Digital Commons Network^™

Mitochondrial Utilization Of Competing Fuels Is Altered In Insulin Resistant Skeletal Muscle Of Non-Obese Rats (Goto-Kakizaki), Nicola Lai, Ciarán E. Fealy, Chinna M. Kummitha, Silvia Cabras, John P. Kirwan, Charles L. Hoppel

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Aim: Insulin-resistant skeletal muscle is characterized by metabolic inflexibility with associated alterations in substrate selection, mediated by peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor 𝜹 (PPAR𝜹). Although it is established that PPAR𝜹 contributes to the alteration of energy metabolism, it is not clear whether it plays a role in mitochondrial fuel competition. While nutrient overload may impair metabolic flexibility by fuel congestion within mitochondria, in absence of obesity defects at a mitochondrial level have not yet been excluded. We sought to determine whether reduced PPAR𝜹 content in insulin-resistant rat skeletal muscle of a non-obese rat model of T2DM (Goto-Kakizaki, GK) ameliorate the inhibitory effect …

The Impact Of Cultural Values In Advertising On Saudi Consumers’ Loyalty, Abdullah Mohammed Bajaber

Theses and Dissertations

Advertising has been one of the most effective elements of marketing communication used to persuade audiences to behave in a certain way. Many studies have examined factors that affect ads positively. Increasing loyalty was classified as the primary goal of companies. Thus, advertisements were commonly used to achieve this goal. On the other hand, even though many studies discussed advertising elements that might generate negative impacts, the possible results of these ads were not sufficiently addressed. Through the theory of planned behavior, this study aimed to explore the role of the cultural value as an element impacting loyalty negatively by …

English Language Learner Teachers’ Perceptions Of Digital Games On Student Learning, Khalifa Alshaya

Theses and Dissertations

This body of work contains three articles that examine the intersectionality between English Language Learner (ELL) teachers and digital games. The purpose of the study is to qualitatively explore the perception of ELL teachers’ use of digital games as educational tools and whether they realize the potential to promote language learning for ELLs. This study aims to understand the lived experiences of ELL teachers to identify their viewpoint of language learning through gaming. The work focuses particularly on the teacher in an effort to contribute empirical work that supports the need for a more holistic approach to digital games in …

Physical Activity And Depression In Mothers Of A Child With A Special Health Care Need: Informing Future Interventions, Brianna Jean Black

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, approximately 20 percent of all children have a special health care need. Additionally, mothers of a child with a special health care need have worse overall well-being, mental and physical health compared to mothers of typically developing children. Physical activity may improve depressive symptoms and overall health in these mothers; however, little is known about the acceptability of physical activity interventions for mothers of a child with a special health care need. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to understand more about mother’s desire to use physical activity to improve depressive symptoms after having …

Twice-Exceptional College Students Narratives: When Giftedness And Mental Health Intersect, Emily Dubord Hill

Theses and Dissertations

Gifted college students often arrive at universities with high GPAs and/or ACT/SAT scores. Their achievements in extracurricular activities such as in the arts, athletics, service, and leadership are well beyond the average student. To admissions representatives and faculty, these students look well-adjusted and successful on paper. However, many of these gifted college students come with unique challenges that go misunderstood, ignored, and underserved during their years in higher education—specifically involving their mental health.

There are copious amounts of literature on gifted K-12 students and their mental health behaviors but very limited research done on the gifted college student population. Although …

The Impact Of Co-Witness Misinformation On Memory For A Traumatic Event, Kira Krupa

Theses and Dissertations

The misinformation effect has long been studied, but little research has examined how misleading post-event information affects traumatic memory. Misinformation presented by a cowitness has been found to be particularly powerful, often producing the strongest effects on eyewitness memory. The current study sought to analyze the impact of co-witness misinformation on memory for a traumatic event. Participants viewed a short film displaying a gruesome murder and completed an immediate recall test. After a short delay, participants read a narrative summary of the film (accurate or misleading), with some being told the narrative was written by another eyewitness. A subsequent recall …

Characterizing Palmitoylation On The Sodium Hydrogen Exchanger Isoform 1 (Nhe1), Moriah Hovde

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the role of palmitoylation in regulating the sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) and associated cellular functions as well as how various phosphorylation pathways alter NHE1 palmitoylation. Palmitoylation is the only known reversible lipid modification, allowing for the dynamic regulation of palmitoylated proteins not found with other lipid modifications. NHE1 regulates intracellular pH (pHi) by exchanging an extracellular sodium for an intracellular hydrogen. Additionally, NHE1 is involved in regulating cell volume, cytoskeletal organization, protein anchoring, cell migration, and cell proliferation. NHE1 is highly regulated by protein interactions and modifications including phosphorylation. To begin, the first study …

Parental Practices And Home Environmental Influences On Children’S Physical Activity In A Controlled Lab Setting: An Observational Study, Tia Klein

Theses and Dissertations

There has been a rise of obesity in children, adolescents, and adults over the past decades. This rise in obesity has led to many health concerns such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, some cancers and depression. Physical activity [PA] has been shown to decrease these risks and aid in positive growth and development for children and adolescents. The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between parental and child PA in a controlled lab experiment. The secondary aim was to examine parental practices (physical and social home environment) and their influences on children’s PA in a controlled …

Home Range And Habitat Selection Of Gray Wolves (Canis Lupus) On Red Lake Indian Reservation And Surrounding Areas, June Levin

Theses and Dissertations

Every animal requires space where they can perform activities to survive and reproduce. For land animals, components of space use include area and habitat. Because most land animals are living on a human dominated landscape, understanding home range area and habitat needs is critical to their conservation. This is particularly relevant for threatened or endangered species such as the gray wolf (Canis lupus). The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources estimates home ranges and habitat use of wolves in northwestern Minnesota; however, a subset of this population lives within the bounds of Red Lake Indian Reservation, where The Red Lake Band …

Pilot Perception Of Automation Use: A Generational Assessment, Ryan Leadens

Theses and Dissertations

As flight deck technology has become more advanced, the pilot–machine interaction has become a larger point of emphasis in pilot training programs. Increasing demand for air travel in future decades will create greater need for highly accurate and reliable navigation systems. These systems reduce a pilots’ exposure to “stick and rudder” skills while increasing the knowledge and situational awareness required to operate safely.

It is imperative that pilots are properly trained on these systems prior to conducting line operations. In order to create an efficient and effective training program, it is important to understand how pilots perceive their role on …

A Study Of The Feasibility Of Growth, Extraction, And Industrial Scale Up Processing Of Microalgae Lipids., Jasmine Oleksik

Theses and Dissertations

The interest in microalgae as a plausible alternative to crop oils as a raw material in the form of triglycerides and free fatty acids (FA oils) for renewable fuels and chemicals is increasing and it is a widespread research topic at the lab scale. Microalgae contain a higher lipid content on a dry weight basis compared to oilseeds such as soybeans. Additionally, the growth and cultivation cycle of microalgae is 15 days, in comparison to soybeans where the cycle occurs once or twice annually. Despite these advantages, to date it has been uneconomical to produce microalgae oils in a world-scale …

Cellphones, Sexting And Crime: An Examination Of College Student Practices, Melissa Spelchen

Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory dissertation research involves assessing the prevalence of sexting (sending, receiving and/or forwarding of sexually explicit images with your smart phone) that is taking place among young adults on a Midwest college campus. Other key findings include: a profile of those who sext whether in a conformist or non-conformist manner, and those who do not sext, profiles of and the toll on self-reported victims of the behavior, sexting motivations, and the possible connection to prevalent smart phone ownership. In addition, North Dakota is one of a few states that has a law prohibiting some forms of sexting; therefore, this …

Coupled Simulation Of Hydraulic Fracturing, Production, And Refracturing For Unconventional Reservoirs, Xincheng Wan

Theses and Dissertations

Horizontal well drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing are two key techniques for the development of unconventional reservoir. However, the production from tight formation is associate with fast depletion of reservoir. When oil price is low, drilling new horizontal wells is not profitable. Creating secondary fractures from existing hydraulic fractured wells, i.e., refracture is an alternative method to increase stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) and gain additional production from existing hydraulic fractured wells. To optimize refracturing well selection and operation, it’s of economic importance to acquire knowledge from initial hydraulic fracturing operation, production history, and refracturing design perspectives. This initiated the idea …

Organizational Management Of Distance Learning: An Analysis Of Teacher Feedback Throughout Hampton Roads Public High Schools During The Covid-19 Pandemic Response, Cody P. Trudeau

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

Public schools throughout the United States experienced closures and transitions to online curriculum in the spring of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many of the policies and strategies implemented to manage teaching faculty were hastily designed and employed out of necessity. This study sought to examine organizational management policies and strategies throughout public high schools in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia through teaching faculty perspectives. This cross-sectional study examined descriptive and correlational statistics of survey responses to determine and evaluate how schools managed communication, responsibilities and delegation, and training for distance learning in order to provide policy …

Tilted Literature Review, Molly Goldman

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In my research, I will be conducting a literature review that looks into several aspects of the 'tilted' phenomenon. My research collection will include several psychological functions in conflict and how they relate to the titled definition. First, I will be looking into how individual conflict affects the team's performance. I will also be researching affect management in real-time and different strategies for managing emotions under high-stress conditions. The goals of this project are to bring forward data on how to help Esports teams effectively manage their emotions while in high-stress situations. This research will help to identify both individual …

A Justification For Continued Management Of Turfgrass During Economic Contraction, James T. Brosnan, Ambika Chandra, Roch E. Gaussoin, Alec Kowalewski, Bernd Leinauer, Frank S. Rossi, Douglas J. Soldat, John C. Stier, J. Bryan Unruh

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

A novel coronavirus, termed COVID-19, spread worldwide and become a global pandemic in 2020. Forecasts show that COVID-19 will cause substantial economic contraction affecting almost every industry. Managed turfgrass, particularly in urban settings, has many positive societal and environmental benefits. In a contracted economy, will resources be available to manage turfgrass to achieve these benefits? In this paper, we outline the benefits of managed turfgrass on golf courses, playing fields, recreational parks, and urban landscapes to assist decision makers with resource allocation in the COVID-19 era.

Development Of The Conflict Management Skills Beliefs Scale, Christina Anne Bancroft

Theses and Dissertations

The present study explored the development and initial validation of measure of conflict management, a skill often taught in school-based social-emotional learning (SEL) programs. There is a gap in existing scales that measure conflict management skills for children and adolescents. The scales that do exist for children or adolescents (CONFLICTALK, Kimsey & Fuller, 2003; Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory [CRSI], Bonache et al., 2016) often measure conflict styles rather than skills, do not have a theoretical basis, and or have limited norming information or are normed on populations (and languages) outside of the United States.

Our purpose was to develop and …

The State Of Sustainable Agriculture And Agroecology Research And Impacts: A Survey Of U.S. Scientists, Marcia Delonge, Tali Robbins, Andrea D. Basche, Lindsey Haynes-Maslow

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

A growing body of research suggests that although sustainable agriculture, particularly agroecology, can address challenges such as those related to climate change, ecosystem services, food insecurity, and farmer livelihoods, the transition to such systems remains limited. To gain insight into the state of U.S. sustainable agriculture and agroecology, we developed a 28-question mixed-method survey that was administered to scientists in these fields. Respondents (N=168) represented diverse locations, institutions, and career stages. They offered varied definitions of sustainable agriculture, with 40% considering economic and social well-being to be core components. Respondents identified the amount and duration of public research …

Soul Food: [Re]Framing The African-American Farming Crisis Using The Culture-Centered Approach, Andrew Laurence Carter, Adam Alexander

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Historically, African-American farmers faced a long and challenging struggle to own land and operate independently. In recent years, several factors, including unfair policy legislation, institutionalized racism, the mechanization of agriculture, and increases in agricultural technology have exacerbated land loss and decreases in farm ownership. Currently, African-American farmers are vastly underrepresented, comprising just 2% of the nation's farmers, 0.5% of farmland and 0.2% of total agricultural sales. As a site for inquiry, this topic has been examined across many academic sub-disciplines, however, the literature has not yet explored how the erasure of the African-American farmer influences the conversation about broader diet-related …

Navigating Refugee Subjecthood: Cambodian American Education, Identity, And Resilience, Yvonne Y. Kwan

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

To investigate trauma formation associated with the intricacy of Cambodian-specific experiences, this study examines how refugee identities and daily diasporic experiences shape the larger subject positions of subsequent generations—particularly through the concept of refugee subjecthood. Cambodia American students’ navigation of ethnic and racial identity reveals that in comparison to the available discursive narratives about their history (given to them through multicultural education), the younger generations’ is an inexact fit. To draw out the relationships between collective feelings and social experiences, this article addresses how Cambodian American students not only come into recognition about their positions as refugee subjects but also …

Determination Of Demagnetizing Factors Using First-Order Reversal Curves And Ferromagnetic Resonance, K. S. Muster, R. Heindl

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

We present a method to quantitatively analyze magnetizing or demagnetizing interactions in arrayed nano-magnets by combining first-order reversal curve (FORC) and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurement data. We develop a function to predict the resulting FORC distribution given: (1) a Gaussian intrinsic distribution in terms of the internal field and (2) a mean interaction field proportional to the sample's magnetic moment. We then perform least-squares regression of our model on experimental FORC measurements of a nanowire array and of a thin film. Combining the obtained interaction field with an FMR fit result allows us to algebraically solve for the effective axial …

Electromagnetic-Circuital-Thermal Multiphysics Simulation Method: A Review, Huan Huan Zhang, Pan Pan Wang, Shuai Zhang, Long Li, Ping Li, Wei E.I. Sha, Li (Lijun) Jun Jiang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Electromagnetic-circuital-thermal multiphysics simulation is a very important topic in the field of integrated circuits (ICs), microwave circuits, antennas, etc. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the state of the art of electromagnetic-circuital-thermal multiphysics simulation method. Most efforts were focused on electromagnetic-circuital co-simulation and electromagnetic-thermal cosimulation. A brief introduction of related theories like governing equations, numerical methods, and coupling mechanisms is also included.

Pregnancy Intentions And Outcomes Among Transgender, Nonbinary, And Gender-Expansive People Assigned Female Or Intersex At Birth In The United States: Results From A National, Quantitative Survey, Heidi Moseson, Laura Fix, Jen Hastings, Ari Stoeffler, Mitchell R. Lunn, Annesa Flentje, Micah E. Lubensky, Matthew R. Capriotti, Sachiko Ragosta, Hannah Forsberg, Juno Obedin-Maliver

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: Transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive (TGE) people experience pregnancy. Quantitative data about pregnancy intentions and outcomes of TGE people are needed to identify patterns in pregnancy intentions and outcomes and to inform clinicians how best to provide gender-affirming and competent pregnancy care. Aims: We sought to collect data on pregnancy intentions and outcomes among TGE people assigned female or intersex at birth in the United States. Methods: Collaboratively with a study-specific community advisory team, we designed a customizable, online survey to measure sexual and reproductive health experiences among TGE people. Eligible participants included survey respondents who identified as a man …

The Footprint Of The Chinese Petro-Dragon: The Future Of Investment Law In Transboundary Resources, Guillermo J. Garcia Sanchez

Faculty Scholarship

Chinese offshore investments in the oil and gas sector around the world are on the rise. Like dragons roaming the seas trying to dominate the tides, Chinese state-owned companies are particularly eager to bid for oil fields in maritime borderlines. The article tells the story of how Chinese state-owned companies are over paying for oil on the US-Mexico boundary to gather experience on how China’s global competitors handle resource development conflicts. My argument is that Chinese participation in transboundary field development fits within a long-term strategy to master international legal regimes. The presence of these petro-dragons in borderlines is an …

In Times Of Chaos: Creating Blueprints For Law School Responses To Natural Disasters, Jeffrey R. Baker, Christine E. Cerniglia, Davida Finger, Luz E. Herrera, Jonel Newman

Faculty Scholarship

A recent onslaught of domestic natural disasters created acute, critical needs for legal services for people displaced and harmed by storms and fires. In 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Michael struck much of Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico, displacing millions from their homes. Wildfires burned throughout California and tested the capacity of pro bono and legal aid systems across the state. In 2018, Hurricane Florence flooded North Carolina, and Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle. California again suffered wildfires, the largest and most devastating in recorded history. Natural disasters are both more common and more destructive, the “new abnormal.” …

Goodbye To Concurring Opinions, Meg Penrose

Faculty Scholarship

Modern Supreme Court opinions are too long. They are too fractured. And they often lack clarity. Separate opinions, particularly concurring opinions, are largely to blame. Today’s justices are more inclined to publish separate opinions than their predecessors.The justices do not want to read lengthy briefs but appear willing to publish lengthy opinions. Yet the justices owe us clarity. They should want the law to be understandable—and understood. In hopes of achieving greater legal clarity, this article calls for an end to concurring opinions.

The modern Court writes more separate opinions than past courts. It is becoming far too common that …

Why Protect Unauthorized Workers? Imperfect Proxies, Unaccountable Employers, And Antidiscrimination Law's Failures, Angela D. Morrison

Faculty Scholarship

This article explores a gap in the scholarship regarding the unauthorized workplace. It describes and names the two main justifications on which advocates and courts have relied to extend federal antidiscrimination protections to unauthorized workers. First, the proxy justification insists that workplace protections must include unauthorized workers because their protection is necessary to protect U.S. citizen and authorized workers. Second, the deterrence/accountability justification states that workplace protections must include unauthorized workers because it will deter employers from future violations of antidiscrimination laws and hold them accountable for violations of immigration law. While these justifications have led to some protection for …

Geographical Indications Of Origin, Economic Development, And Cultural Heritage: Good Match Or Mismatch?, Irene Calboli

Faculty Scholarship

In this article, I propose that geographical indications (GIs) carry important economic benefits. First, GIs are essential instruments to facilitate investments in high-quality products and niche markets, and promote local trade and development. Second, GIs offer an additional layer of information for consumers about the geographical origin and quality of the products they identify, in turn reducing the information asymmetries between producers and consumers. Third, because of this information function, GIs can assist in rewarding or holding producers accountable for their products based on the additional information they convey to the market. Yet, GIs can also protect culture-related interests and …

The U.S. Posture On Global Access To Medication & The Case For Change, Michael Palmedo, Srividhya Ragavan

Faculty Scholarship

The year 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of including intellectual property rights within the larger agenda of trade. While the marriage between trade and intellectual property was always uncomfortable, COVID-19 exposed the flaws, failures and the inadequacy of the trade agenda to harmonise intellectual property rights, particularly for patents in pharmaceuticals. Typically, the United States through its questionable United States Trade Representative (USTR) process exposed the vulnerabilities of the intellectual property systems of the rest of the world. COVID-19 exposed the manner in which the so-called ‘superior’ intellectual property regime of the US left the country with a weak health-care …

Survey Of Occupational Therapy Students' Attitudes, Knowledge And Preparedness For Treating Lgbt Clients, Deborah J. Bolding, Vivian Rodriguez, Helen Nguyen, Laurie A. Drabble

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Members of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) populations are sexual and gender minorities and are at risk for significant health disparities compared to heterosexual populations. This study examined occupational therapy students’ and recent graduates’ (n=435) basic knowledge, clinical preparedness and attitudinal awareness for working with LGBT clients using the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBT-DOCSS; Bidell, 2017). Students in the study generally rated themselves low (between three and four on a seven-point scale) on questions related to clinical preparedness, indicating they felt they did not have adequate training relative to working with LGBT clients. …