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BEYOND CATHARSIS: THE EVOLUTION OF POPULAR TRAGEDY IN VIDEO GAME NARRATIVES
Full text link“Beyond Catharsis: The Evolution of Popular Tragedy in Video Game Narratives,” establishes a connection between traditions of Tragedy and video game narratives, arguing that the ways in which tragedy manifests within interactive media is an extension and development of previous, more formal understandings of Tragedy. Using Oxenfree (2016), Elden Ring (2022), and Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023), this thesis claims video games feature adaptations of traditional tragedy and catharsis that expand the genre. Through players directly instigating the action of the game, the allowances and limitations of the player’s agency, and the instances of misfortunate fates, interactive narratives translate tragic concepts—outlined by figures such as Aristotle, Arthur Miller, and George Boas—into a new medium which might, in turn, expand scholarly understanding of emotional responses to fictional stories.
Analysis from scholars such as James Coltrain and Stephen Ramsay, Craig Bourne and Emily Caddick Bourne, Eric Hayot, and Grant Tavinor accompanies the discussion of player agency and integration into the fictional landscape of a video game, laying a foundation of heightened connection between reader and text which, in turn, allows for different implementation of tragic elements and stories while preserving the overarching cathartic impacts. This thesis concludes with a question of how the translation of tragedy into a new medium might impact previous understandings and studies of the genre
Experimental and Computational Analysis of PFAS Adsorption and Transport Through a Soil-Bentonite Cutoff Wall Amended with Activated Carbon
No full textDue to their toxicity, prevalence, and persistence in the environment, poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose a significant threat to human health and ecological systems. When conventional groundwater remediation methods are ineffective for PFAS, in situ containment using engineered vertical barriers (cutoff walls) becomes a potentially viable alternative. This research investigates the efficacy of soil-bentonite (SB) cutoff walls amended with granular activated carbon (GAC) for long-term PFAS containment in groundwater. The focus of this work is characterizing PFAS adsorption onto the mixed matrix for determination of isotherm parameters for modeling. Along the way, considerations for sample handling were investigated to improve future research methods. This research also investigates contaminant transport modeling to demonstrate the breakthrough delay for each compound.
Batch Equilibrium Adsorption Tests (BEATs) were performed using a model sand-bentonite backfill mixture (5% bentonite by dry weight), either unamended or amended with 1% dry wt GAC, and solutions containing either perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), or perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS). Centrifugation alone proved inadequate for removing suspended bentonite from the BEAT supernatant due to its fine particle size. Thus, to protect the analytical instrument, centrifuged samples were filtered with 0.45-µm syringe filters. Of the four different filter materials tested, polyethersulfone (PES) was the best material for minimizing PFAS loss from samples due to adsorption onto the filter membrane.
Adsorption kinetics experiments indicated that a BEAT duration of seven days ensured equilibrium for all four PFAS compounds. Results of BEATs demonstrated extensive adsorption of all four compounds to the backfill mixture containing 1% GAC, compared to negligible adsorption without GAC amendment. The adsorption behavior was non-linear and was well described by the Freundlich model. At lower aqueous-phase equilibrium concentrations (Ce), the adsorbed concentration data (qe) showed a gradual downward bend, especially for PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS, resulting in non-traditional isotherm models being considered as alternatives to the Freundlich model. These alternative models suggest that PFAS may behave as surfactants, exhibiting complex behaviors associated with multilayer adsorption, micelle formation, and other phenomena.
Simulations using a 1-D contaminant transport model showed that adding 1% GAC to an SB matrix can substantially delay PFAS breakthrough by factors ranging from 1,500 to 51,000 times compared to the control scenario without GAC. The compound that was delayed the most was PFOS, as it had the longest breakthrough time, followed by PFHxS, PFOA, and PFBS, which had the shortest breakthrough time.
This research establishes a strong foundation for the application of GAC-amended SB cutoff walls for effective PFAS containment. By combining the established technology of SB cutoff walls with the powerful adsorption capabilities of GAC, this method offers a potential long-term, environmentally sound solution to mitigate the spread of these forever chemicals
Examining Personality Traits as Moderating Factors in the Relationship Between Social Connectedness and Subjective Wellbeing
No full textAbstract
Objective: A robust body of literature suggests that social connectedness (SC) enhances subjective well-being (SWB) while a lack of SC significantly impairs SWB (i.e., lower SC is linked to depression, maladaptive coping, risk of early mortality). The specific variables that impact the positive relationship between SC and SWB remain unclear. We sought to address this gap by assessing personality traits using the 5-factor personality model (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism- OCEAN) to understand if personality moderates the relationship between SC and SWB. These five traits are well established dimensions of personality and, individually, have demonstrated relationships with SWB. We hypothesize that each dimension will strengthen/ weaken the correlation between SC and SWB to differing degrees. Method: N=218 participants completed demographic information and two surveys measuring SWB via the Life Engagement Test (LET), Satisfaction w/ Life scale (SWL) and Flourishing measure, recent affect via the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-negative & PANAS-positive) and were scored on OCEAN via the Big Five Inventory. SC was measured via the General Belongingness scale (GBS). Data were scored, and analyzed with SPSS. Results: As predicted, GBS scores strongly positively correlated with all SWB measures. We examined only the Flourishing scale as the SWB measure in our moderations, because all SWB measures were highly correlated (Pearson’s r values exceeding ~ 0.7.) Out of OCEAN, only agreeableness moderated the relationship between GBS and Flourishing. Highly agreeable participants had a weaker correlation between their GBS scores and Flourishing vs less agreeable participants. Significance: This is a novel finding suggesting agreeableness and its components require further exploration, whereas the other big five personality traits may not be as important in strengthening/ weakening the relationship between belongingness and flourishing. A person\u27s agreeableness could contribute to the question of “when” and “for whom” the positive benefits of social connectedness are obtainable and translate it from a one-fits-all prescription into a tool that can be used with personal differences considered
Optimization of Angiogenesis in 3D Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell Networks: How Can We Build a More Physiologically Accurate Model?
No full textIn tissue engineering, 3-dimensional (3D) experiments are necessary for simulating histological and physiological conditions, and a standardized model is required to effectively consider the mechanobiological effects of various substrates throughout these experiments. Biomaterials can be difficult to integrate into the body without the presence of vasculature to facilitate integration. Endothelial cells are responsible for creating and propagating vasculature under appropriate native tissue or in vitro substrate conditions. This work aimed to develop and refine a 3D vascular endothelial culture on a porcine gelatin scaffold to conduct physiologically relevant in vitro studies utilizing a substrate that resembled the extracellular matrix (ECM) associated with human soft tissues. This model cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) within a porcine gelatin scaffold and evaluated various cell seeding techniques, resuspension concentrations, and incubation periods to develop a robust model for endothelial vasculature growth in 3D. Evaluated culture parameters included scaffold handling and saturation with vascular culture media, one-sided and two-sided seeding of HUVECs into the scaffold, cell resuspension concentrations of 400,000, 600,000, and 800,000 cells in 100 μL of vascular media, and incubation periods of 96, 120, 144, and 168 hours. Confocal microscopy was utilized to document vasculature throughout the scaffolds under each set of culture conditions. The ImageJ Angiogenesis Analyzer toolset was applied to each image and statistical analysis was performed on the results to determine an optimal protocol. The primary metrics of interest assessed in this study were the quantity of vascular junctions, total vascular length, and total master segment length in each representative sample. When analyzed in conjunction, these parameters provided a global overview of the density and interconnectedness of the vasculature associated with each testing condition.
Two-sided seeding with scaffold saturation and a resuspended cell concentration of 600,000 cells per 100 μL of vascular media provided the most uniform distribution of vasculature within the scaffold while maintaining an appropriate density that permitted imaging. The 120-hour period associated with the aforementioned parameters yielded the greatest ratio of developed master segment length relative to the quantity of junctions, with an average of 1070 μm of vascular segmentation connected by approximately 15 junctions. These data suggested that the most optimal seeding protocol for endothelial vasculature development and observation using confocal microscopy was seeding 600,000 cells per scaffold, seeding from both sides of the scaffold, and incubating for 120 hours after seeding. It is recommended that all researchers investigating development of a 3D cell culture protocol assess the effects of variation in substrate handling, cell concentration, and network incubation. This standardized protocol will enable global experimentation requiring a consistent vascularized 3D matrix for the investigation of the effects of various external stimuli on endothelial networks
Augmenting Energy Capture in Low Energy Density Flows
No full textMarine hydrokinetic (MHK) technologies are emerging as a promising source of renewable energies given their ability to provide constant baseline power, predictable loading, and proximity to high density populations. An overlooked yet widely available source of marine energy are ocean currents: a low-energy density source. When considering the energy capture potential of a MHK turbine in low current speeds (\u3c 2 knots) the costs far outweigh the benefits. Pennsylvania State University (PSU) has proposed a novel technology that seeks to harness the power of low velocity ocean currents: Rapidly Deployable Parachute Augmented Turbine (RDPAT). A stream tube capture device (SCD) or flow augmenter integrated with an MHK turbine has the potential to accelerate flows, enabling meaningful energy capture. The SCD increases capture area and accelerates the flow into an MHK turbine, resulting in a lower weight to capture area ratio as compared to a standard ducted MHK turbine. These benefits as compared to standard ducted MHK turbines may reduce levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of the RD-PAT device. The goal of this master’s thesis is to collect high-quality flow data with low fidelity models at laboratory-scale in a hydraulic flume to verify the hypothesized flow field effects of SCDs. The collection and processing of velocity field and drag force measurements of models to characterize the flow around an SCD in unbounded flow is the primary objective of this study. Using the data to verify and inform a control volume analysis, an investigation will be done on the SCD to quantify fluid effects as a function of varied geometry
A Bittersweet Experience: Language Brokering Attitudes and Experiences Among Latinx Young Adults
No full textObjective: Language brokering, the practice of translating or interpreting, has been identified as a prevalent event among Latinx youth in the United States. This study aimed to investigate the psychological and interpersonal processes that affect the experiences of Latinx young people who serve as language brokers. Methods: Utilizing a simultaneous mixed-methods approach, this study investigated the influence of parent-child relationships, familism as a cultural value, burden attitudes, psychological well-being, and personality traits on language brokering experiences. Quantitative data was collected through a Qualtrics survey, which was analyzed using SPSS. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using NVivo. Results: Findings revealed that the quality of the relationships between broker and parent influenced attitudes of burden toward adopting and maintaining the broker role. Additionally, pre-existing psychological distress was associated with more negative attitudes toward language brokering. Personality traits did not contribute significantly to language brokering attitudes, besides a positive correlation between negative emotionality (neuroticism) and psychological distress. Conclusions: The results indicate that language brokering is a multidimensional experience, with both positive and negative effects, shaped by family relationships, cultural values, and the individual’s personality
Captive Study: The Political, Intellectual, and Ideological Dimensions of Prison Education
No full textThis critical ethnographic study examines how education is conceptualized, organized, and experienced at Riverside Correctional Facility, a medium-security men’s prison in rural Pennsylvania. Specifically, it explores how incarcerated students, university faculty and staff, and the superintendent of the prison understand and articulate the purpose of education within prisons; the institutional policies, practices, relations of power, and discursive formations that shape the administration and delivery of education in prisons; and how incarcerated students and university faculty and staff navigate and interpret their roles and relationships within prison education programs.
Drawing on theorizations of antiblackness and carcerality, and critical ethnographic data collection methods of interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, this study found that Riverside Correctional Facility’s prison education program functions as a means by which the prison can manage and control incarcerated individuals to maintain institutional order. The study further found that university faculty and staff, as well as non-incarcerated students, are implicated in the reproduction of these carceral logics while simultaneously being objects of surveillance, control, and policing themselves.
A central contribution of this study is its provision of empirical evidence of antiblackness in educational settings, particularly within the context of prison education. By documenting how educational programs are shaped by and contribute to broader structures of racialized control, this study advances critical understandings of how antiblackness operates within institutions ostensibly dedicated to learning and rehabilitation
Educational Indebtedness, Youth Precarity, and Neoliberalism: A Comparative Analysis Between Chile and Colombia.
No full textPre-service Teacher Preparation in Over/Underrepresentation of Students from Culturally Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds in Special Education: A Systematic Review of State-Level Policies
No full textWe Are What We Maintain—Including Ourselves: Infrastructure and Interdependence of Library Work in the Midst of Disruption
No full textLibrary workers need a language and a framework for advocacy that effectively names and makes visible the key elements and interconnected nature of our work. This article proposes Burkholder’s and McGinniss’s (2020) maintenance schema, which consists of resources, platform, energy, and vision, as a viable language and framework for this kind of advocacy. It does this by analyzing several major issues facing academic libraries that were exacerbated by the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic: declining budgets, inequalities in academic libraries, and wide-spread exhaustion among library workers. The application of the maintenance schema to these specific issues demonstrates how the schema can help library workers analyze a library’s current situation, determine what is within our control to change, and consider how we can advocate for libraries going into the future. This type of analysis is especially important for librarians acting as leaders, in both official and unofficial capacities, in order to cultivate compassionate and supportive work structures and to more effectively advocate for necessary investments in libraries and the work that maintains it