Digital Commons Network^™

Fungal Biotransformation Of Thin Stillage And Soybean Hulls And Bacterial Production Of Lysine In Ethanol Industry Co-Products, Bhawana Khadka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Thin stillage (TS) and whole stillage (WS) are major by-products of the corn ethanol industry. These by-products are generated in large quantities and contain nutrients that remain after yeast fermentation. Current industrial utilization of these by-products involves a series of downstream processing steps such as centrifugation and evaporation, which are energy-intensive and often result in nutrient losses. Traditionally, these by-products are dried to produce distillers dried grains with solubles. In this study, microbial fermentation was investigated as an alternative bioprocessing tool to expand the utilization of these by-products. The first objective was to explore the upcycling of TS, both alone …

Characterization Of Major Foliar Fungal Species Affecting Cucurbits In South Dakota, Janani Perera Waduwarage Dona

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cucurbit crops comprise the largest area in vegetable production in South Dakota (USDA 2022). Information on the prevalence, distribution, and fungicide sensitivity of their fungal pathogens are unknown. This study characterized the major foliar fungal species affecting cucurbits in South Dakota through a 2-year, state-wide survey. Between 2023 and 2024, 789 leaves were recovered from pumpkin, cucumber, watermelon, squash, and bottle gourd. Alternaria spp. (70.72% of leaves) Fusarium spp. (6.84%), Podosphaera xanthii (4.18%), both Alternaria spp. and Fusarium spp. (3.42%), and both Alternaria spp. and Podosphaera xanthii (1.90%), Stagonosporopsis spp. (1.27%) and other genera of fungi (4.94%) were identified using …

Evaluation Of Soil Microbiome And Edaphic Factors In Response To Nitrogen Fertilizer Application In Western South Dakota Croplands, Riya Jain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Spatiotemporal Habitat Use, Sex-Specific Movement, And Site Fidelity Of Walleye In Lake Sharpe, Sd, Carter S. Dollen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Walleye Sander vitreus are a popular sportfish among anglers in South Dakota with large economic impacts to local communities. A popular destination for Walleye anglers is Lake Sharpe, a 25,000-ha reservoir on the Missouri River, in central South Dakota. Gill net catches in Lake Sharpe show high annual variation, prompting concern that gill net catch rates may be poorly related to population abundance. A better understanding of Walleye movement and distribution could lead to increased precision in annual abundance estimates and improved active management that increases angler success. The goals of this study were: 1) determine spatiotemporal movement patterns of …

Quantitative Assessment And Validation Of Thermal Profiles In The Protodune-Ii Horizontal Drift Detector Using Computational Fluid Dynamics, Hunter Wallster

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) aims to advance understanding of neutrino properties using large liquid Argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs). The ProtoDUNE-II Horizontal Drift (HD) detector, constructed at CERN in Switzerland, serves as 1:20 scale prototype to validate design and operational parameters for DUNE’s Far Detectors. Accurate prediction of cryostat thermal behavior is critical to predicting liquid Argon purity distributions and detector performance, motivating the development of a validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. This research extends previous work at South Dakota State University by constructing a higher-fidelity CFD simulation of ProtoDUNE-II HD using Siemens Simcenter StarCCM+® 19.04.007. Geometry …

Distributed Energy Resources (Der) Capacity Estimation With Spatiotemporal Downscaling For Transmission And Distribution Coordination, Abhilasha Suvedi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this thesis is to accurately estimate the capacity of distributed energy resources (DERs) using the spatiotemporally downscaled local solar irradiance for their efficient integration into transmission-level grid operations. Accurate estimation of DER capacity is crucial for their enhanced integration into real-time electricity markets. Different methods of spatiotemporally downscaling the solar irradiance are presented in this thesis, followed by their integration into the 12 house distribution network – a low voltage residential distribution system. Grid support functions (GSFs) like Volt-Watt Control, Volt-VAR control, and Frequency-Watt Control are applied to effectively regulate the frequency and maintain the voltage …

Optimizing Hypersonic Scramjets: A Numerical Study Of Fuel Type And Cavity Flameholder Design Impacts On Supersonic Combustion, Delaney Baumberger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents recommendations for optimizing hypersonic scramjets via a numerical study focusing on fuel type and cavity flameholder design and the impacts they have on supersonic combustion. The research is divided into two main investigations aimed at improving scramjet engine efficiency using two distinct geometrical configurations, a square cavity engine and an axisymmetric cavity engine. Each configuration is examined under Mach 2 inflow conditions to assess the role of geometric variation and fuel selection on combustion stability, flameholding, and overall performance. The first study focuses on a comparative assessment of hydrogen and ethylene as scramjet fuels to evaluate their …

Quantifying Avian And Vegetation Communities On Agricultural Conservation Easement Wetlands In Eastern South Dakota, Katherine Millman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Prairie Pothole Region of eastern South Dakota contains numerous small depressional wetlands, colloquially known as potholes, that provide important ecosystem services, including water storage, water quality improvement, and wildlife habitat. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) was established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to protect and restore wetlands and grasslands on private land through easements such as Wetland Reserve Easements. Although ACEP requires management practices intended to maintain or improve habitat quality, few studies have evaluated their effectiveness at supporting wildlife communities and vegetation integrity. To address this gap, we evaluated wetlands at 30 ACEP sites and 20 …

Enhancing Alfalfa Persistence In Rangelands: Evaluating Morphological Traits Of Medicago Sativa Subsp. Falcata Germplasm, Abdulallah Mohammed Alomair

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rangelands cover nearly half of the Earth’s surface, representing about 54% (79 million km2), and occur in different types and climates worldwide. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a major component in rangelands and covers about (320 thousand km2), representing about 0.4% of total global rangeland area. As a critical perennial legume crop, alfalfa can improve soil health by fixing approximately 336 kg/ha/year of nitrogen and sequestering up to 614 kg/ha/year of carbon, while enhancing livestock production due to its high content level of vitamins, magnesium, minerals, fiber, and protein. However, environmental stresses such as drought, freezing, and grazing limit alfalfa …

Extended Days On Feed: Influences On Growth Performance, Efficiency, And Carcass Characteristics Of Steers And Heifers Of Different Proportions Of Angus And Limousin Genetics, Grace Henley Olinger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recently, cattle feeders have extended days on feed (DOF) resulting in hot carcass weights (HCW) exceeding the limits of existing serial slaughter datasets. This study's goal was to determine the impact extended DOF exerts on growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics of steers and heifers with varying proportions of Angus (AN) and Limousin (LM) genetics. In 2022, commercial AN cows from two MT ranches were artificially inseminated to 9 sires from 3 breeds (AN, LM, and Limflex (LF)) with parentage confirmed by DNA. In 2023, 216 calves (sired by 72 AN, 73 LF, and 71 LM; 105 steers and …

Formulation And Immunogenicity Of L1 Orf1 Mrna Vaccine In Mice, Raj Nandani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents the design, formulation, and immunogenicity evaluation of a novel mRNA vaccine targeting the L1 ORF1p protein, a tumor-associated antigen. The vaccine was synthesized using in vitro transcription and encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), with both unmodified uridine and N1-methylpseudouridine variants tested. Physicochemical characterization confirmed optimal particle size (160–220 nm), acceptable zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency ranging from 74% to 92%, with preserved RNA integrity post-formulation. These results validate the robustness of the formulation workflow and its suitability for antigen delivery. Immunogenicity studies in C57BL/6 mice revealed modest but promising immune responses. While early activation markers (CD69) and …

Effect Of Seed Orientation And Starter Fertilizer Placement In Corn Development, Indu Acharya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The orientation of corn (Zea mays L.) seeds during planting and the strategic placement of starter fertilizers represents two management practices that could potentially influence crop performance. Seed orientation may affect emergence, leaf architecture and light interception patterns, while starter fertilizers aim to enhance early season nutrient availability and seedling vigor. This research explored how these practices, independently and in combination, might shape corn development from emergence through harvest. We conducted field studies in 2022 and 2023 to investigate the impact of seed orientation, starter fertilizer placement and their interaction on corn seedling emergence, crop development, leaf direction and grain …

No Neutral Ground: Sports Political Ideology In The 1936 Olympic Games, Lea Zeitler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

By using literary and cinematic narratives to explore changing cultural and ideological positions, my thesis demonstrates how the 1936 Berlin Olympics became a defining event of the intersection of sports and politics. Through analyzing Leni Riefenstahl’s Olympia, Richard Mandell’s The Nazi Olympics, and Elise Hooper’s Fast Girls, I show how distinct historical circumstances inform understandings of race, gender, and nationalism. The Berlin Games, used by the Third Reich as a platform for Nazi propaganda, stand as an example of how international sporting events become battlegrounds for ideological struggles and political messaging. This thesis argues that these narratives are not just …

Advances In General Relativistic Simulations Of Neutron Stars, Ananya Adhikari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasingly improving gravitational wave (GW) detectors with progressively lower signal-to-noise ratios will provide GW signal data with higher accuracy. They will also detect GW signals from compact body coalescence (CBC) events, such as binary neutron star (BNS) mergers, more frequently. This, in turn, poses a two-fold challenge to the numerical relativity community: generating numerical relativity simulations with greater accuracy at greater speed and performing tailored simulations to investigate observed GW events post-fact. Towards addressing the first challenge, we present here a new hybrid spatial differentiation scheme that combines a discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method highly efficient at handling smooth fields with …

Essays On Entrepreneurial Funding In The Era Of Fintech Innovation, Robert S. Reardon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Equity crowdfunding introduces a contemporary framework for the longstanding practice of aggregating capital from diverse groups of investors, ranging from small individual contributors to large, accredited participants. Specialized digital platforms facilitate this capital assembly process by intermediating transactions between entrepreneurs seeking financing and investors, who receive financial securities in return for their contributions. This fundraising mechanism gained prominence in the United States following the implementation of Title III of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act in 2016, which established regulatory frameworks permitting companies to publicly solicit investments online from diverse investor pools.

While equity crowdfunding has expanded capital accessibility, …

Exploring A Modern Deep Learning Technique For Wetland Mapping And Monitoring Using Worldview-2 Satellite Products, Mizanur Rahman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wetlands play a significant role in the world’s hydrology, climate, and biodiversity. Even with the benefits and values wetlands provide to the environment, they have been undergoing loss and degradation due to natural and anthropogenic processes. To protect wetlands from loss and degradation and to restore their function, it is essential to develop a sustainable wetland monitoring system. One of the key elements of a wetland monitoring system is wetland mapping. This dissertation research developed an object-based deep learning protocol for mapping heterogeneous wetlands with many communities from a high-resolution WV-2 satellite image. To test this developed protocol, an object-based …

Motherhood: An Orphan Of American Politics A Comparative Analysis Of State Actors As Institutions, Kristina Ramskyte-Juszczak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The political geography of America is relatively unique in the world: the United States is a powerful and wealthy country, but also consists of sub-national actors that retain significant legal powers within their own borders. The political actors in America, at both this smaller level and at the larger Federal level, have uniquely strong institutional power to shape the social and civic life of their citizens. Despite their absolute significance to the survival of their societies, mothers and mothers’ rights have largely been ignored or taken second place to other political issues. As many countries in Europe and other regions …

Embodied Liminality: The Ritual-Drama Nexus In Pan-Tribal Native American Dance And Theatrical Performances, Oscar Pereira

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the intersection of ritual, drama, and liminality in pantribal Native American dance performances, emphasizing embodied liminality as a performative process shaping cultural continuity, identity transformation, and communal reinforcement.

Using an interdisciplinary methodology that integrates archival research, visual anthropology, and qualitative analysis, this study investigates three case studies: (1) the Ghost Dance movement as a liminal ritual of resistance and cultural revitalization; (2) pan-tribal powwows as sites of embodied liminality and cultural revitalization, and (3) contemporary Native American theater, analyzing theatrical plays through the lens of liminality, visual anthropology, theater and performance methodologies.

Examining embodied liminality in historical …

Groundwater Variability Under Climate Change: Influence Of Precipitation, Evapotranspiration And Sea Level Rise, Anushi Obeysekera

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Expected changes to climate, including longer and drier periods of drought, extreme rainfall events, increased temperatures, and sea level rise, are expected to significantly impact groundwater conditions in the surficial aquifer system, especially along coastlines. A coupled model approach was used linking an Evapotranspiration (ET)-Recharge model to SEAWAT to highlight groundwater variability across an area of interest. The ET-Recharge model is used to develop groundwater recharge and maximum potential groundwater ET based on rainfall and Reference ET scenarios. Groundwater recharge and maximum potential groundwater ET are then used as input into a SEAWAT model to assess changes in groundwater levels …

Mblac1 Knockout Mice: Behavioral Modeling Of A Novel Risk Factor In Alzheimer's Disease, Cara Melillo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves progressive cognitive decline, with mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and copper (Cu) imbalance implicated in its pathogenesis. MBLAC1 has been identified as a risk factor for AD in individuals with comorbid cardiovascular disease (AD-CVD). Its C. elegans ortholog, swip-10, regulates Cu ion homeostasis and mitochondrial function. To investigate MBLAC1’s role, we examined behavioral phenotypes in Mblac1 knockout (KO) mice and tested the efficacy of the Cu chaperone elesclomol (ES). Male KO mice exhibited deficits in novel object recognition (NOR), which were rescued by ES treatment. Female KOs showed increased anxiety-like behavior in the Elevated Plus …

The Souls Of Black Ghosts: Centering Intergenerational Trauma Of Black Americans From Harriet Tubman To Beloved, Jasmine Mccray

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Intergenerational trauma is being debated and researched in fields such as neuroscience and sociology, and yet many question whether one can genuinely feel the negative effects of a lived experience from a distant ancestor. This project aims to raise awareness on the attempts at erasing Harriet Tubman’s heritage through scholarship on her disability, and to highlight the presence of intergenerational trauma (as defined by Dr. DeGruy’s observations in Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome) in Toni Morrison’s Beloved. I note the ripple effects of chattel slavery in the United States seen in the consciousness and unconsciousness of Black Americans within a …

Gendered Violence And Identities: Exploring The Role Of Violence Against And Abductions Of Women In Cracking India And Lajwanti, Erin Mammel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This article argues that representations of women’s bodies as symbols of honor during the partition of India and Pakistan in Bapsi Sidhwa’s Cracking India and Rajinder Singh Bedi’s Lajwanti frame violence against these bodies, and forced conversions and marriages, as forms of dishonor among religious rivals within split territories, which attempt to uphold men’s nationalistic identities. Many scholars, such as Rachna Mehra and Rituparna Roy, have studied the displacement of recovered and rehabilitated women in these texts. There has been less scholarship, however, that explores gendered forms of violence with Hindu nationalist notions of masculinity. Through the lens of postcolonial …

Experimental Characterization Of Power Generation Of A Small Wind Turbine With Variable Ducted Geometry, Robert S. Gaudreau

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wind turbines provide renewable energy but must be installed at suitable locations to maximize power generation. Applying duct geometry to wind turbines can increase output power, allowing for the integration into urban applications where space is limited, and visual pollution must be minimized. Therefore, the objective was to determine the change in output power for a wind turbine with variable area ducting comprised of a converging inlet nozzle and a diverging outlet diffuser. Parametric studies of 3D-printed models were conducted in a low-speed wind tunnel at 5 m/s to determine the optimal duct angle and area ratio with the greatest …

Whispers From The Islands Preserving And Reinterpreting Caribbean Myths Through Augmented Narratives, Tatyanna Gay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the role of design as a contemporary medium for preserving, reinterpreting, and disseminating Caribbean cultural myths through visual storytelling. Focusing on using Augmented Reality (AR) and paper sculpture, this research examines how immersive technologies can bridge the gap between oral traditions and digital innovation to safeguard intangible heritage. Centering Caribbean folklore, specifically myths such as the Chickcharney, the Lusca, and the La Diablesse, this work analyzes these stories' historical, symbolic, and social functions within Caribbean identity formation and collective memories.

Drawing on interdisciplinary frameworks from mythology studies, design history, and visual culture, the project investigates how AR …

The Interaction Of Temporal And Structural Abstractions And Their Influence On Behavior, Ryan Gallagher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a crucial role in complex behaviors such as planning, decision-making, and adaptive problem-solving, which require integrating new information over time. Research has shown that information related to these behaviors is organized along a hierarchical rostro-caudal abstraction gradient in PFC, with abstract information represented in rostral (anterior) regions and concrete relationships in caudal (posterior) regions. Abstraction involves generalizing information by emphasizing broader concepts over specific details and can be understood more specifically by the context its applied to. However, past studies often confound different forms of abstraction, making it unclear how these different types of abstraction …

Methods To Improve The Computational Efficiency And Accuracy Of Second-Order Elastic Steel Frame Analyses, Nadine Faramawi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper investigates the derivation and performance of new stiffness coefficients. The estimated coefficients aimed to improve the geometric stiffness matrix representation and their application in elastic second-order analysis for steel frames. The newly developed (C1-C4) coefficients incorporate non-linear effects and reduce computational efforts to efficiently enhance the accuracy of second-order analysis. These coefficients are particularly beneficial for braced structures where they allow more refined analysis using fewer elements per member, especially as the load applied to the frame approaches the critical buckling load. However, for cases of unbraced frames, using these approximated coefficients showed no significant advantages in comparison …

Commissioning Of Electron Blocks In Monaco And Diode Correction Factors, Sadaa Alotaibi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work examines the Elekta Monaco TPS Monte Carlo electron beam dose calculation model for electron treatment planning. The primary goals are to commission electron blocks and establish correction factors for diode measurements with the use of ion chamber output as references, improving dosimetric procedures and adhering to the AAPM for clinically acceptable precision. Output factor measurements of diodes were compared to ion chamber OFs on a 6 MeV to 15 MeV Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator. TPS calculations were held on the Monaco TPS system. To balance the computational costs and accuracy of the solution, grid sizes of 2 …

Applications Of Deep Learning And Signal Processing In Acoustics, Oceanography, And Biometrics, Ali Abdulmajeed Altaher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines multidisciplinary methods in marine research, computational modeling, and artificial intelligence. This dissertation tackles significant issues in ecological monitoring, ocean dynamics forecasting, and assistive technology via three independent but interrelated research streams.

The first study examines the localization and distribution of marine organisms along Florida’s East Coast via passive acoustic monitoring methods. The research analyzed more than 65,000 audio recordings to delineate the geographical distribution of several marine creatures, such as black drum, toadfish, Sei whales, North Atlantic right whales, dolphins, and false killer whales. A novel automated detection and localization model was developed, using an adaptive matching …

The Rise And Resilience Of Women Of Color Executives In Nonprofit Organizations: A Phenomenological Study Of Systemic Barriers, Support Systems And Leadership Identity, Nicole Edwards

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of women of color executive leaders in nonprofit organizations, focusing on perceptions of systemic barriers, support systems, and leadership identity. Using a mixed-methods, phenomenological design, data were collected from 31 women of color (N = 31) through a Likert-type survey and from six women (n = 6) selected for semi-structured interviews.

Quantitative analysis revealed that perceived systemic barriers significantly predicted leadership identity (p = .013), while support systems did not. Further analysis uncovered a significant positive correlation between positional status and perceived support (r = .39, p = .050), indicating …

Exploring Undergraduate Students’ Use Of Mental Health Applications: A Phenomenological Study, Chelsea D. Fullilove

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological dissertation explored undergraduate students' lived experiences of using mental health mobile apps, AI, and other technology to manage mental health symptoms. The research focused on exploring three research questions: (a) perceptions of app effectiveness, usability, and features; (b) barriers and integration into mental health care routines; and (c) influences of privacy, peer influence, cultural backgrounds, and personal beliefs on app use.

Data were collected via purposive sampling through semi-structured interviews (N=12), each consisting of 15 open-ended questions, with students using a mental health app to improve their mental health. The interpretive data analysis was conducted by …