University of Southern Mississippi
Aquila Digital Community (University of Southern Mississippi, USM)Not a member yet
11361 research outputs found
Sort by
Development and Structural Origin of Stretchable Semiconducting Polymers and Composites
Get PDFStretchable semiconductors are pivotal in advancing wearable and implantable electronics, with those boasting both high stretchability and self-healing capabilities being especially significant for a myriad of wearable applications. In this dissertation, we developed an extremely soft, highly stretchable, and self-healing elastomer based on H-bonding crosslinked amide-functionalized polyisobutylene (PIB-amide). When blended with a high-performance conjugated diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP-T) polymer, the composite exhibits unprecedented stretchability, exceptionally low elastic modulus, and an innate ability to self-heal at room temperature.
The morphology of conjugated polymer/elastomer semiconducting composites have significant impacts on electrical and mechanical properties Further investigations focused on manipulating the phase separation size in CP/elastomer composites by precise placement of H-bonding functional groups within both the CPs and the elastomers. This study elucidates how these strategic modifications influence the composites\u27 mechanical and electrical performance. By introducing amide functional groups to both a DPP-based semiconducting polymer (DPPTVT-A) and a polyisobutylene-based elastomer (PIB-A), we facilitated inter- and intra-phase H-bonding crosslinks. This approach enabled us to fabricate composites with varying crosslinking patterns—dual, uni, and non-H-bonding—thereby allowing a comparative analysis of their phase behaviors and electronic and mechanical properties.
Additionally, an analysis of the mechanical properties of 65 CP thin films challenged the prevailing belief that rigidity and stretchability are mutually exclusive. Our study of rigid deformable CPs reveals their mechanical behavior, electrical properties, and deformation mechanisms.
This dissertation contributes a novel perspective to the development and molecular origin of semiconductive polymers and composites that are stretchable and highly healable, heralding novel applications in the burgeoning field of stretchable electronics
Wilczinski Street: A Novel-in-Stories
No full textWilczinski Street, is told as a novel-in-stories that follows the residents of the Wilczinki neighborhood, an all-Black community. Of the many families and characters, the reader meets there are the Scotts, where marine veteran and single father Oscar struggles with adapting to life outside the military while raising his young son, Azi, who suffers from Sickle Cell Disease and asthma. A few houses down live the Adelekes, a matriarchal household complete with three generations of women and a neuro atypical daughter with selective mutism. The Milsens, an older couple, are raising boys to men in a world where Black men are perceived as threat, causing the couple to attempt to balance giving their children freedom while ensuring their safety. Other residents include a couple having difficulties conceiving, a single mother raising two children, a family of five working to find harmony in the chaos of living, and other parents that are just doing the best they can in the face of the treats and travails of simply living in the American South while Black.
In American literature, it is common for the reality of African American life to be reduced to a handful of tropes and stereotypes. To help combat this, the field of publications must be widened for Black authors, ensuring that the rich legacy of Black literature is not reduce to a specific and limiting critical paradigm of trauma and oppression. It therefore becomes the task of modern Black literature to combat these images and to offer a glimpse into life while Black without falling into the biases and traps of attempting to reflect Black life.
Wilczinski Street exists to reject the conceit that trauma narratives are all the “Black experience” has to offer and to promote instead the view that Black lives are lives of complexity and depth
Evaluating The Treatment Utility Of Universal Screening For Social-Emotional And Behavioral Risk
Get PDFUniversal screening is a proactive method used by schools to identify social-emotional and behavioral (SEB) difficulties experienced by students to inform necessary intervention supports and practices. Early detection of SEB problems in young children is imperative to effective treatment, but there is currently little guidance and research to support effective use of universal screening data, particularly for SEB risk, to inform treatment. The current study followed up on studies that examine the use of universal screening to inform intervention decision making (e.g., treatment utility) for SEB risk. An alternating treatment design was used to assess treatment effectiveness of matched and unmatched interventions for students identified as at-risk using the Student Risk screening Scale (SRSS) with follow-up assessment to inform matched interventions. Three students from a Title 1 elementary school in the Southern United States served as the primary participants, with one identified as having externalizing risk and two identified as having internalizing risk. Visual analysis as used to evaluate treatment effectiveness. Results showed minimal differences between matched and unmatched interventions, suggesting limited treatment utility for screening. Further research is needed to explore the treatment utility of universal screening, and to determine if simply providing a Tier 2 intervention to students identified as having SEB risk is enough to address behavior concerns for students identified by universal screening
Investigating the Response of the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) to Low Dissolved Oxygen Conditions
Get PDFThe Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) requires dissolved oxygen (DO) of about 4 mg/L to support proper physiological function. Hypoxia and/or microxia occur when DO decreases to ≤ 2 mg/L. Salinity and temperature changes resulting from large-scale freshwater influx have been identified as key factors influencing the oyster populations in the Mississippi Sound. It is important to investigate the impacts of DO conditions on oyster mortality, biomass, size, and condition during these freshening events. Under controlled laboratory experiments, this thesis investigated 1) the response of oysters to microxic, hypoxic, and normoxic conditions 2) the response of oysters to combined hypoxia and low salinity conditions, and 3) the response curve of oysters at various DO concentrations (0.5mg/L, 1mg/L, 2mg/L, 3mg/L, 4mg/L, and 7mg/L) under normal temperature and salinity for 28 days. This study found the highest percent mortality in microxic conditions, with total mortality by day 14. Hypoxia negatively impacts oyster tissue quality and causes a decrease in oyster biomass. There was a significant increase in the change in biomass in the hypoxia treatment while the hypoxia combined with low salinity treatment saw no statistically significant change. This study illustrates the impact of DO concentrations and the combination of hypoxia with low salinity conditions during freshening events on the biology of oysters. The oyster-specific oxygen response curve showed an increase in survival as DO concentrations increased. The oyster response curve will complement an ecosystem model to assist in predicting changes in oyster biomass and mortality during freshwater inflow events in the Mississippi Sound
Promoting Preschool Teachers’ Maintenance and Generalization of Behavior-Specific Praise Through Multitiered Consultation
No full textTeachers struggle to provide behavior-specific praise (BSP), which is associated with appropriate classroom management and decreases in student’s problem behavior. The current study used a multiple-baseline design across three Head Start teachers to test the effectiveness of the multitiered consultation model in increasing teachers’ BSP. The Head Start center provided a universal training in classroom management strategies, including BSP. Three teachers who were not implementing this strategy consistently (i.e., less than five instances in a 10-min observation) received Tier 2 supports including goal setting paired with a simple prompt. Data about teachers’ use of BSP was collected class-wide at a time in which problem behavior occurred, as identified by the teacher participants. Maintenance and generalization (i.e., at a different time of the day) data were collected. All participants showed an immediate increase in the use of BSP to effective levels, following Tier 2 supports. Results showed that proactive supports such as goal setting and prompt increased teacher’s use of BSP in target and generalization settings and results maintained. Children data showed an increase in AEB and DB in both the target and generalization settings, following teacher’s increased use of BSP
The Relationship Between Overparenting, Psychological Needs Satisfaction, and Alcohol Use on Risky Sexual Behavior
Get PDFStudies have shown college students to be vulnerable to negative outcomes, including engaging in risky alcohol use (Lewis et al., 2014; Kilwein & Looby, 2018; Cui et al., 2019) and risky sexual behavior (Dir et al, 2014; Trub & Stark, 2017; Kilwien & Looby, 2018). Understanding predictors and mediating variables associated with risky sexual behavior is one important means of improving prevention strategies. Parenting may be one variable associated with risky sex. Overparenting, a parenting style characterized by parental overinvolvement, has received recent attention due to its association with poor outcomes for adolescents and emerging adults, including an increased risk for alcohol use (Schiffrin & Liss, 2017; Cui et al., 2019; Love et al., 2019). One mechanism connecting overparenting to poor outcomes is psychological needs satisfaction (PNS), commonly associated with well-being. No studies to date have explored the relationship between risky sex and overparenting. Therefore, the present study examined the expected relationship between overparenting and risky sexual behavior and investigated the predicted influence of alcohol use and psychological needs satisfaction on this relationship. This study hypothesized: 1) overparenting will be associated with risky sexual behavior in emerging adults, and alcohol use will moderate this relationship and 2) psychological needs satisfaction will partially explain the relationship between overparenting and risky sexual behavior and these paths will be moderated by alcohol use. This study included 158 college students recruited via SONA who completed electronic surveys of overparenting, risky sexual behaviors, alcohol use, and psychological needs satisfaction. Results did not generally support hypotheses although there is some evidence for the indirect effect of overparenting to risky sex via PNS. Considerations for future research are discussed
Establishing a Model for Sustainable and Meaningful Philanthropy Partnerships: A Case Study of Kappa Delta Beta Sigma and Kids Hub Child Advocacy Center
Get PDFSororities have a long-standing tradition of philanthropic engagement, evolving from simple donations to forging sustainable partnerships with charitable organizations. This thesis project delves into the dynamics of sorority-philanthropy relationships, focusing on the partnership between the Beta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Delta and Kids Hub Child Advocacy Center. Through interviews, surveys, and literature review, the study explores the evolution of their collaboration, challenges faced, and strategies for sustainability. The partnership, initiated by modest donations, has grown into a significant commitment by Kappa Delta Beta Sigma, displaying a transition from transactional giving to deep engagement with Kids Hub\u27s mission. Challenges such as scheduling constraints and communication gaps highlight the need for structured processes and clear expectations. However, the partnership\u27s impact is evident, fostering awareness, education, and tangible support for children in need. Survey data further reveals insights into the perspectives and experiences of both Kappa Delta Beta Sigma chapter members and Kids Hub staff, shedding light on areas for improvement such as enhanced education for members and better organization of volunteer activities. Despite challenges, the partnership underscores the vital role of community support and empowerment, aligning with shared goals of promoting confidence and advocacy for women and children. Recommendations include structured orientation processes, regular communication sessions, and increased collaboration between the organizations. Importantly, the study contributes to the development of a sustainability model for similar partnerships between college student organizations and local charities, aiming to foster enduring collaborations that drive impactful social change
Neurodivergent Gaming: Critical Game Design and Scholarly Practice
Get PDFThis showcase of interactive experiences is designed to simulate and explore the hidden struggles of neurodiversity using game mechanics. It draws on my personal experience as an individual on the autistic spectrum to explore the relationship between game forms, academic scholarship, and critical thinking. The showcase aims to demonstrate the scholarly side of video game development and what video games, as a medium, have the potential to become within academia. Unlike articles or videos, video games have the unique quality to be interactive and immersive, allowing designers to experiment with mechanics as a tool for creating thoughtful and reflective experiences. Drawing on theories of critical game design, my interactive showcase and its critical introduction utilize the language of games to reflect on some of the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals
Groomer Discourse: A Transgender-sensitive Critical Discourse Analysis of Queerphobic Hate Speech on Twitter
Get PDFIn recent times, online internet hate speech has received more and more attention due to its adaptive and mutative nature, emerging not in a vacuum but instead sprouting from the seeds of social inequity. A specific form of queerphobic hate speech known as groomer discourse or predation libel has taken new form in online spaces. This recent development, targeted almost exclusively towards the queer community and their allies, is uniquely situated at the intersection of transgender rights and sexual education in the United States. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, this study expands Spallaccia’s gender-sensitive critical discourse analysis (CDA) into a transgender-sensitive CDA, utilizing concepts adapted from Van Dijk’s socio-cognitive CDA. The research process resulted with a symbolic map of queerphobic hate speech centered around predation libel, created from a dataset of 557 tweets and 64 audiovisual files. Some of the most frequent codes found in tandem with predation libel included deliberate misgendering (of a transgender person), clinicalization (founded on the belief that transgender people are deluded), and reinforcing gender binaries through biological determinism and gender essentialism. Some less common but still interesting codes included the comparison of transness to blackface, ideology, and religion. Nearly every device used in these online hate speech crusades reflect existing social power dynamics between the in-group (straight and cisgender people) and out-group (queer people), drawing similar conclusions with scholars who have performed research detailing the androcentric dynamic between men and women. These findings and the methods used to reach them serve as a spearhead for launching future transgender sensitive CDA research and performing CDA on social media sites
Understanding the Clinician\u27s View of Pragmatics in Pediatric Therapy
Get PDFPragmatics is one of the most integral components of language, yet it often seems to receive little attention in therapy settings. Previous research indicates the importance of intentionally targeting pragmatic skills for children with language disorders and/or autism spectrum disorders, as well as the lack of current pragmatic evaluations. This thesis used an online survey to record how clinicians view pragmatics, how they evaluate pragmatics, and how they target pragmatics. Participants were all certified clinicians, and the research survey featured a variety of open and closed questions. Results revealed a deep pragmatics knowledge base. However, results indicated the use and knowledge of pragmatic evaluation methods and targeting strategies were lackluster. These results can help bolster and increase knowledge to improve clinician’s therapy techniques