Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Agency Actualization And Artistic Awakening: The Poetic Rhetoric Of Freedom School Students, Eden Doyle

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper analyzes the rhetoric of poems written by Freedom School students in Mississippi amidst the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Much of the rhetoric documented, explored, and valued from this era is of adults with the power and means to have their voices heard and respected; however, this paper argues the value of these students’ unique Black experience as one that is underexplored and greatly compelling. The social and political context surrounding the inception of Freedom Schools is discussed, as well as the need for further research and scholarship on the intellectual activity and rhetorical artifacts of the …

The Effects Of Covid-19-Induced Stress, Anxiety, And Depression On The Eating Behavior Of College Women, Natalie Simpson

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

Increases in the prevalence of disordered eating patterns have been linked to distress and poor mental well-being. Additionally, COVID-19 has been linked to both depressive and anxious symptomatology, along with increased feelings of distress (Fitzpatrick et al., 2020). Because disordered eating is particularly prevalent among college-age women, this study sought to determine how depression, anxiety, and stress affect eating behaviors of college women in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. One hundred seventy-nine women, aged 18–24, at Butler University gave informed consent before completing a questionnaire pertaining to their demographics, their stress surrounding COVID, and their weight change since March …

An Evaluation Of Women’S Social Status In Colonial Hong Kong With A Feminist Lens - Case Studies, Heng Du

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

Even though Hong Kong remained under British control from 1842 to 1997, denizens were not modernized in a way comparable to that of the British. To the contrary, while governing Hong Kong, British colonizers allowed continued reference to ancient Chinese customs in the area. Such policy diminished women’s chances of receiving fair treatment in matters such as property management and divorce. Unlike in Hong Kong, women were legislated to be parallel to men in matrimonial and property inheritance petitions in China, Britain, and colonial Singapore. This study is based on two exemplary cases judged by authorities in colonial Hong Kong. …

The Effect Of Covid-19 On Substance Use And Mental Health On A College Campus, Georgia L. Coffman

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

In this research, the author surveyed a university population to determine the impact that COVID-19 has had on substance use and mental health. Current research provides significant data indicating worsening mental health and substance use. This paper looks at how applicable those trends are to a small private university in Indianapolis, Indiana. The data included 261 respondents composed of students, faculty, and staff of the university. The results reveal that college students, faculty, and staff experienced statistically significant increases in feelings of unhappiness, depression, loneliness, hopelessness, agitation, and irritability during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic. Data analysis of …

Identifying Disinformation In Scholarly Publishing, Natalie M. Mclendon

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper examines the pro-Confederacy movement’s attempt to distort history through textbook revision to argue in favor of strengthened media literacy as a brace against the effects of disinformation and propaganda. Previous definitions of misinformation and disinformation overlap and are as yet unclear and, therefore, should be further studied. “Lost Cause” mythologists worked diligently to propagate school textbooks which portrayed skewed versions of history that cast Southern Confederates’ cause as noble and honorable while obscuring the real reason for the Civil War. While undergraduate students can rely on the CRAAP and BEAM methods of identifying problematic texts, they should be …

Table Of Contents And Front Matter, Bjur Staff

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Whey Protein On Gluten-Free Rolls, Maeci Armstrong, Lindsay Jarman, Sara Marshall

Student Research Symposium

Growing numbers of people developing celiac disease and gluten intolerances have increased the demand for gluten-free products in the United States. 1 Many gluten-free breads are low in protein and lack the desired texture, volume, and flavor that can be found in most standard wheat bread products. Whey protein has been shown to increase the protein content in bread and mimic gluten in creating a protein network within the dough to produce the desired texture. 1 This experiment aims to determine the effect on texture, moisture, flavor, volume, cell structure, and acceptability when whey protein isolate is added in 4 …

2023 Reday Awards Recipients

Bryant REDay (Research and Engagement Day)

List of award winners for 2023 REDay.

Program

Bryant REDay (Research and Engagement Day)

11th Annual Research and Engagement Day Program with descriptions and schedule of events.

"Challenging The Known." 16th Annual Research Week: Event Proceedings, University Of The Incarnate Word

Excellence Summit (Research Week) Archived Proceedings

Presentations of completed and ongoing research activity conducted by graduate students, undergraduate students, and faculty at University of the Incarnate Word. Includes poster, podium, visual arts, interactive demo, and creative and performing arts presentations. Coordinated and presented by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.

Physio-Psycho-Social Interaction Mechanism In Dyadic Health Of Young And Middle-Aged Stroke Survivors And Their Spousal Caregivers: A Longitudinal Observational Study Protocol, Dandan Xiang, Zhen-Xiang Zhang, Song Ge, Wen Na Wang, Bei-Lei Lin, Su-Yan Chen, Er-Feng Guo, Peng-Bo Zhang, Zhi-Wei Liu, Hui Li, Yong-Xia Mei

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: In recent years, stroke has become more common among young people. Stroke not only has a profound impact on patients' health but also incurs stress and health threats to their caregivers, especially spousal caregivers. Moreover, the health of stroke survivors and their caregivers is interdependent. To our knowledge, no study has explored dyadic health of young and middle-aged stroke survivors and their spousal caregivers from physiological, psychological and social perspectives. Therefore, this proposed study aims to explore the mechanism of how physiological, psychological and social factors affect dyadic health of young and middle-aged stroke survivors and their spousal caregivers. …

Quantitative Proteomic Screening Uncovers Candidate Diagnostic And Monitoring Serum Biomarkers Of Ankylosing Spondylitis, Mark Hwang, Shervin Assassi, Jim Zheng, Jessica Castillo, Reyna Chavez, Kamala Vanarsa, Chandra Mohan, John Reveille

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: We sought to discover serum biomarkers of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) for diagnosis and monitoring disease activity.

METHODS: We studied biologic-treatment-naïve AS and healthy control (HC) patients' sera. Eighty samples matched by age, gender, and race (1:1:1 ratio) for AS patients with active disease, inactive disease, and HC were analyzed with SOMAscan™, an aptamer-based discovery platform. T-tests tests were performed for high/low-disease activity AS patients versus HCs (diagnosis) and high versus low disease activity (Monitoring) in a 2:1 and 1:1 ratio, respectively, to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). We used the Cytoscape Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plugin to find clusters …

Distribution Of Serum Uric Acid Concentration And Its Association With Lipid Profiles: A Single-Center Retrospective Study In Children Aged 3 To 12 Years With Adenoid And Tonsillar Hypertrophy, Jiating Yu, Xin Liu, Honglei Ji, Yawei Zhang, Hanqiang Zhan, Ziyin Zhang, Jianguo Wen, Zhimin Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Presently, there is no consensus regarding the optimal serum uric acid (SUA) concentration for pediatric patients. Adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy is considered to be closely associated with pediatric metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk and is a common condition in children admitted to the hospital. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between SUA and dyslipidemia and propose a reference range for SUA concentration that is associated with a healthy lipid profile in hospitalized children with adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy.

METHODS: Preoperative data from 4922 children admitted for elective adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy surgery due to adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy were …

Coarse-Grained Molecular Simulations And Ensemble-Based Mutational Profiling Of Protein Stability In The Different Functional Forms Of The Sars-Cov-2 Spike Trimers: Balancing Stability And Adaptability In Ba.1, Ba.2 And Ba.2.75 Variants, Gennady M. Verkhivker, Mohammed Alshahrani, Grace Gupta

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Evolutionary and functional studies have suggested that the emergence of Omicron variants can be determined by multiple fitness tradeoffs including immune escape, binding affinity, conformational plasticity, protein stability, and allosteric modulation. In this study, we embarked on a systematic comparative analysis of the conformational dynamics, electrostatics, protein stability, and allostery in the different functional states of spike trimers for BA.1, BA.2, and BA.2.75 variants. Using efficient and accurate coarse-grained simulations and atomistic reconstruction of the ensembles, we examined the conformational dynamics of the spike trimers that agree with the recent functional studies, suggesting that BA.2.75 trimers are the most stable …

A Review Of The Implications Of The Love Canal Disaster And The Subsequent Actions Of The State And Federal Government, Hannah Albright, Brooklyn Hurtt, Douglas Mock

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

There is much literature written about environmental law and policy. The one focused on in this poster presentation is “Love Canal: A Toxic History from Colonial Times to the Present” by Richard S. Newman. The novel focuses on the Love Canal tragedy in upstate New York, where a chemical plant caused housewives to turn into activists after their neighbors, friends, and even their own families became extremely ill or succumbed because of the toxic waste. The tragedy at Love Canal was the precursor to grassroots movements across the United States.

Enhancing Telomerase Activity In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Through A Genetic Screen For Gain-Of-Function Mutations, Keenan Conley, Hailey Rietz, Mackenzie Neal, Melissa Mefford

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Telomeres are located at the ends of eukaryotic linear chromosomes and are composed of repeated nucleotide sequences. The main function of telomeres is to protect chromosomal ends. However, telomeres cannot be copied entirely during DNA replication leading to a gradual shortening known as the “end-replication problem”. To counteract this problem, the RNA-dependent enzyme complex telomerase works to extend telomeres and maintain the chromosomal ends which helps to prevent senescence. Understanding the structure and function of telomerase could have important implications for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics, since telomerase is over-active in >85% of all human cancers. While the general role …

Collapse: The History Of How We Fail, And What We Can Do To Save Ourselves, David Ace, Grace Funke, Aj Abdel-Rahman, Nate Floccare, Kristen Russell, Madison Ingram, Douglas Mock

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Using Diamond's Five point framework for how societies have collapsed in the past allow us in the present to recognize these signs in modern societies. We have the gift of hindsight in which we now know that factors such as climate change, impact on the environment, decline on friendly contact, increase in hostile contact, and a conservative outlook have all contributed to past societies' collapse. We now recognize these issues in modern societies such as China, Australia, Rwanda, and Haiti. This allows these societies to reevaluate their current environmental standards on whether they are compatible with their survival or collapse. …

The Impact Of Nursing Skill Competency On Patient Outcomes: A Quality Improvement Project, Abby Blair, Riley Boling, Natalie Crace, Jascie Greene, Peyton Kennedy, Andrew Morris, Joseph Sewell, Abigail Wesselkamper, Suzi White

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

45 out of 50 facilities that implemented continued education saw improved patient outcomes. This presentation focuses on the importance of nurse participation in continued professional development programs because it is a shortcoming that we noticed in clinical practice.

The Diversity Of Life By E.O. Wilson, Emma Collins, Matthew Grace, Brady Lawson, Michelle Lopez, Zane Rousey, Douglas Mock

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

In The Diversity of Life, E. O. Wilson tells a tale about how our earth is on track for another extinction event and humans are at fault. Wilson discusses various topics such as environmental preservation, biodiversity and its importance, and how life has evolved over time. Wilson views biodiversity differently than many as he focuses on all species found in the ecosystem rather than narrowing his focus on one. He mentions how new species can be created by groups evolving and developing new skills or existing in new environments. Species are going extinct and being created constantly; these extinctions don't …

Age And Growth Of The Highland Shiner (Notropis Micropteryx) In Rockcastle County, Kentucky, Caitlyn Senters, Zoe Baker, Shelbie Black, Jared Vise, David J. Eisenhour

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Notropis micropteryx, the Highland Shiner, is common in small to large streams of the Cumberland, Tennessee, and upper Green River drainages. It usually inhabits rocky riffles (Eisenhour and Eisenhour 2004)). While their population size was assessed as stable by the IUCN in 2012, little is known about the age and growth of this minnow species. Despite being a small fish, attention must be given to the health of its population as it serves an ecological niche and impact on the surrounding ecosystem.

Age And Growth Of The Popeye Shiner (Notropis Ariommus) In The Rockcastle River, Shelbie Black, Jared Vise, Zoe Baker, Caitlyn Senters, David J. Eisenhour

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The Popeye Shiner (Notropis ariommus), occupies clear, gravel runs and flowing pools of creeks and small rivers throughout the Ohio River basin, but has declined in many areas. This species is a small silvery minnow with an unusually large eye. Despite being a candidate for the endangered species list (Department of the Interior, 2011), little life-history data have been published, which are needed to make conservation management decisions.

A Search For The Time Variability In The Population Of X-Ray Binary Systems In The Galaxy Ic 342, Bannon Jones, Thomas Pannuti

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

X-ray binaries (XRBs) are comprised of a neutron star (NS) or stellar-mass black hole (BH) that is accreting material from a stellar companion. Studies of these sources yield insights into the properties of NSs and BHs as well as the dynamics of mass transfer and stellar evolution in binary star systems with sources at stages of advanced stellar evolution. Studies of X-ray binaries in the Galaxy are compromised by massive absorption extinction along Galactic lines of sight and by significant uncertainties in the distances to these sources. In contrast, studies of XRBs in nearby face-on galaxies with high current rates …

Period Analyses Of Variable Stars Alpha Orionis And Beta Lyrae, Gianna Federico, Jennifer Birriel

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Variable stars change in brightness over regular or semiregular periods of time. Causes of variability include pulsation (changes in size) or the presence of a companion star or planet that eclipses part of the stellar surface. We examine period changes of the bright variable stars Alpha Orionis (Betelgeuse) and Beta Lyrae using data from the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). Periods were analyzed by applying Fourier and weighted wavelet z-transforms to the light curves of each star over a 30-year time span. Our analyses showed that both the short and long secondary periods of Betelgeuse changed with time. …

The Thrombin Cleavage Of Protein Tags Of Co-Repressors Umudab And Ddrr Of The Pathogen Acinetobacter Baumaniihave Been Optimized For Cross-Linkage, Mercy Hailu, Deborah Cook, Janelle Hare

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The Acinetobacter baumannii strain 17978 is a Gram-negative and nosocomial ESKAPE pathogen which utilizes its unique SOS genes, umuDAb and ddrR, to inhibit cell division and control mutagenesis in response to DNA damage.

Challenges In Creating Circularized Versions Of Linear Chromosomes, Tanner Hamilton, Melissa A. Mefford

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Prokayotic and eukarotic chromosome structure differs. Generally prokaryotes have a single circular chromosome, while eukaryotes have multiple linear chromosomes. Linear chromosomes contain telomeres, composed of repeated DNA sequences, at the ends of the chromosome. While telomeres play crucial roles in capping telomeres, they create an end-replication problem. To overcome this issue, most eukaryotes possess the ribonucleoprotein enzyme complex telomerase. Despite the existence of telomerase, telomeres nonetheless shorten with aging and are thought to be a major contributor to this phenomenon. On the other hand, telomerase is upregulated in >85% of human cancers in order to allow the uncontrolled cell proliferation …

Fungal Palynology Of High-Latitude Coals And Interseam Rocks From The Miocene Climate Optimum Warming Event, Victoria, Australia, Taylor Horsfall, Alyssa Patel, Laikin Tarlton, Ingrid Romero, Noelia Nunez Otano, Malcolm Wallace, Vera Korasidas, Jen O'Keefe

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

Golding-Yang Gallery Fellowship, Kayle Lane, Macie Lowe

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

High School Students' Response To Writing Mentor Feedback Of "Mirrors, Windows, Doors Literature Circle", Lee Mcconnell, Christopher Logan, Alison Hruby, Andrea Olinger, James Chisholm

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

How do high school writers feel about feedback on their writing drafts from pre-service English teachers, when those drafts are written during a Mirrors, Windows, Doors Literature Circles unit?

Gender Identity & Perception Of Happiness, Victoria Miller, Lynn Geurin

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between gender identity and perception of happiness. Researchers examined the topic of gender identity and overall happiness based on a fluid or nonbinary perception of gender.

The Editorial Process Of The Kentucky Philogical Review, Jalyn Findley, Olyvia Neal, Karen Taylor

2023 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.