Digital Commons Network^™

Quantifying Macroalgal Coverage And Benthic Composition In Sarasota Bay, Zoe Hoover-Gonzalez

Theses & ETDs

This study quantifies macroalgal coverage and benthic composition across monitoring sites in Sarasota Bay, Florida during 2022 to 2024. By using photo-quadrat imagery, percent cover was calculated to assess tempo-spatial patterns in macroalgal abundance. Results revealed seasonal fluctuations with peaks during spring months under favorable temperature and light conditions. Filamentous brown algae and cyanobacteria emerged across quadrants as disturbance-tolerant taxa. These algae forms often co-occurred with seagrass beds and suggested potential competitive interactions. Through comparative analysis of these results with Sarasota Bay Estuary Program data, there was an indication of localized increases in macroalgal abundance. These findings highlight the importance …

Microalgae In Observation: Techniques For Micromanipulation, Movement Treatments Of Dunaliella Salina, And Explorations Of Alternative Photobioreactors, Claire Compton

Theses & ETDs

This work explores microalgae within three contexts: micromanipulation of microalgae for isolation, testing of Dunaliella salina movement conditions, and photobioreactor designs that incorporate sculptural elements. To micromanipulate microalgae, a protocol using micropipettes for the isolation of single cells from a mixed sample was developed. To test the movement preferences of the microalgae, Dunaliella salina, an experiment was conducted using five treatments: a fast and slow orbital movement, a fast and slow rate of added bubbling, and a control treatment with no added movement. To measure the impact of the added movement, a cell density counter was used. Results revealed that …

Spatial Memory And Context Change In The Figure Eight Puffer (Dichotomytere Ocellatus), Madison Lloyd

Theses & ETDs

It's been more than 100 years since radial mazes have been used for rodent research, and more recently, fish research. No experimentation has been done on the figure eight puffer (Dichotomytere ocellatus) in relation to the cognitive processes or maze tasks, however, there have been zebrafish, bettas, stickleback and wrasse to base research off. There have been many experiments on fish behavior regarding salinity changes, yet, none have used salinity as context towards altering cognitive abilities. The current study tested 11 figure eight puffers on their ability to solve an eight-arm radial maze in different contexts. The puffers were split …

Should We Be Concerned About Demographic Decline? An Economic Analysis, Collin Gates

Theses & ETDs

This thesis uses economic theory to examine the causes and consequences of falling fertility rates around the world. It examines contributions to economic theory on population given by economists such as Thomas Malthus, Gary Becker, Paul Heyne, Paul Ehrlich and Julian Simon. Next, it analyzes what the externalities of falling fertility rates could be to the world’s economies, environments, workforces, and individual people through economic models such as the Solow growth model. The thesis concludes by looking at three countries–Japan, South Korea, and Italy– who have been experiencing fertility rates below the replacement level for over 20 years, relating relevant …

Repeatability Of Aggressive Behavior Of Heterandria Formosa, Nicole Lustic

Theses & ETDs

Animal personality is the consistent individual differences in behavior over time and context. Some examples of personality that are measurable in fish are boldness, shyness, and aggression. In this study, I will look at whether Heterandria formosa (least killifish) from the Trout Pond (TP) population exhibit aggressive behaviors, showing that there is an individual difference in behavior among individual fish when exposed to a conspecific. I will record aggressive behaviors across repeated trials in which each focal fish is presented with a conspecific. By quantifying behaviors such as chases and strikes, I can see whether individuals show consistent aggression levels …

Comparative Analysis Of The Surgical Techniques Used To Repair A Ruptured Achilles Tendon, Tyler Rucker

Theses & ETDs

This thesis will examine the impact of an Achilles tendon rupture on recovery and performance in professional athletes. The primary question is whether the modern surgical technique has produced better outcomes compared to traditional surgical repair methods. To address this question, this thesis analyzes the structure and function of the Achilles tendon, the mechanisms that cause injuries, and treatment approaches, including the nonsurgical and surgical options. It includes a comparative case analysis of professional athletes Aaron Rodgers, who underwent a minimally invasive procedure, and Klay Thompson, who underwent a traditional surgical repair. The recovery processes, timelines, and post-recovery performances are …

Synthetic Approaches Towards Bn2tcma For The Modeling Of Oxalate-Degrading Enzymes, Olivier Servius

Theses & ETDs

Oxalate is a naturally occurring compound that can be toxic to humans at high concentrations as humans lack the oxalate degrading enzymes found in plants, fungi and bacteria. Key enzymes involved in oxalate metabolism are oxalate oxidase and oxalate decarboxylase, both of which are manganese based metalloenzymes. Due to limited research, much is unknown regarding their mechanism of action ,with multiple proposals reported, but no unified consensus. Synthetic model complexes are commonly used to probe the function of metalloenzymes by replicating structural and electronic features in simplified systems. In biomimicry, 1,4,7,-triazacyclononane (TACN) has attracted attention for its N3O donor set …

Factors Associated With Stunting And Underweight Indices Among Children 0–3 Years In Nairobi, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study, Eunice Njoroge, Kevinson Mwangi, Esther Chongwo, Martha Kaniala, Kevin Wekesa, Isaac Lihanda, Vibian Angweny, Rachel Odhiambo, Margaret Kabue, Japhet Adina, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background:Childundernutritionremainsoneofthemostpressingglobalpublic health challenges, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Most studies focus broadly on children under five, potentially overlooking the unique vulnerabilities a ecting children in the first 1,000 days of life. This study investigated potential factors associated with stunting and underweight malnutritional presentation among children aged 0–3 years in Nairobi City County, Kenya.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 2903 caregiver-child dyads living in Nairobi City County to assess stunting [Height-for-Age Z-scores (HAZ)] and underweight [Weight-for-Age Z-scores (WAZ)] using the World Health Organisation (WHO) growth standards among 0–3-year-olds. Child, caregiver, and householdcharacteristicswereincludedinthelinearmixede ects regression models …

May 2026, Robert Kelly

Robert Kelly Manuscripts

No abstract provided.

Discerning If Triops Have Personality, Gwen Therrien

Theses & ETDs

Triops, or tadpole shrimp, are small, freshwater invertebrates. They are the apex predator of their habitat, temporary pools of freshwater. They eat plant matter, worms, mosquito larvae and their own eggs. Their eggs go through anhydrobiosis; meaning they can survive without water for extended periods of time. There have been no previous studies specifically on Triops’ personality. Thus this raises the question if individuals demonstrate different personalities from each other. Boldness trials were conducted on 13 specimens that were on a diet of herbivore pellets and carrots. Each set of trials were repeated 1-11 times depending on how long the …

The Invisible Hand: Narrating Wildlife Through Hybrid Scoring, Weiyi Li

Composition/Recording Projects

This paper explores the creative and theoretical processes involved in composing the original score and sound design for "Ningxia Yellow River: The Home for the Avian," a wildlife documentary centered on the Ningxia wetlands in China. The research addresses the challenge of creating a "sonic bridge" between silent natural imagery and a human audience by balancing documentary realism with musical persuasion. The methodology utilizes a hybrid scoring approach that integrates Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) orchestration with organic sound elements, guided by three core pillars: cultural semiotics, acoustic ecology, and technical synchronization. By applying traditional Chinese pentatonic modes alongside Western orchestral …

The Implications Of A Competitive Athletic Season For Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Health, Benjamin Walker

Theses & ETDs

This thesis examines the implications of a competitive athletic season on lower limb musculoskeletal health in collegiate athletes. Through an organized narrative literature review, this study synthesizes biomechanical, epidemiology, and clinical research to evaluate how cumulative seasonal loading influences joint, bone, tendon, and soft tissue. Findings that indicated lower extremity injuries account for the majority of sport-related musculoskeletal conditions, with overuse injuries being a dominant role due to inadequate recovery and repetitive mechanical stress. Key evidence shows that rapid increases in training load, distinctly during preseason periods, significantly raises injury risk by surpassing tissue adaptive capacity. In addition, subclinical changes …

Emotion Regulation And Pretend Play In Preschool-Aged Children, Alyssa Dolphin

Theses & ETDs

The current study included only well-established, high-fidelity Montessori programs to explore differences in children’s emotion regulation levels across varying preschool contexts (Montessori, traditional, and at-home/no preschool), the relationship between time spent in a Montessori program and emotion regulation, and the potential moderating role of preschool environment in the relationship between pretend play and emotion regulation. Seven parents of children enrolled in a Montessori program, seven parents of children enrolled in a traditional preschool program, and 21 parents of children not currently enrolled in preschool completed an online survey consisting of an emotion regulation scale, a pretend play scale, and demographic …

The Heart Of Care: Perceptions And Management Of Pediatric Cancer Across Cultures, Kit Lamison

Theses & ETDs

The current study aimed to determine the interaction between cultural background, perceptions of illness, and family management in Chinese American and White American caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer. The current study was conducted to gain knowledge on how families from different backgrounds respond to the devastating experience of having a child diagnosed with cancer. To achieve this goal, participants were recruited through online communities focused on pediatric cancer and traditional Chinese medicine. A 135-item online survey containing the revised Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (Moss-Morris et al., 2002) and the Family Management Measure (Knafl et al., 2011) was distributed to participants …

New Leader Perspectives On Caring Communications, Miah Graczyk, Dorothy Moore, Andrew Peine, Russell Zwiers, Robert Whisler, Barbara Holmes

Leadership Education Books

This is an ebook project created by the Leadership Education graduate students in the  LDRS 615 Leadership Communication spring 2026 course.

Graduate students enrolled in Leadership Education 615 (Spring 2026) focused their final writing project on the role of caring communication in effective leadership. Drawing from personal leadership experiences, students examined critical gaps in current practices and identified areas in need of growth and refinement.

LDRS Education 615 students argue that emerging leaders play a crucial role in strengthening organizational environments by promoting safety, collaboration, and mutual respect. Thus, New Leaders Perspectives on Caring Communications reinforces the importance of developing …

University Of Nebraska At Omaha Graduate Commencement: May 2026, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Designing Enhanced Nonlinearity In Plasmonic Devices With Epsilon-Near-Zero Films, Kevin Tran Le

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (MS) Theses

The growing demand for energy-efficient optical information processing motivates compact nonlinear photonic devices that can operate at low power. Silicon photonics is a mature platform for linear optical functions, but nonlinear operation remains challenging because of its weak Kerr response, two-photon absorption at telecommunication wavelengths, and limited compatibility with deeply subwavelength plasmonic confinement. This thesis computationally investigates epsilon-near-zero thin films integrated into plasmonic waveguide architectures as a route toward stronger light–matter interaction in compact nonlinear devices.

Two waveguide geometries are examined: a hybrid metal-insulator-metal plasmonic slab waveguide incorporating an ultrathin indium tin oxide epsilon-near-zero layer (5–50 nm), and a dielectric-loaded …

"Fracturing The Space Of The Real": Deriving A Korean Queer Theory From The Shamanic Feminist Poetics Of Kim Hyesoon, Amber Lee

English (MA) Theses

This thesis derives a Korean queer theory from the shamanic feminist poetics of Kim Hyesoon, arguing that her theorization of Korean indigenous spirituality [musok] and the shaman song "Abandoned Princess Baridegi" constitutes a counter-epistemological framework capable of articulating queer possibility outside the ideological constraints of Western critical discourse. Drawing on the three essays of Princess Abandoned, translated by Don Mee Choi, I read Kim's work through a methodology of resignification (Judith Butler) and disidentification (José Esteban Muñoz) to argue that her agentive resignification of femininity and yin theorizes a disidentificatory performance-space [hyonbin] where queer Korean subjects enact worldmaking and …

Bard Observer Vol. 24 No.7 (May 2026), Bard College

Bard Observer, 2020 - 2029

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Nicotine On Muscle Stem Cell Growth And Differentiation, Annaka M. Clark

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Nicotine exposure has significantly increased due to the rising use of e-cigarettes, posing potential health risks not only to users but also to animals exposed to nicotine vapor. While nicotine has been extensively studied for its effects on human health, its impact on animal muscle cells remains largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate the effects of nicotine on muscle cell cultures, specifically focusing on morphological changes, gene expression, and differentiation. Using C₂C₁₂ myoblasts as a model system, the experiment evaluated how varying concentrations of nicotine influence muscle stem cell growth and regeneration. Findings show that lower …

Investigating The Effects Of Stress On The Passive Transfer Of Antibodies From Colostrum To The Newborn Calf, Audrey F. Dykes

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objective of the current study was to examine passive transfer of immunoglobulins A (IgA) and G (IgG) to the calf in relation to dam’s fecal cortisol and lactoferrin. In July 2024, late-gestation, Angus crossbred heifers pregnant by artificial insemination (n = 30) were moved to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Stocker Unit and housed in 0.42-ha grass paddocks for each heifer. Calving began in mid-August. Heifers were observed routinely throughout the workday and then at 8 p.m., 12 a.m., and 6 a.m. After calving, the calf was allowed to stand and suckle once then dam sample collection …

The Impacts Of High Protein Diet On Sleep And Mood In Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos), Lily G. Hiegel

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objective of this study is to determine whether adherence to a high protein diet over a sixteen-week period leads to improvements in sleep quality and mood in women with PCOS. It is hypothesized that individuals following the high protein diet will demonstrate significantly better sleep quality and more favorable mood profiles compared to individuals not following the high protein diet. By targeting insulin resistance and dietary carbohydrate intake, this intervention may influence multiple pathways involved in PCOS symptomatology, including hormonal regulation, metabolic function, sleep physiology, and psychological wellbeing.

Long-Term Stimulant Use Is Associated With Normalized White Matter Integrity In The Vta-Nacc Pathway In Adolescents, Isaac T. Arsenault

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Medical practitioners are diagnosing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at a high and ever-increasing rate. The use of stimulant medication to treat ADHD is also increasing and is associated with changes in the brain. Past research found that children with ADHD have lower volume in reward neurocircuitry, such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). Research has also found that stimulant usage in those with ADHD might “normalize” the reward circuits. However, few longitudinal studies have directly tested the long-term effects of stimulant medication on brain development. Here we tested whether long-term stimulant use is associated with changes …

The Association Of Birth Order And Coping Strategies In Children During Family Stress; A Case Study On A Second-Born Child, Jaymee Bass

Theses & ETDs

This study examined the association between birth order and coping strategies in children, with a particular focus on primary and secondary control coping during family stress. Drawing on theoretical models of coping that distinguish between efforts to change external stressors (primary control) and efforts to adapt internal responses (secondary control), the study explored whether children’s roles within the family may help predict their preferred coping mechanisms. Prior research suggests that personality traits, sibling dynamics, and family structure influence both emotional development and coping processes, indicating that birth order may be a meaningful factor in how children respond to stress. Participants …

Gendered Socialization Of Comfort With Risk And The Selection Of A College Major, Eliza S. Staton

Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study investigates the potential relationship between the gendered socialization of risk preferences and the selection of a college major. Women are underrepresented in many fields of study, but especially in those related to science, technology, engineering, and math (S.T.E.M). Careers in STEM fields tend to require degree paths that require difficult classes, with lower average grade points, and a high chance of failure. As of 2023, only 24% of the student body in the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas was composed of women (Uark 2023). These high-pressure, male-dominated environments have been found to lose women at …

Perceptions Of German Eugenics: An Analysis Of German Eugenics In The Eugenics Review, 1920-1945, Ally Iandolo

Political Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research examines how the eugenics movement in Germany was perceived by academic peers. I utilize entries from the British journal, The Eugenics Review, from 1920-1945 to create a database of all journal articles, book reviews, correspondence, and other entries that mention German eugenics. Then, using this database, I determine how German eugenics was perceived and which topics were identified by the journal’s contributors. Further, I analyze the careers of the authors who wrote these articles to understand the scope of interest in German eugenics from the Eugenics Review.

Identification, Pathogenicity, And Fungicide Sensitivity Of Itersonilia Perplexans Associated With Petal Spot Of Gerbera Cut Flowers In Colombia, Matheus Beger

All Theses

Petal diseases significantly affect gerbera cut flower production, as minor visual damage renders flowers unmarketable. Among those pathogens causing petal spots, Itersonilia perplexans affects some Asteraceae plants. However, this pathogen's impact on Colombian gerbera remains poorly studied. This study was designed to fill four gaps: molecular identification of Colombian isolates, confirmation of pathogenicity, standardized culture media, and fungicide sensitivity data. Four objectives were pursued: (i) isolate and identify the causal agent through sequencing the Internal Transcribed Spacer, Small Subunit and Large Subunit from the rDNA; (ii) evaluate pathogenicity on detached gerbera petals; (iii) identify optimal culture media for I. perplexans …

Disruption Of Energy Homeostasis By Chemical Mixtures Containing Persistent Pollutants In Hepg2 And C2c12 Cells, Morgan Jacobellis

All Theses

The Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes Fetal Growth Studies (ECHO-FGS) birth cohort data was used to identify chemical mixtures associated with adverse outcomes. This biomonitoring study associated specific chemical mixtures in maternal serum with low birth weight or childhood obesity (Pearce et al., 2021). Mixture Profiles 1, 3, and 4, comprised of different observed concentrations of DDE, PCB153, BDE47, and PFOS were prioritized. Mixtures were tested to determine whether they perturbed mitochondrial metabolism and energy sensing pathways. The purpose of this study was to elucidate a potential mechanism linking maternal exposure to mixtures containing persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to …

Comparative Effectiveness Of Immunotherapy Alone Or With Chemotherapy As First-Line Treatment For Marginal Zone Lymphoma, Adam Olszewski, Thomas Ollila, Dai Chihara, Geoffrey Shouse, Natalie Grover, Reem Karmali, Pallawi Torka, Colin Thomas, Praveen Ramakrishnan Geethakumari, Stefan Barta, Nancy Bartlett, Narendranath Epperla

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

No abstract provided.

Applications Of Cyrene For Pharmaceutical Synthesis, Anjali Mae Rabindran

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Cyrene is a cellulose-derived molecule that has gained interest in green chemistry as both a solvent and precursor for pharmaceutical intermediates. In this study, biocatalytic and chemical strategies were evaluated for converting Cyrene into these intermediates. Cyrene was carried through variations of a five-step sequence: reduction, reductive amination, esterification, tosylate salt formation, and Lewis-acid mediated acetal opening to generate ring-opened pyranose products (“deoxy sugars” and “deoxy amino sugars”). We successfully synthesized deoxy sugar intermediates; however, the production of stereochemically pure deoxy amino sugar intermediates was limited by unresolved diastereomeric mixtures. These findings highlight the promise of Cyrene as a renewable …