Digital Commons Network^™

Effect Of Progesterone On Cognition Among College Aged Women, Katelyn Helberg

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Women who have a reoccurring menstrual cycle and do not take hormonal birth control naturally experience changes in the amount of sex hormones that their body produces. These sex hormones help promote sexual development, fertility, and mood regulation, but can be hard to study due to their conflicting effects on each other. One such hormone, progesterone, is produced in different concentrations throughout the menstrual cycle to prepare the uterus for a potential pregnancy. However, it also may have secondhand effects on how well women can complete everyday tasks involving memory, attention, processing speed, and more which is what we measured …

A Meta-Analysis For Laboratory Diagnostics For Coccidioidomycosis, Mary C. Cowen

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Coccidioidomycosis, commonly referred to as Valley Fever, is a fungal infection found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Infection occurs through inhalation of airborne spores from Coccidioides species, Coccidioides immitis and/or Coccidioides posadasii, and proceeds in both pulmonary and disseminated fashions. Approximately 60% of patients with coccidioidomycosis remain asymptomatic, while 40% will experience symptoms. Within the literature, there are no papers that summarize sensitivity and specificity values between different tests; therefore, this paper presents sensitivity and specificity results across different tests and companies (Meridian, IMMY, and MiraVista).

The Effect Of Hormonal Contraceptive Use On Dominance And Prestige Tactics, Carson Chappell

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between hormonal contraceptives and prestige and dominance status-seeking tactics. Existing literature has examined how the hormones estrogen and progesterone, especially in relation to the fertile window of the menstrual cycle, are associated with prestige and dominance but has yet to look in depth at how hormonal contraceptives might alter this impact. The current study asked participants to complete a 22- item questionnaire assessing dominance and prestige. I hypothesized that women on hormonal contraceptives would have lower scores for prestige and dominance compared to women who are naturally cycling. The results did not …

Exploring Genomic Convergence For Adaptations To Freezing Environments In Polar Fish, Ethan Talley

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Convergent evolution provides valuable insights into how natural selection shapes species traits. Genomic analysis of lineages that display convergent traits has the potential to identify candidate genes for environmental adaptations across the scope of entire genomes. One remarkable example of convergent evolution is the independent development of antifreeze proteins (AFPs) in phylogenetically distant polar fish lineages. While AFPs themselves are relatively well studied, the full genomic context of adaptation to freezing conditions in these fish lineages remains largely unexplored. Leveraging the whole genome sequences previously assembled in our lab, along with other high-quality genomes available in GenBank, I examined the …

The Impact Of Brain Cholesterol (24-Hydroxycholesterol (24-Hc) And 27- Hydroxycholesterol (27-Hc)) On Invitro Phenotypes Of Brain Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells, Cherish Iroabuchi

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Brain metastases is one of the leading causes of breast cancer mortality and rates continue to increase. It has been previously shown that cholesterol metabolism is an important regulator of cancer progression. 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24-HC) and 27- hydroxycholesterol (27-HC) are cholesterol derivatives primarily found in the brain but their role in regulating oncoprotein expression remains unclear. The goal of this thesis was to determine the effect of 24-HC and 27-HC on in-vitro metastatic phenotypes of breast cancer cells previously shown by the Bailey laboratory to metastasize to the brain in a hematogenous metastasis xenograft model.

Materials and Methods: Western blot …

Pain Management In Individuals With Flat Feet Using The Footcore Max, Avery G. Dilley

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Foot pain can significantly affect one’s quality of life and ability to perform activities of daily living. Current interventions for foot pathologies are often directed at externally supporting the foot, rather than training the small, intrinsic muscles to function as they are intended to. The FootCore MAX is an exercise device designed to strengthen and promote better activation of the intrinsic muscles of the foot in order to improve foot function.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of intrinsic foot strengthening exercises using the FootCore MAX on alleviating foot pain. It hypothesized that the …

The Politics Of Gender Affirming Healthcare: A New Battleground For Morality Policy?, Reaves Robinson

Political Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Morality policy as a discipline saw its peak during the transformative years at the turn of the 21^st century; however, there has been very little scholarship to follow new social policy issues that have arisen in the past two decades. Anti-transgender policy, specifically, can be considered under the morality policy scope following years of LGBTQ+ scholarship that fell under the morality policy umbrella. In 2023 alone, more than 200 pieces of anti-transgender legislation were introduced in state legislatures across the nation. A trend among the increasingly popular policy realm can be seen from gender affirming healthcare bans, where almost …

Examining The Relationship Between Manning's Roughness Coefficient And Stage, Henry Holtkamp

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper uses LOESS regression to predict Manning's roughness coefficient to calculate flows in natural stream channels. Manning's roughness coefficient can introduce variability into Manning's equation, potentially destabilizing results. Utilizing LOESS to find n based on backcalculated n from collected discharge vs. stage information is the best way to acquire accurate Manning's roughness coefficient values at a variety of flows. Book values tend to drastically overestimate which can have wide-ranging implications for water allocation, flood management, maintaining environmental flows, and maintaining water quality.

Integrating Galectin-3 Into A Computational Model Of Cardiac Fibrosis Progression, Adam Pieratt

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cardiac fibrosis, a large contributor to heart failure, is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in response to stress or injury. There are no approved treatments for cardiac fibrosis, and targeting specific species involved creates complex problems for drug development, so a computational model of the cardiac fibroblast signaling network can be used to observe the interactions involved in the progression of cardiac fibrosis. In this paper, a new protein called galectin-3 is integrated into this existing model, and connections are established to expand the coverage of the network. The additions are described, simulated using Netflux biological system simulation software, …

Modeling Sex-Specific Changes In Myocardial Fibrosis, Grace Martin

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Heart disease the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Cardiac fibrosis, or accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in the heart, can occur after a heart attack and increase the risk for further complications. Current treatments for heart disease do not include extracellular matrix regulators, partly due to the complicated signaling network responsible for the production of these proteins. By using a computational model of the signaling network in cardia fibroblasts, the relationship between particular molecules and downstream extracellular matrix production can be examined.

Biological sex is an important factor for cardiac health and …

Model-Based Comparison Of Biological Organism And Electro-Mechanical System Resiliency Strategies, Nicholas Ratycz

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Bio-inspired design has been used by many engineers to solve difficult problems or to make manufacturing processes more efficient. Biomimetics is the study of implementing the structure or function of biological substances, materials, mechanisms, and processes onto artificial ones that mimic the original. The goal of the BIASD tool is to provide bio-inspiration for engineers by studying the fault-adaptive strategies that biological systems use, rather than just their structure or function. In this thesis, the fault adaptive strategies of both a biological example and that of a real cubesat are compared using three types of model-based system diagrams to show …

A Mobile Application Intervention For Insomnia Among College Students, Veronica Floyd

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Previous studies have found that the prevalence of insomnia among college students is high. This has implications for students mental and physical well-being, academic performance, and the onset of more chronic insomnia symptomology. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the front-line treatment for insomnia, but cost and time are often barriers to treatment access. The goal of this study was to test the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a more cost-effective self-guided version of CBT-I (via mobile application). Fifty-five college students, who were mostly women (82%) and mean age 19.3 (SD = 2.3) years with moderate insomnia symptoms were …

Intervention Measures Alleviating Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis In Broilers: Experimental Lameness And Feed Additive Treatments, Andi Asnayanti

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As the global population grows, the supply and demand for meat have dramatically increased. The poultry industry has managed to satisfy the high demand for chicken meat through fast-growing broilers. The poultry breeder industry has successfully provided modern broilers with high liveability, feed efficiency, and processing yields through genetic selection of the traits of interest such as growth rate, feed conversion rate, and breast quality. Nevertheless, the intensive selection of modern broiler chickens for fast growth and feed efficiency leads to unintended side effects, such as excessive fat, low reproductive performance, leg abnormalities, low immunity, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders. …

Institutionalized Stigmas: Hiv Stigma, Racism And Heterosexism Among Medical Students In The Southern United States, Krishen D. Samuel

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Intersecting and related forms of stigma, including HIV-related stigma, racism, and heterosexism, disproportionately impact both communities vulnerable to acquiring HIV and people living with HIV (PLHIV), ultimately impacting more distal outcomes related to HIV prevention, treatment, and epidemiological patterns in the United States (US). The Southern US is the region most impacted by new HIV diagnoses, mainly among Black men who have sex with men (MSM). However, there is a paucity of research on medical students, specifically those in the Southern US, regarding stigmatizing attitudes they may hold towards PLHIV, and how these associate with racism and heterosexism. This …

Fabrication And Characterization Of Black Phosphorus Terahertz Photoconductive Antennae, Katie Michelle Welch

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Advancements in terahertz (THz) imaging systems, particularly for applications like post-surgical analysis of breast cancer, have led to the exploration of novel materials such as black phosphorus as the active material for a THz photoconductive antenna (PCA). This thesis, motivated by innovative techniques developed at the University of Arkansas, investigates the potential of black phosphorus as a material to enhance the performance of THz PCAs, focusing on generation efficiency and bandwidth. Previous implementations of BP as THz emitters have shown limitations, highlighting the need for thorough material characterization and optimized fabrication processes. Therefore, we adopted a dual-phase approach to this …

Competition And Criticality In Cortical Neural Circuits Underlie Behavior And Optimize Working Memory, Jacob Harrison Barfield

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One of the primary goals of neuroscience is to explain how brain function emerges from dynamic interactions among large populations of neurons. A long-standing hypothesis at the interface of physics and neuroscience posits that neural circuits may operate close to the critical point of a phase transition. In this dissertation, we will investigate a new form of criticality and the implications that it has in working memory and the generation of voluntary body movements. We will utilize this new form of criticality to investigate the functional benefits that can be harnessed by operating near the critical point when performing working …

Assessing The Impact Of Spraying An Enterococcus Faecium-Based Probiotic On Day-Old Broiler Chicks At Hatch On The Incidence Of Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis Lameness Using A Staphylococcus Challenge Model, Anh Dang Trieu Do, Amanda Anthney, Khawla Alharbi, Andi Asnayanti, Antoine Meuter, Adnan Ali Khalaf Alrubaye

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) lameness is a bone disease characterized by the translocation of bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract, which colonize microfractures in broiler leg bones caused by rapid animal growth rate and weight gain, resulting in lameness. As such, BCO lameness represents a significant challenge for the poultry industry. This study aims to evaluate the effect of spraying broiler chicks on d0 at hatch with an Enterococcus faecium probiotic on the incidence of BCO-induced lameness, utilizing a Staphylococcus aureus challenge model. There were four treatments: (1) negative control (no probiotic + no challenge, NC); (2) positive control (no …

Effects Of Nicotinamide Riboside In Ovo Feeding On High-Yield Broiler Performance, Meat Quality, And Myopathy Incidence, Clay J. Maynard, John M. Gonzalez, Taketo Haginouchi, Olivia G. Ellis, Ashunti R. Jackson, Casey M. Owens

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of in ovo nicotinamide riboside (NR) feeding on high-yield broiler growth and meat quality.

Methods: Fertilized Cobb 700 by-product eggs (N = 3,240) were randomly assigned to one of four in ovo treatments and injected with 0 (0NR), 250 (250NR), 500 (500NR), or 1,000 (1,000NR) mM NR at incubation-day 10. Chicks were hatched, vent sexed, and randomly placed 18 per pen in one of 32 floor pens. On day 48, birds were processed and deboned.

Results: There were dose effects …

Gender Equality Threatened: A Digital Communication Analysis Of Spanish Right-Wing Political Parties, Daisy Rehbock

International and Global Studies Undergraduate Honors Theses

Spanish right-wing political parties have become incredibly active on social media within the last decade, especially with the creation of the ultra-right wing party Vox, which now has the most followers of any Spanish political party across all social media platforms. The usage of social media by right-wing political parties is a populistic approach that allows politicians to connect directly to their voter base instead of utilizing more ‘elitist’ forms of media. This paper is focused on analyzing the rhetoric of two right-wing Spanish political parties, Vox and Partido Popular, in order to gauge their stances and impacts on gender …

Textile-To-Textile Upcycling; A Design Process To Make Hand-Felted Textiles Using Existing Materials By Utilizing The Wet Felting Production Technique, Kristin Rapach

Interior Design Undergraduate Honors Theses

This creative, artistic capstone investigates textile-to-textile upcycling in regards to sustainability, circularity, and adaptive reuse. By synthesizing an understanding of the current data, knowledge gaps, and research needs, this inquiry will explore the process of material manipulation and making. This understanding of textile-to-textile upcycling methods may inform innovative and sustainable modern processes, offering an artisan alternative to the limited existing techniques. This process requires hands-on experimentation in pursuit of a sustainable, circular solution to textile-to-textile upcycling.

Genomic Characterization Of Enterococcus Spp Infecting Chicken Embryo, Aishat Olaoluwa Lawal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chicken embryo mortality has been attributed to bacterial infections and can lead to a decline in hatchability, posing potential losses in the broiler industry. This study aims to investigate the vertical transmission of specific bacterial pathogens from breeder hens to subsequent broiler flocks through MGEs and their association with host specificity. In our sampling of 360 eggs from a broiler flock, we isolated various Enterococcus species, including E. gallinarum and E. faecalis, from incubated egg yolks or aborted embryos. E. avium was found in unincubated bad yolks. Other species like Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Bacillus were observed but presumed to be …

Perceptions Of Families, Students, And Teachers On Iep Engagement For Families And Students Of Color During Junior High And Senior High School Iep Conferences, Amillia K. Oswalt

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the experiences of families and students of color and their teachers during junior high and high school IEP meetings. This study, informed by DisCrit, explored the similarities and differences of families, students, and teachers during IEP meetings as well as the use of research-based practices designed to increase family engagement for culturally diverse families. Participants completed surveys and participated in interviews about their experiences. The student’s most current IEP was also reviewed to determine the ways in which teachers document family and student engagement within the IEP document. The major themes identified were that research-based practices …

The Effect Of Microbial Bile Acid Metabolism On Clostridium Perfringens Virulence, Tahrir Jatli Alenezi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Clostridium perfringens is a predominant intestinal pathogen affecting both humans and animals, including chickens resulting in significant economic losses. In chapter I, I have overviewed the dynamics of the intestinal immune system, the composition of the intestinal microbiome, and how the microbiome influences inflammation in the development of Clostridium infection. The intricate interplay between immunity, microbiota, and their metabolites is likely critical in the pathogenesis of C. perfringens and uncovering these interactions may unveil new avenues for prevention and treatment. The objective of this chapter is to provide updated insights into the role of host-microbe interactions and their potential therapeutic …

Exploring The Effects Of Mindful Nature Walks On College Student Anxiety, Grace Young

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Individuals pursuing a degree in higher education face challenges that lead to greater levels of anxiety than that of the general U.S. adult population. This disparity, further heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, presents a need for higher education institutions to search for ways to address this spike in student anxiety and other mental health concerns. This mixed-methods study explored mindful nature walks as a low-cost and easily accessible way for college students to reduce levels of experienced anxiety. Using validated quantitative measures, this study examined the impact of three weekly, consecutive 30-minute mindful nature walks on state and general anxiety …

Investigate The Importance Of Local Magnetic Moment And Magnetic Interaction In Superconducting Fese Monolayer Using Density Functional Calculations, Sudip Pokharel

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we present two projects to study superconducting FeSe monolayer using first-principles density functional calculations. Monolayer FeSe/SrTiO₃ system has very different properties as compared to its bulk counterpart in terms of critical superconducting temperature, Fermi surface topology and antiferromagnetic (AFM) stability. For FeSe monolayer, local magnetic moment (LMM) and AFM fluctuation are closely linked to superconductivity. However, LMM is not studied enough for FeSe monolayer. For FeSe/SrTiO₃ system, the substrate SrTiO₃ constrains the in-plane lattice constant for FeSe and also plays a crucial role in the onset and enhancement of superconductivity by providing charge transfer. …

Dispersal Movement And Overwintering Ecology Of A Cryptic Migratory Forest Owl, Mitchell Lee Pruitt

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Understanding species’ distributions and how a species uses its environment is a vital aspect of ecology and important for the development and implementation of conservation planning. In migratory species, with distinct breeding and nonbreeding ranges, understanding distributions is a complex endeavor. Nevertheless, evaluating movement behavior by linking seasonal distributions and identifying source areas is vital for understanding a species’ full annual cycle ecology. Understanding distributions is particularly important for predators, like birds of prey, that can exert top-down effects on community structure and ecosystem function through their influence on prey populations. Among raptors, owls are severely understudied in large part …

Navigating Transitions: Utilizing Autoethnographic Writing Prompts To Support Nontraditional College Students, Brijet Lynn Beazer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the transition nontraditional students undergo as they embark on their college journey and the unique challenges they face. Leveraging autoethnographic writing prompts as an intervention strategy, the project employed a participatory approach over virtual platforms to capture the tapestry of experiences and connect participants to form a supportive community. Participants included older individuals with work experience, some who experienced parenthood, or those returning after an extended break. Through crafted prompts, individuals shared their academic journey, balancing work, and family responsibilities. The reflections gathered provide valuable data, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of nontraditional students. The …

Sheep Grazing Influences The Abundance, Diversity, And Community Composition Of Wild Bees And Other Insects In Livestock Pastures, Roshani Sharma Acharya, Timothy B. Leslie, Joan Burke, Kusum Naithani, Emily Fitting, Kelly Loftin, Neelendra K. Joshi

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Pollinators contribute to the establishment of perennial native forages, but little is known about the effect of grazing practices on pollinator abundance and diversity in livestock pasture ecosystems. Grazing reduces floral resources available to bees and other insects, and as a result, may influence their communities. The main objective of this study was to examine the impact of sheep grazing on bees and other non-bee insects in livestock pasture established with seed mixes of native forb/legume/grass and warm season grasses. Each pasture was divided into two halves (in a split-plot design) using an electric fence in which one plot was …

The Causes And Consequences Of Behavioral Plasticity In Anti-Predatory Defense And Mate Choice In Tropical Butterflies, Sushant Potdar

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Behavioral plasticity, where individuals change their behaviors in response to varying environmental and social conditions, affects major evolutionary trajectories. But how individuals change these behaviors under certain social situations, and what the genetic causes and consequences of such behavioral changes are in response to social environments are yet to be fully understood. I address these questions in the context of anti-predatory behaviors (chapter 1), and mate choice (chapters 2, 3, 4) in tropical butterflies. In the context of anti-predatory behaviors, I found predator-specific behavioral changes in toxic Heliconius butterflies, suggesting variance in predation pressures and butterfly recognition of bird calls. …

Bootstrapping For Estimating The Conservative Kill Ratio Of The Surrogate To The Pathogen For Use In Thermal Process Validation At The Industrial Scale, Arshpreet Kaur Khattra, Surabhi Wason, Kevin Thompson, Andy Mauromostakos, Jeyamkondan Subbiah, Jennifer C. Acuff

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

A surrogate is commonly used for process validations. The industry often uses the target log cycle reduction for the test (LCR_Test) microorganism (surrogate) to be equal to the desired log cycle reduction for the target (LCR_Target) microorganism (pathogen). When the surrogate is too conservative with far greater resistance than the pathogen, the food may be overprocessed with quality and cost consequences. In aseptic processing, the Institute for Thermal Processing Specialists recommends using relative resistance (D_Target)/(D_Test) to calculate LCR_Test (product of LCR_Target and relative resistance). This method uses the mean values …