Digital Commons Network^™

Communicating Science – How Reading Impacts Infant’S Language Development, Kalyn Voightman

Psychology Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of Real-Time Gaseous Thermal Decomposition Products Of Representative Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas), Kateřina Litvanová, Bethany Klemetstrud, Feng Xiao, Alena Kubatova

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The thermal decomposition of per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is poorly understood. Here, we present an innovative, comprehensive analytical method to investigate their thermal decomposition, including perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), alcohol, sulfonates, and GenX (acid dimer), focusing on identifying their breakdown products. In this study, evolved gas analysis–mass spectrometry (EGA-MS) was used for fast real-time screening to determine the significant temperatures to be investigated with the thermal desorption-pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD-Py-GC-MS), which provided detailed information about evolved PFAS and their breakdown products. This approach enabled a systematic study of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) ranging from C₃ to …

Neuronal And Glial Cell Alterations Involved In The Retinal Degeneration Of The Familial Dysautonomia Optic Neuropathy, Anastasia Schultz, Henar Albertos-Arranz, Xavier Sánchez Sáez, Jamie Morgan, Diane Darland, Alejandra Gonzalez-Duarte, Horacio Kaufmann, Carlos E. Mendoza-Santiesteban, Nicolás Cuenca, Frances Lefcort

Biology Faculty Publications

Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorder. In addition to the autonomic and peripheral sensory neuropathies that challenge patient survival, one of the most debilitating symptoms affecting patients' quality of life is progressive blindness resulting from the steady loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).Within the FD community, there is a concerted effort to develop treatments to prevent the loss of RGCs. However, the mechanisms underlying the death of RGCs are not well understood. To study the mechanisms underlying RGC death, Pax6-cre;Elp1loxp/loxp male and female mice and postmortem retinal tissue from an FD patient were used to …

Population Genetics Of Deer In The Northern Great Plains, Usa, Sarah Elizabeth Daman

Theses and Dissertations

Deer are currently under threat of chronic wasting disease (CWD) throughout North America. With CWD distribution increasing globally, understanding the spread of the disease is paramount for the effective management and conservation of deer populations. Conservation genomics has been shown as an effective method to study the behavior and movement of individuals on the landscape at a broad spatial scale. This approach allows for a multi-state evaluation of habitat and landscape features that may influence the dispersals and subsequent gene flow between populations. This study was designed to assess the genetic population structuring of deer within North Dakota and surrounding …

Personality Across Realities: Correlations Between Personality Profiles And Preferences Within Roleplaying Games, Brittany Lee Mancha

Theses and Dissertations

Clinically maladaptive behaviors and personality types have been studied within gamers, both those who play video games and those who roleplay in tabletop games. However, the connection between personality types and the preferences of the players themselves in what and how they roleplay is just barely being studied. Personality traits, such as extraversion/introversion and motivation by pain or pleasure, may be both influencing the gameplay decisions and preferences of players, and vice versa. A total of 500 respondents completed the Millon Index of Personality Styles, Revised (MIPS-R), followed by a demographics survey and finally a survey assessing Dungeons and Dragons', …

The Role Of Carbon Source And Redox Potential On Microbial C1 Gas Fermentation For Ethanol Production, Ademola Owoade

Theses and Dissertations

In the quest for sustainable and renewable energy sources, microbial gas fermentation has emerged as an alternative method for producing bioethanol and other valuable chemicals. Bioethanol is notable for its extensive application as a biofuel and its capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Conventional ethanol production predominantly depends on sugar and starch feedstocks, which compete for food resources. Microbial C1 gas fermentation presents a sustainable alternative by using industrial waste gases, or gases from gasification of municipal solid wastes, biomass, agricultural residues, animal wastes, and energy crops, which are all nonfood-based. Microbial gas fermentation is influenced by temperature, pH, gas …

Detection Of Apiary Sites From Remote Imagery, Ning Li

Theses and Dissertations

Honey bees are essential for honey production and pollination services, but their colonies have been declining despite increasing demand. This decline may be due to various factors, including habitat loss, altered land use, climate shifts, and pesticide exposure. In order to assess the quantity and quality of habitats for honey bees and determine their availability and suitability for supporting bee colonies, it is crucial to identify the spatial location of registered apiary sites being used. However, such data is not available, which makes it a challenge for researchers in the field to further advance honey bee-related investigations. In my study, …

Directivity Improvement Of A Broad-Beam Patch Antenna By Means Of A Flat Metamaterial Lens, Tyler Midas

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrates the development of a flat metamaterial lens intended to enhance antenna directivity in RF applications. Development and evaluation was performed with ANSYS HFSS, where a theoretical convex lens model was developed and used as a basis for unit cell refractive indices of the metamaterial lens. The unit cell demonstrated in this study leverages the properties of a nested split-ring resonator merged with a center column. Adjusting the rings allow for refractive index optimization and effective beam focusing. The work presented also provides a 2x2 antenna array with a feed network, which enables the future work of bench …

Evaluating Uas As A Tool For Improving Elk Population Counts In A Suburban Forested Area Of North Central Colorado, Michael Wussow

Theses and Dissertations

For decades, wildlife researchers have taken advantage of an aerial perspective for performing population counts because of challenges associated with ground observations. Due to advances in aviation technology and regulations, unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) have become increasingly available for wildlife population monitoring in addition to manned aircraft, with success largely dependent on the species, their habitat, and UAS utilized. This study compares a currently accepted method of counting North American elk (ground/spotting scope counts) to a novel method (UAS) to evaluate if a commercial-off-the-shelf quadcopter (COTS) UAS equipped with zoom-capable RGB cameras would be an acceptable tool for counting elk …

Researching Chlorophyll-Α Levels In Freshwater Lakes To Understand The Environmental State Of The Turtle Mountains Using Ndci Through Remote Sensing Techniques, Elliot Quinn Peltier

Theses and Dissertations

Chlorophyll α is one of the main indicators of water quality. Increasing levels have various triggers such as agricultural runoff, wastewater from treatment plants, sewage, and humus. Addressing chlorophyll α is crucial since high concentrations are precursors to eutrophication and are hazardous to human health. The Turtle Mountains in North Dakota and Manitoba is an island forest laden with lakes and trees. However, the noticeable extent of agricultural surface on the United States side of the border has made obvious the disintegration of forested area. Also, a lack of information and studies do not allow anyone to comprehend the level …

Using Problematic Sexual Behaviors And The Developmental Life Course Model To Predict Criminal Justice Involvement And Psychopathology By Early Adulthood, Amanda Schwartz

Theses and Dissertations

The developmental life course (DLC) model explains risk factors and developmental patterns among juveniles who have committed more than one sexual offense by considering the impact of major life events, experiences, and risk and protective factors throughout various developmental stages. Using an archival longitudinal dataset, the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN), this study applied the DLC model to explore the relationship between gender and onset and persistence of problematic sexual behaviors (PSBs) in childhood and adolescence with criminal justice involvement and psychopathology by early adulthood (N = 330, 46% male, M = 18.26 years) after controlling for …

The Reservoir Geomechanics And Production Effects On Permafrost Stability During Polymer Eor, Shane S. Namie

Theses and Dissertations

The North Slope of Alaska (ANS) contains an estimated 40 billion barrels of heavy oil in relatively shallow formations (984 to 1,969 ft / 304 to 600 m) within the Prudhoe Bay Unit (PBU), Milne Point Unit (MPU) and Kuparuk River Unit (KRU). Extracting this resource presents unique challenges, especially when hydrocarbon-bearing zones are near the permafrost. Research on tertiary recovery processes in these shallow zones is limited, with prior studies indicating minor permafrost thawing and subsidence over 30 to 40 years but lacking a numerical simulation model supported by laboratory data.This study investigates the feasibility of an enhanced oil …

Fluorescence Imaging Systems To Detect Contamination On Surfaces Common In Food Processing And Medical Facilities, Benjamin Hu

Theses and Dissertations

Biofilm are aggregates of microbial cells encased under an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and resist sanitizers or antibiotics. Because of their persistence on various surfaces such as medical devices or industrial piping, biofilm formation is associated with approximately 65% of all microbial infections. Thus, their detection and deactivation are of great importance to public health. Many detection methods such as swabbing require sampling by rubbing , which can be inefficient and challenging. This study proposes the use of handheld multispectral fluorescence imaging systems to detect and deactivate biofilm in situ. We utilized the Contamination and Sanitization Inspection (CSI) and -Disinfection …

November 21, 2024, The Dakota Student

The Dakota Student

No abstract provided.

Ego, Maren Schettler

Floodwall Magazine

No abstract provided.

The Story About The Witch's Familiars, Maiken Møller-Andersen

Floodwall Magazine

No abstract provided.

Tainted Love, Lydia Schengrund

Floodwall Magazine

No abstract provided.

Salem, Caitlin Scheresky

Floodwall Magazine

No abstract provided.

November 6 ,2024, The Dakota Student

The Dakota Student

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Southern Red-Backed Voles, Myodes Gapperi, And Peromyscus Mice In The Enzootic Maintenance Of Lyme Disease Spirochetes In North Dakota, Usa, Michael W. Dougherty, Nathan M. Russart, Robert A. Gaultney, Emily Marie Gisi, Haley M. Cooper, Lindsey R. Kallis, Catherine A. Brissette, Jefferson A. Vaughan

Biology Faculty Publications

Lyme disease has expanded into the Great Plains of the USA. To investigate local enzootic transmission, small mammals were trapped in two forested tracts in northeastern North Dakota during 2012 and 2013. Peromyscus mice and southern red-backed voles, Myodes gapperi, comprised over 90% of all mammals captured. One site was dominated by Peromyscus (79% of 100 mammals captured). At the other site, M. gapperi (59% of 107 mammals captured) was more abundant than Peromyscus (36%). Immature stages of two tick species parasitized small mammals: Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes scapularis. Larval I. scapularis ectoparasitism was significantly higher on Peromyscus (81% …

Historical & Contemporary Practices Of Seal Harvesting: Policy Implications For Revitalization Among The Taa-Laa-Wa Dee-Ni’, Paula Lynne Aubrey

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the contemporary practices of seal harvesting among Indigenous Peoples, with a special focus on policies that inform the revitalization of seal harvesting within the Taa-laa-waa Dee-ni’ (Tolowa) community of Northern California and Southern Oregon. The research is conducted by an Indigenous researcher seeking to further connect to traditional practices of her tribe, and this research places a strong emphasis on cultural sensitivity and ethical integrity. The study involves a dual methodology including a comprehensive literature review to understand the cultural and ecological significance of seal harvesting, and a policy artifact review to identify wise practices and policy …

Experimental Investigation Of The Suitability Of Soybean-Derived Surfactant (Sods) In Gas Well Deliquification, Abiodun Gbadegesin Adeyemi

Theses and Dissertations

Gas well deliquification is a crucial process in the oil and gas industry, focused on maintaining or restoring production rates by removing liquids that impede gas flow. This is a recurring challenge that is prominent in many gas wells across North Dakota. Surfactants play a vital role in this process by altering the interfacial tension between gas and liquid phases, alleviating liquid accumulation in these wells. However, due to their high production costs, non-biodegradability, and toxicity, the use of synthetic surfactants has raised environmental concerns. The pursuit of sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives has led to the exploration of natural …

High Performance Simulation Of Astrocyte Morphology And Dynamics For Brain Imaging, Lun Zhao

Theses and Dissertations

The brain is a complex organ composed of neurons and glial cells. Historically, glial cells were often overlooked in neuroscience research, but their significance has gained increasing recognition in recent years due to mounting evidence demonstrating their pivotal roles in brain function and disease. Notably, a growing body of research highlights the active involvement of astrocytes, the most abundant type of glial cells, in numerous neurological diseases. With the development of microscopy technology, our understanding of astrocytes is becoming more and more abundant. Due to the characteristics of microscopy, tissue scattering and environmental noise, there is a high demand for …

Transcriptional Landscape Of Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Under Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress: Implications For Inflammaging, Jappreet Singh Gill

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the intricate relationship between mitochondrial oxidative stress and the function of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), highlighting their essential roles in the aging immune system and the development of age-related diseases. The study delves into how mitochondrial impairments within Tregs contribute to widespread inflammation leading to pathological aging. One key analysis shows that mitochondrial oxidative stress undermines Treg functionality, intensifying inflammatory responses and increasing frailty in older adults. This dysfunction is associated with elevated inflammatory markers and presents a potential target for therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring mitochondrial health to alleviate these impacts. Another significant discovery connects …

Adaptation To The Impacts Of Climate Change On Water Availability In The Upper Red River Of The North (Urrn), Innocent Kelechi Anosike

Theses and Dissertations

In the Upper Red River of the North (URRN), climate change has appeared to impact water availability, causing several major floods in recent years, and raising questions about whether climate change is responsible for the frequent occurrence of flooding in this major agricultural region in the Midwest USA. This thesis centers on investigating adaptative measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the URRN. One of the methods used is to compare changes in the outcomes of flood frequency analysis (FFA) for “before (pre-industrial) and after (industrial)” time periods. The study uses a combination of data analysis and literature …

Optimizing Laser-Based Wireless Power Transfer: A Comprehensive Study Of A 4 Quadrant Pv Module System And Its Powering And Tracking Capabilities, Ahmed Elfarran

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates laser-based tracking systems for wireless power transfer (WPT) applications. Beginning with an overview of renewable energy and WPT technologies, the study establishes both theoretical frameworks and practical methodologies for laser-based power transmission. The experimental analyses encompass load testing with a four-quadrant module, examining the impact of laser power, load conditions, and beam diameter on power transfer efficiency, as well as the influence of target movement speed on voltage stability. Notably, we achieved a tracking speed of up to 20 mm/s, ensuring efficient power delivery even with target motion. The results demonstrate clear correlations between laser power levels …

Maturational Changes In The Epigenome And Transcriptome Of Hypothalamic Astrocytes: Implications For Axonal Regeneration, Abiodun Ebenezer Odufuwa

Theses and Dissertations

Axon regeneration is essential for effective repair following injury in the CNS. One of the burdens of aging is the lack of recovery following injury in the CNS. Our previous studies show that in 35-day-old rats, axon regeneration occurs in response to a unilateral hypothalamic lesion in the hypothalamus neurohypophyseal system. However, this regenerative ability is lost in 125-day-old rats. Furthermore, treatment of hypothalamic organotypic culture with ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) promotes axonal outgrowth and survival. Our previous studies suggest that astrocytes may be playing critical roles in this maturational loss of regenerative capacity because only astrocytes expressed all the …

Opencast: Cyanobacteria Growth And Correlations With Predictive Factors In Creation For Harmful Algal Bloom Formation, Devarshi Nikhil Patel

Theses and Dissertations

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, public health, and local economies due to their production of toxins and negative impacts on water quality. This thesis investigates the correlations between cyanobacteria growth and environmental variables, including wind conditions, surface temperatures, and nutrient levels. This research uses machine learning and statistical modeling to predict HAB occurrences by analyzing these variables' historical and near real-time data. The findings indicate that wind speed, surface temperature, and nutrient levels influence cyanobacteria dynamics, with specific thresholds identified for predictive accuracy. The developed HAB predictive models and the graphical user interface (GUI) …

Uas Teaming For Search And Rescue Applications, Conner Carriere

Theses and Dissertations

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations,combined with teaming configurations and optimized path planning algorithms, enhance efficiency in locating and assisting disaster victims. Flooding accounts for 90% of natural disasters in the USA, necessitating rapid scouting and supply drops in affected areas. Current UAS path planning lacks proper start and end point selection and does not use multiple aircraft collaboratively.

This study introduces a UAS teaming strategy with high-altitude leader drones for area coverage and lower-altitude follower drones for detailed data collection and supply drops. The focus is optimizing follower drone path plan- ning using the Open-Loop …

Development Of Multifunctional Biobased Lubricants From Soybean Oil And Their Tribological Behavior, Piash Bhowmik

Theses and Dissertations

Depletion of mineral oil leads the researchers to look for renewable oils recently. Soybean, which is one of the most produced crops globally, has been identified as a potential source for such oil. The problem with vegetable oils is, they consist of unsaturated fatty acids which leads to oxidation of the oils. With proper modification and the use of suitable additives, these oils can be adapted for use in various sectors. High oleic oils are becoming increasingly popular due to their high oleic acid content, which is a monounsaturated fatty acid. These oils are gaining attention for their improved stability …