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Evaluation of Wild Wheat Introgression Lines in Triticum aestivum for Resistance to Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici
Relationship Between Over-Controlling Parenting and Flourishing: A Mediation Model
Natalie D. BarlettEmerging adulthood (18-25 years) is a unique developmental period where many individuals are figuring out who they are and (potentially) exploring different opportunities to build their identities (Arnett, 2000). Many within this age group are struggling with depression and anxiety (Browning et al., 2021; Conrad et al., 2021), and this study wants to explore why. Previous research has shown over-controlling parenting was associated with baseline personality disorder symptoms (Johnson, et al., 2011) and may impede the child’s ability to develop independence and decision-making skills (Perry et al., 2018) as well as to flourish (Toman et al., 2024). In addition, research has shown perceived parental psychological control and insecure attachment styles are negatively related to independent decision-making (Xiang & Liu, 2018). I hypothesized perceived parental psychological control would be negatively related to flourishing due to an increase in insecure attachment styles (i.e., anxious-preoccupied, fearful-avoidant, dismissive-ambivalent) and mental health factors (i.e., anxiety, depression, personality disorder symptomatology). To test this, participants took a survey that measured each of our variables through seven well-supported questionnaires. 164 participants were included with 56.7% not enrolled in college and 26.3% enrolled in their first year at a large Midwestern university. Our results indicated perceived parental psychological control is negatively related flourishing due to increased levels of depression, anxiety, and an anxious-preoccupied attachment style
A Comparative Analysis of the US vs EU Private Equity Markets
Marcia HornungThis project offers a comparative analysis of the private equity markets in the United States and the European Union, concentrating on the environments for fundraising, investing, and divesting, as well as broader economic factors. Notably, the EU private equity market experienced a 15% increase in capital raised during the first half of 2024, fueled by decreasing interest rates and a stabilizing macroeconomic landscape (Invest Europe, 2024). In contrast, the US market contends with higher tariff regulations and slower divestment activity, though it maintains resilience in sectors such as healthcare and consumer goods (PitchBook, 2024). Investment activity in Europe is gaining momentum, especially within the AI and defense sectors, with a favorable outlook for mergers and acquisitions anticipated in 2025 (PitchBook, 2024). While the US market remains strong, it is marked by conservative leverage ratios and a trend toward growth equity deals instead of leveraged buyouts (PitchBook, 2024). European divestment activity, although initially sluggish, is beginning to accelerate, potentially unlocking further fundraising and investment opportunities (Invest Europe, 2024). The US market is still recovering from the prolonged effects of inflation and unfavorable valuation trends, with exit activity falling below pre-COVID levels in 2023 (PitchBook, 2024). The quantitative analysis reveals differences in performance metrics such as IRR, TVPI, and DPI, with the EU market demonstrating a more stable recovery (Burgess, 2024). Strategic recommendations highlight the importance of targeting high-growth sectors, leveraging regional strengths, and diversifying investment strategies. This project emphasizes the dynamic nature of private equity markets and provides valuable insights for investors navigating the complexities of the investment landscapes in the US and EU
PTSD and Substance Abuse among Homeless War Veterans
Kirmser Undergraduate Research Award - Group category, grand prizeSim JunThis research study aims to understand the correlation between PTSD and substance abuse among homeless war veterans. By utilizing a mixed method design, this study focuses on how individuals that experience PTSD will also likely experience a substance abuse disorder at some stage in their lives. This study hypothesizes that homeless war veterans who have PTSD are more at risk of having a substance abuse disorder. We will recruit 200 participants for a 15-minute survey which will include the PCL- 5 questionnaire, examining the severity of PTSD and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) in addition to several socio-demographic questions. Around 20-30 participants will be invited to take part in in-depth interviews to provide further insights into their personal experiences and perceptions regarding PTSD and substance abuse. The findings from this study will provide a deeper understanding of the high rates of co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders among homeless war veterans
Temporal variations of the oldest Emperor-Hawaiian plume signature influenced by interaction with shallow mantle features
Data associated with Kempton et al. (2025) Temporal variations of the oldest Emperor-Hawaiian plume signature influenced by interaction with shallow mantle features. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems [Paper #2025GC012208]
Hawaiian volcanoes 81 Ma (Meijii and Detroit Seamounts) to ~50 Ma (Kōko Seamount). We show that Emperor seamounts differ from younger Hawaiian Islands in the abundance of isotopically depleted components. In Hf-Nd isotope space, Detroit lavas trend toward a high Hf component similar to that observed in other mantle plumes (e.g., Iceland, Galapagos). This component originated deep within the mantle, possibly as a sheath surrounding the plume stem. Sampling of this component was facilitated by Detroit being ridge-proximal when it formed (~81 – 76 Ma). Emperor seamounts younger than Suiko (~68 Ma) were intraplate and located beneath progressively older, thicker lithosphere. Backtracked locations of Emperor seamounts lie up to 15o latitude north of the Pacific LLSVP. This suggests the ancestral Emperor-Hawaiian plume was either (i) not initially associated with the Pacific LLSVP. (ii) was deflected northward by shallow mantle features such that plume-ridge interactions dominated in the upper mantle or convective flow patterns modified the plume structure in the mid mantle, or (iii) the edge of the Pacific LLSVP receded southward by more than 15° over the past ~100 m.y
Whose story is it anyway?: Collective memory, postmemory, and the use of the subjunctive mood in Katja Petrowskaja’s Vielleicht Esther, Nora Krug’s Heimat, and Heather Morris’s The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Master of ArtsDepartment of Modern LanguagesNecia N. ChronisterThe Holocaust has a complicated and multifaceted history, involving many diverse experiences. It is challenging to convey the true magnitude of the Holocaust properly. The collective memory, which integrates various tropes associated with and often synonymous with the Holocaust, informs the way that this event is remembered and described. This collective memory can be narrow and diminish the multitude of stories and experiences felt by the victims and survivors. Despite these shortcomings, Holocaust media often draws on this collective memory in order to engage a wide audience and guide their understanding of the event. Members of the second and third generations with postmemory of the Holocaust may utilize this collective memory as a mediator for their own exploration of their family histories. Authors writing from the standpoint of postmemory also employ the subjunctive mood as a tool to investigate the multitude of possibilities that may exist within their family history. In this report, I will analyze the role of the collective memory and the subjunctive mood in the novels Vielleicht Esther by Katja Petrowskaja and Heimat by Nora Krug, in contrast to the popular novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. This paper considers the various narrative strategies used to explore the legacy of the Holocaust and the impact that the strategies have on how we interpret and understand the Holocaust in the present day
Identifiying Novel Genes Potentially Involved in Maize Ear Meristem Development through Single-Cell Transcriptomics
Kansas and Deutschland: Two Places, One Slimy Problem
Kirmser Undergraduate Research Award - Group category, honorable mentionNecia ChronisterIn this project, we wanted to learn more about an ecological problem that is facing both Kansas (where we live) and Germany (the country we are studying in our course). We found that the zebra mussel (Zebramuschel) presents similar problems in both places. This invasive species has been spreading westward from the Caspian Sea since the 1800s and reached Kansas in 2003. We looked at why zebra mussels are a problem, how water infrastructure developments and shipping have contributed to the spread of this invasive species, potential solutions that have not worked over time, and the fact that prevention is currently the best measure
Sweetness Ratings of U.S. Infant Formulas
Background/Objectives: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sets nutritional standards for infant formulas. Yet, the carbohydrate components of these formulas can vary markedly in type as well as sweetness intensity. Despite evidence suggesting sweetness can influence intake, limited research exists on the sweetness properties of infant formulas. This study evaluated the sweetness of six commonly used infant formulas in the United States.
Methods: A sensory panel (n = 15) was formed by selecting individuals who achieved a 100% accuracy on three distinct sensory acuity screening tests to assess their ability to detect, differentiate, and quantify various sucrose concentrations. Following training, the panel evaluated each formula during three separate sessions using a sweetness scale from zero to fifteen, where zero represented no sweetness (distilled water) and fifteen represented
extreme sweetness (16 g sucrose/100 mL of water). Differences in sweetness were determined using 3-way ANOVA (infant formula, repetition, and panelists) followed by post hoc pairwise comparisons. Results: Individual sample sweetness ratings ranged from 0 to 4.5 with a mean rating for all samples of 1.9 (±1.3). Significant differences were detected among the formulas F(5, 264) = 96.1, p < 0.0001. One formula, a standard milk-based formula, which contains no added non-lactose sugars, was rated significantly sweeter than any of the other formulas while the sweetness ratings for three formulas which all include non-lactose added sugars were significantly lower than that of the other formulas. Conclusions: The potential implications of these noted sweetness differences make this an important topic for future sensory, behavior, and health research
Finding a voice: Personal Statement Writing in the Age of Generative AI
Amanda ReichenbergerThis paper examines the impact of generative AI on the personal statement writing process for graduate school applications. Through a review of existing literature and interviews with both academic professionals and students, this paper explores AI’s role in drafting, editing, and reviewing personal statements. Drawing from the research articles, I aimed to investigate what is currently discussed in the field, including AI’s influence on the writing process, student perspectives on AI use, and the ability of admissions committees to detect AI generated writing. My interviews with academic professionals provided insights into the editing and reviewing stages of the application process, while interviews with students highlighted how AI shaped their writing process. This paper discusses the many advantages and disadvantages of AI’s use, as well as ethical concerns surrounding its current and future role in the admissions process. I also reflect on my own experience writing a personal statement for my optometry school application, tying together my initial thoughts on generative AI then discussing and applying what I’ve learned through this research. Ultimately, my findings suggest that if AI continues to expand rapidly into the graduate school application landscape, especially in the personal statement section, then clearer steps must be taken to ensure ethical use, proper education, and equitable access