2923 research outputs found
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Understanding Parasocial Relationships and the Mental Health Impact
Full text linkParasocial relationships have recently become a topic of discussion in our society. This is because individuals are still looking for something to connect with after the COVID-19 pandemic. These relationships originally were more common among young people, but due to the constant usage of media, individuals have become more attached to popularity which results in an unrealistic online connection. Parasocial relationships are both a fascination and a danger due to the mental connections an individual makes within themselves. This research is a qualitative study of previous research done on parasocial relationships. Topics discussed in this thesis will cover multiple facets of parasocial relationships including those with public figures, and fictional characters
Shaping of News Values and Frames during War: A Content Analysis of Israeli and Palestinian Short-Form Video
Full text linkThis research looks at the use of short-form video as it pertains to wartime journalism. Specifically, Instagram reels posted by both Palestinian and Israeli journalists are assessed for news values (victim, perpetrator, horse race) and news frames (straight news, conjecture, human interest). Much research has been done on news reporting and even news reporting particularly as it pertains to war. However, with recent growth of short-form video and the use of such to report on war, the landscape of digital warfare is changing. This research aims to assess how short-form video is used to report on Israel and Palestine, two groups that have been at conflict with each other for decades. The methodology consists of selecting certain videos beginning on October 7 from Instagram profiles of two Israeli-based journalists and two Palestinian-based journalists. Fifteen videos from each profile were used in the analysis. Each video was analyzed for a dominant news value and dominant frame. The analysis of news values and frames found in videos posted by Israeli and Palestinian journalists revealed themes of peace journalism and war journalism. Understanding how short-form video is used to report on war is important to know as research continues to study how digital media impacts mediated news communication
An Evaluation of Sonderegger Pine Morphology
Full text linkSonderegger pine (Pinus x sondereggeri H.H. Chapm.), the naturally occurring hybrid of longleaf (Pinus palustris Mill.) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), is considered a producer of poor-quality wood due to observations of stem forking and a high number of large-diameter branches at maturity. Because landowners generally decline planting Sonderegger pine seedlings, nursery workers cull putative hybrids from longleaf pine seedling stock during lifting and processing. However, over the past 100 years, very few studies have quantified stem quality of Sonderegger pine. To gain a better understanding of the early growth and development of Sonderegger pine, evaluations of height, diameter at breast height (DBH), bole (i.e., stem) form, and disease occurrence were made on five-year-old trees planted on the Catahoula Ranger District of Kisatchie National Forest in March 2018. Of the 102 trees evaluated, 65 (64%) were free of stem and branch defects, and less than 6% had fusiform rust (Cronartium quercuum f. sp. fusiforme). Branch frequency and branch diameter were strongly correlated with height and DBH. On an index scoring basis, 50% of trees had fewer branches or branches that were smaller in diameter when compared with other trees in the same height class (\u3c 1.4 m, 1.4 to 3.0 m, \u3e 3.0 m). Sonderegger pines showed a wide range in phenotype, which may suggest that (1) F1 hybrids can exhibit strong tendencies toward one parent species and (2) Sonderegger pine phenotypes are strongly influenced by the genetic quality of the hybridizing parent trees. Sonderegger pine seedlings commonly occur in longleaf pine seedlots grown in southern forest tree seedling nurseries. For decades, the initiation of height growth (12 to 15 cm) in longleaf pine seedlots has been used to indicate that hybridization with loblolly pine has occurred. However, research documenting Sonderegger pine seedling morphology has not been published for more than 60 years, and to our knowledge, no seedling quality assessments have been made. To better understand how morphological traits of longleaf and loblolly pine are expressed in hybrid seedlings, shoot height, root collar diameter (RCD), and hypocotyl length were compared among one-year-old container-grown longleaf, loblolly, and Sonderegger pine seedlings. Sonderegger pine seedlings had a range of stem development, with the majority (62%) of seedlings measuring less than 12 cm tall. Pure longleaf pine seedlings had up to 10 cm of stem elongation, but the cause of early height growth in these seedlings is unknown. More than 90% of Sonderegger pine seedlings met or exceeded RCD recommendations for loblolly (≥ 3.2 mm) and longleaf pine (≥ 4.75 mm)
Challenge, Hindrance, or Both: Exploring the Relationship Between Motivational State and Employee Experience of Job Demands
Full text linkOne of the most common typologies of workplace stressors is the challengehindrance framework (Cavanaugh et al., 2000). Challenge stressors are job demands that are perceived by employees as obstacles to be overcome to learn and achieve (LePine et al., 2005). Conversely, hindrance stressors are job demands that are perceived by employees as unnecessarily thwarting personal growth and goal attainment (LePine et al., 2005). While useful, Cavanaugh et al.’s tendency to label stressors as one or the other categorically was later disputed, in that there is more variability in how stressors are experienced than Cavanaugh et al. described (Webster et al., 2011). For example, Webster et al. (2011) found that workload demands can be experienced as both a challenge and a hindrance. As a result, scholars have been calling for a shift in focus from the type of stressor as in the challenge-hindrance framework to a more appraisal-based approach that acknowledges individual differences in how stressors are appraised (rather than assuming a priori appraisal as challenge or hindrance; Liu & Li, 2018; Ma et al., 2021; Mazzola & Disselhorst, 2019; O\u27Brien & Beehr, 2019; Prem et al., 2017). In line with the recent research investigating various individual-difference variables, this dissertation proposes that an individual’s frame of mind (i.e., motivational state) may differentiate whether and how the job demand is experienced. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between motivational state and the experience of workload demands as a challenge and/or a hindrance. The hypothesized relationships between motivational state and the experience of workload as a challenge or a hindrance, after accounting for the role of overall workload and task efficacy, were not supported. The observed relationships were significant but in the opposite direction to those hypothesized. The results of this study contribute to the literature by providing an investigation of an additional explanatory variable for understanding under which circumstances a given individual experiences job demands as a challenge and/or hindrance
Measurement of Multi-Jet Ratios in the ATLAS Experiment
Full text linkThis dissertation presents a comprehensive study of multi-jet cross-section ratios using proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at a center-of-mass energy of √ s = 13TeV. By examining these ratios across different energy scales, the analysis provides valuable insights into the running of the strong coupling constant, αs, a fundamental parameter in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) that dictates the strength of the strong interaction. The running of αs—its variation with energy—is crucial for understanding QCD, yet it remains one of the least precisely known aspects of the theory. In this study, multi-jet cross-section ratios serve as sensitive proxies for extracting αs, offering a robust method for probing its energy dependence. One notable advantage of this technique is the reduction or cancellation of systematic uncertainties, achieved by using cross-section ratios, which enhances the precision of the results. This results of this work provides the basis for future extractions of αs. The results are compared to predictions of different theoretical models, demonstrating a high degree of consistency between the measured data and the theoretical models, affirming the reliability of both the experimental approach and the underlying QCD theory
Are College Students\u27 Grocery Shopping Habits Consistent with the Mediterranean Diet Guidelines? A Preliminary Report
Full text linkThe number of people diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes mellitus continues to grow. The Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce the risks of developing heart disease. Fruit and vegetable consumption is low across the country. Improving fruit and vegetable consumption for adults might start with improving intake earlier in life because it can influence better food habits. Following the Mediterranean diet at a young age can prevent chronic diseases from developing. It is well known that college students have diets that are not consistent with healthy eating habits and can be influenced by the need for convenience and limited resources to obtain food. This study aimed to determine whether college students\u27 grocery shopping frequency and method were related to their adherence to the Mediterranean diet guidelines. It was a cross-sectional, descriptive design utilizing an online questionnaire with Louisiana Tech University students aged 18 years and older. Participants were recruited via email, flyers, class announcements, and word-of-mouth. Data was collected through Qualtrics survey software (Qualtrics, Provo, UT). There was a total of 41 questionnaire items. The questionnaire included twenty-nine researcher-developed items, eight items were derived from the validated KIDMED 2.0 tool to measure adherence to Mediterranean diet guidelines while grocery shopping, and four were sociodemographic items. The survey questionnaire identified college students\u27 purchasing habits in regard to frequency of online/app and in-person food shopping. There were 210 respondents eligible for data analysis, 55% of whom were female, and the majority were White, non-Hispanic (67.80%). Engineering, math, and computer science made up the largest proportion of majors (31.30%). Thirty-two students majored in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics (15.2%). A positive correlation was found between the frequency of online shopping and total diet score, which supported food choices consistent with the Mediterranean diet principles. Participants’ diet scores increased with increasing frequency of online shopping. Perhaps the online shopping method reduced impulse buying of items typically of lower nutritional value. There was a positive correlation between the total purchasing frequency score for food items consistent with the Mediterranean diet and age. The frequency of purchasing these items increased as age increased; however, no correlation was found between age and the summed diet score. This may be a result of those younger students having meal plans that do not necessitate food purchases that often. This warrants further exploration. Independent samples t-tests were employed to compare diet scores and purchasing frequency of healthy food items between male and female participants. No significant difference was found in the diet score or purchasing frequency. However, a significant difference was found between White and non-White participants for the frequency of purchasing those food items but not for the diet score. This warrants further exploration to determine specific food item differences that may assist in future educational interventions. Surprisingly, no significant differences were found between health and non-health majors. Findings from this research project could inform future intervention efforts to improve food choices when grocery shopping using methods most frequently used by college students. By moving young adults toward a Mediterranean diet pattern, this may promote lifelong habits that support the prevention of chronic diseases. This work could also inform future interventions aimed at providing education on leveraging online food shopping features to support healthy food purchases within a budget
Advancing Electrochemical Microsensors for Multiplexed Neurotransmitters and Environmental Toxins Detection
Full text linkElectrochemical sensors have emerged as a promising solution for monitoring neurotransmitters and heavy metals, which could ensure good health and safety in the environment. This dissertation focuses on advancement in the field of electrochemical microsensors by improving the electrode properties and sensor metrics such as rapid response time, multiplexing, high sensitivity, high selectivity, and accuracy for the real-time monitoring of neurotransmitters (glutamate and GABA) and heavy metals (cadmium and lead). In this dissertation, a novel silicon (Si) multifunctional biosensor probe with four platinum ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) and an on-demand in situ calibration (ODIC) microfluidic channel was optimized for sub-second simultaneous real-time detection of GLU and GABA. The Si probe features four surface-functionalized platinum UMEs for detecting GLU and GABA, a sentinel site, and integrated microfluidics for in-situ calibration. Optimal enzyme concentrations, size-exclusion phenylenediamine layer, and micro-spotting conditions were systematically investigated so that the Si probe could achieve high sensitivity and selectivity. Baseline recordings (n=18) in live rats demonstrated a useful probe life of at least 11 days with GLU and GABA concentrations changing at the levels of 100\u27s and 1000\u27s of μM and with expected periodic bursts or fluctuations during walking, teeth grinding, and other activities and with a clear difference in the peak amplitude of the sensor fluctuations between rest (low) and activity (higher), or when the rat was surprised (a reaction with no movement). Significantly, the probe could improve methods for large-scale monitoring of neurochemical activity and network function in disease and injury in live rodent brains. Additionally, this dissertation also addresses the pressing need for environmental sensors capable of large-scale, on-site detection of a wide array of heavy metals with highly accurate sensor metrics. Here, we present a novel approach using electrochemically polished (ECP) carbon screen-printed electrodes (cSPEs) for high-sensitivity detection of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). By applying two key techniques, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry, a detailed investigation was done on the impact of the electrochemical potential scan range, scan rate, and the number of cycles on electrode response and its ability to detect Cd and Pb. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy techniques were used to support the outcomes further. Our findings revealed a 41±1.2% increase in voltammogram currents and a 51±1.6% decrease in potential separations (n = 3), indicating a significantly improved active electrode area and kinetics. The impedance model elucidates the microstructural and electrochemical property changes in the ECP-treated electrodes, showing an 88±2% (n=3) decrease in the charge transfer resistance, leading to enhanced electrode electrical conductivity. A bismuth-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite modified, ECP-treated electrode demonstrated very low limits of detection, 0.27 ppb, and 0.5 ppb cadmium and lead, respectively. Additionally, the electrocatalyst modified ECP-treated electrodes, resulting in sub-ppb detection limits in spiked real water samples. Our study underscores the potential of optimally ECP-activated electrodes as a foundation for designing ultrasensitive heavy metal sensors for a wide range of real-world heavy metal-contaminated waters
Robotic Odor Source Localization Using Vision and Olfaction Sensing
Full text linkRobotic Odor Source Localization (ROSL) technology allows autonomous agents like robots to find an odor source in unknown environments. A successful odor source location depends crucially on an effective navigation algorithm that directs the robot towards the odor source. This thesis is a combination of three projects. First, we detail development of a versatile multi-modal robotic platform for ROSL real-world ROSL experimentation and discussed real-world validation of a traditional olfactionbased ROSL algorithm. Secondly, we introduced vision in ROSL by proposing a fusion navigation algorithm that integrates deep-learning enabled vision and olfaction-based navigation. This hybrid approach tackles challenges such as turbulent airflow, which can disrupt olfaction sensing, and physical obstacles within the search area, which may hinder vision detection. Thirdly, we introduce multi-modal reasoning-based navigation algorithm. This approach utilizes zero-shot reasoning capabilities of multi-modal Large Language Model (LLM) in novel situations. To evaluate the effectiveness of the three implemented algorithms, we conducted real-world ROSL navigation experiments. Experimental results demonstrated that 1) the developed real-world robot platform can be utilized to validate ROSL algorithms, 2) the proposed incorporation of vision sensing outperforms olfaction-only methods, and 3) zero-shot LLM reasoning-based method is effective in ROSL
Species Delimitation of Slimy Salamanders, Plethodon kisatchie and Plethodon mississippi, across the Lower Mississippi River
Full text linkSpecies are fundamental units of biodiversity yet delimiting species can be challenging. Slimy Salamanders of the Plethodon glutinosus species complex are a classic example of cryptic species for which species boundaries and relationships have proved difficult to determine. Once thought to be a single species ranging across the eastern United States, protein analysis revealed high genetic divergences among geographically distinct groups of populations, leading to 16 species being recognized within the group. Two of these species, the Louisiana Slimy Salamander (Plethodon kisatchie) and the Mississippi Slimy Salamander (Plethodon mississippi), are closely related but occur on opposite sides of the Mississippi River, a strong barrier to gene flow in many organisms. Previous phylogenetic studies of Plethodon have only included 1–2 samples of each of these species, thus a rigorous test of their validity has never been conducted. To investigate the evolutionary relationships of P. kisatchie and P. mississippi, I obtained tissue samples from throughout their distributions, extracted DNA, and then amplified and sequenced the mitochondrial ND2 gene and three nuclear loci. Sequence data were then analyzed using coalescent-based species delimitation methods to test the hypothesis that P. kisatchie and P. mississippi are independently evolving and thus, valid species under the general lineage concept. Results supported P. kisatchie and P. mississippi are species distinct from one another. However, I also found evidence that P. mississippi is hybridizing with P. glutinosus in Alabama. Furthermore, little genetic diversity occurs within P. kisatchie, likely due to recent separation from populations of P. mississippi (~520,000 years ago), which raises concern for the species’ long-term conservation. Based on the results of this study, I recommend both P. kisatchie and P. mississippi continue to be recognized
Mary Margaret David Green Collection
Full text linkThe Mary Margaret Davis Green Collection (1931-1969; .25 linear feet) is composed of Mary Margaret’s Sigma Kappa group photos, her commencement program, and items of her father’s and mother’s. Those items are: her father’s diploma from L.P.I., a Tech Talk Special Commencement Edition, a commencement program of her mother’s, and a retrospective anniversarian booklet of Davis Brother’s Lumber Company. This collection is of special interest to anyone searching for material on the Davis Brother’s Lumber Company, Davis and Green family genealogies, the North Louisiana timber industry, and Louisiana Tech University history.https://digitalcommons.latech.edu/manuscript-finding-aids/1444/thumbnail.jp