Bike Athlete Performance, Blog 1

Student blog posts from the Great VCU Bike Race Book

Tactile Connections in a Digital Era

My research seeks to capture the tactile satisfaction of solving physical puzzles with the excitement of exploring new technologies by reimagining traditional carpentry techniques in a digital context. As is common with modern techniques, the possibilities are endless but I present a few scratches at the surface in the form of puzzle-like joint examples to learn the physical systems combined with demonstrative animations to give the viewer a glimpse of how the small object they are playing with could be applied in different contexts

Swaying

Swaying is a project that exhibits a personal processing of the COVID-19 pandemic through a photographic series informed by a diaristic process. Each photograph marks a different happening, thought or emotion and utilizes photographic and contemporary art theories as a guide to interpreting these happenings and thoughts. This series consists of thirteen photographs and speaks to a range of subjects such as, ‘world-making,’ the grotesque, sublime, science-fiction and punctum as some examples of the what informs this project. Swaying externalizes the inner thought process and shares an intimate exploration of relating to a changing world

Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma

Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinoma (UPSC) is an uncommon form of endometrial cancer comprising 10% of all endometrial carcinomas. It is a highly aggressive tumour and because of its poor prognosis, it accounts for a disproportionately large proportion of deaths from endometrial carcinoma. The reason for its aggressive behaviour is uncertain. The aim of the thesis was to investigate potential mechanisms of invasion of UPSC, using an immunohistochemical approach, using high-grade endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC) as a comparator.An audit of all cases of UPSC diagnosed in South East of Scotland over a 10 year period confirmed the poor prognosis of UPSC and showed that this was conferred even in those cases where the tumour was composed of 5% UPSC regardless of the additional tumour type. It also raised awareness of the need for accurate and complete surgical staging. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were created from the central viable part of the tumour and the invasive edge of UPSC and EEC and were shown to be valid for studying expression of the markers involved in this study. There was intertumoural variation in expression of E- and P-cadherin, CD98, matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) -2 and -9 and ER and PR in both UPSC and EEC. ER status is known to affect expression of E cadherin, (3 catenin, CD98 and MMPs -2 and -9, and E cadherin levels were decreased and the other protein molecules all showed higher expression in EEC compared to UPSC. The results are consistent with the role that oestrogen plays in the development of EEC.Intratumoural variation in expression of E cadherin, P cadherin, P catenin, CD98, Galectin-3, MMPs -2 and -9 was demonstrated, supporting the theory of a subclone of the tumour developing properties necessary for invasion. These data contribute to the growing body of literature on UPSC, and address diagnostic and treatment uncertainties for the pathology, surgical and oncological teams

The Comparative Effects of Hot Yoga and Thermoneutral Yoga on Flexibility, Heart Rate, Sweat Rate, and Mood

Yoga is an ancient Indian philosophy, described as a therapeutic intervention and health maintenance practice that unites the mind and body to aid healing through the combination of physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. There is ample research regarding yoga practiced in an environment that is thermoneutral, or in an environment that does not alter the metabolic heat production or evaporative heat loss of people. However, minimal research exists on the increasingly popular form of yoga known as hot yoga, or yoga practiced in an environment that is often humidified and 95° F or warmer. This exploratory study compared the physiological and mood effects deriving from a single bout of hot yoga and a single bout of thermoneutral yoga in 15 female, experienced yoga practitioners. Data collected pre-to post-hot yoga and pre-to-post-thermoneutral yoga included flexibility of the lower back, trunk, and hamstrings, heart rate, sweat rate, and mood. All variables increased following both yoga classes, however flexibility was 10% greater following the thermoneutral yoga class. Sweat rate and heart rate were significantly greater, sweat rate by 52% and heart rate by 11%, during the hot yoga class than the thermoneutral yoga class. Mood was similar between the two forms of yoga. Physical exhaustion was increased by 31% following the hot yoga class and decreased by 16% following the thermoneutral yoga class. These results have implications to provide health professionals, yoga teachers, and yoga practitioners with further knowledge on which form of yoga yields greater health benefits

Rehabilitation of captive Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes Verus)

The behaviour of 48 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) was studied over 27 months in Liberia, West Africa. The chimpanzees were first studied while they were housed in groups in enclosures in a medical research institute, and then after their release onto a 9.7 ha offshore island. When the chimpanzees were observed in captivity, data on social behaviour were collected with the use of check sheets and ad libitum notes. Data were collected on aggression, social grooming, social play, sexual behaviour, and individual spacing. After release onto the island, data on both social and subsistence behaviour were collected with the use of ad libitum notes. Both changes in social behaviour and in the development of subsistence behaviour were observed following release of the chimpanzees onto the island. Rates of aggression decreased following release, whereas rates of social grooming increased. Rates of social play decreased overall, but this was due to a decrease in social play by adults. Stereotyped or abnormal behaviour shown by some subjects declined. Subsistence behaviours which were observed following release were foraging for naturally occurring foods (leaves, fruits, seeds, and nuts), ant-eating, and tool-use for nut-cracking. Some subjects were also seen building sleeping-nests in trees. The chimpanzees also split into subgroups (including consortships) which showed similar trends in size and composition to those observed in wild populations of chimpanzees. Some techniques found to be useful during the release process are discussed, and the study is compared to previous primate release projects

Designing for the Unhoused: Finding Innovative and Transformative Solutions to Housing

Architecture has not adequately addressed homelessness. A large population of unhoused individuals and families, in all parts of the country and even the world, are underserved by buildings and spaces. Moreover, architectural research has yet to address the depth of the problem and the necessity of versatile solutions. The aim of this research is to provide design solutions that are useful for those experiencing homelessness by focusing on the specific needs of the community. The program and design presented in this thesis attempts to find the best solutions specific to Amherst’s needs as a community. This thesis argues that, although homelessness is a result of many complicated and interconnected factors, it is also a design issue and that architecture needs to be more versatile and accommodating to the unhoused. This engagement is win-win, and design has the potential to serve as an instrument in leveling the playing field. This thesis begins by presenting research which demonstrates the impact of homelessness on American communities. Second, it presents past precedents that provide insight into what is possible and analyzes their effectiveness. Finally, these findings are translated into a design project that aims to positively intervene in this problem by analyzing the needs of the Amherst community and responding appropriately. The response being different vi housing options for those experiencing homelessness and a resource center open to residents and the broader community

Reducing Uncertainty: A Student Perspective on an Introductory Communication Course

This assessment examines the Cal Poly Communication Studies (COMS) Department’s organizational needs and obstacles to effectively educating students in the major. We also propose a research question and method in order to provide the COMS department with insight into their organizational needs. Specifically, we have identified issues in overall educational effectiveness in correspondence with the needs and perspectives of their students. We will look into this issue through interviews, surveying, and analyzing the current COMS curriculum

Trials & tributaries: myth and disaster in southern Louisiana

Trials and Tributaries examines recent disasters occurring in southern Louisiana, interpreted through the Greek myths The Twelve Labors of Herakles. Mankind’s false sense of control over Louisiana’s resources leaves us vulnerable to nature’s powerful acts of reclamation: hurricanes, floods and the ground sinking beneath our feet. While researching the details and origins of The Twelve Labors, I found a plethora of similarities with local culture, politics and natural disasters. The characters in these narrative prints include hybrid monsters drawn from Greek mythology, which I have then further augmented with various forms of local south Louisiana fauna and contemporary political figures. I explore events ranging from Hurricane Katrina of 2005; the BP oil spill in the Gulf, Summer 2010; and the raging university budget cuts going on during my thesis year, 2010-11. The exhibition consisted of nine woodcut prints on repurposed bed sheet fabrics, appliqué stitched together to form colorful, layered surfaces. Accompanying the prints were a collection of crocheted floor pieces called “foot prints,” which incorporated scrap fabric from the printing process as well as clothing donations. The pluming shapes of the “foot prints” mirror Doppler images of monstrous weather conditions, encroaching on painfully smaller coastal cities and ecosystems. This powerful image of pluming dangerous substances or weather systems is the embodiment of the force behind Trials and Tributaries

Potential repellency of cedarwood oil from a novel extraction method to stored product insects

Producers lose 10-30% of crops during storage, processing, and marketing after harvest each year to stored product insects (1,2). Globally, there has been a rise in insecticide resistance to phosphine, the most common fumigant for these pests (3). As a result, producers need to diversify post-harvest IPM methods to preserve existing tools. One alternative strategy is push-pull, whereby a repellent is used to “push” an insect away from the commodity of interest, while also simultaneously “pulling” the insects to an alternate location away from the commodity using an attractant (4)(Fig. 1). This system notably requires a long-distance repellent. One potential repellent includes cedarwood oil, which has shown repellency to termites and ants (5,6). A novel extraction process for this compound has been developed, which leaves many of its main constituents intact (7). However, to date, this compound has never been assessed for repellency to post-harvest insects