Digital Commons Network^™

Wildlife Communities As Mediators Of Lyme Disease Risk In Urbanized Landscapes, Regina Christen

Master’s Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Fat-3 In Fat Storage, Fecundity, And Heat Stress Response In C. Elegans., Mindy Garvin-Leighton

Master’s Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Algebraic Structures In The Genetic Code: Symmetry, Degeneracy, And Comma-Free Circular Dna Codes, Aprilleigh Lauer

Master’s Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Antidepressant Architecture, Joshua Landrum

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Both suburban sprawl and urban habitats continue to expand throughout the world, particularly in western civilization. With that expansion, the number of mental health issues have risen to an unprecedented level, leaving many individuals feeling isolated and depressed despite living in the most comfortable era of human history. This isolation is only escalated by the convenience of digital technology which allows us to get groceries, communicate with friends, and catch up on the latest news without ever having to leave our sealed domiciles or interacting with other people in a healthy and meaningful way. Through this self-destructive leisure, our connection …

Staff Education To Improve Veteran Mental Health Screening In Primary Care, Denise Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Resisting Nullification In Excessive Force Prosecutions, Sarah E. Wagner

Buffalo Law Review

Police violence in the United States occurs at an alarming rate. Enforcing federal criminal laws aimed at holding law enforcement officers accountable for their misconduct is difficult. Even where there is strong evidence of guilt, jurors often acquit officers rather than allow them to face criminal consequences for their actions. This Article examines suspected nullification verdicts in excessive force cases through the lens of an expansive body of research on juror and jury decision making. What emerges is the theory that nullification verdicts in excessive force cases are a function of the presence of one or more authoritarian jurors, the …

Cohabitation As Care: A Campus For Intergenerational Living And Experience Of The Elderly And Orphan Children, Rachel Ayers

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

15 Cigarettes per day. Loneliness and social isolation can increase the risk of premature death just as much as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. Research shows loneliness and social isolation can be so serious that for some the only way out is to resort to addictive behaviors. This is becoming a widespread public health concern. Social science research links the risk of social isolation and loneliness to two of our society’s most vulnerable age groups: the elderly and children. Orphans are among the ones who miss out on the opportunity to form these connections. Similarly, retired adults, especially those who …

Dominant Latina Beauty: Shade Names, Model Imagery, And Negotiation In Latina-Owned Makeup Brands, Lisette Gonzalez, Juan Mah Y Busch

Honors Thesis

This project aims to name and contextualize the evolving notions of beauty for Latinas in the United States presented by Latina-owned, makeup cosmetic brands. Contrary to culturally-imposed dominant constructions of “Latina Beauty,” this project examines how Latina-owned, makeup brands are negotiating dominant constructions of “Latina Beauty.” By examining the notions of beauty for Latinas, we can understand the parameters of beauty within which Latina-owned, marketing exists. Beyond desirability, these beauty parameters signal the social positionality of Latinas, the physical and behavioral expectations imposed onto Latinas, and the conditions under which Latinas are valued. This work combines digital ethnography and critical …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Botany

No abstract provided.

Nitrogen Limitation Adaptation (Nla) Modulates Phosphorus And Iron Homeostasis During Boron Toxicity In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Doğa S. Kayihan, Ümi̇t Bariş Kutman, Emre Aksoy, Ceyhun Kayihan

Turkish Journal of Botany

Boron (B) toxicity is a major abiotic stress factor that impairs plant growth and disrupts nutrient homeostasis. The Nitrogen Limitation Adaptation (NLA) gene has been implicated in nutrient regulation; however, its role under B toxicity remains unclear. In this study, the physiological, biochemical, and nutrient responses of wild-type (Col-0) and nla mutant Arabidopsis thaliana were investigated under mild (1 mM H3 BO3 ; 1B) and severe (2 mM H3 BO3 ; 2B) B toxicity conditions. Excess B reduced fresh weight and photosynthetic pigment levels in both genotypes; however, nla mutants exhibited lower malondialdehyde accumulation under 1B, indicating a delayed oxidative …

Experimental Measurements Of The Forces Acting On A Submerged Beam Using High-Speed Videography, Madelyn Burrell

Masters Theses

The interaction of structures and fluids is highly relevant in many fields but difficult to accurately and reliably characterize. This study demonstrates a novel method of simplifying such problems by analyzing the structural deformations directly, without needing to explicitly solve for the fluid aspect. Six cantilever beams of varying properties were submerged in still water and released from an initial deflection at the free end: the cases consisted of three beam shapes (one of uniform width, one with a narrower free end, and one with a wider free end), with an end mass attached or detached. High-speed videography was utilized …

In Vitro Modeling Of Macrophage And Cd8+ T Cell Activation: Evaluating Immortalized Cell Lines For Use In Undergraduate Immunology Laboratories, Lucy Groothuis

Masters Theses

The immune system is a complex, highly coordinated network of cells and signaling molecules that protects the body from infection and disease. Immunology is therefore a fundamental component of undergraduate education for students pursuing careers in medicine and biomedical research. Despite its importance, many undergraduate immunology courses lack a laboratory component. To address this gap, we developed an open-access immunology laboratory manual and evaluated its ability to generate meaningful data using primary murine cells and commercially available cell lines. Given the cost and logistical constraints of using mouse models in an undergraduate laboratory setting, we evaluated whether immortalized cell lines …

Using Children’S Books To Promote Recovery And Resilience In Students With Trauma, Tyler Anderson

Graduate Teacher Education

This Capstone Paper investigated how trauma affected learning in the classroom and how narrative-based interventions to support students facing adversity. The two dovetailed to show how children’s literature could be used as a tool for supporting students facing adversity. A comprehensive review of the existing literature was conducted that sought to answer the question: What are the potential impacts of trauma on learning, and how can children's literature that explores trauma be used to foster resilience and recovery in students who have experienced adversity? Research on the impact of trauma on learning and research on children’s literature often existed separately. …

Genetic Variation In Crops Of The Second Millennium Bce Revealed By Ancient Dna Analysis, Asi̇ye Uluğ, Funda Özdemi̇r Deği̇rmenci̇, Çi̇ğdem Kansu, Christina Luke, Christopher H. Roosevelt, Zeki̇ Kaya

Turkish Journal of Botany

For millennia, the Anatolian plateau has functioned as a major migratory corridor between Africa, Asia, and Europe and has subsequently been shaped by shifting settlement patterns, ranging from small communities to complex urban and imperial systems. These processes were closely associated with the development and diversification of agricultural practices. Archaeobotanical investigations at Kaymakçı, a Middle and Late Bronze Age (ca. 3500 years BP) site located in the middle Gediz Valley of western Anatolia, have provided substantial evidence of crop cultivation in the region. In this study, genetic variation in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), bitter vetch (Vicia …

Urban Conflagrations: Structural Ash And Soil Metal(Loid) Contamination After California’S Eaton And Palisades Fires, S. Anselme Dossou, Leon Kelly, P. Louis Lu, Robin Jones, Oliver O'Donnell, Justin St. P. Walsh, Daniel D. Richter

Art Faculty Articles and Research

In the weeks after California’s Eaton-Palisades wildfires, structural ash of burned homes and soils from yards and curbsides were sampled for analysis of Pb, As, and eight metals from 32 burned residences. About six months after fires and after US Army Corps of Engineers’ Phase 2 cleanups removed 15 cm from structural ash footprints, 17 properties were resampled within about a meter of original sampling sites. Concentrations of metal(oid)s in structural ash and residential soils varied between and within properties with significant spatial and temporal patterns. Lead concentrations were highest in structural ash and soil of yards of select pre-1970s …

A Herpetological Survey Of The Catawba Nation, York County, South Carolina, Courtney Skeldon, Marvin Bouknight, Steven E. Fields

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Recognition Of The Spring Flight Of Celastrina (Tutt) (Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae) In Southern New England As An Introgressed Hybrid Species, Harry Pavulaan

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Populations of Celastrina (“Azure”) butterflies in southern New England have historically been referred to as either C. ladon (Cramer) or C. lucia (W. Kirby) by various authors. Following the discovery of elongated dorsal wing scales in males of C. ladon (D. Wright & Pavulaan, 1999; Ômura et al., 2015)—structures that replace the androconia that are typically present in most Celastrina species—it was believed that this trait was restricted to C. ladon, C. nigra (W. Forbes), and, more recently, C. iryna (Pavulaan, 2025). Microscopic examination of male “Spring Azure” specimens from across southern New …

Applied Reproductive Science: Technology, Ethics, And Management In Modern Animal Systems, Hagan Beach

Publications

This creative component course development project includes five (5) supplementary lessons focused on animal welfare concerns in livestock reproduction, biological foundations of ethical animal reproduction, responsible use of reproductive technology, ethical reproductive management, and ethical breeding decisions in livestock genetics. This resource also includes a teacher guide, supplementary instructional materials, assessment materials, implementation guidance, and reflection sections.

Together, these components give teachers a usable set of lessons and support materials for bringing ethical decision-making into animal science instruction. Although each lesson can stand on its own, the sequence was arranged to move from foundational reproductive science into more applied questions …

From Camps To Communities: A Spatial System For Refugee Recovery, Integration, And Independence, Neeya Yahaya

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Global displacement has reached unprecedented levels, with over 114 million people forcibly displaced worldwide (UNHCR, 2024). Although refugee camps are intended as temporary emergency responses, the average duration of displacement has extended to approximately 17 years. During this time, displaced populations are typically housed in rural, border-adjacent settlements with limited access to infrastructure, economic systems, and social services. Designed for short-term survival, these environments often fail to support long-term recovery, resulting in prolonged dependency and continued exposure to instability.

This research defines this condition as temporary permanence: refugees remain in camps for years or decades in environments not designed to …

Piece By Peace: Reimagining Healing Spaces For Us Veterans, Gerdon Chavez

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The study of U.S. Veterans mental illness presents a unique opportunity to explore how architecture can respond to the psychological, emotional and economic struggles through spaces that provide solutions beyond conventional institutional healthcare models. Findings suggest that veterans continue to experience complex forms of trauma, including but not limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and existing clinical spaces are often disconnected, making the reintegration back into society harder. This study will examine how architecture can shift its focus from housing a facility to becoming part of the process by integrating housing, therapeutic spaces and community …

Biomimicry Of The Everglades, Angelica M. Moss

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

The Everglades Ecosystem is a slow moving river of grasses, encompassing 1.5 million acres from Lake Okeechobee southward to the Florida Bay. The ecosystem is a constant mosaic of gradient habitats, flowing from fresh to saltwater and from grasslands to forest, creating both resiliency, but also an interdependence. All ecosystems possess keystone species, who help to define how the ecosystem is shaped and behaves. In my thesis, I explore several keystone species within the Everglades, namely the mangroves, the family crocodilia, and the roseate spoonbill, and how formal translations of these organisms can produce functional biomimetic buildings that give back …

A Preliminary “Then And Now” Look At 70+ Years Of Historic Landscape Photos From Roan Mountain, Nc-Tn, James T. Donaldson, Charles F. Warden, Jennifer Bauer

Faculty Open Access Works

PowerPoint originally presented at the 18th Annual SAMAB Conference, Carnegie Hotel, Johnson City, TN (October 22-24, 2007).

Updated in 2015, 2023, 2026 (reformatted and clarified).

Survey Of Student Perceptions And Use Of Artificial Intelligence When Reading Primary Literature In The Biological Sciences, Erin L. Zimmer, Michael I. Zimmer

Biology Department Faculty Articles

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly used by students in higher education, yet little is known about how they are applied when reading primary scientific literature. This study investigated how undergraduate biology students use AI while engaging with primary research articles and how such use influences confidence, engagement, and perceived learning. Using a mixed-methods design across two institutions, we collected pre-course surveys assessing prior AI experience and attitudes, weekly self-reported AI usage logs during a semester-long primary literature–based course, and post-course surveys evaluating changes in practices and perceptions. Students entered the course with broad familiarity with generative AI but expressed …

Improved Nutritional Value Of Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L.) Through Moderate Salinity-Induced Regulation Of Vitamin C And Folate Pathways, Laleh Ahmadi, Hanieh Mohajjel Shoja, Elham Mohajel Kazemi, Maryam Kolahi

Turkish Journal of Botany

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress affecting over 20% of cultivated and 33% of irrigated lands worldwide, significantly limiting crop productivity and nutrient biosynthesis. Vitamin C and folate are crucial antioxidants in plant stress tolerance and human nutrition; however, their regulation under salt stress remains unclear, particularly in leafy vegetables. This study evaluated the effects of different salinity levels (0, 50, 150, 250, and 350 mM NaCl) on physiological traits, antioxidant activity, vitamin C and folate accumulation, and the expression of related biosynthetic genes in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). High salinity (250–350 mM) reduced growth, leaf area, and pigment …

Identification Of Qtls And Molecular Markers Associated With Gray Mold Resistance In Grape, İlknur Polat, İbrahi̇m Çeli̇k, Onur Ergönül, Asli Polat, İlker Kurbetli̇, Görkem Sülü, Ayfer Daldal, Hali̇l İbrahi̇m Uzun

Turkish Journal of Botany

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is an economically important fruit that is both consumed fresh from the vine and used in the production of raisins, wine, and vinegar. One of the main factors limiting grape production is gray mold, caused by the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. The cultivation of mold-resistant grape cultivars represents the most effective strategy for disease management; however, molecular tools to aid in the breeding of B. cinerea-resistant grapes remain limited. The present study maps the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with B. cinerea resistance in grape using an F1 population derived from a reciprocal cross between the …

Behavioral And Molecular Effects Of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Exposure In Planarians, Emily Pintilie

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The widespread use of pesticides, such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), raises serious concerns about their effects on non-target aquatic organisms. In vertebrates, 2,4-D has been associated with neurotoxic outcomes. Planarians offer a valuable system for toxicological studies because of their well-characterized nervous system, regenerative capacity, and measurable behavioral responses. This study investigated the neurotoxic effects of 2,4-D exposure in the planarian species Girardia dorotocephala, including the assessment of nociceptive behaviors, survival rate, phototactic responses, and DNA methylation. Worms were exposed to various concentrations of 2,4-D (0–100 mg/L) at multiple time points. Nociceptive responses, such as scrunching, C-shapes, and seizures, …

The Detection Of Forever Chemicals From Paper Cups Using Colorimetry, Sara Miller

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals added to food packaging products to increase water-resistance and durability. PFAS are a growing concern due to their migration into beverages and foods and have been linked to cancer, immunotoxicity, and thyroid disturbances. The purpose of this study was to quantify PFAS migration from paper cups into water and evaluate toxic effects using planarians. PFAS detection was performed using a colorimetric assay, which forms a colored complex with PFAS, on: perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), heptadeca fluorooctane sulfonic acid potassium salt (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFNA and PFOS showed absorbance at 640 nm, while …

2026 Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony Program, Phi Beta Kappa, Psi Of California Chapter At Chapman University

Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony Programs

The 2026 Induction Ceremony for the Psi of Chapter California was held on May 12, 2026 at the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University. In this ceremony, 27 outstanding students and one honorary member were inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

Please click here to view photos from the ceremony.

Redefining Skincare For Sensitive Lives, Ashlyn G. Sierra Ms

Honors College Theses

This study outlines how a skincare company that is both ethically and effectively developed for people suffering from eczema could create accessible, affordable products as well as maintain its commitment to being inclusive. The study uses scientific data regarding eczema in order to examine why certain aspects of skin care are helpful or dangerous when it comes to individuals who suffer from eczema, in addition, it provides an assessment of current skin care product offerings that are designed for people with eczema. Using the Wise Leadership Framework, the study presents a hypothetical business plan for a new, eczema-based skin care …

Restless Legs Syndrome And Neurological Comorbidities: A Narrative Review, Kyrillos Ghattas, Helen Hernandez, Yongwoon Huh, Zhanna Fast, Zhikui Wei

Department of Sleep Medicine Faculty Papers

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common yet underrecognized neurological disorder characterized by uncomfortable sensations and an irresistible urge to move he legs, typically following a circadian pattern. RLS frequently co-occurs with various other neurological diseases, raising questions about shared mechanisms and clinical consequences. This review synthesizes evidence on the prevalence, outcomes, and pathophysiology of RLS in various neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, migraine, dementia, stroke, epilepsy, and peripheral neuropathy. In Parkinson's disease, RLS is linked to disease progression and dopaminergic therapy. In stroke and multiple sclerosis, RLS is associated with structural lesions at specific locations, such as …