Digital Commons Network^™

Physical Activity And Sport Participation: Relationships With General Life Satisfaction And Social Life Satisfaction, Clay Barker

Honors College Theses

This study investigated the impact of college student physical activity and sport participation on life satisfaction and social life satisfaction. This study used a survey with scales to assess students’ frequency of physical activity, frequency of traditional sport participation, frequency of esport participation, life satisfaction, and social life satisfaction. This study’s hypotheses attempted to assess if each involvement variable will individually and positively correlate to both life satisfaction and social life satisfaction. This study used in-person surveys given to Murray State University college students. The findings of this study could provide information on the importance of physical activity and sport …

Test Anxiety In University Students: Exploring The Roles Of Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, And Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Hannah Gibson

Honors College Theses

Test anxiety is the fear of being negatively evaluated, which can lead to negative behavioral, physiological, or emotional responses and impact academic performance. The effectiveness of interventions varies widely; however, progressive muscle relaxation may be able to reduce anxiety. The current study randomly assigned students to watch a progressive muscle relaxation video or an educational video before an exam in an introductory psychology course. Self-report and physiological anxiety were measured pre-and post-intervention, and traits of test anxiety, neuroticism, and conscientiousness were also measured (pre-intervention only). Conscientiousness and neuroticism did not predict trait anxiety (p = .052). Pre-intervention self-report anxiety …

A Call To Study The Bidirectional Relationship Between Healthcare Accessibility Issues And Medical Gaslighting For Marginalized Groups With Chronic Pain, Nikki Harnage

Honors College Theses

Chronic pain is an epidemic in its own right. Affecting 21% of American adults and costing $300 billion each year, chronic pain rivals cancer, diabetes, and hypertension combined. From psychological impacts on patients to worsening health outcomes further burdening the healthcare system and billions of lost productivity stressing the economy, chronic pain can affect all Americans. However, chronic pain disproportionately afflicts marginalized groups including non-whites, women, and disadvantaged socioeconomic classes. For decades, research has demonstrated disparities in diagnosis, treatment, and management of chronic pain are associated with accessibility issues in healthcare, a link that is likely the result of systemic …

Human Nature, Karl Smith

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

Building a brand means looking beyond a product or organization and finding an aspirational vision that creates value for the consumer. Through my design work, I want to transform products and other subject matter and transform them into unique, powerful experiences. By using intentional design choices, I can create effective visual communication. My design centers on strong hierarchy, bold color, and clear typography that creates attractive, memorable, and distinct visual identities.

Human Nature represents the positive impact a brand can have on the world by authentically connecting with consumers to provide real benefits. Skincare is the pursuit of beauty and …

Sebastian, Sebastian Byars

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

The name "Sebastian" reflects my journey and process throughout my show. Growing up in small-town Paris, TN, my passion for fashion felt out of place. During college, I faced mental health struggles, and thrifting became my escape, sparking a love for clothing history. I now enjoy sewing and reworking both modern and vintage pieces, focusing on creativity and discovery over intention. Often, I ask myself, “What can I create from what I already have or want to discover?”

My work combines model and product photography, sculptural garment displays, and branding rooted in my work. Blending workwear with editorial aesthetics, I …

The Last Crusade, Jonathan Wong

B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499)

I’m driven by a desire to explore human emotions and how we are influenced by social media. While a useful communication tool, it is also a part of the reason for poor mental health. I am myself an emotional person. Making video and photography helps me to soothe my own anxiety, while working with people who express their own conflict with their current life. Photography and film serve as a vessel for the variations of personal mental health struggles, friendships, and offering a timeless reflection of emotional states. I want my art to be therapy and remembrance that grounds you …

Assessing Soil Properties In Cultivated Areas Of Silt Loam In Western Kentucky, Disha Ande

Scholars Week

No-till (NT) farming is widely implemented to enhance soil conservation by reducing disturbance and improving soil health, particularly regarding key indicators such as soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), macroporosity (MPor), soil water holding capacity (SWHC), soil water at field capacity (SWFC), and soil organic carbon (SOC). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different land management systems- NT Corn (NTC), NT Soybean (NTS), Campus Vegetable Garden (CVG), Community Garden (CG), Woodland Area (WA), and Rain Garden (RG), on these soil quality parameters. This study was conducted at Murray State University’s Pullen Farm …

The Significance Of Tillage Systems In Kentucky And Illinois On Soil Properties, Madison Westerfield, Ethan White

Scholars Week

Tillage practices have various effects on soil health and soil properties. For example, no-till practices disturb the soil less, preserving soil health. Conventional tillage practices disturb the soil and various properties depending on depth and equipment used. The objective of this research was to compare conventional tillage systems in Illinois against the no-till practices in Kentucky on soil properties changes. The study was conducted in three no-till fields in Ohio County, KY and three conventional tillage fields in Williamson County, IL. Twenty-four samples were pulled, twelve samples from three fields under conventional tillage and twelve samples from three fields under …

Soil Changes In Response To Farming Practices In Calloway County, Kentucky, Lane Deckard, Clara Taylor

Scholars Week

Various farm management techniques can alter physical properties of soil characteristics. In this study, changes in soil quality indicators were examined from contrasting management practices at the Murray State University farms in Calloway County, Kentucky. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of farming practices such as conventional/no-tilling, monocropping, overgrazing, gardening, and an undisturbed field on soil characteristics. Soil characteristics within this research included bulk density (BD), porosity, soil water field capacity (SWFC), soil water holding capacity (SWHC), macroporosity, soil organic matter (SOM), and soil organic carbon (SOC). At each of the six fields, samples were taken …

Management Of Post-Operative Pain In Those With A Drug History, Emelyn Stockton, Maddie Griggs

Scholars Week

Addressing postoperative pain management in patients with a history of opioid abuse is essential for enhancing patient safety and quality care. Implementing evidence-based practices and standardized protocols can reduce the risk of relapse and improve the outcomes for this population. By focusing on staff education and training, healthcare providers can gain the necessary skills to effectively manage pain while minimizing the reliance on opioids. Ultimately, a comprehensive approach that includes alternative therapies and consistent monitoring will foster better recovery experiences for patients.

Benefits To Swaddle Bathing, Brenna Dotson, Kori Redden, Cassidy Payne

Scholars Week

Swaddle bathing is a technique that entails bathing an infant while they are comforted in a swaddle. This technique is rarely seen in everyday hospital practice, even though there is ample evidence of its benefits and advantages. Our project aimed to combine research proving the effectiveness of swaddle bathing through scoring methods that consider pain, vital signs, temperature, crying duration, and more. The research is combined to support the impact that swaddle bathing can have on not only infants but parents as well. Parents implementing the swaddle bath enjoy improved confidence and attachment, along with decreased stress. The evidence was …

Importance Of Chg Baths For Invasive Lines, Catheters, Surgical Patients, And Monitoring Compliance, Josie Erdmann, Audrey Wise, Hailee Edgin

Scholars Week

This project focuses on the use of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing for patients with invasive lines and post-surgical patients. The purpose of this project was to find if CHG bathing is an effective solution to reducing infection risk. This project shows the research behind CHG bathing and how it can be used for these specific patient populations and reduces healthcare-acquired infections. CHG bathing has been shown to dramatically reduce infections.

Benefits Of Nitrous Oxide For Pain Management During Labor, Hannah Young, Madison Smith

Scholars Week

Nitrous oxide is widely used in the United States, but is still limited in our area. Nitrous oxide used during labor is a way for mothers to avoid adverse effects that other forms of pain management can cause. Nitrous oxide is used to increase pain tolerance for laboring mothers, and has also been proven to reduce anxiety. Nitrous oxide has limited adverse effects on the mother and no know adverse effects to the fetus. If a side effect is caused by nitrous oxide, the effects will wear off almost immediately after discontinuation of use. It also is more cost effective …

2024-10-23, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

2024-10-01, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

2024-09-13, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

2024-09-12, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Science Of Hemp: Production And Pest Management Meeting Proceedings (2023)

Science of Hemp Annual Meeting

The fourth meeting of the Science of Hemp: Production and Pest Management Conference was held on November 13-15, 2023 at Auburn University in Auburn, AL. Agricultural scientists from 13 different universities across the United States attended a series of scientific presentations. Topics included agronomy, entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and controlled environment production. The abstracts for presentations and posters are included within this publication.

Orca Annual Report 2023-24, Msu Orca

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Quick Facts about ORCA, Academic Year 23-24

• 10 slots filled for Posters-at-the-Capitol with projects from the College of Education and Human Services, the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, the Hutson School of Agriculture, and the Jones College of Science, Engineering & Technology
• 264 student presentations delivered during both Scholars Weeks with support from over 100 individual faculty members
• 28 grants awarded totaling over $21,000
• 15 items published in Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

The Disconnect Between General Classroom Teaching Techniques And English Language Learner Needs, Marliese Belt

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

This project will seek to identify gaps in pre-service teacher education as it relates to appropriate instructional strategies for English Language Learners (ELLs). First, public and private liberal arts schools of higher education in Kentucky will be analyzed for relevant programs and courses addressing the needs of ELLs and research-driven instructional techniques used to educate them. It will be determined that many of the schools offer undergraduate or graduate level endorsements and certificate programs, but only one, Murray State University, offers an undergraduate degree-bearing program. Next, ELLs, their characteristics, and unique needs will be defined to ensure that all stakeholders …

Increased Feminine Self-Concept In Men Corresponds With Less Homonegativity: Exploring Gender Role Expression Relative To Homonegativity Across Genders, Kaid M. Marek, Amanda Watson Joyce, Tracey A. Garcia Mccue

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Homonegativity (i.e., prejudiced attitudes towards sexual minorities, Morrison et al., 1999) is associated with stricter gender roles (Basow & Johnson, 2000; Tornello & Matsick, 2020) mainly in men, and is less understood in women (Bosson et al., 2009; Vandello et al., 2008). This study investigates how cisgender individuals’ self-perceptions and self-concepts of gender roles relate to homonegativity. We hypothesized that men would have greater homonegativity than women, and that greater socially-expected gender role expression would predict homonegativity in both genders. Two-hundred-eighty-eight participants, predominantly white (84.7%), women (n = 227), freshman (58.7%) college students (M_age = 19.33, SD …

2024-06-07, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Jonathan Wong Art 399 Portfolio, Jonathan Wong

Professional Practices (ART 399)

Jonathan Wong’s artistic journey revolves around the profound connection between emotion and expression, finding solace in the realms of illustration and film. This transformative medium serves as a vessel for encapsulating the nuances of personal mental health struggles, offering a timeless reflection of emotional states.

Central to Wong's creative exploration is a focus on mental health, exploring the complexities of the human psyche and societal influences. Through pieces like "Social Media Kills," Wong delves into the pervasive impact of technology on modern society, utilizing vivid imagery and symbolism to evoke a response from viewers. Color palettes, facial expressions, and spatial …

Autonomous Bottling And Packaging System - Mechanical Bottling Portion, Kathryn Gray

Honors College Theses

This report details the complete mechanical design of an autonomous bottling automation system. This system is fully integrated with a bottling and packaging system. The scope of the full project is to successfully bottle and cap twelve small bottles (approximately 68 cm3) in under three minutes and thirty seconds. The bottles shall be filled with an “electrolyte” and water mixture, and the mixture should be fully mixed. To complete this task, two tanks will dispense liquid (one electrolyte, and one water) into the bottles. Each tank shall have a measuring chamber, that will fill with the correct amount of volume …

Public Perception Of Service, Therapy, And Emotional Support Animals In A College Setting, Elizabeth Demarse

Honors College Theses

The use of service dogs, emotional support dogs and therapy dogs continues to increase, they are likewise becoming more common on college campuses. However, outside of a 2017 survey into the general population, there is little data into the public’s ability to define these animals and their roles or how negative press affects trust in the legitimacy of these animals. Additionally, no research has been done into how this affects college students despite college campuses frequently being a location where assistance animal ownership is brought into question. An anonymous survey was conducted and distributed online to students at Murray State …

Hayley Runyon Art 399 Portfolio, Hayley Runyon

Professional Practices (ART 399)

I often think about the meanings behind my artwork. Why do I create what I create? I’ve realized more recently that the answer is simple. I make art about the things I love. More often than not it can be simplified to the people I love. They seem to be the subject of at least seventy-five percent of my artwork. Not to exclude those we think of as “Children”, or simply our pets. I also love to draw and paint nature scenery. Painting is the medium I mainly use. I use a wide arrange of acrylics, oils and watercolors. I …

Incorporating Aac Training In Nursing Education Programs To Enhance Understanding Of Caring For Patients With Complex Communication Needs, Tessa Bradley

Honors College Theses

As healthcare professionals, nurses must be able to effectively communicate with their patients to ensure their health, safety, and comfort. However, this can be particularly challenging when it comes to patients with complex communication needs (CCN), where communication breakdowns can lead to sentinel events. Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) can help those with CCN improve communication across various settings, including in healthcare. Unfortunately, there is a severe lack of training for nurses when it comes to communicating with patients with CCN and the use of AAC. Webb et al. (2024) investigated the effectiveness of a combined synchronous and asynchronous training …

Bottling Automation System, Dylanie Tippit

Honors College Theses

This report details the complete design of an automated bottling system. Each bottle is 5.97 centimeters tall and has an outer diameter of 3.81 centimeters. The goal of the project is to successfully fill and cap twelve bottles in under three and a half minutes. The system will have two conveyors in series, a water dispenser, an electrolyte dispenser, capping station, Human Machine Interface (HMI) and Allen Bradley programmable logic controller (PLC). The water and electrolyte dispenser will have two ball valves in series, with the desired amount of volume to dispense the designated liquid. The capping station will be …

The Pam-1 Aminopeptidase Protects Against Neurodegeneration In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Caleb Coil

Honors College Theses

The deteriorating effects of neurodegenerative conditions seem inescapable for many as they age. The experimental exploration of the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for neurodegeneration is aided using animal models. For instance, genetic screens have identified the puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (PSA) as a novel effector of neurodegeneration, as mutations in PSA in fruit flies result in perturbations of neuron anatomy and an accelerated onset of neuron death. We have tested the hypothesis that PAM-1, the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of PSA, plays a similar role in governing neurodegeneration in nematodes. Genetic strains were created that express the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in …

Curriculum Response To An Evolving Society: An Analysis Of Family And Consumer Sciences Education At Murray State University From 1928 To 2023, Lauren Ervin

Honors College Theses

This research aims to identify and explore the changes in the family and consumer sciences (FCS) education program at Murray State University from 1928, when the major was first offered, until 2023. The following questions were answered:

• What are the notable changes in Murray State University's FCS education program, involving curriculum, from 1928 to 2023?

• What are the notable themes, topics, and changes to the overarching FCS field from 1928 to 2023?

• How have the events in society and the FCS field influenced the FCS Education program at Murray State University?

The researcher noted the changes in the Murray State …