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Plagiarism or Transformation? Rethinking Originality in Modern Films
Get PDFA common phrase heard about mainstream modern American films is “Hollywood is running out of original ideas” or “They don’t make films like they used to.” With subscription-based movie streaming services and a bombardment of fast-paced, big-budget, CGI blockbuster remakes and superhero franchise movies, it becomes apparent that mainstream modern films have substituted thoughtful storytelling with eye-popping visual appeal. These films also caused fatigue among audience members who feel overloaded with flashy cinematography that tries too hard to create something “authentic, original, and new” without repurposing and transforming previously used story elements into new perspectives and cross-disciplinary ideas. This paper questions the obsession over “authenticity” and “originality” in 21st-century American films. This obsession is tied to five Western cultural values: individuality, strong work ethic, ownership, reputation, and societal contribution. The problem is not that films “recycle the same ideas” but the inability to combine and transform the same ideas into new perspectives and interpretations. Incorporating evidence of plagiarism/inspiration through analyzing multiple popular mainstream and indie films, their influences, film industry professional interviews, and academic discourse, this study emphasizes the creativity and acclaim of popular films made possible by “plagiarizing” prior works. Some films included are indie films, such as The Plagiarists and Prelude to Axanar, and mainstream films, such as Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope and Episode VII - The Force Awakens. It argues for a new perspective on originality that liberates the creative process and focuses on familiarity, theme, message, and purpose
Antidepressant Effect of Enzymatic Porcine Placenta Hydrolysate in Repeated Immobilization Stress-Induced Ovariectomized Female Mice
Get PDFWhen postmenopausal women are under stress conditions, this exacerbates mood disorders and issues with neuroimmune systems. The porcine placenta is known to relieve menopausal depression in clinical trials, but its underlying mechanisms for depression and anti-inflammatory functions remain poorly defined. The present study was designed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of enzymatic porcine placenta hydrolysate (EPPH) on LPS-induced levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), corticosterone (CORT), and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In addition, the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells was evaluated to examine the effects of EPPH on neurite growth. To mimic the symptoms of women with menopause-related depression, a stressed ovariectomized (OVX) female mouse model was used to evaluate the antidepressant effects of EPPH. The female mice were randomly divided into five groups: (1) the sham-operated (Sham) group, (2) the OVX + repeated stress + saline-treated (OVX + ST) group, (3) the OVX + repeated stress + estradiol (0.2 mg/kg)-treated (positive control) group, (4) the OVX + repeated stress + EPPH (300 mg/kg)-treated (300) group, and (5) the OVX + repeated stress + EPPH (1500 mg/kg)-treated (1500) group. Female mice were OVX and repeatedly immobilization-stressed for 2 weeks (2 h/day). A tail suspension test was conducted on the 13th day, followed by the forced swimming test on the 14th day to assess the antidepressant effects of EPPH. After the behavioral tests, the levels of CORT, PGE2, and IL-1β were evaluated. In addition, c-Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The concentrations of NO, PGE2, and IL-1β stimulated by LPS were significantly reduced via the addition of EPPH to RAW 264.7 cells. EPPH significantly promoted neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells compared to that of the controls. In the tail suspension test, the duration of immobility was reduced in mice treated with EPPH 1500 compared to the OVX + ST group. The EPPH 1500 group had significantly decreased levels of c-Fos-positive neurons in the PVN and reduced levels of CORT and IL-1β in the serum of the Sham group. These results suggested that the high dose of EPPH administration induced the antidepressant-like effect in the ovariectomized mice with repeated stress via downregulating the levels of CORT, IL-1β, and PGE2 in the serum through reducing the expression of c-Fos in the PVN regions
Uniting for Impact: A Journey of Partnerships - Chapman University Case Study
Get PDFThis presentation highlights a decade-long collaboration between the Assistant Dean for Development and the Performing Arts Librarian at Chapman University\u27s Leatherby Libraries, resulting in over $3 million in transformative contributions. Central to their success is the acquisition of the Henri Temianka Archives, a treasure trove of 20th-century classical music history. Through strategic stewardship, they secured this significant gift, enhancing research and cultural exchange. Additional achievements include the Ronald B. Broadwell Antique Musical Instruments collection, a Legacy gift, and an Endowed Fund for Music Collections. This partnership exemplifies the strategic impact of librarian-fundraiser collaborations, bridging divides and yielding enduring benefits for libraries
ADHD and Lifetime Behavior: The Relationship Between ADHD and Lifetime Behavior
Get PDFDespite more recent recognition, those with ADHD are till often left behind by their peers as they enter a world that is not built to accommodate them. They’re often left with less preparation for their entrance into adulthood which may lead to behavioral issues as they grow older. The current study examined neurotypical individuals as well as those diagnosed with ADHD and their behavioral issues in their adult life under the guidance of Agnew’s General Strain Theory (2002). Agnew’s theory posits that relationships that put strain on individuals may lead to these same individuals committing negative, and often criminal, behaviors. Specifically, this study examined the age of diagnosis, levels of treatment, and severity of ADHD symptoms of participants and whether or not these aspects correlated with the levels of behavioral issues they experienced. It was predicted that the higher the age of diagnosis, the more severe their behavioral issues would be and that a person treated medically for their ADHD will report less severe behavioral issues. It’s also predicted that the higher the severity of ADHD symptoms, the higher the severity of behavioral issues. Two out of the four hypotheses were partially supported. The data gathered implied that those diagnosed with ADHD do report a more erratic lifestyle than those who do not. It also implies that those with a high probability of having ADHD report more anti-social behaviors. The research also implies that the higher the severity of ADHD symptomatology, the higher their reported erratic lifestyle is. This research could be used as a foundational study for future research due to its addition to the literature in this realm of study. It could also be utilized for interventions in schools as it emphasizes the need for support of ADHD individuals in order to prevent future problem behavior
Review of \u3cem\u3eCREEGAN MILLER, Tiffany D. 2022. The Maya Art of Speaking Writing: Remediating Indigenous Orality in the Digital Age\u3c/em\u3e
Get PDFA review of The Maya Art of Speaking Writing: Remediating Indigenous Orality in the Digital Age by Tiffany Creegan Miller
Superphenomena for Arbitrary Quantum Observables
Get PDFSuperoscillations occur when a globally band-limited function locally oscillates faster than its highest Fourier component. We generalize this effect to arbitrary quantum-mechanical operators as a weak value, where the preselected state is a superposition of eigenstates of the operator with eigenvalues bounded to a range, and the postselection state is a local position. Superbehavior of this operator occurs whenever the operator\u27s weak value exceeds its eigenvalue bound. We give illustrative examples of this effect for total angular momentum and energy. In the latter case, we demonstrate a sequence of harmonic oscillator potentials where a finite-energy state converges everywhere on the real line, using only bounded superpositions of states whose asymptotic energy vanishes—“energy out of nothing.” This limit requires postselecting the particle in a region whose size diverges in the considered limit. We further show in this example that the superenergy is associated with superoscillations in time with a rate given by the local superenergy divided by the reduced Planck\u27s constant. This example demonstrates the possibility of mimicking a high-energy state with coherent superpositions of nearly zero-energy states for as wide a spatial region as desired. We provide numerical evidence of these features to further bolster and elucidate our claims
Diesel Exhaust Particles Alter Mitochondrial Bioenergetics and cAMP Producing Capacity in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells
Get PDFIntroduction: Air pollution from diesel combustion is linked in part to the generation of diesel exhaust particles (DEP). DEP exposure induces various processes, including inflammation and oxidative stress, which ultimately contribute to a decline in lung function. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling is critical for lung homeostasis. The impact of DEP on cAMP signaling is largely unknown.
Methods: We exposed human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells to DEP for 24–72 h and evaluated mitochondrial bioenergetics, markers of oxidative stress and inflammation and the components of cAMP signaling. Mitochondrial bioenergetics was measured at 72 h to capture the potential and accumulative effects of prolonged DEP exposure on mitochondrial function.
Results: DEP profoundly altered mitochondrial morphology and network integrity, reduced both basal and ATP-linked respiration as well as the glycolytic capacity of mitochondria. DEP exposure increased gene expression of oxidative stress and inflammation markers such as interleukin-8 and interleukin-6. DEP significantly affected mRNA levels of exchange protein directly activated by cAMP-1 and -2 (Epac1, Epac2), appeared to increase Epac1 protein, but left phospho-PKA levels unhanged. DEP exposure increased A-kinase anchoring protein 1, β2-adrenoceptor and prostanoid E receptor subtype 4 mRNA levels. Interestingly, DEP decreased mRNA levels of adenylyl cyclase 9 and reduced cAMP levels stimulated by forskolin (AC activator), fenoterol (β2-AR agonist) or PGE2 (EPR agonist).
Discussion: Our findings suggest that DEP induces mitochondrial dysfunction, a process accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammation, and broadly dampens cAMP signaling. These epithelial responses may contribute to lung dysfunction induced by air pollution exposure
Creative Insights into Motion: Enhancing Human Activity Understanding with 3D Data Visualization and Annotation
Get PDFThis paper presents a novel 3D system for human motion analysis - Motion Data Visualization and Annotation (MoViAn). Designed to provide a comprehensive visual representation of 3D human motion data, MoViAn incorporates detailed visualization of gaze direction, hand movements, and object interactions, alongside an interactive interface for efficient data annotation. A user study involving eight participants indicates that MoViAn enables users to thoroughly explore and annotate human motion data, with System Usability Scale (SUS) results demonstrating a satisfactory usability level. The contribution of this paper lies in the development of an interactive and usable data analytics tool aimed at deepening the understanding of human behaviors and intentions in various creative, cognitive, and physical activities that ultimately can facilitate the design and creation of innovative tools that enhance human life in multiple domains
“Just Hold On, You Can Do This”: Conceptualizing Familial Support for First-Generation Undergraduate Students of Color
Get PDFThis study illustrates how parents, siblings, and extended family provide emotional, informative, instrumental, and appraisal supports to first-generation undergraduate students of color. Findings also suggest that families’ support is shaped by families’ understanding of the challenges first-generation college students face, their access to information about college and college life, and their consideration of students’ emerging adult developmental needs. Based on the experiences and perspectives of 12 family members, this study shows that families continue to be engaged in first-generation undergraduate students’ college education in essential ways, countering deficit perceptions of these populations, and providing new understandings of what family engagement means within a higher education context. Ultimately, this study offers the opportunity to invest in family–school–student partnerships for student success within a higher education context