Digital Commons Network^™

Unveiling Mississippi's Artistic Souls: A Documentary Journey, Sandip Rai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This MFA thesis presents a short documentary film focusing on the lives and artistic processes of four distinct artists residing in Mississippi: Andrew Bryant, Anne Scott Barrett, Jared Spears, and Stephen Brown (5th Child). The film delves into the intricacies of each artist's creative journey, capturing their unique perspectives and offering invaluable insights into their artistic endeavors.

Over the course of more than a year, this documentary underwent numerous revisions and refinements to ensure its significance both to the public audience and, most importantly, to the featured artists themselves. As an artist, the filmmaker was deeply motivated to unravel the …

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 …

The Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction On The Vasculature And Tolerability During A 2-Week Intervention, Daphney Michelle Stanford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Blood flow restriction (BFR) has been used to delay muscle atrophy, but it is unclear how this impacts the vasculature. Purpose: Determine the effect of BFR on upper body vasculature. Methods: 40 participants were randomized into control (CON) or BFR. For BFR, 80% of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) was applied daily (5/week) for 5 cycles (5min inflation, 3min deflation) on the dominant arm. Vascular assessments occurred at baseline (Pre), week 1 (Mid), and week 2 (Post). A cuff on the forearm inflated over 110% AOP for 5min while brachial artery diameter and tissue saturation index (TSI, %) were continuously measured. …

The Presence And Prevalence Of Underqualified High School Science Teachers In Mississippi, Shelby Ann Watson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With growth in STEM postsecondary programs and careers positioned as a national priority, ensuring that K-12 science classrooms are staffed with highly qualified teachers is an important step towards building student interest in STEM and preparing students for STEM careers. However, previous studies of out-of-field teaching have indicated that schools and districts across the country are hiring large numbers of underqualified teachers to fill high-needs positions, such as secondary science and mathematics. Complicating the issue is the fact that data regarding teacher shortages, vacancies, and underqualified teaching are often incomplete or inaccessible. Prior studies have found that underqualified teaching is …

High-Resolution Hybrid Printing Of 3d Electronics, Nusrat Yasmin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Highly integrated on-demand printed electronics have gained lots of popularity recently. Most of the fabrication methods that are currently used in the industry are constraints to one technology and also one material class. These also limit the geometry design and the resolution of the finished products. To address this problem, the hybrid printing process is a promising technique to effectively fabricate 3D electronics. Hybrid printing is the future of printed electronics.

In the study, a high-resolution (~100 microns) hybrid printing process has been developed which combines extrusion-based printing (EBP) and Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing with polymeric and metallic material respectively. In …

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 …

Mechanisms And Consequences Of Competition Between Microstegium Vimineum And Native Plants And Their Relevance To Invasion Theory And Oak Woodland Restoration, Griffin L. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous work has shown that ecological communities with high species diversity are resistant to invasion, but evidence is lacking in woodland restoration conditions with native groundcover and oak species for the competitively superior invader: Microstegium vimineum. I addressed the following questions: (1) Does diversity-mediated competitive resistance resist invasion by M. vimineum, and what is the competitive effect of M. vimineum on resident plant diversity? (2) How do aboveground and soil-mediated competitive effects of M. vimineum influence survival of two perennial forbs at two sites of different M. vimineum productivity? (3) Are there species differences in acorn supply and seed removal, …

Anharmonic Vibrational Frequencies Of Large Hydrocarbons, Brent Robertson Westbrook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the proposed carriers of the unidentified infrared bands (UIRs) observed in widely varied astronomical environments. However, experimental investigation of PAHs has proven difficult as a result of their large size. As such, our knowledge of PAH vibrational spectra, and by extension the molecular carriers of UIRs, is limited to computed spectra. Despite the vast quantity of such data available, most of it has been generated using methods of relatively low quality, again due to the size of the systems in question. This work presents methods for extending the application of highly-accurate theoretical spectroscopic techniques to …

Bounds For Symplectic Capacities Of Rotated 4-Polytopes, Matthew Palmer Zediker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Symplectic capacities are a central tool from quantitative symplectic topology which act as symplectic invariants, distinguishing symplectic manifolds as different. There are a wide variety of capacities common in the literature today. The still-open Viterbo conjecture states all normalized symplectic capacities coincide on convex domains. Even upper bounds for these capacities are not completely understood, and there are many hard computational barriers. The recent work of Chaidez and Hutchings as well as that of Haim-Kislev have yielded results simplifying computation of a capacity in the case of convex polytopes. In this thesis, we prove an upper bound on normalized capacities …

A Study Of Electron Energy Response Measurement In The Nova Test Beam Detector, Devesh Bhattarai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The NuMI Off-axis electron-neutrino Appearance (NOvA) experiment at Fermilab is a long-baseline accelerator neutrino experiment designed to study and understand neutrinos through their flavor oscillations between two functionally-identical detectors; a 300-ton Near Detector and a 14 kton Far Detector separated by 809 km and placed 14 mrad off-axis to the Neutrinos at the Main Injector (NuMI) neutrino beam produced at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). NOvA has key physics goals to determine the neutrino mass hierarchy, probe CP violation in the leptonic sector, and conduct precise measurements of the neutrino mixing parameters. To help further NOvA’s physics reach, the NOvA …

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 …

Cp Asymmetry Measurement In Ξ+�� → Σ+��+��− And Distributed Computing Development At Belle Ii, Anil Panta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This PhD thesis presents a measurement of the direct ���� asymmetry, AΞ������, in the singly Cabibbo suppressed charm baryon decay Ξ+�� → Σ+��+��− using simulated and real data from the Belle II experiment. The full analysis is performed on a simulated dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of approximately 426.6 fb−1. The Cabibbo favored decay Λ+�� → Σ+��+��− is utilized as a control channel to account for detection asymmetries. The analysis is validated usingreal data for the control channel and systematic uncertainties are studied using simulated and real data. The measured ���� asymmetry in simulation, where no ���� asymmetry is …

Full Bridge Modeling To Evaluate Effectiveness Of A Seismic Bearing On A Newly Constructed Bridge On I-55, Sandip Gupta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Infrastructure constructed should be safe and reliable. Bridges are essential infra structure used by large mass of people on a daily basis. Out of 617,000 bridges across the United States, 42% are at least 50 years old, and 7.5% are considered structurally deficient as per Infrastructure report card. 178 million trips are made on these structurally deficient bridges every day in the US. Thus, a bridge should be designed, not only for Strength and Service limit states, but also for Extreme limit states which includes earthquake. New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), located in southeastern Missouri, northeastern Arkansas, western Tennessee, western …

Livestock Wastewater And Air Quality Management Using Microalgae, Capacitive Deionization, And Biofilters, Augustina Kwesie Osabutey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wastewaters play a significant role in the negative impact of phosphorus on the environment, such as eutrophication. However, phosphorus is a limiting nutrient essential for life which has gained global attention on productive technologies for phosphorus recovery. Several technologies have been developed for phosphorus removal and recovery from wastewater to help alleviate phosphorus loss to the environment. Capacitive deionization technology, which was earlier developed for water desalination and ion removal, is actively being explored for its ability to remove phosphorus from wastewater. This review describes capacitive deionization technology (CDI) and its various types. Significant attention is given to the use …

Assessing The Economic Feasibility Of Capturing And Utilizing Carbon Dioxide From Ethanol Production In South Dakota, Makiah Stukel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the Industrial Revolution, anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have spiked dramatically, prompting discussions on climate change. Mitigating climate change requires significant reductions in global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as CO2 is the most abundant anthropogenic GHG. A process that assists in offsetting the exponential growth in CO2 emissions is carbon capture and storage (CCS). Integrating carbon capture technology into the ethanol industry can provide an economically feasible way to achieve net reductions in CO2 emissions. The proposed work investigates the economic viability of applying CCS technologies to the 16 ethanol facilities in South Dakota (SD) and quantifies the potential …

Evaluation Of Precision Ingredient Inclusion On Production Efficiency Responses In Finishing Beef Cattle, Santana R. Hanson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Two randomized complete block design feedlot experiments were conducted over the course of two years. These experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of 1) evaluate the observed-to-expected ratio for ingredient inclusion using no commodity inclusion assistance technology or using commodity inclusion assistance technology; and 2) evaluate the influence that varying degrees (highly variable at random or 0.454 kg asfed tolerance for each ingredient) of accuracy on ingredient inclusion have on growth performance, carcass traits, efficiency of dietary NE utilization, and ingredient inventory management in finishing beef cattle. Experiment 1 used single source Black Angus heifers (n = 60; initial …

On The Simulation Of Supersonic Flame Holder Cavities With Openfoam, Zachary Chapman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One of the next major advancements in the aerospace industry will be hypersonic flight. However, to achieve hypersonic flight, propulsion systems capable of reaching hypersonic speeds need to be developed. One of the more promising hypersonic propulsion systems is the scramjet engine, however, several problems still need to be explored before reliable scramjet engines can be produced, the biggest being keeping the engine ignited. This has led to the use of flame holder cavities to create a region of subsonic flow within the engine to allow combustion to occur. High experimental costs make the use of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) …

Effectiveness Of Atmospheric Cold Plasma In Inactivating Microorganisms, Nadee Shanika Kaluwahandi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the food processing industry, Cold Plasma (CP) is an emerging green process with a number of potential applications. Cold plasma has mostly been used to reduce microbial counts in foodstuffs and biological materials as well as in different levels of packaging, particularly in cases where there is thermal sensitivity. Recent studies have demonstrated that CP technology is being developed for use in the food and agriculture industries. The primary focus is on the interactions between reactive species and food-borne microbes to inactivate them. The literature review discusses both proven and potential applications for cold plasma in food processing, as …

Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel Beads For Biological Nitrogen Fixation, Prashant Dahal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Rye Cover Crop Termination Timing Influenced Early Corn Growth, Gene Expressions, And Yield In A No-Till System, Janet Moriles-Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Beliefs And Factors That Influence Intentions To Initiate Antihypertensive Medications, Omokhodion Alfred Eriakha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Primary nonadherence (PMN) to antihypertensives constitutes a problem for all stakeholders regardless of whose perspective is taken. Understanding patient beliefs and utilizing a theory could help move the needle in favor of antihypertensive medications initiation.

Objectives: To determine the predictive ability of an integrated model of the theory of planned behavior and health belief model on intention to initiate an antihypertensive medication and to rank the identified factors of intentions to initiate antihypertensive medications in order of relative importance.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate beliefs and factors that determine intention to initiate antihypertensive medications. The sample …

The Effect Of Work Accommodations On The Risk Of Relapse In Physicians And Nurses With Co-Occurring Substance Use And Mental Health Disorders, Corbin Watson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Accessing reasonable work accommodations may be difficult for healthcare professionals with impairments, particularly those who suffer from mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUD). The use of workplace accommodations by medical professionals who also have MHSUD may experience barriers to their accommodations. The article explores (1) the difference between the types of work accommodations and (2) the types of barriers healthcare professionals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders experience and how they impact their risk of relapse. Implications for physicians, nurses, and counselors are discussed.

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 …

Service-Learning: A Key To Effective Communication For Radiologic Sciences Students, Chelsea Palmer Stephens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many healthcare entities across the globe are moving away from the idea of only treating patients’ diseases to a model of focusing on the overall well-being of patients. Because of this change, healthcare academia must also focus on this change when helping educate clinical practitioners. One major proponent of this type of care is effective communication between the practitioner and the patient. In order to help students grow in this vital attribute, educators must think outside the normal realm of academia and incorporate experiential learning strategies. One method that is often used to place students in an active environment with …

The Champion Of "The Permanent Things:" The Imaginative Conservatism Of Russell Kirk, Robert Nisbet, And Richard Weaver, Xiang Xu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

My dissertation deals with the intellectual thought of Russell Kirk, Robert Nisbet, and Richard Weaver. Renowned today as the prominent thinkers who inaugurated the postwar American conservative intellectual movement, these three thinkers by far have not received enough attention among historians as they deserved.

In my dissertation, by unpacking the central tenets of the conservative thought of the three thinkers, I try to demonstrate that their ideas were not just pertinent to the nascent American conservative movement emerging after the postwar decade, but their intellectual thought are in many ways enduring and timeless, transcending the barren limitations of their own …

Action In Causal Set Theory, Santosh Bhandari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this thesis is to explore causal set theory (CST), which proposes that at the smallest level of spacetime, discrete entities known as “spacetime atoms” are causally related to one another, forming the basis for understanding quantum gravity. While theories such as general relativity that operate on a continuous manifold are more appropriate when dealing with the universe on a large scale, it is crucial for the discrete causal points in CST to maintain their causal structure during the continuum approximation to ensure consistency with general relativity. One way to preserve the causal structure is to accurately embed …

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 …