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Effects Of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate In A Mouse Model Of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease., Paxton Michelle Brizendine/Ames
Effects Of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate In A Mouse Model Of Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease., Paxton Michelle Brizendine/Ames
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a pervasive environmental pollutant, has been increasingly associated with the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD); nonetheless, its connections with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) have not been well studied. This study investigates the hypothesis that PFOS exposure alters hepatic metabolism, thereby leading to alterations in ALD severity. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed isocaloric control or 5% ethanol (EtOH) diet for 15 days. From day 6 of feeding, mice were concurrently gavaged with 1 mg/kg PFOS or 2% Tween-80 vehicle for 10 days, followed by a 5 g/kg EtOH binge dose. PFOS and ethanol co-exposure significantly …
Cbl Regulation Of C-Met Signaling In Corneal Epithelial Cells., Kate Elise Tarvestad Laise
Cbl Regulation Of C-Met Signaling In Corneal Epithelial Cells., Kate Elise Tarvestad Laise
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The cornea is the most anterior portion of the eye and permits light passage through to retina, allowing formation of a clear image as long as it remains healthy. If the cornea sustains damage, it creates and entrance for foreign body invasion, infection, and ultimately blindness in the immunocompromised eye. Healing the corneal tissue is critical for vision restoration and pain alleviation, as it is the most densely innervated tissue in the body. Growth factors and their cognate receptors are currently under investigation as tools to restore proper corneal physiology. We hypothesize that manipulating the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) /c-Met …
Metabolic Regulation Of Cardiac Fibroblast Phenotype And Function., Collin Kleis Wells
Metabolic Regulation Of Cardiac Fibroblast Phenotype And Function., Collin Kleis Wells
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cardiac fibroblasts are central effectors of cardiac repair after myocardial infarction (MI). In response to signaling cues, they differentiate to a range of phenotypes with robust capacities to synthesize and secrete extracellular matrix (ECM) and signaling molecules. Although activated fibroblast phenotypes are associated with pronounced changes in metabolism, it remains unclear how the metabolic network upholds the effector functions of fibroblasts in the post-infarcted heart. Here, we identified that critical enzymes in the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) cycle, i.e. pyruvate kinase muscle-2 (PKM2) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-2 (PCK2), are elevated in the heart after MI and examined their role in regulating post-MI remodeling …
Hybrid Geographies And Nature In The City: A Tale Of Two Greenspaces In Louisville, Ky., Rebecca Dixon
Hybrid Geographies And Nature In The City: A Tale Of Two Greenspaces In Louisville, Ky., Rebecca Dixon
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Many conservation initiatives position nature and the urban as opposing constructions, which means the possibilities where cities can work with nature are often overlooked. This study uses the lens of relational geographies to examine nature in the city by comparing two greenspaces in the Beargrass Creek watershed in Louisville, Kentucky: Waterfront Botanical Gardens and the Louisville Nature Center. The two organizations are compared by using a combination of content analysis, discourse analysis, and GIS flood analysis methods to determine how their geographical location and history affect the ways in which the dynamic between nature and culture is reproduced. Results show …
Estimation Methods For Bayesian Exponential Random Graph Models Under The Horseshoe Prior., Pamela Linares
Estimation Methods For Bayesian Exponential Random Graph Models Under The Horseshoe Prior., Pamela Linares
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Networks are powerful tools for modeling the complexity of social interactions, biological systems, and information spread. A leading statistical frameworks for analyzing network data are Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs), which provide a principled approach to capturing structural dependencies. However, ERGMs remain challenging to estimate, especially in sparse or high-dimensional settings where models suffer from degeneracy and unstable parameter inference. This paper proposes a penalized Bayesian approach to ERGMs that utilizes the horseshoe prior, a sparsity-inducing global-local shrinkage prior. This prior offers robust regularization while preserving important signals, improving estimation by shrinking irrelevant parameters and reducing the impact of extreme …
Evometric: An Interactive Framework For Scalable Visual Analytics Of Time Series Data With Dynamic Changes., Jiahang Huang
Evometric: An Interactive Framework For Scalable Visual Analytics Of Time Series Data With Dynamic Changes., Jiahang Huang
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In today's data-intensive landscape, rapid advances in digital sensing and recording technologies have enabled the acquisition of high-resolution multimodal time series data, capturing intricate real-world dynamics across various domains such as healthcare, behavioral science, and environmental monitoring. However, the complexity and scale of these datasets present significant analytical challenges, particularly in understanding dynamic changes at both individual and cohort levels. This dissertation introduces EvoMetric, a novel visual analytics framework designed to support scalable exploration and analysis of large-scale multimodal time series data with dynamic changes. EvoMetric seamlessly integrates individual-level temporal dynamics with population-level comparative insights, enabling users to visually …
A Deep Learning Approach For Semantic Segmentation And Its Application On Ctc., Samir Farag Harb
A Deep Learning Approach For Semantic Segmentation And Its Application On Ctc., Samir Farag Harb
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation explores the modeling and analysis of medical images, focusing on the intricate task of colon segmentation and subsequent 3D reconstruction, which are critical steps in Computed Tomography Colonography (CTC) systems. The primary objective of this research is to develop precise segmentation approaches to enhance the accuracy of colon identification and reconstruction from abdominal CT scans. Three distinct segmentation approaches are proposed and evaluated: a Markov Random Field (MRF)-based approach, a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based deep learning (DL) approach, and a sequential episodic training with dual contrastive learning Approach (G-SET-DCL) that has a flavor of few-shot learning (FSL). To …
Ecosystem Services Of Urban Green Spaces In Louisville, Ky., Julia Kachanova
Ecosystem Services Of Urban Green Spaces In Louisville, Ky., Julia Kachanova
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Accelerating urbanization poses critical challenges to urban green spaces (UGS), vital for ecological balance and human health. Rapid development often results in fragmented habitats, biodiversity loss, and diminished ecosystem service delivery. There is an urgent need to explore and evaluate novel strategies capable of enhancing urban resilience, such as implementing urban orchards, and managing existing parks and gardens in sustainable ways. This dissertation explores how different forms of urban green spaces (UGS) contribute to the provision and maintenance of critical ecosystem services that support human well-being and urban biodiversity. By analyzing UGS impact on ecosystem service provisioning and long-term sustainability, …
Immunopathogenic Crosstalk Between Cancer And The Kidney: A Central Role For Macrophages As Potential Mediators., Dana Hammouri
Immunopathogenic Crosstalk Between Cancer And The Kidney: A Central Role For Macrophages As Potential Mediators., Dana Hammouri
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cisplatin remains a mainstay in the treatment of solid tumors, yet its therapeutic efficacy is frequently compromised by dose-limiting nephrotoxicity. Approximately 30% of patients receiving cisplatin develop acute kidney injury (AKI), which increases the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite extensive preclinical efforts, no FDA-approved therapy currently exists to prevent or treat cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN). This in part is due to the reliance of preclinical studies on non-cancer animal models that fail to capture the complex physiological alterations associated with malignancy. To address this limitation, we developed a clinically relevant model in …
Teaching Out Of The Closet: A Qualitative Study To Examine How Queer Educators Navigate Their Professional Work Environments., Brent Braun
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Queer educators across the nation have faced an onslaught of issues in recent years as they maneuver working in the heteronormative environments of public schools. With the passing of Senate Bill 150 in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2023, Kentucky educators became a part of the growing group of educators having to silence themselves within their classroom environments in order to protect their professional careers. This study sought to examine the ways in which queer educators navigate their professional environments in making decisions to either disclose or keep private their identity within the queer community. Semi-structured interviews were completed with …
Linked Lives In The Riverbed: Integrating Fish Host Dynamics, Community Structure, And Demography For Freshwater Mussel Conservation., Jonathan Patrick Frommeyer
Linked Lives In The Riverbed: Integrating Fish Host Dynamics, Community Structure, And Demography For Freshwater Mussel Conservation., Jonathan Patrick Frommeyer
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Freshwater mussels are long-lived benthic invertebrates that play key roles in nutrient cycling, water filtration, and habitat stability in rivers and streams. Despite their ecological importance, they are among the most imperiled faunal groups in North America, with their persistence increasingly threatened by environmental degradation and disruptions to host–parasite dynamics. This dissertation integrates host ecology, community structure, and demographic modeling to assess population viability and guide conservation priorities for mussel species in Kentucky river systems. The first chapter introduces the ecological context and conservation urgency surrounding freshwater mussels. In particular, emphasizing the need for multi-scale approaches to understand how parasitic …
From Afghanistan To Louisville: Changing Face Of Family And Gender Roles In Afghan Immigrants In Louisville, Kentucky., Zohal Ghoura
From Afghanistan To Louisville: Changing Face Of Family And Gender Roles In Afghan Immigrants In Louisville, Kentucky., Zohal Ghoura
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This study explores how Afghan immigrant families navigate gender roles and domestic responsibilities following their migration to the United States. Although current research recognizes the impact of migration on gender norms and labor division in immigrant families, the lived experiences of Afghan families in the United States remain largely unexplored. Based on 12 in-depth semi-structured interviews with Afghan women, this study explores how cultural expectations, economic constraints, and social context shape the division of domestic responsibilities. Findings reveal that migration opened new opportunities for Afghan women, including sense of freedom, access to education and employment opportunities. Exposure to egalitarian values …
Queer Convergence: Figurative Abstraction In Contemporary Art., Vincent Young
Queer Convergence: Figurative Abstraction In Contemporary Art., Vincent Young
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis is an exhibition text for the exhibition of the same name held in Schneider Hall Galleries from May 15 to August 21st, 2025. This exhibition explores the work of three contemporary artists – Joshua Jenkins, Drew Scanlon, and Lalana Fedorschak – and analyzes their artwork through the lens of Queer Convergence. Queer Convergence is an exploration of abstracted images of bodies and how we can read these bodies through a queer lens, arguing that the visual language of bodily overlap, melding, and transformation shows the physical form as a site of continual change shaped by shared experience and …
Optimization And Simulation Models For Integrating Social Determinants In Assessing And Optimizing The Accessibility And Efficiency Of Community Pharmacy Networks., Md Morshedul Alam
Optimization And Simulation Models For Integrating Social Determinants In Assessing And Optimizing The Accessibility And Efficiency Of Community Pharmacy Networks., Md Morshedul Alam
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Community pharmacies are essential components of the healthcare system, serving not only as points of medication access but also as providers of health consultations and preventive care. However, disparities in pharmacy access persist due to a combination of geographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors. This dissertation develops a comprehensive methodological framework to evaluate and improve accessibility to community pharmacies, integrating optimization, choice modeling, and discrete event simulation. First, we develop an Optimal Community-Pharmacy Assignment (OCPA) model to quantify geographic accessibility across a regional population network. The model minimizes risk-adjusted travel distances between population centers and pharmacies, incorporating social determinants of health …
Intestinal Stromal Cells Play A Critical Role In Protection Mediated By Male Microbiota-Derived Metabolites And Androgens Against Disease In Lupus-Prone Mice., Jing Ma
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease involving broad immune dysregulation. Despite decades of research, most lupus treatments still have limited effectiveness and can cause serious side effects. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to lupus susceptibility, and a better understanding of how environmental factors influence disease could guide future therapeutic strategies. SLE shows a strong female predominance. Growing evidence implicates the gut microbiota and sex hormones as key environmental contributors to some autoimmune diseases, including lupus. The gut microbiota can influence host immune function, and interestingly, recent studies have revealed sex-bias in microbiota composition and function. Moreover, …
Synthetic And Pharmacological Diversity Of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles., Shramana Ghosh
Synthetic And Pharmacological Diversity Of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles., Shramana Ghosh
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are a foundational class of compounds in organic chemistry, playing critical roles in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and natural products due to their structural diversity and biological relevance. Among them, isoindolinones are notable for their wide range of pharmacological activities. Structurally, isoindolinones possess a benzylic methylene group adjacent to the nitrogen atom, which allows for selective oxidative transformations to yield phthalimide derivatives, well-known intermediates in synthetic, pharmaceutical, and materials chemistry. Although phthalimide is traditionally employed as a protecting group for amines via the Gabriel synthesis, isoindolinone offers a valuable alternative. Through a modified Gabriel-like approach, isoindolinones can serve as more …
Mental Health Service Utilization Among Arab/Middle Eastern In The Us: Structural Disparities, Digital Access, And Stigma-Related Barriers., Fatima M. Aldarweesh
Mental Health Service Utilization Among Arab/Middle Eastern In The Us: Structural Disparities, Digital Access, And Stigma-Related Barriers., Fatima M. Aldarweesh
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Arab Middle Eastern (AME) United States (US) college-attending students are more susceptible to disproportionate mental health problems and underutilization of mental healthcare services due to cultural, structural, and psychosocial barriers. The study examines mental health service utilization and mental health outcomes among AME, particularly focusing on the impact of structural, cultural, and psychosocial determinants grounded in Andersen and Aday’s Health Services research model and Corrigan’s stigma framework. The three interconnected aims use secondary nationally representative data from the Healthy Minds Study (HMS) 2019-2024. The study was analyzed using logistic regression and generalized structural equation modeling across three aims to identify …
Predictor-Informed Bayesian Nonparametric Clustering., Md Yasin Ali Parh
Predictor-Informed Bayesian Nonparametric Clustering., Md Yasin Ali Parh
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In this dissertation, we performed clustering of observations such that the cluster membership is influenced by a set of predictors. To that end, we employ the Bayesian nonparametric Common Atom Model (CAM), which is a nested clustering algorithm that utilizes a (fixed) group membership for each observation to encourage more similar clustering of members of the same group. CAM operates by assuming each group has its own vector of cluster probabilities, which are themselves clustered to allow similar clustering for some groups. We extend this approach by treating the group membership as an unknown latent variable determined as a flexible …
The Influence Of Psychological, Biological, And Social Determinants On Disordered Eating Behaviors Among U.S. Young Adults: Evidence From Nhanes 2015-2018., Samantha Kaye Gerbine
The Influence Of Psychological, Biological, And Social Determinants On Disordered Eating Behaviors Among U.S. Young Adults: Evidence From Nhanes 2015-2018., Samantha Kaye Gerbine
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) are influenced by biological, social, and psychological factors, yet research often narrowly focuses on White, college-aged women. This study assessed the predictors and prevalence of DEBs in a nationally representative sample of U.S. young adults using data from the 2015–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Survey weights were applied to generate national estimates. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample, and logistic regressions tested biological, social, and psychological predictors of DEBs. A composite risk score was developed using variables retained in the final model. The unweighted sample (n = 1,062) represented 64 million U.S. young adults. …
Crossed Stitches: Tension And Transformation In Nineteenth-Century Embroidery Samplers., Hayley Salo
Crossed Stitches: Tension And Transformation In Nineteenth-Century Embroidery Samplers., Hayley Salo
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Originally designed as practice pieces, embroidery samplers have long been studied as domestic objects and part of sewing history. Interpretations of the material and textual significance of individual samplers is less common. However, recent scholarly attention has turned to using sewing practices and objects as a means for understanding individual stitchers and their contributions to public discourse. As such, a focused study of the material and textual content of embroidery samplers furthers our understanding of the genre on its own and as a wider textile practices. Crossed Stitches is interested in the production, portability, circulation, and reception of embroidery samplers …
"That’S Not A Meal, Bestie”: Humor, Identity, & Feminized Consumption In “Girl Dinner”., Claire Tudor
"That’S Not A Meal, Bestie”: Humor, Identity, & Feminized Consumption In “Girl Dinner”., Claire Tudor
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis examines the viral “Girl Dinner” trend as a case study in how gendered consumption, digital identity, and feminist humor intersect in digital spaces. Using “Girl Dinner” as a rhetorical artifact, this thesis explores how women use gendered trends to navigate visibility, labor, and autonomy in online spaces. Through thematic analysis of TikTok content, media coverage, and branded adaptations, the research traces the evolution of the trend from a lighthearted joke to a site of cultural negotiation. This study reveals that while “Girl Dinner” may appear empowering and relatable on the surface, it often reinforces traditional gender expectations under …
Rhetorical Analysis Of Kristen Bell's Articulation Of Imperfect Motherhood On Armchair Expert., Sarah J. Neff
Rhetorical Analysis Of Kristen Bell's Articulation Of Imperfect Motherhood On Armchair Expert., Sarah J. Neff
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis explores how Kristen Bell’s articulation of imperfect motherhood, as heard on the popular podcast Armchair Expert, contributes to broader social discourses surrounding motherhood, empowering some mothers while inadvertently constraining others. Using rhetorical analysis grounded in Goffman’s dramaturgical approach, facework theory, and McGee’s theory of fragments, this study explores Bell’s discourse and performance of motherhood within the podcast medium. The podcasting medium provides a rich source for rhetorical analysis due to the long form interview content, and emotionally nuanced content, leading to a stronger connection with the audience. This is evident with the new headlines that follow Bell’s appearance …
Role Of Cardiac Ketone Body Metabolism In Myocardial Perfusion And Exercise Performance., Kara R. Gouwens
Role Of Cardiac Ketone Body Metabolism In Myocardial Perfusion And Exercise Performance., Kara R. Gouwens
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cardiorespiratory fitness, a crucial determinant of overall health and a strong predictor of all-cause mortality, is largely dependent on the capacity of the cardiovascular system to deliver oxygen and nutrients. The heart, as the central pump, requires a continuous and adaptable oxygen supply, particularly during increased workload such as occurs with exercise. Impaired myocardial blood flow (MBF) in response to increased demand can lead to ischemia, limiting exercise capacity and potentially causing severe cardiac events. Interestingly, changes in myocardial metabolism and cardiac work correlate with changes in MBF. Therefore, understanding the regulation of MBF, especially the link between local cardiac …
Bleeding Out From The Redlining: An Autoethnographic Study Of Racial Equity Policy Enactment In A Large, Urban School District., Anderson Aven Cook
Bleeding Out From The Redlining: An Autoethnographic Study Of Racial Equity Policy Enactment In A Large, Urban School District., Anderson Aven Cook
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This autoethnographic study investigates the enactment and impact of racial equity policies within Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), a large urban school district in Louisville, Kentucky. The research is motivated by the ongoing challenges of achieving true educational equity for Black and Brown students, a struggle rooted in historical injustices such as redlining. Despite over seven years of policy implementation aimed at promoting racial equity, academic and behavioral disparities between Black and Brown students and their White counterparts have shown little improvement. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, this study employs autoethnography to intertwine personal narrative with scholarly analysis, exploring the lived …
Incarcerated Women: Gendered Rhetoric From The Outside And Reality Inside Prison Walls., Taylor Riley Geiser
Incarcerated Women: Gendered Rhetoric From The Outside And Reality Inside Prison Walls., Taylor Riley Geiser
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation examines how formerly incarcerated women navigate and resist gendered media portrayals through digital platforms, focusing on the “mad” and “bad” woman tropes that shape public perceptions. Drawing on feminist rhetorical theory—particularly Royster and Kirsch’s methodological practices and Ratcliffe’s concept of rhetorical listening—this study combines Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of mainstream headlines with Multimodal Discourse Analysis (MDA) of TikTok content. CDA of media coverage surrounding Lori Vallow Daybell, Casey Anthony, and Andrea Yates reveals how language, imagery, and cultural logics sustain harmful binaries that portray women who commit crimes either as depraved or as excused by madness, obscuring the …
Genes That Matter: Survival Modeling In Tcga-Brca With Treatment Interactions., David Pratt
Genes That Matter: Survival Modeling In Tcga-Brca With Treatment Interactions., David Pratt
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
High-dimensional genomic data offer both promise and challenges for identifying clinically relevant biomarkers. This study developed a parallelized survival modeling pipeline to identify genes associated with overall survival in breast cancer, with a focus on gene-by-treatment interactions and patient heterogeneity. RNA-Seq data from female patients in the TCGA-BRCA cohort were analyzed. Univariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to screen genes, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, treatment status, and cancer stage. A LASSO-penalized Cox regression was fit across 2000 random seeds to assess feature stability. Genes were filtered by expression level, statistical significance, and hazard ratios (effect sizes) in either direction, …
Engaging In Movement At Work: Exploring Engagement And Physical Activity., Spencer A. Cavan
Engaging In Movement At Work: Exploring Engagement And Physical Activity., Spencer A. Cavan
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
High levels of employee engagement provide organizations competitive advantages such as increased customer satisfaction, profits, and employee productivity. Despite potential benefits, the number of engaged employees is declining and organizations need to find innovative ways to enhance engagement. Emerging evidence suggests workplace physical activity may generate organizational benefits extending beyond health improvement. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of engagement among employees participating in a physical activity intervention at work. A qualitative design, guided by phenomenology, examined perceptions of workplace physical activity and perceived levels of engagement, as well as constraints related to involvement among university …
Why Are Parents Choosing Forest Preschool? A Look Into Parent Choice And Outcome Expectations In A Forest Preschool Setting., Victoria M. Jones
Why Are Parents Choosing Forest Preschool? A Look Into Parent Choice And Outcome Expectations In A Forest Preschool Setting., Victoria M. Jones
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
As interest in alternative early childhood education settings continues to grow, Forest Preschools—programs emphasizing immersive outdoor, nature-based learning—have gained increasing attention from parents across the United States. This qualitative research study explores the underlying motivations and decision-making processes that lead families to choose Forest Preschool settings. Guided by Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory, which examines behavior as a function of person and environment, the study investigates the dynamic interplay of personal beliefs, social influences, and contextual factors that shape parental choice. Specifically, this study addresses four key research questions: (1) How do families who choose Forest Preschools gain information about preschool …
Using Silvopasture To Mitigate Heat Stress In Grazing Beef Cattle, Sydney L. Lofland
Using Silvopasture To Mitigate Heat Stress In Grazing Beef Cattle, Sydney L. Lofland
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This study evaluated the impact of silvopasture on mitigating heat stress in grazing beef cattle by comparing physiological and behavioral responses between shaded and non-shaded pastures. Twenty-two multiparous cows were monitored over a 20-day summer trial in East Texas. Data were collected on respiration rate, heart rate, heat stress scores, and behaviors including eating, ruminating, walking, and resting. Average respiration rates and behavior proportions did not differ significantly between treatments. Afternoon periods showed peak physiological stress across all cattle, but silvopasture appeared to buffer extreme responses. Although limitations such as data gaps and a shortened trial impacted interpretation, findings suggest …
Evaluating Quadrupedal Locomotion In Bats: A Geometric Morphometric Comparison Of Vertebral Adaptations Across Mammals, Jessica Upham
Evaluating Quadrupedal Locomotion In Bats: A Geometric Morphometric Comparison Of Vertebral Adaptations Across Mammals, Jessica Upham
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Flight is the primary locomotion of bats, while quadrupedal locomotion is not often observed and is widely variable among bats. Frugivorous bats in Pteropodidae are more efficient climbers than frugivorous bats in Phyllostomidae and insectivorous bats in Vespertilionidae, while phyllostomids and vespertilionids are better at walking on horizontal surfaces. The aim of this study is to investigate whether bats with differing modes of nonflight locomotion also exhibit disparity in thoracolumbar vertebral morphology. Using geometric morphometrics, we compared the thoracolumbar vertebral shapes of these bat families with other terrestrial and arboreal mammals. The results revealed distinct vertebral shapes among bat families …