Digital Commons Network^™

Leveraging The Usage Of Blockchain Towards Trust-Dominated Manufacturing Systems, Philip Joseph Samaha

Theses and Dissertations

Smart Manufacturing has elevated manufacturing processes, transitioning from automated systems to autonomous ones. This evolution has heightened the significance of data within manufacturing facilities. The role of data has evolved from solely monitoring processes to both monitoring and extracting insights from these processes, facilitating precise control. In this context, the data infrastructure plays a critical role, encompassing both internal data circulating within the facility—such as information exchanged between controllers and actuators—and external data transmitted to and from outside entities. When the factory's cyber infrastructure is connected to the internet, security concerns escalate significantly, amplifying associated risks. Therefore, the integration of …

Mechanics Based Characterization Of Elastic Metamaterials, Mamdudur Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

In bandgap engineering there is a shortage of systematic design approach which enables one to select design variables to achieve bandgap in desired frequency range. Tools that can address this can open new areas of interest, especially since phononic crystals with low frequency bandgaps have multitude of applications in attenuation of structural vibration. Furthermore, mechanics-based characterization of phononic crystals had not seen much progress in the recent years while a lot of applied research had been conducted on phononic materials with material phase periodicity and other factors taken into consideration. This work aims to propose a systematic characterization approach of …

Multi-Scale Ai-Assisted Gene Expression Decoding, Fengyao Yan

Theses and Dissertations

Genes can be treated as a graph that can be mapped. Tremendous information is coded in genes to ensure a complex functioning organism. Decoding this information is critical to understanding our biology and developing treatments for various diseases including cancer. Deep learning, a new branch of computer science, has gained traction over the past decade. It offers more insight into the data that is processed by the deeplearning models. Our study has shown that deep-learning models can be an effective tool in decoding genetic data such as gene tissue-deconvolution, gene graph mapping and genomic imputation. In tasks such as tissue …

Mitochondrial Function In The Maternal Brain: A New Perspective On Gestational Stress And Pathology Of Postpartum Depression, Erin Rene Gorman-Sandler

Theses and Dissertations

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major psychiatric complication of childbirth, affecting up to 20% of mothers, yet remains understudied. Mitochondria, dynamic organelles crucial for cell homeostasis and energy production, share links with many of the proposed mechanisms underlying PPD pathology. Brain mitochondrial function is affected by stress, a major risk factor for development of PPD, and is linked to avoidance and social behaviors. Considering the importance of mitochondria in regulating brain function and behavior, we hypothesized that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with behavioral alterations in a chronic stress-induced rat model of PPD. Chronic mild unpredictable (CMUS) stress during late gestation …

Perception Of Recreational Water Quality In The Scholarly Literature: Where Have We Been & Where Should We Go, Xavier Alberto Basurto Cendeno

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores existing literature and research themes between water quality and recreational participation through use of a bibliometric analysis with content analysis. It identifies key researchers, institutions, and themes that have shaped the field. Despite the growing body of research, gaps remain in understanding the state of the research on this important topic. By analyzing trends and how these trends have changed over time, this study aims to offer insights for future research agendas. Ultimately, the findings will inform strategies for improving water quality management and fostering more resilient, timely water-based recreational research.

Plankton Dynamics In A Temperate Estuary:Size Structure And Trophic Implications, Nayan Mallick

Theses and Dissertations

Estuarine ecosystems provide goods and services to around 45% of the entire human population. In recent times, these ecosystems have been severely affected by multiple stressors such as pollution, eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, sea level rise, and, most importantly, climate change. Increasing temperature associated with climate change can have pervasive impacts throughout the ecosystem’s functions and processes. Plankton, a conspicuous member of estuarine food web, are among the first to respond to the changes in temperature due to their high sensitivity to changing environmental conditions.

In this dissertation, I investigated the plankton dynamics in an estuarine ecosystem through a combination …

Practicing Strategy And Performance Preparation Of György Ligeti’S Musica Ricercata., Xiyao Wang

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT Hungarian composer György Ligeti (1923–2006) is renowned as one of the most significant composers of the twentieth century. Musicians around the world have admired his innovative musical language. “Through the 1950s and 1960s, he went from composing in the style of his countryman Béla Bartók to working at the cutting edge of the Western European avant-garde.” His folk elements and avant-garde compositional techniques expanded through various genres, including orchestral, chamber, and keyboard compositions. This study's primary purpose is to explore Ligeti's piano work Musica Ricercata and ultimately provide a resource to other musicians that will assist in preparing and …

Real-Time Robot Pose Estimation For Industry 4.0: Enhancing Motion Validation And Monitoring With A Vision-Based Framework, Jad Samaha

Theses and Dissertations

Amidst the era of Industry 4.0, robots became integral to automated production lines by performing complex tasks with high precision and adapting to changing production needs in real-time. Therefore, ensuring their precise and reliable operation is paramount for maintaining high-quality standards and operational efficiency. This invoked the need for an automated motion validation tool that guarantees accurate program task execution, by detecting deviations or anomalies that may indicate mechanical faults or software errors. Given the exponential advancements in AI, particularly in Computer Vision, a vision-based solution is ideal for ensuring the correct positioning of a robot in real-time. Operating independently …

Retrospective Of My Experience At The University Of South Carolina, Karl Dickey

Theses and Dissertations

Theatre is, by its very nature, a collaborative process. No show lives in true isolation. Even in its smallest version, it takes at least one to perform and one to listen. The theatre that is produced in the 21^st century is deeper and more complex a process than the finished and polished shows that are presented to the audience. Behind, underneath, and all around a single performer on a stage are hours of thoughtful contemplation and execution on the part of the director, designers, and fabricators. There is something to be learned and gained from every human interaction in …

Redefining Gas Turbine Engine Development: A Digital Twin Framework Informed By Operational Dynamics And Numerical Analysis, Sowmya Raghu

Theses and Dissertations

Gas Turbine Engines (GTEs) serve as primary propulsion systems in aviation and are key for power generation units in various industrial applications. The conventional Gas Turbine Engine Development and Monitoring Lifecycle (EDML) typically encompasses six stages: preliminary design, numerical analysis, prototyping and testing, manufacturing, systems integration, and subsequent systematic monitoring processes. This dissertation redefines the gas turbine engine design and development process by synergistically integrating design capabilities, real-time operational data, and predictive maintenance through the implementation of digital twins. The primary objective is to establish a comprehensive framework for gas turbine engine design by utilizing thermodynamic and aerodynamic modeling, supported …

Securing Memorization In Piano Performance With Continuous Audiation, Jie He

Theses and Dissertations

The study explores how incorporating continuous audiation, a concept introduced by pianist and educator Sarah Croom-Hatch, can be used as a strategy to improve pianists’ music memorization abilities and relief performance-related stress. The study presents a four-stage memorization process that emphasizes preparation, early, middle, and late stages. By integrating aural, kinesthetic, analytical, and visual memory with continuous audiation during the four-stage memorization process, pianists can develop a cohesive and secure “sound stream” that significantly enhances their memory system. The study provides practical guidance for systematically developing continuous audiation within daily practice routines to enhance memorization skills and achieve successful piano …

Regulation And Function Of The Rna-Binding Protein Khsrp During Neuronal Development, Regeneration And Axonal Injury Response, Courtney Nicole Buchanan

Theses and Dissertations

Axons, which extend long distances from neuronal cell bodies, rely on localized mRNA translation to swiftly respond to extracellular stimuli and physiological states. This work investigates the mechanism underlying the RNA-binding protein KHSRP’s, axonal mRNA translation and regulatory pathways involved in neuronal growth and regeneration. Our results indicate that KHSRP deletion in mice leads to upregulation of growth-associated mRNAs linked to neuronal morphology and function, resulting in increased axon growth and altered memory consolidation. Indicating a critical role for KHSRP in neuronal development and function through post-transcriptional regulation (Chapter 2). Additionally, we show there is a rapid increase in axonal …

Seeking Solutions: The Impact Of State Policies On Mental And Behavioral Health, Angela Shoulders

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the impact of state-level policies aimed at improving access to mental and behavioral health treatment in the United States. Using rigorous quasi-experimental methods and a variety of data sources, the three manuscripts analyze the effects of distinct but related policies: naloxone co-prescription laws, psychologist prescription privileges, and mental health parity laws mandating timely access to care. The findings suggest that naloxone co-prescription laws lead to unintended consequences, including an increase in opioid overdose deaths among certain demographics. The analyses of psychologist prescribing privileges show expanding prescribing privileges to psychologists increases the availability of mental health providers without …

The Effects Of Guided Induction Completed Individually And In Groups On The Development Of Negation In Palestinian Arabic An Analysis Of Accuracy, Processing, And Rule Structure, Hana Baalousha

Theses and Dissertations

The effectiveness of different instructional interventions and the various ways such interventions promote L2 learning and processing has been the topic of recent research in the subfield of Instructed Second Language Acquisition (ISLA). Previous research on the effects of guided inductive instruction (GI) in the second language classroom has left various lacunae to be addressed, such as the effect(s) of linguistic complexity, proficiency level, modality of instruction, and the target language (Ranta, 2022). A plethora of studies in the current literature compares the efficacy of GI to deductive instruction as students work individually in computer-assisted language learning contexts (CALL) revealing …

Temporal Forecasting Of High-Rate Dynamic Using Physics-Informed Machine Learning And Hardware-Software Co-Design, Puja Chowdhury

Theses and Dissertations

Due to aging, fatigue, corrosion, and even natural disasters; the health of the structure is prone to degradation throughout its service life. The explosively-fast growing efforts on Structural health monitoring (SHM) always try to exploit different aspects of the automation of damage detection, localization, and prognosis tasks. One of the main challenges is the hardware and software co-design to implement the model in real-life situations. On the other hand, the fast-advancing artificial intelligence draws the researchers' attention to adopt different data-driven approaches in this field. This brings other challenges like domain-specific model adaptation, data bias, data scarcity, model validation by …

The Role Of The Physical Therapist In Managing Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic And Qualitative Perspectives, Garrett Matthew Hainline

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is an effective tool in the management of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). PA recommendations for people with T2D are to achieve at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity PA. This assists to maintain blood glucose control and reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. Unfortunately, people with T2D are less likely than their normoglycemic peers to meet PA recommendations.

Veterans of the armed forces experience T2D at even greater levels than the general population, with prevalence at about 20%. In addition, T2D and pre-diabetes are elevated among younger veterans, including those of recent conflicts. Reducing rates …

Thermal Management Of Power Electronic Devices Using Single Crystal Aln Heat Spreaders, Md Abdullah-Al Mamun

Theses and Dissertations

Due to high critical electric field and saturation velocity, wide bandgap (WBG) III-Nitride semiconductor materials (AlxGa1-xN) and their heterostructures have gone through extensive research in academia and industry for applications requiring high-voltage, high-current, high-frequency, and high-temperature transistor operation. AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) has been commercialized for 650-V power converters, smartphones, PCs, USB wall power outlets, on-board and off-board EV chargers, and numerous other applications. However, AlGaN/GaN HEMTs grown on low-cost sapphire or Si substrates face significant self-heating issues due to the poor thermal conductivity of the substrate. The high thermal resistance (RTH) and heat capacity of the substrates …

Tracking Deposition And Settling Characteristics Of Airborne Metallic Particulate, William Kahale Caspino

Theses and Dissertations

Transport and deposition of metal particles is a source of environmental and public health concern. Understanding how ambient conditions and the properties of the particles interact to influence the dispersal range can provide information on and the possible extent of environmental contamination. Controlled laboratory experiments and modeling were utilized to determine when such particles would deposit. Particle samples containing heavy metals, a Palladium-dominant alloy and a Nickel/Aluminum dominant alloy LANA, were released in a static column, and the vertical displacement was tracked utilizing a Phantom v7.3 camera and a camera lens. Electron microscopy revealed that particles are not spherical and …

Using Machine Learning And Deep Learning Algorithms To Improve Low Birthweight Prediction, Yang Ren

Theses and Dissertations

Low birthweight (LBW) is a major public health issue resulting in increased neonatal mortality and long-term health complications. Traditional LBW analysis methods, focusing on incidence rates and risk factors through statistical models, often struggle with complex unseen data, and thus, their effectiveness is limited in early prevention of LBW, requiring more advanced LBW prediction models. Therefore, this dissertation delves into this important research area by proposing and examining novel machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms, aiming to predict LBW more accurately during the early stage of pregnancy. This dissertation consists of three studies, strategically designed to build upon …

Vascular Calcification In A Mouse Model Of Chronic Kidney Disease And In Human Peripheral Arterial Disease, Breanna Pederson

Theses and Dissertations

Vascular calcification is a process in which calcium and phosphate crystallize to form hydroxyapatite in the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. There are two forms of arterial calcification: intimal and medial, which occur via different etiologies. Intimal calcification is associated with atherosclerosis and occurs in the layer of endothelial cells adjacent to the artery lumen. Medial arterial calcification (MAC) is independent of atherosclerosis and occurs in the middle, muscular layer of the artery. MAC is strongly associated with aging, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). MAC is frequently in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Most studies to date …

Improving Collaborative Lesson Planning By Implementing Design Thinking In A Professional Learning Community, Kelli Jo Bellant

Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzes the effects of incorporating design thinking processes in implementing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) towards collective lesson planning practices among elementary teachers. This study occurred at Forest Creek Elementary School (FCES), indicating a need to improve collaborative lesson planning. The study sought to determine how using a design thinking protocol in a PLC impacted teachers' views about collaborative lesson planning and whether participating in a PLC to co-create lesson plans impacted teachers' views of efficacy. The framework of the study was based on the social constructivism perspective and the design thinking model. This action research was conducted with …

“They’Re Just Kinda Fun”: Action Research Evaluating The Impact Of Gamification Tools On Secondary Social Studies Students’ Academic Self-Efficacy, Motivation, And Perceptions Of Learning, Anthony Wayne Blair Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study evaluated the implementation of a gamification strategy to improve academic self-efficacy and motivation in social studies students at Azul Mountain High School (a pseudonym). Keeping students engaged in school is a top priority for educators at all levels. However, students’ lack of engagement at the high-school level has become more detrimental. Improving self-efficacy has been linked to increased motivation, academic achievement, and improved learning outcomes. By making the learning experience more engaging for students, gamification may be a viable approach to the challenge of keeping students in high school. This study addressed three research questions: (a) …

"I Don't Want To Be Anywhere Near That Word!": The Experiences Of Jewish College Students Navigating Antisemitism, Sandra Greene

Theses and Dissertations

This comics-based research study was guided by HebCrit (Rubin, 2020) and explored the experiences of eight Jewish college students navigating antisemitism. This study was guided by four research questions including, (1) What are Jewish college students’ experiences with antisemitism?, (2) How do Jewish college students respond to personal experiences with antisemitism?, (3) How do Jewish college students respond to rising rates of antisemitism?, and (4) How does antisemitism intersect with other forms of oppression (e.g., racism, misogyny, etc.) for Jewish college students?

This study was conducted at a predominantly white and Christian university in the Southeastern United States with a …

“We Don’T Know What We Don’T Know”: Improving The Quality Of Stem Teaching In A British International School By Developing Teachers’ Stem Pedagogical Knowledge And Stem Instructional Practices, Matthew James Fagg

Theses and Dissertations

This research aimed at improving the quality of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching at a British international school in Brunei Darussalam. Evidence from a range of sources suggested that teachers at the school were not employing common STEM instructional practices when giving their pupils STEM problems to solve. The purpose of the two research questions was to identify how STEM lessons were being taught in Grades 2 to 7 in the school, and to measure the influence of STEM-related professional development sessions on teachers’ STEM pedagogical knowledge and STEM instructional practices. The researcher followed an eight-stage action-research cycle …

A Flipped Classroom Approach For Algebra 2 Students Who Have Struggled In Previous Mathematics Courses, Abby Suss

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed method study examined the effect of a flipped classroom approach on the engagement and attitude of Algebra 2 students who had struggled in previous mathematics classes. Videos for students to watch at home were constructed with adherence to the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia. Class time then focused on students working together and with teacher support in accordance with active learning theory. Qualitative sources of data - pre and post intervention interviews, pre and post student questionnaires, and teacher anecdotal notes and quantitative sources of data - the SEMs and the ATMI - were gathered and analyzed. Results showed …

A Low Density Tracker For The Dune Nd Complex., Nibir Talukdar

Theses and Dissertations

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a next-generation long- baseline neutrino experiment aimed at resolving mass hierarchy and the CP violation puzzle in the neutrino sector. Although neutrinos are the most abundant particles in the universe, their study is challenging due to their extremely low interaction cross sections. DUNE aims to overcome these challenges by sending a beam of muon (anti)neutrinos from Fermilab, located near Chicago, to the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in South Dakota.

The experiment consists of a near detector (ND) complex at Fermilab, which mea- sures the composition of the unoscillated neutrino beam, and a …

An Examination Of Civil Asset Forfeiture In South Carolina, Jeffrey Trowbridge

Theses and Dissertations

Civil asset forfeiture allows the government to seize and forfeit property that is associated with criminal activity without arresting or charging the property owner. Although expansive in its potential application, little is understood about the characteristics of civil asset forfeiture cases, the property owners involved in forfeiture cases, or the characteristics of any criminal cases pursued parallel to the civil cases. Utilizing open-source, public court records, this dissertation provides an exploratory analysis of these gaps in the literature by examining the types of civil asset forfeiture used, the value of asset forfeiture cases, how money from asset forfeiture is divided …

Ashs To As: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Mandatory Athletic Study Hall In Improving High School Athletes’ Academics, Angela Pilson

Theses and Dissertations

During the 2023-2024 academic year, this action research study was conducted at local, mid-sized high school in South Carolina using a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the efficacy and impact of a mandatory athletic study hall (ASH) program on high school athletes’ academic performance. Through this program, during each academic quarter, any in-season athletes with any grades below 69% to either attend after-school study hall sessions or complete tutoring. The study both reviewed the academic performance of athletes and nonathletes and collected qualitative data from stakeholder surveys completed by nonathletes, athletes, teachers, coaches, and parents. The findings revealed a significant difference …

Assessing The Accuracy, Validity, And Application Of A New Method For Sex Estimation Using Isotopic Ratios Of Fe, Cu, And Zn In Human Bone, Elizabeth Anne Wakefield

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation evaluates the accuracy, validity, and application of a novel sex determination method based on isotopic variations in copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) within human bone, initially developed by Jaouen et al. (2012). The primary aim of this research was to test the reproducibility of the method, expand the sample to include a broader age range and ethnically diverse groups, and assess its applicability in forensic contexts using contemporary skeletal samples. Bone samples were collected from 60 individuals across two curated skeletal collections: the George S. Huntington Skeletal Collection and the Texas State Forensic Anthropology Donated Skeletal Collection. The …

Bridging Disciplinary Boundaries: A Study On The Integration Of Social Studies Within Elementary Ela Education, Jill Knight

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative action research study investigates the integration of social studies within English Language Arts (ELA) education, highlighting the challenges educators face in balancing curriculum demands amid increasing literacy and math instruction pressures. With over 20 years of experience teaching high school history, the researcher identified a concerning decline in social studies education at the elementary level, a situation worsened by legislative measures such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which prioritize tested subjects. The primary aim of this study was to collaborate with elementary teachers to explore their perceptions and experiences related …