Digital Commons Network^™

Enhanced Lsmc For Valuation Of Options, Amr Mekawy

Theses and Dissertations

In the world of finance, whether you are a hedger or a speculator, a risk-adverse or a risk-advocate, the use of financial instruments and derivatives will remain pertinent to providing new opportunities for mitigating risks as well as generating profit. Among these instruments are Options, which regardless of their complexity, can be an extremely versatile tool to be utilized across a wide range of different markets.

An option is a derivative that gives the holder the right, but not the obligation to buy or sell the underlying asset either before or at the maturity date of the contract. There are …

The Influence Of Heat Therapy On Redox Signaling In Skeletal Muscle, Kimberly Miriam Richard

Theses and Dissertations

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been identified as crucial signaling molecules in skeletal muscle adaptations to exercise and signal for protective pathways within the myofiber. Pathological heat stress studies in animals demonstrate the ability of heat to increase ROS production in skeletal muscle. Limited data on the influence of therapeutic heat on ROS production and redox signaling in human skeletal muscle exists in the literature. The purpose of this study was to assess ROS production and redox signaling in human skeletal muscle following an acute, therapeutic bout of heat treatment. We hypothesized that heat would create an oxidized environment within …

Phosphorus Adsorption Capacity Of Volcanic Scoria, Easton Jeffrey Perkins

Theses and Dissertations

Phosphorus (P) pollution in stormwater runoff poses a significant threat to water quality, contributing to eutrophication and ecosystem degradation. This research evaluates the potential of volcanic scoria (VSco), an abundant and cost-effective resource in Utah, USA, to influence P concentrations in urban stormwater systems. Batch adsorption experiments examined the behavior of VSco across three particle sizes—fine (<0.841 mm), medium (0.841–2 mm), and granular (2.38–9.5 mm)—under conditions mimicking stormwater scenarios. The results reveal that fine VSco exhibited higher adsorption efficiency than medium and granular sizes, achieving notable P removal at higher concentrations. However, at lower concentrations, fine VSco showed potential for P release due to desorption of pre-existing P. Medium and granular VSco showed minimal adsorption capacity and, in some cases, acted as P sources, highlighting a dual potential depending on stormwater conditions. Adsorption isotherms indicate that the adsorption behavior of fine VSco aligns with the Langmuir model, with a finite and relatively low adsorption capacity. Calculated distribution coefficient (Kd) values for fine VSco ranged from 0.04 to 0.005 L/g, indicating weak adsorption efficiency compared to materials like activated carbon (1–10 L/g) or soils with moderate adsorption capacity (0.1–0.5 L/g). Loss-on-ignition tests confirmed that VSco’s performance is driven by its physical and chemical properties, particularly its calcium content, rather than organic matter. The study emphasizes caution in applying fine VSco for stormwater remediation due to its potential to release P under typical runoff conditions. However, fine VSco may still be viable in specific scenarios where P levels are higher, such as in stormwater hotspots or localized areas with elevated concentrations, allowing for targeted remediation. The research underscores the need for further testing to refine VSco’s applications, particularly in low-impact development (LID) practices, such as infiltration basins and rain gardens, to effectively manage P levels while supporting ecological and aesthetic goals. These findings contribute to understanding the complex role of VSco in urban stormwater systems, offering insights for sustainable water quality management and nutrient cycling in urban landscapes.

My Beautiful Scars: Writing For Recovery, Amanda Vineyard

Theses and Dissertations

My Beautiful Scars is a memoir written by AL Vineyard. Ms. Vineyard is a recovering methamphetamine and opioid user. She has a painful past and following an injury, fell deep into the world of drugs. Her substance use disorder progressed quickly. After the injury, she was prescribed opioid painkillers. The euphoria provided by the opioids numbed the pain that Vineyard experienced in her life. It became her. Over the years, Vineyard graduated to snorting and then, to shooting up her painkillers. A series of events led Vineyard to quit opioids and start shooting methamphetamine, which took her into a world …

A Review Of Literature Regarding Use Of Bloom’S Taxonomy Of Educational Objectives In The Context Of Writing Education, James Herrod

Theses and Dissertations

Under theory of composition instruction or literacy instruction has Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives developed into a tool for lesson scaffolding? How are learning taxonomies, with a sharper focus on Bloom’s Taxonomy, being used? An adjacent question: How has Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives influenced the development of tools like “Marzano’s Higher-Order Thinking Questions” or “Webb’s Depth of Knowledge”? Here, the line of research questioning may be understood through a Fabergé egg analogy. This analogy can explain individual, relational, and macro structures that work toward literacy and synthesis. Like a Faberge egg, each level of writing and literacy instruction should …

“The Dead Cold Light Of Tomorrow”: Historical Grief In Literature In The Aftermath Of Influenza, Caitlin Liana Robertson

Theses and Dissertations

During the Influenza Pandemic of 1918, commonly referred to as The Spanish Flu, somewhere between 20 and 100 million lives were lost globally, but this tragedy has faded from history in many Western cultures. World War I, while far less deadly, has been memorialized far more frequently and has been overshadowing the devastation of the pandemic since its inception. The grief that survivors experienced–for loved ones and for themselves–was not given an external outlet and as a result there are few contemporary historical sources to turn to when looking for evidence of that grief. In the absence of more traditional …

Navigating Displacement: Jewish-Brazilian Identity In Lasar Segall's Encontro, Kendall Evonne Da Silva

Theses and Dissertations

Jewish-Lithuanian artist Lasar Segall's 1924 painting Encontro has historically been interpreted as representing Segall's integration and assimilation into Brazilian society. This reading, however, generally overlooks Segall's experience as an Eastern European Jew living in Brazil during the early twentieth century. In this thesis, I examine the influence of Segall's ethnic background on his art and investigate how Segall appropriates pardo identity in Encontro, not unproblematically, in an effort to convey feelings of alienation and exclusion. Along with looking at his visual art, my analysis incorporates my translations of Segall's essays on Jewishness, which shed light on his relationship to Judaism …

Acts Of Tyranny And Terror: Violence, Propaganda, And The Southern Tenant Farmers Union In 1930s Arkansas, Charles Bonet

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis project is to tell a compelling story of the violence that occurred during the early years of the Southern Tenant Farmers Union in 1930s Arkansas. The story will be told through a close examination of experiences of significant STFU figures, as well as through an examination of some key events. Special attention will be paid to the various forms of violence and intimidation that proliferated and, additionally, the ways in which propaganda often factored in. A podcast series will be the media utilized to tell this story. The podcast format allows for the project to …

Integrative Single-Cell Genomics And Machine Learning Methods For Tumor Microenvironment Characterization And Survival Prediction, Wenjuan Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises diverse cell types and plays crucial roles in cancer development and therapeutic response. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data quantifies gene expression at the single-cell level, enabling the dissection of heterogeneous cell populations in various biological contexts and diseases. In this work, we developed integrative single-cell genomics and machine learning approaches to characterize the TME and enhance patient survival prediction. We introduced a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based method, cnnImpute, to address the high proportion of missing data in scRNA-seq datasets. cnnImpute effectively imputes missing values while preserving the integrity of cell clusters, achieving superior performance in …

Ethnic Group Affiliation And Perceptions Of Ethnic Russians In Lithuania, Morgan Lindsay Hassell

Theses and Dissertations

There are many factors that influence language acquisition and use, particularly in multilingual environments. The ethnic group affiliation (EGA) of speakers, or the degree to which a speaker identifies with their native language or culture, has been shown to have a significant impact on language use (Gatbonton, Trofimovich & Segalowitz 2009, Zabrodskaja 2015). EGA can also impact the judgments of and attitudes toward these speakers by others (e.g., Trofimovich & Turuševa 2020). Lithuania is a multilingual state with a complex political and linguistic history, particularly in relation to the Russian language and people. In this study, 150 native Lithuanians and …

Developing A New Liquefaction Ejecta Prediction Model Considering Soil Properties Of Non-Liquifiable Surface Layers Using New Large Database From The 2012 Emilia Romagna, Italy Earthquakes, Jonah Bradley Dundas

Theses and Dissertations

The presence of a non-liquefied crust overlying a liquefied layer has been found to have a significant effect on sand ejecta and surficial liquefaction damage, as observed by Ishihara (1985). Following the 2010-2011 Canterbury seismic sequence in New Zealand, almost no foundation deformation occurred in areas with liquefaction susceptible soils overlain by at least a 3 meter thick crust [1]. In contrast, the 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake in Italy provided surface evidence of liquefaction despite 6+ meter thick crusts. Several researchers have proposed liquefaction prediction models [e.g. LPI [2], Ishihara Curves [3], LSN [4], LPIISH [5] and the methods proposed by …

Assessing Coincidence Of Satellite Acquisitions And Flood Events To Predict Suitability For Flood Map Synthesis, Lyle Dale Prince

Theses and Dissertations

Flooding is a global problem that impacts people, communities, and governments every year. Better understanding of flooding in an area can enable improved emergency response before a flood hits. Flood maps are a crucial tool to translate what for most is an abstract flow, into a more understandable and actionable representation of who and what are at risk. Satellite based flood maps are a useful tool that has potentially global applications. We developed methods to determine which areas are suitable for generating satellite-based synthetic flood maps. For our processes we used Forecasting Inundation Extents using REOF analysis (FIER): a data-driven …

Next Generation Sequencing Based Profiling Of Genes In Patients With Syndromic Forms Of Retinitis Pigmentosa, Harshavardhini G

Theses and Dissertations

India is one of the largest populations in the world and is estimated to have a high prevalence of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). RP is clinically and genetically heterogenous, characterized initially as night blindness, leading to complete vision loss due to retinal degeneration. RP can occur in non-syndromic or syndromic forms, affecting other organs as observed in Bardet Biedl Syndrome (BBS) and Usher syndrome (USH).

BBS is characterized by RP, polydactyly, obesity, renal anomalies and learning difficulties. USH is characterized by RP and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), with variable presence of vestibular dysfunction. Nextgeneration sequencing (NGS) has become a cost-effective technology …

Discharge-To-Water Level Conversion Using Monthly Duration Curves (Dwl-Mdc): Enhancing The Utility Of The Geoglows Ecmwf Hydrological Model, Darlly Judith Rojas Lesmes

Theses and Dissertations

Flood early warning systems are crucial for disaster risk reduction strategies, enabling communities to take timely action against threats. However, the effectiveness of these systems depends on accurate and timely hydrological data, particularly river discharge and water level measurements. Unfortunately, many regions, face significant challenges in obtaining hydrological data, especially discharge data due to outdated rating curves, high equipment costs, and logistical constraints. Water level measurements, by contrast, offer reduced uncertainty and are often more accessible, providing an alternative for hydrological modeling in data-scarce regions. To address these limitations, we developed and validated the Discharge-to-Water Level Conversion Using Monthly Duration …

Effects Of Microbial Lipases On Parmesan And Feta Cheese Flavor Profiles, Erin N. Caswell

Theses and Dissertations

Lipolysis is crucial for cheese flavor development, as lipolytic enzymes convert fats into free fatty acids that enhance flavor. While Kid/Goat (KG) lipases are traditionally used in cheese production, microbial lipases like M. javanicus (MJ) and C. cylindracea (CC) provide vegetarian, cost-effective alternatives. This study compares the flavor, texture, and composition of Feta and Parmesan cheeses made with microbial lipases as a replacement for traditional lipase. Conventional cheese making techniques were used to make experimental batches of Feta and Parmesan cheeses using a standard KG lipase and two experimental lipases, CC and MJ, and comparing all three against a control …

Climate Change Impacts On Dryland Ecosystems, Tanner Tainui Aiono

Theses and Dissertations

Dryland ecosystems are some of the most prevalent ecosystems on Earth and have recently shown stress indicators from climate change. These water-limited systems are vulnerable to increases in temperature and changes in precipitation, especially when looking at carbon cycling dynamics across biological sol crusts and vegetation mortality patterns. This dissertation aims to 1) evaluate how precipitation dynamics, vegetation location, and microclimate conditions influence biological soil crust carbon conditions, and 2) evaluate how topographic influences drive patterns of plant mortality during prolonged drought on the Colorado Plateau. Using high-resolution monitoring of long-term NEE chambers, we found that intermediately disturbed biocrusts are …

The Impact Of Positive-To-Negative Teacher Interaction Ratio On Student Performance, Naomi L. Phillips

Theses and Dissertations

Challenging behavior is a growing problem for teachers. Praise has been promoted as a positive strategy for addressing problem behavior. The ratio of praise-to-correction (positive-to-negative) may be important to the effectiveness of praise. A 4:1 ratio has been recommended as optimal to improve student performance. This ratio has never been experimentally tested. There is little known of the feasibility and social validity for maintaining a high positive-to-negative ratio. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 4:1 positive-to-negative ratio (PNR) on problem behavior and academic performance of junior high students with an intellectual disability classification in …

Development Of Sensing Capabilities For Agricultural Robotics, Carter Noh

Theses and Dissertations

Agricultural robotics is a rapidly growing industry with the possibility to revolutionize food production. Agricultural robots often require custom sensing solutions to perform specific tasks. Developing the appropriate sensing capabilities for an application is therefore an important step in the automation process. In this thesis I present two case studies in developing sensing capabilities for agricultural robotics applications. First, I introduce a sensor that can provide simultaneous measurements of force and position. The sensor was developed to enable high-throughput measurement of maize stalk stiffness on a robot platform. It uses multiple sets of strain gauges on a cantilever beam to …

Extracting Speech Content From High-Amplitude Background Machine Noise, Curtis L. Garner

Theses and Dissertations

The research presented in this dissertation aims to address the need for improved communication between heavy machinery operators and external personnel, aiming to improve safety and efficiency by overcoming the communication barriers posed by equipment noise and cab insulation. The primary purpose of this research was to develop a hands-free communication system that allows the operator to hear speech from outside the cab without requiring any personal communication devices like radios or headsets. Key objectives included effective speech extraction from ambient noise and accurate estimation of the location of the speaker. Operating without active user control, the system emphasizes clarity …

Advanced Models For Linking Process In Data Washing Machine, Bushra Sajid

Theses and Dissertations

Entity Resolution (ER) is a critical process in data integration and quality improvement that identifies and links multiple records referring to the same real-world entity. As data volumes and heterogeneity increase, traditional ER methods face new challenges, prompting research into more advanced techniques. The Proof-of-Concept Data Washing Machine (DWM), developed under the NSF DART Data Life Cycle and Curation research theme, aims to automatically detect and correct data quality errors through unsupervised entity resolution. Recent research focuses on enhancing DWM's effectiveness by replacing rule-based methods with machine learning and deep learning approaches, particularly in the linking process. Deep learning models, …

Design And Synthesis Of Bimetallic Catalyst And Multifunctional Peptide Catalysis For Organic Synthesis And Synthesis Of Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (Protacs) For Sphk1 And Sphk2, Mariur Rodriguez Moreno

Theses and Dissertations

In the first part of this dissertation (chapters 1-4) we discuss the development of bimetallic and monometallic palladium complexes scaffolded on 2-phosphinoimidazole ligands and their application to cross-coupling reactions. Specifically, we discovered a bimetallic Pd(II) dimer that performs a tandem arylation/annulation reaction to produce naphthalene products from aryl iodides and ketones (Chapter 2). We then show that bimetallic Pd(II) and Pd (I) complexes have different activity in different transformations and that the starting oxidation state of our catalysts is important for reactivity (Chapter 3). For example, we demonstrate that our Pd(I) dimer is much more active in Buchwald- Hartwig amination …

Applications Of Phosphorus Geochemistry To Utah Lake, Jacob Barry Taggart

Theses and Dissertations

This compilation of studies provides an examination of phosphorus dynamics in the suspended solids, water column, and lakebed sediments of Utah Lake, a large, shallow, and phosphorus-rich water body. The first study introduces a novel phosphorus microfractionation (P-MF) method designed for small samples of suspended solids and sediments. This method reveals that suspended solids in Utah Lake can have a significantly higher phosphorus content across most fractions compared to lakebed sediments, highlighting the importance of considering suspended solids in nutrient management strategies. The second study analyzes historical phosphorus mass and concentrations, demonstrating that water column phosphorus levels have remained stable …

A Comprehensive Performance Evaluation Of Proprietary And Open-Source Language Models In Closed And Open-Domain Tasks, Abhilash Kanduri

Theses and Dissertations

As the field of Natural Language Processing (NLP) continues to evolve, evaluating the performance of both proprietary and open-source language models has become increasingly critical. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of proprietary models like GPT-3.5 Turbo, GPT-4, and GPT-4 Turbo, alongside open-source models such as FLAN-T5, GPT-Neo, and GPT-2. By leveraging traditional metrics like ROUGE and BLEU, as well as custom metrics including ReGrAde, Contextual Precision, and Faithfulness, the study evaluates these models across closed-domain tasks (e.g., factual question-answering) and open-domain tasks (e.g., creative writing and brainstorming). The proprietary models excelled in structured, fact-based tasks, while the open-source models …

Synergistic Adsorption Of Pb (Ii) From Aqueous Solution Using Calcined Biochar-Bentonite Clay Hybrid, Azeezat Faderera Abdul-Raheem

Theses and Dissertations

The biochar-bentonite clay hybrid was prepared by coprecipitation with the goal of producing a material that can remove Pb (II) from aqueous solutions effectively. Incorporating bentonite clay onto the Douglas fir biochar (DFB-BTC) surface significantly improved the adsorption capacity by introducing more active sites, strengthening the structural properties, and promoting strong adsorbate interactions. The point of zero charge of the adsorbent was slightly higher than that of the pristine DFBC. All sorption experiments were performed at pH 5, and the system obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The highest Langmuir adsorption capacities observed at 298, 308, and 318 K were 48, …

Crystal Plasticity Modeling To Capture Microstructural Variations In Cold-Sprayed Materials, Aulora Gail Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The high-velocity impact of powder particles in cold-spray additively manufactured (CSAM) parts creates intersplat boundaries with regions of high dislocation densities and sub-grain structures. Upon microstructure and mechanical characterization, CSAM Aluminum 6061 showed non-uniformity, with spatial variation in the microstructure and mechanical properties affecting the overall response of the additively manufactured parts. Post-processing treatments are conducted in as-printed samples to improve particle bonding, relieve residual stresses, and improve mechanical properties. In this work, we attempt to implement the effects of grain size and distribution of smaller grains along the intersplat boundaries using the grain size distribution function and powder size …

Fisheries Management In Mississippi State-Operated Fishing Lakes: A Review And Look To The Future, Hayden Gregory Funk

Theses and Dissertations

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks currently manages 18 State Lakes and 17 State Park Lakes to provide public fishing opportunities. My goal was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of monitoring and management activities in State Lakes to enhance understanding of lake dynamics, further develop existing management initiatives, and identify alternative avenues for effective management. To achieve this objective, I have undertaken a comprehensive examination and synthesis of the historical background pertaining to State Lakes and conducted an analysis of pertinent data regarding lake characteristics such as the physical and chemical attributes of the lakes, the features of …

Evaluating The Emergent Wetland Plant Juncus Effusus As A Tool In Phytoremediation Of Nitrogen And Copper, Jacob Aaron Hockensmith

Theses and Dissertations

Eutrophication is an increasing issue around the globe, including the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley where excess nitrogen runs into the Mississippi River and subsequently the Gulf of Mexico. The restoration of wetlands is one method that has been developed to help reduce nitrogen runoff, however, species selection should be done carefully as species selected must not only remove nitrogen but be able to compete with established species. Chapter II of this thesis investigates whether J. effusus is a viable candidate for use in this role. Additionally, copper contamination around the globe is increasing due to a variety of anthropogenic sources. …

Assessing Plate Load Testing And Modulus Of Subgrade Reaction Determination For Pavements, Jami Lynn Rushing

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aims to: 1) determine the effect of plate size on the modulus of subgrade reaction (k), 2) investigate the differences between the ASTM D1196-21 and CRD-C 655-95 plate load test methods, and 3) develop new effective k curves. 150 plate load tests were executed on three subgrade materials under varying base course thicknesses. Plate load testing was designed to evaluate various plate sizes and testing standards (e.g., the military standard – CRD-C 655-96 and the ASTM standard – ASTM D1196-21). By performing plate load tests on varying base course thicknesses, newly developed effective k curves were developed from …

The Plastics Crisis: Responsible Recycling In Civil Engineering And Infrastructure, Jason Howell Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

A global plastics crisis exists with around 400 million metric tons (MMT) of plastics production and 350 MMT of plastics waste generated annually around the globe. Plastics are durable and essentially non-biodegradable, so they accumulate in both terrestrial and marine environments as pollution and within landfills without breaking down over time. Plastics are ubiquitous in 21st-century society and culture, comprising essential elements in most industries including packaging, transportation, electrical/electronics, and building/construction. The role of civil engineering and infrastructure in addressing the plastics crisis was specifically explored. Responsible plastics recycling yields products with improved engineering properties, performance characteristics, marketability, and/or manufacturing …

An Analysis Of Suspension Days Among Students In Special Education And General Education In A Rural School District, Lakesia Falanda Bryant

Theses and Dissertations

An Analysis of Suspension Days Among Students in Special Education and General Education in A Rural School District, is designed to look at those disciplinary trends that directly affect our most vulnerable population of students, with an emphasis on suspension, expulsions and the rates at which special education students are suspended and/or expelled as compared to their non-disabled peers in a rural district in Mississippi. As the Mississippi State Department of Education cited this district for its high rate of suspension and/or expulsions of students with Individualized Educational Plans, this study is of significant importance in identifying those factors that …