Digital Commons Network^™

Land Cover Composition, But Not Weather, Affects Female Wild Turkey Roost Site Selection, Kaj Overturf

Honors College

Populations at a species’ northern range extent are often presented with more challenges than those in more southern regions, given that winters are generally harsher, and the reproductive season is shorter in these northern regions. Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are near their northern range limit in Maine, and there have been no studies that have researched turkey roosting here. Wild turkeys roost in trees at night, and we predicted that roost selection would be affected by changing weather conditions, particularly during winter when temperatures are expected to be coldest. We also predicted that land cover composition would affect …

Can Training Restaurant Servers On Managing Customer Harassment Influence Turnover Intentions?, Mariza Budri

Honors College

This pilot study seeks to answer if customer harassment training can influence server's turnover intentions. My research question was formed from the lack of literature surrounding customer-perpetrated sexual harassment. The articles that do address this phenomenon explain the disruptions it causes in the workplace along with the detrimental effects it has on the employees. Through this research I came up with the question: Can training restaurant servers on managing customer harassment influence turnover intentions? This was a mixed-method study that included five semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire. The women I interviewed dealt with customer sexual harassment either daily or weekly …

Cpsa Protein-Protein Interactions In Group B Streptococcus, Ben Tero

Honors College

Group B Streptococcal (GBS) infections pose a great threat to mortality in neonates. Neonates are often exposed to GBS both before, during, and after delivery, which can cause a range of health problems including meningitis, sepsis, or stillbirth. One of the major virulence factors that contributes to the infectivity of the pathogen is the bacterial capsule. The capsule is a polysaccharide matrix surrounding the cell which helps in the evasion of host defenses, and penetration into normally sterile sites like the bloodstream. The highly conserved GBS protein CpsA has been shown to regulate expression of the capsule. The objective of …

Examining The Microbiome Of Porphyra Umbilicalis In The North Atlantic, Margaret Aydlett

Honors College

Marine macroalgae host a diverse microbiota. Bacteria are the most prominent group, and relationships between the algae and bacteria are complex and dynamic. The goal of this project was to examine the distribution and ASV diversity of Bacteria associated with Porphyra umbilicalis with special focus on some isolates, including studies of their temperature dependence and consideration of how they may affect Porphyra. Previous studies showed that some bacteria are required for normal algal morphology and growth. Porphyra umbilicalis is an abundant red macroalga found in the intertidal zone and is an important food for invertebrates. Because of its significance in …

Impact Of Television On The Language Development Of Young Children, Courtney E. Daly

Honors College

Today, children are growing up immersed in television screen media, which has been shown to have both positive and negative effects on language development. Young children are considered developmentally vulnerable, and today, they are growing up highly immersed in digital media. Strict guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggest that limiting the use of screen time. However, there is limited current research on the effect of coviewing while watching television programs on the language development of children. This investigation sought to contribute to efforts aimed at understanding the impact of coviewing on language output.

Predictive Diagnostic Analysis Of Mammographic Breast Tissue Microenvironment, Dexter G. Canning

Honors College

Improving computer-aided early detection techniques for breast cancer is paramount because current technology has high false positive rates. Existing methods have led to a substantial number of false diagnostics, which lead to stress, unnecessary biopsies, and an added financial burden to the health care system. In order to augment early detection methodology, one must understand the breast microenvironment. The CompuMAINE Lab has researched computational metrics on mammograms based on an image analysis technique called the Wavelet Transform Modulus Maxima (WTMM) method to identify the fractal and roughness signature from mammograms. The WTMM method was used to color code the mammograms …

Interglacial Expansion Of Alpine Glaciers In Garwood Valley, Antarctica, Laura Mattas

Honors College

It is important to understand the response of the Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) to ongoing global atmospheric and oceanic warming to anticipate future sea-level change. There are several contrasting views in this regard. Harig and Simons (2015) concur with the IPCC (2013) conclusion that, in recent decades, outflow across the peripheral grounding lines of the ice sheet has exceeded increased accumulation on the interior surface of the ice sheet. In contrast, Zwally et al. (2015) suggest that recent surface accumulation in the interior East and West Antarctica has outpaced peripheral losses. They further suggest that this recent positive imbalance adds …

Effect Of Hydroculture Methods On Tomato Root Morphology And Anatomy, Lia Maclellan

Honors College

Three methods of hydroculture were compared for their effects on the root anatomy and morphology of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Defiant). A hydroponic deep water culture method, an ebb-flood system using expanded clay pellets as a solid medium and an aeroponic sub-mist system were compared, with a solid peat/perlite medium for control. The treatments were found to have significant effects on plant root and shoot length, as well as root and shoot biomass. Root morphology was visually distinct among treatments, and all methods of hydroculture were associated with a significant increase in vascular tissue in plant roots compared with the …

Investigating Ions’ Effects On The Fluorescent Protein Dendra2, Benjamin Waterman

Honors College

While superresolution microscopy has opened the doors to insights into biological phenomena we couldn’t have dreamed of in the last century, its methodology is naturally limited. We aim to push the envelope of its capabilities by testing the effect that Ca2+ and H+ ions have on the fluorescent protein Dendra2. Utilizing a newly designed perfusion chamber, we flow separate solutions containing Ca2+ and H+ ions into a cellular environment, in which the cells in question have been tagged with Dendra2. Utilizing the superresolution technique known as Spectral Fluorescence Photoactivation Localization Microscopy, we are able to obtain information about the emission …

Understanding Volume Transport In The Jordan River: An Application Of The Navier-Stokes Equations, Gwyneth E. Roberts

Honors College

This study aims to characterize the circulation patterns in short and narrow estuarine systems on various temporal scales to identify the controls of material transport. In order to achieve this goal, a combination of in situ collected data and analytical modeling was used. The model is based on the horizontal Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations in the shallow water limit with scaling parameters defined from the characteristics of the estuary. The in situ measurements were used to inform a case study, seeking to understand water level variations and tidal current velocity patterns in the Jordan River and to improve understanding of …

Synthesis Of A Fluorescently Tagged Bioactive Probe Specific To Neutrophils In A Zebrafish Model, Sadie Xiaohua Novak

Honors College

Fluorescent bioimaging has proven to be a powerful tool in non-invasively studying biological processes in living systems. One application of this technique is being used in a transgenic zebrafish model to study the innate immune response to infection of Candida Albicans. Methods utilizing genetic engineering, however, are limited by time constraints that arise when having to depend upon the ability to modify genetics of the model. To bypass these constraints, this project seeks to produce a modified version of a previously developed biofluorescent probe, which was validated in a mouse model. The probe consists of three components, a hexapeptide, …

Localization Of Synapses On Adipocytes And Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells In Adipose Tissue Using Electron And Immunofluorescent Microscopy, Emma Garner

Honors College

Obesity, weight gain and the many metabolic disorders that can arise from being overweight are predominant health issues in America and in the State of Maine. The body’s ability to balance energy intake and energy expenditure is what determines whether a person gains or loses body fat. Although there are many different factors that influence energy storage and expenditure, neural innervation of white and brown fat (or adipose) tissues is an important aspect of energy balance that is not well understood. The Townsend Lab focuses on brain-adipose communication and the role of adipose peripheral nerves in maintaining proper body weight …

Incorporation Of Civilian Care In Emergency Medicine: Retainment Of Training And Familiarization Of Resources At The University Of Maine, Courtney Jurson

Honors College

According to statistics by the American Heart Association, there are 475,000 deaths from cardiac arrest every year with more than 350,000 of them happening outside of the hospital. The only chance of a victim of sudden cardiac arrest to survive is a bystander rapidly starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), contacting emergency services for assistance, and acquiring an automated external defibrillator (AED).

This research recruited participants affiliated with the University of Maine campus and divided them into two groups: those who are required to have CPR/AED training for their affiliation and those who were not required these trainings. All participants then took …

A Shoulder Mechanisms For Assisting Upper Arm Function With Distally Located Actuators, Michael Jones

Honors College

This thesis presents a new design for a shoulder assistive device based on a modified double parallelogram linkage (DPL). The DPL allows for active support of the arm motion in the sagittal plane, while enabling the use of a distally located motor that can be mounted around the user’s waist to improve the weight distribution. The development of the DPL provides an unobtrusive mechanism for assisting the movement of the shoulder joint through a wide range of motion. This design contains three degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) and a rigid structure for supporting the arm. The modified DPL uses a cable-driven system to …

Fitting The Sir Epidemiological Model To Influenza Data, Madeline Dorr

Honors College

This project sought to provide thorough instructions to fitting the SIR epidemiological model to influenza data and defend its use in this context. Directions for coding the SIR model in the R programming language are detailed. This includes estimating parameter values, such as infection and recovery rate, and how to double check these values. This project also included analysis of problems that can arise when fitting this model. This includes accounting for vaccination rate and issues with the nature of this type of data. Either these problems were explored, and solutions were provided, or suggestions were provided for future research.

Pediatric Hospice Care: A Literature Review Of Hospice Care Its Role In Pediatrics And Resources In Maine, Rachel Emerich

Honors College

Hospice care allows individuals to die in the most comfortable way possible, with the most support possible. These services are meant for anyone of any age, including children, who are predicted to die within a few months. Although these services are meant to be utilized by any age group, Maine unfortunately does not have any sort of strictly pediatric-specific hospice resources available. I conducted a literature review to distinguish the differences of pediatric hospice services versus adult hospice services in order to support the reason for a pediatric-specific hospice care service in Maine. I also spoke with pediatric nurses who …

A Model For Student Success: How Immigrant/First-Generation Teachers Use Cultural Identity And Experience In Pedagogical Practices With Immigrant/First-Generation Youth, Lucie Bonneville

Honors College

The purpose of this study is to identify how immigrant/first-generation teacher populations in the United States apply their cultures and identities to the education of the immigrant/first-generation students that they teach. This study also aims to analyze the specific charter school management system, Ednovate, and how its innovative mission and model have led to its high rates of student success. Culture and identity are two significant factors in a student’s educational experience, as the school system is a critical site for developing identity in children. In this study, eight members of faculty and staff from the Ednovate charter school system …

The Potential Roles Of Melanopsin Signaling In Mediating The Effects Of Environmental Light On Voluntary Ethanol Intake In Mice, Rachel Brooks

Honors College

Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) comprise a small subset of photoreceptors found in the eye containing the newly discovered photopigment, melanopsin. ipRGCs project directly to the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the central “pacemaker” underlying the generation and entrainment of circadian rhythms. Photic stimuli detected by ipRGCs are transmitted to the SCN via the retinohypothalamic tract (RHT), mediating the entrainment of the SCN pacemaker. In addition to circadian entrainment, these pathways may also contribute to seasonal changes seen in both animals and humans, such as seasonal breeding cycles in animals and seasonal affective disorder in humans. Our lab has recently …

Effects Of Government Reform And Creative Clusters On Chinese Entrepreneurship, Robert Mills

Honors College

This thesis analyzes the ways in which Chinese entrepreneurs have interacted with and responded to government policy. An examination of ethnographic research on the Shenzhen “Special Economic Zone” revealed that the forms entrepreneurship that emerged there during the early years of China’s economic reforms are rooted in the history and culture of the region. Analysis of modern policies, such as the 13^th 5-Year Plan (2016-2020) and the Internet Plus doctrine, determined that the state strategy for encouraging entrepreneurship is now focused on empowering local governments, rather than individuals, as entrepreneurial agents. The city of Hangzhou’s “Dream Town” creative cluster …

An Analysis Of Stress In Undergraduate Nursing Students At The University Of Maine, Samantha King

Honors College

Prolonged stress has shown a direct correlation to negative health outcomes. College students are amongst the population of individuals who experience chronic stress due to a variety of factors (e.g. heavy course load, pressures to succeed, and a new environment and social setting). Nursing students in particular are exposed to considerable stress as they face these same stress triggers as other college majors in addition to the strict pass/fail guidelines, clinical experience, and the pressures of life or death experiences when working in the health field. Knowing that stress has a profound impact on health and well-being, nursing students should …

Asian American Politics: A Case Study Of Hmong Americans In St. Paul, Mn, Thilee Yost

Honors College

Despite being a relatively new refugee group relocating to the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, Hmong Americans have emerged as a major political influence in St. Paul, Minnesota. With a population of over 68,000 Hmong Americans, St. Paul has been called the Hmong capital of the world. It has a very dense network of Hmong individuals who have proven to be an emerging political force. During the past November 2018 midterms seven, a record number, of Hmong Americans were elected to public office in the Twin Cities area. Since Asian Americans are expected to make up 10% of …

Interactions Of Gold Thiolates With Protein Disulfides, Anna Tyrina

Honors College

This thesis research focuses on the interaction of gold(I) thiolates with the disulfide bonds in proteins, using insulin as a model protein. Insulin contains three disulfide bonds that can break apart during thiol-disulfide exchange reactions. The goal of this research was to compare the reactivity of aromatic thiols and gold(I) thiolates in thiol-disulfide exchange reactions with insulin. When the disulfide bonds in insulin are cleaved, a suspension of the beta chain particles forms, which scatters 650 nm light, therefore making it convenient to monitor the reaction using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The rate of formation of the colloidal suspension is taken to …

Evaluating A Doppler Radar Monitor For Assessing Honey Bee Colony Health, Ana Eliza Souza Cunha

Honors College

Honey bees pollinate an estimated $15 billion worth of crops each year. It is therefore vital that beekeepers assess the productivity and health of colonies in order to reassure the reproductive future of this species. Modern techniques in which beekeepers can assess honey bee colony health are labor intensive, costly, and invasive to the bees as they must open and rearrange the hive to assess colony health. A radar-based sensor, placed outside of the hive, can be used to assess colony activity and health in a non-invasive manner. In order to validate the function of this hive monitor and quantify …

Migrant Farm Work In The State Of Maine: Meeting The Community Needs Of Maine's Working Immigrant Population, Olivia Ruhlin

Honors College

The purpose of this thesis is to create a greater awareness about the community of migrant farm workers who have either settled in Maine’s Downeast regions, or travel to Maine seasonally for work. I have aimed to focus my research on developing answers to the following questions: why do people choose to migrate? What do Maine’s agricultural industries have to offer for a migrant farm worker? What challenges do they face? What challenges do the community of immigrants who choose to stay in Maine face? Are these communities underprivileged, and if so, what organizations are working to facilitate better opportunities …

Alternative Worlds: 3 Short Stories, Katie Perry

Honors College

The following thesis consists of my personal writing and objective writing. First, you will read about my writing process and how I plan to connect this project to my career as a teacher. The format of the stories are as follows: The first version is the “final” version. The versions following are drafts from oldest to most recent. After the stories, I have included my Writer’s Journal. I used the journal as a way to reflect on my work as I completed it.

Before you begin reading, thank you for indulging my writing. I hope you enjoy reading it as …

Trials And Tribulations Of Modern Day Childbirth: A Literature Analysis Of Factors Contributing To The Recent Decline In Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery, Camilla Horton

Honors College

C-sections are an extremely common procedure in modern day America, and while there are serious indications for cesarean delivery including complications for mother and baby, there are likely far more cesareans performed each year than medically necessary. This A comprehensive literature analysis was compared to individual data collection from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Vital Statistics System. Both the analysis of the literature and the individual data collection confirmed that cesarean deliveries in the US have increased to from less than 10% in the 1970s, to over 30% in the years following 2005. Vaginal birth after cesarean …

Evaluating Sustainable Decision Making On Water Resources: Comparing Cooperation Around The Aral Sea And Penobscot River, Brawley Benson

Honors College

Natural-resource security is an increasingly important area of international affairs. While there is a great deal of cooperation at the international level between actors with a stake in shared natural resources, there is also contention. Military and security issues can arise out of the coming together of nations over natural resources. A waterway or reservoir that is abutted by one or more nations can be problematic. This study seeks to clarify processes surrounding two specific examples of water-resource decision making involving state and non-state actors. The following questions guide my research: 1) How do international cooperations focused on water security …

Landscape Factors Affecting Foraging Flight Altitudes Of Great Blue Heron In Maine; Relevance To Wind Energy Development, Lauren Dolinski

Honors College

In an attempt to increase alternative energy sources, there has been greater development of wind farms across the United States. This expanded development may pose a potential threat to birds that are flying overhead (EIA 2017, Leung and Yang 2011). More information is needed on the factors that affect a bird’s behavior while flying and if the current policies and dimensions of wind turbines interfere with flight altitudes. We used data from GPS-marked great blue herons (Ardea herodias) in Maine to classify their flight altitudes relative to wind turbine height and assess different landscape factors that affect flight …

The Relations Between Anxiety Symptoms And Friendships In Adolescence, Phoebe Welcome

Honors College

Anxiety symptoms can often be experienced as a silent struggle in adolescence, as many anxious adolescents do not exhibit outward symptoms. Identifying adolescents who are struggling with subthreshold anxiety symptoms can be even more difficult. As adolescence is a time where friendships become primary sources for emotional support, youth who experience anxiety symptoms and associated distress may have trouble navigating close relationships with peers. The current study aims to investigate the relations between adolescents’ anxiety symptoms and their friendship functioning, as well as the impact of their anxiety symptoms on friends’ emotional adjustment. Data were taken from a larger project …

Fire And Blood: Behavior And Thermoregulation In Small Nocturnal Mammals, Tal Kleinhause-Goldman Gedalyahou

Honors College

As global temperatures continue to increase, so does the need to better assess the sensitivity of different species to climate change. Such assessments require accurate behavioral and physiological data, including on thermoregulation and the effects of high temperatures on the behavior of endotherms. Seeking to improve current knowledge and methodology, my research evaluated the connections between activity and thermoregulation, using deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) as a species model. By using a custom made maze, I was able to simulate an active foraging environment and examine both activity patterns and subcutaneous temperatures in mice during the active-phase of their …