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RETORT PROCESSING, QUALITY ANALYSIS, AND CONSUMER SENSORY EVALUATION OF DRY BEANS (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS, PHASEOLUS COCCINEUS, CICER ARIETINUM) IN METAL, GLASS, AND PLASTIC CONTAINERS
No full textThesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Food Science - Master of Science, 2025Dried bean pulses are notoriously undervalued, despite various environmental, nutritional, and health benefits. Barriers to pulse consumption include perceived off-flavors, inconvenience, and negative culinary image, including poor perceptions of canned pulse products. The goal of this research was to evaluate how different bean varieties processed within metal can, glass jar, or plastic pouch packaging materials ultimately impacted various quality attributes, consumer perception of sensory modalities, consumer perceptions of different packaging materials, and consumer beliefs pertaining to packaging material sustainability.Each variety of dried bean was soaked, blanched, sealed, and retort processed within each respective packaging material. Quality attributes of hydration coefficient (HC), washed-drained coefficient (WDC), color values, texture, brine viscosity, and brine clarity were measured in triplicate. Variety and packaging significantly (p < 0.05) impacted all measured variables, which allows for important production insights pertaining to product quality. Consumer perceptions (n=109) were assessed within a sensory panel through tasting samples and visual assessment, assessing overall liking, appearance liking, texture liking, flavor liking, product quality, product convenience, product trust, and perceived sustainability. Panelists also completed a sustainability attitudes questionnaire and demographics survey. Samples processed within metal cans the most consistently preferred, while glass jars were the most significantly (p < 0.05) preferred packaging material. Plastic pouches were the least preferred packaging and viewed to be the least sustainable, while glass jars were viewed to be the most sustainable. This study allows for better understanding of processing protocols, quality differences, and consumer expectations of pulse varieties processed within different packaging, allowing for future production enhancement and potential industry recommendations to ultimately increase consumer acceptability of pulses.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
Visible and hidden changes in the active layer above permafrost, Northern Alaska, 1996-2024
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Geography - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025The active layer is a soil layer atop permafrost that thaws in the warm season of the year and refreezes again in the winter. Active layer thickness (ALT) is considered one of the most important characteristics reflecting changes in the permafrost system in response to natural changes. Previous analyses of the long-term active layer thickness revealed that there is no strong direct relationship between spatially averaged long-term ALT and individual climate variables, such as cumulative summer temperatures.This work evaluates changes in active layer thickness, its temperature regime, and related climatic variables in more detail than previous studies. The research is organized into four interconnected, yet standalone chapters. The first topical focus of the dissertation explores variations in local air and soil temperature-derived variables on the North Slope, Alaska, from 2006 to 2021. Sites show statistically significant trends in specific characteristics over this period. These features mainly relate to the freezing season, including fall, spring, and winter temperatures. The chapter also evaluates the insulation effect of vegetation and provides a more detailed analysis of how individual measurements of ALT correlate with cumulative summer temperatures. The second topical focus assesses long-term ALT trends in different tundra types for experimental sites with complete records monitored in the region. Multiple exploratory analysis methods identified several clusters, with sites exhibiting similar temporal behaviors in the spatially averaged active layer thicknesses over time. These include Kuparuk Outer Coastal Plain sites, non-glaciated foothills sites, Acidic Sites of the Coastal Plain, and Glaciated foothills and shrubby sites in non-glaciated foothills. Each cluster displays different trend patterns and temporal changes of varying magnitudes over time. The active layer's statistical features also exhibit zonal characteristics that follow the clustering pattern, particularly in glaciated foothills sites. Overall, ALT behavior at the sites is climate-driven and ecosystem-modified, supporting previous findings. The third focus is concerned with demonstrating that methods such as active layer thickness mapping, change mapping, and calculating indices, including the index of variability, are effective in detecting trends in ALT. Analyzing spatial time series over decades distinguishes between short-term variability and long-term climate change. ALT in different landscapes can become thinner, thicker, remain stable, or exhibit multiple changes in behavior. The Fourth topical focus is concerned with analyzing the differences in direction and distance of active layer thickness changes over the 29 years. Indirect methods of revealing patterns in spatiotemporal change, such as the 2-D spatial autocorrelation detection method, showed their effectiveness in finding similarities in active layer thickness over various distances and directions. The results support the idea that climate-driven and ecosystem-modified influences active layer thickness changes, which can occur on very short spatial scales, leading to high variability. As one moves from homogeneous coastal plain landscapes to unglaciated foothills, ecosystem contributions increase, while climate influence becomes more prominent again nearer the glaciated foothills.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
RE-SEARCHING RUPTURE AND REPAIR : EXAMINING EDUCATION OF THE EVERYDAY
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025Our lives are constantly punctuated by moments of rupture, or crises\u2014some insignificant and others life-changing. Simultaneously, we are consistently dealing with these crises through practices of repair and healing. This dissertation focuses on the question: What does the relationship between rupture and repair teach us about learning within and beyond institutionalized academic spaces? Immersing in an examination of personal and political cycles of rupture and repair, this work focuses on education elsewhere, i.e., beyond the bounds of the classroom, and otherwise, i.e., using the methodology of research-creation. The dissertation is presented here in six creative and theoretical components\u2014a photo-essay on lessons from witnessing rupture and repair in Yellowstone National Park; an introduction that situates artmaking at the heart of understanding rupture and repair; a poetry manuscript with poems and essay vignettes on the affordances of the infraordinary lens in artistic practice; a ceramics exhibition offering a visual understanding of the interaction between rupture and repair; an essay elucidating on what the role of an artist is through an investigation of Indian cinema under a fascist regime; and an epilogue that shifts our attention to the infraordinary exercises in healing. The seemingly disparate parts come together to offer artmaking as a way to challenge the fascist takeover of the world, reminding us that resistance to oppression is always on the horizon.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
From Task-Specific Tools to Foundation Models in Single-Cell Genomics
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Computer Science - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025Single-cell transcriptomics enables high-resolution profiling of gene expression at the level of individual cells, offering unprecedented insights into cellular heterogeneity, development, and disease. However, the unique characteristics of single-cell data, such as high dimensionality, sparsity, and technical noise, pose significant computational challenges. Reproducibility of task-specific computational results is further hindered by limited open-sourcing and the lack of standardized, developer-friendly interfaces. Meanwhile, the rapid growth of public and private single-cell datasets demands methods that can scale effectively while preserving privacy. This thesis advances the field from task-specific tools to general-purpose foundation models through three key stages. First, I develop Graph Neural Networks based methods tailored to spatial transcriptomics. FOCUS introduces a semi-supervised graph contrastive learning framework that models the subcellular distribution of RNA transcripts to enhance spatial cell-type annotation while maintaining interpretability. GNNDECONVOLVER performs spot-level cell-type deconvolution using graph neural networks without relying on scRNA-seq reference data. Second, to enable systematic evaluation and broad usability, I build DANCE, a unified deep learning library and benchmarking platform for single-cell analysis. Extending this, DANCE 2.0 introduces automated and interpretable preprocessing that transforms the traditionally ad hoc trial-and-error approach into a transparent, data-driven workflow. Third, moving beyond task-specific solutions that require specific models and manual tuning for each task, I propose TABULA, a foundation model for single-cell genomics that enables self-supervised pretraining on large-scale and unlabeled datasets with built-in privacy safeguards. Unlike prior models that repurpose Natural Language Preprocessing techniques, TABULA is specifically designed for the structure and scale of single-cell data. Together, these contributions chart a cohesive path from task-specific models to a scalable, reproducible, and privacy-aware foundation model, laying the groundwork for unified and interpretable single-cell analysis.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
INTERDISCIPLINARY DECODING OF SOCIAL BIASES ACROSS DOMAINS
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Computer Science - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025Language models reflect social biases. Language models, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), have made remarkable advancements in processing, understanding, and generating text that closely resembles human communication. This progress has led to their widespread integration into various systems, ranging from conversational AI like ChatGPT to healthcare assistant tools that influence our social interactions and decision-making. However, a significant concern arises from the fact that LLMs reflect the social biases present in the data on which they are trained. As language models can learn and amplify harmful social biases, their increasing use across various contexts raises the likelihood of these biases causing harm. Research has shown that language models can reproduce social biases in downstream tasks such as language generation and coreference resolution. When deployed in real-world applications, these models pose risks to marginalized individuals and groups, raising important ethical considerations regarding their integration into society. Addressing these biases is crucial to ensure that the use of language models does not reinforce existing inequalities.Recognizing the significance of developing fair language models, we investigate the presence and impact of social biases in language models. We adopt an interdisciplinary perspective that integrates computer science with insights from other fields, rather than only focusing on a technical viewpoint. Rather than viewing these biases as errors to be fixed, we propose leveraging established theories from other fields, such as social psychology. We develop theory-driven computational algorithms that can better comprehend and interpret these biases to improve our understanding of their implications and foster more responsible AI development.This dissertation presents a comprehensive multilevel analysis of social biases and stereotypes in Natural Language Processing (NLP). It is organized into three chapters, each building on the insights of the previous one to provide a holistic perspective on bias in NLP. Chapter 2 explores social biases across various NLP tasks by examining political bias in news media framing and critical healthcare bias in clinical diagnosis prediction. This exploration reveals the real-world implications of these biases and their broader societal impact. Chapter 3 shifts focus from identifying problems to developing solutions by introducing a generalizable stereotype detection model. This model is designed for versatility, making it applicable across different NLP tasks and adaptable to various dimensions of bias, such as race and gender. Finally, Chapter 4 examines the utility of the developed stereotype detection model across various languages and cultures. This chapter demonstrates the potential of a pan-cultural stereotype detection model and broadens the focus of bias research from being English-centric to include additional languages and cultures.In this dissertation, we demonstrate a strong commitment to understanding and addressing fairness in language models. It employs a multilevel analysis approach to investigate biases in NLP at various levels, from exploring the specific manifestations of biases in different tasks to developing a universal mechanism for detecting stereotypes across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. Through this systematic approach, we aim to provide both a deep and broad understanding of bias and contribute to AI ethics by advocating for more equitable and culturally aware NLP systems.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
Fruit Growth and Hormonal Regulation of Bitter Pit in 'Honeycrisp' Apple
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Horticulture - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025Bitter pit is a physiological disorder of the outer cortex of apple fruit. Bitter pit is of great commercial interest as \u2018Honeycrisp\u2019, the fourth-most widely grown and most profitable apple cultivar in the United States, is especially susceptible with losses of greater than 40% in years of high incidence in Michigan. The disorder results from calcium-deficiency, but is not eliminated by calcium applications and is only poorly predicted by fruit calcium concentration at maturity. The mechanistic reasons behind this remain poorly understood.Because calcium transport, in-planta, occurs exclusively in the xylem, experiments were designed to manipulate the rate of xylem dysfunction in \u2018Honeycrisp\u2019. The first study utilized auxins and ABA to prolong xylem functionality with the goal of reducing bitter pit. These treatments did improve primary bundle longevity and reduced bitter pit incidence by roughly 60%, but did not improve fruit calcium. A second study again examined the effects of the most efficacious rates of the PGRs from the previous study, IAA, NAA, and ABA, on xylem function, fruit calcium and bitter pit, but did so weekly to observe how fruit growth, xylem function, and calcium changed as a result of treatment. NAA and ABA treatments again reduced bitter pit incidence by increasing cumulative xylem function (CXF). CXF was consistently correlated to bitter pit incidence while primary bundle counts and fruit calcium concentrations were not. A third study paired experiments designed to manipulate fruit growth rate, believed to be the cause of xylem dysfunction, through sink competition (crop load) and shading. Growth of fruit, in the form of cumulative relative growth rate, was consistent across xylem dysfunction benchmarks, linking rapid fruit growth with increased incidence of bitter pit through strain-induced dysfunction of xylem networks in the outer cortex. The results of these studies give support for the partial reclassification of bitter pit from a calcium-deficiency disorder to a hormone-imbalance or growth disorder.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CARDIOVASCULAR PHENOTYPE OF MOTORSPORT ATHLETES AND THE CARDIAC DEMANDS OF THE SPORT
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Kinesiology - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025The cardiovascular demands and concomitant physiological responses of most popular sports have been investigated at length. Endurance sports with high aerobic demands lead to improved cardiovascular function including increased left ventricular (LV) internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd), enhanced diastolic function and reduced arterial stiffness. Strength athletes present with increased LV mass attributed to LV wall thickness and do not see the same degree of enhanced cardiovascular function as endurance athletes. Motorsport athletes (MSA) train to meet the high aerobic and strength demands of their sport and are exposed to repetitive gravitational (g) forces (lateral and transverse) throughout their race. Vertical g force exposure in fighter pilots has shown no effect on cardiac dimension but may negatively impact diastolic function and increase arterial stiffness. MSA also compete in hot environments which leads to increased core body temperature and sweat loss throughout a race which can decrease performance and compromise safety due to an increase in on track errors. Heart rate variability (HRV) may be useful in understanding cardiac modulation during dehydrating motorsport races, however its feasibility in a racecar is unknown. Purpose: Aims 1-3: To investigate the cardiovascular phenotype of MSA compared to active controls (CON) and to examine the relationship between g force exposure and fitness (maximal oxygen uptake, VO2max) to cardiovascular outcomes in MSA. Aim 4: To determine the feasibility of HRV analysis in a simulated racing environment and the effect of dehydration on HRV during simulated racing in MSA. Methods: Aims 1-3: MSA were recruited from various racing series and CON were recruited from the greater East Lansing area. Exercise training questionnaires, carotid artery ultrasound, carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), echocardiography, and a VO2max test were completed by MSA and CON. Unpaired tests compared cardiac and vascular measures between groups. Multivariate linear regressions determined the influence of g force exposure and VO2max on cardiovascular indices. Aim 4: MSA completed a 60-mintue simulator drive in a control condition (drinking ad libitum) and a FluidLogic condition (prompted drinking). Pre- and post-simulator drive hydration status was measured (nude body weight, urine-specific gravity); HR and HRV were analyzed from single-lead ECG data collected at the beginning, middle, and end of both stints utilizing a long (360-second) analysis and short (average of 3, 60-second intervals) analysis. Differences between conditions and time points were determined with a RMANOVA. A Spearman\u2019s rank correlation was used to compare short- and long-HRV analysis with a high correlation coefficient being defined as 65 0.80. For all aims, significance was accepted at P<0.05. Results: Aim 1-3: 21 MSA and CON participants had similar age, body surface area, and exercise training history. Absolute (MSA: 6.5\ub10.4 mm, CON 6.4\ub10.5 mm, P=0.473) and relative (P=0.929) carotid artery diameter, and cPWV were similar. Carotid compliance (P=0.012) and distensibility (P=0.045) were greater in MSA compared to CON. Structural cardiac outcomes (LVID, RWT, LV mass index), diastolic function and TAPSE were similar between groups. SV was increased in MSA (P=0.013) and HR (P=0.005) was decreased in comparison to CON. Multivariate regression analyses were not significant. Aim 4: 20 MSA had similar HRV (P=0.748) and HR (P=0.856) at each timepoint of FluidLogic and control conditions despite increased dehydration with exercise. There was strong agreement between short- and long-HRV analysis (r=0.845, P<0.001). Conclusion: MSA exhibited similar cardiac function to previously published values of endurance athletes and did not present with attenuated arterial stiffness suggesting g exposure from racecar driving is not a deleterious stimulus in MSA. HR and HRV were similar between drinking conditions throughout a simulated racing bout. Short-HRV analysis can be used instead of a long-HRV analysis in a simulated racing environment.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
RESTITUSI DAN PUTAR BALIK : FROM DUTCH COLONIALITY TOWARDS INDONESIAN PUSAKA
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025This dissertation is situated across ongoing work in the fields of museum studies, language and culture studies, education, history, and coloniality while grappling with the restitution of colonial-era artifacts and highlighting how these processes intersect with cultural identity, public memory, and institutional challenges. It also addresses the urgent need for youth-centered, decolonial approaches in museum education that elevate local voices and reframe traditional narratives. Through a review of popular media, the first article investigates the discourse surrounding the restitution processes of Indonesian artifacts and how they evoke public and scholarly discourse. The analysis underscores the significance of considering artifacts as pusaka, or heirlooms and objects of cultural and ancestral significance. The second article narrates my personal and academic journey in researching the restitution of colonial artifacts while detailing challenges such as bureaucratic delays and the COVID-19 pandemic. The narrative reflects on the devastating fire at the Indonesian National Museum in September 2023, and details my pivot from work with restituted artifacts to frequent visits to Museum Multituli. From such visits and the conceptual importance of pusaka featured in the first article, the final article engages with an artifact through curriculum and advocates for youth-centered approaches in museum education, proposing strategies to integrate youth voices in shaping educational frameworks and decolonial dialogues. The chapter concludes with recommendations for engaging youth and communities in the restitution process and reimagining museum exhibits to reflect diverse cultural perspectives and promote inclusive educational experiences. Together, these three articles trace a conceptual arc from the broader discourses of restitution and cultural heritage, through the personal and institutional challenges of decolonial research, to community-centered educational practices that reimagine museums as inclusive spaces where youth and communities actively participate in shaping cultural futures.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
PHOTOBIOLOGICAL RESPONSES AND MECHANISTIC INTERPRETATIONS OF FAR-RED LIGHT AND ITS INTERACTIONS WITH PHOTON FLUX DENSITY, TEMPERATURE, AND SKOTOPERIOD IN LEAFY-GREEN VEGETABLES
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Horticulture - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025Light-grown plants perceive far-red (FR; 700\u2013750 nm) light mostly through phytochrome B (PHYB), which is primarily a red- (R; 600\u2013699 nm) and FR-absorbing photoreceptor. Under a plant canopy, the fraction of the FR photon flux density (PFD) to the sum of R and FR PFD (FR fraction) is typically high. In response to a high FR fraction, plants elongate stems and leaves (or petioles) to escape from shade, a process known as the shade-avoidance response. This response typically also involves an increase in specific leaf area (SLA; leaf area per unit leaf dry mass). Shade-avoidance responses without a concurrent decrease in irradiance can, to some extent, increase plant biomass by regulating canopy area and thus potential light interception. Although numerous studies have investigated the effects of FR light on plant growth, experimental approaches, results, and interpretations have been inconsistent. This is likely because other environmental parameters influence the FR-light signaling pathway including temperature, the PFDs of R+FR and blue (B; 400\u2013499 nm) light, and skotoperiod. Accounting for these variables could help clarify distinct effects of FR light.This dissertation research investigated the interaction between the FR fraction and air temperature, the R+FR PFD, the B-PFD, and skotoperiod in regulating the morphology and growth of leafy-green vegetables. We conducted experiments under sole-source lighting (without sunlight) in walk-in rooms where environmental parameters were rigidly controlled and continuously monitored. In the first experiment, a decrease in the air temperature from 24 to 19\ub0C suppressed FR-mediated shoot extension in cold-tolerant lettuce (Lactuca sativa) but not in cold-sensitive basil (Ocimum basilicum). In the second experiment, contrary to the paradigm that high-light intensity attenuates the effects of FR light, FR-mediated increases in leaf elongation and specific leaf area persisted under high light provided exclusively by R+FR light in lettuce and kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica). These morphological responses aligned with PHYB activity estimated using a three-state PHYB model in Arabidopsis, which accounts for the effects of the FR fraction as well as the R+FR PFD. In the third experiment, an increase in the B-PFD suppressed FR-mediated stem elongation and SLA increase in kale and lettuce. However, FR-mediated increases in shoot biomass accumulation and total leaf area surprisingly increased with the B-PFD, suggesting that at least a moderate B-PFD is required for FR-mediated enhancements in biomass and leaf expansion. Lastly, a long skotoperiod (16 h 19d 121) diminished FR-light effects on hypocotyl, stem, and leaf elongation compared to shorter skotoperiods (0 or 8 h 19d 121) in kale but not in lettuce. Collectively, these findings provide mechanistic insight into how FR-light signaling is modulated by air temperature, the R+FR PFD, the B-PFD, and skotoperiod, which vary in nature and controlled-environment agriculture. Results can also be applied to electric lighting applications in horticulture to maximize plant response.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
SEARCH FOR HEAVY RESONANCE DECAYS INTO SEMILEPTONIC FINAL STATES IN PROTON-PROTON COLLISIONS AT 1as = 13 TEV WITH THE ATLAS DETECTOR
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Physics - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025One of the fundamental goals of modern particle physics is to explore what lies beyond the current understanding of matter and forces described by the Standard Model. Experiments at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN seek to uncover new particles or forces that could point toward a more complete understanding of the universe. This dissertation presents a search for heavy resonances decaying to pairs of Standard Model bosons in semileptonic final states, where one vector boson (W or Z) decays leptonically and the other boson (W, Z, or Higgs) decays hadronically. The analysis uses the full Run 2 proton-proton collision dataset collected by the ATLAS detector at CERN between 2015-2018 at a center-of-mass energy of 1as = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb 121. The search targets localized excesses in the invariant mass distributions of diboson candidates, interpreted in the context of several Beyond Standard Model theories, including the Heavy Vector Triplet (HVT) framework and warped extra dimension models. These historically separate searches for X \u2192 V V and X \u2192 V H has been unified into a single, harmonized semileptonic analysis with reoptimized event selection. This work contributes to the development of common selection criteria, reoptimization of a lepton channel, and the evaluation of t \u304t modeling uncertainties. Also the implementation of the UFO jet definition led to improved reconstruction of large-radius jets. All of these developments result in an overall improvement in sensitivity of at least 20% over previous ATLAS searches in the same channels and dataset. Notably, this analysis sets the first ATLAS upper limits on the vector boson fusion production of heavy resonances decaying to VH final states, with 95% confidence-level upper limits placed on the production cross-section times branching ratio for spin-1 and spin-0 resonances in the mass range of 220 GeV to 5 TeV. Additionally, performance studies of top-quark and W-boson jet taggers are conducted using semileptonic t \u304t events, yielding scale factors to correct mismodeling between data and Monte Carlo simulation.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references