Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating The Effect Of Garden-Based Education On Young Learners’ Preferences For And Willingness To Try Healthy Food, Sierra Gregory

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

Childhood obesity in American children has tripled in the last 20 years, and 85% of current healthcare spending is linked to diet-related diseases. The consumption of highly processed foods is linked to these trends and makes up more than half of an average American youths’ diet. Reducing the consumption of highly processed foods in children’s diets can be addressed, in part, by addressing childhood neophobia (willingness to try new foods) associated with whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Influence over behavioral areas such as nutrition and in early childhood is essential to long-term sustained health, and garden-based interventions shows promise …

Use Of Space By Urban Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius Ludovicianus) As A Window Into Habitat Suitability, Katie A. Maddox, Christopher E. Hill

Biology

Wild animals in urban environments face new challenges that may change how they use space and, at the same time, how they use space provides clues to suitability of habitat: bird territories in desirable areas tend to be smaller and populations denser. Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus), historically associated with shortgrass habitats such as pasture and shrub steppe, occur widely in urban areas of the southeastern United States. For a complete picture of shrike use of space in urban spaces, we present three measures for a population inhabiting urban areas of Horry County, South Carolina: population density, home range size, and …

Sense Of Community And Belonging At Rowan University? An Exploration Of Involvement In Student-Led Clubs And Organizations, Samantha Rylee Harvey

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores concepts of community and belonging among students who are involved in clubs and organizations at Rowan University. Through the use of a qualitative survey and the option for an additional interview, participants are able to discuss their personal experiences being involved in a club or organization and if they believe it contributes to their sense of community and belonging, not only in the club or organization, but at Rowan University as an institution. Findings show that involvement in student clubs and organizations has helped some participants feel a sense of community and belonging in the clubs and …

Suffolk Journal, Vol.87, No. 19, 5/1/2024, Suffolk Journal

Suffolk Journal

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Climate Change On The Agricultural Supply Chain In The American Northeast, Brian Villanueva

Honors Projects in Global Supply Chain Management

The purpose of this project is to investigate the effects that climate change will have on the agricultural supply chain in the Northeast United States. The goal is to provide risk mitigation methods to farmers and supply chain professionals for how to combat the rapidly changing environmental status quo. This was investigated by surveying 21 farmers about their opinions about the current state of farming and their optimism or pessimism on the future of farming. The findings reflected a great concern for the future of farming despite many alarming signals about the increasing intensity of storms. The conclusion was that …

Contributors, Honorable Mentions, Sponsors

The Oval

No abstract provided.

Title Page, Staff List, Editor's Note, Contents

The Oval

No abstract provided.

West Coast Rock Lobster Resource Harvest Strategy, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

Harvest strategies for Western Australia’s (WA) aquatic resources are formal documents developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, the Department) to support decision-making processes that ensure the outcomes are consistent with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD; Fletcher 2002a) and Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM; Fletcher et al. 2012). Harvest strategies are a key component of all contemporary fishery management systems and a requirement for certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The objectives of ESD are reflected in the objectives of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA) and the Aquatic Resources Management Act …

Kentucky Warbler (Vol. 100, No. 2, Department Of Library Special Collections

The Kentucky Warbler

No abstract provided.

Responsible Great Power Or Threat? Chinese Involvement In 21st Century United Nations Peacekeeping Operations And Peacebuilding In Africa, Victoria Savage

International and Global Studies Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper examines why China pursues its peacebuilding agenda and participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in the African continent in the twenty-first century and evaluate whether China poses a threat or is a responsible great power in Africa in this context. Through the lenses of theories of international relations, historical analysis, and human rights, this study finds that China is unsuccessful in being a responsible great power and poses a threat to the stability and agency of African states with which it engages.

Isolation Of Aged Mouse Primary Microglia As A Model System For Alzheimer’S Disease Research, Michael Landis

Biology Honors Papers

Microglia and their role as the immune cells of the central nervous system are an emerging area of interest within Alzheimer’s research, particularly as they have shown in a benevolent and malevolent cellular context. Models of Alzheimer’s disease are very light in studying microglia, so in this study a model of microglia isolated from aged mice is established in order to study the phagocytic activity and protein expression of microglia in response to Amyloid Beta. The cells were isolated from aged mice and cultured before being used to confirm cellular identity, as well as to measure phagocytic activity. This study …

Examining How Agricultural Education Programs Place Student Teaching Interns In School Based Programs, Mckenna Sairls

Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study investigates the criteria and procedures involved in placing student teaching interns within school-based agricultural education (SBAE) programs across land-grant universities within the United States, employing a Modified Delphi survey design. By examining factors that influence placement decisions, this research aims to address a gap in literature as few comprehensive studies on internship placement processes in agricultural education exist. The findings highlight the significance of factors such as program quality, mentorship abilities, and preservice teacher traits in the placement process.

Hospitality Highway Career Fair: An Exploratory Study, Lilly Miller

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

The goal of this creative project is to conduct research on career fairs and hospitality events to successfully host the first ever Hospitality Career Fair at the University of Arkansas. The lack of career advancement opportunities on the campus for hospitality management students continued to increase despite the rapidly growing industry across the community, so the creation of the career fair would allow improvement for the students and the companies. With a creative project, it allows more creativity and research to develop the overall plan for the event.

The project studies hospitality career events hosted at other universities to gain …

Effectiveness Of A Peer-Supported Digital Brief Intervention: Reducing Alcohol Use & Related Harms In Young Adults With Histories Of Interpersonal Trauma, Caitlin Mcgettrick

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Alcohol is the most frequently used substance in the United States, and young adults ages 18-25 have the highest rates of heavy alcohol use. Heavy and persistent alcohol use is associated with a host of negative outcomes in young adults, including poor mental health, lower life satisfaction, cognitive impairments, poor academic performance, increased risk for motor vehicle accidents, and substance use disorders. Brief interventions (BI) are low-resource, short-term interventions designed to reduce problematic substance use and mitigate the substantial harms posed by heavy and persistent use of substances such as alcohol. BIs have limited effectiveness in trauma survivors despite trauma …

Sequential Optimization For Stressor-Informed Test Planning Through Integration Of Experimental And Simulated Data, Jacob Brecheisen

Data Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

This technical report details an innovative approach in reliability engineering aimed at maximizing system durability through a synergistic use of physical experimentation and computer-based modeling. Our methodology explores the efficient design and analysis of computer experiments and physical tests to facilitate accelerated reliability growth, while leveraging a sequential integration of data from these two distinct sources: costly physical experiments, characterized by random errors, and inexpensive computer simulations, marked by inherent systematic errors. The key innovation lies in the adoption of a closed-loop design and analysis method. This method begins by identifying a viable subset of important environmental stressors—such as temperature, …

Investigating The Relationships Between Study Abroad, Language Immersion, And Intercultural Sensitivity, Isabella Bea Battistoni

Communication Science and Disorders Honors Theses

An increasing number of students are choosing to study abroad. Once only an experience for those learning a language (University of Delaware, 2024), international education has become much more accessible for students of all disciplines. When choosing a program, students face a decision in choosing the level of language immersion and learning the trip will offer. This study examined the impact of different levels of language immersion on a student's intercultural sensitivity following a short-term study abroad trip. Intercultural sensitivity, defined as, “an individual's ability to develop emotion towards understanding and appreciating cultural differences that promotes appropriate and effective behavior …

The Value Of Leadership: A Quantitative Study On University Values And Student Leadership Training, Kalyn F. Kubbs

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Institutions of higher education evaluate and implement values into the culture of the institution. These values act as an overarching umbrella for the smaller departments, offices, and groups within the institution. One of these smaller sects of an institution is known as student leaders who have responsibilities that allow them to engage with the campus community and reflect the goals of the institution into this community. This quantitative descriptive study investigated the relationship between training of student leaders at a particular institution and the institutions community values. Participants in the study where students of the selected institution, which is a …

Striving For Thriving: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring The Relationship Between Presidential Leadership And Organizational Flourishing At Faith-Based Colleges And Universities, Noah Huseman

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

In response to the myriad challenges facing colleges and universities in America today, particularly amidst demographic shifts, rising costs, and the disruptive impacts of events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, institutional leaders are under unprecedented scrutiny. Recent incidents involving renowned institutions underscore a growing distrust among the public in these foundational establishments. The urgent need for innovative leadership is evident, particularly as colleges and universities navigate a complicated landscape. Against this backdrop, this study examines the relationship between presidential leadership and organizational flourishing through a mixed-methods convergent design. The results of this study suggest that there is a complex-adaptive relationship …

Why Should I Stay? The Factors Influencing Student Affairs Professional's Retention, Jonah Tews

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

This study investigates the factors influencing the retention of student affairs employees. It examines if role expectations, financial compensation, burnout and emotional investment, value and importance, and supervisor influence factor into student affairs professionals’ decision to remain in the field. This study found significant positive correlations exist between remaining in the field and clear role expectations, good financial compensation and benefits, and a healthy balance between work and life. Indicating, these factors could positively influence a student affairs professionals’ decision to remain in the field. These findings add to the research pertaining to the retention of student affairs professionals.

Understanding The Impact Of Food Insecurity Among First Generation College Students On The University Of Arkansas Campus, Madison Price

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to: 1) better understand food insecurity among first generation college students and how it might differ from that of other college students, and 2) gather opinions from students that may serve as solutions to alleviate food insecurity. This study was conducted with a mixed-methods survey that included both open-ended and close-ended questions. This study had six detailed parts, including research design, population sampling, instrumentation, data collection, data analysis, and finally, the results. All of these unique phases allowed for first generation students’ voices to be heard and to help meet their needs on the …

Factors Affecting Graduation With Honors: A Case Study In Bumpers College, Timothy Dalton Roberts

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study aims to understand the factors influencing the graduation rate with honors in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences (Bumpers College) at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville (UAF). Utilizing data from 2004 to 2014 provided by the Office of Strategic Analytics & Insights at UAF, this research investigates several demographic and academic variables to potentially identify predictors of successfully graduating from the Bumpers Honors Program. The methodology involved cleaning the data, statistical analyses including T-test and Chi-square tests, and logit regression models to determine significant factors impacting graduating with honors.

After chi-square and t-tests and …

Easter Island's Painkiller: How A Soil Bacteria Could Relieve Chronic Pain, Marko Krtinic

Scientific Kenyon: The Neuroscience Edition

No abstract provided.

A Problem-Based Approach To Racial And Ethnic Inequities In The German Health System, Thomas C. Lane

German Studies Undergraduate Senior Theses

This work is the first comprehensive book-length survey of racial and ethnic inequities in Germany’s health system. It takes a novel approach to understanding health inequities by focusing on the overarching structures which shape them in the German context, using examples from various areas of the health system to clarify their nuances. The Introduction grounds the need for understanding and combating health inequities in Germany’s unique postwar constitutional commitment to human dignity. Next, Chapter 1 outlines the current methods by which inequities are measured in Germany and why they are problematic. Chapter 2 covers current inequities in the provision of …

The Oval, 2024 - Staff Issue

The Oval

No abstract provided.

Contributors, Sponsors

The Oval

No abstract provided.

The Perceptions Of Psychologists And Speech-Language Pathologists On Intervention Methods For Selective Mutism, Abby Olmstead

Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: This is a study done to evaluate the perceptions of speech-language pathologists, psychologists/licensed professional counselors and their thoughts on selective mutism intervention. These thoughts will be gathered and analyzed to be compared to speech-language pathologists perceptions to see if there are differences. The goal is to be able to see the overall most-shared opinion to better be able to understand the intervention involving selective mutism. Selective Mutism (SM) is a rare disorder as only 1% of the population is diagnosed with it. The purpose is to provide more education on the disorder and help various kinds of professionals better …

Go Green Or Go Viral?, Kimberly Silva-Nash

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Our society has been altered by the proliferation of social media. Viral marketing and influencer marketing have increased the amount of products that dramatically increase in popularity, in other words - go viral. These trend cycles have led to the consumption of businesses that are not as moral as they seem. Has society replaced the priority of buying from good-willed businesses with buying from businesses that give them that new trendiest item? Has society lost its morality in purchasing concerning these trends?

Sustainable Service Trends In Restaurants, Suruchi Bhatt

School of Business

Being Sustainable is an essential milestone in the food industry. Companies form and fall because of consumers' reactions to the industry. The food industry and restaurants account for some of the highest Food Waste and Pollution, approximately 34% of the Global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, including food production, processing, distribution, and consumption. (Crippa et al., 2021) In a sector like this, ensuring a complete understanding of sustainability in the industry is of utmost importance. However, the sheer relationship between the sustainable image, the prospect of sustainability, and the reality of implementing it may be far from reality. (Yuying-Huang, 2022)

Stability Proteomic Methods To Detect Novel Drug Targets, Whitney M. Nolte, Tomoo Iwakuma, Priscilla Flores-Ascencio, Alejandro Parrales

Research at Children's Mercy Month 2024

Background: The investigation of p53 mutations, prevalent in osteosarcoma (OS), has led to the identification of potential anti-cancer compounds—KU0171032, KU-D2, and KU-D2-F. These compounds exhibit cytotoxic effects in p53-deficient OS cells. We hypothesize that the KU017032 compound series induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inhibits DNA double-stranded break repair by interacting with protein targets, yet the specific proteins binding to KU0171032 remain unclear. Previous targeted experiments including Cellular Thermal Shift Assays (CETSA) suggest a potential interaction between KU0171032 and NBS1, which is crucial for DNA repair. Here, we describe the application of untargeted proteomic methods to identify protein …

Ecmo Diaries: Can We Reduce The Symptoms Of Pediatric Pics Through Bedside Journaling?, Johanna I. Orrick, Sarah P. Jimenez

Research at Children's Mercy Month 2024

In the realm of pediatric critical care, advancements in technology and medical interventions have significantly increased survival rates, particularly in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) cases. Children’s Mercy Hospital, a pioneer in pediatric ECMO, boasts consistently lower mortality rates and surpasses international survival benchmarks. However, the success in saving lives has unveiled a new challenge – Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) in children.

PICS, defined in 2010 for adults, manifests as new or worsening long-term comorbidities, affecting cognitive, psychological, social, and physical aspects, persisting after an intensive care stay. With up to 88% of pediatric patients demonstrating psychological issues post-ICU, the …