Digital Commons Network^™

Construction And Validation Of A Holistic Education School Evaluation Tool Using Montessori Erdkinder Principles, Anthony Philip Setari

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

The purpose of this study was to construct a holistic education school evaluation tool using Montessori Erdkinder principles, and begin the validation process of examining the proposed tool. This study addresses a vital need in the holistic education community for a school evaluation tool. The tool construction process included using Erdkinder literature to justify the development of each item through the use of an item matrix, ultimately leading to the development of the 23 item formative Montessori Erdkinder School Evaluation Survey. The validation process included a series of three Rasch Rating Scale Model analyses with data from a sample school. …

One-To-One Ipad Technology In The Middle School Mathematics And Science Classrooms, Sharon G. Bixler

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education has become an emphasized component of PreK-12 education in the United States. The US is struggling to produce enough science, mathematics, and technology experts to meet its national and global needs, and the mean scores of science and mathematics students are not meeting the expected levels desired by our leaders (Hossain & Robinson, 2011). In an effort to improve achievement scores in mathematics and science, school districts must consider many components that can contribute to the development of a classroom where students are engaged and growing academically. Computer technology (CT) for student use …

The Sensemaking Experience Of Newly Appointed District Teacher Leader Coordinators: A Case Study, Jill L. Janes

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

In an effort to address diverse needs in K-12 education, policymakers have proposed initiatives to increase the leadership opportunities for classroom teachers. Although teachers have undertaken leadership roles in schools throughout history, the notion of teacher leadership spurred by policy is in the emergent stages. As educators and leaders in various roles implement teacher leadership policy, learning must ensue at both an individual and collective level to adapt schools to a new model of leadership.

This study examined how district-level teacher leader coordinators in one Iowa region came to understand their role as leaders. A case study approach illuminated the …

Implementing Kentucky’S College Readiness Agenda: An Organizational Perspective Of Policy Implementation, Todd Baldwin

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

Nearly two-thirds of undergraduate college students within the United States fail to graduate within six years because they are unprepared for postsecondary education. Thus, many states have embarked on policy reform movements centered on college and career readiness for all high school graduates. This study focused on Kentucky’s efforts to implement four key initiatives—accelerated learning, secondary interventions, college and career readiness advising, and persistence to graduation—resulting from sweeping reform policies enacted in 2009 by the Kentucky General Assembly. The study considers policy implementation from an organizational perspective and explores the structural characteristics associated with effective policy implementation at the school …

Evaluating Role Of Interactive Visualization Tool In Improving Students’ Conceptual Understanding Of Chemical Equilibrium, Bharath Sampath Kumar

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of partnering visualization tool such as simulation towards development of student’s concrete conceptual understanding of chemical equilibrium. Students find chemistry concepts abstract, especially at the microscopic level. Chemical equilibrium is one such topic. While research studies have explored effectiveness of low tech instructional strategies such as analogies, jigsaw, co-operative learning, and using modeling blocks, fewer studies have explored the use of visualization tool such as simulations in the context of dynamic chemical equilibrium. Research studies have identified key reasons behind misconceptions such as lack of systematic understanding of foundational chemistry …

Technology In A Gifted And Talented Math Classroom: How It Impacts Students' Problem Solving And Mathematical Learning, Brandon H. French

Theses and Dissertations--Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education

Technology has advanced greatly over the past few decades and the surge in the industry has impacted the workplace. As a result, K-12 education has worked to integrate 21^st century skills into curriculum. Many times this is through STEM classes. This study examined the impact technology had on gifted and talented students’ achievement and creative construction. During a unit on Transformations, a control group received traditional instruction, while an experimental group received traditional instruction with an added technology component. A pre and posttest were given to both groups to measure student success with the geometry content. Results indicated that …

Searching For Answers When Girls Don't Perform Well: Evaluating Classroom Discourse And Microculture In A Sixth Grade Science Classroom, Lauren E. Schwartz

Theses and Dissertations--Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education

This action research project examines the role classroom culture and discourse can play on student learning, with a focus on female students. A sixth grade science classroom was evaluated through analysis of two videotaped astronomy lessons. The classroom environment utilized qualitative methods to examine teacher and student interactions, student and student interactions, and classroom environment. The research project began in response to a previous research project which found that after completing an astronomy unit male students not only out preformed female students, but female students lost gains in several area. Findings suggested that there may be a connection between the …

What’S In A Gene: Undergraduates’ Ideas And Misconceptions About Gene Function, Justin M. Levaughn

Theses and Dissertations--Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education

The purpose of this study was to field test a two-tiered instrument including multiple-choice and short answer tasks to assess college students’ ideas and level of understanding in genetics. The instrument was constructed from previously tested assessment tasks and findings from the current research literature. Ninety-seven freshmen enrolled in a biology lab course were surveyed. Test validity and reliability were measured using Chronbach coefficients. Multiple-choice and short answer responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics to identify frequencies of answer selections. Written responses were independently evaluated using a five-point scoring rubric by three researchers to identify common misconceptions revealed in students’ …

Student Authored Digital Games As Authentic Learning: Using The Can You Create A Game Challenge In Elementary Classrooms, Mary Leanna Prater

Theses and Dissertations--Curriculum and Instruction

This embedded single-case study examined an elementary classroom implementation of a digital game authoring challenge aligned with state mandated content standards. Teachers used the game challenge over four 50 minute class periods during a three month period of time. A total of twenty five (n=25) 4th grade students, nine (n=9) 5th grade students and three (n=3) STEM teachers participated in the study.

The central research question for this study is: How do elementary teachers use a game challenge specifically aligned with Common Core/Next Generation Science (NGSS) state standards for instruction? Qualitative data, drawn from participating teacher interviews, classroom observations, student …

Examination Of Resistance Settings Based On Body Weight For The 3-Minute All-Out Critical Power Test, Marlene Schulte

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

This study examined whether the critical power (CP) and anaerobic work capacity (AWC) estimates from the CP 3-min all-out (CP_3min) test were affected by the percentage of body weight used to set the resistance on a Monark cycle ergometer. Twenty-one subjects (11 women and 10 men) were placed into one of three groups (n=7) based on activity level; recreationally trained (REC), aerobic and anaerobic sport (SPORT), and endurance trained (END). The CP_3min test was conducted at 4.5% of body weight (CP_4.5%) and at a resistance setting based on group activity level (CP_ACT; REC …

Lifestyle Contributors To Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Adam J. Berrones

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Aortic stiffness is an independent risk factor that has prognostic value regarding future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events such as myocardial infarction, strokes, and heart failure. Although death rates due to coronary heart disease have declined in recent years, the leading global killer remains CVD and prevalence is still high. Understanding lifestyle contributors associated with aortic stiffness would provide the public with insight into targeting key health-related behaviors.

The purpose of this observational study was to examine the association of physical activity, physical function, and dietary quality as independent factors contributing to aortic stiffness in apparently healthy middle aged men. Fifty-two …

A Non-Exercise Based Estimation Of The Critical Running Velocity And Anaerobic Running Capacity In Competitive Runners, Jonathan R. Switalla

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

This study examined: 1) if estimated performance times (ET_com) at four different distances can be used to accurately define the parameters of the critical velocity (CV) test [CV and anaerobic running capacity (ARC)]; and 2) if those parameters can be used to predict time to completion (PT_com) of distances performed at velocities greater than CV. Twelve subjects provided an ET_com for maximal-effort runs at 400m, 800m, 1600m, and 3200m. The CV and ARC were derived from the total distance (TD) versus ET_com relationship. The equation: PT_com = ARC / (velocity-CV) was used to …

3d Hydrodynamic Model Development And Verification, Hussein A. M. Al-Zubaidi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Master's Project Reports

A three-dimensional numerical model was developed to simulate hydrodynamic, temperature, and water quality distributions in rivers and lakes. In an attempt to get rid of the extra approximation and complexity, no coordinate transformation has been done and z-coordinate system has been employed. The governing equations are the continuity equation, free surface equation, momentum equations, and conservation equations of temperature and water quality. The model employs the time splitting technique which allows splitting the directions in which we end with two-dimensional governing equations and eventually the solution ends with a tri-diagonal matrix, which is easily solved by Thomas algorithm. The first …

Structural Design Issues Of "Hexapod" Foundations For Wind Turbine Towers, Chad A. Norvell

Civil and Environmental Engineering Master's Project Reports

The current practice for wind turbine foundations is to use massive cast-in-place concrete spread footings or complex pile-supported foundations. Wind turbine generator components and the towers that support them are pre-fabricated and assembled on site, leaving the foundation as the only component of the wind turbine system requiring major in situ construction. The new "hexapod" foundation concept is fully pre-fabricated, uses a fraction of the quantity of concrete used in conventional foundations, and may be dismantled and re-used elsewhere. The wind turbine tower is attached to a steel or concrete hub which is attached to six radial, precast, post-tensioned concrete …

A Study On The Current State Of Contaminants Of Concern Research, With A Focus On Biosolids And Regulations, Maren Mariah Fulton

Civil and Environmental Engineering Master's Project Reports

Wastewater treatment plants are a major source of contaminants of emerging concern, as these facilities are the main receptors of these products via household, commercial, and industrial drains, and transport via stormwater runoff. Biosolids are composed of numerous constituents, with a number of environmentally persistent and potentially toxic contaminants of emerging concern identified as present in large concentrations. Research is needed to understand the transport and fate mechanisms of these compounds in biosolids. Additionally, this research is needed to determine a new priority framework to regulate CECs, both on the national level and regional levels. Wastewater treatment plant influent and …

Method Of The Riemann-Hilbert Problem For The Solution Of The Helmholtz Equation In A Semi-Infinite Strip, Ashar Ghulam

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation, a new method is developed to study BVPs of the modified Helmholtz and Helmholtz equations in a semi-infinite strip subject to the Poincare type, impedance and higher order boundary conditions. The main machinery used here is the theory of Riemann Hilbert problems, the residue theory of complex variables and the theory of integral transforms. A special kind of interconnected Laplace transforms are introduced whose parameters are related through branch of a multi-valued function. In the chapter 1 a brief review of the unified transform method used to solve BVPs of linear and non-linear integrable PDEs in convex …

A Conditioned Gaussian-Poisson Model For Default Phenomena, Tyler Brannan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

We introduce a new model to study the behavior of a portfolio of defaultable assets. We refer to this model as the Gaussian-Poisson model. It builds upon one-factor Gaussian copula models and Poisson models (specifically Cox processes). Our model utilizes a random variable Y along with probability measures ℙ^• and ℙ^†. The measures ℙ^• and ℙ^† will act as market pricing measures and are obtained via conditioning. The random variable Y will act as a default descriptor.

We provide the distribution of Y under both ℙ^• and ℙ^†. We use a conditional …

Black Girl Magic: How Black Women Administrators Navigate The Intersection Of Race And Gender In Workspace Silos At Predominantly White Institutions, Allison Michelle Smith

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In choosing to look at the impact of white racially homogeneous work environments, if any, in relation to Black women higher education administrators, this research was grounded in Patricia Hill Collins’ Black Feminist Thought. Utilizing Black Feminist Thought, rooted in intersectionality, provided a sturdy foundation for one interested in conducting research specific to Black women, whether the discourse is race, gender, and/or any other intersecting identities. Black Feminist Thought conveys the message that Black women have similar yet different experiences from White women and similar yet different experiences from Black men, while simultaneously having shared yet different experiences than other …

Effects Of Weather Hazards On Traffic Volume: A Case Study Focused On Atlanta, Ga, Thana-On Punkasem

LSU Master's Theses

Severe weather events can have a significant impact on transportation networks. Many previous studies tried to analyze and explore the tremendous impact of extreme weather events on traffic behavior, speed, travel time and capacity. The purpose of this research was to analyze and discuss the impact of precipitation, temperature, visibility and wind speed on hourly weekday traffic flow volume in Atlanta, Georgia. This study focused on investigating which weather variables affect traffic volume, developing a machine learning based predictive technique to derive weather-traffic volume decision rules, and building a decision support tool. The correlation between extreme weather events and traffic …

Contemporary Organic Transformations Enabled By Novel Cationic Processes, Caitlan Elizabeth Ayala

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the development of synthetic methodologies in organic synthesis in two different areas. Chapter 1 discusses the more recent examples of transforming alcohols to their corresponding alkyl chlorides. The first area of our group’s research interest is the development of a mild chlorination method from unactivated alcohols, detailed in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 provides an insight into the history of oxyallyl cations, the basis of the second methodology development project in our laboratory. This chapter focuses on the traditional reactions that utilize these reactive intermediates, and it also showcases the concept of direct nucleophilic addition and the …

Peptidomimetic Polymers: Advances In Monomer Design And Polymerization Methods, Brandon Andrew Chan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This work is focused on the design, synthesis and characterization of polypeptide and polypeptoid polymers. The former are composed of amino acid repeat units and possess intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions allowing for the self-assembly into well-defined secondary structures (e.g. α-helix). Polypeptoids are based on N-alkyl substituted glycine and lack intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, resulting in enhanced proteolytic stability and thermal processability. Physicochemical properties of polypeptoids are strongly dependent on the side chain structures, allow for control of the solubility, crystallinity, and conformation of the polymers. Well-defined polypeptides and polypeptoids are synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of their corresponding N-carboxyanhydride …

Circumstellar Dust Shells: Clues To The Evolution Of R Coronae Borealis Stars, Edward Joseph Montiel

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The existence of extended, cold dust envelopes surrounding R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars has been known about for over 30 years. RCB stars are an exotic group of extremely hydrogen-deficient, carbon-rich supergiants that are known for their spectacular declines in brightness (up to 8 mags) at irregular intervals. There are three possible origins of these envelopes: (1) they are fossil planetary nebulae (PNe), indicating that RCB stars formed via a final Helium-shell flash; (2) they are the remnant material from the merger of a CO and a He white dwarf binary, (3) they have been constructed from dust ejection events …

Study Of Condensed Matter Systems With Monte Carlo Simulation On Heterogeneous Computing Systems, Sheng Feng

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

We study the Edwards-Anderson model on a simple cubic lattice with a finite constant external field. We employ an indicator composed of a ratio of susceptibilities at finite momenta, which was recently proposed to avoid the difficulties of a zero momentum quantity, for capturing the spin glass phase transition. Unfortunately, this new indicator is fairly noisy, so a large pool of samples at low temperature and small external field are needed to generate results with a sufficiently small statistical error for analysis. We thus implement the Monte Carlo method using graphics processing units to drastically speed up the simulation. We …

A Direct Study Of 20ne(Alpha,P)23na With The Helical Orbit Spectrometer (Helios), Jianping Lai

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Type Ia Supernovae are thermonuclear explosions that occur on CO white dwarfs in binary systems, completely disrupting the system. While the exact progenitor of these events is unclear, there have been several studies exploring the nucleosynthesis that drives these stellar explosions. These studies have shown that a handful of reactions have a significant effect on Type Ia Supernova nucleosynthesis, specifically 12C(alpha, gamma), 12C+12C, 20Ne(alpha, p), 20Ne(alpha, gamma), and 30Si(p, gamma). While the 20Ne(alpha,p)23Na reaction has been shown to be one of the five most influential reactions, it has not been directly been measured at astrophysically relevant energies. We performed direct …

Modelling Hydraulic Fracturing Propagation In Heterogeneous Reservoirs Using Cohesive Zone Methods, Miguel Alejandro Gonzalez-Chavez

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The recent success in exploiting low permeability shale reservoirs has heavily relied on hydraulic fracturing to produce hydrocarbons economically in disadvantaged reservoir conditions. Although horizontal drilling significantly increases the contact area between the wellbore and the reservoir, the objective of hydraulic fracturing is set on creating further expanded conductive flow paths into the reservoir. This research uses cohesive zone method to numerically simulate hydraulic fracture propagation in the presence of natural fractures in two- and three-dimensional model. The Cohesive element approach limits fracture propagation to some predefined paths. However, in highly fractured formations since hydraulic fractures are growing through a …

Dynamic Resonant Scattering Of Near-Monochromatic Fields, Gayan Shanaka Abeynanda

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Certain universal features of photonic resonant scattering systems are encapsulated in a simple model which is a resonant modification of the famous Lamb Model for free vibrations of a nucleus in an extended medium. We analyze this "resonant Lamb model" to garner information on dynamic resonant scattering of near-monochromatic fields when an extended system is weakly coupled to a resonator. The transmitted field in a resonant scattering process consists of two distinct pathways: an initial pulse (direct transmission) and a tail of slow decay (resonant transmission). The resonant Lamb model incorporates a two-part scatterer attached to an infinite string with …

Synthetic Efforts Towards The Synthesis Of Prostaglandin Pgf2a, Amy Marie Pollard

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation describes strategies for synthesizing prostaglandin PGF2α. Our synthetic design creates the stereochemistry needed for the core and side chains of the target prostaglandin PGF2 alpha and PGF2 alpha synthase selective analogues while incorporating iodocyclization desymmetrization of acyclic dienes. A model system for 4-(iodomethyl)-6-methyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one was developed and synthesized for our target compound 4-(2-(benzyloxy)ethyl)-6-(iodomethyl)-5-vinyl-1,3-dioxan-2-one. Both compounds were successfully synthesized providing useful stereocenters for completing the synthesis of prostaglandin PGF2 alpha. Efforts toward total stereochemical control of PGF2α include the partial syntheses of bis-diethylanimedimethylsilane and of (4S,5S)-2-((1E,3E)-penta-1,3-dien-1-yl)-4,5-diphenyl-1,3-ditosyl-1,3,2-diazaborolidine.

On The Degradation Of Lubricating Grease, Asghar Rezasoltani

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A comprehensive literature review on physical and chemical degradation monitoring and life estimation models for lubricating greases is presented in chapter one. Degradation mechanisms for lubricating grease are categorized and described, and an extensive survey of the available empirical and analytical grease life estimation models including degradation monitoring standards and methods are presented. In chapter two, irreversible thermodynamic theory is employed to study the mechanical degradation of lubricating grease. A correlation between the mechanical degradation and entropy generation is established and the results are verified experimentally using a rheometer, a journal bearing test rig, and a modified grease worker machine. …

Direct Measurements Of Nuclear Reactions In Hot Stellar Environments, Kevin Thomas Macon

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Understanding the origins of intermediate mass nuclei requires accurate knowledge of nuclear reaction rates. This thesis addresses two projects targeting measurements of nuclear cross sections relevant in hot astrophysical environments. Direct measurements of neutron capture on ⁶⁷Zn and ⁶⁸Zn were performed using the Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (DANCE) at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). A new ⁶⁸Zn(n,&gamma) cross section in the neutron energy range from 150 eV to 850 keV and Maxwellian-Averaged Cross Sections from 20 keV-100 keV are presented along with the details of the analysis. These reaction rates are important for …

The Effects Of Carbon Nanotubes On Cells In A Synthetic Oxygen Carrier Enriched Alginate Scaffold, Joshua Paul Tate

LSU Master's Theses

Abstract Huge progress has been made in the development of three dimensionally printed tissue structures. With the use of cells, three dimensional printers, and CAD drawing software, donor identical structures can be fabricated. However, cell scaffolds currently lack significant mechanical integrity which can result in reduced cellular survival, attachment, and nutrient delivery. For this reason, multiple strategies have been developed to increase and improve mechanical stability within engineered constructs without having to sacrifice cell viability. The hypothesis of this paper was that incorporating Perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA), a greenhouse gas, with single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), a allotrope of carbon with a …