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Pamphlet, Family Welfare Association of America, 1943 May
Pamphlet, Local And National Wartime Developments In The Family Welfare Field, Linton B. Swift, Family Welfare Association of America, 122 East 22nd Street, New York, N.Y., 1943 May.https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/speccoll-mss-famservicememphis1/1018/thumbnail.jp
Epistemic Environments and the Spread of Disinformation
This dissertation explores the epistemology of disinformation. Looking specifically at fake news and conspiracy theory, each chapter contributes to what might be considered the overarching question: what features of our information ecosystem facilitate the spread of disinformation? The approach to answering this question focuses on the roles and importance of history and historical method, the concept of power, and borrows methodological insights from neighboring disciplines to assess and diagnose the contemporary infosphere. My approach departs from major trends in contemporary research in social epistemology on two accounts. First, I argue against the necessity to concretize a definition for meaningful social analysis. Asking probing questions about why disinformation spreads can be done absent agreement on a definition. Second, I reject a sole focus on psychological explanations for understanding why disinformation spreads. An earnest consideration of the larger epistemic context within which disinformation spreads must be taken into account. This dissertation is divided into four thematically related chapters. The first chapter retraces the history of the philosophical engagement with the notion of ‘conspiracy theory’ to recover key ingredients that are missing from contemporary discussions. The second chapter explores how insights gleaned from Feminist Standpoint Theory can help us understand why fake news spreads. The third chapter interrogates existing conceptualizations of echo chambers and offers an updated account that features a discussion of power relations. And finally, the fourth chapter diagnoses the problem of disinformation as a problem with an information ecosystem that promotes epistemic heteronomy
Evaluating the Effect of Tactile Prompting and Reinforcement on Parental Adherence to Behavioral Training
This study evaluated the effects of tactile prompting and reinforcement on parental adherence to behavioral parent training. Data from 3 parent-child dyads collected 5-7 days post demonstration of mastery of skills after parent training, showed low implementation of those skills and unchanged levels of challenging behavior. An intervention consisting of tactile prompting with reinforcement was implemented to improve independent implementation of behavioral strategies during activities or interactions that typically evoked challenging behaviors at home. For all participants the intervention resulted in an increased use of trained strategies during 20-minute parent-child interactions, and decreased duration of children’s challenging behaviors to zero levels. Observations under baseline conditions one week and six- weeks after the intervention ended showed maintenance of these effects for the three dyads. The importance of programming contingencies for parental adherence is discussed
Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund (ARCF) 2025 Biennial Report Submitted to the Tennessee General Assembly
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/govpubs-tn-department-agriculture-arcf-biennial-report/1003/thumbnail.jp
EXPLORING THE SEQUENCES AND STRUCTURES OF INTRINSICALLY DISORDERED PROTEINS AND POLYMERS
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins (IDPs) are proteins without stable three-dimensional structures. These conformationally flexible proteins form a substantial portion of the eukaryotic proteome and are frequently associated with devastating human conditions such as Alzheimer’s and cancer. There has been significant interest in IDPs in recent decades, given the important roles they play in biological systems. Here, we examine sequences, structures, and functions of IDPs. We explore the sequence-structure-function relationships of protamines (known IDPs), specifically looking at three well-known protamine sequences (salmon, human P1 and bull P1). Using a simple scatter plot of radius of gyration (Rg) and instantaneous shape ratio (Rs), we construct a ‘map’ of the conformational landscape of each protamine. Consistent with their disordered nature, we observe broad conformational landscapes for each protamine, with conformations ranging from hairpin loops to extended coils. We observed some secondary structure (helices, hairpin loops) as well, with human P1 being the protamine with the highest propensity for secondary structure content and salmon being the lowest. Using Rg and Rs, we develop a polymer physics-based framework to ‘map’ the conformational landscape of any IDP or polymer. We conduct Monte Carlo simulations of the Gaussian Walk (GW) polymer chain model and use its conformational landscape map as a reference for those of other proteins/polymer. Our maps not only distinguish the conformational landscapes of disordered proteins from structured proteins, but also reveal differences in the conformational ensembles among disordered proteins. Additionally, we compute an fC score for protein/polymer each map that quantifies its conformational diversity and enables comparison of the conformational diversities of different proteins/polymers. We provide an easy-to-use python module (PyConforMap) complete with instructions, that generates our GW-based map for any protein
THE INFLUENCE OF NETWORK BASED TECHNOLOGIES ON MODERN APPLIED TRUMPET PEDAGOGY
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, focus has been drawn to the efficacy of synchronous applied music instruction in the networked environment. In March of 2020, all university faculty in higher education across all disciplines were suddenly forced to adapt pedagogy to a co-present networked environment, many with little knowledge or training in the current technologies. Poor audio and video quality, cold unwelcoming video teaching atmosphere, and frustrating user experience created a difficult networked environment for traditional applied studios. The pandemic accelerated the need for both quality online instructional experiences and formalized training for faculty within the areas of applied music. For a successful online teaching experience, not only does technology need to be creatively utilized, but modifications must be made to the online interaction. Many teachers do not understand the necessary adaptations of teaching techniques and environmental cues for productive co-present networked instrumental studios. If barriers are not recognized – or worse, ignored – frustrating networked learning environments become the norm. This form of instrumental studio space then becomes underutilized based on its perceived ineffectiveness, resulting in missed educational opportunities. For applied instrumental studios to stay current with the rapid expansion of technological development, we must foster methods for creatively utilizing innovative tools in our applied studios. By clearly understanding the challenges, potential opportunities, and implementation procedures existing in grafting networked technology into our teaching practices, educators can more effectively move their studios from a traditional in-person model to studios which seamlessly integrate networked technologies. Today, technology is available to fulfill many of our educational goals. The difficulty most teachers have is identifying and initiating the appropriate platform for the type of activity in which they wish to engage. The purpose of this dissertation is to inform the reader of the various technologies that are available depending on which musical interaction you are trying to engage. My intention is not to prove that networked education is more effective than in-person physical instruction, but instead show options to help overcome barriers present in the existing systems of networked lessons. The goal of this research is to provide information about network technologies which enable applied studios to create seamless and transparent networked interactions, empowering applied instruction in music schools, specifically in higher education, to extend their influence
Blues On the Record Player: A Photographic and Written Exploration of the Permutations and Manifestations of Sexuality And Religion in America’s Musical Roots
This dissertation explores the intersection of sexuality and religion within blues culture through an interdisciplinary approach combining photography, creative writing, historical and sociological review and cultural critique. The work examines how the tension of opposites between erotic expression and spiritual yearning creates a transcendent aesthetic experience that defines American blues music and culture. Through self-critique of original photography exhibited in Blues Plays the White Boy, the author documents the visual manifestations of blues feeling across the Mississippi Delta, Memphis, and Texas, revealing how physical landscapes and cultural artifacts embody blues sensibilities. The theoretical framework draws from Jungian psychology, signifying theory, and cultural studies to analyze how blues artists navigate the paradoxical relationship between sexual expression and religious restraint. A critical analysis of Thomas Dorsey\u27s hokum blues Tight Like That demonstrates how double entendre and trickster elements in blues lyrics reflect this tension. The author\u27s personal memoir positions his own experiences within blues aesthetics, while creative writing pieces explore how blues narratives transform suffering into celebration. By positioning the achievement of African-American blues as a universal human experience rather than solely a racial inheritance, the dissertation argues that the fundamental conflict between sexuality and spirituality creates a transcendent blues feeling that resonates across cultural boundaries. This work contributes to blues scholarship by proposing that the music\u27s enduring power can be seen in examination of the culture of the blues and creation by blues aesthetics through the dynamic interplay of the sensual and the sacred
Teletherapy Modality and Subsequent Observer Perceptions of Therapists’ Alliance, Credibility and Empathy
Because of advances in technology and social-distancing guidelines related to COVID-19, teletherapy has become increasingly common and likely to remain an option for those seeking treatment. Research comparing in-person therapy to teletherapy exists, but far less exists concerning differences between modes of teletherapy. This study compared perceptions of psychotherapists in video- and text-based teletherapy. Young adult participants (n =384) were randomly assigned to view either a video- or text-based therapy session involving either issues with weight or family problems. The participants then rated the therapeutic alliance, perceived empathy of the therapist, and credibility of the treatment. Results indicated that participants rated the therapist’s alliance, empathy, and credibility higher when presented in a video format than when presented in a text format. The results suggest that video formats of teletherapy tend to be perceived more positively than text formats, and thus may be more likely to produce positive therapeutic outcomes
Low Temperature Tolerance and Immune Function of Horned Passalus Beetle Odontotaenius disjunctus (Illiger)
Temperature has a strong influence on physiology. Additional environmental stressors may affect how an insect responds to temperature stress. To study interactions between low temperature and immune stress, I used adult horned passalus beetles, Odontotaenius disjunctus, and nematodes, Chondronema passali. I investigated the effects of population, seasonality, and C. passali load on three different measures of O. disjunctus low temperature tolerance (critical thermal minimum, chill coma recovery time, and supercooling point) and did not find any effects. I investigated interactions between low temperatures and immune stress by testing the effect of low temperature exposure on the immune response, which had no impact, and immune challenge on CCRT, which was significantly decreased. I also assessed nematode load in these beetles, but it was not correlated with melanization. My work describes the low temperature tolerance of O. disjunctus and builds a foundation for more complex study in the future
Approximate Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory Methods for Simulating X-ray Absorption Spectra in Transition Metal Complexes
This dissertation addresses the challenges in simulating the core-level spectra of transition metal complexes, focusing on validating simplified methods that are both efficient and sufficiently accurate. Proper simulation requires incorporating relativistic effects, such as spin-orbit coupling, which significantly increases computational demands. To address these difficulties, this work provides an overview of the theoretical foundations behind the employed methodologies, including linear-response time-dependent density functional theory (LR-TD-DFT) and the zeroth-order regular approximation (ZORA) Hamiltonian, and the state-interaction framework. Key findings demonstrate that simplified state-interaction-based approaches produce near-edge X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) that are nearly indistinguishable from those obtained using more rigorous methods, ensuring reliable analysis at a fraction of the computational cost. Further optimization can be achieved by applying approximations to the vectors in the Davidson algorithm, which are constructed from the Fock matrix, Coulomb and exchange-like terms, and the exchange-correlation kernel. Our studies have revealed that the exchange-correlation kernel has a negligible impact on the qualitative features of the spectra, whereas the Hartree-Fock exchange term is crucial. These results establish the validity of the simplified approaches, highlighting their potential to reduce computational overhead without compromising accuracy