Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

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. …

"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

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 …

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 …

Raptors As Secondary Dispersers Of Mycorrhizal Fungal Spores, Joseph Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Animals aid fungal dispersal by consuming fruiting bodies (e.g., truffles) and depositing spores elsewhere. Predators can act as secondary dispersers by preying on small mammals that eat truffles, although it is unclear how this dispersal may vary among species of raptors (hawks and owls) and fungal taxa. We experimentally fed four truffle taxa (with spores varying in size and wall thickness) to six raptor species (with differing gut morphology and acidity) to assess how spore viability and retention time may change between raptor casts and feces. Viability in smaller spores was more negatively affected by acidity compared to larger spores …

Investigating The Multiple Enzyme Complex In The Carotenoid Biosynthesis Pathway, Mercy Mormor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In nature, plant carotenoids are 40-carbon isoprenoids with polyene chains that may have double bonds. They are vital components of all photosynthetic organisms, playing several roles in the plant cell, including photosynthesis, pigmentation, phytohormone synthesis, signaling and photoprotection. In this study, we investigated protein-protein interactions among key enzymes involved in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway using the Bimolecular Fluorescent Complementation (BiFC) assay. Our results revealed several interactions that suggest a coordinated regulation of enzymatic activity within this pathway, highlighting potential regulatory complexes that influence carotenoid production. The study also highlights the pivotal role of Zeta-Carotene Isomerase (Z-ISO) as a key regulatory …

Examining The Lived Experiences Of International Students At East Tennessee State University, John The Baptist Anodjo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the lived experiences of international students at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), specifically examining how they navigate social, academic, and structural challenges. Through in-depth interviews with 20 international students from a variety of nationalities, I analyzed issues related to legal status, housing, food insecurity, healthcare, and social integration. I found that students encounter barriers due to immigration policies, financial constraints, and limited access to essential resources. Additionally, international students benefit significantly from support provided by campus services, community organizations, and their social networks, which play a vital role in their adjustment process. While institutional resources are beneficial …

Gut Passage Time In Small Mammals: Influences Of Small Mammal Traits, Digesta Phase, And Particle Morphology, Noah G. Hale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dispersal is crucial in maintaining healthy ecosystems, but little is known about mechanisms influencing fungal spore dispersal by animals. We aimed to develop a more mechanistic understanding of the influence of fungal spore traits and small mammal traits on gut retention time. We fed three species of small mammals (shrew, mouse, vole), which differ in gut morphologies, digestive strategies, and activity a combination of markers including: liquid digesta phase (CrEDTA), small particle (fungal spores with diverse morphologies), and large particles (glitter and beads, representing plant cells and seeds, respectively). We found that hindgut fermenters selectively retained the liquid markers, spores …

Investigating The Impact Of Psychoactive Plant Alkaloids On Bumblebee Behavior, Skylar Mathieson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between plants and their pollinators is often framed as a food-for-service exchange in which plants provide pollinators with nutrients in exchange for transport of their gametes. However, in addition to essential nutrients, many floral rewards (nectar, pollen) also contain defensive toxins such as alkaloids, with largely unexplored consequences for plant-pollinator interactions. I investigated how three psychoactive and addictive plant alkaloids — caffeine, nicotine, and morphine — affect foraging behavior in generalist bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) using robotic flowers. Each of these chemicals affected pollinator foraging behavior, influencing the number and duration of their visits to flowers in …

Drivers And Consequences Of Changes In Nectar Microbiome Composition Across Spatial And Biological Scales, Daniel A. Barker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microbial communities inhabiting floral nectar, known as the nectar microbiome, are important mediators of plant-pollinator interactions. However, the ecological and environmental factors that shape the composition of these microbial communities remain poorly understood. While previous studies have examined the effects of a few microbial groups, typically independent of one another, on one plant or pollinator species, this dissertation takes a wide-scale approach to explore how abiotic conditions and biotic interaction’s structure microbial communities within floral nectar. Furthermore, I also quantify how variation in microbial richness and identity influences pollinator behavior and plant reproductive success.

This dissertation shows that microbial abundance …

Give Me A Break: Exploring The Use Of A Reset Room On Secondary School Students And Resilient Practices In Tennessee, Alex White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The culmination of toxic stress and social-emotional instability can result in significant challenges for students. Incorporating an appropriate response to address the social-emotional needs of students must be a priority if schools seek to see improvements in attendance, discipline, and ultimately academic success. Resilient middle and high schools recognized the need to create innovative spaces for students to learn how to self-regulate challenging emotions during the school day. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to investigate the relationship between chronic absenteeism, office disciplinary referrals, and the use of Resilient Schools Reset Rooms in middle and high schools from …

Expenditures Of Title I Funds To Maximize Student Performance, Cornethia Danielle Pressley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods case study investigates how Title I funds are allocated and perceived in relation to student achievement in six rural elementary schools in the southeastern United States. Drawing on the Distributive Justice Theory by John Rawls, the study explored the perspectives of three principals and three instructional coaches regarding the effectiveness of Title I expenditures in improving outcomes for economically disadvantaged students. Quantitative data from school report cards (2019-2023), Title I expenditure plans, and SC-Ready English Language Arts assessment scores were analyzed alongside qualitative data from semi-structured interviews about the expenditures.

Findings revealed that expenditures most strongly associated …

Political Ecologies Of The Livestock Industry, Jecca Bowen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the United States today, livestock production is dominated by an intensified, industrialized production paradigm whose growth in recent decades has utterly transformed the logistical realities and community impacts of animal agriculture. This dissertation investigates the effects of this production paradigm on livestock producers—whose decision-making is shaped by multi-scalar and often contradictory forces—as well as residents living near these large operations. To do so, I draw upon mixed-methods fieldwork, including in-depth interviews, spatial analysis, and field odor measurements in Weld and Morgan Counties in northern Colorado. I also use political ecologies of emotion, embodiment, and health to examine the complex …

A Standardized Bathing Protocol To Prevent Central Line–Associated Bloodstream And Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infections, Lindsy L. Phillips

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, in medical–surgical inpatients increase mortality, length of stay, and readmissions. In this project, the investigator sought to decrease CLABSIs and MRSA infections through quality improvement by implementing a standard chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing process. An urban hospital in the Midwestern United States experienced more CLABSIs and MRSA infections than expected in 2024. This unit had a standardized infection ratio of 1.4, with three CLABSIs rather than the 2.1 predicted. Also, they had 10 hospital-acquired MRSA isolates, which was higher than the 3.3 average of the other medical–surgical units. The …

Exploring New Mexico 4-H Volunteers’ Acceptance And Use Of Technology: A Qualitative Approach, Kayla Dawn Hinrichs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Integrating technology into youth development programs like 4-H is increasingly vital for enhancing communication, education, and engagement. However, technology adoption among 4-H volunteers remains inconsistent. This qualitative study explored the barriers to technology adoption among New Mexico 4-H volunteers. The researcher aimed to understand the factors influencing their willingness and ability to integrate digital tools into their volunteer roles. Guided by Rogers’s (2003) diffusion of innovation theory and framed by Creswell and Poth’s (2024) qualitative research design, this study employed semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of 4-H volunteers across the state. Following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six- phase approach, …

Weight Recidivism Post-Bariatric Surgery: A Lifestyle Modifications Educational Intervention, Kimeshia N. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Weight recidivism after bariatric surgery is a frustrating phenomenon for bariatric surgery patients and healthcare professionals. A 90-day lifestyle modification intervention for patients at least 18 months postsurgery was performed in the primary care setting to determine if a structured program could promote or maintain weight loss. The intervention aimed to investigate if participation in a structured lifestyle modification program would impact the body mass index of bariatric patients at least 18 months postsurgical intervention. In coordination with a nutritionist specializing in addiction and obesity education, a booklet detailing the guidelines for a 12-week program was provided to 41 bariatric …

Swine Solutions: Enhancing Ffa Supervised Agricultural Experience Projects, Hannah M. Daily, Dr. John Michael Mehaffey, Dr. Candis Scallan, Dr. Amy Mehaffey, Dr. Joe Mask

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is a portion of the three-circle model of agriculture education, providing experiential learning opportunities for students. The immersion SAE encourages students to build upon foundational learning components in a real-world application. A popular area of the immersion SAE includes ownership of market swine being raised for exhibition. This study serves as a pilot mentorship program for agricultural science educators and students, creating an educational resource encouraging record-keeping techniques and skill development, leading to eventual independence from the student’s standpoint. The model for the Swine Solutions Program includes utilization of the provided handbook, completion of daily observation …

Tackling Social Stigma: An Ethical Obligation In Healthcare Intervention To Involuntary Childlessness, Persis Naumann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The stigma associated with involuntary childlessness has negatively affected health and well-being for several decades. This situation is particularly exacerbated for women within the Tamil socio-cultural context, resulting in feelings of shame, neglect, denial, isolation, and constituting a significant barrier to long-term access to healthcare services. Although advancements have been made in the provision of biomedical care, the psychosocial support remains inadequately addressed. Moreover, there are currently no healthcare interventions that specifically target the stigma associated with this issue, which hinders open communication with healthcare providers, delays necessary treatments, and adversely impacts overall health outcomes. The central thesis of this …

The Ethical Imperative Of The Renewal Of Virtue Within The Moral Community Of Catholic Healthcare, Amanda Altobell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Catholic healthcare is one of the largest nonprofit organizations and providers in the United States, offering medical care to many diverse communities. The fundamental mission of Catholic healthcare is to bring about Christ’s healing ministry and live out the fundamental principle of caring for the vulnerable in pursuit of the common good. However, there have been many missteps, not only due to a more polarized and secular community but also to scandals and conflict due to previous hierarchical and rules-based anthropology that often misses the person's lived experience. Therefore, this dissertation will argue that for Catholic healthcare to survive the …

Racial Disparity And Environmental Influences On Perinatal Health In Jefferson County, Kentucky., Felicia A Pugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) risk has tripled over the past 30 years. Adverse infant birth outcomes in the U.S. have also increased with substantial Black-White disparities. Objectives: This work compares the frequency of adverse maternal and infant birth outcomes by maternal race (Black vs White) and examines associations between maternal ambient heavy metal exposures and birth outcomes in Jefferson County, Kentucky, 2017-2022. Methods: Jefferson County inpatient hospital delivery and birth certificate records of self-identified Black or White birthing parents were used. Incidence of SMM, stillbirth, preterm birth (PTB), and small for gestational age (SGA) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) …

The Effects Of Ethanol And Tributyrin On Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis In 3×Tg-Ad Mice., Lucy June Sloan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex progressive neurodegenerative dementia with clinical hallmarks of amyloid-β plaques, hyper-phosphorylated tau in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and neurodegeneration. Chronic, excessive alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk for developing AD and other dementias. Both AD and chronic alcohol consumption are associated with dysbiosis in the gut microbiome (GM) characterized by a significant loss of beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria within the Firmicutes phylum. Previous studies demonstrate that chronic alcohol consumption accelerates AD pathogenesis in the 3×Tg-AD mouse model and that oral tributyrin (TB) supplementation in 3×Tg-AD mice reduces age-associated GM dysbiosis and AD-associated neurobehavioral deficits and …

Long-Term Changes In Bolus Parameters During Swallowing Post-Chemoradiation Treatment., Brittany Rebecca Smiley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current treatment for oropharyngeal cancer involves chemoradiation, which can have profound effects on swallowing function. Submental muscle activity is critical for airway protection and bolus transit but is highly susceptible to radiation-related swallowing impairments. This study examined whether chemoradiation targeting the submental muscles leads to measurable changes in esophageal distension during swallowing in a rodent model. We hypothesized that rats receiving chemoradiation would exhibit aberrant esophageal distension compared to chemotherapy-only controls. Twenty male rats underwent four cycles of cisplatin concurrently with either radiation or sham radiation. High-speed videofluoroscopy swallow studies were conducted pre- and post-treatment with thin liquids to analyze …

Analyzing The Association Of Competitive Food Policy On Competitive Food Content In U.S. Schools., Mary E. Curnutte

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

OBJECTIVES: School food can have a profound effect on the population’s health. Thirty million children receive food at school and consume half their daily calorie intake at school. Competitive foods are foods sold outside of school breakfast and lunch, such as those sold in vending machines. A new ruling for Smart Snacks Standards, a set of competitive food guidelines, started in the school year 2014-2015. It is known that competitive foods undermine school lunch participation, and a decrease in school lunch consumption is associated with poorer student health. Additionally, an increase in competitive foods tends to be of nutrient-poor …

Mechanisms Of Particulate Hexavalent Chromium-Induced Inhibition Of Homologous Recombination Repair: Targeting The Bcdx2 Complex Considered Through A One Health Perspective., Aggie W. Brownell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death, often linked to smoking. However, smoking alone does not account for all cases. Exposure to environmental metals like hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] also contributes to lung cancer. Cr(VI) causes lung cancer by inducing chromosome instability (CIN), an early hallmark of its carcinogenic mechanism. While it has been established that Cr(VI) induces chromosome instability, the precise mechanisms underlying the chromosome instability are poorly understood. This dissertation investigates the mechanisms of carcinogenesis associated with zinc chromate, a particularly potent particulate form of hexavalent chromium. Studies show Cr(VI) induces DNA double-strand breaks and impairs the …

Initial Impacts Of Different Fertilizers On Improved East Texas Equine Pastures, Carolina De Leon, Brian Oswald, Leland Thompson, Candis Scallan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

In Texas, approximately 1.6 million acres support an equine population exceeding 748,000 horses. This study assessed the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizer treatments on improved Bermudagrass (BG) and other vegetation (OTH) in overgrazed equine pastures at the Stephen F. Austin State University Equine Center. Treatments included equine manure (H), broiler poultry litter (P), and a commercial 13-13-13 fertilizer (C), with application rates based on pasture requirements.

Initial vegetation cover was evaluated using the Daubenmire cover class method in September 2024, followed by a 60-day undisturbed growing period. Final biomass (g/2ft² converted to lbs/ac) and percent cover measurements were …

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The Impact Of Curriculum Support Through Museum/Education Partnerships In Rural Communities, Erin Gentry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Museum education is a dynamic field, and often an underutilized or nonexistent resource in the educational sphere of rural communities. Within the current system of rural K-12 schools, a local museum can serve as both educational enrichment and entertainment/reward. The author’s research explores how museums in rural communities can actively collaborate with schools through a fusion of art and science using an interdisciplinary curriculum model to provide educational support and enrichment to both students and teachers. This research focused on high school students enrolled in a Title 1 charter school located within a rural district in east Texas. The author …

Translation Of The Carcinogenic Dna Breakage-Repair Inhibition Mechanism For Hexavalent Chromium To Its Key Targets: Lung Epithelial Cells, Lung Tissue And Impacts On The Genome., Idoia Meaza Isusi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a human lung carcinogen with widespread occupational and environmental exposure. Despite the known health risks, how Cr(VI) causes lung cancer remains unclear. This dissertation investigates the mechanisms of Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis. Cr(VI) causes DNA damage, specifically DNA double strand breaks, and inhibits homologous recombination repair, a high-fidelity repair pathway. Unrepaired DNA double strand breaks or those repaired through error-prone pathways, progress to chromosomal damage, and chromosome instability. The latter is a common characteristic of Cr(VI)-exposed cells, and a hallmark of lung cancer. Although the mechanism of Cr(VI)-induced …

The Effects Of Geographic Isolation And Anthropogenic Activity On The Social Behavior Of Caribbean Green Monkeys., Rose Amrhein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeaus) arrived to the Caribbean with the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Since then, they have experienced unique environments to those of their native ranges in West Africa. Additionally, recent taxonomic changes within the genus make previous knowledge about the species hard to determine to be accurate. In this dissertation, I both assess some of the effects the island environment may have had on monkey behavior as well as build on the understanding of their vocal communication across three islands: Barbados, St. Kitts, and St. Martin. In chapter one, I investigate how human activity in Barbados affects …

Parenting Among Mothers With High Psychosocial Stress In South-Central Appalachia: Aspirations, Actions, And Intervention, Kelly Daniel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Conceptualizations of adaptive parenting within Appalachia have been historically limited by the scarcity of research with the region as well as stereotyped depictions of Appalachian parents. As such, this project aimed to examine Appalachian parenting through a culturally sensitive lens by centering lived experiences through the ecological systems theory. The sample included mothers (n = 41) who attended Mom Power, an attachment-based, trauma-informed parenting skills intervention in the Appalachian Highlands. Reflective Thematic Analysis was used to analyze qualitative interview data by exploring and conceptualizing current parenting challenges and associated maternal feelings and reactions. Results include the development of a metaphor …