Digital Commons Network^™

Examining Adhd Diagnosed Young Adults’ Self-Perceptions Of Personal Reading Behaviors During Pleasure Reading Experiences, Nicole Cheramie Lobello

Theses and Dissertations

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impacts the lives of individuals with neurodivergent brains in varied and personal ways. This phenomenon mirrors the diversification of the minds I have been intrigued by for decades. In an effort to better understand the relationships between ADHD and pleasure reading, the lived experiences with pleasure reading of six young college students were examined. Participants were formally diagnosed with some form of ADHD before the study, yet did not have a reading disability diagnosis. One-on-one interviews were conducted to explore in-depth each participant’s experiences with pleasure reading. Through interpretative phenomenological study (IPA), four themes emerged: (a) perceptions …

Opening Pandora’S Black Box In The Nexus Of Media, Consciousness And Ai, Gad Karmi

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the intersection of media, artificial intelligence, and consciousness through an ethnographic analysis spanning 1940-2024. The study introduces the concept of "Darrative" as a framework for understanding how consciousness processes information, challenging traditional rational choice theory while extending beyond Fisher's narrative paradigm. A key contribution is the development of the "Thinking System" model, demonstrating how information processing occurs through darrative frameworks. The methodology employs Latour's actor-network theory to examine how scientific knowledge is constructed and stabilized through networks of human and non-human actors. Using a systematic Boolean search through academic databases, the study initially identified 15 relevant peer-reviewed …

Homeostatic Regulation Of Access Serotonin Is Suggested By An Increased Number Of Serotonin Transporter (Slc6a4a) Expressing Neurons Of The Dorsal Raphe, Hala Algarni

Theses and Dissertations

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter system that is essential for driving behavior related to movement, attention and foraging. In humans, an increase or decrease in healthy levels of serotonin result in neuropsychological issues, including anxiety and depression. Despite these health concerns, our understanding of serotonin regulation and homeostasis is still poorly understood and needs more research from a variety of model and non-model animal systems. This study was designed to study serotonin homeostasis in the blind Mexican cavefish, a non- model system for understanding complex biological traits. The blind Mexican cavefish provides a multi-population species that includes river dwelling fish with …

Identity And Object: The Material And Cultural Exchanges Of Northwest Indian Mercantile Communities In The Seventeenth Century, Erum Khan Hadi

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation proposes a world-historical approach to Northwestern Indian cultural exchanges in the seventeenth century, focusing on the impact of trade and migrations in the Indian Ocean World (IOW) on the identity of mercantile communities in the region. There is a lack of research on the cultural history of these Northwestern Indian communities, which were prominent in the seventeenth-century commercial IOW. The current gap between economic and cultural histories can be addressed through research that analyzes commodities as symbols of culture and identity. The study aims to translate the cultural history of Northwestern Indian communities through material culture via objects …

Our Morality Or Your Morality? An Exploration Of The Influence Of Group Membership On Moral Judgment And The Moderating Influence Of Theory Of Mind, Phoebe Flora Dadson

Theses and Dissertations

The present study explores the interaction between social group membership and moral judgment in decision-making. This interaction is also assessed through the moderating value of Theory of Mind (TOM), encompassing both affective and cognitive empathy. This research hypothesizes that 1) there is an association between TOM and decision-making in morality, 2) group membership, expressed as adherence to political ideology, influences moral judgment, 3) a higher frequency of utilitarian choices in other beneficial moral dilemmas is expected to be correlated with a stronger association with political group ideals. The sample population is comprised of college students at St. John’s University (N …

College Students’ Beliefs: Association Between Skin Color And Acceptance, Christopher James Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

The Multiracial population represents the fastest-growing demographic group in the United States and is expected to more than double by 2060 (Vespa et al., 2018). Despite this rapid increase in the Multiracial population, there is a dearth of research regarding racial identity development, anxiety, and depression on this group. Social inclusion has been recognized as a fundamental human need, and Multiracial individuals may be more likely to be accepted into a majority group if their appearance is racially ambiguous. The current study builds on previous knowledge by utilizing a novel measure developed to examine the beliefs held by Monoracial and …

Brain-Targeting Polymeric Micelles For Intranasal Delivery Of Rapamycin In Alzheimer’S Disease Treatment, Vrashabh V. Sugandhi

Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a long-term neurological disorder associated with neuroinflammation and amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation, which leads to a decline in cognitive and behavioral changes. Rapamycin (Rapa) is an immunosuppressive drug effective in preventing organ rejection after a kidney transplant. In the last few years, orally delivered Rapa has emerged as a potential candidate for improving cognitive function in patients with AD. However, it is evident that long-term oral treatment of Rapa causes systemic toxicity, and although controversial, it may even trigger the aggregation of Aβ deposition. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of intranasally delivered brain-targeting polymeric micelles carrying …

Establishment And Characterization Of Vincristine-Resistant S1 Colon Cancer Cells, Harsh Patel

Theses and Dissertations

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Vincristine is frequently used to treat CRC, although the specific pathways leading to acquired resistance are still not fully understood. In this study, we established two novel vincristine-resistant human colon cell lines (S1/V1 and S1/V4) to explore the mechanisms underlying vincristine resistance, with a particular emphasis on the overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. The S1/V1 and S1/V4 sublines were derived by continuously exposing human S1 colon cancer cells to vincristine. An MTT cytotoxicity assay revealed that S1/V1 cells exhibit about 39-fold greater resistance to vincristine …

Gastronomy At The Heart Of Communication: A Locus Of Human Conviviality, Victoria M. O’Keefe

Theses and Dissertations

The significance of food over time is central to humanity and can aid in making people humane in a myriad of ways. This study seeks to (a) define the role of food in communication across sectors of global society and in the media realm (b) by analyzing a data set of all food related publications of the flagship magazine of UNESCO, The Courier, (c) through ethnographic study and inductive coding, I draw themes and trends that alter food communication from a multinational organization and pass the content through a theoretical lens and Large Language Model tool, to (d) illuminate implications …

Propelling Whole-Cell Biosensor Creation By Leveraging Gene Fusion To Assemble Synthetic Functional Transcription Factors For The Detection Of Biomarkers, Samuel J. Verzino

Theses and Dissertations

Biosensors are analytical devices that leverage biological modules for the detection of molecules of interest. As customizable tools designed to aid in a wide array of diagnostics, these instruments are rapidly advancing the field of synthetic biology. While varied in their construction and purpose, biosensors are ultimately concerned with converting a physicochemical stimulus into a detectable signal. Among the many existing variants, whole-cell biosensors (WCBs) stand out due to their versatility and engineering potential. WCBs are a type of biosensor in which a physiologically active cell sustains an array of biomolecular elements - receptors, transporters, regulators, etc. - capable of …

Investigation Of The Binding Mechanisms Between Naphthenic Acids And Humic Acid Using Raman Spectroscopy And Computational Modeling, Jaelyn N. Palmer

Theses and Dissertations

The oil sand regions in Alberta, Canada have proven to be costly to the environment despite its economic benefits. The toxins produced during oil processing are sent to tailing ponds to be recycled, though often leaking into nearby waterways and soil. Naphthenic acids, NAs, are one of the most common toxins produced and have shown to be toxic to aquatic life, animals, and humans. As there is dissolved organic matter in tailing ponds and surrounding environments, tailing ponds often lead to NAs coming in contact with organic material. Humic acid, HA, is a major soil component that has been suspected …

Qualitative Analysis Via Network Models Of Human Dynamin-1 Throughout Gtp Hydrolysis, Kevin Brian Schulman

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which nucleotide binding dictates the intrinsic dynamics and to understand the functional conformational changes of Human Dynamin-1 during the GTP hydrolysis cycle through the use of Elastic Network Models (ENM). A comprehensive understanding of this process is crucial given dynamin's role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). The research utilized both experimentally derived crystal structures and AlphaFold-predicted structures of dynamin, specifically examining the GTPase and Bundle Signaling Element (BSE) domains across nucleotide-free, GTP-bound, GDP-bound, and transition states. The essential features of the research methodology involved a multi-scale computational approach. Qualitative analyses were performed …

Recognizing Speculative Literature: Conceiving Identity In The Archives Of Enslavement, Gabriella Greco

Theses and Dissertations

One of the key problems of the archive of enslavement, borne out of the violent erasure of enslaved identities, is the struggle to reconstruct and honor those lost identities. Recognizing Speculative Literature: Conceiving Identity in the Archives of Enslavement investigates postcolonial archival processes and the resulting documents to identify a spectrum of speculative literary genres that can be used to supplement traumatic archival erasures, often of female voices and identities, to further understand the power dynamics. To clarify, I use the term ‘speculative literature’ here to refer to a mode of literature that relies on the few fragments that may …

Sustainability Risk In Guyana’S Oil Sector: An Analytical Framework For Balancing Environmental And Economic Impacts, Kayla B. Moonsammy

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the sustainability risks posed by Guyana’s rapidly expanding oil sector, with particular focus on balancing economic benefits against environmental vulnerabilities. The primary aim is to develop a Sustainability Risk Index (SRI) that captures the multidimensional impacts of offshore oil development using an integrated data-driven framework. Specifically, this thesis examines how emissions, biodiversity loss, oil spill exposure, economic volatility, and social development indicators interact to influence sustainability outcomes in the context of Guyana’s transition into a major petroleum-producing nation. The research does not involve human participants; instead, it draws on publicly available datasets collected from 2015 to 2024. …

Area Of Effect The History And Effects Of Linguistic Choices Made In The Final Fantasy Franchise, Camille Mcdermott

Theses and Dissertations

The Final Fantasy franchise, a seminal role-playing game (RPG) series, has captivated a global audience since its inception in 1987. This thesis, titled "Area of Effect: The History and Effects of Linguistic Choices Made in the Final Fantasy Franchise," explores the intricate use of language that has shaped the series' identity and influenced its worldwide fanbase. The linguistic landscape of Final Fantasy is as diverse and dynamic as its fantastical worlds, evolving from simple text boxes to fully voiced narratives. This study examines the historical context and evolving linguistic choices throughout the series, highlighting how these decisions enrich the gaming …

Lady Macbeth's Maternity And Morality, Lauren Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the ways in which adaptations of Lady Macbeth from the seventeenth century to modern day have functioned to vilify or redeem Lady Macbeth based on her connection with her maternity as well as on the contextual, cultural, and political opinions surrounding both a woman’s place in society and the importance of maternity. This thesis examines William D’Avenant’s 1674 stage adaptation of Macbeth, Han Tae-Sook’s 1998 stage adaptation Lady Macbeth, and Lisa Klein’s 2009 novel adaptation Lady Macbeth’s Daughter to capture a range of cultures and the evolution of the character.

“My Pain Was Never More Valuable Than His Potential”: A Rhetorical Thematic Analysis Of Gaslighting Within Sexual Abuse Cases, Makayla Roller

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines gaslighting within three prominent sexual abuse cases—Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer, and Larry Nassar—uncovered during the #MeToo movement, to better understand the rhetorical function of gaslighting. Using a combination of rhetorical thematic analysis, critical discourse analysis, a feminist lens, and a gaslighting schema, this study identifies the rhetorical tactics, gendered discourse, and power-laden discourse deployed to gaslight victims and the public. I argue that gaslighting must be examined through a rhetorical lens, as discourse is the mechanism through which gaslighting operates, shaping perceptions of truth, credibility, and power. By highlighting how language is weaponized to deny, distort, and …

Converting Cover Crop Biomass To Biogas And Volatile Fatty Acids, Tuba Yasmin Lubna

Theses and Dissertations

Cover crops are commonly used for their environmental benefits, including improved soil health and reduced soil erosion. However, there is limited use for the aboveground biomass, except for oilseed crops. The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the selected winter cover crop biomass at three growth stages, (2) evaluate the biogas and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) yield, and (3) examine the concurrent alkali pretreatment and ensiling effects on biogas yield. Wild pennycress, golden pennycress, CoverCress^TM, annual ryegrass, cereal rye, pea, and clover biomass were harvested at three growth stages. Results showed that biogas yield increased with …

“The New Force”: The Rhetoric Behind Nana Kwame Bediako's Masked Campaign, Emmanuella Ama Gyamfi

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines Nana Kwame Bediako’s unconventional masked campaign in Ghana’s 2024 presidential election using Norman Fairclough’s three- dimensional Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The research analyzes how Bediako employed anonymity through a masked persona on billboards before revealing his identity as a strategic political innovation. The study examines two key moments: Bediako’s unveiling speech after the government of Ghana cancelled his planned convention event, and his subsequent televised interview with JoyNews. The analysis reveals how the mask functioned as a complex symbol that generated public curiosity, challenged Ghana’s NPP- NDC political duopoly, and connected pan-African identity. Through the textual, discursive …

Next-Gen Device For Uniform Cellular Migration Assay Execution, Nicholas M. Bittner

Theses and Dissertations

Cellular migration assays, particularly scratch assays, are pivotal in biomedical research for cell motility, wound healing, and metastasis. However, conventional scratch assays suffer from variability due to operator dependence, non-uniform scratch geometry, and a modified microenvironment that impacts reproducibility. This thesis presents the development and validation of a low-cost, 3D-printed device designed to standardize cellular migration assays. The device utilizes a spring mechanism and a biocompatible elastomer to create a uniform cellular exclusion zone without harming the surrounding cells. Through iterative prototyping and testing with MCF10A cell lines, the device demonstrated a significantly lower average standard deviation of length compared …

Persistence Of Southwestern White Pine (Pinus Strobiformis) In An Ever-Changing Environment, Shruti Shrivastava

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Local adaptation is known to occur in multiple tree species, with climate as a main force for it occurring, indicating adaptation and changes occurring in spatially and temporally changing climates. With increased climate change, the question now is what future persistence may appear as, and by what magnitude trait mismatch may occur. This is observed in southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis) for drought-response traits: resistance (RT), recovery (RC), and resilience (RS). Using previously collected data, the genetic and phenotypic diversity were analyzed. Using that information, the trait values for individuals where only genetic data was known was …

Diversification Of Avifauna In The Darién Highland Region: Ecological Niche Modeling, Phylogeography And Morphology To Explore Speciation In The Montane Species Myadestes Coloratus, Chlorospingus Tacarcunae And Margarornis Bellulus., Jorge L. Garzon Vasquez Mrs

Theses and Dissertations

Montane regions in the Neotropics are hotspots of endemism and biodiversity, yet their species are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and geographic isolation. This thesis investigates the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of three bird species endemic to the Darién Highlands of eastern Panama: Myadestes coloratus, Chlorospingus tacarcunae, and Margarornis bellulus. Through an integrative approach combining ecological niche modeling, morphometric analysis, and genomic data from ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and mitochondrial DNA, the study explores the historical biogeography, current distribution patterns, population structure, and phenotypic differentiation of these montane taxa. Ecological niche models revealed that suitable habitat …

Mctr3 Mitigates Cigarette Smoke-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation And Damage, Yu Par Aung Myo

Theses and Dissertations

Smoking is deleterious to our lungs and can precipitate in a multitude of diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is primarily caused by smoking cigarettes and is a major public health issue. Current therapies only treat symptoms without halting or reversing disease progression, thus highlighting a large unmet need to develop new therapies. We address this gap by investigating maresin conjugate in tissue regeneration 3 (MCTR3) which is a newly discovered specialized pro-resoling mediator (SPM) that has the novel property of promoting tissue repair and regeneration in addition to being anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving. For the first time, we …

Plza Rna Chaperone Activity In Borreliella Burgdorferi Is Modulated By C-Di-Gmp, Dhara T. Patel

Theses and Dissertations

Lyme disease (LD) is the most common arthropod-borne disease in North America and is caused by the spirochete, Borreliella burgdorferi. LD spirochetes are maintained in an enzootic cycle of Ixodes species ticks and a vertebrate reservoir. The secondary messenger molecule c-di-GMP plays a crucial role in adaptive responses during the enzootic cycle. PlzA is the sole c-di-GMP-binding protein identified to date that is encoded by all Borreliella burgdorferi isolates. PlzA has both c-di-GMP-dependent and c-di-GMP-independent functions and is required to complete the enzootic cycle. The full range of PlzA regulatory activities has yet to be fully defined. We determined …

Functional Analysis Of Ligand Binding Domain 2 Of Outer Surface Protein C Of Borreliella Burgdorferi, Gavin Z. Chambers

Theses and Dissertations

Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borreliella burgdorferi, is the most common vector-borne infection in North America. A critical determinant of early mammalian infection is outer surface protein C (OspC), a highly variable lipoprotein that is indispensable for spirochete survival but whose precise function remains unresolved. OspC has been proposed to mediate diverse roles, including complement evasion, adhesion, tissue dissemination, and antiphagocytic activity, supporting the view that it is a multifunctional virulence factor. Structural studies have identified two putative ligand-binding domains (LBD1 and LBD2), with LBD2 forming a solvent-exposed crown at the membrane-distal end of the OspC dimer.

To …

Assessing Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Abuse Liability Among People Who Smoke Cigarettes: Impact Of Device Characteristics, Nicotine Flux, And Flavor, Elizabeth Oluwapelumi Ogunleye

Theses and Dissertations

This clinical laboratory study utilizes subjective and behavioral economic measures to assess the abuse liability of own-brand cigarettes and six currently authorized ENDS products, examining how device characteristics, nicotine flux, and liquid flavor influence outcomes among adults who smoke cigarettes. Using a Latin-square-ordered, within-subject design, adults who smoke cigarettes (N = 30; N = 20 preferred menthol cigarettes) attended four clinical sessions: one to evaluate their own-brand cigarette and three to assess six NJOY ENDS products: 2.4% nicotine pods (~58 µg/s; tobacco and menthol flavor), 6% nicotine disposable products (~61-65 µg/s; tobacco and menthol flavor), and 5% nicotine pods (~118-123 …

Acute Effects Of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Liquid Nicotine Form And Sweetener Among People Who Use Inhaled Tobacco Products, Mary A. Carrico

Theses and Dissertations

Research on tobacco product standards to limit the abuse liability of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has primarily focused on nicotine concentration and flavor. Other liquid characteristics, such as protonated nicotine ratio and sweetener additives, are less understood but may serve as regulatory targets. This clinical laboratory study examined the effects of ENDS protonated nicotine ratio and sweetener presence on nicotine delivery, use behavior, and subjective effects.

Thirteen participants completed four sessions that varied by protonated nicotine ratio (0:100 vs. 40:60 freebase to monoprotonated nicotine) and sweetener status (sweetened with 3 mg/mL ethyl maltol vs. unsweetened). Each session included a …

In Praise Of Dust, Hasler Gomez-Perez

Theses and Dissertations

A desire path is a physical manifestation of where a system has failed, but also where it has been refused, where a new path has been made. The wake exists in the post, it is not a singular, untethered event, but a subtle double entendre that lives in the post-death, but also in the pre-life—not a liminal limbo, but a superposition of dying and waking.

This collection was assembled and composed over the course of two years as I navigated my practice, myself, and others. Present here are my thoughts, my experiences, and in many ways my beliefs. IN PRAISE …

How To Remain A Stranger / Encountering, In A Basement, Hannah Rotwein

Theses and Dissertations

How to Remain a Stranger / Encountering, in a Basement consists of two parallel essays. On the lefthand side of the page, How to Remain a Stranger explores the ways that the legend of the Wandering Jew, the Tradescantia genus of plants, peddlers, and exile relate to my practice of collecting, sorting, and combining found objects. On the righthand side, Encountering, in a Basement describes my thesis exhibition at the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. Focusing on the idea of the encounter, I detail the materials, considerations, and processes behind four of the ten sculptures in the …

Mutual Realm, Tyna Ontko

Theses and Dissertations

mutual realm is a container for my many meandering thoughts on speculative futures, present-day-truth-telling, and the everyday construction of histories. Informed by systems of belief and power that humans have created to grapple with the unknown, the writing illustrates how storytelling builds worlds, assigning value to things by inscribing them with desire. In parts fact and fantasy, sculpture is considered as a form of sorting, making known the ways in which my experience of living between publics whose methods for demarcating boundaries, communally agreed upon superstitions, and algorithms for assigning meaning have marked my unconscious and affect my daily trajectories. …