Digital Commons Network^™

An Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of A Commercial Butterfly Breeder Seminar, Monrita G. Tate

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a Beginning Commercial Butterfly Breeder Seminar, a training workshop based on evidence-based best practices for rearing butterflies. The evaluation examined participant experience in the workshop, knowledge gained, and any changes in their professional practice. An electronic survey was distributed to participants of the 2022 and 2023 cohorts to collect feedback on their perception of the seminar and mastery of learning outcomes. The results indicated a live perception of the seminar, which equipped participants with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement standard operating procedures to enhance their professional practices and facilitate the application …

An Examination Of The Perceived Factors Of Internship Programs That Lead Students To Remain With An Organization After Completing An Internship, Dorance Renard Miles Ii

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Over the past decade, there has been considerable growth in the number of undergraduate students completing internships in the United States (US). Through increased awareness and participation, internships have become known for developing career readiness skills, gaining first-hand experience in the workplace, and bridging the transition from academia to the world of work. As illustrated by the elevated number of college graduates reporting an internship experience upon graduation, internships are becoming a high-impact practice within the collegiate experience. Identified as a gateway to recruitment and hiring by organizations, internships are structured to provide students with direct work experience related to …

Democratizing Plant Biodiversity Data With Coefficients Of Conservatism For The Vascular Flora Of Tennessee And Kentucky, Sevyn Brothers

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Floristic Quality Assessments (FQAs) measure an ecosystem's quality and can be applied to any ecosystem. FQAs consist of two parts: a species checklist and each species’ coefficient of conservatism (c-value). C-values are integers that describe a species’ tolerance to anthropogenically disturbed habitats. C-values should be applied to species per ecoregion; however, this can be difficult due to resource allocations, and therefore it is more common to apply c-values at the state level. Tennessee and Kentucky (TNKY) share many native species and ecoregions and lacked published c-values, putting TNKY in a prime position for combined c-value assignment. C-values were assigned to …

Technical Report: Technical Support For Developing And Field Testing In Situ Bioassays In The Surface Mixing Layer Of Marine Waters At Oil Spill, G. A. Burton, A. Crane, B. Chadwick, G. Rosen, G. Stewart, S. Allan, O. Garcia-Pineda

Coastal Response Research Center

An in situ technology was developed to assess the toxicity of oil spills to aquatic organisms in the water column. This technology, named the Drifting Exposure and Effects Assessment Ring (DEEAR), is comprised of a bioassay tool known as the Sediment Ecotoxicity Assessment Ring (SEA Ring), mounted within a drifting drogue known as the Drifting Particle Simulator (DPS). The technology also includes a UV fluorometer that continuously senses oil fluorescence, as well as passive sampling devices that can be used to quantify average concentrations of oil-based compounds. The DEEAR system was tested in the field in 2019, after which refinements …

Fabrication And Performance Of Scalable Bio-Engineered Porous Layers For Efficient Co2 Capture, Mary Sharon Rose Bondugula

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the critical challenge of mitigating climate change by advancing CO2 capture technologies. As global CO2 emissions continue to rise, effective methods for capturing and separating CO2 from industrial processes are essential to combat climate change. Existing CO2 capture systems, such as Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA), often rely on packed bed designs that face limitations, including poor heat and mass transfer, slow gas diffusion, and low thermal conductivity, reducing their efficiency. To overcome these challenges, this dissertation explores innovative solutions by developing advanced adsorbent coatings and scalable bed configurations.

This research begins by …

A176: Meta-Analysis Of The Effects Of Phototherapy On Sleep Quality Across Different Populations, Zhen Chen, Wenqiang Wu

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background: Sleep, a fundamental physiological need for humans, significantly impacts an individual's physical and mental health. Phototherapy, a non-pharmacological intervention, has been extensively researched in recent years to improve sleep quality. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of phototherapy on sleep quality across different populations through a meta-analysis, using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index as the outcome measure, thereby providing a scientific basis for improving the population health levels and life quality.

Method: As of March 1, 2024, this study conducted a systematic search of four databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and CNKI. A comprehensive set of inclusion …

Biological Validation Of Peak-Width Of Skeletonized Mean Diffusivity As A Vcid Biomarker: The Markvcid Consortium, Alison M Luckey, Saptaparni Ghosh, Chen-Pin Wang, Alexa Beiser, Rebecca Bernal, Zhiguang Li, Djass Mbangdadji, Elyas Fadaee, Haykel Snoussi, Angel Gabriel Velarde Dediós, Hector A Trevino, Monica Goss, Laura J Hillmer, Christopher E Bauer, Adam M Staffaroni, Lara Stables, Marilyn Albert, Jayandra J Himali, Thomas H Mosley, Lars Forsberg, Vilmundur Guðnason, Baljeet Singh, Herpreet Singh, Kristin Schwab, Joel H Kramer, Gary A Rosenberg, Karl G Helmer, Steven M Greenberg, Mohamad Habes, Danny J J Wang, Brian T Gold, Hanzhang Lu, Arvind Caprihan, Myriam Fornage, Lenore J Launer, Konstantinos Arfanakis, Sudha Seshadri, Charles Decarli, Pauline Maillard, Claudia L Satizabal

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Peak-width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD), a neuroimaging marker of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), has shown excellent instrumental properties. Here, we extend our work to perform a biological validation of PSMD.

METHODS: We included 396 participants from the Biomarkers for Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (MarkVCID-1) Consortium and three replication samples (Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology = 6172, Rush University Medical Center = 287, University of California Davis Alzheimer's Disease Research Center = 567). PSMD was derived from diffusion tensor imaging using an automated algorithm. We related PSMD to a composite measure …

The Effects Of Livestock On Mosquito Diversity And Abundance In Hidalgo County, Taylor Nicole Moya

Theses and Dissertations

Mosquitoes are detrimental to animals and threaten humans. More information is needed on how farm animal presence may impact mosquito abundance and diversity at farms. My goal in this study is to determine if there is any correlation between animal abundance or diversity on a farm and the abundance and diversity of mosquitoes collected. Hidalgo County, Texas, has a subtropical desert climate, ideal for mosquitoes. I hypothesized that the mosquito abundance and diversity indices would increase as the livestock abundance or diversity increases. Adult mosquitoes were collected using two CO2-baited light traps per farm from Spring 2022 to Fall 2022. …

Understanding The Influence Of Traffic And Noise On The Wildlife Community Surrounding Fm106 And Sh100 In South Texas, Anna Rose Mehner

Theses and Dissertations

In South Texas, highways create landscape fragmentation, habitat degradation, and result in wildlife vehicle collisions. Vehicle collisions are the highest known cause of mortality of the endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), which led Texas Department of Transportation to install nine wildlife crossing structures (WCS) on Farm-to-Market 106 and five on State Highway 100. These highways are along Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, which is the location of the southernmost breeding population of ocelots in the United States. Many other wildlife species including bobcat (Lynx rufus) and coyote (Canis latrans), are present along these highways and …

Structure Modifications And Alternative Monitoring Designs Of Wildlife Road Mitigation Structures, Madison T. Nadler

Theses and Dissertations

Wildlife mitigation structures are designed to keep animals off roadways while providing them safe passage to the other side and not impeding traffic flow. Camera traps are commonly used to assess the success of these mitigation structures, but there are downfalls to both the methods and structures. Alternative mitigation structure designs are needed to better prevent wildlife from accessing roadways in areas where they should be deterred. Additionally, traditional camera trapping methods do not accurately capture the full wildlife communities that may be utilizing these structures and other survey methods are needed, specifically aimed at small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. …

Effects Of Metoprolol And Propranolol Beta-Blockers Mixture On Morphological And Physiological Responses In The American Oyster, Andrew Salinas

Theses and Dissertations

Beta-blockers are extensively used to treat human cardiovascular conditions yet pose significant risks to non-target aquatic organisms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term exposure (one week) to a beta-blocker’s mixture (low-dose: 50 ng/L propranolol and 250 ng/L metoprolol, and high-dose: 250 ng/L propranolol and 650 ng/L metoprolol) in the American oysters. Histopathological assessments revealed structural damage to gills, connective tissues, and digestive glands in both low- and high-dose treatment groups. Additionally, glucose concentration and pH of the extrapallial fluid significantly declined in the high-dose treatment group. Hemocyte density within connective tissues increased proportionally with dosage. The beta-blocker …

Tc-Ptp-Mediated Regulation Of P38 Mapk Pathway Promotes Uvb-Induced Apoptosis In Skin, Lindsey Susie Shim

Theses and Dissertations

T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC-PTP) is a non-receptor PTP that has been shown to have various roles in signaling pathways. Our previous studies have demonstrated that the TC-PTP deficiency in the epidermis can exacerbate hyperplastic response by inducing epidermal cell proliferation in response to tumor promoter TPA or UVB exposure. This implies that TC-PTP plays a tumor-suppressive role in the epidermis and provides protection against UVB radiation, which is well known to contribute to skin cancer development. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is one of serine/threonine kinases that are activated through environmental stress including UVB. It has been demonstrated …

Effect Of An Anti-Hiv Polymer Based Nanoformulation On Immune Mediating Cells Within The Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue And Its Behavioural Impacts, Blessed Ofori

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the therapeutic potential of nanoformulated antiretroviral therapy (NF cART) and its implications for HIV-associated chronic inflammation and neurobehavioral outcomes. In the first study, NF cART demonstrated enhanced efficacy in modulating inflammasome activation and reducing viral reservoirs in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and the small intestine of HIV-infected humanized mice. Key markers of inflammation (NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-1β) and viral replication (LTR and p24 levels) were significantly suppressed with NF cART compared to conventional therapy, though residual LTR expression persisted in the small intestine. In the second study, nanoformulated Emtricitabine uniquely enhanced locomotor activity and reduced anxiety-like behaviors …

Implementing Organic Fertilization Practices To Improve Aloe Vera Growth And Soil Health In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Isaiah Edward Jaramillo

Theses and Dissertations

Aloe vera (L.) (Aloe) Burm. f., is valued for its applications across the cosmetic, medicinal, and food industries due to its leaf gel. In the aloe industry, the extraction of gel from leaves generates significant quantities of organic waste, which presents an opportunity to repurpose this material as an amendment in aloe cultivation. While Aloe is renowned for its resilience, understanding the feasibility of using these organic shavings as a soil fertility amendment in aloe production is critical. This research aims to identify sustainable fertilization methods for Aloe that can maintain and/or improve crop yield while enhancing soil health. This …

The Heroine Among Us: An Analysis Of The Feminine Principle Of The Heroine Archetype In Motion Pictures And Its Implication For Social Discourse, Neldie Gonzales

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores an emerging myth perceived by the rise of the feminine principle in modern society that challenges traditional gender roles. It forms a connection between the heroines seen in film and those in the real-world. It explains how the characteristics of unity, equality and love align to the feminine principle, the acquisition of which defines the archetypal hero along the hero’s journey as described by Joseph Campbell. This work proposes that stories containing this kind of archetypal hero are seeded by the discourse occurring in real-world society. Conversely, it suggests that when viewed by billions of people, blockbuster …

A Nursery Study Of The Interplay Between Soil Texture, Rooting Space, And Nurse Plants On Seedling Growth And Root Development In Woody Species Of Tamaulipan Thornscrub, Lance I. Santos

Theses and Dissertations

Reforestation attempts in semi-arid regions are plagued with seedling mortality. Blanket greenhouse practices may not be optimal, in addition, commensalism interactions between nurse plants are considered. To better understand the effects of soil texture and nurse plant interactions on growth and drought tolerance, two experiments were developed. For soil texture, Border palo verde seedlings were grown in different-sized plant bands with three soil types. To observe the effects of nurse plants, an experiment using guayacan, was developed using Texas Ebony, as a leguminous nurse plant. Plants were also exposed to a drought experiment. The results suggest that some soil textures …

Thank You For Your Service, Dwayne Vega

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis offers an intimate exploration of my experiences as a soldier during two deployments to Iraq, describing everyday realities of military life. Rather than glorifying the battlefield with warrior myths, I focus on the emotional toll, survival, and the complex relationships among soldiers. My narrative traces the gradual development of PTSD and my eventual reliance on drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. Through this personal lens, the thesis seeks to challenge common misconceptions about the soldier's life, offering a raw and authentic portrayal of service, trauma, and the lasting effects it had on my life.

Investigating The Role Of The Estrous Cycle On Memory In Syrian Hamsters, Laura Emma Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

The female reproductive system plays a significant role in cognitive function in humans and animals. For this reason, it is important to study the estrous cycle and memory in the female Syrian hamster as a model to better understand its role on cognition. Like the human female menstrual cycle, the female hamster has inconsistencies and changes in their cycles as they age. Irregular menstrual cycles and the absence of estrogen, the sex hormone necessary for supporting the sexual and reproductive health of a woman, also affect a woman’s brain, including memory (John Hopkins Medicine, 2022). In the present study, we …

Study Of Temperature Effects Of Glucose And Microwave Dielectric Dispersion Model, Ethan Grant Boone

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, the temperature effect of dielectric properties in various aqueous solutions containing glucose are examined. A design for a new testing chamber is introduced to provide improved conditions for testing to ensure accurate and precise measurements. A N-SMA Adaptor is used when obtaining dielectric characteristics of glucose solutions ranging 100-300mg/dl. Dielectric parameters are obtained adopting a modified Debye dispersion model. MATLAB is used to confirm coaxial dimensions are suitable fabrication designs using fixed dielectric parameters of air and water. Simulations and design models were implemented utilizing ANSYS High Frequency Structure Simulator and 3-D Modeler software to develop the …

3d Bioprinted Coaxial Tubule Optimization For Human Aortic Endothelial Cell Growth, Ilse Gabriela Perez Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

This paper introduces a research study of printing parameter optimization of extruded, cell-laden, 3D bioprinted coaxial tubules, as well as cell interaction observations. Optimization of printing parameters seeks to reduce variability of the tubules’ inner and outer diameters. The tubules were manufactured from a 0.4% Collagen I - 1.6% NaC6H7O6 (Sodium Alginate) bioink, that reaches gelation through interaction with a 3.2% CaCl2 (Calcium Chloride) solution. The bioinks were extruded through a dual syringe pump mechanism connected to a coaxial nozzle, which is mounted on an adapted 3D FDM (Fused Deposition …

Student Loan Debt Disparity Among White, African American And Hispanic Women: A National View, Arnoldo Trejo

Theses and Dissertations

Published research into the student loan debt problem reveals a disproportionate impact on underrepresented groups within higher education, notably Hispanics, African Americans, and women students. Research on student loan debt underscores that lower-income and first-generation college students are significantly more affected when compared to their higher-income counterparts. The escalating trends in student loan debt are forcing college-going students in the United States to postpone major life events such as homeownership, marriage, and starting a family. The burden of high student debt negatively influences the accumulation of family wealth, including critical aspects such as home ownership, retirement savings, investments, and other …

Understanding Social Media As A Communicative Tool To Facilitate Critical Discourse: Using #Blackgirlmagic To Explore How Black Women In Higher Education “Talk Back", Crystal Spruill Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Black women have engaged through social media platforms, as a mechanism to uplift their embodiment, despite being relegated to the margins. The hashtag #BlackGirlMagic (BGM) is linked to narratives of Black women in higher education that are empowering and problematic. The development of the popular social media movement during a time when Black women were being portrayed negatively made engaging in the discourse "talking back" possible. This study explores the lived experiences of Black women college students and recent graduates, using currere as an analytical tool for my own communication journals entries as a data source to structure my reflections …

Examining Hispanic Beginning Farmers And Ranchers In The Rio Grande Valley Through A Community Capitals Framework, Perla Kimberly Schrock

Theses and Dissertations

While existing literature addresses the experiences of beginning farmers and ranchers (BFR), there is a notable gap in research focused on Hispanic beginning farmers and ranchers (HBFR). This study aimed at exploring the unique experiences of HBFR in a predominantly Hispanic region, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), employed the Community Capitals Framework (Flora et al., 2016). I conducted 16 semi-structured interviews with HBFR and local nonprofit organizations and federal employees, complemented by participant observations. Through thematic and content analysis of the interview transcripts, findings revealed valuable insights into the livelihoods of HBFR. Despite HBFR facing significant challenges, this study demonstrated …

Leveraging A Community Of Practice To Advance Stem Education Reform And Promote Teacher And Student Self-Efficacy, Ruth Renee Colyer

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examined the impact of the CREST-MECIS community of practice on K-12 STEM teachers and undergraduate and graduate students, addressing the urgent need for innovative approaches in science education to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The study was grounded in response to three primary problem statements: 1) the significant learning losses and socio-emotional challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) the inadequacy of traditional instructional methods in post-pandemic classrooms, and 3) the need for culturally relevant and inclusive teaching practices that acknowledge students’ lived experiences. Data were collected through pre- and post-interviews, survey analyses, and qualitative feedback …

Assessing Cover Crop Adoption Factors In The Rio Grande Valley Through A Social-Ecological Perspective, Mackenzie Feldman

Theses and Dissertations

Reducing agriculture’s negative environmental impacts is crucial for mitigating climate change (White, 2021). Cover crops– non-cash crops grown to benefit subsequent cash crops– can slow erosion, improve soil health, enhance water availability, control pests, and increase biodiversity. Despite these benefits, adoption rates remain low, prompting the USDA and other organizations to fund research on increasing their use. Most studies focus on the Midwest and Northeast, and emphasize individual factors over the relationship between structural factors and individual factors that impact farmers’ decisions to adopt cover crops. This USDA-funded study begins to fill this gap by exploring social-ecological factors and how …

Emotion Regulation From A Virtue Perspective: Applications For Individuals With Adverse Childhood Experiences, Maria Eugenia Palomo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the contributory effect of Virtues in differentiating one’s ability to regulate emotion. Convenience sampling will be utilized to obtain a total of 102 participants who had adverse childhood experiences. Participants will be recruited via collaboration with local behavioral counseling agencies. Two behavioral health counseling agencies located in Hidalgo County, including Corazon Consulting, Inc. and A Better Tomorrow, LLC, have agreed to be part of the present study. The research packets used in this study consisted of two parts: 1) a demographic information form, and 2) a research questionnaire that includes three instruments …

Resonances Of Electrostatically Actuated Non-Uniform Mems Cantilever Resonator Of Constant Width And Linearly Varying Thickness, Rigoberto Flores

Theses and Dissertations

In this investigation the behavior of an electrostatically actuated non-uniform microelectromechanical (MEMS) cantilever resonator of constant width and linearly varying thickness is investigated. The cantilever resonator vibrates using soft AC voltage at near half the first natural frequency of the cantilever and near the first natural frequency of the cantilever, known as primary and parametric resonances, respectively. Bifurcation diagrams for the amplitude-frequency and amplitude-voltage response are obtained for both resonances. Two methods are used in this investigation, namely the Method of Multiple Scales (MMS) and Reduced Order Model (ROM) using up to 6 modes of vibration.

These methods are used …

Detecting Anomalies In Dynamic Attributed Graphs: An Unsupervised Learning Approach, Austin Hamilton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dynamic attributed graphs, which evolve over time and hold node-specific attributes, are essential in fields like social network analysis, where anomalous node detection is a growing area. Vehicular social networks (VSNs), a subset of these graphs, are ad hoc networks in which vehicles exchange data with one another and with infrastructure. In this dynamic context, identifying anomalous nodes is challenging but crucial for maintaining trust within the network. This work presents an unsupervised deep learning approach for anomalous node detection in VSNs. This model achieved an accuracy of 71% while detecting synthetic anomalies in a simulated network based on real-world …

Recruitment Sources Of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella) In The Great Lakes, Nicholas Steven Etter

Theses

Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is a species of concern in areas they have invaded, such the Laurentian Great Lakes, due to their potential to substantially reduce aquatic macrophyte coverage. Efforts to control Grass Carp in the Great Lakes have primarily been focused on two tributaries to the western basin of Lake Erie (i.e., Sandusky and Maumee rivers, Ohio) where reproduction has been documented, although other Great Lakes tributaries are known to have thermal and hydrological regimes suitable for Grass Carp spawning. Knowledge of sources contributing to the expanding population of invasive Grass Carp in the Great Lakes is key to …

Investigating The Effect Of Active Living Wall On Indoor Air Quality And Energy Consumption: Case Study In Uaeu Closed Offices, Atina Mohsen Ghunaim

Theses

Extreme hot climates can significantly affect Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and ventilation, resulting in higher energy demands. Numerous studies have demonstrated that outdoor greening, such as trees and landscaped areas, can reduce a building’s energy consumption. However, less research has been conducted on the impact of indoor vegetation on energy use and air quality. Indoor vegetation decreases Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) concentration by absorbing CO₂ and releasing oxygen (O₂), while the evapotranspiration process further enhances (IAQ) and reduces energy expenditure. The United Arab Emirates has dry arid climate and summers with high humidity levels, causing individuals to stay longer indoors, which …