Digital Commons Network^™

The Alchemists, Lillian Turinsky

Intertidal

No abstract provided.

Hallucination For America, Ana Sage

Intertidal

No abstract provided.

Stolen, Liliana Monge

Intertidal

No abstract provided.

Fostering Success: How Cross Campus Partnerships Can Improve Accessibility, Engagement, And Inclusion For Autistic Undergraduate Students, Mercedes Rutherford-Patten, Luna Nombrano Larsen

Library Scholarship

The academic library, with its long history of student support and social justice advocacy, is the perfect organization to lead the way in dismantling systemic barriers to student success. Research shows that college students who regularly use library services are more successful academically (Shea & Derry, 2022). Another vital support the library can provide is community. Inclusion and belonging are integral to the success of autistic college students: “feeling like part of a community” and “to always feel like I’m welcome [on-campus]” were ways students measured their own success in a study by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (2020, p. …

Salicylaldehyde Benzoylhydrazone Protects Against Ferroptosis In Models Of Neurotoxicity And Behavioural Dysfunction, In Vitro And In Vivo, Niamh C. Clarke, Ellen Mccabe, Lasse D. Jensen, Bernadette S. Creaven, Derek A. Costello

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Metal dyshomeostasis in the brain is a key feature of many neuropathologies, including hypoxic and traumatic injury and chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Ferroptosis is a form of cell death driven by the intracellular accumulation of iron. This is primarily characterised by a loss in endogenous antioxidant capacity and uncontrolled lipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis has been reported to underlie the pathology associated with several neurological and neurodegenerative conditions and has, therefore, become an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Salicylaldehyde benzoylhydrazone (SBH) is a specialised hydrazone agent, known for its antibacterial and anticancer properties. It has robust metal-chelating capacity, …

Building Diversity Into The Philosophy And Methodology Of Economics With Stratification Economics, Merve Burnazoglu, John B. Davis

Economics Faculty Research and Publications

Mainstream economics ignores who produces it and what it is about because its average man, Homo economicus ontological entry-point obscures social differences between people. Philosophy and Methodology of Economics that assumes this ontological entry point generally limits itself to epistemological analysis, and this means it fails to make diversity a fundamental concern. Taking diversity seriously entails being clear about one's ontological assumptions, and this requires being clear about the normative scope of one's analysis. This calls for giving up a value-neutral methodological reasoning and adopting a value-explicit methodological posture. To illustrate, we describe how Stratification economics with its social groups …

Consumer Willingness To Buy And Willingness To Pay A Premium For Climate Smart Food Products, Jacob David Brewer

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study investigated consumer willingness to buy (WTB) and willingness to pay a premium (WTPP) for Climate Smart (CS) food products. Focusing on soil health improvement practices such as biochar utilization, data from two surveys were analyzed. One survey was implemented and sought responses from consumer households in six midwestern states, and the other survey was distributed to institutional (universities, K-12 schools, corporations, etc.) and intermediary (restaurants, grocery stores, distribution centers, etc.) buyers. Consumer WTB and WTPP was examined through two independent ordered probit models, and the buyer survey data was utilized in descriptive analysis. Findings suggested that younger consumers, …

Giant Cane (Arundinaria Gigantea) And The Swainson’S Warbler (Limnothlypis Swainsonii): Implementing Innovative Monitoring Techniques For Species Of Conservation Concern, Gabriela Carroll

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

In the U.S., following colonization and agricultural expansion, giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) has been reduced to approximately 2% of its original extent, potentially causing shifts in the abundance and distribution of over 70 associated animal species. Among those species is the Swainson’s Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii), which has been known to occupy canebrakes during the breeding season. Though there is little known about the historical range of the Swainson’s Warbler and its current population status, some have hypothesized that its population may have declined due to the reduction of its suitable breeding habitat. As this species is …

Best Management Practices: Sambucus Canadensis Propagation Techniques, Hannah Berendzen

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

American elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis) is a fruit-bearing shrub native to North America, traditionally utilized for medicinal and culinary purposes. In recent years, its popularity has surged due to emerging research supporting its immune-boosting properties. Despite its growing demand, standardized best management practices for elderberry cultivation, particularly propagation techniques, remain lacking. This study aims to clarify propagation recommendations by examining the influence cutting size and stem diameter on rooting success. A field study was conducted from February to May 2024, in which one-node and two-node dormant hardwood elderberry cuttings of varying stem diameters were planted in small …

Optical Properties Of Rare Earth Doped Molybdenum Trioxide Thin Films, Jessica Fink

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study aims to investigate the optical properties of Dy-doped MoO₃ thin films. MoO₃ is a transition metal oxide that is wide band gap semiconductor. As a transition-metal oxide, it has been widely studied for its tunable properties. However, there is little literature on the subject of Dysprosium doped MoO₃, and none found as of now on thin film Dy-MoO₃ . This indicates that this topic is at best under reported, and thin film Dy-MoO₃ possesses a certain novelty. Unlike most transition metal oxides, undoped MoO₃ has a negligible crystal field splitting. This is due to the electron vacancy of …

A Witch's Tale: Shadow Of Her Past, Parker Finley

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The following thesis includes a critical introduction and an excerpt from the authors own novel. The introduction analyzes and explored the correlation between characterization and world building in fantasy or supernatural fiction, arguing that character driven narratives are essential for writing stories that balance the fantastical with the real human experience to engage readers at an emotional level. The author accomplishes this by utlizing theorists such as E M Forster, Lubomir Dolezel, Milan Kundera, James Wood, David Corebett, and Stephen King to examine how elaborate settings should not overshadow character complexity. Through understanding their theories, the authors own writing process, …

The Long-Term Psychological Effects Of Violent Crime On Victims: A Review Of Evidence And Supportive Interventions, Jayden E. Oleksyn-Lamb

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study utilizes anonymous survey data collected from 26 mental health professionals in various regions of Canada to understand which psychological disturbances are the most prevalent among victims of violent crime as well as which psychological interventions are most beneficial for treating violent crime victims. The data revealed that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), anger, guilt, self-blame, and shame are each highly prevalent. Findings also revealed that certain therapeutic methods including Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Supportive Counselling (SC), Progressive Relaxation (PR), Cognitive Reprocessing Therapy (CPT) and Cognitive Restructuring (CR) are associated with …

Correlates Of Gacha Gaming, Minh Quang Nguyen

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between impulsive measures, income spending on gaming, and delayed discounting in a Gatha player sample. Two model approaches were employed: (1) a mediation model approach predicting delayed discounting with age and education level as mediators and (2) a multiple regression model predicting delayed discounting. Although the proposed models were exploratory, it was the contention of the author that these analyses would result in a better understanding of delayed discounting in Gacha gaming. Both age and education level were not correlated with the dependent variable (spending ratio), therefore the mediation model …

Tailwater Trout Population Dynamics, Connor Dylan Cunningham

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Dams have been constructed throughout the world and provide several resources for humans (e.g., flood control, hydropower). These structures heavily alter the upstream and downstream environment. One consequence of these alterations is the creation of “tailwaters”, which can create cold-water habitat via hypolimnetic releases. In the southeast United States these tailwater environments are often managed for the recreational use of nonnative salmonids. The unnatural flow regimes of tailwaters affect the biotic and abiotic conditions and ultimately the dynamic rate functions (i.e., recruitment, growth, mortality) of the fish inhabiting them. As such, the goal of this research is to provide fisheries …

The Effect Of Hypochlorous Acid On Cultured Osteoblast And Escherichia Coli, Cristina Flaquer Fusté

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a naturally occurring compound in neutrophils, has been used as an antimicrobial in wound treatment. Osteoblasts, bone-forming cells, within the bone tissue play a large role in bone fracture healing. Orthopedic infections are challenging to treat and highly morbid, including surgical site infection of arthroplasty procedures or infection in the setting of compound fractures. HOCl is being considered as a surgical antiseptic to decrease infections in orthopedic surgical procedures. This study therefore seeks to determine the effects of HOCl on osteoblasts and E. coli. Cultured osteoblasts were incubated with varying concentrations of HOCl to examine osteoblast …

"See How He Loved Him": Lazarus Of Bethany As The Beloved Disciple In The Gospel Of John, Jared M. Pannell

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Traditionally, the “disciple whom Jesus loved” from the fourth of the Christian gospels has been identified as John the Apostle, one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus, since at least the late second century. In recent scholarship, however, this position has come increasingly under question. Questions of John the Apostle’s literacy and capacity to write the gospel and doubts about the veracity of the eyewitness claims in the gospel have shifted the landscape of scholarly inquiry. As such, a wide variety of alternative candidates have been proposed. This thesis puts forward Lazarus of Bethany as a serious candidate for …

Nexus Of Fear, Deterrence, And Prestige: The Role Of Russia's Exotic Nuclear Toolkit, Ryan Christenson

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis examines Russia’s development of “exotic” nuclear weapon systems, specifically the Poseidon nuclear-powered torpedo, the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, the Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile, and the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, to determine how and why Russia diverged from traditional nuclear platforms. Drawing on open-source data and comparative analysis against the standard nuclear triad, it investigates the doctrinal, technical, and political motivations driving Moscow’s nuclear modernization, including paranoia over U.S. missile defense, aspirations for great-power status, and domestic economic influences. Scenario-based assessments illustrate the potential destabilizing effects of these systems, which compress decision-making time and raise risks of inadvertent …

Use Of Fecal Inoculum From Easy And Hard Keeper Horses To Determine In-Vitro Digestibility Of Feedstuffs Used In Equine Diets, Leah Bills

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Digestibility studies provide vital information for formulating ideal diets based on an animal’s ability to digest and absorb the available nutrients from the feed provided. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in the nutrient digestion of horses between those that have a difficult time maintaining a healthy body weight (body condition score at or below 5, hard keeper) and those that easily maintain a healthy body weight (body condition score of >5, easy keeper). Six mature geldings averaging 534.1 ± 47.1 kg were used in this study. During the experimental period horses were …

Utilizing The Spatial Evaluation Of Language And Flexibility For Youth (Self-Y) In Clinical Case Conceptualization, Katelyn Frahm

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience challenges with restricted and repetitive behaviors, relating directly to challenges with psychological flexibility (Hyman et al., 2020; Hayes et al., 2006). Unfortunately, the history of applied behavior analysis has extended harmful implications of treatment that have focused on compliance training and punishment, often worsening psychological flexibility (Sandoval-Norton et al., 2019). Research is calling behavior analysis to combine flexible approaches, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, with technologies exploring the intricacies of individual relational networks (Hayes et al., 1999; Hayes et al., 2022; Hayes & King, 2024). The present study introduced the …

Characterization Of The Overexpression Of Reca Homologs Rad51 And Dmc1 In Tetrahymena Thermophila, Jianna M. Cox

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

RecA homologs, Dmc1 and Rad51, work to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) within the cell through the recombination of homologous sections of DNA. Dmc1 works to repair programmed DSBs through meiotic recombination, while Rad51 functions to repair both meiotic and non-meiotic DSBs, the latter repaired through the process of homologous recombination repair (HHR). Chemotherapeutics, exogenous agents, work to form DSBs in cancer cells, attempting to inhibit the cell’s growth. A hyper recombinant phenotype is often seen in cancer cells due to the overexpression of RAD51, leading to drug resistance, the persistence of cancers, and an overall poor patient outcome. …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Doped Rare-Earth Zinc Alloys, Partha Das

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Rare-Earth-Zinc (RE-Zn) alloys doped with manganese represent a promising class of materials with diverse applications in magnetic, electronic, and thermoelectric devices. These alloys hold significant potential owing to the unique combination of rare-earth elements' properties with the versatility of zinc, augmented by manganese doping. In this study, I present the successful synthesis of ErMn_0.2Zn_11.8 alloys, achieved through self-flux method. The synthesized crystals were characterized using electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). Additionally, magnetic measurements were performed to investigate the magnetic properties. Future plans include DFT calculations and comparison study between Rare-Earth-Zinc alloys with …

Activity, Movement, And Reproductive Patterns Of The Northern Giant Musk Turtle (Staurotypus Triporcatus) In Belize, Larissa Sage Saarel

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The Northern Giant Musk Turtle (Staurotypus triporcatus), a near-threatened species native to southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and western Honduras, faces multiple environmental challenges, yet its activity patterns, movement patterns, and reproductive biology remain poorly understood. This thesis investigates both seasonal activity and reproductive cycles of female S. triporcatus in Belize. To assess diel and seasonal activity, I tracked 12 female turtles and collected data using activity loggers. I also collected movement data through radio-telemetry and acoustic tracking methods. Results indicated that the species is primarily nocturnal, with increased activity during the wet season, particularly during flooding events. Turtles …

Braiding Culture Through Ceramics & Mixed Media Sculpture, Joy M. Okokon

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Stories are embedded in each strand of Nigerian hair, serving as a bridge across generations and embodying the legacy of cultural expression. Hair-making, a skill passed down through generations in my family, began as a personal practice and has evolved into a powerful means of exploring and showcasing the cultural significance of hair braiding through creative works. The sculptures included in this thesis, Braiding Culture Through Ceramics & Mixed Media Sculpture, feature hair sculpture, afro combs, stools, adire batik made from materials such as clay, wood, glaze and cotton fabric. These materials are carefully selected for their cultural relevance and …

Cyber Warfare And The Future Of Conflict, Victor A. Mercado

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis examines whether cyber warfare now poses a more immediate threat to U.S. national security than weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Cyber operations have become a dominant instrument of contemporary conflict, with malicious actors operating in a persistent “grey zone” that blurs traditional boundaries between war and peace. These operations target military and civilian entities, both directly and often as collateral damage due to the uncontrollable nature of cyber threats. WMDs, despite their catastrophic destructive potential, remain largely constrained by established deterrence frameworks.

The evolving nature of cyber warfare warrants comparison to WMD effects and impact, as cyber capabilities …

Responses Of Native And Invasive Aquatic Vegetation To Changes In Water Depth In An Ozark Spring-Fed Pond, Daphne Miles

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Spring-fed aquatic ecosystems in the Ozark Highlands are characterized by stable water depths, clear water, and diverse aquatic vegetation (filamentous algae, submerged, floating, and emergent plants). Sudden changes in water depth can impact aquatic vegetation dynamics but the impacts of prolonged changes are poorly understood. I investigated seasonal and annual changes to aquatic vegetation abundance in a spring impoundment during and after a two-year period of low water depth that was caused by a broken outlet below an artificial dam. Water depth was significantly lower in 2020 and 2021 (low water years), compared to 2022 and 2023 (high water years). …

Victim-Offender Relationships And Their Influence On Crime Brutality And Sentencing Outcomes In Capital Homicide Cases, Samantha Jane Trowbridge

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study examines capital murder cases in Missouri from 1976 to 2022 to explore how victim-offender relationships relate to both the brutality of homicides and sentencing outcomes. It addresses three main questions: What are the different types of victim-offender relationships in these cases, and how frequently does each type occur? How do these relationships influence sentencing outcomes, particularly the likelihood of receiving the death penalty versus life without parole? And which types of relationships are associated with the highest and lowest levels of brutality? The study uses official court records and applies a coding process to analyze relationship type, sentencing …

Adaptive College Athletics: The Champion Medals Await Those Collegiate Universities Who Compete, Peter Galati

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Is Collegiate Athletics Already Professionalized While The Ncaa Still Recognizes College Sports As Amateur Athletics?, Justin Orsini

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Ncaa: Not Comprised Of Amateurs Anymore, Michael Reilly

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Ncaa Videogames: How The Litigation That Cancelled Ncaa Football Has Led To Its Comeback, Peter Shah

Student Works

No abstract provided.