Digital Commons Network^™

Histological Evaluation Of The Effects Of Diabetes On Renal Vasculature, David Pollard

All Theses

Diabetes mellitus currently affects 8.3% of the world’s population, roughly 387 million people as of 2014, with numbers rising steadily. Diabetes is a major risk factor for vascular pathology, affecting the vascular wall at the cellular and extracellular level. The field of tissue engineering has proven to have great potential in treating cardiovascular disease and kidney failure. In order to develop tissue-engineered replacements resistant to the alterations induced by a diabetic environment, the modifications of the native tissues are important to be elucidated. Cardiovascular remodeling is due to elevated levels of fatty deposits along the vessel wall, hyperglycemia and chronic …

Implementation And Applications Of Art-Directable Ocean Simulation Tools, Jingcong Zhang

All Theses

Ocean effects are important aspects of the filmmaking. They help to establish emotions and dynamism via the behaviors of the oceans, and provides the different atmosphere for storytelling by creating various ocean scenarios. Gilligan is a prototype environmental scene simulator, whose core technique of the ocean simulation has been widely used in feature film productions. This thesis develops ocean simulation tools working with Maya and Houdini with the techniques provided by Gilligan. The Gilligan-Maya workflow executes ocean simulation methods in Gilligan to simulate oceans. The Gilligan-Houdini workflow integrates Gilligan into Houdini, containing a Houdini wrapper of Gilligan, along with a …

Sanctuary: A Virtual-Reality, Immersive-Environment Mobile Application To Promote Mindfulness, Meditation, And Relaxation, Amanda Caroline Smoak

All Theses

The World Health Organization calls stress the health epidemic of the twenty-first century [40]. Finding ways to manage stress – not just for our own health, but also for the health of our communities and children – is one of our most significant challenges for wellness. Virtual-reality (VR) therapy is the use of stimulated, interactive, and immersive environments as a tool for physical and psychological healthcare applications [31]. VR therapy and mindfulness practices have both been shown to alleviate stress and anxiety. The mobile application detailed here attempts to aid in stress reduction using virtual-reality therapy by immersing the user …

Diversity And Inclusion As Essential Elements Of 4-H Youth Development Programs, Rachel Sumner, Andy Turner, Anthony Burrow

Journal of Youth Development

Diversity and inclusion are essential elements of 4-H’s goals related to positive youth development, workforce development, and organizational sustainability. Previous research has examined Cooperative Extension professionals’ attitudes on this topic, demonstrating that most of them recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in 4-H. Here we present results from a survey of adolescents participating in New York state 4-H programs assessing their endorsement of racial/ethnic diversity and inclusion in 4-H. Results revealed that, overall, youth felt positively toward this kind of diversity and inclusion in 4-H, and endorsement was most strongly predicted by a learning orientation that emphasizes acquiring new …

Evidence For Divergent Patterns Of Local Selection Driving Venom Variation In Mojave Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Scutulatus), Jason L. Strickland, Cara F. Smith, Andrew J. Mason, Drew R. Schield, Miguel Borja, Gamaliel Castañeda-Gaytán, Carol L. Spencer, Lydia L. Smith, Ann Trápaga, Nassima M. Bouzid, Gustavo Campillo-García, Oscar A. Flores-Villela, Daniel Antonio-Rangel, Stephen P. Mackessy, Todd A. Castoe, Darin R. Rokyta, Christopher L. Parkinson

Publications

Snake venoms represent an enriched system for investigating the evolutionary processes that lead to complex and dynamic trophic adaptations. It has long been hypothesized that natural selection may drive geographic variation in venom composition, yet previous studies have lacked the population genetic context to examine these patterns. We leverage range-wide sampling of Mojave Rattlesnakes (Crotalus scutulatus) and use a combination of venom, morphological, phylogenetic, population genetic, and environmental data to characterize the striking dichotomy of neurotoxic (Type A) and hemorrhagic (Type B) venoms throughout the range of this species. We find that three of the four previously identified …

Island Identities: Analysis Of The Vernacular Building Patterns On South Carolina Barrier Islands, Claire Elizabeth Bushemi

All Theses

Long a retreat for the wealthy and once Union staging areas during the Civil War, the barrier islands of South Carolina represent themselves as a unique beach experience. In the early years of the eighteenth century, builders on the islands utilized ocean winds to neutralize the effects of summer sun to make buildings ideal for recreation. The islands were then marketed as having unique identities and have developed connotations of individuality that endure today. This thesis explores the qualities that distinguish and identify these unique environments by examining and analyzing the physical fabric of a cross section of seven of …

The Impact Of Surfactant On The Transport Of Toxoplasma Gondii Oocysts Through Unsaturated Soil, Erin N. Kinsey

All Theses

Toxoplasma gondii is among the most prevalent parasites affecting warm-blooded animals, including humans. In humans, it poses health risks for immunocompromised populations and for fetuses including damage to the eyes brain and other organs. Humans may come in contact with T. gondii through the consumption of infected animal flesh or accidental contact with cat feces. Its life cycle includes numerous intermediate hosts and felids as the definitive host, which has allowed for its spread through nearly the entire world. T. gondii has been detected in open water, soil and animal feeds. Its transport has not been well studied to this …

Analysis Of Frozen Desserts Using Low-Temperature Scanning Electron Microscopy (Lt-Sem), Kinsey Elizabeth Macdonald

All Theses

Commercial vanilla ice cream and other frozen desserts from the United States were analyzed for ice crystal length using low-temperature scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM). Average ice crystal length was determined using multiple micrographs of each sample/product. Out of the products tested, 11 out of 15 samples had an average ice crystal length above the consumer sensory threshold limit of 55 µm. Products containing stabilizers tended to have smaller average ice crystal lengths than products without stabilizers. With a few exceptions, lower fat products tended to have larger ice crystals because there was less fat to stabilize the ice crystals. Four …

The Effects Of Late Gestation Supplementation Of Rumen Protected Fat On Cow And Calf Serum Fatty Acids, Passive Immunity Transfer And Growth In Beef Calves, Ralph Earl Ricks

All Theses

The primary objective of the cow calf sector of the beef industry is to market live calves after weaning. One component to profitability in this sector is to wean healthy, productive calves with as low of an input a possible. This means not only efficiency of preweaning growth of the calf, but the dam needs to produce a more than adequate supply of milk as it is the primary nutrition of the calf. Production of an animal that can convert the milk supply offered and turn it into pounds of gain efficiently is ideal. The calf, ideally, should be born …

Vulnerability Of Tri-Colored Bats (Perimyotis Subflavus) To White-Nose Syndrome In The Southeastern United States, Pallavi Sirajuddin

All Theses

Tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) have experienced significant population declines in the southeastern United States due to white-nose syndrome (WNS). The lack of information on the torpor patterns and winter activity in conjunction with the rapid decline from the disease has led to an increased effort in researching the hibernation physiology and wintering activity of P. subflavus and their response to WNS in southern hibernacula. To address this growing concern, we used temperature sensitive radio transmitters to examine torpor patterns in three geographically distinct states and acoustic detectors to monitor bat activity within a WNS-positive hibernaculum. Our specific objectives …

High-Throughput Polygenic Biomarker Discovery Using Condition-Specific Gene Coexpression Networks, William Louis Poehlman

All Dissertations

Biomarkers can be described as molecular signatures that are associated with a trait or disease. RNA expression data facilitates discovery of biomarkers underlying complex phenotypes because it can capture dynamic biochemical processes that are regulated in tissue-specific and time-specific manners. Gene Coexpression Network (GCN) analysis is a method that utilizes RNA expression data to identify binary gene relationships across experimental conditions. Using a novel GCN construction algorithm, Knowledge Independent Network Construction (KINC), I provide evidence for novel polygenic biomarkers in both plant and animal use cases.

Kidney cancer is comprised of several distinct subtypes that demonstrate unique histological and molecular …

Development Of A Biomimetic, Collagen-Based Scaffold For The Repair And Regeneration Of The Annulus Fibrosus, Ryan Borem

All Dissertations

Annually, over 5.7 million Americans are diagnosed with two IVD-associated pathologies: IVD herniation (IVDH- a mechanical disruption of the concentric fibrous layers of the annulus fibrosus (AF)) and/or degeneration (IVDD- a multifactorial process which initiates within the inner gelatinous core (NP), and results in a biochemical degradation of NP tissue), with over 2.7 million requiring surgical interventions. Although both underlying pathologies are different, quite often they both lead to a decrease in IVD height, impaired mechanical function, and increased pain and disability. These pain symptoms affect approximately 80% of the adult population during their lifetime with estimated expenditures exceeding $85.9 …

The Effects Of Embryonic Arsenic Exposure On Muscle And Olfactory Development In Killifish (Fundulus Heteroclitus), Dana Bethany Szymkowicz

All Dissertations

Arsenic is an environmental contaminant that is commonly found in drinking water, rice, and other food sources around the world. Many epidemiological studies have reported that in utero exposures to arsenic can significantly reduce muscle growth and cause neurodevelopmental abnormalities such as reduced IQ, impaired memory and spatial learning, and sensory functions. However, the mechanisms behind such effects are not well known. Because of this, we wanted to explore the potential mechanisms by which embryonic exposure to environmentally-relevant levels of arsenic are not only impairing growth but also inducing behavioral changes due to altered sensory neuron function. We were also …

Investigating The Use Of Streaming And Robotic Dielectrophoresis To Enable Continuous Cell Sorting And Automatic Cell Transfer In Sample Preparation, Rucha Natu

All Dissertations

The sorting of targeted cells or particles from a sample is a crucial step in the sample preparation process used in medical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, bio-analysis and personalized medicine. Current cell sorting techniques can be broadly classified as label based or label-free. Label-based techniques mostly rely on fluorophores or magnetic nanoparticles functionalized to bind with targeted cells. Although highly specific, this approach can be expensive and suffers from limitations in the availability of suitable markers. Label-free techniques exploit properties inherent to the cell, such as density and size, to simplify the sorting protocol and reduce cost by eliminating the need …

Phylogenetic, Genomic And Morphological Investigations Of Three Lance Nematode Species (Hoplolaimus Spp.), Xinyuan Ma

All Dissertations

Lance nematodes (Hoplolaimus spp.) are migratory ecto-endo plant-parasitic. They have been found from a wide range of the world that feed on the roots of a diversity of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, and have caused a great agricultural damage. Since more taxonomic knowledge and molecular references are demanded for the lance nematode phylogeny and population study, four chapters of lance nematode researches on three species were presented here: (1) A new species, Hoplolaimus smokyensis n. sp., was discovered from a mixed forest sample of maple (Acer sp.), hemlock (Tsuga sp.) and silverbell (Halesia carolina) from …

Surface Functionalized Gold Nanoparticle Applications In Catalysis And Lipid-Nanoparticle Assemblies, Saptarshi Chakraborty

All Dissertations

The general objectives of my dissertation are to devise strategies to impart unique functionality to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through surface modification and utilizing such surface-functionalized AuNP systems to 1) facilitate colloidal catalyst recovery and reuse while maintaining activity and 2) measure the interactions of engineered AuNPs with biological membranes as related to stimuli-responsive liposomal therapeutics.

AuNP surface functionalization is an essential step in the synthesis, stability and functionality-specific applications of AuNPs. Due to the ability to control AuNP shape, size and surface properties, AuNP applications have seen an exponential growth in various sectors that include catalysis, biomedicine, drug-delivery, sensing, imaging, …

Characterization And Cultivation Of Marine Protist, Thraustochytrium Striatum For High-Value Bioproducts, Rui Xiao

All Dissertations

DHA/EPA producing marine protists have recently become more attractive due to their additional high-value products, including extracellular enzymes, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and astaxanthin. In this study, Thraustochytrium striatum ATCC 24473 was studied and the cultivation conditions were been optimized to achieve high biomass and fatty acid yield. Results showed that seawater salinity, neutral pH and mild rotation speed favored biomass growth, while better lipid accumulation was observed under high C/N ratio, higher salinity or high pH. Comparison in different carbon sources showed starch and glycerol improved fatty acid accumulation the most, and ammonia chloride was the best nitrogen source …

Disability Inclusion In 4-H: Aligned With The Mission, Stopped Short By Methods, Jennifer Taylor-Winney, Leanne Giordono, Marilyn Lesmeister, Meghann Fenn

Journal of Youth Development

Quality out-of-school programs can significantly improve youth development outcomes. Youth with disabilities and special health care needs, who represent 19% of all youth, are less likely than their typically developing peers to participate in out-of-school activities. This qualitative study explored factors that influence the inclusion of youth with disabilities in one state’s 4-H program. Factors that facilitated inclusion were personal attitudes and subjective norms, but lack of knowledge and limited resources led to reactive problem solving rather than proactive, organizational planning. By identifying both the factors that facilitate inclusion and those that prevent it or are perceived as barriers, youth …

Agventure: Establishing The Link Between Stem And Agriculture, Becky Ridgeway, Virginia Brown

Journal of Youth Development

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is an integral part of primary school curriculum. AgVenture allows Extension to teach 4th graders about the connection between STEM and agriculture. Extension educators in Maryland developed hands-on activities around animals, plant sciences and nutrition, while linking station-specific activities back to STEM standards. Pretests and posttests show a statistically significant change in STEM-related knowledge by students, while feedback from teachers demonstrates the educational value of the program. Because of these results, AgVenture has grown and now has a waiting list of interested schools. The success of the AgVenture program can be replicated in …

Introduction: Yeats And Mass Communications, David Dwan, Emilie Morin

International Yeats Studies

W. B. Yeats’s pursuit of an audience led him into the world of mass media—a landscape populated first by newspapers and later by radios, which he learned to navigate with shrewdness and skill. The purpose of this special issue is to examine Yeats’s various ventures in mass communication. Enlisting a broad range of critical approaches, contributors to this volume show how the demands of print journalism and radio broadcasting informed Yeats’s poetics, his thinking about the social vocation of art, and his ideas about how literature might be best received and structured. The essays also examine the reception and legacies …

International Yeats Studies, Volume 3, Issue 1

International Yeats Studies

No abstract provided.

Variation In Regional And Landscape Effects On Occupancy Of Temperate Bats In The Southeastern U.S., Benjamin D. Neece, Susan C. Loeb, David S. Jachowski

Publications

Habitat loss, wind energy development, and the disease white-nose syndrome are major threats contributing to declines in bat populations in North America. In the southeastern US in particular, the recent arrival of white-nose syndrome and changes in landscape composition and configuration have driven shifts in bat species populations and distributions. Effective management strategies which address these large-scale, community-level threats require landscape-scale analyses. Our objective was to model the relationship between ecoregional and landscape factors and occupancy by all bat species in South Carolina, USA, during summer. We conducted acoustic surveys from mid-May through July 2015 and 2016 and evaluated temporally …

Clemson Trustees Minutes, 2018 October 19, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Cooperative Planning For Source Water Protection: Targeting Sediment In The Upper Saluda River Watershed, Melanie Ruhlman, Angela Vandelay, Cindy Roper

S.C. Water Resources Conference

The South Carolina Water Resources Conference (SCWRC) provides an integrated forum for discussion of water policies, research projects and water management in order to prepare for and meet the growing challenge of providing water resources to sustain and grow South Carolina’s economy, while preserving our natural resources.

Staff Senate Minutes, 2018 October 9, Clemson University

Staff Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Fy2019 All Salaries Over $50,000, Clemson University

Salary Reports

No abstract provided.

Imagine, Maggie Mason Smith

Publications

No abstract provided.

Comparative Venom-Gland Transcriptomics And Venom Proteomics Of Four Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus Cerastes) Lineages Reveal Little Differential Expression Despite Individual Variation, Erich P. Hofmann, Rhett M. Rautsaw, Jason L. Strickland, Matthew L. Holding, Michael P. Hogan, Andrew J. Mason, Darin R. Rokyta, Christopher L. Parkinson

Publications

Changes in gene expression can rapidly influence adaptive traits in the early stages of lineage diversification. Venom is an adaptive trait comprised of numerous toxins used for prey capture and defense. Snake venoms can vary widely between conspecific populations, but the influence of lineage diversification on such compositional differences are unknown. To explore venom differentiation in the early stages of lineage diversification, we used RNA-seq and mass spectrometry to characterize Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes) venom. We generated the first venom-gland transcriptomes and complementary venom proteomes for eight individuals collected across the United States and tested for expression differences …

Clemson Chronicle, Fall 2018, Clemson University

Clemson Chronicle

Clemson University's twice-yearly literary magazine, featuring creative prose, poetry, features, art and photography.

A Better Way Of Farming, Stephanie Rains, Brooke A. Whitworth

Publications

No abstract provided.