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Multiscale Geometric Modeling Of Macromolecules I: Cartesian Representation, Kelin Xia, Xin Feng, Zhan Chen, Yiying Tong, Guo-Wei Wei

Mathematical Sciences: Faculty Publications

This paper focuses on the geometric modeling and computational algorithm development of biomolecular structures from two data sources: Protein Data Bank (PDB) and Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB) in the Eulerian (or Cartesian) representation. Molecular surface (MS) contains non-smooth geometric singularities, such as cusps, tips and self-intersecting facets, which often lead to computational instabilities in molecular simulations, and violate the physical principle of surface free energy minimization. Variational multiscale surface definitions are proposed based on geometric flows and solvation analysis of biomolecular systems. Our approach leads to geometric and potential driven Laplace–Beltrami flows for biomolecular surface evolution and formation. The …

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An Investigation Of Sensitivity Of An F Test In Locating Change Points In Linear Regression, Jing Sun

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Change point is a statistic phenomenon, which has many direct applications in climatology, bioinformatics, finance, oceanography and medical imaging. In this thesis, we investigate the sensitivity of the F-test for detecting change points in linear regression, using a two-phase linear regression model. it offers an effective method to detect "undocumented" change points using a form of an F-test. Using simulated data, we explore its sensitivity and accuracy with respect t different parameters in the model.

Ascension, Megan Hopkins, Jeremy Wilburn, Sandra Bennett

Research & Economic Development

editor: Mary Beth Spence director: Megan Hopkins designer:

Megan Hopkins, Sherry Woods photographer: Jeremy Wilburn

Ascension, Megan Hopkins, Jeremy Wilburn, Sandra Bennett

Ascension: Elevating Research & Scholarship

No abstract provided.

2014 Spring Commencement, Georgia Southern University

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

2014 Fall Commencement, Georgia Southern University

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Molecular Phylogenetic Relationships Of North American Dermacentor Ticks Using Mitochondrial Gene Sequences, Kayla L. Perry

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Dermacentor is a recently evolved genus of hard ticks (Family Ixodiae) that includes 36 known species worldwide. Despite the importance of Dermacentor species as vectors of human and animal disease, the systematics of the genus remain largely unresolved. This study focuses on phylogenetic relationships of the eight North American Nearctic Dermacentor species: D. albipictus, D. variabilis, D. occidentalis, D. halli, D. parumapertus, D. hunteri, and D. andersoni, and the recently re-established species D. kamshadalus, as well as two of the Neotropical Dermacentor species D. nitens and D. dissimilis (both formerly Anocentor). We sequenced portions of the mitochondrial …

Generalized Classes Of Distributions With Applications To Income And Lifetime Data, Shujiao Huang

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In this thesis, new classes of distributions namely: exponentiated Kumaraswamy-Dagum (EKD), Log-exponentiated Kumaraswamy-Dagum (Log-EKD), McDonald Log-logistic (McLLog) and Gamma-Dagum (GD) distributions are presented. A thorough and comprehensive investigation of these classes of distributions is conducted. Mathematical properties of these classes of distributions including series expansion, hazard and reverse hazard functions, moments, generating functions, mean and median deviations, Bonferroni and Lorenz curves, distribution of order statistics, moments of order statistics and entropies are presented. Estimation of parameters of these distributions via maximum likelihood technique, Fisher information and asymptotic confidence intervals are given. Maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters of the exponentiated …

Adult Attachment And Emotion Identification: A Cognitive Evaluation, Jennifer F. Barron

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Whether adult or infant, attachment bonds aid in the development of beliefs about oneself and others (Collins & Read, 1990; Hazen & Shaver, 1987). Additionally, attachment seems to play a vital role in human development, communication, emotion recognition and comprehension, and the development of appropriate mental representations of emotional experiences (Denham et al., 2002; Greg & Howe, 2001; Raikes & Thompson, 2006). Because attachment is considered a somewhat stable trait, it seems logical that the importance of emotional experiences would not be limited to childhood, and would be important in establishing and maintaining healthy adult relationships (Kerr, Melley, Travea, & …

Tactical Escape Behavior And Performance Of A Small Sceloporine Lizard In Two High Risk Habitats, Seth Parker

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The negotiation of uneven and complex terrain has implications for many small terrestrial vertebrates. Variation in the running surface due to obstacles like woody debris or vegetation can alter escape paths and running performance. Additionally, these microhabitat features can influence behavioral tactics in complex environments. The ability to negotiate physical barriers in dense environments likely influences survivorship through important ecological tasks, such as finding mates, foraging, and evading predators. The Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi) is a small, rare species endemic to two distinct and structurally complex environments in Florida, i.e. sand-pine scrub and longleaf pine-wiregrass sand-hills. The …

Effects Of Organic And Conventional Agricultural Practices On Soil Microbial Communities And Molecular Detection Of Soil Borne Disease, Holli K. Milner

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Agricultural practices affect soil microbial communities and health through the input of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and cycling of crop rotation. By examining the microbial community structure, we analyzed how microbial species respond to the environment that individual farms create. Early detection of soil borne disease is essential for agricultural success. However, monitoring incidence of disease based on plant growth response to pathogenic inoculation may not reveal the amount of pathogenic DNA in soil. A comparative study of tomato production systems was conducted by analysis of soil microbial community structure from four farms in Southeast Georgia for the years 2012 and …

Impact Of Mobile Devices On Student Performance In An Agriscience Classroom, Burton L. Carter

Instructional Technology Education Specialist Research Papers

This study focuses on the impact of a modeled one to one mobile device implementation in an agriscience classroom. Using a pretest posttest method, data is collected on how student performance is impacted. Students complete a class project using either the traditional method or a digital version using mobile devices. The project helps to prepare students for the plant identification posttest.

Assessment Of Water Quality And Soil Sequestration To Ensure Environmental Quality At Georgia Southern University Campus, Arpita Saha, Subhrajit K. Saha, Matthew Pfister

Sustainability Showcase (2014-2022)

Assessment of Water Quality and Soil Sequestration to Ensure Environmental Quality at Georgia Southern University Campus

Dr. Arpita Saha (PI), Dr. Subhrajit Saha (Co-PI), and Matthew Pfister (Co-PI)

The proposed project has two parts, first part involves analysis of campus surface water quality and the second part involves measurement of campus soil carbon storage. The storm water runoff from off-campus and on-campus sources has the potential to pollute the campus water bodies and the findings of our study will recommend remedial strategies, which may help authorities to take necessary actions. The campus soil carbon distribution was inventoried and the factors …

Honors @ Georgia Southern, University Honors Program Students And Staff, Georgia Southern University

Honors College: News & Publications (2008-2020)

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The Effect Of Instructor Title On Student Instructional Expectations, Katharina Denise Kendall, Elisabeth E. Schussler

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This study investigated undergraduate pre-semester instructional expectations of two types of introductory biology course instructors based on four titles (faculty member [FM], graduate teaching assistant [GTA], lecture instructor, laboratory instructor). Data were collected via an online survey administered before students had met their instructors. All students enrolled in first-semester non-majors and majors introductory biology were invited to participate, and 199 students completed the survey. Results identified different instructional expectations for instructors based on the four titles. Significantly, students anticipated differences between FMs and lecture instructors, and GTAs and lab instructors, despite these being the same individual. These results suggest that …

A Multi-Case Study Of Student Perceptions Of Online Course Design Elements And Success, Liz Fayer Dr.

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Course design is viewed as a critical component of student success in online classes. The purpose of this qualitative multi-case study was to examine student perceptions of course design elements that supported student success. The study included three data sources for each of the three cases: responses to questionnaires, written responses during online peer discussions, and course data/documents. The course studied was a prerequisite to student teaching in the post-baccalaureate online teacher certification program at a small, rural, Midwestern university. Guiding this research was the idea that a fundamental pedagogical shift is needed for online student success due to …

Introductory Biology Course Reform: A Tale Of Two Courses, Michele I. Shuster Phd, Ralph Preszler

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Over the past eight years we have undertaken iterative cycles of course reform in two introductory biology courses: Biology 111 and Biology 211. Our revisions of these formerly “traditional” lecture courses have included in-class case studies with and without peer facilitators and peer-facilitated small-group workshops.

Based on analyses of overall pass rates, as well as pass rates by gender and by underrepresented minority (URM) status, we have found that there are differences in the effectiveness of alternative course models in the two courses. In Biol 111, required peer-facilitated workshops improved overall student performance, especially for URM and female students (Preszler, …

Improving Mathematics: An Examination Of The Effects Of Specific Cognitive Abilities On College-Age Students’ Mathematics Achievement, Gordon E. Taub, Nicholas Benson, Judit Szente

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This study investigated the effects of general intelligence and seven specific cognitive abilities on college-age students’ mathematics achievement. The present investigation went beyond previous research by employing structural equation modeling. It also represents the first study to examine the direct and indirect effects of general and specific cognitive abilities, simultaneously, on the mathematics achievement of college-age students. A model developed using the Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory of intelligence was the theoretical model used in all analyses. Data from 1,054 college-age students who participated in the standardization of the Woodcock–Johnson III (Woodcock, McGrew, & Mather, 2001) were divided into a calibration sample set …

Employing Concept Mapping As A Pre-Writing Strategy To Help Efl Learners Better Generate Argumentative Compositions, Ibrahim M. R. Al-Shaer Ph.D.

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of employing concept mapping at a pre-writing stage on English as a foreign language (EFL) students' ability to generate better argumentative essays. Thirty-eight participants were randomly assigned to two groups participating in Writing II course at Al-Quds Open University (QOU). Both groups had the same teacher. The control group received instruction as required in the textbook only, and the experimental group were additionally required to construct concept maps at the pre-writing stage and compose essays based on the constructed maps. All participants were required to sit for pre- and post-tests …

Fostering Significant Learning In Sciences, Tolessa Deksissa, Lily R. Liang, Pradeep Behera, Suzan J. Harkness

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

The new global economy depends on workforce competencies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics more than ever before. To prepare a strong workforce, attracting and educating underrepresented minority students in science is a challenge within our traditional American educational approach. To meet this challenge, fostering significant learning in science that nurtures 21^st Century skills in students is crucial. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of a set of teaching and learning approaches that foster significant learning in sciences. Using a new introductory environmental science course in urban water quality management, the effect of a set …

Reconciling Apples & Oranges: A Constructivist Sotl Writing Program, Nancy L. Chick, La Vonne Cornell-Swanson, Katina Lazarides, Renee Meyers

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Faculty new to SoTL, especially when they consider writing for publication, often react by focusing on how different it is—apples and oranges—from their familiar disciplinary processes and products. Although there are indeed significant differences between individual disciplines and SoTL, appealing to the similarities can demystify SoTL as disciplinary experts reach out of their comfort zones and into areas of research and writing that often make them doubt themselves. We fill a gap in the SoTL literature by describing how to go from data analysis to publication in SoTL. We also report on our descriptive study delving into the complexities of …

Time Efficiency, Written Feedback, And Student Achievement In Inquiry-Oriented Biology Labs, John M. Basey, Anastasia P. Maines, Clinton D. Francis

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

We examined how different styles of written feedback by graduate-student teaching assistants (GTAs) in college intro biology lab (USA) influenced student achievement and related the different styles to time efficiency. We quantified GTA feedback on formative lab reports and student achievement on two different types of assessments, a quiz in 2010 and a summative lab report in 2011. We evaluated the extent to which three categories of written feedback impacted student achievement (grade discrepancy between actual and ideal, short direct comments, and in-depth explanatory comments). Student achievement was best explained by both grade discrepancy and short direct comments in 2010 …

Investigating Transnational Collaboration Of Faculty Development And Learning: An Argument For Making Learning Culturally Relevant, Dr. Janine F. Allen

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Professional development offered to higher education faculty is meant to enhance pedagogy and improve practice. Inspired by a transnational partnership in Southeast Asia, this study aimed to discover how teacher education faculty perceived faculty development offered to them by university partnership colleagues from the United States. Survey findings indicate that certain faculty development strategies improved teaching and assessment practices and enhanced self-reflection. However, evidence also showed some negative faculty perceptions in relation to the US partner’s methodologies, and qualitative responses indicated a lack of relevancy to the Southeastern Asia context. Furthermore, negative correlations were found between faculty development workshops and …

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A New Approach For Generating Facility Layouts Using An Algorithmic Approach, Volker Sadowsky, Christian Mosblech

13th IMHRC Proceedings (Cincinnati, Ohio. USA – 2014)

In this paper a new approach is described to automatically create layouts for material flow systems. The current research in progress aiming at adopting the methods and algorithms of the Electronic Design Automation to be used in logistics planning is presented. These methods are already applied to create microchips being multiple times more complex than material flow systems while following the same goal: Functional units have to be placed on a predefined area and are linked by connections weighted differently. This basic requirement can be applied to microchip designs as well as material flow systems. The common condition is to …

Creating A Transformational Learning Experience: Immersing Students In An Intensive Interdisciplinary Learning Environment, Shelley K. White, Mindell Reiss Nitkin

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

The Simmons World Challenge is a unique, interdisciplinary program recently developed at Simmons College. It immerses students in an intensive winter-session course that challenges them to tackle a pressing social issue, such as poverty or hunger, and create actionable solutions to the problem. The program was conceived and designed to harness the strengths of pedagogical theories on transformational teaching and learning. This article describes the Simmons World Challenge and presents assessment findings from the program’s third iteration in 2013, as well as on the long-term impact of the program based on follow-up assessments with the first two cohorts of students. …

Graduate Catalog, Georgia Southern University

Graduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Georgia Southern Magazine, Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern Magazine

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President's Annual Report, Brooks Keel

Office of the President: Annual Report (Archived)

No abstract provided.