Digital Commons Network^™

The Rise Of Women’S Soccer In The United States Of America, Nancy Siguenza

Theses & ETDs

Over the past century, women have gradually gained recognition and acceptance within the world of sports, breaking barriers and challenging long-standing societal norms. In the United States, women’s soccer has experienced significant growth. This thesis examines how globalization, Title IX, gender dynamics, socioeconomic factors, and political policies influenced women’s soccer. This research uses a historical analysis to explore the complexities of being both an athlete and a woman in America. The findings reveal that women’s soccer has reached great heights in equal pay, fair media representation, and visibility. This research asserts that women and soccer in America are working together …

Spatial And Temporal Patterns Of Phytoplanktonic Groups In Sarasota Bay And Lido Beach, C'Erra Tubbs

Theses & ETDs

Phytoplankton are known to be very responsive to environmental variables and changes such as temperature and salinity. There are many intersections between all these understudied variables. Here, I show the intersectionalities of different phytoplankton groups and their abundances among various environmental conditions and ecological patterns. Phytoplankton were collected and analyzed in January and July 2023 from two separate locations: Sarasota Bay and Lido Beach. Collections were also done from two separate depths. Dinoflagellates and diatoms responded differently to seasonal changes. Dinoflagellates were more sensitive to temperature changes, with clear differences between seasons, while diatoms were more adaptable to changes with …

Assessing The Potential For Hybridization Of Three Syngnathus Species In Sarasota Bay, Megan Waters

Theses & ETDs

Located in Southwest Florida, Sarasota Bay is home to three sympatric and congeneric species of pipefish: The Chain Pipefish (Syngnathus louisianae), the Dusky Pipefish (Syngnathus floridae), and the Gulf Pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli). These three species share an overlapping habitat, which allows for potential hybridization to occur. This hybridization could lead to potential extinction of current species or the creation of new species, due to the mismatched matings. This poses an issue to the conservation of the parent species, as current legislation does not protect hybrid species. This experiment set out to find whether the sympatric nature of the three Syngnathus …

Bonnethead Sharks Ethogrambonnethead Sharks In Captivity And Determine If Their Activity Level Changes With Time Of Day And Around Feeding Times, Stephen Paine

Theses & ETDs

This thesis is testing to see how having specific feeding times modifies bonnethead sharks’ activity levels. Bonnethead sharks are the smallest kind of hammerhead shark species. We got permission to record and work with the three female bonnethead sharks at Mote Marine Aquarium. The hypothesis is that bonnethead sharks at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium will increase their velocity in anticipation of being fed if they are consistently fed at specific times, and their velocity will be stable at a lesser speed at all other times. Data were collected for a total of seven days using a camera. At Mote, …

Investigation Of Microrna In Canine Congestive Heart Failure, Jada Prignano

Theses & ETDs

Myxomatous mitral valvular degeneration (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in dogs, as well as a significant disease in the human heart. MMVD is characterized by valvular thickening and regurgitation, leading to secondary cardiac structure and function changes. The prevalence of this disease has been correlated wilh age and breed. Small breed dogs such as the Cavalier King Charles spaniel (CVKC), are predisposed to the disease, and the prevalence in the CVKC dogs older than 10 years is greater than 90%. Given that the disease is common, but only a minority of dogs will progress to heart failure, it …

The Effect Of Graphene Oxidation And Weight Percentage On The Biodegradability And Conductivity Of A Cellulose-Graphene (Oxide) Biocomposite, Jesse Roman

Theses & ETDs

The advent of electronics has been one of the greatest breakthroughs in human history, allowing us to significantly improve our quality of life, long-distance communication, and overall development as a society. Optimization and innovation of such technologies is ever-present today, as we continue to transition from in-person to online services. Despite the ongoing advances, the materials that we use to fabricate these devices are typically of plastic and metallic-origin, which not only persist in the environment, but are also detrimental to its health and that of humans. In fact, due to our increasing dependence on electronics, the industry is rapidly …

Evaluation Of An Efficient Ensembling Strategy For Linear Classifiers And Neural Networks, Lelaina Rose

Theses & ETDs

In this thesis I examine a specific ensembling technique—which I call “additive ensembling”—and how it performs when applied to linear classifiers, the perceptron, in particular, and feedforward neural networks. This technique differs from previous methods of ensembling, as it does not require the storage of individual weight vectors. Instead, it iteratively sums weight vectors from multiple separate models, resulting in one final summed model containing just one weight vector per class. It is implemented as an extension of scikit-learn’s machine learning library’s model classes. This algorithm is very straightforward to implement, requiring only a few lines of code and is …

The Old But New Process Of Developing Race In Colonial America, Antuan Sconiers

Theses & ETDs

This thesis will analyze and explore the laws, systems, actors and events in the colonies of America that constructed and evolved the concept of race. Specifically, the Anglo colony of Virginia and the colony of Louisiana which went under French, Spanish and Anglo rule, will be examined. The question of what race is and what its purpose is will be tackled in this thesis. Big picture questions like what came first, slavery or racism will also be answered. The original scholarly work on Virginia was used as a guideline of how to go about studying the concepts of race and …

Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Mri), Madison Woodhead

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

This project explains fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its role in prenatal diagnosis. It discusses various aspects, including types of prenatal imaging, clinical applications, the imaging procedures, safety considerations, and technical challenges. Understanding the benefits and limitations of fetal MRI allows for earlier and more accurate detection of fetal abnormalities. Fetal MRI serves as a secondary imaging modality that complements ultrasound by providing detailed imaging of fetal anatomy. Several congenital anomalies including those involving the central nervous system (CNS), as well as the abdominal and thoracic regions, can be thoroughly evaluated to provide additional information and confirm diagnoses made …

A Case Study: Alzheimer’S Progression In Mri, Lacey E. Sorber

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of Americans. Many individuals know a person who is currently suffering from Alzheimer’s or has lost their life due to the disease. Alzheimer’s can be described as early-onset or late-onset. Early-onset Alzheimer's occurs before the age of 65, and late-onset occurs after the age of 65. This research demonstrates a case study of a 63 year old male with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory loss, cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and language problems. The patient in this case study’s symptoms began with memory loss and began to regress into cognitive decline. …

The World Is My Oyster: Restoring Nature, Inspiring Minds, Antonia N. Ferguson

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

Through Service Learning: Marine Conservation and Restoration, I was a co-leader for UCF STEM Day under the theme “Oyster City Safari.” Our team designed interactive games and crafts to teach two groups of 25 elementary students about oyster reef restoration. Students acted as oysters and reef animals, transforming fragmented reefs into whole ones to demonstrate how restored reefs support biodiversity. They also played a species-matching game and created oyster shell necklaces and crowns. These activities encouraged them to see the value of oyster reefs and inspired future stewardship of the environment. I also contributed to seagrass restoration by assisting Coastal …

The Effect Of Participation In A Place-Based Engineering Learning Experience On Engineering Career Aspiration Of Nebraska’S Rural Students: A Mixed Method Study, Samereh Soleimani Babadi

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Masters Project Reports

This study investigates the influence of a place-based, hands-on engineering learning experience on rural middle school students' engineering career aspirations, using Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) as a framework. Employing a mixed-methods approach, we explored how these localized learning experiences shape students' career goals through socio-cognitive factors such as self-efficacy, outcome expectations, goals, and interest. Quantitative analysis of pre- and post-activity surveys revealed significant increases in career aspiration scores, particularly among students from farming backgrounds and female students with initially lower expectations. Path analyses indicated that self-efficacy and interest were the strongest mediators between Place-based learning and engineering career aspirations. …

Journal In Entirety

The Asbury Journal

No abstract provided.

Searching Effectively: Basic Principles And Practical Tips For Better Results, Roy E. Brown

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

This handout updates Doing a Good Search: Basic Rules and Search Tips, originally published in 2024. It outlines the basic principles of doing a good search, from identifying a topic and formulating a clear question to selecting and searching at least two databases. It also includes information on Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), subject headings, and Google Scholar. New to this iteration of the document are best practices for using artificial intelligence in literature and evidence searches.

Remember: Searching is an iterative process, which involves repeated cycles of refinement. Your approach will shift depending on the specific question you're trying …

Educational Sessions On Opioid Use Disorder In A Rural Community: A Faith-Based Approach, Tarrelle Reade

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This scholarly project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a faith-based community education program regarding opioid use disorder (OUD) in a rural area of Person County, North Carolina. Through 4 weekly sessions hosted at Lattisville Grove Missionary Baptist Church, the program provided education on the signs and symptoms of opioid misuse, associated risks, available treatment options, support resources, and the use of Narcan. A pre- and post-survey design using a Likert scale measured changes in knowledge and confidence across five key domains. Data from participants (n = 54 total) showed statistically significant improvements in awareness and self-efficacy in most areas, …

Sleep Promotion In Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Maelyn G. Cranford

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Sleep is a fundamental requirement for the human body to achieve and sustain overall health and well-being. In Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), sleep is a vital step in an infant’s routine to allow for proper neurodevelopment and growth. Parents of infants in the NICU may be unaware of the critical role sleep plays in their child’s health. Without realizing it, they can unintentionally disrupt their infant’s sleep by speaking loudly, using bright lights, or playing loud sounds from their phone. This DNP project was created to increase NICU parent education on the importance of sleep promotion and involve them …

Complementary And Alternative Therapies To Improve Quality Of Life For People With Chronic Pain And Addictions, Nicole K. Smith

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

There is a known opiate crisis prevalent in the United States. There is similarly an addiction crisis in the United States that saw a marked increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, there are many Americans who experience a connection between chronic pain and the onset of addiction. This project sought to introduce the idea of complementary therapies such as square breathing, mindfulness, and essential oil (EO) aromatherapy that could improve the quality of life for people who have chronic pain and/or addiction. The project consisted of a pre-test prior to education about square breathing, mindfulness, and EO aromatherapy, followed by …

Perceived Stress, Psychological Wellbeing, And Sleep Quality Of Passport Control Officers, Roudha Abdulla Almazrouei

Theses

Research on the stress experienced by officers has identified several key findings that illustrate the diverse nature of their workplace stressors. Research specifically addressing the stressors encountered by passport control officers is limited when compared to studies on other law enforcement roles. This study aims to assess stress levels among passport control officers, identify psychological health impacts, determine the intersection of personal and occupational stress, and investigate the effects of shift work on stress intensity and related psychological issues. A mixed methodology incorporating qualitative and quantitative was used. The sample included 166 participants with a job title of passport control …

Extraction Of Activated Carbon From Date Palm Biowaste And Subsequent Preparation Of Ferrite Nanocomposite For Water Treatment In Uae, Anood Lashkary Ahmed Ibrahim

Theses

Ensuring access to clean and safe water remains a pressing global challenge, particularly in arid regions like the Gulf, where freshwater scarcity is severe. The United Arab Emirates heavily depends on energy-intensive desalination, which is increasingly turning to treated wastewater as a sustainable alternative. In this context, the recovery and reuse of biowaste and the development of advanced treatment technologies are critical. This study presents an innovative approach to wastewater treatment by utilizing biomass waste—specifically date palm leaves, an abundant agricultural residue in the UAE—as a raw material for producing activated carbon. Through pyrolysis, the biowaste is transformed into porous …

Graduate Catalogue 2025 - 2026, Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University Graduate Catalogues

No abstract provided.

Research News, Publications, 2025, Volume 1, Joshua Sharp

Publications (2015-)

Publications that appeared during the period of January 1 - March 31, 2025.

Entomology Insect Pollinators And Predators-Flower Flies, Manju Yogi, Kaushalya Amarasekare

Extension Publications

No abstract provided.

Introduction: Beyond Hollow Materialism, Jasper Waugh-Quasebarth, Zada Komara

Art Faculty Publications

This introduction to the special issue, “Transformative Approaches to Materiality in Appalachian Studies,” provides theoretical background and examples that demonstrate applications of new material culture and materiality theory to key Appalachian studies themes. It offers new directions for the study of material entanglement in social relationships by reviewing the history of material culture studies in the Appalachian context, fundamental theoretical propositions emerging from the “material turn” in social theory, and examples drawn from ethnographic and archaeological research into the patterns of use of material culture in the timber country of West Virginia and coalfields of eastern Kentucky. Finally, this introduction …

Assessing The Foraging Habits Of Two Species Of Long-Horned Bees (Melissodes, Apidae) Using Dna Barcodes Its2 And Trnl, Rebecca Jane Foy

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Sunflowers (Helianthus, Asteraceae) are an important crop used for oil, dye, fodder, and edible seeds. Long-horned bees (Melissodes, Apidae) are solitary species native to the Americas that specialize in sunflower pollination; they are among the most frequent visitors to sunflowers, and have been shown to enhance yield, offering considerable economic benefits to sunflower production. This study used metabarcoding to investigate the foraging habits of two understudied Melissodes species, M. trinodis and M. agilis. Using the ITS2 and trnL barcodes, our study aimed to (1) investigate the plants visited by M. agilis and M. trinodis and (2) assess the distances Melissodes …

Investing In Leaders To Support Neurodiversity At Work, Beth M. Houran

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Neurodiversity-focused hiring initiatives, such as those pioneered by JP Morgan Chase, DXC Technology, and Microsoft, are addressing talent shortages by harnessing the unique strengths of neurodiverse individuals. This research investigated the role of emotional intelligence, servant leadership, and organizational resources in supporting neurodiverse teams. Grounded in the conservation of resources theory, the findings reveal that EI is a significant antecedent to SL, enabling leaders to foster stronger relationships and engage in extra-role behaviors with neurodiverse employees. Notably, while SL positively impacts leader-member exchange and organizational citizenship behavior toward individuals, the hypothesized moderating role of resources was not supported, suggesting that …

Ie 615-102: Industrial Hygiene And Occupational Health, Prakash Kothari

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Phys 202 - 006: Introductory Astronomy And Cosmology, Andres Jerez

Physics Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Biol 200-002, 004: Concepts In Biology, Maria Stanko

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Biol 201-002: Foundations Of Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology, Mary Konsolaki

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Biol 202-002, 004, 006, 102: Foundations Of Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology Laboratory, Mary Konsolaki

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.