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2018

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Social Inequality In The Early Bronze Age At Bab Edh-Dhra, Jordan, Natalie Patience Dec 2018

Social Inequality In The Early Bronze Age At Bab Edh-Dhra, Jordan, Natalie Patience

Theses and Dissertations

Bab edh-Dhra is the most extensively excavated cemetery from Early Bronze Age, Jordan. Despite thorough study, the social structure and existence of social inequality remain unclear. This was addressed using osteological evidence of physiological stress to compare between family tombs. In societies exhibiting social inequality, individuals of lower status experience higher levels of stress. Evidence of physiological stress (femoral length, LEH, metabolic disorders, periosteal reactions, cribra orbitalia, and porotic hyperostosis) was recorded using standard methods for 250 adults. The artifact counts in this study have been previously published. Differences in the frequency of stress indicators were compared using chi-square tests. …

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Soil Moisture Stress Effects On Soybean Vegetative, Physiological, And Reproductive Growth And Post-Harvest Seed Physiology, Quality, And Chemical Composition, Godakande Chathurika Wijewardana Dec 2018

Soil Moisture Stress Effects On Soybean Vegetative, Physiological, And Reproductive Growth And Post-Harvest Seed Physiology, Quality, And Chemical Composition, Godakande Chathurika Wijewardana

Theses and Dissertations

With the increasing scarcity of water resources, soil moisture stress is the single most threat to global soybean production causing extensive yield losses. The objectives of this study were to investigate soil moisture stress effects on all aspects of soybean growth and development processes and to develop functional algorithms that could be used for field management decisions and in soybean crop modeling. To fulfill these objectives, six experiments were conducted; one in vitro osmotic stress study on seed germination, four studies by imposing five soil moisture treatments, 100, 80, 60, 40, and 20% of daily evapotranspiration of the control at …

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Polyploidy Hybrids From Wide Crosses Between Hordeum Vulgare And H. Bulbosum For Improving Salinity Tolerance Using Embryo Rescue, Abdullah Hassn Mohammed Dec 2018

Polyploidy Hybrids From Wide Crosses Between Hordeum Vulgare And H. Bulbosum For Improving Salinity Tolerance Using Embryo Rescue, Abdullah Hassn Mohammed

Theses and Dissertations

Salinity is a critical challenge facing productivity of crops around the world, causing major reduction in growth, yield, and quality. It is necessary to produce varieties with the ability to tolerate salinity. However, the lack of genetic variation among H. vulgare genotypes prevents progress in developing salt tolerant varieties. H. bulbosum is a source of tolerance to stress conditions. Consequently, five accessions of domestic barley and six of wild barley were used in this study. Accessions were screened for salinity tolerance. Genotypes 7, 9, and 10 germinated at 2% NaCl. Lines of H. vulgare showed reduction of root and shoot …

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Prediction Of Energy Expenditure From Accelerometers During Physical Activity In Adults With Down Syndrome: The Effect Of Accelerometer Placement, Anthony T. Allred Dec 2018

Prediction Of Energy Expenditure From Accelerometers During Physical Activity In Adults With Down Syndrome: The Effect Of Accelerometer Placement, Anthony T. Allred

Theses and Dissertations

There is a need to examine the difference in the relationship between oxygen uptake (VO2) and output from hip- and wrist-worn accelerometers in adults with Down syndrome (DS). The purpose of this study is to identify if that relationship is different between adults with and without DS. Hip- and wrist-worn accelerometer accuracy was also assessed. The sample included 16 adults with DS (10 men; age 31±15 years) and 19 adults without DS (10 men; age 24±6 years). We measured VO2 with a portable spirometer and accelerometer output (Vector Magnitude [VM]) with a hip- and a wrist-worn accelerometer. VM and group …

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Development Of A Nanofluid Simulation Platform, Jabrane Nachit Dec 2018

Development Of A Nanofluid Simulation Platform, Jabrane Nachit

Theses and Dissertations

Nanoluids are colloidal solutions made up of particles of the nanometric scale suspended in a fluid. This type of solution has widespread great interest since the discovery of their particular properties. The Poisson-Nernst Planck system of equations (PNP) is one of the known models for the description of ion transport. This thesis aims to develop a method to solve the PNP equations in space and time for these nanoluids. Additionally, a simulation platform (C++) is developed using an iterative scheme to solve the nonlinear equations resulting from the discretization of the system. After an overview of the literature on the …

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Computational Analysis Of Map3k Kinases Across Plant Genomes And Functional Characterization Of A Subset Of Map3ks In Nematode Resistance, Nobert Tamas Bokros Dec 2018

Computational Analysis Of Map3k Kinases Across Plant Genomes And Functional Characterization Of A Subset Of Map3ks In Nematode Resistance, Nobert Tamas Bokros

Theses and Dissertations

Plant MAP3Ks have expanded significantly compared to their metazoan counterparts. A new, sequential workflow combining multispecies ortholog clustering and newly built, family-specific HMMs is used to identify the MAP3K gene family within seven plant species, allowing for a refinement of previously proposed gene family cladding and the novel identification of the MAP3K gene families in the allotetraploid cotton Gossypium hirsutum and newly sequenced monocot seagrass Zostera marina. The MAP3K gene family architecture is further refined and validated using bioinformatics analyses before the recently characterized Arabidopsis Raf-like MAP3K ILK1 is identified and characterized in upland cotton. Transient gene silencing reveals an …

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An Experimental Method For Testing Materials At The Intermediate Strain Rate With Closed Loop Control, Cory N. Krivanec Dec 2018

An Experimental Method For Testing Materials At The Intermediate Strain Rate With Closed Loop Control, Cory N. Krivanec

Theses and Dissertations

Quasi static and intermediate strain rate (5 s-1 and 500 s-1) tests are conducted on various aluminum and steel ASTM E8 subsize tensile specimens to validate a newly developed testing method which combines a previously developed serpentine bar for load monitoring and a newly described high-speed actuator. This new actuator is controlled by a semi-passive piezoelectrically actuated brake system mounted to a standard actuator, which allows for the actuator to produce high loads and quick response times (≈100 µs). Limitations of this experimental method are that tests must be monotonic (tension or compression but not cyclic loading) and strain rate …

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Beta Diversity Provides Evidence Of Niche Based Assembly In Temperate Forest Understory Assemblages Of Mississippi, David Steven Mason Dec 2018

Beta Diversity Provides Evidence Of Niche Based Assembly In Temperate Forest Understory Assemblages Of Mississippi, David Steven Mason

Theses and Dissertations

Assembly is a process that shapes the abundance and identity of species in a community. Niche and neutral theory explain assembly processes with mechanisms driven by either species differences, or functional equivalence and stochastic dispersal. In 2017 I sampled vegetation and environmental variables at 59 sites in the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge and Tombigbee National Forest of Mississippi to explore forest understory community assembly. I developed and assessed a framework of predictions concerning general patterns and underlying mechanism. Evidence of dispersal limitation and functional equivalence were expected under neutral theory. Local environmental characteristics, surrounding landscape variables, and fire were significant …

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Application Of Hydrocolloid And Propylene Glycol Infused Nets And Coatings On Cave Aged Cheddar Chees And Their Impact On Tyrophagus Putrescentiae Growth And Sensory Properties, Kavitha Rama Krishnan Dec 2018

Application Of Hydrocolloid And Propylene Glycol Infused Nets And Coatings On Cave Aged Cheddar Chees And Their Impact On Tyrophagus Putrescentiae Growth And Sensory Properties, Kavitha Rama Krishnan

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of using food grade coatings and nettings formulated with xanthan gum and propylene glycol (PG) or carrageenan (CG), propylene glycol alginate and PG on aged Cheddar cheese to control Tyrophagus putrescentiae growth at temperatures of 10°C, 15°C, and 20°C and relative humidity’s of 75% and 85%. Cheddar cheese cubes with treated nets and coatings inhibited mite growth at all temperature and relative humidity combinations. Control cheese cubes either without coatings or in untreated nets had fewer mites (P<0.05) at 10°C than at 15°C or 20°C. The sensory properties of the cheese were not affected by the coatings and nettings at 10°C and 75 % RH. However, all other temperature and RH combinations with the exception of the CG netting at 15°C at 75 % and 85 % RH caused sensory flavor differences (P<0.05).

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Transcriptomic Analysis Of Early B-Cell Development In The Chicken Embryo, Nikhil Krishna Nuthalapati Dec 2018

Transcriptomic Analysis Of Early B-Cell Development In The Chicken Embryo, Nikhil Krishna Nuthalapati

Theses and Dissertations

The chicken bursa of Fabricius is a primary lymphoid tissue important for B-cell development. Our long-term goal is to understand the role of bursal microenvironment in an early B-cell differentiation event initiating repertoire development through immunoglobulin gene-conversion in the chick embryo. We hypothesize that early bursal B-cell differentiation is guided by signals through cytokine receptors. Our theory is based on previous evidence for expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase superfamily members and interleukin receptors in unseparated populations of bursal B-cells and bursal tissue. Knowledge of the expressed genes that are responsible for B-cell differentiation is a prerequisite for understanding the …

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Using Geospatial Techniques To Assess Responses Of Black Bear Populations To Anthropogenically Modified Landscapes: Conflict & Recolonization, Jamie Elizabeth Mcfadden Dec 2018

Using Geospatial Techniques To Assess Responses Of Black Bear Populations To Anthropogenically Modified Landscapes: Conflict & Recolonization, Jamie Elizabeth Mcfadden

Theses and Dissertations

The convergence of three young scientific disciplines (ecology, geospatial sciences, and remote sensing) has generated unique advancements in wildlife research by connecting ecological data with remote sensing data through the application of geospatial techniques. Ecological datasets may contain spatial and sampling biases. By using geospatial techniques, datasets may be useful in revealing landscape scale (e.g., statewide) trends for wildlife populations, such as population recovery and human-wildlife interactions. Specifically, black bear populations across North America vary greatly in their degree of distribution stability. The black bear population in Michigan may be considered stable or secure, whereas the population in Missouri is …

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Using The Unified Theory Of Acceptance And Use Technology To Determine Factors That Affect The Acceptance And Use Of Social Media To Advertise And Promote Agriproducts In Farmer' Communities In North Mississippi, Carlos Alberto Moreno-Ortiz Dec 2018

Using The Unified Theory Of Acceptance And Use Technology To Determine Factors That Affect The Acceptance And Use Of Social Media To Advertise And Promote Agriproducts In Farmer' Communities In North Mississippi, Carlos Alberto Moreno-Ortiz

Theses and Dissertations

The present empirical study examined factors that affect the acceptance and use of social media platforms by farmers and vendors in farmers’ communities in North Mississippi for marketing their small farm businesses. Based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), structural equations modeling was used to examine several relationships: (1) the influence of performance expectancy (PE) on behavioral intention (BI) to use social media; (2) the influence of effort expectancy (EE) on BI; (3) the influence of social influence (SI) on BI; (4) the influence of facilitating conditions (FC) on actual use (USE) of social media; …

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Subsurface Framework And Fault Timing In The Missourian Granite Wash Interval, Stiles Ranch And Mills Ranch Fields, Wheeler County, Texas, Brendan Michael Lomago Dec 2018

Subsurface Framework And Fault Timing In The Missourian Granite Wash Interval, Stiles Ranch And Mills Ranch Fields, Wheeler County, Texas, Brendan Michael Lomago

Theses and Dissertations

The recent and rapid growth of horizontal drilling in the Anadarko basin necessitates newer studies to characterize reservoir and source rock quality in the region. Most oil production in the basin comes from the Granite Wash reservoirs, which are composed of stacked tight sandstones and conglomerates that range from Virgillian (305-299 Ma) to Atokan (311-309.4 Ma) in age. By utilizing geophysical well logging data available in raster format, the Granite Wash reservoirs and their respective marine flooding surfaces were stratigraphically mapped across the regional fault systems. Additionally, well log trends were calibrated with coincident core data to minimize uncertainty regarding …

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Tailoring Math Curricula For Community Colleges: A Process Approach, Ira Lindsay Mcfarland Kinard Dec 2018

Tailoring Math Curricula For Community Colleges: A Process Approach, Ira Lindsay Mcfarland Kinard

Theses and Dissertations

Community college instructors continue to search for effective instructional methods that promote student success in developmental mathematics courses such as intermediate algebra. According to research, mathematics is a major obstacle for students succeeding, persisting, and completing community college programs. Each student enrolled in intermediate algebra has an ACT sub-score of 16 to 18 or an ACCUPLACER sub-score of 57 to 75. Most community colleges in Mississippi use placement testing to determine the strengths and needs of students. However, students approach math with high anxiety, more than any other areas, which interferes with their learning. Research indicates that to improve students’ …

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Temperature Effects On Soybean Vegetative, Physiological, Reproductive Growth And Development, And Seed Yield And Quality, Firas Ahmed Alsajri Dec 2018

Temperature Effects On Soybean Vegetative, Physiological, Reproductive Growth And Development, And Seed Yield And Quality, Firas Ahmed Alsajri

Theses and Dissertations

Temperature is a major factor affecting plant growth and development at all stages. The objectives of this study were to investigate the temperature effects on all aspects of soybean growth and development. Five experiments were conducted at a wide range of temperatures under optimum water and nutrient conditions at specific growth stages. Two cultivars, Asgrow AG5332 (AG) and Progeny P5333RY (PR) from MG V with different growth habits, were used. All studies except the seed germination were conducted in sunlit plant growth chambers under optimum water and nutrient conditions. The seed germination experiment was conducted in a temperature-controlled incubator. Germination …

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Temporary Trade Barriers Investigation And Duty Imposition In The Forest Products Industry, Xufang Zhang Dec 2018

Temporary Trade Barriers Investigation And Duty Imposition In The Forest Products Industry, Xufang Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

With accelerating globalization, many industries have faced continuous pressure from rising importation. In the forest products industry, international trade has been intervened by either a tariff on roundwood or a temporary trade barrier on wood and paper products. In this dissertation, three studies are conducted to examine the patterns and impacts of these tariffs and trade barriers. In the first study, the adoption of antidumping and countervailing duty as a temporary trade barrier on forest products trade is examined. Initially, a two-step sample selection model is employed to identify determinants of trade barrier imposition by all the countries, and additionally, …

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Improving Dropout Rates In Mississippi Schools: A Case Study Examining Effective Dropout Prevention Programs In Mississippi High Schools, Shevonda Williams Truman Dec 2018

Improving Dropout Rates In Mississippi Schools: A Case Study Examining Effective Dropout Prevention Programs In Mississippi High Schools, Shevonda Williams Truman

Theses and Dissertations

The dropout rate for many Mississippi high schools has improved tremendously over the last decade. In 2017, the Mississippi Department of Education reported that the dropout rate for the State declined form 13.9% to 10%. This rate was only 4% higher than the national average. However, with all the research that pertains to student dropouts and the success many states are seeing, there are still school districts failing to show improvement. Many high schools have dropout rates in excess of 20%. This study explored the perceptions of district high school principals, counselors, and other administrators working in schools with students …

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Individual Differences In Creative Cognition, Sarah K. Craig Dec 2018

Individual Differences In Creative Cognition, Sarah K. Craig

Theses and Dissertations

Creativity is increasing in value worldwide, but the processes underlying various creative abilities remain ambiguous. The most frequently used assessments of creativity (i.e., divergent thinking tasks; creative problem-solving tasks) differ in surface features and are also rarely examined together. These inconsistencies, in addition to mixed findings in the literature, have caused considerable debate among creativity researchers concerning the particular roles of independent or dual processes that lead to success on different creativity tests. The present study expounded upon these mixed findings using a factor analytic method. The results indicated that individual differences in working memory and fluency ability impact performance …

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Influence Of Winter Annual Cover Crops And Insect Management Strategies On Insect Pests Of Mississippi Soybean, Daniel Adam Whalen Dec 2018

Influence Of Winter Annual Cover Crops And Insect Management Strategies On Insect Pests Of Mississippi Soybean, Daniel Adam Whalen

Theses and Dissertations

An increasing cultural practice in soybean, Glycine max (L.), production is the use of winter annual cover crops before planting. Species of grasses, legumes, and forbs are planted for many agronomic purposes during the fall months. In the spring, cover crops are killed and soybean planted into the residue. When the termination of the cover crops is delayed for longer lasting benefits, insect pest issues can arise. The movement of insect pests from cover crops to subsequent cash crops happens through a connection known as the “Green Bridge”. Pests found in cover crops such as the pea leaf weevil, Sitona …

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Interaction Energies And Electronic Spectra Of Fluorene-Receptors Molecules For Carbon Dioxide Detection, Mawuli Deegbey Dec 2018

Interaction Energies And Electronic Spectra Of Fluorene-Receptors Molecules For Carbon Dioxide Detection, Mawuli Deegbey

Theses and Dissertations

The world’s oceans absorb a significant percentage of anthropogenic carbon emissions, and CO2 levels have profound effects on the marine environment. Of primary concern is the acidification of the oceans due to dissolved CO2. The goal of this research is to design new sensing technologies for deployment in the marine environment to detect CO2 pollutant. A series of carbon dioxide (CO2) receptors that are complexed to fluorene oligomers were studied computationally. In chapter 1, an overview of CO2 chemistry and various CO2 sensors is discussed. A short overview of the method (Kohn-Sham density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory …

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Investigating Ethical Dilemmas And Ethical Decision Making In The Field Of School Psychology Using The Multidimensional Scale For Ethics In School Psychology, Umbreen Iqbal Dec 2018

Investigating Ethical Dilemmas And Ethical Decision Making In The Field Of School Psychology Using The Multidimensional Scale For Ethics In School Psychology, Umbreen Iqbal

Theses and Dissertations

Ethical standards and principals are one of the most significant part of any professional field. Being an applied practice field, the application of ethical codes and conduct is a critical component for school psychologists. There have been numerous research studies on ethical decision making and ethical dilemmas in many applied fields to help update the ethics principles and codes, same is the case for the field of School Psychology (APA, 2017; NASP, 2010). The purpose of this study was to examine school psychologists’ professional characteristics with regards to managing critical incidents that pose potential ethical violations. An additional purpose was …

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Making A Decision To Retreat, Relate, Or Retaliate: An Examination Of Theoretical Predictors Of Behavioral Responses To Bullying In A High School Setting, Megan Suzanne Stubbs-Richardson Dec 2018

Making A Decision To Retreat, Relate, Or Retaliate: An Examination Of Theoretical Predictors Of Behavioral Responses To Bullying In A High School Setting, Megan Suzanne Stubbs-Richardson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to extend General Strain Theory (GST) to examine prosocial, asocial, and antisocial behavior in response to bullying. In GST, Agnew (1992; 2001; 2013) asserted that negative emotions can lead to criminal or aggressive coping but there are a number of factors that increase or decrease the propensity to respond aggressively (Agnew, 1992; Richman & Leary, 2009). In this dissertation, I examine whether and how rejection (operationalized as bullying victimization) is associated with aggressive responding as opposed to prosocial (e.g., befriending others) or asocial (e.g., avoiding people and social events) responding. This dissertation consists of …

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Functional Role Of Protein Kinases And Phosphatase In Abiotic Stress Response In Plants, Saroj Kumar Sah Dec 2018

Functional Role Of Protein Kinases And Phosphatase In Abiotic Stress Response In Plants, Saroj Kumar Sah

Theses and Dissertations

Soybean (Glycine max) and rice (Oryza sativa) are the most important crops cultivated worldwide. The productivity of both crops is severely limited due to drought stresses. Abscisic acid (ABA) signaling is one of the crucial phytohormones which acts as the signaling mediator in different environmental stress for adaptive response of plants. In this study, functional characterization of abscisic acid-activated protein kinase-like kinase 1 (AALK1), and low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMWPTP) were studied by developing gain-ofunction and loss-ofunction phenotypes by transgenesis. Physiological response of AALK1 showed that AALK1 modulates the drought stress response ins soybean plants. The study has …

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Genetics Of Sexually Dimorphic Development Of Butterfly Wing Patterns, Luis Fernando Rodriguez Caro Dec 2018

Genetics Of Sexually Dimorphic Development Of Butterfly Wing Patterns, Luis Fernando Rodriguez Caro

Theses and Dissertations

Butterfly wing color patterns result from the arrangement of monochromatic scales containing chemical pigments and a delicate architecture that can cause interference or diffraction of light, generating iridescent colors. The latter mechanism is known as structural coloration and, despite its ecological importance, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of this trait. The Southern Dogface butterfly, Zerene cesonia, exhibits sexually dimorphic development of ultraviolet wing reflectance. Males possess a UV-reflective patch on the forewing that results from nano-structures on the wing scales, which are absent in females. This dimorphism offers an excellent opportunity to explore the genetic …

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History, Status, And Resource Selection Of The American Black Bear In Mississippi, Stephanie Lynn Simek Dec 2018

History, Status, And Resource Selection Of The American Black Bear In Mississippi, Stephanie Lynn Simek

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, black bears occurred throughout Mississippi but by 1932, <12 bears remained. Repatriation in neighboring states and conservation efforts in Mississippi have led to the recolonization of at least 2 subspecies (U. a. luteolus and U. a. americanus) of black bears in the state. I compiled available data to provide a synthesis of the history, current status, and management of black bears in Mississippi. Additionally, I used global positioning data collected from radio collared bears to determine the influence of distance to source population, cover type, distance to roads, distance to water, wetland reserve program areas, and human population density on black bear resource selection at various spatial scales. I studied characteristics of space use and resource selection of recolonizing bears in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (Delta). I assessed the influence of environmental parameters at the female core annual home-range (using 50% kernel density estimator) and male and female seasonal and annual home-ranges (95% kernel density estimator). Distance to source population and distance to roads had significant influence at the core female home-range scale. I found a sex-based difference in annual and seasonal home-ranges. I also found that bears exhibited response to and selection for specific resources with an affinity toward hardwood stands, particularly young-aged hardwoods. My research illustrates the importance of analyzing resource selection at multiple scales to gain a full understanding of parameters that influence the recolonization of a bear population.

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Impact Of Integrated Vegetation Management Practices On Green Antelopehorn Milkweed (Asclepias Viridis Walter) In Right-Of-Ways And Forages, Nolan Hendrix Thorne Dec 2018

Impact Of Integrated Vegetation Management Practices On Green Antelopehorn Milkweed (Asclepias Viridis Walter) In Right-Of-Ways And Forages, Nolan Hendrix Thorne

Theses and Dissertations

Common integrated vegetation management (IVM) practices including herbicide and mowing applications on right-of-ways and forages were evaluated on green antelopehorn populations near Starkville, MS. Live stems in each plot were counted prior to treatment application and approximately one year after treatment (YAT). Analysis of the stem counts 1YAT indicated aminopyralid+metsulfuron, imazapyr, picloram+2,4-D, maximum rates of triclopyr ester or choline, glyphosate, imazapyr+aminocyclopyrachlor+metsulfuron reduced the number of green antelopehorn stems compared to the untreated. Aminocyclopyrachlor, aminocyclopyrachlor+chlorsulfuron, aminopyralid, aminopyralid+2,4-D, dicamba+2,4-D, foramsulfuron+iodosulfuron+thiencarbazone, fluroxypyr, hexazinone, metsulfuron, metsulfuron+chlorsulfuron, nicosulfuron+metsulfuron, sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron or low rates of triclopyr did not reduce the stem count 1YAT when compared to …

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Implementation And Evaluation Of A School-Based Anti-Tobacco Program In Mauritius: A Pilot Study To Assess The Usefulness And Reliability Of A Tobacco Use Prevention Education Instrument, Shariah Hussenbocus Dec 2018

Implementation And Evaluation Of A School-Based Anti-Tobacco Program In Mauritius: A Pilot Study To Assess The Usefulness And Reliability Of A Tobacco Use Prevention Education Instrument, Shariah Hussenbocus

Theses and Dissertations

Tobacco use among Mauritian adolescents has increased steadily since 2008. Currently, Mauritius has not implemented any school-based anti-tobacco program and there is no instrument to assess the effectiveness of existing anti-tobacco school policies. Since the first cigarette can rapidly lead to nicotine dependence, targeted interventions must be assessed before established patterns of smoking appear. This study evaluated a tobacco use prevention education instrument to determine the effectiveness of a school-based anti-tobacco program. 26 male students completed a survey before and after receiving anti-tobacco lessons. Smoking initiation age could not predict likelihood of tobacco addiction (r(12)=0.320, p=0.311). However, after receiving the …

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Examining The Stigma Of Sex Offending In The Media, The Community, And The Prison, Kristen Lynn Stives Dec 2018

Examining The Stigma Of Sex Offending In The Media, The Community, And The Prison, Kristen Lynn Stives

Theses and Dissertations

The overarching goal of the current work was to explore sanctions experienced by sex offenders prior to incarceration, during incarceration, and after their release using three separate but interrelated studies. The first study analyzed how the media framed sex offenders, and how this compared to the media’s portrayal of murderers. The study used a content analysis of newspaper articles published in 2007, the year after the Adam Walsh Safety and Protection Act was passed, and 2017. Open coding (the identification of categories and concepts) and axial coding (the process of relating categories and concepts) strategies were used. Findings showed that …

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False Memories In Recognition Memory: Recollection Or Familiarity?, Alexis E. Payne Dec 2018

False Memories In Recognition Memory: Recollection Or Familiarity?, Alexis E. Payne

Theses and Dissertations

False recollection refers to the retrieval of contextual information associated with an event that has not occurred. For instance, during a recognition task, one might identify a nonstudied word presented at test as old because she remembers the font color of the word during study. Although instances such as this are rare and typically occur at a varying rate of 0-5%, current models of recognition such as the Complementary Learning Systems (CLS) model and the Dual-Process Signal-Detection (DPSD) model do not contain a mechanism to account for their occurrence. Although both the CLS and DPSD models have support from studies …

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Automatic Modulation Classification Using Cyclic Features Via Compressed Sensing, Andrew J. Ramsey Dec 2018

Automatic Modulation Classification Using Cyclic Features Via Compressed Sensing, Andrew J. Ramsey

Theses

Cognitive Radios (CRs) are designed to operate with minimal interference to the Primary User (PU), the incumbent to a radio spectrum band. To ensure that the interference generated does not exceed a specific level, an estimate of the Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) for the PU’s channel is required. This can be accomplished through determining the modulation scheme in use, as it is directly correlated with the SINR. To this end, an Automatic Modulation Classification (AMC) scheme is developed via cyclic feature detection that is successful even with signal bandwidths that exceed the sampling rate of the CR. …

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