Digital Commons Network^™

Informing Management Of American Shad (Alosa Sapidissima) In The Carolinas: Evaluating Novel Fish Passage Approaches And Acoustic Tracking Methods, Margaret Gaither

All Theses

Acoustic telemetry is a valuable tool for fisheries scientists to study the movements and migratory behaviors of aquatic organisms. A critical assumption of this method is that tagged fish exhibit similar behaviors and survival rates as their untagged counterparts. To investigate this, we conducted a 12-week laboratory study on adult American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) using gastroesophageal insertion of acoustic transmitters. We implanted 80 fish with dummy transmitters and monitored tag retention and survival. Our analysis, employing a mixed effects Cox’s proportional hazards model, revealed no significant differences in survival between tagged and control fish, regardless of sex. Additionally, …

Investigation Of Chondrogenesis, Myogenesis, And Osteogenesis After 2,4-Dtbp, 2-Bp, 4-Bp, 3,5-Dtbc Exposure In Zebrafish, Haley Brashears

All Theses

Synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) are used in personal care products, food packaging, and water pipes, common SPAs include 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP), 2-tert-butyl phenol (2-BP), and 4-tert-butyl phenol (4-BP). These compounds are detected in the environment and in human biological samples. 2,4-DTBP has been detected in cord plasma, placenta, and breast milk samples. This drives the concern regarding developmental toxicity. In human iPS cells 2,4-DTBP impairs differentiation into somites and osteoblasts. Other SPAs, like 2,6-di-tert-butyl-hydroxytoluene caused increased rates of malformations including yolk and pericardial edema, and spinal curvature in 5-day post fertilization (dpf) zebrafish. …

A Drosophila Model Of Mucopolysacchridosis Iiia, Rebecca Bishop

All Theses

Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (MPS IIIA) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder that arises from inability to break down heparan sulfate (HS) because of mutations in the N-sulfoglucosamine sulfohydrolase (SGSH) gene. We used a deletion mutant of the Drosophila melanogaster Sgsh gene along with three point mutations analogous to mutations observed in patients (S64W, L89P, S301P) to show an increase in the average percent of area with lysosomal puncta in the fly brains of our mutants using Lysotracker. RNA sequencing of brains of mutant and control flies showed 441 (Knockout), 337 (S64W), 155 (L89P), and 96 (S301P) differentially expressed …

Toward Electrochemical Detection Of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Enteritidis On Hydroponically Grown Green Onions (Allium Fistulosum L.), Lisseth Casso-Hartmann

All Theses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established standards during the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption as part of implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). One of the main requirements for farmers is to detect environmental pathogens such as Salmonella enterica species in water and sprout samples. S. enterica is a bacterium of significant concern due to its pathogenicity and ability to survive and persist in diverse environmental conditions. S. enterica has been associated with recalls in ready-to-eat foods. Traditional detection methods include Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and plate counting, which …

Lateral Dispersal Of Adult Trichoptera: Flight Distance And Traveling Pattern, Peilin Tan

All Theses

Trichoptera species (caddisfly) are usually used as bio-indictors for surface water quality due to their sensitivity to environmental changes, and if assessing water quality with light-trapped adults, knowing their travelling patterns will improve the accuracy of such assessments. To investigate how far a caddisfly will migrate from their emerging stream, three streams in South Carolina with different widths (Wildcat Creek 1.2 m, Brasstown Creek 11.2 m and Chattooga River 26.95 m) were selected for this study with light traps placed at three distances (0 m, 50 m, 100 m) from the streams. How long and when? Both species richness and …

The Impact Of Generational Trauma In Educational Spaces: Inherited Strategies And Tools For Coping, Conrado Abando Julian Iii

Education Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the impact of generational trauma on educational spaces. This research involved narratives from eleven participants with diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds and explored the nuanced ways in which generational trauma impacted the academic settings and how it influences students' social, emotional, and academic experiences. It identified three primary themes: the perception of generational trauma, its impact on academic experiences, and the coping mechanisms employed by individuals. Findings revealed that participants experience innate pressure to excel, often driven by familial expectations, alongside a lack of support which hindered academic motivation. Coping mechanisms such as various involvement in …

Assessment Of Drought Tolerance In Mung Bean [Vigna Radiata (L.) Wilczek] Through Phenology, Growth, Protein Yield, And Cluster Heatmap Analysis, Rafiqul Islam, Jamil Hossain, Shamsul Huda, Mohammad Golam Azam, Faruk Hossain, Aktar Uz Zaman, Safiqul Moula, Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Jamal Hossain, Ayman El Sabagh, Mohammad Sohidul Islum

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] cultivation is challenging under the changing climate as less precipitation during the summer season, which is becoming increasingly common, results in soil moisture deficiency and affects production especially at the early growth stages. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the phenology, growth, and protein yield traits of mung bean related to drought tolerance. Eight mung bean genotypes were grown in pots inside a rain-out shelter under well-watered (WW) and water-deficit (WD) conditions. These genotypes included four water stress-tolerant genotypes: G-1 (BARI Mung-8), G-2 (BMX-010015), G-3 (BMX-08010-2), and G-4 (BMX-08009-7), as well as four …

Integrating Responsible And Ethical Conduct Of Research Into Cures: A Longitudinal Study Observing Professional Development Of Fellows Within The Ethics Network For Course-Based Opportunities In Undergraduate Research, Aimee Angelica Hernandez-Gaytan

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Journey And Lived Experience Of Dropout, Hispanic, Teen Fathers, Patricia Ann Cuevas

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The dropout phenomenon in the United States is an ongoing concern, especially regarding teen fathers. The purpose of this qualitative phenological study was to examine how Hispanic men who fathered a child as adolescent understood and made sense of their lived experiences of dropping out of high school and later returning to their studies. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to gather the data. An analysis of the findings was conducted, revealing the themes of emotional distress, expectations, hard lessons, and the impact of fatherhood. The themes were then applied to the theorical framework of Sensemaking. The results revealed that the participants …

The Flexible Pathways Model Of Writing Assessment: A Plan For Equity And Agency In The Writing Classroom, Matthew Varel

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This project is a qualitative study in which I seek to understand how my new model of writing assessment, The Flexible Pathways Model, or FPM, functions when piloted in three First-Year Writing classrooms at a border and Hispanic-Serving Institution. This research builds on the work of composition scholars Peter Elbow and Pat Belanoff, Elbow and Jane Danielewicz, Asao B. Inoue, Ellen Carillo, and Edward White as well as education scholar Benjamin Bloom. The model also incorporates concepts from Universal Design scholarship of Tara Wood, Stephen Dolmage, and Anne-Marie Womack. In the FPM, students learn about four different methods of writing …

Development Of A Novel Autoantibody Panel For Prostate Cancer Detection Based On Immunoproteomic Profiling And Cancer Driver Genes, Cuipeng Qiu

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequent cancer in males with 1.47 million new cases and 396,700 deaths worldwide in 2022. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among males in the United States with over 35,000 estimated deaths in 2024. PCa is a type of indolent cancer that can progress to an advanced metastatic castration-resistant (mCRPC) stage if not detected and treated early. Screening precancerous lesions or early tumor detection is an effective strategy to reduce the mortality of cancer. Despite the development of effective screening methods, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, the specificity …

Morphological And Physiological Changes Of Katuray (Sesbania Grandiflora) During Seed Maturation [Research Note], Alangelico San Pascual, Lucille Elna De Guzman, Maurice Gravidez, Elijah Estante

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Katuray (Sesbania grandiflora), whose flowers are consumed as steamed vegetables, is an important green manure crop in the Philippines. Understanding different processes leading to seed maturity can aid in determining S. grandiflora’s seed quality, preventing premature harvesting for seed increase, ensuring efficient propagation and production of seedlings, and breeding new varieties of this crop. Multiple flowers were tagged, and three to five pods were collected five days after anthesis (DAA) and at a five-day interval thereafter until 100% germination was achieved. Seed size, moisture content (MC), dry weight, germination percentage, and embryo development were observed and recorded. Seed length was …

Bioactivity And Synergism Of Tagpo (Ardisia Tomentosa) Molluscicidal Extracts, Darwin C. Gomez, Grechelle Socias, Rosemarie Galanza, Florlyn C. Gayas Ma., Fe T. Piedad, Brian John Sarno

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Population control of golden apple snails (GAS, Pomacea canaliculata) is beneficial in rice farming; however, the associated control measures can be expensive and time-consuming. Currently, farmers use synthetic molluscicides such as niclosamide to control GAS infestation, but this has some drawbacks. For example, niclosamide has broad toxicity to non-target organisms and negatively affects the growth of rice seedlings. Plant extracts with potent bioactivity and low toxicity to non-target organisms are attractive alternatives to synthetic molluscicides. In this study, the bioactivity of the crude fruit extract of tagpo (Ardisia tomentosa) was assessed against GAS and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fries. The potential …

Supplementation Of Commercial Probiotic Lactobacillus Casei In Rearing Early-Stage Silver Therapon (Leiopotherapon Plumbeus) Larvae: Effects On Growth, Body Composition, And Stress Tolerance, Frolan A. Aya, Reylan C. Gutierrez, Mark Joseph Reyes, Luis Maria B. Garcia

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Supplementation of probiotics in live feeds and rearing water may improve the growth, survival, and resistance of fish larvae. This study examined the beneficial effect of a commercial probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus casei on the growth, body composition, and stress resistance in early-stage silver therapon (Leiopotherapon plumbeus) larvae. Larvae at 12 d post-hatch (DPH) (9.76 ± 1.32 mm total length [TL] and 13.48 ± 4.80 mg body weight [BW]) were reared in triplicate groups of 15 larvae per tank from 12 – 40 DPH (Phase 1) and 41 – 96 DPH (Phase 2). From 12 – 40 DPH, larvae were fed …

Comparative Analysis Of Household Food And Nutrition Security In Selected Philippine Urban And Rural Households During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jay-Al Reyes, Julieta Delosreyes

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study analyzed the food and nutrition security of selected urban and rural households in Pili, Camarines Sur, Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. It determined the prevalence of food insecurity among the selected urban and rural households, analyzed the determinants of food insecurity in these households, determined the prevalence of malnutrition, and assessed the relationship between the households’ food security and nutrition security. Primary data from a survey of 185 urban and rural households and secondary data from the Electronic Operation Timbang Plus (e-OPT) Tool were used to determine the prevalence of food insecurity using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale …

Monitoring Nekton Response To Salt Marsh Restoration In The Great Marsh Estuary, Ma, Alexandria E. Sangermano

Master's Theses and Capstones

Salt marshes are intertidal, vegetated habitats that develop in protected, low energy areas within temperate estuaries. Notably, the North American coast comprises approximately 40% of the world's salt marshes which are valued for their numerous ecosystem services including coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and outdoor recreation. Additionally, salt marshes are vital habitats for estuarine nekton (fish and crustaceans), which rely on creeks, channels, the vegetated marsh, and isolated pools within the marsh surface for reproduction, foraging, and refuge from predators. In New England, the historic practice of salt marsh ditching for agricultural development and mosquito management has resulted in significant changes …

Unequal Struggles: The Heightened Burdens Of First-Generation College Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Kristen Nichole Branch

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This narrative literature review explores the current research and data on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on first-generation college students. From academics to mental, emotional, and social effects, the COVID-19 pandemic took the hurdles that this unique group of students already faces and amplified their challenges. This narrative literature review looks at different studies starting at the peak of the pandemic, 2020, to the current year, 2024, where we are beginning to see mitigation strategies and changes to policies to assist the flaws within the education system for first-generation students.

Thermal Anharmonicity Of Transition Metals: A Case Study Of Tantalum, Bimal K C

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Density functional theory (DFT) is commonly used for evaluating the thermal propertiesand equation of state of solids, usually within the quasi-harmonic approximation (QHA). In transition metals, thermodynamic quantities such as the thermal pressure and Gruneisen parameter are poorly reproduced compared with experimental values or with direct computational methods like quantum-molecular dynamics (QMD) simulations. Surprisingly, there has not been to date, a systematic study aimed at understanding the reasons for these discrepancies. Using Tantalum as a case study, we have evaluated the temperature dependence of the phonon frequencies employing Harmonic Ensemble Lattice Dynamics (HELD) combined with classical and quantum molecular dynamics. …

Metagenomic Sequencing For Early Detection Of Future Engineered Pandemics: Foreshadowing The Privacy Challenge, Nir Eyal, Bridget Williams, Kevin M. Esvelt, Jane R. Bambauer

UF Law Faculty Publications

In this commentary, we imagine how a global system of metagenomic sequencing could be governed in order to reap the benefits and manage the risks. Global institutional engineers and their academic partners would need to develop a new governance model to ensure that all partners involved in a global metagenomic surveillance system cooperate as needed.

Facilitated Forest Restoration Using Pioneer Seed Dispersers In Madagascar: The Example Of Microcebus Spp., Joerg U. Ganzhorn, Jean-Basile Andriambeloson, Sylvia Atsalis, Lis M. Behrendt, Marina B. Blanco, An Bollen, Stephanie M. Carriere, Lounes Chikhi, Melanie Dammhahn, Giuseppe Donati, Timothy M. Eppley, Multiple Additional Authors

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The concept of “facilitated restoration” aims at native biodiversity reinstatement with the help of animal seed dispersers attracted by fruiting trees. Yet, large-crowned trees will have to develop in the early stages of restoration; therefore, seed dispersal provided by small generalist mammals and birds that use rapidly growing herbs, shrubs, and small trees at early stages of forest succession would accelerate biodiversity restoration. Due to the elusive lifestyle of these small animals, it is unclear what species can contribute to the early stages of this process. Using the primate genus Microcebus (adult body mass about 60 g) as an example, …

Reframing The Landscape: Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty, Amy Reid

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This thesis project recognizes Robert Smithson’s contribution to the fields of art and landscape architecture with a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for Spiral Jetty. The nomination was completed with support from the Utah State Historic Preservation Office, Dia Art Foundation, and Holt/Smithson Foundation.

Spiral Jetty is considered a highly influential work of the Land art genre. At Rozel Point Smithson constructed a 1,500-foot-long and 15-foot-wide earthwork of site-sourced basalt rock and soil. It extends from the shore approximately 600 feet before collapsing twice in a counterclockwise spiral. Smithson carefully selected the site where the earthwork would …

Creating Place-Based Introductory Geoscience Field Trip Curricula For Indigenous Students, Kitri Spencer

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This project seeks to produce and evaluate a place-based geoscience field trip curriculum along the San Juan River designed for Indigenous students. The Geoscience on the San Juan River field trip uses a “place-based” approach to weave scientific concepts with the cultural knowledge and lived experiences of the students. Learning activities were designed to accommodate a wide range of learning preferences and accessibility needs with the hope of increasing Indigenous enrollment in the geosciences. The lesson plan was tested on June 4^th, 2022 during a guided rafting excursion on the San Juan River for students participating in the …

Biosense: An Automated Sensing Node For Organismal And Environmental Biology, Andrea Contina, Eric Abelson, Brendan Allison, Brian Stokes, Kenedy F. Sanchez, Henry M. Hernandez, Anna M. Kepple, Quynhmai Tran, Isabella Kazen

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Automated remote sensing has revolutionized the fields of wildlife ecology and environmental science. Yet, a cost-effective and flexible approach for large scale monitoring has not been fully developed, resulting in a limited collection of high-resolution data. Here, we describe BioSense, a low-cost and fully programmable automated sensing platform for applications in bioacoustics and environmental studies. Our design offers customization and flexibility to address a broad array of research goals and field conditions. Each BioSense is programmed through an integrated Raspberry Pi computer board and designed to collect and analyze avian vocalizations while simultaneously collecting temperature, humidity, and soil moisture data. …

Early Detection And Intervention Of Preschool-Aged Children Using Android-Based Monitoring During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Central Java, Triwiji Lestari, Elisa Elisa

Jurnal Keperawatan Indonesia

Preschool age is widely recognized as a critical phase in child development, often referred to as the golden period, the window of opportunity, and the critical period. Alarming statistics from the Indonesian Ministry of Health reveal that 16% of Indonesian toddlers, amounting to 0.4 million children, experience developmental delays, encompassing fine and gross motor skills, hearing impairments, reduced cognitive abilities, and speech delays. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of an Android-based early detection and intervention system on the development of preschool children during the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic in Central Java. The research employed a quasi- …

Effect Of Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems On Soil Properties And Microbial Diversity In Soybean Production, Namita Sinha, Brett R. Rushing, Aniruddha Acharya, Shankar Gaapathi Shanmugam

Faculty Publications - Biological Sciences

Integrated crop and livestock systems (ICLSs) have been considered an important management-based decision to improve soil health by carbon sequestration. A two-year study (2019–2021) at CPBES in Newton, MS, was conducted to evaluate the effect of an ICLS on soil microbial diversity in the southeastern region of the USA, representing agroclimatic conditions that are warm and humid. Amplicons targeting bacterial 16S rRNA genes and fungal ITS2 regions were sequenced. Taxonomic assignment and characterization of microbial diversity were performed using QIIME2®. Soil fungal diversity pattern showed significant difference (alpha diversity, p = 0.031 in 2020 and beta diversity, p = 0.037 …

Full Issue, The Mcnair Team

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Site Position, Tillage, And Soil Depth Effects On Soil Properties In A Furrow-Irrigated Rice Field On A Silt-Loam Soil, Hannah Nobles, Kristofor Brye, Diego Della Lunga

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The fundamental agronomic shift from conventional agricultural methods to conservation agriculture relies on understanding soil nutrient stratification with depth and under different tillage treatments. Assessment of nutrient stratification in the dynamic conditions of furrow-irrigated rice (Oryza sativa) systems in eastern Arkansas is absent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of tillage [i.e., conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT], site position (i.e., up-, mid-, and down-slope), soil depth interval (i.e., 0-10 and 10-20 cm), and their interaction on the difference (i.e., end of the season minus beginning of the season) in select soil chemical …

The Effect Of Common Road Salts And Organic Additives On Microbial Respiration In Urban Streams, Claire Meara

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Due to significant population growth and urbanization, there has been an increase in impervious surfaces such as roads and sidewalks. During winter, impervious surfaces are often treated with salt to make road conditions safer. However, this has significant impacts on water quality when salt enters urban streams during runoff events. The addition of road salts to urban streams has been shown to have detrimental effects to various organisms across trophic levels and affects nutrient cycling and greenhouse gas release. These findings have made the development of alternative treatments necessary, such as using organic additives, like beet juice, which can decrease …

Analyzing Food Sources And Food Insecurity Of Kichwa Farming Families In The Ecuadorian Amazon, Reina Watanabe

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

While the right to food is internationally recognized and the United Nations established the sustainable development goal to end hunger and achieve food security by 2030, many households remain without consistent access to food in 2024. In Latin America, approximately 4 in 10 households were reported as food insecure in 2020 with higher rates in rural and indigenous communities. Rural areas, which have great overlap with indigenous communities in Ecuador, experience disproportionately high levels of poverty and food insecurity compared to urban areas. The most populous indigenous nationality in the Ecuadorian Amazon and the participants of this study are the …

"Recognize Me As Who I Am": Names, Pronouns, And The Intersection Of Title Vii And Title Ix, Ariell Bachman

Denver Law Review

In 2020, the Supreme Court decided Bostock v. Clayton County, a case about Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Bostock interpreted Title VII to prohibit employers from using an employee’s sexual orientation or gender identity in adverse employment decisions. Many federal circuit courts and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) have used Bostock’s reasoning to conclude that Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits schools from treating a student adversely based on that student’s sexual orientation or gender identity. However, many states and school districts have mandated the intentional use of the incorrect name and …