Digital Commons Network^™

Vascular Flora Of Bark Camp Barrens Wma, Coffee County, Tennessee, Quinn Towery

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

A vascular plant inventory of Bark Camp Barrens Wildlife Management Area, Coffee County, Tennessee was performed over the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. The site is a 1,395-ha area located 10km east of Manchester, Tennessee in the Barrens region of the Eastern Highland Rim. A total of 698 species and lower taxa from 349 genera and 127 families were inventoried. Two species were G1 or G2, 35 species were listed on the Tennessee Rare Plant List, and 209 species were S1 or S2. Additionally, all known digitized herbarium specimens from the nearby May Prairie State Natural Area were cataloged, creating …

Understanding The Positive And Negative Aspects Of Different Calling Intensities, Sally Hoffman

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined the relationships among occupational calling intensity (OCI), personal calling intensity (PCI), occupational engagement (OE), personal engagement (PE), and need for resource recovery (NFRR). OCI, an all-consuming desire to have a significant positive impact through employment, is often associated with high OE but may also be linked to high NFRR, suggesting that OE mediates the relationship between OCI and NFRR. This study also explored whether PCI, which refers to a calling outside of employment, exhibits the same relationships with PE and NFRR as OCI. Data from 193 participants were analyzed using correlational and regression techniques. The findings revealed …

Modeling Natureserve Subnational Conservation Status Ranks For Tennessee Vascular Plants, Julia H. Prins

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Conservation status ranks measure the potential risk of extinction for species at the global, national, and subnational levels, taking into account rarity, threats, and population trends. This study used the NatureServe system to generate provisionary subnational conservation status ranks (s-ranks) for the vascular flora of Tennessee using five methods: (1) assigning an s-rank based on surrounding state s-ranks, (2) assigning an s-rank based on the percentage of counties with an occurrence record, (3) using FME to calculate criteria and assign an s-rank, (4) using RareCat to calculate criteria and assign an s-rank, and (5) using ArcGIS Pro to calculate criteria …

Increasing Accessibility And Enhancing Value Of Two University Small Vertebrate Collections Through Digitization And Online Database Publication, Chloe Smotherman

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Natural history collections (NHCs) are widely considered to be an exceptionally valuable resource and a critical foundation for research. Of the thousands of collections maintained today, the majority are considered small with a local or taxonomic focus. Collaboration among smaller NHCs through online publication contributes a largely underutilized resource for collections-based research. Past digitization efforts have resulted in the mobilization of collections data that enhance their preexisting value without significant additional costs. With this project I digitized and published the mammal collection (2,525 records) and, separately, the ornithology collection (403 records). Upon publication these records are the only mammal and …

Microplastics In Urban Environments: Distribution, Fate, And Transport, Mithu Chanda

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Microplastics (MPs) have become a growing environmental concern, particularly in urban areas where anthropogenic activities intensify their presence in ecosystems. This research investigates MPs’ distribution, fate, and transport in urban environments, focusing on stormwater retention (SWR) ponds, bioretention systems (BRS), and saturated porous media. Field studies analyzed MPs in freshwater sediments of SWR ponds across residential, educational, and mixed urban land-use types, identifying distinct contamination patterns. Vertical distribution analyses in bioretention media highlighted the potential of BRS as a green infrastructure for retaining MPs. Laboratory experiments further explored MPs’ transport and retention in saturated porous media, examining the effects of …

Immediate Benefits Of Remediation Wetlands Designed For Treating Acid Mine Drainage On Signal Mountain, Tennessee, Michelle Tharp

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a major pollutant from abandoned coal mines, like those located on Signal Mountain, in Chattanooga, TN. The construction of wetlands is a commonly used remediation technique for streams affected by AMD. This study documents the changes in water quality before, during, and after wetland construction at two sites that flow into Freudenberg Creek. Samples were collected over the course of a year, which also allowed for seasonal factors to be observed. The construction of wetlands at these contaminated sites demonstrated an immediate decrease in acidity, alkalinity, and conductivity values. Concentrations of expected ions like iron …

Mechanisms Driving Social Structure In Octodon Degus, Logan Platt

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

We report results of a study on the mechanisms shaping social network structure in Octodon degus, a diurnal, semi-fossorial rodent endemic to Chile. Using data collected over three seasons (2022–2023), we tested the roles of nighttime spatial proximity, female social cohesion, and female homophily based on masculinization (anogenital distance) in shaping social associations. Nighttime spatial proximity was negatively associated with association strength, indicating that individuals that were closer at night exhibited stronger associations. Female social cohesion emerged as a driver of social structure, with stronger within-group associations observed in most seasons. However, female homophily based on anogenital distance did not …

Checkmate: Corner Crossing And Opening Up Public Land In The United States, Ryan M. Jones

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

No abstract provided.

The Shifting Landscape Of Harm: Investigating The Phenomenon Of Concept Creep In Harm Perception, Jefferson Sherwood

Dissertations

Concept creep, the gradual semantic expansion of harm-related concepts (Haslam et al., 2020), is a phenomenon garnering increasing attention in the field of psychology and is examined in the context of shifting perceptions of what is considered harmful. While what is considered harmful has shifted throughout generations, why these shifts happen and what motivates society to accept these broadening definitions has yet to be explained. Up to this point individual differences such as activism, risk, empathy, stressful life events, and dark triad personality have yet to be investigated as potential contributors to the expansion of harm-related concepts. Thus, this group …

Calliope Liv Steadfast 2025, Calliope

Calliope

No abstract provided.

2025 Commencement Program, Columbia College Chicago

Commencement Programs

The commencement program of the 2025 Columbia College Chicago graduation ceremonies.

Preclinical Evaluation Of Closed Incisional Negative Pressure Therapy On Post-Surgical Oedema And Lymphatic Activity, John C Rasmussen, Marisa Schmidt, Janelle E Morton, Samantha Mann, Kristine Kieswetter, Eva M Sevick-Muraca

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Closed incisional Negative Pressure Therapy (ciNPT) has demonstrated improved post-surgical healing with reduced oedema and hematoma/seroma formation in patients. The underlying mechanism of action is poorly understood, although evidence indicates that lymphatics play a role. The effects of ciNPT on oedema and lymphatic recovery were assessed following bilateral, surgical undermining of swine mammary tissues. One incision was treated with ciNPT, and the control covered with clear dressing. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging was used to visualise lymphatic activity. Oedema and lymph node size were measured using ultrasound. LYVE-1 and podoplanin were quantified with ELISA. Analysis of lymphatic activity revealed a contralateral effect …

A Modern Prometheus: Frankenstein's Relevance In Our Modern Society, Amanda C. Partida

Theses and Dissertations

For over two hundred years Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has been in the public consciousness. It took only five years for the first adaptation, Presumption; or the Fate of Frankenstein, to be staged in 1825. Since then, there has been at least one adaptation every decade, with Universal Studios’ 1931 Frankenstein as the most famous adaptation, which shows just how much Shelley’s novel of science and hubris has resonated with audiences for many years.

This thesis aims to connect the ever-changing scientific anxieties of society with the most well-known Frankenstein film adaptations. By focusing on four specific films Frankenstein (1931), …

Exploring The Effects Of Serotonin And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors On The Neurological, Behavioral, And Cardiovascular Systems Using The Animal Model Of The Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus), Ariana Vianey Hinojosa

Theses and Dissertations

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter widely recognized for its role in neuropsychological processes, particularly in regulating mood, cognition, and emotional responses. However, its influence extends beyond the central nervous system (CNS), playing a crucial role in various physiological functions, including metabolism, the gastrointestinal system, reproductive processes, and cardiovascular regulation. As a key modulator of homeostasis, serotonin contributes to maintaining equilibrium within these systems, ensuring proper function and response to environmental stimuli. Despite its well-documented effects on mood and behavior, the broader physiological implications of serotonin remain less understood, particularly in the context of its interactions among neural, behavioral, and cardiovascular systems. …

Survival, Biofilm Formation, And Control Of Foodborne Pathogens In Hydroponic Systems, Sai Rithin Reddy Kothur Thirupathi

Theses and Dissertations

The growing global population and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns have intensified the demand for sustainable food production methods. Hydroponics, a form of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), has gained attention as a viable solution due to its efficient use of resources such as land and water. Although hydroponic systems are perceived as safer alternatives to conventional farming, recent foodborne outbreaks associated with these systems have raised significant public health concerns. This thesis research investigated the food safety risk in hydroponic, particularly the survival and persistence of foodborne pathogens. Chapters I and II provide a comprehensive overview of hydroponics and the microbial …

The Influence Of Solar Energy Infrastructure On Pollinators And Crops, Deisy Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

As the human population grows, demand for agriculture and renewable energy rises. Landuse competition is caused by the expansion of area-intensive solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities. While solar energy is crucial to mitigate climate change, it presents challenges related to land availability and effects on habitats for essential pollinators. In Chapter II, a spatial analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between solar panel density and pollinator diversity, exploring regions with the least interaction between these two factors. Our findings can inform solar siting and management strategies at landscape levels, in conjunction with field studies, that both mitigate potential interaction and …

Implementing And Evaluating An Ai-Powered Visual Decision Support System To Improve Antibiotic Usage Among Physicians With A Built-In Early Warning System, Akua Sekyiwaa Osei-Nkwantabisa

Theses and Dissertations

The widespread misuse and excessive prescription of antibiotics have played a pivotal role in the emergence and proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a critical global public health crisis. Addressing this challenge necessitates innovative solutions that enhance antimicrobial stewardship. This study presents the development and implementation of a visual decision support system designed to monitor and optimize antibiotic usage among healthcare providers. The proposed system integrates advanced machine learning algorithms with real-time data analytics to provide a dynamic, evidence-based decision support tool. Specifically, a neural network model was developed after evaluating multiple machine learning approaches, including Random Forest, Logistic Regression and …

Spatio-Temporal Pattern Of Nutrient Dynamics In The South Texas Coastal Watershed, Mohammad Sadman Alam

Theses and Dissertations

Eutrophication threatens aquatic ecosystems by altering productivity through excessive nutrient inputs. In some systems, primary productivity is limited by nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), or both, based on the N:P ratio defined by the "Redfield" ratio. South Texas, facing rapid urban growth and industrialization, is at risk of higher nutrient loads, but research on nutrient dynamics in this region is limited. This study investigates nutrient variations in the freshwater (FW) abandoned distributaries of the Rio Grande and hypersaline saltwater (SW) systems. Results showed a significant decrease in dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and an increase in dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), shifting the …

Cloning And Heterologous Expression Of Human Nachrs And A Unique Spider Venom Toxin, Christine M. Vega

Theses and Dissertations

Drug development research has long focused on synthesizing novel therapeutics while overlooking isolation from naturally available sources. Recently, the discovery of the therapeutic effects of highly bioavailable animal venom caused the field of venom research to soar in popularity. Animal venom serves as a natural, sophisticated tool optimized over millions of years by evolution with the ability to bind to ion channels such as nAChRs, non-specific ligand-gated ion channels distributed throughout the human nervous system, with high selectivity and specificity. However, purifying individual venom toxins from crude venom is challenging due to its availability. Therefore, synthesizing large quantities of venom …

A Comparative Study Of Urban And Natural Nesting Gray Hawks In The Lower Rio Grande Valley Of South Texas, Evan Farese

Theses and Dissertations

Urbanization can negatively impact birds of prey, which occupy higher trophic levels. The Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) is a neotropical raptor inhabiting the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, where it is threatened. The species’ ecology has been little studied and it is unclear how urbanization may affect population viability. I studied Gray Hawk reproductive success, diet, and thermal ecology at nests in urban and natural habitats in the LRGV. Camera trap data showed adults at urban nests delivered mostly avian prey, while mammalian prey was most frequently brought to natural nests. Data from temperature loggers showed …

Inferring Feeding Biology In Extinct Shrews (Soricidae: Mammalia): Application Of A Linear Morphometric Approach, Derek J. Den Ouden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Linear morphometrics have been used extensively to infer the ecology of fossil organisms, but shrews have not yet been thoroughly explored using this technique. Often considered to have a homogenous insectivorous diet, direct dietary observation suggests shrew dietary diversity is substantial. Diversity of this nature is well established to have influenced skull morphology in other mammal clades, so similar patterns are hypothesized to be detectable in shrews. To test this, I examined the link between known diet and morphological disparity in extant shrews using linear morphometrics and then utilized that framework to infer the dietary ecology of several fossil taxa. …

Exploring The Role Of Influencer Marketing In The Animal Health Industry: A Content Analysis Of Strategies And Impact, Haylee Henry

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A review of literature revealed a lack of peer-reviewed research on influencer marketing within the animal health and nutrition industry, specifically within the livestock sector. This study aimed to address this gap by analyzing how animal health and nutrition companies of different sizes utilized influencer marketing and how consumers interacted with content tailored to influencer marketing. A content analysis was conducted. This study collected and analyzed social media influencer posts from eight North American animal health and nutrition companies, three small, three medium, and two large, between January 2023 and December 2024. Influencer content included posts by individuals, partner organizations, …

Channeling Relaxation Through Multiple Means: Tmem16a Antagonism For Asthma, Arun K. Jannu, Raymond B. Penn

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Therapeutic Applications Of A Novel Humanized Monoclonal Antibody Targeting Chemokine Receptor Ccr9 In Pancreatic Cancer, Hannah G. Mcdonald, Anna M. Reagan, Charles J. Bailey, Mei Gao, Muqiang Gao, Angelica L. Solomon, Michael J. Cavnar, Prakash Pandalai, Mautin Barry-Hundeyin, Megan Harper, Justin A. Rueckert, Ángela Turrero, Araceli Tobio, Anxo Vidal, Daniel Roca-Lema, Elia Álvarez-Coiradas, Pablo Garrido, Laureano Simón, Joseph Kim

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

The relative failure of immune checkpoint inhibitors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) despite having a dense, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment highlights the need to target alternate/escape pathways. We have previously examined C–C chemokine receptor type 9 (CCR9) as a candidate immune checkpoint and developed a targeted, humanized monoclonal antibody (SRB2). Cytotoxicity of SRB2 was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. CCR9 expression on PDAC cells/tissues, immune components of patient-derived organoids (PDOs), and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity were examined. In PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cell lines, we demonstrated highest CCR9 expression; however, no direct cytotoxic effect was observed with SRB2 treatment. In PANC-1 …

An Agrin-Yap/Taz Rigidity Sensing Module Drives Egfr-Addicted Lung Tumorigenesis., Reza Bayat Mokhtari, Divyaleka Sampath, Paige Eversole, Melissa Ong Yu Lin, Dmitriy A. Bosykh, Gandhi T. K. Boopathy, Aravind Sivakumar, Cheng-Chun Wang, Ramesh Kumar, Joe Yeong Poh Sheng, Ellen Karasik, Barbara A. Foster, Han Yu, Xiang Ling, Wenjie Wu, Fengzhi Li, Zoë Weaver Ohler, Christine Fillmore Brainson, David W. Goodrich, Wanjin Hong, Sayan Chakraborty

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Despite epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a pivotal oncogene for several cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), how it senses extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity remain elusive in the context of the increasing role of tissue rigidity on various hallmarks of cancer development. Here it is shown that EGFR dictates tumorigenic agrin expression in lung cancer cell lines, genetically engineered EGFR-driven mouse models, and human specimens. Agrin expression confers substrate stiffness-dependent oncogenic attributes to EGFR-reliant cancer cells. Mechanistically, agrin mechanoactivates EGFR through epidermal growth factor (EGF)-dependent and independent modes, thereby sensitizing its activity toward localized cancer cell-ECM adherence and bulk rigidity …

Evaluating Free Merchandise Use At Coastal Carolina University, Ally Murphy, Ciara Cassady, Joseph Dumars

Goal 13: Climate Action

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Ucp2 In Pancreatic Cancer Metabolism And Its Potential As A Radiosensitizer, Emily Rieff

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a mitochondrial protein that regulates the flow of protons down the gradient established by the electron transport chain (ETC) without generating ATP, thus uncoupling the proton gradient from ATP generation. In tumors, specifically pancreatic cancer (PDAC), the ETC is highly stimulated to generate the copious ATP needed by the tumor to grow. However, extended ETC use increases reactive oxygen species (ROS), and if left unchecked, results in cell death. To evade this, PDAC employs antioxidant strategies, including upregulating UCP2 in tumor cells. In addition to its uncoupling function, UCP2 indirectly controls ROS levels by maintaining …

Behavioral Factors Contributing To Initiation And Maintenance Of Adolescent Alcohol Consumption In Rats, Alexandra N. Tejada

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Adolescent alcohol consumption is a prevalent and significant public health issue. This exposure to alcohol leads to an increased vulnerability to alcohol use disorder (AUD) or other cognitive deficits later in adulthood. The current study aimed to explore the behavioral and circadian factors contributing to the initiation and maintenance of alcohol consumption during adolescence in rats. We investigated whether the baseline social aggression, anxiety-like behaviors, working memory, and sleep/wake activity patterns could be predictors of adolescent ethanol intake. Male and female Long Evans rats (N=36) were tested in the following behavioral assays: social play, open field, and spontaneous alternation tasks, …

Assessing Phenotypic Variation Across Generations Of Iberodes Littoralis Under Climate Change, Mariangel M. Fernandez Silva

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The consequences of climate change and anthropogenic activity have decreased wildlife biodiversity. Plants are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to their large biomass on the planet and sessile nature. A particularly useful method for plants to cope with environmental changes is phenotypic plasticity. Adjusting morphological traits through plasticity can help plants cope with environmental changes. Furthermore, plastic responses can be passed down through methods such as changes in DNA sequence or epigenetic modifications.

Our research project focuses on an herb, Iberodes littoralis, a species of concern native to the Siberian Peninsula with approximately thirteen extant populations. The data that …

The Effectiveness Of Homelessness Prevention Services In Southern California, Marlon N. Gonzalez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research project aimed to determine the effectiveness of available prevention services for individuals and families at risk of experiencing homelessness in a region of Southern California. Homelessness is a prevalent social problem for society and the social problem has been growing significantly. The study adopted an exploratory and qualitative research design by interviewing social services professionals working in the arena of homelessness. The Snowball Sampling method was used to recruit social services professionals after interviewing a select few individuals first. Ten interviews of social services professionals were completed via a Zoom setting.

Data analysis revealed the following ten open …