Digital Commons Network^™

An Analysis Of Targeted Physical Therapy Against Medial Epicondylitis, Rylie Howe

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Medial epicondylitis, more commonly known as "golfer's elbow", is a musculoskeletal condition involving the common flexor tendon in the forearm at the attachment point of the medial epicondyle of the humerus bone. The repeated use of this tendon causes inflammation, swelling, as well as other types of straining that results in minute damage that accumulates to the overall strain and complications that come with medial epicondylitis. Targeted physical therapy is the overall recommended treatment for this condition. However, there is limited consensus to the most effective interventions. Mixed methods were used to investigate the possibility of the success of certain …

An Exploratory Research On The Sexualization Of Young Women On Tiktok, Grace Schmerz

Student Theses

This study adopts a mixed-method approach, utilizing both qualitative content analysis and quantitative metadata assessments to evaluate 1000 TikTok videos tagged under specific hashtags suggestive of youthful and sexualized themes. Qualitative findings highlighted the characteristics of sexualization through thematic content analysis, sorting behaviors, attire, and the context of music and speech within the videos. Themes such as sexualized postures, sexualized attire, sexualized dancing, sexualized speech, and sexualized gestures were categorized and quantified with the support of descriptive statistics. The study found a significant presence of sexualization in the sample, most prominently in post-pubescent women. Quantitatively, engagement metrics provided insight into …

Stability Of Dna In Saliva Evidence Collected With Two Different Swabbing Solutions, Kuanwei Lu

Student Theses

As the significance of trace DNA has increased over time, it has become more important to optimize each process to avoid any loss of genetic material. Factors that could negatively affect the quality and quantity of DNA during transport or storage include environmental temperature, the DNA collection devices, the packaging, and possible contamination. This study compared the DNA stability of saliva stain swabs collected by moistening the swab with deionized water or Sample Keeper and stored at room temperature. Sample Keeper (Microread Genetics, Beijing) is a proprietary buffer marketed as a DNA stabilizing agent. We swabbed 110 saliva stains from …

Determination Of Common Drugs Of Abuse And Metabolites In Oral Fluid: Comparison Of Different Extraction Procedures, Melissa Koffer

Student Theses

Oral fluid has been gaining importance in forensic and clinical toxicology for many different drug testing scenarios. Oral fluid is composed of saliva, along with gingival fluid, bacteria, and food residues. Drug testing using oral fluid has many advantages over other matrices (blood, urine) such as the non-invasive collection, reduced risk of tampering, and shorter detection windows which show recent drug use. The purpose of this study was to develop an analytical method for the determination of 19 drugs of abuse and metabolites in oral fluid by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and compare three different extraction methods: liquid-liquid …

The Role Of Transit Countries In Global Wildlife Trafficking, Joseph Gangi

Student Theses

This thesis explores the role of transit countries in the global trade of illegal wildlife. While much research has been conducted on source and destination countries, transit countries remain an under-researched link in this chain, even though they play an integral role in facilitating this trade. This study utilizes the Rational Choice and Institutional Theory theoretical frameworks to examine the factors associated with transit countries' roles in wildlife trafficking. The findings indicate that transit countries play an active role in wildlife trafficking, and there is a need for policy to address this issue. Considering the findings of this study, this …

Bending Moral Philosophy And Philosophy Of History Toward Each Other, Bennett B. Gilbert

History Faculty Publications and Presentations

In lieu of an abstract, here is an excerpt from the introduction:

In his journal of intimate thoughts (called The Inward Morning) written while journeying through the wildernesses of Montana, the American existentialist philosopher Henry Bugbee (1915–1999)—who had fled there from the Harvard Philosophy Department and who remains little known even in the U.S.—wrote: “Reflection, it seems, must earn the gift of the essential meaning of things past.” I think this is true, that the past is both exemplar of moral reflection and part of the substance of it. I have written a book to argue for the how and …

Missional Movement Through The Local Church : Applying Movemental Principles In A British Context, Nicholas Ralph Allan

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Anesthetic Management Of The Parturient With Increased Intracranial Pressure Disorders, Madeline Olson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The parturient experiences various physiologic changes that contribute to the potential for increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Patients with preexisting neurologic conditions such as Chiari Malformation I, pseudotumor cerebri, and mass occupying lesions are at significant risk of increased ICP. A literature review was conducted to determine the safest labor anesthesia options for the parturient with increased intracranial pressure. After the literature review, a PowerPoint presentation and reference guide were given to a group of anesthesia providers at a central Illinois hospital that discussed the evidence-based recommendations. A voluntary survey was completed after the presentation to assess an improvement in knowledge …

Using The History Of Statistics To Teach Introductory Statistics, Melissa Hansen

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

While often taught in high school and required as part of a college degree, statistics classes are sometimes viewed by students as an obstacle rather than a support for their overall goals. One way to increase student engagement in a statistics course is to use the history of statistics. Within the literature review, the advantages to using the history of statistics are discussed as well as the more extensive research on using the history of mathematics in mathematics courses. Included are instructional strategies for using the context around the development of mathematical ideas in math classrooms which can be extended …

China's Nature-Based Solutions In The Global South: Evidence From Asia, Africa, And Latin America, Annah Lake Zhu, Niklas Weins, Juliet Lu, Tyler Harlan, Jin Qian, Fabiana Barbi Seleguim

Urban and Environmental Studies Faculty Works

China increasingly engages in environmental diplomacy through South-South cooperation across the developing world. Since 2019, the rise of the discourse of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) within this cooperation has been exponential. Coined just over ten years ago, NbS refers to the underexplored potential of leveraging the natural world to address socio-environmental challenges. The concept finds particular resonance in China, where it demonstrates strong parallels with the domestically-pioneered concept of Ecological Civilization – the ruling paradigm when it comes to all realms of Chinese environmental governance. Building on the global discourse, NbS has been adapted to the Chinese context, creating what some …

Untold Stories: Exploring Queer And Genderqueer Students’ Perceptions Of Sense Of Belonging And Experiences At One Historically Black University, Tammy D. Lane

All Dissertations

This study used a basic interpretative qualitative design, using a case study as the theoretical approach to examine the experiences of Black queer students, particularly as they foreground a sense of belonging on a historically Black college and university (HBCU) campus. Extant literature demonstrated that queer cohorts are likely to experience isolation and a sense of not belonging at HBCUs due to tradition (Davis, et al., 2020; Lenning, 2017; Mobley & Johnson, 2019). Queer students’ sense of belonging can influence behaviors such as persistence, engagement, academic achievement, and a sense of self (Garvey, 2020; Squire et al., 2018; Strayhorn, 2019). …

Thamnophis And Their Toxic Relationship: Testing For Intraspecific Venom Variation In The Common Garter Snake, Thamnophis Sirtalis, Grace E. Coppinger

Poster Presentations

Project Objective - Estimate intraspecific venom variation between male and female garter snakes collected from the University of South Alabama of different sizes.

Afraid For The Dark: Regulating Light Pollution Under The Clean Water Act, Katrina Umstead

William & Mary Law Review

Currently, light pollution is only regulated at the state and local level. However, not all states implement legislation to mitigate the adverse effects of ALAN [Artificial light at night]. Nineteen states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have implemented laws to reduce light pollution. In states without such laws, or in federal waters, light-intensive activities remain unchecked. The rapid increase in light pollution in recent years illustrates the inadequacies of existing state and local regulatory schemes and calls for a new understanding of ALAN as a pollutant to marine ecosystems.

This Note argues that the existing tools in the …

A Ui-Enhanced Approach To Generic Web-Based Scheduling, Tyler Hinrichs

Honors Scholar Theses

Administrative scheduling is a key aspect of a wide variety of systems, but despite being a widespread need, it is not a straightforward task. Organizational uniqueness introduces complexity when attempting to use algorithmic methods to automate scheduling, as individual organizations often have their own ways of determining various details and constraints of a schedule. However, in this paper, we assert that there are relevant commonalities that many different schedules fundamentally possess, allowing us to create a generic scheduling application that can be productively used for as many different scenarios as possible. After devising a schema that captures this generic representation, …

Comparing The Effectiveness Of Different Forms Of Vitamin E Supplementation (Liquid Vs. Powder) On Serum Alpha-Tocopherol Concentrations In Developing Horses, Emilia Fong-Gallagher

Honors Scholar Theses

Vitamin E is an essential antioxidant in equines that has a significant role in the nutritional requirements of horses to keep bodily systems functioning at optimal levels. Vitamin E deficiency is often associated with serious incurable neuromuscular diseases such as equine motor neuron disease and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Many horses stabled in urban areas are often deficient due to the lack of adequate grazing time as their natural source of vitamin E is from grass, and therefore should receive supplementation. This study evaluated the effectiveness of different forms of Elevate vitamin E supplement on the serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations in fourteen …

Advancements In Crispr-Cas9 Gene Editing: Applications And Future Implications For Sickle Cell Disease And Β-Thalassemia Treatment, Swetha Battini

Honors Scholar Theses

This literature review explores the utilization of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology in addressing Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Beta-Thalassemia. CRISPR, leveraging the Cas-9 enzyme inspired by bacterial defense mechanisms, serves as a precise molecular tool for targeted genetic modifications. The process involves guide RNA directing Cas-9 to specific DNA sites, allowing for meticulous gene editing. Focusing on the specific applications of CRISPR in SCD and Beta-Thalassemia, the review critically analyzes recent methods, including CRISPR-Cas9 editing targeting the BCL11A enhancer for SCD and the HBG1/HBG2 promoters for both SCD and Beta-Thalassemia. The synthesis of findings highlights the potential and challenges of …

3d-Printed Microfluidic Devices For Electrochemiluminescence Detection Of Mirna, Oscar Clement

Honors Scholar Theses

This thesis outlines the research conducted over the past two years on the production and application of microfluidic devices (MFDs) in electrochemiluminescent-based bioanalytical assays. The work is categorized into two main projects: designing and manufacturing MFDs and developing electrochemiluminescent (ECL) assays for detecting Alzheimer's disease (AD) associated microRNAs (miRNAs) using CRISPR technology. The process of learning to design MFDs involved acquiring proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software, stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, and iterative design techniques. The development of the ECL-based assay for AD miRNA was a multidisciplinary endeavor, combining elements of inorganic and biological chemistry. Although the research on the …

How Does Hummock Creation In Submerging Salt Marshes Alter Nitrous Oxide Fluxes?, Juliette Doyle

Honors Scholar Theses

Climate change is altering ecosystems and the services they provide. Salt marsh ecosystems typically protect coastal areas and filter nitrogen out of water, but are rapidly submerging due to rising sea levels and human development that prevents landward migration. Recent restoration efforts to preserve salt marshes attempt to build elevation capital and promote vegetation and animal habitat, but it is unclear how such efforts affect salt marsh biogeochemistry and dynamics of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. To better understand how adding sediment to submerging salt marshes may alter nitrous oxide fluxes, I leveraged a salt marsh hummock creation experiment …

Regarding The Gender Gap: Interrogating Mcarthur’S Hypothesis On Dyslexia, Anxiety, And Inattention, Caroline Lynch

Honors Scholar Theses

This study interrogated the pervasive gender gap in dyslexia diagnosis. In order to do so, we analyzed Dr. Genevieve McArthur’s recent hypothesis that poor reading is linked to poor self-concept, anxiety, and inattention, which begins the cycle once again. Using a subset of data from the Child Mind Institute’s Healthy Brain Network biobank (children aged 7-11, n=1,725), we evaluated McArthur’s proposed relationships, and possible gendered differences within those relationships through probing which factors were important predictors of if a child did or did not receive a dyslexia diagnosis. We looked at word reading, biological sex, anxiety and inattention as possible …

Use Of Cre-Lox Mice As A Model For Ependymogenesis, Poorva Bagchee

Honors Scholar Theses

Stem cells in the lateral ventricles of the brain undergo a process of development within the ventricular-subventricular zone. In early development neuroepithelial cells divide to form more neuroepithelial cells or convert to radial glial cells (RGCs). These RGCs, or stem cells, then divide to form neurons or other glial cells such as ependymal cells, which form a single-layered ependyma along the ventricular wall. These stem cells divide in two ways: symmetrically, producing two ependymal cells or asymmetrically, yielding one neural stem cell and ependymal cell. To further study this process the Cre-lox system in mice will be used. By breeding …

Analyzing The Impact Of Implicit Bias In Pharmacy And Healthcare-Related Professions, Jessica Bylyku

Honors Scholar Theses

American healthcare is a broad, complicated field of study and work. Those who work in healthcare may possess or be affected by implicit biases, which complicates matters more. Implicit bias is the unconscious mental tendency to create automatic associations with a particular group of people.1 As such, implicit biases have the potential to become explicit biases in the form of stereotyping, microaggressions, prejudice, and ultimately discrimination. Researchers believe implicit biases may have a biological basis in human brains, and several theories implicate bias in decision-making processes. The implications of bias have promoted researchers to perform many studies about effects on …

Analysis And Numerical Simulation Of Tumor Growth Models, Daniel Acosta Soba

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation we focus on the numerical analysis of tumor growth models. Due to the difficulty of developing physically meaningful approximations of such models, we divide the main problem into more simple pieces of work that are addressed in the different chapters. First, in Chapter 2 we present a new upwind discontinuous Galerkin (DG) scheme for the convective Cahn–Hilliard model with degenerate mobility which preserves the pointwise bounds and prevents non-physical spurious oscillations. These ideas are based on a well-suited piecewise constant approximation of convection equations. The proposed numerical scheme is contrasted with other approaches in several numerical experiments. …

Fate And Treatability Of Engineered Nanoparticles In Urban Stormwater, Laura Wright

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Despite the tremendous benefits of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), their inevitable release into the environment may be detrimental and hence cause for concern of these emerging contaminants. In this thesis research, the fate and transport of nano-silver (n-Ag) and nano-titanium dioxide in source specific stormwater is explored, and the influence of n-Ag on the treatability of co-pollutants is examined. Through the analysis of particle size distribution, it was noticed that metallic ENPs tend to aggregate initially, while extended turbulence in the system leads to disaggregation. Stormwater samples with added ENPs exhibited larger particles than those in stormwater without added ENPs. The …

Identifying A Target Protein And Ligands For Autoimmune Disorders, Sarah Caruthers

Computational and Data Sciences (MS) Theses

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by unprovoked inflammatory responses that lead to tissue degradation. Patients suffering from SLE display an overexpression of master regulatory protein HIF-1 HIF-1is a transcription factor for pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-17A (IL-17A), which is highly involved in inflammatory reactions within the body. To search for a treatment for SLE, computer aided drug discovery techniques were utilized. The transcription factor complex for IL-17A was reconstructed through multiple protein docking techniques. The heteroprotein complex was profiled using 3D macromolecular visualization software and binding cavities within HIF-1 were calculated. Molecular docking simulations were run on the …

Russia In The United Nations Security Council: Charter Principles And Credentials Procedure, Thomas D. Grant

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

No abstract provided.

Use Of Newly Acquired Materials: An Analysis Of Print And E-Book Acquisitions, Rickey Best

The Southeastern Librarian

The Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) Library examined its current acquisitions circulation rate over a period of five years (from 2017-2021) to determine whether materials being added met student and faculty needs as demonstrated by circulation patterns, and if there was a difference in circulation patterns between acquired print and e-books that might help the library determine where to better focus its resources: print or electronic.

Key Variants Via The Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project Whole Genome Sequence Data, Yanbing Wang, Chloé Sarnowski, Honghuang Lin, Achilleas N Pitsillides, Nancy L Heard-Costa, Seung Hoan Choi, Dongyu Wang, Joshua C Bis, Elizabeth E Blue, Eric Boerwinkle, Philip L De Jager, Myriam Fornage, Ellen M Wijsman, Sudha Seshadri, Josée Dupuis, Gina M Peloso, Anita L Destefano

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified loci associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) but did not identify specific causal genes or variants within those loci. Analysis of whole genome sequence (WGS) data, which interrogates the entire genome and captures rare variations, may identify causal variants within GWAS loci.

METHODS: We performed single common variant association analysis and rare variant aggregate analyses in the pooled population (N cases = 2184, N controls = 2383) and targeted analyses in subpopulations using WGS data from the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP). The analyses were restricted to variants within 100 kb of 83 previously …

Analysis Of The Relationship Between Religion, Abortion, And Assisted Reproductive Technology: Insights Into Cross-National Public Opinion, Amy L. Adamczyk, Brittany Suh, Lindsay Lerner

Publications and Research

With advancement in reproductive technologies, public opinion regarding these procedures varies considerably across the world. While prominent public debates have focused on abortion, we know less about the factors shaping feelings regarding Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). Both procedures challenge the idea that human life starts with conception – with the fertilization of an embryo. Using European Values Survey data and multilevel modeling, we compare how religion and other personal and country-level factors shape disapproval toward abortion and ART. Conservative Protestants and people who are more engaged with their religion and live in a more religious country are more likely to …

The Future Of Brain Tumor Diagnosis: Cnn And Transfer Learning Innovations, Shengyuan Wang

Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science Honors Projects

For the purpose of improving patient survival rates and facilitating efficient treatment planning, brain tumors need to be identified early and accurately classified. This research investigates the application of transfer learning and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) to create an automated, high-precision brain tumor segmentation and classification framework. Utilizing large-scale datasets, which comprise MRI images from open-accessible archives, the model exhibits the effectiveness of the method in various kinds of tumors and imaging scenarios. Our approach utilizes transfer learning techniques along with CNN architectures strengths to tackle the intrinsic difficulties of brain tumor diagnosis, namely significant tumor appearance variability and difficult …

Genetics Of Lrg1 And Its Association With The Cardiometabolic Risk Traits In Mexican American Children And Adolescents, Aaron Rene Reyna

Theses and Dissertations

Leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) has become a major topic of research due to an increasing number of studies demonstrating its unique role in the pathogenesis of multiple human diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. LRG1 has recently been identified as an adipokine, a signaling molecule secreted by adipose tissue. Furthermore, it has been correlated with intercellular signaling that promotes diet-induced hepatosteatosis and insulin resistance in mice. In this study, LRG1 serum concentrations were measured in a family-based cohort of 571 non-diabetic Mexican American children and adolescents aged 6-17 years old (mean age = 11.76 years and females = 48.2%) to …