Sex-Based Differences In Osteoarthritis In Early Medieval Spain: A Case Study From Visigoth And Carolingian Period Terrassa., Jordan Chatellier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Beginning in 1995, individuals from the Sant Pere church complex in Terrassa, Spain were exhumed. Using 21 biological females and 32 biological males collectively between the Visigoth (5^th – 8^th centuries) and Carolingian (9^th – 11^th centuries) periods from this collection, this research examined the difference in osteoarthritis between estimated phenotypic sexes. For osteoarthritis to be present, an individual needed to meet one of two criteria: 1. two or more of the following was present: macroporosity, sclerotic bone, joint deformation, and marginal osteophytes, or 2. eburnation had occurred. Through employing embodiment theory, along with gender and …

Sars-Cov-2 Modulates Pla2g2d/Pgd2 Signaling To Manipulate Host Immune Response To Increase Disease Severity., Dante L. Hamiel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Previous studies suggested that SARS-CoV-2 infection could cause diverse immune and metabolic dysregulations, although the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In addition, viruses may escape the immune response by modulating cellular metabolism, mitochondria, and protein functions indicating that immune or metabolic components may represent novel targets for anti-viral strategies. However, whether immune and metabolic disorders interact or affect each other waits to be determined. On the other hand, previous investigations identified the critical roles of a cell membrane-bound phospholipase PLA₂G2D and its downstream products PGD₂ in regulating the metabolism and inflammation in respiratory system. More importantly, …

Finer Resolution Paleoclimatological Network Analysis Of Hydrological Extremes And Tree-Growth Response For Kentucky, U.S.A., Jordan Sharp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As climate change accelerates, southeastern states like Kentucky face increasing environmental and economic challenges. To improve future climate predictions, this study enhances paleoclimate reconstructions with a high-resolution tree-ring network for Kentucky, combining data from both living trees and dendroarchaeological sources. I evaluated the climate sensitivity of tree growth using superposed epoch analysis, static correlations, and spatial field correlations in KNMI Climate Explorer, along with moving correlations against seasonal temperature and moisture variables. Findings reveal that white oak and tulip poplar exhibit significant drought sensitivity across both live and archeological sites. However, I observed a weakening relationship between tree-ring growth and …

Tel Jezreel's Medieval Crusader Cemetery: A Case Study In Contemporary Burial Practices And Necroviolence Against Infants And Children., Autumn Koehling

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The 1990s excavation of the archaeological site of Tel Jezreel in the modern nation state of Israel yielded the remains of fifty infants and children, associated with the contemporary Medieval Crusader Church. The Church, built by Knight’s Templar from the Frankish Kingdom served the occupants of Tel Jezreel from the 11^th to the 13^th century and introduced Western Christian burial practices to the local Syriac-Palestinian Christian inhabitants. Burial practices from the surrounding region of the Levant and beyond, into Crusader European cultures, show different forms of burial treatment for infants and children that can be used to understand …

Implementation Of A Sustainability Dual Credit Course Curriculum To Support Environmental Literacy In An Urban High School., Rachelle Wood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This bound case study examined the curricular support of Environmental Literacy in urban high school through the implementation of authentic environmental education experiences through a Sustainability Dual Credit course. Environmental Education provides students opportunities to engage in authentic local and global issues that exist beyond the classroom walls. Environmental Education is essential for students to become environmentally literate, where they are empowered to make sustainable choices that contribute to a sustainable future. A review of literature revealed there is a gap in current literature regarding how the curriculum of Sustainability Dual Credit courses supports Environmental Literacy in a United States …

Predicting Resilience Among Treatment-Referred Youth With A History Of Trauma Exposure: An Exploration Of Risk And Protective Factors., Prabathi Mandara Gunathilake

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While many children and adolescents experience negative outcomes following exposure to traumatic events, some demonstrate remarkable resilience. Understanding the factors that contribute to this positive adaptation is essential for developing effective interventions. Using secondary data from 199 treatment-referred youth (ages 5 to 18) with histories of maltreatment, refugee experiences, or military-related trauma, collected between 2016 and 2021 by the Metro Louisville’s Center for Promotion of Recovery and Resilience (CPRR) program, this study examined predictors of resilience in trauma-exposed youth and how resilience is conceptualized across different informant perspectives. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed distinct predictive patterns: for youth, personal strengths …

It Is Well: A Narrative Study Examining The Impact Of Community Cultural Wealth For Black Students Experiencing Grief During The Covid-19 Era., Daquarius Mahone

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the intersection of grief, race, and resilience among Black college students navigating grief during the COVID-19 pandemic at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Through the lens of Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) and employing Narrative Inquiry methodology, this study amplifies the voices of Black students who experienced profound loss during an era marked by both personal grief and societal upheaval. By analyzing their lived experiences, the research reveals how students draw upon cultural assets—such as familial, social, and aspirational capital—to endure and thrive in the face of grief. The study identifies five pivotal themes: personal connection to lost loved …

Can Exploring Before Instruction Improve Underrepresented Stem Students’ Learning Compared To Traditional Methods? Investigating Psychosocial Factors., Katherine G. Golway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasing evidence suggests that active learning benefits students’ learning outcomes, while also helping to reduce or eliminate grade differences between historically underrepresented (UR) and non-underrepresented (non-UR) students in STEM courses. This dissertation investigates if, and when, a specific active learning strategy – exploratory learning before instruction – can have these learning benefits and impact students’ fundamental needs (i.e., security, belonging, competence, and self-efficacy) and curiosity/interest. In five experimentally-controlled studies conducted within undergraduate STEM courses (physics, engineering, and chemistry), students were randomly assigned to exploratory learning conditions (explore-first) or traditional instruct-then-practice conditions (instruct-first). After completing both the learning activity and lecture-based …

Movement Ecology Of Sandhills Chub, A Carolina Endemic, Zachary Adam Ramsey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fish movement studies have traditionally focused on species that support commercial and recreational fisheries, but recently more focus has been given to non-game, stream fishes because of their recognized importance in maintaining biodiversity within these ecosystems. Stream fish movement is described as being “restricted” and following a leptokurtic distribution via diffusive spread related to environmental and biological factors. Many studies of stream fish movement ecology in North America have occurred in high-gradient streams with coarse substrate in mountains or in streams of the interior plains. Sandhills streams of the southeastern USA are characterized as warm-water, low gradient, and dominated by …

Flow Field Surrounding Bluegill (Lepomis Macrochirus) During Suction-Feeding, Jensine Caroline Coggin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Suction-feeding is a common method for capturing prey by aquatic organisms and contributed to the diversification of fishes by enabling them to consume a wide range of prey. Suction-feeding is a complex fish-fluid interaction governed by various hydrodynamic forces: inertia, unsteady, viscous, and pressure gradients. These forces are described by the coupling between the flow physics equations (Navier-Stokes) and the dynamic behavior of the fish (motion and forces). However, the distribution of the pressure field that drives this process, and the extent to which suction-feeding is three-dimensional, remain underexplored. I estimated the pressure within the flow field surrounding the mouth …

Heterotopias Of Confinement: Zoo Architecture And The Loss Of Elephant Agency, Clayton Gill Beasley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Zoos functions as a site where human-animal relationships are structured through built environments that mediate control and representation. This study examines zoos as heterotopias—spaces where power and surveillance are negotiated between human observers and captive nonhuman animals. While zoos are often framed as spaces of conservation and education, their architectural design reinforces hierarchies of observation and confinement, shaping both human perceptions of nature and the lived experiences of nonhuman animals. This research focuses on Asian elephants as a critical species within this framework, exploring how their captivity illuminates tensions between human-imposed structures and nonhuman autonomy. Drawing from theories of heterotopia, …

Mathematics Teacher Certification Status And Student Achievement: A Quantitative Analysis, Angela K. Wallace

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sixty years ago, James Coleman (1966) released a report called Equality of Education where he focused on inequalities in education between Black and White students. Today, continued research has built on Coleman’s findings particularly on teacher quality and its effects on student achievement (Coleman et al., 1966). The purpose of this quantitative analysis was to explore if any relationship exists between 8th grade math and 10th grade geometry teachers’ certification status and 8th grade math and 10th grade geometry students’ achievement. By utilizing Pedagogical Content Knowledge Theory (PCK) and Mathematical Knowledge for Teachers Theory (MKT) as the theoretical frameworks, the …

Tennessee Magnet Schools: Examining The Relationship Between Magnet School Designation And Student Achievement In Secondary Public Schools, Alex Turner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between magnet school designation and student achievement in Tennessee secondary public schools. Three years (2021-2023) of student achievement data from the Tennessee Department of Education was used to analyze student performance in 24 magnet and 287 traditional non-magnet schools. Schools were included in the study if they operated continuously throughout the study period and were categorized as either a public magnet school or a traditional non-magnet school. Excluded from the study were virtual, charter, alternative schools, and early colleges.

Four research questions were crafted to guide this study. Student …

Inferring Feeding Biology In Extinct Shrews (Soricidae: Mammalia): Application Of A Linear Morphometric Approach, Derek J. Den Ouden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Linear morphometrics have been used extensively to infer the ecology of fossil organisms, but shrews have not yet been thoroughly explored using this technique. Often considered to have a homogenous insectivorous diet, direct dietary observation suggests shrew dietary diversity is substantial. Diversity of this nature is well established to have influenced skull morphology in other mammal clades, so similar patterns are hypothesized to be detectable in shrews. To test this, I examined the link between known diet and morphological disparity in extant shrews using linear morphometrics and then utilized that framework to infer the dietary ecology of several fossil taxa. …

Effects Of Ph On Product Yield Of One-Electron Oxidation To Guanine Derivatives, Abdul-Kadir Ibrahim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One-electron oxidation plays a major role in oxidative DNA damage in biological cells. Guanine, the most oxidizable DNA base, has been the major focus of studies on oxidative damage to DNA initiated by one-electron oxidation (OEO). The current study aims at understanding the mechanisms of photooxidation of guanine derivatives with OEO in acidic medium. D1A* and D1B*, which are the products of dGuo in acidic medium, were obtained from dGuo upon photolysis at 485 nm of the reaction mixture in the presence of S₂O₈^2- as the oxidant and Ru(II)(bpy)₃²⁺ as a photosensitizer. D1A* and …

Pilot Implementation Of Mom Power In The Appalachian Highlands: Acceptability And Effectiveness Of A Parenting Group For Mothers With High Psychosocial Need, Megan Wolff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children need safe, stable, and nurturing relationships with a caregiver for optimal development. Maternal childhood adversity, traumatic life experiences, and mental health challenges can adversely impact parenting beliefs and behaviors in ways that compromise a caregiver’s ability to create and sustain a healthy caregiving environment for their child(ren). In the professional world of infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH), policies, providers, and programs work together to promote optimal child and family wellbeing to reduce the intergenerational transmission of risk and to empower resilience in families and communities. The present study investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the pilot …

Perception Of Parents And Teachers On Discipline Strategies For Preschoolers In Some Selected Schools In Nigeria And The United States Of America, Solape Folaranmi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of parents and teachers on discipline strategies used for preschoolers in Nigeria and the United States. It explored their choice(s) of discipline strategies, similarities and differences, and the perceived impacts on preschoolers' development. The study aimed to identify effective and appropriate strategies.

This qualitative study used semi-structured Zoom interviews with 6 teachers and 6 parents from both countries. Interview data were analyzed using Atlas.ti software to identify key themes and patterns. Findings revealed cross-cultural differences in discipline approaches, with Nigerian participants showing high acceptance of corporal punishment as a discipline strategy while the USA participants …

Finding An Effective Measure Of Religiosity And Substance Use Levels For The Deaf: An Attempted Pilot Study, Angela Masiello

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Deaf often lack access to health-promoting services (Meador & Zazove, 2005), though they have an increased risk of developing substance use disorders (Hommes et al., 2018). Communication has been a prominent barrier to the accessibility of healthcare services and participation in research for the Deaf (McKee et al., 2012). Literature has shown multiple methodological challenges when conducting research with the Deaf (Napier et al., 2018). This pilot study used Jones et al.’s (2001) cross-cultural translation model to translate two measures into American Sign Language (ASL). Six bilingual experts in ASL and English translated the RSAS-5 and the TAPS into …

The Moderating Effects Of Duration On The Relationships Among Adverse Childhood Experiences, Perceived Social Support, And Adult Mental Health, Jessica M. Templeton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Childhood adversity is a significant predictor of negative mental health outcomes, with prior research primarily focusing on cumulative risk models of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This study examines whether the duration of ACE exposure moderates the mediating effect of perceived social support on the relationship between ACEs and adult mental health outcomes, specifically anxiety and depression symptomatology. Using archival data from the Correlates of Adversity and Temperament in Childhood (CATCH) dataset, responses from 230 participants were analyzed. Mediation analyses revealed that perceived social support mediates the relationship between ACEs and both anxiety and depression. Moderated mediation analyses further indicated that …

Beyond Stereotypes: Exploring The Intersection Of Feminist Identity And Societal Expectations In Ama Ata Aidoo’S Changes: A Love Story (1991), Grace Adutwum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Changes: A Love Story by Ama Ata Aidoo explores the intersection of feminist identity and societal expectations of African women, specifically Ghanaian women. This work examines how Esi and other characters struggle for love, autonomy, and independence, and reveals how tradition often limits African women’s choices and agency. This research also highlights how Aidoo presents a distinct, context-specific approach to gender roles and pressure from society, rather than viewing feminism as a strict opposition to patriarchy. By using African feminism as a theoretical framework, this work analyzes how marriage, career, and independence shape Esi’s identity. The depiction of polygamy, independence, …

Disability Inclusion In Local Public Health Community Health Assessments And Community Health Improvement Plans, Haleigh Leslie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Local health departments (LHDs) use community health assessments (CHAs) and community health improvement plans (CHIPs) to identify and address health needs of the populations they serve. People with disabilities experience health disparities, and there is limited information about how the health needs of people with disabilities are included in CHAs and CHIPs. The purpose of this study was to describe and quantify disability inclusion in LHD CHAs and CHIPs.

Methods: This cross-sectional, mixed methods study used the CHAs and CHIPs of accredited local health departments, data about LHDs and populations served, and interviews with LHD staff and community partners …

Assessing The Relationship Between The Incidence Of Campylobacteriosis And Ecological Risk Factors In Tennessee, Emmanuel Angmorteh Mensah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Campylobacteriosis although is the leading causes of bacterial diarrheal illnesses, have not gained prominent awareness and there are gaps in the understanding of transmission routes for sporadic, non-outbreak cases and their risk factors at the communal level to humans. This study, therefore, aimed to identify the campylobacteriosis risk factors and risk perception from the existing literature in the United States, determine the incidence and ecological risk factors for campylobacteriosis zip code level in Tennessee, and to perform spatiotemporal analysis of campylobacteriosis incidence cases in Tennessee.

Method: To achieve the first aim, a scoping review was conducted to synthesize …

The Moderating Role Of Social Support For Lgbtq People In South Central Appalachia: Present Yet Unimpactful?, Paige Henry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) minority stress theory states that LGBTQ people experience stressors specific to their identity that result in negative mental health outcomes. Social support has been shown to protect against these negative outcomes, but South Central Appalachia is known to be high stigma and low resource for this population. The present study examined the potential moderating impact of four sources of social support (family, friends, partners, and pets) on the relationship between minority stress experiences and psychological distress for LGBTQ people living in South Central Appalachia. Participants included 116 LGBTQ adults living in South Central …

The Forest Through The Trees: Modeling The Ecological Niche And Potential Assemblage Distribution Of Oak-Hickory Forests Across The Eastern U.S., Elijah Worley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Understanding how tree species’ ranges and populations may shift by the end of the 21^st Century is critical for effective conservation and forest management. Ecological niche models are widely used to predict species distributions by modeling the relationships between environmental variables and species presence. While numerous models have been developed for individual tree species across the USA, there is limited research on how tree species assemblages, such as oak-hickory forests, will respond to changes in climate over time. Maxent modeling software was used to predict potential shifts in suitable habitat for the oak-hickory forest type, based on environmental variables …

Unraveling The Unknown: Characterization Of A Novel Antimicrobial Compound Found In Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Jasmal Cruz Perez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Klebsiella pneumoniae, a pathogenic bacterium resistant to numerous antimicrobials, is a worldwide health issue due to its ability to cause healthcare-associated diseases such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections. This study investigated an antimicrobial compound secreted by K. pneumoniae. The compound was found to possess inhibitory activity against Enterobacteriaceae members, including other Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, Citrobacter freundii, and Enterobacter cloacae. The inhibitory activity is mediated via a secreted protein that is active across a wide range of pH and temperature conditions. Higher concentrations of the compound enhanced antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial protein suppressed biofilm formation during both …

Exploring The Antagonistic Polymicrobial Interaction Of Alcaligenes Faecalis With Prokaryotic And Eukaryotic Microorganisms, Aly Hargrave

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alcaligenes faecalis, a generally nonpathogenic, Gram-negative bacterium, has been observed by our laboratory to possess antagonistic activity against antimicrobial-resistant genera Staphylococcus, Candida, and Bacillus. This study focused on exploring the inhibition mechanism of A. faecalis against the three genera, with an emphasis on S. aureus. A library of A. faecalis transposon mutants was constructed and identified fourteen possible genetic factors linked to this inhibitory activity. Characterization of this inhibition indicated that A. faecalis suppressed S. aureus planktonic and biofilm growth via a contact-dependent mechanism, with pronounced effects during biofilm attachment phase. In a Caenorhabditis elegans …

Kinetic Analysis Of Hydrolysis And Hydrothermal Conversion Of Methyl Cellulose To Dodecane, Joseph Olembo Were

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Environmental pollution due to emission of greenhouse gases and increasing global energy demand are some of the concerns associated Analysis with the use of fossil fuels. These concerns have triggered the exploration of sustainable and efficient methods for renewable energy production. One such method is the conversion of cellulosic biomass to hydrocarbon fuels using hydrogen bronze metals. Cellulose is the most abundant biomass globally, and thus its utilization can lead to more sustainable energy production. Previous studies have reported the conversion of cellulose to hydrocarbons at high temperatures and hydrogen pressure. This work focuses on the conversion of methyl cellulose …

A Kinetic Analysis On Hydrolysis And Hydrothermal Conversion Of Cellulose To Dodecane, Joel Nyangoka Onyancha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cellulose, the most abundant biomass on Earth, offers a promising pathway for alternative energy through conversion into alkane hydrocarbons. Traditional methods rely on high temperatures and high-pressure hydrogen, often derived from petroleum. In this study, we investigated the conversion of Microcrystalline Cellulose using hydrogen metal oxides (bronzes) under milder conditions. Following ASTM E3417-24 hydrolysis protocols, we employed hydrogen bronzes with toluene for product extraction. This approach enabled conversion at lower temperatures without pressurized hydrogen. Products were analyzed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer for identification and Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector for quantification. Our findings revealed the formation of a possible …

Tracing Clovis Landscapes: Chert Sourcing At The Copelin Valley Site In Kentucky., Shaylee Scott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study conducts a raw material sourcing analysis of Clovis lithic artifacts from Copelin Valley, Hart County, Kentucky, a key Clovis occupation site. Over a decade of documenting private collections and recent archaeological investigations confirm the site's significance within the Paleoindian landscape. Using reflectance spectroscopy, a non-destructive technique, this research assesses chert source probabilities for over 100 Clovis points and tools. By integrating spectral data with geological sourcing frameworks, this study examines raw material procurement strategies and their implications for Clovis mobility and settlement. The findings reveal patterns in material selection, shedding light on occupation intensity, technological organization, and landscape …

“Souls Cannot Rest In Contested Places”: An Ethnographic Case Study And Archeological Environmental Assessment Of The North Shore Cemeteries., Henrietta K. Ransdell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an ethnographic case study and archeological-environmental assessment of the North Shore Cemeteries to derive condition commentary and care recommendations for the landscape, cultural resources, descendant community, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Framed by theories of space-place culture, dispossession, and public lands co-management, this multi-methods, interdisciplinary thesis combines historical context, environmental conditions, archeological documentation, participant observations, and ethnographic interviewing of NPS and community affiliates to derive applied strategies for cemetery repair, operational efficacy, and this specific, public lands “co-management” relationship. With data from 12 interviews, eight participant observations, and six condition assessment surveys, it’s argued that perceptions …