Research and Scholarship Repository

The Research and Scholarship Institutional Repository collects, preserves, and showcases the scholarly achievements of Texas State University's academic community. It provides open access to the diverse array of research and scholarship materials created at Texas State including articles, presentations, posters, electronic theses and dissertations, capstones, multimedia presentations, and more.

More information: https://guides.library.txstate.edu/institutional-repository

 

Communities in DSpace

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

Recent Submissions

Item
Creativity in Art Education: A Documentary
(2023-12) Yoo, Gina; Summers, Emily J.; Fong, Carlton
This documentary plus its accompanying written script provides ocular evidence to creativity in art, both in and beyond the classroom. Society—especially its students—need examples of visual expression, in part through art within school contexts. I explore how art teachers offer fun alongside policy constraints. Through this documentary I explore how educators, parents, and art in public spaces and student portfolios inspires and affirms community, connection, and individual points-of-view. I conducted interviews with parents and art teachers, alongside capturing public and student-created art.
Item
Targeting iNAMPT to Break the Obesity-Associated Liver Cancer Link: An In Vitro and In Vivo Approach
(2023-12) Thornton, Kelly Rene; Salcedo-Price, Ramona
Background: Studies have shown that obesity is linked to liver cancer through metabolic mechanisms. Obesity can promote tumor growth through metabolic impairment, decreased lipid metabolism, and the interference of energy balance in the liver. NAMPT is an enzyme expressed in the liver and is involved in the progression of tumors in obesogenic environments. iNAMPT is known to be the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of NAD, an essential coenzyme involved in ATP synthesis which promotes a pro-growth environment in the context of obesity. Because iNAMPT and cellular energetics, a hallmark of cancer, plays an important role in liver cancer progression, it has become a target for therapies focused on inhibiting its behavior in cancer cells. The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of NAD biosynthesis in obesity-induced liver cancer progression. Methods: Cell studies were conducted with serum from mice randomized to a diet-induced obesity (OB) or control chow (CR) + FK866 (iNAMPT inhibitor) in SNU, HepG2 human liver cancer cells and Hepa 1-6 murine cells. Analysis of proteins pAkt and pERK was performed by immunoblot. Proliferation, ROS, cytotoxicity, and invasion were also measured in liver cancer cells. For the mouse model, C57/BL mice were randomized to OB chow or CR chow. At 21 weeks of age, mice were injected subcutaneously with Hepa 1-6 liver cancer cells. At 23 weeks, mice received an I.P. injection of FK8666 (30 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. Tumor and mouse weights were measured. Results: Cells exposed to OB sera increased proliferation, LDH secretion, ROS, invasion. FK866 decreased proliferation, LDH secretion, ROS, and invasion in all liver cancer cells. Cells exposed to NW sera and OB + FK866 resulted in more LDH suggesting increased apoptosis compared to OB sera. OB sera increased phosphorylation of Akt which was suppressed by FK866 compared to OB. In liver cancer cells, physiological and cellular signaling were differentially affected when inhibiting NAD biosynthesis in an in vitro model of obesity and liver cancer. In vivo, OB mice weighed significantly more than mice fed a control diet. In addition, 66% of OB mice developed tumors compared to 16% in CR mice. Impact: Identifying pre-clinical strategies to reverse the impact of obesity on liver cancer progression is important due to the strongly increased risk of liver cancer and its poor prognosis. Future translation research studies will build from this pre-clinical foundational research.
Item
Arms Control and Deterrence Theory in the Nuclear Policy of Global Powers
(2023-12) Acree, Mackenzie; Doyle, Thomas; Popescu, Ionut
This research project explores the relationship between deterrence theory and arms control in the nuclear policies of the United States, Russia, and China. The centrality of nuclear deterrence in defense policy negates the possibility of nuclear disarmament. Within the current nuclear order, mutual deterrence dynamics are modulated by arms control agreements which promote cooperation between nuclear weapon states (NWS) on limiting their strategic weapons and preventing nuclear conflict. The three NWS relevant to this study hold diverse and sometimes conflicting strategic aims. While American nuclear policy is outwardly based on deterrence theory, it often seeks to undermine the effects of mutual deterrence in order to further its own national interests. The American nuclear umbrella presents a specific strategic challenge as North Atlantic treaty Organization (NATO) allies have faced increasing revisionist aggression from Russia. Russia has leveraged its coercive capacity in the illegal invasion of Ukraine and suspension of a key arms control treaty, the New Strategic Arms Reduction treaty (New START), which have disrupted the status quo nuclear order. I argue that this presents the greatest current threat to stability. Our European adversary’s recent actions have also complicated the American relationship with China, the world’s fastest growing NWS. Differences in strategic thinking between American and Chinese leaders must be understood by both sides in order to effectively cooperate on nuclear security concerns. I put forth that bilateral Sino-American arms control talks may be the best avenue for maintaining the balance of power and preventing nuclear use. I further argue that a condition of minimal nuclear deterrence is our best bet for maintaining that norm of non-use. This transition would allow for continued mutual deterrence while increasing the cost of first use and thus reducing the likelihood of both accidental and intentional nuclear use.
Item
Juror Evaluation of Eyewitness Evidence
(2023-12) Lee, Kara Mae; Jones, Angela M.
Since 1989, there have been 935 exonerations due in part to mistaken identification of eyewitnesses. The vast majority (94%) of these cases came from jury trials. These statistics suggest jurors lack understanding of what affects eyewitness’ memories and decisions. The current study assessed general knowledge of eyewitness procedures as well as mock jurors' evaluation of a hypothetical case that varied in the use of two lineup procedures to secure an identification. We examined mock jurors’ verdict decisions using a 2 (lineup instructions: absent vs. present) x 2 (lineup administration: single-blind vs. double-blind) between-subjects factorial design. We hypothesized that mock jurors would be more likely to convict the defendant when lineup instructions were unbiased, and the lineup was double-blind compared to either biased lineup instructions or single-blind lineups. Results indicated knowledge was lacking for several, but not all interview and lineup procedures. Additionally, mock jurors were not sensitive to lineup practices. Neither lineup instructions nor administration influenced legal judgments. These results suggest jurors need additional education in the form of judicial instructions or expert testimony to aid their evaluations of eyewitness evidence.
Item
Shaping Community: How Intentional Design in Residential Halls Can Influence Community
(2023-12) Barr, Jackson; Prince, Benjamin
For many young adults the first year of college marks the first chance to live independently and meet new people with whom they will form a community. A residence hall, formerly known as a dormitory or dorm, is on campus housing designed for this purpose. The experiences they foster, or preclude, are critical to the relationships they build and has the potential to shape long-term expectations and patterns of socialization. The thesis of this research is that the intentional design of residential halls can promote positive socialization and allow residents to build mature relationships with their peers. Review of research on this topic reveals that the spatial configurations of residence halls can impact the type and quality of students’ social relationships. Amenities, like study rooms and shared living spaces, allow students to become involved within their hall’s community, while suite-style rooms and computer rooms, can inhibit community building. Consideration of the role, goals and forms of residential halls requires universities and architects to move beyond efficient housing, to consider the how these incubators of society can contribute to broader goals of liberally educated, capable, and well-adjusted young adults.