Digital Commons Network^™

Dose Adjustment Of The Anti-Seizure Medications Levetiracetam And Lamotrigine During The Postpartum Period. Schedule Plan, Safety And Efficacy, Nadejda Khmelev, Firas Fahoum, Lilach Goldstein

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Lamotrigine (LTG) and Levetiracetam (LEV) are anti-seizure medications (ASMs) widely used for treatment of women with epilepsy (WWE) of childbearing age due to low teratogenic potential. Physiological changes during gestation results in enhanced clearance. Drug level monitoring and frequent dose adjustments are required to avoid decline in serum levels and compromised seizure control. Postpartum, physiological changes reverse and ASM clearance trends back to pre-pregnancy rate. Rapid metabolic changes make drug level monitoring and dose adjustments challenging. A delay in dose decrement could result in toxicity. The optimal postpartum dose reduction rate hasn't been established.

METHODS: We retrospectively examined medical …

Program Outcome Evaluation Of A Flexibly Structured Individual Outpatient Program For Severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder In A Private Practice Setting, Jason R. David

Doctoral Dissertations

The current study is a quantitative program evaluation of the effectiveness private practice for treating obsessive compulsive disorder while incorporating multiple validated components to reduce common barriers of treatment access. There were three outcomes used to evaluate the first being the reduction in symptom severity across treatment, the second being the length of time in treatment before reduction can be seen, and the third being the rates completing treatment as agreed by therapist and participant. The current study was able to complete analysis for the first and third research question, and unable to answer the second. The first and primary …

Lifetime Prediction Of Electrolytic Capacitors Under Variable Loadings In Electric Vehicles For Prognostics And Health Management Applications, Jaewon Lee

Electronic Dissertations and Theses, 2010-current

Aluminum electrolytic capacitors (AECs) are widely used in electric vehicles (EVs) power electronics but are also a primary source of wear-out failures. Most previously proposed lifetime models were derived under constant loading conditions and therefore cannot capture variable loading arising from seasonal or diurnal temperature swings and user-dependent driving profiles in EVs. This study develops a variable-loading lifetime prediction framework for AECs, which can be further extended to prognostics and health management (PHM). Collectively, the results of the study demonstrate a framework suitable for PHM application, in which SoD-based lifetime prediction yields reliable predictions under variable loadings. An appropriate lifetime …

Fayetteville State University Winter Commencement December 12, 2025, Fayetteville State University

Graduation Exhibit

Program for Fayetteville State University Winter Commencement December 12, 2025

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Monica Terrell Leach, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Fayetteville State University

Trauma-Informed Advisement: An Examination Of Advisors’ Trauma-Informed Competencies And Responses, Alexis Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Mental health issues are a problem among the college student population (Abrams, 2022; Andersen et al., 2021; Lipson et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2022), and trauma-informed care (TIC) strategies are being applied within higher education advising as a way to tackle student mental health problems (Bowie State University, 2025a; Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute & Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University, 2025; Olson & Sterk, 2024; Williams, 2025). However, few studies have examined TIC in the context of academic advising, particularly in the context of higher education. This dissertation aims to address this gap using a …

Faculty Adoption Of The Canvas Learning Management System: An Application Of The Utaut2 Framework, Alyssa Hutcheson Mckinley

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to examine faculty adoption of the Canvas LMS at a public university through the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) framework. Survey data were collected from faculty across multiple colleges within the university and were used to explore the predictive power of the UTAUT2 constructs including hedonic motivation, facilitating conditions, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, habit and behavioral intention. In addition to this, disciplinary differences along with discipline-specific needs were also considered in order to better understand adoption patterns. The results of this study indicated habit, hedonic motivation, facilitating conditions, and the …

The Effects Of Bullying Victimization And Bullying Perpetration On Academic, Social, And Emotional Self-Efficacy Among Adolescents, Amber Crenshaw

Theses and Dissertations

Bullying remains a persistent challenge in schools and has been linked to diminished perceptions of capability across multiple domains. This quantitative, cross-sectional study examined how bullying victimization and bullying perpetration relate to domain-specific self-efficacy, academic, social, and emotional, among students in grades 4-12 in the southern United States. Students (N = 81) completed the Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument (APRI-BT) measuring victimization and perpetration across verbal, social, and physical behaviors. Students also completed the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C) measuring domain-specific self-efficacy. Analyses included descriptive statistics, internal consistency estimates, bivariate correlations, and hierarchical multiple regressions. Moderation by parental education and socioeconomic …

What Makes A Good Leader? Ms Lili: Mississippi Library Leadership Institute, Anita L. Winger

Theses and Dissertations

What is leadership? The goal of this research is to develop leaders, but what does that mean? It is true that leadership is needed at every level in an organization, and a leader does not need to be at the administrative level of the organization but can lead from any role and any level in the organization. Everyone has their own style of leadership that needs to be developed. The research explored different styles and theories of leadership and focused on implementing a Character Strength-based framework of leadership. Through this research, identified topics will be presented to participants in the …

How Are Teacher Leadership Characteristics Defined?: Investigating The Development Of Leadership Identity, Role Clarity, And Administrative Support, Anna C. Daher

Theses and Dissertations

The research study investigated how graduates of a teacher leadership preparation program perceived their development as teacher leaders, the factors that supported or hindered their leadership practices, and how their lived experiences aligned with the Teacher Leader Model Standards. The mixed method qualitative research study was designed to examine how teacher leaders make meaning of their growth and enactment of leadership while remaining in classroom roles. Eighteen graduates of a teacher leadership preparation program at a public university in Mississippi completed a survey on their leadership development and current roles. Of those, six participants representing diverse educational backgrounds, experience levels, …

Barriers To Higher Education In Mississippi Prisons: A Systematic Literature Review And Policy Analysis, Ashley Elizabeth Weathers

Theses and Dissertations

Higher education in prison reduces recidivism and improves reentry outcomes, yet Mississippi’s prison education programs remain underdeveloped due to financial constraints, policy challenges, and systemic barriers. While national research on prison education is expanding, Mississippi-specific policy evaluations remain limited. This capstone employs a desk-based research methodology, integrating a systematic literature review and policy analysis to examine these challenges. The study synthesizes recent research on the impact of prison education, funding limitations, and policy frameworks, addressing a critical gap in state-specific policy evaluation. The policy analysis evaluates Mississippi’s correctional education policies and funding mechanisms, using Southwest Mississippi Community College’s (SMCC) Prison …

Anxiety, Stress, And Depression As A Predictor Of Established Vaping Among High School Students, Autumn Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has linked initiation of e-cigarette use with mental health but has not identified how mental health factors impact patterns of use of these products in adolescents. I tested the hypothesis that adolescents who report vaping to cope with stress, depression, and anxiety have more established patterns of use with data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey. Crosstabulations and logistic regression outcome measures included current use, intensity of use, and cumulative lifetime use. Reasons for initial and current use related to mental health were associated with current e-cigarette use, more intense use, and higher cumulative use. Mental health plays …

Assessing Water Quality And Algae In Wetland Reserve Easements In The Alluvial Valleys Of Mississippi And Louisiana, Avery June Wissmueller

Theses and Dissertations

Wetlands in agricultural landscapes play a critical role in improving water quality by retaining and transforming nutrients and pollutants. In the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV), widespread conversion of bottomland hardwood forests to row-crop agriculture has diminished this natural function. The Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) program restores wetlands on marginal farmland to recover ecosystem services. In this study, I evaluated water quality and algal productivity in WREs compared to natural reference wetlands and crop sites. Restored wetlands showed improved water quality compared to crop sites and were often comparable to or intermediate between reference wetlands. Seasonal variation and hydrologic differences shaped …

Understanding Acceptance Capacity And Intentions Of Mississippians To Participate In The Conservation And Management Of Black Bears In Mississippi, Basant Pant

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the acceptance capacity of Mississippians towards black bears (Ursus Americanus), and their intentions to participate in their conservation and management. It intends to bridge the theory and application of wildlife acceptance capacity among three main objectives. First, a systematic literature review of journal articles employing the Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis (SALSA) method revealed the development phase of Wildlife Acceptance Capacity (WAC)-conceptual phase (1988 -2000) and applied phase (post 2000), highlighting the strong scholarly collaboration among high human development index (HDI) countries with limited collaboration with the low HDI countries. Second, a mail survey of 4,080 Mississippi …

Quantifying Benefits Of Biochar With Variable Absorption Capacity As A Partial Cement Replacement In Concrete, Benjamin Shannon

Theses and Dissertations

Extensive research has been conducted on biochar-incorporated concrete. However, no concrete mixture design guideline is currently available for implementing biochar incorporation in practice. The objective of this study was to correlate biochar absorption capacity with the compressive strength of biochar-incorporated concrete, to quantify the benefits of biochar and develop mix design guidelines. Biochar with varying absorption capacities was incorporated into concrete at 10%, 20%, and 40%. Strength and moisture loss were recorded over the 90-day curing period of the biochar-incorporated concrete. Results revealed three main findings: (1) in 10%, 20%, and 40% biochar mixes, the normalized strengths ranged from 0.65–0.85, …

Exploring The Impact Of Incorporating Artificial Intelligence Integrated Systems In The Workplace, Catherine Cruz Agosto Noda

Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on assessing the impact of incorporating systems integrated with in the workplace by assessing the constructs of usability, cognitive load, and trust. The constructs are assessed by generation and experience level to determine which factors are relevant in a workplace setting. A workplace scenario was simulated by asking participants to complete tasks where they assumed the role of a warehouse manager assigned with assessing two scheduling systems – one with artificial intelligence and one without artificial intelligence. The participants were presented with three tasks of increasing difficulty for each prototype. Both quantitative and qualitative measures were used …

Netflix And Kill: The Role Of True Crime Consumption In The Development Of Acquired Capability For Suicide, Chandler Jayne Mcdaniel

Theses and Dissertations

The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS) identifies acquired capability as a key factor contributing to suicidal behavior. Previous research has shown that violent media exposure can increase suicidal risk through desensitization, imitation, and trauma activation. However, little is known about the role of true crime consumption (TCC), a popular form of violent media engagement, in relation to IPTS constructs. This study examined whether TCC predicts acquired capability for suicide, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness. A total of 215 participants were retained after data cleaning. Hypotheses predicted that higher TCC would be associated with higher acquired capability (H1), that TCC would …

Enhancing Leadership Development For Faculty And Staff At Community Colleges, Christopher L. Haralson

Theses and Dissertations

Community colleges serve as critical gateways to higher education and workforce advancement, yet many lack formal leadership development programs tailored to their unique missions and operational challenges. This capstone project explores the need for and proposes the design of a comprehensive leadership program for community colleges, addressing three guiding questions: (1) How can community colleges build institutional support for leadership development programs? (2) In what ways can leadership programs increase faculty and staff engagement to improve student success? (3) How can structured leadership programs serve as foundations for succession planning within college administration? A desk-based research methodology was employed, anchored …

‘Cog In The Machine’ Or Social Being? How Digital Communications Affect Social Capital Development In Higher Education Institution Workplaces., Daphne Abigail Knox

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of digital communications on social capital development within the workplace in public institutions of higher education. While previous literature recognizes the potential implications of the internet on areas like social capital (Putnam, 2000; 2020) and formal and informal communications in organizations (Simon, 1997), an in-depth understanding of how modern digital communications impact social capital development is still necessary to address the gap in literature and to analyze the impact of digital communications on the development of organizational social capital. The potential implications of this work on scholarly research include expanding …

Spectral Methods And Wavelets In Quantitative Finance Problems, Davood Damircheli

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation leverages advanced spectral methods and wavelet techniques to address complex quantitative finance models, enhancing the computation of financial derivatives and risk assessments. Building on foundational studies, this research extends these methods to broader, intricate financial contexts. The first section explores fractional-order generalized Chebyshev wavelets (FOCW) applied to fractional advection equations, relevant in both mathematics and physics. Using a regularized beta function to compute the Riemann-Liouville fractional integral operator, this study introduces a novel numerical scheme with robust accuracy, confirmed through error analysis and empirical tests. The second part examines the fractional Black-Scholes equations for option pricing under subdiffusive …

Bridging The Gap: Enhancing Novice Teacher Retention Through Logistical And Administrative Support, Denise Fleurette Harrel

Theses and Dissertations

This project examines the challenges novice teachers encounter and how structured support systems impact their job satisfaction, effectiveness, and retention. The review focuses on administrative and logistical support, highlighting gaps between teacher preparation and classroom realities that contribute to high attrition (Falk, 2017; Koca, 2016). Key challenges include insufficient time management training, inconsistent expectations, and limited district or school-level support (Fantilli & McDougall, 2009), all of which are intensified by the demands of navigating modern classroom technologies (Philipsen et al., 2019). The literature review centers on teacher perceptions to clarify what constitutes effective logistical and administrative support (Banerjee et al., …

A Mixed-Method Study Of African American Parents’ Involvement In Their Children’S Individualized Education Program Process, Dischedia Tamarisi Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The major purpose of the study was to examine the unique experiences of African American parents regarding their parental involvement in their child’s Individualized Education Program process. In addition, the study aimed to investigate the perceptions of teachers and administrators regarding the experiences of the African American parents as they worked with the parents and their children during the IEP process. Epstein’s (1987, 2008) Model of Parental Involvement was used as a theoretical framework to underpin the study emphasizing six dimensions of parental involvement. The six dimensions of parental involvement include the following: parenting, communicating, volunteering, learning at home, decision-making, …

Use Of Wetlands By Migratory Waterbirds In The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Duncan Fraser

Theses and Dissertations

The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) is a critical stopover and wintering area for dozens of migratory waterbird species. For many species, especially shorebirds, shallow water and mudflats during migration and winter are vital for foraging and survival. Wetland restoration combined with strategic flooding practices can provide important resources for various waterbird guilds using the LMAV. I surveyed waterbirds during three migration seasons (January-May 2024 and 2025, and July-December 2024) across 62 total wetland units on four national wildlife refuges, four wildlife management areas, and one aquaculture facility in the Mississippi LMAV. I also compared abundance and richness of waterbirds …

Optimizing Military Fighter Jet Selection: A Decision Analysis Approach For Nuclear-Capable Aircraft, Eni Kelechi Ofong

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the strategic decision-making process involved in selecting a nuclear-capable fighter aircraft for NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) nations in Europe. In adaptation to the continuously changing technology landscape and the necessity for enhanced deterrence capabilities, this study evaluates three potential aircraft: the legacy Panavia Tornado (PA-200), the widely deployed F-16 Fighting Falcon (F-16), and the advanced F-35 Lightning II (F-35). Each platform presents distinct advantages and limitations regarding operational performance, mission adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and long-term sustainability. To systematically assess these alternatives, the study employs various decision analysis frameworks, including Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), single dimensional value function …

Assessing Native Bee (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) Community Responses To Seasonal Wetland Management And Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis Invicta) In Mississippi, Haley Michelle Hughes

Theses and Dissertations

Seasonal wetlands support the biological needs of diverse migratory and wintering waterbird species across the southern United States. Management of seasonally flooded impoundments often involves water management and soil and vegetation disturbances to promote early successional plant communities yielding abundant seeds for foraging birds. These wetlands are also occupied by native bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) and red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta; RIFA), yet how these insects respond to wetland manipulations remains understudied. I experimentally evaluated how native bee communities were influenced by various wetland management practices and reduction of RIFA populations within the wetlands. Overall, wetland manipulation techniques had no …

The Soil Greenhouse Gas Flux And Climate Mitigation Potential Of Conservation Reserve Program With Tree Planting In The Southeastern U. S., Jianing Liang

Theses and Dissertations

Afforestation is increasingly promoted as a nature-based solution to climate change, although its net impact on soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions remains variable across forest types, prior land uses, and environmental conditions. This dissertation investigates the soil GHG flux (CO2, CH4, N2O) responses and dynamics of afforestation under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in the southeastern United States, with a specific focus on broadleaf and conifer tree planting practices. Drawing from a combination of meta-analysis, machine learning, and field-based observations across 73 sites, this research provides an integrated assessment of afforestation’s climate mitigation potential. In Chapter II, a meta-analysis of …

Impacts Of Upgrading Gcc On The Srtuner Compiler Autotuning Algorithm, Jonathan D. Butterfield

Theses and Dissertations

An often-overlooked research gap is the applicability of research over time. The impact of updating the GNU Compiler Collection version was investigated for the SRTuner compiler optimization research. Versions 7 through 14 were tested using documented flags and recommended flag dependencies. Quality controls measured and enforced consistency across test runs and benchmarks. The performance of SRTuner was compared to a random control while the impact of enforcing flag dependencies was evaluated. The most influential flags were investigated by turning them off in isolation, but results were mixed. It was determined that enforcing flag dependencies resulted in improved performance, but the …

Considerations For Cottonseed Oil As A Feedstock For Renewable Fuels, John Elmore

Theses and Dissertations

As the world population grows and the standard of living improves in developing countries, global energy demand will continue to rise, with energy use in the developing world expected to increase dramatically more than the per capita reductions in developed countries from efficiency improvements. Nearly a third of the total global energy demand is used for transportation, resulting in a substantial contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While the demand for energy rises, initiatives and regulations are underway to mitigate the amount of GHG emissions to Earth’s atmosphere. As efforts progress in industry, governments, and society to reduce the total …

Responding To The Urban Canvas: Murals, Preservation, And Placemaking In Meridian, Ms, Katy Kemalyan

Theses and Dissertations

Public murals that depict elements of local culture and history are a creative placemaking tool increasingly used by preservationists invested in the revitalization of their historic districts. As this trend rises, it becomes necessary for preservationists to ask what should be painted, restored, or left alone? Research on public murals neglects Southern mid-sized towns, considerations of existing murals, and historic architecture used as substrates. Rectifying this omission and employing geographic surveys and stakeholder interviews, this study seeks to expand which genres of murals are considered for their creative placemaking value. Normally distinguished primarily by source in literature, community murals, ghost …

The Biology Of Green Antelopehorn Milkweed (Asclepias Viridis Walter) And Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum Cannabinum L.) And Response To Triclopyr Formulations And Other Auxin Herbicides, Kayla L. Broster

Theses and Dissertations

Studies were conducted in Oktibbeha and Clay Counties in Mississippi to determine the response of green antelopehorn milkweed and hemp dogbane to triclopyr and other auxin herbicides in non-cropland areas. These studies were conducted at four locations with well established populations for each species throughout 2020 to 2023, with applications repeated at each location the following year if populations persisted. Treatments included a high and low rate of each herbicide studied, with all four triclopyr formulations included for both species. Injury response data were collected two and four weeks after treatment and population density data were evaluated using individual stem …

The Need For Policy Pathways To Phone-Free Schools: A Desk-Based Analysis For A Rural K-12 District, Kelsey Upton

Theses and Dissertations

This capstone project addresses the growing concern over mobile device use in secondary schools by analyzing the implications of implementing a comprehensive mobile device restriction policy. While many schools maintain cell phone policies, inconsistent enforcement reduces their effectiveness, leading to ongoing challenges such as decreased student attention, diminished face-to-face interactions, and increased mental health concerns. Guided by the Adapted Policy Analysis Triangle Framework, this study uses a qualitative, desk-based policy analysis approach to examine existing literature, district policy documents, and publicly available case studies of schools that enact mobile device restriction measures. The analysis evaluates how such policies are designed, …