Digital Commons Network^™

Effect Of Charged Species On The Gradient Properties, Kayesh Ashraf

Theses and Dissertations

Surface chemical gradients are materials that exhibit continuous, gradually varying chemical or physical properties along and across the length of a substrate. As a result, each point on the gradient surface can represent an individual sample. They are broadly classified as chemical and physical gradients depending upon the properties that the gradient exhibits. A physical gradient involves a continuous variation of physical properties such as surface roughness and film porosity on the micrometer scale. Chemical gradients involve a gradual variation of chemical properties such as polarity, acidity and basicity, etc. Such gradients have found various applications in cell adhesion, nanoparticle …

A Novel Synthesis And Subsequent Decyclization Of Iminothiozolidinones: Expansion Of Thiourea Chemistry For Biological Applications, Constance D. Franklin

Theses and Dissertations

Small molecule synthesis has become a valuable tool in the study of biological systems. Biologically active compounds can be designed based on well-characterized endogenous systems or they can be found through the screening of large libraries of small molecules. This work involves the development of a small library of cyclic thiourea-based small molecules by use of an unreported synthetic pathway. Briefly, parent thioureas were cyclized by reaction with bromoacetyl bromide, and one or two isomeric heterocycles were found to form. Further studies indicated that the reaction could be easily manipulated by temperature or solvent to effectively control the product distribution. …

A Range-Wide Assessment Of Migratory Connectivity For The Prothonotary Warbler Using Stable Hydrogen Isotopes, Jessica Reese

Theses and Dissertations

Populations of many species of migratory birds are declining, and an understanding of how populations are linked between the breeding and nonbreeding grounds is necessary in order to determine drivers of declines. While all current tracking technologies to study the movements of small songbirds are limited by their coarse resolution, tracking birds by measuring stable isotopes in keratin offers an advantage because it requires only a single capture and is cost-effective, which leads to robust sample sizes. While this tracking method is accurate, stable hydrogen isotope values measured in feathers (δ²H_f) are known to be variable …

Development Of My Footprint Calculator, Karthik Mummidisetti

Theses and Dissertations

The Environmental footprint is a very powerful tool that helps an individual to understand how their everyday activities are impacting environmental surroundings. Data shows that global climate change, which is a growing concern for nations all over the world, is already affecting humankind, plants and animals through raising ocean levels, droughts & desertification and changing weather patterns. In addition to a wide range of policy measures implemented by national and state governments, it is necessary for individuals to understand the impact that their lifestyle may have on their personal environmental footprint, and thus over the global climate change. “My Footprint …

In Search Of A Function For An Uncharacterized Conserved Protein In Streptococcus Sanguinis Sk36, Ayana Scott-Elliston

Theses and Dissertations

With the number of fully sequenced bacterial genomes increasing in the past 7 years, it has been discovered that a large percentage of the putative protein coding genes have no known function. This lack of knowledge leaves scientists with an incomplete understanding of bacteria. In this study, conserved hypothetical protein mutants from Streptococcus sanguinis SK36 were screened on solid media with various environmental conditions. From these screens, the candidate protein, SSA_2372, displayed a sensitivity to acidic conditions. Its homolog in Bacillus subtilis 168, BSU00030, also displayed a sensitivity to pH conditions at its acid tolerance extremes unlike its other homolog …

D Is For The Most Cherished Sense (Whence It Comes And Wither It Goes), Hallie S. Mcneill

Theses and Dissertations

A transcript of the audio that constitutes the work by the same title, along with an introduction and relevant bibliography.

The Impact Of Perceived Mental Illness Stigma On Caregivers’ Desire To Relinquish Care, Tyler R. Corson

Theses and Dissertations

Caregiving can be stressful, and older adults’ health and well-being may be impacted by the roles and responsibilities they assume as caregivers for persons with serious mental illness (SMI). This study is the first to apply the Stress Process Model of Caregiving (SPM) in an attempt to understand how mental illness stigma influences caregiver outcomes, specifically their desire to relinquish care. The intent of this study was to call attention to care relinquishment as an under-studied stress process outcome and to explore stress factors, with a focus on mental illness stigma, that contribute to SMI caregivers’ desire to relinquish care. …

The Effects Of Power On The Processing Of Identity Threat, Matthew Facciani

Theses and Dissertations

Identity theory provides a useful foundation for understanding how social factors influence the acceptance of evidence. This is because identity theory provides a framework of how we process information from other people depending on what social positions we occupy. The current study explored how the perception of power impacts the processing of an identity threat with college student participants (N=217). High power was predicted to decrease acceptance of identity-threatening information, and low power was predicted to increase acceptance of identity-threatening information. However, the study yielded non-significant effects of power on the acceptance of identity-threatening information. Results did show that individuals …

Examining The Reversal Of Vocal Fold Dehydration Using Aerosolized Saline In An Excised Larynx Model, Maya Elena Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

Previous studies have found vocal fold hydration to be crucial for healthy function of the vocal mechanism. Surface tissue hydration facilitates efficient vocal fold oscillation. The composition of vocal fold surface fluid includes protective water and mucus layers, similar to the fluid that covers the mucosa and epithelia of the upper airway. Laryngeal dehydration has been linked to several factors such as mouth breathing, obstructive sleep apnea, dry air exposure, upper airway hypersensitivity, and certain diseases or behavioral voice use factors. Laryngeal dehydration affects phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and phonation threshold flow (PTF), defined as the pressure and flow observed …

Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Rna Polymerase Ii Pausing During Gene Activation, Ann Sanoji Samarakkody

Theses and Dissertations

RNA Polymerase II (Pol II), the enzyme that transcribes all messenger RNAs (mRNAs) has another activity by pausing at gene promoters. The paused Pol II generates short 5’-capped RNAs of about 50 nucleotides in length. Much is known about Pol II pausing including its prevalence across the genome. But, the molecular mechanisms that are involved in regulating Pol II pausing and its roles in gene regulation are yet to be fully explored. In this study, I have investigated the molecular mechanisms that regulate dynamics of Pol II pausing in response to gene activation.

The main goal of this study was …

A Comparison Of Starting Techniques Out Of An Athletic Stance Position, Aaron Schwenzfeier Schwenzfeier

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the false step (FS) to the straight out step (SOS) out of a parallel athletic stance (PAS) in Division I college athletes. 30 Division I college athletes from football, baseball, softball, and volleyball performed three repetitions each of the FS and SOS. Each trial was timed at 5 and 10 yards using the TC Brower Timing System as well filmed from two vantage points for kinematic data collection using the Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS). From this, the velocity of the center of mass (VCM), projection angle of the center of mass …

Relationships Between The Second To Fourth Digit Ratio (2d:4d) And Game-Related Statistics In Semi-Professional Female Basketball Players, Makailah Janae Dyer

Theses and Dissertations

Digit ratio (2D:4D) is a negative correlate of sports performance, although this relationship may be weak in open-skill sports. This study aimed to quantify relationships between 2D:4D and game-related statistics in female basketball players, and to quantify differences in mean 2D:4Ds between starters and reserves. Sixty-four female basketball players were measured for height, mass, and 2D:4D, with game-related statistics collected end-season. Partial correlations (adjusted for age and BMI) quantified relationships between 2D:4Ds and game- related statistics. Unpaired t-tests quantified differences in mean 2D:4Ds between starters and reserves. This study found that 2D:4D was a substantial negative correlate of blocks, rebounds, …

Evaluating Wetland Expansion In A Tallgrass Prairie-Wetland Restoration, Katie Mae Engelmann

Theses and Dissertations

Remote sensing is an effective tool to inventory and monitor wetlands at large spatial scales. This study examined the effect of wetland restoration practices at Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge (GRNWR) in northwest Minnesota on the distribution, location, size and temporal changes of wetlands. A Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) land cover classification method was applied that integrated spectral data, LiDAR elevation, and LiDAR derived ancillary data of slope, aspect, and TWI. Accuracy of remote wetland mapping was compared with onsite wetland delineation.

The GEOBIA method produced land cover classifications with high overall accuracy (88 – 91 percent). Wetland area …

The Molecular Mechanisms Of Sex Determination In Vertebrates, Lei Guo

Theses and Dissertations

Many reptiles display temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), in which the primary sex is determined by incubation temperatures rather than sex chromosomes. However, temperature is not the only factor that play critical roles in sex determination in the species with TSD. Previous studies in the snapping turtle, a species with TSD, showed that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) induces ovary development at temperatures that normally produce males or mixed sex ratios. In addition, the feminizing effect of DHT was found to be associated with increased expression of the ovary-determining gene Foxl2, suggesting a potential androgen-Foxl2 regulatory mechanism. This dissertation aims to clarify the molecular …

Attitudes And Beliefs Of North Dakota Early Childhood Educators Toward Gender Constructs, Janelle Jean Ferderer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the attitudes and beliefs about gender and gender diversity held by certified practicing early childhood teachers in North Dakota Department of Public Instruction approved preschool programs. Selected children’s books were used to elicit qualitative responses that provided insight into teachers’ beliefs, attitudes, and practices regarding gender.

The theoretical framework for the study was based on Vygotsky’s theories on the Zones of Proximal Development (ZPD) and the More Knowledgeable Other (MKO), which focus on the importance of the role of educators’ influence in the social development of young children. The methodology for …

Comparisons Of Isogenic Trisomic And Disomic Cells From People With Mosaicism For Down Syndrome Unmask Cellular Differences Related To Trisomy 21, Kelly A. Rafferty

Theses and Dissertations

It is known that age-related changes impacting multiple organ systems occur earlier in people with Down syndrome (Ds), but the biological basis underlying this trisomy 21-associated propensity for premature aging is poorly understood. Given that the trisomic/normal cells from people with mosaic Ds (mDs) are identical with regards to environmental exposures and genes (except for chromosome 21 copy number), comparisons of these isogenic trisomic/disomic cells allow one to “unmask” the cellular consequences of trisomy 21 by removing extraneous factors. The primary aim of this study was to determine if trisomy 21 results in an increase in the acquisition of age-related …

A Comparative Analysis Of Geometric Morphometrics Across Two Pseudemys Turtle Species In East Central Virginia, Kristin C. Dillard

Theses and Dissertations

The phylogeny of the turtle genus Pseudemys is poorly understood. In Virginia, many turtles have been found with indicator traits of both eastern river cooters (Pseudemys concinna concinna) and northern red bellied cooters (Pseudemys rubriventris). This study explores morphological evidence for hybridization between the two species across three riverine sites in east central Virginia.

Museum voucher groups for each species were analyzed for relative shell height and plastron length. The shape of the plastral scutes and upper jaw were analyzed using landmark-based morphometric software. These metrics were compared with measurements taken from 188 field-caught Pseudemys specimens. …

Quantifying Current Sediment Deposition, Legacy Sediments, And Pre-Impoundment Vertical Accretion And Carbon Dynamics Following Dam Removal In A Recently Restored Tidal Freshwater Wetland, Melissa J. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Damming disrupts natural sediment flow to downstream resulting in legacy sediment accumulation. Legacy sediments have been well investigated in streams throughout the Piedmont region; however, there is no research of legacy sediments following dam removal in low-gradient Coastal Plain streams. Research objectives were to: characterize legacy sediments in a low-gradient stream restoration, quantify pre-impoundment accretion and carbon dynamics, and assess current sediment deposition rates via ¹⁴C analyses within sediment cores and sediment collection tiles. Carbon accumulation and accretion rates of modern tidal sediment have reached that of the tidal relic benchmark and current sediment deposition rates are similar between …

Pelagic Fish Diversity And Density On And Off Restored Oyster Reef Habitat, Danielle Mcculloch

Theses and Dissertations

The heterogeneity provided by structured habitats is important in supporting diverse and dense fish communities. The biogenic reefs created by the native Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica, were once the dominant structural habitat in Chesapeake Bay, and have since declined to less than 1% of historic estimates. Conflicting results on the effects of oyster reef restoration on pelagic fish assemblages make further investigation necessary. Incorporating multiple sampling strategies may help elucidate oyster reef habitat influence on fish assemblages. This study used multi-panel gillnets, hydroacoustic technology, and day-night sampling to describe pelagic fish assemblages on and off oyster reef habitat in the …

A Study Of Critical Value Notification In The Outpatient Setting: The Relationship Between Physician Response And Patient Outcomes, Kristie Renee Finney

Theses and Dissertations

Critical values are laboratory values that represent a life-threatening condition for which there is a treatment available. Laboratories make immediate notifications to ordering providers when critical values are identified so that they may quickly act to initiate a treatment for their patient. The majority of laboratories apply the inpatient critical value list to the outpatient setting, although there are many differences between an acutely ill inpatient population and an ambulatory outpatient population. The goal of this study was to determine if providers responded to the critical values in the outpatient setting and to determine if there was a difference in …

Behavioral Responses Of Sub-Adult Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser Oxyrinchus Oxyrinchus) To Electromagnetic And Magnetic Fields Under Laboratory Conditions, Andrew Mcintyre Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) produced by high voltage (HV), submarine transmission cables leading from offshore wind energy generation facilities could affect foraging or migratory behaviors of electro-receptive fishes, including endangered Atlantic Sturgeon. However, no published studies have quantitatively evaluated the possible behavioral effects of EMF exposure on sturgeon during residence in coastal waters. This study evaluated behavioral responses by sub-adult Atlantic Sturgeon to electromagnetic and magnetic fields under controlled laboratory conditions. Fabricated EMF generators were used to emulate a range of field EMF conditions that migratory fishes could encounter in proximity to submarine HV sources. Sensor arrays and digital video recorders …

Inner Strength In Mothers Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Oral Histories, Jennifer Weathersbee Steinberg

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this oral history study was to describe the lived experiences of mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to further inform the Theory of Inner Strength in Women (TIS) (Dingley & Roux, 2014). Postmodern feminist oral history methods were used to answer the research questions which included: 1) What are the lived experiences of mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? and 2) How do these experiences further inform TIS?

Interviews were manually coded directly onto the digital audio files using NVivo11Plus qualitative data management software. Three chronologic phases were identified among …

Outcrop Mapping Using Unmanned Aerial Systems And Modeling Of The Shannon Sandstone In The Powder River Basin, Emily Grace Sundell

Theses and Dissertations

Mapping steep outcrops by hand is dangerous, time consuming and gathering images parallel to a cliff face is difficult to nearly impossible. Wyoming has many extensive, steep, surface outcrops that in the subsurface are petroleum-producing formations. The Powder River Basin (PRB) of Wyoming has been a prolific producer of petroleum since the late 1800s, and with continual advances in technology production continues to increase. During the Cretaceous, the PRB was inundated by the Western Interior Seaway. Sand-clay sequences corresponding to transgressions and regressions were deposited and resulted in the Campanian Shannon Member of the Cody Formation. The Shannon Member thickens …

A Survey Measuring The Efficacy Of Duty And Rest Guidelines In Business Aviation Operations, Timothy Wollmuth

Theses and Dissertations

Despite improved understanding of fatigue, reduced cognitive ability continues to contribute to aviation accidents (Drury, Ferguson, & Thomas, 2012; Noy et al., 2011). A comprehensive fatigue study on business aviation (BA) operations in the US has not been published since "Crew Factors in Flight Operations XIII: A Survey of Fatigue Factors in Corporate/Executive Aviation Operations" (Rosekind, Co, Gregory, & Miller, 2000). This study, modeled after the Rosekind survey and conducted in collaboration with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), updated the baseline for fatigue in BA, qualitatively examined fatigue perceptions in BA, and examined the efficacy of the “Flight Safety …

Parents Of Adolescent Children With Mental Illness: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Lived Experience, Lindsay Yates

Theses and Dissertations

The current exploratory study aimed to understand the experience of parents whose children have severe and persistent mental illness. It was hypothesized that themes developed from parents’ responses to interview questions would indicate the presence of a) grief, b) trauma, c) subjective burden, and d) objective burden. Participants were 13 parents, comprised of conveniently sampled biological parents and legal guardians. Each parent was independently interviewed using a semi-structured protocol. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed by the principal investigator. Transcripts were analyzed using consensual qualitative analysis. An in-depth analysis of each transcript and cross analysis of transcripts yielded seven domains: …

A Radioelement Analysis Of The Northern Black Hills, South Dakota, U.S.A., Dylan Wade Young

Theses and Dissertations

The uranium, thorium, and potassium contents from 736 samples, within a 15-km radius of the Homestake Gold Mine and Sanford Underground Research Facility in the Northern Black Hills indicate the geoneutrino background may be higher than average for the continental crust. The radioactive element contents of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks were determined by gamma ray spectrometry. Many rocks show hydrothermal and metamorphic alteration within the last ten Ma of the Tertiary period. Young alkali rich igneous rocks, such as rhyolite, phonolite and other volcanic rocks, have lower than average Th:U ratios. The radioelement content of 215 igneous rocks were …

Impact Of Wetlands Loss On The Long-Term Flood Risks Of Devils Lake In A Changing Climate, Sergey Gulbin

Theses and Dissertations

Endorheic (terminal) lakes with no water outlets are sensitive indicators of changes in climate and land cover in the watershed. Since 1990 Devils Lake watershed in North Dakota experienced a dramatic change of local climate: wet phase. This change yielded in a 10-m water level rise in just two decades. The Lake’s water level increase caused flooding of adjacent areas, including towns, agriculture fields and houses of Native Americans, costing over $1 billion in mitigation.

While the climate change contribution to flooding has been established, the role of large scale land conversion to agriculture has not been researched. The purpose …

Working And Providing Care: Increasing Student Engagement For Part-Time Community College Students, Daniel Leingang

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among external time obligations of work and care giving by part-time students, their participation within structured group learning experiences, and student engagement. The Structured Group Learning Experiences (SGLEs) explored within this study include community college programming activities of orientation, accelerated developmental education, first-year experience courses, student success courses, and learning communities. Student engagement was measured by the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) Benchmark values. The focus of this research was to explore how differing levels of time spent working for pay and in providing care for dependents impacted …

The Impact Of The 340b Drug Pricing Program On Post-Launch Drug Prices, Bryan Temples Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Government mandated drug-pricing policies are an understudied—but potentially significant—factor in the price of drugs. The 340B program is one of the more controversial government-mandated prescription drug discount programs. Proponents argue that the program helps health care systems cover the cost of care they provide for low-income patients. Critics argue that the program unfairly benefits certain health care systems by assuring them lower drug prices, drives consolidation and reduces competition in the health care market, and drives up the cost of drugs. Despite this last claim, there is very little evidence that the 340B program actually impacts post-launch drug prices (i.e., …

Developmental Factors And Maladjustment Indicators Of Specific Sexual Interests, Victoria Charlotte Mary-Rose Pocknell

Theses and Dissertations

Human sexual expression appears to be freer to vary past the need to procreate. This study explores the variability in the cues that elicit sexual arousal in the general population. It aims to better understand the developmental factors and negative outcomes of having a specific sexual interest. A sample (N = 1069) was gathered using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk in which participants indicated sexual interests based on themes: Age, Physical Appearance, Clothing, Power, Risk, and Extrapersonal. The results suggest significant effects of sex, age, and hypersexuality on sexual interests. Therefore, analyses were run separately for men and women and age and …