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IMPACTS OF NATURAL ZOO DESIGN ON THE ACTIVE MENTAL STATE OF VISITORS AND THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF ZOOS
Get PDFThesis (M.A.)--Michigan State University. Environmental Design - Master of Arts, 2025Zoological institutions have always struggled to gather support for their conservation efforts due to the various ethical dilemmas perceived by the public (Milstein, 2009). Present-day zoos must carefully balance their funding to ensure enough is allocated to keep visitors excited and engaged, while also conducting conservation work and caring for often costly animals (Carr & Cohen, 2011). Many people do not realize that their support through visits to zoological parks is crucial for keeping zoos open, allowing them to care for their animals and contribute to conservation efforts and species survival plans worldwide. Research shows that visitors with a previous positive experience at a zoo are more likely to support conservation efforts than those who had a negative experience or did not visit a zoo at all (Godinez & Fernandez, 2019). This study aims to answer whether exhibit design elements, such as size, vegetation density, and material types, directly influence visitor emotions, perceptions of the zoo, and perceptions of animal welfare. A total of 187 surveys were collected from visitors at three AZA-accredited zoos in Michigan, providing insight into the relationship between enclosure design characteristics and visitor satisfaction and emotions. The main findings reveal that animal affinity is a strong factor in visitor experience, but that certain design aspects, like exhibit scale, vegetation density, and material choice also have strong impacts on visitor emotions and perceptions of zoo design. Future research should explore broader geographic contexts, diverse exhibit types, and the long-term impact of educational interventions on visitor perceptions. Understanding these factors can aid zoos in refining their strategies to enhance both visitor experience and conservation messaging.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
INTEGRATED STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF CERCOSPORA LEAF SPOT ON SUGARBEET
Get PDFThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Plant Pathology - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025Sugarbeets account for 55 to 60% of U.S. sugar production. Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), primarily caused by the fungal pathogen Cercospora beticola, is a major foliar disease of sugarbeet. Since leaf tissue is a primary site of pathogen survival between growing seasons, management strategies were evaluated to reduce this source of inoculum. Fall- and spring-applied treatments were evaluated over three years at two locations. Treatments included a non-treated control, a propane-fueled heat treatment, and a desiccant application seven days pre-harvest compared to tilling immediately post-harvest. The fall-applied heat treatment significantly reduced lesion sporulation and C. beticola isolation in at-harvest samples (P < 0.05) as well as detectable sporulation for up to 70- or 90-days post-harvest (P < 0.05). Both fall- and spring-applied heat treatments reduced CLS area under the disease progress curve in the growing season after treatment (P < 0.05).Fungicide resistance is a major concern due to the frequent applications necessary to control multiple infection cycles of CLS each season and the importance of single-site fungicides. Reduced sensitivity has been observed for C. beticola to multiple fungicide groups, including quinone outside inhibitors. Programs were tested to minimize C. beticola pyraclostrobin resistance development and maximize management of CLS. In 2019 and 2020, rotation and tank-mixture programs integrating pyraclostrobin with mancozeb treatments were evaluated in field studies. For all programs incorporating pyraclostrobin, distributions of C. beticola pyraclostrobin sensitivities were not significantly different from each other but differed from the non-treated control (P < 0.05). No additional CLS control, yield, or sugar benefits were observed for programs using pyraclostrobin. Monitoring the development of fungicide resistance in the region is important for making management decisions. In 2021 and 2022, the distribution of in vitro fungicide sensitivity was determined in Michigan C. beticola isolates and mutations associated with resistance to various fungicide groups were assessed. High levels of resistance to prothioconazole and pyraclostrobin were observed for C. beticola isolates collected from commercial sugarbeet fields. Tested isolates were most sensitive to difenoconazole, fenbuconazole, and triphenyltin hydroxide. The number of fungicide group applications affected isolate sensitivity to thiophanate-methyl and prothioconazole (P < 0.05). Many triazoles in this study possessed cross resistance with other DMI fungicides. This study found the E198A mutation was accurate in predicting resistance to thiophanate-methyl, while the G143A and Glu169 mutations were not sufficient to forecast resistance to pyraclostrobin and all triazole active ingredients, respectively. Current CLS prediction models used for fungicide application timing do not consider the presence of C. beticola spores. CLS forecasting could benefit from the addition of aerial spore factors. In 2019-2022, eight site-years of aerial spore and environmental data were collected from Michigan and Ontario. Initial correlation and logistic regression analyses found duration of leaf wetness, air temperature, and wind speed were able to predict the risk of elevated Cercospora spore concentrations with 67.9% accuracy. In 2022 and 2023, a limited set of thresholds for a selected model were tested for fungicide application timing. Two models resulted in CLS, yield, and sugar metrics comparable to the grower standard despite one less fungicide application. In additional training analysis, an ensemble model included leaf wetness, air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed variables with a testing accuracy of 73.2%. These studies aimed to develop integrated CLS management options to improve sugarbeet production sustainability and profitability.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
\u639\u631\u628\u64a AND THE \u201cDEARBORN BUBBLE\u201d : MULTILINGUAL PERSPECTIVES AND PRACTICES OF DISTRICT EDUCATORS
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025With the highest concentration of Arab Americans in the United States, Dearborn, Michigan has a unique quality that preserves its residents\u2019 Arab roots despite pressure to follow dominant cultural norms in the U.S. As a space that is both Arab and American, the Third Space (Bhabha, 1990; Guti\ue9rrez, 2008) created by Arab Americans in the Dearborn community has greatly shaped the educational experiences for students in the school district. Particularly, the Dearborn Public Schools (DPS) have long catered to their Arabic-speaking students, the third most common home language spoken by students in the United States. However, the extent to which the district\u2019s inclusive policies have shaped daily classroom practices for these students offers opportunities for deeper analysis. Guided by Critical Multilingual Awareness (Garc\ueda, 2017) and the three components of translanguaging pedagogy (stance, design, and shifts; Garc\ueda, 2009; Garc\ueda et al., 2016), this embedded case study explores district educators\u2019 beliefs and practices regarding multilingualism across the Dearborn Public Schools, questioning: (1) What are the beliefs and perceived practices of district educators who work with Arabic-speaking students regarding teaching and learning in multiple languages? (2) How are teachers\u2019 beliefs and perceptions about multilingual practices reflected in their classroom practices with Arabic-speaking students? Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with nine district educators, a teacher questionnaire (MULTITEACH; Calafato, 2020), and classroom observations of sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade ELA lessons with follow up teacher interviews. The findings revealed a divide between social and academic use of Arabic. District educators underscored the city\u2019s long-standing support for Arab American communities, such as halal food offerings, districtwide holiday acknowledgments, and multilingual family communications. Yet, within mainstream ELA classrooms, Arabic rarely surfaced as a recognized academic resource. Teachers described feeling unprepared or constrained by standardized testing, curricula emphasizing English-only proficiency, and their own limited Arabic skills. Although many expressed openness to leveraging students\u2019 home languages, they lacked consistent institutional guidance on how to embed Arabic into lesson planning or spontaneous instruction. Consequently, no direct translanguaging activities were documented in classroom observations. Instead, English uniformly dominated each lesson, even though the vast majority of students came from Arabic-speaking backgrounds. Taken together, Dearborn\u2019s history of responsive community engagement suggests that embracing Arabic academically is a logical extension of the district\u2019s overall inclusivity. Strengthening teacher training, promoting co-teaching models, and revisiting curriculum expectations could help sustain genuine multilingual learning spaces. By systematically bridging school policy with instructional practice, Dearborn Public Schools can model how U.S. districts might transform from English-centric norms to truly multilingual ecologies (Garc\ueda & Menken, 2015; Garc\ueda & S\ue1nchez, 2015). Ultimately, this study underscores both the possibility and complexity of elevating a socially valued home language into a fully recognized academic tool.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
A DNP project : training teachers in mindfulness techniques to address ADHD-related classroom challenges
No full textProblem: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 11.3% of children aged 5-17 years, often leading to classroom disruptions and behavioral issues. These challenges contribute to increased disciplinary actions, negatively impacting academic and social outcomes. Teachers often lack the training and resources needed to manage ADHD effectively. Purpose: This quality improvement project was aimed at enhancing classroom management by equipping elementary school teachers with mindfulness strategies to address ADHD-related disruptions. The goal was to improve student focus and behavior, reducing disciplinary actions and supporting better academic outcomes. Methods: A 20-minute in-person training session provided teachers with knowledge on ADHD and mindfulness techniques. Over eight weeks, teachers integrated daily mindfulness exercises in their classrooms, supported by YouTube videos. Effectiveness was assessed through pre- and post-training surveys, in-person check-ins, and administrative data comparison. Results: Pre-training surveys revealed frequent disruptions and difficulties with student focus, with teachers reporting ineffective classroom management strategies. Post-training, both teachers felt more confident in using mindfulness techniques. By the end of eight weeks, teachers observed significant improvements in classroom behavior, including reduced disruptions and improved student attention. Teachers also reported feeling more comfortable with mindfulness practices, with one teacher's comfort increasing significantly. Both teachers considered mindfulness effective in managing classroom behavior and improving student focus. Conclusions: Mindfulness shows promise in managing ADHD-related classroom disruptions and improving student focus. Further research is recommended to assess its long-term impact on behavior and academic outcomes. Keywords: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, mindfulness, behavioral symptoms, attention, child behaviorThesis (D.N.P.)--Michigan State University. Family nurse practitioner, 2025Includes bibliographical references (pages 34-40
Standardized post-anesthesia handoff to improve interdepartmental communication
No full textThe patient's safety is the priority of every healthcare provider throughout the patient's admission. Throughout any given day, multiple nurses, physicians, and technicians will care for a patient, and this requires the necessary transfers of care that include the exchange of pertinent patient information. If crucial information or orders are not communicated and missed, the resolution could result in avoidable harm to the patient. A critical exchange of information and staff occurs between the intraoperative Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) and the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Registered Nurses (RN), as the patient is waking up from the procedure and eliminating anesthetic gases and medications while opiates and regional medications are onsetting. During this period, the patient also has an increased need for supplemental oxygen. This quality improvement project attempts to observe if the standardization of handoff between the CRNAs and PACU RNs can improve communication between the two teams and eliminate the gaps in communication to increase preparedness of the PACU RNs, and ultimately decrease mistakes and improve patient safety.Thesis (D.N.P.)--Michigan State University, 2025Includes bibliographical reference
The development & implementation of a peer mentorship program for nurse anesthesia students
No full textPeer to peer mentorship has been shown to help student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) navigate the academic, clinical, and emotional demands of the 36-month doctorate program. Well-designed peer mentorship programs boost academic performance, resilience, and professional identity. An informal mentorship program has existed in the Michigan State University Nurse Anesthesia Program for more than 10 years. The purpose of this project is to design and implement an evidence-based, structured peer-mentorship program and longitudinally examine its impact on student stress over three years.Thesis (D.N.P.)--Michigan State University. Nurse anesthesiology, 2025Includes bibliographical reference
Increasing staff comfort in performing conscious sedation during brachytherapy : a teaching quality improvement project
No full textProblem: The current practice of oral anxiolytics for patients undergoing brachytherapy within a specific cancer center (CC) has had inadequate outcomes for pain control and anxiety. The CC decided to transition to intravenous sedation; however, there was concern from the nursing staff regarding patient safety, due to the lack of hands-on experience administering these new medications. Purpose: The goal of this quality improvement project was to provide a formal instructional experience that increased the department's collective confidence level on providing IV sedation, while answering the question: "Does the implementation of a conscious sedation workshop, along with providing new airway equipment, increase the confidence of radiation oncology nursing staff while performing brachytherapy?" Methods: The intervention proposed was to provide a lecture and simulation workshop for the CC staff. This took place in small groups in the actual procedure room. Topics covered include sedation medications, reversal agents, rescue equipment, and end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) monitoring. Workshop efficacy was measured by comparing pre- and post-workshop reported comfort levels of the providers via survey. Results: Post-intervention survey results show an overall increase in comfort levels from 29% to 67%, with the largest improvement being in sedation dosages and their reversal agents. A topic of further teaching is EtCO2, which only has 50% comfort (up from 15%). Conclusions: This project reinforced an existing IV sedation policy, as well as created new guidelines for the specific brachytherapy procedure. The lecture and workshop increased department comfort but still has room for improvement in some topics. Overall, the process created a new formal pre-operative checklist, presence of an emergency supply kit, reversal agents on pharmacy formulary, and implemented a new policy on crash cart locations within the CC.Thesis (D.N.P.)--Michigan State University. Nurse anesthesiology, 2025Includes bibliographical references (page 2
Hybrid Cavity-Plasmon Mode Engineering with Electrons on Helium
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Physics - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025Electrons floating above the surface of superfluid helium are a unique platform for in-vestigating a wide variety of collective phenomena in strongly interacting condensed matter. Additionally, hybrid quantum systems offer a versatile way to explore both the fundamental physics and quantum information science applications of single particle and collective quan- tum systems. In particular, hybrid systems containing superconducting coplanar waveguide resonators are emerging as an ideal tool for investigating the microwave-frequency collective dynamics of low-dimensional electron systems. In this thesis, we present experimental results from microchannel device architectures that allow us to engineer microwave frequency charge density waves (i.e. plasmons) in electrons on helium and couple those collective excitations to superconducting resonators. The microchannel device provides precision control over the electron density and enables access to both quasi-one-dimensional electron chains as well as two-dimensional electron sheets. In the hybrid system coupling a superconducting coplanar waveguide resonator with the electron on helium system, spectroscopic measurements of the resonator allow us to demonstrate coupling between a plasmonic excitation with the fun- damental mode of the superconducting resonator, with coupling strength g/2\u3c0 = 50 MHz. Finally, we discuss how this hybrid system offers a novel platform for cavity optoplasmonic and circuit quantum electrodynamic experiments with electrons on helium.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
THE MECHANICS AND TRIBOLOGY IN MODULATION-ASSISTED MACHINING
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Mechanical Engineering - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025Machining difficult-to-cut alloys remains a challenge in modern manufacturing, affecting efficiency, cost, and product quality. These materials, known for their high strength, hardness, and toughness, generate elevated cutting forces and temperatures during machining. This leads to continuous chip generation, rapid tool wear, and reduced tool life. This dissertation investigates Modulation-Assisted Machining (MAM), a technique that applies low-frequency vibrations in the tool feed direction to periodically interrupt the cutting process. These controlled interruptions help to overcome the challenges in conventional continuous cutting operations by producing discrete chips and reducing the constant thermomechanical stress at the tool-chip and tool-workpiece contact, helping to reduce cutting temperature and tool wear.The study begins by analyzing the mechanics of MAM in orthogonal cutting configuration, including characterization of the modulation system, modeling of cutting forces, direct observation of chip formation, and tool displacement using high-speed imaging across a range of modulation parameters. The effectiveness of MAM for reducing tool wear is then evaluated in turning operations across a wide range of difficult-to-cut alloys, including various cast irons, high-strength steel, hardened bearing steel, and stainless steel, as well as nickel-based and titanium-based superalloys.A key contribution of this work is the experimental demonstration that MAM improves tool life by promoting the formation of protective oxide layers on the tool surface. Unlike conventional machining, where such layers are rare or require specific material treatments, MAM enables consistent oxide layer formation under a broad range of conditions without any special work material treatment. The effects of the workpiece and tool materials, cutting conditions, cutting kinematics, and modulation parameters on the formation and characteristics of the oxide protective layers are also investigated. These findings reveal how MAM fundamentally alters the tribological conditions at the tool-workpiece interface to reduce tool wear. Finally, a mechanism is proposed to explain how MAM facilitates oxide layer formation on the tool surface and reduces tool wear.Overall, this work advances the understanding of wear reduction mechanisms in MAM and demonstrates its potential to significantly improve the machinability of challenging alloys.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references
Breaking the Backbone : Moral Injury Among Noncommissioned Officers
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Social Work - Doctor of Philosophy, 2025Moral injury, defined as the result of a betrayal of what is right by a legitimate authority in a high stakes situation, is a significant concern facing military personnel that contributes to damaged trust (Litz et al., 2009; Shay, 2009) and worsened mental health outcomes, notably increased suicidality (Battles et al., 2018; Currier et al., 2019; Houtsma et al., 2017; Kelley et al., 2019; Maguen et al., 2020). Moral injury literature focuses largely on the individual moral transgressions committed by self and others (perpetration), or the experience of being betrayed (victimization). Research that examines the role of legitimate authority, a key characteristic of the military institution\u2019s hierarchical structure, and the influence of the military total institution itself is limited. Noncommissioned officers (NCOs) are the lowest-level powerholders amongst military leadership and as the \u201cbackbone of the Armed Forces\u201d (National Defense University, 2014, p. 2), they are in a unique position to both experience moral injury from their leaders\u2019 betrayals, as well as perpetrate betrayals, potentially causing moral injury to their own subordinates and themselves in the process. In this constructivist grounded theory study, I conducted in-depth interviews with 20 Army and Marine Corps NCO veterans who had a combat-related deployment history, recruited from Save A Warrior (SAW), a veteran service organization. This predominantly male sample (19 men, 1 woman) was characterized by very high rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), with all participants reporting a history of suicidality; notably, all had experienced a degree of healing related to their moral injury. My findings indicate that NCOs\u2019 experience of moral injury is a multi-determined, complex phenomenon, influenced by the military as a total institution, the power of legitimate authority (both theirs and that of the leaders above them in the military hierarchy), and ACEs. ACEs made participants particularly vulnerable to the military total institution\u2019s re-creation of their abusive family dynamic, in which the institution stated that it was protective and caring, but ultimately committed betrayals against participants, who were dependent upon the institution for their survival and well-being. Additionally, military norms and indoctrination processes encouraged participants\u2019 perception of leaders with legitimate authority as \u201cfather figures,\u201d which evoked and reinforced participants\u2019 institutionally-beneficial \u201cchildhood survival strategies,\u201d such as people-pleasing, an over-inflated sense of personal responsibility, and aggression. By the time participants became leaders and obtained legitimate authority as NCOs, their moral injury-related decision-making was influenced by previous institutional and leadership betrayals, the pressure to utilize institutionally-reinforced childhood survival strategies, and their need to prioritize the protection of their subordinates, at times from other leaders or the institution itself. Post-discharge, the shifting experience of moral injury for participants was heavily influenced by additional betrayals perpetrated by the institution (e.g., negative experiences with the VA), as well as larger political betrayals such as foreign policy decisions that rendered their previous combat missions pointless. All of these experiences exacerbated participants\u2019 moral injury, resulting in broken trust with the self and with others, and over time, worsening substance abuse, isolation, and suicidality. However, participants found healing through the SAW peer community, which facilitated their recognition of the harmful influence of the institution, meaningfully addressed their childhood trauma, and restored their trust in others and themselves. These findings illustrate how the total institution, legitimate authority, and ACEs work together to influence NCOs\u2019 decision-making and shape their experiences of moral injury. This insight adds integration and complexity to the empirical literature on military personnel and veterans\u2019 moral injury experiences, while offering new directions for research, practice, and policy.Description based on online resource. Title from PDF t.p. (Michigan State University Fedora Repository, viewed ).Includes bibliographical references