Digital Commons Network^™

The Characterization Of The Novel Gene Cia7 Using Pb Exposed Wild-Type And Mutant Strains Of Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Jose Angel Gutierrez

Theses and Dissertations

Industrialization has increased the risk of heavy metal contamination. This leads to contamination of the ecosystem surrounding microalga and other primary producers. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular alga that is of interest in toxicity studies due its detoxification pathways. This study aims to compare three common markers of cellular health and heavy metal homeostasis namely, levels of Pb bioaccumulation, chlorophyll fluorescence, and cell size between two strains of C. reinhardtii: a wild type (CC4425) and a mutant (CC5013). The mutant strain has a gene designated as Cia7 that has been disrupted by Ble insert. Cia7’s cysteine rich protein product (CIA7) …

Comparative Genomics Using The Colored De Bruijn Graph, Cole Andrew Lyman

Theses and Dissertations

Comparing genomes in a computationally efficient manner is a difficult problem. Methods that provide the highest resolution are too inefficient and methods that are efficient are too low resolution. In this thesis, we show that the Colored de Bruijn Graph (CdBG) is a suitable method for comparing genomes because it is efficient while maintaining a useful amount of resolution. To illustrate the usefulness of the CdBG, the phylogenetic tree for 12 species in the Drosophila genus is reconstructed using pseudo-homologous regions of the genome contained in the CdBG.

Temperament And Aggression: Examining The Link Between A Shy And Inhibited Temperament And Reactive And Proactive Aggression, Samantha L. Croney

Theses and Dissertations

Temperament dimensions of shyness and inhibitory control relate to how a child presents themselves socially in uncertain situations. Although prior research has found evidence linking temperament and aggression, little attention has been given to temperament dimensions of shyness and inhibitory control and the subtypes of aggressive behaviors. This distinction could be crucial as some children may be more likely to use aggression to interact with others due to their shy nature or may act react aggressively in situations that are unfamiliar. The goal of this study was to understand how the temperament dimensions of shyness and inhibitory control and gender …

Implementing Decision-Based Learning In A Peruvian University, Christopher Cardenas

Theses and Dissertations

Decision-based learning (DBL; Plummer, Swan, & Lush, 2017) addresses the difficulty that professors may have when teaching their expertise to their students. The purpose of this study was to understand the perspectives of professors and students implementing DBL in a Peruvian university. Professors at a Peruvian university implemented the DBL pedagogy in their classes. The research questions were (a) how effectively can professors in a Peruvian university implement DBL, (b) what benefits and challenges do professors perceive from implementing DBL, and (c) how did using DBL as a homework strategy affect student learning? We collected 74 implementation videos, 42 professor …

Characterization Of Hemicellulose Biosynthesis Genes In Avena, Melissa Coon Fogarty

Theses and Dissertations

Avena sativa L. (2n = 6x = 42, AACCDD genome composition) or common oat is the cereal grain possessing the highest levels of water-soluble seed (1-3,1-4)-β-D-glucan (β-glucan), a hemicellulose important to human health due to its ability to lower serum LDL cholesterol levels. Understanding the mechanisms of β-glucan accumulation in oat endosperm is, consequently, of great interest. We report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling β-glucan production in oat, identifying 58 significantly associated markers. Synteny with the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genome identified four major regions of interest, the CslF and CslH gene families …

Capillary Morphogenesis Gene Protein 2 (Cmg2) Mediates Matrix Protein Uptake And Is Required For Endothelial Cell Chemotaxis In Response To Multiple Vascular Growth Factors, Tsz Ming Jeremy Tsang

Theses and Dissertations

Pathological angiogenesis, or new blood vessel formation, is involved in many pathologies, including cancer and serious eye diseases. While traditional anti-angiogenic therapies target vascular endothelial growth factor receptors to reduce or inhibit new vessel formation, this approach has several downsides, including unpleasant side effects and low efficacy over time. Therefore, identifying new targets to treat pathological angiogenesis is still needed. CMG2, one of the two identified anthrax toxin receptors, has been proposed as an alternative target to treat pathological angiogenesis. CMG2’s role as a cell surface receptor that mediates anthrax toxin internalization is very well documented. One physiological function for …

Design, Synthesis, And Characterization Of New Non-Centrosymmetric Organic Crystals For Terahertz Generation, Gabriel Alejandro Valdivia-Berroeta

Theses and Dissertations

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is an emerging technology with promising applications in imaging, homeland security, and material detection and quantification. Frequencies in the THz region can be generated by optical rectification of ultrafast near-infrared laser pulses in the presence of a nonlinear optical (NLO) materials such as organic crystals. Non-centrosymmetric organic THz generating crystals such as DAST, HMQ-TMS, and OH1 have received special attention due to the strong generated fields on the order of MV/cm. The cation of these organic salts is designed by connecting electron-donating with electron-accepting groups via a highly planar aromatic system. To improve the performance of organic …

Woman Seeking Mother: The Heroine’S Journey In Waslala By Gioconda Belli, Karisa Saori Shiraki

Theses and Dissertations

Motherhood and maternity are common themes in Nicaraguan author Gioconda Belli’s (1948–) writings, but in Waslala (2006) her exploration of the mother figure dives further into what a relationship with such a figure provides. Through a development narrative, parallel to that of female Bildungsroman and quest-romance, the protagonist, Melisandra, grows in maternal history and culture in her search for mother. This thesis uses the theories of Carol Christ, Dana Heller, Joseph Campbell and others to see Melisandra’s odyssey through the lens of a quest narrative. Along this journey, two maternal figures play an important role in preparing her for her …

Long-Term Opiate-Induced Adaptations In Lateral Paracapsular Neurons Of The Basolateral Amygdala, Sara Jane Werner

Theses and Dissertations

Increases in basolateral amygdala (BLA) activity drive avoidance-seeking behavior that may be associated with stress induced drug seeking. Activity of BLA pyramidal neurons is regulated by local and paracapsular gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons. The lateral paracapsular interneurons (LPCs) border the external capsule, receive dense cortical/thalamic input and provide feed-forward inhibition onto BLA principle neurons. The GABAergic LPCs also express high concentrations of g-protein coupled µ-opioid receptors (MORs). Therefore, the effects of opiates on LPC activity and local GABA release were examined. Fluorescently double labeled LPCs were observed in glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) 65-mcherry/GAD67-green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice. Whole-cell electrophysiology …

Development Of A Parameterized Model Of Transverse Maize (Zea Maysl.) Stalk Morphology, Ryan A. Larson

Theses and Dissertations

Stalk lodging, or failure of the stalk structure, presents a serious problem in the production of maize (Zea mays L.). Lodged stalks negatively impact crop yields by inhibiting further grain growth and often prevent the harvest of the grain. Addressing this problem requires the development of new maize hybrids that exhibit enhanced lodging resistance, which in turn requires an understanding of the parameters that influence lodging resistance. Current methods make use of specimen-specific geometry and material properties, but these methods have limited ability to examine geometric effects and can require excessive time. A parameterized model of the maize stalk has …

Cognitive Demands Of Mothers Of Young Children In The Presence Of Emotional Distraction, Michelle Duersch

Theses and Dissertations

Stress and parenting often go hand in hand, with high physical and emotional demands from children often coupled with pressures and responsibilities adults bear from work, school, and other involvements outside the home. Parents often prioritize their children's needs above their own physical, emotional, and social needs. While current literature addresses stress in mothers, it has yet to understand under what circumstances her children may modify her stress levels and whether her stress response, in turn, affects cognition. This study seeks to investigate the impact of such a taxing environment on mothers' stress and cognition using a challenging mnemonic discrimination …

Rewriting "Plumb Crazy Indian Women": Reframing Mental Illness As Cultural Power In Linda Hogan's Solar Storms, Hannah Dian Detavis

Theses and Dissertations

Since the earliest published American narratives, writers and subsequent Western clinicians alike have often mislabeled Indigenous behaviors, especially the behaviors of Indigenous women, as insanity. And yet, as Pemina Yellow Bird (Three Affiliated Tribes) explains, "Native peoples generally do not have a notion of "insane" or "mentally ill." (4). Instead, Indigenous peoples often discuss mental health in their communities through storytelling. As but one example of the ways that cultural narratives work to reclaim Indigenous understandings of mental health, this paper analyzes how the writings of Chickasaw author Linda Hogan challenge non-Indigenous understandings of mental health as a gendered phenomenon …

Aerodynamic Measurement Stability During Rabbit Versus Pig Benchtop Phonation, Megan Caroline Hoggan

Theses and Dissertations

Combination corticosteroid inhalers are the primary treatment option for long-term pulmonary disorders including asthma, persistent bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Common side effects of these medications are xerostomia in the mouth and throat, hoarseness, and soreness in the oropharynx. Research indicates that a large percentage of the inhaler particles are deposited onto laryngeal tissue, leaving an alteration of laryngeal mucosal properties. As the first stage in a long-term project, this thesis addresses the need for baseline phonatory data that will lay groundwork for quantifying inhaler-induced phonatory changes. Excised larynx research is a powerful tool for assessing aerodynamic alterations that …

Balance Of Adults With Chronic Ankle Instability Following A 6-Week Core Stability Program, Natalie Dickol

Theses and Dissertations

Ankle injuries are one of the most common injuries in the athletic population because of the anatomy of the ankle in conjunction with dynamic activity. During injury, mechanoreceptors are damaged, effecting neuromuscular control. Lack of neuromuscular control puts patients at risk for re-injury. Chronic ankle instability (CAI) has been defined as a condition associated with recurrent sprains and persistent symptoms, including feelings of "giving way," loss of function and limited movement and continuous ankle pain. Patients with CAI are commonly shown to have functional deficits in postural control, such as overcompensating on the uninvolved limb or unable to maintain proper …

"Do N'T Stop Believin'"In A Pair Of Socks: How The Sopranos Shapes Our Understanding Of Mental Illness, Adam Richard Brockman

Theses and Dissertations

This study rhetorically analyzed the final season of The Sopranos for its argument about

the nature of psychological depression in several contexts and forms. Consisting of nine

episodes, the final season of the series features pivotal moments in which characters confront the

sources of their depression and respond to them in a variety of ways. The study used both an

intertextual analysis and Burkean frames to provide insight into how the final season argues one

might overcome various forms of depression. It specifically considered depression related to

one’s family experiences, their existential concerns regarding death and spirituality, and their

indulgence …

Speech Perception Of Global Acoustic Structure In Children With Speech Delay, With And Without Dyslexia, Mikayla Nicole Madsen

Theses and Dissertations

Children with speech delay (SD) have underlying deficits in speech perception that may be related to reading skill. Children with SD and children with dyslexia have previously shown deficits for distinct perceptual characteristics, including segmental acoustic structure and global acoustic structure. In this study, 35 children (ages 7-9 years) with SD, SD + dyslexia, and/or typically developing were presented with a vocoded speech recognition task to investigate their perception of global acoustic speech structure. Findings revealed no differences in vocoded speech recognition between groups, regardless of SD or dyslexia status. These findings suggest that in children with SD, co-occurring dyslexia …

A Comparison Of Chikungunya Virus Infection, Dissemination, And Cytokine Induction In Human And Murine Macrophages And Characterization Of Rag2-/-Γc-/- Mice As An Animal Model To Study Neurotropic Chikungunya Disease, Israel Guerrero

Theses and Dissertations

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is classified as an alphavirus in the Togaviridae family. This virus is known to rely on Aedes arthropod vectors for its dissemination. Human infection is characterized by rash, high fever, and severe chronic polyarthritis that can last for years. Recently, efforts in developing animal models have been made in an attempt to better understand CHIKV pathogenesis. CHIKV infection starts with a 7 to 10 day long febrile acute phase, in which most of the symptoms occur (rash, fever, and incapacitating pain in joints and muscle). Once the immune system clears most of the viral infection, a chronic …

In Utero Nutritional Shocks And Non-Cognitive Skills: Evidence From Ramadan Fasting In Indonesia, Timothy M. Kell-Fien

Theses and Dissertations

This paper estimates the effects of prenatal exposure to maternal Ramadan fasting on the development of non-cognitive skills. To study this relationship, I employ a general structural equation model (GSEM) on a sample of Muslims from the fifth wave of the Indonesian Life and Family Survey (IFLS). The results of this study find that in utero exposure to Ramadan is associated with lower levels of agreeableness and conscientiousness, and higher levels of neuroticism. The impacts I find on agreeableness and conscientiousness are driven by third trimester exposure and the sub-sample of women. The impacts on neuroticism are driven by exposure …

The Role Of Beta-Hydroxybutyrate In Altering Adipose Mitochondrial Bioenergetics, Chase Mitchell Walton

Theses and Dissertations

The rampant growth of obesity worldwide has stimulated explosive research into human metabolism. Metabolic rate has been shown to be altered by diets differing in macronutrient composition, with low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diets eliciting a significant increase over other interventions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the ketone β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) on mitochondrial respiration and coupling status in adipose tissue. To explore this, we employed three distinct systems, namely cell, rodent, and human models. In every model, βHB robustly increased mitochondrial respiration. Furthermore, in cultured adipocytes and rodent adipose, we quantified the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial …

Evaluation Of The Matadoc And Comparison Of Auditory Musical, Non-Musical, And Live Music Therapy Stimuli To Increase Awareness And Sense Of Self In Patients With Moderate And Severe Dementia: An Exploratory Case Study, Nicolas A. Espinoza

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The severe stage of dementia (SSD) can cause the loss of self-awareness, affecting the proper assessment, treatment, and care. The Music Therapy Assessment Tool for Awareness of Disorders of Consciousness (MATADOC) is a validated and reliable tool to measure awareness in DOC populations and it might be able to track awareness levels in people with SSD. Also, there is a need to identify effective treatments with people with SSD since pharmacological treatments have shown limited and even negative results. Both live music therapy and music listening of recorded songs have evidence of positive effects.

Purpose: The purpose of this …

Designing And Assessing New Educational Pedagogies In Biology And Health Promotion, Kristian Ciarah Cook

Theses and Dissertations

Recent developments in educational research raise important questions about the design of learning environments—questions that suggest the value of rethinking what is taught, how it is taught, and how is it assessed. During the past few decades, STEM disciplines began formally recognizing and integrating discipline-based education research (DBER) into their research programs to improve STEM education. One of the less literature-affluent areas of DBER addresses curriculum order and design appertaining to concept types and the order in which we teach those concepts. As educational researchers, we pose the question: does content order matter? In this project we designed, implemented and …

Identity Centrality's Influence On The Relation Between Disclosure And Mental Health Stigma, Samantha Ege

Theses and Dissertations

Past research has shown that disclosing one’s mental illness to another individual has reduced one’s feelings of self-stigma. However, there are gaps concerning the reasons why the act of disclosing for some decreases self-stigma, whereas the act of disclosing increases self-stigma in others. This study purported to fill this gap by investigating the influence of identity centrality on the relation between disclosure and self-stigma and positive regard’s moderation of identity centrality’s influence. Students from Illinois State University were recruited through e-mail and SONA and were asked to complete a series of questionnaires regarding distress, disclosure, identity, positive affect, and self-stigma. …

Three-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Focusing For Integrated Optofluidic Detection Enhancement, Erik Scott Hamilton

Theses and Dissertations

The rise of superbugs, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and virus outbreaks, such as the recent coronavirus scare, illustrate the need for rapid detection of disease pathogens. Widespread availability of rapid disease identification would facilitate outbreak prevention and specific treatment. The ARROW biosensor microchip can directly detect single molecules through fluorescence-based optofluidic interrogation. The nature of the microfluidic channels found on optofluidic sensor platforms sets some of the ultimate sensitivity and accuracy limits and can result in false negative test results. Yet higher sensitivity and specificity is desired through hydrodynamic focusing. Novel 3D hydrodynamic focusing designs were developed and implemented on the …

Digital Distractions: Using Action Research To Explore Students’ Behaviors, Motivations, And Perceptions Of Cyberslacking In A Suburban High School, Kristy Self Rykard

Theses and Dissertations

Digital technology saturates the personal and educational lives of high school students who are accustomed to continuous connectivity; consequently, students are often distracted by technology in the classroom. When students use technology for non-class related activities during class time, this behavior is commonly known as cyberslacking. The purpose of this action research was to describe students’ understanding of cyberslacking and its academic and social effects in my English 3 Honors and Film Studies classes at Carraway High School. The research took place in the spring semester of 2019 with 59 students in Grades 10 through 12 who were enrolled in …

Program Evaluation Of A Middle School Stem/Steam Program, Warren Richard Wintrode

Theses and Dissertations

Beginning with the Obama administration’s “Educate to Innovate” campaign in 2009, integrated science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs have flourished in our nation’s schools. Designed to increase the number of STEM professionals in the workforce and contribute to the United States’ continued viability in the global economy, these programs promote inquiry-based, technology-driven learning in collaborative, cross-curricular projects. Some schools have added art, and liberal arts, to the curriculum, making them STEAM programs. Middle schools are a popular home for STEM and STEAM programs, serving as the connective tissue in the K-12 STEM/STEAM “pipeline.” To date, there have been relatively …

Njohuritë E Prindërve Rreth Vaksinimit Të Fëmijëve Kundër Sëmundjeve Ngjitëse, Xheneta Shabani

Theses and Dissertations

Duke qenë se shëndeti është gjëja kryesore për të gjithë, sidomos për ne si profesionistë shëndetësor, duhet që ne çdo hap që e bëjmë drejt ruajtjes dhe përmirësimit të tij. Si infermierë të rinjë, kjo është ndër detyrat tona primare që mund ta arrijmë përmes punës dhe edukimit tonë. Në temën time kam trajtuar njohuritë e prindërve rreth vaksinimit të fëmijëve kundër sëmundjeve ngjitëse, pikërisht temë e cila ka zgjuar shumë interes te prindërit e rinjë. Duke qenë se rëndësia e vaksinimit është mjaft e madhe tek një popullatë për të qenë sa më e shëndetshme, është e nevojshme që …

Remote Sensing And Social Sensing For Improved Flood Awareness And Exposure Analysis In The Big Data Era, Xiao Huang

Theses and Dissertations

Floods are among the most devastating hazards on Earth, posing great threats to a large amount of population in the world. As the severity and frequency of flood events have noticeably increased, there is a growing need to improve the flood awareness and exposure analysis to assist flood mitigation. Fortunately, the Era of Big Data has fostered many innovative spatial data sources as well as spatial data analytics. This dissertation advances the existing flood monitoring studies by obtaining enhanced flood awareness via the development of a data fusion enable and deep learning supported flood monitoring framework that systematically integrates remotely …

The Dark Triad Predicted By Belief In Determinism And Objectification, Rachel Boros

Theses and Dissertations

While philosophers and psychologists continue to debate the existence of free will without reaching any consensus, recent attention has shifted to the matter of the consequences of belief in free will, or belief in the alternative, determinism. Proponents of the latter position argue that human behavior is the result of causal forces, which implies a lack of autonomy in decision-making and inevitability (Paulhus & Carey, 2011). Recent research has found consequences of belief in determinism that include the promotion of undesirable behavior and undermining of moral behavior (Vohs & Schooler, 2008), impulsive and selfish responses demonstrated through aggression (Baumeister, Masicampo, …

Oops I Drank It Again: Predictors Of Emerging Adults’ Unplanned Drinking, Ashley Rose Adams

Theses and Dissertations

Heavy alcohol consumption in college increases risk for sexual assault, decreases academic performance, and can lead to future development of alcohol-related problems or negative developmental outcomes. Given these potential negative consequences, it is critical to investigate ways emerging adults at colleges are using and abusing alcohol. Previous research has shown that unplanned drinking is related to negative outcomes; therefore, examining predictors of unplanned drinking is important for determining at-risk groups. The current study investigated variables that are established predictors of alcohol use and misuse in emerging adults, including impulsivity, caregiver problem drinking, and age of onset alcohol use. These variables …

The Optimal Treatment Time Of Dry Cupping Therapy To Induce Changes In Local Blood Flow At The Upper Trapezius, Emily Schultz

Theses and Dissertations

Context: Musculoskeletal neck and shoulder pain is a prevalent condition with nearly two-thirds of the population experiencing it sometime in their lifespan; factors may include activity level, sex, stress, and postural deficits. The treatment varies, but recent focus is on complementary and alternative medicine. Cupping therapy is a type of alternative medicine that involves a cup placed on the skin secured by suction for an unspecified amount of time. This therapy has been around for thousands of years, but there is much speculation around its true mechanisms on the human body; theories indicate that cupping therapy has an effect on …