Digital Commons Network^™

Bio-Based Rigid Polyurethane Foams Using Modified Hemp Seed Oil Combined With Flame Retardants, Sagar Jariwala

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

In today's world, the idea is to synthesize bio-based polyurethane (PU) goods, which reduces reliance on petroleum-based products. As a result, we produced polyol from hemp seed oil (HSO) and evaluated it using FTIR, GPC, hydroxyl value, and acid value. Hemp seed oil polyol (HSOP) was successfully synthesized and combined with additional ingredients such as catalysts, blowing agents, hardeners, and flame-retardant chemicals to produce stiff polyurethane foams. The focus of this research was to synthesize high-quality flame-retardant rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) through the addition of flame retardants. The test results revealed that the HSO-based PU without flame retardants has 47.04 …

Quantum Measurement: Theory And Practice, Andrew N. Jordan, Irfan A. Siddiqi

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Books and Book Chapters

This book adopts a novel, physics-first approach to quantum measurement, using physical experiments as the basis to describe the underlying mathematical formalism. Topics covered include weak measurements, quantum measurement reversal, quantum trajectories and the stochastic path integral formalism. The theory of quantum measurement is also covered in detail, including discussion of how it can be tested and demonstrated in a laboratory: how to build quantum-limited amplifiers, fundamental noise limits imposed on measurement by quantum mechanics, and the design of superconducting circuits. This text is an excellent introduction for students with a basic understanding of quantum mechanics wanting to learn more …

Wyoming Conservation Exchange: A Case Study In Grassroots Conservation Program Design, Kristiana Hansen, Sara Brodnax, Roger Coupal, Jennifer Lamb, Anne Mackinnon, Ginger Paige, Eric Peterson, Melanie Purcell

Journal of Extension

This article describes the conception and development of a market-based conservation program in Wyoming whose purpose was threefold: to compensate landowners for good stewardship of their land and water resources; facilitate meaningful conservation; and encourage environmentally responsible energy development. The program was developed with strong stakeholder support against a backdrop of significant regulatory change. The project, called the Wyoming Conservation Exchange (WCE), represents a project-based alternative to more traditional program-based Extension efforts. This article evaluates ways in which the WCE can act as a road map—but also a cautionary tale—for similar Extension efforts in the future.

A Needs Assessment Of Extension Staff To Implement Inclusive Programming For Adults With Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, E. Andrew Pitchford, Christine Hradek, Jody Gatewood, Debra M. Sellers

Journal of Extension

This study is a needs assessment of Extension staff in the state of Iowa to implement inclusive programming for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Electronic surveys were completed by Extension staff on their attitudes and beliefs toward people with IDD, inclusive programming, and training needs. Results showed that Extension staff had positive views, but that staff reporting personal experience with people with IDD had more positive attitudes and beliefs (p

Thinking Outside The Box: Exploring The Instructional Conversations Model Beyond English Language Learners Into Gifted Learners, Terri Thornton

Dissertations

Gifted students, characterized by exceptional intellectual abilities and unique learning needs, often find themselves navigating an educational landscape that may not fully cater to their specific requirements. Traditional teaching methods may fall short of engaging and challenging these students to realize their full potential. This dissertation delves into the efficacy of instructional conversations as an innovative pedagogical approach tailored to the distinctive learning profiles of gifted students. Through a comprehensive examination of relevant literature, theoretical frameworks, and empirical evidence, this study seeks to illuminate the impact of instructional conversations on the academic, social, and emotional development of gifted learners.

The …

Business Students’ Perceptions Of The Influence Of Career, Technical, And Agricultural Education (Ctae) On Career Readiness And Graduation Outcomes, Spencer T. Fortson Jr

Dissertations

This qualitative study sought to identify and analyze the perceptions of business students on the influence of CTAE programs on career readiness and graduation outcomes. The study adopted a phenomenological approach to explore how and why students develop their perceptions of CTAE. Notably, the study explored how business students perceive the programs and their roles in promoting career readiness and graduation outcomes and provide recommendations to improve student engagement and interest in CTAE programs. The study was conducted in a large high school in Georgia among a diverse population – regarding gender, race, and socioeconomic status – of students. Notably, …

Design And Validation Of Eco-Friendly Chemometric-Assisted Spectrophotometric Methods For The Simultaneous Determination Of Chlorzoxazone, Paracetamol, And Aceclofenac In The Presence Of Their Main Impurities, Ayoub N. Mozayad, Marwa A. Fouad, Ehab F. Elkady

Bulletin of Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University

Objective: The goal of this work is to develop and validate eco-friendly spectrophotometric methods for the simultaneous determination of chlorzoxazone (CHZ), paracetamol (PAR), and aceclofenac (ACF) in the presence of their major impurities, specifically 2-amino-4-chlorophenol (ACP), 4-aminophenol (4-AP), and diclofenac (DCF), in commercially available tablet dosage forms using chemometric techniques. Method: Six chemometric models, namely classical least squares (CLS), partial least squares (PLS) regression, and principal component regression (PCR), in addition to feed-forward back-propagation artificial neural networks (FFBP-ANN), cascade-forward back-propagation artificial neural networks (CFBP-ANN), and radial basis function artificial neural networks (RBF-ANN), were employed to analyze the synthetic mixtures, which …

Spiritual Chemistry: The Theosophic Roots Of Newtonian Alchemy, Jeffery Tucker

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

The popularization of mathematics in the Modern Era and the subsequent proliferation of technologies have created a cultural environment in which the meaning of 'science' is often assumed to be self-evident. Philosophically, this presumptive consensus derives many of its arguments from Popperian criteria, which seek to delineate the critical differences between 'science' and 'non-science.' These demarcations imply that 'science' is an empiric reality, discoverable in both its methods and qualities. Although Kuhnian relativism has attenuated the robustness of these assertions, the fact remains that many individuals purport to have an intuitive ability to state definitively, "This is science." Such claims …

Chinese University Students’ Growth In Critical Thinking: Accounting For School Transition And Selection Effects, Jinwen Luo, Minjeong Jeon, Hong Shen

Chinese/English Journal of Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 教育测量与评估双语期刊

Evaluating cognitive ability and skills development in higher education presents challenges because the focal outcome often serves as, or at least is reflected in, selection criteria for college admission decisions. Additionally, the baseline abilities and skills gained from earlier educational experiences impact students' further learning outcomes. To address these challenges, we propose an integrated framework for estimating students' growth that accounts for lasting transition effects and varying selection effects. Using a nationally representative longitudinal sample of Chinese university students, we found that students experienced medium-sized growth (0.67) in critical thinking skills, with a large effect size observed for evaluating the …

Full Issue, The Migrant

The Migrant - Tennessee Ornithological Society

No abstract provided.

Association Between Psychiatric Diagnosis And Academic Major In College Students, Maryam Ali, Ambika Menon, Amani Carson, Larry Tupler

Research Day

Introduction: Prior literature has highlighted the high prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses amongst college students. We propose that developmental influences that shape the emergence of psychiatric disorders amongst individuals are reflected in early intellectual pursuits. Furthermore, we propose that collegiate institutional stressors relating to these pursuits can further the declaration of a disorder in students with a psychiatric diathesis. Methods: We acquired data anonymously from 1,133 colleges via a Web-based survey of 17,425 students who were ≤ 22 years old. We report the association between psychiatric disorder and choice of academic major in the first collegiate year to illuminate early developmental …

Trends In Substance Use And Mental Health Among Adolescents In Georgia, 2002-2022, Saumya S. Palipudi, Bangaru Talli Palipudi, Murty Komanduri

Georgia Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Conference

Background: While substance use and absence of mental health disorders among youth in the United States (US) have declined over the past two decades, post COVID-19 pandemic, these conditions have increased significantly with notable disparities, and witnessed a crisis in public health. In 2022, 24.7% or 6.1 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the US had either Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and 3.7 percent had both in the prior year². Increased stress, lack of peer connections, parental abuse, and poor mental health conditions were attributed to this increase in substance use^{3-7 …}

The Investigation Of Thermal Energy Storage - Heat Pump Integration For Residential Applications, Martin Rosales, Jared Williams, Spencer Marinac, John Bai, Gianluca Borgese

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Transitions to a majority renewable energy-based grid to enable decarbonization require a significant increase in energy storage to supplement the intermittent nature of renewables. Buildings consume a substantial portion of electricity on the grid for thermal loads related to Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC). Due to the high cost of battery storage and the synergy with the primarily thermal loads of buildings, thermal energy storage (TES) is well suited to add additional energy storage to the grid at a low cost. This project investigated the implementation and feasibility of thermal storage with heat pumps in renewable energy-powered workspace. Integration was …

Sandpiper Food Search Algorithm: A New Optimization Approach For Agents With Limited Knowledge, Jessica Christa Wira, Spoorti Nanjamma

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Optimization problems in mechanical engineering drive advancements in system designs, performance enhancement, and maximizing efficiency across various applications. While conventional methods face limitations with increasingly complex problems, metaheuristic algorithms inspired by nature offer promising solutions. However, many existing algorithms such as the Firefly Algorithm, Particle Swarm Optimization, Generic Algorithm, Bath Algorithm, and Cuckoo Search lack realism in handling localized knowledge, crucial for certain real-world complex systems such as underground mining and spacecraft trajectory. To bridge this gap, we introduce the Sandpiper Food Search Algorithm, inspired by sandpipers' foraging behaviour at the beach where each agent (sandpiper) explores the problem space …

On The Mathematical Modeling Of An Antenna In The 5g Rf2 Range, Kian Greene, Samuel Quinutolo, Gianna Napoleon

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this research is to study the mathematical modeling of an antenna in the frequency range of 26-52 GHz (the 5G RF2 Band) to be tested in an Over-The-Air (OTA) chamber and explore modification of the model to investigate radiation pattern output. This work is motivated by a project given to our independent study course by our industry partner OCELOTT. By literature review, we found that one of the important factors of antenna design is the path loss model. In this project, we experiment with how different environments generate different path loss models and present some examples of …

Detecting Stellar Rotation With The Synchrosqueezing Wavelet Transform, Cassandra Mcginley, Mariel Lares Martiz, Terry Oswalt, Derek Buzasi

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The main goal of Gyrochronology is to determine stellar ages by understanding how stars slow down in their rotation as they age. In order to achieve such a goal, rotation periods must be determined with high precision. Various tools are available for determining stellar rotation periods, such as the AutoCorrelation Function (ACF), Lomb Scargle periodograms, or Classical Wavelet analysis. However, each method has strengths and weaknesses when applied to determining stellar rotation rates. One weakness of Classical Wavelet analysis is the relatively low precision with which periods are determined. A new algorithm for wavelet analysis, called Synchrosqueezing Wavelet Transform (SWT), …

Data-Driven Methods For Partial Differential Equations, Josephine Parker, Oliva Holdeman, Collin Sunes, Lola Torres, Caleb Chronowski

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This research explores recent advancements in solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) through a fusion of data-driven methods and Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs). Traditional numerical techniques encounter challenges with complex systems in modeling diverse physical phenomena. The study focuses on applying PINNs to efficiently solve elliptic PDEs, crucial equations in scientific and engineering disciplines. Elliptic PDEs, known for their steady-state nature, pose challenges for traditional methods due to high computational costs over complex domains. The research utilizes a comprehensive dataset, synthetically generated for PINN training and accuracy validation. The study introduces a novel approach to constructing a PINN that not only …

Application Of Matrices For Facial Recognition, Henry Peters

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Facial recognition has grown exponentially, driven by complex techniques such as artificial intelligence. There remains a need for simple, low-cost systems that can compare faces to pre-constructed data sets. Here we utilize the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to process photos with numerous identifying variables and linearly reduce them into a matrix so that we can efficiently compare faces stored in a database. Two methods were used side by side to demonstrate effectiveness and results. Both methods took the facial scan and processed it into large vectors. Then placed those vectors into a large matrix where each column represents a face, …

Removal Of Phenol From Oilfield Produced Water Using Non-Conventional Adsorbent Medium By An Eco-Friendly Approach, Salem Jawad Alhamd, Mohammed Nsaif Abbas, Hassan Jameel Jawad Al-Fatlawy, Thekra Atta Ibrahim, Zaid Nsaif Abbas

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Petroleum extraction generates substantial quantities of produced water, a challenge compounded by water scarcity in oil-producing regions, notably the Middle East. Leveraging produced water effectively, adhering to environmental standards, can offer a viable solution to the issue of water scarcity. This study explores the potential of mandarin peels as an available, cost-effective adsorbent for treating synthetic aqueous solution simulated to oil-field produced water, specifically targeting phenol, a dangerous pollutant. Employing a batch-mode adsorption unit, six operational factors—phenol concentration, acidity, agitation speed, contact time, adsorbent dose, and temperature—were investigated. Results revealed an inverse relationship between phenol removal and pH, concentration, and …

Study Of The Solar Coronal Plasma Properties, Shubhashri S. Shenoy

University Departments

No abstract provided.

Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect In The Intra-Cluster Medium, Nathan Fronk

Senior Seminars and Capstones

This paper covers the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect, it’s derivation, and it’s applications in astronomy. The effect is a result of inverse Compton scattering in a cloud of hot charged particles, causing an increase in the temperature of the the cosmic microwave background radiation passing through the cloud. This change in temperature can be measured, and used to calculate the physical properties of the structure in question. This paper focuses on the a method used by Adam et al. (2017) to find a temperature map of the intra-cluster medium.

Clemson Commencement Program, May 2024, Clemson University

Clemson Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Mitochondria Regulate Proliferation In Adult Cardiac Myocytes, Gregory B Waypa, Kimberly A Smith, Paul T Mungai, Vincent J Dudley, Kathryn A Helmin, Benjamin D Singer, Clara Bien Peek, Joseph Bass, Lauren Nelson, Sanjiv J Shah, Gaston Ofman, J Andrew Wasserstrom, William A Muller, Alexander V Misharin, G R Scott Budinger, Hiam Abdala-Valencia, Navdeep S Chandel, Danijela Dokic, Elizabeth Bartom, Shuang Zhang, Yuki Tatekoshi, Amir Mahmoodzadeh, Hossein Ardehali, Edward B Thorp, Paul T Schumacker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Newborn mammalian cardiomyocytes quickly transition from a fetal to an adult phenotype that utilizes mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation but loses mitotic capacity. We tested whether forced reversal of adult cardiomyocytes back to a fetal glycolytic phenotype would restore proliferative capacity. We deleted Uqcrfs1 (mitochondrial Rieske iron-sulfur protein, RISP) in hearts of adult mice. As RISP protein decreased, heart mitochondrial function declined, and glucose utilization increased. Simultaneously, the hearts underwent hyperplastic remodeling during which cardiomyocyte number doubled without cellular hypertrophy. Cellular energy supply was preserved, AMPK activation was absent, and mTOR activation was evident. In ischemic hearts with RISP deletion, new cardiomyocytes …

How Financial Beliefs And Behaviors Influence The Financial Health Of Individuals Struggling With Opioid Use Disorder, James R Langabeer, Francine R Vega, Marylou Cardenas-Turanzas, A Sarah Cohen, Karima Lalani, Tiffany Champagne-Langabeer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The surge in opioid use disorder (OUD) over the past decade escalated opioid overdoses to a leading cause of death in the United States. With adverse effects on cognition, risk-taking, and decision-making, OUD may negatively influence financial well-being. This study examined the financial health of individuals diagnosed with OUD by reviewing financial beliefs and financial behaviors. We evaluated quality of life, perceptions of financial condition during active use and recovery, and total debt. We distributed a 20-item survey to 150 individuals in an outpatient treatment program for OUD in a large metropolitan area, yielding a 56% response rate. The results …

Brain Computer Interface-Based Drone Control Using Gyroscopic Data From Head Movements, Ikaia Cacha Melton

Honors College Theses

This research explores the potential of using gyroscopic data from a person’s head movement to control a DJI Tello quadcopter via a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). In this study, over 100 gyroscopic recordings capturing the X, Y and Z columns (formally known as GyroX, GyroY, GyroZ) between 4 volunteers with the Emotiv Epoc X headset were collected. The Emotiv Epoc X data captured (left, right, still, and forward) head movements of each participant associated with the DJI Tello quadcopter navigation. The data underwent thorough processing and analysis, revealing distinctive patterns in charts using Microsoft Excel. A Python condition algorithm was then …

Philanthropy In The Helping Profession: An Overview And Introductory Workshop Intended To Support Counselors And Counselors In Training, Matthew Higgins

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Many new counseling professionals enter the field with a deep understanding of the therapeutic relationship but lack knowledge of the financial realities that sustain counseling services. Traditional training prioritizes building rapport with clients, leaving a gap in understanding the business side of the helping profession. As the demand for therapy increases, particularly in the United States, it's crucial for counselors to explore innovative solutions to sustain the field in the long term. Integrating education on philanthropic support into counselor training offers a creative approach that would fall in line with the ACA Code of Ethics. While more research needs to …

An Exploration Of The Potential Impacts Of Philosophical Idealism On Psychotherapeutic Practice, Ian Richard

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

This study presents a review of the modern ontologies available regarding the nature of the universe and identifies Bernardo Kastrup’s formulation of idealism as a leading model. Idealism theorizes that consciousness is the basis of reality, as opposed to physical objects. The implications of Kastrup’s idealism on psychotherapeutic practice are considered, including conflicts with the medical model, synergies with the contextual model, and suggestions for approaches that align with the findings of idealism.

Relative Influence Of Sea State And Mean, Turbulent, And Heterogenous Refractivity On X-Band Propagation, Douglas M. Pastore, Erin E. Hackett

Marine Science

In predicting electromagnetic wave propagation within the marine atmospheric surface layer, it is common to assume steady homogenous conditions. However, discrepancies between predicted and measured propagation remain, which could be due in-part to turbulent fluctuations of the refractive index, spatially heterogenous evaporative ducting environments, and mischaracterization of the rough ocean bottom boundary. To better understand the relative importance of these contributors, this study explores the sensitivity of X-band propagation to parameters describing sea-state conditions and refractive environments, including turbulent fluctuations and spatially heterogenous conditions. This study employs the extended Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test to compute sensitivity indices that evaluate the …

A Turn-Off Fluorescent Sensor For Metal Ions Quantifies Corrosion In An Organic Solvent, Lianlian Liu, Zechariah Pfaffenberger, Mark Siegel, Anuj Saini, Lydia Kisley

Faculty Scholarship

We demonstrate that the corrosion of AISI 1045 medium carbon steel and pure aluminum can be quantified by the turn-off fluorescent sensor Phen Green-SK (PGSK) in ethanol-based solutions. We first evaluate the dependence of the chelation enhanced quenching of PGSK on iron and aluminum ion concentrations. Subsequently, we apply PGSK to examine the anodic dissolution of metal corrosion. The observed time-dependent PGSK-quenching quantifies the corrosion rates of two metals over 24 h of immersion in ethanol-based solutions. The PGSK-based quantification of corrosion is compared to scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical techniques, including open circuit potential and Tafel extrapolation. The corrosion …

Leadership Practices And Instructional Strategies To Advance Student Achievement In Title 1 Elementary Schools, Paula Michelle Watson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative single case study aimed to explore how administrative team members perceived their leadership practices and instructional strategies that advance student academic outcomes on annual mathematics and literacy state assessments. Transformational leadership was the conceptual framework for data collection and analysis. Three research questions focused on how elementary administrative team members perceived leadership practices to advance student achievement in mathematics and literacy, their perceptions of the effectiveness of the leadership strategies used, and their perceptions of instructional strategies used to advance student achievement in mathematics and literacy. This single case study included the cases of three elementary school administrative …