Digital Commons Network^™

Recovery Of Nuclear Dna From Skeletal Remains Decomposed In Freshwater, Zoe L. Sikon

Master's Theses

This research compared freshwater and dry decomposition environments and their impact on DNA recovery from Sus scrofa domesticus(domestic pig) femora over a 3-month period. Prior to decomposition, initial cuttings were taken from "fresh" bone samples. Cuttings were then collected at 3-week intervals from waterlogged and dry bone samples. All samples were extracted using the vendor recommended protocol for the Applied Biosystems PrepFiler BTA extraction kit and an updated version of the same protocol, that substitutes Proteinase K with additional Dithiothreitol (DTT) (Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2012.). DNA quantitation was performed using pig-specific custom primer sets, with the QuantStudio 5 Real-Time …

A Process Model Of Workplace Cyber Incivility Spillover, Cora Hurt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Cyber incivility is a pervasive problem, affecting individuals not only while at work but also at home. It has been found to spillover to the home domain in the form of aggression and withdrawal, affecting the target and their partner, but the mechanism behind this association has not been examined. This study examines work-related affective rumination as a spillover mechanism between experienced cyber incivility and aggressive and withdrawn behaviors at home. I hypothesized that daily experienced cyber incivility will be positively associated with both aggressive behavior and withdrawn behavior at home, and work-related affective rumination will mediate this relationship. Using …

Grey Relational Analysis And Canonical Correlation Analysis Of Air Pollution In Three Kentucky Counties, Sarah Hartman

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Air pollution is a crucial factor that affects both the environment and public health. Various methods are available for assessing air quality and pollution levels, such as regression models, principal component analysis, and factor analysis tools. However, some of these methods present issues in multicollinearity and the nature of collected data. It is important to recognize that air pollution data is often uncertain, incomplete, and contains limited valid data points. Weather conditions and economic activities are also factors that can affect air pollution. With growing communities in Kentucky (KY), it is essential to address these factors as the state has …

Impact Of Framing Depression On Illness Perceptions And Coping Strategies, Abby Mcginnis

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The current study aimed to adopt an experimental design used by Schroder et al. (2023) to investigate how framing of depression (as a disease vs a functional signal) impacts illness perceptions and coping strategies. Participants were given the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) to assess depression severity and prime participants for the framing condition. Each condition had five videos describing depression and the corresponding frameworks. Perceived control, timeline, and causes of depression were measured using the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R). Participants were given the brief-COPE questionnaire to measure coping strategies, such as avoidant and problem-focused. There were no differences …

Development Of An Enhanced Sampling Workflow To Accelerate Molecular Docking With Sparse Biophysical Information, Zachary Stichter

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Rapid docking of flexible biological macromolecules remains a significant open challenge in protein structure determination. While rigid docking is relatively simple with toolkits such as TagDock, a key obstacle to rapid flexible docking is the complexity and roughness of the free energy surface associated with protein conformational motion (often termed the many-minima problem), meaning conventional molecular dynamics methods do not effectively sample protein conformations near the interaction complex in accessible timescales. Methods such as metadynamics and replica exchange molecular dynamics exist to ameliorate this obstacle, yet these methods use nonphysical biases or random swaps to enhance sampling. In contrast, high …

Synthesis Of Gold Nanoparticles Via Pulsed Liquid Ablation For Use In The Photodynamic Therapy Of Bacteria, Justice Ben Yosef

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

With the ever-increasing threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria, alternative treatment methods have been developed including photodynamic therapy (PDT). Within the PDT process, photosensitizers are used to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and facilitate the cell termination process. This work lays the conceptual foundation for the functionalization of the photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and INF-55 as a potential inhibitor of the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump to enhance the effectivity of the PDT process.

AuNPs were synthesized using pulsed laser ablation in an aqueous citrate solution. Both nanosecond and picosecond pulse durations, as well as both 532 nm and …

Lgbtq+ Spaces In Rural Arkansas That Accommodate And Advocate For Queer Existence, Lacey Oxford

Interior Design Undergraduate Honors Theses

Queer communities located in rural Arkansas are often scarce and elusive to the public eye as a justified reaction to mass negative interpretations and understandings of these LGBTQ+ individuals from a predominantly conservative population. The few who have a more broadcasted identity are subject to potential public scrutiny, but offer queer individuals needed refuge and areas of unfiltered self-expression. This paper explores two LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and other identifying individuals) communities and their concomitant establishments: Santuario Arco Iris, an esteemed communal settlement designed specifically for BIPOC (black, indigenous, and other people of color), queer individuals in Boxley, …

2024 Nsu Undergraduate Commencement Program, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Identifying The Roles Of Mir-17 In Ciliogenesis And Cell Cycle, Ashwaq Alanazi

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

Emerging evidence suggests a significant contribution of primary cilia to cell division and proliferation mechanisms. MicroRNAs, especially miR-17, contribute to cell cycle regulation and proliferation. Recent investigations have highlighted the dysregulated expression of miR-17 in various malignancies, underlining its potential role in cancer. However, the correlation between primary cilia and miR-17 has yet to be fully elucidated. The present study examines the presence of miR-17 in primary cilia. The miR-17 expression is studied in selected ciliary protein knockdown cells. Using in-situ hybridization (ISH), we identified the subcellular localization of miR-17 in both cilia and cell bodies. We confirmed the importance …

Assessing Population Size And Survival Rate Of Pelophylax Bedriagae Caralitanus, In A Well-Protected Nature Park In Türkiye, Ayfer Şirin, Akın Kiraç, Gürçay Kıvanç Akyildiz, Eyup Başkale

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Estimating population trends provides valuable information for conservation biologists. Although there are many methods for estimating demographic rates, capture-mark-recapture (CMR) methods are known to be the most realistic method that can provide detailed data on individuals and populations, including the achievement of conservation goals. This study focused on determining the population trend of Pelophylax bedriagae caralitanus, Beyşehir frog using the CMR method in a protected area during the 2011 - 2019 breeding seasons. Our CMR data led to the selection of a model-considering constant survival rates, capture/recapture probabilities, and year-specific immigration/emigration patterns [Φ(··) y'(t) y''(t) p(··) = c(··) N(t)]-as the …

Intergroup Contact, Beliefs About Gender, And Trans Prejudice, Samantha Oyler

Poster Presentations

Gordon Allport first proposed the Intergroup Contact Theory in 1954. According to his theory, contact between ingroup and outgroup members, under certain conditions, would lead to positive effects, specifically the reduction of prejudice. Since then, this theory has been expanded to include members of other majority/minority groups. Research suggests intergroup contact has positive effects for reduction of anti-trans prejudice. To date, the focus has largely been on the mechanisms driving changes in attitudes and intentions towards trans individuals through intergroup contact interventions. It is unclear whether this intervention might also promote the acquisition of more nuanced sociocultural understanding about gender, …

The Disproportionate Burden On Vulnerable Communities In The Trade Of Plastic Waste: How Environmental Justice Should Be Integrated Into The United Nations Treaty On Plastic Pollution, Jackson Moffett

UC Law Environmental Journal

The United Nations Environment Assembly passed a resolution to end plastic pollution with a legally binding treaty in response to growing international concern over the destruction of the environment and human health from plastic pollution. Plastic waste disposal is currently regulated under the Plastic Waste Amendments of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (Basel Convention), which subjects it to prior informed consent (PIC) and the environmentally sound management of waste (ESM). Unfortunately, the increasing amount of plastic production and limited number of recycling facilities around the world have rendered the Basel …

May 2024 Full Issue, Faye O'Reilly

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Structure-Based Design And Semi-Synthesis Of Kratom-Derived Mu-Opioid Receptor Agonists With Varying Intrinsic Efficacy, Emily Wells

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Design And Synthesis Of Novel Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier Inhibitors For The Treatment Of Metabolic Disorders, Henry Politte

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Random-Effects Substitution Models For Phylogenetics Via Scalable Gradient Approximations, A. F. Magee, A. J. Holbrook, J. E. Pekar, Itzue W. Caviedes-Solis, F. A. Matsen Iv, G. Baele, J. O. Wertheim, X. Ji, P. Lemey, M. A. Suchard

Biology Faculty Works

Phylogenetic and discrete-trait evolutionary inference depend heavily on an appropriate characterization of the underlying character substitution process. In this paper, we present random-effects substitution models that extend common continuous-time Markov chain models into a richer class of processes capable of capturing a wider variety of substitution dynamics. As these random-effects substitution models often require many more parameters than their usual counterparts, inference can be both statistically and computationally challenging. Thus, we also propose an efficient approach to compute an approximation to the gradient of the data likelihood with respect to all unknown substitution model parameters. We demonstrate that this approximate …

How Neurobehavior And Brain Development In Alternative Whole-Organism Models Can Contribute To Prediction Of Developmental Neurotoxicity, Eva-Maria S. Collins, E. V. S. Hessel, S. Hughes

Biology Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Leukocytospermia Does Not Negatively Impact Outcomes In In Vitro Fertilization Cycles With Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection And Preimplantation Genetic Testing For Aneuploidy: Findings From 5435 Cycles, Pavan Gill, Nicolas Garrido Puchalt, Thomas Molinaro, Marie Werner, Emre Seli, James Hotaling, Philip Cheng

Jefferson Health - New Jersey Papers

PURPOSE: To investigate whether leukocytospermia (defined as the presence of ≥ 1 × 10

METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study including 5425 cycles between January 2012 to December 2021 at a single large university-affiliated fertility clinic. The primary outcome was live birth rate (LBR).

RESULTS: The prevalence of leukocytospermia was 33.9% (n = 1843). Baseline characteristics including female age, BMI, AMH, Day 3 FSH, and male partner's age were similar in cycles with and without leukocytospermia. The LBR after the first euploid embryo transfer was similar in those with and without leukocytospermia (62.3% vs. 63% p = 0.625). Secondary …

Science Communication: The Human Connection To Marine Science Through Digital Storytelling, Aimee Mendoza

Theses & ETDs

This thesis comprises three parts, serving as a platform to integrate two disciplines, creative writing and marine biology, to delve into the realm of Science Communication. The first part delineates the essence of digital storytelling, the principles of science communication, and elucidates the process of crafting a digital narrative. The second part is a partial collection of my digital stories, podcast and short essays entitled The Human Connection to Marine Science. The third part encapsulates reflective insights garnered from the journey of merging creative expression with scientific inquiry.

In The Performance Of A Lifetime: Pepper Plinkett, Lily Camille Hollinden

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This narrative depicts a caricature of the human experience through the eyes of my alter- ego character, Pepper Plinkett. Pepper is a symbol of my personal philosophies of what it means to be human, and serves as a protagonist and guide through an infinite, ambiguous natural world. This exhibition is a celebration of the vibrancy, curiosity, and ridiculousness of a lifetime. The uniqueness of humor as a specifically human trait and its use as a tool of communication, particularly in expressing authenticity, is the driving force behind my use of clowns in my work. I take an absurdist approach to …

Fostering Community Among Women Mountain Bikers, Samantha Wischmeyer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Although women have shown growing interest in mountain biking in recent years, a disproportionate number of men and women participate, with women representing only one-third of overall riders (The National Sporting Goods Association, 2023). Many women describe feeling insecure and intimidated by what they perceive to be the traditional mountain biking culture (Bordelon & Ferreira, 2019; Carpiet, 2014; Huybers-Withers, 2015; McCormack, 2020; Nash & Moore, 2021). This research is concerned with fostering a sense of belonging and opportunities for community-building to reduce barriers of entry in mountain biking for self-identified women in Northwest Arkansas. Northwest Arkansas has a highly active …

Dna/Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Structure And Their Translocation Through A Nanochannel, Daniel Christoffel Viljoen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

DNA sequencing is of major importance as it is used in fields such as species differentiation, personalized medicine and food safety. Currently sequencing by synthesis is the most popular commercial method of sequencing DNA while Oxford nanopore’s protein based nanopores are the only portable commercial method. Current nanopore based devices have three main issues: Spacial resolution, translocation rate versus sensor strength and dealing with the persistence length of ssDNA. This thesis contributes to ongoing research that aims to create a nanochannel with integrated sensor based sequencing device. The project has two main objectives. The first objective is to improve the …

Empower Voices, Enhance Dignity A Study On Menstrual Hygiene Management Among Internally Displaced Menstruators In Wassa Idp Camp, Abuja, Fct., Shalom Joro Yabilsu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nigeria’s humanitarian crisis has led to prolonged internal displacement, with many people forced to flee their homes due to armed conflict and communal violence. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) number in the millions and face numerous challenges that leave them vulnerable. Among those affected are menstruators, who face unique challenges related to managing menstruation in these dire circumstances. Despite significant research on various aspects of life within Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, there remains a notable gap in addressing menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in this space. This study focuses on understanding and enhancing health literacy of MHM through a life-centered embodied …

Leading In White Spaces: The Experience Of African American Pastors As Leaders In The Christian Reformed Church In North America (Crcna), Colin P. Watson Sr.

CTS DMin Dissertations

The Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) has had mixed results in attracting and maintaining Black leadership. This research seeks to identify the reasons for this mixed record by examining the experiences of nine current and former Black and African American CRCNA leaders.

Significant inclusion of Black and African-American leadership in the CRCNA is not only possible, but desired by the individuals interviewed. This work examines various challenges experienced by the pastors that were interviewed, and then provides potential next steps that address these challenges and increase the longevity and success of Black leadership in the CRCNA.

Educating Queerness: An Exploration Of Identity Construction Through The Schooling Experiences Of Transgender And Non Binary Adults, Miruna Ouatu-Lascar

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Transgender people and youth have been disproportionately denied their civil and human rights in educational and societal institutions. At the foundation of these actions and legislations that deny transgender people their rights is the rooted belief in the gender binary as a naturally occurring, accurate, system of defining gender which is pre prescribed at birth based on sex. It is imperative to explore the ways in which the gender binary has been socially constructed like other constructed identities such as race and ability in the effort to continue to eradicate transphobia and transphobic practices. This study explored the experience of …

Framing Wildlife Conservation: Exploring Political Bias In States' Wildlife Action Plans, Ciara Nelson

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Climate change affects regions of the United States differently due to factors such as the country's diverse physical landscapes, political environments, and population distributions. This variation leads to varying impacts on humans, wildlife, and ecosystems, with anthropogenic climate change—acknowledging humans as a significant contributor—being a point of contention, especially among some prominent politicians. The relationship between political party affiliation and climate change acknowledgment is evident, with recent political discourse highlighting differing views on the severity of climate change. This political framing influences how environmental policies are perceived and accepted, with the choice of language and framing playing a crucial role …

Dead Bodies As Quasi-Persons, Ela A. Leshem

Vanderbilt Law Review

This Article argues that American law treats dead bodies as quasi-persons: entities with a moral status between things and persons. The concept of quasi-personhood builds on dead bodies’ familiar classification as quasi- property. Just as quasi-property implicates only a subset of the rights usually associated with property, quasi-personhood implicates only a subset of the moral interests often associated with moral personhood. Drawing on a broad historical analysis of state, territory, and federal law, I show that U.S. law conceives of dead bodies as holders of dignity interests, which it protects in a variety of ways. The law, for example, protects …

Gen Z’S Perceptions And Use Patterns Of Smartphones In Nature-Based Recreation, Miles A. Glendening

All NMU Master's Theses

Generation Z (Gen Z), individuals born between 1997 and 2012, are often defined by their relationship to technology, specifically smartphones. Gen Z is defined as the first digital natives, those who grew up with and had early access to smartphones. As Gen Z comes into adulthood, they represent the largest demographic of those who participate in nature-based recreation (NBR), and are the future of NBR participation. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate how prevalent smartphone use is amongst Gen Z individuals while participating in NBR and how smartphone use potentially enhances or diminishes ones’ NBR experience. This …

Profile Of Dela Dos And Brittani Sterling, Vision Speakers At The 39th Annual Nasig Conference, Christian Burris

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Design Of Small-Scale Milk Processing Facility, Luke Bond, Robert Stenzel, Ry Steffen, John Van Nieuwenhuyse, Rossana Villa-Rojas, Terry Howell Jr., Tami M. Brown-Brandl, Forrest Kievit

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Masters Project Reports

This project was intended to investigate the feasibility of a proposed modular dairy processing facility collocated with a small dairy on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Innovation Campus. Priority was placed upon cost savings for equipment to be used in processing. Process flow diagrams, floor plans, production schedules, risk assessments, and plans for wastewater treatment were all developed to address the needs of the plant should it be built. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to evaluate the timeline for breaking even financially, resulting in the potential for a payback period of 4.5 years. The 4.5-year payback period was based on …