Digital Commons Network^™

Seasonal Dynamics Of The Introduced Sponge Hymeniacidon Perlevis In The Elkhorn Slough, California, Usa, Jackson Hoeke

Master's Theses

Hymeniacidon perlevis is a cosmopolitan sponge with a seasonal life cycle We investigated seasonal and interannual dynamics of H. perlevis in Elkhorn Slough estuary, where it is an introduced species, and explored correlations between sponge cover and environmental conditions. We used sponge cover to estimate the potential effects H. perlevis on its environment and how those could vary across its seasonal life cycle. We found that successful recruitment is currently restricted to the upper estuary and while it varies annually, the frequency and density of sponge recruits have generally increased from 2007 to 2023. A seasonal life cycle was confirmed …

“Lovely Is The Hillside” An Ecocritical Analysis Of The Narrative Function Of Setting Elements In Njal’S Saga, Michelle Fae Jones

Master's Theses

This paper uses an ecocritical lens to examine the portrayal of Iceland’s physical environment in Njal’s Saga. Drawing on historical and scientific context, this paper applies the ecocritical lens using an interdisciplinary approach to explore how the author crafted a narrative that idealizes Iceland’s Saga Age, selectively highlighting aspects of the environment that align with a vision of the land’s fertility and the people’s honor. This paper seeks to uncover the nuances of the author’s portrayal through a comparative analysis of four English translations of the saga. Applying the ecocritical lens allows for a deeper discussion of the implications for …

Willingness To Report Sexual Victimization Through Formal And Informal Routes And The Correlation To Victim’S Race, Sexual Orientation, And Gender Identity, Tara Diltz

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to understand the impact, if any, that holding marginalized identities has on the willingness to report sexual victimization to law enforcement, Title IX offices, and informal support routes. This study examines the various factors that may influence one’s willingness to report sexual victimization through both formal and informal routes. Formal routes include law enforcement and Title IX, while informal routes involve the self-disclosure of victimization to families, friends, or romantic partners. This research specifically explores how racial and ethnic identities, sexual orientation, and gender identity can influence an individual's perceived willingness to report sexual …

More Than Windows And Mirrors: Using Culturally Responsive Teaching In Conjunction With Project Based Learning, Victoria Dimarzio

Master's Theses

This qualitative action research project examined the connections between broadening students' cultural perspectives and student voice and choice while students explored how multicultural arrangements can be authentic and valuable to a student’s music education. The following research questions were

Q1 How do students perceive world music arrangements?

Q2 How will participation in this project impact students’ sense of belonging in music class?

Q3 How do musicians and music educators determine if arrangements are appropriate to use/perform?

The purpose of this study was to explore students' perception of world music arrangements, their sense of belonging in instrumental (band and orchestra) music …

The Effects Of An Acute Dose Of Cannabidiol On Health And Two-Mile Time Trial Performance, Elyssa Bell

Master's Theses

As more studies exploring the therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in both clinical and non-clinical populations continue to increase, there is a renewed interest in the ability of CBD to affect performance. In fact, many anecdotal reports in the media and online suggest that CBD may improve performance. Unfortunately, very few studies support these claims and research in the area is limited. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of an acute dose of CBD on anxiety symptoms, GI distress, heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), blood lactate (BL) rate of perceived …

Youtube Influencers In Bangladesh: Analyzing Message Strategies Of Sponsored Ads In Vlogs, Monira Begum

Master's Theses

Social media influencers, particularly YouTube influencers marketing emerged as a growing industry in Bangladesh. However, research on this topic is limited. This study effectively addresses this gap and following quantitative methods and content analysis, this study mainly examines Influencers and brand categories, the narration of sponsored brands in advertising, influencers’ interactivities, and engagement with the followers, and message strategies in ads employing Taylor’s six-segment message strategy wheel, advertising appeals, and message formats. Results indicate that influencers' dominant vlog content is entertainment, as well as technology as prevalent brand characteristics in the study.

Regarding the narration of the sponsored ads, this …

Promoting Greater Granularity In Climate Research: A Case Study Analyzing Perceptions Of Anthropogenic Climate Change Among Students, Faculty, And Staff At The University Of Southern Mississippi, Kelly Wegmann

Master's Theses

Anthropogenic climate change is a global concern that has the possibility to become the next world-altering event. While there is a substantial amount of scientific evidence proving its existence and harmful repercussions, there is still a lack of belief in its occurrence within the United States. This research uses survey data obtained from the University of Southern Mississippi to provide an understanding at a local scale of how both physical and psychological aspects bridge a gap in perception research.

With the use of previous research done by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) and George Mason University Center …

On An Unshakeable Foundation: An Archaeological Investigation Of The Postemancipation Black Community Of Bass Street, The Church They Built, And The Lasting Identity They Formed In Nashville, Tennessee, Clélie Elizabeth Cottle Peacock

Master's Theses

The Bass Street Community lived along the northern base of St. Cloud Hill in Nashville, just below the Civil War-era Union fortification, Fort Negley. The fort was built and defended by conscripted free, enslaved, and self-emancipated Black/African Americans and soldiers from the U.S. Colored Troops; some of whom stayed, built residences, founded a church, and established a shared community identity. The objects they left behind reflect a time of transition in the postemancipation urban South.

The former Bass Street Community enclave is a subset of the Fort Negley archaeological site (40DV189). My thesis examines artifacts from the Bass Street Baptist …

Vaccines At The Intersection Of Religion And Politics, Charles Downey

Master's Theses

Vaccine hesitancy – a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite their availability – is a rising threat to global health and has increased in recent years in higher income countries. This is a complex phenomenon with the potential to undo decades of progress toward eradicating communicable diseases. The recent COVID-19 pandemic introduced a new wave of vaccine hesitancy, with evangelical Christians as leading actors in the movement away from vaccines in the United States. The present study investigated factors related to vaccine hesitancy and sources of health-related information among members of evangelical Christian churches in and around Hattiesburg, …

Investigating The Response Of The Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica) To Low Dissolved Oxygen Conditions, Abiola Obafemi

Master's Theses

The Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) requires dissolved oxygen (DO) of about 4 mg/L to support proper physiological function. Hypoxia and/or microxia occur when DO decreases to ≤ 2 mg/L. Salinity and temperature changes resulting from large-scale freshwater influx have been identified as key factors influencing the oyster populations in the Mississippi Sound. It is important to investigate the impacts of DO conditions on oyster mortality, biomass, size, and condition during these freshening events. Under controlled laboratory experiments, this thesis investigated 1) the response of oysters to microxic, hypoxic, and normoxic conditions 2) the response of oysters to combined hypoxia and …

Promoting Preschool Teachers’ Maintenance And Generalization Of Behavior-Specific Praise Through Multitiered Consultation, Claudia Abril Ochoa

Master's Theses

Teachers struggle to provide behavior-specific praise (BSP), which is associated with appropriate classroom management and decreases in student’s problem behavior. The current study used a multiple-baseline design across three Head Start teachers to test the effectiveness of the multitiered consultation model in increasing teachers’ BSP. The Head Start center provided a universal training in classroom management strategies, including BSP. Three teachers who were not implementing this strategy consistently (i.e., less than five instances in a 10-min observation) received Tier 2 supports including goal setting paired with a simple prompt. Data about teachers’ use of BSP was collected class-wide at a …

Assessing The Impacts Of Grazing By Piney Woods Cattle And Controlled Burning On The Herbaceous Layer In An East Gulf Coastal Plain Longleaf Pine Woodland, William Mcfarland

Master's Theses

Fire and grazing are two disturbances which influence vegetation composition and diversity in many ecosystems. In the southeastern United States, longleaf pine plant communities are adapted to frequent fires and are likely to have been grazed by bison in the past. Though bison have been extirpated from this region, Pineywoods Cattle, which were introduced by the Spanish in the 16^th Century, have been fulfilling a similar role in many of these communities. This study examines the effects that combined grazing and controlled burning have on plant diversity, biomass, and community similarity in a longleaf pine savanna in the East …

An Examination Of The Strong Start Intervention To Support The Pro-Social Behaviors In At-Risk Head Start Students, Merrick Mcevoy

Master's Theses

Children from lower-income and diverse families are at a higher risk for social-emotional and academic difficulties. Implementation of early childhood interventions plays a crucial role in the healthy development of children’s social-emotional development. Merrell’s Strong Kids (Merrell et al., 2009), a commonly used SEL class-wide intervention, facilitates learning of the five core SEL components through weekly lessons and has been shown to have long-term improvements on children’s internalizing symptoms, social and emotional knowledge, student-teacher relationships, prosocial behaviors, and is well received by teachers. The current study examined the efficacy of Strong Kids implemented as a one-on-one intervention, rather than a …

Projected Range Shift Of The Atlantic Surfclam, Spisula Solidissima, And The Ocean Quahog, Arctica Islandica, Under Climate-Induced Benthic Warming: Forecasting Fishery Influence In The Mid-Atlantic Bight Throughout The 21st Century, Molly Mae Spencer

Master's Theses

The Atlantic surfclam, Spisula solidissima, and ocean quahog, Arctica islandica, are biomass dominant bivalve species on the eastern North American continental shelf, both supporting lucrative commercial fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic with a combined value of $53.6 million in ex-vessel revenue per year. Rapid climate change is expected to modify the geographic range of these bivalve populations across the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB), suggesting transformative consequences for the surfclam fishery. This study forecasted future distributions of the two species from years 2016 – 2095, based on projected bottom water temperatures and a temperature-dependent population dynamics model, to project subsequent fishery-based indicators …

The Relationship Between Overparenting, Psychological Needs Satisfaction, And Alcohol Use On Risky Sexual Behavior, Melanie Prater

Master's Theses

Studies have shown college students to be vulnerable to negative outcomes, including engaging in risky alcohol use (Lewis et al., 2014; Kilwein & Looby, 2018; Cui et al., 2019) and risky sexual behavior (Dir et al, 2014; Trub & Stark, 2017; Kilwien & Looby, 2018). Understanding predictors and mediating variables associated with risky sexual behavior is one important means of improving prevention strategies. Parenting may be one variable associated with risky sex. Overparenting, a parenting style characterized by parental overinvolvement, has received recent attention due to its association with poor outcomes for adolescents and emerging adults, including an increased risk …

Effect Of Enzymatic Pretreatment On Biomethane Production From Olive Pomace, Ningjing Zhong

Master's Theses

In 2023, approximately 2.36 million metric tons of olive oil were produced globally. Olive pomace, a byproduct of the flesh and pits left after olive oil extraction, presents environmental challenges when used as landfill due to its high polyphenol and organic contents, or when combusted due to greenhouse gas emissions. Its potential as animal feed is limited, yet it holds promise for methane production via anaerobic digestion (AD), providing a source of renewable energy. However, the highly crystallized polysaccharides in olive pomace, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin, impede its conversion to methane, and the high polyphenol content inhibits methanogen …

Remembering, Forgetting, And Artifact Deposition In Late Prehistoric Florida, Andrew Bowen

Master's Theses

Material culture plays a fundamental role in memory processes. Artifacts are an important means of both connecting with and cutting ties with a real or imagined past. They can be reminders or symbols of connection to other people, places, things, powers, or memories, making them key components within networks and relations. The way materials are deposited or destroyed often follows specific customs or responds to environmental factors. Specific situations, like interactions with outside groups or socio-political changes, prompt particular depositional events. During the Mississippi period, such circumstances were prevalent throughout the Southeast. By treating artifacts in specific ways during deposition, …

Identifying New Potential Breeding Pond Sites For The Dusky Gopher Frog In Southern Mississippi, Shelbie Kellum

Master's Theses

The main objective of this thesis was to identify potential new pond sites across southern Mississippi for the critically endangered dusky gopher frog (DGF). Ephemeral ponds are the preferred breeding habitat for the species, but they are quite rare in the region due to the diminishment of the longleaf pine ecosystem. This research addresses gaps in the current literature by providing a broad overview of dusky gopher frog breeding habitat identification. LiDAR derived datasets as well as tools within ArcGIS Pro were utilized in order to perform spatial analysis on sites of interest in south Mississippi. By using this methodology …

Enhancing Refugee Resettlement And Displaced Population Support Through Elder Communities In The United States: A Model For Sustainable Solutions, Ponnaka Pok

Master's Theses

This thesis paper is inspired by the current world crisis of exploding numbers of refugees and the obstacles they face seeking somewhere to resettle. We present here an effort to address these pressing issues and to advocate for meaningful change. This paper explores the challenges and opportunities associated with refugee resettlement and displaced population issues in the United States. It investigates how Elder communities might play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges and offers a trial model for implement and continued development, and potentially for other countries and organizations to follow. This paper also has a secondary focus on …

Adaptable Quantum Education Platform Using Learning Objects, Krishna Puja Anumula

Master's Theses

In recent years, the need to make classroom learning more interactive and engaging has become increasingly important. The lack of workforce in interdisciplinary fields such as quantum networking and quantum internet requires a new approach that addresses every learner’s individual needs. To address this challenge, this thesis introduces an adaptive learning platform rooted in the theory of learning objects and Kolb’s experiential learning model. The platform aids educators and learners in designing and utilizing various learning objects for quantum networking and quantum internet.

The platform enables educators and learners to build their own lessons and lesson plans using learning objects …

Antimicrobials Produced By Ants: Chemical Properties And Microbe Specificity, Katy Chon

Master's Theses

Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern worldwide, and for over a decade, we have been witnessing the growth of difficult to treat infectious diseases caused by bacteria that are becoming resistant to antibiotics. This resistance can be mostly related to the misusing and improper use of antibiotics in both humans and animals. To restore this problem, humans have turned to new sources for the production of antibiotics. In this study, we focused on using ants. Social insects, including ants and bees, have faced strong disease pressures during their evolution and have developed a range of methods to fight …

Automated Concrete Bridge Deck Inspection Using Unmanned Aerial Systems Collected Data: A Machine Learning Approach, Rojal Pokhrel

Master's Theses

Many national infrastructures, particularly bridges, are becoming older and older day by day. Their safe operation and maintenance require routine monitoring and inspection. There are lots of bridge inspection specifications and manuals to guide inspectors to give the proper recommendations about the bridge structure and safety. These manuals and specifications require bridge inspectors to manually inspect the bridge and recommend maintenance and repair tasks referring to the specific criteria available in the manuals. In time, the application of technology makes many Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) advancements during the phase of data collection. For the image processing and analysis of collected …

Exploring The Relationships Between Food Insecurity, Wic Participation, Early Life Feeding Practices, Diversity Of Dietary Exposures, And Diet Quality In The First Two Years Of Life, Vivian M. Drewelow

Master's Theses

Diet quality during early childhood is a strong predictor of mental and physical outcomes, as well as future diet quality. Although many factors determine diet quality during childhood, food insecurity is a significant predictor of lower diet quality. On the other hand, participation in nutrition assistant programs, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a significant predictor of higher diet quality. In addition, specific feeding practices, including timing of complementary food and beverage (CFB) introduction, types of CFB introduced early, and diversity of dietary exposures (DD), in the first year may predict future …

Spatial And Abiotic Effects Of Urbanization On Small Mammal Communities, Bri Casement

Master's Theses

Urbanization, the phenomenon of increasing human population density and artificial structures, is known to decrease the richness, abundance, and diversity of native wildlife populations, fragment natural areas, and increase human and human-commensal animal interactions with wildlife. Dynamics of species persistence in habitat fragments is often understood in the framework of island biogeography theory (IBT), with habitat fragments being analogous to oceanic islands. Despite the conceptual similarities between oceanic islands in IBT and urbanized habitat fragments (fragment size, fragment age, and distance to immigration sources), there are important differences. In urban fragments, the matrix is not completely impassible, habitats within fragments …

Loverboy Rules: A Transtheoretical Exploration Of Andy Bernard's Failed Masculinity, Jessie Marta Olstad

Master's Theses

NBC's U.S adaptation of The Office is one of the most well-known sitcoms to come out of modern television, surpassing its original British counterpart’s two seasons with its own nine. It is a representation, as well, of the time it aired (2005-2013), reflecting on the modern American workplace and the everyday person. Within it, The Office also reflected how society was constructed at the time with its humor surrounding gender, homosexuality, and race – as a tolerant but not welcoming atmosphere to people who were not white, heterosexual, men. More specifically, The Office presents multiple adaptations of masculinity to teach …

Neurogenomics Of Competition And Parental Care In A Socially Polyandrous Shorebird, Tessa Mathur Patton

Master's Theses

Despite sharing largely similar genomes, females and males of the same species exhibit morphological, physiological, and behavioral differences. Sex-role reversal stems from a unique case of sexual selection in which females compete for mates and males conduct the majority of parental duties. We examined the extent to which aggression and parenting may be mediated by different neurogenomic mechanisms by comparing females versus males in the northern jacana (Jacana spinosa), a sex-role reversed shorebird. We hypothesized that sex differences in neural transcriptomic profiles explain sexual dimorphism in behavior. We conducted RNA-Seq in two brain regions within the social behavior network: the …

Looking For Love: Motivations Of Dating App Usage In Millennials, Mel Ekins

Master's Theses

Dating applications (apps) have become a popular method for young adults to make romantic connections. The apps themselves are easy to use and sometimes are created to be “game-like” to entice people to want to utilize them. People can “match” with other users and strike up conversations. Extensive research has been conducted on motivations for dating and using the dating app Tinder. This study looks at users’ reasons for using Bumble, where little research has been done. This study focuses on millennials aged 26-42, whereas most other studies have focused on college students under 23. This study uses a mixed …

Digimindready: Enhancing Military Readiness Through Edge Ai-Driven Wellness, Education, And Digital Discipline Via Privacy-First Mhealth Innovation, Md Mehedi Hasan

Master's Theses

Military personnel often find themselves in intense situations that require high focus. Successfully engaging in these dangerous missions means they must efficiently control cognitive load, manage overwhelming stress, and stay focused through distractions to perform at their best. Military training significantly focuses on human performance, which benefits military readiness. The 21st century has introduced unanticipated challenges to all, such as the adverse effects of excessive screen time, external distractions, and over-reliance on technology without being aware of digital discipline. Militaries are no exception. These challenges have become an emerging threat to military personnel's cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being. On top …

Assessment Of Georgia’S Royal Catchfly (Silene Regia) Along A Forest-Edge Gradient In A Remnant Prairie Community, Megan Brooks

Master's Theses

Royal catchfly (Silene regia) is a perennial prairie forb known to grow in rocky, alkaline soils within tallgrass prairies of the eastern United States. S. regia is recorded from twelve states, including Georgia, and is now confined to fragmented habitats due to the loss of 95% of its natural environment. The species is now listed as critically imperiled in the state of Georgia. Attempts at reintroduction via outplanting have only shown limited success, necessitating more research on the environmental conditions in which this plant survives in its southern-most distribution. This study investigated the local ecological factors influencing the …

Fleeing Towards Healing: How Cam Can Heal Refugee Communities, Sarah B. Shaalan

Master's Theses

Alternative methods of healing can be found across the globe and are used by all kinds of people including refugees. This thesis will explore the potential benefits of Complementary and Alternative Medicine otherwise known as “CAM” as a supplementary strategy for helping refugees to deal with stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other harmful effects sustained on their journey and lives as displaced peoples. I will do so by first situating my project in the literature on Eurocentrism in healing practices and the emergence of CAM as an alternative. Then, using extensive primary and secondary sources, supplemented by an …