Digital Commons Network^™

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, …

Wide Screen With Critical Essay "Translating A Poetry Of Cinema"., James L. Richie Iv

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation combines the creative task of translating Víctor Cabrera’s poetry collection WIDE SCREEN (2009) from Spanish into English with a critical study that analyzes the volume to highlight the uniqueness of his writing, the importance of translating such a work for an Anglophone audience, and the challenges that occur in translating this complex collection. Moreover, Cabrera’s writing engages with a variety of cultural works in ways that challenge preconceived notions of language, culture, and medium. The poetry in WIDE SCREEN draws inspiration from the films of American filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, while frequently putting these films into dialogue with works …

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 …

Musical Influence And Propaganda During The Russian-Ukrainian War., Kamil Józef Pedziwiatr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the role of music as a tool of influence and propaganda during the Russian-Ukrainian war, examining its progression both in Ukraine and Russia from the beginning of the conflict to the present. The study traces how music has been employed by both nations to influence and shape public perception, reinforce national identity, and advance political agendas. In Ukraine, music has become a medium for resistance and solidarity. Ukrainian artists bring back the traditions of the Kobzari, the wandering minstrels of Ukrainian folklore, who used song to communicate stories of resistance, national pride and important historical events. Today, …

Contesting The City Through Sustainability Discourse: A Joint Archival And Interview Analysis Of City Planning In Louisville, Kentucky., Calvin Grant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sustainability is a part of a global discourse cast as a universal, technocratic solution to the climate crisis in need of a receptive public and active local adaptation. In many cases, language espousing sustainable development ideals and policy implementation promotes a perspective of scientific neutrality that overlooks socio-politically grounded discourses. This joint archival and interview-centered discourse analysis demonstrates that official sustainability discourse in Louisville’s Comprehensive Plan 2040 was produced through a carefully moderated consensus among planners and select stakeholders. Such consensus prioritizes the perspectives and agency of policy experts, business leaders, and others who have “recognized speech” of authority, while …

Movement On The Ladder: The Lesbian Avant-Garde In America., Sarah Melloy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project examines the role of the periodical magazine in artistic production of avant-garde ideology, focusing on the ability of print as a medium to distribute poetry, art, literature and discourse of the avant-garde in an underground manner. More specifically, it places the earliest American lesbian periodical, The Ladder, in conversation with the surrealist magazine, Minotaure and the New York Dadaist magazine, Blind Man in order to examine the overlaps in how each publication functioned within their respective movements. I use this positioning to argue that The Ladder is as worthy of scholarly attention as the Surrealist and Dadaist …

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 …

The Voices Behind The Screen: Navigating The Politics Of Work-Time, Identity, Visibility, And Tokenism In The Workplace., John Douglas Broadus Jr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic has and continues to impact labor and work in numerous ways. As organizations began to adjust to the changes the COVID-19 pandemic brought on to how they operated, there arose a considerable amount of conflict regarding what work is and what work should be. Conflicts arose around issues of work/life balance, work-hour mismatch, health and wellbeing, self-autonomy, and individual vs. collective work, influencing how employee sees themselves, their work, and their role within the organization. This research study will focus on the culture of “work time” that is present within a public-sector organization and the various ways …

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 …

Thermal Characterization Of Lithium-Ion Batteries Under Fast Charging Conditions Using Infrared Imaging., Gowthaman Punithakumar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used across various industries due to their long lifespan, high energy density, low self-discharge rate, and absence of memory effect. However, fast charging of Li-ion batteries can cause problems like lithium plating, mechanical damage, and overheating. Temperature plays a key role in battery performance. Measuring temperature accurately is important to improve battery life, efficiency, and safety. However, accurately measuring a battery's internal temperature remains challenging, and the appropriate measurement method depends on factors like range, accuracy, resolution, and cost. Choosing the right temperature measurement method depends on range, accuracy, resolution, and cost. In this study, we …

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 …

Engineering Solutions For The Transplant Supply Gap: Social Network Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, And Optimization In Living Kidney Donation., Joshua Nielsen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Kidney transplantation is the gold standard for treating end-stage renal disease, yet over 90,000 patients remain on the transplant waitlist. This dissertation introduces engineering-driven solutions to help reduce the transplant supply gap by addressing three challenges: illicit trafficking, donor recruitment, and evaluation inefficiencies. First, we model illicit organ trafficking networks using social network analysis. We demonstrate that targeting transplant clinics alone is insufficient to disrupt operations. Instead, disrupting the network requires detaining brokers who organize behind-the-scenes logistics—offering a more effective strategy for intervention. Second, we seek to identify a latent population of potential living donors who face barriers such as …

Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior In Higher Education: Examining Its Prevalence And Correlates, Kacie N. Lancaster

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of non-suicidal self-injurious behavior (NSSIB) among college students has notably escalated despite advancements in mental health treatment. NSSIB is defined as intentional destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent. There is a growing need to understand NSSIB in the context of college students who experience unique stressors that influence their mental health. This study (1) determined the prevalence of non-suicidal self-injurious behavior among an undergraduate college student sample, (2) examined the relationship between NSSIB and sociodemographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status), (3) examined the relationship between NSSIB and the variables of psychiatric comorbidity, history of trauma, and …

5g Network Slice Vulnerabilities And Exploit Chaining Through Enablers, John Breeden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Network slicing provides fundamental support for the enhanced features of 5G. Network slicing enablers, such as software-defined networking and network function virtualization facilitate the separation of the physical distributed infrastructures and the functions that create isolated slices. With this framework, the network slice is no longer under the control of a single entity. Multiple infrastructure providers share responsibility for the slice. The 5G architecture derives from multiple services, distributed over great distances, and managed by multiple parties. Each enabler and provider adds vulnerability to network slicing. We examine the interweaving of these enablers to identify vulnerabilities, discuss potential mitigation, and …

Investigating Exoneration Patterns Among Juveniles, Kristin Mahan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Exoneration from crime has been studied among adults, but exoneration of juveniles (i.e., persons under age 18) has not been analyzed as a separate entity, despite distinct legal systems and developmental considerations. Wrongful conviction, while not always indicative of innocence, devastates lives of convicted individuals and their families, while increasing public mistrust and sometimes failing to convict truly guilty individuals. This devastation, as well as vulnerability to wrongful conviction, is significantly increased for youth who miss out on crucial developmental years, milestones, and opportunities.

In the current study, I examined differing and intersecting contributors (i.e., individual characteristics, crime characteristics, legal …

An Assessment Of The Effects Of Indirect Consultation In Improving Quality Of Life For Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Sarah Michele Russell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Seventeen percent of the total population of children are living with an intellectual / developmental disability (IDD), and while resources and therapeutic interventions are accessible during early childhood years, they often cease after turning 21 years old. As a result, many adults with IDD do not acquire the skills necessary to live independently and sustain employment or meaningful relationships, impacting their independence and quality of life. The purpose of this study is to understand how self-management training (in the form of indirect consultation) for adults with IDD influence independence and socially significant behavior in relation to quality of life. The …

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, …

Car Price Prediction Using Machine Learning: Analyzing The Dvm-Car Dataset, Yaman Abu Ghareebaih

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study is to predict car prices using machine learning models and the DVM-CAR dataset, which includes over 1.4 million images and car specifi- cations from 899 car models. Key factors such as mileage, engine power, and year of registration were analyzed for their correlation with car prices. Extensive data cleaning was performed, including filling missing values, identifying outliers, and normalizing numerical variables. Discrete variables like car make and body type were encoded using one-hot encoding. Linear relationships were analyzed with Multiple Logistic Regression, and Random Forest models were used for nonlinear patterns. Model performance was evaluated …

Not Just A Good Ole Boys Club: Studying The Personal, Performance, And Professional Roles Of Women In Bluegrass, Lydia Hamby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates gender disparities in professional bluegrass music. Through a mixed methods approach, combining quantitative data from festival lineups and qualitative interviews with six professional female bluegrass musicians, this research provides a comprehensive view of gender dynamics in the industry. The quantitative analysis of eight major festivals in the Appalachian region reveals that women comprise on 8.87% of performers on average, indicating systemic exclusion. Qualitative data from interviews and participant observations at Blue Highway Fest explores the social and institutional practices that sustain these disparities, revealing roles such as the “singer girl” sex appeal, manager, and token female. This …

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 …

An Ethnographic Study: The Influence Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy On Student Agency, Gerald D. Smith Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study aimed to investigate and analyze the methods and practices of teaching within urban educational settings, with a specific focus on the culturally relevant practices that should be integrated into the learning experiences for Black learners. The primary goal was to highlight the necessity for educators within urban educational settings to adopt a culturally relevant pedagogy within their context that promotes higher academic excellence and meaningful learning experiences for Black students through the cultivation of agency. Using an ethnography qualitative research design, the study worked to answer two questions: RQ1: What culturally relevant pedagogical practices are used to …

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 …

Knowledge And Perceptions About Feeding And Growth In Infants And Young Children Among Early Interventionists, Kayla Chambers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nutrition plays a vital role in early childhood, where rapid growth and development occur. This study investigates Early Interventionists’ (EIs) nutrition knowledge and perceptions of nutrition-related concerns in children receiving services through the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS). An electronic survey was distributed to EIs in Tennessee to assess their nutrition knowledge and perceptions and to identify nutrition concerns. Findings revealed that most EIs have never received any nutrition education, despite being asked for nutrition guidance by families and being open to nutrition-related training. The EIs reported seeing nutrition concerns such as growth delays, food refusal, and picky eating, but …

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 …

Acute Metabolic, Physiological, And Perceptual Responses To Different Set And Rep Schemes In The Back Squat, Shawn Wayland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of ecologically valid schemes of sets and repetitions in the back squat during the bout and into recovery. Such understanding is expected to contribute to knowledge of the strength-endurance continuum and differential responses to various training emphases in practical settings. Eleven participants completed back squat protocols consisting of a warm-up followed by either 3 x 2 at 90% of 1RM, 3 x 5 at 82.5% of 1RM, and 3 x 10 at 62.5% of 1RM in a randomized and counterbalanced design. VO2, heart rate (HR), lactate, and RPE were …

Peer-Led Support Groups For People With Early Onset Parkinson's Disease, Linnea Tabaka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Early onset Parkinson’s Disease (EOPD) is a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease when diagnosed between the ages of 21 and 50. This population faces unique challenges due to family, social, and career demands that correlate with the age of diagnosis. Support groups have been utilized frequently for people with traditional PD and their caregivers but may not meet the unique needs people with EOPD face. This study explores the existing benefits of a peer-led support group (group led by members of the group) for persons with EOPD. Methodology: This is a qualitative case study of an established support …