2199 research outputs found
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Hydrophobic Characterization of Butterfly Proboscises
No full textFeeding habits of Lepidoptera are sometimes categorized into two feeding guilds, flower-visitors (nectar feeders) and non-flower-visitors (sap and rotting fruit feeders). The structure of the proboscis tip of non-flower-visitors (brush-like) has an adaptive value, facilitating fluid uptake from surfaces; however, the adaptive value of smooth proboscises of flower-visitors is understudied. This study’s purpose was to quantify the overall hydrophobicity of the drinking region of proboscises of flower- and non-flower-visiting butterflies and provide evidence for the potential adaptive value of a smooth proboscis. We used Nile red to stain the hydrophobic structures on proboscises of butterfly species from both feeding guilds. Stained proboscises were imaged on a confocal microscope and the percent hydrophobicity was quantified using Lenseye® color analysis. Our results indicate that smooth proboscises are more hydrophobic than brush-like proboscises. The hydrophobic nature of smooth proboscises might aid in retrieval of nectar from floral corollas by having less adhesive surfaces.</p
Gender Roles and the Aging Man
No full textThe purpose of this study is to examine the ideals upheld by the traditional male role, activities associated with these ideals, and how the ideals and behaviors affect the aging man. It was hypothesized that traditional gender roles have major effects for elderly men. Studies show that men’s behavior is influenced by masculinity within the male gender role. Physical health, mental health and social relationships can all be impacted by prescribing to traditional roles. Furthering the findings from related literature, an in-depth interview was conducted with Michael, 72. Interview reports support previous studies by showing that Mike’s early life choices (smoking, excessive drinking, prioritizing work over family) reflect masculine ideals. Just as literature suggested, the risky behavior Mike engaged in associated with the traditional male role has led him to suffer physically, mentally and socially. It is concluded that traditional gender roles and associated behaviors create negative consequences in physical, mental and social well-being. By exploring the impact of traditional gender roles on the lives of aging men, we will be able to take this knowledge and apply it to methods to prevent or reverse such effects.</p
Sustainable Fashion for the Masses: The Study of Designing and Selling Sustainable Fashion
No full textThe purpose of this study was to evaluate and test the viability of the sustainable movement in fashion. Specifically utilizing the unique skill set of designing, drawing, and sewing zero – waste apparel, that is garments made sustainable by manipulating patterns to have no fabric waste. The study assessed The Fashion School Store’s current sales, and developed a collection of sustainable garments based on those findings. The research included was appraising The Fashion School Store, researching different apparel manufacturing and sustainable fashion materials, and finally, designing and creating a unique collection of saleable apparel for The Fashion School Store. This project explores the full process of design, from entrepreneurial concept to the eventual creation of a product. This study adds to our knowledge and understanding of the marketability and salability of sustainable fashion apparel.</p
Memphis Movement
No full texthttps://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/ugresearch/2015/Art_Fashion/8/thumbnail.jpgMy research is focused on digital printing and how we can relate this to body movements and emphasizing depths. Fashion is an art form that has come to life and functions with us daily. I wanted to expand on the idea of movement in my prints to enhance regular body movement. My prints are inspired by the Memphis Design, was a group of young furniture and product designers that led-Milano postmodern style movement in the 1980s. There prints were bright and vibrant while creating structural pieces of furniture. The Group would highlight angular furniture pieces by adding a movement print that enhanced the design. I focused on this idea for the body. First in my process of creating my print designs, I paint my inspiration to get more of a flow and then upload them to illustrator to make them digital. I have formulated abstract prints that focus on angular movements using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator techniques. My print designs all play with the idea of optical illusion especially where it is placed on the body. The print designs help the viewer focus more on that area or mute them out. I wanted to showcase that where I placed the print plus the fabric choice enhances the movement of the body simulating movement. I believe that digital printing can be used to enhance parts of the body we would love to showcase but can also mute the problem areas. My prints center on body movement and they magnify body movement when worn.</p
Hypoxic tumor microenvironment alters Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor isoform expression in cancer cells
No full textVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is necessary for angiogenesis and tumor growth. VEGF splice isoforms have distinct characteristics, with VEGF121 being more diffusible, thus allowing for more distant angiogenic signaling, and VEGF165 and VEGF189 being found within the cell and the extracellular matrix. We hypothesized that VEGF expression in cancer cells would increase under hypoxia and that the VEGF 121 isoform would be enhanced. We examined VEGF mRNA levels and relative isoform ratios in cells grown in hypoxia or treated with CoCl2 to mimic hypoxia. Prostate cancer (PC3, LNCaP) and leukemia (MOLT-4, K562) cells were initially cultured under normoxic conditions with 20% O2 and then placed in a hypoxia chamber with 1% O2 or treated with CoCl2. RNA was extracted from treated and control cells, and quantitative real-time PCR analysis was performed to analyze VEGF expression under the different conditions. Our findings suggest that hypoxia increased both VEGF121 and VEGF165 expression in prostate cancer and leukemia cells. These results of elevated VEGF121 indicate the potential for lethal metastatic tumor growth distant from the primary tumor site. Overall, this work highlights the role of the hypoxic tumor microenvironment in regulating the functionally distinct VEGF isoforms in cancer cells.</p
From the Editors
No full texthttps://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/asir/vol5/iss1/1/thumbnail.jp
Culturally Insensitive Athletic Mascots: Do Future Leaders in Sport Care
No full text/sites/default/files/journals/4/articles/157/submission/thumbnail.jpgSince the passage of the 1964 US Civil Rights Act, insensitive cultural imagery has received ever-increasing scrutiny and opposition, thus many US universities have reconsidered their usage of culturally insensitive athletic mascots (CIAM). A primary goal of this article was to present information on the adoption, evolution, opposition, and, in most cases, transition away from CIAM. Regarding the historic usage and evolution of specific CIAM’s, this article will provide a detailed examination of Chief Illiniwek (University of Illinois), Colonel Reb (University of Mississippi), and The Fighting Souix (University of North Dakota). Another goal was to explore the opinions of traditional-age college students in academic majors related to sport leadership. In order to explore this topic, a survey (N = 142) was conducted regarding sport science student reactions to graphic images of CIAM. This survey was conducted to examine the potential effect of Color Blind Racial Ideology (CBRI) regarding CIAM. These findings provide support to the theory that future sport leaders also tend to exhibit CBRI related to school-based athletic mascots where dominant ethnic group perspectives have been the traditional viewpoint.</p
Optimism and Female Volleyball Players’ Perceptions of Psychological Momentum
No full texthttps://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/node/9950/8842-thumbnail.jpgMany athletes and spectators believe that experiencing and controlling psychological momentum is a critical component to achieving success in sport (Perreault, Vallerand, Montgomery, & Provencher, 1998; Stanimirovic & Hanrahan, 2004). Nevertheless, little is known regarding why some individuals perceive psychological momentum differently than others. This study was designed to determine if optimistic thinking has a relationship with psychological momentum perceptions in sport. Female Division I NCAA volleyball players (N = 68)completed the Life Orientation Test – Revised (Scheier, Carver, & Bridges,1994), the Sport Attributional Style Scale - Short (Hanrahan & Grove, 1990b), and a psychological momentum assessment. The results indicated that the attributional style constructs of intentionality and globality were significant predictors of psychological momentum perceptions. Also, participants had greater disagreement regarding the momentum value of early and late points in a set than those in between. Future attempts to measure psychological momentum perceptions should consider a mixed methods approach along with more ecologically valid assessment protocols.</p
NFL Time Management: The Role of Timeouts in End-Game Scenarios
No full texthttps://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/node/9952/8844-thumbnail.jpgTime management is an important part of game strategy in the National Football League (NFL), especially in the second half of a game that could be decided by a field goal. This paper determines the in-game factors that contribute to an NFL offensive team’s total time taken to reach field goal range during the final six minutes of regulation in games that are within three points or less. Using data constructed from 2009-2011 NFL regular season games, we find that neither quarterback rating nor the number of All-Pro players affect the speed at a which a team reaches field goal range. However, counter to conventional wisdom, using an offensive timeout during the final drive of the game extends the time it takes to reach field goal range by 22 seconds. On the other hand, the mere availability of an offensive timeout decreases the time it takes to reach field goal range by 19 seconds. Both of these effects are found in games where the offense is behind by 1, 2, or 3 points, but not in tied games. These findings inform in-game coaching decisions for football head coaches.</p
