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Impact of Lignin Content on Decomposition Rates
No full textThis study aimed to analyze decomposition rates of plants containing different amounts of lignin. Lignin can be found within cell wall structures in plants and aids in natural rigidity. Opuntia humifusa was chosen to represent plants with high levels of lignin, and Allium schoenoprasum was chosen in contrast because of its significantly lower levels of lignin. Due to these characteristics, A. schoenoprasum is hypothesized to decompose at a quicker rate than O. humifusa. To test this hypothesis, eight samples of O. humifusa and eight samples of A. schoenoprasum were placed in litter bags to prevent macroorganisms from aiding in the decomposition process. These bags were then placed directly in contact with the soil and left outside. One litter bag of A. schoenoprasum and one of O. humifusa were collected and weighed to analyze how much biomass was lost four times over the semester. Results from biomass loss aligned with our original predictions. Over time, A. schoenoprasum lost significantly more biomass than O. humifusa. Varying rates of decomposition in the same environmental conditions due to different leaf composition can affect nutrient availability and the ecological significance of nutrient dispersal timing. Understanding decomposition rates of plant species enables gardeners to diversify the surrounding ecology and benefit local communities
Kairiomone Moderated Anti-Predator Responses in Pleurocera laqueta
No full textPredator-prey coevolution in freshwater ecosystems often involves chemical communication, where the prey detect predator released compounds known as kairomones. These chemical cues allow prey to alter behavior to reduce risk of predation. In Middle Tennessee streams, the native snail Pleurocera laqueata commonly coexists with predator crayfish, and previous studies have shown that exposure to crayfish kairomones can induce an anti-predator “crawl out” response. This response is commonly demonstrated through snails climbing above the waterline to avoid crayfish predators below. We hypothesized that Pleurocera laqueata would display a similar anti-predator response when exposed to both native and non-native crayfish cues. After running several preliminary trials with native and non-native individual snails, no consistent behavioral response was observed, prompting a redesigned experiment using group trials in larger tanks to better replicate natural conditions. Across multiple trials comparing native and non-native crayfish, snails showed little to no significant vertical movement antipredator behavior. However, Chi-square analysis did reveal unequal snail distribution in three trials with a preference for the near side of the tank regardless of crayfish presence. Our unexpected results may reflect limited predator-prey coevolutionary history, differences in larger snail vs smaller crayfish size, insufficient or interfered kairomone concentration under laboratory conditions. These findings suggest that Pleurocera laqueata’s anti-predator response may be context dependent or triggered only under more intense predator situational cues
The Influence of Music-Evoked Arousal on Perceptions of AI-Generated Neutral Situations
No full textEmotional valence refers to the degree to which an emotion is positive or negative, while arousal reflects the intensity of the emotional experience (Citron et al., 2014). Music is often used to study emotional valence due to its strong influence on perception. Previous research has demonstrated that faster-tempo music (\u3e110 beats/min) produces more extreme valence ratings and higher arousal compared to slower-tempo music (\u3c 90 beats/min) (Hofbauer & Rodriguez, 2023). While many studies focus on tempo, fewer have examined the impact of subjective music genre intensity on emotional responses. The present study aimed to identify whether arousal induced by music influenced participants’ perceptions of neutral situations generated by artificial intelligence. Fifty-seven participants were randomly assigned to one of two music conditions (heavy metal or soft jazz) and were asked to read neutral AI-generated scenarios and rate their emotional valence, while listening to music. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed no significant relationship between arousal and valence scores (p \u3e 0.05). Similarly, a Welch’s between-subjects t-test showed no significant differences in mean valence ratings across the 10 scenarios between the two music groups (p \u3e 0.05). These findings suggest that, music-induced arousal and genre intensity may not significantly alter participants’ emotional evaluations of neutral situations
Rewriting the Monster: Carmilla as Laura\u27s Gothic Double and Subversive Prince Charming in Le Fanu\u27s Queer Gothic Fairy Tale
No full textRewriting the Monster: Carmilla as Laura\u27s Gothic Double and Subversive Prince Charming in Le Fanu\u27s Queer Gothic Fairy Tal
Philologoi: Philosophy Club
No full textJoin us for a moderated discussion with Philosophy Faculty and Students
Watching, Looking, Viewing: Neighbors Then and Now
No full textThis will be a brief talk in AYERS followed by a walk to the Some Were Neighbors Holocaust Exhibition at the Bunch Librar
Be a Man: Mister Rodgers, My Father, and Me
No full textI grew up with a father who believed — and told me, in no uncertain terms — that he knew the secrets of what it took to be a man. But my life with Lou Junod was not so clear cut: I knew from an early age that he had his own secrets and made it my business to find them out. When I became a writer, I met a Fred Rogers, who from his televised “Neighborhood” had assured generations of American children that they were not only special, but loved. He was a very different kind of man from my Dad. but by showing me the power of kindness he let me finally decide the kind of man I wanted to be. He also helped me find the courage to write my memoir of my father, “In The Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means To Be a Man.
