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Recent Submissions
Mise-en-séance : a director’s approach to Sarah Ruhl’s adaptation of Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov.
(2024-05) Skjaret, Lucas Grant, 1991-; Jortner, David, 1971-
Chekhovian theatre is often seen as an acquired taste. Its longevity and infamy
within the literary and dramatic canon have prompted scholars, artists, and audiences worldwide to have an opinion when they hear his name. To produce Chekhov for
contemporary audiences is to acknowledge those experiences, memories, and beliefs
within any artistic praxis. This thesis documents the director’s process in approaching,
conceptualizing, analyzing, and staging Sarah Ruhl’s adaptation of Chekov’s penultimate play, Three Sisters, at Baylor University in November of 2023. It also explores the biography of Anton Chekhov, scholarly criticism of his dramatic canon, and Chekhovian
dramaturgy, as well as Sarah Ruhl’s life, her body of work, and the process of adapting
the play. Additionally, the thesis investigates Marvin Carlson’s theory of the haunted
stage and how past productions of Three Sisters informed the understanding and ultimate direction of the script.
Extreme stoichiometric gradients and B-vitamin effects on phytoplankton communities.
(2024-05) Barnard, Malcolm A., 1996-; Scott, J. Thad (Jefferson Thad)
Eutrophication of natural waters is a major environmental detriment, leading to increased occurrence of harmful algal blooms and harmful cyanobacterial blooms. In addition to the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorous, micronutrients such as B vitamins can drive phytoplankton growth. To better understand the complex interactions between nutrient stoichiometry and B vitamin biogeochemistry in phytoplankton communities, a B vitamin bottle bioassay experiment was conducted in subsequent years with samples from a long-term shallow-lake mesocosm experiment set up with an extreme nutrient stoichiometry gradient. Vitamin additions did not have a significant effect on the phytoplankton community or their nutrient stoichiometry but halting N additions to shallow-lake mesocosms in 2023 led to an increase in community fraction and photosynthetic efficiency of green algae. The legacy of nutrient supply played a major role in the phytoplankton community and continued nutrient stoichiometry. Therefore, it is important to evaluate present and legacy loading in evaluating eutrophic systems.
Isotopic niche, trace element concentrations, and fatty acids in Pacific walrus tissues.
(2024-05) Godfrey, Genevieve L., 1982-; King, Ryan Steven, 1972-
Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) are a culturally and ecologically important species in the Arctic. Walruses are dependent on sea ice cover for breeding, pupping, and resting between foraging bouts. Recent Arctic warming has altered walrus access to sea ice and this may have profound effects on the population. A lack of sea ice cover may limit walrus access to preferred foraging areas or result in shifts in prey consumption. This dissertation focuses on markers of foraging and physiology that can be measured in walrus tissue, including analysis of toxic and essential trace elements, stable isotopic niche, and fatty acids. Concentrations of toxic elements in walrus muscle were low. Muscle trace element concentrations differed between male and female walruses indicating either differences in habitat use or prey selection. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were analyzed in liver and muscle and compared between males and females, as well as based on the Arctic sea ice minimum. Results indicated that male and female walruses differ in their isotopic niche. An increase in the days without sea ice caused a reduced stable isotopic niche area in males. Lower summer minimum ice area similarly reduced the isotopic niche among females, and the occupation of coastal haulouts caused a shift to lower trophic level prey. Fatty acids in muscle were highly variable compared to the fatty acids measured in blubber, and this variability appears to be driven by differences in fatty acid oxidation to support muscle activity. In blubber, reduced stratification between blubber layers coincided with lower percent lipid measurements and clear differences in fatty acid proportions were evident between males and females and among sample years. These studies indicate that adult walruses have adjusted their prey selection in response to climate-driven habitat changes. However, future research should assess foraging success in calves and juveniles as they may be more vulnerable to habitat change.
Development of a generalized fatigue assessment approach for steel castings.
(2024-05) Batson, Matthew, 2000-; Jordon, J. Brian (James Brian), 1979-; Allison, Paul Galon, 1981-
The objective of this project was to develop a generalized fatigue assessment approach for steel castings for a range of internal casting quality details. In particular, this project examined the effect of quality details on the fatigue performance of steel castings using linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) analysis. This is a research effort to address issues common in the casting industry, as current fatigue assessment approaches can be too conservative leading to overdesigned parts and the use of computationally expensive methods. The model was shown to conservatively capture experimental data in the high cycle fatigue regime using Murakami’s effective area method for quality details and LEFM estimated crack growth constants. A main outcome of this study found that the minimum indication size using an industry accessible non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique, such as phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), correlated to the proposed lower limits of the LEFM fatigue design approach.
A qualitative case study exploring indigenous and transnational Barbudans’ perspectives on cultural identity and desire for autonomy post-Hurricane Irma.
(2024-05) Francis Adolphine, Agnes C., 1973-; Foster, Marquita D.
This qualitative case study, led by a second-generation Barbudan scholar-activist, explored the perspectives of Indigenous and transnational Barbudans post-Hurricane Irma. The research unfolded a nuanced tapestry of the intricate interplay between resilience, trauma, cultural identity, and autonomy pursuits within the community. The study grounded participants’ authentic narratives and unveiled the enduring impact of trauma, stretching across psychological, political, environmental, and cultural realms, providing a holistic understanding of the community’s lived experiences.
The exploration included an in-depth historical examination of population displacement, unmasking the persistent legacy of colonialism as a crucial lens for comprehending the exploitation and cultural upheaval Barbudans faced. The symbiotic relationship between cultural identity and land ownership took center stage, intricately entwined with the forces of coloniality and disaster capitalism. The study dissected political ethics, autonomy aspirations, and cultural preservation, resonating with scholarly insights and study participants’ authentic voices.
This research applied cultural identity theory rooted in Caribbean intellectual thought and provided a detailed framework for understanding the fluid nature of participants’ cultural identities. The study focused on two dimensions of Stuart Hall’s cultural identity theory (CIT) framework: second positioning and multidimensionality. Beyond theoretical exploration, it stood as a poignant testament to the unwavering self-determination of the Barbudan people within the broader Caribbean and Latin American narrative.
This study held significant implications for researchers interested in post-disaster experiences, academics exploring cultural identity in vulnerable communities, policymakers engaged in disaster recovery, land defenders advocating for Indigenous rights, and humanitarian organizations working in the aftermath of natural disasters. The findings contributed to theoretical understanding and offered practical insights for shaping effective policies, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering autonomy among Afro-Indigenous populations in the wake of environmental challenges.
As the first comprehensive exploration of post-Hurricane Irma’s impacts on the cultural identity of the people of Barbuda, this research enriched scholarly conversations. It informed governmental policy decisions and actionable initiatives. It unveiled a tapestry of resilience, resistance, and unwavering cultural identity within Barbuda, offering valuable insights into post-disaster policies, cultural preservation, and autonomy aspirations. This study was poised to catalyze meaningful change, inform policies, inspire initiatives, and augment the ongoing scholarly discourse.