Digital Commons Network^™

Different Class: The Creation Of The Premier League And The Commercialization Of English Football, Colin Damms

Master's Theses

This project examines how English football evolved from a culture of hooliganism and poor upkeep into a popular and enterprising industry across the globe. The Premier League and its stars marketed the English game and its culture worldwide. Since the 1990s England has established itself as the leading club footballing nation. I argue that through football, and the culture and economics behind it, we can see the ways in which England attempted to change its image in the modern world. In the 1980s and 1990s Britain was confronted with its own established culture of violence, bigotry, and nationalist pride, particularly …

Characterization Of The Bacterial Microbiome Of Exotic Tick Species Collected From Migratory Birds, Raima Sen

Master's Theses

Migratory birds often serve as natural/accidental hosts to ectoparasites like ticks (predominantly immature stages) and are known reservoirs of several pathogens transmitted by ticks. Parasitizing these birds, exotic tick species often hitch rides to non-native ecological niches, bringing along tick-borne pathogens. This study aims to profile the bacteriome of exotic tick species flying in and out of the US from the Neo-tropical South. A total of 421 tick samples comprised of several different tick species were collected off migratory songbirds at sites north of the Gulf of Mexico (Louisiana State). A 16S rRNA metagenomic multiplexed sequencing approach was used to …

Subadult Cortical Bone Analysis As An Indicator Of Childhood Health Status Among The Tipu Maya Population, Jaime Thomas

Master's Theses

This thesis explores juvenile health at the contact Maya site of Tipu in western Belize. The associated cemetery was excavated and provided a large and well-preserved population. Although Tipu has been a focus of many studies, few studies have focused on subadults and none on their cortical development, which can allow insight into access to necessary nutritional resources.

Some 108 femora belonging to individuals aged birth to 13 years with femora previously sectioned at midshaft provided the sample. External dimensions taken included diaphyseal length, circumference, medial-lateral diameter and anterior-posterior diameter. Additionally, cortical thickness was measured at four points, and 95 …

The Effects Of Segmenting Worksheets On Independent Seatwork With Elementary Students Delivered In A Remote Manner Using Parents As Interventionists, Lauren Peak

Master's Theses

Students have a limited amount of time each day to complete independent assignments. These assignments prioritize the learning opportunities provided to students. Learning opportunities or the chance to practice with feedback is highly effective, and additional repetition enhances the learning experience. By increasing student's time-on-task, they will be provided more learning opportunities. This study sought to discover if segmented work could increase the number of problems completed, digits correct per minute and on-task behavior. An alternating treatment design across four participants allowed for the comparison of segmented worksheets and whole worksheets. Additionally, parents served as the interventionist in this remote …

Design, Synthesis, And Characterization Of Glycodendrons Through Small Molecule And Linear Polymer Models, Molly Jones

Master's Theses

This thesis focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of glycopolymer-dendron thiol-ene coupling reactions with the long-term goal of increasing biocompatibility of near infrared (NIR) fluorophores for bioimaging applications. A design of experiments was used with small molecule model compounds to determine the parameters for successful thiol-ene click reactions that would lead to success of more complicated amphipathic polymer-polymer coupling reactions. The first chapter provides an introductory overview of the importance and applications of glycopolymers, bioimaging, and Janus dendrimersomes. The second chapter presents the synthetic methods for creating a glucose-functionalized glycopolymer with an acrylamide backbone, the exploration of thiol-ene coupling …

Sedimentology And Shallow Groundwater Responses Of A Coastal Marsh Along A Salinity Gradient: A Case Study In Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, James Thompson

Master's Theses

Climate change and relative sea level rise is resulting in saltwater intrusion and inundation of coastal marshes. This study investigates factors affecting marsh hydrology, including sediment composition, seasonal variability, and coastal storms in Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) near Pascagoula, Mississippi. Analysis of sediment includes color, organic matter, carbonate, magnetic susceptibility, and particle size. Shallow groundwater hydrologic trends between Summer 2015 and Fall 2016 are established along a salinity gradient at four sites using water levels, temperature, and conductivity monitored at the surface and in piezometers at depths of 0.75m, 1.5m, and 2.25m.

Sediment analysis indicates reducing conditions …

An Annotated Bibliography Of Selected Music Theory Resources For The Middle And High School Choral Classroom With Alignment To Mississippi College- And Career-Readiness Standards, Amanda M. Brandon

Master's Theses

Middle and high school choral ensembles often struggle to produce musicians who are proficient in music theory skills; however, music theory and ear training skills provide numerous benefits to the student and ensemble. Promoting and fostering theory and ear training skills develop a student’s overall musicianship – thus, strengthening sight-reading skills– further leading to more accurate sight reading, using less rehearsal time, and the option of learning more, or even more technically challenging, literature. Additionally, developing independent musicianship skills encourages higher order and critical thinking in the choral classroom.

This project will examine and review selected music theory and ear …

Determining Subgroups That Exist Among Us Firearm Owners, Allison Eileen Bond

Master's Theses

Objective: The present study sought to identify and verify unique classes of firearm owners that exist within the United States (US) and to determine the sources that each class deemed credible to discuss safe firearm storage for suicide prevention. Methods: The study is composed of three parts, each with its own unique sample. Part 1 (N = 1,018) utilizes a nationally representative sample of firearm owners. Part 2 (N = 1,064) consists of firearm owners from Mississippi, Minnesota, and New Jersey. Lastly, Part 3 examined the samples from Mississippi (n = 308), Minnesota (n = 379), …

Interior Point Optimization Of Low-Thrust Spacecraft Trajectories, Jordan D. Frederiksen

Master's Theses

Low-thrust interplanetary spacecraft trajectory optimization poses a uniquely difficult problem to solve because of the inherent nonlinearities of the dynamics and constraints as well as the large size of the search space of possible solutions. Tools currently exist that optimize low-thrust interplanetary trajectories, but these tools are rarely openly available to the public, and when they are available they require multiple interfaces between multiple different packages. The goal of this work is to present a new piece of low-thrust interplanetary spacecraft trajectory optimization software that is open-source and entirely self-contained so that more people can have access to the ability …

Subclinical Atherosclerosis Quantified Through Cumulative Shear Measurement, Margaret Lynne Papka

Master's Theses

With the high mortality rate of cardiovascular disease, it is important to study the early signs. The early detection of cardiovascular disease can lead to saved lives. Currently the most prevalent detection methods are the Framingham Risk Score and the carotid intima media thickness, both of which are insufficient. The necessary tool for early detection requires a uniform quantification system. The stimulus leading to endothelial dysfunction, the most significant predictor of a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE)—and subsequently subclinical atherosclerosis—is reduced shear stress. Increased surface relative roughness affects the flow profile transition from laminar to turbulent resulting in reduced shear …

Snr: Software Library For Introductory Robotics, Spencer F. Shaw

Master's Theses

This thesis introduces "SNR," a Python library for programming robotic systems in the context of introductory robotics courses. Greater demand for roboticists has pressured educational institutions to expand robotics curricula. Students are now more likely to take robotics courses earlier and with less prior programming experience. Students may be attempting to simultaneously learn a systems programming language, a library API, and robotics concepts. SNR is written purely in Python to present familiar semantics, eliminating one of these learning curves. Industry standard robotics libraries such as ROS often require additional build tools and configuration languages. Students in introductory courses frequently lack …

Nonlinear Model Development And Validation For Ball And Plate Control System, Zachary Richter

Master's Theses

Ball and plate balancing control systems are commonly studied due to the complex dynamics associated with the instability of the system in open-loop. For simplicity, mathematical models describing the ball and plate dynamics are often linearized and the effects of complex motion are assumed to be negligible. These assumptions are rarely backed with evidence or explanations validating the simplified form of the dynamical equations of motion. This thesis focuses on developing a nonlinear model that more accurately defines the dynamics of the system, in order to quantify the error of linear and nonlinear models when compared to a Simscape physical …

Take The Lead: Toward A Virtual Video Dance Partner, Ty Farris

Master's Theses

My work focuses on taking a single person as input and predicting the intentional movement of one dance partner based on the other dance partner's movement. Human pose estimation has been applied to dance and computer vision, but many existing applications focus on a single individual or multiple individuals performing. Currently there are very few works that focus specifically on dance couples combined with pose prediction. This thesis is applicable to the entertainment and gaming industry by training people to dance with a virtual dance partner.

Many existing interactive or virtual dance partners require a motion capture system, multiple cameras …

Multi-Assay Nutritional Metabolomics Profiling Of Low Vitamin A Status Versus Adequacy Is Characterized By Reduced Plasma Lipid Mediators Among Lactating Women In The Philippines: A Pilot Study, Catherine M. Johnson

Master's Theses

Background: A significant portion of lactating women in less developed countries have vitamin A (VA) deficiency. Lactation has substantial effects on a mother’s metabolism and VA is known to be needed in multiple biological processes, including growth, vision, immunity, and reproduction.

Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to utilize metabolomics profiling to conduct a broad, exploratory assessment of differences in plasma metabolites associated with low VA status versus adequacy in lactating women.

Methods: Plasma samples from lactating women who participated in a survey in Samar, Philippines, were selected from a cross-sectional study based on plasma retinol concentrations indicating …

Exploring Communication Strategies Used By Speech-Language Pathologists And Nursing Professionals Prior To And During The Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic, Madeline Baretta

Master's Theses

In 2019, a novel virus was discovered and spread resulting in a global pandemic. Individuals with severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experienced critical illnesses such as pneumonia, hypoxemic respiratory failure/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and complications from prolonged hospitalization (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020e). Some individuals with severe cases required mechanical ventilation in the acute care setting (Bernstein, 2020). Due to the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic, this study was developed to better understand the practices of speech-language pathologists (SLPs), nursing professionals, and healthcare organizations prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic with particular …

Demographic Predictors Of Math Anxiety In Elementary School Children, Melissa Flowerdew

Master's Theses

Due to the increasing interest of math anxiety in elementary level children, the present study explored math anxiety contextual factors through Bandura’s (1999) Social Cognitive perspective. Using the Children’s Anxiety in Math Scale, researchers gathered data from 40 primary-level children to explore four demographic predictors--grade-level, special needs identification, gender identity, and socioeconomic status-- of mathematics anxiety through a hierarchical regression model. Findings indicated demographic variables accounted for over one-third of the variance in math anxiety scores at 38.2% (grade level: 12.3%, SNI: 8.4%, gender identity: 13.2%, SES: 4.1%). With the exception of socioeconomic status, all predictors were significant. These findings …

“Precios Perle Wythouten Spotte”: Accepting The Unknowable In Pearl, Jana Ishee

Master's Theses

The fourteenth-century Middle English poem Pearl, authored by the anonymous Pearl-poet, survives in a manuscript known as London, British Library, Cotton MS Nero A.x. This dream vision, narrated by a grieving father, tells the story of his journey to Paradise, where he encounters his infant daughter, now older, regal, and wise, proffering admonishments with the authority of God to her tearful father. meeting with her in Paradise. Drawing on Caroline Walker Bynum’s work on medieval European conceptions of death and resurrection, J. Stephen Russell’s work on the dream vision genre, and Karl Steel’s work on oysters as liminal figures, …

Women Under Colonial Coverture: Divorce, Property Rights, And Inheritance In Early Massachusetts, Sarah Anne Hogue

Master's Theses

This thesis focuses on the evolution of women's legal rights - property, inheritance, and divorce- in colonial Massachusetts between 1630 and 1690. The project explores how and to what extent the legal doctrine of coverture- which severely limited married women’s legal rights- functioned in the Massachusetts Bay Colony under its Puritan government. This study examines how coverture directly impacted women’s property and divorce rights in the courts of law in the colonial Massachusetts legal system. It uses primary documents, such as official court records and Puritan sermons, to examine women’s legal rights in that colony through the intersecting lenses of …

A Modified Preconditioned Conjugate Gradient Method For Approximating The Scattering Amplitude, Samson Ayo

Master's Theses

In this thesis, we look at an iterative method for approximating the scattering amplitude that involves solving two linear systems: a forward system Ax=b and an adjoint system A^Ty=g. Once these two systems are solved, the scattering amplitude, defined by g^Tx=y^Tb is easily obtained.

We derive a conjugate gradient-like iteration for a nonsymmetric saddle point matrix that is constructed to have a real positive spectrum. We investigate the use of Schur Complement preconditioners with block-diagonal factorization to speed up the convergence of our method and compare …

An Analysis Of Nobuo Uematsu’S Linear Structures: The Score Of Final Fantasy Vi’S Opera, Daniel Comeaux

Master's Theses

Nobuo Uematsu, the composer of the first nine entries in the Final Fantasy video game series, creates sophisticated music in the operatic section of Final Fantasy VI. This thesis will provide a linear analysis of the music, borrowing from contrapuntal techniques of important theorists such as Heinrich Schenker and Paul Hindemith. The analysis will explain how some linear progressions play guiding roles within the music while others although heard, may not be as important. Furthermore, the most important linear structures will be shown to support the tonal identity of a movement, while important end points coincide with junctures in the …

The Inclusion Of Vocal Health In The School Curriculum: A National Survey Of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists And Speech-Language Pathology Assistants, Kate Mathews

Master's Theses

The human voice is an important tool of expression and a defining quality of self. Additionally, many occupations require, at least in part, a functioning voice for job completion (Titze et al., 1997). It is not surprising, then, that a dysfunctional voice may be disruptive and have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life. Unfortunately, disorders of voice are common, and perhaps even more so than many may realize (Bhattacharyya, 2014; Hartley et al., 2016; Roy, 2003; Roy et al., 2005). Several voice disorders, however, are preventable through the very same vocal health education means used in voice …

Speech-Language Pathologists’ Knowledge, Confidence Levels, And Practice Patterns With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury In The Schools, Jessica Munson

Master's Theses

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a key role in serving children with cognitive-communication disorders in both medical and school settings. However, there remains little evidence regarding school-based SLPs’ service delivery for children following concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and how they rate their confidence, knowledge, and skills providing these services. The purpose of this study was to examine knowledge, confidence levels, and practice patterns for providing services to pediatric students with mTBI among school-based SLPs. A 43- item survey was developed to assess current concussion knowledge, and to allow for comparison to previous and future surveys on knowledge, confidence, …

Investigating The Utility Of Ultrasound Visual Biofeedback In Voice Instruction For Two Different Singing Styles, Kristen Smith

Master's Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential utility of incorporating real-time visual biofeedback using ultrasonography to teach important concepts of vocal pedagogy to voice students. Exploration of innovative teaching tools, such as ultrasound visual biofeedback (U-VBF) in singing instruction, may contribute to bridging the gap between voice science and pedagogy by providing alternative ways to improve students’ kinesthetic awareness, clarify complex topics in voice physiology and acoustics, and create a common dialogue between different professionals specializing in voice. The primary research questions addressed in this study were: (a) To determine the current knowledge and attitude among …

The Well-Being Of Business Professionals Through The Participation Of Golf With Coworkers And Clients, Marisa Hisaki

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore and understand how participation of golf influences the well-being of business professionals and how organizations could incorporate activities such as golf to their management practices. Open-ended, semi-structured interviews (Kvale, 1996) were utilized in this study to explore and understand how golf influences the well-being by expressing their experience of the phenomenon of the effects of golf. Seven participants were interviewed, where three were insiders and four were outsiders. The age of the participants ranged from 23-68 years, with the average being 49.7 years. Of the seven participants, six were male and only …

To Vote Or Not To Vote: An Assessment Of How Felony Convictions And Incarceration Affects Voting Practices, Tammy Ortiz

Master's Theses

Felon disenfranchisement has a long history in the United States, beginning with Jim Crow Laws, continuing with mass incarceration, and increasing with voter suppression policies and laws being created on a daily basis. This paper will include a brief history of voting suppression and how felony convictions and incarceration create further obstacles for individuals choosing to share their voices and elect officials who represent them within the government. Theories involved in this research include labeling, anomie, citizenship, and both social control and social conflict and combined will demonstrate how the criminal justice works to control individuals under supervision, so much …

Long Term Recovery From Cattle Grazing Disturbance And Climate Impacts At Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, Erin Tessens

Master's Theses

Cattle grazing has influenced the environment in the western United States since European settlement in the 1800’s. Continuous and heavy grazing on arid and semi-arid rangelands has resulted in decreased biodiversity, changes in vegetation structure, and vulnerability to exotic plant invasion. Heavy grazing has also been linked to decreased cryptobiotic soil due to trampling and susceptibility to erosion. With a lack of effective means of successful habitat restoration, there is a rising concern among land managers to maintain these intricate systems, notably under the threat of climate change. Consequently, there is a critical need to understand these system’s response to …

Noninvasive Measurement Of Arterial Compliance With A Blood Pressure Cuff Using A Surrogate Arm Bench Top Model For Oscillometric Use, Shane Wilsey

Master's Theses

A surrogate arm model was created that is capable of being used for oscillometry. This model is capable of being used as a bench top model for blood pressure cuff devices. The arm consists of endplates and internal supports that are 3D printed with ABS, a silicone rubber outer sleeve, and interchangeable arteries made from two silicone rubber strips glued together at the edges. The interchangeable arteries have varying compliances that can be used as different inputs for oscillometric testing. A process was established to measure the artery compliances with a curve fit correlation of 0.95. However, testing revealed that …

Comparison Of Two Advanced Oxidation Processes For Their Production Of Hydroxyl Radicals And Evaluation Of A Uv/Ozone Aop At Varying Uv Fluence For Treating Diclofenac, Alexandra Cass

Master's Theses

This study explores the efficacy of two advanced oxidation processes for generation of hydroxyl radicals to promote degradation of emerging contaminants. Drought and water shortage have become pressing issues caused by our world’s changing climate. Water reclamation and reuse are increasingly important options for relieving this water stress. Water reuse runs the risk of reintroducing recalcitrant compounds that can accumulate in our bodies and environment. Advanced treatment methods that degrade these compounds are vital to protect our health and the health of the environment while providing necessary water resources. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have shown great promise for removing recalcitrant …

Climate Adaptation And Water Conservation Decision-Making In Paso Robles, California Vineyards, Christopher R. Klier

Master's Theses

This paper examines vineyard perceptions and adoption of climate change adaptation and water conservation measures in the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA). A survey was distributed to all 220 vineyards and vineyard management companies that operate in the AVA, with a 53.64% response rate. The objective of the survey was to determine vineyard manager and owner attitudes towards climate change and adaptation, as well as their perceptions of how these threats would impact their operation. A second objective was to document the current level of water conservation and climate adaptation while identifying the barriers and opportunities for further adoption …

Design And Analysis Of A Single-Stage Inverter Using Parallel Dc-Dc Converters For Solar Cell Application, Gabriel Leonides

Master's Theses

This thesis introduces the design and analysis of a single-stage inverter. A circuit was designed and simulated as a proof of concept to investigate the possibility of using boost and buck-boost converters to provide an AC output. The proposed circuit utilizes non-synchronous boost and buck-boost converters due to their simplicity in control signals as opposed to synchronous converters. The application of the proposed inverter is for use with individual solar cells. The aim of the inverter for a single cell is to improve the efficiency of a solar panel, whose performance is limited to the performance of the least efficient …