Digital Commons Network^™

Effect Of Soy Co-Products In Supplements For Grazing Cattle On Growth, Complete Blood Cell Counts, And Physiological Response Following A Lipopolysaccharide Challenge, Bralee Lansdell

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of soy co-products (soybean meal and soy oil) in the diet on the growth and hemocytology of cattle during a 56-day growing phase and the physiological/behavioral response to an endotoxin challenge. Angus crossbred steers (n = 36; 289 ± 31 kg, initial body weight ± SD) were stratified by body weight and sire; and assigned randomly to pastures (n = 9; 0.45 ha/mixed-grass pasture). Pastures were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: 1) a control supplement containing no soy co-products, 2) a supplement containing soybean meal, or 3) …

Early Life Stress Predicts Future Conduct Disorder In Adolescents, Savannah Ellis

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Early Life Stress (ELS) and adversity increase people’s risk for developing mental, social, or emotional dysregulation and disorders later in life. The objective of this study was to test whether ELS in adolescents could prospectively predict future conduct disorder. The study additionally tested potential neural mediators of the effect of ELS on future conduct disorder, and specifically targeted the structural connections from the anterior insula and medial prefrontal cortex to the Nucleus Accumbens (NAcc). Data for the project came from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD study), which is a longitudinal multi-site consortium funded by the National Institutes of …

Sex Differences In Host Resistance And Tolerance To The Common Avian Pathogen Mycoplasma Gallisepticum, Chloe Connelly

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

As we face the threat of global pandemics, one thing becomes clear: biological research is not just about the pursuit of the unknown, but about protecting our future. Understanding disease transmission and predicting pathogen epidemics is more important than ever. Prior studies have indicated that in populations where one sex engages in more social behaviors and movement that sex may drive disease transmission. This supports sex as a factor to consider in the study of epidemic dynamics. Host physiology and immune strategies are another factor that can influence epidemics. Two commonly examined strategies are tolerance and resistance. Tolerance is the …

The Impact Of A Carbon Tax On Emissions, Jessica Creech

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

A carbon tax is an economic policy that aims to reduce various emissions to serve the protection of the environment. Versions of this policy have been implemented in multiple countries across the world to introduce a cost for contributing to environmental damage. Since climate change is prevalent in today’s world, finding an effective method to reduce emissions is essential. However, many countries hesitate to utilize a carbon tax for two reasons. First, they are unsure if the carbon tax is effective at reducing emissions. Second, there is a concern that the implementation of such a tax will be detrimental to …

Oh Tibia Nursing Student, Megan A. Schmit

Honors Capstones

For my nursing school capstone, I chose to create a TikTok that was based over the Pediatrics class content. My TikTok account is called oh.tibia.nurse and it was made to help nursing students like myself review content on a streaming app

Smartphone-Based Fundus Imaging For Evaluation Of Retinopathy Of Prematurity In A Low-Income Country: A Pilot Study, Roha Ahmad Choudhary, Shiraz Hashmi, Haroon Tayyab

Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of a novel and simple smart phone-based Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening approach in a resource-constrained setting.
Methods: This cross-sectional validation study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of The Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan, from January 2022 to April 2022. A total of 63 images of eyes with active ROP (stage-1, 2, 3, 4 and/or plus or pre-plus disease) were included in this study. The stage of ROP was documented by the principal investigator using an indirect ophthalmoscope and retinal images were obtained using this novel technique. …

Disability Justice In Higher Education: The Lived Experiences Of Disabled White Women Disability Services Directors, Emily Gaspar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Eight disabled white women disability services directors shared their experiences working in disability services in higher education. The ten principles of disability justice provided the framework for this interpretative phenomenological analysis. Individual interviews were used to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of the participants with specific focus on disability identity of the professionals working in disability services and how their identities inform their campus experiences, along with how their intersectional identities inform their disability identity. Participants were found to experience ableism and oppression, a broad spectrum of relationships, disability solidarity, disability disclosure, identity hierarchy, disability management and coping …

Drug Metabolizing Enzymes And Transporters May Help Determine Effective Budesonide Dosing In Eoe, Laurie Mccann, Lisa Harvey, Norah Almahbub, Wendy Y. Wang, Erin C. Boone, Janelle R. Noel-Macdonnell, Rachel Chevalier

Posters

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disorder diagnosed in children with painful or difficult swallowing, vomiting, or poor weight gain.  Current treatment models adopt a trial-and-error approach in regard EoE treatment, including restrictive elimination diets, proton pump inhibitors, and topical budesonide. This approach can delay effective treatment which increases risk of disease progression and increases medical costs to families for frequent clinic visits and endoscopy.   Objectives/Goal: The objective of this study is to determine the CYP3A5 genotype and expression of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis to discover which patients will respond to standard dosing of topical budesonide treatment (1, …

Journal Of Food Law & Policy - Spring 2023, Journal Editors

Journal of Food Law & Policy

No abstract provided.

A Mixed Methods Study Of The Literacy Motivation Of Students With Intellectual Disability Labels, Hayley Jordan Hoover

All Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the literacy motivation of individuals with intellectual disability labels and to develop an instrument that will support teachers in understanding their students’ literacy motivations. This participatory social justice approach was conducted through the lens of Situated Expectancy Value Theory (SEVT; Eccles & Wigfield, 2020) and Disability Studies in Education (DSE; Connor et al., 2008). The target population of this research was students with an intellectual disability label and their teachers. The research occurred in three phases.

In the first phase of the research, student interviews were conducted to explore what …

Development Of Three Novel Edna Assays For Detecting Coastal Sharks, Kristina Dawn Flanigan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is an emerging, non-invasive community monitoring tool. This study aimed to determine if eDNA methods can be reliably used in a large brackish, partially mixed estuary by developing and testing three novel eDNA primers, for Sandbar Sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus), Blacknose Sharks (Carcharhinus acronotus), and Bonnetheads (Sphyrna tiburo). These primers were designed to target 109, 156, and 120 base pair (bp) fragments, respectively, of the highly conserved NAD2 gene in the mitochondrial genome of each species. Primer function was validated through testing against 102 known genomic source samples and 25 filtered water samples from aquaria in which …

The Underrepresentation Of African American Students In Ap And Honors Courses In Wilks County School District, Ivy Collins Palmer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Across the nation, research has shown that in an Advanced Placement (AP) class almost anywhere in the United States, it is likely to have the same phenomenon: a class made up primarily of white, middle- and upper-class students (Jeffries & Silvernail, 2017). Limited access to rigorous coursework for students from low socioeconomic households and minority groups can affect the number of minorities who matriculate to top research universities (Baylor, 2016). Access to AP and honors courses opens up new opportunities for students and pushes them toward success and future aspirations (McCauley, 2007). The problem is the African American (AA) population …

A Comparative Biomechanical Investigation Of Porcine Neonatal And Adult Left Ventricular Tissues, Timothy R. Eastep

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

A current trend in cardiac muscle regeneration and repair is to recreate the biophysical and biomechanical environment of the neonatal hearts, which has been shown to promote cardiac regeneration. This translational need requires thorough understanding of the biomechanical properties of the neonatal hearts. In this study, we aim to (i) characterize the dynamic viscoelastic properties of the neonatal porcine left ventricular (LV) muscle and compare with the adult tissue behavior using a rheometer; (ii) perform histological assessment to identify the cellular and extracellular (ECM) microstructures that contribute to the observed biomechanical differences, and (iii) develop a light sheet imaging protocol …

Reviving Local Journalism And Storytelling: Reporting On The "Oc Weekly", Lauren E. Montoya

Whittier Scholars Program

In an effort to reflect the importance of local journalism, the following project is a narrative piece reporting on the closure of the OC Weekly, an alternative news source that ended in 2019, which was hardly reported on. This project aims to change that by further demonstrating the severe impact on communities in which these meaningful sources of news disappear, and why they matter. It calls on people to advocate for and change transform journalism into more than corporate-centered news that too often disregards the critical aspect of storytelling. Storytelling brings communities together and is the life of journalism, …

The Impact Of Water Politics On Migration In Jordan, Zoe Iseri

Whittier Scholars Program

This literature-review examines the impact of water politics on migration in Jordan, focusing on how water scarcity, particularly as it is exacerbated by climate change, is affecting the country’s stability and its relationships with other nations. Through an analysis of the interplay between water, politics, and migration in Jordan, this review argues that unless the country addresses its water scarcity issues, it will face severe challenges in managing migration and preserving its international standing. The review sheds light on the complex and interrelated issues of water politics and migration in Jordan and provides important insights for future research.

Design And Development Of A Virtual Reality Training Platform For Fiber-Reinforced Composite Manufacturing, Taufiq Rahman

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Theses - Archive

This study presents the design and development of a virtual reality (VR) training platform for manufacturing fiber-reinforced composites, a sophisticated and high-demand material in various industries. Due to the high costs and safety concerns associated with compression molding machines - essential equipment for this manufacturing process, the VR platform offers a promising alternative for training to educational institutions and manufacturing industries. The platform provides an immersive, interactive training and cost-efficient learning environment, allowing users to gain practical experience without the risks and expenses of physical training. The VR training module was developed using the Unity game engine and deployed on …

Effects Of The Lack Of Transportation On Health, Nibitika Khadka

2023 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Health is affected by a multitude of factors; however, most people do not realize how significant of an impact environmental health can have on the human body. Environmental health is made up of several components, one of the most notable being transportation. In Arlington, Texas, there is a lack of public transportation. Instead, residents rely on ride-share services such as Via, Uber, or Lyft (City of Arlington, 2022). This can cause air pollution rates to skyrocket, as most residents need to rely on their own form of transportation or on someone else’s car – whether its someone they know or …

The Relationship Between County-Level Rates Of Obstetric Care Providers And Rates Of Preterm Births In Rural And Urban Counties., Toni-Ann Samuels

2023 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Preterm births have been rising in the United States. Texas rural hospital closures are rising, which could contribute to fewer OB-GYNs and poorer birth outcomes. The purpose of the research was to determine correlations between OB-GYNs and preterm births in rural and urban Texas counties using secondary data from the Area Health Resources Files. The design was cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational. There was a moderate, statistically significant correlation between preterm births and OB-GYNs in both rural (n=115, rs= 0.53, p=<0.0001) and urban (n=72, rs= 0.73, p=<0.0001) counties. On average, there was 1 OB-GYN per 10,000 female population aged 15-44 in rural counties compared to 3 OB-GYNs per 10,000 in urban counties. Given that more urban OB-GYNs are available, further research is needed to understand factors influencing where rural women deliver babies (rural or urban hospitals), and how factors contribute to preterm birth differences among women residing in rural and urban areas

Prenatal Depression And Birth Complications: Comparisons By Race And Age Group, Kehari M. Guice

2023 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Health disparities among Black childbearing women illustrate physical and mental health concerns. The current study compared prenatal depression (PND) rates and birth complications between Black adult and adolescent women and all age Black and White women. This was a comparative study using a secondary analysis of data previously collected from two separate Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved primary studies assessing the mental health of a diverse group of childbearing women. Findings indicated that among Black women, there was no significant difference by age for PND, t=.530 (84), p=.59. Significant findings, however, revealed a difference in reported PND between Black and …

Leer Para Triunfar: An Action Research Evaluating The Effects Of Parent Involvement In Reading Proficiency Of Third-Grade Ells, Susana Díaz Hernández, Dominique Roche Rendón

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Numerous studies have shown that, on average, English Language Learners underperform academically compared to non-ELLs, and that the achievement gap tends to increase as students move on to upper-grade levels; only 29.5% of all third-grade ELLs in Alpha County were reading at grade level in the fiscal year 2021-2022. This pre-experimental action research aimed to examine whether the parent involvement program “Leer para Triunfar” had any significant differences in third-grade ELLs’ Winter Progress Monitoring Assessment reading test scores, and in parents’ perceptions about parent involvement, before and after the intervention. This study utilized descriptive and inferential statistical protocols to address …

Perceptions Of Parents And School Educators On English Language Learner Education In Florida Targeting The Graduation 13-Year Rule, Ailyn Barrios Forte

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the Perceptions of Parents and School Educators on English Language Learner Education in Florida Targeting the Graduation 13-Year Rule. There is a consistent trend of English Language Learners (ELL) in the United States lagging the total student graduation rate for public high school students in a four-year adjusted cohort. “Federal regulations require each state to calculate a four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate” (Florida Department of Education, 2022b. p. 1). A cohort is defined as a group of students on the same schedule to graduate within four years of their first enrollment in …

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Comparing Integrated And Malaria-Only Social And Behavior Change Programming In Nigeria: Final Report, Avenir Health

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

In Nigeria, the Breakthrough ACTION project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Nigeria, is working closely with the Nigerian government to improve the practice of priority health behaviors, with a focus on maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition, family planning and reproductive health, malaria, and tuberculosis. Within the broader program, Breakthrough ACTION uses different social and behavior change (SBC) approaches in different states. In northern Nigeria, Breakthrough RESEARCH compared the cost-effectiveness of the integrated SBC approach addressing multiple health areas in Kebbi and Sokoto states to a malaria-only approach in Zamfara. This cost-effectiveness study examined whether …

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis For Integrated Social And Behavior Change Programming By The Resilience In The Sahel Enhanced Ii Program In The Maradi And Zinder Regions Of Niger, Avenir Health

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

In March 2020, Breakthrough RESEARCH began applying their Guidelines for Costing Social and Behavior Change Health Interventions to the Resilience in the Sahel (RISE) II program in Niger for a cost-effectiveness analysis that will run until 2022. The purpose of this document is to share the findings of the application of the guidelines and provide an example and guidance for social and behavior change researchers and implementers on how these guidelines can be applied to other case study applications.

The Audrey Hepburn Image: Stardom, Gendered Authorship, And Creative Agency, Livi Edmonson

Film and Media Studies (MA) Theses

Female stardom was an essential component to the star system and film industry in Hollywood’s Golden Age. During the postwar era, one of the most influential female stars was Academy award winning actress, Audrey Hepburn. Hepburn’s emergence in the industry, as well as her branding as a “postwar Cinderella,” was representative of the emerging intersection between fashion and film. The association of Hepburn’s stardom with the two mediums --- especially to that of haute couture --- was solidified through her association with French couturier and close friend, Hubert de Givenchy. However, Hepburn’s agency becomes subverted in scholarship and popular culture …

How Donald Trump And The 2016 Presidential Election Eclipsed Frank Underwood’S Election In ‘House Of Cards’, Charna Flam

Film and Media Studies (MA) Theses

In 2016, the U.S. faced a seismic change in national politics and the evolution of the entertainment industry. As the rise of streaming services had finally hit its stride, Netflix, the industry disruptor, had released a steady stream of critically acclaimed series, most notably beginning with the platform’s first original program, House of Cards. The series’ main character, Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) would become a fixture within the television landscape at the time, as both political dramas and anti-hero series were at all-time high, but what the writers of House of Cards did not expect was how their plotlines would …

A Mixed Methods Study On Urban Educators’ Feelings Of Preparedness To Implement Practices That Impact Social And Emotional Learning In A Mid-Pandemic Environment, Emily Dittmer

Dissertations

The purpose of the mixed methods study was to evaluate urban educators’ perceptions of their preparedness to implement social and emotional learning strategies in their classrooms/workspaces as well as to understand what the educators’ experiences were as their students returned to a five day a week school schedule after a year and a half of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those involved in the study included educators from four K-8 public charter schools located in an urban Midwestern environment. Quantitative data was obtained through the administration of two identical surveys that were completed by volunteer participants at two different …

The Gender Of Greek Suicide: Constructions Of Humor And Heroism In Epigrams, Acacia Grace Oyler

Classical Studies Honors Theses

In this thesis, I explore how epigram authors evoke and manipulate gendered modes of dying in their portrayals of suicide. More specifically, I examine how the sword/noose, male/female paradigm underlies their constructions of heroic and humorous suicides. Ultimately, I argue that the epigrams use gender-transgressive modes of self-killing to create their heroic and humorous suicide. This argument not only illuminates how epigrams played with a popular theme from ‘high’ literature but also the very telling ways that suicide was gendered in the Greek imagination.

Felicissima Matrum: The Construction Of Maternal Identity In Ovid's Metamorphoses And Fasti, Savannah Rose Wahlgren

Classical Studies Honors Theses

After finally gaining control of Rome as princeps, Augustus was tasked with both ushering in a new era of peace and a new imperial form of government. To contrast the masculine world of war that he sought to leave behind, Augustus turned his attention to mothers and used them in imperial ideology and imagery as symbols of prosperity and morality. This was supported through his moral legislation, which brought tangible, legal benefits to motherhood in addition to the benefits of status that were more loosely and implicitly defined. The transition to monarchy also brought attention to mothers as the importance …

Prom Seasonal Allergies, Jase Graves

Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop Blog

It’s that time of year again when dads of daughters all over the country are experiencing severe headaches, watery eyes, shortness of breath and even hives. No, these symptoms are not from seasonal allergies, but from a traumatic phenomenon known as “prom season.”

Front Matter, North Carolina Journal Of Law & Technology

North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology

No abstract provided.