Digital Commons Network^™

Graduate Recital : Analysis Of Performed Works, Mary Morales

Theses and Dissertations

This independent study serves as an educational resource regarding the pieces which I performed for my graduate recital. It includes information about the works and their composers, as well as an analysis of each work that was performed, and overview of my experiences while learning the works. In my reflection of my experiences, I offer insight which may be used in the instruction of these works and advice for what students may find most difficult pertaining to them. This paper is organized in the program order of the recital. Each section will begin with information about the composers and historical …

Perceptions Of Sexual Refusals: Not So Black And White, Lavina Ying Ho

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sexual assault is an issue affecting approximately 1 in 5 women. Compared to White women, Black women report higher rates of lifetime rape, are at risk of developing physical/mental health issues post-assault (e.g., depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse), and are less likely to engage in help-seeking after sexual victimization. Research reveals the manner in which a woman refuses a sexual advance can influence a man’s perceptions of the genuineness of her refusal. Sexual refusals that are explicit (e.g., not wanting to have sex due to religious beliefs) are identified more quickly as violating a woman’s boundaries than sexual …

3d Reinforced Composite Face Sheets And Functionally Graded Polymeric Foam Cores For Blast And Impact Hazard Mitigation, Suman Babu Ukyam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lightweight sandwich structures are being used in aeronautics, marine, automotive, and offshore structural applications considering their high specific strength and stiffness along with energy absorption features. Sandwich structures comprise of face sheets typically made of aluminum or fiber-reinforced composites bonded to core materials like metallic foams, honeycomb, polymeric foams or balsa wood having a cellular structure. One main limitation of composite material face sheet is the absence of fibers in thickness direction, which greatly reduces damage tolerance and impact resistance. Current research is focused on investigating the dynamic behavior of sandwich structures having composite laminates with 3D reinforcement as face …

Poetry, Prose, And The Loss Of Verse, Jackson Rowe

Honors Theses

In this essay, I argue that the presence of verse in a text initiates a mutually generative relationship between a text’s sonic and semantic qualities, and that critics’ tendency to praise great prose passages as “poetic” is a result of poetry’s historical connection to verse and the semantic elegance which said verse tends to inspire. I base this argument on Fredrich Nietzsche’s first book, The Birth of Tragedy, and explore, through it, various examples of prosimetrum - that is, works combining poetry and prose.

On The Rise: Asian American Women Elected To The Massachusetts House Of Representatives, Katie Mai, Center For Women In Politics And Public Policy, University Of Massachusetts Boston, Institute For Asian American Studies, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

Comprised of 160 State Representatives and 40 State Senators, the bicameral Massachusetts Legislature serves all residents and communities of the Commonwealth yet there has been limited racial, ethnic, and gender diversity reflected in the membership of the legislature for most of its existence. While Massachusetts has a substantial and rapidly growing Asian American population, there has historically been very limited representation by Asian American women in the Massachusetts Legislature, as documented by the Asian American Commission of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts1, yet 2011 represented a turning point. This brief focuses on the narratives of five Asian American women who have …

Revised Draft Final Solid Media Management Program Plan, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Research, Analysis And Conservation Treatment Of A 19th Century Watercolor, Abby Schleicher

Art Conservation Master's Projects

This project focused on a watercolor from the mid- nineteenth century referred to as [Sailboats and Windmill] by Edward Tucker. The research concentrated on the popularity of watercolors in Britain in the 18th and 19th century along with the techniques and materials developed around this time. Visual examination along with multi-modal imaging techniques and scientific analysis utilizing X-ray fluorescence and Micro-Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Spectroscopy aided understanding and identification of materials.

Swosu Standing Committees 2022-2023, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

University Standing Committees

No abstract provided.

Characterization And Selection Of Hop Cultivars Adapted To Nebraska, Kristina Alas

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) is an ingredient in the beer brewing industry that provides beer its flavor and aroma. High demand from the brewing industry has encouraged production outside of the traditional Pacific Northwest, the primary production region. Producers in the Midwest are attempting to grow cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest, but environmental differences have caused low yields and changes in secondary metabolite content. To aid producers, a regional breeding program was initiated to develop cultivars adapted to the Midwest. Success of any breeding program relies on the selection of genetically superior parents to generate progeny with the …

The Health Effects Of A Plant-Based Diet On The Human Gut Microbiome, Bryant T. Bell

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

The popularity of a plant-based diet is sweeping the western world. Markets and social media influencers are promoting and encouraging this dietary lifestyle. With people switching diets, research is needed to see how one’s gut microbiome and health are affected. In this review article, the health effect of a plant-based diet on the gut microbiota is evaluate. Over 15 articles contained research on the physiology of the gastrointestinal system, microbes in the gut, nutrition, and diets affecting health issues. It is concluded that a plant-based diet promotes good health and gut microbiome; however, there are some nutritional deficiencies that may …

Total Taxation: An Examination Of The Total Tax Burden Of Individuals In The West Michigan Area, Connor C. Meech

Honors Projects

Have you ever thought about how much you might pay in tax each year, across all tax types? If you have, a chill probably went down your spine before you gave up thinking about it. When the subject is brought up, most people think primarily of income. The truth of the matter is that income tax is far from the only tax we pay. Throughout the year, Americans may end up also paying sales tax, property tax, fuel taxes, various sin taxes, and estate tax, just to name a few. With so many ways to be taxed, some of which …

Habitats And Heritage: An Analysis Of The Natural And Cultural Resource Management Of The South Carolina Lowcountry, Patricia Ploehn

All Theses

The South Carolina Lowcountry is replete with cultural landscapes, each one featuring a unique collection of natural and cultural resources. These resources are valuable for their environmental and cultural heritage, a heritage which defines and benefits the communities who call the Lowcountry home. This study presents a comparative analysis of public and private land management organizations operating in the South Carolina Lowcountry. The purpose of this study is to compare how public and private organizations are currently managing natural and cultural resources on cultural landscapes that they protect and oversee. The history of federal and private land management was investigated …

The Digital Reconstruction And Simulation Of Civil War Garments Recovered From The H. L. Hunley, Hanna George

All Theses

Costumes are a crucial element in the representation of historical figures. Beyond reflecting aesthetic trends, clothing is closely intertwined with culture, economics, and the personal history of the individual who wore them. Fabric simulation allows for the digital creation and animation of garments too fragile or incomplete to be used directly in film or education. This thesis demonstrates the digital reconstruction of the clothing worn by H. L. Hunley crew member James Wicks. The H. L. Hunley is a submarine from the Civil War. It was the first in history to successfully sink an enemy ship, but never returned from …

Exploring Visitor Perceptions Of Popular Culture Tourism In Sleepy Hollow, New York, Danielle Baker Kreh

All Theses

Popular culture tourism can present itself in many forms including travel based on popular literature, film, and television series. Popular culture tourism destinations exist from the assumption that tourists wish to visit destinations based on their popular culture connections. In fact, destinations may choose to emphasize their popular culture connections for the purpose of attracting more visitors. Such is the case with Sleepy Hollow, New York, which has many popular culture connections including the original short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving. Using the village of Sleepy Hollow as an example, the purpose of this study is …

Spring Gobbling Chronology And Turkey Habitat Use In Upstate South Carolina, Janelle Grehan

All Theses

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a highly popular game species harvested primarily during the reproductive season, which has driven substantial efforts to understand patterns of springtime habitat use and gobbling activity. Autonomous recording units (ARUs) have enabled researchers to collect unprecedented amounts of gobbling data, yet post hoc processing of audio data has been time-intensive due to false detection rates. Gobbling activity has been studied in the South Carolina Coastal Plain, but data for the Upstate are lacking. My objectives were to assess seasonal and weekly gobbling activity and turkey habitat use in Upstate South Carolina relative to …

The Physical Properties And Handling Characteristics Of Pelletized Biomass Materials, Ryan Dean

All Theses

Biomass and feed pellets can be handled and stored using similar equipment used for other bulk materials; however, their unique physical characteristics can lead to handling challenges. Understanding the flow characteristics of these materials is essential for handling and storage system design, but these characteristics are not well defined in less-than-ideal conditions. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate how moisture content and level of fines influence the angle of repose (AoR) of hardwood, pine bedding, and feed pellets along with determining the impacts of displacement on the shear stress of fuel pellets utilizing a modified linear wall …

Recruitment, Cost Indexes, And Management Of Box-Nesting Wood Ducks In South Carolina And North Carolina, Emily Miller

All Theses

The wood duck (Aix sponsa) has experienced one of the most significant declines and recoveries among species of North American waterfowl (Anatidae). With enactment of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) and installation of hundreds of thousands of artificial nest structures for this cavity-nesting species in North America, wood duck populations have recovered and remain a sustainable harvested resource. However, long-term research on box-nesting wood ducks conducted at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina, has revealed uncertainty as to whether recruitment rates of yearling females from natal box-nesting populations are self-sustaining without immigration of hens from …

Prototype For A Rural Primary Healthcare Center In Paraguay, Maria Virginia Matiauda Schneider

All Theses

Primary Health Care Centers in Paraguay are the architectural settings for the first level of access to healthcare in Paraguay, providing health promotion, pre- vention, diagnosis, treatment, and health education. These centers are built based on four standard typologies, of which two consist of permanent health- care facilities and two of satellite or mobile units. Standard designs for these centers typically consist of residential scaled buildings, with spaces linked by a single central circulation corridor and lacking adequate attention to ventilation and daylight.

The public healthcare system in Paraguay is organized around four levels of care, and the complexity and …

Reproductive Ecology And Microbial Communities From Wood Duck Nest Boxes In Georgia And Florida, Jake Shurba

All Theses

Wood ducks (Aix sponsa) are an important game species throughout the Atlantic Flyway that was nearly extirpated by the early 20^th century due to overhunting and the loss of habitat. Wood ducks are secondary cavity-nesters that utilize artificial nest boxes and natural cavities. It is reported that the use of nest boxes is likely what led to re-establishment of the species in North America. Where boxes are numerous, overuse of boxes by multiple hens throughout a nesting season can occur and result in a buildup of bacteria, parasites and other potentially detrimental pathogens that can impact egg …

Improved Molecular Detection Tools For The Invasive Crop Pest Helicoverpa Armigera (Hübner), Mitchell D. Rich

All Theses

Helicoverpa armigera is a major crop pest native to Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. H. armigera has recently invaded South America and has caused billions of dollars in agricultural losses. It is difficult to differentiate H. armigera from H. zea, a closely-related species native to North and South America. A few genetic tests have been previously developed to detect H. armigera DNA in pooled samples of moth legs. In this study, an improved qPCR melt curve assay with higher detection sensitivity and a field-based recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay were developed for specific detection of H. armigera DNA …

A Comparative Study Of Physical Cinematography That Influences Layouts In Animated Production, Daniel C. Hudson

All Theses

What makes good cinematography? There are many examples of cinematogra- phy that stand out in the minds of viewers, yet many cant exactly say with certainty why these shots are considered great. Is it because they convey the visual and emo- tional content of their stories successfully, the technical brilliance of the frame, or both? Whether realistic or exaggerated, the range of cinematography tools and tech- niques are proof that creativity and an eye for detail are the most important elements in great cinematography. Cinematography includes composition, movement, lighting, and other visual information within the frame. This is true in …

Depot-Specific Patterns Of Mrna And Mirna Gene Expression In Adipose Tissue From Texel-Cross And Suffolk Lambs, Aliute-Nkoyo Udoka

All Theses

This work hypothesizes that miR-199a-3p influences SCD-1 expression and monounsaturated fat content of lamb fat depots. The objectives of this study were to: 1) measure miR-199a-3p, SCD1, and fatty acid composition in various tissues (longissimus muscle and liver) and fat depots (omental, mesenteric, subcutaneous, intermuscular, perirenal) in Suffolk and Texel-sired lambs, and 2) evaluate the role of miR-199a-3p in adipocyte hypertrophy in ovine stromal vascular (SV) cells in vitro. Suffolk lambs (n=4) and Texel-Suffolk cross lambs (n=5) were finished to day 203 of age. The liver, the longissimus muscle, kidney fat, mesenteric fat, omental fat, subcutaneous fat, and intermuscular fat …

Tissue-Engineered Living Pulmonary Valve For Young Adult Patients, Erica Hoskins

All Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a non-communicable disease responsible for 659,000 deaths annually in the United States. While CVD can affect all components of the cardiovascular system, heart valve disease is responsible for 25,000 deaths yearly. Of specific interest is the pulmonary valve since there is limited research on resolving pathologies that affect it. Like the aortic and mitral valves, common pathologies include stenosis, regurgitation, and atresia. Notably, the pulmonary valve requires repair and replacement in pediatric patients and young adults due to congenital disabilities. Even with technological advances in valve replacements, limitations still present themselves for use with younger patients …

Shelf Life Of Aquaponically-Grown Finstar Lettuce In Different Oxygen Transmission Rate Films, Katherine White

All Theses

The effects of oxygen transmission rate of packaging material on the shelf life of aquaponically-grown Finstar lettuce was studied. Parameters of packaging headspace gas composition (oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations) and lettuce pH, percentage weight loss, total aerobic microorganisms, and color were analyzed every ten days for sixty days. Finstar lettuce was stored at 4^○C in four different types of packages (treatments), including a clamshell package and three film bags with oxygen transmission rates (OTR) of 3.0-6.0 cc/(m²/24 hr/1 atm), 80-90 cc/(m²/24 hr/1 atm), and >225 cc/(m²/24 hr/1 atm). Lettuce stored in …

Bioleaching Of Arsenic From Agricultural Soils, Zachary Gilstrap

All Theses

Arsenic is a ubiquitous trace metalloid. However, increasing concentrations of arsenic in soil and water is a problem the world faces due to inputs from anthropogenic sources such as mining, milling, agriculture, and coal ash. One method of remediation for these arsenic-contaminated sites is bioleaching. While it is most often used to extract metals from raw ore, it is a viable and environmentally friendly method to remove the same metals from soil. Bioleaching removes metals by cultivating living organisms such as the fungi Aspergillus niger (A.niger) or the bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans (T.ferrooxidans). This research aimed to investigate A. …

Isolation Of Proteins And Extracellular Vesicles Via Capillary-Channeled Polymer Fiber Stationary Phases, Lacey Billotto

All Theses

Capillary-channeled polymer (C-CP) fiber stationary phases have been developed by the Marcus lab as an alternative approach to traditional, commercially-available silica-based supports for biomacromolecule separations. C-CP columns are created with natural and synthetic base polymers in a variety of chemistries and shapes, allowing for customization of separations, while providing low material costs and ease of construction. The stationary phase is virtually nonporous with respect to the size of proteins and can operate under high linear velocities (~100 mm s^-1) while maintaining relatively low backpressures. As a result of these hydrodynamic benefits, low flow resistance at high volume flow …

Fabrication And Characterization Of Porous Biomaterial For Potential Antigen Delivery, Farah Shahjin

Theses & Dissertations

Polymeric porous particles are designed, prepared, and deployed for co-delivery of therapeutics, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In pharmaceutical sciences, particle shape, size, surface topography and porosity control cargo loading and material tuning. Herein, we characterized six branched aliphatic hydrocarbon-based porogens, formulated to create pores in multilayer microspheres. This was done to develop a simplified delivery platform through single emulsion solvent evaporation techniques. The effects of the porogens on various biocompatible polymers, that included polycaprolactone, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and polylactic acid, were tested by state-of-art solid state characterizations, along with the evaluation of biodegradation and cargo release parameters of the porous …

A Religious Right To Abortion: Legal History And Analysis, Law, Rights, And Religion Project

Center for Gender & Sexuality Law

There is a long and rich history of religious support, across a wide range of faith traditions, for the right to reproductive autonomy, including abortion. A number of religious denominations, including the Presbyterian Church, Reform and Conservative Judaism, the United Church of Christ, and the Unitarian Universalist Association, support a legal right to abortion in most or all circumstances. Several religious denominations have even — long before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization — issued statements explaining that the right to reproductive health care is an essential aspect of their members’ religious …

542 Murine Epidermis Harbors Functionally Distinct Langerhans Cell Subsets, Peter Dimitrion, Indra Adrianto, Yi Yao, Michael Pawlitz, Ian Loveless, Hongmei Peng

Dermatology Meeting Abstracts

Epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) derive from embryonic myeloid progenitors at the steady-state and monocyte progenitors under inflammatory conditions. LCs have the capacity to induce both immunity and tolerance in the skin, but how a single population of LCs mediates both these functions has perplexed researchers for decades. We hypothesized that LCs in murine epidermis have functionally heterogenous subpopulations. We employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) and scATACseq to identify transcriptional and epigenetic heterogeneity in LCs during late embryonic development, adult steady-state and inflamed-state. We found three transcriptionally distinct clusters in adult at steady-state: ATF3hiCD207lo (cLC1), ATF3loCD207hi (cLC2), and CD207+ cells expressing …

Paths To Research-Driven Decision Making In The Realms Of Environment And Water, Savannah Cooley, Amber Jenkins, Blake Schaeffer, Kat J. Bormann, Adel Abdallah, Forrest Melton, Stephanie Granger, Indrani Graczyk

AES Faculty Publications and Presentations

Now more than ever it is critical for researchers and decision makers to work together to improve how we manage and preserve the planet's natural resources. Water managers in the western U.S., as in many regions of the world, are facing unprecedented challenges including increasing water demands and diminishing or unpredictable supplies. The transfer of knowledge (KT) and technology (TT) between researchers and entities that manage natural resources can help address these issues. However, numerous barriers impede the advancement of such transfer, particularly between organizations that do not operate in a profit-oriented context and for which best practices for university-industry …