Digital Commons Network^™

Beyond Skrmetti: A Constitutional Case For Gender-Affirming Care, Mateo-Luis A. Planas, Evan Gerstmann

Honors Thesis

In 2025, roughly 2.1 million adults in America identify as transgender, making up around 1% of the country’s total population. Despite this, the transgender identity has become a focus of political debates and made its way onto the U.S. Supreme Court’s docket in U.S. v. Skrmetti. The issue is not whether transgender people exist, but rather, how they ought to exist legally: if and when one can access medical care to pursue a gender transition. While many American doctors agree that these treatments are life-saving, since 2021, a slew of legislation has limited access for adults 18-21 (AMA, 2021). This …

Music & Emotion: Matching Neurobiological Proxies To Affect Components Induced By Music Modality, William Lopez

Theses & ETDs

The United States struggles with high rates of mental health conditions and their misdiagnosis. Both major diagnostic manuals used in mental health rely solely on behavioral and self-reported measures for their diagnostic criteria. Differential diagnosis could be supported by implementing non-invasive neurophysiological and neuroendocrinological measures. Regarding the treatment aspect of healthcare, music therapists can be equipped with additional tools by understanding how individual manipulations of musical components directly influence emotion. Many music studies examine the general effects of music or conduct correlation analyses of songs that share musical components, rather than employing a controlled paradigm in which near-identical pieces are …

College Of Natural Sciences Spring Newsletter, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

[Page 1] Dean's Message
[Page] 2 Awards & Recognitions // Student Spotlights
[Page] 3 Zhang Named to Landsat Science Team // The Power of Teaching
[Page] 4 “Science as Art” Competition Welcomes High School Artists
[Page] 5 Testing for “Forever Chemicals” in Surface Water // New Faculty Spotlight
[Page] 6 Ambassador Initiated Outreach
[Page] 7 57th Annual Geography Convention
[Page] 8 Twice the Impact on On Call with the Prairie Doc
[Page] 9 Making Staple Foods Healthier // Halaweish & Cole-Dai Retire
[Page] 10 Drone Day 2026
[Page] 11 Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Day (SRSCAD)
[Page] 12 Ceremony …

Dairy And Food Science Student Newsletter, May 1, 2026, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy and Food Science Student Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Exploring Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Frozen Produce Purchases Among U.S. Households, Joslyn Russell

Honors Capstone Projects

Frozen fruits and vegetables are convenient, cost-effective, healthful options that could help consumers meet national nutritional recommendations. However, there is a dearth of data regarding household sociodemographic factors associated with frozen food purchases. My two-fold honors capstone project involved conducting a secondary analysis of nationally representative data obtained from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Surveys to explore the sociodemographic factors associated with the likelihood of purchasing frozen fruits, frozen vegetables, and frozen meals. An exploratory analysis was also conducted with additional variables such as United States region, household area population size, and number of hours worked …

Designing Innovative Science Learning Activities: The Virtual Reality “Charge Playground” And Interdisciplinary Curriculum For Lightning Instrumentation Design, Gus Otto Eberlein

Master's Theses and Capstones

As the population of students learning introductory physics continues to grow and diversify, it becomes necessary to incorporate an equally diverse array of learning materials in these courses to suit the new dynamic of the physics classroom. In this thesis, I present my work designing, developing, evaluating, and refining instructional tools for science educators. First, I present the “Charge Playground,” an immersive Virtual Reality application for the Meta Quest VR headset. The Charge Playground abstractly visualizes the electric field, potential, and force generated by a configuration of electric charges in a novel, interactive way. I describe the motivation behind incorporating …

Mapping The Human Dimension: Spatially Informed Soundscape Management In Saguaro National Park, Anna S. Frisbie

Master's Theses and Capstones

As outdoor recreation surges in popularity, human-made sound reaches even the most protected places. In the United States, the National Park Service is mandated to preserve natural soundscapes, which are a key ecosystem service. Yet many aspects of soundscape management remain underexplored, including the integration of visitor perspectives into strategies to minimize human-made sound in national parks. In 2025, the non-profit organization Leave No Trace and the National Park Service Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division collaboratively outlined new Soundscape Guidelines, urging visitors to minimize their impact on natural soundscapes. Previous research suggests that educational signage can reduce human-made sound …

Comparative Development Of Mof‑Based And Mof‑Free Agnp Functionalized Zno Nanorod–Cotton Fabric Composites For Photocatalytic Applications, Md Al Mamun

Master's Theses

Photocatalysis offers a cost‑effective and environmentally friendly strategy for degrading organic pollutants and addressing energy and environmental challenges. This study initially explored MOF‑based cotton‑fabric‑supported ZnO nanorod composites but found that the MOF component primarily acted as an adsorbent rather than an effective photocatalyst. Consequently, MOF‑free composites were developed by directly growing ZnO nanorods on cotton fabric and functionalizing them with silver nanoparticles. Photocatalytic testing revealed that AgNP‑modified ZnO nanorods, particularly at 10 mM AgNP, exhibited superior dye degradation efficiency, thereby demonstrating a scalable and effective photocatalytic platform.

Morphological Variation Of Lingual Glands In Wild American Alligator (Alligator Mississippiensis) Populations, Benjamin Angalet

Master's Theses

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) inhabit diverse aquatic ecosystems including freshwater wetlands, swamps, and estuarine rivers. As apex predators, their physiological resilience has implications for ecosystem stability and long-term conservation. With projected sea-level rise and increasing saltwater intrusion into coastal freshwater habitats, understanding the osmoregulatory capacity of alligators is increasingly important. Unlike marine-tolerant crocodilians such as the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), which possess specialized salt-secreting lingual glands in addition to renal and cloacal mechanisms, the morphology and physiological significance of lingual glands in wild American alligators remain poorly understood. This study examined lingual gland morphology and plasma …

Phase Separation Clustering Of Poly Ubiquitylated Cargos In Plasma Membrane Vesicle Trafficking, Il-Hyung Lee

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Phase separation is a process of molecular segregation in space. Increasing evidence suggests that spatial organization of biochemical molecules in cells is governed by the principle of phase separation. Multivalent binder proteins tend to form fluidic protein condensate and plasma membrane lipid composition tend to form lipid raft domain. On plasma membranes, the two types of phase separation is known to collaboratively segregate membrane cargo molecules leading to phase separation clustering. More evidence is being found that poly Ubiquitin (polyUB) proteins under certain circumstances have potency to phase separate into condensates. polyUB tagging of membrane proteins is often a first …

Solvent Isotope And Viscosity Effects Reveal Mutation-Induced Shifts In The M. Tuberculosis Igp Synthase Rate-Limiting Step, Crystal Montero, David Konas, Nina Goodey

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Structural Characterization Of M. Tuberculosis Igp Synthase (Igps) Variants Using Circular Dichroism (Cd) Spectroscopy And Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry, Ben-Ryan Ofori-Koranteng, Nina Goodey, Crystal Montero

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Structural Analysis And The Exploration Of Helical Peptide Mimetic Compounds As Potential Selective Inhibitors Of Wuchereria Bancrofti Dihydrofolate Reductase, Salma Kwarteng, Nina Goodey, Kathleen Frey, Karen Anderson, Jacquelyn Wilhelm, Ariaxi Lock-Becerra, Carissa Colfer, David Otu-Aboagye

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Determining The Role Of An Acidic Residue In Cytochrome P450: Insights Into The Function Of Cyp2s1, Jaclyn Catalano, Marisa Messina, Chrisnaelle Beaucejour, Jenifer Rivera

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Importance Of A Conserved Acidic Residue In Cytochrome P450, Oriannys Infante, Jaclyn Catalano

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

It Takes Three To Tango: Artificial Root Exudate Composition Shapes Microbial Community Shifts, Metal Bioavailability, And Soil Enzyme Activity In Contaminated Brownfield Soil, Nina Goodey, Naima Zaheer, Sarah Krisaks

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Sensing Rna’S Conformation With A Solid-State Nanopore Device At Various Ph And Temperature, Haopeng Li

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study uses solid-state nanopore technology to investigate the stability and dynamics of RNA molecules under thermal stress and pH fluctuations. Two distinct mRNA samples were analyzed: (1) heat shock protein (HSP)-encoding mRNA extracted from Sulfolobus solfataricus P2, a thermophilic archaeon inhabiting extreme environments such as geothermal sulfuric hot springs (pH < 4, temperature range: 65–90°C), and (2) total RNA extracted from White Leghorn chickens, which thrive under standard physiological conditions. ΦX174 virion single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) were included as a comparative reference. Nanopores, fabricated in silicon nitride membranes, were used to electrically characterize the structural properties of individual RNA molecules in solution, close to their native environments. The nanopore membrane separates two chambers containing salt buffer solution, where ionic current is the primary measurement parameter. When a voltage bias is applied across the membrane, ion flow and an ionic current can be measured. Charged RNA molecules driven translocation through the nanopore induces pore resistance changes, resulting in detectable current blockade events. Variations in these events provide insights into RNA secondary structure and conformational dynamics. By systematically altering pH and temperature, this study elucidates the effects of environmental stressors on RNA stability and structural integrity. The findings reveal distinct responses between thermophilic HSP-encoding mRNA and mesophilic RNA, underscoring the adaptive mechanisms of thermophilic RNA under extreme conditions. These results contribute to a better understanding of RNA behavior under stress and establish a foundation for future applications in RNA-based diagnostics and biotechnology development.

Volunteer Spotlighting: Costly Signaling To Promote Volunteerism, Clyde A. Raible V

Master's Theses

Prosocial behaviors, because they are initially costly and do not guarantee a direct benefit to the actor, can nonetheless increase social status by signaling a willingness to incur cost on behalf of another. Given this signal value, nonprofit organizations may be able to leverage this knowledge to increase donations, such as through the provisioning of attention to, and recognition of, volunteers through social media. I predicted that the costliness of spotlighted behavior and the target signal clarity (i.e., individual vs. group spotlight) would interact with participants’ dispositional dominance and prestige-based status motives to influence volunteerism interest. To explore these associations, …

Discerning Patterns Of Floral Sugar-Feeding: Dynamics Of The Mosquito Culex Antillummagnorum In Puerto Rico, Ella J. Branham

Master's Theses

Mosquitoes rely on sugar feeding for survival, primarily from flowering plants, yet mosquito–plant interactions remain understudied. I examined plant-feeding associations of the mosquito Culex antillummagnorum in the Luquillo Experimental Forest of Puerto Rico, which may clarify patterns of habitat use, disease dynamics, and broader species interactions. First, plant DNA was extracted from field-collected Cx. antillummagnorum to identify potential nectar sources. DNA barcoding produced positive matches to the flowering plant genera Billia, Aesculus, Cladium, Fimbristylis, Xyris, Cakile, and Habenaria. Habenaria was the most compelling result because it belongs to the same subtribe of orchids …

Psychological And Inflammatory Ties To Diet In Breast Cancer Survivors, Sonal Kaur Johal

Master's Theses

Breast cancer is among the most prevalent forms of cancer and is a primary cause of death among women (Wang et al., 2020). Cancer patients experience higher levels of anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and inflammation compared to non-cancer patients, which can predict a diminished quality of life but also contribute to higher mortality rates among cancer patients (Bortolato et al., 2016; Song et al., 2022). Diet has the potential to impact the manifestation of depressive and anxiety symptoms in both healthy individuals and those battling cancer. This study explored the association between dietary habits, specifically cholesterol, fiber, saturated fat, added …

Beyond The Court: Pickleball's Impact On Balance And Gait In Older Adults, Riley Scott Ahrndt, Abby Nicole Bertsch, Emma Florence Boris, Gabrielle Elizabeth Rheay, Isabella Cason Whiston

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Older adults are at a greater risk for falls due to many variables that may include decreased balance, lower extremity strength, slower agility, and impaired gait mechanics. Daily physical activity has been shown to help combat age-related deficits. The popularity of pickleball is growing fast and may provide an option for exercise that incorporates strength, agility, balance, and aerobic effort. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of pickleball on the balance and agility of older adults participating in the National Senior Games organization.

Methods: The modified version of the Senior Athlete Fitness Exam …

Prognostic Predictors Of Developmental And Functional Outcomes In Children With Global Developmental Delay: A Retrospecive Chart Review, Rachel Lynne Kuechle, Sadie Elizabeth Olson, Eliana Hazel Parks, Hailee Lynn Schauer, Mara Marie Vannyhuis, Audrey Elizabeth Whitman

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Global developmental delay (GDD) is a broad, global disorder in which children do not reach the appropriate gross and fine motor milestones as expected for their age. GDD’s impact can extend beyond motor skills to include speech and language development, cognitive abilities, social and personal skills, and ADL’s. This study aims to investigate the prognostic predictors of developmental and functional improvement of children with GDD. Our study also examines how the prognosis of children diagnosed with GDD will be affected based on therapeutic intervention in order to offer evidence-based recommendations to support children with GDD and their …

Establishing The Inter-Rater Reliability Of The Titleist Performance Institute (Tpi) Movement Screen, Ian Henry Dahners, Matthew Fetner, Carlan Haugrud, Hunter Johnson, Braeden Lee Knutson, Erica Jo Peters, Dana Jayde Zarn

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Movement Screen is a golf-specific physical assessment widely used by professionals to identify physical limitations that may influence swing mechanics and injury risk. Despite its popularity, there is limited peer-reviewed evidence regarding the screen’s inter-rater reliability. Without established reliability, clinical and performance decisions based on TPI scores may be questionable. Prior research on similar tools, such as the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), shows that reliability varies based on evaluator experience, scoring objectivity, and standardization—all relevant concerns for the TPI Movement Screen.

Purpose: To determine the inter-rater reliability of …

Pedagogical Strategies In Medical Laboratory Science Student Learning Outcomes: A Comparative Study Of Learner-Centered And Lecture-Based Instruction, Kasey Kuker

Medical Laboratory Science Independent Study Projects

Learner centered teaching (LCT) has gained prominence across the health sciences, yet its specific impact on Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) education remains underexamined. This comparative literature review synthesizes findings from various empirical studies to evaluate how active, learner centered pedagogies - such as flipped classrooms, blended learning, team based learning, simulation, gamification, and structured feedback - perform relative to traditional lecture based instruction. Across diverse MLS and allied health contexts, LCT consistently improved cognitive outcomes including examination performance, laboratory skill proficiency, and long term retention. Equally significant were gains in affective outcomes: heightened self efficacy, motivation, engagement, teamwork, and professional …

The Oncoming Light: An Experiential Approach To Psychological Exposition Through Dialogue-Driven Narrative, Benjamin G. Dewitt

Honors Theses

Narrative is a lens through which we understand ourselves, our histories, our futures, and our ties to those around us. Narrative form has undergone vast transformations over time, and in the case of “postmodern” literature, pushes the boundaries of form into the experimental, questioning the truth of knowledge itself. While these experimental works can give rise to uniquely powerful emotional experiences, some components of narrative, when abandoned, may only hinder the immersion of the reader. This thesis evaluates several experimental, dialogue-driven narrative works against these components: linguistic, literal, emotional, and intellectual significance, in a hierarchy of importance as proposed by …

Synthesis Of Novel 1,2,3-Triarylnaphthalenes Via Intermolecular Dehydro-Diels-Alder Reaction, Ethan C. Dailey

Honors Theses

The photo-dehydro-Diels–Alder (PDDA) reaction is a useful method for the construction of substituted naphthalene derivatives from acyclic precursors. While intramolecular variants of this transformation are well established, intermolecular PDDA reactions remain rare due to challenges associated with controlling reactivity under photochemical conditions. Previous studies suggest that electron-withdrawing substituents can promote intermolecular cycloaddition by increasing alkyne polarization and stabilizing reactive intermediates. In this work, the effect of enhanced electron-withdrawing character on intermolecular PDDA reactivity was investigated through the incorporation of a 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridinyl substituent. Corresponding alkyne substrates were synthesized and subjected to photochemical conditions, resulting in the formation of 1,2,3-triarylnaphthalene products. The …

Belonging, Governance, And The Future Of The Nation: Rethinking Citizenship In Tribal Nation Communities, Meadow Carroll

Honors Theses

Tribal citizenship is often framed as a question of identity or legal status, but it functions more fundamentally as a structure of governance that determines who participates in political life and whether nations can sustain themselves over time. This study compares the citizenship frameworks of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and the Cherokee Nation to examine how different enrollment criteria shape political participation, demographic continuity, and institutional capacity. Drawing on tribal constitutions, enrollment materials, governance records, and voter participation data, the analysis demonstrates that citizenship systems produce measurable differences in how tribal governments function in practice. Systems based on fixed …

Skill Growth And Development In An Honors Experiential Learning Course, Julia D. Lyashevskiy

Honors Theses

Problem-solving skills are crucial for students in both schoolwork and the workforce as they help individuals and groups work through obstacles and come up with solutions to a problem. To help prepare students, the Innovation in Honors Lab at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a hands-on, interdisciplinary course that provides an experiential learning opportunity to practice skills while working directly with community partners to find and solve a local issue. This research tracks the development of six specific skills that students use throughout the class. The skills included communication, creative thinking, decision making, problem solving, conflict resolution, and …

Creative Nonfiction Essays, Colby S. Langley

Honors Theses

To write about the present with any authority requires a keen eye for the past. To write from our lives into meaningful creative nonfiction requires a firm understanding that experience is the composite of life experience blending into the current moment. The writing is then drawn irreversibly towards emotion: indulgent and oppressive. The extremity of emotion dictates the difficulty of transcribing the experience onto the page, and violence is a source of both extreme emotion and experience. It is important to note that I am primarily considering personal violence for this essay, while societal and institutional violence have their own …

A Narrative Of The Plague Doctor And How Its Historical Context Translates To The Modern View Of The Plague Doctor, Callie P. Johnston

Honors Theses

The Plague Doctor was once a historical figure who practiced medicine primarily on those infected with the bubonic plague. The plague doctor, as a historical figure and physician, has been transformed in modern culture and media. Originally perceived as a harbinger of both hope and death, the Plague Doctor has undergone a historical transformation from a masked physician to a more stylized character that appears in modern media, digital art, toys, costumes, video games, and popular culture. This thesis examines the evolution of the Plague Doctor from its historical role as a plague physician to its current iconography as a …