Fighting the wave of change: cultural transformation and coeducation at Mississippi University for Women, 1884 to 1982

In the eighteenth century, educational opportunities for women existed largely in separate single-sex institutions especially in the South. In 1884, Mississippi established the first all-female public university in the country, the Industrial Institute and College (now Mississippi University for Women). Other states across the South, such as North Carolina and Georgia, soon created similar schools. By the 1970s, however, all of the single-sex public colleges for women had adopted coeducation except for Mississippi University for Women (MUW). In 1980, MUW found itself at the center of a legal battle over single-sex admission policies when Joe Hogan, a male nurse, sued the public institution. The case revealed a splintering between two distinct factions, traditionalists who wished to maintain the cultural status quo and social reformers who pushed for transformations. The splintering that occurred at MUW is a microcosm of the larger societal shift that occurred between ideological forces over the transformation from single-sex education to coeducation across the South

Online collaborative discussion: Myth or valuable learning tool

This study was designed to examine online group discussions from a student’s perspective to determine what characteristics students identify as meaningful to their learning. Quantitative data were collected, analyzed, summarized in six tables. The overall results indicated that students preferred to have time to reflect on their discussions before having to give their answer. They also indicated that critical thinking skills and goals for course achievement were enhanced in online collaborative discussions. Students did not have a clear preference for group size whether for small groups or the entire class. Technical discussion projects were a preferred component of group discussions. Students were divided on their preferences for group work but overall preferred to work alone on online projects. Taking students’ perceptions into consideration, this study provides valuable implications for instructors to help students effectively selfregulate their online discussions, and positively enhance their online collaborative learning experience

Enhancing the limit of detection of biomarkers in serum using a SPRi nano-aptasensor

Surface Plasmon Resonance imaging (SPRi) is a label-free, ultrasensitive detection method for monitoring biomolecular interactions in real-time with high throughput. Diagnostic biomarkers for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease are often in low abundance in serum, presenting many challenges for their detection. SPRi has great potential as a diagnostic tool because its limit of detection (LOD) for many biomarkers falls in the nanogram per milliliter range, but in order to further enhance its usefulness, its LOD must be reduced to even lower concentrations. We have developed a detection scheme that improves SPRi sensitivity by several orders of magnitude. This increase in sensitivity relies upon the integration of SPRi with nanomaterials and microwave-assisted surface functionalization. This approach makes it possible for the SPRi biosensor to detect C-reactive protein in spiked human serum at concentrations of 5 fg/ml or 45 zeptomole. This scheme was then compared to commercial ELISA kits for the detection of human Growth Hormone, which has a LOD of 1 ng/ml. In order to directly compare the two platforms the antibody sandwich assay was copied in the SPRi scheme and with nanomaterial enhancement, an LOD of 9.2 pg/ml was achieved

Song sets by Beethoven, Berg, and Lutoslawski: transcriptions for trombone and piano within a lecture recital

I. Solo Recital: Sunday, April 28, 2013, 7:30 p.m., UNCG Recital Hall. Sonata Concertante, (Walter Hartley); Romanza Appassionata, (Carl Maria von Weber); Ballade for Bass Clarinet, (Eugène Bozza); Sonatine, pour Trombone et Piano (Jacques Castérède); Cinq melodies de Venise, op. 58 (Gabriel Fauré). II. Solo Recital: Sunday, March 2, 2014, 3:30 p.m., UNCG Recital Hall. Red Dragonfly, (Amy Riebs Mills); Sieben frühe Lieder, (Alban Berg); Capriccio da camera, Op. 35 (Bernhard Krol). III. Solo Recital: Sunday, November 16, 2014, 1:30 p.m., UNCG Recital Hall. Fanfare, (John Kenny); Sonata, for trombone and piano (Eric Ewazen); Fünf Lieder, (Witold Lutoslawski); Fandango, for trumpet, trombone and piano, (Joseph Turrin). IV. Lecture Recital: Friday, February 27, 2015, 3:30 p.m., UNCG Organ Hall. Drei Gesänge von Goethe, "Mit einem gemalten Band," (Ludwig von Beethoven); Sieben frühe Lieder, "Die Nachtigall," (Alban Berg); Fünf Lieder, "Dzwony cerkiewne," (Witold Lutoslawski). V. D.M.A. Recital Document. SONG SETS BY BEETHOVEN, BERG, AND LUTOSLAWSKI: TRANSCRIPTIONS FOR TROMBONE AND PIANO WITHIN A LECTURE RECITAL. The purpose of this project was to transcribe and adapt idiomatic songs for the trombone and present the songs in a lecture recital that demonstrated the efficacy of the vocal works as literature for the trombone. The song sets chosen for this project represent three different periods of music composition, from Romantic to mid-twentieth century. The Romantic song set of Drei Gesänge von Goethe by Ludwig von Beethoven was chosen to best display the melodic and vocal quality of the trombone. Sieben frühe Lieder by Alban Berg was chosen to demonstrate the chromatic capability of the trombone as a melodic instrument. The tonal and dynamic ranges of the trombone, as well as its rhythmic and articulation abilities were exercised in Fünf Lieder by Witold Lutoslawski

Dread and portent: reading H. P. Lovecraft`s Necronomicon as social commentary

This dissertation explores the narratives of twentieth-century American author H. P. Lovecraft, focusing on those tales which feature his creation of a metafictional spellbook titled the Necronomicon. Relying on a close reading of the texts, critical materials, and Lovecraft's letters, I demonstrate how the use of the Necronomicon throughout Lovecraft's fiction reflects how clearly the author espouses the faddish ideas and prejudicial fears of his era. Use of the spellbook delineates the breadth of moral decline he perceived in the world, from such causes as miscegenation, physical and spiritual decadence, and incest. Additionally, the project provides evidence of how the Necronomicon functions as a tool for chronicling and interpreting scientific facts and discoveries popular in Lovecraft's lifetime, particularly advancements in theoretical physics, by scientists like Albert Einstein, and the exploration of the polar regions by adventurers such as Rear Admiral Richard Byrd. In many of these latter narratives where the Necronomicon plays such a role, readers encounter a strange dichotomy: the author's genuine love of and appreciation for the various sciences tempered by a fear of humanity's terrifying use of the knowledge it has gained. This results in the Lovecraft's perception of a universe wholly apathetic to the presence of mankind, a space of limitless dimensions which dwarf human perceptions. My project also discusses the influence of the Necronomicon on popular culture and on modern fiction, proving how the spellbook inspires current writers of genre fiction and those in the field of contemporary literature

The tests of general educational development as predictors of student performance in five programs at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College for the years 1982-1988

The Tests of General Educational Development (GED) provide adults who did not graduate from high school with opportunities to attend and graduate from postsecondary institutions. This study investigated the academic achievement of GED recipients as determined by grade point average and total hours earned to determine if the scores made on the subtests of the GED could serve as predictors of performance in various programs at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-BTCC). Each of the 232 GED recipients was enrolled in courses at A-BTCC at some time between the fall of 1982 and the summer of 1988. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated to test for significant relationships. Coefficients were statistically significant for the total sample between the subtests of writing, social studies and the overall total and grade point average; for the subjects in Business Education between the subtests of writing and reading and grade point average; for the subjects in Engineering Technology between the subtests of writing, social studies and overall total and grade point average; and for subjects in Vocational-Industrial Education between the subtest of mathematics and grade point average

Employment opportunities and educational requirements for secretarial workers in the churches of the Georgia Baptist convention, 1947

One of the most important functions of the church-supported college or university is the preparation of young people for places of leadership within the church. In order that this function may be efficiently performed, certain information is necessary concerning the number and types of positions for which personnel is needed

Creating emotional durability: surface, narrative, and ritual

The concept of emotional durability seeks to connect users and objects through a deeper and evolving relationship. Products that engage the user and allow them to create a dialog and history between each other have a better chance of staying in the home and out of the landfill. This thesis aims to uncover ways to develop products that embody principles of emotional durability. The thesis work itself evolved over time into four basic divisions. The first seeks to develop products that include a historical narrative and a surface that can evolve or develop a patina over time. During the second division understating the material properties of porcelain leads to the development that the mark of the maker’s hand is instrumental in creating a dialogue with a user and invites them to develop their own history. The final division focuses on distilling forms to their simplest attributes allowing the mark of the maker to shine through, including the development of glaze techniques that create unique surfaces that encourage a user to develop a relationship with the product. Kitchenware objects involved in the ritual of dining were chosen to explore the concept of emotional durability in product design. Products were created in porcelain, glass, and aluminum. Each showcases different attributes that can contribute to a product being emotionally durable

The effects of exercise on cognitive functioning : the moderating role of aging

Numerous studies have examined how both chronic exercise engagement and single bouts of aerobic exercise impact cognitive functioning in a variety of populations. Across these studies it has been shown that single bouts of aerobic exercise have an enhancing effect on cognitive performance and that chronic exercise is positively associated with cognitive performance. Despite the promising research to date, few studies have examined the effects of acute or chronic exercise on older adults and even fewer have sought to examine the effects aging has on the exercise – cognition relationship. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to examine how aging impacts the exercise – cognition relationship in two concurrently running studies. The purpose of study 1 was to examine if age group moderates the relationship between physical activity engagement and cognitive functioning. Study 1 was a cross-sectional design and consisted of one visit. Participants included both sedentary and physically active participants from age groups of young (20 – 30 years old) and older adults (60 – 70 years old). Participants filled out questionnaires assessing physical activity engagement and demographics and completed a battery of cognitive tasks assessing episodic memory and executive functioning. The purpose of study 2 was to examine how a single bout of moderate intensity aerobic exercise impacts episodic memory and executive functioning and to examine if aging moderates the effects. Study 2 was a mixed design with 3 visits. Participants included recreationally active (>90 mins/week) young (20 – 30 years old) and older adults (60 – 70 years old). Visits 2 and 3 were counterbalanced participation in a 20-min bout of aerobic exercise or resting for 20-mins on a cycle ergometer before completing tasks assessing episodic memory and executive functioning. In terms of cross-sectional associations, the results supported that age group had a significant negative impact on memory and executive functioning, and that for both young and older adults’ engagement in physical activity is beneficial for memory performance but not for executive functioning. Results also showed that following an acute bout of aerobic exercise there are significant enhancements in memory performance. In addition, for selected aspects of memory performance (learning and long-term memory) older adults benefited more from an acute bout of aerobic exercise compared to young adults. The results were mixed for executive functioning with select enhancements on inhibition. For the most difficult portion of the working memory task, older adults had significant improvements in their performance compared to young adults who showed no change. The current results indicate that for both young and older adults, physical activity engagement is positively related to memory performance which could indicate that both age groups stand to gain similar benefits. The results of study 2 show that older adults do indeed stand to gain more benefit from a single bout of aerobic exercise in terms of their episodic memory performance, and their ability to retain spatial information and manipulate remembered items in working memory. This is promising as numerous studies including this one have shown that older adults have diminished cognitive functioning and a behavioral treatment such as exercise could potentially counteract some of these deficits related to aging

Development and Function of CD94-Deficient Natural Killer Cells

The CD94 transmembrane-anchored glycoprotein forms disulfide-bonded heterodimers with the NKG2A subunit to form an inhibitory receptor or with the NKG2C or NKG2E subunits to assemble a receptor complex with activating DAP12 signaling proteins. CD94 receptors expressed on human and mouse NK cells and T cells have been proposed to be important in NK cell tolerance to self, play an important role in NK cell development, and contribute to NK cell-mediated immunity to certain infections including human cytomegalovirus. We generated a gene-targeted CD94-deficient mouse to understand the role of CD94 receptors in NK cell biology. CD94-deficient NK cells develop normally and efficiently kill NK cell-susceptible targets. Lack of these CD94 receptors does not alter control of mouse cytomegalovirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, vaccinia virus, or Listeria monocytogenes. Thus, the expression of CD94 and its associated NKG2A, NKG2C, and NKG2E subunits is dispensable for NK cell development, education, and many NK cell functions