Somewhat damaged and interrogating the incubus : sleep paralysis explored in the young adult novel, \u27Somewhat Damaged\u27

This thesis, comprising an excerpt from my young adult paranormal novel ‘Somewhat Damaged’ and an essay, examines the mythic potential of sleep paralysis, a paralytic transitory state between sleep and consciousness during which frightening hallucinations are projected onto the waking environment. While the neurophysiology is generally agreed upon, further investigation is warranted on the anomalous phenomena that manifests during sleep paralysis hallucinations. Within the theoretical framework of psychoanalysis, particularly Carl Jung’s collective unconscious theory (1959), I will imaginatively explore the recurring figure of the ‘incubus’ of sleep paralysis that has provoked ubiquitous fear and ambiguity. The essay will describe the ways that conventions of young adult and horror fiction have shaped the development and execution of ‘Somewhat Damaged’. The novel adopts a feminist approach, examining the concept of the ‘figurative orphan’ resulting from parental absenteeism and emotional distance, and conveying male and female attitudes towards female promiscuity. In addition, the essay will communicate my research in the area of sleep paralysis, its correlation with childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and its psychoanalytical potentials in ‘Somewhat Damaged’

Reinforcing Efficacy of Amphetamine in Adolescent and Adult Male Rats

Rationale: Amphetamine abuse by adolescents predicts long-term drug dependence. Heightened vulnerability to drug abuse could be due to higher sensitivity to drug’s reinforcing effects. Rodents are used to study age-related sensitivities to drugs. Objective: We compared intravenous amphetamine self-administration between adolescent and adult male rats on an operant schedule of reinforcement measuring the reinforcing efficacy of a drug. Methods: After surgery, adolescent and adult rats acquired lever-pressing behavior reinforced by amphetamine infusions. Results: Both age groups exhibited more infusions per session as dose increased. However, neither the number of infusions per session nor total amphetamine intake differed across age groups. Conclusion: Although rapid transition is reliable to test reinforcing properties of stimulants, results suggest that amphetamine is an equally efficacious reinforcer among both age groups. In regards to humans, these results suggest that other factors, like social influences, explain higher rates of drug intake by adolescent compared with adult humans

Increasing Functional Task Performance in Adults with Low Vision

This critically appraised topic explores the functional task performance of adults with low vision utilizing tactile vision substitution systems, specifically tongue display units (TDUs). TDUs are a novel assistive device that functions to provide artificial vision to those with low vision. TDUs pixelate images captured on a camera the person wears and the images are translated via electronic stimulation on the tongue to paint a picture. Two studies that measured functional task performance utilizing a TDU with adults with low vision were explored. Examples of functional tasks measured include word recognition, object recognition, and orientation and mobility tasks. The studies concluded that with skilled training, the TDU may significantly improve functional task performance in tasks previously impossible for the participants. Use of technology such as a TDU can improve functional task performance to enhance overall quality of life for adults with low vision of light perception or less. The results indicate the need for skilled training by professionals such as occupational therapists to best utilize a TDU.https://scholar.dominican.edu/ug-student-posters/1029/thumbnail.jp

Increasing Functional Task Performance in Adults with Low Vision

This critically appraised topic explores the functional task performance of adults with low vision utilizing tactile vision substitution systems, specifically tongue display units (TDUs). TDUs are a novel assistive device that functions to provide artificial vision to those with low vision. TDUs pixelate images captured on a camera the person wears and the images are translated via electronic stimulation on the tongue to paint a picture. Two studies that measured functional task performance utilizing a TDU with adults with low vision were explored. Examples of functional tasks measured include word recognition, object recognition, and orientation and mobility tasks. The studies concluded that with skilled training, the TDU may significantly improve functional task performance in tasks previously impossible for the participants,.. Use…. Use of technology such as a TDU can improve functional task performance to enhance overall quality of life for adults with low vision of light perception or less. The results indicate the need for skilled training by professionals such as occupational therapists to best utilize a TDU

Preserving Large Farming Landscapes: The Case of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Preserving large farming landscapes is one of the main goals of farmland preservation programs. Other goals include protecting highly productive soils, maintaining and enhancing the local farming economy, and promoting locally produced fresh food. Farmland preservation programs take time, however, because of the hefty funding requirements and the detailed process of preserving farmland through the acquisition of conservation easements by purchase or donation. The standard measures of dollars spent and farmland acres preserved do not give an accurate picture of the spatial outcomes of preservation and preservation effectiveness. Three other measures better reflect the spatial effectiveness of farmland preservation: acreage and percentage of preserved farm parcels located in agricultural zones, number and acreage of preserved farm parcels in large contiguous blocks, and number and acreage of preserved farm parcels along growth boundaries. Scattered preserved farms and preserved farms not located in agricultural zones are likely to face more nonfarm development nearby as well as problems with non- farm neighbors. The farmland preservation effort in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, provides an important case study of the pattern of farmland preservation over time. Other counties and land trusts can employ geographic information systems (GIS) methods in this study to monitor and evalu- ate the progress of their farmland preservation efforts

Does an induced emotional state affect how we resolve lexical ambiguity?

Research has shown that the mood or emotional state of an individual can affect how lexical ambiguity is resolved. This study focused on a particular group of words that sound the same but differ in spelling and meaning, namely homophones. Homophones often have a valenced meaning (i.e. negative or positive) and a neutral meaning, for example die/dye and dear/deer, this enables the role of emotions to be investigated. Sixty participants, aged 18-25, were randomly assigned to a control group or experimental group. In the experimental groups, either a negative or positive mood was induced and maintained through affect-related images and valenced sound clips, respectively. Using a word association task in which homophones were presented orally, participants chose one of two words they most associated in meaning with the target homophone. Participants completed an Affect Grid pre and post-experiment. An interaction between the participant’s induced mood and choice of homophone valence was found, but significance was only reached for the positive mood group; they were more likely to choose the positive related meaning of a positive/neutral homophone, and the neutral meaning of a negative/neutral homophone. The results indicate that the mood induction for the positive mood group influenced the choice of meaning in the word association task. This differs from previous findings and possible explanations are discussed. However, this study adds to the growing body of work showing that mood can have an important effect in resolving lexical ambiguity

Nutrient Management for Recirculating Hydroponics

Steady-state nutrient management is essential in hydroponic culture. Determination of an appropriate refill solution is attained using the principle of mass balance. Optimizing the ratio of nutrient elements and refill solution concentrations requires an understanding of the ratio of nutrients in tissue to water, which is measured as water use efficiency (WUE). This ratio is then multiplied by the desired concentration of nutrients in leaf tissue to determine the refill solution composition. Deep-flow hydroponics enables constant monitoring of solution parameters and root health. We have achieved a steady-state nitrogen concentration in solution by using an automated pH control system that adds a solution of 50 mM nitric acid and 200 mM ammonium sulfate. The pH remains stable throughout the life cycle as roots release a similar ratio of protons and hydroxide ions to balance uptake of either ammonium or nitrate. Daily monitoring of electrical conductivity (EC) guides adjustment of the refill solution concentration. A variable WUE and water to nutrient uptake ratio among species necessitates custom refill solutions. In our preliminary studies, wheat (Triticum aestivum) has a moderate WUE (3 g L-1) but ceases substantial nutrient uptake late in the lifecycle and the EC thus increases over time, causing nutrient accumulation in solution. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) also has a moderate WUE (3 g L-1), and the EC of the solution remains stable. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) has a high WUE (6 g L-1), causing reduced EC and nutrient solution depletion. Monitoring solution compositions has allowed us to optimize the refill solution and acid addition concentration among species and lifecycle stages

21st Century Hall: Proxemics and Gender Interactions in Contemporary Research

Nonverbal communication is an everyday occurrence that is unavoidable; such behavior becomes second nature. How we stand, sit, move, gaze and gesture are just a few examples of how messages are sent without uttering a single word. A specific form of nonverbal communication is proxemics – the human use of space. Edward T. Hall (1966) coined this term during the early 1950s, and designed a guideline in his first book for the four zones of space: public space, social space, personal space, and intimate space. Like many other phenomena, gender plays a key role in the functioning of proxemics. The following will take a look at how current research utilizes Hall?s proxemic zones to examine the sex differences in proxemic behaviors. Understanding these types of interactions can benefit the development of effective communication between genders and increase self-awareness of individual communication styles. In addition, understanding how space is used when gender is a factor can help individuals initiate and maintain interpersonal relationships

Vermont Restaurant Owner & Manager Perspectives on Creating Heart-Healthy Kids Meals

Introduction: The prevalence of sugar sweetened beverages and fried foods combined with a lack of healthy children’s menu options has contributed to the obesity epidemic among young Americans. Recent legislation in New York City and San Francisco instituted strict nutritional requirements on children’s menu items. We performed a cross-sectional study that focused on independently owned restaurants with printed children’s menus in Vermont. We investigated the nutritional content of children’s menu items, restaurant owner and manager perspectives on customer ordering habits, and barriers that restaurants would face if they made children’s menu items healthier.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1220/thumbnail.jp