Middle Tennessee State University
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The Use of Humor to Alleviate Acute Stress in Undergraduate Adults
No full textStress is a familiar feeling for college students, and an unresolved build-up of
acute stress events can lead to chronic stress and disease development. This informs the
importance of intervention and the researcher’s goal was to focus on performing arts
intervention to stress, specifically with comedy. Although current research displays a
need for development and further study regarding comedy as a form of stress relief, the
incorporation of comedy has demonstrated significance in decreasing negative feelings of
stress. In this study, researchers conducted an experiment with 79 undergraduate students,
measuring self-reported levels of positive and negative affectivity (PA and NA) at
baseline, after completing a stress task, and after viewing either a comedy or control
video. The findings demonstrated significance in the area of PA and that students’ overall
positive feelings increased within the time of the experiment after watching a recording
of a comedy performance following a stress task
Exploring Patterns of Evolution Understanding, Religiosity, and Evolution Acceptance in Undergraduate Biology Students in the United States
No full textDespite evolution’s foundational position in the biological sciences, it remains controversial among students learning biology. Some of the most consistent factors associated with student evolution acceptance are how much someone grasps evolution conceptually (which is typically referred to as understanding), and the extent to which they identify as religious (which is called religiosity) but there are very few studies exploring how the relationship between understanding and acceptance can be impacted by student religiosity levels. Further, students show different levels of acceptance of evolution depending on whether it is microevolution, macroevolution, or human evolution, but few studies explore how evolution understanding is related to acceptance in these three different areas. In this study, we surveyed introductory college biology students from a wide range of geographical contexts in the United States to explore the relationship between their understanding and acceptance of evolution and how religiosity impacts that relationship. We also explored how these relationships change based on acceptance of microevolution, macroevolution, and human evolution. Among incoming college students in introductory biology classes in the United States, understanding of evolution was positively related to acceptance of microevolution, macroevolution, and human evolution, but this relationship was weaker for highly religious students. There was a moderated relationship between evolution acceptance and evolution understanding by student religiosity levels. Students who scored high on religiosity showed a weaker relationship between their evolution understanding and acceptance of macroevolution/human evolution compared to those who scored lower on religiosity. Further, highly religious students also showed no relationship between their understanding of evolution and acceptance of the common ancestry of life on Earth. These results indicate that understanding of evolution is not the only factor that educators need to consider if they are to convey the importance and veracity of evolutionary theory to their students.M.S
Advancing Digital Papyrology: Machine Learning and Blockchain Tools for Modernizing the Study of Ancient Greek Manuscripts
No full textThe study and preservation of ancient Greek papyri poses unique challenges due to the degraded and
fragmented state of these highly damaged, ancient manuscripts. While digital imaging has aided
in documenting these texts, manual transcription by experts remains a formidable bottleneck. In
my work I present novel machine learning and blockchain-based approaches designed to accelerate
and streamline the transcription and archiving of papyrological manuscripts. Key to this work
is the creation of crowdsourced datasets of ancient Greek character images, annotated through a
crowdsourcing initiative, that enable the training of deep learning models for character detection,
segmentation, and recognition. Other contributions include augmenting datasets with synthetically
generated characters to reduce sampling bias, and techniques for identifying annotation uncertainty
via ensemble modeling to improve classification accuracy. The models and algorithms created in
these works form the core of a pipeline that combines human oversight with automated processes
for diplomatic transcription of papyrus fragments. Current and future work, based on these contributions,
includes advances in optical manuscript dating an novel approaches to character spotting.
To support collaborative scholarship within the field of papyrology, a blockchain framework utilizing
smart contracts and decentralized storage is proposed for managing versions of transcribed
texts. Implemented as a prototype, this framework demonstrates feasibility and potential benefits
over traditional editorial workflows. Collectively, the methods developed aim to provide an AI-assisted
platform tailored for papyrologists and other humanities researchers. By uniting machine
learning, human computation, and distributed ledger technologies, this interdisciplinary research
proposes a modernized paradigm for studying the ancient world through its surviving manuscripts.Ph.D
ESTER SYNTHESIS THROUGH COBALT-CATALYZED DEHYDROGENATIVE COUPLING OF PRIMARY ALCOHOLS
No full textThe search for sustainable alternatives to precious metal catalysts has become increasingly vital in modern chemistry. A groundbreaking solution emerges through the application of first-row transition metals combined with pincer ligands, offering both economic and environmental advantages. Our research introduces iPrPPPBF, a novel phosphine-based ligand incorporating a benzofuran scaffold, which was synthesized under carefully controlled conditions. Through meticulous crystallization procedures, we obtained pure ligand samples that were subsequently complexed with cobalt. Advanced X-ray crystallography revealed the detailed molecular structures of these metal complexes. The cobalt variant demonstrated remarkable catalytic efficiency in transforming benzyl alcohol into its corresponding benzoate ester through dehydrogenative coupling. This achievement marks a significant advancement in developing sustainable catalytic systems, suggesting broader applications in alcohol functionalization reactions. Our findings contribute to the growing field of earth-abundant metal catalysis, offering more sustainable alternatives to traditional precious metal systems throughout modern industrial chemistry processes and future green synthesis methodologies.M.S
Empowering Burned Out Teachers through Peer Coaching Cycles: A Qualitative Action Research Study
No full textBurnout is experienced for many reasons, such as prolonged exposure to stress. This can present in three stages being emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal unaccomplishment. Many educators experience different stages, pathways, and types of burnout throughout their career. This is unfair to teachers as most enter the profession to make a positive impact on student lives, but it is also unfair to the school as teachers affect other teachers, students, and the culture of the school. Therefore, this dissertation sought to understand the road back from burnout.
This was explored through peer coaching cycles to provide support and feedback in a collaborative, safe learning environment. This qualitative action research looked at four teachers experiencing one or more stages of burnout and allowed them the opportunity to engage in two peer coaching cycles to see if this improved their levels of burnout. Interviews and artifacts were used to answer the following research questions: Question 1- How and why do these specific teachers experience burnout?; Question 2- What are the perspectives of teachers regarding how peer coaching impacted their burnout and how do these experiences change with additional cycles?; Question 3-How do the experiences of teachers engaging in peer coaching cycles affect the collaborative culture? This dissertation examined how peer coaching cycles empowered burnout teachers, built their decisional capital, and supported them through their burnout. This dissertation sought to understand how to support burned out teachers of all levels and experiences.Ed.D
Identifying Challenges for the Foreign-Born Japanese Population in the Nashville Metropolitan Area
No full textThe Nashville Metropolitan Area has emerged as a gateway city for immigrants and refugees. This phenomenon has captured the interest of scholars who study migration. Much of their research has demonstrated how newcomers to Nashville follow similar patterns of assimilation and acculturation into the host community within a matter of generations. However, due to the constant flux of Japanese individuals entering and exiting Middle Tennessee, a stable, well-established Japanese community has yet to materialize. Rather, Japanese immigrants in Tennessee often view their resettlement here as ephemeral. Furthermore, their settlement pattern across the metropolitan area is spatially dispersed or “heterolocal” rather than centrally located. This lack of a salient, organized Japanese community along with limited knowledge of Nashville prevents meaningful cultural exchange and enrichment, evidenced by lackluster representation. The author argues more can be done to make Tennessee an appealing environment for Japanese students, workers, and long-time residents
The Association of Multiple Experiential Learning Courses and Graduation Rate
No full textDuring the past several years, the federal and state governments have adopted a college completion agenda using graduation rates as evidence of student success. With the demand for increased accountability on colleges and universities to ensure student success, institutions of higher education are searching for more effective ways to help students achieve their academic and professional goals. Experiential learning has risen to the forefront as a high impact practice for increasing student persistence and ultimately graduation numbers. Although there has been significant research on the positive impact of experiential learning on student success, there is little research regarding the association between the number of experiential learning credit hours (courses) taken and graduation likelihood.
This study was conducted to explore the relationship between the number of experiential learning courses taken and student graduation likelihood. Utilizing retrospective data obtained from a large public university in Tennessee, Pearson Chi- square tests were performed to analyze race, sex and number of experiential learning (EXL) credit hours on graduation likelihood. In addition, the researcher performed strength of association and effect size tests for each Chi-square analysis. Results demonstrate that there was a very significant association between EXL credit hours and graduation. The likelihood of student graduation showed strong incremental significance with each additional level of credit hours completed.Ed.D
Work-Life Conflict, Burnout, and the Role of Social Support
No full textThe present study examined the relationship between work-life conflict (WLC) and burnout, as well as how social support from both work and nonwork sources may impact that relationship. Participants (n=179) participated in a survey containing six questionnaires. The first two measured both directions of WLC: life interfering with work (LIW) and work interfering with life (WIL). The remaining questionnaires addressed social support from nonwork sources (friends, family, significant other), social support from work sources (supervisor and coworker) and the three dimensions of burnout (emotional exhaustion, cynicism, reduced personal accomplishment). Results showed that WIL and overall WLC were related to all three burnout dimensions while LIW was only related to reduced personal accomplishment. Additionally, each type of social support was significantly negatively related to each of the three burnout dimensions. We also found support for nonwork social support as a moderator between overall WLC and emotional exhaustion and cynicism, but not reduced personal accomplishment. Supervisor support and coworker support was supported as a moderator between overall WLC and all three burnout dimensions. When considering WIL rather than overall WLC, moderation analyses remained the same except for nonwork social support and cynicism, where nonwork social support did not moderate the relationship. These findings show the importance of social support in buffering the effects of strain to reduce symptoms of burnout. Understanding these dynamics can help organizations improve their employee’s well-being by developing strategies to improve upon the social support for employees.M.A
Speech-Language Pathologists’ Ratings of Airway Protection Behaviors and Treatment Recommendations for Dysphagia
No full textABSTRACT
This study investigated speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) ability to utilize a novel 5-point airway protection scale (APS) when reviewing FEES videos, the frequency of airway protection behaviors visualized during FEES, and SLP practice patterns regarding the recommendation of modified texture diets (MTDs) for the improvement of airway protection. Five SLPs—trained in the use of the APS—were recruited to determine if they could reliably analyze FEES videos with the APS. For both scoring sessions, inter-rater reliability was “almost perfect” (κ = .91; 95% CI, .881 to .939, p < .0005) and intra-rater reliability was “substantial” (κ = .80) for one rater and was “almost perfect” (κ = .95 - 1.0) for the remaining four raters.
After determining that these five SLPs could reliably utilize the APS, a medical records review of their FEES reports was completed. Four hundred seventy-seven FEES reports, totaling 25% of all reports created from January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024, were randomly sampled. There was a significant association between sex and APS scores (p < .001). Despite accounting for only 43.4% of the sample, females accounted for 53.8% (n = 769) of all scores of APS “2,” which indicates a functionally normal airway protection score. APS scores of “5” denote the most severe complication for airway protection behaviors, and males accounted for 62.8% (n = 201) of all APS “5” scores.
SLPs who treat dysphagia recommend MTDs to prevent airway protection issues like laryngeal penetration and aspiration that can lead to severe pulmonary complications. A survey of clinical practice patterns indicated that over 90% of respondents recommend MTDs when needed. However, the use of the MTDs is not without risk. Indisputably, the use of MTDs can cause significant and systemic health risks. Hence, informed consent for the use of MTDs in healthcare settings is required. However, when surveyed about the negative health outcomes associated with consuming MTD, SLPs demonstrated poor understanding of hazards associated with MTDs—calling into question the ability of SLPs to fully inform their patients regarding the standard practice of recommending MTDs to prevent pulmonary complications.Ph.D
EXPLORING EASTER EGGS, PARASOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND AGENDA SETTING IN THE MARKETING OF TAYLOR SWIFT’S THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT ALBUM
No full textThis thesis applies parasocial relationship theory and agenda-setting theory to an analysis of how American pop music star Taylor Swift utilized Easter egg marketing in promoting her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department. Based on empirical and qualitative analysis of social media content about the album gathered via the Brandwatch platform, the study found that Swift uses hints and messages – so-called Easter eggs – to communicate with her audience and help build a sense of community among her most devoted fans, known as "Swifties." Results found indicators of parasocial relationship formation among Swift’s fans, but no substantial evidence of a connection between Easter eggs and the formation of such relationships. Rather, Swift’s Easter eggs tend to attract media coverage and boost publicity through a classic agenda-setting process.M.S