Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of High School Scheduling Models On Student Achievement In Mississippi, Dustin Ryan Payne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the effects of different high school scheduling practices on student achievement in Mississippi, considering school economic status as a covariate. Using a robust factorial ANOVA design, the research analyzes reading proficiency, math proficiency, and Mississippi Statewide Accountability System school performance scores across 149 public high schools, excluding those with grades other than 9 through 12, private schools, and charter schools. The primary goal was to determine whether schedule type significantly influences academic performance, independent of economic status. Results indicate that while economic status consistently affects student and school performance, schedule type alone does not show a statistically …

Synchronous, Asynchronous, Or Neither: Examining The Effects Of A Single-Session Prevention Program On Student Mental Health, Katelyn M. Sharpe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Young adults (aged 18-25) were identified as the most stressed age group due to internal and external factors that are relatively unique to their group. High stress levels are alarming as they coincide with a multitude of adverse effects on psychological health, including difficulty falling and staying asleep, reduction in overall sleep quality, and exacerbated depression and anxiety symptomatology. Young adults attending post-secondary education institutions are at particular risk for developing and maintaining these adverse psychological effects of stress, especially considering the low rate in which they seek treatment for psychiatric difficulties. Limited literature exists to date regarding condensing a …

Combatting Suicidality In The Military: Harnessing Forgiveness And Self-Regulation Against The Harrowing Effects Of Moral Injury And Suicidality, Mikaela J. Raley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with military backgrounds are significantly more likely to experience mental health concerns, including suicidal ideation. Moral injury, which is associated with suicidality, is the feeling of shame, grief, and guilt associated with perpetrating, failing to prevent, or witnessing morally transgressive acts. According to the Moral Injury Model, when one acts or witnesses an act that transgresses their moral beliefs, they experience dissonance and internal conflict. A topic that has not yet been studied in terms of moral injury is the positive psychology construct of character strengths, including forgiveness and self-regulation. This study hypothesized ratings of suicide would be positively …

Evolving To Abstraction - Seclusion Of Efik And Ibibio Women From The Precolonial Era To The Present, Itunuoluwa Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Female seclusion was an important cultural practice to the Efik and Ibibio peoples in southernmost Nigeria. Before the advent of Western education in the precolonial and colonial eras, it was particularly essential to the development of the girl child as she received a first-rate education and preparation for maturity, marriage, and motherhood. However, despite its crucial role in both cultural societies, studies on the Efik and Ibibio female seclusion cultures are far and in-between. Furthermore, the nkuho and mbopo – as they are called in Efik and Ibibio respectively – are often analyzed and presented as one singular entity, in …

Dunc13 Isoforms, Rim, And Rab3 Differentially Modulate Ethanol Sedation Sensitivity In Drosophila Melanogaster., Gaurav Shrestha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dunc13 is a Drosophila active zone protein homologous to the mammalian Munc13that interacts with RIM and Rab3 as a heterotrimer. Alcohol binds to the C1 domain of Dunc13/Munc13 and inhibits its ability to bind to Diacylglycerol, inhibiting neuronal signaling. The genetic reduction of Dunc13 activity in the Dunc13P84200/+ heterozygotes induces a state in flies that mimics alcohol tolerance, evidenced by increased self-administration, and behavioral, physiological, and molecular resistance. This includes changes in the expression of key synaptic proteins, such as decreased expression of Dunc13 and Syb mRNA, and increased expression of Rim and Rab3 4hrs after ethanol exposure. Dunc13 has …

Mental Health In Rural Mississippi Counties: Experiences And Beliefs Of African American Pastors, Angela R. Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

African Americans seek formal mental health treatment services at lower rates than white Americans (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2024) and higher risk of mental illness exists among rural African Americans (Haynes et al., 2017). Religiousness and spirituality have emerged as widely utilized coping methods among African Americans, therefore it is important to understand pastoral perspectives on mental health. In addition to the type of services being sought, the decision to seek help plays an important role in treatment utilization. Along these lines, two theoretical frameworks were used to formulate this study, the Theory of Planned Behavior …

3d-Printed Clay Composites For Lunar Habitats: Graphene And Simulant Integration, Omar Algharibeh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Developing sustainable construction materials for lunar habitats is critical for advancing extraterrestrial exploration, supporting a long-term human presence on the Moon, and advancing earth-based, resilient, locally available resources. Our primary goal is to utilize indigenous resource-based construction materials and 3D printing technology to reduce payloads and streamline the materials processing procedures. Additionally, enhancing the performance of native binding materials, such as those formed from local rocks and sand, may require the integration of low-cost nano-additives. These nano-additives can significantly improve the fresh and hardened properties of 3D-printed construction materials. This research focused on optimizing the mechanical performance of a clay …

Linguistic Gender Differences In English Among Saudi Medical Students In Online Courses, Ala Mohammed Alshahrani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research explores gender differences in language use among Saudi medical students in online courses. Employing purposive sampling, the study, aims to comprehend the influence of gender on language patterns and communication styles in online education. Data collection involves online interviews with five teachers and survey questionnaires administered to twenty actively enrolled Saudi medical students. The interviews provide insights into language use patterns in the online learning environment, while surveys offer a broader perspective on student language use. Thematic analysis unveils recurring themes: “courses developed,” “reasons for online courses,” “interaction among male and female students in online courses,” “comfort …

How French-Produced And North American-Produced French Textbooks Differ In The Teaching Of French And Francophone Culture, Elizabeth Clauss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The teaching of culture is important in any foreign language classroom. This thesis will analyze what and how different aspects of French and Francophone culture are taught in elementary-level French textbooks: one French-produced and one North American-produced. The definition of culture is provided by several sources however one definition discusses the definition of culture in its entirety. A brief history, over the course of 60 years, of the teaching of French culture is discussed and analyzed in the first part of this thesis. The development of teaching French culture in the foreign language classroom is seen. Then, the teaching of …

Elucidating The Mechanisms Of Myosin Ii Force Feedback And Coordination In Actomyosin Ensembles, Omayma Alazzam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation delves into the dynamics of myosin II motors within actomyosin networks, emphasizing their crucial role in muscle functionality and the broader implications for cardiovascular health. Given the critical involvement of myosin II in conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and heart failure, this research presented here is important for understanding such diseases at the molecular level. Through the use of fluorescence microscopy and optical tweezers, the study reveals novel insights into how myosin II generates force and coordinates within myosin ensembles—a key to grasping the mechanics of muscle contraction. Specifically, this work aimed to unravel the mechanisms of …

Effects Of Music-Induced Arousal On Spatial Cognition, April Marie Joyner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Arousal is known to influence the manner in which spatial stimuli are processed and remembered. Although music is considered a spatial stimulus, the relationship between music-induced arousal through music listening and spatial ability remains understudied. This study was designed to determine whether arousal induced by musical stimuli differentially impacts memory performance on a map learning task created to measure spatial memory. Participants were exposed to two different pieces of music selected to induce either high or low arousal or were exposed to a control condition in which music was not presented. Participants listened to music or completed multiplication problems prior …

The Effect Of A Scarcity Mindset On External Auditors' Reliance On The Internal Audit Function, Brett Patterson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Audit regulators are concerned that times of economic uncertainty will likely cause external auditors to misuse the work of the internal audit function (IAF). These concerns are consistent with prior psychology research finding that objective poverty or a subjective, perceived lack of resources induces a scarcity mindset, which then leads to counterproductive economic behaviors. Therefore, I examine the effect of such a scarcity mindset on external auditors’ IAF reliance choices. In an experiment that incorporates a setting mimicking the evidence collection process, I manipulate the external auditor’s scarcity mindset and the internal audit function’s competence. I find that external auditors …

The Road To Recovery: An Applied Research Study On Promoting Effective Mathematics Instruction By Increasing Teachers’ Knowledge Of And Supporting The Implementation Of Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices To Address Pandemic Learning Loss, Kimberly D. Price

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this applied research study with a program evaluation was to answer fundamental questions about the effectiveness of an extended professional development program. The program sought to promote quality mathematics instruction by increasing teachers’ knowledge of and supporting the implementation of effective mathematics teaching practices in classroom instruction to address pandemic learning loss. To support the efforts of the Mississippi Department of Education to address pandemic learning loss and increase the capacity of the state’s educator workforce, the professional development team in the Office of Professional Development created an action plan. A program evaluation was used to measure …

The Effects Of A Resilience Training Program On The Quality Of Life Of Children Who Stutter, Emily Lauren Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children who stutter (CWS) are at heightened risk for decreased Quality of Life (QoL) due to the adverse impact of stuttering on daily life experiences. One way CWS may be able to lower this risk is through increasing their resilience to negatively-charged events. Resilience, defined as the ability to thrive in the face of adversity through application of one’s available resources, is a dynamic trait that can be learned to help individuals respond to adverse situations in a healthy and positive manner. Resilience Training can provide a viable avenue for CWS to ameliorate the adverse impact of stuttering on their …

Nourishing Narratives: A Photovoice Exploration Of Black Maternal Nutrition In Tennessee, Carissa Bacon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the perceptions of facilitators, barriers, and feelings of empowerment related to achieving healthy nutrition outcomes among pregnant and postnatal African American women in Tennessee. Data in this study was gathered utilizing the qualitative Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach of photovoice and the Transdisciplinary Contextualized Resilience Framework (TCRF) to examine factors influencing nutrition across multiple levels. The study recruited 13 African American mothers who ages ranged from 24-35 years old and who lived in the Greater Knoxville, Tn area. The study utilized a survey to capture the participants’ demographic characteristics and employed a modified version of the …

Social Capital: The Link Between State Political Culture And Civic And Political Participation, Austin Marie Conner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Systemic racism inhibits African Americans’ civic and political participation, yet the scholarship on this topic is scarce and examines Black behavior as homogenous. This study utilizes Putnam’s social capital theory and Elazar’s state political culture typology to identify social and regional distinctions in African American civic and political behavior. Both social capital and state political culture have been linked to civic and political participation, however, not much is known about how these two constructs specifically influence African American civic and political behavior. Utilizing data from the 2016 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey, this study conducts five logistic regression models to examine …

Water Insecurity In K-12 Schools In The U.S.: Understanding State Laws, Drinking Water Violations, And Lived Experiences, Shannon O'Donnell Fitzgerald

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Access to safe, reliable drinking water is essential for children's health, development, and academic success. This study examines water insecurity in U.S. K-12 schools, focusing on state policies, county-level violations, associated outcomes, and school staff experiences.

Methods: This mixed-methods study utilized secondary data analysis, mapping, regression analyses, and primary data collection. Secondary data from state sources were used to examine the presence of state legislation and Department of Education and Department of Health policies on school drinking water across the United States, examine associations between state legislation and policies with county drinking water violations, and investigate relationships between water …

Glycopolymeric Nanoparticles Enrich Less Immunogenic Protein Corona And Improve Tumor Delivery Compared To Pegylated Nanoparticles, Kenneth Ryan Hulugalla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nanoparticles (NPs) offer significant promise as drug delivery vehicles; however, their in vivo efficacy is often hindered by the formation of a protein corona (PC), which influences key physiological responses such as blood circulation time, biodistribution, cellular uptake, and intracellular localization. Understanding NP-PC interactions is crucial for optimizing NP design for biomedical applications. Traditional approaches have utilized hydrophilic polymer coatings like polyethylene glycol (PEG) to resist protein adsorption, but glycopolymer-coated nanoparticles have emerged as superior alternatives due to their biocompatibility and ability to reduce the adsorption of highly immunogenic proteins. In this study, we synthesized and characterized glycopolymer-based poly[2(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate-b-poly(methacrylamidoglucopyranose) …

Temperamental Fear As A Vulnerability Factor For Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms: An Examination Of Fight, Flight, Freeze Using A Trauma Film Paradigm, Jaime P. Murtagh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fear is often the primary emotion associated with anxiety and stress-related disorders with research suggesting that the expression of fear varies greatly between individuals and has been hypothesized to be associated with differences in behavioral inhibition, personality, as well as temperament. One theory which has been used to conceptualize variations in temperament is the reinforcement sensitivity theory which consists of the behavioral inhibition system (BIS), behavioral approach system (BAS), and the fight, flight, freeze system (FFFS), with the latter being of particular interest in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Variations in FFFS sensitivity has been linked to variations in psychopathology with …

Weight Discrimination And The Negative Cultural Value Of Fat: The Relationship To Well-Being Across Higher Weight Individuals Of Different Nations, Ana Clara Vieira Zaidan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Discrimination against individuals with higher body weights is prevalent in and outside of the US (see Pearl et al., 2021), yet research on this topic is limited when considering non-US perspectives. Cross-cultural studies had not yet explored the impact of cultural norms around weight. In the domain of anti-fat attitudes, cross-cultural research had explored variations in the negative cultural value of fatness (NCF) and its impacts across countries (Crandall et al., 2001). Incorporating this perspective, Study 1 examined how perceived weight discrimination (PWD) and NCF uniquely predict various well-being outcomes across two different countries among individuals who identified as overweight. …

Development And Evaluation Of A Retrofittable Variable Rate Applicator Controller, Ahmed Abdalla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The need to optimize resource utilization while increasing crop productivity is paramount. This research proposes a Low-cost Retrofittable Variable Rate Applicator Controller (VRAC) that aims to leverage the adoption of Variable Rate Technologies. The controller operates via the Raspberry Pi platform, a Global Positioning System (GPS), a stepper motor drive, and an anti-slip wheel encoder. The VRAC allows precise, on-the-fly control of variable-rate application of farming inputs. It utilizes GPS with 10 cm accuracy to pinpoint geographic coordinates in real-time. A wheel encoder measures traveling speed with a slip-resistant wheel design for precise RPM readings. The Raspberry processes the data, …

Evaluation Of Dietary Fiber Technologies In Sow Diets, Garrin Shipman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Various technologies and alternative ingredients are being developed to increase the nutrient value of fibrous feedstuffs, improve animal performance, and promote sustainable swine production. Fiber-degrading enzymes have been extensively studied in growing pigs, with few studies focused on gestating sows. When considering gestating sows have greater energy digestibility of fibrous feedstuffs than grower pigs, the efficacy of fiber-degrading enzymes needs to be determined for implementation in commercial sow diets. As fiber inclusion in gestation diets benefits sow performance, corn dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) are a candidate fiber source for gestation alternative energy ingredient. Functional fibers, such as yeast …

Effects Of Storage Regimes On Chemistry, Functional Properties, And Vitamin Profile Of Different Varieties Of Chickpea, Shirin Kazemzadeh Pournaki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chickpea (cicer arietinum) samples from five distinct varieties (crown, royal, orion, sierra, and frontier) were subjected to varying storage conditions to investigate the impact of temperature and relative humidity (rh) on their chemical, functional, physical properties, and vitamin b profile. over 360 days, samples were stored at two temperatures (21°c and 40°c) and three rh levels (40%, 55%, 65%), with collections made every 90 days. initial observations focused on key chemical properties including moisture, protein, fat, and total starch content. subsequently, protein and starch fractions were isolated for further analysis, employing techniques such as sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (sds-page) …

Removal Of Phosphorous, Copper And Zinc From Stormwater Using Powdered Activated Carbon (Pac) Based Water Treatment Residuals, Foysol Mahmud

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The main aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) based water treatment residual (WTR) in eliminating phosphorus (P), Copper (Cu), and Zinc (Zn) from stormwater. The characteristics of the PAC WTR were analyzed, and a series of batch and column tests were conducted to determine its capacity to remove P, Cu, and Zn from stormwater and synthetic solutions. The PAC WTR conformed to the Langmuir isotherm model, demonstrating P adsorption capacities of 3.51 mg/g at pH 5. Regarding Cu and Zn removal, the PAC WTR also adhered to the Langmuir isotherm model, showing …

Estimating South Dakota’S Capacity To Meet K-12 School Meal Fruit And Vegetable Requirements With State-Grown Produce, Bridgette Bienias

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Quantify South Dakota (SD)’s capacity to procure locally-sourced fruit and vegetables (FVs) for K-12 school meals.
Methods: Secondary analysis of 2017 SD agricultural census and school meal data. Yields were converted to edible cups of FVs using school meal guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Student enrollment and meal redemptions were used to estimate the number of FV cups needed.
Results: Estimated SD FV production met minimum total K-12 cup requirements, except for total fruit (66%) and dark green vegetables (80%). Legumes supplied 77% of the total cups of vegetables produced in 2017, whereas dark green vegetables …

Integrating Early Season Clover Cover Crops As A Living Mulch In Broccoli And Transitional Organic Winter Squash Production In Eastern South Dakota, Alexis Rose Barnes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Managing weeds, improving soil health, and reducing the use of plastic mulch continue to be priorities for South Dakota vegetable farmers. Farmers have expressed an interest in integrating cover crops into their farm systems. Clover cover crops used as a living mulch within and along cash crop rows may aid in weed suppression, nitrogen fixation, and prevent soil erosion. However, prior research has shown challenges of incorporating living mulch due to yield decreases. Research conducted in 2022 and 2023 in eastern South Dakota investigated the effects of four clover and four in-row soil management treatments on broccoli and organic winter …

Utilizing Soil Sensors To Assess Soil Health And Investigating Cover Crops Impact On Methane Emission, Shailesh Pandit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soil health is influenced by climate change, cultural practices, topography, crop rotations, cover crops, soil parent materials, and soil biota. Interactions between these factors can improve or reduce soil health. This thesis investigates two topics, using soil sensors to provide a rapid assessment of soil health, and the impact of cover crops on soil biological activity and greenhouse gas emissions. Chapter 1 explores the use of two types of sensors to measure apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) and provides examples on the use of these sensors. Even though both sensors measure ECa using different processes, they provide useful information about temporal …

Abelson (Abl) Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Reduce Porcine Reproductive And Respiratory Syndrome Virus (Prrsv) Replication In Vitro, Jenna Parliament

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus from the Arteriviridae family. PRRSV causes respiratory illness and reproductive failure in infected pigs. Outbreaks occurring in the United States and worldwide cause significant economic losses annually. Abelson (Abl) tyrosine kinase is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, which plays a central role in regulating many cellular processes such as actin reorganization, cell proliferation and differentiation by transducing extracellular and intracellular signals. Abl inhibitors have been shown to restrict the entry of membrane fusion of enveloped viruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome …

Evaluation Of Nutrient Removal From Modified Woodchips And Organic Matter Leached From Tree Leaves After Simulated Wildfire Thermal Alteration, Zengyue Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) from stormwater runoff, carrying a variety of contaminants, presents substantial challenges to water treatment processes and public health. Among the primary pollutants, phosphate and nitrate significantly contribute to the degradation of water quality, resulting in issues such as eutrophication and methemoglobinemia. Tree leaves, which are a major source of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in forested watersheds and serve as a key fuel for wildfires, further exacerbate these challenges. Post-wildfire, the altered DOC is mobilized by precipitation, leading to stormwater runoff that impacts natural water bodies and complicates treatment processes, particularly through the formation of hazardous disinfection …

Reimagining Hunting Through Women's Decision Space, H. Nash Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 14.4 million people hunt in the United States, yet only 3.1 million (22%) of these hunters are women. To enhance women’s participation, many state natural resource agencies aim to reduce barriers and create pathways for women to hunt. Previously, researchers surveyed women to understand and describe barriers to their full participation in hunting. However, this methodology often just quantifies the different barriers without describing the interconnectedness and how the complexity of barriers can impact women’s participation in hunting. This thesis instead took an inductive research approach with the goal of better understanding women’s perspectives when faced with complex barriers. …