Digital Commons Network^™

Catching Light Finding Encouragement Through Art And The Role Of Women In Impressionism, Vlada Evtushenko

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Catching Light is a two-dimensional (2D) animated film about the importance of human connection through the tale of an artist rediscovering their passion for painting through the support of a fellow artist. Catching Light is told through the lens of the period in art history when the artists, who eventually came to be known as 'Impressionists', broke free from the traditions of the Academy. The story highlights how the Art Academy restricted and discriminated against people based on social class and gender, and its disrespect towards the craft of paintmaking. By setting this story in the late 19th century, Catching …

The Value Of Balance: Exploring Timelessness Of Narrative Styles And Character Dynamics Through Animation, Jessica Gray

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Dazzling: A Timekeepers Tale is a 2D/3D animated short film that explores timeless storytelling, perception of time, anthropomorphism, and friendship. The film illustrates the necessity for balance between curiosity and caution when striving to learn. Through the dual protagonists’ contrasting personalities, they reach a deeper understanding of each other, thus learning the value of balance. This theme was constructed around a fantasy space that will function as a means of understanding varying perceptions of time. Thesis research explores ideas of balance between traditional Western narrative structures such as the Hero’s Journey, Aesopic fables, and Buddy Comedy within a combination of …

Perezhivanie In Practice: Exploring Affective Memory And Imagination Through The Stanislavski System, Paige E. Mason

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This thesis explores the enduring significance of The Stanislavski System in modern American actor training, addressing why it remains essential over a century after its creation by Konstantin Stanislavski. While studying the history of how The Stanislavski System was introduced and adapted in America, I identified a fundamental divide that shaped actor training: Lee Strasberg emphasized affective memory to generate emotion, while Stella Adler advocated for imagination to connect with character. Their public dispute has had a lasting impact on American theatre pedagogy, often leaving actors caught between methodologies without a clear understanding of the System’s original intent. At the …

Development Of Human Neuronal Microphysiological Models And Subsequent Integration Into Multi-Organ Platforms For Evaluation Of Therapeutic Efficacy And Off-Target Toxicity, Aakash Patel

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Microphysiological systems are a rapidly growing field of research for modeling of physiological processes and disease in an in vitro environment. The translatability and cost effectiveness of these platforms make them a valuable tool for drug discovery, allowing investigation of both efficacy and off-target toxicity either as a replacement or supplement to traditional animal models. Neurological disorders in particular are often difficult to emulate in an animal model, making the development of these models a highly useful area of research for both elucidation of brain function, as well as neurological disorders. Taking these models and integrating them into a multi-organ …

The Girl Who Drowned The Whole World, Sophia Saco

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

THE GIRL WHO DROWNED THE WHOLE WORLD investigates the consequences of loneliness. Upon returning to her hometown, the speaker, Cucú, reckons with the fact she no longer has a place amongst her friends and past. Her frustrations manifest as a Biblical flooding, leaving her the only person alive in the world. She embarks on a journey of coping whilst reframing her sudden penance as a baptism.

Through motifs of alchemy and Catholicism, hermit crab forms, and reflections on young adulthood, THE GIRL WHO DROWNED THE WHOLE WORLD contemplates how everyone can better themselves in difficult circumstances.

Written as prose poems, …

Application Of Multi-Branching Narratives And Cooperative Gaming For Theme Park Rides, Jon Bryan Salvador

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This thesis examines the opportunities to combine video game concepts such as branching narrative games and cooperative games with interactive theme park rides or attractions. With the state of the contemporary themed entertainment industry explicitly defining the guest’s role to the context of the ride or attraction’s storyworld, there is a need to reassess the conventional forms of theme park ride interactivity to create a more dynamic narrative, gameplay experience, and guest or audience engagement. Through a brief analysis of relevant themed experience and video game references, this research proposes a cooperative theme park ride that utilizes a modified version …

Nf-Κb-Mediated Oxidative Stress Drives Cigarette Smoke-Induced Emt In Human Bronchial Cells, Sarah M. Alqithami

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, many being carcinogens and proinflammatory agents contributing to chronic respiratory diseases like COPD and lung cancer. This study investigated responses of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) to cigarette smoke condensate (CSC), focusing on oxidative stress and NF-κB signaling. Three HBEC lines were exposed to non-cytotoxic CSC doses for 48 hours, inducing morphological changes consistent with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). RNA sequencing revealed transcriptomic shifts in all cell lines, particularly affecting genes related to oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia, and metabolism. Enrichment analyses confirmed activation of NRF2 antioxidant, NF-κB and IL-17 inflammatory, and hypoxiainducible factor pathways, indicating …

Elucidating The Adverse Effects Of Chronic Pfos Exposure On Gastrointestinal Pathology And Colorectal Cancer, Jerika Durham

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been linked to a number of detrimental health effects, including an elevated risk of cancer. One "long-chain" subtype of PFAS, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), has a long elimination half-life and a significant propensity for bioaccumulation. Because PFOS is commonly found in drinking water, the gastrointestinal system absorbs it at a high rate. Recent studies demonstrate that PFAS exposures promote intestinal inflammation and gut barrier dysfunction. However, how a long-term PFOS exposure affects colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is not known. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to understand how …

Investigating Plk1 In Pulmonary Fibrosis, Tempany Arbogast

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal interstitial lung disease, with a median survival of only 2–3 years following diagnosis. In the United States, the disease contributes to more than 40,000 deaths annually, underscoring its severe clinical burden. Alveolar type II (AT2) lung epithelial cells serve as progenitors that maintain alveolar integrity by replenishing epithelial populations and producing surfactants, while fibroblasts and myofibroblasts regulate the extracellular matrix and structural support. In pulmonary fibrosis (PF) injury to AT2 cells promotes cytokine and growth factor release, driving inflammation, fibroblast proliferation, myofibroblast accumulation, and excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Aberrant AT2 cell …

Pfas Litigation And Industry “Science”: Combating Deceptive Industry Practices, Dayna Smith

Western New England Law Review

PFAS have become a hot spot of litigation due to their growing notoriety as one of the greatest chemical threats of our time. Yet, due to concerted efforts by the PFAS industry, PFAS cases are likely to face a significant hurdle in the courtroom. Historically, industry groups have funded studies to lend support to their products, leading to a high risk of bias that has potentially far-reaching consequences. Further, there is mounting evidence that the PFAS industry actively used funding to manipulate science, while also engaging in other deceptive practices to hide potential health risks. This industry “science” then makes …

Revolutionizing The Immaculate Conception: The Limitations Of Medieval Theology And The Advancements Of John Duns Scotus, Emily G. Knoppe

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Although in the modern era, the Immaculate Conception is a controversial doctrine that prompts conflict primarily between Catholic and non-Catholic groups, during the medieval period Roman Catholics were greatly divided on the topic. Opposition to the belief hinges not only on its lack of scriptural basis and complicated theology, which some deem as placing Mary outside of the need for Christ’s redemption, but also on the fact that it was not declared dogma until 1854 by Pope Pius IX. In this thesis, I first consider how Augustine of Hippo’s original sin theology laid the foundation for avid rejection of the …

A Cadaver Story: Relationality In The Anatomy Laboratory, Stephanie Teasley

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Cadavers in the human anatomy laboratory occupy a liminal social space, a circumstance that presents a variety of challenges for anatomy students. Cadavers are intended to be scientific objects for study, but their human status makes dissection uniquely challenging. Many of the obstacles to working in the laboratory result from discomfort experienced at the thought of cutting a person (i.e. a social being). In this project, I use ‘cadaver’ to indicate a category of being created in and for the anatomy laboratory. This is distinct from the more general ‘dead body’ in that the category cadaver enables emotional distance and …

Movement And Activity Of Burbot, (Mizay; Lota Lota) In A Spring-Fed Minnesota Lake, Abigail M. Fountain

Biology Graduate Theses

Burbot (Mizay; Lota lota) are a relatively unmanaged freshwater fish, important in many local Indigenous cultures, but often overlooked or maltreated in research, conservation, and fishing practices. As such, relatively little research has been conducted on Burbot, despite ecological significance as an indicator species. A recent resurgence in popularity as a target species, however, has prompted new research to inform management policies. The objectives of this study were to summarize Burbot movement by identifying patterns in swimming activity and identify possible predictors of the movement observed. This study investigated the movements of 39 individuals implanted with acoustic transmitters in Bad …

Trends In Science Outreach Research Through Social Media (2000-2023): A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis, María Del Pilar Quezada Castro, Marco Antonio Rodríguez Vega, María Del Pilar Castro Arellano, Guillermo Alexander Quezada Castro

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Scientific dissemination is key to transmitting specialized knowledge to society, using social networks and digital platforms as essential tools. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to identify trends, key themes, and collaboration networks in scientific outreach research.

Methods: A bibliometric analysis of 1577 papers indexed in the Scopus database between 2000 and 2023 was conducted using advanced tools such as Biblioshiny and VOSviewer. The analysis focused on co-authorship patterns, citation networks, and emerging thematic trends.

Results: The findings showed exponential growth in scientific output over the last four years, shaped by the impact of the COVID-19 …

Vaccines And Publics: A Variety Of Engagement Experiences, David H. Lee

Publications and Research

This chapter is about some of the sites and scenes where members of the public are exposed to (and engage in) vaccination discourse. To preview, after a brief introduction, we begin with messaging models of communication, followed by the move from messaging to engagement. Next, case examples of public engagement with vaccines are introduced, from pandemic influenza preparedness in the U.S., to polio eradication initiatives in India, and then to COVID-19 public engagement events in England. Settings of public engagement are noted, including online, in churches and museums. Then, there’s a section about communication and public participation, seen as either …

An Analysis Of Htt Involvement In Huntington’S Disease, Elaine Vanterpool, Micah Andrews

Student Posters

Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of striatal neurons. These striatal neurons are essential in cognition, motor function, decision-making, motivation, reinforcement, and reward perception. Affected individuals may show symptoms such as isolation, lack of motivation, depression, mood swings, and personality changes. This study’s purpose is to analyze and highlight the variants of the HTT gene in the pathogenesis of Huntington’s disease.

Keepunumuk: Teaching The Deconstruction Of The “Myth Of The First Thanksgiving”, Pierce Thompson

A with Honors Projects

The goal of this project was to volunteer to teach a reading activity for elementary school students about the indigenous peoples (Wampanoag) contact in 1621 from the indigenous perspective and deconstruct the “First Thanksgiving myth” using the book “Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story” published on August 2, 2022, by authors Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, and Alexis Bunten.

Investigation Of Heterosynaptic Long-Term Potentiation Of Non-Nociceptive Synapses, Synaptically Relevant Kinase Discovery, And Virtual Screening For A Pkmz Inhibitor In Hirudo Verbana", Avery Franzen

Dissertations and Theses

There is a considerable lack in efficacy for current chronic pain treatments. One therapy that has gained attention are cannabinoid-based medications. However, preclinical and clinical trials do not produce anti-nociceptive results consistently and occasionally produce pro-nociceptive results. Understanding this ambiguity between anti-nociceptive and pro-nociceptive effects is vital to cannabinoids’ future utilization. One symptom of chronic pain conditions is allodynia in which pain is perceived following non-painful stimuli. This may be due to non-nociceptive afferents activating nociceptive circuitry in an abnormal manner. Using the medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana, we have begun to elucidate mechanisms by which endocannabinoids strengthen non-nociceptive afferent synapses. …

Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence Use To Enhance Feedback For Preservice Teachers During Field Experiences, Betsy Schamber

Dissertations and Theses

University supervisors (USs) play a key role in providing feedback for preservice teachers (PSTs). Although artificial intelligence (AI)’s use in providing feedback in educational settings had been explored, its use for feedback for PSTs’ field experience remained unknown. The first case study herein explores PSTs’ perceptions of AI-assisted feedback for field experiences. Findings highlighted PSTs’ perceptions of AI as a catalyst for new idea generation. While AI provided a starting point, the ending output still needed to reflect PSTs’ personalities. Similarly, PSTs valued the human element of feedback, noting how USs’ lived experiences provided an added value. In K–12 classrooms, …

Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus G⍺Q/G⍺S And Rgs2 Signaling Pathways Mediate Sympathoexcitation And Sodium Retention In Hypertension, Shane Harold Boomer

Dissertations and Theses

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) regulates diverse physiological processes for maintaining homeostasis, modulating functions ranging from fluid balance to sympathetic nervous system activity. Due to its integral connections with various autonomic and endocrine systems, the PVN significantly influences cardiovascular and renal function, notably in blood pressure homeostasis and the development and regulation of hypertension. The regulatory capacity of PVN is mediated through several signaling pathways, including those involving G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and G- protein signaling. We hypothesized the altered PVN signaling through Gαq/Gαs and regulators like regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) pathways affected sympathetic nerve activity and blood …

Novel Infection By Mucor Hiemalis Kills Caenorhabditis Hosts Through Intestinal Perforation, Jay Ni

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as a popular model system to investigate cell biology and host-pathogen interactions. Presently, C. elegans is studied as a natural host of intracellular pathogens such as microsporidia and Orsay virus along with extracellular bacterial and fungal pathogens. The use of C. elegans as a model in host-pathogen research is limited by the number of naturally occurring pathogens to the organism. Through a sampling project to identify new pathogens of C. elegans, we identified the fungus Mucor hiemalis as a pathogen of Caenorhabditis species. We observed the fungus in the intestinal lumen of wild-caught …

Artificial Intelligence In Society: Transformations And Ethical Paradigm, Yashoda Urmilla Itwaru

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

The recent advancement and adoption of AI (Artificial Intelligence) make it vital to study the effects it has on individuals and communities. Adopting AI into daily life changes interactions such as the decision-making process and task performance. AI algorithms can shape a user’s online experiences, influence their preferences, beliefs, and behavior. However, people raised concerns regarding privacy, autonomy, and manipulation. For these reasons, debates regarding the ethical aspects of AI arose.

AI provides society with more tools to complete tasks. AI can automate data intensive jobs and physical tasks. This brings a sense of job insecurity, which affects the mental …

Beyond Entertainment – An Analysis Of Minecraft: Education Edition As An Inclusive Educational Platform For Diverse Learners, Herschel Meusa

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

Minecraft: Education Edition is examined as an interactive and educational media object and art form. Through an analysis of its game's UI, interactive design, and user-friendliness, players are immersed in the game. Although Minecraft provides an open-ended design that fosters creativity, freedom, and collaborative learning, its structured instructional scaffolding, adaptive difficulty, and comprehensive accessibility features make it less inclusive for all learners. This thesis argues that these gaps serve as warnings to educational Media Arts practitioners working on interactive media design and lessons about interface design, user agency, and inclusion in game mechanics. This research examines the structure of Minecraft …

January 2025 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Sptiotemporal Changes In Aboveground Biomass, Canopy Cover And Livestock Movements Across Mongolia Grasslands, Abhinav Chandel

Dissertations and Theses

This study presents an integrated geospatial framework for understanding grassland productivity dynamics and livestock movement behavior across the Mongolian steppe. Mongolia’s grasslands constitute one of the world’s largest pastoral ecosystems, yet they face increasing vulnerability due to climate variability, overgrazing, and land degradation. To quantify vegetation change and grazing responses, this research combines multi-decadal remote sensing with high-frequency GPS-based livestock movement tracking. Using Landsat imagery from 1990 to 2023, Aboveground Biomass (AGB) and Canopy Cover (CC) were estimated through Random Forest regression models integrating key spectral vegetation indices (e.g., NDVI, OSAVI, CTVI, TNDVI, IPVI) and climatic predictors such as summer …

A "One Health" Approach To Healthy Food, Katya S. Cronin

Brooklyn Law Review

Diet-related diseases are the number one killer of Americans. Nutrition and food healthfulness are increasingly seen as foundational to public health. As a result, the healthy foods industry is booming, the medical community is integrating nutrition into healthcare, and even insurance companies are subsidizing food prescriptions. The federal government invests heavily in nutrition, spending more than $166 billion a year on federal programs that provide healthy food to vulnerable populations. After the Biden Administration announced its agenda to “promote a healthy diet among Americans,” the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) sprang into …

Estimating The Amount Of Carbon Dioxide Gas Removed From The Atmosphere By The Bryant Park Tree Population, Edimarlyn Gonzalez

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

Least Tern Abundance, Nesting Productivity, And Dispersal Between Nesting And On- And Off-River Foraging Sites In The Missouri National Recreational River, Kyle Jorgensen

Dissertations and Theses

The Interior Least Tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos) has experienced significant conservation success, culminating in its removal from the federal endangered species list in 2021. However, the species remains state-endangered in South Dakota, and knowledge gaps persist regarding its foraging ecology and population dynamics along the Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR). This study aimed to address these gaps by quantifying Least Tern abundance, nesting productivity, and movement patterns between nesting and foraging sites during the 2024 and 2025 breeding seasons. We conducted surveys of Least Terns on riverine sandbars and off-river wetlands within a 30-km radius of the MNRR, employing both …

Building Healthcare Students’ Research Skills Through Co-Creating A Game To Teach Research: A Qualitative Study, Lise Johns, Leanne Bisset, Stacey Weightman, Gary Grant, Mary-Ann Shuker, Thea Van De Mortel

Health Professions Education

Purpose. Healthcare students may lack the knowledge and confidence to apply research. This study evaluated the impact of immersion in student-academic co-creation and evaluation of a gamified resource on healthcare students’ research knowledge, and confidence.

Method. A qualitative descriptive design was utilised. Student partners contributed to all aspects of design, implementation, and evaluation of the game. Students’ perceptions of this process were evaluated via a group interview and thematic analysis.

Results. Six undergraduate students from five healthcare disciplines participated. Two overarching themes were identified. The first related to impacts of the immersion process on students’ own research knowledge and confidence, …

Projectile Points Of New Mexico: 13,000 Years Of Technological Innovation, Bradley J. Vierra

Anthropology: Faculty Book Gallery

For the first time, New Mexico has a volume dedicated to all projectile point types dating from the Paleoindian through Historic period. Filled with historical details, measurements, defining attributes, age estimates, interpretations, references, and images, Projectile Points of New Mexico: 13,000 Years of Technological Innovation edited by Dr. Bradley J. Vierra and with many contributing authors and supporters, is graciously offered here courtesy of the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management, who provided the grant for production costs, New Mexico State University, who was responsible for the contract, and Statistical Research, Inc., who produced the volume. There …