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Effects of Cabin1 loss-of-function in nervous system development
No full textUnchecked overproduction of cerebellar cells can lead to medulloblastoma, the most common pediatric brain tumor. Cerebellar granule cells are normally overproduced and pruned into adulthood under the regulation of the transcription factors MADS/myocyte-enhancer-factor 2 (MEF2) and p53. MEF2 and p53 have opposing effects on healthy granule cell populations: MEF2 promotes cell survival and p53 promotes apoptosis. In medulloblastoma, the reverse appears: abnormal p53 activity is associated with tumor proliferation and impaired MEF2 regulation promotes apoptosis of tumor cells, while most other genetic determinants are unknown. Both MEF2 and p53 are regulated by calcineurin-binding-protein 1 (Cabin1). A major obstacle in understanding the roles of Cabin1 in normal cerebellar development and tumorigenesis lies in reconciling that Cabin1 appears to play opposing roles targeting MEF2 and p53 in normal versus diseased cells. Determining where and when Cabin1 is expressed during normal development and understanding its roles therein will provide clarification. Our central hypothesis is that Cabin1 functions in the cerebellum as a negative regulator of MEF2 and p53 to ensure appropriate numbers of granule cells are generated and maintained. We are using behavioral tests to assess the effects on organismal function in Cabin1 loss-of-function mutants. We conclude that loss-of Cabin1 impairs certain behaviors
Snake-Handling in American South
No full textSnake-handling traditions have often been considered absurd or uncivilized due to the stereotypes that not only come from extreme religion, but from the secluded environment of the practitioners in the Appalachian mountains. When looking deeper into the tradition of snake-handling, there is much to uncover when it comes to the church environment and the role of women within these church hierarchies. Researching first-hand accounts of believers allows deep insight to the workings of the church and what these believers account for. Looking at outsiders’ accounts of the faith, yet accepted into their church, allows an outside and objective look at their faith and how they celebrate it. By researching this stereotyped religion, it allows readers to understand that despite its villainization through media and being misunderstood, this religion retains respect from its members, despite the ‘othering’ of its female members
Influence of Psychotropic Drugs on Developmental Gene Expression in Zebrafish
No full textRecent studies have provided evidence of the relationship between environmental factors and susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders. Some findings suggest that long-lasting disruptions in the structure and function of the nervous system are frequently caused by prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse. The inappropriate use of both legal and illegal drugs has long been a major issue in the United States. A substantial amount of prescribed and illicit psychotropic drugs is excreted through urine and feces every day. Wastewater treatment does not effectively remove drug residues, resulting in contaminated water being discharged into surface water sources, which ultimately reaches the drinking water that is consumed by humans and animals. Although the drug levels detected in source water bodies are low, the real impact of the mixture of these low drug doses on the nervous system remains unknown. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are used as a toxicity model due to their significant neurological resemblance to humans. Our central hypothesis is that developmental exposure to low levels of psychoactive drugs through contaminated water will significantly affect protein and gene expression involved in the development and function of the nervous system
Comparing Soil Properties in Various Crop Fields (Legume and Non-Legume)
No full textComparing Soil Properties in Various Crop Fields (Legume and Non-Legume)
Meghana Gogineni
Mentors: Dr. Iin P. Handayani and Caleb
Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray state university
Abstract:
This study compares the influence of legume and non-legume crops on soil properties for a better understanding of the roles that crops play in maintaining soil health and sustainability. The ability of leguminous crops to take nitrogen out of the air and store it in the soil-in the case of soybean, for instance-naturally enriches the soil. This attribute of legumes reduces the use of external nitrogen fertilizers and, consequently, enhances the fertility of the soil by replenishing the key nutrients naturally. Other crops, such as maize, do not have this attribute and hence must be supported with nitrogen application through fertilizers. This is perhaps a very critical difference in methods of nutrient inputting that may have consequences for the quality and health of the soil and for sustainable agriculture in the long term.
For this reason, field soil samples from legumes and non-legumes were collected for analysis, considering some of the key properties of soil including SOM, pH, bulk density, porosity, and water-holding capacity of soil. In this case, SOM has been considered one of the most critical properties responsible for soil fertility. On the other side, bulk density and porosity are the properties of soil that directly influence the root growth, water retention, and aeration in the soil. Thus, soil pH affects nutrient availability, and water-holding capacity is one of the important factors for drought tolerance. In addition, some plots of legume and non-legume species were compared to investigate crops that would be selected based on physical properties of soil. It is expected that the investigation of these variables will show how, on one side, legume crops can improve the quality of the soil over time and, on the other, reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers toward more viable and sustainable agriculture. This work may give insight that could allow farmers and land managers to give useful recommendations on how to enhance soil fertility and maintain healthy and productive soils within the context of sustainable agriculture. The present work underlined the basic role crop diversity plays over farming practices, or more precisely legume strategic deployment, in building more fertile and resilient soils.
Key words : legume, non-legume, sustainability, Kentucky, Soil fertility
LOCATION:
Tobacco in west farm
Soy in west farm
Soy in Pullen farm
Maize in Pullen farm
Community garden in Pullen farm
Mabel garden in Pullen farm
Comparing Soil Properties in Various Crop Fields (Legume and Non-Legume)
Meghana Gogineni
Mentors: Dr. Iin P. Handayani and Caleb
Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray state university
Abstract:
This study compares the influence of legume and non-legume crops on soil properties for a better understanding of the roles that crops play in maintaining soil health and sustainability. The ability of leguminous crops to take nitrogen out of the air and store it in the soil-in the case of soybean, for instance-naturally enriches the soil. This attribute of legumes reduces the use of external nitrogen fertilizers and, consequently, enhances the fertility of the soil by replenishing the key nutrients naturally. Other crops, such as maize, do not have this attribute and hence must be supported with nitrogen application through fertilizers. This is perhaps a very critical difference in methods of nutrient inputting that may have consequences for the quality and health of the soil and for sustainable agriculture in the long term.
For this reason, field soil samples from legumes and non-legumes were collected for analysis, considering some of the key properties of soil including SOM, pH, bulk density, porosity, and water-holding capacity of soil. In this case, SOM has been considered one of the most critical properties responsible for soil fertility. On the other side, bulk density and porosity are the properties of soil that directly influence the root growth, water retention, and aeration in the soil. Thus, soil pH affects nutrient availability, and water-holding capacity is one of the important factors for drought tolerance. In addition, some plots of legume and non-legume species were compared to investigate crops that would be selected based on physical properties of soil. It is expected that the investigation of these variables will show how, on one side, legume crops can improve the quality of the soil over time and, on the other, reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers toward more viable and sustainable agriculture. This work may give insight that could allow farmers and land managers to give useful recommendations on how to enhance soil fertility and maintain healthy and productive soils within the context of sustainable agriculture. The present work underlined the basic role crop diversity plays over farming practices, or more precisely legume strategic deployment, in building more fertile and resilient soils.
Key words : legume, non-legume, sustainability, Kentucky, Soil fertility
LOCATION:
Tobacco in west farm
Soy in west farm
Soy in Pullen farm
Maize in Pullen farm
Community garden in Pullen farm
Mabel garden in Pullen far
Implementing Stress Reduction Strategies in New Graduate Nurses
No full textNew graduate nurses (NGN’s) experience significant stress as they transition into their roles, particularly in the Emergency Department, due to high responsibilities, staffing issues, and demanding environments. Stress, along with factors like poor leadership and high nurse-to-patient ratios, contributes to burnout and increased turnover. This DNP project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of stress management interventions during NGN orientation in the emergency department. A pre- and post-intervention survey using the Nurse Stress Index (NSI) measured stress levels before and after the orientation period. The NSI survey was completed at the beginning of the program to establish baseline stress levels, and after the orientation period to assess any changes in stress following an intervention. NGNs were encouraged to implement stress management strategies throughout their orientation. Results from both pre- and post-intervention surveys showed stress levels ranging from “very little pressure” to “moderate pressure,” using a 5-point Likert scale. The pre-intervention mean score was 2.15, while the post- intervention mean was 2.38, indicating a slight increase in stress levels by the end of orientation. Most participants reported using the stress management interventions 4-6 times during orientation. These findings suggest that while stress management interventions may be beneficial, they did not lead to a reduction in stress during orientation. Future interventions may need to be adjusted to more effectively decrease stress levels. Further research is needed to explore alternative strategies to support NGN’s and enhance the impact of stress reduction efforts.
Keywords: New graduate nurse, Emergency department, Stress management, Nurse Stress Index, Interventio
Harmonic Analysis of a PEM Fuel Cell with a Pulsed Load Applied
No full textThe analysis of the harmonic behavior of a PEM fuel cell under pulsed load is presented. A correlation between low frequency pulses and unexpected results is noticed. The amplitudes of certain harmonics from the PEM fuel cell – pulsed load system vary significantly compared to the amplitudes of the same harmonics created by a DC power supply under the same load
Fragments
No full textMy work explores identity, memory, and womanhood through portrait photography that reflects personal experiences that shape emotional and psychological growth. With each photograph, I aim to convey a transition between innocence and maturity, dependence and independence, and fragility and strength. The series challenges notions of innocence and maturity, fragility and power. The process of creating the portraits is shaped by an admiration for moments of strength and struggle in the women I have grown up with those who are part of my family or closest friendships. There is beauty in those contrasts in that the reality is women are human yet often bound by unrealistic expectations formed by society and home, and internalized over time.
These narratives guide the use of lighting, environment, movement, and balanced compositions. The colors used in each photograph convey distinct emotions: red for passion and loss, green for growth and change, blue for isolation, and white the combination of all colors to represent a liminal state, a space of transition where someone is not quite one thing or another, but somewhere in between.
My current show explores this visual style, combining color, symbolism, and elements of nature and womanhood. Each photograph represents a different element found in nature: fire, water, air, and earth represented through the women who have shaped my life. By portraying these women, I explore the fluidity of feminine identity and the shared cycles of creation, destruction, and renewal that define womanhood.
Artistically, the work draws influence from David LaChapelle’s theatrical use of color and storytelling through tableau, Trish Morrissey’s focus on family and female gender roles, and Cindy Sherman’s ability to transform herself into different personas. Their practices demonstrate that photography can be more than a record; it can be a space to perform, question, and reinvent.
Ultimately, this practice remains deeply personal. My work uses photography as a means of reflection, locating beauty in the complexity of lived experience and exploring the strength that emerges through vulnerability.https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art499/1090/thumbnail.jp
It\u27s A Sin
No full textSex is political. Counter-cultural responses to sexual propriety are often modeled as resistance to conservative values. Many subcultures have a long tradition of opposing mainstream norms, particularly regarding sexual and political correctness. While the association of pain with sexuality dates back to ancient rituals, such as those for the Goddess Inanna in 3000 B.C., the post-World War II era witnessed an exponential growth of sexual fetishism, particularly in BDSM. This period also saw the emergence of fetish materials like rubber, latex, and military or medical gear, with leather fetishism evolving into a distinct subculture. Leather and latex were employed to challenge the perceived innocence symbolized by cotton and lace.
Applying this context as a foundation for my exhibition, I have crafted both wearable and traditional sculptures that aim to explore societal perceptions of sexual agency within the framework of perceived sexual deviancy. Inspired by artists such as Nicole Moan, with her highly detailed corsetry, and Wolfe Von Lenkiewicz, with his dark, surreal paintings that confront traditional aesthetics, I aim for my pieces to be visually appealing yet quietly disturbing.
The central theme of my work is the tension between sexual liberation and conservative hypocrisy. I delve into the ways sexual agency is explored and, in some ways, exploited for political or religious gain. This is expressed through the juxtaposition of the conservative ideology of “keeping sweet”—a philosophy born from fundamentalist Latter-day Saints that has been co-opted by other evangelical circles to teach female subservience and the relinquishment of personal agency— and the comparatively sexually liberated “outside” society. The hard ceramics I create reflect the strong, yet balanced, power dynamics required for fully realized sexual agency.
I employ materials that evoke the foundations of kink: leather, latex, and velvet. Furthermore, I utilize colors like black, red, and gold to evoke ideas of femininity, sexuality, and personal power.
This emphasis has pushed me to creatively combine disparate textures and materials into cohesive pieces, while simultaneously stretching my technical skills in ceramics. Through this focus, I have pushed the boundaries of what is possible with clay, producing work intended to be visually appealing while provoking a personal conversation with the viewer’s own biases associated with sex and sexuality.https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art498/1165/thumbnail.jp
Fragments
No full textMy work draws on animals, birds, and, most recently, flora as symbolic vessels through which the human experience can unfold. By placing our intricate emotional capacity into the bodies of creatures and plants, I create a space where the complexities of being human can be observed from an outside perspective from my own. These forms allow me to explore the intensity of emotional growth—its highs that feel like flight, its lows that demand shedding, retreating, or transforming.
Animals and birds become stand-ins for our instinctive selves: the parts of us that react, protect, yearn, and adapt. Their movements and postures mirror what it means to navigate vulnerability, strength, isolation, and connection. With the introduction of flora, I extend this metaphor into the cyclical nature of growth—how we root, bloom, wilt, and regenerate. Plants offer a quieter language for change, one that emphasizes endurance, seasonality, and the unseen processes that shape who we become.
Through this interwoven imagery, I hope to reveal an emotional truth that words often struggle to hold. My work is ultimately a study of humanity through the lens of the natural world—an invitation to see ourselves not as separate from it, but as evolving beings shaped by the same forces of tension, beauty, and renewal.https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art499/1092/thumbnail.jp
Fragments
No full textI create artwork with physical durability and timeless conceptual ideas in order to leave behind a tangible legacy, or something permanent, in a world that is constantly changing. In this art form, I make functional artwork that is detailed with visible craftsmanship as well as a resiliant construction. I am truly fascinated with exploring how I can make art in a way that not only looks good but can be used and appreciated. Working with metal allows for a stronger medium and longer lasting material while also attributing to its longevity of life. Creating an object that can be passed down from generation to generation gains not only sentimental value but an appreciation for the craft and a feeling of the object\u27s permanence and worth.
Artist inspiration
1- Seth Gould- | Metalwerx I take great inspiration from this artist because he not only makes tools but he makes the tools extremely detailed through blacksmithing and metal work. He specializes in making jewelry saws and usually you can buy these saws for no more than $25, but he is making these simple tools into art pieces themselves. He uses craftsmanship in every tool made. I love his work and appreciate this artist as a whole.
2- Nash Quinn- Nash Quinn — SNAG//SPACE I take even more inspiration from this artist\u27s use of mechanisms. His use of hinges and all around craftsmanship when making mechanical rings and even containers is unmatched. His attention to detail really shows when he completes his artwork and explains how the mechanism works he designed and created.https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art499/1098/thumbnail.jp