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From Classrooms to Comfort: Transforming Schools into Sanctuaries for Those Experiencing Homelessness
No full textAs I am a couple of months out from graduating, I feel privileged to be able to receive my education at East Carolina University in the Honors College. These past three and a half years have taught me about patience, broadened my knowledge, and given me a passion for Interior Design through the struggles and achievements that I have faced. This past semester in Spring 2024 has challenged me to bring to life an idea that I have had since I was thirteen years old. Through research and my knowledge of Interior Design, I can proudly say that I am excited to share my signature honors project with you.
For my signature honors project, From Classrooms to Comfort: Transforming Schools into Sanctuaries for Those Experiencing Homelessness, I redesigned an existing school building into a shelter for those experiencing homelessness. This shelter offers a range of amenities that allow those in the shelter to change the outcome of their lives. What once were classrooms are now bedrooms, counseling spaces, and medical rooms. Along with these areas, there is a main office, cafeteria, gymnasium, communal lounge area, library, classrooms, nursery rooms, laundry room, and a staff lounge. The reason behind designing a school building was to keep some of the existing floor plan such as the cafeteria, gymnasium, library, and classrooms. When creating the floor plan, each room was thought out to ensure comfortability and functionality. An issue faced within homeless shelters is that women do not feel safe sleeping in the same areas as men due to past trauma in shelters and in their lives. To solve this issue in the shelter, the women’s rooms are separated from the men’s and located in the front of the building where there is more security. Each men's and women’s rooms are dorm styled meaning that there are three beds to a room with a private bathroom. The family rooms are placed on the second floor to give privacy to each family and offer a community. In these family rooms, there is a kitchenette, bathroom, closet, living area, and a queen size trundle bed. Through research, it was discovered that green elicits the strongest positive emotions of peace, happiness, and calmness and that the color blue represents a sense of inner reflection. In the shelter, green and blue are seen in just about every room to not only evoke these positive emotions but to add color to the space and make it feel modern. Too much green and blue would have been overwhelming, so these colors have been toned down with a neutral color palette such as whites, tans, and woods. A neutral color palette allows the space to bring in lots of natural light and helps create a peaceful space. Color, lighting, and space planning were the most important aspects of this project to produce a shelter for those experiencing homelessness a place to feel at home and at peace.
Although the reality of homelessness is that it is a problem that will always exist, creating a homeless shelter that offers a wide variety of services along with ample room for sleeping arrangements, bathrooms, lounge areas, and laundry facilities while making the space feel safe and peaceful through the use of colors, openness, and lighting will overall decrease homelessness and improve guests well-being. This shelter offers more than just a one-night stay, like most homeless shelters. This shelter inspires change and provides those experiencing homelessness with a sense of dignity
White Collar Workplace Experiences Through the Lens of Immigrant Women
No full textThis paper discusses the gap in the literature on immigrant women in white-collar professions. It showcases and highlights the importance of immigrants in the workforce and uses statistical evidence to illustrate that there are migrant women with higher education degrees who work in white-collar fields. Immigrating to another country is an emotional choice with struggles and challenges. However, even when the difficulties of obtaining a high-paying professional position are overcome, immigrants still face discrimination due to stigmatory attitudes. When gaps exist in the literature, stories and voices are forgotten. Immigrant women are valuable members of society, and scholars should investigate their experiences with ethnocentrism and xenophobia to improve their working conditions and human resource policies.
The Effect of Musculoskeletal Fatigue on Postural Control in Patients with Long Term mTBI
No full textPurpose
This study aims to investigate the effects of fatigue on postural control in individuals with a previous mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Previous research shows an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury in individuals with a history of concussion, as well as a change in postural control dynamics among concussed individuals. This research was conducted to explore the interaction between concussion status and fatigue on postural control variables.
Methods
Participants included nine individuals with recent concussions (within the past 13 months) and 13 healthy controls. All completed a virtual reality (VR) Go/No-Go task while standing on a force plate. Data were collected for center of pressure (CoP) variables including velocity, acceleration, approximate entropy, displacement, and ellipse area. After initial testing, participants completed the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test to volitional fatigue, after which they repeated the VR task. A 2x2 ANOVA assessed the effects of fatigue, concussion status, and their interaction on postural control metrics.
Results
The findings suggest large differences in postural control between concussed and healthy participants across multiple measures with a high variability between participants. Concussed individuals consistently exhibited higher velocity, acceleration, and displacement in both movement directions compared to healthy participants, both before and after the fatigue condition. Similarly, the concussed group demonstrated a larger ellipse area, indicative of increased sway as well as changes in approximate entropy reflected in lower entropy values compared to the healthy group.
Discussion
While the 2x2 Anova performed revealed little conventional significance, large effect sizes of the concussed condition were observed across nearly all variables. This suggests a high level of variability in the postural control patterns between participants, especially in the concussed condition. Overall, the findings suggest increased sway and less adaptable movement patterns in concussed participants. While sway generally increased after fatigue in concussed participants, the lower adaptability shown by approximate entropy was still lower than healthy participants. Future studies should consider focusing on specific populations with a similar age, concussion severity, and demographic background to eliminate extraneous variables
The Optimization of Golgi-Cox Staining in Parallel with Immunofluorescence to Colocalize the Adhesion Protein, N-Cadherin, to Developing Synapses
No full textNumerous neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), exhibit altered synapse formation. Post-mortem brain samples from idiopathic cases of ASD exhibit increased numbers of dendritic spines, which are the primary site of excitatory synapse formation. Excitatory synapses facilitate action potential formation, underlying cognitive functions such as learning and memory formation. Excitatory synapses develop in stages: synapse formation begins when post-synaptic spine precursors adhere to a pre-synaptic axon partner. As synapses mature, dendritic spines undergo a morphological transition from filopodia-like spine precursors to mushroom-shaped dendritic spines. These morphological changes increase the surface area adjacent to the axon partner, as well as the number of neurotransmitter receptors, thereby increasing the likelihood of action potential propagation. We are interested in the mechanisms of synapse formation, maturation, and maintenance. While there is considerable research on experience-dependent synapse maturation after birth, we lack understanding of the molecular mechanisms that initiate synapse formation and how these mechanisms are altered by ASD-associated genetic mutations and/or environmental factors. To address how synapse adherence occurs, we developed techniques to visualize association of the known synaptic adhesion molecule, N-Cadherin, with developing synapses. In this study we will be presenting the process of optimizing Golgi-Cox staining in embryonic mouse brain tissue to visualize post-synaptic dendritic spine morphology and using immunofluorescence in mouse brains to study N-Cadherin’s association with developing synapses. Our hypothesis stated that as synapse development progresses there will be an increase in N-Cadherin localized to synapses. Using these techniques, we saw trends which suggest that as the brain develops there will be an increase in the density of N-Cadherin positive synapses over time. Limitations of this study though prevented the acceptation or rejection of our hypothesis, instead it was inconclusive. The association we observed for the increase of N-Cadherin positive synapses over time, suggests a role for N-Cadherin in synapse stabilization/maturation. Further, significant differences were observed in that N-Cadherin positive synapses were larger than the negative N-Cadherin synapses on average. This supports the postulation that N-Cadherin promotes excitatory synapse maturation. Future research will use knockdown approaches to examine the role of N-Cadherin at distinct stages of synapse formation in neuronal cell cultures
Characterizing the Epigenetic and Transcriptional Regulation of the Conjoined CHKB-CPT1B Locus
No full textThe emergence of brown adipose tissue was an important event for vertebrate development; however, much is still unknown about this emergence. Previously, our lab showed that, in placental mammals, the Chkb and Cpt1b genes are conjoined and regulated by a singular upstream promoter region, whereas an intergenic CpG island prevents the conjunction of these genes in marsupials. Chkb encodes for choline kinase B (CHKB), which catalyzes the first step in phosphatidylcholine synthesis, while Cpt1b encodes for carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1B (CPT1B), which is the rate-limiting enzyme in fatty acid oxidation. We believe the loss of the marsupial intergenic CGI led to the conjunction of the Chkb-Cpt1b gene locus, and that CHKB is necessary for the brown adipocyte phenotype. In addition, we also believe lactylation, a novel form of epigenetic modification, is present across the Chkb-Cpt1b locus. In this dissertation, we show the intergenic CGI possesses enhancer and weak promoter activity and that CHKA, and not CHKB, is responsible for the majority of phosphatidylcholine synthesis in C2C12 and DE2.3 cells. We also show the presence of lactylation in these cells. We hope this data can be used to further our understanding of the emergence of brown adipocytes and provide future therapies to various diseases such as obesity
COMPARING THE INFLUENCE OF EXERCISE DURING PREGNANCY ON SIBLING HEART OUTCOMES
No full textThere is an increase in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in adults and children. Exercise is known to decrease CVD risk factors. Similarly, exercise during pregnancy improves maternal and fetal/infant heart health. Although research suggests exercise influences infant heart function, others believe this is due to inherent differences or characteristics of the mother; however, little research has been done to control for maternal background. One way to assess if an infant is born with a healthier heart is to compare siblings exposed or not exposed to exercise, thus controlling for maternal/genetic differences. Thus, determining whether exercise during pregnancy positively influences heart outcomes could program the next generation for a healthier life before birth. Objective: Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effects of exercise during pregnancy on sibling heart outcomes. I hypothesize that siblings exposed to exercise in utero will have improved heart outcomes compared to siblings not exposed to exercise in utero. Methods: Data was collected from women with low-risk, singleton pregnancies who received clearance from their physician that they could participate in physical activity, had a previous sedentary or active lifestyle; were between the ages 18 and 40; had a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-39.9 before pregnancy and were between 13 to 16 weeks pregnant. Participants performed a treadmill test and 1-repitition maximum tests, and were randomized via computer sequencing (GraphPad, Boston, USA) to exercise (aerobic (AE), resistance (RE), combination (aerobic + resistance; AERE) or a stretching/breathing control group (CON). Throughout the study, participants exercised for 150 minutes/week from enrollment until delivery (~40 wks). One-month infant heart measures were analyzed to compare sibling heart outcomes. For this analysis, we examined the influence exercise, any type, or no exercise on sibling heart outcomes by comparing heart rate (HR), and cardiac time intervals from EKG recordings. Sibling heart outcomes were compared with t-tests (exercise vs. control) and ANOVA (4 group comparison). Regressions were performed to assess predictors of sibling heart outcomes. All analyses were completed using IBM SPSS Software Version 29 (Chicago, Illinois) or the SAS JMP Pro Software Version 17 (Cary, NC). Results: The study focused on 13 women who participated twice, once as a control and once in an exercise group. Maternal characteristics such as age, weight, and BMI showed no significant differences between the two groups. Similarly, infant descriptors like gender, birth weight, and APGAR scores were comparable between groups. No significant differences were found in sibling heart outcomes, although QRS complex length showed a trend towards variation based on exercise type. Regression analysis indicated that maternal exercise group and pre-pregnancy BMI predicted one-month infant QRS length, while maternal exercise attendance predicted corrected QT interval. Overall, the study found no significant differences between the control and exercise groups. Discussion: This analysis aimed to compare one-month infant heart outcomes between siblings exposed to exercise in utero and those not exposed. Contrary to the hypothesis, the study found no significant differences in heart outcomes on EKG between the two groups. However, trends indicated increased QRS duration, suggesting greater left ventricular muscle mass in infants exposed to exercise. This was particularly evident in the aerobic exercise group. The study highlighted that EKGs might not be sensitive enough to detect subtle differences in healthy populations. Despite the small sample size, the findings suggest that maternal exercise could positively impact infant heart health, particularly in terms of left ventricular development. Further research with larger sample sizes and more sensitive measures is needed to confirm these results and understand the mechanisms behind these potential benefits
HORSE VERSUS HORSE SIMULATOR: AN INVESTIGATION OF SENSORY PROCESSING PATTERNS AND ENGAGEMENT IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
No full textPurpose: This study aimed to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in engagement levels in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) when participating in therapeutic activities on a horse or horse-riding simulator, the MiraColt™. Further, it aimed to determine if there was a relationship between sensory processing patterns and engagement levels of children when participating in therapeutic activities on a MiraColt™. Lastly, it aimed to determine if there was a relationship between sensory processing patterns and engagement levels of children when participating in therapeutic activities on a horse. Method: This pilot study used a one group quasi-experimental repeated measures design. Participants (n=6) were children aged 5-12 years old who completed two separate visits for the conditions. The first visit consisted of a 10-minute tabletop activity to establish a baseline of engagement, administration of Evaluation of Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI) tests (postural control, bilateral integration, ocular motor and praxis, and balance), and condition one which was participating in therapeutic activities while riding the MiraColt™ for 20 minutes. During the second visit, participants participated in condition two, which was therapeutic activities while riding the horse for 20 minutes. The tabletop activity and riding conditions were video recorded, and engagement levels were assessed using a pilot measure developed for this study. The Wilcoxon signed rank test explored differences in total engagement level scores of the two riding conditions. Spearman’s rho correlations were conducted to assess the relationships between sensory processing patterns and engagement levels of children during therapeutic activities on a MiraColt™ and on a horse. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in total engagement level scores between children with ASD participating in therapeutic activities while riding the MiraColt™ and the horse (p=0.92). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the ocular praxis EASI test and engaged behaviors when participating in therapeutic activities while riding the horse (p = 0.05). Additionally, there were statistically significant positive correlations for the postural control EASI test and engaged behaviors for both riding conditions, the MiraColt (p = 0.03) and the horse (p = 0.01). Conclusion: This study did not find a significant difference in engagement levels between the two riding conditions, which suggests that horse riding simulators may be a suitable alternative to engaging children with ASD in therapeutic activities when horse riding is not feasible. Positive relationships between the riding conditions and the EASI tests suggest that postural control and ocular praxis may play a role in a child with ASD's ability to engage during multisensory activities. Future research with a larger sample size is needed to increase the statistical rigor and generalizability of these results. Further investigation must also be completed to evaluate the validity, reliability, and sensitivity of the engagement measure used in this study
ELEVATED PYROGENIC ORGANIC MATTER IN SEDIMENTS FROM LAKE BOSUMTWI, GHANA AS A PROXY FOR THE TERMINATION OF THE AFRICAN HUMID PERIOD
No full textThis study investigates the Holocene paleoclimatic history of northern Africa, using total organic carbon (TOC), soot carbon (Csoot), and other markers of pyrolysis in a sediment core from Lake Bosumtwi, Ghana, west Africa. The African climate has been dynamic throughout the Quaternary, influenced by multiple drivers varying in duration and magnitude. One particularly notable period is the transition from the African Humid Period (AHP) (~14 - ~5 ka) to the current arid conditions in northern Africa. Sedimentary records from large African lakes can provide insights into climate-driven landscape changes caused by droughts, wildfires, flooding, and erosion.
A key proxy for wildfires is black carbon (BC), formed from the incomplete combustion of organic matter. BC occurs across a size continuum from large charcoal macro-particles which remain near the fire source to smaller sub-micron-sized soot aerosols capable of long-range atmospheric transport. This study hypothesizes that variations in soot concentrations and anhydride sugars from pyrolysis of cellulose served as a proxy for drought and wildfire activity during the AHP termination (~7.4 -~5 ka). Core samples were analyzed using stratigraphic and geochemical techniques, with Csoot isolated through demineralization and chemo-thermal oxidation. The findings of this project show a relative increase in the abundance of pyrogenic organic matter and suggests increased wildfires in northern Africa before the end of the AHP. The proportion of soot to charcoal in Lake Bosumtwi sediments suggests increased distal wildfire activity and aeolian transport of soot before the end of the AHP (7.4 ka – 5 ka). The isotopic range of the soot carbon shows a distinct change in vegetation around 5 ka and 3 ka. These findings do not support our initial hypothesis that suggested there would be an increase in the combustion of C3 vegetation around the termination of the AHP, followed by an increase in the combustion of C4 vegetation. Nonetheless, these results contribute to the understanding of aeolian transport of charred biomass between northern and western Africa, providing constraints on the timing and spatial variability of the AHP termination
The Effect of Maternal Exercise Types on One Month Infant Resting Metabolic Rate
Full text linkPURPOSE: This thesis investigates the effects of maternal exercise types on infant resting metabolic rate (RMR). While extensive research supports the benefits of exercise in preventing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, there is limited understanding of how maternal exercise types affects infant whole-body metabolic outcomes. Given that the fetus is entirely dependent on maternal health and behavior, understanding how different types of prenatal exercise influence offspring metabolism is crucial. This study aims to examine the relationship between maternal exercise types, particularly resistance, aerobic, and combination training, and infant RMR. Previous research has primarily focused on maternal exercise effects on infant body composition, but the direct impact of maternal exercise types on RMR is unexplored. By addressing this gap, this research seeks to provide new insights into how prenatal exercise types can shape early metabolic function, potentially influencing long-term health outcomes. METHODS: This study examined the effects of prenatal exercise types on a one-month infant resting metabolic rate (RMR). Women ages 18-40 with singleton pregnancies, a pre-pregnancy BMI between 18.5-39.9 kg/m2, and gestational age 0.05). ANOVA analyses revealed no differences in maternal or infant metrics, including BMI, birth weight, and growth parameters at one month (p > 0.05). Similarly, we found trends of differences in one-month infant resting metabolic rate (RMR) between exercise groups (RMR: F (3,24) = 2.463, p = 0.087). Moderate to large effect sizes, using Cohen’s D, were found in AT (D=0.75) and RT (D=0.68). Importantly, linear regression analysis identified significant increases in one-month infant RMR exposed to the resistance exercise in utero (p=0.0069), and significant decreases in one-month infants from women who performed aerobic training during pregnancy (p=0.0013), compared to the control. Additionally, pre-pregnancy BMI was positively associated with higher RMR (p=0.0006). The study limitations, mainly due to a small sample size, highlight the need for larger, more diverse research. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that prenatal exercise, specifically prenatal resistance exercise, augments infant RMR while aerobic training might attenuate infant RMR; these trends are worth further exploration. Overall, these findings support the potential benefits of resistance exercise during pregnancy for improved infant metabolic health
Improving Scan Compliance while Decreasing Medication Errors in the Hospital
No full textPrevious studies examining scan compliance have revealed that many nurses do not follow proper protocols when scanning medications for their patients. In response to low scan compliance rates throughout the unit, on-site education, bedside audits, and informational handouts were provided to nurses working in a community hospital. This quality improvement project highlighted that enhanced education and staff engagement can significantly boost scan compliance rates and increase staff awareness of medication errors and near misses.D.N.P