Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Perceptions Of Campus Climate Among Mixed Race Students Attending A Predominantly White Institution, Catherine Team Sturm

All Dissertations

This narrative inquiry intended to capture the lived stories told by nine, full-time, undergraduate students, who self-identified as two or more races, to better understand their perceptions of campus climate at a predominately white institution (PWI). The conceptual framework consisted of the study of multiraciality, Renn’s Ecological Theory of Mixed Race Student Identity Development, perceptions of campus climate at a PWI, and the relationships between perceptions of campus climate and individual differences.

A written prompt activity and background questions elicited written and verbal responses that assisted with identifying ecological factors and identity patterns of each study participant. Each study participant …

Surprise. Aesthetics And Sensibilities Of Rhetorics, Matthew J. Osborn

All Dissertations

This dissertation investigates relationships scholars have with information and art associated with aesthetic and theoretical disruptions. Its governing metaphor is the surprise affect, figured as a rhetorical and aesthetic event. My purposes are to evaluate institutional and scholastic responses to both desirable and disastrous information-aesthetic liminalities, trial performative engagements with surprises, and propose viable ways of engaging "innovation" for writing instruction. It is argued that aesthetic (i.e., relational in the sense that it is not immediate), performative, and temporal engagements with surprising objects of study are relatively viable options when considered alongside the "critical" manuscript. While the aesthetic has sometimes …

Characterization And Control Of Ophiosphaerella Spp. Causing Spring Dead Spot Of Bermudagrass In South Carolina, Usa And Buenos Aires, Argentina, Alejandro L. Canegallo

All Dissertations

Spring dead spot (SDS) disease is an important root disease of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) in transition zone habitats around the world. Causal agents have been identified in the U.S. as Ophiosphaerella korrae (OK), O. herpotricha (OH), and O. narmari, but they have not been identified in Argentina (ARG).

Creation Of A Pioneer-Neuron Axonal Pathfinding Model For Future Applications In Developmental Neurotoxicity Testing, Nicholas Robert Erdman

All Dissertations

The developing central nervous system is a unique target for environmental toxicants both pre- and postnatal. Exposure to industrial chemical toxicants at various stages throughout development are known to contribute to injuries that result in autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other cognitive impairments [81]. The damage caused by these exposures is often untreatable and frequently permanent, resulting in reduced intelligence (expressed in terms of lost IQ points) or behavioral abnormalities. It is now reported that 10-15% of all births are associated with disorders of neurobehavioral development [81], where 1 in 68 children in the United States is diagnosed …

Comprehensive Investigation Into The Utility Of Amnion Membrane Derived Stem Cells For Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Applications, Natasha Topoluk

All Dissertations

Diseases affecting the cartilage and/or bone, including osteoarthritis (OA), are the most prevalent musculoskeletal tissue pathologies. OA is the result of cartilage degradation, altered sub-chondral bone, impaired joint mobility and severe pain - making it one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. While OA is stereotypically described as a physical wear and tear disease, mounting evidence suggests that synovial inflammation significantly contributes to its pathogenesis. In OA, macrophages infiltrate the synovium and secrete supra-physiological levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which create a caustic joint environment promoting articular cartilage degradation. Due to the pro-inflammatory characteristics of OA, the immunomodulatory potential of …

Identity Design: Challenging Archetypes With Feminist Approaches To Video Game Design, Lauren Woolbright

All Dissertations

Lack of diversity in video games and the mainstream games industry warrants an inclusive, feminist approach to game design. Producing a feminist video game as a core component of my dissertation will impact rhetorical, literary, game, and feminist studies, emphasizing the benefits of embracing electrate and playful modes of identity formation and pedagogy.

Interfacial Properties Of Siloxane Containing Semifluorinated Diblock Copolymer And Nanocomposite Under Confinement, Umesh M. Shrestha

All Dissertations

Interfacial structure and response of complex diblock copolymer thin films and polymer nanocomposites were studied using neutron reflectometry (NR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and surface tension measurement. The interfacial structure and composition of the polymer at interfaces differ from those of bulk properties that underline their numerous applications such as smart coating, lubricants, and microelectronics. Here, I present the study of semifluorinated diblock copolymer poly trifluoro propyl methyl siloxane (PTFPMS-b-PS or SiF-b-PS) thin films and the dispersion of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) nanoparticle (NP) in symmetric polystyrene-b-poly dimethyl siloxane (PS-b-PDMS) diblock copolymer. Semifluorinated polymers are of a particular interest because …

May 2016 Full Issue

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Humoral Immune Responses In Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) And Kemp's Ridley (Lepidochelys Kempii) Sea Turtles, Maria L. Rodgers

All Dissertations

Sea turtles are a unique group of marine organisms that live in tropical and temperate waters across the globe. They are one of just a few groups of marine reptiles that currently inhabit oceanic environments, and therefore fill an important and distinct role in marine ecosystems. Though much research has been conducted on sea turtle nesting and ecology, comparatively little research has been done on sea turtle immunology, especially in turtles other than green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). Using a simple technique, immunoglobulin Y (IgY), which is found in reptiles, birds, and amphibians, was purified. Using standard techniques, polyclonal antisera …

Investigation Of Electrical Properties On Material By Modifying Interfacial And Grain Surface Properties, Na Hao

All Dissertations

Spectral induced polarization (SIP) has become a popular and useful tool for minimally-invasive monitoring of subsurface bio/geochemical processes due to its high sensitivity to the surface chemical properties of rocks and soils. However, it is not clear what mechanisms affecting the electrical properties of a porous medium, especially those leading to alteration of the pore space and mineral surfaces are responsible for the observed polarization in electrical signatures. A general objective of this work, therefore, is to test grain polarization mechanism as one of the controversial theories explaining the polarization observed in SIP measurements. In this dissertation I post several …

Bacteriophage Treatment Of Hydrogen Sulfide-Producing Bacteria And Salmonella Biofilms In Rendering Processing Environment, Chao Gong

All Dissertations

Raw animal by-products destined for rendering process may contain high population of harmful microorganisms including hydrogen sulfide-producing bacteria (SPB) and Salmonella. SPB are the spoilage bacteria that can utilize sulfur-containing compounds of raw animal by-products to produce hazardous gas-hydrogen sulfide (H2S) which is toxic. Salmonella may contaminate the rendered animal meals resulting in an introduction of human pathogens into the food chain. Furthermore, both SPB and Salmonella are likely to form biofilms on the various surfaces in rendering processing environment, serving as the source of recontamination and causing persistent microbiological safety problems. Therefore, novel and practical strategies to control these …

Three Essays On The Introduction And Impact Of Baggage Fees In The U.S. Airline Industry, Alexander Fiore

All Dissertations

This dissertation encompasses three papers. My first paper examines how one firm's decision to unbundle its product affects its competitors' pricing strategies. Existing literature discusses the effect on prices of the unbundling firm, but previous work often ignores the asymmetric scenario where one firm unbundles while the competing firm does not. I contribute to the literature by modeling and empirically testing the asymmetric case of product unbundling on competitors' prices using a large dataset of U.S. domestic airfares. My differentiated product model with add-on pricing predicts a firm's base good price, regardless of whether it unbundles its own product, will …

Manipulating Cardiovascular Cellular Interactions And Mechanics: A Multidimensional And Multimodal Approach, Aesha Yogesh Desai

All Dissertations

The goal of this dissertation is to better understand cellular mechanics across length scales for the development of computational models of tissue behavior. To this end, we had two major approaches, multidimensional and multimodal. Firstly, to use a model that better mimics in vivo like cellular environment, microtissue (spheroid) cell culture system was used to study cell mechanics. Secondly, a novel technique was designed to study single cell mechanics in multiple dimensions. Cell mechanical properties are directly related to the composition and organization of the cytoskeleton, which is physically coupled to neighboring cells through adherens junctions and to extracellular matrix …

Organization-Stakeholder Interaction Through Social Media: A Tri-Level Investigation, Categorization, And Research Agenda, James Edward Burleson

All Dissertations

The increasing proliferation of social media use by organizations has amplified the need to address the means by which organizations can utilize this new form of communication most effectively. Social media offer organizations enhanced abilities to communicate with outside stakeholders, made possible through unique communication characteristics and an increased level of communicative connectivity. This dissertation advances our understanding of organization-stakeholder communication by investigating the phenomenon across three levels. At the global level, we present a categorization of interaction behaviors, with prescriptions for researching each category across three research perspectives. At the organizational level, we utilize three case studies to describe …

Numerical Investigation Of Porous And Non-Porous Pipe With Free Overfall, Tanjina Afrin

All Dissertations

This dissertation presents results of a computational investigation into the discharge characteristics of two stormwater runoff management approach, i.e., a perforated pipe-aggregate underdrain system, a common setup used in various Low Impact Development (LID) strategies and Best Management Practices (BMPs), and a circular pipe free overfall. A three-dimensional model of a perforated pipe-aggregate underdrain system was developed and validated using previously published experimental results for saturated subsurface flow (flow where the water surface is above the top of the aggregate) for a 10.2 cm perforated pipe shrouded in loose laid aggregate. Results showed that for the saturated case, the orifice …

Februrary 22, 2016 Conference Call, Kelli Getz

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

2016 Committee Annual Reports/Updates

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Historic Preservation As Social Justice: Analyzing Historic Charleston Foundation's Elliottborough Neighborhood Impact Initiative, Lourdes Naomi Doddington

All Theses

While scholars debate the causes of gentrification and some question if it exists, the revitalization of inner-city neighborhoods more often than not results in the displacement of many of its residents. Failure to engage the unintended consequences of gentrification are world-wide. Some policy-makers embraced gentrification as a panacea for all their city's problems. The displacement of the urban poor and lower-middle class weakens not only their bonds with generations of community but also the character of the neighborhood which attracted the gentrifiers in the first place. Grassroots organizations have attempted anti-displacement efforts by in many places, but there have been …

Biodegradation Of The Oil Dispersant Component, Propylene Glycol, Amanda Jean Kunkle

All Theses

The Deepwater Horizon explosion and seafloor well blow out was the largest accidental oil spill in history. An estimated 206 million gallons of oil were released over the span of almost three months before it was successfully capped. In response, an oil dispersant called COREXIT was controversially applied in hopes of dissolving the massive quantities of oil, spreading it out within the water column, and avoiding accumulation on beaches. COREXIT is a mixture of cosolvents and surfactants that increases the solubility of oil in water. It was applied in large quantities, although information on the fate of specific compounds in …

Characterization Of Amoebae Interactions With Four Non-Pneumophila Legionella Species, Allison Margaret Palmer

All Theses

Legionella is the causative agent Legionnaires’ Disease and the number one cause of bacterial water-borne outbreaks in the United States. 85% of Legionnaires’ Disease cases are attributed to one species, L. pneumophila. Other virulent Legionella species exist, yet we have limited knowledge of them. Four non-pneumophila species: L. clemsonensis, L. gormanii, L. anisa, and the uncharacterized strain D4482, were chosen to assess host interactions with two species of amoebae, Acanthamoeba polyphaga and A. castellanii. Interactions were assessed with both planktonic, amoebae grown and biofilm Legionella. For planktonic assays, L. pneumophila invaded significantly higher into A. castellanii than into A. polyphaga. …

Fabrication And Characterization Of Heparin-Immobilized Electrospun Nanofibers For Vascular Suture Applications, Michael J. Dibalsi

All Theses

One of the most significant complications of vascular surgery is thrombosis, which is the formation of blood clots at the surgical site. Another significant complication is stenosis - an overgrowth of cells during the healing process, which narrows the same artery the surgeons were trying to open. These complications often lead to additional surgeries and carry increased morbidity and mortality for the patients. Numerous pharmaceutical agents have been tested to prevent these complications, but the results have been disappointing. The agents either have unacceptable systemic effects, or they cannot achieve a controlled, timed release in the circulation. Heparin is the …

Woman As Place: The Utilization Of The Female Body In Horror Film, Madison Alisa Johnson

All Theses

By combining the works of theorists like Yi-Fu Tuan, Luce Irigaray, and Carol Clover, with the films Rosemary's Baby (Dir. Roman Polanski, 1968) and It Follows (Dir. David Robert Mitchell, 2015), I am exploring where the philosophy of space and place collides with horror film and anxiety. Women are told to fit specific roles, to serve specific purposes. Within the scope of the horror genre, the woman under scrutiny is the "final girl," a girl that Clover says will survive the film to tell her story. We use the body of the final girl as a receptacle for anxiety and …

Tailoredre: A Personalized Cloud-Based Traffic Redundancy Elimination For Smartphones, Vivekgautham Soundararaj

All Theses

The exceptional rise in usages of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets has contributed to a massive increase in wireless network trac both Cellular (3G/4G/LTE) and WiFi. The unprecedented growth in wireless network trac not only strain the battery of the mobile devices but also bogs down the last-hop wireless access links. Interestingly, a signicant part of this data trac exhibits high level of redundancy in them due to repeated access of popular contents in the web. Hence, a good amount of research both in academia and in industries has studied, analyzed and designed diverse systems that attempt to …

Dragon Slayer Short Film Modeling And Rigging A Quadruped Dragon, William W. Glover

All Theses

This thesis is a look at the design and implementation of a quadrupedal dragon, as specified by the needs of the short film Dragonslayer. It looks at the modeling of the three dimensional creature from artistic and technical points of view. The dragon is a worldwide fantasy and cultural icon, and this thesis focuses on the creation of one grounded in the western fantasy of the middle ages. The western dragons have four legs, a pair of wings, horns, and a relatively stout body in comparison to the eastern dragons, which more closely resemble serpents and possess antlers instead of …

The Tiger Vol. 110 Issue 25 2016-04-25, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers 2016

No abstract provided.

The Tiger Vol. 110 Issue 26 2016-04-18, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers 2016

No abstract provided.

The Tiger Vol. 110 Issue 25 2016-04-14, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers 2016

No abstract provided.

Clemson Trustees Minutes, 2016 April 13, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Tiger Vol. 110 Issue 24 2016-04-11, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers 2016

No abstract provided.

The Tiger Vol. 110 Issue 23 2016-04-07, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers 2016

No abstract provided.