Digital Commons Network^™

The Sun House, Max Kaisler

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Post War Trauma In Mrs. Dalloway, Leslie Conner

Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Specifying Links Between Executive Functioning And Theory Of Mind During Middle Childhood: Cognitive Flexibility Predicts Social Understanding, Allison M. Bock, Kristin C. Gallaway, Alycia M. Hund

Faculty Publications – Psychology

The purpose of this study was to specify the development of and links between executive functioning and theory of mind during middle childhood. One hundred four 7- to 12-year-old children completed a battery of age-appropriate tasks measuring working memory, inhibition, flexibility, theory of mind, and vocabulary. As expected, spatial working memory and flexibility increased significantly with age, especially after 7 years. Moreover, flexibility predicted social understanding over and above the effects of age, vocabulary, working memory, and inhibition. Together, these findings highlight improvements in and tight relations between complex aspects of executive functioning and theory of mind during middle childhood …

Longitudinal Variation In Environmental Impact At Rock Climbing Areas In The Red River Gorge Limits Of Acceptable Change Study Area, Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky, Nicholas Walendziak

Online Theses and Dissertations

Recreation ecology began in the 1960s to measure the impacts of recreation on ecosystems. Area of environmental impact is an important objective to assess recreational impact. However, few researchers have examined the trends of these impacts over time. This study measures the environmental area of impact at eight climbing areas, in Red River Gorge, Kentucky, over a six year period, to determine impact trends. The results of this research will help recreation ecologists and land managers understand environmental impacts over time, and possibly predict future impact scenarios. The hypothesis of this research is the total mean area of impact at …

Fire Service Leadership And The Impact Of Civil And Criminal Litigation On Officer Recruitment And Retention, Cameron Edward Borchert

Online Theses and Dissertations

Litigation in any industry is a driving force in the need for change management. There are very few industries that have not felt the direct effects of liability and litigation. For generations the fire service has enjoyed a sort of protected status as a result of the general good will the public has offered. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which being that firefighters routinely will risk their lives in the service of others. However, in recent years, fire departments across the United States have experienced increasing incidents of civil and criminal litigation. The core issue …

The Relationship Between Coaching Environment And Athlete Attributional Style, Una Britton

Online Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between attributional style and perceived coaching behaviors in collegiate cross-country/track and field athletes in the USA and Ireland. Participants included seventy-three collegiate athletes (Ireland: n = 24 male, n = 18 female, mean ± SD age: 20.39 ± 1.61 years. USA: n = 9 male, n = 22 female, mean ± SD age: 21.02 ± 2.18 years). Participants completed the Sport Attributional Style Scale (SASS; Hanrahan et al., 1989) and the Leadership Scale for Sport (LSS; Chelladurai & Selah, 1980) to assess attributional style and perceived coaching behaviors. Explanatory pessimism, total internality, stability, and globality …

The Effects On Acute Power Production Enhancement And Maintenance Due To Pre-Workout Supplementation In Recreationally Trained College Aged Males., Mark Travis Byrd

Online Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The current research in power production has shown the use of pre-workout supplements to increase peak power production, but the current research has not yet been able to delve in to the effectiveness of pre-workout supplementation on maintaining power production.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects on acute power production enhancement and maintenance due to supplementation in recreationally trained college aged individuals.

Methods: Data was collected from 13 recreationally trained, college-aged males in a double-blind crossover study. After a familiarization sessions subjects participated in three testing sessions utilizing a cross over double blind design …

Prehospital Emergency Medical Services Treatment Protocols: Aligning With National Best Practices, Zachary Ryan Charest

Online Theses and Dissertations

Many variances in prehospital Paramedic treatment protocols exist amongst Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Providers in the State of Kentucky. These differences lead to inconsistencies in quality of patient care delivered, reduce ease of mobility of providers and result in a decreased oversight from the Kentucky Board of EMS (KBEMS). To investigate the impact of protocol variances on patient care, a mixed methods study consisting of a convenience sample of Kentucky EMS prehospital Paramedic treatment protocols was collected and compared to the Kentucky state-wide treatment protocols. A literature review of best practices regarding EMS protocols was conducted. Of all protocols 81.9% …

Leading Indicators Of Safety In Nuclear Energy, Cameron Douglas Cowser

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to attempt to determine the key leading indicators of safety in the nuclear energy generation industry. A leading indicator is a metric of safety performance that is not dependent on trending injuries or incidents. This study was conducted by sending surveys to individuals working in the nuclear energy industry, and attempting to rate a set of indicators by their responses. This research was unsuccessful in empirical validation of any of the surveyed indicators, but does indicate that the concept is well known and accepted in the industry, and paves the way for a more …

Service Learning In A Collegiate Recreation Program: Understanding The Impacts On Personal Understanding And Academic Success In Therapeutic Recreation Vs Non-Therapeutic Recreation Concentrations, Eden Ernestine Fisher

Online Theses and Dissertations

Service Learning is steadily becoming a more utilized method of teaching in collegiate settings and thus the purpose of this research was to (1) Examine how service learning in a collegiate recreation program may or may not benefit students academically and personally and (2) Determine if therapeutic recreation students perceive service learning to be more beneficial than other concentrations in the recreation field. It was hypothesized that service learning would benefit undergraduate and graduate students both academically and personally and that undergraduate therapeutic recreation majors would perceive service learning to be more beneficial than other concentrations. The findings supported both …

Characterization Of Contaminants On Firefighter"S Protective Equipment A Firefighter's Potential Exposure To Heavy Metals During A Structure Fire, Donald F. Gagas

Online Theses and Dissertations

This research measured heavy metals, specifically cadmium, chromium, copper, and lead, on the surface of the firefighters bunker gear. Despite the fact that many studies have been conducted regarding the presence of organics in smoke emissions from structure fires, very few studies have investigated the extent of heavy metal emissions found during a structure fire. Using a wipe test procedure samples were collected from firefighters following a structure fire and analyzed for metals. Three locations on the bunker gear were used, the knee, elbow, and chest areas. The results showed that varying amounts of cadmium, chromium, copper and lead adhere …

Identifying Speech-Language Pathologists' Current Perceptions And Practice Patterns, Mary Margaret Griffith

Online Theses and Dissertations

A web-based survey was collected and analyzed from 39 speech-language pathologists (SLP) contacted through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) Special Interest Groups #2 and #4 as well as members of the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders (ABFFD) via email regarding their current perceptions and clinical practice patterns with individuals with neurogenic and psychogenic stuttering. Participants reported using a battery of assessments and a variety of treatment approaches to diagnose neurogenic and psychogenic stuttering in addition to traditional fluency assessments and fluency enhancing techniques. Participants rated themselves as having more knowledge and experience with neurogenic stuttering than psychogenic stuttering. …

Kentucky Principal Preparation Programs: A Contemporary History, Thomas Henry Hart

Online Theses and Dissertations

In this era of expectation that school principals will lead continuous improvement initiatives in their schools, this study investigates if principals receive instruction in continuous improvement concepts, methods, and tools through their formal principal certification program. This research evaluates the evolution of school principal preparation programs in Kentucky over the period from 1994 to 2014, a time of great change in academic expectations and accountability in American public schools. Using the report of a national study begun in 1975, Preparatory Programs for Educational Administrators in the United States (Silver and Spuck, 1978), as a baseline, accredited principal preparations programs in …

Intimate Partners In Crime: Utilizing Life Course To Examine Female Criminality, Emily Ann Hayden

Online Theses and Dissertations

Employing a life-course framework, this research examines how various relationship typologies expands Sampson and Laub’s (2003) discussion of ‘marriage’ as a crucial mechanism involved in desistence. Moreover, recent contributions to life-course theory has identified a void in the literature in regards to how ‘turning points’ operate within female offenders. As such, this research fills those gaps by re-conceptualizing relationship typologies and focusing on the similarities between marriage and relationships. Two research questions are explored: If marriage is a turning point for crime, do non-marital relationships have a similar effect? If so, do different qualities and typologies of relationship status provoke …

Methods Of Analysis For Fermentation Science Products Using Various Analytical Techniques, Casey Jay Howdieshell

Online Theses and Dissertations

Fermentation science, the study of microorganisms as they digest food sources to produce usable products for consumption, has been around since the dawn of modern civilization. Historically, the fermentation process has been utilized for the production of alcoholic beverages. More recently, however, the production of bioethanol and biodiesel as a fuel source alternative to classical fossil fuels has gained increased popularity. As with any synthetic process, derivations and optimizations for ideal production are needed. As such, analytical techniques must be implemented to ensure quality control and pinnacle efficiency. This body of work describes analytical techniques providing key qualitative and quantitative …

An Assessment Of The Relationship Of Online Technical Resources Developed By The National Weather Service (Nws) And United State Geological Survey (Usgs) And The Analysis Of Their Usage By Kentucky Emergency Managers During Preparedness, Response, Recovery, And Mitigation, Keith Joy

Online Theses and Dissertations

Emergency management tasks are essentially uncertain. They require information sharing and quick decision making that incorporates coordination across a vast array of individuals and organizations. During an emergency, communication is key during all four phases of the emergency management process; preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation. In order to communicate effectively and systematically with the incident management team, emergency managers must establish situational awareness during a disaster. Obtaining optimal situational awareness requires emergency managers to use an assortment of technologies in order to relay the most accurate information in real time. The focus of this research is on those technologies and the …

Occupational Therapists' Perceived Experiences Implementing Response To Intervention (Rti) In Early Education, Mckenzie Dawn Katzman

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study is to gain a better perspective of occupational therapists’ perceived experiences when implementing Response to Intervention (RtI) in early education. RtI is an emerging practice area in Occupational Therapy. Three Kentucky occupational therapists, working in the school system in different counties, were recruited through email and snowballing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person with participants. Information gathered was transcribed verbatim and transcripts were examined for purposes of coding. Coding was compared across cases and examined for themes. Despite commonalities, three distinct experiences of RtI emerged. Implications for occupational therapists working in the school …

On The Trail Of Student Participants: Identifying Barriers To Hunting And Developing A Hunter Recruitment Profile For College Students In Kentucky, Justin Dean Kurtz

Online Theses and Dissertations

Over the past several decades the number of individuals participating in hunting has decreased dramatically. This issue is important as hunting plays a major role in the US economy, is also the basis for the modern model of wildlife conservation, and can serve as a conduit for individuals to experience nature.

The purpose of this research was to identify barriers to hunting for college students, as well as identify lifestyle factors that can be used to create a profile for college students who are ideal for hunter recruitment efforts. Students at Eastern Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University, and Western Kentucky …

Educational Professionals' Current Knowledge Of Concussions And Return To Learn Implementation Practice, Michelle Kuzma

Online Theses and Dissertations

Purpose of Project: The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge level and return-to-learn concussion management guidelines for secondary school educational professionals.

Methods: Surveys were distributed to 1,334 middle and high school educational professionals. Surveys included questions regarding basic demographics, teaching and coaching experience, personal concussion experiences, general concussion knowledge, and knowledge of return-to-learn guidelines. Results: Survey response rate was 15.7% (N=210). The mean teaching experience was 13.9±8.6yr and 46.4% had previous or current coaching experience. Overall 25.8% of respondents had taken a class/clinic on concussion recognition. Of those that coached, only 49.0% took a class on concussion …

The Experiences Of Occupational Therapists Working On Interprofessional Primary Health Care Teams: A Case Study., Emma Blake Mcclellan

Online Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this research was to provide evidence on the integration of occupational therapy (OT) intervention in primary care from the perspective of OTs. Typical services provided, experience with team members, and the identified value of OT in primary health care was explored. OT possesses the expertise and skill set to address the most common chronic conditions that primary care providers treat by entry level educational preparation. OT services are based upon a holistic view of individuals creating an affective skill set to participate in and coordinate health care delivery for the client. Currently limited evidence is available to …

Sedentary Behaviors And Physical Activity In Relation To Class Standing In University Students, Codie Monhollen

Online Theses and Dissertations

The researcher studied sedentary behaviors and physical activity (PA) of university students in relation to class standings. Participants were 294 university students for the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ) and 264 students for the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) selected from the College of Health Sciences. Sedentary Behaviors were analyzed using the SBQ, consisting of 9 behavior items, separated into weekday and weekend behavior. Additionally, PA was assessed using the IPAQ. On average students spent 37hr in sedentary behaviors during a normal 5 day week. Statistical significance was found between class standing for playing computer/video games, paperwork/computer, and transportation for weekday …

Preparation And Characterization Of Self-Assembled Monolayers And Mesoscale Protein Patterning, Panae Noomuna

Online Theses and Dissertations

Bottom-up approach was used to develop self-assembled monolayers of octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and undecenyltrichlorosilane(UTS) on Si(100) wafer. Undecenyltrichlorosilane monolayer was oxidized at the vinyl terminal to generate a carboxylic acid group. Lysozyme protein was immobilized on the polar carboxylic acid group. The developed protein patterns were investigated using fluorescence microscopy. Lysozyme has an isoelectronic point of 11.35. At a pH below this value the protein is positively charged making it a good candidate for electrostatic adsorption on the negatively charge -COO- group. Fluorescence images confirm formation of lysozyme across the silicon wafer. The patterned Si(100) wafer can be used as a …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Firefighter Participation In Wellness Programs Within A Career Fire Department In Northern Ohio, Conner O'Halloran

Online Theses and Dissertations

Firefighters respond to dangerous emergencies every day. The physical and mental wellness of firefighters is very important to their overall job performance. To support this, fire departments must have established, comprehensive wellness programs (International Association of Firefighters, 2008). Even with national standard recommendation of wellness programs, one does not exist in a fire department located in Northern Ohio.

The focus of this research is to explore reasons why these highly recommended wellness programs are not established. Successful establishment of a wellness program requires understanding why this fire department is hesitant or unsuccessful in implementing and maintaining a wellness program.

This …

Individuals Who Self Identify As Artists But Work In A Different Career: A Cross Case Analysis, Kelly Lee Price

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine, from their individual perspective, the identity of individuals who self-identify as an artist but work in other careers. The research objectives of this study included: exploring the possible sense of occupational imbalance in an individual’s self-identity, exploring the personal identity of individuals who perceive themselves as artists but work at a different career, and explaining the relationships between art and self-identity including life balance, work ethic, and education. This research was based in an occupational science viewpoint, in that it looked at how occupations help to define life meaning, purpose, and identity. …

A Study Of Academic Performance In Police Basic Training, Robert Ramsey

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of formal education and the effect it has on academic performance of the police recruits that attended the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) for their basic training academy in Richmond, Ky. This study focused on the academic portion of recruit training only. This study assessed whether education level is a valid predictor of a recruit officers academic performance and will answer if higher education levels give a recruit officer an advantage academically while they are in basic training.

The sample chosen was from recruit classes that attended basic training …

Effectiveness Of Visual-Based Safety Training Compared With Non-Visual Based Safety Training In The Meat Processing Industry For Non-English Speaking, Hispanic Employees, Erika K. Rinehart

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to identify whether visual-based safety training for non-English, Spanish speaking employees in the meat industry is more effective than non-visual training. The literature review included in this thesis studies the known barriers to training Hispanic workers, the existing training methods out there for safety training, and the best forms of safety training for non-English, Spanish speaking workers.

The methodology in this research evaluated the effectiveness of visual-based training versus a non-visual training for non-English, Spanish speaking employees in the meat industry. Two training sessions with a total of 30 volunteers was organized in order …

Elaborating Borderline And Psychopathic Personality With The Computerized Adaptive Test Of Personality Disorder In A Female Correctional Sample, Chelsea Sleep

Online Theses and Dissertations

Most of what we know about Psychopathic Personality Disorder (PPD) is based upon research with males. Considerably less research has examined female manifestations of the construct, however, some research suggests that Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) may represent a female phenotypic expression of PPD, particularly among incarcerated offenders. The current study examined distinction and convergence between PPD and BPD. Utilizing a sample of 146 female correctional inmates as well as 109 female college students, the current study employed the Computerized Adaptive Test of Personality Disorder (CAT-PD) as well as other specific indices to explore the extent to which these two personality …

5-0 Is Not Coming To Save You: Examining The Lack Of Police Intervention In Lgbtq Intimate Partner Violence, Lucais Wallen

Online Theses and Dissertations

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has garnered a lot of attention by the criminal justice system, the media and, academia. Intimate partner violence laws have seen drastic changes over the past hundred years often coupled with the changes of culture and society. Though intimate partner violence surely warrants that attention, the growing and important issue of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) intimate partner violence has largely been ignored. The ongoing struggle of LGBTQ community for equality has not as of yet been a catalyst for drastic legal change. Utilizing narratives from victims of intimate partner violence from around the …

The Effect Of Antibiotics On Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biofilm Production, Courtney Paige Turpin

Online Theses and Dissertations

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become an increasing burden worldwide. A highly resistant species is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a nosocomial pathogen that produces a biofilm that enhances its resistance. This project examined the possibility of using bacteriocin, an internal protective toxin produced by some species of bacteria, as a potential treatment for resistant bacteria. In this study, standard broad spectrum antibiotics were used to treat P. aeruginosa to prevent biofilm formation. The biofilm was then analyzed to determine if the biofilm is inhibited or facilitated by each treatment. Optimal concentrations of antibiotics were determined to be effective at a concentration of 0.07mg/mL for …

The Role Of Speech-Language Pathologists In Swallowing Treatment Of Individuals With Hiv/Aids, Sarah Lynn Warner

Online Theses and Dissertations

The role of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the assessment and treatment of dysphagia in individuals living with HIV/AIDS is relatively absent from the literature. Dysphagia is described as difficulty swallowing that can be caused by oral indicators, structural dysfunction, and neurological disease (Bladon & Ross, 2007; Bobba et al., 2007; Nkuize et al., 2010). Dysphagia is a prevalent symptom secondary to the HIV/AIDS virus, yet dysphagia in the HIV/AIDS population often goes untreated (Bladon & Ross, 2007). One way to improve assessment and treatment of dysphagia is to ensure medical professionals are knowledgeable of the communication and swallowing disorders that …