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Veteran Transitions: From Soldier to Student04/05/2018According to the United States Veterans Administration (VA), a veteran is defined as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.” When transitioning to civilian-student life from military life, many veterans experience a variety of challenges that can facilitate or frustrate their successful transition, including finding and selecting a university, meeting its entrance requirements (e.g. ACT/SAT scores, high school transcripts) and enrolling in GI Bill education benefits. In order to assess the challenges of today’s veteran-scholars at Kent State University (KSU), I use focus group interviews with current KSU veterans as identified by the Center for Adult and Veteran Services. My study explores three broad issues related to KSU veterans (re)assuming the college role: responsibilities and relationships (e.g. family, independent living), financial constraints and assimilating to the student role. Student veterans face unique challenges because they are dealing with the demands and challenges of adulthood while also assimilating to the student role and adjusting to the cultural norms of college life. I examine the transitions to civilian life by focusing on the start or resumption of the college student role at KSU, including the resources available to help veterans pursuing higher education. This study highlights the current opportunities and challenges that exist when considering veterans and their progress towards earning a college degree. |
VEGF-A isoform ratios in Acute Myeloid Leukemia04/05/2018Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the bone marrow (BM) and blood in which the BM produces abnormal myeloblasts. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) induces blood vessel formation that contributes to tumor growth, and inhibitors of VEGF-A are used clinically. However cancer cells acquire resistance to these drugs leading to recurrence, so we are exploring alternative pathways that could lead to novel anti-VEGF-A therapeutics. Recent studies using RNA-seq analysis have shown the importance of alternatively spliced isoforms in cancer, particularly those encoding proteins with different functions. With our interest in adult AML we have generated a computational pipeline to analyze RNA-seq databases to compare the isoform expression of VEGF-A in AML BM samples with that in healthy BM samples. We asked whether VEGF-A was highly expressed in AML and whether it’s alternative mRNA splice forms were differentially expressed in leukemia BM cells compared to normal BM cells. We have successfully identified altered VEGF-A isoform expression in adult AML but not pediatric AML. This suggests different cancer processes are prevalent in adult vs pediatric disease and warrants a further examination of other cancer types. |
Using the i-motif as a pH sensor in single-molecule fluorescence microscopy imaging04/05/2018We used biophysics techniques to study the behavior of the single molecule human i-motif DNA structure as a function of the pH of its surroundings. We found that the molecule folds into a compact state around pH 6.0. We used FRET trace to observing the behavior of the molecule as it folds in a common imaging buffer of time-variant pH. |
Using Mindfulness Meditation to Reduce Academic Anxiety in Struggling Readers04/05/2018Mindfulness meditation is a meditation technique which has one focus his/her attention on the present moment by acknowledging and allowing one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations to pass without judgment. For the past 35 years, mindfulness has been a growing research topic in psychological literature. However, research regarding mindfulness and its ability to help children overcome their reading anxiety is sparse. In this study, I was interested in investigating the effects of a mindfulness meditation intervention on students’ reading anxiety, trait mindfulness, efficacy, and reading comprehension. I hypothesized students who received the mindfulness intervention would show significant improvement in those areas when compared to students who did not receive the intervention. To test this hypothesis, students enrolled in a five-week corrective reading intervention program took pre-assessments to measure levels of reading anxiety, efficacy, trait mindfulness, and reading comprehension. They were then randomly assigned to one of two groups—mindfulness intervention or control. The mindfulness group practiced the intervention for five weeks, while the control group only received the intervention in the fifth week. Following the intervention, post-treatment assessments were taken to measure any changes in the variables. Results indicated a main effect of time for reading anxiety. Subsequent analyses suggested that mindfulness may have influenced this main effect of time as the mindfulness group had a greater decrease in anxiety, suggesting that the intervention may have influenced the change in anxiety. This has important implications for education, as practicing mindfulness in the classroom may help struggling students succeed. |
Using Funds of Knowledge to Prepare Haitian Students for a Progressive Future04/05/2018When creating lesson plans for students in K-12 classrooms, a key focus among teachers is to help students create connections between content learned in the classroom and experiences students have had in their lifetimes. Education in the most prevailing countries in the world is continually adapting in order to utilize the most current research findings and technological advancements. As revolution continues in these classrooms, many developing countries have fallen behind. Specifically, in Haiti, many environmental concerns have been identified, and no one is more aware of these issues than its citizens. The major challenge is that schools are limited in their ability to prepare teachers, while resources to utilize modern pedagogies in an effective way are not feasible. In a recent study in Ouanaminthe, Haiti, findings showed that although students, teachers, and administrators were very aware of the struggles of their country, they felt that there were limited options for resolutions. Additionally, many of these innovations involved finances which are not available. Interviews were conducted with Haitians of various backgrounds and beliefs. A consistent concern among participants was the lack of opportunity for satisfactory cultivation in problem solving, leadership, and career preparation. Education was determined to be the root at which the most fundamental problems can be addressed. Youth development opportunities are being designed to prepare students to push Haiti towards development. In order to accomplish this, students must be engaged in the classroom, so teachers must be trained to ensure that project-based learning and inquiry practices are being implemented. |
Using Funds of Knowledge to Prepare Haitian Students for a Progressive Future04/05/2018When creating lesson plans for students in K-12 classrooms, a key focus among teachers is to help students create connections between content learned in the classroom and experiences students have had in their lifetimes. Education in the most prevailing countries in the world is continually adapting in order to utilize the most current research findings and technological advancements. As revolution continues in these classrooms, many developing countries have fallen behind. Specifically, in Haiti, many environmental concerns have been identified, and no one is more aware of these issues than its citizens. The major challenge is that schools are limited in their ability to prepare teachers, while resources to utilize modern pedagogies in an effective way are not feasible. In a recent study in Ouanaminthe, Haiti, findings showed that although students, teachers, and administrators were very aware of the struggles of their country, they felt that there were limited options for resolutions. Additionally, many of these innovations involved finances which are not available. Interviews were conducted with Haitians of various backgrounds and beliefs. A consistent concern among participants was the lack of opportunity for satisfactory cultivation in problem solving, leadership, and career preparation. Education was determined to be the root at which the most fundamental problems can be addressed. Youth development opportunities are being designed to prepare students to push Haiti towards development. In order to accomplish this, students must be engaged in the classroom, so teachers must be trained to ensure that project-based learning and inquiry practices are being implemented. |
Up In Smoke04/05/2018The following thesis will investigate the effects of rapid industrialization in my hometown, Pittsburgh, that took place in the 19th century, and in response this thesis will be centered around the philosophy of zero-waste. In its heyday, Pittsburgh was one of the centers of the American manufacturing boom. With an abundance of natural resources and an advantageous geographic location, the city was perfectly primed for rapid growth through industrialization. This surge in development improved the city’s economy, transportation, and living standards; however, these improvements were not without negative repercussions. Besides the adverse effects the manufacturing industries had on the environment, there are strong correlations between economic growth, overall living conditions, and wastefulness. These correlations can be observed in all instances of rapid industrialization and can be applied to the fashion industry, one of the fastest growing industries in modern society. As living standards improve and clothing consumption skyrockets, massive amounts of waste are created. Much like the industrialization of Pittsburgh, clothing production to meet increasing demands consumes more energy and creates even more pollution in every step of the process. It is no surprise textile waste is the second “dirtiest” industry in the world. To avoid repeating similar mistakes, this thesis will address the issues the fashion industry faces through a zero-waste design approach. By recounting the dark history of Pittsburgh through my designs, I hope to shed more light on the challenges the fashion industry faces as well as emphasize the sacrifice the city has made to tell this cautionary tale. |
Understanding the risk factors of non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents and young adults04/05/2018Hypothesis What are the personal, genetic, environmental, and other social factors that influence an individual’s engagement in NSSI? Scholarly Methods: We conducted a literature search of articles from 2007 to 2017 from Pubmed, Medline, Psychinfo, Health Source, and CINHAL. Using the search terms “young adult” and “non-suicidal self-injury,” we found 209 articles. We excluded articles that included participants over the age of 35, studies taking place outside of the U.S., and those that did not fit our topic resulting in 43 articles. Using coding sheets, aspects such as ‘problem statements, hypotheses, independent and dependent variables, measures and statistical results’ were analyzed. Findings Three categories of factors leading to NSSI emerged; personal, genetic, environmental, and other social factors. Factors included psychiatric disorders and genetic predictors of NSSI behavior; and increased risk of NSSI related to impulsive personality of an individual. Environmental risk factors included history of abuse, peer victimization, and exposure to NSSI. Social risk factors included poverty, lack of social support, and strained parent/child relationships. Conclusion This review indicated a need for health care providers to have knowledge of the risk factors of NSSI when assessing any patient in the clinical setting to allow for refer of NSSI patients to appropriate treatment. Additionally, the review demonstrated that continued nursing research should be conducted to determine current changes in factors of non-suicidal self-injury. Additional further research should be conducted to understand the triggers contributing to NSSI behavior. |
Understanding 20th Century Spanish Architecture Through the Development of a Critical Canon04/05/2018As time moves forward, recent history begins to reveal itself to the newest generation of historians and academics. With this transition comes a contemporary lens through which recent history may be viewed and evaluated. But, in order to properly critique and evaluate said history, there must first exist an established canon of recent historical works that has been said to be worth evaluating. This investigation will consider the written theories of various architects such as Lluís Doménech I Montener, Leopoldo Torres Balbás, Carlos Flores, Luis Lacasa, Fernando Chueca and philosophers such as Miguel Unamuno, Jose Ortega y Gasset, to determine which texts are the most relevant (or perhaps irrelevant) to the development of 20th century architecture in Spain. Two international expositions of Spain will serve as the beginning and end of this investigation: the 1888 Universal Exposition of Barcelona, and the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona. By forming standards of comparison, the texts within this timeframe written by the aforementioned authors may be seen not only as an assortment of texts about Spanish architecture, but rather as a living organism that evolves to form the basis of 20th century Spanish architecture. This investigation will use criterion such as the following to serve as the basis of analysis and comparison of texts: texts which Spanish architects themselves cited and read, texts that began to from a base of theory and critique of architecture, and texts that delve into more specific themes pertaining to the creation of architecture. |
Uncensored04/05/2018For my research based fashion collection, I was inspired by the positive impact that hip hop has made for black culture. Hip hop has made a strong influence on black culture in many ways by conscious rappers who use it. Like for example the song “Keep Your Head Up” by Tupac Shakur focuses on the fact that giving up shouldn’t be an option because there are brighter days to come. The messages in these songs promote empowerment, inspiration and positivity in the black community. The collection is entitled “Uncensored” which consists of street/ sportswear garments that are heavily influenced by the hip hop aesthetic from the 90s on to the 2000s. The word “censored” is plastered on most of the CDs in the hip hop genre. I made a play on that and used the word “uncensored” to illustrate that the message will be seen and heard uncut and raw. I expanded my collection from the research of the origins of hip hop to artist who consciously use this tool to promote positivity. I took inspiration from the silhouettes of the 90s era so my collection is contrast with oversizing and fitted garments. I also used vinyl adhesive strips along with laser cutting to develop my logo “UNCENSORED” that is on a couple of my garments. The final collection consists of eight looks that have layering, laser cutting, with a nice mix of contrasting silhouettes with pulled inspiration from the nineties era. |