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Articles 271 - 300 of 3865
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The Role Of Post-Cloacal Gland Biofluorescence In Male-Male Communication In Plethodon Cinereus, Kasey Watterson
The Role Of Post-Cloacal Gland Biofluorescence In Male-Male Communication In Plethodon Cinereus, Kasey Watterson
Masters Theses
Biofluorescence is increasingly recognized as a potentially important form of visual communication across a wide range of taxa, yet its ecological and behavioral function remains largely untested in many terrestrial species. In the red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), fluorescence is a sexually dimorphic trait most strongly expressed in males, particularly around the cloacal region and ventral side of the tail, areas that are often displayed during territorial contests and courtship. Rival males also direct behaviors like cloacal investigation toward these fluorescent regions, suggesting a potential signaling function. Since fluorescence is often displayed during territorial contests, I hypothesized that fluorescence in male …
Testing The Life-History Dependence Of Dietary Restriction Effects On Oxidative Molecular Damage In Hornworms, Fahime Taheri
Testing The Life-History Dependence Of Dietary Restriction Effects On Oxidative Molecular Damage In Hornworms, Fahime Taheri
Masters Theses
DR and ambient temperature are two environmental factors widely implicated in shaping organismal maintenance and longevity through effects on metabolic rate and oxidative damage. This study tests whether DR and reduced body temperature independently or interactively reduce oxidative protein damage in the gut of tobacco hornworm larvae, a short-lived ectotherm whose life history may constrain typical DR responses. Larvae hatched from eggs were allocated to two feeding regimes (AL and DR) and to 20 °C and 30 °C. At a defined endpoint, guts dissected and homogenized, and analyzed for protein carbonyl content and total protein. Protein damage was expressed as …
Extraction And Separation Of Metal Cations From Synthetic Acidic Solutions Using Emulsion Liquid Membrane, Nouhaila Filali
Extraction And Separation Of Metal Cations From Synthetic Acidic Solutions Using Emulsion Liquid Membrane, Nouhaila Filali
Masters Theses
The work is organized into two main papers supported by experimental and comparative studies using Emulsion Liquid Membrane (ELM) systems. The first paper explores the individual extraction of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, As, Ni) from synthetic phosphoric acid using Alamine 336 and D2EHPA as carriers. Alamine 336 achieved the highest extraction efficiency (>90%) and stability, offering a promising route to reduce toxic impurities in fertilizer-grade acid. The second paper examines the selective separation of Ni2+ and Co2+ from various acidic solutions using the ELM configuration. Systematic variation of carriers, stripping agent and feed acidity, clarified transport mechanisms and stability, …
Prevalence Of Insecticide Resistance Gene In Aedes Albopictus Populations Of Central Illinois, Merylann Akinyi Ochieng
Prevalence Of Insecticide Resistance Gene In Aedes Albopictus Populations Of Central Illinois, Merylann Akinyi Ochieng
Masters Theses
The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a significant vector for diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika. Its increasing resistance to insecticides poses a critical challenge for vector control efforts. This study investigates knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) genes, specifically V1016G and F1534C, which are associated with pyrethroid resistance. Aedes albopictus populations from Central Illinois were analyzed using allele-specific PCR techniques to address three primary objectives: (1) determining whether V1016G and F1534C mutations are present in these populations, (2) determining which mutation is more widespread, and (3) investigating how resistance gene …
Thermal Thresholds Of The Green Sunfish Lepomis Cyanellus: Insights Into Fish Vulnerability To Changes In Environmental Temperature, Noah W. Wright
Thermal Thresholds Of The Green Sunfish Lepomis Cyanellus: Insights Into Fish Vulnerability To Changes In Environmental Temperature, Noah W. Wright
Masters Theses
As global temperatures continue to rise, understanding the physiological responses of aquatic organisms becomes increasingly important. Elevated temperatures can significantly impact behavior, metabolism, and other essential survival processes. One species of particular interest is the Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), a member of the Centrarchidae family known for its relative thermal resilience compared to other congeners across the Midwest, a region already experiencing rapid warming due to climate change. L. cyanellus are not invulnerable to thermal stress, and recent evidence suggests that both performance and thermal tolerance decline under sustained temperature increases. In this context, evaluating their response to …
Spatiotemporal Variability In Invasive Carp Spawning Activity In Two Midwestern River Basins, Braden A. Whisler
Spatiotemporal Variability In Invasive Carp Spawning Activity In Two Midwestern River Basins, Braden A. Whisler
Masters Theses
Across the United States, fisheries managers and agencies continue to battle the spread of invasive bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.). Although previous research has identified environmental parameters such as temperature and flow to be triggers of spawning activity, many of these studies focus on larger rivers, rarely focusing on the specific thresholds or timing of when a spawning event takes place. I utilized the differing hydrology of the Illinois and Wabash Rivers and their tributaries to examine the differences in environmental parameters needed to trigger bigheaded carp reproduction. Three mainstem sites and three tributaries of both basins were sampled …
Evaluation Of Blue Catfish Populations In Four Midwestern Power Cooling Reservoirs, Tyler Joseph Murray
Evaluation Of Blue Catfish Populations In Four Midwestern Power Cooling Reservoirs, Tyler Joseph Murray
Masters Theses
Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) are the largest catfish in North America and as such angler desire for trophy fisheries have grown in addition to harvest fisheries. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has stocked Blue Catfish into several reservoirs in the state including four that have powerplants that utilize the water for cooling and discharge it back into the reservoir at increased temperatures. This study explored the potential impacts of these warm water effluents on Blue Catfish population demographics, as well as whether management changes need to be implemented in these systems. I sampled Powerton, LaSalle, Springfield, …
A Multitude In The In-Between: The Impact Of Perceived Social Support On Resilience For Neurodivergent And Gsd Identities, Along With Barriers To Receiving Support, Theo Edwards
Masters Theses
This study used intersectionality theory to examine how overlapping minority identities impact receiving social support and the cultivation of resiliency. Individuals who identify as in the Gender and Sexually Diverse (GSD) community or the neurodivergent (ND) community may experience unique stressors due to various barriers to support. Overlap of GSD and ND identities can present added struggles. Information from 46 GSD and/or ND college students was collected through self-report scales and recorded interviews to examine the effects of perceived social support on resiliency. Also assessed were common values in social support like having someone to talk to and being understood, …
Optimization Of Transformation And Regeneration In The Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus), Sara M. Kilar
Optimization Of Transformation And Regeneration In The Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus), Sara M. Kilar
Masters Theses
In addition to their value as prized ornamentals, sunflowers are important crop species due to the nutritional value and high oil content of the seeds. Sunflower oil is a significant contributor to global seed oil production, which can be used as a food additive and cooking agent as well as a raw material for biodiesel production. While traditional breeding efforts have led to the development of many unique cultivars, genetically modified variations have proven more difficult due to the recalcitrance of sunflower plants to genetic transformation. As a result, facile and efficient transformation methods for sunflowers have the potential to …
Variation In Maternal Alkaloid Provisioning And Its Effects On Antimicrobial Defense In Tadpoles Of The Poison Frog Oophaga Pumilio, Erica Berent
Masters Theses
No abstract provided.
Native Freshwater Mussel Communities In The Lower Grand River, Michigan: Assessing Tributary Confluence Effects And Updating Survey Information, Grayson L. Kosak
Native Freshwater Mussel Communities In The Lower Grand River, Michigan: Assessing Tributary Confluence Effects And Updating Survey Information, Grayson L. Kosak
Masters Theses
Freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are ecosystem engineers and keystone species vital to stream ecosystems yet represent the most imperiled group of freshwater fauna. Conservation of unionids necessitates further understanding how assemblages interact with watershed features. This study investigates mussel occupancy, distribution, and assemblage structure upstream and downstream of tributary confluences in the lower Grand River, Michigan, alongside updated surveys of the unionid community with comparisons to previous assessments conducted by Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) in 2002–2003. Unionid density, richness, and diversity were greater upstream of confluences. No significant distance-gradient effects were observed. Assemblage structure differed between upstream and downstream reaches …
Mundane And Magical: How Studio Ghibli Adapts Female Protagonists Toward Gendered Narrative Reconstruction, Lauren F. Frymire
Mundane And Magical: How Studio Ghibli Adapts Female Protagonists Toward Gendered Narrative Reconstruction, Lauren F. Frymire
Masters Theses
This paper explores the literary significance of film adaptations, specifically focusing on Studio Ghibli's adaptations of children's novels. Through examining the themes of self-discovery, transformation, and cultural representation in films like *Kiki's Delivery Service*, *Tales from Earthsea*, and *Howl's Moving Castle*, it discusses how Ghibli’s choice of young female protagonists connects with both their original audiences and broader cultural narratives. Drawing on Carl Jung’s theory of the unconscious, Linda Hutcheon's theory of adaptation, and Mariah Chiara Oltolini’s insights on mass media adaptations, the study argues that these films successfully preserve the "magic" of their source material while offering unique, culturally-infused …
Beyond The Uncanny Valley: A Tradigital Strategy For Emotional Connection In 3d Animation, Alan Gregory Wyatt
Beyond The Uncanny Valley: A Tradigital Strategy For Emotional Connection In 3d Animation, Alan Gregory Wyatt
Masters Theses
This thesis investigates Tradigital art - combining the aesthetics of traditional animation with the optimization of digital 3D animation. This cross-disciplinary study investigates how traditional artistry can still be preserved and enhanced in modern digital workflows without causing the emotional disconnect often found in the "Uncanny Valley" of contemporary 3D animation. This research, based on a literature review, case studies, and visual analyses, identifies elements of traditional 2D animation that can still enrich digital 3D animation without compromising the flow and optimization of the pipeline in many studios. Research shows that the utilization of both methods has the potential to …
Mindful Design For Adolescent Minds: Moving Away From Digital Hook Models To Mindful Innovation Models, Donald R. Hendriksen
Mindful Design For Adolescent Minds: Moving Away From Digital Hook Models To Mindful Innovation Models, Donald R. Hendriksen
Masters Theses
In the domain of digital technology, an ethical issue surfaces from the design of user interfaces and applications tailored for adolescent users. Techniques frequently incorporated into these targeted systems, such as continuous scrolling, rewards for uninterrupted use, and game-like features, are increasingly linked to addictive inclinations in adolescents. Central to this issue is the stimulation these apps provide for the dopamine system. Adolescents, being in a vital phase of psychological growth, are especially vulnerable to the dangerous consequences of such designs. These effects are extensive and include a perceptible drop in academic achievement, a weakening of relational skills, and an …
Mixed Race Futurity Through Contemporary Archetypes: Mutants, Cyborgs And Dhampirs, Kobe Jackson
Mixed Race Futurity Through Contemporary Archetypes: Mutants, Cyborgs And Dhampirs, Kobe Jackson
Masters Theses
Analysis of Enlightenment philosphes reveals how the contemporary archetypes, mutants, cyborgs and dhampirs may be situated as sources for understanding mixed race positionality. Arranged on a trajectory of hybrid mythology reaching from ancient times into the present day, their contemporary relevance is put into context. Through modern speculative fiction, historical mythology and the theoretical frameworks of sociology, and philosophy, two tropes are revealed to be imposed roles for mixed race people. The first one, the tragic hybrid is a term which references a character specific to the context of American colonial slavery, the tragic mulatto. By reframing the term, tragic …
The Apostle Paul's Teaching On Life After Death: A Model Of Christ's Life, Death, And Resurrection, Keri A. Thompson
The Apostle Paul's Teaching On Life After Death: A Model Of Christ's Life, Death, And Resurrection, Keri A. Thompson
Masters Theses
There are many questions and differing views surrounding what happens to the soul after death. Through his letters collected in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul offers insight into the existence of the believer's soul in an intermediate state following death and prior to the resurrection of the body. Through a brief overview of Old Testament teachings on the subject, Jewish views on life after death during the intertestamental period, and common Greek thought on the body and soul, the possible presuppositions and influences on the Apostle Paul's view of life after death and the intermediate state are uncovered. Detailed …
Design(Ing) Disruptions: Towards Intimacies Between Feminist Situated Knowledge, Gossip And Design, Senjuti Sangia
Design(Ing) Disruptions: Towards Intimacies Between Feminist Situated Knowledge, Gossip And Design, Senjuti Sangia
Masters Theses
This project highlights and problematizes the knowledge traditions and politics foundational to problem-solving paradigms in design education and practice. By emphasising the ontological nature and turn in design (Willis, 2006, Fry, 2012) , this thesis critically appraises the aforesaid formulations by extending intersectional feminist theories to dominant design epistemology. Drawing on the sociological framing of the matrix of domination, I investigate the dichotomy of the designer and user- as designers, users, and communities find themselves at different junctions in the matrix of domination. Further, I critique design frameworks from the analytical lenses of feminist situated knowledge, In so doing, I …
Graphic Design And Automation, Ellen Fixsen
Graphic Design And Automation, Ellen Fixsen
Masters Theses
This research examines the use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and DIY-centric template tools in the area of graphic design and how they affect businesses using them for branding and visuals, and how that impacts the graphic design industry. Although the use of AI in graphic design is a fairly new trend, the technology has been developing over the last several decades, if not longer. With AI definitely here to stay, it has become vital to explore how businesses and designers will move forward and utilize the tools it offers. Incorporating historical and statistical evidence, professional insights, case studies, …
Understanding The Performance And Perception Of Odawa Warfare, 1615–1700, Eric P. Morningstar
Understanding The Performance And Perception Of Odawa Warfare, 1615–1700, Eric P. Morningstar
Masters Theses
This research employs the ethnohistorical method to explore how the Odawa people perceived and carried out warfare from 1615 to 1700. While historians have examined the Odawa, these Native peoples have frequently not been the central focus in the secondary literature. Many primary sources also offer a vague answer as to how the Odawa conceived and carried out warfare. This study aims to clarify historiographical inconsistencies by quantitatively analyzing a database, constructed by the author, of specific primary references to known hostilities between the Odawa, other Native groups, and Europeans. The analysis includes specific variables germane to hostilities such as …
The Need For Accurate [And Respectful] Depictions Of Mental Illness In Fiction, Jacequlyn L. Mills
The Need For Accurate [And Respectful] Depictions Of Mental Illness In Fiction, Jacequlyn L. Mills
Masters Theses
This thesis seeks to address the ongoing misrepresentation of mental illness in popular media, specifically within film, television, and literature. The power of the media is instrumental in public perception, and the ongoing negative misinformation and inaccuracy of mental illness those who are affected by it in media is instrumental in spreading harmful stereotypes and stigma. This affects not only the way that the general public views mental illness but also the way those with mental illness view themselves as well as their desire to seek help. I use these forms of media to showcase both the negative and positive …
Stories Of The Re-Awakening, Joseph Cecil Broadbent
Stories Of The Re-Awakening, Joseph Cecil Broadbent
Masters Theses
The Present piece takes a look at the realms of the fantastical and vital elements that help to create a best seller. The creative piece is a brief look into a hopefully soon to be published Fantasy/Science Fiction Young Adult Teenage series. Brief insights are followed by a prologue and four book beginnings to welcome the reader into its world.
Effects Of Microplastic Biofilms On An Anthropogenically Impacted Suburban Lake, Paris M. Velasquez
Effects Of Microplastic Biofilms On An Anthropogenically Impacted Suburban Lake, Paris M. Velasquez
Masters Theses
Plastics have been observed in every location on the planet, and their prevalence in the environment is due in part to their strong resistance to degradation. Inland lakes are susceptible to plastic pollution by highway runoff, which contains plastic fragments of brake pads, car tires, litter, and road paint. These plastics eventually enter freshwater environments and degrade into microplastics (
Millennials And Fasting: A Healthy Alternative, Christopher M. Hunt
Millennials And Fasting: A Healthy Alternative, Christopher M. Hunt
Masters Theses
Millennials are facing more chronic health problems than any previous generation. They are experiencing a higher rate of disease for all the top conditions that affected their predecessors at the same age range. Most of these issues stem from an overconsumption culture that drastically increased during the millennial generation and is only projected to worsen. These habits start from a young age when the youth are taught to finish eating everything on their plate, even if they are not hungry, and consume at least three meals a day, which is seen as a mandatory requirement for a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, …
Subtext In A Screenplay: More Than Meets The Ear, Emma J. Smith
Subtext In A Screenplay: More Than Meets The Ear, Emma J. Smith
Masters Theses
The creative manuscript for this thesis is a screenplay titled Air Tax. It is a dystopian story set in a western society where the ruling power has created two classes of people. Where one class is part of the elite, the other must watch their activity level as they are taxed on the air they breathe. A rebel group works to overthrow the rulers with the hope of equality and ultimate good for all. The question becomes whether the ideal will last if all guidance is human based. One way to reveal the need of guidance beyond human understanding for …
Wellness Awakening: Gen Z As The Catalyst For A Well-Being Revolution, Juliet Milillo
Wellness Awakening: Gen Z As The Catalyst For A Well-Being Revolution, Juliet Milillo
Masters Theses
This research project delves into the realm of holistic wellness management with a specific focus on engaging Generation Z (Gen Z). Holistic wellness encompasses a comprehensive approach to health and well-being considering physical, emotional, spiritual, social, occupational, and intellectual aspects. Members of Gen Z who are currently in college or recently graduated are the ideal candidates for holistic wellness management education as they are at the prime age to begin establishing long-term habits and lifestyles. Individuals in this age group are settling into their occupations, housing conditions, relationships, exercise patterns, nutritional habits, etc. The study employed a mixed-methods approach. It …
Character Development And The Inspiring Novelist, Halley Nicole Villegas
Character Development And The Inspiring Novelist, Halley Nicole Villegas
Masters Theses
This thesis explores the pivotal role of character growth and development in narrative writing, examining how it can significantly influence the overall success and reception of a story. Through a detailed analysis of various literary works and theoretical frameworks, this study identifies key elements that contribute to compelling character arcs and their impact on reader engagement. By contrasting well-developed characters with those that are poorly constructed or static, the research highlights how nuanced character development enhances plot progression, emotional resonance, and thematic depth. Additionally, the paper examines the importance of authenticity and relatability in character portrayal. The findings suggest that …
The Six Ps: A Faith Journey, Deborah Keizer
The Six Ps: A Faith Journey, Deborah Keizer
Masters Theses
The Six Ps is an epistolary memoir about a faith journey to find my twin flame and purpose. The journey began when I discovered my higher self in a guided meditation. After that incident, I received my first prophetic dream message. God also gave me the directive to write, using the Ps (plots) from Joseph of Genesis: Prophetic dreams, Pit, Potiphar’s wife, Prison, Palace – No Pharaoh, Purpose. After the first Prophetic dream I was guided to return to my homeland, and so I jumped into the Pit which I also call the Abyss – (to confront the false beliefs …
Orichas Roots Of Latin American Music: Syncretism, Music, And Its Possibilities For Missionaries, Erika Dianne Ray
Orichas Roots Of Latin American Music: Syncretism, Music, And Its Possibilities For Missionaries, Erika Dianne Ray
Masters Theses
The African diaspora as a result of the Caribbean slave trade had long reaching consequences, specifically for the Ikwere people. Due to the Catholic Church's support and, at times, encouragement of syncretism, a new religion was formed. Lucumi tradition is based on the musical rhythms specific to the Orichas from Nigeria, referred to as Igboland, the term employed by the citizens. The Ikwere are one people group of many affected by the slave trade and had their religious practices transformed as a result. The Ikwere are focused upon due to their prominence as the majority of slaves from Igboland were …
Embodied Apologetics As Pragmatic Evidence For Christianity, Peter F. Grett
Embodied Apologetics As Pragmatic Evidence For Christianity, Peter F. Grett
Masters Theses
Embodied apologetics as pragmatic evidence for Christianity: how the lived experiences, visible practices and demonstrated values of believers serve as a compelling defense of the faith in a post-Christian society.
What Christians Should Expect: Life Immediately After Death, Larry Kuka
What Christians Should Expect: Life Immediately After Death, Larry Kuka
Masters Theses
This paper examines Old Testament, New Testament, ancient Jewish, Near Eastern, and Christian documents to determine what the Word of God says about life immediately after death (afterlife). I will not examine references to the resurrection or to end times. The research for this paper from primary, secondary, and tertiary sources will be examined and explained, and the conclusions drawn will identify the passages in Scripture and other scholarly sources that explain life immediately after death for believers of Jesus Christ. Theological documents, cultural interpretations, societal perspectives, as well as biblical teachings will be examined to establish understanding, reassurance, and …