Carolyn Wilson Digital Collections (Lipscomb Univ.)
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1413 research outputs found
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Innovation in Circular Products for Healthy People, Planet, and Profit
No full textInnovation in Circular Products for Healthy People, Planet, and Profit In our consumer-driven economy, companies tend to prioritize manufacturing efficiency to keep up with demand. While current practices can create short-term profits, there are financial and non-financial impacts on people, the planet, and profit. Innovation in circular products can create a win-win for businesses and consumers while meeting the needs of today and promoting future success. In this session, we will discuss the impact of current business processes and consumer practices on people, planet, and profit; explore how circular products can create long-term, sustainable value for business by designing products for health, durability, and reuse of materials while using nature as a guide; share current and upcoming ESG reporting regulations and how circular products relate to ESG goals; and highlight leaders in circular product innovation
Post-Tonal Pedagogy in the Music of György Ligeti
No full textPost-tonal piano literature remains unpopular with many modern performers due to a perceived lack of technical approachability. As a result, a wealth of post-tonal keyboard music passes into obscurity, never reaching modern audiences. Despite the preconception that post-tonal music lacks formal and harmonic structure, one can assign order to elements within these compositions both for purposes of improving pedagogy and engendering familiarity with the literature. My research aims to demonstrate one process of elucidating the relative accessibility of post-tonal literature for keyboard by means of an analysis of a selection of György Ligeti’s Études pour piano. Because this material often lies outside of the traditional means of Western form and analysis, I will be assigning order to specific elements in analyzing the construction of the studies, which is centered around unifying rhythmic or harmonic material. In doing so, the learning process becomes more approachable
Divinely Woven
No full textThe relationship between science and faith has often been viewed as contradictory, with individuals typically aligning with one perspective or the other. However, a deeper examination reveals that these two ideologies are not independent but are interconnected parts of the greater tapestry of life. This paper takes the audience on a journey through the thought process of a chemistry student of the spiritual and physical being affirming of each other rather than competing ideas. It delves into the concept of complex interactions of atoms and the purposeful design of life that suggest that the universe is not a product of randomness but of deliberate design. The study of atoms and their predictable, yet intricate, behavior further supports the idea of a structured universe created with purpose. Despite the scientific insights into how life and the universe function, they cannot fully explain the intricacies of existence. This paper proposes that science, in its purest form, serves to understand the Creator’s craftsmanship, offering a glimpse into the nature of God’s work. Ultimately, while science can reveal many aspects of creation, faith bridges the gap between the known and the unknown, helping us appreciate the Creator\u27s grandeur. By merging science and faith, a fuller and more profound understanding of our existence and the universe can be achieved, encouraging continued exploration and awe of the Creator’s design
The Effects of Added Xanthan Gum on the Acceptability of Gluten-Free Shortcake
No full textThe Effects of Added Xanthan Gum on the Acceptability of Gluten-Free Shortcake
Introduction: The incidence of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity has increased, driving demand for gluten-free (GF) baked goods. However, replicating the texture and structure provided by gluten remains a challenge. Xanthan gum, a common additive in GF baking, may improve texture and overall product acceptability. This study evaluates whether adding xanthan gum to a homemade GF flour blend improves the quality of GF shortcake.
Methods: A control shortcake made with all-purpose flour was compared to three GF versions: 1) commercial GF flour, 2) homemade GF flour blend (white rice flour, potato starch, and corn flour), and 3) the same homemade blend with added xanthan gum. Consumer panelists rated crumb texture, volume, tenderness, crust appearance, flavor, and overall preference using a 5-point scale.
Results: Shortcake made with xanthan gum received the highest scores for crumb texture (3.8), volume (4.1), and flavor (4.3). The homemade blend without xanthan gum scored between the xanthan gum shortcake and the commercial blend, which consistently received the lowest ratings across all attributes.
Conclusions: The addition of xanthan gum to homemade GF flour blends improves texture, volume, and flavor, producing shortcake more comparable to traditional recipes. These findings suggest xanthan gum is a valuable ingredient in enhancing the acceptability of GF baked goods, potentially increasing consumer satisfaction and market appeal. Further research could explore its effects on other baked products and different flour combinations
Functionality of the Ryanodine Receptor Type 1 (RyR1) in the Development of Malignant Hyperthermia (MH)
No full textMalignant Hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but potentially lethal pharmacogenetic disorder, affecting roughly 1 in 30,000 children and 1 in 100,000 adults undergoing surgery. MH can be triggered by agents used for general anesthesia. These may include volatile anesthetics such as sevoflurane, isoflurane, desflurane, halothane or depolarizing neuromuscular blockers such as succinylcholine. Upon administration of a trigger, an MH susceptible (MHS) patient can develop a hypermetabolic state during the intraoperative or postoperative periods. If not treated quickly, an MH episode could result in organ dysfunction or death. The primary mechanisms involved in the development of an MH crisis include the excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) mechanism, which functions to convert propagating action potentials at motor neurons to skeletal muscle contractions. Upon depolarization at the neuromuscular junction, action potentials propagate down T-Tubule invaginations where Ca2+ can then be released to initiate a muscle contraction. Regulation of this release is critical for maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis within a myofibril. Located within the muscle cell, the Ryanodine Type 1 Receptor (RYR1) is the primary protein involved in the release of intracellular Ca2+. Mutations in RYR1 can result in a gain of function activity, causing abnormally high levels of Ca2+ released into the myoplasmic region. Uncontrolled muscle contractions can then occur and further develop into the hypermetabolic state seen in MH. Current therapeutic and diagnostic measures for MH include Dantrolene sodium, which acts by inhibiting the activity of RYR1. Altogether, we argue that greater understanding and targeting of RYR1 could aid therapeutic interventions of MH
Heavy Metal Thunder: Nashville\u27s Lakes and Streams Bring the Noise
No full textSurface water bodies, including lakes and rivers, can contain naturally occurring and pollution-derived chemicals and metals that may pose risks to public health. This study aimed to identify and quantify metal concentrations in water samples from the Cumberland River in Nashville and Clarksville, as well as Radnor Lake, to assess potential health risks for water sports participants and those using the water for drinking or agricultural purposes.
Seven water samples were collected and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), a highly sensitive technique for detecting trace elements. The samples were prepared by adding nitric acid and analyzed using a calibration curve with known metal standards. ICP-OES was chosen due to its ability to detect multiple metals with precision and sensitivity, making it ideal for complex water matrices.
The metals analyzed included Aluminum (Al), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn). The EPA sets water quality criteria to protect aquatic life and human health, and although limits for Co, K, and Mn are not established, limits for other metals were exceeded in several samples. In Clarksville, Al and Zn exceeded safe limits for both chronic and acute exposure, while Cu exceeded the chronic limit. In Radnor Lake, Cu exceeded both limits, and similar results were found in the Cumberland River and McFarland Tap water for Cu, Pb, and Zn. These findings indicate potential contamination risks and highlight the need for ongoing water quality monitoring
The Effects of a Stimulant and Non-Stimulant Pre-workout Supplement on Sprint Performance
No full textThe aim of this study is to compare the effects of a stimulant pre-workout that contains caffeine and a non-stimulant pre-workout that does not contain caffeine on sprint distance. We anticipate that 10 recreationally active individuals will participate in this study, and each participant will act as their own control. Sprint performance will be measured by the distance covered within 10 seconds of allotted time on an Assault Runner Elite treadmill. On the first day, participants will be familiarized with the experimental protocol, so neither pre-workout supplement will be administered. After completing a five-minute structured warm-up, they will complete three sprints for 10 seconds each time, with two minutes of rest in between sprints. This procedure will be repeated twice on separate days, with participants blindly ingesting either the stimulant or non-stimulant pre-workout supplement in random order. The stimulant pre-workout contains 175 milligrams of caffeine in the one scoop, and both supplements will be administered 10 minutes prior to the five minute warm-up protocol. The three sprints will be repeated in the same manner on both testing days. Data will be analyzed with a repeated-measures ANOVA
Unveiling Hidden Hazards: A Complementary Approach to Affordable Non-Destructive Heavy Metal Detection
No full textHistory has bestowed upon us vast treasures, with the Victorian Era offering a wealth of gifts, such as vibrant art and even secrets preserved in books of this period. However, concealed within the pigments that bring these works to life lie heavy metals. Not only do they pose significant health risks, but they can also be found within these pieces centuries later. Intrigued by the Winterthur project, Beaman librarians, Jan Cohu and Kayla Rutledge, discovered that our library housed some of these Victorian Era books. From there, the Beaman staff sent an inquiry to the chemistry department and Dr. Weinstein-Webb wishing to investigate the safety of these books. Dr. Webb and his team proceeded to perform Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) trials on these samples, which led to the proof of a four-to- one ratio of Lead (Pb) to Chromium (Cr). In light of this finding, our aim transformed into locating a non-destructive, affordable approach to characterize the heavy metals within books for the public’s use in hopes of improving safety. The transition involved the arrival of the Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF), which is an affordable/transportable instrument to heavy metals. Utilizing this instrument on the book samples, pXRF demonstrated the novel correlation between ICP-OES and pXRF data in book pigments. This work offers a cost-effective, non-destructive method aimed toward detecting heavy metals within the Victorian-era books (or other potentially contaminated materials) ultimately assisting in the greater community’s public health and safety
LEED Certified Building Remodel and Addition
No full textEngineering practices are increasingly adopting sustainable methods, with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) being a widely recognized standard. LEED ensures environmental health and efficiency in building projects. This project focuses on renovating an existing building and adding a warehouse for the PENCIL Foundation, a local non-profit. The design includes structural, mechanical, and HVAC drawings along with stormwater and indoor water use evaluations, and EPSC (Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control) plans. This project allowed Lipscomb University students to gain hands-on experience in client-based design while adhering to site regulations and ASHRAE standards. The project aims to achieve a Gold LEED rating through improvements in rainwater management, water efficiency, energy use, and indoor environmental quality. It incorporates design standards, codes, and guidelines with practicing engineers serving as advisors and validators. The team used industry-standard calculations for structural design, stormwater management, water and energy usage, and air quality to develop plans that meet both the client\u27s needs and sustainable building standards
