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Assessing The Impact Of Toxic Fescue Consumption During Gestation On Muscle Growth Gene Expression And Beef Color Quality Of The Offspring, Madison Blank

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Endophyte-infected tall, toxic fescue is the most common forage for beef cattle in the southeastern U.S. However, exposure to this forage causes detrimental effects on the health of gestating cattle. The exposure to toxic fescue during gestation has been shown to impact fetal development during pregnancy and their offspring’s subsequent growth. However, limited information is currently available on the impact of this exposure on the meat quality of the offspring. Our objective is to determine how the dam’s exposure to toxic fescue during gestation impacts the beef color and quality of the final offspring.

A total of 22 animals (11 …

Establishing The Inter-Rater Reliability Of The Titleist Performance Institute (Tpi) Movement Screen, Ian Henry Dahners, Matthew Fetner, Carlan Haugrud, Hunter Johnson, Braeden Lee Knutson, Erica Jo Peters, Dana Jayde Zarn

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Movement Screen is a golf-specific physical assessment widely used by professionals to identify physical limitations that may influence swing mechanics and injury risk. Despite its popularity, there is limited peer-reviewed evidence regarding the screen’s inter-rater reliability. Without established reliability, clinical and performance decisions based on TPI scores may be questionable. Prior research on similar tools, such as the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), shows that reliability varies based on evaluator experience, scoring objectivity, and standardization—all relevant concerns for the TPI Movement Screen.

Purpose: To determine the inter-rater reliability of …

The Effects Of Dynamic Blood Flow Restriction On Transmembrane Fluid Shifts, Parker Bradley Carroll, Caden John Heinert, Isaiah John Kludt, Lucas Robert Simon

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The benefits of blood flow restriction (BFR) training, particularly its ability to induce muscle hypertrophy, are well established. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying this hypertrophy remain unclear. This study hypothesized that fluid shifts within the skeletal muscle, specifically changes in intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF) composition, contribute to hypertrophic responses following BFR exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate ICF and ECF dynamics in the lower extremity skeletal muscle using bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) following BFR in combination with submaximal resistance exercise. Additionally, the researchers aimed to determine the duration of fluid shifts by assessing ICF/ECF …

Prognostic Predictors Of Developmental And Functional Outcomes In Children With Global Developmental Delay: A Retrospecive Chart Review, Rachel Lynne Kuechle, Sadie Elizabeth Olson, Eliana Hazel Parks, Hailee Lynn Schauer, Mara Marie Vannyhuis, Audrey Elizabeth Whitman

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Global developmental delay (GDD) is a broad, global disorder in which children do not reach the appropriate gross and fine motor milestones as expected for their age. GDD’s impact can extend beyond motor skills to include speech and language development, cognitive abilities, social and personal skills, and ADL’s. This study aims to investigate the prognostic predictors of developmental and functional improvement of children with GDD. Our study also examines how the prognosis of children diagnosed with GDD will be affected based on therapeutic intervention in order to offer evidence-based recommendations to support children with GDD and their …

Normative Data Analysis For The Modified Clinical Test Of Sensory Integration And Balance Protocol With The Biodex Balance System, Crystal Rose Koglin, Ellie Rose Tillma, Tyler Edward Schmit, Madison Faith Bowers, Hannah Janice Ust, Logan Aaron Petznick, Quincie Naomi Floden

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

This study was designed to assess postural stability in standing on a Biodex Balance System to gather consistent, accurate data on individuals between the ages of 18-30 years old. This tested the participants' sensory integration (vestibular, visual, somatosensory) and balance which can be examined and treated within physical therapy. This study excluded NCAA athletes as more research has been obtained that includes NCAA athletes. Most of the human population has not been NCAA athletes, so we gathered more data for this greater population of individuals. The data provided gained an understanding of what normative data will look like to other …

Assessing The Preparedness Of New Graduate Physical Therapists For Primary Care Physical Therapy Roles, Hannah Ellen Snobeck, Olivia Mavis Manuel, Rachel Jean Dukart, Samantha Marie Krogfoss, Logan Nicole Redding, Haley Paige Hase, Reese Paige Richards

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: The growing shortage of primary care providers in the United States has led to increased discussion about expanding the role of physical therapists (PTs) in primary care. Physical therapists have advanced diagnostic and musculoskeletal expertise that helps them succeed in these roles. This study aimed to assess how new graduates perceive their readiness to practice as primary care providers and to identify the education and experiential factors that shape this.

Methods: Using a qualitative research design guided by self-perception theory, semi-structured interviews were conducted with three physical therapists who graduated between 2022 and 2024. Participants were asked …

Electromyography (Emg) Of Lower Extremity Muscles During The Spanish Squat In Varied Foot Positions, Matthew Feddema, Jake Graf, Jenna Hildebrant, Allison Jepson, Jake Marciniak, Benjamin Oie

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: Knee injuries are among the most common sports-related injuries, often linked to weakness or imbalance in the quadriceps and gluteal muscles. Squat variations are frequently prescribed in rehabilitation to strengthen these muscle groups and enhance knee and hip stability. The Spanish squat (SS) has shown to be effective for increasing quadriceps activation while reducing joint stress. However, limited research has examined how different stance widths during Spanish squats may effect lower extremity muscle activation.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare surface electromyography (EMG) activity of selected lower extremity muscles during Spanish squat variations (narrow, shoulder-width, and wide stances) and …

Bayesian Assembly Tool For Intelligent Digital Twin Selection, Shishir Sharma

All Theses

Digital twins can be used for system performance optimization, health monitoring, predictive maintenance, and investigating system anomalies. A ground vehicle digital twin may be assembled using representations of the subsystem models (tires, suspension system, powertrain, etc.) of different fidelity. Lower fidelity Digital Twins have relatively simpler design and physics, hence are generally computationally less expensive, but may not represent the physical system accurately. On the contrary, higher fidelity Digital Twins are generally more precise in their ability to represent the physical system, but due to complexity, are usually computationally more demanding. This thesis describes the application of Bayesian Classification within …

Implementation Of A Local Llm Serving System For Agentic Ai, Zhiheng Ni

All Theses

This thesis presents a system that allows large AI models to run directly on personal devices instead of relying on cloud servers. Recent advances in artificial intelligence, especially large language models (LLMs), have made it possible to build powerful applications such as chatbots, coding assistants, and intelligent agents. However, most of these systems run in the cloud, which raises concerns about privacy, latency, and cost.

To address these issues, this work develops a local AI serving system that runs efficiently on a specialized hardware component called a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). The system provides a unified interface that supports multiple …

Barriers To Effective Parent-Teacher Communication In K-5 Settings, Dylan Sawicki

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine barriers that influence parent-teacher communication in K-5 educational settings, with a focus on cultural background, communication methods, and parents’ prior experiences with educators. This study employed a quantitative research design and collected data through a nationwide Qualtrics survey distributed via email and social media platforms. Participants included parents of K-5 students. Findings suggest that most parents feel comfortable communicating with teachers and perceive cultural background and prior experiences as having minimal influence on communication. However, the data also indicate areas for improvement, particularly in the consistency, frequency, and clarity of communication methods …

Examining Organizational Factors Contributing To Burnout In Community College Employees: An Anthropological Perspective, Jesse N. Blue

Leadership Education Capstones

Organizational culture and systemic inequities remain under-researched factors driving the mental and physical deterioration of community college employees. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe and interpret the lived experiences of job-related burnout among community college employees. This qualitative short-term ethnography was conducted at Big Rock College, a rural community college in central Arkansas. The sample consisted of six volunteer participants across administrative, faculty, and staff roles. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom®. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and triangulated with institutional document analysis. Findings indicated that 84% of participants experienced varying degrees of burnout, driven by …

Burnout Among Wisconsin Career Firefighters: An Examination Of Shift Schedules, Sleep Disturbances, And Organizational Factors, Nickolas R. Pridgeon

Leadership Education Capstones

Occupational burnout among career firefighters represents a growing crisis with serious consequences for individual health, public safety, and fire department sustainability. This study investigates the factors contributing to burnout among career firefighters in Wisconsin, with a focus on three primary areas: shift schedules, sleep disturbances, and organizational culture. Using a concurrent mixed-methods design, the research combines an online quantitative survey with semi-structured qualitative interviews to examine how these factors interact to produce burnout in the fire service context.

The quantitative component employs the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index alongside measures of organizational factors, targeting a sample …

The Effect Of Neuromuscular Training On Return-To-Activity/Return-To-Sport Outcomes Following Acl Reconstruction In Physically Active Adults, Orion Piston

All Student Scholarship

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common knee injuries in physically active individuals and often require surgical reconstruction to restore stability and function6 . Even with advances in surgery and rehabilitation, many individuals continue to show neuromuscular deficits and have difficulty returning to their prior level of activity7,11. Research suggests only about 55–65% of individuals return to their pre-injury level of sport after ACL reconstruction6

. Neuromuscular training has been proposed as a way to improve movement control, restore functional stability, and potentially improve return-to-activity and return-to-sport outcomes7,8,11,12. Because of this, it is important for clinicians to …

Exploring Alternative Curriculum Implementation In Special Education Settings, Amber R. Wilson

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand teachers’ perceptions of implementing an alternative curriculum in their self-contained special education settings and grade levels, as well as their perceptions of the training and ongoing support provided for its implementation. This study used a case study research design. Findings revealed that the participants experienced several challenges related to training, ongoing support, and curriculum implementation, including issues aligning the alternative curriculum with state standards and assessments. This study is significant because alternative curriculum implementation is under-researched in the United States, and the international literature on this topic is limited.

Secondary Teachers’ Perceptions On The Wida Framework To Support Academic Literacy In Multilingual Learners, Laura G. Faris

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine teachers’ perceptions of benefits and barriers to using the WIDA Framework to support academic literacy in multilingual learners (MLs).  Content-area teachers of MLs who continue to learn English are teaching academic literacy through complex linguistic structures for students to both comprehend and produce informative textual structures which occur in secondary textual reading and written assessments in the literature and historical content areas. Qualitative methods including reflective journal entries, semi-structured teacher interviews, and classroom observations were used to collect data on teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of using the WIDA Framework to better …

Two Essays In Development: Convergence And Technological Adoption, Jacob Campbell

All Dissertations

This dissertation is comprised of two essays in development economics, both related to conver gence either in outcomes (Chapter 1) or ultimate causes (Chapter 2).

Chapter 1:

This paper investigates the dynamics of productivity convergence across the United States from 1800 to 2020. Exploiting a novel historical dataset from Tamura et al. (2025), I examine β- and σ-convergence at both aggregate and sectoral levels for the entire history of the United States. I f ind a long-run trend toward convergence consistent with the conditions of an integrated national market with free mobility of labor and capital. However, the pace of …

Defining My Country: An Appalachian Educator’S Autoethnography Of Linguistic Erasure And Ai, Kimberly B. Wright

Dissertations

When students use AI writing tools to revise their work, the algorithms often erase the cultural and linguistic markers that constitute their authentic voice. This erasure operates through the same mechanisms that linguistic justice scholars have documented for decades: a dominant language ideology that frames non-dominant expression as deficient and “corrects” it into standardized prose. As a first-generation Appalachian educator who spent years suppressing her own voice to succeed in academic spaces, I recognize this pattern from the inside. Using autoethnography as a methodology, this study examines how my journey from voice erasure to reclamation informs my pedagogy to help …

Pedagogical Strategies In Medical Laboratory Science Student Learning Outcomes: A Comparative Study Of Learner-Centered And Lecture-Based Instruction, Kasey Kuker

Medical Laboratory Science Independent Study Projects

Learner centered teaching (LCT) has gained prominence across the health sciences, yet its specific impact on Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) education remains underexamined. This comparative literature review synthesizes findings from various empirical studies to evaluate how active, learner centered pedagogies - such as flipped classrooms, blended learning, team based learning, simulation, gamification, and structured feedback - perform relative to traditional lecture based instruction. Across diverse MLS and allied health contexts, LCT consistently improved cognitive outcomes including examination performance, laboratory skill proficiency, and long term retention. Equally significant were gains in affective outcomes: heightened self efficacy, motivation, engagement, teamwork, and professional …

Rekindling Hearth: An Investigation And Discussion Of The Traditional And Evolving Roles Of Hearth In Architecture, Ruth E. Prenzler

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research explores the evolving role of the hearth in domestic architecture, examining its historical significance and its continuing symbolic and architectural significance. Once essential for heat, cooking, and gathering, the hearth has shifted from necessity to nostalgic artifact due to technological advances and changing domestic patterns. This study reexamines the hearth’s spatial, social, and functional roles in architecture through a combination of literature review, theoretical analysis, and visual diagramming. Six case studies, spanning pre-modern to contemporary housing, are analyzed to identify patterns and transformations in hearth placement and significance. Through detailed diagrams, the paper offers a visual and theoretical …

The Evaluation Of Broiler Lines Divergently Selected For Water Conversion Ratio Under Acute And Chronic Stress, Baileigh B. Cash

Poultry Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

            The importance of water conversion ratio in broiler production influences not only bird physiology but also barn environment, litter quality, and provides potential solutions to environmental stressors. However, very little is known about how genetic selection for water conversion ratio can affect litter characteristics and performance parameters, specifically under heat stress conditions. This study evaluates the effects of genetic lines, environmental conditions, and time, on litter and bird performance characteristics in high water conversion ratio (HWCR) and low water conversion ratio (LWCR) broilers. Litter samples were collected from HWCR and LWCR broilers raised under heat-stress and thermal-neutral conditions, both before …

Status Of The Potentially Invasive Australian Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax Quadricarinatus), Margaret (Addie) Munn

Biology Theses

The introduction of invasive species, including crayfish, is common through aquaculture and aquarium trade pathways and is an important factor causing the decline and/or extinction of native species. Invasive species cause billions of dollars in damages annually and threaten almost half of the native species in the United States. Australian Redclaw Crayfish (Redclaws) are a species of large individuals that originated in Australia and New Guinea and have been introduced specifically for aquaculture and the aquarium trade. Redclaws are known to thrive in tropical and subtropical locations. They can tolerate high temperatures and low oxygen and are generalist omnivores that …

Why Is Living Still A B*Tch A Hundred Years Later? Finding Cultural Meaning In Adaptations Of Spring Awakening, Leah Marcil

Theses & ETDs

Inspired by my unique experience working on the musical Spring Awakening by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, this thesis asks the question: what type of cultural meanings do adaptations of the story of Spring Awakening create and transmit? In order to answer this question I first investigate the cultural context of Frühlings Erwachen , the original play by Frank Wedekind the musical is adapted from, in Chapter One. Chapter One also allows me to discuss translation as a form of adaptation by analyzing different English versions of the play. Chapter Two focuses on the debut Broadway production of Spring Awakening …

Investigating The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Financial Decision-Making And Professional Practice, Elijah Jones

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

The following study is an investigation into the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) as it relates to financial decision-making and professional processes. The focus of the study is to address the gap between theoretical applications analyzed by researchers and real-world use. The existing literature extensively analyzes the exponential growth of AI in finance over the years and its uses in relationship management, predictive analysis, trading, risk management, and more. While the studies show the potential transformative capability that AI has regarding workflows, there is limited data that shows how these newfound technologies are actually being adopted by professionals. To address …

Turning Down The Heat: Fine-Tuning Tempo-Modified Nanocellulose And Emim-Ac Ionic Liquid Membranes For Kidney Dialysis, Olivia Reid

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

TEMPO modified nanocellulose membranes are utilized across various laboratory and industrial applications from protein purification to advancements in kidney dialysis. This study investigates the effect of varying coagulation temperatures on the morphology and transport properties of these membranes to enhance their performance for targeted filtration. It was hypothesized that higher temperatures would accelerate the solvent-nonsolvent exchange during phase inversion, resulting in larger pore structures. Conversely, lower temperatures were expected to slow solvent diffusion, yielding smaller, more uniform pores. The membranes[JH1]  were synthesized using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO) to improve selectivity and antifouling characteristics. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) served as the primary …

A Comparative Look At The Training Objectives Of The United States Marine Corps And Corporate America, Davis M. Johnson

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis investigates how divergent institutional objectives influence leader development in two organizational contexts: U.S. Marine Corps officer training and corporate leadership development programs. The study draws on organizational socialization theory, institutional theory, and stress inoculation research. It contends that leadership formation is shaped by the missions, values, and structural demands unique to each institution. The research uses comparative analysis of selection practices, socialization tactics, identity construction, and adaptability development, explicitly contrasting how each institution develops leaders. The Marine Corps uses divestiture socialization, collective identity formation, and structured stress exposure to embed group loyalty and prepare officers for decisive action …

Strengthening Kidney Dialysis One Membrane At A Time: Enhancing Tempo-Oxidized Nanocellulose And Ionic Liquid Membrane Strength Through The Variation Of Cosolvents, Bailey M. Butler

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys lose the ability to effectively filter the blood, which causes waste build up. End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is the most severe case of kidney disease and requires either dialysis or a kidney transplant. Hemodialysis, the most common form of dialysis, is an extremely time-intensive and physically burdensome process that is currently limited by membrane performance. The polysulfone (PSf) membranes that are widely used for dialysis today have many limitations, including fouling, toxin rejection, and essential protein loss. Recently, new membranes made from TEMPO-Oxidized nanocellulose dissolved in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMIM-Ac) have shown promising characteristics, …

Shooting For The Stars: Stem Outreach Strategies Between 2nd And 7th Grade, Paige Miller

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Engineering and planetary science outreach programs are increasingly important as industries and research organizations face growing demand for STEM professionals. Despite the importance of these fields, many students receive little exposure to engineering careers during their early educational experiences. This honors thesis examines the effectiveness of interactive STEM outreach presentations designed for elementary and middle school students. Specifically, this study evaluates outreach activities centered on chemical engineering applications and the NASA M2M CO₂ regeneration project for Martian environments.

Two student age groups participated in this study: 2nd grade students at Butterfield Elementary School and 7th grade students at Woodland Junior …

The Limits Of Democratic Representation: Institutional Constraints And The Failure To Reflect Public Will In The Case Of Congressional Term Limits, Kian Mcwilliams

Political Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examines why congressional term limit reform has not succeeded despite widespread public support. Although there has been sustained bipartisan approval across decades, term limits have not gained any meaningful institutional traction, raising a central question: Why do reforms with strong public backing fail to advance within Congress itself? Drawing on historical analysis, public opinion data, and original survey research conducted with Members of Congress, this study argues that the failure of congressional term limit reform is not the result of a lack of public engagement, but rather a consequence of institutional constraints that prevent public preferences from translating …

Testing The In Vitro Effectiveness Of Protease Inhibitors Against Histomonas Meleagridis, Evy Belle Hafer

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Histomonas meleagridis is a protozoal parasite able to exist in a flagellated or amoeboid form that infects gallinaceous birds, particularly turkeys, and causes significant mortality. There is currently no effective treatment for this disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the anti-histomonal activity of commercially available protease inhibitors, leupeptin, bestatin, and antipain, using an established in vitro model. Three protease inhibitors, leupeptin, bestatin, and antipain, were evaluated across five assays. Treatment groups included: 1) non-treated control, 2) leupeptin 100 µM, 3) bestatin hydrochloride 100 µM, and 4) antipain dihydrochloride 100 µM. Histomonads were enumerated using a hemocytometer after …

Modeling Hot Jupiter Atmospheres For The Classification Of Low Abundance Molecules, Mika Brown

Physics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Transmission spectroscopy is a powerful method for studying exoplanet atmospheres. With the recent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), several molecules have been successfully detected in hot Jupiter atmospheres at an unprecedented level of precision with transmission spectroscopy. To better understand current detection capabilities and limitations, this project used machine learning techniques to determine which molecules are currently identifiable at the spectral resolution and wavelength range of JWST’s NIRSpec instrument in PRISM mode. A large synthetic dataset of transmission spectra was first generated using the petitRADTRANS radiative transfer Python package. The resulting spectra were then used to train …