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African American Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren In Rural Areas: A Phenomenological Investigation In South Georgia, Emmanuel Nii Okai Clottey

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Grandparents are increasingly raising their grandchildren in the United States of America. Those grandparents who live in rural areas face limited resources to help them raise their grandchildren. This phenomenological study is an investigation of the phenomenon of African American grandparents raising their grandchildren in Southeastern rural Georgia and the resources available to them. It looked at what it will take to start a faith-based or community-based support group for these Africa American grandparents raising their grandchildren in a rural setting. The concept of phenomenology served as the theoretical foundation for the study with social ecological model and social support …

Optimization In Energy And Power Management For Renewable-Diesel Microgrids Using Dynamic Programming Algorithm, Tu A. Nguyen, Mariesa L. Crow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents an optimization analysis for energy and power management in microgrids with renewable energy resources and diesel generators. Dynamic Programming (DP) algorithm and the simplex method have been used to minimize the total daily cost of the system and also maximize the total efficiency of the energy storage system during charge and discharge. the algorithm is validated on a hybrid system for military forward operating base camps that contain a PV array, wind generator, hydrogen-Based fuel cell, batteries and diesel generators. © 2012 IEEE.

A Self-Tuning Optimal Controller For Affine Nonlinear Continuous-Time Systems With Unknown Internal Dynamics, Travis Dierks, Sarangapani Jagannathan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a novel neural network (NN) - based self-tuning controller for the optimal regulation of affine nonlinear continuous-time systems. Knowledge of the internal system dynamics is not required whereas the control coefficient matrix is considered to be available. the proposed nonlinear optimal regulator tunes itself in order to simultaneously learn the optimal control input, optimal cost function, and the system internal dynamics using a single NN. a novel NN weight tuning algorithm is derived which ensures the internal system dynamics are learned while simultaneously minimizing a predefined cost function. an initial stabilizing controller is not required. Lyapunov methods …

Simultaneous Detection Of Six Diarrhea-Causing Bacterial Pathogens With An In-House Pcr-Luminex Assay, Jie Liu, Jean Gratz, Athanasia Maro, Happy Kumburu, Gibson Kibiki, Mami Taniuchi, Arif Mahmud Howlader, Shihab U. Sobuz, Rashidul Haque, Kaisar A. Talukder, Shahida Qureshi, Anita K. M. Zaidi, Doris M. Haverstick, Eric R. Houpta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Diarrhea can be caused by a range of pathogens, including several bacteria. Conventional diagnostic methods, such as culture, biochemical tests, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), are laborious. We developed a 7-plex PCR-Luminex assay to simultaneously screen for several of the major diarrhea-causing bacteria directly in fecal specimens, including pathogenic Aeromonas, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Salmonella, Shigella, enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC), Vibrio, and Yersinia. We included an extrinsic control to verify extraction and amplification. The assay was first validated with reference strains or isolates and exhibited a limit of detection of 10(3) to 10(5) CFU/g of stool for each pathogen as …

Calcium Montmorillonite Clay Reduces Urinary Biomarkers Of Fumonisin B₁ Exposure In Rats And Humans, Abraham Robinson, Natalie M. Johnson, A. Strey, John F. Taylor, Alicia Marroquin-Cardona, N. J. Mitchell, Evans Afriyie-Gyawu, Nii-Ayi Ankrah, Jonathan H. Williams, Jia-Sheng Wang, Pauline E. Jolly, R. J. Nachman, Timothy D. Phillips

Environmental Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is often a co-contaminant with aflatoxin (AF) in grains and may enhance AF’s carcinogenicity by acting as a cancer promoter. Calcium montmorillonite (i.e. NovaSil, NS) is a possible dietary intervention to help decrease chronic aflatoxin exposure where populations are at risk. Previous studies show that an oral dose of NS clay was able to reduce AF exposure in a Ghanaian population. In vitro analyses from our laboratory indicated that FB1 (like aflatoxin) could also be sorbed onto the surfaces of NS. Hence, our objectives were to evaluate the efficacy of NS clay to reduce urinary FB1 in …

An Unfortunate Affair: The Battle Of Brier Creek And The Aftermath In Georgia, William Henry

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The Battle of Brier Creek on March 3, 1779 has been overlooked for many years by historians of the American War of Independence in Georgia. Because it was so brief and did not include massive field armies, the importance of the battle has been ignored. This is unfortunate as the Battle of Brier Creek had many severe consequences and changed the direction of the war in Georgia. The loss of men, arms, and equipment derailed Patriot offensive plans and gave the British valuable time to secure their position in the small frontier colony. It allowed them to establish civil government …

The Influence Of Federally Qualified Health Centers On Selected Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions In Georgia, Mary W. King Mathis

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's Abstract: Ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) resulting in hospitalizations make up a substantial proportion of health care costs, but should not because these conditions are manageable in quality primary care settings that promote prevention in an effort to avoid exacerbations that can lead to hospitalization. The use of emergency departments (EDs) as a safety net for ACSCs has increased the burden on hospitals because patients who do not regularly utilize primary care often resort to the use of EDs for treatment of ACSCs. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are designed to provide consistent, high-quality primary care to all people, …

Predictors Of Bullying In An Adolescent School Sample, Schell Hufstetler

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: Bullying is a pervasive problem in our society. Contributing to this problem is the fact that bullying is not well understood. This makes it difficult to design successful interventions. The current study aims to create a complete picture of bullying in order to increase understanding of this behavior. For this study, 59 adolescents completed a survey packet including measures of bullying behaviors and other variables expected to relate to bullying. The results revealed that bullying is a problem for both genders. Multivariate analyses revealed males to be more directly and indirectly aggressive, but there were no significant gender …

Xrf And The Corrosion Environment At Camp Lawton: A Comprehensive Study Of The Archeological Microenvironment Of A Civil War Prison Camp, Amanda L. Morrow

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: Handheld X Ray Fluorescence (XRF) technology is a new and emerging method in the field of archeology. This thesis discusses the results of XRF comparative analysis and comparative chemical analysis between a given ferrous metallic artifact's corrosion environment (the surrounding soil matrix) and the subsequent corrosion products formed on the artifact. The hypothesis is that the data will demonstrate a chemical correlation between the two. Iron and chlorine are the two major elements discussed in the study. The artifacts in the sample set have been collected from Camp Lawton (9JS1), a Confederate Prison for Union Soldiers located in …

"...Bless Her Little Heart!": The Culture Of Honor And Emotion Recognition, Forrest J. Rackham

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: Some researchers assert that cultural display rules may explain differences in perceiving emotions (Matsumoto, Yoo, & Chung, 2010). The current study examined the display rule of masking within the Southern culture of honor. It was hypothesized that masking within the culture of honor negatively affects emotion perception sensitivity, particularly in the speed and accuracy of recognizing anger. Southern undergraduate students were primed with the culture of honor and then presented with the Emotional Expression Multimorph Task. Participants chose one of the six emotions (i.e., sad, happy, surprise, fear, disgust, or anger). It was hypothesized participants in the masking …

Empowering Students With Autism: An Investigation Of School Practices Through The Lens Of The Special Education Administrator, Jenny Rebecca Mcclintic

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: This qualitative study explored the perspectives of special education administrators employed in three school districts in Georgia regarding the empowerment of students with autism spectrum disorders. Participants were first given a screening survey and later interviewed via telephone in reference to empowering practices present in their individual districts. Participants were given the options to be included in the telephone survey. This study draws on the research from the National Research Council's findings published in as Educating Children with Autism (2001) and other leaders in the field of educational interventions. This study provides an analysis of their responses and …

Effect Of Honey On Anaerobic Performance In Male Collegiate Soccer Players, Katelyn G. Woolfolk

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: Carbohydrate supplementation has been associated with increased performance in aerobic and anaerobic activity. Honey, specifically, has shown to increase performance in aerobic exercise as well as provide other health benefits. The purpose of this study was to see if honey, a natural substance, has a positive effect on anaerobic performance, rates of perceived exertion, and gastrointestinal distress. Subjects consisted of 18 healthy, Division 1 collegiate male soccer players (19.39 ± 0.85 yr, 75.39 ± 7.97 kg). All had no allergies and were cleared for participation by a certified athletic trainer. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three …

Parent Perceptions Of The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship, Charity C. Roberts

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: The purpose of this study was to understand both contributors and barriers to use of the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (SB10). Although SB10 was designed to offer parental choice of schools for students with disabilities, it has diminished the capacity of parents to access due process granted through IDEA. Perspectives in this study were provided by parents who chose to rescind their child's participation in the voucher program and parents who continued to access the voucher. Analysis of the lived experiences of parents of students with disabilities in Georgia revealed both similar and diverse experiences, perceptions and concerns …

The Distribution Of Individual Stock Returns In A Modified Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, Daniel Lee Richey

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: There have been many attempts to find a model that can accurately price options. These models are built on many assumptions, including which probability distribution stock returns follow. In this paper, we test several distributions to see which best fit the log returns of 20 different companies over a period between November 1, 2006 to October 31, 2011. If a "best" distribution is found, a modified Black-Scholes model will be defined by modifying the Weiner process. We use Monte Carlo simulations to generate estimated prices under specified parameters, and compare these prices to those simulated by the model …

Properties Of Weighted Generalized Beta Distribution Of The Second Kind, Yuan Ye

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: In this thesis, a new class of weighted generalized beta distribution of the second kind (WGB2) is presented. The construction makes use of the conservability approach' which includes the size or length-biased distribution as a special case. The class of WGB2 is used as descriptive models for the distribution of income. The results that are presented generalize the generalized beta distribution of second kind (GB2). The properties of these distributions including behavior of pdf, cdf, hazard functions, moments, mean, variance, coefficient of variation (CV), coefficient of skewness (CS), coefficient of kurtosis (CK) are obtained. The moments of other …

Moments When The Weak Gained Ground: Viral Video As A Curriculum Of People, Michael J. Ryan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: The public school curriculum has devolved into merely being a political football for the forces of the dominant culture, no longer even attempting to serve the People of the community or the students that the school ostensibly should serve. In the absence of a curriculum that is meaningful to People, another curriculum has spontaneously appeared outside of school via shared online media between social networks. This new curriculum, identified by a relatively wide viewership and its challenge to social injustice, oppressive conventions or hegemonic forces, is a curriculum of viral videos shared because of their meaning and cogence …

Numerical Simulation Of Natural Convection In Rectangular Enclosures Of Varying Aspect Ratios And Its Feasibility In Environmental Impact Management Studies, Charles R. Walker

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: Numerical simulation was used to investigate natural convection in horizontal and vertical enclosures with and without an internal heat source. Natural convection in rectangular enclosures is found in many real-world applications. Included in these applications are the energy efficient design of buildings, operation and safety of nuclear reactors, solar collector design, passive energy storage, heat transfer across multi-pane windows, thermo-electric refrigeration and heating devices, and the design-for-mitigation of optical distortion in large-scale laser systems. Considering all these applications, especially controlling heat transfer in nuclear power plants, knowledge and research results of natural convection in enclosure play a vital …

"What Shall We Use To Fill The Empty Spaces?": Displacement In Frank Norris's Mcteague, Jennifer Bugna Lambeth

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: McTeague, Frank Norris's Naturalistc text written in 1899, depicts the corruption of a California couple due to influences outside of their control. In positioning Trina McTeague as a woman unable to identify with either of the two major feminine ideologies of the day, the Angel in the House and the New Woman, this paper examines her identity as conflicted because of this lack of autonomy. Her failure to identify herself leads to a mental break that is reflected in the domestic spaces she inhabits. The places she lives each become smaller and dirtier reflecting her diminished mental capacity. …

Development And Validation Of Probabilistic Fatigue Models Containing Out-Life Suspensions, Noel S. Murray

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: In the area of reliability engineering it is necessary to be confident that a component or system of components will not fail under use for safety and cost reasons. One major mechanism of failure to a mechanical component is fatigue. This is the repetitious motion of loading and unloading of the material, typically below the ultimate tensile strength of the material, which ultimately leads to a catastrophic failure. To ensure this does not happen, engineers design components based on tests to determine the life of these components. These tests are typically conducted on a bench type tester in …

Understanding The Occupational Choices Of Rural White Southern Males, Rhonda Morrison Amerson

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occupational choices of rural white southern adolescent males. The study was comprised of eight core participants and an additional 30 survey respondents. This ethnography utilized six sources of data: a questionnaire, individual interviews, two focus group interviews, artifacts shared by the participants, an online survey, and the researcher's reflections/notes. The data suggests that rural white southern males' occupational choices are influenced by their geographical context, their parents, and occupations with which they are familiar. The data also suggests that rural white southern males are likely to remain in the area in …

Presidential Strategy: Analyzing The National Security Stategies Of The United States, Aaron Dilday

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The Second World War forced American politicians to reevaluate the nation's security preparedness. This resulted in the National Security Act of 1947, which, among many things, created the National Security Council and an ad hoc system for American strategy-making. The Cold War revealed many of the deficiencies in this strategy-making system. The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 sought to reform the nation's defense establishment to meet the evolving needs of the Cold War; part of this included revision of strategic development. Section 603 of Goldwater-Nichols required the president to annually submit to Congress a national security strategy …

The Identity Of A Plantation Structure: The Preliminary Analysis Of An Early Structure At Mont Repose Plantation, St. Luke's Parish, Jasper County, South Carolina, Heather R. Amaral

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

During the 2000 Archeology Field School, Georgia Southern University began an investigation of a nineteenth century plantation structure near Ridgeland, South Carolina. The plantation, Mont Repose, is an example of an inland rice plantation operated in this region during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The structure was initially believed to be a kitchen for this plantation but more recent fieldwork has suggested that this designation may need to be re-examined. Recent excavations have yielded specific artifacts suggesting that the structure may have sheltered a variety of daily functions in addition to specific kitchen activities. Preliminary Mean Ceramic Dating suggests a …

Fuzzy Assessor Using Type 1 And Type 2 Fuzzy Sets, Paulette Acheson, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper provides a fuzzy assessor that can be used to evaluate system architectures. the fuzzy assessor includes a method of assigning system architecture attribute values to the lower-level subsystems using type 1 fuzzy sets and type 2 fuzzy sets. Each architecture attribute is evaluated at the lowest subsystem level and then mathematically rolled-up to provide the system level value for each architecture attribute. Then the value for each architecture attribute is combined into an overall system architecture performance value. This provides a mathematical method of qualitatively assessing a system architecture based on key architecture attributes. the fuzzy assessor uses …

Application Of Model-Based Systems Engineering On A University Satellite Design Team, Dustin Nottage, Steven Corns

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

System Engineering is a foundation of the Missouri S&T's Satellite Design Team, although it is not explicitly stated at all times. However, implementation of the systems engineering process within a student design team presents unique challenges. Student design teams have a high personnel turnover, a limited time commitment due to classes, some new members have little to no experience, and a sometimes lack of motivation to participate since it is volunteered time. the largest problem on the team is getting the new members knowledgeable about the system so they can start contributing as fast as possible. the other big problem …

Examining The Association Between Teacher Political Efficacy And Educational Policy Engagement, Malinda Cobb

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

As state control over education increases, it is important to examine the teacher’s role in the educational policy making process. Currently, there is little research on Georgia’s educational policy systems. This study analyzed relevant variables to determine predictors of teacher participation. A 30 question instrument designed to measure teacher political efficacy and engagement was developed and administered. Demographic variables were analyzed to determine possible factors influencing efficacy and engagement. Findings showed that female teachers are predicted to participate more frequently in educational policy activities than males. Taking coursework in policy, having higher levels of internal political efficacy and having higher …

Relationship Of Collaborative School Culture And School Achievement, Karen Durrence Bland

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this correlational, quantitative study was to examine the magnitude and direction of the relationship between collaborative school culture and school achievement in rural, economically disadvantaged middle schools utilizing a 6, 7, 8 grade configuration. Survey data was collected from 263 teachers representing 12 rural, economically disadvantaged middle schools in the state of Georgia. Data collection tools included the Learning Community Culture Indicator (LCCI) 4.0 survey developed by Williams, Matthews, Stewart, and Hilton (2007) and the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test (GCRCT).

The study generated data from 12 middle schools regarding the overall functionality level of their collaborative …

Principals Roles And Responsibilities In Technology Integration In Rural Georgia, Christie Dunham

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the elementary school principal’s roles and responsibilities in the use of technology for instructional purposes in Title I rural schools. Three principals, three technology coordinators and 8 teachers in the Southeastern area of Georgia participated in the study. Interview questions for the participants were created after a careful review of the literature on the subject and with input from leadership professors at Georgia Southern University. An analysis was conducted on data provided by the participants from the interview questionnaire and analyzed as separate entities to authenticate results.

Data from principals’ interviews …

Frankenfoods: Are We Bioengineering Our Children And What Can Curriculum Do?, Patra Rickman

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In this dissertation I explore the effect of biotechnology and food production on children’s physical and mental health. What we eat affects our well-being and unknowingly, we have little control of what exactly we are consuming. Children have even less control and feel the effects of additives and chemicals more than adults. Many of the effects of bioengineered foods are unknown at this time. My dissertation will be a theoretical exploration of biotechnology in food using a bioethical critical perspective. I use my personal experience and research to examine the effects of processed and genetically engineered foods on people, especially …

Principals And The Professional Victim Syndrome, James G. Pulos

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Principals today are constantly in the public eye. Every decision made subjects him/her to the scrutiny of staff and faculty, students, central office personnel, parents, community members, and board members. Contemporary principals are asked by their superintendents to lead reform efforts effectively or face the possibility of dismissal. Principals often face the dilemma of balancing politics in an effort to appease board members and the superintendent while simultaneously implementing critical change efforts in their schools. Hess and Kelly (2005) suggested that as principals attempt to lead reform efforts, they often go blindly into these positions unprepared and enter the principalship …

Equal Or Not? An Exploration Of Eighth-Grade Students' Experience Of Algebra, Janice L. Reyes

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Over the past two decades, a considerable amount of algebra instruction nationwide has shifted from high school to middle school. In Georgia, all eighth-grade students have been required to take a course that is equivalent to about 80 percent of a traditional Algebra 1 course. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how a selected group of eighth-grade students in a suburban Georgia middle school experience algebra within the eighth grade mathematics curriculum. A qualitative research design was used to investigate students’ perceptions of algebra, the strategies employed by teachers to teach algebra, students’ difficulties with algebra, and …