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Enumeration Of Lattice Paths With Restrictions, Vince White

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Lattice path enumeration, through the lens of Catalan numbers, plays a crucial role in combinatorics. This thesis delves into enumerations of some of the most common lattice paths – north-east paths, up-down paths, and Dyck paths – with restrictions applied. The first restriction is counting north-east lattice paths that only cross the diagonal line, y=x, once. The second form of lattice paths with restrictions is up-down paths that cross the x-axis exactly once and fall to a fixed depth of k. While working through this module, a novel proof for a known integer sequence was used, then applied to generate …

A Comparative Analysis Of A Family Of Advanced Iterative Optimization Methods In Nonlinear Regression, Tanmoy Kumar Debnath

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Classical statistical supervised learning optimization techniques like the Gauss-Newton Iterative Method (GNIM), Weighted Gauss-Newton Iterative Method (WGNIM), Reweighted Gauss-Newton Iterative Method (RGNIM), and Levenberg-Marquart (LM) algorithm extend the nonlinear least squares method. The WGNIM improves model fitting by controlling heteroscedasticity in the linear and nonlinear models. A comparative analysis of the GNIM, WGNIM, RGNIM, and LM methods for fitting nonlinear models is presented. A step-wise diagnosis for structural multicollinearity in the reweighted linearized model is investigated via the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) to determine variance inflation in the sequence of estimators for the model parameters. Under restricted multicollinearity levels in …

Mathematical Modeling Of Coupled Heat And Mass Transfer In Metal-Hydride Hydrogen Storage Systems, Muhammad Hasnain

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

As a promising clean energy carrier hydrogen has recently gained significant interest, but its efficient and safe storage is a major challenge. Compared to the gaseous state and liquid state, metal hydrides (MH) offer a potentially more effective storage approach for hydrogen. However, the main challenge in this approach is the low thermal conductivity of the MH bed that leads to low heat transfer and ultimately to higher charging and discharging times. The purpose of this work is to develop an in-house comprehensive heat and mass transfer model for hydrogen sorption in MH reactors to simulate the dynamic behavior of …

Enhancing The Bandwidth And Radiation Characteristics Of Size-Reduced Antennas, Jack P. Nemec

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Electrically small antennas are researched heavily throughout electromagnetic literature due to their practicality. Antennas need to be able to fit into small places such as cell phones. However, the reduction of antenna size comes at a cost in decreasing the impedance bandwidth and radiation efficiency of the antenna. This research aims to find solutions to having sized-reduced antennas while enhancing both the impedance bandwidth and radiation characteristics of the antenna. First, the size reduction of a dual-element dipole is analyzed. Dual-element dipoles are known to have impedance bandwidth enhancing properties along with the ability to have different radiation modes. Next, …

Investigation Of Mechanically Fatigue Low-Frequency Energy Harvesting Effects On Isotropic Materials, Daniel J. Meade

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This research project reports an exploratory investigation of energy harvesting effect on isotropic material that goes through low frequency mechanical fatigue. Energy harvesting is a growing field of study that can recycle ambient energy back into a system that would otherwise be lost. This is a significantly useful method for the ongoing energy crisis and provides an alternate route to design and upgrade systems to be more efficient and last longer than current system designs. However, it is time to investigate if there is any effect vibration-based energy harvesting has on the structure from which energy is being harvested. To …

Understanding The Role Of Recalcitrant Organic Phosphorus Mineralization On Harmful Algal Blooms At The Sediment-Water Interface Of Freshwater System, Tasnuva Farnaz

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Over the past few decades, an enormous number of resources have been allocated to reduce the amount of phosphorus (P) entering the environment from both point and non-point sources. Nevertheless, the decrease in external P loading has not always resulted in a simultaneous decrease in the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in waters contaminated with phosphorus. A two-part study is currently being conducted to investigate and measure the role of legacy recalcitrant P forms in the overall pool of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP). However, the objective of this particular study is to evaluate the potential of Organic Phosphorus (PO) …

Cultivation Of A Commercially Important Macroalga (Ulva Sp) For Polyculture Research In Coastal Georgia, Kyle Mundy

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The Georgia coast has shown great potential for large-scale oyster aquaculture, and the rate at which the sector has grown demands implementation of novel techniques to ensure sustainability and success in the face of climate change. One practice – integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) or polyculture – is known to have positive effects on the health and quality of farmed organisms and the surrounding environment through low pH/alkalinity amelioration, while also being a unique and viable way for a farming operation to diversify its products. To date, there has been no such attempt at investigating or demonstrating macroalgae culture in Georgia. …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Spousal Labor Migration And The Postpartum Experiences Of Women In Nepal, Sandhya Lohani

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Labor migration is a prevalent phenomenon in Nepal, with many men leaving the country searching for employment opportunities, often leaving their families behind. This study explores the impact of this migration on women's postpartum experiences, including factors such as emotional support, financial strain, and childcare responsibilities. A qualitative approach was used, conducting interviews of 31(16 women with labor-migrant spouses and 15 with non-migrant spouses) to gather insights into the unique challenges faced by the two groups of women during the postpartum period. The findings highlight the significant differences in postpartum experiences between women with migrant spouses and those without, shedding …

Hillbilly Bands: Southern Rock's Impact On Southern Identity In The 1970s, John H. Hartman

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Music has always been a conduit in which its artists are able to voice their views, influences, desires, and heartbreaks to a wide audience. Southern Rock is no different. The emergence and popularity of the genre in the 1970s is not a coincidence, but rather a reflection of the South during this time. The South as a whole was changing due to the passage of the Civil Rights Act, ending Jim Crow Laws and denouncing racial oppression throughout the nation. For the South, This meant drastic changes to their society and the slow recognition of the racially oppressive ideals that …

Aggressive And Non-Aggressive Behaviors In Mixed And Non-Mixed Dorymyrmex Smithi And Dorymyrmex Bureni Colonies Of Southeastern Georgia, Usa, Renee K. Nowicki

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Dorymyrmex species, ‘pyramid’ or ‘cone’ ants, are Dolichoderines distributed across North America. Two relatively well-studied species, Dorymyrmex smithi and Dorymyrmex bureni, are commonly found throughout southeastern Georgia. These species are part of a socially parasitic relationship while simultaneously having starkly different colony structures. Dorymyrmex smithi is a polydomous, polygynous species with colonies that are often expansive, at times having hundreds to thousands of nests per colony. Dorymyrmex smithi is a temporary social parasite of D. bureni, a monodomous, monogynous species. The specific mechanism of this parasitism is currently unknown. Preliminary behavioral assay data from a limited number of …

The De Rham Cohomology Of A Lie Group Modulo A Dense Subgroup, Brant Clark

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Let $H$ be a dense subgroup of a Lie group $G$ with Lie algebra $\LG$. We show that the (diffeological) de Rham cohomology of $G/H$ equals the Lie algebra cohomology of $\LG/\LH$, where $\LH$ is the ideal \mbox{$\{Z\in\LG:\e{tZ}\in H \text{ for all } t\in\RR\}$}

Understanding The Impact Of Process Interruption On Mechanical Properties In Metal Additive Manufacturing: A Comprehensive Investigation, Poojith C. Chigurupati

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Metal additive manufacturing techniques enable rapid prototyping and on-demand manufacturing while improving supply chain resiliency. Changes in microstructure and micro-mechanical characteristics of 3D printed metal parts occur due to the influence of process interruptions on melting-solidification cycles during the layer evolution in additive manufacturing processes. The process interruption can deteriorate the structural integrity of the 3D printed parts and generate micro-flaws in the interruption region. Manufacturing post-processing techniques such as Heat-Treatment methods can enhance the mechanical properties of the parts. Since variations commonly happen at the layer level, the investigation of mechanical properties must be done such that these variations …

Factors Associated With Hepatitis C-Related Hospitalizations And Inpatient Mortality In The United States, Pre- And Post-Onset Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Christina R. Samuel

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Background: Hepatitis C is a significant public health problem in the United States and imposes a substantial burden on the healthcare system. Previous research shows that the COVID-19 pandemic response efforts have overshadowed hepatitis C testing and treatment measures in health care settings across the country. The purpose of this study was to describe and examine the factors associated with hepatitis C-related hospitalizations and inpatient mortality in the United States, pre- and post-onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2019-2020 National Inpatient Sample database. The study population included persons aged ≥18 years with hepatitis C-related inpatient …

Footwear Selection, Foot Type, And Running Biomechanics Of Male Distance Runners With Previous Running Related Injury: A Case Series, Diego Castro I. Diaz

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

With the rise in popularity of running, running shoe companies have researched and designed several models aimed at the purpose of providing comfort and aiding in the decrease of running related injuries. Technology was developed for running shoes to control forefoot and rearfoot impact forces and rearfoot motion during running. However, there is no overwhelming evidence supporting the notion that footwear corresponding to foot type leads to a decrease in running injuries. Thus, the purpose of this study was to describe footwear selection, foot type, and running biomechanics in previously injured male distance runners. Six total participants completed this case …

Testing Differential Predation As A Mechanism Of Color Polymorphism In A Cryptic Lizard., Justin A. Sanclemente

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Selection via predation is a strong evolutionary force on small organisms, producing unique phenotypic adaptations. In cryptic species, different populations may exhibit color polymorphisms to better match multiple substrates or backgrounds. Here, I conducted a clay model study in the Ocala National Forest of Florida (USA) to test predation as a selective mechanism for color polymorphism in the Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi). Clay models were constructed to resemble light and dark morphs of S. woodi and placed on contrasting substrates in longleaf pine and Florida scrub stands. It is hypothesized Florida Scrub Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) …

Evaluation Of The Navy Shipshape Program At A Large Navy Military Treatment Facility: A Comprehensive Swot Analysis Approach, Nia Nur Maye

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The increasing problem of obesity among Navy service members (SMs) is a public health concern that impacts operational readiness and health risks. To combat obesity, the Navy has an official weight management initiative called ShipShape. This project aimed to conduct a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis of ShipShape at a large Military Treatment Facility (MTF) in Portsmouth, Virginia. This program evaluation aimed to identify the internal and external factors that influenced the program's effectiveness to propose suggestions for improvement. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the evaluation focused on conducting a paired t-test to analyze changes in Body Mass …

An Evaluation Of Social Media Use And Its Association With Nutrition Behaviors Among Female Parents, Meredith St. Cyr

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Recent studies have indicated that an unhealthy diet plays a role in the development of overweight and obesity, which are among the most severe public health challenges of the 21st century. One population that has become an emerging focus is female parents aged 21 – 35. Research has demonstrated that the transition to parenthood and the years following are often a turning point regarding developing obesity and that early effects on weight gain are likely to be cumulative and persistent. A unique characteristic of this population is their high utilization of social media. This study utilized a mixed methods study …

What’S Agape Love Got To Do With It?: Teaching With Courage, Passion, And Compassion In A Rural Elementary School In North Georgia, Jhanna Bryson

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores the crucial role of love in teaching, specifically focusing on the content of a rural elementary school in North Georgia. Drawing on qualitative research and personal experiences of the author, as well as other teachers at the same school, this study examines how love, manifested through courage, passion, and compassion, can significantly impact teaching practices and positively influence student outcomes in challenging educational settings. Theoretically my dissertations draws upon three bodies of literature such as critical pedagogy, (e.g. Darder, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2018; Freire, 1987, 1998, 2000, 2019; Giroux, 2010, 2018; hooks, 1994, 2001), radical love, …

An Exploration Of The Race And Gender Representations In Professional Wrestling In The United States: A Qualitative Case Study, Luther P. Lucas

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Professional Wrestling has long perpetuated stereotypical representations of race and gender through its performers and the storylines in which they participate. While the popularity of professional wrestling has varied over the years, its impact on popular culture has persisted for decades. This study focuses on the race and gender representations present in storylines and texts in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Through critical multicultural analysis, a conceptual framework built upon curriculum studies and critical media literacy, this study explored the dominant social structures in professional wrestling. Findings were that women are often relegated to secondary roles and Black males are regularly …

Imperial Adolescence In Kenzaburō Ōe's "Prize Stock", D'Yanna Coffey

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The study of adolescents in Postcolonial Studies is a growing area of research. This thesis defines Imperial Adolescence, a critical framework that be used to examine the development of adolescents in imperial settings, applies it to Kenzaburō Ōe’s “Prize Stock,” and encourages postcolonial scholars to add to a steadily discourse. “Prize Stock” tells the story of a black American airman captive in a rural Japanese village, and Imperial Adolescence is applied to the novella’s adolescent narrator. The four stages of Imperial Adolescence (Childhood, Early Adolescence, Puberty, and Middle Adolescence) are used to trace the impact of Postcolonial elements (such as …

Stability Analysis Of Vertical Industrial Pressure Vessel Resting On Load Cells Subjected To A Seismic Load., Kameron W. Nez

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Instability of structures, such as large vertical pressure vessels, is always an issue under the seismic load. In this current work, the acceleration that causes instability for a vertical pressure vessel has been determined experimentally using scaled models. This instability is caused by the tipping of the tall structure that is not completely fixed to the ground. This method is applied for three different sizes of pressure vessels, representing 50 CuFt to 1100 CuFt full scale models. These experimental results are compared with theoretical models. Using dimensional analysis, the accelerations that will cause the instability in the actual full-size models …

Natural Convection Heat Transfer Characteristics Of Sierpinski Carpet Fractal Fins In Horizontal And Vertical Orientations, Ayomide Ayoola

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study investigates the thermal performance of fins with perforations inspired by the Sierpinski carpet fractal pattern under natural convection conditions in both vertical and horizontal orientations. The objective is to analyze the effects of fractal iteration levels on three primary performance metrics: efficiency, effectiveness, and effectiveness per unit mass. Experimental evaluations were conducted for fractal fins from iterations 0 through 4, utilizing aluminum material, with each fin heated to controlled conditions. The results reveal that efficiency generally decreases with higher fractal iterations, reflecting increased thermal resistance associated with greater porosity and complex geometry. However, effectiveness per unit mass improves …

Numerical Modeling Of Thermal Runaway In Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Decomposition Kinetics And Inter-Cell Contact Resistance, Shehzad Khan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are central in numerous high-demand applications due to their high energy density and prolonged cycle life. Despite these advantages, their susceptibility to thermal runaway (TR) poses a significant safety risk, with the potential for catastrophic failures. This study focuses on the thermal behavior of prismatic lithium-ion cells, using a finite volume-based partial differential equation (PDE) solver developed in MATLAB and JULIA to model TR behavior. This solver accurately simulates transient behaviors, convection, diffusion, and source terms across various coordinate systems. By engaging in a series of increasing complex case studies, this research aims to identify the critical …

Highlighting Opportunities For Anaerobic Co-Digestion Of Food Waste From Universities With Pulp And Paper Mill Sludge, Md Nizam Uddin

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The disposal of food waste (FW) in landfills presents significant environmental and economic challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions and loss of potential resources. Concurrently, the pulp and paper industry, a major sector in the United States, generates substantial quantities of recalcitrant organic waste that is high in lignocellulosic content. Anaerobic co-digestion of FW with pulp and paper mill sludge (PPMS) emerges as a potential strategy to address both waste streams simultaneously, potentially enhancing organic matter degradation and biogas yield. However, the efficacy of this co-digestion approach and its broader sustainability implications remain insufficiently characterized. This study employs laboratory-scale experiments to …

Experimental Investigation Of Liquid Metal Embrittlement In Hot-Dip Galvanized Structural Steel, Amelia Mcnamee

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This research investigated the liquid metal embrittlement (LME) of hot-dipped galvanized structural steel. The relationship between stress and failure time was analyzed to evaluate the potential presence of a critical stress threshold beyond which LME may occur. A testing apparatus to induce axial stress was designed and assembled in-house. A36 low carbon steel was tested in this study. Different deadweight loadings were applied to the testing sample along the axial direction. The test temperature was maintained by a programmable furnace while the sample gauge section was submerged in a molten zinc bath. Failure time and total displacement of the steel …

Implementation Of Cavity Vortex Generators To Mitigate Stall And Ice Accretion On The Naca 0012, Eric Pernell

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

With the growing environmental concerns of international aviation carbon emissions are driven by the ever-increasing commercial aviation traffic. This study aims to increase the aerodynamic efficiency of the NACA 0012, by implementing cavity vortex generators with the intent to increase the effective stall angle without a substantial increase of drag. This study is performed with Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) at a low Reynolds of 5.0E+04 with varying cavity depths along the leading edge. The depths study is placed at 10 percent cord at depths of 3, 5, and 10 percent cord. All cavity vortex generators effectively increased the stall angle …

“Why Blackness, Black Girl?:” Discovering Multilocal Blackness In Wonderful Adventures Of Mrs. Seacole In Many Lands And Americanah, Sydney A. Ware

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In “Why Blackness, Black Girl?” I argue that as a consequence of imperialism, Western Blackness has an interdependent relationship with whiteness, resulting in the domination of Western Blackness over non-Western Blackness. Tensions between both groups are usually portrayed by Western media as divisive. I pose Multilocality as a theory to reconcile this tension. I use Taiye Selasi's concept of the multilocal, and her Three Markers (3 R’s) to identify where hybridized identities are local to and how they can connect to each local space. I expand Selasi’s concept into a theory called Multilocality, and added a fourth marker that I …

Aeroelastic Phenomena Of Fixed-Wing Aircraft In Transonic And Supersonic Flows Using A Tightly-Coupled Computational Approach, John C. Havenar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Aeroelastic phenomena encountered during flight have considerable effects on the aerodynamic characteristics of fixed-wing aircraft. Transonic aeroelastic phenomena are often characterized by unique flow features which have complex ramifications for aircraft in transonic flight. Computational study of high-speed aeroelastic phenomena requires a fully-coupled aeroelastic algorithm. A series of wing designs are studied with a computational finite volume method solver accompanied by a finite element method solver for the calculation of structural deformation. The computational model for the flow field is validated with experimental data. Modeled flight conditions include transonic flows with bordering subsonic and supersonic cases included for completeness. The …

A Muse In A Minefield: Poets, Pedagogy, And The Practice Of Liberation, Fran Dundore

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In this poetic inquiry I share my experiences as a public educator within the contexts of aesthetics, identity, and power. Reflecting and inquiring poetically on nearly thirty years of public practice and leadership, I consider my personal experiences and conversations with current teachers and call them into action to speak up about the ramifications of this current political climate on their curriculum and their pedagogy. I focus on the works of poets and theorists such as Oliver (1986, 1992, 1998 & 2011), Whitman (1855, 1892), Hughes (1951) Counts (1932), Rosenblatt (1978 &1995), Freire (1970, 1974 & 1978), and Greene (1973, …