Digital Commons Network^™

The Factors That Influence Clinicians To Choose Rural Settings To Deliver Health Services, Julia Mattingly

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Years before the COVID-19 pandemic brought on a health care shortage in the United States, its rural areas were already struggling to obtain and attract primary care medical practitioners. The federal government has designed many programs with the intent of exposing clinicians to life in rural areas, but few have been successful at keeping medical practitioners in the long-term. Clinicians who are recruited to rural areas via loan repayment programs or other short-lived incentives often leave after only a few years.

In order to learn more about this long-running health policy problem, we set out to study the factors that …

Pathways To Educational Attainment For Latinx Students, Elizabeth Guadarrama, Socorro Zaragoza, Abbey Poffenberger, Jose Juan Gomez-Becerra Jr

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The achievement gap for the educational attainment of underrepresented populations has been the subject of study for decades. According to the Kentucky School Report Card data for school year 2018-2019, the Latinx community has an achievement gap rate of 42.0% with differences of -19.1% compared to White (non-Hispanic) students. Therefore, it is essential to find pathways to close the educational attainment gap and achieve equity. In this poster, I will research best practices for improving diverse student performance and educational opportunities, including the recruitment and retention of diverse educators and staff. A research report by the Learning Policy Institute states …

How Community Satisfaction Can Determine The Success Of Tourism Development In A Community, Carter Unrau

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Many counties in Eastern Kentucky and central Appalachia in general have suffered intense economic hardship in the past decades due to the decline in coal and other mining industries which once supplied many jobs to the people of the region. A common remedy to this is increasing tourism development in these communities. While this tactic has seen positive effects in the region, there's been communities that have given a negative review of the increase in tourism development. With such an economic gain to be had, its imperative that the source of this issue should be rooted out and resolved to …

The Future Of Human Trafficking Legislation: A Policy Analysis, Zoe E. Hunt

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Current legislation and policies are not effective enough to fight human trafficking as it continues to change and evolve worldwide. Human trafficking is not just sex trafficking; labor trafficking, organ trafficking, people smuggling, and forced criminal activities. This evolving and changing global issue continues to grow into a highly profitable "business." Overseas, many countries struggle to handle this issue, and some countries do not handle it at all. The United States has a major human trafficking problem that will continue to worsen unless there is a change in the government. The U.S. Congress should be more focused on the growing …

Emotionally Unavailable: A Comparison On The Ability Of Children With Developmental Language Disorders To Interpret Emotions In Humans And Inanimate Objects, Savanna B. Gullett, Jade Robinson

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a neuro-developmental condition that emerges in early childhood and can persist into adulthood, manifesting as a variety of symptoms that can be significantly different in each individual. It has an estimated prevalence of 7.58% and is nearly 7 times more common in children than autism spectrum disorder (McGregor, 2020). As a population, individuals with DLD are at risk of facing significant issues in associating areas of language, including reading comprehension, problem-solving abilities, and social skills. Professionals have noticed emotional disconnect amongst individuals with DLD, leading to the proposition that those with DLD may have a …

Exploring The Challenges Of Biracial & Multiracial Latino/As In The U.S., Kaitlin Coyle, Abbey Poffenberger, José Juan Gómez-Becerra, Socorro Zaragoza

Posters-at-the-Capitol

This research project aims to inform about the challenges that biracial/multiracial Latino/as face growing up in the United States. The U.S. has historically maintained a monoracial view of race, in contrast to Latin America, which embraces “mestizaje,” or “race-mixing,” and the existence of races of multiracial individuals. These differing views of race have presented unique challenges for Latino/as who identify as more than one race in the U.S., including experiences of monoracism/racial essentialization, assimilation, microaggressions, discrimination, and the chameleon effect. Many also go through unique biracial/multiracial identity development and may experience an identity crisis. This research project provides a brief …

Minute Pirate Bug And Big-Eyed Bug Populations In Pyramided Bt Sweet Corn Bordered By Native Perennial And Pasture Border Rows, Hanna Waller, John D. Sedlacek, Karen L. Friley, Jenny Galvin, Anjana Duwal

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Sweet corn is an important vegetable crop grown in Kentucky. The major sweet corn ear pests are European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, and corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea. Ecological control measures have been introduced to manage these pests, reducing use of broad spectrum insecticides. Conservation biological control (CBC) is a component of these approaches. CBC manages pests in agroecosystems using habitat management to enhance populations of natural enemies that are already present in the system. Another important advancement is the cultivation of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sweet corn resistant to the Lepidopteran corn ear pests. This study used CBC of corn ear …

Women’S Representation In State Legislatures And Women-Friendly Policy Outcomes, Hoan La

Commonwealth Review of Political Science

This paper adds to the literature on the relationship between women's representation and policy outcomes. The literature argues that female legislators are more likely than male colleagues to support policies that benefit women, children, and families. Therefore, increasing women's representation in legislative bodies will likely result in more policy outcomes that reflect women's interests. This paper employs data from 50 U.S. state legislatures in three years: 2010, 2015, and 2020 to examine the relationship between female legislators and women-friendly policies. The analysis indicates that female legislators play an important role in introducing, discussing, and debating women-friendly bills but have yet …

Disaggregating Foreign Aid: What Have We Learned From Research On Sub-National Foreign Aid?, Josiah F. Marineau

Commonwealth Review of Political Science

Over the past several years, a new wave of research has mapped the location of foreign aid projects within countries to understand the causes and effects of sub-national aid allocation. This effort, affiliated with the AidData research program (albeit not exclusively), is ongoing, and new datasets on foreign aid donors and for particular countries are being released. After several years of continuing research into the correlates and effects of sub-national foreign aid on aid-recipient countries, it is worthwhile to pause and consider what this research program has uncovered and suggest directions where it might go.

The Mobilizing Effect Of Descriptive Representation? The Impact Of Representatives’ Race And Gender On Participation, Akayla Henson, Brittany Wood

Commonwealth Review of Political Science

Studies on the effect of increased descriptive representation on political participation have yielded mixed results. This research explores the relationship between descriptive representation and political participation. Specifically, we are interested in understanding how the race and gender of political representatives affect electorate participation. We conduct a unique survey experiment where participants receive communication from a political representative. The treatment conditions varied based on representative race (black, white) and gender (man, woman). We hypothesized that participants who receive correspondence from a representative of the same gender and race as themselves (i.e., in-group) would be more likely to participate than a participant …

Democracy For Some: Greek-American Institutions And The Greek Junta, 1967-1974, Olga Koulisis

Commonwealth Review of Political Science

In 1967 a military junta took over Greece, silencing the democratic process in Democracy’s birthplace with the tacit approval of Democracy’s heir apparent, the United States of America. The tolerance, if not support, of Greek-American institutions to the establishment of the Greek Junta and the U.S. government’s support for that regime offers a case study of why democratic publics accept, if not bolster, their own government’s support for anti-democratic regimes. This case offers an intriguing juxtaposition because of the historical claims that U.S., Greek, and Greek diaspora identities make on democratic practice and commitment. This study examines how junta-tolerant Greek …

Crime, Documentation Status, And Content Analysis: Evidence From American Surveys Evaluating The Public’S Perception Of Deportations, Madelyn Einhorn

Commonwealth Review of Political Science

How does the public evaluate US deportations? This paper conducts two original, experimental surveys in the United States, asking the public about their perceptions of immigrant deportations from the US. The first section of this paper utilizes an experimental design to determine how documentation status and criminality impact the public’s views of deportations. The second section of this paper asks an open-ended question about perceptions of deportations and uses automatic content analysis to determine the emotional sentiment of respondents’ answers. This paper determines that Americans view deportations as an appropriate punitive measure for undocumented immigrants and immigrants who have committed …

Climate Resources For Camping: A Resource-Based Theory Perspective, Christopher Craig, Siyao Ma, Song Feng

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Camping is a salient economic contributor to nature-based tourism that is also beholden to the natural environment. Climate resources are the combination of naturally occurring meteorological variables of empirically observable importance to firm performance. Tourism climatologist are at the forefront of climate resource research, where investigations have been primarily empirically derived rather than guided by theory. Accordingly, we introduce climate resources to the management discipline’s resource-based theory, operationalizing climate resources as public goods in addition to other public goods like open access innovation. We investigate the value, rareness, and inimitability of climate resources at 36 managed United States National Park …

Collegiate Athletics Impact On Academic Performance, Chris Hill

Integrated Studies

The complex world of collegiate athletics in American universities presents a unique intersection of sports and academics, each influencing student-athlete trajectory. This research project explores the numerous factors impacting these individuals' academic performance and overall educational experience. Drawing on sources ranging from studies on institutional policies (Brecht & Burnett, 2019) to personal motivations (Firth-Clark et al., 2019), the investigation paints a comprehensive picture of the challenges and opportunities faced by student-athletes. Key findings highlight the powerful influence of external entities like the NCAA and the inherent pressures of media attention (Torres-Ronda et al., 2022). Similarly, internal dynamics such as peer …

National Health Insurance For The United States, Ashley Herrell

Integrated Studies

Approximately 46 million U.S. citizens lack health insurance despite the nation's abundant resources. The imperative for universal healthcare arises, with a proposed solution being mandatory national health insurance. This paradigm shift, championed by the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate, and citizens, aims to eradicate the issue of people foregoing healthcare due to lack of insurance, promising to enhance collective well-being. The U.S. stands out among high-income countries without comprehensive universal healthcare, leading to disproportionately high out-of-pocket expenses and inferior health outcomes. Social determinants like income, race, and rural residence exacerbate the challenge by limiting healthcare access for vulnerable groups. Embracing …

Autism Resources In Rural America, Amanda Long

Integrated Studies

The topic of this final project centers around the lack of services that are available to autistic children and adults in rural America and the steps that should be taken the ensure services are available as the growing population of children grow older and need full-time care. Our modern society as well as the current healthcare system are not prepared for the growing need of an ageing disabled population. Will these disabled children and young adults flood the current long-term care facilities that are already established? Will the already stretched thin Medicare and Medicaid system cover the costs associated with …

Social Media And It's Influence In Today's World, Cinque Hampton

Integrated Studies

Let’s be honest, the pervasive influence of social media is irrefutable. This paper is going to dive into the involvement and impact that social media platforms have on modern society. From your everyday casual platforms like Facebook to videos games children play like Roblox. There are 100 plus social media sites that people have access to. This paper will analyze how social media has shaped trends, beliefs, cultural expression, and even identify formation. Social media has also made an impact on mental health, the way people view themselves and their thought process. This paper will also look at the addiction …

Youth In A Mental Health Crisis, William Simmons

Integrated Studies

Recent research has shown that many of today’s youth are experiencing a mental health crisis that they are not prepared to handle on their own. A large portion of youth have a mental, emotional, or behavioral issue and may not even realize it or are not able to seek help. This problem is further exacerbated by continual budget cuts made to school spending and a justice system that prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation. This research paper will give a brief history of the juvenile justice system and what advances have been the most influential. It will also examine the flaws of …

Navigating An Infodemic: Methods For Teaching Critical Reading In The Health Sciences, Candace K. Vance

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

In difficult times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more important that students recognize and question their assumptions regarding how knowledge is recognized as legitimate in their disciplines. “When there is no time for proper peer review, each of us must be our own reviewer.” How can we teach students to recognize flawed methods and data, even when the research may be presented in the top journals as the current best evidence? How do we teach future clinicians to look past the name of the journal or the reputation of the author and learn to discern quality evidence? This …

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder And The Reduction Of Symptoms: A Review, Joshua Williams

Integrated Studies

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a life altering and often debilitating disorder that can have a profound effect on someone’s life. While there is currently no cure, research into different treatments for PTSD is ongoing. Conditions co-morbid with PTSD can cause difficulty in research. Several illegal drugs like psilocybin, cannabis, lysergic acid diethylamide, and mescaline have shown promise, but need further research as treatments for PTSD symptoms.

Keywords: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), symptoms, reduction

Examining Early Childhood Education's Influence On Future Success, Elisabeth Meacham

Integrated Studies

There are many factors that influence the long-term outcomes of a child. This paper researches the influence that early childhood education has on children from birth to compulsory school age and the child’s future success as a student and member of society. Notable long-term research studies that are examined in this paper are The Perry Preschool Study, Chicago Longitudinal Study, The Abecedarian Projects, and Tennessee Voluntary Pre-K Study. The majority of research indicates that children that receive quality early childhood services are more prepared for school, have better grades, go further in their educational careers, are less likely to do …

How To Effectively Construct A Preschool Classroom To Provide A Quality Learning Environment, Olivia Groom

Integrated Studies

The design of a preschool classroom is crucial to the success of each student and can have many different roles depending on who you are talking to. For a teacher, a preschool classroom is somewhere they spend an abundance of time and energy with the goal that their students will be successful. For a student, the preschool classroom can be a place where they are discovering themselves for the very first time. In addition, they might see their classroom as a haven, away from all their worries and difficulties. In order to incorporate all these needs, the design of a …

Artificial Intelligence: Challenges For Future Growth, Jeffrey Forguson, Jeffrey Forguson

Integrated Studies

This paper discusses the challenges facing artificial intelligence (AI) as it relates to replicating the human brain and how these challenges are perceived by the human employee. Through my research I found approximately 19 challenges facing the growth and future development of A.I. in the workplace. A.I. is in 93% of all global industries and the remaining 7% are seriously looking into it. I reviewed academic sources to determine the challenges facing the advancement of A.I. in the workplace. A.I. extends all the way back to the 18^th century Industrial Revolution. Since that time, human employees have feared becoming …

Communication Through Coaching College Basketball, Brice Margenthaler

Integrated Studies

The purpose of this paper is to explain the communication process through coaching basketball at the college level. Coaches communicate in many different ways and have different styles of coaching that help build their programs. Watching basketball from a fan's point of view is different from the coach’s point of view. Coaches communicate on a daily basis, and communication is an important aspect in successfully coaching basketball at the college level. Throughout this paper communication tactics and how coaches communicate with players will be presented and explained. Communication is an important aspect in successfully coaching basketball at the college level. …

An Analysis Of Prominent Historical Figures Throughout History The Character Traits That Defined Them, Jake Mayo

Integrated Studies

Studying Social Sciences and historical figures is a great avenue for understanding ourselves and the greater world surrounding us. Understanding social sciences is important as it allows us to use different systems to better understand ourselves as people and our place in the world. Understanding historical events and historical figures allows us to better understand those who came before us and what made them who they are. We can use both social sciences and understanding historical figures to better understand the present, appreciate diversity, develop empathy and understanding, inspire change, learn from our mistakes, better understand our culture, and enhance …

Police Brutality In The United States, Jacob Bell, Jacob D. Bell

Integrated Studies

Police brutality is exemplified by using excessive or unjustifiable force by law enfoand federal governments have been against brutality for a long time and have taken action against it. This study examined the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers. The relationship between historical events and present-day societal issues is undeniable. To shed light on the tense dynamic between black males and law enforcement officials in the United States, it's important to examine how the black population has been treated in the past. Throughout history, people of African descent have often been viewed as hostile and aggressive, which has …

In-Schools Suspension (Iss) And Out Of School Suspension (Oss): The Effects And Inequities On Special Education Students, Jennifer Connell

Integrated Studies

Abstract

The effects of ISS (In school suspension) and OSS (out-of-school suspension) on special education students is a long-debated issue. Using a high school in a rural, suburban area as a foundation, the history of special education in schools, the disproportionate handing out of punishment between general education and special education students, the effects of segregation versus having special education students in general education classes, as well as how to better support special education students in the educational setting will be explored.

In this disquisition, the history of special education in schools and the effects of suspensions on special education …

When War Follows You Home: The Final Battle Of Reintegration Among Veterans, Jenny Mercer

Integrated Studies

The purpose of this paper is to educate the reader about some of the most common reintegration struggles veterans face upon returning to the civilian world. The topics heavily focused on include mental health, physical health, coping mechanisms, interpersonal relationships, career and financial struggles, and community involvement. In addition to focusing on reintegration issues veterans face, there is also a relationship discussed between the culture and lifestyle of currently serving military members and how this often has a direct influence over some of the struggles veteran’s face in the future. Spreading awareness of some of the issues veterans face is …

Past And Present: Important Women In Leadership Roles, Robyn Stevenson

Integrated Studies

Women as leaders is not a new concept. History shows us how many women accomplished wonderful things; current day news shows us how many women are still accomplishing wonderful things. With the past and the present, we should expect our future to be even more dominated by women. This paper takes a look at the women that have showed up for the world in many different ways, and gives a brief look into their lives. Some of the women are very well known, some have stayed under the radar and not as recognized. But the one thing that they all …

The Persuasive Nature Of Mythology And Folklore Through Human Behavior, Entertainment, And Popular Culture, Jaylan Valentine

Integrated Studies

The purpose of the collected research explained throughout this paper is to provide information on how humanity has been shaped through history. Through the recognition of mythology and folklore as the most influential aspects in the overall evolution of mankind. The creation and use of mythology and folklore are directly intertwined with the history that humanity teaches itself through years of schooling, recorded research, and oral communication. The sharing of mythology and folklore has changed throughout history as humanity continued to grow, starting from oral storytelling and arriving at present-day cinematic displays. Some of these cinematic representations are commonly known …