Digital Commons Network^™

Impacts Of Exposure To A High Concentrate Based Diet On Marbling Development In Beef Cattle, Brandon Michael Koch

All Dissertations

The value of a carcass is largely dependent on lipid deposition. The subcutaneous and visceral depots are often reported to develop and fill first. These depots also have little to no value, and often result in carcass price discounts. The intramuscular depot is well correlated with consumer palatability and carcass value. The ability to increase deposition of intramuscular lipid while minimizing the filling of low value fat depots provides ample opportunity to improve carcass value. Three studies were performed to investigate the ability to improve marbling deposition by altering the timing and duration of exposure to high concentrate diets. The …

Fabrication Of Human Serum Albumin Film For Enhanced Hemocompatibility And Mitigation Of Intimal Hyperplasia Under Physiologically Relevant Flow Shear Conditions, Astha Khanna

All Dissertations

Current endovascular stents and synthetic vascular grafts have poor clinical outcomes in small diameter applications due to high incidence of thrombogenicity and intimal hyperplasia. To address this, we have developed an albumin film for mitigation of the complications of platelet adhesion and smooth muscle cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy. A human serum albumin (HSA) film is fabricated on an anchoring layer of poly (glycidyl methacrylate) on surfaces of metallic and polymeric substrates. The PGMA and HSA layers are characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and contact angle analysis. We have confirmed the thromboresistance of albumin film …

Investigating Embodied Interaction In Near-Field Perception-Action Re-Calibration On Performance In Immersive Virtual Environments, Elham Ebrahimi

All Dissertations

Immersive Virtual Environments (IVEs) are becoming more accessible and more widely utilized for training. Previous research has shown that the matching of visual and proprioceptive information is important for calibration. Many state-of-the art Virtual Reality (VR) systems, commonly known as Immersive Virtual Environments (IVE), are created for training users in tasks that require accurate manual dexterity. Unfortunately, these systems can suffer from technical limitations that may force de-coupling of visual and proprioceptive information due to interference, latency, and tracking error. It has also been suggested that closed-loop feedback of travel and locomotion in an IVE can overcome compression of visually …

Naturally Derived Anti-Inflammatory And Antibacterial Coatings For Surgical Implants, Dmitry Gil

All Dissertations

The evolution of surgical approaches and procedures over the past century is remarkable. The brutality and risks associated with operations has substantially decreased, whereas the procedures themselves became safe and efficient. Nevertheless, none of the surgical procedures is completely safe, reliable and painless, which often leads to the patients experiencing post-operative discomforts. These discomforts are usually resolved within several days after the operation, and do not require any additional prophylaxes or treatments. However, in some cases, surgeries are followed by post-operative complications that cannot be resolved without additional medical attention. Shock, hemorrhage, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary complications, urinary retention, reaction …

Whole Body Irradiation And Degradation Of Structural And Functional Properties Of Mouse Bone: X-Rays, Protons, And Heavy Ions, Laura Christine Bowman

All Dissertations

Bone loss has been identified as a characteristic response to radiation exposure in both clinical and space settings. One of the known long-term consequences of radiation treatment for cancer is increased risk of fracture due to declined bone health. Astronauts are also at risk, although the sources and total doses are much different than that of radiotherapy patients. The development of radiation protection countermeasures for long-term space missions requires a thorough understanding of the radiation's biological effects and the mechanisms behind them. The main objective of these studies is to further our understanding of the effect spaceflight relevant radiation has …

The Evolutionary Diversity Of Uracil Dna Glycosylase Superfamily, Jing Li

All Dissertations

Uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG) is a crucial member in the base excision (BER) pathway that is able to specially recognize and cleave the deaminated DNA bases, including uracil (U), hypoxanthine (inosine, I), xanthine (X) and oxanine (O). Currently, based on the sequence similarity of 3 functional motifs, the UDG superfamily is divided into 6 families. Each family has evolved distinct substrate specificity and properties. In this thesis, I broadened the UDG superfamily by characterization of three new groups of enzymes. In chapter 2, we identified a new subgroup of enzyme in family 3 SMUG1 from Listeria Innocua. This newly found …

Ant-Inspired Interaction Networks For Decentralized Vehicular Traffic Congestion Control, Andreas Kasprzok

All Dissertations

Mimicking the autonomous behaviors of animals and their adaptability to changing or foreign environments lead to the development of swarm intelligence techniques such as ant colony optimization (ACO) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) now widely used to tackle a variety of optimization problems. The aim of this dissertation is to develop an alternative swarm intelligence model geared toward decentralized congestion avoidance and to determine qualities of the model suitable for use in a transportation network.

A microscopic multi-agent interaction network inspired by insect foraging behaviors, especially ants, was developed and consequently adapted to prioritize the avoidance of congestion, evaluated as …

Expanding The Genetic Toolbox To Improve Metabolic Engineering In The Industrial Oleaginous Yeast, Yarrowia Lipolytica, Murtaza Shabbir Hussain

All Dissertations

The oleaginous yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica, is becoming a popular host for industrial biotechnology because of its ability to grow on non-conventional feedstocks and naturally accumulate significant amounts of lipids. With new genome editing technologies, engineering novel pathways to produce lipid-derived oleochemicals has become easier. The goal, however, is to expand the genetic toolbox to improve the efficiency of metabolic engineering such that production capacities could expand from proof-of-concept shake flasks to an industrial scale. Building efficient metabolic circuits require controlling strength and timing of several enzymes in a metabolic pathway. One method to do this is through transcription – …

Exploring Teachers' Read-Aloud Book Selections: What Drives The Decision, Rachael L. Ross

All Dissertations

Reading aloud is a common classroom practice that has many cognitive and affective benefits for students. Early childhood teachers conduct read-aloud events in classrooms across the country on a daily basis. A read-aloud event could not occur without the intentional selection of a book. This exploratory, sequential mixed method study explored the current use and frequency of read-alouds in K-2 classrooms. Specifically, the study sought to better understand teachers' decision-making when choosing books to read aloud. This mixed method study occurred in two sequential phases: a qualitative phase followed by a quantitative phase. During the first phase, fifteen teachers were …

Trace Plutonium Geochemistry In Hydrogeological Systems Containing Natural Organic Matter, Nathan Alec Conroy

All Dissertations

Plutonium (Pu) mobility through the subsurface is dependent on the chemical composition of the source-term and biogeochemical conditions that impact its speciation. Regardless of future decision making, existing stockpiles of Pu need to be isolated from the biosphere. Therefore, understanding the speciation of trace Pu is essential for assessing and mitigating any risk of Pu transport from the source-term to a human or environmental receptor. After a brief introduction (Chapter One) and statement of research objectives (Chapter Two), this dissertation investigated Pu speciation under saturated conditions and in the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) and pure synthesized mineral phases. …

A Comprehensive Model And Modulation Of Cellular Signaling Involved In Early Mammary Development And Aggressive Cancer Using A Novel Recombinant Protein Of The G3 Domain Of Laminin-5, Kathryn Adrian Elliott

All Dissertations

The mammary gland is a unique and specialized epidermal organ; mammary organogenesis begins in the embryo but is not fully complete until puberty. As such, formation of the mammary gland depends on temporally and spatially regulated developmental steps that require coordination of multiple biological and cell signaling processes; many of which have parallels with cancer development. Research describing the events that occur between birth and puberty is lacking and little is known about human breast development of youth. Since mammary gland development requires a coordinated balance between cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis, it is critical to understand which signaling pathways …

In Vitro Diabetic-Hypertensive Cellular-Response Evaluation Model For In-Stent Restenosis, Varun Chawla

All Dissertations

Drug-eluting stents have revolutionized the field of interventional cardiology and with the advent of their second-generation, percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents is the clinically preferred method. These stents have shown remarkable performance in reducing neointimal hyperplasia and thus, clinical manifestation of restenosis. Despite significant technological advances in DES, high-risk patient populations are still affected by in-stent restenosis. Diabetes and hypertension are the two most common patient-specific complications that result in the development of restenosis even in DES era. Currently, percutaneous interventional approaches are not designed specifically to address the pathophysiological progression of restenosis in diabetic and hypertensive patients and …

Urban Youth Perceptions Of Agriculture, Sharon Jean-Philippe, Jennifer Richards, Kimberly Gwinn, Caula Beyl

Journal of Youth Development

To change public perceptions, particularly from urban populations, of agriculture and natural resources (ANR) fields, the University of Tennessee developed a model of strategic educational recruitment to extend beyond traditional college fair experiences to educate underrepresented candidates. The High School Agricultural Education Initiative (HSAI) provided 10th-grade students with opportunities to: (a) gain knowledge of and appreciation for disciplines in agriculture and natural resources, (b) learn about college admissions standards, (c) network with college students and staff to learn about campus resources, and (d) understand how a college education improves professional opportunities. The HSAI (n = 122) was effective at increasing …

Defining Beauty: The Paterian Yeats, Elizabeth Muller

International Yeats Studies

This essay contends that W.B. Yeats’s quest for beauty in art has far more in common with Walter Pater’s aesthetic views than is generally acknowledged. This article particularly focuses on Greek art, which provided both writers with paradigms with which to articulate their aesthetic theories. Yeats made ample use of Pater’s distinction between Ionian and Dorian art, and this opposition may in fact lie at the root of Yeats’s esoteric system set down in A Vision and based upon two contrary types of individuals, civilizations, and religions. The iconic power of art as a magical transformer of reality is asserted …

The Tiger Vol. 112 Issue 9 2017-11-13, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers 2017

No abstract provided.

The Tiger Vol. 112 Issue 8 2017-11-06, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers 2017

No abstract provided.

Recurrent Sublethal Warming Reduces Embryonic Survival, Inhibits Juvenile Growth, And Alters Species Distribution Projections Under Climate Change, Michael A. Carlo, Eric A. Riddell, Ofir Levy, Michael W. Sears

Publications

The capacity to tolerate climate change often varies across ontogeny in organisms with complex life cycles. Recently developed species distribution models incorporate traits across life stages; however, these life-cycle models primarily evaluate effects of lethal change. Here, we examine impacts of recurrent sublethal warming on development and survival in ecological projections of climate change. We reared lizard embryos in the laboratory under temperature cycles that simulated contemporary conditions and warming scenarios. We also artificially warmed natural nests to mimic laboratory treatments. In both cases, recurrent sublethal warming decreased embryonic survival and hatchling sizes. Incorporating survivorship results into a mechanistic species …

Out In The Field - Learning About Plant Diversity, Stephani Beyea, Brooke A. Whitworth

Publications

How do we help students understand the world they live in? How do we make the science we teach relevant and relatable to their everyday environment? One approach to making science come alive for students is to engage in place-based education opportunities. Place-based education engages students with their local culture, ecology, and landscapes (PEEC 2010). It encourages students to use the land and resources in their community to learn and to better understand the environment in which they live. Research indicates that place-based education can increase student achievement and help students develop a connection to their environment (PEEC 2010). It …

Co-Measure: Developing An Assessment For Student Collaboration In Steam Activities, Danielle Herro, Cassie F. Quigley, Jessica Andrews, Girlie Delacruz

Publications

Background

The shortage of skilled workers choosing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers in the USA and worldwide has fueled a movement towards STEAM, in which the “A” addresses the arts and humanities. STEAM education has been proposed as a way to offer relevant problems to solve while drawing on creative and collaborative skills to increase interest and engagement in these fields. Despite the interest in increasing STEAM globally, research on the efficacy of instructional approaches, including ways to assess collaborative problem solving (CPS), is lacking.

Results

This paper reports the development of a rubric, named Co-Measure, for researchers …

The Tiger Vol. 112 Issue 6 2017-10-09, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers 2017

No abstract provided.

Fy2018 All Salaries $30-50,000, Clemson University

Salary Reports

No abstract provided.

Interfaces Of Strategic Leaders: A Conceptual Framework, Review, And Research Agenda, Zeki Simsek, Ciaran Heavey, Brian Curtis Fox

Publications

Interfaces are of growing importance for theorizing and testing the influence of strategic leaders on firm behavior and actions. But despite their relevance and ubiquity, the lack of a commonly accepted definition and unifying framework has hindered researchers’ ability to take stock, synthesize, and systematize extant knowledge. We first develop an encompassing definition and organizing framework to review 122 prior studies across three decades. We then chart promising directions for future research around three concepts central to the framework and review: (1) Why do interfaces occur? (2) What happens at these interfaces? and (3) What are the impacts of interfaces? …

Cotton/Soybean Insect Newsletter, September 7, 2017, Jeremy K. Greene

Clemson University Cotton/Soybean Insect Newsletter

No abstract provided.

2017 Annual Accountability Report, Clemson University

Accountability Reports

Clemson University's 2016-2017 Annual Accountability Report submitted to the South Carolina Budget and Control Board.

2017 Annual Accountability Report (Psa), Clemson University

Accountability Reports

The 2016-2017 Annual Accountability Report for Clemson's PSA submitted to the South Carolina Budget and Control Board.

Colleges And Universities: Prime Habitat For Hunter Recruitment And Retention, Brett Jonathon Stayton

All Theses

Hunting has played a prominent role throughout American history and continues to serve many important social, economic, and ecological functions in our society today. However, hunting participation in the United States is in a gradual state of decline. Today, less than 5% of the population hunts. In hopes of reversing these trends, many state fish and wildlife agencies, conservation organizations, and hunting and shooting sports industries have increasingly invested in new programs designed to enhance the recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of new hunters from non-traditional hunting backgrounds. For example, many R3 initiatives have been designed to focus on women, …

Variations In Biocorona Formation Related To Defects In The Structure Of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes And The Hyperlipidemic Disease State, Achyut J. Raghavendra, Kristofer Fritz, Sherleen Fu, Jared M. Brown, Ramakrishna Podila, Jonathan H. Shannahan

Publications

Ball-milling utilizes mechanical stress to modify properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) including size, capping, and functionalization. Ball-milling, however, may introduce structural defects resulting in altered CNT-biomolecule interactions. Nanomaterial-biomolecule interactions result in the formation of the biocorona (BC), which alters nanomaterial properties, function, and biological responses. The formation of the BC is governed by the nanomaterial physicochemical properties and the physiological environment. Underlying disease states such as cardiovascular disease can alter the biological milieu possibly leading to unique BC identities. In this ex vivo study, we evaluated variations in the formation of the BC on single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) due to physicochemical …

Biosorption And Bioreduction's Impact On The Mobility Of Uranium And Cesium, Sarah Tandy Hennessy

All Theses

Microbial interactions with radionuclides in the environment are multi-faceted and play an important role on the fate and the extent of transport of these metals within the biosphere. Understanding how these biotic interactions affect radionuclides could prove useful in developing more suitable waste containment facilities and improve the overall risk management strategies at legacy waste sites around the world. This study investigates two microbial interactions with these metals: biosorption and bioreduction. To elucidate the impact of biosorption on uranium and cesium, active and inactive biomass were analyzed using batch sorption experiments in the presence of complexing ligands, EDTA and citrate, …

Kingdom Rush Tribute: Porting A 2d Tower Defense Game To A 3d World Using Unreal Engine 4, Christian Stith

All Theses

Video game remakes are a popular modern phenomenon in which an existing game is remade to target a different platform, a higher resolution, or simply a different audience. Seldom, however, are video games remade into a different genre altogether. In this paper, we describe the process of remaking Kingdom Rush, a popular top-down 2D tower defense game, into a 3D third-person shooter in Unreal Engine 4. In addition to recreating all visual components of the game in 3D, this process revealed several challenges that arose related to transferring the gameplay from a 2D screen to a 3D world. We describe …

Examining The Effects Of Altered Avatars On Perception-Action In Virtual Reality, Brian Day

All Dissertations

In virtual reality avatars are animated graphical representation of a person embedded in a virtual environment. Previous research has illustrated the benefits of having an avatar when perceiving aspects of virtual reality. We studied the effect that a non-faithful, or altered, avatar had on the perception of one's action capabilities in VR. In Experiment 1, one group of participants acted with a normal, or faithful, avatar and the other group of participants used an avatar with an extended arm, all in virtual reality. In Experiment 2, the same methodology and procedure was used as in Experiment 1, except only the …