Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of The Flipped Classroom Model On Achievement In An Introductory College Physics Course, Joshua Brian Winter

Theses and Dissertations

The flipped or inverted classroom model is one in which the time and place for traditional lecture and homework are reversed. Traditional lecture is replaced by online videos assigned as homework. This frees up time in class to be spent with more student centered activities such as discussion based concept questions and group problem solving. While growing in popularity, research on the effectiveness of this format is sparse. In this quasi-experimental study, two sections of an introductory algebra-based college physics course were examined over a five week period. Each section was taught with either the traditional or flipped model and …

The Effects Of Low Atmospheric Pressure And Electrical Stunning On The Instrumental And Sensory Quality Of Broiler Breast Meat Deboned At 45 Minutes And 4 Hours Postmortem, Vijayakumar Radhakrishnan

Theses and Dissertations

Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning (LAPS) has recently become available to the broiler industry. Therefore, research was conducted to determine the effect of stunning method (LAPS and Electrical Stunning(ES)) and postmortem deboning time (0.75 hr and 4 hr) on the instrumental and sensory acceptability (3 replications) of breast meat (n=576, 144 birds per treatment) prepared using different cooking methods (fried, baked, sous vide). Breast meat was evaluated for pH, CIE L*a*b*, yields, shear force, and consumer acceptability. Postmortem pH decline was more rapid (P<0.05) in the breast meat of LAPS stunned birds when compared to ES stunned birds, but no differences existed (P>0.05) among treatments with respect to final pH. On average, no differences (P > 0.05) existed in the …

Evaluating User Satisfaction And Perceived Quality Of Electronic Health Records In Mississippi, Dakota Chamblee

Theses and Dissertations

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is a health information technology that has already begun to change the way healthcare providers care for patients. EHRs can potentially enhance the quality and efficiency of patient care (Simon et al., 2010); however, some research shows that EHRs do not always do so. The lack of improved efficiency and quality of care can lead to frustrated and dissatisfied users. The effects of different aspects of EHR implementation could affect user satisfaction and perceived quality of EHRs. This study investigates the how time since implementation, training, and leadership affect user satisfaction and perceived quality of the …

Molecular Basis Of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Kentucky Attachment To Broiler Skin, Sanaz Salehi

Theses and Dissertations

The presence of Salmonella enterica throughout the production and processing continuum is a concern in broiler industry. While federal regulations have lowered the acceptable level of Salmonella contamination on broiler carcasses, the mechanisms that contribute to pathogen attachment are not fully understood. Salmonella Kentucky has become the predominant Salmonella serovar isolated from broilers carcasses at the end of the immersion chill tank. In Europe and Africa this serovar has been shown to acquire antibiotic resistance genes that may lead this non-typhoidal serotype to become a potential public health concern. To investigate the genes that are involved in colonization of the …

Monitoring Gulf Coast Fish Quality, Karl Edward Bell

Theses and Dissertations

Globalization and the rise of fish importation has led to an increase in mislabeling. To combat this problem, analytical and molecular methods have been employed. First, nitrofuran metabolites were extracted, hydrolyzed, and derivatized in channel catfish, swai, and tilapia. Utilizing high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, derivatized metabolites were detected at levels of 1 ng/mL with coefficients of determination greater than 0.998. Recoveries greater than 90% and relative standard deviation less than 17% indicate that the method is successful. Secondly, chip based electrophoresis coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for the species differentiation. By …

Experimental Evaluation Of Error Bounds For The Stochastic Shortest Path Problem, Ibrahim Abdoulahi

Theses and Dissertations

A stochastic shortest path (SSP) problem is an undiscounted Markov decision process with an absorbing and zero-cost target state, where the objective is to reach the target state with minimum expected cost. This problem provides a foundation for algorithms for decision-theoretic planning and probabilistic model checking, among other applications. This thesis describes an implementation and evaluation of recently developed error bounds for SSP problems. The bounds can be used in a test for convergence of iterative dynamic programming algorithms for solving SSP problems, as well as in action elimination procedures that can accelerate convergence by excluding provably suboptimal actions that …

How Creative Professional Service Firms Internationalize: A Business Model Portfolio Approach, Deirdre Mcquillan, Pamela Sharkey Scott, Vincent Mangematin

Conference Papers

Traditional theory of firm internationalization assumes all firms are homogeneous in their approach to managing uncertainties and implementing business strategies when internationalizing. A business model portfolio approach articulates a more complex process and suggests that firms adopt a portfolio of business models to balance uncertainties. Combining these two perspectives, this multiple case study research design explores how creative professional service firms (creative PSFs) internationalize. Creative PSFs such as architects are embedded in their local cultures, operating at the intersection of business and art. Our study reveals the complexities of creative PSF internationalization, showing that in contrast to existing explanations, multiple …

Acceptable Vibrations On Green Concrete, Mitchell Lewis Watkins

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis contains the results of various green concrete samples subjected to different vibration intensities to determine how green concrete withstands against these vibration intensities. The green concrete was exposed to these vibrations at times before, during, and after the concrete had set. The concrete was also exposed to different timed durations while being subjected to the different vibration levels. Every batch of concrete mixed included a controlled (un-vibrated) set of cylinders and a vibrated set of cylinders. The compressive strength and the resistivity of these concrete cylinders were measured and compared to determine if there was any significant difference …

Understanding Binding-Induced Conformational Change In The Pin1 Prolyl Isomerase, Hawa Gyamfi

Theses and Dissertations

Pin1 is a Prolyl Isomerase that catalyzes cis-trans isomerization of peptides with pSer/Thr-Pro motifs in many cell signaling proteins. This conformational switch is implicated in diseases. Pin1 activity is considered a target for therapeutic applications. Pin1 targets motifs by its N-terminal WW-binding domain. A C-terminal PPIase domain is responsible for catalysis. To understand how Pin1 coordinates its enzymatic activities, it is necessary to probe how the domains behave in the presence of substrates. Here, we used novel (Histone H1 and Sic1) and other existing peptides to characterize the dynamics of Pin1 and impact of substrate binding on inter-domain interactions. Pin1- …

"Through Hazel Eyes" : Hazel Brannon Smith's Fight For Free Speech And Justice In Mississippi 1936-1985, Jeffery Brian Howell

Theses and Dissertations

Hazel Brannon Smith, a prominent white newspaper owner in Mississippi before, during, and after the civil rights era was an avowed supporter of Jim Crow segregation for the first half of her career, until pressure from the white establishment and the changing political and social milieu of the 1950s and 1960s pushed her to become an ally of the black struggle for social justice. Smith's biography reveals how many historians have miscast white liberals of this period. Smith was considered a liberal by her peers, but her actions reveal the firm limits of white liberalism in the rural South during …

Enhancing Our Understanding Of Age-0 Crappies In Northwest Mississippi Flood Control Reservoirs: A Study On Distribution And Size, Levi Joseph Kaczka

Theses and Dissertations

Crappie fisheries in northwest Mississippi flood control reservoirs are valued from social and economic standpoints. To mitigate variable recruitment rates of these recreationally valuable species, I sought to gain a better understanding of the population dynamics of these fish during their first year of life. My analyses indicate that embayment habitats in the study reservoirs display a longitudinal distribution gradient of both habitat composition and age-0 crappie abundance during late summer. Additionally, age-0 crappies inhabiting uplake floodplain areas grow to a larger size than downlake embayment-inhabiting conspecifics. The results from this study provide direction on potential management strategies to promote …

Differentiating The Characteristic Response Of The Brain After Exposure To Blunt And Blast Trauma, Mark Gregory Tejada Begonia

Theses and Dissertations

Military personnel often experience mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) from exposure to improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Soldiers typically endure blast trauma from the IED pressure wave as well as blunt trauma from ensuing head impacts. Researchers have not reached a consensus on whether the biomechanical response from blunt or blast trauma plays a more dominant role in mTBI because the specific biomechanical sources of injury are often undetermined. Consequently, the goal of this dissertation was to conduct three separate studies in order to characterize the mechanical behavior of the brain after exposure to mTBI conditions. For Study 1, mild blunt …

Differentiation Of Fungal Phytopathogens By Ft-Ir And Maldi-Tof Ms, Curtis Muldrow Atkinson

Theses and Dissertations

The use of matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-oflight mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and other analytical means of identifying and differentiating microorganisms hold much promise. These analytical tools have been extensively assessed for their ability to differentiate bacteria and fungi. Most of this research has been coordinated in medically relevant microorganisms, but the technology can work just as well with agriculturally important microorganisms. In this thesis, these technologies were reviewed and then subsequently studied for their ability to differentiate Aspergillus species (that devastate corn and other crops yearly with aflatoxin contamination), as well as Macrophomina phaseolina and Thielaviopsis …

Waterbird And Seed Abundances In Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative And Non-Managed Wetlands In Mississippi And Louisiana, Matthew Moraco Weegman

Theses and Dissertations

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) implemented the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative (MBHI) in summer 2010 to provide wetlands for waterbirds inland from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. To evaluate MBHI and associated wetland management practices, I estimated seed and waterbird densities in MBHI and non-managed wetlands in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) of Mississippi and Louisiana. Although not statistically different, wetlands enrolled in MBHI contained 1.26 and 1.53 times more seed biomass and seeds consumed by waterfowl than non-managed wetlands, respectively. I also detected 3 times more dabbling ducks and all ducks combined on MBHI wetlands. When I …

Development Of Biomass-Based Cellulose Nanowhiskers And Its Application As Catalyst Support In Converting Syngas To Biofuels, Xiaodan Shi

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this research were to develop the best methods for cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) preparation from raw biomass materials and the feasibility to perform CNWs as Fe3+ catalyst support in converting syngas to biofuels. Raw kenaf bast and switchgrass were initially pretreated with dilute NaOH followed by dilute H2SO4. High yields of alpha-cellulose were obtained. Hemicellulose, ash, and most lignin were removed during pretreatment. Preparation of CNWs after pretreatment was then conducted via H2SO4 hydrolysis. The most efficient hydrolysis condition was determined as H2SO4 concentration through orthogonal experiments. In contrast with pure cellulose fibers, CNWs supported Fe3+ catalyst applied …

Evaluation Of Quantitative Polymerase Reaction And Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds To Determine Resistance To Aspergillus Flavus In Maize, Alicia Kay Wood-Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Screening for resistance to Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination in maize is an ongoing effort by universities, state and federal agencies. We evaluated two techniques to screen for resistance; quantitative polymerase reaction (QPCR) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Methods were adapted to accurately detect and quantify the fungus in culture and in the vegetative stage of plant tissues. These assays can eliminate microbiological techniques. The primary objectives of the study were to utilize 1) QPCR to detect and quantify fungal biomass in maize stem tissues to evaluate resistance in maize genotypes to A. flavus colonization in situ and in vivo and …

A Non-Equilibrium, Pressure-Pressure Formulation For Air-Water Two-Phase Flow And Heat Transport In Porous Media, Amanda Meadows Hines

Theses and Dissertations

The detection of trace explosives in the subsurface is an active area of research for landmine detection. Understanding the air-water flow and heat transport phenomena in the subsurface plays an important role in improving chemical vapor detection. Implementing a finite element method that accurately captures water vapor transport in the vadose zone is still an open question. A non-equilibrium, pressure-pressure formulation has been implemented based on Smits, et al [22]. This implementation consists of four equations: a wetting phase (water) mass balance equation, a non-wetting phase (air) mass balance equation, a water vapor transport equation, and a heat transport equation. …

Algal Biodiesel Production Via Extractive-Transesterification Using Microwave And Ultrasound Irradiation, Edith L. Martinez-Guerra

Theses and Dissertations

This study presents the use of non-conventional methods such as microwaves and ultrasound for algal biodiesel production. Dry algae biomass (Chlorella sp.) was used as feedstock to evaluate three novel single-step extractive-transesterification methods: 1) microwave irradiation with ethanol as solvent/reactant; 2) microwave irradiation with ethanol as reactant and hexane as solvent and 3) ultrasound irradiation with ethanol as solvent/reactant, all catalyzed by sodium hydroxide catalyst. The three novel methods were compared with the conventional Bligh and Dyer method which followed a two-step extraction and transesterification process. The maximum lipid yields for microwave, microwave with hexane, ultrasound, and Bligh and Dyer …

Population-Level Genetic Structure Of Acmispon Argophyllus On The Channel Islands Of California, Gregory Lawrence Wheeler

Theses and Dissertations

The California Channel Islands present an ideal system in which to study unique biogeographical patterns seen in island systems near a mainland source, where spatial barriers are likely to limit gene flow without disrupting it completely. The islands also harbor a number of endemic taxa, suggesting that isolation from the mainland may be strong for some taxa. For this study, Acmispon argophyllus, a legume species found across five of the eight islands as well as on the mainland was used to test hypotheses at three spatial scales. Northern island populations have diverged into what potentially represents a new species; populations …

Quality Of Corn Silage Inoculated With L. Buchneri And P. Pentosaceus, Kellie Nichole Kaletsch

Theses and Dissertations

Microbial inoculants are forage additive products that contain viable bacteria and sometimes a combination of enzymes. Bacterial inoculants are used primarily for two reasons; first to gain rapid fermentation and second to decrease or inhibit spoilage. Inoculants work by shifting the fermentation of forage crops. The shift of fermentation causes preservation of nutrients, dry matter (DM) and occasionally increases animal performance. Most inoculants contain lactic acid producing bacteria to aid in shifting fermentation to lactic acid and away from acetic acid and ethanol production; however some inoculants aid in aerobic stability enhancement by production of acetic acid.. Although most inoculants …

Evaluation Of Producing Sand-Based Sod On A Fine-Textured Native Soil Using Transported Sand, John David Vanderford

Theses and Dissertations

Turfgrass establishment on sand-based rootzones is routinely accomplished by using sod produced on a fine-textured native soil. As a result, soil layering occurs, potentially causing initial reduction in water infiltration, rooting, aeration, and overall turfgrass quality. This research was aimed at determining the feasibility of applying sand over existing native soil to produce hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) sand-based sod. Factors evaluated were visual quality and scalping. Treatments were harvested and transplanted to a sand-based research green where handle-ability, tensile strength, and infiltration were also evaluated. Results indicate aerify and topdress treatments showed higher quality …

Gender Characteristics And Barriers To Community College Leadership, Joanna Mcclellan

Theses and Dissertations

Prior research has determined that there are still gender barriers that women must overcome to reach administrative positions in many employment settings. Gender barriers to leadership positions have been and continue to be a sensitive matter that must be addressed by community college administrators. This exploratory quantitative research study examined rural community college administrators’ perceptions about gender barriers and explored administrators’ perceptions about management styles based on gender. The study population included 596 community college administrators in the United States. Of those, 128 community college administrators chose to participate in this study and completed a 42-item researcher designed survey instrument …

The Murray Ledger And Times, December 14, 2013, The Murray Ledger And Times

The Murray Ledger & Times

No abstract provided.

2013 Fall Commencement, Harding University

Commencement Programs

Program for the Harding University Commencement on December 14.

Commencement Speaker: Steve W. Reeves

Integration And Mental Health Care, Rick Van Den Pol, Marilyn Zimmerman

Rural Health Workshop

No abstract provided.

Future Directions In Rural Health Care: Research Needs And Opportunities For The Arts And Sciences, Joseph Knapp M.D., Timothy Descamps Cpa, Cra, Heidi Boehm Rn, Ccrc

Rural Health Workshop

No abstract provided.

“We Found Ourselves”—Music And Identity Among The Chinese American Diaspora In Miami, Yiyu Zhang

Open Access Theses

Chinese American communities have been part of the United States since the 19th century. Presently, their high rates of immigration have made them one of this country’s fastest growing communities. However, in Miami, only 0.3% of the population are Chinese Americans. In this local setting, music serves, in the words of Su Zheng, as an important “signifier that produces complex cultural meanings.” Because traditional music forms one of the most significant aspects of music in China, it is critical to explore the extent to which Chinese American musical culture has developed and changed. This thesis discusses the function of Chinese …

Insights Into Distinct Modulation Of α7 And α7β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors By The Volatile Anesthetic, David D. Mowrey, Qiang Liu, Vasyl Bondarenko, Qiang Chen, Edom Seyoum, Yan Xu, Jie Wu, Pei Tang

Translational Neuroscience

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are targets of general anesthetics, but functional sensitivity to anesthetic inhibition varies dramatically among different subtypes of nAChRs. Potential causes underlying different functional responses to anesthetics remain elusive. Here we show that in contrast to the α7 nAChR, the α7β2 nAChR is highly susceptible to inhibition by the volatile anesthetic isoflurane in electrophysiology measurements. Isoflurane-binding sites in β2 and α7 were found at the extracellular and intracellular end of their respective transmembrane domains using NMR. Functional relevance of the identified β2 site was validated via point mutations and subsequent functional measurements. Consistent with their functional responses …

Worth Holding Onto, Julie Bogart

Booth

I get to the unemployment office at 8:15 a.m. It doesn’t open until 8:30, so those of us who’ve arrived early wait outside, eager for the security guard to unlock the doors.

First in line are three people who seem to know one another, co-workers, perhaps, who’ve all been laid off together—it’s November of 2008. Everything has crashed.

Cellular Roles Of Dna Polymerase Beta, Sreerupa Ray, Miriam-Rose Menezes, Ali Senejani, Joann Balazs Sweasy

Biology and Environmental Science Faculty Publications

Since its discovery and purification in 1971, DNA polymerase ß (Pol ߆) is one of the most well-studied DNA polymerases. Pol ß is a key enzyme in the base excision repair (BER) pathway that functions in gap filling DNA synthesis subsequent to the excision of damaged DNA bases. A major focus of our studies is on the cellular roles of Pol ß. We have shown that germline and tumor-associated variants of Pol ß catalyze aberrant BER that leads to genomic instability and cellular transformation. Our studies suggest that Pol ß is critical for the maintenance of genomic stability and that …