Digital Commons Network^™

Gone With The Flow: Flow Reduction Coincides With Reduced Metabolism And Standing Stock Of Benthic Algae And Macroinvertebrates In Desert Rivers, Chloe E. Lyles

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

River metabolism, the measure of energy flow in a river, is driven by hydrological and physicochemical regimes (e.g., temperature, turbidity, and nutrients). However, these regimes are increasingly altered by human water demand and climate change-driven drought. These stressors alter the magnitude, timing, and duration of critical spring-snowmelt floods with poorly understood consequences on ecosystem function, particularly in desert rivers. To investigate the linkages between flow reduction, river metabolism, and basal food resource productivity (i.e., algae and aquatic invertebrates), we measured metabolism and basal resource availability in seven desert tributaries with varying degrees of flow reduction during low-flow conditions in 2023 …

Understanding The Impact Of Colloidal Calcium Phosphate On The Ph Variation In Cheddar Cheese During Early Stages Of Aging, Rachel Lindstrom

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Cheddar cheese industry has recently observed variation in the pH of their cheese during the early stage of storage. This variation may be due to the addition of the faster acid producing thermophilic starter culture Streptococcus thermophilus which was recently introduced into the Cheddar cheese making process. This starter culture may impact the calcium buffering properties of the cheese due to more retention of the insoluble calcium (INSOL Ca) within the cheese. To investigate this problem, we studied how insoluble calcium affects cheeses with pH ranging from 4.8 to 6.6 and found that INSOL Ca was positively correlated with …

Component Analysis Of Interactive Computer Training To Teach Paraprofessionals To Deliver Behavioral Skills Training, Scott V. Page

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In education and Applied Behavior Analysis, there is growing demand for well-trained entry-level individuals to deliver behavior interventions. Interactive Computer Training allows trainees to access online instruction with video demonstrations, interactive tasks, and feedback, without a live instructor. This training approach could save valuable training time and money. Prior researchers demonstrated these types of training can teach trainees to correctly use behavior interventions. There are gaps in our understanding of Interactive Computer Trainings that limit its successful use. Few studies measured cost-effectiveness, identified the effective features of Interactive Computer Training (e.g., videos, quizzes, feedback), or trained users to deliver effective …

Talkin’ Bout A Revolution: A Comparative Analysis Between Hannah Arendt And Frantz Fanon, Nicholas Gleed

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

What is the role of freedom and violence in revolution? This thesis involves a comparative analysis of how two major political theorists – Hannah Arendt and Frantz Fanon – understood and conceptualized the role of violence and freedom in relation to revolution. Due to their differing theoretical frameworks and perspectives, they often come to different conclusions on these points of comparison. However, by placing these two thinkers in conversation with each other, we can better understand the core of their arguments on freedom, violence, and revolution and how they might be similar and different in various ways. For Arendt, violence …

Conservation Laws For Asymptotically Perfect Fluid Spacetimes, Lyle Arnett Jr.

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In physics, conservation laws, like those for energy or momentum, are powerful tools that help us understand how systems evolve and interact. In general relativity, where spacetime itself is curved by matter and energy, defining such conservation laws becomes especially subtle and complex. Traditional methods rely on idealized conditions like empty space or special symmetries, which limit their usefulness in more realistic, dynamic settings such as an expanding universe.

This dissertation explores a modern mathematical framework, developed by Iyer and Wald, that allows conservation laws to be derived directly from the equations governing spacetime. Using this approach, I examine not …

Black Women Under The White Gaze: Resistance From Enslavement To Incarceration And Reentry., Barbie C. Parker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Black women in the United States who are currently incarcerated or have previously served time in prison have a particular need for protection as they move through the criminal “injustice” system because they frequently act as the primary caregivers for their families. Consequently, Black female convicts have historically had to create their social networks inside and outside carceral spaces as a form of resistance to white supremacist ideologies and as a site of protection. By highlighting Black women’s history of enslavement and incarceration, the different forms of resistance, and centering their narratives, we can paint a more complex picture of …

Studies Of Pathways To T2d And Interventions Through A Dynamical System Model., Rafiqul Islam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Existing mathematical models investigating the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D) over time primarily focus on glucose, insulin, β-cell mass, and other related factors, while often omitting fatty acids (FA) as an explicit variable—despite FA being a major energy source for the body. There exists a complex network of dynamical interactions among glucose, insulin, FA, and β-cell mass. To gain deeper insights into the metabolic dynamics and pathophysiology of T2D, it is essential to incorporate FA into such models. In this study, we extend the classic Topp’s GIβ model by explicitly incorporating FA and exploring its interactions with glucose, insulin, …

Thermal Characterization Of Lithium-Ion Batteries Under Fast Charging Conditions Using Infrared Imaging., Gowthaman Punithakumar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used across various industries due to their long lifespan, high energy density, low self-discharge rate, and absence of memory effect. However, fast charging of Li-ion batteries can cause problems like lithium plating, mechanical damage, and overheating. Temperature plays a key role in battery performance. Measuring temperature accurately is important to improve battery life, efficiency, and safety. However, accurately measuring a battery's internal temperature remains challenging, and the appropriate measurement method depends on factors like range, accuracy, resolution, and cost. Choosing the right temperature measurement method depends on range, accuracy, resolution, and cost. In this study, we …

Beyond Borders And Binaries: A Queer Look At Study Abroad Advising For Lgbtq+ Students, Austin Smith

Capstone Collection

This study examines the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ students studying abroad, the practices of study abroad advisors in their support of LGBTQ+ students, and their alignment with one another. Findings from qualitative analysis of survey responses from LGBTQ+ students that have studied abroad in the past five years and interviews with current study abroad advisors suggest that study abroad advising practices can unintentionally reflect a deficit-oriented perspective, emphasizing risks and challenges LGBTQ+ students may face while abroad over strengths and resilience. However, advisors embrace equity-based practices that seek to address barriers and affirm LGBTQ+ identities within study abroad, even when …

Fear Of Failure, Mahnoor Mamood

Calliope

No abstract provided.

First Specimen-Based Record Of Barbonymus Schwanefeldii (Bleeker, 1854) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) From Laguna De Bay, Philippines, Kent Elson S. Sorgon, Marjorie Juliana L. Martinez, Andrei Justin F. So, Mariko Franccesca R. Aboganda, Jazreen Nicole G. Parungo, Aeris Johanne G. Poricallan, Keona Tiffany B. Prieto, Mellissa Jewel S. Magday, Alexa Charlize Dc Geronimo, Ma. Vianca Julia E. Anupol, Derreck O. De Leon

Biology Faculty Publications

The introduction of non-native fish species in the freshwater ecosystems of the Philippines presents a clear threat to native ichthyofauna, making verified reports of such introductions all the more critical. Through the examination of a collected specimen and anecdotes from fisherfolk and social media, we present here the first records of the occurrence of the tinfoil barb, Barbonymus schwanefeldii (Bleeker, 1854), in Laguna de Bay, Luzon Island, Philippines. This represents the addition of another non-native fish species in this lake, which is increasingly becoming dominated by non-native and invasive fishes that have been intentionally or accidentally introduced. Monitoring landed fish …

The Effects Of Ethanol And Tributyrin On Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis In 3×Tg-Ad Mice., Lucy June Sloan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex progressive neurodegenerative dementia with clinical hallmarks of amyloid-β plaques, hyper-phosphorylated tau in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and neurodegeneration. Chronic, excessive alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk for developing AD and other dementias. Both AD and chronic alcohol consumption are associated with dysbiosis in the gut microbiome (GM) characterized by a significant loss of beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria within the Firmicutes phylum. Previous studies demonstrate that chronic alcohol consumption accelerates AD pathogenesis in the 3×Tg-AD mouse model and that oral tributyrin (TB) supplementation in 3×Tg-AD mice reduces age-associated GM dysbiosis and AD-associated neurobehavioral deficits and …

Applying Residence Time Distribution Theory To Coronary Thermodilution Curves., Jacob Michael Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide and coronary microvascular dysfunction is one cardiovascular disease which is particularly challenging to diagnose and treat. Coronary thermodilution is a widely used, invasive procedure to evaluate microvascular function by generating physiological indices such as coronary flow reserve and the index of microvascular resistance. Although commonly cited as an indicator dilution method in the cardiovascular literature, current coronary thermodilution techniques lack rigorous application of the accompanying mathematical framework, thereby leaving potentially valuable diagnostic information unexploited. This study bridges that gap by demonstrating the equivalence between indicator-dilution theory and residence time distribution theory …

Predicting Confidence In Performing Mental Health Actions Among Allied Professionals., Jean Marie Zelenko

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One in five young people before the age of 25 exhibit onset of symptoms of an emotional or behavioral disorder (Kessler et al., 2005). Up to 80% of depressed youth do not receive services (Kataoka, 2002) and less than 50% of the time youth seek help for suicidal ideation and/or self-harm (Michelmore & Hindley, 2012). This high prevalence of mental health distress and low frequency of help-seeking among youth require examination of factors influencing youths’ likelihood of seeking help. One factor that increases the likelihood of help-seeking is encouragement from others to seek mental health services (Cusack et al., 2004). …

The Impact Of Consensus Decision Making On Creating Conditions For Psychological Safety In Sbdm Councils., Rachel Ann Klein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study reflects an examination of the forces and factors that impact effective decision-making on a Site-Based Decision Making council (SBDM) in Kentucky. It explores the relationship between consensus decision-making, the leader of a school, and the stakeholders who sit on an SBDM council as it relates to members’ feelings of inclusion, value, and belonging. A qualitative case study was designed to capture observational data gathered during SBDM meetings, as well as data gathered during member interviews. This data was analyzed through a relativist theoretical lens, which revealed that when open, trusting relationships are established among council members, decision-making flourishes. …

Bayesian Model Updating Of Structural Parameters Using Temperature Variation Data., Ujjwal Adhikari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Physical digital twins have now emerged as a technology in structural health monitoring and other domains of structural modeling. A Finite Element Model can be a tool for digital twin technology in conjunction with measured physical data. Developing an accurate digital model requires the integration of various parameters to replicate the real structure; however, temperature is dynamically changing, resulting in difficulty in the identification of structural parameters. Typically, temperature is considered noise or filtered out. Limited research has addressed the physics-based model using temperature variation related to structural modal properties. Finite Element Model Updating (FEMU) is a typical inverse problem-solving …

Competition: Legal Landscape For Agri-Food Data, Anthony D. Rosborough

Reports & Public Policy Documents

This guidebook provides an overview of legal principles associated with competition law and dives deeper into a case study looking at the right to repair (R2R). Although the right to repair is a multifaceted issue, it can serve as a way to understand the application of competition law to digital agriculture technology. The first section of the guidebook provides an overview of the rationale and scope of Canadian competition law. This is followed by an exploration of the relationship between digital agricultural technology, farm data and competition. Finally, before looking at the right to repair, we will study a selection …

Near-Earth Object (Neo) Surveyor Development: Challenges And Opportunities In Support Of Planetary Defense, G. Loftus, B. Carlsen, P. Scott, S. Backlund, L. Reinhart, T. Martin, T. Hoenes, R. Burgon, S. Ashby, J. Peterson, B. Lamborn, J. Bowman

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor mission is a key element in our future planetary defense portfolio, which will survey our solar system in the infrared to discover and characterize asteroids and comets.

The mission is designed to detect, track, and characterize small bodies throughout our solar system. By United States Congress mandate, NASA must discover more than 90% of all asteroids and comets that are larger than 140 meters in diameter and could potentially impact Earth. NEO Surveyor will provide critical decision support for stakeholders who must assess the risks of NEO impacts to Earth and identify potential mitigation strategies. …

Development Of Soil Water Characteristic Curves Through Control Of Relative Humidity, Lauren E. Johnson, Julia I. Loshelder, Richard A. Coffman

Civil Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The relationship between soil suction and soil water content in unsaturated soil mechanics is important but can be difficult to measure. The objective of the research described herein was to develop soil water characteristic curves (SWCC) from relative humidity values by incorporating the use of glycerin-water mixtures. Glycerin-water mixtures can be used to achieve different relative humidity levels by varying the concentration of glycerin within the mixture. The relative humidity created by each mixture was measured with a relative humidity sensor, and the relative humidity values and Kelvin’s equation were used to compute the total suction.

Soil water characteristic curves …

Relating Strength, Time, And Temperature For Bcsa Cement Concrete Using The Maturity Method, Daniel M. Passarelli

Civil Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Belite calcium sulfoaluminate (BCSA) cement is an extension of CSA cement technology designed to provide early setting times and rates of strength gain with reduced environmental impact compared with portland cement. However, its application in the field of structural concrete is widely unexplored. To that end, this paper details research conducted at the University of Arkansas Civil Engineering Research and Education Center (CEREC) exploring the rates of strength gain in concrete samples created using BCSA cement relative to various temperatures and ages. Following the practices outlined in ASTM C1074, the maturity method, compression strength tests were conducted on the aforementioned …

Concepts And Sources Of Authority In Early Christianity, Carter Dean Yancey

Masters Theses

The concept of authority, though seemingly clear in everyday discourse, is in fact a multifaceted and elusive subject upon closer examination. This paper seeks to untangle the intricacies of authority in order to better understand and discuss biblical and early Christian positions regarding the matter. The study begins by surveying the philosophical literature on authority to establish a clear and robust vocabulary for discussing the topic. Differentiating between the various concepts and paradigms of authority helps avoid the pitfalls of vague or inconsistent usage that have hindered the historical, philosophical, and theological debates on the matter.

Central to this thesis …

Integrity Assessment Of Shipping Line Pipelines Using Risk-Based Analysis To Determine Risk And Maintenance Strategies, Ade Ratih Anggraini, Dwi Marta Nurjaya

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Pipeline Shipping Lines X, Y & Z are classified as critical infrastructure, being the only transportation through the crude oil lifting from P and R location to the transfer station in NM Area. To maintain the workflow of the Shipping Line, integrity assessments and risk evaluation are required to ensure the operational and safety. Anomalies were found by analysing inspection, monitoring, and repair data, while the pipelines' future integrity was assessed by calculating the remaining life. Risk-Based Analysis (RBA), which is a modification of Kent Muhlbaeur's method, is employed to conduct the risk assessment using the Probability of Failure (POF) …

Characteristics Of Carbonaceous Materials Synthesized From Palm Oil Empty Fruit Bunch Waste Using Ferrocene Catalyst, Ahmad Nabil Shahab, Adinda Izzatul Islam, Afif Wardana, Ilham Nur Dimas Yahya, Ary Yanuar Tri Amalia, Nofrijon Sofyan, Donanta Dhaneswara

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

The synthesis of carbonaceous materials for reduced graphene oxide (rGO) precursors using oil palm empty fruit bunches waste as a carbon source offers a sustainable solution for waste management in the palm oil industry while delivering high-performance materials. The oil palm empty fruit bunches were carbonized, followed by acid washing, pyrolysis with ferrocene (8%, 12%, and 16% variations), and ultrasonication to produce rGO. The structural, electronic, and morphological properties of the rGO were analyzed using various characterization techniques. The band gap values decreased with increasing ferrocene concentration, from 1.14 eV (8%) to 1.06 (16%), indicating enhanced electronic conductivity. XRD analysis …

Assessment Of H2s-Induced Cracking Susceptibility In Steam Line Pipes And Weld Zones During Geothermal Well Construction, Riene Kaelamanda Pragitta, Yudha Pratesa

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

The susceptibility of steam line pipes, especially in the HAZ (heat-affected zone) and weldment areas, to hydrogen sulfide in the geothermal industry is crucial to understand from the early stages, particularly during construction. The combination of tensile stress from residual stresses after welding and metallurgical phase transformation makes the joint areas vulnerable to sulfide stress cracking. This condition becomes even more extreme when the equipment operates during the well stimulation phase. This research assesses the severity of H₂S-induced cracking using NACE MR0175 and ISO 15156-1 standards, focusing on the effects of pH and partial pressure of H₂S (p_{H₂S …}

The Marginality Of Women In Narratives: Reflections On Iranian Women's Struggles Through Saeed Roustayi's Films, Narges Azami

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Using the concept of intersectionality, this thesis explores how women are marginalized in three post-revolutionary Iranian films (made after 1979), directed by Saeed Roustayi. In these three films, Life and a Day (2016), Just 6.5 (2019), and Leila’s Brothers (2022), the intersectional lens helps investigate how different types of oppression, such as gender and class, often come together to affect women’s lives. In the analysis, four main themes emerge, including emotional labor, symbolic erasure, limited visibility, and intersectional oppression. Roustayi’s films point out how systems like patriarchy, poverty, and tradition hold women back. The study also explains how multiple social …

Development Of A High-Level Model Of Remote Work's Psychological Consequences Using A Large International Data Set, Morgan Russell

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Remote work has proven to be an enduring fixture of the post-pandemic global economy. Despite research on the construct proliferating in recent years, it has not yet coalesced into a unified model of why, and in which contexts, remote work produces favorable or unfavorable outcomes for employees. The present study represents the first attempt to produce such a model, utilizing a global database of over 8 million employee surveys. The findings of the present study suggest that remote work is associated with small increases in job satisfaction, intent to stay and task performance, with the former two relationships mediated by …

Exploring Spatial Arrangements And Smart Technology To Manage Cognitive Load In Kitchens For Aging In Place, Monique Chabot

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

Older adults undergo natural physiological changes in various physical and cognitive functions, including balance, strength, memory, attention, and executive functioning. Memory, attention, and executive functioning integrate to form functional cognition, a skill that allows people to safely and efficiently complete daily tasks. Functional cognition is integral to the ability to age in place and is sensitive to demands in the environment. While a decline in some cognitive functions is expected with age, it is not typically observable except in the presence of pathological conditions or situations of cognitive overload from complex tasks or high environmental demands.

Older adults have identified …

Unemployed Negativity: Fragments On Philosophy, Politics, And Culture, Jason Read Phd

Faculty, Staff, and Alumni Books

Unemployed Negativity is a blog kept by Jason Read for over eighteen years. During that time, it has been a reflection on everything from the films of Jordan Peele to the relevance of Marxist criticism for contemporary society. It has reflected on such cultural transformations as the lasting legacy of Shark Week to the rise of conspiracy theories in contemporary politics. In doing so it has persisted in one central aim, to make philosophy a living reflection on the present rather than a contemplation of the past. This is a collection of its best posts, revised and expanded for publication.

Silent Deaths: Breast Cancer Disparities For Black Women In Iowa, Brenda Koumondji

Mary Ann Bolton Undergraduate Research Award

Black women in Iowa face striking disparities in many health outcomes, particularly breast cancer, rooted in systemic inequalities that limit healthcare access, quality care, early detection, and culturally competent care. While cancer rates in Iowa are highest among the White population, data reveal that Black Iowans experience a disproportionately higher cancer burden. This paper investigates the specific challenges these women face in navigating breast cancer in Iowa through a mixed-methods approach that combines public health data with qualitative insights from community advocates. Overall analysis is grounded in three core observations: (1) barriers to equitable healthcare access, particularly in urban and …

Depression, Anxiety, And Suicide Among Adolescents: Sex Differences And Future Perspectives, Giovana V.R. Toro, Paula Arias, Alejandro De La Torre-Luque, Jonathan B. Singer, Natalia Lagunas

Social Work: School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Other Works

Depression and anxiety are two disorders that significantly increase the risk of suicidal behavior. The disparity between females and males in the prevalence of these disorders becomes more pronounced from adolescence onwards. Specifically, risk factors associated with suicidal behavior in adolescent females are often linked to anxiety and depression, whereas in males, these behaviors are more frequently associated with other types of disorders, such as disruptive behavior. Furthermore, there are notable sex differences in the efficacy and acceptance of treatments aimed at preventing suicidal behavior. This review examines the sex differences in the relationship between depression, anxiety disorders, and suicidal …