Digital Commons Network^™

The Energetic Cost Of Anthropogenic Disturbance On The Southern Sea Otter (Enhydra Lutris Nereis), Heather Elizabeth Barrett

Master's Theses

With increased human populations and tourism in coastal areas, there is greater potential for disturbance of marine wildlife. Having high metabolic rates, sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) are at risk of increased energetic costs due to disturbance. To investigate these effects, sea otter activity in response to potential disturbance stimuli was recorded over three years, at three California locations: Monterey, Moss Landing, and Morro Bay. A hidden Markov Model was developed to examine how activity varies as a function of location, group size, pup to adult ratio, kelp canopy, and occurrence of and proximity to disturbance stimuli. Results were combined …

Children's Books As Cultural Products: A Qualitative Study Of Cultural Representation In Hmong And Non-Hmong American Books, Malina Her

Master's Theses

This study examined the type of cultural practices and values depicted within Hmong American children’s books in comparison to non-Hmong American children’s books from the United States. The purpose was to explore if prior Hmong traditional practices and values reflective of American individualism would extend to Hmong children’s books. Thirty best-seller children’s books were coded using two checklists, one focused on Hmong traditional practices and the other on American values. Results showed that Hmong traditional practices underscored by Hmong adolescents in prior research somewhat extended to Hmong children’s books. Moreover, in some respects Hmong children’s books displayed similar numbers of …

Effect Of Nicotine Exposure On Fatigue Mechanics Of Murine Arteries, Elizabeth Ho

Master's Theses

Nicotine is an addictive substance found in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and cigarettes, and the use of such products has growing concern because of the prevalent use by young adults. Nicotine exposure degrades arterial tissue and results in increased arterial stiffness, which is linked to cardiovascular events, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. The hypothesis of this research is that fatigue loading reveals changes to the mechanical behavior of nicotine-treated arteries that is more informatively discriminating than stiffness alone. Ten murine arteries, five untreated and five nicotine-treated, were subjected to cyclic fatigue loading in an open-circumferential configuration by a custom tensometer …

Asian Long-Range Transport In Relation To Atmospheric Rivers In Northern California, Catherine Liu

Master's Theses

The study investigated the effect of aerosol long-range transport on precipitation over northern California during atmospheric river (AR) events in the 2017 cold season (January-April). ARs in 2017 were among the strongest to date and the intense precipitation associated with the ARs resulted in flooding, destruction of property, and contamination of water supplies. The aerosol optical depth (AOD) from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data showed Asian dust traveling across the northern Pacific Ocean along with AR events. Aerosol measurements in California, provided by the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE), showed that more Asian dust tends to be …

Signal Integrity Optimization Of Rf/Microwave Transmission Lines In Multilayer Pcbs, Justin Thien Le

Master's Theses

While allowing for flexible trace routing and device miniaturization, multilayer printed circuit boards (PCB) suffer from performance issues at high frequency due to the impedance mismatch caused by vertical transitions. In this paper, a process for optimizing the high-speed performance of microstrip to stripline transitions in multilayer PCBs is demonstrated. This includes strategic tuning of via dimensions using time-domain reflectometry and an analysis of the use of shielding vias to prevent parasitic cavity resonance. Simulations of optimized 2-layer, 4-layer, and 6-layer microstrip to stripline transitions show a return loss of 20 dB up to 7 GHz. To demonstrate a useful …

Reforming Beauty: The Casa Delle Zitelle And Female Asylums In Early Modern Venice, Kelly Renee Cricchio

Master's Theses

This thesis examines the Casa delle Zitelle (the House of Unmarried Girls), a female asylum created to care for poor, beautiful young girls who were at risk of becoming prostitutes in early modern Venice. The institution was founded, as well as funded and administered, by a group of pious patrician women in 1559. The Casa delle Zitelle was not only sponsored by and for women, but also the predominant patrons of the institution were Venetian women. The institution’s commitment to transform the zitelle (unmarried girls) into the sixteenth century ideal of womanhood was best articulated in the design of the …

Does Place Matter? Food Insecurity, Perceptions Of Neighborhood Walkability, And Acculturation As Predictors Of Treatment Outcome In An Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Study, Nana Yaa Marfo

Master's Theses

BACKGROUND: Though cross-sectional studies have established a relationship between environmental factors and weight status, few have looked at how these environmental factors influence response to obesity intervention in adults or children. This study explored the impact food insecurity, neighborhood walkability, and acculturation may have had on the outcomes of an obesity prevention study for low-income, Black and Latinx preschool-aged children.

METHODS: Prior to the start of the primary care-based intervention program (Cloutier et al., 2015), caregivers (n=203) completed measures assessing their household’s food insecurity, their perceptions of their neighborhoods’ walkability, and for Latinx participants, levels of acculturation. Baseline responses were …

Study And Analysis Of A Gearless Mechanical Transmission, Arun Lee Malla

Master's Theses

We used a comprehensive geometric and kinematic analysis of the Gearless Mechanical Transmission (GMT) to produce a rigorous analytical model of the system. Given initial design parameters, this model enables accurate computation of the mating geometries and key system attributes over time. Component position, component velocity, and the contact points between components were the primary attributes computed and analyzed by the developed model. The model can also be used to represent transmissions of desired ratios and sizes by altering the design parameters. Therefore, the model enables the theoretical evaluation of any desired GMT system, providing a strong foundation for further …

Millimeter Wave Radar Object Detection Through Frequency Selective Surfaces, Jacob D. Trevithick

Master's Theses

Millimeter wave (mmWave) radar systems are a leading technology in autonomous vehicle object sensing. The radar’s ability to detect surrounding objects is critical to its performance. One method of increasing object detection performance is to enhance object visibility. Frequency selective reflectors can increase object visibility. This work examines the performance of a mmWave 77 GHz radar system developed by Texas Instruments in conjunction with frequency selective surfaces. Two bandpass frequency selective surfaces are designed and fabricated using a loaded cross aperture configuration to analyze their application to object detection. The chosen design frequencies are 8 GHz and 79 GHz. The …

Floral Preformation In The Warming Boreal Forest: The Effects Of Temperature On The Development Of Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea, Eileen Schaub

Master's Theses

The boreal forest is experiencing climate change at twice the rate of other regions. Although changes in flowering phenology are a known consequence of warming temperatures, much is unknown about the effects of temperature anomalies on floral development. Boreal angiosperms preform flowers a year or more in advance and are consequently subject to varied environmental conditions across that time. My thesis examines the effects of temperature on floral development in order to understand how boreal taxa will respond to climate change.

Collection of Vaccinium vitis-idaeafrom natural populations in Fairbanks, Alaska was carried out over the growing seasons of 2017 …

Liquid Crystalline Brush-Like Imidazolium Co-Polymer Membranes For Energy Conversion, Edirimuni Iyomali Abeysekera

Master's Theses

Anion exchange membrane (AEM) research is primarily focused to develop suitable AEMs with high ion conductivity for high pH and high-temperature environments used in water electrolysis and fuel cells. To address these issue research has been done on improving the ion exchange head group to obtain high ion conductivity and designing a rational polymer architecture to improve chemical and mechanical stability.

Most widely used ionic head groups are based on quaternary ammonium ions due to its high ion conductivity. However quaternary ammonium ion containing membranes degrades with time resulting in low ion exchange capacity (IEC) and low alkaline stability due …

Community Attitudes Toward Complementary, Alternative And Integrative Medicine In North Hartford, Connecticut, Andria Matthews

Master's Theses

Background: This study explores the attitudes of residents of North Hartford, CT toward Complementary, Alternative and Integrative Medicine. Methods: Twenty-five semi-structured, 10-15 minute in-person interviews were conducted at five sites over a two-week period in March 2019. Results: Few respondents were familiar with the term “Integrative Medicine.” Familiarity with modalities such as massage was higher (92%). Massage therapy was most often tried in the past (56%). Meditation and relaxation and yoga were the most frequently requested offerings. Cost, transportation, time of day and day of week, all emerged as potential barriers to participation. Pain-related complaints were prevalent amongst respondents. Conclusions: …

An Examination Of Whether Perceived Stress Mediates The Effects Of Income On Engagement And Weight Loss Loss Outcomes In An Online Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention, Kristen Volz

Master's Theses

Individuals with lower income have higher rates of obesity and are underrepresented in weight loss treatment. Moreover, when individuals with lower income do enroll in face-to-face interventions, their adherence and weight loss outcomes are worse due to known treatment barriers, including unreliable transportation, lack of childcare, and scheduling constraints associated with multiple jobs and unconventional work hours. Because online interventions are asynchronous and can be accessed any time of day, they hold significant promise for reducing treatment barriers and improving adherence and weight loss outcomes in lower income populations. However, one drawback of online interventions is that they are self-directed, …

3d Printed Robotic Arm As A Developmental Platform For Education, Samuel Soifer

Master's Theses

Modern engineering courses provide students with exposure to the theory and derivations of problems. Rarely do these courses require students to apply their theoretical knowledge to problems that an engineer would face in industry, thus leaving a gap in a student’s education. In order for future engineers to effectively prepare to apply their engineering education to problems in industry, it is vital that engineering students take courses in which they can learn how to integrate different engineering topics and apply theoretical knowledge to industry problems.

The objective of this thesis is to develop an educational platform that both integrates and …

Influence Of Endodontic Sealers On Dentin Strength In Endodontically Treated Teeth, Andrew Fossum

Master's Theses

Introduction: Gutta-percha is not compressible and tooth fracture can be initiated when force is applied to the gutta-percha. The aim of this study was to apply a hoop stress to roots which have been obturated with either gutta-percha and no sealer, gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer, gutta-percha and EndoSequence Bioceramic Sealer, gutta-percha and Tetranite®, or Tetranite® and no gutta-percha until fracture occurred and then compared the failure stresses. Methods: Teeth were divided into five groups based on the sealer type used, no sealer used or only sealer used. The teeth were then sectioned into 2mm thickness discs and load was …

Perceptions On The Effectiveness Of Diversity And Inclusion Hiring: Are We Really Getting Ahead? [2019], Deidre D. Pierson

Master's Theses

Diversity and inclusion hiring in NCAA Division III athletic departments has seen some improvement over the last two decades, but questions remain on whether we are really getting ahead. There continues to be a lack of diversity, particularly in private Northeast institutions. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived effectiveness of hiring practices and initiatives utilized by athletics departments. The study utilized tenants of critical theory which supported the in-depth questioning and centering of the lived experiences of participants. This study used semi-structured interviews of nine Division III female head coaches of women’s sports to examine their …

Heat Activation Of Bacillus Anthracis Persists Over A Seven Day Period, Nathan T. Ross

Master's Theses

Bacteria of the Bacillus genera are capable of forming dormant and resilient cells called spores in response to starvation. Spores can break dormancy in the presence of nutrients in a process called germination. Historically, spores are exposed to sublethal heat treatments to increase the extent and rate of germination. This process is known as heat activation (HA). Previous studies on Bacillus species indicate the effects of HA are reversible after 72 hours. After this time period, the spores must be reactivated. However, spores of Bacillus anthracis, a member of the Bacillus family, have not been tested to see how long …

The Effect Of Lateral Deviation On Triple Jump Performance, Kourtney Symone Jones

Master's Theses

Field events in track and field consist of throws (e.g., hammer, shot put, discus, javelin), vertical jumps (e.g., pole vault, high jump), and horizontal jumps (e.g., long jump, triple jump). Of the two horizontal jumps, triple jump is the most complex consisting of three phases: hop, step, and jump. Research has been conducted to examine limb motion and phasing distribution during triple jump performance; however, the effect of lateral deviation on triple jump performance in unknown. Purpose: The purpose of this study is 1) to determine the effect of lateral deviation on total triple jump performance within high school triple …

Identifying The Need For Self-Management Education In Adult Patients With Type-2 Diabetes In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Le Thi Minh Thu

Master's Theses

The purpose of this thesis project was to identify the need for self-management through investigating the existing knowledge about diabetes self-care and their perception of diabetic control in adult patients with type-2 diabetes Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The 16-Item Diabetes Self Management Questionnaire (Schmitt et al., 2013) and a cross-sectional design was used in this study to explore the diabetes self management related to four subscales such as glucose management, dietary control, physical activity, health-care use and a sum scale as the perception of diabetic control among fifty five participants who were diagnosed with type-2 diabetes in Tan Phu …

Intraspecific Functional Trait Diversity In Big Sagebrush-Associated Species And Implications For Ecological Restoration, Gwen Schneider

Master's Theses

Big sagebrush ecosystems are widespread throughout the western United States and provide essential ecosystem services, including water and nutrient cycling, energy capture, and habitat for sagebrush obligate taxa. Notably, sagebrush ecosystems provide habitat for the greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), which is a nearly threatened species of high concern. Sagebrush habitat has experienced a 45% reduction in range, and a large portion of intact habitat is at risk of loss from severe fire,cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) invasion, encroachment of pinyon-juniper woodlands, fragmentation due to human development, and changes associated with anthropogenic climate change. Thus, it is of high conservation significance to …

Shall We Dance: Responses Of Participants To A Dance Class Designed For Parkinson’S Patients, Brittni Lynn Mcalister

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research was to describe the responses of participants in a dance class designed for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients. This study had a total of eight participants—six were adults with PD and participants in the Parkinson’s dance classes, one was the other primary instructor of the Parkinson’s dance classes, and the other one was a care partner of a participant in the classes. In this study, the researcher used both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze the data. The researcher sought to observe the experiences of participants in dance classes designed for individuals with PD and interview …

Traditional Sounds On Western Instruments: The Use Of Traditional Music Of Mainland Southeast Asia In Western Orchestral Works, Tachinee Patarateeranon

Master's Theses

The cultural preservation of traditional music has become a serious issue in the mainland of Southeast Asia. The impact of political revolution, economic problems, westernization, and modernization have all but eliminated traditional music from its homeland. Western music, on the other hand, is flourishing in the region and has had a strong influence on the transformation of traditional musical genres in order to attract the attention of today’s society. As a result, one way to help traditional music survive in this modern context is to incorporate it with western genres. This research, therefore, aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating …

Mechanisms Underlying The Testing Effect, Mary Chapman

Master's Theses

The current experimental study attempted to disentangle retrieval of target information from the context surrounding the information in the testing effect, or the finding that taking a practice test leads to better retention on a final test, for the purpose of discovering the mechanisms underlying the phenomenon. Twenty-three participants studied 30 cue-target pairs over three blocks and then either re-studied the pairs or practiced retrieving the target words for another three blocks. All participants completed a final test in which they recalled the target words for all 30 pairs once and performed a lexical decision task in which they had …

Assessment Of Patient Waiting Consultation Time In An Primary Healthcare Clinic -- The Outpatient Department Of Cho Ray Hospital, Pham Thi My Nhung

Master's Theses

Long patient waiting times in primary healthcare clinics in South Vietnam such as Thong Nhat Hospital and An Giang Hospital are a common phenomenon. In South Vietnam, especially at the Cho Ray Hospital, long patient waiting times were to be expected. Unfortunately, very little knowledge exists regarding potential causes of this problem or how it impacts patients. The purposes of this non-experimental, exploratory field study were to (a) assess the process and outcomes of an outpatient clinic as they related to waiting times, factors contributing to waiting times, and associated factors (outcomes) that influenced patient satisfaction levels in the outpatient …

Horses, Culture, And Trade: The Impact Of The Horse On Southeastern Native Nations, 1650-1830, Jacob Featherling

Master's Theses

A small portion of the regional literature details the impact of horses on Southeastern Native nations and focuses on a few of the larger groups, particularly the Choctaw, from the mid-eighteenth to the nineteenth century. This thesis intends to increase the scope to analyze the entire Southeastern region, as well as multiple Native nations in the area. The thesis argues that Southeastern Natives slowly adopted horses into their economies and cultures over a longer period of time than previously believed, allowing them to increase their use of horses easily to meet market demands. Instead of southeastern nations rapidly adapting their …

Acting Black: An Analysis Of Blackness And Criminality In Film, Blake Edwards

Master's Theses

This thesis will attempt to answer how films deal with blackness and crime, specifically when intersecting with the concepts of exploitation, appropriation, whiteness and the criminality of the black body. While not entirely the root of the negative perceptions of African-Americans in the United States, the manner in which African-Americans are portrayed in motion picture media influences how their presence is seen in society. This thesis will examine specific films that include elements dealing with the listed factors and what effects they may or may not have.

The Ecology And Evolution Of The Freshwater Turtles Of Southern Mississippi, Gabrielle Berry

Master's Theses

Turtles are one of the most threatened group of animals in existence today. The Southeastern United States is one of two global biodiversity hotspots for turtle species, including the state of Mississippi, where over 30 species can be found. However, very few studies have occurred within the state. This lack of research is even more startling given the ongoing decline, or even extirpation, of numerous turtle species across the world, due to a number of factors, including habitat degradation, and harvest for food or the pet trade.

The overarching goal of this project was to perform a species inclusive freshwater …

Effects Of Light And Macroinvertebrate Consumers On Detrital Microbial Biofilms In Streams, Cheyenne M. Brady

Master's Theses

In lotic freshwater systems, aquatic macroinvertebrates are key processors of biofilms that grow upon organic matter. Although macroinvertebrate effects on biofilms may depend on light availability, the combined effects of consumers and light remain unexplored. Here, I conducted experiments to test effects of presence/absence of the omnivorous shrimp Macrobrachium ohione and the shredding caddisfly Pycnopsyche sp. on Liriodendron tulipifera litter biofilms in experimental streams under light or darkness. I measured litter-associated algal, fungal and bacterial biomasses and production rates, as well as litter decomposition, over 49 days. Both experiments exhibited significant positive effects of light on algal productivity and interactions …

Krylov Subspace Spectral Methods With Non-Homogenous Boundary Conditions, Abbie Hendley

Master's Theses

For this thesis, Krylov Subspace Spectral (KSS) methods, developed by Dr. James Lambers, will be used to solve a one-dimensional, heat equation with non-homogenous boundary conditions. While current methods such as Finite Difference are able to carry out these computations efficiently, their accuracy and scalability can be improved. We will solve the heat equation in one-dimension with two cases to observe the behaviors of the errors using KSS methods. The first case will implement KSS methods with trigonometric initial conditions, then another case where the initial conditions are polynomial functions. We will also look at both the time-independent and time-dependent …

Influence Of Salt Marsh Vegetation On Carbon Cycling And Microbial Communities, Aidan Barry

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.