Digital Commons Network^™

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Cellulose-Based, 1,2,3-Triazolium-Functionalized Polymerized Ionic Liquids: Thermal Transitions, Ionic Conductivities, And Morphological Properties, Rose J. Miller, Vanessa M. Smith, Stacey A. Love, Sarah M. Byron, David Salas-De La Cruz, Kevin M. Miller

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

A series of 1,2,3-triazolium-functionalized cellulose derivatives were prepared using an azide–alkyne “click” cyclization strategy, followed by quaternization. As cellulose represents an inexpensive and sustainable biomacromolecule, the ability to functionalize the backbone with an ionic liquid and generate conductive materials is of great interest. Here, three different counteranions ([Br], [OTf], and [NTf2]) were employed to explore the interplay between thermal, conductive, and morphological properties using a diverse set of techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray scattering, and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). Functionalization of native cellulose resulted in …

Basketball And Drugs: Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Estimation Of Discharged Drugs During Basketball Games In Kentucky, Alexander Montgomery, Catherine O'Rourke, Bikram Subedi

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

High school sports gather a significantly larger number of fans than college and professional sports in the U.S. Adolescent and adult students in high schools and colleges (aged 12–25) are among the most vulnerable population to substance use. Event planners, risk managers, and emergency medical service personnel can extrapolate the mass loads of drugs in wastewater in this study to evaluate the spectator behavior in relatively larger basketball gatherings. Thirty-three illicit and prescribed psychotic drug residues (out of target 36) and five new psychoactive substances (NPS, out of target 40) were quantified in wastewater, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and tandem …

Gene Alteration In Zebrafish Exposed To A Mixture Of Substances Of Abuse☆, Bikram Subedi, Sydni Anderson, Tara L. Croft, Eric C. Rouchka, Mei Zhang, Dena Weinberger

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

A recent surge in the use and abuse of diverse prescribed psychotic and illicit drugs necessitates the surveillance of drug residues in source water and the associated ecological impacts of chronic exposure to the aquatic organism. Thirty-six psychotic and illicit drug residues were determined in discharged wastewater from two centralized municipal wastewater treatment facilities and two wastewater receiving creeks for seven consecutive days in Kentucky. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae were exposed to the environmental relevant mixtures of all drug residues, all illicit drugs, and all prescribed psychotic drugs. The extracted RNA from fish homogenates was sequenced, and differentially …

Science Of Climate Change In Agricultural Courses, Iin P. Handayani

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Climate change adaptation is required knowledge for students and graduates from colleges of agriculture since recent crop production and food security are influenced by climate change. Thus, understanding the dynamics of climate change is important to support farmers to adapt to future conditions. However, not all students and graduates understand the concept and application of climate change with regard to the dynamics of food production and future food security. While agriculture faces the challenge of climate change adaptation, agricultural courses have not kept pace by incorporating climate change science into the curricula. To address this issue, eleven syllabi in selected …

Investigation Of Job Satisfaction Dimensions Of Health Care Knowledge Workers: Factor Analysis - Multivariate Approach, Cemil Kuzey

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

The investigation of the job satisfaction dimensions is crucial before further analysis such as testing the research hypotheses. The widely used approach includes Exploratory Factor Analysis with principal components analysis, unweighted least squares, generalized least squares, maximum likelihood, principal axis factoring, alpha factoring, and image factoring. The study focuses on investigation of the underlying dimensions of the job satisfaction of the knowledge workers in healthcare using multiple methods. The target sample of the research is the health care personnel including nurses, administrators, and doctors as the knowledge workers. Toward this end, a theory-based classical approaches are utilized. Healthcare employee’s job …

The Opioid Crisis- Why Is It So Hard To Tame?, Tara Mclevain

Integrated Studies

The opioid Epidemic is largely known around the world, no matter what state or country you are from, chances are you've heard about the problem. Maybe you have experienced it or maybe you know someone who has dealt with opioid addiction. Throughout this paper we are going to discuss several factors directly related to the opioid epidemic. We will talk about the research, impact on society, treatment options, hidden cost and what the outcome could possibly be. This is a growing epidemic in America today that continues to be on the rise. The opioid crisis is costing America billions of …

Vermiculture: A Viable Solution For Sustainable Agriculture, Heather Staggs

Integrated Studies

Abstract

Vermiculture is the cultivation of worms to produce compost. Worm farming for agricultural purposes uses specific worms that consume the organic waste in which they live and breed. Vermicomposting is biotechnology for the conversion of wastes into nutrient-rich agriculture amendments. The application of these amendments can improve the physical, biological, and chemical properties of the soil. Worm excrement enhances soil health, which improves plant health. When our plant and crop performance are enhanced, we see increased yields and improved quality. Vermicompost can boost crop production without the synthetic fertilizers that pollute our environment and decrease the health of people …

Climate Change, Pollution, And Green Energy, Irene R. Robertson

Integrated Studies

Two of the largest issue’s humanity faces today is climate change and pollution. What needs to be sought out for is why climate change is happening at an accelerated rate and what can be done to either slow it down or completely stop it. Pollution is another problem that is causing detrimental damage to the planet. Future generations are at risk if people today do not change and look for cleaner solutions. The intent of this projects is to give clear information on climate change, pollution, the scientific research it is currently undergoing, and green technology. Having a complete understanding …

Lean Manufacturing: Approaches To Reducing Waste In Manufacturing And Service Sectors, Michael Oakley

Integrated Studies

Organizations large and small produce a product or provide a service for a multitude of reasons. Some may produce clothing apparel while others produce automobiles, yet others provide a service in healthcare. No matter how different the products or services are, there is a common goal of all creditable businesses; to increase profits while reducing waste. Lean Manufacturing sets the groundwork for improving efficiencies throughout all aspects of the organization. From the value stream to the end customer. If designs, processes and technologies are not as lean as allowable within operating parameters, there will be potential waste involved with the …

Cheap Labor And The Effects On The American Economy And Worker, Brian Proctor, Brian Proctor

Integrated Studies

Abstract

This study shows how American companies have used cheap labor in the past and present to do smaller jobs or to make individual pieces or parts that were to be put together and used in larger products. This cheap labor came from both foreign and domestic sources. In recent times, however, these companies have picked up and moved their entire productions outside of the United States greatly impacting the American economy and workers. These moves have been called outsourcing or off-shoring and have played a major part in the decline of some of the larger manufacturing cities such as …

Leading Organizational Change: A Case Study In Improving Performance By Improving Culture, Phillip E. Miller

Integrated Studies

This paper will discuss the role that positively changing organizational culture plays in positively improving organizational performance. The research presented will look at how organizational culture is best defined, as well as expand on some key concepts like trust and engagement that are typically present in effective cultures. It considers the role leadership accepts in managing organizational change through their willingness to choose the right model for change and embrace the fact that challenges and complexities exist during the course of change. Both the research and the case study provided will support encouraging an organization looking to improve its performance …

Drivers And Consequences Of Sustainability Committee Existence? Evidence From The Hospitality And Tourism Industry, Merve Kilic, Ali Uyar, Cemil Kuzey, Abdullah S. Karaman

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

This study ’ s objective is twofold: (1) to investigate whether board characteristics predict the existence of a sustainability committee, and (2) to examine whether the establishment of sustainability committees stimulates sustainability reporting, external assurance, and the adoption of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework in hospitality and tourism (H & T) firms. For this purpose, the data was derived from the Thomson Reuters Eikon database for publicly traded H & T firms from 2013 to 2018. The results indicate that while board size is a sig- nificant predictor of sustainability committee establishment, female and independent directors are not. Furthermore, …

The Reconstruction Of Hatchery Creek: Effects On Macroinvertebrate And Fish Community Dynamics, Patrick Vrablik

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Hatchery Creek is a restored stream in Jamestown, KY that drains Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery. The previous degraded channel of Hatchery Creek caused large sediment plumes in the Lower Cumberland River and was restored to decrease sediment loss and provide the opportunity for a self-sustaining trout population. I predicted that the increased amount of habitat would increase taxa richness, abundance and biomass of macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrates were monitored in three periods; the degraded period, a one-year recovery period, and a restored period using surber and kicknet samples in order to determine biomass, abundance, diversity, taxa richness, and macroinvertebrate biotic index. …

Can It Be Done? Examining Stereotype Threat With Fake Stereotypes, Jessica Hodges

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Stereotype threat refers to the risk of conforming to a stereotype regarding a group one belongs to. This threat has been heavily studied with negative stereotypes on performance-based tasks (e.g., math), and encompasses the anxiety one may feel due to being associated with the negative stereotype (Steele & Aronson, 1995). The present project sought to expand upon current literature in several ways. First, this project sought to assess whether fake stereotypes elicit stereotype threat like real stereotypes do. Second, this project examined whether fake stereotype threat works with positive stereotypes as well as negative. Third, this study examined how group …

The Relationship Between Technical Skill Attainment And Post-Graduation Related Placement Of Secondary Career And Technical Education Students In Missouri, Michael Pantleo

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted using quantitative methods to determine if a relationship exists between former Career and Technical Education (CTE) concentrators’ Technical Skill Assessment (TSA) performance and their attaining related placement after high school. The study included data from 65,606 Missouri CTE concentrators who graduated during the years 2015-2019. To investigate the relationship between TSA assessment performance and attaining related placement, multiple descriptive models were run and disaggregated by CTE program area, gender, race/ethnicity, IEP status, and SES. The data revealed students who pass their TSA assessment are more likely to attain related placement compared to those not passing their …

Effects Of Agricultural Education And Career And Technology On Georgia Milestone Tests Scores In Biology, Geometry, And Algebra, Ellison Crews

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Student’s achievement is directly linked to teacher evaluation as well as school and district CCRPI scores. The researcher conducted Independent two sample t-tests comparing student’s achievement on Georgia Milestone test in geometry, algebra, and biology at the district and state level for students enrolled in agricultural education courses, Non-agricultural education CTAE courses and non-CTAE courses. On the state level, student’s scores were grouped into the four-achievement level of Beginning, Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished. No individual scores were available so an average mean score was representative of each students score in the four categories. This study included Independent two sample …

Understanding Volunteer Motivations To Serve, Dominique P. Wood

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

An organization’s volunteer development program can serve as a useful tool in the P-20 framework to address transitional gaps preventing smooth and consistent movement of individuals from traditional education to career attainment. Utilizing Maslow’s Theory of Motivation and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, this qualitative study revealed volunteer motivation effectively resolved needs that work toward Self-Actualization. Satisfied needs, addressed by the volunteer experience, places the organization as a relevant partner in the P-20 framework to resolve career attainment goals. The volunteer makes the gift of time, skills, experience, and knowledge based on personal preferences to the organization’s work. Partnerships are achieved …

The Confederate Surrender At Tiptonville And The Conclusion Of The Island No. 10 Campaign

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

The Confederate Surrender at Tiptonville and the Conclusion of the Island No. 10 Campaign

Dieter C. Ullrich

Forgotten Heroes Of World War I: Pfc. Preston W. Rushing And The 105th Field Signal Battalion

Jackson Purchase Historical Society Journal Archive

Forgotten Heroes of World War I: Pfc. Preston W. Rushing and the 105th Field Signal Battalion

Alice-Catherine Carls

The Connection Between Body Modification And Personality, Taylor Ann Shoemaker

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has been inconsistent in its findings regarding the associations between body modifications (e.g., piercings, tattoos, augmentation, scarification, split tongue) and the Big Five personality traits (i.e., openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism). All traits have been found to be significantly correlated with body modification in at least one study, but their significance differed from study to study. The purpose of the current study was to examine the associations between body modification and each domain of personality concurrently to add to the literature surrounding differences between modified and unmodified individuals. To participate in this study, participants were asked …

Black And Hispanic Student Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of The Career Academy Model, Holly Bernard

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Education reform has been at the forefront of policymakers’ plans since 1817 with the founding of the Connecticut Asylum at Hartford for Deaf and Dumb Persons. Over the following 200 years, various social and economic shifts have increased policymakers' focus on the purpose of education and how institutions can develop contributing members to society. Globalization demands countries to have a well-educated workforce, and in the United States today, education reform has focused on expanding educational opportunities that lead to positive economic growth for individuals and nations as a whole through innovative practices. In short, access to quality education and experience …

An Evaluation Of College Preparedness On Natural Selection Principles Following The Completion Of An Entry-Level Biology Course, Amy Bell

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Evolution education in secondary education has long been a topic of research. The level of knowledge and acceptance of students upon entering college has been studied using various methods; however, no study had provided the perception of preparedness from the student perspective nor had analyzed the individual Natural Selection principles. This study analyzed college freshmen (n=162) in an entry-level BIO 101 course. Participants were given the Conceptual Inventory of Natural Selection Instrument (CINSI) and perception survey questions upon completion of the course. The CINSI data was then analyzed for each of the four Natural Selection principles as well as …

The Impacts Of Social Capital And Grit On Student Success In Higher Education, Jillian Davidson

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This study will examine social capital, grit, and student success individually and how these components impact student success in higher education. A correlation test was run to determine a connection between social capital and grit. An ANOVA was assessed to determine the impacts social capital and grit have on student success in higher education based on a survey distributed to undergraduate students at a four-year university. Measuring social capital, grit, and student success in higher education and determining the impacts on student success will encourage educators to provide opportunities for cognitive and non-cognitive prospects for students in higher education.

Keywords …

An Investigation Into Cte Classroom Instructional Strategies, Jonathan Walker

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This researcher conducted this ex post facto study with the help of career and technical education (CTE) teachers across the country. The research was a survey of classroom instructional strategy usage, a teacher’s familial impact on classroom instruction strategies used, and the effects of Covid-19 on classroom strategies used. Data suggested that CTE teachers use different instructional strategies based on teacher demographics and that Covid-19 did have an effect on CTE teachers’ use of instructional strategies. This data suggested the five most used classroom instructional strategies were questioning, guided practice, demonstrations, lab activities, and whole group discussion.

Examining The Relationship Between Inclusivity And Well-Being In The Gender, Sexual, And Romantic Minority Community, Sarah E. Weekes

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Research has established that higher levels of inclusivity promote increased levels of well-being in GSRM populations (Yoder & Mattheis, 2016); however, there is a lack of research exploring a moderating effect of psychological flexibility on this relationship. Previous research has also demonstrated that psychological flexibility is related to increased quality of life (Walloch & Hill, 2016); however, the relationship between psychological flexibility and inclusivity remains largely unexplored in GSRM populations. The purpose of this study was to explore how inclusivity, psychological distress, and psychological flexibility correlate with well-being among a sample of 198 individuals who identify as GSRM. This study …

Tutorial: Legality And Ethics Of Web Scraping, Vlad Krotov, Leigh Johnson, Leiser Silva

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Automatic retrieval of data from the Web (often referred to as Web Scraping) for industry and academic research projects is becoming a common practice. A variety of tools and technologies have been developed to facilitate Web Scraping. Unfortunately, the legality and ethics of using these tools for collecting data are often overlooked. Failure to pay due attention to these aspects of Web Scraping can result in serious ethical controversies and lawsuits. This paper reviews legal literature together with the literature on ethics and privacy to identify broad areas of concern together with a list of specific questions that need to …

Site Tolerance Of The Rada Intein, Chase Taul, Christopher Lennon Dr

Honors College Theses

Inteins (intervening proteins) invade genes at the DNA level and splice out at the protein level. Once thought of as only a parasitic type of a mobile genetic element, recent work suggests a mutualistic relationship has formed in some cases within bacterial and archaeal hosts. After translation, a precursor protein is formed with the intein between two exteins. The intein is catalytic and can excise itself out through protein splicing. Intein insertion is biased towards the active site of the protein and is thought to cause inactivation of the host protein prior to splicing. Intein splicing is responsive to a …

The Chow Test With Time Series-Cross Section Data, James K. Binkley, Jeffrey Young

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

The Chow test is a standard method to test for differences in regression response across groups. In some cases, the groups being tested are composed of a time series of cross sections. If the individual units within the groups have systematic differences, the Chow test is compromised: individual and group effects become confounded. This can cause rejections in the absence of the group effect of interest. We illustrate the problem with Monte Carlo analyses, and propose an alternative bootstrap-like testing procedure that helps eliminate excessive Type I errors.

The Road To Inclusion: Special Education In The United States And Mexico, Elena Hammann

Honors College Theses

This report addresses the laws, views, funding, and school system policies in the United States and Mexico. Children with disabilities are typically subject to misrepresentation, prejudice, and a lack of opportunities. The best chance these children have to succeed is an adequate education. The intention of both countries for the last five decades is to provide an equitable and inclusive education for students with disabilities. Although educational planners and policy makers in each country pass federal legislation and educational policy, there is further work for improvement. The results of current research through a questionnaire shows continued negative social bias towards …

Glial Granules Contain Germline Proteins In The Drosophila Brain, Which Regulate Brain Transcriptome, Samuel J. Tindell, Eric C. Rouchka, Alexey Arkov

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Membraneless RNA-protein granules play important roles in many different cell types and organisms. In particular, granules found in germ cells have been used as a paradigm to study large and dynamic granules. These germ granules contain RNA and proteins required for germline development. Here, we unexpectedly identify large granules in specific subtypes of glial cells (“glial granules”) of the adult Drosophila brain which contain polypeptides with previously characterized roles in germ cells including scaffold Tudor, Vasa, Polar granule component and Piwi family proteins. Interestingly, our super-resolution microscopy analysis shows that in the glial granules, these proteins form distinct partially overlapping …