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Standardizing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Education To Improve Patient Knowledge And Care Consistency In A Prenatal Clinic Setting, Wynn Zara

Master's Projects and Capstones

The gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) group visit framework aims to improve consistency of GDM education by standardizing referral processes, educational materials, staff workflows, and patient communication. Although evidence-based GDM education supports patient self-management and improved maternal-fetal outcomes, variability in education delivery contributed to inconsistent care within the outpatient maternal-fetal medicine setting. This quality improvement project was conducted in an outpatient maternal-fetal medicine clinic in Santa Clara County serving pregnant patients diagnosed with GDM. To address this gap, a standardized GDM group visit framework was developed and implemented using structured educational resources, referral criteria, and communication workflows. The intervention was evaluated …

Resource-Conscious Care: Time To Pregnancy And Iui Cycle Outcomes In Female Same-Sex Couples, Lea George, Devika Sachdev, Kassie Bollig

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) for the first cycle, time to pregnancy, and cumulative CPR up to six consecutive cycles differ between female same-sex couples undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) alone and those undergoing IUI with ovarian stimulation?

DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study evaluated 554 female same-sex couples undergoing IUI alone (n = 264) or IUI with ovarian stimulation (n = 290) at a single centre using cryopreserved donor spermatozoa from January 2012 to January 2022.

RESULTS: Overall, CPR for the first cycle was 17.9% (99/554). In adjusted analyses, there was no significant difference in CPR in IUI …

Psychological Interventions For Children With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities In The Context Of Neurodiversity: A Systematic Review, Kalliopi Megari, Dimitra V. Katsarou, Evangelos Mantsos, Soultana Papadopoulou, Efthymia Efthymiou, Maria Theodoratou, Maria Sofologi, Eugenia Toki

All Works

Highlights What are the main findings? What is the implication of the main finding?Highlights What are the main findings? What is the implication of the main finding?Abstract Background/Objectives: This systematic review examines psychological interventions for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities within a neurodiversity framework, emphasizing that variations in cognition, behavior, and neurological functioning represent natural forms of human diversity rather than deficits. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar databases for studies published between 2010 and 2025. Studies were included if they focused on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning or intellectual disabilities …

Race And Ethnicity And Overall Survival In Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Daniel J. Zheng, Long Khuong, Catherine Aftandilian, Kira Bona, Emi H. Caywood, Caitlin W. Elgarten, Brian T. Fisher, Cody-Aaron L. Gathers, Taumoha Ghosh, M. Monica Gramatges, Gary Hettinger, Meret R. Henry, Yuan-Shung V Huang, Yimei Li, Kelly Maloney, Amir Mian, Tamara P Miller, Arunkumar Modi, Rajen Mody, Regina M. Myers, Haley Newman, Jose Ortiz, Alix E. Seif, Caroline Smith, Jamie Stokke, Naomi Winick, Jennifer J. Wilkes, Victor Wong, Richard Aplenc, Kelly D. Getz

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

IMPORTANCE: Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black (hereafter, Black) children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have historically experienced worse survival outcomes compared with non-Hispanic White (hereafter, White) children. Understanding specific intermediate pathways underlying these outcome disparities is a critical step to directing interventional efforts and resources.

OBJECTIVE: To compare survival outcomes by race and ethnicity in a large contemporary cohort of pediatric patients with AML and to examine presentation acuity, frontline organ toxic effects, and relapse as potential mediators of any observed outcome disparities.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cohort study was analyzed from April 2025 to January 2026 and included …

Breaking The Chain Or Passing The Torch? Caregiver Type, Perceived Caregiving, And Extent Of Aggression In Emerging Adult Relationships, Amara Mason

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how caregiver type (alternate caregiving versus biological parent caregiving), childhood adversity, and parenting styles relate to intimate partner violence (IPV) and attachment outcomes. Guided by Intergenerational Transmission of Violence Theory, Social Learning Theory, and Attachment Theory, the study explored whether alternate caregiving buffered or intensified the effects of early adversity on later relational functioning. College students aged 18–25 from a southern U.S. university completed anonymous self-report measures assessing caregiving experiences, childhood trauma, attachment, and IPV. Measures included the Conflict Tactics Scale–Revised (CTS2), Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACEs), and Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that …

Sustainable Approaches For Water Remediation And Soil Amendment, Hashani Abeysinghe Herath Mudiyanselage

Theses and Dissertations

Hydrosphere decontamination and sustainable agriculture are economic, health, and environmental concerns. Conventional non-destructive and destructive water treatment methods, and fertilizer formulations, can be expensive or ineffective. Biochar-nutrient composites have gained global acceptance as adsorbents or soil additives due to biochar’s modifiable surfaces, enabling enhanced performance and environmental benefits. This dissertation studied sustainable methods for removal of aqueous arsenic(V) by adsorption and destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in liquid ammonia by defluorination and fertilizing phosphorus-deficient soil. Chapter II focuses on the surface morphological and physicochemical changes in alkali-exposed microparticulate magnetite-deposited rice husk (RH) biochar (Fe3O4@RHBC) relative to its pristine …

Staffing Reductions, Visitor Sentiment, And Recreation Demand In U.S. National Parks, Rebekkah Adicoff

Theses and Dissertations

Staffing changes in U.S. national parks have the potential to influence both visitor experience and recreation demand. This study examines how an abrupt system-wide staffing reduction affected visitor sentiment and visitation across the National Park System, while accounting for differences in park-level risk exposure. Using the February 2025 staffing reduction as a quasi-natural experiment, the analysis combines monthly park-level visitation data with TripAdvisor visitor reviews from January 2024 to August 2025. Sentiment scores derived from reviews measure perceived experience quality, while recreation demand is modeled using fixed-effects count models (Poisson and negative binomial) that control for seasonality and park characteristics. …

Impact Of In-Season Potassium Fertilizer Application On Sweetpotato Yields, Alyssa Lynn Hotchkiss

Theses and Dissertations

Sweetpotatoes require approximately three times more potassium (K) than nitrogen (N), making K the most applied nutrient in production. However, K fertilizer recommendations for sweetpotatoes in Mississippi remain outdated or are based on recommendations for other crops. This study evaluated the effects of K fertilizer rate, timing, and application method on sweetpotato production. Field trials were conducted during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons at the Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods Branch Experiment Station in Pontotoc, Mississippi. Treatments included preplant K applications of 0, 134, or 191 kg ha⁻¹ K₂O, in-season sidedress applications of 56 kg ha⁻¹ K₂O, and four foliar K treatments. …

Comparative Analysis Of Spray Pattern Deposition In Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (Cots) U.S.-Manufactured Uncrewed Aerial Application System (Uaas), James Mackey Ikerd Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Uncrewed aerial application systems (UAAS) are increasingly used for agricultural spraying, but spray deposition uniformity and effective swath width can vary between platforms. This study evaluated spray-pattern deposition and effective swath width for two commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) UAAS platforms during manual and autonomous flight operations. Manual, single-pass testing was used to assess preliminary performance and spray characteristics for both UAAS. Further autonomous multi-pass and single-pass evaluations were conducted to assess deposition uniformity and in-swath variability for both UAAS utilizing two methods of evaluation: Operation Self-regulating Application & Flight Efficiency (S.A.F.E.) pattern testing for manual flight evaluation and the Swath Gobbler …

Improving The Hemp Fiber Supply Chain: Barriers, Innovations, And Regulatory Impacts, Sneha Chapagain

Theses and Dissertations

The hemp fiber sector in the United States has seen significant growth challenges, including a lack of processing infrastructure, inconsistent regulations, and limited research. The Theory of Constraints and Systems Engineering frameworks are used in this study to carefully analyze these difficulties. The study identifies important bottlenecks, investigates system-wide inefficiencies, and examines the impact of regulatory complexity using a survey of key supply chain stakeholders. The findings emphasize the need for more processing capacity, better coordination among supply chain actors, and more policy harmonization. The report also identifies stakeholder-driven improvements in technology, transportation, and market integration that could boost efficiency …

Analyzing The Relationship Between Financial And Real Estate Investment And Agricultural Land Values., Hudu Abukari

Theses and Dissertations

Using agricultural transaction data from 2019 to the first quarter of 2023 provided by a major financial lender in Mississippi, I assess the relationship between financial and real estate buyers and agricultural land prices. Grantor and grantee information in the data allowed me to classify buyers into individuals, non-individual agribusinesses, and financial and real estate buyers. A hedonic pricing model is used to explore the relationship. The study concluded that the buyer type of agricultural land matters. More specifically, financial and real estate buyers pay a premium more than individuals and agribusiness buyers.

Profiles Of Body Image In Emerging Adults And Associations Across Sociocultural Influences, Alligrace Story

Theses and Dissertations

The Tripartite Influence Model of body image suggests that multiple sources of appearance-related pressures (i.e., family, peers, significant others, and media) impact body image and disordered eating behaviors via appearance-related comparisons and internalization of body-related ideals (i.e., thin-ideal internalization and muscular-ideal internalization). Previous research has shown support for the Tripartite Influence Model of body image among various demographic groups. The current study identified and examined profiles of emerging adults based on their reported body esteem and body appreciation. Body esteem was measured using the Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA; Mendelson et al., 2001), and body appreciation was …

Designing A Measure Of County-Level Food Access, Logan Mattingly

Theses and Dissertations

Equitable access to food is a central component of food security and a key determinant of health. Yet current approaches to food access measurement remain fragmented and limited. This study introduces the first of its kind data driven, multidimensional, county-level measure of food access in the United States. Drawing on publicly available data, I employ a factor analysis pipeline to construct a suite of latent variable estimates that represent pillars of food access. This model-based approach allows synthesis of these diverse measures into the resulting Food Access Index (FAI), while explicitly accounting for measurement error and addressing missing data. Resulting …

Tips For Higher Education: A Research-Informed Framework For Designing Trauma-Informed Professional Support Practices In Higher Education, Kelli Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

This capstone project addresses the need for structured trauma-informed professional preparation within higher education as institutions continue responding to increasing student adversity, trauma exposure, mental health concerns, and barriers to academic engagement and persistence. The purpose of the project is to develop Tips for Higher Education: A Research Informed Framework for Designing Trauma-Informed Professional Support Practices in Higher Education. The project examines the research-supported elements that should be included in a trauma-informed professional preparation framework, the competencies and learning domains needed by faculty, advisors, and student-support professionals, and the ways professional learning should be structured and sequenced to support sustainable …

A Vital Step Toward Improving Student Success: A Comparative Examination Of Attendance Policies Across Urban, Rural, And Suburban School Districts In Mississippi, Marino Mcdaniel

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic absenteeism is a growing challenge for schools nationwide, with Mississippi districts experiencing significantly higher rates after the pandemic. This capstone examined how selected rural, suburban, and urban school districts in Mississippi develop and implement attendance policies and how well these policies align with the Mississippi Compulsory Attendance Law, Mississippi Code Annotated § 37-13-91, and state board regulations. The study aimed to assess the extent to which district attendance policies reflect Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Systems Theory, considering the multiple layers that influence student attendance. Directed by this theoretical framework, the study addressed three research questions: (1) How do selected districts design …

Ethnic Identity And Career Adaptability Among African American High School Students: Exploring The Roles Of Perceived Barriers And Social Support, Zion J. Kamau

Theses and Dissertations

African Americans are subjected to systemic racial discrimination and bias in the labor market. Data on labor force participation collected by the U.S. Census Bureau between 1970 and 2010 were investigated for the purpose of identifying trends, and it was found that race and ethnicity significantly influence an individual's labor market position and employment outcomes (Byars-Winston et al., 2014). African Americans were more likely to hold positions earning less, requiring fewer skills, and associated with a lower social status. There is a misconception that the phenomenon occurs only in adulthood, but it is also observed during adolescence. The U.S. Bureau …

A Study On The Welfare And Crop-Residue Ameliorating Potential Of Acheta Domesticus In The Context Of Insect Sequestration, Metabolism, And Excretion Of Three Mycotoxins: Aflatoxin B1, Deoxynivalenol, And Zearalenone, Ryan Thomas Paulk

Theses and Dissertations

Mycotoxins are a food security issue that affects all crops globally, but to varying degrees, due to the ubiquity of fungi that produce them. Developing new agricultural practices that can ameliorate lost nutrients post-contamination by removing mycotoxins for the next levels in the food chain can remedy an inevitable effluent in the circular economy. Farmed insects, such as the house cricket, Acheta domesticus, can potentially consume moldy, mycotoxin contaminated grains safely without transferring them to other trophic levels. The experiments herein test the biology of A. domesticus to consume three individual mycotoxins: aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone. In addition to …

Development And Comparison Of Retained Ownership Decision Methodologies For Feeder Cattle Owners, William John Simmons

Theses and Dissertations

Cattle producers retain ownership through the feeding phase in the hopes of increasing profits. Because not all cattle generate positive profits, retention decisions on an individual basis substantially affect overall profitability. This study develops, simulates, and evaluates among others a new prediction methodology intended to help improve profitability. The method is an integrated framework combining a novel multilevel (hierarchical) growth model, futures basis-adjusted price forecasting, and production cost estimation to predict which animals are expected to be profitable. Individual performance data were collected for 12,066 in-sample (2003 to 2011) to predict growth and profits for 12,496 out-of-sample cattle (2011 to …

Exploring The Viability Of Variable-Design Policy Approach To Addressing Teacher Retention In Kentucky, Donald R. Smallwood

Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attrition among early- and mid-career educators threatens the stability of Kentucky's public school workforce, yet the Commonwealth has largely relied on isolated, single-lever retention strategies. This desk-based capstone evaluated the viability of a coordinated, multiple variable policy framework for improving teacher retention in Kentucky. The study identified, appraised, and synthesized evidence, including peer-reviewed studies, state and national policy reports, legislative documents, and Kentucky-specific working-conditions data. Three research questions guided the study, addressing the evidence for coordinated multiple-variable retention approaches, the evidence for each individual policy lever, and the challenges and opportunities within Kentucky's current retention landscape. Content and thematic …

They Not For Us: Reimagining Social-Emotional Learning For Black Youth, Jennifer Chinecherem Ani

Theses and Dissertations

Social-emotional learning (SEL) interventions are often implemented within a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports framework and have been found to be effective in improving students’ social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes. However, SEL interventions are typically implemented as a Tier I intervention and there is limited research on SEL interventions implemented in Tier II. Additionally, SEL interventions have received criticism for not being culturally relevant for minoritized populations, especially Black students. This study aims to seeks to extend the current literature on making cultural adaptations of an SEL intervention, specifically for Black elementary students using the Ecological Validity Model (EVM). …

Examining The Effects Of Oral Melatonin Supplementation On Bull Reproductive Physiology, Megan M. Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

Bull subfertility is a prevalent issue with significant consequences for cattle production. Unfortunately, few management interventions exist to alleviate bull subfertility and improve bull reproductive efficiency. Melatonin, a key regulator of circadian rhythms and seasonal reproduction, improves reproduction in non-seasonally breeding mammals, yet the benefits of oral supplementation in the bull remain underexplored. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the extent to which melatonin supplementation could serve as a management intervention to improve bull reproductive efficiency. Yearling Angus bulls (n = 21) were utilized to examine the effects of 90 days of oral melatonin supplementation on sperm quality, blood plasma …

How Family Functioning Impacts Adolescent Outcomes: The Roles Of Cohesion, Flexibility, Communication, Satisfaction, And The Family Environment On Well-Being Across Levels Of Family Complexity, Emily E. Shaw

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation research is a combination of two studies. The overarching and guiding focus for this study involved how family functioning and environments influence adolescent psychological well-being, and do these associations vary based on levels of family complexity. Study 1 examined family complexity and family environments as potential predictors of family functioning, while Study 2 examined family functioning and family complexity as potential predictors of adolescent negative (i.e., anxiety and depression) and positive (i.e., engagement, perseverance, optimism, connectedness, and happiness) well-being. In Study 1, family complexity was not predictive of family functioning, but the family environment was a strong predictor. …

Wellness In The Workplace: An Assessment Of The Mississippi State University Extension Service Workplace Environment And Its Effect On Employee Mental Health And Overall Wellbeing, Tashmia S. Prowell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify perceived stressors within the Mississippi State University Extension Service (MSU-ES) workplace environment and to determine the impact of these stressors on employee mental health and overall wellbeing. This study utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional research design collecting data through a quantitative web-based survey developed in Qualtrics and adapted from the NIOSH Worker Wellbeing Questionnaire. To examine the research questions and hypothesis guiding this study, quantitative data were analyzed using Stata MP 19.5. After a data scrub, 213 usable responses were yielded. Associations between variables were examined using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The …

Exploring Rural Ap Stem Motivation, Interests, And Aspirations: A Self-Determination Theory Lens, Erin Seger Mcguire

Theses and Dissertations

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have become the focal point of many countries around the world, with the intention of strengthening national renown by being the first to make advancements in STEM domains. The United States has recognized the importance of STEM and STEM education, though these efforts are lacking in rural areas, like Mississippi. These schools often serve underrepresented populations and may be unable to financially support learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom. Additionally, the national teacher shortage disproportionately affects science and mathematics classes; in rural schools, teachers in these areas may be underqualified, as the schools …

Exploring Emergency Manager Decision-Making Regarding Heat Hazards Using Protection Motivation Theory, Nathaniel Mirly

Theses and Dissertations

Heat is the leading cause of weather-related mortality in the United States, yet it remains under-recognized despite rising mortality and intensifying climate trends. This qualitative study explored decision-making processes regarding heat hazards among 15 county-level emergency managers in the Northern Gulf Coast region using Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) as a guiding framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, combining deductive coding of PMT constructs with inductive identification of independent themes. Key findings showed reliance on verbal persuasion and prior experience as primary information sources, threat appraisals moderated by normalization and deprioritization of heat due to other …

The Role Of Latinx And Hispanic Identity In The Presentation Of Hoarding Symptoms, Caitlyn Ashley Nix

Theses and Dissertations

Although people who identify as Hispanic and Latinx make up approximately 19% of the United States population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023), most research into hoarding disorder is comprised of White, non-Latinx samples. Thus, the current study investigated Hispanic and Latinx ethnicity as a predictor of several facets of hoarding disorder. Previous literature has shown lower risk for Hispanic and Latinx individuals in terms of several physical health outcomes when compared to individuals of similar socioeconomic status (Markides & Coreil, 1986), though mental health outcomes have more variation by subgroup (Barragán et al., 2020). Previous research has also shown that collectivistic …

An Equity-Centered Creative Therapies Implementation Framework For K-12 School Counseling Practice, Brian Caleb Carlisle

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescents in K-12 schools are experiencing a significant mental health crisis, with rising rates of anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotional dysregulation, while many continue to face limited access to equitable, developmentally appropriate supports. Although schools increasingly serve as primary sites for mental health services, they often lack resources, training, and infrastructures necessary to implement effective interventions. Arts-based and creative therapy approaches demonstrate benefits for emotional regulation, trauma processing, and social-emotional development but remain underused due to inconsistent implementation and systemic barriers. This capstone project examines how creative therapies can be integrated into school counseling programs to address these gaps. Guided …

Enhancing Social Emotional Learning Interventions For Black Adolescent Girls Through Staff Training, Shundrell Mcmullan

Theses and Dissertations

Black girls often face systemic inequities rooted in discriminatory practices and policies in the educational system contributing to adverse social-emotional outcomes unless mitigated by intentional protective supports. Many schools have adopted social emotional learning (SEL) programs; however, their effectiveness for culturally diverse students are often challenged. The present study examined the impact of Sisters of Nia, a race-conscious and gender-responsive intervention designed to enhance protective factors and social-emotional well-being among six adolescent Black girls. Student outcomes, including academically engaged behaviors and positive peer interactions, were primarily evaluated using a single-subject A/B design. Students’ self-esteem and racial identity were also measured …

Scan Statistics For Nonhomogeneous Poisson Processes: A Method For Cnv Detection, Asanka Rathnayaka Duwage

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation studies scan statistics for detecting localized changes in non-homogeneous Poisson processes. The motivating problem arises from genomic sequencing data, where tumor and normal read locations may differ over short regions due to copy number variation, while the underlying event intensity varies across the domain. In this setting, methods based on homogeneous Poisson process assumptions are not appropriate. The dissertation develops and studies scan-based methods for detecting local differences while accounting for non-homogeneous structure. Three related approaches are considered. The first develops a scan statistic for a nonhomogeneous Poisson process and uses extreme value calibration after transformation under the …

A Policy Analysis Of State-Mandated Literacy Reform In Tulsa Public Schools, Paul Eicher

Theses and Dissertations

Oklahoma has implemented state-mandated literacy reforms grounded in the Science of Reading (SoR) to address persistent reading achievement challenges. Despite increased accountability measures and adoption of approved intervention programs, secondary literacy outcomes in Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) remain low, raising questions about policy design and implementation. The purpose of this project is to analyze the state-mandated framework for secondary reading intervention in TPS and develop evidence-based recommendations to strengthen literacy outcomes. The study is guided by the Adapted Policy Analysis Triangle, which examines policy through the domains of content, context, process, and actors. The research explores effective intervention practices, implementation …