Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation On Impulse Control Disorders In Patients With Parkinson’S Disease On Dopamine Replacement Therapy, Katherine Muksuris

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that causes motor deficits, cognitive impairment, and depression. The mainstay treatment for motor symptoms is dopamine replacement therapy (DRT). DRT takes the form of levodopa or dopamine receptor agonists (DAs) and can be associated with impulse control disorders (ICDs). Currently, the approach to mitigating these side effects is to decrease or stop DRT, which may cause motor symptoms to return, making the management of the disorder more difficult. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation treatment for multiple disorders, including its approved use for smoking cessation. It has also shown …

Reassessing Hourly Neurological Assessments: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Haley Lynne Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Reassessing Hourly Neurological Assessments: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Haley Lynne Johnson, BSN, RN

Background: Stroke and brain injuries remain among the leading causes of mortality in the United States, accounting for 162,890 deaths in 2021 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). Although frequent neurological assessments are essential for monitoring patient status, limited evidence supports the prolonged use of hourly neuro-checks (LaBuzetta et al., 2022). Excessive neuro-check frequency has been linked to sleep deprivation, an increased risk of delirium, and inefficient resource utilization (Kishore et al., 2021).

Purpose: This project aimed to assess the impact of …

Influence Of Different Rates Of Biochar And Deer Browsing On Pollinator Plant Productivity, Bipana Bhusal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass, has received wide attention for soil amendment to improve plant growth. However, its specific effects on pollinator friendly plants remain poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of four biochar application rates (0, 10, 20, 40 tons/acre) and deer exclusion (fenced vs. unfenced) on the productivity of three pollinator species; Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria), and Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) in a utility right of way with a history of mining. A split-plot randomized design was used, and the results were analyzed using …

No Man’S A Stone: A Qualitative Approach To Characterizing Masculinity In Older Adulthood, Montgomery T. Owsiany

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Suicide rates are exceedingly high in U.S. older men (aged 65 years and older). In 2020, older men were about 6.5 times more likely to die by suicide than older women and 1.14 times more likely than men aged 18 to 64 years. Masculine norms (e.g., emotional suppression, self-reliance, anger, physical toughness risk-taking behaviors, alcohol misuse) are believed to influence the presentation of mental disorders, such as depression, which has led to the conceptualization of masculine depression. Research on masculinity often focuses on the experiences of younger men, ignoring how gender identities may change as one progresses through adulthood. Meanwhile, …

Modeling Energetic Electron Precipitation: Radiation Belt Loss, Its Drivers, And Atmospheric Impacts, Zhi Gu Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Energetic electrons in the terrestrial outer radiation belt present significant hazards to spacecraft systems and human operations in space. The intensity of these electrons can vary rapidly and dramatically during geomagnetic storms, governed by a complex competition between acceleration and loss processes. Among these, precipitation into the atmosphere via resonant wave-particle interaction acts as a key loss mechanism. This dissertation focuses on improving the quantification of energetic electron precipitation using physics-based modeling constrained by low-altitude satellite observations.

We begin by developing and validating the Drift-Diffusion model, which simulates low-altitude electron dynamics while accounting for azimuthal drift, pitch-angle diffusion, and atmospheric …

Apostrophes And Archimedes, Evan J. Clough

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis explores how digital collage and printmaking can be used to develop images through acts of subjective response, intentional and unintentional acts of appropriation, and parodic re-use and comparison pushed to absurd extremes. It looks at the history of creating art for parodic re-use and examines “Pataphysics”, developed by and for art appropriation of pattern, form, and process. These concepts are explained and related to visual artwork that was made for the thesis exhibition Apostrophes and Archimedes Cast Shadow Puppets. The exhibition invites viewers to experience the phenomenon of observation, automatic transformation, and creation using multiple modalities of exaggerated …

Development Of High-Performance Coaches And Burnout, Amy Cashin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coach education is imperative, especially as coaching moves towards professionalization (Lara-Bercial, 2022). The literature has shown that high-performance coaches are closest to fitting the criteria of a profession (Lara-Bercial et al., 2022) while also being at risk of experiencing burnout due to the high level of stress faced within their job (Bentzen et al., 2014; Olusoga & Kenttä, 2016). The purpose of this study was twofold. First to have a more comprehensive understanding of Australian Athletics high-performance coaches’ wants and needs regarding coaching education as it pertains to coach wellbeing and burnout; and second, to have an in-depth exploration of …

Computational Approaches For Diagnosing Neurological Impairments And Restoring Functional Movement, Serhii Bahdasariants

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Movement is the primary means by which the nervous system converts intention into interaction with the environment. Voluntary limb motion enables standing, walking, reaching, and grasping—actions that underpin self‑care, communication, and economic participation. When diseases or injuries disrupt the pathways that couple neural commands to muscle forces—whether through cortical stroke, spinal cord injury, or peripheral nerve damage—mechanical outcomes such as weakness, loss of coordination, and ultimately reduced mobility emerge. These impairments cascade into secondary complications, increased dependence on caregivers, and diminished quality of life. Quantifying how the lesion alters the mechanics of movement is therefore essential for designing targeted interventions …

Functionalized Carbon Nanohoops: Synthesis, Structural Insights, And Pathways To Carbon Nanobelts, Liu Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The development of structurally defined carbon nanostructures has gained significant attention due to their unique electronic, optical, and mechanical properties. Cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs), also known as carbon nanohoops, and carbon nanobelts (CNBs) represent key molecular segments of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), offering a bottom-up approach to precise nanotube construction. This dissertation focuses on the synthesis, structural characterization, and functionalization of CPPs, as well as the development of novel synthetic pathways for CNBs. A series of functionalized CPPs, including [9]-, [12]-, [15]-, and [18]CPPs, were synthesized using a modular approach involving a Diels-Alder adduct formation followed by a Ni(cod)2/bpymediated macrocyclization reaction. The influence …

Soft Epilogue, Chloe C. Firth

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This written document is the accompanying thesis for my Master of Fine Arts Exhibition, Soft Epilogue. The work in the exhibition serves as a visual record of my eating disorder recovery process. Each piece in the exhibition addresses a selected writing prompt from the book 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder, published in 2011 and written by therapists and former eating disorder patients Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb. The book provides information and journal assignments regarding the development of eating disorders, how to maintain the motivation to recover, and how to navigate the complicated emotions …

Encouraging Self-Regulation In An Online University Course For Preservice Teachers: An Intervention Study, Karen T. Arnesen, Charles R. Graham, Heather Leary, Alison I. Mcmurry

Faculty Publications

Although self-regulation (SR) has long been seen as an important educational concept, we know little about how to foster it in higher education online student populations. This research addresses this need by introducing an SR intervention into a preservice teacher course. The 30 students who participated used an intervention consisting of weekly student goal setting and self-reflection. Using data collected from a self-regulation survey, weekly reflections, final exam reflections, and interviews, all but one student indicated that the process of setting a goal weekly and especially reflecting on their actions during the week increased their self-regulation abilities. More than half …

Efficacy Of Salmonella Surrogate Enterococcus Faecium In Poultry And Mash Broiler Feed, Corey Waitman Coe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation investigates the efficacy of Enterococcus faecium as a surrogate for Salmonella in validating thermal inactivation processes during poultry feed manufacturing and meat processing. The research encompassed three studies evaluating microbial kinetics in mash broiler feed, reconstructed ground chicken, and predictive modeling approaches to improve food safety interventions. In the first study, the thermal resistance of nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium and E. faecium was compared in mash broiler feed heated at 75–95°C. Results demonstrated that E. faecium exhibited significantly greater heat resistance than Salmonella, with longer shoulder times, greater tailing effects, and higher D-values, supporting its use as …

Customer Segmentation And Fuel Economy Prediction Using Telemetry Data From Heavy-Duty Trucks, Batishahe Selimi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Heavy-duty trucks constitute only a modest fraction of on-road vehicles, yet their intensive duty cycles and high fuel demands yield a disproportionately large share of transportation fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing this imbalance requires data-driven tools that capture the realities of fleet operation and translate complex telemetry into actionable insight.

This dissertation introduces a unified machine-learning framework that operates exclusively on high resolution time-series data collected from fifty-nine diesel trucks deployed across Southern California. It begins by constructing a multi-modal feature space that blends statistical summaries of key engine signals, static vehicle descriptors, and Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients, thereby …

The Economics Of Crime And Reform: Essays On Alcohol Taxation, Cannabis Legalization, And Felon Enfranchisement., Georgios Marios Bantis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation comprises three independent yet thematically connected essays that explore the effects of public policy on crime and municipal finance. The first chapter examines the relationship between alcohol taxation and crime, assessing how changes in excise tax policies influence criminal activity. The second chapter investigates the fiscal implications of felon enfranchisement, analyzing how the restoration of voting rights to individuals with felony convictions affects municipal public finance. The third chapter evaluates the impact of cannabis legalization on crime, focusing on whether and how legalization alters crime patterns. Each chapter is structured as a stand-alone research paper. A general introduction …

Neuroendocrine Regulation Of The Luteinizing Hormone Surge And Puberty Onset In Sheep, Max J. Griesgraber

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are essential for the reproduction of all mammalian species, including both sheep and humans. GnRH is secreted by hypothalamic neurons into the hypophyseal portal vasculature in a pulsatile manner, which then acts within the anterior pituitary to elicit the release of LH and FSH into wider systemic circulation. In females LH and FSH act on the ovaries to promote estradiol (E2) production, follicular development, and under certain conditions in regard to LH, ovulation. Furthermore, while E2 inhibits GnRH and subsequent LH secretion under most conditions, at high concentrations E2 …

Modeling And Simulation Of Carbon-Neutral Strategies For Methanol Production, Omar Almaraz Barrios

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Methanol is a versatile chemical that can be used as a fuel, a solvent, a feedstock for other chemicals, and a hydrogen carrier. Methanol production from natural gas, which is mainly composed of methane, is a well-established process that involves steam reforming, methanol synthesis, and methanol purification. However, this process is energy-intensive and emits large amounts of carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming and climate change. Therefore, there is a need for alternative methods of methanol production that are more efficient and environmentally friendly. The overall objective of this research is to develop simulation models of two novel methanol …

Social Support And Negative Affective Outcomes Among Older Adults: Does Valuing Autonomy Matter?, Erika Anne Fenstermacher

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

While not a normal part of aging, depression is a concerning psychiatric condition in late life. Depression is a significant predictor of suicide and the highest rates of suicide occur in middle aged and older adult men. One factor that may protect against depression and suicidal behavior among older adults is social support. Social support has been demonstrated as a significant factor in health and well-being. Perceived social support has consistently been linked to beneficial outcomes, however, received support has mixed results with some studies even finding received support to be harmful. For individuals who highly value autonomy, it may …

Long-Term Trends In Brook Trout Production And Large Wood In West Virginia Headwater Streams, Halden D. Edwards

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Projects which monitor long-term trends in ecosystems are uncommon but extremely important in the management of fish and wildlife populations. By assessing the health of a population or community over multiple temporal scales, these projects provide true insight into population success that cannot be elucidated through short-term studies. Long-term projects are also instrumental in assessing the effects of disturbance events as they provide valuable baseline information which can be compared to data collected post-disturbance. Even more importantly, long-term studies can help identify crucial changes in the health and success of imperiled and invaluable species to improve and focus conservation efforts. …

Artificial Intelligence Approaches For Membrane Fouling Prediction, Yazhou Jiang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Membrane fouling is a persistent and critical challenge in membrane-based separation processes, resulting in reduced performance, higher energy consumption, and increased operational and maintenance costs. Addressing this issue is essential for improving the long-term sustainability and efficiency of membrane systems. This report provides a comprehensive overview of membrane fouling mechanisms—such as organic, inorganic, particulate, and biofouling—and explores the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in tackling this problem. Specifically, it reviews three widely adopted AI techniques: Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Fuzzy Logic (FL), and Support Vector Machines (SVM). Each method is examined through a series of literature-based case studies, …

Three Essays On The Economics Of Crime And Education, Joy Kanengiser

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The first chapter investigates the labor market impacts of the Clean Slate Law, a policy designed to reduce barriers to entry by automating the sealing of criminal records. Using IPUMS CPS data from six states, I employ a difference-in-differences framework with individual fixed effects and an event study design to identify changes in employment outcomes. I find that the Clean Slate policy increases employment by 0.33 percentage points and weekly hours worked by 0.44 hours (approximately 24 minutes). Full-time employment rises, while self-employment declines by 0.12 percentage points, suggesting a shift from informal to more stable, formal jobs. These employment …

A New Electronic Handoff Tool To Facilitate Patient Transfer From The Or To Sicu: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Kaylan Jean Kerrigan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction/Background: Transfer of care is a vulnerable time for patients. Continuity of care depends on good communication from the transferring team to the receiving team. Communication failures contribute to frustration among medical staff and poor patient outcomes. Purpose: The purose of this project was to improve handoff communication and satisfaction between the anesthesia team in the operating room (OR) and the receiving surgical intensive care unit (SICU) nurses. Intervention: A new electronic handoff tool was developed for the Epic electronic health record (EHR) to provide SICU nurses with patient information (name, age, allergies), procedure and diagnosis, intubation status, reversal status, …

Finite Element Modeling And Experimental Characterization Of Overmolded Gold-Palladium Composite Leads And Their Mechanical Behavior Under Cyclic Fatigue For Long-Term Implant Applications, Tanner Davis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Auditory Nerve Interface (ANI) devices, currently in developmental stages, represent an emerging neuroprosthetic approach to restore hearing in severe sensorineural loss patients by directly stimulating the auditory nerve via the Utah Slanted Electrode Array (USEA). Conventional implant leads are comprised of multiple wires made from materials such as platinum-iridium and MP35N stainless steel that are overmolded in an insulative material. These materials are not possible to bond with to electrode array used in the ANI device, necessitating the evaluation of a new material like Au-Pd to ensure its functionality and durability under cyclic stresses. This gap necessitates characterization of alternative …

Autonomous Vehicle Supported Mobility Services For Rural Areas, Alvira Ahmed Tasnim

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) are emerging as a promising mobility solution to address growing transportation demands, particularly unmet traffic demand in rural areas where conventional transit systems often fall short. Rural areas face unique mobility challenges due to dispersed populations, limited infrastructure, and low/no transit coverage. Existing transit services tend to concentrate around dense urban cores, leaving low-demand areas outside underserved. This spatial undercoverage leads to significant mobility gaps for rural residents. This study examines the potential of AV-based ride-sharing services to address these mobility needs by providing flexible, demand-responsive mobility services where fixed-route transit services are either economically or operationally …

Using Probabilistic Risk Assessment In Drilling R&D Projects, Jacob Matthew Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Well drilling, since its inception, has always carried an intrinsic quantity of risk. Economically, the evolution of data analytics and the tools available to operators provide the opportunity to transform the lessons learned from previous well drilling endeavors into bottom line improvements. Additionally, methods for forecasting and risk management of potential trouble areas have significantly advanced due to the abundance of empirical data from prior drilling operations. Probabilistic Risk Assessment is a viable method through which risk can be tracked and mitigated in project management. Coupled with this data, the usage of Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) provides a quantified, trackable …

Reactive Model-Free Control For Underactuated Vehicles Operating In Resource-Constrained Environments, Austin Lane Sponaugle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Buoyancy-driven, underactuated vehicles offer a compelling solution for long-duration autonomous operations in constrained environments. By leveraging buoyancy to generate lift, these vehicles can remain aloft for extended periods with minimal power requirements, making them well-suited for applications in atmospheric monitoring, planetary exploration, and communications. However, their limited actuation authority, strong coupling with environmental forces, and operating domains introduce significant control challenges, including nonlinearity, sensitivity to external disturbances, and limited observability.

This work investigates the design and implementation of lightweight, reactive model-free control strategies that enable robust autonomy in such constrained settings. A digital Extremum Seeking Controller (ESC) is first implemented …

Molecular Characterization Of Fungus-Arthropod Associations, Angie M. Martin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Arthropods, or phylum Arthropoda, are the largest group of animals, accounting for over three quarters of all animal records on NCBI Taxonomy. And yet, only 40% of all deposited sequences on NCBI Nucleotide come from arthropods. Clearly, arthropods are an understudied group of animals: they are small, often drab, and lead lives very alien to our own. Arthropods have chitinous exoskeletons, segmented bodies, and jointed appendages, and include crabs, barnacles, insects, spiders, and millipedes. Since the era of DNA based studies took off in the 1980s, DNA and other small molecules have been integral to our understanding of the Earth …

Vital Rates And Nest Site Selection Of Merriam’S Wild Turkeys (Meleagris Gallopavo Merriami) In South-Central, South Dakota, Luke N. Mccray

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are an economically and culturally significantly game species throughout much of the United States. Within South Dakota, spring turkey hunting generates approximately $20 million in expenditures annually to local economies. Merriam’s wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo meriami) were reintroduced to the Missouri River Breaks of Gregory County, South Dakota, USA, between the 1950s and 1980s, and was one of the most successful reintroductions in the state. However, a recent decline in gobbler harvest suggests a potential decline in this population. To estimate survival and reproduction and evaluate nest site selection, we captured 121 …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Decrease Sugammadex Expenditures, Jordan Austin Gardo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

A Quality Improvement Initiative to Decrease Sugammadex Expenditures

Jordan Gardo

Introduction/Background: The manufacturer’s suggestion in the dosing of the Sugammadex is

generally dosed at 2-4 mg/kg of total body weight (TBW) depending on the extent of

neuromuscular blockade. Evidence suggests that in the morbidly obese population, this

can lead to excessive dosing due to the drug's hydrophilic properties, making it less cost-

effective. Dosing based on adjusted body weight (ABW) leads to dose reductions while

achieving full reversal of neuromuscular blockade as measured by quantitative train-of-

four monitoring, resulting in lower costs from decreased vial usage.

Purpose: The purpose …

Comparative Analysis Of Electrode Encapsulation Reliability: Planar Vs. Thermoformed Interdigitated Neural Electrodes In Biomedical Engineering, Tatum Peyerl

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Durable dielectric encapsulation is crucial for the long-term function of implantable neural electrodes; however, the reliability of curved, thermoformed coatings remains underexplored. This study addresses that gap by comparing planar (non-thermoformed) and thermoformed interdigitated neural electrodes (IDEs) encapsulated in Polyimide-2611. Both device types underwent accelerated in vitro aging in phosphate‑buffered saline (PBS) at 67 °C for approximately 91 days, simulating two years of physiological exposure. Post-accelerated aging evaluation included electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) from 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz to monitor moisture‑induced leakage, and high‑voltage breakdown testing under saline immersion to assess dielectric strength. After aging, all electrodes maintained impedance …

Evaluating Osmia Cornifrons As An Effective Pollinator For Agricultural Crops: An Analysis Of Hair Morphology And Sex-Ratio Distorting Bacterium, Wolbachia, Nellie Heitzman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Effective pollination relies not only on the presence of pollinators but also on their morphological adaptations and reproductive biology. In this study, I investigated both the external hair morphology and the intracellular bacterial infection status of Osmia cornifrons, a solitary bee species increasingly used in orchard pollination due to its efficiency and early seasonal activity. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), I characterized the distribution and structure of two major hair types present on the bee's body: branched and unbranched. Branched hairs were found widely distributed across the head, thorax, dorsal abdomen, and legs, and appeared to function primarily in incidental …