Digital Commons Network^™

Pedal Points: Harmony And The Double-Action Pedal System In Modern Harp Music, Mckenna Jennings

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pedals are an invisible guide in chromatic harp repertoire. While the evolution of tonality and rise in chromaticism incentivized the invention of the double-action pedal harp, the unique restraints and extensions of this technological system influence harmony and pitch collections in chromatic harp music. This thesis explores the pedal harp and the influence the affordance and idiomacy of the pedal layout exerts onto chromatic harp repertoire. It draws on embodiment and schema theory to describe patterns of pedal motion in harp music, thus presenting and demonstrating an original theory of pedal schemas. Pedal schemas are patterns of motion defined by …

An Analysis Of The Logging Sector In East Texas: Current Status And Future Prospects, Pooja Chhetri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The logging sector plays a critical role in the wood supply chain and in forest management. It connects forest resources with mills, who consequently use that wood to manufacture a multitude of products. A better understanding of the state of logging businesses among policymakers is crucial in sustaining this industry. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the economic contribution (2021) and economic contribution trend (2012-2021) of the logging sector in East Texas using Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN). Furthermore, this study determined the current status of this sector using online and mail surveys. IMPLAN results showed that the logging sector …

Examining The Authenticity Of The 'Ether Model' In Certain O-Glycosylation Reactions, Varad Vinayak Agarkar

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative bacterium species that is responsible for nosocomial infections. It has shown antibiotic resistance and has been designated an urgent threat by the CDC. In Chapter 1, I highlight my efforts in the synthesis of a Kdo building block in the journey towards the construction of an A. baumannii lipooligosaccharide (LOS) core pentasaccharide- a potential candidate for glycoconjugate vaccine against A. baumannii infection. I talk about various optimizations and improvements in the Kdo monosaccharide synthesis and the mechanistic insights I provided about a critical transformation in the synthetic sequence.

Chemical O-glycosylation is a significant research …

Relationships Between Students’ Ict Usage, Self-Efficacy And Literacy, Malimi Kazi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Information and communication technology (ICT) usage, self-efficacy, and literacy are very important for people in the 21st century. People need them to participate successfully in various activities including learning and working. Because of the importance of ICT, nations around the world, including the United States, have developed and are implementing ICT policies. Also, in 2013 the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) introduced the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) for grade eight students. However, ICT usage, ICT self-efficacy, and ICT literacy can be affected by students’ gender, race and socioeconomic status (SES). The purpose of …

Quaternary Diamond-Like Sulfides For Nonlinear Optical Applications: Investigation Into Composition-Structure-Property Relationships Of The I2-Ii-Iv-Vi4 And I4-Ii-Iv2-Vi7 Formulae, Jordan Kelly

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research work presented in this dissertation focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and property assessment of new and existing quaternary diamond-like semiconductor (DLS) materials for the potential application in infrared (IR) nonlinear optics (NLO). Chapter 2 discusses the previously discovered temperature-dependent polymorphs of Cu₂ZnGeS₄ (CZGS); however, the IR NLO properties, neutron powder diffraction data, and single crystal X-ray diffraction structures were previously undetermined. The high-temperature α-CZGS polymorph was superior to the low-temperature β-CZGS analog in both second harmonic generation (SHG) and laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT). Chapter 3 presents the discovery of Li₂MgGeS₄ and comparison …

Latent Auto-Recursive Composition Engine, Yenkai Huang

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

This thesis investigates the shifting boundaries of art in the era of Generative AI, critically examining the essence of art and the legitimacy of AI-generated works. Despite significant advancements in the quality and accessibility of art through generative AI, such creations frequently encounter skepticism regarding their status as authentic art. To address this skepticism, the study explores the role of creative agency in various generative AI workflows and introduces an "artist-in-the-loop" system tailored for image generation models like Stable Diffusion. This system aims to deepen the artist's engagement and understanding of the creative process. Additionally, a novel tool, the Latent …

Promoting Civic Engagement And Knowledge Amongst Middle School Adolescents Through Simulation Based Teaching Models, Karrie Palmer

Dissertations

Public schools, and education in general, were founded on the principles of preparing young people to participate in civic life as active and informed citizens. Yet, civic competency scores are consistently low and demonstrate that students are not prepared for the civic engagement required of them when they leave school. The purpose of this quasi-experimental mixed methods study is to determine if participation in simulations and utilizing experiential learning theory while teaching the government standards will lead to a greater understanding of civics, and a positive improvement in students’ beliefs and values regarding civic engagement beyond the classroom. While the …

The Impact Establishing A Focus On Learning Through Plcs Has On Student Growth In Elementary Mathematics, Heather Hodge

Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the impact of professional learning communities (PLCs) implementing a “Focus on Learning” in a Title I school in north central Georgia. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact PLCs can have on student growth and achievement in fourth and fifth-grade mathematics, once teachers spend time identifying essential standards for their respective grade level. The researcher conducted this study during the first year of implementation, so the findings will be used to identify ways to build and improve PLCs at their school in order to increase student growth and achievement in mathematics.

Inclusivity Within The Digital Age, Jarvis Denmark

Dissertations

This qualitative study takes a phenomenograpichal interest in the experiences of students in a school district that responded to the Covid-19 pandemic by using digital tools for instruction and to support a culturally relevant learning experience. Previous research focuses on teacher beliefs and the benefits of multiliteracies as they intersect with Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, but few studies have analyzed the experiences of students who are the prime beneficiaries of culturally relevant instructional practices. The thick description in this study was aimed at optimizing student voice, especially the voices of students of color. Also, the aim of the research was to …

Chandra Hetg X-Ray Spectra And Variability Of Π Aqr, A Γ Cas-Type Be Star, David P. Huenemoerder, Pragati Pradhan, Claude R. Canizares, Sean Gunderson, Richard Ignace, Joy S. Nichols, A.M.T. Pollock, Norbert S. Schulz, Dustin K. Swarm, José M. Torrejón

Publications

High-resolution X-ray spectra of π Aqr, a γ Cas-type star, obtained with the Chandra/HETG spectrometer, revealed emission lines of H-like ions of Mg, Si, S, and Fe; a strong, hard continuum; and a lack of He-like ions, indicating the presence of very hot thermal plasma. The X-ray light curve showed significant fluctuations, with coherent variability at a period of about 3400 s in one observation. The hardness ratio was relatively constant except for one observation in which the spectrum was much harder and more absorbed. We interpret the X-ray emission as arising from accretion onto the secondary, which is likely …

Charting The Evolution Of The Student Digital Champions At The University Of Plymouth, Vivian Hocking, Michaela Moclair, Christie Pritchard

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

No abstract provided.

Cadmium Oxide Nanoparticles From New Organometallic Cd(Ii)-Schiff Base Complex And In Vitro Biological Potentials: Dual S. Aureus And E. Coli Dna Gyrase Inhibition By The Precursors Via In Silico Binding Modes’ Study, Ikechukwu P. Ejidike, Amani Direm, Cemal Parlak, Mercy O. Bamigboye, Olajumoke Oluade, Juliana B. Adetunji, Athar Ata, Michael O. Eze, Joshua W. Hollett, Hadley S. Clayton

Michigan Tech Publications

At the nanoscale level, several biological processes take place, owing to the potential that engineered nanomaterials might interrelate with bio-molecules and cellular procedures. This study aimed to synthesize cadmium oxide nanoparticles via a one-step calcination process of tetradentate Schiff base-Cd(II) complex at different temperature ranges. The as-synthesized compounds were carried out via a viz UV–visible, elemental analysis, 1H NMR, molar conductivity, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The band gap energy and average particle sizes of the CdO particles are respectively (2.69 eV, 3.54 eV), 26.88 nm for CdO@250, and (3.20 eV, 3.57 eV), 25.67 nm …

Common-Mode Emi Characterization And Mitigation In Networked Power Electronics-Enabled Power Systems, Ashik Amin

Theses and Dissertations

Rapidly-increasing medium-voltage power electronics applications in emerging industry systems, including electrical ships, more electric aircraft, and microgrids, have emphasized the critical need for highly energy-efficient, reliable, and fast switching devices. As a result, Wide-Bandgap (WBG) devices have gained considerable interest over conventional silicon-based switches in recent years. For example, emerging WBG devices have unlocked new dimensions for modern motor drive systems with increased efficiency, switching frequency, and superior power density. Commercially-developed WBG devices such as Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) offer promising opportunities to meet those pressing requirements. However, the fast switching operation of WBG devices may cause …

Stochastic Programming Models And Algorithms To Improve Resiliency In A Biomass Supply Chain, Jay Artil

Theses and Dissertations

Biomass-based CHP (bCHP) can provide reliable electricity in remote and rural areas because it is an on-site generation resource, and it is designed to support continued operations in the event of a disaster. However, the benefits of such facilities can only be realized if a reliable and economical feedstock supply system is designed, given the system not only efficiently transports biomass under normal scenarios (e.g., when depots and transportation links are functioning properly) but also hedges against unexpected infrastructure/transportation link failures due to severe weather events (e.g., hurricanes). To serve this purpose, this study proposes a three-stage stochastic programming model …

The Role Of High-Resolution Dataset On Developing Of Coastal Wind-Driven Waves Model In Low Energy System, Ramin Baghbani

Theses and Dissertations

The spatial variation of wave climate plays a crucial role in erosion, sediment transport, and the design of management actions in coastal areas. Low energy wave systems occur frequently and over a wide range of geographical areas. There is a lack of studies assessing wave model performance in low-energy environments at a regional scale. Therefore, this research aims to model a low energy wave system using a high-resolution dataset. The specific objectives of this study involves 1) using cluster analysis and extensive field measurements to understand the spatial behavior of ocean waves, 2) develop a physics based model of wind-driven …

The Impact Of A Summer Bridge Program At A Public Land-Grant University In The Southeastern Region On The Retention Of First-Time Black Students, Marcus Isaiah Brumfield

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past few decades, there has been a push to retain and increase URM student participation in STEM fields. To address this need, there are STEM Summer Bridge programs that specifically target underrepresented minority (URM) students to assist with the transition from high school to college. Summer bridge programs were established as a response to the effort to help with the transition from high school to college for first-time students. There are a number of these programs that specifically target URM students with the goal of increasing the diversity within professions that are related to the STEM areas of …

Resource Sharing In Secure Distributed Systems, Trisha Chakraborty

Theses and Dissertations

Allocating resources in computer systems is a significant challenge due to constraints on resources, coordinating access to those resources, and tolerating malicious behavior. This dissertation investigates two fundamental problems concerning resource allocation. The first addresses the general challenge of sharing server resources among multiple clients, where an adversary may deny the availability of these resources; this is known as a denial-of-service (DoS) attack. Here, we propose a deterministic algorithm that employs resource burning (RB)—the verifiable expenditure of a network resource—to defend against DoS attacks. Specifically, our solution forces an adversary to incur higher RB costs compared to legitimate clients. Next, …

Quantum Task Mapping For Large-Scale Heterogenous Computing Systems, Mackenzie Danyel Ellenberger

Theses and Dissertations

Heterogeneous computing (HC) systems are essential parts of modern-day computing architectures such as cloud, cluster, grid, and edge computing. Many algorithms exist within the classical environment for mapping computational tasks to the HC system’s nodes, but this problem is not well explored in the quantum area. In this work, the practicality, accuracy, and computation time of quantum mapping algorithms are compared against eleven classical mapping algorithms. The classical algorithms used for comparison include A-star (A*), Genetic Algorithm (GA), Simulated Annealing (SA), Genetic Simulated Annealing (GSA), Opportunistic Load Balancing (OLB), Minimum Completion Time (MCT), Minimum Execution Time (MET), Tabu, Min-min, Max-min, …

Producing College And Career Ready Graduates In Rural High Poverty School Districts, Hilute Hudson Iii

Theses and Dissertations

This capstone project addresses the crucial task of equipping students from rural and poverty-stricken school districts for success beyond high school. While conventional markers of academic achievement often center around standardized testing, this study takes a wider perspective, emphasizing comprehensive approaches to education. By conducting a quantitative analysis that includes surveys of staff and faculty, this research explores the effectiveness of different strategies aimed at nurturing college and career readiness among students in these districts. The findings demonstrate a powerful narrative: educators can greatly improve graduation rates and post-graduation success by going beyond traditional test preparation methods. Key strategies include …

An Examination Of Middle School And High School Special Education Students In Inclusion Classrooms Employing Co-Teaching Model, Antwaunette Jones-Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates that all school districts provide a free appropriate public education to students with Individualized Education Plans in their least restrictive environment. Co-teaching in inclusion classrooms is a collaborative effort, with a general education teacher and a special education teacher, to provide academic and behavioral support to students with disabilities with their non-disabled peers. A review of the literature identified several studies conducted over the years that document the effects of employing co-teaching models in inclusion classrooms for middle school special education students and high school special education students. The purpose of this qualitative …

Socioeconomic Status And Rural Community College Students’ Academic Outcomes, Robert Jason Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to determine if differences exist in academic achievement based on student SES as measured by grade point average (GPA), credit hours earned, and completion of the academic year for rural community college students enrolled during the 2018-19 academic year. The study used existing data from a multi-campus rural community college located in the Southeastern region of the United States. To answer the research questions, existing data were collected from this community college. The independent variable collected was SES, as measured by Pell grant eligibility. The dependent variables collected included GPA, credit hours, …

Exploring The Relationship Between Network Topology And Braess Paradox, Samuel Giftson Prabhakar

Theses and Dissertations

The Braess Paradox is a rare phenomenon that only occurs under specific scenarios. This project aims to study the probability of the Braess Paradox occurring in a Directed Weighted Graph while the number of edges increases. The graphs in the experiment are focused on studying the occurrence of the Braess Paradox in a directed weighted scale-free network while transforming it into a directed weighted complete graph. A simulation model is used to simulate the bots traveling through a network to detect the occurrence of the Braess Paradox, considering the increase of directed weighted edges. A Graph Neural Network (GNN) is …

Inclusion: Survey Of Mississippi General And Special Education Teachers View And Experiences In An Inclusion Classroom, Patricia Ratliff

Theses and Dissertations

Considering the significance of integrating students with disabilities into general education classes in Mississippi, it is critical to identify the methods by which co-teachers report working together, whether they have obtained the needed professional development, and which teaching model they employ in the inclusion classroom. This data can facilitate the assessment and efficacy of inclusive practices and offer valuable insights into potential areas requiring enhancement. Furthermore, by gaining insight into the experiences of co-teachers, future training initiatives and assistance for educators in advocating for the effective integration of students with disabilities can be enhanced. The purpose of this research was …

A Modular Compact Kw-Class Ipos Dc-Dc Converter For Pulsed Power Applications, Walker Joseph Thames

Theses and Dissertations

Pulsed power systems are concerned with the delivery of significant amounts of power in a greatly condensed time frame. To achieve this, energy is often stored in a capacitor, where it can be rapidly discharged. Certain applications require repeated charging and discharging of the load capacitor in a specifically modulated manner; special power electronics systems must be developed for these situations. Existing systems on the market sacrifice a small form factor for greater pulsed power output. The proposed design outlines the development of a compact pulsed power capacitor charger capable of charging a load capacitor to high voltages at a …

Setting The Table: A Study Of Grassroots Organization Political Training Program And Black Women Interests To Run For Local Government., Adrian Shonna Tillman

Theses and Dissertations

The comparative study aims to assess the efficacy of grassroots organizations that provide political training programs for Black women to equip them for local office candidacy. An online survey was performed among alums to assess the influence of enrolling in these programs on participants' aspirations to pursue and actively run for local office. The alum survey comprised thirty-four questions to evaluate if Black women had obtained the essential abilities for political candidacy. The poll aims to determine the perceived strengths, problems, and opportunities for Black women participating in political leadership training programs. The surveys aimed to collect important information about …

Integrating Building Information Modeling (Bim) And Blockchain Technology In The Pre-Construction Planning Processes, Abdul Wahab

Theses and Dissertations

Adopting new technologies is a relatively slow process in the construction industry due to the nature of activities involved in construction projects. However, with the current evolution in Information Technology (IT) and other computing technologies it is essential to incorporate them into the construction world to enhance and upgrade some critical activities to yield higher accuracy and productivity. The current literature provides a good overview of the construction industry's modern technology. Still, it lacks specific details about the factors that contribute the most in the two pre-construction processes, i.e., cost estimation and contracts. Therefore, this dissertation expands the current literature …

Choosing A Foundational Mathematics Course In Higher Education: How Is The Decision Made?, Heather Marie Wood

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research used the tenants of phenomenological research to structure a study that begins to identify faculty coordinator’s decision processes in selecting a general education mathematics course. In this study, I examined the question if a faculty member's experiences or beliefs had any influence on the decision process. The interviews occurred with faculty in degree programs grouped by the following a) no specific mathematics requirements (e.g., Humanities) degree programs, b) mathematics-light degree programs (e.g., Social Sciences) and c) mathematics-intensive degrees (e.g., Computer Science). The results of this study are varied but suggest that faculty tasked making decisions on mathematics …

Hydrologic Connectivity Between Oxbow Lakes And Rivers Within The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Hafez Ahmad

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated hydrologic connectivity, the intricate network of water pathways linking waterbodies, and its implications for biodiversity exchange in floodplains. Chapter 1 provides an exhaustive literature review encompassing factors influencing hydrologic connectivity, assessment approaches, scales, challenges, and management tools. Existing research often focuses on single scales and short-term periods, revealing a need for comprehensive multi-scale and extended temporal analyses. The absence of standardized definitions and methodologies in this field is also considered. Chapter 2 presents an innovative approach quantifying eight key connectivity metrics using remote sensing and GIS within the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV). This adaptable method assesses …

Fabrication And Testing Of A Stitched Sandwich Composite Main Landing Gear Door, Mary Dimitroff

Theses and Dissertations

Lightweight sandwich composite structures exhibit high strength and bending stiffness and have been used in various load-bearing aerospace structures. A primary weakness of these structures is the low interfacial strength that can result in the disbonding between the facesheet and the core. Through-thickness reinforcement techniques, such as stitching, can be utilized to improve the interfacial strength of sandwich composites. This study focuses on fabrication and structural testing of stitched sandwich composite main landing gear (MLG) strut doors. The MLG strut doors are constructed from carbon fiber non-crimp fabric facesheets and closed-cell foam core that are stitched using a modified lock …

Common Mode Electromagnetic Interference Attenuation For Dc/Ac Inverters Using Enhanced Sinusoidal Frequency Modulation Technique, Dinh Le

Theses and Dissertations

Common mode (CM) electromagnetic interference (EMI) can compromise electronics systems, interfere with communication systems, and degrade mechanical systems. Multiple inverters can also generate excessive CM EMI that often exceeds individual inverter EMI standards. Due to their weight, volume, cost, and suboptimal performance, active and passive filters and chokes are inefficient as EMI mitigation options. By utilizing frequency modulation (FM) or spread spectrum frequency modulation (SSFM), EMI energy is dispersed. In spite of not requiring expensive, bulky, and heavy filters, these techniques produce significant ripples in output voltages and currents. This dissertation uses enhanced sinusoidal frequency modulation to reduce CM EMI …