Digital Commons Network^™

Assessment Of Electrode Configurations Of Electrical Impedance Myography For The Evaluation Of Neuromuscular Diseases, Khondokar Mohammad Fazle Rabbi

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a painless, noninvasive approach to measure the neuromuscular disease status. EIM parameters- resistance (R), reactance (X) and phase (θ) depend significantly on subcutaneous fat thickness, muscle size and inter electrode distance. The objective of this research is to find an electrode configuration which can minimize the effects on EIM parameters due to subcutaneous fat thickness variation. In this study, a model of human upper arm was developed using finite element method (FEM), which has already been established as an appropriate approach for the analysis of non-symmetrical shape for assessing alternations of muscle in disease-induced changes …

Myosinx Is Required For Craniofacial Development In Danio Rerio, Cole Yancey

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Craniofacial development is the process of laying early cartilage and bone patterns in the anterior region of the embryo, which ultimately results in shaping the structure of the face and head of an organism. Craniofacial abnormalities in humans, such as cleft lip and palate, are among the most common of all birth defects. Therefore, investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in craniofacial development will help us understand both evolutionary processes and genetic diseases. Craniofacial cartilage and bone structures are almost entirely derived from neural crest cells. Neural crest are a pluripotent migratory stream of cells that originate from the early developing …

Not (Just) Donne: Alchemical Transmutation As Immortality In Shakespeare’S Sonnets, Brandi L. Moody

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Shakespeare, in his sonnets, employs alchemical references in the sonnets that ultimately fail, in order to show how fruitless it is to pursue immortality. The poet urges the fair friend, who himself is like the self-consuming ouroboros, to father a child that will continue his legacy and allow the fair friend to live on via the child. Language associated with the child is alchemical, referencing distillation, vials, flasks, and the renewing power of the philosopher’s stone. The dark lady, the opposite of the fair friend in every way, can be explained as fulfilling alchemy’s union of opposites needed for a …

African-American Males, African-American Female Principals, & The Opportunity Gap, Jennifer N. Dunbar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Over the past decade, research has been devoted to bridging the gap in academics and opportunity among African-American males. Missing from the dialogue however, are the voices of African-American female leaders. This voice will not only play an instrumental part in mediating cultural misunderstandings that occur in the classroom, but it will also facilitate a much needed conversation in understanding gender and race by displaying different views on educational leadership. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of the opportunity gap among African-American female principals in Title I schools to raise the presence of their voice …

Electrospun Titanium Dioxide And Silicon Composite Nanofibers For Advanced Lithium Ion Batteries, Kathleen Mccormac

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

A unique electrospinning method was implemented to fabricate composite nanofibers for lithium ion battery applications. The composite nanofibers were made of amorphous carbon, rutile phase TiO₂, and cubic phase Si nanoparticles. Sulfur was utilized as a template to form void structures within the TiO₂ nanofiber matrix. This provides the desired space for the Si expansion during the lithiation process. Phase, structure, composition, and morphology of the nanofibers were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, SEM, EDS, TGA, and powder XRD. Carbonized TiO₂ nanofibers showed a low but stable specific capacity. Si Nanoparticles demonstrated an initially high but fast …

Editors' Note, Laura B. Regassa, Delena Gatch

Biology: Faculty Publications

Dear colleagues,

The International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning is undergoing some major changes.

• The layout of the journal has been overhauled, giving it a look that better aligns with the quality of the content. As we continue to struggle with SoTL “counting” as scholarship at some institutions, it is important to package our work in a way that reinforces its value. We hope you enjoy the new look!

• Articles are being assigned DOI (digital object identifier) numbers. All articles, past and present, will be tagged and linked to metadata as indexing is completed over the next …

Graduate Studies Fact Book

Graduate Studies Fact Books (2006-2017)

No abstract provided.

Smart Distributed Generation Systems Using Improved Islanding Detection And Event Classification, Bikiran Guha

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Distributed Generation (DG) sources have become an integral part of modern decentralized power systems. However, the interconnection of DG systems to the power grid can present several operational challenges. One such major challenge is islanding detection. Islanding occurs when a DG system is disconnected from the rest of the power grid. Islanding can present serious safety hazards and therefore an accurate and fast islanding detection technique is mandated by DG interconnection standards such as IEEE 1547 and UL 1741. Conventional islanding detection techniques passively monitor the local power system parameters such as voltage and frequency to detect islanding. These techniques …

Evaluation Of Linear And Nonlinear Postural Stability Measurements Following Concussion, Kelsey Evans

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Sport related concussions affect nearly 1.6 to 3.8 million athletes annually in the United States. A large number of these athletes suffer from postural instability following concussion. Postural control assessment has become a recommended tool to determine readiness to return to play. Measurement of postural control through the use of center of pressure (CoP) variables may provide a sensitive evaluation following concussion and throughout recovery. Purpose: To evaluate a unipedal and bipedal quiet stance protocol consisting of linear and nonlinear CoP measurements with varying durations in a concussed population throughout recovery. Methods: Thirteen NCAA Division I Collegiate Football players (age: …

Excessive Tanning As A Presentation Of Body Dsymorphic Disorder, Jennifer Headrick

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) involves a potentially debilitating preoccupation with an imagined or minor flaw in one’s appearance (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Phillips, 2005). Common body areas of preoccupation include the skin, face, hair, and muscles (Castle, Ross, & Kyrios, 2006; Mosley, 2009; Phillips, 2005; Veale, 2003). With the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—5th edition (APA, 2013), BDD was moved from the Somatoform Disorder classification to the new diagnostic category of Obsessive-Compulsive and related disorders. A new example of preoccupation with skin tone and an associated behavior of excessive tanning were added to the BDD …

Color Removal From Pulp Mill Effluent Using Coal Ash Produced From Georgia Power Coal Combustion Plants, Christopher B. Willett

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Two environmental concerns currently face Georgia: coal fly ash (CFA) waste from coal power plants, and the effluent generated by pulp mills. Pulp mill effluent discolors surface waters into which it is discharged, and has been proven to negatively impact the dissolved oxygen and carbon necessary for aquatic life. The proposed solution is a cost-effective adsorption treatment using an inexpensive but abundantly available waste material: CFA. CFA possesses beneficial properties that allow it to effectively remove contaminants, and is available at significantly reduced cost. The primary research objective was to define treatment parameters that would result in the maximum removal …

Myosin 10 Is Required For Spinal Motor Axon Growth And Guidance In Zebrafish Embryos, Crystal Ivey

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Neurodevelopmental disorders are disabilities caused by malfunctioning mechanisms within the developing nervous tissue. These abnormalities often result in conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), motor dysfunctions, learning disabilities and mental retardation. Recent surveys indicate that there will be a 12% increase of children in the United States alone who are affected by neurodevelopmental disorders. Thus, it is important to understand both the normal and abnormal mechanisms of neural development. Neural development involves specification of new neurons and formation of neural circuits that connect the nervous system to every organ of the developing embryo. Neural circuits …

Nonstructural Carbohydrate Concentrations Of Pine Trees As A Function Of Evolutionary History, Joshua T. Mims

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) can supply substrate during periods when current photosynthate is unavailable or inadequate to meet metabolic demands. I hypothesized that natural selection has favored higher nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations ([NSC]) in species that have an evolutionary history of frequent disturbance and tested this using three southern pine species that have evolved under a continuum of disturbance frequencies (evolutionary history of fire ~ longleaf > slash > loblolly). Stem and root samples were collected from 12 similar-sized individual trees of each species during time periods that reflect the annual minimum and maximum [NSC]. A modified colorimetric method was performed on the samples …

Utilizing Participatory Action Research To Assess The Interagency Collaboration Of A Community-Based After-School Program Partnership, Jessica L. Render

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The study utilized a community-based participatory action research (PAR) approach to assess the development of an interagency collaborative and its replication at other locations. The partnership formed to provide a service-learning site for university students as well as a community-based after-school program for children living in a low-income housing community. Research participants completed the levels of collaboration scale developed by Frey and Colleagues (2006) along with a questionnaire about their desired level of collaboration, current and needed resources, and knowledge of other partners’ goals. Collaboration is loosely defined as a group of partners working together to reach shared goals. The …

Evaluating Classroom Time Through Systematic Analysis And Student Feedback, Rebecca M. Achen, Angela Lumpkin

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

The purpose of this action research was to examine the use of class time through classroom observation and student feedback. Students’, the teacher’s, and whole class activities during class were categorized every two minutes. Students also were given pre- and post-course surveys to assess perceptions on lecture time, impact of learning strategies, and enjoyment of learning strategies. Results indicated students spent the majority of class time actively engaged in their learning instead of passively listening to lectures. However, their views of the optimal amount of lecture time did not change. Even though students overwhelmingly enjoyed engaging learning activities and found …

Collaborative And Proactive Solutions: Successfully Treating Oppositional Behavior In Children, Moshe R. Manheim

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

Collaborative Proactive Solutions, from Ross Greene's groundbreaking book "The Explosive Child," provides a practical, realistic problem solving methodology for children with oppositional and behavioral disorders. Moshe Manheim, a psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience working with kids and families is certified by Dr. Greene in the CPS methodology. The presentation will discuss the application of CPS for typically developing as well children with special needs.

The CPS methodology relies on careful communication with the child to define the problem; the use of empathy to align with and engage the child; a review of the child’s and parent’s (or teacher’s) …

Gurc Program [2015], Gurc

Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (Archived)

NA

Effects Of A Training Program To Enhance Autonomy Supportive Behaviors Among Youth Soccer Coaches, Jody L. Langdon, Robert J. Schlote, Brandonn S. Harris, Glenn P. Burdette Iii, Sara Rothberger

Health Sciences & Kinesiology: Faculty Publications

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and implementation of a training emphasizing the use of autonomy supportive coaching behaviors among youth soccer coaches in game-play situations as well as evaluating its effects on motivational processes among athletes. Participants included youth sport soccer coaches and their intact teams. Coaches received a series of autonomy-supportive coaching training interventions based on successful programs in general and physical education (Reeve, Jang, Carrell, Jeon & Barch, 2004; Cheon, Reeve & Moon, 2012). Athletes completed questionnaires to assess perceived autonomy support, basic need satisfaction, and motivation (Harris & Watson, 2011). Observations indicated coaches were not …

The Reproductive Cycle Of The Guatemalan Beaded Lizard, Heloderma Charlesbogerti, Wade C. Carruth Iii

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Reproductive information, including seasonality in behavior and physiology, is key to our ability to breed species for maintaining assurance colonies or for future introductions. Limited scientific data is available about the reproduction of Helodermatid lizards. Several species of helodermatid lizard are uncommon, rare, or simply exist at low population densities and in need of the development of conservation programs and management. Most helodermatid reproductive data collected to date has been done on deceased animals using histological techniques. Until this study, no hormones have been analyzed, and individual animals have not been followed through a complete cycle. The purpose of this …

Assessment Of Phonological And Orthographic Differences In Adults With Reading Disabilities, Christina P. Hyers Mrs.

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

There is debate surrounding how to effectively identify and distinguish reading disabilities from other deficits in college populations. Although several theories have proposed a positive relationship between nonword decoding weaknesses and higher intelligence levels, currently there is no conclusive evidence supporting these claims. The primary purpose of the current study was to determine if individuals of diverging levels of verbal intellectual functioning display profile differences with regard to accuracy for spelling and single word reading of regular words and nonwords. Identifying the specific deficits displayed in populations with reading disabilities assists in formulating interventions targeted at areas of weakness and …

The Obama Effect On African American High School Males, Aundra Simmons Vaughn

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

“Of all the challenges in education today, I can think of none greater than the challenge of motivating, educating, and empowering black male learners” (Kafele, 2012, p. 67). Research documents the struggles of African American males in society and education. There is concern among educators for role models for young people to emulate (Lines, 2001). To explore President Obama as a role model and the impact of his historic election on African American recent high school male graduates, a qualitative research study was used. A phenomenological design helped described the “essence” of the phenomenon— the election of an African American …

Hypomania And The Effects Of Working Memory Load On Risk-Taking, Joseph B. Todd

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Hypomania is an episodic mood state that closely resembles mania, and it is characterized by irritability, euphoria, racing thoughts, and impulsivity. The present study focuses on risk-taking, a behavioral manifestation of impulsivity, and the potential working memory mechanisms responsible for eliciting this behavior in people affected by hypomanic symptoms. Specifically, research suggests that taxing working memory accelerates the process by which individuals with high levels of hypomanic symptoms engage in risk-taking. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects on hypomanic traits and working memory taxation on a behavioral measure of risk-taking. One hundred and forty-five participants …

The Relationship Between Core Stability Related Measures And Performance In Adolescent All-Star Cheerleaders, Rachel S. Leitz

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: To determine if a relationship exists between core stability related measures (CSRM) and total cheer performance (TCP); including tumbling, jumping, and stunting. Secondly, to determine if TCP can be predicted by these CSRM.

Methods: Fifty female competitive cheerleading bases aged 10-18 from various all-star cheer programs in the southeastern region of the United States were included. Participants filled out a current health status questionnaire prior to participation. The CSRM included the timed sit-up test, trunk extensor endurance test, trunk flexion to extension range of motion, dominant limb single leg stance test, and normalized to height dominant limb single leg …

Utilization Of B-Mode Ultrasound As A Body Fat Estimate In Collegiate Football Players, Parker Hyde

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to validate a 7-site ultrasound imaging protocol to predict percent body fat (%BF) in a Division I football team. Body composition was estimated by ultrasound, seven site skinfolds (SKINFOLD), and the three compartment-water (3C-W) model of Siri (1961), using Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) to estimate total body water (TBW) and air-displacement plethysmography (BODPOD^®) to determine body density (Db). Pearson’s product-moment correlation analyses were run to determine between Σ_Ultrasound and the criterion 3C-W, and between the Σ_Skinfold and Σ_Ultrasound. Strong positive correlations were observed between Σ_Skinfold and Σ …

A Test Score Comparison Between Block And Traditional Scheduling, Yancy J. Ford

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how schools utilizing block scheduling and traditional scheduling models differ in achievement levels on the five Georgia End-of-Course Exams (EOCT) and the Georgia High School Graduation Writing test (GHSWT) at two high schools in ruralSouth Georgia. The researcher will investigated if there is a differential benefit in terms of higher EOCT/GHSWT scores during block or traditional scheduling when considering demographic variables student gender, race, or SES. No experimentation occurred as the study relied on historical data. Both high schools were examined individually; comparing the five EOCT’s and the GHSWT under the block …

Design And Implementation Of An Interactive Animatronic System For Guest Response Analysis, Brian Burns

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In theme park based entertainment applications, there is a need for interactive, autonomous animatronic systems to create engaging and compelling experiences for the guests. The animatronic figures must identify the guests and recognize their status in dynamic interactions for enhanced acceptance and effectiveness as socially interactive agents, in the general framework of human-robot interactions. The design and implementation of an interactive, autonomous animatronic system in form of a tabletop dragon and the comparisons of guest responses in its passive and interactive modes are presented in this work. The dragon capabilities include a four degrees-of-freedom head, moving wings, tail, jaw, blinking …

Helping To Resolve Taxonomic Conflicts Within The Genus Amblyomma (Acari:Ixodidae) From A Molecular Perspective, Paula Lado

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This work sought to reassess the taxonomic status of Amblyomma parvum Aragao, 1908 and of the A. maculatum group of ticks Camicas, 1998. By using different molecular markers, 12SrDNA, 16SrDNA, DL, COI, COII (mitochondrial) and ITS2 (nuclear), I analyzed the systematic relationships between these taxa and their closest relatives. Phylogenetic analyses by maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analysis were performed in order to determine relationships among species and populations, and to determine the evolutionary history of these ixodids. The data obtained supported the hypothesis of cryptic speciation occurring within A. parvum, with the northern populations of Central America being …

The Role Of Artificial Structures In Facilitating Range Expansion Of The Introduced Barnacle Megabalanus Coccopoma In The Southeastern U.S.A., Alicia M. Reigel

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The barnacle Megabalanus coccopoma is a recent invader of the southeastern U.S.A. from the tropical eastern Pacific. In Georgia, M. coccopoma populations along the immediate coastline often suffer extensive mortality during the winter, but population rebuilding is common after these events suggesting that there may be nearby larval sources. I investigated the hypothesis that artificial structures (i.e., buoys, towers), occurring far enough offshore of Georgia for water temperatures to be moderated by the Gulf Stream, provide refuges for breeding adults of M. coccopoma and can serve as the larval source. I investigated this hypothesis by first developing thirteen microsatellite primer …

Examination Of Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Ovarian Cancer Stage Of Diagnosis, Surgery Treatment And Survival: Multilevel Analysis Of 2001-2012 Seer Data, Chen Chen

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Context. Racial/ethnic disparities in cancer outcomes are major public health concerns. Ovarian cancer is the tenth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Identifying individual- and contextual-level factors contributing to racial/ethnic disparities in ovarian cancer stage of diagnosis, surgery treatment and survival is necessary for reducing and eliminating these disparities.

Objective. The study aims to examine racial/ethnic disparities in ovarian cancer diagnosis, surgery treatment and survival outcomes; to explore individual- and contextual-level factors contributing to these disparities, and to examine the trend of ovarian cancer racial/ethnic disparities from 2001 to 2012.

Methods. The …

Ammonia Oxygen Demand Determination For The Design Of An Oxygenation System In A Water Supply Reservoir, Armond Jenkins

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The Occoquan Reservoir is a eutrophic reservoir that is part of an indirect potable reuse system. To protect the reservoir water quality, a high quality nitrified product water from a water reclamation facility and an oxygenation system are used during periods of thermal stratification to prevent the onset of anaerobic conditions above the sediments. During the stratified warmest months of the year, oxygen depletion rates exceed nitrate and artificial oxygen supply rates near the dam resulting in ammonia accumulation in the water column. Field observations and laboratory experiments revealed that sediment ammonia release rates ranged from 170-542 mg/m²∙day. …