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THE RISE OF WAVETABLE SYNTHESIS IN COMMERCIAL MUSIC AND ITS CREATIVE APPLICATIONS
Get PDFWavetable synthesis is a powerful tool for music creation that helps composers and producers develop their own unique sounds. Though wavetable synthesis has been utilized in music since the early 1980s, advancements in computer technologies in the 2000s and the subsequent releases of software synthesizers in the late 2000s and early 2010s has led to the increased presence of wavetable synthesis in commercial music. This thesis chronicles a historical overview of the use of wavetable synthesis in commercial music and demonstrates the accessibility and power that wavetable synthesis delivers in music creation. The demonstration portion of this thesis features two original compositions in the style of electronic dance music (EDM) that prominently incorporate original wavetable instruments created from recordings of two motorized vehicles, as well as an overview of the processes of their creation
Influence of perlite/biosolid composition on growth and uptake of Cd and Mn by radish (Raphanus sativus L.) under greenhouse conditions
No full textThe efects of diferent perlite/biosolid compositions upon the uptake of Cd and Mn, and the growth of radish plants (Raphanus sativus L) was investigated by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-OES and ICP-MS). Mn and Cd were added in soluble forms to perlite/biosolid compositions. Notably, Mn concentrations in diferent plant parts were found to increase with increase in biosolid compositions, in the order [Mn]leaves\u3e [Mn]shoot\u3e [Mn]roots. This is plausible for Mn, in conformity with the essential role Mn plays during photosynthesis, in metabolic processes, and oxidation–reduction processes in cells. Results indicate that Mn concentrations in plant parts increased up to ~ 50% (wt/wt) perlite/biosolid application rates. In contrast the Cd uptake concentrations in plant parts decreased in the order [Cd]roots\u3e [Cd]shoots\u3e [Cd]leaf. Thus, toxic Cd tends to be sequestered in the roots vis-à-vis Mn that is translocated to the leaves. These results suggest that radish plants sequester Cd in the roots. Biosolids therefore play an important role in sequestering and binding of Cd. The observed concomitant increase in biomass yields implicates the rich contribution of N and P from biosolids. The results from the greenhouse experiments lead to the conclusion on the role played by the biosolids in cleanup and remediations for Cd and Mn, which increased in plant parts with composted wastewater sludge—compositions
In-class Multitasking among College Students
Get PDFThe use of mobile devices in class has become a common scene on the college campus. The negative effects of in-class multitasking behaviors have been identified in many educational settings, including colleges. This study investigates the factors that drive college students to multitask and seeks to understand the relationship between learning engagement and multitasking behaviors in the classroom. This study also explores whether polychronic traits relate to multitasking behavior.
A total of 282 survey samples were collected from college students in Taiwan. The results confirmed our hypotheses: (1) Students’ multitasking motivation, including social and emotional needs, positively relates to their in-class multitasking. (2) Polychronic traits positively relate to in-class multitasking. (3) Learning engagement negatively relates to in-class multitasking behavior. (4) Polychronic traits negatively relate to learning engagement. (5) Low course difficulty level relates to more frequent in-class multitasking behaviors. The implications of the study are also discussed
A Quieter Ocean: Experimentally Derived Differences in Attentive Responses of Tursiops truncatus to Anthropogenic Noise Playbacks before and during the COVID-19-Related Anthropause
Get PDFThe effects of anthropogenic noise continue to threaten marine fauna, yet the impacts of human-produced sound on the broad aspects of cognition in marine mammals remain relatively understudied. The shutdown of non-essential activities due to the COVID-19-related anthropause created an opportunity to determine if reducing levels of oceanic anthropogenic noise on cetaceans affected processes of sensitization and habituation for common human-made sounds in an experimental setting. Dolphins at Dolphin Quest Bermuda were presented with three noises related to human activities (cruise ship, personal watercraft, and Navy low-frequency active sonar) both in 2018 and again during the anthropause in 2021 via an underwater speaker. We found that decreased anthropogenic noise levels altered dolphin responses to noise playbacks. The dolphins spent significantly more time looking towards the playback source, but less time producing burst pulse and echolocation bouts in 2021. The dolphins looked towards the cruise ship sound source significantly more in 2021 than 2018. These data highlight that different sounds may incur different habituation and sensitization profiles and suggest that pauses in anthropogenic noise production may affect future responses to noise stimuli as dolphins dishabituate to sounds over time
Discussing race, via books, in mainly White preschools
No full textThis mixed-methods study investigated how two White preschool teachers, who were familiar with anti-bias pedagogy but had low training on anti-racist teaching strategies, discussed race and racism, using books, in two predominantly White classrooms. Teachers were observed in two classrooms, during book discussions with children, and teachers’ racial attitudes were assessed via two survey measures. The book discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed. Teachers discussed skin, hair, and eye color, and avoided naming “race” or “racism.” Teachers placed racial discrimination on the same footing as other physical differences, decreasing the significance of racism and racial discrimination. There was silence surrounding race, both from the White teachers and primarily White children. The teachers focused on encouraging children to accept all differences and minimized the salience of race, racism, and racial discrimination. Despite reporting race-conscious attitudes on the survey measures, the teachers struggled to discuss race and racism with young children in the actual classrooms. Implications are discussed for teacher professional development
The Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Facial Expression Approach/Avoidance in College Students and Faculty with Broad Autism Phenotype
Get PDFTranscranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has been proposed as an alternative noninvasive therapy for individuals with autism. This study trained brain activity in college students and / or faculty with Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP) while eye tracking data was collected. The purpose of this study was to determine if tDCS training to the frontal lobes could increase approach toward social interactions in adults classified as BAP as demonstrated by eye-tracking measures in response to faces and gaze fixation. The study included 21 total participants recruited from the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) courses / professions at a Regional East Texas University. Participants were classified as BAP+ based on their scores on the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ). Findings revealed statistically significant differences in the participant revisit gaze and a trend in reduction of fixations and in fixation duration increase after tDCS stimulation. Additionally, this study found a moderate correlation between BAPQ scores and revisit revistors and suggested the closer the family member of the BAP+ participant, the higher the BAP score. The results of the current study support the integration of eye tracking to provide early identification and intervention and propagate the importance of clinicians’ and researchers’ focus on the factors that modulate eye tracking measures to reduce symptomology of ASD and BAP as well as other conditions with overlapping brain regions
Molecular Detection and Characterization of Rickettsia sp. in Hard Ticks Collected in Nacogdoches, Texas
Get PDFThe number of cases of tick-borne diseases is increasing in the United States. Many efforts to control ticks have been made and are continuously being developed. These methods include surveillance of ticks and detection of the tick-borne pathogens.This study examined hard ticks in Nacogdoches, Texas, to test for the presence of Rickettsia sp. 47 ticks were collected from vegetation by flagging and their species, sex, and developmental stage were determined using available keys. Individual ticks were processed for nucleic acid extraction and molecular detection of Rickettsia sp. using PCR-based methods. The citrate cynthease gene, 17kDa gene, and outer membrane protein A gene were used as genetic markers. All 47 ticks were tested with these markers and out of 13 Amblyomma americanum ticks 4 were positive, 9 Dermacentor variabillis ticks 1 was positive, 6 Amblyomma maculatum ticks 4 were positive, and out of 19 Ixodes scapularis ticks 12 were positive
Maladjustment Among Victims of Bullying
Get PDFBullying has garnered attention from educators, social scientists, and the public at large for nearly 50 years, but the dilemma persists. We have seen that bullying is a high-risk factor for psychological adjustment across the lifespan. The current study has surveyed college students to ascertain their perceptions of adjustment in adult life. The study has added to the existing literature in addressing the role of reduced perceived control in the maladjustment of bully victims. A novel contribution was made by comparing the strength of this potential mediator to another documented correlate of poor adjustment among bullying victims, thwarted belonging
TOWNIES: MATRIARCHS AND MAYHEM
No full textThis thesis is a collection of eleven short fiction stories written in a combination of genres including speculative, young adult, Southern gothic, and horror. It explores the experiences of Iranian diaspora and young women in rural communities such as East Texas. All the pieces in this collection are set in a fictionalized East Texas town named Pogue Woods to set stories in a unique and centralized location and explore the variety of people who live in these communities. Although the stories work to bring to life realistic people from the East Texas communities, the circumstances of the stories follow the speculative fiction process of exploring how normal people react to abnormal situations. Some of the authorial influences for my collection are Iranian writers such as Marjane Satrapi and Ottessa Moshfegh. Young adult and speculative authorial influences include writers Maggie Stiefvater, Kelly Link, and Quan Barry
Graduate Student Instructors Coping Strategies and Concurrent Impact on Learning, Teaching, and Research
Get PDFAcculturation stress is ubiquitous among international students. There is a preponderance of the use of social support in dealing with stressors by international students. This paper investigates Ghanaian graduate student instructors’ (GGSIs) coping strategies for mitigating stress in learning, teaching, and research. Primary data collection was in-depth semi-structured interviews. Focus group discussions served as complementary data. Seven participants were purposefully selected using a criterion-based selection from a midwestern U.S. public university. Thematic analysis yielded substantial results. The results show that GGSIs use social support for learning, not teaching or research. Preferable strategies for teaching are professional work ethics and setting classroom rules. In research, GGSIs prefer faculty and peer collaborations. This paper informs graduate students, primarily African international students, about other applicable ways of dealing with acculturative stress and fostering graduate proficiency. Additionally, it offers academic advisors strategies for advising international students. The paper also offers recommendations for new and current GGSIs