Digital Commons Network^™

Comprehensive Analytical Approaches To Biophysical And Hard Matter Systems, Carlos Munoz

Theses and Dissertations

In this work we define the methods and experimental techniques that are used in the synthesis, characterization, and development of biophysical and hard matter systems. These efforts encompass six principal areas: Comprehensive characterization of pathogenic bacteria, development of novel chemical methods for probing binding affinities in cellular systems, understanding the electronic properties of silicon/silicon dioxide interfaces, characterization of catalytic perovskite oxide materials, and lastly, heteroepitaxial growth of vanadium nitride thin films on the silicon nitride surface.The Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi) causes an infection with diverse clinical outcomes, which can include arthritis as well as cardiac and neurological …

Student Affairs Staff Retention In Illinois Community Colleges: A Descriptive Case Study, Autumn Scott

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored the experiences of student affairs professionals at community colleges to gain insight into the problem of staff retention, especially as it exists at community colleges, a sector that is under-researched in the literature on student affairs staff turnover. As open access institutions, community colleges must engage diverse student populations in a dynamic environment. Retaining quality student affairs staff is an important strategy to support student success and meet community college missions. As part of a bounded case study approach, two Illinois community colleges served as research sites. Data collection consisted of participant interviews, participant demographic …

Techno-Economic Analysis And Density Functional Theory Modeling Of Hydrogen Fuel Cells With Platinum-Based Catalysts For Effective Deployment In Long-Range Electric Vehicles, Thomas Cheekwang Yap

Theses and Dissertations

The transition to sustainable transportation is constrained by carbon emissions and fossil fuel dependence. Hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs), particularly those utilizing platinum-based catalysts, offer high efficiency and suitability for long-range electric vehicles (EVs). However, the high cost and durability limitations of platinum catalysts remain major barriers to large-scale deployment.

This study integrates techno-economic analysis (TEA) with density functional theory (DFT) modeling to evaluate cost–performance trade-offs of platinum-based catalysts for long-range hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. DFT simulations were conducted to assess platinum alloy compositions and oxygen reduction reaction activity. These performance metrics were incorporated into a MATLAB-based TEA framework to quantify …

High-Penetrance Rare Variants Underlying Familial Lung Cancer Risk: Insights From Genetic Epidemiology Of Lung Cancer Consortium, Yanhong Liu, Yafang Li, Jinyoung Byun, Vikram R Shaw, Claudio Pikielny, Bo Peng, Chao Cheng, Spiridon Tsavachidis, Xiangjun Xiao, Dakai Zhu, Younghun Han, Ivan P Gorlov, Olga Y Gorlova, Michael Cole, Colette R Gaba, Erin L Crawford, Kristen Purrington, Ellen L Goode, Ping Yang, James Mckay, John K Field, Geoffrey Liu, Rayjean J Hung, Jun Xia, Jiyeon Choi, Matthew B Schabath, Jaclyn Lopiccolo, David C Christiani, Joan Bailey-Wilson, Ann G Schwartz, James C Willey, Diptasri Mandal, Susan M Pinney, Christopher I Amos

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Rare, deleterious germline variants are key contributors to inherited lung cancer (LC) risk. The Genetic Epidemiology of LC Consortium (GELCC) has curated valuable high-risk LC families and is uniquely positioned to uncover rare, high-penetrance variants underlying familial LC (FLC).

Methods: We performed whole-genome and exome sequencing on germline DNA from 120 high-risk LC families (177 FLC cases, 309 unaffected relatives). We prioritized rare (allele frequency < 1% in the genome aggregation database), potentially deleterious variants present in two or more FLC cases. These variants were then validated in 10,085 sporadic LC (SLC) cases and 612,970 controls.

Results: We identified 118 candidate variants, 28 of which were validated in SLC with strong statistical support. We discovered a novel pathogenic axis of three truncating variants in GALNT6, MUC4, and ERBB3 genes, which …

Racial, Ethnic, And Neighborhood Disparities In Acute Kidney Injury In Pediatric Acute Leukemia, Wendy C Bravo, Yimei Li, Tamara P Miller, Kelly Getz, Lusha Cao, Edward Krause, Mark Ramos, Judy Lee, Maria Monica Gramatges, Karen R Rabin, Michael Scheurer, Richard Aplenc, Michelle Denburg

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: We sought to identify racial/ethnic and neighborhood disparities in acute kidney injury (AKI) in children with acute lymphoblastic or myeloid leukemia (ALL, AML).

Methods: Electronic health record data were retrospectively collected from patients treated for de novo pediatric ALL or AML in the multicenter Leukemia Electronic Abstraction of Records Network. AKI was defined by modified Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Neighborhood-level resources were defined by the Child Opportunity Level (COL). Prevalence ratios (PRs) for AKI at diagnosis by race/ethnicity and COL were calculated using modified Poisson regression. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) of first …

Interplay Between Genetic Ancestry, Self-Reported Race And Ethnicity, And Clinical Factors In Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Redial Consortium Report, Pragati Kore, Jennifer M Geris, Maria Leon-Camarena, Maria I Castellanos, Olga A Taylor, Veronica Garcia-Morales, Austin L Brown, Pagna Sok, Jeremy M Schraw, Van Huynh, Kathleen F Ludwig, Laura J Klesse, Sandi L Pruitt, Amy E Hughes, Kevin Tien, Kenneth M Heym, Timothy Griffin, Rodrigo Erana, Juan Carlos Bernini, Maria M Gramatges, Elizabeth G Atkinson, Philip J Lupo, Michael E Scheurer, Karen R Rabin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children, and its incidence and outcomes vary by race and ethnicity.

Methods: The Reducing Ethnic Disparities in Acute Leukemia (REDIAL) Consortium has assembled a cohort of patients < 25 years at diagnosis to examine genetic and neighborhood-level factors influencing ALL. As the cohort is ongoing, for this report, we examined sociodemographic and cytogenetic factors that might be associated with ALL outcome disparities.

Results: Among 2,512 patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2020, we observed distinct patterns of genetic ancestry and residential characteristics across self-reported race and ethnicity. Latino children, who comprised 55.3% of the cohort, had a mean Amerindigenous ancestry proportion of 50.9%, whereas non-Latino White children exhibited a predominantly European ancestry (mean = 78%). Neighborhood-level analysis revealed significant socioeconomic and geographic differences by …

A Smoking-Related Plasma Protein Score And Smoking-Related Cancer Risk And Mortality In The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study, Meng Ru, Christopher Douville, Aghiles Guenoun, Hana Zahed, Christie M Ballantyne, Kenneth R Butler, Josef Coresh, David J Couper, Panagis Galiatsatos, Marc J Gunter, Ron C Hoogeveen, Mattias Johansson, Corinne E Joshu, P Martijn Kolijn, Christina M Lill, Jiayun Lu, Michael T Marrone, Giovanna Masala, David C Muller, Anna E Prizment, Raul Zamora-Ros, Nilanjan Chatterjee, Adrienne Tin, Elizabeth A Platz

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Self-reported smoking may not fully capture individualized risk of smoking-related cancer, but circulating proteins may reflect biological consequences of smoking. Thus, we developed a score based on smoking-related proteins and evaluated its association with smoking-related cancer.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 10 563 participants aged 47-70 years in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Plasma proteins were measured using the SomaScan Platform (SomaLogic Operating Co, Inc). The score was constructed from proteins associated with current smoking, pack-years, or recent quitting identified by linear regression and elastic net regression. Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios and …

Plasma Metabolites After 10-Weeks Of Glucose Vs Fructose-Sweetened Beverages In Subjects With Overweight/Obesity, Mélanie Guirette, Danielle E Haslam, Jiantao Ma, Peter J Havel, Kimber L Stanhope, Olga Ilkayeva, Christopher B Newgard, Nicola M Mckeown, Mark A Herman

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

To identify metabolites as potential biomarkers of fructose vs glucose consumption and related metabolic changes, we conducted exploratory metabolomic profiling of fasting blood samples from participants in a double-blind, parallel-arm trial involving 31 male and female adults with overweight or obesity, both before and after supplementation with glucose- or fructose-sweetened beverages. Orthogonal Partial Least Square Discriminatory Analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to identify metabolites that could discriminate between the 2 intervention groups. Changes in 16 metabolites (5 of which are branched-chain amino acid catabolic pathway metabolites) and the branched chain keto acid (BCKA) composite score showed nominal (FDR adjusted P-value …

Single-Nuclei Transcriptomic Profiling Of Human Myocardium In Long-Chain 3-Hydroxyacyl-Coenzyme A Dehydrogenase Deficiency, Hanna J Tadros, Diwakar Turaga, Yi Zhao, Chang-Ru Tsai, Lalita Wadhwa, Debra L Kearney, Iki Adachi, Xiao Li, James F Martin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Traditional Machismo On Mental Health Outcomes: Depression And Suicide Risk Among Latino Immigrant And Non-Immigrant Men, Yesenia A, Romero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traditional masculine norms have long been recognized as influential factors in men’s psychological well-being. Within Latino cultures, the construct of machismo represents a culturally specific form of masculinity characterized by ideals of masculinity and characterized by ideals of strength, dominance, and emotional restraint. While these norms may promote resilience and family responsibilities, rigid adherence to traditional machismo has also been associated with emotional suppression, reduced help-seeking behaviors, and increased psychological distress. The present study conducted a meta-analysis to examine the relationship between traditional machismo and mental health outcomes among Latino men, with particular attention to depressive symptoms as well as …

"Am I A Man Or A Muppet": A Rhetorical Analysis Of Generative Ai’S Representation Of Gender, Jessica Boaz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how generative artificial intelligence constructs and performs gender roles through a rhetorical analysis of the fully AI-generated podcast Fairytale Forensics. Drawing on theories of constitutive rhetoric, stereotyping, and McLuhan’s approach to the medium, this thesis investigates how AI-generated hosts interpret classic fairy tales while simultaneously reproducing and negotiating gender norms through the lens of prosopopoeia, metonymy and synecdoche. These performances rely on normative gender stereotypes that align with broader societal expectations, thereby potentially reinforcing existing cultural assumptions about masculinity and femininity. Ultimately, it demonstrates that AI-generated discourse does not merely reflect human biases but actively participates in …

Reading The Wisdom Of Psalm 37 Through The Lens Of Metaphor And Lament, Hannah N. Johanson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis proposes that reading Ps 37 through the lens of both metaphor and lament can reshape the way the reader understands the reality of evil, fostering hope and agency. While Ps 37 is often classified as a wisdom psalm, this thesis diverges from the interpretation that this psalm is a list of proverbs. Instead, this thesis attempts to show that Ps 37 forms a metaphorical landscape where evil withers, vanishes, and is cut off while goodness thrives and is secured forever. This thesis also places this psalm in dialogue with two poems that engage Ps 37 from a post-Shoah …

The New Wild West: A Case Study Analysis Of The Communication Methods Surrounding Ai Infrastructure In West Texas, Thomas Sorensen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the past several years, artificial intelligence has taken the world by storm. It has enabled numerous innovations across all sectors, and its usage continues to grow daily. This increase in demand for AI products has led to the development of AI data centers nationwide. Fueled by competition between the public and private sectors, many projects are underway. This study focuses on one such project in West Texas: the Stargate Data Center. This project is being constructed near Abilene, Texas, and has had an instrumental impact on the daily lives of its citizens. This research project seeks to answer the …

A Qualitative Study On Exploring The Underrepresentation Of Women Of Color In Fortune 500 Executive Leadership, Cherrese J. Belt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this study the researcher examined the persistent underrepresentation of women of color in senior leadership roles within Fortune 500 companies. Despite the increasing number of highly qualified women of color, access to executive-level leadership opportunities remains disproportionately limited. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the barriers experienced by women of color in advancing to senior leadership positions and to identify strategies used to navigate these barriers. The researcher collected data through semistructured interviews with 10 women of color in management and senior leadership roles, each with over 15 years of professional experience in the United …

Plasma Proteins Associated With Psychosocial Factors And Heart Disease: The Jackson Heart Study, Sara N O'Brien, Madeline G Gillman, Michael D Green, Daniel E Cruz, James S Floyd, Susan Hankinson, Daniel H Katz, Xiaojuan Liu, Michelle C Odden, Bruce M Psaty, Alexander P Reiner, Jerome I Rotter, Stephen S Rich, Robert E Gerszten, Amil Shah, Mario Sims, Usman A Tahir, Lesley F Tinker, Alexis C Wood, Bing Yu, Anthony S Zannas, Laura M Raffield, Láshauntá M Glover

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Knowledge of proteomic mechanisms explaining the link between psychosocial stress and cardiovascular disease is limited. This study aimed to (1) identify plasma proteins associated with psychosocial factors and (2) assess associational pathways between psychosocial factors, identified proteins, and incident cardiovascular disease events in a discovery cohort, JHS (Jackson Heart Study), and 2 replication cohorts, the CHS (Cardiovascular Health Study), and the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).

Methods: JHS participants from exam 1 (2000-2004) with SomaScan 1.3k platform proteomics data were included (n=2143, mean age=55.3). Depressive symptoms and perceived stress scores were measured via the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies …

Cold Climate Urban Riverfront Development: Using People-First Design To Connect Fargo's Downtown To The River, Jade Biewer

Architecture Theses

This thesis examines the intersection of urban design, riverfront development, and cold climate design to establish a framework for a mixed-use riverfront project in Fargo’s Downtown. By synthesizing theories on public space revitalization, key considerations in waterfront development and research on climatic responses for cold weather cities, this research identifies key principles to support year-round urban life along the riverfront. By using downtown Fargo and the Red River as a reference this research synthesizes knowledge on these subjects in order to work towards creating a design proposal for an urban riverfront development prioritizing outdoor space, year-round use, resiliency, and a …

Increasing Food Resource Awareness Among College Students In Monterey County, Lesley Martinez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Food insecurity is a growing concern in Monterey County, particularly impacting underserved communities, including college students. This capstone project aims to address the need for food resource awareness among college students at Hartnell College, while providing a nutritional cultural tailored plant-based meal. College students have an overwhelming amount of pressure balancing school work and their own personal lives. Outside barriers, such as food insecurity, have an adverse influence on their well-being, which can impact their academic performance in their studies. El Mercado is a basic needs resource center located at Hartnell College, supporting students with free basic need supplies located …

Integrating Organizational Theory In Student Employee Development Across Dispersed Workplaces, Anica C. Chesnut

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

Managing and developing staff at university residential desks presents unique challenges. One challenge is the complexity of supervising student employees while allowing them the opportunity to grow as well. Another challenge is the dispersed nature of residential desks across a university campus. Satellite desks present a difficulty to maintain community, a positive work culture, continuity of expectations, and procedures. Several organizational theory frameworks can be directly applied to the organization in order to reduce challenges. This capstone paper utilizes literature review and examination of current practices, to provide context of current inefficiencies while also critically analyzing pain points within the …

Christian-Based Community Engagement And Loneliness Among College Students, Ayodeji Fayemi

Master's Theses & Other Graduate Student Works

Loneliness among college students is a growing public health concern with significant implications for mental and physical well-being. Despite living in highly connected environments, many students report profound feelings of loneliness, which can exacerbate mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. Loneliness also influences cognitive and social processes and has been linked to physical health risks, highlighting the need for effective interventions. This study examined whether Christian-based community engagement served as a protective factor against loneliness among college students. Grounded in Social Support Theory, the study assessed associations among loneliness, general social support, church-based support, religious coping, institutional integration, …

Efficacy Of Implicit Bias Training Within The Hazel Park Police Department, Luke Londo

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

Among the many desired outcomes for uniformed police officers who undergo implicit bias training is a reduction in the level of discriminatory conduct related to such biases. Current research on the subject offers mixed results, and nearly all existing studies do not provide an empirical measurement of efficacy or other outcomes beyond officer sentiment. This case study examines and measures the impact of implicit bias trainings, which is a requirement for officers within the Hazel Park Police Department in Michigan, prior and subsequent to certification by using raw and sustained complaints of discriminatory conduct allegedly perpetrated by Hazel Park police …

Improving And Maintaining Public Trust In Law Enforcement: A Qualitative Case Study Of The Northville Township Police Department, Christopher Bachand

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

Public trust is a key component of effective law enforcement. While historically cyclical, trust in American law enforcement agencies has trended downward in recent years following several high-profile use of force incidents. In response, many agencies have begun incorporating new theories and models into their policies and procedures aimed at increasing public trust. This capstone paper draws upon the relevant literature surrounding these theories and conducts a qualitative case study of the Northville Township Police Department. This agency consistently achieved above-average levels of confidence from its community members by incorporating these theories using a hybrid-synthesis policy implementation approach. This paper …

Public Safety Policy In Michigan’S Rural Upper Peninsula: Collective Efficacy, Youth Engagement, And Prevention, Christopher J. Reynolds

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

Rural communities in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula face unique public safety concerns due to resource limitations and geographic isolation. Small townships and cities lack sufficient funding and personnel to respond effectively to emergencies across large land areas. By building stronger families and communities, rural areas can prevent public safety concerns through preventative strategies, rather than reactive strategies that focus on incarceration. Through strengthening social networks and providing programs for youth to build leadership skills and good character, public safety will become a part of daily life in rural areas and not just a reaction to negative situations.

Body Worn Cameras For The Madison Police Department, Caleb Wright

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

Body-worn cameras for law enforcement officers can ensure accountability of the officers and transparency to the public. Though body-worn cameras have become increasingly popular in police departments, some departments do not use them. The Madison Police Department is one of these departments. Body-worn cameras have been implemented with policy models in many surrounding departments in Wisconsin and have proved to hold officers accountable and ensure transparency during complaints and cases. Leveraging literature on integrated policy approach and policy implementation, this capstone paper summarizes the needs and benefits of body-worn cameras for the MPD. This paper contributes to broader debates on …

Regional Economic Impacts And Emission Responses Under Solar Radiation Modification, Jenny Bjordal, Evelien Van Dijk, Henri Cornec, Anthony A. Smith Jr, Trude Storelvmo

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) has been proposed as a potential tool to limit increases in global or regional temperatures caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. While previous research has extensively examined the climate system’s response to various SRM strategies, as well as their aggregate economic consequences, the regional distribution of economic impacts has received less attention. In this study, we use NorESM2–DIAM—an Earth System Model coupled to a high-resolution integrated assessment model—to assess the economic impacts, measured in GDP per capita, in an idealised SRM scenario where incoming solar radiation is reduced by 1%. Our results suggest that, relative to …

Invoking The Senior Partner, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

For faculty who hold religious faith, the relationship between scholarly work and divine communion is not a private afterthought but a potential cognitive and motivational resource of the first order. This article draws on ten converging theoretical frameworks in organizational psychology, positive psychology, and learning science to argue that actively seeking divine guidance through prayer — treating Heavenly Father as a Senior Partner in the research enterprise — is not a retreat from rigorous scholarship but an extension of it. We examine how practices of spiritual seeking interact with flow states, resilience, intellectual humility, and prospective thinking to produce measurable …

Effects Of Embedding Psychoeducational Group Counseling In A Stem Summer Internship Experience, Nina Goodey, Matthew Murray, Michael Hannon, Amy Tuininga, Lora Billings, Brian Johnson

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

From Consejos To College: A Dual-Perspective Study Of Latino/A Parental Involvement In Elementary Education, Maritza Valencia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Latino/a students represent one of the fastest-growing populations in U.S. schools, yet significant disparities in academic attainment persist. While parental involvement is widely recognized as a critical factor in student success, the literature has disproportionately focused on secondary and postsecondary contexts, leaving the elementary years, when foundational habits, skills, and aspirations are formed, unexplored. Furthermore, existing research frequently frames Latino/a parental involvement through deficit lenses that highlight barriers such as language limitations and socioeconomic constraints, rather than focusing on the cultural strengths and strategies families employ.

This qualitative study addresses this gap by examining how Latino/a parental involvement during elementary …

Nasty, Mya L. Correa

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

I am exploring artwork about women’s power and sexuality, centering on hair. I’m interested in how hair carries history and how it has been used to control and frighten women. I’ve been reading feminist artists’ books and researching their findings alongside my own work. Drawing on my personal history, my mother’s story, and the experience of raising my daughters, I consider how my children’s lives differ from mine and my mother’s, and what those differences reveal.

Hair has long been wielded as a weapon to enforce expectations on women’s bodies by a society afraid of losing control. As creators of …

Evaluating Social Work Intervention Effectiveness Among Veterans Seeking Ptsd Treatment, Ashlyn Gaines

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This proposed study will examine how social work interventions are associated with PTSD symptom severity and treatment engagement among veterans. Veterans frequently experience ongoing psychological distress, and inconsistent engagement in treatment remains a significant concern for social work practice. Understanding whether specific social work interventions are linked to reduced PTSD symptoms and improved treatment participation will contribute to strengthening evidence-informed services. A quantitative, descriptive, and correlational proposed research design will be used to survey veterans regarding their treatment experiences and symptom levels. Data would be analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate tests, and multiple regression analyses to determine relationships between interventions …

Task-Dependent Modulation Of The N170 Erp Component In Facial Perception, Mary M. Krdikashyan

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The N170 component plays a key role in face perception, but how attention influences it remains debated. In a series of five electroencephalography (EEG) experiments, we examined how attention to different facial features (holistic versus feature-based) affects the N170 amplitude. This study aims to determine whether perceptual competition explains these effects. In a preliminary study (Experiment 1), participants were primed to focus on either gender, age, emotional expression, race, or no specific task. This study showed a larger amplitude for gender and age, followed by emotion, with minimal differences for race, and no task was assigned. Since all these conditions …