Digital Commons Network^™

Online Political Participation Among Younger Generations: A Case Study Of The Nigerian Presidential Election, Bowale Odukale

All Theses

The 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria represented a significant milestone in the nation's democratic progression, capturing the interest of observers both within the country and abroad. This study identifies the key online opinion leaders who participated in the electoral discourse, their generational affiliation, and the role of social media in facilitating youth engagement throughout the political process. Using Sprinkl, an online monitoring tool to harvest publicly available tweets containing the hashtag #NigeriaDecides2023 from February 11 to March 15, coupled with interviews, the study identified the prominent opinion leaders with significant influence, their types of messages and the motives behind youth …

Deliberative Democracy, Political Strategy, And The Gop: A Habermasian Discourse Analysis Surrounding The Israel-Hamas War, William Nunley

All Theses

The realm of the digital public sphere remains an area of interest for scholarship concerned with the democratic project. Technology once promised an upward trajectory for democratic conversation and the transmission of ideas, yet the actualization of those technologies seemingly undermines the promises of a time passed. This thesis is concerned with social media, namely X (Twitter), as a realm for political engagement and the implications of digital discourse. I start by tracking deliberative democracy theory, as an ideal, and the practical functionalities of the theory outlined in the twenty-first century. For the process of deliberation to unfold, a healthy …

Choices Behind The Color: An Analysis Of Paint Finish Variations In South Carolina Slave Dwellings, Lyrik Castro-Bailey

All Theses

This research sought to discover what analytical methods would allow a preservationist to access, analyze, and interpret the agency enslaved people had in selecting the interior finishes of their living quarters. Ten sites ranging in construction from 1712 to 1847 were analyzed including: Lavington Plantation Slave-Quarters, Drayton Hall Cellar, Nathaniel Russell House Kitchen-Quarters, Aiken-Rhett Slave-Quarters, John Fullerton House Kitchen-Quarters, 38 Church Street Kitchen-Quarters, 72 Anson Street Kitchen-Quarters, 54 Hasell Street Kitchen-Quarters, Capers-Motte House Kitchen-Quarters, and the Heyward House Kitchen-Quarters. Photomicrographs collected by the author and conservationist Dr. Susan Buck were organized to examine the layers of pigments. Munsell Colors were …

Deep Reinforcement Learning Of Variable Impedance Control For Object-Picking Tasks, Akshit Lunia

All Theses

The increasing deployment of robots in industries with varying tasks has accelerated the development of various control frameworks, enabling robots to replace humans in repetitive, exhaustive, and hazardous jobs. One critical aspect is the robots' interaction with their environment, particularly in unknown object-picking tasks, which involve intricate object weight estimations and calculations when lifting objects. In this study, a unique control framework is proposed to modulate the force exerted by a manipulator for lifting an unknown object, eliminating the need for feedback from a force/torque sensor. The framework utilizes a variable impedance controller to generate the required force, and an …

Analytical And Experimental Studies To Support Codification Of Lightweight Grout For Masonry Design, Cooper Banks

All Theses

Lightweight (LW) aggregates have many potential benefits in masonry construction including minimizing mass, improving thermal performance, and reducing the potential for shrinkage cracking via internal curing. The current masonry design standard, TMS 402/602-22, permits lightweight aggregate in the production of concrete masonry units (CMU), but there has been insufficient testing of masonry assemblies to permit designing with LW grout. Shrestha et al. characterized LW grouts bond to reinforcement, shear strength, tension and shear pullout behavior of anchors and proposed possible reduction factors for design. Hiner characterized the flexural bond strength LW grouted masonry assemblies and proposed possible reduction factors for …

Analyzing A Software Based Lossy Compression Algorithm On An Fpga Platform, Tripp Herlong

All Theses

In HPC, the ability to generate data is outpacing our hardware capabilities of storing said data. This presents the need for compression so we can keep important data preserved without costly hardware upgrades or worrying about hardware speed limitations. Traditional forms of compression are software based, which presents a speed issue that can lead to bottlenecks when storing data.Scientific data lossy compression methods such as SZ enable a speedup on memory transfer by simplifying computation to minimize the essential data size. SZx is a lightweight version of the popular SZ floating point compressor that may benefit from hardware acceleration. This …

An Analysis Of The Demolition Of Seismically Damaged Historic Structures After The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, California, Claire Ann Cox

All Theses

The Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989 was an event that greatly impacted the lives of those living in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The 6.9M_w earthquake severely damaged buildings and infrastructure, inevitably leading to the demolition of some of these structures. Older buildings constructed before modern seismic codes were most vulnerable to damage. Yet, age is the same reason many of these buildings were considered historic and valuable in their communities. In the wake of Loma Prieta, an alarming trend of the demolition of historic buildings arose.

This thesis analyzes the demolition of historic structures due to damage …

Layered Structure Protonic Ceramic Conductors Of The Form Ba5in2+Xal2zr1-Xo13-Δ, Nathan Cretegny

All Theses

In this work, the hexagonal perovskite of targeted composition Ba₅In_2+xAl₂Zr_1-xO₁₃ (x=0, 0.1, 0.2) was synthesized via a solid-state synthesis route to study the impact of oxygen vacancy concentration in layered hexagonal perovskites. Precursor oxides were mixed in stoichiometric proportions, calcined between 800-1200℃ and sintered at 1475℃. The sintered pellets were crushed into fine powders to investigate the chemistry and structure through X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Dense pellets were used to study conductivity properties using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

The synthesis approach produced 100% …

Defining And Labeling Traversable Space In A Forested Environment, James Nguyen

All Theses

This thesis investigates the problem of identifying traversable terrain in outdoor conditions. We are motivated by research in recent years toward identifying drivable space for the purpose of developing autonomous vehicles. Our motivating application is similar but also different. We envision a “Hiker Helper” that assists humans with dismounted navigation in forested terrain. A common challenge in this type of environment is identifying a viable path for moving through terrain that is congested with trees, bushes, other flora, and natural obstacles that would make navigation difficult. We envision training an artificial intelligence (AI) model to automatically analyze images of this …

Hand Movement Analysis For Surgical Suturing Skill Assessment, Amir Mehdi Shayan

All Theses

To enhance patient safety, surgical education is increasingly incorporating simulation for formative skills assessment and training. However, many standardized assessment tools rely on human raters for performance assessment, which is resource-intensive and subjective. Simulators that provide automated and objective metrics from sensor data can address this limitation. This thesis presents an instrumented bench suturing simulator, patterned after the Clock Face (CF) radial suturing model from the Fundamentals of Vascular Surgery (FVS), for automated and objective assessment of open suturing skills by particularly focusing on biomechanical analysis of hand movements. For this research, 97 participants (35 attending surgeons and fellows, 32 …

A Transdisicplinary, Survivor-Centered Approach For Creating A System Dynamics Model Of Closed-Buyer Sex Trafficking Networks, Kemonte Yow

All Theses

One of the largest drivers of sex trafficking operations is the demand for commercial sex. To date, research from a quantitative side typically focuses on understanding how to best identify and remove victims from their trafficking situation and then support their healing and recovery. This may be because this is where data exists (in limited forms) to support quantitative modeling. This thesis broadens that scope to understand how demand for commercial sex impacts trafficking operations. In particular, this research implemented a transdisciplinary, survivor-centered approach to build a system dynamics model of a closed-buyer sex trafficking network, which is a network …

Development Of A Cost-Affordable Thin-Layer Chromatography Testing Kit For Falsified And Substandard Pharmaceuticals In Tanzania, Eleanor Hatcher

All Theses

A significant number of pharmaceuticals supplied to Tanzania are falsified or substandard. A majority of these inadequate pharmaceuticals are medications to treat life-threatening conditions. This problem not only causes mistrust in the healthcare system but also prolonged illness and potentially death for the patients. This calls for the need for the development of a cost-affordable testing kit for falsified and substandard pharmaceuticals in Tanzania. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was used as the testing method since it is inexpensive and requires a low skill level to complete. Malaria, human immunodeficiency virus, hypertension, tuberculosis, and diabetes are five of the most prevalent diseases …

In Search Of A Blind Tiger: A Cultural And Historic Landscape Analysis Of Prohibition-Era Charleston, Chloe Martin

All Theses

Though Charleston, South Carolina is known as a historic city, many of its historic landscapes lack representation within modern compiled histories. One such landscape is that of Dispensary and Prohibition-era Charleston, which can be defined as the period between 1893, with the ratification of The Dispensary Act, and the repeal of the National Prohibition in 1933. This thesis research documents and assesses the cultural and historic landscape of the Charleston peninsula during the Dispensary and Prohibition eras. This study intends to create a baseline with which this period in Charleston can be studied, both culturally and architecturally.

The primary data …

Navigating The Future: The Material Effects Of Sea Level Rise On Lighthouses Along The East Coast Of The United States, Brianna Schmidt

All Theses

Multiple aspects of climate change will affect coastal structures. One type of structure in these coastal environments that will be affected is lighthouses. These structures are and important symbol for marine navigation. Without their presents, the coastline loses an important aspect to its significance. There have already been cases of climate change scenarios affecting these structures such as erosion and wave impacts. This thesis focuses on the material vulnerability of lighthouses when in contact with new sea water levels. How vulnerable are lighthouses in terms of their material property to submersion in salt water due to sea level rise along …

Development And Evaluation Of An Arsenic Transport Model For The Maurice River Watershed, Christina Eddleman

All Theses

For many Superfund sites across the United States, arsenic is one of the most common contaminants of concern that must be cleaned up to protect human and environmental health. Past research and health studies have documented the harmful effects of inorganic arsenic on humans and the environment but selecting an appropriate remediation plan depends on several site-specific factors at each Superfund site. To assist in determining an appropriate remediation plan, sediment and contaminant transport models have been used to simulate the transport of arsenic and other contaminants of concern at contaminated sites to, e.g., make relative comparisons of the efficacy …

The Effect Of Football Facemask Design Variability On Dynamic Impact Performance And Quasi-Static Stiffness, Adam W. Smith

All Theses

This research addresses the role of facemasks in helmet systems, focusing on their dynamic impact performance and material properties. A total of 150 facemasks from 30 types and five helmets were tested both quasi-statically and dynamically. The facemasks were grouped by style and helmet type for comparison. Dynamic testing involved three different locations and two speeds, with data collected for maximum angular velocity and linear acceleration. Quasi-static stiffness, performed at two locations, was compared with collected dynamic results to determine the strength of relationship. A concussion metric, HARM, was calculated from collected data and compared across style groups.

Significant differences …

Clemson University Board Of Trustees, Compensation Committee, 2024 April 5, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Clemson University Board Of Trustees, Research And Economic Development Committee, 2024 April 4, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Clemson University Board Of Trustees, Educational Policy Committee, 2024 April 3, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Storytelling Through A Critical Positive Youth Development Framework: A Mixed Methods Approach, Maru Gonzalez, Michael Kokozos, Katherine Mckee, Christy Byrd

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

March 2024 Presidents Corner, Christian Burris

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Cyanobacterial Contribution To Annual Cycles Of Phytoplankton In Lake Murray, Sc, Haley Durbin, Mikayla Radek, Catherine Schlenker, Sarah Bauman, James L. Pinckney

Journal of South Carolina Water Resources

Freshwater lakes provide valuable recreational and tourism resources and are a major source of municipal drinking water for local communities. A primary management goal for lake systems is the maintenance of good water quality and a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Blooms of harmful or noxious species of cyanobacteria can result in severe water quality degradation. The purpose of this project was to provide baseline data on phytoplankton community composition, with special emphasis on cyanobacteria, and water quality parameters for Lake Murray, SC. The objective of this study was to determine the annual cyanobacterial contribution to total phytoplankton biomass in the lower …

Use Of An Autonomous Surface Vehicle To Collect High Spatial Resolution Water Quality Data At Lake Wateree, Sc, Archana Venkatachari, Annie Bourbonnais, Ibrahim Salman, Ioannis Rekleitis, Alberto Quattrini Li, Kathryn L. Cottingham, Holly A. Ewing, Denise Bruesewitz, Emily Arsenault, Quin Shingai

Journal of South Carolina Water Resources

Freshwater resources including lakes and reservoirs are increasingly threatened by harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs). The scarcity of high spatial and temporal resolution data presents challenges for monitoring, predicting, and managing these blooms. Autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) equipped with water quality sensors represent a powerful tool to obtain high-resolution spatial data at Lake Wateree (LW), South Carolina (SC). LW is a hydroelectric reservoir commonly covered with extensive blooms of the benthic cyanobacteria Microseira (Lyngbya) wollei and Phormium sp., with the thickest mats in shallow coves.

The main objective of this study was to determine the best speed and duration of loiter …

Impacts Of Harmful Algal Blooms (Habs) On Agriculture: A Short Communication, Debabrata Sahoo, Ibrahim Busari, Heather Nix, Sarah A. White

Journal of South Carolina Water Resources

agriculture, which requires clean water, healthy soil, and adequate nutrients, is crucial to meet the growing demand for food and fiber. Over application of nutrients to meet demand has degraded surface water quality, leading to accelerated eutrophication. Cultural eutrophication is a process by which aquatic ecosystems such as ponds, lakes, and estuaries become so enriched with nutrients—primarily nitrogen and phosphorus—as to become unusable for safe consumption and ecological purposes. Eutrophication has intensified due to climate change. Increased temperatures, intense storms, and drought can drive the formation of eutrophic and hypereutrophic conditions. Hypereutrophication results in the rapid proliferation of algae and …

Restoring Predevelopment Hydrology With Smart Stormwater Controls In Aiken, South Carolina, Jason Hetrick, Kathryn Ellis, Dayton Marchese, Samantha Ritz

Journal of South Carolina Water Resources

For decades, large quantities of stormwater runoff from the City of Aiken flowed at destructive velocities (exceeding 5 ft/s) into the Sand River, deeply eroding the channel in the downstream Hitchcock Woods. From 1990 to 2015, the City of Aiken commissioned several consultants to produce over a dozen studies to investigate viable solutions for the destructive erosion. Upon the recommendation from a collaborative Stormwater Task Force, the City of Aiken approved a stormwater implementation plan in 2018 which recommended 20 capital improvement projects sized to capture 58 ac-ft of stormwater in order to restore the river’s predevelopment hydrology, with a …

Identifying Barriers Preventing Stormwater Pond Buffer Implementation In Coastal South Carolina, Sean Cannon, Abigail Locatis Prochaska, Kendra Stewart, Timothy Callahan, Matthew C. Nowlin

Journal of South Carolina Water Resources

Buffer zones are ecotones between upland areas and adjacent water bodies. They often consist of plant communities that stabilize shorelines, act as barriers reducing transport of fertilizer and lawn debris into water bodies, uptake nutrients and heavy metals, and provide habitat for wildlife. Few regulations exist that require vegetated buffers around stormwater ponds, and their widespread implementation has not occurred around ponds in coastal South Carolina. This lack of regulation on buffer requirements has potentially reduced the effectiveness of stormwater ponds and highlights the need to identify barriers preventing residents from implementing vegetated buffers. To investigate the barriers preventing the …

Utilizing Watershed-Based Planning As A Tool To Protect Source Water: A Case Study From The Lower Caw Caw Swamp, Kathryn Ellis, Eric Odom, Gregory Carbone

Journal of South Carolina Water Resources

A watershed-based plan (WBP) is an example of a management tool that addresses nonpoint sources of pollution that affect surface water quality. We apply a simple spreadsheet tool to the Lower Caw Caw Swamp watershed in Orangeburg, South Carolina, to quantify the impact of modest management practices on water quality, and to examine how climate and land-use change could affect water quality in future decades. Three separate climate and land use scenarios are used to measure annual pollutant loads in the basin. Our analysis shows that E. coli loads in current conditions are largely attributed to anthropogenic sources of bacteria …

South Carolina Beach Water Quality: Stakeholder Workshop Identifies Challenges, Needs, And Recommendations, Angelos K. Hannides, Nicole Elko

Journal of South Carolina Water Resources

Coastal water quality is often identified by diverse stakeholders as a major management challenge but can be difficult to define. South Carolina Beach Advocates (SCBA), a nonprofit organization formed in 2015 to educate the public, governmental authorities, and elected officials as to the environmental, economic, and societal impact of South Carolina's beaches and inlets, recognized this challenge and organized a virtual workshop in June 2022 to explore our beachfront communities' water quality management challenges, and discuss various perspectives on beach water quality. Thirty-eight participants from government agencies, local government, industry, academia, and civic society discussed this important topic and identified …

Root And Causes Of Skilled Labor Shortage In Construction Industry: Comprehensive Literature Review, Nicholas Hardy, Carolina Barbosa-Resende, James Kereri, Arash Taghinezhad

The Professional Constructor

The skilled labor shortage is well documented from a historical perspective via studies focusing various construction trades such as carpentry, mechanical, electric and plumbing, and tile setters. Causes of such shortages such as industry image, college as a preferred choice after high school, and construction being a last resort have been investigated extensively. Consequently, possible solutions ranging from amplifying shop classes in high school to intensifying recruiting efforts for union training programs have all been addressed throughout the last 40 years. However, recent studies have focused on identifying the magnitude and reach of the skilled labor gap while limited attention …

Sustainability Of Apparel Exporting Industry Facilities In South Asia, Sree L. Anilkuma, George H. Berghorn, M.G. Matt Syal

The Professional Constructor

The apparel industry’s contribution to the gross domestic product in South Asian countries is significant and provides livelihoods for millions of people in this region. Although this industry’s contribution towards the economy is substantial, its negative impact on the environment and the working conditions have always been critical issues of concern. The two countries of emphasis in this research, Bangladesh, and India, have experienced numerous garment factory accidents in the form of building collapses, factory fires, and boiler explosions, which have killed and injured thousands of workers. These incidents have brought attention on the need to improve poor facilities and …