Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2011

Discipline
Institution
Keyword
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 631 - 660 of 39464

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Pedestrian Dynamics: Modeling And Analyzing Cognitive Processes And Traffic Flows To Evaluate Facility Service Level, Hohyun Lee Dec 2011

Pedestrian Dynamics: Modeling And Analyzing Cognitive Processes And Traffic Flows To Evaluate Facility Service Level, Hohyun Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Walking is the oldest and foremost mode of transportation through history and the prevalence of walking has increased. Effective pedestrian model is crucial to evaluate pedestrian facility service level and to enhance pedestrian safety, performance, and satisfaction. The objectives of this study were to: (1) validate the efficacy of utilizing queueing network model, which predicts cognitive information processing time and task performance; (2) develop a generalized queueing network based cognitive information processing model that can be utilized and applied to construct pedestrian cognitive structure and estimate the reaction time with the first moment of service time distribution; (3) investigate pedestrian …


Static And Free Vibration Analyses Of Composite Shells Based On Different Shell Theories, Ebrahim Asadi Dec 2011

Static And Free Vibration Analyses Of Composite Shells Based On Different Shell Theories, Ebrahim Asadi

Theses and Dissertations

Equations of motion with required boundary conditions for doubly curved deep and thick composite shells are shown using two formulations. The first is based upon the formulation that was presented initially by Rath and Das (1973, J. Sound and Vib.) and followed by Reddy (1984, J. Engng. Mech. ASCE). In this formulation, plate stiffness parameters are used for thick shells, which reduced the equations to those applicable for shallow shells. This formulation is widely used but its accuracy has not been completely tested. The second formulation is based upon that of Qatu (1995, Compos. Press. Vessl. Indust.; 1999, Int. J. …


Static And Vibration Analysis Of Thick Generally Laminated Composite Deep Curved Beams, Mehdi Hajianmaleki Dec 2011

Static And Vibration Analysis Of Thick Generally Laminated Composite Deep Curved Beams, Mehdi Hajianmaleki

Theses and Dissertations

A rigorous first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is employed along with modified ABD parameters to analyze static and free vibration behavior of generally laminated beams and shafts. Different approaches for calculating composite beam stiffness parameters have been considered and the most accurate one that accounts for material couplings have been used to analyze static and free vibration behaviors of straight beams with different laminates and boundary conditions. In order to analyze curved beams, the term (1+z/R) is exactly integrated into ABD parameters formulation and an equivalent modulus of elasticity is used instead of traditional stiffness terms to account for …


Juvenile Hormone Regulates Vitellogenin Gene Expression Through Insulin-Like Peptide Signaling Pathway In The Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium Castaneum, Zhentao Sheng, Jingjing Xu, Hua Bai, Fang Zhu, Subba R. Palli Dec 2011

Juvenile Hormone Regulates Vitellogenin Gene Expression Through Insulin-Like Peptide Signaling Pathway In The Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium Castaneum, Zhentao Sheng, Jingjing Xu, Hua Bai, Fang Zhu, Subba R. Palli

Entomology Faculty Publications

Our recent studies identified juvenile hormone (JH) and nutrition as the two key signals that regulate vitellogenin (Vg) gene expression in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Juvenile hormone regulation of Vg synthesis has been known for a long time in several insects, but the mechanism of JH action is not known. Experiments were conducted to determine the mechanism of action of these two signals in regulation of Vg gene expression. Injection of bovine insulin or FOXO double-stranded RNA into the previtellogenic, starved, or JH-deficient female adults increased Vg mRNA and protein levels, thereby implicating the pivotal role for …


Structures, Energetics And Vibrational Frequency Shifts Of Hydrated Pyrimidine, J. Coleman Howard, Nathan I. Hammer, Gregory S. Tschumper Dec 2011

Structures, Energetics And Vibrational Frequency Shifts Of Hydrated Pyrimidine, J. Coleman Howard, Nathan I. Hammer, Gregory S. Tschumper

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

More than 70 unique micro-hydrated structures of pyrimidine, ranging in size from 1 to 7 water molecules, have been characterized with the B3LYP density functional and the 6-311++G(2df,2pd) triple-ζ split-valence basis set. Explicitly correlated MP2-F12 single-point computations were performed on each structure with a correlation consistent triple-ζ basis set to estimate the relative and dissociation energies at the MP2 complete basis set (CBS) limit. Many of these new structures have significantly lower energies than those previously reported (by as much as 12.66 kcal mol-1). For clusters with 1 and 2 water molecules, the MP2-F12 relative and dissociation energies are virtually …


A Comparison Of The Effects Of Heat Stress On Milk And Component Yields And Somatic Cell Count In Holstein And Jersey Cows, Daniel L. Smith Dec 2011

A Comparison Of The Effects Of Heat Stress On Milk And Component Yields And Somatic Cell Count In Holstein And Jersey Cows, Daniel L. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Objective 1 was to investigate effects of heat stress and breed on milk and component yield for Holstein and Jersey cows on the same farm. Objective 2 was to determine the effects of breed on udder health as measured by somatic cell count (SCC) during times of heat stress. Data were collected from DHIA records of 142 Jersey cows and 586 Holstein cows from the University herd at Mississippi State University. During heat stress Jersey milk yield and 4% fat corrected milk (FCM) increased (P<0.01). Holstein milk yield and FCM decreased during heat stress (P<0.01). Heat stress affected somatic cell count (SCC) although effects varied by intensity of heat stress. Breed did not have an affect on SCC. Milk fat and protein percentages declined for both breeds in heat stress conditions. Milk fat but not milk protein of Jersey cows increased as stress increased from mild to severe.


An Investigation Of Institutional Investor And Firm Heterogeneity, Muhammad Arif Qayyum Dec 2011

An Investigation Of Institutional Investor And Firm Heterogeneity, Muhammad Arif Qayyum

Theses and Dissertations

In the first essay, we extend the research of Grinstein and Michaely (2005) on the relation between institutional ownership and payout policy by focusing on the institutions most likely to vote their shares. We account for heterogeneity among institutional investors as well as for firms. This paper accounts for heterogeneity among institutional investors based on their portfolio concentration and investment horizon and firms are differentiated based on their importance for institutional investors (based on percentage of total portfolio invested in the firm), free cash flow and debt-to-equity ratio. We examine the institutional holding data from 1980 to 2006. Like Grinstein …


Back Matter, Medieval Feminist Forum, V.47 No.1 2011 Dec 2011

Back Matter, Medieval Feminist Forum, V.47 No.1 2011

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

No abstract provided.


The Original Footloose: How President Murlin Pushed Back Against Traditional Depauw Methodism, Sam Spahn Dec 2011

The Original Footloose: How President Murlin Pushed Back Against Traditional Depauw Methodism, Sam Spahn

Student Research

No abstract provided.


Peripheral And Placental Immunology In The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Fiv)-Infected Cat Model, Crystal Elizabeth Boudreaux Dec 2011

Peripheral And Placental Immunology In The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Fiv)-Infected Cat Model, Crystal Elizabeth Boudreaux

Theses and Dissertations

We are using the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected cat to model HIV mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT). Vertical transmission of either virus may result not only in infected offspring, but also failed pregnancy.In HIV infections, maternal hematological and virological parameters predict MTCT.We hypothesized that such parameters would likewise be predictors of FIV vertical transfer. We inoculated ten cats with FIV-B-2542; 10 cats were uninoculated. Cats were allowed to breed naturally. Fetuses were delivered at approximately week 3 (early) gestation by cesarean section. Fetal and placental tissues were collected.Blood samples were collected from the day of inoculation through delivery. We quantified CD4:CD8 T cell …


Essential Oils Reduce Listeria Monocytogenes From Biofilm Surfaces And Fresh Catfish Fillets, Monil Ajitbhai Desai Dec 2011

Essential Oils Reduce Listeria Monocytogenes From Biofilm Surfaces And Fresh Catfish Fillets, Monil Ajitbhai Desai

Theses and Dissertations

The present work examines the antimicrobial efficacy of the essential oils of thyme, oregano and carvacrol against L. monocytogenes biofilms produced on stainless steel coupons and for control of L. monocytogenes growth on raw catfish fillets stored at 4°C for 10 days. At 0.5%, all three essential oils were highly effective in completely eliminating L. monocytogenes cells from stainless coupons within 24 h as compared to the untreated control yielding ~7 log CFU/cm2 L. monocytogenes. When catfish inoculated with L. monocytogenes were dipped for 30 min at 4°C in essential oil solutions of thyme and oregano at 1%, 2% and …


Evaluating Workstation Design Guidelines And Their Effects On The Obese Population, Michael Andre Hamilton Dec 2011

Evaluating Workstation Design Guidelines And Their Effects On The Obese Population, Michael Andre Hamilton

Theses and Dissertations

Functional limitation, postural stability, and muscle recruitment of different categories of obesity were evaluated while performing an assembly workstation task. Three workstations, those designed for the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentile workers based on anthropometric data tables, were included in the study. Functional limitation was measured using electro-goniometers and the maximum frontal functional reach (MFFR) evaluation to measure the difference in joint angles, forces plates were used to study the differences in postural stability, and EMG was used to evaluate the muscle recruitment of the soleus, frontal deltoid, and trapezius muscles. Also, a regression analysis was performed to evaluate if …


An Investigation Of Students' Satisfaction With Academic Advising And Students' Impressions Of Academic Advisors At A Rural Community College, Vanessa Massalyn Johnson Dedeaux Dec 2011

An Investigation Of Students' Satisfaction With Academic Advising And Students' Impressions Of Academic Advisors At A Rural Community College, Vanessa Massalyn Johnson Dedeaux

Theses and Dissertations

This study was the first attempt to evaluate the college’s career/technical current advising practices. The purpose of this study was to investigate career/technical students’ satisfaction with academic advising at a rural community college and to investigate whether there were any relationships between students’ satisfaction and various demographic characteristics. The study also investigated students’ impressions of the academic advisors and whether there were any relationships between students’ impressions and various demographic characteristics. The researcher purchased the Survey of Academic Advising, Copyright 1997, from ACT, Inc. The Survey of Academic Advising was developed by the Evaluation Survey Service (ESS) and ACT and …


Thermoregulation, Risk, And Den Stability Influence Grizzly Bear Den-Site Selection, Nathan Steven Libal Dec 2011

Thermoregulation, Risk, And Den Stability Influence Grizzly Bear Den-Site Selection, Nathan Steven Libal

Theses and Dissertations

Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) den-site selection may be influenced by multiple factors at varying spatial extents. To test for hierarchical selection, I compared grizzly bear den sites (n = 21) to random locations in the Southern Lakes, Yukon at two scales: mesoscale (within 1 km of dens) and microscale (within 100 m of dens). I observed selection for den opening slope, pixel slope, soil content, and horizontal cover at the mesoscale. At the microscale, I observed selection for opening slope and horizontal cover. To further test the role of security and the sex hypothesis of sexual segregation, I compared adult …


Variability Of Sediment Nutrients And Benthic Macro-Invertebrates In Recreational Fishing Ponds, Tyler James Stubbs Dec 2011

Variability Of Sediment Nutrients And Benthic Macro-Invertebrates In Recreational Fishing Ponds, Tyler James Stubbs

Theses and Dissertations

The overall objective of this study was to identify trends of sediment nutrients and benthic macro-invertebrates in recreational fishing ponds. The Ekman dredge and the Yabby pump, also were compared for benthic macro-invertebrate sampling effectiveness. Large ranges in the coefficient of variation for Pw (52 – 123.9), C:N (13.4 – 124), density (61.5 – 98.5), and diversity (67 – 142) indicated significant spatial variability within and among ponds. Invertebrate familial diversity was the only variable that did not show any significant temporal variation (H = 4.31, P = 0.230). Results from the gear comparison indicated no differences between the Ekman …


Stratigraphic Architecture Of The Floyd (Neal) Shale In The Black Warrior Basin Of Alabama And Mississippi: Implications For Regional Exploration Potential, Matthew Macgregor Caton Dec 2011

Stratigraphic Architecture Of The Floyd (Neal) Shale In The Black Warrior Basin Of Alabama And Mississippi: Implications For Regional Exploration Potential, Matthew Macgregor Caton

Theses and Dissertations

The Floyd (Neal) Shale is an organic-rich black shale in the Black Warrior Basin that is being explored for its unconventional gas potential. To understand the stratigraphic architecture of the black shale facies in Mississippi, a detailed examination of well logs, conventional core, well log correlation (cross sections) and isopach maps were used to delineate and characterize the Neal Shale depositional facies. From this study it can be concluded that parasequences associated with the upper Pride Mountain Formation, Hartselle, Floyd Shale and Bangor Limestone are equivalent to resistive units in the Neal Shale in Alabama. In Mississippi, the upper Pride …


Study Of Food Digestion And Morphology Of Subterranean Termites From Mississippi, Timothy Joseph Arquette Dec 2011

Study Of Food Digestion And Morphology Of Subterranean Termites From Mississippi, Timothy Joseph Arquette

Theses and Dissertations

The overall aim of this study was to provide new and updated information about subterranean termite morphology and digestive physiology. Scanning electron microscopy was used to obtain high resolution images of morphological features of the termite cuticle not discernable by light microscopy. In addition, digital scanning electron micrographs clearly show the appearance of wood particles recovered from the termite digestive tract at different stages of digestion. The ability of termites to obtain and conserve nitrogen in their diet was demonstrated by establishing whether the insect can digest chitin, as well as from determination of levels of soluble proteins and uric …


Research Brief: "Toward A Theory Of Discontinuous Career Transition: Investigating Career Transitions Necessitated By Traumatic Life Events", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Dec 2011

Research Brief: "Toward A Theory Of Discontinuous Career Transition: Investigating Career Transitions Necessitated By Traumatic Life Events", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief summarizes a scholarly article of the same name. It reviews research which evaluates the impact of trauma on a veterans' career trajectory and path, and the circumstances in which veterans successfully transition or do not.


An Economic Analysis Of Health, Savings, And Labor In Relation To Gender, Comfort Febisola Ricketts Dec 2011

An Economic Analysis Of Health, Savings, And Labor In Relation To Gender, Comfort Febisola Ricketts

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is divided into five chapters consisting of three short essays that concentrate on economic analysis of health, savings and labor. The first essay is aimed at investigating the influence of increased work hours on individuals’ health and how this may differ between males and females. It is expected that increased hours of work will have a negative impact on health but this impact may be stronger for females. In the second essay, the relationship between individuals’ health and savings behavior is analyzed. Healthy individuals are expected to be more productive, earn higher incomes, and have lower medical expenditures …


Body Centric Antennas For Wireless Cardiac Monitoring, Travis Ann Nylin Dec 2011

Body Centric Antennas For Wireless Cardiac Monitoring, Travis Ann Nylin

Theses and Dissertations

The overwhelming prevalence of cardiac related deaths is the motivation behind this thesis to develop body centric antennas for wireless cardiac monitoring. Cardiac monitoring can diagnose a number of conditions including: arrhythmia, ischemia, premature atrial complexes, abnormal sinus rhythms, heart blocks, atrial fibrillation, and more. A body centric antenna operating within the ISM band (2.4-2.48GHz) has been designed, simulated, and tested. The simulation and testing indicate low mutual coupling between antennas of varying distances has been achieved. In addition, the simulation and testing indicate that a thin layer of skin over the test subject further reduces mutual coupling.


The 3d Dynamics Of The Cosserat Rod As Applied To Continuum Robotics, Charles Rees Jones Dec 2011

The 3d Dynamics Of The Cosserat Rod As Applied To Continuum Robotics, Charles Rees Jones

Theses and Dissertations

In the effort to simulate the biologically inspired continuum robot’s dynamic capabilities, researchers have been faced with the daunting task of simulating—in real-time—the complete three dimensional dynamics of the the “beam-like” structure which includes the three “stiff” degrees-ofreedom transverse and dilational shear. Therefore, researchers have traditionally limited the difficulty of the problem with simplifying assumptions. This study, however, puts forward a solution which makes no simplifying assumptions and trades off only the real-time requirement of the desired solution. The solution is a Finite Difference Time Domain method employing an explicit single step method with cheap right hands sides. The cheap …


The Influence Of Social Determinants On Late Stage Breast Cancer And The Impact Of The National Breast And Cervical Cancer Program On Late Stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Melody L. Fortune Dec 2011

The Influence Of Social Determinants On Late Stage Breast Cancer And The Impact Of The National Breast And Cervical Cancer Program On Late Stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Melody L. Fortune

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation research focused on breast cancer and social determinants that have been shown to influence the outcomes of this devastating disease. Although heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, more women feel that they will die from breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer in women exacting an emotional and economic hardship for many women. There are no known causes of breast cancer, but there are certain genetic and social factors that pre-dispose women to this disease. Also, diagnosis at later stages of disease has been shown to have adverse outcomes for many. …


Biological Community Evaluations Of Potential Black Pine Snake (Pituophis Melanoleucus Lodingi) Habitat In Mississippi, Clinton Porter Smith Dec 2011

Biological Community Evaluations Of Potential Black Pine Snake (Pituophis Melanoleucus Lodingi) Habitat In Mississippi, Clinton Porter Smith

Theses and Dissertations

I studied four areas in south Mississippi from 2009-2010 to examine habitat conditions and faunal communities associated with presence of black pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi), a candidate for federal listing. Field studies included vegetation sampling, small vertebrates trapping, and fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) mound densities estimation. Areas that supported black pine snakes exhibited vegetation communities that differed from areas that did not support pine snakes. Presence of black pine snakes was influenced by ground cover vegetation and stump hole densities. Greatest densities of ant mounds were detected in areas that supported pine snakes and gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Species …


Characterization Of Two Genes For Resistance To Aflatoxin Accumulation In Maize (Zea Mays L.), John Erik Mylroie Dec 2011

Characterization Of Two Genes For Resistance To Aflatoxin Accumulation In Maize (Zea Mays L.), John Erik Mylroie

Theses and Dissertations

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world’s largest food crops and thus any pathogens of maize are of great importance. Aspergillus flavus is one of these pathogens and it produces a carcinogenic metabolite called aflatoxin. Efforts to reduce infection by A. flavus and subsequent aflatoxin accumulation include the development of maize lines resistant to aflatoxin accumulation. However, resistant lines that have been developed contain agronomically unfavorable traits. Gene-based markers would allow for easier transfer of resistance from resistant inbred lines into maize lines with good agronomic traits. The focus of this research was the development of gene-based markers …


Diversity And Ecology Of Bean Pod Mottle Virus In Mississippi, Ronald Christian Stephenson Dec 2011

Diversity And Ecology Of Bean Pod Mottle Virus In Mississippi, Ronald Christian Stephenson

Theses and Dissertations

Sequences of 33 Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) isolates collected from Mississippi were obtained from four regions of the viral genome. Sequences were compared mutually and to subgroups I and II type isolates. Mississippi isolates collected have greater similarity to subgroup II. Helicase sequences obtained from Mississippi isolates showed characteristics of isolates producing mild or moderate symptoms. Biological comparison of isolates from Mississippi confirmed predictions from molecular data. Plant species were tested for susceptibility to BPMV. Seven of 52 species tested positive. Desmodium perplexum was infected by beetle feeding and served as an inoculum source for transmission of BPMV to …


Prey Specificity Of Thanasimus Dubius Between Latent And Intermediate Phases Of Southern Pine Beetle, Ryann Skiles Campbell Dec 2011

Prey Specificity Of Thanasimus Dubius Between Latent And Intermediate Phases Of Southern Pine Beetle, Ryann Skiles Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the pheromone preference of a bark beetle predator Thanasimus dubius between latent and intermediate phases of southern pine beetle. Two trap treatments were set up in each SPB phase. Standard Lindgren funnel traps were baited with either SPB lures or Ips lures. The number of T. dubius caught in each trap was recorded and data was analyzed using both the Mann Whitney U test and a two-way factorial ANOVA. Thanasimus dubius showed no variation in SPB pheromone preference but did show a slight increase in preference for Ips pheromones in intermediate phase areas. A protocol was developed …


A Study Of Mobile Dna Content And Activity In Non-Model Mammalian Organisms, Heidi Joy Trussell Pagan Dec 2011

A Study Of Mobile Dna Content And Activity In Non-Model Mammalian Organisms, Heidi Joy Trussell Pagan

Theses and Dissertations

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) projects for model mammalian organisms exposed the magnitude to which transposable elements (TEs) have contributed to DNA content, but led to inferences on repeat composition and activity patterns which do not capture the true diversity within Mammalia. Understanding of the evolutionary importance of TEs and the development of TEs for biological applications are hindered when considering only the data gathered from a limited sampling of model organisms. The research presented here begins with analysis of a mouse lemur WGS dataset, revealing an exception in the primate lineage to the generalizations garnered from model organisms. A recently …


Industrial Timberland Transactions In The United States: Firm Financial Performance, Timber Supply, And Welfare Implications, Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman Dec 2011

Industrial Timberland Transactions In The United States: Firm Financial Performance, Timber Supply, And Welfare Implications, Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

In the last two decades, many firms in the U.S. forest products industry have either divested their timberlands or converted their corporate structures from C corporations to real estate investment trusts (REITs). This study hypothesizes that this large-scale timberland ownership change affects the financial performance of firms involved in divestitures and on timber supply and, as a result, the economic surplus of producers and consumers in the U.S. timber markets. These issues have not been adequately addressed in existing literature. Event analysis and equilibrium displacement models were employed to address firm financial performance in the capital markets and welfare implications …


Life History Studies Of Two Digenetic Trematodes, Bolbophorus Damnificus And An Unknown Clinostomoid Species, That Infect Channel Catfish Ictalurus Punctatus, Cynthia Michelle Doffitt Dec 2011

Life History Studies Of Two Digenetic Trematodes, Bolbophorus Damnificus And An Unknown Clinostomoid Species, That Infect Channel Catfish Ictalurus Punctatus, Cynthia Michelle Doffitt

Theses and Dissertations

The commercial production of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is major industry in Mississippi. Infections of channel catfish with the digenetic trematode Bolbophorus damnificus have often been associated with heavy economic losses in the industry. To efficiently control transmission of this trematode, the avian hosts need to be identified. In the first study, two American white pelicans, two double-crested cormorants, two great blue herons, and two great egrets were fed channel catfish infected with B. damnificus metacercariae. The presence of Bolbophorus damnificus ova in pelican feces at three days post infection (dpi) indicated the pelicans had patent infections. Mature B. damnificus …


Quantifying Physiological Responses Of Beef Cattle Using A Tympanic Temperature Measurement Device, Jacob John Mayer Dec 2011

Quantifying Physiological Responses Of Beef Cattle Using A Tympanic Temperature Measurement Device, Jacob John Mayer

Theses and Dissertations

The primary goals of this research were to develop an improved design for measuring tympanic temperature in groups of beef cattle, determine the ideal operating parameters of the new device, and to verify its effectiveness in a research application. Development of the continuous tympanic temperature logger (CTTL) consisted of two steps: identifying a small temperature logger capable of adequate data storage and constructing a probe to hold the logger and fit in the ear canal of a bovine animal. The minimum sampling interval needed to measure tympanic temperature in beef cattle was calculated using Fourier analysis. In addition, the differences …