JBC Commons (New College of Florida)
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SEVA: DEVELOPING A FIGMA PROTOTYPE OF AN E-COMMERCE APP
No full textThis thesis presents SEVA, a prototype mobile app designed to enhance the visibility and economic opportunities of Indian artisans by facilitating the sale of their products to a diverse audience in the United States. The Sanskrit word seva translates to selfless service or voluntary work in English. It embodies the concept of serving others without expecting anything in return, often rooted in spiritual or cultural practices aimed at fostering compassion, community, and personal growth. SEVA is designed to appeal to American audiences by featuring comprehensive artisan profiles that provide contact information, artwork portfolios, and details about their specific art styles. Key functionalities of SEVA include a “Contact the vendor” feature, a search bar, a “Contact us” section for user feedback and issue reporting, a shopping cart for purchase management, and a secure payment page. By integrating these features, SEVA not only simplifies the process of discovering and purchasing unique, culturally significant art pieces but also supports the livelihoods of traditional artists through increased exposure and sales opportunities. This thesis explores SEVA\u27s design, development, and potential impact as a platform for bridging cultural gaps by empowering Indian artisans in the global market
POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY TRAUMA BY FINDING MEANING WITHIN NARRATIVE
No full textThe present research focuses on lived and inherited trauma through analysis of self-report skills such as mentalization, cognitive emotion regulation, and demonstration of narrative construction. What is the relationship between caregiver trauma and scores of mentalization and cognitive emotion regulation? How does attachment play a role in the way an individual can identify benefits from inherited and lived trauma? Is identifying benefits associated with reduced depression and anxiety symptoms? To answer these questions, narratives were gathered within a survey constructed of self-report inventories and free-response questions. Data analysis determined a positive correlation between participants’ scores of parental trauma and scores of stress, anxiety, and depression. Examination of narratives did not support the hypothesis that identification of benefits will be positively correlated with secure attachment but themes were identified and will be discussed
Four Winds chatbot to Answer Campus Resource-Related Questions Using Python and Node JS on Discord.
No full textIn this thesis, the creation and effectiveness of a chatbot called the Four Winds Chatbot is overviewed. A chatbot is an application that can identify, classify, and answer human text accurately. We designed a chatbot to respond to student questions about the New College of Florida. Machine Learning principles such as Naive Bayes and Decision Trees were researched and used throughout this study. To evaluate the effectiveness of our chatbot it was compared to the New College’s Official Mighty Banyan chatbot where it was discussed its abilities to answer questions compared to the Four Winds chatbot created here
ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF SEDUM NUSSBAUMERIANUM L. CONCENTRATED SAP ON BACILLUS CEREUS AND ESCHERICHIA COLI, AND ATTEMPTS TO ISOLATE AND TEST SOLUBLE FLAVONOIDS
No full textMany succulents are known to have healing properties, including antibiotic activity. In this study, the sap of Sedum nussbaumerianum, a previously untested succulent for the latter activity, was collected from crushed leaves, dried to three times its original concentration in a vacuum concentrator, and used to soak paper disks. These disks were placed in the center of nutrient agar Petri dishes inoculated with either Bacillus cereus or Escherichia coli bacteria. Zones of inhibition were measured around the disks soaked with the concentrated sap and were found to be significantly larger than those around control disks for both B. cereus and E. coli.. Next, flavonoid extracts were made from the concentrated sap using an ethanol: water solution, a sonicator bath, and a period of centrifugation, and the previously stated disk-soaking and zone of inhibition measurement procedure was repeated. The zones of inhibition surrounding extract-soaked disks were not significantly larger than those around controls for either bacterium. Further studies should be done to verify the presence of flavonoids in the extracts and to test for other possible sap components. Possible uses for S. nussbaumerianum antibiotic sap components could include further isolation and use in the pharmaceutical industry as a possible intestinal antibiotic
A Tight-Knit Community: An Ethnographic Study of the Social Knitters of Sarasota
No full textThis thesis presents a multifaceted exploration of those who knit with others and form communities through the knitting hobby. Utilizing ethnographic research from three interconnected knitting groups in Sarasota, Florida, interviews with six knitters, as well as the existing literature on knitting, I look into three major themes. First, I explore the implications surrounding the evolving identity of those who knit through the concepts of “old knitting” and “new knitting” and focus on how the knitters I spoke with perceive their own identity as a knitter. I also write about knitting’s previous confinement to the home and its recent transition into the public sphere, drawing from the Sarasota knitters’ experiences and interactions while knitting in public. Secondly, I focus on the meanings that knitting holds for people, shown in the reasons why they knit, the importance of yarn, the hobby’s challenges, and through their understanding of knitting as an art. Lastly, I explore the ways in which knitting is a hobby made social through knitting for others, with others, and the transmission of knowledge. I emphasize that the knitters not only engage in specialized reciprocity as they reciprocate technical support and advice, but more importantly, generalized reciprocity. Knitting acts as a cover that facilitates the formation of friendships and a sense of community within these groups
ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, CELLULAR KINETICS, & CELL-INTRINSIC CONTROL VARIABLES ON THE WOUND-HEALING REACTION RATE OF SELECTED SPONGES (PORIFERA)
No full textAll sponges (Porifera) have morphological properties, behavioral tendencies, and cell-intrinsic variables that react differently to environmental conditions, especially temperature, depending on the species. A disruption in the conditions of a host environment will cause the cellular properties of sponges to react in a way unique to its species due to the impact of environmental stress. The core morphological characteristics of sponges are the external structural mold, which tends to be cylindrical, asymmetrical, or radially symmetrical; a loose cellular level of organization; pore structure; an inhalant area; and optimization for overall surface area. Physiologically, every sponge species has a specific temperature threshold. Thermal stress is one of the most common detriments to the health of sponges, as it decomposes their structural mold and outermost skin cells (pinacocytes). Denatured skin cells lead to sponges turning black with a white bacterial film. To avoid denaturation, every sponge species needs to acclimate to shifts in their environment by actively adjusting their physiological reactions to the change in salinity, the difference in chemical composition of the seawater, and increased warmth in seawater. The phylum Porifera has three body forms: asconoid, leuconoid, and syconoid. All three body forms have specialized cells, which interact with stem cells to play an integral role in stem cell characteristics and cellular kinetics. This interplay notably impacts the wound-healing reaction rate of sponges. Outside of temperature and cellular kinetics, oilier cell-intrinsic control variables exist, such as microbiota, cell differentiation, regenerative mechanisms, and choanocyte plasticity. The balance between cellular homeostasis and cellular kinetics sustains the wound-healing reaction rate of sponges. The most crucial variables that impact the wound-healing reaction rate are the cellular kinetics of choanocytes and the changes in seawater\u27s chemical composition, temperature, salinity, and pH level. Focusing on the morphological reaction similarities and discrepancies between four leuconoid sponge species from the class Demospongiae Spheciospongia vesparium, Haliclona reniera, Rhopaloeides odorabile, and Halisarca caerulea- in addition to literature about sponges universally, this literature review thesis aimed to determine why there are differences in species\u27 reactions to the change in salinity, change in temperature, change in the chemical composition of different seawater regions, and change in pH through the examination of existing scientific research
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE POTENTIAL ROLES OF SUPEROXIDE AND SINGLET OXYGEN IN CARPEL FUSION IN CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS (L.) G. Don
No full textA fusion event occurs between the carpels of Catharanthus roseus L. involving the dedifferentiation and redifferentiation of epidermal cells into less specialized cells known as parenchyma. This results in a solidly-fused gynoecium. An unknown “factor” exchanged between the contacting carpels mediates this process. Little is known about the identity of the factor and the signaling process that ensues, but there are data in support of a role for brassinosteroids, and a bit of evidence for the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly hydrogen peroxide. The present study was conducted to further investigate the role of additional ROS, namely singlet oxygen and superoxide, using various dyes, an inhibitor, a scavenger, and microscopy techniques, all as outlined in this thesis. In untreated/control sets of carpels, patterns of staining were seen for superoxide and singlet oxygen that were somewhat distinct early in development but were more consistent in later stages. A commonality that did occur relatively early on, however, was that staining for both ROS (using nitroblue tetrazolium, or NBT, for superoxide, and Singlet Oxygen Sensor GreenTM, or SOSG, for singlet oxygen) occurred at and near the fusion plane. Gynoecia that were stained with either dye in the very late post-fusion stage also consistently displayed a “necklace” of circumferential staining at the base of the stigma just above the skirt. After treatment with the inhibitor for ROS generation, salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), carpels displayed a noticeable difference in that there was less NBT staining visible on the carpel structures when compared to their controls. Carpels treated with SHAM or the singlet oxygen scavenger, L-histidine, were superficially adhered but separated with ease. However, carpels treated with SHAM remained consistently fused at a single point, allowing them to be opened like a book. This focal site of fusion also displayed NBT staining. In L-histidine-treated carpels that were stained with SOSG, overall fluorescence was decreased relative to controls and not present in some areas. Collectively, these results suggest a role for both superoxide and singlet oxygen in carpel fusion and potentially in tip growth that occurs in elongating papillary cells in the “necklace” region. Future studies should focus on investigating singlet oxygen staining patterns in SHAM-treated carpels, as well as the relationship between ROS and brassinosteroids as discussed herein
CHANGE: FINDING BALANCE
No full textThe dynamic we have with each other and our surroundings interests me. Balance is rooted in our relationships between people and our environment. My work acts as a tool to generate change in artificial settings and situations that I create, by focusing on the impact of people within them. Artificial settings are highlighted by the use of store-bought materials that are manipulated to mimic nature. I use interactive sculpture, wearable objects, and performance scores to result in a sense of balance through constant, dynamic interaction. I explore the idea of balance in my immersive kinetic sculptures through symmetrical compositions, which shift and change as someone approaches and interacts with them through motors and embedded sensors. This movement results in a mark in the sand or a change in orientation. My wearable sculptures link people together to highlight their impact on one another as the participants adjust to one another to wear the artwork. Wearable sculptures depend on collective participation and cannot be worn individually, or else they won\u27t function. The resulting group performance highlights how people rely on each other to maintain balance and how change is the process of maintaining equilibrium
Third Ventricle Choroid Plexus in Healthy Brains Vs Traumatic Injury Brains: A Comparative Immunohistochemistry Analysis in Mice
No full textTraumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a significant health issue, and there are a wide variety of efforts taking place to research the neural mechanisms involved in an attempt to find treatments. Importantly, there is a deficit in literature regarding the choroid plexus in how it relates to traumatic brain injuries. Furthermore, more research must be done to compare cellular mechanisms between ventricles effectively. There is no recorded study history of the third ventricle choroid plexus following TBI. Within this thesis, I investigated the differences in the third ventricle’s choroid plexus immunohistological presentation within healthy mice versus the brains of TBI mice to establish characteristics in morphological structure and cellular behavior. This was done through qualitative analysis of the immunohistological presentation of 10 adult male mice. The stains that were analyzed included hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and Iba1 (Ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1). In conclusion, there were no notable differences between the groups of mice, as there were no visible injury effects within the choroid plexus of mice that experienced closed-head mild TBI
ARTFUL AMBITIONS: INTEGRATING ARTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP INTO CHILDHOOD DANCE TRAINING
No full textThis thesis examines the integration of arts entrepreneurship into childhood dance education, leveraging my extensive teaching experience. Addressing an existing gap in pedagogy, it explores how entrepreneurial skills can enhance short and long-term curricula, empowering young dancers beyond technical training. This research emphasizes a holistic approach, aiming to foster adaptability, resourcefulness, and innovation in creative minds. By equiping teachers to infuse entrepreneurial concepts into the dance curriculum, it enriches artistic training and cultivates crucial life skills early in students\u27 journeys. Through theory and practical application, this research advocates for positioning arts entrepreneurship as a fundamental aspect of childhood dance education, equipping individuals for the dynamic demands of the arts industry and beyond