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Business interns' experiences partnering with a nonprofit entrepreneurial foundation: exploring service-learning, high impact practice pedagogy
No full textInternships are by design experiential, high impact learning opportunities, and many institutions of higher education include the completion of internship requirements prior to graduation. Business students completing internships generally do so at corporate offices, accounting firms, and other traditional for-profit business entities. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of university undergraduate students enrolled in an internship program working with a nonprofit foundation (Launch HOPE Foundation) supporting nascent entrepreneurs, using high impact practices and a version of service-learning pedagogy. The following research question was examined: How do undergraduate university students experience their internship partnership with the Launch Hope Foundation including their face-to-face interactions with community partners as they are learning to be business collaborators and nascent entrepreneurs?
The study participants’ experiences were examined through a social constructivist lens; social constructivists believe learning is a social process and people create meaning through their interactions with each other. The findings of this study for business students engaged in service learning, high impact practices include personal transformation, hard and soft skill development, and career development. Furthermore, this research supports high impact, service-learning pedagogy for business schools in designing internships. These appropriately designed courses can help business schools meet the social impact goals of institutions, governments, policymakers, and accreditation organizations as they focus on corporate social responsibility and accrediting agencies societal impact requirements.Ph. D
Metabolite extraction from environmental bacterial isolates showing antimicrobial properties against eskape pathogens
No full textAntibiotic resistance is a growing concern resulting in tens of thousands of deaths annually worldwide. Antibiotic resistance in pathogenic fungi and bacteria is due in large part to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in agriculture and medicine. Although antibiotic resistance is rising in most bacteria, some pathogens are more concerning than others. ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) include bacteria of major concern due to their unique virulence traits and multiple antibiotic resistance factors. New approaches must be used to address this crisis including discovery of novel antimicrobials. We aimed to identify the antibiotic compounds produced by two bacterial isolates against ESKAPE pathogens. Bacterial isolates derived from dairy farm samples are of particular interest, including isolate 5 from dairy farm feed and isolate 8d from manure. Bacterial isolate 5 antagonized growth of Staphylococcus aureus, while isolate 8d inhibited growth of Bacillus cereus (although not an ESKAPE pathogen, this species is of interest due to its role in infections and antimicrobial resistance potential). The zones produced by isolates 5 and 8d were extracted for chemical analysis to identify the characteristics of the metabolites. Both metabolites of interest were found to be nonpolar and contain conjugated pi systems as well as oxidizable compounds. Isolate 5 produced metabolites containing alcohol and ester groups, and isolate 8d produced metabolites containing alcohol groups. BLAST data from primers of the ITS region identified isolate 5 as Bacillus pumilus strain 145 and isolate 8d as Bacillus thuringiensis FDAARGOS_971. By preliminarily identifying these antimicrobials, future studies can identify the exact compound being produced by the isolates against their prospective ESKAPE pathogen.M. S
Expression analysis of DHX36 and selective pro-angiogenic genes involved in regulating coronary angiogenesis in endothelial cell-specific DHX36 knockout embryonic mouse hearts
No full textOur study delves into the role of the DHX36 helicase enzyme in regulating coronary
angiogenesis, a vital process in forming new coronary vessels. Initial observations from
mouse models with endothelial cell-specific DHX36 depletion indicated impaired coronary
vessel growth and myocardial thinning compared to control mice, suggesting a critical
involvement of DHX36 in coronary vessel development. The study employed a Cre-Loxpbased
gene editing system to deplete DHX36 in endothelial cells to validate these findings.
Analysis of mRNA and protein levels confirmed a significant reduction in DHX36 expression
in the experimental group (cKO) compared to controls, confirming the efficacy of the gene
editing approach. Further investigation into the mRNA expression of proangiogenic genes
revealed a notable decrease in the levels of Vegf-R2 and Hif1-α, critical regulators of
angiogenesis, in cKO embryonic mouse hearts compared to controls. However, the mRNA
expression levels of another proangiogenic gene, Apj, remained unaffected by DHX36
depletion. These findings underscore the importance of DHX36 in modulating the expression
of specific proangiogenic genes and provide novel insights into the regulatory pathways of
coronary angiogenesis. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the genetic
mechanisms underlying coronary vessel development and offers potential avenues for therapeutic intervention in
coronary artery disease-related conditions.M. S
Criminal profiling: a brief guide to understanding and implementing the technique
No full textThe creative project, “Criminal Profiling: A Brief Guide to Understanding and Implementing the
Technique” is in the form of a website that is compatible with any smart device. The project
explores criminal profiling and its components, such as how and why it is used and the benefits
and limitations of the technique. The website encompasses information obtained through
research on criminal profiling. This project was created for a general audience in hopes of
introducing the topic to interested parties, like me, who don’t know where to start.B. ?Honors Colleg
Influence of the NASA SPRING exercise protocol on myonuclear and satellite cell content of the vastus lateralis and soleus during 70 days of bedrest
No full textThe purpose of this study was to determine if the SPRINT exercise protocol provided protection to MHC I and IIa myonuclear and satellite cell number in the vastus lateralis and soleus during 70 days of bedrest. Twenty-five subjects (24 M, 1F) were recruited, screened, and randomized into one of three groups: bedrest only (BR; n=8, 37±3 yrs), bedrest with resistance and aerobic exercise (BRE; n=9, 34±2 yrs), and bedrest with resistance and aerobic exercise concurrent with low dose of testosterone injections (BRE+T; n=8, 33±3 yrs). Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis and soleus were sectioned, immunofluorescently stained, and analyzed for myonuclear and satellite cell number, along with fiber size and fiber type composition. Myonuclear number in MHC I and IIa fibers of the vastus lateralis and soleus were unchanged (P>0.05) from pre- to post-bedrest within BR, BRE, and BRE+T. However, there was a main time effect (P0.05). BR trended to decrease vastus lateralis MHC IIa fiber composition (P=0.065) while BRE and BRE+T increased the vastus lateralis MHC IIa. Additionally, BRE decreased total hybrid proportions in the vastus lateralis (P<0.05). In the soleus there was a main time effect in the increase of total hybrids (P<0.05). Prolonged unloading did not alter myonuclei and satellite cells in both the vastus lateralis and soleus, but SPRINT may enhance satellite cell number in the vastus lateralis MHC IIa fibers. The decline in myonuclear domain was driven by the muscle fiber atrophy in the vastus lateralis MHC I fibers, and in soleus MHC I and IIa fibers. The results suggest that the SPRINT exercise is effective at maintaining fiber size, and consequently preserving myonuclear domain in both the vastus lateralis and soleus. The current data along with prior findings within this cohort support SPRINT as an effective countermeasure for protecting myocellular characteristics and function during prolong unloading.Ph. D
Technical report of geophysical survey of City Lot, Woodland Cemetery in Montgomery County, Ohio
No full textThe City Lot, located within Woodland Cemetery, was used for affordable burial options
between approximately 1868 and 2016. The majority of City Lots' nearly three-thousand
inhumations used wooden box burial containers. Background research demonstrated the
density of cultural resources in historic Dayton and provided cultural context for both Woodland
Cemetery and the City Lot. In addition to the background research detailed in this report,
methods, and results of geophysical survey of the City Lot using ground-penetrating radar are
also presented. Survey occurred between May 11th and 16th. Initial pedestrian survey
documented 86 visible grave markers and 71 visible grave-like depressions and covered the
entirety of City Lot (1.33 acres or 0.53-hectare). Their locations were recorded with an Emlid
Reach RS2+ rover real time kinematic global navigation satellite system (RTK GNSS). GPR survey
showed a number of headstones were also seen in GPR data from approximately 10 to 30
centimeters in depth. Three-hundred and seventy-one grave-like anomalies were interpreted
from GPR data. The purpose of this research is to leverage archaeological geophysics to improve
the documentation and understanding of an important part of Dayton’s cultural heritage
through which the author will gain valuable insights into the strengths and challenges of
archaeological geophysics within the setting of a historical cemetery.M. A
Toward the synthesis of coordination polymers using tetrazolethiones as linkers
No full textCoordination polymers consist of metal ions joined together by organic ligands through
coordinate bonds to form arrays extending in one, two, or three dimensions. In order to form
polymeric structures, ligands used to construct these materials must be multidentate, containing
two or more donor atoms (N, O or S). Tetrazoles, which contain four nitrogen atoms, are widely
used to construct coordination polymers, but limited work has been done on tetrazolethiones, the
thiol derivatives of tetrazoles. Therefore, the goal of this research was to design tetrazolethionebased
coordination polymers and understand how the presence of 5-thio group affects crystal
packing compared to the parent tetrazoles.
This work focused on generating coordination polymers from the following (hetero)aryl
tetrazolethione ligands: 1-(4-bromophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-5H-tetrazole-5-thione, 1-(pyridin-3-yl)-
1,4-dihydro-5H-tetrazole-5-thione, ethyl 4-(5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-tetrazol-1-yl)benzoate, 1,1'-
(1,4-phenylene)bis(1,4-dihydro-5H-tetrazole-5-thione, and 4-(5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-tetrazol-
1-yl)benzoic acid. Attempts to generate coordination polymers from these ligands have focused
on two different methods, (1) solvothermal/hydrothermal reactions (ligand synthesized in situ or
independently) and (2) slow diffusion (ligand synthesized independently). Hundreds of reactions
were conducted using these methods by varying the ligand, metal ion, solvent, pH, temperature,
and reaction stoichiometry, and by adding secondary ligands. Single crystals suitable for X-ray
crystallography were obtained in only a few reactions.
Hydrothermal reactions involving in situ ligand synthesis proved challenging as the X-ray
diffraction analyses revealed the thermal decomposition of 1-(4-bromophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-5Htetrazole-
5-thione ligand to form unanticipated products (e.g., aminotetrazoles and guanidinium
salt) during the reaction with cadmium(II) acetate, cadmium(II) nitrate, zinc(II) perchlorate and
nickel(II) nitrate. One zinc-based 2D coordination polymer from the reaction of 4-(5-thioxo-4,5-
dihydro-1H-tetrazol-1-yl) benzoic acid with zinc(II) acetate in the presence of 4,4′-bipyridine as
bridging ligand was obtained, in which the zinc ion assumes a distorted trigonal bipyramidal
geometry, associating with two tetrazolethione ligands (via carboxyl group and sulfur) and two
bipyridine ligands. Slow diffusion afforded 1D chains of a Zn-based coordination polymer from
1-(4-bromophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-5H-tetrazole-5-thione during the reaction with zinc(II) nitrate.
However, the slow diffusion of 4-(5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-tetrazol-1-yl) benzoic acid to a
solution of manganese(II) chloride yielded a disulfide.
Lastly, this work also showed that dimethyl 5-isothiocyanatoisophthalate can be obtained
in decent yields from dimethyl 5-aminoisophthalate by reaction with CS2 and Et3N (3.3 equiv.) in
acetone/THF mixture to generate the dithiocarbamate salt, followed by iodine-mediated
desulfurization in a separate pot.M. S
Convention center or people center
No full textThroughout the development of the urban environment, attracting new businesses and tourists has been an integral part of urban culture. The Convention Center building typology is perhaps one tangible solution in making this happen. While these centers have been successful in some cases, many have failed to live up to expectations, especially after the Covid-19 Pandemic. This project aims to revitalize this building typology by making it a more multi-use center through creating a community focused “people center” that can enhance the everyday lives of the local population and those visiting this urban core.
Urban cities thrive on multi-functional spaces that can cater to both the local population as well as attract new residents to move in, and Indianapolis is no exception. By opening these buildings to a broader range of programming and public services, it creates opportunities for people to engage with the building year-round. Then by focusing on design elements such as dynamic spaces, transaction, safety, permeability, accentuation, and utilization, a more experientially fulfilling building can emerge. Finally, by catering the programing to the existing people groups within Indianapolis and respecting the needs of the existing user groups, the project becomes embedded into the local social fabric of the community that people would want to visit and utilize.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin
Cardinal SUCCESS Quarterly: Issue 1 - Spring 2024
No full textWelcome to our new quarterly E-magazine, a publication that will highlight student success stories, data, and efforts at Ball State!
Over the last two years, we have hosted two important summits to learn from one another more intentionally about how to best support our students and their academic successes. We are now launching Cardinal S.U.C.C.E.S.S.—Sustained University-wide Campus Conversations on Equity and Student Success. This publication is your one-stop shop for all the latest news regarding student success and is designed to keep you informed on the latest trends, and developments in the world of student success at Ball State and in higher education.
As you know, there are many student success efforts underway at every level at Ball State to support educational opportunities and close opportunity and outcome gaps. We are committed to providing our students with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to achieve success in all of their endeavors.
As we continue to mature in our strategic student success work, my hope is that our sustained conversations about equity and student success will allow us to reach more students in ways that are authentic and meaningful
The effects of a novel model of care on acute and long-term readmission rates in heart failure patients
No full textPurpose: Heart Failure (HF) is a chronic condition impacting millions of
Americans. The burden of HF has intensified and negatively impacts the economy and
society’s overall health and well-being. The purpose of this project is to examine the
effectiveness of this novel cardiac rehabilitation program as a core for HF management
in reducing acute and long-term readmission rates and improving patient care. Methods:
Indiana University Ball Memorial Hospital has implemented a guideline-directed
interdisciplinary HF model of care with cardiac rehabilitation as the central focus. The
model’s components aim to improve care transitions, enhance self-management and selfefficacy
of the patient, and improve patient outcomes through cardiac rehabilitation and
the use of the HF mini-order set. Data collection occurred from January 2023 through
December 2023 through electronic medical records (EMR) and Cerner to determine
readmission rates. Results: All-cause 30-day readmission monthly rates of patients who
participated in the model of care averaged 16.92 ± 9.12% in 2023. Long-term readmission
rates since the establishment of the model of care in 2016 averaged <1% and were <1%
for each month during 2023. Total Blue Dollar Savings using the Heart and Lung Center
(HLC) and the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Community Paramedic team was
~1,689,600, and the MIH Community Paramedic
team saved ~$1,241,600 in 2023. Conclusion: Blue Dollar Savings and improved
readmission rates in 2023 reflected the utilization of progressive care components,
guideline medical-directed therapies, and cardiac rehabilitation as a central core
component could be a cost-effective and care-effective solution. The multidisciplinary
progressive HF model of care provides valuable insight for healthcare providers,
policymakers, and researchers seeking to implement effective models of care to improve
patient outcomes.M. S