Digital Commons Network^™

Modeling And Simulation Of Ion-Induced Volume Phase Transitions In Chemically-Active Polyelectrolyte Gels, Bindi Mahesh Nagda

Theses and Dissertations

Ion-induced volume phase transitions in polyelectrolyte gels play an important role in physiological processes such as mucus storage and secretion in the gut, nerve tissue excitation, and DNA packaging. Biological experiments show that polyelectrolyte gels may swell or collapse rapidly due to changes in external conditions such as ionic composition. The volume phase transition is accompanied by a monovalent/ divalent ion exchange between the polymer network and the solvent that make up the gel. We propose a 2D computational method for simulating mucus swelling and deswelling with a two-fluid mixture model. The model includes electro-diffusive transport of ionic species, the …

Exploring Environmental Sensitivity And Significant Life Experiences Of Selected African American And Hispanic American College Students: A Mixed Methods Study, Danielle Pastor

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored Significant Life Experiences (SLEs) and the development of Environmental Sensitivity (ES) in a sample of African American and Hispanic American College Students. In the field of Environmental Education, SLEs and ES have been researched for the past 40 years. Specific factors associated with the development of ES have been identified (e.g., Chawla, 1998; Peterson, 1981; Tanner, 1980), and ES was found to be a predictor of environmental action (e.g., Marcinkowski, 2005; McBeth et al., 2014). Despite its importance, few studies have explored the development of ES among individuals who are majoring or working in an environmental field, …

Water-Soluble Iron Porphyrin Complex For The Catalytic N-Dealkylation Of Fentanyl, Amanda Pitt

Theses and Dissertations

An increase in the misuse of opioids in the United States and the increasing potency of analogs necessitates novel treatments of opioid overdose. The chemical structure of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, carfentanil, and morphine possess a trialkyl amine functional group (-NR3) which makes for a promising target for potential catalysts. Iron (III)-tetrasulfonatophenyl porphyrin (complex 9) was synthesized as a potential catalyst for degradation of fentanyl. Complex 9a was prepared from the direct reaction of the free porphyrin and FeSO4. Complex 9b was prepared from the direct reaction of the free porphyrin and FeCl2 in refluxing DMF. The complexes were …

Parental Well-Being And Children’S Internalizing Symptoms During The Beginning Of The Covid-19 Pandemic In The United States, Diana Duran

Theses and Dissertations

During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home orders in the U.S., many parents of school-age children faced new challenges, such increased child-care demands (Adams, 2021). Prime et al. (2020) theorized these negative pandemic impacts would decrease parents' well-being and thereby impact children's psychological adjustment. This study hypothesized that higher number of negative pandemic impacts would predict worsened stress and relationship satisfaction levels among parents, and that this would in turn predict worsened child internalizing symptoms. 595 U.S. parents of school-age children were recruited online during May 2020. Higher number of negative pandemic impacts predicted worsened parents' stress and relationship …

Estimating The Functional Consequences Of Intra-Specific Trichome Variation Of Tomato, Solanum Lycopersicum On The Specialist Herbivore, Manduca Sexta, Satinderpal Kaur

Theses and Dissertations

Chapter 1: Plants have a wide array of defenses against herbivores and hence they must confer trade-offs between growth and defense related traits. By using Solanum as a model genus, the major plant defense fitness trade-off hypotheses are reviewed in this chapter along with their assumptions and examples.

Chapter 2: This chapter provides an overview of the enormous intra-specific diversity in trichome morphology in tomato, Solanum lycopersicum. Also, the trichome sub-types are analyzed for the variations in density and dimensions in 10 varieties of tomato by using desktop scanning electron microscope.

Chapter 3: This chapter examines the functional consequences …

The Synthesis And Characterization Of Metal Oxide Nanomaterial-Based Composites And Their Use As Antibacterial Agents, Jo A. Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

The work presented in this thesis discusses the antibacterial properties of various metal oxides and metal oxide/polymer composite fibers. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) fibers embedded with Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were prepared by centrifugal spinning from PVP aqueous solutions) and ZnO NPs. The ZnO NPs were synthesized and coated with different surfactants, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB). The effect of surfactant coating on the antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs and PVP/ZnO nanocomposite fibers against escherichia coli (e. coli) and bacillus megaterium (b. megaterium) bacteria was systematically investigated. The results showed that coating the ZnO NPs …

Piezoresistivity Of Electrically Conductive Asphalt Concrete, Mateo Schmit Mendoza

Theses and Dissertations

Electrically conductive asphalt concrete is considered as a multifunctional construction material due to its structural and non-structural functions. This study aims to investigate piezoresistivity of conductive asphalt concrete. Piezoresistivity is an electrical property of some materials which electrical resistivity changes with induced strain and subsequently, it has the potential for self-sensing smart technology. Graphite Powder F-516 with various contents was added into the asphalt mixtures to impart the electrical conductivity. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was selected to measure the electrical properties of the specimens in dry and wet conditions, and low and high temperatures. The impedance measurement shows that the …

Results And Simulation Of Active Self-Assembly, Robert M. Alaniz

Theses and Dissertations

Self-assembly is the process by which simple elements in a system organize themselves into more complex structures based on a set of rules that govern their interactions. With many ways to create self-assembling systems, new models of abstraction have also arisen to handle specific mechanisms and procedures. We explore several open problems in the seeded model of Active Self-Assembly, Chemical Reaction Networks, and Surface Chemical Reaction Networks, proving new results while developing a robust simulation environment, AutoTile, to help build and test these results.

Activation Of Opa1 Processing In Differentiated Myoblast Cells, Omar Agustin Carrillo

Theses and Dissertations

Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that play a role in energy production, apoptosis, integrated stress response, and aging. Mitochondrial dynamics is the physical fusion (interconnection) and fission (fragmentation) of mitochondria within a cell and tightly regulates mitochondrial functions. Optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) is a dynamin-related GTPase located in the inner mitochondrial membrane, and is responsible for inner mitochondrial membrane fusion. OPA1 exists in five isoforms, the two fusion-active long OPA1 (L-OPA1) and the three fusion-inactive short OPA1 (S-OPA1) isoforms. When the transmembrane potential (∆ψm) is aggravated, the inner membrane metalloprotease OMA1 is activated, causing the complete cleavage of L-OPA1 to …

Exploring The Role Of Soft Skills Amongst African American Women Navigating Barriers To Achieving Corporate Leadership, Latoya Newell Burke

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to explore the role of soft skills in African American women's ascension to corporate leadership as they navigate and overcome barriers. The disparity of African American women in corporate leadership is longstanding. African American women's corporate American experience is distinct and often fraught with difficulties. In order to overcome the obstacles they encountered while pursuing executive leadership, this study investigated if soft skills were thought to be a crucial skill required. The study fills a gap in research that addresses African American women specifically. Previous studies have addressed the barriers that African American women face in corporate …

The Relationship Between Self-Rated Circumplex Traits And Other-Rated Job Performance, Michael Robert Sawdy

Theses and Dissertations

The Big Five has emerged as the dominant personality model in the researcher literature (Judge & Bono, 2000), yet there is still debate about how personality should be modeled within the Big Five framework as well as which personality traits relate most strongly to important outcomes across domains (DeYoung et al., 2007; Digman, 1997; Hofstee et al., 1992; Judge et al., 2002). The purpose of this study was to compare complex personality traits as defined by the circumplex personality approach to simple, hierarchical personality traits as defined by the standard personality model approach in relation to other-rated job performance. Overall, …

Characterizing Endothelial Damage During Ischemic Stroke Treatment With 3d Cerebrovascular Live Cellular And Finite Element Models, Ana Regina Martinez Dehesa

Theses and Dissertations

Stent retriever mechanical thrombectomy (SRMT) is part of the clinical standard-of-care for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). Endothelial injury (EI) is widely associated with SRMT. Studies report finding EI markers in over 50% of retrieved clots, suggesting the frequency of EI in MT patients is rather common. The mechanism of EI and its contribution to MT failure and clinical outcomes remain poorly understood because of a lack of techniques to observe EI and study it in vitro. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of EI induced by SRMT, as well as the effect stent …

Nonlinear Mathematical Transformations For Improved Image And Signal Recovery Using Artificial Neural Network, Haoran Chang

Theses and Dissertations

Medical imaging plays a vital role in modern healthcare, enabling clinicians to diagnose and treat a range of conditions. However, image acquisition and processing can be challenging because they can often be hindered by motion blurring, leading to inaccurate results. To address that, this dissertation proposes a novel approach based on nonlinear mathematical transformations and artificial neural networks (ANN). The dissertation begins with an introduction to Nuclear Medicine and the problem of motion blur in image reconstruction. A background on Medical Imaging techniques, including the Radon transform and Image Reconstruction methods such as Filtered Back Projection and Iterative Reconstruction methods …

Chop Suey Habits: The State Of The American Chinese Restaurant During Covid Times, Rebecca Ma

Theses and Dissertations

With the outbreak of COVID-19 in Spring 2020, the yellow peril has come back from its clandestine hiding spot with attention directed towards East and Southeast Asian citizens. In the ongoing debate of cleanliness and sanitization during a pandemic, the yellow peril scare has once again American Chinese restaurants. American Chinese restaurants found themselves to be the target of online abuse and loss of patronage in these uncertain times. While over half of American Chinese restaurants took the loss and shut down in March/April 2020, they still reopened to partial to full capacity sometime in 2020. American Chinese restaurant owners …

Understanding Groundwater Flow In A Saturated Buffer Zone ( Sbz ) Using Numerical Models: Case Study Of T 3 Site, Mclean County, Central Illinois, Nnaemeka Henry Nsude

Theses and Dissertations

Loss of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, from agricultural lands in the Midwest affects farm productivity and environmental quality. Nutrient runoff from lands discharged into streams degrades the aquatic ecosystem through eutrophication and subsequent hypoxic conditions. The presence of nitrogen also threatens the potability of numerous aquifer bodies globally due to their high solubility in water. To tackle this problem, best management practices such as Saturated Buffer Zone (SBZ) are implemented to reduce nitrogen from nitrate-laden tile water from agricultural lands before being discharged into streams. Groundwater flow and interactions at SBZ are not well understood. To aid the …

Assessing The Role Of Hybridization In The Evolution Of Two Common Lineages Of Lichen-Forming Fungi, Rachel Keuler

Theses and Dissertations

Once thought to be an evolutionary dead-end, hybridization is now being detected in genomes across kingdoms, perhaps even playing an integral role in evolution. In chapter 1, I investigated the potential influences of hybridization on the evolution of a group of vagrant, asexual species in the Rhizoplaca melanophthalma species group. I sequenced the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes of 55 specimens and found well-supported nuclear phylogenies of both datasets. There were, however, multiple instances of discordance between the mitochondrial and nuclear trees, which can be caused by hybridization. PhyloNet and ABBA-BABA also detected widespread hybridization among this group. In chapter 2, …

A Longitudinal Look: How Sleep Impacts Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors In Autism And Social Anxiety, Lindsay Jacalyn Regehr

Theses and Dissertations

Crucial research about suicidal thoughts and behaviors is often done in a cross-sectional manner that only considers limited risk factors. This research is limited in scope and rarely produces meaningful results to inform treatment. This study uses a longitudinal design to follow 93 participants over approximately 6 months. Participants are individuals with autism and social anxiety who were part of high-risk groups for suicidality, sleep problems, and social isolation. Participants recorded their sleep patterns and suicidal thoughts daily via the phone app MetricWire and continuously wore a GENEActiv actigraphy device to tract their objective sleep patterns. The Columbia Suicide Severity …

Soft Robot Configuration Estimation: Towards Load-Agnostic Soft-Bodied Proprioception, Christian Peter Sorensen

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of the work described in this thesis is the development of a configuration estimation scheme for quasi soft-bodied robots, with the end goal being accurate soft-robot proprioception to enable robotic manipulation of unknown external loads. The first chapter introduces the problem and state-of-the-art modeling methods. The second chapter presents work we did building on previous research on a novel sensing scheme for soft-bodied robotic configuration estimation. The third chapter discusses the development of a geometric shape-sensing model based on overlapping tendon-length measurements. This model is geometrically exact for a body composed of two constant curvature segments in bending. …

Working-Through Traumatic Memory In Young Adult Fiction, Amanda Charles

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the growing presence of trauma and abuse narratives in young adult literature (YAL), adolescent traumatic memory has largely been left out of the conversation. To better understand how contemporary memory scholarship is manifested in YAL, the following essay will offer a close reading of Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes (1993) by Chris Crutcher and Speak (1999) by Laurie Halse Anderson in conjunction with adolescent memory research. The accuracy of traumatic memory representation in these novels confirms the value of YAL as a means for youth to interact with and learn about traumatic memory, its processes, and its effects.

Studies On Osh6 And Its Pro-Aging Mechanisms, Nazneen Begum

Theses and Dissertations

The target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) is a master regulator of cell growth as well as a negative regulator of longevity. A recent study in yeast showed that the vacuolar TORC1 stimulates protein synthesis and cell growth while the endosomal TORC1 inhibits autophagy, a pro-longevity process. Since late endosome frequently exchanges membranes with vacuoles, the spatial dissection of TORC1 raises an interesting question as to how to inhibit the endosomal TORC1 and boosts the vacuolar TORC1 to extend the health span. In my thesis, I employed a longevity mutant that mildly up-regulates Osh6 (PERG6-OSH6) to address this question. I …

A Statistical Approach For Analyzing Expectations Alignment Between Design Teams And Their Project Stakeholders, Matthew Christian Goodson

Theses and Dissertations

Successful project management requires continuous communication aligning the expectations between project stakeholders and the project team. Expectations include both product expectations (how the product will look, feel, and perform) and programmatic expectations (timelines, deliverables, expenditure of project resources). In order to make the most effective use of project resources throughout the life of the project, a process or tool for quickly aligning expectations as closely as possible should be employed early on in the project. Project management literature is lacking in tools for aligning expectations, and solutions and best practices need to be determined since the current best option is …

Migration Of Elk (Cervus Canadensis) And Barriers To Movement, Levi Watkins

Theses and Dissertations

Movement patterns of animals are varied, complex, and can be influenced by environmental and anthropogenic factors. One form of animal movement, migration, is influenced by environmental factors that alter the timing, duration, intensity, and likelihood of migration. Additionally, features of the landscape, both natural and anthropogenic, can alter how animals move through their seasonal and home ranges. Movement patterns can be impeded or prevented by features such as railroads, rivers, and roads. Here we explore characteristics of elk (Cervus canadensis) migration by evaluating the strategies of migration exhibited and the factors that influence migration of elk in central and eastern …

Volatile Organic Compound Identification Using Metal Oxide Sensors And Machine Learning, Hunter Tiner

Theses and Dissertations

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted gases that include many chemicals that can be created by biological processes or the byproduct of industrial processes, and can be present in a variety of pollutants. VOCs can cause a variety of ailments in humans and animals, and are expressed in plants as a way of signaling damage or the presence of pests. In this Thesis, an Internet of Things (IOT) E-nose device is outfitted with a gas array of eight Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) type gas sensors, which are sensitive to a broad range of VOCs, yet lack selectivity and are unable …

Overcoming Barriers To Native Species Restoration Using Gibberellic Acid And Fungicide Seed Coatings, Amber Jo Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Many barriers can limit restoration success. In the first chapter of this thesis, the barrier of strong seed dormancy is addressed. While dormancy benefits the species' long-term survival, it can present a challenge within a restoration scenario where rapid establishment is required. Soaking seeds in gibberellic acid (GA3) can overcome dormancy. An easier and potentially more effective method to apply this hormone is to coat seeds with a GA3-impregnated polymer, which provides a slow release of the hormone. Seed dormancy can also be mitigated by creating a favorable microsite with increased soil moisture. We compared the emergence and establishment of …

Perfusion Pressure-Flow Relationships In Synthetic Poroelastic Vocal Fold Models, Cooper B. Thacker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to study perfusion pressure-flow relationships in self-oscillating synthetic poroelastic vocal fold (VF) models before, during, and after vibration. This was accomplished by developing a custom ultra-soft poroelastic material, incorporating the poroelastic material as the cover layer in a synthetic VF model, and studying the model vibratory response and the flow rate of fluid perfused through the cover layer while undergoing flow-induced vibration. The custom ultra-soft poroelastic material was developed using the method of direct templating with sucrose spheres as the sacrificial template and silicone as the infiltration medium. The average modulus of elasticity of …

Disentangling Sexual Selection On A Complex, Multicomponent Trait: Song Of The Northern House Wren, Rachael A. Disciullo

Theses and Dissertations

Beautiful and abundant, bird song has long captured the attention of evolutionary biologists interested in sexual selection. Although most studies have examined single facets of song in relation to male-male competition (intrasexual selection) and female mate choice (intersexual selection), selection typically acts on multiple components that collectively influence an individual’s mating success. By studying how multiple components of song simultaneously play a role in male-male competition and female mate choice, we can better understand how sexual selection has directly and indirectly shaped this elaborate trait. I explored the role of male song in the context of sexual selection in northern …

Descriptions, Ecological Associations And Predictive Species Distribution Models Of New Species Of Psilochalcis Kieffer (Hymenoptera; Chalcididae) Occurring In Utah's Eastern Great Basin, Mark J. Petersen

Theses and Dissertations

The genus Psilochalcis, of the Family Chalcididae, was originally described in 1905 by Kieffer. Mainly considered an Old-World taxon, the first North American Psilochalcis were not identified until 1981 by Grissell and Schauff. Little is known about the species distributions, biologies and ecological relationships of these parasitic wasps. This dissertation describes research conducted in central Utah setting arrays of Malaise traps in 4 different habitat types common to the Great Basin at three separate locations. A result of this sampling revealed a high abundance of multiple species of Psilochalcis wasps, particularly from one location and two habitat types. Chapter 1 …

Use And Misuse Of X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (Xps): Reproducibility, Gross Errors, Data Reporting, And Peak Fitting, George Hobbs Major

Theses and Dissertations

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is the most widely used surface analysis technique for chemically probing surfaces. Its popularity stems from the large amount of information that can be gathered about the electronic states of the atoms it probes, including core shell information and valence electron information. Simple qualitative analysis (peak identification) can often be performed, but quantitative analysis is a much more complicated process. Although XPS usage has increased dramatically, so has the amount of erroneous analysis observed in the literature. In my thesis, I first present a perspective on how to improve the quality of surface and material data …

Rowan University Full-Time Instructors’ Knowledge And Attitudes Regarding Neurodiversity And Neurodivergent Undergraduate Students, Serena Powell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to use quantitative research methods to better understand the knowledge and attitudes that full-time instructors of undergraduate students at Rowan University have regarding the concept of neurodiversity and neurodivergent students. The sample consisted of 97 full-time instructors of undergraduate students at Rowan University. Participants completed an online survey about their knowledge and feelings regarding the concept of neurodiversity, participation in neurodiversity-related professional development, knowledge and attitudes regarding neurodivergent students and accommodations, and knowledge of support resources on campus. Overall, the findings showed that full-time instructors of undergraduate students at Rowan University have high levels …

Forest Understory Plant Community Response To Prescribed Fire And Mechanical Thinning Treatments, Noelle V. Zenger

Theses and Dissertations

Much of the biodiversity in a forest comes from the understory vegetation. However, centuries of fire suppression in the western United States have made human-implemented disturbance necessary for reinstating natural disturbance cycles. However, the mechanical thinning and prescribed burning treatments used by land managers may differentially affect the response of the understory community. This study aimed to compare how prescribed fire and mechanical thinning treatments, with the size and severity of those treatments, affect understory plant communities in aspen-conifer forests over time. We sampled the understory community in burned, mechanically thinned, and untreated forest stands one, three, or five years …