Digital Commons Network^™

Following The Paper Trail: An Ethnoecology Of Hand Papermaking Traditions, James Ojascastro

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Plants and their fibers have served as simple yet incredibly versatile raw materials for innovation for as long as humans have been on the planet. As the principal structural building blocks of plant cell walls, these hollow, cellulosic fibers have been co-opted by cultures around the world to meet diverse structural, absorptive, motile, and thermoregulatory needs—especially as textiles and paper. Despite (or because of!) this versatility, fibers vary considerably in physiology, and ethnographic records show that very few plant species have been chosen by tradition for use in fiber products. Surprisingly, no fiber ethnobotany study to date has attempted to …

Neuromuscular Basis Of Drosophila Larval Rolling Escape Behavior, Patricia C Cooney, Yuhan Huang, Wenze Li, Dulanjana M Perera, Richard Hormigo, Tanya Tabachnik, Isuru S Godage, Elizabeth M C Hillman, Wesley B Grueber, Aref A Zarin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

To escape from dangerous stimuli, animals execute escape behaviors that are fundamentally different from normal locomotion. The rolling escape behavior of Drosophila larvae consists of C-shaped bending and rolling. However, the muscle contraction patterns that lead to rolling are poorly understood. We find that following the initial body bending, muscles contract in a circumferential wave around the larva as they enter the bend, maintaining unidirectional rolling that resembles a cylinder rolling on a surface. We study the structure of motor circuits for rolling, inhibit different motor neurons to determine which muscles are essential for rolling, and propose circuit and biomechanical …

Biomarkers Of Affective Dysregulation Associated With In Utero Exposure To Etoh, Nune Darbinian, Nana Merabova, Gabriel Tatevosian, Mary Morrison, Armine Darbinyan, Huaqing Zhao, Laura Goetzl, Michael Edgar Selzer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) exhibit behavioral and affective dysregulation, including hyperactivity and depression. The mechanisms are not known, but they could conceivably be due to postnatal social or environmental factors. However, we postulate that, more likely, the affective dysregulation is associated with the effects of EtOH exposure on the development of fetal serotonergic (5-HT) and/or dopaminergic (DA) pathways, i.e., pathways that in postnatal life are believed to regulate mood. Many women who use alcohol (ethanol, EtOH) during pregnancy suffer from depression and take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which might influence these monoaminergic pathways in the …

“My Job Is To Teach”: How Teachers Approach State Laws In A Culturally Relevant Classroom, Clayton Jaskinia

Masters Theses (Archived)

The murders of James Bryd. Jr, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Sandra Bland led to the Black Lives Matter movement. Following these deaths, schools across the country that were named after Confederates and statues of them were taken down, causing backlash against more substantial steps to address white supremacy in the curriculum. This qualitative study investigates how social studies teachers are reacting to laws that restrict the teaching of history and deny Texas students the right to be represented in their education. The findings demonstrate a link between teachers’ understanding of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and their solidarity with students of …

Decolonization Of The Writing Classroom: Creating Space For Decolonial Theory, Tools, Anti-Racist Pedagogy, And Methods To Improve The Emerging Bilingual Student Experience, Desiree L. Brown

Masters Theses (Archived)

In this thesis, the author addresses the colonial roots of the secondary writing classroom and the origin of standard academic English which enables strict standardized testing and writing assessment requirements that in-turn incite linguistic violence towards emerging bilingual students. The author frames her study within the framework of April Baker-Bell and Asao B. Inoue through a reflective/reflexive study of her teaching in a ninth grade writing classroom in a primarily Hispanic school district in South Texas, which is assessed by the state of Texas through STAAR. This study seeks to identify instances of linguistic violence being perpetuated in the writing …

Social Justice Mathematics: Classroom Practices That Give Students Rigor While Building Agency, Emily Marquise

Masters Theses (Archived)

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of a social justice approach to mathematics instruction. While many students have math aversion, students in low socioeconomic communities exhibit this to a higher degree putting them at a disadvantage as they progress through their educational career. More than 3.4 million K-12 students in the United States come from families that earn less than the median income yet achieve scores in the top percentile (Wyner et al., 2007). This raises the question of why so many students in low-socioeconomic settings are not given rigorous content that will keep them competitive …

How Has Military Service Affected Veteran Who Become Teachers, Jason Opalinski

Masters Theses (Archived)

No abstract provided.

Cyber Resilient Wind Turbine Generator Control System, Nathan Oaks Farrar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

As wind turbine generator systems become more common in the modern power grid, the question of how to adequately protect them from cyber criminals has become a major theme in the development of new control systems. As such, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms have become major contributors to preventing, detecting, and mitigating cyber-attacks in the power system. In their current state, wind turbine generator systems are woefully unprepared for a coordinated and sophisticated cyber-attack. With the implementation of the internet-of-things (IoT) devices in the power control network, cyber risks have increased exponentially. In the current literature, prevention …

Zero Trust Architectures: A Comprehensive Analysis And Implementation Guide, Nathan Lynn Seymour

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

As organizations navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic cyber threat landscape, the conventional paradigms of cybersecurity are being reevaluated. This thesis delves into the evolution of zero trust architectures (ZTA), tracing the origins of zero trust and providing a critical comparison with traditional cybersecurity measures. Emphasizing the imperative need for advanced security frameworks, particularly in the face of escalating threats like social engineering and ransomware attacks, this study articulates the fundamental motivations behind the adoption of zero trust principles. The core of the thesis articulates a systematic breakdown of the components and pillars constituting a zero trust architecture, explaining the …

Investigation Of Ferroelectric Switching Mechanisms In Boron-Substituted Aluminum Nitride, Mackenzie Porterfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

In the pursuit of next-generation memory devices, ferroelectric materials provide a pathway for high-speed operation and non-volatility. The path to marketization for ferroelectric materials favors materials with elements common to the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) production, which leads to desirability in tuning boron substituted aluminum nitride – a newly demonstrated ferroelectric with CMOS compatible composition. However, for AlBN to realize its potential, understanding and optimizing the polarization reversal process becomes necessary for further device engineering. This study investigates the role of boron in domain formation and propagation. Through first-principles calculations, we determine that introducing boron atoms along the domain boundary initiates …

Imbalance Learning Representation And Label Shift, Yuexin Wu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This research addresses the challenges of class imbalance in unsupervised domain adaptation (UDA) and rating prediction in recommender systems. In the context of UDA, the class imbalance between source and target domains presents a significant hurdle for existing models, which tend to focus on domain-invariant representations and class-balanced data. We introduce an unsupervised reinforcement adaptation model (URAM), leveraging reinforcement learning to jointly consider feature variants and imbalanced labels across domains. In recommender systems, the issue of rating imbalance naturally arises, leading to biased predictions and suboptimal performance for tail ratings. Existing rating prediction approaches often rely on weighted cross-entropy and …

Palinopsia: The Persistence Of Vision In Time, Lesley Bragdon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Lesley Bragdon's art aims to capture and convey her unique perception of the world. She reproduces the distorted, out-of-focus, and shadowy aspects of everyday objects that she sees, highlighting that everyone can perceive objects differently. Bragdon's artistic process involves the hybridization of materials and the transformation of found objects into mixed-media sculptures and installations. She draws inspiration from contemporary artists like Lynda Benglis and Suzanne Jackson, exploring the boundaries between painting and sculpture. The use of shadows plays a significant role in her art, adding layers of abstraction and creating visually captivating experiences. Bragdon's art is influenced by her medical …

Exploring The Dimensionality Of Reading Fluency In Grade 4: Prosody And Its Role In Supporting Reading Comprehension, Hannah Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The purpose of the current study was to examine the dimensionality of prosody and its role in supporting comprehension in Grade 4 students (N = 198). Participants were administered a grade-level CBM probe and i-Ready Diagnostic, including the Vocabulary, Literary Text, and Informational Text subtests. Spectrographic analysis was used to extract the prosodic data from audio recordings of the passage reading. A comparison group of 30 adults were recruited. A four-factor measurement model was proposed, with a reading comprehension factor comprised of i-Ready subtest, two prosodic factors comprised of pitch and pausing features gathered from the grade-level passage, and a …

An Interacting Segment Model For The Calculation Of Nonlinear Optical Properties: Theory And Application To Peptide Sequences, Aaron R. Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The aim of this thesis is to develop and refine an interacting segment model (ISM) for the accurate computational calculation of molecular electrical response properties. Traditional ab-initio quantum mechanical methods require a tremendous amount of computational resources to calculate these properties for larger molecular systems, rendering them infeasible for larger molecules. This ISM looks to address this issue, serving as a method that allows for accurate and timely calculation of properties of interest. It is found that the fits for both dipole moment and isotropic polarizability yield fantastic results when optimized against a set of ‘test molecules’, yielding errors of …

Trace Analysis Of Complex Matrices Samples By Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry, Drake Hunter Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation discusses the of method development, optimization, and results of trace analysis of complex matrix samples of sodium hypochlorite solutions and environmental samples for contaminants using mass spectrometry bases methods. Sodium hypochlorite solutions are analyzed for the presence and concentration of haloacetic acids (HAAs). These HAAs are possible carcinogens to humans and regulated disinfectant byproducts. HAAs are the result of chlorination of water containing natural organic matter. The regulation of HAAs require the need to quantify and identify them as well as determine their sources. These sources could include formation by reactions or from contamination of treatment chemicals used …

Monte Carlo Generation Of Localized Particle Trajectories, Ivan Ahumada, James P. Edwards

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

We introduce modifications to Monte Carlo simulations of the Feynman path integral that improve sampling of localized interactions. The algorithms generate trajectories in simple background potentials designed to concentrate them around the interaction region, reminiscent of importance sampling. This improves statistical sampling of the system and overcomes a long-time undersampling problem caused by the spatial diffusion inherent in Brownian motion. We prove the validity of our approach using previous analytic work on the distribution of values of the Wilson line over path integral trajectories and illustrate the improvements on some simple quantum mechanical systems.

Monte Carlo Generation Of Localized Particle Trajectories, Ivan Ahumada, James P. Edwards

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

We introduce modifications to Monte Carlo simulations of the Feynman path integral that improve sampling of localized interactions. The algorithms generate trajectories in simple background potentials designed to concentrate them around the interaction region, reminiscent of importance sampling. This improves statistical sampling of the system and overcomes a long-time undersampling problem caused by the spatial diffusion inherent in Brownian motion. We prove the validity of our approach using previous analytic work on the distribution of values of the Wilson line over path integral trajectories and illustrate the improvements on some simple quantum mechanical systems.

Landau-Khalatnikov-Fradkin Gauge Transformations For The Propagator And Vertex In Qed And Qed2, James Edwards

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

The non-perturbative Landau-Khalatnikov-Fradkin (LKF) transformations describe how Green functions in quantum field theory transform under a change in the photon field's linear covariant gauge parameter (denoted ξ). The transformations are framed most simply in coordinate space where they are multiplicative. They imply that information on gauge-dependent contributions from higher order diagrams in the perturbative series is contained in lower order contributions, which is useful in multi-loop calculations. We study the LKF transformations for the propagator and the vertex in both scalar and spinor QED, in some particular dimensions. A novelty of our work is to derive momentum-space integral representations of …

Information Management Plan - Organisational, Robert Moore

Tools

Information Management Plan – Organisational, is a support in a spreadsheet format that contains a number of client templates that ISO 19650 recommend the Employer/Client/Sanctioning authority should consider before starting a delivery project for an Asset.

Build Digital has created Industry templates to allow organisations work in accordance with ISO 19650. These templates start to address the information requirements in the ISO 19650 series of standards. The templates are also in accordance with CEN-TR17654-2021” Guideline for the implementation of Exchange Information Requirements (EIR)and BIM Execution Plans (BEP) on European level based on EN ISO 19650-1 and -2”. Aspects of the …

Information Management Plan – Appointing Party, Robert Moore

Tools

Information Management Plan – Appointing Party is a support in a spreadsheet format that contains a number of client templates that ISO 19650 recommend the Employer/Client/Sanctioning authority should consider when appointing a delivery team to a delivery project for an Asset.

Build Digital has created Industry templates to allow organisations work in accordance with ISO 19650. These templates start to address the information requirements in the ISO 19650 series of standards. The templates are also in accordance with CEN-TR17654-2021” Guideline for the implementation of Exchange Information Requirements (EIR)and BIM Execution Plans (BEP) on European level based on EN ISO 19650-1 …

Modeling Of Functional Gene Regulation Through Machine Learning And Deep Learning Methods, Yuhao Chen

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Genes are specific sequences of nucleotides within the genome that undergo transcription to generate products that can diffuse throughout the cell. These gene products can take the form of either proteins or RNAs and play crucial roles in virtually all cellular functions, encompassing structural support, enzymatic activities, and signaling functions. An essential focus of contemporary biological research revolves around unraveling the functions of genes and their resulting products across different organisms. One primary means to conduct this research is through the regulation of gene expression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), short single-stranded non-coding RNAs, play vital roles in gene expression regulation. Both computational …

Mindfulness For The Reduction Of Anxiety, Stress, And Depression In The Preservice Teacher Community, Shelley R. Crampton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teachers and students alike suffer from anxiety, stress, and depression. Mindfulness-based strategies have been indicated to help teachers and students deal with stress, anxiety, and depression. Teachers often report not wishing to add more learning strategies to their packed schedules and workload. Education in mindfulness is not easily accessible due to the time constraints of this overworked population. The criteria for participation in the study required the college students in preservice education classes to be over 18 years old, enrolled in the teacher education program, and not have participated in any mindfulness in the last six months. The study is …

Clawhammer: Vincent A. Witcher And Guerrilla Warfare In Civil War Southern Appalachia, Melanie Greer Storie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Vincent A. Witcher, the subject of this dissertation, is largely unknown to Civil War historians. He is rarely mentioned, and when he is, it is primarily in connection with J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Without the 1886 New York Times article and the resulting lawsuit, Witcher might have faded away as a historical footnote for his minor role at Gettysburg. However, this dissertation argues that his libel suit represents a microcosm of the complicated nature of guerrilla warfare during the Civil War. Through a lens of memory and regional history, the Witcher case …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Benefits Of Duets In Private Trumpet Lessons: A Qualitative Survey Study Of University Teachers In South Carolina, Todd Edison Jenkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While research exists surrounding trumpet pedagogy and utilizing duets in piano and string lessons, no studies currently focus on teachers’ perceptions of employing duets in private college trumpet lessons. Teacher perception is important because of the significant amount of trumpet duet literature available for teachers to implement as part of their curriculum to improve the dexterity and musicianship of their students. Ensemble skills, articulation, phrasing, style, transposition, and the introduction of piccolo trumpet and trumpets in other keys are important skills at all levels of trumpet performance. Trumpet teachers may utilize duets as a facet of their curriculum to teach …

Increasing The Number Of High School Seniors Meeting The South Carolina "Profile Of A Graduate" Mandate, Cecil Bonner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This applied study aimed to solve the problem of the inadequate number of high school seniors at Avenger Career Technology Center that meet the requirement of South Carolina's Profile of a Graduate. A multimethod approach was utilized to examine the problem of high school seniors not meeting college and career mandates. Data was collected through interviews with administrators, a focus group of ACTC students, and a quantitative survey from Avenger Career Technology Center teachers. Interviews were conducted with five administrators. A focus group of 10 students was held. Eighteen teachers completed a quantitative survey. Data were analyzed for codes and …

The Transformation Of Rural Elementary Classroom English Language Teachers During Distance Learning: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Cecilia Frazier Salzer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the transformation of rural elementary classroom teachers who transitioned to distance learning with English learners (ELs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the California Central Valley. The theory guiding this study is Mezirow’s transformative learning theory. At the same time the conceptual framework is Technology, Pedagogy, and Content Knowledge (TPACK), as both will ascribe meaning to how EL teachers transformed their perspectives, assumptions, feelings, and judgments while conducting distance learning. The research question guiding this study is: What transformation did teachers experience while providing distance learning instruction to rural elementary English …

Examining The Effect Of Utilizing 1:1 Ipad Technology On Third Grade Reading Achievement: A Causal-Comparative Analysis, Sharla E. Edwards

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative causal-comparative study examined the effects of one-to-one (1:1) iPad instruction versus traditional instruction on urban third-grade students' English Language Arts (ELA) achievement. The research is significant given the rising use of technology, like the 1:1 iPad initiative, to combat declining reading proficiency. It highlights the pivotal role of third-grade reading proficiency in future success, aligning with education policies and catering to modern learners. This study provides valuable insights for educators, administrators, and education stakeholders by elucidating the impact of technology on reading achievement. As one-to-one instruction gains prominence, understanding its influence on students' reading performance is crucial due …

Tears Of Anger: The Compositional Function And Theology Of Imprecation In The Book Of Lamentations, Christopher William Peters

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Since the rise of redaction criticism as an area of scriptural exploration, much scholarship has centered on the composition of discrete biblical texts. Recently, research has expanded into treatments of canonical composition, determining how individual books unite into the larger Old Testament, New Testament, or biblical corpus. Given the lacuna surrounding these areas of research into the Old Testament Writings, this dissertation will explore compositional strategy and theology in the book of Lamentations. The thesis of this dissertation proposes that the imprecations of the book of Lamentations function textually as compositional seams to unite the poems into a cohesive whole …

How Successful Middle School Band Directors Display Supplemental Illustrations, Instructions, And Reference Material In Their Classrooms, Christopher Ryan Kristich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although presenting visual information is commonplace in a learning environment, many music educators could do this more effectively. This grounded theory project aimed to determine how successful middle school band directors display supplemental illustrations, instructions, and reference material in their classrooms. School administrators often require teachers to exhibit material related to the curriculum. Music educators are typically permitted autonomy with their wall displays if they maintain the educational parameters. Despite the potential benefits of displaying quality visual information, not all middle school band directors ensure that the auxiliary material presented in their room is relevant and constructive. Available resources that …

The Chiefs Of Chota And The Charles Town Merchants: A Vital Alliance That Ensured The Growth And Success Of South Carolina, 1692-1760, Nicola Symonds

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The contributions of three generations of Overhill Cherokee and the Thomas Pinckney family played a significant role in the growth of Charleston, South Carolina, leaving a lasting impact not only on the American nation but also on the survival of their community and the prosperity of South Carolina. These legacies are essential parts of the rich history of the United States. This dissertation provides a unique perspective on the relationship between these men, offering insights that previous historians have yet to uncover. By examining the social, economic, and political histories of the early settlers of Charles Town, as well as …