Digital Commons Network^™

An Assessment Of Functional Characteristics In Macroinvertebrates And Fishes In The Lower Ogeechee River, Molly A. Mckeon

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The southeastern United States is a hotspot for aquatic biodiversity; yet this region is also considered vulnerable to climate and land–use changes. The Ogeechee River is an unimpeded blackwater river in Georgia that drains into the Atlantic Ocean and a unique ecosystem due to the preservation of its natural state; Historically, research conducted in the river establishes a baseline for long-term ecological studies. The aim of this study is to compare aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish community composition data collected in 2014 to 2017 to a recently collected dataset from 2023 and document temporal changes. Water quality monitoring was performed throughout …

Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy(Rus) For Material Characterization Of Metal Am Parts, Malik Marks

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Additive manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the manufacturing industry by offering flexibility, customization, and rapid prototyping capabilities. However, ensuring the quality and reliability of AM parts remains a significant challenge due to variations in material properties and process parameters. The NDE method used in this study is Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS). This method was used to evaluate and understand its ability to detect internal voids and defects. Dog-bone samples were made using the 316L stainless steel alloy which were fabricated by powder bed fusion (PBF) AM technique at different processing conditions and post processing conditions. These samples were tested to find …

Experimentatal And Numerical Investigation Of Turbojet Engine Performance, Emissions, And Noise/Vibrations Using Jet-A And F24 Fuel, John W. Mcafee Jr

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Drastic improvement in cost effectiveness of high-power computing resources has generated a great interest numerical simulation to reduce the overhead cost of engine manufacturing, maintenance, and environmental concerns of engine testing. To accomplish this goal, this research presents the differences between military F24 fuel and commercial aviation fuel Jet-A from a thermochemical and engine performance perspective. This experimental data was used to create and validate a numerical model of the engine used in the experiments fueled with both Jet-A and F24 fuels. The experimental data was collected using a research based single stage turbojet engine outfitted with many sensors for …

Development And Characterization Of Vegetable Oil Based, Acrylated Resins For Stereolithography 3d Printing, Julius A. Adeyera

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The increase in the demand for additively manufactured parts and the drive towards a sustainable economy with less environmental pollution has necessitated the need for renewable materials for use in 3D printing. This study shows the development and characterization of vegetable oil based, acrylated resins for 3D printing. Bio-based 3D resins were formulated using bio-based oils with a minimum of 70% bio-based content and were ready to be polymerized using the stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing process. Two distinct vegetable oils were used to develop biobased photopolymers. Biobased acrylated epoxidized photopolymers were successfully developed that have good mechanical and chemical properties. …

Evaluating Reactive Gliosis In The Brain Of Adult Zebrafish Following The Ingestion Of Nanopolystyrene., Hannah A. Kelehear

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Polystyrene nanoplastics are one of the most pervasive environmental contaminants and have been shown to infiltrate multiple organ systems following ingestion. Studies in several animal models and humans have demonstrated that nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, there is evidence that plastics will induce an inflammatory response in the brain involving reactive gliosis of microglia and astrocytes. This process has yet to be thoroughly investigated in the zebrafish model system in the context of micro-/nanoplastic ingestion. In the current study, we examined microglial and astrocytic phenotypes in the adult zebrafish telencephalon after consuming food contaminated with 44 nm polystyrene …

Inside Out: The Effects Of Water Quality And Stocking Density On Oyster Aquaculture In Georgia, Alexandra B. Raduege

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Oyster growing is one of the oldest known forms of aquaculture, but this ancient practice has only recently entered Georgia’s waters on a commercial scale. With any burgeoning industry, many questions need to be answered to maximize productivity. In the case of oyster aquaculture, growers must maximize both economic and ecological productivity for the long-term success of the industry. Water quality is of particular concern for the health and wellbeing of cultured oysters with the possibility that certain husbandry decisions made by oyster growers could adversely affect the growth and condition of their oysters. This study examines the influence of …

Transcending The Taboo: Using Literature To Explore Depictions Of Suicide With Adolescents In Secondary Classrooms, Elizabeth M. Williams

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This thesis examines depictions of suicide in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1597), Art Spiegelman’s Maus (1986), and Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred (1979) in the context of teaching literature in secondary classrooms during the developmental stage known as middle adolescence. Using an analysis of these literary works, this thesis advocates for incorporating self-regulation practices when addressing conceptually challenging and emotionally complex ideas. It proposes model lessons and emphasizes the responsibility of educators to facilitate discussions on weighty concepts. This thesis also emphasizes the need for an intersectional approach when examining trauma and suicide. Furthermore, it underscores the unique developmental and …

Characterization And Evolutionary Analysis Of Poly(Aspartic Acid) Degrading Enzymes: Exploring Enzymes-Dna Interactions And Expanding The Enzyme Family, Thi Ho

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Poly(aspartic acid) (PAA) has emerged as a biodegradable and environmentally friendly alternative to non- biodegradable polycarboxylates. This thesis aims to further advance the understanding of PAA degradation by exploring multiple facets focusing on PAA-DNA interactions, particularly those involving the enzyme PahZ1 from Pedobacter sp. KP-2, and to investigate their physiological relevance and potential role in the evolution of PAA biodegradation enzymes. Additionally, the research characterizes PahZ1 homologs from various bacterial species, including Brevifollis gellanilyticus, Erythrobacter insulae, Sphingomonadales, and Sphingopyxis sp. Root 1497. These efforts have identified four novel homologs capable of degrading PAA. Synthetic oligopeptides were employed to identify potential …

Development Of A Novel Measure To Assess For Alcohol Misuse In Older Adults: The Alcohol Misuse Scale For Older Adults (Amsoa), Nathan Jensen

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Alcohol is the most regularly used intoxicating substance in most geographic locations. Alcohol use in the United States specifically is well over global averages. While alcohol misuse is generally considered to be understood as a problem for younger adults, it is often unrecognized and understudied older adult populations. Currently, there is an absence of a comprehensive tool measuring for developmentally salient behaviors, symptoms, and features of alcohol misuse in older adulthood, which blocks researchers’ ability to measure alcohol misuse well. The purpose of this study is to develop a psychometrically valid and reliable assessment of alcohol misuse for older adult …

"Shut Down And Closed Off": A Routine Activity Approach To Investigating The Relationship Between Covid-19 School Closures And Child Sexual Abuse Report Characteristics In Georgia, Spencer E. Riner

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 created a public health crisis that led to an unprecedented number of school closures. A major concern raised by child advocates, law enforcement, and social service providers was the possible increase in undetected child abuse and maltreatment. Undergirding this concern was the belief that this mitigation effort might place child abuse victims and offenders within proximity for extended periods of time. While this was a significant concern, it has rarely been analyzed empirically. To address this gap in the literature, this thesis investigates how school closures impacted the characteristics of child sexual abuse (CSA) reports …

The Relation Between Disordered Eating And Perceived Stress, Tori E. Byars

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Disordered eating behavior encompasses a spectrum of maladaptive eating patterns, including emotional eating, binging, restricting, and other similar behaviors. Perceived stress is the extent that an individual perceives their demands exceed their ability to cope. Existing research has demonstrated a positive relation between high ratings of perceived stress and disordered eating behaviors (King et al., 2009; Skead et al., 2018). The current study aimed to expand this research by examining the relation between disordered eating and stress in students, workers, and those who partake in both commitments. Utilizing a single survey, participants completed assessments including the Perceived Stress Scale, the …

Examining The Relationship Between Puberty And Trauma Symptomatology, Justina M. Harsche

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study sought to examine the relation between puberty and trauma symptomatology in young adults. More specifically, does it matter what developmental period one is in when trauma occurs? Additionally, geographical region was examined as it relates to receiving and reporting mental health services and later trauma symptoms. Using data from 362 students at Georgia Southern University, multiple analyses were conducted. A Moderation Analysis where adverse events served as the predictor, trauma symptomatology as the outcome variable, and the developmental period in which the trauma occurred as the moderator was conducted. The interactions for this hypothesis were not significant. However, …

A Novel Magnetorheological Pump Concept For Insulin Delivery, Mohammad Towhidul Islam Rimon

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Over the past 25 years, awareness of type 1 diabetes has significantly increased, leading to a comprehensive understanding of various aspects, including its genetics, epidemiology, and disease burden. According to the Type 1 Diabetic Index, about 8.7 million people around the world live with this long-term autoimmune disease characterized by insulin deficiency and resultant hyperglycemia. However, the increased availability and utilization of artificial pancreas systems could potentially save 673,000 lives by 2040. Although, the advancement of diabetes technology offers Type 1 diabetic patients more tools to enhance glycemic management and achieve effective outcomes, many patients are still hesitant to adopt …

Characterization Of Carbon Nanotube/Polystyrene Composites Prepared Via Microwave-Induced Polymerization, Hubert Agamasu

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with their excellent mechanical properties, are well suited to the production of composites with good strength-to-weight ratio. However, the use of nanotubes as reinforcement is hampered by the lack of interaction between their inert surfaces and matrices. This, coupled with the van der Waal’s interactions between individual nanotubes, leads to agglomeration of CNTs in media. Functionalization is an efficient means to disperse nanotubes as well as increase their reactivity. The irradiation of CNTs with microwaves generates instantaneous, localized heating, being used in this work to trigger the rapid, thermal, free radical polymerization of styrene. Under microwaves, olefin-functionalized …

Design And Development Of Biocompatible Mofs And Silica-Based Nanocarriers With Controlled Pharmacokinetics For Drug Delivery Applications, Neila Pederneira

Doctoral Dissertations

"In the past decade, a big interest has drawn into nanoporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and silica-based materials as nanocarriers for drug delivery applications, owing to their exceptionally high surface area and highly structured porous network. The overall goal of this research was to optimize the pharmacokinetic behavior of several highly porous biocompatible drug carriers that have the potential to carry Ibuprofen, 5-Fluorouracil, and Curcumin to the desired tissue without creating a burst effect and minimizing the amount of dosage and size that conventional capsules require. The specific objectives of this study are to (i) assess the effect of drug solubility …

Deep Learning Techniques For Image Segmentation In Dermoscopic Skin Cancer Images, Norsang Lama

Doctoral Dissertations

"Melanoma is recognized as the most lethal type of skin cancer, responsible for a significant proportion of skin cancer-related deaths. However, early detection of melanoma is essential for successful treatment outcomes. Computer-aided skin cancer diagnosis tools can save lives by enabling earlier detection of skin cancer. Image segmentation is a crucial step in computer-aided diagnosis as it allows the detection of critical features or regions in an image. Thus, an accurate image segmentation method is necessary to create a more precise computer-aided diagnostic tool for skin cancer diagnosis. This dissertation includes investigating and developing deep learning techniques to improve image …

Modeling And Control For Precision Robotic Machining, Patrick Bazzoli

Doctoral Dissertations

"Robots are used in a wide variety of manufacturing applications, but machining applications in which robots can excel are limited by their lower accuracy and stiffness relative to traditional CNC machines. This work is composed of two parts: one to evaluate a robot’s accuracy and one to compensate for the vibrations of the robot due to its lower stiffness.

In order to evaluate whether a robot has the necessary accuracy to perform a given machining task, Paper 1 discusses a novel Model Invalidation method. This methodology provides a statistical framework as well as a measurement strategy for determining if a …

The Influence Of Habitual Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior On Objective And Subjective Hot Flashes At Midlife, Sarah Witkowski, Quinn White, Sofiya Shreyer, Daniel E. Brown, Lynette Leidy Sievert

Exercise and Sport Studies: Faculty Publications

The years surrounding the transition to menopause are marked by multiple challenges to health. Hot flashes are a commonly reported symptom of women at this time and their frequency has been associated with disease risk. Regular physical activity and reduced sedentary time are recommended for health and wellbeing. However, the effect of physical activity and sedentary behavior on hot flashes remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate relationships between physical activity, sedentary time and hot flashes during both waking and sleeping periods using concurrent objective and subjective measures of hot flashes in midlife women. METHODS: Women …

Acute Increases In Physical Activity And Temperature Are Associated With Hot Flash Experience In Midlife Women, Sarah Witkowski, Quinn White, Sofiya Shreyer, Randi L. Garcia, Daniel E. Brown, Lynnette Leidy Sievert

Exercise and Sport Studies: Faculty Publications

Objective: This study determined the association between acute changes in physical activity, temperature and humidity and 24-hour subjective and objective hot flash experience.

Methods: Data collection occurred during the cooler months of the year in Western Massachusetts (October-April). Women aged 45-55 across 3 menopause stages (n=270) were instrumented with ambulatory monitors to continuously measure hot flashes, physical activity, temperature and humidity for 24-hours. Objective hot flashes were assessed via sternal skin conductance, and subjective hot flashes were recorded by pressing an event marker and data logging. Physical activity was measured with wrist-worn accelerometers and used to define sleep and wake …

The Personality Profile Of Nobel Laureate Pearl Buck, Sophia Geng, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of a psychodiagnostic case study of Nobel laureate Pearl Buck, 1938 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature “for her rich and truly epic descriptions of peasant life in China and for her biographical masterpieces.” Guided by the conceptual perspective of personologist Theodore Millon, psychodiagnostically relevant data about Buck were collected from biographical sources and media reports and synthesized into a personality profile using the Millon Inventory of Diagnostic Criteria (MIDC). Then, the personality profile yielded by the MIDC was analyzed in accordance with interpretive guidelines provided in the MIDC and Millon Index of Personality …

Landscapes Of Play: An Exploration And Illumination Of Children’S Unsupervised Play Close To Home And A Researcher’S Journey To Becoming Posthuman., Mandy Andrews

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

Title: Landscapes of Play: An exploration and illumination of children’s unsupervised play close to home and a researcher’s journey to becoming posthuman. Author: Mandy Jo Andrews This thesis explores children’s play experiences and engagements out of doors close to home. Adopting a Deleuzian informed posthumanism the researcher’s journey towards immanence prompts re-thinking about play, childhood-nature entanglements, and play-space-place-player generation. Children’s unsupervised play outside of organised settings such as school or adventure playgrounds is less researched than that of organised settings. This thesis puts to work Deleuze’s process philosophy and Barad’s agential realism, together with Haraway’s biology informed multispecies manifesto, Bennett’s …

Technological Advancements In Brunei’S Local Agriculture And Fisheries Companies: An Exploratory Study Based On Field Observations, Muhammad Firdaus Mujibuddin Syah Mustafa, Navaranjan Namasivayam, Hong Shyang Pei, Fatnin Farhanah Alihan, Amni Sahilah Sahrullamzah, Khairina Umairah Takiyaudin

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This exploratory study, through seven field observations and interviews, investigates the technological advancements transforming Brunei's agricultural landscape in pursuit of local production augmentation and self-sufficiency. It confronts challenges with emerging technologies like aquaponics, hydroponics, fertigation systems, closed-house poultry systems, and UV lighting, which hold promise for enhanced farming practices. The research provides a comprehensive assessment of current practices, including livestock management advancements, underscoring their potential to boost productivity, optimize resource use, and promote sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, it discusses the broader implications for industry standards, job employability, and alignment with Brunei's Vision 2035. The findings contribute invaluable insights, advocating for strategic …

Exploring The Impact Of Vented Packaging Configurations On Airflow Patterns And Cooling Consistency For Muskmelons In A Cold Storage Environment, Nur Wafidah Roslan, Namasivayam Navaranjan, Zohrah Sulaiman, Naseem Uddin

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The cooling effect of different vented packaging designs was investigated for packed muskmelons fruits in a commercial cold storage condition. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation and experiments were used. The airflow pattern, heat transfer and temperature profiles were predicted from simulation and analysed. The CFD results reveal an uneven and low efficient airflow distribution inside a commercially used vented packaging (Box A). This resulted slow cooling of the fruits in Box A. Two newly designed packaging (Box B and Box C) showed better airflow distribution around the fruits and cooled them faster than Box A. The design of Box C …

Recent Advance In Biodegradable Packaging From Banana Plant Feedstock: A Comprehensive Review, M. Atiq Juani, Namasivayam Navaranjan

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This review focuses on recent advances in biodegradable packaging derived from banana plant waste, highlighting its pivotal role in addressing environmental concerns linked to conventional packaging materials. The shift toward sustainable packaging stems from the urgent need to combat plastic pollution, reduce reliance on non-renewable resources, and foster sustainability in the food industry. Banana plants, known for generating significant organic waste during cultivation and processing, provide a valuable source for developing biodegradable packaging. Researchers have successfully transformed banana waste into innovative, recyclable, and eco-friendly packaging solutions, promoting a circular economy. Biodegradable packaging, in contrast to traditional materials derived from fossil …

Preliminary Study On The Effects Of Vinegar As Pre- Treatment For The Oven-Drying Of Pacific Yellowtail Emperor (Lethrinus Atkinsoni) Fillets, Nurisa A. Suhaili, Rafael S. Jamih, Normina A. Abubakar, Jaro O. Ajik, Merilyn Q. Amlani

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This study aimed to assess the impact of various vinegar compositions used as pre-treatment for Pacific Yellowtail Emperor (PYE) fillets during the oven-drying process, with a focus on moisture content and optimal drying conditions. Two types of commercially available vinegar, Superior Vinegar and Datu Puti Vinegar, were compared, and different drying temperatures were evaluated. The investigation revealed that the drying temperature significantly influenced the moisture content of the dried PYE fillets. Among the tested temperatures (40°C, 60°C, and 80°C), the most favorable outcome in terms of moisture content was achieved when fillets were dried at 80°C for a duration of …

Application Of Three Of Selected Medicinal Plant Extracts In Brunei Darussalam To Improve Shelf Life Of Poultry Product, Hazirah Abd Hamid, Namasivayam Navaranjan, Zohrah Sulaiman, Aida Maryam Binti Hj Basri

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Abstract. Bioactive compounds from plant derived in food application become increasingly in demand due to natural and nutritionally safe products. Due to some issues concerning food safety on the excessive use of synthetic preservatives; the present study aims to investigate the natural alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial food additives. The chicken meat’s shelf life was studied by adopting bio-based antimicrobial agents using three of selected native medicinal plants; P. betle, A. catechu, and A. tricolor, against common foodborne pathogens; E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and Salmonella spp. The overall results revealed that, all study extracts possessed antioxidant properties by DPPH …

Byproducts Of Tropical Marine Processing As A Candidate For Industrial Food Ingredients: An Appraisal On Macro And Micronutrients, Abdul Aziz Jaziri, Hajariah Hasanuddin, Rossita Shapawi, Ruzaidi Azli Mohd Mokhtar, Wan Norhana Md. Noordin, Masmunira Rambli, Nurul Huda

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Tropical marine fish is a main raw material for surimi processing plants, including golden threadfin bream (Nemipterus virgatus Houttuyn, 1782) and swallowtail dwarf monocle bream (Parascolopsis eriomma Jordan & Richardson, 1909). After processing, more than 60% of fish are considered as byproducts (i.e., head, viscera, skin, bones, fins and scale), and tend to discard due to poor-utilization. Hence, this paper aims to evaluate macro- and micro-nutrients derived from golden threadfin bream (GTB) and swallowtail dwarf monocle bream (SDMB). The higher content of protein (25.31 ± 0.81%) was observed in the skin part of GTB, followed by the flesh (21.26 ± …

Protein Content Analysis On Brunei Delicacies: Kelupis Sulang And Sulang Fruit, Siti Nadia Saifullzan, Jhoorhanah A. Halim, Mas M. Rambli, Aida M. Basri

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Traditional Bruneian delicacy which are often reserved for special occasions; called the kelupis Sulang made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and the flesh of the Brunei Sulang fruit’s protein content were studied. The protein content of both kelupis and the sulang fruit were examined using both qualitative and protein concentration analyses. The analysis was performed using the Xanthoproteic test, Ninhydrin test, Sulphur Reduction test, and the Biuret test. The readings were obtained from the UV-Visible Spectrophotometry and revealed an average protein concentration of 21 mg/ml in aqueous extracts of kelupis sulang and 26.8 mg/ml in aqueous suspension of kelupis sulang …

Nutritional Quality Of Cultured Giant Freshwater Prawns (Macrobrachium Rosenbergii), Nurul F.M.S. Rizal, Najeebah A. Tashim, Zuhairi Azahari, Aida M. Basri, Tiong H. Lim, Aqilah Junaidi, Suriayati Chuprat, Seno A. Putra, Hanif Fakhrurroja

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Macrobrachium rosenbergii, or the giant freshwater prawn has high market demand due to its exceptional nutritional value for the human diet. Often, most nutritional studies focus on the edible prawn parts, rather than the prawn discarded components. The nutritional evaluation of different prawn parts can provide insights into the nutrient composition and guiding for the development of value-added products. Three groups of prawn samples were collected from 3 different ponds, representing different prawn sizes. The water quality analysis of each pond was also conducted to determine the extent to which it can affect the nutritional composition. The conventional and biochemical …

Trends And Patterns Of Plant Conservation Research In Borneo: A Review, Rizmoon Nurul Zulkarnaen, Sabri Mohd. Ali, Daniele Cicuzza

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Borneo hosts exceptional plant diversity, including numerous endemic species, but faces significant threats from rapid habitat loss driven by deforestation and land-use changes. This study aimed to analyze research trends and forecast future directions through a bibliometric analysis of Scopus data spanning from 1914 to 2023. The bibliometric analysis included publication outputs, citation patterns, thematic mapping, and keyword co-occurrence. We used VOSviewer to visualize bibliometric networks and the Bibliometrix package in R to perform advanced bibliometric analysis and interactive data exploration. The analysis revealed a continuous rise in publications (998 documents), with the Journal of Ecology identified as the most …