Digital Commons Network^™

Enumerating Graphs Using Integrals From Quantum Field Theory, William A. Coggins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Enumerating graphs is a relatively new subfield of mathematics. In this thesis, we will discuss a enumerative method that derives from Quantum Field Theory. We begin with the basic ideas of Calculus and extend them into a enumerative method that will allow us to classify graphs embedded on surfaces.

Bayesian Inference Of The Weibull-Pareto Distribution, James Dow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Weibull distribution has many applications in various topics. Some of these topics include survival analysis, reliability engineering, general insurance, electrical engineering, and industrial engineering. The Weibull distribution was further extended by the Weibull-Pareto distribution. A desirable property this distribution has is its shape can skew being able to better model left or right skewed data. Examples of skewed data include human longevity and actuarial data. In this work a hierarchical Bayesian model was developed using the Weibull-Pareto distribution.

Functional Violence In Martin Mcdonagh's The Lieutenant Of Inishmore And The Pillowman, Lindsay Shalom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While Martin McDonagh’s plays have engendered laughter, disgust, and fear, he might be best known as part of a long line of Irish playwrights who faced controversy due to their art. Much like Synge, Shaw, and O’Casey, McDonagh has faced criticism and even outrage due to the violence and misunderstood portrayals of the Irish in his plays. Though the violence in plays like The Pillowman and The Lieutenant of Inishmore has been labeled gratuitous, we might better understand the purpose of that violence by examining them in light of Michel Foucault’s concepts of knowledge and power. Foucault’s approaches best highlight …

Young, Gifted, Black, And Blocked: A Critical Inquiry Of Barriers That Hinder Black Students' Participation In Gifted And Advanced Placement Programs, Elizabeth Anne Evans

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This inquiry explores the underrepresentation of Black students in the Gifted and Advanced Placement (AP) Program from the perspective of the student. This study focused primarily on the barriers students perceived that hindered their participation. In addition, I explored the role teachers and guidance counselors play in Black students’ decisions to enroll or drop out of AP classes, and how the history and institution of gifted educations has aid and excluded Black students. Five Black high school students, four male, and one female, were interviewed.

Theoretically, my study was grounded in two distinct inquiries; Critical Theory (Kincheloe & McLaren, 2008) …

Total Synthesis Of Biologically Active Natural And Unnatural Products, Julia Heimberger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Herbarin A and B were isolated from the fungal strains of Cladosporium herbarum found in marine sponges Aplysina aerophoba and Callyspongia aerizusa. Total synthesis of Herbarin A and B was achieved by carrying out a multi-step synthesis approach, and the antioxidant properties were evaluated using FRAP assay. Toxicity of these compounds was determined using a zebrafish embryo model. Furthermore, synthesis of C-6 alkyl-azaarene derivatives of nucleosides by Csp3-H bond functionalization were investigated. Effective incorporation of 2-methylazaarene moiety at the C-6 position of the protected inosine nucleoside provided a new class of compounds with anticipated enhanced biological activity.

Networked Heterogeneous Systems In A Ros-Enabled Cloud Environment, Christopher Reid

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It is important in the development of cloud robotics that the challenges presented by transferring computational loads to networked resources are properly addressed. The challenges include network latency, data integrity, security, and privacy. The objective of the present work is to investigate the issues of latency and data integrity in a representative cloud robotics environment. The present work involves setting up a cloud robotics network in an open-source Robot Operating System (ROS) framework and carrying out investigations on the levels of latency and reduction in data integrity as utilization of the network increases. In this study, a virtual datacenter has …

Religion And Interpersonal Trust: An Individual Differences Analysis, Kaitlyn Sawyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Several factors including experience, group membership, and religious involvement can have an impact on trust. The purpose of the current research was to examine religion as a possible factor in an individual’s trust behaviors. Researchers hypothesized that (1) individuals who identified themselves as being religious would trust strangers more easily than those who did not identify with a religion, and (2) that individuals would more easily trust strangers if the strangers were presented as being religious. Seventy-two participants were presented with three vignettes and were asked to respond to a series of scales measuring general trust, religiosity, conservatism, social distance, …

Using A Motivational General-Mastery Imagery Intervention To Improve The Self-Efficacy Of Youth Gymnasts, Emily Parkerson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Self-efficacy plays a significant role in influencing sport performance (Moritz, et al., 2000) and has been shown to be a stronger predictor of sport performance compared to anxiety, perceived control, and one’s personal goals (Feltz & Lirg, 2001). The use of motivational general-mastery (MG-M) imagery has been shown to increase self-efficacy among athletic populations (O, et al., 2014); however, there is a paucity of research regarding the influence of imagery, particularly individualized MG-M imagery, on the self-efficacy of youth athletes specifically. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of an individualized MG-M imagery intervention on …

Labeled Trees And Spanning Trees: Computational Discrete Mathematics And Applications, Demet Yalman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, we examine two topics. In the first part, we consider Leech tree which is a tree of order n with positive integer edge weights such that the weighted distances between pairs of vertices are exactly from 1 to n choose 2. Only five Leech trees are known and some non-existence results have been presented through the years. Variations of Leech trees such as the minimal distinct distance trees and modular Leech trees have been considered in recent years. In this thesis, such Leech-type questions on distances between leaves are studied as well as some other labeling questions …

The Road Less Traveled: Alumni Perceptions Of The Georgia Early College High School Experience, Tequila Tranise Morgan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite the efforts of traditional high schools to educate all students, at-risk populations tend to lag behind their White and more affluent counterparts in educational achievement, high school graduation rates, and college attendance rates. Early College High Schools (ECHSs) were designed to attract and retain at-risk students through rigorous academic practices, strong support systems, and by providing free access to college credits while students are still in high school.

With the case study approach as a guide, this research used an open-ended interview protocol to collect data from a sample of 16 students who attended one ECHS in Georgia between …

Evaluation Of Linear And Nonlinear Postural Stability Measurements Following Concussion, Kelsey Evans

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sport related concussions affect nearly 1.6 to 3.8 million athletes annually in the United States. A large number of these athletes suffer from postural instability following concussion. Postural control assessment has become a recommended tool to determine readiness to return to play. Measurement of postural control through the use of center of pressure (CoP) variables may provide a sensitive evaluation following concussion and throughout recovery. Purpose: To evaluate a unipedal and bipedal quiet stance protocol consisting of linear and nonlinear CoP measurements with varying durations in a concussed population throughout recovery. Methods: Thirteen NCAA Division I Collegiate Football players (age: …

A Test Score Comparison Between Block And Traditional Scheduling, Yancy J. Ford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how schools utilizing block scheduling and traditional scheduling models differ in achievement levels on the five Georgia End-of-Course Exams (EOCT) and the Georgia High School Graduation Writing test (GHSWT) at two high schools in ruralSouth Georgia. The researcher will investigated if there is a differential benefit in terms of higher EOCT/GHSWT scores during block or traditional scheduling when considering demographic variables student gender, race, or SES. No experimentation occurred as the study relied on historical data. Both high schools were examined individually; comparing the five EOCT’s and the GHSWT under the block …

The Role Of Artificial Structures In Facilitating Range Expansion Of The Introduced Barnacle Megabalanus Coccopoma In The Southeastern U.S.A., Alicia M. Reigel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The barnacle Megabalanus coccopoma is a recent invader of the southeastern U.S.A. from the tropical eastern Pacific. In Georgia, M. coccopoma populations along the immediate coastline often suffer extensive mortality during the winter, but population rebuilding is common after these events suggesting that there may be nearby larval sources. I investigated the hypothesis that artificial structures (i.e., buoys, towers), occurring far enough offshore of Georgia for water temperatures to be moderated by the Gulf Stream, provide refuges for breeding adults of M. coccopoma and can serve as the larval source. I investigated this hypothesis by first developing thirteen microsatellite primer …

An Evaluation Of A Secondary Student Advisement Program, Barbara A. Jordan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods program evaluation examines the effectiveness of a high school advisory program in meeting its stated goals from the perspective of its various stakeholders. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods and applying a concurrent embedded strategy, the researcher uses Stufflebeam’s CIPP Model (Stufflebeam, McKee & McKee, 2003) as a framework to conduct a study of the Teachers-As-Advisors (TAA) Program in a rural high school in Georgia. Surveys were administered to 205 students, 40 parents, and 17 advisors. Two district administrators, three school administrators, and two counselors were interviewed. In addition, focus group discussions were held with a purposeful …

Objective Predictor Metric Of Annoyance For Hydraulic Engine Mount Cavitation, John Powell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vehicle acoustics has been found to have a direct impact on customer experience. Unexpected noises play a role in this experience. Hydraulic engine mount cavitation, the noise heard from the collapse of vapor bubbles in the mount, is considered one of those unexpected noises. During the design phase of a vehicle when an unexpected noise is found there is a need for a method to quantify how much of the noise is too much. Subjective evaluations alone are not enough due to variability from engineer to engineer. An objective way needed to be developed in order to evaluate the cavitation …

The Successful Implementation Of Supply Chain Management Technology Initiatives: Technological Readiness As A Key Indicator, Scott R. Cox

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The emergence of what is modern supply chain management (SCM) can be attributed to the revolutionary advances in information technology over the past three decades. Despite significant investment in supply chain management technology (SCMT) and the implementation process, many companies still experience considerable complications during SCMT implementation. There is a dearth of research concerning the implementation of SCMT. A proven path to supply chain technology implementation has yet to be established. In an effort to address this gap, this dissertation considers the role of technological readiness as a part of a comprehensive model for SCMT implementation. A model is proposed …

A Retracing In Praise Of The Unretraceable: Jazz Improvisation, Theatre Games And Curriculum, Barry E. Krakovsky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work is an attempt to analyze some of the conditions and activities that surround improvisation. I will argue that the process of improvisation and even the attempt at improvisation can offer the curriculum scholar an important pedagogical model. Importantly, this model will offer no direct solutions which might improve one’s pedagogical stance. Instead, these models are best interpreted as a provocation, or an invitation to think of a better relationship, for example, of teacher and student. I interrogate jazz improvisation, theatrical improvisation, and popular culture. I also examine a version of performativity that could provide a degree of agency …

Psychopathy And Attachment: The Effect Of Security Priming On Psychopathy In A College Student Sample, Blake D. Herd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Psychopathy has been defined as a pattern of negative behaviors, social interactions, and affective features, including impoverishment of emotion, unethical and manipulative actions, and impulsivity (Neumann & Hare, 2008). It is estimated that between 15 to 30 percent of incarcerated adults meet the criteria for psychopathy (Hare, 1991, 1996; Salekin, Rogers, Ustad, & Sewell, 1998). Because psychopathy is linked with deviant behaviors and a significant portion of incarcerated adults are high in psychopathy, methods of reducing psychopathy are needed. The current longitudinal study sought to reduce state psychopathy levels through secure attachment priming. It was first hypothesized that the mean …

The Project Shop, Lindsey Sullivan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Project Shop is a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) brand designed to promote a value-creating activity that impacts the lives and personal development for those who participate. The strategic culmination of research, marketing, and graphic design generated during the creation of this brand is intended to attract a target demographic of 18-24 year olds. This target market is identified as a transient population often typified by being civic-minded and pragmatically idealist.

The Project Shop caters to the needs of its target market by concentrating on habits and particular styles of living. This demographic often seeks DIY projects that are customizable due to …

Smart Distributed Generation Systems Using Improved Islanding Detection And Event Classification, Bikiran Guha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Distributed Generation (DG) sources have become an integral part of modern decentralized power systems. However, the interconnection of DG systems to the power grid can present several operational challenges. One such major challenge is islanding detection. Islanding occurs when a DG system is disconnected from the rest of the power grid. Islanding can present serious safety hazards and therefore an accurate and fast islanding detection technique is mandated by DG interconnection standards such as IEEE 1547 and UL 1741. Conventional islanding detection techniques passively monitor the local power system parameters such as voltage and frequency to detect islanding. These techniques …