Master's Theses
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Item Embargo Assessing Occupational and Recreational Noise Levels during National Hockey League Games and its Impact on Employees and Attendants(East Carolina University, May-2024) Curtis, SamanthaWorkers and attendees of sporting events can be exposed to harmful levels of noise during the event, potentially affecting hearing This study assessed the noise exposure of workers and attendees at 12 National Hockey league games at PNC arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. Nine employees were placed on various arena levels while wearing noise dosimeters, with one dosimeter placed in an office in the arena for area noise monitoring. A sound level meter was also placed in a fixed location on the lowest arena level. The employees were recruited by email, and during meetings before the game. The noise levels were compared between rival and non-rival games, and between arena levels. The results from the sound level meter showed that the highest average noise level was at Game 1 (89.2 ± 5.3 dBA), while the lowest average was at Game 4 (83.2 ± 7.4 dBA), both of which were non-rival games. The results from personal monitoring showed that Game 1 (88.1 ± 2.0 dBA), Game 4 (85.1 ± 2.7 dBA), and Game 12 (85.1 ± 5.9 dBA) had 8-hr TWAs exceeding the ACGIH TLV of 85 dBA. It also showed that the 8-hr TWAs in all the games did not exceed the OSHA PEL of 90 dBA. The 8-hr TWAs for non-rival games for both ACGIH and OSHA PEL (83.6 ± 2.6 dBA and 76.4 ± 3.6 dBA, respectively) were not significantly different (t= –0.72, p=0.48 and t= –1.26, p=0.21, respectively) from those of rival games (83.0 ± 1.8 dBA and 75.1 ± 2.0 dBA, respectively). The greatest difference between the rival and non-rival games was observed on the noise dose% for both OSHA PEL and ACGIH, with the OSHA noise dose% of 19.2% for non-rival games and 15.4% for rival games. Moreover, the ACGIH noise dose% for the non-rival games was 98.5% and that of the rival games was 89.7%. However, such differences for both ACGIH and OSHA PEL noise doses were not significant (t= –0.47, p=0.64 and t= –1.34, p=0.18, respectively). The ACGIH Lavg for the non-rival games (90.1 ± 2.0 dBA) was not significantly different (t= –0.81, p=0.42) from that of the rival games (89.6 ± 1.4 dBA). Similarly, the OSHA PEL Lavg for the rival games (81.7 ± 1.6 dBA) was not significantly different (t= –1.39, p=0.17) from that of the non-rival games (82.9 ± 3.0 dBA). Level 2 of the arena had the highest ACGIH Lavg of 91.1 ± 5.8 dBA. The office has the lowest ACGIH Lavg (86.5 ± 1.7 dBA). The ACGIH TWA for the office was 79.4 ± 3.7 dBA. For the OSHA PEL, level 1 has the highest Lavg level of 83.9 ± 3.9 dBA and a TWA of 77.4 ± 4.4 dBA. The office level was the lowest OSHA PEL Lavg of 76.4 ± 4.1 dBA and the lowest TWA of 69.3 ± 6.1 dBA. Level 2 had the highest maximum noise level of 106.7 ± 6.8 dB while the office had the lowest maximum level of 100.5 ± 3.2 dB. Findings of this study will be beneficial to identify recommended controls for noise exposure for workers and attendees, such as worker rotation and wearing hearing protection.Item Embargo Optogenetic Investigations of the Role of the Actin-ATP Binding Site in Cofilin-Actin Rod Formation and the Stress-associated Responses of Actin-binding Proteins(East Carolina University, May-2024) Mann, NoahCytoskeletal dysregulation is a hallmark of various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases, resulting in the formation of aberrant actin-rich structures such as cofilin-actin rods. These structures arise under conditions of oxidative and energetic stress, leading to synaptic loss and cellular dysfunction. Understanding the structural factors underlying the stress-associated interaction of cofilin and actin is crucial for elucidating the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The actin-ATP interaction lies at the core of stress-induced cytoskeletal anomalies, with ATP depletion favoring the formation of cofilin-actin rods. While the contributions of actin’s nucleotide binding residues to rod formation remain unclear, recent advancements, such as the CofActor optogenetic system, have shed light on this phenomenon. By mutating key ATP-binding residues in the actin-ATP interface, we elucidated their role in cytoskeletal anomalies under both homeostatic and stress conditions. Our findings highlight the importance of specific nucleotide-binding actin residues in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, providing insights into potential therapeutic targets and its utility for experimentalists. In a related project, we investigated the ability of an optogenetic profilin to respond to applied cellular stress. Initial analysis into the ability of various actin-binding proteins to participate in the formation aberrant cytoskeletal structures such as actin-cofilin rods and stress granules as a result of energetic and oxidative stress, revealed that profilin has a differing response that isn’t associated with actin, and instead associated with stress granules. Whether these cytoskeletal phenomena can be harnessed for the development of biosensors for cytoskeletal dysfunction and, by extension, neurodegenerative disease progression, remains an open question. In this project, we describe the design and development of an optogenetic iteration of profilin, an actin monomer binding protein with critical functions in cytoskeletal dynamics. We showed that the optically activated profilin (‘OptoProfilin’) can act as an optically triggered biosensor of applied cellular stress in select immortalized cell lines. Notably, OptoProfilin is a single component biosensor, likely increasing its utility for experimentalists.Item Open Access Kirkegrim Saga(East Carolina University, May-24) Thacker, William HarrisonIn folklore it is common to personify aspects of death as various creatures meant to assist in an understanding of the process. This novella uses three of these folkloric creatures from Norse and Irish folklore to force the point of view characters to confront aspects of how they are relating to death, with the titular character referenced in the novella’s title functioning as a launching off point for discussing the other characters. This approach allows for the exploration of themes of regret and resentment that follow one into death, as well as themes of grief relating to an unwillingness to grieve for specific people, with the final chapter functioning as a resolution for the titular character.Item Restricted Mouse Strain Dependent Differences in Muscle Fiber Type, Fiber Area, and Blood Perfusion in Response to Denervation Atrophy(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Hakimi, JavidSkeletal muscle atrophy caused by denervation is a serious consequence of neuropathic disease, especially diabetes. However, the only proven treatment for muscle atrophy is exercise, which can be difficult or impossible for patients with a neuropathic disease. Fortunately, as a clue to novel treatment targets, there is evidence for a genetic component that predisposes mice to have a resistance to skeletal muscle atrophy during ischemia. The aim of this study is to identify whether this strain-dependent resistance is evident in a purely denervation model of skeletal muscle atrophy. Twenty male C57BL/6 mice and twenty male BALB/C mice had their sciatic nerve sectioned in their left leg and were sham-operated in their right leg. Blood perfusion of the lower hindlimbs was measured over the next 14 days with Laser Doppler Perfusion Imager (Periscan PIM II). At 14 days post-surgery, tibialis anterior, soleus, extensor digitorum longus (EDL), gastrocnemius, and plantaris muscles were harvested and weighed. The tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus were frozen for cryosectioning and immunostained to examine fiber size. Total protein content of the TA and soleus were measured using a BCA protein assay (Pierce). Myosin heavy chain (MHC) content was measured by silver-staining homogenates of the TA and soleus. The denervated hindlimbs of the C57BL/6 mice had significantly greater perfusion than the BALB/C at day 1 (+30%), day 3 (+27%), and day 13 (+40%), while day 5 was not different. There were no differences between mouse strains in weights of the innervated muscles (p < 0.05). In response to denervation, muscles atrophied in all hindlimb muscles ranging from approximately 29% (in the EDL) to approximately 46% (in the gastrocnemius) depending on muscle. Average fiber size of the TA and soleus decreased after denervation, but no difference was found between strains. Consistent with loss of mass and fiber size, tibialis anterior muscles also lost protein content after denervation, which did not significantly differ between strains. MHC isoforms in both strains shifted from a less glycolytic nature (Type IIB) to more oxidative (Type IIA+IIX) in the TA, but remained almost unchanged in the soleus. No strain-specific differences were found. In summary, despite our previous reports of a strain-dependent difference in ischemia-related atrophy and despite the differences in tissue perfusion during denervation, muscle of the BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice atrophy to the same extend during denervation atrophy However, a strain-dependent response to blood perfusion was found, as C57BL/6 mice had greater perfusion. Funding: Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration Award, ECUItem Open Access Maturation and fecundity of the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico Rivers striped bass (morone saxatilis) stocks in coastal North Carolina(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Knight, EvanThe Albemarle/Roanoke stock makes up the largest contingent of Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) in the state; however, other economically important populations exist elsewhere. The Central Southern Management Area (CSMA) is one such region. Striped Bass populations are sustained in the CSMA through stocking by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), but the goal of the fishery management plan is to establish a self-sustaining spawning population of Striped Bass in the region. In order to improve management of the CSMA Striped Bass population, maturation and fecundity estimates are needed for stock assessment models. Striped Bass were sampled on and near the spawning grounds in the Neuse and Tar/Pamlico rivers during the pre-spawn, spawning, and post-spawn period (February-June). Each fish was measured (fork length and total length, mm) and weighed (g). Otoliths were removed for ageing and otolith chemistry. Sex was determined, and gonads were removed and weighed to determine the GSI and phase of reproduction. LSI and K factors were used to assess the condition of fish. Otoliths were sectioned for age, and then examined by LA-ICPMS to determine changes in concentrations of Strontium in the first year of life to determine origin. The age at 50% maturity was 2.67 years; by Age 3 98.2% of female Striped Bass were sexually mature. CSMA Striped Bass matured 0.5 years earlier compared to the ASMA/RRMA population. Fecundity ranged from 223,110 eggs for an Age-3 female to 3,273,206 eggs for an Age-10 female (Mean=769,048.54; SE=54,047.42; n=87). Fish in the CSMA produced more eggs than ASMA/RRMA Striped Bass when compared by age. Observed lengths at age were significantly different between the CSMA and ASMA/RRMA females (F=978.92; DF=1; p<0.0001). Results of otolith microchemistry revealed that 92.7% of female Striped Bass in my study were of hatchery origin. Hatchery and wild fish did not vary significant by condition factors or age and growth; however, oocyte characteristics did vary significantly by origin. Wild fish produced oocytes of higher mass and larger in diameter compared to hatchery fish. Length at 50% maturity in the CSMA was estimated at 467.8 mm TL (18.4 inches TL) and fish were estimated to be 100% mature at 537.3 mm TL (21.1 inches TL). The current harvest restrictions for Striped Bass are an 18-inch TL minimum. In order for fishery managers to ensure all fish have the opportunity to enter the spawning stock at least once before being harvested, minimum harvest restrictions should be set at 21 inches TL. Both wild and hatchery adults are capable of fully contributing to the spawning run, yet the stock is not recovering. Early life mortality investigations into why the stock is not recovering should be undertaken.Item Open Access THE MARCELLUS SHALE: EROSIONAL BOUNDARY AND PRODUCTION ANALYSIS, SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA, U.S.A.(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Stevenson, MalloryThe Middle Devonian Marcellus Shale is a natural gas producing formation that was deposited in the Appalachian foreland basin in what is now eastern North America. An unconformity truncates the Marcellus in southern West Virginia and progressively younger units onlap progressively older units. The zero isopach line that marks the edge of the Marcellus is mapped to reveal the southeastern boundary. A well production analysis is conducted to locate the region of maximum natural gas production. Four lithologic completions intervals in three different well fields are compared. This study shows that the most economically viable drilling is from the Marcellus Shale completion intervals that are less than 30 feet in Chapmanville gas field in western Logan County, West Virginia. Outside of the zero isopach are areas comprised of onlapping featheredges of younger formations that comprise a black shale unit mistakenly identified as “Marcellus Shale.” These areas produce significantly less gas than the “true” Marcellus Shale.Item Open Access Investigating Intra- and Inter-Molecular Coevolution of Intrinsically Disordered Protein, Prothymosin-alpha(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Biscardi, BriannaProthymosin-α (ProTα) is a small, highly acidic protein found in the nuclei of virtually all mammalian tissues. It belongs to a class of proteins known for their lack of a rigid three-dimensional structure called intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). ProTα has been shown to play essential roles in cell robustness. As an example, ProTα is involved in apoptosis, or programmed cell death by inhibiting apoptosome formation via binding Apaf1. This research focus is on detecting coevolution of ProTα and between ProTα and Apaf1 (ProTα-Apaf1 or ProTα-Apaf1 complex). Coevolution refers to correlated changes between pairs of interacting species to maintain or refine functional interaction. Coevolution can be defined at the molecular level as correlated sequence changes that occur to maintain a structural or functional interaction. Studying coevolution of ProTα and ProTα-Apaf1 may provide useful information such as structural contacts and specific residues necessary for complex formation. In this study, a pipeline for performing molecular coevolution studies was established at East Carolina University (ECU). This pipeline was used to analyze myoglobin, ProTα, and ProTα-Apaf1. Myoglobin has been a target of previous coevolutionary studies and was chosen to test the robustness of the pipeline developed in this study. Most of the coevolving residues that were found in myoglobin match closely with those detected in other work. ProTα, which has never been studied by way of coevolution, displays several coevolving residues involved in long range interactions or functionally important regions. These methods were also applied to ProTα- Apaf1 complex. Previous experimental studies using 1H-15N heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) NMR have revealed residues on ProTα necessary for interaction with Apaf1 however the residues on Apaf1 necessary for interaction with ProTα have not been resolved. Several residues of ProTα were found to have coevolution with Apaf1. Docking studies were performed to simulate binding between ProTα and Apaf1 at the sites detected in this study (ProTα: Thr8, Thr107; Apaf1: Ser1056, Asp1096). Six orientations of ProTα and Apaf1 were run for 9 nanoseconds (ns) and in each simulation, the two proteins did not drift apart from one another. This suggests that the residues detected by coevolution in this study may play a role in the interaction between ProTα and Apaf1.Item Restricted Ability of the Functional Movement Screen™ to Predict Injuries and Performance in Collegiate Track and Field Athletes(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Anderson, Kendra L.The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a tool designed to identify limitations and compensatory movement patterns of individuals in order to help improve performance and decrease injuries. While research has demonstrated that the FMS can be assessed reliably across raters, evidence for the validity of the FMS to predict injury and performance is scarce. PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to: (a) examine the ability of the Functional Movement Screen and a bilateral weight distribution measure to predict injuries in collegiate track and field athletes over the course of a season, and (b) determine if FMS scores are related to performance using the standing vertical jump performance test. METHODS: Collegiate track and field athletes (N = 36) completed the FMS protocol, a bilateral weight distribution test as a comparison measure, and the vertical jump as a performance test. The FMS consists of seven functional movements scored on a 0-3 scale rating the quality of movement patterns. A bilateral weight distribution test was used as a comparison measure to examine injury prediction. The bilateral weight distribution test was conducted by having the athlete stand on two scales with one foot on each to record asymmetrical differences in body mass. Measurements were taken with the athlete’s feet at shoulder width distance apart and again with feet placed apart at 1/3 of his or her height. Results were categorized into positive and negative tests for the FMS based on a previously established cutoff score. A positive test was defined two ways: (a) a difference in body mass between scales of ≥ 3% and (b) a difference in body mass between scales of ≥ 5%. Interrater reliability was estimated by using a one-way analysis of variance to assess the consistency between two raters who concurrently scored 15 athletes. Injuries were monitored by the team’s head athletic trainer and reported weekly throughout the season. Sensitivity and specificity values were calculated to examine the accuracy of the different screening methods to identify participants who were injuries or not injured. An accuracy statistic was calculated to show the probability of correct diagnosis (sustaining an injury and having a positive test or not sustaining an injury and having a negative test). Pearson product-moment correlations were calculated to examine the association between FMS and standing vertical jump performance. RESULTS: Interrater reliability for the total FMS score between the lead and secondary rater was excellent (ICC = .98, 95% CI = .94-.99). The mean ± SD for total FMS scores among all participants was 14.9 ± 2.7 (male: 15.4 ± 2.9; female: 14.8 ± 2.7). Of the 35 athletes, 25 athletes (71%) experienced at least one injury during the 9-week outdoor season. Due to a small sample size for males (n = 11), analysis focused on the female sample (n = 25). For the FMS among females, sensitivity was .65 and specificity was .75. Accuracy results showed that the FMS (accuracy = 68%) correctly diagnosed injury status better than the bilateral weight distribution measure with feet at shoulder width (accuracy = 32% at ≥ 5% difference in body mass and accuracy = 36% at ≥ 3% difference in body mass) and at 1/3 of the participant’s height (accuracy = 48% at ≥ 5% difference in body mass and accuracy = 36% at ≥ 3% difference in body mass. Both tests were poor at predicting injury in the sample. No significant relationship was found between total FMS score and vertical jump performance for females (r = .11, p = .61). CONCLUSION: The FMS can be used reliably with track and field athletes; however, the ability of the FMS to accurately predict injury status was not supported in the current study. Although the FMS was slightly more accurate than the bilateral weight distribution measures at predicting injury status, the accuracy of the FMS to predict injury status in female in track and field athletes was modest. Total FMS scores were not related to vertical jump performance in female track and field athletes.Item Open Access Breaking Down Borderland Stereotypes: The Borderland Mindset and Double Consciousness(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Babyak, LaurenThis thesis examines three different texts, using borderland theories as a framework, to demonstrate that borderlands are not about physical locations but psychological states of mind. By studying three distinct texts, the following chapters break down various stereotypes associated with borderlands. The borderland mindset is one of ambivalence and uncertainty. In addition, borderland inhabitants are often concerned with safety and security while feeling as though they do not fully belong anywhere. A borderlander lives between two worlds and deals with intense emotions because of this state of being. It is easy to see the negative ramifications of living with a borderland mindset, but each text discussed in this thesis also reveals that the borderland mindset provides borderlanders with a unique perspective. When borderland inhabitants learn to find the positive aspects of their borderland mindset, they realize that they can accomplish amazing feats. A borderland mindset, or double consciousness as this thesis argues, is frustrating yet rewarding when used to provide an extraordinary perspective to the next generation or give voice to the voiceless.Item Open Access Embedded and Exposed: Exploring the Lived Experiences of African American Tourists(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Tucker, Charis N.The United States is experiencing a shift in racial demographics. Recent projections suggest that minority groups will make up nearly 50% of the population by 2023. Such increases have made the topics of race, ethnicity, and culture an appealing area of study for researchers and tourism professionals alike. Existing explanations of differences in African American travel suggest that decisions are made due to marginality (generally economic) or ethnicity (subcultural values). Because travel preferences may be a byproduct of learned behaviors passed down through generations, it is imperative to understand both current and historical aspects of leisure behavior. The stories of 12 African American tourists provided information which suggests that marginality, ethnicity, and issues related to discrimination impact their attitudes and behaviors regarding tourism choice. Capturing the voices of African American travelers offers a more inclusive understanding of their travel experiences, while at the same time offering explanations between the relationship between race and tourism.Item Open Access A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF A POTENTIAL TAVERN SITE IN JACKSON, NORTH CAROLINA(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Thomas, Katherine D.Residents of Jackson, North Carolina have found what they believe to be an 18th century tavern site. This thesis assesses this claim by comparing those artifacts to the artifacts at Wetherburn’s Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg and the Palmer-Marsh cellar in Bath, North Carolina in addition to tavern criteria created by Kathleen Bragdon. The artifacts are dated using Mean Ceramic Date, Terminus Post Quem, and pipestems. These methods show that the site in question is indeed a tavern, dated to the early part of the 18th century. Historical research indicates that this tavern belonged to Jeptha Atherton, an important figure in Jackson history.Item Open Access Geophysical characterization of onsite wastewater treatment system effects on groundwater quality, eastern North Carolina(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Hardison, SarahOnsite wastewater treatment systems (OWS) are a potential non-point source of pollution that can result in water quality degradation in groundwater and surface water. Locating OWS wastewater plumes in the subsurface often requires extensive site instrumentation and monitoring. The application of capacitively coupled resistivity (CCR) surveys offers a time efficient method to image wastewater plumes and thus may help in the design of groundwater monitoring networks. Additionally, while most OWS permits provide the general location of the system components, the exact locations of the OWS drainfield trenches are not always displayed relative to a benchmark, and modifications to the system (and location) are not always recorded. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) can be used to identify drainfield trenches in real time in the field. The current study utilized seven OWS in Pitt and Craven Counties, located in the Inner Coastal Plain of North Carolina. CCR and GPR surveys were conducted in conjunction with laboratory analysis of water samples and environmental water quality readings collected in the field on three survey dates. The field study period was from June 2012 – May 2013. CCR survey drainfield resistivity values ≤ 250 Ω.m and corresponding groundwater specific conductivity values ≥ 200 µS/cm were indicative of wastewater plumes and the influence of wastewater on groundwater quality detected up to approximately 15 m from the drainfield. Ultimately, the results from this study provide further insight for CCR applicability to detect onsite wastewater treatment system effects on shallow groundwater quality. GPR 3D surveys and 2D transects were successfully used to identify active and de-activated drainfield trenches that matched with the locations determined in the field using a tile drain probe and on the OWS permit. Additional structures identified at a residential site using the surveys and transects included a French drain and two low attenuation structures not listed on the permit. This research demonstrates the use of GPR to efficiently locate OWS components. The dual application of both geophysical methods creates an opportunity to reduce costs and time spent at a site as well as provides a non-intrusive approach to better quantify the extent of the influence onsite wastewater inputs have on shallow groundwater quality.Item Restricted Raising Exceptional Children: Assessment of Stress and Coping in Adoptive Parents(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Smith, BiancasAn exceptional child is defined as a child who has learning and/or behavior difficulty, physical disabilities, or sensory impairments. This mixed method study investigated levels of stress, adaptation of adoptive parents, and the relationship building/bonding process as it relates to exceptional children and their adoptive parents. This exploratory study included 10 adoptive families who were located throughout North Carolina. Quantitative data related to stress was measured using a modified version of the Parent Stress Index (M-PSI). Data were analyzed using a Pearson Correlation to determine whether child characteristics (adaptability, distractibility, and acceptability) directly affected parental characteristics (parental depression, parental competence, and role restriction). Qualitative data collected consisted of a parent questionnaire of open ended questions that related to parental competence, parental stress, parental depression, and coping strategies. Positive correlations were found between parent and child characteristics and themes generated through the parental questionnaire were consistent throughout both quantitative and qualitative data. Presence of support systems was stated as important for adoptive parents when raising their exceptional child(ren) with coping skills demonstrated by parents including prayer, rest, and talking with others.Item Restricted Predictors of Sexual Assault Risk Perception and Resistance Self-efficacy among Sexual Assault Survivors(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Decker, MelissaSexual assault, which includes all types of unwanted coerced or forced sexual behavior, is a prevalent issue among college women. Rape, considered the most serious form of sexual assault (McMahon, 2011), is defined as oral, vaginal, or anal penetration performed against one’s will by force, the threat of force, or when a person is unable to give consent (Koss & Gidycz, 1985). It is estimated that up to one in four undergraduate women will experience an attempted or completed rape during her college career (Fisher, Cullen, & Turner, 2000). The potential adverse consequences for college women who are sexually assaulted include symptoms of PTSD and depression, heavy drinking, impaired academic performance, and increased risk of sexual re-victimization. Women who are sexually assaulted once during college report being sexually re-assaulted three more times on average (Katz et al., 2010). College sexual assault survivors run a high risk of re-victimization both because they engage in more risky behaviors and because they are less likely to effectively resist a sexual assault attempt. Yet, the interactions of the underlying risk factors are not well-understood and have not been examined in relation to one another. This thesis analyzed sexual assault risk perception and sexual assault resistance self-efficacy with regard to the interactions of victim status, symptoms of PTSD and depression, frequent drinking, and risky sex. I also sought to further understand sexual re-victimization within the college population, so that tertiary treatment and risk reduction tactics can better target the specific needs of survivors. Participants included 1,955 ethnically diverse undergraduate women, 366 of whom endorsed a rape history. They completed an online survey of their experiences of adolescent and adult rape, mental health symptoms, drinking frequency, risky sexual behaviors, sexual assault risk perception, and sexual assault resistance self-efficacy, as part of a larger study. Through a series of independent samples t-tests and linear regressions, relationships among victim status, mental health symptoms, drinking frequency, and risky sex behaviors were examined. Significant differences arose between rape survivors and non-victims. While rape survivors perceived situations as riskier for sexual assault than non-victims, they also reported less sexual assault resistance self-efficacy. Frequent drinkers perceived more sexual assault risk than non-frequent drinkers, and those survivors who reported more PTSD symptoms or engaged in more risky sex perceived greater risk for sexual assault. Sexual assault resistance self-efficacy was lowest among those who frequently drank and those with depressive symptoms. In fact, depressive symptoms had a greater effect on reducing moderately assertive resistance self-efficacy among survivors than among non-victims. Among rape survivors, depressive symptoms were more strongly associated with reduced assertive resistance self-efficacy for those who frequently drank than those who did not. Re-victimization, therefore, may be best prevented on the individual level by treating rape survivors for PTSD, depressive symptoms, and problematic drinking. On a broader level, implementing bystander interventions to change cultural norms may help reduce overall risk of sexual assault.Item Restricted Determining the Chemical Structure of Brucebactin: The Sole Complex Siderophore Utilized by the Pathogenic Bacterium Brucella Abortus(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Atkinson, Xavier J.Brucellosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease that affects many around the world. There are over half a million new cases each year and prevalence rates in some areas of the world exceed 10 new cases per 100,000 in the population. It is one of the world’s most common zoonotic diseases. In cattle, brucellosis can result in spontaneous abortion in females and sterility in males. In humans, brucellosis causes the disease Undulant fever. Undulant fever is characterized by a cyclic fever, and can include other symptoms such as headaches, malaise, sweats, and muscle pains. The causative agent of brucellosis is Brucella abortus which is a Gram negative coccobacillus bacterium. Because this pathogen persists in an iron-limited environment within the host, it must produce iron capturing molecules called siderophores, to meet its metabolic needs. The structure of the major siderophore produced by the brucellae, called brucebactin, is currently not known, and the goal for this project was to determine its structure. Using thin layer chromatography (TLC), Mass Spectrometry, and NMR, new information about the compound was determined. TLC separation followed by Electron Impact Mass Spec analysis identified an iron-binding compound consisting of two molecules of 2,3-DHBA bound by a spermidine polyamine linker. A compound with the hypothesized structure of brucebactin was prepared by organic chemical synthesis, and found to have the same HPLC properties and mass spectral profile as the material isolated from bacterial culture.Item Open Access Quaternary Evolution of North Core Sound Sound, North Carolina(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Dietsche, AndrewNorthern Core Sound is a shallow lagoonal estuary located behind the Outer Banks barrier islands of eastern North Carolina. Thirty-two vibracores and 155 km of chirp and boomer seismic data have been used to define the geologic framework and establish the Holocene evolution of this back-barrier lagoon. Vibracores have been logged for lithology, and sampled to establish the distribution and abundance of foraminifera. The lithostratigraphy and biofacies could not be directly correlated but when related to the seismic data, apparent patterns could be recognized. The Quaternary stratigraphic framework of North Core Sound consists of five depositional sequences, comprising transgressive, highstand, and falling stage systems tracts. Seismic reflections are prominent and are correlated to the sequence stratigraphic surfaces within Pamlico Sound defined by Mallinson et al. (2010). The late Pleistocene paleotopographic surface dips slightly seaward and is characterized by two or three fluvial channels correlating to modern embayments. These channels are separated by a paleotopographic high that extends from Cedar Island seaward. The channels run northeast in the north and southwest in the south creating two different paleo-environments. The paleotopographic high may have contributed to differing foraminiferal assemblages found within Holocene unit. The Holocene unit is characterized by high salinity estuarine deposits dominated by the foraminifera Elphidium excavatum and Ammonia parkinsoniana. Three very similar biofacies were defined with more abundant Ammonia parkinsoniana where salinities may have been slightly lower. Only a salt marsh facies was significantly different. The biofacies may also represent the two paleo-environments illustrated in the seismic data as one is mainly found to the north of the paleotopographic high and the other to the south. Two seismic reflections, H30 and H60, are interpreted as tidal ravinement surfaces and divide the Holocene into three parasequences. Lithologically the units are coarsening upward, which may be a result of the transgressing barrier island (Core Banks) or increased tidal energy related to inlet activity. Radiocarbon age estimates place the lower surface, H30, older than 600 cal y BP, suggesting that this erosional surface is related to the segmentation of the Outer Banks during the Medieval Warm Period or the Little Ice Age, as defined by other workers.Item Restricted The Importance of Children on the American Frontier: A Comparative Study in Nineteenth Century Western Migration and Settlement(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Jackman, KimberlyThis thesis examines the various roles that children played in the long journey westward that many brave families made to frontier settlements during the middle and late nineteenth century. It also analyzes the influences children had on the successful outcomes of those settlements once frontier families reached western lands. It includes information about rural farm settlements, in places such as Oregon, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Iowa, as well as urban mining towns in California, Nevada, and Colorado. While some authors have discussed frontier children during this time before, the goal of this thesis is to reinforce previous studies while taking a new comparative approach to understanding the importance of children to frontier families. It is comparative in its examination of rural versus urban communities, its consideration of both western migration and settlement of western communities, as well as in the earlier and later decades of westward settlement that occurred. Following this approach, the examined research is divided into an introduction and four chapters. The introduction allows for the description of research strategies, sources, and methods. It also provides an opportunity to explain specific parameters, pitfalls, and future possibilities associated with this type of research. Following a historiographical chapter on the development of frontier history, the bulk of the thesis material is separated into two main chapters. First, the thesis explores the lives and experiences of pioneer children traveling along similar routes during the 1840s and early 1850s to western settlements in the Oregon Territory, mainly Willamette Valley, and gold mining camps in California. The focus for these children is on the arduous journey along the Overland Trail with their families and the important roles that they played in the successful completion of those trips and the initial settlement of western communities. Next, families that settled in rural and urban communities in later decades are presented. The children during this time are examined with a focus on already established western territories and the importance of children in growing and developing prosperous American towns and settlements. By looking at the importance of children in this manner, the research can then be compared to better understand both the differences and similarities of these two groups over time and conclusions can then be made about the essential roles children filled in western migration. The comparisons and conclusions are presented in a closing summative chapter. Understanding the importance of children in western migration and settlement is an important addition to the new western history that is being done within the broader scope of American frontier history. Scholars are no longer strictly viewing the west through the eyes of pioneer men, and it is for this reason that I believe this thesis will add a new variation to existing thoughts on frontier settlement. Although resources are somewhat scarce, the understanding of children and their important roles in western history can be better understood when examined exclusively for the purpose of comparing different settlement groups, rather than taking each individual account on its own.Item Restricted Where Were the Whalers? An Investigation of the Archaeological, Historical, and Cultural Influences of North Carolina Whaling(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Bradley, Ryan J.The purpose of this study is to examine ex situ material culture associated with North Carolina shore whaling in an attempt to clarify, contest, or confirm the nature of the industry as it existed on the coast of North Carolina. Previous research on the subject reveals a fragmented history with more questions than answers. The paucity of in situ archaeological signatures found in the shifting sands of the Outer Banks makes an ex situ material culture study particularly important. By locating, examining, and geospatially analyzing artifacts associated with North Carolina shore whaling it may be possible to answer a few of the questions and perhaps provide better places to look for the answers.Item Restricted Uncertainty in the Workplace and the Impact on Employee Health during the 2013 US Government Shutdown(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Briggs, Katelyn ClairThe purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact that uncertainty due to the government shutdown has on employee health and wellbeing. The present study aimed to uncover the impact that uncertainty had on employee health and wellbeing above and beyond traditional workplace stressors such as role overload, role ambiguity, and abusive supervision. Employees’ levels of depression, life satisfaction, and positive and negative affect were investigated. Results indicated that uncertainty due to the government shutdown did not significantly predict negative health outcomes. However, both role ambiguity and abusive supervision served as primary predictors of decreased employee wellbeing, indicating that these traditional stressors still play a critical role in employee health, even when factoring in distal stressors. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.Item Restricted Rich Spirits(East Carolina University, 1/13/16) Denning, George AlexanderRich Spirits is about three homeless people huddled together behind a strip mall on a cold winter night. This two-act, social drama explores themes of family, abandonment, dreams, and glass-ceiling culture.