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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 …

Prioritizing Student Well-Being: Name And Pronoun Policies In K-12 Schools, Manni Jandernoa

Saint Louis University Law Journal

While federal protections against discrimination for LGBTQ students have increased in the past few years, at the same time state legislatures have proposed hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills targeting transgender youth. With more students identifying as transgender or nonbinary, there is a need for clear policies on the usage of chosen names and pronouns in K-12 public schools. Schools need to be prepared to handle transgender and nonbinary students before a need arises. This article discusses the potential conflicts between the individual interests involved when name and pronoun policies are applied in K-12 public schools.

When drafting and enforcing name and …

Accommodating Trans Rights, Susan V. Hazeldean

Saint Louis University Law Journal

In the last few years, state legislatures have advanced a record number of bills aimed at restricting the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming people. In the 2023 legislative session alone, 510 bills were introduced across the nation that would ban gender-affirming healthcare, weaken protection from discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and hospitals, censor drag shows, limit access to books about LGBTQ people, and exclude trans people from bathrooms and locker rooms, among other things. To many, these proposed bills are efforts to exclude transgender people from public life and effectively legislate them out of existence. Such attacks are likely …

The Use Of Virtual Reality For Student Training On Bias And Microaggressions, Razan Hamed, Elizabeth Gdanski, Jooeun Kim, Julianne Le, Amy Lopez, Azmina Panjwani, Allyson Tong, Gloriana Wilson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive innovative technology that can be used with occupational therapy students for bias training in preparation for fieldwork and clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of VR as a complementary educational tool in bias and microaggressions (MA) training for entry-level occupational therapy students. We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected in an 8-week course on diversity, equity, inclusion, and professional skills with a total of 48 first-year entry-level occupational therapy students. We used eight simulated VR cases for all students. Data was collected using a mixed-method survey to …

Supporting The Well-Being And Engagement Of Occupational Therapy Students Through Sensory Modulation: A Pilot Study, Rebecca Matson, Jo Linforth, Julie Hanna, Vikki Barnes-Brown

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Student well-being is an increasing area of concern within higher education and one of the biggest causes of attrition. This study sought to investigate the potential for sensory modulation strategies as an approach to support student well-being and engagement in studies through an action research project. Sixteen second-year occupational therapy students took part in a two-week trial of items designed to support sensory modulation, following which they were asked to complete an online survey evaluating the effectiveness of the item in relation to affect, regulation, attention, and activity. Eight students completed the survey containing a mix of Likert scale and …

Trauma-Informed Pedagogy: The Prevalence Of Trauma Among Students In A Master Of Science Program In Occupational Therapy, Amelia Wilson, Ruth Chen, Michelle P. Phoenix, Sarah Wojkowski, Sandra Vanderkaay

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Trauma impacts learning at all stages of education and can be particularly problematic at post-secondary levels and for people from equity-deserving groups. Understanding trauma can support effective teaching and learning. Research suggests that students who have experienced trauma may be more likely to enter healthcare professional programs. Research specific to occupational therapy (OT) students who have experienced trauma is limited. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of trauma among Master of Science (MSc) OT students at a Canadian university. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was selected for data collection. CTQ is a validated retrospective, self-report tool …

The Capstone Fair For Promoting Initial Generation Of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Ideas, Laurie D. Stelter, Sandra M. Whisner, Cynthia Tiongco, Laura Alexander

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Entry-level occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) programs across the United States navigate the challenge of designing doctoral capstone (DC) processes to provide students with adequate scaffolding to plan, implement, evaluate, and disseminate their capstone projects. The DC process starts with the daunting tasks of student generation of capstone interests and connecting with mentors for collaborative guidance. The purpose of this program evaluation project was to assess a comprehensive process, known as the Capstone Fair, for effectively and efficiently facilitating students’ initial generation of capstone ideas and the match between student and Faculty Capstone Mentor. A fixed convergent, parallel mixed methods design …

Promoter Or Barrier? Assessing How Social Media Predicts Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance And Hesitancy: A Systematic Review Of Primary Series And Booster Vaccine Investigations, Christopher J. Mckinley, Yam Limbu

College of Communication and Media Scholarship and Creative Works

Abstract

Rationale

Prior research indicates that social media is primarily a negative contributor to Covid-19 vaccine outcomes.

Objective

The current systematic review of Covid-19 primary series and booster vaccine investigations provides a more nuanced and comprehensive assessment of this association by exploring a) how distinct social media judgmentsand actions predict different vaccine-related outcomes - perceptions and intentions/uptake, b) both primary series and booster findings, c) types of social media, and d) comparisons across different populations.

Method

We conducted a systematic reviewof published research examining the link between social media and COVID-19 vaccine outcomes – judgments, intentions, and uptake. …

Co-Location Of Seaweed Farming With Offshore Wind Energy: A Quick Scoping Review, Brianna Coffey, Cortni Borgerson, Pankaj Lal, Colette J. Feehan

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Seaweed farming is increasingly recognized as a sustainable marine resource management opportunity, but it also poses socioeconomic and environmental risks that require careful evaluation. This quick scoping review (QSR) examines the current state of knowledge on upscaling seaweed farming through co-location with offshore wind energy production. A total of 240 published records from 2001 to 2022 were analyzed, including studies on general seaweed farming and its integration with offshore wind energy, both of which have shown a significant increase in annual publication rates over time. Geographically, the majority of studies on general seaweed farming were conducted in Asia, while most …

A Genus In The Bacterial Phylum Aquificota Appears To Be Endemic To Aotearoa-New Zealand, Jean F. Power, Carlo R. Carere, Holly E. Welford, Daniel T. Hudson, Kevin C. Lee, John W. Moreau, Anna-Louise Reysenbach, Thijs J.G. Ettema, Multiple Additional Authors

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Allopatric speciation has been difficult to examine among microorganisms, with prior reports of endemism restricted to sub-genus level taxa. Previous microbial community analysis via 16S rRNA gene sequencing of 925 geothermal springs from the Taupō Volcanic Zone (TVZ), Aotearoa-New Zealand, revealed widespread distribution and abundance of a single bacterial genus across 686 of these ecosystems (pH 1.2-9.6 and 17.4-99.8 °C). Here, we present evidence to suggest that this genus, Venenivibrio (phylum Aquificota), is endemic to Aotearoa-New Zealand. A specific environmental niche that increases habitat isolation was identified, with maximal read abundance of Venenivibrio occurring at pH 4-6, 50-70 °C, and …

2023-2024 Profile, Morehead State University. Institutional Research & Analysis.

Office of Institutional Research & Analysis Publication Archive

2023-2024 issue of the Profile Website.

2024-2025 Common Data, Morehead State University. Institutional Research & Analysis.

Office of Institutional Research & Analysis Publication Archive

2024-2025 issue of the Common Data.

5e Instructional Model: A Constructivist Approach To Teaching & Learning, Munira Amirali, Javed Ahmad, Shella Asad, Sadam Hussain, Syed Sardar Hussain, Tahira Jabeen, Tajun Nisa, Wahid Murad

Books

I taught ‘Curriculum Teaching and Learning’ as one of the master-level courses that enables course participants to broaden their understanding of curriculum models, teaching, learning and assessment approaches. The assignment required participants to choose a topic in their subject area, review relevant literature, and identify challenges faced by teachers and students during teaching and learning that topic.
In addition, course participants were asked to list misconceptions students possess regarding the relevant topics and explore possible solutions and recommendations to address the identified challenges and misconceptions. Thus, the course participants developed learning resources (lesson plans) using the 5E model (Engage, Explore, …

Underwater Nitrate Monitoring With Wireless Flexible Sensor Networks, Shah Zayed Riam

Electrical Engineering Theses

This study introduces a sophisticated sensor array engineered for comprehensive monitoring of water quality, thereby addressing the pressing need for effective environmental conservation and water resource management. The array encompasses sensors for nitrate, pH, and temperature, seamlessly integrated into a unified flexible platform capable of wireless data transmission for real-time monitoring applications. Employing potentiometric detection methods, the nitrate and pH sensors offer robust analytical capabilities, while the temperature sensor operates on resistive principles.

The nitrate sensor, constructed using a novel nanocomposite comprising poly(3-octyl-thiophene) (PoT) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), exhibits a sensitivity of -50 mV against every decade change …

Considerations And Applications Of Environmental Dna In Biodiversity Studies, Sarah Tomke

Theses and Dissertations--Forestry and Natural Resources

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling—the detection of species through genetic material shed into the environment—has become an efficient and reliable method for biodiversity assessments. The method has grown in popularity due to its non-invasive and non-destructive nature, and has revolutionized monitoring efforts for rare, elusive, and cryptic species for which traditional sampling approaches are often costly and ineffective. Hundreds of studies have utilized this technique to study species occupancy, delineate distributions, and assess relative community composition. Although eDNA sampling is an effective strategy for many conservation and ecological studies, recently, light has been shed on some of its potential drawbacks and …

Analyzing The Use Of Plain Language In Brief Summaries On Clinicaltrials.Gov, Megan J. Eddington

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

ClinicalTrials.gov is a database designed to help clinical researchers make their research publicly available. The clinical trials registered on the database each include a brief summary, which is meant to be a short description that the public can easily understand. In September 2022, ClinicalTrials.gov published a "Plain Language Checklist for Lay Brief Summaries" on their website, which identifies plain language best practices intended to help investigators craft summaries that can be readily understood by the public. This thesis assesses the impact of the checklist on the language use in the brief summaries in the year following the checklist's publication. The …

Ua94/6/18 Stephen Flora Student / Alumni Papers, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about Stephen Flora during his years as a student at Western Kentucky University.

Aspen Forest Condition Assessment And Restoration Guidance, Paul C. Rogers

Aspen Bibliography

This preliminary report is the first installment of an ongoing aspen assessment at Bryce Canyon National Park (BCNP). Over a 1.5-year period beginning in 2021, I assembled available BCNP and conducted a preliminary field survey to gain a better understanding of the quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) resource within the Park. Findings suggest a long history of vegetation mapping with mixed results in terms of highlighting aspen presence a notable species of overall low coverage as well as aspen importance, at BCNP. In brief, though this species has limited presence, it is of high biodiversity conservation value. According to …

Exploring The Physiology Of Clostridioides Difficile: Selenium-Dependent Catabolism Of Host-Derived Nutrients, Michael A. Johnstone

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Clostridioides difficile is a bacterial pathogen that causes pseudomembranous colitis and the majority of antibiotic-associated diarrheal cases. Broad-spectrum antibiotic usage disrupts the normal gut microbiota and thereby compromises colonization resistance, the main defense against C. difficile infection. Treatment options are limited to vancomycin, fidaxomicin, and the fecal microbiota transplant. Addressing the scarcity of these therapeutics, we documented two explorations in C. difficile drug discovery: (i) evaluation of antibacterial and toxin-suppressing activity of (+)-puupehenone and similar derivatives, and (ii) clarification of a discrepancy in the hypothesized mechanism of auranofin against C. difficile. A better understanding of how C. difficile colonizes …

(Plant)Ing Traditional Roots: Exploring An Impact Of Environmental Shifts On Traditional Phytotherapy Practices In The Cusco Region Of Perú, Nicole Elizabeth Wilmot

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the potential outcomes of environmental shifts on plant-based medical practices in the Cusco region of Peru. Located in the Andes mountain range, at a high elevation, the environment varies immensely, specifically in the various types of native plants in the region. Historically, using plants as natural forms of medicine or healthcare has been deeply rooted in many indigenous communities, traditions, and cultures globally. Environmentally, there have been potential changes and shifts in temperature, water, and soil that affect the nutrition and health of plants to maintain their beneficial properties. Due to various factors, adaptations or shifts to …

The Effects Of Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure On Kappa Opioid Receptor Expression Across Development In Rats, Margaret Agajanov, Kelcie Schatz

Research Days Posters 2024

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term that describes the host of symptoms that may result from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). The incidence of anxiety disorders in children exposed to moderate PAE (mPAE) is twice that seen in children exposed to low amounts. mPAE animal models demonstrate anxiety-like behaviors reflective of those seen in humans exposed to mPAE. Gestational day 12 (G12) in rats is a period during which the amygdala is undergoing significant development. Past studies suggest that mPAE during G12 is implicated in the anxiety-like behavior observed in rats. The basolateral amygdala is part of the anxiety …

Impact Of The Western Diet On Mood, Shania Walters, Aleyna Cakirca, Maya Davis, Kelson Mcbridge, Mia Hargest

Research Days Posters 2024

Recent evidence points toward the effect of diet quality on mood. The purpose of this study was to contextualize the effects of individual dietary habits and their association with mental health. Specifically, we focused on the connection between Western dietary practices and symptoms of depression and anxiety. An anonymous online survey was administered through social media and in-person outreach. The survey included basic demographic questions and questions focused on dietary habits and typical states of emotion. Pearson’s Correlation Analysis was utilized using SPSS version 28.0. There is a positive correlation between the Western diet and depressive symptoms, such as feelings …

How To Improve Indoor Air Quality (Iaq) In U.S. Schools, Nicholas Chan

Research Days Posters 2024

This project aims to determine solutions to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in U.S. school buildings that can accommodate each school’s needs. This project will compile knowledge regarding common issues school buildings face that contribute to poor IAQ and possible solutions to remedy their effects while considering the cost-efficiency of said solutions. The methods of research in this project include the review of academic literature, an online survey, and interviews of students and faculty on the Binghamton University campus. The results of this project serve as guidelines to help school districts more easily determine a cost-efficient system to improve IAQ …

Intraspecific Variability In Neuroterus Saltatorius Populations Throughout Its Range: Unveiling Dynamics Of Anthropogenic-Driven Range Expansions, Brett Dobert

Research Days Posters 2024

Species are expanding their ranges in response to anthropogenic change. Neuroterus saltatorius is an oak gall wasp that is expanding its range poleward in North American western oak savannas. We aim to unravel intraspecific genetic variation in N. saltatorius along a latitudinal gradient, and in the native and expanded range to discern potential genetic differences in wasps collected from different locations, and to attempt to discern the source populations for the range-expanding populations. We performed DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing from N. saltatorius collected from sites along its range. Geneious prime was used to align sequences and create phylogenetic …

Effect Of Hormone Concentrations On Wood Frog (Rana Sylvatica) Testicular Physiology, Audrey Warburton, Lindsey Swierk

Research Days Posters 2024

For over 30 years, rapid amphibian species decline and extinction has been a global phenomenon; more than 70% of the world’s amphibian species are now declining. A major cause of amphibian decline is reproductive failure, which can be due to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and subsequent hormonal and/or sex organ abnormalities. This study aims to understand the effects of varying hormone concentrations on the testicular physiology of male wood frogs (Rana sylvatica). To do so, this research examined testicular histology slides of R. sylvatica (n = 104) males collected from suburban and rural vernal ponds in southern Connecticut. Various testicular structures were …

Variation In Gall Size Between The Native And Expanded Range Of A Range-Expanding Gall Wasp Mediates Interactions And Influences Survivorship, Sophie Tatar, Aly Milks, Kirsten Prior

Research Days Posters 2024

Neuroterus saltatorius is a gall wasp that has expanded its range poleward in North American western oak ecosystems as a result of anthropogenic change and is outbreaking in its expanded range. This research compared its interactions with parasitoid wasps and its host plant between the native and expanded ranges to uncover how altered interactions contribute to outbreaks. This study investigates relationships between gall size, survivorship, and parasitism. We determined the survivorship and gall size of 2,259 galls in 12 native and expanded range sites, using R Studio to compare mean and variation of gall size and survivorship between regions. Native …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Derivatives Of Ucph-101 As Novel Inhibitors Targeting Slc1 Amino Acid Transporter Family, Minh-Hung Nguyen, Jeremiah Mulu, Yang Dong, Christof Grewer

Research Days Posters 2024

Nitrogen is an important element that exists in many biological compounds essential for the cells’ survivability. Due to rapid growth and proliferation, cancer cells demand large amounts of nitrogen, specifically from glutamine. ASCT2 transporters are found to be overexpressed in many types of cancers. The inhibition of ASCT2 is proposed to induce cell starvation. EAAT1 (SLC1A3) and ASCT2 (SLC1A5) exhibit similar allosteric inhibition mechanisms. Previous experiments showed that UCPH-101 allosterically binds to EAATs and inhibits their translocation activity. While the mechanism is unknown, the molecule was shown to be a partial inhibitor of ASCT2. We hypothesized that alteration of the …

The Effects Of Temperature On Rapid Body Color Change In Anolis Aquaticus, Lyra Lu, Allie Martin, Lindsey Swierk

Research Days Posters 2024

Rapid body color change is well documented in animals, but the variety of environmental factors that induce this change are not fully understood. Anolis aquaticus is a tropical lizard with rapid body color changes that uses colder-than-average refugia, namely diving underwater for extended periods, to flee from predators. Using underwater refugia causes these lizards to lose several degrees of body heat. The relationship of low body temperatures on body coloration was tested. First, an observational study was conducted in the field of the correlation between body temperature and body color. Then body temperature was experimentally reduced in the laboratory to …