Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring How Caregiver Multiracial Socialization Is Related To Multiracial Identity Pride, Self-Esteem, And Racial Political Identity In Emerging Adulthood, Jennie Jasperson

Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined how caregiver multiracial socialization processes play a role in multiracial emerging adults' multiracial identity pride self-esteem, and racial political identity. The constructs of caregiver multiracial socialization, multiracial identity pride in emerging adulthood, sense of self-esteem in emerging adulthood, and racial political identity in emerging adulthood were examined among 387 multiracial emerging adults between the ages of 18-29 from across the United States. To examine these relationships, multiple regressions were run to analyze data. The results of this study underscore the significance of understanding the role that socialization processes within multiracial families play in ethnic racial identity …

Exploring The Role Of Rb1 In Cellular Differentiation Using Patient-Derived Stem Cells, Ambily Vincent

Theses and Dissertations

The Retinoblastoma (RB1) gene, predominantly recognized as a tumour suppressor, plays a crucial role in early growth and development. Mice lacking the retinoblastoma gene do not survive and exhibit defects in the differentiation of various tissues, underscoring its involvement in cellular differentiation. This suggests that the functions of the RB1 gene extend beyond its role as a tumour suppressor, encompassing cell cycle regulation, maintenance of genomic stability, cellular senescence, and cellular differentiation.

While the tumour suppressor function of the RB1 has been extensively studied, its role in cellular differentiation remains incompletely understood. Existing literature, primarily based on animal models, has …

Chronic Stress And Well-Being: Testing Mindfulness As A Proposed Method To Decrease Stress In Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Madeline M. Gillies

Theses and Dissertations

Parenting is a demanding role that encompasses many responsibilities and challenges. When a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, there are additional demands on the parent's time, energy, and financial resources, which likely leads to increased levels of chronic stress for parents. This dissertation examines the differences in chronic stress levels between parents who have children with autism and parents who do not, using hair cortisol concentration (HCC) as a benchmark. This dissertation also explores reducing parental stress by introducing a mindfulness intervention. Participants (n = 68) were recruited and divided into two groups: Parents of children who have …

Engineering Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Biosensors For Point Of Care Use, Tyler Jordan Free

Theses and Dissertations

Diagnostic tests can dramatically improve and save lives. Survival rates and patient outcomes related to cancer and other diseases can be improved when routine testing guides personalized treatment. Highly accurate laboratory tests exist for thousands of biomarkers, including those of interest in this dissertation, but cost and complexity limit access to life-saving lab tests in many cases throughout the world. To fill this need and increase accessibility of diagnostics, in this report we report our engineering advancements towards portable biosensors for colorimetric detection of glutamine, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC), and pathogenic RNA which are key biomarkers in cancer treatment monitoring, …

Rna Sequencing Reveals Chemotherapy-Induced Changes In Genes Associated With Neurogenesis And Neuronal Function, Bailey Cronin

Theses and Dissertations

Over 310,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2024, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in United States women. Advancements in treatment options such as chemotherapy and radiation have resulted in a 5-year survival rate of 91%. With nearly 4.1 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States today, there is a need for a better understanding of the long-term side effects of these treatments and the impact these may have on the quality of life for these survivors. Reported in up to 78% of cancer patients who received chemotherapy, chemotherapy induced cognitive impairment (CICI), …

Understanding The Mechanisms Of Bio-Effects Of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials In Planta Using “Omics” Approach, Sajedeh Rezaei Cherati

Theses and Dissertations

Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) are recognized as versatile and promising nanomaterials for various applications across multiple fields, including medicine, genetic engineering, plant biology, and agriculture. Notably, carbon nanotubes have been identified as effective in regulating plant growth, reducing plant diseases, and facilitating the targeted delivery of molecules such as DNA and proteins into plant cells and tissues. Despite these advancements, the comprehensive understanding of CBNs' biological impacts, particularly their role in enhancing plant growth and stress tolerance, remains incomplete. Moreover, the use of CBNs in agriculture raises concerns regarding the safety of consuming contaminated plant products and the implications of CBNs …

Using Neural Networks To Reconstruct Temperature From Fluorescent Data For Use In Bio-Microfluidics, Jacob G. Kullberg

Theses and Dissertations

It has been theorized that Quantum Dots (QD) can solve the temperature sensor issue with microfluidic devices. Quantum Dots are nano-sized semiconducting crystals with a radius of an excited electron-hole pair. When a QD is excited by a short wavelength light, the QD produces fluorescent light. As the temperature of the dot changes, the dot expands and shifts the fluorescent spectrum. Quantum Dots are small enough to be placed inside the microfluidic devices, and a spectrometer can measure the change in fluorescent data. This fluorescent data can be used to create fluorescent images corresponding to the QD temperature. These fluorescent …

Laying Framework For A Novel In Vitro Eukaryotic System To Measure Rate Of Transcription Elongation, John Lucas Ramirez

Theses and Dissertations

Within each cell, genetic material is stored in the form of DNA. This DNA is compacted around proteins to form higher order structures called chromatin. The basic unit of chromatin is a histone protein octamer bound with DNA called a nucleosome. A nucleosome consists of eight core proteins, four pairs of histone proteins H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, wrapped by DNA. The DNA wraps around the histone protein roughly 1.7 times, helping facilitate the compaction of DNA within the nucleus of the cell. The location of nucleosomes makes genetic material that encodes various elements, such as promoters or enhancers, accessible …

Cellular Sorting Of The Dictyostelium Discoideum Slug, Erin Flowerday

Theses and Dissertations

Dictyostelium discoideum (Dd) cells are amoeba cells that feed on soil or plant leaf matter bacteria. They divide freely in the presence of food. When starved, cell division is ended, and cells transition from unicellular to multicellular organisms initiated by a chemoattractant, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). This study intricately examines cellular sorting within the Dd slug, focusing on individual cell dynamics. Represented as oriented ellipsoids, these cells maintain constant volume through a viscoelastic structure. Applying force to specific semi-axes reveals predictable deformations, highlighting the relationship between force and deformation rate. Manipulating damping coefficients and spring constants uncovers insights into cell …

Connecting Hiv-1 Viral Protein R Polymorphisms To Changes In Inflammatory Signals And Efficacy Testing Of Essential Oils As Disinfectants Against Sars-Cov-2, J. Brandon Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) is the causative agent for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Different strains of HIV-1 have been linked to a long term non-progressor (LTNP) or rapid progressor (RP) form of disease depending on rate of AIDS progression. Viral protein R (Vpr) is a viral protein that has been linked to varying rates of AIDS progression depending on the sequence. In this work, the effects of two polymorphisms, a LTNP and a RP, on different cells are studied. The LTNP virus was linked to lower release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF and IL-6, and an increase in apoptotic …

Design And Validation Of Sensing Knee Sleeve Rehabilitation Device Utilizing Large Deflection Strain Gauges, Kurt Christian Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures are increasingly common in the US and globally. However, rehabilitation outcomes may be negatively affected by limited access to physical therapy and patients' tendency to not fully adhere to recommended exercises between therapy sessions. This study aims to develop a remote system to aid rehabilitation, building upon recent sensor development at Brigham Young University, providing physical therapy-like biofeedback during unsupervised at-home exercises. The system developed by this research consists of three primary components: (1) a sensor array for measuring leg/knee biomechanics, (2) a machine learning algorithm to predict knee flexion angle from the sensor data, …

An Agent-Based Modeling Of Permafrost Melting And Virus Exposure Due To Climate Change, Nishat Ara Mozid

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change has affected human life and natural system significantly. Particularly, there is specific evidence of change in the Arctic region for climate warming. One of the consequences of climate change is the process of permafrost degradation and thawing rate of active layer. Permafrost is defined as frozen grounds that exists at a temperature of or below 0℃ for at least two consecutive years, consists of ice and novel pathogens which are frozen for a long time. Anthrax may cause a serious threat for local environment and livestock due to permafrost melting. The study introduces an agent-based modeling of permafrost …

Modeling Knowledge Graphs And Its Applicability In Multi-Source Social Network Data, Abiola Sylvester Akinnubi

Theses and Dissertations

Social network analysis is becoming more relevant with the rise of Large Language Models and other AI frameworks, particularly as online content creation surges. However, analyzing social network data from different platforms to study online opinions and influence campaigns remains challenging. Even more complex is the concept of multi-source social network analysis. Knowledge graphs, an essential part of Web 4.0 and crucial in information modeling and encoding, offer a unique solution. They allow for a more concise encoding of relationships between entities and related discussions. However, there is limited investigation into using multi-source data for examining online information campaigns and …

Potential Contributions Of Xenobiotics To P-Glycoprotein Clearance Of Amyloid Β-Peptide From The Brain, Joseph Jr Asante

Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an example of a neurodegenerative disease, mostly age related and characterized by cognitive decline. Currently there is no effective treatment that can prevent or slow progression of the disease. Roughly 95% of cases are sporadic, with unknown etiology. A distinguishing characteristic of the Alzheimer’s brain is the presence of amyloid plaques, with their constituent amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides implicated in causing synaptic dysfunction, memory impairment, and neurotoxicity. Although extensive research has explored the role of Aβ peptides in AD, understanding their metabolism in health versus disease remains insufficient. P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter …

Spending The Peace Dividend: Nato And The Failures Of American Diplomacy, Caleb Batman

Theses and Dissertations

Recent years have seen a massive increase in available resources pertaining to US-Russian diplomacy in the years immediately following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Using these newly available resources including diplomatic cables, declassified transcripts, and personal correspondence between President Clinton of the United States and President Yeltsin of the Russian Federation the author attempts to illustrate how the White House missed a chance for reconciliation with Russia during the first Clinton term. Additionally, this paper illustrates how it was not merely bad diplomacy that led to a resumption of Cold War hostilities, but willful policy in Washington that sought …

The Effects Of People, Time Of Day, And Season On Affiliative And Stereotypic Behaviors In Captive Rhinoptera Bonasus And Other Rays Across Two Human-Interactive Enclosures, Wren C. A. Newman

Theses and Dissertations

Cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) are among the most common species found in aquaria, yet the impact of touch enclosures on their welfare remains largely unknown. While research on animal-visitor interactions has produced mixed results for other species, the lack of studies focusing on fish welfare poses a risk of overlooking potential welfare concerns. Therefore, we aimed to establish a baseline for cownose rays regarding stereotypic behaviors, sociality, and activity in captivity, and to examine the influence of human interaction on these behaviors. We collected over 700 hours of footage from two enclosures at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ …

Sex Differences In The Diets Of Forest-Dwelling Baboons (Papio Anubis), Kara Hartunian

Theses and Dissertations

The ability to eat and switch between many food sources is an adaptative feeding strategy utilized for meeting nutritional needs across different environments, seasons, and physiological conditions. Baboons (genus Papio) excel at both dietary flexibility and foraging selectively, and consequently have one of the most widespread geographic distributions in the Order. To further expand to our understanding of baboon feeding ecology, I analyzed foraging activity and the nutritional characteristics of the diets of the relatively understudied rainforest baboons (Papio anubis) living in Kibale National Park, Uganda. I also investigated if there are differences in food type choice …

Assessment Of Tripeptides Self-Assembly & Er Stress On Cell Viability And Exosome Secretion In Mda-Mb231, Azmat Parveen

Theses and Dissertations

This study delves into the effects of tripeptides KYpF and WYpK(NBD) on MDA-MB-231 cells, uncovering KYpF's ability to reduce cell proliferation and exosome secretion in peptide treated cells. Conversely, WYpK(NBD) demonstrated significant toxicity at 10 μM. These insights pave the way for optimizing peptide-based cellular treatments for exosome secretion purposes.

Maternal And Other Social Influences On Signature Whistle Structure Of A Captive Group Of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus), Riley Synan

Theses and Dissertations

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are social animals that use acoustics as a major method of communicating across a marine environment. They also live in fission-fusion groups and thus interact with many conspecifics over a lifetime. Individual dolphins have a signature whistle that functions as an identity call and serves to maintain group cohesion in murky waters or during reconciliation. Dolphins exhibit vocal learning and the signature whistle of a calf may be modeled after the whistle of their mother or another individual in the pod as they develop. Mother-calf pairs or other related animals sometimes have similar whistle types. Some …

Assessing Comprehension And Competence In Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) On The Concept: Do Something Different, Charlotte M. Mulligan

Theses and Dissertations

Many studies have been conducted using a training paradigm based on the research of Pryor et al. (1969) wherein the participants are trained on the abstract concept: do something different. This paradigm challenges working memory and requires the participants to respond with a behavior, either previously trained or novel, which has not yet been offered within the session. The work of Braslau-Schneck (1994) expanded this concept and demonstrated the ability of dolphins to successfully complete this task in synchronized pairs, though the method of accomplishing this task remained unclear. The present research was conducted as part of a broader …

Enhancing The Visual Environment Of Indoor Housed Laboratory Cynomolgus Macaques (Macaca Fascicularis) To Reduce Stress And Maladaptive Behavior, Jeannine C. Rodgers

Theses and Dissertations

Nonhuman primates housed in indoor laboratory environments are generally exposed to nondescript background visual stimuli. This environment is not ideal for species whose primary sensory modality is visual. To provide a more naturalistic visual environment that would potentially improve their welfare, this study assessed the efficacy of a passive natural visual stimulus in the reduction of stress and stereotypy and agonistic behaviors in a cohort of four (2 male, 2 female) Cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) housed in an indoor laboratory facility in New York City. The macaques were exposed to four different videos depicting scenes of natural landscapes that were …

The Effect Of The Lunar Cycle On The Demographics Of Asian Elephants Observed In Open Areas In A Protected Wildlife Sanctuary And Surrounding Crop Fields, Serene K. Rivera

Theses and Dissertations

Due to human development and habitat fragmentation, Asian elephants increasingly use human landscapes and encounter people. These interactions have led to negative interactions between humans and elephants, such as crop-raiding. Despite efforts to mitigate these conflicts, farmers have not been able to consistently protect their crops from elephant foraging. Therefore, it is important to understand elephant behavior in these landscapes to help create long term mitigation plans. Specifically, research regarding demographic patterns in Asian elephants’ perceived predation risk can inform wild elephant management. This study used camera traps in Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary in Kanchanaburi, Thailand to observe the wild Asian …

Genere E L’Identità Femminile In Ariosto E Castiglione, Patricia Stumpp

Theses and Dissertations

A discussion of the attitude toward women expressed in Orlando Furioso and The Book of the Courtier seen through an historical and cultural lens. Included is an English translation of portions of Cantos 9 and 10 of Orlando Furioso important in the development of the character of Olimpia.

Optimizing The Protein Yield Of The Collagen Mimetic Peptide: Col108, Fahmida Akter

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The fibril-forming collagen mimetic peptide Col108, produced in E. Coli, has shown potential for innovative biomaterial applications. However, further research is constrained by its limited yield. My study aims to enhance the experimental parameters and has successfully pinpointed rifampicin as an efficient method to boost the production of Col108.

Examining Correlations Of Historical Trauma And Ethnic Identification With Symptoms Of Depression In Native American College Students, Nerissa Dolney

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how historical trauma and one’s degree of ethnic identity relate to symptoms of depression, due to controversy in the literature about such variables. Participants in this study self-identified as Native American, were over the age of 18, and were currently enrolled or have been previously enrolled at the University of North Dakota (UND). Participants completed a survey online via Qualtrics to gather information about their ethnic identity, frequency of historical loss thinking, and symptoms of depression. Historical loss thinking was found to be very prevalent among this sample, and …

Density Functional Theory Study Of Some Important Biological Molecules, Desmond Khan

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the performance of various quantum chemical methods, particularly density functional theory (DFT), in predicting noncovalent interactions in eleven unnatural amino acids. The research compares five DFT functionals (PBE-D3, B3LYP-D3, HSE06, M06-2X, and ꞷB97XD) and MP2 theory against the benchmark CCSD(T) method, using two Pople basis sets (6-31G* and 6-311++G**). Results highlight ꞷB97XD's superior performance in capturing strong dispersion interactions, especially when paired with the 6-311++G** basis set. Additionally, the study investigates interactions between biomimetic Fe and Mg co-doped montmorillonite clay and the amino acids. It reveals the necessity of employing PBE-GGA + U with U ≥ 4 …

Unveiling Facilitators And Barriers Of Breastfeeding Initiation And Continuation And Designing Culturally Tailored Intervention For African American Mothers, Nadia Boahemaa Kyeremeh

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the determinants of breastfeeding initiation and continuation among African American women in the United States and evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention using WordPress to disseminate culturally relevant breastfeeding information to African American women. First, secondary data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) was used to test factors influencing breastfeeding initiation and continuation among White and Black women. The results showed that the foreign-born (vs. US-born) status, residing (vs. non-residing) with grandparents, and strong (vs. weak) cultural identity were positively associated with breastfeeding initiation and continuation across racial groups. Based on the secondary …

Examining Mental Health Professionals' Attitudes Towards Individuals With Rural Accents, Emily Heavner

Theses and Dissertations

Bias against people from rural areas is ingrained in American culture, and stereotypes that people from rural regions are backwards, uneducated, and unintelligent are prevalent (Fulkerson & Thomas, 2016; Hartman et al., 2023; Howley, 2009; Shirley, 2010). Many people from rural areas have accents that mark them as coming from a rural region (Flanigan, 2000). Research suggests that accent is a reminder that the speaker is from a different cultural group than the listener, triggering biases and stereotypes about the speaker (Chakraborty, 2017). Because accent and rural culture are not often discussed as part of multicultural competence, many mental health …

Echo: A Graphical User Interface Designed To Simulate, Study, And Mitigate Effects Of Interplanetary Communication Delays In Analog Missions, Dario Gabriel Schor

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the vast distances between Earth and other planets, future human interplanetary missions will experience significant communication delays. The literature suggests that a combination of training, protocols, procedures, and tools is required to mitigate the negative impact that the communication delay has on both stress and performance. This research introduces a tool called ECHO that combines known and novel features designed to make users cognizant of the delay and avoid misunderstandings. ECHO was tested as part of a mixed-methods study over the course of three analog missions at the University of North Dakota's Integrated Lunar/Mars Habitat where a total …

Sustainable Synthesis: An Emphasis On Green Chemical Reactions Using Eco-Uva Light For [2+2] Photocycloadditions Of Furan Derivatives, Sierra Rose Ward

Theses and Dissertations

The first section of this study investigates the effect of low temperatures on [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions of a furan derivative, furyl acrylic acid, which can be derived from biomass, and its effect on various photoactive monomers. The experiments demonstrated that the furan derivative could dimerize in extreme temperatures (-196 oC) using liquid nitrogen with up to 82% conversion. The second chapter is dedicated to developing a more environmentally friendly reaction procedure for a different furan derivative, maleic anhydride, with simple olefins (specifically cyclohexene and 1-hexene). Traditionally, these reactions were performed with medium-pressure mercury lamps, conventional photochemical reaction vessels, and flow …