Digital Commons Network^™

Analysis Of Developmental Cardiogenic Processes Mediated By Fox And Zinc-Finger Transcription Factors, Rajnandani Katariya

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiogenesis is a highly choreographed biological process requiring the precise integration of gene regulatory networks to govern cell division, fate determination, and spatial positioning. Disruptions in these mechanisms lead to congenital heart defects (CHDs), which affect approximately 1% of live births globally. Due to the evolutionary conservation of cardiac signaling pathways and the structural homologies between the Drosophila dorsal vessel and the early vertebrate heart tube, Drosophila melanogaster serves as a powerful model for dissecting the fundamental mechanisms of heart development. This dissertation investigates the molecular orchestration of cardiac development, specifically focusing on the roles of the transcription factors Jumu …

Foraging Plasticity And Mercury Contamination In Red-Legged Kittiwakes: A Multiple Stressor Perspective, Sam E. Clay

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Arctic seabirds are facing increasing stress from climate change, yet the interactive effects of multiple stressors on behavior remain poorly understood. Adopting a multiple stressor perspective promises to advance understanding of avian behavioral responses to climate change, as climate change is exposing Arctic and subarctic animals to a complex set of stressors rather than a single stressor in isolation. Using the red-legged kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris) as a model, I examined how multiple stressors, including mercury (Hg) exposure, shifting wind conditions, and varying foraging conditions linked to sea surface temperature (SST) may interact to constrain behavioral plasticity and energetically expensive behavior …

Reconstruction Of Fox Transcription Factor-Regulated Subnetworks Mediating Cardiac Progenitor Cell Divisions, Md Rezaul Hasan

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital anomaly worldwide, affecting approximately 1% of live births, corresponding to 1.35 million infants born with CHD each year, and remains a leading cause of infant mortality; therefore, it is urgent to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying CHD for advancing early diagnosis and treatment. Because many aspects of the Drosophila heart formation are highly reminiscent of vertebrate heart development, Drosophila melanogaster serves as a simple yet powerful model system for studying cardiac development and CHD. While at least eight Forkhead box (Fox) transcription factors (TFs) are required for proper cardiac …

Dendroclimatic Response Of The Wet Miombo Woodland Species: A Case Study Of Mufulira District, Copperbelt Province, Zambia, Collins Chibuye Malubeni

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Zambia is a tropical, landlocked country that lies in the South-Central part of Africa. The climate in Zambia includes distinct dry and rainy seasons, mainly influenced by the north-south movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which shifts seasonally. This research is focused on understanding the relationship between tree growth and climate using dendrochronology. Forty-nine tropical species, including Julbernardia paniculata, Brachystegia longifolia, and Pericopsis angolensis, were analysed for dendroclimatic potential, and 70% showed clear ring formation, indicating that trees in this locality produce distinct annual ring boundaries. For the single species chronology, thirteen cores from eight trees that were initially …

Analysis Of Volumetric Reconstruction Methods In Archaeology, Cade O'Fallon

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry in archaeological projects is entering a period of transition; a method of producing 3D data that is traditionally embraced as tool for documentation is being explored for its analytic potential. One such way SfM photogrammetry can be used analytically is through the calculation of volumes using photogrammetric data. The tools exist for archaeologists to be able to create and quantify volumetric models; however, the discourse on these methods is still so new there is no consensus on the best method for conducting volumetric work. Different methods of creating and isolating volumetric space …

Microplastic Composition And Exposure Pathways In Freshwater Systems: A Multi-Matrix Comparison Between Streams And Retention Ponds In Hamilton County, In, Mya Whaley

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the early 1900s, the use of plastics has increased exponentially. The breakdown of plastic materials has exposed all ecosystems to microplastics (small particles of plastic < 5 mm), which are now ubiquitous in natural settings. Microplastics have a relatively large surface area, and many chemicals adsorb to these small particles, impacting their fate and transport of pollution. While microplastics have been found in virtually every setting on Earth, research is necessary to understand their impact on freshwater ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. The focus of this research was to investigate microplastic compositions in crayfish, sediments, and water samples collected in streams and retention ponds. We analyzed trends in microplastic counts across different land-cover classes, waterbody types, and species, and compared concentrations among matrices to improve our understanding of microplastic exposure pathways in freshwater ecosystems. As a secondary objective, lead and arsenic concentrations were analyzed from sediment samples to investigate metal burdens and compare them to microplastic concentrations. Our findings revealed that, in general, urban streams had the highest microplastic concentrations within land cover categories, and retention ponds had higher microplastic counts than streams. Crayfish, such as F. rusticus had higher microplastic concentrations than F. virilis and F. propinquus, although these results may be influenced by study design. The most common microplastic type was fibers, and most common color was transparent. There was no significant correlation between microplastic and metal concentrations in sediments. We found crayfish to be adequate bioindicators of microplastic pollution, because they were less impacted by environmental variability than sediment and water samples. This research presents the first evidence of microplastics in our study species, F. propinquus, F. rusticus, and F. virlis. This work presents new evidence of microplastic accumulation in crayfish, sediments, and water from freshwater systems in the Midwestern United States. Microplastics were found in every sample type—crayfish, water, and sediment—across urban, rural, and forested landscapes, highlighting their pervasive distribution. The findings provide foundational data for assessing emerging ecological and human-health risks and emphasize the importance of sustained monitoring and research on MP contamination in freshwater environments.

The Environment, Health, And Vector Nexus: Evaluating The Spatiotemporal Variability And Societal Impact Of Ticks In Arkansas, Dalton Williams

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a surging public health and veterinary concern in the United States. In states like Arkansas, climate change and shifting land use have recalibrated the ecological niches of vector species. This research utilizes species distribution and ecological niche modeling to assess the spatiotemporal suitability of ixodid tick habitats, specifically where environmental and socioeconomic factors intersect. By integrating spatial science with public health frameworks, this study identifies priority intervention areas in underserved rural regions where healthcare resources are often constrained. This study provides a comprehensive methodological framework, leveraging remote sensing datasets and historic disease data to delineate exposure …

Automated Circuit Design Algorithm And Implementation For Asynchronous Reset (Ares) Physically Unclonable Functions, Andrew Michael Felder

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Technology is increasingly interwoven in all aspects of society as it solves new problems, creates new possibilities, and enables new conveniences. With its unceasing evolution, environments handling protected information such as military, finance, and medicine demand ever-evolving threat mitigation. Combating attackers’ abilities to spoof devices, uncover cryptographic keys, and bypass security features is a never-ending task which drives technological advancement to improve existing capabilities and develop entirely new methodologies. In this dissertation work, the hybrid Asynchronous RESet Physically Unclonable Function (ARES PUF) is evaluated at the circuit to determine its merits as a PUF. As part of this evaluation, results …

Experimental Data-Driven System Identification Of Scale-Model Airboat Dynamics For Control And Autonomy Applications, Miguel A. Trejos

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

To achieve autonomous control of a surface watercraft requires an accurate model describing the dynamics of the system. To this end, the modeling of dynamics of an airboat with a combustion engine-based propulsion system is investigated. Specifically, a black-box data-based approach using neural networks. To facilitate this, a custom data collection system was developed to record linear and rotational motion during field tests. Due to the airboats unique ability to traverse different terrains, not just water, the modeling of dynamics on different terrains was investigated.

The Role Of Floodplain Connectivity In Shaping The Abundance, Size-Class Distribution, And Schooling Behavior Of The Associated Fish Assemblage, Adam H. Quade

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The life histories of many Louisiana fishes are closely tied to the timing, magnitude, and duration of the Mississippi River flood pulse, which regulates the ecological connectivity and productivity of adjacent floodplain habitats. Anthropogenic modifications such as levee construction and water-control structures have disrupted these natural hydrologic linkages, altering habitat quality and community structure across the Lower Mississippi River Basin. This dissertation used high-resolution imaging sonar to investigate how fish assemblages, species, and collectives respond to changes in floodplain connectivity within the Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area prior to hydrologic restoration. In the first chapter, I applied imaging sonar …

The Lasting Impact: Aces, Foster Care Placement, And Lifespan Development, Abigail J. Luth

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Research shows that children in foster care experience adverse childhood experiences at a disproportionately high rate. This significantly impacts developmental, and health outcomes across ones lifetime. Through interviews with field specialists and individuals with experience in foster care, a qualitative analysis was conducted to identify thematic responses and draw conclusions. Interviewees were briefed on the project and gave consent to participate. Key findings included a high ACE score prevalence among foster youth as well as a need for stability in home placements. Further research should be done to look into how professionals can help make the transition into foster care …

A Modal Analysis Of Human Dignity, Alexander S. Eberspacher

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This work examines the history of the human rights tradition and philosophically compares it to the natural law tradition as most pre-eminently developed in Catholicism. It then turns to examine how Catholicism offers a philosophically sound base for universal dignity through the light of Saul Kripke’s modal work, while the Universal Declaration of Human Rights cannot account for such.

Success In Motion: A Comparative Thematic Analysis Of Patient Success In Inpatient And Outpatient Physical Therapy, William T. Gish

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Physical therapy is practiced across a wide range of clinical settings that differ substantially in patient populations, goals, and care timelines. While standardized outcome measures are commonly used to evaluate treatment effectiveness, little research has examined how physical therapists themselves define successful outcomes  or whether those definitions vary across inpatient and outpatient contexts. This study employed a qualitative mixed-methods design to explore how physical therapists conceptualize success in clinical practice. Ten licensed physical therapists participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Supplementary quantitative data were collected via an online background survey. Five primary themes emerged: goal-oriented, patient-centered …

From Feeling To Faith: How Affective Experience Gives Rise To Religion, Asia Wewel

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This paper argues that religion is the intelligible, structured response to distinct pressures arising from within human experience itself. Drawing on Schleiermacher, Otto, Kant, and Becker, the paper traces religion's emergence through four phases. The first establishes that religious feeling is pre-conceptual and categorically distinct from ordinary emotion. The second works through Otto's correction of Schleiermacher: the genuinely religious encounter is not dependence intensified but the numinous. The third shows that Kant, arriving from an entirely different direction, reaches the same destination: practical reason diagnoses a radical evil the will cannot correct alone, demanding an ethical commonwealth that mirrors …

The Undergraduate Education And Scientific Literacy: Exploring How College Influences Student Perception Of Covid-19 Events, Peyton Brooking

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Current undergraduate students received much of their education following the events of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these students experienced pandemic events before receiving any or most of their science-based higher education. Exploring their progress through higher education, and how it retroactively influenced their perception of pandemic events, serves as an informative research area. This study explores how undergraduate education in the sciences influences student engagement with complex recent events in science. In addition, this study asked how higher education builds confidence in interpreting this information. Additionally, students were surveyed to understand their scientific literacy baseline at the beginning of …

Analysis Of The Effects Of Astaxanthin On Human Colorectal Cancer Cells, Kara A. Walters

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Astaxanthin (AXT) is an antioxidant carotenoid that is produced by the microalgae Haemococcus pluvialis. This supplement is best known for its potential health benefits including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, immunomodulatory, anticancer and antidiabetic activities. Astaxanthin is marketed as an oral dietary supplement and is widely used in the nutraceutical industry as well as a coloring agent in the food industry. Since Astaxanthin has been increasingly popular as a dietary supplement, cytotoxicity is relevant to consumer exposure. Obtaining the IC50, the concentration that inhibits 50% of cell growth, is important to find how Astaxanthin may interact with cancer, and this can be found …

Spring Dance Concert 2026 (Emerge) Playbill, Providence College Department Of Theatre, Dance, & Film

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance, & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre

Spring Dance Concert 2026 (Emerge)

May 1, 2026, 7:30PM

May 2, 2026, 2PM

Director, Nina Kossler

Lighting Designer, Elissa Pensa Cerros

Choreographers: Elizabeth Graney, Caroline Guanci, Jade Bocciarelli, Caroline Puccini, Rowan Locascio-McLaughlin, Kiley Vallee, Heidy Guzman, Ella Ford, Gabriella Girard, Julia Mele, Emma Daigneau, Anna Gross, Camryn Lowry, Alyssa Rago, Grace Sittig

Dancers: Lola Blessington, Simone Chabot, Noël Rose DeRosa, Ella Ford, Elizabeth Graney, Katherine Pritchard, Kiley Vallee,  Elaina Bartolini, Alyssa Dalto, Caroline Guanci, Heidy Guzman, Riley Joyce, Heidi Nicholls, Anna Bernat, Jade Bocciarelli, Lauren Gerew, Julia Mele, Grace …

The Spark, Karen Jackson

Quill & Scope

No abstract provided.

“Shaken Off The Shamefast Band”: Lady Knights In 16th Century Italian And English Romance Epics, Rita Lawlor

Theses & ETDs

This thesis examines the depiction of female knights in three romance epics, the Orlando Furioso (1532), the Gerusalemme Liberata (1581), and the Faerie Queene (1590, 1596). As a hybridized genre, the romance epic is forced to mediate the political imperatives of Vergilian epic with romance’s centralization of individual desires. The lady knight serves as a reflection of this generic hybridization due to her origins in both the Aeneid and the Italian romance cycle. The central role of the lady knight within romance epic becomes precarious, as Vergilian epic necessitates that she remains a marginal figure within the text, because she …

Caribbean Sea Fan Health And Disease: Investigating Aspergillosis At Cayos Cochinos, Honduras, Jayden Ponsford

Theses & ETDs

Coral reefs represent one of the most biologically rich environments on the planet, providing habitat, protection, and resources for numerous marine species. Soft corals, particularly gorgonians, are essential to reef health by providing environmental services such as habitat, food, and nutrient cycling. However, these organisms are increasingly threatened by environmental stress and disease, including the fungal pathogen Aspergillus sydowii (Bainier & Sartory Thom & Church 1926), which commonly infects Gorgonia ventalina and G. flabellum (sea fans). They are eukaryotic organisms belonging to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa, order Alcyonacea, family Gorgoniidae, and genus Gorgonia. In this study, I …

Predicting Personalized Myocardial Fibrosis Response Patterns Using A Mechanistic Signaling Network Model, Jared Noel

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Myocardial fibrosis is a key driver of heart failure progression and exhibits substantial patient-to-patient variability, complicating the development of effective personalized therapies. In this study, we present an integrated computational framework that combines a mechanistic signaling network model with patient-specific proteomic data to predict individualized fibrotic responses and therapeutic strategies. Using proteomic measurements from the Framingham Heart Study, we generated personalized baseline states and performed systematic in silico perturbation screens to evaluate candidate drug targets across 132 signaling nodes. Results reveal that while global network response structure is conserved, therapeutic efficacy varies widely between patients in both magnitude and breadth, …

Electrochemical And Mechanical Evaluation Of Cellulose Acetate Electrolyte Films As A Function Of Polyetherimide And Polyethylene Glycol Additives For Supercapacitor Applications, Chase E. Golden

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Polymer electrolytes for supercapacitor applications require a balance between mechanical robustness and electrochemical performance. In this study, cellulose acetate (CA) films were modified with additives such as polyetherimide (PEI) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to test how compositional changes influence mechanical performance, ionic conductivity, and electrochemical charge storage. Films were cast using phase inversion, soaked in a 1 M NaCl aqueous solution, and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and tensile testing. Films were also evaluated based on fluid uptake for insight into electrolyte retention.

Characterizations show that the addition of PEI increased ionic …

Design Of Aluminum-Air Battery Systems And Optimization Of Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide And 8-Hydroxyquinoline Additives In Alkaline Electrolytes, Steve Chen

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The first portion of this thesis focuses on the design and component optimization of aluminum-air batteries to power a car for the Chem-E-Car competition. A range of separators, cathodes, and current collectors was evaluated to determine the optimal configuration for maximizing output. The resulting system consisted of 1000 series aluminum as the anode, cellulose separators saturated in 1 M potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte, and composite PVDF and graphite as the cathode. The improved batteries achieved a power density of 2.14 x 10^-4 W/cm² and were utilized for the Chem-E-Car competition. The second portion of the thesis investigates …

Design And Synthesis Of Chiral Coordination Polymers For Chirality-Induced Spin Selectivity, Ashleigh Roberts

Theses & ETDs

Knowledge of the behavior of electrons is widely applicable across physics, chemistry, and biology, and is thus under constant research. An aspect that has been receiving much attention in recent decades is the electron spin polarization induced by interaction with chiral molecules, which the term chirality-induced spin selectivity describes. A major area of the experimental research focuses on the variables that influence the degree of spin polarization. The goal of this project is to take a step towards building an understanding of how the magnetism and conductivity of compounds composing a chiral crystal influence the degree of spin polarization it …

How Does The Rise Of Ai-Generated Media Influence Public Trust In Audiovisual Communication?, Danny Mathew

Communications and Digital Media Theses

This study examines how the rise of AI-generated media influences public trust in audiovisual communication. As artificial intelligence technology advances, they have become capable of producing highly realistic images and videos that challenge traditional assumptions about the credibility of audiovisual media. This research uses a qualitative visual content analysis to compare AI-generated and authentic audiovisual content shared on social media platforms, specifically on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. A dataset of 30 media samples was evaluated using a structured coding framework that evaluated visual realism, facial and visual inconsistencies, contextual presentation, indicators of AI generation, and perceived credibility. The …

Implementation Brief Classroom Snapshots, Center On English Language Proficiency

Resources

No abstract provided.

Seasonal Body Composition And Neuromuscular Changes In High School Wrestlers: Medicine Balls For Fatigue Testing, Courtney Mccall Condie Carroll

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This study examines the effects a single wrestling season has on high school athletes’ body composition, muscle quality, membrane capacitance, and neuromuscular performance, and whether instrumented medicine balls are sensitive enough to serve as a field test for chronic fatigue. Twenty-five high school wrestlers (males=18, females=7) were recruited and assessed pre-season (Pre), mid-season (Mid), and end-of-season (Post). Outcome measures included body mass, fat-free mass, fat mass (via bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy), echo intensity (EI, via B-mode ultrasound) of the vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps brachii (BB), and countermovement rotational and backward-overhead throws with medicine balls instrumented with accelerometers.  Repeated measures ANOVA …

The Beat Behind The Bark: Investigating The Effects Of Music Tempo On Canine Physiological And Psychological States, Marley Lanier

Poster Presentations

Music is a universal component of human culture that has been demonstrated influencing emotional, cognitive, and physiological responses, specifically heart rate and hormonal responses (Mehr et al., 2019; Trappe, 2012). Recently, this research has expended to explore how music may affect non-human animals, particularly dogs, due to their roles as therapy animals, service animals, and human companions (Lindig et al., 2020; Gee et al., 2021). Being able to understand how music influences canine stress and relaxation hold important applications in environments such as shelters, veterinary clinics, and at home. One important feature of music is tempo, or beats per minute …

Evaluating Fungal Endophytes Inoculation As A Mechanism For Salt Tolerance In Juncus Roemarianus, Rani Badve

Honors Theses

Salinity stress is increasing in coastal and estuarine ecosystems due to increasing temperatures and the reduction of freshwater inputs via precipitation pattern changes. Elevated salinity can negatively affect plant survival, threatening the stability of coastal wetlands and the ecosystem services they provide. Juncus roemerianus is a common and dominant marsh plant in the Northern Gulf Coast that lives in varying salinities. Growing evidence suggests that root-associated fungal endophytes may contribute to enhanced stress tolerance; however, the response of fungal communities to salinity remains poorly understood.

This study evaluated how salinity influences the abundance and diversity of culturable root-associated fungal communities …

Acute Effects Of The Psychoactive Pollutant Fluoxetine On The Antipredator Behavior Of The Gulf Killifish (Fundulus Grandis), Semyra Reus

Honors Theses

Pharmaceutical contaminants are increasingly prevalent in aquatic environments, yet their sublethal effects on ecologically relevant behaviors remain poorly understood, particularly in estuarine systems. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine, are of particular concern due to the conserved role of serotonin in regulating behavior across vertebrates. Here, we investigated how acute exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of fluoxetine influences anti-predator behavior in Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis), a key estuarine fish commonly found in saltmarsh habitats. Killifish were exposed to control (0 ng/L), low (17.8 ng/L), and high (596 ng/L) fluoxetine concentrations and subsequently tested in the presence …