Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Impact Of Transcription On Mutation Rates, Sarah Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

tRNA genes are highly transcribed and perform one of the most fundamental cellular functions. Although a universal pattern observed across all three domains of life is that highly transcribed genes tend to evolve slowly, tRNA genes have been shown previously to evolve rapidly. This rapid sequence evolution could result from relaxed selection, increased mutation rate, or a combination of both. Here, we use mutation-accumulation line sequencing data to show that tRNA genes accumulate more mutations than other gene types. Our results indicate that this elevated mutation rate is a consequence of both elevated transcription-associated mutagenesis and a lack of transcription-coupled …

Investigation And Control Of Görtler Vortices In High-Speed Flows, Omar Es-Sahli

Theses and Dissertations

High-amplitude freestream turbulence and surface roughness elements can excite a laminar boundary-layer flow sufficiently enough to cause streamwise-oriented vortices to develop. These vortices resemble elongated streaks having alternate spanwise variations of the streamwise velocity. Following the transient growth phase, the fully developed vortex structures downstream undergo an inviscid secondary instability mechanism and, ultimately, transition to turbulence. This mechanism becomes much more complicated in high-speed boundary layer flows due to compressibility and thermal effects, which become more significant for higher Mach numbers. In this research, we formulate and test an optimal control algorithm to suppress the growth rate of the aforementioned …

Designing An Artificial Immune Inspired Intrusion Detection System, William Hosier Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The domain of Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) has witnessed growing interest in recent years due to the escalating threats posed by cyberattacks. As Internet of Things (IoT) becomes increasingly integrated into our every day lives, we widen our attack surface and expose more of our personal lives to risk. In the same way the Human Immune System (HIS) safeguards our physical self, a similar solution is needed to safeguard our digital self. This thesis presents the Artificial Immune inspired Intrusion Detection System (AIS-IDS), an IDS modeled after the HIS. This thesis proposes an architecture for AIS-IDS, instantiates an AIS-IDS model …

Exploring The Impact Of Extracurricular Activities On Adolescent Development: A Study Of Students Attending Schools In Poverty And Non-Poverty Areas, Clifton B. Thames

Theses and Dissertations

Previous literature has indicated a relationship between poverty, participation in extracurricular activities, and developmental outcomes. The current study aimed to investigate and develop a deeper understanding of extracurricular activities (ECAs) and their impacts on adolescent development using two self-report tools, the YES 2.0 and the Delinquent Attitude Scale (DAS). The researcher surveyed 174 high school seniors from students attending schools in poverty areas and students attending schools not located in poverty areas in Mississippi, examining disparities in ECA opportunities, barriers to participation, and the positive and negative impacts of ECAs on development. Additional data were collected from school administrators, allowing …

The Effects Of Intermittent Fasting On Female Athletes: A Systematic Review, Courtnie Scarbrough

Theses and Dissertations

The intermittent fasting diet has a historical past, but recently, it has regained popularity as a weight loss strategy for the general public. Athletes have also picked up this specialized diet in search of a competitive edge. There are ample studies testing athletes of all levels, but most do not include females or report sex-specific results. This systematic review aimed to identify current research on the effects of intermittent fasting in the understudied population of female athletes. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in three databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, …

High Temperature Materials From Bis-Ortho-Diynylarene (Boda)-Derived Resins And Perfluorocyclobutyl (Pfcb) Aryl Ether Polymers, Ernesto Isaac Borrego

Theses and Dissertations

This work expands the current understanding of materials chemistry and engineering capabilities of two synthetic platforms: 1.) bis-ortho-diynylarenes (BODA) and 2.) trifluorovinylaryl ethers (TFVE). Each platform possesses a unique chemistry which paradoxically enables the development of high-performance materials therefrom while simultaneously retaining exceptional melt and solution processability. Leveraging the apparent dichotomy in properties (performance/processability) obtainable from these two synthetics platforms, we have pursued and achieved a practical approach to high-temperature resistant materials with an immense potential for technology transfer and commercialization:

1.) BODA-derived resins (BDR) constitute a versatile platform of melt-processable resins capable of rapidly producing high performance …

A Thematic Analysis Of Religious Identity And Volunteer Motivation Among Emerging Adult Members Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Jennifer R. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought insight into the religious and cultural identity of emerging adults belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints(LDS) and the impact such identity had in relation to volunteering motivation. Participants included 24 emerging adult college students belonging to the Church. Thematic analysis was used to determine influencing factors that led to Church membership and how Church membership shaped self-perception. Participants shared volunteer experiences and motivation to volunteer in relation to Deci and Ryan’s (2000) self-determination theory (SDT) was examined. The motivation of relatedness was identified among 100% of participants as compared to competence (37.5%) and …

Radiative Alpha Capture On Carbon-12, Ling Gan

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, we used Effective Field Theory (EFT) to calculate the radiative ALPHA capture on 12C . This reaction is considered the “holy grail” in nuclear astrophysics because it determines the relevant abundance of 16O and 12C . We considered the E1 transition from initial p-wave at energy around the Gamow energy E_G =0.3MeV.The theoretical formula for the cross section is obtained by fitting the EFT parameters to the phase shift and S-factor data. We find the Effective Range Expansion (ERE) parameters describing the ALPHA-wave phase shift are fine tuned. The shallow bound state and the resonance ALPHA-wave …

Hypothalamic Manipulation Of The Anuran Hpg Axis: Alternative Hormones And A Non-Invasive Administration Route For Amphibian Assisted Reproductive Technologies (Art), Erin Michelle Saylor

Theses and Dissertations

Amidst the amphibian extinction crisis, in situ and ex situ amphibian species conservation initiatives utilize assisted reproductive technologies for optimal genetic management of captive and wild populations. Development of effective, simple, low-cost methods for obtaining gametes for artificial fertilization, sperm biobanking, or natural breeding alleviates obstacles for institutions or programs to apply reproductive technologies. Objectives herein include investigating the efficacy of alternative hormones for inducing spermiation, an alternative hormone administration route for inducing ovulation, exploring the physiological effects of hormone therapy, and utilizing sperm from deceased animals for biobanking.

The Experiences Of Teachers In Predominantly Black Schools, Kennetra Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Teachers want to be in schools where their identities are authentically affirmed. However, some educators in predominantly Black schools perceive that they are not always afforded the same level of value and respect as their colleagues in mostly White or mixed schools. Instead, teachers in predominantly Black schools seem to have experiences associated with frustrations that often go unheard of or dismissed for various reasons. Schools with predominantly Black student populations are often associated with challenges in retaining teachers, commonly referred to as teacher retention or teacher turnover. This turnover can have an impact on the academic progress of the …

Development Of An Automated Delivery System To Apply Copper Sulfate Crystals Using Precision Dry Fertilizer Application Technology, Kevin Charles Wise

Theses and Dissertations

The digenetic trematode, Bolbophorus damnificus, poses a substantial threat to catfish aquaculture, causing significant economic losses. Infestations lead to suppressed feed consumption, secondary bacterial infections and poor production performance. Survey data reveals widespread infestation in the in the southeastern United States. Current control strategies involve the application of a concentrated copper sulfate solution to reduce snail populations which serve as the first intermediate host of the trematode life cycle. This study aimed to improve treatment efficacy by developing a granular copper sulfate application system. A modified Gandy fertilizer applicator, equipped with a programmable control system, demonstrated accurate distribution of copper …

Explainable Intrusion Detection Systems Using White Box Techniques, Jesse Ables

Theses and Dissertations

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has found increasing application in various domains, revolutionizing problem-solving and data analysis. However, in decision-sensitive areas like Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), trust and reliability are vital, posing challenges for traditional black box AI systems. These black box IDS, while accurate, lack transparency, making it difficult to understand the reasons behind their decisions. This dissertation explores the concept of eXplainable Intrusion Detection Systems (X-IDS), addressing the issue of trust in X-IDS. It explores the limitations of common black box IDS and the complexities of explainability methods, leading to the fundamental question of trusting explanations generated by black box …

Influence Of Periodic Stitching On The In-Plane And Out-Of-Plane Mechanical Properties Of Polymer Composites, Radwa Alaziz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to investigate the influence of stitching architectures by using different stitching periodic patterns on the in-plane and out-of-plane mechanical properties. By using the inherent periodic architecture of these composites, their mechanical properties may be tailored for specific applications. Composite structures are extensively used in several industries such as aerospace, automotive, sports, and construction due to their many advantages, which include tailorable mechanical properties, high strength-to-weight ratios, and high specific stiffness. However, due to their low interlaminar tensile strength, composites are prone to delaminations, which can degrade the overall mechanical performance of the structure. Through-thickness …

Examining The Impact A Bus Driver Attendance Incentive Program Had On Bus Driver Attendance In A Rural Mississippi School District, Samuel B. Allison

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the impact of a bus driver attendance incentive program implemented in a rural Mississippi school district with the aim of improving bus driver attendance rates. There is a shortage of bus drivers across Mississippi which has made bus driver attendance paramount. Bus driver absenteeism causes disruptions in student transportation services and affects overall school operations. To address this problem, a rural Mississippi school district introduced a bus driver attendance incentive program that provided financial incentives for bus drivers who maintained perfect attendance rates each month.

The research methodology involved collecting and analyzing attendance data for bus drivers …

Sign-Symmetry And Frustration Index In Signed Graphs, Abdulaziz Alotaibi

Theses and Dissertations

A graph in which every edge is labeled positive or negative is called a signed graph. We determine the number of ways to sign the edges of the McGee graph with exactly two negative edges up to switching isomorphism. We characterize signed graphs that are both sign-symmetric and have a frustration index of 1. We prove some results about which signed graphs on complete multipartite graphs have frustration indices 2 and 3. In the final part, we derive the relationship between the frustration index and the number of parts in a sign-symmetric signed graph on complete multipartite graphs.

Evaluation Of Cultivar Susceptibility And In-Furrow Fungicide Efficacy For Management Of Southern Blight Of Soybean, Adam Joseph Connor

Theses and Dissertations

Southern Blight (SB), caused by the fungus Athelia rolfsii, has increasingly impacted Mississippi soybean production with estimated economic losses in recent years rising from $181,616 in 2016 to $9,508,412 in 2021. Currently, there are no recommended fungicides and no known commercially available cultivar resistance. Eleven cultivars were evaluated for their response to the presence of Athelia rolfsii in the 2021 field trial. An in vitro fungicide assay was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of five fungicides to determine the respective EC50. These fungicides were then evaluated in combination with three cultivars, one mild, one moderate, and one severe in the …

Safety-Aware Autonomous Robot Navigation, Mapping And Control By Optimization Techniques, Tingjun Lei

Theses and Dissertations

The realm of autonomous robotics has seen impressive advancements in recent years, with robots taking on essential roles in various sectors, including disaster response, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and healthcare. As these highly intelligent machines continue to integrate into our daily lives, the pressing imperative is to elevate and refine their performance, enabling them to adeptly manage complex tasks with remarkable efficiency, adaptability, and keen decision-making abilities, all while prioritizing safety-aware navigation, mapping, and control systems. Ensuring the safety-awareness of these robotic systems is of paramount importance in their development and deployment. In this research, bio-inspired neural networks, nature-inspired intelligence, deep …

Quantum Computers For Nuclear Physics, Muhammad F. Yusf

Theses and Dissertations

We explore the paradigm shift in quantum computing and quantum information science, emphasizing the synergy between hardware advancements and algorithm development. Only now have the recent advances in quantum computing hardware, despite a century of quantum mechanics, unveiled untapped potential, requiring innovative algorithms for full utilization. Project 1 addresses quantum applications in radiative reactions, overcoming challenges in many-fermion physics due to imaginary time evolution, stochastic methods like Monte Carlo simulations, and the associated sign problem. The methodology introduces the Electromagnetic Transition System and a general two-level system for computing radiative capture reactions. Project 2 utilizes Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) to …

Identifying The Shortest Log Trucking Routes And Optimizing Those Constrained By Low-Weight Bridges In Mississippi, Swagat Attreya

Theses and Dissertations

Timber haulage in Mississippi incurs the greatest portion of logging expenses because of a myriad of closed and posted (restricted) bridges. This study utilized Dijkstra's algorithm method in ArcGIS Pro to derive 129 feasible shortest optimal trucking routes between 46 harvest sites and 32 softwood sawmills in Mississippi. Among these routes, 30 of them had restricted bridges along the way; however, only 13 viable alternative routes were identified due to distance and weight restrictions. The additional trucking distance for alternative routes ranged between 1.5 to 12.9 miles, whose effect on transportation cost was determined using a Mixed Integer Linear Programming …

Adaptive Traction, Power And Torque Control Strategies And Optimization In An All-Electric Powertrain, Aymane Hidara

Theses and Dissertations

Electric and hybrid-electric vehicles lean heavily on intricate control algorithms to provide smooth, reliable, and secure operations under any driving conditions. Three distinct supervisory control strategies have been developed, each aiming to improve reliability and vehicle performance of a dual-motor electric vehicle equipped with an all-wheel-drive, fully electric powertrain. These algorithms are adept at dynamically modulating and constraining the torque provided to the wheels, leveraging two autonomous permanent magnet electric drive units. This study utilizes a vehicle model jointly provided by MathWorks and General Motors in partnership with industry sponsors. The these strategies were implemented in the model and enhanced …

Neural Networks For Improved Signal Source Enumeration And Localization With Unsteered Antenna Arrays, John T. Rogers Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Direction of Arrival estimation using unsteered antenna arrays, unlike mechanically scanned or phased arrays, requires complex algorithms which perform poorly with small aperture arrays or without a large number of observations, or snapshots. In general, these algorithms compute a sample covriance matrix to obtain the direction of arrival and some require a prior estimate of the number of signal sources. Herein, artificial neural network architectures are proposed which demonstrate improved estimation of the number of signal sources, the true signal covariance matrix, and the direction of arrival. The proposed number of source estimation network demonstrates robust performance in the case …

Characterization Of Isomeric States In Neutron-Rich Nuclei Approaching N = 28, Timilehin Hezekiah Ogunbeku

Theses and Dissertations

The investigation of isomeric states in neutron-rich nuclei provides useful insights into the underlying nuclear configurations, and understanding their occurrence along an isotopic chain can inform about shell evolution. Recent studies on neutron-rich Si isotopes near the magic number N = 20 and approaching N = 28 have revealed the presence of low-lying states with intruder configurations, resulting from multiple-particle, multiple-hole excitations across closed shell gaps. The characterization of these states involves measuring their half-lives and transition probabilities.

In this study, a new low-energy (7/2⁻₁) isomer at 68 keV in ³⁷Si was accessed via beta decay …

Membrane Fabrication And Functionalization For Improved Removal Of Monovalent Ions From Water Using Electrodialysis, Matthew P. Sheorn

Theses and Dissertations

Electrodialysis is a membrane separation process that uses an electrical potential to drive the separation. The performance of these systems is largely based on the performance of their ion exchange membranes (IEMs). This research focused on enhancing the performance of IEMs for electrodialysis through surface modification techniques involving chitosan bonded to the surface of commercially available cation exchange membranes (CEMs). The surface functionalization techniques resulted in membranes with improved electrodialysis performance. This research also explored the processing framework to produce functionalized sulfonated PEEK (sPEEK) nanofibers for future consideration as cation exchange membranes.

Chitin was deacetylated to form the functionalized biopolymer …

Flood Inundation Mapping Of The Catalpa Creek Watershed, Subodh Poudel

Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses flood risk assessment in the Catalpa Creek watershed, located in northeast Mississippi, USA. Employing the Hydrological Modeling System (HEC-HMS) and the River Analysis System (HEC-RAS), integrated models were developed and calibrated, to predict flood behavior within the watershed. The study conducted flood frequency analyses for return periods ranging from 2 to 100 years and generated flood inundation maps, pinpointing flood-prone areas. Mitigation measures for flood risk management were recommended. The results underscore the effectiveness of the integrated modeling approach for simulating and understanding the complex dynamics of flood events. The research identified critical flood-prone zones, emphasizing the …

Effects Of Electrical Stimulation On Water-Soluble Flavor Compounds In Beef Semimembranosus Muscle, Chelsie Beebe

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of electrical stimulation on water-soluble flavor compounds in beef semimembranosus muscle, collected immediately after exsanguination (PRE), immediately after stimulation (POST), and 24 h postmortem (H24) from both stimulated (ES) and non-stimulated (CON) carcasses. Short-chained peptides were greater in ES at H24 (P = 0.007). Glutamic acid concentration was above its taste threshold (0.044 mmol/kg) and was less in ES at PRE and POST by 0.030 mmol/kg (P ≤ 0.028) but was similar in both ES and CON by H24 (P = 0.142). Lysine, a Strecker amino acid, was greater in ES at H24 by 0.138 …

Scalable And Explainable Self-Supervised Motif Discovery In Temporal Data, Somayeh Bakhtiari Ramezani

Theses and Dissertations

The availability of a scalable and explainable rule extraction technique via motif discovery is crucial for identifying the health states of a system. Such a technique can enable the creation of a repository of normal and abnormal states of the system and identify the system’s state as we receive data. In complex systems such as ECG, each activity session can consist of a long sequence of motifs that form different global structures. As a result, applying machine learning algorithms without first identifying the local patterns is not feasible and would result in low performance. Thus, extracting unique local motifs and …

The Impact Of Prior Pandemic Planning On Health Outcomes During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Study Of Local Government Pandemic Planning In The United States, Karissa D. Bergene

Theses and Dissertations

In late 2019, scientists discovered a novel strain of coronavirus originating out of Wuhan, China. By January 2020, the United States (U.S.) saw its first positive case of coronavirus and the public was still unsure how serious of an epidemic this would be. By the time the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic a “global pandemic” on March 11, 2020, world leaders, public health experts, scientists, and public administrators kicked into high gear to start serious pandemic response efforts. The public sector is typically the responsible authority for the preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery of such …

The Cost Of Voting Categorized: A Comprehensive Review, Landon Brady

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this paper is to analyze the research field of cost of voting and review the relevant literature on voter participation. After reviewing the literature, a development of a theoretical framework to categorize multiple variables associated with the cost of voting will be completed. The goal is to create clear, concise, and simple categories that define the cost of voting. This should add conceptual clarity to the field by linking variables into a common foundation. The research also connects the sociological and psychological category of intrapersonal to concepts of social group needs, sense of achieving a greater …

Advancing Air Filtration Analysis: A Comprehensive Approach To Particle Loading Models, Gentry Nathaniel Berry

Theses and Dissertations

Fibrous air filters are commonly used to capture airborne particles due to their potential for a relatively high capture efficiency and low airflow resistance. Their performance characteristics make them ideal candidates in many instances, spanning a wide range from residential to sensitive industrial applications. However, as more particles are captured, the performance of the filter will evolve. This evolution of performance typically manifests as a higher capture efficiency and higher airflow resistance resulting from the additional particulate deposits. The prediction of fibrous filter performance has been the focus of research for many decades, resulting in numerous analytical, numerical, and empirical …

Examining The Impact That A Modified School Calendar Had On Teacher Attendance In A Rural Mississippi School District, James W. Carlisle Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Educational leaders have long recognized the certified classroom teacher as the most important factor in student performance and success. In his research article Teachers Matter: Understanding Teachers’ Impact on Student Achievement for the Rand Corporation, Opper (2019) stated, “When it comes to student performance on reading and math tests, teachers are estimated to have two to three times the effect of any other school factor, including services, facilities, and leadership” (para. 2). While district and school administrators certainly understand the impact teachers have on student performance, little has been done to mitigate the issue of teacher absenteeism, which has become …