Digital Commons Network^™

On The Pedagogy Of Modes, Joshua M. Sanfilippo

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Undergraduate music students in their junior and senior years have a solid foundation in music fundamentals based on the four-semester music theory sequence taken during their sophomore and junior years, but most have a weakness in the area of diatonic modes. This is not to say that they are unaware of the modes or that they do not understand how to identify or construct them, but rather that students are unable to conceptualize modality in a pre-tonal context. To the modern undergraduate music student, the modes blossomed out of the major scale—a notion counter to historical truth. This backwards way …

Understanding Women's Access To And Utilization Of Syringe Service Programs, Annelisa E. Swiersz

Honors Undergraduate Theses

As of 2020, 138 million Americans ages 12 and over reported illicit drug use in their lifetime, with over 3 million of those people injecting drugs. There are risks for all people who use drugs, but people who inject drugs (PWID) pose specific risks such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with women who inject drugs (WWID) facing even more risks. WWID involved in sex work have a higher risk of HIV transmission and lack access to sterile injection devices and sexual and reproductive health services. To address these risks, syringe service programs (SSPs) were developed …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Working Memory, Lake Miller

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Extensive research has shown that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as sexual abuse, poverty, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, can negatively impact an individual’s development. The presence of ACEs has also been linked to an increase in one’s engagement in risky behavior, dropping out of school, unemployment before the age of 21, and a variety of health issues. Currently, there is a gap in literature regarding the performance of different working memory (WM) tasks and the presence of ACEs. This study focuses on filling this gap in literature by measuring participants’ Philadelphia ACE score, which is a 16-item questionnaire, …

Anthropology In The Real World, Chastity B. Nix, Cheyenne Taylor

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

Anthropology is a field that likely isn’t the first to come to mind for many. Despite this, it has proven to be a great major for learning skills that are applicable to many different career paths. ANT 4861, Beyond the Anthropology Major, has not only taught us this but also made us realize just how much the general public as well as employers are missing by not being educated on Anthropological skills. Our project here is meant to highlight how little the average person is aware of what anthropology is and how employers, even those looking for anthropological knowledge, are …

The Impact Of Caffeine On Neurotransmitter Production By Lactobacillus Spp., Angela Caruso

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

Caffeine, a prevalent stimulant, has inconclusive effects on the gut-brain axis. Key probiotics such as Lactobacillus play a chief role in gut health and neurotransmitter production. These bacteria are able to effectively influence brain function and overall health. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of caffeine on Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus reuteri to determine antagonistic or synergistic effects on the bacteria’s gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production and synthesis of serotonin-related metabolites.

The methodology for this work begins with treating bacterial cultures with varying concentrations of caffeine and then incubating at 37ºC for 48 hours. Supernatants …

Gaba And Dopamine Dual Therapy: A Potential Treatment For A549 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Ahmed Abdalla, Jemimah Olajide

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

Lung cancer is the deadliest and second most prevalent cancer in the United States, with approximately 230,000 new cases and 125,000 deaths reported yearly, according to the American Cancer Society. Annually, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Recent research has shown that GABA and dopamine independently induce apoptosis in lung cancer cells. Parameters such as LD50 and IC50 are essential to determine optimal concentration for human toxicity and CI analysis can be utilized to understand the synergistic interactions between two agents. In this research project, the relative effectiveness of GABA and dopamine …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Fish Oil Supplements At Reducing The Recurrence Of Atrial Fibrillation, Timothy J. Horanic

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

The purpose of my project, Evaluating the Effectiveness of Fish Oil Supplements at Reducing the Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation, was to analyze whether omega-3 fatty acids could lower the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence compared to a placebo. AF is an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm that can lead to serious complications such as stroke or heart failure. Through review and analysis of clinical trial data, patients who took fish oil experienced a lower recurrence rate of AF (46.8%) compared to the placebo group (73.4%), though the difference was not statistically significant. I also examined two supplemental studies …

Peer Mentoring Service Learning At The L.E.A.D. Scholars Academy, Estefanie D. Parra

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

As a second-year LEAD Scholar, I’m excited to share my experience as a Peer Mentor for first-year scholars enrolled in LDR 2001. In my presentation, I share my personal definition of peer mentor, reflecting on the personal growth and lessons I have learned throughout my semester as a Peer Mentor. I will also explore the role of service learning through peer mentoring within the L.E.A.D. Scholars Academy, highlighting how mentoring not only supports the academic and personal growth of first-year students but also develops leadership skills. Overall, this has been an incredibly rewarding journey that has deeply impacted me.

Preserving Nature, Building Community, Alyson Spence

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

The scope of my project included volunteering at the Oakland Nature Preserve and restoring the park grounds after the effects of hurricanes Helene and Milton. My key activities were clearing downed trees, clearing trails of leaves, and marking them with logs so that the preserve could continue to be a place for people to enjoy nature. In interacting with the staff and other volunteers, I learned about the importance of community in supporting important causes. Additionally, it made me more inspired to reduce my carbon footprint and be more sustainable in my efforts to combat climate change, as well as …

Development Of A Rapid And Efficient Molecular Triage Workflow For Non-Semen Containing Digital Penetration Evidence, Lauren J. Crawford

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Sexual assault is commonly thought of as penile penetration of the vagina, without consent from the victim. It was only in 2011 that the Uniform Crime Report definition of rape was updated to include the following: “penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without consent of the victim.” Digital penetration of the vagina (penetration with fingers) is the subject of this study. DNA analysis can identify individual contributors of a DNA profile. The body fluid origin of biological evidence can give …

Environmental Fate Of Trace Anionic Fission Byproducts: An Analysis Of Redox, Sorption, And Incorporation Pathways Of Iodine And Selenium, Ilana B. Szlamkowicz

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The environmental chemistry and mobility of iodine and selenium contaminants were investigated through redox interactions with manganese oxides and incorporation into carbonate minerals. The study examined iodide (I^-) and selenite (SeO₃^2-) oxidation under varying pH conditions using manganese oxide minerals, which are geochemical regulators. Using tandem ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS), the oxidation and speciation of iodine and selenium were quantified under environmentally relevant conditions. The results demonstrate that oxidation of I^- and SeO₃^2- by manganese oxides are highly concentration dependent. Acid birnessite, a common manganese oxide, exhibited significant reactivity toward …

Increasing Access Through Graduate Teaching Assistant Training: A Udl-Informed, Video-Based Professional Development Approach For Inclusive Chemistry Instruction, Kathleen Lugo Charriez

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

STEM courses pose concealed barriers to learning for students with disabilities, a demographic that constitutes a significant portion of postsecondary science and engineering undergraduate student populations. While extensive research has examined access and inclusiveness in K–12 education and, to a more limited extent, in higher education, there remains a critical gap in understanding how to proactively design undergraduate chemistry curricula that are both accessible and inclusive for a diverse range of learners. In particular, limited attention has been given to supporting Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) in adopting inclusive instructional practices in higher education chemistry courses.

In large academic institutions, GTAs …

Development And Utility Of Single Sperm Genetic Analysis Methods To Aid In Sexual Assault Investigations, Morgan S. Grim

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Following a sexual assault, the ability to obtain an autosomal short tandem repeat (aSTR) profile of a semen contributor diminishes rapidly and is often not possible for intervals exceeding 48-72 hours. This partially stems from limitations with DNA extraction and typing systems used. Routine analysis typically uses differential extraction (i.e. separating sperm and non-sperm cells). This can make fragile sperm prematurely lyse, causing the sperm DNA to become overwhelmed by the amount of victim epithelial DNA. While Y-chromosome STRs (Y-STRs) target male DNA despite abundant female DNA, Y-STR haplotypes are less discriminatory than aSTR profiles. To address these issues, this …

Development Of Degraders To Target Oncogenic Proteins And Efforts Towards The Total Synthesis Of Lycopodium Alkaloids Via Oxidative Dearomatization, Yujia Bian

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation focuses on the degradation of SOS1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor upstream of KRAS, as an alternative therapeutic target for KRAS‑mutant colorectal cancer (CRC). Guided by crystal structures of SOS1 and cereblon, we designed and synthesized a series of PROTACs based on quinazoline‑linker‑lenalidomide hybrids. Among these, the lead degrader induced up to 92% degradation of SOS1 in CRC cell lines and patient‑derived organoids (PDOs), with excellent specificity. In parallel, an AICAR‑derived PROTAC targeting the transmembrane oncoprotein MUC1‑CT in EGFR‑mutant lung cancer achieved time‑dependent and partial target degradation, establishing complementary chemical tools to probe intracellular signaling and …

Evaluating Health And Immune Proxies Within And Across Sea Turtle Life Stages, Tiffany M. Dawson

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Understanding variations in health and immune function across life stages or physiological states is important for population monitoring and for understanding species’ responses to anthropogenic disturbances. Sea turtles are a model species for evaluating these changes within and across life stages due to their long lifespans with ontogenetic habitat and diet shifts. In this dissertation, I tested whether health and immune hematological proxies (Packed Cell Volume [PCV], white blood cell counts, total protein [TP], biochemistry) differed: (1) across the reproductive season, (2) between species and (3) foraging groups, and (4) with reproductive output for adult female turtles (Chapter 2). In …

Field-Resolved Metrology For Attosecond Timing, Christopher A. Lantigua

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Ultrashort pulses of light have opened new frontiers in both fundamental science and applied technology. The short duration and large bandwidth of these pulses has enabled time-resolved spectroscopy of atomic and molecular dynamics at their natural timescales, allowing direct observation of ultrafast processes in these systems which is essential to our fundamental understanding of material behavior. Alongside these optical developments, free-electron lasers (FELs) have advanced the generation of attosecond X-ray pulses. These state-of-the-art facilities allow scientist to probe even deeper into the atomic nature of matter. To access these dynamics, pump-probe experiments are run in which a short optical pulse …

Ab Initio Studies Of Electrochemical Processes: Insights Into Co2 Reduction And Hydrogen Evolution Reactions, Theodoros Panagiotakopoulos

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has spurred intense interest in sustainable technologies that enable both carbon dioxide (CO2) utilization and hydrogen production. This thesis explores these challenges through a combination of electrochemical simulations, surface science, and experimental validation. Central to the study is the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), which offers a promising route for converting CO2 into fuels and chemicals using renewable electricity. We begin by addressing the limitations of traditional modeling approaches for electrochemical systems. A hybrid explicit-implicit solvation model (SOLHYBRID) and an electrode potential control algorithm (TPOT) were developed to simulate the electrochemical interface …

Optomechanical Interactions And Dynamics In Nanoparticle Systems, Sohila Abdelhafiz

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation investigates the coupling between optical forces and the dynamics of nanoparticle systems. Using theoretical models, simulations and experiments, we explore how light mediates interactions between nanoparticles leading to optical binding, nonreciprocal forces, and collective behavior in colloidal suspensions.

We first examine the dynamics and interactions of particles under illumination due to complex electromagnetic forces. Of particular interest are interparticle forces between particles with specific optical properties such as those satisfying the Kerker scattering conditions. We demonstrate the wavelength-dependent dynamics of such Kerker dimers and establish conditions required for their stable longitudinal binding. We also describe a one-way non-reciprocal …

Viability For Locally Monotone Evolution Inclusions And Lower Semicontinuous Solutions Of Halmilton-Jacobi-Bellman Equations In Infinite Dimensions, Jichao Jiang

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

In this thesis we first study the necessary and sufficient conditions for differential inclusion driven by locally monotone operator in the sense of Liu and Röckner [J. Funct. Anal., 259 (2010), pp. 2902-2922]. The main result of our work provides a necessary and sufficient condition for a set K being viable, that is, a solution of the differential inclusion stay inside of the set K through out the time interval. We then examine the path-dependent Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations (path-dependent HJB equations) associated to the optimal control problem with states controlled by evolution inclusions. With our results on viability, we …

Motion Extrapolation And Motion Dynamics: Are The Motion Dynamics Of Friction Utilized During Motion Extrapolation To Inform Time-To-Contact Estimations?, Genna Telschow

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Cognitive processing delays should cause us to respond too late when making time-to-contact estimations. According to the theory of constructivism, the brain accounts for these delays by supplementing sensory information with higher level cognitive information to create an accurate motion percept. Across the attention, memory, and motion extrapolation literatures there is evidence supporting the use of higher-level information, like motion dynamics, to supplement our visual input. Specifically, previous research suggests we may account for friction’s constraints on motion when interacting with dynamic stimuli. The current research utilizes features that represent friction as both a stopping agent and a motion catalyst …

Parents’ Adverse Childhood Experiences And Young Children’S Behavior Problems: Examining Protective Moderating And Mediating Factors, Kaitlyn M. Daleandro

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are childhood exposures to abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. ACEs have been linked to a cumulative negative impact on later adult physical and psychological well-being. Parents who carry ACEs often have difficulties in parenting, which have, in turn, been linked to young children’s internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Nonetheless, some parents who carry ACEs develop positive parenting strategies. Very little is known about how such outcomes occur. A growing area of research concerns protective and compensatory experiences (PACEs) that buffer against the negative consequences of ACEs. PACEs may improve deficits in cognitive, emotional, and neurobiological systems …

Impacts Of Susceptibility To Peer Influence And Fomo On Viewing Alcohol-Related Content On Social Media, Alcohol Expectancies, And Alcohol Use, Callie L. Wang

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

PURPOSE: Young adult (YA) alcohol use remains a significant public health problem, and may be influenced by alcohol expectancies developed through exposure to peers’ alcohol related content (ARC) on social media. This study examined the associations among ARC exposure, alcohol expectancies and alcohol use among YAs, and how susceptibility to peer influence and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) may influence these relations. METHOD: YAs in the United States who endorsed consuming 1-2 standard drinks per month (N=371) completed surveys measuring ARC exposure, alcohol expectancies, susceptibility to peer influence, FoMO, and alcohol use at baseline and at 4- and 8-week follow …

The Role Of Social Media On Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Self-Esteem Imposter Phenomenon, And Identity Distress, Julie Hall

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This thesis explored the relationships between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), self-esteem, masking, Imposter Phenomenon (IP), and identity distress, along with the role in which social media integration plays in these relationships. Participants (N = 500) were recruited through SONA, a research recruitment database, and completed an anonymous online survey for course credit. Those who met the DSM-5 -TR criteria for ADHD had higher levels of IP, integration of social media, and Identity Distress, but lower levels of self-esteem compared to students who did not meet criteria for ADHD. This study is the first to explore the link between ADHD and …

Hallucinogen Usage, Experiencing Mystical Phenomena, And Transformational Identity Change, Cameron Hyder

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study seeks to understand the therapeutic potential of multiple prominent hallucinogens (LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, Cannabis, and DMT) by examining corresponding posttraumatic growth, transformational identity change, and experience(s) of mystical phenomena. College students (N = 278) completed an anonymous online survey. The data was analyzed to assess hallucinogen usage history and possible changes, as well as any significant differences between each hallucinogen. Participants were first asked about their hallucinogen usage including which hallucinogens they have specifically used, number of uses, age of first use, and the last time they used. They were also asked to rate their short-term vs …

Firefighter Syndrome: Improving The Identification And Classification Of Firefighters In Need, Michael A. Schlenk

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Firefighters (FFs) exhibit a multitude of behavioral and physical health concerns as well as fluctuating social support due to their occupation. Despite the fire service enacting preventative approaches to health and wellness, FFs still report increased prevalences of health concerns at the end of their career. Firefighter syndrome was created to identify FFs in need of medical care (e.g., behavioral and physical health services, Frueh et al., 2022b). The purpose of this study is to validate the construct of FF Syndrome by using statistical classification techniques to investigate whether there is a latent group of firefighters that have the symptoms …

The Impact Of Socioeconomic Status On Substance Use Amongst The Hispanic Maternal Population, Emily C. Olivo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Aim: To explore and synthesize existing research that focuses on the relationship between socioeconomic status and the use of substances amongst the maternal Hispanic population. By examining research and these factors, interventions can be identified to lower reported substance use rates amongst Hispanic mothers of childbearing ages.

Background: Minorities such as Hispanic women deal with a myriad of struggles, especially during motherhood. Socioeconomic status and substance use can contribute to a large part of the struggles faced by this population. Hispanic and Latina will be used interchangeably throughout this review of literature.

Method: A comprehensive electronic review of 3 databases …

Organization And Activation Of Caffeine Expectancies, Catherine S. Forsyth

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Caffeine is the most consumed and widely used psychoactive substance in the world. Whether someone uses caffeine or not, expectations about use can be influential to some degree. Expectancies exist everywhere and are extremely influential in all aspects of life. Regarding drug use, expectancies can affect behavior, outcomes, and one’s experience with the drug. Caffeine is no exception, caffeine expectancies have been seen to play a role in several actions such as the development, maintenance, and reinforcement of caffeine use. This study examined latent use profiles of caffeine and relationships between the profiles and the activation of caffeine expectancies. Multidimensional …

Assessing The Relationship Between Perceived Psychological And Physical Pain In Adults With Orthopedic Pain, Daniel C. Karimi Dehkordi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Suicide remains a public health concern in the U.S., particularly among individuals experiencing chronic pain and psychological distress. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between perceived physical and psychological pain in 41 adults with chronic orthopedic conditions. The relationship between other risk and protective factors and perceived levels of pain distress was also examined. Results showed a significant positive correlation between psychological distress and physical pain (r(39) = 0.388, p < .05) and psychological distress and depressive/anxiety symptoms (r (39) = 0.477, p < .01). Psychological distress was moderately associated with feelings of hopelessness (r (39) = 0.403, p < .01), however, the relationship between physical pain and hopelessness was weak and nonsignificant (r (39) = -0.06, p = .71). Contrary to expectations, emotional support did not buffer the effects of psychological distress (r (39) = 0.07, p = 0.66). Mediational analysis confirmed that emotional support did not influence the relationship between physical pain and psychological distress (Beta (β) = -0.969, p = 0.572; Sobel Z = 0.5598, p = 0.575). Age was not correlated with psychological distress (r (39) = -0.24, p = 0.13) or mental health symptoms (r (39) = -0.05, p = .77). While there was no significant difference across sex, males reported higher mental health symptomatology and psychological distress scores than female counterparts. These findings underscore the direct impact of physical pain on psychological distress and challenge assumptions about the protective role of social support. The study highlights the need for integrated, multidisciplinary interventions targeting both physical and psychological pain to mitigate suicide risk among individuals with chronic orthopedic conditions. Future research should iii explore alternative support mechanisms and resilience-building strategies to address the complex interplay of pain, distress, and suicidality.

Intelligent Tutoring Systems In The Age Of Llm-Based Agentic Frameworks - Adapting Small On-Device Language Models For Fact-Checking And Student Compliance Detection, Evan Vahid Naderi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

As large language models (LLMs) demonstrate increasingly sophisticated language understanding capabilities, they offer transformative potential for educational technology, particularly in developing more responsive intelligent tutoring systems (ITS). To develop these systems, a synthesis that balances theoretical frameworks with practical, cutting-edge, and deployable technology would be useful. This thesis aims to advance the field of ITSs theoretically by viewing the modern advancements in natural language processing within the context of the foundational frameworks important to the fields of self-regulated learning, ITSs, and cognitive agents. Then, building on prior research on the ITS MetaTutor \citep{Azevedo2022}, this research focuses on how functions of …

Physical Activity And Hypertension Outcomes Around Menopause In Adult Women—A Secondary Analysis Of The All Of Us Research Program, Meriam F. Naguib

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Hypertension significantly impacts menopausal women due to a decrease in estrogen levels. That is due to estrogen level changes, causing many metabolic alterations, one of which is increased vascular resistance, leading to hypertension. Advanced treatments are made available to help alleviate the condition; however, lifestyle modifications—especially physical activity—show a critical role in hypertension control. This thesis explored the effect of physical activity as a non-pharmacological, lifestyle intervention on hypertension in women by menopausal status (pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal). This study used a secondary analysis with a retrospective design. Physical activity was defined using the American Heart Association's (AHA) guidelines (i.e., …