Digital Commons Network^™

Variations Of Hex Bar Deadlifts On Post-Activation Performance Enhancement In Collegiate Baseball Athletes, Samuel Sanders

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Single-session resistance priming protocols are used by strength and conditioning coaches to acutely improve neuromuscular mechanisms that are beneficial to athletic performance. This study aimed to examine if a concentric-only hex bar deadlift (CHBDL) would produce a similar post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) effect as a full-range-of-motion hex bar deadlift (THBDL) and mitigate perceived measures of fatigue and soreness in collegiate athletes. 19 NCAA Division I baseball athletes completed the study. A repeated measures design with randomized assignment and counterbalanced order was utilized. Over two weeks, the CHBDL and THBDL were added into a typical priming protocol used by the team’s …

A Critical Examination Of Scent Avoidance And Olfactory Development After Neonatal Predator Scent Exposure, Cynthia Ware

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The long-standing assumption that predator odor avoidance in rodents is an innate survival mechanism has shaped decades of behavioral neuroscience research and underpins translational models of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, developmental systems theory (DST) posits that behaviors emerge from dynamic interactions across physiological and environmental systems over time, rather than from fixed genetic programs. This study critically evaluates the developmental plasticity of predator scent aversion by examining whether early-life exposure to red fox urine (a natural predator odor) can attenuate avoidance behaviors in Long–Evans rats. Seventy-one rats were bred into three conditions: Control (no exposure), Partial (exposure from birth), …

Machine Learning Methods For Intrusion Detection And Response In Network Security, Ayomide Oyemaja

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) play a crucial role in computer network security by identifying malicious activities and potential cyberattacks. This thesis combines machine learning and cybersecurity by applying Reinforcement Learning (RL) in intrusion detection and response using the NSL-KDD dataset.

We designed and implemented a Q-learning framework where an agent learns to classify network traffic over time by interacting with the environment and receiving rewards based on detection accuracy. We also look at the importance of feature selection and classification techniques and how effective they are in improving model performance, reducing the complexity of computation, and producing more desirable results. …

Insider Threat Agent: A Behavioral Based Zero Trust Access Control Using Machine Learning Agent, Michael Fojude

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Hybrid work, cloud adoption, and freely available AI‑enabled attack tools have exposed critical weaknesses in perimeter‑centric security. Current breach reports attribute more than one‑third of incidents to insider misuse or credential compromise, yet many organizations still depend on static Role‑ or Attribute‑Based Access Control that neither verifies intent continuously nor adapts to subtle behavioral change. This research addresses that gap by designing and validating a behavioral based Zero Trust Access Control (ZTAC) Agent. A five‑year enterprise log Dataset was extracted and cleansed to establish a high‑fidelity baseline of normal user behavior. Feature engineering captured temporal regularity (login sequence, session duration), …

Barriers To Seeking Medical Care And Their Effects Among Fat Patients With A Fat Liberation Praxis In The United States, Christina Seiko Cook

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Weight stigma and weight bias have significant effects on the health of individuals (Alberga et al., 2019; Pearl, 2018; Puhl & Heuer, 2010; Schwartz et al., 2003; Udo et al., 2016). These biases can show up in the form of fatphobia or anti-fat bias. Physicians who hold anti-fat bias can affect their relationship with their patients, leading to poorer health outcomes and worse patient experiences for larger-bodied and fat people (Phelan et al., 2015). The purpose of this study is to contribute to the current literature regarding the positive and negative experiences of fat patients with a fat liberation praxis …

Comparative Analysis Of Eye-Metric Algorithms For Code Comprehension In Introductory Cs Course, Noushin Gauhar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Eye-tracking technology offers a non-intrusive way to study cognitive processes by tracking where and how long individuals look. In computer science education, it provides valuable insights into how students understand source code—a task that requires intense visual and mental effort. This study investigates how eye-tracking can reveal differences in code comprehension strategies among students in an Introductory Programming course. By analyzing three key metrics—dwell time, gaze entropy, and the K coefficient—the research explores how students engage with code. Dwell time indicates cognitive focus on specific code elements, the K coefficient measures attentional shifts between scanning and focused reading, and gaze …

Synthesis And Characterization Of A Biobased Polymer From Tung Oil And Pine Rosin & Characterization Of Polyhydroxybutyrate., Arijanet P. Osumah

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This thesis presents two independents but thematically aligned research projects focused on the development and evaluation of sustainable polymers. The first involves the synthesis and characterization of a biobased polymer derived from tung oil and pine rosin. Tung oil, which is a triglyceride was chemically modified to produce tung oil diglyceride (TDG), which subsequently reacted with abietic acid-rich pine rosin to yield tung oil abietate (TOA), a biobased monomer. The TOA monomer was polymerized with butyl methacrylate (BMA) and divinylbenzene (DVB) using di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as a thermal initiator. The resulting polymer was thoroughly characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy …

Enhancing Adhd Diagnosis In College Students Using Multimodal Integration Of Nicats And Iva-2 Tools, Rushmila Shabneen

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study explores enhanced methods for accurately identifying Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) indicators in college students. ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder, impacts attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation, often leading to academic and social difficulties. Many students remain undiagnosed due to symptom overlap with stress and other factors. Traditional tools like the IVA-2 assess behavioral responses but may not fully capture ADHD complexity. This research integrates IVA-2 data with multimodal metrics from the Non-Intrusive Classroom Attention Tracking System (NiCATS), which monitors facial expressions, eye movements, and computer interactions. Preliminary results show that combining these tools improves ADHD detection, reduces false …

Dynamic Analysis Of Malware Detection Using Customized Payloads: Examining The Effectiveness Of Manual And Automated Approaches In Web Applications, Jiban Krisna Das

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Web applications are becoming the prime targets for cyber-attacks, where SQL injection (SQLi) and Cross Site Scripting (XSS) are the most exploited vulnerabilities. The study explores a novel approach using customized payloads to examine the effectiveness of manual and automated techniques of malware detection. This dynamic approach can effectively generate attack payloads and identify the vulnerabilities in a website thereby strengthening website security measures. This research focuses on dynamic analysis in a controlled environment while testing and analyzing SQL and XSS payloads under varying security conditions. This quantitative analysis involves crafting targeted payloads to bypass Web Application Firewall (WAF) filters …

Digital Modeling Of Temperature-Dependent Processes In Industrial Wastewater: Advancing Ultimate Oxygen Demand Prediction For Treatment Optimization, Fatima Iqbal

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The pulp and paper industry is the third-largest consumer of freshwater globally and faces mounting pressure to optimize water usage and minimize environmental impact. Aerated stabilization basins are extensively utilized in the pulp and paper industry and play a crucial role in treating wastewater from these operations. The existing management practices fail to effectively optimize treatment processes due to the prolonged time required for testing key quality parameters. The utilization of models developed for treatment facilities presents a viable solution; however, existing open-source models often fall short in accurately predicting treatment efficiency across varying conditions and lack comprehensive accounting of …

Effects Of Perinatal Exposure To Lipopolysaccharide And Acetaminophen On Learning In Adult Long-Evans Rats, Lucy A. Sivils

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The present study investigated the individual and combined effects of elevated perinatal inflammation, oxidative stress caused by acetaminophen (APAP) exposure, or elevated inflammation and oxidative stress on adult learning behaviors in Long-Evans rats. While prior studies have examined these factors independently, the combined effects of inflammation and oxidative stress via APAP exposure during early development on learning-related behaviors remain unexplored. The present research aimed to address this gap by the analysis of potential long-term neurodevelopmental consequences of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and APAP-induced oxidative stress. LPS, APAP, or LPS + APAP was administered during the perinatal period: postnatal days (PD) 9, …

Synthesis Of Tu100 Analogs And Biological Assays, Feyisope Tonye Oladapo

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

TU100 (14-methyl-5H-5,12-epiminobenzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1,2-b]naphthalene-6,11,13(12H)-trione) exhibits exceptional chemotherapeutic properties. It operates via a distinct mechanism that triggers cell death to create cytotoxic effects while concurrently inhibiting topoisomerase I and II. Its efficacy rivals that of well-known chemotherapeutic drugs like Daunorubicin. The distinctive characteristics of TU100 have led to initiatives aimed at creating structurally similar compounds to discover even more effective bioactive alternatives.

The analog synthesis incorporated quinoxaline or its derivatives (diphenyl quinoxaline, dipyridinyl quinoxaline, and dibenzophenazine-10,13-dione) that have been shown to have promising chemotherapeutic effects. Synthesizing the hetero naphthoquinones required a multi-step synthetic process, so quinoxaline/ derivatives intermediates are first prepared, then the …

Using Accelerometry To Determine Loss Of Active Eccentric Control During The Nordic Hamstring Exercise, Makenna Kulzer

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Hamstring strain injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries in sports with high recurrence rates. The Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is a commonly used eccentric exercise intervention to reduce injury risk but has generated controversy regarding its utility due to limited sport specificity. Research examining how NHE performance affects its efficacy remains scarce. Therefore, this study investigated whether accelerometry data could describe the loss of active eccentric control (Q2) and if there is an interaction between leg preference and repetition on time to Q2. METHODS: Thirty college-aged students with >3 months of resistance training experience (1-2x/week). were recruited. Participants …

Response Of Galactic Disks To Dark Matter Halo Triaxiality, Alex J. Hutton

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In this study we examine the influence of dark matter halo triaxiality on the evolution of galactic disks. We do this by running a series of collisionless N-body models. In a first set of models we place the galactic disk within an oblate halo at various orientations and examine the resulting evolution. In our second set we construct fully self-consistent models of a stellar disk embedded within a spherical halo, with an impacting external dark matter dwarf galaxy. After evolving the simulations for a Hubble time, we examine the disk orientation and warping along with other quantities such as bar …

Temporal Analysis Of Construction Safety Incidents In Southeastern U.S. Using Machine Learning Techniques, Mayowa O. Oladele

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Construction safety incidents remain a significant concern, particularly in the Southeastern U.S. due to the high-risk nature of the industry. Analyzing patterns in these incidents can help improve safety practices and reduce accidents. Machine learning (ML) techniques were employed in this study to identify temporal patterns in construction safety incidents, aiming to enhance proactive safety management. The machine learning methods used in this research included logistic regression, decision trees, random forest, support vector machine (SVM), and K nearest neighbors (KNN).

The objective of the study was to analyze temporal trends in safety incidents and identify the most effective machine learningtechnique …

Survey And Identification Of Entomopathogenic Fungi In Millipede Species In Coastal Georgia, Kristin L. Campbell Bailey

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Entomopathogenic fungi are well-known, species-specific pathogens of a wide diversity of insects that infect, manipulate, and kill their insect hosts to complete their life cycle. Recently in Savannah, Georgia, millipedes belonging to the genus Eurymerodesmus were observed exhibiting pre-death climbing behaviors associated with pathogenic fungal infection. Dying millipedes summited vegetation and subsequently died in elevated positions along edge habitat transitioning a recreational field and forest. Upon inspection, fungal structures found emerging from dead millipedes anatomically resembled Arthrophaga myriapodina, which is the first documented entomophthoralean fungus to infect millipedes. The goal of this research was to obtain species-level identification of the …

Motivating Students Through Problem-Based And Project-Based Learning, Dennis J. Moore

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

ABSTRACT

As educators, motivating students can be a difficult task.Sixteen eighth-grade students discuss their perceptions of what makes educational programs motivating. In teacher-centered classrooms, teachers lecture while their students take notes, quizzes, and tests and practice memorization skills in preparation for high-stakes testing. Is this a fair assessment of a student's knowledge, and does this type of instruction fulfill students’ needs for a successful future? Research for this case study focused on students' perceptions of an agricultural program that utilizes problem-based and project-based learning with a sustainability focus.

In problem-based learning (PBL) classes, students are given real-world problems and asked …

How Does Psychopathology Impact The Trajectory From State To Trait Mindfulness?, Veronica O'Brien

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Previous research has found that higher levels of trait mindfulness protect against psychopathology (e.g., Chiesa & Serretti, 2013; Desrosiers et al., 2013; Sevilla-Llewellyn-Jones et al., 2018); however, the research on state mindfulness and psychopathology is more mixed. These mixed findings suggest that some clients with higher levels of psychopathology may have greater difficulty engaging with mindfulness practice thereby hampering their progression towards trait mindfulness and its associated benefits. The present study sought to explore how psychopathology (i.e., anxiety, trauma, alcohol use, and depression) relates to the growth of state and trait mindfulness. The present study recruited 274 participants from a …

Perceived Credibility Of Allegations Of Sexual Assault Across Victim Race And Mental Health History, Liyah C. Morgan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Previous research examined the effect of victim gender and rape myth acceptance (RMA) on perceptions of victim credibility; however, little attention has been given to the impact of victim race and mental health history, and even fewer studies have explored the intersection of these two identities. The primary purpose of the current study was to identify factors affecting understanding of perceived credibility of victims of sexual assault, specifically in terms of victim race and mental health history. The study also examined the role of RMA on perceptions of credibility and explored participant attitudes related to color-blind racial attitudes and mental …

Coastal Empire Economic Monitor, 1st Quarter, 2025, Georgia Southern University Center For Business Analytics And Economic Research

Coastal Empire Economic Monitor

• Forward Momentum Weakening

• Savannah Metro Economy Growth Slows

• U.S. Economy Shrinks, 2025 Outlook Remains Murky

• Forecasting Index Falls

Mr. Otis Lofton Sr.

African American Funeral Programs

death notice for Mr. Otis Lofton Sr. at James R. Barnes Mortuary

Charles Wesley Shorter, Sr.

African American Funeral Programs

Charles_-Wesley-_Shorter_Sr.pdf - Funeral program for Charles Wesley Shorter

James Thomas

African American Funeral Programs

James_Thomas.pdf - Death notice and Obituary for James Thomas

Lillie Mae Thomas

African American Funeral Programs

Mrs_Lillie_-Mae-_Thomas.pdf - Death notice for Lillie Mae Thomas

Ruler Thompson

African American Funeral Programs

No abstract provided.

Mr. Cleo "Billy" Love Jr.

African American Funeral Programs

Death notice for Mr. Cleo "Billy" Love Jr. from James R. Barnes Mortuary

Ms. Fate Lockhart

African American Funeral Programs

Handwritten Obituary for Ms. Fate Lockhart

Mr. Harrison V. Lockhart

African American Funeral Programs

Death Notice for Mr. Harrison V. Lockhart from James R. Barnes Mortuary

Deacon Larry Don Hall

African American Funeral Programs

Funeral Program for Deacon Larry Don Hall on Dec. 28, 2024 at Mt. Carmel Deliverance Center

Mrs. Sharmin Denise

African American Funeral Programs

Mrs_Sharmin_Denise_Smith_Lee.pdf - Funeral program for Mrs. Sharmin Denise