Digital Commons Network^™

Microfaunal Remains From The Ryan-Harley Site, Savanna Caylor

Honors Theses

The Ryan Harley site is located in the Wacissa River basin in northern Florida. It is one of the few sites in the southeastern United States to contain a Suwannee point artifact. Several excavations in 2015 and 2017 showed extinct and extant faunal remains within and around the Suwannee component. The geoarchaeological data showed that whether these remains were in situ or not is inconclusive. This paper will focus on the microfloral and faunal remains to draw conclusions about the environment encountered during the Younger Dryas (12,900-11,700 cal B.P). The relationship between floral and faunal species present will help to …

The Study Of Dmrt1 In Zebrafish And How It Impacts Sex Determination, Raymond Michael Poirier

Graduate Masters Theses

The dmrt1 gene is common amongst most animals and functions to determine or maintain male sex during development. Similarly, in zebrafish dmrt1 is important for male sex determination and maintaining proper testis morphology. This gene is expressed in two different cell types of the testis in zebrafish, germ cells and Sertoli cells. While we know where this gene is expressed and what its role is, it is not known if it is sufficient to drive male fate. If so, then in which cells is it sufficient to drive male fate in the testis? I aimed to answer this question by …

Recipes For Resistance: Examining The Reproduction Of Indigeneity Through Foodways At The Seneca Boston-Florence Higginbotham House, Nantucket, Ma, Caitriona Mackenzie Parker

Graduate Masters Theses

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Indigenous peoples on Nantucket defied settler-colonial narratives of erasure. Native Americans negotiated the dynamics of racism by increasingly interacting with a rapidly developing free-Black population on the island. In the mid-18th century, a predominately Black racialized community established itself, in which many Native Americans, particularly Native women, began to reside. Among these Native women was Thankful Micah, a fifth-generation Wampanoag who married Seneca Boston, an African American man. Archaeological excavations at the Seneca Boston-Florence Higginbotham House have revealed evidence of Indigenous cultural material; however, Indigenous identity at the site and in the community has …

Fatty Acid Concentrations In Preterm Infants Fed The Exclusive Human Milk Diet: A Prospective Cohort Study, Lindsay F Holzapfel, Jana P Unger, Pam Gordon, Heeju Yang, Joanne E Cluette-Brown, Laura A Gollins, Amy B Hair, Camilia R Martin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: Quantify blood fatty acids and growth outcomes in preterm infants fed the exclusive human milk diet.

METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 30 infants 24-34 weeks gestation and ≤1250 g fed the exclusive human milk diet. Blood fatty acids were quantified at two time points. Comparisons were made using two-sample t-tests and Wilcoxon rank sum.

RESULTS: Donor human milk-fed (n = 12) compared to mother's own milk-fed infants (n = 18) from birth to after 28 days of life, had an increased interval change of linoleic to docosahexaenoic acid ratio (5.5 vs. -1.1 mole percent ratio, p = 0.034). …

Investigating Thin Filament Assembly In C. Elegans Muscles, Angela Russ

Honors Theses

All striated muscles are composed of small units called sarcomeres [1]. Within each sarcomere, there are thin filaments composed of actin and thick filaments composed of myosin. The thin filaments extend from either end of the thick filament towards the middle of the sarcomere. The lengths of thin filaments are correlated to muscle contraction and force production [1], but it is currently unknown what regulates their lengths. Prior hypotheses based on vertebrate models have focused on a nebulin ruler model [2]. However, nebulin is not present within invertebrate muscles, and this has led to a major gap in the field’s …

“No One Likes A Mad Woman:” A Modern Reclamation Of Solitude In The Domestic Space Through Women With Invisible Disabilities In A Post-Lockdown World, Marley Ashton Bickley

All Theses

This project weaves together critical and creative writing to highlight personal narratives from women with mental illnesses and invisible disabilities. Through a historical recognition of the "madwoman" who is framed as hysterical to be a scapegoat for patriarchal control, I examine societal attempts to immobilize women’s rights to free will and agency from the nineteenth century until today. My analysis of "madwomen" in domestic space takes up fiction writing such as Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper and Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre where women are forced into confinement against their will. In a flipped-script narrative, I reexamine how domestic space …

Tri-Colored Bat Habitat Use And Selection In Northwestern South Carolina, Eduardo Rosales

All Theses

North American bat populations continue to be decimated by many factors, with the largest contributor being white-nose syndrome (WNS). In recent years researchers have noted the importance of fat reserves pre- and post-hibernation (fall and spring) and how they may influence WNS survival and recovery respectively. Tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) are one of the four species most impacted by WNS but have received the least research. Further, thus far all research on tri-colored bat resource selection has been gathered during summer and winter, highlighting the need for habitat selection studies during the fall and spring pre- and post-hibernation …

Unmasking Justice: Racial Disparity Trends In Sentencing Before And After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Noah Samuel Reynolds

All Theses

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted every facet of the United States justice system, disrupting traditional systems and introducing a new era of virtual alternatives. This unprecedented crisis provides a unique opportunity to empirically study the interplay between health risks, shutdowns, and uncertainty and the foundational value of fair and impartial justice. Using North Carolina sentencing data from 2016-2022, this study delves into the consequences of the pandemic on sentencing outcomes after the virus was declared a national emergency in March 2020. Framed within the Focal Concerns (FC) theory, I expect judges to be more lenient in their …

Cloaked Trannies On The Silver Screen: "Evolutionary Derangement" And Cronenberg's Approach To Shaping A Critical Mindset Towards Trans Bodies, John David Hunter

All Theses

This thesis engages David Cronenberg’s 2022 film, Crimes of the Future, analyzing the text through the lens of Saul Tenser (Viggo Mortensten) as a transgender allegory. Through this, the project investigates the way in which Cronenberg’s text visually creates a Deleuzian language of the body, which is the body of becoming. This queer analysis of the film does so by utilizing the perspective of the trans body, through the character of Tenser, which more clearly illustrates the human body as one which is in a continual process of evolution. Following in the footsteps of scholars such as Susan …

Advancements Of A Breast Tissue Marker And Localization System, Azrin Jamison

All Theses

Breast cancer has become the most prominent cancer worldwide in women. Annual mammograms are encouraged for women of high risk to increase early detection allowing for lumpectomies rather than mastectomies to occur. Prior to a lumpectomy, a biopsy must be taken to determine if the tissue is cancerous, and a breast cancer biopsy marker (BBM) is left in the region of possible cancerous tissue. Wire localization has been the gold standard for localizing these BBMs. However, due to the reported patient discomfort and logistical inefficiencies faced by healthcare providers (HCP), non-wire localization solutions have been recently developed. This study aims …

Yield And Nutritive Quality Of Fresh And Ensiled Reduced Lignin Alfalfa In Monoculture And Diculture With Novel Tall Fescue, Morgan Boss

All Theses

The objectives of this research were to: (1) evaluate the yield, nutritional value, and digestibility of fresh and ensiled reduced lignin alfalfa (RLA; Medicago sativa L.) in monoculture and when mixed with novel endophyte-infected tall fescue (F; Festuca arundinacea) in comparison to a conventional alfalfa (CA) cultivar; and (2) evaluate ensiled samples under varying DM concentrations; with or without inoculant. A trial was prepared as a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates per treatment. Treatments included reduced lignin alfalfa (RLA), conventional alfalfa (CA) and tall fescue (F) plots as well as RLA/F and CA/F plots. Plots were harvested on …

The Post Pandemic Learner: How Spatial Dynamics & Accessibility Impact The Learning Experience, Erikka Misrahi

All Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic had unprecedented impacts on Generation Z (Gen Z) in regard to mental wellbeing and learning impacts. While the world shut down in March 2020, the majority of students who have since entered college were forced to attend some portion of high school using remote learning platforms. This transition, while necessary at the time, has had repercussions that are still being felt in higher education. These impacts, combined with the challenges that Gen Z were already experiencing due to the pressures of social media, and the impacts that technology has had on attention spans, have changed their learning …

An Exploration Of Non-Photorealistic Rendering Techniques And Styles To Bridge Mood And Style Using Unreal Engine, Ethan Richards

All Theses

Each story is married to unique styles in which the story is told. The study completed in this thesis explores the relationship between a story and the visuals created to display that story both artistically and technically through the development of A Fateful Night, a collection of two non-photorealistic 3D art pieces. This project explores and integrates the themes, motifs, architecture, composition, and color of Cosmic Horror and Gothic Horror art alongside modern non-photorealistic styles through the development of materials, shaders, and post-processing shaders within the real time graphics engine, Unreal Engine. The project successfully led to the development …

Animating Reality: Enhancing Immersion Through Secondary Animation Rigging Techniques In Video Games, Karim Hudson

All Theses

This thesis explores enhancing realism in video games by strategically applying secondary animation rigging techniques to intensify player immersion. The research adopts a novel approach by exploring hybrid methodologies that seamlessly integrate animator control with simulation techniques to imbue characters with dynamic movements and lifelike qualities. Specifically, the study focuses on simulating intricate aspects such as hair, clothing, and accessories, recognizing their potential to elevate character animation beyond static representations. Through practical experimentation, the thesis examines the symbiotic relationship between animator-driven control and simulation-based dynamics. By harnessing the capabilities of modern rigging tools and simulation algorithms, animators are empowered to …

Understanding The Traditions And Experiences Of African American Hunters, Ezekiel Adesawe

All Theses

Hunting is a significant cultural, economic, and wildlife management activity in the United States. However, African Americans remain underrepresented among hunters, with limited research to understand their perspectives and experiences. Hence, this study employed an exploratory focus group method design to profile African American hunters' real and perceived experiences, traditions, and needs. The interviews were conducted with 67 African American hunters from all regions across the country. The interview data were analyzed through thematic coding to construct key themes. Key findings from this study revealed that hunting is a strong tradition within African American communities that has been passed down …

Assessing Equitable Distribution Of The Urban Tree Canopy At The Neighborhood Scale In Greenville, South Carolina., April Riehm

All Theses

We are living in an era that necessitates adaptation and resilience. The Earth is warming. Our climate has changed (EPA, 2016). Our planet is also rapidly urbanizing. It is predicted that 68% of people will live in cities by 2050. The City of Greenville is a rapidly growing city in South Carolina that has been losing its tree canopy to development(City of Greenville, 2023). The Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) is a community asset that provides many quality-of-life benefits including improved air quality, stormwater management, carbon sequestration, mental and physical well-being, increased mobility and access, aesthetics, a reduction in energy costs, …

Modern Muses - An Exploration Of A Mind That Refuses To Cooperate, Carrie H. Bull

All Theses

Ancient scholars and artists turned to the classic muses for form, worship, and inspiration in pursuit of crafting their greatest works. In an information age rife with new ideas and new artists, it is inevitable that new creative obstacles will be encountered and new muses will be called upon to overcome them. This project is an exploration of the digital modeling pipeline through the formation of such muses. It begins with the creation and iteration of concept art for three original characters, moves on to the sculpting of the characters in Zbrush, creation of clothes in Marvelous Designer, posing, and …

The Effects Of Pre-Parturient Nutrient Restriction On Milk Production, Milk Fat Percentage, Milk Fatty Acid Profile, And Lamb Growth In Sheep, Dakota Murray

All Theses

Cross-bred ewes carrying twins, confirmed via ultrasound, were split into two groups: nutrient-restricted (NR), n=15, and control (CON), n=16. On day (d) 86, at 60% of the NRC requirements, nutrient restriction began and lasted until parturition, at which point ewes were placed back onto a regular diet. After parturition, milk samples and lamb weights were taken on days 1, 7, 14, and 21. Milk lipids were then extracted using modified methods proposed by Hara and Radin (1978). Lipid samples were weighed and then methylated following the procedure outlined by Lock and colleagues (2013). Methylated samples were then analyzed by gas …

Carved Wreaths And Mortuary Flowers: An Investigation Of A Mid-Century Southern Stone Carver’S Work In Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, Sc, Jacquelyn Elie Nahman

All Theses

This study analyzes the work of Charleston stone carver William T. White in Magnolia Cemetery between 1850 and 1870. The purpose of this study is to survey the creations produced by a mid-nineteenth-century stone carver to better understand the patterns of iconographic styles and personalization of stones throughout his career. The attention of many cemetery studies in America is on the Northeast so focusing on the work of a Southerner’s work contributes to the regional gap in former studies. To perform this study, W. T. White’s signed stones were surveyed and documented throughout the cemetery using Esri’s ArcGIS Survey123, recording …

Refining Biodiesels Through Employment Of Cellulose Nanocrystals To Remove Metal Ions, Ryan Marasco

All Theses

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Physiological And Morphological Plasticity In Response To Nitrogen Availability Of A Yeast Widely Distributed In The Open Ocean, Poppy Diver, Ben A. Ward, Michael Cunliffe

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Yeasts are prevalent in the open ocean, yet we have limited understanding of their ecophysiological adaptations, including their response to nitrogen availability, which can have a major role in determining the ecological potential of other planktonic microbes. In this study, we characterized the nitrogen uptake capabilities and growth responses of marine-occurring yeasts. Yeast isolates from the North Atlantic Ocean were screened for growth on diverse nitrogen substrates, and across a concentration gradient of three environmentally relevant nitrogen substrates: nitrate, ammonium, and urea. Three strains grew with enriched nitrate while two did not, demonstrating that nitrate utilization is present but not …

Factors Influencing College Students’ Learning Satisfaction With Educational Videos, Fei Wang

Education (PhD) Dissertations

With the development of digital education worldwide, the Chinese Ministry of Education has accelerated the pace of building online education platforms. Especially during the COVID-19 global pandemic from 2020‒2022, online education produced a large number of educational videos. Educational videos have become supplementary teaching resources for teachers in the classroom and independent digital learning materials for students outside of the classroom. However, the rapid production of educational videos to meet teaching needs has led to uneven video quality and caused complaints from students.

This study was conducted in a private university in China, aiming to explore the influencing factors of …

Stopping The Bleed At Uri, Emily Lefebre

Senior Honors Projects

The number one cause of preventable death is uncontrolled bleeding from traumatic injury. From the unlikely scenario of a school shooting, to a campus car accident or an injury during a sports or club event, possessing skills to effectively stop a life-threatening bleed becomes a matter of life or death. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) STOP THE BLEED® program is a campaign to teach communities how to respond effectively and efficiently to life-threatening bleeding in emergencies. STOP THE BLEED® aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to stop severe bleeding by tourniquet application, …

Evidence, W. Randall Bassett

Mercer Law Review

In its 2023 term, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit focused heavily on the role and admissibility of expert testimony under Rules 702–704 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. For example, in two opinions, the court considered the role of an expert’s qualifications and experience in supporting the admissibility of the expert’s opinions. In another case, they analyzed the scope of an expert’s ability to opine on an ultimate issue in a criminal case. The court also considered the role of lay witness opinion testimony compared to that of a retained expert and the admissibility of …

Starting With The Text: Textualist Interpretation At The Eleventh Circuit, Stephen J. Greenway Jr.

Mercer Law Review

In the field of statutory interpretation, textualism has emerged as a foundational doctrine, emphasizing the supremacy of the statutory text. Among the courts that have fully embraced textualism in recent years is the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Although the Eleventh Circuit previously favored a purpose-based approach to statutory interpretation, the court’s opinions now broadly align with the common textualist principles advocated by Justice Scalia and Justice Thomas, consistently emphasizing that the starting point in statutory interpretation is the text itself. Through an examination of the Eleventh Circuit’s textualist methodology, this Comment argues that the court’s …

Dakodia Wohdaka: Indigenous Language Revitalization In The Lower Sioux Indian Community, Gavin Zempel

Student Research, Papers, and Creative Works

Many Indigenous languages in the Americas are drastically declining in the number of fluent speakers and use within their own communities. The Bdewakantunwan Dialect of Lower Sioux Indian Community in southwestern Minnesota is one of the afore-mentioned Indigenous languages with the last fluent speaker of Dakota in the community passing years ago. Language is essential for maintaining identity, conducting ceremony, mental health, maintaining Indigenous sovereignty, and much more. Revitalizing the Dakota language in Lower Sioux would facilitate the growth of and maintenance of all of the previously said benefits, along with the advantages of bilingualism. The text explores many different …

Protocols For Enhancing The Role And Value Of Spiritual Care Resources In The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Garrett Harper

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the assessment of innovative practices in police chaplaincy. The purpose of the project intervention is to develop protocols that can guide police chaplains through an assessment process. The intervention relies on practical theology as exemplified through the ministry of chaplaincy. This ministry comprises police chaplains offering spiritual comfort to persons encountering critical incidents involving violence, accident, or other trauma-intensive events and situations. Adoption of innovations can allow police chaplains to be more effective in fulfilling many outward-focused tasks such as delivery of death notifications. I conclude that: (1) police chaplaincy is amenable to use of protocols to …

Yoga And Advaita Vedanta: A Study Comparing The Ontological And Epistemological Foundations Of Two Astika Schools Of Indian Philosophy, Devkamal Dutta

Master's Theses and Capstones

The central aim of this thesis was to examine the ontological and epistemological foundations of two schools of Indian philosophy – the Yoga School and the Advaita Vedanta School, in order to understand their points of convergence as well as divergence. I engaged in this inquiry by studying sutras from one foundational text of each school: Patanjali’s Yogasutras and Adi Shankaracharya’s Atmabodha, and by subjecting the sutras to scrutiny, to understand each school’s ontological and epistemological foundations. To do so, I chose the Triputi Framework, which is an ontological-epistemological framework from a third school of Indian philosophy, the Mimansa School. …

Investigating The Antibacterial Properties Of Capsaicin In Synergy With Antibiotics Against A. Baumannii, Jack Guffey

Undergraduate Theses

As the ever-increasing issue of antibiotic resistance looms, naturally derived compounds have been increasingly investigated as possible synergists with antibiotics. One of these compounds, capsaicin, is a potent vanilloid that is the dominant cause of Capsicum peppers’ spiciness. Capsaicin’s intrinsic ability to inhibit a wide array of bacterial growth has been well documented. The focal organism of this study, Acinetobacter baumannii, has become an increasingly common hospital acquired infection due to its persistence on fomites. Capsaicin, however, is able to inhibit this growth at higher concentrations as well as reduce the necessary minimum inhibitory concentration while decreasing biofilm formation …

The Effect Of Agrivoltaics On Irrigation Water Consumption In Central California, London Camba

Undergraduate Theses

An agricultural system where solar energy generation and agricultural systems are used together for mutual benefit, agrivoltaics reduces loss of water due to evaporation, particularly in drylands. Central California has faced extreme droughts, and water has become a scarce resource. However, the wide-scale use of agrivoltaics has been limited due to lack of knowledge about agrivoltaics and also the lack of funding for start-up agrivoltaics projects. Therefore, this research investigated the potential for agrivoltaics in Central California to reduce irrigation water consumption using a review of multiple crop studies using agrivoltaics to determine an optimal crop for agrivoltaics and a …