11549 research outputs found
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Tbx1 ortholog org1 mediates identity and assembly in the Drosophila testis stem cell niche
No full textStem cells require signals from a cellular microenvironment known as the niche that regulates identity, location, and division of stem cells. Niche cell identity must be properly specified during development to form a tissue capable of functioning in the adult. Here, we show that the Tbx1 ortholog org1 is expressed in Drosophila testis niche cells in response to Slit and FGF signals. org1 is expressed during niche development and is required to specify niche cell identity. org1 mutants specified fewer niche cells, and those cells showed disruption of niche-specific markers, including loss of the niche adhesion protein Fas3 and reduced hedgehog expression. We found that org1 expression in somatic gonadal precursors is capable of inducing formation of additional niche cells. Disrupted niche identity in org1 mutants resulted in niche assembly and functionality defects. We find the conserved transcription factor islet is expressed in response to org1 and show that islet functions downstream to mediate niche identity and assembly. This work identifies a novel role for org1 in niche establishment
Exploring the Relationship Between Health Insurance Literacy and Health Equity Among College Students: A Pilot Study
No full textHealth insurance literacy is a critical factor that should be addressed in the college student population. This population has been found to have lower health insurance literacy levels, which can impact health outcomes. This study examines health insurance literacy and health equity among undergraduate college students at a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) and a Predominantly White Institution (PWI) and examines demographic factors in health insurance literacy. A total of 276 students participated in a survey examining perceptions of health equity and health insurance literacy levels using items from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). Bivariate associations were assessed using Mann-Whitney U tests, Chi-Square tests (or Fisher-Freeman-Halton tests as appropriate), and Spearman correlations. Multiple linear regression models were used to control for covariates in comparisons. Results found that students at the PWI had significantly higher mean health insurance literacy scores than students at the MSI (PWI Mean = 4.33 vs. MSI Mean =3.14, p=0.027) after controlling for student demographics. Perceptions of health equity between the two institutions were similar. Prior knowledge of health insurance was found to be positively associated with health insurance literacy levels (p<0.001). The number of barriers that students reported, and experiences of unfair treatment was not significant between the two institutions. Additionally, it was found that age (p<0.001), race (p=0.003), and academic standing (p=0.005) were significantly associated with health insurance literacy levels among all undergraduate students in this study, regardless of institution. Additional research should be conducted to determine if educational programs should be implemented to improve health insurance literacy levels among the college student population. Age, race, and academic standing were found to be disparities that contribute to health insurance literacy in this study and should be explored in future studies. Addressing gaps in health insurance literacy will improve college students’ overall understanding of health insurance and improve health equity
Absurdly Funny: Exploring the Influence of Humor in Stand-Up Comedy
No full textFor my Signature Honors Project, I wrote and performed a 20-minute stand-up comedy special that blended observational and surreal humor. Through weekly writing and open mic performances, I developed my material under the guidance of Dr. Eric Shouse. The final show, held at the Jenkins Fine Arts Center, drew over 70 attendees and explored how audiences respond to conventional and unconventional comedy
Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training for Healthcare Workers
No full textSuicide prevention training is critical in healthcare environments, where high levels of stress, emotional exhaustion, and burnout can contribute to mental health challenges among staff. Following the tragic suicide of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team member in 2022, this project introduced the Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training within the NICU. The initiative aimed to equip staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and respond to individuals at risk for suicide, while also enhancing perceptions of organizational support for staff well-being. Over a two-month period (1/2/2025 to 2/21/2025), 62 NICU staff members completed the training, with pre- and post-assessments measuring changes in suicide prevention knowledge and in intervention confidence or self-efficacy. Results demonstrated significant increases in staff knowledge, and a willingness to engage in suicide prevention conversations, while also improving the perception of organizational support. In light of these outcomes, the hospital has committed to integrating QPR into new employee orientation to promote long-term sustainability. Future recommendations include expanding the training to additional units, leveraging technology to offer virtual training options, and conducting long-term follow-up studies to assess the ongoing impact of QPR. This project highlights the value of embedding suicide prevention training into healthcare settings and offers a scalable approach to strengthening mental health support for frontline healthcare workers.D.N.P
Sampling and Selection Methods for Applying 2D Neural Networks to 3D Gaussian Splats
No full textWe propose a novel approach for applying interpolation methods to unstructured volumetric data that allows for the operation of 2D neural networks directly on 3D Gaussian splats. Gaussian splatting is at the cutting edge of volume rendering methods, 2D neural networks have achieved a dominant and lasting degree of success and real-life application. We propose leveraging the advantages of both, an approach which is the first of its kind. We extend the method for interpolated convolution on 3D surface meshes with 2D CNNs by Hart et al to the unstructured 3D volumetric data of Gaussian splats and present an end-to-end pipeline for our work. We showcase our results with style transfers on 3D Gaussian splats performed by a 2D convolution model with no retraining. Our results compare favorably with those of current approaches to performing style transfers on 3D Gaussians using purpose-built and purpose-trained 3D models
Identifying Risk Factors and Managing Recurrence of Anesthesia Awareness
No full textAwareness under anesthesia is the recall of events that happened during general anesthesia. Researchers have tried for years to interpret risk factors that make patients more inclined to be affected. There are certain ramifications that this can cause, like mental health issues and further issues of distrust in healthcare professionals. This literature synthesis addresses intraoperative awareness, the risk factors, and potential resulting repercussions. The literature included articles about the causes, risk factors, management, and effects of anesthesia awareness. The current findings show that there is hope that these new risk factors and detection methods can prevent and decrease this prevailing complication. As we have found out, some of the reasons that people experience awareness are medications being ineffective, neuromuscular blocking agents, obesity, cesarean sections, equipment failures, comorbidities, heart operations, prescription of amnesic medications, and human error. This topic needs to be explored further and, in more depth, to address preventative measures to reduce this surgical complication
"Our Marks are Our Stories"
No full textIn an evocative new contemporary work, “Our Marks are Our Stories”, choreographer Tracy McWilliams presents a dance piece that explores the powerful tension between nature and nurture – the innate purity we are born with and the life experiences that shape, challenge, and often distort that essence. Featuring a cast of 9 dancers, this piece uses stark contrasts in movement, lighting, and costume to investigate identity, influence, and the journey toward self-acceptance. With dynamic choreography, symbolic visuals, and an emotional narrative, this work invites viewers to reflect on how we navigate the forces that mold us – and how, through acceptance, we can emerge as truer versions of ourselves
Cytoskeletal polarization plays a direct role in Drosophila testis niche assembly
No full textTo retain their undifferentiated state, stem cells rely on self-renewal signals from their cellular microenvironment, the niche. A functional niche is often assembled in a specific tissue region to limit renewal signals to a select number of stem cells. Studying how niche assembly is coordinated with organogenesis is imperative to understanding regulation of tissue homeostasis and regeneration. We leverage the Drosophila testis to investigate development of its niche. Prior to niche assembly, the embryonic male gonad is a spherical arrangement of germ cells interspersed with somatic cells, a subset of which are specified as pro-niche cells. During assembly, pro-niche cells migrate to the outer edge of the gonad, and then to the anterior, where they cluster into a smooth, circular niche (Anllo et al., 2019). An unassembled niche cannot signal properly to GSCs. It is therefore crucial to understand mechanisms that underly niche formation. We previously showed that niche assembly requires niche cell accumulation of the transcription factor Islet, which is required for niche cells to polarize their cytoskeleton (Anllo & DiNardo, 2022). What remains elusive is whether F-actin directly mediates assembly, and what specific regulators of F-actin are required for the assembly process. We have established a method that employs molecular optogenetics to manipulate F-actin regulatory mechanisms during specific stages of niche
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development. Here, we demonstrate precise temporal control of the Cry2 CIBN system in the embryonic testis, using blue light to direct localization of cytoskeletal modulators to the cell cortex. Using in vivo live imaging with these optogenetic techniques, we show a direct role for polarization of cortical F-actin in niche assembly. Our data support a requirement for the cytoskeletal modulator Rho1 in enabling niche cells to accumulate adhesion proteins and assemble with the proper architecture. Together, our work defines direct contributions of the F-actin cytoskeleton in establishment of a stem cell niche
Faculty Retention and Resilience for Nurse Educators
No full textNANurse educators experience high levels of stress and burnout, contributing to poor retention and threatening the quality of nursing education. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project implemented a 12-week resilience-building intervention that included mindfulness meditation, breathwork, and yoga for nurse educators at a public university in the southeastern United States. The RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework guided the project and evaluated changes in resilience, burnout, and job satisfaction using validated instruments. Results indicated that integrated mind-body interventions could reduce burnout and enhance resilience and job satisfaction among nurse educators. The project aligns with Healthy People 2030 and the Quadruple Aim, supporting educator well-being and advancing the sustainability of nursing education programs.College of Nursing, East Carolina UniversityD.N.P
CB_ Haviland Thesis - Ink and Inclusion - Grad School Submission
No full textThis thesis examines appearance-based hiring bias, focusing on the role of tattoos in influencing perceptions of job applicants. Specifically, it explores how age differences between participant (perceivers) and applicants (targets) affect evaluations of respect, liking, and person-environment fit, particularly in relation to perceptions of tattoos. Grounded in stigma theories and person-environment fit theories, this research aims to uncover whether tattoos, as a visible characteristic, exacerbate biases in hiring decisions and how these biases vary across age demographics. To test these relationships, a survey-based method will employ vignettes describing hypothetical job candidates, manipulating the presence or absence of tattoos and the age of the candidates to examine whether tattoo perceptions vary across different age groups. Results revealed that tattooed applicants were perceived as having significantly lower person-environment fit but unexpectedly higher liking, with no significant effect on respect. Age did not consistently moderate these relationships, though an interaction emerged for liking. Perceptions of workplace deviance and bias against younger individuals negatively influenced all outcome variables. A three-way interaction among tattoo presence, participant age, and applicant age did not significantly predict perceptions, though participant age influenced evaluations of older, non-tattooed applicants