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The Decomposition Of The Space Of Algebraic Curvature Tensors, Katelyn Sage Risinger

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

We decompose the space of algebraic curvature tensors (ACTs) on a finite dimensional, real inner product space under the action of the orthogonal group into three inequivalent and irreducible subspaces: the real numbers, the space of trace-free symmetric bilinear forms, and the space of Weyl tensors. First, we decompose the space of ACTs using two short exact sequences and a key result, Lemma 3.5, which allows us to express one vector space as the direct sum of the others. This gives us a decomposition of the space of ACTs as the direct sum of three subspaces, which at this point …

The Land Of Disenchantment: Settler Colonialism, White Supremacy, And Race In New Mexico, 1598–1910, Jacqulyne Ruby Anton

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Across the North American continent, white supremacy is often taken for granted as a foregone conclusion by the late nineteenth century. Recently, however, scholars of the Greater Reconstruction, Indigenous history, Latinx history, U.S.-Mexico Borderlands history, and historians of capitalism have challenged this assumption by deconstructing narratives that portray white-European American hegemony as inevitable. My research on settler colonialism adds to the discussion of the establishment of white supremacy in the West by analyzing the evolution of white supremacy in New Mexico over time. It argues that the Spanish, Mexican, and American settler colonial regimes actively used white supremacy as a …

Effect Of Chemical And Physical Enhancers On The Skin Permeation Of Cromolyn Sodium, Miranda Holman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cromolyn sodium (CS) has clinically shown to be an effective topical remedy for atopic dermatitis, however its physiochemical properties prevent efficient passive drug delivery beyond the outermost skin layer. This project aimed to optimize CS gel formulations and applications to improve drug delivery to the dermis of skin by examining various topical enhancement strategies. Oleic acid, salcaprozate sodium, and microneedles were investigated as enhancers for their effect on skin permeation of CS. In vitro permeation studies across dermatomed porcine ear skin tested CS gels to determine 24-hour drug permeation profiles and skin layer distribution of drug. Further, extraction method efficiency, …

Vaccine Hesitancy Across Time: Legal And Policy Interventions From The Dawn Of The Anti-Vaccination Movement To The Era Of Social Media, Ana Santos Rutschman

Faculty Publications

This symposium article explores the intertwined topics of hesitancy and trust towards vaccines. It traces the evolution of anti-vaccine sentiments, their consolidation into organized movements, and their recent evolution as vaccine misinformation and disinformation circulates with unprecedented ease through digital channels. The Article then examines selected legal and policy interventions that have been used to counter vaccine hesitancy—sometimes through top-down or mandatory frameworks, other times through voluntary ones. In particular, the Article examines vaccination mandates, as well as rules imposing or promoting vaccination; mechanisms designed to increase the flow of information about vaccines; and nudges to vaccination, such as lotteries …

Auxetic Interval Determination And Experimental Validation For A Three-Dimensional Periodic Framework, Ciprian S. Borcea, Freek G.J. Broeren, Just L. Herder, Ileana Streinu, Volkert Van Der Wijk

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

Auxetic behavior refers to lateral widening upon stretching or, in reverse, lateral shrinking upon compression. When an initially auxetic structure is actuated by compression or extension, it will not necessarily remain auxetic for larger deformations. In this paper, we investigate the auxetic range in the deformation of a periodic framework with one degree of freedom. We use geometric criteria to identify the interval where the deformation is auxetic and validate these theoretical findings with compression experiments on sample structures with (Formula presented.) unit cells.

Bedside Nurses' Perceptions Of Effective Nurse-Physician Communication In General Medical Units: A Qualitative Study, Hirotaka Kato, Jessica M. Clouser, Preetham Talari, Nikita L. Vundi, Akosua K. Adu, Kishore Karri, Kathy B. Isaacs, Mark V. Williams, Romil Chadha, Jing Li

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Background There is a dearth of research on successful interventions to improve nurse-physician communication (NPC). An important step is identifying what matters to bedside nurses and their perceptions of effective NPC communications and actions. Methods We conducted three focus groups with a total of 19 medical unit nurses across two hospitals in one academic medical center in the United States. Using a convenience sampling strategy, five to eight nurses voluntarily participated in each focus group. The recording was transcribed verbatim and two independent coders performed coding and resolved any discrepancies in codes. Qualitative content analysis was pursued to identify themes …

Visions Of Christ In The Dollmaker, Ray Fine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Through the characters’ ideas of religion as seen in The Dollmaker by Harriette Arnow, a full image of who Christ is in World War II America is shown. While the text appears to critique certain images of Christ through the characters’ representations, the greater, more conclusive argument advocating religious diversity is proven. The characters, instead of having their representation of Christ based in only the Christian denomination from which they come, represent Christ through their character traits.

The Whale-Road To Road House: A Study Of The Contemporary Transmission Of Beowulf, Haley Grindstaff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores three versions of Beowulf: Gareth Hinds’s graphic novel Beowulf (2007), Maria Dahvana Headley’s translation Beowulf (2020), and Rowdy Herrington’s film Road House (1989). While Hinds and Headley fail to convey Beowulf as a cultural elegy by subtracting or misrepresenting significant scenes and characters, Road House superimposes the story of Beowulf onto 1980s America. Parallels between the plots of Beowulf and Road House and Road House’s interaction with the political underpinnings of the 80s (such as Reaganomics and the AIDS epidemic) make the film one of the best at capturing the elements of cultural elegy in the …

The Impact Of An Integrated Stem Collaborative Approach On Preservice Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge And Curricular Role Identity For Teaching Science, Qiuju Tian

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current study investigated the impact of an integrated STEM collaborative approach embedded in a science methods course on early childhood and elementary preservice teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and curricular role identity for teaching science, as well as the potential relationship between these two constructs. Participants were recruited from a group of preservice early childhood and elementary teacher candidates (N = 65) completing an undergraduate teacher education program at a university in the southeastern United States.

Using a mixed-methods design, the preservice teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge and curricular role identity were assessed using concept maps and a curricular …

2-Day Vs. 4-Day Training Cessation Following A Step Taper In Competitive And Recreational Powerlifters, Benjamin Burke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare differences in maximal strength, perceived recovery and stress state, and body composition alterations in powerlifters undergoing a 2-day or 4-day period of training cessation following a step taper. Ten participants completed a 6-week powerlifting specific training protocol. Body composition, perceived recovery and stress state, and maximal strength in the back squat (BS), bench press (BP), and deadlift (DL) were assessed prior to the overreach week (week 5) and either 2-days or 4-days after the taper. Alpha criterion was set at p≤0.05. There were statistically significant increases in BP (pp=0.03) …

Using Macroinvertebrates To Assess The Effects Of Nutrient Input Between The Nolichucky And Pigeon Rivers, Anna Grizzard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous work found significant differences in growth rates of native mussels at locations downstream from the regulated Walter’s Dam and the out-of-service, free-flowing Davy Crockett Dam. The purpose of this study is to investigate differences within the macroinvertebrate communities related to factors driving the differences in mussel growth between rivers. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected following the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation protocol for SQKICK collection and analyzed using the Tennessee Macroinvertebrate Index (TMI). There were no significant differences in TMI scores between the downstream sites of the rivers, but there were significant increases in chlorophyll_a, dissolved oxygen, …

Blue-Collar Backroads, Hannah Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The photographer discusses work in Blue-Collar Backroads, a Master of Fine Arts thesis exhibit held at downtown Tipton Gallery from February 1st through February 18th, 2022. The exhibit consists of 17 archival inkjet prints selected from the artist’s two-year exploration of rural backroads as a vehicle for creating images. Using aesthetic traditions of large-format film photography, the photographer poses questions of identity, place, memory, and the intentional pursuit of meditative practices in art. Non-photographic influences are listed, including Claire Wellesley-Smith and Elizabeth Catte. Photographic influences include Joel Sternfeld, Rachel Boillot, William Christenberry, and Mike Smith.

A catalog of the exhibit …

Site Characterization For Co2 Storage, Abd-Rasheed Abiodun Ajiboye

Theses and Dissertations

Global warming is one of the most widely debated issues on the planet. Growing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are responsible for global warming but not just as a result of human activity. Nonetheless, human activity has a significant impact on the rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere. International bodies are worried; as a result, the world's CO2 reduction options are being investigated. CO2 storage in suitable geological strata under the earth is believed to be one of the most viable options. The purpose of this research is to set the framework for evaluating the characteristics of an …

From Zero To Thrive: A Model Of Cross-System And Cross-Sector Relational Health To Promote Early Childhood Development Across The Child-Serving Ecosystem, Alison L. Miller, Sara F. Stein, Rebeccah Sokol, Rachel Varisco, Phoebe Trout, Megan M. Julian, Julie Ribaudo, Joshua B. Kay, Natasha V. Pilkauskas, Nicole Gardner-Neblett, Todd I. Herrenkohl, Kara Zivin, Maria Muzik, Katherine L. Rosenblum

Articles

Early relational health between caregivers and children is foundational for child health and well-being. Children and caregivers are also embedded within multiple systems and sectors, or a “child-serving ecosystem”, that shapes child development. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has made this embeddedness abundantly clear, systems remain siloed and lack coordination. Fostering relational health amongst layers of this ecosystem may be a way to systematically support young children and families who are facing adversity. We integrate theory, examples, and empirical findings to develop a conceptual model informed by infant mental health and public health frameworks that illustrates how relational health across the …

The Heritage Family Study: A Review Of The Effects Of Exercise Training On Cardiometabolic Health, With Insights Into Molecular Transducers, Mark A. Sarzynski Ph.D., Faha, Facsm, Treva K. Rice, Jean-Pierre Després, Louis Pérusse, Angelo Tremblay, Philip R. Stanforth, André Tchernof, Jacob L. Barber, Francesco Falciani, Clary Clish, James S. Skinner, D. C. Rao, Claude Bouchard

Faculty Publications

The aim of the HERITAGE Family Study was to investigate individual differences in response to a standardized endurance exercise program, the role of familial aggregation, and the genetics of response levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors. Here we summarize the findings and their potential implications for cardiometabolic health and cardiorespiratory fitness. It begins with overviews of background and planning, recruitment, testing and exercise program protocol, quality control measures, and other relevant organizational issues. A summary of findings is then provided on cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise hemodynamics, insulin and glucose metabolism, lipid and lipoprotein profiles, adiposity and …

Cellular Migration As A Function Of Magnetic Field Intervention, Amy Marie Vecheck

Theses and Dissertations

This work aims to assess cellular migration in three-dimensional structures as a function of Zeeman resonance. By using Zeeman resonance to initialize intersystem crossing of electrons, also known as the Radical Pair Mechanism, bioenergetics processes would be modulated. Processes such as oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate are indicative of cellular respiration and glycolysis and can be altered based on the orientation of the magnetic field applied: parallel and perpendicular, respectively. This study focused on the parallel orientation and looked to used Zeeman resonance to increase flavin adenosine dinucleotide, which results in preventing the breakdown of F-actin. Cellular viability …

Precision Landing Of A Quadcopter Drone By Smartphone Video Guidance Sensor, Nicolas Bautista Holguin

Theses and Dissertations

This study describes the deployment, integration, and demonstration of the Smartphone Video Guidance Sensor (SVGS) as novel technology for autonomous 6 DOF proximity maneuvers and precision landing of a quadcopter drone. The proposed approach uses a vision-based photogrammetric position and attitude sensor (SVGS) to estimate the position of an illuminated landing target after video capture. A visual inertial odometry camera (VIO) is used to provide position estimates of the UAV in a ground coordinate system during flight on a GPS denied environment. The integration of both SVGS and VIO sensors enables the accurate update of position setpoints during landing maneuvers, …

Development And Characterization Of Low-Cost Out Of Autoclave Fiber Metal Structures, Codrington Edward Barzey Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Fiber metal structures are structures formed by combining fiber reinforced plastics and metallic sheets. The most widely used fiber metal structure is GLARE®. GLARE® is solely used in the aerospace industry, due to its unmatched weight, crack propagation resistance, and inflated cost. Its inflated cost is attributed to the high-performance requirements of the industry that can only be achieved with high-cost materials and manufacturing processes. Unlike the aerospace industry, there are other industries that have far lower performance requirements but can still benefit by using fiber metal structures to reduce weight while improving performance. Traditionally, fiber metal structures are fabricated …

Influence Of Mouthguard Design On Sports Performance And Injury Prevention, Mohammad Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

Contact sports are associated with some invisible injuries after the incident when symptoms do not appear until weeks after. This can be dangerous as players may continue to engage in the sport and risk further injury. Athletic mouthguards are used to reduce the risk of injury, but there is insufficient data to quantify the effectiveness of mouthguard design on sports performance and injury prevention. In this work, the thickness and material selection of the mouthguard design were characterized in terms of airway resistance, electromyography muscle activation, and energy absorption. First, the effect of thickness on the condyle and temporal bone …

Factors Influencing Students’ Achievement In Scientific Literacy: A Secondary Analysis Of Pisa 2018 Data From Saudi Arabia, Manal Dhaifallah Alkhudaydi

Theses and Dissertations

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined PISA for the first time in 2018, and 6,136 of the students in 235 schools participated. The purpose of this multi-level study was to examine the influence of selected student- and school-level factors on students’ scientific literacy using data that were gathered as part of the 2018 PISA assessment. The sample of this study was obtained from the OECD’s PISA 2018 International Database. In this study, the focus was on the relationship between selected factors measured in PISA school and student surveys and students’ scientific literacy, as measured by the Science section of the …

Utilizing A Themed Workbook To Capture Insights To Young Women In Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, And Mathematics (Steam/Stem) Using The Internet Of Things (Iot), Systems Engineering, And Data Science, Robert John Konczynski Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Young women may not realize that many of their cell phones, computers, TVs, cars, airplanes, and the technology around them, for the most part, have been designed by men. Men have been fundamental in designing these devices because women only account for a quarter of the workers in STEAM jobs. Because many women choose jobs and careers unrelated to STEAM, they are not part of the inclusive design and Engineering efforts that go into today’s products and technology. Given the underrepresentation of women as part of the design phase of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, society is missing out …

The Form And Function Of Cranial Spines In Fishes, Louis Michael Penrod

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the prevalence of fishes that express cranial spines, quantitative investigations into the function of these spines are rare. Function is often assumed with little or no evidence. Commonly, spine-like structures are considered to be used for defense despite spines potentially being used for other purposes. Here, I took a high-level approach to investigate the morphology and potential functions of cranial spines in over 2000 fishes. Identifying the function of cranial spines in fishes not only informs us as to how these fishes interact with conspecifics, with other species, and with their environment, but also may provide advances in human …

Flight Test Evaluation Of Piper Seminole, Brian-Emmanuel Hopeton Walters

Theses and Dissertations

After taking FTE 5702 – Stability and Control class, taught by Dr.Kimberlin, I understood the concept of using an aircraft and then testing how it handles in the air. Almost all flight tests done on aircraft are done by the manufacturer. Some aircraft may have a lot of comprehensive information available, while others have little to no information. It can also be hard to find the specific data that a pilot or owner desires. These various tests allow a greater understanding of aircraft stability and performance available for analysis and relating. The aircraft I flew during FTE 5702 class was …

Dirichlet Type Boundary Value Problems For Linear And Quasi{Linear Hyperbolic Equations Of Higher Order, Reemah Alhuzally

Theses and Dissertations

Dirichlet type problems for quasi-linear hyperbolic equations are considered. For two-dimensional boundary value problems there are established:

(i) Unimprovable sufficient conditions of unique solvability and well-posedness of linear problems in piecewise smooth domains;

(ii) Unimprovable Sufficient conditions of unique solvability of linear problems in smooth convex domains.

(iii) Optimal Sufficient conditions of solvability, unique solvability and strong well-posedness of quasi-linear problems in piecewise smooth domains;

(iv) Optimal sufficient conditions of solvability and unique solvability of quasi- linear problems in smooth convex domains.

For three-dimensional linear boundary value problems there are established:

(i) Unimprovable sufficient conditions of unique solvability and well-posedness …

The Impact Of Political Systems On Addiction Policy In Industrialized Democracies., Lexi Renee Raikes

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Drug use is a global problem that impacts every country around the world. Although this issue is international in nature, there is no one shared response to addiction globally. The approach utilized by each country can generally be characterized as punitive or rehabilitative. Rehabilitative approaches, which center around the employment of harm reduction services, focus on reducing the negative consequences of drug use, while punitive approaches respond to substance use with prison sentences. Considering this lack of commonality in response, I sought to better understand potential causes for this disparity and was especially curious if government structure impacts the policy …

The Madwoman In The Refrigerator And A Song Of Ice And Fire., Alex Herm

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

There is an existing trope in the fantasy genre I call the madwoman in the refrigerator—in which a female character is killed, maimed, raped, depowered, and/or made to go mad or insane when she is no longer able to uphold the conventional genre expectations of her role in the narrative, such as the angel, monster, or angelic monster. It is a combination of the theory from Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar that women are demure angels when they are fulfilling stereotypical feminine roles in a narrative and when desire or agency is found, the woman is a monster, portrayed as …

Synthesis Of Allylic Synthons And Application Of Pyrrole Thiocarboxylic Acids In The Synthesis Of Pyrrole-Imidazole Alkaloids, Olatunji Seyi Ojo

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations - Archive

The first part of this dissertation describes the synthesis of allylic compounds from terminal alkenes without the use of any catalysts or oxidants. One of the most versatile molecules in organic chemistry is allylic compounds. Their importance arises from their miscellaneous reactivity which makes them attractive to organic chemists. They are found in several molecules that have medicinal and synthetic utilities. The preparations of allylic compounds have been majorly through transition metal catalyzed process. The second part describes the formation of pyrrole-carboxamide in pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids. Pyrroleimidazole alkaloids have gained attention of synthetic chemists due to their potential therapeutical applications and …

The Relationship Among Social And Psychological Inclusion, Marginalized Group Membership, And Student Outcomes, Katheryn Munguia

Education (PhD) Dissertations

As diversity grows in the United States, schools are tasked with supporting diverse students. This dissertation explored the concept of social and psychological inclusion as a potential protective factor for marginalized students. It examined the variables of inclusion, marginalized group membership, and student outcomes using the California Healthy Kids Survey administered to secondary students. Marginalized group membership included examining race, ethnicity, and the presence of bullying for a disability. Student outcomes included self-reported grades and attendance. This study revealed that the degree of inclusion affected students’ self-reported grades and attendance, with students reporting higher grades and attendance with higher degrees …

“I Just Learn Differently”: The Experiences Of Dis/Abled Students Of Color Interpreting And Resisting Normalizing Forces In The Mathematics Classroom, Dina Mahmood

Education (PhD) Dissertations

This critical phenomenological study employs a disabilities studies in education and critical race theory (DisCrit) lens to unpack the learning experiences of seven dis/abled students of color in the secondary mathematics classroom. Based on data collected from individual and group interviews, the counter-stories presented in this study highlight the implicit and explicit ways that the normative forces of ableism and racism circulate in the secondary mathematics classroom. Through their education journey maps, the participants described forms of hyper-labeling, experiences of implicit and explicit biases from teachers and peers, and rigid conceptions of mathematics that constrained their success. The counter-stories are, …

Evidence, W. Randall Bassett, Val Leppert, Lauren Newman Smith

Mercer Law Review

In its 2021 term, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued several important and precedential opinions on a number of evidentiary topics. For example, in two opinions, the court considered the totality of the evidence to determine whether admission of testimonial hearsay implicated the Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause or was instead harmless error. The court also twice addressed whether a suggestion to the jury that a defendant’s silence was substantive evidence of his guilt violated the defendant’s Fifth Amendment rights.

Additionally, the Eleventh Circuit issued several opinions concerning lay witness and expert testimony. In two opinions …