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The Design and Creation of the Texas Christian University Impedance Tube
No full textThe two-microphone impedance tube test method is a well-established and widely used technique for determining the acoustic absorption coefficient of materials. This method uses two closely spaced microphones to simultaneously measure the incident and reflected sound waves. A two-microphone impedance tube measurement system made of 6061-T6 Aluminum with a diameter of 3 inches, a 0.5 inch wall thickness, and microphones spaced 2.7 inches apart has been constructed for undergraduate research at Texas Christian University (TCU). These geometrical values suggest a usable frequency range of 50 Hz to 2637.77 Hz as referenced in ASTM Standard E1050-19. Validation of the system was achieved by taking measurements on Owen Corning Type 705 pressed fiberglass board with a 1-inch thickness and comparing them to absorption data provided by the manufacturer. Additional validation measurements were taken without a test sample in place. All validation tests suggest that the TCU impedance tube is an accurate measurement system
Dataset: Small Towns Limit Dispersal and Reduce Genetic Diversity in Populations of Texas Horned Lizards
No full textThese are data files for the article "Small Towns Limit Dispersal and Reduce Genetic Diversity in Populations of Texas Horned Lizards", Ashley E. Wall 1, Daniella Biffi 1,2, Alexis Ackel 1, Raymond W. Moody 3, Tom K. Stevens 1, and Dean A. Williams 1*
1 Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, 76129, USA
2 Andrews Institute of Mathematics & Science Education, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, 76129, USA
3 USAF 72nd ABW/CE, Environmental Compliance Natural Resources, Tinker AFB, OK 73145, USA
* corresponding author [email protected]
Harmonizing Strings: Exploring Virtuosity and Expressivity in a Fusion of Violin and Cello Duos
No full textThe art of chamber music focuses on the collaboration and connection between a small group of musicians. It is my belief that every musician craves intimacy and connection, whether it?s from their audience, or from a fellow artist. Chamber music is arguably one of the most serious kinds of music because of the intimate connections formed by its very function - to connect through music. In fact, it is my belief that the smaller the chamber group the more intimate the connection has to be in order to create a convincing performance. This paper is written in relation to a joint Honors Recital performed by a colleague and I. In my portion of the project, I will begin by providing a brief history of chamber music and duets, and then discuss my collaboration experience with Emily Torkelson, a friend and cellist. I will lastly provide the program notes written for the program and discuss the history of musical elements of the pieces programed. Throughout the paper I will analyze the roles of both the violin and the cello since each composer utilizes the voices of the violin and cello differently, carefully considering the melodic roles, textual variety, dialogue and interaction, balance and blend, expressive techniques, and partnerships of both instruments
What Leads Authoritarian Regimes to Promote Women's Rights?
No full textThis research explores the causes and processes that impact the offering of women's rights in authoritarian regimes. These relationships have been explored in previous literature that examined either the broad causation for this dynamic or specific cases of demographics in certain countries. This research uses a mixed-methods approach to observe what factors contribute to this diversion from the norm, through logistical regression and two case studies: Hungary and Taiwan. While the statistical methodology was found to be insignificant, the case studies illuminate potential factors and causes for women's rights that are afforded in countries we might not expect. Along with the exploration of unique cases, this research also presents a framework for understanding why different kinds of rights may divert expectations in various countries. Ultimately, the research reveals that while each case is unique, certain factors relating to the regime itself, global norms, and other components may cause women's rights to be better protected than average human rights in authoritarian regimes
HOW CAN THE KPICD IMPROVE ITS TRAUMA-INFORMED CAMP FOR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES - HOPE CONNECTION 2.0?
No full textThis research investigates the effectiveness of Hope Connection 2.0, a revised version of the therapeutic summer camp developed by the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) at Texas Christian University (TCU). Focused on Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), the camp aims to address the needs of adoptive children and their families. Through a self-report survey administered to participating caregivers, the study evaluates lasting behavioral and relational developments in the family following their camp experience. The research question explores whether Hope Connection 2.0 optimally benefits families and how it can be enhanced. Objectives include identifying the most beneficial aspects of the camp, suggesting design improvements, and assessing the reception and retention of TBRI teachings by caregivers and children. The findings aim to inform future iterations of the camp, facilitating continuous improvement and adaptation to better serve participants
Assessing Sustainability In Texas Higher Education Institutions
No full textHigher education institutions (HEIs) globally face a critical challenge in sustainability, with a widespread misconception about its definition and implementation despite over 35 years of well-established guidelines. Implementing sustainable practices on campuses not only reduces environmental impact but also equips students with essential skills. It fosters community engagement and positions institutions as leaders in promoting a sustainable future, emphasizing the pivotal role of educational institutions in instilling sustainability values in students. Yet, less is known about the extent to which Texas HEIs are implementing sustainable initiatives. The purpose of this study is to assess the status of sustainability implementation in Texas HEIs. This study used a modified Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire, derived from the Taillores Declaration. Through a comprehensive analysis of 31 HEIs, we compared sustainability practices among different institution types (4-year private, 4-year public, and 2-year public) and assessed the current state of sustainability. While no statistically significant differences were found between 4-year public and private institutions, 2-year institutions lag behind due to funding and demand constraints, presenting a complex challenge for sustainability implementation. Furthermore, all Texas institutions have room to enhance sustainability efforts beyond operational aspects and promote environmental stewardship across all dimensions. There is a pressing need for broader incentives, such as endorsing initiatives like the Talloires Declaration to encourage universities to allocate resources towards sustainability initiatives
The Power of Adipose Stem Cells For Knee Meniscus Tears: A Prospective Study on the Effectiveness of Microfat Injections for Knee Meniscus Tears
No full textResearch Question: The primary question that our study aims to answer is whether adipose-derived stem cell injections improve the pain and overall functionality as determined by VAS and WOMAC survey scores for patients with image-proven meniscal tears over the course of one month, three months, six months, and 12 months after treatment.Background and Significance: Knee meniscal injuries are a very common pathology with an increasing incidence rate throughout the United States. Symptoms include pain, limited range of motion, swelling, and sensation of knee “locking” or “popping”. Meniscal tears also increase the risk for future osteoarthritis. Current guidelines for meniscal tears focus on nonoperative management for patients who are not active or do not want surgery and meniscal repair/removal with an emphasis on maximal meniscus preservation for active patients. In fact, partial and total meniscectomies have become a controversial option with some experts arguing that they should no longer be performed. Multiple studies have also displayed that meniscal repairs in general do not have a very high success rate. In light of this, a new option of adipose-derived stem cell injection has become a possibility for meniscal injury treatment. Our study was designed as a prospective survey study to determine whether adipose-derived stem cell injection decreases VAS and WOMAC scores for patients with image-proven meniscal tears over the course of one month, three months, six months, and 12 months after treatment.Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a prospective survey study by evaluating the patient’s knee condition at critical timepoints using VAS and WOMAC knees scores before adipose-derived stem cell treatment, one month after treatment, three months after treatment, six months after treatment, and 12 months after treatment. Patient criteria was based upon a patient presenting with a knee meniscus tear, confirmed by MRI, with minimal underlying osteoarthritis. The initial sample size was determined to be 25 but poor survey response, as well as our exclusion criteria, led to 22 total patients included in the study. The patients were asked to fill out a VAS and WOMAC prior to the treatment. Next, abdominal adipose stem cells were harvested under local anesthesia utilizing an adipose stem cell harvesting kit. After processing the tissue, the cells were then injected into the patients’ affected knee via ultrasound guidance. Patients were contacted directly at each timepoint of interest to fill out VAS and WOMAC surveys. After 12 months of data accumulation, a right tailed unpaired Welch's t-test was performed with significance as p = 0.05.Results: Our results showed a statistically significant decrease in patients’ VAS, WOMAC-determined pain, WOMAC-determined functional impairment, WOMAC-determined stiffness, and total WOMAC survey scores at one month, three months, six months, and 12 months after adipose-derived stem cell treatment as compared to their baseline values.Conclusion: Our data supports that adipose-derived stem cell treatment can be a viable option for knee meniscal tears. Further studies with larger sample sizes, longer follow-up, and control groups are required to establish this conclusion
A Perspective on the Milky Way Bulge Bar as Seen from the Neutron-capture Elements Cerium and Neodymium with APOGEE
No full textThis study probes the chemical abundances of the neutron-capture elements cerium and neodymium in the inner Milky Way from an analysis of a sample of similar to 2000 stars in the Galactic bulge bar spatially contained within divided by X-Gal divided by < 5 kpc, divided by Y-Gal divided by < 3.5 kpc, and divided by Z(Gal)divided by < 1 kpc, and spanning metallicities between -2.0 less than or similar to [Fe/H] less than or similar to +0.5. We classify the sample stars into low- or high-[Mg/Fe] populations and find that, in general, values of [Ce/Fe] and [Nd/Fe] increase as the metallicity decreases for the low- and high-[Mg/Fe] populations. Ce abundances show a more complex variation across the metallicity range of our bulge-bar sample when compared to Nd, with the r-process dominating the production of neutron-capture elements in the high-[Mg/Fe] population ([Ce/Nd] < 0.0). We find a spatial chemical dependence of Ce and Nd abundances for our sample of bulge-bar stars, with low- and high-[Mg/Fe] populations displaying a distinct abundance distribution. In the region close to the center of the MW, the low-[Mg/Fe] population is dominated by stars with low [Ce/Fe], [Ce/Mg], [Nd/Mg], [Nd/Fe], and [Ce/Nd] ratios. The low [Ce/Nd] ratio indicates a significant contribution in this central region from r-process yields for the low-[Mg/Fe] population. The chemical pattern of the most metal-poor stars in our sample suggests an early chemical enrichment of the bulge dominated by yields from core-collapse supernovae and r-process astrophysical sites, such as magnetorotational supernovae
Muscle Activity While Viewing a Mirror Illusion and During Motor Imagery
No full textBackground: The mirror illusion is a form of action observation that utilizes the mirror neuron system, contralateral muscle activation, and cross-education. The mirror illusion and motor imagery have been used as a rehabilitation tool in individuals facing unilateral damage. Surface electromyography (EMG) activity can be tracked to see how muscle activity is impacted by the mirror illusion and motor imagery. Purpose: To investigate the impact the mirror illusion and motor imagery have on muscle activity during a fatiguing handgrip protocol. Methods: 20 healthy, habitually active individuals (10 F, 10 M) were recruited for this study. Participants completed three sets of five-second maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) in a mirror, no-mirror, and motor imagery condition to establish a foundation for their typical muscle activity during a forceful contraction. They then completed a fatiguing MVC protocol consisting of one thirty-second MVC for both the mirror and no-mirror condition to provide EMG data for the results. Results: With an alpha level of 0.05, this study yielded multiple significant results, with the most notable being 1) the muscle activity had no significant difference between the mirror and no-mirror condition, 2) associated EMG activity increased over the course of the thirty-second contraction while ipsilateral EMG activity decreased, and 3) there was a muscle specificity for the MVCs. There were no significant findings involving motor imagery as it relates to muscle activity. Discussion: These findings provide hope for individuals facing unilateral damage, and this study can be replicated by researchers with a participant pool that reflects this criterion
Spatiotemporal dynamics of cortical somatosensory network in typically developing children
No full textSense of touch is essential for our interactions with external objects and fine control of hand actions. Despite extensive research on human somatosensory processing, it is still elusive how involved brain regions interact as a dynamic network in processing tactile information. Few studies probed temporal dynamics of somatosensory information flow and reported inconsistent results. Here, we examined cortical somatosensory processing through magnetic source imaging and cortico-cortical coupling dynamics. We recorded magnetoencephalography signals from typically developing children during unilateral pneumatic stimulation. Neural activities underlying somatosensory evoked fields were mapped with dynamic statistical parametric mapping, assessed with spatiotemporal activation analysis, and modeled by Granger causality. Unilateral pneumatic stimulation evoked prominent and consistent activations in the contralateral primary and secondary somatosensory areas but weaker and less consistent activations in the ipsilateral primary and secondary somatosensory areas. Activations in the contralateral primary motor cortex and supramarginal gyrus were also consistently observed. Spatiotemporal activation and Granger causality analysis revealed initial serial information flow from contralateral primary to supramarginal gyrus, contralateral primary motor cortex, and contralateral secondary and later dynamic and parallel information flows between the consistently activated contralateral cortical areas. Our study reveals the spatiotemporal dynamics of cortical somatosensory processing in the normal developing brain