Digital Commons Network^™

Sci-Fi: An Anthropology Anthology Of Other Worlds, Kailey Rocker, Genevieve Frank, Miranda Lile, Meridian Ondrejka, Nyhan O'Sullivan, Leo Plunkett, Lukas Schmerse, Percy Schneider, Iris Roxanne Shykula, Sophia Weiss-Priebe

Sci-Fi: An Anthropology Anthology of Other Worlds

In this magazine, student authors at Lawrence University explore the relationship between science fiction and ethnography. While different in terms of content, writing style, audience, and author, the two genres share an important objective: to make the strange familiar and the familiar strange. In exploring human variation and the diversity of cultural knowledge, anthropological accounts (ethnography) challenge the anthropologist and the reader to understand that their perspective of the world around them is one among many. Likewise, science fiction presents a world with its own logics that simultaneously comfort and estrange the reader. While science fiction and ethnography offer an …

Co-Occurrence Of Autoimmune Hepatitis And Pheochromocytoma: A Complex Diagnostic And Treatment Challenge, Himani Patel, Gabrielle Aiello, Taylor Frazier, Sage Havrilla, Payton Williams, Meghan Rosenquist

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Large, Manipulated Rainfall Events On Soil Greenhouse Gas Fluxes Is Mediated By Warming, Spatial Heterogeneity And Hurricane Disturbance Recovery In A Puerto Rican Wet Tropical Forest, Nibia Becerra Santillan

Biology Honors Projects

Substantial uncertainty surrounds how terrestrial ecosystems may respond to the interaction of multiple global change drivers, especially the interaction of atmospheric warming and more frequent or severe extreme weather events. Climate models suggest that the Caribbean may experience more frequent and/or heavier rainfalls under future climate, which is likely to also interact with increased atmospheric temperatures. In this thesis, I investigate how long-term (“press”) soil moisture and temperature conditions interact with acute (“pulse”) extreme precipitation events to influence CO₂ fluxes, labile carbon, and microbial carbon in a wet tropical forest in Puerto Rico. I conducted a fully-factorial soil incubation experiment …

Governance Of The Global Commons: The Role Of The Un And International Law In Addressing Climate Change, Athanasios P. Mihalakas, Taylor Macy

California Western International Law Journal

No abstract provided.

2025-2026 Catalog, Governors State University

Catalogs

The 2025-2026 Governors State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog is a comprehensive listing of current information regarding:
Degree Requirements
Course Offerings
Undergraduate and Graduate Rules and Regulations

The Chironian 2025, New York Medical College

The Chironian

The Chironian is distributed to a readership of 16,000 faculty, alumni and employees of New York Medical College, government and community leaders, affiliated hospitals and selected media. Each issue is carefully crafted to provide a balance of articles on cutting-edge research, personality profiles, student accomplishments and alumni news from all five schools on the NYMC campus. Inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

The Debate Surrounding Ozempic And Other “Miracle” Weight Loss Drugs Situated In The Scholarly And Public Spheres, Allison Rivard

Honors Senior Capstones and Theses

Over the last few years, there has been a frenzy of media outlets, celebrities, and influencers publicizing the effectiveness of semaglutides, like Ozempic, for an off-label use: weight loss. With the larger presence and availability of these medications for off-label use instead of diabetes management, outsiders believe that obese and overweight people who begin to look different are cheating. The public nature and visibility of weight loss subject the people losing weight to much speculation and scrutiny. In the past, many weight loss “solutions” have been proposed, diets created, and even surgeries performed, but these “solutions” have proven temporary. Most …

Integrating Health Education And Scabies Prevention In Correctional Facilities: A Path To Safer Inmate Populations, Bhavandeep Singh

Nursing | Senior Theses

Scabies is a highly transmissible skin infestation that represents a significant public health issue in correctional institutions. Inmates are particularly susceptible to scabies outbreaks due to factors such as high population density, cramped living conditions, limited access to healthcare, and frequent turnover of inmates. Addressing scabies in correctional facilities is vital for protecting inmate well-being, making it essential to explore the most effective ways to tackle this issue. This research aims to determine whether nurse-led educational training sessions for inmates can enhance their knowledge of scabies and effectively reduce its manifestations. This research proposal will use a quantitative-quasi research approach …

Developing A Culturally Sensitive Nursing Framework For Muslim Patients Practicing Ramadan: Focusing On Fasting Benefits And Islamic Dietary Recommendations, Amreen M. Munshi

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Muslims practice Ramadan, a month-long period of fasting from dawn to dusk, yet many healthcare providers lack knowledge of its principles and practices. Hospitals lack formal education on caring for fasting Muslim patients, leading to a knowledge deficit in cultural competence and sensitivity of Islamic practices. Purpose: This paper proposes a research design for a nurse education program on Ramadan fasting to promote cultural competence and sensitivity in nursing care. The proposed research aims to educate nurses on Islamic practices, particularly Ramadan, to bridge the cultural competency gap. The literature review also explores the health benefits of …

Does Biofluorescence Enhance Visual Signals In Birds-Of-Paradise?, R. P. Martin, E. M. Carr, J. S. Sparks

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Mutations In The Mmp20 Gene In Association With Amelogenesis Imperfecta, Elaine Vanterpool, Alicia Broomfield-Myrie

Student Posters

Enamel, the hardest substance in the body, protects the teeth from various forces like temperature and physical factors that would cause damage. Depending on the kind of AI one has developed, the phenotypes can range from thin teeth to teeth discoloration or decay. MMP20, a gene commonly associated with AI, encodes for Enamelysin, a protein crucial for enamel formation. It is also known as matrix metallopeptidase 20. It becomes active when it is cleaved by cellular proteases. When this gene is mutated, the splicing pattern is altered. Consequently, this can cause disease. This study was developed to analyze the pathogenicity …

Computational Models Of Biological Cells : Towards Building A Motor Neuron Model, Rusha Parikh

2024

No abstract provided.

Drone Thermal Imaging And Benthic Time-Series Analysis Show Dynamic Spatial And Temporal Delivery Of Submarine Groundwater Discharge On Reef Ecosystems, Sophia G. Zummo, Florybeth F. La Valle, Lucian Himes

Faculty Data Sets

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) introduces nutrient-rich, low-salinity water into coastal ecosystems, significantly altering reef biogeochemistry. At Black Point, Oʻahu, we employed a novel, two-pronged approach that integrates a cost-effective small unmanned aerial system equipped with a thermal infrared (sUAS-TIR) sensor and high-resolution benthic salinity time series to resolve previously unobserved, fine-scale patterns of SGD delivery. sUAS-based sampling overcomes key limitations of prior SGD mapping methods, such as labor-intensive and spatially constrained in situ sampling, by enabling rapid deployment, real-time visualization of mixing dynamics, and high-resolution imagery. Unlike previous studies that relied on customized systems that required independent sensor integration, our …

Taking The Leap: A Qualitative Study Exploring The Entanglement Of The Vertical Transfer Process And Engineering Identity Development Among Community College Students, Janice Edwards

Dissertations of Practice

Taking the Leap: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Entanglement of the Vertical Transfer Process and Engineering Identity Development among Community College Students

Community colleges provide an open access, cost effective pathway to earning a baccalaureate degree in engineering. However, the transfer and degree completion rates remain low. Improved persistence has been linked to a variety of factors including a strong engineering identity. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to expand the understanding of engineering identity development during the vertical transfer process. Each milestone in the process, framed within transfer student capital, was considered to determine what, if any, …

In Vitro Hydrogel Blood Clots Phantoms, Ethan Evans

Bioengineering Master's Theses

This thesis presents a mechanical and microstructural characterization of agarose-based hydrogels as synthetic thrombus analogs for balloon catheter testing. Agarose gels ranging from 0.25% to 1.0% (w/v) were fabricated and analyzed using dynamic shear rheometry, capillary flow porometry, and gas pycnometry. Rheological data showed a nonlinear increase in storage modulus (G′), from 110 ± 66 Pa at 0.25% agarose to 4,900 ± 1,600 Pa at 1.0%, effectively mimicking the viscoelastic spectrum of acute to chronic thrombi. Gas pycnometry measurements indicated that true density (P_true) increased modestly from 1.03 g/mL to 1.13 g/mL over the same concentration range. This …

The Cdk8 Kinase Module: A Novel Player In The Transcription Of Translation Initiation And Ribosomal Genes, Brittany Friedson, Stephen D Willis, Natalia Shcherbik, Alicia N Campbell, Katrina F Cooper

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Survival following stress is dependent upon reprogramming transcription and translation. Communication between these programs following stress is critical for adaptation but is not clearly understood. The Cdk8 kinase module (CKM) of the Mediator complex modulates the transcriptional response to various stresses. Its involvement in regulating translational machinery has yet to be elucidated, highlighting an existing gap in knowledge. Here, we report that the CKM positively regulates a subset of ribosomal protein (RP) and translation initiation factor (TIF)-encoding genes under physiological conditions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In mouse embryonic fibroblasts and HCT116 cells, the CKM regulates unique sets of RP and TIF …

A Case Study Exploring Elementary Teacher Job Satisfaction: What Are The Implications For School Leaders?, Nancy E. Pickford

Theses and Dissertations

Teachers are leaving the profession at an increasing rate, thus posing a serious threat to the effectiveness of the American educational system. Teacher job satisfaction is at the root of this problem. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the factors that contribute to teacher job satisfaction and how school leadership actions, behaviors, and practices may influence these factors for elementary teachers in a suburban school district in the northeastern United States. The study was based upon the theoretical framework of Herzberg’s Two Factor Motivation theory, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory and Daniel Pink’s Motivation theory. The …

Evolution Of Chitinases In Amphibians: A Multi-Faceted Group Of Enzymes With Dual Function In Digestion And At The Forefront Against Fungal Infections, Devashri Narayan

Theses and Dissertations

Chitinases are essential enzymes found in living organisms such as amphibians, and they ensure that amphibians survive in their varied ecosystems. They are crucial in the digestion and immunity of most organisms, including plants and animals. Chitinases’ diversity of functions is a testament to their evolutionary adaptability. The primary function of chitinases is the breakdown of chitin, a complex polymer of saccharides often found in the exoskeleton of insects and the walls of fungi. Amphibians that feed on insects make use of chitinases to hydrolyze chitin into simpler sugars that can be easily absorbed to extract the necessary nutrients from …

Childhood Trauma And Its Effects On Psychological Well-Being And Physical Health, Mohaned Elgizawy

Theses and Dissertations

There is consistent evidence concerning the impact of trauma on children and the effects on psychological well-being. This study aims to investigate the impact of childhood trauma on the psychological resilience, mental health, and physical development of culturally diverse individuals. The study also explores the influence of cultural orientation on psychological and physical well-being. Cultural orientation is the degree to which individuals identify with either individualism or collectivism, two core dimensions of cultural frameworks. The self-construal scale was applied to address the cultural orientation, which significantly covers individualistic and collectivistic aspects. The participants were 97 culturally diverse students from St. …

The Perceived Knowledge Of Effects Of Radiological Effects Amongst Radiologic Professionals, Kenneth Martinucci

Theses and Dissertations

X-ray, an accidental discovery in 1895, has been used to diagnose and treat various ailments. Despite the benefits of X-rays, it has been established that the radiation has the potential to cause harm to individuals and even death following its use. The harm associated with radiation has been evidenced in various historical tragedies globally, including the Chernobyl accidents, the Goiania accidents, and even the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These incidents highlight the potential hazards associated with radiation use. Individuals exposed to the radiation from the incidents had higher risks of cancer, neurological dysfunctions, congenital disabilities, predispositions to cardiovascular …

From The Words Of Our Fathers: Black Paternal Perspectives On Literacy And Recommendations For Literacy Instruction For Black Males, Imani A. Irving

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the literacy experiences of Black fathers and their recommendations for enhancing literacy instruction for Black male children from birth through Grade 12. Grounded in African American Male Theory, the research aimed to address knowledge gaps in understanding Black male literacy experiences and provide insights for improving Black male literacy education. Using participatory action research with an initial modified Delphi approach, the study gathered potential areas of consensus among Black fathers on essential curricular revisions to promote positive Black male literacies. Participants included a purposive sample of 10 Black fathers with Black sons from birth to adulthood. Through …

Mechanism Of Napthenic Acid Binding To Dissolved Organic Matter, Clarissa Jules

Theses and Dissertations

The oil sands in Alberta, Canada are being destroyed by oil extraction because remediation methods have proven largely ineffective. One toxic byproduct of oil extraction is a family of cyclical surfactant organic acids known as naphthenic acids (NAs). They are toxic to aquatic life, including fish, frogs, and aquatic birds. It is suspected that NAs bind to humic acid, a major organic component of soil, in dissolved organic matter in natural water, making them difficult to remove by conventional remediation methods. This problem prompts the following question: what is the binding mechanism between NAs and humic acid when dissolved in …

Protein-Metal Interactions Of A-Synuclein And Bioactive Transition Metals Via Molecular Dynamics, Gonzalo R. Vazquez

Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder which has been found to target the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. It is characterized by the formation of masses known as Lewy Bodies, formed by aggregates of the intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) -synuclein (asyn). Research suggests that alpha synuclein can undergo aggregation in the presence of heavy metals, which may accumulate in the body through a variety of mechanisms. To study how metals may play a role in wildtype (WT) asyn aggregation, MD simulation of the protein was performed in the presence of bioactive transition metals including Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu+, …

Improving The Safety Of N,N-Dimethylacetamide As A Potential Treatment For Preterm Birth Using A Vaginal Nanoformulation, Asad Mir

Theses and Dissertations

With no available treatment for preterm birth, the field of reproductive medicine has been repurposing small molecule candidates into vaginal nanoformulations as potential treatments for the condition. The commercial solvent N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMA) has previously been shown to delay and prevent inflammation-induced preterm birth in a mouse model. A vaginal nanoformulation of DMA loaded into a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEEDS) was studied to see if it can also be efficacious. A side by-side histological comparison was done in the more pertinent tissues of the reproductive tract between the traditional formulation of DMA given intraperitoneally (IP) and the vaginal nanoformulation of …

Electrochemical And Conformational Patterns Of S-Glycosides And The Synthesis Of Schistosoma Mansoni Antigens, Bhavesh Rajendra Deore

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis dives into two relevant fields in carbohydrate science: reactivity and conformation. We centered our attention on S-glycosides, a common class of glycosyl donors and glycomimetics, to study the influence exerted by the structural architecture over the conformational properties about flexible bonds and the reactivity towards electrochemical activation. Studying the conformational properties of sugars is key to understanding the molecular recognition mechanisms underlying their biological functions. Moreover, a well understanding of how the molecular components affect free rotation about bonds can be valuable information to design improved glycomimetic drug candidates. On the other hand, electrosynthesis is a promising application …

Examining The Constitutional Landscape Of State Gestational Surrogacy Statutes Through A Bioethical Lense, Hailey Berger

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Woody Plant Reinvasion Shortens The Lifespan Of Grassland Restoration Treatments, D. T. Fogarty, M. Beadle, C. R. Allen, C. Bielski, D. Twidwell

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Winning Reflective Essay: 2025 Lhulra Winner Kelsie Winter, Kelsie Winter

2025 Lynn Haggard Undergraduate Library Research Award

No abstract provided.

Behavioral Response Of Glossina Pallidipes To Trypanosome-Induced Semiochemicals Under Laboratory And Field Conditions In Kwale County, Kenya, Rungua Chiro Rungua

All Master’s Theses

Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT) transmitted by the Glossina spp is a major constraint to livestock production in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) despite various control efforts. Trypanosome-induced semiochemicals found in urine of infected cattle are predictive AAT biomarkers with potential for use as baits for tsetse trapping enhancement. The objective of this study was to investigate the urine from trypanosome infected cow and its modified semiochemicals as effective attractants for infected Glossina pallidipes with an economical dispenser for field application. Coupled Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry was used to analyze cow urine odor profiles to identify Trypanosoma congolense (T. c) modified semiochemicals. The chemistry …

Niu Working Papers 2024 - 2025, Northern Illinois University

Working Papers

No abstract provided.