35989 research outputs found
Sort by
2025 October - Tennessee Monthly Climate Report
Hi All,
October 2025 was a quiet month for weather across Tennessee. The major stories included improving drought conditions across the western half of the state and relatively large temperature fluctuations. There were some days with heavy rainfall in West Tennessee but flooding was minimal due to the dry conditions in September. Tennessee experienced some pronounced temperature swings during the month with many areas reaching into the 80’s or even 90’s in the first week of October as well as in the middle of October, and then down into the 20’s or 30’s by the end of the month. This was most notable as a cold front swept across the state on October 18-19 with low temperatures on the 19th running 30-40 degrees colder than high temperatures on the 18th. The Jackson airport weather station saw one of the most extreme changes with a high of 86°F on October 18 followed by a low of 43°F on October 19. Cooler weather has definitely arrived and we wish everyone a happy (early) Thanksgiving!
Andrew & Wil
Tennessee Climate OfficeEast Tennessee State UniversityDepartment of Geosciences310 Ross HallJohnson City, TN 3761
A Comparative-Correlational Study on the Mental Health and Well-Being of First-Generation Students at a Historically Black College and University
The purpose of this study was to investigate the mental health and well-being of first-generation college students (FGCS) in comparison to non-first-generation college students (NFGCS) at a private Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the Southeast. This study was undertaken to investigate students\u27 mental health and well-being, as well as their use of, access to, and the availability of mental health services. A comparative-correlational research design was employed to collect and analyze the data. The study used a sample size of 388 responses from undergraduate college students enrolled at the private HBCU. Of the 388 students in the sample, 56% (217) identified as first-generation college students, while 44% (171) identified as non-first-generation college students. Data for five research questions was analyzed using inferential statistics. Statistically significant differences were identified across multiple self-reported measures. FGCS reported lower self-esteem (p=.012), lower happiness (p=.027), and reduced life enjoyment (p=.047) compared to their NFGCS peers. In addition, FGCS were more likely to report feelings of being disliked (p=.009). Gender comparisons among FGCS revealed that males reported significantly more depressive symptoms (p=.001), loneliness (p=.006), and cognitive difficulties focusing (p=.002) than females. Differences by academic classification were also determined. Seniors reported significantly more appetite suppression (p=.039), fear (p=.040), and restless sleep (p=.014) than juniors and sophomores. Correlational analyses revealed weak but statistically significant relationships between depressive symptoms and help-seeking behavior on campus (p=.014), as well as between symptom severity and the frequency of mental health service utilization, specifically related to appetite suppression (p=.002) and feelings of failure (p=.015). These findings emphasize the need for culturally responsive, trauma-informed interventions, and early outreach efforts tailored to the unique challenges FGCS face. Implications for campus practice and policy development highlight the importance of sustainable support systems that cultivate resilience, engagement, and academic success for first-generation students at HBCUs
Intentional Improvement through 3D Environment Art
The idea of self-growth can be exciting—the thought of where one might be in the near or distant future is exhilarating. As an artist, this is even more apparent. On the other side of that coin, the realization that it is all up to you can oftentimes be overwhelming. We all want to improve, and we want our work to improve with us as a showcase of that improvement. Over the past two years, I’ve learned how valuable it is to adopt a “growth mindset”. Once I became comfortable with this idea, the responsibility for my own self-growth no longer felt intimidating—it instead felt invigorating. It became my driving force toward my goals as an individual and as a 3D environment artist. I had the comfort of knowing that I would naturally improve over time and with great effort. This idea became realized in the term “intentional improvement”. Every step I took had a purpose; this meant I had to be mindful of every decision I made to move closer toward my goals.I believe that when this same thoughtfulness is applied to the creative decisions made during a project\u27s development, the quality of the work will improve alongside the artist. The following document’s goal is to support this idea through the creation of a large and explorable 3D game environment set in an original setting. Video games are an interactive medium that requires thoughtful consideration in the design process to ensure that the emotions and communication to the player are impactful. The 3D environment will demonstrate this communication to the player through visual progression rather than gameplay programming, thereby showing how being intentional can benefit a project
Multivariate Time Series Forecasting of Lung and Colon Cancer Mortality: A Comparative Study Between Jamaica and the United States
Lung and colon cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with significant variations across different healthcare systems. This study applies multivariate time series modeling and forecasting to analyze lung and colon cancer mortality trends in Jamaica and the United States, examining each cancer type separately within each country and comparing trends between the two regions. The research employs multivariate time series models to assess the interdependence between lung and colon cancer mortality from 1960 to 2021 within Jamaica and the U.S. Multivariate forecasting will be performed separately for both countries to evaluate country-specific trends for 10 years beyond 2021. A comparative analysis will then be conducted to identify disparities, similarities, and potential factors influencing mortality differences between the two countries. Model selection and validation are conducted using statistical performance metrics such as Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) to ensure the most accurate forecasting models. To enhance predictive robustness, Monte Carlo simulation techniques generate probabilistic forecasts, accounting for variability in future mortality trends. This study provides data-driven insights into lung and colon cancer mortality trends in Jamaica and the U.S. By integrating multivariate forecasting and simulation approaches, this research contributes to the development of advanced statistical models for understanding and predicting cancer mortality, aiding in future public health planning and policy development
Bias and the Writing Process in Adaptations and Retellings of Mythology
My thesis is an examination of how adaptations and retellings of mythology are written and affected by readership and reception of mythology. I compare American Gods by Neil Gaiman and The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood and how they are written as adaptations and retellings of mythology. As seen in both novels, the presence of the mythological source material in adaptations and retellings of mythology is equally influenced by authors’ perception and the influence of readership. Approaching the ideological positions of Atwood and Gaiman through the similarities and differences of The Penelopiad and American Gods provides a deeper insight on the telling of a myth in a way that molds the pre-existing mythological sources into something new and enriches the existing narrative, offering insight into the practice of writing adaptations and retellings of mythology for future creative writers
Wellspring: Visual Development for an Animated Series
This paper delves into the interconnected stages of worldbuilding and storytelling for animation. Beginning with a single character sketch, the project explores and reports multiple phases that investigate how ideas take shape across different artistic mediums. Both visual and narrative processes are analyzed, including character and environment design, comic creation, and the production of hand-drawn animation tests. Each stage functions not only as a method of artistic study but also as a means of refining the story’s tone, themes, and visual identity. These explorations inform the final component of the project - a comprehensive show pitch package. This pitch synthesizes the conceptual work into a cohesive set of material featuring lore, character information, environment design, and a clear narrative hook intended to communicate the creative potential of the project to potential viewers. Through the iterative multimedia approach, this project highlights how world-building employs imagination, design, and storytelling strategies