and with the following electron acceptors: nitrate (NO), nitrite (NO), NO, NO + NO, and NO + NO. Activated sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant was used as the inoculum. The bacteria grew readily with NO as the sole acceptor. When NO was provided along with NO or NO, it was used concurrently and resulted in higher growth rates than the same acceptors without added NO. The microbial communities resulting from NO addition were significantly different at the genus level from those with just NO or NO. Tests with NO as the sole added acceptor revealed a reduced diversity. Analysis of inferred gene content using PICRUSt2 indicated a greater abundance of genera with a complete denitrification pathway when growing on NO or NO, relative to all other tests. This suggests that specific NO reduction rates are high, and that NO alone selects for a low-diversity, fully denitrifying community. When NO is present with NO or NO, the microbial communities were more diverse and did not select exclusively for full denitrifiers. NO alone appears to select for a generalist community with full denitrification pathways and lower diversity. In terms of denitrification genes, the combination of acceptors with NO appeared to increase the number of microbes carrying nirK, while fully denitrifying bacteria appear more likely to carry nirS. Lastly, all the taxa in NO and NO samples were predicted to harbor nosZ. This suggests the potential for reduced NO emissions in denitrifying systems
Momentary fluctuations in emotional intelligence and stress predict changes in disordered eating
No full textLow emotional intelligence and symptoms of disordered eating are connected, however, whether daily fluctuations in emotional intelligence predict daily changes in disordered eating symptoms has not been examined, nor has stress been explored as a potential moderator of this relationship. Participants were undergraduate students ( = 100). Participants completed baseline questionnaires, then responded to random ecological momentary assessment prompts 3 times daily for 2 weeks. Results indicated that when individuals had higher momentary emotional intelligence, they had lower disordered eating at the same time point (within subjects estimate = -0.30, \u3c .001) and following time point (within subjects estimate = -0.08, = 0.03). Momentary stress moderated the relationship between baseline emotional intelligence and momentary disordered eating (b = -0.02, \u3c .01). Changes in emotional intelligence predict day-to-day changes in disordered eating, and stress moderates the connection between emotional intelligence and disordered eating
Episode 3: Apprenticeship
No full textIt may sound audacious, to say that a horse-and-buggy driving group, can teach us anything about living in a hyper-tech, hyper-everything world. Yet for Professor Kraybill, the Amish demonstrate how some old-fashion things, suddenly turn relevant, once again! In nine episodes Kraybill explores what he learned from the Amish about (1) Community, (2) Technology, (3) Apprenticeship, (4) Forgiveness, (5) Hacking (6) Smallness (7) Choices (8) Humility, and (9) Death.
Episode Three: Apprenticeship
The Amish are ahead of some American schools when it comes to apprenticeship. That’s how eighth-grade educated Amish youth learn skills for technical jobs and running businesses. Ironically, a higher education magazine recently began promoting apprenticeships. What is old turns new again