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Using Behavioral Monitoring To Assess Activity Patterns And Welfare Indicators In Captive Black Howler Monkeys (Alouatta Caraya), Ramiro Gomez Iii

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined activity patterns and potential welfare indicators in captive black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) using behavioral monitoring techniques. A monogamous pair housed indoors at Gladys Porter Zoo was observed using focal sampling methods, and a species specific ethogram was developed to systematically record behavior. A total of 1,750 minutes of data were collected over one year. Observed behaviors were categorized into five groups: affiliative, agonistic, stationary, locomotion, and stereotypic behaviors. Activity budgets were calculated to determine the proportion of time allocated to each behavioral category. Results indicated that affiliative behaviors, particularly physical contact, dominated the activity budget, while …

Multi-Task Growing Interpretable Neural Network For Multi-Target Symbolic Regression, Hussein Rajabu

All Theses

Over the past decade, deep learning has achieved remarkable success across domains such as computer vision and natural language processing. Despite their strong predictive capabilities, these models often function as black boxes, limiting transparency and making them difficult to trust in high-stakes applications such as healthcare and business decision-making. While explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) methods improve interpretability, most approaches remain post-hoc, focusing on statistical associations rather than uncovering the underlying functional mechanisms governing predictions.

Symbolic regression (SR) has emerged as a promising direction within XAI by directly discovering explicit mathematical expressions that describe relationships between inputs and outputs. Unlike traditional …

The Impact Of Palm Cooling On The Physiological And Cognitive Function Of Aerobically Trained Individuals, Katherine L. Tibbs

Honors Theses

Background: Cooling strategies have been shown to combat the harmful effects that an increase in body temperature can potentially cause, and palm cooling in particular has been adopted due to its effectiveness in mitigating muscle fatigue during exercise. While there is clear support that this improves muscular strength and endurance, there is a lack of research on the impact palm cooling has on the mental aspect of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cognitive and physiological effects of palm cooling on aerobic exercise performance. Methods: Ten aerobically trained participants between the ages of 18-35 were …

Trawling For Clues: Examining Nefmc Herring Amendment 8, Christopher Santoro

Honors Scholar Theses

In 2007, almost twenty years ago, the Magnuson-Stevens Act changed the landscape of fisheries management in the US. Through the establishment of Fisheries Management Councils (FMCs), it paved the way for top-down management approaches that helped the government combat nationwide declines or collapses in fish stocks. Among the myriad responsibilities of the FMCs was the expectation that amendments to existing fisheries management plans would be a necessity to adapt to modern circumstances. This thesis focuses on New England Fisheries Management Council's (NEFMC's) Herring Amendment 8 (A8). This amendment, passed in 2021, attempts to lay the groundwork for sustainable management of …

Negative Core Beliefs And Cognitive Fusion As Predictors Of Depressive Symptom Severity And Course, Caila Flaemig

Honors Scholar Theses

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders among young adults, and its prevalence has continued to increase in recent years. Cognitive vulnerabilities are believed to play a significant role in the onset and maintenance of depressive symptoms. Thus, the present study examined the relationship between negative automatic thoughts and cognitive fusion as predictors of depressive symptom severity and course among psychologically vulnerable young adults. The study also explored how these constructs relate to the expression of negative core beliefs in participants’ open-ended written responses and whether these relationships differed by gender. Participants included 320 …

Investigating The Role Of The Fascia In The Development Of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (Fop), Liv Nevo

Honors Scholar Theses

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects connective and muscle tissues. It is characterized by heterotopic ossification (HO), which is the formation of bone tissue where it does not normally form. HO can be triggered by physical trauma, infection, inflammation, or stress. The formation of HO leads to impaired muscle function and reduced patient quality of life. Concurrently, the loss of muscle function indicates there is an impairment in the ability of the muscle to regenerate effectively. The most common genetic cause of FOP is an arginine-to-histidine substitution within the type I bone morphogenic protein …

Exploring Stem Cell-Based Approaches To Ameloblast-Like Cell Development: Progress And Limitations In Enamel Formation, Ava L. Abruzzese

Honors Scholar Theses

Enamel is one of the most critical structural components of the tooth. As the outermost layer, it serves as a protective barrier, shielding the underlying dentin and dental pulp from physical trauma and mechanical forces. The formation and mineralization of enamel are regulated by specialized cells known as ameloblasts. Once enamel maturation is complete, these cells undergo apoptosis. Consequently, enamel lacks the capacity for natural regeneration after damage or erosion, which can result from various environmental factors. When enamel is compromised, current clinical interventions focus on preventing further deterioration rather than true regeneration. These approaches include the use of remineralizing …

The Implications Of Music Therapy On The Human Mind, Mckayla Martin

Senior Honors Theses

Music therapy harnesses the power of music in clinical settings. It is primarily used to support mental health. Music affects areas such as anxiety, memory, and brain plasticity. Therapeutic music practices can reduce stress and anxiety, enhance specific types of long-term memory, and encourage neuroplasticity. It is an effective, non-invasive treatment for those experiencing mental distress. Ongoing research on the effectiveness of music therapy in clinical settings has the potential to significantly improve the treatment of mental illness, disorders, and disabilities.

Strategic Marketing Plan For An Ai-Powered Personalized Wellness Platform, David D. Dilts

Senior Honors Theses

Demand for personalized nutrition guidance is analyzed within the context of the expanding digital health and fitness sector. A review of current literature highlights major trends shaping the industry, including AI‑powered coaching, wearable integration, precision nutrition, and sustainability‑focused consumer behavior, as well as legal and ethical compliance. These insights inform the development of a strategic marketing plan for an AI‑powered wellness platform that unifies fitness, nutrition, genomics, and environmental impact scoring. The plan outlines target markets, competitive positioning, and product differentiation through adaptive personalization and ethical data practices. Findings suggest that combining AI, biometric data, and sustainable design can enhance …

Unveiling The Biochemical Pathway Responsible For Ankyloglossia (Tongue-Tie) By Tracking Enzymatic Activity Of Apoptosis Pathways, Becca Ringstad

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Ankyloglossia (Tongue-tie) is a condition that is caused by failed cellular degeneration leading to a short lingual frenulum. This short lingual frenulum tethers the tongue to the bottom palate of the mouth and leads to problems, including breastfeeding for infants, depriving them of important proteins that build the gut microbiome, strengthen the immune system, and fight off antigens. If left untreated, it leads to problems with speech articulation, airway development, and obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment involves a frenectomy, which is the release of the short lingual frenulum using surgical scissors or a laser. Ankyloglossia can occur with conditions such as …

Cancer Gets Extreme: How Extremophiles Can Improve Research And Therapy, Jason Malmgren

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Extremophiles are organisms that can survive in extreme environmental conditions, and their unique biological adaptations have gained attention for potential applications in cancer research. This paper explores how the molecular characteristics of extremophiles, such as enhanced DNA repair, resistance to oxidative stress, and structural stability, may be useful in improving cancer treatment strategies. A range of studies were examined to understand both direct and indirect roles of extremophile-derived compounds in oncology. Some research shows that compounds from organisms like Deinococcus radiodurans and extremophilic Streptomyces species can inhibit cancer cell growth, increase reactive oxygen species, and trigger apoptosis. Other studies highlight …

Lipid Deposition In Beef Cattle, Kyra L. Elliott

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Both the amount and types of lipid deposition in beef cattle are key determinants of carcass value and meat quality. Amounts of intramuscular, subcutaneous, and visceral fat influence carcass grading outcomes, palatability, and composition traits that are important to beef producers as well as consumers. The objectives of this thesis were to: 1) compare beef grading camera estimates of intramuscular fat to amounts of chemically extractable lipid, 2) characterize the lipidomes of beef intramuscular fat, subcutaneous fat, and lean muscle using shotgun lipidomics, and 3) identify and characterize a novel genetic variant in cattle that may have important implications for …

Characterization Of Activity Changes In Gilts During Estrus Using The NuTrack Livestock Monitoring System, Emily P. Aquino

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Early and accurate detection of estrus in replacement gilts is essential for reproductive success and to ensure efficient production. The objective of this study was to evaluate activity changes occurring relative to first estrus of gilts and subsequent cycles. At ~ 110 days of age, 112 gilts were randomly assigned to 14 pens and placed under continuous video monitoring until the end of the trial at ~ 200 days of age. Daily boar exposure (~ 10 minutes per day) began at ~ 122 days of age. During this period, recorded observations included vulva scores (based on swelling and redness), mounting …

Evaluation Of Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance Administration And Feed Access Time On Finishing Cattle Performance, Behavior, And Carcass Characteristics, Carsten L. Loseke

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Novel products and bunk management techniques may significantly influence economically relevant performance metrics of feedlot cattle. The objective of the first experiment was to evaluate maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (mBAS) administration on performance, carcass, health, and cortisol outcomes of yearling steers. Steers (n = 1,754, initial BW = 423 kg, SD = 25 kg) were received and assigned to pens for treatment allocation. Steers received either 10 mL of the mBAS or a mineral oil placebo at initial processing and reimplant. Hair samples were collected from a subset (n = 4 steers/pen) on d 0 and d 14. …

Integrating Growth Performance And Pathogen Detection To Investigate Disease Resilience In Commercial Swine, Emmalise Hope Marie Meyer

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Disease resilience is an important trait in commercial swine production, influencing both animal health and growth performance under natural disease challenge. The primary objective of this study was to integrate growth performance data with longitudinal pathogen detection to better understand factors contributing to disease resilience in commercial pigs. A population of 1,014 pigs across four batches was monitored from weaning through the grow-finish phase, with body weights collected to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Genome-wide association analyses were conducted using BayesC and BayesIM approaches to identify genomic regions associated with growth performance. Longitudinal pathogen surveillance was performed using pen-level oral …

Tail Biting In The Nursery: Evaluating Postural, Spatial, And Behavioral Differences Between Tail Biter And Victim Pigs, Storey L. Forster

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study examined behavioral differences among pigs classified as tail biters, victims, or neutral during the nursery period. A total of 192 undocked nursery pigs were assigned to eight pens and monitored for 30 days using the NUtrack system. Tail biting events were identified from video observations, and pigs contributing to the top 25% of observed tail biting activity were classified as tail biters. Based on weekly tail scoring, pigs assigned a maximum tail injury score ≥ 2 were classified as victims. All other pigs were considered neutral. A total of 700 tail biting events were observed. Thirty-eight pigs …

Application Of High-Pressure Processing To Improve The Color Of Dark Beef, Kara Ann Reynolds

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Deviation of beef from the bright cherry-red color preferred by consumers is often discounted or discarded at retail, resulting in substantial annual economic loss to the beef industry. One such deviation is dark cutting beef, which is characterized by a darker lean appearance that is undesirable to consumers and often rejected. Similarly, beef from mature cattle tends to exhibit a darker surface color, which can also reduce consumer acceptability. High-Pressure processing (HPP) has been investigated as a strategy to improve the color of dark cutting beef. Previous studies have focused on identifying pressure levels and holding times that optimize color …

Enhanced Near-Surface Soil Labile Carbon And Microbial Indicators Under Cover Crops And Crop Diversification In Long-Term No-Till Systems, Sainfort Vital, Sutie Xu, Namrata Ghmire, Peter Sexton, Jixiang Wu, Christopher Graham, Lan Xu, Mengistu Geza

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

No-till systems improve soil functions and are widely adopted in South Dakota cropping systems. However, these cropping systems have become increasingly simplified due to reduced small grain adoption, potentially reducing carbon inputs and microbial diversity. Therefore, this study aimed to (i) quantify the effects of crop rotations and cover cropping on soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and their labile fractions across the 0–80 cm soil profile, and (ii) assess how these management practices affect microbial properties in the topsoil (0–7.5 cm), using a long-term no-till (>30 years) field experiment in South Dakota. Main treatments included a corn …

Preclinical Animal Modeling To Investigate Redox-Mediated Molecular Dysfunction In Traumatic Brain Injury, Brandon Z. Mcdonald

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Impacts associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) induce a multitude of neurological morbidities mediated by a spread of biochemical dysfunction. Redox stress is a significant contributor to TBI pathophysiology and several redox stress markers have substantial evidence to support their role in diagnosing preclinical and clinical TBI. However, there is a critical need to verify their translational utility through correlations with behavioral, imaging, and molecular modalities. In chapter two, we examined the therapeutic efficacy of an antioxidant treatment (NPC3) using a controlled cortical impact (CCI) mouse model of TBI. NPC3 alleviated glial expression and reactivity while influencing the expression of …

Factors Affecting The Efficacy Of Free Choice Vitamin & Mineral Supplementation Programs, Tanner K. Wansing

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

While free choice vitamin and mineral supplements are widely used within the cow/calf sector, large knowledge gaps exist around the proper management of those supplements. This thesis discusses two factors affecting the efficacy of supplementation. The first interest was the stability of vitamin A when stored with a common free choice mineral supplement. This research addressed a critical data gap by generating information on vitamin A stability within the beef industry, as current data are predominantly based in the swine industry. Vitamin A was discovered to be stable until 4 months of storage regardless of storage conditions, whereas after 4 …

Cytoplasmic Shift Of Interferon Regulatory Factors Co‐Evolved With Jawed Vertebrate Innate Immunity, Vanessa M. Hubing

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The emergence of jaws in early vertebrates introduced a novel feeding apparatus and powerful oral defenses, but it also increased the risk of physical injury and pathogen exposure. Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) play critical roles in orches-trating innate immunity and inflammation in response to invading microbes and tissue damage, with their subcellular local-ization being essential to some IRFs' function. Our results indicate that IRF members underwent independent expansion and diversification in two distinct vertebrate lineages: jawed and jawless vertebrates. The jawed vertebrate-specific factor, IRF5, has maintained conserved nuclear export sequences throughout evolution, while newly diversified IRF members in jawed verte-brates …

Lewis Carroll’S Curious Creatures: Examining Carroll’S Use Of Animal Characters Within The Context Of His Life And Victorian Era England, Nima M. Faunce

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) has maintained a wide readership since its publication, but many aspects of Carroll’s original intentions and inspirations are lost on modern readers. By examining his animal characters through the lens of his personal life and Victorian England, a deeper understanding of his novel is uncovered. Some of his characters directly reflect individuals from his real life, such as the Liddell family, while other characters provide a window into Victorian beliefs and practices. This paper investigates each of Carroll’s animal characters in order of appearance and determines possible points of inspiration from his personal …

The Consumptive Female Ideal: The Case Study Of “Snow White”, Nayla G. Torres Ruiz

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Tuberculosis (TB), also known as “consumption” or “phthisis,” was one of the most pervasive and culturally significant diseases of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Despite its high mortality rate—claiming more lives than cholera and smallpox combined—TB was widely romanticized in art, literature, and popular culture, particularly as a feminine disease associated with beauty, purity, fragility, and moral virtue. The physical traits of consumption—pale skin, rosy cheeks, red lips, glassy eyes, and a slender, delicate frame—became an ideal of female beauty, one that many women sought to emulate through restrictive diets, toxic cosmetics, and evolving fashion trends, such as increasingly tight …

Oer Content And Assessment Map, Oerfsj

OERFSJ Templates & Resources

Year 2 spring deliverable for OERFSJ faculty requires the application of backwards design to map out the content and assessment of the course and OER.

Oer Evaluation And Gap Analysis Worksheet, Oerfsj

OERFSJ Templates & Resources

Template for faculty teams to evaluate existing OER for adoption and adaption.

Course Insight Portfolio: Math 1020 Business Calculus I, Ibrahim Khalilullah, M.G.M. Al Faruque, Jessica Ratovondranto, Leslie Spahr

Publications

This portfolio presents an overview of the student educational context, key course concepts, and some approaches to clarify student misconceptions associated with MATH 1020 (Business Calculus I). The portfolio includes a concept map illustrating the major topics of the course and an overview of common student misconceptions, and lesson plans designed to address those misconceptions through research informed instructional practices.

The concept map highlights the interconnected nature of topics such as functions, limits, continuity, differentiability, derivatives, optimization, graph interpretation, and applications of calculus. Particular attention is given to areas where students commonly experience difficulty, including distinguishing domain, codomain, and range; …

“Healing Symbols For Trauma”: The Role Of Art In Healing From Psychological Trauma And Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) Engaging Carl Gustav Jung’S Appropriation Of The Spiritual Exercises Of St. Ignatius Of Loyola, Ricardo Sebastian Nogueiro

Jesuit School of Theology Dissertations

In society individuals experience trauma at least once in their lifetime which makes the experience of trauma pervasive. This thesis explores the role that art forms play in psychological and spiritual healing from trauma and PTSD. Psychological trauma and PTSD have become more prevalent in society with reliance on largely psychological approaches to healing while neglecting the spiritual dimension. This study proposes a complementary method to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for psycho-spiritual healing through an integration of art, psychoanalysis, and Christian spirituality, one which restores personal agency. Engaging the trauma afflicted with art forms can serve as a medium for …

Developing Training And Streamlining Training Management Process For Smithfield Fire Department Employees In Aha, Naemt, And Aap Certifications, Michael Christopher Popa Ii

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The rapid operational expansion of the Smithfield Fire Department and EMS (SFD)—marked by a 300% increase in call volume and a transition to a fully professional, independent paramedic service—exposed critical systemic inefficiencies in clinical preparedness and personnel credentialing. This project addresses the "HALO Paradox," wherein high-acuity, low-occurrence emergencies require expert-level proficiency that cannot be maintained through call volume alone. Historically, the agency relied on fragmented, external continuing education (CE) that incurred high financial costs, lacked equipment standardization, and created administrative bottlenecks during biannual recertification cycles. The central objective of this capstone was to engineer a sustainable, in-house training infrastructure that …

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Host: Fleas And The History Of Pikas In North America, Josh Pletcher

All NMU Master's Theses

Parasite phylogenetics can offer windows into the cryptic evolutionary history of hosts, often highlighting events that are not recorded by the phylogenetics of the host. Pikas (small lagomorphs) host a diverse parasite community comprising endoparasites (e.g., coccidians, nematodes, and cestodes) and ectoparasites (e.g., fleas and mites). Phylogenetic analysis of pika endoparasites has revealed pikas evolved in Asia and colonized North America in two waves, and that contact between these two pika lineages allowed parasites to be transferred from one lineage to another and to survive the extinction of their original host. To uncover these cryptic histories, understanding the biogeography of …

Nutrition Teaching Methods In Communities, Emery Fayth Rowles

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Community is a vital part of non-formal education. A sense of, longing for, and responsibility towards community draws individuals to participate in local services and classes. Community has been shown to have positive impacts on learning, self efficacy, and health.

Many of the techniques used in education mirror techniques used in building community—such as the use of small group discussions and cultural sensitivity—but with distinct differences in mindset. Most educational approaches see the acquisition and use of knowledge as the key purpose of the program and evaluate participants on an individual basis. This approach makes sense for programs meant to …