Rooted In Purpose: Understanding Volunteer Motivations And Preferences In University Forest Stewardship, Lydia N. Heisel

All Theses

In an era of growing reliance on community support in public lands, this study explores the relationship between volunteer motivations and preferences for engagement in university forest management. The research draws from survey data collected from visitors to the Clemson University Forest (CUF), a 17,500-acre educational and research forest in South Carolina, incorporating the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) to assess six motivational dimensions alongside preferences for volunteer program structures, activity types, communications, and sustained engagement intentions.

Using quantitative segmentation analysis, this study identified five distinct motivational profiles within the CUF visitor population through k-means cluster analysis of approximately 180 forest …

Portrayals Of Miscarriage In Film And Television: A Qualitative Analysis, Geovana Leonetti Saraiva

All Theses

Entertainment media may serve as a primary source through which individuals learn about miscarriage; however, little research has examined how miscarriage is portrayed in film and television. This study addresses this gap by conducting a textual analysis of five films and five television shows using a constructivist grounded theory approach. Guided by the model of stigma communication (MSC), communication privacy management theory (CPM), and social support frameworks, the analysis explores how miscarriage is represented in entertainment media.

Findings indicate that the analyzed content frequently includes stigma-related cues—such as marks, labels, responsibility, and peril—that may contribute to the formation and reinforcement …

Beyond The Interface: Human Perceptions Of Generative-Ai Chatbots As Conversational Partners, Browning W.E. Blair

All Theses

Generative AI (gen-AI) chatbots are becoming embedded in everyday communicative life, yet it remains unclear whether users perceive these systems as socially reciprocative conversational partners. Therefore, this study examines how young adults understand and interact with gen-AI chatbots, focusing on perceptions of conversational partnership, anthropomorphism, politeness, discomfort, and technical understanding. Guided by the CASA framework, Media Equation Theory, and the uncanny valley hypothesis, this study employed four semi-structured, online focus groups with 15 undergraduate students and recent college graduates in the United States. Findings indicate that participants did not broadly perceive gen-AI chatbots as conversational partners in the interpersonal sense. …

The Invisible Toll: Black College Women And The Intersection Of Academic Stress, Rest Deficiency And Exhaustion At Clemson University, Jomya Ford

All Theses

Leisure has been an under-explored aspect of Black women’s lives in higher education, particularly within predominantly white institutions (PWIs), where limited culturally relevant opportunities and racialized isolation shape daily experiences. Constraints around rest, rooted in racism and gendered expectations, continue to influence how Black college women navigate academic pressure, deficiency narratives, and exhaustion. Guided by intersectionality, this qualitative study draws on semi‑structured interviews with Black undergraduate and graduate women at a PWI to explore how cultural upbringing, institutional climates, and internalized expectations shape their definitions and practices of rest. Findings show that while participants recognize rest as necessary, they rarely …

Elizabeth Blackwell And Her Heirs: America And Great Britain’S First Female Physicians, Charleigh E. Sprawls

All Theses

This thesis seeks to explore the varying historical themes surrounding America and Great Britain’s first female physicians. Studying 1849-1894 allows for the exploration of not only the nineteenth century, but also the Gilded Age and Progressive Eras of American History. Professionalization played a crucial role in the lives of these women, as it drastically altered the makeup of the medical career, making it more difficult to enter and become qualified as a licensed physician. There were significant barriers to entering the medical profession for these women, including elements like race, class, and most importantly, gender. This thesis argues that while …

Micro-Solar Kiln Design: A Cost-Effective Approach For Small Landowners To Produce Higher Quality Lumber, Bart Swecker

All Theses

Small-scale and hobby sawmill operators increasingly seek low-cost methods for drying lumber to moisture contents suitable for interior use, yet conventional kiln systems are often impractical due to capital cost, power requirements, and operational complexity. While air drying remains common at small scales, many operators require a controlled finishing step to improve dimensional stability and product value. Solar kilns offer an intermediate solution between air drying and conventional kilns; however, most published designs and performance data focus on systems with capacities far larger than those typically used by small-scale operators. Consequently, limited guidance exists for micro-scale solar kilns, particularly under …

Biology, Ecology And Control Of Eye Gnats In An Open Pine Ecosystem, Leela Hospach

All Theses

Eye gnats of the genus Liohippelates are bothersome flies of the family Chloropidae. They breed in moist, disturbed, sandy soils that contain organic matter, and have been implicated as vectors of conjunctivitis, bovine mastitis, and yaws. We conducted research into some basic biological and ecological characteristics. Using wild-caught gnats in a temperature-controlled incubator, we found that their activity peaks between 27°C and 41°C. Trapping at different heights above the forest floor in an open-pine savannah, we captured most gnats at 7.5 m off the ground. This may have to do with the attractiveness of the rotten egg lures we used, …

A Cultural Landscape Analysis Of Early Twentieth Century Plantation Based Golf Courses In The Charleston Metropolitan Area, Thomas A. Darrah

All Theses

When Belvidere Golf Links was established along the banks of the Cooper River in 1901, golf began to blossom in the Charleston Metropolitan area. The early-twentieth century was an era of growth for golf in the region, which took advantage of former plantation landscapes for the further expansion of leisure activities. This thesis examines how these once agrarian landscapes were transformed into some of Charleston’s finest golf courses. To establish the history of what was lost and altered on each landscape, archival research was done to unearth historic, photographs, maps, and plats. Together these sources were organized to document and …

Understanding The Relationship Between Property Neglect And Subjective Well-Being: How Redevelopment Can Strengthen Community Identity In Anderson, South Carolina, Andrew Karriem

All Theses

Neglected and abandoned properties do more than just harm the physical appearance of urban cities. They contribute to the decline in emotional well-being among the residents that live near them.

Comparative Biomechanics: Blattodea Antennal Morphology And Physiology, Lucas W. Marsh

All Theses

Equipped with muscle-free antennae, many insects can twist and bend their antennae on demand. We hypothesized that hemolymph circulating through the antennae provides pressure that facilitates twisting and bending and provides a feedback control channel for tactile sensing in insects. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a thorough morphological and physiological analysis of antennae in three Clades of Blattodea. We studied morphology by evaluating the distinguishable features of the body and antenna, as well as the internal structure of the antennal lumen. Then, in a series of experiments on live cockroaches, we measured blood pressure along the antenna. This was …

Bayesian Assembly Tool For Intelligent Digital Twin Selection, Shishir Sharma

All Theses

Digital twins can be used for system performance optimization, health monitoring, predictive maintenance, and investigating system anomalies. A ground vehicle digital twin may be assembled using representations of the subsystem models (tires, suspension system, powertrain, etc.) of different fidelity. Lower fidelity Digital Twins have relatively simpler design and physics, hence are generally computationally less expensive, but may not represent the physical system accurately. On the contrary, higher fidelity Digital Twins are generally more precise in their ability to represent the physical system, but due to complexity, are usually computationally more demanding. This thesis describes the application of Bayesian Classification within …

Scrolling For Support: Social Media Use, Health Information Seeking, And Social Support In Individuals With Type 1 Diabetes, Loren Myers

All Theses

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a lifelong chronic illness that is rapidly increasing in prevalence. Continuous treatment is necessary for proper management, but barriers to care can cause some to turn to other sources for health-related information, like social media. Given the limited research on social media use and health information seeking behaviors in people with T1D, this study aims to gain an understanding of how people with T1D use social media, where they get their health information, and how social support is related to social media behaviors among people with T1D. Adult T1D participants completed an online survey that …

Development Of Low-Cost Triaxial Force Sensor For Measurement Of Human-Exoskeleton Interaction Forces, Hamdan Khan Sarvathullah

All Theses

Contemporary research suggests that shear force is a major contributor to discomfort and pressure injury. However, the variation of shear forces during human-exoskeleton interaction dynamics is a highly unexplored field. The high cost of commercial triaxial force sensors may be a major factor in the notable lack of research in this field. Therefore, in this paper, we present a low-cost, 3D-printed triaxial force sensor designed specifically to measure the triaxial interaction forces between an exoskeleton and its user. The triaxial force sensor uses Carbon-Black/Silicone Rubber (CB/SR) strings to measure shear forces, whereas the normal force is measured with a Force …

Anxiety And Intuitive Eating: Examining Dispositional Mindfulness As A Protective Factor, Jordan Signorelli

All Theses

Intuitive eating (IE) is an anti-diet approach focused on listening to internal hunger and fullness cues and is associated with reduced disordered eating patterns and improved dietary intake. However, anxiety negatively impacts IE. Dispositional mindfulness (DM) – one’s innate, present-centered, nonjudgmental awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations – is associated with lower anxiety and greater IE. Yet, whether DM mitigates the negative impact of anxiety on IE remains underexplored. Grounded in the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Framework, this study aimed to: 1) examine the relationship between anxiety and IE, 2) examine the relationship between DM and IE, 3) examine whether …

Personality Meets Possibility: Exploring Cognitive Engagement For Older Adults In A Changing World, Kalvry A. Cooper

All Theses

Engagement in cognitively stimulating activities (CSAs) is critical for maintaining cognitive health in older adults. While existing research has examined the benefits of CSAs, less is known about how factors such as personality traits, education, and technology proficiency influence engagement, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to explore older adults' participation in online versus in-person CSAs during the pandemic and identify key predictors of engagement. Using secondary data from the EFIT and ENACT studies, this research investigates how variables like marital status, education, personality traits, and mobile device proficiency shape older adults' decisions to engage in online or …

Developing Aero-Floating Treatment Wetland (Aeroftw) Scaffolds: A Non-Plastic Alternative To Conventional Plastic-Based Ftws, Ada C. Montoya Gomez

All Theses

This research was conducted to explore the possibility of constructing floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) without using plastic materials. FTWs are floating platforms that hold plants on the water’s surface, letting roots dangle within the water column, to help remove contaminants from contaminated water, especially in stormwater ponds. Many conventional FTWs are made with plastic components, such as mats and plastic cup containers, which can release microplastics into the environment over time. The goal of this project was to design and test a new type of FTW that does not depend on plastics to support FTW flotation. The study took place …

Board Of Trustees Meeting Minutes 2026-05-01, Bowling Green State University

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

The official meeting minutes of Bowling Green State University's Board of Trustees.

Enhancing Ransomware Resilience And Cybersecurity Preparedness In The U.S. Army, Katalina Marie Archiable

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Initial Optical Design And Analysis Of A Multipass Absorption Cell To Measure The Effects Of Collision-Induced Absorption Of Oxygen On High-Power Laser Propagation, Samuel Gannon Arnold

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Detection Of Biological Molecules Using In-Plane Scattering Of Nanoantenna Arrays, David Darch

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

A Methodology For Space-Based Lightning Risk Assessment, Drew Early

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Regional Assessment Of South Texas Wells Produced Water, Hunter T. Barnett

Water Resources Science and Technology Theses and Graduate Research Reports (Archived)

This study presents a regional assessment of produced water (PW) quality from oil and gas wells in South Texas, with a focus on variability and its implications for treatment and reuse. As oil and gas production continues to expand, PW waste streams will continue to grow. With a focus on the Eagle Ford Shale, understanding the chemical composition is critical for effective PW management. A total of 28 PW samples were collected from wells located in Pleasanton, Jourdanton, and Tilden, Texas. Samples were analyzed for key parameters including total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, total hardness, and calcium. The results showed …

Adaptive And Maladaptive Behaviours And Their Cognitive Correlates In Aging Adults With Down Syndrome, Yingying Yang, Sonia Conde, Romal Bhullar

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background Longer life expectancy in Down syndrome (DS) has shifted concern to age-related declines in everyday functioning. Adaptive and maladaptive behaviours are pivotal to quality of life, yet little is known about their patterns in older adults with DS.Method Data from 259 cognitively stable adults (25-72 year) in the Alzheimer's Biomarkers Consortium-DS were analysed. Adaptive behaviour (Vineland-3) and maladaptive behaviour (Reiss Screen) were analysed and then regressed on age, intellectual disability level, and cognitive tests.Results Higher age and greater disability predicted poorer adaptive functioning, but effects waned after cognition was included. General cognition, cued-recall memory, and inhibitory control independently predicted …

Cognition In Multiple Sclerosis Within The Modern Diagnostic And Treatment Era, James F. Sumowski, Sarah Levy, Ilana Katz Sand, Rachel Brandstadter, Emily Dvorak, Jordyn Anderson, Michelle T. Fabian, Robin A. Graney, Fred D. Lublin, Aaron E. Miller, Joshua Sandry

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Slowed information processing speed has long been considered the principal cognitive deficit in multiple sclerosis, with slowed cognitive speed presumed responsible for downstream deficits in other functions, including memory. This speed-centric model was established over three decades ago before disease-modifying therapies were available, and contrasts with our current clinical experience, but nonetheless remains dominant and unquestioned. We re-evaluated this model among current patients with multiple sclerosis diagnosed and cared for within the modern diagnostic and treatment era (2001-25).Within a case-control cohort, persons with early relapsing-remitting disease (<= 5.0 years since diagnosis, n = 170) performed worse than neurologically-healthy controls (n = 45) on memory but not cognitive speed, and cognitive speed among patients remained normal and stable over the next 6 years despite subtle memory decline. Relative to four historical studies of early relapsing-remitting disease (diagnosed using older criteria), effect sizes for case-control differences in our cohort were much lower for cognitive speed, but comparable for memory.An independent clinical cohort of 1004 consecutive patients aged 18-65 years with relapse-onset multiple sclerosis completed standard-of-care cognitive screenings between 2018 and 2025. We captured data from three independent periods. During the first period (n = 642), rates of poor performance (<= 7.5th percentile) did not differ from normative expectations for cognitive speed (8.4%) or attention (9.0%), but were nonetheless elevated for verbal memory (23.8%) and visuospatial memory (14.8%). Patients during the second (n = 123) and third (n = 239) periods demonstrated memory deficits despite normal cognitive speed on co-normed tasks. Objective cognitive speed among current patients was remarkably similar to healthy normative expectations [z-score: mean (standard deviation), 0.03 (1.14); median (interquartile range), 0.00 (-0.67, 0.67)], and was much better than across several historical comparisons from 20-25 years ago. Self-reported cognitive deficits within the total clinical cohort versus control respondents indicated worst disease-related difficulties in expressive language (e.g. word-finding), followed by working memory and episodic memory, with a small difference in executive/speed that was fully explained by mood in relapsing-remitting disease. Current patient-reported attention/executive deficits were lower than 35 years ago, despite comparable memory difficulties. As an exception, attention/executive and cognitive speed deficits were observed in secondary-progressive disease.The speed-centric model of cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis is inaccurate within the modern diagnostic and treatment era. Memory deficits remain prevalent, and we highlight working memory maintenance as an important target for further investigation. The field requires testable models of memory dysfunction informed by contemporary cognitive neuroscience, with the goal of developing heretofore elusive treatments for memory deficits. Sumowski et al. show that, in contrast to historical cohorts, contemporary patients with MS more often exhibit memory and word-finding difficulties than cognitive slowing. Because cognitive speed now appears largely preserved, the speed-centric model of cognitive dysfunction in MS may no longer reflect current disease patterns.

From Invisible Injury To Measurable Impact: Exploring Associations Between Peripheral Biomarkers Of Neuroinflammation And Mental Health Outcomes After Mtbi, Lauren Leggett Smith

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), often referred to as a “silent epidemic,” accounts for the majority of traumatic brain injuries worldwide and is increasingly linked to persistent psychiatric outcomes. Despite its prevalence, mTBI remains understudied due to diagnostic challenges, underreporting, and misperceptions of its clinical significance. The present study examined whether peripheral biomarkers of neuroinflammation and astroglial injury—tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)— mediate associations between mTBI history and psychiatric symptom severity, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants were 138 traumaexposed adults recruited from an urban university and surrounding community, with …

Moodify: A Mood-Based Music Recommendation System, Meghana Kagitha

Theses and Dissertations

Music has long been recognised as a powerful tool for emotional regulation, yet existing music streaming platforms often fail to align song recommendations with a user's current emotional state. Moodify is a mood-based music recommendation system designed to bridge this gap by delivering personalised playlists that reflect how a user feels in real time.

This project presents the design, development, and evaluation of Moodify, a mobile application that leverages the Circumplex Model of Emotion to capture user mood through an intuitive two-dimensional valence-arousal interface. Rather than relying on text input or manual search, users plot their emotional state directly onto …

Low-Vision Students’ Experiences With And Suggestions To Improve Desktop Virtual Reality: A Qualitative Study, Tanveer Mansur Syed

Theses and Dissertations

Visually impaired students have faced challenges in the field of education, particularly in science education. Not surprisingly, the unemployment rate for working-age visually impaired people has been above 70%. This persists despite federal laws to support the education and employment of visually impaired people,

Virtual Reality (VR) technology has evolved for several decades. Its use has proliferated in areas that include education. Today, VR science lab simulations are presented as a cost-effective alternative to traditional science labs. Research shows these to be viable substitutes to traditional science labs without a significant drop in learning outcomes. However, this researcher was unable …

An Experimental Study On Turbine-Based Energy Harvesters For Thermal Underwater Gliders, Stephen Edward Coster

Theses and Dissertations

Buoyancy-driven underwater gliders have been optimized for long-duration missions primarily for continual monitoring of the ocean’s water column. However, longer missions and higher-powered sensors have increased the energy requirements of gliders. While current solutions aim to increase battery capacity, the development of energy-harvesting systems (EHMs) could greatly improve mission capabilities in both ability and duration. This thesis discusses the experimental testing of an underwater glider with an EHM as detailed in the theoretical study, “Development of a Turbine-Based Ocean Thermal Energy Harvesting Mechanism Applied to the Underwater Glider” by Hongbo Hou, PhD. The rear-mounted turbine captures energy using the kinetic …

Employee Perspectives Of Addiction: Effects On Workplace Dynamics, Alex Silverman

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how employees perceive and respond to coworkers experiencing substance use disorders (SUDs) and behavioral addictions in workplace settings. Integrating attribution theory, stigma frameworks, and Quality of Work Life (QWL) perspectives, a controlled vignette-based design was administered to 130 employed adults who evaluated hypothetical coworkers across addiction conditions. Multilevel modeling revealed that SUDs were perceived as more severe than behavioral addictions, and higher perceived addiction severity was associated with greater stigmatizing attitudes. Stigmatizing attitudes, in turn, were differentially associated with workplace behavioral responses: stigma was strongly associated with increased distancing and reporting behaviors but was not significantly associated …

Manned Exploration Of Satellites Of The Outer Planets: An Analysis Of Current Technologies And A Discussion Of Advancements Required, Joshua Carson Meador

Theses and Dissertations

The Solar System’s outer planets have many satellites, some of which are known to be the most likely places to find extraterrestrial life in our celestial backyard. Multiple scientific missions have been sent to glean information from these satellites, yet the possibility of a manned expedition has long been exclusive to science fiction stories. This paper intends to collect and analyze the current state of space travel technology to explore the feasibility of such a mission with modern technology and to discuss which future advancements should be the focal point for making such missions a reality. To begin, data on …