The Disney Adult: A Consumer That Creates Free Marketing, Emily Elizabeth Kempf

Theses

This research looks at the evolving complex relationship between the Walt Disney Company, The Disney Adult content creators and the fan base. It focuses on how user-generated content (UGC) and social media can play a large role in contemporary marketing strategies. As the target audience has expanded to include Disney Adult, this new audience has become a central part in the company’s marketing strategy encouraging fan engagement across all social media platforms. This research is a qualitative case study on the Disney Adult and how social media content can be used as a core marketing strategy. The Disney Adult influencer …

Art Therapy In The Art Classroom, Sherry Williams

Theses

The integration of art therapy practices within the art classroom provides a transformative framework for supporting the emotional and psychological well-being of students. Research into these strategies demonstrates that creative practices allow students to manage stress and anxiety while fostering mindfulness, reflection, and self-expression. Art educators can create safe and supportive environments by incorporating therapeutic activities such as drawing mandalas, doodling, and engaging in collaborative projects. These methods prioritize the creative process over technical achievement, allowing students to communicate complex feelings that may be difficult to articulate verbally. 

While art teachers are not licensed therapists, they can effectively implement therapeutic …

Engineering Human Microphysiological Models To Investigate Bacterial Extracellular Vesicle–Driven Endothelial And Blood–Brain Barrier Dysfunction, Louis P. Widom

Theses

Pathogenic bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) are nanoscale particles derived from bacteria that contain pro-inflammatory cargo. During bacterial infections, BEVs provoke the host inflammatory response and may cause widespread damage. Furthermore, antibiotic treatment can boost BEV production and thereby increase the number of toxic signals traveling through the circulatory system. This is especially dangerous in brain blood vessels since evidence suggests that BEVs may destabilize the protective blood–brain barrier (BBB), resulting in neuroinflammation associated with cognitive decline and development of neurological disorders. Our understanding of BEV interactions with the host remains limited, necessitating the development of in vitro models to better …

The Heart Seat™: An In Home Cardiovascular Monitoring Device, Archana Venkataramani

Theses

Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common disorders, affecting an estimated 64 million people globally. Although heart failure incidence is stabilizing in some countries, prevalence is rising because of an aging population, improved post-myocardial infarction survival, and advances in treatment. High mortality, morbidity, reduced quality of life, and significant healthcare costs are results of heart failure (Shahim et al., 2023). Recurrent heart failure episodes are associated with an increased risk of death. Heart monitoring systems exist in several forms, including implantable cardiac devices, wearable and portable monitors, and remote patient monitoring systems. Each type differs in monitoring needs, …

The Usability And Influence Of Comprehensive Sports Nutrition Handouts For Adolescent-Aged Female Athletes, Chloe Brassie

Theses

Objective: This study aimed to examine the usability and influence of comprehensive sports nutrition handouts for adolescent-aged female athletes. Design: Cross-sectional online survey incorporating post retrospective-pre self-assessment Participants: Adolescent female athletes between 13 and 17 years of age Methods: Participants received a series of digital nutrition handouts every day for seven days and completed an online survey. Variables: Age, sport, engagement, knowledge, behavior, features of interest, and experience with nutrition education. Analysis: Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and qualitative data were examined using thematic analysis. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test assessed the change in responses for both knowledge and …

Microplastics In St. John, United States Virgin Islands Sediments: Methodological Approaches And Variability Of Microplastics Concentrations And Accumulation Rates, Henry B. Arbaugh, Sarah C. Gray, Dimitri Deheyn

Theses

Sediment samples were collected from a near shore and reef site in Coral Bay, St. John, United States Virgin Islands (USVI) from 2007-2016, using tube sediment traps. These samples provide an opportunity to study microplastics (MPs) in an area where no previous MP studies have been performed. Most sedimentary MP studies utilize benthic samples which can only measure MP concentrations (#MP/g or #MP/mL sediment), while sediment traps can provide MP accumulation rates (#MP/cm²/day) as a function of time. However, the methods used for extracting MPs from benthic samples have not been tested using sediment trap samples whose characteristics, …

Assessing Localized Recovery And Synchrony Of An Endangered Wetland Species., Aiyana Reissman

Theses

The state and federally endangered light-footed Ridgway’s rail (LFRR; Rallus obsoletus levipes) is central to regional conservation, yet the drivers of its population fluctuations remain poorly understood. The fragmented nature of coastal wetlands in Southern California is threatening the existence of endemic species like the LFRR. Tidal inundation, severe storms, and overpredation threaten the survival of LFRR. This study addresses population fluctuations by analyzing the spatial and temporal drivers of LFRR populations to inform effective, site-specific management.

To do this, a 45-year (1980–2024) LFRR census data set across 16 wetlands throughout its range in California was synthesized. A multi-faceted …

Knowledge And Perception Of Human Milk Donation Among Pregnant, Lactating, And Postpartum Women In Rochester, Ny, And Near Hmbana Milk Banks, Samantha Allen

Theses

Human milk banks provide pasteurized donor milk for premature infants whose mothers are unable to produce sufficient amounts of milk, offering critical nutritional and immunological benefits for this high-risk population.1–4 Although 28 HMBANA-accredited milk banks operate in the United States, none are located within 4.5 hours of Rochester, NY. This study examined the knowledge and perceptions of human milk bank donation among pregnant, lactating, and postpartum women in Rochester, NY, and in communities near HMBANA-affiliated milk banks, and assessed if there is a correlation regarding the proximity of milk banks.  A cross-sectional study design was used, and participants completed a …

Exploring Interpenetrating Networks Derived From Compostable Polymers In Separations, Hailey Holshouser

Theses

The increasing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable water treatment technologies drives the development of membranes that work to balance mechanical durability, tunable selectivity, and long-term stability. In this exploratory work, an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) membrane system composed of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) was developed to provide a more compostable and compatible platform for advanced separation applications. While the compostability of the entire framework was not tested, the dominant presence of PBAT in the matrix makes the membrane intrinsically favorable for composting. Mechanochemical Ionic Electrochromic Generators (IEGens) were synthesized and incorporated into the PBAT backbone for …

Discovering The Genes And Molecular Mechanisms Involved In Increasing The Expression Of The Gad Regulon In Escherichia Coli Resistant To Macrolide Antibiotics, Lea V. Freeman

Theses

Various genes have been proposed to play a role in the action of indole, a bacterial hormone involved in biofilm and quorum sensing. Previous work found that E. coli strains carrying a macrolide-resistant mutation in the uL22 ribosomal protein reduce tna operon mRNA levels and, consequently, decrease indole production. This ribosomal mutation also increases expression of the gad regulon, a genetic unit involved in acid resistance at pH below 2. The gad regulon is involved in bacterial survival under environmental challenges, primarily regulating intracellular acid resistance, and its expression appears to depend on indole production. In this work, we work …

Leveraging Ai, Iot, And Predictive Analytics For Crisis Management And Urban Resilience In Dubai, Suhail Bin Kalli

Theses

The thesis will discuss how smart technologies could be incorporated in the crisis management structures of Dubai to make the city more resilient. As Dubai grows more urbanized, it experiences increased problems with managing its crisis especially in the high population density places, traffic congestion, utility disruption, and extreme weather. This paper discusses how artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and predictive analytics can be used to ameliorate the response to emergencies, manage the allocation of resources, and enhance the coordination between different agencies. The crisis management systems at Dubai are still ineffective despite the level of technologies …

Optimizing Marketing Campaigns To Maximize The Response Rate For A Supermarket Using Machine Learning Techniques, Alia Almansoori

Theses

Supermarkets must improve their marketing tactics at a time of changing consumer behavior and increasing competition in the retail industry. Engaging the wide and sophisticated consumer base of today's supermarkets is difficult using traditional methods. This proposal presents a data-driven approach using cutting-edge machine learning methods to enhance supermarket marketing strategies. The main goal is to increase the response rate of marketing initiatives, which will improve consumer engagement and ultimately increase revenue. Additional primary objectives are customer segmentation and targeting, predictive modeling, personalization, ongoing performance monitoring, and ROI evaluation. The current problem centers around personalization and accuracy. Due to the …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Scenario-Based Virtual Escape Rooms To Improve Student Confidence In Dosage Calculations, Jennifer A. Cuevas

Theses

Abstract

Background: Accurate dosage calculations (DCs) are critical for patient safety, as medication errors contribute to approximately 7,000-9,000 preventable deaths annually. Nearly 30% of nursing students exhibit weakness in foundational mathematical skills, and a significant confidence gap exists: 70% feel confident in mathematical abilities, yet only 45% feel confident in clinical application, necessitating innovative educational interventions.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate a scenario-based virtual escape room intervention to enhance undergraduate nursing students' confidence in DCs.

Methods: Grounded in Kolb’s experiential learning theory, this online asynchronous intervention engaged students through concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract …

The Southern Roots Of Populist Rhetoric And The Growth Of Fundamentalism, Ethan Teems

Theses

The religious fundamentalism of the 1920s was a direct evolution of the Southern Populist movement of the 1890s. While populism began as a political crusade against economic exploitation, industrialization, and urbanization, it evolved into a movement that attacked modernity. The southern United States was rooted in a predominantly religiously homogeneous society. The Protestant religions that encompassed the region were unwilling to adapt to a changing society, allowing religious fundamentalism to expand.

Beginning with the cultural conflicts of the 1920s, such as the Scopes Trial and William Jennings Bryan’s activism, the study explains how fundamentalists framed their struggles against modernism as …

Compassion In Crisis: A Study Of Compassion Fatigue Among Nurses Working In The Emergency Department At A Western Australian Metropolitan Tertiary Hospital, Sonu Susamma Sam

Theses

Compassion fatigue (CF) is defined as the emotional depletion caused by ongoing involvement in caring for another individuals experiencing trauma or hardship, pain, distress, and critical incidents. It is characterised by a decline in emotional capacity, reduced ability to empathise, and feelings of helplessness, that could potentially lead to burnout and secondary traumatic stress. While CF affects many healthcare providers including physicians, social service professionals, mental health practitioners, but nursing staff are particularly vulnerable due to their close and continuous engagement with patients.

Compassion fatigue has been extensively examined in oncology, palliative care, and intensive care, where exposure to patient …

Optimisation Of Sampling For A New Skin Microbiome Assay Pilot Study, Anita Smith

Theses

Recent interest in the diverse ecosystem of bacteria, fungi and viruses that make up the skin microbiome has led to numerous studies investigating the microbiome in healthy skin and in dermatological diseases. An imbalance of the normal skin microbial flora can cause some skin diseases, and current culture techniques are often unable to detect a microorganism to further our understanding of the clinical–microbiological correlates of disease and dysbiosis. Atopic dermatitis and rosacea are presentations that General practitioners (GPs) often manage that may have an infective or microbiological component and can be challenging to treat. Further research using culture-independent techniques is …

Modelling Novel Planar Nozzle Geometries For A Z-Pinch Fusion Propulsion System, Stephanie Manasterski

Theses

Interplanetary travel using chemical or electrical propulsion faces two major obstacles: the long mission timelines and the health risks to human crews from prolonged radiation exposure. Fusion propulsion offers a potential solution through high specific impulse and moderate thrust values. Z-pinch fusion, a pulsed magneto-inertial fusion approach, is promising for propulsion as the plasma is confined through current-driven compression, eliminating the need for external confinement coils to achieve ignition conditions, and the confinement configuration is simple. A 3-dimensional model of a novel linear magnetic nozzle geometry was developed with the propellant, dissociated ammonia, oriented sideways in the nozzle, assuming prior …

Impact And Requirements Of Future Robots In The Urban Realm: Dubai Silicon Oasis Case Study, Abduljalil Abbasi

Theses

Robots are moving from factories and warehouses into the streets, sidewalks, and shared public spaces of cities, and Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is at the forefront of this shift in the Gulf region. Through the Talabat ‘talabot’ autonomous delivery pilot, DSO has demonstrated that sidewalk robots can operate reliably in a hot-climate, mixed-use urban district, but this operational success has outpaced the governance frameworks, spatial design standards, and long-range planning foundations needed to scale deployment safely, inclusively, and sustainably to 2035. This thesis addresses that gap by asking how DSO can design and govern the integration of robots into its …

Impact Of Oxidative Stress On Mapk Signaling In Human Pancreatic Ductal Cell Line, Alexis Fink

Theses

The main processes linked to diabetes (type 1 or type 2) and obesity are impaired insulin production and glucose intolerance. The imbalance between antioxidant defense systems and oxygen-reactive species are known as oxidative stress. Understanding oxidative stress and its substantial effects on diabetes is crucial. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). We hypothesize that altered MAPK phosphorylation and hence downstream signaling is associated with changes in oxidative stress in the human pancreatic duct epithelial cell line (H6C7). While H6C7 cells are often engineered to be cancerous precursors, the natural phenotype of these cells and their expression …

Mapping Cave Vulnerability And Priority Areas For Biospeleological Conservation, C. Lael Anderson

Theses

Alabama contains some of the highest levels of subterranean biodiversity in North America, yet no statewide assessment of cave vulnerability has previously been conducted. A spatially explicit vulnerability assessment was developed for Alabama caves using species occurrence records, landscape characteristics, anthropogenic threat data, and groundwater vulnerability metrics. Distribution maps were generated for cave- obligate and bat species, and vulnerability was assessed using human population, land- use, groundwater quality, groundwater quantity, and modified DRASTIK models. Results identified numerous single-site endemic species, regional biodiversity hotspots, and cave systems facing elevated anthropogenic threats. Conservation priority rankings highlighted species and caves of greatest management …

Influences Of Charge Structure And Storm Microphysics On The Relationship Between Optical And Vhf Lightning Observations, Kaitlyn Wheeler

Theses

Lightning observations provide valuable insight into convective intensity, storm structure, and microphysical processes. Much of the current understanding of lightning-convection relationships is derived from ground-based very high frequency (VHF) measurements, while space-based optical observations remain comparatively new. This study investigates how storm charge structure and microphysics influence observed optical lightning emissions using coordinated observations from the 2017 GOES-R Post Launch Test campaign. Optical measurements from the Fly’s Eye Geostationary Lightning Mapper Simulator were combined with Lightning Mapping Array observations for ordinary multicell storms exhibiting a normal charge structure on 18 April 2017 and a supercell exhibiting an anomalous charge structure …

Uae Traditional Folklore Through Modern Media And Its Educational Potential: The Case Of Freej, Shahad Imad Mostafa

Theses

This mixed‑methods study examined how the Emirati animated series Freej preserves traditional folklore through vernacular language, dialect, and idiomatic expressions, and evaluated its educational potential. Guided by four questions on folklore representation, dialect/idiom use, the role of the characters, and curricular applicability, the research combined content analysis of selected episodes, interviews coding and a survey of 100 Emirati participants; survey data were summarized with descriptive statistics to triangulate qualitative insights.

Findings indicated that audiences overwhelmingly perceived Freej as linguistically and culturally authentic: 95% rated the dialect as very/somewhat authentic, 94% said it reflects elders’ speech, and 89% felt the series …

Caring For Your Heart During Survivorship After Pediatric Cancer: A Visual Education Guide On Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity, Bryona Rose Hamilton

Theses

Chemotherapy is an effective weapon in the fight against pediatric cancer. However efficient, treatment can lead to side effects that last long after a patient finishes their last round of chemotherapy. This thesis examines current research on chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, a side effect of chemotherapy treatment caused by a class of chemotherapy drugs called Anthracyclines (such as doxorubicin and daunorubicin). While effective chemotherapy agents, these drugs have been known to cause late long-term heart damage when used to treat pediatric cancers such as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Pediatric Sarcoma. A written portion of this thesis project …

A Novel Nephron: 3d Visualization Of Glomerular Filtration In The Kidney, Cassie Young

Theses

Renal physiology, particularly the process of glomerular filtration, remains one of the most conceptually challenging topics in medical education due to its microscopic scale, dynamic pressure relationships, and structural complexity. Understanding how plasma passes through the glomerular filtration barrier requires spatial reasoning across multiple levels—from the gross anatomy of the kidney to the ultrastructure of capillaries, podocytes, and the glomerular basement membrane. This thesis addresses these challenges through the development of a scientifically accurate three-dimensional (3D) animation that illustrates glomerular filtration within its anatomical and physiological context. Designed as a visual teaching aid, the animation aims to improve comprehension of …

Understanding Computer-Mediated Human Experience In Digital-Physical Hybrid Space, Jiangnan Xu

Theses

With the rapid development of mobile and immersive technologies, the boundary between the digital and real world is increasingly blurred, giving rise to hybrid spaces. Hybrid spaces have permeated daily life and reshaped spatial meaning-making and social interaction. Despite their growing prevalence, empirical understanding of human experiences in hybrid spaces remains limited. If left unexamined, hybrid spaces risk becoming technology-centered rather than human-centered environments that overlook socio-cultural dimensions, potentially leading to harmful consequences for individuals and society. To investigate human experience in hybrid spaces, this thesis comprises five studies and uses gameful systems as research probes. Prior literature identifies collaboration …

Evaluating Datasets And Models For Offensive Language Identification, Skye Deson Morgan

Theses

Social media platforms enable people to easily communicate with one another, share ideas and express their opinions. Unfortunately, the anonymity provided by platforms such as Twitter and Facebook is more than enough to foster the spread of harmful content. Government agencies, as well as technology companies, are actively working towards finding better means of curbing offensive and objectionable content in social media and contributing to a more welcoming online environment. In this study, I first present a critical literature review on offensive language identification, exploring offensive language datasets and computational models using both machine learning and deep learning. Next, I …

A Fish & A Bird, Deanna Moorehead

Theses

As a curtain of trees opens and dawn breaks over the glistening waters of Lake Ontario, a fish and a bird spot each other through the surface and fall madly in love. They dance and sing together from their respective atmospheres, yet each time the bird soars past the water's edge and onto the beach, the fish cannot follow. Night after night, by the light of the moon, the fish trains herself to leap out of the water, hoping to breach high enough to join her beau above. Late one afternoon, the fish approaches the shore, where the bird stands …

Visible And Invisible Empires: The Revival Of The Ku Klux Klan 100 Years Ago, Christian Molina

Theses

Hatred and violence breed division, and division breeds more hatred and more violence. In an America where our politics has become name-calling, finger-pointing, scapegoating, and whataboutisms, and violence, unfortunately, it is safe to say our nation has entered this self-perpetuating cycle. A place for malicious groups concerned with growth, power, and profit to capture the angry, the stressed, and the less informed in their webs of elaborate lies and misleading, misinterpreted numbers the way they have in decades past.

Disposal, Yihan Su

Theses

Disposal is a mixed-media animated short film created as a graduate thesis project. The story explores the protagonist’s search for meaning in life and his defiance of a predetermined fate. At the beginning, he is an ordinary, guileless figure without remarkable qualities. In his world, life revolves around constant competition, and one’s worth is measured by their position on a ranking board. Only the top three may pass through the golden gate, a symbol of transcendence. Others must continue the endless cycle of contests, while the lowest seven face incineration in the Disposal. Despite his efforts, the protagonist falls into …

Home, Shania Rachel Mathews

Theses

Home is a film where I wanted to explore the idea of the phrase so where s home? being a confusing & spiraling phrase. This is something that hits really close to me. It is a phrase that always seems to catch me off guard. As an international student, I have been around a couple of states for studies. I have made homes in all these places. I have had core memories there that link me to those locations. However, the feeling of not truly belonging would always linger. I really wanted to create a film that captures the main …