Middle Tennessee State University
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Probing the Structural Requirements for the Binding of Aurones to ATP
No full textAurones, found in flowers and fruits, contribute to their golden-yellow pigmentation. Their activities involve interactions with ATP-binding domains. Aurone frameworks are prepared by condensation of benzofuranones with aldehydes. This study explores the importance of hydrogen bond-accepting and donating groups in aurone molecules. Aurones exhibit photophysical properties, including absorption and emission spectra in various solvents with different polarity and protic characteristics. The peak absorption intensity reflects the wavelength at which aurones absorb the most energy, crucial for understanding light emission. The maximum emission ranges correspond to the wavelength at which aurones absorb light most effectively, providing insights into their photophysical behavior in different environments. An optimal excitation wavelength indicates the strongest interaction with light, suitable for investigating aurone fluctuations during peak activity and exploring the YME1L AAA+ protein, which exhibits properties like protein kinases. Aurone showing significant differences in fluorescence when mixed with the YME1L AAA+ protein compared to isolation, demonstrate aurone interactions with the protein domain. After determining the optimal excitation wavelength, experiments compared the presence and absence of protein in aurone solutions. Aurones showing distinct signals in solutions containing only aurone versus both aurone and protein, indicate their binding capability, while aurones with minimal differences suggested poor protein binding models and were excluded. These signals supported protein binding and prompted further investigation at YME1L AAA+ protein contacts. Aurones exhibiting decreased fluorescence intensity with increasing YMEIL AAA+ protein concentrations suggest potential binding interactions. Concentration also influenced tryptophan fluorescence, but inaccurate results were obtained due to an incorrect cuvette
Essays on Institutional Arrangements and their Consequences
No full textThis dissertation examines the roles that institutions play in our lives. Chapter 1 explores the relationship between the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), legislation intended to improve the labor market outcomes for the disabled, and post-secondary educational attainment for that same group. This chapter argues that although the ADA was intended to improve the lives of the disabled, it did the opposite. The literature documented the ADA had a negative effect on labor market outcomes for the disabled, and this chapter builds on these findings, finding that the ADA had a negative impact on post-secondary educational attainment for the disabled, particularly in states that had no disability-based labor protections before the passage of the ADA. Chapter 2 builds on this finding by examining whether state-level economic freedom can mitigate the deleterious effect of the ADA found in Chapter 1. This chapter finds that economic freedom mitigates the impact of the ADA on undergraduate and post-secondary educational attainment for the disabled, even overtaking the effect in the former case. Chapter 3 provides a modern analysis of the relationship between capitalism and democracy, as noted in the Hayek-Friedman hypothesis. This chapter finds that only four countries have ever had socialist or near-socialist economies when they also had high levels of democracy. These violations of the Hayek-Friedman hypothesis, though, consist of economies of transition and as such contain no true violations of the Hayek-Friedman hypothesis.Ph.D
Correlation of Graphene Defect Density in Saccharide Carbon Dots for Electrochemical Dopamine Detection
No full textABSTRACT
A study was conducted to investigate the detection of dopamine levels in urine to diagnose neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer. A series of carbon dots (sucrose, palatinose and raffinose) were synthesized in the Leblanc lab at U. Miami-Coral Gables and applied for the electrochemical sensing of dopamine. A cobalt oxide-sucrose carbon dot (Co3O4-SucCD) composite was developed, utilizing a 1:1 mixture (by mass) suspended in absolute anhydrous ethanol, followed by sonication for 30 min. to facilitate the tethering of sucrose carbon dots (SucCDs) onto the Co3O4 nanoparticles. The electrode demonstrated selectivity towards urea, uric acid, glucose, and ascorbic acid, common interferes in urine. With a limit of detection of 1.91 µM in PBS, the electrode exhibited a linear dynamic range of 10-100 µM, R2=0.990, and successfully detected 5 µM dopamine in urine samples, suitable for identifying elevated dopamine levels indicative of neuroblastoma. Calibration curve fitting in simulated urine yielded a quadratic equation with an R2 = 0.997. The diffusion coefficient of the electrode in phosphate buffer was determined to be 5.21 x 10-5 cm2•sec-1. The correlation between graphene defect density within the saccharide carbon dots for dopamine sensing was investigated, revealing that the defect density decreased in the order of SucCDs (0.195) > PalCDs (0.115) > RafCDs (0.0975), while the electrocatalytic sensitivity followed the trend of RafCDs < PalCDs < SucCDs. The composite particles exhibit an average size of 68.47 ± 0.77 nm with a coefficient of determination R2= 0.978. SEM-EDX analysis indicates a presence of 0.6% cobalt within the composite. The data suggests that a multilayer of carbon dots (CDs) surrounds the cobalt oxide particles, rendering low atomic % cobalt as detected by EDX.M.S
A Look at Connections and Engagement Amont At-Risk Commuters and Residential Students at Middle Tennessee State University
No full textThis study investigates how at-risk students at Middle Tennessee State University connect with the campus and feel a sense of belonging, shows the difference in connection of residential students versus commuters, and looks at what other university Housing programs are doing for student support and connection. Lastly, this study defines what an at-risk student is, what the outcomes of student connections are, what MTSU does for at risk students, and how university leadership, such as RAs, mentors, and other higher-ups are doing for at-risk students
Quiet Quitting, Engagement, & Personality
No full textThis research focused on the relationship between quiet quitting and engagement, achievement, and personality. There is limited research on quiet quitting which suggests that this is an important concept to investigate due to the increasing popularity of the topic of quiet quitting in the workplace. We tested correlations between quiet quitting and each of the Big 5 Personality traits, employee engagement, and achievement motivation. Extroversion and conscientiousness were both found to be negatively correlated to quiet quitting. Neuroticism was found to be positively correlated with quiet quitting. The results showed support for openness and agreeableness being negatively correlated with quiet quitting. Engagement and achievement motivation were both found to be negatively correlated with quiet quitting. This research provides better understanding of the type of individuals who engage in quiet quitting behavior.M.A
A Psychometric Evaluation of Internal Restlessness and Hyperactivity Measures Among College Students
No full textThis thesis aims to assess our current understanding of internal restlessness in adults with ADHD and how it is assessed. Currently, there is very little research on methods to objectively assess internal restlessness, with most methods relying on subjective techniques. But, based on prior research into other related conditions involving internal restlessness including Parkinson’s disease, restless leg syndrome, akathisia, and hyperactivity in ADHD, a pattern of dopamine dysregulation and frontal lobe dysfunctions begins to emerge. By comparing different subjective and objective assessments including the Conner’s Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS), Internal Restlessness Scale (IRS), Finger Tapping Test (FTT), Grip Strength (GS), and Actigraphy (ACT), a positive correlation between the subjective assessments and the nondominant hand on the finger tapping test was seen. Additionally, there was also a correlation between actigraphy and grip strength. This new evidence may point to a major difference in subjective assessments of internal restlessness and hyperactivity being related to fine motor movement and control seen in the finger tapping test compared to the gross motor movements of the grip strength and actigraphy.M.A
Pretty Privilege at Work: The Influence of Physical Attractiveness on Hiring Decisions, Mediated by Perceived Efficacy
No full textPhysical attractiveness impacts many parts of life, including the workplace. This study examined whether physical attractiveness influences hiring and firing decision-making processes, along with whether perceived efficacy mediated the relationships. Participants viewed the resume and photo of an applicant. Participants rated the applicant attractiveness and efficacy and made a hiring decision. Participants then viewed the photo, performance review, and misconduct report of an employee. Participants rated the employee attractiveness and made a firing choice. All photos were either a man or woman and altered to be attractive or unattractive. Perceived efficacy mediated 28.2% of the total relationship between attractiveness, perceived efficacy, and hiring choice. Although the effect was not statistically significant. Attractiveness did not affect firing choice.M.A
Connected Creativity: Exploring Dyadic Dynamics Across Settings
No full textRemote work has increased in prevalence since the emergence of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This study examined how creative outcomes are impacted in remote work settings in the context of a broader project on creative outcomes in teams. Participants completed individual and collaborative Guilford’s Consequences tasks over the course of three meetings to assess creativity. Participants included 38 undergraduate and graduate Middle Tennessee State University students (Mage=22.42, SDage=3.75), with 9 dyads communicating through videoconferencing software and 10 dyads communicating in person. Additional data was collected on participants' demographics, personality, cognitive, and psychoaffective variables to identify potential covariates. The 2x3 factorial ANOVA found that the work setting was not significant; however, the meeting frequency was statistically significant. An ANCOVA found that personality traits can impact creativity scores over time. These findings suggest that group creativity outcomes will increase regardless of work setting and that personality factors impact group creativity.M.A
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO PERSISTENCE AND RETENTION FOR BLACK MALES AT A PUBLIC FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY
No full textIn the United States, previous and current data state that Black males have the lowest persistence and graduation rates in higher education institutions among all student populations. Black men in public four-year colleges and universities are generally the lowest-performing male group. According to the US Department of Education, only 38.6% of Black male students graduate within six years from four-year institutions, compared to 64.1% of White male students. There is an array of factors and challenges that contribute to these academic disparities starting as early as Black males' primary education years. There is currently a gap in research addressing factors, particularly as they relate to first-year persistence and retention to their sophomore year. Additional research is still needed to examine college readiness and the first-year academic experiences of Black undergraduate males.
Previous research pointed to several factors that had both positive and negative influences on Black male student persistence and retention, including college readiness, campus climate, environmental and sociological factors, sense of belonging, student support, faculty support, and mentoring, availability of financial assistance, and racism and microaggressions. Tinto’s Persistence Theoretical Framework (Metz, 2004) was used to organize this study and connect it to existing literature. Research suggests that to address the retention needs of Black males, college administrators must be able to acknowledge and adapt to their unique needs and obstacles. Further, better retention staff and hiring a more diverse faculty that the students can relate to culturally may improve retention and persistence.
This study utilized the Qualitative Narrative Research Method, which allowed me to interact with Black male first- and second-year students through interviews and focus groups to share lived individual experiences as they relate to the research topic. Through this method, the study attempted to identify factors and strategies that can contribute to the persistence and retention opportunity gaps between Black males and other student populations at four-year public universities. This study illustrated that Black male college students are not monolithic, meaning that there is an array of challenges that Black males face in their academic pursuits. However, there are many students who achieve academic success through persistence and perseverance.Ed.D
Engineering Capstone: A Guide to Senior Design for Engineering and Technology
No full textThis open textbook is part of the OER at MTSU Series. URL for interactive features: https://mtsu.pressbooks.pub/engineeringcapstone/This textbook, Engineering Capstone: A Guide to Senior Design for Engineering and Technology, contains seven modules with information and activities related to the engineering design process, based on the ABET accreditation student outcomes for engineering and technology, plus an additional module on career readiness. These are: 1) Problem Solving – Applying Prior Knowledge and Skills 2) Design – Ideation and Invention 3) Communication – Written, Oral, and Graphical 4) Ethics – Responsibilities, Safety, Global Impacts, and Standards 5) Teamwork – Collaboration and Project Management 6) Experimentation – Testing and Analysis 7) Learning Strategies – Research and Troubleshooting 8) Career Readiness – Personal Presentation and Job Applications. KEYWORDS: senior design; engineering capstone; design; engineering; mechanical engineering; mechatronics engineering; technologyEngineering and Technology Department, Middle Tennessee State University
Affordable Course Materials Grant, James E. Walker Library, Middle Tennessee State Universit