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Designing and activating a community participatory engagement process to inform Ball State's strategic sustainability action plan
No full textThis collaborative capstone project designs and implements a participatory engagement
strategy, empowering students, faculty, and staff through community-based participatory
research methods to establish key performance indicators and priorities that will inform Ball
State’s Strategic Sustainability Action Plan. This paper will also analyze the initial workshop
findings to identify priority indicators of and climate actions toward Ball State’s 2030 Climate
Neutrality goals. Initial student workshop findings indicate that student stakeholders prioritize:
1) the reduction and distribution of single-use products, 2) the increase of multi-modal
transportation among all campus users, and 3) encouraging a campus sense of belonging by
increasing opportunities for cross-collaboration and mentorship. In fact, these top three scoring
indicators account for 25.6% of the total student participant responses.M. U. R. P
The relationship between the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score and readmission for left ventricular assist device implant patients at Wellstar Health System
No full textThere is a confirmed relationship between cognitive impairment and heart failure, and
the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a reliable measure of cognitive function in heart
failure patients. An important measure of clinical quality for heart failure patients is unplanned
hospital readmissions, and cognitive impairment can be a predictor for short-term outcomes in
heart failure patients, including 30-day readmissions. This study examined the association
between pre-LVAD (left ventricular assist device) implant MoCA score and 30-day post-implant
readmission status in advanced heart failure patients. Available research indicates that lower
MoCA scores for congestive heart failure patients, including LVAD patients, would indicate a
higher risk of 30-day readmission.
Participants included all patients who received an LVAD implantation during the study
period at Wellstar Health System. Patients were given the Montreal Cognitive Assessment
screening among other testing to determine acceptable candidacy for LVAD prior to
implantation. The MoCA score most immediately preceding the LVAD implantation was used, as
well as the 30-day readmission data post-LVAD implantation. A dichotomous logistic regression
was performed with the continuous MoCA score as the independent variable, and 30-day
readmission designated as Yes or No as the dependent variable. The target for the analysis was
readmission.
When analyzing the LVAD patient population from Wellstar Health System, the MoCA
score is not strongly associated with 30-day readmission on initial LVAD implantation. The
statistical model predicted everyone to not be readmitted. This model left 96.2% to 97.7% of
the variance unexplained. The model misidentified all patients from the group that were
readmitted within 30 days, which accounted for 28.3% of the population. Additional research is
required to determine why this patient population differs from population in existing research.M. S
Find my media Indiana
No full textFind My Media Indiana is an interactive, online web page where users can search for a media
outlet using a variety of terms in order to find a media outlet in one of Indiana’s 92 counties. This
search tool, called Find My Media Indiana at charlesmelton.law.blog, can be used for citizens
looking for a news outlet in a specific area, researchers looking for curated lists of media outlets
in the state and for potential journalists looking to find employment in the field. The website also
includes hyperlinks and addresses for all listed outlets, meaning that users can more readily
engage with a media outlet without having to open a different search engine. This tool could help
to lay a foundation for further research in Indiana media and the potential existence of news
deserts in the state.M. A
Phosphorylation of Survivin is modulated by etoposide and leukemia-associated gene expression in Jurkat cells
No full textAccounting for nearly a quarter of all pediatric cancer cases, acute lymphoblastic leukemia
(ALL) represents the most common pediatric cancer. T-cell ALL (T-ALL) is the most detrimental
subtype of ALL and has an average 5-year overall survival rate of 30-60%. Current high-intensity
treatments for T-ALL result in significant side effects. Further issues arise with relapse, as it is
observed in up to 20% of pediatric and 40% of adult T-ALL cases. It is thought that ectopic
expression of transcription factors, such as TAL1, can initiate T-ALL development, but additional
mutations are required for leukemogenesis. Physical associations with enhancers of additional
transcription factors, such as the GIMAP cluster of transcription factors, could contribute to a Tcell
differentiation blockage, alterations in main signaling pathways, and elevated levels of antiapoptotic
genes. Specifically, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family named
Survivin is overexpressed in many cancers and is anticipated to be overexpressed in T-ALL. To
overcome chemotherapy resistance and side effects, it is imperative that chemosensitivity can be
enhanced. The goal of this research was to utilize siRNA without, or in combination with
etoposide, such that key players could be targeted and knocked down. Western blots were utilized
to assess protein expression and abundance of GIMAP5, Phospho-Survivin (Thr117), Survivin
and TAL1 in etoposide-treated Jurkat cells. In non-silenced lysates, the abundance of Phospho-
Survivin (Thr117) decreased with increased etoposide concentrations. Conversely, the
abundance of Phospho-Survivin (Thr117) increased as etoposide concentrations increased in
GIMAP5-, Survivin- and TAL1-silenced Jurkat cells. Furthermore, immunofluorescence
experiments revealed nuclear and cytoplasmic localization of Phospho-Survivin (Thr117) across
the different treatments. Lastly, the results suggest that GIMAP5 expression regulates TAL1
expression in etoposide-treated Jurkat cells. In the end, it is hoped that these findings can help
us improve prognosis and treatment of T-ALL by further understanding the underlying
chemoresistance mechanisms.M. S
A dive into queer psychology
No full textThis thesis aims to compile many research articles and books that cover the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and other queer identities referred to as both queer and LGBTQ. It covers some basic definitions and ideas that relate to LGBTQ community like the differences between gender and sex. It also discusses the troubling mental health issues that relate to the queer community. It has been found through various research that queer people have higher rates of mental illness and suicidality. This research paper looks at how multiple identities, namely race and age, play a role in the mental health of queer people. This paper also points out that there is no formal education for mental health care providers on the unique issues that face the queer community. It touches on a modern therapy called affirmative therapy that aims to modernize many perspectives and apply them through research to best fit the needs of LGBTQ people. This paper also points out that there needs to be far more research done regarding the multiple identities that queer people can possess and how those interact with their mental well-being.B. ?Honors Colleg
Utilizing Biosound Healing Therapy© for injured athletes' psychological well-being
No full textSuffering an injury is a common occurrence among athletes of all levels, and often
involves treatment from a solely physical perspective. Despite this, researchers have
highlighted common psychological symptoms that also coincide athletic injuries such as
depression, anxiety, decreased self-esteem, negative affect, and pain, ultimately sparking
concern for athlete well-being (Clement et al., 2015; Schwab Reese et al., 2012). Limited
research has been conducted to examine the effects of psychological interventions to manage
these concerns, although promising results have been found for the use of imagery (Covassin
et al., 2015), mindfulness and meditation (Brown & Ryan, 2003), and gratitude (Gabana et
al., 2019). Much of the previous literature highlights a need for future studies to further
examine potential interventions to assist with these psychological symptoms. A multimodal
therapy system called Biosound Healing Therapy has been recently developed to assist in
treatment for addiction and substance abuse recovery. Biosound aims to induce a theta level
meditative state through a combination of binaural beats, biofeedback, vibrational tones,
healing frequencies and positive affirmations/guided meditations. This technology has shown
promising results in decreasing stress, racing thoughts, muscle tension, depression, fear, body
aches, anger, and pain (Brown, 2018; Secor et al., 2017). Given the overlap between these
symptoms and those associated with athletic injuries, the present study investigated the
potential benefits of utilizing Biosound Healing Therapy throughout the rehabilitation process
of injured athletes. Participants (N = 10) completed one, 60 minute Biosound session, with
pre-and-post intervention data collected regarding anxiety, self-esteem, social support, pain,
arousal, and mood. The researchers found significant improvements in anxiety, esteem
support, pain, arousal and mood, supporting the efficacy of this treatment for future use with
injured athletes.M. A
Strategies for retirement planning
No full textThe creative project, “Strategies for Retirement Planning” is in the form of a website that aims to
inform viewers of the different types of retirement plans available to them and the strategies to
maximize each individual plan. The goal of my creative project was to create a project that
would be beneficial to both me in my education and to the future viewers of this website. As a
finance major, I selected the topic of retirement planning. The area of retirement planning was
one that I am interested in and wanted to enrich my education in. It is also an area where many
individuals have an insufficient background and do not know the different plans available to
them and how to maximize their contributions to generate more wealth in the future. The website
breaks down several of the most popular retirement plans, including a Roth IRA, Traditional
IRA, Roth 401(k), Traditional 401(k), and a 403(b) Plan. Additionally, this platform provides
some of the most recommended strategies for maximizing contributions to the different types of
plans, as well as strategies to avoid. This website was designed with a goal of educating its
viewers in the area of retirement planning.B. ?Honors Colleg
Cardinal points of South American horn music and its pedagogical elements
No full textThis lecture-recital is an engaging showcase of ten musical compositions and
arrangements by skilled South American composers who also happen to be
professional horn performers. These captivating works, specifically from Venezuela,
Colombia, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil, represent the four cardinal points of South
America. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the music from these countries also
shares similar characteristics with neighboring ones. Throughout the lecture-recital, you
will gain a deeper understanding of each piece's historical context and discover the
musical influences and connections between Indigenous, African, and European traits.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in each work's unique
musical characteristics and contrasts. To enhance your experience, the composers will
offer suggestions on performance practice, while I will share my insights.D. A
Broken news: rise of news deserts hurts local communities
No full textNews deserts, areas where there is little to no news coverage available, are a rising concern
among Michigan communities. The state of Michigan has seen a rise in news deserts, but in Van
Buren County particularly, there is a distinct need to bridge the gap created by these deserts. My
creative project created the Van Buren County Times (found here), a digital publication covering
all corners of the county. This online news outlet provides connectivity to the towns it covers and
fosters community for the county as a whole. Its focus is on local journalism with the goal of
creating an informed, conscientious readership.M. A
Searching for a sense of belonging: balancing race and gender, African female stem graduate students in the United States
No full textAlthough women have made significant advancements in education and employment in the last few decades, men still maintain an advantageous position in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). With 28% of STEM workers being women in 2023 and 8% of women of color in STEM graduate degrees, the field remains gendered in the United States. This study explores the experiences and challenges African women enrolled in STEM graduate programs in US universities face as they participate in their coursework and research to understand how many marginalities affect their STEM experiences and career intentions. Sixteen female African international STEM graduate students in US colleges were interviewed using in-depth interviews. According to preliminary findings, it was discovered that African women faced challenges in building a sense of belonging within unfamiliar environments amid adjusting to the rigors of STEM. A sense of belonging was typically formed through their interactions with other African students and religious institutions that welcomed them. Findings also include the challenges faced in the job search for STEM professions and the awareness that available research positions might not be as financially lucrative as initially anticipated. Given the persisting demand for expertise within the STEM sector, it is recommended that universities in the United States construct targeted initiatives to aid women in strategizing their post-graduate careersM. A