Middle Tennessee State University
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Radioactive
No full textThis creative project serves as a pre-production for a large-scale animated series based upon characters invented by my brother and me during childhood. The
long-term goal of this project is to create the world with which I grew up, and perhaps show that siblings in modern entertainment do not have to hate each other to be relatable. I want to create a beloved story that I know many people never knew they needed. I will depict how the inspiration for this story came about, along with the process of creating the project
Versatile Electrochemical Sensing with a Prussian Blue Zinc Oxide Carbon Nanotube Composite
No full textThe design of a sensor is currently required for reliable, accurate and rapid quantification of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The selective measurement of H2O2 in complex systems is crucial because H2O2 plays a vital role in various fields such as cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies, clinical control, chemical and biochemical industry, agriculture products, fuel cells, environmental protection, organic synthesis and cancer cell analysis. Complex, time consuming and expensive methods are used to determine H2O2 concentrations under current practices.
Our method uses electrochemical techniques for real-time monitoring of H2O2 directly. To design a selective and sensitive sensor for H2O2, the earth rich materials including ZnO, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Prussian Blue (PB) were synthesized and applied. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using a reflux-synthesis process before attaching them to functionalized CNTs (COOH-MWNTs). After tethering refluxed ZnO to carboxylic acid functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWNTs), an electrochemical sensing composite was produced by electrostatically attaching Prussian Blue to ZnO/COOH-MWNTs to enhance sensitivity towards H2O2. ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A simple ultrasonication process was used to tether ZnO synthesized nanoparticles. Finally, PZC concept was applied to attach PB on the surface of ZnO/COOH-MWNTs. The morphology and chemical composition of ZnO/COOH-MWNTs and PB/ZnO/COOH-MWNTs composites were studied under TEM, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The modification of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was performed using the PB/ZnO/COOH-MWNTs. Nafion(2wt%) was used to cap the nanocomposite on the GCE to design a Nafion/PB/ZnO/COOH-MWNTs sensor to monitor H2O2. The electrocatalytic activity of the prepared sensor for the reduction and oxidation of H2O2 was examined under cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) techniques. The cytotoxicity study of the PB/ZnO/COOH-MWNTs composite for its potential in vivo use was also done with the help of an Alamar Blue assay.
A practical use of Nafion/PB/ZnO/COOH-MWNTs/GCE sensor for ex situ determination of H2O2 in BT20 and 4T1 cancer cells was explained. The sensor demonstrated a wide linear response in the range of 1 µM to 3 mM concentration at an operating potential of -0.004 V on the potentiostat. In addition, this sensor was used to delineate the role of oxidative stress in cancer cell viability by measuring the concentration of H2O2 in response to apoptosis in BT20 cancer cells. This sensor shows excellent reproducibility, good stability and it is used as versatile sensor to measure H2O2 in different environments. In addition, the same sensor is versatile to study other analytes such as homomvanillic acid, dopamine and glutathione at different potentials.Ph.D
Mathematical Analysis of ordinary differential equations (ODE) and fractional order differential equation (FODE) models of CD70 CAR T-cell therapy for gliomas
No full textABSTRACT
Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T-cells) immunotherapy has been successful in the treatment of liquid cancers. Currently, CAR T-cells immunotherapy has been investigated for treatment of solid tumors, including glioblastoma (GBM) (brain cancers). Glioma cells with CD70 expression antigen have been identified as a novel potential CAR T target for glioma. Growing evidence from preclinical studies demonstrated that CD70 CAR T-cells can induce potent antitumor response in xenograft and syngeneic models without adverse effects. However, better understanding of the mechanism of CD70 specific CAR T therapy against GBM in immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment requires improving its efficacy. We propose two types of Mathematical models, one is a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and the other is a system of fractional order ordinary differential equations (FODEs) to explore the kinetics of CAR T-cells killing glioma. Although, the ODE model provides very good results with mouse specific CAR T-cells (mCAR T) and human specific CAR T-cells (hCAR T) immunotherapy against glioma in animal models, the cells memory structure becomes significant which the ODE model does take into consideration. The fractional order differential equations model addresses the cell memory structure. The fractional order differential model shows very encouraging results for CAR T immunotherapy against glioma. Computer simulations based on the models using Python and MATLAB programming languages were used to quantify the anti-tumor efficacy of CD70 specific CAR T-cells against gliomas in xenograft and syngeneic mouse models presented in preclinical studies. The models suggests that the success of CAR T-cells treatment depends on individual tumor, tumor growth rate, CD70 level of expression and dose of the treatment.Ph.D
The Voices of African American Adolescent Males: Schooling Experience in Urban Schools
No full textABSTRACT
The ongoing phenomenon of African American males' poor academic performance has been evidenced in research data, indicating this subgroup of students tends to have one of the largest academic deficits, behavioral issues, and high school dropout rates which often leads to the school-to-prison pipeline process (Craven et al., 2020). The researcher set forth to better understand why African American male students remain academically at-risk students and if there are confounding reasons when students feel connected or marginalized from school and learning environments. Therefore, the purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study aimed to engage fourth-grade African American adolescents to share personal experiences and stories about learning in public school.
This study was guided by Critical Race Theory, which supports the power of "voice" for minority students to share their perspectives of teachers and peers (Delgado, 1989). CRT believes that educational policies are not equitable and can often hinder African American students from receiving optimal educational opportunities and leverage in attaining academic success. Therefore, CRT scholars analyze educational reform, policies, and practices and support gaps in the literature to better understand why this embodiment of students is adversely challenged in academics and future success.
In this study, African American adolescent males were recruited from one elementary school located in a southern, mid-sized urban setting in the Middle Tennessee area. After conducting a seven-week qualitative analysis of transcripts from participants' focus group interviews and classroom observations, the researcher utilized a constant comparative method to force-align themes of poverty, trauma, self-efficacy, and school belonging. Findings in this study provide insight into how African American male adolescents perceive school, their learning experiences, and how external factors can impede academic achievement.Ed.D
INVESTIGATING DISCOURSE PRACTICES FOR STUDENTS IN A HYBRID POGIL INTRODUCTORY CHEMISTRY CLASS
No full textHaving discussions and working together in groups with other learners is the indicator of the collaboration aspect of engagement. Collaborative engagement can be fostered through active learning approaches, since they provide more opportunities for interaction among learners. In Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) classrooms, small groups of peers discuss and verbalize ideas with each other to reach a shared understanding. As students discuss ideas and share ideas with others, they can hear different viewpoints and develop understandings that may not have been possible individually. This dissertation considers this approach toward learning, focused on two big ideas: 1) the English Learner (EL) student population and their engagement in small group conversations 2) the impact of converting a POGIL class to a hybrid format on students' engagement in small group conversations.
1) the English Learner (EL) student population and their engagement in small group conversations
Increasing numbers of immigrants in the United States have led to an increase in the number of ELs in American classrooms. A typical challenge for ELs in American science classes is that they are unfamiliar with the norms and expectations of class and may not feel valued and accepted. Instructors may also have lower expectations for them, affecting their learning and achievement. Due to these difficulties, English learners might have a different experience and engage in small group discussions differently than non-English learners in a POGIL-based. Our analysis indicated that ELs are less likely to engage in discursive moves that lead to shared understanding than non-ELs, which could indicate missed opportunities for knowledge construction. In addition, we provided evidence that EL populations may need to be redefined and subgroups within them considered. According to our findings, the EL population can be categorized into subgroups based on students’ educational backgrounds. The defined subgroups of ELs engaged differently in small group conversations and those who spent more time in the US educational system participated more actively in conversations.
2) the impact of converting a POGIL class to a hybrid format on students' engagement in small group conversations.
Nowadays, distance education plays an important role in the educational system. Transactional distance theory argues that distance education creates a psychological separation between students and their instructors, preventing students from interacting and being engaged. Studies suggest that distance education could benefit from active learning approaches to reduce transactional distance. In this study, a hybrid POGIL class with half of the students attending in person and the other half participating remotely was investigated to see how this particular active learning approach influenced students' interactions. Despite the active learning approach in this design, analysis of students' conversations showed that they were sometimes less engaged in group discussions when interacting remotely, suggesting that the transactional distance for remote students was present. Student participants and the course instructor attributed this pattern to more distractions in remote classes, difficulties in engagement caused by the nature of online courses, and less accountability. Upon analysis at the individual student level, we found that the patterns we observed for the entire class were not the same for each student. From student participants’ and the instructor’s point of view, sometimes students' personality (e.g., some people are comfortable sharing their ideas with others but some people do not) and their attitudes toward the course could have a greater impact on how they engaged in small group discussions than whether they were in person or remote. To understand the dynamic behind these observed patterns and optimize the learning experience in distance education, more research is needed on student characteristics, group dynamics, facilitation, and task types.Ph.D
Decoding Spotify Audio Features Data: Helping Artists Utilize Big Tech-Optimizing Touring Using Valence and Algorithm
No full textCreating an initial “how to” for artists to access and understand the information available via the API would put them in a position to create a positive trajectory for themselves. This project has developed, tested and published a computer script capable of extracting and analyzing key data from the Spotify API’s musical valence algorithms. The project also explores using data to optimize live shows, discusses the benefits such exploration might provide for artists, and outlines possible later expansion of the script’s capabilities and uses
Knowledge and Practices of Heat Acclimation in Recreational Runners
No full textHeat acclimation is the foremost method of preventing exertional heat illness during exercise in hot and humid environments. However, the prevalence of heat acclimation (HA) training and associated knowledge is not currently known in recreational running populations. The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the knowledge and practices of recreational runners toward HA across two studies. Additionally, participants’ training practices were examined for signs of natural HA as well as differences in knowledge and practice among participants of different training status.
In study one, recreational runners in the Southeastern United States (N = 125) demonstrated a lack of knowledge toward proper HA training and associated benefits. Participants largely received HA advice from their peers (31.2 %) and a large majority reported no professional guidance in their training (79.2 %). Finally, participants’ beliefs toward proper HA training differed among training groups with moderate and high groups perceiving greater frequency, miles/wk, and min/wk as appropriate for HA compared to the low group (p < .05).
In study two, it was determined that participants’ HA practices did not meet the current recommended professional guidelines regardless of training status. Participants preferred running for HA purposes (88.8%) with the majority preferring to run before 8 am (41.6 %). A total of 85.6% of participants reported their performance had suffered due to overheating with no association found by training group (N = 125; χ2 = 2.10; p = .35). Yearly occurrence of exertional heat illness (EHI) symptoms was not statistically different among participants of different training status, however there was a trend for participants in the low group to experience less nausea (Mdifference = -1.65; d = -0.41) and muscle cramps (Mdifference = -0.90; d = -0.31) compared to the high group. Finally, while there were statistically significant differences in some participants’ duration, miles/wk, or min/wk of exercise across seasons (p < .05), a general consistency in training variables throughout a training year was present. In conclusion, governing bodies in exercise and sports should consider developing more comprehensive and more widely distributed educational initiatives for the recreational running population regarding HA and EHI prevention.Ph.D
Trailering stress creates false positive results in diagnostic testing for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction in Horses
No full textPituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) occurs in over 20% of aged horses. The best diagnostic for PPID compares plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) before and after thyrotropic-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation. Stress affects the pituitary–adrenal axis and may confound PPID diagnosis. This study examined if trailering stress could cause false-positive PPID diagnosis in horses, and if so, what rest time after trailering is needed before TRH-stimulation. Ten horses were hauled 40 min every 4 weeks. Blood was collected before and 0, 15, 30, 60, and 120-min post-trailering, followed by TRH-stimulation. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. Post-trailering ACTH was higher (P = 0.002) than pre-trailering ACTH and falsely positive for PPID in some horses up to 30 min post-trailering, but ACTH after TRH-stimulation was not affected. Trailering stress caused multiple false-positive results, so veterinarians should wait 30 min after trailering to test horses for PPID.M.S
The Stressed-Out College Student and the Mood-Boosting Effects of Somatic Dance
No full textCollege students are well-acquainted with the stress associated with balancing their academic, personal, and professional lives. Many students leave self-care and personal wellbeing on the backburner while other projects take the lead. However, this can lead to symptoms of burnout which can contribute to negative academic outcomes. Coping mechanisms are tactics students can utilize to guide them through stressful situations. An example of a coping mechanism is dance, specifically somatic dance exercises. Somatic dance is a style of dance in which everyday movement is performed in a mindful way. Previous research has shown that somatic dance has beneficial outcomes for mental health. A noteworthy technique of somatic dance is BrainDance, which was created by Anne Green Gilbert. This research project invited students to take a questionnaire that surveyed their thoughts on dance as a coping mechanism before and after taking an online somatic dance movement class. KEYWORDS: Dance; Somatics; somatic movement; somatic dance; stress; mental health; coping mechanisms; Feldenkrais Method; Alexander Technique; BrainDance; Body Mind Centering; College Student