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Volume 28 Issue 2
Full text linkThis issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal, published in Fall 2014, is a diverse collection of poetry, short fiction, book reviews, and literary interviews, reflecting on the power of language, memory, and personal identity. The issue, archived as Volume 28, Issue 2, corresponds to the print edition labeled Volume 33, Issue 1. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.
In her editorial preface, Brittany Pickens, the editor of this issue, reflects on the influence of language in shaping human consciousness, drawing on linguistic theories and literary traditions. She discusses how literature allows writers to leave an imprint of their thoughts and emotions on the world, serving as a record of human experience.
Key highlights include:
Mirage by Abigail Allen, a surreal short story that examines perception, memory, and shifting realities.
Desperation/Affirmation by Allison Grayhurst, a poem about spiritual longing and personal transformation.
The Republic of Virtue: A Review by Allissa Hertz, an analysis of Paul Lake’s poetry and its engagement with politics and philosophy.
Something Magic About Poetry by Allissa Hertz, an interview with poet Paul Lake, discussing the role of poetry in shaping thought and emotion.
Evening with Noir by Doug Bolling, a poetic reflection on film noir, crime fiction, and cinematic storytelling.
A Dead Boy Speaks to His Parents by John Sibley Williams, a haunting poem about grief, memory, and loss.
Lake Dardanelle by Lewis Roberts, a poem about the Arkansas landscape and the relationship between humans and nature.
The Exile’s Dreams Shimmer & Float by Marianna Hofer, a lyrical exploration of identity, displacement, and poetic tradition.
This issue of Nebo is particularly notable for its emphasis on the power of language, exploring how words shape identity, memory, and human experience
Volume 29 Issue 1
Full text linkThis issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal, published in Spring 2015, showcases a diverse collection of poetry and fiction that explores themes of identity, existentialism, and the transformation of human experience. The issue, archived as Volume 29, Issue 1, corresponds to the print edition labeled Volume 33, Issue 2. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.
Editor Winston Wright, in his farewell editorial preface, reflects on his journey as a writer and editor at Arkansas Tech University, highlighting how literature serves as a window into the thoughts, inspirations, and inner workings of writers from diverse backgrounds. This issue presents a varied selection of contemporary poetry and fiction, featuring both established and emerging voices.
Key highlights include:
Saddle by Austin Lange, a lyrical meditation on youth, change, and the intimate connection between humans and animals.
PMDD in Love by Brittany Pickens, a powerful poetic sequence exploring emotional intensity, hormonal cycles, and the raw experience of love and self-destruction.
A Long Stretch in the Slammer by Bruce McRae, a poem that paints a bleak yet evocative picture of an abandoned prison and its echoes of forgotten lives.
Until Tomorrow by C. F. Lindsey, a literary reflection on mortality, friendship, and the healing power of nature.
An Occurrence at the Light Rail Station Ceremony by Deraid Hamilton, a satirical short story about bureaucracy, transit systems, and the absurdities of public policy.
Scorched by Nicholas B. Morris, a harrowing war narrative that explores moral decay, violence, and the consequences of blind obedience.
America, The Beautiful (Whore) by Desha Star, a poem that critically examines social justice, inequality, and political hypocrisy in modern America.
Zeppelin by Kayla Clark, a story about nostalgia, rock music, and the pain of confronting family history.
Standing Still by Krista Lindenberg, a meditation on yoga, mindfulness, and finding balance in a chaotic world.
A Portrait of You by Lewis Roberts, a love poem that examines beauty, perception, and the power of memory.
This issue of Nebo continues the journal’s tradition of exploring the complexity of human emotions and experiences through a variety of literary forms
SAA 6153: Advising Student Groups
Full text linkCourse Description
This course is designed for student affairs and higher education professionals to gain an understanding of advising student groups and organizations on a college campus. The course will highlight student development theories introducing group dynamics and student leadership. In addition, the course will review the role of the advisor, risk management, leadership development of students, practical skills and techniques that will assist in forming new student groups, and provide valuable resources to help future college administrators with their role as a leader of a student group/organization.https://orc.library.atu.edu/atu_oer/1014/thumbnail.jp
Design of a TeleoperableTendon-Driven Robotic Hand
Full text linkThis work presents the design, implementation, and validation of a 3D-printed tendon-driven robotic hand with a bi-directional wireless control system. The robotic hand emulates human anatomical principles, focusing on replicating flexion and extension mechanisms of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints via a tendon-pulley system. Iterative prototyping resolved initial challenges in joint stiffness, tendon routing, and servo interference, culminating in a design where a single servo drives both flexion and extension for each joint using a bidirectional tendon control mechanism. A reliable bidirectional wireless communication framework, using Arduino Nano Every microcontrollers and NRF24L01 modules, enables real-time servo position feedback between a glove-mounted transceiver and the robotic hand. To ensure durability and optimize mechanical performance, three different grades of polymers were investigated. Specimens were designed, 3D-printed, annealed, and tested under controlled conditions to ensure repeatability and validity. Static tension tests were conducted at different strain rates to assess rate-dependent mechanical behavior, while fatigue testing provided critical insights into long-term durability. The resulting material data inform stress and durability analyses of the 3D-printed components. The system’s functionality is validated through the Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (SHAP), demonstrating compliance with human-like grip patterns. Preliminary research explores future haptic feedback via Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) to enable tactile sensation. This work advances anthropomorphic robotic hand design by addressing critical challenges in biomimetic actuation, robust tendon management, and low-latency wireless control, with applications in prosthetics and human-robot interaction
Ambulatory EKG Project
Full text linkThis project seeks to advance the work of previous researchers in the field of cardiac arrhythmia detection [1]. By leveraging existing wearable technology, a system which is capable of real time heart rate monitoring, timely alerts and electrocardiograph data acquisition was designed. In addition, a python script capable of identifying potential pathological patterns present in EKG recordings was designed. Future endeavors may include integrating these two systems
For real time heart rate monitoring and timely alerts, a Galaxy watch FE is used. Using Android studio integrated development environment, a wearable app was developed to notify a user when their heart rate is irregular. Using heart rate and interbeat interval values given from the watch, the program determines the standard deviation of time between beats and notifies the user when it passes beyond a specific threshold. The alert sent to the user will advise them to check their EKG using a mobile EKG device.
A python script was also written such that the algorithm can later be implemented into a mobile device. The python script was written to identify specific pathologies based on identified patterns in EKG recordings. This is done by delineating P, R, and T waves and assigning them an index in the recording. Once this is done the properties of the waves can be used to identify a wide range of patterns that may suggest presence of harmful arrythmias.
References
[1] Genesis Garay and Arath Sanchez. Ambulatory Electrocardiogram Monitoring Device. Arkansas Tech University Student Research Grant Final Report, 2024
Analyzing Quantum Mechanical Properties of Electrons via the Anomalous Zeeman Effect to Verify the Bohr Magneton
Full text linkAt the turn of the 19th century, scientists were gradually realizing that nature did not behave as it had been thought for centuries. Many thought the concrete laws governing nature were soon to be completed. As we now know, their deterministic optimism was far from reality. Electromagnetic theory predicted that the spectral line emissions from a bulb would split into three distinct bands in the presence of a uniform magnetic field. This behavior was proven in what is known as the Normal Zeeman Effect. What was not expected though was the host of extraneous bands that accompanied the predicted triplet of spectra. The Anomalous Zeeman Effect was an early indicator that electrons possessed more than classical angular momentum. Among these quantum-mechanical properties were spin and the magnetic moment, whose relevant quanta was named the Bohr Magneton. This experiment aimed to observe the interference patterns of various polarization states of emitted spectral lines from a Fabry-Perot interferometer using 546.1 nm emissions from a mercury lamp within a uniform magnetic field, and to experimentally verify the value of the Bohr Magneton (μB ), whose known value is μB = 9.274 × 10−24 [J/T]. This experiment yielded μBavg = 8.16 × 10−24 ± 0.16 × 10−24 [J/T], a value ≈ 10% different from the standard. Further experimentation would allow for a more precise alignment of the experimental setup, and further trials to reduce uncertainty
Influence of Biting Flies on the Growth and Condition of Nestling Eastern Bluebirds
Full text linkHabitat alteration and climate change are expected to increase the range, abundance, and season length of ectoparasites and the pathogens they carry. This is particularly concerning for nestling birds that are relatively naked and immobile, making them vulnerable to attacks by biting flies such as blackflies and mosquitoes. Despite the ubiquity of biting flies and the challenges they pose to nestlings, studies investigating their association with breeding birds remain rare. To address this, we propose a series of observational and experimental field studies with Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) to investigate the attraction of biting flies to active nests across all stages, their impacts on nestlings, and potential deterrent methods. Our objectives are to: (1) determine whether biting flies are attracted to active bird nests (by comparing flies trapped at occupied vs empty nests), (2) assess whether fly attraction varies across nest stages (by comparing flies trapped across incubation and nestling stages), (3) evaluate a novel method of using impregnated cattle ear tags to deter biting flies without the risk of topical pesticide exposure (by comparing flies trapped at control, sprayed, and tagged nests), (4) and quantify the effects of biting flies on nestlings (by comparing nestling growth, disease prevalence, and survival at control vs treated nests). This research will advance our understanding of host-parasite dynamics and inform practical strategies to reduce parasite pressures on wild birds
Empowering Students Through Project-Based Learning in Computer Science: Connecting Real-World Problems to Classroom Innovation
Full text linkProject-Based Learning (PBL) is a powerful approach in computer science education that moves beyond technical instruction to cultivate problem-solving, adaptability, and resilience. Unlike traditional methods, PBL immerses students in real-world challenges, where failure becomes a steppingstone to success. This paper explores how PBL fosters deep learning through hands-on projects, such as robotics competitions and smart technology solutions, bridging the gap between classroom concepts and real-world innovation. Despite its unpredictability and instructional challenges, PBL ignites student engagement, instills a sense of ownership, and prepares learners for the evolving demands of the tech industry. By embracing PBL, educators not only equip students with coding skills but also empower them to become creative problem-solvers who can drive meaningful change
Using Guano to Determine Ozark Big-eared Bat Cave Occupancy in Arkansas
Full text linkThe Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) is endangered in Arkansas and is known to have small populations, range restrictions, and specific habitat requirements in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Beyond their known range, there are other potentially suitable areas that have not been confirmed. We aim to test whether the non-invasive genetic analysis of guano samples can identify Ozark big-eared bat cave use and expand their known range. Additional locations need to be surveyed to ensure site protection, as unknown caves are susceptible to human disturbance and damage. Twenty-five sites were surveyed at the southeastern extent of their known range in Franklin and Johnson counties. We attempted to differentiate among bat species based on a DNA mini-barcode assay of the gene cytochrome c oxidase. Samples were processed in the lab through DNA extraction, PCR of the target gene, and sequencing. Sequenced samples were run through GenBank for a species identification. To date, we have successfully differentiated seven species of bat from guano. With our protocol, two new sites have been confirmed to have Ozark big-eared bats. Another site was confirmed with this technique to have tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) and one additional Ozark big-eared bat site was confirmed with a visual sighting. These initial results show promise for more confirmations in our remaining samples. Future applications of this non-invasive sampling technique could evaluate the distribution of other species across the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
Distribution of Mussels in Two Intermittent Upland Streams of the Arkansas Valley Ecoregion
No full textFreshwater mussels are facing an increasing need for conservation due to their declining populations. More data is needed on mussel distributions, especially in tributaries of large rivers to properly conserve and restore populations. Big Shoal Creek and Little Shoal Creek are two upland-tributaries of the Arkansas River (Lake Dardanelle) in which no records exist for freshwater mussel populations. We addressed this knowledge gap by sampling a total of 9 sites in Little Shoal Creek and 18 sites in Big Shoal Creek to determine the abundance and distribution of mussels in these streams. Mussels were sampled using a timed search approach. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted to visualize the habitat data with mussel abundance data for each watershed. Little Shoal Creek yielded a total of 36 individuals across 10 species, and Big Shoal Creek yielded a total of 48 individuals across 5 species. The most abundant species in Little Shoal Creek was Yellow Sandshell (Lampsilis teres, n=12), and the most abundant species in Big Shoal Creek was Yellow Sandshell (n=36). Two mussel species in Little Shoal Creek, Yellow Sandshell and Giant Floater, have a broader frequency of lengths than observed in Big Shoal Creek. The first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) explained 38% of the variance in the dataset. The PCA demonstrates a separation between sites with a high mussel abundance and those with a low mussel abundance. High mussel abundance in both Big Shoal Creek and Little Shoal Creek is associated with greater amounts of vegetation, silt, and woody debris. Further, it appears that mussel distributions in these two watersheds are influenced by Lake Dardanelle, where mussel abundance and richness increased approaching the reservoir. Our data establishes a baseline of understanding for future conservation and monitoring efforts in these streams