Digital Commons Network^™

Examining Institutional Effectiveness Planning As A Tool To Advance Student Success Outcomes For Underrepresented Males, Jazmine Kelley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Higher education should operate as a tool by which democratic equality is enhanced for the betterment of society and its occupants; however, there are systemic inequities as it pertains to educational attainment for different groups when considering race, ethnicity, and sex (Anthony et al., 2021a). More often than not, male collegiates that hold racial and ethnic identities outside of the cultural majority have less than satisfactory student success outcomes when compared to their female as well as White counterparts. As scholars have noted, the burden of improvement and advancement of these outcomes should be placed on the institutions rather than …

Bigger Than Bees: Victorian England’S Relationship To The Bee – Considering Symbolism And Understanding, Grace Jacqueline Kaim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The complex and beautiful relationship the people in Victorian England had to the bee is one that goes beyond ideas of politics and religion. This thesis will explore this relationship by utilizing print, ephemera, jewelry, and household items, to demonstrate how the representation and symbolism of the bee was recognized and cherished by Victorians. While bees did certainly have an intimate relationship to the areas of politics and religion, one that is acknowledged throughout this work, their connection to grander themes of introspection, industrialism, folklore, morality, and status helps us understand the Victorians on a deeper level.

Examining The Impact Of Mississippi's Early Learning Collaboratives In Supporting Children From Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds With Autism, Lisa Suzanne Ryals

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mississippi established the Early Learning Collaborative Act, MS Code § 37-21-51 (2023), in 2013 to expand pre-k opportunities statewide. This study examined the processes within Mississippi’s Early Learning Collaboratives that support school readiness for children from low socioeconomic backgrounds with autism. Improving access, participation, and supports for children from low socioeconomic backgrounds with autism by increasing the components of high-quality inclusive settings allows children to gain the necessary readiness skills for kindergarten. A policy analysis of the Mississippi Early Learning Act (2023) established the first phase of the research, followed by focus groups from the Mississippi Department of Education Office …

A Qualitative Examination Of The Interplay Of Attachment Styles, The Supervisory Relationship & Counseling Self-Efficacy, Kamiron Ball Tran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological qualitative study explores the intricate dynamics between attachment styles, the supervisory relationship, and counseling self-efficacy among supervisory dyads in counseling. The findings reveal five themes: supervision is relational, supervision is a therapeutic space, security within supervision bolsters self-efficacy, supervision is a mirror for clinical practice, and the nuanced "both/and" nature of attachment and self-efficacy dynamics. This study addresses a gap in the literature by offering qualitative insights into the interplay of attachment styles, supervisory relationship, and counselor self-efficacy, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of the complexities within supervisory practices in counseling.

The Microbial Communities Of Freshwater Invertebrates And Their Influence On Biogeochemical Cycling, Stephanie Nicole Vaughn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nutrient cycling in freshwater systems is primarily performed by microorganisms, however the interactions between microorganisms and other aquatic organisms such as macroinvertebrates is poorly understood. Interactions between macroinvertebrates and their associated microbial community, their microbiome, are important to understanding ecosystem functioning and guiding conservation efforts for imperiled macroinvertebrate species. In this study, I characterized the microbiomes of various freshwater macroinvertebrates and investigated the influence of sample storage methods and environmental parameters on these microbial communities. I first evaluated the impact of different sample preservation methods on the gut microbiome of two crayfish species, Procambarus vioscai paynei collected in the field …

The Value Of Empathy For Teachers In Nontraditional Classrooms, Mindy Clair Waldrop

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Little is known about the experience of teachers in nontraditional classrooms, particularly those in Juvenile Detention Centers (JDCs). Using the tenets of hermeneutic phenomenology this study interpreted the lived experience of teachers in nontraditional classrooms. Hermeneutic principles involve using texts, including interview transcripts, to develop understanding and interpret meaning. Following interviews with teachers currently practicing in the JDC nontraditional classroom setting, the researcher engaged in the hermeneutic circle of understanding, which requires an ongoing commitment to the attitude of hermeneutic phenomenology and reflection (Alsaigh & Coyne, 2021). Four themes emerged as significant to the experience of teachers and their use …

Impact Of Solar Radiation On Perchlorate Formation In The Atmosphere: Evidence From Ice Core Measurements, Bishnu Kunwar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Perchlorate, which derives from both anthropogenic and natural sources in the current environment, poses a substantial health hazard to humans as it competes with iodine uptake in the thyroid gland. Consequently, there has been considerable concern about minimizing human exposure to environmental perchlorate by restricting its release from man-made sources. However, the absence of a clear understanding regarding the respective contributions of man-made and natural sources has hindered widespread regulation efforts. A 300-year (1700–2007) Summit, Greenland ice core record from a previous study showed relatively stable perchlorate concentrations in Greenland snow prior to 1980, with some elevated perchlorate levels associated …

Primary Cilia And Intraflagellar Transport Are Essential Regulators Of Lymphangiogenesis And Modulate Cellular Trafficking Of Ve-Cadherin, Delayna Paulson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Physicochemical And Functional Properties Of Different Varieties Of Spring And Winter Peas Of South Dakota, Prakriti Dhakal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Peas are a good source of nutrients for both humans and animals, and they are the world's second most significant and sustainable legume. There have been studies on different kinds of pea grown in other parts of the world, but there is no information on the compositional and functional characteristics of pea varieties grown specifically in South Dakota. The objective of the study was to evaluate the proximate composition and functional properties of various pea varieties and determine if the pea variety impacted cookie properties. The proximate composition (moisture, protein, starch, and amylose), functional capacities (water holding, oil holding capacity, …

Mechanical Testing Of Novel Biopolymers For The Replacement Of Petroleum-Based Plastic Hay Bale Net Wrapping, Logan Wolf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to test biopolymers synthesized from oilseeds or produced from agricultural wastes for large bale net wrapping as a viable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics (PBP). The goal is to test and assess novel polymers to guide the synthesis of a benign biodegradable polymer. Biobased net wrapping will significantly reduce ingestion of PBPs in animals such as ruminants to improve digestive health and minimize cattle loss due to plastic disease. Biobased plastics will also achieve partial or complete breakdown shortly after service without depositing microplastics in the environment. This will reduce the risk of damage …

The Hutton Project: Long-Term Agricultural Impacts On Soil Loss And Carbon Dynamics In Eastern South Dakota, Eli Halverson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Long-term and intensified agricultural land management has resulted in increased rates of soil erosion and has altered much of the carbon cycle at regional and global scales. Anthropogenic degradation of soil resources is a barrier to sustainable production, soil functioning, and ecosystem services. It is difficult to quantify the scope of pedogenic changes due to the lack of legacy data and short temporal scales. This study utilized decades to century-old soil information to quantify historical soil erosion losses and changes in soil carbon pools of eastern South Dakota soils. The results show that soils in the region have been significantly …

Feeding Isoacids To Swine: Inclusion Level And Interactions With Dietary Fiber And Protein, Angie Patricia Benavides Infante

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In animal production, research is continually being carried out into implementing new feeding strategies, such as incorporating new alternative ingredients or additives that improve the quality of the diet, reduce the cost of diets, or have effects on intestinal health. The inclusion of branched-chain volatile fatty acids has been investigated in ruminants, and it has been found that a diet supplemented with BCVFA increases fiber digestibility as well as increases cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen. There is little information about the possible effects on pigs supplemented with BCVFA. According to this, the first study aims to evaluate the optimal inclusion …

Development Of Innovative Flocculation Technologies For Agricultural Water Treatment, Noor Haleem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The development of innovative flocculation technologies is essential for addressing the challenges of agricultural water treatment. These technologies play a crucial role in removing contaminants such as suspended solids and nutrients, thereby ensuring safer water for irrigation and livestock consumption. By enhancing water quality and wastewater management, they contribute significantly to environmental sustainability and public health in agricultural communities. This comprehensive thesis extensively explores various dimensions of flocculation, with a focused effort on methodologies and resources aimed at strengthening sustainability and efficiency. A pivotal aspect of the research involves synthesizing cationic starch (CS), a flocculant derived from an underutilized resource, …

Advancing Biological Applications Through Microfluidic-Based Tool Development, K.M. Taufiqur Rahman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research undertook an interdisciplinary approach, integrating bioengineering, microbiology, molecular biology, and systems biology to investigate bacterial dynamics behavior. Specifically, it delved into the development of microfluidic devices for biological applications such as bacterial cell counts, real-time observation of plant roots (here, specialized lectin-coated microbeads are used that mimic root characteristics), and soil microbe interactions. Furthermore, Next-Generation Sequencing and systems biology methodologies were employed to explore the intricate, multifaceted survival mechanisms of Escherichia coli persister population. Studying and quantifying persisters or testing for the existence of VBNC (viable but nonculturable) is challenging. These experiments require precise counts. It has been …

The Relationship Of Macronutrient Intake With Growth In Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Jessica L. Freeling

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Child growth, a sensitive metric of overall health, results from the intricate interplay of nature and nurture. While the importance of nutrition in child growth is well established, growth trajectories exhibit substantial individual variability, influenced by sex and age, and often characterized by nonlinear patterns. Inadequate nutrition or disease can hinder growth, with potential for recovery upon proper nutrition or acute disease resolution. However, chronic disease or persistent malnutrition may lead to permanent growth perturbation. Notably, before the advent of insulin, chronic stunting and wasting were hallmarks of Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), though the specific impacts under modern standard …

Impacts Of Cover Crops And Diversified Crop Rotations On Soil Biochemical Properties, Hydrophysical Characteristics, And Water Dynamics In Long-Term No-Till Cropping Systems, Sainfort Vital

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research assessed the impacts of crop rotations and cover crops on the soil's biochemical and hydrophysical properties within long-term no-till systems. The research was conducted at the Southeast Research Farm, near Beresford, South Dakota. The crop rotations contain two levels: 4-year corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.)-oat (Avena sativa L.)-rye (Secale cereale L.) (CSOR) and 2-year corn-soybean (CS) rotations. The cover crop factors also had two levels within each rotation treatment: cover crops (CC) and no cover crops (NCC). All plots were managed under long-term no-till (NT), with soils mapped as Egan silty clay loam (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, …

Plant Available Water Drives Semi-Arid Forage Quality And Quantity In A Common Garden Greenhouse Experiment, Parker J. Witt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rangeland forage nutrition and biomass production are integral components of sustainable livestock grazing systems and are controlled by soil quality and precipitation. I examined the effects of precipitation on growth and nutrition of three forage species in four different soils that span the longitudinal moisture gradient in South Dakota. I grew little bluestem (Schizachyrum scoparium), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and smooth brome (Bromus inermis) in soils representing the eastern tallgrass/mid-grass prairie (Brookings, 700 mm avg. precipitation.), an eastern mid-grass prairie (Highmore, 550 mm avg. precipitation.), a western mid-grass prairie (Cottonwood, 450 mm avg. precipitation.), and a western mid-grass/short-grass prairie (Sturgis, …

The Influence Of By-O-Reg+ Beef, An Oregano-Based Essential Oil Supplement, On Growth Performance, Carcass Traits And Meat Quality Of Finishing Beef Steers, Bergin Mackenzie Debruin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis was to determine the influence of an oregano-based essential oil (OEO; By-O-Reg+ Beef), on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of beef steers finished in an all-natural program. Yearling steers were allotted to 16 pens (n = 8 pens per treatment, 8 steers per pen). Treatments included: 1) control (CON) fed no oregano-based essential oil and 2) group fed 4 g/steer daily of By-O-Reg+ Beef. Steers were harvested on day 149 of the feeding period. Standard carcass data was collected and instrumental color (L*, a*, b*) was recorded. Strip loins were collected from a …

Using The Disc Personality Assessment To Enhance Organizational Climate And Culture At A Mississippi University, Brian Carlyle Grizzell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Employee turnover presents a costly challenge for institutions of higher learning. This includes significant financial burdens, diminished productivity, and disruptions in business operations. Moreover, high employee turnover erodes morale and negatively influences organizational climate and culture. According to the literature, many organizations have incorporated tools such as the DiSC, a personality assessment tool that measures individuals’ behavioral styles based on four key traits: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C), to enhance team cohesion and improve person-environment fit (PE-Fit). However, limited research exists on whether the DiSC assessment is effective in addressing these issues in a higher education …

Spatial Variation Of Microbial Communities In Aquatic Ecosystems In The Southeastern United States, Jordan Heiman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Spatial variation in bacterial communities, or bacterial biogeography, is important for understanding the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycles. In the Southeastern United States, aquatic ecosystems are highly biodiverse and imperiled, yet few studies have investigated bacterial biodiversity and biogeography in this region. In this dissertation, I aimed to understand the bacterial biogeography in aquatic ecosystems in the Southeastern United States and how this spatial variation relates to abiotic factors in these ecosystems. To do this, I analyzed biogeographic patterns in bacterial communities from three distinct types of aquatic ecosystems (rivers, a lake, and beaches) and conducted a microcosm experiment …

Quality & Credibility Ff Adhd Information On Social Media And Adhd Help-Seeking Intentions, Saara Zakkiya Nasruddin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: There is an increased prevalence of adult Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and stimulant prescription use in the United States, especially when compared to years prior to 2020. Due to accessibility and popularity of ADHD on social media, many individuals gain information on ADHD from these sources. People may view information on social media as credible due to its ability to provide connection, community, and empowerment. However, content analyses of ADHD information on social media show the quality of content on social media is poor. These content analyses utilized outdated quality evaluation tools that are not specific for social media. Principles …

Substance Use Amongst Veterans Following Post-Deployment Reintegration: An Examination Through The Lens Of Acculturation, Brittany Hampton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Each year, approximately 46.3 million Americans are diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD), which costs the United States healthcare system approximately $13 billion in annual costs. One group particularly at risk for SUD is veterans due to the unique stressors that veterans face (e.g., being apart from loved ones, exposure to life threatening events, transitioning between military and civilian life) and a military culture that often reinforces maladaptive patterns of substance use. Little research has been done to examine substance use as a negative outcome associated with the acculturative experience veterans face when transitioning from military life back to civilian …

The Impact Of A First-Year Experience Course On The Persistence And Retention Of Community College Students, Edward Campbell Mclaughlin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to explore the connections between student persistence and retention and students who participated in a First Year Seminar (FYS) called the First-Year Experience Course at a Mississippi community college during the 2022 fall semester and students who were enrolled at the college in the fall of 2018 and took the traditional orientation course. By gathering and utilizing archival data from the community college student database, this study sought to determine if taking the First-Year Experience Course is positively related to students’ persistence into the spring semester of 2023 and their retention into the fall of 2023.

Chi-square …

Essays On Institutions And Growth, Fouzia Zafar Awan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation comprises two projects, one focusing on the IMF and economicgrowth, and the other on Economic Freedom of the World (EFW) and economic growth.

Make It Funny! Developing A Novel Humor-Based Digital Positive Psychology Intervention To Investigate The Influence Of Duchenne Laughter And Mirth On Psychological Distress In Daily Life, Joshua Semko

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of the present research was to develop a novel digital humor-based PPI (Make it Funny!) to investigate the influence of Duchenne laughter and mirth on psychological distress in daily life. Participants (N = 159; Agemedian = 39 years; 47.77% biologically female; 68.15% White) were tasked with completing Make it Funny! or a placebo activity every day for 7 days. Duchenne laughter frequency had a small negative cross-sectional moderation effect on the relationship between the occurrence of stressful events and psychological distress (t(79.71) = -2.33, b = -10.89, p = .022). Within participants, Duchenne laughter frequency slightly increased the …

The Perceived Effects On The Motivation, Anxiety, And Online Language Learning Of Saudi Efl Learners During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ali Hasan Alamry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although many restrictions initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic are no longer imposed, massive changes across the globe have impacted online language learning afterward. Technology infrastructure, students' and teachers' digital literacy, and proper distance learning pedagogies were among the challenges of online learning during the pandemic. Nevertheless, valuable lessons can be learned from the pandemic to better handle online language learning classes in the future. Globally, increasing attention in the literature has been directed toward the effects of the pandemic on L2 learners' different affective factors. Locally, this study focuses on the perceived impacts on Saudi EFL learners' motivation, anxiety, and …

Campus Recreation Student Employee Professional Development Curriculum: Perceived Student Employee Outcomes, Amanda Alpert Jessee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Kuh and colleagues (2008) use the term high-impact practices (HIPs) to describe co-curricular programs that are particularly effective in advancing student learning. The original list of HIPs does not include campus employment, which McClellan et al. (2018) argued should be added. According to the results from the 2019 NASPA survey reported by Burnside et al., recreational services is one of the top three areas in the number of student staff members. These student employees tend to come from a diverse academic background (Kampf & Teske, 2013) and may not be pursuing a future career within the recreation field. Campus recreation …

Atomistic Simulation Of Pfas And Graphene: Interactions For Water Applications, Bashar Moufeed Awawdeh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The contamination of drinking water by per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) is a global issue. PFAS have been widely utilized in a variety of applications, including water and stain-resistant coatings, fire suppression foams, cosmetics, paints, and adhesives. They have been detected in soils and rivers globally due to their widespread use and resistance to degradation. The strong C–F bonds of PFAS make them exceedingly stable and hard to remove. In order to remediate PFAS contamination in the environment, it is essential to develop selective adsorbent materials that can effectively capture a wide range of PFAS structures. On April 10, …

Ecological And Evolutionary Ramifications Of Host-Parasite Interaction In Aquatic And Model Ecosystems, Akacia Halliday-Isaac

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Host-parasite interactions are ubiquitous and have negative risks and consequences on individual, population, and evolutionary scales. These risks and consequences include altered population densities, changes in interspecies interactions, and rapid changes in host phenotypes. In this thesis, I seek to understand the ecological and evolutionary ramifications of host-parasite interactions within ecosystems. To do this, I investigated the presence and environmental correlates of potential host-parasite interactions in a freshwater ecosystem and used a model ecosystem to explore how past host-parasite coevolution affects community assembly dynamics and future adaptation in the presence of new stressors. To examine the presence of potentially parasitic …

Mindfulness And Mathematics: The Relationship Between A Mindful Teacher And Mathematics Intervention, Ave Mayeux

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adolescents in American classrooms are currently required to fulfill multiple roles, making them particularly vulnerable to stress due to intense academic demands and social pressures. This stress can be particularly challenging for adolescents who struggle with stress, anxiety, depression, and/or self-regulation. Previous research indicates a positive correlation between mindfulness practices and reduced anxiety, improved social skills and interactions, enhanced academic performance, and better self-perception. This self-study explored the implementation of mindfulness exercises in a mathematics intervention classroom by adapting and creating appropriate resources, and facilitating mindfulness exercises suitable for adolescent students. Data in this self-inquiry study was generated through meticulous …