TCU Digital Repository (Texas Christian Univ.)
Not a member yet
54550 research outputs found
Sort by
Modifying Potential Alzheimer's Therapeutics to Measure Changes in their Pharmacological Properties
No full textPyridinophane molecules have recently been shown to have both antioxidant and pharmacological properties suitable for therapeutic applications targeting neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. One pyridinophane in particular (P1) demonstrated remarkable antioxidant ability as both a radical scavenger and metal chelator. While the reactivity of previously synthesized parent was satisfactory, its permeability across the blood-brain barrier was poor. Thus, the Green Group synthesized derivatives of this parent molecule, substituting moieties onto various attachment points on the molecule. These substitutions are designed to enhance the permeability of the parent molecule in the hopes of producing a molecule that is suitable for pharmacological testing in animal models. To establish a principle between substitution and the change in pharmacological properties, we have substituted an indole, a hydrophobic moiety and established antioxidant in our lab, in varying locations on the parent (L1, L2). The results presented here will detail evaluation of the substitution of an indole in varying location and its impact on the molecules pharmacological permeability through a series of measurements, including intestinal absorptivity, metabolic stability in a liver microsome, and blood-brain barrier permeability
Ability of diet to induce heritable epigenetic modifications associated with Alzheimer’s disease
No full textAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is the most common cause of dementia, for which there is currently no cure. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a candidate prevention strategy because it has been shown to reduce risk of AD development/mortality. In comparison, a typical American diet (TAD) has been shown to increase risk of AD development. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. One largely unexplored mechanism of dietary-induced AD prevalence is epigenetic modification to genes associated with AD. Therefore, this study aims to determine whether dietary influences can induce epigenetic modifications, and subsequently modify expression of genes associated with AD. To do this, DNA was extracted from hippocampal tissue of mice on either a MD or TAD, as well as their offspring who were consuming a control diet. The offspring were included to determine if differential methylation patterns are heritable, thereby implicating transgenerational effects and predisposition to AD development or protection. An epigenetic array was used to identify loci that were differentially methylated between diets, and qPCR was used to determine if differential methylation resulted in significant differences in gene expression. No loci were found to be significantly differentially methylated (p-val<0.0001) with an effect size of 10% or more, nor differentially expressed upon qPCR analysis
Orthocardic leadership – pastoral leadership inspired by desert spirituality
No full textThe leadership problem in the United Methodist Church is often treated with adding more to support clergy. This project argues such treatment only adds to the leadership problem and a new treatment must be applied. The treatment argued for in this project is a rediscovery of a leadership model inspired by the desert mothers and fathers of late antiquity. This project calls this leadership model Orthocardic Leadership. Orthocardic leadership is put in contrast with three other clergy leadership models: evangelist, servant leader, and CEO. By using structured focus group settings, this project begins the process of pruning away unhelpful leadership models while also outlining what Orthocardic leadership might look like today
An exploration of factors affecting teacher attrition during & following the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textTeacher attrition is one of the most difficult challenges facing districts, schools, and leaders. The COVID-19 global pandemic forever altered the educational landscape by injecting a sense of uncertainty and accelerating the level of strain on the teaching workforce. This study was designed as an exploratory study, utilizing survey methods to describe, understand, and interpret teacher-reported factors related to teacher attrition. The perspectives and reported experiences of K-12 public-school teachers who worked during the COVID-19 global pandemic were examined. Results from this study indicated that teachers benefit from reduced stress and desirable working conditions, balance between job resources and job demands, increased autonomy, and additional support from leaders. Study recommendations are directed at policymakers and district and campus leaders, with considerations for future research centered around understanding the intricacies of teacher burnout and building teacher retention plans
Do employers' equality certifications improve equality outcomes? An assessment of the United Kingdom's Two Ticks and Disability Confident schemes
No full textThis article contributes to debates on equality, diversity and inclusion by exploring the efficacy of employers' equality certifications, focusing on the UK government's Two Ticks and Disability Confident certifications. In Study 1, using data on Two Ticks certification matched into the nationally representative Workplace Employment Relations Study 2011, we found the adoption of disability equality policies and practices, the prevalence of disabled people in the workforce and disabled people's experience of work were no better in Two Ticks than in non-Two Ticks workplaces. In Study 2, using Department for Work and Pensions data on Disability Confident certification matched into WorkL 2021-2023 data (the world's largest employee experience database), we found that the proportion of the workforce that is disabled is no higher in Disability Confident Level 1 'Committed' organisations and Level 3 'Leader' organisations than in non-Disability Confident organisations. While the proportion of the workforce that is disabled is higher in Disability Confident Level 2 'Employer' organisations than in non-Disability Confident organisations, just 22 per cent of Disability Confident organisations are at this level. Disabled people's experience of work was no better in Disability Confident than in non-Disability Confident organisations. Our findings therefore question the efficacy of these employers' equality certifications
Effectiveness of the Evans Index in Differentiating Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus and Alzheimer¿s Disease
No full textResearch Question: In people with a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) who had a lumbar puncture or ventriculoperitoneal shunt that yielded resolution of symptoms, is the Evans index an appropriate imaging tool for diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus when trained radiologists evaluate the MRI imaging? Secondly, is the Evans index useful to differentiate NPH from Alzheimer¿s disease and normal, healthy controls?Background and Significance: Timely diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases like Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) and Alzheimer¿s disease (AD) is imperative to treatment. Differentiation of these diseases is difficult as both are characterized by insidious progression of cognitive and ambulatory impairment with ventriculomegaly on brain imaging. The Evans Index (EI) has excellent intra- and inter-observer reliability as a measure of ventriculomegaly in diagnosing NPH. We intend to reinforce the existing body of research demonstrating EI¿s value in distinguishing NPH from AD.Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective data analysis of MR imaging at a large community hospital in Fort Worth, TX. Reports containing ¿Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus¿ or ¿Alzheimer¿s Disease¿ were reviewed and patients with a clinical diagnosis of NPH or AD were included. A total of 18 NPH cases, 23 Alzheimer¿s cases, and 23 controls with normal MRI reports were included. Cases were deidentified, randomized, and EI was measured by three blinded neuroradiologists. Friedman¿s Two-way Nonparametric ANOVA was used to analyze group EI values and inter-rater reliability.Results: There were significant differences in EI between the NPH group and the combined AD and Normal group (p value < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between the radiologists¿ measurements (p value = 0.67).Conclusion: Our results confirmed EI reliably differentiates NPH versus AD and the inter-rater reliability is sufficient for clinical use to support early intervention. A limitation of this study is that gold standards for diagnosing NPH and AD are based on subjective clinical factors. Future study could use general radiologists who might demonstrate less inter-rater reliability
The Usability of Virtual Reality as a Complimentary Pain Management Therapy in a Pediatric Population Undergoing Urodynamic Testing: A PILOT Study
No full textResearch Question: The research question we are posing is, ¿In pediatric patients undergoing urodynamic testing, is the use of virtual reality feasible as a complementary pain management therapy in comparison to standard care?Background and Significance: Urodynamics testing is an invasive procedure commonly used to assess the function of the lower urinary tract and bladder. The testing requires urethral and rectal catherization, and often needle electrodes for sphincter EMG. Patients are typically kept awake and receive local anesthetic gel. As a result, children receiving this type of evaluation often undergo physical and emotional discomfort. There is emerging evidence that virtual reality (VR) therapy offers an alternative noninvasive approach to reduce procedural pain and anxiety in patients. However, less is known about the use of this technology in the field of pediatric urology, specifically related to urodynamic testing.Materials and Methods: Children aged 5 to 18 years old undergoing urodynamic testing were recruited through a quota sampling approach. VR software designed by KindVR (Alameda, California) allowed the patient to immerse in an underwater world with minimum simulator side effects. There are two phases of the research: baseline (VR education and implementation during the imaging portion of the urodynamic test) and follow-up (VR utilized and tested during the entire urodynamic procedure). Acceptability and feasibility were determined by two questionnaires. Pain, anxiety, and fear were measured pre and post-urodynamic procedures using the VAS Pain scale, Anxiety Thermometer Scale, and Children¿s Fear Scale. Satisfaction surveys were completed by the subject and clinical staff post-procedure.Results: A total of twelve patients were eligible to be enrolled for phase 1. One patient of 5 years of age opted out of the VR due to high levels of anxiety. 80% of the participants ¿completely agree¿ that the implementation of VR made them feel better about their procedure and a majority reported that they will play VR again when in pain. There was no significant safety, technical, or equipment issues. There was minimal disruption to exam workflow and the implementation of VR was well received from the clinician survey (n=26). 80.7% of clinicians agree that VR helped the patient to cooperate during the medical procedure and 100% would use virtual reality again to distract children.Conclusion: Preliminary data showing positive patient and clinical staff satisfaction suggests VR may be beneficial as a complimentary modality in pediatric urodynamic testing. Continued enrollment and data collection through Cycle #2 will further inform the usability of VR in a spine position and throughout the entire urodynamic procedure and exam
Performance editions of Air Vaudois pour Flûte et Piano, Op. 108 and Andante et Allegro pour Flûte et Piano, Op. 133 by Mélanie Bonis
No full textMélanie Bonis was born into a Catholic petit bourgeois family in Paris in 1858. Although her parents were not extremely supportive of her studying music, they did allow her to her pursue piano performance and composition, eventually agreeing to enroll her at the Paris Conservatoire when she was 18. It was during her time at the Conservatoire that she began to use the name “Mel” when signing her works. Her oeuvre, mostly unpublished, was all but forgotten until the late 1990’s. Bonis’ flute and piano works are beginning to be recognized, with the recent upsurge in performances of her Flute Sonata, Op. 64.
Bonis’ short flute and piano compositions are worthwhile in linking Romanticism and Impressionism, filling a void in flute repertoire with respect to both their difficulty level and length. Works written by women are also lacking. Her short flute and piano works contain both lyrical and technical elements, and are comparable to character pieces. Each of these short pieces can be performed in approximately two to six minutes.
Performance editions of Air Vaudois and Andante et Allegro were created through the use of theoretical analysis. Edits were made in the areas of: layout, clarification, tempo, dynamics, and phrasing. Annotations indicating the edits made to the works are included. Theoretical analyses used in creating the performance editions include: themes and thematic material, general form and sectional divisions, key and pitch centers, pitch centricity, linear analysis, consonance versus dissonance
Bicultural Overtones: College, Music Education, and Mental Health Experiences of Second-Generation Chinese-Americans
No full textThis thesis explores the experiences of second-generation, Chinese-American young adults navigating through the context of their childhood experiences and young adult perspectives negotiating biculturalism, success, belonging, and mental health in the domain of music education. Music performance is a culturally-revealing and intersectional space where Chinese-American values and norms are manifested, institutionalized, and thrown into relief. My research methodology is qualitative, shaped by auto-ethnography and derived from semi-structured, open-ended interviews of second-generation Chinese-American young adults and music educators. The central findings that emerged from this study include: the pursuit of a college education a key bicultural norm in the experiences of second-generation Chinese-Americans; Chinese-American immigrants have created a biculturally informed structure of collegiate educational attainment; music education is a valued Chinese-American space used to actualize success for both children and parents; while the paths to musical and educational attainment provide effective avenues for attainment, they also engender risks to mental health. These voices and lived-experiences of the informants have been threaded together to form a body of research that contributes to the lack of academic literature on this ethnic niche
Multimodal discursive teaching practices in a studio-based designed chemistry summer program
No full textThis study investigates the instructional practices of a chemistry professor during an immersion summer program, with a focus on employing multimodal discourse within a studio-based learning environment. For this study, multimodal discourse includes natural language, gestures, mathematical expressions, symbolic visual representations, and manual technical operations. Studio-based design combines the lecture and laboratory in space and time. By integrating multimodal discursive practices, the aim is to enhance student engagement and facilitate meaningful interactions between students and instructors. Utilizing a case study methodology, the research demonstrates the effectiveness of the studio-based design in promoting active learning and supporting professors' teaching strategies. The findings highlight the versatility of the studio-based approach in fostering multimodal discourses, contributing to a more dynamic and interactive educational experience for students