Digital Commons Network^™

An Exploration Of Behavioral Sex Differences Due To A Parkinsonian Gene, Pdr-1, In C. Elegans., Adriana Mulet Miranda, Mary B. Kroetz, Paul J. Kiser

Undergraduate Theses

Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system classified by the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Males and females exhibit different symptoms however, the cause remains unknown. Through the use of a model organism, C. elegans, we will investigate an ortholog of a Parkinsonian gene, pdr-1, to explore whether or not there are statistical differences between the hermaphrodites and males through known behavioral assays such as Swimming Induced Paralysis and Basal Slowing Rate. In order to compare gender differences, we successfully conducted CRISPR, where we inserted the him-8 mutation, resulting in an increased population …

Metabolic And Microbial Crossroads: Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors And Urinary Tract Infections In (Asian) Diabetes Care, Rob E. Carpenter

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

The global rise of type 2 diabetes, particularly in Asian populations, has led to widespread adoption of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors for glycemic control. While effective, these agents elevate the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) by inducing glycosuria, which creates a nutrient-rich environment that favors uropathogen growth. Asian individuals may be disproportionately vulnerable to SGLT2 inhibitor–associated UTIs due to a confluence of factors, including lower body mass index, increased visceral adiposity, congenital urinary tract anomalies, and genetic polymorphisms that impair uroepithelial integrity and immunity. This review integrates emerging evidence on the molecular, anatomical, and immunometabolic mechanisms that underlie infection …

Parental Deprivation: The Impact Of Parental Leave Policy On Infant Attachment, Development, And Posterity, Grace E. Snyder

Senior Honors Theses

This literature review evaluates the lack of paid parental leave policy in the United States through the lens of attachment theory. While attachment theory has been extensively studied in the fields of Psychology and Social Work, a lack of research has been conducted to connect this theory to parental leave policy. The literature review examines parental leave policy and attachment theory along with how these topics connect. Social work is a profession that values the importance of human relationships and social justice, so understanding this relationship is important in forming the disciplinary knowledge upon which evidence-based advocacy is built.

Beyond Survival: Anthropocentrism And Environmental Justice In Daniel Defoe’S Robinson Crusoe, Malak N/A Alghufaili Dr., Mada Alghufaili Dr.

Journal of Arabic Sciences and Humanities

This study analyzes Robinson Crusoe (1719) through an ecocritical lens, focusing on its depiction of Crusoe’s anthropocentric mindset that thrives due to his disregard for environmental justice. Drawing on Lawrence Buell’s “environmental imagination” and John Locke’s theory of property, the study examines how Crusoe’s survival tactics exploit the environment, prioritizing his own needs while neglecting the ecological principles of environmental sustainability and biodiversity. By reinterpreting the novel in light of these contemporary ecological principles, this study offers a fresh perspective on Crusoe’s actions, encouraging readers to critically reassess the long-term consequences of his behavior on the natural world. It also …

Mundane, Ordinary And Eerie Undertones, Yixuan Xia

Theses

When people encounter fear and uncertainty, their mental and physical reactions can vary. Drawing from my personal experience and the ‘Uncanny Valley’ theory [2], I explore various materials and juxtapose ordinary elements with unsettling imagery. In this project, I focus on donuts, transforming them by adding surreal details to imbue them with eerie undertones. For example, in one of my works, a delicious-looking donut appears perfectly normal at first glance. When viewers have a close look at the donut, its surface is crawling with worms, creating an unsettling contrast between the familiar and the disturbing. By altering these familiar items, …

Building A Pre-Surgical Multiparametric-Mri-Based Morphologic, Qualitative, Semiquantitative, First And High-Order Radiomic Predictive Treatment Response Model For Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma To Replace Recist, Raul F Valenzuela, Elvis Duran-Sierra, Mathew Antony, Behrang Amini, Sam Lo, Keila E Torres, Robert S Benjamin, Jingfei Ma, Ken-Pin Hwang, R Jason Stafford, Dejka Araujo, Andrew J Bishop, Ravin Ratan, Wei-Lien Wang, Jossue Espinoza, Pia V Valenzuela, Chengyue Wu, John E Madewell, William A Murphy, Colleen M Costelloe

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is the largest subgroup of soft-tissue sarcomas. It demonstrates post-therapeutic hemosiderin deposition, granulation tissue formation, fibrosis, and calcification. Our research aims to establish the multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI) value for predicting UPS treatment response.

Methods: An IRB-approved retrospective study included 33 extremity UPS patients with pre-operative mp-MRI, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), contrast-enhanced susceptibility-weighted imaging (CE-SWI), and perfusion-weighted imaging with dynamic contrast-enhancement (PWI/DCE), and surgical resection between February 2021 and May 2023. Lesions were visually classified on CE-SWI into one of 6 morphology patterns. On PWI/DCE, lesions were classified into one of 6 patterns, and time-intensity curves …

Who Carries Bear Spray? Reducing Risk In The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Through Leave No Trace Communication, Anna B. Miller, Clara-Jane Blye, Jennifer Newton, Lauren Miller, Jacob Richards

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

As bear populations increase in areas like the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), human-bear interactions are rising, with grizzly bear encounters more than doubling in the past decade. To reduce conflicts, land management agencies promote Leave No Trace (LNT) behaviors, emphasizing bear awareness, proper food storage, maintaining distance from wildlife, and carrying bear spray. However, a survey of 566 visitors across the GYE found that 27% of respondents report never carrying bear spray. Non-carriers were often first-time visitors, traveling in larger groups, or day-use visitors to front-country areas. They also viewed the message to carry bear spray as less important than …

Metabolic Diversity Of A Widely Distributed Tropical Freshwater Crab Is Not Underpinned By Genetic Differences, Lucy Turner, Christopher Thorpe, Michael Collins, Smrithy Raj, Tripti Shukla, John Spicer, Mairi Knight, Dheeraj Sharma, Krushnamegh Kunte

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

AimThe aim of this study was to understand the interplay between local and regional factors as drivers of population physiological diversity in a tropical freshwater crab species.LocationWestern Ghats, south-west India.TaxonBarytelphusa cunicularis, Brachyura, Crustacea.MethodsWe applied an integrative approach combining population genetics and whole animal physiology, using the tropical freshwater crab Barytelphusa cunicularis as our model species. We tested for effects of population location (e.g., latitude, altitude), season (as a proxy for rainfall and water temperature) and/or warming on indices of whole animal respiratory physiology (metabolic rate, MO2) and hypoxic performance (Pcrit, i.e., the PO2 at which routine MO2 can no longer …

The Impact Of Epac2-Associated Junction Plakoglobin On Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection, Chaitra A Takle, Eun-Jin Choi, Eun Seok Choi, Devang Deepak, Kashish Khatkar, Jong Min Choi, Ke Zhang, Sung Yun Jung, Tian Wang, Wenzhe Wu, Xiaoyong Bao

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants, young children, and immunocompromised individuals. Currently, FDA-approved monoclonal antibody therapies are limited to infants and young children with severe RSV disease. As a result, there is an urgent need for comprehensive studies of RSV pathogenesis to support the development of new therapeutic strategies. Exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) have recently emerged as key regulators in various viral infections. Our previous work identified EPAC isoform 2 (EPAC2) as a critical factor in RSV replication and host innate immune responses. However, …

The Potential Intercontinental Railway Between Siberia And Alaska And Its Implications For Alaska Native Corporations And Federally Recognized Tribes, James S. Segee-Wright, Gavin M. Ratcliffe, Douglas Paul Thompson

Idaho Law Review

This article argues that if the U.S. government wished to construct an intercontinental railway between Siberia and Alaska, then the directly impacted Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and federally recognized Tribes nearby would need to first consent to and authorize the construction. After the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971, ANCs own Native land in Alaska, while federally recognized Tribes have no reservations in Alaska (with one exception) and almost no legal claims to the title of the land. ANCs and federally recognized Tribes are also distinct entities with occasionally differing interests. Construction managers might be tempted to receive consent …

Child Rape And The Death Penalty, Rosemary Ardman

Idaho Law Review

The act of rape on an eight-year-old body is a matter of the needle giving because the camel can’t. The child gives, because the body can, and the mind of the violator cannot.

- Maya Angelou

In May 2023, Florida authorized the death penalty for the sexual battery of a child under twelve. This policy quickly sparked a wave of similar legislation. Tennessee capitalized child rape in May 2024, followed by Idaho in March 2025. These laws—passed with strong bipartisan support in each state—challenge the Supreme Court to overrule Kennedy v. Louisiana, a controversial 2008 decision holding that the …

Confidence And Domain: Children’S Trust In People For Factual Information And Moral Decisions, Anastasia L. Wood

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Confidence is a salient factor when determining an individual’s depth and breadth of knowledge. However, confidence alone can be an unreliable predictor of someone’s knowledge, and does not always indicate accuracy. For my project, I will analyze a study investigating whether children prefer to learn from a confident or hesitant individual, and if their preference differs when the information is factual or moral in nature. Participants (N=128) aged 5-8 were recruited through the UM Living Lab, with half assigned to a moral condition and the other half to a factual condition. Participants were presented with stimuli videos portraying …

Mapping Behavior To Lesion Location In Neurolinguistics: History And The Illusive Methodology, Shea Highfill

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

At first glance it seems as though the history of aphasia, a neurological deficit in language, is teaming with thorough, well characterized research using lesions to determine the language centers of the brain. A brain lesion is classified as tissue in the brain that is damaged due to disease or injury. The location of these lesions is a fundamental part of understanding how the structures of the brain affect the way humans think and behave; lesion mapping is the process used by researchers to identify this relationship. Exploring the history of this process reveals an epidemic of poorly described methodologies. …

Exploring The Reproductive Phenology Of Feral Horses In North America, Mattie Budine

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) are a prolific species in western North America. Due to their history of domestication, it is believed they have an extended foaling period compared to native ungulates, such as elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), yet there are few (or no) studies examining this assumption. I am examining this assumption by comparing the observed foaling seasons of different regional herds throughout North America to identify if foaling seasons are uniform across latitudes. My dataset consists of various research studies and unpublished observations of different feral horse herds throughout North America. The result is …

Cervid Breakage Patterns In Western Montana, Tanner D. Liermann

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Sexual weapons are expected to withstand intense combat as weapon failure can directly impact an individual's reproductive success. Most weapons are permanent and a broken weapon costs that animal for the rest of its life. However, a few species regrow their weapons. The consequences of structural failure are lower in these animals, and they may invest less in their production as a result—leading to increased rates of breakage in the wild. Cervids (true deer) regenerate antlers each year, yet their rates of weapon failure remain unclear. In our study, we recorded breakage rates, antler point symmetry, harvest location, and age …

Microbial Opsins: The Potential For Neurodegenerative Therapies, Maia Estrella Huebner

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Optogenetics is a new field utilizing light to manipulate cells. The produced symptoms mimic those of classic hibernation performed by many mammalian species, supporting the term “artificial hibernation”. Hibernation experienced by animals allows the organisms to maintain cell latency. These tools can be developed by applying novel techniques to laboratory mammals. Introducing stem-cell derived model organs to these kinds of studies may provide more insight on how optogenetics could advance medical therapies for neurodegenerative disorders.

This literature review analyzes the research completed in the biochemical origin of microbial opsins and their function. The channelrhodopsins (ChRs) from the microorganism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii …

Consuming The Tropics In The 'Age Of The Insect': Imperial Imaginaries Of Frontier Ecologies In Spectacular Expositions, Adria Capozzoli

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

By surveying representations of 'exotic' landscapes and 'monstrous' other-than-human creatures of the tropics featured in exhibits of the fin de siecle and early interwar period, including visual displays and descriptive language at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893) and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) in San Francisco (1915), this project examines tropical frontiers as conceived in the geographical imaginaries of the United States to explore how metropolitan audiences related to those environments encountered at the imperial periphery. Between 1890 and 1920, were the infamously exaggerated characterizations of nineteenth-century spectacle tempered by the advent of twentieth-century cultural and scientific discourses, …

Lack Of “Necromone” Avoidance In A Terrestrial Isopod (Porcellio Laevis), Lauren Lassere, Anna Starman

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Renee Godard Many species of invertebrates recognize and avoid death cues released by conspecifics. It is suggested that linoleic acid may be a key component of these "necromone" cues. When killed, terrestrial isopods also release linoleic acid among other chemicals. In this study we explored whether or not Dairy cow isopods (Porcellio laevis) avoid commercially purchased linoleic acid. Avoidance behavior was measured by time spent in a Y-maze scented with commercially obtained linoleic acid and two other cues (water – neutral and canola oil – 21% linoleic acid). Isopods did not differ in the amount …

Hashtags, Influencers, And Ethical Eating, Astrid Van Baba

Science Seminar

Media is known to be able to influence people’s opinions and attitudes on a variety to topics (Kat & Lazarsfeld, 2017), everything from their lifestyle, perspectives towards the environment, and the food to consume. To better understand the media’s influence on people’s food choices, this study explores social media and its role in young adults’ perception of their food choices. Specifically, looking at how social media influences Hollins University students’ perceptions and understanding of their diets concerning environmental awareness. Through a cross-sectional survey design administered through Microsoft Forms in Spring 2025, participants were asked about their dietary choices, social media …

Grooming Dyads In Captive Hamadryas Baboons (Papio Hamadryas), Anna Starman, Holly Hylton

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Renee Godard Allogrooming (cleaning the fur of another conspecific) plays a role in social dynamics of One Male Units (OMUs) in Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas). OMUs are the smallest social grouping of Hamadryas baboons typically composed of one adult male and a few reproductive females as well as juveniles. Bouts of grooming in four baboon OMUs at the North Carolina Zoo were observed. Nearly 75% of the grooming bouts were conducted by adult females with the harem male receiving the attention in most of these bouts. The torso was groomed most frequently and bouts that …

A Comparison Of Behavioral Activity And Spatial Relationships In A Captive Populations Of Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla) And Common Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes), Samantha Hahn

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Renee Godard

The fundamental mission of most modern zoos is conservation, research, and education, with a strong focus on animal welfare that provides adequate space and enrichment for species to maintain natural behaviors. We compared the behavioral activity and spatial relationships of two ape species (lowland gorillas - Gorilla gorilla and common chimpanzees – Pan troglodytes) maintained in separate large natural enclosures at the North Carolina Zoo. In the wild, lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) are typically found in small harems with a dominant silverback male, several females and juveniles, while chimpanzees are commonly found in …

Scaredy Cats: Domestic Cat Responses To Audio Stimuli, Jennalee Williams

Science Seminar

Under the direction of Dr. Renee Godard Predators can detect prey by a variety of mechanisms with auditory cues being of importance particularly in nocturnal animals. Previous studies have shown that domesticated cats can track potential prey by sound. In this study, I compared the responses of nine domestic cats (Felis catus) to different sounds, two mimicking prey (a rodent death scream and crinkly noise) and a neutral beep tone. Sounds were projected from undercover and the distance the cat spent within 1 m of the speaker was recorded at 10 second intervales before (2 min), during (2 min) and …

The Ethics Of Animal Rights And Zoos, Jamie L. Tucker Crockett

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

In my essay, I will be diving into the controversial issue of Animal containment, focusing on zoos in the United States. I will be taking this opportunity to establish a new way of thinking about the argument which states the pros of zoos outweigh the negative effects they have on the animals who live there. Neither side of the argument has a malicious intention towards harming animals. Instead, each side shows a different approach to what it is to properly care, and respect for animal rights. Those arguing in support of zoos commonly reference arguments dating back to Aristotle. However, …

Modification Of Process Inputs Using Hog Cooling Pads, Gilbert Benitez

American Journal of Rising Scholar Activities

Purdue University researchers have developed a low-cost hog cooling pad which uses ground-based water as a coolant for sows in farrowing crates. Initial testing has proven the positive effects of the unit on sow and piglet productivity, but thus far little research has been done on seeing whether or not the use of the pads reduces water consumption by the animals or how much energy is required to operate the units. This study examined data collected during an indirect calorimetry testing program. The limited availability of water sensors hindered the meaningfulness of the water consumption data, but the energy consumption …

Probing Surface Characteristics Of Plant-Based Protein Powders, Anthony Scott

American Journal of Rising Scholar Activities

Plant-based protein powders are expected to take-on a larger role in human diet as concerns regarding animal-based protein production grow. Unfortunately, not much physical property information about these proteins is available. This study was an attempt by researchers to perform an initial investigation of five powders: Mung bean, peas, pumpkin seed, Fava bean, and Soybeans. Typical particle sizing was determined, along with the surface morphology. Shear testing on the bulk materials was performed to establish the powders’ potential flowability. Inverse gas chromatography provided surface energies of the five protein types, and an X-ray photoelectron spectrograph was used to determine the …

A Nourish Chicago Community Education Project: The Sweet Truth About The Food Science And Chemistry Of Sugar, Lily Grace Yezback

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Sugar is a fundamental component of food science, playing a significant role in our lives beyond its satisfying taste. This research dives into the sweet world of sugar and explores its contribution to texture, preservation, color and flavor. The various structures of sugar, their chemical properties, and important impact on human health are investigated as well. Additionally, hidden and artificial sugars are unveiled and their secretive consequences are highlighted. Under Dr. Pine's guidance, I worked to spread this knowledge to the greater Chicago community in order to enlighten the public and encourage healthier consumption habits across the city.

Chronic Stress Effects On Anxiety And Spatial Memory Is Altered By Adolescent Bisphenol-A Exposure In Female Rats, Elizabeth A. Brennan, Liam T. Connelly, Joseph R. Giegerich, Julianna J. Mondella, Kristina M. Rybak

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Rescuing Behavioral Development After Prenatal Alcohol Exposure In Mice, Grace Pendleton

Academic Festival

Due to the difficulty of detecting a pregnancy, prior to 6 weeks of gestation, ~30% of pregnant women report drinking alcohol during the first trimester. Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can be extremely dangerous for the development of a child, often leading to an increased risk of developing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which can affect a child’s ability to learn, control behavior, or regulate emotions. Alcohol initially stimulates an inflammatory cells in the central nervous system, known as microglia, causing a fetal anti- inflammatory response which alters the vascular and neurological in the fetal brain. Repeated or chronic alcohol exposure …

Hot Heads And Hitchhikers: Hippocampal Gene Expression As A Function Of Simulated Heat Waves And Ectoparasites In Nestling Tree Swallows​, Cassandra Vallon, Vita Pivtorak, Emily J. Levy

Academic Festival

Climate change threatens species that cannot adapt to increasing temperatures. Understanding the physiological responses of endotherms to heat can help predict how species will fare in the face of global warming. However, we know relatively little about the physiological response to heat in endotherms, particularly in the brain. This study tests the impact of simulated heat waves on brain gene expression in tree swallow nestlings (Tachycineta bicolor). Tree swallows are altricial, endothermic songbirds common across a wide range of latitudes. We hypothesize that, within the hippocampus, a simulated heat wave will activate the immune system and self-maintenance mechanisms, increasing the …

Capturing The Moment With Chemistry, Ryan M. Lopes, Jake Fitzsimons, Christopher Besnilian, Ailani Aybar

Academic Festival

The goal of our student affiliate ACS chapter at Sacred Heart University (SHU) is to bring chemistry to the community. The poster will capture our chemistry moments throughout the year. Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream, a campus-wide Halloween Haunted house, and scavenger hunt are a few ways our club brings chemistry to SHU. In the larger community the club participates in our local ACS section’s mole bowl and is also engaged with our local ACS Section by attending their local monthly meetings which feature speakers on a wide variety of chemistry topics. Monthly, we aim to bring in scientists with a …