Moving Through, Moving On: Examining the Life Well Lived Through the Lense of Impermanence

This thesis explores the themes from Walking Each Other Home, the work I choreographed as part of my graduation requirements in the Alonzo King Lines BFA Program at Dominican University. I begin by making the case for the academic discussion of dance, including barriers to the development of the field and my place in it. Asserting that dance is a subject of religious merit, I place my piece within a broader context of dance pieces that deal with topic and themes of myth and spiritual truth. I then give a brief overview of Buddhism, centering around the Four Noble Truths and their connection to love as it is defined in Buddhism; loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and inclusiveness. From there I discuss the process and production of my piece, Walking Each Other Home, which has its roots in Buddhist thought and understanding. Reflecting on the process, I relate the construction of the piece to Buddhist principles, and see where I upheld and deviated from them. Unfolding from the original question of “what makes life worth living?”, I rehash the journey that I took throughout the creation of the piece, ultimately realizing that the way I constructed my piece didn’t reflect the truths I was trying to describe, and resolving to learn from the experience as an example of Buddhist praxis. It is my hope that this thesis will encourage the further development of dance as an academic area of study, provide a context with which to place the development I have undergone throughout my college career, and serve as a reminder that the proper response to the suffering inherent in our world is compassionate, loving understanding

Taste and Smell Abnormalities in Advanced Cancer: Negative Impact on Subjective Food Intake

Background: Taste and smell abnormalities (TSAs) are present in all cancer stages and may contribute to malnutrition. Despite this, they are rarely screened for. This study examined the prevalence and characteristics of TSAs and their influence on subjective food intake in advanced cancer. Methods: Consecutive patients with advanced cancer were recruited. A modified Taste and Smell Survey assessed subjective TSAs. Objective TSAs were assessed with validated taste strips and Sniffin Sticks. A six-item food intake questionnaire identified any effect TSAs had on food preferences/aversions. Nutrition status was evaluated with the abridged Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment. Results: All 30 participants had either subjective or objective TSAs. The prevalence of TSAs varied based on the assessment tool used. Participants were more aware of taste changes (TCs) than smell changes (SCs). TCs caused reduced food intake in 13 participants. Six reported SCs affected food intake. Food choices caused by TSAs were inconsistent. Some foods preferred because of TSAs were avoided by other participants. None received nutrition counseling on TSA management. Almost all were at malnutrition risk (97%). Almost half (47%) felt TSAs reduced quality of life (QoL). Participants reported not looking forward to meals and can\u27t sit down and eat anything because of TSAs. Conclusion: TSAs were highly prevalent and impactful on food intake. Both TCs and SCs were complex and varied on an individual basis. Despite the effect on health and QoL, no patients received any nutrition counseling on TSA management. Individualized screening and advice are needed for TSAs in advanced cancer

Investigation of the Influence of High Risk Human Papillomavirus on the Biochemical Composition of Cervical Cancer Cells Using Vibrational Spectroscopy

The main aetiology of cervical cancer is infection with high risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer is almost 100% curable if detected in the early stages. Thus, information about the presence and levels of HPV in patient samples has high clinical value. As current screening methods, such as the Pap smear test, are highly subjective and in many cases show low sensitivity and specificity, new supportive techniques are desirable to improve the quality of cervical cancer screening. In this study, vibrational spectroscopic techniques (Raman and Fourier Transform Infra Red absorption) have been applied to the investigation of four cervical cancer cell lines, HPV negative C33A, HPV-18 positive HeLa with 20-50 integrated HPV copies per cell, HPV-16 positive SiHa with 1-2 integrated HPV strands per cell and HPV-16 positive CaSki containing 60-600 integrated HPV copies per cell. Results show that vibrational spectroscopic techniques can discriminate between the cell lines and elucidate cellular differences originating from proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. Similarities between C33A and SiHa cells were exhibited in the Raman and infrared spectra and were confirmed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Analysis of the biochemical composition of the investigated cells, with the aid of PCA showed a clear discrimination between the C33A-SiHa group and HeLa and CaSki cell lines indicating the potential of vibrational spectroscopic techniques as support to current methods for cervical cancer screening

Walking Each Other Home: Examining the Life Well Lived Through the Lense of Impermanence

This thesis is an exploration of the underpinnings of the life well lived, as well as the cosmic truths that I believe enable us to reach beyond the realm of the human and into the universal. Drawing on Buddhist teachings, various scholars of religion & culture (Kimerer Lamothe, Alan Watts, etc.) and the discussions and praxis that occurred during the construction of my Senior Project dance piece, Walking Each Other Home, I will attempt to make the case for a generous giving of life and love in the face of impermanence and suffering. While human existence inherently leads to suffering, the gift of consciousness allows us to look beyond, tapping into the transcendent power of love in order to create a better world. It is my hope that this paper, as well as my piece, will be the spark for people to let go of their wounds, embrace themselves lovingly as masterful works of creation, and step into the world with the mindset that our lives are to be lived joyously, faithfully, and with the intention of lifting each other up through our every action

Investigation of the Influence of High Risk Human Papillomavirus on the Biochemical Composition of Cervical Cancer Cells Using Vibrational Spectroscopy

The main aetiology of cervical cancer is infection with high risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer is almost 100% curable if detected in the early stages. Thus, information about the presence and levels of HPV in patient samples has high clinical value. As current screening methods, such as the Pap smear test, are highly subjective and in many cases show low sensitivity and specificity, new supportive techniques are desirable to improve the quality of cervical cancer screening. In this study, vibrational spectroscopic techniques (Raman and Fourier Transform Infra Red absorption) have been applied to the investigation of four cervical cancer cell lines, HPV negative C33A, HPV-18 positive HeLa with 20-50 integrated HPV copies per cell, HPV-16 positive SiHa with 1-2 integrated HPV strands per cell and HPV-16 positive CaSki containing 60-600 integrated HPV copies per cell. Results show that vibrational spectroscopic techniques can discriminate between the cell lines and elucidate cellular differences originating from proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. Similarities between C33A and SiHa cells were exhibited in the Raman and infrared spectra and were confirmed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Analysis of the biochemical composition of the investigated cells, with the aid of PCA showed a clear discrimination between the C33A-SiHa group and HeLa and CaSki cell lines indicating the potential of vibrational spectroscopic techniques as support to current methods for cervical cancer screening

LINES Ballet BFA at Dominican 2016 BFA Spring Showcase

A culmination of the spring semester, the 2016 BFA Spring Showcase premieres creations by Gregory Dawson, Molly Rogers, Amy Seiwert and Julia Stiefel, and features an encore performance of Senior Project work by Charbel Rohayem

LINES Ballet BFA at Dominican 2016 BFA Spring Showcase

A culmination of the spring semester, the 2016 BFA Spring Showcase premieres creations by Gregory Dawson, Molly Rogers, Amy Seiwert and Julia Stiefel, and features an encore performance of Senior Project work by Ha Vo