Digital Commons Network^™

Advancing Butterfly Systematics Through Genomic Analysis, Jing Zhang, Qian Cong, Jinhui Shen, Leina Song, Nick V. Grishin

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Within the framework of an ongoing comparative genomic study of global butterfly diversity, we construct phylogenetic trees combining all protein-coding genes assembled from the whole genome shotgun data. When viewed in the context of current taxonomy and phenotypic knowledge, the genome-wide phylogeny points to further advances in butterfly systematics, which are presented here. We assign major clades with comparable levels of genetic divergence to the same taxonomic rank and apply criteria involving relative population divergence and gene flow to define species boundaries. As a result, one genus, 13 subgenera, 62 species, and five subspecies are proposed as new (type species …

Adpr 323: Copy & Concept – A Peer Review Of Teaching Course Portfolio, Brian D. Hubbard

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

ADPR 323: Copy & Concept is an elective course in the Advertising and Public Relations curriculum at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, designed to immerse students in the foundational principles and practices of advertising copywriting and conceptual development. This portfolio documents the recent redesign of the course, including updated learning outcomes, teaching methods, assignments, and assessment strategies. The redesign emphasizes a balance between creative ideation, effective writing, and strategic thinking, with a focus on real-world application and industry standards. This portfolio includes a rationale for changes, analysis of student learning, reflections on successes and challenges, and plans for future improvements.

The Sauce To Meat Is Ceremony: Cannibalism And Hospitality Serve As Horror And Culture Tropes In Hannibal And Macbeth, Shay Williams

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

When examining Macbeth (1623) as a case study within Shakespeare’s canon, we see all the obvious horror tropes - murder, witches, a ghost, bodies, blood and gore. What is less pronounced is the horror that lies within eating, drinking, feasting, and the ceremony of banquets. On the other side of the spectrum, and unlike the character of Macbeth, we have a figure that epitomizes all things horror, and has been read about in novels, watched on film, and as of late (2013-2015) has been the subject of a Television show, aptly named: Hannibal. In both works, we encounter men/monsters/killers …

“Honey, Life Is Just A Classroom:” Using Taylor Swift As A Pedagogical Tool For College Composition, Liz Thomae

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

As educators, we confront the challenge of cultivating a deeper understanding of writing in an age obsessed with utilitarianism, instant gratification, and pragmatism. Students come into our classrooms inundated with these messages of utility and often find subjects within the humanities, especially first year writing, boring and unhelpful. Especially with the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) use in our classrooms and society at large, we as pedagogues have our work cut out for us. I propose a pedagogical approach that bridges students' interests with essential writing skills by integrating Taylor Swift's music into the composition classroom. Swift's evolution as …

Using Fantasy Sports To Connect Process With Product In Adpr/Spmc 464/864 – Sports Media Relations And Promotion, Brian Petrotta

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

The purpose of this portfolio is to analyze the relationship between assignments and desired learning outcomes in ADPR/SPMC 464/864 – Sports Media Relations and Promotion. ADPR/SPMC 464/864 Sports Media Relations and Promotion remains a challenging course to navigate but the process of developing this portfolio demonstrates that it has many strengths. The first of these strengths is the simple structure that centers the course around a fantasy football team (NFL in fall, EPL in spring). Most students were already familiar with fantasy sports and, in general, appreciated the inherent competition within this structure. Feedback from students’ year-end self-assessments from two …

Analyzing Florida’S Lgbtqia+ Censorship Laws And Their Anti-Democratic Attack On Education, Peyton Sibert

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

The past four years (2021-2024) have seen an increase in academic censorship laws and anti-LGTBQIA+ rhetoric across the United States. Florida, specifically, has established itself as a leader in discriminatory legislation. In this paper, the author analyzes four Florida laws: HB 1557, HB 1069, HB 7, and SB 266, along with the rise in book bans to consider both the pedagogical effects and negative impacts on the LGBTQIA+ community. These analyses will be juxtaposed with extant political rhetoric around these laws to expose a) the intent of the law b) the contradictions within and across laws and thereby c) the …

Ph Dependent Structural Characterization Of Ich Ensembles Needed For Catalysis, Kevin C. Prososki

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

No abstract provided.

Benefits Of Informal Practical Experiences As A Central Teaching Method In A Literature Of Adolescents Course, Jillian Harpster

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This portfolio includes the course context and organizational format of a junior-level required course for pre-service secondary English teachers. Formatting and context information include teaching methods and course materials. As a central teaching method of the course, students are required to attend a practicum that is additional to their observational practicum (sophomore year) and their clinical practicum (senior year). In this way, the praxis of the coursework and the informal practicum serve as an intentional moment of praxis, while also scaffolding students towards their senior year practicum and beyond (student teaching, early career teaching). Ultimately, the argument of the portfolio …

The Connection Between An Unequitable Distribution Of Care Responsibilities And A Widening Gender Nutrition Gap In Latin America, Alexis Nicole Bodlak

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The notion of care refers to activities that satisfy the basic needs of existence and reproduction. Within rural communities, care work such as the production and preparation of food contributes to food security at the household level. Care work supports the paid workforce, allowing workers to focus on commercial productive activities that generate economic income in rural communities. Women perform 6.3 to 29.5 more hours per week than men in unpaid care work, reducing their time for income-generating activities and personal nutrition management. Affecting their economic independence and ability to access and consume nutritious food. Studies show that in food-insecure …

Where To Deposit Your Master’S Thesis Or Doctoral Dissertation In The Unl Digital Commons, Sue Ann Gardner, Paul Royster

Thesis and Dissertation Deposit Information Resources

A list of degree-granting programs with links to the proper series for thesis and dissertation deposit in the UNL Digital Commons.

UNL = University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Updated May 2025.

Find your degree-granting program in the list, then click on the link to go to the proper series to deposit your thesis, dissertation, or other student work.

If you have questions about the process or problems finding the correct series or uploading your work, contact Sue Gardner.

The Role Of Popular Culture In Decolonial Transformative Learning: A Racially Minoritized Adult Educator's Journey, Riyad Shahjahan

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

While a growing body of literature examines the role of popular culture in transformative learning, much of it centers on fostering transformative experiences among learners, rather than educators themselves. This paper addresses that gap by exploring how popular culture enhances transformative learning for racially minoritized adult educators. Drawing from my experiences as a graduate instructor at a predominantly white institution, I reflect on how engaging with popular cultural texts facilitated my own transformative learning within my teaching practice. Grounded in decolonial theory, which emphasizes the inclusion of Indigenous and marginalized knowledges while confronting contemporary colonial oppressions, my reflexive approach highlights …

What Is Climate Smart Agriculture? : A Standardized Framework For Assessing The Effectiveness Of Climate Smart Agriculture Systems And Practices, Olivia G. Messerges, Trenton W. Ford

RURALS: Review of Undergraduate Research in Agricultural and Life Sciences

The United States agricultural system is challenged with feeding a growing population, adapting to climate change, and minimizing environmental damage. In response to these challenges, the paradigm of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) was developed to describe practices that address these challenges as a comprehensive strategy to address climate change and increase food security.

Definitions of CSA vary, but surround three main pillars: increasing productivity, enhancing adaptation, and reducing emissions. However, no standardized framework exists to assess if practices or technologies identified as "climate-smart" produce the desired benefits. A standardized framework would enable producers, policymakers, and researchers to improve CSA implementation, policy …

Benefits And Applications Of Learning With Virtual Reality, Michael W. Timm

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Education is a fundamental pillar of society. It equips students for employment and interpersonal relations. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a transformative technology in the field of education. The aim of this paper is to synthesize existing research in order to determine the benefits of utilizing virtual reality in a variety of education settings, such as K-12 classrooms, universities, and workplace training. This paper observes significant benefits of virtual reality in constructivist and experiential learning, gamified learning, and tailored practice. This analysis also finds that virtual reality is advantageous for educational accessibility, particularly for absentee students and impoverished students. …

A Strategic Audit Of Hilton Hotels, Audrey E. Krieger

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This paper provides a comprehensive strategic analysis and audit of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a global leader in the hospitality industry. It begins with a historical overview of the company and its positioning within the lodging sector, highlighting major competitors such as Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Airbnb. A PESTEL analysis explores macro-environmental forces shaping the industry, while Porter’s Five Forces framework assesses competitive pressures and how Hilton utilizes its brand strength, digital infrastructure, and loyalty programs to remain resilient. The paper then examines Hilton’s strategic direction and key objectives, identifying sources of competitive advantage and core resources that …

Digitization And Archival Of Insect Collections: Literature Review, Rebekah Rogers

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

A slide presentation discussing how and why digitization has become a key component in the curation and care of natural history collections.

Novel Chloroviruses With Unique Glycans On Their Major Capsid Proteins, Cayden J. Homolka

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Chloroviruses, of the family Phycodnaviridae, are large, dsDNA viruses with a genome of 290 to 410 kb. These virus genomes are so large that they are classified as “giant viruses”. Within this genome, up to 16 tRNAs and 330 to 450 proteins are encoded. Among the massive amounts of genes and proteins are unique carbohydrate synthesis/metabolism genes, which are responsible for the glycosylation of chloroviruses major capsid proteins. In most viruses, these proteins are glycosylated by the host enzymes located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Instead, Chloroviruses encode their own glycosylation machinery; essentially decorating themselves. Furthermore, these chlorovirus glycans are unlike …

The Origin Of Community As Experienced By Intercollegiate Athletes At Benedictine Institutions Of Higher Education: A Hermeneutical, Phenomenological Hybrid Study, Barbara Rezac

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

This study focuses on the phenomenon of community experienced at Benedictine colleges and universities and its impact on the faith, character, and human development of recent alumni who participated in intercollegiate athletics on campus. Benedictine education, based on the 1,500-year-old Rule of Saint Benedict, is guided by ten hallmarks which seek to build wisdom cultivated in community. This study specifically examines the extent of the lived experience of community through the lens of former intercollegiate athletes (alumni from the past ten years) and the perceived influence of the hallmarks on their post-graduate lives. I contacted mission leaders, athletic directors, and …

From In-The-Head To In-The-World: Frameworks For Understanding And Applying Computational Thinking, Justin Olmanson, Gretchen K. Larsen, Azadeh Hassani

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

In the five decades since Papert coined the term Computational Thinking (CT), it has become a core framework for thinking about learning, problem-solving, design, and creativity. Although CT is most commonly, and initially, associated with the cognitive orientations involved in coding and learning to code, it also includes situated and critical processes related to computational problem solving. Herein we unpack ways researchers in different fields and points in time have organized CT. We include creative coding as a uniquely generative lens for rethinking CT, outlining its potential as an expressive, constructionist, and culturally situated practice. In doing so, we explore …

Illustrating Identity: Ethel Reed’S Art Posters And Women's Claims To Public Space In Fin-De-Siècle Boston, Miranda R. Knofczynski

School of Art, Art History, and Design: Theses and Student Creative Work

Much scholarship has uncovered the history of women illustrators during the late nineteenth century. The rebuilding of these lost histories calls for research which theorizes women’s contributions to the burgeoning arts scene of the fin-de-siècle. This thesis will examine the posters Ethel Reed created for different companies during the height of the 1890s poster craze and discuss how she articulated women in public space in them. Reed’s art offers an aestheticized yet feminist visualization of women engaging in leisure activities such as exploring the city, reading, or attending the theatre. Many have described the women in her posters as merely …

Assessment Of Energy Efficiency Measures Recommended For Industrial Facilities: Environmental, Economic, And Life Cycle Perspectives, Dariush Jafari

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study assesses the economic, environmental, and life cycle impacts of more than 800 industrial Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs) identified in manufacturing facilities across Nebraska. These EEMs are notable for their rapid implementation and minimal disruption to the facility’s building structure or core processes.

The research evaluates the financial viability of EEMs by analyzing utility savings, implementation costs, and payback periods. It also examines their cost-effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including calculations of net cost and cost of mitigated CO₂-eq.

Key findings indicate that adding insulation to hot pipes and buildings, replacing personal fans with High-Volume, Low-Speed (HVLS) …

Mediated Dwelling: Reconstructing The Contemporary Home Space, Nicholas Carraher

Masters in Architecture Program: Theses

As online social media platforms become dominant areas for self-expression, professional opportunity, and cultural exchange, the role of typical residential architecture in contemporary society is changing to meet the demands of this visually driven and performative culture. Social media’s emphasis on aesthetic appeal, shareability, and curated authenticity challenges traditional architectural paradigms that prioritize functionality, spatial quality, and privacy. This change coincides with the broader Western cultural shift in ideals and social dynamics of the contemporary user. The home space, a once-private refuge, has been redefined in the age of online social media, where physical space is endlessly curated to align …

Mitigating Nitrogen Losses: The Role Of Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers In Sustainable Corn Production, Dipesh Giri

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Nitrogen (N) is essential for crop production, but its inefficient use often leads to environmental losses through nitrate leaching, ammonia volatilization, and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. Enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs), such as nitrification inhibitors (NIs) and urease inhibitors (UIs), have been developed to minimize these losses and improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). This research combined a multi-year field experiment and a controlled laboratory study to evaluate how dual-inhibitor fertilizers compare to conventional urea and single-inhibitor formulations in Nebraska cropping systems. The main objective was to understand how nitrogen inhibitors influence N availability, crop performance, and nitrogen losses across different environmental …

Extending Cover Crop Growing Window To Improve The Health Of Environmentally Sensitive Soils, Noshin Ara Tunazzina

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sloping and sandy soils are highly susceptible to degradation. The health of these soils could be improved with cover crops (CCs). However, CC effectiveness in improving soil health mainly depends on CC biomass production, which is often low in temperate regions. The question is: how can we increase CC biomass production? Lengthening the CC growing window can be a potential strategy. This study assessed how 1) interseeded and terminated early (2-3 weeks before crop planting) CC, 2) interseeded and terminated late (at crop planting) CC, 3) drilled (after harvest) and terminated early CC, 4) drilled and terminated late CC, and …

Implications Of Type Iv Pilus Retraction For Dna Uptake By Acinetobacter Baumannii, Yafan Yu

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

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) via natural competence allows bacteria to incorporate extracellular DNA (eDNA) into their genomes, facilitating genetic diversity and adaptation. In Acinetobacter species, natural competence depends on DNA binding and uptake mediated by type IV pili (T4P). T4P are dynamic extracellular filaments composed primarily of the major pilin subunit PilA, along with a few minor subunits. T4P drive a range of cellular functions including twitching motility, biofilm formation, and DNA uptake, with some functions dependent on pilus retraction and others not. However, how Acinetobacter T4P bind DNA and how T4P/eDNA interactions impact biofilm formation remain unclear. Here, I …

Crisis Response Hospital Physical Layout Considerations During Covid-19: A Framework For Surge Preparedness, Future Investigations, And Analysis, Golnoosh Abdolahzadeh

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

This thesis investigates the intersection of hospital design and operational performance during health emergencies, explicitly focusing on layout modifications in emergency departments. The study is structured around four key components. First, it explores hospitals' significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic through data collected from interviews with Nebraska hospital leaders. Second, the research introduces a surge-based conceptual framework to guide hospital responses during crisis events. Developed from empirical data, the framework highlights the importance of flexible spatial planning and information-driven decision-making. Third, the study focuses on hospital physical layout considerations, identifying features that either supported or hindered Nebraska hospital operations during …

Mechanisms Of Perennial Sorghum Resistance To Sugarcane Aphid Infestation, Esha Kaler

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, the fifth most-grown cereal crop in the world, is a versatile crop, grown across different agro-ecological regions. Sorghum has numerous uses ranging from food and forage purposes to biofuel production. Sugarcane aphid (SCA; Melanaphis sacchari) is a major threat to sorghum production, accounting for 50% to 100% yield loss under heavy infestations. Perennial sorghum can be a sustainable and climate-resilient alternative to the current cereal farming systems. The development of perennial sorghum offers numerous benefits, such as reduced economic inputs, more carbon sequestration, better soil health, and sustainable yields. We employed host plant resistance …

Epidemiological Inferences Of The Impacts Of Winter Ticks On Moose Health, Krishna S. Woerheide

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The North American Moose (mooz in Anishinaabemowin, Ojibwe language, Alces alces), a culturally significant subsistence species for the Anishinaabe people, faces population decline due to calf predation, pathogen transmission, and parasitism by the winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus), all exacerbated by climate change. This study explores the impact of winter tick infestations on moose health, with a focus on natural mineral seeps as potential transmission hotspots in moose habitats within the Grand Portage Indian Reservation (Gichi Onigaming), on Isle Royale National Park (Minong), and within the 1854 Ceded Territory (greater northeastern Minnesota) - ancestral and present homelands of …

The Product Of Property Tax: How Property Tax Affects Agricultural Production In Nebraska, James L. Kriz

Department of Political Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The question of what level of property tax is acceptable has become an increasingly prominent question within agriculture, which is shown by the rise of interest groups and bill introduction in Nebraska. As such, this paper examines how property taxes affect Nebraska's agricultural output. The study employs a quantitative analysis of all Nebraska counties over 21 years from 2000 to 2020. This study hypothesizes that as property tax rates increase, farm outputs will decrease. The study offers a new analysis in an understudied subsection of the agriculture policy literature and points towards a new direction in which the field can …

Do Voters Shake Off Policy Stances? A Look Into The Impact Of Celebrities On Policy Recall, Alyssa A. Noe

Department of Political Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Celebrities try to influence politics by leveraging their ability to command attention. But does a celebrity’s endorsement of a policy impact citizens’ ability to recall the policy? This paper examines if people’s information processing, specifically policy recall, is impacted by a celebrity’s endorsements. Data was collected at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during the fall 2024 semester using a student sample. Participants were randomly assigned into three experimental groups. I hypothesize that the more recognizable a celebrity is the more likely people are to be able to recall the policy they posted. By using Taylor Swift as the well-known celebrity and …

Coming Back To Bite: Reflecting On Constructs Of Adolescence And Girlhood In Young Adult Vampire Media, Gwendolyn Grace Klinkey

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The YA vampire genre has experienced a great amount of success throughout the past two decades with titles including Joss Wheadon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy. Within this group, two of the most widely successful examples are Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight Saga and the CW’s The Vampire Diaries, both of which have had a significant impact on Western popular culture. In this thesis, I use these two texts to explore the constructs of adolescence and girlhood that manifest as a result of the literary moves the writers seem to make in an effort to invite …