Digital Commons Network^™

Title: Implementing And Evaluating A Farmer's Market Incentive And Nutrition Education Program For Families With Children, Raven Barleston, Kendra Oonorasak, Tammy Stephenson, Makenzie Barr

Posters-at-the-Capitol

1 in 6 children face food insecurity and experience limited access to healthy foods in Kentucky. The Power of Produce (POP) Club is a farmer’s market incentive and nutrition education program for families with children aged between 3 and 14. This project is a 10-week pilot study in Lexington, Kentucky and it aims to improve fruit and vegetable consumption by engaging children in the local food system through educational activities, interactions with farmers, and exposure to new local fruits and vegetables through taste-testing. Every week, each child engaging in POP Club activities received a $2 farmer’s market voucher that can …

Addressing Pfas Contamination In Blood Bank Supplies With Hydrogel Nanocomposite Sorbents, Anicah Lynn Smith, E. Molly Frazar, J. Zach Hilt

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Environmental pollutants continue to be a threat to global human health. Persistent contaminants, such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have been linked to a multitude of adverse health effects such as cancerous tumors, increased blood cholesterol levels and liver damage. The dominant source of exposure to PFAS is through contaminated drinking water, and accumulation has been found to occur significantly in human blood serum. Thus, high-risk groups who are receiving frequent blood transfusions are exposed to these harmful chemicals in a dual fashion, which could prove detrimental. Traditional sorbents that display an affinity for PFAS include powdered activated carbon and clay. …

Physiological Signal Analysis For Emotion Estimation Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Janet Pulgares Soriano, Karla Conn Welch Phd

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children is based on human observations by a clinician. The medical evaluation assesses deficits in social communication, social interaction, and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Robotic technology can assist in quantitatively measuring the observations to be used as a future tool for autism diagnosis and intervention. The project explores this technology to produce robotic partners that can adapt to the needs of the ASD population. This way, such robots could serve as instructors or learning peers. A friendly, partner robot, specifically designed for children with ASD could be used to investigate the effect of …

Inducing Cognitive Reflection And Its Impact On Contradictory Belief Holding, Meg Powers, Marci Decaro

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The idea that there are 2 distinct processing modes is seen throughout social and cognitive psychology research. One mode is generally fast, automatic, and relatively effortless, while the other is slow, systematic, and effortful. One mechanism of effortful processing is cognitive reflection which is one’s ability to reflect on their intuition. The Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) is a 3-item measure that quantifies a person’s ability to recognize an intuitive answer as incorrect and identify the correct response. Additionally, a yea-yeaing score was collected to measure how often a person agrees with a statement and its opposite (i.e., endorses contradictory beliefs). …

One-Pot Conversion Of Carboxylic Acids To Aldehydes, Hannah Khan, Michael Nantz, Saurin Sutaria

Posters-at-the-Capitol

There are many different ways to convert a carboxylic text acid to an aldehyde. A common way to accomplish this transformation is to use multiple steps (e.g., reduction of the carboxylic acid to the corresponding alcohol followed by selective oxidation to the aldehyde). Our success in reducing the diacid muconic acid (1) to muconaldehyde (4) in a relatively mild, one-pot process has led us to examine whether the method can be expanded to other carboxylic acids. We report here our findings using benzoic acid as a representative substrate.

Breadth Of Vaccinated Cancer Patient Humoral Response To Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein And Rbd Variants, Julia Corman, Joey Breckenridge Jr., Adrienne M. Bushau-Sprinkle, Krystal T. Hamorsky, Joshua L. Fuqua

Posters-at-the-Capitol

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 of which several variants have emerged, such as the B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 variant. The Receptor Binding Domain (RBD), located within the Spike protein is an immunogenic epitope for potent neutralizing antibodies. Current mRNA vaccines encode for the Spike protein, allowing the body to build antigen-specific antibodies. Assays measuring protective antibodies are essential to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and can be used as a platform for variant screening. RBD-foldon 2.2 is a novel antigen produced by fusing RBD with the trimerization domain Fibritin from Bacteriophage T4. Its amino acid sequence is based on the original …

The Effect Of A Vegetation Buffer On Sound Levels, Madison Cicha

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Noise pollution is a growing concern in the environmental health community. Unlike other common exposures, such as air and water pollution, noise is uniquely difficult for an individual to protect themselves from. Studies have shown multiple adverse health outcomes resulting from exposure to noise pollution, including hearing impairment, negative social behavior and annoyance, sleep disturbance, along with a strong association between noise pollution and high cardiovascular risk. It is important, then, to look for solutions to this exposure. This study is designed to assess the effects of a tree barrier in reducing traffic noise. Noise monitoring was conducted at Saint …

Wastewater-Based Estimation Of Substances Discharged At The Rest Areas Along The State Highways In Kentucky, Katherine E. Gray, Eugene Shin, Tyler Whitt, Andrew Windhorst, Houston Hampton, Chris Delcher, Bikram Subedi

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The availability of licit and illicit stimulants and its adverse consequences on public health has emerged as a major drug threat to communities in the United States. Despite several drug-involved traffic incidents along the interstate highways, this report represents the first comprehensive and quantitative report of drugs discharged at the rest areas along the interstate highways. In this National Institute of Justice-funded study, the amount of several discharged drugs focusing on stimulants but also including opioids and prescription antipsychotics are being measured in raw wastewater collected from five rest areas and a truck servicing facility using a state-of-the-art mass …

Generation Onlyfans: The Internalization Of Objectification In Young Adults, Grace Sinclair, D. Gage Jordan

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The term raunch culture refers to recent changes in Western culture that promotes overtly sexual representations of women, wherein women are objectified, objectify one another, and are encouraged to objectify themselves. With the growth of the internet and social media, raunch culture has expanded rapidly. This hypersexualized culture provides people opportunities to engage in positive social comparison, but perhaps more insidiously, negative social comparison. Although some women perceive aspects of raunch culture as empowering, it is possible that this construct could relate to the phenomenology of depression in women. This study examined the various relationships between raunch culture, depression, social …

Don’T You Know That They’Re Toxic: Parasocial Attachments And Fictional Relationships, Morgan Macke, Jana Hackathorn

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Problem or Major Purpose. Parasocial relationships are one-sided interactions individuals have with fictional characters or famous celebrities (Derrick et al., 2008). Parasocial relationships can be beneficial for the exploration and development of one’s own romantic emotions, sexuality, or ideal self (Derrick et al., 2008; Erikson & Dal Cin, 2018). Conversely, there may be drawbacks such as unrealistic expectations and dysfunctional beliefs (Spiranec, 2018). For example, the young adult genre often contains harmful tropes that expose the audience to dysfunctional relationship behaviors such as portraying abuse as romantic, normalizing slut shaming, and fetishizing virginity (Spiranec, 2018). The current study examines the …

C2c Stem Collaboration, Mary Andrea Parish, Angela Renee Rowe, Annette Hines, Hannah Elizabeth Brewer

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Campus to Classroom is a STEM collaboration effort brought about by the brainstorming and continued efforts of Ms. Angela Rowe (MSUTeach), Ms. Annette Hines (Talent Search), MSUTeach STEM Ambassadors, and MSUExplore (MSUTeach student group).

The goal is an educational, collaborative partnership with cross-campus departments and both pre-service and in-service teachers, with a main focus on students from underserved population and communities.

Continued steps will be planned to develop a multi-level partnership with the end goals of increased usage of project-based instruction, incorporate research that increases STEM knowledge/skill, and encourage career exploration while building bridges from “campus and classroom”.

2022-01-07, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

A Proliferation Of Images: Trends, Obstacles, And Opportunities For Visual Literacy, Dana Thompson

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Visual literacy equips learners with the dispositions to critically create, analyse, use, and share visual information. As one component of a discerning, ethical citizenry, visual literacy has become more essential in a rapidly evolving information ecosystem. Against this backdrop, the current Association of College and Research Libraries Visual Literacy Task Force conducted qualitative research from 2019 to 2021, interviewing visual literacy and information literacy experts to identify emergent trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping visual literacy in the twenty-first century. The findings from this study broaden current understandings of visual literacy and empower learners, educators, and practitioners to critically create, share, …

Wikipedia As An Experiential Learning Activity In Media Courses, Melony Shemberger

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Many internet users often consult Wikipedia to read a quick reference on a subject, but the source tends to be viewed as unreliable by the academic community. Nevertheless, journalism and public relations courses can help improve Wikipedia. Four undergraduate courses — News Editing, In-depth Reporting, Sports Media, and Research Methods in Public Relations — in a journalism and mass communications department at a regional, four-year university in the southeast of the United States incorporated Wikipedia. This article discusses the benefits, considerations, and challenges that an instructor might experience when using Wikipedia.

Aging Precision Using Sectioned Pectoral Fin Rays From Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix, Timothy Spier, Jessica Morris, Josh Tompkins

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Many structures are used to age Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, but no consensus had been obtained concerning which structure is best. Previous studies have used sections from the pectoral spine, but some of those studies have used transmitted light to illuminate the annuli of the sectioned pectoral spine. We used reflected light to enhance the contrast of annuli in sectioned pectoral spines and compared the aging precision obtained from this method among 6 readers who varied in their aging experience. Overall precision as measure by the mean coefficient of variation (CV) was 5.23 ± 0.76SE, which compares well with …

Diel Movements Of Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix In Two Southeastern Reservoirs, Levi Umland, Timothy Spier

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Abstract

Diel Movement of Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in 2 Southeastern Reservoirs

Authors: Levi Umland and Timothy Spier

Silver Carp invaded Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley in the early 2000s. Silver Carp are planktivorous which is concerning because they may be competing with young of the year native fish and other native planktivores. Previous Silver Carp research has mainly focused on large rivers, but their behavior might be different in reservoirs, and little research exists on this species in such water bodies. Efforts exist to control these Silver Carp via commercial harvest within Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, but more …

Frank, Paul Walker

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Rural And Regional Arts Organizations, Elise Lael Kieffer

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

This chapter presents the arts operating in two specific regions. Where arts organizations are located informs the political climate in which they work, their methods, and their constituency. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) was founded by an act of congress in 1965 and is tasked with five key goals. These goals include increasing economic opportunities within the region, improving workforce readiness, developing and maintaining critical infrastructure, utilizing and leveraging natural and cultural assets within the region, and developing leadership and community capacity (ARC, 2019). This area is defined by persistent poverty and reduced economic opportunity. Local issues are, in fact, …

Osha, Ada, And Other Government Mandates, Elise Lael Kieffer

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

In chapter fourteen the exploration is focused on governmental mandates, laws, rules and regulations. In contrast, policies and procedures within the organization are also covered. The discussion then centers on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), how the administration works, how one must and can follow OSHA mandates, and how penalties can be assessed if OSHA rules are not followed. Finally, the chapter concludes with a lengthy discussion of the physical requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, who must comply, and how one can do so.

Effective Classroom Management On Overall Learning Outcomes, Emily Rust, Emily Rust

Integrated Studies

Education is a lifelong learning process and is constantly changing. Therefore, classroom management is a process as well. Due to the constant changes, educators must adapt to achieve successful academic outcomes. This research offers a better understanding of how classroom management impacts overall learning outcomes. Knowing what strategies prevent poor behavior and how to act on it when a situation arises is explored as well as how to keep student’s best interests in mind and meet students on their level through effective classroom management. When that happens, positive learning outcomes are achieved through the implementation of effective classroom management processes.

The Barriers Of Non-Traditional Students In Higher Education, Rachel Evitts, Rachel Evitts

Integrated Studies

Abstract

Non-traditional college students face many barriers in higher education. Non-traditional student enrollment is on the increase but a significant number of these students never make it to graduation day. Financial struggles, family obligations, juggling careers, self-confidence, and the covid-19 pandemic pose as the greatest barriers to success for these students. Research surrounding these problems and current solutions already in place have increased in recent decades but little has helped to improve graduation rates. Last dollar scholarships, increases in grants, and resources for low income students are being utilized at post-secondary institutions all over the United States but need to …

Racism In The Classroom: Why Is It Occurring? What Is Being Done?, Heather Mitchell, Heather Mitchell

Integrated Studies

Racism has been an issue that has been in the United States for many of years. Since the 1800’s history has taken place in forms of the Civil Rights Era, The Reconstruction Era, and milestones have been made with influential people such as Ruby Bridges, Rosa Parks, Septima Clark. From the fight for Civil Rights to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, The Brown vs Board of Education case and the denigration of race we have come such a long way. The research for this paper examines the cases and the people who are listed above as well as looking at the …

Mexican Drug Cartels And Their Effects On Society, Michael Alan Broadway

Integrated Studies

This paper addresses the rapidly growing threat of Mexican Drug Cartels that are operating globally. It covers the history of illicit goods and services and how drug cartels are the latest to take control of these practices. Nine different Mexican Drug Cartels are covered in depth as well as the three major drugs of distribution in today’s market. The many threats that Mexican Drug Cartels bring to the Mexican and U.S. population are covered and many horrific examples are given to add context to the extent of the threat proposed by cartels. The numerous illicit businesses cartels have diversified into, …

Americas Supply Chain: Unforcasted Commerce Challenges Or Leadership Failure, Jon Tobias

Integrated Studies

The current supply chain disruptions are affecting commerce in some manner which leads to scarcities of products and labor globally. The research will show that supply chain issues are directly related to commerce and leadership which plays an important role in our economy. Supply chain operations are defined, and the different levels of supply chain activities are explained. Possible points of failure within the system as well as probable causes leading to empty shelves and unavailable products is explained in detail. The research describes how massive labor shortages, high petroleum prices, and shortages of essential sub-components has led to this …

Safety In Combat Sports: Is Boxing Safer?, Aaron Baum

Integrated Studies

Combat sports are widely regarded as one of the most dangerous sports or activities an athlete can participate in. Leading the way in terms of popularity is the sport of boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). The resounding consensus among combat sports fans and athletes is that the sport of boxing is the safest option, but with the more recent discovery of Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and the brain damage that occurs because of repeated strikes to the head, it appears that boxing is the most dangerous combat sport. The reason for my research project is to see what sport …

The Evolution Of United States Military Firepower, Benjamin Lawrence

Integrated Studies

The United States has used many different weapons over the years for its military. What exactly caused them to make changes and advance artillery? This essay shows that war is the main reason for technology development. Where did the United States start when it came to weapons? Where are they now? What does the future of weapons look like for the military? This essay is beneficial to those who want to learn a little about what has been used since the United States was first established. I am en route to becoming an Officer in the Army. This paper is …

Developing Cultural Competency As A Counselor, John Arnold

Integrated Studies

For many people counseling is a terrifying experience. Just the thought of sharing your deepest fears or most private problems can be overwhelming. We can all agree that counseling is a necessary option for people in our society. What I have researched is the importance that we focus on the quality of this service. Unfortunately, many people have had bad experiences with counselors that prevent them from getting the help they need. Some of these bad experiences could have been potentially avoided if the counselors were more culturally competent. Cultural competency is essential for counselors who want to be effective …

Psychology And Social Media, Allyson Wrigley-Carter

Integrated Studies

Social media is extremely successful in today’s world. This can be explained using psychology. This paper outlines three perspectives of social media use and the various psychological concepts that explain them: the Poster, the Viewer, and the Connector. The Poster creates and uploads content to social media in hopes of the feedback given by those who see it. This can lead to addiction and provides social approval. Many Posters also engage in a false identity to some extent. The Viewer utilizes social media for many reasons, all of which fall under four categories: education, inspiration, entertainment, and socialization. They are …

Covid-19’S Impact On Healthcare, Austin Johnson

Integrated Studies

Abstract

Covid-19 is a highly infectious virus that has drastically impacted healthcare systems across the world. This virus had such a unique makeup that modern-day medicine did not have an answer for it and the impact it’d have on the population as it rapidly swept across the planet. Due to the severity of this virus, effects can be seen regarding supply shortages, healthcare staff shortages, and everyday PPE requirements. Even by looking past the humanitarian effects caused by Covid-19, the financial burden on the healthcare systems cannot be ignored. Although this pandemic is generally viewed as a negative part of …

When In Doubt, Go To The Library, Phyllis Albright

Integrated Studies

Abstract

This paper is about the history of the public library system from the establishment of the first free modern public library, and how the face of the public library system has changed dramatically over the years. What was once just a place to peruse book titles and pick up the latest new release, has turned into a safe, open space to hold meetings, workshops, arts and crafts activities, programs on many subjects, and even research your genealogy. It is a place where patrons can come to and find help with a wide variety of subjects.