Digital Commons Network^™

Multi-Omic Analysis Of Phototrophic Extracellular Electron Uptake In Novel Rhodovulum Spp. Isolated From A Marine Estuary, Emily J. Davenport

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microbial metabolisms are incredibly versatile and dynamic, allowing adaptive strategies for growth in even the most limiting environments. For an ever-increasing number of microbes, this includes utilizing soluble or insoluble inorganic mineral species as electron donors, driving geochemical cycles and microbial metabolisms. This metabolic function of transporting electrons derived from the extracellular environment across cell membranes is called extracellular electron uptake (EEU). Within (photo)autotrophs, (p)EEU also sustains CO2 fixation to cell biomass, implicating a potentially fundamental role of microbial carbon cycling in aquatic and soil ecosystems. A model metabolic scheme of pEEU occurring in natural environments is photoferrotrophy, which pairs …

Wool, Cotton, And Silk: The Language Of Fashion In The Works Of Three Modern Japanese Women Writers (1920-1952), Yuning Henares

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines portrayals of clothes made from wool, cotton and silk in works by three modern Japanese women writers: Hayashi Fumiko, Hasegawa Shigure, and Koizumi Kikue. By analyzing portrayals of clothing and textiles and contextualizing them in modern Japanese society, this dissertation aims to see how women writers used textiles and clothing as motifs in their work, how these textiles and clothing conveyed various aspects of their fictional characters, and how these textiles and clothing represented ideas such as modernity, nostalgia, and imperialism. This dissertation argues that textiles and clothes that are based on wool, silk, and cotton tell …

Unraveling Ancient Andean Camelid Herding Strategies Using Multi-Isotope Analyses, Lucia Diaz

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pastoral communities around the globe form herding strategies based on traditional ecological knowledge to make sense of mutualistic human, animal, and environmental interactions. Pastoralists develop culturally specific traditional knowledge systems surrounding animals and environments that shape decision-making in herding practices and resource management strategies during times of crisis and change. To mitigate socio-political and climatic changes, such as conflict or competition over pastures, or flooding and drought, pastoralists convert local ecological knowledge into strategies including animal mobility across varying altitudes, pasture maintenance through irrigation and pasture rotation, and extended kin support for herding and caravanning. Previous archaeological studies have revealed …

Essays In Financial Economics, Won-Chang Choi

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the idea of slow-moving capital and its implications for asset price dynamics and market efficiency. In Chapter 1, I investigate asset price dynamics and market efficiency in a competitive economy where risk-averse arbitrageurs face price impact costs and gradually share hedgers' liquidity risks in segmented markets. The asset spread varies with the level of hedgers' liquidity risks and aggregate arbitrage capital. While the spread increases with hedgers' liquidity risks, its relationship with aggregate arbitrage inventory depends on the relative holding-to-trading costs of arbitrageurs and hedgers. This spread-inventory relationship identifies two distinct arbitrage regimes: “Risk-On” and “Risk-Off.” In …

Https://Faunalytics.Org/What-Vegan-Advocates-Can-Learn-From-The-Social-Spread-Of-Quitting-Smoking/, A. Polanco, J. Anderson, D. Nguyen, J. Winslow, A. Couture

Veg*n advocacy

Anyone who has been vegan for a while has likely seen how their diet and lifestyle can influence or spread to those around them. Yet if each vegan was able to create two new vegans, we would have likely seen more significant shifts in the rates of veganism (Our World In Data, 2022) in recent decades. This illustrates the difficulties of understanding social contagion—the process of information (including attitudes or behaviors) spreading throughout a group—especially in relation to veganism. By understanding social contagion better, advocates can improve their diet change outreach, possibly by mastering the art of “vegan contagion.” The …

What Vegan Advocates Can Learn From The Social Spread Of Quitting Smoking, Andrea Polanco, J. Anderson, D. Nguyen, J. Winslow, A. Couture

Diet

Anyone who has been vegan for a while has likely seen how their diet and lifestyle can influence or spread to those around them. Yet if each vegan was able to create two new vegans, we would have likely seen more significant shifts in the rates of veganism (Our World In Data, 2022) in recent decades. This illustrates the difficulties of understanding social contagion—the process of information (including attitudes or behaviors) spreading throughout a group—especially in relation to veganism. By understanding social contagion better, advocates can improve their diet change outreach, possibly by mastering the art of “vegan contagion.” The …

An Evidence-Based Preceptor Development Program For Nurse Anesthetists, Raleigh Todd

Doctoral Projects

Abstract

Problem Statement: The success of the student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNA) is heavily influenced by experiences in the clinical setting, often encompassing a variety of preceptors throughout their respective anesthesia programs. Despite the importance of the preceptor role, many preceptors feel unprepared, and it is estimated most certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) who precept students have received no formal training in the preceptor role.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to develop and evaluate an evidence-based preceptor education program for CRNA preceptors, utilizing evidence from literature and input from practicing nurse anesthetists. This program helps provide support by …

The Significance And Impact Of Traditional Naming Practices In The Meru Community Of Tanzania, Wariaeli Ismaeli Pallangyo, Eliakimu Sane

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

In Africa, names are not assigned arbitrarily. They are deliberately chosen to reflect communities’ social, economic and political understandings. The Meru people, residing in northeastern Tanzania, near Mount Meru, identify themselves through ethnic names that embody their cultural practices. This article examines the significance of Meru traditional names, variations and their enduring value in increasing globalisation and cultural homogenisation, drawing on data from the Meru community. Employing a case study design, qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with 49 participants recruited using snowball sampling. Thematic analysis, facilitated by Microsoft Excel, was utilised for data transcription …

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures For Mohs Reconstruction: A Systematic Review, Neha Garg, Shreya Mandloi, Natalia Queenan, Jay Trivedi, Adam Mccann, Vivian Xu, Dev Amin, Howard Krein, Ryan Heffelfinger

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

OBJECTIVE: Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and subsequent reconstructive procedures for the treatment of facial nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) significantly impact quality of life (QoL). A validated patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for patients who undergo Mohs reconstruction is not yet established. This study aims to systematically assess the quality of existing PROMs to determine their effectiveness in capturing the challenges faced after Mohs reconstruction for facial NMSC.

DATA SOURCES: A systematic review following established Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines was performed. Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched using keywords relevant to MMS, NMSC, facial reconstruction, …

The Simple Pendulum: Motion, Mechanics, And Applications, Margaret N. Okonya, Maryann Leshaj

Publications and Research

Me and my fellow physics classmate conducted an experiment in class and yielded positive results. This slide presentation explains the elements involved, the results, and how it is applied in reality.

Taking A Bite Out Of Shark Week: Discovery's Csa And Csr Messages, Kari Mortenson

Theses and Dissertations

The present study looks at how companies use corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate social accountability (CSA) messages differently. This study uses Discovery Channels Shark Week as an example by utilizing a grounded deductive analysis of Discovery's X, formerly known as Twitter, posts from 2015-2020. This timeline was chosen thanks to Discovery partnering with the non-profit organization Oceana in 2010 to create more informed and conservation minded content. The posts on Discovery's X account during each Shark Week from 2015-2020 were examined. Each were coded for themes, Other, CSA, or CSR, and additional frames for those themes. The frames gathered …

Quality And Sensory Characteristics Of Selected Freeze-Dried Foods After 50 Years Storage, Prithiviraj Jegannathan

Theses and Dissertations

Freeze-drying is a dehydration process that uses low temperature and pressure to remove moisture from food. With an annual market value of over $35 billion in 2023, freeze-dried foods are widely used in various situations requiring long-term storage such as military rations, emergency food supplies, and space exploration. Freeze-dried foods are becoming more popular for their quality, light weight, easy storage at room temperature, and quick rehydration. Moreover, many freeze-dried food manufacturers claim that their freeze-dried food products can last for 25 years or more. However, there are currently no published studies supporting such claims. Chemical, physical, and sensory properties …

Time Reversal Delivery Of Long Duration Noise To A Targeted Location: Achieving Higher Amplitude While Maintaining A Desired Spectral Shape And Maximizing The Spatial Extent, Rylee Scott Russell

Theses and Dissertations

Time Reversal (TR) is a signal processing technique that can be used to focus acoustic waves to a specific location in space, with most applications aiming to create an impulsive focus. This study instead aims to focus long-duration noise signals using TR. This thesis seeks to generate higher amplitude noise at a desired location over an existing method of broadcasting equalized noise. Additionally, this thesis explores various characteristics associated with focusing long duration noise using TR. The dependence of the focal amplitude on the duration of the focused signal is explored as well as the implications of using multiple sources …

Selling The City: A Qualitative Study On The Image Construction Of Times Square Through Its Media Environment, Sheetal Pandey

Theses

As a globally recognized symbol of indulgent consumerism and urban spectacle, the media environment of New York City’s Times Square plays a pivotal role in constructing its iconic image. This qualitative study uses a media ecology framework to analyze how Times Square’s digital displays, interactive installations, and live performances create an immersive experience that informs one’s image of it. Through participant observation and visual content analysis, this study examines how visitors interact with Times Square’s media landscape and identifies recurring media-driven themes. Observations reveal that Times Square’s media ecosystem invites constant public interaction, actively engaging visitors in a feedback loop …

Gardner-Webb Presents Prestigious Tucker Scholarship To Will Brooks Of Shelby, N.C., Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

Will Brooks, of Shelby, N.C., is the 2025 recipient of Gardner-Webb University’s highest honor for incoming undergraduate students, the Tucker Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength Scholarship. He is the sixth student in the history of the scholarship to be recognized with this honor. He also has the distinction of being the first male to win the award, and he is the first person from Cleveland County, N.C., to receive the Tucker Scholarship.

Capacity-Weighted Figures-Of-Merit For Battery Transport Metrics, Cj Sturgill, Christopher Sutton, Julian Schwenzel, Morgan Stefik

Faculty Publications

New battery materials with improved transport are needed. Typical measurements yield widely varying voltage-dependent diffusivities and reporting practices are diverse. Some materials (e.g. first-order phase change) have most redox occur at a specific voltage and may be sufficiently represented by singular transport metrics. Many rapid intercalation materials, however, exhibit second-order phase transitions with redox over a broad voltage range. How should such cases be compared? The use of capacity-weighted average values is suggested where voltage-dependent metrics are consolidated into representative descriptors as figures-of-merit. Examples are elaborated where differential capacity (dQ/dV) is used to derive a …

Quality Interpretation, Quality Interpretation Assessment, Back Translation, Communication Breakdown, Sense-Based Theory, Liyenja Mwinuka

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study assesses the quality of English-Kiswahili Sermon interpretation in church settings in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with a specific focus on the accuracy of vocabulary interpretation and its impact on effective communication between preachers and audiences. Conducted in two purposively selected Pentecostal churches, the study employed the Sense-Based Theory as its guiding framework. Data were gathered through interviews, non-participant observation, and video recordings; and were analysed qualitatively. The findings reveal frequent misinterpretation of preachers’ English vocabulary by Sermon interpreters, leading to significant communication breakdowns between preachers and their audiences. The incorrect interpretations of vocabulary were primarily attributed to the …

Nexus Between Rural Agricultural Land Ownership And Agricultural Credits Access: A Case Of Tanzania, Gelas Rubakula

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Agricultural investment in low- and middle-income countries faces credit access challenges. Several financial institutions, particularly banks, normally impose some conditions where the possession of a land title deed is required to access agricultural credits. This paper examines whether, and to what extent, rural agricultural land ownership influences agricultural credit access for rural farmers in Tanzania. The study focuses only on rural farmers and tries to find out whether these smallholder farmers can use their land, which is largely unformalized, as a collateral for credit access. The study survey was cross-sectional, using quantitative data collected in December 2017 to March 2018 …

Community, State And Professionalism: Negotiating The Experience Of Community Health Workers In The Provision Of Maternal And Child Health Services In Tanzania, Chakupewa Joseph Mpambije

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Research on community health workers (CHWs) has been on the increase in the past decades in Tanzania, focusing on the provision of maternal and child health (MCH) services. While performing their tasks, CHWs work within three constructs: the community, the state, and their professionalism. However, as CHWs work within these constructs, there exists scanty literature which discourses their experiences within the realm of the community, the state and their professionalism. This review aimed to articulate how these constructs facilitate or inhibit CHWs’ performance in improving MCH services. It employed a scoping review method in which peer-reviewed articles and grey literature …

Ad Hominem Arguments In Zimbabwean Political Discourse: An Analysis Of Political Argumentation, Jack Mutsvairo, Mawande Dlali

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The article investigates the motivation behind the prevalent use of the subtypes of ad hominem (personal attacks) arguments in Zimbabwe political discourse in the build-up to the 2023 harmonised council, parliamentary and presidential elections. This qualitative case study research looks at the use of ad hominem arguments by Zimbabwean politicians. Using analytical tools and concepts from informal logic and pragma-dialectical argumentation theories, this article focuses on identifying, analysing, and evaluating ad hominem arguments used in Zimbabwean political discourse, particularly in parliamentary debates and broadcast interviews. Data were purposively sampled and gathered from Hansard records, and a television interview transcript. It …

Reputation Management: Branding A Higher Education Graduate Program To Increase Visibility, Vanderbilt Artaxerxes Brabson Iv

Student Theses and Dissertations

This capstone project offers a comprehensive training tool for non-communication professionals working in higher education programs. Its main goals are to give users (1) a summary of valuable research on higher education reputation management, branding, and strategic communication, and (2) an online toolkit for non-communication professionals to boost the visibility and impact of their educational initiatives. By providing practical, actionable resources, these tools help higher education professionals effectively handle the challenges of strategic communication management. The toolkit is especially useful because it delivers evidence-based strategies and methods that can be directly applied to improve communication efforts in higher education. It …

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury In Justice-Involved Individuals And Executive Function Consequences On Transition And Reintegration Into The Community, Alaina L. Randerson

Student Capstone Papers

The United States has the highest documented incarceration rate in the world (Carson, 2022), with an increasing number of justice-involved individuals (JII) potentially affected by mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Despite the high prevalence of mTBIs in the general population, limited research exists on the prevalence and impact of mTBIs in JII. Preliminary evidence suggests that the prevalence of mTBIs in incarcerated individuals is 50 times higher than in the general public (Siegler et al., 2017). This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of JII with mTBI, focusing on the origin of mTBIs, executive dysfunction, and the occupational barriers …

Aspiration Of Left Atrial Masses Using The Large-Bore Manual Aspiration System: The Aspirate La Procedure, Shaurya Srivastava, Hussam Al Hennawi, Ahmad Abulshamat, Appa Bandi, Mohammed Qintar

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

Transcatheter mass extraction of left-sided cardiac masses has gained popularity in recent years, with scarce data on effectiveness, safety, and types of devices used. Mostly, left-sided aspirations use mechanical and continuous-flow–mediated devices (the AngioVac [AngioDynamics] and Penumbra systems [Penumbra]). To our knowledge, the use of manual aspiration devices has not been reported yet. Here, we report the first case series on the use of the AlphaVac (AngioDynamics) (a large-bore manual aspiration device) system for left-sided intracardiac masses.

A Critical Discourse Analysis Of The Representation Of Gender Images In Wedding Speeches In Tanzania, Reuben Ndimbo, Antoni Keya

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study examined parents’ counsel during weddings to determine how wedding discourse represents gender relations. This article utilized a qualitative methodology, using audio-visual records of speeches and the focus group discussion technique to gather data. Using critical discourse analysis, the study found that wedding discourse reinforces stereotypical gender roles following the dominant male ideology, portraying men as the supreme heads of households who are responsible for making important decisions, including financial and political matters. On the other hand, women are projected as obedient, showing humility: perpetuating the image of dependent and submissive individuals. The study provides a basis for linguistic …

Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Is Increased In Sputum From Individuals With Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Pulmonary Fibrosis, Timothy M. Wilson, Matthew Bolt, Andrew Stahly, Joyce S. Lee, Tami J. Bang, Peter B. Sachs, Kevin D. Deane, Stephen M. Humphries, Joshua J. Solomon, M. Kristen Demoruelle

Division of Rheumatology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) develops in 5-10% of patients with RA and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly in those with a fibrotic phenotype. Yet, biomarkers to reliably identify RA patients with underlying pulmonary fibrosis are inadequate. Herein, we used sputum to identify lung-based biomarkers that distinguish RA patients with underlying pulmonary fibrosis and may better inform underlying pathogenesis in RA-ILD.

METHODS: We included 37 RA patients with pulmonary fibrosis (RA-PF) and 30 RA patients without ILD (RA-no-ILD). Induced sputum and serum were tested for TGF-β levels by immunoassay. DNA was extracted to determine presence of the MUC5B …

Factors Affecting Sport-Related Concussion Non-Disclosure In Women's Rugby-A Multi-Country Qualitative Analysis, Lisa Ryan, Ed Daly, Katherine Hunzinger

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

Background and Objectives: Collision-sport athletes, such as rugby players, are at risk of sport-related concussion (SRC). Women are known to be at higher risk of SRC and may experience more severe and chronic symptomology than men. Knowledge of the factors that affect a player’s disclosure of their concussive symptoms could help to inform strategies to improve compliance with reporting and management of head injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that may impact women rugby players’ disclosure of a concussion. Methods: Twenty-eight adult (≥18 years of age) elite and semi-elite women rugby players from the UK …

Evaluations Of Digital Public Health Interventions In The Who Southeast Asia Region: A Systematic Literature Review, Nachiket Gudi, Elstin Anbu Raj, Beate Jahn, Uwe Siebert

Open Access archive

Introduction Digital health technologies have been enhancing the capacity of healthcare providers and, thereby, the delivery of targeted health services. The Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) has invested in strengthening digital public health. Many digital health interventions have been implemented in public health settings but are rarely assessed using the holistic health technology assessment (HTA) approach. Methods A systematic literature review was performed to provide an overview of evaluations of digital public health interventions in the World Health Organization (WHO) SEAR. Searches were conducted on four electronic databases. Screening title abstracts and full texts was independently conducted by two reviewers, followed …

Working Within A Perfect Storm: The Current Uk Care Crisis In Community Neurorehabilitation, Alyson Norman, Mark Holloway, Jackie Dean, Andrew Patterson, Ben Needham-Holmes, Valentina Curro, Craig Andrews, Phillipa Feltham-White, Jo Clark-Wilson

School of Psychology

Context: Within the UK there is a shortage of support workers required to meet the needs of individuals with acquired brain injuries who often require extensive care packages. Objective: This study aimed to identify the issues surrounding support worker recruitment and retention and to identify the impact on the care received by individuals with brain injuries and other complex needs. Method: Two surveys were sent out to members of the British Association of Brain and Complex Case Management (BABICM) to better understand retention and recruitment issues within their organisations. Cross-sectional data were collected in January 2022 and again in April …

Prenatal Identification Of Intracardiac Mass Expedites Surgical Management Of Capillary-Venous Malformation, Derek M Norton, Mounica Y Rao, Jianhong Zhang, M John Hicks, Anitha Parthiban, S Kristen Sexson Tejtel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Fetal and neonatal cardiac tumors are rare and often benign. Clinical presentation is primarily related to mass effect, pericardial effusion or arrhythmia. Prenatal detection can assist with risk assessment and inform optimal delivery plan and postnatal management. We report a fetus with a right atrial mass discovered in the third trimester. After successful surgical resection, pathology confirmed the mass to be a capillary-venous malformation, which are rare and challenging to diagnose. The true incidence of these vascular malformations within cardiac spaces is difficult to discern given the historic classification of numerous different vascular malformations under the umbrella term hemangioma.

Grain Boundary Solute Segregation Across The 5d Space Of Crystallographic Character, Lydia Harris Serafin

Theses and Dissertations

Solute segregation in materials with grain boundaries (GBs) has emerged as a popular method to thermodynamically stabilize nanocrystalline structures. However, the impact of varied GB crystallographic character on solute segregation has never been thoroughly examined. This work examines Co solute segregation in a dataset of 7272 Al bicrystal GBs that span the 5D space of GB crystallographic character. Considerable attention is paid to verification of the calculations in the diverse and large set of GBs. In addition, the results of this work are favorably validated against similar bicrystal and polycrystal simulations. As with other work, we show that Co atoms …