Digital Commons Network^™

Native Bee Communities Within Restored Montane Longleaf Pine Ecosystems, Mary Mcteague

Theses and Dissertations

Montane longleaf pine ecosystems are remarkably biodiverse and highly understudied. Like other longleaf pine ecosystems, montane longleaf pine forests have faced declines. These ecosystems have been undergoing restoration efforts to reestablish floral understories. Flourishing pollinator communities are essential to successful restoration efforts. This study seeks to understand the influence of site history and characteristics on native bee communities in restored montane longleaf pine ecosystems, and to establish a methodology for creating pollination networks in these ecosystems by using DNA metabarcoding to analyze bee-collected pollen. Our results showed that community composition varied based on month and site history. Site history impacted …

Investigation Of Guayule Resin As An Oil-Based Wood Treatment, Jordan Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Development of alternative treatments for wood product protection is an ongoing focus throughout the wood products industries. All manufacturers hope to increase the use life of their products, while ensuring that their products do not have a harmful impact on their surrounding environment. One way of approaching this is to source potential components from other agricultural sources. Guayule resin is produced as a by-product of rubber extraction from the guayule plant (Parthenium argentatum). The resin has been reported to have insecticidal and microbial properties, but there are numerous problems with utilization, including how to extract it and apply it due …

Sweetpotato Insect Pests: Virus Vector Management And Rearing, Rachel Emily Morrison

Theses and Dissertations

Sweetpotatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are vegetatively propagated through slips, making them prone to viral buildup. Aphids are insect pests known for transmitting viruses to crops, which reduces yield. This study examined different options for aphid management to reduce the spread of potyviruses: crop borders, crop oils, and insecticides. However, the results of this research showed that treatments were not successful at reducing the spread of the four potyviruses tested. An additional objective was to establish a colony of banded cucumber beetles (Diabrotica balteata) in the laboratory. These beetles are a leaf-feeding and root-feeding pest of sweet potatoes. Two colonies of banded …

Spatial Variability Of Heat Mortality Rate Relationships In Arizona At Primary Care Area Level, Ria Mukherjee

Theses and Dissertations

Heat Mortality Rates (HMR) in Arizona (AZ) are one of the highest in all of US. The HMR association with environmental, socioeconomic, demographic, and occupational factors has been widely investigated to inform mitigative policy. This study employed linear and spatial models- Ordinary Least Square (OLS), Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR), across AZ at Primary Care Area (PCAr) level to identify important spatial trends in HMR relationship. Results indicated a significant global association between heat mortality and environmental variables and the elderly population aged 65 and older. In contrast, the working age group between 54 and …

Evaluating The Impacts Of Cover Crops At Different Nitrogen Rates On Soil Microbial Dynamics Within A Sweetpotato Production System, Lahari Nekkalapudi

Theses and Dissertations

A field study was conducted from 2023 to 2024 at Pontotoc, Mississippi, to evaluate the effects of cover crops and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on soil microbial communities in sweet potato production. The study followed a randomized split-block design with three cover crops (Clover, Wheat, and Fallow) and three N rates (0, 50, and 100 lb N acre⁻¹), each replicated four times. Soil samples were collected at cover crop termination, sweet potato planting, and harvest. Bacterial and fungal communities were analyzed using Illumina HiSeq sequencing. Soil properties such as total carbon, total nitrogen, pH, POXC, and microbial activity (AWCD) were also …

Augmenting Healthcare Communication: Context-Aware Ai Frameworks For Clinical Decision Support And Automated Summarization, Subash Neupane

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare communication is plagued by fragmented medical knowledge, patient misunderstanding of care plans, and clinician burnout from documentation burdens. These inefficiencies cost the U.S. healthcare system over $300 billion annually due to preventable nonadherence and administrative waste [47, 19]. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology like Large Language Models (LLMs) offer potential solutions, existing systems fail to deliver personalized, context-aware guidance or automate documentation without sacrificing accuracy. This dissertation addresses these gaps through three novel context-aware AI frameworks such as MedInsight, ClinicSum, and ClinicDuo. MedInsight leverages a multi-source context augmentation approach to synthesize patient centric medical responses by integrating Electronic Health …

Decision-Making And Execution Skill Estimation In Continuous Action Space Domains, Delma I. Nieves-Rivera

Theses and Dissertations

In many real-world domains with continuous action spaces, an agent’s performance is driven by two key factors: its decision-making skill, or ability to select high-quality actions, and its execution skill, or precision in carrying out these actions. However, accurately evaluating these skills, particularly when direct information about the agent’s intentions is unavailable, remains a challenging problem. This research addresses this need by developing a theoretical framework and proposing novel estimation methods to assess both decision-making and execution skills based solely on observable data: executed actions and their associated rewards. The work consists of six core studies focused on developing and …

An Evaluation Of The Mississippi 4-H/Ffa Replacement Beef Heifer Development Contest, Lindsey V. Pansano

Theses and Dissertations

The Mississippi 4-H/FFA Replacement Beef Heifer Development Contest began in 2008 to provide youth with a contest to showcase their managerial skills relating to beef cattle. This study examined the impact of contest participation on development of life skills, technical skills, and choice of occupation. Youth and parents/guardians reported slight to moderate improvement in life skills. The same groups also agreed that technical skills were improved through contest participation. While most youth did not consider the contest to impact their choice of occupation, all indicated that they are currently involved in the beef cattle industry as adults. Overall, these results …

Developing Site Index Curves And Exploring Growth Efficiency Variation In Longleaf Pine Planted On Marginal Agricultural Land In Georgia, Usa, Jabryan Pegues

Theses and Dissertations

With the relative success of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), there is a considerable amount of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) trees planted on marginal agricultural land, with little to no guides for productivity management. This study was conducted in four distinct age classes of longleaf pine plantations at The Jones Center at Ichauway in Southwest Georgia, USA. Most of these stands were commercially thinned in 2014 and some were impacted by Hurricane Michael in 2018. I developed site index equations to represent growth trajectories of these stands while incorporating growth starting from ground level. Additionally, the concept of tree-level …

Drought Resilience Of Cowpea During Vegetative And Reproductive Stages, Sujan Poudel

Theses and Dissertations

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is an important leguminous crop. Exposure to drought can lead to significant reductions in yield and quality. Designing strategies to mitigate the effects of drought requires a comprehensive understanding of how trait variability influences resilience at various crop growth stages. Three experiments were conducted to assess the response and resilience of various cowpea genotypes under control (100% irrigation) and drought (50% irrigation of control for 14 days) conditions during the vegetative (nodulation initiation - V2, and peak branching - V4) and reproductive (flowering - R1, and seed fill - R4) stages. The short-term drought impacted …

Impact Of Overseeding Cover Crops On Dryland Soybeans In Mississippi Delta, Michael C. Pruden

Theses and Dissertations

In the Mississippi Delta, continuous dryland soybean (Glycine max L.) production practice is a selection for those that do not or cannot irrigate their crops. However, no crop rotation results in yield losses due to diseases, increased insect population, weed species pressure, nutrient leaching, and soil erosion. Incorporation of cover crops might offer potential benefits but needs further investigation. The objectives were to determine the optimum cover crop planting time (R6 and harvest) and ideal cover crop species, and evaluate their impact on dryland soybean grain yield, quality, and plant population. R6 overseeded cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) produced the …

Evaluation Of Soil Steaming, Cover Crops, And Allelopathy: An Integrated And Sustainable Weed Management Strategy In Sweetpotatoes, Alaina Marie Richardson

Theses and Dissertations

Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) is a persistent weed in sweetpotato and vegetable cropping systems caused by its aggressive growth habit and limited control options. The present study assessed two alternative, chemical-free methods: steaming the soil and the use of allelopathic cover crops. Greenhouse and field experiments showed that steaming suppressed the germination of yellow nutsedge effectively and that treatments for 45 min provided the highest control of all the soil depths tested (100%). A leachate experiment examined the allelopathy of five cover crops against yellow nutsedge and showed that buckwheat and cereal rye had the largest reductions in shoot …

Feed-Based Strategies To Improve Poultry Production Efficiency, Anna Kathryn Riggs

Theses and Dissertations

The poultry industry continues to make significant strides in efficiency and innovation, particularly through advancements in nutrition. This thesis explores two key areas within broiler nutrition that are essential to supporting sustainable, cost-effective poultry production. First, the potential of a next-generation exogenous carbohydrase enzyme blend containing beta-mannanase and endo-glucanase is investigated when supplemented into reduced-energy, all-vegetable diets based on corn, soybean meal, and corn distillers dried grains with solubles in male broilers over a 42-day grow-out period, including processing (Chapter II). Second, the thesis examines the use of modeling strategies such as cubic, quadratic, kernel and smoothing spline to predict …

The Effectiveness Of Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports (Pbis) In Title I Secondary Schools, Robyn Rush-Grace

Theses and Dissertations

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is grounded in behaviorist theories, particularly Skinner's operant conditioning, which suggests that positive reinforcement can shape behavior over time. PBIS uses a tiered system to address student behavior, providing universal support for all students (Tier 1), targeted interventions for students who need more support (Tier 2), and intensive, individualized interventions for the few students who exhibit the most significant behavioral challenges (Tier 3). The literature on PBIS generally supports its effectiveness in reducing office discipline referrals, suspensions, and expulsions, as well as improving student behavior and overall school climate. Research specific to Title 1 …

Raspberry Cultivar Evaluation Trial In Mississippi, Apphia Santy

Theses and Dissertations

Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) are valued for their flavor, appearance, and nutritional quality. This study evaluated 26 raspberry cultivars over two seasons (2023 and 2024) in Mississippi under a 50% shade-covered system, using organic and conventional fertilization in 7-gallon containers. Cultivars included floricane- and primocane-fruiting types. Data collected included harvest timing, yield, berry weight, soluble solids content (°Brix), titratable acidity, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC). Results showed cultivar differences in yield, berry quality, and antioxidant levels. In 2023, conventionally fertilized plants produced higher yields; in 2024, fertilizer had no impact. Late-season harvests had elevated phytochemicals. ‘Prelude,’ ‘Nova,’ …

Advancing Rangeland Vegetation Mapping Through Integrated Uav And Satellite Imagery: A Comparative Machine Learning Framework For Fractional Cover Classification, Nishat Shermin

Theses and Dissertations

This study presents a multi-scale remote sensing framework to classify fractional vegetation cover (FVC) across rangelands by integrating UAV multispectral imagery, LiDAR structural data, and multisource satellite inputs. Four machine learning models, ranging from UAV-only to fused UAV-LiDAR-Sentinel models, were developed and evaluated using Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithms. The research was conducted at Martin Ranch, Texas, using Uncrewed Ariel Vehicle (UAV)-collected multispectral imagery, LiDAR-derived canopy height, and Sentinel-1/2 indices. Model 2 (UAV + LiDAR) emerged as the optimal model for balancing accuracy, processing time, and compatibility with ecological simulation tools. This model captures both spectral …

Microbiomics Of Amazonian Fishes And Associations With Human Pathogens (Mycobacterium Ulcerans), Matthew Edwin Scott

Theses and Dissertations

The Amazon Rainforest and Guiana Shield are recognized as two of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, particularly when considering macroorganisms. Relatively little attention has been paid to the microbiological diversity within rainforest ecosystems, or to the interactions among macro- and microbiological communities. To this end, I characterized the effects of habitat and host phylogenic parameters on the gut microbiome of freshwater fishes along the coast and within the Approuague River watershed in French Guiana. The results indicate a river continuum effect on the microbial composition of fishes, as well as a similar continuum pattern along the coast of French …

Profitability Of No-Till And Cover Cropping For A Corn-Soybean Rotation In The Mississippi Delta Region, William Arthur Sims

Theses and Dissertations

Adverse weather is a significant source of risk for agricultural producers that could potentially be mitigated by no-till and cover cropping practices. This study examined the viability of conventional tillage, cover cropping, and no-till agriculture in the Mississippi Delta by simulating a corn-soybean rotation over a 40-year time period under observed and drought weather conditions, and two prominent soil types in the region using the ALMANAC Crop Modeling Software. On average, a no-till, no cover crop system resulted in the highest profits under both soil types and weather conditions examined. Cover cropping led to higher yields in observed weather conditions …

Plant, Pollinator, And Bird Communities In Working Landscapes Across The Southeastern United States., Craig Andrew Sklarczyk

Theses and Dissertations

The southeastern U.S. is a hot spot for biodiversity, yet we continue to see losses in numerous species and their important ecosystem functions and services. Because private working landscapes are widespread and important to the southeastern U.S. and Mississippi’s economy, we must ensure we are conserving species on these private lands as well. In this project, We examined two groups of taxa, bird and bee communities, each which perform vital ecosystem functions in two of the most spatially dominant systems (working pine forest and row-crop agriculture) in Alabama and Mississippi. We examined bee communities in set-aside hardwood forests at different …

Detection, Occupancy, And Abundance Of Vultures In Mississippi, Jonathan Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine influences of tree cover, light pollution, average ambient air temperature, and roadkill abundance on Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) and Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) detection, occupancy, and abundance within Mississippi. Data was collected via road surveys. Highways were selected as transects of 290 m in length to survey for vultures and roadkill. The locations of detected vultures were GPS marked. To evaluate relationships of vulture detection, occupancy, and abundance with the covariates, I used dynamic occupancy models and open binomial N-mixture models. Average ambient air temperature had a positive relationship with Black Vulture …

Assessing Species Status And Genetic Diversity In The Tombigbee Darter (Etheostoma Lachneri), Caroline Nicole Teal

Theses and Dissertations

The Tombigbee Darter (Etheostoma lachneri) is the sole member of the snubnose subgenus Ulocentra endemic to the Tombigbee River Watershed of Mississippi and Alabama. Etheostoma lachneri is a species of greatest conservation need, due to suspected population decline since 1994 (Suttkus et al., 1994). To assess the persistence and genetic variability of E. lachneri, a population survey at 40 historical sites in Mississippi was performed. Results showed that 12 out of the 40 sites did not have E. lachneri present. Genomic analyses were conducted for populations across the species range using ddRADseq, revealing the possible complex of three species. To …

Estimating Reliability Of Electric Vehicle Charging Ecosystem Using Principle Of Maximum Entropy, Himanshu Tripathi

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the challenge of estimating electric vehicle (EV) charging system reliability against unpredictable threats like cyberattacks and extreme weather, where traditional methods fail. We utilize the Principle of Maximum Entropy (PME), a statistical tool that provides unbiased risk estimates using limited information. Applied to the EV charging ecosystem, our case study shows how PME models stress factors to predict failures and optimize maintenance. This approach extends beyond EVs to other complex systems with scarce data, such as smart grids or healthcare devices. By linking uncertainty directly to reliability, PME offers a universal method to improve decision-making under unpredictable …

Optimizing Osb Quality: Assessing The Influence Of Beta-Cyclodextrin With Essential Oil Treatments, Ethan Garrett Turo

Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated the mechanical and dimensional performance of oriented strand board (OSB) panels treated with beta-cyclodextrin-essential oil compounds, including betacyclodextrin-only, beta-cyclodextrin-trans-cinnamaldehyde, beta-cyclodextrin-thymol, and betacyclodextrin-nickel. OSB panels were produced using a proprietary spraying system and Dieffenbacher press and tested according to ASTM standards for internal bond strength, modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), water absorption, and thickness swelling. Results showed that beta-cyclodextrin-trans-cinnamaldehyde enhanced MOE and MOR, while beta-cyclodextrin-thymol significantly improved internal bond strength. Beta-cyclodextrin-nickel demonstrated strong performance in both mechanical strength and water resistance. However, 24-hour submersion results indicated that water resistance may be surface limited. All treatments …

Non-Thermal Dbd Plasma-Induced Co₂ Capture And Conversion To Value Added Chemicals, Chinwendu Theresa Umeojiakor

Theses and Dissertations

Electrified CO2 conversion via nonthermal dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasma presents a promising pathway for integrating renewable energy into the carbon cycle, addressing the dual challenges of CO2 reduction and sustainable fuel generation. In this research, DBD plasma technology was integrated with a sorbent material and/or catalytic materials for CO2 desorption and conversion. Specifically, with Ni/Al2O3 as the catalyst, we investigated CO2 splitting (CO2 to CO and 0.5O2) and hydrogenation (CO2 and H2 to CO and H2O) under adiabatic and subcooled conditions. We find that CO2 splitting shows higher efficiency than hydrogenation, particularly at relatively lower power inputs. While CO2 hydrogenation …

Academics Vs Athletics: Prioritizing The Students In Student-Athletes And The Importance Of Their Return To The Classroom, Stephen Walker

Theses and Dissertations

The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) aims to enhance student- athletes' educational experiences but Law 6.5.1 inadvertently causes students to miss 300 hours of academic instruction annually. This dilemma forces school districts to choose between robust sports programs and rigorous academic schedules, ultimately creating a disadvantage for students. While participation in sports has been linked to improved academic performance, the current structure disproportionately allocates resources to athletics over academics, with only 51% of schools offering after-school academic programs compared to 77% for sports. This paper discusses the benefits of sports, including higher attendance and graduation rates, but also highlights …

Bridging Physics And Machine Learning: Physics-Informed Neural Networks (Pinn) For Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing (Waam) Thermal Prediction, Haiye (Justin) Xie

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, additive manufacturing (AM) has gained substantial use in industry and research. It is a promising alternative to traditional subtractive and casting manufacturing. AM not only saves time and materials but can also construct intricate structures within components for specific purposes. Wire-Arc Directed Energy Deposition (WA-DED) is one of the additive manufacturing technologies that offers a high extrusion rate of metal wire materials to fabricate near-net-shape metal components. Accurate temperature control is crucial for controlling the microstructure of metal components fabricated through the AM process. Machine learning has the ability to analyze real-time sensor data, such as …

Interatomic Potential Of Multiphase Materials Using Modified Embedded Atom Method (Meam) And Artificial Neural Network (Rann), Henan Zhou

Theses and Dissertations

There is a significant need for computer simulations to explore multiphase materials because of their significance in both industry and research. These simulations are both more efficient and less expensive than many experimental approaches, making them an ideal choice for this purpose. It is possible to use molecular dynamics simulations that make use of the MEAM and RANN interatomic potentials in order to comprehend and characterize the properties, performance, and behavior of materials at the atomic scale of different material phases. In the realms of elements, alloys, and impurities, MEAM can be utilized in a wide variety of applications. Through …

Immediate-Use Rescue Medication And The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit: Experiences From An Expert Panel, Evelyn K. Shih, Brin E. Freund, Michael R. Sperling, Danielle A. Becker, Proleta Datta, Sandra Dewar, Edward Faught, Tracy Glauser, R. Edward Hogan, Randa Jarrar, Andres M. Kanner, David King-Stephens, Rebecca E. Matthews, Patricia Penovich, M. Scott Perry, Eric B. Segal, Joseph Sirven, John M. Stern, James W. Wheless, Enrique Carrazana, Adrian L. Rabinowicz, William O. Tatum

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: People with epilepsy (PWE) may experience seizure clusters, broadly defined as ≥2 seizures that occur in close proximity. In epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs), seizure clusters can spontaneously occur during long-term videoelectroencephalogram monitoring (LTVEM) or as a result of antiseizure medication dose adjustments. In this survey, we examined the experiences and practices of expert clinicians with seizure clusters in EMUs.

METHODS: A 55-item survey was sent to members of an Epilepsy Education Council who are epilepsy experts. Items described experiences, treatment practices, and negative outcomes with seizure clusters in EMUs.

RESULTS: Of the 15 experts (aged 43-77 y), 14 are …

Staff Education On Blood Glucose Monitoring Protocols For Assisted Living Facility Staff, Musa Ahmed Mugenyi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

At the practice site, older residents face inconsistent and untimely blood sugar assessments, contributing to avoidable complications such as hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and hospitalizations. Many caregivers lack standardized training in blood glucose monitoring, which poses a significant risk to residents with diabetes or prediabetes. To address this practice problem, a staff education program on blood glucose monitoring protocols was initiated. The practice-focused question was the following: Will staff knowledge and confidence increase after participating in an education program on monitoring blood glucose levels? As part of the education program, staff received evidence-based instruction on proper techniques for blood glucose testing, recognizing …

The Interplay Of Biomarkers And Psychosocial Variables In Ipv Perpetration, Arturo L. Cantos, María L. Mondolfi, K. Daniel O'Leary

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Relevant biopsychosocial factors, including testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) levels, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and difficulties in emotion regulation, have been implicated in IPV perpetration. However, further research is needed to clarify how biomarkers and psychosocial variables interact. The authors herein predicted that emotion regulation difficulties would moderate the association between ACES and IPV perpetration. The sample consisted of 30 IPV perpetrators aged 18 to 51 (M = 30.80, SD = 8.43) and 30 control non-perpetrator participants aged 18–35 (M = 24.13; SD = 4.28). All participants provided saliva samples to assess T and C levels and completed a sociodemographic …