Digital Commons Network^™

Punishing Poverty: An Examination Of Financial Disadvantage And Out-Of-School Suspension, Joshua Rosenbaum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School suspension is often a response by officials to address deviant behavior within the school setting. While studies have examined various causes and consequences of school suspension, there is a dearth of literature focusing on the effects of financial disadvantage on school discipline (i.e., school suspension). Given that out-of-school suspension is a reliable predictor of juvenile justice involvement later in life, it serves as an important outcome variable in preventative criminology. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), the purpose of the current study is to analyze the relationship between financial disadvantage and …

An Evaluation Of Comprehensive Professional Development Program To Improve Teacher Quality And Student Engagement, Elois R. Nicholson-Booker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this applied research study, using program evaluation, was to improve professional development for teachers to build their capacity in student engagement. This applied research study used three elements: professional development, professional learning communities, and observation-feedback, to improve teacher quality and to increase student engagement. The goal of the professional development element was to increase teacher capacity in student engagement by equipping teachers with research-based strategies to implement in individual classrooms. The goals of the professional learning communities (PLCs) was to support teachers in implementing research-based strategies to increase student engagement and to increase the level of collaboration …

Ftir Microspectroscopy For The Investigation Of Microplastic Pollution, Automotive Paint Layers, And Prehistoric Rock Paint With An Emphasis On Analytical Method Development, Kendall Wontor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research detailed in this dissertation centers on the development of new analytical methods using chemical imaging microspectroscopy, primarily μ[micro]-FTIR, for applications in environmental, forensic, and archeological chemistry. The state-of-the-art instrument (LUMOS II) used in this research combines optical microscopy with IR spectroscopy, allowing sample visualization during FTIR imaging and micro-analysis.

Chapter 1 serves as an introduction and provides background detail on the instrumentation and technique. Chapter 2 describes the use of fluorescent microscopy to quantify microplastics (MPs) in oysters from the Mississippi Sound. High concentrations of putative MPs were found, with sites inside bays near population centers displaying higher …

The Higher Ed Forgotten: Experiences And Perceptions Of Face-To-Face Bipoc Administrators During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Dana Evans

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explores the experiences of academic administrators during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the impact of institutional racism on their professional lives. The study specifically investigates the challenges faced by administrators from diverse racial backgrounds in navigating institutional responses to the crisis. The research aims to develop a comprehensive plan that can be implemented at the local level in educational institutions and subsequently modeled and implemented nationally, a plan that can uphold sustainable structures, processes, and best practices for administrators during crises.

Surficial Geologic Mapping Of The Tocowa 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Tallahatchie, And Panola Counties In Northwestern Mississippi: Geologic Framework Of Alluvial Fans With Implications For Aquifer Recharge, Anisha Dahal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer (MRVA) within the Mississippi Embayment (ME) is a crucial freshwater resource in the southern United States, supporting agricultural, municipal, and industrial demands. However, excessive groundwater extraction has led to significant declines in water levels across the region over recent decades. Mississippi River alluvial fans, which emanate from valley walls and overlay the MRVA, are composed of coarse-grained sediments and could be significant groundwater recharge areas for the MRVA. This study focuses on the geology of the Tocowa 7.5-minute quadrangle in northwestern Mississippi, encompassing parts of Panola and Tallahatchie counties, with a goal of understanding …

Breaking Old: Trends And Adverse Events Of Prescription Stimulant Use In Older Adults, Saumil Jadhav

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examined prescription stimulant medication (PSM) use among older adults in the United States from 2012-2020 by (1) assessing annual prevalence and describing clinical characteristics and treatment patterns among new PSM users, (2) evaluating the association between PSM initiation and risk of adverse events such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality, and (3) analyzing trends in the concomitant use of PSMs and antidepressants. The study utilized 5% national sample of Medicare administrative claims from 2012-2020.

First, the study identified an increase in the annual prevalence of PSM use from 0.44% in 2012 to 0.63% in 2020 among older …

Addressing Teacher Stress Levels To Implement A Social Emotional Learning Program For Teachers, Kourtney Mcdowell-Bush

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teachers have endured work-related stressors daily to provide the best educational experience to students. This applied research study addressed teacher stress levels to implement a teacher centered social emotional learning (SEL) program. This study was collaborative and involved teachers, administrators, and district staff who worked together to develop, implement, and evaluate the action plan. There was a teacher team which included teachers from different grade levels who also completed the teacher stress survey. This teacher team met to provide an in-depth insight into teacher stressors. The teacher team with the assistance of the administrators worked to develop an SEL professional …

Essays On State Lotteries, Adedayo James Ogunniran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores how two major factors—gasoline prices and inflation—may influence state lottery revenues, with each factor examined in a separate essay. The first essay investigates the relationship between gasoline prices and lottery ticket revenues at gas stations. As the largest retailers of lottery tickets, gas stations play a crucial role in the lottery market. However, the relationship between gasoline prices and lottery ticket revenue has received very little attention. To address this gap, the essay analyzes weekly gas station-level data from four states—Texas, Florida, Illinois, and New York—over a 52-week period. The structural panel vector autoregression (PSVAR) approach yields …

Formulation Development Of Cannabidiol Using Various Technologies As An Approach To Enhance Its Solubility And Oral Bioavailability, Iman Taha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a crystalline compound extracted from a high-CBD variety of the Cannabis sativa plant. It has various pharmacological effects, including antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure, and anxiolytic properties. However, developing CBD formulations presents several challenges due to its high lipophilicity (log P of 6.3), poor water solubility (0.1 μg/mL), and significant first-pass metabolism, which results in low oral bioavailability, estimated at just 6%. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that CBD is susceptible to degradation from exposure to light, temperature, and oxidation during formulation. Currently, Epidiolex is the only commercially available preparation containing CBD that has been approved by the US-FDA for …

Supervisory Alliance And Counselor Self-Efficacy Trends Within The Internship Experience: A Single-Case Research Design, Dylan Wren

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Supervision provides one of the primary avenues for fostering growth and development within counselors-in-training. This supervision also impacts the evolution of counselor self-efficacy, allowing supervisors to influence supervisee’s belief in themselves and their abilities. As such, counselor education programs and state licensing boards require supervised experiences for counselors-in-training. How effective are such experiences, as measured by counselor self-efficacy and supervisory alliance? A single-case research design was employed with three participants, tracking their responses over six weeks on the Counselor Self-Efficacy Inventory and Supervisory Working Alliance Inventory - Trainee measures. Results indicated that the experience had been effective in increasing counselor …

Formulation And Characterization Of Quetiapine Fumarate Floating Bioadhesive Tablets, Ajay Reddy Kolipaka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Quetiapine fumarate (QF) is an antipsychotic drug, and it has a plasma half-life of 6 hours. The chemical structure of QF has nitrogen groups making it highly soluble in acidic pH and slightly soluble in alkaline pH. This study aimed to develop the QF gastroretentive tablets by TSMG technology comprising floating and mucoadhesive approach by using different viscosity grades of HPMC to improve absorption by prolonging its gastric residence time. The floating tablets were prepared using the Twin screw melt granulation (TSMG) technology, and the impact of polymer concentration and viscosity grades of HPMC on the floating ability and drug …

Time And Space Evolution Of Late Permian To Early Triassic Deposits In The Northern Delaware Basin, Southeast New Mexico, U.S.A.: Sediment Sources, Dispersal Pathways, And Timing Of Salt Deformation, Omonde Sitou Akakpo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The northern Delaware Basin in southeast New Mexico recorded the deposition of thick evaporite beds followed by siliciclastic materials between the late Permian and Early Triassic. Mineralogy and whole-rock geochemistry of the bioturbated zone and the first mudstone/halite (M1/H1) informal units in the Los Medaños Member (Rustler Formation) suggest felsic volcanic arc origins for the bioturbated zone and felsic upper continental crust passive margin origins for the M1/H1. The previously studied marine transgression that deposited the bioturbated zone likely transported detritus from southern North America and Central American volcanic arcs into the northern Delaware Basin, whereas the regression allowed migration …

The Evaluation Of An Induction And Mentoring Program To Improve Teacher Turnover, Tulawna Desha Belcher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This action-based, applied research study aims to address and evaluate the improvement of teacher retention through an effective new teacher induction and mentoring program for teachers in their first years coupled with professional learning to build their capacity. Teacher retention is an issue in every state in the United States. High teacher attrition rates cause the supply of teachers to decrease, and the changing demands of the educational needs of students contribute to the ongoing issue of teacher retention (Davis & Fowler, 2020). With the recent pandemic, teacher shortages have worsened, causing more pressure on administrators and district personnel to …

An Intervention For Intervention: An Applied Research Study To Improve The Response To Instruction And Intervention Program At An Urban Elementary School, Regina L. Deloach

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Intervention instruction is essential to address student deficits and increase grade-level proficiency and skill. This applied research study aimed to improve the Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtI2) Program. The need to increase the capacity of teachers/interventionists was developed due to the trend of students lacking reading academic proficiency needed to be successful once students reach grade three when they transition from learning to read to reading to learn. This applied research study was a collaborative effort among teachers and administrators to develop, implement, and evaluate the action plan using three elements: research-based practices (instructional strategies, curriculum, resources), professional development, …

Bacterial Metallophores As Potential Agents In Heavy Metal Bioremediation, Mohammed Ahmed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Heavy metal pollution is a significant threat to human health and the environment. Bacteria have evolved diverse mechanisms to adapt to these pollutants, including the secretion of small molecules called metallophores. Bacterial metallophores are metabolites excreted in response to toxic metal stress to protect the bacterial cell. These small molecules have shown versatility in potential applications for the remediation of heavy metals. This research focuses on constructing a library of bacterial metallophores, which will facilitate the assessment of their metal-binding properties when exposed to different metals. The study has two main areas of investigation: Firstly, it involves isolating and characterizing …

Language Variation: Arabic Dialects In Madinah, Saudi Arabia, Arwa Alsindy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Arabic sociolinguistics, namely Arabic dialectology, is a demanding area of study. Therefore, the current research was conducted to fulfill some of those needs. Qualitative methods were applied in order to answer the research questions: What are the salient linguistic features of the Hijazi Hadari dialect, Urban Bedouins Hijazi dialect, and the emerging Saudi Arabic White dialect in Madinah? When are these dialects used? What changes or accommodations are made to these dialects when communicating with the other social groups? To provide answers to those questions, observations and interviews were applied. By applying the SPEAKING model (Hymes, 1974), six participants (three …

Examining The Relationship Between Toddlers’ Sleep Patterns, Negative Parenting, And Executive Function, Morgan Elizabeth Harris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Negative parenting can often be described as having three domains (i.e., laxness, verbosity, and over-reactivity, Arnold et al., 1993; Rhoades & O’Leary, 2007), which may have relations to toddlers’ behaviors, like executive function (EF) and sleep. However, this field is understudied, especially in early childhood development. One possible explanation for the lack of research in this field is that it can be difficult to study executive function in toddlers due to variability in the stability of regulatory behaviors and emerging regulatory abilities at this age range. Although positive sleep patterns (e.g., quality and quantity) have been linked to executive function, …

Exploring African American Female Students' Choice Of Stem Major At Rust College, Shatara Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In comparison to the rest of the United States population, African American women are undeniably inadequately represented in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). As one of the oldest historically black colleges in Mississippi, Rust College has the social responsibility to increase the presence and contributions of minorities in STEM. Since the enrollment of African American females is greater than that of African American males at Rust College, the college has the fortuity to assist in increasing the diversity in STEM for both race and gender. This DIP utilizes Intersectionality Theory as the conceptual foundation to explore …

Dependence And Mixing For Perturbations Of Copula-Based Markov Chains, Mathias Nthiani Muia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work explores the impact of perturbations of copulas on dependence and mixing properties for stationary ergodic Markov chains. We focus on two types of copula perturbations and establish their impact on the mixing properties of the Markov chains they generate. Examples are provided to illustrate the different perturbations explored. Furthermore, we delve into the analysis of a discrete Markov chain that is based on the Frechet family of copulas. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of discrete marginals on copula-based Markov chains. We analyze the mixing properties of such models to emphasize the difference between …

Essays On The Greek Debt Crisis And The Welfare Paradox In The Lucas Natural Rate Model, Liandong Yang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation includes two projects, one on the Greek debt crisis and the other on the welfare in the Lucas natural rate model.

The first chapter discusses the origin of Greek debt crisis. The Greek debt crisis stands out as a compelling case study of a severe financial crisis in a developed country within a currency zone. Despite the abundance of literature on the subject, the significance of debt accumulation in the 1980s is often overlooked, and details are frequently omitted. Through an analysis of data gathered from Greek government’s public finance statistical yearbooks spanning from 1962 to 2008, I …

02.19.2024 Orsp Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

UM Library Training for Researchers, Kendra Sampey spotlight, School of Pharmacy's Research Day, MS Aerospace and Defense Symposium on March 29

Formulation And Characterization Of Clotrimazole Buccal Films Using Hot Melt Extrusion, Harish Kandhuri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Clotrimazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal /antimycotic, it is used topically in the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis. The oral route is the most preferred route of administration 60% of the conventional dosage forms are available as tablets and capsules. The main objective of the study was to develop and Formulate Clotrimazole oral film to get local effect for treating oropharyngeal candidiasis. Oral films are thin flexible strips which can be placed on the tongue, where it adheres to the surface of the tongue and dissolves releasing the drug into the oral cavity. Here, the films are formulated using hot melt extrusion …

The Trading Dynamics Of Corporate Bonds And Bond Etfs, Cindy Pan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We find trading dynamics in bond ETFs and equity ETFs to be different. Although lit trading activity in equity ETFs is greater than bond ETFs, hidden liquidity in bond ETFs is significantly higher than in equity ETFs. Dark trading volume in bond ETFs is also greater than dark trading volume in equity ETFs. Results are robust to an out-of-sample test and is not driven by a specific exchange or specific types of bond ETFs. The extensive use of hidden and dark liquidity for bond ETFs relative to equity ETFs indicates that demand for opaquely trading bond ETFs has value to …

Radiation And Scattering Of Electromagnetic Waves With The Use Of Metasurface Cloaks In Printed Antenna Technology, Shefali Pawar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It is a well-known fact that antennas form the very core of the modern wireless communication systems. As such, an escalating demand for increase in the wireless system capacity compels and necessitates accommodation of densely packed antennas in a very compact space. However, a practical design of such dense antenna systems may not only be cumbersome but could also lead to the deterioration of the overall system performance, considering the fact that such a system may suffer from destructive interference, owing to the cross-coupling between the antenna elements jammed together. In this regard, we endeavor to curb the detrimental effects …

Juvenile Coping And General Strain Theory, Peyton Conner Stephenson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively assess the impact of victimization on behavioral and emotional outcomes among a sample of adolescents detained within the juvenile justice system. Specifically, the study focuses on understanding the relationship between reports of victimization (e.g., being beaten up or threatened) and maladaptive coping mechanisms, such as involvement in fighting. To do so, Agnew’s (1992) General Strain Theory (GST) and the Pains of Imprisonment are adopted as frameworks for understanding the role of strain or stressors in prompting deviant behavior as a coping mechanism. This study uses secondary data from the Northwestern Juvenile Project …

Motivation And Attitudes Toward Learning English As A Foreign Language: A Case Study Of Urban And Rural University Freshmen In Saudi Arabia, Munif Almasarir

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Saudi educational system faces several challenges that contribute to low proficiency in English among Saudi students. Previous studies have focused on the EFL curriculum and pedagogical challenges, but there is a lack of research specifically examining other main psychosocial factors that contribute to the attainment of English proficiency. Motivational and attitudinal factors have been proven to have an impact on the proficiency level among EFL students. My study investigates the perceived influence of geographical location on students' attitudes and motivation toward English as a global language in Saudi Arabia. By utilizing an ethnographic approach focusing on both rural and …

Grace Satellite Spatial Resolution Downscaling Using Machine Learning: Methods And Applications, Abdel Rahman M. Awawdeh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of global water dynamics, providing unprecedented insights into terrestrial water storage (TWS). Despite its revolutionary contributions, the coarse spatial resolution of GRACE data (~300 km² grids) limits its utility for local-scale water resource management, particularly in regions requiring detailed hydrological analysis such as the Mississippi Delta. This dissertation addresses this limitation by developing and validating machine learning models to enhance the spatial resolution of GRACE data, thereby facilitating more precise and effective local water management strategies.

This research first establishes a comprehensive background in …

Developing And Validating A Novel Screening Instrument For General Psychological Distress, Steven M. Bishop

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study presents the results of both factor analyses in developing the General Psychological Distress Screener (GPDS), and provides preliminary data of its predictive validity. As a new screening instrument, the GPDS assesses mental fatigue and emotional distress in adults and predicts certain psychiatric disorder diagnoses. Drawing upon network analysis principles, two studies were conducted to construct and refine the GPDS. Study 1 identified the variable constructs from psychopathology networks that were used in Study 2. Study 2 used principal axis factoring to develop a 4-factor solution, which was subsequently reduced to a 2-factor model for improved interpretability. Confirmatory Factor …

The Effects Of Technology-Enhanced Learning On Radiologic Sciences Student Engagement, Zack Gray

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the multifaceted connection between technology-enhanced learning (TEL) and student engagement, with a specific emphasis on student perceptions, attitudes, and distractions associated with technology usage in the classroom. Recognizing the increasing prevalence of technology in educational settings, this study seeks to understand how students perceive technology in the learning environment and how these perceptions influence their attitudes toward its use. The research framework is anchored in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), providing a theoretical lens to assess the cognitive factors influencing student behavior.The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and observations to gather comprehensive insights into …

Increasing Minority Student Enrollment: An Applied Research Study On Increasing The Enrollment Of Minority Students In Advanced Placement Courses, Tamekia Helm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Addressing the disparity in Advanced Placement (AP) course enrollment among minority students at Greater High School is the focus of this research. Through an extensive review of the literature, the study examines the various factors contributing to this gap, including access limitations and systemic barriers. Additionally, teacher perceptions, student attitudes, and parental involvement are explored to understand the influence on AP course enrollment decisions. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and interviews, data is collected from students, teachers and parents to gain comprehensive insights.

Proposed solutions to enhance AP course enrollment include targeted outreach initiatives and support for minority students. …