Digital Commons Network^™

Using Improvement Science To Address Early Elementary Teacher Efficacy And Competency When Addressing Trauma-Induced Behavior, Laura Hayes

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

As more research sheds light on the effects of trauma on school-age children, educators must learn to apply the research and make adaptations in the classroom and school settings. While the body of literature has grown, limitations still exist in research focused on specific strategies and applications for classroom teachers. Many teachers feel ill-equipped and exhibit low self-efficacy when working with students affected by trauma. As a result, many students receive disciplinary action rather than constructive practices that promote healing. Some teachers feel that more targeted and specific training and resources would improve efficacy, confidence, and effectiveness. In this study, …

Social Media & Mental Health: An Examination Of Tiktok & Mental Health Outcomes, Jessica Maddox

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The goal of this research study was to examine the relationship between amount of Tiktok use and the results of various mental health scales. The hypothesis was that increased Tiktok use would be correlated with a decrease in self-esteem, and an increase in depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and overall loneliness. Participants were recruited on Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and paid a small monetary benefit in exchange for completion of the study. There were a total of 285 participants. Correlations and linear regression analysis were used to determine statistical significance; results showed no statistical significance and none of the hypotheses were …

Internationalization Of Higher Education: Leadership Roles And Challenges Senior International Officers Face In Their Efforts To Internationalize Regional Comprehensive Universities In The United States, Ibrahima Yaro

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study investigated the leadership roles and challenges senior international officers (SIOs) face in the internationalization of regional comprehensive universities in the United States. The study also explored senior international officers’ understanding of internationalization in the context of regional comprehensive universities, and the strategies they utilize to address the challenges they face. A qualitative approach, specifically an interpretive phenomenological analysis, was employed to conduct this research. Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with SIOs from five U.S. regions: West, Midwest, South, Southeast, and Northwest. Findings show that senior international officers at regional comprehensive universities perceive internationalization as a tool to train …

Landscape/Atmosphere Interactions And Carbon-Dioxide Dynamics In The Great Onyx Groundwater Basin, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, Meghan Raines

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

An increase in atmospheric CO2 since the Industrial Revolution has altered rates of global climate change and has motivated a need to better quantify the flux of carbon between Earth’s reservoirs. Attempts to quantify the exchange of atmospheric carbon between sources and sinks have led to an increasing interest in the terrestrial landscape, including the continental carbon sink associated with carbonate-mineral dissolution. This research sought to better inform an understanding of karst landscapes and their relationship with global climate change through carbon cycling. The study utilized high-resolution data collection of pH, temperature, and specific conductance of waters in the Cascade …

Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Method Development For The Determination Of Β–Defensins In Bovine Milk, Elisha Ogbebor

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Bovine mastitis is caused by a wide range of pathogens which results in a substantial economic loss for the dairy cattle livestock industry. β-defensins are a part of the innate immune system and act as the first line of defense against mastitis in bovine. β-defensins (~6- 10kDa) are antimicrobial peptides that contain about 28 to 67 amino acids, the presence of six cysteine residues results in their three disulfide bonds and a β-sheet structure. A few β- defensins have been identified in cows based on the site of occurrence and time of expression in tissue, but not in milk. A …

The Socialization Of Social Media: Examining The Impact Of Social Media Use On Interpersonal Skills During Face-To-Face Interaction, Tenille Thomas

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Research has well established that the use of social networking sites (SNS) has increased accessibility and connectivity to people with limitless boundaries. SNS have progressively become the preferred source of communication. However, often overlooked is the impact SNS use has on face-to-face interactions, specifically on interpersonal skills. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between SNS use and face-to-face interaction. Specifically, this study examines the participant’s ability to recognize and interpret nonverbal cues with increased SNS use. This was a correlational study utilizing a quantitative design of self-reported questionnaires. A total of 178 participants, ranging in age …

Adaptable Object And Animation System For Game Development, Isaiah Turner

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In contemporary times, video games have swiftly evolved into a prominent medium, excelling in both entertainment and narrative delivery, positioning themselves as significant rivals to traditional forms such as film and theater. The burgeoning popularity of gaming has led to a surge in aspiring game developers seeking to craft their own creations, driven by both commercial aspirations and personal passion. However, a common challenge faced by these individuals involves the considerable time investment required to acquire essential skills and establish a foundational framework for their projects. Accessible game development engines that offer a diverse range of fundamental features play a …

The Role Of Leaders In Implementing Effective Leadership Strategies Towards The Educational Barriers Of Us-Based Refugee Students: A Qualitative Case Study Of Congolese Refugee Students, Faustin Busane

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This qualitative research study explored the experiences of three families of refugee school students, two school officials (a Superintendent and a Principal), three teachers, and one humanitarian agent all living in a Southeastern U.S. city. The results of the study revealed that the language barrier is the main academic challenge that refugee students encounter when they enroll in U.S. schools. The study also found that educators conceptualize their responsibilities toward refugee children by emphasizing the importance of high-quality teaching, and establishing through establishing strong relationships between parents, school officials, and exercising patience in the process. This study poses important implications …

Exploring College Student Experiences In A Kinesiology Course Using A Gamified Grading System, Rachel E. Williams, Jedediah E. Blanton, Christopher D. Kilgore, Matthew Jones

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

Past findings indicate mixed results on the effectiveness of gamification in college courses. The use of a gamified version of specifications-based grading (e.g., gamified grading) is not yet well understood. The purpose of this two-part study was to understand students’ perceptions of intrinsic motivation and engagement in a kinesiology course using gamified grading, facilitated by a gamified grading platform called GradeCraft©. We used qualitative inquiry to capture a robust description of the student experience across a semester, identifying themes describing the course management (e.g., comparison with traditional course, individual approach), and the psychological experience (e.g., autonomy, stress). The following semester, …

Horse Cave Heritage Festival, 2013 (Fa 1400), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 1400. Audio, photographs, and narrative stage logs documenting the Horse Cave Heritage Festival, an annual September event in Horse Cave, Kentucky celebrating local heritage with craft artisans, antique vehicles, children’s activities, food, music, and other attractions. Includes interviews and a narrative stage hosted by the Kentucky Folklife Program.

Horse Cave Heritage Festival, 2015 (Fa 1401), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 1401. Audio, photographs, and narrative stage logs documenting the Horse Cave Heritage Festival, an annual September event in Horse Cave, Kentucky celebrating local heritage with craft artisans, antique vehicles, children’s activities, food, music, and other attractions. Includes interviews and a narrative stage hosted by the Kentucky Folklife Program.

Twelve Wallace Myths, Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Alfred Russel Wallace’s (1823-1913) bicentennial year is a good time to take stock. In this presentation I discuss twelve Wallace-related issues that I feel have been poorly taken up. These range from the biological to the biographical, including subjects such as social criticism, human evolution, autobiographical memory, natural selection, national affinities, spiritualism, and wokeism.

Body Mass Index Misclassify Obesity In Firefighters, Samuel R. Vilmeau, Peter Beitia, Andreas Stamatis, Zacharias Papadakis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Among firefighters the issue of obesity has gained significant attention due to its correlation with adverse health consequences. The National Fire Protection Association 1582 has endorsed the utilization of the body mass index (BMI) to assess obesity. However, long-standing concerns have emerged regarding BMI's reliability in accurately representing body composition (BC), especially in distinguishing between lean and fat mass. Firefighters' work is physically demanding, which often leads to increased muscle mass, BMI use may misclassify them as obese. This can result in false positives where firefighters are categorized as obese based on BMI even when their BC aligns with non-obese …

Physical Activity Assessment Of People With Type Ii Diabetes In The Dominican Republic, Camille H. Palarpalar, Kristen Green, Mónica Ortiz Rossi, Alex Rothstein, Lillian B. Niwagaba, Amerigo Rossi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The prevalence of type II diabetes has increased nearly 25% in the past 10 years, leading to significantly higher risk of morbidity and premature mortality. Although it is well-known that physical activity (PA) improves diabetes outcomes, little is known about PA among Dominicans. PURPOSE: To evaluate PA participation and perceptions among people with type II diabetes in the Dominican Republic (DR). METHODS: Participants (N=29) were recruited from an urban diabetes clinic in Nagua, DR. Age, height, and weight were self-reported. Actigraph wGT3X-BT triaxial accelerometers were fitted for wear on the non-dominant wrist, and participants were instructed not to change their …

Teaching Current And Future Professionals Techniques For Lay Communication: Validation Study Of Published Training Material, Jafra Thomas, Jasmine C. Wong, Solana R. Martin, Yi Sheng Wu

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Thomas et al. (2023), developed two mock physical activity promotion (PAP) material, which university students (and others) could practice critiquing and revising using the suitability assessment of materials (SAM) protocol. Their objective, however, was to produce mock material at two reading grade levels (11th & 8th RGL), meaning they did not compute suitability scores for other sub/main areas (eg, font size, literacy demand, respectively). PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to (1) establish trustworthy baseline data in other SAM sub/main areas for students to compare their own scores to (2) compare mock material SAM scores to one …

Effects Of High Heeled Gait On Knee Joint Mechanics, James Baldonado, Errin Abosolo, Harry Montoya, Zander Sadorra, Christie R. O'Hara

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Numerous women wear high heeled shoes, whether it be a professional attire, part of an outfit for a ballroom gala, or just casual day to day wear. Often, the high heel of choice in these situations is the stiletto. These shoes adversely affect natural gait and have the potential to alter joint mechanics in the knee during gait. PURPOSE: This study is designed to analyze the impacts of wearing high heels, and if it puts the user at a higher risk of a degenerative condition with repeated use. We hypothesized that all of our dependent variables would see a …

Abdominal Adiposity Indexed By The Sagittal Abdominal Diameter And Risk Of Mortality In 14,119 U.S. Adults, Joshua A. Brockbank, Larry A. Tucker

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The body mass index (BMI) is frequently used as a general measure of overweight and obesity. It is a good predictor of disease and premature death. However, research shows that indices of abdominal adiposity tend to be better predictors of disease risk and mortality than BMI. To date, the sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), an index of abdominal adiposity, has never been evaluated as a predictor of mortality. PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to determine the extent that adults with different levels of SAD vary in their risk of all-cause mortality over an average follow-up of 6 years. METHODS: A …

Trends In Weightlifting Injuries In Pediatric And Adult Populations: 2013 – 2022, Tolulope Popoola, Daniel Novak

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Weightlifting can serve as a valuable exercise method for managing obesity and preparing young individuals for sports, provided it is carried out under the guidance of qualified experts and with proper safety measures in mind. Nevertheless, the persistent worry about the potential for injuries remains a significant factor behind the hesitancy of medical professionals in endorsing weightlifting for pediatric populations. PURPOSE: To determine whether there are differences in rates and types of injury associated to weightlifting across different age groups. METHODS: Information regarding weight training injuries was collected from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the US …

Return-To-Play Clinical Milestones: Fail-Rate For Those Claiming To Be Fully Symptom Free, Addie Jane Heithecker, Madison Fenner, Kristen G. Quigley, Monique Passalacqua, Philip Pavilionis, Nora Constantino Facsm, Nicholas G. Murray

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Sport-related concussion remains a concerning public health issue. A multifaceted test battery is recommended for clinical judgments, including return-to-play (RTP). Initiation of RTP testing is based on the athletes' honesty with their current symptoms and is confirmed by the multifaceted test battery. PURPOSE: Examine the rates of test failure in NCAA Division I athletes when they present as being symptom free for 24 hours. METHODS: 36 Division I athletes (18 male, 18 female; avg. age=20.1 years) were evaluated at pre-season baselines (BL), within 48 hours of a diagnosed concussion (CON), and when they reported being symptom free (SF) …

Advancing Accessibility Research In Kinesiology: A Mixed-Methods Case Study Of One Survey Website, Yi Sheng Wu, Jafra D. Thomas, Jasmine C. Wong

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

While some studies in kinesiology have investigated the accessibility of educational material and electronic applications used to promote physical activity (eg, ease to perceive/navigate content resources), few studies report on the accessibility of survey tools before their use in research. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure the accessibility of one survey website to a study directly investigating comprehension of mock physical activity promotion material created by Thomas et al. (2023). METHODS: The website was for study participants to complete an online version of a cloze form (for a visual, see Nielsen, 2011; eg, see Cardinal …

Engagement And A Sense Of Belonging In Kinesiology Undergraduate Students, Gema Arreguin, Evelyn Castellon, Sarah Dunn

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

A student's sense of belonging may promote success and retention during their undergraduate experience and could be influenced by co-curricular engagement (participation in community events organized by the home department). Even more important, an institution with a satellite “branch” campus offering less co-curricular events may see less sense of belonging in those particular students. PURPOSE: To assess undergraduate student sense of belonging based on co-curricular engagement and college campus and to investigate the findings in Kinesiology (KINE) students. METHODS: Public university students (18+ years) in California were recruited for an IRB approved Qualtrics survey in Spring 2023. Participants were asked …

Applied Learning Experiences, Belonging & Preparedness For Career In Undergraduate Kinesiology Students, Alejandro Campos, Juliana Perez Durazo, Sarah L. Dunn Ph.D

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Applied “hands-on'' student learning experiences may help prepare them for future career success. Gaining knowledge on professional tasks, proficiency in job skills, or understanding workplace satisfaction are all factors to be explored prior to embarking on a career in the field/industry. In addition, a student's sense of belonging to their home “major” department when completing their bachelor's degree may be related to positive outcomes and the job market. Whether hands-on learning experiences are related to workforce/graduate school preparedness or a student's sense of belonging are yet to be determined (in all majors or specific to Kinesiology, KINE). PURPOSE: To assess …

Undergraduate Kinesiology Student Involvement In The Department And Sense Of Belonging By Employment Status, Ruby Delgado, Maria Sanchez-Perez, Sarah Dunn

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Many undergraduate college students find the need to work either on or off campus in order to pay for their tuition and expenses. It is unknown whether or not employment impacts a students ability to be involved in the department or feel like they belong and not typically reported for Kinesiology programs. PURPOSE: To assess the impact employment had on college students in relation to their sense of belonging and involvement with their home department and to investigate belonging and involvement in Kinesiology students. METHODS: Undergraduate college/university students (18+ years) at a public institution in Southern California were …

Cultural Normalization Of Risk?: Exploring Brain Injury In The National Football League Using Sociocultural Analysis, Ali V. Willing, Jafra D. Thomas

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The NFL's history includes the organization's fight against numerous lawsuits alleging excessive risk of brain injury to current and former players. A billion-dollar legal settlement by the NFL in 2022 illustrates the issue's gravity. PURPOSE: We aimed to understand why, culturally, the NFL has 'failed' to avert serious harm alleged by the lawsuits, given the lawsuits' magnitude and the known brain-injury risks of playing tackle football. METHODS: The NFL's rhetoric towards safety concerns and recommendations for injury prevention were examined vis-a-vis qualitative analysis of its organizational and media practices. This study was through one undergraduate end-of-term project focused …

Page, Tate Cromwell "Piney," 1908-1984 (Fa 1397), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 1397. Papers of Page, former Dean of the College of Education at Western Kentucky University, primarily concerning his work documenting the people, places, history and folklore of the Ozarks region in Arkansas where he was raised. Also includes his photographs of historic structures, made mostly in western Kentucky.

The Effect Of Topical Cannabidiol On The Progression Rate Of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Anastasia Alpy, George Yusuff, Michele Aquino, John Petrizzo, Robert M. Otto, John Wygand, Troy Simpson

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(3): 1426-1439, 2023. This study investigated the efficacy of topical cannabidiol (CBD) ointment in reducing localized inflammation, minimizing performance detriments, and attenuating soreness associated with delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). In a double blind randomized control trial, upper-arm circumferences, maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) for elbow flexion at 90° and 30° for college-aged participants (n = 21, age 20.8 ± 1.9 years) were assessed at baseline. Participants then performed a DOMS-inducing protocol for the biceps brachii. Topical CBD ointment and placebo (P) ointment were randomly assigned and applied 30 minutes, 24, 48 and 72 …

The Effects Of Pre-Exercise Ice-Slurry Ingestion On Thermoregulation And Exercise Performance Of Highly Trained Athletes: A Scoping Review, Gopathi Pranita Ms., Keren Susan Cherian [email protected], Kommi Kalpana Dr

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(2): 1398-1412, 2023. Ice-slurry prepared from plain ice, crushed ice, or sports drink has been used as a cooling strategy before exercise to regulate body temperature and improve exercise performance. However, consensus regarding the benefit is unclear. Therefore, the present review aimed to study the effects of pre-exercise ice-slurry ingestion on thermoregulation and exercise performance of highly trained athletes. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist was used. The data extraction was done using the search engine Google Scholar, and digital repositories such as Cochrane, Scopus, Medline, …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald: Your Vote Matters, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Magazine edition of the College Heights Herald for the period October 4 - November 6, 2023.

• Anderson, Alexandria. Letter from the Editor – Elections
• Reed, Bailey. Every Vote in This County is Important – Daniel Cameron, Andy Beshear
• Phelps, Maggie. The Importance of Voter Registration
• Daniel Cameron on the Issues
• Andy Beshear on the Issues
• Di Palermo, Dominic. The Bowling Green Rock Band Academy – Musicians
• Costellow, Ali. Students & Campus Organizations Prepare for November Election
• Wilborn, Price. Wokeness Is Not a Bad Thing, and People Need to Stop Saying It Is
• Edmonds, Luke. A Kentuckian’s Guide to Legal Sports …

Heat Strain In Road Construction Workers During The Summer, An Observational Study, Serena Garcia

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Road construction workers perform physically demanding, typically including building frames, laying concrete and asphalt, and operating heavy machinery. These activities result in high metabolic demands, leading to significant internal heat production. When combined with environmental heat stress during warmer periods of the year, road construction workers may experience substantial heat strain, making them susceptible to heat-related illnesses and ultimately heat-related deaths. In fact, construction workers are 13 times more likely to die from heat related illness compared to other occupations. Despite these statistics, no studies have assessed heat strain in road construction workers during the summer. PURPOSE: To quantify …

Effects Of Biodensity Training On Bone Adaptations In Young Women: A Pilot Study, Carolina M. Garcia, Auguste Torres, Braulio Cazarez, Rosalinda Escobar-Prado, Maurice Cruz, Zhaojing Chen

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are a major public health issue in the United States, and current research suggests that moderate to high intensity resistance training is the most effective type of exercise for maintaining bone mineral density (BMD). Sclerostin is a protein secreted by osteocytes which potently inhibits bone formation by binding to the LRP4 in Wnt/β-catenin signaling. BioDensity is a novel resistance training machine that consists of four exercises performed for five seconds each, which applies mechanical loading to the bone and provides a quicker alternative to traditional resistance training. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of 12 weeks of …