Digital Commons Network^™

Gender Representation Of Composers In Recommended Wind Band Literature And Prominent Performances, Devon Alexis Gray Porter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to evaluate gender representation in recommended literature in wind band repertoire and prominent performances. I collected data from music lists approved by the National Band Association (NBA) state chapters, programs from the Midwest Clinic and College Band Directors National Association, music vendor catalogues, the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series, and Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA) Music Performance Assessment (MPA) past performances. I evaluated names of composers to determine the male-female ratios and quantities for recommended works from these sources. I conducted further analysis to determine if trends existed in the relationships between composer …

Leveraging Chorionic Villus Biopsies For The Derivation Of Patient-Specific Trophoblast Stem Cells., Kaela Varberg, Ayelen Moreno-Irusta, Allynson Novoa, Brynne Musser, Joseph M. Varberg, Jeremy P. Goering, Irfan Saadi, Khursheed Iqbal, Hiroaki Okae, Takahiro Arima, John Williams, Margareta D. Pisarska, Michael J. Soares

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Human trophoblast stem (TS) cells are informative in vitro models for the generation and testing of biologically meaningful hypotheses. The goal of this project was to derive patient-specific TS cell lines from clinically available chorionic villus biopsies. Cell outgrowths were captured from human chorionic villus tissue specimens cultured in modified human TS cell medium. Cell colonies emerged early during the culture and cell lines were established and passaged for several generations. Karyotypes of the newly established chorionic villus-derived trophoblast stem (TS^CV) cell lines were determined and compared to initial genetic diagnoses from freshly isolated chorionic villi. Phenotypes of …

The Association Between Sexually Transmitted Infections And Pregnancy Outcomes In The Northern Territory, Australia: A Population-Based Cohort Study, Jennifer Dunne, Gizachew A. Tessema, Matthew Legge, Sylvester Dodzi Nyadanu, Aditi Roy, Amanuel T. Gebremedhin, Jacqueline Hendriks, Tricia Reid-Moore, Gavin Pereira

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Often asymptomatic in nature, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are highly prevalent in women of reproductive ages, leading to adverse perinatal outcomes. This study investigated the association between STIs during pregnancy and the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes using comprehensive population-linked data from the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Methods: This population-based retrospective cohort study examined births (live births and stillbirths) from the NT Perinatal Data Collection and the NT Notifiable Diseases register from 2005 to 2020. All singleton births (N = 59,465) were included, along with infectious disease notifications of four STIs that occurred during pregnancy: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and …

The Challenges Of Using Ultrasound To Measure The Trachea: A Brief Report, Helen Newman, Jodi Allen, Madan Narayanan, Nchafatso Obonyo, Nur Syahrunnizar, Karen Hammet, David Parry, Sarah Wallace, Anna-Liisa Sutt, Joseph Osterwalder, Daniel Martin

Peninsula Medical School

BACKGROUND: Tracheostomy is a common procedure in intensive care medicine, involving the insertion of an artificial airway through the front of the neck into the trachea. The size of tracheostomy tube in relation to the trachea is important, influencing clinical outcomes and patient experience. Ultrasound is readily available at the bedside and airway applications have been reported, including airway measurement. However, the presence of air within airway lumina presents challenges to ultrasound and causes artefact. Guidance is lacking on tracheal sonography and measurement.

AIM: to characterize the sonoanatomy of the inner tracheal wall and determine reference points for measuring tracheal …

Pollination And Essential Oil Production Of Lavandula Angustifolia Mill. (Lamiaceae), Riley B. Jackson, Tyler M. Wilson, Joseph S. Wilson, Zabrina Ruggles, Lindsey Topham Wilson, Chris Packer, Jacob G. Young, Christopher R. Bowerbank, Richard E. Carlson

Biology Faculty Publications

Lavandula angustifolia Mill., lavender, is an aromatic plant in the Lamiaceae family. Lavender, which is native to the Mediterranean region but cultivated throughout the world, is an important economic plant. Several studies have investigated two aspects of this aromatic plant: (1) which pollinators, particularly bees, pollinate lavender, and (2) the composition of lavender essential oil. However, little research has been conducted to investigate how pollination affects either the yield or phytochemistry of lavender. The current study, which was conducted in North America, investigates which bee species visit lavender and how pollination affects plant chemistry, specifically the essential oil produced by …

Volume 34, Number 2, Summer/Fall 2025, Office Of Communications, Illinois Wesleyan University

Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine, 2018-present

VOLUME 34 | NUMBER 2 | Summer/Fall 2025

ON OUR COVER:

The Illinois Wesleyan University archives, housed on the fourth floor of The Ames Library, holds many artifacts of IWU history, including the original university charter and a gold medal awarded to John Marden, clas of 1909, for his breakthrough work in atomic science and engineering.

18 175 Years of Illinois Wesleyan University. Celebrate IWU's history with a timeline of the last 175 years of our community's milestones.

26 Alumni Award Winners. Meet our Award Winners John Camardella '03, Natalie Lalagos '12, and Carol Willis '68.

Carbohydrate Metabolism In The Intercaruncular Endometrium Is Affected By Form Of Supplemental Selenium At Maternal Recognition Of Pregnancy In Beef Heifers, Sarah N. Carr, Benjamin R. Crites, Kwangwon Son, Phillip J. Bridges

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Selenium (Se)-deficient soils result in Se-deficient forages that do not meet the nutritional requirement for this trace mineral in grazing cattle. Supplementation of Se conventionally occurs through a basal vitamin/mineral mix containing Se in an inorganic form (ISe), although organic Se (OSe) is available when cattle graze on forage. We previously reported that the provision of supplemental Se as a 1:1 mixture of ISe:OSe (MIX), in contrast to the industry standard of ISe alone, increases early luteal phase concentrations of systemic progesterone (P4) and increases the length of the conceptus at day 17 of pregnancy. The objectives herein were to …

Investigating The Role Of Metallothioneins In Fungal Iron Homeostasis, David Eap

Theses and Dissertations

The pathogenic fungi Aspergillus fumigatus requires metals to survive and infect humans, but metal overload can be detrimental. Metallothioneins (MTs) are small, cysteine-rich proteins that alleviate metal toxicity by binding excess metals (typically Zn or Cu) for storage or delivery. A recent report indicates that the Fe-S cluster binding glutaredoxin GrxD and the putative Cu-MT CmtA were interacting under high iron conditions in A. fumigatus. We hypothesize that this MT may have a role in binding iron or Fe-S clusters under iron overload conditions to prevent iron toxicity. We also aim to characterize this new MT by determining its …

The Moderating Effects Of Religious Support And Family Support Between Racial Discrimination And Psychological Health Outcomes Among Black Adolescents, Tiera Cleveland

Theses and Dissertations

Racial discrimination is a common experience for Black adolescents. This study aimed to examine family support and religious support as a moderating variable between discrimination and mental health among Black adolescents. This study utilized data from an existing data set, the National Survey of American Life-Adolescent (NSAL-A). The NSAL-A included 1170 adolescents: 810 African American¹ and 360 Black Caribbean². The sample contained an equal amount of female (n = 608) and male (n = 562) Black adolescents³, who range in age from 13 to 17 years. Significant findings suggest that family support moderates the impact …

Quinone-Mediated Extracellular Electron Transfer In Escherichia Coli During Glucose Oxidation Metabolism, Megan Danielle Whisonant

Theses and Dissertations

The growing global demand for energy, ongoing reliance on fossil fuels, and increasing water pollution from industrial and anthropogenic sources present significant environmental challenges. In response to these issues, renewable and sustainable energy sources offer substantial potential for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and ensuring access to clean water. Microbial electrochemical systems (MESs) have emerged as promising, eco-friendly solutions for energy-efficient wastewater treatment and bioremediation. A key challenge in MESs development is facilitating effective electron transfer between microorganisms and electrode surfaces. The first chapter of this thesis discusses the fundamentals of MES types, explains mechanisms of extracellular electron transfer, and …

The Potential Importance Of Microenvironment On Polymer Bound Chemical Reagents, Nathan Joseph Halsteter

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis will provide a brief history of polymer bound reagents, their uses, and advancements. The importance of polymer microenvironments will be explored using a model kinetic resolution reaction utilizing polymer bound reagents to observe how changes in a polymer’s microenvironment effects the yield and selectivity of a reaction. It was found that there are copious factors that affect polymer bound reagents, and no direct conclusion could be drawn from the study.

Impact Of Participation In Extracurricular Activities On Female Students’ Motivation, Noha Ibrahim

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the impact of extracurricular activities (ECAs) on academic motivation among female high school students at a semi-governmental international school in the UAE. It addressed three research questions: (1) the effect of ECA participation on academic motivation, (2) students’ perceptions of how these activities influence their motivation, and (3) teachers’ perspectives on their impact. I conducted this action research in a school of 4,500 K-12 students predominantly local and from high-income backgrounds with an international teaching staff. Participants included grade 11 and 12 female students (ages 16–18) enrolled in one of four clubs (Reading, International, Sports, and Art) …

Sensing Others, Alissa Reed

Theses and Dissertations

In this project, I notice how we listen and respond to animals, both through marine bioacoustics studies and rhetorical theory, and consider how we might develop new ways of noticing and interacting with animals. I hold together rhetorical theory, marine bioacoustics studies, and my observations nest sitting sea turtles to see what kind of multispecies ethic emerges from messy encounters with nonhuman others – specifically, with sea turtles nesting on the beaches of the Outer Banks in the Summer of 2020. By confronting the unavoidable moments of indecision, and even possible violence, inherent to encounters with nonhumans others, even and …

As Iron Sharpens Iron: Intentional Near-Peer Mentorship In The Collegiate Applied Studio, Morgan Smith Owen

Theses and Dissertations

Undergraduate students struggle to adjust to the expectations of university music programs. Mentoring programs are consistently cited as tools to build social capital and academic success, but there are few documented studies of mentoring applied directly to the traditional model of conservatory music instruction. Effective near-peer mentoring can build musicianship skills and develop accountability, establishing stronger practice routines and easing the transition to collegiate music study for younger students. This case study examines three models of mentorship to identify ways to create an intentional mentorship program within the applied studio, regardless of scale or specific form of instruction.

Exploring The Ancestry And Mutational Signatures Of Free-Breeding Dogs From Chernobyl And The Galápagos Islands, Gabriella Jean Spatola

Theses and Dissertations

Two free-breeding dog populations, one in Chernobyl, Ukraine, and the other on the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, exist on opposite sides of the globe, yet both hold unique scientific potential to further our understanding of free-breeding dog population dynamics and evolutionary processes related to their environments. In the following studies, blood samples from more than 400 individual Chernobyl dogs were collected and their genomes were analyzed alongside over 1500 purebred and 200 global free-breeding dogs, describing genetic relationships and the extent of admixture with purebred migrants. Importantly, the sampled Chernobyl dogs had long-term exposures to ionizing radiation because of the 1986 …

Naqbu: Cosmological Undercurrents In Sumer And Akkad, Fiona Eirene Andrews

Theses and Dissertations

The concepts of primordial incomprehensibility, ordered creation, and the liminal chaos between them, form a foundational framework in Mesopotamian intellectual culture. The distinctive ways in which these concepts manifest in Sumero-Akkadian cultures suggest a systematic cosmological substructure — characterized by the paradoxical, cyclical, and co-creative relationships between forces such as Infinity and measure, generation and destruction, and definition and obscurity — that remains insufficiently examined in current scholarship. Drawing from diverse corpus of Mesopotamian creative works, Kabbalistic exegesis, and post-modern scholarship, this thesis seeks to elucidate the essential dynamics within that substructure. By proposing a semiotic hermeneutical strategy attuned to …

Transgressive Desire And Women’S Liberation In The British Strike Bildungsroman, Carl Clinton Sweat

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the intersection of gender and class identity in British proletarian Bildungsromane set during the General Strike of 1926 and the Miners’ Strike of 1984/5, referred to collectively as “Strike Bildungsromane.” These prolonged industrial conflicts temporarily disrupted the gender division of labor that had hitherto been a defining aspect of pit village life. This development encouraged proletarian writers of the interwar and post-war periods to consider coalfield women as political agents, capable of subverting their preordained roles within the private sphere. These moments of subtle subversion are critical to the General Strike novels explored in this study, …

Characterizing Dissolved Organic Matter Composition In A Southeastern United States Watershed, Gwendolyn Marcelette Hopper

Theses and Dissertations

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) has important roles in many biogeochemical cycles. DOM is primarily composed of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen, and phosphorus, and the processing of DOM is important for nutrient regulation and carbon cycling. In the coastal plains of the southeastern United States, there are many rivers and streams known as “blackwaters” with exceptionally high concentrations of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) leached from terrestrial soils, coinciding with a region experiencing some of the nation’s highest rates of development. As changes in land use and climate continue to occur, DOM composition from natural to anthropogenically impacted systems can …

Hybrid Penstemon Flowers: Colors, Pigments, And Detectability & Experimental Teaching: Evaluating The Impact Of Active Learning, Josh Thomas Edward Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

Shifts to different primary pollinators are often accompanied by changes in suites of floral traits. Understanding how and why these floral adaptations evolve is a central goal in evolutionary biology. Within the genus Penstemon, the transition from bee-pollinated to hummingbird-pollinated flowers is a common evolutionary pattern. These pollinator shifts have caused several closely related species to exhibit distinct pollination syndromes. One example of this evolutionary phenomenon can be seen within the sister species P. eatonii (hummingbird-pollinated) and P. laevis (bee-pollinated). These two species form several hybrid zones, in which hybrid individuals exhibit colors resembling both parental species, along with a …

The Intersection Of Rurality And Wellness: A Multi-Manuscript Investigation Into Rural Well-Being, Lucas Perez

Theses and Dissertations

Rural communities face unique mental health and wellness challenges, including geographic isolation, provider shortages, and stigma surrounding help-seeking. This dissertation explores rural wellness through three interrelated studies, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods to examine disparities, perceptions of rurality, and demographic influences on well-being. The first study utilized the Five Factor Wellness Inventory (5F-WEL) to compare wellness scores between rural and non-rural individuals. The second study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore rural definitions of wellness, as well as barriers and strengths related to mental health. The third study examined how perceptions of rurality and demographic factors predict wellness …

A Mixed Methods Examination Of Interdisciplinary Strategies For Addressing Trauma And Chronic Pain In Group Therapy, Kara Marceil Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic pain and trauma are distinct yet interconnected public health concerns, each significantly affecting physical, psychological, and social well-being. The comorbidity of these conditions highlights a critical need for integrated treatment approaches. This dissertation explores interdisciplinary strategies that merge group counseling and physical therapy to address trauma symptomology and chronic pain within a group therapy setting. Grounded in the biopsychosocial model, somatic therapy principles, and the gate control theory of pain, this multi-manuscript dissertation employs a mixed methods design to examine counselor experiences, intervention feasibility, and participant outcomes.

Combining Remote Sensing And Field Sampling To Assess Microphytobenthos Distribution In The North Inlet Estuary, South Carolina, Joseph Carmine Mcguinn

Theses and Dissertations

The study of microphytobenthos (MPB) distributions in mudflat ecosystems is critical for understanding coastal ecosystem health and resilience. This research integrates high-resolution multispectral imagery and elevation data to predict chlorophyll-a concentrations in mudflats within the North Inlet estuary, South Carolina. Using statistical analyses, MSAVI was identified as the most effective spectral index for chlorophyll-a prediction, and a regression model was generated for this index, finding significant correlation with elevation. Temporal and spatial patterns of chlorophyll-a distributions were explored through predictive rasters, revealing significant relationships between MPB abundance and microtopography. These findings demonstrate the value of remote sensing for …

Deprivation And Threat As Predictors Of Executive Functioning And Emotion Regulation In Early Adolescence: The Protective Role Of School Support, Abigail Best De Arellano

Theses and Dissertations

Childhood adversity (CA) impacts a large proportion of US youth with far reaching consequences for development and subsequent health outcomes (McLaughlin et al., 2012). Given the widespread impact of CA, it is imperative to understand how these exposures impact development, as well as identify opportunities for intervention. McLaughlin and Sheridan (2016) proposed the Dimensional Model of Adversity of Psychopathology (DMAP), providing a framework for understanding the heterogeneity of outcomes related to exposure to CA. DMAP emphasizes that deprivation (i.e., lack of expected cognitive or social stimulation) and environmental threat (i.e., exposure to harm or the threat of harm) impacts youth …

Exploring The Holistic Wellness Of Black Women Counselors, Shanta A. Jerideau

Theses and Dissertations

Counselor wellness is crucial for clinician longevity and ethical practice. However, there is limited literature on the holistic wellness of Black women counselors. This manuscript probes into the lived experiences of Black women counselors, particularly in relation to the sociopolitical climate and racial injustices in the United States. Utilizing Consensual Qualitative Research, we examine the experiences of 15 Black women counselors working in counselor education, private practice, and community agencies within the Southeast Region of the United States. We anticipate this approach will enhance counselor education literature and foster increased peer support.

Essential Characteristics And Perceived Needs Of Teachers And School Leaders Of Steam-Focused Elementary Schools: An Exploratory Study, Christopher Abbaleo

Theses and Dissertations

While STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education has traditionally been emphasized at the high school level, there is growing recognition of its importance in elementary education. This exploratory, action research multiple-case study identified the essential characteristics of two STEAM-focused elementary schools and how they are operationalized as well as the perceived needs of teachers and school leaders working within the schools. Within-case analyses and a cross-case synthesis revealed both common and distinct STEAM-focused curricular approaches, along with other commonalities such as enriching co-curricular offerings, connections to STEAM careers, professional development, teacher collaboration, visionary leadership, and networking with external …

Investigating The Immunomodulatory Effects Of Cdk8/19 Inhibitor Senexin631 In A Her2-Positive Breast Cancer Model, Stephen O'Rourke

Theses and Dissertations

HER2-positive (HER2⁺) breast cancer is aggressive and often develops resistance to anti-HER2 therapies. CDK8 and CDK19, transcription-associated cyclin-dependent kinases (tCDKs) in the Mediator complex, are dysregulated in HER2⁺ breast cancer, correlate with poor survival, and support transcriptional escape driving therapeutic resistance. Previous studies Previous studies in immune-deficient models demonstrated that CDK8/19 inhibition (CDK8/19i) reduces pro-tumor macrophages (M2Φs), but its role in immune-competent tumors and innate immune–mediated tumor control remains unclear. Since HER2⁺ tumors are often immunogenic and anti-HER2 therapies rely on innate immune activation, reprogramming immunosuppressive M2Φ toward an M1Φ-like phenotype could enhance antitumor immunity. We hypothesized that CDK8/19i modulates …

“Freedom Looks Different For Everyone”: Transforming Pre-Packaged Literacy Programs Through Critical Literacy, Theodore Reginald Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

The Hartford Area Education Network (a pseudonym) adopted EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) in response to the passage of the Right to Read Act by the Connecticut General Assembly. Multinational Magnet School, (a pseudonym) which is operated by the Hartford Area Education Network, uses EL Education for its literacy instruction in all kindergarten through fifth-grade classrooms. Module 3 of the fourth-grade sequence discusses perspectives of the American Revolution, though it minimally discusses people of color. Guided by a theoretical framework that incorporates critical pedagogy, Critical Race Theory, and decolonizing pedagogy, my qualitative action research study looked at how critical literacy …

The Other Side Of Trusting: The Implications Of Vulnerability As A Core Component Of Organizational Relationships, Sam Dylan Strizver

Theses and Dissertations

Trusting behavior—discretionary risk-taking with another party—is the primary means of facilitating productive workplace relationships (Zand, 1979; Mayer, Davis, & Schoorman, 1995). Yet, little empirical evidence exists to explain what happens after employees engage in trusting behavior, but before outcomes materialize—otherwise termed the “vulnerability phase” (Ballinger, Schoorman, & Sharma, 2024: 2). To address this neglect, I develop a theoretical framework that positions vulnerability as a core psychological state within the trust process, shaped by trustors’ cognitive appraisals of risk severity and uncertainty. Drawing from research on stress and well-being, the framework also identifies coping as a key response to vulnerability, moderated …

Beyond Entertainment: Unveiling Digital Platform Strategic Implications For International Business Growth Of Individual Entrepreneurs, Hoik Kim

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines how digital identity, comprising visual, psychological, and strategic components, impacts entrepreneurial success on global digital platforms. Rather than treating identity as a static or aesthetic trait, this study conceptualizes it as a dynamic and strategic construct shaped by audience perception, algorithmic systems, and institutional environments. The research is structured into three empirical studies. The first explores how facial visibility and social media engagement affect monetization on YouTube, considering the international context. The second study empirically investigates how a biometric cue influences entrepreneurial performance on digital platforms and interprets the results through the lens of social psychological perspectives. …

The Influence Of Sex Education On Sexual Behaviors From Adolescence To Young Adulthood In South Carolina, Megan Elizabeth Austin

Theses and Dissertations

Sex education in South Carolina (SC) is known to be limited, which may influence adolescent sexual behaviors, leading to a higher likelihood of lower ages of sexual initiation, more sexual partners, and more experiences of sexual violence. These behaviors are associated with many negative health outcomes.

A political content analysis of bills, laws, and educational standards provides insight to changes in political discourse around sex education from when the Comprehensive Health Education Act (CHEA) was passed in 1988 until 2024. A variable created through this analysis is used along with SC Youth Risk Behavior Survey data to assess changes in …