Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Enhancing The Rewarding Effects And Subsequent Self-Administration Of Nicotine Through Appetitive Interoceptive Conditioning, Allissa Flynn

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Nicotine is commonly considered to be the primary addictive constituent in tobacco products. Therefore, research focused on nicotine and its effects is necessary for understanding nicotine dependency and in developing potential cessation treatments. Research has confirmed the relevance of learning processes associated with nicotine and their influence on the development of addiction. Conditioning involving interoceptive stimuli is increasingly cited as playing a role in many diseases, psychopathologies, and drug addiction. The internal stimulus effects of nicotine can form associations with other reinforcing stimuli through a process of Pavlovian conditioning where nicotine is the conditioned stimulus. In this way, nicotine acquires …

Racial Bias And The Death Penalty In Nebraska (2005-2019), Natalie Bielenberg

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Ample evidence exists to suggest that the death penalty in the United States is affected by racial bias. Nebraska has a complex history with the death penalty, and in this study I investigate whether or not that racial bias is present in Nebraska’s capital punishment. Using a list of every Nebraska Department of Correctional Services inmate since 1982, I test for a relationship between race of inmate and sentencing outcome and a relationship between race of victim and sentencing outcome. No significant relationship was found between either race of inmate and receiving the death penalty nor race of victim and …

Experiences Of Loss And Growth: A Phenomenological Inquiry Of Mass Shooting Survivors And Their Family Or Family-Of-Choice Members, Amanda Dilorenzo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This study explores the lived experiences of survivors of mass shootings and their family members' experiences of relational loss and growth. There is limited research on mass shooting survivors, with most of it focusing on post-traumatic stress disorder and other diagnosable mental health concerns. Until this study, the voices of survivors and their family members were absent from literature. The field of grief and traumatic loss typically refers to experiences related to the death of a loved one. However, this study seeks to expand the understanding on how exposure to a traumatic experience accompanies intangible, relational, and disenfranchised grief for …

Maternal Factors In The Disordered Eating Of Adolescent Girls: Proposing And Evaluating A New Model, Miriam Goldstein

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Disordered eating behaviors occur at high rates among adolescent girls of all ethnicities and are associated with increased risk of eating disorders. Maternal influences such as maternal disordered eating, childhood feeding practices, and the mother-teen relationship quality have been implicated as risk factors for disordered eating in adolescent girls, but few studies have examined the interplay of these influences within a single model, controlling for adolescent age. To address this gap, the current study proposed a theoretical model and tested a series of moderated mediation pathways from maternal disordered eating to disordered eating behaviors in female adolescents. The model was …

The Codification Of American Federalism: An Analysis Of Events Preceding The Ratification Of The United States Constitution, Timothy Spangler

Capstone Showcase

The focus of my project is American Federalism, a cornerstone of American political thought for centuries. American Federalism is a political system where power is divided between federated states and a central government, and the federated states retain a large portion of their original independence and police powers. The question this project seeks to answer is: How and why did the idea of a federated system, where the states retain their own sphere of sovereignty, become codified in American political thought? Scholars have attempted to answer this question, but their arguments look at American Federalism in a vacuum and ignore …

Democratization In The Post Soviet Space: A Case Study Of The Republic Of Georgia And Ukraine, Serena Anton

Capstone Showcase

In the early 21^st century, public unrest grew in the post-Soviet spaces with many demanding better democracy for themselves. This period, known as the Color Revolutions, swept across the Post-Soviet space with democratic and anti-corruption reforms at the forefront of policy. Yet, almost two decades later, democratic consolidation has crawled to a standstill amongst the region with many states experiencing democratic backsliding. The Republic of Georgia and Ukraine represent an interesting paradox as both states seemed to have beat the impossible and have continued their journey of democracy despite the current atmosphere in the region. Through a controlled comparative …

International Policy And Climate Change-Induced Displacement Of South Pacific Island Nation Populations, Karissa Noragon

Capstone Showcase

Climate change has advanced significantly in the last few decades resulting in some of the predicted effects, such as sea level rise, to start to appear and to cause displacement, especially in more vulnerable, developing nations. Though current estimates have found that the majority of the displaced populations will be able to relocate within their country’s borders, there are some nations, such as many of the small island nations in the South Pacific, where internal relocation will not always be an option. The question that will be explored in this paper is, what are the limits to current international policy …

Murdoch Murdoch: A Case Study In Threats To Ontological Security In Far-Right Propaganda, Julian Morein

Capstone Showcase

Adapting the Ethnographic Discourse Analysis method developed by Stanton Wortham and Angela Reyes this thesis traces the language employed in the ethno-nationalist web series Murdoch Murdoch. While not as widely known as other examples of the burgeoning landscape of far-right internet content such as news sites like InfoWars or Brietbart, Murdoch Murdoch can still reveal crucial details about how far right propaganda seeks to radicalize its viewers. This thesis argues that Murdoch Murdoch uses its visual and discursive indexicals to present a near absolute dichotomy between a Positive Self that consists of white ethno-nationalism, and a Negative Other that …

The Effect Of Emphasizing Strengths On Readiness To Change, Taylor Dunn

Capstone Showcase

TAYLOR DUNN

The Effect of Emphasizing Strengths on Readiness to Change

Research Mentor: Dr. Steven Robbins

Researchers have called for the examination of what kind of discussion in therapy is the most beneficial. Although past literature calls for an emphasis on restructuring a client’s negative thoughts and behaviors, there has been an increasing amount of research on the benefits of using positive psychology interventions. “Strength-based approaches” in particular have shown to lead to an attainment of various clinical outcomes. This study attempts to analyze how an emphasis on character strengths influences a person’s readiness to change in comparison to a …

Factors And Alleviation Of Learned Helplessness In The Elderly, Ashley Eckett

Capstone Showcase

Learned helplessness is a condition caused by maladaptive thinking related to a sense of powerlessness. It can result from lack of control in the face of life challenges leading to a loss of hope, motivation, and an inability to take action. Learned helplessness can have negative effects on an individual both mentally and physically. In regards to the elderly population, it can cause premature death. Gaining a better understanding of learned helplessness can play a lead role in preventing it and its negative effects in the geriatric population. The aim of the literature review was to answer how to recognize …

Sensorimotor Function In Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, Jules D. Miehm, John Buonaccorsi, Jongil Lim, Sumire Sato, Caitlin Rajala, Julianna Averill, Farnaz Khalighinejad, Carolina Ionete, Stephanie L. Jones, Jane A. Kent, Richard E.A. Van Emmerik

Exercise and Sport Studies: Faculty Publications

Background: A sensitive test reflecting subtle sensorimotor changes throughout disease progression independent of mobility impairment is currently lacking in progressive multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: We examined non-ambulatory measures of upper and lower extremity sensorimotor function that may reveal differences between relapsing–remitting and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.

Methods: Cutaneous sensitivity, proprioception, central motor function and mobility were assessed in 32 relapsing–remitting and 31 progressive multiple sclerosis patients and 30 non-multiple sclerosis controls.

Results: Cutaneous sensation differed between relapsing–remitting and progressive multiple sclerosis at the foot and to a lesser extent the hand. Proprioception function in the upper but not the lower …

American Identities And The Consumption Of Japanese Homoerotica, Caitlin Joyce

Capstone Showcase

My thesis is a cross-cultural comparison of the consumption habits of Japanese and American yaoi or boy’s love (BL) fans, with a particular focus on how the motivations for consuming this type of media may differ between each group. Within my literature review, I start with the history of Japanese homoerotica, from Heian era writings and shunga artwork, to how this has evolved into the modern BL industry in Japan. Additionally, I examine where BL media fits into the landscape of both Japanese and global LGBT+ identity politics. Using identity construction and queer feminist theory, I explore how this type …

We Live In A Society: Violence And Radicalization In The Internet Manosphere, Emily Price

Capstone Showcase

In a world of incels, pick-up artists, and other Men’s Rights Activists, friction between the so-called Manosphere and contemporary feminist thought has led to documented violence with regards to American mass shootings. Starting with the violent outbursts of disaffected young men, I will work backwards to the point of contact between the man and the Manosphere. This piece seeks not to draw a connection between radical MRAs and violence – the mass shooters draw that connection themselves in their manifestos by outlining their dissatisfaction with society as it is, and particularly with what they perceive as a politically correct and …

Of Fire And Stars And Queer Desires: What A Queer Ya Fantasy Novel Represents About Queer Experiences, Savannah Munholland

Capstone Showcase

This paper analyzes the queer YA novel "Of Fire and Stars" by Audrey Coulthurst within the framework of queer theory and representation theory to find what a novel written by a queer author says about queer desires and experiences.

The Evolution Of Revenge: Genre, Feminist Theory And Jennifer’S Body, Sophia Birks

Capstone Showcase

The representation and proliferation of violence against women in media, when applying genre theory, reflects the social climate of rape culture and the social response to sexual violence. Looking at the Rape-Revenge genre through the scope of Feminist Theory, the only way to reintroduce female agency into a trauma led narrative is to reclaim the tropes used to perpetuation female exploitation and a popular culture ambivalent to male on female violence. Within this subversion and deconstruction, a genre benefiting from female trauma finally includes an honest artistic retelling of that female experience. With the intention of the creator in line …

An Introduction To Copulas, Yifan Guo, Geng Zhang

Capstone Showcase

Copulas are the mathematical functions that connect the distribution functions of univariate random variables to form multivariate distributions. We define copulas, present some of their key properties, and provide examples of their applications.

Anorexia Nervosa And The Family: A Look At Well-Siblings, Parents, And Family Dynamics Through A Family Systems Perspective, Martha Avila-Zavala

Whittier Scholars Program

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is one of the main, and one of the most common types of eating disorders among adolescent individuals, especially females. It is characterized by limited eating, increased amounts of physical activity, low self-esteem, and extreme criticism of oneself and one's body. An individual diagnosed with AN is greatly physically, mentally, and emotionally affected by it. However, an AN diagnosis also has a significant impact on the whole family. In recent years, the family has been incorporated into the treatment of an individual diagnosed with AN, which has shown to be effective in the recovery process and in …

The Affordable Care Act And Medication-Assisted Treatment Accessibility: A Context-Inclusive Review Of Research, Jacob Blevins

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

This paper provides a contextual review of research investigating associations between the health insurance reforms implemented by the Affordable Care Act and the accessibility and utilization of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Research indicates that relative to 2008, the year of initial Medicaid expansions in 2014 is nationally associated with increased rates of insurance coverage, increased rates of treatment, and reduced rates of individuals with opioid use disorder forgoing treatment due to financial concerns (McKenna 2017). Between the year prior to state Medicaid expansion and the third year after it, the number of specialty treatment admissions related to the …

Effective Elective? Elective Courses’ Impact On Student Performance During Associated Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences, Shelby Spencer Tungate

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Experiential education programs at colleges of pharmacy are guided by standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE.) Exactly how these standards are met, however, is often determined by the individual college of pharmacy. This includes deciding how students are selected and placed on their fourth-year rotations, referred to as Advanced Pharmacy Practices Experiences, or “APPEs.” While it may seem that students who have taken elective courses focused on specialized topics, such as pediatrics or geriatrics, will perform better on related APPEs, this thought remains largely unfounded. Using four years of student data at the University of …

The Bluegrass Reentry Council Strategic Plan, Sydney Geiger

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The overcrowding of jails and prisons and high recidivism rates are issues America is facing nationwide. Successful reentry into society following incarceration is a solution to this crisis. In response, in 2011, the Kentucky legislature passed House Bill 463 which mandated reentry councils across the state. The purpose of the councils are to address the current issues facing citizens returning from the justice system, develop a network of resources and service providers within their home area, and communicate and advocate for returning citizens by communicating issues to the community and their leaders.1 This analysis will develop a strategic plan for …

Performance Evaluation And Community Needs Of Spay Our Strays Organization, Elizabeth Adams

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Free-roaming cat populations have been linked to public health concerns and negative impacts on animal shelter resources. Trap-neuter-return has gained popularity in the last few decades as a humane and effective approach to decrease the population of community cats and address these concerns. Spay Our Strays advocates for trap-neuter-return practices in Lexington, Kentucky, by providing services to the local community and surrounding counties. Strategic planning techniques and comparative analysis are used to develop recommended strategic actions the organization can use to improve their impact. Findings showed a need to invest in board development, diversify funding sources, focus on community-level targeting, …

Evaluating The Labor Supply And Migration Effects Of The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, William Clay Fannin

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

A growing body of literature suggests that occupational licensing distorts economic behavior through various mechanisms, such as inflating prices and inhibiting interstate mobility. To combat some of these ill-effects, policymakers have turned to interstate compacts as a way to promote uniformity in licensing requirements across states and facilitate license portability. Despite the development of interstate compacts for numerous licensed occupations and professions, evidence of their efficacy in the literature is thin. Based on data from over 70,000 physicians from 2012 to 2018, I construct a difference-in-differences model to estimate the effects of the adoption of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact …

Congressional Appropriations And Earmarks An Analysis Of The Economic And Political Effects, Paul Anthony Allen

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The effects of political characteristics on the Congressional appropriations process have remained a subject of debate in recent years. Congressionally directed spending influenced by these effects are defined as earmarks. To counter the practice of earmarking, Congress implemented multiple reforms and rules to curb the influence of partisan agendas. Total federal appropriations by year and state from 2002 – 2018 were aggregated to test the significance of the economic and political effects. This model utilized a time series fixed effects regression to determine the results that suggest select political characteristics of U.S. Senators remained significant in the distribution of federal …

Impact Of Vaccine Availability On The Number Of Children Vaccinated And Under-Five Mortality In Tanzania, Katelyn Batliner

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Stockouts have previously been reported to interrupt immunization services in low-and-middle income countries. However, there has been little research to understand the direct impact of stockouts on the number of children immunized and no research to understand the impact on under-five mortality. Using panel data from Tanzania’s Vaccine Information Management System training program, a regression model with fixed and random effects is used to analyze the effect of stockouts on the number of children immunized. The Lives Saved Tool® is used to estimate the effect of stockouts on under-five mortality. The results suggest that stockouts have a statistically significant impact …

Organic Farming And Incidence Rates Of Select Health Outcomes: An Evaluation Of The Usda Certified Organic Program, Aja Croteau

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Medical studies over the past few decades have shown increasing evidence that exposure to pesticides is associated with numerous health conditions, specifically Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, leukemia, asthma, and depression. Pesticides are widely used across the United States to ensure an affordable and bountiful food supply, but many of the chemicals used pose notable health risks. Numerous programs exist to measure and monitor pesticide exposure from agriculture, but researchers and public health experts remain uncertain of the efficacy of regulatory programs on reducing the amount of pesticide used and on protecting citizens from exposure. Organic agriculture, which uses significantly fewer pesticides than …

Inclusive Recreation In Kentucky State Parks: A Survey Of Ada Compliance And Transcendent Programing, Jason Thomas

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, disabled, or differently abled, members of American communities are entitled to receive identical, or equivalent, treatment and admission to public services, without discrimination based solely on their disability. Therefore, it is in violation of this act to not accommodate public spaces and facilities for these individuals, with the exception of cases where doing so to an existing facility would demonstrably, and with burden of proof on the agency, “result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a program or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens” (28 CFR § 39.150). …

A Cost Benefit Analysis Of Blupass: The University Of Kentucky's Fare Free Transit Partnership With Lextran, Sandra Broadus

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Parking is an omnipresent headache for urban-based universities across the United States. The University of Kentucky took a distinctive approach to shifting commuter mode share away from single-occupancy vehicles in 2015 by initiating a fare-free partnership with the local transit authority. This study aims to determine the relative success of this program by weighing the costs and benefits for the University over the first four years of implementation. In order to offset the limited supply of parking available for personally owned vehicles, the University of Kentucky (UK) launched BluPass, a fare-free transit initiative that aimed to significantly increase the number …

Federal Improper Payment Mandates And Their Financial Risk For State Governments, Seth Grove

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

As the recipient of billions in federal dollars, state governments are key stakeholders in combatting improper payments. While federal improper payment laws have mandated responsibility to federal agencies, states ultimately administer numerous federal programs, thus are subject to the same improper payment laws. Due to statistical sampling and extrapolation requirements in federal audits, state governments are at a tremendous financial risk for federal disallowances in administering federal programs. Federal reports and academic literature can inform state governments on improving state policies to mitigate their financial risk of federal improper payment laws.

Does State And Local Government Employment Promote Tax Revenue Stability? A Look At Kentucky Cities, William Ryan Pennington

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Research shows that public sector jobs are more stable than private sector jobs. This study examines whether tax revenue volatility is affected by the concentration of a city’s economic base in state and local government employment. The relationship between public employment and revenue volatility has not been studied but is relevant as state and local governments have reduced their workforces in the post-Great Recession period. Using panel data on Kentucky cities, I find that the coefficient on state and local government employment concentration is inversely related to tax volatility but is not statistically significant in a fixed effects estimation.

The Effect Of Disability On Unemployment Claim Duration In Kentucky And The Surrounding States, James Tatum

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The duration of unemployment insurance claims in Kentucky are over 30% longer on average than unemployment claims in the surrounding states. This study uses a time-series regression to compare data from Kentucky and the surrounding states to find correlations between unemployment insurance claim duration and the percentage of a state’s population that reports having at least one disability. No significant correlation was found between a state’s population with a disability and unemployment claim duration but there was a significant negative correlation between unemployment claim duration and the total amount of Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income payments people …