Forest Structure, Composition, Basal Growth, Hydrology, and Salinity in the Lower Mobile-Tensaw Delta

Coastal wetlands, particularly tidal freshwater forested wetlands (TFFWs), are among the most vulnerable ecosystems to climate change. They face direct impacts from global sea level rise and extreme weather events, compounded by indirect anthropogenic disturbances like urban development and hydrologic alterations. This research investigates the ecological responses of TFFWs to tidal influence and salinity intrusion within the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta (MTRD), an internationally significant deltaic region along the northern Gulf of Mexico. This work is intended to serve as a baseline for current forest conditions and an initial indication of resilience within the study area. This study consisted of vegetation surveys (n = 47) conducted in forested wetland stands across a tidal gradient. Results revealed five distinct canopy communities that corresponded with river distance to Mobile Bay and plot elevation. Multivariate analyses highlighted a strong response of tidal influence on forest composition and structure, indicating community-level sensitivity to estuarine influences. Forested areas located near Mobile Bay exhibited lower basal area, species richness, higher shrub stem density, and a higher proportion of visually stressed canopy trees. To assess species-level responses, over 50 Taxodium distichum (bald cypress) trees were monitored over two growing seasons using low-cost dendrometer bands and continuous hydrologic measurements. Results showed that inundation was the best determiner of tree basal growth, and that, surprisingly, floods with low salinity levels also acted as a subsidy for basal growth across the tidal gradient. However, tidal influence did not account for differences in growth among our long-term forest transects (n = 8). In addition, during the monitoring period, a major saltwater intrusion event following Hurricane Francene in September 2024 was documented near the end of the study. Although this event was near the end of the growing season, it further emphasized the vulnerability of these forests to extreme climatic events. Together, these findings demonstrate how tidal hydrology and salinity gradients influence forest structure, composition, and productivity in TFFWs. This research underscores the importance of site-specific monitoring to inform adaptive management and conservation strategies in the face of accelerating climate change. As sea levels continue to rise and saltwater intrusion events become more frequent and intense, understanding the nuanced responses of coastal forest communities will be critical for land managers looking to predict ecosystem trajectories and mitigate coastal forest loss

Modeling hydrology and water quality in Moore's Mill Creek using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM)

Urban development has long been known to be disruptive of the hydrological cycle and surface water quality. The change from natural vegetation to impervious materials tends to result in larger quantities of stormwater runoff because of lower surface infiltration, leading to flooding and stream bank erosion. Higher pollutant loads are also more likely and can lead to waterbody impairment for drinking water, recreation, and aquatic habitats. One of the most significant pollutants is sediment, which is especially common rapidly developing areas where construction site runoff is a greater issue. One such area is the Moore’s Mill Creek (MMC) watershed in Lee County, Alabama. Population growth in the cities of Auburn and Opelika over the past fifteen years has necessitated a reevaluation of the watershed management plan to address the persistent issue of sedimentation using best management practices (BMPs). Hydrological models are a valuable tool for assessing the effectiveness of BMPs by representing hydrologic and water quality behavior within a watershed. The Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) is one of the oldest and most popular of these models. Though it is ordinarily used for urban stormwater management, SWMM has hydrologic and water quality capabilities that allow it to be applied to a variety of watersheds. Stream flow data and water samples were collected across the northeast portion of the MMC watershed to calibrate hydrographs and total suspended solids pollutographs for several rain events. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to better understand the individual and combined effects of hydrologic and water quality parameters on model results. The results showed the significance of aquifer and surface storage representation to stream hydrograph accuracy and total outflow volume, as well as to pollutograph recession curves. Accounting for groundwater also improved modeled hydrograph recession curves compared to previous research in the watershed

Using Her Words: Marriage in Twentieth Century Advice Columns

This thesis examines the evolution of popular perceptions of marriage in the United States during the mid twentieth century through advice columns. It argues that the point at which a marriage was considered salvageable drastically shifted between the 1940s and 1950s, which directly correlated with the social markers of success within a relationship. In the 1940s, a marriage was considered successful if the couple was happy and a divorce, though not ideal, could be an option for an unhappy couple. In the 1950s, a marriage was considered a success if the couple remained married for their entire lives, even if they would prefer to be separated. This thesis focuses on “If I Were In Your Shoes,” written by self-proclaimed psychic Gene Dennis for The Seattle Star from 1940 to 1944, and the first four years of “Can This Marriage Be Saved?” which ran in The Ladies’ Home Journal using accounts of the counseling sessions conducted by the American Institute of Family Relations

Evaluation of the effects of photonic decontamination on reduction of Salmonella and Campylobacter and a comparative transcriptomics analysis following its application on Salmonella Infantis

Recently, there has been an increase in research into new methods responding to the unsuccessful efforts in reducing foodborne pathogen infections associated with poultry products such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. With the looming concern of antibiotic-resistant bacteria surviving past the current antimicrobial interventions used in poultry processing along with consumer concerns and environmental impacts of the overuse of chemicals on poultry products, novel antimicrobial intervention methods have become an increasingly popular topic of conversation. The first chapter reviews published literature on these topics. Developing an effective method for reducing foodborne pathogens in animal products while preserving meat quality and application efficiency is an important topic of research. To address this, in the second chapter, we evaluated the efficacy of photonic decontamination on whole chicken wings and tenders inoculated with Salmonella and Campylobacter. Treatments included evaluating photonic decontamination alone, the inclusion of chemical antimicrobial dips with and without photonic decontamination treatment, and photonic decontamination on multiple parts simultaneously. Photonic decontamination alone and in combination with chemical dips was able to significantly reduce Salmonella and Campylobacter on both wings and tenders. Additionally, in the third chapter, we focused on elucidating the molecular basis of photonic decontamination using comparative transcriptomics analysis of Salmonella Infantis. Comparisons were made between a 100-voltage treatment and no treatment, a 200-voltage treatment and no treatment, and between a 100-voltage treatment and a 200-voltage treatment. Our results identified the list of differentially expressed genes with identified roles relating to response to light-induced cell damage, oxidative stress response, transcriptional regulation following pulsed light exposure, and stress resistance

Examining sleep extension as a feasible strategy for improving cardiometabolic health in emerging adults with habitual short sleep

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a two-week sleep extension intervention (increasing time in bed for 1 hour/night) to improve metrics of cardiometabolic health in emerging adults. In Aim 1 we sought to determine whether sleep extension (habitual/extension) in emerging adults who self-reported sleeping <7 hours/night improves in-laboratory resting brachial and central blood pressure and peripheral vascular function compared to a control group (habitual/habitual).We had 32 emerging adults complete a two-week sleep extension protocol where they increased time in bed by 1 hour/night. In Aim 2 the purpose was to determine whether sleep extension (habitual/extension) in emerging adults who self-reported sleeping <7 hours/night could lead to improvements in health behaviors such as hydration, appetite regulation and metabolic health assessed via 24-hour urine collection, an ad libitum breakfast, and a fasting blood draw compared to a control group (habitual/habitual). Individuals in the intervention (sleep extension) group showed an increase in sleep duration by 29.5 minutes and self-reported better sleep quality. In our cohort of emerging adults, we did not find the sleep extension intervention to influence any of the measures of blood pressure or vascular function. Furthermore, we found that sleep extension did not improve several of the health behaviors. In the present study we highlight that sleep extension is feasible in emerging adults, however, the efficacy for this intervention to improve health outcomes needs to be further tested in future studies and could specifically target emerging adults or other individuals with pre-existing risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases

Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Rabies in Alabama: Insights from Historical Trends, Oral Rabies Vaccine Bait Fate, and Spatial Epizootiology

Rabies epizootiology and management in Alabama have evolved significantly over the past two centuries, yet the influence of long-term ecological and historical factors on the effectiveness of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) programs remains poorly understood. This study synthesizes historical trends in rabies occurrence and management, emphasizing Alabama’s role as the westernmost extent of the raccoon rabies virus enzootic zone. Additionally, we investigated the effects of region, habitat, bait type, and climate on ORV bait uptake by raccoons (Procyon lotor). Our findings highlight substantial competition for baits from non-target species, particularly Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and a rapid decline in bait uptake over time as key factors limiting the success of current management efforts. These results underscore the need to tailor ORV strategies to Alabama’s unique historical context and diverse ecosystems to enhance efficiency, minimize redundancy, and reduce the economic burden associated with zoonotic disease control

A Cognitive Hierarchical Framework for Multivehicle Collision-Free Traffic Management of Unregulated Intersections

Autonomous vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, requiring efficient and reliable methods for trajectory generation and path planning. A common approach is to convert the original continuous-time optimization problem into a discrete-time parametric optimization problem, but consider only a set of control/action variables, which can limit the feasibility and generality of the generated trajectories. To address these limitations, this thesis proposes an approach to autonomous collision-free vehicle trajectory optimization using model predictive control (MPC) with a continuous range of control inputs. The considered formulation enables the computation of more accurate and dynamically feasible paths for autonomous vehicles. A key challenge in path planning of autonomous vehicles is to account for not only the presence of other vehicles, but also their trajectories. More specifically, the other vehicles must be treated as dynamic obstacles and collision-free trajectories have to be generated. Naturally, one has to take into account and model vehicle-to-vehicle interactions and incorporate such interactions, in terms of state path constraints, as part of the formulation of trajectory optimization problems. We leverage Cognitive Hierarchy Theory, specifically using level-$k$ game theory, to predict the behavior of other vehicles/agents, which affects their trajectories. This framework provides a structured way to anticipate interactions and make informed decisions for designing collision-free trajectories. For testing the proposed framework, an unregulated crossroad was simulated with two vehicles approaching it at the same time. The conducted experiments were split into two sets of scenarios: with and without the level estimator enabled, which allows one vehicle to change the reasoning depth over the course of simulations. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed approach is both feasible and effective in capturing realistic vehicle interactions and in generating collision-free trajectories. The level-k game-theoretic modeling enhances the decision-making capabilities of autonomous vehicles, leading to safer and more efficient navigation. These findings highlight the potential of expanding the set of control actions in improving autonomous vehicle trajectory planning

Resisting Resistance: Development of Nanoparticle-mediated Delivery Systems to Explore RNA Interference as a Solution to Biological Resistance

Biological resistance to conventional pesticides and antifungals presents a significant challenge in agriculture and healthcare, necessitating the development of alternative control strategies. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a highly specific and environmentally sustainable approach to managing resistance, but its widespread application is hindered by the lack of efficient RNA delivery methods. This dissertation explores nanoparticle-mediated delivery systems for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to enhance RNAi efficiency in both fungal and insect models. While RNAi is a promising tool for gene regulation, the clear structural and physiological differences between yeast and insects necessitate distinct delivery approaches. For delivery in yeast, we developed the first nanoparticle-mediated photoporation system focused on delivery into fungal cells. This required the meticulous optimization of laser power, wavelength, irradiation time, and several nanoparticle characteristics to maximize RNA uptake while maintaining cell viability. All optimizations were done in Saccharomyces cerevisiae before moving on to gene silencing in the clinically-relevant pathogen, Candida albicans. In contrast, we investigated branched amphiphilic peptide nanocapsules (BAPCs), a biologically-derived peptide-based nanoparticle, for RNAi delivery in the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), a major agricultural pest, where nanoparticle concentration and silencing efficiency were studied. Additionally, cellular uptake and trafficking mechanisms were studied using Sf9 cells. Gene silencing efficacy was evaluated in both models using RT-qPCR. Our findings demonstrate that photoporation successfully facilitates the intracellular delivery of various molecules in yeast, marking the first application of this technique in fungal systems. Additionally, fall armyworms readily consume BAPCs complexed with dsRNA, resulting in effective gene silencing. Evidence suggests that transcytosis plays a role in nanoparticle transport from the gut to systemic tissues, highlighting a potential mechanism for RNAi-based pest control. This work enhances the field of drug delivery through the development and optimization of of new delivery methodologies and providing insights into mechanisms surrounding nanoparticle-mediated RNA delivery in fungal and insect systems. By bridging the gap between laboratory research and field applications, these nanoparticle-mediated RNAi delivery strategies provide a foundation for novel RNA-based fungicides and insecticides as sustainable alternatives to current chemical treatments

The Implementation of the Sport Education Curriculum Model in Saudi Arabian Male Middle School Physical Education

Although the successful adoption and positive outcomes of the Sport Education model have been documented in various cultural contexts beyond English-speaking countries, no research to date has explored its impact on Saudi Arabian physical education (PE) teachers and students. This gap in the literature led to the development of this research. The dissertation comprises three studies: one focusing on teachers and the other two on students. The first study qualitatively examined six Saudi in-service male PE teachers’ experiences and practices when learning to incorporate the Sport Education model. Data were collected from critical incident reports and analyzed using both inductive and deductive approaches. Results indicated a range of successes, constraints, and possibilities associated with implementing Sport Education in Saudi Arabian schools. Most notably, the teachers indicated that the model had an advantageous effect on students despite it being their first time participating in a Sport Education season. The second study quantitatively examined the influence of Sport Education on students’ intrinsic motivation and achievement of the Saudi national objectives for PE. Sixty-three Saudi male middle school students from four classes (ages 11-15 years) participated in a quasi experimental design. Data were collected through three pre- and post-surveys. The results revealed significant differences between the Sport Education and Traditional Teaching conditions in changes to perceived autonomy, effort, and achievement of the Saudi national objectives for PE. No significant differences were found for perceived competence, relatedness, or enjoyment between the conditions. Overall, the significant improvement in motivation observed among the Sport Education students in the present study is consistent with findings from prior research. The study highlights the alignment between the Sport Education features iii and Saudi Vision 2030 goals, supporting its potential to promote Islamic sports-based values in PE. These findings suggest that Sport Education is more effective than Traditional Teaching in enhancing intrinsic motivation and achieving the Saudi national objectives for PE. The third study was conducted quantitively and aimed to compare middle school students’ attitudes toward meaningful-motivational experiences in two different PE contexts: traditional PE and Sport Education. Sixty-six Saudi male middle school students from four classes (ages 11-15 years) participated in a quasi-experimental design. Data were collected through a 16-item questionnaire. The study findings revealed that the Sport Education group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in learning relevant skills and having voice and choice compared to the Traditional Teaching group. No significant difference was found in interactions with peers between the two conditions. This study makes a significant contribution to the Meaningful Physical Education (Meaningful PE) literature by introducing the first valid and reliable Meaningful PE-based questionnaire. Its findings further support the positive impact of Sport Education on intrinsic motivation, reinforcing the value of Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985)-based frameworks in enhancing student engagement and meaningful learning in PE

International Timber Markets

The aim of this dissertation is to explore three prominent topics of international timberland market research. Chapter One examines whether United States, South and Central America, and Oceania timberland markets have integrated per-acre timberland values. Chapter Two focuses on international trade relations between the leading tropical sawnwood importing and processing European Union countries – France, Germany, and Italy – and the Sub-Saharan African countries through the evaluation of import demand elasticities. Chapter Three investigates “price-leading” behavior in global and U.S. regional markets utilizing the Granger-Causality approach