Digital Commons Network^™

Examining Preoperative Health And Lifestyle Risk Factors In Patients Awaiting Surgery During Covid-19 In Western Australia, Nadine Radin

Theses

This study investigated the prevalence of modifiable preoperative lifestyle risk factors among patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal and colorectal surgery at a metropolitan hospital in Perth, Western Australia (WA). It aimed to characterise behaviours such as smoking, alcohol and drug use, nutritional risk, physical fitness, frailty, and body mass index (BMI), and to examine whether these changed during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 compared to 2019.

A retrospective audit of 2,340 patient medical records was conducted, with data extracted from routinely collected preadmission documentation. Regression models compared the prevalence of risk factors across matched calendar periods, adjusting …

Relationship Between Muscle Activation And Kinematic Features During Baseball Pitching, Maxwell Skene

Theses

Background: Baseball pitching is a biomechanically complex, high-velocity movement that places substantial demands on the upper extremity. Inefficient coordination between muscle activation and kinematic sequencing has been associated with reduced performance and increased injury risk, particularly at the shoulder and elbow. However, the integrated relationship between muscle activation patterns and three-dimensional kinematic features during pitching is not well-documented. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between throwing-arm muscle activation patterns and three-dimensional kinematic characteristics during fastball pitching, with particular emphasis on segmental accelerations, proximal–distal sequencing, and the directional structure of movement quantified using Relative Dimensional Contribution …

Hyaluronic Acid Loaded With Aloe Vera-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A New Bioactive Approach For Fibrotic Scarring, Maria Camila Ceballos Santa

Theses

Disruptions in wound healing can result in pathological outcomes ranging from chronic nonhealing wounds to excessive fibrotic scarring. Hypertrophic scars and keloids are hallmarks of this dysregulation, characterized by abnormal collagen deposition, persistent myofibroblast activation, and disorganized extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress play central roles by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage essential macromolecules and sustain pro-inflammatory signaling, while promoting the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and the excessive production of ECM proteins, such as collagen and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). This fibrotic cascade leads to tissue stiffness, contractility, and disfigurement, affecting the well-being of …

Exploring The Relationship Between Social Media And Anxiety In Deaf Community Students: A Mixed-Methods Approach., Gigi Zheng

Theses

The mental health of Deaf individuals, particularly in relation to social media engagement, is an understudied area amid growing global concerns about anxiety disorders. Deaf individuals face unique challenges, including communication barriers, social isolation, and stigma, all of which can heighten anxiety levels. Although social media offers valuable opportunities for connection and self-expression, it may also amplify stress and feelings of inadequacy when accessibility barriers persist. This mixed-methods study examined anxiety among Deaf college students and explored the cultural validity of two widely used anxiety measures—the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Quantitative data were collected …

Predicting Athlete Performance Using Machine Learning Models, Mohammad Abdulbasit Mohammad Alabdulla

Theses

The purpose of this research is to develop and assess multi-modal machine learning for robust performance analysis to predict athletic performance and evaluate injury risk. The study employed Data Analytics approach, where composite features, i.e., Training Stress and Recovery Score,were modelled to characterize training-recovery correlations. It had four different regression models (MLR, RFR, SVR, DNN) and four different classification models (Logistic Regression, RFC, SVM, DNN). DNN exhibited an increased degree of effectiveness in the forecasting Synthetic Performance Score (R2 =0.9998). Notably, the Random Forest Classifier (RFC) turned out to be the most valid predictor of injuries risk (F1-Score 0.7736; AUC-ROC …

Adaptive Reuse Of Underutilized Strip Malls: Creating Mixed-Use Continuum Care Campuses For Seniors, Julie Le Nguyen

Theses

As suburban commercial landscapes continue to decline, underutilized strip malls present an opportunity to reimagine aging-supportive environments through adaptive reuse. This thesis investigates how these sites can be transformed into mixed-use senior housing and continuum-care campuses through adaptive reuse strategies. Using a comparative case study methodology, the research examines a range of precedents—including senior housing retrofits, dementia villages, and community-based mixed-use developments—to identify key spatial, programmatic, and environmental principles that support aging populations. A five-part evaluative framework assesses project performance across site integration and green space, social and intergenerational engagement, programmatic and service integration, mixed-use activation, and cognitive and environmental …

Exploring Denitrification In Wetland Nitrogen Cycling And Biostimulant-Based Agricultural Strategies To Improve Ecosystem Health, Alexander Bechtel

Theses

The overuse of fertilizers has doubled the amount of reactive nitrogen in the environment. Agricultural runoff then carries these pollutants into the waterways eventually causing severe ecological damage such as the Gulf of Mexico dead zone. Nitrogen plays an important role in all life on this planet, here we describe two complementary projects that investigate ways to mitigate nitrogen pollution. The first project investigates denitrification rates in soil after the Len Small Levee breached in 2016 which reconnected the Dogtooth Bend Floodplain with the Mississippi briefly. The denitrification process that began in the hydrologically activated soils was hypothesized to be …

Relationship Between Semi-Aquatic Mammal Occupancy And Particulate Carbon, Nitrogen, And Phosphorus Dynamics In Freshwater Ecosystems, Madison H. Stokoski

Theses

Semi-aquatic mammals such as beavers (Castor canadensis) and muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) can influence carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) dynamics in freshwater systems. While the effect of beavers, in particular, are typically attributed to their dam and lodge building behaviors, these animals do not always build these structures. It’s possible that other, non-damming behaviors (e.g. foraging and burrowing) may influence the availability of nutrients as well. To assess this possibility, we surveyed 54 lentic and lotic waterbodies across Southern Illinois and investigated the possibility that beaver and muskrat occupancy improved our ability to explain variation in nutrient availability across …

Effect Of Water-Deficit Stress On Cannabis Sativa Production And Secondary Metabolite Levels, Shiksha Sharma

Theses

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is an emerging high-value crop that belongs to the Cannabaceae family and the genus Cannabis, which is known to produce more than 200 cannabinoids. Although genetic variation is the main factor in cannabinoid production, water-deficit stress is believed to induce its production. The objective of this master’s thesis was to determine the effects of water-deficit stress frequencies and timing on growth, physiology, yield, and cannabinoid concentration in cannabis. Heidi cultivars were planted in a controlled environmental growth unit. One period of water-deficit stress was found to produce the lowest concentration of total CBD and THC. In …

Graphic Design For Visual Narratives: The Semiotics Of Diegetic Retrofuturism, Brooke Luke Ballard

Theses

While semiotics, diegesis, and retrofuturism have all been discussed at length in academia, it is uncommon to find the synthesis of all three. When these concepts are combined, it forms what I argue is a new genre of graphic design now prevalent enough in contemporary media to warrant definition and analysis. This thesis first explores the theories of visual semiotics, narrative diegesis, and retrofuturistic aesthetics individually before uniting them as a new design genre. Several candidates for this design classification will then be examined in case studies that meet the criteria of 1) containing a visual language that a modern …

Genomic And Metabolic Network Characterization Of Fusarium Species, Hend Hussain Mueenuddin

Theses

Fusarium covers the wide genus of fungi with over 400 species that are key in agricultural and medical practice. The purpose of the current study was to perform a comprehensive genomic profiling of the 19 Fusarium species that were captured in the National Centre of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. The study was made to make a comparison of the data, based on the descriptive statistics of every species, with graphical representation images enabling clear demonstration of the numbers. The study indicated that the chromosomal numbers were in the range of 0-15, the gene count was roughly 11000 -19000, while that …

Screening For Potential Plant Growth‐Promoting Rhizobacteria (Pgpr)-Assisted Phytoremediation To Mitigate Lead Toxicity In Uae Soils, Zeinab Mohamed Abdalla

Theses

This study investigates the potential of lead (Pb)-tolerant actinobacteria that possess 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD) activity and plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits to serve as a biological tool for enhancing the growth of corn (Zea mays L.) under Pb stress. The primary objective of this research was to isolate and characterize novel, Pb-tolerant, rhizosphere-competent actinobacteria and to evaluate their efficacy in mitigating Pb toxicity, reducing its uptake, and promoting biomass accumulation in corn grown in contaminated soil. A total of 43 actinobacterial isolates were obtained from Pb-contaminated rhizosphere soil and screened for Pb tolerance, rhizosphere competence, ACCD activity, and PGP traits. …

Functional Foods For Older Adults: Comparing The Bioactive Properties Of Cheese To Identify Products That Promote Healthy Ageing, Aimee Plante

Theses

Functional foods for the elderly: comparing the bioactive properties of cheese to identify products that promote healthy ageing.

People are living longer, and a healthy ageing population is a key goal of our National Positive Ageing Strategy. One approach to support this initiative is to promote and develop functional foods that can support healthy ageing by reducing age-related conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer. Cheese particularly aged and fermented varieties like cheddar show great potential as a functional food with inherent and established health properties. It naturally contains bioactive peptides, vitamins, minerals, protein and possible cultures that confer …

Physicochemical And Structural Optimization Of Date (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) Syrup: Impact Of Extraction Temperatures And Pectin Addition, Afna Thaivalappil Abdul Asiz

Theses

This thesis focuses on the optimization of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) syrup, an emerging natural sweetener rich in glucose, fructose, and bioactive compounds, by investigating how extraction temperature and pectin incorporation influence its physicochemical and structural properties. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to examine how extraction temperatures (25°C, 50°C, 75°C, and 90°C), and the incorporation of lowmethoxyl pectin (LMP, DE 31%) and high-methoxyl pectin (HMP, DE 85%) prior to concentration, affect the quality, stability, and functionality of date syrup. The results showed that increasing extraction temperatures increased the total soluble solids (16 °Brix at 25°C to …

Impact Of Temperature On Larval Mortality And Performance Of The Acorn Barnacle Chthamalus Fissus In San Diego, Ca, Alberto Rivera

Theses

Rising ocean temperatures and increasingly frequent marine heatwaves threaten the physiological performance and survival of marine larvae. This study quantifies the thermal tolerance, respiration, and swimming behavior of Chthamalus fissus cyprid larvae to establish a baseline for understanding their vulnerability under future climate scenarios. Larvae were collected from the Scripps Pier in La Jolla, CA and exposed to a range of temperatures (12–50°C, dependent on the experiment) to assess oxygen consumption, mortality, and swimming speeds. Oxygen consumption rates increased significantly with temperature, peaking at 30°C, with cyprids exposed to temperatures above 26°C showing significantly higher respiration rates than those below …

People’S Plate: The Recipe For Equitable Food Distribution, Bayleigh Nicole Thurston

Theses

Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in the United States that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, leaving millions without access to nutritious meals. In 2023 alone, over 50 million people turned to food assistance programs for additional support1. While traditional nutrition programs like food banks and soup kitchens provide a vital service to many communities, they often lack the capacity to address the multifaceted nature of hunger. The social stigma and alienation associated with seeking food assistance become of little concern when organizations are grappling with daunting challenges of limited resources, logistical hurdles, and the need to provide quality, nutritious meals. …

Advancing The Utility Of Unmanned Aerial Systems (Uas)-Based Imaging Techniques In Broadacre Agriculture: A Multimodal Case Study On Table Beets, Mohammad Shahriar Saif

Theses

Efficient and sustainable food production and management are growing concerns in the context of an ever-increasing global population. It is in this context that the integration of remote sensing with advanced imaging technologies presents transformative opportunities for data-driven decision-making in agriculture. This study therefore explores the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) equipped with multispectral, hyperspectral, and LiDAR sensors for the non-destructive monitoring of table beet (Beta vulgaris) crop traits, with a specific focus on root yield estimation and foliar disease assessment. Table beet, a subterranean crop of increasing commercial and nutritional importance, poses unique challenges for above-canopy sensing due …

Through A Mother's Eyes: The Psychology Of Color, Katie Kutz

Theses

This project investigates the intersection of color psychology, maternal experience, and visual perception through a series of five artworks. Using a qualitative methodology, this project draws upon interdisciplinary research such as neuroscience, marketing, art history, and personal experiences as a mother. This work explores how sensory changes during pregnancy and postpartum influence the emotional perception of color, and how this can be represented in art. Inspired by artists that have explored the theme of motherhood such as Mary Cassatt, Käthe Kollwitz, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Jenny Saville, and Alice Neel, this project uses an emotionally charged approach to depicting motherhood. Color changing …

Customizing Ai Strategies Across Multiple Generations, Matthew Harrer

Theses

This project investigates how artificial intelligence can help brands and marketers connect more effectively with Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. The literature review lays the groundwork that focuses on consumer behaviors and the integration of AI into digital marketing practices for each generation. The second part of the project involves a secondary data analysis of 21 recent marketing surveys and reports that explores topics related to trust, personalization, and social media. By integrating the findings into an insightful guidebook, marketers will be able to maximize these insights into clear actionable strategies.

Development Of Nanopocket Membranes For The Isolation And Purification Of Extracellular Vesicles, Munther Alsudais

Theses

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in intercellular communication and serve as significant biomarkers for various diseases. EVs carry biomolecules such as lipids, proteins, DNA, and RNA, which reflect the physiological state of their cells of origin, making them promising tools for non-invasive diagnostics and therapeutic applications. Effective isolation of EVs is essential for advancing scientific understanding of their biological roles and unlocking their clinical potential. Porous membranes have been widely used for the purification of various biological species from biological fluids. While membranes have prove highly effective for general size-based separation, recent innovations have focused on structurally refined …

Electrospun Membranes From Bio-Renewable Poly (Ethylene Furanoate)/Poly (Ethylene Teraphthalate) (Pef/Pet) Blend For Emulsification Application, Aya Ismat Sayed

Theses

This thesis focuses on manufacturing electrospun fibrous membranes from a blend of poly (ethylene terephthalate) and poly (ethylene furanoate) and using in premix emulsification. Poly (ethylene furanoate), which is a 100% bio-renewable polymer being blended with synthetic poly (ethylene terephthalate) for membrane fabrication contributes towards sustainability in the production of food and pharmaceutical emulsions. The primary objective of this research is to optimize the fabrication conditions of poly (ethylene terephthalate)/poly (ethylene furanoate) porous membranes, characterize their properties, and evaluate their performance in emulsification. This study compares poly (ethylene terephthalate) / poly (ethylene furanoate) blend membranes with individual poly (ethylene terephthalate) …

Associations Between Vitamin D Deficiency And Sociodemographic Factors, Lifestyle Behaviors, And Metabolic Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study From The Hnnhs In Greece, Asmae Mohamad Sadek

Theses

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a widespread global health concern associated with various sociodemographic, lifestyle, dietary, and metabolic factors. While previous studies examined VDD in Greece, few provided a comprehensive analysis across multiple determinants using representative national data. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of VDD among Greek adults and to examine its associations with sociodemographic, dietary, behavioral, and metabolic variables using data from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS). A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 978 adults (≥19 years) from the HNNHS. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations < 20 ng/mL were defined as deficient and ≥20 ng/mL as normal. The median age of participants was 40.2 years, and 62.0% were female. The overall prevalence of VDD was 46.0%, with the highest rate observed among adults aged ≥60 years (62.2%). VDD was significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001), retirement status (62.9% among retired; p < 0.001), low and sedentary physical activity (32.7% and 32.6% vs. 50.8% among highly active; p < 0.001), higher HDL (median 52.0 vs. 49.0 mg/dL among VDD vs Normal; p = 0.001), elevated serum calcium (median 9.4 vs. 9.2 mg/dL among VDD vs Normal; p = 0.020), and lower insulin levels (median 7.5 vs. 8.0 μIU/mL among VDD vs Normal; p = 0.044). Dietary intake (total energy and macronutrients) and body composition were not significantly associated with VDD. In the multivariate model, significant independent predictors of VDD included being retired (AOR = 2.383; 95% CI: 1.596–3.558; p < 0.001), having higher serum calcium levels (AOR = 1.563; 95% CI: 1.078–2.266; p = 0.019), and higher HDL levels (AOR = 1.016; 95% CI: 1.005–1.027; p = 0.001). Physical activity level was also a key determinant; participants classified as sedentary or low active had significantly higher odds of deficiency compared to highly active individuals (AOR = 0.468; 95% CI: 0.319–0.690; p < 0.001). This counterintuitive result may be influenced by factors such as increased indoor physical activity, and warrants further investigation. Dietary intake and body composition were not significantly associated with VDD. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating sociodemographic and lifestyle factors into prevention strategies. Interventions should particularly focus on older adults, retired individuals, even if they have higher HDL and calcium levels, and are physically active.

Examining Food Choice Determinants In Ncaa Division Iii Athlete Participants Representing Multiple Sports, Olivia Towne

Theses

Objective: To examine determinants of food choice among NCAA Division III athletes using the Athlete Food Choice Questionnaire (AFCQ), focusing on gender, sport type, and seasonal status. Participants: 72 NCAA Division III athletes from 13 sports at a private northeastern university participated in an online survey during Fall 2024. Methods: Participants completed the 32-item AFCQ assessing nine food choice factors. Independent t-tests and Pearson’s correlations were used to compare factor scores by gender, sport type, seasonal status, and team success. Results: Performance, Sensory Appeal, and Food Values and Beliefs emerged as the most influential factors in food choice, while Weight …

Summit Disease: The Ecological Horror Of Empire, Nicholas Moore

Theses

This project focuses on the use of insect imagery in art and media and the theories and concepts that have been instrumental in understanding the cultural and political significance of insect species extinction and decline. I center my work on the concept of ecohorror and highlight several artists whose work depicts insect species and conveys anxieties over ecoprecarity and climate dysfunction. I argue that depictions of insects in art and media can be interpreted in two ways - insects as destructive, monstrous contaminants and insects as constructive, beneficial terraformers - and I rely on Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaa of the Valley …

Personalized Nutrition Recommendations For Arab Communities: Transforming Diet And Health Through Machine Learning, Khalfan Aldoobi

Theses

A lack of cultural understanding in traditional nutrition approaches prevents proper adherence to healthy dietary patterns among individuals. The Arab population faces unique challenges due to cultural dietary customs and lifestyle changes that have made obesity and diet illnesses major global public health challenges. The rapid shift to high-calorie but undernourished foods and less physical activity has resulted in alarming rate increases of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. The lack of cultural understanding in traditional nutrition approaches prevents proper adherence to healthy dietary patterns among individuals. This study focuses to fills the existing gap by applying Artificial Intelligence …

Encapsulation Of Lactobacillus Reuteri Dsm 17938 In W/O/W Emulsion: Influence Of Oil Type On Viability And Oxidative Stability, Nora Mohamed Alantali

Theses

Probiotics, known for their wide range of health benefits, have been gaining recognition on their effects on the gut-brain axis. This axis, operated via various pathways, can be modulated by the type and functions of probiotics found in the gut microflora. However, probiotics face several stress factors before reaching the gut which hinders them from being functional. The main objective of this thesis was to construct a stable double-emulsion-based delivery system for probiotics, which can act as a barrier against the harsh conditions of the digestive system. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 was loaded in a water-in-oil-in-water Pickering double emulsion system, …

Evaluating The Effects Of Co₂ And Uv-B On Sporobolus Virginicus (L.) Kunth Growth Under Open Top Chamber: A Comparison Of Silicon Nanoparticle-Treated And Untreated Plants, Suhaila Humaid Ablooshi

Theses

The study focused at how silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs; 50 mg/L) affected the growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and biochemical responses of the salt-tolerant halophyte Sporobolus virginicus in four different environments. They are control, high CO₂, UV-B radiation, and a mix of high CO₂ and UV-B. Plants that were treated with SiNPs showed big changes in their shape, such as more biomass, bigger leaf area, and better root systems in all conditions. The use of combined stress treatments caused a big increase in the levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids. As a result, that the plants were better at …

Determinants Of Agricultural Productivity In The Leading Producing Countries Worldwide, Seidu Musah

Theses

Agricultural production is one of the widely expanded business sectors in the world. The aim of this study is to find out the driving factors behind cereal and soybean productivity as well as the production trends in the top twenty cereal and top seven soybean producing countries, respectively. Secondary data, which include both time series and cross-sectional data, were used for the analysis of 520 observations from the top twenty cereal producing countries and 427 observations from the top seven soybean producing countries.The panel data regression model was the statistical tool adopted in this study to determine the factors driving …

Examining The Influence Of Sports Nutrition Counseling On Collegiate Athletes, Jenelle Leon Saravia

Theses

This study explored the influence of nutrition counseling provided by registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) on collegiate athletes’ dietary behaviors, knowledge, and perceptions of nutrition. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating qualitative interviews with 15 athletes from six sports across four schools. Participants reflected on their counseling experiences, focusing on its impact on their nutritional habits, health, and athletic performance. Quantitative data, including a one-sample t-test on recommendation scores, revealed a mean score of 6.73 (SD = 0.46) on a 7-point scale, indicating consistently high satisfaction with nutrition counseling. Thematic analysis identified five themes: Influence of Counseling, Behavioral Changes, Self-Reported Understanding …

Implementation And Dissemination Of The 'About Eating' Program: Evaluating Participant Engagement, Usability, And Module Interest, Justin Konrad Walker

Theses

Abstract Background: Online nutrition education can improve food choices among underserved populations. The About Eating New York (AENY) program is a web-based, self-paced series of modules designed to enhance nutritional literacy, resource management, and confidence in healthy eating. Leveraging dissemination and implementation (D&I) science, AE partnered with community organizations across New York’s ten fiscal regions to extend its reach. Methods: This study analyzed secondary data from the AENY dissemination effort. Participants were recruited via social media and community organizations. Pre- and post-program surveys and end-of-lesson surveys assessed demographics, engagement, and perceptions of usability. Quantitative analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVAs, …