Digital Commons Network^™

Dendrimer Gel Nanoparticles With Dual-Targeting Of Upar And Ribonucleotide Reductase R2 Influence Necrosis, Apoptosis, And Cell Cycle Arrest In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Hsin Yin Chuang, Yue-Wern Huang, Hu Yang

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with limited treatment options due to the absence of estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptors. We previously developed highly adaptable polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer-based gel nanoparticles (GDP-uPA/GTI) with dual-targeting capabilities against urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and ribonucleotide reductase R2 (R2) to achieve selective antitumor effects. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of GDP-uPA/GTI-induced tumor inhibition. In vivo, GDP-uPA/GTI significantly downregulated R2 expression and activated caspase 8 and caspase 3, indicating caspase-dependent apoptosis. Histological evaluation of major organs revealed no observable toxicity. …

Elucidating Differences In Constitutionally Isomeric Diamine- And Bisphenol-Based Polybenzoxazine Networks, Benjamin L. G. Morasch

Dissertations

This dissertation aims to expand the fundamental understanding of diamine-based benzoxazine chemistry by examining how synthesis influences the network properties of 4,4’-ddm and phenol-based (P-ddm) benzoxazine, compared to the constitutionally isomeric bisphenol-F and aniline-based (BF-a) benzoxazine. While bisphenol-based benzoxazines such as BF-a have been studied more extensively, diamine-based benzoxazines are still relatively unexplored due to the competition with the formation of 1,3,5-hexahydrotriazine intermediates and the inconsistent thermal and mechanical properties reported in the literature. These inconsistencies stem from factors including synthetic methods, curing conditions, and degradation during polymerization that have been overlooked.

To address these issues, this dissertation is organized …

General Education Teachers' Perspectives And Practices For Supporting English Language Learners In Memphis Charter Schools, Ijiah Hargrove

Dissertations

The growing enrollment of English Language Learners (ELLs) in U.S. schools, particularly within urban charter settings, presents unique challenges for general education teachers who are often underprepared to meet both linguistic and academic needs. The purpose of this study was to explore the instructional strategies, perspectives of their ability of self-efficacy, and institutional factors that shape how K–8 charter school teachers in Memphis support ELLs. This work is significant because teachers’ beliefs, preparation, and available resources directly impact ELL achievement and equity in education.

A qualitative single-case study design was employed, with twelve general education teachers recruited through purposeful sampling. …

Upcycling Commodity Polymers To Advanced Materials For Energy And Environmental Sustainability, Anthony Griffin-Espinoza

Dissertations

Synthetic polymers play an essential role in nearly every aspect of our lives. Extending beyond single-use packaging, polymeric material design has progressed to attain tailorable architectures granting exceptional performance across advanced applications, including carbon-fiber reinforced polymer composites for aerospace, conductive materials for soft electronics, and drug carriers for biomedicine. While highly promising, intricately designed polymers needed to achieve excellent performance often have limited processability, complex synthetic methods, and expensive precursors. Furthermore, due to a lack of recyclability, commodity polymer waste streams result in both environmental impacts and a substantial loss of economic value. This dissertation focuses on developing robust strategies …

Privacy Preserving-Based Artificial Intelligence For Precision Agriculture, Partha P. Sengupta

Dissertations

The research work finds a solution to precision agriculture of cotton cultivation using artificial intelligence (AI) models. Two sets of model performance based on the application are selected namely a low resource and a high resource setting. This is because using drone surveys to capture images identifying the classes of stressed and unstressed cotton plantation requires limited model architecture and CPU based computation. Thus, traditional AI models were selected for low resource settings. Again, for high computation intensive models like transfer learning-convolution neural network (CNN) based architectures were grouped into high resource settings. There was another issue of class imbalance …

The Malonate Template: The Key To Unlocking Novel Amino Acids, Thomas Owens

Dissertations

The “Malonate Template” provides access to various amino acids, all from a common intermediate. Herein, demonstrates the use of the malonate template to establish a synthetic route to both 2-thiohistidine and 2-thio-3-N-methyl-histidine from a benzyl methyl malonate derived intermediate. Furthermore, efforts exploiting the applicability of the malonate template for the of both 2-thiohistidine and 2-thio-3-N-methyl-histidine as a suitable alternative to methods previously described by Erdelmeier are described.

The method presented incorporates modifications to the biomimetic pathway described by Erdelmeier for the synthesis of 2-thiohisidine. By exploiting the biomimetic formation of 2-thiohisitidne’s mechanism via mass spectrometry, we …

Understanding Crystallization Behaviors Of Polyethylene-Derived Vitrimers, Sara Valdez

Dissertations

Polyolefins (POs), particularly polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are among the most widely utilized polymers globally, valued for their low production costs and favorable mechanical properties stemming from their semicrystalline microstructure. However, their extensive use and improper disposal have raised serious environmental and human health concerns. In response, PO-derived covalent adaptable networks (CANs) have emerged, integrating dynamic chemistries to enable recyclability and sustainable end-of-life strategies. While existing literature has largely focused on novel CAN systems, structure–property relationships, and network rearrangement in relation to thermal transitions (e.g., topological freezing temperature), the influence of network formation on crystallinity and crystallization kinetics remains …

An Exploration Of Enablers, Barriers, And Strategies Influencing Black College Alumni's Sense Of Belonging Through The Lens Of Cultural Competence, Marc' C. Bady

Dissertations

According to Pew research, 53% of Black students in the United States are enrolled in predominantly White institutions, or PWIs (Hatfield & Anderson, 2024). Black alumni who attend PWIs are one among many marginalized and underrepresented vulnerable populations (Tucker, 2021). The purpose of this study was to engage with Black alumni who attended and graduated from PWIs to learn about their experiences with academic enablers, barriers, and strategies for success as a PWI student. The researcher interviewed six alumni who graduated from a Southeastern research one institution to explore their lived experiences at a PWI. The researcher chose to use …

Motivators And Work Role Satisfaction Among A Post-Pandemic Multi-Generational Sports And Entertainment Industry Workforce, Christopher J. Kinnan

Dissertations

This quantitative causal-comparative study explored intrinsic and extrinsic motivators and work-role satisfaction among a post-pandemic, multigenerational workforce in the North American sports and entertainment industry. Using an adapted version of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority’s (SGSA, 2022) Evaluation of Systematic Stewarding Challenges instrument, the study analyzed data from 560 participants representing safety, security, and service roles across sports and entertainment venues. The research examined generational differences in motivation, satisfaction, and barriers to retention within the framework of Human Capital Theory, Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, and Self-Determination Theory.

Principal component and confirmatory factor analyses verified the reliability and validity of the adapted …

Impact Of Community College Size And Meeting Types On Leader-Member Conversation Quality In Career And Technical Education (Cte) Leaders: A Mixed Methods Study, Kenneth Wayne Kirkland Jr.

Dissertations

Community colleges are complex institutions with the primary mission of workforce preparation and academic transfer. In many cases, community colleges produce the majority of their local workforces. Political influences upon workforce priorities, increased national calls for transparency in higher education training, complicated infrastructure, and technical expertise requirements for faculty have created substantial challenges for career and technical education (CTE) leaders. These complexities require the 21st-century CTE leader to be as externally focused as their presidents, highlighting the importance of communication effectiveness in both leaders.

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the influence of community college enrollment levels …

Sight-Singing Requirements Of Choral Festivals: A Fifty-State Comparison Of The Methods Used To Adjudicate Ensemble Literacy, William Griswold Jr

Dissertations

Standardized testing in the United States has permeated all levels of education including the choral music classroom. Across the country, state music organizations have implemented yearly evaluations of high school choral ensembles in which directors prepare choirs to be judged against a particular standard. While many organizations utilize similar methods of evaluating performances at adjudicated choral festivals, the methods used for evaluating sight-singing vary greatly from state to state. Throughout the country, various types of rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic exercises are used to evaluate an ensemble’s ability to sight-sing, however in certain states no form of sight-singing is required for …

An Examination Of African American Male College Students’ Perceptions Of Academic Engagement, Social Capital, And Success As Members Of Black Greek Letter Organizations On Predominantly White Campuses, Jerid P. Woods

Dissertations

This exploratory qualitative study examines the experiences of Black male students at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) through the lens of Yosso's Cultural Capital framework. It explores how membership in Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (HBGLOs) shapes academic engagement, development of cultural and social capital, and academic success by leveraging cultural wealth.

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from various HBGLOs, and thematic analysis was used to identify key themes and patterns. Findings highlight that HBGLOs act as vital sources of social, cultural, and academic support, fostering a sense of belonging, promoting academic achievement, and creating leadership opportunities. …

Molecular Design And Engineering Of Luminophores For Aggregation Induced Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence, Jesy Alka Motchaalangaram

Dissertations

Most conventional luminophores produce intense emissions in solutions but suffer from weak emissions or quenching when aggregated in poor solvents due to intermolecular interactions, such as π-π stacking. This phenomenon is known as aggregation caused by quenching (ACQ), limits their applications in their solid state. In contrast, aggregation induced emission (AIE) is a phenomenon in which luminophores are weak- or non-emissive in solution but emit intensively in their aggregated or solid states. AIE has enabled significant advancements in various real-world applications and has inspired new areas of research. The combination of AIE with electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) has resulted in a …

Do They Matter? What Role Do 5th-12th Grade Teachers' Attitudes Have In The Academic Success Of Black Girls In Classrooms?, Kamita R. Thigpen

Dissertations

There is a recognized need to focus on the intersectionality of race and gender to determine the specific needs of Black girls in education and for them to gain more academic success. This study set out to determine teachers' attitudes towards Black girls in the post-racial era. A combined quantitative and qualitative methodological approach was used to determine if the attitudes of teachers towards Black girls maintain racial barriers that have been found in education.

Across The Pond, Across The Waistline: A Comparative Look At The Childhood Obesity Crisis In The United States And United Kingdom, Samantha N. Eales

Honors College Theses

Childhood obesity is no longer just a local concern; it’s a global epidemic shaping the health of future generations. This paper compares how two similar nations with drastically different healthcare systems, the United States and the United Kingdom, tackle this growing crisis. Although both countries struggle with fast food culture, sedentary lifestyles, and targeted marketing, their health policy strategies differ dramatically. The U.S. leans on community programs and education, while the U.K. enforces stronger national regulations and advertising restrictions. By examining nutrition, physical activity, and policy, this thesis explores what each country does well and where they fall short. It …

Evaluation Of Food-Safe Silicone Rubber Containment For Seedling Emergence, Yield, And Reusability, Claudia Garrido-Ruiz, Juan D. González-Teruel, Bruce Bugbee, Scott B. Jones

NASA

Flexible containment materials are essential for repeated planting cycles in the Utah Reusable Root Module (URRM), a zero-discharge system developed for space-based crop production. In previous trials, a vinyl top cover provided effective evaporative control and media retention but could not meet flight certification. To identify a suitable alternative, this study evaluated food-safe, flight-qualifiable silicone rubber sheets as an impermeable top cover for a wedge-based seeding system. The silicone rubber was tested at three thicknesses (1/32", 2/32", and 3/32") in combination with three linear fringe lengths (1.0", 1.5", and 2.0") and two fringe widths (0.25" and 0.5") and compared with …

Ground-Based Evaluation Of The Utah Reusable Root Module: Summary Of Three Crop Cycles With Mizuna, Tomato, And Lettuce, Claudia Garrido-Ruiz, Juan D. González-Teruel, Chihiro Dixon, Sarah Schreck, Bruce Bugbee, Scott B. Jones

NASA

The Utah Reusable Root Module (URRM) is a zero-discharge plant-growth system designed for microgravity. We evaluated its performance across four consecutive ground-based crop cycles with mizuna (Brassica rapa var. nipposinica), dwarf ‘Rejina Red’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and ‘Outredgeous’ lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Five root modules (RMs) used distinct top-cover/containment designs with peatmoss medium. Growth conditions were 23–28 ^°C, 16/8 h photoperiod, PPFD ≈ 800 µmol m^⁻² s^⁻¹, RH ~ 50– 60%, and air velocity ~ 0.8 m s^⁻¹. Redundant moisture sensing (upper CS650, lower TEROS ONE) enabled accurate water-use accounting; slopes …

Oncology Rehabilitation In Occupational Therapy, Callie D. Freeman

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones

This doctoral capstone project examined the need for occupational therapy (OT) services among individuals diagnosed with cancer and cancer survivors. Evidence indicates that cancer-related fatigue, decreased participation, and diminished quality of life are common challenges following different types of cancer treatment. Occupational therapy addresses these issues through occupation-based interventions, fatigue management education, energy conservation strategies, and activities that promote strength, stability, and social participation. Nevertheless, a gap persists in the utilization of OT services within oncology treatment care. Over a 14-week period, this project implemented group-based interventions to enhance the quality of life and engagement among cancer survivors affiliated with …

Metabolically Guided Walking And Plant-Based Nutrition Enhance Body Composition And Weight Loss Dataset, Harold Mayer, Gregory Heath, Chris S. Hansen, Lucas G. Valenca, Kristina Nelson Hall, Cassie J. White

Datasets

Dataset for research published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Nymc Synapse Issue 56, School Of Medicine Student Senate, New York Medical College

The Synapse

No abstract provided.

Faculty Senate Minutes December 1, 2025, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Call to Order
• University Business
• Faculty Senate Business
• Information
• Report
• Honors Program Annual Report
• USUSA Annual Report
• Faculty Evaluation Committee
• Academic Freedom and Tenure
• Old Business
• New Business
• Adjourn - 4:30 pm

Exploring Faculty Perspectives Of Roadblocks To Accommodating Students With Disabilities In Community Colleges, Shalither S. Cushenberry

Dissertations

This qualitative study explores faculty perspectives on student accommodation in the community college setting. The one-on-one, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with faculty and perspectives of accommodation experts will result in outcomes that better prepare faculty, as a workforce, to support students with accommodations. The study utilized the social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to understand how increasing faculty awareness and engagement through professional development can enhance their ability to provide services to students with accommodation requests. The study underscores the critical importance of understanding the rationale for students with granted accommodations and faculty members supporting their academic success. The findings revealed gaps …

Steel-Concrete Composite Girder Experiments To Isolate Interface Load Transfer Effects On Stud Fatigue Life, Marc Crespi Hromcova

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Metal fatigue resulting from repeated loading is a primary limit state that affects the quantity of headed shear studs required in the composite design of steel bridge girders. While concrete-deck-to-steel-superstructure load transfer is only considered through stud bearing in the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design standards, friction and interface interlocking effects may also contribute. This study aims to experimentally quantify the effect of interface conditions on the fatigue life of headed studs within composite girders. In this study, two full-scale composite girder specimens having the same geometry and material properties are tested with two interface conditions. …

A Journey And A Roadmap: Lessons Learned From Co-Creating An After-School Art Program With/For Newcomer Youth From Refugee Communities., Sally Anne Ball

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on my participation in a project developed in collaboration with a non-profit organization, Canopy NWA, with a goal to design and implement an after-school art program for newcomer youth from refugee communities that Canopy serves. This research inquiry is a self- study supported by observation, reflexive practice, and the use of a critical friend for mentorship, collaborative planning, group reflection, and co-developing and co-teaching curriculum. Through investigating my current teaching practices and my lack of experience teaching students from refugee communities, I set out to answer the following two questions: How will my art teaching practices develop, …

Optimizing Indigenous Timber Short-Gap Crossing Designs By Minimizing Wood Moisture Content, Robert Greenwood

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Reducing moisture content increases wood strength and reduces the weight of timber members. An accurate and efficient method for measuring moisture content is important for the design and construction of indigenous timber short-gap crossings. This study evaluates different methods for measuring moisture content in timber, describes a methodology for developing a representative moisture content value for a timber log, and approaches for quickly drying large timber logs. The results of this thesis will support activities in developing a representative moisture content of a log for structural design purposes and reducing weight for constructability purposes. The approaches discussed were developed considering …

Spiral, William Edward Krauland

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Spiral is an audio programme comprised of six individual, but related, parts. Installed in Rogers, Arkansas at the historical Rogers Milk Processing Plant, colloquially known as “The Creamery”, on the evening on November 7th, Spiral presented the audience with complex entanglements of noise, both gentle and harsh, field recordings, feedback, and synthesized melody. Built in parts, each section of the audio programme used elements from the others, spiraling on itself, attempting a deeper understanding of its own structure and meaning through both moments of centrifugal and centripetal force. Let us consider the following “thesis” a supplement or a reflection on …

Toward A Better Understanding Of Friction, Adhesion, And Stud Bearing Shear Transfer At The Steel-Concrete Interface Of Composite Bridge Girders, Callie Grace James

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Following curing of the concrete deck, load transfer between the concrete and steel components in a composite bridge girder is possible through three mechanisms: 1) mechanical contact (bearing) between the embedded shear connectors and surrounding cured concrete, 2) adhesion between the cured concrete and steel-section top flange, and 3) friction between the contacting materials Understanding the mechanisms of bearing, adhesion, and friction shear transfer at the steel-concrete interface of composite bridge girders is necessary for efficient proportioning of headed shear connectors (or studs) in design. To better understand the roles that stud bearing, adhesion, and friction play in composite girder …

A Novel Maturation Equation For Hepatic Clearance Across Preterm, Term Neonates, Children, And Adults: Application To Paracetamol And Its Metabolite, Yunjiao Wu, Swantje Völler, Sebastiaan C. Goulooze, Karel Allegaert, Catherine M.T. Sherwin, Anne Van Rongen, Daniëlla W. E. Roofthooft, Sinno H.P. Simons, Dick Tibboel, Robert B. Flint, John N. Van Den Anker, Catherijne A.J. Knibbe

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

A preterm and term neonate to adult (PTNA) maturation equation was introduced recently to describe the glomerular filtration rate maturation from birth to adulthood for neonates of varying gestational age. This study aims to evaluate the newly developed PTNA equation against common maturation approaches like allometric scaling (AS0.75), the AS0.75 plus postmenstrual age (PMA)-based Emax (AS0.75 + PMA) equation, and the bodyweight dependent exponent equation (BDE) for the maturation of three hepatic pathways of paracetamol (PCM) from preterm and term neonates up to adults. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted with pooled plasma and urine data of PCM, PCM-glucuronide (PCM-GLU), …

Teaching Note - Embedding The Human Library Experience Within Social Work Curriculum, Emily M. Paine

Social Work Faculty Works

The Human Library is a global initiative designed to challenge stereotypes and foster dialogue through storytelling and presents a unique opportunity for experiential learning within social work education. This teaching note explores how the Human Library framework can be integrated into social work curriculum in alignment with the 2022 Council on Social Work Education’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, with particular emphasis on Competency 3: Engaging in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practice. When embedded in coursework, the Human Library enables students to engage in brave and authentic conversations with storytellers who share aspects of their lived experiences, promoting mutuality, …

A Roadmap For Equipping Saints For The Work Of Ministry At Sugar Land Church Of Christ, Lewis Anthony Parker Iv

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to create a roadmap for a process that invites and equips saints at Sugar Land Church of Christ to work in ministry. As part of the research process, a design team was empaneled and met for eight sessions, during which participants offered valuable insight into Sugar Land’s ministry context. This data informed the final roadmap. Ephesians 4, which discusses the importance of every member getting involved in ministry, serves as the foundation of this project. The work of every member is for the edification of the entire group, and the calling and gift of …