Digital Commons Network^™

Role Of Endophytic Fungi On Arsenic Uptake In Solution: Insights For Bioremediation, Taylor Lillian Busch

Civil Engineering ETDs

Hazardous metals mobilized from natural deposits and mining legacy are environmental and human health concerns. The waters of our partner Native American communities affected by uranium and gold mining legacy exceed the EPA MCL of 10 µg/L arsenic (As). Bioremediation is a novel technology that uses native resources to remediate metals in the soil and groundwater. Plant-fungi symbiosis for bioremediation is widely studied, but the role of endophytic fungi in metal uptake is not well understood. The objectives of this study are to 1) determine As uptake by symbiotic endophyte Cadophora sp. and little bluestem grass (Schizachyrium scoparium) …

Identifying The Required Ecological Flow For Sediment Movement In The Río Chama: Field Data Informed Visual Spatial Model, Cristian Kremer

Civil Engineering ETDs

The continuous alteration of flow regimes in rivers has led to negative impacts on habitats and biotic communities, causing irreversible effects on river biodiversity. Implementing e-flows in management strategies can repair historical mismanagement, prevent further degradation, and restore ecosystem services. In the case of the Rio Chama, damming has altered its hydrological regime, affecting sediment transport. Experts recommend specific e-flow conditions for the Rio Chama to improve ecological conditions, in particular a bankfull discharge of 70 m³s^-1 every 2 years for sediment flushing and channel maintenance. The Río Gallina, a tributary of the Rio Chama, plays a …

Combining Semi-Continuous And Discrete Water Quality Data To Characterize Solute Transport, Biogeochemical Processes, And Wildfire Disturbances In Fluvial Systems, Justin Rae Nichols

Civil Engineering ETDs

In the past decade, high-frequency water quality sondes have become more abundant in watersheds across North America and Europe and are gaining a foothold in Asia and South America. In this dissertation, three relevant topics associated with high-frequency data are investigated, i.e., the impact of winter’s precipitation on surface water quality and stream metabolism, the longitudinal propagation of wildfire disturbances through a fluvial network, and the use of machine learning with high-frequency data to estimate fluvial nutrient processing. First, we found that significant snow precipitation can cause surface water anoxia and declines in stream metabolism. Second, our data illustrate that …

Towards Sustainable Water Management: Soil Analysis, Modeling, And Sensor Implementation On A Micro-Basin Chile's Los Lagos Region, Tammy N. Huynh

Civil Engineering ETDs

The Los Lagos region of Chile is experiencing ecological and socioeconomic challenges because of climate change. Despite efforts by the agricultural sector to understand and manage water resources, the lack of basic water quantification data affects their ability to effectively plan and implement water management strategies. This research aims to address this critical issue through three key objectives. First, characterize soil properties related to texture and structure in a micro-basin of the Los Lagos region. Secondly, it aims to investigate the hydrologic budget of the micro-basin with an emphasis on soil moisture using the Soil Moisture Routing model (SMR). Lastly, …

News Media Framing Of Disabilities In Ghana: Journalistic Practices Amidst Advocacy Calls For Change, Pamela Ofori Boateng

Communication ETDs

The study contributes to expanding scholarly research on media portrayals of people with disabilities in Ghana. Drawing on theories of framing, ableism, and intersectionality, I analyzed news stories published in Graphic.com.gh. in 2021 and 2022 to explore how the editorial practices framed people with disabilities and how framing patterns revealed change and continuity in representation. The findings affirmed a shift to using more diverse and appropriate language to represent people with disabilities more fairly and accurately; the categorization of most of the disability stories under “General News,” which suggests the significance attached to disability related stories; and the …

A Comparison Of Fixed Versus Moving Eulerian Meshes For 1-D Radiative Shock Problems, Dylan Weatherred

Nuclear Engineering ETDs

Testing codes used to solve the radiation-hydrodynamics equations requires the use of radiative shock problems. These problems contain stiff shocks and test the coupling of the material motion and the energy exchange between the radiation and material. However, these problems are difficult to solve due to large differences in time scale between radiation and material equations, resolving shocks, and modeling radiation and material interactions. This thesis will look to solve radiative shock problems in 1-D using the Eulerian formulation on fixed and moving meshes. The moving mesh method proposed takes advantage of the more simple Eulerian formulation of the radiation …

Miniature, Submersible Electromagnetic Pumps Of Molten Lead And Sodium For Gen-Iv Nuclear Reactors Development, Ragai M. Altamimi

Nuclear Engineering ETDs

Heavy metals and alkali Liquid Metals are suitable coolants for Generation IV terrestrial nuclear reactors for operating at elevated temperatures for achieving plant thermal efficiency more than 40% and the thermochemical generation of hydrogen fuel. In addition, the low vapor pressure of these liquids eliminates the need for a pressure vessel and instead operates slightly below ambient pressure. A primary issue with the uses of these coolants is their compatibility with nuclear fuel, cladding and core structure materials at elevated temperatures more than 500oC. Therefore, in pile and out-of-pile test loops have been constructed or being considered for quantifying the …

Big Data Policing Capacity Measurement, Ronald J. Coleman

New Mexico Law Review

Big data, algorithms, and computing technologies are revolutionizing policing. Cell phone data. Transportation data. Purchasing data. Social media and internet data. Facial recognition and biometric data. Use of these and other forms of data to investigate, and even predict, criminal activity is law enforcement’s presumptive future. Indeed, law enforcement in several major cities have already begun to develop a big data policing mindset, and new forms of data have played a central role in high-profile matters featured in the Serial and To Live and Die in LA podcasts, as well as in the Supreme Court’s leading privacy and criminal procedure …

Virtual Learning Environments And Digital Twins: Enhancing Accessibility, Diversity, And Flexibility In Training Secondary Educational Administrators, James Hutson, Robert Steffes, Joe Weber

Faculty Scholarship

This study investigates the potential of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) and digital twins to overcome geo-graphical, scheduling, and diversity barriers in the training of secondary educational administrators. Recognizing the limitations in traditional in-person visits to schools-particularly for graduate students in rural areas and those working fulltime with dependents-and the current ethnic composition of educational administrators, where White individuals comprise 64.5% of the population in the US (71.01% for principals), this research explores how VLEs can democratize access and foster diversity in educational leadership training. Over the academic year 2022–2023, pre- and post-engagement surveys were administered to students in a Visionary …

Military Women In World Cinema: A 20th Century History And Filmography, Introduction, Deborah A. Deacon, Stacy Fowler

Faculty Articles

From British soldier Flora Sandes to the fame World War II Night Witches of the Soviet Air Force, women across the globe stepped up to defend their countries during every major and minor conflict of the twentieth century, and filmmakers have long attempted to capture their stories.

This book analyzes real and fictional military women's portrayals in world cinema, including movies from Israel, the United Kingdom, Italy, China, France, the Soviet Union, and others. It includes theatrical releases, direct-to-video productions, and made-for-television films.

Chapters, organized by decade, address topics including the women's sexuality, maternal and marital status, leadership skills, actual …

Modeling Heat Propagation And Thermal Enhanced Decay In A Solar Thermal Remediation System, Justin Trainor

All Theses

Low temperature solar thermal remediation is designed to accelerate ongoing biotic and abiotic treatment processes at a much lower temperature and cost than high temperature thermal remediation strategies. An array of borehole heat exchangers are used to circulate a solar-heated fluid through a closed-loop system of thermally conductive pipes. Thermal energy heats the surrounding contaminated zone through the process of thermal conduction which serves to enhance the degradation of the contaminant.

A three dimensional analytical solution was previously constructed to model heat propagation from borehole heat exchangers into the surrounding subsurface. The model utilizes a system of finite line sources …

“Oh, That’S For Girls”: Barriers To Men’S Enrollment In College Sex Education Courses, Savannah Burke

All Theses

American teens have diverse experiences with sex education that may leave some inadequately prepared for navigating their sexuality as emerging adults. For those who seek higher education, college-level sex education classes could fill this void. Yet, there is a notable gender gap in enrollment in college-level sex education classes across the US, with men being reluctant to taking these courses. Thus, it is important to understand what barriers prevent men from taking these classes. This study explores the roles that masculine ideology plays in dissuading men from enrolling in college-level sex education courses. Interviews with 17 masculine-identified college students who …

Salinity In Propagation: Germination And Juvenile Acclimatization Of Wetland Halophytes Using Saline Irrigation, Morgan Tomlin

All Theses

The introduction of poor water quality into commercial nursery crop production is predicated on optimized methods that apply saline irrigation without compromising plant success and health. Halophytes have many mechanisms of salt tolerance; however, these are greatly tied to physiological and developmental maturity. Thus, evaluating salt tolerance of halophytic crops (Hibiscus moscheutos and Kosteletzkya virginica) during seed germination and juvenile phases of life may provide insight into the efficacy of integrating poor quality water in horticultural operations.

Four seed priming methods (hydropriming, proline priming, low concentration halopriming, and high concentration halopriming) were evaluated as pre-sowing techniques to ameliorate …

Evaluating The Effect Of Biochar Soil Amendments On Belonolaimus Longicaudatus Populations Damaging Bermudagrass In South Carolina, Malone Thomason

All Theses

Belonolaimus longicaudatus Rau, (1958) (sting nematode) is a prevalent plant-parasitic nematode found in association with Cynodon spp. (bermudagrass) in South Carolina (Ye et al., 2012). Due to the persistence of the pest, long-term management strategies are necessary. Applications of biochar and compost amendments have reduced nematodes in various crop systems, but research on turfgrass systems is limited. The objectives of the studies were to determine: (1) The effect of topdressing or soil incorporated biochar amendments on sting nematode populations, and (2) The effect of topdressing or soil incorporated amendments on turf quality. A field study was established to examine topdressings …

Comparison Of Vegetative Community And Soil Organic Matter Depth Among Reference Sites And Two Restored Wetlands In The Coastal Plain Of South Carolina, Jessica Clark

All Theses

Wetland loss and degradation from agriculture, urbanization, forestry, and mining is a global issue. South Carolina alone has lost over 27% of its wetlands. This historical wetland loss and climatic changes and impacts make restoring wetlands critical for the state. In restoration, understanding the difference in restored and reference wetland’s vegetation and soil organic matter depth can be crucial in assessing the recovery rate and determining environmental functions and services. The main objectives for our research were to determine differences in soil organic matter depth and vegetative community between the restored Brosnan Forest wetlands, the headwater flats and headwater slopes, …

Examining Biological Algal Harvest For Use In Clemson University’S Algal Carbon Capture System Using Freshwater Mussel Elliptio Complanata, Jack Grimes

All Theses

Capture of atmospheric carbon by freshwater algae is being proposed in Clemson University’s outdoor algal carbon capture system, formerly described as the Partitioned Aquaculture System (Drapcho and Brune, 2000). Several algal species have been present in the system, depending on cultivation conditions. However, mechanical harvesting of the algae has proven difficult because of the cost of chemical flocculants, the energy cost of filtration due to small particle size of algae, and the relatively dilute algal cell concentrations in the system. Prior research on algal filtration by freshwater mussels has indicated its potential for use as a biological filter. This research …

Towards Validating Satellite Remote Sensing Of Aerosols With Ground-Based Low-Cost Sensors, Francine Roberts

All Theses

Poor ambient air quality has significant impacts on the environment and human health. Extensive regulation and monitoring has resulted in improvements since the first iteration of the Clean Air Act was passed in 1955. However, work still needs to be done in regard to higher spatial and temporal monitoring. Temporally, sensors used for regulatory purposes often only report every other or every third day. Spatially, they are often spread across vast distances due to cost. The following research is working towards improving the spatiotemporal measurements of particulate matter (PM), specifically in South Carolina. The two methods available for improving the …

Investigation Into The Load Transfer Mechanism Of Trees To Develop An Innovative Foundation Configuration Using 3d Finite Element Modeling, Kaleb Boland

All Theses

This study was inspired by a tree’s reliance on its root system that enables it to withstand a natural disaster, such as an extreme hydroclimatic event or hurricane. This curiosity has led to an investigation into what makes this possible, developing a new and innovative foundation configuration for infrastructure systems, and a new possible construction material and method. This study provides results on a material that does not have conventional testing procedures or standards: a tree root. The trees studied are common to the upstate of South Carolina, which are Pine, Sweetgum, and White Oak. According to the results, on …

Preparation Of High Entropy Titanite Pyrochlore And Radiation Stability Study, Adam Gootgeld

All Theses

Pyrochlore has been studied as a host phase for safe storage of radionuclides and exists naturally with long-term stability with good long-range order [1]. High entropy oxides show promising tunable properties that could demonstrate favorable bulk deposit of radioactive materials such as spent nuclear fuel (Uranium and other actinides). It is proposed that using high entropy oxides (HEOs) as the cation in this framework will shift the gibbs free energy so that radioactive nuclear waste will be stabilized for safe, long-term, eco-friendly storage. We have established a consistent method to fabricate high entropy titanite pyrochlores. In this study, ion beam …

Development Of Mass Transfer Coefficient Correlations Between Carbon Dioxide And Oxygen For Air-Lift Devices, John Walker

All Theses

An experimental method for measurement and determination of carbon dioxide volumetric mass transfer coefficients (k_La) in high pH water was developed. The goal of this research was to develop a relationship between CO₂ and O₂ volumetric mass transfer coefficients for accurate k_La values in order to meet the needs of carbon capture systems and other industries. Results included dissolved oxygen (DO) and total inorganic carbon (TIC) k_La comparisons, as well as polarographic DO (mg/L) and galvanic DO (mV) k_La correlation. CO₂ k_La estimation based on O_{2 …}

Digital Twins And Artificial Intelligence For Applications In Electric Power Distribution Systems, Deborah George

All Theses

As modern electric power distribution systems (MEPDS) continue to grow in complexity, largely due to the ever-increasing penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), particularly solar photovoltaics (PVs) at the distribution level, there is a need to facilitate advanced operational and management tasks in the system driven by this complexity, especially in systems with high renewable penetration dependent on complex weather phenomena.

Digital twins (DTs), or virtual replicas of the system and its assets, enhanced with AI paradigms can add enormous value to tasks performed by regulators, distribution system operators and energy market analysts, thereby providing cognition to the system. DTs …

Adaptive Protection Scheme For Microgrids With Seamless Transition, Jason Sabet

All Theses

As traditional, carbon-emitting power generation facilities are being retired, the future of the electric grid is being powered by renewable energy sources and supported by energy storage. Unlike centralized power generation, renewable energy can be installed in a distributed or local manner, leading to a restructuring of the distribution system towards a more modular design and the growth of microgrid technology.

Microgrids are small, locally fed power systems that supply electricity to a specific customer base. Utilities are using this technology to enhance the reliability and resilience of their distribution systems. These utility microgrids can provide grid support during normal …

Tunable Linewidth Chip-Level Lasers Using Hybrid Integration Methods, Charles Porter

All Theses

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) have significant value in today’s world of research. They enable devices to experience large reductions in size, weight, operation power, and cost (SWAPc), making photonic technology more accessible than ever. The functionality of PICs is greatly enhanced due to the realization of both active and passive devices within a single device structure. This is made possible through hybrid integration, which utilizes various coupling methods to transfer light from an active chip to a passive chip. Hybrid integration technology tremendously expands the capabilities of PICs, leading to a plethora of applications. One significant application is that of …

Augmented Human Inspired Phase Variable Using A Canonical Dynamical System, Timothy Driscoll

All Theses

Accurately parameterizing human gait is highly important in the continued development of assistive robotics, including but not limited to lower limb prostheses and exoskeletons. Previous studies introduce the idea of time-invariant real-time gait parameterization via human-inspired phase variables. The phase represents the location or percent of the gait cycle the user has progressed through. This thesis proposes an alternative approach for determining the gait phase leveraging previous methods and a canonical dynamical system.

Human subject experiments demonstrate the ability to accurately produce a phase variable corresponding to the human gait progression for various walking configurations. Configurations include changes in incline …

Survey And Prevalence Of Palmer Amaranth Herbicide Resistance In South Carolina, Mitchell Williams

All Theses

Palmer amaranth is a troublesome weed for growers to control, not only due to its aggressive growth characteristics that limit row-crop production, but because of its resistance to different herbicide modes of action. The first case of herbicide resistance in Palmer amaranth was detected in 1989 and has since grown to nine different herbicide classes throughout the United States. New herbicide modes of action have not been developed since the 1980s, so proper stewardship of the remaining modes of action is important for effective control of Palmer amaranth. Increased herbicide resistance from states bordering South Carolina have been reported; therefore, …

Experimental Investigation Of The Long-Term Bending Deflection And Creep Performance Of Cross-Laminated Timber (Clt), Aaron Desantis

All Theses

Rising popularity in mass timber construction for residential and commercial projects has escalated the need to develop and increase understanding of mass timber products both from a strength and serviceability perspective. For cross-laminated timber (CLT) there is a significant lack of research on the creep characteristics also known as long-term deflection behavior. Creep is particularly important for products such as CLT that are used for floors with longer spans. Full-scale creep testing was conducted using 5-ply CLT panels over the course of 6 months in a controlled environment under dry service condition. Testing resulted in average final deflections 1.73 times …

Is Neo-Fascism Inevitable? Looking At The Economic Surplus, The Baran Ratio, And Long Wave Cycles, Thomas E. Lambert

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This paper briefly outlines the idea and development of the economic surplus concept at the macroeconomic level as opposed to the one in microeconomics often labeled as a Marshallian surplus. The notion of a residual amount of output or income over and above what is necessary for a society’s consumption (education, housing, food, clothing, health care, transportation, and other necessities of life) that can be used either for further consumption by an elite class, used for reinvestment in productive activities, and/or wasted on unproductive efforts is one that has been and continues to be taught and used in heterodox and …

World Transit Research August 2023 Newsletter, Institute Of Transport Studies Monash University

World Transit Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

A Study On The Gaseous Radionuclide Dispersion In The Highway Across Urban Blocks: Effects Of The Urban Morphology, Roadside Vegetation And Leakage Location, Rui Jia, Jianzhi Yang, Xiaowei Zhu, Fusuo Xu, Liping Wang

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Spent fuel is a used nuclear waste that poses a great hazard to human body and the environment. In this work, the dispersion of gaseous radionuclides from the highway to downstream urban is simulated using CFD based on a hypothetical spent fuel transport accident, with focus on the effects of urban morphology, roadside vegetation and leakage location. The velocity field, TKE (turbulent kinetic energy) distribution and radionuclide concentration under different conditions are carefully explored. The results show that the dispersion of radionuclides is greatly influenced by the velocity field and TKE distribution. The health risk to the residents of sparse …

Educating Health Care Professionals On Implantable Hearing Solutions To Increase Appropriate Referral Rates In Adults, Hailey Lynn Guyette

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

Despite being an available hearing treatment option for several decades, there is still an underutilization of cochlear implants within the population of adults with hearing loss that would meet candidacy criteria. Only 8% of people that are cochlear implant candidates utilize cochlear implants. Thus, it is important to examine why underutilization occurs and how to solve the problem. The current doctoral scholarly project aims to educate health care professionals, with targeted audiences of hearing instrument specialists and primary care practitioners, on cochlear implants, outcomes, and candidacy. Narrated PowerPoint presentation videos were created as a way to educate health care professionals …