Digital Commons Network^™

Mental Health Education Literacy In Schools: An Exploratory Analysis Through A Qualitative Multi Case Study And Phenomenological Approach, Joanne Pisani

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the significant rise in student mental health concerns, schools are now challenged to find better ways to support students’ overall well-being. The critical importance for schools to include mental health education into their curricula is due to the substantial behavioral changes in students. Educational systems are seeing an increase in student school refusal, suspensions, and cyberbullying, as well as mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety which result in elevated crisis response and emergency room visits due to suicide ideation. The purpose of this study was to understand existing mental health education literacy programs in schools and …

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 …

Embracing An Online Literary Identity: How Booktok Makes Literature More Accessible, Elizabeth Kaufmann

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis I examine conversations that occur on TikTok’s literary corner, “BookTok.” My research involves focusing on the multimodality of BookTok, following comment sections and search options, as well as analyzing the components of the videos themselves. BookTok content creators focus on these features in order to spark literary conversation in an approachable way. These influencers heavily sway the app itself and the books being recommended. Extending my research beyond BookTok influencers, this essay seeks to understand the value of influencer backing on products towards their social legitimacy. Some users on TikTok are not fans of how the algorithm …

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. …

Exploring Childcare Leaders’ Perspectives On Program Philosophies At The Intersection Of Care, Education, And Business: A Multi-Method (Qual + Qual) Study Using Simon Sinek’S Golden Circle, Megan Kybartas

Theses and Dissertations

This multi-method (QUAL + qual) study explores childcare leaders’ perspectives on program philosophies at the intersection of care, education, and business, which I call The Childcare Tripartite. Recognizing the significant dependency on high-quality childcare services and the foundational role of program philosophies in achieving this quality, this research addresses a notable gap in the literature regarding how early childhood leaders communicate and prioritize their program philosophies within the complex American childcare landscape. Employing semi-structured interviews, documentary materials, and demographic forms, and analyzed through both thematic and deductive content analysis, drawing on Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle, the study uncovers how philosophical …

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 …

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 …

Doves And Symbiotic Bacteria: Whole-Genome Assembly And Phylogenomic Inference, Mariam Topchyan

Theses and Dissertations

Part 1

I examined a potential source of variation in phylogenetic inference, investigating whether handling single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) through different methods during reference-guided genome assembly of pigeon and dove species impacts phylogenetic reconstruction and inference. Specifically, I created a custom consensus base calling tool that handles allelic variation through two different approaches, either ignoring heterozygous sites by denoting them as an ambiguous character “N,” or using a pseudo-random choice between supported base variants. Through reference-guided assembly of 108 dove species, I generated two datasets of alignments using both consensus calling methods, created two trees from both datasets via supermatrix and …

Utilization Of Golden Pennycress In Broiler Diets, Marley M. Knowles

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance in broiler chickens fed diets containing golden pennycress meal (GPCM), with and without a flavor additive. Golden pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) is a winter cover crop grown in the Midwest that is rising in popularity as a cash crop used for biofuel production. After oil is pressed out of the seeds, a meal remains that is usually discarded. Incorporation of this meal (23% protein, 15% fat) into feedstuffs for broilers would be an efficient way to make biofuel production more sustainable. In one study, Cornish Cross three-day-old chicks (n=12) were …

Using Machine Learning To Investigate Weather Impacts On Crop Yield For Probabilistic, Climate-Informed Predictive Crop Breeding, Levi Newell

Theses and Dissertations

As the world’s population continues to grow, the importance of food security willonly continue to increase, with some estimates requiring a global increase in food production between 59 and 98% by 2050. The agriculture industry is also a crucial economic driver, with the industry supporting 20% of the state of North Dakota’s workforce, and with a total valuation of $41.3 billion. The economic importance of this industry and the challenges of future growth prompt a need for data driven decision making into the future, particularly with predictive crop breeding. This is the method by which crops are developed that are …

Larval Environments Affect The Implementation Of The Sterile Insect Technique On Aedes Mosquitoes, Katherine G. Evans

Theses and Dissertations

Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is an effective method for controlling pests and has been increasing in popularity to control Aedes mosquitoes. SIT involves inundating an area with sterilized male mosquitoes to reduce egg hatch and ultimately the number of wild adults. Previous research indicates that enacting mortality early in the larval life of Aedes mosquitoes can result in counter-productive effects, due to reduced competition among developing larvae. I hypothesize that the effectiveness of SIT at reducing adult populations is modified by densitydependent mortality and density-dependent growth among larvae. I performed two field-to-lab studies and developed an individual-based model to test …

Scrolling For Two: An Exploration Of Pregnant Women's Social Support And Information Seeking Behaviors Using Technology During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sarah Knowlton

Theses and Dissertations

Pregnant women faced additional challenges in accessing reliable support and pregnancy- related information, leading to increased distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine measures limited doctor’s appointments and isolated pregnant women from their families, which meant that meaningful connections and convenient information was important.

The purpose of this study is to explore the implications of COVID-19 social distancing on pregnant women, with a focus on three questions: 1) what digital technologies did pregnant women use for support and information seeking purposes during the pandemic? 2) how did pregnant women use technology to seek social support during the pandemic? 3) how did …

The Evolution Of Social Protection Norms Within The International Monetary Fund, Cindy W. Ziem

Theses and Dissertations

This research explores the evolution of social protection norms within the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and identifies the key norm entrepreneurs. Social protection, which encompasses policies and programs designed to help individuals and communities manage risks, combat poverty and inequality, and access economic opportunities, has undergone significant transformation on a global scale. Traditionally, social policies were not included in the IMF’s agenda, which primarily focused on fiscal matters. However, the Fund has increasingly recognized social protection as vital for macroeconomic stability. This shift reflects a broader transformation in international norms and the progressive inclusion of social policies within global economic …

An Evaluation Of Frank Brown's Free Market, Leigh Ann Mccormick

Theses and Dissertations

Background: This study aimed to conduct an in-depth evaluation of Frank Brown Hall, Free-Market (Food Pantry), within the grant timeframe from January to April 2024. The central objective was to examine the distinct resource demands of students limited to selecting three items each day. By employing careful observation, effective communication, and active listening, we successfully obtained essential student feedback that enhanced our understanding of their needs and preferences, improving the support provided during that semester. Methods: Throughout the grant, data were systematically classified according to the chosen items, the students’ academic majors, and the cumulative number of visits to the …

Advanced Placement Classes And Its Racial Gap – Teachers’ Beliefs And Perceptions, Hema Keerthi

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study focused on teachers’ beliefs about Advanced Placement (AP) equity and access policies within the ABC School District in Middle Georgia. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the beliefs held by AP teachers regarding the implementation of equity and access policies and the extent to which these beliefs may have supported or hindered the execution of such policies and procedures. This research employed a mixed-methods design incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods. The first phase involved an online survey of teachers and counselors in the ABC district in Middle Georgia. The second phase …

Purification Of Recombinant His6-Gfp-Preptin Fusion Protiens, Apoorva Kollaram

Theses and Dissertations

Preptin, a 34-amino-acid peptide derived from proinsulin-like growth factor II, has emerged as a promising therapeutic candidate for both Type 2 diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis. Its dual functionality—stimulating insulin secretion without inducing hypoglycemia and promoting osteoblast proliferation—positions it as a unique alternative to traditional sulfonylureas and osteogenic agents. In this study, we developed a purification protocol for green fluorescent-preptin fusion proteins. These fusion proteins will be used to investigate the functional significance of residues Pro17, Val18, Gly19, Trp27, Lys28, and Gln29 in rat preptin, which shares high sequence similarity with the human form. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed using NEB Q5 …

Flavorful Foes: Assessing Students’ Perceptions Of Processed And Fast Food And Its Health Implications., Soumi Roy Banerjee

Theses and Dissertations

High fast-food consumption is a common public health concern due to its link to a number of non-communicable diseases and mental health, but increased consumption of processed food, rapid urbanization, and changing lifestyles have led to a shift in dietary patterns. People are consuming more foods high in energy fats and free sugars. This mixed methods study was conducted at a college campus in Georgia, to assess knowledge and understanding of the students between the ages of 18 and 22 years about highly processed Fast Food, and its effects on health. Forty student participants were chosen through convenience sampling and …

Why A Healthy Diet Is Important For Women's Health, Halley Doster

Theses and Dissertations

Nutrition plays a critical role in women’s reproductive health, yet many women face barriers to maintaining a balanced diet. This study aimed to examine the relationship between nutritional intake and reproductive health outcomes among women of reproductive age, as well as to assess their knowledge and challenges related to healthy eating. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 50 women at a community health center and analyzed using SPSS to generate descriptive statistics and explore patterns through chi-square and regression analyses. Findings revealed that most participants had moderate to low fruit and vegetable intake, and fewer than half …

Attacking Diabetes One Day At A Time, Kyla Duncan

Theses and Dissertations

The "Attacking Diabetes One Day at a Time" initiative targets the growing concern of public health, type 2 diabetes, among under-reserved communities. This comprehensive care program emphasizes the importance of prevention through education, improving lifestyles, and access to care. Based on insights from the Self-Care Management Theory, this initiative seeks to provide individuals with sound, culturally tailored strategies that reduce disease risk and help them manage healthy lifestyles. Major components include educational workshops, and resource navigation. The success of this program, from community engagement through evaluation on a phased implementation plan, is guaranteed. The expected outcomes of this work will …

Prevalence Of Hypertension Among Low-Income Individuals In Muscogee County Columbus, Georgia, Amelia K. Fallah

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the prevalence and predictors of elevated blood pressure (BP) among 409 low-income adults in Muscogee County, Columbus, Georgia—a population disproportionately burdened by hypertension. The findings reveal that elevated BP is significantly more prevalent among African Americans (71.4%) compared to non-African Americans (27.1%), highlighting the role of racial disparities influenced by systemic inequities, healthcare access, and chronic stress. Gender differences were modest, with females exhibiting a slightly higher prevalence (77.9%) than males (76.7%), potentially due to age-related hormonal changes post-menopause. Older adults (50+ years) represented most of the sample and showed significantly higher hypertension rates, consistent with established …

Get In The Zone: Utilizing A Food Skills Survey To Assess The Education Needs Of A Blue Zones Project Community, Sophia Kathryn Dunlap

Theses and Dissertations

Under-resourced communities often demonstrate little to basic knowledge and skills regarding food and nutrition-related practices, such as cooking and meal planning, nutrition label reading, and gardening. This can be attributed to various factors such as education level, socioeconomic status, available education programs, and overall interest in these topics. Limited research is available discussing the current knowledge, skills, and interests of nutrition topics and healthy eating patterns within Blue Zones Project (BZP) communities. To explore this gap in the literature, a cross-sectional design was implemented via a food skills survey completed by the residents of a modest-sized college town and site …

Nutrition Implications In Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (Heds)/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (Hsd), Lauren Steiner

Theses and Dissertations

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) are a poorly recognized and under researched group of genetic connective tissue disorders that have widespread impacts on the human body, including gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The role of dietary and supplemental interventions in GI symptom control in this patient population has not been researched. This study used an exploratory survey to collect data on diets and supplements that the patient population has used to combat GI symptoms. The low histamine, gluten free, dairy free, anti-inflammatory, and intermittent fasting diets, as well as magnesium, probiotic, coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, vitamin B12, and …

Congolese Refugee Narratives Of Belonging, Grief, And Cultural Continuity In Appalachia, Kayla Davis

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the communicative challenges that Congolese refugees face after resettlement, particularly as they strive to reconstruct a sense of belonging in the United States that reflects their experiences in either their home country or secondary countries where they endured protracted displacement in refugee camps. Narrative qualitative research methods were used to conduct interviews with five Congolese refugees in Appalachia. Through qualitative thematic and lexical analysis derived from the interviews, the study reveals patterns of linguistic isolation, community continuity, and emotional displacement. A key finding is that participants often conceptualize community not as a geographic entity, but as an …

Measuring The Clinical Effectiveness Of Telenutrition Medical Nutrition Therapy Among American Indian And Alaska Native Adults Newly Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes, Charisse Lindsey Holiday

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 global pandemic was the impetus of the transition from in-person medical nutrition therapy (MNT) visits to telephone MNT. This occurred without evaluation of its clinical effectiveness, especially for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). It is known that in-person MNT is clinically effective at lowering hemoglobin A1c (A1c) and that people with diabetes who experience food insecurity have poorer health. However, research characterizing food insecurity among AI/ANs is limited. This retrospective observational analytical study was conducted at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC) in Phoenix, Arizona to assess the clinical effectiveness of telephone delivered MNT services by a …

Exploring The Interplay Of Health-Related Psychological Constructs, Health Promotion Programs, And Work Outcomes: A Two-Study Approach, Peyton Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Health and wellness initiatives have become central components within modern workplaces. A growing emphasis on maintaining and improving personal health and wellness has clear effects in professional environments as health promotion programs are increasingly implemented. This project aims to uncover the psychological constructs that are targeted and influenced by such programs. Specifically, these studies examine the influence of health messaging on individual levels of health anxiety and health consciousness and investigate how those constructs interact with attendance and health-related outcomes. Additionally, information regarding an employees’ organizational commitment was gathered to examine its’ potential impact. The thesis further elaborates on the …

Differential Effects Of Health Insurance Coverage On Health For Sexual Minorities, Ruby W. Morr

Theses and Dissertations

Much existing research has found a substantial gap in health between sexual minorities and non-minorities. This is usually attributed to discrimination or access to care. I seek to find the role that insurance plays, including minorities' choices of insurance coverage. If a gap does exist, insurance may have a stronger impact on sexual minorities. Also, if minorities are less likely to have insurance coverage, they may be susceptible to worse health. I confirm results from the literature that sexual minorities do have worse health. While health insurance accounts for some of the gap, it is only a small portion, though …

Listening To The Body: Attunement And Advocacy In Women's Experiences Of Endometriosis, Rebekah E. Greenslaugh

Theses and Dissertations

Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory condition in which tissue similar to the endometrial lining grows outside the uterus, leading to severe pain, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms. Despite its significant impact on daily life, many women with endometriosis report that their symptoms are dismissed in medical encounters, as their pain is minimized or normalized as an inherent aspect of womanhood. This medical dismissal, combined with a lack of definitive diagnostic tools and effective treatments, leads many to turn to online support communities to make sense of their symptoms, share experiences, and develop ways to cope with the condition. Drawing on …

Investigating The Role Of Keratin 6 And Sox2 In Regulating Growth, Stemness, Basal/Squamous Expression, And Chemotherapy Response In Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma, Nelofar Nargis

Theses and Dissertations

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a prevalent and aggressive malignancy arising in urothelial cells, with arsenic exposure recognized as a significant environmental risk factor. It is categorized into two primary subtypes based on the extent of cancer progression beyond the bladder’s muscle wall: non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (NMIUC) and muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC). While NMIUC is associated with a relatively favorable prognosis, progression to MIUC is more aggressive and leads to significantly worse outcomes, including poor treatment response and increased metastasis. Squamous differentiation (SD) in UC is an emerging hallmark of aggressive UC, with patients often having poor prognoses and developing chemoresistance, …

The Social Construction Of Homelessness: A Qualitative Examination Of International Efforts To Address Homelessness, Chanel Swoope

Theses and Dissertations

Homelessness is a multi-layered worldwide issue, shaped by cultural, economic, and political factors. This qualitative case study compared two international non-profit organizations, Hope Haven in Paraguay and Safe Shelter Foundation in Finland, in their approaches to reducing homelessness. The research explores how institutional systems and sociocultural norms shape intervention by utilizing two theoretical frameworks, structural functionalism and social constructionism. The study included semi-structured interviews with twelve participants employed by the organizations, seven from Paraguay and five from Finland, and a review of archival program data. The interview and archival data were triangulated with deductive and inductive data analysis.

Findings revealed …