Journal of Jazz Studies (JJS)
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Workforce Compensation Policies for Lead Teachers in State-Funded Preschool
No full textEach state in the US has different compensation parity policies for their early childhood education programs. Currently, public preschool teachers often have similar qualifications to K-3 teachers but earn significantly lower salaries. Compensation parity policies ensure that equivalent work and qualifications are compensated with equivalent pay and benefits. Using data collected by the National Institute of Early Education Research (NIEER), I organized and analyzed policy data from all state-funded preschool programs in the U.S., with a focus on state compensation parity policies for lead preschool teachers. Ultimately, my purpose was to understand state-funded preschool compensation parity for lead teachers in order to identify areas of improvement for the workforce within early education programs. I initially hypothesized that Pre-K programs that required pay parity did not cost states more per child than Pre-K programs that did not require pay parity. Literature from NIEER and other early education research institutions has shown that quality early education programs are critical in a child’s formative years and suggests that a more satisfied workforce yields more positive outcomes for children. Parity policies in state-funded Pre-K programs are not highly correlated to spending per child or program quality. Moreover, parity policies improve workforce well-being and should still be incorporated into state-funded Pre-K. Results show that there are only six programs across four states that require full salary parity for lead preschool teachers and no states require benefit parity for lead preschool teachers in both public and private settings. No clear pattern has emerged between compensation parity policies and state preschool spending or program quality
Cost-Effective Remote Operated Vehicle
No full textRemote operated vehicles (ROVs) are robotic submersibles controlled typically by a person at the surface of a water body. ROVs can be applied to surveillance, environmental, and data recording jobs or tasks. The vehicle design may be modified to remove or add additional capabilities depending upon the specific purpose of the ROV. In this paper, we explore using remote operated vehicles as a cheap and affordable water exploration platform. ROV’s high cost is a prohibitive barrier to entry, preventing widespread adoption of ROV for personal, research, and conservation uses. To address this problem, our paper explores a cost effective ROV with video capturing and directional control capabilities. Using state-of-the-art robotic technologies, a cost-effective competitive ROV is designed and constructed. This ROV was tested to a depth of 7 meters and has the potential to reach depths of up to 30 meters per its design
Vitamin D Receptor Binding with DNA in Duodenal Crypt, Duodenal Villi, and Colonic Epithelial Cells of Mice
No full textVitamin D receptor (VDR) is a transcription factor that mediates calcium absorption by intestinal epithelial cells. Although calcium absorption is canonically thought to occur only in the small intestine, recent studies have shown that VDR activity in the colon alone is sufficient to prevent calcium deficiency in mice. Here, we further investigate VDR activity in the colon. We assess VDR-DNA binding in mouse duodenal crypt, duodenal villi, and colonic epithelial cells using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq). We find that most VDR-responsive elements are common to all intestinal epithelial cells, though some VDR-responsive elements are regionally-enriched and exhibit greater VDR-binding affinity in either duodenal epithelial cells or colonic epithelial cells. We also assess chromatin accessibility in the same three cell types using Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq). By integrating the VDR ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq data, we find that regionally-enriched VDR-responsive elements exhibit greater chromatin accessibility in the region of their enrichment. Finally, we assess the transcription factor motifs present in VDR-responsive elements. We find that duodenum- and colon-enriched VDR-responsive elements exhibit different sets of transcription factor motifs other than VDR, suggesting that VDR may act together with different partner transcription factors in the two regions. Our work is the first investigation of VDR-DNA binding in the colon and provides a basis for further investigations of VDR activity in the colon
Investigating Mimetics of a Peptide Derived from the Effector Domain of MARCKS as Possible Therapeutics for Spinal Cord Injury
No full textLike other conditions affecting the central nervous system, spinal cord injury (SCI) is difficult to treat with molecular therapies because the blood-brain barrier makes intravenous treatments largely ineffective. For example, a synthetic peptide chain derived from the effector domain (ED) of myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) has been found to improve functional recovery after SCI in female mice; however, peptides do not always pass the blood-brain barrier and are easily degraded due to natural proteases and are excreted during kidney filtration. Therefore, the ED peptide cannot access the central nervous system to exhibit its effects if administered intravenously. Instead of injecting the ED peptide into the bloodstream, we propose to find compounds that can pass the blood-brain barrier in place of the ED peptide, improving treatment compatibility. To find such alternatives, we screened compound libraries via competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and identified five potential ED peptide mimetics—compounds that mimic the structure and function of the ED peptide. We then used another competitive ELISA to verify their structural similarity to the peptide. After performing toxicity tests to determine the appropriate concentrations of the mimetics to use in functional assays, we found that all five mimetics trigger a significant increase in neurite length in neurons from female mice, but not male mice, when compared to the vehicle control solution. Although more functional tests are necessary, these results suggest that these mimetics trigger ED peptide functions and may provide a more efficient treatment alternative for SCI
Control of Satellites with Onboard Robotic Manipulators
No full textFree-floating satellites with onboard robotic manipulators are subjected to widely varying loads resulting from the motion of the robotic manipula-tors. As there are no fixed supports in space, these loads will cause the satellite to move. By modelling the motion of the onboard robotic arms, determin-ing the necessary reaction loads (which must be sup-plied by the satellite to keep the arm fixed), and sim-ulating the resulting satellite dynamics, we designed a model of a satellite-arm system. We found that a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control scheme, with disturbance-estimating capabilities, was effective in maintaining satellite position and ori-entation during the operation of the onboard ro-botic manipulator. The MATLAB-based Simulink modeling environment was used to perform the sim-ulations of satellite dynamics and control
Particle Trajectories For Compton Scattering in One Space Dimension
No full textUsing a relativistic extension of Bohmian Me-chanics known as Multi-Time Wave Function formula-tion, we examine a two-body, one-dimensional sys-tem consisting of one photon and one electron that interact only upon contact. We investigate the effects that various parameters in this theory including mo-mentum of the incoming photon and mass of the electron have on the dynamics of the two interact-ing bodies with the goal of understanding conser-vation of momentum and energy in the system. We show that the core principles of Compton scattering remain when we use this alternative formulation of quantum mechanics. Although a complete relativ-istic theory of Bohmian mechanics has yet to be de-veloped, our work aims to make the ideas in this the-ory more accessible to a wider audience
Characterizing an Alternatively Spliced Variant of Chemokine Receptor 2 in Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
No full textPrior research efforts have demonstrated a link between neuroinflammation and the progression of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN), a chronic cascade of nerve damage that presents as tingling, numbness, hypersensitivity to touch, or intense pain. Current treatments are focused on pain management, serving to temporarily mask these symptoms without repressing or slowing nerve damage. The chemokine-receptor system has been closely studied for its role in perpetuating neuropathic pain, although its precise mechanistic involvement remains unclear due to the network’s complexity. Because of its likely role in regulating neuropathic pain, targeting CCR2 may be the key to effective treatment of PDN.
Alternative splicing of CCR2 leads to two distinct isoforms with different C-terminus sequences, CCR2A and CCR2B. The present study was intended to differentiate between these isoforms through specific primer design, selection of optimized pairs, RT-PCR, and amplicon sequencing to verify the PCR products. However, the study has revealed a third, previously unreported isoform, CCR2C, due to evidence of alternative splicing and both the absence and insertion of parts of A and B. In the long term, we predict that the relationship between CCR2’s alternatively spliced transcript variants will lead to a distinct pattern of isoform prevalence in individuals suffering from PDN. Discerning the genetic profiles of patients with PDN and healthy individuals will clarify the complex mechanism driving CCR2’s intracellular interactions and offer more effective therapeutic options
“Reminisces of a Dead World”: Neoclassical Impulses in Stockhausen’s Gesang der Jünglinge
No full textIn the years following World War II, integral serialist composers declared their intent to defy all previous musical conventions and eradicate all “reminisces of a dead world” from their music. Karlheinz Stockhausen was no exception, asserting his desire “to avoid everything which is familiar, generally known or reminiscent of music already composed.” However, Stockhausen’s Gesang der Jünglinge, despite its reputation for technical innovation, bears a strong connection to prior musical traditions. In this regard, Stockhausen resembled the neoclassical school of composers that sought to accommodate antiquated musical materials within a modern context.
To demonstrate these similarities, I apply to Gesang a model of neoclassicism developed by Martha M. Hyde, a scholar on twentieth-century music. Hyde identifies two modes by which a neoclassical piece “accommodates antiquity”: metamorphic anachronism and allegory. I argue both are present in Gesang. First, Stockhausen adopts elements of the sacred vocal tradition—including a child’s voice and antiphonal writing—and morphs them into something modern. Second, Stockhausen uses the Biblical story on which Gesang is based as an allegory for his own conflicted relationship with the musical past. This analysis reframes Gesang’s significance and connects Stockhausen’s work to seemingly unrelated trends in twentieth-century musical thought
Observing the Demographic Factors of Peer-Nominated Leaders in Urban Middle Schools
No full textThis study investigated the relationship between adolescent students' gender and racial/ethnic backgrounds and their likelihood of being identified by their peers as having leadership qualities. A survey designed to gauge peer perceptions of leadership qualities was administered to 1003 middle school students from three diverse public middle schools in a Northeastern US city. The survey asked students to nominate as many students as possible who possess specific leadership characteristics. Female students consistently received more nominations across all survey items at two schools. This pattern was observed for five out of the ten survey items at the third school. At a school with a Hispanic majority, Hispanic students received more nominations for most survey items than Asian, Black, and White students. Additionally, at a school with a Black majority, Asian students received more nominations for all survey items compared to Black and Hispanic students and for nine survey items compared to White students. The results indicate that students' gender and schools' racial/ethnic composition may have some influence on peer perceptions of leadership. Furthermore, significant differences in how youths perceive leadership among peers of different backgrounds may be indicative of bias. Educators and administrators can use this information to make sure that students from marginalized backgrounds have opportunities to grow as leaders
Ethical Implications of Biohacking as Activism: Democratized Health Care, Danger, or What?
No full textBiohacking refers to optimizing one’s body through modifying biology. In the 20th century, do-it-yourself (DIY) biology emerged as a type of biohacking involving biotechnology. Current high-healthcare costs promote DIY biology insulin and EpiPens as ways to challenge norms in healthcare, thus serving as forms of activism. Biohacked insulin is part of the #WeAreNotWaiting movement to support improved treatment of Type 1 diabetes, whereas biohacked EpiPens allow people to make lifesaving autoinjectors at low costs. Social media acts as a catalyst and aids in the spread of insulin and EpiPen biohacking as activism. In 1979, Principles of Biomedical Ethics by Beauchamp and Childress proposed four principles that continue to guide decision-making in clinical medicine: beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice. This paper applies these principles to explore whether the benefits of performing DIY biology outweigh the potential health risks. Examining biohacking with a biomedical ethics frame, as outlined by Beauchamp and Childress, reveals that biohacking acts as a response to current issues but cannot serve as a solution in its current form. However, biohacking can grant patients more power in their relationship with the healthcare system, therefore lessening the dominance of formal institutions. Out of the four principles, autonomy applies most differently when regarding biohacking than traditional medicine. Accordingly, a model of ethics for biohacking, such as of Beauchamp and Childress’ with the autonomy altered to acknowledge the additional implications of biohacking, should be developed in the future