Digital Commons Network^™

Maladaptive Inconsistent Parenting Behavior And Borderline Personality Disorder: The Mediating Effect Of Disturbed Sense Of Self, Mst S. Islam

Theses and Dissertations

We investigated the child’s disturbed sense of self in relation to maladaptive inconsistent parenting behavior and BPD features. 158 participants completed measures assessing emotions and parenting. The mediating effect of disturbance of self was significant as a single mediator, but not when emotional dysregulation and impulsivity were included as mediators.

Queer Mother, Hybrid Monster: Serpentine Hybridity And Monstrous Motherhood In D’Arras And Spenser, Farah R. Paterson-Cisco

Theses and Dissertations

Disparate, deformed, and hybridized bodies of women have appeared in mythology and literature in myriad allegorical incarnations as representations of monstrosity. The monstrous serpent-woman hybrid form can be traced back quite far, though at the point when one reaches antiquity, literary examples meld into the religious, mythological, and folkloric. These hybrid beings also embodied meanings particular to their time and culture that work to distinguish them as literary characters, presenting a compelling case for the consideration of the hybridized and deformed figure as a threat to patriarchal systems. Contemporary readings through the lens of feminist, gender, and disability frameworks offer …

Skin Echoes, Andreia Santana

Theses and Dissertations

Santana’s explores the intersection of biology and identity, incorporating living matter and performative gestures into installations to reflect on social constructs of history and gender. By observing water and its qualities of defying Western dichotomies, Skin Echoes focuses on the material interchanges across bodies and the wider material world.

Or Read The Wikipedia Entry For The Parable Of The Tower Of Babel But Imagine It’S 2023 This Time And We’Re Getting So Close Just Give The Artist A Little More Of Your Money, David Thonis

Theses and Dissertations

Systems and their inherent design underlie everything in contemporary life. Design exists to facilitate interaction, to ease workflow, to keep us producing. As such, it exerts its own control.

Through disassembling recurring conventions in design, I look to break with preconceptions of logic. To deny functionality. In doing so, my intention is to dislocate the user from the usual patterns of applicable systems.

The resulting discomfort may feel strange, disembodied, but it should be embraced. Long have capitalism’s solutions created more problems. In the face of this complexity, and beyond it, there can be freedom.

Blacklash: Phenomenological Hermeneutics In Black Dance, Darvejon A. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The horrors inflicted on Black bodies, souls, and spirits in the United States during the transatlantic slave trade, the Jim Crow era, and the current era (2023) have a lasting legacy of trauma metabolized through the body and transmuted generationally. Jones uses this data to contextualize the work of Black dance artists as hermeneutic phenomena in which the Black dance artist is a hermeneut tasked with delivering a message of the Black body/spirit complex: “I AM HUMAN. DO NOT KILL ME.” This paper examines how Black dance artists frequently petition for their survival — incessantly subjugated to the interpreter’s empathy, …

The Cosmicomica, Corinne Bernard

Theses and Dissertations

My drawings are a reconciliation of multiple, coexisting truths. They are a practice of creating a new relationship with this world and myself in it; creating a system of symbols that give substance to the same primordial gunk we swim in daily.

Beyond Participation: Hélio Oiticica And Neville D’Almeida, Jocelyn Elliott Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

The collaborative works by Brazilian artist Hélio Oiticica and filmmaker Neville D’Almeida responded to Brazil’s dictatorship and their self-imposed exile in New York between 1969-1974. Oiticica’s concept of crelazer and the artists elective “marginal” position converge to create a new cinematic language; challenging gender norms, and proposing new systems for living.

Tractatus De Herbis, Botanical Guide To The Universe: A Case Study For Morgan Ms M.873, Darya Badikova

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the development of the late medieval pharmacopoeial treatise Tractatus de herbis illustrated in M.873, a fourteenth-century manuscript from the collection of the Morgan Library in New York. Particularly, the thesis considers the use and reception of this encyclopedic work by elite contemporary audiences of the Venetian Republic through material and medical history.

Contrafreeloading In The Domestic Dog (Canis Lupus Familiaris), Liza Rothkoff

Theses and Dissertations

Contrafreeloading is the behavior of working for food that requires effort to obtain when also provided with food that does not require effort to obtain. More specifically, contrafreeloading can be defined in multiple ways using various criterion such as 1) an animal’s preference and/or 2) an animal’s willingness to work for food when freely available food is offered. To date, multiple studies have evaluated contrafreeloading in various animal species, identifying that many non-domesticated species (e.g., maned wolves, red jungle fowl) and domesticated species (e.g., pigs, goats) demonstrate a preference and/or a willingness to work for food when readily available food …

I Could Never, Chad Kaydo

Theses and Dissertations

Isn’t it horrible? What she did? Can you even *imagine* doing that? Three women reckon with the dark myths we tell ourselves…while their husbands golf.

Impressions Of An Urban Vision: Art Across The Park (1980 And 1982), Marie N. Catalano

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines Art Across the Park (1980 and 1982), a program of sculpture and performance conceived of by artist David Hammons sited throughout overlooked regions of New York City’s public parks. Amidst debates about the proper use of public space and the role of public art in the early 1980s, Art Across the Park asserted a more culturally expansive model of being in social space, one rooted in strategies of performance as an antidote to lasting effects of social control.

Uber, The Gig Economy, And African Americans: Digital Anti-Blackness In The New Technological Age, Bill Kaso

Theses and Dissertations

The digital objects and processes of the new technological age have been found to reproduce anti-Blackness, specifically among African Americans, in the United States. To understand and remedy these trends, this thesis looks at digital technology as the product of anti-Black material culture.

Exploring New Jersey’S Middle And High School Health Educators’ Decision-Making On Sti Content And Instruction: A Qualitative Collective Case Study, Brianne Siderio

Theses and Dissertations

STIs in youth in New Jersey is a growing concern. According to New Jersey’ Public Health Data Resource (2020), the total number of STIs in youth from age 15-24 totals 19,698. The current STIs-related sex education programs vary widely in New Jersey in terms of scope, the accuracy of content, emphasis, and effectiveness (Thrive New Jersey Coalition, 2019). Therefore, students may have quite different levels of awareness on the prevention of STIs. The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to explore the Θ (theta) (Stake, 1995) of the “why” and “how” of health educators’ decisions in designing STI …

The Influence Of Rejection On Life And Health Outcomes Among Transgender And Gender Non-Conforming Adults In The U.S., Trye Mica Price

Theses and Dissertations

Rejection is a widespread and problematic issue that impacts transgender and gender non-conforming individuals throughout their lives. Transgender people are likely to experience gender-based rejection from their families, at school during their youth, from employers and co-workers, and religious organizations. Past research has shown that rejection from certain people and organizations can influence outcomes such as homelessness, sex work engagement, and issues with psychological distress. For instance, familial rejection has been shown to be a consistent factor associated with homelessness and mental health issues among gender minorities. However, there is limited knowledge on how school, workplace, and religious rejection can …

Human Impacts On Erosion In Starved Rock State Park, Illinois, Usa, Savannah Leigh Thielbar

Theses and Dissertations

State and National parks are some of the most visited wildlife areas within the United States, making local geologic features more susceptible to human-induced change. As more people visit these parks throughout the year, we see major impacts on the interactions between biological and geological processes. This study determines if human activity, through rock carvings, influence erosion within Starved Rock State Park and provides a new perspective on our compounding anthropogenic influence on Earth. Through natural stream and artificial human erosion, the base of the bedrock slope potentially changes at a much faster rate than the upper portion of the …

Macromolecular Crowding On The Formation Of Amyloid Fiber Hydrogel, Rachael Marie Crews

Theses and Dissertations

The aggregation of proteins to form fibrillar deposits is a hallmark of numerous medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Protein monomers aggregate to form amyloid fibers, followed by these fibers further aggregating to form larger structures such as fiber bundles and hydrogels. Previous studies into protein aggregation were mostly done under dilute solutions that poorly reflect the crowded nature of the tissue environment. Can a liquid solution truthfully represent what is going on in a solid tissue? Utilizing lysozyme as a model protein and two different polysaccharides as crowding agents, dextran and hyaluronic acid (HA), the effects of macromolecular crowding …

Crispr-Based Genome Editing Of Caenorhabditis Elegans And Cultured Human Cells, Katie Marie Toperzer

Theses and Dissertations

The fields of genetics and molecular biology have grown exponentially in the knowledge and ability to edit DNA sequences. The discovery of DNA structure in the 1950s and enzymes that are able to make site-specific cuts in the 1970s allowed scientists to harness growth in the field of genetic engineering and develop realistic gene therapies for diseases. In my thesis, I will utilize cutting-edge technology to be the first person at Florida Tech to genetically engineer two different model systems. Using CRISPR, I will study the molecular mechanisms of fertilization by introducing a genetically encoded reporter in C. elegans. Additionally, …

Shortening Of Telomeres Caused By Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides In Hiv-1 Exposed Human Oral Keratinocytes, Daphne Alcala Zúñiga

Theses and Dissertations

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) continues to affect many individuals around the globe. Although people with HIV (PWH) have longer life expectancies because of modern treatments, they continue to exhibit comorbidities that are signs of premature aging compared to healthy individuals. The significance of the oral microbiome during HIV-1 infection has become of interest as chronic inflammatory conditions, such as periodontitis, have shed light on the detrimental effects of chronic inflammation. HIV-1 infection can promote dysbiosis, an imbalance of the oral microbiota, which in turn promotes the growth of opportunistic microorganisms such as P. gingivalis. This overpopulation enhances pathogenicity through …

Exploring A Bilingual Teacher Implementation Of Small Group Guided Reading Instruction Through Preview, View And Review, Vivian Pratts

Theses and Dissertations

Teaching and learning for emergent bilinguals is often based on monolingual instructional assumptions which ignore how emergent bilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning. Bilingual pedagogies such as Preview-View-Review have the potential to support the development of biliteracy and meaning-making of emergent bilinguals in dual language programs. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate how a bilingual teacher in a two-way dual language program implements a Preview-View-Review through small group reading instruction. This strategy proposes the alternation of languages previewing and reviewing content in one language, while doing the view or main content teaching …

Characterization Of Lower Rio Grande Valley Watershed, Abdulkabir O. Aduragba

Theses and Dissertations

The Lower Laguna Madre (LLM) is considered impaired because of the high concentration of bacteria and low level of dissolved oxygen (DO). LLM receives freshwater from the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) watershed. In other to understand the impairment, LRGV watershed is being studied by relying on water quality data of the contributing drainages and State resource geographic data to identify watershed boundary and pollutant sources.

The study on the North and Central LRGV watershed shows some correlation between the concentration of E. coli/Bacteria, Ammonia, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus, Nitrate and Nitrite, Chlorophyll-a and the sources of pollutant in …

The Relationship Of Graduating Students (Alumni-To-Be)’S Sense Of Belonging And Their Intent To Give Back To Their Alma Mater At A Hispanic Serving Institution (Hsi) In South Texas, Lanlan Alvarado

Theses and Dissertations

Higher education institutions are increasingly relying on funding from the private sector (Council for Aid to Education, 2013) as state funding to higher education has decreased in recent years. Bridging the gap between university financial needs and available funding has become a high priority. In the process, higher education institutions have enlisted their advancement offices towards such bridging efforts by systematically bringing in financial support from donors, alumni, corporations, and foundations.

Funding from private sources fluctuates with changes in the macro-economic environment, laws, and regulations, as well as shifts in philanthropic interests in the public. Alumni giving constitutes a substantial …

Faculty Perceptions Of Online Instruction And Educational Technology In Higher Education, Raul Nick Cabrera

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to obtain faculty perceptions of online instruction and educational technology in higher education. Data was collected from eight participants through interviews and open-ended questions at a higher education institution. Results showed that faculty consider that online instruction is only possible for certain programs and that it’s only for certain student populations. In addition, faculty perceive online learning environments as a repository for class information and serve as a communication medium between instructor and student. Furthermore, faculty believe that there is no substitution for traditional teaching methods regardless of the educational technology available. Theoretical and …

Effect Of Elevated Temperature And Roundup Exposure On Oxidative Stress And Antioxidant Status In The American Oyster, Afsana Chowdhury

Theses and Dissertations

Aquatic organisms are frequently exposed to various environmental stressors. In this study, we observed the short-term (1-week) combined dose-dependent effect of Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide, and high temperature (30°C) on the morphology of gills and digestive glands, expression of heat shock protein-70 (HSP70), dinitrophenyl protein (DNP), nitrotyrosine protein (NTP), antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and superoxidase dismutase (SOD) in tissues of American oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Histological analyses showed an increase in mucous production in the gills and digestive glands, hemocyte aggregation in the connective tissues as well as structural change of the lumen in the digestive glands …

Dopamine Dysregulation In Antiretroviral Drugs Treated Neuronal Cells, Andrea S. Bustos

Theses and Dissertations

According to the world health organization (WHO), 37.7 million people worldwide in 2020 were living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). In the US, combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) drugs have shown effectiveness in combating HIV-1 infection. As a result, cART has prolonged the lifespan of people with HIV aiding these patients to age with the virus. Clinical evidence has established the long-term effects of cART in the aging population causing neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression. However, the underline molecular mechanism that cART induces depression-related neurodegeneration has not been established. This study will pursue a dopamine (DA) dysregulation marker in cART …

Analysis Of Post-Translational Modifications (Ptm) Crosstalk, Amit Das

Theses and Dissertations

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics is a powerful tool for identifying post-translational modifications (PTMs) across the proteome. O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation are two PTMs that play crucial roles in regulating cellular processes, including cardiac contractile function. Dysregulation of these PTMs has been implicated in the development and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interplay between O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation in healthy and type 2 diabetic hearts, with a specific focus on the functional relationships between these PTMs and their potential therapeutic implications.

Utilizing mass spectrometry data, we identified and quantified specific PTMs on myofilament proteins, uncovering 1354 O-GlcNAcylated …

Sweet Potato In The Lower Rio Grande Valley: Evaluating Performance Across Several Cultivars, Jon Dale

Theses and Dissertations

In Texas’ subtropical, semiarid Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), citrus and sugarcane cultures have dominated specialty crop production for more than a half-century. However, the future of these high-dollar crops is becoming uncertain with increases in exotic pathogens, intensifying urbanization and the overarching complexities of both climate change and binational governance of Rio Grande Basin waters. For these reasons, the region’s specialty crop sector needs to be ready for alternatives that could benefit both market outlets and reduced input dependencies. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), commercially grown in various similar climates worldwide with limited water resources, could be one …

Population Genetics Among Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Ticks In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Bianca Liana Guerra

Theses and Dissertations

Rhipicephalus sanguineus is a common tick species in the lower Rio Grande Valley of both human and veterinary concern. Two lineages of R. sanguineus have been described across the United States known as the tropical and temperate lineage. Both lineages can be differentiated morphologically, genetically, biologically, and by vector competence. The species name for both lineages has not been well established therefore this thesis will utilize their widely used identification. Both lineages have been identified in Texas. While the distribution of these lineages has been well-defined in some regions across the world, recent studies have observed sympatric populations in certain …

Formation Control Of Multiple Quadrotors, Miguel Alejandro Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis studies formation control of multiple quadrotors under different conditions. Two controller design approaches are proposed. In the first approach, it is assumed that the dynamics of each quadrotor is unknown and there is disturbance. With the aid of distributed estimation and the universal approximation property of neural networks, distributed tracking controllers are proposed. Simulation shows the effectiveness of the proposed controllers. In the second approach, it is assumed that the inertia parameters are unknown. With the aid of distributed estimation, online data estimation, and optimal control theory, distributed sub-optimal tracking controllers are proposed. Simulation results show the effectiveness …

Graphene-Conductive Ink Coated Laser Engraved Kapton Electrochemical Biosensor For The Detection Of Dopamine And Immune Sensing, Dipannita Ghosh

Theses and Dissertations

Novel and flexible disposable laser-engraved Kapton (LEK) electrodes modified with graphene conductive inks have been developed for dopamine and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) detection. The LEK sensors exhibit high reproducibility (RSD=0.76%, N=5) and stability (RSD=4.39%, N=15)after multiple bendings, and thus make the sensors ideal for wearable and stretchable bioelectronics applications. We have developed graphene conductive ink- PEDOT:PSS (G-PEDOT:PSS) and polyaniline (G-PANI) based electrode coatings for working electrode modification to improve the sensitivity (41.41 times higher for screen printed electrode with G-PEDPT:PSS ink modification),and limit of detection (LOD) . We have further compared the performance of the fabricated electrodes with commercially available screen-printed …

Nepantla – Examining The Sacred Middle Ground Of Syncretism, Jose Luis Garcia Iii

Theses and Dissertations

As a result of historical traumas caused by the Spanish invasion of Mexico, the autonomy of its Indigenous peoples has been replaced by a Eurocentric identifier based on a colonial language and theologies. Because of the vastness surrounding the Nahua pantheon, Spanish and Church officials relied on guided syncretism as means of correcting their methodologies in converting Mexico’s Indigenous population. This thesis examines syncretism as a process of religious mixing and its residual cultural changes that affected Mexico’s Indigenous populations. This ethnographic research argues that syncretism as an overarching, universalized term is insufficient to describe this process in the Chalma …