Digital Commons Network^™

Choreographies Of Care: Disability And Relationality In Performance, Kiera Bono

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

My dissertation explores enactments of what I am calling “choreographies of care” in interdisciplinary performance practices in the 21^st century. Working across disability studies, race and ethnicity studies, queer theory, and performance studies, I investigate the ways in which chronically ill and disabled artists have generated multisensorial movement, sound, and performance works that resist normative understandings of time, space, bodies, and interactions between bodies. Focusing mostly on performances and events that I have attended in New York City or virtually over the past decade, my project engages directly with disability arts communities in which I have been deeply embedded …

The Sonic Hedgehog Effector Smoothened Modulates Cholinergic Interneuron Activity, Physiology, And Striatum-Dependent Behaviors, Santiago Uribe-Cano

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The striatum is a central node in action selection and associative learning, integrating cortical, thalamic, and neuromodulatory input. Among its principal modulators, dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) are known for their temporally coordinated yet mechanistically distinct influences on striatal output. However, the upstream signals that regulate their dynamic interplay, particularly within cholinergic interneurons (CINs)—the primary source of striatal ACh—remain incompletely characterized. This dissertation investigates the role of Smoothened (Smo), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) effector of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling, in modulating ACh signaling dynamics in the striatum.

Building on evidence that midbrain DA neurons co-release Shh and that CINs …

Leveraging Stellar Chemistry For A Global View Into The Atmospheres Of Brown Dwarfs And Giant Exoplanets, Emily Calamari

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In the era of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), it is now possible to examine substellar mass atmospheres in unparalleled detail and precision. However, unraveling the complicated thermodynamics and chemistry in these atmospheres remains a challenge. Atmospheric retrievals are a leading data-driven technique capable of recovering an object’s fundamental parameters such as mass, radius, effective temperature, gravity, cloud structure and composition and chemical abundances. However, in directly imaged or isolated worlds, constraining and/or interpreting these fundamental parameters can be difficult, particularly as retrieval models try to parameterize the overall impact of clouds.

For my dissertation, I turned to main …

The Effect Of Tbi On Working Memory And Anxiety In Rats, Mariola Sobolewska

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a significant public health concern, often leading to cognitive and emotional impairments. This study examined the effects of TBI on working memory and anxiety-like behavior in young male Sprague-Dawley rats using the Radial Arm Maze (RAM) and Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), which are behavioral assessments. The RAM tests spatial working memory by evaluating the animal’s ability to remember and efficiently navigate multiple arms to retrieve rewards. The EPM assesses anxiety-like behavior based on the animal’s preference for open versus closed arms. The study utilized young male Sprague-Dawley rats, a well-established rodent model known for its …

The Architecture Of Exclusion: Disability, Race, And The History Of New York City’S 600 Schools, Francine Almash

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation investigates the largely erased history of New York City’s 600 schools—segregated public schools created to house students labeled as emotionally disturbed or socially maladjusted. These institutions, operating throughout the mid-20th century, disproportionately served Black and Puerto Rican youth, many of whom were placed in these schools under vague behavioral criteria and with little to no pathway for return to general education settings.

Combining archival research, longitudinal policy analysis, historical media review, and critical race and disability studies frameworks—including DisCrit (Disability Critical Race Theory)—this project situates the 600 schools at the intersection of institutional racism and ableism. It argues …

Bmp Signaling Co-Regulation Of Immune Response And Lipid Metabolism, Katerina K. Yamamoto

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are secreted peptide ligands of the Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-β) family, initially identified for their roles in development and differentiation across animal species. They are now increasingly recognized for their roles in physiology and infectious disease. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the BMP ligand DBL-1 controls fat metabolism and immune response, in addition to its roles in body size regulation and development. DBL-1 regulates classical aspects of innate immunity, including the induction of anti-microbial peptides. We theorized that BMP-dependent regulation of fat metabolism could also promote resilience against microbial pathogens. We found that …

Detecting Sonic Hedgehog Expression In The Adult Mouse Brain Using A Gene Expression Tracer, Kendra Stephens-Jones

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is best known for its role in development, yet evidence supports Shh signaling plays a functional role in the adult brain. Previous work demonstrated that Shh is expressed by dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral midbrain and that loss of Shh from these neurons leads to late-onset motor and structural abnormalities resembling Parkinson’s disease. However, the extent of Shh expression and its connectivity to the striatum in the adult mouse brain remain unclear due to the lack of reliable antibodies for Shh detection. To address this gap, the present study employed Shh ^L/L and DAT-Cre^+/- mice …

Mechanisms Of Sleep Regulation In Drosophila Melanogaster, Anfal A. Abuhilal

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Sleep is a fundamental biological need, and sufficient sleep is required for physical and mental well-being. Sleep is regulated by two biological mechanisms: sleep-wake homeostasis and circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms are near 24-h rhythms in behavior and physiology that are generated by endogenous mechanisms. In mammals, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the central circadian pacemaker, which is known to receive a significant amount of serotonergic input that likely modulates sleep rhythms. In addition to circadian modulation, sleep is subject to homeostatic regulation. Several neuromodulators have been proposed as mediators of sleep homeostasis. Serotonin has been implicated in sleep drive and …

Crisis Narratives And The Vicissitudes Of Haitian Foodways: A Critical Comparison Of Three Food Items, Marc S. Gabriel

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Polities and media external to Haiti direct a lot of narrative focus on the country being the source of its own protracted crises. This represents a powerful narrative hegemony that casts the post-colonial nation as a zone of perpetual disasters or crisis. To maintain that narrative domination over Haiti, opportunistic observers of Haiti’s media spectacles of crisis only need to atomize the country’s newest crisis or natural disaster from the history that situates it. The elision of the Haitian memory – a memory of structural adjustment programs, systematic displacement, foreign-sponsored paramilitary violence, erosion of peasant foodways and agriculture – from …

The Role Of Water In Peptide Behavior And Peptide-Based Water-Responsive Crystals, Janel Jannette Rivera Cancel

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Water plays a crucial role in shaping the behavior and function of biomolecules across the liquid, supercooled, and glassy states. This thesis presents a dual approach combining computational simulations and experimental investigations to explore the influence of water on biomolecular systems, particularly peptide-based materials. We employ molecular dynamics simulations to study the hydration-dependent structural dynamics of homopolymer peptides. Simulations were carried out across a range of temperatures and pressures to analyze changes in hydration and structural stability, shedding light on the behavior of peptides under supercooled and glassy conditions. These studies are especially relevant for understanding biomolecular stability in cryopreservation. …

Structural Characterization Of A Tarantula Toxin And Its Interactions With Lipid Bilayers And Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels, Krishnakoli Adhikary

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Voltage-gated ion channels are membrane protein complexes. They allow the selective flow of their respective ions down an electrochemical gradient through a central ion conduction pore surrounded by four voltage-sensing domains (VSDs). Various neurological and cardiovascular diseases are caused by mutations in voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs). One of the biggest challenges today is addiction to opioid medication. Coming up with non-opioid drug leads can be a real blessing for society. This is where voltage-gated sodium channel research comes in. Na_v1.7, Na_v1.8, and Na_v1.9 are responsible for pain sensations. Loss or gain of function in …

Tradition, Individuality, And Innovation In Western Classical Music Performance: A Quantitative Analysis Of Bach’S Fourth Cello Suite Prelude, Clare Monfredo

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Why do we seek out new performances of a commonly performed piece of music? An essential tradition of Western classical music (WCM) is the performance of canonical works by composers, an activity that requires the interpretation and execution of written scores by individual performers. In this practice, performers are not only expected to determine the composer’s “intentions,” but also somehow (paradoxically) share these in a “unique” performance interpretation. In musical education, performers are trained by teachers to create these “unique” interpretations by learning how to intuit composers’ intentions in a system that passes down interpretative traditions through master-apprentice one-on-one lessons. …

The Bridwell Quarterly Issue 28 Summer 2025, Anthony Elia, Michelle S. Ried

Bridwell Library Publications

No abstract provided.

Vol. 54, No. 1: Table Of Contents, Denver Journal Of International Law & Policy

Denver Journal of International Law & Policy

No abstract provided.

Vol. 54, No. 1: Full Issue, Denver Journal Of International Law & Policy

Denver Journal of International Law & Policy

No abstract provided.

Research And Development Agenda For Small Islands In The Philippines: Results From A Multi-Stakeholder National Forum, Rodmyr F. Datoon, Ron Jay P. Dangcalan, Marissa S. Pontillas, Marie Gianina Concepcion S. Decano, Melissa Grace C. Olit, Jenny Mei S. Peroy, Eva Marie C. Ponce De Leon, Cristine L. Pingal, Restie Allan A. Puno, Jackielyn S. Abela, Lenard D. Visaya

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The Philippines has 7,641 islands, most of which are small and underdeveloped. While studies have been done on topics such as poverty reduction, climate change, and economic development, there is no integrated research and development (R&D) agenda for small islands. Furthermore, literature points to the lack of consensus on the definition of small islands. As such, the study wove together existing bodies of knowledge and stakeholder perspectives on small islands in the country using a qualitative research design. Data were collected through a desk review, workshops, and key informant interviews. Four categories of small islands were proposed, namely micro-island, small …

Mental Health Challenges In Later Life, Sophie Mauk, Michele Dinman, Natalie Galucia, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

Although older adults are less likely to be diagnosed with mental health challenges than younger adults, Americans over the age of 65 have experienced the greatest growth in new diagnoses — an increase of 57% between 2019 and 2023. By 2023, about 1 in 7 adults age 51 and older had received mental health diagnoses, including major depressive, generalized anxiety, adjustment, bipolar, and mood disorders. However, older adults are less likely to receive treatment than younger people. At the same time, older adults may also misuse substances such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and prescription and nonprescription medications. Americans age 75 …

Stamps Of The World: Treatment And Research Of A Three-Volume Stamp Collection, Devon M. Blankenbaker

Art Conservation Master's Projects

This master’s project focused on three key areas: cataloging materials, treating book structures, and investigating green stamp pigments. Each section was chosen to build my skills as a conservator. By applying archival processing techniques, I gained a deeper understanding of the collection and identified the albums in the project. Diagrams and a finding aid improved my confidence in archival work. Treating album structures offered valuable experience in dry cleaning, tear repair, and board reattachment, helping me apply knowledge across multiple volumes and prepare for future treatments. The scientific analysis, using XRF and FTIR, provided insight into green stamp pigments and …

Nocturnal Foraging By Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias) And Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea Ajaja), Laura E. Josler, Johnny E. Owens, Sarrah E. Bristol, Leo N. Dutkewych, Abigail R. Kauke, Signe E. Renstrom, Ben G. Sheffield, Madelyne E. Vashaw, Avery J. Nesbitt, Melia K. Paat, Timothy D. Bransford, Elizabeth A. Forys

Florida Field Naturalist

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) and Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) are long-legged wading birds that can forage throughout a 24-hour cycle. Nocturnal foraging enables these species to take advantage of optimal foraging conditions and reduced competition. This study aims to investigate how environmental factors influence the nocturnal foraging behavior of these species. To monitor foraging activity, we deployed 17-18 infrared cameras from dusk until dawn from 4 October 2023 to 24 July 24 2024, covering two sampling periods across different habitats within Fort De Soto County Park, a barrier island complex in Tampa Bay, Florida. We compared the frequency …

Avian Mortality On U.S. Highway 1, Middle Keys, Monroe County, Florida, Usa, Adrianna Nelson, Anthony Sanchez

Florida Field Naturalist

No abstract provided.

“Lead”Ing Industrial Science: Studying Occupational Lead Poisoning In The Early 20th Century, Rebekah E. Dreyer-Rowe

Master's Theses and Capstones

Lead was essential to the creation and coalescence of industrial hygiene as a discipline in the United States from its early days in the 1910s through the 1930s when the first professional associations of industrial hygiene were formed. In the early years, Alice Hamilton was central to the burgeoning field, and her seminal study on lead poisoning in Illinois industries thrust both her and her methods into the spotlight. Industrial hygienists of her generation followed her methods and came away with similar conclusions: that occupational diseases were rampant in the US, even if few people were studying them. In the …

Chem 490-001: Chemical Ecology The Chemistry Of Living Things, Gullermo Jimenez Aleman

Chemistry, Environmental and Forensic Science Syllabi

No abstract provided.

From Strangers To Friends? An Ethnographic Study Of Developing Group Culture During A Short-Term Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program In Ireland, Victoria N. Seeger, Elizabeth Dimmitt, Keely Cline

Irish Journal of Academic Practice

This study examined the intersections of relationships that formed during a short-term, faculty-led study abroad programme in Ireland, and the elements of study abroad culture that allowed and fostered those relationships. We selected evidence-based ethnographic research as our approach to examine the sense of place and community in which relationships formed. We used Tuckman’s theory of group development (Tuckman & Jensen, 1977) as a theoretical framework through which to develop the ethnographic portrait of the students and explore the processes of how relationships developed over a relatively short period of time.

Chapter 1: The Ink Spell, Garon C. Smith

G. Wiz’s Book of Spells

The Ink Spell demonstration is a dramatic way to engage audiences into the wonders of chemical reactions. Two potions are swirled together in an Erlenmeyer flask as an incantation is delivered. As the spell is concluded, the liquid instantly turns from clear to purplish black when the wizard’s hand rubs the bottom of the flask. It is actually the well-known iodine clock reaction dressed up as the opening act of a chemistry course or a wizard show. It is a great example of chemical kinetics, allowing chances for demonstrating the effect of concentrations and temperature on the rate of the …

Week 1: Can I Get A Witness?, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of Microbial Quality And Safety, Including Aflatoxin B1, In Buckwheat Flour And Groats, La Fontaine Bahatsi

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), a gluten-free pseudocereal, has gained popularity in global food markets for its nutritional value and functional properties. However, despite its health-promoting potential, buckwheat is vulnerable to microbial contamination and mycotoxin accumulation during cultivation, processing, and storage. These factors present significant food safety concerns that remain understudied, particularly in North America.

This study investigated the microbiological quality and mycotoxin contamination of buckwheat flour and groats collected from different suppliers via online sourcing. Samples were collected in two consecutive years (2024-2025). Microbiological quality, including aerobic plate counts (APC), Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, E. coli, yeasts, and molds, was evaluated …

Synthetic And Analytical Methods For Metal Targeting Peptides For The Sensing And Removal Of Metals Across Various Matrices, Emily Andrews

Doctoral Dissertations

Metal chelators developed from peptides boast favorable attributes such as low toxicity, ease of synthesis, and high tunabilty to the target metal ion. It is for these reasons that peptides are used for metal sensing and sequestration in the body and environment. Herein, two unique sets of metal targeting peptides are discussed: (1) bifunctional Szeto-Schiller and Kelley peptide probes to signal the presence of and remove labile iron (Fe2+ and Fe3+) in the mitochondria, to mitigate the progression of Ferroptosis and (2) Pb2+ targeting peptides designed to exist in aqueous environments for the removal of toxic lead ions from waterways. …

Evaluating The Effects Of Agricultural Management Practices On Beneficial Arthropod Communities, Isaac Newton Ativor

Doctoral Dissertations

Arthropods provide essential ecosystem services to our agricultural landscapes. These ecosystem services include biological control of pest organisms, including weed seeds, and plant pollination. Concerningly, however, there has been a global decline in insect populations over the last decade, a major cause of which is agricultural intensification. Previous research has demonstrated that agricultural management practices can strongly influence the species composition and abundance of arthropod communities, and therefore presumably the ecosystem services or disservices these organisms provide; however, our understanding of these interactions remains limited. I conducted three studies to investigate whether agricultural practices common in annual row crop (tillage …

Psychological Factors Of Acting Talent And Success: You've Got "It", Lorelei Tierney Himlin

Doctoral Dissertations

The goal of an actor is to become invisible, bringing a character to life so convincingly that the audience forgets the actor exists outside the role. Different schools of acting often describe differing methods of portraying characters to this same general effect. To followers of the Meisner school, for example, “acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances” (Meisner et al., 1987). The “truthful” part involves creating a comprehensive mental model of a character’s imagined personality in order to fully embody that personality and extrapolate it to a situation. Then the actor uses a variety of acting techniques to think and …

Counting Kelp: Development And Assessment Of Modelling Approaches To Improve Understanding Of Kelp Bed Abundance And Resilience In The Gulf Of Maine, Constance N. Tyler

Doctoral Dissertations

Kelp habitats in the Gulf of Maine are threatened by rising ocean temperatures and marine invasions. The replacement of kelps with red turf macroalgae fundamentally alters these habitats and disrupts the ecosystem services they provide. Thorough assessment and monitoring of kelp habitats is needed for proper conservation of these habitats, but most long-term monitoring is performed using traditional survey methods that are restricted in the amount of space they can cover. Habitat modelling approaches are required to expand our knowledge of Gulf of Maine kelp habitats, and to better understand the interactions between kelp and red turf habitats across the …