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Telling their stories and saying their names: an interdisciplinary examination of historical interpreters bringing the past to life
No full textIn living history museums nationwide, first person historical interpreters are meeting with guests to teach history and educate through the lens of performing. These performers present themselves to the public as though they truly are the historical figure they are dressed as. Interpreters at the world's largest living history museum, Colonial Williamsburg, perform as “big name” and “big impact” characters like Thomas Jefferson, Gowan Pamphlet and Martha Washington. In this case, they are consistently reenacting 18th century social inequities due to the nature of the time period they present. Through historical methods I have tracked the path Colonial Williamsburg’s journey to offering marginalized characters at their historic site, spanning from 1926-2005. Through qualitative sociological methods I have sought to examine the impact of historical interpreting on a person’s identity, the influence of race and gender performances on the performer's sense of self, and reflections into the lived experience of historical interpreters.M. A
God of rust
No full textThese submitted pages make up the First Act of a feature length screenplay. The narrative
follows the staff of a towing company in a small Indiana city owned by a community-minded
entrepreneur, Demond Jeffords, who is struggling to keep his family together in a decaying postindustrial
environment. The discovery of a dead body and thousands of dollars worth of
contraband in a towed car turns their world upside down, as dueling motivations threaten to
implode the delicate life Demond has worked to build for his family and employees. The script
deals in many themes pulled from my own life growing up in the Midwest - economic decay,
social indifference, police culture, and the varying ties that hold us close to and drive us away
from the places we call home. Major artistic influences in my approach to this project include
The Coen Brothers, Kelly Reichardt, and fellow Hoosier, John Cougar Mellencamp. Through
writing this script, I aim to promote a broader understanding of the Midwest in a landscape that
has often reduced its people, places, and struggles to broad, one-dimensional caricatures that
‘God of Rust’ will fill in with all the regional color and complexities I know firsthand.M. A
The acute effects of mitochondrial targeted antioxidant on maximal oxygen uptake mechanics
No full textPurpose: To determine the acute effects of a mitochondrial targeting antioxidant (MitoQ) on cardiac output and maximal oxygen uptake during maximal exercise. We hypothesized that MitoQ would blunt maximal oxygen uptake independent of changes in cardiac output. Methods: Eight (N=8) apparently healthy adults (age 25±2.8 years and BMI 25.0±3.8 kg/m2) performed two trials (Placebo and MitoQ) in a double-blind randomized cross-over design. In both trials, participants performed 2 submaximal workloads on a cycle ergometer consisting of 3-minute stages immediately followed by an incremental exercise protocol until volitional exhaustion. Participants received either a Placebo or MitoQ (80mg) one hour prior to beginning the exercise protocol. Indirect calorimetry, blood pressure, heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, RPE, and oxygen saturation were collected throughout the duration of the exercise bout. Results: Maximal absolute, relative, and relative to lean mass VO2 was higher (p0.05). Conclusion: Consistent with our previous work, an acute dose of a mitochondrial targeted antioxidant blunted maximal absolute, relative, and relative to lean mass VO2. The reduction in VO2max does not appear to be related to blunted cardiac output, suggesting peripheral mechanisms underlie the lower oxygen utilization. Further, MitoQ improved work efficiency (VO2 per watt) at maximal exercise levels regardless of blunted oxygen uptake. Further research is warranted to examine the peripheral mechanism by which VO2 is blunted, and oxygen uptake efficiency is improved during maximal exercise.M. S
The influence of mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant supplementation of acute hyperglycemia-induced vascular dysfunction
No full textPURPOSE: To determine if an underlying mechanism by which acute hyperglycemia induces endothelial dysfunction is mediated by mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species (mtROS). We hypothesized that mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, MitoQ, will acutely (single dose, 80 mg) attenuate the decline in endothelial function from acute hyperglycemia. METHODS: Eleven apparently healthy, active adults (n=11, 7M/4F, age: 43.8±6.5 yrs) performed two research trials (placebo and MitoQ) from a double-blind, randomized, crossover control study design. Participants underwent a blood draw and measures of vascular endothelial function, assessed via brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMDBA) before (baseline) and 1 hr. after oral consumption of 75g glucose. RESULTS: Acute hyperglycemia did not lower FMDBA (%) in either the placebo (6.85±0.65 to 5.68±0.65 %) or MitoQ (6.53±0.90 to 6.17±1.00%) groups (p=0.447). No difference was detected in blood glucose concentrations from either placebo (94.4±2.1 to 106.6±15.3 mg/dL) or MitoQ (95.7±3.2 to 106.2±13.9 mg/dL) pre- to post- consumption of the oral glucose load (p=0.920). Additionally, no difference was detected in blood insulin concentrations from either placebo (6.8±1.2 to 49.4±14.7 IU/mL) or MitoQ (7.4±1.7 to 44.8±13.7 IU/mL) pre- to post- consumption of the oral glucose load (p=0.776). A main effect for time was detected for insulin from pre- to post- oral glucose load on placebo and MitoQ trials (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: An acute dose of mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, MitoQ, had no effect on vascular endothelial function or glucose and insulin responses in response to acute hyperglycemia. Additional research is needed to examine if fitness or physical activity status play a role in this relationship between MitoQ supplementation and acute hyperglycemia-induced vascular dysfunction.M. S
An exploration of oboe repair
No full textThis paper is an exploration of oboe repair as a field of interest to the oboe community.
This paper includes a brief discussion of the historical development of the instrument and a
comparison and evaluation of two modern repair manuals, The Oboe Revealed by Carl J. Sawicki
and The Oboe Doctor. A Guide to Repairs and Maintenance by Marc Schaeferdiek. This paper
also explores what separates the oboe functionally from the other instruments within the
woodwind family and why that makes oboe repair more specialized than other woodwinds.
Also, there will be a brief overview of the function of the key mechanisms and the how the
oboe repair trade has developed.M. M
The effect of adipose biopsy technique on adipose tissue biology
No full texthis investigation compared adipose tissue (AT) biomarkers obtained from two
biopsy techniques, Bergström and Mercedes. Baseline abdominal subcutaneous AT was
obtained from 14 (9M, 5F; 28 ± 4 y; 85 ± 8 kg; Body Fat 28 ± 8%; VO2max 3.3 ± 0.7
L•min-1) healthy, recreationally active adults via the Bergström and Mercedes biopsy
techniques. Gene expression was measured in AT (n=8) for inflammatory and adipokine
genes of interest (IL1β, IL6, IL8, IL10, TNFα, ADIPOQ, LEPD). Plasma (n=14) and AT
(n=11) inflammatory cytokine concentrations were assessed (GM-CSF, IFNγ, IL1β, IL2,
IL5, IL6, IL8, IL12p70, IL17A, IL23, TNFα, IL4, IL10, IL13). Average yield for the
Bergström biopsy was less than the Mercedes biopsy (261 ± 110 mg vs. 951 ± 601 mg;
P<0.05). There was a difference in RNA quality between the Bergström (RIN 7.7 ± 0.7)
and Mercedes (RIN 8.1 ± 0.5, P<0.05), with RNA from the Mercedes technique having a
higher RIN. There was no difference in expression of inflammatory or adipokine genes in
tissue obtained with the Bergström or Mercedes adipose biopsy technique (P>0.05). Of
the measurable AT cytokine concentrations (GM-CSF, IFNγ, IL8, IL13, IL17A) there was
no difference between Bergström and Mercedes tissue (P>0.05). Several biomarkers
were analyzed within the tissue obtained, including RNA quality, select genes of interest,
and cytokines. It was shown that both techniques yielded RNA that was acceptable for
downstream assays. In the current study there was no difference in the genes of interest
or the inflammatory cytokines measured between adipose biopsy techniques at this
timepoint. Overall, the Bergström technique yields less tissue but may allow for more
individual biopsies to occur compared to the Mercedes technique which yielded more
tissue but may limit the number of adipose biopsies. These findings provide valuable
insight into the interchangeability of the biopsy techniques based upon study design and
desired downstream assays.Ph. D
Revitalization of schools
No full textSince their creation in the mid 60’s and 70’s modern American schools have been a staple of cities and towns small and large. However in recent years these schools have not adapted to a rapidly changing world and have caused a serious lack of interest in education with more and more schools seeing a decrease in student attendance and community engagement. A restructured approach to school design broadens the experiential, functional, and social aspects between students, faculty, and the community.
Located in the heart of a Muncie neighborhood, this diploma project makes use of a campus design in which spaces that are available to students can be used by the public outside of school hours. The large plaza space enables a multitude of activities to occur while providing a dynamic transition space for students in between classes. Accompanying this is a large career learning center in which students and community members alike can go and develop skills that could go towards benefitting the community. Having all of this wrapped in an architecturally interesting package helps establish the project as an educational beacon to the community.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Demonstrating genre focused analysis: a case study of metroidvanias between 1986-2024
No full textThe conception of genre is divided amongst various disciplines and mediums, which has
divided genre scholars across academia. However, consensus is recognizing a social theory of genre
that focuses on the communication between the author and the audiences of a text within a
shared media ecosystem. This consensus unifies genre theory across disciplines providing an
opportunity for new methodologies that realize the analytical potential of genre. This study
demonstrates the critical value of genre-focused analysis in developing new insights for the
medium and how systems of play must always be considered within the broader socio-cultural
and meta-textual context. To that end, the researcher analyzes the Metroidvania genre,
establishing the patterns and traditions of features, and situating these features within their
sociocultural context by developing a new qualitative genre-focused methodology. The
Metroidvania case study demonstrates the analytical potential of genres and how scholars can
actualize genre-focused frameworks. It is hoped that the methodology will be used in the future
by scholars looking to employ genre-focused analysis and develop genre-focused methodologies.M. A
Learning and growing in autism-friendly environments
No full textAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) delays the development of an individual’s cognitive functioning systems which control our ability to move, learn, socialize, and perceive the world around us. According to the Dynamic Systems Theory, if one cognitive system is compromised, the rest are negatively affected. For children with ASD, whose cognitive systems may be more suspectable to overload, the impact that environment has on our cognitive systems needs to be addressed. Architecture can promote our sensory processing capabilities through mitigating harmful stimuli in the environment and improve concentration and reduce stress through the implementation of biophilic design.
Learning and Growing in Autism-Friendly Environments is a project that provides an early childhood education and treatment center to Darke County, OH which currently sits in an ASD resource desert. The design seeks to provide sensory safe experiences, promote curated sensory exploration in interior and exterior spaces, provide places of refuge for when a child is overwhelmed, and offers controlled circulation to allow children time to acclimate and understand their new environments. This project explores how to create an educational environment in which a child with ASD can create educational building blocks and develop skills they can take with them throughout their life.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Recontextualize reality
No full text“Recontextualize Reality” is a design exploration into untapped possibilities of architecture influencing how people perceive their environment and their reality. Typically, architecture expresses perceptual conditions through environments, experiences, and memories that provide people with personal vantages of self and others. This project will create spatial narratives and perspectives by synthesizing these three frameworks together into a “Museum of Perception.”
This museum will utilize narrative structures, specifically foreshadowing and recontextualization, to frame a sequence of experiences that engage people in an overlapping journey of discovery and realization. The “Museum of Perception” will have art galleries and museum services that provide a familiar museum landscape, but the essential experience is the realization of these narrative techniques within the arrangements of space. Because of this, the most fascinating value of this project is the return visit. When the nature of overlapping impressions becomes clear, the visitors will experience a recontextualized reality. Thus, the “Museum of Perception” is an architectural experience that creates a richer understanding of perspective and perception of self and the world.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin