Digital Commons Network^™

In Vivo Chemiluminescent Probes For Near-Infrared, Copper, And Nitric Oxide Imaging, Rokia Osman

Chemistry Theses and Dissertations

Optical in vivo imaging is a key way to understand complicated intracellular mechanisms and supporting the development of disease therapies by elucidating the main causes of the pathology. Chemiluminescence is an emerging imaging modality that offers increased sensitivity and deep in vivo imaging.

The work in this thesis is based on modulation to phenoxy dioxetane structures to further in vivo imaging. First, we developed a turn-on chemiluminescent copper probe which was designed by linking a picolinic acid moiety to the phenolic substituent of a spiroadamantane 1,2-dioxetane. The sensitive limit of detection of 360 nM allows for tracking copper reactivity in …

Exploring Immune Priming In The Species Exaiptasia Diaphana, Torrence Campos

Biology Theses

Vibrio coralliilyticus is a pathogen that infects various coral species across several reef ecosystems and causes mortality within a span of a few days. With increasing temperatures, the pathogen becomes more virulent towards coral. Probiotics such as MCH1-7 have previously been used to treat infected corals before and after exposure to V. coralliilyticus. In this study, we will be using a species of sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana in place of coral to evaluate the effects of two V. coralliilyticus strains ATCC BAA-450 and OFT6-21. It was determined that BAA-450 was more virulent. It led to immediate stress and higher mortality. …

Xenaform Algorithm, Alden Ulysses Quandt

Architectural Engineering

This project develops a computer-generated form-finding process for XenaForms, a discrete folded-plate shell system made from rigid triangular panels and hinge-like edge connections. Using Blender and Python, the workflow generates an initial top-down triangular strip, expands it into a fuller shell through stability-guided growth, checks the resulting geometry against a local stability rule, and culls unstable or erroneous elements. The algorithm translates XenaForm stability principles into a usable design tool while also accounting for constructability through sheet-size constraints and geometric collision checks. The result is a Blender-based workflow that can rapidly produce stable, varied XenaForm models for architectural, sculptural, and …

Covid-19 Case Study, Armando Olmeda

Distinguished Student Scholarship Collection

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, continues to affect healthcare systems and public health worldwide. This case study examines COVID-19 from an epidemiological perspective by looking at how the disease spreads, the populations most affected, the major risk factors, and the impact on healthcare systems. It also analyzes key epidemiological measures, including incidence, prevalence, hospitalization, and mortality trends, to better understand how the pandemic has changed over time. The findings show that older adults, individuals with chronic medical conditions, and socially disadvantaged populations continue to experience the greatest burden of disease, with social determinants of health playing an important …

Numerical Range Of Rank-1 Partial Isometries And Elliptical Range Theorem, Lucas Saone

Theses

The Elliptical Range Theorem states that the numerical range of a 2x2 complex matrix A is an elliptical disc with foci at the eigenvalues of A and center at tr(A)/2. Many proofs have been offered for this theorem. In this paper, we provide another one. The strategy we will use is to decompose the matrix A into the sum of rank-1 operators of the form YxX*, where X and Y are in 2-D complex vectors. When analyzing the numerical range of a rank-1 operator of this form, three results can happen: i) the numerical range forms a disc at the …

Prediction Of Satellite Temperature During An Orbit Of A Cubesat, Michael Reynolds

Honors Theses

This thesis develops a thermal-simulation strategy for predicting CubeSat component temperatures, applied to Jag-Sat-1, a CubeSat developed at the University of South Alabama and deployed from the International Space Station in 2022. The orbit was reconstructed from two-line element (TLE) data using simplified general perturbations (SGP4) propagation, and spacecraft attitude was recovered from onboard gyroscope measurements. Sunlight, penumbra, and umbra intervals were computed geometrically, and the external radiative environment — direct solar, Earth infrared, and albedo heat fluxes — was modeled using orientation-dependent view factors. These time-varying fluxes drove a transient finite-element thermal simulation of the full satellite geometry in …

Dc/Dc Converter For A Solar Module, Francine Therese A. Canal, Jesus Cruz, Juan Jose Gonzalez

Electrical Engineering

This project presents the design and implementation of a DC/DC power converter intended for photovoltaic (PV) modules with varying electrical output characteristics. Solar panels experience significant changes in output voltage and power due to variations in sunlight, temperature, and load conditions. To ensure reliable operation across a range of conditions, the proposed converter is capable of both step-up and step-down operation to accommodate solar modules with power ratings from 50 W to 450 W and open-circuit voltages between 10 V and 80 V. The system operates at load currents up to 10 A and provide a user-adjustable output voltage within …

Using Μ-Xrf To Quantify Redox Features In Bottomland Hardwood Forest Soils, Jaslyn Ilene Herold

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Secondary soil iron-manganese concentrations (FMC) form because of soil redox reactions and influence the cycling and availability of key nutrients and toxins in wetland ecosystems. However, the effects of landscape position and soil age on FMC formation are not well understood. This study examines the µ-XRF spectroscopy of FMC from soils sampled along terrace, floodplain, and channel landscapes in a bottomland hardwood forest in the Mississippi Embayment of western Kentucky. We found that FMC area is linked to epi- and endosaturation. The 25 µm resolution µ-XRF chemical maps show decreasing area with depth in episaturated conditions along the terrace and …

Behavioral Health Referral Patterns Of Medical Providers, Olivia Grace Glasgow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Collaboration between medical and behavioral health providers has been growing consistently through the years. Offering behavioral health services in a medical setting helps individuals who may not otherwise seek mental health care. Much of the available literature focuses on patient characteristics in referral patterns; however, current evidence does not provide much guidance for medical providers to improve their collaboration with behavioral health providers. The present study assessed referral patterns of medical providers serving patients with different presenting problems and with patients who have received prior prescriptions of psychotropic medications. Medical providers were randomly assigned to view four 1-min videos of …

Essays In Applied Microeconomics, Md Tahmeed Hossain

Economics Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation contributes to empirical economics research by examining three settings in which historical shocks, behavioral constraints, and localized public events affect social relations, decision quality, and public safety. The first chapter examines the persistence of historical religious conflict in contemporary Hindu–Muslim relations in India. The second chapter studies how time pressure affects decision quality in online chess. The third chapter analyzes the localized traffic-safety externalities of NFL game days. Across these settings, the dissertation uses large-scale data and quasi-experimental research designs to distinguish causal effects from selection, spatial concentration, and persistent local conditions.

The first chapter asks whether historical …

Cognitive Load In Law Enforcement Decision Support Systems: A Human-Centered Evaluation Of Traditional And Ai-Enhanced Mdts, Benjamin Burchfield

Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the cognitive and usability associations of mobile data terminal (MDT) systems used by law enforcement officers during routine operational tasks. Grounded in Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the research examines how MDT interface design and interaction methods including AI-enhanced and speech-enabled interfaces are associated with perceived cognitive workload, technology acceptance, and operational performance during simulated traffic stop scenarios. Using a framed field experiment with active law enforcement officers, the study evaluates relationships among user experience, perceived cognitive load, task performance, and officers’ willingness to adopt MDT technologies.

An Evaluation Of Plc Implementation, Teacher Perceptions, And Achievement And Growth In A Rural Elementary School, Barbara B. Hines

Education Theses and Dissertations

Student growth in reading and mathematics has declined steadily at a small rural elementary campus in East Texas, particularly in grades 4 and 5, even as achievement scores have remained near state averages for grades 3 through 5. This gap between proficiency and progress, compounded by the expiration of pandemic relief funding and increasing state accountability pressure, created an urgent need to evaluate whether existing campus structures were functioning as intended. The purpose of this study, which used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, was to examine how variation in professional learning community (PLC) implementation was associated with differences in student …

Improving The Implementation Of Response To Intervention Through Structured Professional Learning Communitiies, Amanda Southerland

Education Theses and Dissertations

This Improvement Science Dissertation in Practice examined how the current Response to Intervention (RTI) framework supported math achievement for fifth-and-sixth grade students at a rural intermediate campus in Northeast Texas. Although Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports were in place, many students continued to struggle to demonstrate meaningful growth in mathematics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current RTI framework, identify barriers affecting its implementation, and implement an improvement strategy based on the findings. A mixed-methods approach was used to analyze district benchmark and STAAR data, teacher surveys, and focus group interviews. Findings from the evaluation identified …

State-Mandated Principal Mentoring And Its Relationship To Leadership Efficacy, Working Conditions, And Student Achievement Across Contexts, Ellen Willoughby

Education Theses and Dissertations

Although principal mentoring has been widely studied, far less is known about whether state-level mentoring mandates function as effective policy levers for improving principal or student outcomes. This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study examined the relationship between state mentoring mandates in principal preparation programs and four outcomes: principal leadership efficacy, occupational stress, pay satisfaction, and student achievement. Phase 1 employed multiple linear regression with state-level data from the 2020–2021 National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS), 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), and 2023 Education Commission of the States mentoring mandate classifications. Phase 2 used semi-structured interviews with four practicing principals …

Framework For Building A Social Media Marketing Strategy For Micro-Small Businesses, Joanna Byrne

Theses

Existing social media marketing literature consistently fails micro-small businesses with five or fewer staff. These sources default to models built for brands with dedicated marketing teams and large budgets. This project addresses that gap using a mixed-methods, practitioner-based action research design. It combines quantitative platform analytics with qualitative process documentation. The research covers four businesses at distinct stages of digital development: Torched Motorsport Supply, a new automotive parts retailer built from zero digital infrastructure; Byrne Diesel Performance, an established diesel shop with an unoptimized presence; Texas Best Compost, a startup developing its brand identity and digital launch disrupted by supply …

Visual Structure, Cultural Memory, And Viewership In Early Medieval Irish High Crosses, Trinity Smith

Theses

This thesis examines how Irish high crosses functioned as structured visual forms through which religious authority and cultural memory were communicated within early medieval Ireland. Previous scholarship has emphasized the theological coherence of these monuments, often assuming a single idealized viewer. This study reconsiders Irish high crosses through the concept of multiple viewership by examining how different audiences may have encountered and understood these monuments. Using comparative visual and contextual analysis, this study examines four case studies: the Cross of the Scriptures at Clonmacnoise, Muiredach’s Cross at Monasterboice, the High Cross of Durrow, and the Market Cross at Kells. This …

From Grid To Freedom: A Comparative Analysis Of Canva’S Guardrails And Adobe Illustrator’S Design Flexibility, Caroline Wilmes

Theses

This project focuses on graphic design software becoming increasingly accessible and questions emerging regarding the role of professional designers and the value of industry-standard design tools. This project examines the differences between Canva, a widely used template-driven design platform, and Adobe Illustrator, a professional vector-based design application. Through a hands-on, project-based research approach, the same brand identity was developed in both programs, including a style guide, business card, website homepage mock-up, and tri-fold. The comparison focused on workflow efficiency, creative freedom, typography, color management, scalability, and production readiness.

Findings revealed that Canva excels in accessibility, speed, and ease of use …

Quiet Relief: Voice In Migraine Packaging, Nicole Allgeyer

Theses

This paper explores typography as a form of nonverbal communication in pharmaceutical branding for a fictional medication called Neura by investigating how font choice, visual hierarchy, spacing, and color function as communicative tools to its viewers. This paper combines the studies of semiotics and branding to create a brand that evokes trust, calm, and clarity through a visual branding system. This study investigates visual signifiers (semiotics) such as color and type through visual analysis and implements the findings into the brand. By researching branding, I was able to create a brand that has a focused demographic and image. In creating …

Beyond Affection Meters: A Framework For Relationship Repair Mechanics And Meaningful Play, Christopher B. Del Gesso

Theses

This thesis develops and tests a repair-centered framework for relationship mechanics in narrative games, positioned as an alternative to the affection-meter model that reduces relationships to a single accumulating score. Drawing on eudaimonic media research, relational repair theory, and interpretive-attribution research, the framework argues that meaningful relationship play depends on tracking multiple, potentially divergent relational dimensions; distinguishing repair attempts from repair outcomes; modeling interpretation of player actions rather than fixed action-to-effect mappings; and treating stable, non-restorative endings as legitimate outcomes rather than failure states. A comparative survey of five commercial games, Fallout 4, Tell Me Why, Life is Strange Remastered, …

The Significance Of Abstract Art In Self-Expression: A Study Developed By Analyzing Kandinsky's Black Lines And Producing Visual Juxtapositions, Keturah K. Bowles

Theses

This paper will contemplate how the creation of abstract art, a creative style born from the Avant-Garde movement of the 20th century by artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, was imperative in the pursuit of artistic freedom. Additionally, it will seek to prove that abstraction is one of the unparalleled genres to utilize for self-expression in comparison to genres that uphold traditional art techniques, such as realism. This theory is further emphasized when considering abstract art in juxtaposition to the art standards maintained by the academy. Moreover, the research conducted to support the proposed theory falls into various categories, such as …

Web Of Sisterhood: Somehow Connected, Catherine Scott

Theses

This thesis project is about the connection between female community (sisterhood) and art-making practices. This connection is explored through qualitative research, including research in art history, feminism, community interviews, and personal experience. The connection between sisterhood and art-making is expressed through the construction and development, as well as the visual elements, in the final project. Communication and collaboration with women in my community about the artwork and our connections as women shaped how the work would be constructed, as well as the imagery and colors used in the final piece.

Seeing Power: Authority, Gender, And Spectatorship In Charles I And Henrietta Marie With Their Two Eldest Children, Prince Charles And Princess Mary (1632), Danielle Scaramuzzi

Theses

The visual construction, enactment, and legitimization of political authority is the subject of this thesis concerning Charles I and Henrietta Maria with their two eldest children, Prince Charles and Princess Mary (1632), painted by Anthony Van Dyck. Through examination of sovereign representation, gendered body, dynastic continuity, and spectators, this research argues that authority within Northern Baroque portraiture is not established as a single or unchanging entity. However, instead of a monolithic representation of authority, it arises from relational elements, including body language, gesture, space, family relations, and viewer engagement. Although Van Dyck's portrait is generally considered a dynastic image in …

Lab Escape, Peter Brauninger

Theses

The core subject of this paper focuses on several key traits of effective horror games. Using a paper and prototype level, the project conducts a thorough examination of horror in the medium to better understand how to develop effective games in this genre. Looking at examples from different media, the objective of this research is to identify key components of effective horror games. Going through the research, we can identify three key traits that are critical to the genre. Within horror games, accuracy of these elements is even more essential. Having the player be constantly tense, and enjoying the game …

Inactive Nurses In New Mexico: Insights Into License Lapse And Inactive Reserve Status, Kiyoko Dell Davis

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Nursing shortages have varied over the decades, yet persist at local, national, and global levels. Nurses report leaving the workforce for many reasons, including professional environment factors resulting from these shortages, further exacerbating a shrinking workforce and population growth. Recent efforts include recruitment and education incentives and implementation of the New Mexico Board of Nursing (NMBON) Inactive Reserve Licensure option, which allows retiring nurses to maintain a reduced-scope nursing license with fewer barriers. Despite these efforts, questions remain: why are nurses in New Mexico leaving the profession and would this licensure category have impacted retention? The purpose of this project …

Improving Continuity Of Care: Evaluating Universal Nursing Handoff Sheets, Elizabeth Ifeloluwa Sanya

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Effective communication during nursing handoffs is essential for safe, patient-centered care, as breakdowns in communication are a leading cause of adverse patient outcomes. At a large academic level I trauma center, inconsistent nursing handoff practices were identified across progressive care units following the COVID-19 pandemic. This variability contributed to incomplete transfer of patient information and was associated with increased patient safety incidents, including delayed wound care, central line dressing lapses, and medication errors involving high-alert therapies. The purpose of this DNP project was to plan, implement, and evaluate the use of  standardized nursing handoff sheet and its impact on continuity …

Dc/Dc Converter For A Solar Module, Stella Uribe, Richie Zaragoza, Olivia Grace Tran, Phillip Tyler Rich

Electrical Engineering

This project focuses on the design and validation of a general-purpose DC/DC power converter intended for use with photovoltaic (PV) solar modules operating under variable environmental and loading conditions. Solar panels exhibit significant variation in output voltage, current, and available power due to changes in irradiance, temperature, and operating point, making direct connection to downstream loads impractical. The proposed system addresses this challenge by providing a single, user-adjustable regulated DC output capable of both stepping up and stepping down the solar module voltage. The converter is designed to interface with solar modules rated between 50 W and 400 W, with …

Remote Controlled Pushcart, William B. Rakoz, Logan M. Beard, Jesus B. Galindo, Jacob Anderson

Electrical Engineering

This senior project developed a low-cost remote controlled golf push cart by retrofitting a conventional cart with independently driven hoverboard wheels, an ESP32 controller, BLE communication, a 36 V battery, an MPU-6050 IMU, an LD-19 LiDAR, and custom PETG components. The final scope emphasized reliable remote operation, differential steering, controlled acceleration, heading stabilization, emergency stopping, and obstacle-aware speed limiting. A separate neural-network controller was trained in simulation as a future autonomy pathway; autonomous target following was not integrated into the final cart. Verification recorded a maximum speed of 4.3 mph, operation on a 15-degree incline, a 0.75 s emergency-stop response, …

Stationary Bike Power/Efficiency Monitor, Paula J. Diaz, Pilar M. Cook, Danielle Rhind

Electrical Engineering

This project developed a real-time power and efficiency monitoring system for a SportsArt ECO-POWR stationary exercise bicycle. The goal was to measure rider mechanical power and electrical power delivered to the utility grid simultaneously, allowing the overall bike-to-grid efficiency to be calculated and displayed in real time. Rider power was measured using Garmin Rally ANT+ power pedals, while grid power was measured using a Yokogawa WT310E power analyzer. A Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ synchronized both data sources, calculated efficiency, displayed live performance metrics through a graphical user interface, and logged measurement data to CSV files for later analysis. The …

Autonomous Terrain-Mapping Robot For Search And Rescue, Soumil Joshi, Seann Calub

Electrical Engineering

This report documents the design, modular testing, and challenges faced while developing an autonomous terrain-mapping robot intended to navigate to a destination waypoint and deliver a small payload for search-and-rescue applications. The system combines a LiDAR sensor, an IMU sensor, and a Raspberry Pi 3B as the onboard processor, and an ESP32 microcontroller interfacing with motor drivers over a four-wheel chassis. A companion mobile application was developed to enable remote control and monitoring of the robot over a WiFi hotspot connection. A lithium-ion battery pack supplies power to all onboard components, with power budgets verified against component datasheets. Testing progresses …

Assessing Vertebrate Biodiversity In An Agricultural And Urban Impacted River Using Environmental Dna Metabarcoding, Surabhi Nair

AES Theses

Rivers are dynamic freshwater systems that can experience shifts in flood regime that are driven by anthropogenic activity and climate change. These changes may no longer support the native species in the ecosystem and can favor invasive generalist species. The Pajaro River supports a range of urban, agricultural, and natural habitats and is prone to seasonal flooding that can affect habitat conditions and biodiversity. Current vertebrate diversity in the Pajaro River is not well understood, although traditional surveys have documented both rare and invasive species. Environmental DNA, or eDNA, can help address gaps in traditional monitoring by detecting elusive or …