Digital Commons Network^™

Teacher Depth Of Knowledge As A Predictor Of Student Achievement In The Middle Grades, Tracy Henshaw Jackson

Dissertations

Schools strive to hire highly qualified teachers to educate and empower students to become high performers (NCEE, 1983; Erickson, 1995). As a part of this effort, teachers are required to obtain specific skills and certification to meet students’ academic needs. While the intent is recognized, there continues to be a discrepancy between highly qualified teachers in the middle grades and student achievement (The Nations Report Card, 2005; Turner-Bissett, 1999). Therefore, it is imperative to examine teachers’ perceptions and instructional strategies that may influence students’ achievement.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between high-performing …

Book Reviews, Edward J. Hagerty, Daniel Masters, Mark J. Roberts, Leland Ericson

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

The Impact Mct2 Has On An Elementary And Middle School Reading And Language Arts Classroom Instruction In Mississippi, Sarah Elizabeth Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand what No Child Left Behind (NCLB) meant to teachers in Mississippi and to determine what impact this reform had on reading and language arts classroom instruction for teachers. Qualitative research methods in the form of interview data and classroom observations were used to examine teachers’ perceptions of accountability and its effects on classroom instruction. Teachers were asked to answer a set of research interview questions related to research questions. The specific research questions used to explore teachers’ perceptions about accountability were (1) What are reading and language arts teachers’ perceptions of accountability? …

The Suitability Of Lidar-Derived Forest Attributes For Use In Individual-Tree Distance-Dependent Growth-And-Yield Modeling, Hilary Alexis Londo

Theses and Dissertations

Studies have not been conducted examining the influence of the spatial distribution of LiDAR-derived tree measuresments and their affects the predictive ability of LiDAR-derived forest metrics as input for growth-and-yield analysis on individual trees. This study addresses both of these voids in current knowledge and determines the suitability, concerns and application of LiDAR for time-series analysis, specifically forest growth-and-yield. LiDAR datasets of the same site acquired in 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2006 by different vendors using different specifications were utilized in this study. Directional differences of Lidar-identified tree top locations were examined. Minimal location differences were noted, but no bias …

Rapid Non-Destructive Assessment Of Wood Decay By Near Infrared Spectroscopy, Benny Green

Theses and Dissertations

The use of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for predicting levels of degradation in laboratory soil block tests was investigated. Calibrations were developed for mass loss, compression strength, and exposure period using data measured from the prior methods, and untreated and mathematically treated (multiplicative scatter correction and first and second derivative) NIR spectra from various spans of wavelengths by partial least squares regression. Strong correlations were obtained from each study conducted, while calibrations developed from NIR spectra from the cross-sectional face of southern yellow pine presented the strongest predictions. Of them, calibrations for mass loss resulted in the strongest predictions. Calibrations …

Soil Modification And Potential Allelopathy: An Investigation Into How The Invasive Casuarina Equisetifolia L. (Australian Pine) Modify Their Environment, Charlotte P. Buehler

Theses and Dissertations

Casuarina equisetifolia L. is a noxious plant species known to be invasive in the West Indies. Not much is known about its impact on its host environment. This study’s objective was to quantitatively compare physical and chemical soil differences between sites dominated by and devoid of Casuarinas. This study also conducted growth chamber experiments to determine potential for allelopathy. It was demonstrated that sites dominated by Casuarinas differed significantly in K, P, organic matter, and leaf litter depth. Application of Casuarinas leachate showed reduction in germination of radish and bean seeds by at least 32% and 70%, respectively. Once germinated …

Optical Photoacoustic Detection Of Circulating Melanoma Cells In Vitro, Gerardo Gutiérrez-Juárez, S.K. Gupta, Ryan Weight, L. Polo-Parada, C. Papagiorgio, J.D. Bunch, John A. Viator

Student Publications

The purpose of this research was to investigate the sensitivity of a system for the detection of circulating melanoma cells based on the thermoelastic properties of melanoma. The method employs photoacoustic (PA) excitation coupled with an optical transducer capable of determining the presence of cells within the circulating system in vitro. The transducer is based on stress wave-induced changes of the optical reflectance of a glass-water interface, probed with a continuous laser beam that is incident at an angle close to the critical angle of total internal reflection. A frequency tripled Nd:YAG laser pumping an optical parametric oscillator was employed …

Population Estimation And Landscape Ecology Of The Puerto Rican Nightjar, Rafael Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

The Puerto Rican Nightjar Caprimulgus noctitherus is an endangered species found in forest of southern Puerto Rico. I documented density of nightjars in Guánica Forest, the region of Guayanilla-Peñuelas, and Susúa Forest. The geographic range of the species was expanded because of this study and presence documented in a number of new localities. Stand level habitat model indicated forest type and midstory visual obscurity best predicted nightjar habitat. Landscape model predicted considerably more suitable nightjar habitat exists than had been previously estimated (> 30%) and highlighted several areas of importance for the species. I evaluated nightjar population estimation techniques and …

Potencies Of The Resistant Maize Genotypes Against Biotic Stresses And Understanding Their Strategies, Arunkanth Ankala

Theses and Dissertations

Maize is an important food crop in most parts of the world including the United States. The plants growing in the field are constantly challenged with various biotic stresses like insect herbivores and fungal pathogens. The physical wounds produced on the growing crops by the insects render the plants more vulnerable to the fungal pathogens. Hence developing both insect and fungal resistant maize varieties is crucial to benefit more from the harvest. Several studies have been in advance in this direction and as a consequence insect, in particular lepidopteran larve resistant maize genotype Mp708 and Aspergillus flavus resistant genotype Mp313E …

Development Of Renewable And Hydrolytically Degradable Polymers From Biomass-Based Monomers, Mathew Dennis Rowe

Theses and Dissertations

Renewable polymers (bioplastics) offer an alternative to petroleum-based polymers and reduced environmental impact through decreased petroleum dependence and a sustainable product lifecycle via renewable, biomass-derived monomers and completely degradable polymers. Applying green chemistry principles, melt polycondensations of 1,3-propanediol with malonic acid and 1,3-propanediol with itaconic acid were performed to produce poly(trimethylene malonte) (PTM) and poly(trimethylene itaconate) (PTI), respectively. Aluminum chloride was used as the catalyst and reaction temperatures from 125-175 °C and reaction times from 2-32 h were attempted in order to produce high yields and molecular weights (Mw). Gravimetric yields ranged from 20-95 wt.% for PTM and 20-85 wt.% …

Laboratory And Field Studies On Subterranean Termites Native To The Eastern United States, Nathan Shook Little

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates modifications to AWPA Standard E18-06 to develop an above-ground field test for subterranean termites native to the eastern United States. AWPA Standard E18-06 was modified in two stages to progressively increase optimum conditions for subterranean termite feeding. Modification II, which incorporated the use of house bricks and feeder strips with a solid ventilated cover, had an increase in termite attack with less variation between tests. This study also investigates the effects of adding antioxidants, both natural and synthetic, and analogues which lack antioxidant properties, to test wood blocks on feeding by Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar using AWPA Standard …

Decrescendo Vocalizations Of Female Mallards And Mimicry By Duck Callers, James Thomas Callicutt

Theses and Dissertations

Female mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) exhibit diverse vocalizations. Duck hunters mimic these vocalizations using artificial calls made from hardwoods or plastics. Hardness of these calls and extent to which humans can mimic live mallards using an artificial call were unknown before this study. I compared hardness of 7 species of hardwoods and cast acrylic and found acrylic, cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa), bocote (Cordia alliodora), osage orange (Maclura pomifera), and pecan (Carya sp.) were the hardest materials tested. I also compared acoustic metrics of field recordings of vocalizing female mallards to those of experienced duck callers using calls of these materials equipped …

Determination Of Antioxidant And Total Phenolic Content Of Pueraria Lobata And Evaluation Of Novel Food Products Containing Kudzu, Sandra Lynn Blalock Burney

Theses and Dissertations

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) is an edible vine from the legume family native to China but growing prolifically throughout the southeastern United States. Legumes are abundant in the beneficial compounds phytoestrogens, specifically isoflavones. This research analyzed Mississippi-grown kudzu roots, leaves, and flowers for antioxidant activity and total phenolic content and evaluated consumer acceptability of food products containing kudzu. Results indicated kudzu flowers, roots, and leaves contained phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity amounts in flowers, roots, and leaves were 77.9%, 75.7%, and 56.5%, respectively. The dip products that were developed and evaluated were mayonnaise- and sour cream-based dips that contained either …

Handling Baby Poultry, David D. Frame, Kerry A. Rood

All Current Publications

With an increase in backyard poultry raising, and even keeping poultry as pets, it is necessary to keep in mind proper health concerns in handling baby poultry. Chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, peafowl, and game birds can harbor and transmit certain agents that might infect people. This fact sheet will review practices that will help minimize the chance for disease transmission between you and your poultry.

Comparison And Analysis Of A Lignite Seam In The Wilcox Group, Choctaw And Kemper County, Mississippi, Joshua M. Johns

Theses and Dissertations

The Wilcox Group includes the most abundant lignite bearing strata in Mississippi. Currently, the only lignite mine in Mississippi is located in Choctaw County with a proposed mine in Kemper County. Six lignite seams are currently mined in Choctaw County. One of those seams is believed to be continuous, from SE Choctaw County through central Winston County, NE Neshoba County into SW Kemper County (roughly 50 miles). Establishing a cross section from Choctaw to Kemper County verifying a continuous lignite seam would provide a stratigraphic marker horizon in correlation along strike, which is uncommon in the Wilcox Group sediments. Through …

Illinois State Alumni Magazine, May 2010, Illinois State University, University Marketing And Communications

State: The Magazine of Illinois State University (1999-present)

Illinois State University alumni magazine

Early-Season Management Of Twospotted Spider Mite On Cotton And Impacts Of Infestation Timing On Cotton Yield Loss, John Frederick Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, most twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, infestations occurred during the late season near maturity, but since 2005, infestations of cotton have become more common throughout the entire season. Several factors may have contributed to the increasing frequency of mites in seedling cotton, one of which is a shift in production practices from furrow applied aldicarb to neonicotinoid seed treatments for thrips control. Another factor that may impact T. urticae densities in seedling cotton is a shift from pre-plant tillage to conservation tillage or no-till cropping systems. Although the literature confirms that T. urticae can cause extensive cotton yield …

Effects Of Management And Hydrology On Vegetation, Winter Waterbird Use, And Water Quality On Wetlands Reserve Program Lands, Mississippi, Kathryn Sarah Fleming

Theses and Dissertations

No evaluations of plant and wildlife communities in Wetlands Reserve Program wetlands have been conducted in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Therefore, I evaluated active and passive moist-soil management (MTYPE) and early and late draw-down on plant communities, waterbird use, and water quality on 18 WRP lands, Mississippi, 2007-2009. Active-early sites had greater waterfowl Vegetative Forage Quality (VFQI), percentage occurrence of grass, plant diversity, and structural composition than passively managed sites (P < 0.10). I modeled variation in densities of wintering waterbirds; the best model included VFQI*MTYPE and decreased % woody vegetation (wi ≥ 0.79). Additionally, waterbird densities varied positively with active-late management (R2 ≤ 0.27), as did duck species richness with flooded area (R2 = 0.66). I compared water quality parameters among managed wetlands and drainage ditches but did not detect differences due to variability. Therefore, wetland restoration on WRP lands should focus on active management and maximizing wetland area.

Estimating The Carbon Fluxes Using The Casa Model In The Southern United States, Venkata Narendra Appala Rongali

Theses and Dissertations

A minute change in human body temperature can get one collapsed permanently. If this is the case with human body, one might wonder what would be the case with Earth. The result is the greenhouse. The main function of the greenhouse gases (GHG’s) is to tap energy from the sun and prevent the heat energy escaping to space, thus sustaining life on earth. Because of increased human activity, industrialization, and deforestation, the concentration of the GHG’s in the atmosphere has increased, resulting in a temperature rise. Considering the effects of temperature rise, caused by the GHG’s, one should know the …

Evaluation Of Cost-Share Assistance Programs As An Incentive For Wildlife Habitat Management And Conservation On Private Lands In Mississippi, Corey David Wigginton

Theses and Dissertations

Cost-share programs to improve sustainable land and water use are offered from federal, state, and non-governmental entities to non-industrial private (NIP) landowners. Despite the broad attention given to the ecological benefits of these programs, far less attention has been focused on their social impacts and benefits. To achieve the desired environmental objectives laid out within these programs, natural resource agencies must work to maintain high levels of satisfaction and participation among private landowners. The purpose of the study was to examine the attitudes and motivations of participants enrolled in one of three cost-share programs in Mississippi and compare those with …

An Exploration Of Amniotic Fluids As A Possible Source Of Fetal Infection In The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Fiv)-Infected Cat Model Of Pediatric Aid, Brittany Tenille Clay

Theses and Dissertations

The role that amniotic fluid (AF) may play in HIV vertical infection is unresolved. We used the FIV-infected cat model to study this question. We hypothesized that AF may be a source of fetal infection if the virus is present in the fluids. However, virus neutralizing (VN) antibodies in AF may limit vertical transfer. Fetuses were delivered from FIV-infected queens by cesarean section at early and late gestation. AFs were aspirated from intact fetal membranes and tested for viral antigen and RNA and for FIV-specific antibody. Randomlyselected samples were tested for VN activity using a syncytium reduction assay. Neither FIV …

Atomistic Simulations To Study Magnetic, Mechanical, And Thermal Properties Of Materials Using Density Functional Theory And Semi-Empirical Methods, Amitava Moitra

Theses and Dissertations

We performed atomistic modeling to study magnetic, mechanical, and thermal properties of materials. We executed molecular statics and dynamics simulations for this study, using density functional theory (DFT) and semi-empirical methods, such as embedded atom method (EAM) and modified embedded atom method (MEAM) potentials. In our first study, we showed that when Al atoms are substituted in barium hexaferrite, the total magnetization monotonically decreases due to the fact that Al atoms preferentially occupy the majorly contributing magnetic sites. The second study was to explore the diffusion mechanism of Ba atoms in hematite in order to study new techniques to build …

Bacteria And Fungi Associated With Red Imported Fire Ants Solenopsis Invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) And Mounds In Mississippi, And Their Potential Use As Biological Control Agents, Sandra Winia Woolfolk

Theses and Dissertations

The assemblage of bacteria and fungi associated with red imported fire ants (RIFA) Solenopsis invicta Buren was obtained from Hinds, Leake, and Madison Counties (location) along Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi. The sites were selected due to the limited presence of RIFA within the park and the more natural, undisturbed ecosystem. Active mounds containing soil, plant debris, and RIFA (substrate) were collected in March, July, and November of 2004 (time). Samples were processed according to standard microbiological protocols, and microorganisms identified using morphological, biochemical and molecular methods. A total of 71 bacteria (2324 isolates) and 50 fungi (1445 isolates) were …

Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L.) Intraspecific Variation And Temperature Tolerance Classification Using In Vitro Seed Germination Assay, Ramdeo Seepaul

Theses and Dissertations

An experiment was conducted to determine temperature effects on switchgrass seed germination, a native species with feedstock potential for the biofuel industry. Stratified seeds were germinated at constant temperatures, 15 to 45°C with 5°C interval. Maximum seed germination (MSG) and germination rate (GR), estimated by fitting sigmoid function to germination-time series data, varied among genotypes. Quadratic and bilinear models best described the MSG and GR responses to temperature, respectively. The mean cardinal temperatures, minimum, optimum and maximum, were 8.1, 26.6 and 45.1ºC for MSG and 11.1, 33.1 and 46.0ºC for GR, respectively, varied among genotypes. Genotypes were classified for temperature …

Influence Of Latitudinal And Climatic Variation, And Field Observations, On Spring Gobbling Phenology Of Wild Turkey In Mississippi, Matthew David Palumbo

Theses and Dissertations

Spring hunting season for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) in Mississippi is designed to coincide with peak gobbling activity. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) uses brood surveys and hunter observations to forecast gobbling activity. Hunters claimed hunting season does not coincide with regional gobbling peaks. I conducted statewide surveys to assess latitudinal and climatic influences in gobbling activity and used long-term (1996-2008) MDWFP data to evaluate use as a forecasting tool. I observed ≥ 66% of all spring gobbling with an approximate 2-week difference in peak gobbling activity between northern and southern Mississippi. Gobbling in the north …

Injury And Damage By Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper, Spissistilus Festinus (Say), In Group Iv Soybean, Ishakh Pulakkatu-Thodi

Theses and Dissertations

Threecornered alfalfa hopper, Spissistilus festinus (Say), is a pest of soybean during vegetative and reproductive stages. The primary damage from this pest is girdling of the main stem during vegetative stages and girdling of the petioles during reproductive stages. Previous research determined that yield losses are greater during reproductive stages than vegetative stages. I hypothesized that some reproductive stages are more vulnerable to damage than other stages. I used field cages infested with different pest densities at five reproductive stages of group IV soybean. A greenhouse study compared the injury and damage caused by the adults and nymphs. The field …

Macrophyte Re-Establishment And Deductive Gis Modeling To Identify Planting Locations For Fish Habitat Enhancement Projects, Jonathan Paul Fleming

Theses and Dissertations

Aquatic macrophytes are important components in structuring aquatic communities because they provide physical and biological functions that contribute to the stability of the ecosystem. Macrophytes provide the basis for the aquatic food-web and also provide habitat and refugia for aquatic fauna. In systems that lack macrophytes, anthropogenic re-establishment may be a feasible management approach to improve aquatic ecosystems. Understanding environmental factors that regulate colonization, dispersal, and persistence of aquatic macrophytes is pertinent to re-establishment efforts. The purpose of this study is to test hypotheses regarding success of macrophyte re-establishment efforts in Little Bear Creek Reservoir, Alabama using different macrophyte species, …

Making Milking Modern: Agriculture Science And The American Dairy, 1890-1940, Micah Aaron Rueber

Theses and Dissertations

In the late nineteenth century most dairy farmers went about their work in much same manner as had their predecessors centuries earlier. However, by 1940 most farmers practiced recognizably modern dairying techniques. Use of mechanical milking machines was widespread and growing, farmers compounded rations by combining feeds that blended precise proportions of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins, and breeders, eager to maximize the influence of productive bloodlines, evaluated their animals with the use of scientific scorecards and employed intense breeding plans that relied on various forms of inbreeding in order to fix the desirable aspects of prized cattle. Yet the …

Molecular Approaches For Characterization Of Biodegradation Genes Expressed During Microbial Colonization On Decay-Resistant And Non-Resistant Woods In Forest Soil, Youngmin Kang

Theses and Dissertations

White and brown-rot fungi damage wood by production of enzymes that attack the structural components. The objective of this study was to characterize decay related genes and proteins that are expressed on three different wood types undergoing decay over 18 months. Variation in gene expression, presence of decay enzymes and proteins were determined for untreated pine (non-resistant), western red cedar (naturally durable), and alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) treated pine (chemically resistant) exposed in a soil decay bed test. Decay was assessed by visual decay ratings, dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE), and microscopy. There were no significant differences in decay between …

Immunomodulator Expression In Trophoblasts From The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Fiv)-Infected Cat As A Contributor To Placental Immunopathology And Reproductive Failure At Early- And Late-Term Pregnancy, Veronica Lynn Scott

Theses and Dissertations

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV accounts for more than 90% of pediatric infections worldwide, yet the mechanism of vertical transfer remains unknown. The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected cat is a cost-effective, small-animal model of HIV pathogenesis and MTCT, which produces a high rate of reproductive failure and fetal infection in litters delivered at early- and late-term gestation. Our previous data suggest that FIV infection may dysregulate placental cytokines and compromise pregnancy. We hypothesized that FIV-infection may cause dysregulation of placental cytokine expression, and aberrant expression of these cytokines may potentiate inflammation and transplacental infections. The purpose of this project was …