Digital Commons Network^™

An Assessment Of Sentencing Disparities By Race In The State Of Arkansas, Viola Schaeffer

Theses and Dissertations

Past research has found that there are often disparities in sentencing outcomes due to extralegal factors such as race, gender, age, socioeconomic status, education level, and geographic location. The most prominent and widely studied of these factors, however, is race. Specifically, studies have shown that minority offenders (e.g., African Americans) were more likely to receive a lengthier sentence than their White peers. The purpose of this thesis is thus to examine if there is racial bias in sentences levied to violent offenders in Arkansas. This is be done by analyzing sentencing data from the Arkansas Office of the Courts between …

Microbial Ecology Of Alpine Snows: Novel Approaches To Assess Spatial And Temporal Dynamics, Avery Ezra Tucker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Snow algae blooms and associated microbial communities play large roles in snow ecosystem processes. Patterns and mechanisms underpinning snow algae bloom spatial distribution and associated microbial community assembly dynamics are poorly understood. To bridge these gaps in knowledge, this dissertation focused on two broad areas: (1) mapping associations of microbial communities and environmental measures between/within snow algae blooms across diverse substrate categories and identifying significant associations between them; (2) metagenome sequencing, offering the first partial genome of Sanguina nivaloides, along with identification of putative functional pathways. Although snow algae are an enigmatic domain in microbial community research, due to the …

Exosome Shedding Is Concordant With Objective Treatment Response Rate And Stratifies Time To Progression In Treatment Naïve, Non-Resectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Kelley G. Núñez, Dorota Wyczechowska, Mina Hibino, Tyler Sandow, Juan Gimenez, Ali R. Koksal, Yucel Aydin, Srikanta Dash, Ari J. Cohen, Paul T. Thevenot

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Translational strategies to characterize and monitor extracellular vesicles such as exosome (EX) shedding and the clinical impact of this data within hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. In this study, EX shedding was assessed in early-stage HCC and evaluated as a stratification factor for time to progression (TTP) following first-cycle liver-directed therapy (LDT). Plasma EXs were isolated from HCC patients undergoing LDT using ultracentrifugation. Purified EXs were stained using markers CD9 and CD63 and quantified using an ImageStreamX flow cytometer. Circulating EXs expressing CD9 were isolated at 10-fold higher levels compared to CD63. The intensity of CD9+ EX shedding following LDT …

Addressing Water Hyacinth (Pontederia Crassipes) Impacts On Aquatic Biota In Lake Okeechobee, Joseph Salerno

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The incursion of water hyacinth, Pontederia crassipes in Lake Okeechobee has resulted in management systems to be implemented to reduce the coverage of the invasive macrophyte. Its residence in the Lake Okeechobee ecosystem and the effects it has on organisms in the lake, whether it be positive or harmful is unknown. This study attempted to assess the potential effects that water hyacinth has on aquatic biota in Lake Okeechobee. Biotic data were collected on open water, water hyacinth covered, and native vegetation covered habitats via hook-and-line fishing, electrofishing, baited minnow traps, and the sampling of plant roots over a thirteen-month …

Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling Of Internal Wave Interactions On Conch Reef, Florida Keys, Megan Miller

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Internal waves breaking on continental shelves play a significant role in mixing and nutrient delivery to coral reef ecosystems. As internal solitary waves, or solitons, propagate shoreward onto continental slopes, they can become unstable and break into turbulent bores that bring cool, nutrient-rich sub-thermocline water shoreward onto coral reefs. The propagation of turbulent bores generated by internal waves interacting with a complex surface creates high-frequency variabilities in the thermal and nutrient environment of Conch Reef in the Florida Keys, which has been studied previously. Here, I have created a three-dimensional model using ANSYS Fluent Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to …

Restoration Of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Susceptible Species In The Arrecife De Puerto Morelos National Park, Mexico Using Colony Microfragmentation, Marina Garmendia

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park (APMNP) has been a marine protected area in Mexico’s Mesoamerican Reef since 1998 and includes ~90 km² of coral reef. Significant declines in stony coral cover have been recorded within the APMNP, primarily due to increasing ocean temperatures and disease events which precipitated the need for active restoration activities. This study addressed if current APMNP conditions, in relation to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), are appropriate for the restoration of stony corals through outplanting SCTLD-susceptible species microfragments. In September 2022, three species (Montastraea cavernosa, Orbicella annularis, and O. faveolata) …

Visual Imagery Subcategories And Their Neural Associations, Miguel Ibarguren

Undergraduate Scholarship and Creative Works

This literature review compiles research findings related to the brain areas associated with various visual imagery subcategories and explores their contributions to them. Through a search procedure, four research projects were used to identify ten distinct brain areas that demonstrated greater involvement in visual imagery. The visual imagery subcategories discussed in these research projects, and investigated in this review, include scene construction, episodic memory, imagery vividness, and visuospatial imagery. Scene construction was found to utilize the parahippocampal gyrus, hippocampus, retrosplenial cortex, and posterior parietal cortex. Episodic memory involves the same areas as scene construction, but also includes the precuneus and …

Oliver Agee Catfish Neurocranium, Charlotte R. Oliver, Kristina Agee, David Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

Neurocranium from 10.7 cm total length, [Catfish], collected by [Kerstetter].

Occupational And Environmental Factors Influencing Morale Of United States Federal Wildland Firefighters, Rachel M. Granberg, Ting Shen, Seth W. Pearson, Robin M. Verble

Psychological Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background. Wildland firefighters have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that can result in social, economic and health-related stress. Previous studies have examined the physiological and physical effects of a career in wildland fire, but fewer studies have addressed psychological effects, and to date, none have directly analyzed the hiring and work experiences of wildland firefighters. Aims. We surveyed work experiences, health and well-being, and morale of wildland firefighters, explored factors that can improve recruitment and retention, and summarized broad patterns. Methods. We conducted a voluntary anonymous survey of 708 federal wildland firefighters via an online platform over 2 months in …

Pathogenicity Of Acinetobacter Calcoaceticus, Kaitlan A. Sullivan

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Acinetobacter is a genus of gram-negative bacteria that have been appearing frequently in hospitals contributing to infections in the blood, lungs, urinary tract, and other parts of the body. It infects patients with weakened immune systems that are placed on ventilators, after the use of catheters, or have any other open wounds produced by prolonged hospital stays. This genus of bacteria is problematic due to its high probability of becoming resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics. Thus, we are determining the pathogenicity of clinical isolates of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus using the organism Caenorhabditis elegans as a model.

We are testing …

Investigating The Impact Of Transcription On Mutation Rates, Sarah Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

tRNA genes are highly transcribed and perform one of the most fundamental cellular functions. Although a universal pattern observed across all three domains of life is that highly transcribed genes tend to evolve slowly, tRNA genes have been shown previously to evolve rapidly. This rapid sequence evolution could result from relaxed selection, increased mutation rate, or a combination of both. Here, we use mutation-accumulation line sequencing data to show that tRNA genes accumulate more mutations than other gene types. Our results indicate that this elevated mutation rate is a consequence of both elevated transcription-associated mutagenesis and a lack of transcription-coupled …

Effects Of Supplementing Sources Of Zinc On Digestibility Parameters Of Beef Steers, Arminda Spikes James

Theses and Dissertations

Zinc (Zn) has numerous functions and life sustaining processes depend on the presence of Zn within the body. Zinc sulfate is a common form of Zn supplemented in the beef industry. Inorganic sulfate based minerals have been associated with negative rumen effects, mainly, decreased rumen fermentation and protozoa numbers. Our studies concluded no difference in digestibility of three different forms of Zn (zinc glycinate, zinc sulfate, and zinc hydroxychloride). Although overall digestibility did not change, there were specific mineral concentration differences after steers consumed concentrate treatment for 10 days. These differences implied that the mineral fed was consumed and absorbed …

The Development Of A Young Adults Cancer Patient Peer Match Application, Mojde Kalantari

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the challenges and needs of young adult cancer patients, along with potential online resources to aid them, that includes social media, public and private organizations, and mobile applications. The focus of this research narrows down to communication and social networking mobile applications, particularly those with peer matching features. Although there are only three social apps in this category, a comprehensive analysis was undertaken. The research aims to underscore the need for a dedicated mobile application that connects young adult cancer patients with the same diagnosis. In response to this need, a mobile app named "YA Peer Match" …

Assessing University Dance Programs: Evaluating The Dance Education Vs Performance Majors For Teacher Preparedness, Kionna N. Burgess

Master's Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to analyze how universities are preparing all dancers for the option of becoming a dance educator outside of training in dance technique. The researcher evaluated current dance educators in K-12 public education schools on their level of preparation from their chosen undergraduate and graduate programs for dance education. There were two research instruments used in this study: online surveys and online interviews completed by the dance educators. The data suggested that there is a need for more undergraduate and graduate dance programs to provide adequate teacher preparation training for those who may enter …

Redefining "Beneficial Use" To Combat Water Scarcity, Genene Adams

Texas A&M Law Review

Many western states in the U.S. are experiencing severe or exceptional drought, where water shortages are common, widespread, and have created troubling emergency conditions. How long these droughts plaguing the West will last is unknown. What is evident, however, is water use under a wellestablished doctrine must change in order to ensure communities do not run out of water. As a decades-long drought persists, frequent higher-than-average temperatures linger due to climate change, and population growth skyrockets, the need to implement a narrower standard for water use in the West is critical.

The purpose of this Comment is to propose an …

Flexible Multifunctional Titania Nanotube Array Platform For Biological Interfacing, Hoda Amani Hamedani, Thomas Stegall, Yi Yang, Haochen Wang, Ashwin Menon, Anubhuti Bhalotia, Efstathios Karathanasis, Jeffrey R. Capadona, Allison E. Hess-Dunning

Faculty Scholarship

The current work presents a novel flexible multifunctional platform for biological interface applications. The use of titania nanotube arrays (TNAs) as a multifunctional material is explored for soft-tissue interface applications. In vitro biocompatibility of TNAs to brain-derived cells was first examined by culturing microglia cells—the resident immune cells of the central nervous system on the surface of TNAs. The release profile of an anti-inflammatory drug, dexamethasone from TNAs-on-polyimide substrates, was then evaluated under different bending modes. Flexible TNAs-on-polyimide sustained a linear release of anti-inflammatory dexamethasone up to ~11 days under different bending conditions. Finally, microfabrication processes for patterning and transferring …

Improving Access To Early Interventions For Prediabetic Patients, Kimberleigh M. Telling

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Approximately 88 million Americans, or nearly one-third of the population, have prediabetes. This condition has a high rate of progression to type 2 diabetes, reaching 70%. However, early identification, diagnosis, and participation in lifestyle interventions can effectively reduce the risk and promote euglycemia. Regrettably, 85% of those with prediabetes are unaware. The goal of this quantitative quality improvement project was to enhance the use of the prediabetes diagnosis code by primary care providers, who play a crucial role in preventing type 2 diabetes. The purpose was to improve access to early intervention for individuals with prediabetes, following the guidelines of …

A Tunable System For High Frequency Bioimpedance Plethysmography, Daniel H. Tebbs

Theses and Dissertations

Bioimpedance measurements are useful for determining a variety of biological conditions. By accounting for small impedance variations due to the arterial pulse, the effect of the blood can be studied more closely. The quasi-circulator system presented enables monitoring of pulsatile impedance changes with input frequencies above 1 MHz. The adjustable Rmatch allows for dynamic tuning of the system to increase sensitivity. By tuning Rmatch to be near the match point, the pulsatile signal in the output magnitude can be amplified, and tuning Rmatch to be at the match point causes the pulsatile signal in the output phase to be amplified. …

Modeling X-Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism (Xdp) In Patient-Derived Medium Spiny Neurons, Shivani Aryal

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder that results in the loss of striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). XDP is an X-linked disorder caused by disease-specific mutations around the TAF1 gene. This thesis highlights the utility of directly reprogrammed MSNs from fibroblasts of affected XDP as a platform that captures cellular and epigenetic phenotypes associated with XDP neurodegeneration. In addition, this thesis demonstrates the neuroprotective effect of SAK3 currently tested in other neurodegenerative diseases. XDP fibroblasts from three independent patients as well as age- and sex-matched control fibroblasts were used to generate MSNs using miRNA-9/9*-124 and the transcription factors …

Functional Role Of Toll-Like Receptor Associated Micrornas In Intervertebral Disc Pathophysiology, Petra Cazzanelli

Theses

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is one of the main contributing factors to low back pain (LBP), the leading cause of years lived in disability worldwide. The degenerative processes in the IVD tissue are characterized by the metabolic dysregulation of IVD cells and aberrant mechanical loading. The major hallmarks of this multifactorial pathology are the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), inflammation, and cell loss. Inflammation has been specifically linked to the development of discogenic LBP, as increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines can cause the infiltration of immune cells and nerve fibers. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are key regulators of inflammation, amongst …

Adaptive Social Distancing Strategies For Controlling Infection Inequality In Emerging Infectious Diseases, Asma Azizi, Caner Kazanci, Sunmi Lee

Faculty Articles

People fare in outbreaks of emerging infections based on social factors shaping their exposure and vulnerability to the virus. This different exposure cause a disproportionate share of prevalence among people with various socioeconomic statuses. Therefore, socioeconomic-based control strategies are needed to control the discrepancy in prevalence among socioeconomic groups. We propose and analyze a SIR mathematical model that is grouped based on individuals' income level (representing socioeconomic status). For the model's parameter, we use properties of a real-world social network of individuals residing in New Orleans, Louisiana. We then distribute the social distancing practice among different groups to minimize a …

Stress-Related Biosocial Mechanisms Of Discrimination And African American Health Inequities, Bridget J. Goosby, Jacob E. Cheadle, Colter Mitchell

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

This review describes stress-related biological mechanisms linking interpersonal racism to life course health trajectories among African Americans. Interpersonal racism, a form of social exclusion enacted via discrimination, remains a salient issue in the lives of African Americans, and it triggers a cascade of biological processes originating as perceived social exclusion and registering as social pain. Exposure to discrimination increases sympathetic nervous system activation and upregulates the HPA axis, increasing physiological wear and tear and elevating the risks of cardiometabolic conditions. Consequently, discrimination is associated with morbidities including low birth weight, hypertension, abdominal obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Biological measures can provide …

Evaluating Post-Release Survival And Habitat Utilization Of Undersized Swordfish (Xiphias Gladius) Caught By The U.S Pelagic Longline Fishery In The Western North Atlantic, Zachery Young

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

This study used survivorship pop-up archival tags (sPAT) tags to determine the post-release survival and habitat use from twenty-four undersized swordfish captured in the northwest Atlantic Ocean during normal operation within the commercial U.S pelagic longline industry. From these deployments, sixteen tags were used to determine post-release survival, and eight of the surviving tags were used to analyze short-term habitat utilization. Mortality was estimated to be 43.8% and was not significantly affected by variables such as fish size, latitude caught, or horizontal distance traveled. The relatively high mortality, in combination with the high at-haulback mortality reported in previous studies, does …

The Effects Of Intermittent Fasting On Female Athletes: A Systematic Review, Courtnie Scarbrough

Theses and Dissertations

The intermittent fasting diet has a historical past, but recently, it has regained popularity as a weight loss strategy for the general public. Athletes have also picked up this specialized diet in search of a competitive edge. There are ample studies testing athletes of all levels, but most do not include females or report sex-specific results. This systematic review aimed to identify current research on the effects of intermittent fasting in the understudied population of female athletes. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in three databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, …

Development Of An Automated Delivery System To Apply Copper Sulfate Crystals Using Precision Dry Fertilizer Application Technology, Kevin Charles Wise

Theses and Dissertations

The digenetic trematode, Bolbophorus damnificus, poses a substantial threat to catfish aquaculture, causing significant economic losses. Infestations lead to suppressed feed consumption, secondary bacterial infections and poor production performance. Survey data reveals widespread infestation in the in the southeastern United States. Current control strategies involve the application of a concentrated copper sulfate solution to reduce snail populations which serve as the first intermediate host of the trematode life cycle. This study aimed to improve treatment efficacy by developing a granular copper sulfate application system. A modified Gandy fertilizer applicator, equipped with a programmable control system, demonstrated accurate distribution of copper …

Factors In Depopulation Trends Among Young Adults In Rural Areas In Mississippi, Katherine H. Ellard

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine why young adults are leaving rural Mississippi towns and not returning to those areas. Research objectives were to 1) describe the characteristics of young adults who have left rural areas in the last ten years , 2) identify specific reasons why young adults choose to leave where they were raised, and 3) identify factors that would attract young people to return to rural areas in Mississippi.

Findings from this study indicated young adults were leaving rural areas for better educational and job opportunities, but some were relocating to other areas within Mississippi …

Design, Development, And Validation Of A Perfusion-Compression Bioreactor To Study Osteogenesis In Bone Explants, Alexis Victoria Graham

Theses and Dissertations

The current gold standard treatment for bone defects is autologous cancellous bone graft, which involves increased surgery time and donor site morbidity, and limited supply of bone and cells for regeneration. Bioreactors may aid in the generation of mechanically conditioned bone grafts with more cells compared to traditional grafts. However, the specific parameters of fluid flow and mechanical loading which contribute to osteogenesis and cell viability in bioreactors are not fully characterized. Here, a perfusion-compression bioreactor system was developed to study osteogenesis in porcine trabecular bone explants. Loading accuracy was over 88% across six bioreactors at a 0.1 s-1 strain …

Probing The Biophysical Interactions Between Autolysin Proteins And Polystyrene Surfaces, Radha Paramee Wadduwage

Theses and Dissertations

Biofilms formed on medical devices pose significant challenges, compromising device efficiency and serving as sources of infection. Staphylococcus epidermidis, an opportunistic pathogen, relies on the autolysin protein, notably its R2ab and amidase domains, to attach to polystyrene surfaces and initiate biofilm formation. Despite their pivotal role, the structural intricacies of these proteins’ interactions with surfaces remain elusive. In this dissertation, the multifaceted aspects of protein interactions with polystyrene surfaces and the implications of these interactions for biofilm control are studied. Over the course of this study, it is found how the R2ab and amidase domains influence biofilm formation on polystyrene …

Condition Assessment Of The Northern Climatic Research House At The Usda Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory, Tanaya Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

In 2001 a Northern Climatic Test House (the House) was constructed to demonstrate appropriate and novel building techniques and materials for the upper Midwest region of the USA. The House is a 2,300-square-foot, two-story structure located on the grounds of the USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, Wisconsin. It is considered a research structure and not part of the FPL’s building inventory. Following construction, the House was heated and cooled but not occupied. Regular (sometimes daily) tours were conducted from it’s opening until about 2008, when tours had diminished to less than one per week. Since eliminating …

Dynamic Segmental Kinematics Of The Lumbar Spine During Diagnostic Movements, Paul Mcmullin

Theses and Dissertations

While lumbar kinematics can be measured in vivo, most measurements are invasive (such as percutaneous bone pins), provide high doses of radiation (such as biplane fluoroscopy), or are taken with the patient in a static position (such as MRIs). Recent work suggests that lumbar kinematics can be determined by dynamic measurements of epidermal strain in the lower back. This work aims to develop and examine a method of examining lumbar kinematics via optoelectronic motion capture utilizing skin-mounted markers in the lumbar region. Two studies were performed. One study examined lumbar epidermal strain in 28 asymptomatic subjects during diagnostic movements, while …