Digital Commons Network^™

Managing Legitimacy Through Presidential Transition In The Bible College, Robert Wood Jr.

All Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to analyze the presidential transition at Northland Baptist Bible College and compare it to the current literature on presidential transition with respect to the grounded theory of social legitimacy. The context of the examination was the presidential transition of a long-time president leaving office and passing the mantle to a younger, incoming president. The methods for this research study were qualitative and phenomenological in nature.
The data was collected through interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and literature review. A strong triangulation of information aided in providing a comprehensive picture of the presidential transition that …

The Power Of Initiation: Gubernatorial Proposals In Economic Development Policy, Charles Taylor

All Dissertations

A governor's role as chief legislator is based on his ability to recommend legislation and then use his powers to have his proposals enacted and implemented as public policies. Many gubernatorial scholars contend that this legislative role allows governors to exert greater influence than other political actors on state public policies (Bernick and Wiggins 1991; Herzik 1991; Sanford 1967). Other scholars argue that the ability of governors to exercise policy leadership may be overstated, because factors outside of a governor's direct control may constrain his policy choices (DiLeo 1997; Gross 1991). In this study, I assess the influence of these …

Instructional Proxemics: Creating A Place For Space In Instructional Communication Discourse, John Mcarthur

All Dissertations

Changes in strategies of teaching and learning, changes in students, and changes in technology have necessitated contemporary changes in spaces of learning. Grounded in the general model of instructional communication (McCroskey, Valencic, & Richmond, 2004), this study proposes Instructional Proxemics as a conceptual framework for assessing the instructional environment through a blending of instructional communication and information/user-experience design. In a field-experiment involving five instructors teaching 15 sections of Public Speaking, students (n = 234) were invited to respond to a survey assessing measures of student learning, teacher behaviors, classroom practices, and classroom perceptions.
Results of this study indicate that learning …

Perfluorocyclobutyl Aryl Ether Polymers: A Modular Approach To Tailored Emission, Andrew Neilson

All Dissertations

Aryl trifluorovinyl ethers (TFVE) are versatile precursors to perfluorocyclobutyl aryl ether (PFCB) polymers. TFVE functionalized chromophores of a variety of colors have been synthesized for copolymerization to form PFCB polymers with tunable emissive properties. TFVE small molecule chromophores containing fluorene, benzothiadiazole, and bisthiophene show superb emissive properties and prove that the TFVE and PFCB structures have no effect on chromophore emission. Copolymerization of these chromophores with commercial TFVE monomers produced high molecular weight, thermally stable, emissive materials. With the use of trifunctional TFVE monomers these materials can be made into optical glasses. PFCB-phenylene vinylenes were prepared by Wittig polymerization and …

Carbon Nanotubes And Nanocomposites For Thermal And Electrical Applications, Wei Wang

All Dissertations

The known electrical and thermal properties of carbon nanotubes have prompted many predictions on their extraordinary potentials for ultimately performing polymeric nanocomposites. In this dissertation, chemical modification and functionalization of carbon nanotubes have been demonstrated as being effective for high-quality polymeric carbon nanotube composites, especially with our approach of using polymers that are structurally identical or maximally similar to the matrix polymers in the nanotube functionalization. For example, a poly(N-vinyl carbazole) (PVK) copolymer containing pendant hydroxyl groups was synthesized for the functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The shared solubility of the functionalized nanotube samples with PVK matrix polymer enabled …

Synthesis And Electrochemical Studies In Microstructured Media, Jamie Norton

All Dissertations

In-situ electrochemical methods involving both oxidative and reductive mediators were employed to modify the oxidation state (doping level) of PEDOT polymers in colloidal PEDOT-coated silica core-shell particles that were prepared as a dispersion encapsulated in a hydrogel matrix. The modifications of the redox states of the PEDOT coating induced a change in the absorbance characteristics. A mediated electron transfer system was employed to ferry charge from the electrodes of the cell to the isolated particles. The mediator diffuses between the electrode surface and the PEDOT-coated particles to accomplish (de)doping. The developed system was a fully self-contained and electrically driven device. …

Judicial Checks On Corruption, Adriana Cordis

All Dissertations

Judicial oversight is widely regarded as an important check and balance on the abuse of governmental power. The literature identifies two important components of this oversight function: judicial independence and constitutional review. However, recent work using country-level data indicates that the effectiveness of constitutional review is largely determined by the rigidity of the constitution. My dissertation builds on this work by investigating whether judicial independence and constitutional review are deterrents to a specific type of abuse of power by government officials: corruption in office. Since the appropriate way to measure corruption, which is defined as the abuse of public office …

Investigating Risks, Effects, And A Potential Management Strategy For Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy On Southeastern Reservoirs Using An Eco-Epidemiological Approach, Rebecca Haynie

All Dissertations

Avian vacuolar myelinopathy (AVM) is a neurologic disease of unknown etiology that has severely impacted waterbirds and raptors in the Southern United States since it was first diagnosed in 1994. Research studies have suggested that the causative agent is a neurotoxin produced by a previously undescribed Stigonematalan cyanobacterium which grows epiphytically on submerged aquatic vegetation. A suite of experiments were conducted to determine if: (1) triploid Chinese grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) are an appropriate management strategy for AVM; (2) to measure mammalian susceptibility to cyanobacterium exposure; and, (3) to discern population-level impacts to American coots (Fulica americana) and bald eagles …

Biodiesel Production From High Free Fatty Acid Content Feedstocks, Kaewta Suwannakarn

All Dissertations

Biomass, such as animal fats and grease, is one of the better sources for transportation fuels, e.g. biodiesel. Use of such biomass in the biodiesel synthesis decreases the need for fossil energy, provides an outlet for utilizing the abundant resources effectively and economically, results in a cleaner fuel that is biodegradable, renewable, and non-toxic. Free fatty acid (FFA) esterification and triglyceride (TG) transesterification with low molecular weight alcohols are the central reactions for the biodiesel production. The focus of this research is to establish a better fundamental insight into heterogeneous catalysis for biodiesel forming reactions, in an attempt to design …

Population Dynamics Of The Cotton Aphid, Aphis Gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae), And Its Fungal Pathogen, Neozygites Fresenii (Nowakoski) Batko (Entomopthorales: Neozygitaceae) In South Carolina, Ruly Anwar

All Dissertations

The broad spectrum insecticide, acephate, neonicotinoid insecticides, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid, and other insecticides, λ-cyhalothrin, emamectin benzoate, indoxacarb, and spinosad were evaluated for their effects on the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, its entmopathogenic fungus, Neozygites fresenii, aphid parasitoids, lacewings, and coccinellids. Numbers of cotton aphids were significantly higher in plots treated with broad-spectrum insecticide than in untreated plots. Also, levels of both fungus-infected aphids and parasitized aphids were significantly higher in plots treated with broad-spectrum insecticide than in untreated plots. Numbers of lacewings and coccinellids were not significantly different between insecticide treated and untreated plots. Levels of fungus-infected aphids were …

Dna Methylation And Promoter Sequence Analysis Of Colon Cancer Genes, Fang Wang

All Theses

Aberrant DNA methylation in the genome is associated with human cancers. Tumor cells can undergo an overall loss of DNA methylation in non-coding repetitive regions (including the Alu elements) and at the same time maintain hypermethylation in the CpG islands in promoter region of multiple genes. We are interested in understanding the pattern of DNA methylation in the promoters of genes that may mediate the tumor genesis in colon cells. Recent literature survey suggested that about two dozens of genes, when mutated or undergone changes in DNA methylation, can directly promote the development of colon cancers. We downloaded the promoter …

The Awe Wall: A Novel Robotic Surface, Martha Kwoka

All Theses

In this thesis, we present fundamental contributions towards AWE, a novel 'Animated Work Environment', which seeks to introduce robotics at the architectural scale to modify environments in real time to the changing needs and moods of their occupants. Part of AWE is a robotic surface, or wall, featuring a multiple folding panel structure. The panels of the AWE wall feature embedded IT and adapt to the current movements and tasks of the user. We describe the overall AWE concept and discuss the construction of the robot surface, its motion planning and its control, and all experiments run to this point.

Development Of In Vitro Protocols To Enhance Secondary Metabolite Production From Turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.), Matthew Cousins

All Theses

Plant and organ culture can readily be applied to the field of medicinal plant and secondary metabolite production. Many studies that have been conducted attest to the utility of in vitro methods for preservation of genetic diversity, propagation of clonal individuals for use in commercial field planting, and production of metabolites directly from culture. Experiments have also shown that tissue culture is an important tool for enhancement of medicinal compound production utilizing various methods including elicitation. This thesis focuses on production of metabolites using an in vitro system. An overview in the form of a literature review is provided, which …

Physiological Response And Nutrient Recovery Of Cool-Season Turfgrasses Under Various Environmental Stresses, William Sarvis

All Theses

Potassium (K) is an essential plant nutrient commonly applied to increase creeping bentgrass tolerance to environmental stresses and maintain overall turfgrass stand health. Limited research defining the K requirement of creeping bentgrass under heat and drought stress exists. Furthermore, research investigating K, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) recovery under abiotic stress has been inconsistent. To build on previous research and investigate the differences between liquid and granular K fertilization, experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of liquid and granular K carriers in conjunction with liquid calcium and magnesium on their ability to suppress summer bentgrass decline of creeping bentgrass …

Virtual Aesthetics And Ethical Communication: Towards Virtuous Reality Design, David Williams

All Theses

This thesis argues that ethics can and should be applied to Second Life avatar design and behavior. Second Life is a unique virtual reality due to its connection to the physical world primarily through financial devices. Users buy and sell virtual and physical goods over these networks; the avatar, it is argued, is the primary instrument for persuasion in these contexts. Avatars facilitate a virtual aesthetic that is primarily 'natural.' By creating aesthetic avatars, the developers of Second Life enable audiences to affectively associate with other 'residents.' Not only is the avatar designed for aesthetic appeal, but it enables users …

Medination: Pop Culture And The Classroom, Justin Lesniewski

All Theses

This manuscript examines theoretical and practical concerns regarding the use of pop culture items in educational environments. By utilizing an ideological social constructionist perspective, such items can be seen as reified objects of thought and power. This discussion considers the reification process, our growing control over it in an increasingly techno-literate society, a specific example of the process, and how this process and our control over it can be incorporated into the classroom. The intent is to provide both a theoretical foundation and practical suggestions.

Of Merlins And King 'Authors': A Freireian Analysis Of The First-Year Writing Narrative, Ashley Lusk

All Theses

This thesis uses a Freireian analysis to unravel underlying ideologies in the university's first-year writing curriculum. By examining the characterizations and plots of the writing classroom narrative, we discover where issues of conflicting purpose and structure arise within frameworks of ideological constraint. This thesis considers the student-hero, the antagonistic qualities of the general education and state-mandated standardized curricula, and the role of the teacher who lies between these two entities. The Learning Community (LC) model provides a dialogic revision to current classroom practices in the student/teacher dynamic. The LC model accepts Freire's socially and ethically responsive conscientiza‹o as a way …

(Im)Perfecting Perfection: Socially Conscious Marketing And The Professional Communicator, Layla Hakamiun

All Theses

This thesis is an interdisciplinary study that examines the beauty and advertising industries with regard to young women and body image, specifically with respect to body weight. By analyzing America's obsession with perfection, the problem with perfection, and why organizations are or are not 'jumping on board' the socially conscious bandwagon when it comes to advertising and body image, this thesis will provide my audience, marketing professional communicators in the beauty industry, with necessary information so that individuals may serve as advocates for young women while providing their employers with quality dedication to their organization. The six main takeaways professional …

'Poe And Not Poe': A Study Of The Radio Adaptations Of Edgar Allan Poe's Short Stories, Ashley Davis

All Theses

This master's thesis analyzes four of Poe's short stories--'The Pit and the Pendulum,' 'The Tell-Tale Heart,' 'Metzengerstein,' and 'The Purloined Letter'-in comparison with their respective radio adaptations. Using the texts and Poe's essay 'The Philosophy of Composition' as guides for comparison, it is apparent that the respective changes made in each radio play veer greatly from Poe's original stories. Although the radio adaptations leave behind some traces of Poe's signature technique, they mostly remove that which was deemed too scary, too dark, or too overly philosophical for radio audiences. Therefore, the stories become at once comforting and disarming, at once …

The Effects Of Human/Object Interaction On Museum Visit Experience Satisfaction, John Fino

All Theses

Interactive exhibits in museums have become commonplace (Spock, 2004). They have been found to be effective teaching tools (Falk & Dierking, 1992), they can increase the attracting power of the exhibit (Davidson, Heald & Hein, 1991) and can help create mindfulness in visitors (Moscardo, 1996). However, interactives are considered primarily the domain of science and technology museums (Pekarik, 2004) and there is little published research regarding interactives in living history museums. To better understand the effects of interactives in a living history setting, a quasi-experiment was created to compare the outcomes of two treatments of the same interpretive presentation: an …

On Sea-Goats, Chase Hart

All Theses

This thesis can be viewed as mediation between two processes of interpretation. Once process affirms freeplay and the continuation of the game. The other still wants a center or 'the reassuring foundation, the origin and the end of the game' as Derrida calls it. On a deep level, these poems try to realize themselves as inevitably subject to play, while also acknowledging themselves as trying to meaningfully interpret experience.

A Systems Approach To The Design Of A Two Dimensional Cell Printer, Albert Hill

All Theses

Tissue engineering research has the potential to improve the current opportunities for replacement organs and tissues. Precise placement of cells has proven difficult in the early stages of this research. Bioprinting is an important research area that has the potential to accurately position cells and biological materials for tissue engineering. This paper describes the attempt to obtain micrometer accuracy in the placement of cells using a systems approach and technology derived from the Hewlett Packard 500 series of printers and their cartridges the HP26 series. The paper discusses the research and design of a custom printing system that allows control …

Chain Reaction: The Indirect Effects Of Climate Change On Maritime Activity, John Ridout

All Theses

Global climate change has the potential to alter the environment as well as the ways humans interact with it. Specifically, scientists can quickly imagine the effects of global warming in the ocean environment, but a secondary impact will be how humans adapt to this changed world. Ice clearance will lead to navigable Arctic waterways and more potential polar shipping routes. Increased shipping routes will alter or increase global shipping activity. Existing port activity will increase to meet new economic demands, but much of that activity will be concentrated outside Arctic waters. The changes will also affect the ecosystems of these …

Exploratory Synthesis Of Plyanion-Based Open-Framework Solids As Potential Candidates For Cathode Material Applications, Adam Siegfried

All Theses

This thesis is concerned with exploratory synthesis of polyanion based open-framework solids that can potentially be used as cathode materials in lithium batteries. Two silver manganese vanadates were discovered, Ag₃Mn(VO₄)₂ and AgMn₂V₃O₁₀, which show different possibilities as cathode materials for primary battery applications; the former contains a higher (Ag+Mn)/V ratio, which is sought for high capacity devices, while the latter may prove better for lower power devices. The structures of the two materials differ in that Ag₃Mn(VO₄)₂ is a layered material where as AgMn …

Clemson Trustees Minutes, 2008 April 18, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

Minutes: Meeting of the Clemson University Board of Trustees. Executive Board Room, Madren Center, Clemson, SC. 1:30 p.m.

The Tiger Vol. 102 Issue 11 2008-04-11, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers

No abstract provided.

The Tiger Vol. 102 Issue 10 2008-04-04, Clemson University

Tiger Newspapers

No abstract provided.

How Sciencequest Ensures Success For All, Judith Zorfass, Jennifer Dorsen, Caitlin Feeley

Journal of Youth Development

Informal educational programs that reach out to minority youth in low-income urban areas need to anticipate diversity. Not only will participants exhibit a range of abilities and needs, but some, just like in any population, are likely to have learning disabilities. ScienceQuest, an informal science education program funded by the National Science Foundation, was designed to ensure that youth aged 10 to 14 with diverse abilities and needs, including learning disabilities, can successfully participate and succeed in inquiry-based learning. The program uses the I-Search curriculum as the basis of its inquiry process. Embedded in this curriculum are the following inclusive …

Hot Politics: The Politics Behind Global Climate Change - Talking Points, Derek Wilmott

Publications

As the U.S. presidential campaign heats up, so do the issues surrounding global warming. This FRONTLINE film explores the politics behind global warming, from the three previous U.S. presidential administrations to the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

This documentary also examines the well-financed energy industry campaign that challenged the broad scientific consensus on the human causes of climate change in an effort to stall federal regulation.

Short-Term And Long-Term Time Course Studies Of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.) Microrhizome Development In Vitro, Jeffrey Adelberg, Matthew M. Cousins

Publications

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) plantlets were cultured in MS (Murashige and Skoog Physiol Plant 15:473–497, 1962) liquid medium with 6% sucrose. Microrhizome development was observed in the presence of methyl jasmonate (MeJa) (0, 5 and 16 μM) and benzyladenine (BA) (0, 0.32 and 1 μM). Leaf, root, rhizome growth, and sugar use were measured weekly for 6 weeks in small vessels (180 ml) and four times in 23 weeks in larger vessels (2.5 l). MeJa reduced leaf, root, and rhizome biomass. BA had a positive effect on biomass accumulation. Microrhizome mass increased at a linear rate during 6 weeks …