7670 research outputs found
Sort by
Comparative Decomposition Rates of Prickly Pear and Sage Using Litterbags
No full textLitterbags are used to study nutrient cycling and track the rate of decomposition over time. Decomposition rates may vary between plant species due to various factors. One factor includes the abundance of lignin, or a structural component that provides support to a plant, which can slow the rate of decomposition. This study compared the decomposition rate of sage (Salvia officinalis), which has higher lignin levels, and prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa), which has higher water content and thus lower lignin levels. Four samples of each species, with two replicates each, were initially weighed and then placed in their own litterbags. The four litterbags of the same species were connected with fishing line and staked to a green roof. One litterbag of each species was collected every 3 weeks for 12 weeks and placed in a drying oven after collection. After drying, litterbag contents were weighed and recorded. Results support slower decomposition for the sage plant due to its higher lignin content than the prickly pear. This method exemplifies a simple approach to measuring biotic conditions of decomposition and soil microbiology activity, and how they may differ depending on species present
Presence of Ophiognomonia clavivignenti-juglandacearum on Juglans cinerea at Beaman Park in Nashville, Tennessee
No full textButternut trees, (white walnut, Juglans cinerea), are infected by a fatal canker, Ophiognomonia clavigignenti-juglandacearum (O-cj), which impacts the survival and population density of the species. Once found throughout the eastern United States, the species has decreased considerably. Due to its uncommon occurrence in Middle Tennessee, the conditions of J. cinerea were investigated at Beaman Park in Nashville, TN. All butternut trees were hypothesized to be infected by O-cj. Each known tree in the park was examined to assess its bark health and determine the presence of the canker. Ecosystem analyses around each tree included surveys of soil characteristics, canopy density, and presence of companion species within a 5 meter radius. The study of butternut trees is important due to the high mortality rate caused by the canker. Research regarding butternut trees and their environment can aid in protecting the species from a canker-induced extinction
The Social Contagion of Laughter: A Psychophysiological Response to AI-Manipulated Dialogue in a Naturalistic Scene
No full textLaughter is a fundamental social signal that facilitates bonding and communication, with research demonstrating that laughter is contagious - meaning that hearing others laugh influences our own perception of humor. Therefore, television producers have long used laugh tracks in sitcoms based on this principle of social contagion. However, it remains unclear how external laugh tracks interact with the actual funniness of content itself. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate how AI-manipulated dialogue content (funny versus neutral) and the presence of laugh tracks independently and jointly affect viewers\u27 physiological responses to humor, as measured by facial electromyography (EMG) of the smile muscle (zygomaticus major). With the innovation of AI- manipulated videos and dialogue sweeping the internet and being unable to detect AI from real life it becomes innovative to see how different types of laughter and dialogue can appear to be processed differently by the brain for various social purposes.This study employs a 2x2 within-subjects factorial experimental design examining the relationship between dialogue type (funny vs. neutral) and laugh track presence (present vs. absent) on facial muscle activity during video viewing.There is a total of three expected outcomes. First, funny dialogue will produce greater EMG activity and humor ratings than neutral dialogue. Second, the presence of laugh tracks will enhance EMG activity and humor ratings compared to their absence. Lastly, there will be an interaction effect where laugh tracks enhance funny dialogue more than neutral dialogue
Fair or Favor? Student Perceptions on Academic Accommodation
No full textThis experimental study aims to investigate the perception of those with accommodation in the classroom environment, and whether it differs based on varying types of disabilities. While evidence has demonstrated prejudice towards individuals with disabilities and the fairness of their received accommodations (Deckoff-Jones & Duell, 2018), especially for learning disabilities, research has yet to explore how this perception of accommodations will be in a school setting and how they may vary for three different types of disabilities: mental, physical, and cognitive. The purpose of our study was to examinate how students would react to the accommodations that a student would receive in a scenario for different disabilities in a college classroom environment. With a sample of 50, mean age of 19.72 (SD = 1.87), participants were randomly assigned one out of three potential vignettes with different conditions. We first hypothesized that the scenario of the student with physical disabilities would be most positively perceived, while the mental disability scenario perceived more negatively. We also hypothesized that people are more likely to give more accommodation to individuals with physical disabilities. Finally, those who have had more contact with disabled individuals will be more geared towards deservingness of accommodation, and that disabled individuals will favor accommodation more than those who don’t have disabilities. Understanding the perceptions that others have on those with disabilities may help develop ways we can relieve stereotypes or prejudice that disabled individuals may face. (Results will be presented at SURS)
Is Less More? Retrieval Ease and Parasocial Perceptions of Kindness
No full textParasocial relationships are one-sided relationships with media figures. These relationships can help people feel more connected and improve well-being. While research has explored the benefits of these relationships, little is known about how people retrieve traits of these figures and how that will affect how they rank them. This study looks at the recalling process of influencers\u27 kindness and whether or not having to recall more or less kind behaviors causes a different perception. Participants are asked to identify their favorite influencer. Then they are randomly assigned to either an easy retrieval condition, in which they recall three kind behaviors of the influencer, or a hard retrieval condition where they recall ten behaviors. After listing the kind behaviors, they are asked to rate how kind they believe their influencer to be. It is predicted that participants with the easy retrieval condition will rate their influencer as kinder and that stronger parasocial relationships will lead to higher kindness ratings overall. Additionally, it is expected that the ease of retrieval will have a bigger impact on kindness ratings for participants with weaker parasocial bonds. This study will help create a better understanding of how retrieval affects parasocial relationships. Results will be presented at SURS
Mimicry in Relation to Stereotypical Behavior within the College Experience
No full textThe purpose of this study was to explore whether behaving stereotypically increases mimicry in individuals and whether this impacts an individuals’ perception of the likeability of their social interaction. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: stereotypical responses and non-stereotypical responses. This study was implemented using 40 Belmont students enrolled in introductory Psychology classes who were recruited via the website SONA. Participants were primarily Caucasian and female. Data collection involved an interview between a participant and confederate where the confederate deliberately engaged in behaviors like crossing their legs and touching their face while they discussed their college experiences. Data collection also involved a survey about the agreeableness of their social interaction with the confederate after the interview. The data will focus on whether participants in either condition mimicked the confederate’s behaviors and whether participants in the stereotypical response condition rated their interaction as more agreeable. We anticipated that these assessments would demonstrate that participants in the stereotypical response condition will have higher rates of mimicry compared to the participants in the non-stereotypical response condition. We also anticipate that there will be a significant interaction between the stereotypical response condition and higher ratings of likeability. Further, details on the results and their implications will be presented upon completion of the study
Functionalizing Silver Nanoparticles with Histamine
No full textSilver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are of increasing interest in biomedical research due to their antimicrobial properties, biocompatibility, and high surface-area-to-volume ratio. A major challenge, however, lies in stabilizing AgNPs under physiological conditions and understanding how their surface interactions influence potential medical applications. This project explores the synthesis of AgNPs using the Turkevich method and investigates their behavior when exposed to varying biological conditions, including changes in pH and temperature. In addition, preliminary efforts are being made to functionalize AgNPs with small biological signaling molecules to evaluate their effects on nanoparticle stability and surface interactions. Characterization is performed primarily through UV-Vis spectrophotometry, with shifts in surface plasmon. resonance serving as indicators of nanoparticle formation and potential modifications. While data collection is ongoing, this work aims to provide insight into strategies for improving nanoparticle stability and functionalization, laying groundwork for future studies in targeted drug delivery and biosensing applications
Unvaccinated by Doubt: How Covid-19 Governance Sparked a Measles Outbreak
No full textThis Article examines how the erosion of public trust in government and public health institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the resurgence of measles in the United States. It argues that pandemic-era governance—marked by inconsistent scientific messaging, politically charged public health mandates, and the federal government’s coordination with social media platforms to suppress dissenting viewpoints—generated widespread skepticism that continues to undermine vaccination uptake. Through a detailed analysis of lockdown policies, vaccine and mask mandates, and the subsequent revelations regarding governmental influence over online content moderation, the Article demonstrates how conflicting guidance and perceived censorship fostered long-lasting public doubt. The discussion of Murthy v. Missouri further illustrates how concerns about First Amendment violations intensified this mistrust. Ultimately, the Article contends that rebuilding public trust—essential for effective public health interventions—requires robust governmental transparency and an openness to scientific debate. Without these reforms, the United States risks continued vulnerability to vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles
Operationalizing Flourishing in BSN Nursing Education: A CIPP- Driven Strategy
No full textOperationalizing Flourishing in BSN Nursing Education: A CIPP- Driven Strateg
Enhancing Engagement in Cardiovascular Risk-Reducing Behaviors Through Motivational Text Messaging (MTM) in an Underserved Population of Memphis, Tennessee
No full textEnhancing Engagement in Cardiovascular Risk-Reducing Behaviors Through Motivational Text Messaging (MTM) in an Underserved Population of Memphis, Tennesse