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Is Mortality Of A Common Shrub A Heritable Trait? An Experimental Evaluation Of Senescence Using The Coast Willow, Salix Hookeriana., Maylin A. On, Rj Polyack, Sarah Galloway, Erik Jules

Undergraduate Scholarship

In 2009, a common garden study involving Salix hookeriana (called “willows” from hereon) was initiated in which multiple clonal replicates were created and propagated for a total of 675 trees. Since 2009, numerous experiments and observations have been completed using the willows at the study site of Humboldt Bay Wildlife Refuge demonstrating that growth, phenology, and insect communities are influenced by genotype. Our study was aimed at understanding if senescence and mortality are correlated with both plant sex and genotype. In August of 2024, seven replicates from each of the ten genotypes in the experimental array were selected and the …

Accelerated Aging System For Pinniped Tags, Sean Shermer, Nathan Vasquez, Deekshitha Garige

Undergraduate Scholarship

This project focused on the design of an accelerated aging system intended to evaluate the durability of pinniped identification tags used in marine mammal research. The system was developed in collaboration with the Cal Poly Humboldt Marine Lab and NOAA, under the guidance of Dr. Dawn Goley, to address the limitations of field based durability testing, which is slow, inconsistent, and difficult to reproduce. The primary objective was to create a repeatable laboratory testing framework capable of simulating multiple environmental stressors experienced by pinniped tags. This includes the accelerated tests of UV radiation, mechanical abrasion, temperature cycling and biological fouling. …

Ceramide Homeostasis In Hepatic Lipid Droplets, Leobarda Robles-Martinez, Kylie H. Morin, Mariana Nikolova‑Karakashian

Physiology Faculty Publications

Almost all eukaryotic cells have the capacity to form lipid droplets (LDs) in conditions of excess energy. Traditionally thought to be just inert fat reservoirs, LDs have recently emerged as important metabolic regulators of cellular stress response that buffer excess free fats and protect cells from lipotoxicity. Ceramide is a bioactive lipid that accumulates in metabolic tissues during fat oversupply. Emerging evidence suggests that sphingolipids and sphingolipid-metabolizing enzymes are found in the LDs and affect LD biogenesis and functions. This article aims to summarize the evidence, delineate some plausible functions of ceramide in hepatic LD biogenesis, and illustrate some of …

Impact Of Fast Advancement And Early Fortification Of Enteral Feedings In Preterm Infants, A Retrospective, Observational Study., Enrique Gomez-Pomar, Holly Clarke, Jamie Adams

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

UNLABELLED: We aimed to evaluate the outcomes and growth of preterm infants at a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that focuses on early initiation, fast advancement, and early fortification of enteral feeds.

METHODS: Retrospective study conducted at a community hospital level III NICU. Extensive feeding data and outcomes were collected by utilizing a NutritionIQ software application, NICUtrition®. Infants born between 26- and 34-weeks gestational age were included, whereas infants with congenital defects, deceased or with incomplete data were excluded. Frequency and descriptive statistical analysis were conducted using chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Unadjusted odds ratios were computed for categorical variables and …

Advances In Magnetic Nanoparticles For Molecular Medicine, Xiaoyue Yang, Sarah E. Kubican, Zhongchao Yi, Sheng Tong

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are highly versatile nanomaterials in nanomedicine, owing to their diverse magnetic properties, which can be tailored through variations in size, shape, composition, and exposure to inductive magnetic fields. Over four decades of research have led to the clinical approval or ongoing trials of several MNP formulations, fueling continued innovation. Beyond traditional applications in drug delivery, imaging, and cancer hyperthermia, MNPs have increasingly advanced into molecular medicine. Under external magnetic fields, MNPs can generate mechano- or thermal stimuli to modulate individual molecules or cells deep within tissue, offering precise, remote control of biological processes at cellular and molecular …

Native Bee Utilization Of Sorghum And Community Richness In Western Kansas Agricultural System, Katelyn M. Strack

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

In recent years, biologists have documented numerous threats facing native bee populations globally. Current agricultural practices have significant and often negative effects on native bee populations. It is imperative that we understand how these practices affect native bees. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is cultivated heavily in western Kansas as a grain crop. There is some evidence that native bees can utilize sorghum pollen in other systems. This study investigates whether native bees utilize pollen from sorghum and whether the presence of sorghum in the landscape influences the structure of native bee communities. We conducted observations of sorghum …

An Examination Of Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) And Post-Traumatic Growth (Ptg): A Quantitative Analysis Of The Variability Of Growth In Adulthood, Tasanya Rowe

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship between childhood and adolescent trauma, specifically Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in adulthood. Particular attention was given to the role of demographic variables, including race, gender, and socioeconomic status, in shaping trauma responses and recovery outcomes. A quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational, quasi-experimental design was employed. Participants (N = 132; aged 18–65 years) were recruited from general education classes at Fort Hays State University and the surrounding community. Participants completed a survey comprising the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire–Reduced Item Version and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Data were analyzed using bivariate correlations, ANOVAs, and multiple …

A Geometric Morphometrics Analysis Of The Limb Morphologies Of Mosasaurs And Its Palaeoecological Implications, Zachary J. Herbert

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Mosasaurs were a major component of Late Cretaceous marine ecosystems, being the last Mesozoic radiation of secondarily aquatic tetrapods into diverse niches.

To shed light on the diversity and evolution of limb morphology in this clade, geometric morphometrics analyses were performed on seven skeletal elements from the forelimb and hindlimb. This study tested the hypothesis tested that mosasaurs living in similar environments would exhibit similar morphologies.

After analyzing datasets containing 29 taxa, the observed patterns did not support the hypothesis that habitat was the primary variable influencing morphology. The recurrence of a pattern, the plotting of plioplatecarpine mosasaurs closer to …

Week 5: Discovering Our Family Tree, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Not Strong Enough? The Role Of Resilience In The Development Of Big Five Personality In Adult Survivors Of Childhood Trauma, Erica Treto

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Childhood trauma is a significant and increasing problem in the United States, with research showing that two-thirds of children have experienced at least one traumatic event before reaching the age of sixteen (SAMHSA, 2023). These events can have severe consequences in adulthood, including impacts on personality. However, there are protective factors, such as resilience, that can help mitigate the negative effects of childhood trauma. Extensive research and discussion have focused on the relationship between childhood trauma and personality, particularly in terms of mental health. However, research has been limited to investigating all Big Five personality traits and childhood traumas along …

Exploring The Connection Between Subclinical Autistic Traits And Dysfunction In The General Population, Victoria J. Carter

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been a disorder of increased interest in research and diagnostic referrals in recent years, especially within higher functioning populations. However, little is still known about subclinical presentations of ASD and subclinical autistic symptoms. Due to the lack of symptoms to meet a diagnostic level, individuals experiencing subclinical autistic symptoms often do not have access to services and are overlooked in clinical settings. It is often assumed that because an individual is not diagnosable that they are not suffering because of the same symptoms that caused them to be at a subclinical level. This study aimed …

Oil-Oil Correlation Across Sedimentary Basins In Kansas Using Molecular Geochemistry And Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Oluwaseun V. Omoyemi

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Hydrocarbons are produced from different subbasins and stratigraphic intervals in Kansas. However, the geochemical characteristics and sources of these hydrocarbons are still poorly understood. While reservoir rocks, seals, and traps that are essential for petroleum systems are well defined within the state, the possible source rocks are often considered thermally immature, raising questions about their ability to generate the volume of hydrocarbons currently being produced. This research project tries to evaluate the geochemical characteristics of hydrocarbons produced in the state of Kansas and determine if the hydrocarbons from the different subbasins and stratigraphic units are genetically related. Thirty-seven crude oil …

Examining How Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience, And Social Support Influence Academic Satisfaction, Zoe Caldwell

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

College students face many challenges while working toward their educational goals (Meneghel et al., 2019). Although stressors may not seem significant, they are important to address as the effects accumulate over time and can have a negative impact on students' performance (Gresham & Karatekin, 2023). Without the impact of ACEs, children would be better equipped with skills that could help them continue with higher education, gain better employment, and break the cycle of trauma for any future children. Resilience can help students cope with challenges and improve their chances of graduation and academic success (Myat Zaw et al., 2022). One …

A Histological Survey Of A Large, Sub-Adult Tylosaurus Nepaeolicus With Implications On The Validity Of Tylosaurus Kansasensis, Carson Cope

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Tylosaurus nepaeolicus is a basal, medium-sized tylosaurine mosasaur that lived during the late Coniacian and early Santonian in the Western Interior Seaway. Despite being a well-studied species, there is debate over whether Tylosaurus kansasensis represents the juvenile form of T. nepaeolicus, or if the two species are distinct. Osteohistology can determine organism age at time of death and can be used to help resolve this debate and provide a better understanding of the growth of T. nepaeolicus. Thin-sections were taken from a humerus, rib, and vertebra of a single individual (FHSM VP-2209). All thin-sections show primarily parallel-fibered cortical …

The Influence Of Anthropogenic Infrastructure On The Reproductive Success Of Northern House Wrens (Troglodytes Aedon) In Proximity To Highways, Nana-Esi Irie Hanson

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Anthropogenic disturbances, particularly road infrastructure and noise pollution, significantly affect avian populations, influencing their ecology, behaviour, and reproductive success. This study examined the impact of highway proximity on the reproductive success of the Northern House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) in a rural landscape. Noise levels and reproductive outcomes were compared between two sites in Hays, Kansas: a high-traffic site near Interstate 70 (Sternberg Museum Nature Trail) and a lower-traffic site at Big Creek on the Fort Hays State University campus. I hypothesized that increased traffic volume and noise pollution would negatively affect Northern House Wren reproductive success. Ambient noise …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Agmatine Based Carbon Dots, Suyasha Sharad Chaudhari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this study, carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized from agmatine sulfate, a bioactive molecule with nitrogen-rich moiety guanidine, and citric acid, a commonly used carbon source with oxygen-rich functional groups, at controlled temperatures of 180, 200, and 220°C, as well as CDs of agmatine only at 220°C using a hydrothermal method. The synthesized CDs were characterized for its optical properties, using UV–Vis, Fluorescence, chemical properties using, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometry, structural properties using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and for surface charge evaluation ζ-potential was measured. UV-Visible spectra confirmed CD formation through characteristic sp² hybridization bands. The synthesized CDs exhibited …

Voltage-Dependent Anion-Selective Channels 1 And 2 Wild Type And Mutant Bh3-Like Domain Peptides: Analysis Of Secondary Structure And Binding Stoichiometry To Recombinant Bax, Mackense Kathleen Greico

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates Bax binding to voltage-dependent anion-selective channels (VDAC1 and VDAC2) N-terminal 26-mer peptides, which have strong sequence homology to BH3 domains, to assess binding stoichiometries, affinities, residues involved in binding, and the potential role of peptide secondary structure in this process. Peptide helical content was assessed without or with Fos12 detergent using circular dichroism spectroscopy. Fluorescent-tagged peptides were used to assess binding affinities and stoichiometries to recombinant Bax, after correction for non-specific binding using bovine serum albumin. Affinities for VDAC1 and VDAC2 were three- to six-fold, respectively, lower than for the Bim BH3 domain, but all three peptides …

Salinity Tolerance Of Bighead Carp And Its Implications For Dispersal In The Lake Pontchartrain Ecosystem, Alan Katzenmeyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The introduction of invasive bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) into the Pearl and Pascagoula River systems via the Bonnet Carré Spillway during flood control operations poses a significant threat to these unique ecosystems. This dissertation's experiments investigated the role of salinity in limiting bighead carp dispersal, demonstrating that brackish waters do not necessarily restrict their range as previously assumed. While bighead carp exhibited no significant impairment in swimming performance in salinities at or below 5 ppt, acute and chronic exposure to salinities at 15 ppt proved lethal within 50 hours, representing a critical salinity threshold. Despite mortality at elevated salinities, the …

The Characterization Of Radiation Forces Using Tunable Acoustic Lenses, Sina Rostami

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the design, analysis, and optimization of tunable acoustic lenses with a primary focus on beamforming, dynamic focusing, and the generation of limited diffraction beams. The study examines the performance of four-channel and six-channel lenses in producing highly controlled ultrasonic fields with minimal diffraction. Numerical simulations and experimental validation are used to demonstrate how these lenses effectively form focused beams that maintain spatial coherence over a range of distances.

A systematic comparison between the four-channel and six-channel lenses is performed at multiple focal configurations (5.5 cm, 7.8 cm, and 10.0 cm). The results show that both lens types …

An Evaluation Of A Collaborative Effort In High School Science Classes To Support Teaching And Learning Through Professional Development, Shalanda Saulsberry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to improve high school teachers’ instructional practices through professional learning. This applied research study, using program evaluation, sought to improve science instruction in building their capacity through instructional practices. Faculty interest was created from reviewing various school and district data sources, observing the practices of science teachers, and having informal conversations with students about learning. Although professional development was provided in the past, there was a need for content-specific science professional learning to change teachers’ instructional practices. Through targeted professional development sessions, as well as observation and feedback, there was a goal of increasing …

Maximum Likelihood Estimation For Partially Observed Markov Model Using Different Tail Perturbations, Zamzam Qazi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work is about parameter estimation of POMP models using the two-time scale Iterated Filtering algorithms with p-generalized Gaussian perturbations. The algorithms are effective for estimating numerous types of infectious disease models such as COVID-19, influenza or various other diseases. First, we introduce the generalization of Stein’s identity for normal distribution to p-generalized Gaussian distribution, which enables more flexible perturbation with different tail behaviors. Then, we provide proofs and verify their authenticity by applying them in black box optimization as well as optimization of multivariate state space models. Also, we propose a novel weighted average algorithm for maximizing likelihood through …

The Daily Choices And Personality Quiz: Designing And Testing A New Manipulation Of Masculinity Threat, Caitlin M. Shaw

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Boys receive unique messaging about their gender identity from an early age, including that they must avoid anything associated with femininity (Blakemore, 2003). Failure to follow this group norm is usually met with punishment or ridicule (Kane, 2006; Katz, 2020). Unsurprisingly, this socialization might teach boys that manhood is not guaranteed. Precarious manhood theory (Vandello & Bosson, 2013) argues that manhood–but not womanhood–is a status that must be socially earned, but can be revoked, making it “precarious.” Since the theory’s inception, researchers have explored ways to experimentally examine the consequences of “lost manhood” using masculinity threat paradigms which describe men …

Microgravity-Induced Effects On Global Gene Fitness And Secondary Metabolite Yield In Bacteria, Gayatri Sharma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bacteria are ubiquitous and capable of colonizing nearly any environment, including extreme conditions such as deep oceans, high altitudes, and even space-faring vehicles. These vehicles present unique stresses not found on Earth such as microgravity and radiation. As space exploration advances, understanding how microgravity affects bacterial life has become increasingly important. Over the past 60 years, studies using both real and simulated microgravity have revealed species-specific responses, collectively indicating broad changes in bacterial function and physiological adaptations.

Initially, this study examined Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, a lignin-degrading bacterium detected in spacecraft cleanroom environments by assessing gene fitness during growth in microgravity on …

Efficient Hierarchical Design In Reservoir Computing, Shuai Song

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reservoir Computing (RC) has established itself as a compelling paradigm for modeling complex temporal dynamics, particularly owing to its efficient training regime, theoretical grounding in dynamical systems, and growing compatibility with hardware-oriented deployments. Among RC variants, Echo State Networks (ESNs) remain popular due to their simplicity and effectiveness; however, traditional ESNs with densely connected, randomly initialized reservoirs present inherent limitations in scalability, energy efficiency, and hardware realizability challenges that hinder their adoption in edge and embedded intelligence scenarios.

In this work, we present an efficient hierarchical reservoir computing framework that integrates three complementary strategies: (1) deterministic Simple Cycle Reservoirs (SCRs) …

A Study Of The Ultrasonic Properties Of Dispersive Materials, Farhana Afrose Sonia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the ultrasonic behavior of nanocomposite and polymer materials by evaluating the phase velocity and attenuation coefficient of 20% multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced composites and nylon. The primary goal of the work is to study longitudinal and shear wave propagation in both composite and homogeneous media. To achieve this, I used thru transmission techniques to collect data at multiple incident angles, including 0°, 30°, 35°, and 40° relative to the transmitting transducer.

I analyzed the acquired ultrasonic signals using both time-domain and frequency-domain techniques. In the time-domain approach, I measured the peak-to-peak time delay from gated waveforms …

Examining Stress, Stress, Potentially Traumatic Events, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, And Emotional Support Among Individuals With Skin Disease Symptoms, Taylor A. Strange

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the complex interplay between psychological stress, trauma-related experiences, and skin disease symptoms, alongside the potential moderating role of emotional social support. While the worsening effect of stress on skin conditions is well-documented, the specific association between trauma and dermatological symptoms, and its contribution to inflammatory responses, warrants further exploration. The stress-buffering hypothesis posits that perceived emotional support can mitigate the negative impact of stress on quality of life in chronic health conditions. This hypothesis has found support across various chronic physical and psychological ailments, yet its applicability to dermatological conditions remains less established. Our study pursued two …

Academic Achievement Variables: Significance Devalued By Correlated Variables, Ray J. Yancy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This correlational study investigates the relationship between student academic achievement and various external factors, including funding, student attendance, school attributes, and family income, across 147 Tennessee K-12 public school districts. Using Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) and End-Of-Course (EOC) scores to define student achievement, the study analyzes data from over 1900 schools during the 2023-2024 school year. Employing the statistical analysis software - SPSS - for descriptive and correlation analysis, the study excludes schools with incomplete data. The findings reveal significant correlations between student achievement and 80% of the external variables, rejecting the null hypothesis in 12 of 15 cases …

Blood Biomarkers In Down Syndrome: Facilitating Alzheimer’S Disease Detection And Monitoring, Melissa E. Petersen, Lisi Flores-Aguilar, Elizabeth Head, Laia Montoliu-Gaya, Andre Strydom, Sarah E. Pape, Juan Fortea, Nicholas J. Ashton, Chinedu Udeh-Momoh, Sid E. O’Bryant, Dwight German, Florin Despa, Mark Mapstone, Henrik Zetterberg

Neurology Faculty Publications

Blood-based biomarkers continue to be explored for disease detection, monitoring of progression, and therapeutic outcomes as the diagnostic determination of Alzheimer’s Disease in Down Syndrome (DS-AD) remains challenging in clinical settings. This perspective highlights the current status of this effort. Overall, amyloid (A), tau (T), and neurodegeneration (AT[N]) blood-based biomarkers have been shown to increase with disease pathology for individuals with DS. Phosphorylated tau biomarkers (p-tau217, p-tau181) have been consistently shown to track disease progression for DS-AD and are likely good candidates for use in clinical settings. Biomarkers of inflammation (glial fibrillary acidic protein) also show promise; however, additional work …

Cls 4080 : Urinalysis, Biological Sciences

Approved Course Proposals

No abstract provided.

More Than What You Say: Nonverbal Communication In The 21st Century, Stephanie Montgomery

Textbooks

Nonverbal communication is a distinct form of communication, transcending the spoken word. It is communication through our gestures, eye behavior, vocalics, and body language. Nonverbal communication is often misinterpreted, though, because accurate interpretation depends on a variety of skills. This is not an easy or natural ability. However, with education, awareness, and training, errors can be minimized.