Digital Commons Network^™

Bayesian Regression Inference Using A Normal Mixture Model, Hernan Maldonado

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis we develop a two component mixture model to perform a Bayesian regression. We implement our model computationally using the Gibbs sampler algorithm and apply it to a dataset of differences in time measurement between two clocks. The dataset has ``good" time measurements and ``bad" time measurements that were associated with the two components of our mixture model. From our theoretical work we show that latent variables are a useful tool to implement our Bayesian normal mixture model with two components. After applying our model to the data we found that the model reasonably assigned probabilities of occurrence …

The Effect Of Risk Assessment On Racial Disproportionality In The Child Welfare System, Joseph Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Minority children are involved in the child welfare system at rates disproportionate to their numbers in the overall population. Prior research argues that risk assessments conducted by child welfare agencies may be racially biased, and thus contribute to disproportionality. This study seeks to explore the effect of different risk assessment models on racial disproportionality. This is done by examining the relationship between race/ethnicity and various child welfare outcomes in three states that utilize the consensus-based model and three states that utilize the actuarial model of risk assessment. Results were similar for both groups of states, suggesting that one model is …

Investigations Into The Role Of Humic Acid In Biomembrane Permeability And The Effects Of Naturally Formed Gold And Silver Nanoparticles On These Interactions, Loice Marklyne Ojwang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The mechanism and kinetics of the interaction of humic acids (HAs) with a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-Sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) large unilamellar vesicle (LUV) model biomembrane system were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. All three HAs studied induced a perturbation to the biomembrane bilayer structure at pH 4.8. Concentration dependence studies revealed that biomembrane perturbation increased with increasing HA concentrations for Suwannee River HA (SWHA) from 0 to 20 mg C/L. For both Leonardite HA (LAHA) and Florida Peat HA (FPHA) aggregation influenced biomembrane perturbation at concentrations above 5 and 7.5 mg C/L, respectively. Temperature studies over the environmentally relevant ranges of 10 to 30 °C …

The Effects Of Classroom Response Systems On Student Learning And Engagement, Michael Mcnally

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Classroom Response Systems (CRS) are devices that are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, yet allow full and anonymous participation by students while providing immediate feedback to instructors. These devices have shown promise as a tool to increase engagement in learners, an outcome that would be particularly useful among middle level learners. This study assessed the ability of CRSs to promote content among suburban, middle level students in science class, and it is the first known study of CRSs that used an alternating treatments design to improve the reliability of the findings. The study also assessed the acceptability of the …

The Federal Workforce Development Program: An Analysis Of Probationers And Characteristics Associated With And Predictive Of Successful Reentry, Kelley Mcnichols

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With years of research focusing on soaring incarceration rates, the phenomena of prisoner reentry has been largely overlooked. The majority of incarcerated people will return to the community setting. In fact, millions of recently released offenders are on some form of community based supervision. Today, recidivism is a problem that plagues prisoner reentry. In order to address the challenge of prisoner reentry successfully, reentry initiatives have been established in an attempt to change the way corrections is conceptualized. The purpose of this study was to examine characteristics of probationers that are associated with and predictive of successful reentry. The data …

Vapor-Liquid Phase Equilibria Using Monte Carlo Wang-Landau Simulations, Tsvetan Aleksandrov

Theses and Dissertations

The experimental determination of the critical point of metals is inherently connected with difficulties of measuring large temperatures and pressures. On the other hand, that of straight alkane chains larger than ten carbon atoms and branched chains larger than eight atoms is burdensome due to decomposition of the molecules while in the vapor phase. Therefore molecular simulations stand as an appropriate alternative for determining the critical point and phase coexistence properties of these fluids. Most simulation methods that are apt for this task rely on particles insertion and deletion moves that can significantly complicate the simulation, since high density in …

Does The Perception That Stress Affects Health Matter? The Association With Health And Mortality, Abiola O. Keller, Kristin Litzelman, Lauren E. Wisk, Torsheika Maddox, Erika Rose Cheng, Paul D. Creswell, Whitney P. Witt

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

A Survey Of Napnap Members’ Clinical And Professional Research Priorities, Kathleen J. Sawin, Linda C. Lewin, Victoria P. Niederhauser, Margaret A. Brady, Dolores Jones, Arlene Butz, Agatha M. Gallo, Christine A. Schindler, Cynthia A. Trent

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

The purpose of this methodological article is to describe the development, implementation, and analysis of the survey used to determine NAPNAP members' ranking of research priorities, to describe the top priorities ranked by participants, and to determine if priorities differed by area of practice (primary, acute, or specialty care) or participant age.

Method

A cross-sectional descriptive design with an online survey was used. Completed by 324 NAPNAP members, the survey consisted of a demographic section and 90 statements in two domains: Clinical Priorities and Professional Role Priorities.

Results

Survey respondents strongly supported the top priorities with an average overall …

Using Debriefing For Meaningful Learning To Foster Development Of Clinical Reasoning In Simulation, Kristina Dreifuerst

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Debriefing is critical to learning from simulation experiences, yet the literature reports little research describing best practices within nursing. Debriefing for Meaningful Learning (DML) is a systematic process for debriefing in which teachers and students explicate different aspects of reflection and generate new meanings from simulation experiences. The purpose of this exploratory, quasi-experimental, pretest–posttest study was to test the relationship of DML on the development of clinical reasoning skills in prelicensure nursing students when compared with customary debriefing strategies and on students’ perception of quality of the debriefing experience. Analysis of data demonstrated a greater change in clinical reasoning skills …

Developing An Open Access Croplands Research Database Through Global Collaboration, Tara Baillargeon, Livia Olsen, Harish Maringanti

Library Faculty Research and Publications

This article describes the processes, challenges, and outcomes of a project undertaken by Kansas State University (K-State) Libraries and a global community of researchers. The project, initiated by librarians in the newly created Faculty and Graduate Services Department, involved collaboration with a K-State agronomist. The initial concept was to create an open access database of croplands research submitted by researchers from the Global Research Alliance Croplands Research Group, a consortium of over 30 countries. Due to the project's complexity, it was determined that a more manageable approach would be to pilot the project by including research from only the United …

Peer Rejection And Friendships In Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Contributions To Long-Term Outcomes, Sylvie Mrug, Brooke S. G. Molina, Betsy Hoza, Alyson C. Gerdes, Stephen P. Hinshaw, Lily Hechtman, L. Eugene Arnold

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Even after evidence-based treatment, Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with poor long-term outcomes. These outcomes may be partly explained by difficulties in peer functioning, which are common among children with ADHD and which do not respond optimally to standard ADHD treatments. We examined whether peer rejection and lack of dyadic friendships experienced by children with ADHD after treatment contribute to long-term emotional and behavioral problems and global impairment, and whether having a reciprocal friend buffers the negative effects of peer rejection. Children with Combined type ADHD (N0300) enrolled in the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (MTA) were …

Youth Experiences Of Family Violence And Teen Dating Violence Perpetration: Cognitive And Emotional Mediators, John H. Grych, Ernest N. Jouriles, Renee Mcdonald, Victoria Mueller

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

This article describes a conceptual model of cognitive and emotional processes proposed to mediate the relation between youth exposure to family violence and teen dating violence perpetration. Explicit beliefs about violence, internal knowledge structures, and executive functioning are hypothesized as cognitive mediators, and their potential influences upon one another are described. Theory and research on the role of emotions and emotional processes in the relation between youths’ exposure to family violence and teen dating violence perpetration are also reviewed. We present an integrated model that highlights how emotions and emotional processes work in tandem with hypothesized cognitive mediators to predict …

Lifestyle And Genetic Contributions To Cognitive Decline And Hippocampal Structure And Function In Healthy Aging, John L. Woodard, Michael Sugarman, Kristy A. Nielson, J. Carson Smith, Michael Seidenberg, Sally Durgerian, Alissa Butts, Nathan Hantke, Melissa A. Lancaster, Monica A. Matthews, Stephen M. Rao

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Engagement in cognitively stimulating activities (CA) and leisure time physical activity (PA) have been associated with maintaining cognitive performance and reducing the likelihood of cognitive decline in older adults. However, neural mechanisms underlying protective effects of these lifestyle behaviors are largely unknown. In the current study, we investigated the effect of self-reported PA and CA on hippocampal volume and semantic processing activation during a fame discrimination task, as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We also examined whether possession of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ?4 allele could moderate the effect of PA or CA on hippocampal structure or …

Longitudinal Associations Between Physical Activity, Cognitive Status, And Brain Function In Older Adults At Genetic Risk For Alzheimer’S Disease, J. Carson Smith, Sally Durgerian, John L. Woodard, Kristy A. Nielson, Alissa Butts, Nathan Hantke, Michael Seidenberg, Melissa A. Lancaster, Monica Matthews, Michael Sugarman, Stephen M. Rao

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

The apolipoproteinE epsilon4 (APOE-?4) allele is associated with cognitive decline in old age and is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Physical activity (P A) is associated with a reduced risk of incident cognitive impairment, particularly among APOE-?4 carriers. We recently reported greater semantic memory related brain activation in cognitively intact physically active (High P A) APOE-?4 carriers compared to physically inactive (Low PA) ?4 carriers and non-carriers (Smith et al., 2011). Here, we compared longitudinal changes in semantic memory-related brain activation in High PA and Low PA APOE-?4 carriers. Thirty-two older ?4 carriers completed neuropsychological testing and a …

Discrimination, Acculturation, Acculturative Stress, And Latino Psychological Distress: A Moderated Mediational Model, Lucas Torres, Mark W. Driscoll, Maria Voell

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Prior research has found that perceived discrimination is associated with adverse mental health outcomes among Latinos. However, the process by which this relationship occurs remains an understudied area. The present study investigated the role of acculturative stress in underlying the relationship between perceived discrimination and Latino psychological distress. Also examined was the ability of acculturation to serve as a moderator between perceived discrimination and acculturative stress. Among a sample of Latino adults (N = 669), moderated mediational analyses revealed that acculturative stress mediated the perceived discrimination-psychological distress relationship, and that the link between perceived discrimination and acculturative stress was moderated …

Spectroscopy And Dynamics Of The Predissociated, Quasi-Linear S2 State Of Chlorocarbene, Chong Tao, Craig A. Richmond, Calvin Mukarakate, S. H. Kable, Eric C. Brown, Richard Dawes, Phalgun Lolur, Scott A. Reid

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

In this work, we report on the spectroscopy and dynamics of the quasi-linear S₂ state of chlorocarbene, CHCl, and its deuterated isotopologue using optical-optical double resonance (OODR) spectroscopy through selected rovibronic levels of the S₁ state. This study, which represents the first observation of the S₂ state in CHCl, builds upon our recent examination of the corresponding state in CHF, where pronounced mode specificity was observed in the dynamics, with predissociation rates larger for levels containing bending excitation. In the present work, a total of 14 S₂ state vibrational levels with angular momentum ℓ = 1 …

Nmr Line Shapes And Multi-State Binding Equilibria, Evgenii L. Kovrigin

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Biological function of proteins relies on conformational transitions and binding of specific ligands. Protein-ligand interactions are thermodynamically and kinetically coupled to conformational changes in protein structures as conceptualized by the models of pre-existing equilibria and induced fit. NMR spectroscopy is particularly sensitive to complex ligand-binding modes—NMR line-shape analysis can provide for thermodynamic and kinetic constants of ligand-binding equilibria with the site-specific resolution. However, broad use of line shape analysis is hampered by complexity of NMR line shapes in multi-state systems. To facilitate interpretation of such spectral patterns, I computationally explored systems where isomerization or dimerization of a protein (receptor) molecule …

Potential Energy And Dipole Moment Surfaces Of Hco- For The Search Of H- In The Interstellar Medium, M. Ayouz, I. Mikhailov, Dmitri Babikov, M. Raoult, S. Galtier, O. Dulieu, V. Kokoouline

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Potential energy and permanent dipole moment surfaces of the electronic ground state of formyl negative ion HCO− are determined for a large number of geometries using the coupled-cluster theory with single and double and perturbative treatment of triple excitations ab initio method with a large basis set. The obtained data are used to construct interpolated surfaces, which are extended analytically to the region of large separations between CO and H− with the multipole expansion approach. We have calculated the energy of the lowest rovibrational levels of HCO− that should guide the spectroscopic characterization of HCO− in laboratory experiments. The study …

Diagenesis Of The Middle Member Of The Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, North Dakota, Katharine L. Kimber

Theses and Dissertations

The shales of the Bakken Formation have been extensively studied since the discovery of oil, but little attention has been paid to the middle reservoir member. Successfully produced wells are concentrated in multiple fields throughout the Williston Basin, there has been no definitive way to determine a well’s potential productivity. This study used core samples, point counting, and petrography to determine the diagenetic traits common to the Middle Member of the Bakken Formation and their effect on oil production. Cores from forty-one wells were examined. Thin sections were made from sixteen cores, eight producing wells and eight dry wells. All …

Systematics, Diversity, And Origins Of Upper Cretaceous Continental Molluscan Fauna In The Infra- And Intertrappean Strata Of The Deccan Plateau, Central India, Marron J. Bingle-Davis

Theses and Dissertations

The Deccan Plateau in western and central India has been a major area of interest for researchers since the 1800s. In 1840, James Sowerby described the molluscan collection sent to him by John Malcolmson. In 1860, Stephen Hislop identified new molluscan species and redescribed based on better preserved material. Although this seminal work was comprehensive, interpretations have changed since the mid 1800s. Species need to be reassigned to current and/or accurate taxa, as well as revalidated statistically. Seventeen character traits were measured on over 600 specimens from five eastern Deccan Plateau localities representing a stratigraphic and temporal sequence. Cluster analysis …

Measuring Faculty Satisfaction And Motivation To Use Podcasts: A Pilot Study, Thomas Augustine Mitchell

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Modern society is constantly evolving, affecting the creation and use of technology. Concurrently, technology is relentlessly developing and expanding, influencing the very society to which it is introduced. In a rapid-paced, globally influenced educational community, podcasts are among the latest and promising innovations being introduced into the educational arena to reach technology-savvy students. Information in various technological formats is not new, nor is their application to the educational process unique. Many past technologies such as the record player, tape player, radio, television, and computers were all believed to exhibit enormous potential to transform education. However, in almost every instance, they …

Effectiveness Of Insulin Pump Use In Controlling Blood Glucose In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients, Nadia M. Saad

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Gamma Oscillatory Activity In Autism Spectrum Disorder During A Face Cueing Task, Annette E. Richard

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Joint attention is a social interaction skill that normally develops in infancy and involves following another’s gaze to a stimulus. This skill is absent or developmentally delayed in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), causing cascading effects on development. Neural synchrony in the gamma frequency band is thought to be involved in cognitive functions such as joint attention. The current study investigated differences in gamma power between neurotypicals and ASD as measured by magnetoencephalography (MEG) while performing a gaze cueing task simulating joint attention. Results support lower frontal gamma power in ASD, suggesting that impaired generation of gamma activity in the prefrontal …

The Molecular And Behavioral Characterization Of Cav1.3 Over-Expressing Mice, Jamie Nicole Slater

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Age-related cognitive decline refers to the memory impairment and difficulty learning new tasks that occurs during the normal process of aging. There are many possible changes that occur at the neuronal level that could account for age-related cognitive decline. One hypothesis suggests that a dysregulation of neuronal intracellular calcium concentration contributes to age-related cognitive deficits. Previous research suggests that an increase in neuronal L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LVGCCs) occurs in the brain during aging. This increase could account for altered intracellular calcium concentration and lead to agerelated cognitive decline. A line of transgenic mice that over-express the LVGCC Ca_{V …}

An Analysis Of University Student Academic Self-Entitlement: Levels Of Entitlement, Academic Year, And Gender, Tiffany Brook Hartman

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Academic self-entitlement is a rapidly increasing phenomenon that is becoming a problem in universities today. Self-entitled students expect high grades for minimal effort and tend to be highly demanding; they exhibit strong emotions when outcomes fail to meet their expectations. This type of student behavior increases the burden placed upon unprepared faculty, emphasizes performance goals rather than learning goals, and threatens to place the core values of education at stake. This study investigates whether relationships exist between student gender, year in school, and academic self-entitlement. University students were assessed using the Academic Entitlement Scale (Achacoso, 2002). A two-way MANOVA revealed …

Activity And Diet Of Bats In Apple Orchards Of Southern Michigan, Brenna Lynn Smith

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

I studied activity and diet of bats in apple orchards in southern Michigan. There was no difference between organic and conventional orchards in number and composition of insects captured with light traps, number of bats captured with mist nets, or number of acoustic files of bat activity that were recorded. The majority of insects captured were Coleptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, and Trichoptera. Only two species of bats were caught: big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis). Most calls were produced by big brown bats, followed by hoary bats (L. cinereus), red …

The Socialization Of Students At A Midwestern College, Matthew S. Rader

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to understand and explain the overall culture and subcultures of Prairie College (a pseudonym) and how those cultures socialized students to persist or depart from the institution. In accordance with the higher education student retention theory and research of Braxton (2000), Kuh and Love (2000), and Kuh (2001), there is potential for an institution of higher education to serve and retain greater numbers of students when administrators understand the institutional culture (Morgan, 1996; Mintzberg, 1979; Spindler, 1988) in which they work as well as that of students they serve.

Qualitative research methods were used. …

Clinical Preceptors' Perspectives On Clinical Education In Post-Professional Athletic Training Education Programs, Kelvin Phan, Cailee W. Mccarty, Jessica M. Mutchler, Bonnie Van Lunen

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Clinical education is the interaction between a clinical preceptor and student within the clinical setting to help the student progress as a clinician. Post-professional athletic training clinical education is especially important to improve these students' clinical knowledge and skills. However, little research has been conducted to assess the pedagogical principles for clinical education at this level or what factors are necessary to enhance the clinical skills and decision-making abilities of post-professional students. Therefore, exploring the perspectives of clinical preceptors involved in post-professional education will help educators understand what strategies are necessary to improve post-professional athletic training education programs (PPATEPs). …

Upper Extremity Strength Characteristics In Female Recreational Tennis Players With And Without Lateral Epicondylalgia, Ann M. Lucado, Morey J. Kolber, M. Samuel Cheng, John L. Echternach Sr.

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional.

OBJECTIVES: To compare static strength characteristics of the upper extremity musculature in female recreational tennis players with lateral epicondylalgia to those of nonsymptomatic tennis players and a control group of women who did not play tennis.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of research describing the relationship between lateral epicondylalgia and strength characteristics of the upper extremity musculature, despite the functional relationship between the shoulder, elbow, and wrist.

METHODS: Sixty-three women were recruited into 3 groups (n = 21 per group): symptomatic tennis players (SIP) with lateral epicondylalgia, nonsymptomatic tennis players, and controls. Data collection was performed …

The Unaccompanied Choral Works Of Vytautas Miškinis With Texts By Rabindranoth Tagore: A Resource Guide, Nicholaus B. Cummins

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This document serves as a resource guide for the unaccompanied choral works of Vytautas Miškinis, with texts by Rabindranoth Tagore, including pertinent background information, structural information, and accessibility considerations for the conductor. Additionally, there is a study of Miškinis’s compositional style according to the works in this guide that includes biographical information. Vytautas Miškinis (born 1954) is a Lithuanian conductor and composer currently published by several international music publishing houses. He is also a member of several juries for international choral competitions in addition to his duties as a professor of conducting at the Lithuanian Academy of Arts in Vilnius. …