Digital Commons Network^™

The Dynamic Role Of Hyaluronan In Acute Cardiac Wound Healing., Danielle T. Little

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

During acute myocardial infarction (MI), the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes significant changes. While collagen accumulation is one of the most well-documented ECM alterations, hyaluronan (HA) is equally abundant. However, the cellular sources, enzymatic regulation, and functional significance of HA accumulation remain largely unexplored. Here, we hypothesized that activated cardiac fibroblasts produce HA via hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2), facilitating scar formation and stability. Our findings demonstrate that HA accumulates post-MI and persists for at least four weeks. Through HA sizing techniques, we determined the molecular weight of this persistent HA. Additionally, RNA sequencing analysis of failing human hearts …

Women And Gender Non-Conforming Introductory Stem Students Navigating Gender, Faculty Expectations, And College Support Systems., Trisha A. Douin-Manning

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Women and gender non-conforming students remain underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) majors within higher education, and gender disparities persist in advancement to high-paying STEM careers (Maloy et al., 2021; NSF, 2015; Riegle-Crumb et al., 2018). This three-article style dissertation uses qualitative interviews with 29 women and gender non-conforming introductory STEM students and 11 STEM faculty to investigate how these students navigate through their introductory STEM courses. Women and gender non-conforming students in this study faced academic, familial, and gendered pressures to succeed in introductory STEM courses. Many of the students in this study described feelings of oppression …

Teacher Perspectives On A Teacher Mentorship Program And Its Influence On A Sense Of Belonging And Professional Growth., Hyun Kang Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher retention is crisis in the U.S. and globally. Literature suggests the first five years of teaching is a crucial time range to determine if teachers stay in the profession or quit. Teachers will leave the profession due to lack of support, poor school culture, feeling isolated, high work-related stress, poor compensation, and challenging student behaviors. Research suggests that new teacher mentorship programs are effective in addressing teacher support, ultimately improving teacher retention. Literature also suggests that employees are more likely to stay with a company if they feel belonged. To explore the further into a new teacher mentorship program …

“Nothing Can Prepare You For It”: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of The Lived Experiences, Well-Being, And Relational Connections Of First-Time Mothers Navigating Intensive Mothering Ideals And Expectations., Mona A. Dajani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Becoming a mother is a life-changing experience that alters how mothers view and experience their emotional, familial, occupational, and relational worlds. As mothering stories tend to be underrepresented and largely absent from the field of social work, this qualitative study utilized Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to center the voices of eleven first-time mothers navigating a culture of intensive mothering ideals and expectations. As a result, the main research questions of this study are: 1) What are the lived experiences of mothers navigating a culture with deep-rooted intensive mothering expectations and ideals? 2) How is well-being experienced and described in the …

The Role Of Tgfβ-Activated Kinase 1 In Fibroblast Differentiation And Cardiac Remodeling After Injury., Daniel Chien Nguyen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Immediately following myocardial injury, a robust reparative response is orchestrated through intercellular communication. While various cell populations play critical roles in this process, cardiac fibroblasts have long been recognized as essential mediators of collagen synthesis and scar maturation; however, recent investigations have uncovered significant heterogeneity within the cardiac fibroblast population, revealing distinct subpopulations with roles that extend beyond their traditional functions. Notably, after tissue injury, fibroblasts exposed to damage signals can transition to an inflammatory phenotype, utilizing paracrine and autocrine signaling to coordinate immune cell recruitment and activation. Yet, the mechanisms underlying inflammatory cardiac fibroblast differentiation and their influence on …

Black Women Under The White Gaze: Resistance From Enslavement To Incarceration And Reentry., Barbie C. Parker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Black women in the United States who are currently incarcerated or have previously served time in prison have a particular need for protection as they move through the criminal “injustice” system because they frequently act as the primary caregivers for their families. Consequently, Black female convicts have historically had to create their social networks inside and outside carceral spaces as a form of resistance to white supremacist ideologies and as a site of protection. By highlighting Black women’s history of enslavement and incarceration, the different forms of resistance, and centering their narratives, we can paint a more complex picture of …

The Impacts Of Management Practices On Industrial Hemp Chemistry, Physiology, And Microbiome Ecology., Allison Marie Rietman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Agroecology incorporates ecology and agronomy to inform crop management. Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a prime system to investigate agroecological questions because it has only recently been authorized for commercial cultivation and its sensitivity to biotic and abiotic stressors is unresolved. Here, I investigate how some conventional management choices, including the application of fungicide, plastic mulch, and irrigation, impact the physiology, chemistry, and microbial ecology of industrial hemp. Overall, I found that industrial hemp can be both resilient and resistant to these stressors, an important development for the industry. In Chapter II, I tested the impacts of fungicide application …

Volatile Organic Compounds And Their Relation To Sympathetic Activation And Autonomic Balance In Humans., Cameron Kyle Stopforth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a multifaceted pathology that affects almost half of Americans ≥20 years old. One modifiable risk factor associated with CVD is air pollution exposure. The intricacy of air pollution exposure and CVD can make it difficult to elucidate on the multitude of mechanisms underpinning these associations. In this dissertation, we selected a relevant exposure (i.e., volatile organic compounds (VOC)) and an intermediate outcome (i.e., autonomic balance) that may represent one of these pertinent mechanisms. We tested the central hypothesis that higher VOC exposures would lead to increased sympathetic activation and autonomic imbalance. Aim 1 (Chapter III …

What Happens To Soil And Native Plant Life After Removal Of Lonicera Maackii In An Urban Temperate Forest?, Sheryl A. Gipson Hammond

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In evaluating the potential effects of nitrogen cycles and pH on plant diversity and richness after the removal of Lonicera maackii in a temperate urban forest in Louisville, Kentucky, data was collected including nitrogen, pH, canopy, stem count, and plant surveys. The cutting and treatment with chemicals to remove L. maackii were successful one year after the treatments, but legacy effects ensued about five years thereafter. Native diversity waned as monoculture proliferated in some areas, including second invasions of the invasive. It was expected that nitrogen and pH would explain the success (or lack thereof) of native plant response as …

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 …

Applying Residence Time Distribution Theory To Coronary Thermodilution Curves., Jacob Michael Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide and coronary microvascular dysfunction is one cardiovascular disease which is particularly challenging to diagnose and treat. Coronary thermodilution is a widely used, invasive procedure to evaluate microvascular function by generating physiological indices such as coronary flow reserve and the index of microvascular resistance. Although commonly cited as an indicator dilution method in the cardiovascular literature, current coronary thermodilution techniques lack rigorous application of the accompanying mathematical framework, thereby leaving potentially valuable diagnostic information unexploited. This study bridges that gap by demonstrating the equivalence between indicator-dilution theory and residence time distribution theory …

The Impact Of Consensus Decision Making On Creating Conditions For Psychological Safety In Sbdm Councils., Rachel Ann Klein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study reflects an examination of the forces and factors that impact effective decision-making on a Site-Based Decision Making council (SBDM) in Kentucky. It explores the relationship between consensus decision-making, the leader of a school, and the stakeholders who sit on an SBDM council as it relates to members’ feelings of inclusion, value, and belonging. A qualitative case study was designed to capture observational data gathered during SBDM meetings, as well as data gathered during member interviews. This data was analyzed through a relativist theoretical lens, which revealed that when open, trusting relationships are established among council members, decision-making flourishes. …

Investigating Mental Health Outcomes Of National Collegiate Athletic Association (Ncaa) Division I Student-Athletes At The University Of Louisville, 2019-2023., Paul Harvey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mental health outcomes among collegiate student-athletes, has become a broader concern in the 21^st century. This study examines prevalence and incidence of anxiety and depression amongst student-athletes at the University of Louisville from 2019-2023 across different Sports Groups. The prevalence of anxiety was found to be 20.22% and risk of anxiety was 15.65%. The prevalence of depression was found to be 13.11% and risk of depression was 18.75%. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between sports groups and anxiety/depression. There was a borderline association between sports groups and prevalence of anxiety after confounder adjustment (OR=1.86, 95% CI: …

A Black Sherlock Holmes: An Exploration Of Nonconforming Characterization., Faith Janaye Artis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the wake of diversity initiatives in the greater American theatre landscape, we are now including more Black actors than ever. Whether that be through the inclusion of diverse playwrights or implementing new casting protocols, we now have Black people in the room. However, when portraying the Black “version” of a character (i.e. Black Annie, Black Ariel, Black Juliet) a question still plagues the Black Actor’s mind: how am I meant to fit here? I evaluate my process of portraying Sherlock Holmes as my thesis role. By challenging the implied white perspective in this “universal” story (despite its feminist retelling), …

Student Perceptions Of School Climate And Safety After The Collective Trauma Of Covid-19 And Racial Injustice Syndemic., Amy Catherine Lyons

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For people in marginalized communities, particularly the Black and African American community, the combined, disproportionate damage and loss from of the pandemic and a cacophony of racial injustices offer cause for labeling the phenomenon a syndemic. Syndemic is defined as “a conceptual framework for understanding diseases or health conditions that arise in populations and that are exacerbated by the social, economic, environmental, and political milieu in which a population is immersed” (Singer et al., 2017, p. 881). The purpose of this study is to explore, describe, and analyze Kentucky students’ perceptions of school climate and safety by demographic groups, racial …

Studies Of Pathways To T2d And Interventions Through A Dynamical System Model., Rafiqul Islam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Existing mathematical models investigating the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D) over time primarily focus on glucose, insulin, β-cell mass, and other related factors, while often omitting fatty acids (FA) as an explicit variable—despite FA being a major energy source for the body. There exists a complex network of dynamical interactions among glucose, insulin, FA, and β-cell mass. To gain deeper insights into the metabolic dynamics and pathophysiology of T2D, it is essential to incorporate FA into such models. In this study, we extend the classic Topp’s GIβ model by explicitly incorporating FA and exploring its interactions with glucose, insulin, …

Cns-Specific Hiv Reservoir Characterization In Humans: Advancing Our Understanding Through Novel Genomics Methods., Ghazal Sadri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The persistence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reservoir despite years of suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) represents the principal obstacle to achieving a functional cure. Because the intact, replication-competent portion of the reservoir drives viral rebound after treatment interruption, HIV cure strategies must specifically identify and target cells harboring these proviruses. Conventional reservoir‐characterization techniques typically require separate assays to capture integration sites, assess proviral integrity, and quantify clonal proliferation and they rely on short‐read sequencing. These limitations hinder our ability to understand how integration landscapes, the integrity of the HIV genome, and cell‐division dynamics intersect to maintain viral persistence in …

Bayesian Model Updating Of Structural Parameters Using Temperature Variation Data., Ujjwal Adhikari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Physical digital twins have now emerged as a technology in structural health monitoring and other domains of structural modeling. A Finite Element Model can be a tool for digital twin technology in conjunction with measured physical data. Developing an accurate digital model requires the integration of various parameters to replicate the real structure; however, temperature is dynamically changing, resulting in difficulty in the identification of structural parameters. Typically, temperature is considered noise or filtered out. Limited research has addressed the physics-based model using temperature variation related to structural modal properties. Finite Element Model Updating (FEMU) is a typical inverse problem-solving …

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 …

Catholic High School Principals’ Experiences With Parent-School Relationships And Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy., Alexander J. Glaser

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Principals feel overworked in part due to their responsibilities and the demands of the modern educational institution. Furthermore, dynamics between schools and parents are changing in an increasingly polarized climate. Catholic schools face a unique challenge as school choice is more prevalent and client pools become more diverse. Understanding self-efficacy is elemental to building resiliency in principals leading schools in the current climate. Through this mixed-methods phenomenological study, I sought to understand Catholic secondary school principals’ levels of self-efficacy in daily tasks and determine how parent-school relationships explain these perceptions. I used descriptive data and interviews which led to several …

Integration Of Multi-Omics Datasets Evaluating Structural And Functional Features Of The Gut Microbiome In People With Hiv (Pwh)., Aakarsha Vijayakumar Rao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Gut dysbiosis characterized by reduced abundance of beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria has been independently linked to HIV-1 infection and heavy alcohol drinking. Further, gut dysbiosis results in loss of gut barrier integrity, microbial translocation and host-specific systemic inflammation. Therefore, to evaluate the functional consequences of structural changes in the gut microbiome, integrated data analysis is imperative. In this dissertation, we perform integrated analyses using data from multi-omics platforms to examine the structural and functional features of the gut microbiome of PWH. Gut microbiome composition was evaluated by sequencing V4 region of 16S rDNA, concentrations of metabolites and host-specific immune markers were …

Differences In Prostate Cancer (Pca) Stage At Primary Diagnosis And Pca-Specific Mortality Among Rural Versus Urban Populations In Kentucky., Chase Herrmann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Kentucky Cancer Registry (KCR) prostate cancer (PCa) cases between the years of 1994 and 2021 were analyzed to examine differences between rural and urban populations’ primary stage at diagnosis and PCa-specific mortality. After adjusting for covariates, rural populations did not experience significantly higher odds of stage 3 diagnosis when compared to urban populations (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.95 – 1.06). Rural populations had 16% increased odds of stage 4 diagnosis when compared to urban populations (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.10 – 1.23). Rural populations had a 17% increased rate of PCa-specific death when compared to urban …

The Light Farm., John Wrestling Brewster Clay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Light Farm is a creative examination of the convergence and divergence of truth and meaning, told in a collection of three short stories that both supplements, and is supplemented by a thesis exhibition of fine art. These stories are told using an episodic format that facilitates world building across time periods, while the sculptures, photographs, and text within the exhibition function as a physical entry point into a space in which the line between fact and fiction is tested. The impetus for this project was a lifelong interest in the disorderly confluence of corporatism, power, mortality, morality, human potential, …

Student Performance And Course Modality: The Relationship Between Outcomes, Modality, And Course Subject, Olivia Baxley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to identify if a significant relationship existed between teaching modality and student performance outcomes while also considering the factor of course subject being taught during the 2021-2023 academic years. Three courses were included in the research: Math 1630 Finite Mathematics, English 1010 Composition I, and Biology 1110 General Biology. Each of the three courses are introductory level courses in the math, English, and science subject. The study also included statistical analysis on gender as related to student performance outcomes.

The findings presented of this research showed a significant relationship between teaching modality and …

Diversity In Beauty Brand Marketing On Instagram: The Case Of Fenty Beauty, Julia K. Narh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Diversity in beauty brand marketing is increasingly important as platforms like Instagram shape consumer perceptions. This study analyzes how Fenty Beauty, MAC Cosmetics, and L’Oréal represent diversity, particularly skin tone, in their Instagram content, using source credibility theory and social identity theory. A content analysis was conducted to evaluate how visual elements relate to engagement, measured by likes, comments, and shares. Findings show that Fenty Beauty features more dark-skinned models than its competitors. However, posts with darker-skinned models do not receive higher engagement. Instead, factors like model attractiveness and hair type, especially curly hair, drive interaction. Although Fenty’s posts generally …

Investigating The Role Of The Hypocretin/Orexin System In A Novel Model Of Polysubstance Dependence, Tyler Zarin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Substance use disorders (SUD) in the United States are steadily increasing. Potent and dangerous substances such as methamphetamine (MA) and fentanyl (FEN) are often co-used as a polysubstance (POLY), either intentionally or unknowingly as FEN is a common adulterant. SUD is characterized by physiological and psychological dependence involving the negative reinforcement of anhedonia and withdrawal which drive hypermotivated drug-taking behaviors. Current theory suggests that recruitment of hypocretin/orexin (HCRT) neuropeptide in reward and stress associated brain regions contributes to drug dependence. Despite strong evidence for HCRT’s role in mono-drug dependence, a relevant model for POLY dependence has yet to be developed, …

Intraspecific Genetic Variation In Green Salamanders (Aneides Aeneus) At Bays Mountain Park, Brianna Drake

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Accurate taxonomy is crucial for conserving vulnerable cryptic species like the green salamander (Aneides aeneus) in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Prior studies identified three distinct lineages within the A. aeneus complex: Northern Appalachians, Southern Appalachians, and Blue-Ridge Escarpment. One previously collected sample indicated green salamanders in northeast Tennessee fit within the Northern lineage. The present study uses molecular data of A. aeneus at Bays Mountain Park (BMP) in Kingsport, Tennessee, to determine where the BMP population fits within these lineages. It was hypothesized that individuals from BMP belong in the northern lineage. Tail tips were collected from thirty-four …

Cranial Ontogeny Of The Extinct Dwarf Tapir Tapirus Polkensis; With Comparison To That Of The Extant Tapirus Bairdii (Tapiridae, Perissodactyla), Johannah Orendorff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tapirus polkensis is the smallest known species of tapir to ever live, and the largest deposit of their fossils is currently located at the GFS in Gray, TN. Phylogenetics suggest that the extant T. bairdii may be the sister taxon to T. polkensis, although they differ greatly in their morphology. Variation exists among adult T. polkensis specimens, with patterns not present in T. bairdii. For this study, as series of 2D GMAs, with TPSs, were rendered on 10 skulls of T. polkensis and 48 skulls of T. bairdii, across both species’ ontogenetic series. Analyses confirmed that growth …

Drinking Out Of The Fire Hydrant: Educators’ Perceptions Of Well-Being In A Teacher Preparation Program, Corey P. Wolfe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The process of becoming a teacher is complex, multi-layered, and often high-stakes. Teacher preparation programs are designed to equip prospective teachers with the foundational skills and knowledge needed for a successful teaching career. In addition to pursuing the academic degree in education, future teachers must meet credentialing and licensure expectations. Because of these expectations, novice teachers are often met with profound feelings of stress and anxiety. The purpose of this research exploration was designed to investigate elementary educators’ perceptions of well-being during their senior year in a pre-service teacher preparation program. Using a qualitative research design, six educators were interviewed …

Investigation Into Mycorrhizae Associated With Native Venus' Flytrap Root Tissue, Anna Carnaggio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dionaea muscipula, a plant commonly known as the Venus' flytrap, is found native to the southeast corner of North Carolina and the northeast corner of South Carolina. Several populations of native Venus' flytraps are known to exist in the nutrient-poor peat bog conditions in and around Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve (LOBHP) in Northeastern South Carolina. Anthropogenic pressures in Horry County, specifically surrounding LOBHP, have resulted in a loss of habitat for several native and endangered species. As a result, conservation efforts are focused on relocating native Venus' flytraps into adjacent habitats to ensure survival. This is only a temporary …