Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Nexus Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Illicit Substance Misuse Among Midwestern Adults, Anika R. Eisenbraun

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The positive association between illicit substance misuse and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been widely examined in prior literature. Yet, there is limited understanding of the varying factors, such as social support, depressive symptoms, or sexual victimization, that may impact the relationship between substance misuse and ACEs. As such, the purpose of the current study is to examine the relationship between ACEs (i.e., physical and emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect) with illicit substance misuse and to investigate indirect pathways of social support, depressive symptoms, and sexual victimization. Private, secondary data from the second cohort of a larger, longitudinal rural health …

Household Wealth And Mental Health In Older Adults Across Racial Groups: Moderating Role Of Social Support, Sunkanmi Folorunsho

Department of Sociology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis examines the relationship between household wealth and mental health outcomes among older adults, with particular attention to racial and ethnic differences and the potential moderating role of social support. Although financial resources are widely recognized as important determinants of psychological well-being, less is known about how social support interacts with economic conditions to shape mental health in later life. The study also addresses how these patterns may vary among different racial and ethnic groups, given persistent inequalities in wealth and disparities in access to social resources.

Drawing on data from the 2020 wave of the Health and Retirement …

Radar Precursors To Severe Weather Reports In Left-Moving Supercells, Eric A. Carothers

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

While much research has examined dual-polarimetric signatures of right-moving supercells, very little has been done with left-moving supercells. Given that left-moving supercells are thought to be disproportionate producers of large hail, understanding their internal dynamics is vitally important. This study examines differences and trends in the dual-polarimetric signatures of left-moving supercells to identify precursors to severe weather reports. A dataset of left-moving supercells associated with severe weather reports was created. These storms are processed with an automated analysis algorithm that identifies and quantifies the polarimetric signatures in each storm. A method for analysis of differences and trends in their dual-polarization …

Biological Reduction Of Perchlorate In Martian Regolith Simulant Using Azospira Oryzae, Brianna Bernhardt

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Establishing a sustainable human presence on Mars will require in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to reduce costly and inefficient resupply missions. Despite containing many of the requirements for agriculture, Martian regolith is contaminated with toxic levels of perchlorate (ClO₄^-), threatening human health and agricultural success. Biological remediation using perchlorate-reducing bacteria offers a promising approach to address these challenges. This study investigated the perchlorate-reducing ability of Azospira oryzae, a facultative anaerobe capable of converting ClO₄^- to chloride (Cl^-) through dissimilatory respiration. A. oryzae was cultured in Martian regolith simulant (MGS-1) amended with 0.0%, 0.5%, …

Effects Of Group Delay Dispersion In Silica Glass On Non-Gaussian Laser Pulses, Lars Pedersen

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

We present an analysis of how the group delay dispersion in silica glass affects the envelope of non-Gaussian laser pulses. In particular, we examine femtosecond pulses in the ultraviolet regime with cosine squared and symmetric exponential envelope shapes. For both envelope shapes, our results show a linear or semi-linear dependence of both the maximum electric field strength and duration on the group delay dispersion when the pulse passes through the silica glass medium with a thickness between 1 μm and 10 μm. This computational analysis is done using a fast Fourier transform method.

Eating Behavior Differences Across Dementia Diagnoses: The Roles Of Behavioral Symptoms And Anticipatory Physiological Responses, Charlie J. Lorkovic

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Objective: To determine how behavioral symptoms and impairment of the preparatory physiological response contribute to disordered eating behaviors in dementia, particularly frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods: This secondary analysis utilizes data from 242 patients (191 FTD, 51 AD) who took part in a collaborative study between the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, San Francisco. Preparatory physiological responses were measured as heart rate increases from a baseline to an instruction period, when participants were informed that they were about to watch an emotional film. Behavioral symptoms, including eating behaviors, were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric …

A Comprehensive Analysis Of Virtual Reality In Modern Healthcare Education, Adarsha Ganesan

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in healthcare education through multiple facets of evaluation: educational outcomes, accessibility considerations, and financial viability. Drawing from an extensive literature review on existing research and a case study of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Nursing's "Journey Through the Kidney" VR experience, this analysis examines how technology can transform modern medical education. While research shows mixed results regarding virtual reality’s impact on assessment outcomes, studies demonstrate increased student motivation and engagement, which can have lasting downstream effects on the quality of learning. Accessibility analysis reveals both opportunities and …

Advancing Mitochondrial Dna Visualization And Dynamics In Plants: Application Of The Mt-Hi-Ness Fluorescent Marker, Madeleine H. Faber

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) plays a crucial role in cellular energy production and inheritance, yet its dynamics and exchange remain poorly understood in plant systems due to limitations in visualization techniques. Traditional visualization methods such as exogenous DNA stains and fluorescent protein markers present challenges in specificity and live-cell imaging. To address this challenge, we adapted the MT-HI-NESS fluorescent marker, originally developed for mammalian cells, for use in plant mitochondrial studies. Using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system, we employed mitochondrial targeting sequences (IVD and AOX) to ensure accurate localization and to confirm mtDNA binding specificity. The validation process included fluorescence-based …

Understanding Automation From A Computer Science Perspective, Matthew Donsig

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This thesis looks into automation and analyzes its benefits and problems. It begins with an explanation of a capstone project, automating the UNL State Museum’s reservation system. Problems of automation are presented in unsuccessful attempts and some pitfalls of automation. Next this thesis turns to an examination of artificial intelligence in automation. Along with that, we look at bias in automation and how people can bias automated tools or be biased by them. Turning successful examples of automation and then automation in manufacturing shows its benefits. Automation creates new jobs or changes work as much as it eliminates positions. At …

Through Every Door A New Story: An Advertising Campaign For Francie & Finch Bookshop, Aislinn T. Sullivan

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

More and more of our world is run by algorithms. What we see, what we buy, and what we share. Online retail has sent ripples through the book-selling industry, but the algorithms can’t replicate the feeling of tangible discovery and shared experience.

As more free time is taken up by digital entertainment, moms are seeking to create personally resonant experiences for those they love. This campaign strives to introduce Francie & Finch as the stage for the target market, moms ages 35-50, increasing brand awareness.

These moms remember the things that tightened their bond with their loved ones like …

The Commodification Of Native American Remains: The Use Of Native American Remains Within Educational Institutions And The Implementation Of Nagpra, Molly Nowak

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Indigenous communities have been commodified within educational institutions such as museums, universities, and governmental agencies throughout American history. Unethical collection practices have allowed for a disproportionate representation of Indigenous remains and materials within educational institutions. Indigenous bodies, funerary objects, religious materials, and other important cultural materials have been stolen from their communities and used for scientific discovery and education. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), passed in 1990, created legal protections for Indigenous graves and remains and instigates the return of the stolen materials. This project reviews the historical contexts behind the collection of Indigenous remains, the …

Addressing The Lack Of Patient Adherence To Exercise Within The Physical Therapy Clinic And Creating Infographics To Improve Patient Adherence, Gretchen Panovich

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The primary objective of this applied knowledge project is to develop educational materials to enhance patient adherence. The World Health Organization defines adherence as “the extent to which a person’s behavior…corresponds with agreed recommendations from a healthcare provider.” Within the physical therapy field, non-adherence to exercise is a significant problem linked with increased duration of treatment, more patient complaints, reduced positive clinical outcomes, and even surgical intervention.

Multiple factors affect patient adherence, making it hard to pinpoint a singular cause. Clinical observations and research suggest that belief in the rehabilitation process may suffer due to a prolonged recovery period, lack …

Drainage Area Limitations Of Single Watershed, Peak Flow Estimates From Nrcs Methods, Timothy A. Maughan, Rollin H. Hotchkiss, Riley Hales

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

Most state Department of Transportation roadway design sections predict peak flow for culvert design using, amongst other approaches, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) TR-20 technology. Even though this technology is more than 50 years old, there are no clear guidelines for how large a single watershed drainage area may be while remaining appropriate for predicting peak discharge with this method. Our objective was to identify the drainage area where TR-20 peak flow predictions significantly deviate from flow frequency predictions. We developed flow frequency estimates for 130 small-area stream gage sites in rural Nebraska and compared the calculated return period discharges …

Evaluating Risk And Return Of Corn And Soybean Marketing Strategies Using Monte Carlo Simulation Methods, Johanna Ilves

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study evaluates the performance of pre-harvest marketing strategies for corn and soybeans, using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Given the increasing volatility in commodity prices and the evolving landscape of agricultural markets, producers face growing challenges in developing effective marketing plans that manage risk and enhance profitability. This thesis examines thirteen marketing strategies from 2008 to 2024, including benchmark harvest-only sales and various pre-harvest futures contract approaches. Historical futures price data for December corn and November soybean contracts were used to simulate 1,000 marketing outcomes per strategy per year, capturing a broad range of market conditions. Key performance indicators such …

Treading Lightly: The Ethics Of Instructor Il/Legibility And Neutrality In The Classroom, Marcus A. Woodman

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Instructors in the classroom often describe their experiences teaching as being a performance, which often combines authenticity with boundaries to keep certain aspects of the instructor’s life out of the classroom. For queer instructors, their performance may be especially complicated; since queer identity is less visible than other types of identities, instructors must also weigh whether or not to come out to their students. In our current political moment, where queerness has yet again become a scrutinized topic (especially when in proximity to youth), teachers have an even more difficult decision to make.

This thesis uses queer theory and queer …

Walleye And Sauger Movement And Entrainment In Lewis And Clark Lake, William Joseph Radigan

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Walleye Sander vitreus and Sauger Sander canadensis are both socioeconomically important sportfish species in Lewis and Clark Lake, an interjurisdictionally managed mainstem Missouri River reservoir fishery. Since 2011, adult catch per unit effort (CPUE) of both Walleye and Sauger has remained at approximately 50% of pre-2011 levels. A presumed reason for the suppressed CPUE of adult Walleye and Sauger is substantial entrainment of larval and adult fish resulting from the reservoir’s high turnover rate (7.2 d). Acoustic telemetry was used to quantify adult movement and entrainment and ichthyoplankton trawls were used to assess larval entrainment. Relative importance of factors driving …

Melanated Reflections Through Testimonios: Centering The Experiences Of African American Women Teachers Turned Leaders And Their Implications On Recruitment, Selection, Hiring, And Retention Of Women Of Color In Leadership Positions, Tanya Rochelle Santos

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2022), during the 2017–2018 academic year, only 7% of all teachers identified as Black or African American, with approximately 76% of that group being women. This qualitative study investigates the lived experiences of African American women educators who have transitioned into leadership roles within P–12 educational settings across the Great Plains Region of the United States. The research explores how their experiences intersect with issues of racial and gender equity, particularly within the broader discourse of social justice in education and educational leadership.

Framed within the theoretical lens of Black Feminist Thought, …

Strategies For Reducing Racial Disparities In Maternal Health Outcomes: An Examination Of The Role Of Doulas, Samavi Rafique

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Comparatively high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality remain a significant concern in the United States, particularly for Black women, who face a risk of maternal mortality that is four times higher than that of white women. Realizing the historical context of this burden requires tracing American obstetric and gynecological medicine to its 19th-century roots, where the medical experimentation of enslaved Black women occurred largely unopposed by the voices of those in power. The legacy of this is embodied in the modern maternal health crisis, marked by stark racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. As non-clinically trained professionals whose supportive …

Gap, Inc. : A Strategic Audit Of Gap, Inc. Company, Amber Hanson, Ike Mcley, Sophie Thomas, Avery Plessel, Kira Pavlik

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The following paper is a comprehensive overview of the company Gap, Inc., a leading global retailer with a diverse brand portfolio that includes Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta. They compete in the Family Clothing Industry through their operation of over 3,352 brick-and-mortar stores along with offering their digital shopping platform to align with changing consumer preferences. Gap, Inc. plans to maintain financial rigor, reinvigorating its brands, and strengthening its platform. Their strengths are found in their expanding e-commerce segment and their strong commitment to sustainability. Through a broad differentiation strategy, Gap, Inc. targets a diverse consumer demographic across …

Carbon Fiber Cv Tripod Axle Design: Husker Motorsports Formula Sae, Taylor D. Boudreaux

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The 2024–2025 HMS Formula SAE senior design team successfully reduced axle system weight, cost, and improved manufacturability using a bonded tripod joint and ±45° intermediate modulus carbon fiber tube. The final design was validated on HMS 25, with no failures under rigorous testing.

Budget:
/="/"> Total project cost was $1,165.64, exceeding the initial $1,000 target due to unanticipated test rig expenses. However, per-axle production cost was reduced from $525.31 to $383.37 through in-house manufacturing, use of on-hand epoxy (DP460), and switching to cost-effective 7068 aluminum. The axle-specific cost was $766.74.

Timeline:
/="/"> Despite early delays from building a torsional testing …

Chipotle Mexican Grill Strategic Audit: An Analysis Of Chipotle Mexican Grill Business Strategy, Garrett Smith, Karissa Hodge, Baden Brumbaugh, Daniel Koland, Ellie Hurst

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This report outlines a strategic audit of Chipotle Mexican Grill and its business strategy and policies. The report dives into how Chipotle creates strategic value and competes in the fast-casual food industry. Chipotle’s strategic mission, Cultivate A Better World, motivates them to focus on sustainable practices involving farming, emissions, and water stewardship. Despite facing issues involving health concerns, Chipotle has recovered and positioned itself in a strong position for the near future. With its new CEO, Scott Boatwright, Chipotle has to navigate a crowded fast casual industry that faces market pressures from consumers around healthy eating.

Landscape Effects On The Beneficial Arthropod Community In Agriculturally Dominated Environments, Hannah E. Stowe

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Ecosystem services in agriculturally dominated regions rely, at least in part, on arthropods. Environment and biodiversity influence beneficial arthropods in population size, community structure, diversity, and ecosystem service provisioning. Predation is among the most important services provided by arthropods in agroecosystems. Understanding what alters predation and predator activity can support the successful application of biological control and, more broadly, integrated pest management. Land use and edge adjacency, field characteristics, landscape, seasonality, and diel period all alter predatory behavior. Crop fields dominate Nebraska agroecosystems, although interspersed perennial grasslands persist through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Such grasslands supply crucial resources and …

A Case Study On Readiness Of Engineers In Agricultural Technology Start-Ups, Katie Marie Mowat

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation explores the perceptions of practicing engineers regarding the skills necessary to be workforce-ready at agricultural technology (ag-tech) start-ups in the Midwestern United States. A qualitative case study methodology is leveraged, combining both interview and job description data. Given their uniqueness, the study divides the ag-tech start-up industry into two subcases: livestock and cropping systems. The Work Readiness Integrated Competence Model (WRICM) is used as the theoretical framework for this study and informs the conceptual framework and analysis processes. The study identified skills that fit into thirteen distinct categories, which are further grouped into four overarching resource groups. Skills …

Gene Editing Approaches To Improving Grain Amino Acid Profiles In Maize And Sorghum, Joseph Preston Hurst

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Maize grain is deficient in lysine. While the opaque2 mutation increases grain lysine, o2 is a transcription factor that regulates a wide network of genes beyond zeins, which leads to pleiotropic and often negative effects. Additionally, the drastic reduction in 19kDa and 22kDa alpha-zeins causes a floury kernel, unsuitable for agricultural use. Sorghum, closely related to maize, has a similar lack of lysine that can be corrected with prolamin alteration and also subject to the same deleterious kernel texture. CRISPR/cas9 gives researchers the ability to directly target genes of interest. In this research, gene editing was used to specifically target …

Understanding The Context Of Bullying: Examination Of The Healthy Context Paradox And Peer Acceptance For Students With Disabilities, Catherine Mae Carney

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The purpose of this dissertation study was to examine how perceptions of school climate and social acceptance influence the relationship between bullying victimization and anxious and depressive symptoms for youth with and without disabilities. Students with disabilities are at increased risk for involvement in the bullying dynamic, both by bullying others and by experiencing victimization. Victims of bullying are more likely to experience peer rejection and greater internalizing problems, including higher levels of anxious and depressive symptoms. Research suggests that school-wide efforts to reduce bullying may leave some youth vulnerable to worse psychosocial outcomes, which has been called, “the healthy …

Optimizing Nitrogen Management: Assessing Nitrate Transport In The Deep Vadose Zone And Its Impact On Groundwater Quality In East-Central Nebraska, Muili O. Lawal

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Groundwater contamination by nitrate (NO₃-N) is a growing environmental and public health concern driven largely by intensive agricultural fertilizer applications. The vadose zone plays an important role in NO₃-N transport, influencing groundwater quality and agricultural sustainability. This study investigated NO₃-N leaching dynamics in the deep vadose zone of Water Quality Sub-Area 30 (WQA30) within the Lower Loup Natural Resources District (LLNRD), northeast of Columbus, Nebraska (mean groundwater NO₃-N: 20.3 mg/L), using soil cores from 16 shallow (to 6.1 m) and four deep (down to 25.9 m) across four zones, two with inorganic fertilizer (Zones 1 and 4) and two with …

Using Permutation Groups To Identify Families Of Capacity Achieving Codes, Daniel Welchons

Department of Mathematics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

When communicating over a noisy channel, the probability of message interference sets a maximum possible transmission rate known as the channel capacity. Any family of codes which have rates converging to the channel capacity and arbitrarily low probability of decoding failure is called capacity achieving. Such codes have been known to exist since the birth of information theory, but are difficult to find explicitly. It has recently been shown that the permutation groups of a family of codes can be used to show that the family is capacity achieving on the q-ary erasure channel.

This thesis seeks to apply the …

Environmental Effects On Preweaning Calf Health, Lindsay L. Waechter-Mead

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Neonatal calf health is an important factor in the productivity and profitability in the beef cattle industry, influencing preweaning survival, growth, and long-term performance. The overall objective of this thesis is to characterize risk factors that contribute to health issues in young beef calves. The first objective is to review literature exploring the environmental factors affecting preweaning morbidity and mortality, including hypothermia, precipitation, and wind. Management strategies such as the effect of environmental conditions of calving location, body condition score in dams at parturition, and the impacts of dystocia on calf health will also be discussed. Gaps in current research …

Modeling Degradation In Li-Ion Batteries: Analyzing Single-Cell Degradation And Applying It To Customized Pack-Level, Mohannad Y. Alkhalil

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The rapid expansion of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery applications in areas such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and portable electronics has drawn attention to the need for improving their performance, safety, and longevity. As Li-ion batteries become essential across technologies, understanding degradation mechanisms is critical for optimizing design and ensuring reliable operation. This work provides a detailed overview of modeling degradation in Li-ion batteries, focusing on single-cell behavior and its implications for pack-level performance.

The PyBaMM (Python Battery Mathematical Modeling) package, an open-source battery simulation tool written in Python, is used for single-cell simulations. Liionpack, another Python-based library, is …

“Re-Storying” Anne Shirley And The Adhd Child: A Crip Genealogy Of Anne Of Green Gables, Darian Aleyna Wilson

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis explores the contested nature of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), focusing on its cultural and historical constructions. While ADHD has been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders since 1980, its legitimacy remains a subject of debate across medical, disability studies, and historical scholarship. Using Eli Clare’s critique of diagnosis as a tool rather than a fact, this project examines how ADHD is both pathologized and re-storied within societal and medical discourses. It highlights the tension between medical classifications and lived experiences of those diagnosed with ADHD, particularly in the context of girlhood.

The central …