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Language, Literature, And Culture Newsletter, Eighth Edition (May 2025), Language, Literature, And Culture Department, Clark University

Language, Literature, and Culture

The eighth issue of the Language, Literature, and Culture department newsletter, which went out in May 2025. The Language, Literature, and Culture department newsletter aims to "share stories, news, ideas, achievements, and important information about and within our academic department that can be helpful to the campus community at large".

Examining The Effects Of Quercetin On Phenotypic Characteristics Of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Thomas M. Needy

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction A significant obstacle to mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) potency and therapeutic utility is in vitro senescence, an irreversible cessation of replication associated with age-related complications. Senolytic drugs, such as quercetin, may be helpful in selectively culling senescent cells while leaving non-senescent cells unaffected, thereby increasing potency of high-passage MSCs.

Methods The phenotypic, genotypic, and immunomodulatory effects of quercetin were assessed using in vitro models. Senescent cells, created through repeated subculturing of MSCs in vitro, and non-senescent cells were treated with 10 μM quercetin, differentiated into osteocytes, adipocytes, and chondrocytes, and analyzed to observe the effect of quercetin.

Results Quercetin …

Collective Effervescence As Self-Organization And Enaction, Christian Kronsted

Philosophy Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Scream Notation System: A Notational System For Screamed Vocals, Matthew Delcambre

Student Publications

In Western music notation, there is no specified system of notation for screamed vocals, a style of singing that has become increasingly popular since the late 1970s with the advent of metal music and seen increased interest in screams in other genres since. Screams are a unique and diverse vehicle of delivery that can be differentiated according to timbre, technique, pitch and physiology. This research aims to first identify the anatomical and timbral differences between named screams and create a database of screams to be studied. The next task is to design a notational system appropriate for screams and then …

Bioinformatics-Guided Identification And Quantification Of Biomarkers Of Crotalus Atrox Envenoming And Its Neutralization By Antivenom, Auwal A. Bala, Anas Bedraoui, Salim El Mejjad, Nicholas K. Willard, Joseph D. Hatcher, Anton Iliuk, Joanne E. Curran, Elda E. Sanchez, Montamas Suntravat, Emelyn Salazar, Rachid El Fatimy, Tariq Daouda, Jacob Galan

School of Medicine Publications

Quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics of extracellular vesicles (EVs) provides systems-level exploration for the analysis of snakebite envenoming (SBE) as the venom progresses, causing injuries such as hemorrhage, trauma, and death. Predicting EV biomarkers has become an essential aspect of this process, offering an avenue to explore the specific pathophysiological changes that occur after envenoming. As new omics approaches emerge to advance our understanding of SBE, further bioinformatics analyses are warranted to incorporate the use of antivenom or other therapeutics to observe their global impact on various biological processes. Herein, we used an in vivo BALB/c mouse model and proteomics approach …

Optimizing Growth Conditions Of Chlorella Algae For Enhanced Biomass And Oxygen Production, Supreme Ogheneovo Oghenerhoro

Master's Theses

Increasing Earth's carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels contribute immensely to global warming. At the same time, future Mars colonization requires innovative systems for oxygen production. This study explores how Chlorella algae can help control environmental challenges on Earth, support life on Mars, and produce biomass as an alternative to renewable energy. Chlorella is known for its high photosynthetic efficiency in capturing CO2 for growth, producing O2 and biomass used for biofuel production. It was studied under varying CO₂ concentrations and pressure conditions. Each experiment was performed using a photobioreactor setup and optimized algae growth conditions. These were assessed to understand its …

Impacts Of Temperature Acclimation On Swimming Performance And Metabolic Dynamics Of The Amargosa River Pupfish, Cyprinodon Nevadensis Amargosae, Teresa E. Guerre

Master's Theses

Climate change is leading to warmer atmospheric temperatures in many regions of the world, which in turn is raising the temperatures of aquatic habitats and simultaneously shifting the frequency and severity of extreme precipitation events. In fishes, metabolic demands are higher under warmer conditions, while dissolved oxygen levels typically decline in warmer water. This mismatch may limit the ability of fishes to cope with high water flow events like floods that can occur following extreme rainfall. A few species of pupfishes (genus Cyprinodon) in the Death Valley region of California and Nevada, USA, occupy stream or river habitats with …

Fentanyl Test Strip Use And Overdose Risk Reduction Behaviors Among People Who Use Drugs, Rachel A Vickers-Smith, Kitty H Gelberg, Janet E Childerhose, Denise C Babineau, Redonna Chandler, James L David, Lauren D'Costa, Megan Dzurec, Barry Eggleston, Amanda Fallin-Bennett, Laura C Fanucchi, Soledad Fernandez, Jace Gilbert, Louisa Gilbert, Megan E Hall, Brooke E Hiltz, Michael W Konstan, Kathryn E Lancaster, Beth Linas, Katherine R Marks, Nichole Michaels, Jennifer Miles, Fernando Montero, Haley J Ramsey Harden, Carter Roeber, Mary R Russo, Rachel Taylor, Melissa A Theis

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

IMPORTANCE: Illegal fentanyl is driving overdose mortality, and fentanyl test strips (FTS) can be used to test drugs for fentanyl at the point of consumption. Evidence on whether FTS use is associated with overdose risk reduction behaviors is encouraging, but largely limited to smaller, single-site studies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether self-reported baseline FTS use among people who use drugs (PWUD) was associated with overdose risk reduction behaviors and nonfatal overdose over a 28-day follow-up.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Multisite, observational cohort study of PWUD conducted from May to December 2023 as an ancillary study of the HEALing Communities Study, which …

Introducing Social Determinants Of Health To The Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Network, Megan Zuelsdorff, Erin L. Abner, Joyce E. Balls-Berry, Gregory A. Jicha, Serggio Lanata, Gladys E. Maestre, Monica Rosselli, Shana D. Stites, Rachel A. Whitmer, Consuelo H. Wilkins, Lisa L. Barnes

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

The Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) consortium represents a critical locus of research on Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) prevention, diagnosis, and intervention. Through the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center's (NACC) standardized protocol, the Uniform Data Set (UDS), ADRCs have collected rich, harmonizable clinical and cognitive data. However, the collection of social data has been sparse and Center specific, constraining ADRD science that addresses research priorities on social determinants of health (SDOH) and health equity. Capitalizing on the transition to a revised UDS version 4, an interdisciplinary committee representing 10 ADRCs reviewed the literature and instrumentation, ultimately creating a brief …

Investigating The Effect Of Fasting On Senescent Cells In Nothobranchius Furzeri Fish, Israel A. Akinola

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Senescent cells (SCs) have been documented to accumulate with age in the organism. Recent studies have shown that reducing the number of SCs in an organism result in tissue rejuvenation and extension of life expectancy. Intermittent fasting is reported to have multiple health benefits and is speculated to reduce the burden of SCs. Nothobranchius furzeri are a new model organism for studying aging and for which there are short- and long-lived strains available. We hypothesize that long- and short-lived strains of N. furzeri will accumulate SCs at different rates; and that fasting will reduce the burden of SCs.

The results …

Incentivizing Lower Drug Prices Through Patent Extension, Meyke A. Kang

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Development Of Novel Pharmaceutical For Optimization Of Opioid Overdose Treatment, Larae Kram

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Although opioids are highly effective drugs for pain management, their overuse and addictive nature has caused an opioid epidemic, resulting in many cases of opioid addiction and overdose. There are two current opioid overdose drugs that are FDA approved: naloxone and nalmefene. These drugs have a higher affinity to the active binding pocket on the opioid receptor than opioids do and displace the opioids, preventing any further binding of the opioid and halting the opioid’s effects. However, naloxone is not active long enough to outlast the duration of the opioid and nalmefene causes severe withdrawal symptoms. The development of more …

Is There A Difference In Bird Diversity Among Prairie And Lake Habitats In Central Minnesota?, Emmi Edel, Morgan Cromwell, Maddy Fuller, Preston Mcgraw

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Biodiversity plays an essential role in ecosystem stability. Habitat changes from human activities also threaten this role. Our study examined how habitat type and urbanization affect the number of birds and bird diversity across two campuses in central Minnesota. The first campus is rural Saint John’s University (SJU), and the second is suburban College of Saint Benedict (CSB). We predicted that more bird species would be in habitats with water than habitats without water bodies. We also predicted that bird species numbers would be more significant on SJU, which has a large natural area, which CSB lacks. Observations were conducted …

Repurposing Old Railways To Enhance Recreation And Ecological Services, Carter Versaevel

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

We are currently facing what can only be described as a biodiversity crisis. Species are disappearing faster than ever before, largely due to habitat fragmentation caused by humans. How can old railroads be repurposed into recreational trails that can also help improve biodiversity and ecological function? By turning old derelict tracks into “green trails,” these tracks can be given new life and help reverse the effects of fragmentation, while providing recreational services to nearby communities.

Attention Deficits & The Biological Foundations Of Effective Learning Strategies, Matthew Scribner

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

This capstone project will conduct a focused literature review on learning strategies for individuals with Attention Deficits Disorders. The project will explore various study strategies and modifications that have been found effective in improving learning outcomes for individuals with ADHD. Specifically, the project will delve into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying ADHD, focusing on how impairments in attention, executive function, and working memory might affect learning. It will also explore how specific modifications to study techniques can help mitigate these challenges and enhance learning outcomes. My interest in this topic stems from both my academic background as a teaching assistant in …

Positive Impact Of Mangroves On Periwinkle Snail (Littoraria Angulifera) Population Size, Anna Jones, Eva Kolbow, Lucy Petschel, Morgan Stone

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Mangroves play a crucial role as shoreline aquatic nurseries and provide infrastructure along bodies of water to protect inland areas from extreme weather and storm surges. Mangroves also provide a secure habitat for animals, and trap and filter pollutants. Their stilt roots provide shelter for fish species and are critical to the survival of many small species that use this ecosystem. We investigated mangrove periwinkle snail populations on the red mangrove species (Rhizophora mangle). Data was collected along Pigeon Creek, San Salvador Island, Bahamas in March 2025. We hypothesized that there is a relationship between mangrove density and snail population …

Resurrecting Mslrp The Diagnosing, Documentation, And Demonstration Of Miniaturized Sequential Liquid Lignin Recovery And Purification, Robert Booth Whiting Lowery Jr

All Theses

A pilot plant designed for the Sequential Recovery and Purification of Liquid Lignin was downsized to perform optimization and minor adjustments at a reasonable time and operational cost. Multiple failed runs proved the need for a redesign, and an analysis was performed to solve the newly discovered scaling issues.

Operators identified several common failure points of the mSLRP and theorized several methods to rectify them. This included a rework of both procedural elements, the physical construction of the pilot plant, and the actual code and control of the pilot plant’s operating system, LabVIEW.

Runs were attempted, and eventually, the corrective …

The Effect Of Anthropogenic Sound On Foraging Behavior In Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis Macrochirus), Dayna Wiley

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Anthropogenic noise can have adverse effects on fish populations. High-amplitude noise can cause hearing damage and interfere with essential behaviors, including feeding, migration, and reproduction. Studies suggest that fish regularly exposed to boat noise in lakes exhibit different behavioral responses compared to populations in quieter environments. Bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) were collected via angling from a “Quiet Lake” (Lake Sagatagan, Collegeville, MN) with no motor use, and a “Loud Lake” (Upper Spunk Lake, Avon, MN) with frequent motor use. Bluegill foraging behavior was examined in response to daily playback of motorboat traffic. Bluegill (n = 5 individuals per trial; n …

Understanding The Need For Gender Inclusiveness: A Case Study In Kolkata, India, Nilasree Dutta

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research focuses on examining the status of women in the selected Wards of Kolkata, India: Ward 59, 64, 65, 66, and 69. Three indicators are used to evaluate the status of women: education, nutrition, and religion. Data for this study was collected with the help of a Kolkata-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) named Ek Tara. A complete questionnaire with open-ended and closed-ended questions was followed to conduct the survey. 353 households were interviewed to obtain the data. Several statistical analyses have been conducted using STATA software to address research hypotheses. To assess the nutritional status of women, hand grip strength …

Moral Injury And Spiritual Struggles Among Christian Adults With A History Of Substance Use And Perceived Problematic Behaviors: A Phenomenological Study, Diera Shaw-Mendez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of moral injury and spiritual struggles among Christian adults from the Philadelphia tri-state area with a history of substance use or perceived problematic behaviors. Moral injury (MI) is newly studied in civilian populations. In a review of 253 studies on moral injury and substance use, only two qualitative studies explored exposure to morally injurious events amid substance use rather than as a pathway to substance use. Due to the religious characteristics of the target sample, the grounding theory for this study is Fowler’s Stages of Faith Development, which …

Attachment Barriers To A Relationship With God; A Phenomenological Study Of Women With The Lived Experience Of Adolescent Sexual Assault, Celeste M. Caballero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Among victims of sexual assault, it is significantly common for maladaptive attachment behaviors to manifest from this type of trauma which can transcend not just human relationships but their relationship with God as well. The problem is that sexual assault brutally attacks the core of a woman’s worth and value creating barriers that drastically affect her ability to develop healthy attachment with others which subsequently affects her ability to form and develop a positive relationship with God. The resulting attachment behaviors of sexual assault victims are important to study to be able to understand the root components of this trauma …

Adapting Leadership Styles In Changing Environments, Robert Faw

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The inability of some leaders to adapt their leadership styles in changing environments is the problem addressed in this study. Questions and findings about the challenges, reasons, and practices of leaders adapting leadership styles in dynamic settings are described to understand this phenomenon. After developing a comprehensive conceptual framework to guide the research, conducting an extensive literature review to contextualize existing research, and creating wide-ranging coded themes from interviews with 25 leaders in a construction management company that were triangulated with 25 survey responses by team members reporting to these leaders, the study identified six key themes relating to the …

An Investigation Of Mental Well-Being Of Black Men: Perceived Discrimination, Depression, Social Support, And Marital Satisfaction, D'Anthony Teon Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Black Americans have long endured significant psychological distress due to racism and discrimination. Yet, limited research has examined how these stressors impact the mental health of Black males in the context of marital relationships. This study investigated the effect of perceived discrimination on depression in married African American men, examining whether marital satisfaction mediated this relationship and whether social support moderated it. Rooted in the historical legacy of systemic racism and modern forms of aversive discrimination, the study aimed to fill a gap in the literature concerning the intersection of race, gender, and mental well-being. Utilizing a diverse and well-educated …

Culturally Responsive Trauma Informed Care: Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Black Young Adult Military Connected Dependents With The Military's Child And Adolescent Behavioral Health Service, Chenille Renee Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of Black young adult military-connected dependents and their involvement with the military’s child and adolescent behavioral health service while growing up in the military. This study is steered by resiliency and understanding of culturally competent and trauma-informed care. In this study participants will be chosen by utilizing criterion sampling which will allow participants to be selected based on specified criteria of identifying as Black, growing up in the military lifestyle, having a parent in the military while they were under the age of 18, and having encounters …

Exploring The Impacts Of Moral Injury On Law Enforcement Officers In South Carolina, Laura M. Casares

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study is to understand the concept of moral injury among law enforcement professionals. The concept of moral injury was often associated with military members and healthcare workers. Recently, research pertaining to moral injury among law enforcement professionals has grown, as many law enforcement agencies are paramilitary organizations. These fields have similar characteristics, including stress, burn out, and vicarious trauma. As the term moral injury evolves, and the constant scrutinization of policing by communities and politicians continues, agencies should be able to respond effectively to officers suffering from moral injury. Immanuel Kant’s historical influence …

The Intersectionality Of Latino/A Students With Disabilities In A Cacrep Counseling Program, Odalis Romero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Diverse individuals are entering CACREP counseling programs, even so with multiple identities within their culture. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the living experiences of Latino/a students with disabilities in a CACREP accredited counseling program. The participants had to be Latino/a with a disability who had attended or were attending a CACREP accredited program. Participants took part in an individual interview or a focus group, virtually via Zoom which was transcribed and analyzed ensuring trustworthiness. Moustaka (1992) data analysis was used to formulate themes based on the experiences of the participants. The four themes that arose …

The Burden Of Care: A Phenomenological Inquiry Into The Lived Experiences Of Homeless Shelter Administrators Leading Through The Pandemic And Lasting Implications On Program Operations, Marie Adele Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The theories guiding this study are Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, conflict theory, and complex systems theory, which explain the relationship between the theory and resource limitations and acquisition, systems, and nature of acquiring human needs. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe homeless shelter administrators'/directors' experiences delivering services during the COVID-19 pandemic on the Eastern Coast of the United States and Texas. It further seeks to unravel how the pandemic informed the delivery of services and program administration related to homeless shelters and its impacts. The research questions sought to understand the impact of COVID-19 on delivering services …

The Impact Of Rural Recovery Residences On Individuals' Recovery, Brandon Robert Peter Mielke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study examined the experiences of individuals currently residing in rural recovery residences, with particular attention paid to perceived helpful factors and challenges regarding living in the residence as well as comparing residents’ experiences to individuals’ experiences in urban recovery residences as delineated by previous studies, as there is little current research examining rural recovery residences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 men who resided in rural recovery residences at the time of the study’s completion. Three research questions guided the interviews and the subsequent comparative analysis: How do individuals living in rural recovery residences describe their lived experiences …

Resources And Readiness: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Secondary Teachers In Rural Texas With Being Prepared For Students Diagnosed With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Their Classrooms, Barbara L. Chase

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines how prepared secondary teachers in Texas rural public schools are to work with students diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are placed in their classrooms. I investigated the professional development and higher educational training experiences of secondary teachers regarding contributions to both their knowledge of the etiology of ADHD and interventions and behavior management strategies. This dissertation was motivated by a curiosity to understand how secondary teachers in rural schools describe the knowledge they obtained regarding ADHD etiology and interventions through their higher education programs and professional development opportunities. As well as a desire to …

Parent-Child Relationship Satisfaction Influences After Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Is Delivered To An Anxious Child: A Quantitative Analysis From The Parent’S Perspective, Michelle S. Saunders

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social media culture is prevalent today, which encourages inclusion, exclusion, self-doubt, bullying, and other positive and negative social and emotional learning (SEL). Children are exposed to social media which has both positive and negative daily consequences. The prognosis and remission rates of anxiety are declining, with the risk of maladaptive regulation symptoms. A strong positive foundation of SEL promotes core identity, beliefs, morals, values, and interpersonal growth throughout a lifespan. Parenting styles (parent), the child’s psychosocial development (child), religious morals and values (religion), and psychotherapy (therapy) are influences of change that can help create healthy SEL. Therapy interventions are sought …