Digital Commons Network^™

Roots To Recovery: How Therapeutic Horticulture Can Heal Sexual Trauma, Fiona E. Larsen-Teskey

Scripps Senior Theses

Sexual assault is one of the most prevalent sources of trauma among females. While still requiring more research, therapeutic horticulture (TH), also known as gardening therapy, has so far shown promising results regarding trauma recovery. In this study, I seek to discover how TH can aid in female sexual assault recovery. To determine its impact, I will conduct a three-month experiment with two groups: those who receive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and those who receive CBT plus TH. I will specifically measure three common side effects survivors face: dissociation, shame, and PTSD. These categories will be measured through surveys and …

The Impact Of Heavy Resistance Training On Type Ii Muscle Fibers Throughout Female Reproductive Stages, Lily G. Colberg

Scripps Senior Theses

Type II muscle fibers, also known as fast-twitch muscle fibers, are reliant on aerobic glycolysis and are crucial for high-force contractions, mobility, and rapid movements, such as fast reflexes. Heavy resistance training has been found to increase type II muscle fiber concentration in young, middle-aged, and elderly individuals. However, there have been few studies conducted on female-only sample populations. In women, the impact of heavy resistance training on type II muscle fibers is affected by the progressive decline of estrogen that defines the transition throughout the four female reproductive stages: premenopause, perimenopause, late-transition menopause, and postmenopause. Menopausal estrogen depletion causes …

Cross-Neutralization And Antigenic Characterization Of Simian And Equine Group A Rotaviruses, Shalini Soni, Lianne G. Eertink, Ni Shuisong, Alan T. Loynachan, Samantha M. Barnum, Emma Adam, Michael A. Kennedy, Dan Wang, Feng Li

Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Rotaviral diarrhea in foals is caused by two dominant G3P[12] and G14P[12] genotypes of equine rotavirus A (ERVA). Protection of foals against ERVA infection and disease is achievable by passive antibody transfer through colostrum from mares receiving inactivated monovalent G3P[12] vaccine. Simian rotavirus SA11 G3P[2] is also included in ERVA vaccines to protect foals. Here, we characterized cross-neutralization and protection among three distinctive rotaviruses carrying the same or different G (defined by VP7) or P (defined by VP4) genotype by using a rabbit and equine monospecific antisera panel coupled with structural and computational analyses of viral epitopes. Data from these …

The Joy Of Reading: An Action Research Project, William Cronin

Master of Education in Transformational Teaching and Learning

This study is to investigate what impact sustained silent reading in class will have on student enjoyment in reading. The study was conducted over a two-week period in which students were given 10-15 minutes for sustained silent reading of a hard-copy book of their choice at the end of each class meeting. They were then asked in a survey how they felt after reading, and to give a reason why they answered in that way. Students were also surveyed at the beginning and end of the study with a series of questions about their reading habits and enjoyment level. The …

Infringement Through Imitation: Ai Chatbots And The Characters They Infringe, Isabella Herrera

Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal

Chatbots that purport to embody the personas of copyrighted characters are poised to be a central issue for the IP legal field and the entertainment industry. In September of 2025, Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter to Character.AI, a leader in the “character” chatbots market, demanding removal of numerous chatbots that were reportedly based on characters from Disney franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and the Pixar films. Character.AI allegedly removed all infringing characters, however it remains unclear whether character chatbots platforms are required to do so under IP law. This Note addresses the issue of copyright infringement for character chatbots and …

Designing Theranostic Radiopharmaceutical Trials For Uterine Cervix Cancer, Denise Fabian, Molly E. Buffington, Brianna S. Cagle, Steve M. Keefe, Michael K. Schultz, Charles A. Kunos

Radiation Medicine Faculty Publications

Designing and interpreting early phase trials of theranostic radiopharmaceuticals remains challenging because it is difficult to isolate effective levels of activity in enriched patient populations that would be worth following up in later-phase development. This study explores the known challenges and emerging opportunities for clinical research on patients with uterine cervical cancer. We identified eight randomized combination trials for advanced-stage uterine cervix cancer that were activated between 2011 and 2022 and tabulated their results to determine whether combinations were better than individual constituents and which suitable study population is best situated for the study of a new theranostic agent. In …

Broadening The Fetal Alcohol Paradigm: Bdnf Methylation As A Link Between Paternal Alcohol Use And Offspring Neurodevelopmental Deficits, Caitlin E. Muñoz

Scripps Senior Theses

Developmental effects of fetal alcohol exposure are extensively documented as a consequence of maternal gestational alcohol consumption. However, similar consequences of paternal alcohol consumption remain understudied. This proposed pilot study will examine preconception paternal alcohol consumption within its capacity to induce heritable epigenetic modifications in sperm, such that offspring are susceptible to adverse in utero neurodevelopment and neonatal neurobehavioral outcomes. Specifically, it will examine DNA methylation patterns along the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) exon IV promoter in paternal spermatozoa. BDNF exon IV is considered a key locus in neurogenesis regulation, synaptic plasticity, and cortical development. It is hypothesized that BDNF …

Associating Emotional Intelligence, Cultural Intelligence, And Inclusive Leadership: A Correlational Study Of Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors And Church Leaders In Canada, Damson Anim Oppong

Dissertations

Problem

In an increasingly polarized world, church leaders are expected to foster inclusion, belonging, and unity within diverse congregations. Inclusive leadership (IL), supported by emotional intelligence (EQ) and cultural intelligence (CQ), may offer a relational leadership posture well-suited to this challenge. Growing evidence suggests that relational qualities such as EQ and CQ help leaders develop inclusive communities, foster belonging, and bridge differences (Thomas & Inkson, 2017; Wise, 2022). Emotional and cultural intelligence are studied increasingly in organizational settings, but little is known about how they affect inclusive leadership in faith-based institutions, such as among pastors and church leaders in the …

Exploring Lessons In Research: A Survey On Parental Perceptions Of Reading Opportunities, Laura Kettlehut

Dissertations

Problem

This exploratory study examines how parents’ past reading experiences relate to their perceptions of their children’s current reading opportunities across home and school contexts. Grounded in longstanding literacy research, the study explores how parent‑led, educator‑led, and child‑initiated reading experiences collectively shape children’s literacy development.

Method

Two research questions guided the inquiry: (1) How do parents perceive their own past reading opportunities? and (2) How do they perceive their children’s reading opportunities at home and in school? To address these questions, a 41‑item survey was developed and administered to parents of children enrolled in K–8 schools. The instrument measured two …

The Presence Of Predators Moderates Evolutionary Responses Of Trinidadian Killifish To A Novel Parasite, Anne E. Christian

Biology Dissertations

The Healthy Herds Hypothesis suggests the idea that prey populations derive a benefit from their predators: predators reduce the exposure of their prey to infectious disease, both by limiting prey population densities and by eliminating sick individuals. Much research has focused on the balancing effect that predators have on ecosystems. There is a current need for research into whether these effects cause evolutionary shifts in prey populations, where strong predation pressure prevents prey species from evolving physiological tolerance or resistance to infectious agents. Parasites especially often have rapid effects on host evolution, due to exploitative interactions.

I seek to address …

Transformation Of Public Earth Datasets For 3d Narrative Visualization Of Disaster Events, Connor Bleisch

Theses

Communicating large datasets in ways that are appealing to non-scientific audiences has been a recent focus of big data visualization. Interest has grown for using 3D environments with game-like structures and immersive technology like AR and VR since they are more engaging. We introduce a method, based on the structure of the datasets and domain knowledge of the natural phenomena, for transforming public National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth datasets into 3D narrative data visualizations, specifically of disaster events. Two visualizations were created using this method: one of the KNP Complex Wildfire in 2021 and one of Hurricane Beryl …

Directing Young Actors, Mitchell Whelan

Theses : Honours

This reflective practice case study examines the studio environment of a small ensemble of female actors aged 16-19, in the rehearsal of a one-act play. Performing arts researchers working in youth spaces commonly adhere to conventions of ethnodrama and facilitate a process in which participants contribute personal stories as performance material. The present paper uses a published text (Slut by Patricia Cornelius) to position participants as actors, rather than devisors who must conjure original material. Through critical reflection, the project assesses the impact of developing performance material slowly while also making time for socialisation between castmates. Drawing on my repertoire …

Artificial Intelligence Methods For Circadian Rhythm Recovery And Disease Identification From High-Dimensional Omics Data, Aram Ansary Ogholbake

Theses and Dissertations--Computer Science

High-throughput transcriptomic and proteomic technologies have enabled opportunities for studying biological processes and disease mechanisms. However, extracting meaningful biological information from these high-dimensional datasets remains challenging due to limited sample sizes, biological heterogeneity, measurement noise, and the absence of biological annotations. In particular, many molecular datasets lack temporal information required for circadian analysis, making the study of circadian rhythms difficult. Moreover, disease diagnosis and biomarker discovery from transcriptomic data often rely on complex machine learning models whose predictions are difficult to interpret and may not generalize well across independent datasets and experimental platforms. These limitations motivate the development of artificial …

Integrating Literacy Into A High School Climate Change Unit, Bailey Bushman

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Humanizing The Base Of The Pyramid: Exploring The Influence Of Resource (Dis)Advantages On Value Creation, Ted London, Lisa Jones Christensen, Tyson Mackey, Alison Mackey, Heather Esper, Andrew Grogan-Kaylor

Faculty Publications

Base of the pyramid (BoP) scholarship emphasizes the potential for enterprises to generate profits by enhancing the wellbeing of the impoverished, often by selling socially-beneficial products (SBPs). Yet, many such BoP enterprises have experienced mixed results. We argue that this may stem from insufficient attention to how BoP consumers value SBPs and other products. We frame SBPs as a type of human capital investment and thus use human capital theory to study how the consumption of SBPs does or does not create value for consumers. Specifically, we use a novel data set from rural India to measure value creation in …

The Effects Of A Thiamine Treatment On The Growth, Survival, And Foraging Behavior Of Thiamine-Deficient Michigan Lake Trout (Salvelinus Namaycush), Allie J. Muschong

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

The Great Lakes top predator Salvelinus namaycush (lake trout) suffers from Thiamine Deficiency Complex (TDC), which causes neurological problems and inhibits survival in young lake trout. The lake trout population in northern Lake Michigan experiences insufficient natural recruitment, necessitating yearly stocking. Few treatments have been explored, but preliminary studies in a hatchery setting suggest that increasing tissue thiamine promotes survival; thus, we expected a novel thiamine treatment to boost the foraging rate and weight of lake trout fry. We raised the eggs of six wild lake trout pairs, and applied treatments at both the egg stage and the hatch stage. …

Breaking The Glass: Jewish Identity Through A Sociological Lens, Shayla Mostyn

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

This project uses Charles H. Cooley’s theory “The Looking-Glass Self” to magnify the depth of Jewish identity. As a Jewish student, I have firsthand experience in experiencing society normalize acts of antisemitism and it having a negative impact on my Jewish identity. Within my research, 200 Jewish college students from around the world were provided with a platform to anonymously reflect and report on what being Jewish means to them and how their social surroundings impact their Jewish identity. This concept tells that one’s identity or concept of identity is based on how others see them or how they believe …

The Effects Of Nature Exposure On Workplace Engagement, Allison Emmons

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

The idea that nature is beneficial to humans is somewhat unclear in the field of psychology. Many studies have found that exposure to natural elements can improve human emotions and performance on cognitive tasks. However, there are inconsistencies in the literature regarding whether both outcomes can be enhanced at once. There is also limited research on how nature can impact attitudes about the environment and tasks at hand. This study seeks to examine whether or not incorporating natural elements into workplaces improves employee performance and engagement measures, such as decision-making quality, job satisfaction, job motivation, and current emotional state. This …

The Development Of Wordercord, Rylee J. Curley

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

This paper delves into the ongoing development of the series, WONDERCORD, providing documentation of the progress, evolution, and future direction of the series. WONDERCORD is an indie animated series about 10 characters who get stuck in a new world and must explore games to collect batteries to return home. Motivated by the desire to innovate within the field of animation, Pokito Productions, our production studio, seeks to use a unique approach to storytelling through dynamic style changes in various media forms. Additionally, the paper delves into the marketing campaigns used to garner attention, and it will serve to offer a …

The Effect Of Perception & Trust: How Our Flaws Shape Prices, Institutions, Systems, And Economic Stability, David Mackinnon Butler

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Aurora 2026: A Year Of Art And Design, Aya Ghassan Bazziz

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

The goal of this project was to revive the Aurora yearbook publication in order to illustrate the need for physical media as a form of documenting memory. Inspired by a century of volunteering editors of the yearbook program, particularly those of the late 70’s, I decided that the best way to conclude a year of hard work in the School of Art and Design would be the creation of a booklet and its exhibition for the program to view. While I struggled to complete this project due to shifting plans, my goals had been seen through; a booklet was created, …

Graduate School : Dissertation Information Sheet

Academic Affairs – Policy Library

No abstract provided.

Graduate School : Academic Policies And Processes

Academic Affairs – Policy Library

No abstract provided.

Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Neurons In The Bed Nucleus Of The Stria Terminalis Modulate Avoidance Behaviors And Feeding, Juan Manuel Romero, Shae-Marie Stafford-Trujillo, Mitzy Mendoza, Pey-Shyuan Chin, Snigdha Srivastava, Mikhail Kochukov, Qingchun Tong, Benjamin Russell Arenkiel

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Introduction: Animals rely on defensive avoidance of exposed or potentially threatening environments as a fundamental survival strategy, often expressing this behavior as thigmotaxis, or a preference for the periphery of an open space. However, researchers still do not understand how neural circuits coordinate avoidance behavior with competing physiological drives such as feeding. In this study, we investigate how corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-expressing neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) integrate environmental avoidance and feeding behavior.

Methods: We used adult male and female mice and applied fiber photometry to monitor BNST CRF neuronal activity in vivo. We performed both …

The Eighth Amendment And Prison Staff-To-Sentenced Prisoner Sexual Violence, Matthew Lyskawa

Faculty Scholarship

In this Article, I provide the first comprehensive account of lower federal courts’ Eighth Amendment prison conditions jurisprudence regarding prison staff-to-sentenced prisoner sexual violence. I show that lower federal courts are systematically misunderstanding and misapplying Supreme Court case law in this context. The result is that sexually victimized prisoners must meet extremely burdensome doctrinal standards unique to sexual violence claims. Lower federal courts would faithfully follow Supreme Court precedent if they applied the excessive force standard to sexual assault claims and the conditions of confinement standard to sexual harassment claims. However, a faithful application of Supreme Court case law does …

Quantifying The Lower Limits Of Plastic Detection With Absorption Features And Mesma Spectral Unmixing Over Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery, James Delaney

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

Plastic pollution is a widespread environmental issue, with larger macroplastic objects resulting in harm to the environment, economies, and human health. Satellite remote sensing can detect plastic over widespread areas, but quantifying plastic on the spatial scale within sensor pixels (sub-pixel) in imagery poses challenges to medium-resolution sensors. Determining the factors affecting the ability of plastic to be detected at small scales within satellite imagery and testing little-explored spectral unmixing sub-pixel plastic quantification on these open-source satellite images can increase the value extracted from this data source. Spectral measurements of plastic packaging at changing abundances were measured using a hyperspectral …

Characterisation Of Biodegradable Polymers And Their Degradation In The Environment, Robyn Barrett

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

The escalating accumulation of persistent plastic waste necessitates the transition to sustainable materials, with bio-based and/or biodegradable polymers increasingly adopted for applications, such as forestry tree shelters, where retrieval is costly and impractical. However, the true environmental fate and long-term stability of these complex bio-based and/or biodegradable polymer products remain uncertain. This uncertainty is exacerbated by reliance on conventional degradation assessments that employ indirect metrics (e.g., carbonyl index, CO$_2$ evolution) under ideal laboratory conditions, often failing to predict performance in the heterogeneous and complex natural environment. This research addressed this critical analytical gap by establishing a high-resolution, untargeted chemical framework …

Iron(Ii)/Cobalt(Ii)-Mediated Silicon And Carbon Quantum Dots For Nanozyme Activity And Fluorescence Sensing Of Hydrogen Peroxide And Glucose, Kang Qin

Dissertations and Theses

Silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have been widely studied as fluorescent nanomaterials for sensing applications. In this thesis, we developed two different nanomaterials, SiQDs and CQDs, and investigated their catalytic activities and applied them for the detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose. In the first project, Co2+-mediated SiQDs were synthesized through a hydrothermal method. The obtained nanoparticles showed obvious peroxidase-like activity toward the oxidation of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H2O2 under acidic conditions. Moreover, a weak oxidation of TMB was also observed without H2O2, suggesting the existence of oxidase-like activity. To better understand the …

Invasion Dynamics, Environmental Conditions, And Community Impacts Of Yellow Sweetclover (Melilotus Officinalis) Across The Northern Great Plains, Sakshi Saraf

Dissertations and Theses

Understanding how environmental conditions and invasion dynamics shape native plant Communities is critical for conserving and managing the semi-arid grasslands of the Northern Great Plains (NGP). Invasive plant species are increasingly altering ecosystem structure and function across this region, yet knowledge gaps remain regarding the drivers of invasion, their spatiotemporal dynamics, and their associations with native plant communities. This dissertation investigates three questions: (1) what environmental conditions are associated with the distribution and abundance of the invasive legume Melilotus officinalis (yellow sweetclover; MEOF), (2) how does MEOF vary across space and time under climatic conditions, and (3) how are environmental …

2026 Intersession Catalog, Illinois Math And Science Academy

Intersession Catalogs

No abstract provided.