Digital Commons Network^™

Factors That Influence Males To Teach Agricultural Education, Ashley Thoron

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The need for more males entering the teaching profession is linked to the idea of the gender gap in school with females outperforming males, and the need for young men to have strong role models. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine factors that influence males to teach agricultural education. This study utilized an adapted version of the Ag-Ed FIT Choice Instrument to collect data through a modified version of Dillman’s Tailored Design Method, with three contacts of a pre-notice letter, emailed instrument, and a thank you/reminder. The population consisted of male agricultural education students enrolled in teacher …

A Statewide Examination Of Racial Equity, Culturally Responsive Teaching, And Career Technical Education Outcomes In Kentucky, Reginald L. Mcdaniel Jr.

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the implementation of Racial Equity Policies (REP) and Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) practices in Career and Technical Education (CTE) across the Commonwealth of Kentucky's public school districts. This quantitative research incorporates perspectives from district leaders, educators, and administrators, exploring the interplay between racial equity policies and teaching practices. The study highlighted the influential role of district leaders in shaping positive perceptions and awareness of the tools available to support equity work. The study also revealed disparities among districts, with urban areas leading integration, while rural districts express confidence in their commitment to racial equity.

The study's practical …

Listen Up: Perceptions Of Audiobooks By Teachers, Librarians, And Parents, Megan Bright

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Reading is a critical component of education. From learning to read, to eventually reading to learn, students and teachers rely upon texts to help make sense of the world around them. Methods and tools vary, but teachers, librarians, and parents can all agree that reading is a fundamental skill their students need. However, students are sometimes told to limit their use of audiobooks in favor of reading with their eyes. These limitations may prevent students from finding the books they love and also limit students’ opportunities to use books to learn about the world around them. This study sought to …

K-5 Educators’ Perceptions Of Restorative Practices In St. Louis, Missouri, Jessica Ellen Finney

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Restoration is any form of guidance or counsel toward right decision-making. One can be restored in an emotional or psychological way. The act of restoring emotional reactions back to logical thinking are the core teachings of this paper. The objective of this study was to analyze K-5 educators’ lived experiences, opinions, and perceptions in regard to this social and emotional restoration of teaching. This study advocates teacher perspectives in the art of restorative teaching and thinking for students they teach. This qualitative research study provides insight into the perceptions, opinions, and lived experiences of 10 educators regarding the implementation of …

Examining Stigma In Rural Mental Health Care Settings: A Mixed Methods Approach, Lainie Krumenacker

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

More than half of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime (CDC, 2021), yet stigma towards mental health affects both patients and providers. Although programs exist to address stigma, improve cultural competency among providers, and educate families on the importance of support, facilities are often limited on programs they provide due to allocation of resources and funds. Without a shift in treatment and programing, stigma will continue to impact patient care and outcome.

This study explored stigma among mental health providers in rural communities, while exploring potential differences in treatment among patients due to race. Mental …

The Effect Of Extracurricular Involvement On Teacher Job Satisfaction And Self-Efficacy, Andrew Entrekin

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the effect of teachers' extracurricular involvement on their job satisfaction and self-efficacy. It analyzes a single school district in Alabama and investigates potential factors in the declining teacher graduation rates and high teacher turnover in Alabama. This study addresses the gap in the existing research on how these extracurricular roles influence teachers’ professional well-being and self-efficacy.

The research implemented a quantitative approach, using abbreviated versions of Bandura’s Teacher Self-Efficacy Survey and the Teacher Job Satisfaction Questionnaire to measure how those metrics are affected by coaching a sport or sponsoring an extracurricular club or organization. Analysis of Variance …

Does Taking Cte Courses Affect High School Graduation Rates?, Jimmy Artrip

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the impact of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses on high school graduation rates. As educational institutions look for ways to increase graduation rates and student engagement, CTE has emerged as a viable strategy. CTE aims to equip students with practical skills and post-secondary career and technical education while improving attitudes toward the educational environment. This study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of graduation rates from the school district with qualitative data gained through interviews with graduating students. Results indicate a statistically significant increase in graduation rates and improved outlooks and attitudes among students enrolled …

Stakeholder Engagement: Challenges, Metrics, And Tactical Solutions In Higher Education Strategic Planning, Stephanie Miller Gillen

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Effective stakeholder engagement is critical in higher education strategic planning, particularly as institutions face challenges such as changing demographics, technological advances, and evolving student expectations. This study explores the complexities of engaging diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, community members, and governance, in the strategic planning process. Using a qualitative approach, the research examines how stakeholder engagement practices contribute to the development of strategic plans. The study emphasizes the importance of moving beyond superficial engagement to foster genuine collaboration and accountability, ultimately enhancing higher education institutions' adaptability. The research provides valuable insights for institutions aiming to enhance the efficacy of the …

University Student Worker Productivity: A Qualitative Analysis, Amanda S. Mansfield

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Student worker productivity is an important aspect of higher education, since many functional units rely on student employees to operate. Student workers communicate with all stakeholders of universities, including incoming and current students and their families, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members. Universities facing issues related to budgeting, enrollment, retention, and employability of their graduates can combat those issues by strengthening the largest labor pool on campus, student workers. The study explored what it means to be a productive university student worker within the framework of Social Exchange Theory and Grounded Theory. The study sought to provide recommendations to universities …

Atomically Dispersed Zeolite-Supported Rhodium Complex: Selective And Stable Catalyst For Acetylene Semi-Hydrogenation, Yuxin Zhao, Özge D. Bozkurt, Samira F. Kurtoğlu-Öztulum, Melisa Su Yordanli, Adam S. Hoffman, Jiyun Hong, Jorge E. Perez-Aguilar, Aylin Saltuk, Deniz Akgül, Tülay Ateşin

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

Highlights

• Rhodium has heretofore been known to be unselective for acetylene semi-hydrogenation.

• Electronic properties of rhodium are tuned by choice of support and metal nuclearity.

• Selectivity is maximized when Rh is atomically dispersed on a weak electron donor.

• Zeolite-supported Rh complex with C2H2 ligands offers a stable C2H4 selectivity > 90 %.

• Results demonstrate unprecedented catalytic properties of Rh for semi-hydrogenation.

Abstract

Supported rhodium catalysts are known to be unselective for semi-hydrogenation reactions. Here, by tuning the electronic structure of supported mononuclear rhodium sites determined by the metal nuclearity and the electron-donor properties of the support, we report that atomically dispersed …

A Constant Dance: A Social Practice Perspective Of Frontline Responsible Management, Jason K. Coker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

There is a growing interest and attention for organizations to move from a shareholder capitalist to stakeholder capitalist business model, in which delivering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance is becoming more pronounced. Because of this transition, there is growing pressure for managers at all levels to act in sustainable, socially responsible, and ethical (SRE) ways; yet the current management models are based on maximizing economic value and scientific management. Therefore, the attempts to try and manage 21st century organizations with 20th century management practices and the aspirations of responsible management education have not demonstrated the desired effect (Laasch & …

Action Identification And It’S Relation To Homosexual Identity Formation, Matthew E. Abate

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

The present study examined the relationship between Action Identification and Homosexual Identity Formation. Specifically, it examines how homosexual male individuals view their actions differently when they are “in the closet” (not open about their sexual orientation) compared to being out today (open about their sexual orientation). Homosexual male participants (N=142) took an online survey containing the internalized Homophobia scale, Self-concept clarity scale, and general demographics questions and took the Behavioral Identification Form with an additional 20 items twice (BIF+). The participants were instructed first to answer the BIF+ as if they were in the closet and later took the same …

Ai Family: Portraiture In Artists Books And Web Design, Tatyana V. Iudean

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This thesis employs graphic design to envision the present and future scenario of humanity adapting to artificial intelligence and the current state of continuous data harvesting by organizations and platforms that lack transparency with the public. Explored topics include the impact of AI on families and the importance of gaining awareness regarding the potential negative and positive consequences of uncontrolled data collection about individuals. These themes converge in my exhibition to depict the current and potentially future reality of living in a family with the constant presence of AI and the associated dangers it entails. The concept of data harvesting, …

An Ethnography Of The Breastfeeding And Nonbreastfeeding Practices Of Black Jamaican Women In The United States, Nikkisha Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Infant feeding is a universally recognized practice yet, it is profoundly influenced by culture. While it is well accepted that breast milk is the gold standard for infant feeding in the United States, the persistence of breastfeeding disparity among minorities, particularly among Black women in the U.S. is not well understood. According to the literature, Black mothers in the U.S. remain among the least likely to both initiate and exclusively breastfeed. Although infant feeding research related to African American women's practices has been widely explored, there is a paucity of knowledge related to the experiences and practices of foreign-born Black …

An Examination Of Emergency Management Programs In The Florida College System And State University System, Jaeson Andrew Weber

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This study addressed gaps in research on understanding the preparedness status of emergency management programs within Florida College System (FCS) and State University System (SUS) institutions. The quantitative assessment involved 21 institutions (51% response rate). A survey instrument was developed from prior studies and measured programmatic factors. These questions explored the current preparedness level regarding emergency management programs within Florida’s FCS and SUS institutions, the involvement of stakeholders in these programs, the perceived preparedness to respond to various hazards, the extent of institutional investment in emergency management efforts, and the organizational frameworks characterizing the emergency management departments or units within …

An Experimental Approach To Evaluate The Effectiveness And Performance Of Chlorine As A Disinfectant For Entamoeba Dispar In Groundwater, Rakib Ahmed Chowdhury.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Deep injection well technology is a reliable and cost-effective technique to manage hazardous wastewater. However, reduced injectivity is an issue for the performance of an injection well which can happen due to the occurrence of biogeochemical clogging. A class 1 deep injection well located at the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County has long suffered similar problems that occurred due to the formation of chemical precipitation and biofilm. In the case of the biofilm, the dominant microorganism detected in previous work was determined to be Entamoeba dispar. The prime source of the protozoan was identified as the local groundwater, …

Assessing Coral Restoration Feasibility In The Face Of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease On Florida’S Coral Reef, Gabrielle S. Pantoni

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Since the emergence of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) in 2014, 60% of live coral cover on Florida’s coral reefs have been lost. This study assessed the efficacy of outplanting microfragment colony arrays of three SCTLD-susceptible coral species (Montastraea cavernosa, Orbicella faveolata, and Pseudodiploria clivosa) as remediation technique in two SCTLD-degraded reef areas, St. Lucie Reef and Palm Beach, in southeast Florida. After approximately 2 years, outplanted colonies at both reefs experienced ≥ 75 % survivorship, net positive growth rates, and fragment fusion, with some variation between species and across reefs. Additionally, outplanting SCTLD-susceptible species did not increase local …

Automatic Detection Of Building Damage Caused By Hurricane On Florida Coastal Area From Aerial Images, Joseph Gyegyiri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Rapid response and efficient damage assessment are life-or-death matters in the wake of natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. These events wreak havoc on infrastructure and properties and, most critically, endanger human lives. The timely and effective allocation of resources during such crises is imperative, necessitating meticulous planning based on the extent of damage incurred. This research presents an approach to automating the damage assessment using pre/post-disaster aerial images and computer vision. Recent advancements in disaster response strategies have encouraged researchers to harness the power of satellite and aerial imagery to assess the aftermath. Usually, due to the different …

Classical And Post-Quantum Cryptography On Modern Arm-Based Processors, Mila Anastasova

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Cryptographic algorithms are being developed and incorporated into network security protocols to provide secure communication over vulnerable mediums like the Internet. These protocols utilize secret and public key mechanisms to carry out data integrity, confidentiality, authentication, and non-repudiation. The urge to deploy cryptosystems on low-end devices, based on the constantly growing Internet of Things (IoT) world, requires optimal design and implementation of cryptographic algorithms and protocols to achieve small communicational and computational cost, while preserving the privacy of the transmitted data. Scenarios of low bandwidth, constrained memory, and limited processing power are common when targeting embedded devices; however, security requirements …

Cultural Integration Through Design Expression: Exploring The Intersection Of Languages In Design And Cultural Exchanges, Hamed Tabrizi Edalati

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This thesis, drawn from my experience as a visual designer who recently moved to the United States, focuses on design expression as a means to bridge cultures. My aim is to clarify the complex connection between design expression and cultural integration, emphasizing the essential part that design plays in promoting significant cross-cultural interactions. To reveal the complex relationships that exist in design and cultural identity, I go beyond aesthetics and investigate how design may be used to comprehend and communicate cultural identity. Language serves as a means of expressing cultural identity, values, and traditions. Using poetry, quotes, and idioms in …

Background Structure Functions, A Basis To Reduce Acoustic Power Requirements And Improve Images, Michael C. Kobold

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Background Structure Functions (BSFs) are wavefront distortion metrics, functions of Sound Speed Profiles (SSPs) that are functions of depth. Use of these BSFs is a synthesis form of Matched Field Processing (MFP) that detects signals that are otherwise lost to receivers. Underwater Acoustics (UWA) can use these models to forecast communication and imaging performance and to reduce power radiated into the sea. This reduction of Transmission Loss (TL) occurs because the commercial wavefront control has an input format that accepts BSFs. The BSF plots represent the purely statistical distortion for communications and remote sensing. Another source of TL reduction comes …

Development And Methodology For Auv-Based Geomagnetic Surveys In Support Of Geophysical Navigation, Joshua Jepsen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This thesis investigates geomagnetic survey methodology in support of the development of a geophysical navigation system for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). Traditional AUV navigation methods are susceptible to cumulative errors and often rely on external infrastructure, limiting their effectiveness in complex underwater environments. This research leverages geomagnetic field anomalies as an additional navigational reference to these traditional systems, particularly in the absence of Global Positioning System (GPS) and acoustics navigation systems. Geomagnetic surveys were conducted over known shipwreck sites off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to validate the system's ability to detect and map magnetic anomalies. Data from …

Developing Amine-Modified Silica Materials For Carbon Dioxide Capture From Different Gas Streams, Amirjavad Hosseini Ahmadian

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

The atmospheric concentration of CO2 increased from 320 to 425 parts per million by volume (ppmv; 0.0425 vol.%) between 1960 and 2024. Sample CO2 reduction strategies include shifting to renewable energy sources and employing CO2 capture. CO2 capture from the air (also known as direct air capture; DAC) has recently received increased attention. CO2 has the potential to act as an asphyxiant at high concentrations, particularly in enclosed environments (e.g., spacecraft, submarines), requiring air revitalization to remove CO2. Hence, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined a permissible exposure limit of 5,000 ppmv CO2 (0.5 vol.%) throughout an 8-hour …

Development Of Gis-Based Online Watershed Dashboard For Charlotte County, Florida, Saeid Naghadehi Zare

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This thesis presents the development of an innovative Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Interactive Online Watershed Dashboard aimed at flood risk assessment and mitigation in Charlotte County, Florida. The research leverages advanced GIS techniques, including flood inundation simulations using CASCADE 2001, integrating LiDAR DEM data and GIS layers such as impervious surfaces, waterbodies, and soil characteristics to model flood behavior in 61 inundation probability scenarios. Key results include detailed flood inundation probability maps categorizing risk levels based on Z-scores, providing actionable insights for flood risk management and emergency planning. Spatial analysis reveals demographic vulnerabilities, with population density and ethnic compositions intersecting …

Elevating Resilience Through Education: Assessing Flood Literacy In South Florida, Paris Santiago

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Flood events are becoming more frequent and intense as time progresses, ushering in a “new normal” for life in South Florida, a life that presumably requires flood literacy for resilience. Utilizing a 45-question digital survey, flood literacy of 600 participants from Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties was assessed. Using seven indices developed for this study including residency, flood terminology literacy, flood insurance literacy, floodplain literacy, flood experience, risk communication awareness, and mitigation strategies, it was found that less than 80% of participants were flood literate, with most indicating low experience with flooding and mitigation. Interaction with risk communications …

Equitable Decision-Making: Integrating Environmental Risk And Social Vulnerability In Flood Mitigation Project Selection, Aneisha Daniel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This empirical study examines decision-making in project selection in the face of overwhelming flood infrastructure needs and inadequate resources, particularly in vulnerable communities. The motivation for this study is to explore the interconnectedness between socioeconomic dimensions and environmental risks in the decision-making process for selecting projects. The study evaluates the Palm Beach County project selection framework and the impact of multi-criteria decision-making on project selection by proposing a new framework. The new project selection framework emphasizes the integration of flood risk and social vulnerability index criteria to evaluate the relationship between the new criteria in the decision-making framework and project …

Ethnoarchaeology Of Manteño Architecture In Rio Blanco Ecuador: A Pre-Columbian Home Of The Cloud Forest, Colin Robert Waldron

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This thesis aims to answer questions about preconquest natives, defined by archaeologists as the Manteño culture (800-1533C.E.), in the cloud forests of Rio Blanco, Ecuador. Descriptions of the excavation units are made focusing on the architectural aspect of their dwelling. The cultural remains of the inhabitants also helped to conclude that this was a domestic house. Using an ethnoarchaeological theory base, modern home building analogies are employed to address questions about the archaeological process.

Evaluation Of Influences Of The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (Enso) Events On Changes In Temperature Extremes And Residential Energy Consumption In South Florida, Kuntal S. Thakker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) occurrences have a well-established impact on regional hydroclimatic variability and alterations in crucial climatic factors such as temperature and precipitation. The impact of ENSO on temperature extremes can cause fluctuations in energy consumption, leading to the need for energy utilities to implement more effective management measures. This study aims to evaluate the potential impacts of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events on local temperature patterns & extremes and residential energy usage in South Florida. The region of focus consists of three Counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. The impact of ENSO occurrences on temperature is …

Examining Post-Traumatic Growth And Ease Among Adults Who Have Experienced The Trauma Cluster Of Hurricane Dorian And The Coronavirus Disease Pandemic, Breanne R. Levarity

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and ease and examine the relationship between PTG and ease among the Bahamian population who experienced a trauma cluster. A descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative design was conducted on the island of Grand Bahama, Bahamas, nearly 4 years after the trauma cluster of Hurricane Dorian and the Coronavirus disease pandemic. A convenience sampling method was adopted, and 208 adult survivors of the trauma cluster completed the survey. The 21-item Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) scale and Ease Measure were used in the assessment of PTG and ease, respectively. The …

Examining The Effectiveness Of Florida’S Extended Day Requirement Under Florida Statute §1011.62, Jodi Washington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

For nearly 60 years, politicians and policymakers have sought to improve the educational outcomes of students across their states and the country through legislated policies and programs. Despite their efforts, little progress has been made in improving the outcomes of the nation’s most vulnerable students. The achievement gap persists, and poverty divides the haves from the have-nots, especially in reading achievement. This study was designed to explore the impact of increasing time allocated for reading instruction on student achievement in English Language Arts (ELA). Additional research questions were also included to determine if other factors impacted student achievement in ELA. …