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Video Modeling Using The Additional Salient Feature Of Phonetic Hand Gestures To Teach Vocal Skills, Seirra L. Mitchell

Thesis Projects

Video modeling has become an effective tool for practitioners in teaching a variety of essential skills to individuals, especially children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Video modeling is not only considered a highly effective intervention for skill acquisition, but it is also a consistent, practical, and cost-effective evidence-based teaching strategy utilized by many professionals. Research has also expanded to evaluate video modeling with additional salient features (s) to increase the effectiveness of video modeling. Although a multitude of research has explored the effectiveness of video modeling, there is limited research integrating the use of a speech-language pathology intervention strategy— …

Unmasking The Shadows: A Comprehensive Exploration Of Serial Killers, Erica D. Lewis

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative literature review and qualitative case study analysis, this capstone investigates the developmental pathways of serial killers. The study investigates a variety of biological, psychological, and sociological elements—such as genetic predispositions, neurological disorders, childhood traumas, and environmental stressors—interact to shape serial killers. The study offers a multidisciplinary perspective, grounded in criminological models such as routine activity and labeling theories, sociological frameworks such as social disorganization and strain theory, and psychological theories such as psychopathy and attachment theory. Theoretical findings are contextualized through case studies of notorious serial killers like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and …

In Vivo Prime Editing Rescues Alternating Hemiplegia Of Childhood In Mice., Alexander A Sousa, Markus Terrey, Holt A Sakai, Christine Q Simmons, Elena Arystarkhova, Natalia S Morsci, Laura C. Anderson, Jun Xie, Fabian Suri-Payer, Linda C Laux, Emmanuel Roze, Sylvie Forlani, Guangping Gao, Simon Frost, Nina Frost, Kathleen J Sweadner, Alfred L George, Cathleen Lutz, David R Liu

Faculty Research 2025

Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with no disease-modifying treatment. Mutations in ATP1A3, encoding an Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase subunit, cause 70% of AHC cases. Here, we present prime editing (PE) and base editing (BE) strategies to correct ATP1A3 and Atp1a3 mutations in human cells and in two AHC mouse models. We used PE and BE to correct five prevalent ATP1A3 mutations with 43%–90% efficiency. AAV9-mediated in vivo PE corrects Atp1a3 D801N and E815K in the CNS of two AHC mouse models, yielding up to 48% DNA correction and 73% mRNA correction in bulk brain …

Enumerating Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) Concentrations And Evaluating Optical Brighteners As A Potential Indicator Of Human Wastewater Contamination In La Nana Bayou, Banita Creek, And Their Tributaries, Nacogdoches, Texas, Swastika Acharya, Matthew Mcbroom, Yuhui Weng, Yanli Zhang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

La Nana Bayou was added to the Texas 303(d) list in 2000 after it failed to meet water quality standards set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for primary contact recreation due to elevated Escherichia coli (E. coli) levels. E. coli is a bacterial species commonly found in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals. It serves as an indicator of fecal contamination in freshwater, though its presence alone cannot identify the contamination source. Optical brighteners (OBs), chemicals found in laundry detergents, cleaning agents, toilet papers, and clothing, are unique to human wastewater. This study aimed …

Vision-Based Estrus Detection: Integrating Yolo Segmentation, Thermal Imaging, And Depth Estimation For Precision Livestock Monitoring, Iyad Almadani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Traditional methods for predicting sow reproductive cycles are expensive, labor-intensive, and expose workers to occupational hazards, including respiratory toxins, repetitive stress injuries, and mental health issues. On large farms with limited staff, managing individual sow health becomes increasingly difficult, underscoring the need for automated solutions. This is where computer vision offers a promising, non-contact method to detect estrus by analyzing vulva features like size and using thermal imagery to monitor temperature changes, which are key indicators of reproductive readiness. Automating this process enhances breeding efficiency by ensuring insemination occurs at the optimal time while continuously monitoring sows and alerting staff …

Harnessing The Potential Of Biostimulants To Mitigate Drought And Heat In Soybeans, Vijaykumar Hosahalli

Theses and Dissertations

Drought and heat stresses during vegetative and reproductive stages cause yield losses up to 50% in soybeans. Biostimulants have potential to improve stress tolerance and enhance crop resilience, but selecting an effective product remains challenging due to the wide range of commercial options. This study aimed to identify suitable biostimulants that alleviate drought and heat stress during vegetative and reproductive stages. There was 64% and 76% reduction in stomatal conductance under vegetative and reproductive stage drought stress, respectively. Drought and heat stress during reproductive stages resulted in 44% and 36% reduction in total seed weight, respectively. Among biostimulants, treated check …

Artificial Transneurons Emulate Neuronal Activity In Different Areas Of Brain Cortex, Rivu Midya, Ambarish S Pawar, Debi P Pattnaik, Eric Mooshagian, Pavel Borisov, Thomas D Albright, Lawrence H Snyder, R Stanley Williams, J Joshua Yang, Alexander G Balanov, Sergei Gepshtein, Sergey E Savel'ev

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Rapid development of memristive elements emulating biological neurons creates new opportunities for brain-like computation at low energy consumption. A first step toward mimicking complex neural computations is the analysis of single neurons and their characteristics. Here we measure and model spiking activity in artificial neurons built using diffusive memristors. We compare activity of these artificial neurons with the spiking activity of biological neurons measured in sensory, pre-motor, and motor cortical areas of the monkey (male) brain. We find that artificial neurons can operate in diverse self-sustained and noise-induced spiking regimes that correspond to the activity of different types of cortical …

Improving Occupational Health For Tribal Buffalo Workers, Elinor Bowen-Keyes, Mystera M. Samuelson

Posters: 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Occupational health and safety of Tribal buffalo workers is essential to many Tribal food sovereignty initiatives taking place within Tribal nations across the country, supporting the broader effort to bring the buffalo home. In response to requests from Intertribal Buffalo Council (ITBC) members, we developed occupational health cards identifying top zoonotic disease risks to improve patient–clinician communication. Each card links via QR code to a comprehensive clinician guidance booklet that includes etiologic agents, transmission routes, symptoms, occupation-specific screening questions, and reporting resources. Using a One Health approach, we mapped county-level data for ITBC buffalo herds, including elevation, ecosystem type, and …

Cardiac-Specific Knock-Out Of Pdha1 Leading To Mitochondrial Dysfunction And Progressive Heart Damage, Collin T. Schulte, Grace K. Nielson, Reesa M. Wilcox, Han-Jun Wang

Posters: 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Background Genetic mutations that create pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) deficiencies are a primary cause of congenital lactic acidosis (CLA). CLA is a rare genetic disorder in which the mitochondrion is unable to effectively metabolize excess amounts of pyruvate and lactate. It is estimated that ~250 – 300 live births per 1,000 are affected in the U.S each year. Mutations found in the X-linked gene for the E1α subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase (pdha1) account for the majority of PDHc deficiency conditions. As pyruvate dehydrogenase acts to convert pyruvate into Acetyl CoA to be further utilized in generating ATP within the mitochondria, …

A Multi-Measurement Study Of The Relation Between Deliberation And Volition, Guillaume P. Pech, Emilie A. Caspar, Elisabeth Pacherie, Axel Cleeremans, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Historically, voluntary action and volition more generally have been investigated through the lens of meaningless decisions. Importantly, these findings have been used in the debate about key notions like free will and moral responsibility. However, more recent claims have challenged the possibility of generalizing findings from a meaningless context to a more meaningful one. The current study investigates the markers of volition, specifically comparing meaningful and meaningless decisions. In an effort to maximize their monetary gain, 50 participants repeatedly deliberated between two options, making either rewarded choices—hard-deliberation decisions (where the options differed along two dimensions) or easy-deliberation decisions (where the …

Amputation Trends Among People Who Use Drugs In The Context Of Philadelphia’S Increasingly Xylazine Adulterated Drug Supply, Rose Laurano, Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz, Traci C. Green, Sara Beachy, Kristin L. Rising, Jeffrey K. Hom, Megan K. Reed

Jefferson Center for Connected Care Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Xylazine-adulterated fentanyl has rapidly spread across the United States and has been increasingly detected in overdose deaths in Philadelphia, PA through medical examiner reports, clinical testing, and widescale drug checking. Xylazine use has been associated with wounds which may lead to amputation, but the extent of this outcome has not been explored.

METHODS: Utilizing the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes, we conducted a de-identified retrospective analysis of data for patients identified with opioid related disorders (ICD-10 code F11) admitted to four different hospitals in Philadelphia, PA between 2018 and 2023. Exposure to xylazine use …

Lysosomes As Gatekeepers: How Lic1-Mediated Trafficking Regulates Angiogenesis And Vascular Morphogenesis, Dymonn Johnson

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Dynein cytoplasmic 1 light intermediate chain 1 (LIC1, DYNC1LI1) is a core subunit of the dynein motor complex that plays a critical role in cytoplasmic cargo trafficking, including Rab-mediated endosomal recycling and lysosomal degradation. LIC1 interacts with various cargo adaptors, such as RILPL1 and RILPL2, to regulate these processes, and defects in this gene are predicted to impair dynein motor function, Rab binding, and lysosomal trafficking. Here, we identified a dync1li1 zebrafish mutant with a premature stop codon at the exon 12/13 splice acceptor site, that exhibits increased angiogenesis. In vitro, LIC1-deficient human endothelial cells show elevated cell surface levels …

First Report Of Fibropapillomatosis And Critical Habitat Use In Green Sea Turtles In Curaçao, M. Tripepi, I. J. R. Van Veghel, A. D. Vreugdenhil, E. Brunelli

College of Life Sciences Faculty Papers

Fibropapillomatosis, a disease affecting green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), has been documented in many regions of the world, including the Caribbean, but has not been scientifically reported in Curaçao until now. The present study utilized VHF telemetry in Caracas Bay, Curaçao, to track green sea turtles, both healthy and affected by fibropapillomatosis, with the objective of ascertaining their foraging locations. VHF telemetry proved to be a pivotal method for assessing habitat use in areas characterized by limited visibility and high boat traffic, conditions that present significant challenges for divers and snorkellers attempting to access the area. The results …

The Effect Of Coadministration Of D156844 And Ar42 (Rec-2282) On The Survival And Motor Phenotype Of Mice With Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Ashlee W. Harris, Rod C. Scott, Matthew E. R. Butchbach

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is characterized by degeneration of spinal motor neurons and is a leading genetic cause of pediatric death worldwide. SMA results from the loss of or pathological variant in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Disease severity is dependent on the number of copies of the orthologous SMN2 gene, which is nearly identical to SMN1 except for some key nucleotide differences. As disease severity is inversely related to SMN2 copy number, most SMA therapeutics trials have focused on identifying ways to increase SMN2 expression at different levels of gene regulation. Other studies have investigated compounds which …

Discontinuation Rates And Predictors Of Medical Cannabis Cessation For Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain, Mohammad Khak, Sina Ramtin, Juliet Chung, Asif M. Ilyas, Ari Greis

Rothman Institute Papers

Medical cannabis (MC) is increasingly used as a treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain, but there is limited data on factors influencing its discontinuation. This study aims to investigate the rates of MC discontinuation and explore factors influencing it in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 78 patients certified for medical cannabis over a 2 year period. Patient demographics, pain origin, and Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GMH) scores were collected before intervention. Discontinuation rates were measured at three-month and one-year follow-up. Statistical analyses, including Fisher's Exact Test and two-sample t-tests, were performed …

Transcription Fidelity In The Face Of Oxidative Damage, Eastilan Gyiwah Appiah

Theses and Dissertations

It is very important that the process of transcription is correctly carried out in the cell for the faithful expression of the genetic code. However, should mistakes happen, they can result in transcription errors which interfere with the protein-making machinery of the cell. This will result in accumulation of proteins and dysfunctional proteins that have the potential of causing diseases like Alzheimer’s. Oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide is known to cause transcription errors in organisms like yeast. It is therefore important to investigate the extent to which hydrogen peroxide can damage cells.

Optical Trapping For The Study Of The Chemical And Physical Dynamics Of Single Particles, Yukai Ai

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the combined technique of optical trapping and Raman spectroscopy (OT-RS) to study the physical and chemical properties, as well as the dynamic surface changes, of single aerosol particles in air. The study covers a wide range of aerosol types, including bioaerosols (such as pollen, bacteria, and fungi), dust particles (such as black carbon, terrestrial, and extraterrestrial materials), and liquid droplets (such as sea-spray aerosols). The optical trapping system used in this work is based on the universal optical trap (UOT), which is capable of trapping and manipulating a wide variety of particle types. These include both transparent …

Determining The Toxic Threshold And Other Use Characteristics For Industrial Hemp Seed Oil Used For Wood Product Protection, Daylan M. Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

Plant-based wood treatments have been utilized for many years, with varying success. Oils such as those extracted from linseed (flax), tung, and hemp plants have been used for thousands of years as finishes on wood. These are all drying oils, which dry to a film when exposed to air. Hemp seed oil has a high fatty acid content and can take a long time to dry on wood products but is valued in woodworking for being easy to use, food-safe, and having little to no odor. In this study, cold-pressed hemp seed oil, blended with a soybean carrier oil, is …

Integrated Analysis Of Untargeted Liver, Serum Metabolome And Gut Microbiome Following Selenium Deficiency Diet In Selenoh Knockout And Wildtype Mice, Richard Eugene Baird

Theses and Dissertations

Selenoprotein H (SELENOH) is an oxidoreductase located in the nucleolus, and its biochemical levels decrease with selenium (Se) deficiency, as reported in mammalian research. This current investigation aimed to understand the impact of nutritional Se deficiency on gut microbial composition and metabolomic profiles. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio, linked to various health conditions, was balanced for wildtype (WT) mice (1.06). In contrast, selenoh knockout (KO) mice associated with dietary Se deprivation had a significantly (p < 0.002) lower ratio (0.56), suggesting dysbiosis. It is believed that SELENOH levels decreased due to the Se deficient diet, and the selenoh KO mice exhibited alterations in microbial community composition and metabolite profiles, as supported by correlative analyses. With respect to the bacterial communities, significant differences between diets occurred for three taxa, including Akkemansia mucinphila, Bacteroides caecimuris, and Parabacteroides goldsteinii. Candida tropicalis, Malassezia restricta, and Cyberlindnera jadinii were three abundant fungal yeasts. Only Cyberlindnera jadinii exhibited significantly greater relative abundance between genotypes and was more abundant in the selenoh KO versus WT mice. Correlation analyses between bacterial and fungal taxa revealed both positive and negative relationships, but no specific trends were observed. The liver and serum metabolomic data contained similar amino acids, lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. Using NMR spectroscopy, 112 liver metabolites were detected, while GC-TOF-MS analysis of the serum revealed the presence of 172, comprising both polar and nonpolar compounds. The metabolite levels varied significantly when analyzed using multivariate models such as PCA and PLS-DA (VIP scores), particularly for glucose, taurine, lactate, and UDP-glucose, which are associated with energy production and cellular health. Overall, the Se deficient diet had the most significant impact on the microbial community structure and the concentration of key metabolites within liver tissues and serum. Correlation analyses conducted across studies revealed significant linear relationships between metabolites and the microbiome. However, these differences were associated with bacterial and fungal taxa containing low relative abundances. Based on these findings, further investigation into the impact of SELENOH homeostasis on microbial and metabolite profiles should be conducted using selenoh KO mice under various nutritional Se dietary levels.

Fungal Resistance Of Citric Acid Crosslinked Chitosan Treated Wood, Samuel Jacob Barton

Theses and Dissertations

Chitosan (CH), a linear polysaccharide biopolymer derived from chitin, is known for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. However, its natural hydrophilicity limits its application as a wood preservative. This study explores the crosslinking of chitosan with citric acid (CA) to improve its stability and hydrophobicity, aiming to enhance its efficacy as a wood preservative. The study investigates fungal resistance against Gloeophyllum trabeum (brown-rot) and Trametes versicolor (white-rot) fungi using the AWPA E-10 soil block test for pine and gum samples vacuum-treated and dip-treated with CH-CA concentrations (CH 6%/CA 3%, CH 4%/CA 3%, CH 2%/CA 3%, and CH 1.5%/CA 3%). The …

Variables That Affect Designers’ Use Of Edible Planting In Residential Landscape Design, Emily Margaret Butler

Theses and Dissertations

Edible landscaping or “foodscaping” has had a resurgence into the mainstream. Though many trailblazers aim to encourage edible landscaping through homeowners and renters, there seems to be a lack of initiative from designers. To identify the variables that can affect a designer’s use of edible planting in the residential Southeastern United States, research and statistical methods were employed. Beyond interviewing an expert in the field of edible planting in the residential space, a survey consisting of both Likert and open-ended questions was sent to licensed landscape architects in the Southeastern U.S. The survey was conducted using Qualtrics and analyzed using …

Influence Of Diverse Forage Environments On Honey Bee Colony Health, Angus Catchot Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Honey bees are important pollinators that face a multitude of stressors in their environment such as pathogens, parasite pressure, forage availability and pesticide exposure. This study examined how the makeup of different environments and the stressors related to those environments are affecting honey bee health in Mississippi. A field experiment was conducted during the first year of the study across four distinct landscapes ranging from intensively cultivated cropland to predominantly natural forage habitats to assess the impact of landscape availability on varying honey bee colony health parameters. Locations that had cultivated crops within foraging range produced more honey and brood …

Winter Waterfowl Forage Production In Managed Coastal Wetlands Of The South Atlantic Region: Improving Inputs For Bioenergetics Modeling Used In Regional Conservation Planning, Stephen Andrew Clements

Theses and Dissertations

Under the assumption that food is limiting to non-breeding waterfowl, Migratory Bird Joint Ventures frequently use daily-ration bioenergetics models to inform wetland conservation objectives. Two essential components of these models include estimates of energy supply (i.e., energetic density) of wetlands used by waterfowl and accurate spatial data layers to determine wetland area. Managed impoundments are important wetland resources for migrating and wintering waterfowl in the South Atlantic Region. However, there is little understanding of the energetic density available to waterfowl in these wetlands regionally, and until recently, a database of digitized impoundments was unavailable for developing a spatial data layer. …

Soil Ethics In Practice: Harvesting Conservation Choices Among Puerto Rican Coffee Farmers, Patricia Marie Cordero-Irizarry

Theses and Dissertations

Coffee farming in Puerto Rico has declined over recent decades, partly due to deteriorating soil quality. However, the decision-making process behind farmers’ adoption of soil conservation practices remains unclear, particularly the overlooked role of soil ethics, which emphasizes the moral principles guiding human relationships with the soil. This mixed-methods study examined coffee farmers’ adoption of soil conservation practices by integrating the Values-Beliefs-Norms (VBN) theory and a newly developed Soil Ethics Survey (SES) instrument for the quantitative component, while using Decision-Making Theory and Social Cognitive Theory to qualitatively explore how farmers’ experiences and reflections shape their soil ethics. Quantitative findings revealed …

Ex Vivo Evaluation Of Polyethylene Cable Compared To Stainless Steel Cerclage Wire In A Canine Fracture Model, Seila Natasha Day

Theses and Dissertations

A long oblique osteotomy model was created using paired canine cadaveric femurs. The osteotomies were stabilized with either three ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) cables (n=10) or three 18 gauge stainless steel loop cerclage wires (n=10). Cyclic testing was performed in four-point bending by applying increasing force at 2 Hz until construct failure, defined as ≥2mm of actuator displacement. Data analyzed included cycles to failure, load at failure, and dynamic stiffness. There was no statistically significant difference in any of the outcomes tested between constructs. Visible loosening was noted in all loop cerclage constructs. No visible loosening of the UHMWPE …

Mapping Renewable Energy Opportunities: Increasing Rural Energy Resilience In Mississippi Through Extension And National Program Insights, Kaitlyn Brooke Gordon

Theses and Dissertations

There has been an increased interest in renewable energy opportunities in Mississippi in recent years but limited educational material on this topic and a lack of knowledge among residents on various renewable energy options. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to 1) conduct a comprehensive review of renewable energy educational resources and 2) increase knowledge of renewable energy in youth through the development of a new statewide Extension program. The environmental scan resulted in 45 usable responses from 117 potential participants, and programmatic details were received for 54 Extension programs or other forms of educational material. Evaluation results …

Strategic Use Of Exogenous Feed Enzymes And Sodium Bisulfate To Optimize Broiler Production, Spencer Thomas Karn

Theses and Dissertations

Poultry producers must continually evaluate nutritional strategies to enhance broiler performance and sustainability. Chapter II assessed sodium bisulfate (SB) applied to litter, feed, and water across a 42-day grow-out. Applying SB to litter reduced pH, while 0.3% and 0.4% dietary SB improved feed conversion ratio (FCR). Water acidification with SB during the final week did not impair performance, supporting its use as a preharvest intervention. Chapter III evaluated phytase at 500, 1500, and 2000 FTU/kg, with or without protease, in reduced amino acid diets over 56 days. Birds fed a nutrient-adequate diet with 1500 FTU/kg phytase outperformed all reduced-amino acid …

From Gametes To Genes: Genetic Quality Assessment Of Anuran Cryopreserved Spermatozoa And Derived Embryos, Trinity Isabella Kassuhn

Theses and Dissertations

Sperm cryopreservation is an important tool within the suite of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) as it enables long-term storage of genetically valuable gametes. However, knowledge of the diagnostic criteria for assessing sperm quality and the genetic consequences of using cryopreserved sperm in amphibians is limited. This gap has raised concerns in captive breeding and reintroduction programs regarding the potential impact that cryopreserved sperm and the derived embryos may have on a population. The thesis aims to investigate how sperm cryopreservation affects the genetic material in both sperm and resulting embryos, with implications for in situ and ex situ amphibian populations. …

Documenting Children’S Use, Physical Activity, And Social Play In Tom Lee Park’S Playscape, Laurel Kelton

Theses and Dissertations

The benefits of nature and physical activity on children’s health and development are well documented. However, many children lack access to nature and physical activity. Researchers have found that “innovative playgrounds” —which, by definition, are more likely to include natural elements that facilitate nature immersion— are associated with increased physical activity and duration of stay. This thesis is a case study of a public innovative playground at Tom Lee Park. It sought to understand the playground’s areas and physical characteristics that have higher levels of use, physical activity, and social play and longer durations of stay. Data was collected over …

Understanding Pollinator-Forb Interactions And Evaluating Trapping Methods For Pollinator Monitoring In Lawns Of The Southeastern United States, Sara Rose Kirby

Theses and Dissertations

Urban turfgrass landscapes are widespread across the southeastern United States but offer limited ecological value under conventional management. This thesis evaluates the pollinator support potential of ten forb species commonly found in low-maintenance lawns and assesses the effectiveness of two insect sampling methods, sweep netting and pan trapping. Over two years of field surveys, native forbs such as Symphyotrichum divaricatum and Claytonia virginica supported significantly greater insect abundance and diversity than introduced species. Network and modularity analyses revealed that native plants facilitated more specialized pollinator interactions, including those involving oligolectic bee species. In a complementary study, pan traps effectively sampled …