Digital Commons Network^™

Gully Erosion And Holocene-Anthropocene Environmental Change In Southern New England, Megan Hill

Doctoral Dissertations

The proposed Anthropocene epoch provides a novel framework for recognizing, measuring, and interpreting human impacts to landscapes around the world. Important also, is the need to place human impacts in the context of how these landscapes have been behaving over recent geologic time (i.e., the Late Pleistocene and Holocene). In southern New England, widespread Anthropocene landscape changes occurred throughout 17^th-20^th century following European settlement. Markers of these Anthropocene landscape changes are visible in high-resolution topographic data in the form of historic land use features (e.g., stone walls and charcoal hearths), in gullies that dissect hillslopes, and in …

Large-Scale Freeze-Thaw Process And Its Impact On Lactate Dehydrogenase Stability, Bruna Minatovicz

Doctoral Dissertations

Archival abstract submitted

Collective Behavior In Dissipative Systems: Flocking & Futbol, Maurici López-Felip

Doctoral Dissertations

Collective behavior and large-scale group dynamics have become especially hot topics of research in the physical, biological, and cognitive sciences — from microscopic interactions involving the signaling and collective response of bacteria, to the types of coordination dynamics that are present in team sports. Recent findings argue for a fundamental principle for the self-organization of activity that is indifferent to scale; and that the behavior manifest in both living and non-living collectives serves to satisfy the dissipation of energy and strives toward the maximization of entropy production. While undoubtedly provocative, this hypothesis opens up new avenues of inquiry for the …

A Tale Of Two Symbioses: Development And Maintenance Of Bacterial Partnerships With The Hawaiian Bobtail Squid, Sarah J. Mcanulty

Doctoral Dissertations

Beneficial associations with microorganisms are widespread in the animal kingdom. The Hawaiian bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes) has two symbiotic organs with bacteria. The light organ symbiosis contains one species of bioluminescent bacteria, Vibrio fischeri, which produces light allowing the squid to camouflage itself against down-welling moonlight. The second organ, the accessory nidamental gland (ANG), is found only in female squid and houses a consortium of bacteria¹. Bacteria from the ANG are deposited into the squid’s egg jelly coat ², where they play a defensive role against biofouling ^{3 1,4}.

This dissertation characterizes the …

Development Of Reduced-Order Models For Engine Applications, Yunchao Wu

Doctoral Dissertations

Detailed chemical kinetics is critical for accurate prediction of complex flame behaviors, such as ignition and extinction in engine applications, but difficult to be applied in multi-dimensional flame simulations due to their large sizes. Reduced-order models are needed in such cases to enable high fidelity combustion simulations. This dissertation is focused on developing new model reduction strategies and reduced-order models for engine combustion applications. First, a linearized error propagation (LEP) method for skeletal mechanism reduction is proposed. LEP is based on Jacobian analysis of perfectly stirred reactors (PSR) and can more accurately predict the propagation of small reduction errors compared …

Microfluidic Systems For Cancer Diagnostics, Mohamed Sharafeldin

Doctoral Dissertations

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in noncommunicable diseases coming right after cardiovascular diseases. Early diagnosis is a key for improving survival expectancy and treatment outcomes as cancer in early stage is more responsive to treatment. Currently, center of diseases control and prevention (CDC) recommend regular screening for cervical, breast and colorectal cancers. Although other screening procedures are available for prostate, pancreatic, thyroid and ovarian cancer, they did not prove to be effective in reducing mortality rates of these cancers. Adaption of prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening test for prostate cancer has not been related to improved survival …

Characterization And Modeling Of Satellite-Based Precipitation Uncertainty Over Complex Terrain, Yagmur Derin

Doctoral Dissertations

The availability and quality of precipitation estimates is essential to the accuracy and reliability of hydrological modeling studies. Difficulties in the representation of high rainfall variability over mountainous areas using ground-based sensors make satellite-based precipitation products (SPPs) attractive for hydrological studies over such regions, since these products are quasi-global and available at high spatial resolution. Evaluation of several SPPs using rain gauge networks over ten mountainous regions across the globe has shown their performance is highly dependent on advancing the quality of primary data sources, one of which is passive microwave (PMW) retrievals. The evaluation of PMW retrievals is challenging, …

Whole Slide Imaging For High-Throughput Monitoring Of Microbial Growth And Its Application To Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, Donghui Song

Doctoral Dissertations

Archival abstract submitted

Role Of Tissue Inhibitor Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 In The Development Of Hypersensitivity Using An Animal Model Of Cutaneous Inflammation, Brittany Knight

Doctoral Dissertations

Persistent pain is a significant clinical problem that affects millions of people worldwide. The severity of acute pain and inflammatory signaling during tissue damage can predispose an individual to develop pain that persists past the normal healing time. In my thesis work, I focused on how molecules involved in the regulation of inflammation and normal wound healing contribute to the progression of pain.

During tissue damage and inflammation, Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) is upregulated to maintain tissue homeostasis as well as promote normal inflammatory signaling. Recent evidence suggests that TIMP-1 may reduce the development of nerve-injury induced pain, however …

Functional Nanomaterials For Energy And Sensor Applications, Dongwook Kwak

Doctoral Dissertations

Functional nanomaterials synthesized by a flame spray pyrolysis process called reactive spray deposition technology (RSDT) and a hydrothermal method along with drop-casting were investigated for energy and sensor applications in this dissertation. For a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) application, RSDT was utilized to manufacture the nanostructured catalyst layer (CL). The study of the influence of binder content in the catalyst coated-membrane (CCM) was conducted in terms of optimization for the performance of HT-PEMFC. As sensor applications, two different types of detection technique are introduced: metal oxide-based resistor and surface acoustic wave (SAW) based detector. Especially, two …

Electrophysiological, Neural, And Perceptual Aspects Of Pitch, Karl D. Lerud

Doctoral Dissertations

Pitch is a perceptual rather than physical phenomenon, important for spoken language use, musical communication, and other aspects of everyday life. Auditory stimuli can be designed to probe the relationship between perception and physiological responses to pitch-evoking stimuli. One technique for measuring physiological responses to pitch-evoking stimuli is the frequency following response (FFR). The FFR is an electroencephalographic (EEG) response to periodic auditory stimuli. The FFR contains nonlinearities not present in the stimuli, including correlates of the amplitude envelope of the stimulus; however, these nonlinearities remain undercharacterized. The FFR is a composite response reflecting multiple neural and peripheral generators, and …

Pluralisms About Truth And Logic, Nathan Kellen

Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation I analyze two theories, truth pluralism and logical pluralism, as well as the theoretical connections between them, including whether they can be combined into a single, coherent framework. I begin by arguing that truth pluralism is a combination of realist and anti-realist intuitions, and that we should recognize these motivations when categorizing and formulating truth pluralist views. I then introduce logical functionalism, which analyzes logical consequence as a functional concept. I show how one can both build theories from the ground up and analyze existing views within the functionalist framework. One upshot of logical functionalism is …

Relationship Between Dietary Furocoumarins And Melanoma Risk, Melissa Melough

Doctoral Dissertations

Furocoumarins are a class of photocarcinogenic and phototoxic compounds found naturally in numerous edible plants. Experimental evidence shows that when combined with UV radiation, furocoumarins may become photoactivated and induce DNA crosslinks, leading to DNA damage and carcinogenesis. Therefore, a link between dietary furocoumarins and melanoma has been proposed. This project aims to examine the relationship between dietary furocoumarins and melanoma risk through three specific aims. First, we examined the kinetics of dietary furocoumarins in healthy adults (Aim 1). As early as 15 minutes after consuming grapefruit, and for up to three or more hours after ingestion, furocoumarins were detectable …

Nuclear Organization And The Epigenetic Landscape Of The Mus Musculus X-Chromosome, Alicia Liu

Doctoral Dissertations

X-linked imprinted genes have been hypothesized to contribute parent-of-origin influences on social cognition. A cluster of imprinted genes Xlr3b, Xlr4b, and Xlr4c, implicated in cognitive defects, are maternally expressed and paternally silent in the murine brain. These genes defy classic mechanisms of autosomal imprinting, suggesting a novel method of imprinted gene regulation. Using Xlr3b and Xlr4c as bait, this study uses 4C-Seq on neonatal whole brain of a 39,XO mouse model, to provide the first in-depth analysis of chromatin dynamics surrounding an imprinted locus on the X-chromosome. Significant differences in long-range contacts exist between X^M and X …

The Grapes Of Development’S Aftermath: Climate Change, Internally Displaced Persons, And Conflict, Frank Griggs

Doctoral Dissertations

I engage environmental scholarship by focusing on internal human displacement – people whose lives are adversely affected by natural disasters associated with climate change, and, do not cross an international border. Human displacement is increasing as rising global temperatures worsen natural disasters. Human displacement is an understudied intervening condition that I show links climate change to conflict.

I follow the trend of disaggregating conflict by taking advantage of new event-based datasets to explore multiple conflict types. Statistical analyses found anti-government conflict and protest are the two conflict types that significantly increase following disaster-induced displacement. The relationship between disaster-induced displacement and …

Development Of A Raman Spectroscopic Method To Detect Protein Conformation In Amorphous Solids: Application To Protein Formulation And Stability, Lauren Kathleen Fontana

Doctoral Dissertations

Therapeutic proteins are freeze-dried to improve storage stability. However, any changes in conformation of the protein molecule induced by stresses encountered during freeze-drying can influence the storage stability. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is very useful for monitoring secondary structural changes in protein solid state, but is much less sensitive to smaller tertiary structural changes associated with tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine residues, that may be more predictive of stability. The aim of the present study was development and evaluation of a solid-state Raman spectroscopic method capable of detecting both tertiary and secondary structural solid-state changes in the spectral region from …

Conservation, Acquisition, And Maturation Of Gut And Bladder Symbioses In Hirudo Verbana, Emily Ann Mcclure

Doctoral Dissertations

The medicinal leech is a developing experimental model of gut symbioses. Aeromonas veronii and Mucinivorans hirudinis are core members of the gut microbial community in Hirudo verbana and may aid the leech in digesting the blood meal, preserving the blood meal, and keeping invading bacteria from colonizing the gut. The bladders of H. verbana contain an entirely different microbial consortium. The scientific interest in this symbiosis is currently due to its simple nature and the extreme dietary habits of the leech. In order to increase the usefulness of this model, a more sophisticated understanding of processes by which the microbiome …

Ripped From The Broadsides: The Invention Of Scandal On The Early Modern Stage, Melissa Rohrer

Doctoral Dissertations

archival abstract submitted

Computer Simulations Of Amphiphile Based Hybrid Nanostructures, Hari Sharma

Doctoral Dissertations

Archival abstract submitted

Effect Of Video Modeling With Self-Monitoring On Classroom Management Strategies: An Intervention To Increase The Use Of Specific Praise, Lisa Marie Dobey

Doctoral Dissertations

The implementation of effective classroom management strategies has been associated with increases in student academic engagement and decreases in student disruptive behavior. However, teacher-training programs often fail to provide pre-service teachers with the knowledge base and experience necessary to implement these strategies. Training options exist for in-service teachers to acquire these skills; however, they often require a level of time on the part of the trainer and trainee that may not be available in schools. A more time efficient training solution may be video modeling plus a brief self-monitoring intervention. This study investigated the use of video modeling plus self-monitoring …

Cryptographic Solutions For Cyber-Physical System Security, Chenglu Jin

Doctoral Dissertations

Since the introduction of Stuxnet, security research of industrial control systems, or cyber-physical systems (CPSs) in general, has become a rapidly growing area. There is a widespread belief that solutions based on cryptographic primitives are generally considered too computationally expensive to realize security properties for CPS in practice.

In this dissertation, we will show how to efficiently leverage the limited computational power and storage on CPS devices to secure a CPS under the attacks initiated from sensors, controllers, and networks using cryptographic methods. More specifically, we will present an intrusion-tolerant and privacy-preserving sensor fusion scheme, a lightweight intrusion detection system …

Modeling And Finite Element Simulations Of Phase Change Memory Materials And Devices, Jake Scoggin

Doctoral Dissertations

I simulate phase change including stochastic nucleation and growth of discrete grains with a finite element framework which captures the latent heat of phase change and heterogeneous melting. I model the electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and specific heat in TiN, SiO₂, and the face centered cubic and amorphous phases of Ge₂Sb₂Te₅ as well as the thermal boundary conductance at interfaces of these materials over the temperatures and fields encountered during phase change memory device operation. Simulations show reset, set, and read of phase change memory devices including mushroom cells, encapsulated pillar …

Predicting Pelargonium Responses To Climate Change In A Biodiversity Hotspot Throughout South Africa, Tanisha Marie Williams

Doctoral Dissertations

Climate change is causing major shifts in species distributions, which fundamentally alters the species composition and functioning of biological communities across the globe. Projections suggest that by 2100 up to one of every six species will become extinct. Such drastic changes will have significant impacts on biodiversity patterns and ecosystem functioning. Ecologists are faced with the pressing work of trying to understand how plants will respond to changing and increasingly stressful environments. To predict the long-term effects and magnitude of species responses, it is imperative that species adaptive responses are understood across the entirety of their geographic ranges. My dissertation …

The Station “Scientist”: Examining The Impact Of Race, Sex, And Education Of Broadcast Meteorologists On Credibility, Trust, And Information Retention, Adam M. Rainear

Doctoral Dissertations

Broadcast meteorologists hold a set of skills unique in a newsroom. Not only must a broadcast meteorologist utilize communication skills similar to that of a newscaster, they are also typically versed in some physical science. In addition, the field of meteorology has an unfortunate disparity when examining job statistics as they relate to race and biological sex. Generally speaking, men outnumber women in broadcast television positions three to one, and minorities are often outnumbered or excluded from coverage altogether. Drawing on Uses and Gratifications and Media System Dependency Theory, this project examines the effects of race, biological sex, and forecaster …

Phenomenological Approach Toward Understanding The Experience Of Men Living With Breast Cancer, Lisa Nemchek

Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Men account for approximately 1% of the total population of breast cancer. Men are generally diagnosed at much later stages of breast cancer than women. Evidence shows the earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the outcome.

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the meanings of men living with breast cancer.

Method: Descriptive phenomenology was the research design used. An international sample of 10 men participated in this study. Men were asked, "Please describe for me all your experience living with breast cancer. Please describe all your thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that you wish to share. …

An Examination Of The Relationships Between Message Framing, Regulatory Focus, And Psychological Reactance On Risky Health Decision-Making Among College Students, Mallory B. Garza

Doctoral Dissertations

Excessive alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors are common health-related concerns among college campuses throughout the United States. Previous efforts to thwart such risky health behaviors have resulted in limited success. Therefore, it is crucial that researchers learn how to effectively communicate with college students in ways that increase healthy behaviors and decrease unhealthy behaviors among this particular population. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of message framing, regulatory focus, and psychological reactance on motivating college students to take a more proactive approach in regard to their health and wellbeing. Data from this study were …

Organically Modified Inorganic Nanoparticles For Halochromic Ionophores And Nucleic Acids, William Johnston

Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation, four nanoparticle reaction schemes were developed as substrates for halochromic dyes or nucleic acids. The reaction schemes include the use of two substrates: silica nanoparticles and halloysite nanotubes. The protocols can incorporate silica (SiO2) nanoparticles and halloysite aluminosilicate (AlO2SiO2) nanotubes due to the presence of silane groups on the surface of either substrate. The reaction schemes are presented along with detailed protocols which were written to facilitate both reproducibility and to serve as an aid to further study and for easy modification of the protocol to suit a researcher's needs. The data is discussed in the materials …

Developing A Model Of Sexism-Based Traumatic Stress, Marcus Cherry

Doctoral Dissertations

In contemporary society, women regularly endure sexist microaggressions—messages that convey aversive, demeaning sexist slights toward women. Sexist microaggressions have been associated with anger, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, job stress, increased risky health behavior and trauma. Additionally, sexist microaggressions effects are cumulative and can result in the internalization of sexist beliefs and undermine selfcompassion. Research suggests that these distortions of self-views and self-regard can in part contribute to the development of trauma symptoms. Notably, research has found that prolonged exposure to sexism, in general, has been associated with trauma symptoms. However, the traumatic effects of sexist microaggressions have remained largely theoretical. …

Increasing The Functionality Of Additive Manufacturing Through Atmospheric Microplasma And Nanotechnology, Alexander Jon Ulrich

Doctoral Dissertations

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has been changing the manufacturing landscape for the last 20 years. As the interest and demand for both polymer and metal-based 3D printing has grown, the materials and machines used have increased in capabilities. Despite the growth and advancement, there are still a large number of improvements that can be made to add functionality to 3D printers. Metal AM, a subcategory of 3D printing, has garnered much attention among industrial applications with large companies such as General Electric trying to implement the technology to increase innovative designs for motors. Some of the limitations on AM have to …

Development Of A Low Profile, Endoscopic Implant For Long Term Brain Imaging, Benjamin Scott Kemp

Doctoral Dissertations

The increased public awareness of concussion and traumatic brain injury has motivated continued research into the brain, its functions, and especially its response to injury, with a focus on improving the brain’s repair capabilities. However, due to the critical nature of the tissue, it is currently difficult for researchers to acquire high resolution images below the cortex without sacrificing a lab animal. Sacrificing an animal greatly reduces the amount of data that can be obtained from it, making longitudinal studies unappealing or unfeasible because a large number of animals is needed to obtain useful data over multiple time points. Additionally, …