5063 research outputs found
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BookTok: the cultural phenomenon introducing a stagnated industry to a new generation
Get PDFBookTok, a creator-driven subset of TikTok that promotes and discusses books, gained popularity in 2020. Its emergence has significantly altered the book industry, allowing once-unknown authors to transform into bestselling novelists with the click of a button. Modern romance, fantasy, and young adult novels are typically favored on BookTok. These novels are vastly different from the books in the traditional literary canon, challenging conventional ideals regarding what types of literature could be considered canonical. Additionally, BookTok is primarily driven by younger users, allowing many teenagers and young adults to rediscover the joy found through reading and writing. This research project focuses on a question regarding BookTok’s relationship to traditional literature: “BookTok: Is the social media phenomenon opening the notably gatekept literary canon to a new generation of authors and connoisseurs, or is it creating a new canon entirely?” Through examining evidence from an IRB-approved study distributed to more than 300 avid readers, perusing scholarly research, and conducting an in-depth literature examination of canonical and modern-day novels, we determined the extent to which BookTok has changed the literary industry. This project discovered that (1) reading habits are shifting among teenagers and young adults, (2) BookTok is offering new book marketing tactics, (3) canonical novels are different from the novels popular on BookTok, and (4) BookTok is a viable (but unpredictable) marketing method
Elucidation of the overexpression of Taf2 in eukaryotic cells
Get PDFThrough several studies, Taf2 has been found to be upregulated in various cancer cells. However, the mechanism through which this increased expression of Taf2 occurs remains unknown. As evolutionarily conserved ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) maintains protein homeostasis for normal cellular function, we hypothesized that stability of Taf2 may be regulated by this UPS and this UPS may be dysregulated in cancer cells causing overexpression of Taf2. To test our hypothesis, we assessed the role of the UPS in the regulation of the stability of Taf2 by 26S proteasome-mediated degradation. To do so, we performed molecular experiments mainly through two steps: 1st step includes the analysis of the ubiquitination status of Taf2, and 2nd step includes the analysis to determine if Taf2 is regulated by the 26S proteasome. Similarly to UPS, Taf2 is evolutionarily conserved and found in both yeast and humans as we conducted these experiments in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). To perform the 1st step, we conducted molecular cloning to introduce the pUB221 plasmid, expressing the hexahistidine-tagged ubiquitin under the CUP1 promoter, into the yeast strain containing TAP-tagged Taf2. Next, using this strain, we performed Ni2+- NTA-based ubiquitination assay to see if Taf2 is regulated by ubiquitination or not. Notably, for the 1st time we found that Taf2 undergoes polyubiquitination. Generally, if a protein undergoes polyubiquitination, it is likely to be degraded by the 26S proteasome. To evaluate this possibility, we investigated the activity of the 26S proteasome in regulating Taf2 stability. Briefly, we performed MG132 based proteasomal inhibition assay (2nd step). MG132 inhibits the proteolytic function of the 26S proteasome and therefore, if Taf2 is regulated by the proteasome we would observe increased abundance of Taf2 following proteasomal inhibition by MG132. However, yeast cells contain the multidrug resistance gene, therefore, to perform the MG132 based proteasomal inhibition assay, we knocked out of the multidrug resistance gene, PDR5, in the yeast strain expressing TAP-tagged Taf2, and treat these cells with MG132. Importantly, we found that polyubiquitylated Taf2 is targeted for degradation by the 26S proteasome. Our results showed for the first time that Taf2 abundance is regulated by the UPS. In addition, our bioinformatics data suggest that protein overexpression, as opposed to mRNA overexpression, plays a role in several cancers implicating a mismanaged UPS system. Thus, our results reveal novel UPS regulation of Taf2 with potentials for future therapeutic intervention
Lucille excerpts
Get PDFThe thesis titled “Lucille Excerpts” by Graicen O’Neal Hixson contains two parts. The first is a ten-page craft paper analyzing worldbuilding within three novels: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, and Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer. The craft paper uses the book Wonderbook: The Illustrative Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction by Jeff VanderMeer to analyze how setting and character form worldbuilding within the three chosen novels. This thesis also contains approximately fifty pages of prose from Lucille, a dystopian novel about the titular character’s world-altering actions after the murder of her wife by their government. The multi-chapter excerpts from this novel are non-chronological with summaries of the plot between chapters
Promoting self-acceptance among LGBTQ+ individuals: Investigating the impact of religious, spiritual, and mystical experiences
No full textReligiosity, spirituality, and mysticism centered around inclusivity may possess the potential to promote self-discovery and acceptance among those who identify as LGBTQ+. For people within this community, the journey to self-acceptance may involve embracing one’s sexual orientation and personal identity, overcoming internalized stigma and hardships, and cultivating a healthy connection with oneself (Camp et al., 2020). Prior researchers have found LGBTQ+ individuals to have a conflicted relationship with differing religious ideals and spiritual beliefs (Barton, 2010; Kubicek et al., 2009). For some within this population, religion, spirituality, and mysticism may be sources of benefit, enabling a sense of strength and comfort. Some others, however, may harbor negative emotions towards religious and spiritual experiences due to former trauma, discrimination, victimization, and an array of other factors (Gibbs & Goldbach, 2015). The purpose of this study is to explore how religious, spiritual, and mystical experiences may impact self-acceptance among LGBTQ+ people. Eight adult participants identifying as LGBTQ+ with prior religious, spiritual, or mystical experiences were recruited for this study. Participants were required to complete an online demographic survey and participate in an in-person interview to understand their perspectives on religious, spiritual, and mystical experiences pertaining to self-acceptance of sexual orientation and personal identity. This exploratory study investigates whether spiritual and mystical experiences may contribute to improved levels of self-acceptance within LGBTQ+ identities and orientations. Additionally, the study examines if religions lacking inclusive practices are more likely to correlate with negative experiences for LGBTQ+ individuals. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The primary themes found include the following: outness vigilance, partial disclosure of identity, loss of community, importance of community, religious trauma, the impact of religious trauma, separation of LGBTQ+ identity from religious identity, desire for religious comfort, utility of spirituality and religion, individualized spirituality, mystical openness, personal resilience, and importance of supportive networks/environments
Solar panel damage identification using tensorflow lite
Get PDFThe number of utility-scale PV installations is rising, with a power capacity of 12.5 Gigawatts installed in 2021, 10.4 in 2022, and an estimated 24 Gigawatts installed in 2023 [1]. With larger-scale installations, quicker ways of identifying and locating damaged PV arrays are needed. The solution presented in this thesis is to use drones to capture aerial photos and TensorFlow-Lite and Keras deep learning methods to determine if a panel has defects, such as debris, cracked panels, and hotspots. The model features an execution time of 0.185 seconds per picture. In addition, the model will run on an embedded system with a relatively low impact on power consumption, minimizing the reduction of flight time. The Raspberry Pi has an approx. 0.1minute effect on flight time while idling and with the worst-case scenario of affecting flight time by approximately two minutes if left running for the entire flight
A study of aquatic sedimentation in Chattanooga, Tennessee, using GIS and remote sensing technology integrated with hydrodynamic and watershed models
Get PDFSuspended sediments can have benefits and drawbacks on aquatic ecosystems depending on the concentrations. The need to quantitatively monitor water bodies and watersheds is key to reduce excessive suspended concentrations. This study aims to integrate remote sensing technology with numerical watershed and hydrodynamic models and apply them on the Tennessee River and the surrounding tributaries to better assess the fate and transport of suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) there. The obtained results indicate that using Google Earth Engine (GEE), Landsat satellite can be used to estimate historical turbidity in the Tennessee River. Using field measurements and laboratory analyses the obtained satellite derived turbidity estimation can be converted to SSC, which can be incorporated with the HSPF (Hydrological Simulation Program – FORTRAN) hydrologic (watershed) model and CCHE2D Flow and Water Quality models to simulate the SSC in the Tennessee River
Executive Responses To Foreign Journalist Killings and Their Impact on Bilateral Foreign Relationships
Get PDFWithin the greater political science literature, there is a wealth of scholarship on American foreign policy, as well as the growing danger to press freedom and the implications of this expanding phenomenon. However, there appears to be a lack of exploration in the intersection of these two subfields. To begin to address this disparity within the literature, this research poses the following question: How does a president and their administration’s response to killings of journalists in foreign nations impact bilateral foreign relationships with these nations? Three cases of journalist killings have been selected, one for each of the three most recent presidential administrations. A mixed-method approach is applied to the three cases, and their respective policy responses from the presiding American executive at that time are compared. This comparative method has been chosen for its usefulness in evaluating each case and the respective variables. The hypothesis of this work is that there is an impact from executive responses to foreign journalist killings on bilateral foreign relationships. Findings cannot fully support this hypothesis, however, and the null hypothesis is retained. Further research may be able to confirm a relationship between the two variables and potentially examine the effects of lenient responses to journalist killings on bilateral foreign relationships, as is suggested from the evidence gathered in this analysis
The impact of a pandemic on education and mental health
Get PDFThe present study was exploratory in nature. The main goal was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education and mental health of students. A questionnaire was used to test whether college students felt their mental health needs were being met, whether they thought schools were safe, and whether their attitudes about online learning changed during the pandemic. Students indicated that they had mental health concerns that were not adequately addressed. They also express concerns about school safety and online learning. The data suggest that more needs to be done to address students’ mental health, to make students feel comfortable about school safety, and to assess the effectiveness of remote learning. Strong in-person counseling programs can be used to identify and meet student mental health needs. It is also recommended that student opinions about topics such as school safety and online learning be collected regularly so that student input informs decisions
Reentry roadblocks: investigating the unique reintegration challenges of rural offenders
Get PDFThe reintegration process for inmates entails multifaceted challenges, with rural offenders experiencing even more unique obstacles. Factors such as limited employment opportunities, housing options, reliable transportation and prevalent substance use issues are significant obstacles that rural ex-offenders must navigate during reintegration. These challenges are only multiplied given the geographical location where rural ex-offenders will reintegrate (Garland et al., 2011; Harley & Dunkley, 2018). Compared to their urban counterparts, rural ex-offenders may experience lower wages, little to no drug treatment programs, or the inability to reach mental health services within their rural setting (Chan et al., 2016; Mohatt et al., 2005). Despite these significant obstacles, research on rural populations has fallen short as most scholarship has focused exclusively on urban settings (Rao et al., 2021; Ruddell & Mays, 2007). This thesis aims to fill that gap by analyzing the influence of sex on substance use and reintegration factors in hopes of addressing the critical need to develop effective and tailored programs for the needs of rural inmate populations
Predicting hand grasping orientation for prosthetic hand control using multimodal sensor data (EEG, EMG, and IMU) with machine learning approach
Get PDFEnhancing the control of prosthetic hands is a crucial challenge that directly impacts the daily functionality of individuals with limb loss. Our research delves into advanced machine learning (ML) methodologies to accurately predict hand-grasping orientations, thereby improving the precision of prosthetic control. We present a comprehensive framework that amalgamates inputs from multiple sensors. This includes electroencephalography (EEG) to discern user intentions, electromyography (EMG) to evaluate muscle activity, and inertial measurement units (IMU) to track features of hand movement. By harmoniously integrating these varied data streams, our ML model strives to provide predictions of hand orientation that are more accurate and intuitive than those achievable with single-sensor systems. This innovative approach has the potential to significantly elevate prosthetic functionality and user experience, enabling more precise and effortless execution of grasping tasks. Integrating these sensors within a singular, cohesive ML framework allows for the dynamic assessment of various physical and neurological cues. This methodological synergy enhances the prosthetic’s adaptability to each user’s unique movement patterns and neural commands. Applying deep learning techniques, particularly through a combination of ML models, we proposed a new model called AutoMerNet. This model further enhances our system’s ability to learn from complex, multi-modal sensor data, continually improving its predictive capabilities over time. This research contributes to the technological advancement of prosthetic hands and opens avenues for personalized prosthetic adjustments based on individual physiological and biomechanical characteristics. The enhanced control provided by our ML model holds promise for significantly improving the quality of life for prosthetic users, facilitating more natural and effective interaction with their environment