Digital Commons Network^™

An Archeozoological Analysis Of The Vosburg Site In Southern Minnesota, Madison M. Rutter

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The Blue Earth Oneota is a poorly defined taxon located in southern Minnesota. Few large-scale excavations have been conducted in the Blue Earth region, leading to gaps in the overall understating of western Oneota lifeway systems. This research utilizes archeozoological analysis on the zoological assemblage from the Vosburg site (21FA02), a Blue Earth Oneota site located in Faribault County. The Vosburg site is a large habitation site that has been excavated by Wilford in 1938 and 1947, Dobbs in 1979, and Schirmer in 2012. Legacy data from the 1938, 1947, and 1979 excavations was analyzed and compared to the zoological …

Fox Lake – Havanoid Interaction: An Analysis Of Eleanor Site Pottery, Rahman Abdullayev

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Through the analysis of pottery remains found at the Eleanor archaeological site, the study investigates the relationship between the Fox Lake culture and the Havanoid phases. The relationship between the Fox Lake complex of the southwestern prairie area and the Havanoid phases of the eastern woodlands is poorly understood in southern Minnesota. Despite it is potential to provide information about this relationship, the Eleanor site (21NL30) collection was never thoroughly studied after the excavation.

Richard Strachan conducted excavations at the Eleanor site between 1976 and 1978. A total of 124 pottery sherds were examined, with 76 being rim sherds and …

The Role Of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I In The Development Of The Cerebellum In Euthyroid And Hypothyroid Mice, Prathibha Mangedarage

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Thyroid hormone deficiency during development is known to cause anatomical defects in the cerebellum that lead to neurological deficits. It has been observed that insufficient thyroid hormone levels also decrease the levels of brain derived Insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf-1). Given that the deficits caused by low Igf-1 levels are similar to those caused by low thyroid hormone, we designed this study to investigate if the deficits caused in the development of the cerebellum by low thyroid hormone levels may be due to the lack of sufficient Igf-1. We also sought to determine if ectopic over expression of Igf-1 in …

Revisiting The Blue Earth Oneota Taxon, Samuel Marcucci

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Clark Dobbs’ 1984 dissertation on Blue Earth Oneota settlement patterns is often the go-to treatment for the Blue Earth taxon. Since the publication of his work, new methods of archeological research have been employed within the field and new data have been uncovered from both Blue Earth sites in Minnesota and Oneota sites throughout the Midwest. This thesis attempts to ask if the modern archeology of Blue Earth Oneota is still comprehended by Dobbs’ 1984 publication. Feature analysis of material recovered from refuse pit features during the 2012 excavation at the Vosburg site (21FA02) was utilized in this research along …

"Effects Of Chronic Clothianidin Exposure On Various Aspects Of Oncorhynchus Mykiss (Rainbow Trout) Development", Jacob Schmid

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Agricultural run-off is one of the leading sources of environmental pollution in the United States. One major pollutant within this is insecticides, and among these, neonicotinoids which have become the most used insecticide class across the world. Neonicotinoids act as an agonist on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in the central nervous system of insects. Neonicotinoids are perceived to have low toxicity on non-target organisms however recently extensive literature has been published showing various effects on non-target organisms. Clothianidin is one of the most applied compounds belonging to the neonicotinoid class, yet few studies have investigated its chronic effects on …

Environmental Heterogeneity As A Driver Of Understory Vegetation Composition In Midwestern Oak Savannas, Jean Pengra

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The following thesis is submitted as two chapters. Chapter one contains background information, literature review, and predictions. Chapter two is formatted as a paper submission to Invasive Plant Science and Management. Note that this journal requires a combined results and discussion section and a summary of management implications written after the abstract. The appendix contains supplementary materials that are relevant to study hypotheses but do not necessarily align with the scope of the article submission. Oak (Quercus spp.) savannas are one of the most threatened ecological systems within the United States. Like many ecotones, these savannas are considered biodiversity hotspots …

Seasonal Resource Allocation And Accumulated Degree Day Estimation For Cuban Bulrush (Oxycarum Cubense) In The Southeastern U.S., Allison Squires

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Cuban bulrush (Oxycaryum cubense (Poepp. & Kunth) Lye) is a non-native aquatic plant from South America and the West Indies, first introduced into the United States in 1878. This study focused on the resource allocation and accumulated degree day modeling of the monocephalous and polycephalous Cuban bulrush populations in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida. Environmental factors such as photoperiod and temperature were analyzed on its effect on plant growth. From October 2021- September 2022 Cuban bulrush biomass was harvested monthly from two 0.04 Ha (0.1 ac) plots in each state. Height was measured during each monthly event. Environmental monitoring of photoperiod …

Investigation Of Glycoside Hydrolases And Calcium In Cytophaga Hutchinsonii Cellulose Utilization, Choua Kou Vang

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Cytophaga hutchinsonii is a soil bacterium that can utilize cellulose as a carbon source. The cellulose utilization system of C. hutchinsonii has been predicted to be novel and its endoglucanases could potentially be used in the production of cellulosic based biofuels. These enzymes could be used to process cellulose to glucose or other soluble sugars, which can be further converted to ethanol by yeast fermentation. Current biofuels utilize starches, primarily from corn, which has direct competition with farming space for food crops. This study focuses on observing the growth of C. hutchinsonii knockout mutant strains on cellulose substrate to better …

A Comparison Of Highly Disturbed Agricultural Soil And Natural Forested Soil As It Affects Decomposition, Haley Madden

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to compare decomposition of animal samples in plowed and unplowed soils. To accomplish this, two sets of three pig (Sus domesticus) ham hocks were buried in soil in early May of 2023, one set in a highly disturbed agricultural field and the other set in an undisturbed forested area. Soybeans were planted in the agricultural field within a week. The samples remained buried until excavated in October 2023 after harvest to compare the extent of decomposition and any other changes that occurred to the surrounding soil. Additionally, the soil at each site was described …

The Political Consequences Of Racialized Ethnic Identities, Kimberly Cardenas, Heather Silber Mohamed, Melissa R. Michelson

Political Science

Racial classifications are a social construct with no basis in biology; yet, race is an omnipresent and powerful factor in U.S. politics, shaping electoral boundaries, disbursement of resources, and political alliances (Omi and Winant 1994, Haney López 1994). Race, then, is a malleable construct wielded by varying interests, with racial definitions changing in response to social and political battles. Some new immigrant groups initially classified as not white have been reclassified as white over time, thereby benefitting from associated legal, economic, and sociopolitical privileges. More recently, however, some Latinos have sought recognition as a distinct non-white racial group, in acknowledgment …

Sociodemographic Factors Related To Late-Stage Lung Cancer Diagnosis In Kentucky, Kaylee Stickler

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States, and the state of Kentucky has a significant burden of lung cancer morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to examine the sociodemographic factors associated with late-stage lung cancer diagnosis in Kentucky. The present study is a retrospective, population-based cohort study that utilizes data from the Kentucky Cancer Registry to examine the associations between late-stage lung cancer diagnosis and sociodemographic factors. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable analyses were conducted to estimate the significance of these associations. Significant relationships between the variables of sex, age, Appalachian status, …

Border Wall Biodiversity, Megan Delehanty

Theses & ETDs

In 2016 when Donald Trump ran for president he campaigned for the construction of a border wall. Many scientists agree that the species in the borderlands would be impacted by this barrier. The objectives of the paper are to see how the border wall may impact species distribution and to see if they are vulnerable to climate change. To answer this ArcGIS and a Climate Change Vulnerability Index program were used. Maps were created with data showing the ranges for seven species against the proposed border wall. To determine vulnerability to climate change NatureServe’s Climate Change Vulnerability Index was used, …

Evaluation Of Autonomous Recording Unit Performance In Detecting Black-Billed Cuckoos, Jenna L. Asnault

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

Black-billed Cuckoos (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) are classified as a species of concern in Montana and have declined due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Cuckoos are challenging to study, as they do not move or call frequently in the presence of people. This makes researching and managing these birds difficult. Autonomous acoustic survey methods offer the potential to be more effective than traditional avian survey methods. Autonomous recording units (ARUs) are small, programmable, relatively inexpensive acoustic detectors, and have been used in several other studies. Cuckoos, however, nest and perch in dense riparian vegetation, potentially limiting the detection capabilities of …

The Links To Cancer: How Golf Became Dangerous And What We Can Do To Save The Game, Meredith Boos

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

This study is a comprehensive meta-analysis on health claims linked to exposure to golf courses, more specifically the chemicals used to maintain their appearance. It provides a brief history of the golf industry and how its growth exacerbated the environmental impact as well as an explanation of the legal landscape that will affect golf course management. Golf courses can disrupt local ecologies, contaminate ground water, rivers, lakes and streams with run-off, and be responsible for the bioaccumulation of chemicals which remain dangerous for decades. Despite the adverse effects of golf courses on the environment, there remains an opportunity to transform …

[Snakehead (Channa Marulius)]Neurocranium, Sam Gorman, Jessica Rutenis, David W. Kerstetter

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

Snakehead Neurocranium

Annual Report Of Externally Funded Grants And Contracts July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023, Office Of Research And Sponsored Programs. Morehead State University.

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Reports and Publications

Annual Report of Externally Funded Grants and Contracts July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023.

Nutritive Comparison Of Ruminant Feed, Integrating Crab And Lobster Meal, Kelsi L. Devolve

Honors Theses and Capstones

In attempts to increase livestock production and decrease waste products from the seafood industry, crab meal and lobster meal were tested as a potential cattle feed ingredient. Jonah crab waste, Atlantic Red crab waste, soybean meal, and blood meal were collected from various vendors and utilized in an in vitro study, an in situ study, and a nitrogen analyzer to determine crude protein in each feed. After allowing the samples to sit in a DAISY incubator for 48 h, mimicking a rumen environment, degradability for the soybean meal, blood meal, lobster meal, and crab meal were 100.13%, 76.36%, 43.77%, and …

Investigation Of Mechanical Regulation On Stat3 Activity And Mmp Production, Jaxson R. Libby

Honors Theses and Capstones

Transcription factor, STAT3, is inappropriately expressed in cancer cells, and has contrasting activation in 2D versus 3D microenvironments. 2D plates are often used for drug screening and do not always recapitulate in vivo responses. To combat inaccurate 2D drug studies, a 3D hydrogel was created to support the growth of cancer cells into a tumor-like environment. The hydrogel consists of a biocompatible dextran homopolysaccharide, cell adhesion RGD sequences, and crosslinker MMP labile peptides. A pH dependent reaction couples the RGD sequences to dextran then the polymers are crosslinked into a gel. Crosslinking is accomplished using terminal cysteine peptide sequences, allowing …

Odd Bedfellows & Marriage Of Necessity: Public Health And Politics In American Federalism, Gabriella Victoria Chianese

Honors Theses and Capstones

In the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, while the public disagrees over mask mandates, required vaccinations, and social distancing, it seems like one common sentiment exists – a distaste for the odd bedfellows of politics and public health. There are those who cry for the compartmentalization of the science of public health and the art of politics to rectify this situation. In the wake of so much confusion and chaos, it is not unjustified to demand the depoliticization of public health; however, this response is unrealistic given the modern political climate, demonstrates a narrow understanding of the …

Best Practices For Integrating Climate Change Into Protected And Conserved Area Management Plans And Planning Processes In Canada, Stephanie Barr, Christopher J. Lemieux, Pamela Wright, Jen Hoesen, Claudia A. Haas

Geography and Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Anatomy And Phylogeny Of A New Large Plioplatecarpine Mosasaur From The Campanian Bearpaw Shale Of Montana (Usa), Richard A. Carr

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

In 2018, a large and associated plioplatecarpine mosasaur skull, pectoral girdle, and rib cage, whose total body length may have exceeded five meters, was uncovered in the Late Campanian Bearpaw Shale of Northeast Montana (USA). Phylogenetic analysis of this specimen, MOR 10855, recovers this individual as a basal member of the genus Plioplatecarpus. This specimen, is unique in that it is estimated to be nearly twice the size of any of the other species of Plioplatecarpus found in the Western Interior Seaway during this part of the Cretaceous. While the included phylogenetic study suggests MOR 10855 represents a new …

Neuroscience Bs, Biological Sciences

Program Revisions/Additions

No abstract provided.

Infectious And Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus Share Molecular Mechanism Sensitive To Immune Modulation, Benjamin Reeves

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Hydrocephalus, characterized by a pathologic dilation of the brain’s cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled ventricles, may either be primary or acquired. Acquired hydrocephalus, most often caused by ventricular infection or hemorrhage, is currently treated by surgical CSF diversion with either a shunt or endoscopic third ventriculostomy – two procedures plagued by high failure and complication rates. The lack of pharmaceutical treatments is in part due to the obscure pathophysiology of the disease. We created novel rat models of post-infectious (PIH) and post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) and conducted a systems-level, multi-omics investigation of these animals to outline the cellular, molecular, and physiologic pathology of …

Planetary Protection: An International Concern And Responsibility, Athena Coustenis, Niklas Hedman, Peter T. Doran, Omar Al Shehhi, Eleonora Ammannito, Masaki Fujimoto, Olivier Grasset, Frank Groen, Alexander G. Hayes, Vyacheslav Ilyin, K. Praveen Kumar, Caroline Emmanuelle Morisset, Christian Mustin, Karen Olsson-Francis, Jing Peng, Olga Prieto-Ballesteros, Francois Raulin, Petra Rettberg, Silvio Sinibaldi, Yohey Suzuki, Kanyan Xu, Maxim Zaitsev

Faculty Publications

Planetary protection is a set of measures agreed upon at an international level to ensure the protection of scientific investigation during space exploration. As space becomes more accessible with traditional and new actors launching complex and innovative projects that involve robotics (including sample return) and human exploration, we have the responsibility to protect the pristine environments that we explore and our own biosphere. In this sense, the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) provides the international standard for planetary protection as well as a forum for international consultation. COSPAR has formulated a Planetary Protection Policy with associated requirements for responsible space …

Never Equals: Slavery, White Masculinities, And The Legacy Of Law In Today’S Workplace, Ann C. Mcginley

Scholarly Works

This essay discusses two themes of Race Unequals: (1) the role of law in creating and reinforcing gendered, classed, and raced identities on plantations in the Antebellum South; and (2) the existence of slavery's legacy today in workplaces and the law's frequent failure to remedy its damaging tentacles. Part II describes masculinities studies from the social sciences and Multidimensional Masculinities Theory in law and applies the theory to analyze the first theme. Part III considers slavery's legacy in today's workplaces and analyzes employment discrimination law's shortcomings in eliminating racism in workplaces. The essay concludes that White masculinities, established in the …

The Synergy Between Physiologic Dendritic Cells And Mrna-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles And Its Potential As A Cellular Immunotherapy, Brian Myles Wei

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Transimmunization (TI) is a dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy derived from extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP), a widely used immunotherapy for cutaneous T cell lymphoma. TI builds upon the mechanistic understanding that ECP inducts large-scale monocyte-to-dendritic cell differentiation through physiologic platelet-monocyte interactions that occur during the passage of cells over a plastic plate. While TI and ECP have used apoptotic tumor cells treated with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and ultraviolet-A (UVA) irradiation as the source of antigens by which to target its immunotherapeutic effects, there is investigational interest in alternative antigen sources, including mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticles (LNP). In this work, we developed a modified version …

Improving Delivery Of Immunomodulator Mpla With Biodegradable Nanoparticles, Jungsoo Chang

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Encapsulation of therapeutic agents within biodegradable nanoparticles (NP) allows for gradual drug release from the nanoparticle core. When injected intravenously, our nonadhesive NPs (NNP) have previously demonstrated longer circulatory time with “stealthy” features, thus allowing for prolonged drug exposure systemically. In the murine transplantable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) PDVC57 model, our bioadhesive NP (BNP) loaded with chemotherapy have shown increased retention of the active agent after intratumoral (i.t.) injection, thus allowing for prolonged drug exposure when locally delivered. Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) is a low-toxicity derivative of LPS with immunomodulating properties. However, MPLA, like other TLR agonists, is a …

Sheriffs, Shills, Or Just Paying The Bills?: Rethinking The Merits Of Compelling Merchant Cooperation With Third-Party Policing In The Aftermath Of George Floyd’S Death, Stephen Wilks

Washington and Lee Law Review

This Article frames the killing of George Floyd as the result of flawed business regulation. More specifically, it captures the expansion of third-party policing paradigms throughout local nuisance abatement regulations over a period of time that coincided with the militarization of policing culture across the United States. Premised on the notion that law enforcement alone cannot succeed in reducing crime and disorder, such regulations transform grocery stores, pharmacies, bars, and other retail spaces into surveillance hubs by prescribing situations that obligate businesses to contact the police. This regulatory framework, however, sustains the larger historical project of rationalizing enhanced scrutiny of …

Gag With Malice, Shaakirrah R. Sanders

Washington and Lee Law Review

This Article brings agriculture privacy and other commercial gagging laws into the ongoing debate on the First Amendment actual malice rule announced in New York Times v. Sullivan. Despite a resurgence in contemporary jurisprudence, Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch have recently questioned the wisdom and viability of Sullivan, which originally applied actual malice to state law defamation claims brought by public officials. The Court later extended the actual malice rule to public figures, to claims for infliction of emotional distress, and—as discussed in this Article—to claims for invasion of privacy and to issues of public importance or concern.

United …

Mineral Trioxide Aggregate In Membrane Form As A Barrier Membrane In Guided Bone Regeneration, Jae-Sung Kwon, Min-Yong Lee, Hi-Won Yoon, Si-Yoon Lee, Kwang-Mahn Kim, Su-Jung Shin

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Background/purpose In the field of conservative dentistry and endodontics, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), commonly used, possesses advantages such as biocompatibility, antimicrobial properties and osteogenic potential. This study investigated the feasibility of utilizing membrane form mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a barrier membrane in guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedures. Materials and methods Membranes were electrospun from three different formulations: 15 w/v% Polycaprolactone (PCL), 13 w/v% PCL + 2 w/v% MTA (2MTA), and 11 w/v% PCL + 4 w/v% MTA (4MTA). Physicochemical and mechanical properties of the electrospun membrane were compared, encompassing parameters such as surface morphology, fiber diameter distribution, chemical …