Digital Commons Network^™

Developing An Optimized Site Selection Model For Eastern Cottonwood In The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Quentin Boccaleri

Theses and Dissertations

Demand for bioenergy has renewed interest and opportunities for short rotation woody crop (SRWC) systems. In the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV), specific attention is on the conversion of marginal agricultural sites using eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides).Therefore, analysis is needed to determine the feasibility of afforestation within the region. This study identifies marginal agricultural lands using random forest regression methods and uses process-based Physiological Processes Predicting Growth (3PG) model to determine biomass productivity of these marginal sites. This thesis discusses the following findings: 1. A review of marginal land identified along with key identification features 2. the results of eight …

Atmospheric Turbulence Education Effects On Flight Anxiety, Megan A. Hanna

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the effect of turbulence education on flight anxiety. A pre-post methodology measured students’ anxiety levels before and after a study abroad flight, using an educational video during the pre-flight survey to change their feelings. The Flight Anxiety Situations (FAS) questionnaire assessed anxiety at three survey points: pre-video, post-video, and post-flight. Qualitative analysis using Friedman’s test and the Wilcoxon Signed-rank test, indicated that turbulence education effectively decreased generalized and anticipatory flight anxiety, particularly in non-phobic students. Text analysis of open-ended responses suggested increased scientific knowledge post-video helped students apply technical atmospheric processes to their feelings. Turbulence education was …

Designing An Instructional Coaching Model For Residency-Based Alternate Route Teacher Candidates In Mississippi To Improve Instructional Competencies And Self-Efficacy, Lamareshia Daoma Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Alternate route teachers are adult learners who enter the teaching profession through nontraditional pathways, often without formal training in education. While they bring diverse experiences and a commitment to student success, they frequently face challenges in translating theoretical knowledge into effective classroom practice. Research indicates that instructional coaching serves as a critical bridge between pedagogical theory and practical application, providing job-embedded professional development that enhances instructional competencies. At its core, instructional coaching is a collaborative partnership built on trust and respect, offering teachers a supportive space to reflect on their practice, receive targeted feedback, and develop their professional identity. Alternate …

Ai Enabled Autonomic, Safe, And Interactive Intrusion Response System, Damodar Panigrahi

Theses and Dissertations

The exponential rise in internet usage has precipitated a corresponding surge in cyber threats, underscoring the urgent need for advanced cybersecurity solutions. While traditional intrusion detection systems (IDS) can identify these threats, their inability to self-recover leaves systems vulnerable. Intrusion response systems (IRS) have been developed to address this, aiming to auto- matically restore systems to their desired state post-security breach. However, current IRSs often necessitate manual intervention and may not be su!ciently robust against sophisticated threats. To overcome these limitations, we propose an AI-powered Autonomic, Safe, and Interactive Intrusion Response System called ‘Intrusion Response System Digital Assistant (IRSDA)’. IRSDA …

An Overview Of Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry In Coastal Wetlands, Luke Andrew Redwine

Theses and Dissertations

With rising global temperatures, increasing sea levels, and the accelerated erosion of coastal wetlands, efficient methods for monitoring this vulnerable ecosystem are crucial. Traditional approaches, such as manual surveys, are labor-intensive, hazardous, and invasive to the environment they are attempting to protect, while current remote sensing methods are cost prohibitive and rely on irregular data collection techniques. To address these challenges, a scalable solution is needed for reliable and frequent data collection. This study explores the use of GNSS Reflectometry (GNSS-R) combined with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor the shifting topology in wetlands with minimal human invasion. By leveraging …

Impact Of Fertilizer Timing And Cover Crop Establishment Methods On Bedded Soybean Cropping Systems In Mississippi, Grant Madison Shavers

Theses and Dissertations

Mississippi’s agriculture faces challenges from high rainfall, bedded cropping systems, and varying soil testing methods. Many producers apply phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) in the fall to reduce spring workload and rain-related delays. While fall fertilization raises concerns about yield losses, research indicates minimal differences in soybean (Glycine max L.) yield between fall and spring applications. Raised beds also limit cover crop (CC) establishment despite their potential benefits. We explored strategies to integrate CCs into bedded systems while assessing bed stability and residue management during soybean production. Additionally, Mississippi’s use of two soil nutrient extraction methods highlights the …

“Here For Everyone” (?): How Intimate Partner Violence Service Organizations Address Community Needs And Transgender Inclusion In The Deep South, Brian Tesch

Theses and Dissertations

Transgender individuals face disproportionately high rates of intimate partner violence (also known as IPV) when compared to other sociodemographic groups. Despite this prevalence, IPV service organizations in the Deep South (e.g., Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina), a region of the U.S. encompassing several rural communities and characterized by traditional gender norms and conservative Christian religious values, may have difficulties meeting the unique needs of transgender IPV survivors. This dissertation explores two key areas: (1) the perceptions of IPV service organization staff members in the Deep South concerning how their agencies assist members of the transgender community, and (2) …

Strategies To Identify And Manage Toxic Leaders For Mitigating Organizational Toxicity, Ellen Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence of toxic leadership across various sectors like healthcare, the military, corporations, and educational institutions presents a significant challenge, undermining organizational culture and employee well-being, leading to increased turnover and reduced performance. Guided by the toxic triangle as the conceptual framework, this qualitative Delphi study’s purpose involved leadership experts from across the United States to reach a consensus on organizational strategies for identifying, managing, and mitigating organizational toxicity. The research questions were focused on determining the most suitable strategies for recognizing toxicity in the organization and addressing it effectively. A panel of 30 leadership experts from across the United …

Perceptions Of Connections Among Technology Instructors And Their Students Working Remotely, Angela Dawn Riddle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2020, educators were forced to learn new ways to instruct students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the transition from in-person to online courses, educators explored new ways of producing the learning experience. Due to the hands-on nature of industrial and engineering technology, these courses did not generally use online learning systems. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of industrial and engineering technology instructors connecting with students remotely during this period. Garrison’s community of inquiry framework was used to ground the study and understand the connection that occurs in the learning environment …

The Nanograv 15 Yr Data Set: Harmonic Analysis Of The Pulsar Angular Correlations, Gabriella Agazie, Akash Anumarlapudi, Anne M. Archibald, Zaven Arzoumanian, Jeremy G. Baier, Paul T. Baker, Bence Bécsy, Laura Blecha, Kimberly K. Boddy, Adam Brazier, Paul R. Brook, Sarah Burke-Spolaor, Rand Burnette, J. Andrew Casey-Clyde, Maria Charisi, Shami Chatterjee, Tyler Cohen, James M. Cordes, Neil J. Cornish, Fronefield Crawford, H. Thankful Cromartie

Pacific Faculty Work

Pulsar timing array observations have found evidence for an isotropic gravitational-wave background with the Hellings-Downs angular correlations between pulsar pairs. This interpretation hinges on the measured shape of the angular correlations, which is predominantly quadrupolar under general relativity. Here we explore a more flexible parameterization: we expand the angular correlations into a sum of Legendre polynomials and use a Bayesian analysis to constrain their coefficients with the 15 yr pulsar timing data set collected by the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav). When including Legendre polynomials with multipoles ℓ ≥ 2, we only find a significant signal in …

Strategies To Overcome The Unique Challenges Faced In Conducting Focus Groups In Extension, Vikram Koundinya, Amulya Rao, Cristina Chiarella, Deepa Srivastava, Mary Holz-Clause, Teresa Spaeth, Eleanor Haworth, Kit Alviz, Lajoy Spears, Rebecca Witinok-Huber, Natalia Pinzón, Yulia Lamoureaux

Journal of Extension

Focus groups are commonly used in extension. Extension professionals can encounter unique challenges when conducting focus groups. Extension literature is replete with best practices for conducting focus groups, but there is a lack of systematically documented practical challenges and strategies for overcoming them. We share the challenges we have faced over the past 13 years while conducting focus groups with different participant groups in extension globally and strategies that can be used to overcome or navigate these challenges. The ideas presented in this paper can provide valuable assistance to extension professionals who utilize focus groups for research and evaluation purposes.

Expanding Extension Involvement Through An Undergraduate Life Skills Course, Stacey F. Stearns, Aditi Rao

Journal of Extension

Extension traditionally involves undergraduate students through experiential learning and internships. We sought to develop a new model, and created an undergraduate life skills course for students in our college that featured Extension educators as guest lecturers in areas aligned with their specialty. Universities have a stable population of potential program participants, volunteers, and employees. It is imperative that we raise awareness about Extension while the students are enrolled in our institutions. Creating a for-credit undergraduate course that teaches life skills through Extension programs has tangible benefits for both the students and the Extension system.

“That's Our Junior College”: Black Leadership And The Expansion And Integration Of Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College, Kristy Wittman Howell

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College (MGCJC), was a single-campus institution until the early 1960s, when it began plans to create two new White-enrolling, segregated campuses: the Jefferson Davis Campus in Harrison County, and the Jackson County Campus to its east. Plans for a third, Black-enrolling, segregated campus were abandoned, and when the two new campuses opened, the first students to register for classes were Black. Through the leadership of Black residents active in labor and civil rights organizations, the Black community of George, Harrison, Jackson, and Stone Counties successfully demanded expanded, integrated educational access in the deep south, some five …

Exploring Sustainable Biopolyesters: Synthesis From 1,4-Butanediol And Aliphatic Diacids, Vinashkumar Jayantibhai Chaudhari

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

In this thesis, we applied 1,4-butanediol, which is an emerging biobased and low-cost monomer, was synthesized with a series of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, namely succinic acid, adipic acid, and sebacic acid using melt polycondensation to Biobased polyesters. The resulting polymers poly(butylene succinate) (PPeS), poly(butylene adipate) (PPeA), and poly(butylene sebacate) (PPeSe) chemical structures were analysis through Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) revealed the elimination of side reactions in the obtained polyesters. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to analyze physical properties, and the impact of dicarboxylate chain length and long short diol on crystalline structure and …

Transition Metal Disulphide (Co, Ni, Fe) As Electrocatalyst For Overall Water Splitting, Urvashi Gondaliya

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Increasing energy demands and environmental awareness have promoted extensive research on the development of alternative energy conversion and storage technologies that are both highly efficient and environmentally friendly. Among them, water splitting is very appealing, and it is considered as a good renewable and sustainable approach for the generation of green H₂ energy, however its implementation at industrial level is hindered due to the requirement of highly active and durable electrode material. Therefore, developing efficient electrocatalysts is of significant importance for high-performance water splitting. In the past few years, much effort has been devoted to the development of alternative …

Fe/Co/Ni-Doped Mos2 An Electrocatalyst For Overall Water Splitting, Himanshi Lnu

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Electrochemical water splitting is a promising method for sustainable hydrogen production, addressing global energy challenges. However, its practical application is limited by the need for efficient and durable electrocatalysts for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this study, MoS₂ was doped with Co, Ni, and Fe at varying concentrations (5:0.5, 5:1, and 5:1.5) using a hydrothermal synthesis method to evaluate their potential as electrocatalysts for water splitting. Characterization revealed that metal doping significantly altered the electronic and morphological properties of MoS₂, enhancing its catalytic performance. Electrochemical evaluations in alkaline media demonstrated that Co-doped MoS₂ …

Improvement Of Natural Environment Teaching Using Behavioral Skills Training, Josephine E. Elliott

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects individuals through persistent deficits in social communication and excesses in restricted and/or repetitive behaviors (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the only evidence-based treatment for ASD and uses behavioral and learning principles to shape behavior change (Ferguson et al., 2022; Lax et al., 2023; National Autism Center, 2015). ABA has many teaching methods, one being discrete trial training (DTT; Smith, 2001). DTT is a highly structured method of teaching in which the instructor provides clear instructions, the learner responds in some way, and then the instructor gives a consequence for the response …

The Effects Of Reprocessing, Post-Processing Conditions, And Environmental Exposure On The Physical Properties Of Post-Industrial And Post-Consumer Polyethylene, Grant M. Howard

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

THE EFFECTS OF REPROCESSING, POST-PROCESSING CONDITIONS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE ON THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF POST-INDUSTRIAL AND POST-CONSUMER POLYETHYLENE

An Abstract of the Thesis by

Grant Howard

Plastic pollution is a rapidly growing problem. Globally, millions of tons of plastic waste are produced, and that amount is projected to increase each year. To address this, recycling of commodity thermoplastics like polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate, have become a point of emphasis in industry. Companies have started to investigate the use of recycled plastics instead of virgin plastics in their products. The advantages of using recycled material are to receive tax breaks, …

Development Of Non-Precious Iron-Cobalt Alloy Catalyst For Electrocatalytic Reaction, Harsh Panchal

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The development of a FeCo alloy catalyst with tunable Fe/Co ratios is examined to improve electrocatalytic performance in reactions like the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Many energy conversion devices, such as fuel cells, metal-air batteries, and water-splitting systems, depend on these interactions to function. These technologies have huge potential to meet the increasing need for hydrogen production and renewable energy sources worldwide, which are critical to attaining a sustainable energy future. When compared with noble metal-based catalysts, the FeCo alloy catalyst shows much higher catalytic activity, according to previous studies. Hydrothermal …

A Graduate Recital In Conducting, Jung Hee Lee

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

This graduate thesis consists of a choral conducting recital and the accompanying program notes. The recital features music from a variety of styles, cultures, and time periods. The program includes works by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Hyo-Won Woo, Jean Sibelius, Samuel Sebastian Wesley, Charles Villiers Stanford, Christian Onyeji, and Sydney Guillaume. The program notes for each piece include composer information, musical analysis, historical and cultural background, and performance considerations. This recital reflects the conductor’s musical journey at Pittsburg State University and highlights the beauty of diverse choral music through collaboration and shared musical experience.

Soybean Oil-Derived Acrylate/Methacrylate Ether For High Resolution Additive Manufacturing (3d Printing) Technology, Tanuj Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Additive Manufacturing is one of the rapidly developing techniques, as industries continue to explore new ways to create prototypes and end-use parts, one of the significant challenges that remains is the reliance on petroleum-based plastics for 3D printing, especially in the production of photocurable resins. that may be used to prototype complex structures and sophisticated geometries that are typically challenging to produce with conventional methods. Thus, replacing petroleum-based plastics with renewable resources is increasingly important for additive manufacturing (3D printing) of photocurable resins. The use of bio-based renewable resources in AM is a feasible alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. Henceforth, …

Epoxidized Castor Oil Based Thermosets With Reprocessable And Non Reprocessable Properties, Vaibhav Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Castor oil-based polymers have gained significant attention due to their renewable nature, low cost, and ease of processing, making them ideal for various applications, including biofuels and the petrochemical industry. Among these, epoxidized castor oil (ECO)-based thermosets have been extensively studied for their promising mechanical and thermal properties. This study focuses on recent advancements in ECO thermosets synthesized with 4,4-dithiodianiline (DTDA) which has aromatic disulfide bonds and 4,4-ditaminodiphenylmethane (DMPM) which has methylene bridge. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the successful incorporation of epoxy functionalities into castor oil. The structure-reactivity relationship was examined through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which reveals that ECO_DMPM based …

A Graduate Recital In Voice, Matthew C. Stephens

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The thesis will consist of program notes for my graduate vocal performance recital. The recital included a variety of music from the composers Stanislaw Moniuszko, Wolfgang Mozart, Carl Loewe, Michael Costa, and John Philip Sousa. Each piece was accompanied by program notes that included a brief biography of the composer, information about the piece, text and translation, and a performance reflection. In this recital, I wanted to have a program of pieces that were rarely, if ever, performed. I’m personally part Polish from my moms’ side, which sparked a desire to include something in Polish. The Mozart aria was one …

Bio-Based Composites With Enhanced Mechanical Strength And Flame Retardancy, Riya Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Composites are versatile and useful in many fields, including aerospace, automotive, construction, and healthcare, due to their high mechanical strength. It is common practice to synthesize these materials using petroleum-based chemicals. Nonetheless, in the twenty-first century, scientists are more interested in using renewable resources to create composites. The greatest substitute for petroleum-based chemicals is vegetable oil. It has unsaturated double bonds that are modifiable chemically. In the present study, bio-polyol was synthesized using castor oil, an inedible vegetable oil. A ring-opening process was used to modify it and produce castor oil-based polyol. The synthesized castor oil-based polyol was characterized by …

Vocal Stereotypy Interventions Using Response Interruption And Redirection, Haley Tallent

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Vocal stereotypy is the repetitive, nonfunctional, and/or noncontextual vocalizations that are specifically maintained through internal reinforcement (Shawler, et al., 2020). Vocal stereotypy is commonly displayed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, it may also occur in individuals with or without disabilities. When individuals engage in vocal stereotypy, they may lose learning opportunities, struggle to engage in daily tasks, and may even become stigmatized by their peers. One intervention used to reduce the frequency of vocal stereotypy in individuals with ASD is Response Interruption and Redirection (RIRD). RIRD was first evaluated for effectiveness in 2007 by Ahearn and colleagues. …

Graduate Harpsichord Recital, Dongyuan Chen

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The thesis consists of a harpsichord recital that will include the Suite No. 3, “Melpomene” in A Minor by Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer; The First Pavan and Galliard by William Byrd; Sesta Toccata by Michelangelo Rossi; Sonata No. 1 in C Major: The Fight between David and Goliath by Johann Kuhnau; Keyboard Sonata No. 37 in E Minor by Carlos de Seixas; Keyboard Suite in D Minor, HWV 436, by George Frideric Handel; and Passacaglia Ungherese by György Ligeti. Accompanying the recital is an extended research document, which includes program notes with introductions to the composers and their musical styles, …

Mechanically Robust, Self-Healable, And Reprocessable Geraniol Based Epoxy Vitrimer By Boronic Ester Dynamic Cross-Links, Dharmikkumar Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Covalent Adaptable Networks (CANs) are a pioneering family of polymers that have garnered significant attention in recent years and are characterized by covalent crosslinks that exhibit reversible dynamic alterations by external stimuli. Additionally, unlike traditional thermosets, CAN’s especially vitrimers, offer a range of properties such as self-healing, reprocessability, shape-memory, and recycling capabilities due to the dynamic feature of covalent crosslinks. Recently, an increasing trend in the global production of thermosets involves rapid consumption of petroleum-based resources, which has become a growing environmental concern. From this perspective, the development of eco-friendly thermosets from bio-based feedstocks is a possible way to overcome …

Trade-Off Between Limonene & Geraniol-Based Reprocessable And Non-Reprocessable Epoxy Thermosets: Role Of Aliphatic Diamines In Polymer Networks Design, Priyankkumar Kanubhai Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The growing demand for sustainable materials, driven by environmental concerns and the rapid depletion of fossil fuels, has garnered significant attention in the fabrication of bio-based epoxy thermosets as renewable alternatives to petroleum-derived thermosetting polymers. The present study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of epoxy prepolymer resins derived from limonene and geraniol via a two-step process, followed by the fabrication of thermally cross-linked flexible epoxy thermoset films using various traditional aliphatic diamine curing agents, namely 1,2-ethylenediamine (EDA), 1,4-butylenediamine (BDA), and 1,6-hexamethylenediamine (HDA). Additionally, the incorporation of cystamine, a disulfide-containing diamine, enabled the formation of a covalent adaptable network through …

Zn–Assisted Synthesis Of M (Mn/Fe/Co/Ni)-N-C Catalysts For Multifunctional Electrochemical Activity, Kemila A. Chaudhary

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The design and development of atomically dispersed M-N-C catalysts (metal (M) supported on an nitrogen-carbon (NC) matrix with high multifunctional electrocatalytic performance is desirable but proved to be very challenging. Herein, we synthesized M-N-C catalysts (M = Fe, Co, Mn, and Ni) using Zn-assisted high temperature treatment and characterized using various techniques. The prepared catalysts were tested for their electrocatalytic performance towards oxygen and hydrogen evolution reaction (OER and HER) as well as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. The results indicated that Mn-N-C catalyst showed higher performance towards both the ORR (E_1/2 = 0.90 V) and …

Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Candida Disrupt Biofilms And Inhibit Growth Across Global Clinical Isolates, Jonothan Rosario-Colon, Karen Eberle, Hong Xin

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Candida species are a major cause of severe fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals and hospitalized patients. Among these, Candida auris stands out as an emerging “superbug”, responsible for life-threatening bloodstream infections with mortality rates up to 60%. This multidrug-resistant, hospital-acquired pathogen has been declared a serious global health threat, complicating effective treatment and increasing mortality risks. Our research has identified universal monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting Candida albicans cell wall epitopes, which are highly homologous to those in other pathogenic Candida species, including C. auris. Passive transfer of mAbs—C3.1 (anti-β-1,2-mannotriose) and 9F2 (anti-phosphoglycerate kinase 1)—significantly extended survival and improved fungal …