Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Relationship Between Instructors’ Use Of Active Learning Strategies And Students’ Conceptual Understanding And Affective Changes In Introductory Biology: A Comparison Of Two Active-Learning Environments, Lacy M. Cleveland, Jeffrey T. Olimpo, Sue Dechenne-Peters

Biology: Faculty Publications

In response to calls for reform in undergraduate biology education, we conducted research examining how varying active-learning strategies impacted students’ conceptual understanding, attitudes, and motivation in two sections of a large-lecture introductory cell and molecular biology course. Using a quasi-experimental design, we collected quantitative data to compare participants’ conceptual understanding, attitudes, and motivation in the biological sciences across two contexts that employed different active-learning strategies and that were facilitated by unique instructors. Students participated in either graphic organizer/worksheet activities or clicker-based case studies. After controlling for demographic and presemester affective differences, we found that students in both active-learning environments displayed …

The Construction Of A Transatlantic Subject: Family And Nation In "Sola" By María José De Chopitea, Valeriya F. Fritz

The Coastal Review

This article explores the articulation of exile identity in the novel Sola by María José de Chopitea published in Mexico in 1954. Until now, critics have approached this text as lacking ideological argument. I propose an alternative reading of the novel as an ideologically charged narrative that articulates the nation beyond state borders and in terms of a transatlantic bond between Mexico and the Spanish Republic. Sola creates space in the nation for Catalan female writers who were previously excluded due to both their gender and their status as political exiles and cultural minorities.

The Effect Of Loving-Kindness Meditation On Physiological And Psychological Reactions To Violent Stimuli, Joseph A. Garcia

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In the past, meditation research has focused primarily on mindfulness meditation, but little research has examined Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM). LKM may be an important addition to treatment or preventative programs for people at risk of exposure to violence or aggression in their lives or work. The current research aims to add to the currently growing body of literature concerning LKM and compassion based meditation practices. The researchers sought to determine if a 12-week course in LKM would have any effect on galvanic skin response (GSR) and heart rate in beats per minute (BPM) during the presentation of a video containing …

Variability And Stability Of 13 To 19 Month Olds Infants' Gait Affect By Wet And Dry Diaper And Underwear, Sally Marie Futch

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Research has been conducted on the effect of diaper perturbation versus unclothed on gait, but there is little research on different diaper perturbations on gait. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine how physical perturbations (dry and wet diaper and underwear) affected 13 to 19 month old infant’s gait. METHODS: Sixty infants (13-19 month old) were recruited for the study. Five trials for 3 conditions (dry and wet diaper and underwear) were conducted on a GaitRite walkway. Step length (m/step), cadence (steps/s), support base (m) and stance time (sec) were analyzed. A mixed model with repeated measures along …

Exploring Job Satisfaction And Preceptorship Capacity Among Applied Epidemiologists, Jessica C. Arrazola

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Job satisfaction is important to consider when developing strategies for recruitment and retention. The Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) conducted in 2014 was the first nationally representative assessment of the state public health workforce. Prior to this assessment, the job satisfaction of state agency public health workers and preceptor capacity had not been measured. This study fills the current research gaps by studying the job satisfaction among the applied epidemiology workforce, identifying factors influencing job satisfaction, and the describing the preceptorship capacity among epidemiologists. This research is based on the 2014 PH WINS data. The analysis …

Treatment Choice Among Combat Veterans, Zachary Clayborne Dietrich

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

A plethora of research has investigated PTSD treatment outcomes among Veterans of foreign wars. However, research has suggested mixed treatment efficacy. Although investigations into factors that may help predict treatment outcomes are emerging, to date no study has evaluated treatment choice among Veteran populations. Previous treatment choice studies have yielded qualitative and quantitative information that can be useful in clinical decision-making. This study looks to build upon the treatment choice literature with combat Veterans to evaluate for underlining characteristics of cohorts that will help build upon existing knowledge. It has been suggested that treatment benefits Vietnam Era Veterans more than …

Connecting Emotions To Behavioral Outcomes, Whitney L. Spears

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The field of positive psychology has emerged within the last decade and focuses on investigating happiness and what constitutes a satisfying life (Seligman, 2011; Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). One of the main purposes of positive psychology is to identify resources that can be used to promote psychologically beneficial outcomes (Fredrickson, 2001). Two positive psychological outcomes that can build resources to overcome negative circumstances and lead to a fulfilling life are resilience and well-being. A theory proposed by Fredrickson (1998) that offers a process by which individuals can enhance well-being and resilience is the broaden-and-build theory. Through this theory, it is …

Antibiotics And Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria In Coastal Plain Streams, Jason Duff

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Streams across the United States and globally are influenced by environmental contamination, including antibiotics, which enter streams due to widespread use and multiple pathways into the environment. Antibiotics are also likely to enter streams in mixture with other contaminants that alter the effects on aquatic organisms. Furthermore, antibiotic-resistant bacteria enter streams through similar pathways as antibiotics with implications for natural microbial communities. Therefore, understanding the presence and effects of antibiotic-contaminant mixtures and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in streams is important for resource management.

Chapter one describes an experiment that tested the hypothesis that the antibiotic tetracycline (TC) alone influences phytoplankton communities differently …

The Influence Of Resource Scarcity And Childhood Socioeconomic Status On In-Group Inclusiveness, Spencer Dobbs

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Millions of individuals worldwide are malnourished and without clean drinking water due to a lack of environmental resources. Resource scarcity is a ubiquitous ecological threat that significantly influences social cognition and behavior. For example, research on resource scarcity has shown that it significantly reduces in-group inclusiveness. In fact, when individuals are primed with resource scarcity, they are significantly less likely to categorize racially ambiguous others as belonging to their racial in-group. The current study aimed to extend this research by examining the impact of resource scarcity on in-group inclusiveness while also accounting for variations of early life environmental hardship (i.e., …

The Effect Of Social Influence On Perception Of Tornado Warnings, Jason A. Parker

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Tornado activity annually results in many deaths throughout the U.S. As a result, the emergency alert system (including tornado warnings) has made considerable advancements throughout the past few decades. However, continued improvements could be made to warning content that aid to facilitate adaptive decision-making by increasing individuals’ motivation to respond. One method that could increase adaptive responses to warnings is by including the modality of descriptive social information within the warning. Research suggests that normative social influence acts as a powerful motivator for individuals to conform toward the witnessed or perceived behaviors of others. The current study examined the impact …

Concussion Knowledge And Understanding In Ghsa Guardians, Chloe C. Salway

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Context: Concussions are a serious injury that could result in both short and long-term consequences, particularly if not recognized and managed appropriately. Concussion education has been implemented, mostly as a result of Concussion legislation. Coach and athlete concussion education has been evaluated in the literature, however the literature is scarce on parental concussion education.

Purpose: To assess concussion knowledge and understanding in guardians of Georgia High School Association (GHSA) student-athletes that completed the GHSA concussion awareness form, in comparison to those that received additional concussion education.

Methods: This study utilized a prospective cross-sectional descriptive research design. Participants were GHSA guardians …

The Effect Of Patellofemoral Pain On Joint Motion And Variability During A Prolonged Run, Klarie Ake

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common overuse injury where the cause of the pain is largely unknown. Previous research has not compared the variability of joint coordination and kinematics in the same study. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of PFP and exertion on the variability of lower extremity kinematics, and joint coordination. METHODS: The participants included 6 female runners with PFP (R-PFP) (21.0 ± 0.55 years; 66.1 ± 7.9 kg; 1.62 ± 0.09 m), and a control group of 6 healthy female runners (CON) (21.2 ± 1.17 years; 61.5 ± 6.9 kg; 1.67 …

Application Of The Misclassification Simulation Extrapolation (Mc-Simex) Procedure To Log-Logistic Accelerated Failure Time (Aft) Models In Survival Analysis, Varadan Sevilimedu

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Survival analysis is the study of time to event outcomes. Accelerated Failure Time models (AFT) serve as a useful tool in survival analysis to study the time of occurrence of an event and its relation to the covariates of interest. The accuracy of estimation of parameters in a model depends upon the correct measurement of covariates. Considering that perfect measurement of covariates is highly unlikely, it is imperative that the performance of the existing bias-correction methods be analyzed in AFT models. However, certain areas of bias-correction in AFT models still remain unexplored. One of these unexplored areas, is a situation …

Investigating Problems Associated With Patient Care Reports And Transferring Data Between Ambulance And Hospitals From The Perspective Of Emergency Medical Technicians, Smiljana Cuk

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Many hospitals have switched to electronic records but emergency medical services continue to use some paper-based reports. Ambulances that have electronic-based systems use them only internally because they are not integrated with hospitals’ systems. This study investigated problems with paper-based, computer-based reports, and transferring patients and their information from an ambulance to the emergency department. Emergency medical technicians were interviewed using qualitative methods. After coding and analyzing their answers, results showed that all emergency medical technicians would like to see a change from paper to electronic transfer of information and that it was difficult to write the report while riding …

Puzzled Representations: Popular Media And How Educators Come To Know Autism, Vanessa N. Keener

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

People learn about the world through popular culture. Popular culture media representations of autism can be found in TV, film, literature, Internet media, advertisements, and more. This study employed a quantitative correlational design to survey 273 Georgia educators regarding their perceptions of autism, including knowledge about autism, best practices for teaching students labeled as having autism, perceived positivity and accuracy of popular media representations of autism, as well as participant identification with popular media representations of autism and personal characteristics (i.e., age, sex, level of education, type of degree, years of teaching experience, professional and personal experiences). Six major findings …

A Case Study Of Student Veteran Efficacy In The College Of Engineering And Information Technology At Georgia Southern University, Kevin G. Finley

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This thesis addresses the issues student veterans face in their transition from military to academic life while pursuing an undergraduate degree in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) at Georgia Southern University’s College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT). Historically this transition has been a difficult one. Through the implementation of a mentorship program comprised of military veterans on the staff and faculty of Georgia Southern University as well as assistance and participation from members of the case study researcher team and primary researcher this program assisted incoming military student veterans as they assimilated into the collegiate atmosphere. The …

Relationship Between School Climate And Student Achievement, Gail H. Greenway

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Increasingly public schools in the United States are finding that factors beyond curriculum and instruction impact student achievement. Much research has been conducted on the relationship between school climate and student achievement (Cohen, McCabe, Michelli, & Pickeral, 2009; Guo & Higgins-D’Alessandro, 2011). This study set out to determine if there was a correlation between school climate and student achievement in middle schools in the Central Savannah River Area Regional Educational Service Agency region in the state of Georgia. Findings from this quantitative study indicated that there is a statistically significant, positive relationship between school climate and student achievement in middle …

Examining Preference Of Home-Based Telemental Health Among Rural Veterans, Paige Dixon

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Rural veterans face significant disparities to health care that have resulted in lower physical and mental health related quality of life when compared to their urban counterparts (Weeks et al., 2006). Such disparities are further complicated by the six-fold increase in prevalence of mental health diagnoses among Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans (Seal et al., 2009). These rising rates are particularly relevant to rural veterans as they represent 41% of the overall Veteran Health Administration enrollees, but only 19% of the general population (U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs, 2012; U.S. Census Bureau, 2014). Rural veterans face three …

Cultivating Ecological Literacy And Rethinking Our Connections To Nature, Sean Fretwell

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In this dissertation I explore the complex, often contested, relationships between humankind and nature. I consider the changing state of these relationships as they are influenced by factors rooted in science, technology, and economics. I also examine these relationships as they relate to human activities with agriculture. Considering the present state of environmental crisis and the abundance of evidence indicating the deleterious activities of humankind as primary causes for the many global calamities, I argue for revising industrially-driven ideologies; particularly those driven by the economic paradigm of capitalism and self-interest. Additionally, I submit that a return to kinship with nature …

Energy Storage Management And Simulation For Nano-Grids, Shantu Ghose

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Energy storage has been utilized in many forms and applications from a flashlight to the Space Shuttle. There is a worldwide effort to develop battery model with high energy level and power densities for a variety range of applications, including hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and photovoltaic system (PV). To improve battery technology, understanding the battery modeling is very important. So, modeling the thermal behavior of a battery is a vital consideration before designing an effective thermal management system which will operate safely and prolong the lifespan of an energy storage system. The first part of this work focused on the …

Differentiating The Effects Of Animal-Assisted Versus Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy On Positive Psychological Outcomes Through A Stress Induction Context, Catherine J.V. Jones

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The unique benefits of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) such as the human-horse bond, a non-traditional therapy setting, and performing altruistic acts are thought to facilitate positive change in humans. One mechanism by which positive changes occur is through improved coping and resilience in the face of stress. To date, only a handful of correlational studies speak to the potential effects of EFP on resilience-based outcomes. Thus, this study sought to address this gap in the literature by exploring the benefits of EFP compared to traditional Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) in an experimental context. Specifically, we examined the effects of different …

A Forgotten Confederate: John H. Ash's Story Rediscovered, Heidi Moye

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

A historical study of a southern family living in Savannah, GA from shortly before the election of 1860 through the Civil War years based on the journals of John Hergen Ash II (1843-1918).

The Effect Of Acute Pain On Executive Function, Jenna M. Morogiello

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Background: Executive functions are high-level cognitive processes that allow a person to successfully engage in an independent and self-fulfilling life. Previous literature indicates that acute pain can affect executive function, which may be due to a limited amount of shared neural resources of the brain.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if acute pain affects executive function in recreationally active individuals who sustain a musculoskeletal injury.

Methodology: Twenty-four participants who presented with acute pain due to a musculoskeletal injury underwent a neuropsychological battery within 72 hours of injury and within two weeks from the initial testing session. …

A Comprehensive Analysis On Eeg Signal Classification Using Advanced Computational Analysis, Kaushik Bhimraj

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Electroencephalogram (EEG) has been used in a wide array of applications to study mental disorders. Due to its non-invasive and low-cost features, EEG has become a viable instrument in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI). These BCI systems integrate user's neural features with robotic machines to perform tasks. However, due to EEG signals being highly dynamic in nature, BCI systems are still unstable and prone to unanticipated noise interference. An important application of this technology is to help facilitate the lives of the tetraplegic through assimilating human brain impulses and converting them into mechanical motion. However, BCI systems are remarkably challenging to implement …

Universal Coverage In Developing Countries: A Summative Evaluation Of Maternal Policies In Ghana And Burkina Faso, Kiswendsida Aida Sawadogo

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The Word Health Organization (WHO) has declared health to be a fundamental human right, yet more than 400 million people around the world do not have access to essential health services. Millions of Africans are unable to access or afford needed services without sustaining economic hardship. Sub-Saharan Africa is behind the rest of the world on coverage of essential health services such as planning, immunization, and sanitation and continues to grapple with higher rates of child mortality, maternal death, and communicable diseases. Despite bearing 25 percent of the world’s disease burden, the region only retains 3 percent of its doctors. …

The Effects Of Stimulant Medication On Reaction Time In Recreationally Active Individuals With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Nichole Ashley Lafortune

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Context: Participants with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have shown cognitive impairments that affect coordination, anticipation and planning. In the ADHD population, stimulant medication has shown to have beneficial outcomes for 75% of the people. Unfortunately, in most research, patients with ADHD are excluded and little is known about this population.

Purpose: Determine the effects of stimulant medication in recreationally active ADHD participants on reaction time.

Design: Cross-section between groups design

Methods: Participants were divided into two groups (ADHD and controls). Upon arrival to the Biomechanics Lab participants performed two tests, Mode A and Mode D on the Dynavision …

Electroencephalographic Signal Processing And Classification Techniques For Noninvasive Motor Imagery Based Brain Computer Interface, Md Erfanul Alam

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In motor imagery (MI) based brain-computer interface (BCI), success depends on reliable processing of the noisy, non-linear, and non-stationary brain activity signals for extraction of features and effective classification of MI activity as well as translation to the corresponding intended actions. In this study, signal processing and classification techniques are presented for electroencephalogram (EEG) signals for motor imagery based brain-computer interface. EEG signals have been acquired placing the electrodes following the international 10-20 system. The acquired signals have been pre-processed removing artifacts using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and two extended versions of EMD, ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), and multivariate …

My Life Is A Manifesto: From Rich, To Poor, To Teacher, Angela M. Pieniaszek

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This inquiry travels through stages of my education and life in order to explore the following three questions: How do a teacher’s values and personal experiences translate into teaching lives and teaching acts? How do teachers and students live counterstories inside and outside of the classroom? How do class, gender and place impact teaching and learning? Building on the works of critical theorists, (Apple, 2004; Ayers, 2004; Delpit, 2006; Freire, 2005; hooks, 1994; Kincheloe, 2004; Kincheloe & Pinar, 1991; Kozol, 1992; Watkins, 2001,2004), autobiographical studies (He, 2003, 2010; Miller, 2005; Pinar, 1994; Schubert & Ayers; 1990) and memoirs (Angelou, 1993; …

Synthesis And Biological Activity Of Novel Tu100 Derivatives, Oladotun J. Alao

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In an attempt to create more effective chemotherapeutic compounds, the naphthoquinone adduct, 12,13-dihydro-N-methyl-6,11,13-trioxo-5H-benzo[4,5]cyclohepta [1,2 b]naphthalen-5,12-imine (hereafter called TU100) was synthesized. Inspired by its unique and novel mechanism of action, a series of structural derivatives were synthesized to explore structure-activity relationships. The analogues exhibited different cytotoxicity profiles, revealing the indicated regions are involved in cell death induction. Furthermore, the analogues had dramatically different effects on cellular ATP production, suggesting different molecular targets. Synthesis, biological activity, and SAR study of these analogues will be revealed.

The Influence Of Coach Leadership Behavior And Authenticity On Burnout Among Collegiate Athletes, William Ryan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if coach authenticity and leadership behavior can influence burnout in collegiate athletes. By using congruency rooted in the multi-dimensional model of leadership and the leadership scale for sport, a mediating variable of authenticity, and a criterion variable of burnout, it was hypothesized that coach authenticity and congruence in the coach-athlete dyad, will influence rates of burnout evidenced by their ability to account for a significant proportion of the variance associated with burnout. The data analysis used in this study was a meditational analysis, which examined how coach-authenticity and congruency predict athlete burnout.