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Consumer Psychological Well-Being and Territorial Wine Brands: Exploring Wine Tourism and Wine’s Impact on Lifestyle
No full textWine has long been a part of human culture, harkening back to deep traditions in ancient, religious, cross-cultural, political, and even military contexts. Recently, the question of alcohol’s impact on health has become a point of debate and contention in the wine sector and the global wine market. A new tide of neo-prohibitionist endeavor has coincided with an increased focus on health, both in regards to alcohol and more broadly. Meanwhile the U.S. wine market, the established global leader in wine sales value, and the wider global wine market, have declined in wine consumption and value. Taken together, these dynamics beg the following questions. Why are fewer consumers adopting wine, and what is wine’s impact on health and well-being?
This dissertation investigates these questions and subsequent themes in three parts. The first chapter features a literature review using a framework-based approach. The review examines empirical research regarding the wine tourism experience, with the scope limited to the consumer perspective. The findings indicate that new and further specified theoretical approaches are warranted, that wine’s impact on psychological well-being has primarily been investigated in terms of hedonic (i.e. emotional) well-being, and that the wine’s place of origin is a key consideration.
The second and third chapters respond to these important gaps in the literature with online surveys of U.S. wine consumers regarding Territorial Wine Brands (i.e. the product-centric face of wine regions). Both chapters are framed by Self-Expansion Theory (SET), and the third chapter presents a novel synthesized perspective of SET and Service-Dominant Logic. The second chapter focuses on how consumers come to adopt wine into their lifestyle and ultimately develop emotional bonds with wine regions. The third chapter examines the linkage of consumers perceiving value in the wines from a particular region, subsequently facilitating emotional bonding with the region, and ultimately enhancing their psychological well-being through the process. Broadly speaking, the findings indicate that any full accounting of wine’s impact on health, to be consistent with the World Health Organization’s tripartite framing of psychological, social, and physiological well-being, must at minimum consider the psychological benefits of wine as a trade-off against any claims of deleterious impacts on physiological health.Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.
Carjack Consecutive Interpreting Scenario (English-Spanish)
No full textOverview: This is a consecutive interpreting scenario for interpreter practice purposes. In the recording, a male prosecutor examines a female witness in a carjack case.
Instructions for use: Use the recording to practice consecutive interpreting in the legal setting. Record your performance and compare it to the text after you finish. It is recommended to repeat the exercise as many times as needed
Carjack Consecutive Interpreting Scenario (English-Portuguese)
No full textOverview: This is a consecutive interpreting scenario for interpreter practice purposes. In the recording, a male prosecutor examines a female witness in a carjack case.
Instructions for use: Use the recording to practice consecutive interpreting in the legal setting. Record your performance and compare it to the text after you finish. It is recommended to repeat the exercise as many times as needed
HYPEROSIDE REDUCES FAT ACCUMULATION IN CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS
No full textHyperoside is a well-characterized flavonol glycoside possessing a diverse range of bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory properties that contribute to its anti-obesity, hypoglycemic, and organ-protective effects. However, the underlying mechanisms of its anti-obesity effect are not fully understood, and studies in C. elegans have focused on plant extracts rather than hyperoside as a single compound. Therefore, this study aimed to determine hyperoside's role in fat reduction and its mechanism using Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans is a powerful model organism for metabolic research due to its well-conserved lipid metabolism genes and genetic tractability. In this study, 100 µM hyperoside was found to significantly reduce triglyceride accumulation in wild-type worms by approximately 11%, without affecting food intake or locomotive activity. Mechanistic investigation using genetic mutants revealed that 100 µM hyperoside had no significant fat-reducing effect in daf-2, daf-16, and nhr-49 mutants, suggesting that its mechanism is dependent on the Insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1-like signaling (IIS) pathway and the nuclear receptor NHR-49.Master of Science (M.S.)2026-03-0
Development of a paper-based SERS substrate for rapid on-site analysis
No full textPortable detection of contamination in the food supply is highly desirable for the food industry and regulatory agencies, as current benchtop detection methods generally require samples to be transported to a dedicated analytical lab, which greatly increases the time needed to complete the analysis. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a promising analytical technology for food analysis, as it is rapid, economical, and generally requires simpler sample preparation compared to gold standard methods. However, portable SERS detection is challenging due to poor laser focus control and low spectral resolution. Herein, we developed a simple, low-cost SERS substrate and compatible sample holder to overcome these limitations. The substrate consists of filter paper embedded with densely packed silver nanoparticles, where the nanoparticles were dispersed in acetone and pressed into the paper matrix to a depth of 50–100 µm. This three-dimensional distribution provides both enhanced signal intensity and focal depth buffering, which is critical for consistent performance with handheld Raman devices. The entire substrate can be fabricated in 30 seconds at a material cost of less than $0.10. A custom-designed sample holder enables easy alignment with the spectrometer and allows for one-time use liquid sample application.
Erythrosine (FD&C Red 3) is a synthetic colorant that was banned in food products by the Food and Drug Administration in January 2025 because it was shown to cause cancer in laboratory rats. Monitoring Red 3 in food products is significant for the FDA to ensure that the food industry complies with its regulations. Traditional detection methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography requires expensive benchtop instrumentation and time-consuming sample preparation.
Using the paper-based substrate and a handheld Raman spectrometer, Red 3 was successfully detected at both 10% and 50% adulteration levels (5 mg/L and 25 mg/L) in solutions of Red 40, carmine, and red radish extract. Additionally, Red 3 was identified in sprinkles and peppermint candy containing both Red 40 and Red 3.
The method enables specific, rapid detection within 5 minutes of sample preparation in a low resource setting, offering a significant improvement over existing techniques and supporting enforcement of recent FDA regulations.Master of Science (M.S.)2026-09-0
USING Caenorhabditis elegans AS AN ANIMAL MODEL TO STUDY ANTI-OBESITY EFFECT OF PLANT-BASED BIOACTIVES
No full textObesity, a global health crisis associated with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, has spurred interest in plant-derived bioactive compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids for their lipid-modulating potential. This study employed Caenorhabditis elegans—a genetically tractable model with conserved metabolic pathways—to investigate the anti-obesity effects of three compounds: hexahydrocurcumin (HHC)， esculetin and Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA). HHC, a stable curcumin derivative, reduced C. elegans triglyceride levels by 13% at 50 μM without altering feeding behavior or physiology. Genetic analyses revealed its dependence on nhr-49, tub-1, aak-1/aak-2, and fat-7, suggesting multi-pathway regulation of fat storage. Esculetin, a coumarin from plants like chicory and cranberries, decreased fat content (8% at 100 μM; 14% at 200 μM) while maintaining normal food intake. Its effects were abolished in mutants of aak-2, implicating AMPK pathway may be evolved. NDGA, a natural lipoxygenase inhibitor from the creosote bush, reduced fat accumulation in C. elegans by 13% at 50 μM and 39% at 100 μM and suppressed food intake. Its effects were abolished in daf-16 and fat-6 mutants, and it promoted DAF-16 nuclear translocation, suggesting a gene-targeted anti-obesity mechanism. These findings highlight conserved pathways through which plant bioactive compounds modulate obesity-related processes. The study underscores C. elegans as a robust platform for screening anti-obesity compounds and elucidating their genetic targets.Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)2026-09-0
Exploring Rural Perspectives on Automated Vehicles: The Role of Trust and Human-Machine Interaction
No full textThe deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) holds an opportunity for enhancing mobility in rural regions, yet public acceptance remains uncertain due to factors unique to these contexts. This study investigates rural residents' perceptions of AVs, emphasizing the roles of trust, technology acceptance, privacy concerns, and human-machine interaction (HMI) design. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to rural adults in Iowa and Massachusetts, collecting information on demographics, technology use, transportation habits, physical mobility, and attitudes toward autonomous vehicles. The Technology Acceptance Model, trust in automation, and perceived privacy risks were used to predict behavioral intention to adopt AVs. The findings show that rural respondents have access to technology, but there is significant skepticism about the safety, reliability, and privacy of AVs. Trust in autonomous vehicles varied significantly across driving environments, with higher trust reported for highway and residential contexts and lower trust for complex environments such as construction zones and pedestrian-heavy areas. Perceived usefulness and trust were significant predictors of behavioral intention to use AVs, with privacy concerns acting as a moderator. Subsequent interviews with stakeholders, policymakers, technologists, and rural residents reveal that building trust and designing transparent, accessible HMIs are critical to increasing AV acceptance among rural populations. Recommendations from the survey and interview findings include targeted education campaigns, improved data privacy protections, and the creation of user-centered HMI designs that accommodate a wide range of accessibility requirements. By focusing on the nuanced concerns of rural residents, this study expands our understanding of equitable AV deployment strategies beyond urban-centric models. Future research should consider longitudinal designs and real-world exposure interventions to better understand trust formation and technology adoption over time.Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)2026-09-0
Investigating the Role of CMTR1 During Early Murine Embryonic Development
No full textCap Methyltransferase 1 (CMTR1) facilitates the addition of a 5’ methyl cap on eukaryotic mRNA molecules. Using a knock-out (KO) allele, we demonstrate that CMTR1plays an essential role during gastrulation. In the absence of CMTR1, mutant embryos undergo early lethality, arresting prior to organogenesis with severe developmental delay apparent at E7.5. Multiple molecular approaches indicate significant disruptions in the ability of the CMTR1-KO embryo to form the three primary germ layers – likely driving the observed gastrulation failure. Our analysis of CMTR1 has revealed an unexpected sexually dimorphic phenotype. Female CMTR1 null embryos are more severely delayed and have increased differentially expressed genes compared to male mutants; presumably causing a variety of downstream consequences and a more severe developmental phenotype. Importantly, we do not observe defects in X-inactivation, suggesting that there are unidentified sexually dimorphic mechanisms active during early embryonic stages, prior to the onset of known differences between XX and XY embryos. In sum, we illustrate the necessity of CMTR1 during embryonic development and reveal novel insights into differences in gene regulation pathways between sexes prior to organogenesis.National Institutes of Health HD083311 to Jesse MagerDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)2026-09-0
Simulation-Guided Energy Delivery For Medical Applications of Pulsed Electric Fields
No full textThis dissertation details novel finite element simulation models and optimization techniques for medical applications of electroporation. The results of the dissertation have guided electrode geometry, configuration, and energy delivery conditions for use with minimally invasive medical devices to perform electroporation. Potential applications shown include the treatment of malignant conditions such as esophageal and bladder cancer, and for advancing tumor biopsy.
The initial chapter provides a comprehensive review of computational models described in literature for electroporation from single cells to bulk tissue, detailing the underlying physical phenomena, including electric current theory, dynamic electrical conductivity, heat transfer, and cell death predictions.
Building on this foundation, the second chapter explores the concept of using a non-contact “wet” electrode approach for delivering pulsed electric fields (PEF), with a focus on electroporation within luminal organs. This method investigated using a catheter-mounted electrode immersed in chilled saline to perform non-contact irreversible electroporation (IRE), thereby ablating tumor tissue while minimizing thermal damage to peripheral healthy tissue. The concept was developed for the treatment of esophageal cancer. A prototype device was constructed for in vivo studies using swine models, confirming the feasibility and safety of this technique, showcasing its potential for clinical application.
Chapter Three established a first principles framework for determining electrode configuration, geometry, and energy delivery conditions to deliver pulsed electric fields over a large area. Compared to existing models that define PEF delivery in bulk tissue for large spherical or ellipsoid treatment volumes, this model enables treatments within large hollow volumes where treatment penetration is controlled at the millimeter scale. Treatment of bladder cancer (BCa) was used as the test case for the development and testing of this framework. PEF and device parameters are tailored to selectively target the cancerous urothelium layer within the bladder while leaving the remainder of the bladder wall untouched. Discrete and Predictor-Corrector optimization methods are used to model various intravesical electrical conductivities, applied voltages, electrode quantities, and electrode placements to maximize cell death, limit thermal damage, and safeguard the remaining healthy bladder layers and periphery tissue. Additional validation models support the feasibility of complete surface-level EP penetration of luminal organs while preserving the viability of adjacent tissue structures, providing new clinical applications of PEF medical devices.
Electroporation is linked to mass transport, involving both the diffusion of drugs or genetic materials into cells and the outward leakage of intracellular material. Despite most applications of electroporation exploiting this phenomenon, models of this biological response at the bulk tissue level are undefined. A micro-physiological device and various tumor tissues FEMs were built to examine the intersectionality of electroporation with mass transport and structural deformation phenomena. Mass transport was modeled using an Eulerian-Lagrangian approach, where Darcy’s Law, Navier-Stokes, Newton’s Second Law, and Ogden’s Hyperelastic Material equations were incorporated to map specific intracellular material movement within tissue domains. The models developed here culminated in the concept of electric field-assisted biopsy (EFAB), which utilizes PEFs to induce the cellular release of genetic material from a suspicious mass, followed by the collection and analysis of the released material for diagnostic purposes. FEMs are used to model this process, providing previously unknown spatial information regarding the anatomical origin of extracted material within the tumor architecture. This approach has the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy by increasing material yield and predictability, thereby reducing the invasiveness of procedures.
Collectively, this work advances the field of foundational computational models for electroporation-based therapies. Furthermore, this work guides the development of innovative medical devices and solutions for cancer treatment and diagnosis, prioritizing patient comfort, safety, and treatment efficacy.National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship Research Program
UMass Mechanical Engineering Lloyd FellowshipDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)2030-09-0
NANOPLASTICS IN WATER: ROLE OF MINERALS, ANTIBIOTICS, AND ORGANIC MATTER IN THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL FATE AND PROCESS
No full textPlastic pollution in aquatic systems has escalated due to extensive use and inadequate waste management, posing significant risks to ecological and human health. Nanoplastics—tiny fragments resulting from the environmental breakdown of larger plastics—interact with coexisting micropollutants such as antibiotics and natural substances like minerals and dissolved organic matter (DOM), influencing their aggregation behaviors and environmental fate. However, these interactions remain poorly understood under realistic aquatic conditions. This dissertation systematically explores the effects of these coexisting substances on the aggregation, sedimentation, and pollutant adsorption behaviors of various nanoplastics, offering mechanistic insights into their environmental processes and ecological implications.
The first objective was to investigate the heteroaggregation of polystyrene nanoplastics (nPS) with hematite nanoparticles (nFe2O3) under varying levels of plastic pollution with and without DOM, and its effect on sulfadiazine (SDZ) adsorption. The relative abundance of nanoplastics to minerals significantly affected both heteroaggregation and SDZ adsorption. At pH 5.0, both heteroaggregation rates and SDZ adsorption initially increased, then declined with increasing relative abundance of nPS/nFe2O3. At low (≤ 0.1) and high (≥ 0.4) relative abundances, nPS and nFe2O3 aggregated slightly owing to electrostatic repulsion, while significant aggregation and SDZ adsorption occurred at a relative abundance of 0.2 through charge neutralization. At pH 6.0 and 8.0, both heteroaggregation rates and adsorption capacity progressively declined with increasing plastic pollution levels due to accumulating charge repulsion. The SDZ adsorption closely followed the heteroaggregation trends with electrostatic interactions, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic forces contributing significantly. DOM further modulated aggregation through electrostatic interactions and steric hindrance, particularly under acidic conditions.
The second objective aimed to elucidate the aggregation behaviors and mechanisms of four environmentally relevant nanoplastics (pristine and aged polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene) in response to two antibiotics, ciprofloxacin (CIP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX). At pH 5.0, both CIP and SMX significantly promoted nanoplastics aggregation, with CIP being more potent. CIP enhanced nanoplastics aggregation through charge shielding driven by electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding (HB), and charge-assisted HB (CAHB), whereas SMX promoted aggregation solely through molecular bridging involving HB and CAHB. At pH 7.0, only CIP facilitated aggregation, while neither antibiotic induced aggregation at pH 9.0. Aged polystyrene aggregated more readily than pristine polystyrene due to increased surface functional groups. Polyethylene and polypropylene showed weaker aggregation due to fewer surface functional groups. High OM levels (1.65 mg/L TOC) inhibited antibiotic-induced aggregation, whereas low OM levels (16.5 μg/L TOC) were more conducive.
The third objective was to investigate the effects of CIP and SMX on the heteroaggregation and sedimentation of four nanoplastics with hematite nanoparticles under environmentally relevant pHs (5.0–9.0) and nanoplastics-to-mineral mass ratios (Rn/m = 0.2–1.0). Results showed that heteroaggregation was strongly dependent on pH and Rn/m, with the most pronounced aggregation occurring at pH 5.0 and low Rn/m (0.2). CIP enhanced heteroaggregation primarily via charge shielding and bridging effects, while SMX acted through charge shielding, bridging, and hydrophobic interactions, reflecting differences in speciation and surface affinity. Real-water experiments confirmed enhanced sedimentation linked to heteroaggregation, potentially reducing nanoplastic mobility but increasing benthic accumulation. Aged polystyrene exhibited higher aggregation and sedimentation potential due to surface oxidation, whereas polyethylene and polypropylene showed lower heteroaggregation potential and greater colloidal dispersibility.Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)2026-09-0