5032 research outputs found
Sort by
The Power of Pets: Navigating Infancy, Early development, and Eventual loss/ Exploring the Mutual Human-Animal Bond through Children’s Board and Picture Books with Critical Anthropomorphism
Full text linkPets are powerful elements of picture books. Alongside our animal companions, we navigate infancy, early childhood and adulthood, and better understand our relationships and life itself. Critical anthropomorphism allows us to represent our relationship to our animal companions ethically in the written and illustrated text. This paper acknowledges an array of primary and scholarly texts about animals and their roles in human experience as a foundation for my three book projects “A Colorful Night for Cat,” “Grandma, Sam, and Me,” and “Tired Old Socks.” I work to portray animal companions authentically, showing how both humans and animal companions benefit from their relationships with each other, consciously processing why this representation in children\u27s books is significant
Foucauldian discourses at the intersection of climate-induced migration and cultural heritage
Full text linkThe worsening climate crisis has created and exacerbated issues of migration, cultural heritage and power relations issues. States and communities worldwide face large-scale challenges that must be addressed to protect individuals and ensure the longevity of nations and their cultures. This thesis utilizes Foucauldian theories of power through a critical discourse analysis of relevant documents in international law, state policy, and research to assess how discourses impact the design and implementation of policies and practices that are intended to mitigate and solve these issues in Kiribati, Tuvalu, and for the Rohingya. When there are discrepancies between discourses created and reinforced by states and communities, the subsequent goals and outcomes of policies conflict and reduce efficacy in addressing complex issues
Witch, Please: The Campy, Sexually Depraved, and Sacrilegious Anti-Morality Tale
Full text linkThere will be no explanation, only reputation.
Sky, the little g god, is in their forest on the first Halloween, scheming on how to ascend to Big G God status, will Sky be able to bop their way to the top, or will a fascist plot, accidental immaculate conception, and their hubris ruin the bitchin\u27est night of the year
The effects Iron pollution has on the health of Medionidus conradicus
Full text linkUnder the direction of Dr. Mary Jane Carmichael, Dr. Daniel Derringer, Dr. Molly Lynch, Dr. Kaila Thorn Freshwater mussels like Medionidus conradicus (the Cumberland Moccasinshell) are essential to the health of aquatic ecosystems in Southwest Virginia and serve as bioindicators of ecosystem health due to their sensitivity to pollution (Jones, 2015). This study aims to examine the effects of iron (Fe) pollution from coal mining runoff on the physiological state of M. condradicus. Approximately 60 mussels will be divided into control and experimental groups and raised in lab-based aquatic microcosms. Test groups will be exposed to Fe concentrations found in the Clinch River (Echols, 2011), with incremental increases in Fe exposure over eight weeks. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels will be measured before and after exposure to Fe to assess respiratory function, following methods adapted from Chen, Heath, and Neves (2001). I hypothesize that increasing Fe levels will impair respiration, indicating declining mussel health (Naimo, 1995; Vuori, 1995; Khan et al., 2018). Results will enhance our understanding of the ecological impacts of coal mining (Bernhardt et al., 2012; Acharya & Kharel, 2020) and help guide conservation efforts for threatened mussel species (Freshwater Mussels, n.d.; Zipper & Skousen, 2020)
Diurnal and Nocturnal Patterns of Leaf Cutter Ants (Atta spp.)
Full text linkUnder the direction of Dr. Renee Godard Leaf cutter Ants (Atta spp.) form highly complex colonies and play a key role in moving nutrients from the canopy to the forest floor in Central and South America and are considered pests in agricultural regions. In order to provide fodder for their underground fungal garden, worker ants will forage during the day and night, though they are considered to be heavier night time foragers (1). In this study, we compared leaf delivery, worker activity, and minim activity along marked foraging trails during the day and night. Activity along 11 foraging trails from five different colonies were studied in primarily agricultural areas in Mera, Pastaza Province Ecuador. We found that ants had significantly higher foraging rates during the day and the presence of minims, the smallest ant caste, were found in equal number in the day and the night
Scaredy Cats: Domestic Cat Responses to Audio Stimuli
Full text linkUnder the direction of Dr. Renee Godard Predators can detect prey by a variety of mechanisms with auditory cues being of importance particularly in nocturnal animals. Previous studies have shown that domesticated cats can track potential prey by sound. In this study, I compared the responses of nine domestic cats (Felis catus) to different sounds, two mimicking prey (a rodent death scream and crinkly noise) and a neutral beep tone. Sounds were projected from undercover and the distance the cat spent within 1 m of the speaker was recorded at 10 second intervales before (2 min), during (2 min) and after (2 min) the playback. In addition the position of the ears was also noted at 10 second intervals. Cats showed little interest in any playback, spending little time in the vicinity of the speaker and did not spend more time in the vicinity of prey sounds when compared to the neutral beep. In addition, cats were more likely to put their ears back during the rat screams, a behavioral pattern that is more often associated with fear, anger or discomfort. These results differ from other studies which showed that indoor-only cats are more likely to engage in searching for playback sounds
Looking Up or Falling Down? The Impact of Social Comparison on College Students’ Self-Esteem
Full text linkUnder the direction of Dr. Alex Wooten
Social comparison is a powerful psychological process that can shape how individuals perceive themselves, particularly during the formative college years. This independent study explored how different types of social comparison like upward, downward, and social media-based influence self-esteem among college students. Grounded in Festinger’s (1954) Social Comparison Theory, the project examined existing research to understand the patterns and psychological effects of these comparisons. The literature review indicated that upward social comparison, particularly on social media, is frequently associated with lower self-esteem (Festinger, 1954), while downward comparison may offer temporary self-enhancement (Wills, 1981). These insights highlight the importance of awareness around comparison habits and the potential mental health implications for college students. This study lays the groundwork for future research by providing a deeper understanding of how different types of social comparison can affect self-esteem. It highlights the need for continued exploration of these processes, particularly in the context of social media, and suggests that interventions aimed at reducing harmful comparison habits could benefit college students’ mental health and self-perception. Future studies could build on these findings to develop strategies that help individuals cultivate a healthier relationship with social comparison and improve overall well-being
Stay With Me - The Journey of Abeni Bassey
No full textSTAY WITH ME- THE JOURNEY OF ABENI BASSEY
This M.F.A. thesis project includes a novel titled STAY WITH ME – The Journey of Abeni Bassey. This project also includes a critical essay highlighting the background work of the research and historical elements. It is indeed a journey of hope, the bond of family, and the lineage of magic that gets passed down through the canals of time.
The essay dives into a primary source document (census record) that catapults the direction of the work. Elements of history are shown in the spiritual realm of Griots and Arokin, who appear to help the main character Abeni, assist her grandmother and mother in reuniting just in time before her mother’s sacred 33rd birthday. A birthday that is bestowed with an important item that has supernatural characteristics that have been passed down since the 16th and 17th centuries.
Abeni’s story and the critical essay elaborate on the following themes: culture, fantasy, magic, history, love, time, separation, reflection, friendship, and hope.
Support for this work was found within the following mentor texts: Imposter Syndrome, Dragons in a Bag, All That She Carried, Hell of a Book, Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice, and the Dark Fantastic.
Stay With Me is a fascinating journey that embraces challenges with incredible heart. A story that leaves you feeling triumphant and believing in the power of family
Economic Impact of Salt Reduction on Cardiovascular Diseases in Pakistan
No full textUnder the direction of Dr. Pablo Hernandez
Excessive salt consumption is widely recognized as a leading cause of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (hereinafter CVD) (Jacques et al, 2021). Recent estimates by the World Health Organization (hereinafter WHO) highlight the growing burden of hypertension and CVDs globally, which obstruct public health improvements and strain national health systems (WHO, 2024). In Pakistan, these trends underline the urgency of adopting cost-effective strategies and national-level policies for the prevention and control of hypertension (Yakoob et al, 2016). Persistent retrogress in a country’s public health sphere extends beyond direct negative impacts on individuals’ health, as early hypertension and CVD can impact an economy through increased healthcare costs, reduced labor productivity, and financial strain on households (Watkins et al., 2015). Different scholars highlight the importance of addressing dietary risk factors like high salt intake to prevent early cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reduce the economic burden associated with chronic diseases (Watkins et al., 2015). We plan to analyze how excessive salt consumption contributes to early CVD prevalence in Pakistan and explore the economic consequences associated with such timely phenomenon, including increased healthcare spending and the financial burden on households. Ultimately, the goal behind such analysis can help chart a course to assess the cost-effectiveness of potential interventions, like public health policies aimed at reducing salt intake, and their broader economic impacts. The question we pose is as follows: What are the economic and health impacts of population-wide salt reduction policies on cardiovascular disease prevalence in Pakistan? We argue that a reduction in dietary salt consumption will significantly lower the prevalence of CVD and associated healthcare costs
One Man Show/ Who Am I
Full text linkHistorically, stereotypes of ideal masculine physiques and attributed qualities have led to discriminatory and exclusionary practices that adversely affect black queer men and how they show up in various performance and social spaces. As a result, black male bodies in these spaces have employed the alter ego as a tool to imagine themselves inside/outside these constructed masculinities. How can the alter ego aid in transcending dated notions of race and gender, beholden to black male bodies within concert dance? Through the intertwining of personal narrative and research rooted in psychology and gender studies, this work examines the alter ego as a vehicle for exploring gender performance outside the context of dominant heteronormative thinking