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Revisited Relativistic Dirac-Hartree-Fock X-ray Scattering Factors for Neutral Atoms with Z = 2 – 118, and Chemically-Relevant Ions: All Cations, Selected Monovalent Anions, and the Excited (Valence) States of Carbon & Silicon.
No full textThis is a two-article dissertation structure which comprises of four chapters. Chapter one gives the
general overview of the research interest, motivation and identified gaps in the literature. The
chapter two and three compose of the first and second papers submitted for publication
respectively. Chapter four discussed the conclusion drawn on the results obtained from the
research and how this result compares to previous studies on X-ray scattering factor calculation.
For this dissertation, two papers have been submitted for publications on revisited relativistic
Dirac-Hartree-Fock X-ray scattering factor for neutral atoms with Z = 2 – 118 (He – Og) and
Chemically-Relevant Ions: All Cations, Selected Monovalent Anions, and the Excited (Valence) States of
Carbon & Silicon. The X-ray scattering factor calculation used the recently developed DBSR_HF
program [Zatsarinny & Froese Fischer (2016). Comput. Phys. Comm. 202, 287 – 303] to calculate
the fully relativistic Dirac-Hartree-Fock ground-state wavefunctions for all atoms with Z = 2 – 118
(He – Og) and 318 chemically relevant ions. The calculations use the extended average level
scheme and include both the Breit interaction correction to the electronic motion due to magnetic
and retardation effects, and the Fermi distribution function for the description of the nuclear charge
density.
Using the total and orbital (spinor) energies, charge density maxima, atomic mean radii and means
spherical radii (Guerra et al., 2017) for the neutral atoms and total electronic & ionization energies
for ions, adequate comparison have been made between the results obtained and several previous
studies. A newly developed Fortran program SF was used for a precise integration of the X-ray
scattering factors by employing the DBSR_HF’s B-spline representation of the relativistic oneelectron orbitals. Interpolation of the obtained X-ray scattering factor has also been done in the
v
0 ≤ sin ? /? ≤ 2 Å
−1
and 2 ≤ sin ? /? ≤ 6 Å
−1
ranges using the recommended analytical
functions for a four-term and five-term expansions.
The X-ray scattering factor values obtained from the uniform treatments of the all the species seem
to represent an excellent compromise among all the previous studies and should be a good
replacement for values in Volume C of the 2006 edition of International Table for Crystallography
(Maslen, Fox & O’Keefe, 2006).Ph.D
Collage
No full textStudent-produced creative journal containing art, photography, poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction, song lyrics, audio, and video.Collage is a creative journal published by Middle Tennessee State University since 1968. It is produced by a student staff to showcase creative work of MTSU students. The MTSU Honors College oversees the journal
The Journey from Adoption to Implementation of a Middle School ELA Curriculum: An Instrumental Case Study
No full textIn 2015, Every Child Succeeds Act (ESSA) was introduced as a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the end of the No Child Left Behind Act (Every Student Succeeds Act, n.d.). ESSA continued the requirements that all states adopt or create academic standards that prepared students for post-secondary requirements as measured by high-stakes tests. (Every Student Succeeds Act, n.d.). To address the accountability measures set forth by ESSA within these high-stakes tests, many states and districts turned to curriculum companies to provide materials that were already created, vetted, and aligned to rigorous academic standards like those found in the Common Core standards. For states, it was far easier to purchase and utilize already created materials rather than cultivate their own. While having the curriculum already created alleviated some issues, it created tensions between those who select it and those who implement it in classrooms.
It was within these tensions that this study focused. This instrumental case study followed the journey of a literacy curriculum from adoption to implementation in one school district, one middle school, and one ELA classroom. The study explored the perceptions and experiences of educators as they moved through the processes of adoption and implementation of a new ELA literacy curriculum. By looking at the issue of the implementation as the case through the lens of technical and adaptive change approaches, helps other schools adjust their approaches to ensure a smooth implementation.Ed.D
The effects of viral infection and lysis by cyanophage LPP-1 on the lipid composition of the cyanobacterium Plectonema boryanum
No full textThe role of host lipids during viral infection is an area of study only recently examined within the last two decades, and existing literature is limited. The few studies that exist have been limited to observations in eukaryotes and heterotrophic prokaryotes. Since cyanophages have been considered as a means for biotic control of cyanobacterial harmful agal blooms, understanding the replication of cyanophages and their effect on host cells is critical to optimizing their utilization. This research focused on establishing the galactolipid profile of cyanobacterium Plectonema boryanum, and on the effects of cyanophage LPP-1 on the galactolipid composition of Plectonema boryanum. Nine major galactolipids were found and identified as either mono- or digalactosyldiacylglycerol (MDGD or DGDG, respectively) with the dominant regiochemisty exhibited being the C18/C16 form. A difference in the relative abundance of 18:3/16:1 MGDG between infected and uninfected cultures of Plectonema boryanum was observed; however, further research must be conducted to confirm the significance this observation. KEYWORDS: cyanobacteria; lipids; galactolipids; cyanophage; bacteriophage; infectio
THE DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF THREE COMPUTER-ADAPTIVE SCREENING MEASURES OF READING
No full textThe data from universal screeners must be valid and reliable in order to use it to make appropriate decisions about how best to allocate resources to support students who are at risk of not passing the state achievement test. The instruments used as part of universal screening must also have diagnostic accuracy. This study examined the diagnostic accuracy of three computer-adaptive universal screening measures of reading for predicting student performance on the state achievement test. Using extant data, spring universal screener scores from second graders in public schools in a southeastern state were used to predict their performance on the state achievement test administered in the spring of their third-grade year. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to examine the diagnostic accuracy of Istation Indicators of Progress Early Reading, MAP-Reading, and Star Reading. Results show that all three computer-adaptive universal screeners were strong predictors of the ACT Aspire, an assessment used as the statewide achievement test. However, the Istation and MAP universal screeners were reliably more accurate than the Star Reading assessment based on area under the curve comparisons. In analyses of based on cut scores associated with various means of standard setting, none of the screeners met the recommended levels of .90 sensitivity and .70 for specificity. Implications for use of the computer-adaptive screeners in schools as part of a universal screening process are discussed.Ph.D
What Makes a Monster and What Makes a Man: Uncovering the Key to Disney Theatrical Productions’s Success in Transferring Animated Films to Broadway
No full textThis thesis explores the critical and commercial success of Disney Theatrical Productions on Broadway. Specifically, the six stage adaptations of animated films on Broadway are examined in order to find the key points of success. Extensive research from critic reviews, academic journals, scripts, and financial reports have shaped this thesis. With all of this information, I was able to determine that Disney Theatrical Productions’s success is found through the inclusion of nostalgic elements to support beloved, timeless stories; contextually-motivated spectacle with substance; strong concepts with unified creative teams; and involvement of the audience in the narrative in order to best appeal to two separate, important target audiences and to prove artistically innovative enough for critical approval. KEYWORDS: Disney Theatrical Productions; Disney; Theatre; Spectacle; Theatrical Design; Beauty and the Beast; The Lion King; Tarzan; The Little Mermaid; Aladdin; Frozen; Theatre for Young Audience
American Ginseng Germination and Emergence
No full textOne minute video showing the time-lapse for American ginseng seed germination and emergence. 82 MB file size download. Plays with time-lapse images, background music, and text annotation of growth description.American ginseng (panax quinquefolius) seed germination and emergence. Seeds from American ginseng have double dormancy, meaning they require two years (18 months) to begin the germination process. Seeds require two winters at very cold temperatures, known as cold stratification, and will germinate in the spring. They are quite small, around 6 cm and very difficult to see. This timelapse video shows the emergence of American ginseng and illuminates another interesting fact about the elusive plant. American ginseng has hypogeous germination! This is a somewhat rare occurrence where the cotyledon (seed leaves) remains underground. The hypocotyl (stem) is quite short and the cotyledons force the radicle and epicotyl to elongate. This results in the plant producing true leaves capable of photosynthesis right from the time of emergence.
KEYWORDS: American Ginseng, Ginseng, hypogeous, germinationFunding provided by the Digital Seed Grant, a program of Digital Scholarship Initiatives at Walker Library, Middle Tennessee State Universit
“We Are More Than Just Nurses”: Working Mothers in Nursing and the Effects of COVID-19.
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the world, resulting in various social, economic, and health outcomes. As infection rates increased and government shutdowns were implemented, there have been many changes in society, particularly for working mothers. Research shows socialized gendered roles tend to be reinstated during disasters and crises (Leigh 2020), and like a disaster or crisis, this pandemic is accompanied by vulnerability and uncertainty. My thesis looked at the added responsibilities and stress this pandemic has had on mothers working in healthcare through a gender lens. I investigate the added demands on these mothers in the home and at work, along with their mental health, burnout, and their overall sense of belonging which are reflected in my findings. My thesis centered on mothers’ experiences during the global pandemic, specifically the many ways it has affected their personal and professional lives. My aim is to use this study to explore gender, family, and the workplace (specifically healthcare) amidst COVID-19.M.A
Changes in Social Motivation Following Oxytocin Receptor Inhibition
No full textThe purpose of our study was to adapt a social behavior arena for mice and to test the correlation between oxytocin receptor activation/inhibition and social motivation since no current measurement for social motivation exists. The long-term impact of this research was to identify a standardized way of measuring social motivation so that social disorders like autism can be better characterized. Our research was conducted with 90 mice across both sexes. The levels of social motivation were pharmacologically manipulated with oxytocin, atosiban, or saline. We were able to successfully validate a social reward chamber. A sex by drug interaction indicated a differential effect exists between atosiban and oxytocin depending on sex. We found that atosiban treated males and oxytocin treated females were more socially motivated than other groups. The understanding of these factors will aid us in better developing treatment targets and pharmacological improvements for disorders with social symptoms like autism
Sustainable Tourism Reflected in the Media
No full textThis thesis reported on sustainable tourism in the media by analyzing articles from several news sources and travel blogs from January 1, 1980- August 1, 2022, that cover the topic. 88 articles were evaluated in this study, from news sources and travel blogs that featured topics on or related to sustainable tourism. The history of sustainability and tourism, as well as the rise of technology is uncovered via this thesis that plays into the image of sustainable tourism today. The academic findings on sustainable tourism appear to be very slight in the time period of this study which makes this thesis an important and interesting starting point for future studies. Two research questions were examined while doing this: how is sustainable tourism framed via the articles analyzed and which sources were used on this topic? To find out how sustainable tourism is framed as well as the sources used on the topic, this study used textual analysis to uncover these questions.M.S