Digital Commons Network^™

Starry Station, Avery Wilson

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

We all long for experiences that make us feel more alive. I strive to make artwork that conveys a sense of wonder and provides happiness as an escape from the mundane. Nature, traveling, and day-trips to theme parks are big influences in my artwork. They have a way of helping me realize the greater picture in life and give me a small escape from reality. Theme parks appeal to me because of the way they make me feel as if I’m in a new world for the day. For my BFA show, I incorporated all of these ideas by designing …

Lunch Break At Bore Ink., Lee Bezehertny

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

It's been my experience that when transitioning into adulthood, we are conditioned to desaturate ourselves to become more easily digestible for the sake of being taken seriously in corporate settings. My illustrative design work and printmaking in my BFA exhibition focus on the exploration of identity through maturity and how the societal expectations associated with age impact the ways we limit self expression and playfulness as we grow. The exhibition, titled "Lunch Break at BORE INK.," is set in the break room of my fictional office supply company, BORE INK.

I utilize illustrative storytelling, dynamic typography, and the hand-printed production …

Examining The Impact Of Widespread Disease On The Economy, Ryan Howell

Honors College Theses

Over centuries, disease has been an instigator of economic change. From the Black Death and the overturning of feudalism to the Spanish flu and its relationship with World War 1, pandemics have a profound effect on the social, political, and economic climate of the affected areas. In 2020, COVID-19 began in Wuhan, China and spread across the world rapidly and unexpectedly. The world economy was forced into a recession with major effects on industries such as airlines, energy, and automobiles. While some industries made smooth recoveries, the pandemic undeniably altered the way business is conducted. The shift between in-person and …

Identifying Molecular Components Of A Fertility Pathway, Zoë Galvin

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Reproductive failure is a common problem which deeply impacts those affected. Many will, unfortunately, never learn any potential cause for this issue. Treatment for reproductive complications are limited due to the lack of understanding of the molecular pathways associated with fertility, especially due to the limitations placed on studies focusing on reproductive health. Model organisms can thus be used in order to gain a better understanding of the pathways that modulate fertility in multicellular organisms. C. elegans are a common model organism notable for their large brood size, short lifespan, and affordable maintenance. They also share much of their genetic …

Passive Integrated Transponders: An Effective Marking Technique For Individual Identification Of Anaxyrus Fowleri?, Emily Leprell

Honors College Theses

With the rise of fungal disease such as Chytridiomycosis, known as chytrid, causing massive population declines for many species of frogs and toads (order Anura), specific conservation strategies are needed now more than ever. In many cases, being able to mark and identify individuals is a necessary step in developing an effective conservation plan. Individual identification allows researchers to obtain accurate population estimates, which are needed to test the progress and validity of conservation management decisions. However, due to their unique life history, including cutaneous respiration and a dichotomous lifestyle, anurans are among the most difficult wildlife species to …

Virtual Visions, Emma Nelson

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

Virtual Visions

I have always believed art should be enjoyable for all audiences. Often when we watch a show or movie, the art and design that goes into producing them goes underlooked. Creativity doesn’t just live in a gallery, it exists in everyday life.

When I first became interested in creating art, I immediately focused on character design and conceptual work. Watching TV shows and movies as a child inspired me to start creating my own characters with backgrounds and personalities. This in turn helped me to create their visual elements through illustration. I studied Star Wars concept artist Ralph …

Predicting Capture And Survival Probabilities Of The Arizona Tiger Salamander: A Comparison Of Capture-Recapture Models, Brittney Nelson

Scholars Week

Capture-recapture models are essential tools for estimating population dynamics in ecological studies. A fundamental component of these models is the capture history matrix, which records individual detection over time and serves as the basis for estimating survival and capture probabilities. This presentation explores three statistical approaches to these estimations: the Cormack-Jolly-Seber (CJS) model, the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) for CJS, and the Bayesian CJS model. The CJS model provides a likelihood-based framework for estimation, and the HMM CJS incorporates latent states into the model to account for uncertainty in detection. The Bayesian CJS extends this same analysis by integrating prior …

Sample Storage Method And Collection Time Effects On Horse Hair Cortisol Concentrations, Grace Robertson

Scholars Week

Serum cortisol concentration is the gold standard for evaluating stress in horses. However, it can be affected by circadian rhythms, environmental factors, and other excitatory events. Hair cortisol is less subject to these variables and is less invasive to collect, but there is a lack of published information on hair cortisol concentrations in horses. The objectives of this study were to examine 1) the impact of sample storage (Room temperature vs. Frozen) and 2) the effect of collection date (spring vs. fall), on cortisol concentration in equine hair. It was hypothesized that Frozen samples would yield higher concentrations than Room …

Comparative Analysis Of Leaf Tissue And Soil Composition: Evaluating Nutrient Dynamics In Agricultural Systems Utilizing Composted Manures Versus Commercial Fertilizer, Chandralekha Joga Miss

Scholars Week

No abstract provided.

Goat Tying Styles Impact On Performance Consistency With Rodeo Competitors In The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Ozark Region, Marie Baxley, C.A. Shea Porr, Thomas Powell

Honors College Theses

Goat tying is a rodeo event involving dismounting a horse, and flanking and tying three legs of a goat. Flanking is defined as picking a goat up and setting it on the ground on its side. Flank/gather (FG) is a style where riders scoop the legs with the right hand and then place them in the left. Catch the flank (CF), stuffing (ST), and funneling (FN) are other methods that involve the goats’ legs landing together so the right hand is not needed for gathering. The objectives of this study were to determine 1) if flanking method affects performance, and …

2025-03-28, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Mitigating The Negative Effects Of Over And Early Exposure To Media With Joint Media Engagement: A Literature Review, Mary K. Littlepage

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

This paper examines the negative impact of over and early exposure to media on children’s developmental domains. Among other deleterious effects, early and over exposure to media has been associated with attention deficits, language delays, and interrupted social interactions. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) addresses these concerns with recommendations, discouraging the use of screens for children birth to eighteen months and recommends that children over two years old limit their viewing to one to two hours or less per day (AAP Council on Communications and Media, 2016). For children within the recommended viewing and age parameters, many studies have …

Using Diverse Picture Books To Strengthen Social And Emotional Skills, Jessica L. Edwards

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

Social and emotional learning skills are inherently interconnected with culturally responsive teaching, as any progress with equity and justice requires intrapersonal, interpersonal, and cognitive competence. This article discusses the significance of this connection, providing numerous ideas for using diverse picture books to establish and further strengthen social and emotional learning skills within any classroom environment.

Exploring Positive Distractions In Pediatric Healthcare Design, Brayden Nichols, Lindsey Fay

Posters-at-the-Capitol

This research investigates the role of positive distractions in healthcare environments, focusing on how architectural elements can improve patient well-being. Specifically, it examines features such as access to nature, color, and art installations in pediatric spaces, aiming to understand their impact on reducing stress, enhancing satisfaction, and promoting healing. Healthcare design has traditionally prioritized clinical efficiency over emotional and psychological considerations. However, research highlights the importance of incorporating elements that redirect patients' focus away from the clinical environment, known as positive distractions. During my study, I found substantial evidence that natural elements significantly calm young people, which guided my emphasis …

The Effects Of Improper Waste Disposal On Marine Life: Why Does It Matter And How Can We Prevent It?, Abbey Ward, Ashlee Davis

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Improperly disposed of waste, specifically plastic, can end up in the ocean and negatively impact marine life, and in turn, negatively impact human health. Marine life, such as turtles, have faced serious health consequences and even death from entanglement in abandoned fishing gear and consuming plastics. Larger plastic particles can break down into smaller particles known as microplastics which can harbor harmful substances (such as Bisphenol A and persistent organic pollutants) and can cause several negative health effects when consumed by marine life such as loss of nutrition, starvation, and death. Microplastics have been found in 75% of commercial fish. …

Studying The Impact Of Weather Changes On Bird Breeding., Perle Suana, Yangyang Tao

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Climate change start to impact our daily life recently. The shifting climate introduces frequent and unpredictable temperature fluctuations. For species like birds, particularly those that reproduce through eggs, maintaining stable temperatures during incubation is crucial for reproductive success. Despite the significance of temperature stability, limited research has delved into understanding the thresholds of temperature tolerance during incubation. In this investigation, we will apply the data science tools to analyze the local temperature dataset over the past decade and the birds incubation dataset. Our aim was to explore potential correlations between extreme temperature swings coinciding with the breeding season and instances …

Economic Analysis Of Hay And Corn Production At Morehead State University’S Derrickson Agricultural Complex, Caroline Adkins, Allie N. Dick, Luke Millay, Vijay Subramaniam

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Morehead State University’s Derrickson Agricultural Complex (DAC) produces several agricultural enterprises and provides valuable hands-on experiences for students. Hay and corn are the two dominant crop enterprises which cover 58 percent of the total area. In addition, the DAC produces hay from six different farms using the crop-share leasing method. The primary objectives of this study are to (1) analyze the profitability of hay and corn production at the DAC and leased farms and (2) identify the strengths, and weaknesses of each farm to improve production efficiencies. Two years of data were collected, and the profitability of hay and corn …

Mobility Task Shows Rescue Of Scotopic Vision In A Swine Model For Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa After Treatment With The Meganuclease Rho 1-2, Gita Jaikumar, Jack Feist, Kautuk Kamboj, Aravind Kumar, Francesca Barone, Archana Jalligampala, Wei Wang, Jeff Smith, Dave Morris, Derek Jantz, Victor Bartsevich, Kristi Viles, Maureen Mccall

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Purpose : Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common form of inherited retinal disease with ~1:5000 people affected worldwide. The substitution of Proline to Histidine (P23H) at position 23 in the rhodopsin protein is the most common form of adRP in North America. We have shown that treating a transgenic P23H human RHO pig model of adRP (TgP23H hRHO) with a gene-editing meganuclease Rho 1-2, recovers rod structure and restores rod function. We ran WT, Rho1-2 treated and untreated TgP23H hRHO (Tg) pigs through an obstacle course to quantify visually guided mobility under light- and dark-adapted conditions using motion analysis …

The Crown: A History Of Black Women And Their Hair, Mckenna C. Reece

Integrated Studies

Throughout the whole world, hair helps play an important role in a woman’s life and plays a major role in how many women see themselves. However, in Black culture, our hair serves as a deeply rooted symbol that traces all the way to slavery times, civil rights movement, and to this present day. In this paper, we will be analyzing the deep rooted history and evolution of black women and their hair. We will be making sure to highlight the traditions and culture that has not always been embraced by the mainstream,white American culture and how far it has evolved …

A Thousand Weddings: The Memoir Of Hope Hart Of West Tennessee

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

A Thousand Weddings: The Memoir of Hope Hart of West Tennessee

Edited by Marvin Downing

Assessing Stress, Anxiety, And Burnout In Undergraduate Veterinary Technology Students, Dean Ann Daughaday-Provine

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Academic stress, anxiety, and burnout can negatively impact the mental health and well-being of students pursuing degrees in veterinary medicine. This quantitative study was designed to investigate the effects of academic stress, anxiety, and burnout on undergraduate students enrolled in Veterinary Technology programs. This study gained critical insight from current students transitioning through a rigorous curriculum of standards designed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) has established standards, outlined in policies and procedures, to ensure the quality of assessments and enhancements in veterinary education within accredited Veterinary Technology programs.

The Correlation Between Working From Home And Depression, Anxiety & Stress And The Moderating Effect Of Parenting, Lauren H. Marshall

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the impact of working from home on depression, anxiety and stress and whether parenting has a moderating role in its impact. The number of individuals working from home increased dramatically because of the pandemic and many individuals continue to work from home despite the absence of government-issued lockdowns and the diminishing threat of the COVID-19 virus. Earlier pre-pandemic research supports several positive work-related outcomes of working from home; however, little consideration has been given to the long-term impact of this major change in the way we work on individual’s mental health. Social isolation, an increase in sedentary …

Predicting Capture And Survival Probabilities Of The Arizona Tiger Salamander: A Comparison Of Capture-Recapture Models, Brittney Nelson

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Capture-recapture models are essential tools for estimating population dynamics in ecological studies. A fundamental component of these models is the capture history matrix, which records individual detection over time and serves as the basis for estimating survival and capture probabilities. This presentation explores three statistical approaches to these estimations: the Cormack-Jolly-Seber (CJS) model, the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) for CJS, and the Bayesian CJS model. The CJS model provides a likelihood-based framework for estimation, and the HMM CJS incorporates latent states into the model to account for uncertainty in detection. The Bayesian CJS extends this same analysis by integrating prior …

Teachers Stay And Go: The Impacts Of Agriculture Education Teacher Retention In Georgia, Alisha Richardson, Kristie Guffey

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Agricultural education teachers are vital in shaping students' academic and social development while supporting Georgia’s largest economic sector. Despite their importance, the retention of qualified agriculture teachers has remained a persistent challenge since the 1970s (Camp, 1995). This study examined the factors influencing teacher retention in Georgia’s agricultural education programs, to identify actionable strategies to reduce attrition. Findings revealed that supportive workplace environments, strong student relationships, professional learning communities, and mentorship opportunities are key motivators for teacher longevity. Financial incentives and targeted professional development emerged as effective retention tools (Guffey & Young, 2020). In contrast, high levels of stress, particularly …

Equine Hair Cortisol Concentration And The Effects Of Season, Storage Method, And Personality Traits, Savannah M. Rivers, Grace A. Robertson, Thomas Powell, Lydia O'Sullivan, Shea Porr

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Stress exists everywhere, for survival, adaptation is necessary. These adaptations directly reflected the stresses the animal experienced and demonstrated the ability to cope. An animal that could not cope could not survive. Stressful experiences resulted in behavior patterns for each animal. Consistent behavior can be defined as personality [1]; therefore, stress could directly influence personality by changing behavior.

Stress research helped analyze and identify animal personality traits, especially horses. Human-horse pairings partially relied on personality traits and, when considered, often led to improvements in welfare [2]. There are various tools to assess personality, one being Equine Personality Assessment [3]. The …

Understanding Bird Diversity: A Modeling Approach In An Urban And Wetland Ecosystem, Clay Bliznick

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The global increase in anthropogenically-driven shifts of land cover has resulted in losses to many natural communities such as prairies and wetlands. These ecosystems take on artificially-derived characteristics such as croplands, buildings, and roads to the extent that they no longer resemble the areas they once were. This process often results in the loss of biodiversity, ecological integrity, and valuable ecosystem services in these environments. Attempts to restore the condition and function of these disturbed areas are often implemented, but due to the complexity of factors driving these restorations, there is often a lack of practical insight needed to optimize …

Wildlife Distribution Mapping And Analysis In Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, Using Site And Satellite Imagery Data, Pinho Joaquim Munhequeira Mr

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

One of Mozambique's most important conservation sites, Gorongosa National Park has seen critical ecological changes over the past several decades resulting from climate variability, habitat loss, and political instability. This research integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing to examine the relationship between vegetation dynamics and wildlife population, and distribution. The main goals of this study are to evaluate the spatial distribution of particular wildlife species: buffalo (Syncerus caffer), elephant (Loxodonta africana), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), and zebra (Equus quagga), and determine the impact of vegetation density and land cover on their …

Analyzing The Impact Of Geographic Location, Owner Knowledge, And Veterinary Guidance On Equine Vaccination Protocols, Colleen Mcanally

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This study explored how equine owners decide which diseases their horses are vaccinated for based on their geographic location, the knowledge they have on specific equine diseases, and how much they rely on their veterinarian’s recommendations. A total of 55 horse owners throughout the United States completed an online survey. The results showed that while most owners vaccinate for common core vaccines including West Nile Virus, Tetanus, and Rabies, fewer vaccinated for risk-based vaccines like Leptospirosis. Many owners felt confident in their knowledge of national guidelines for annual core vaccinations, but only a small number of owners were able to …

New Psychoactive Substances Detected In Wastewater Samples Collected Along The Interstate Highway Rest Areas In Kentucky, Durga Prasad Kodati

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The rapid emergence and proliferation of new psychoactive substances (NPS) pose significant challenges to public health and law enforcement. The potential for abuse and toxicity of these substances, which are intended to mimic the effects of controlled drugs, has been raising concerns as these compounds are designed to evade being regulated. There are traditional methods of tracking NPS, such as seizures and forensic toxicology, but they are delayed and seldom effective because these substances continue to evolve rapidly. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a promising tool for real-time surveillance of drug consumption. The primary objective of this research was …

Bridging Diversity And Discipline: Stakeholder Perceptions Of Dei And Technical Rigor In Agriculture Education, David A. Yarbrough

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

School-based agricultural education (SBAE) serves as a foundational model for preparing students through classroom instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), and FFA involvement. This study examined the perceptions of Georgia high school agricultural educators regarding how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives impact technical rigor and traditional agricultural knowledge within SBAE programs. Educators reported that DEI efforts did not compromise technical rigor, and traditional elements, such as SAE and FFA, remained central to program success. These findings suggest that inclusion and tradition can coexist, with DEI seen as a complement rather than a conflict with SBAE goals. The results provide valuable …