Digital Commons Network^™

Toward Overcoming The Double Empathy Problem: Bridging Autistic And Neurotypical Minds Through Science And Art, Elizabeth Rose Bessey

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, autistic people have been portrayed as lacking empathy. However, more recent research reveals mutual, rather than one-sided, gaps in empathy between autistic and neurotypical (NT) people. Decreased empathy can lead to marginalization and even violence, usually toward those in the minority. Regardless of diagnosis, however, there are fundamental aspects of the human experience upon which empathy could be built. In the present study, we explored commonalities and differences in how autistic and NT individuals experience comfort and discomfort. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to discover the causes, emotions, and reactions to comfortable and uncomfortable social situations and environments across autistic …

Validation Of Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (Hcap) In Egypt: A Sub Study Of The Egyptian Longitudinal Study Of Aging (Al-Seha), Sara Ayman Moustafa

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Building upon the insights gained from the AL-SEHA pilot study, which underscored the pressing need for comprehensive cognitive assessment tools in Egypt, a subsequent research initiative was launched. This initiative sought to address the escalating burden of dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (ADRD) by adapting and validating the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) for the Egyptian context. The validation study, conducted with 300 participants aged 55 and over, drawn from diverse backgrounds and healthcare settings in Cairo, Mansoura, and Beni Suef, demonstrated the HCAP's effectiveness across different age and education levels within the Egyptian population. The tool exhibited …

Utilizing Students’ Technological Knowledge To Develop Critical Reading Skills And Digital Literacy Identities, Rosemarie Mcgraw

Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to explore how teachers can purposefully integrate and connect students’ digital literacy funds of knowledge into in-school digital literacy meaning making to enhance critical reading and thinking, and how it supports students’ development of their digital literacy identity. The theories that guided this thesis were from New London Group, Freire, Gee, Knobel, and Lankshear. This was a qualitative research study that collected data from surveys, interviews, observations, and student work samples. Over the course of the study, students participated in a controlled choice research unit. Throughout the study, students received specific instruction on how to use multiliteracies …

Flexible And Rigid Endoscopic Evaluation Of In Vivo Rabbit Larynges: A Pilot Study, Shauntel Mei Li Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the comparability of flexible endoscopy to rigid endoscopy in the examination of rabbit vocal folds in vivo. This work was conducted within a larger parent project that has investigated the adverse effects of combination inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) on voice function in animal models and humans. In this study, both flexible and rigid vocal fold imaging was performed on eight rabbits; four having received ICs and four that were from control conditions. Original recordings were examined frame-by-frame to identify similar views, zoomed in and zoomed out, for flexible and rigid samples. Images were …

Effect Of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (Cftr) Loss In Lung Adenocarcinoma (Luad), Marilyn G. Vallejo Alvarez

Theses and Dissertations

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common form of non-small cell lung cancer in the United States and is a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Patients with LUAD experience severe pulmonary symptoms and often progress to metastatic disease. Our previous work has shown that LUAD cells downregulate lung cell identity programs across cancer progression such as genes involved in the maintenance of epithelial barrier integrity. For example, CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator), a water and bicarbonate channel, is expressed in normal alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells and is downregulated in cells that give rise to LUAD. Although the loss …

Foam Fraction Flow: Using Mls-Mpm With Volume Fractions To Simulate Low-Density Dry Foam, Alexander Neville

Theses and Dissertations

Foaming bubbles are a common element seen throughout both nature and man-made civilization. All types of bubbles behave variably. For example, foams float in water, splash out from buckets, and are squeezed out of hand soap dispensers. Due to their complexity and variance in behavior, they can be expensive to simulate and difficult to portray realistically. When simulating dense concentrations of bubbles with little free-flowing water, such as soap films, three variables need to be accounted for: how the fluid will move, how the bubbles will be sized, and how the bubbles will behave when they come into contact with …

A Rabbit Model Of Voice Function Changes Caused By The Administration And Subsequent Withdrawal Of Asthma Inhalers, Savannah Forbes Bullock

Theses and Dissertations

Combination inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) are the primary treatment prescribed for patients with asthma; however, voice problems are also associated with ICs. In this study, 32 rabbits were assigned randomly to one of five experimental groups: baseline, induction, induction control, reversibility, and reversibility control. The baseline group received no treatment and larynges were obtained following quarantine. Rabbits belonging to experimental groups received IC treatment twice a day until trained raters noted visible vocal fold changes during endoscopy, which was performed every 2 weeks. When changes were observed, animals were euthanized, and the larynges were harvested from the experimental induction group and …

Dna-Templated Nanofabrication Of Metal-Semiconductor Heterojunctions And Their Electrical Characterization, Chao Pang

Theses and Dissertations

Bottom-up nanofabrication, although still in its early stages with formidable challenges, is considered a potential alternative method to address the limitations of traditional top-down techniques by offering benefits including process simplification, cost reduction, and environmental friendliness. DNA-templated nanofabrication, one of the most powerful bottom-up methods, presents an innovative way to create advanced nanoelectronics. In this approach, nanomaterials with specific electronic, photonic, or other functions are precisely and programmably positioned on DNA nanostructures from a disordered collection of smaller parts. These self-assembled structures offer significant potential for improving many fields such as biosensing, drug delivery and electronic device manufacturing. This dissertation …

Farmers’ Hiring Decisions Towards Farm Mechanization Services In The Cauvery Delta Zone Of Tamil Nadu, Krishnadas R

Theses and Dissertations

Agriculture is critical to any country's economic development. It not only benefits the primary and secondary sectors but also helps the economy flourish. In addition to ensuring food security, the Indian agricultural sector provides work to huge populations, both directly and indirectly. Traditional farming practices are now overused, labour is no longer abundant, and the power demand is rising steadily. The rapid development of technology has given rise to new opportunities in agriculture (Balafoutis, Evert, & Fountas, 2020). Technology aids agricultural growth by allowing more effective utilization of inputs. It has the potential to make an immense contribution to agricultural …

An Exploration Of Power Relations In Select Plays Of Girish Karnad A Foucauldian Perspective, Srinivasa Yogananda Rao Netrakanti

Theses and Dissertations

The present study, ‘An Exploration of Power Relations in Select Plays of Girish Karnad: A Foucauldian Perspective‘ aims to study power relations among the different characters in the three plays of Girish Karnad viz., Tughlaq, Naga-Mandala and Tale- Danda through Foucault's three modalities of power viz., bio-power, disciplinary power and sovereign power.

Chapter 1, Introduction gives a bird-eye view of Foucauldian concepts of power followed by the three modes of objectification and dividing practices, subjects and power relations, inter-connectedness between power and knowledge, panopticism, bio-power and discourses, the application of Foucauldian theories of the three major powers. Next, a Girish …

Intervening For A Better Social Life? A Comparative Analysis Of Psychological Egoism And Aristotle As Alternate Foundations For Applied Social Psychology's Aims, Samuel D. Major

Theses and Dissertations

The scientific aim which distinguishes applied social psychological research from basic social psychological research is that of using social psychological theory to develop interventions meant to rectify social and practical problems in hopes of fostering a flourishing or thriving social sphere. In developing their interventions, however, many applied social psychologists have failed to consider their pre-investigatory philosophical commitments, commitments which imply the kind of flourishing social life that may come as a result of interventions rooted in them. The aim of this dissertation is to invite applied social psychologists to consider if their frequently noted, yet often unexamined, commitment to …

Beyond Urban Development: The Political Economy Of The Decision To Build A New Administrative Capital [Nac], Arsany Medhat

Theses and Dissertations

Following major societal upheavals, regimes often embark on grandiose infrastructure projects, particularly new capital cities. This thesis delves into the political-economic motivations behind such seemingly monumental undertaking, taking the case of Egypt's New Administrative Capital (NAC) as its prime example. Through meticulous analysis, it argues that three key drivers—legitimization, legibility, and clientelism—underpin this decision, ultimately fostering a process of power consolidation. Legitimization: The NAC serves as a potent symbol of a "new era," offering the post-upheaval regime a platform to showcase its modernity, efficiency, and commitment to progress, thereby bolstering its legitimacy in the eyes of both domestic and international …

Evaluating The Effects Of Key Virulence-Associated Genes In Estimating The Virulence Of Escherichia Coli, Using Embryo Lethality Assay And Experimental Infection Studies, Fozol Korim Ovi

Theses and Dissertations

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes a wide range of diseases in chickens called colibacillosis, resulting a substantial economic loss to the poultry industry. This dissertation aims at addressing this disease by exploring key virulence-associated genes (VAGs), swarming motility (SM), and multi-locus sequence types (MLST) of E. coli isolates obtained from colibacillosis-infected or asymptomatic commercial hens. Secondly, by classifying the E. coli isolates into different virulence categories based on the presence of five key VAGs [iroN, ompT, hlyF, iutA, and iss]. Finally, by performing embryo lethality assays and experimental infection studies to establish the effect of these VAGs. Our findings …

Conservation At The Speed Of Light: Applications Of Non-Invasive Technologies For Assessing Physiological Phenomena In Amphibians, Li-Dunn Chen

Theses and Dissertations

The Anthropocene epoch in which we are currently living, also known as the Holocene, has brought about unprecedented losses in planet Earth’s biodiversity. Numerous extirpations of floral and faunal species have been influenced by human encroachment and more specifically, the exploitation of such species and the respective habitats in which they reside. It is this notion that has propelled many scientists to take up intellectual arms in an effort to protect these invaluable resources. The purpose of this research was to develop technologies to measure and evaluate various variables that influence animal physiology, specifically in amphibians who represent the most …

Physiology And Gut Microbiome Diversity In Honey Bee Colonies Along An Agricultural Intensification Gradient, Urita Mma Agana

Theses and Dissertations

Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) are the major insect pollinators of many different crops. A drastic decline in the honey bee populations has been reported over the past decade. While many factors have contributed to this decline, pesticides, poor nutrition, and Varroa mites are the most common concerns noted by scientists and beekeepers. Aside from direct toxicity from pesticides, it has been observed that sublethal pesticide doses have effects on honey bee physiology and behavior such as oxidative stress, disruption of foraging and homing, and changes to honey bee neurophysiology. The primary objectives of this project were to examine honey bee …

Abundance And Control Of Nuisance Watershield (Brasenia Schreberi) Populations In Mississippi, Mackenzie M. Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Aquatic nuisance plants (ANS), like watershield (Brasenia schreberi), negatively affect water chemistry, ecosystem ecology, and human uses of waterbodies if not properly managed. Understanding ecological predictors as well as efficient control strategies is needed for successful control of ANS. This research assessed 1) potential environmental and ecological predictors of watershield prevalence along with 2) submersed injections of flumioxazin herbicide for watershield control. Twenty-one lakes in the state of Mississippi were surveyed for watershield presence. Watershield prevalence was not correlated to water clarity or plant diversity suggesting these are not drivers of watershield prevalence. A series of mesocosm and field trials …

Developing Non-Invasive Molecular Sampling Methods For Effective Wildlife Monitoring, Daniela Adjaye

Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring of wildlife populations is critical to conservation and public health and provides crucial information necessary for effective decision-making and management. Effective wildlife monitoring requires effective and adaptable sampling methods that consider the researchers as well as species being monitored. This thesis assesses non-invasive sampling methods to 1) detect cryptic shrew species, and 2) identify bacteria of public health concern present in American black bear (Ursus americanus) fecal matter. Results from Chapter 2 demonstrate the potential for monitoring rare and sparsely distributed small mammals using soil sourced environmental DNA with targeted sampling (e.g., cover objects for shrews). Chapter 3 demonstrates …

Hydrologic Connectivity Between Oxbow Lakes And Rivers Within The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Hafez Ahmad

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated hydrologic connectivity, the intricate network of water pathways linking waterbodies, and its implications for biodiversity exchange in floodplains. Chapter 1 provides an exhaustive literature review encompassing factors influencing hydrologic connectivity, assessment approaches, scales, challenges, and management tools. Existing research often focuses on single scales and short-term periods, revealing a need for comprehensive multi-scale and extended temporal analyses. The absence of standardized definitions and methodologies in this field is also considered. Chapter 2 presents an innovative approach quantifying eight key connectivity metrics using remote sensing and GIS within the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV). This adaptable method assesses …

Individual Differences In Attention Processes And Creative Thinking, Berna Altunisik

Theses and Dissertations

Effects of mind wandering on creative thinking is unclear in the literature. Using multiple measures of mind wandering and creativity, the current study investigates the role of different contexts on the relationship between mind wandering and creative thinking. Thought probes measured intentionality and freely moving dimensions of mind wandering in a lexical decision and a movie task (between-subjects). Three measures of attention control were also obtained. Deliberate and spontaneous mind wandering traits were measured with a survey. Participants did not show off-task behaviors during the mind wandering tasks. Attention control positively predicted creative problem solving and divergent thinking scores. Freely …

Removal Of Emerging Contaminants From Water Using Green Adsorbents, Rabia Amen

Theses and Dissertations

Water availability is presently under risk owing to the increased discharge of pollutants from both industrial and residential properties. A distinct category of pollutants known as "emerging contaminants" (ECs), whose hazards were either unknown before they were noticed, e.g., antibiotics, dyes, PFAS, etc. Most of the ECs are unregulated and pose a threat to aquatic and human life at even low doses. Our water treatment facilities are not designed to efficiently eliminate these toxic substances. Therefore, we need an economical tertiary treatment approach. Adsorptionis a sustainable, cost effective and simple technique, making it a viable technique for pollutants elimination on …

Motivations For Habitat Management Of Private Lands In The Southeastern United States: Implications For At-Risk Species, Caleb Michael Blake

Theses and Dissertations

Private lands play a crucial role in protecting at-risk species in the Southeast, and finding ways to increase landowner participation in conservation efforts is essential. I surveyed non-industrial private forest owners in Mississippi to assess how their motivations for land management relates to their willingness to manage for at-risk species. I also assessed if landowners who hunt are more willing to manage for at-risk species. Results showed that landowners are motivated by a sense of stewardship for the land, but there is a lack of awareness about at-risk species. Although the effect size was minimal, there is a significant relationship …

Jackson, Mississippi Food Security Efforts: Understanding The Current And Future Foodscape, Natalie Rosemary Bowers

Theses and Dissertations

In Jackson, Mississippi, basic needs like access to food and water are critical issues. This research reveals efforts and actors working to improve food access within Jackson’s foodscape. This study uses interview and mapping methodologies, which unearth the challenges and opportunities for food efforts in Jackson. Current food work is analyzed through a cultural lens – How is the work influenced by the unique conditions and aspects of Jackson? – and a temporal lens – How does time impact access? What are historic changes and future visions for Jackson? These investigations contribute to opportunities for developing sustainable food systems, determining …

The Effects Of Vitamin D Supplementation On Prostate Cancer, Grier Cosby

Theses and Dissertations

This systematic review's goal is to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in helping to manage the nutritional needs of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. A systematic literature search following the PRISMA guidelines using Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane databases was conducted to review randomized controlled trials and interventional studies up to 2023. The search strategy targeted randomized controlled trials and intervention studies. The selection process involved screening for study characteristics (study design), participant demographics (prostate cancer patients receiving treatment), intervention details (vitamin D assessment methods, dosages), outcome measures (progression, prognosis, quality of life), and risk estimates (hazard ratios, odds …

Effect Of Metaphylaxis In High-Risk Stocker Heifers On The Nasopharyngeal Microbiome, Resistome, And Antimicrobial Resistance Of Mannheimia Haemolytica, William Byrn Crosby

Theses and Dissertations

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading cause of morbidity in feeder and stocker cattle, resulting in large impacts on economics of stocker and feedlot operations. One of the most effective means of controlling BRD is the mass administration of antimicrobials (AM) at arrival or “metaphylaxis”, potentially leading to increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Mannheimia haemolytica (MH), the most commonly isolated bacterial pathogen in BRD cases in feedlot cattle, has been shown to have integrative-conjugative elements (ICE), which are mobile genetic elements that have the ability to integrate themselves in the host genome. Notably, these ICE have been shown to contain …

Charting The Course Through Complexity: Networked Approaches To Foster Sustainable And Resilient Supply Chains., Safae El Amrani

Theses and Dissertations

Amidst a dynamic global landscape, supply chains have transformed into complex, interdependent networks. These ever-growing complexities can catalyze a snowball effect, where minor disruptions ripple through sub-infrastructures, culminating in significant cascading failures. As a result, the imperative to bolster supply chain sustainability and resilience has never been greater. This dissertation explores the intricate dynamics of supply chain sustainability and resilience, introducing innovative methodologies for assessing and enhancing these critical aspects. This dissertation rigorously examines the themes of sustainability and resilience within supply chain networks through distinct yet complementary lenses. Initially, it delves into sustainability by introducing the Supply Chain Performance …

Synthesis And Degradation Of Biobased Polymers From Plant Oils Incorporated With Cellulose Nanocrystals., Katherine Elmore

Theses and Dissertations

Synthetic plastics are intrinsic to modern human existence. Unfortunately, many challenges exist related to the accumulation of plastic waste, including greenhouse gas emissions, contamination of natural environments, and entrance into the food chain through microplastics. Therefore, new polymers are being developed that both compete with the capabilities and costs of petroleum-based plastics and have assured biodegradability. Through decades of research, plant oils have emerged as one of the leading options for alternative starting materials because of their feasibility for use in polymerization reactions, wide availability, renewability, and cost-effectiveness. In this work, cottonseed oil (CSO) and soybean oil (SBO) are successfully …

Evaluation And Enhancement Of The Phosphorus Index For The Mississippi Delta, Felipe Fernandez Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Basin (LMAB) faces significant environmental challenges due to phosphorus (P) runoff from agricultural lands, contributing to eutrophication and aquatic ecosystem degradation. Excess nutrient runoff, particularly P, threatens water quality and contributes to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. The current Mississippi Phosphorus Index (P-Index), a tool for assessing P loss vulnerability from agricultural fields, has shown limitations in its applicability across the diverse conditions of the Mississippi Delta, a sub-region of the LMAB. This research presents a comprehensive revision of the P-Index by employing a suite of analytical techniques and diverse data sources, including geospatial analysis, …

Evaluation Of Air Fryer Technology Inactivation Of Salmonella Spp. In Brownies Formulated With Almond Flour And All-Purpose Flour, Courtlone Kenshon Glaspie

Theses and Dissertations

Flour has been identified as the source of Salmonella related recalls and outbreaks in past years. Flour is not usually heat treated and can cause issues when eaten raw, such as in the consumption of cookie dough and batters. Alternative flours like almond flour have been used in some bakery products. Alternative cooking techniques like air frying have increased as well due to their ease of use. The objective of this research was to study the effectiveness of air fryer technology on the inactivation of Salmonella in brownies formulated with all-purpose and almond flour. The aw and pH decreased significantly …

Evaluating The Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation’S Utility As A Tool For Preventing Reproductive Inefficiency, Todd Galen Gunderson

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most impactful challenges beef cow-calf producers face is the need to optimize reproductive efficiency. The ability of a veterinarian to identify potential sources of reproductive inefficiency is a valuable service they can offer. The breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) is one tool veterinarians use to identify subfertile bulls prior to use. This body of research shows that producers who have a defined breeding season have higher odds of hiring a veterinarian to perform BSEs, and that as breeding season length decreases, the probability of a management strategy that uses BSEs being profitable increases. Furthermore, not all veterinarians use …

Effects Of Subconjunctival Ropivacaine, Tetracaine, Mepivacaine, And Liposomal Bupivacaine On Corneal Sensitivity In Healthy Horses, Gabriel Alexander Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

Corneal sensitivity and adverse events following subconjunctival administration of three local anesthetics in twelve mares were evaluated. The subconjunctival space of the treated eye was injected with 0.2 mL of mepivacaine (2%), ropivacaine (1.3%) and liposomal bupivacaine (1.3%). All horses received each medication once and the contralateral eye received saline. The corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured using a esthesiometer before sedation, after sedation, and at specified intervals until it returned to baseline. The mean total time of anesthesia (TTA) was 168.3 minutes for ropivacaine, 169.2 minutes for liposomal bupivacaine, 103.3 minutes for mepivacaine and 30.7 minutes for control. The …