Digital Commons Network^™

Machine Learning Assisted Development Of Al0.2cufemnni High Entropy Alloy Through Selective Laser Melting, Hareharen K Mr

Theses and Dissertations

High Entropy Alloys (HEAs) are an emerging class of advanced materials that have gained significant attention due to their exceptional mechanical strength, thermal stability, and structural performance. Unlike conventional alloys based on a single principal element, HEAs are composed of multiple elements in a near-equiatomic ratio. Despite these advantages, designing HEAs with tailored properties is difficult because of the enormous number of possible combinations and the limitations of traditional trial-and-error methods. To overcome these challenges, this study presents a machine learning (ML) based approach to accelerate the design and development of an HEA.

In this work, a newly designed composition, …

Reconciliation: An Auditory Exploration Of Redemptive Suffering, Emily Eid

MFA in Visual Art

Reconciliation examines the intersection between chronic pain, Catholic theology, and contemporary sound art through the lens of radical honesty. It documents a dramatic aesthetic and spiritual pivot in my art practice, moving from grotesque, abject portrayals of agony to a hopeful representation of redemptive suffering. I share how the project evolved from an installation of anthropomorphic furniture to a sculptural work using my bed, to an audio piece presented in a semi-private “confessional booth,” all while challenging the misconceptions surrounding chronic pain and disability. Utilizing the theories of Roland Barthes, I break down the semiological and authorial aspects of the …

Ecological And Nutritional Drivers Of Floral Fidelity In Wild Pollinators, Adelaide Elise Ergastolo

Master's Theses

Plants must receive pollen from the same species in order to successfully reproduce. For most flowering plants, the transfer of pollen occurs via animal pollinators while they forage on plants to obtain food. Therefore, the fidelity of pollinators to individual plant species during foraging trips is directly related to the amount of conspecific pollen plants receive. Low floral fidelity of pollinators can reduce plant reproductive success, which in turn has the potential to lower food resources for pollinators in the future. While many factors can potentially influence pollinator floral fidelity, several important ones may be the nutritional resources provided by …

Associations Between Father–Mother Food Parenting Practices And Children’S Dietary Intake, Brian K. Lo, Natalie Grafft, Mariane Helen De Oliveira, Sebastien Haneuse, In Young Park, Alejandra Cantu-Aldana, Katherine W. Bauer, Rebekah Levine Coley, Jorge E. Chavarro, Kirsten K. Davison, Jess Haines

Human Genetics Publications

Objective: To examine whether the number of parents using high levels of structure or coercive control food parenting practices is associated with children’s dietary intake.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of father–mother dyads from the Fathers & Families cohort study. Fathers and mothers independently reported their food parenting practices and child’s dietary intake. Multivariate logistic regression models estimated associations between the number of parents (0, 1 or 2) using high structure or coercive control practices and children’s intake of fruit, vegetables, fast food and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), adjusting for demographics and recruitment site.

Setting: United States

Participants: 474 father–mother dyads with a …

Quantification Of Sarm1 Nadase Activity In Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, Lila F Dabill, Ivana R Shen, Jennifer M Brazill, Alicia Neiner, Yo Sasaki, Erica L Scheller

2020-Current year OA Pubs

SARM1 (sterile α and TIR motif-containing protein-1) is an NADase enzyme that serves as the central executioner of Wallerian axon degeneration. Given this, SARM1 is of high interest as a candidate therapeutic target, and SARM1 inhibitors are currently in clinical trials for treatment of neurodegeneration. Beyond neuroscience, emerging studies reveal that SARM1 may also drive aspects of bone fragility, liver pathology, adipose expansion, and insulin resistance in metabolic disease. However, we lack methods to quantify SARM1 activation in humans to better define patients at high risk of SARM1-mediated tissue damage. Unlike neurons, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) represent an easily …

Subclinical Neuropsychiatric Trait Variation In Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cohort Study, Lindsay J Mullin, Carolyn Lasch, Natasha Marrus, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Many neuropsychiatric conditions share overlapping features underpinned by shared genetics. In this study, we examined the co-aggregation of sub-threshold variation in neuropsychiatric phenotypes in biological parents of autistic children to provide insights into the intergenerational transmission of genetic liability for autism.

METHODS: Autistic, neuropsychiatric (i.e., anxiety, depression, ADHD), and cognitive traits were characterized in biological parents of children enrolled in a longitudinal developmental study: 189 families of autistic children and 100 families with no autistic children were included. Families were further characterized as having only one (simplex) or more than one (multiplex) autistic child. Maternal and paternal traits were …

Protecting Galápagos’ Marine Ecosystems: Biosecurity And Network Design Against Invasive Species From Tourist Vessels, Marnie L. Campbell, T.U. Le, Chad Hewitt

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The modern world is characterized by high connectivity, enhancing economic productivity, and global communication, but outpacing our ability to manage its consequences. This connectivity increases the risk of pathogen, pest, and invasive species transmission. In the Galápagos islands, Ecuador, tourist vessel networks operate with limited restrictions and connect high conservation value locations, boosting tourism and the economy. These vessels frequently travel between multiple islands, leading to moderate connectivity and high vessel promiscuity. To prevent the spread of invasive species via these vessels, we propose a biosecurity system that combines social network tools with risk management frameworks that balances environmental protection …

Effects Of Melatonin Supplementation On Exercise Induced Stress In Horses, Hannah Clark Valigura

Theses and Dissertations

Exercise is a necessary component of athletic conditioning but imposes substantial physiological stress on horses, resulting in oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle damage, and thermal strain that can impair performance and recovery. Melatonin, a neurohormone with potent antioxidant and thermoregulatory properties, has been proposed as a novel nutritional strategy to mitigate these effects. This dissertation aimed to (1) characterize serum melatonin concentrations following oral supplementation, (2) evaluate the effects of melatonin on oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle damage biomarkers after exercise, and (3) examine its influence on physiological parameters during exercise under warm weather conditions. Across a series of controlled experiments …

Exploring The Effect Of Students' Exclusionary Discipline On Their Academic Achievement In A Rural High School., Danya Turner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the extent to which exclusionary discipline practices, specifically in-school suspension and out-of-school suspension, are associated with academic achievement among high school students. More specifically, the study investigated the relationship between students’ exclusionary discipline days and performance on Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) assessments in Algebra I, Biology, English II, and U.S. History. The study was guided by the Opportunity to Learn (OTL) framework, which emphasizes the importance of access to instructional time for student academic success. Archival discipline and assessment data were collected from a rural public high school in east-central …

Tracing Hazing Across Adolescence: Examining How Prior Hazing Experiences Shape Hazing Motivation And Tolerance Among Newly Initiated Ifc Fraternity Members, John Michael Vanhorn

Theses and Dissertations

Hazing remains pervasive and underreported, disproportionately affecting adolescent and emerging adult men, particularly within athletic teams and fraternity contexts. Although hazing is most often studied within collegiate organizations, many students encounter hazing behaviors prior to college, yet little is known about how these early experiences shape later hazing perceptions, motivations, tolerance, and masculine norms. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) model, this dissertation conceptualizes hazing as a developmental process shaped by repeated social interactions, individual characteristics, contextual environments, and time across adolescence and emerging adulthood. Using a two-paper approach with a quantitative, longitudinal survey design, study 1 examined fraternity new members’ …

Delayed Timing Of Spring Application Of Nitrogen In Corn, Elizabeth Mae Worley

Theses and Dissertations

Application timing of nitrogen (N) fertilizer within the corn growing season can be crucial to crop nutrient uptake and availability. A lack of region-specific timing recommendations may result in inefficient fertilizer use and inconsistent yield responses. The objectives of this study were to determine how late in the growing season a first and second N fertilizer application can be pushed until corn yield is impacted and investigate whether Growing Degree Days (GDDs) should be used as better estimate of timing for N application than calendar date or growth stage. First applications were able to be delayed until V4-V6 growth stages …

Improving Durability And Structural Integrity Of Southern Pine And Sweetgum Through Fabrication, Treatment, And Mechanical Testing., Ershad Ahmmed

Theses and Dissertations

This research integrates material modification, preservative performance, and engineered fabrication to enhance the long-term durability and structural reliability of southern pine and sweetgum for outdoor and structural applications. The first project investigates the effects of simulated checks and splits on the strength and stiffness of southern pine fence posts. By introducing controlled defects and conducting mechanical testing, the study quantifies reductions in load-carrying capacity and evaluates how defect severity influences structural performance. The results provide insight into service life prediction and grading considerations for in-ground applications. The second project evaluates water ingress behavior in creosote-treated sweetgum using wetting angle measurements …

Impacts Of Structural Design On Oyster Survival And Predation In Restored Oyster Reefs, Jaden Akers

Theses and Dissertations

Restoration efforts are critical to ensure healthy oyster populations, but the high cost and marginal success rate of many restoration efforts demonstrates the need to evaluate alternative oyster reef restoration designs and strategies. To address this issue, I conducted a paired field and mesocosm study to assess the influence of structural design on oyster survival and predation. Results of the field portion of this study showed that oyster survival was greatest in short and bed-level (i.e., sitting on the sea bottom) reef designs. When assessing how design features impact oyster drill activity, elevated reefs (i.e., elevated above the sea bottom) …

Machine Learning-Based Decision Support Models With Applications In Postsecondary Education, Marco Paolo Anglesio

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the deployment of machine learning methodologies in an industrial engineering framework for the development of advanced decision support systems in the context of enrollment management. Drawing on techniques from educational data mining, the research addresses three key phases in the lifecycle of traditional and non-traditional students. First, it analyzes student retention using predictive classification models designed to identify individuals at elevated risk of attrition. Second, it employs temporal convolutional networks for time series forecasting, estimating aggregate enrollment levels over highly variable, finite planning horizons on the basis of partially observed data and using an asymmetric loss function. …

The Effect Of Stem Recutting And Floral Food On Vase Life Of Zinnias Elegans, Lauren Elise Baskin

Theses and Dissertations

A recent shift in the cut flower market focuses on locally produced cut flowers, creating interest in the consumer mind. The vase life of these cut flowers varies by variety and species. Knowing the proper post-harvest protocol is crucial information, as this affects flower’s longevity. This research used a 2x2x2 factorial design examining the zinnias variation in vase life between the following test groups: zinnias with trimmed and untrimmed stems in tap water and trimmed and untrimmed stems in floral food solution. The results of the study indicated that zinnias placed in a floral food solution and were trimmed have …

Cytokinins, Gibberellins, And Ethylene On Plant Form And Flowering In Streptocarpus, Rachel Bobo

Theses and Dissertations

Plant form and flowering of Streptocarpus x hybridus Ladyslippers® ‘Grape Ice’ and ‘Deep Blue Vein’ were examined in response to exogenous application of ethephon [(2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid], gibberellin 3 (GA3), benzyladenine (BA), and growth retardants ancymidol and chlormequat chloride. 750 mg L-1 ethephon applied at 3 weeks post-transplant (WPT) is effective in chemically pinching premature floral buds, delaying flowering by up to 10 days without restricting final plant size. Early applications of GA3 and BA hasten flowering by up to 10 days. GA3 and BA also interacted to promote floral development when applied early in the production cycle; increasing flower …

Assessing Differences In The Frequency And Severity Of Osteoarthritis On The Mandibular Condyles Between Males And Females At Tell Abraq, Brittany C. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Tell Abraq, a Bronze and Iron Age site in the United Arab Emirates, was a center of trade and cultural expansion during the Umm an-Nar period (2700–2100 BCE). Its multichambered tombs contain large, commingled burials, reflecting increasing sedentism and agricultural practices. This study examines mandibular osteoarthritis (OA) to explore lived experience and biomechanical stress. A total of 138 adult mandibles were analyzed for sex and OA severity. Results show generally mild and infrequent OA, though preservation limited analysis. Sex estimates suggested more gracile morphologies than previously identified. No strong sex-based differences in OA were observed. Overall, findings highlight the impact …

Characterization Of Water Quality In The Mississippi Sound Using In-Situ And Satellite Observations, William Elliott Butler

Theses and Dissertations

The Mississippi Sound is a highly productive estuary facing increasing pressures from natural disasters, oil spills, freshwater inflows, and coastal urbanization, yet it remains insufficiently monitored. In this study, key water quality parameters were quantified at 25 stations across the Mississippi Sound from 2024-2025 and integrated with Sentinel-3 satellite imagery retrievals to generate monthly turbidity maps from 2016-2025. Peak turbidity (~10 FNU) and TSS (~20 mg/L), reduced Secchi depth (~100 cm) and conductivity (~20,000 μS/cm), were observed from late winter to early summer; these conditions varied in fall and early spring. Colored dissolved organic matter was moderate, while chlorophyll-a and …

From Miocene Origins To Ecological Diversification: Unraveling Evolutionary Dynamics Of North American Asters (Symphyotrichum), Sushil Dahal

Theses and Dissertations

Symphyotrichum, a plant genus traditionally treated within the genus Aster L., comprises >100 species of annual or perennial plants in the Compositae family Asteraceae. One of the most diverse genera in the southeastern US flora, the genus extends across the Americas, the Caribbean as well as eastern Eurasia. Despite its presence across the major American biomes and with distinctive floristic characteristics, several question regarding Symphyotrichum remains obscure. This research project focuses on exploring diverse aspects of Symphyotrichum systematics, biogeography and evolution. I tested three main hypotheses: (1a) Symphyotrichum originated ancestrally across Mexico and eastern North America in the Miocene ( …

Evaluating The Spray Patterns Of Boomless Spray Nozzles At Increasing Application Speeds, Thomas Hayden Duncan

Theses and Dissertations

Boomless nozzles have been largely ignored in spray studies, resulting in limited understanding of their spray patterns and how they are affected by operating parameters. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of application speed on the performance of four boomless nozzles. Dyed water was applied to Kromekote® paper to assess spray distribution based on coverage data at three speeds, and MSMA was applied to a mixed turf stand to evaluate the effect of speed on performance. Overlap simulations were done to evaluate how uniformity could be improved, and nozzle performance was compared to manufacturer claims. Spray patterns of …

The Role Of Risk And Resilience In Psychological Distress: An Application Of The Minority Stress Model, Rachel Clair Franklin

Theses and Dissertations

LGBT individuals experience disproportionate levels of psychological distress compared to heterosexual populations, often attributed to minority stressors, including experiences of discrimination and victimization. Guided by the Minority Stress Model, the present study examined whether social and community support moderated the relationship between minority stress and psychological distress, and whether rejection sensitivity and fear of discrimination mediated these associations. Data were collected from a sample of 251 individuals who self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender in the United States. Multiple regression, moderation, and mediation analyses using the PROCESS macro were conducted to examine relationships among experiences of discrimination, sexuality-based victimization, …

A Woman’S Wilderness: Fostering Mental Well-Being Through Sensory Stimulation In The Outdoors, Anah Gaynes

Theses and Dissertations

The female experience with nature is unique (Nurse, G. A., Benfield, J., Bell, P. A., 2010). This provokes the question explored in this study: “What sensory interactions impact women’s mental well-being in nature-based therapy programs?” This study invited participants of nature-based retreats held at 4 Winds Farm in Glenwood Springs, Colorado or Summit Sisters at Cal-Wood Education Center in Jamestown, Colorado. Findings indicate that women’s positive emotions are significantly impacted by their sensory experiences. It also revealed a fascination with trees and the importance of tactile experiences. For landscape architects this brings about a new challenge in designing for the …

Investigating Teacher Cognition Of Teaching Spatial Thinking Among Middle And High School Stem Teachers: A Knowledge, Belief, And Attitude Perspective, Jonathan Grant Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Spatial thinking is a critical cognitive ability that supports learning and problem solving across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Despite extensive research highlighting the importance of spatial thinking in STEM achievement and career success, limited research has examined STEM teachers’ cognition of spatial thinking or developed instruments to measure it. The purpose of this study was to investigate middle and high school STEM teachers’ cognition of spatial thinking, including their perceived pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of spatial thinking, self-efficacy beliefs about teaching spatial thinking, and attitudes toward spatial thinking as a critical component of STEM learning and achievement. …

Assessing Biotic And Abiotic Drivers Of Hybridization And Species Delimitation In A Highly Reticulate Syngameon, Nicholas John Engle-Wrye

Theses and Dissertations

Hybridization, or the flow of genetic materials between varieties or species, shapes evolution by generating novel genotypes, altering allele frequencies, and driving diversification. Yet, the rate at which hybridization occurs is heterogeneous across the tree of life and the ecological and evolutionary factors that govern its occurrence remain poorly understood. This dissertation examines how conserved biotic and abiotic niches influence hybridization and uses integrative methods to delimit species boundaries within Heuchera (Saxifragaceae), a genus notable for widespread interspecific gene flow and cryptic morphological diversity. Results reveal that hybridization is most frequent where pre- and postzygotic barriers are weak, as with …

Accelerating Defensive Cyber Operations Via Unsupervised Log Clustering And Automated Regex Template Synthesis, Charles Matthew Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Modern Security Operations Centers (SOCs) ingest millions of log entries per day, but manual parsing does not scale to the volume, heterogeneity, and rapid evolution of log formats. This dissertation investigates whether unsupervised clustering can automate the generation of candidate field-extraction templates while remaining deployable in production and feasible under realistic runtime and memory constraints. The central research question asks whether a machine-learning-assisted pipeline that proposes extraction templates for security engineer review—relative to reproducible human-authored baselines such as hand-written regular expressions—can measurably improve rule-set deployability and corpus-scale extraction quality. Improvement is quantified using four applicability metrics: Coverage Rate (CR), Exclusive …

Assessment Of Local Ecological Knowledge, Oyster Predation, And Habitat Function To Improve Management Of Nearshore Habitats, Cynthia Evelyn Marie Lupton

Theses and Dissertations

Coastal ecosystems along the northern Gulf of Mexico are ecologically and economically vital yet increasingly threatened by environmental change, habitat degradation, and knowledge gaps that complicate restoration and management efforts. This dissertation integrates social and ecological approaches to improve understanding of predator dynamics, stakeholder perceptions, and habitat function related to nearshore habitats. Thereby, providing information that can inform adaptive management and restoration in the region through addressing three overarching objectives: 1) evaluate stakeholder perceptions of oyster (Crassostrea virginica) predation and management practices; 2) quantify environmental and habitat factors influencing oyster drill (Stramonita haemastoma complex) abundance; and, 3) assess the influence …

Reproductive Genetics Of Caenorhabditis Nematodes, Dharani U. Matharage

Theses and Dissertations

Variation in reproductive traits and genome evolution reflects the interaction between selection, environment, and life-history. In the genus Caenorhabditis, recombination rate and sperm size exhibit a striking variation between strains and species. Here, Iintegrate three projects investigating recombination rate variation and recombination plasticity in C. elegans and sperm size divergence across Caenorhabditis species. First, I quantify recombination rates in two genetically distinct strains, N2 and CB4856, with different levels of laboratory adaptation using fluorescent markers spanning across gene-rich and gene-poor regions of the chromosome IV. I identify significant differences in recombination rate between the two strains within both gene-rich and …

Our Home Away From Home? A Transnational Intersectional Exploration Of Colorism And Group Identity Among Black Surinamese Dutch People, Ashley Melcherts

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, I explore the influence of colorism on Black Surinamese Dutch group identity formation. Through a transnational intersectional lens rooted in Black feminism, I examine the role of colorism in the formation of group identity of Black Surinamese Dutch people. I also examine gendered aspects of colorism. Data for this dissertation come from virtual and face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews I conducted with 25 Black Surinamese diaspora members in the Netherlands, one Black Surinamese diaspora member in Spain, and one Black Surinamese diaspora member in the United States. Interviews reveal how Black Surinamese Dutch people negotiate colorism coming from …

Investigating Semantic Categorization Using Fast Periodic Visual Stimulation, Zack Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

Fast periodic visual stimulation (FPVS) with EEG provides a rapid method for isolating both higher-order and lower-order cognitive responses, an advantage that could prove useful in future research into higher order cognitive tasks. This thesis tested whether a semantic categorization response could be reliably differentiated from a low-level color response. EEG data were collected while 33 young adults viewed image sequences of fruits and vegetables of varying colors across five experimental conditions that compared color and semantic categorization responses. Frequency domain analysis revealed that color responses were much stronger and localized to the Left Occipito-Temporal (LOT) region of interest (ROI) …

The Lived Experiences Of Mississippi School Leaders Addressing Food Insecurity In Their Schools, Krista Vowell Nicholson

Theses and Dissertations

Title of Study: The lived experiences of Mississippi school leaders addressing food insecurity in their schools Pages in Study 135 Candidate for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Food insecurity among children in the United States remains a significant concern for educational leaders. Researchers have consistently found a relationship between food insecurity and diminished student academic outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine how school leaders and teachers in schools in Mississippi describe their lived experiences responding to students dealing with food insecurity. The research study included semi-structured interviews with 12 principals and teacher leaders from four …