Digital Commons Network^™

The Lingering Menace, Logan M. Burke

MSU Graduate Theses

This thesis applies modern approaches to better examine a largely neglected nativist publication, The Menace. This thesis also challenges the importance scholars have placed on formal associations, including prominent nativist groups such as the Klan. Instead, this thesis will focus on The Menace, a print publication that was mainstream with respect to its popularity as well as in the way it was produced. At the same time, The Menace was also similar to other nativist groups in the way it viewed race, gender, and religion.

Relative Contribution Of Physical Interference And Allelopathy To Weed Suppression By Winter Annual Cover Crop Mixtures, Alyssa D. Travlos

MSU Graduate Theses

Cover cropping systems are widely used in crop production systems to prevent erosion, improve soil health, and suppress weeds. Common cover cropping systems include combinations of cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), Brassica species, legumes, and other winter annual species. Three cover crop mixtures (cereal rye alone, cereal rye plus winter pea, and cereal rye plus winter pea plus radish) were applied using three methods (fresh residue, dried leached residue, and leachate) to common waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus var. rudis) and large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.]. The experiment was conducted once in a greenhouse and once in a …

Nesting Success And Habitat Preference Of The Barn Owl (Tyto Alba) In Southwest Missouri, Samantha Ann Meilink

MSU Graduate Theses

The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is a cavity-dwelling species and has been known to inhabit both natural and artificial cavities, such as nest boxes. The Barn Owl has a global distribution and can be found as far north as British Columbia and as far south as South America. They have a stable population in the United States; however, although generally stable in the United States, Missouri populations have experienced recent declines, prompting their listing as a species of special concern. In order to assist conservation efforts, land cover needs to be assessed to determine where it is best to place …

Comparative Study Of U.S. And E.U. Experiences With Policies On Immigration Controls, Daniel Brady

MSU Graduate Theses

The year 2015 marked a colossal change in how the world views immigration. The migration crisis of Europe and the emergence of President Donald Trump continue to have lasting impacts. Major political, demographic, and social conflicts are playing out in the U.S. and Europe over migration. In the U.S., President Trump has been able to enact anti-immigration sentiment into policy. Contrary to that, in Europe, the 28 member states of the European Union have failed to come up with a clear, unifying plan to deal with the migration crisis. The consequences of migration will be harsher and less manageable in …

Effects Of Parafluvial Flows On Interstitial Ammonia And Freshwater Mussels In The Buffalo National River, David Alan Johnson

MSU Graduate Theses

Freshwater mussel populations and distributions have declined over the past several decades in the Buffalo River, Arkansas. Among many possible causes, this study tested the hypothesis that ammonia concentrations in parafluvial flows through gravel bars might be high enough to impair the survival and growth of juvenile mussels. Ammonia, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were measured in interstitial and water column samples from gravel bars to test for possible longitudinal gradients. Samples were taken along 3 large bars at locations within the Buffalo National River, at approximate bi-weekly intervals between June and September of 2010. Water sample ammonia concentrations were …

How God Writes History: A Gramscian Analysis Of Religion And Nature In The Writings, Life, And Legacy Of John Muir, Daniel R. Jones

MSU Graduate Theses

Representations of John Muir, America’s most famous environmentalist, and religion have been highly variegated. A mythological figure of American environmental politics, Muir and his legacy have been an ideological apparatus for presidents, environmentalists, and naturalists performing acts of identification for themselves and their country. Furthermore, religion and environmental scholars have often used Muir as a case study for what they call “nature religion.” Lost in this myth-making labor are the politics of sacred spaces and national discourse. Italian political theorist Antonio Gramsci developed the concept of common sense and the intellectual, which this thesis uses to analyze John Muir’s poetics …

Effects Of Irrigation On Forage Growth Rates On Rotational Grazing Dairies, Zachary Davis

MSU Graduate Theses

The amount and timing of rainfall in Missouri can be very irregular. This causes issues for producers of agronomic products in the state who rely on forages for income. The most sensible approach to the problem is the use of irrigation. But there is little useful information to reference when implementing this management decision. By studying three different styles of irrigation (center pivot, spider, and k-line) on 4 species of forages native to Missouri (alfalfa, crabgrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue/clover), this study provides valuable insight as to the cost and benefit of irrigation. The main goal is to produce …

Exploring The Role Of Social Media In The Identity Development Of Trans Individuals, B. Doss

MSU Graduate Theses

This study explores the role of social media in the identity development of trans individuals and whether it can be viewed as a means to gain social support and thus enhance positive identity development. Traditional models of identity development, as well as those for trans individuals, count social support as a key factor in psychosocial well-being, and adaptive coping. However, many trans people may face difficulty in finding or accessing direct social support. This study consisted of five semi-structured interviews with trans individuals exploring their experiences using social media and their perceptions of its influence on their identity development. Using, …

Modeling The Response Of Black Walnut -Dominant Mixed Hardwoods To Seasonal Climate Effects With Uav-Based Hyperspectral Sensor And Aerial Photogrammetry, Tyler G. Bradford

MSU Graduate Theses

The development of compact sensors in recent years has inspired the use of UAS-based hyperspectral and aerial imaging techniques for small-scale remote sensing applications. With increasing concerns about climate change, spectrally-derived vegetation indices (VIs) have proven useful for quantifying stress-induced vegetation response. The goal of this study was to develop predictive models and assess methodology for modeling the biological response of a black walnut -dominant mixed hardwood stand to seasonal climate events using UAV-based hyperspectral remote-sensing. The derived VIs were evaluated against the means of four seasonal measures of climate calculated for a two-week period prior to the flight date. …

Did Hollywood Take Theatre "By Hook Or By Crook?", Catherine S. Wright

MSU Graduate Theses

Hollywood and Theatre have been partners in producing entertainment for over 100 years. The relationship was fruitful for both parties, but Hollywood moguls and playwrights battled over ownership of the work and crafting of its creative nucleus, story and character. Theatre was the dominant entertainment right before the rise of motion pictures. Once Hollywood’s talkies closed the curtain on silent films, playwrights had a high creative worth to movie makers. In the cinema, story and dialogue were essential for its survival and growth. Playwrights were courted by the Hollywood studio heads but were not offered equal partnership as they were …

Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Of Transition Metal Octaethylporphyrin And Tetraphenylporphyrin/Tri-N-Propylamine System, Jamie Lee Gray

MSU Graduate Theses

The electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of octaethylporphyrin (OEP), tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) and a series of metal-ligand porphyrin complexes (Zinc, Copper, Palladium, Platinum, Ruthenium, Vanadium, Cobalt and Nickel) in CH2Cl2 is reported. ECL was generated upon sweep to positive potentials using tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) as an oxidative-reductive coreactant. ECL efficiencies were between 0.010 and 0.770 using Ru(bpy)3(PF6)2 (bpy = 2,2’-bpyridine) as a relative standard (ecl = 1). The ECL intensity peaks at a potential corresponding to oxidation of the complexes and TPrA, suggesting that the same excited states are formed in both photoluminescence and ECL. Although the ECL was weaker than corresponding PL efficiencies, …

“O Stop And Tell Me, Red Man”: Indian Removal And The Lamanite Mission Of 1830-31, Kaleb C. Miner

MSU Graduate Theses

In 1830-1831, Mormon missionaries were sent out to proselytize Native Americans—an effort called the “Lamanite Mission.” While this event has been scrutinized multiple times over and in a variety of ways, the Native Americans themselves are most often either considered passive characters in the narrative or ignored completely. However, understanding the circumstances of those Native Americans leading up to the Lamanite Mission, during the era of Indian Removal, can give a deeper understanding of the early Mormon mission which has heretofore been ignored. Understanding Indian Removal not only explains why the Seneca, Wyandot, Shawnee, and Delaware people were located as …

Sodium Pyruvate Alters The Immune Response To Influenza A Virus Infection In Macrophages, Hazzar Abysalamah

MSU Graduate Theses

ABSTRACT

Pyruvate is the end product of glycolysis. It can either be transported into the mitochondria for use in the TCA cycle or be used to regenerate NAD⁺ during fermentation or aerobic glycolysis (also called the Warburg Effect). I recently discovered that addition of sodium pyruvate to the culture medium during infection of macrophages with influenza A virus affects the production of cytokines involved in immune signaling. While infection of macrophages with influenza A virus resulted in high levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in the absence of sodium pyruvate, the addition of sodium pyruvate significantly impaired cytokine …

Application Of Nano-Plasmonics For Sers Bio-Detection And Photocatalysis In The Same Platform, Muhammad R. Shattique

MSU Graduate Theses

Nano-biological systems interfacing nano-structured solid surfaces with biological compounds such as oligonucleotides or proteins are highly regarded as enabling materials for biosensing and biocatalysis applications. In particular, nanostructures of noble metals such as gold or silver, when exposed to light, exhibit a phenomenon known as surface plasmon resonance. When a proper metal nanostructure (plasmonic substrate) is exposed to light, very efficient absorption of incoming photons is possible, resulting in a buildup of localized high-energy regions, or “hot-spots”, where energetic carriers or “hot carriers” can be created. These hot-carriers can be used to catalyze desired chemical transformations in materials located nearby. …

Effects Of Neem On Plasmatocyte Counts In Galleria Mellonella Larvae, Michael Anthony Fenske

MSU Graduate Theses

The neem tree (Azadirachta indica) has been called the tree of the 21^st century, due to its many beneficial properties. This research studies the effects of neem products on plasmatocytes of Galleria mellonella larvae challenged by injections of Sumi ink. Counts of circulating plasmatocytes increased in response to the ink within 4 hours. Concurrent injections of neem essential oil reversed this process in a dose-dependent manner. Methanolic extracts of neem essential oil had similar effects on counts of circulating plasmatocytes mobilized by ink injections. Aqueous extracts from neem bark did not have effects on plasmatocyte counts. Comparative …

The Mercenary Tradition And Conflict Privatization: A Revolutionary Shift In The Cyclical Nature Of Mercenary Use, Joseph M. Tribble

MSU Graduate Theses

This paper seeks to show that there has existed through time, a cyclical nature in the use of mercenaries, which has left imprints on societies that continue to exist in the presence of international law against their use. Looking at modern elements of this tradition, the paper will attempt to show how there has been a revolution in military affairs since the formation of the United Nations Conventions against Mercenaries, in which a number of elements of this culture have converged at once, existing in the international community and what this means for international security moving forward. The paper will …

Long-Term Trends Of Stream Fish Community Assemblages In Southern Missouri With Contemporary Land Use Impacts, Stephanie Marie Sickler

MSU Graduate Theses

Stream fish communities in the Ozarks are structured via a number of different mechanisms, including basin, stream size, and human land use. The purpose of this study was to understand the structuring mechanisms of stream fish communities in southern Missouri. I compiled 48 years of historical fish collections performed by the Ichthyology class at Missouri State University consisting of 140 sites. I resampled 45 of these sites in summer of 2016. First, I tested whether communities are different between basins and stream size. Next, I tested associations of land use at three spatial scales to local fish communities. Last, I …

Investigations On Hydrothermally Synthesized Co3o4/Mnxco3-Xo4 Core-Shell Nanoparticles, Ning Bian

MSU Graduate Theses

Two different morphologies (pseudo-spherical shaped or PS type and hexagonal nanoplate shaped or NP type) and two different concentrations (0.07 M and 0.1 M) of manganese incorporated Co₃O₄@Mn_xCo_3-xO₄ core-shell nanoparticles (CSNs) were investigated, respectively. The motivation of this work is to investigate the magnetic properties of, and specifically the exchange bias, between different shaped CSNs and between different Mn-doped CSNs. A two-step synthesis method was utilized to obtain the CSNs: a soft chemical approach was used to obtain Co₃O₄ nanoparticles and a hydrothermal nano-phase epitaxy was used to …

Empirical Study: Impacts Of Objective House Factors On Residential Water Usage In Springfield, Missouri, Ran Qi

MSU Graduate Theses

The study is to examine the objective house factors impacting residential water consumption, to explain how each factor influences water bill in a household, as well as to call attention to use residential water resource more wisely. The results are based on regression data analysis. The Hedonic price model analyzes relations between marginal residential water bill and five independent variables, including: acres, building age, living area, home value, and a south Springfield designation. This study uses data from local households in Springfield, Missouri. Findings can be used in formulating policies related to urban water usage. City Utilities could use the …

Gongshi Meditation On The American Prairie, Brandon A. Henry

MSU Graduate Theses

The following collection deals largely with autobiographical work. Created primarily between 2007-2018, the following poems reflect the life experiences and reflections of a poet throughout his thirties. Largely tied to regionalism of the Ozarks, many poems in this collection highlight specific locales throughout southwest Missouri and/or northern Arkansas, and explore, thematically, feelings of loneliness, isolation, the struggle of faith, and the impact of displacement, both physical and metaphysical. Further, many of the poems feature a through-line, thematically, involving the bonds of family and the impact of death on relationships and the human psyche. Lastly, an appreciation for, and connection with, …

Dear Me, Hannah Patricia Farley

MSU Graduate Theses

This collection of fiction includes short stories and a partial novella. A critical introduction provides background on the author’s writing and a theoretical framework as it pertains to the fiction highlighted in this thesis. The works presented explore aspects of genre fiction including magical realism, absurdism, and the bildungsroman. The partial novella relies heavily on epistolary form, confessional style entries, and continuous stream of action. The main characters of the included works serve as focal points which address themes of family life, addiction, mental illness, minority languages, and voice.

Video Composition, Creative Discourse, And Facilitated Freedom: A Teacher's Journey To Reveal Student Potential, Michael A. Brinkmeyer

MSU Graduate Theses

This research project was conducted in response to students’ lack of engagement in traditional modes of instruction and composition in a high school English Language Arts course. In order to better understand students as creative composers of knowledge, this research project asked students to engage in the video production process in collaborative groups. The research was conducted over the course of eight class periods in three different sections of Junior-level English Language Arts courses. Analysis of the data from this study reveals three important findings: 1) students respond well to creative and relevant performance assessments; 2) students’ collaborative conversations, or …

Temporal And Intensity Relationships Between Physical Activity And Drunkorexia Behaviors Among First-Year College Students, Robert E. Booker Jr

MSU Graduate Theses

The purpose of this research was to examine the temporal element of physical activity (PA) in relation to drunkorexia occurrences and how PA intensities predict severity of drunkorexia behaviors. No research, to our knowledge, has explored if students are proactively or reactively engaging in PA to reduce the effects of calories consumed from alcohol nor if there exists a dose relationship among PA intensities (sedentary, moderate, vigorous) and severity of drunkorexia behaviors. A convenience sample of first-year college students living in residence halls was selected to participate in the current study. Participants completed an online survey including The Drunkorexia Motives …

Narratives Of Loss, Carla R. Stine

MSU Graduate Theses

My research revolves around impermanence, loss, and the grief that accompanies loss. My thesis work consists of digital collages interlaced with short stories, an interactive digital media piece, traditionally-made collages, a picture book, art objects, and an assortment of other supporting work. My ultimate aim is to employ both traditional techniques and digital skills to create visual narratives that supply glimpses into my personal history of loss and that speak to life’s brevity.

Learning To Fish And Learning My Place: Joy And Power Struggles In Alaska Seasonal Work, Mary E. Chiles

MSU Graduate Theses

This collection of essays describes the experience of working remote lodges in Alaska. These examine power dynamics among owners, guests, and employees, particularly in situations of sexual harassment. It explores punishments for bringing these cases to light in seasonal, tenuous positions. The collection also includes instances of stark wilderness, including interactions with bears and fish. These moments of beauty found in isolated surroundings contrast with the dangers of remote living.

Generativity And Other Buffers Of Death Awareness In First Responders With Ptsd, David Joseph Herr

MSU Graduate Theses

Anxiety buffer disruption theory (ABDT) is an application of terror management theory to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ABDT predicts that posttraumatic stress reactions occur when buffers of awareness of death, such as meaning in life, self-esteem, and social intimacy, fail to suppress overwhelming death-anxiety. The author suggested that generativity may also serve as an effective buffer of awareness of death. The present study investigated the presence of anxiety buffering disruption in first responders with PTSD via a mediation path model of self-report measures of PTSD symptoms, anxiety buffer variables, and death-though accessibility. While results indicate PTSD symptoms have a small …

The Successes And Challenges Of Using Worked Examples To Integrate Mp7: Look For And Make Use Of Structure, Jennifer Lynn Barnes

MSU Graduate Theses

The purpose of this action research study was to gain insight into a teacher’s successes and challenges of using worked examples to integrate Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Mathematical Practice 7 (MP7) into a high school Algebra 1 classroom. The 22 participants in this qualitative study were 9^th – 11^th grade students. Ten lessons were taught using worked examples to focus on mathematical structure. Data was collected in the form of reflective teacher journals and student artifacts. Observational data was also collected by a fellow mathematics teacher using an observational protocol. Analysis of the data indicated three successes: …

Interactions In Social Settings: The Relationship Between Alcohol And Sexual Assault Among College Students, Heather Lepper

MSU Graduate Theses

Research has linked alcohol to violence and sexual assault, especially within the college student population. Most of this research focuses on the effects of alcohol on victims or perpetrators of sexual assault and not on bystanders of such situations. This study examines how self-reported drinking behavior affects students' ability to recognize risk of sexual assault in written scenarios and the various barriers that would inhibit their willingness to intervene. A sample of 275 students (183 female, 92 male) were asked to read one of three scenarios and respond to a brief questionnaire adapted from Burn's (2009) Barriers to Bystander Intervention …

Controlling The Uncontrollable: Understanding The Relationships Between Psychological Distress, Physical Impairment, And Acceptance Among Women With Gynecological Cancer, Kirby L. Williams

MSU Graduate Theses

As women age, the risk for being diagnosed with any gynecological cancer increases. Despite outnumbering the number of breast cancer diagnoses in a given year, there are significantly fewer studies addressing gynecological cancers. Treatment for gynecological cancers can be incredibly debilitating, both physically and psychologically. Although previous studies have evaluated and shown a relationship between physical impairment and perceived control on psychological distress in cancer patients during treatment, none have evaluated the influence of willingness and acceptance. The present study sought to expand this theory by assessing 25 gynecological cancer participants via self-report measures. Utilizing structural equation modelling, a moderated …

Handwritten Digit Recognition By Multi-Class Support Vector Machines, Yu Wang

MSU Graduate Theses

Support Vector Machine(SVM) is a widely-used tool for pattern classification problems. The main idea behind SVM is to separate two different groups with a hyperplane which makes the margin of these two groups maximized. It doesn't require any knowledge about the object we are focused on, since it can catch the features automatically. The idea of SVM can be easily generalized to nonlinear model by a mapping from the original space to a high-dimensional feature space, and they construct a max-margin linear classifier in the high dimensional feature space.

This thesis will investigate the basic idea of SVM and apply …