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Using Finite Element Modeling To Analyze Injury Thresholds Of Traumatic Brain Injury From Head Impacts By Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Anna Marie Dulaney May 2019

Using Finite Element Modeling To Analyze Injury Thresholds Of Traumatic Brain Injury From Head Impacts By Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Anna Marie Dulaney

Theses and Dissertations

A finite element model was developed for a range of human head-sUAS impacts to provide multiple case scenarios of impact severity at two response regions of interest: global and local. The hypothesis was that for certain impact scenarios, local response injuries of the brain (frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal lobes, and cerebellum) have a higher severity level compared to global response injury, the response at the Center of Gravity (CG) of the head. This study is the first one to predict and quantify the influence of impact parameters such as impact velocity, location, offset, and angle of impact to severity of …


Study Of Subterranean Termite Gut Symbionts As Affected By Chitosan Treatment Of Wood, Telmah Telmadarrehei May 2019

Study Of Subterranean Termite Gut Symbionts As Affected By Chitosan Treatment Of Wood, Telmah Telmadarrehei

Theses and Dissertations

The overall aim of this study was to investigate the potential influence of chitosan, a biodegradable and antimicrobial compound, on termite hindgut symbionts. For this purpose, a morphological quantifying technique was conducted on the protist community’s hindgut after feeding termites on chitosan-treated wood. The aim was to characterize the diversity of protist species in the economically important dark southern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes virginicus. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the V3 and V4 hyper-variable regions of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene of the bacterial community in the hindgut of R. virginicus was performed on termites exposed to chitosan treatment. Light microscopy …


Mississippi Mosquito Blood Meals And Haemosporidians, Jessica Aycock May 2019

Mississippi Mosquito Blood Meals And Haemosporidians, Jessica Aycock

Theses and Dissertations

Mosquitoes (Culicidae) transmit several parasites and pathogens including the causative agent of malaria, haemosporidians (Haemosporida). Transmission of these agents to and from the mosquito occurs during the collection of a blood meal. Because of this, it is imperative to gather data on current feeding patterns of mosquitoes. Prior to this study there were no published data on current feeding patterns of mosquitoes in Mississippi. Mosquitoes were captured with CDC light traps at eleven sites in two collection years. Engorged females were analyzed for blood meal content, and the vertebrate host was identified to species level in 72 mosquitoes. Previously published …


Functional Identity Mediates The Net Effects Of Experimental Mass Mortality Events, Mariah Ellen Hodge May 2019

Functional Identity Mediates The Net Effects Of Experimental Mass Mortality Events, Mariah Ellen Hodge

Theses and Dissertations

Mass mortality events (MMEs) can affect communities through large amounts of carcass biomass and significant reductions in population sizes. I conducted laboratory experiments to compare effects of predator and herbivore MMEs on a community using a study system of convergent lady beetles (Hippodamia convergens), pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), and fava beans (Vicia faba). I used a factorial design crossing input (addition of carcasses) and mortality (removing 75% of the population) of aphids and lady beetles. Lady beetle mortality reduced the top-down pressure on the aphid population, which increased aphid abundance and decreased plant height. Input of aphid carcasses increased aphid …


Growth Of Clonal Red Maples On Varying Site Conditions In Mississippi And Response To Pneumatic Fracturing And Liquid Injection, David Tildon Fulgham May 2019

Growth Of Clonal Red Maples On Varying Site Conditions In Mississippi And Response To Pneumatic Fracturing And Liquid Injection, David Tildon Fulgham

Theses and Dissertations

Trunk height, diameter, and stomatal conductance measurements were taken over a three-year time frame on clonal red maple cultivars [Acer rubrum ‘Frank Jr’] on two sites with varying conditions. Physiological and morphological effects on tree growth were measured on both sites in response to Pneumatic Fracturing (PF) and Liquid Injection (LI) treatments. The primary questions asked in study one were: (1) Does stomatal conductance differ among the two sites during mid-summer? and (2) Do height and diameter measures differ among the two sites? In study two, I asked: (1) Do height, diameter and stomatal conductance differ between site modification treatments …


Identifying The Molecular Mechanisms Responsible For Persistent Effects Of Developmental Exposure To Chlorpyrifos On Behavior, Navatha Alugubelly May 2019

Identifying The Molecular Mechanisms Responsible For Persistent Effects Of Developmental Exposure To Chlorpyrifos On Behavior, Navatha Alugubelly

Theses and Dissertations

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the most widely used organophosphorus insecticides (OPs). The developmental exposure to low levels of CPF results in the inhibition of the endocannabinoid metabolizing enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and in altered emotional behavior (increased social play) without affecting the acetylcholinesterase, the canonical target of OPs. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this increased social play are not known. In this study, male rat pups were exposed orally to either corn oil, 0.75 mg/kg CPF, or 0.02 mg/kg PF-04457845 (PF; a specific inhibitor of FAAH) daily from postnatal day 10 (PND10) - PND16. This dosage …


Impact Of Water Management Strategies On Populations Of Rice Water Weevil, (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Franklin Read Kelly May 2019

Impact Of Water Management Strategies On Populations Of Rice Water Weevil, (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Franklin Read Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

Experiments were conducted to determine the impact of water management strategies on populations of rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel. One experiment was conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center during 2017 and 2018. The performance of chlorantraniliprole and thiamethoxam was evaluated in combination with flood removal of a field as a cultural control tactic for rice water weevil. Seed treatments significantly reduced rice water weevil populations at the prelood sample timing, only chlorantraniliprole reduced populations at the post-drainage sample timing. Overall, flood removal had little impact on rice water weevil management. An experiment was also conducted to determine …


A Functional Analysis Of The Defense Response Of Glycine Max As It Relates To Parasitism By The Plant Parasitic Nematode Heterodera Glycines, Prakash Mani Niraula May 2019

A Functional Analysis Of The Defense Response Of Glycine Max As It Relates To Parasitism By The Plant Parasitic Nematode Heterodera Glycines, Prakash Mani Niraula

Theses and Dissertations

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, a plant parasitic pest, causes severe yield losses of soybean (Glycine max). Although a number of studies have identified various genes that function in defense, including a role for the vesicular transport machinery acting against H. glycines in infected roots, a regulatory mechanism occurring behind the transcriptional engagement of the vesicular transport system and delivery of the transported cargo proteins is not fully understood. The main goal of the current study is to determine the functional effect of genetically engineering the circadian clock gene, CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1) in G. max to …


Contagious Yawning In The Domestic Cat (Felis Catus), Ariel M. Lombardo Aghishian May 2019

Contagious Yawning In The Domestic Cat (Felis Catus), Ariel M. Lombardo Aghishian

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates contagious yawning in domestic cats towards their owners, looking at potential links with empathy. Results showed no significant difference in yawning between conditions. The solitary nature of wildcats and their shared ancestor, and the unique social behavior in domesticated cats may explain these findings.


Link Link Circus, Isabella Rossellini May 2019

Link Link Circus, Isabella Rossellini

Theses and Dissertations

Link Link Circus is a theatrical script that presents historical, philosophical and scientific perspectives on the evolutionary, cognitive, behavioral and communicative links between humans and other animals. On stage two actors and a trained dog address the core question “Can animals think and feel?“


The Impact Of Step Parenting On The Health, Behavior And Development Of School-Aged Children, Emmanuel Botwe May 2019

The Impact Of Step Parenting On The Health, Behavior And Development Of School-Aged Children, Emmanuel Botwe

Theses and Dissertations

The American family structure has changed rapidly over the years, from the traditional two-biological-parent household to a variety of other family configurations, leading to a substantial number of children growing up in step-families. This paper examines the impact of step-parenting on child health outcomes among school-aged children.


Observation Of Visitors At A Chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes Schweinfurthii) Ecotourism Site Reveals Opportunity For Multiple Modes Of Pathogen Transmission, Darcey Glasser May 2019

Observation Of Visitors At A Chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes Schweinfurthii) Ecotourism Site Reveals Opportunity For Multiple Modes Of Pathogen Transmission, Darcey Glasser

Theses and Dissertations

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) tracking is a popular ecotourism activity across Sub-Saharan Africa, offering visitors a personal wildlife experience. However, chimpanzee ecotourism may increase the risk of disease transmission between chimpanzees and people. This study assessed how tourist behaviors might facilitate cross-species disease transmission in Kibale National Park, Uganda.


Receptor-Mediated Maturation Of Olfactory Sensory Neurons: A Time Course Evaluation Of Neuronal Maturation In Neomorphic Mutants, Elizabeth Miller May 2019

Receptor-Mediated Maturation Of Olfactory Sensory Neurons: A Time Course Evaluation Of Neuronal Maturation In Neomorphic Mutants, Elizabeth Miller

Theses and Dissertations

How expression of odorant receptors affects the maturation of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) is not known. In a time course experiment, we show that wild type OSNs mature significantly more than those expressing Neomorphic mutant receptors. We conclude that functional receptors are critical to the differentiation and survival of OSNs.


Ornament And The Vienna Secession: A Study Of The 1902 Beethoven Exhibition, Chika Jenkins May 2019

Ornament And The Vienna Secession: A Study Of The 1902 Beethoven Exhibition, Chika Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations

My thesis examines the vital roles of ornament in Vienna Secession’s Beethoven Exhibition (1902), the embodiment of Gesamtkunstwerk and artistic freedom. Gustav Klimt and Joseph Maria Olbrich evoked various senses, alluded to Apollonian and Dionysian aspects of artistic creation, and celebrated its evolution and freedom, inspired by Alois Riegl.


On The Nature Of Transportation, Ofir J. Klein May 2019

On The Nature Of Transportation, Ofir J. Klein

Theses and Dissertations

Just as cities have changes, so too have the conversations regarding them. To understand complex phenomena, often one breaks them down into elemental parts. The city is no different. By taking note of these buildings blocks, one is then led into higher order concerns. As the literature shows, these higher order, first order, concerns are denominated by the categorical "labor concerns," and even "housing concerns." In order for scholars to highlight and further their dialogue within their discipline, they draw upon different methods, methodologies, and studies more generally to make a case for the first order concern. This expands the …


Teacher Perceptions Of Intercultural Sensitivity And Their Classroom Management Practices: An Empirical Study Among Middle And High School Teachers In A Georgia School System, Nigel Lavar Walker May 2019

Teacher Perceptions Of Intercultural Sensitivity And Their Classroom Management Practices: An Empirical Study Among Middle And High School Teachers In A Georgia School System, Nigel Lavar Walker

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers have reported the existence of an achievement and discipline gap between Black and White students and examined factors that potentially influenced the outcomes. The researcher conducted a causal comparative study to determine if there were differences in teacher perceptions of intercultural sensitivity and classroom management practices based on gender, ethnicity, years of experience, and grade level. The present study was also designed to determine if there were differences in classroom practices based on levels of intercultural sensitivity. The data were collected using a survey instrument comprised of the following three parts: four preliminary questions to gather demographic information, the …


Examining Perceptions Of High School Science Teachers Regarding The Participation And Outcomes Of African American Girls In Advanced Science Courses, Shanica Cherie Poole May 2019

Examining Perceptions Of High School Science Teachers Regarding The Participation And Outcomes Of African American Girls In Advanced Science Courses, Shanica Cherie Poole

Theses and Dissertations

African American girls were underrepresented in STEM related education and careers. Social and historical factors caused African American girls to be double marginalized based on gender and sex. African American girls had the potential to fill STEM positions with a strong foundation in advanced science courses. The current study focused on the unknown relationship between science teachers, advanced science courses, and African American girls participating in advanced science courses. Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Black Feminist Thought (BFT) theoretical frameworks were used in an integrated approach to understand the unique experiences of African American girls enrolled in advanced science courses. …


Complex Trauma: Counselors' Self-Efficacy And Treatment, Breeze Valenska Rueda May 2019

Complex Trauma: Counselors' Self-Efficacy And Treatment, Breeze Valenska Rueda

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive and exploratory mixed-method study was twofold: to explore counselors’ perceptions and knowledge regarding complex trauma and, assess counselors’ perceptions regarding their level of confidence when working with this population. The study determined what relevant factors were related to counselors’ perceived self-efficacy concerning complex trauma. Although complex trauma is emerging as an important issue, there is limited research regarding counselors’ experiences with complex trauma. The current study explored participants’ perceptions when providing services to individuals with prolonged and cumulative trauma and provided a greater understanding of counselors’ recognition and selfefficacy when working with this population. A …


The Genome Of Cañahua: An Emerging Andean Super Grain, Hayley Jennifer Mangelson May 2019

The Genome Of Cañahua: An Emerging Andean Super Grain, Hayley Jennifer Mangelson

Theses and Dissertations

Chenopodium pallidicaule, known commonly as cañahua, is a semi-domesticated crop grown in high-altitude regions of the Andes. It is an A-genome diploid (2n = 2x = 18) relative of the allotetraploid (AABB) Chenopodium quinoa and shares many of its nutritional benefits. Both species contain a complete protein, a low glycemic index, and offer a wide variety of nutritionally important vitamins and minerals. Due to its minor crop status, few genomic resources for its improvement have been developed. Here we present a fully annotated, reference-quality assembly of cañahua. The reference assembly was developed using a combination of established techniques, including multiple …


Application Of The Gradient Projection Method To An Optimal Control Problem In Quantum Biology, Rashad Abdulla May 2019

Application Of The Gradient Projection Method To An Optimal Control Problem In Quantum Biology, Rashad Abdulla

Theses and Dissertations

Quantum biology is an emerging field which seeks to understand and analyze the effects of quantum mechanical phenomena on biological systems. One such phenomenon is the formation of radical pairs, compounds which exist in a quantum superposition of two states until they collapse into one or the other. The probability of the collapse into a preferred state can be calculated from the Schrödinger equation, and is in fact dependent on external magnetic fields. This project utilizes principles of mathematical optimal control and quantum biology to determine the precise sequence of magnetic field pulses that maximize the probability of achieving the …


Two-Stage Mixed Integer Stochastic Programming And Its Application To Bond Portfolio Optimization, Nasser Aedh Alreshidi May 2019

Two-Stage Mixed Integer Stochastic Programming And Its Application To Bond Portfolio Optimization, Nasser Aedh Alreshidi

Theses and Dissertations

We consider a two-stage stochastic bond portfolio optimization problem, where an investor aims to optimize the cost of bond portfolio under different scenarios while ensuring predefined liabilities during a given planning horizon. The investor needs to optimally decide whether to buy, hold, or sell bonds based upon present market conditions under different scenarios and varying assumptions, where the scenarios are determined based on interest rates and buying prices of the bonds. Three stochastic integer programming models are proposed and applied to real-data from Saudi Sukuk (Bond) Market. The case-study results demonstrate the varying optimal decisions made to manage bond portfolio …


Multi-Class Logical Analysis Of Data With Relaxed Patterns And Its Extension To Survival Analysis, Travaughn Coren Bain May 2019

Multi-Class Logical Analysis Of Data With Relaxed Patterns And Its Extension To Survival Analysis, Travaughn Coren Bain

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation builds on a previously successful optimization based linear program multi-class classification method, called Logical Analysis of Data (LAD), and improves its generalization capability by introducing relaxed constraint modifications and then further extends and applies it to Survival Analysis. First, we propose the relaxed modifications onto the constraints of the mixed integer linear program (MILP) in the pattern generation phase of LAD. Our modifications are aimed at minimizing the degree of over-fitting to noise, allowing for added flexibility to widen the solution space in hopes to discover more robust classification rules. The proposed method introduces relaxed homogeneity and minimum …


Identification Of Parameters In Systems Biology, Roby Poteau May 2019

Identification Of Parameters In Systems Biology, Roby Poteau

Theses and Dissertations

Systems Biology is an actively emerging interdisciplinary area between biology and applied mathematics, based on the idea of treating biological systems as a whole entity which is more than the sum of its interrelated components. One of the major goals of systems biology is to reveal, understand, and predict such properties through the development of mathematical models based on experimental data. In many cases, predictive models of systems biology are described by large systems of nonlinear differential equations. Quantitative identification of such systems requires the solution of inverse problems on the identification of parameters of the system. This dissertation explores …


A Game Theory Motivated Approach To Analyzing Modularity In Automotive Systems, David John Thiess Jr. May 2019

A Game Theory Motivated Approach To Analyzing Modularity In Automotive Systems, David John Thiess Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This paper examines the effect of integrated and modular design on consumers and manufacturers and seeks to determine if there is an optimal design that benefits both. Some consumers perceive the automotive industry to design vehicles with only the company’s benefit in mind, rather than the desires of the consumer. However, the automotive industry seeks to please consumers, while minimizing the cost of production. A game-theoretic based model was developed that was used to determine if there existed a level of modularity for a system that optimized for both the manufacturer and consumer. The game model consisted of two players, …


The Effect Of Environmental Muck Dredging On Abundance And Community Richness Of Benthic Amphipods In The Indian River Lagoon, Nayan Mallick May 2019

The Effect Of Environmental Muck Dredging On Abundance And Community Richness Of Benthic Amphipods In The Indian River Lagoon, Nayan Mallick

Theses and Dissertations

Anthropogenic eutrophication has polluted and degraded estuarine ecosystems throughout the world. The Indian River Lagoon (IRL), a diverse North American estuary, has accumulated an abundance of Fine-Grained Organic-Rich Sediments (FGORS or “muck”) due to eutrophication. Muck creates stressful, sometimes uninhabitable conditions for benthic flora and fauna, with far-reaching ancillary ecosystem impacts. In an attempt to ameliorate negative ecosystem impacts, muck deposits in Turkey Creek were dredged by Brevard County Natural Resources (Florida). One month after the dredging, mean abundance of amphipods rose to 110±90 individuals m-2 from 0±0 individuals m-2 in the dredged muck sites. Four amphipod species colonized muck …


Training Caregivers To Implement A Structured Meal Protocol To Decrease Food Selectivity Among Young Children With Autism, Ronald Joseph Clark May 2019

Training Caregivers To Implement A Structured Meal Protocol To Decrease Food Selectivity Among Young Children With Autism, Ronald Joseph Clark

Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated a method of training caregivers to implement the Structured Meal protocol to treat children with autism who exhibit food selectivity. A treatment package consisting of written instructions and video modeling as well as in-vivo prompting and feedback (when necessary) was used to teach participants to conduct the protocol. A multiple baseline design across participants was used to evaluate the effects of training. In addition to the primary dependent variable (i.e., correct caregiver implementation of the Structured Meal protocol), data on three secondary dependent variables (i.e., child bite acceptance, mouth cleans, and inappropriate mealtime behavior) were collected. Results …


A Sensor Fusion And Machine Learning Approach For Predicting Signal Power Path Loss In Wireless Communications, Yunus Egi May 2019

A Sensor Fusion And Machine Learning Approach For Predicting Signal Power Path Loss In Wireless Communications, Yunus Egi

Theses and Dissertations

When it comes to Wireless Communication systems and their optimization in different environments, estimation of SPPL for different terrain models becomes one of the most tedious problems for Radio Frequency engineers. Since every terrain has their complex terrain structures and contains micro-variations, they end up with an ambiguous SPPL via scattering and absorption. Also, modern SPPL prediction models are error free since they use predefined estimation parameters for classified terrain model. Sometimes, terrain-related estimation errors may cause over undesirable SPPL level which is much larger than 5% tolerance error. To avoid this problem, one can benefit from 3D map of …


Social Influences On Vocal Development In A Wild Parrot, Caleb Michael Mand Arellano May 2019

Social Influences On Vocal Development In A Wild Parrot, Caleb Michael Mand Arellano

Theses and Dissertations

The Social Intelligence Hypothesis (SIH) proposes that navigating complex societies requires increased neural processing to monitor shifting relationships. SIH evolutionary focus of brain size variation in adults originally ignored the developmental frameworks leading to increased sociality. I studied the ontogeny of early sibling interactions in wild Green‐rumped Parrotlets (Forpus passerinus) in a Venezuelan population that exhibited large variation in brood size and engaged in elaborate social interactions and complex social learning during nestling development. To test if nests of varying brood sizes exhibit differences in social complexity, I quantified the number and strength of sibling play partnerships, as a proxy …


An Evaluation Of Wastewater Pumping Station Facilities Using Statistical Techniques In Analyzing Each For Rehabilitation Design And To Improve The Adverse Environmental Affects, Zenaida S. Guerrero May 2019

An Evaluation Of Wastewater Pumping Station Facilities Using Statistical Techniques In Analyzing Each For Rehabilitation Design And To Improve The Adverse Environmental Affects, Zenaida S. Guerrero

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research project is to develop two evaluation models, one using excel to provide a design criterion for wastewater pumping stations in collecting design parameters and information effecting efficiency and performance of the pumps. Secondly, to develop a linear regression model for these parameters giving a correlation between dependent and independent variables to verify adverse environmental aspects. This study is based in the City of Weslaco, pertaining to the north waste watershed. The parameters collected are age, efficiency, service area, total dynamic head, existing conditions, monthly sanitary sewer over flow work orders, precipitation data, population by service …


Studies On Regulation Of Dihydrotestosterone Binding To And Releasing From The Androgen Receptor, Tahyra M. Resto Santos May 2019

Studies On Regulation Of Dihydrotestosterone Binding To And Releasing From The Androgen Receptor, Tahyra M. Resto Santos

Theses and Dissertations

The androgen receptor (AR) is a nuclear receptor that responds to testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by modulating gene expression in a variety of cells, including prostate and muscle tissues. Studies of small molecule interaction with AR have shown diphenyl compounds inhibiting through a binding site labeled Binding Function 3 (BF3). The goal of this research is to analyze the interaction of the BF3 site with DDT and related compounds. Amino acids that are exposed on the surface of the BF3 that might interact with different compounds were mutated. Mutant proteins were tested experimentally for their impact on the inhibition the …