Digital Commons Network^™

A Study Of The Gauge Middle School Reading Intervention Program, Karen Shen Letson

Theses and Dissertations

Student achievement has become a main concern for schools in the United States. Emphasis has long been placed on reading, writing, and arithmetic; however, reading achievement remains insufficient. The passage of No Child Left Behind in 2001 required all students to be reading on grade level by 2014. With states and school districts striving to make adequate yearly progress, finding programs and practices that prove effective in improving student achievement has become a main priority for schools. In an effort to improve reading achievement, a reading program was implemented at Gauge Middle School and studied for its impact. The Mississippi …

Where Did All Those Launches Come From? Or What Can We Do Now That We Have Launches?, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Where did all those Launches come from? Or What can we do now that we have launches?" from August 11, 2012.

Mechanical Properties Of Porcine Muscle In Compression And Tension With Microstructural Analysis, Renee Brook Pietsch

Theses and Dissertations

A need exists for a more robust method of evaluating musculoskeletal injuries resulting from impact conditions, particularly blasts. Computational modeling is a promising method of achieving this goal. The accuracy of a model depends on high quality mechanical properties for each component. This study examined the mechanical properties of porcine muscle along with structure property relationships. Fresh muscle was tested in compression and tension at strain rates of 0.1 s-1, 0.01 s-1, and 0.001 s-1. Viscoelastic properties were observed including strain rate dependency, stress state dependency, anisotropy, relaxation, and hysteresis. Image analysis was conducted in compression on controls, 30% strain, …

Identifying Factors And Quantifying Their Impact On Transportation Costs Of Pre-Processes Biomass, Daniela Sofia Gonzales

Theses and Dissertations

This research presents a rail transportation cost analysis of bulk agricultural commodities (such as grain and wood chips) with similar characteristics as pre-processed biomass. This study analyzes the cost factors that affect rail pricing for shipments of bulk-commodities (such as grain) from the Midwest to various regions in the US using regression analysis theories. The rail cost equations developed from the regression analysis were used to compare the trade-offs that exist between truck, rail and barge transportation of pre-processed biomass.

Volume Of Fluid Simulations For Droplet Impact On Dry And Wetted Hydrophobic And Superhydrophobic Surfaces, Emily Nicole Burtnett

Theses and Dissertations

An aircraft may experience inlight ice accretion and corresponding reductions in performance and control when the vehicle encounters clouds of super-cooled water droplets. The EADS-IW Surface Engineering Group is investigating passive anti-icing possibilities, such as functional and ice phobic coatings. Ice-resistant coatings require investigating droplet impact on dry surfaces and wet films, including microscopic effects such as droplet splashing. To investigate droplet impacts, a volume of fluid (VOF) flow solver was used for droplets impacting dry and wetted hydrophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces, focusing on meso-scale simulations. The effects of structured, micro-scale surface roughness and the effects of a thin wet …

Rapidly Deployable Armoring System For Temporary Protection Of Earthen Levees During Overtopping, Amanda Cheree Bilberry

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis was to develop guidance for an anchored geotextile Rapidly Deployable Armoring System for the landward side of earthen levees to mitigate the effects of storm surge and overtopping waves. A case study of the Backwater Levee protection placed during the 2011 Mississippi River flood by the US Army Corps of Engineers was performed to prove construction feasibility. Full scale anchor testing was performed for 0.3 and 0.6 m rod shaped anchors to determine their load deflection behavior. Anchor test data and shear stress profiles based on flume testing presented in literature were used in conjunction …

Learning Optimal Bayesian Networks With Heuristic Search, Brandon M. Malone

Theses and Dissertations

Bayesian networks are a widely used graphical model which formalize reasoning under uncertainty. Unfortunately, construction of a Bayesian network by an expert is timeconsuming, and, in some cases, all expertsmay not agree on the best structure for a problem domain. Additionally, for some complex systems such as those present in molecular biology, experts with an understanding of the entire domain and how individual components interact may not exist. In these cases, we must learn the network structure from available data. This dissertation focuses on score-based structure learning. In this context, a scoring function is used to measure the goodness of …

Micromechanical Analysis Of Cells From Hyperelastosis Cutis (Hc) Affected And Carrier Horses, Kenyatta Shanika Williams Washington

Theses and Dissertations

Equine hyperelastosis cutis (HC or HERDA), a connective tissue disorder in American Quarter Horses, results in hyperelastic skin with poor wound healing. Similar conditions are found in many species and all forms display decreased skin tensile strength. Fibroblasts produce collagen and elastin fibers, forming networks, providing the dermis with strength, and elasticity. This study aims to carry out a 3-part evaluation between horse skin fibroblast (cells from horses affected with HERDA, cells from horses that are carriers of HERDA (recessive HERDA gene), and cells from horses that are normal (neither affected or carriers of HERDA); Studies include: 1. Cell proliferation …

Thermo-Mechanical Analysis Of Lens [Trademark] Deposited Bimetallic (Steel-Copper) Parts, Tushar K. Talukdar

Theses and Dissertations

A thermo-mechanical finite element model is developed to determine the temperature history and residual stresses in a Cu-H13 thin-walled plate deposited by the Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENSTM) process. The same model is also applied to a H13-H13 sample to compare the results. The input laser power is adjusted to maintain a steady molten pool size and depth. For a constant scanning speed the laser power decreases with the addition of more layers, and with the increase of scanning speed the laser power needs to be increased. The Z-component of residual stresses is greater than the other components, and is …

College Of Behavioral And Social Sciences News, Georgia Southern University

College of Behavioral & Social Sciences: News & Publications (2012-2022)

• CLASS Alumni Connection Lecture Series launches Sept. 17

The Effects Of Coarse Aggregate Cleanliness On Asphalt Concrete Compactability And Moisture Susceptibility, Kevin Lamar Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Twelve field projects were studied where fortyour locations were evaluated to assess the cause or causes of asphalt concrete that exhibits ‘tender zone’ characteristics and to investigate the tendency of these mixes to be susceptible to moisture damage. Data was collected during construction and samples were obtained to conduct laboratory tests. Field and laboratory data was used to develop multiple regression equations to predict final in place air voids and moisture susceptibility. The overall conclusion was that compactability appeared to be predicted in a reasonable manner while moisture susceptibility did not. The Methylene Blue test appears promising when used in …

Analysis Of Oxygen Transfer At An Activated Sludge Plant: A Procedure For Monitoring Aeration Efficiency, Benjamin Clyde Luke

Theses and Dissertations

In this investigation, two separate methods for determining oxygen transfer rates were applied to the oxidation ditches of an activated sludge plant. Steady state oxygen uptake rate testing and an oxygen mass balance technique were used to propose an in-process procedure for monitoring aeration efficiency using available resources. Although some overall averages offered promise, the testing results revealed that the mass balance analysis yielded results that do not accurately represent the oxygen transfer capabilities within the individual reactors due to shared variables that control the oxygen transfer rate. The steady state method provided more favorable results. Overall averages of daily …

A Computational Study Of Diesel And Biodiesel Combustion And Nox Formation In A Light-Duty Compression Ignition Engine, Zihan Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Diesel and biodiesel combustion in a light duty compression ignition engine were simulated during a closed cycle, using a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, CONVERGE. The corresponding computational domain was constructed for the engine based on combustion chamber geometry and compression ratio measurements. Submodels were calibrated for simulation. The results were able to capture the experimental pressure and apparent heat release rate trends for both fuels over a range of engine loads and fuel injection timings. NOx emissions trends were captured for diesel, while under-predicted for biodiesel. The NOx trends were also analyzed based on the thermal NO mechanism. …

Analysis Of Aerial Multispectral Imagery To Assess Water Quality Parameters Of Mississippi Water Bodies, Shane Adison Irvin

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to demonstrate the application of aerial imagery as a tool in detecting water quality indicators in a three mile segment of Tibbee Creek in, Clay County, Mississippi. Water samples from 10 transects were collected per sampling date over two periods in 2010 and 2011. Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured at each point, and water samples were tested for turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS). Relative reflectance was extracted from high resolution (0.5 meter) multispectral aerial images. A regression model was developed for turbidity and TSS as a function of values for specific …

Potential Of Great Egrets To Be Vectors For The Transmission Of S Virulent Strain Of Aeromonas Hydrophila Between Channel Catfish Culture Pond, Madison Mccall Jubirt

Theses and Dissertations

Aeromonas hydrophila is a Gram-negative, rod shaped, facultative anaerobic bacterium that is ubiquitous to freshwater and slightly brackish aquatic environments and can cause infections in fish, humans, reptiles, and avian species. Recent severe outbreaks of disease in catfish aquaculture have been associated with a highly virulent Aeromonas hydrophila strain (VAH) that is genetically distinct from less virulent strains. Given that A. hydrophila is known to infect birds, we hypothesized that fish eating birds may serve as a reservoir for VAH and spread the pathogen by flying to uninfected ponds. Great Egrets were used in this transmission model because these wading …

William Charles "Butch" Wallace

African American Funeral Programs

No abstract provided.

Chronobiology Of Lygus Lineolaris (Heteroptera: Miridae): Implications For Rearing And Pest Management, Sarah Rose Self

Theses and Dissertations

This research project consisted of three primary objectives: (1) Improve rearing methods for L. lineolaris, (2) Determine if selected behaviors displaying photoperiodicity are under circadian control, and (3) Estimate phase angle shifts of selected circadian rhythms, in an effort to contribute toward the future improvement of current integrated pest management techniques. Improving rearing methods was accomplished in three areas: (1) Estimating the optimal stocking rate to maximize production while maintaining acceptable insect quality as a function of photoperiodic regime, (2) Estimating fecundity at the optimal stocking rate and photoperiodic regime, and (3) Determining the timing of oviposition, mating, feeding and …

Comparing Recreational Amenities Of University Towns And Non-University Towns, Timothy Allen Bisantz

Theses and Dissertations

Recreational amenities present great value for the community. Their existence provides an improved quality of life, offers a connection with the natural surroundings, and facilitates a healthy lifestyle. While communities continue to create and operate recreational facilities/areas, the presence of such facilities may have indirect effects on the general population. Specifically, this thesis will compare the presence of recreational amenities in metropolitan statistical areas that contain universities which are a part of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and metropolitan statistical areas with similar populations and geographic characteristics that don’t contain an AAU-member institution.

Effects Of Glycine-Arginine-Alpha-Ketoisocaproic Acid Calcium (Gakic) On Maximal Strength And Multiple Bouts Of Resistance Exercise, Laura Anne Hilton

Theses and Dissertations

Glycine-arginine-alpha-ketoisocaproic acid calcium (GAKIC) is an amino acid combination postulated to improve dynamic performance of skeletal muscle during acute, anaerobic exercise in healthy individuals. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the ergogenic effects of GAKIC ingestion on resistance training performance in both trained male and female participants. Methods: Utilizing a double-blinded, crossover design, male participants completed a lower body leg press resistance exercise protocol and female participants completed a lower body leg extension resistance exercise protocol once using 10.2 g GAKIC and the other with a placebo. Results: A significant increase in TLV after GAKIC supplementation was …

Effects Of Sodium Methyldithiocarbamate-Induced Oxidative Stress On Nf-Kappa B Activation, Monica Cherie Gadson

Theses and Dissertations

Sodium methyldithiocarbamate (SMD) is commonly reported to cause health risks in humans. Previous reports indicate SMD causes oxidative stress, which can contribute to the activation of NF-êB and cause other characteristics of inflammatory responses to be altered. Almost all pro-inflammatory cytokines require NF-êB activation for full expression and development of an innate immune or inflammatory response. This study evaluated NF-êB activation, providing new information regarding reactive oxygen in macrophages from SMD-treated mice. Studies were conducted in which NF-êB reporter mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), SMD, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). BSO depletes glutathione (GSH) and increases oxidative …

Does Social Network Opinion Matter? How Implicit Theories And Social Network Opinions Can Influence Romantic Relationship Dynamics, Lauren Whitney Colvin

Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined whether someone’s implicit theories of relationships (ITORs) has an effect on whose opinion and what type of opinion has more influence on their romantic relationship dynamics. Individuals high in destiny beliefs view relationships as either meant to be or not meant to be. Individuals high in growth beliefs think relationships take work to maintain and that problems can be overcome. Combined these form orientations- cultivation orientation where the individual is high growth/low destiny and evaluation orientation which is high destiny/low growth. I analyzed an archived dataset where participants completed Sinclair’s (2008) Social Network Opinion Scale, Lund’s …

Ecology And Disease Potential Of The Black-Legged Deer Tick, Ixodes Scapularis Say, In Mississippi, Lauren Goltz

Theses and Dissertations

To assess the seasonality and disease potential of Ixodes scapularis Say in north Mississippi, ixodid ticks were collected by drag cloth method at two sites in north Mississippi weekly from August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2011 and tested for molecular evidence of disease agents via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. In addition, environmental data were observed and recorded for each collection date. I. scapularis nymphs (n=6) were collected in August, September, March, and May, perhaps reflecting a seasonally bimodal distribution, while adults (n=256) were found October through May with a peak in March. No statistically significant relationship between environmental …

Economic Evaluation Of Biofuel Production Through Bio-Gasification Power Facility Using Modeling Method, Yangyang Deng

Theses and Dissertations

Since bio-gasification is a potentially more efficient way to utilize bio-energy, the economic feasibility becomes one of the greatest issues when we apply this new technology. Evaluation of economic feasibility of a bio-gasification facility needs understanding of its production unit cost under different capacities and different working shift modes. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the unit cost of bio-syngas and biouel products at different capacities by using economic modeling method. Result showed that economic feasibility of a power facility was significantly affected by its production capacity and operating mode (one shift, two shifts, or three shifts mode). …

Educational And Informational Delivery Method Preferences Of Mississippi Beef Cattle Producers, Garrett Michael Steede

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the production costs associated with beef cattle production, it is important to equip beef cattle producers with sound, research-driven information to aid in the decision making process regarding their operation. Extension personnel as well as other organizations involved with beef cattle producers should be knowledgeable of the audience that they are disseminating information to and how this audience prefers to receive information. Knowing the demographics and educational and informational needs of the audience helps shape programming endeavors to meet the needs of the audience. The beef cattle producers surveyed indicated that they preferred to receive information from farm …

Crappie Population Characteristics Relative To Inundation Of Floodplain Habitats In Reservoirs, Jonah Dennis Dagel

Theses and Dissertations

Catch rates of age-0 and adult crappies Pomoxis spp. were compared between floodplains and coves to determine if differences in densities existed between habitats, and to determine if water levels influenced density relationships. Habitat in a cove and a floodplain of Enid Reservoir was mapped to describe differences in vegetation. Adult crappies were collected with electrofishing and age-0 crappies were collected with trap nets. Coves had the greatest spring densities of adults in 2009 and 2010, whereas floodplains attracted adults earlier in the spawning season. Recruitment of age-0 crappies was related inversely to high water levels during months preceding the …

Degree Of Pyritization And Methylmercury Analysis, Weeks Bay Alabama, Henry A. Stauffenberg

Theses and Dissertations

Methylmercury (MeHg) production is magnified in the natural environment by geochemical influxes and an active sulfate reducing bacteria community. It has been found that the presence of sulfides, excess nutrients, and the type of depositional environment (normal marine or euxinic) greatly influences MeHg production and degree of pyritization (DOP). The aim of this research is to investigate a possible connection between MeHg accumulation and the DOP in Weeks Bay sediment. Collected sediment samples have confirmed a significant presence of total reduced sulfides, inorganic mercury, reactive iron, and total organic carbon. Pyritization results indicate a normal marine environment and, of the …

Dental Microwear And Diet Change During The Greek Bronze And Iron Age In Coastal East Lokris, Greece, J Rocco De Gregory

Theses and Dissertations

This research utilizes two analytical methods to examine the dental microwear of two skeletal samples from East Lokris, Greece. The samples are from the Bronze age/Early Iron age sites of Mitrou and Tragana Agia Triada. The samples were tested according to various temporal and geographic designations in an attempt to determine if any differences in dietary constituent could be discerned from their dental microwear signatures. Both traditional dental microwear analysis using a scanning electron microscope and dental microwear texture analysis employing scale sensitive fractal analysis and a Sensofar Plµ Confocal Profiler were used. The results of analysis for both methods …

Analysis Of Classes Of Singular Boundary Value Problems, Eunkyung Ko

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation we study positive solutions to a singular p-Laplacian elliptic boundary value problem on a bounded domain with smooth boundary when a positive parameter varies. Our main focus is the analysis of a challenging class of singular p-Laplacian problems. We establish the existence of a positive solution for all positive values of the parameter and the existence of at least two positive solutions for a certain explicit range of the parameter. In the Laplacian case, we also prove the uniqueness of the positive solution for large values of the parameter. We extend our existence and multiplicity results to …

Analysis Of Lumber Price Transmission In The United States, Zhuo Ning

Theses and Dissertations

The lumber industry in the South is an important sector, and has connections with many other key industries. The dynamics of the southern lumber market and its linkage with other related markets can be examined by the price transmissions. The first part of this study investigates vertical price transmission traced back to delivered sawlog market and stumpage market, and arrives at the conclusion that the supply chain is generally efficient with positive asymmetric transmission involved in one product. The second part explores the relationship between markets of the South and Pacific Northwest and concludes that the two markets are more …

Analysis Of Relaxin And Acute-Phase Proteins In Urine And Feces For Canine Pregnancy Diagnosis, Vanna Gail Mcmillan

Theses and Dissertations

Measurements of relaxin and acute-phase proteins have not been validated for use in canine serum as a method of pregnancy diagnosis. This means that handling and anesthesia is still necessary to check the pregnancy status of most non-domestic canines. Therefore, the intention of this study was to determine whether relaxin and/or acute-phase proteins could be detected in the urine and/or feces of the domestic dog in order to evaluate the potential for a noninvasive pregnancy test in canines. Blood, urine and feces were collected from 18 domestic dogs and assayed for the presence of relaxin, fibrinogen, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, and …