Digital Commons Network^™

Wind Turbine Noise And Wind Speed Prediction, Tyler H. Blanchard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In order to meet the US Department of Energy projected target of 35% of US energy coming from wind by 2050, there is a strong need to study the management and development of wind turbine technology and its impact on human health, wildlife and environment. The prediction of wind turbine noise and its propagation is very critical to study the impacts of wind turbine noise for long term adoption and acceptance by neighboring communities. The prediction of wind speed is critical in the assessment of feasibility of a potential wind turbine site. This work presents a study on prediction of …

The Parton Paradox: A History Of Race And Gender In The Career Of Dolly Parton, Lindsey L. Hammers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With a career that has spanned over five decades, country music artist Dolly Parton has continually redefined her image and her music to remain relevant. By incorporating the musical and lyrical stylings of disco and other popular music genres into her songs, Parton moved beyond music’s color line to increase her popularity as an artist. This thesis shows how Parton established a distinct career that catered to different audiences as she traversed the musical color line and repackaged what feminism looked like to country music fans during the Women’s Movement of the 1960s. Placing Parton’s actions in conversation with music’s …

Audio-Based Productivity Forecasting Of Construction Cyclic Activities, Chris A. Sabillon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Due to its high cost, project managers must be able to monitor the performance of construction heavy equipment promptly. This cannot be achieved through traditional management techniques, which are based on direct observation or on estimations from historical data. Some manufacturers have started to integrate their proprietary technologies, but construction contractors are unlikely to have a fleet of entirely new and single manufacturer equipment for this to represent a solution. Third party automated approaches include the use of active sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, passive technologies such as computer vision and image processing, and audio signal processing. Hitherto, most …

An Interactionist View Of African American Males In Educational Leadership, Samuel D. Dasher Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

During the segregation era, African American males held positions of leadership in schools in African American communities. When schools were integrated as a result of Brown v. The Board of Education, the number of African American males in positions of educational leadership began a rapid decline. Even as the demographics of the United States have become much more diverse, the gap between African American male educational leaders and their white male counterparts remains significant. This study examines the perceptions of African American male K-12 educational leaders about their positions, why they chose to become educational leaders, and the paths they …

Academic Engagement, Motivation, Self-Regulation, And Achievement Of Georgia Southern University Sophomore Students, John O. Lemay Iv

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown that engagement, motivation, self-regulation, and their individual effects on student achievement are established factors that influence college students’ success. However, what is less clear are these variables’ relationships and their collective influence on achievement. Since students face unique trials as they persist through college, consideration of these relationships and their effect on the achievement of all students is necessary. There is a widening achievement gap between sexes; females have now passed males in enrollment, persistence, and graduation rates. Previous research in this area has been largely centered on undergraduate female students in their freshman year, but the …

Α-Eleostearic Acid Extraction By Saponification Of Tung Oil And Its Subsequent Polymerization, Amanda Murawski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of environmentally sound research is to provide alternatives that are more sustainable and renewable, such as vegetable oil-based polymers, than the current petroleum-based products. Vegetable oil-based polymers have received a lot of attention recently due their multifaceted properties, which are simply achieved by adjusting the monomer or resin composition. The carbon-carbon double bonds in unsaturated oils are ideal reactive sites for the free radical or cationic polymerizations. Most vegetable oils must be modified before polymerization due to the low reactivity of their non-conjugated fatty acid chains. Tung oil (TO) contains ~83% of a triply conjugated fatty acid ( …

Thermal Performance Of A Double-Pipe Heat Exchanger With A Koch Snowflake Fractal Design, Anton Gomez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Double-pipe heat exchangers are the simplest type of heat exchanger and are widely utilized in industrial applications. The effectiveness of double-pipe heat exchangers can be increased by using various heat transfer enhancement techniques. Passive heat transfer enhancement methods are desirable as they do not require moving components and are easy to manufacture and maintain. The focus of this study is to implement a passive heat transfer enhancement method and to investigate how thermal performance is impacted. Specifically, the inner pipe in a heat exchanger will be modified to have a cross-section in accordance with the Koch snowflake fractal pattern. The …

An Analysis Of Campus Civility: Best Practices From Student Affairs Professionals, Amy Zieziula

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Incivility on college campuses is an issue that can disrupt the learning environment and the retention of students, as well as harm the reputation of a college campus. This is a pertinent issue for leaders in higher education to address and to promote a more civil campus both inside and outside of the classroom. There is no research that addresses how Student Affairs Professionals best promote civility on college campuses, and this study fills that research gap. This qualitative study was conducted using Student Affairs Professionals at eight SUNY institutions. The Generational Theory and Work Place Incivility Theory were utilized …

Accounting For Taste In Irish Traditional Music, Eryn T. Wagnon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although it is self-evident that people care about music, we don’t know how they make sense of their taste in it. In this study, I will explore how individuals explain their taste in music. I will specifically be focusing on the genre of Irish traditional music (ITM). One way to explore how people account for their taste in this genre is through a qualitative content analysis of online comments. I hope to demonstrate the vocabulary of motives for music preference, by focusing on how individuals account for their taste in Irish traditional music online. Also, this study will help show …

Student-Athletes' Knowledge Of Athletic Trainers' Scope Of Practice, Jessica Pearson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Context: As a member of the sports medicine team, athletic trainers serve athletes through injury prevention, evaluation, and rehabilitation. While it is imperative for members of the sports medicine team to have knowledge of scope of practice of athletic trainers, it may also be important for athletes as well, so that the athletic trainers can be properly utilized by all parties. Although previous research has been completed on how athletes’ sport profile and satisfaction of care relate, no previous studies were identified that assessed athletes’ knowledge of athletic trainers’ scope of practice.

Objective: Determine student-athletes’ knowledge of athletic …

The Effects Of Stimulant Medication On Reaction Time In Recreationally Active Individuals With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Nichole Ashley Lafortune

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Context: Participants with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have shown cognitive impairments that affect coordination, anticipation and planning. In the ADHD population, stimulant medication has shown to have beneficial outcomes for 75% of the people. Unfortunately, in most research, patients with ADHD are excluded and little is known about this population.

Purpose: Determine the effects of stimulant medication in recreationally active ADHD participants on reaction time.

Design: Cross-section between groups design

Methods: Participants were divided into two groups (ADHD and controls). Upon arrival to the Biomechanics Lab participants performed two tests, Mode A and Mode D on the Dynavision …

Design And Modeling For Dc Nanogrids, Ormond D. Castle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Smart grids were constructed as a means of communication to the electric grid through computer and other information technologies. This line of communication acts as gauge for a more accurate reading of power consumed. A nano grid is a model version of a smart grid with the ability to function as separate power generator. Such feature allows for this grid to power single loads and apply for special applications. A DC-DC converter was designed to apply to a nano grid which is a form of a smart grid. The converter was a single-input-multi-output converter which is taking one dc voltage …

Antibiotics And Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria In Coastal Plain Streams, Jason Duff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Streams across the United States and globally are influenced by environmental contamination, including antibiotics, which enter streams due to widespread use and multiple pathways into the environment. Antibiotics are also likely to enter streams in mixture with other contaminants that alter the effects on aquatic organisms. Furthermore, antibiotic-resistant bacteria enter streams through similar pathways as antibiotics with implications for natural microbial communities. Therefore, understanding the presence and effects of antibiotic-contaminant mixtures and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in streams is important for resource management.

Chapter one describes an experiment that tested the hypothesis that the antibiotic tetracycline (TC) alone influences phytoplankton communities differently …

The Bessel Function, The Hankel Transform And An Application To Differential Equations, Isaac C. Voegtle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis we explore the properties of Bessel functions. Of interest is how they can be applied to partial differential equations using the Hankel transform. We use an example in two dimensions to demonstrate the properties at work as well as formulate thoughts on how to take the results further.

Silver Nanoparticle Fate And Accumulation In The Aquatic Food Web Of Stream Microcosms, Stefan J. Petersen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are used in 25% of all nano-enabled products and applied for anti-microbial properties. Silver nanoparticles are discharged into aquatic environments through wastewater discharge, runoff, and chemical spills. Once in aquatic environments silver nanoparticles have the potential to harm aquatic organisms. While the fate of silver nanoparticles in lentic systems has been investigated, limited information is available for the fate of silver nanoparticles in flowing environments. The purpose of this study was to compare the fate of AgNPs following a one-time pulsed application simulating a chemical spill, or small repetitive applications simulating effluent discharge, in artificial stream communities …

Investigating Problems Associated With Patient Care Reports And Transferring Data Between Ambulance And Hospitals From The Perspective Of Emergency Medical Technicians, Smiljana Cuk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many hospitals have switched to electronic records but emergency medical services continue to use some paper-based reports. Ambulances that have electronic-based systems use them only internally because they are not integrated with hospitals’ systems. This study investigated problems with paper-based, computer-based reports, and transferring patients and their information from an ambulance to the emergency department. Emergency medical technicians were interviewed using qualitative methods. After coding and analyzing their answers, results showed that all emergency medical technicians would like to see a change from paper to electronic transfer of information and that it was difficult to write the report while riding …

A Correlational Study Of The Georgia School Board Association's Board Recognition Program And Student Achievement, Holly E. Rutledge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The role of school boards in American public education has been intensely debated for well over a century (Johnson, 2013). A broad variety of research on school boards exists, ranging from the topic of school board elections, to board member leadership styles, and to decision making processes. Much less research exists, however, on the impact of school boards on student achievement, even though school boards are increasingly targeted as one of the main reasons for poor student achievement (Jacobsen & Linkow, 2014). Johnson (2013) contends there is a growing body of evidence that indicates school boards play a critical role …

Investigating Individual Pathways To Recovery, Mackenzie R. Mcbride

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Drug use is most prevalent among young adults between ages 18 and 24; this is just one factor that contributes to the high rates of substance use on college campuses. Collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) have been growing in number, awakening the “youth in recovery” movement. This paper presents literature on various tools and elements of recovery, with a focus on CRPs and their significance. This study aims to fill the knowledge gap by examining individual pathways to recovery and learning about the characteristics of students participating in CRPs, including their life events and decisions to seek treatment. Semi-structured interviews were …

A Quantum Astrochemical Perspective On The C-C3h Radical With Application To The Interstellar Medium, Matthew Bassett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The interstellar medium (ISM) has been an area of focus for astrochemists and quantum chemists for many years, with particular interest in the presence of interstellar molecules and the resulting chemical processes. The c-C3H radical has been detected in the ISM near the dark molecular cloud TMC-1. With the application of ab initio computational methods using coupled-cluster theory at the singles, doubles, and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] level, highly accurate quartic force fields (QFFs) are constructed to define the electronic wavefunction for the inter nuclear Hamiltonian. The QFF is used to predict the equilibrium geometry and produce vibrational frequencies, rotational constants, …

The Effects Of Beetroot Juice On Vo2max And Blood Pressure During Submaximal Exercise, Jose M. Perez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Supplementation with beetroot juice (BR) has been shown to reduce blood pressure (BP) at rest and improve several performance parameters during submaximal and maximal exercise. BR effects on BP during submaximal exercise have not been investigated. Furthermore, the effects of BR on VO₂max are inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of BR on VO₂max and BP during submaximal exercise. 20 healthy, recreationally trained volunteers (age 21.8±2.35 years, weight 75.10±10.62 kg, height 177.4±6.39 cm) participated in this study, which had a double-blind placebo controlled randomized crossover design. Participants began supplementation with either …

Concussion Knowledge And Understanding In Ghsa Guardians, Chloe C. Salway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Context: Concussions are a serious injury that could result in both short and long-term consequences, particularly if not recognized and managed appropriately. Concussion education has been implemented, mostly as a result of Concussion legislation. Coach and athlete concussion education has been evaluated in the literature, however the literature is scarce on parental concussion education.

Purpose: To assess concussion knowledge and understanding in guardians of Georgia High School Association (GHSA) student-athletes that completed the GHSA concussion awareness form, in comparison to those that received additional concussion education.

Methods: This study utilized a prospective cross-sectional descriptive research design. Participants were GHSA guardians …

Examining Preference Of Home-Based Telemental Health Among Rural Veterans, Paige Dixon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rural veterans face significant disparities to health care that have resulted in lower physical and mental health related quality of life when compared to their urban counterparts (Weeks et al., 2006). Such disparities are further complicated by the six-fold increase in prevalence of mental health diagnoses among Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans (Seal et al., 2009). These rising rates are particularly relevant to rural veterans as they represent 41% of the overall Veteran Health Administration enrollees, but only 19% of the general population (U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs, 2012; U.S. Census Bureau, 2014). Rural veterans face three …

Cognitive And Emotional Processes Involved In The Experience Of Objects As Holy Or Transcendent, Lotte J. Pummerer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, attitudes about religion/spirituality have become more pluralistic (Pew Research Center, 2015a). At the same time, the number of individuals who identify themselves as nonreligious, atheist or agnostic are growing (Pew Research Center, 2015b), yet we are lacking words and research to describe their attributions of transcendence in language not bound to religious concepts. This study aims at examining both concepts – holiness and transcendence – in their similarities and differences through assessing cognitive and emotional processes involved in experiences of objects.

The study consisted of two parts with a total of 206 Christian and 52 nonreligious/atheistic/agnostic participants. …

Intrusion Detection For Smart Grid Communication Systems, Brycent Chatfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Transformation of the traditional power grid into a smart grid hosts an array of vulnerabilities associated with communication networks. Furthermore, wireless mediums used throughout the smart grid promote an environment where Denial of Service (DoS) attacks are very effective. In wireless mediums, jamming and spoofing attack techniques diminish system operations thus affecting smart grid stability and posing an immediate threat to Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA) of the smart grid. Intrusion detection systems (IDS) serve as a primary defense in mitigating network vulnerabilities. In IDS, signatures created from historical data are compared to incoming network traffic to identify abnormalities. In …

Connecting The Dots: A Food Web Of The Lower Ogeechee River, Allison K. Lutz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Ogeechee is a fifth order river that originates in the Georgia Piedmont region and flows through the Coastal Plain region in the Southeastern portion of the state. The Ogeechee is one of the last unregulated rivers in Georgia; allowing for studies to occur under a natural flow regime. To my knowledge, studies that incorporate fish into ecological networks (e.g., food webs) are yet to be developed for the Ogeechee River, thus, one of the main objectives of this research was to address this knowledge gap. Five fish species were collected from June 2016 to October 2016 in order to …

Optimization Methods For Tabular Data Protection, Iryna Petrenko

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis we consider a minimum distance Controlled Tabular Adjustment (CTA) model for statistical disclosure limitation (control) of tabular data. The goal of the CTA model is to find the closest safe table to some original tabular data set that contains sensitive information. The measure of closeness is usually measured using l₁ or l₂ norm; with each measure having its advantages and disadvantages. According to the given norm CTA can be formulated as an optimization problem: Liner Programing (LP) for l₁, Quadratic Programing (QP) for l₂. In this thesis we present an alternative …

Oasis - Identifying The Core Attributes For Rdbms Alternatives, Benjamin P. Mcpherson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since their introduction in the 1970s, relational database management systems have served as the dominate data storage technology. However, the demands of big data and Web 2.0 necessitated a change in the market, sparking the beginning of the NoSQL movement in the late 2000s. NoSQL databases exchanged the relational model and the guaranteed consistency of ACID transactions for improved performance and massive scalability [1]. While the benefits NoSQL provided proved useful, the lack of sufficient SQL functionality presented a major hurdle for organizations which require it to properly operate. It was clear that new RDBMS solutions which did not compromise …

Zen And The Art Of The Journey, Brenda Christian Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The works in this exhibition represent the transdisciplinary research and practices used to explore humanitarian concerns with stress and suffering. It is a Buddhist fact that all humans suffer. And it is the inner journey that allows the guidance out of suffering and towards freedom. For me, the recognition of suffering was there since infancy. I have spent a lifetime searching for answers through the philosophy of Zen, the study of Buddhism (as religion), the study of neuroscience, the arts (both liberal and fine), the practice of meditation, and the psychological process of mindfulness.

The attention to the present moment …

Energy Storage Management And Simulation For Nano-Grids, Shantu Ghose

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Energy storage has been utilized in many forms and applications from a flashlight to the Space Shuttle. There is a worldwide effort to develop battery model with high energy level and power densities for a variety range of applications, including hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and photovoltaic system (PV). To improve battery technology, understanding the battery modeling is very important. So, modeling the thermal behavior of a battery is a vital consideration before designing an effective thermal management system which will operate safely and prolong the lifespan of an energy storage system. The first part of this work focused on the …

Assessing The Genetic Status And Factors Leading To The Decline Of The Roanoke Bass (Ambloplites Cavifrons), Jackman C. Eschenroeder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although numerous factors have led to the staggering declines in freshwater biodiversity throughout the United States and the world, habitat alteration and introduced species pose some of the greatest challenges to conservation efforts. Learning more about how these two factors lead to the decline of an endemic organism could help prevent the future loss of unique species and the premature conclusion of evolutionary trajectories. Roanoke bass (Ambloplites cavifrons) is a sport fish endemic to portions of the Roanoke, Chowan, Tar, and Neuse river basins of North Carolina and Virginia. This species has been in decline for many years, …