Digital Commons Network^™

Characterization Of Vibrational Response Of A Helical Coil Subject To Environmental Exposure And Structural Modifications, Nathan Hill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In an effort to fully characterize the response of a cylindrical helix, the heat and vibrational stresses are modeled using both simulations and experimental testing. The intent of this work is to identify the frequencies, shapes, and Q factors of the vibrational modes of the helix subject to different stimuli and evaluate changes due to environmental exposures and structural modifications. COMSOL Multiphysics is used to simulate the response of the helix under different boundary conditions. Experimental measurements of the response to impulsive and continuous wave stimuli are taken. The eigenfrequency data from the simulations and experiments are then compared for …

The Effect Of Mandated Disclosure On Liquidity Among Not-For-Profit Organizations, Erin Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines whether mandated disclosure under Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-14 affects not-for-profit (NFP) liquidity. ASU 2016-14 requires NFPs to disclose information that enhances financial statement users’ ability to assess an organization’s liquidity. Using panel data from fiscal years 2014 through 2019, I compare liquidity before and after the mandated disclosure for the top 100 revenue generating NFPs in 2019. I find that NFPs manage operating reserves, i.e., unrestricted liquid net assets, more closely to NFP sector guidelines after the disclosure mandate. Specifically, I find that NFPs with operating reserves above the recommended range prior to the disclosure mandate …

Formulation And Development Of Haloperidol Implant For Patients With Schizophrenia., Shivam Jaiswal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The fabrication of subcutaneous implants can be done using the continuous manufacturing technique known as Hot-Melt Extrusion (HME). This study aimed to evaluate the quality and physical and chemical properties of subcutaneous implants including their drug release profile, stability, and performance manufactured through HME and to assess the applicability of HME in the continuous manufacturing process. Overall, the study aimed to contribute to the advancement of manufacturing processes for subcutaneous implants, with the potential to improve their efficacy and patient outcomes.

To formulate the implant for patients with schizophrenia, a formulation was developed using a combination of Haloperidol (HLP) (an …

The Politics Of Being A Black Southern Belle, Latrice M. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

“The Politics of Being a Black Southern Belle” aims to examine media representations of Black womanhood and femininity. This thesis particularly focuses on how Black women redefine the southern belle. Film and television depictions of a national (implicitly white) femininity and womanhood have historically excluded Black women. To illuminate this history, the first chapter primarily provides background on historical representations of Black women in film. American standards of womanhood and femininity have been defined according to hegemonic culture—a culture predicated on race, class, and gender. The second chapter moves into an analysis of how Black women redefine the southern belle …

Development Of Gastroretentive Floating Pellets Using Hot Melt Extrusion, Mengwen Li

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work aimed to develop a novel gastroretentive floating drug delivery system based on non-effervescent technology using hot melt extrusion technology to synergize gastric floating and bioadhesion strategies to achieve extended drug release. All components of the formulations including the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of the drug (theophylline), the polymers acting as a floating matrix and achieving the adhesive function (chitosan, HPC HF, HPMC K4M, and PEO N80), and the gas generating agent sodium bicarbonate were directly fed into the hot melt extruder to prepare the novel gastroretentive pellets. The uniformity of all formulations met the United States Pharmacopeia criteria. …

Crafting Inclusive Dei Spaces At The University Of Mississippi, Thomas Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Conversations relating to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have taken higher education communities by storm as several right-leaning states have recently banned Critical Race Theory and other DEI related topics from the educational curriculum. Nevertheless, several universities, including the University of Mississippi, have embraced DEI programming and initiatives in recent years in hopes of creating “equitable opportunities” for all community members. And while much of this work has been praised, it has also been met with criticism from external community partners.

The University of Mississippi must ensure that its DEI practices create meaningful, non-divisive spaces where all stakeholders remain engaged. …

Development Of Subdermal Implants Using Direct Powder Extrusion 3d Printing And Hot-Melt Extrusion Technologies, Derick Muhindo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Implants are drug delivery platforms that consist of a drug-polymer matrix with the ability of providing a localized and efficient controlled release of the drug with minimal side effects and achievement of the desired therapeutic outcomes with low drug loadings. Direct powder extrusion (DPE) 3D printing technology involves the extrusion of material through a nozzle of the printer in the form of pellets or powder. Project one involved the preparation of novel polycaprolactone/polyethylene glycol-based raloxifene hydrochloride subdermal solid cylindrical implants using a single-step hot-melt extrusion (HME) continuous process, for the provision of a sustained and prolonged release of RX-HCl, providing …

The World Wide Web Of Women: A Case In Favor Of Global Feminist Coalitions In The Information Age, Hannah S. Phillips

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this thesis is to argue that online feminist coalitions can be both locally specific and globally accessible. Postcolonial feminist theorist Chandra Talpade Mohanty in her 1984 article “Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses,” argues that there is no real evidence to classify all women as a “Woman” because cultural differences and imbalances of power create a myriad of experiences that cannot be homogenized. However, Mohanty is not arguing that women do not have individual experiences with gender injustice. On the contrary, all women have experiences with gender injustice; these experiences are simply all not the …

Detection Of Rayleigh Faded Signal Using Two Distributed Sensors, Sayantan Saha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Distributed detection(DD) is an area of interest in the Cognitive Radio(CR) Network domain. With the help of geographically dispersed sensors and a Fusion Center(FC) (i.e. the network element which generates the global network decision), a DD system can determine the presence or absence of a primary user signal. This prevents any harmful interference by a secondary user who is trying to gain access to the unoccupied spectrum opportunistically. DD system gained its popularity in spectrum analysis due to the limited bandwidth of the reporting channels between the sensors and their fusion center.

Buscando Perdón: Validation And Considerations For A Spanish Translation Of The Forgiveness Reconciliation Inventory, Mario David Sobrino

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With influences from both cultural norms and commonly held spiritual beliefs, members of the Latinx population are vulnerable to enabling unhealthy interpersonal relationships that primarily benefit others while potentially harming their own wellness. A Spanish translation (called the Inventario del Perdón y Reconciliación [IPR]) for the Forgiveness and Reconciliation Inventory (FRI) was created to identify its validity and reliability as a potential clinical resource for Spanish speaking mental health counseling clients dealing with the emotional difficulties of forgiveness and unjust cultural expectations within their relationships. Factor analysis on the IPR reported comparable yet slightly reduced psychometric properties to the FRI. …

The Relationship Between Relational Dynamics And Social Justice Identity Among Collegiate Student Athletes, Keon Stewart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student athletes are positioned to utilize relationships with teammates, coaches, and communities to advocate for social change. According to the literature, their connections to these individuals and environments contribute to their expressed social justice related behaviors and even further enhance their social justice identity development. The current study was developed in an effort to identify the extent of relationships between student athletes and their social justice identity and other demographic factors that might impact their overall expression of social justice identity and behaviors. The study consisted of 133 (42 females, 91 males) current student athletes participating in competitive sports across …

The Efficacy Of Mental Health Stigma And Discrimination Reduction Initiatives Among Bipoc: A Meta-Analysis Of Outcome Studies, Janita M. Springfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: An under-utilization of mental health care services among BIPOC exists, and one of the leading drivers of this barrier is stigma. Given a plethora of research on reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues, the present meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness, or lack thereof, of SDR interventions among BIPOC. Method: The present meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to establish complete and accurate reporting of information. A systematic review yielded a total of seven articles meeting the predetermined inclusion criteria. Effect sizes were computed for all studies …

Why And How Do Sports Consumers Engage With Non-Fungible Tokens (Nfts)?, Seomgyun Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The advent of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) heralds a new era for digital collections. Based on blockchain items and a tradable market, the National Basketball Association (NBA) Top Shot program, for example, provides several digital assets containing moments of NBA highlights. By the second quarter of 2021, NBA Top Shot had attracted one million consumers and produced more than $800 million in sales. Following its success, several other North American sports leagues entered the NFT sector, such as the National Football League’s All Day and Major League Baseball’s Candy programs. As new and complementary avenues for fan engagement, sport-related NFTs have …

New Pharmacist Practitioner Experiences Of Listening And Responding To Patient-Driven Misinformation, Saara Zakkiya Nasruddin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background/Objectives

The infodemic, layered with partisan politics and unsubstantiated medical claims, placed pharmacists in a position to not only have to actively stay up-to-date on developing COVID-19 information but also COVID-19 misinformation. While pharmacists are taught which sources to trust for guidance on public health concerns, it is unclear how new pharmacist practitioners (NPP) were prepared and able to handle patient-driven misinformation. The primary objective of this study is to describe NPP experiences of handling COVID-19-related misinformation presented by patients.

Methods

The study included semi-structured interviews over Zoom with a sample population of St. John’s University (SJU) and University of …

Mathematical And Computerized Modeling To Optimize The Dimensions And Percentage Infill For The Targeted Dose Of Different 3d Printed Pharmaceutical Designs With Multiple Case Studies, Sundus Omari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) three-dimensional (3D) printing is the most studied method compared to other 3D printing technologies. However, the optimization of the 3D printing design must be done throughout the process for crucial parameters to deliver the desired dose. Optimizing the drug content and tablet weight has challenged researchers while designing the 3D printing dosage form. In this study, the concept of reference tablet and the mathematical modeling were used to correlate the volume of the printed object with its weight to control the height, diameter, and percentage infill of the 3D printed tablets to adjust the dose without …

Houses That Try To Be Haunted: A Look At Ursuline Convent And The Lalaurie Mansion, Kallye Virginia Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

New Orleans, Louisiana, has a reputation for being one of the most haunted cities in America. Two of the most supposedly “haunted” buildings in the city are the Ursuline Convent, said to be home to vampires, and the Lalaurie mansion, said to be home to ghosts. Whether or not these spaces qualify as “haunted” is irrelevant; what this thesis concerns itself with is why these spaces are still being discussed today. Both contain a long and storied past that date back to the early days of New Orleans, with the convent being around as early as the 1730s and the …

Development Of Metformin Hydrochloride Oral Taste-Masked Sprinkle Formulation For Pediatric Use, Hawra Alhusaini

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to develop a child-centered metformin hydrochloride (HCL) oral formulation by successfully masking its bitter taste and facilitating ease of administration. Hot-Melt Extrusion (HME) technology was used to extrude filaments containing metformin HCL with varying ratios of Eudragit® Polymers. Eudragit® E PO was used as a main excipient for its pH-dependency. Since it is only soluble in acidic pH up to pH 5.0, it would not release the drug in the saliva environment, which has a pH of approximately 6.8. Eudragit® RL PO and RS PO were added later on in order to further control …

Genomic And Metabolomic Investigation Into Xenic Cyanobacterial And Algal Cultures From Northern Mississippi, Alexis Dawn Wagner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cyanobacteria are well-known for their production of a vast array of secondary metabolites. Cyanobacteria are found in marine, aquatic, and terrestrial environments. Due to their production of an abundance of natural products, cyanobacteria may have significant applications in biotechnological, industrial, agricultural, and pharmacological fields. Although they have many beneficial implications, they are also known producers of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). These HABs can exude toxins into the marine environments, while decomposition of their biomass can create hypoxic zones. These HABs can lead to ecosystem destruction, wildlife death, and human health impacts. In order to better understand the metabolic capabilities and …

Factors Influencing Physical Therapy Career Choice, Ryan M. Babl

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The physical therapy (PT) profession has a tradition of growth driven by interest and societal needs. Recent discrepancies in workforce modeling suggest looming issues impacted by declining application rates. Modern facilitators and barriers for entering the PT profession need exploration to assist key stakeholders in making informed decisions in recruitment.

Study Purpose: To explore how factors identified to influence individual’s choice of entering a healthcare career impact self-perceived likelihood of applying to an entry-level graduate PT program.

Methods: A univariant correlational research design was used to examine the extent of the relationship between predictive factors and students’ self-perceived likelihood …

Distraction By Any Other Name? The Impact Of Music On Social Exclusion Recovery, Sydney G. Wicks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Across three experiments, this work investigated whether the effectiveness of music on social exclusion recovery was greater than that of other distracting noises. I hypothesized that listening to music would be effective in improving needs satisfaction after instances of rejection (being explicitly disliked; Study 1) or ostracism (being ignored; Studies 2-3). Further, I examined whether this effectiveness was mediated by reduced rumination, increased emotional engagement (feeling moved by audio), and increased parasocial experiences (sense of one-sided psychological bonds). Ultimately, music was shown to be effective (albeit, relatively) in improving one’s needs when compared to a baseline condition. Additionally, listening to …

Development And Characterization Of Fluconazole Solid Lipid Nanoparticles, Isha Kalaria

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles are first-generation colloidal carriers based on lipids, with their sizes ranging from 40-1000 nm. They are composed of biocompatible lipids, which are dispersed in an aqueous medium containing surfactant to form a lipid core. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is dispersed uniformly in the lipid matrix of the formulation. Water, along with lipids, is one of the major constituents in the preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles. Various active ingredients have adverse effects when taken by oral route and hence can be formulated as alternative drug delivery methods for the reduction of side effects. The objective of the present …

Queer Community In Charlottesville, Virginia: Contradictions, Ambivalence, And Fragmentation, Cecelia Parks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Charlottesville, Virginia, is a small city full of contradictions, especially with regard to queer community. In this article, I explore those contradictions by examining five queer Charlottesville residents’ experiences of queer community through oral history interviews. Specifically, I try to understand how narrators’ ambivalence about the existence of queer community in Charlottesville and the necessity of such community has changed since the 1970s. These five narrators see and feel some aspects of queer community in Charlottesville but feel disconnected from queer community in others; for example, they highlight the well-attended Pride festival but do not feel like they know many …

Transportability Of Adversarial Attack, Jonggu Park

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this thesis is to leverage machine learning algorithms to introduce adversarial cloaks, or noise, into images containing real individuals and assess whether the resulting images still accurately represent human subjects. Specifically, I seek to discern whether images featuring avatars, placed in the same spatial configuration as humans and subjected to similar perturbations, can be effectively used to generate adversarial examples capable of fully masking a person. By analyzing the probability of correctly identifying personhood, I strive to establish a method of utilizing virtual avatars to provide increased privacy for users. This research has significant implications for advancing …

Investigating Novel Applications Of Hot Melt Extrusion Technology For Improving Solubility Of Poorly Soluble Drug Substances, Preethi Mandati

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In today’s world, with an increasing patient population, the demand for pharmaceutical medications is increasing enormously. Poor solubility of the drug substances is the major issue being faced by scientists across various avenues of pharmaceutical sectors for improving oral bioavailability and delivering cost-effective medication to the patient population. To date, various approaches have been investigated for solubility enhancement. Despite improving the solubility, the limitations of batch manufacturing are another major roadblock affecting late-stage manufacturing. In addition, the traditional batch manufacturing techniques involve multiple manufacturing steps and lack the capability to manufacture complex and patient-centric medications. The current research aims to …

Experimental And Modeling Approaches To Groundwater Flow And Self-Potential For Estimating Aquifer Parameters And Investigating Surface-Groundwater Interaction, Md Lal Mamud

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents an exploration of the Self-Potential (SP) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) methods applied within the context of the Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) project near the Tallahatchie River at Shellmound, MS. The research introduces tools and methodologies, including 80-electrode SP data acquisition systems (80E-SPDAS) and the Hydro-Electrical Aquifer Properties Estimator (HEAPE), to measure SP data in the laboratory and the field. The first segment of the dissertation introduces the Hydro- Electrical Aquifer Properties Estimator (HEAPE), an apparatus designed for high-resolution Self-Potential (SP) data collection. The HEAPE apparatus is utilized in laboratory experiments to measure SP under varying conditions …

Novel Formulation Strategies With Hot-Melt Extrusion Technology To Address Physicochemical And Physiological Constraints For Improved Oral Drug Delivery, Sagar Narala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Most current active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) exhibit poor water solubility, necessitating higher doses or repeated administration. Numerous methods were explored to augment solubility, including but not limited to amorphous solid dispersions, cocrystals, salts, and nanoformulations. The hot-melt extrusion (HME) technique has gained immense popularity due to its solvent-free and continuous manufacturing capabilities, contributing to its increasing use to enhance solubility and bioavailability. In the first chapter, hydrochlorothiazide (BCS-IV class) cocrystals were produced using coformers such as nicotinamide (NIC), resorcinol (RSL), and catechol (CAT) through HME technology. The cocrystals were compared against liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) cocrystals and then analyzed by DSC, …

Cosplay Fandom Leisure Engagement: Exploring Cosplay Participation And Involvement On Depression And Wellbeing Toward A Recreation Therapy., Julie A. Morris Chambers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Engagement in leisure is a complex construct that impacts wellbeing beyond mere participation. Moreover, researchers have explored engagement in various ways including what people do and experience in their personal pursuit of leisure activities (Kleiber et al., 2011). Studies show that leisure engagement positively effects participants' wellbeing and reduces their ill-being. The purpose of this study is to explore the level of cosplay leisure engagement and wellness and mental health of DragonCon (DC) attendees to illuminate if their cosplay engagement has therapeutic effects on wellness, perceived wellness, and depression. In this study, Newman (et al., 2013) and Kuykendall (et al., …

Has Journalism Education Kept Up With Digital Transformation?, Md Sazzad Hossain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the digital world, journalism is a highly technology-dependent profession (Goni & Tabassum 2020). But there are gaps between what journalism schools teach and what employers want (Wenger and Owens, 2013). As a result, students, educators, and professionals demand the development of specific digital skills (Lee 2022). This study examines how journalism educators adapt their programs to respond to changing media environments and to the demands of professional journalism in the digital age. The researcher used a quantitative survey method to target the 119 journalism and mass communication programs accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass …

Gender Differences And Directionality Of Intimate Partner Violence, Nate Juda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The academic discipline of intimate partner violence (IPV) is currently divided into two prevailing perspectives: the feminist perspective, which asserts IPV is a product of the long history of acceptance and encouragement of wife-beating, stemming from patriarchal values; and the gender-inclusive model, that finds IPV reflects multifunctional etiologies, across the types and severities of IPV, with both men and women as perpetrators and victims at similar rates. However, a review of the extant literature does not support either of these conclusions. There is a growing body of research evidence that suggest women are more likely than men to commit IPV. …

Using Diverse Children's Literature To Enhance Social Emotional Learning, Lashana T. Middleton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on examining the use of diverse children's literature and social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula to enhance the social-emotional competence skills of Pre-K students in general education classrooms. Understanding and developing these skills during early childhood has been shown to be essential for healthy child development, and early education teachers play a critical role in this process. The findings from this study suggest that while teachers have a positive view and awareness of the theoretical foundations of SEL, they may need additional training and support to effectively implement and incorporate SEL strategies in their practices. Specifically, the study highlighted …