Digital Commons Network^™

Simulation-Based Interprofessional Education In A Rural Setting, Ann D. Scott

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a simulation-based IPE experience for pre-licensure nursing, pharmacy, and medical students on a rurally-located campus. Using a mixed-methods, explanatory sequential approach, this project: 1) examined the feasibility of implementing a simulation-based IPE experience using telehealth tools; and 2) evaluated student perceptions of inter-professional teamwork, roles and responsibilities, and patient outcomes for collaborative practice, both pre- and post-scenario.

Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS. Results revealed 94% agreed/strongly agreed the IPE experience resembled a real-life situation. 100% of nursing/medical students and 80% of the pharmacy students indicated they …

Nondestructive Evaluation And Health Monitoring Of Adhesively Bonded Composite Structures, William Walker Roth

Theses and Dissertations

As the growth of fiber reinforced composite materials continues in many industries, structural designers will have to look to new methods of joining components. In order to take full advantage of composite materials, such as increased stiffness, decreased weight, tailored material properties and increased fatigue life, mechanical fasteners will need to be replaced by adhesive bonding or welding, when possible. Mechanical fasteners require the drilling of holes, which damages the laminate and becomes the source of further fatigue damage. Also, an increase in laminate thickness or inclusion of other features is required for the material to withstand the bearing stress …

Paleodemographic And Biochemical Analysis Of Urbanization, Famine, And Mortality, Brittany S. Walter

Theses and Dissertations

Urbanization is a transitional period often associated with deteriorating population health and increased mortality, as the rapid increase of population density in urban centers facilitates the transmission of infectious diseases, unsanitary living conditions, and precarious food supplies. Research on the transition to an urban environment in the past offers a temporal depth to our understanding of the consequences of urbanization that cannot be accomplished through examination of contemporary populations. This project integrates paleodemographic (hazard analysis) and biochemical (stable isotope analysis) approaches to examine the health and diet of inhabitants in late medieval England (c. 1120-1539 CE), specifically the relationship between …

Determination Of Polarization Transfer Coefficients And Hyperon Induced Polarization For Quasi–Free Hyperon Photoproduction Off The Bound Neutron, Colin Gleason

Theses and Dissertations

The spectrum of the excited nucleon (N*) states provides key information on the relevant degrees of freedom within the nucleon. The determination of the N* spectrum requires an extensive set of high–quality experimental observables for a large number of nuclear reactions over a broad kinematic range. In particular, measurements of polarization observables of strangeness photoproduction are of high importance as many of the resonances that are predicted by quark models, but not observed in pion– nucleon channels, are expected to couple strongly to kaon–hyperon (KY) channels. While in the last decade a large body of polarization and cross–section data has …

Polymer Grafted Nanoparticles For Designed Interfaces In Polymer Nanocomposites, Mohammad Mohammadkhani

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents the design, synthesis, and characterization of polymer nanocomposite interfaces and the property enhancement from this interface design. Through the use of reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization for the grafting of polymer chains to silica nanoparticles, the surface of silica nanoparticles can be manipulated to tune the properties of nanocomposites by controlling the interface between the particles and the polymer matrix.

In the first part of this work, compatibility of 15 nm silica nanoparticles grafted with different alkyl methacrylates with linear low density polyethylene was investigated. SI-RAFT polymerization of hexyl, lauryl, and stearyl methacrylate on silica …

Maternal Physical Activity And Cardiorespiratory Fitness During Pregnancy And Its Relation To Infant Size, Samantha M. Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

Recent evidence indicates that U.S.-born infants are larger today compared to 20 years ago. A strong determinant of neonatal size is maternal body mass, where larger mothers deliver larger infants. Consistent evidence indicates that higher levels of maternal physical activity (PA) during pregnancy reduce the risk of delivering a larger infant. However, this protective effect has only been demonstrated in normal weight pregnant women. Little is known about the relationship between maternal PA and neonatal size in overweight or obese pregnant women. Moreover, no studies have examined the association between maternal cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), an indicator of habitual PA, on …

A Comprehensive Evaluation Of Hybrid Wetting Configurations On Dropwise Condensation, Karim Khazal Egab

Theses and Dissertations

The heat transfer during condensation on a surface depends on the pattern design of the surface, which can highly influence hydrophobic/hydrophilic wettability. In this study hybrid pattern designs were studied. The relationship between the droplet dynamic and the hybrid pattern design can alter the drainage rates, droplet departure frequencies, and the condensation heat transfer rates. Therefore, two series of hybrid patterned surfaces have been designed, developed, and tested during condensation of water vapor on horizontal copper tubes, and compared to complete dropwise and complete filmwise condensation samples. This is to investigate the design that provides the maximum improvement in the …

The Impact Of A Reflective Practice Series On The Awareness Level Of Six Teacher Candidates At A Public University In The Southeast, Lindsay M. Sturkie

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of a Reflective Practice Series (RPS) on the awareness level of preservice teachers enrolled in a field experience course in a teacher education program at a university in the southeast United States. This study took place during the Fall 2016 semester with six participants, two early childhood majors, two elementary majors, and two middle level majors. Data were collected through pre- and post-questionnaires, course assignments, and field observations. The results revealed that the teacher candidates were able to make connections between theory and reflective teaching, had varying viewpoints about the process of reflection, and most …

Determination And Validation Of High-Pressure Equilibrium Adsorption Isotherms Via A Volumetric System, Hind Jihad Kadhim Shabbani

Theses and Dissertations

Adsorption equilibrium isotherms for N2, CO2, and CH4 on zeolite 13X were investigated at three different temperatures (25.5, 50.5 and 75.5 ̊ C) and a pressure range of (0-6.89475) MPa for CH4 and N2 and in the range of (0-4.82633) MPa for CO2 using built in volumetric apparatus. The results were validated using with a volumetric system (ASAP) at the same temperatures and a pressure up to (160-110) KPa respectively. The experimental results were correlated using three process Langmuir (TPLM). The correlated isotherms were then used to calculate the isosteric heat of adsorption for the three gases on 13X. The …

Las Metamorfosis De Jordi Grau. Cine, Crítica Social Y Transformación Cultural En España (1962-1976), Hugo Pascual Bordón

Theses and Dissertations

This project focuses on the cultural transformation taking place in Spain in the period between 1962 and 1976, examined through the works of filmmaker Jordi Grau (Barcelona, 1930). This research invites the opportunity to assemble a cultural study that includes subjects such as national identity, realist film aesthetics, avant-garde films, and horror films. In addition, it observes some of Grau’s work in conjunction with gender studies and pop culture.

The thesis of this project is that Jordi Grau directed films encompassing different genres in a short period of time; all while assuming and adapting to the changes of his sociopolitical …

Children’S Obesogenic Behaviors During Summer Versus School, Keith Brazendale

Theses and Dissertations

Emerging evidence shows children gain 3-5 times the amount of weight and lose cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) during summer compared to the 9-months of the school year. Notably, this trend is more pronounced in children who are already overweight or obese going into summer and/or from low-income ethnic minority households. There is little evidence to investigating the underlying mechanisms driving the pronounced occurrence of these negative health outcomes during summer.

The purpose of this dissertation as a whole was to investigate children’s obesogenic behaviors (physical activity, sedentary/ screen time, sleep, and diet) during summer versus school, and compare any differences in …

Stilbenes: Therapeutic Interventions Targeting Amyloid Β Protein Aggregation In Alzheimer’S Disease, Yiying Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and accounts for 60-80 % of all dementia cases. In the United States, AD is ranked as the 6th leading cause of death and it is the only one among the top 10 that cannot be prevented, treated or even slowed. All FDA approved drugs focus on attenuating the symptoms for a limited time by regulating neurotransmitters without any intervention with the underlying disease process. A major player in the initiation and development of this debilitating disorder is the misfolding and subsequent aggregating of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide. This aggregation process …

The Nature Of Power And Corruption In Plato And J.R.R. Tolkien, Lily Howard-Hill

Theses and Dissertations

In the collected dialogues of Plato, Plato sets out his arguments on democracy, power, and free-will through Socrates’ interactions with his interlocutors. His understandings of morality and justice suggest that a good and moral person is the foundation for successful societies. In The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and other tales, Tolkien offers a different lens through which to observe philosophical and ethical concepts. Plato’s morality is centered around the organization and the structure of the soul. The soul is ruled by virtues which include justice and knowledge. Here, I present an analysis of key Platonic concepts by offering …

Framing Marijuana: A Study Of How Us Newspapers Frame Marijuana Legalization Stories And Framing Effects Of Marijuana Stories, Hwalbin Kim

Theses and Dissertations

The current study was initially designed to look at how the issue of marijuana legalization was presented in U.S. newspapers and how news frames could influence the audiences’ attitudes or behavioral intentions. To investigate these questions, two different types of research methods were employed: content analysis and experiment. Using framing theory as a theoretical framework, this study found that marijuana legalization has been largely described as a legislation issue or a law enforcement issue, and medical benefit and medical risk were most frequently mentioned attributes to support and oppose marijuana legalization. Findings indicated that news frame could influence the public’s …

Print Referencing Intervention During Shared Storybook Reading For Preschool Children With Hearing Loss, Sara Lawrence

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a print referencing book-reading intervention among children with hearing loss. Two preschool children with hearing loss who are developing listening and spoken language participated in this single subject study. The children participated individually in print referencing book-reading intervention (10 minute session once a week for 7 weeks). Assessment of children’s print knowledge skills occurred at the beginning of each session. Print referencing book-reading intervention was associated with gains in conceptual print knowledge. Further study is needed in this area.

Identifying Associations Between Religious Commitment And Preventive Health Behaviors In A Southeastern Rural County, Nathan A. Peters

Theses and Dissertations

Health disparities within the United States (US) are continuing to impact ethnic minorities living in rural areas nationwide. In response, there is growing interest in using faith-based settings as vehicles to deliver much needed disease prevention interventions. However, few studies have identified the relationship between private and public religious commitment, individually, and the behaviors or risk factors associated with chronic disease. The purpose of this study was to observe the association between religious commitment, both private (i.e., time spent trying to grow in one’s religious understanding) and public (i.e., frequency of attendance, time spent in fellowship with others) individually, and …

Statistical Mechanics Of Lipid-Liquid Crystal Systems: From Fundamentals To Sensing Applications, Donya Ohadi Kabir Maghsudlu

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the thermodynamics of small systems has a well-established history. The non-intuitive behavior of the intensive properties of small systems comprised of less than a few hundred particles has important implications in many areas of engineering and materials science. Nevertheless, many open questions about the thermophysical properties of systems not in the thermodynamic limit remain unanswered. In the first part of this work, we explore the consequences of the coupling of two small subsystems that together make up a larger isolated system through the use of statistical mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations of Lennard-Jones particles in two dimensions. The results …

Pollutant Formation In Oxy-Coal Combustion, Nujhat Choudhury

Theses and Dissertations

With the increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, researchers are driven to seek cleaner combustion techniques to burn coal for power generation. Oxy-coal combustion is a promising technique to cut down CO2 emissions. This technology requires the introduction of a pure oxygen (O2) stream and a recycled flue gas stream into the boiler instead of air. Flue gas stream generated from the system will be low in volume and highly concentrated in CO2. Thus, the capture and sequestration process will be facilitated. But, one of the concerns of adopting this technology is the altered chemistry of pollutants …

Beyond Life And Death Images Of Exceptional Women And Chinese Modernity, Wei Hu

Theses and Dissertations

The turning of the twentieth century witnessed the dramatic transformation of Chinese society. In searching for a modern nation, Chinese women, in many political and literary works, were portrayed as both the emblem of China’s problems and the crucial solution. Despite growing scholarly interest in the entanglement between Chinese nationalist and feminist discourses, much remains to be explored, especially from the perspective of how Chinese people approached their own past and tradition. My project will approach these discourses via the question of women from the non-Western perspective by exploring the images of “exceptional woman” (nü haojie 女豪傑) in literary narratives …

Multinational Foreign Affiliates In The Least Developed Countries: A Multilevel Approach, R. Scott Hibbs

Theses and Dissertations

Several studies have examined the country-level effects on multinational enterprises that go into the developing countries, including the least developed countries. Few studies have considered the firm-level effects. This study uses the multilevel modeling method as outlined by Klein and Kozlowski (2000), Raudenbush and Bryk (2002), and Bliese and Hanges (2004) to examine whether there are any systemic patterns of multinational enterprises across the least developed countries. This paper uses information on foreign affiliates in the least developed countries to examine the overall trends of multinational firms in the least developed countries. Using data from the United Nations’ most recent …

Effects Of A Mindfulness Based Intervention On Diurnal Cortisol In Cancer Survivors, Susannah Small

Theses and Dissertations

Background. There are approximately 15.5 million individuals alive today in the U.S. with a personal history of cancer. For this large and growing population, ill effects associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment include both physical and psychosocial symptoms adversely affecting quality of life. One low-risk alternative to conventional pharmaceutical use in treating these symptoms is mindfulness practice. Research on self-reported measures provides strong evidence that this type of intervention improves quality of life for cancer survivors, but evidence of impact on objective measures is limited. Cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, is one relatively easy to measure indicator that …

Assessing The Relationship Between Periodontal Disease And Subsequent Inflammatory Responses And Headache Disorders, Bryn E. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Headaches are the sixth leading cause of disability worldwide, and the third leading cause of disability amongst those aged 50 and older. Several headache disorders, including migraines, have been associated with nitric oxide production. It is widely accepted that the pain associated with headache disorders is due to the ability of nitric oxide to function as a vasodilator. While nitric oxide is a known vasodilator and has been linked to headache disorder, it is also produced in response to bacterial infections. Periodontal disease is the result of long term bacterial infections occurring in the gum line and nitric oxide is …

Comparison Of Atypical Bacteriophages That Infect Caulobacter Crescentus, Doreen Nguyen

Theses and Dissertations

Several Caulobacter bacterial genomes have been recently sequenced, and all of the genomes contained one or more clusters of genes with phage origins. This observation indicates that bacteriophages contribute to the Caulobacter gene pool, so in order to understand bacteria genomes we will need to understand phage genomes as well. As part of understanding the phage genomes, we want to isolate novel bacteriophages and study their genomics. This study resulted in the isolation of 12 new phages, including four that differ from the well-studied CbKlike phages. Two of these novel phages are Podoviruses with icosahedral heads and small tails, and …

Characterization Of Subgrade Resilient Modulus For Mepdg And The Effects On Pavement Rutting, Md Mostaqur Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

In 2008, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) released a modified pavement design method (i.e., the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG)) based on Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) data from all over the United States. The MEPDG default design parameters developed from the LTPP database are expected to be significantly different than those for South Carolina material, traffic and weather conditions, thus the default design parameters may not be accurate for South Carolina. Therefore, the new pavement design method should be calibrated for South Carolina conditions by performing MEPDG local calibration.

Different input variables should …

A Possible Mechanism For Leptin’S Role In Lung Function Independent Of Body Mass Index: Investigating Leptin’S Genotype, Dna, Methylation, And Serum Protein Levels, Mitra Yousefi

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Leptin, initially believed to simply be a satiety hormone responsible for obesity, is now recognized as a pleiotropic cytokine that is involved in many biological processes; including the body’s host inflammatory response. Clinically, leptin may affect lung function although research in this area is limited. It is also known that the leptin receptor is necessary for the activation of the leptin protein, making it an important protein to consider. Furthermore, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and DNA methylations of the leptin and leptin receptor genes (LEP and LEPR respectively) may provide important insight on the relationship that leptin has …

Adult L2 Processing And Acquisition Of The English Present Perfect, Christopher J. Farina

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the second language (L2) processing and acquisition of the English present perfect via two features: boundedness and current relevance. Boundedness indicates whether an action reaches an endpoint (Smith 1997; Verkuyl 1972); it divides the functions of the present perfect into sets that denote completed situations or ongoing/iterative ones (Bybee et al. 1994; Housen 2002). Current relevance indicates the present importance of a past situation (Siemund 2004); it differentiates the present perfect from the simple past (Bardovi-Harlig 2002). Previous research has relied on offline methods (that evaluate metalinguistic knowledge); no research in SLA has investigated the acquisition of …

Multi-Axis Multi-Material Fused Filament Fabrication With Continuous Fiber Reinforcement, Wout De Backer

Theses and Dissertations

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has become a well-recognized method of manufacturing and has steadily become more accessible as it allows designers to prototype ideas, products and structures unconceivable with subtractive manufacturing techniques for both consumer grade and industrial grade applications. Commonly used thermoplastics for 3D printing have properties that may not be sufficient to comply with the application’s certification requirements, or their performance is less than desirable for aerospace and other high performance applications. Additionally, additively manufactured parts have reduced mechanical properties in the build direction of the print, and are generally weaker than their equivalent injection-molded parts. Furthermore, Computer Aided …

Examining The Evolution Of A Teacher Induction Program In A Diverse, Urban, Southeastern School District, Karen Pack

Theses and Dissertations

Educational institutions struggle to increase student achievement. While the educational needs of students remain at the forefront, teachers’ needs must also be met—before and after entering the classroom. My experience in public education has shown most beginning teachers depend on the support a teacher induction program provides to manage the multitude of new responsibilities faced during the first year in the classroom. Induction programs are constructed and implemented within school districts in a variety of ways. This study is an in-depth analysis that identifies factors that impacted an effective teacher induction program, examines how the program changed as a result, …

Narrating Pain And Freedom: Place And Identity In Modern Syrian Poetry (1970s-1990s), Manar Shabouk

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines poetry of Daʿd Ḥadād, Sanieh Ṣālḥ, and Ryāḍ Ṣālḥ al- Ḥsīn and the dominant role of place in their poetry. My dissertation is specifically interested in nonconformist modern Syrian poetry, especially women’s poetry and poetry focused on place and space. I approach my analysis from an interdisciplinary and comparative perspective and hence will draw on theoretical frameworks from Arabic studies, poetry discourse, and theory of place. Drawing on these different critical frameworks, my research analyzes representations of modern Syrian poetry with a focus on the writing of women and the poetry of nonconformity in its expression of …

Wind Driven Shelf Circulation: Effects Of Shoreline Orientation, Bathymetry, And Surface Cooling, Xiaodong Wu

Theses and Dissertations

The dynamic region extending from the inner- to outer-shelf is the nearshore region where an accurate understanding of the development of cross-shore flows is important as they control the exchange of constituents (e.g., pollutants, larvae, heat and biota) between the coastline and the open ocean. These flows are driven by a variety of forces, including wind and buoyancy. The wind forcing relevant to shelf circulation broadly falls within the synoptic scale of storm events, consisting of frontal systems (cold and warm fronts) and tropical storms. The buoyancy on the shelf is characterized by a vertical stratification or a pronounced cross-shore …