Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Cephalic Mechanosensory Bristles In Flight Initiation Of The Oleander Hawkmoth, Daphnis Nerii, Maitri Manjunath

Theses and Dissertations

During flight, insects sense air movement past their bodies via sensory bristles distributed all over their body. These bristles provide mechanosensory feedback to their nervous system, thereby modulating wing motion to cope with ambient wind conditions. In many insect systems including locusts, moths, etc., flight can be rapidly initiated by stimulating a set of bristles called cephalic bristles on their head. Rapid initiation of flight requires diverse, distributed flight-related reflexes to be simultaneously activated.

Thus, we hypothesized that cephalic bristles directly and simultaneously trigger diverse flight-related reflexes. We tested this hypothesis using the Oleander hawkmoth, Daphnis nerii, as our study …

Poetries Of Abandonment: A Study Of Plath And Glück, Yara Abdelmoneim

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the intersection between literature and trauma, which can be discerned in the key works of two poets, Sylvia Plath and Louise Glück. While offering readings of crucial poems, the thesis also examines the interrelations among trauma, memory and narrative as theorized by two contemporary psychiatrists, Bessel van der Kolk and Judith Herman. Both Plath and Glück wrote about personal and generational trauma after going through different experiences of abandonment. Absence, indirection and repetition provide the basis for literary techniques that allow their traumas to be better understood by authors and readers alike. The degree to which each …

Leveraging Reduced Order Models And High-Fidelity Simulations For Efficient Multifidelity Uncertainty Quantification Of Thermal Systems, Jakob G. Bates

Theses and Dissertations

Simulation-led design is becoming an important part of thermal systems design. Simulations of thermal systems continue to improve in their fidelity, but this comes with an increased computational cost. Additionally, uncertainty in simulation inputs, such as thermophysical properties, leads to uncertainty in simulation outputs. For simulations to be used rigorously for simulation-led design, this uncertainty must be quantified. Performing uncertainty quantification on thermal simulations is made difficult by their many uncertain parameters and high computational cost. Multifidelity uncertainty quantification is a set of methods that reduce the cost of uncertainty quantification by leveraging high-fidelity, high-cost simulations with low-fidelity, low-cost simulations. …

Experimental Characterisation Of Laser Cladding Of Crniw And Crnifealzr Powders On H13 Tool Steel And Optimisation Of Process Parameters, Martin Vinoth S

Theses and Dissertations

In this work, laser cladding on H13 steel substrate with two different powder compositions CrNiW and CrNiFeAlZr has been carried out. The laser power, powder feed rate, and scanning speed were varied and the clad dimensions, aspect ratio, and dilution percentage were measured. The microhardness found in the CrNiW clad is 834 ± 20 HV0.5, which is higher than that of the CrNiFeAlZr clad (780 ± 20 HV0.5) as well as the substrate (548 ± 20 HV0.5).

The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns identified the common phase creation of Ni3C and Fe3C for CrNiFeAlZr and CrNiW coatings, while the oxide formation …

Diagnostic Accuracy Of Nonword Repetition Tasks For Dual Language Learners And Monolingual Students, Elizabeth Hunt

Theses and Dissertations

Assessments for diagnosing language disorders (LD) can be biased for dual language learners (DLLs). Nonword repetition (NWR) tasks show potential as a less-biased language assessment measure for DLLs. This study explored the diagnostic accuracy of NWR tasks for diagnosing LD. There were 291 participants included in this study in first through fifth grades. Thirty-nine of the participants had LD and 86 of the participants were DLLs. Sixteen of the participants were DLLs and had LD. Monolingual participants were administered an English NWR task, and DLLs were administered both English and Spanish NWR tasks. These tasks were scored by percent phonemes …

Uhpc Incorporated With Non-Metallic/ Hybrid Fibers And Industrial Wastes - A Comprehensive Study On The Physical, Mechanical Properties And Performance, Sujitha Magdalene P

Theses and Dissertations

The demand for sustainable and high-performance construction materials has led to the exploration of alternative fine aggregates and fiber reinforcements for Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC). This study investigates the feasibility of using iron ore tailings (IOT), manufactured sand (MS), and copper slag (CS) as partial replacements for river sand (RS), along with various fiber reinforcements, to enhance mechanical properties, durability, and microstructural integrity in UHPC.

The results indicate that IOT at a 30% replacement level (IOT1) exhibited the highest 56-day compressive strength, outperforming MS and CS. Copper slag was found unsuitable for UHPC due to its lower long-term strength. While both …

Leading The Way: Preparing School Psychologists In Postsecondary Transition Training, Kaiya Joy Dawson

Theses and Dissertations

Students with disabilities face significant challenges in achieving postsecondary success, yet training on postsecondary transition planning within school psychology graduate programs remains limited. A content analysis of 252 accredited school psychology programs in the United States revealed major gaps in transition training, with only 1.6% of programs covering all critical domains. Results indicated that 67% of programs include some transition training in at least one domain. Family engagement (42%) and program structure (30%) had the most training, then interagency collaboration (20%), student focused planning (3%) and student development (6%). Notably, programs with larger cohort sizes were correlated with more transition …

Application Of Bioinformatic Tools To Tuberculosis Surveillance At The Arkansas Department Of Health, Brian Scott Delavan

Theses and Dissertations

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health threat in Arkansas. Great strides have been made over the past fifty years to reduce the number of TB cases in Arkansas. However, the rate of TB cases has remained steady since 2010. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, from 2012 through 2023 the TB Case rate per 100,00 population was between 2.0 and 3.1. To continue Arkansas’ drive towards elimination of TB in Arkansas, defined as one TB case per million residents, new data analysis tools are needed. This project employs multiple bioinformatic tools to analyze TB cases and latent tuberculosis infections …

Commercial Pressures And Editorial Independence: Egyptian Journalists' Perceptions Of Advertiser Influence In Contemporary Media, Mohamed Ahmed Salem

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the complex interplay between commercial imperatives and editorial autonomy in Egypt’s contemporary media landscape, focusing on journalists’ perceptions of advertising influence. Drawing on Cognitive Dissonance Theory (CDT) and informed by Political Economy and Institutional Theory, the study investigates how Egyptian journalists navigate ethical tensions arising from advertiser demands—both state-linked and private—within a hybrid media system marked by economic precarity, political control, and digital disruption. Through 20 in-depth interviews with journalists, alongside insights from PR professionals, media managers, and academic experts, the research reveals a pervasive erosion of the editorial-commercial boundary. Journalists report widespread self-censorship, blurred content labelling, …

Perceptions Of Faculty On Trauma-Informed Practices At The American University In Cairo, Marwa M. Emara

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Trauma-informed education is gaining momentum in higher education as a framework that seeks to create learning environments that are safe, inclusive, and responsive to the emotional and psychological needs of students—particularly those who have experienced trauma. This qualitative study, situated at the American University in Cairo (AUC), explores how faculty perceive, understand, and implement trauma-informed practices in a diverse university context that includes refugee and displaced students. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seventeen faculty members from various disciplines and incorporating an autoethnographic reflection. An expert interview was conducted with Dr. Mays Imad, a leading scholar in trauma-informed …

Developing An Optimized Site Selection Model For Eastern Cottonwood In The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Quentin Boccaleri

Theses and Dissertations

Demand for bioenergy has renewed interest and opportunities for short rotation woody crop (SRWC) systems. In the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV), specific attention is on the conversion of marginal agricultural sites using eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides).Therefore, analysis is needed to determine the feasibility of afforestation within the region. This study identifies marginal agricultural lands using random forest regression methods and uses process-based Physiological Processes Predicting Growth (3PG) model to determine biomass productivity of these marginal sites. This thesis discusses the following findings: 1. A review of marginal land identified along with key identification features 2. the results of eight …

Atmospheric Turbulence Education Effects On Flight Anxiety, Megan A. Hanna

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the effect of turbulence education on flight anxiety. A pre-post methodology measured students’ anxiety levels before and after a study abroad flight, using an educational video during the pre-flight survey to change their feelings. The Flight Anxiety Situations (FAS) questionnaire assessed anxiety at three survey points: pre-video, post-video, and post-flight. Qualitative analysis using Friedman’s test and the Wilcoxon Signed-rank test, indicated that turbulence education effectively decreased generalized and anticipatory flight anxiety, particularly in non-phobic students. Text analysis of open-ended responses suggested increased scientific knowledge post-video helped students apply technical atmospheric processes to their feelings. Turbulence education was …

Designing An Instructional Coaching Model For Residency-Based Alternate Route Teacher Candidates In Mississippi To Improve Instructional Competencies And Self-Efficacy, Lamareshia Daoma Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Alternate route teachers are adult learners who enter the teaching profession through nontraditional pathways, often without formal training in education. While they bring diverse experiences and a commitment to student success, they frequently face challenges in translating theoretical knowledge into effective classroom practice. Research indicates that instructional coaching serves as a critical bridge between pedagogical theory and practical application, providing job-embedded professional development that enhances instructional competencies. At its core, instructional coaching is a collaborative partnership built on trust and respect, offering teachers a supportive space to reflect on their practice, receive targeted feedback, and develop their professional identity. Alternate …

Ai Enabled Autonomic, Safe, And Interactive Intrusion Response System, Damodar Panigrahi

Theses and Dissertations

The exponential rise in internet usage has precipitated a corresponding surge in cyber threats, underscoring the urgent need for advanced cybersecurity solutions. While traditional intrusion detection systems (IDS) can identify these threats, their inability to self-recover leaves systems vulnerable. Intrusion response systems (IRS) have been developed to address this, aiming to auto- matically restore systems to their desired state post-security breach. However, current IRSs often necessitate manual intervention and may not be su!ciently robust against sophisticated threats. To overcome these limitations, we propose an AI-powered Autonomic, Safe, and Interactive Intrusion Response System called ‘Intrusion Response System Digital Assistant (IRSDA)’. IRSDA …

An Overview Of Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry In Coastal Wetlands, Luke Andrew Redwine

Theses and Dissertations

With rising global temperatures, increasing sea levels, and the accelerated erosion of coastal wetlands, efficient methods for monitoring this vulnerable ecosystem are crucial. Traditional approaches, such as manual surveys, are labor-intensive, hazardous, and invasive to the environment they are attempting to protect, while current remote sensing methods are cost prohibitive and rely on irregular data collection techniques. To address these challenges, a scalable solution is needed for reliable and frequent data collection. This study explores the use of GNSS Reflectometry (GNSS-R) combined with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor the shifting topology in wetlands with minimal human invasion. By leveraging …

Impact Of Fertilizer Timing And Cover Crop Establishment Methods On Bedded Soybean Cropping Systems In Mississippi, Grant Madison Shavers

Theses and Dissertations

Mississippi’s agriculture faces challenges from high rainfall, bedded cropping systems, and varying soil testing methods. Many producers apply phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) in the fall to reduce spring workload and rain-related delays. While fall fertilization raises concerns about yield losses, research indicates minimal differences in soybean (Glycine max L.) yield between fall and spring applications. Raised beds also limit cover crop (CC) establishment despite their potential benefits. We explored strategies to integrate CCs into bedded systems while assessing bed stability and residue management during soybean production. Additionally, Mississippi’s use of two soil nutrient extraction methods highlights the …

“Here For Everyone” (?): How Intimate Partner Violence Service Organizations Address Community Needs And Transgender Inclusion In The Deep South, Brian Tesch

Theses and Dissertations

Transgender individuals face disproportionately high rates of intimate partner violence (also known as IPV) when compared to other sociodemographic groups. Despite this prevalence, IPV service organizations in the Deep South (e.g., Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina), a region of the U.S. encompassing several rural communities and characterized by traditional gender norms and conservative Christian religious values, may have difficulties meeting the unique needs of transgender IPV survivors. This dissertation explores two key areas: (1) the perceptions of IPV service organization staff members in the Deep South concerning how their agencies assist members of the transgender community, and (2) …

Adaptive Multi-Sensor Fusion For Robust Autonomous Perception In Unstructured Environments, Samantha S. Carley

Theses and Dissertations

Autonomous vehicles commonly employ multiple sensors to perceive their surroundings. Coupling these sensors would ideally improve perception compared to using a single sensor. An autonomous system can be equipped with object localization and classification, often performed using a visual camera to understand a scene intelligently. Object detection and classification can also be applied to LiDAR and infrared (IR) sensors to further enhance scene awareness of the autonomous system. Herein, sensor-level, decision-level, and feature-level fusion are explored to assess their impact on perception and mitigate sensor disagreements. Specifically, the fusing of RGB, LiDAR, and IR sensor data to improve object classification …

Investigations Into Fluorescence Of Fluorene Dimers: Linker Impacts And Tuning Potential Through Substituent Addition, Abigail R. Ressler

Theses and Dissertations

Fluorene-based fluorescing conjugated polymers are being used to develop sensors that show great sensitivity and selectivity, however, important questions about the photophysics of these systems remain unanswered. For example, a fluorescence intensity difference was observed between fluorene dimers linked with either an acetylene (diFA) or phenyl (diFP). The polymers diFA and diFP have similar structures and extinction coefficients, yet diFA yielded a five times higher fluorescence intensity than diFP. In project one, Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent DFT (TD-DFT) were used to calculate the ground and excited states of diFA and diFP. A python code was developed to solve …

Evaluating Rainfall Sensitivity Over Land To Tropical Cyclone Parameters Using Idealized Wrf, Madison C. Yawn

Theses and Dissertations

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are extreme weather events impacting the United States nearly every year. These events often cause severe damage due to the associated responses they produce including storm surge and rainfall, and the accurate estimation of these TC hazards is necessary to support coastal engineering, risk assessment, and emergency management activities. Evaluating TC-driven hazards is often done in combination with numerical models to simulate how environmental interactions alter the physical processes and responses of these storms. The purpose of this study was to simulate synthetic TC events using the Advanced Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to understand how …

Evaluation Of Municipal Solid Waste Gasification And The Water Gas Shift Reaction For Biomass Carbon Removal And Storage Via Pre-Combustion Carbon Capture, Colby Luke Freeman

Theses and Dissertations

The water gas shift reaction (WGSR) is a critical step in the pre-combustion capture of CO2 from syngas streams. Recent improvements in gasification technologies have improved the prospects of municipal solid waste (MSW) gasification as a tool for waste reduction and carbon dioxide removal (CDR). This study sought to improve the understanding of a biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS) system in which MSW gasification is paired with the WGSR. Sixteen MSW samples were gasified in a bench scale semi-batch reactor. A promising copper based WGSR catalyst was tested for activity from 240-300 degrees Celsius and gas hourly space velocities …

Comprehensive Study On Bonding Performance, Durability, And Protective Measures Of Cross-Laminated Timber, Bradia Thelina Henfield

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in construction necessitates a deeper understanding of adhesive bonding properties, biological durability, and preservative treatments to enhance its performance. This dissertation investigates these aspects through three interrelated studies focusing on hardwood CLT and preservative-treated southern pine CLT. The first study evaluates the adhesive bonding performance of hardwood CLT fabricated from red oak (Quercus spp.), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), using southern pine (Pinus spp.) as a control. Shear block and delamination tests revealed significant variation in bond strength and moisture durability among species. While red oak exhibited the highest delamination, …

Biomechanics Of Softball Pitching And The Relationship Between Functional Field Tests And Pitching Performance, Joshua Spencer Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Over 2 million people in the United States play softball alone, yet softball literature in exercise science and biomechanics is still sparse. Research that exists for softball pitching has focused on injury mechanisms and prevention, with a small portion of the literature reporting on performance. Studies have reported evidence suggesting that vertical ground reaction forces of the stride leg are related to pitch velocity. However, no studies have investigated the role of the stride leg during the initial launch phase of the pitch. Research has investigated kinematics such as pelvic and thoracic rotation during the pitch, but no research has …

Establishing A Baseline For Detecting Lotl Attacks In Windows Operating Systems, Ashlyn Martin Phillips

Theses and Dissertations

There has been an increasing realization of the rise in living off the land (LOTL) attacks where adversaries misuse legitimate system tools, particularly with state-sponsored actors targeting critical infrastructure in the United States. These attacks are difficult to detect because they allow attackers to remain present in a system without the user’s knowledge for an extended period. This thesis establishes an initial baseline specifically for Windows operating systems to measure normal system activity, focusing on CPU usage, memory utilization, and process activity. It particularly examines the use of PowerShell alongside other applications. The findings from this baseline are used to …

The Relationship Between Internal Coherence And Student Learning In High Achieving Middle Schools: A Mississippi Study, Christina Coleman Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

In order to determine ways in which Mississippi is improving in education, a quantitative research study was designed and conducted to examine ten high achieving middle schools in the state. The 10 schools had to obtain an A ranking or B ranking for the 2021-2022 school year and/or 2022 – 2023 school year from the MDE. The purpose of the study was to determine if relationships existed between the student achievement scores (Reading Proficiency, Reading Growth, Math Proficiency, and Math Growth) assigned by the state to each school and levels of Internal Coherence of the administrators and staff employed in …

In Search Of Educational Justice: Lived Experiences Of Community College Presidents And Their Authentic Critical Leadership, Juan Felipe Arzola

Theses and Dissertations

There are several gaps in research related to the fields of study of community college leadership and its influence on shared governance discussions and decision-making. The purpose of the current study is to address the gap in the study of community college leadership and its influence on shared governance discussions and decision-making through a critical, intersectional investigation of authentic critical leadership and its potential to influence shared governance group discussions and decision-making in distinctively different ways than those advocated by mainstream leadership theories. Participants participated in semi-structured interviews and were observed in a shared governance group meeting to identify evidence …

Evaluation Of Plant Growth Regulators On Sweetpotato Slip Propagation, Kerington Lyn Bass

Theses and Dissertations

Sweetpotato production is often impacted by high mortality of slips during transplantation to the field, particularly with greenhouse-grown slips. These slips develop thinner stems, thus being more vulnerable to transplant shock, resulting in reduced establishment. To address this issue, the study evaluated the effects of four plant growth regulators on the morphological and anatomical characteristics of sweetpotato slips. In the first experiment, external growth parameters were recorded over four weeks, followed by post-harvest assessments of plant and root material. In the second experiment, the widths of various stem structures in stained cross-sections of slip stems were measured. Results showed that …

Post Secondary Teaching Toolkit: A Concise Resource To Highlight Effective Pedagogical Strategies For Post-Secondary Instructors, Matthew Thomas Blackwell

Theses and Dissertations

This project seeks to provide teaching support for post-secondary instructors, especially at the community college level, by creating an instructional toolkit that highlights a selection of evidence-based teaching strategies intended to increase student engagement, learning, and achievement. This toolkit includes evidence-based instructional strategies tailored to support post-secondary instructors of any experience level. It highlights research-proven student-centered engagement and instructional techniques such as cooperative learning, inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, problem-based learning, and student interaction in online learning environments. Within the project, the various instructional and engagement techniques are linked together using the Constructivist Learning Theory theoretical framework, highlighting the importance of …

The Effect Of Ultrasound Transducer Type On Diagnosing Medial Meniscal Injury In Dogs With Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury, Thomas Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

Ultrasonography is reported to be accurate in diagnosing meniscus injuries in dogs but the effect of transducer type has not been studied. The aim was to determine the effect of ultrasound transducer type on utility of meniscal ultrasound. We hypothesized that ultrasonography will provide good diagnostic utility for meniscal injury and that linear transducers will perform best. In this prospective study, the ultrasonographic findings of the medial meniscus using three transducers were compared to arthrotomy findings. Thirty-nine stifles were included with an injury prevalence of 23/39 (59%). The standard linear transducer provided the highest negative predictive value (60%). The small …

The Effects Of Ataxin-1 Overexpression In The Central Nervous System On Specific Behavioral And Physiological Characteristics Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Sydney Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the ataxin-1 gene, which results in an abnormally long polyglutamine tract. Similarly, overexpression of wildtype Ataxin-1 (wt-Atx-1) in Drosophila melanogaster leads to neurodegeneration, reduced lifespan, and impaired negative geotaxis. Observations include disruptions in sleep-wake cycles, increased oxidative stress biomarkers (like protein carbonyls), and dysregulation of developmental genes such as armadillo (arm) and nemo kinase (nmo). Additionally, elevated expression of SUMOylation-related genes (Aos-1, Uba2, and dSmt3 or dSumo) and increased SUMO protein levels indicate enhanced SUMOylation in the brain. Quantitative analysis of neuronal …