TCU Digital Repository (Texas Christian Univ.)
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The power we hold: sharing the stories of girls of color
No full textUsing critical race feminism and moral transformative leadership, this qualitative, participatory study works to share the perspectives of girls of color in public schools in the United States. Further, this study explores the importance of gathering student voices and utilizes participant data analysis to honor the lessons we learn from students. This study underscores the need for school leaders to engage in more participatory methods to be more intentional about inviting student voice and participatory methods into educational leaders’ decision making
Inferior Turbinate Abscess from Bulb Suctioning in a Pediatric Patient
No full textThe inferior turbinates are the largest of the 3 pairs of turbinates, playing a role in the humidification, directing, and filtering of air. Enlarged inferior turbinates can occur from environmental exposures such as cigarette smoking, allergies, and chronic rhinosinusitis. Enlargement due to abscess formation is highly unusual. Other abscesses of the nasal cavity can infrequently occur, usually caused by nasal trauma, surgery, or dental infections. Irritation and trauma results in blood vessel rupture and hematoma formation, allowing a static environment ideal for bacteria and abscess creation. Abscesses have been well reported in septoplasty literature with rates of infection and abscess formation widely ranging from 0.4% to 12% postoperatively.1 To the authors' knowledge, there have been no previous reports of an inferior turbinate abscess in an otherwise healthy pediatric patient
Longitudinal associations between women's cycle characteristics and sexual motivation using Flo cycle tracking data
No full textIn the current research, we used data from a sample of 16,327 menstrual cycle tracking app users to examine the association between menstrual cycle characteristics and sexual motivation tracked over 10 months of app use. Guided by past work that finds links between menstrual cycle characteristics related to conception risk and sexual motivation, we found that (a) between-women, shorter (r=- 0.04, p=0.007), more regular cycles predicted small increases in sexual motivation (r=- 0.04, p=0.001); (b) within-women, shorter cycles predicted greater sexual motivation that month (r=- 0.04, p0.15). Within-woman analyses also revealed that (e) shorter cycles were followed by more frequent reports of fatigue (beta=- 0.06, p<0.001), insomnia (beta=- 0.03, p<0.001), and food cravings (beta=- 0.04, p<0.001). Together, results suggest that menstrual cycles characteristics and sexual motivation may covary together in ways that reflect changing investments in reproduction. Small effect sizes and lack of experimental control warrant cautious interpretations of results
Gold Nanoparticles in Porous Silicon Nanotubes for Glucose Detection
No full textSilicon nanotubes (Si NTs) have a unique structure among the silicon nanostructure family, which is useful for diverse applications ranging from therapeutics to lithium storage/recycling. Their well-defined structure and high surface area make them ideal for sensing applications. In this work, we demonstrate the formation of Au nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with 4-Mercaptophenylboronic acid (MPBA) on porous Si NTs (pSi NTs) fabricated using ZnO nanowires as a template. The system was characterized, and the proposed structure was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Varying glucose concentrations in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (0.5-80 mM) were introduced to the Si NT nanocomposite system. The glucose is detectable at low concentrations utilizing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which shows a concentration-dependent peak shift in the benzene ring breathing mode (similar to 1071 cm(-1)) of MPBA. Complementing these measurements are simulations of the Raman hot spots associated with plasmonic enhancement of the Au NPs using COMSOL. This biocompatible system is envisioned to have applications in nanomedicine and microfluidic devices for real-time, non-invasive glucose sensing
The association between mattering and mental health in graduate students and faculty
No full textResearch has found that a sense of mattering, the perception that one is recognized and valued by other people and/or society, contributes to mental health and well-being (e.g., reduced burnout & stress). Although research has been done in undergraduate samples, little work has explored the psychological benefits of mattering in graduate students and faculty. Two studies examined the relation between mattering and mental health outcomes (e.g., satisfaction, stress, burnout) among graduate students (Study 1) and faculty (Study 2) at Texas Christian University (TCU). Results found that a sense of mattering was positively related to school/job satisfaction and negatively related to stress, burnout, depression, and quitting intentions in both samples. Additionally, research has shown that there may be some demographic differences on mattering. For example, women in male-dominated fields such as STEM (i.e., Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) receive less recognition and credit for their work, which may contribute to a lower sense of mattering. The current research thus explored whether there was (a) a gender difference in the level of mattering between women and men for graduate students and faculty (separately), and (b) how area focus (i.e., STEM vs. non-STEM-related majors/careers) moderated potential gender differences. No significant effects emerged across the two studies. Implications of the current research is discussed in terms of the mental health and well-being of TCU graduate students and faculty
Examining language elicitation methods in dual language learners
No full textThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of three language elicitation methods (personal narrative telling, narrative book retelling, and narrative short video retelling) in assessing Spanish language skills among Spanish-English Dual Language Learners (DLLs). Eleven preschool-aged DLLs, who met specific language fluency and development and cognition criteria were selected for this study. Language samples were collected using the three elicitation methods, transcribed and coded using Systematic Analyses of Language Transcripts (SALT; Miller & Iglesias, 2008). Analysis of Variance (ANOVAs) tests comparing the three elicitation methods revealed no significant differences in Mean Length of Utterance in Words (MLUw) and the total number of different words (NDW) among the methods. The findings indicate that all three language elicitation methods are equally effective in assessing language skills in Spanish-speaking DLLs. Descriptive data demonstrates that some children benefitted more with one time of method that others. This suggests the importance of employing diverse methods for language sample collection, tailored to the children's cultural backgrounds and home language exposure, to ensure equitable language assessment practices. The study underscores the need for SLPs to adapt assessment protocols to the changing demographics and linguistic diversity of the populations they serve
Molecular Design Using Selected Concentration Effects in Optically Activated Fluorescent Matrices
No full textMolecular physics plays a pivotal role in various fields, including medicine, pharmaceuticals, and broader industrial applications. This study aims to enhance the methods for producing specific optically active materials with distinct spectroscopic properties at the molecular level, which are crucial for these sectors, while prioritizing human safety in both production and application. Forensic science, a significant socio-economic field, often employs hazardous substances in analyzing friction ridges on porous surfaces, posing safety concerns. In response, we formulated novel, non-toxic procedures for examining paper evidence, particularly thermal papers. Our laboratory model utilizes a polyvinyl alcohol polymer as a rigid matrix to emulate the thermal paper's environment, enabling precise control over the spectroscopic characteristics of 1,8-diazafluoro-9-one (DFO). We identified and analyzed the cyclodimer 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one (DAK DFO), which is a non-toxic and biocompatible alternative for revealing forensic marks. The reagents used to preserve fingerprints were optimized for their effectiveness and stability. Using stationary absorption and emission spectroscopy, along with time-resolved emission studies, we verified the spectroscopic attributes of the new structures under deliberate aggregation conditions. Raman spectroscopy and quantum mechanical computations substantiated the cyclodimer's configuration. The investigation provides robust scientific endorsement for the novel compound and its structural diversity, influenced by the solvatochromic sensitivity of the DFO precursor. Our approach to monitoring aggregation processes signifies a substantial shift in synthetic research paradigms, leveraging simple chemistry to yield an innovative contribution to forensic science methodologies
The effects of literacy parent training via telecommunication on children's self-perception
No full textThis study looks at the reading self-perception and the reading attitude of school-age children with reading disorders while they received reading feedback from a caregiver during a shared reading activity. The purpose of this research was to see if receiving reading support from caregivers could improve how children feel about themselves as readers as well as their attitude towards reading. A reading self-perception and reading attitude survey was developed that the children took during every baseline and intervention session. The caregivers were taught three reading strategies, and the caregivers and children read together for 20 minutes. The results showed that children’s reading self-perception and reading attitude did not change when they were receiving reading support from caregivers which suggests that reading intervention should incorporate self-perception to help these children with reading disorders feel better about themselves as readers
This Is the Last Time We're Going to Be Strangers
No full textWhat makes a stranger a stranger? How long does a stranger remain a stranger? What does it mean to be known? Sloane Delfino is fascinated with strangers, and all of the questions they inspire, but strangers are the only people she has. Growing up with a father in the FBI who taught her to profile along with her ABCs, Sloane can read everyone and anyone with ease. But ever since she lost her dad, no one has ever been able to see her with the depth that she sees the world around her. The story follows nine crucial months in Sloane's coming-of-age - shut off from her past, unsure of her future, yet finally able to thrive in the present. In this novella, titled, This Is the Last Time We're Going to Be Strangers, Sloane's journey attests that we can never truly know the world around us until we examine it from perspectives other than our own, and sparks the question of what it means to be truly known by those with whom we experience this life
A Sociological Examination of Sterilization Abuse and Social Inequality in the United States
No full textThis research delves into the sociological dimensions of sterilization abuse in the United States, aiming to address a gap in previous literature that predominantly approaches this subject from a historical perspective. Furthermore, this thesis focuses on five landmark sterilization court cases whereas prior studies often focus on a singular court case, so this paper provides cross comparison over multiple decades. The methodology employed involves content analysis through coding legal complaints, justice decisions, and other court documents to identify recurring themes and patterns. Undertaking this approach uncovered significant insights into the influence of power dynamics in the realms of consent, family structures, and perceptions of mental and physical capacity inherent in cases of coerced sterilization. The analysis highlights how sterilization and court outcomes manifest differently depending on social elements of the plaintiffs involved such as race, gender, and class. Specifically, marginalized populations, including women and racial minorities, are disproportionately affected by compulsory sterilizations, facing systemic barriers to reproductive liberties. In conclusion, my research contributes to a deeper understanding on the impact of the intersectionality of social inequalities and sterilization abuse in the realm of reproductive rights