Digital Commons Network^™

Intention Or Perception? Signaling Theory In The Online World, Mohona Mandal

Theses and Dissertations

Backlash on social media in response to online behaviors is swift and often decisive with significant consequences. One possible reason for this is that online actions are perceived as reflective of a person’s true self. Signaling theory provides support for this argument and suggests that people intentionally display information about themselves to communicate their beliefs to others. While existing work suggests that social media posts are intentional, social media interactions such as likes, comments, and reposts might also function similarly (i.e., as a signal of beliefs). Two studies were conducted to explore whether interacting with online content is perceived as …

Mechanics Based Characterization Of Elastic Metamaterials, Mamdudur Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

In bandgap engineering there is a shortage of systematic design approach which enables one to select design variables to achieve bandgap in desired frequency range. Tools that can address this can open new areas of interest, especially since phononic crystals with low frequency bandgaps have multitude of applications in attenuation of structural vibration. Furthermore, mechanics-based characterization of phononic crystals had not seen much progress in the recent years while a lot of applied research had been conducted on phononic materials with material phase periodicity and other factors taken into consideration. This work aims to propose a systematic characterization approach of …

Perception Of Recreational Water Quality In The Scholarly Literature: Where Have We Been & Where Should We Go, Xavier Alberto Basurto Cendeno

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores existing literature and research themes between water quality and recreational participation through use of a bibliometric analysis with content analysis. It identifies key researchers, institutions, and themes that have shaped the field. Despite the growing body of research, gaps remain in understanding the state of the research on this important topic. By analyzing trends and how these trends have changed over time, this study aims to offer insights for future research agendas. Ultimately, the findings will inform strategies for improving water quality management and fostering more resilient, timely water-based recreational research.

Real-Time Robot Pose Estimation For Industry 4.0: Enhancing Motion Validation And Monitoring With A Vision-Based Framework, Jad Samaha

Theses and Dissertations

Amidst the era of Industry 4.0, robots became integral to automated production lines by performing complex tasks with high precision and adapting to changing production needs in real-time. Therefore, ensuring their precise and reliable operation is paramount for maintaining high-quality standards and operational efficiency. This invoked the need for an automated motion validation tool that guarantees accurate program task execution, by detecting deviations or anomalies that may indicate mechanical faults or software errors. Given the exponential advancements in AI, particularly in Computer Vision, a vision-based solution is ideal for ensuring the correct positioning of a robot in real-time. Operating independently …

Retrospective Of My Experience At The University Of South Carolina, Karl Dickey

Theses and Dissertations

Theatre is, by its very nature, a collaborative process. No show lives in true isolation. Even in its smallest version, it takes at least one to perform and one to listen. The theatre that is produced in the 21^st century is deeper and more complex a process than the finished and polished shows that are presented to the audience. Behind, underneath, and all around a single performer on a stage are hours of thoughtful contemplation and execution on the part of the director, designers, and fabricators. There is something to be learned and gained from every human interaction in …

Regulation And Function Of The Rna-Binding Protein Khsrp During Neuronal Development, Regeneration And Axonal Injury Response, Courtney Nicole Buchanan

Theses and Dissertations

Axons, which extend long distances from neuronal cell bodies, rely on localized mRNA translation to swiftly respond to extracellular stimuli and physiological states. This work investigates the mechanism underlying the RNA-binding protein KHSRP’s, axonal mRNA translation and regulatory pathways involved in neuronal growth and regeneration. Our results indicate that KHSRP deletion in mice leads to upregulation of growth-associated mRNAs linked to neuronal morphology and function, resulting in increased axon growth and altered memory consolidation. Indicating a critical role for KHSRP in neuronal development and function through post-transcriptional regulation (Chapter 2). Additionally, we show there is a rapid increase in axonal …

The Effects Of Guided Induction Completed Individually And In Groups On The Development Of Negation In Palestinian Arabic An Analysis Of Accuracy, Processing, And Rule Structure, Hana Baalousha

Theses and Dissertations

The effectiveness of different instructional interventions and the various ways such interventions promote L2 learning and processing has been the topic of recent research in the subfield of Instructed Second Language Acquisition (ISLA). Previous research on the effects of guided inductive instruction (GI) in the second language classroom has left various lacunae to be addressed, such as the effect(s) of linguistic complexity, proficiency level, modality of instruction, and the target language (Ranta, 2022). A plethora of studies in the current literature compares the efficacy of GI to deductive instruction as students work individually in computer-assisted language learning contexts (CALL) revealing …

The Role Of The Physical Therapist In Managing Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic And Qualitative Perspectives, Garrett Matthew Hainline

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is an effective tool in the management of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). PA recommendations for people with T2D are to achieve at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity PA. This assists to maintain blood glucose control and reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. Unfortunately, people with T2D are less likely than their normoglycemic peers to meet PA recommendations.

Veterans of the armed forces experience T2D at even greater levels than the general population, with prevalence at about 20%. In addition, T2D and pre-diabetes are elevated among younger veterans, including those of recent conflicts. Reducing rates …

Thermal Management Of Power Electronic Devices Using Single Crystal Aln Heat Spreaders, Md Abdullah-Al Mamun

Theses and Dissertations

Due to high critical electric field and saturation velocity, wide bandgap (WBG) III-Nitride semiconductor materials (AlxGa1-xN) and their heterostructures have gone through extensive research in academia and industry for applications requiring high-voltage, high-current, high-frequency, and high-temperature transistor operation. AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) has been commercialized for 650-V power converters, smartphones, PCs, USB wall power outlets, on-board and off-board EV chargers, and numerous other applications. However, AlGaN/GaN HEMTs grown on low-cost sapphire or Si substrates face significant self-heating issues due to the poor thermal conductivity of the substrate. The high thermal resistance (RTH) and heat capacity of the substrates …

Vascular Calcification In A Mouse Model Of Chronic Kidney Disease And In Human Peripheral Arterial Disease, Breanna Pederson

Theses and Dissertations

Vascular calcification is a process in which calcium and phosphate crystallize to form hydroxyapatite in the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. There are two forms of arterial calcification: intimal and medial, which occur via different etiologies. Intimal calcification is associated with atherosclerosis and occurs in the layer of endothelial cells adjacent to the artery lumen. Medial arterial calcification (MAC) is independent of atherosclerosis and occurs in the middle, muscular layer of the artery. MAC is strongly associated with aging, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). MAC is frequently in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Most studies to date …

“They’Re Just Kinda Fun”: Action Research Evaluating The Impact Of Gamification Tools On Secondary Social Studies Students’ Academic Self-Efficacy, Motivation, And Perceptions Of Learning, Anthony Wayne Blair Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study evaluated the implementation of a gamification strategy to improve academic self-efficacy and motivation in social studies students at Azul Mountain High School (a pseudonym). Keeping students engaged in school is a top priority for educators at all levels. However, students’ lack of engagement at the high-school level has become more detrimental. Improving self-efficacy has been linked to increased motivation, academic achievement, and improved learning outcomes. By making the learning experience more engaging for students, gamification may be a viable approach to the challenge of keeping students in high school. This study addressed three research questions: (a) …

A Low Density Tracker For The Dune Nd Complex., Nibir Talukdar

Theses and Dissertations

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a next-generation long- baseline neutrino experiment aimed at resolving mass hierarchy and the CP violation puzzle in the neutrino sector. Although neutrinos are the most abundant particles in the universe, their study is challenging due to their extremely low interaction cross sections. DUNE aims to overcome these challenges by sending a beam of muon (anti)neutrinos from Fermilab, located near Chicago, to the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in South Dakota.

The experiment consists of a near detector (ND) complex at Fermilab, which mea- sures the composition of the unoscillated neutrino beam, and a …

Ashs To As: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Mandatory Athletic Study Hall In Improving High School Athletes’ Academics, Angela Pilson

Theses and Dissertations

During the 2023-2024 academic year, this action research study was conducted at local, mid-sized high school in South Carolina using a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the efficacy and impact of a mandatory athletic study hall (ASH) program on high school athletes’ academic performance. Through this program, during each academic quarter, any in-season athletes with any grades below 69% to either attend after-school study hall sessions or complete tutoring. The study both reviewed the academic performance of athletes and nonathletes and collected qualitative data from stakeholder surveys completed by nonathletes, athletes, teachers, coaches, and parents. The findings revealed a significant difference …

Does Digital Deepen Discourse? A Case Study Of How Middle School Teachers Use Eureka Math2 To Promote High-Quality Mathematics Classroom Discussions, Michael Wilson Street

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to evaluate how teachers use Eureka Math² (EM²) curriculum and technology tools to promote high-quality mathematics classroom discussions. Research has indicated these discussions improve students’ mathematical knowledge, reasoning, and conceptual understanding. However, orchestrating these discussions is challenging, requiring adaptive thinking, deep content knowledge, and an unfamiliar facilitation role; implementing technology presents an additional challenge. This study was guided by three research questions. First, how and to what extent do teachers use EM² curriculum and technology tools to promote high-quality mathematics classroom discussions? Second, what are the perceptions of teachers about …

Engaging Students In The Scientific Process: An Examination Of Active Learning Strategies In Introductory Geoscience Labs, Meryssa Piper

Theses and Dissertations

High-quality instruction of introductory geoscience courses entices students to major in geoscience fields and ensures undergraduate students have opportunities to learn and apply scientific information and practices. Prior studies indicate that active learning strategies in higher education settings can increase student knowledge and interest. This dissertation explores the integration of two active learning strategies in introductory geoscience laboratory courses: inquiry and gamification The first study housed in Chapter 2 investigates the level of inquiry used in introductory geoscience lab activities across the United States. Through a comprehensive analysis of these activities, this chapter assesses: (1) the degree to which instructor …

From Colonial Frontier To A Slave Society: "Second Slavery" And The Former Backcountry Of South Carolina In The Early Republic, 1780-1833, Elisabeth Zoe Horecny

Theses and Dissertations

Although the South Carolina backcountry was labeled pre-modern by contemporaries and, later, by some historians, it was the model of a modern, “second slavery” in the Atlantic World as evidenced by cultural, economic, and political changes there to accommodate and promote the expansion of slavery. The former backcountry was exemplarily of “second slavery” because the region modernized to create a slave society, instead of modifying the existing colonial system of mass enslavement in the region. Enslaved people responded to these changes in the former backcountry by spreading their oral traditions in healing and religion, maintaining African traditions, and creating communities …

If We Only Had A Wheelbarrow: Asset-Based Pedagogy In The Elementary Classroom, Elizabeth Bedell

Theses and Dissertations

The challenges facing today’s educators are much and many. Among them ranks the persistent underachievement of students from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds. Attempts to remedy this have historically taken a deficit approach, one that attempts to “fix” students by melding them to the norms of the dominant culture, ultimately diminishing their cultural ways of knowing and being and perpetuating inequity. Although educators want to do better, most have simply not been provided with the professional learning that would support their centering students’ voices and experiences as essential to learning

With a focus on asset-based pedagogy, this convergent mixed methods …

Inspecting The Foundations Of Natural Law Ethics And Politics: Looking For Cracks, Detecting Gaps, And Considering The Edifice That Can Be Built Thereon, Adam D. Bailey

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation I inspect the foundations of natural law ethics and politics. The inspection involves looking for cracks, detecting gaps, and considering the edifice that can be built thereon. To do so, I critically examine several of the many concepts and principles that are constitutive of those foundations. Some of my examination is done by means of direct consideration of such concepts and principles. And some of it is done by addressing such concepts and principles indirectly as I address questions about practical ethical or political concerns including: how can public officials make decisions that are not biased, what …

Keep Your Friends Close And Your Enemies Closer A Theory Of Welfare Provision In Authoritarian Regimes, Sanghoon Park

Theses and Dissertations

The dissertation examines the determinants and dynamics of welfare provision in authoritarian regimes and the influence of welfare provision on autocrat’s survival. It argues that the social and class-based explanations for welfare in democracies can also apply to autocracies, though the specific challenges faced by autocrats can lead to different outcomes.

Nonlinear Optical Studies Of Complex Materials, Govinda Kharal

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents an in-depth exploration of nonlinear optical investigations into complex material systems, employing second harmonic generation (SHG) and complementary bulk measurement techniques. The first project focuses on surface symmetries and phase transitions in IrTe2. Using SHG and electrical resistance measurements, we systematically investigate temperature-induced symmetry changes and reveal significant shifts in transition temperatures due to thermal cycling. Comparison with bulk X-ray diffraction confirms that these shifts are surface-related, providing a new interpretation of inconsistencies in reported transition temperatures. Our findings emphasize the effectiveness of SHG in capturing subtle surface phenomena, with future directions involving straincontrolled studies to manipulate …

Providing A Social Emotional Learning Opportunity To Virtual Students Struggling With Social Anxiety: Group Counseling As An Intervention, Josie Kate White Ivey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods action research dissertation was to offer a social/emotional learning opportunity for virtual students struggling with social anxiety. A six-week group counseling experience was offered to on-campus high school students focused on social anxiety in order to determine is group counseling would be a beneficial intervention strategy for virtual students also dealing with social anxiety. An observer protocol was used to make note of participants responses and physical characteristics related to social anxiety and make reflective notes after each counseling session. Group participants also completed quick-check exit tickets to help the researcher determine the student’s …

The Fifth Element In Three Dimensions: Boron Systematics Along And Across The Aleutian Volcanic Arc, Owen Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

This study uses abundances and isotope ratios of the fluid-mobile element boron (B) to better understand the role of fluids in volcanism at the Aleutian arc in Alaska. In volcanic rocks from the Aleutian volcanic front, patterns in B abundance and isotope ratios (δ11B) point to three endmembers: a sediment melt, a slab interior melt, and a slab-top melt. Most lavas from the eastern Aleutian Islands have δ11B of -2 to +5‰, similar to Aleutian sediment. Hence, sediment is likely to be the dominant B source in the Aleutian Island samples. In lavas from the western Aleutian seafloor, high δ11B …

Why Are We Reading In This Class? A Qualitative Action Research Study On Implementing Critical Historical Literacy In A Humanities Classroom, Jerry Allman Goodnight

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative action research study was to investigate the barriers to the acquisition of, and examine the impact of implementing, critical historical literacy in a middle school “humanities” classroom. This classroom, the first of its kind within the school district, blended the teaching of both 8th Grade Social Studies and 8th Grade English/Language Arts. Three research questions served as the foundational points of inquiry: 1) What are students’ perceptions of critical historical literacy practices in social studies? 2) What barriers prevent middle school students from acquiring historical literacy and critical literacy skills? and 3) In what ways …

Why He Sings: An Action Research Study Using Counternarratives To Affect The Deficit Narratives Attributed To Students Of Color, Tiffany Jones Early

Theses and Dissertations

There is ample research that shows that students of color are less likely to graduate from college than their White peers. Meanwhile, the demographics of students who enroll in college continue to be more diverse than previous generations. As universities struggle to understand retention disparities, the voices of the students are often eliminated from the discussion. Many university staff members, instead, opt for a deficit narrative to blame what they believe students of color lack that inhibits them from persisting in college until graduation. The purpose of this study is to use narrative inquiry to better understand the educational experiences …

The Meter October 3 2024, Tennessee State University

The Meter Documents in 2020s

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Caffeine On Health, Elianna Borjas, Mackenzie Wrynn, Rosa Madden, Michele Shaw

NURS 404/406 Research & Info Management

PEO Question: What are the health effects of frequent caffeine consumption for adults?

Imposter Syndrome Among Medical Professionals, Samantha Hidalgo, Gillian Justice, Emma Rose, Michele Shaw

NURS 404/406 Research & Info Management

Research Question: What are the effects of imposter syndrome on medical professionals?

Combat Exposure’S Influence On Ptsd And Substance Abuse In Veterans, Anisa Grewal, Katie Bruce, Michele Shaw

NURS 404/406 Research & Info Management

PEO Research Question: How does combat exposure influence the development of PTSD and substance abuse in veterans?

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Transgender & Non-Binary Youth, Kaleigh O'Brien, Jordi De La Mora, Joanna Lee, Michele Shaw

NURS 404/406 Research & Info Management

Research Question: How do ACEs affect youth who identify as transgender or non-binary?

How Contraceptives Impact Women’S Health, Mikaela Santos, Mateo Gonzales, Zoe Wheeler, Michele Shaw

NURS 404/406 Research & Info Management

Research Question: How does Contraceptives impact Women's health?