Digital Commons Network^™

Childhood Housing Conditions As A Social Determinant Of Health In College Students, Kelsey E. O'Neill

School of Social Work Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study investigates the relationship between childhood housing and current physical and behavioral health in Northwest Arkansas college students. Non-medical factors often determine a person’s health. Social determinants of health, as defined by the World Health Organization, are the conditions in which people are “...born, grow, work, live, and age...”, and they include wider systems such as economic and social policies, social norms, and political structures (World, 2023). A key social determinant of health is housing.

The average age of an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas during the 2020-2021 school year was twenty-one (Gunderman, 2021). This is a …

Correlation Between Maximal Strength And Standing Power Position In Shot Put Throwers, Ryan E. Joule

Honors Theses

This study determined the correlation between maximal strength to performance in a standing power shot put throw. Collegiate athletes (N = 7, 1 female, 6 males) conducted a one-repetition maximum for the bench press, back squat, and hang power clean, and executed three shot put throws at two different time points (three months apart). For the first time point, there were positive, moderate correlations of shot put distance to bench press (r = 0.41) and back squat (r = 0.45). A positive, strong correlation between distance thrown to hang power clean (r = 0.66) was present. For the second time …

Toxicity And Biodegradability Of Novel Boronium Vs Conventional Ammonium Based Anti Microbial Compounds In Wastewater Treatment Systems, Noor Shalan

Poster Presentations

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are highly effective as disinfectants, herbicides, and pesticides; thus, overuse causes elevated levels of residual toxicity in domestic and industrial wastewater. QACs can be toxic to essential bacteria breaking down pollutants in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and can remain untreated in effluent, harming the environment, and contributing to antibiotic resistance, posing risks to human health. Novel boronium-based antimicrobial compounds have demonstrated efficacy in eliminating bacteria, fungi, and viruses. If the boronium compounds exhibit lower residual toxicity, they could offer a promising alternative to QACs. Because these compounds are still in development, their potential toxicity to the …

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Exoy Enzymatic Activity Inhibits Exos-Induced Caspase-3/7 Activation But Not Cytotoxicity In Pmvecs, Connor Holm

Poster Presentations

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aer.) is the most common cause of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in ICU patients. Different combinations of exoenzymes (S, T, Y, and U) are found in P. aer. strains. ExoY is most often associated with VAP in ICU patients. ExoY infection of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) induces cell rounding but does not activate intracellular caspase-3/7 or cause cell death. ExoS and ExoT infection of epithelial cells leads to caspase-3/7 dependent cell death. Previous studies using epithelial cells show that ExoY alleviates the cytotoxic effects of ExoS and ExoT. Here, we sought to determine whether ExoY inhibits …

Ghosts In Glass: Ghost Crabs (Ocypode Quadrata) As Judges Of Glass Sand For Coastal Restoration, Emily Parrish

Poster Presentations

Coastal erosion is heavily impacting coastal ecosystems across the Gulf. For instance, the state of Louisiana loses a football field worth of land every 100 minutes (Couvillion, 2017). The drastic loss of coastline highlights the dire need for restoration in the Northern Gulf Coast. An unexpected solution to this sediment loss may solve two major environmental issues at once by diverting millions of tons of glass waste from entering America’s landfills each year. By crushing glass to create sand and gravel for coastal restoration, we may generate a consistent and sustainable source of substrate. Our goal is to determine the …

Decoding Bacterial Resilience: Srnas And Sigma Factors In Stress Adaptation And Persistence Of Salmonella, Anita Nguyen

Poster Presentations

Small RNAs (sRNAs) are noncoding RNA molecules in bacteria that function primarily to regulate gene expression, including those associated with stress. The Borchert Lab has identified 173 sRNAs and > 500 sRNAs that are responsive to desiccation and carbon starvation (c-starvation), respectively. Prokaryotic transcription involves an RNA Polymerase (RNAP) that transcribes DNA into RNA. RNAP involves sigma factors, which recognize promoters for the initial steps of RNA synthesis. The Borchert Lab has determined that there are significant overlaps between sRNAs expressed in cells subjected to both short-term durations and long-term durations of carbon starvation. Salmonella enterica serovars can have outbreaks associated …

The Effects Of Incubation Humidity On Broiler Chicks, Claire Caples

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Leg health issues are a welfare problem in commercial broiler chickens and an economic issue for the broiler industry. Broilers exhibiting leg abnormalities show altered gait, reduced ability to access resources, and increased lameness incidence. These leg health issues can result from many animal and environmental factors during incubation and post-hatch. Incubation strategies may contribute to the development of leg health issues, and recent research has increased focus on incubation factors affecting embryonic development and health and welfare post-hatch. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of high (80%), low (55%), and ideal (65%) humidity on …

Guide To The Linfield University Outdoor Plaques Collection, Linfield Archives

Linfield Archives Finding Aids

This finding aid represents a collection of outdoor plaques found throughout the Linfield University campus in McMinnville. It includes information about stone/bench engravings, plaques, and other memorials, with new material added since the initial inventory created in 2020. There had been no previous inventory of these plaques.

Modern Concepts Of Health And Disease: An Introduction For Public Health Students, Rose Grace Grose

Open Course Materials

This course outline for Modern Concepts of Health and Disease provides a comprehensive framework for teaching foundational public health concepts to undergraduate students in an in-person setting, with flexibility for adaptation to online or hybrid formats. This outline is specifically designed to reduce financial barriers for students using Open Educational Resources (OER) and other free-to-students materials, ensuring equitable access to high-quality learning materials without the cost of traditional textbooks. The course is designed for a 15-week semester, divided into seven Modules. The course syllabus is available on request.

The assigned readings and videos were carefully curated to reflect diverse, evidence-based …

Collecting Human Subject Data For Modeling Maximum Potential Power At Specific Cadence And Fatigue Levels, Alexander John Minnich

Honors College Theses

The overarching goal of this research project was to investigate the relationship between a participant's maximum power (Watts) at a given cadence (RPM) on a specific fatigue level. Before conducting any experiments, we hypothesized that maximum power and cadence would decay linearly with fatigue. To do this, six days of testing for each of 4 human subjects were split across two phases. The first 4 days were devoted to Phase one, which focuses on determining the physical abilities of each unique participant and finding metabolic constants such as Critical Power and Anaerobic Work Capacity. Phase two then tests maximal power …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No.148 - Aquaculture Of Seaweed In Western Australia: Policy Principles Relating To Licences And Exemptions For The Aquaculture Of Seaweed In Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Occasional Publications

of aquaculture, and clarifies the process and information required to assess applications for aquaculture licences, leases and exemptions for seaweed aquaculture in WA.

Development of principles will support decision-making for the take of wild seaweed and for the grant or variation of aquaculture licences for seaweed aquaculture.

The Utilization And Deterioration Of Travertine In Classical, Baroque, And Fascist Architecture: A Case Study From Rome, Italy, Kaitlyn V. Fitzgerald

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Travertine limestone has formed the resilient backbone of Roman architecture for over two millennia and across several cultural periods. This study identified the leading causes of travertine decay in Rome across Ancient, Baroque, and Fascist periods in order to efficiently prioritize conservation and restoration efforts across the city. The methodology developed here can then be utilized in other urban settings. Rome’s iconic landmarks such as the Flavian Amphitheater, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Spanish Steps all owe their existence to this local limestone. High rates of urbanization now dictate how architectural travertine interacts with its surrounding environments and landscapes. Grand …

Mandatory Bliss, Jocelyn Reid

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Mandatory Bliss is an exhibition of sculptural objects that discuss value, feminism, material hierarchy, and societal expectation. Using mundane structures and objects, this installation aims to frustrate and dissect the significance of the tangible items that we interact with every day.

Mindful Symbiotic Ecosystems. Designing For Women In Remote Workspaces, Andrea Guevara Araujo

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Women represent 61% of designers in the workforce but hold only 29% of leadership roles. This disparity highlights a critical need for an ecosystem that removes barriers and cultivates mentorship, community, and leadership among women (Bolt, 2020). Even though women have proven their ability to succeed in male-dominated corporate cultures, the real question is not about capability but sustainability. Driven by overwork, competition, and burnout, the workplace does not just push women out; it leads to long-term instability for the entire organization (Krivkovich et al., 2024). In the workplace, a culture of masculinity reinforces harmful, outdated mindsets and glorifies aggressive, …

Adult Effects And Affects: Dialogic Reflections And Theoretical Analysis Of Systemic Led Education, Early Childhood Education, And Art Education, Katherine Galaz

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Through self-exploration, reflexive dialogue, and literature review I look to the grey areas, contradictions, and margins of hegemonic educational practices. I highlight the ways in which the standard of education is structured in opposition to how children seek to understand and make sense of the world. In my analysis of early childhood settings and art education under the umbrella of the U.S. education system, I approach historical antecedents involving colonialism and systemic injustice. Within the field of art education, I specifically look at the artistic and imaginative ways that children resist societal norms in early childhood education. As such, I …

Navigating The Double Jeopardy: The Intersectional Experiences Affecting Black Menopausal Women In The Workplace, Genena Woodson Armstrong

Women’s Leadership

Nearly half of the population of the United States will experience menopause at some point in their life. The topic of menopause is often silenced, especially in professional corporate settings. Particularly for Black women, who are already marginalized, research has shown that menopause symptoms are more severe and last longer than white women. This thesis explores the intersectional experiences of Black women in America as they navigate menopause in the workplace, a topic that has remained largely overlooked due to the lack of workplace diversity, health discourse, and disparity. The following research study employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating surveys and …

Measuring The Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) On Adolescents’ Self-Esteem And Self-Appraisal: How Can School-Based Interventions Help?, Kayla M. Moses

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

This paper explores the lasting impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on adolescents’ self-esteem and self-appraisal, with a focus on the role of school-based interventions in mitigating these effects. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) encompass various forms of trauma such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, and familial dysfunction during childhood. Due to adolescence being a critical period of identity formation and emotional development, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can significantly undermine adolescents' self-esteem, leading to lasting negative effects. These effects include various emotional, social, and psychological challenges, ultimately changing one’s life trajectory. Based on numerous theoretical foundations, it is supported …

Effect Of Soil Amended With Biochar On Growth Dynamics Of Radishes, Colin Brennan, Jake Werner, Ian Townley

CURCI Student Research

How do different percentages (15%, 10%, 5%, 0%) of biochar in soil affect the initial growth rate and final mass of radish plants (Raphanus sativus). We used 15%, 10%, 5% biochar, and using pure soil as our control group. For each soil type, we prepared 12 samples, totaling 48 samples across all conditions. After germination and initial plant growth, the number of leaves and the plant’s height from the top of the plant to the soil (in centimeters) were recorded every school day. The purpose of this study is to better understand if biochar is an effective way to stimulate …

Western Australia’S Marine Heatwave Update - 9th May 2025, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Marine Heatwave Notification Reports

Category 1 – Moderate marine heatwave (MHW) conditions continue for the Gascoyne and South Coast Bioregions. Marine heatwave conditions in the North Coast Bioregion have abated and the West Coast Bioregion remains warm but neither are categorised as experiencing MHW conditions.

Investigating Regulation Of Neutrophil-Mediated Inflammation In Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infection, Nathan D. Velazquez

University Scholar Projects

No vaccine exists for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) infections, largely due to the

gap in understanding in the virulence and immunopathogenesis of this bacterium.

We have recently demonstrated that neutrophils are maladaptive in the context of

Mp infection, and drive disease severity while also impairing bacterial clearance.

Furthermore, we observed that B cells play a regulatory role in limiting disease

severity by modulating neutrophilic inflammation. We investigated this

phenomenon further to elucidate the mechanisms by which B cells regulate

neutrophilic inflammation. We utilized a monoclonal antibody to deplete B cells

during Mp infection and found that B-cell-depleted mice had elevated neutrophil …

Illustrating Identity: Ethel Reed’S Art Posters And Women's Claims To Public Space In Fin-De-Siècle Boston, Miranda R. Knofczynski

School of Art, Art History, and Design: Theses and Student Creative Work

Much scholarship has uncovered the history of women illustrators during the late nineteenth century. The rebuilding of these lost histories calls for research which theorizes women’s contributions to the burgeoning arts scene of the fin-de-siècle. This thesis will examine the posters Ethel Reed created for different companies during the height of the 1890s poster craze and discuss how she articulated women in public space in them. Reed’s art offers an aestheticized yet feminist visualization of women engaging in leisure activities such as exploring the city, reading, or attending the theatre. Many have described the women in her posters as merely …

Medusa's Metamorphosis: Art, Mythology, And The Changing Perception Of Female Power, Elizabeth Kehr

School of Art, Art History, and Design: Theses and Student Creative Work

The evolution of Medusa’s iconography in ancient Greek art mirrors societal and cultural transformations. As attitudes shifted in relation to gender roles, power relationships, and morality changed, so too did images of the Gorgon. Following the course of development of Medusa’s image allows one to discover details of the thoughts and struggles the ancient Greeks had with concepts of power, womanhood, and monstrosity and otherness. Previous art historical research on Medusa has largely examined her function and evolution of visual depictions from the Archaic monster to Classical ideal. Few, however, have explored how and why these changes may be indicative …

Clemson Commencement Program, May 2025, Clemson University

Clemson Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

A Sex Comparison On The Effects Of Caveolin Scaffolding Domain On Fibrosis Formation After Chronic Sympathetic Stimulation, Crimsyn Price

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. There are various trends that influence the rates of cardiovascular disease in each country. Factors that create these trends involve diet, exercise, genetics, socioeconomic status, and geographical location. Additionally, CVD is typically higher in middle-income and lower-income classes. Hospital routes, rates of poverty, insurance policies, and lifestyle culture are all factors that can impact the time of treatment which in turn affect the rate of CVD. However, we explored in this study the shift in CVD women experience after menopause. Women were excluded from clinical trials until 1986, and the …

Understanding The Role Of Sabp2-Interacting Proteins Sip432: A Premnaspirodiene Oxygenase Enzyme In Stress Signaling, Cristiana F. Martinez

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study focuses on the characterization of a SABP2-interacting protein (SIP)-432. SIP432 is a putative premnaspirodiene oxygenase-like P450 enzyme. Premnaspirodiene is a 15-carbon compound that can be converted into antimicrobial compounds by a hydroxylation reaction. The interaction of SIP432 with SABP2, a critical component of salicylic acid-mediated plant immunity, implies a role for SIP432 in plant stress signaling. This study uses the T-DNA knockout mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana SIP432 (homolog of NtSIP432) to help understand its role in abiotic and biotic stress responses. Plants were subjected to abiotic and biotic stress to understand their role in stress response pathways. Gene …

Education For Healthcare Providers: Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy, Chelsi Carlson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is emerging as a promising therapeutic modality for addressing psychological distress in psychiatric and palliative care settings. This scholarly project explores the current literature on psilocybin-assisted therapy, providing an educational framework for healthcare providers regarding its clinical applications, potential benefits, and safety considerations. With the rise in treatment-resistant mental health disorders, there is an increasing need for innovative and holistic approaches to care. This project evaluates healthcare providers’ existing knowledge and attitudes toward psilocybin therapy and delivers an educational intervention aimed at reducing stigma and fostering informed clinical perspectives. Grounded in Margaret Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding …

Analysis Of The Mechanical, Microstructural, And Biocompatibility Properties Of Novel Magnesium-Based Hybrid Nanocomposite Materials For Orthopedic Applications, Thomas H. Mcgehee

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Bone fractures and complete joint replacements are becoming more common, primarily because of accidents and age-related issues. Conventional solutions to treat these orthopedic injuries involve inert metal alloys to correct bone fractures until the healing process is complete, where a secondary revision surgery is then required to remove the implant. Issues regularly associated with these solutions include stress shielding, bone resorption, infection, inflammation, and implant loosening. Magnesium (Mg)-based nanocomposites offer promising potential as an alternative to commonly used metal alloys because of their favorable mechanical properties and biocompatibility. A particularly advantageous property of Mg is its natural biodegradation in vivo, …

Frontier Healthscapes: Competing Narratives Of Disease, Environment, And Wellbeing In Early Minnesota, Aidan Reynolds

Geography Honors Projects

Across settler societies, health narratives were shaped by evolving tensions between lay and expert knowledge, frameworks of disease causation, and perceptions of the environment as both a source of health and a threat. In the decades following Euro-American settlement (1860-1900), Minnesota became a focal point for these debates, with its landscape fostering complex and competing narratives on health, wellbeing, and disease. This paper explores how public health discourse developed in Minnesota through the perspectives of institutions, the public, and economic interests. Combining environmental history with critical discourse analysis of archival materials, this study examines shifts within the Minnesota State Board …

The Mighty C: A Fractal Model For Modern Creativity, Joe Todaro

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

The persistent ambiguity surrounding the definition of creativity has hindered its advancement across academic, educational, and professional settings. In response, this paper proposes an updated framework—The Mighty C—which defines creativity as the intrinsic human activity of generating meaningful, novel, and useful outcomes through deliberate process. This model addresses critical gaps in conventional definitions, particularly the frequent omission of meaningfulness, intentionality, and the uniquely human nature of creativity. It further emphasizes the recursive nature of these aspects across different levels of creative activity, represented through the structure of fractals. Drawing from scholarly models such as Rhodes’ 4Ps and Kaufman and Beghetto’s …

Nonnative Species Richness And Dominance Reveal Differing Support For Invasion Theory At A Continental Extent, Lily M. Thompson, William K. Annis, Stephen R. Midway, Julian D. Olden, Brandon K. Peoples

Faculty Publications

Aim: Empirical tests of conceptual hypotheses describing species invasions often differ depending on the spatial scale (spatial resolution and extent of study area) at which they were conducted. Some of this disparity may arise from tradeoffs in data quality necessitating the use of different indices of community invadedness among scales. Local-scale studies typically use fine-resolution, descriptive measures of community invadedness (‘dominance’, the proportion nonnative individuals) at limited spatial extents, while macroscale studies often aggregate datasets to cover large spatial extents but use coarser spatial resolution and less descriptive indices (nonnative species richness). We investigated the consequences of using different indices …