AUETD (Auburn University)
Not a member yet
9771 research outputs found
Sort by
Natural Disasters and Perceived Transformational Leadership Traits in Community Leaders
Get PDFHurricane Michael decimated the community of Bay County, Florida as a disaster of
unexpected force. As its winds reached 161 miles per hour, leaders were forced to find ways of
recovering during widespread and on-going devastation. The purpose of this study was to
examine the lived experiences of these leaders through the lens of Bass’s Transformational
Leadership lens. This hermeneutical phenomenological study illuminated the experiences of nine
individuals who were living in Bay County before, during, and after the hurricane. Their
interviews were analyzed and the results revealed that effective leadership is best received by
followers when leaders exhibit the traits of active listening, inspiration, vision articulation,
thinking outside the box, and acting as role models. These results show that demonstrating
transformational leadership traits can be helpful for leaders during disaster recovery
Understanding Writing Expectations and Self-Efficacy in the Cooperative Extension Service
Get PDFCommunication, specifically written communication, is typically identified as a top competency for Extension agents (Benge et al., 2011; Cooper et al., 2001; Harder & Narine, 2019). However, the competencies within written communication have not been explored or clarified within these studies. As such, this study aims to better define what specific writing competencies are necessary to be an effective writer as an Extension agent, determine what specific types of writing exist in Extension, and assess the writing self-efficacy of Extension agents in Alabama (Bandura, 1997). This study consists of two parts: the first part uses a Delphi method, and the second part uses a quantitative survey method. In the Delphi panel, State Extension directors and other Extension leadership identified seven genres of writing in Extension and the necessary competencies within them. These experts considered each form of writing separately and showed that they considered the contextual differences between each and changed their expectations in response (Flower, 1994). In the second part of the study, Extension agents were asked to consider which genres of writing they engage in; participating agents reported that they engage in several forms of writing. Internal communications and social media were among the highest reported genres of writing that agents produce content for. Extension agents in Alabama also assessed themselves and shared their perceived effectiveness in each relevant writing genre and the competencies within that genre. Agents perceive themselves to be very effective in their writing within every genre of writing that was identified. Social media was reported as a form of writing that the majority of agents engage in, and it was also the writing genre that received the lowest average of effectiveness. Alabama Extension agents might benefit from more training that focuses specifically on writing for social media
Movement patterns and habitat selection by Bighead Carp and Silver Carp within the lower Red River catchment
Get PDFInvasive species are one of the many threats facing native freshwater fish in North America. Invasive fish species can lead to population declines and assemblage-level changes among native fishes. Once established, invasive species are difficult to control and require well-informed management to mitigate their damage. By developing basic information on invasive species life histories and behaviors, managers can work better to minimize their negative effects. Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, (hereafter carp) are emblematic of this issue. Carp are characterized by high fecundity, an ability to tolerate a wide range of physicochemical conditions, and effective filter feeding. My study objectives were to determine the movement patterns and habitat selection by carp in the lower Red River catchment. I used active and passive acoustic telemetry technology to locate 50 tagged carp from March 2023 to August 2024. I used generalized additive mixed modeling to determine environmental conditions related to carp movement. Tagged individuals showed mobile and sedentary characteristics. The maximum distance recorded was 336 river-kilometers and a maximum rate of 38 river-kilometers per day. Carp also appeared not to travel outside of my study area in large numbers or travel to the western extent of my study. Carp moved at greater magnitudes during higher discharge variability. I also used a multistate model to estimate transition probabilities among habitats across unique environmental conditions. Carp were more likely to transition between habitats during times of increased water temperature and more variable discharge compared to times of low water temperatures and minimal flows. I modeled the variation in carp habitat selection using a resource selection function. Carp selected habitats that were deeper, had lower-velocities and which were out of the primary channel. This may be due to bioenergetic needs as these habitats require less energy to inhabit and contain higher food abundances. Management of these species must be context dependent as the lower Red River is different than other systems in carps invaded range. My results indicate that carp are making large movement within lower Red River that are consistent with conditions thought to cue spawning migrations. Removal efforts during less variable discharges and lower water temperatures would be the most effective as carp would likely be more congregated in specific habitats. Management targeting low-velocity areas that contain deeper water which are not in the primary channel would also result in more effective removal. Caution is warranted when conducting mitigation efforts as native fish could be inadvertently affected and compensatory responses could occur within carp populations
First Steps for First Gen: An exploration of the experiences of first generation college students during the formal processes of enrolling in higher education
Get PDFThe Center for First Generation College Student Success (2020) defined first generation college students (FGCS) as, “an undergraduate student whose parents do not have a bachelor’s or higher degree.” FGCS have to navigate many aspects of college without parent(s) who have experienced college themselves. After applying and being accepted to college, FGCS must engage in the formal process of enrolling in college. Requirements for the formal process of enrolling in college vary from institution to institution, but some common requirements include financial requirements, attending orientation programs, fulfilling on-campus housing responsibilities, and providing medical documents (Baumhardt & Reilly, n.d.; Graham et al., 2018; Nelson, 2021).
This qualitative study sought to better understand the experiences of FGCS during the process of enrolling in college. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews with FGCS at a large, public, four-year institution. The institution is designated as a First-Gen Forward campus from the CFGSS. Participants included 18 FGCS that were enrolled at the institution at the time of the study. These 18 participants were selected through convenience sampling and snowball sampling.
Numerous theoretical perspectives were explored throughout this study including: cultural capital, social capital, family capital and family attitudes, social identity, Maslow’s (1943) Hierarchy of Needs, Astin’s (1984) Theory of Involvement, and Schlossberg’s (1981) Transition Theory. A guiding theme through many of these theoretical perspectives is the importance of support and mattering (Spieger & Bednarek, 2013)
The Impact of the SNAP Drug Felon Ban on SNAP Caseloads: A State-Level Analysis
Get PDFThe late twentieth century ushered in a new era of mass incarceration and increases in non-violent, drug-related arrests in the United States (Diaz Pascual, 2021). This was accompanied by sweeping reductions of welfare programs, and the majority of people affected by these trends have been those living in poverty (Looney & Turner, 2018). A prominent policy from this era was The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), which made major changes to welfare, including establishing a new lifetime ban on SNAP for anyone convicted of a drug felony on or after the law was passed. Since then, many states have chosen to modify or opt out of this policy. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of state variation in the lifetime SNAP ban. We employ a linear probability model to determine if state political ideology influences SNAP ban policy, how caseloads are impacted by changes in SNAP ban policy, and the additional impacts of political ideology and SNAP work requirements on caseloads. Our findings suggest that SNAP caseloads increase significantly when states opt out of the SNAP ban and that very liberal states are more inclined to opt out. Lastly, in states that modify the ban rather opt out, SNAP work requirement waivers can have additional positive impacts on caseloads
Cell Mechanosensing in 3D Confinement in Health and Diseases
No full textIn vivo, cells are physically confined in all three dimensions by the extracellular matrix (ECM) and/or neighboring cells. This three-dimensional (3D) confinement can regulate cell behavior and viability. Much of what is known about cell function stems from experiments on two-dimensional (2D) surfaces that lack key physical and topographical cues. Various models and mechanisms have been used to trigger 3D confinement in the cells. However, long-term 3D confinement has not been studied in depth regarding how it affects cell biological functions. This dissertation investigates how long-term 3D confinement can regulate cell behavior and gene expression. In project 1, I created and modified a single-cell PDMS-based platform with a geometrically defined microenvironment. Using this device, I have shown that long-term 3D confinement through confining microchannels activates intracellular signaling pathways, leading to cell apoptosis in very confined microenvironments. In project 2, I explored how long-term 3D confinement affects Smooth Muscle Cells’ (SMCs) behavior and gene expression, as they are essential for controlling blood pressure by contracting or relaxing. I observed that entrapment in confined channels leads to an increase in SMCs contractile gene expression and contractility. In project 3, I examined the translocation of Anillin (one of the scaffolding proteins) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in response to long-term 3D confinement. To elaborate on our data, Tissue Engineered Vessels (TEVs) as well as aorta from normotensive and hypertensive young or old rats were also used to localize Anillin in health and disease. Collectively, these projects contribute to uncovering previously unidentified molecular mechanisms governing cell function in (patho) physiologically significant microenvironments, which pave the way for the creation of novel interventions intended to slow the progression of pathologic conditions
A Systematic Review of Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria in Healthy Occupational Voice Users in Human Research
Get PDFBackground: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the literature and ascertain the inclusion and exclusion criteria used for participant selection when conducting occupational vocal function research.
Methods: Adhering to PRISMA systematic review methodology, studies performed on human participants, published in English, between 2018 and 2023 were included. The databases used were PubMed/MEDLINE (Ovid), APA PsychInfo, and Web of Science.
Results: Seventy-one studies in total were included in this review, with 10 retrospective studies and 61 prospective studies. Of the 71 studies included, 13 were randomized control trials (RCTs), 12 were pre-post interventional studies, and the remaining 46 studies had various designs. Data extraction and analysis revealed that variables of sex and vocal heath were consistently accounted for in research, while other inclusion/exclusion variables including gender, hydration, and medication use were rarely included.
Conclusion: The results of this systematic review highlight the need to consider more expansive inclusion/exclusion criteria as relates to factors that could impact vocal function in participants. Moreover, developing consistent inclusion and exclusion characteristics would provide greater support in the interpretation and generalization of study findings.
Funding: The authors declare that this systematic review was conducted with no external funding or financial support
Food and Drinking Water Access Perceptions in Northeast Haiti: Impact of Household, Individual, and Other Socio-economic Characteristics
Get PDFAccess to food and drinking water has been a significant challenge for the people of Haiti, a situation that worsened after a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the country, pushing the majority of the population below the poverty line. To address these issues, this study introduced measures to identify individual and socio-economic factors that impact access to food and water among households in Northeast Haiti. The data used for this study is a random sample of 401 beneficiary members of a Community Based Organization in six communes in Northeast Haiti. The data was analyzed in SPSS using some descriptive and inferential analysis like mean, percentages, ANOVA, correlation and regression. The findings show that majority of the respondents were females (66.1%), in their average age of 47 years. Most of the respondents had no formal education (71.6%). There is predominance of agricultural activities, with 68.3% of households engaged in farming. Most households relied on public water sources (68.8%). Average FCS was found to be 38.71 and ANOVA result revealed that Sainte-Suzanne had the lowest mean score and showed a significant difference from other communes. Among other things, multiple regression analysis showed the surprising result that engagement in farming had a negative impact on FCS for households, and that households that owned their water sources had lower FCS. Ordinal regression analysis showed a positive relationship between household size, wealth status and water usage. However, livestock farming, using own water source and having more older people in a household all correlated with lower water usage. Overall, the finding provide valuable insights and highlight critical issues that will be useful for directing intervention efforts.
Keywords: Food security, Water security, Food consumption score, Resilience, Socio-economic factors
Commercial evaluation of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) production in traditional earthen ponds versus split-pond production systems
Get PDFLargemouth bass (LMB; Micropterus salmoides) production for the food fish market is growing in the US. Traditionally, LMB producers in the US have relied on traditional earthen ponds (TP) as their primary production system. LMB producers using TP face challenges such as low survival, slow growth, poor food conversion ratio (FCR), bird depredation, water quality problems, and disease. The culture of LMB in split-pond systems (SPS) has potential to improve many of the inefficiencies documented by commercial LMB producers using traditional earthen pond systems. An on-farm experiment was conducted at American Sport Fish in Montgomery, Alabama. A total of eight ponds were used in the study, including (mean ± standard deviation) four TP (1.0 ± 0.0 acre) and four SPS (0.59 ± 0.27 acres). Fish were stocked in July 2023. Fish weights and lengths were obtained at stocking and thereafter monthly until harvest. Pond water samples were collected weekly from study ponds for water quality analysis. Study ponds were harvested in October 2023 when LMB reached stocker size. An enterprise budget was developed from fixed and variable costs to compare production costs of raising LMB fingerlings to stocker sizes using SPS and TP. This study found that there were no significant differences in survival rates (P = 0.279) between LMB raised in SPS and TP; however, differences were observed in fish size distribution at harvest. Research revealed that SPS was more profitable than TP despite the initial investment costs needed to convert TP to SPS
HEARING Safety Across Agricultural Education: A Three-Study Evaluation of Student Perceptions and Understanding of HEARING Safety
Get PDFThe behavior relating to safety practices seen in agriculture, especially involving hearing, highlights a critical concern when examined. This dissertation reviews three studies focusing on the attitudes, perceptions, and safety practices regarding sound concerns and hearing protection use in agricultural mechanics laboratories. These studies collectively emphasize the gap in students' understanding and application of hearing safety practices, despite the known risks associated with high decibel (dB) exposure from tools in an agricultural setting.
The first study examines the inconsistency between students' perceptions of noise levels and the actual dB output of tools within a university-based agricultural mechanics laboratory. By incorporating both direct and indirect exposure through project-based learning and informational posters, correct identification of hearing protection used based on their own identified thresholds improved. The data indicated a narrowing perception gap, demonstrating an increase in the recognition of decibel outputs compared to one’s perceived willingness to use hearing protection.
Continuing this investigation, the second study builds on the project by examining students' safety practices within a university-based agricultural mechanics setting. Despite alignment with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's recommended hearing protection threshold, a concerning disconnect between intention and practice was revealed, highlighting the need for further education and research on knowledge and application gap.
The third study extends this research into a school-based agricultural education setting, emphasizing the knowledge gap among secondary-students regarding hearing protection. While the study confirmed an improvement in students' understanding and intended behavior towards hearing safety through indirect exposure, the variation in intended and proper use of hearing protection for commonly used power tools suggests an inadequacy in the safety educational process or lack of accepted safety culture among these students.
Together, these studies highlight the need for targeted curriculum development in agricultural education to address hearing safety awareness and practice. Through the use of direct and indirect exposure, reflective learning, and continuous reinforcement of safety practices, there is potential to significantly enhance the safety culture across agricultural education, ultimately reducing the risk of hearing loss and empowering safer agriculturalists