Digital Commons Network^™

Full Issue, Volume 13, Number 1, Donna J. Peterson, Scott Cummings, Elizabeth Gregory North

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

No abstract provided.

Understanding Rural Schools’ Capacity To Learn About Evidence-Based Practices That Promote Youth Mental Health: A Comparative Case Study, Savannah Hobbs, Elaine S. Belansky, Nick Cutforth, Cynthia Hazel

The Rural Educator

Amid growing student mental health concerns, numerous evidence-based practices (EBPs) exist to promote student mental health, but most rural schools do not have these practices in place. Little is known about the organizational capacity of rural schools to learn about and select youth mental health EBPs, or the role research intermediaries can play to support these processes. In this study, 11 middle school staff from three rural school districts participated in surveys and semi-structured interviews to provide information on how schools learn about and select mental health EBPs, related barriers and facilitators, and the role of intermediary support. A semi-structured …

A Comparative Case Analysis Of Rural Science Teachers’ Experiences With Professional Learning, Loraine Glidewell, Jennifer Jacobs, Anna-Ruth Allen, William Penuel, Abraham S. Lo

The Rural Educator

This article presents a comparative case analysis of three U.S. rural science teachers who participated in an online course focused on designing assessments aligned with the Framework for K–12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Data from surveys, designed assessments, classroom observations, and interviews were used to investigate and compare these rural teachers’ experiences before, during, and after the course. This article describes the variations among rural science teachers in their local teaching contexts, relevant prior experiences, and how they engaged in and learned from professional development. The case study teachers entered the course with differences in …

Navigating Through Difficult Roads And Terrains: Novice Teachers’ Challenges In Teaching In Remote Mountainous Settings In The Philippines, Albert C. Albina, Sarah Jean A. Salmorin, Dannyla N. Cainos, Rhea Mae C. Montano

The Rural Educator

In rural areas, the adaptation of urban-originating elementary teachers to remote mountainous school locations poses substantial challenges and necessitates innovative strategies. This study primarily explored the lived experiences of newly hired elementary teachers residing in urban areas but assigned to remote mountainous locations, specifically focusing on their adaptation processes, the challenges they encountered, and support mechanisms that influenced their teaching roles. Using a descriptive phenomenological approach and reflexive thematic analysis, this study involved in-depth interviews with nine newly hired urban-originating elementary teachers who were assigned to teach in rural schools in the Municipality of Santa Catalina, Basay, and Bayawan City, …

Understanding Grade 10 Learners’ Mathematics Learning Experiences In Rural Schools: Applying The Self-Determination Theory, Hlamulo Wiseman Mbhiza, Thabisile Nkambule

The Rural Educator

The increasing performative expectation in mathematics continuously positions rural learners in a deficit manner within the education system in post-apartheid South Africa. The often-cited low academic performance of rural learners in mathematics fosters the belief that something is wrong with their mathematical learning abilities. The problem with narrow and often decontextualized perspectives of rural learners is that their interactions with mathematical content are frequently overlooked in education research. The purpose of this study was to critically explore grade 10 rural learners’ mathematics learning experiences. We employed a qualitative descriptive approach within a case study design, using semi-structured individual interviews supported …

The Relationship Between Prenatal Stressful Life Events And Breastfeeding Initiation Among Mississippi Mothers, Candon Garbo, Katie C. Hall, Disha Jhaveri, Jung Hye S. Lee, Deanna Howington, Mina Qobadi, Mary Wesley

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding increases the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding, which can be linked to improving both the mother’s and infant’s health. However, breastfeeding rates in Mississippi continue to be one of the lowest in the United States, with infant mortality and morbidity rates at the highest. Purpose: This study aims to explore the impact SLEs may have on initiating breastfeeding, as research is limited. Methods: Analyzed data from 2016 to 2021 Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS) was used to determine a correlation between life stressor experiences during pregnancy and initiation of exclusive breastfeeding with a sample …

Healthy Moms/Healthy Babies Of Mississippi Initial Provider Engagement And Student Feedback Loop Project, Corban Jackson Mph, Jillian Harper-Peavy Lmsw, Imh-E, Starica Harper, Vernesia Wilson Phd, Mph

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background Between 2017 and 2022, 83% of maternal deaths in Mississippi were preventable. Unfortunately, there is a persistent shortage of OB-GYNs in Mississippi, feeding the rise of maternal care deserts and the lapse in collaboration between providers and state maternal health organizations. Purpose Healthy Moms/Healthy Babies of Mississippi, a care management program for high-risk mothers and infants, has partnered with the Mississippi Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health initiative (AIM) to improve maternal health outcomes through building healthcare networks with existing providers. Methods 33 medical students from the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine and William Carey University …

Covid-19 Pandemic And Recovery Experiences: A Case Study With Montana Family And Consumer Science Cooperative Extension Agents, Hayley M. Somerfeld, J. Mitchell Vaterlaus, Nicole C. Wanago, Brianna Routh, Alison Brennan

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The present study examined the impact of COVID-19 and recovery experiences among Family Consumer Science (FCS) Extension Agents in Montana. All participants (n = 10) completed a survey with fixed-item and open-ended responses, and six also participated in in-depth interviews. A deductive qualitative case study approach was used. Agent experiences were analyzed using The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) four action priorities: (1) understanding risk, (2) strengthening disaster risk governance, (3) investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and (4) enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “build back better” in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. Pandemic risks …

Educational Efficacy Of Private Well-Testing Workshops And The Surveillance Of Private Drinking Water Quality In Connecticut, Alec Janis, Michael Dietz, Meredith Metcalf

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

More than 820,000 Connecticut residents rely on groundwater from private wells, yet minimal regulations address well water quality. Extension programs across the United States have begun to provide private drinking water education and testing assistance to address this public health gap. Few studies have analyzed the efficacy of these programs.

We delivered four workshops across Connecticut, from November 2022 to November 2023, where participants were given an educational presentation on private drinking water and an opportunity to test their well-water quality at a subsidized cost. After participating in the workshops, participants believed they were more confident to begin annual testing, …

Empowering Community Through Extension: Identifying Community Health And Wellness Strengths And Needs, Allyson A. Spears, Alexis Zickafoose, Emily Wintermute, Peng Lu, Matthew Baker, Scott Cummings

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Health and wellness are foundational to thriving communities, yet many Americans face barriers that impact their access to essential health education and services. This study used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to assess the perceived strengths and needs of health and wellness resources of rural and urban Texas communities. Data were collected through a statewide survey (n = 9,418), targeting key aspects of health and wellness. The results identified critical strengths, including school lunch programs and grocery stores accepting electronic benefit transfers (EBT), while reducing obesity and addressing mental health emerged as top community needs in both urban and …

Understanding Garden Resource Use By Low-Income Families With Children, Mai Thao, Rita S. Stephenson, Katherine R. Arlinghaus, Abby L. Gold

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Home gardens are an important supplemental source of food for many families and provide multiple health benefits. However, the practice of gardening may be more challenging for low-income families with limited access to gardening resources. The University of Minnesota Extension offers gardening resources, but it is unclear how these resources are used by low-income families with children. Aim 1 of the project was to understand access to and use of Extension and other vegetable gardening resources by low-income families with children. Aim 2 of the project was to develop a set of recommendations for improving access to existing resources and …

Measuring Collective Impact Of Extension Programs Addressing Substance Use And Mental Health, Omolola A. Adedokun, Olumuyiwa M. Desmennu, Alex Elswick, Nichole Huff, Brooke Jenkins, Katherine Jury, Heather Norrman-Burgdolf

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Extension excels at working across program areas and disciplinary boundaries inside and outside land-grant institutions to address complex social issues within communities. However, evaluation of the collective impact of these concerted programmatic initiatives remains a persistent challenge for Extension. To better understand the broader impact of Extension’s cohesive, concurrent response to complex issues such as substance use and mental health, there is a need to shift from isolated evaluations of individual or single Extension programs to a focus on collective impact assessment. This article describes the University of Kentucky Extension planning process and outputs of a collective impact evaluation initiative …

Integrating Pedagogy And Mathematics Content In Content-Focused Professional Development, Liza Bondurant, Joey Rutherford, Shannon Sharp

Publications

In this Perspective on Practice, we describe how we interpreted, built on, and adapted the design principles shared in “The Content- Focused Methods Course: A Model for Integrating Pedagogy and Mathematics Content” by Steele and Hillen (2012). Using evidence of learning from that report as a foundation, we provide insights into how integrating pedagogy and mathematics content in content-focused professional development (CFPD) influenced our evidence of learning.

Post Secondary Teaching Toolkit: A Concise Resource To Highlight Effective Pedagogical Strategies For Post-Secondary Instructors, Matthew Thomas Blackwell

Theses and Dissertations

This project seeks to provide teaching support for post-secondary instructors, especially at the community college level, by creating an instructional toolkit that highlights a selection of evidence-based teaching strategies intended to increase student engagement, learning, and achievement. This toolkit includes evidence-based instructional strategies tailored to support post-secondary instructors of any experience level. It highlights research-proven student-centered engagement and instructional techniques such as cooperative learning, inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, problem-based learning, and student interaction in online learning environments. Within the project, the various instructional and engagement techniques are linked together using the Constructivist Learning Theory theoretical framework, highlighting the importance of …

An Investigation Into The Inclusivity, Methodology, And Education Of Severe Weather In K-12 Schools, Stephen Holden Wooten

Theses and Dissertations

Schools are a focal point in the lives of everyone in the community, especially teachers, parents, and students. Investigating the connection between these individuals and tornadoes by identifying shortcomings in education, training, and emergency procedures can induce more effective and informed decision-making for future encounters. This study evaluated the inclusivity of tornado protocols for students with disabilities, uncovered where parents prefer their child to shelter in early dismissal situations and clarified how extensively natural hazard education and tornado drills are covered in schools. Two surveys and semi-structured interviews were used to obtain responses from earth science teachers, K-12 guardians, and …

An Investigation Of Non-Persistence Of Second And Third Year Engineering Students At A Midsize Research University In The South, Kimberly Elizabeth Ball

Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 25% of engineering students drop out during their 1st year of school, with nearly that many leaving during their second or third years. A meta-analysis of engineering non-persistence literature led to the development of an Engineering Non-persistence Model, which incorporates both quantitative and qualitative factors. While previous research primarily focused on factors of non-persistence of engineering students as a whole, this study aims to fill the gap in existing literature by examining factors within the model that contribute to non-persistence among 2nd- and 3rd-year engineering students. The goal is to provide tailored support to second and third year students …

The Teaching Self-Efficacy Of Agriculture Faculty At Community Colleges In The Southern United States, Allison Rachel Coley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess the teaching self-efficacy of agriculture teachers at community colleges in the southern United States. The accessible population consisted of all current faculty who teach agriculture at community colleges within the southern United States (N=102) with 102 surveys being distributed and 39% completing the survey. This descriptive study utilized a causal-comparative research design and a purposive sampling technique to select faculty to participate in the study. Means were used to determine how strongly teachers felt about their perceived teaching self-efficacy. Standard deviations helped to determine how the responses varied. Frequencies and percentages determined …

Effects Of Different Forms Of Dietary Zinc On Weaned Steers When Fed Prior To Weaning, Christopher Lane Addison

Theses and Dissertations

Zinc (Zn) is crucial for many life sustaining processes within the body. Additional Zn is known to be beneficial during certain periods of increased stress. Weaning is one of the most stressful periods of beef calves’ lives. Due to this it was hypothesized that additional zinc in an organic form would increase weight gain and immune response compared to additional zinc in an inorganic form or no added zinc. No differences were found for ADG, Th score, IgG concentration, or mineral concentration among treatments. However, there was a novel and unexpected finding when there was no difference found in preweaning …

Global Attractivity Of Positive Solutions Of Higher Order Nonlinear Difference Equations And Its Applications, Abdulaziz Almaslokh

Theses and Dissertations

Difference equations play an effective role in many mathematical models that represent some phenomena in different fields such as physics, economics, engineering and biology. From this perspective, studying and analyzing such equations are interesting issues for the advancement of scientific research. In particular, studying the asymptotic behavior of positive solutions of some population models that are a system of difference equations has become a necessity. In this dissertation, we examine the global attractivity of positive solutions of certain higher order nonlinear difference equations and apply these results to some population models.

Promoting Collaboration And Multi-Directional Reliance By Sharing Mental Model Information For Effective Multi-Agent Teaming, Audrey L. Aldridge

Theses and Dissertations

Successful human-agent teaming requires teammates to form and maintain a shared or common understanding of several attributes regarding taskwork and teamwork. With enhanced information sharing, mental model development, and team functionality, teammates (human, autonomous) can learn to anticipate each others' behaviors, preferences, and needs as well as understand their capabilities and limitations. In designing a framework to support this type of cooperative teaming, there is a need to determine how sharing knowledge, mental models, and common understandings impacts teaming dynamics and performance. By incorporating each individual's understanding into a human-agent interface, this research enables better team coordination and performance through …

Real-Time Enhanced Tornado Warning Product Guidance Based On Tornado Debris Signature Height And Population Density, Alexander Cooke

Theses and Dissertations

This research aims to develop an operational program for enhancing real-time tornado warning capabilities by integrating tornado debris signature (TDS) analysis with population impact assessment. The proposed Python-based tool will ingest Level II radar data to identify and analyze TDS, estimating tornado intensity based on maximum TDS height. For high-intensity tornadoes, the program will project the potential impact area using storm motion vectors and integrate this with population density data. The system will assess whether the situation meets National Weather Service criteria for enhanced warning products, providing forecasters with rapid, objective guidance for critical warning decisions. The program’s performance will …

Optimizing Mars Terrain Segmentation With Weakly Supervised Learning: A Focus On Weighted Loss From Annotation Metadata, Malika Dutta

Theses and Dissertations

The study of planetary surfaces heavily depends upon space rovers that gather detailed images of terrain needed for analysis and navigation. Deep neural networks and other sophisticated machine learning techniques are necessary for autonomous navigation in challenging terrain. However, the inconsistent annotations by citizen scientists frequently hinder the performance of these models. This study seeks to optimize terrain segmentation to improve the autonomous capabilities of future Mars rovers by presenting a novel weakly supervised learning framework to handle noise and unreliability in datasets. Using factors like number of clicks, pixel accuracy, and annotator dependability, the method utilizes annotation metadata in …

Comprehensive Study On Bonding Performance, Durability, And Protective Measures Of Cross-Laminated Timber, Bradia Thelina Henfield

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in construction necessitates a deeper understanding of adhesive bonding properties, biological durability, and preservative treatments to enhance its performance. This dissertation investigates these aspects through three interrelated studies focusing on hardwood CLT and preservative-treated southern pine CLT. The first study evaluates the adhesive bonding performance of hardwood CLT fabricated from red oak (Quercus spp.), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), using southern pine (Pinus spp.) as a control. Shear block and delamination tests revealed significant variation in bond strength and moisture durability among species. While red oak exhibited the highest delamination, …

Best Practices In Community College Adult Education: Literature Review And Synthesis, Jon H. Lightsey

Theses and Dissertations

This study emphasizes the importance of adult education students and the critical lack of knowledge about promoting their success on satellite campuses in rural and low socioeconomic areas. This study aims to investigate best practices in adult education at community colleges to maintain the number of students enrolled until their program or training is completed. The high School Equivalency Diploma options include the GED, HiSET, and Competency-Based High School Equivalency Option. The results indicate adult education students might be more successful if they received the support services needed, such as counseling, tutoring, time management, and goal setting. This literature review …

Impact Of Circular And Non-Circular Nozzle Exit Geometries On Jet Flow Propagation And Turbulence Characteristics, Hiba Maazioui

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aims to investigate the impact of nozzle exit geometry on jet flow propagation and turbulence characteristics. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed using ANSYS Fluent, employing the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach, to compare circular, elliptic, and rectangular nozzle geometries. The analysis focused on velocity distributions, turbulence characteristics, and cross-flow interactions. Results indicate that circular jets have the longest potential core and slowest velocity decay, reflecting lower mixing rates. In contrast, elliptic and rectangular jets have shorter potential cores, faster velocity decay, and elevated TKE peaks, suggesting enhanced turbulence and mixing. These findings highlight the significant role of nozzle …

A Rapid Artificial Neural Network Interatomic Potential For Bismuth, Lee Michael Mayfield Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

To study molecular dynamics in bismuth, Quantum Espresso was used to create a density functional theory (DFT) database which was then used as the input for rapid artificial neural network (RANN). The RANN interatomic potential that was developed using this database was then validated. Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS) was used to create simulations and gather data using the RANN potential. The properties of bismuth, including elastic constants, melting points, and volume change, were calculated and compared to DFT and experimentally observed data. The RANN potential coincided well with these values. The RANN potential shows good predictive capabilities for …

The Effects Of Alfaxalone, Alone Or With Butorphanol, On The Ultrasonographic Appearance Of The Feline Spleen, Grace Mcbride

Theses and Dissertations

The sonographic effects of alfaxalone and butorphanol alone and in combination on feline splenic size, shape, margins, echogenicity, echotexture, and blood flow were investigated. In this randomized, prospective crossover study, 8 healthy adult cats were injected with alfaxalone 2.0 mg/kg IM, butorphanol 0.2 mg/kg IM, and each drug in combination. Splenic ultrasounds were performed before drug administration, then every 15 minutes for 1 hour. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and feline multiparametric sedation scores (FMSS) were recorded. Following at least a 7-day washout period, cats switched groups and the study was repeated. An increase in splenic size and no significant changes …

Integration Of Machine Learning Techniques With Computational Fluid Dynamics For Enhanced Backward-Facing Step Flow, Yahya Mekkaoui

Theses and Dissertations

This research presents a novel integrated framework combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with machine learning techniques to enhance the analysis of backward-facing step flows. A high-fidelity OpenFOAM CFD simulation was developed and validated against experimental data, accurately predicting the reattachment length (��/�� ≈ 6.18) and velocity profiles throughout the domain. Machine learning models, including Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and Support Vector Regression, were integrated through a robust data pipeline, with the ensemble approach demonstrating superior performance (RMSE of 1.18 m/s, ��2 of 0.951). Feature importance analysis revealed pressure (32%) and turbulent kinetic energy (28%) as the dominant physical parameters governing …

Utilizing Novel Application Methods To Mitigate Antagonism With Combinations Of Auxin And Grass Control Herbicides, Jake Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

Auxin and grass control herbicides are often applied in tank mixtures to provide multiple modes of action and to achieve broad-spectrum weed control. Literature indicates that auxin herbicides, when mixed in solution, may antagonize grass control herbicides, resulting in decreased grass weed control compared to the grass herbicide applied alone. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in 2022, 2023, and 2024 at multiple locations in Mississippi. These experiments had three objectives: 1) evaluate grass weed control with glyphosate and clethodim in response to the simultaneous application with either dicamba or 2,4-D, using a commercially available direct-injection system compared to tank-mix …

Cotton Development, Yield, And Boll Distribution Response To Row Pattern And Plant Density, William Joseph Rutland

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of row pattern and plant density on the ability of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to compensate and sustain profitable yields has been evaluated by many studies. However, new varieties exhibiting more vigorous growth and more exaggerated row patterns have yet to be evaluated. Therefore, experiments were conducted in Starkville, MS and Stoneville, MS in 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the influence of 1x1 skip row patterns and plant density on cotton growth, development, yield, boll distribution, and profitability. In 2021 there was no yield response due to plant population. However, in 2022, yields increased as plant density increased. …