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2024

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Evaluating Indicators Of Success And Sustainability In Community Forests, Brittney Hall Jan 2024

Evaluating Indicators Of Success And Sustainability In Community Forests, Brittney Hall

Theses & ETDs

Community forests are forests managed by local communities. They can be beneficial in socioeconomic contexts and can have positive impacts in supporting local biodiversity of plants and animals. Community forests are considered generally effective at countering deforestation and serve as valuable systems for local communities and as a response to climate change. However, the effectiveness of community forestry is dependent on a variety of socio-ecological factors, thus presenting a need for the success and efficacy of community forests to be evaluated and assessed in a rigorous and objective manner. The purpose of this thesis is to identify socio-ecological variables that …

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Enrichment Responses Of Captive Mammalian Carnivores, Megan Nigro Jan 2024

Enrichment Responses Of Captive Mammalian Carnivores, Megan Nigro

Theses & ETDs

This study examines the effects of simple enrichment on the behaviors of animals at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Wildlife Park. Animals included are all non-releasable for various reasons and consist of a Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus), two red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), two gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), two Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi), and a bobcat (Felidae rufus Floridanus). The behaviors of these animals were observed with and without a box. Following a randomized schedule, instantaneous sampling occurred every minute for one hour in the morning and one hour in the a��ernoon over eight days in February 2024. Inac��ve, …

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Dumpling Manatee Simulation: Raising Awareness On Nutrient Pollution-Related Manatee Mortality Through Virtual Reality, Alex Wills Jan 2024

Dumpling Manatee Simulation: Raising Awareness On Nutrient Pollution-Related Manatee Mortality Through Virtual Reality, Alex Wills

Theses & ETDs

The Florida manatee faces most threats from humans, including starvation that results from human-caused nutrient pollution. To reduce this threat and lower nutrient pollution, a Virtual Reality (VR) educational game called “Dumpling Manatee Simulation” was developed to raise awareness on this issue and what everyday actions players can take to contribute to making a difference. In this simulation, the player starts by becoming a manatee underwater and living a day in the life of a manatee. Then the player learns about nutrient pollution and eutrophication at manatee school before experiencing firsthand the increased difficulty the issue poses to manatees. The …

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Exploring The Impact Of Shark Ecotourism On Shark Behavior And Public Perception, Alexia Craig Jan 2024

Exploring The Impact Of Shark Ecotourism On Shark Behavior And Public Perception, Alexia Craig

Theses & ETDs

Shark ecotourism is a popular tourist attraction that is increasing worldwide. Shark ecotourism is a form of tourism that focuses on observing and interacting with sharks in their natural habitats while promoting conservation, education, and sustainable practices. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of shark ecotourism on three specific shark species: whale sharks (Rhincodon typups), grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus), and white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias). This analysis will consider both the potential advantages and disadvantages that stem from behavioral changes linked to ecotourism activities. Moreover, the study aims to evaluate the constructive outcomes of shark ecotourism …

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The Goldies That Get It, Get It: Exploring The Ability Of Goldfish To Differentiate Between Variability In Reward Reduction, Logan Bell Jan 2024

The Goldies That Get It, Get It: Exploring The Ability Of Goldfish To Differentiate Between Variability In Reward Reduction, Logan Bell

Theses & ETDs

The instrumental learning process, explored through studies on animals like rats and goldfish, investigates how behavior is influenced by consequences. While Thorndike and Skinner laid the groundwork, research has shown differences in responses to changes in reward magnitude between species. Rats have demonstrated the depression effect, a decline in the rate of performance due to a reduction in the size of reward, however, goldfish studies have faced challenges in replicating findings on this effect. The current study aims to investigate whether goldfish exhibit the depression effect in variable magnitude downshifts. The study involved six common freshwater goldfish (Carassius auratus) randomly …

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Birthmarks: Exploring Cultural Connections In Adult Asian American Adoptees, Celeste Kadzis Jan 2024

Birthmarks: Exploring Cultural Connections In Adult Asian American Adoptees, Celeste Kadzis

Theses & ETDs

The purpose of this thesis is to explore how transracial Asian American adoptees relate to their cultural heritage. To understand this I ask: 1) What are the different perspectives that adoptees choose to culturally reconnect to their cultural heritage? 2) What are the reasons why they might choose to or not choose to connect to their heritage? 3) How do adoptees wrestle with and reflect on their upbringing, transition into adulthood, and respond to current events? 4) How can public awareness of cultural diversity within the Asian American adoptee experience be increased? To answer these questions, I conducted ethnographic research …

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Crocodiles And Correspondence: Exploring Form In Qiu Miaojin's Literary Works, Carleigh Shourds Jan 2024

Crocodiles And Correspondence: Exploring Form In Qiu Miaojin's Literary Works, Carleigh Shourds

Theses & ETDs

The thesis explores the unique narrative structures in Qiu Miaojin's literary works, focusing on Notes of a Crocodile and Last Words from Montmartre. It delves into the epistolary form used in Last Words from Montmartre, illustrating how this method effectively communicates the narrator’s deepest self-reflections and societal critiques. Additionally, the thesis analyzes Notes of a Crocodile, highlighting the use of the notebook format that allows the narrator to confront and navigate personal and societal challenges. The thesis argues that Qiu’s narrative techniques are instrumental in enhancing the thematic depth of her works, which address issues of identity, alienation, and societal …

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Prima Donna: Understanding Women In Opera And The Issues Of Representation And Power, Mia Ludden Jan 2024

Prima Donna: Understanding Women In Opera And The Issues Of Representation And Power, Mia Ludden

Theses & ETDs

Often characterized by dramatic singing and intense costumes, opera expands beyond popular culture's misrepresentation. With its history tracing back to early theater and developing as time progressed, opera has a complicated past with women. This thesis attempts to explore women’s roles in opera and issues of representation and power. This research is accompanied by my ethnographic research at the Sarasota Opera. I have spent considerable time observing and interviewing people at the opera in the context of this thesis. The ethnography also fills the gaps where academic research is limited. I examine history’s commentary on women through opera, the representation …

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Early Environmental Progressive Pedagogical Practices, Alexandra Gates Jan 2024

Early Environmental Progressive Pedagogical Practices, Alexandra Gates

Theses & ETDs

Through a culmination of personal experience, it became clear that there was a great need for improved environmental education as global climate change and associated environmental degradation continue to rapidly worsen. In this, for education to be practical and accessible it needed to be geared towards public education, thus giving as many students the tools for a sustainable future. This thesis aims to work through education to foster environmental consciousness from an elementary age level, continuing beyond to create environmentally and socially responsible adults. In order to accomplish that goal this thesis begins with a literature review section to gain …

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Change: Finding Balance, Gleimi De Jesus Jan 2024

Change: Finding Balance, Gleimi De Jesus

Theses & ETDs

The dynamic we have with each other and our surroundings interests me. Balance is rooted in our relationships between people and our environment. My work acts as a tool to generate change in artificial settings and situations that I create, by focusing on the impact of people within them. Artificial settings are highlighted by the use of store-bought materials that are manipulated to mimic nature. I use interactive sculpture, wearable objects, and performance scores to result in a sense of balance through constant, dynamic interaction. I explore the idea of balance in my immersive kinetic sculptures through symmetrical compositions, which …

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Marine Protected Areas: A Comparison Of The National Marine Sanctuaries Act And The Antiquities Act Through An Interdisciplinary Lens, Meilah Wimbush Jan 2024

Marine Protected Areas: A Comparison Of The National Marine Sanctuaries Act And The Antiquities Act Through An Interdisciplinary Lens, Meilah Wimbush

Theses & ETDs

Marine ecosystems are under threat by anthropogenic stressors such as pollution, increased endangerment of biodiversity, and exploitation of natural resources. Through the creation of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (1972) and the Antiquities Act (1906), numerous marine protected areas (MPAs) have been established for long-term protection of these crucial habitats. This thesis examines both forms of legislation through the use of two case studies alongside the approach of comparing the cases through a conservation versus preservation framework. The case studies helped determine different patterns and trends that resulted from each respective legislation which was then used to defend which environmental …

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The King Penguin: Growth In Writing, Isaac Tellechea Jan 2024

The King Penguin: Growth In Writing, Isaac Tellechea

Theses & ETDs

This thesis is composed of two sections: a collection of original short stories and poetry titled The King Penguin and a subsequent reflection on the creation of these works. The project as a whole serves as a space for an aspiring writer to execute an original literary idea and learn from the experience. The King Penguin attempts to de-automate the reading process by deviating from the traditional left-to-right structure of text, using multimedia components as a way to encourage the reader to engage with the works actively. The reflection focuses primarily on the intentions behind certain decisions made throughout the …

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Waterproofing: A Translation And Analysis Of The Works Of Mikhail Zoshchenko, Brendan Mcmahon Jan 2024

Waterproofing: A Translation And Analysis Of The Works Of Mikhail Zoshchenko, Brendan Mcmahon

Theses & ETDs

In this work I give a cursory examination as to the metaphysical and existential strains underlying Zoshchenko's works. I aim to look into the idea of newly created modes of being and the necessities of being in a newly formed context by examining the unique style and content of Zoshchenko's work. Following this are a selection of nine translated short works by Mikhail Zoshchenko

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Impact Of Human Population On Zoonotic Disease Transmission: A 22-Year Review (2000-2022) Of Rabies, Lyme Disease, And Hansen’S Disease In Florida, Margaret Kahl Jan 2024

Impact Of Human Population On Zoonotic Disease Transmission: A 22-Year Review (2000-2022) Of Rabies, Lyme Disease, And Hansen’S Disease In Florida, Margaret Kahl

Theses & ETDs

The Earth thrives under One-Health, a balance between humans, other animals, and environmental health. Zoonotic diseases can impact this equilibrium. In this retrospective review, I explore the impact of human population growth on zoonotic disease transmission, focusing on rabies, Lyme disease, and Hansen’s disease incidences in Florida from 2000-2022. While existing literature acknowledges various drivers that influence zoonotic disease transmission rates, limited attention has been directed toward the specific correlation with human population growth. Correlation and regression analyses were applied utilizing surveillance data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health, alongside demographic data …

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Exploring The Use Of Magnets As A Form Of Shark Deterrent In Recreational Fisheries, Michael Pertler Jan 2024

Exploring The Use Of Magnets As A Form Of Shark Deterrent In Recreational Fisheries, Michael Pertler

Theses & ETDs

Recreational and commercial fisheries are responsible for a large quantity of elasmobranch (sharks, skates, and rays) deaths annually. A significant portion of this mortality is the result of bycatch, the unintentional capture of unwanted species while targeting a different species. Specifically, in hook and line fisheries, sharks are often caught as bycatch when they are subjected to baited lines or lines that have already caught a fish (e.g. a sport fish that is actively fighting on the line). As apex predators, these hunters are driven by food reward and cannot discern the difference between a sport fish caught on a …

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Network Effects And Economic Growth The Role Of Arts Clustering In Sarasota, Darwin Tepe Jan 2024

Network Effects And Economic Growth The Role Of Arts Clustering In Sarasota, Darwin Tepe

Theses & ETDs

An analysis of Sarasota's arts organizations reveals that Arts clustering is a critical factor in its urban economic and social advancement, offering a blueprint for economic development in similarly specialized regions. Sarasota is identified as demonstrating the specialist view of urban development, where its clustered arts organizations reap and produce network effects, enhancing both the city's cultural draw on tourists and its economic welfare. Additionally, previously published literature which aims to quantify Sarasota's arts exports is expanded upon. Sarasota's Arts cluster generates additional economic activity beyond what has been previously quantified, indicating the arts as a higher yielding asset than …

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Making Sense Of The Thrill Of Theme Parks: Immersion, Simulation, And Sensory Stimulation, Audrey Dixon Jan 2024

Making Sense Of The Thrill Of Theme Parks: Immersion, Simulation, And Sensory Stimulation, Audrey Dixon

Theses & ETDs

While immersive experiences are not new, they have been rapidly gaining popularity in entertainment as of recent; it seems that more and more venues are turning their attention to this form of entertainment. The rise of escape rooms and even 3D movies are evidence of this desire to be immersed in the story, as opposed to just viewing it. From my research, I have noticed that theme parks such as Disney World and Universal Studios have also been intensifying the immersion of their parks. In my research, I relied heavily on the work of Josephine Machon, a leading scholar in …

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The Legend Of Anne Bonny: Making A Musical From Inception To Production, Emy Mcguire Jan 2024

The Legend Of Anne Bonny: Making A Musical From Inception To Production, Emy Mcguire

Theses & ETDs

This thesis includes an academic overview of the process to research, write, and produce an original musical. The Legend of Anne Bonny was created through historical research of the Golden Age of Piracy and contemporary studies of modern-day musicals. The art, a 100-page script with book and lyrics, is comprised of two acts, fifteen scenes, and seventeen songs.

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How Has Sociality Shaped The Cetacean Brain? A White Matter Tractography Analysis, Isabelle Origlio Jan 2024

How Has Sociality Shaped The Cetacean Brain? A White Matter Tractography Analysis, Isabelle Origlio

Theses & ETDs

Dolphins and whales have long fascinated the public and scientists alike. Although there is interest in unraveling the mystery of dolphin and whales’ large brains and complex behaviors, cetacean brains have been studied relatively little. Different species of cetaceans demonstrate wide ranging patterns of social organization, which provide an opportunity to investigate the neural correlates of social behaviors. This study examined the amygdala of four dolphin and whale species to investigate the link between connectivity in this brain region and social behaviors. Connectivity of the amygdala was found to vary with social complexity of the species. Pilot whales are the …

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Cracked Reality: The Theater Of Chaos And Accessibility In Academia: Building A More Inclusive And Less Intimidating Environment, Remy Katz Jan 2024

Cracked Reality: The Theater Of Chaos And Accessibility In Academia: Building A More Inclusive And Less Intimidating Environment, Remy Katz

Theses & ETDs

Absurdist humor and horror is the only way to survive in the nonsensical world. Situational comedy, irony, and the macabre; this is the essence of the world of spontaneity. My work is fueled by the need to provoke unsettling emotions, leaving audiences to sit and digest feelings of discomfort and joy in the catharsis of humor. I mean, what’s more funny than watching someone have a mental breakdown? Like, come on, you’re not special, all of us are freaks. SO, I’m a bit of a freak. I like building on ideas as I produce art, feeding my emotions into all …

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The Next Generation Of Blue: Health And Autonomy Of Young Adults In A Blue Zone Region, Isadora Vitkus Jan 2024

The Next Generation Of Blue: Health And Autonomy Of Young Adults In A Blue Zone Region, Isadora Vitkus

Theses & ETDs

This thesis focuses on young adult perspectives amidst the data of successful aging and longevity of nonagenarians and centenarians in the world’s five Blue Zones. With lacking data on how the Blue Zone Power 9 principles are affecting young adult lives in Blue Zone regions, this thesis assessed the presence of and usage of the Power 9 principles in the studied young adult population. Chronic disease is also on the rise in several countries, and the imminent threat of disease for many young adults is overbearing. The stress that this worry brings can often lead to heightened cortisol levels in …

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Home On The Grange: Ethnobotanical Entrevues In Outaouais, Michael Bolesh Jan 2024

Home On The Grange: Ethnobotanical Entrevues In Outaouais, Michael Bolesh

Theses & ETDs

This thesis is based on two months of ethnographic research on a farm/apothecary homestead in Outaouais, Québec. There I strived to unearth the approaches both botanical and market employed by Twin Lakes Apothecary to better understand and contextualize the contemporary manifestations of ethnobotany in Québec. I pursued this primarily through a participant-observer approach in which I opportunistically followed networks of exchange and information to gradually traverse the life history of products and people at the apothecary. In examining the apothecary through such a lens, I illuminate the mythos and notions of production and validity in sectors often described as organic, …

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An Investigation Of The Potential Roles Of Superoxide And Singlet Oxygen In Carpel Fusion In Catharanthus Roseus (L.) G. Don, Madison Dye Jan 2024

An Investigation Of The Potential Roles Of Superoxide And Singlet Oxygen In Carpel Fusion In Catharanthus Roseus (L.) G. Don, Madison Dye

Theses & ETDs

A fusion event occurs between the carpels of Catharanthus roseus L. involving the dedifferentiation and redifferentiation of epidermal cells into less specialized cells known as parenchyma. This results in a solidly-fused gynoecium. An unknown “factor” exchanged between the contacting carpels mediates this process. Little is known about the identity of the factor and the signaling process that ensues, but there are data in support of a role for brassinosteroids, and a bit of evidence for the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly hydrogen peroxide. The present study was conducted to further investigate the role of additional ROS, namely singlet …

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Fidgeting And Attention To Self/Other Narratives: An Eeg Study, Alphonse Engels Jan 2024

Fidgeting And Attention To Self/Other Narratives: An Eeg Study, Alphonse Engels

Theses & ETDs

Though fidgeting is widespread, its purpose is not yet known. Fidgeting has been proposed to be a method of regulating sensory input, a method of releasing excess energy, or a strategy to reduce stress. Of particular interest has been the interaction between fidgeting and the processes of attention and memory. As fidgeting tends to occur in environments which necessitate focused attention and later recall of details, it is important to understand what fidgeting may do to help or harm attention and memory. Previous studies have established a mixed relationship between measures of attention, memory, and fidgeting, with a somewhat negative …

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Third Ventricle Choroid Plexus In Healthy Brains Vs Traumatic Injury Brains: A Comparative Immunohistochemistry Analysis In Mice, Tessa Vincennie Jan 2024

Third Ventricle Choroid Plexus In Healthy Brains Vs Traumatic Injury Brains: A Comparative Immunohistochemistry Analysis In Mice, Tessa Vincennie

Theses & ETDs

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a significant health issue, and there are a wide variety of efforts taking place to research the neural mechanisms involved in an attempt to find treatments. Importantly, there is a deficit in literature regarding the choroid plexus in how it relates to traumatic brain injuries. Furthermore, more research must be done to compare cellular mechanisms between ventricles effectively. There is no recorded study history of the third ventricle choroid plexus following TBI. Within this thesis, I investigated the differences in the third ventricle’s choroid plexus immunohistological presentation within healthy mice versus the brains of TBI …

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Enzyme Kinetic Characterization And Quantitation Of 2-Hydroxyglutarate Production By C.Elegans Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-1 Enzymes: Wild-Type Idh-1 And Mutant Enzymes G98n And R133h., Melissa Bouchard Jan 2024

Enzyme Kinetic Characterization And Quantitation Of 2-Hydroxyglutarate Production By C.Elegans Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-1 Enzymes: Wild-Type Idh-1 And Mutant Enzymes G98n And R133h., Melissa Bouchard

Theses & ETDs

The metabolic enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH-1) is the C. elegans ortholog of human cytosolic IDH1. The mechanism for both the human and the C. elegans IDH1 enzymes reversibly convert the substrate isocitrate (ICT) to α-ketoglutarate (αKG). The IDH-1 enzyme is particularly interesting due to the association of certain IDH1 mutations to human cancers. The mutations that are associated with oncogenesis are shown to inhibit the activity of IDH1 by introducing a neomorphic activity that converts αKG to α-hydroxyglutaric acid, also called 2- hydroxyglutarate (2HG).To determine if IDH-1 may be a reliable model system to explore the cellular abnormalities produced by …

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Habitat Utilization Patterns Of Semi-Free-Ranging Lemurs In Human Care: A Comparative Analysis Of Ring-Tailed & Red Ruffed Lemurs’ Responses To Different Kinds Of Enrichment, Alexia Atkinson Jan 2024

Habitat Utilization Patterns Of Semi-Free-Ranging Lemurs In Human Care: A Comparative Analysis Of Ring-Tailed & Red Ruffed Lemurs’ Responses To Different Kinds Of Enrichment, Alexia Atkinson

Theses & ETDs

Lemurs are at risk; 98% of Madagascar's 106 species of lemurs are threatened with extinction. As a result of this conservation emergency, research and conservation facilities have prioritized studying and breeding lemurs, especially in naturalistic conditions like fenced forests. However, sometimes lemurs in these facilities do not use the extent of the land available to them, and we do not always know why. This research investigates the effect of enrichment devices on the habitat preferences and behaviors of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta), a species that often spends time on the ground, and red ruffed lemurs (Varecia rubra), a primarily arboreal …

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Alone Time: How Motivation For And Quality Of Solitude Impact Workplace Performance, Alyssa Sampson Jan 2024

Alone Time: How Motivation For And Quality Of Solitude Impact Workplace Performance, Alyssa Sampson

Theses & ETDs

Research has found that social isolation, especially in the case of ostracism, can have many negative effects on individuals. However, some factors decrease the extent of the negative effects. One such factor is an individual’s motivation for solitude: the reasons one seeks experiences of solitude and how they use them. Two studies expand solitude research into the workplace setting. The first study used a cross-sectional survey and examined how motivation for solitude related to relationship quality and satisfaction among coworkers, and how the association between ostracism and negative mental health is related to self-determined motivation for solitude. Self-determined motivation for …

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Nematodes As A Model For Drug Addiction: Using Dopamine Dependent Locomotor Behavior In C. Elegans To Investigate Psychostimulants, Lila Marlowe Jan 2024

Nematodes As A Model For Drug Addiction: Using Dopamine Dependent Locomotor Behavior In C. Elegans To Investigate Psychostimulants, Lila Marlowe

Theses & ETDs

This thesis discusses drug addiction research, particularly focusing on psychostimulants like amphetamines and their effects on the brain's dopamine pathway. It explores Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model organism to study drug addiction and highlights its advantages, such as its fully mapped nervous system and highly conserved dopamine pathway. This research tests the effectiveness of the swimming induced paralysis (SWIP) assay in C. elegans treated with ephedrine, a psychostimulant. Results indicated a significant increase in paralysis (52.5% to 82.9%) with higher ephedrine concentrations (5.0 mM to 7.0 mM), suggesting its potential as a model for studying drug addiction and …

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‘The Boy’ Album Production And Analysis, Connor Park Jan 2024

‘The Boy’ Album Production And Analysis, Connor Park

Theses & ETDs

This thesis delves into the intricacies of the musical landscape through a comprehensive analysis of the concept album titled "The Boy." Embracing themes of depression, negative self-image, self-improvement, and introspection, the album unfolds a poignant narrative centered around the protagonist's journey of self-discovery. Employing a multifaceted approach, the research combines musical analysis, lyrical scrutiny, and personal perspectives to unravel the nuanced layers embedded within the album. An examination of the musical elements provides insight into the emotional resonance carefully crafted by the artist. This analysis not only deciphers the artistic intentions and technical prowess behind "The Boy" but also underscores …

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