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Stage Managing Theatrical Puppets
No full textIn this thesis, I will detail my experience working with theatrical puppets in academic and professional settings. The paper will specifically address the construction and planning for puppets in performance and compare this to how the puppets were adapted to fit in the needs of each show and puppeteer. With a brief examination into the general history of puppets in performance, the paper will explore how puppets played a role in three recent productions and how their use drove the storytelling of each show. Much of this research has been gathered through practical design and performance experience with the ETSU Theater and Dance Department, documentaries such as Jim Henson: Idea Man, Handspring Puppet Company’s Ted Talk War Horse, and through my professional internship experience at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia during the summer of 2024. The productions analyzed in the thesis include ETSU Theater and Dance Department’s productions of Little Shop of Horrors (Spring 2023) and James and the Giant Peach (Fall 2023) and Barter Theatre’s production of The Wizard of Oz (Summer 2024). Through a discussion of ETSU’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, I will explore puppeteering large-scale puppets and the process of adapting puppeteering techniques while still using the puppets to fully and clearly tell the playwright’s story and needs for the show. Using ETSU’s James and the Giant Peach I will discuss the process of researching and renting puppets to fit overall production design and storytelling needs. Details from my practical experience as puppet master for The Wizard of Oz provide insight into adaptations when the original intent for puppets changes from the design stage to rehearsal and performance, as well as maintenance and care for puppets over a long production run. Discussions of puppet construction and functionality—and bringing puppets to life—will make use of research from Jim Henson: Idea Man and Handspring Puppet Company’s discussion of their puppet designed for the Broadway production of War Hors
Appalachian Microbiome Species with Antimicrobial Effects Against Bacillus
No full textThe overuse of antibiotics in society has led to serious consequences – namely the rise of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. These evolved species are no longer affected by drugs designed to kill them, causing an urgent crisis in public health. This has led to an ongoing search to find and investigate various new antimicrobial compounds. The Appalachian region is an extremely biodiverse area, with many varieties of plants and animals. However, very little research has been put into exploring the microbiome of this region. This research study aims to identify microbes found in this unique region by using DNA sequencing technology, and to screen these bacteria for potential antimicrobial properties. From this screen, four bacteria (S1P44a, S1P44b, S1P45, and S1P46) were identified as having inhibitory properties against Bacillus subtilis, a spore forming bacteria that can spread rapidly in healthcare settings. This inhibitory effect seems to be largely due to a contact dependent mechanism as the cell-free supernatant of these bacteria do not inhibit B. subtilis. Three of these candidates were identified as Alcaligenes faecalis, Pseudomonas vancouverenesis and Brevibacillus laterosporous. Future research will focus on the mechanism of inhibitory action with the hopes of identifying new areas of therapeutic application for microbial infections and drug resistance
Neurodivergence, Perceived Stigma, and Rejection Sensitivity
No full textNeurodivergence describes people whose brains and cognitive processes differ from the general population. Neurodivergent disorders include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc. Rejection sensitivity is defined as hypervigilance about being rejected and intense reactions to rejection. Previous research has found that individuals with neurodivergent disorders are often treated more poorly by peers than neurotypical people. The first hypothesis is people diagnosed with a neurodivergent disorder are more likely to perceive stigma from others. The second hypothesis is rejection sensitivity mediates the relationship between the diagnosis of a neurodivergent disorder and perceptions of external stigma. The Perceived Devaluation and Discrimination (PDD) Scale will be used to measure perceived external stigma, and the Adult Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (ARSQ) will be used to measure rejection sensitivity. Results are expected to show that (1) neurodivergent participants will have higher levels of rejection sensitivity and are likely to perceive external stigma, and (2) rejection sensitivity will act as a mediator in the relationship between being diagnosed with a neurodivergent disorder and perceiving external stigma
Barriers to Sight: Understanding Social and Economic Influences on Pediatric Eye Health
No full textBackground: Pediatric eye disease and blindness have lifelong implications for child development, education, career opportunities, healthcare costs, and family well-being. Social determinants of health (SDOH) influence disease incidence, diagnosis, and treatment. This study is part of Emory University’s Break the Cycle of Health Disparities initiative, examining socioeconomic barriers to pediatric eye health. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using de-identified data from the 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) (n = 54,103). The dependent variable was unresolved vision problems, including blindness and eye disease, excluding common refractive errors. Independent variables included age, sex, race/ethnicity, family structure, poverty, adult education, insurance type, adequacy of insurance benefits, financial hardship, neighborhood safety, and vision screenings. Logistic regression models assessed associations. Results: Vision problems were significantly associated with prior vision screenings (aOR: 1.76, p\u3c0.001), ages 6-11 (aOR: 3.10, p\u3c0.001), ages 12-17 (aOR: 3.76, p\u3c0.001), Hispanic ethnicity (aOR: 1.15, p=0.022), and financial hardship (aOR: 1.76, p\u3c0.001). Protective factors included living in a safe neighborhood (aOR: 0.73, p\u3c0.001) and private versus public insurance (aOR: 0.68, p\u3c0.001). Conclusions: Pediatric blindness and eye disease are influenced by SDOH, including screenings, race, poverty, and neighborhood safety. Since approximately 40% of childhood blindness is preventable, addressing disparities that hinder access to proper eye care is critical. Policy efforts should focus on reducing financial and structural barriers to pediatric vision health services. Keywords: Pediatric eye health, social determinants of health, childhood blindness, vision disparities, socioeconomic factor
Neither Founder nor Inheritor: A New Perspective on Alexander Campbell’s Role in the Stone-Campbell Movement
No full textHistorians typically identify Alexander Campbell (1788-1866) as the founder of the Stone-Campbell Movement (also known as the Restoration), a nineteenth-century American religious movement that sought to unite Christians by returning to the perceived purity of the first century Christian Church. Today, Christians rooted in this tradition number over seven million. Many scholars argue for a precise genesis of the movement, placing Campbell in the role of a founder and theological innovator. On the other hand, many within the religious traditions identified with the Restoration Movement minimize Campbell’s efforts, arguing instead that Campbell restored an earlier form of Christianity that had been lost. They do not regard Campbell as the founder of a new tradition. From a historical lens, Campbell is a founder and innovator; from the theological lens he helped shape, he is often understood as not. This thesis provides a different perspective on Campbell’s role, seeking to preserve the nuance of the subject, by viewing his efforts through the lens of a bricolage or patchwork. Rather than founding a new tradition or restoring a lost one, Campbell compiled already present ideas and practices from a plurality of different traditions into a more unified system. By analyzing nineteenth century Baptists, Presbyterians, seventeenth century English Anabaptists, and Campbell’s own explicitly mentioned sources, one can trace various streams of influence that converge in the central doctrinal convictions of Restorationist tradition. This thesis focuses on how earlier traditions particularly shaped Campbell’s perspectives on scriptural primacy, believers’ baptism by immersion, congregational church polity, and regular communion. This research provides a more nuanced depiction of the history of the Restoration by combining the historical context of the movement and direct influences of Alexander Campbell with his own contributions. Placing Campbell as a religious architect rather than a founder, allows for a more nuanced understanding of the movement’s history, accounting for its context and complexity. It also offers a case study for understanding the emergence of new religious movements, particularly in nineteenth-century America
Directed Evolution to Enhance Phytoene Synthase Activity for Metabolic Engineering
No full textImagine a tomato that not only looks vibrant but also packs a powerful nutritional punch. Tomatoes contain carotenoids that are crucial for plant growth and human nutrition. Metabolic engineering efforts have focused on increasing carotenoid production in crops, particularly targeting provitamin A biosynthesis. Phytoene synthase (PSY), the first committed enzyme in the carotenoid pathway, is a major rate-limiting step. Therefore, it is the main target for provitamin A biofortification in many crops. Tomato has multiple copies of PSY, while PSY1 is dominant in fruits, it is less efficient in promoting carotenoid biosynthesis compared to PSY2. This provides us a target for further improvement not only in tomato but also in other crops since PSY sequences have high homology in plants. In this study, we took advantage of a bacteria system, which can accumulate different level of colored carotenoid products based on the activity of PSY introduced. Structure-guided site-directed and random mutagenesis are introduced in PSY2 gene. Therefore, the mutants of the highest enzymatic activity can be easily screened out by the color accumulated in bacteria culture, which will provide novel targets for carotenoid metabolic engineering. By applying random mutation and directed evolution, we aim to identify key amino acid residues which can increase PSY activity significantly. Ultimately, those sites can be used for prime editing to improve provitamin A carotenoid production in crops
Sociodemographic, Behavioral, And Psychosocial Predictors of Bullying Behavior Among Adolescents Aged 12 -17 years in the United States.
No full textIntroduction: Bully behavior contributes significantly to poor psychosocial outcomes among adolescents. However, current predictors of bullying behavior among adolescents are lacking, and this study sought to address this gap. Methods: The National Health Interview Survey [NHIS] 2021 and 2022 was utilized to explore the predictors of bullying among adolescents aged 12-17. Logistic regression models were constructed to predict the patterns of bullying and its associated factors while adjusting for child, family, community, and neighborhood factors. Descriptive results are presented using percentages, while odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) are used for multivariable estimates. Results: In 2022 and 2023, 1,281 adolescents (12-17yrs) weighted 5,719,609 individuals were bullied, picked on, or excluded by other children two or more times in a year. 408 adolescents were electronically bullied, and 447 bullied others or picked on them. Among those bullied, 83.6% resided in metropolitan areas, 59.4% were between 12-14 years of age, and 40.1% were 15-17 years. 51.9% were females, 35.7% had one residential parent, and 21.9% and 3.8% had poverty and below-poverty family income, respectively. 61% identified as Whites, 18.8% as Hispanics, and 11% as Blacks. 15.1% had been exposed to neighborhood violence, and 16.2% had been judged unfairly at home. 24.9% had Adolescent Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the majority experienced anxiety daily, weekly, and monthly, and 18.4% had some difficulty in controlling their behavior. After adjusting for key covariates, the highest increase in odds of being bullied was seen among adolescents aged 12-14 years (A.O.R=2.09; CI=1.77-2.46), living in rural areas (A.O.R=1.36; Cl=1.06-1.74), having daily anxiety (A.O.R=3.04; Cl=2.08-4.44), severe difficulty with behavior control (A.O.R=2.15; Cl=1.30-3.55), weekly depression (A.O.R=2.45; Cl=1.74-3.44), ADHD (A.O.R=1.46; Cl=1.18-1.81), exposure to neighborhood violence (A.O.R=1.73; Cl=1.25-2.40), and exposure to residential substance abuse (A.O.R=1.45; Cl=1.08-1.93). Conclusion: Institutional collaborations between parents/caregivers, pediatric healthcare systems, school systems, and community-based organizations are required to effectively mitigate and address the drivers and effects of bullying among adolescents living in the United States
Targeting mGlu5 and A(2A) receptors to attenuate sensorimotor gating deficits and restore homeostatic CREB signaling in a heritable rodent model of psychosis
No full textIndividuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ) suffer from impaired sensorimotor gating that contributes to cognitive disruption and the inability to filter out irrelevant sensory stimuli. The present study aims to address this deficit by targeting two receptors that have been implicated in the pathophysiology of SZ: the metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 (mGlu5) and the adenosine 2A (A(2A)) receptor. Additionally, by stimulating these receptors we aim to attenuate increased cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) levels that have been attributed to enhanced emotional reactivity in SZ. Enhanced dopamine D2 receptor sensitivity and signaling in the mesolimbic pathway of the brain are hallmarks of SZ. Therefore, in the present study we modeled D2 supersensitivity in Sprague-Dawley rats via neonatal injections of quinpirole (NQ) or saline (NS). NQ or NS-treated rats were bred together to produce an F1 generation of animals that exhibit phenotypes similar to that of NQ-treated parents. The F1 rats were tested on pre-pulse inhibition (PPI), a measure of sensorimotor gating, on post-natal days (P) 44-48. PPI has previously been used in clinical settings to screen antipsychotic medications. Prior to testing, rats received an injection of saline, mGlu5 positive allosteric modulator CDPPB (10 or 30 mg/kg), or A(2A) agonist CGS21680 (.03 or .09 mg/kg). On P50 brain tissue was harvested. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) was dissected from each subject and tissue was analyzed for CREB via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results demonstrated that rats with at least one NQ-treated parent demonstrated PPI deficits that were generally alleviated by CDPPB or CGS21680, with dose-response changes across certain groups. In general, CGS21680 showed greater efficacy towards alleviation of PPI deficits. Both CDPPB and CGS21680 were successful in reducing CREB to control levels. Overall, the findings suggest that targeting mGlu5 or A(2A) receptors attenuates behavioral and proteomic abnormalities associated with psychosis
The Impact of Caregiver Emotion Socialization on Adolescent Implicit Theory of Emotions
No full textThe way caregivers react to their child’s negative emotions relates to several important emotional outcomes, but it is not well known how these responses later impact the child’s implicit theory of emotion, or their belief that emotions can or cannot be changed. The present study aimed to understand this relationship in adolescence since it is an integral time for deepened emotional development. It was hypothesized that parental rewarding and overriding children’s emotions would predict a stronger belief that emotions can be changed, whereas magnifying a child’s emotions would correspond to a weaker belief of changeability. The impact of punishing emotions on implicit theories of emotion was kept exploratory. In the spring of 2020, adolescents completed the Emotions as a Child scale through Qualtrics, which assessed how often their caregiver rewarded, overrode, magnified, and punished their negative emotions as a child. Adolescents also completed the Implicit Theories of Emotion Scale, which measured teens’ agreement with four statements about the controllability of emotions. Eight hierarchical linear regressions were conducted through SPSS, in which adolescents’ implicit theory of emotion was regressed on mothers’ and fathers’ responses to their child’s negative emotions after controlling for the adolescent’s age and gender. Ultimately, it was found that higher maternal and paternal reward of emotions and paternal override of emotions predicted a stronger belief that emotions are changeable. Comparatively, higher magnification and punishment of emotions by fathers, but not by mothers, predicted weaker belief that emotions are changeable. All in all, the results suggest that the ways in which parents respond to their child’s emotions corresponds to how youth relate to their own emotions, with differences by mothers and fathers
A Survey on Two-Factor Authentication Awareness, Concerns, and Methods
No full textMulti-factor authentication systems in higher level education might just seem like a hindrance to accessing your ETSU email to most students, but they actually play a vital role in the security of data. Though much research has been done about multi-factor authentication systems, there is very little research about higher level education systems, in this example universities. For businesses and banks, there are specific guidelines and policies for what the authentication systems should do to protect the data, but there is no such thing for higher level education. With universities housing such a unique set of data (students\u27 personal information, academic records, university employment records, payroll records, etc.) there should be more specific guidelines in place to protect this data. Through a survey and literary review, I plan to develop a theoretical framework of best practices and policies to be implemented when developing a multi-factor authentication system in higher level education