Digital Commons Network^™

Micro-Metropolis: Space, Work, And Waste In The Maquettes Of Constant And Bodys Isek Kingelez, Shoshanah B. Rosen

Theses and Dissertations

Constant Nieuwenhuys and Bodys Isek Kingelez both create futuristic utopias in the form of architectural maquettes. This comparative study explores each artist’s reverence for technology, global connectivity, and new forms of economic production. It argues that these utopias represent desires endemic to late modernity and capitalism, including consumption, nomadism, automation.

Galvanizing Steel, Francesca Dominguez

Theses and Dissertations

This paper examines Galvanizing Steel, a performance event through the lens of John Martin’s concept of “metakinesis,” Dominguez considers spectatorship and interpretation as active participation. She queries kinesthetic empathy and whether centering the corporeal experience of the audience enhances their overall ability to connect with the performers and the performance.

Sondra Perry: On The Limits And Possibilities Of Access, Visibility, And Freedom, Sigourney Schultz

Theses and Dissertations

Sondra Perry: On the Limits and Possibilities of Access, Visibility, and Freedom connects the intellectual history of cyberfeminism and Afrofuturism with the future of post-Black studies by exploring themes such as the abstraction of blackness and the materiality of new media.

First-Generation Alumni Giving Behaviors And Their Perception Toward Their Alma Mater, Kenold E. Gosier

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the perceptions first-generation alumni at Rowan University had towards their alma mater and explore reasons why they give back or not. In addition, this study provides recommendations to Rowan University on how they can better engage first-generation alumni. This study utilized surveys and quantitative data analysis in order to analyze the perceptions and giving behaviors of first-generation alumni. The participants in this study were first-generation alumni that graduated from Rowan University after 2006. The most significant themes were (a) first-generation alumni give back to their alma mater Rowan University at higher …

Investigation Of Skid Resistance On Asphalt Pavements In Utah, Aaron B. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Friction is one of the essential aspects of pavement performance and safety. Unfortunately, the rate at which the friction data are being collected exceeds the rate at which the data can be proficiently analyzed. Furthermore, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) lacks long-term trend analysis for the many years of locked-wheel skid trailer (LWST) data collected in Utah. In addition, UDOT is missing a statistically adequate correlation equation between friction-testing devices. Likewise, only one method is used in Utah to prequalify aggregates for use in pavements. Finally, there has not been an investigation of the potential use of lithium silicate …

A Foraminiferal Perspective On Holocene Environments Of The Eastern Tropical Pacific, Maria Angelica Zamora-Duran

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change is the primary threat facing coral reef ecosystems. How marginal reef systems responded to past climatic variability provides clues to their prospects for persisting through contemporary climate change. Reefs along the Pacific coast of Panamá are dominated by branching corals of the genus Pocillopora. These reefs experience a natural gradient of nutrients, pH, and temperature because of stronger seasonal upwelling in the Gulf of Panamá (GoP) than in the Gulf of Chiriquí (GoC). The shallow reefs within both of the gulfs of Panamá They are also strongly affected by climatic variability due to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). …

A Grammar Sketch Of Kinamayo, Benjamin James Schmitt

Theses and Dissertations

Kinamayo (Kamayo) is an Austronesian language spoken on the eastern part of the island of Mindanao, Philippines. This thesis presents a grammar sketch of the case system, a preliminary analysis of the voice system, reference phrase structure, and verb tense, modality, and aspect. The theoretical framework used for this analysis is Role and Reference Grammar. Within this framework, Kamayo is best analyzed as a symmetrical voice language in addition to having an antipassive voice. The case system of active and stative verbs observed in Kamayo supports this analysis. Reference phrases are marked by case, which helps identify syntactic arguments and …

Aliens, Lizbet Cantu Montiel

Theses and Dissertations

Aliens is a collection of poems exploring the concept of alienations though heavy usage of figurative language and rich, dark language. Each poem will portray a variety of issues around the author and the world around the author of the work. Other important issues as underlying themes of the work explore diversity in different means through the concept of alienation, or not belonging, in a certain circumstance. Each poem also uses a variety of literary devices, especially the heavy usage of figurative language in order to portray the issues or themes at hand revolving around the concept of alienation.

Li Xei: A Phonology Of An Understudied Bahnaric Language In Central Vietnam, Stephanie Lynn Person

Theses and Dissertations

Li Xei is an understudied North Bahnaric language spoken in the province of Quảng Nam in central Vietnam. Li Xei speakers are officially considered members of the Giẻ Triêng ethnic group (also written Jeh Trieng), although Li Xei's exact position within the North Bahnaric branch is unknown. This thesis analyzes 1,591 audio recordings of two native speakers of Li Xei, consisting of single words and multiple-word compounds, to describe its phonemic inventory. In addition, Li Xei reflexes are compared to 774 Proto North Bahnaric reconstructions from Sidwell (2011) to provide a basic description of the most significant sound changes from …

Effects Of Orthopedic Implant And Host Bone Properties On Stress-Shielding Induced Osteopenia, Scott Jason Jan Baskerville

Theses and Dissertations

Stress shielding is a term commonly used in literature to describe a bone density reducing phenomenon which occurs due to long-term exposure of bone tissue to sub-homeostatic levels of mechanical stimuli. A number of mechanobiological models ranging in complexity and purpose have been developed with the general overall intent of predicting bone remodeling behavior under a set of prescribed conditions. A previously developed heuristic model is expanded in the present work through model calibration with physiological data and the development of a reduced bone-implant-construct (BIC) mechanical model configurable for patient factors such as age, gender, and associated bone properties. The …

Control Of Irradiation Wavelength And Quantum Yield Of Photocleavable Cages, Jingxuan Ma

Theses and Dissertations

An important component of biological research is the precise regulation of biomolecules in their physiological environment. Recent advances in neuroscience, have made it possible to regulate the activity of neurotransmitters using photocleavable protecting groups (PPGs), which are also known as cages. This enables the use of light as a trigger to activate selected neurons via photo release of agonists with precise control of timing as well as synaptic site, popularly referred to as spatiotemporal control. In recent years, a variety of PPGs have been developed and applied to biomolecular cages. PPGs can be classified according to their absorption wavelengths (from …

Iot Security For Iotmon Attacks Based On Devices’ App Description, Raghad Jameel A. Alhazmi

Theses and Dissertations

There are concerns associated with ”inter-app” interactions, which occur when many independently developed home automation apps interact and affect one another, causing possibly dangerous unexpected app action. We extended a security tool named IoTMon, an IoT device management system capable of identifying all potential cross-app communication paths and analyzing their danger status. As part of our work, we keep an eye on the app description and safeguard IoTMon from being altered in any way that could obscure the real interaction related to another app action. We validate the IoTMon system’s integrity by applying the hash algorithm SHA512 with digital signature …

Utilizing A Themed Workbook To Capture Insights To Young Women In Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, And Mathematics (Steam/Stem) Using The Internet Of Things (Iot), Systems Engineering, And Data Science, Robert John Konczynski Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Young women may not realize that many of their cell phones, computers, TVs, cars, airplanes, and the technology around them, for the most part, have been designed by men. Men have been fundamental in designing these devices because women only account for a quarter of the workers in STEAM jobs. Because many women choose jobs and careers unrelated to STEAM, they are not part of the inclusive design and Engineering efforts that go into today’s products and technology. Given the underrepresentation of women as part of the design phase of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, society is missing out …

The Form And Function Of Cranial Spines In Fishes, Louis Michael Penrod

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the prevalence of fishes that express cranial spines, quantitative investigations into the function of these spines are rare. Function is often assumed with little or no evidence. Commonly, spine-like structures are considered to be used for defense despite spines potentially being used for other purposes. Here, I took a high-level approach to investigate the morphology and potential functions of cranial spines in over 2000 fishes. Identifying the function of cranial spines in fishes not only informs us as to how these fishes interact with conspecifics, with other species, and with their environment, but also may provide advances in human …

Alice And Me, Myself, Little David, And The Right Side Of My Brain, David Cohen

Theses and Dissertations

This is an honest and open memoir of David Cohen’s life as it fits into the 13 years of therapy with Alice. The story is of David learning about his inner child and making a deal with him through non-dominant-hand writing. The result is for David to quit drinking and for the adult part of him to finally take control of his life. The narrative reviews key experiences of his past that influence the current issues.

The background research includes concepts from five key books that support Alice, the therapist’s, theories that have over 30 years of experience have developed …

Removal Of Arsenic (Iii) And Arsenic (V) From Aqueous Solution Via Common Sunflower Helianthus Annuus By Phytoremediation, Irving A. Vazquez Hurtado

Theses and Dissertations

Phytoremediation provides a cost-effective, non-invasive technique to remove contaminants from the soil and groundwater. Sunflowers are fast growing and have a showed effective at removing various pollutants from soil, including lead and other heavy metals. Health issues related to arsenic are mainly attributed to exposure of arsenite, whereas arsenate is much less toxic. The common sunflower Helianthus annuus was the species used to remove both arsenic (III) and As(V) ions from hydroponics solutions. In the present study sunflower seeds were germinated for a week, placed under the sun for a day and subsequently placed in a nutrient solution to aid …

Career And Technical Education Teacher Self-Efficacy Of Staff Development As Part Of A Beginning Teacher Induction Program: A Qualitative Research Of Cte Teacher Externs Of A South Texas School District…From The Classroom To The Job Site, And Back Again, Raul Alvarez Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Career and Technical Education (CTE) has proven itself through substantial research, to provide a positive impact on the U.S. economy and the job market in its college and career preparedness of high school students. However, the ability of school districts in retaining competent CTE teachers is not as reassuring. The progressive years for any beginning CTE teacher are during their initial tenure in the profession. Teacher self-knowledge is also developed during these years inclusive of the occupational reflection of either removing oneself from or continuing as a teacher. Therefore, it can be stated that it is during this period when …

Targeting Protein Synthesis In Clostridioides Difficile To Develop Antimicrobial Candidate, Elvira L. Alanis

Theses and Dissertations

Clostridioides difficile is a gram positive, spore forming, obligate anaerobic bacterium that causes Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) which can result in pseudomembranous colitis and toxic megacolon. In the case of this research a focus on Protein synthesis is made since it is an essential metabolic process and is a validated target for antibiotics. Protein synthesis begins with Initiation which includes the three translation initiation factors. Through the NMR chemical shift assignments, the IF1 structure was determined, and it was found to be composed of a short α helix and five β helixes. A peptide was designed after the short α …

Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex Sp.) Seed Preferences And Distribution In A Suburban Setting, Lilly V. Elliott

Theses and Dissertations

Harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex sp.) are omnivorous ants native to Texas and are the main food source for the threatened Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum). Little research has been conducted on harvester ants in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) and their interactions with their environment. For this purpose, a variety of experiments were conducted to better understand these interactions and preferences. In CHAPTER I, suburban harvester ants were exposed commonly used cover crop seeds in the LRGV and inoculated seeds via seed depots over the course of 24 hours. We found that harvester ants do …

Discourses Surrounding Specific Learning Disability In Reading: An Exploration Across Special Education Policies, Martha M. Briseno

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with disabilities have been subjected to deficit models that have led to unfair treatment, exclusion, and an unfitting education for years. Historical factors have informed policies toward the educational treatment and rights of individuals with disabilities in the United States since the 1600s. Before the enactment of The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) in 1975, it was common practice for children with disabilities to be segregated, excluded, and given an unsuitable education in comparison to their nondisabled counterparts. Throughout history, the language used in legislation and educational documents have compartmentalized students with disabilities based on …

Effects Of Tributyltin Exposure On 8-Ohdg And Dsdna Expressions, Oxidative And Nitrative Stress In The American Oyster, Crassostrea Virginica, Mohan Kumar Dash

Theses and Dissertations

Environmental pollution increases due to anthropogenic activities. Different types of pollutants and/or chemicals impair growth, reproduction and development in aquatic organisms. Tributyltin (TBT, an organotin compound) is a tremendously toxic substance which widely uses as antifouling paints used in boats, hulls, and ships. The toxic effect of TBT is well documented in teleost species. The American oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is an ideal shellfish species to study on TBT exposure DNA lesion and oxidative/nitrative stress. In this study, the effects of TBT on 8’-hyrodxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, a molecular marker), dsDNA, dinitrophenyl protein …

Huérfanos: A Memoir, Mauricio Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

If you look hard enough, there are stories of children in foster care. Tales of their plight, longing for love, the love of their parents, love from the foster care system, or a foster care family. However, despite their existence, so much is left in the unknown. The story of how this child’s life came into the world, what outcomes transpired for a parent to give up a child, and the journey the child may have to take for closure. Answers to the why. Why was I given up, why was I not sought out, why did my family …

Exploring Parent Perspective On Classroom Placements Of Twins, Bereniz Delgadillo

Theses and Dissertations

The early childhood years are crucial for children’s cognitive development and school achievement. Experiences during these years are also influential for their social and emotional development and personality growth. During the early years children benefit from experiences that impact all areas of development. The focus of this literature review is to explore the impact of early school placement. Parents and early childhood educators need to be aware of consequences regarding the impact of school and classroom placement of twins. In addition, parents’ and school staff’s perceptions regarding twin classroom placement in South Texas will also be reviewed. …

What Are The Testimonios Of Immigrant Students In A South Texas Middle School And How Do Their Narratives Of Schooling Emerge In Their Stories?, Jessica Marie Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

This research follows the tenets of qualitative-interpretivist research. The study focused on the following question: What are the testimonios of immigrant students in a middle school and how do their narratives of schooling emerge in their stories? The stories of immigrant students’ educational experiences attending U.S. schools, in particular South Texas Middle School, and their parent’s discourses on border crossings were taken via testimonio. The methodology was constructed from the theoretical frames of four emancipatory types of frameworks used, that consisted of Critical Race Theory, Latino/Latina Critical Theory, Subtractive Schooling, and Funds of Knowledge. …

Computational Complexity In Tile Self-Assembly, Timothy Gomez

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most fundamental and well-studied problems in Tile Self-Assembly is the Unique Assembly Verification (UAV) problem. This algorithmic problem asks whether a given tile system uniquely assembles a specific assembly. The complexity of this problem in the 2-Handed Assembly Model (2HAM) at a constant temperature is a long-standing open problem since the model was introduced. Previously, only membership in the class coNP was known and that the problem is in P if the temperature is one (τ = 1). The problem is known to be hard for many generalizations of the model, such as allowing one …

Machine Learning Tools In The Predictive Analysis Of Ercot Load Demand Data, Md Riyad Hossain

Theses and Dissertations

The electric load industry has seen a significant transformation over the last few decades, culminating in the establishment and implementation of electricity markets. This transition separates electric generation services into a distinct, more competitive sector of the industry, allowing for the introduction of greater unpredictability into the system. Forecasting power system load has developed into a core research area in power and energy demand engineering in order to maintain a constant balance between electricity supply and demand. The purpose of this thesis dissertation is to reduce power system uncertainty by improving forecasting accuracy through the use of sophisticated machine …

Nanostructured Materials For Biomedical Applications, Silverio Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

Nanotechnology has been used in an increasing number of applications in biochemistry and molecular biology. Compared to bulk materials, nanoscale materials offer a variety of advantages in applications due to an increased surface-to-volume ratio of the reactants. The unique properties of nanostructured materials and their properties such as stability, reactivity, magnetic response, pressure discharge performance and biocompatibility depend on particle size and shape. This work focuses on a nanoenergetic material composed of Aluminum (Al), Copper II oxide (CuO), and Iodine (I) pentoxide (I2O5), and the biomedical application of nanoscale dextran-coated magnetite (Fe3O4), which was produced using microfluidics to tune particle …

Assessing The Effects Of Levonorgestrel (Lng) On Neural Differentiation In The Developing Hypothalamus Using The Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) As A Model, Gabriella Hinojosa

Theses and Dissertations

Neurogenesis is a critical component of fetal neurodevelopment consisting of: migration, proliferation and differentiation. Health concerns from anxiety to reproductive issues have been linked to alterations of neurogenesis processes. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can mimic hormones vital to this process, potentially adversely affecting the susceptible fetal brain. One EDC, Levonorgestrel (LNG), is a testosterone-like progestin used in birth control methods that has a high bioavailability and long half-life. Using zebrafish embryos as a model, this lab previously discovered that an environmentally relevant LNG dose (5 ng/L) significantly increased anxiety behaviors. The hypothalamus is responsible for the development …

Corrido Of A Returning Angel: A Collection Of Stories, Ricardo Marez Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

As a Chicano (Mexican-American), person of color with a lower-middle class, American, South Texas upbringing, the world of authors and literature has always felt out of reach and not particularly inviting towards people like me—let alone representative or celebratory. In spite of this, or perhaps owing to it, I have decided to shoot my literary shot, unremittently holding onto my unique voice and unconventional styles in this first collection of short stories. I discuss in depth my inspirations and role models in writing, including Henry Miller and Whitman, with discussion of literary style and genre that include: surrealism, absurdism, allegory, …

Total Synthesis Of Mansouramycin A, Abigail M. Zepeda

Theses and Dissertations

In 2009 bioactive compounds from marine Streptomyces species was isolated which resulted in deriving four isoquinoline-quinone alkaloids known as Mansouramycins A-D. There have been reports that there are 36 non-small cancer cells against cytotoxicity in Mansouramycins A-C in lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and prostate cancer cells. Reports that have conducted total syntheses were all specific to a single compound only Mansouramycin A and D. However, in precedent methods, to obtain the derivatives with different substituents are limited when the substituents are on the fused-pyridine ring. Thus, a develop a systematic synthetic methods of isoquinoline-quinones, which are to be able …