Designing Metal Cations that Crystallize with Metal Halide Clusters to Form Salts as Precursors to New Materials

Octahedral Metal Clusters are compounds containing six core metal atoms, eight inner ligands, and six outer ligands. Commonly these metals are heavy metal atoms (Mo, W) with halide or chalcogenide inner and outer ligands. The synthetic chemistry of the octahedral metal-chalcogenide clusters have been previously explored and characterized thoroughly. However, there is significantly less synthetic flexibility for the octahedral metal-halide clusters. Many of the metal-chalcogenide and metal-halide clusters have interesting properties or applications that have begun to be investigated in recent years. These include applications of catalytic activity, photochemical activity, bioimaging, and X-ray contrast. These are of interest to all areas of science, which is why it is important to investigate the metal-halide cluster alternates of the octahedral metal-chalcogenide clusters. It has been proven already that interesting properties are present, which begs the question of what happens with similarly structured clusters. To explore this avenue a two-part investigation was performed. In the first part, salts of the octahedral metal-halide clusters were prepared, specifically mono and di-substituted salts of the metal clusters were be synthesized. Secondly these crystals were heated to induce loss of solvent ligands on the metal cation and promote hydrogen bonding with an outer chloride ligand of the cluster forming a hybrid complex containing chains of alternating cluster and metal cation units. Three salts were synthesized and characterized using analytical techniques such as FTIR, SCXRD, pXRD, and TGA

A Novel Role for a Two-Component Regulatory System in Bacterial Cell Division

Streptomyces coelicolor is a Gram-positive bacterial species from the genus Streptomyces, part of the largest bacterial phylum called Actinobacteria. Streptomyces species are renowned for their ability to produce antibiotics, including vancomycin, streptomycin, and chloramphenicol, making them highly valued in microbiology research. Uniquely, Streptomyces can continue to grow even after the deletion of critical cell division genes, such as ftsZ and ftsQ, which would typically halt septum formation in other bacterial species, resulting in death. These unusual characteristics highlight Streptomyces\u27 versatility and resilience in surviving without cell division, presenting an intriguing subject for further study. We have previously isolated several mutants that contain second-site suppressor mutations of an ftsQ-null S. coelicolor strain. The mutations can suppress the defects caused by the deletion of ftsQ, thereby restoring cell division and altering the bacterial colony color from blue to red. The primary objective of this research is to identify and characterize the ftsQ-null suppressor mutations and the corresponding genes along with their potential roles in cell division. Previously our lab used whole genome sequencing to reveal that three of the different second-site suppressor mutations of the S. coelicolor ftsQ-null mutation were most likely located in the same gene. This gene is part of a two-component regulatory system that has not been associated with cell division previously. To aid in this field\u27s advancement, we have extended experiments to showcase the potential for finding additional suppressors that have almost equal capabilities or have more efficiency than the original suppressor. These new findings can help us contribute to understanding bacterial cell division mechanisms and examine a novel role for the two-component system in cell division

Rot Collection: Psalms of Loss

This project is a multidisciplinary approach to understanding humanity’s role in maintaining Nature’s existence. Drawing on works of ecophilosophy and psychoanalysis, I propose a new theory—the theory of the enunciated Other—that seeks to explain humanity’s inborn tendency to destroy Nature and provides a potential framework to restore—nay instaure— Nature in a different way. This collection of poetry and illustrations serves as my attempt to restore Nature through verse—to give the natural world a novel existence through line and lyric

STATUS OF THE FEDERALLY THREATENED ROUND HICKORYNUT (OBOVARIA SUBROTUNDA) IN ALUM CREEK, DELAWARE COUNTY

The Round Hickorynut, or Obovaria subrotunda, was recently listed as a federally threatened species by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This freshwater mussel is one of the many species in North America that are in peril. Freshwater mussels are crucial to ecosystems they reside in, providing valuable services to humans, like water filtration, and other organisms, like food and habitat. Native mollusks get put into peril by human intervention through activities like pollution, the introduction of nonnative organisms, and hydromodification of streams. Alum Creek, in Delaware County, Ohio, has been known to house O. subrotunda historically. To have accurate information for future conservation efforts regarding this species, a section of this stream was surveyed. This section is between Alum Creek Dam upstream to the Water Treatment Plant impoundment Westerville, Ohio. The presence of recently living Round Hickorynut were found, but no live individuals were recorded. This study resulted in the discovery of an extant population of this mussel in this reach of Alum Creek. The population was most abundant at River Mile 24.9 with no specimens found immediately downstream of the Alum Creek Dam (RM 25.9-26.2) and within the impoundment of the Westerville Water Treatment Plant (RM 21.5-21.9). Hydromodification (Alum Creek Dam and Westerville Water Plant impoundment) and competition with the Asiatic Clam (Corbicula Fluminea) are the two major factors affecting O. subrotunda in this reach of Alum Creek. Future status survey work should concentrate on RM 24.4-25.1 where mussel density and number of O. subrotunda were greatest. The most abundant number of mussels was at river mile RM 24.9. The site with the greatest species richness and species diversity was at RM 25.1

Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Incorporating Paravertebral Blockade for Thoracic Surgery Adult Patients

Thoracic surgery is considered one of the most painful surgical procedures due to its severity and the duration of the procedure. Pain is detrimental to the patient experience, and poor patient satisfaction results in revenue loss for hospitals. Maintaining adequate pain control after surgery is crucial in preventing pulmonary complications such as atelectasis and respiratory failure that prolong patient recovery. It is the responsibility of the anesthesia provider to ensure adequate pain control throughout the perioperative experience. Although current evidence-based data shows that regional anesthesia provides superior thoracic postoperative pain control, the current practice continues to be the utilization of intravenous and oral opioids alone. This project aims to provide evidence-based guidelines to incorporate regional anesthesia for postoperative pain management in adult patients undergoing unilateral thoracic surgery. Paravertebral blockade (PVB) is the recommended regional anesthesia technique based on the quality of pain control coupled with the low rate of postoperative complications. Regional anesthesia is widely considered the gold standard of pain management following thoracic surgery and should be implemented as part of a thoracic Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol. Providers and nurses will be educated regarding PVB ultrasound-guided technique and proper documentation, respectively. Guidelines for incorporating PVB into thoracic ERAS protocols have been established and will be recommended to the hospital for review and discussion of potential implementation. The intent is for the guidelines to be utilized for all thoracic surgeries to ensure adequate postoperative pain control while minimizing associated complications, length of stay, and hospital costs

Framing Fins: Exploring the Capacity of Emotions in Films to Influence Participation in Shark Conservation by Generation Z

Many species of sharks are threatened with endangerment and extinction due to global human pressures on shark populations, amplified by the persistent predator/fear-based framing implemented by shark attack-focused visual media (e.g., news, television programs, and film). Understanding the role of emotional framing in shark films is critical to develop effective conservation strategies, especially for those within Generation Z (Gen-Z), which evidence shows is an activism-eager cohort. Using a questionnaire packet, we explored how positively (n=3) and negatively (n=3) framed educational shark films influenced Gen-Z college students’ (n=72) personal emotions and perceived overall message of the films, along with their beliefs and attitudes towards sharks, wildlife, and conservation in general pre- and post-viewing. Our post-viewing section evaluated willingness to engage in conservation activities, ranked in increasing order of effort: (1) signing a petition, (2) contacting a senator, and (3) attending a shark event on campus. Negatively framed films had a significant impact on contacting the senator (medium-effort), while neither frame had significant impact on the other two activities (however, students who viewed negative films had higher percentages of participation in both). Similarly, neither frame had a significant impact on student beliefs, knowledge, or motivation to conserve sharks. Of the three activities, students were the most willing to engage in the low-effort conservation activity (signing a petition) regardless of framing. Overall, our film showings resulted in increased knowledge of sharks and conservation. These findings highlight the importance of using educational shark films for increasing knowledge and encouraging environmental activism among Gen-Z

Number Talks to Promote Discourse in the Algebra 1 Classroom: A Number Talk Curriculum Development for a Unit on Quadratic Expressions

This project sought to develop a curriculum of Number Talks for use at the secondary level, specifically in an Algebra 1 class as a supplement to a unit on quadratic expressions. The project begins with a look at existing research on constructivism and social constructionism as well as the reforms in mathematics education informed by those learning theories. It then looks at calls for more discourse in the mathematics classroom as a part of these reform efforts, and the part Number Talks play in fostering discourse and mathematical thinking for students. The Number Talk curriculum includes a guide for implementing Number Talks, including ways to prepare for Number Talks and practices to foster discourse. It also includes seven specific Number Talk lesson plans with unique mathematical tasks, as well as questioning strategies, discourse strategies, and anticipated student thinking to accompany each Number Talk. The goal of this project was to address 21st century skills such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving that teachers aim to instill in students through the use of Number Talks. The Number Talk curriculum presented in this project can be used by current secondary teachers, and there are opportunities to expand this research further by creating additional Algebra 1 Number Talks and Number Talks for other secondary courses

From Rhetoric to Reality: The U.S. Republican Party\u27s Shifting Stance on Immigration

The Republican Party has experienced a well-documented ideological shift towards the right in the 21st century. However, significant attention has not been granted to the causes and consequences of this shift on rhetoric surrounding immigration. As immigration has become a polarizing topic in recent years, it is important to understand how the Republican Party has transformed regarding the issue. It is also important to understand what contributed to this shift. In this paper, I analyzed Republican Party platforms from 2008 to 2024 as well as selected speeches from prominent Party members at the Republican National Convention from 2008 to 2024. To this end, I show that immigration as a topic was present in 2008 and 2012 but rose to prominence as a political weapon with Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and has continued to be exploited for political gain. This rhetoric became increasingly prohibitive towards immigrants, generalizing entire populations as dangerous. I also show the impact that this rhetoric has had on the American public in addition to the reality of the state of immigration in the United States. This research is increasingly important as the current Trump administration continues to take measures against immigrants in the United States and provides an understanding to how these prohibitive perceptions of immigrants came to be within the Republican Party. It also serves to highlight the changes that a singular figure can implement within a political party, giving insight into the potential future of the Republican Party

Use of an Evidence-Based Practice Model When Implementing an Evidence-Based Practice Change

Implementing evidenced-based practice (EBP) changes at large healthcare organizations is often a lengthy and difficult process, and sustainability is even harder. Many organizations continue to implement changes in EBP without using a standard approach or an evidenced-base practice model. One large healthcare organization in the Midwest is implementing a Professional Development and Advancement Program (also known as clinical ladder) for the direct care nurses across the health system. This is a proposed project and the program will be implemented using the Iowa Model for evidence-based practice change as a framework for guiding the implementation. The implementation team will use the Iowa Model to guide the selection of interventions for use during the implementation of the program. The structured approach using the Iowa Model will increase the applications to the professional development and advancement program during the first enrollment period as measured by the percent of applicants in the eligible pool of nurses. The approach using the Iowa Model has implications for future evidence-based practice changes at the healthcare system. Each use of the model provides that standard approach and will therefore make the adoption of EBP less difficult, more efficient and increase the likelihood that the change will be sustained

Guidelines for Intraoperative Use of Quantitative Neuromuscular Monitoring

Chemical paralysis with neuromuscular blocking agents is common practice in anesthesia. Adequate reversal of these medications is essential for postoperative recovery and return to physiologic baseline. Inadequate reversal may lead to residual paralysis and respiratory complications such as hypoxemia, upper airway obstruction, atelectasis, and pneumonia. Quantitative neuromuscular monitoring was introduced as an objective measure of adequate recovery from neuromuscular blockade. The American Society of Anesthesiologists recommends utilizing quantitative neuromuscular monitoring before tracheal extubation in their 2023 practice guidelines, as the research involving quantitative neuromuscular monitoring shows a reduction in postoperative residual paralysis rates and adverse respiratory complications postoperatively. In this study, the project team will collect data on the target facility’s baseline postoperative residual paralysis rates. During a trial implementation phase, the anesthesia staff will implement the proposed guidelines, and additional data will be collected on postoperative residual paralysis rates following guideline implementation. The data will be compared, and the project team anticipates a statistically significant reduction in the overall incidence of postoperative residual paralysis using quantitative neuromuscular monitoring. If the desired outcomes are unmet, the team will investigate potential causes and adjust the guidelines accordingly