Middle Tennessee State University
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Grit Measurement Evaluation
No full textThis study explored the Grit-O Scale’s factors, structure, and potential gender or racial differences with the measurement tool. The results identified traits correlated with Grit-O revealing relationships with perseverance, toughness, adaptability, and goal commitment. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that a two-factor structure requiring modifications is an adequate fit model. Grit-O showed no significant relationship with vocabulary IQ, indicating independence from cognitive ability. A Welch’s T-Test and ANOVA suggested no significant gender or racial differences in Grit scores. Future research could use these findings to improve the Grit-O model and understand the concept better. Practitioners could potentially employ the Grit-O tool in selection and interventions and predicting job success. However, ethical considerations are essential to proceed. Further research should address limitations and explore a more diverse sample to gain more knowledge of the application of the Gri-O measure.M.A
Essays on the History of Political Economy and Methodology
No full textThis dissertation delves into a series of lost knowledge in economics. In Chapter 1, it is established that modern graduate education in economics has largely overlooked the artistic aspects of political economy. This chapter argues that reintroducing classical works in political economy can offer valuable insights that are crucial for policy-relevant research. Building on the idea that we ought to study past ideas, Chapter 2 addresses the arguments presented by José Osvaldo de Meira Penna regarding the origins of the Brazilian paternalistic state. Meira Penna’s book, O dinossauro, is influenced by various schools of thought, particularly the Austrian tradition, and attributes Brazil’s paternalistic mentality to the importation of constructivist ideas. His critique aligns closely with Friedrich Hayek’s perspective, thereby presenting a noteworthy Austrian critique of the Brazilian Leviathan. Moving forward, Chapter 3 delves into Friedrich List’s critique of the Methuen Treaty, which was believed to have negatively impacted Portugal’s textile industry and overall economic growth. Although List’s critique appears disconnected from his theoretical framework, it reveals his opposition to the ideas put forth by Adam Smith and Jean-Baptiste Say. The lack of local data further complicates a precise policy analysis, leaving room for normative interpretations. In conclusion, this dissertation highlights the significance of studying the history of ideas and argues that neglecting the classical political economy in modern graduate education in economics comes at a considerable cost. By reintroducing the classics and examining influential critiques like Meira Penna’s and List’s, valuable insights can be gained for a more comprehensive understanding of the nature of human action.Ph.D
The Societal Effects of Harm Reduction
No full textABSTRACT
My dissertation consists of three chapters. The first chapter investigates the impact of syringe service program (SSP) legislation on fatal and nonfatal overdoses in Tennessee. Leveraging a 2018 law I utilize a difference-in-differences model using SSPs as a proxy for naloxone distribution. I find a significant increase in the gross number of overdoses in counties that implemented an SSP but not in the rate of overdoses in those counties. The second chapter examines the effect of SSP legislation on county-level crime. Many opponents of SSPs and harm reduction in general use “Not in my backyard” as an argument suggesting that these social services increase crime and drug use. I use a recent Tennessee law legalizing SSPs to identify if they do in fact increase crime. I find that implementation of SSPs does not have a significant effect on crime. The third chapter studies the effects of a federal regulation on sodium permanganate, an ingredient in the manufacturing of cocaine, on illicit drug use and overdose deaths, finding a significant increase in heroin use after the regulation but no other significant effects of illicit drug use or mortality.Ph.D
Examining the Effect, a First Year Experience Course has on Community College Student Persistence
No full textPersistence, along with retention and completion initiatives, are the focus of institutions of higher education, especially community colleges. There are initiatives that focus on student success that start at orientation and revolve around connecting the student to the college. Students often arrive on campus with a minimal understanding of the what the next two-years at the community college will involve and student success initiatives help students learn how to navigate this journey. The concept of the First-Year Experience Course allows for students to dive deeper into the college experience by learning about time management, organization, campus resources, career exploration, and self-reflection.
This study investigated the effect the First-Year Experience course had on student persistence at Volunteer State Community College, a two-year institution located in Gallatin, Tennessee. The research examined archived data provided by the Research, Assessment, and Special Initiatives department. Multiple Chi-square analysis were performed using the variables: completion of the First-Year Experience Course, age, race, and gender to determine their association on student persistence. The completion of the First-Year Experience Course, as well as age, did not have an association with persistence. However, there was a significant association between race and gender on student persistence.
Based on the results of this study, further examinations of the First-Year Experience course and persistence should be completed in the context of a qualitative research design to allow for a narrative description of student experiences as it pertains to persistence. Additionally, the recommendations for future research and practical applications include increasing the sample to include all community colleges within the state to provide a larger representation of students.Ed.D
Effect of low-dose electrolyte supplementation to university riding horses during hot and humid weather
No full textElectrolyte supplementation is a frequent practice in human and equine athletes, as exercise in hot and humid weather can exacerbate electrolyte and fluid losses. Previous equine electrolyte research has focused on supplementation to horses in heavy workloads with limited research in horses in light to moderate workloads. This study covered 5 consecutive weekdays in hot and humid conditions. Five treatment horses received a low-dose oral electrolyte supplement daily comprised of 0.07g NaCl/kg BW and 0.02g KCl/kg BW, and six control horses received 0.09g/kg BW granulated sugar as a placebo. Measurements included water intake, blood glucose, and plasma electrolyte levels. Treatment did not affect water consumption (P=0.94), or serum levels of sodium (P=0.18), potassium (P=0.92), and chloride (P=0.26). Average blood glucose tended to be higher in control animals (P=0.06). These results suggest that horses in light to moderate work receiving a commercial concentrate may not require additional low-dose electrolyte supplementation.M.S
Essays in The Influence of Technology on Economics and Finance
No full textThis paper investigates the impact technology-based lending on the profitability of traditional banks, employing the database from Cornelli et al. (2020). I confirm the detrimental effect of technology-based lending growth on bank profitability, with a 5.2% decrease in the ROAA ratio for each 1% increase in technology-based lending. These results are consistent after accounting for the instrumental variables regression to address endogeneity and alternative profitability indicators. Notably, BigTech lending has more substantial negative impact on bank profitability than FinTech lending, predominantly in developing countries. Technology-based lending negatively impacts bank profitability due to country characteristics rather than bank characteristics, rather than the characteristics of the bank itself. The additional negative shocks to banks are stronger when the banking sector is relatively competitive or credit accessibility is lower in the country where the bank is located. By further exploring the alternative channels, I observe that technology-based lending reduces banks' profitability by issuing more unsecured loans to maintain their original market share of lending services, reducing lending efficiency.Ph.D
A Disaster Veterinary Contingency Plan Utilizing the One Health Model and The World Organization for Animal Health Guidelines
No full textNatural disasters have become increasingly prevalent, disasters in 2022 exceeded $165.0 billion and was the third most costly year on record, behind 2017 and 2005. These calamities inflict various traumas upon companion animals, including injury, emotional distress, abandonment, and loss. While several established frameworks exist internationally to provide education, training, and contingency plan guidance for disaster management in veterinary services, the United States lacks access to many of these resources. This project aims to address this gap by developing a contingency plan for the Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG), a chain of emergency veterinary hospitals in the United States that has created a veterinary emergency travel team. The plan will be based on The One Health model and The World Organization for Animal Health guidelines, serving as a comprehensive framework for disaster management. Additionally, the plan will incorporate a detailed communication structure utilizing the Internal Communication System. By leveraging existing frameworks and establishing an effective communication system, this project seeks to enhance the preparedness and response capabilities of the veterinary community during disasters, ultimately improving outcomes for both humans and animals.M.P.H
The Effect of a Supplement Containing Amino Acids on Hoof Growth in Horses
No full textKEYWORDS: Amino Acids; fatty acids; horses; hoove
Just Your Friendly, Neighborhood Park Ranger: How Park Rangers can help facilitate environmental learning in the classroom, an experience with snakes
No full textEnvironmental education and interpretation programs hosted by Park Rangers offer audiences an opportunity to learn about science and nature through direct and hands-on interactions. However, programs offered at parks may be underutilized by schools and teachers. In the state of Tennessee, Park Rangers function as their park’s interpretive specialist. Teachers and Park Rangers can work together to curate meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities for students to encourage long-term, positive change in attitude towards the environment and conservation. For this project students were offered a survey both before and after an interpretive program with a snake. These surveys measured student’s attitude toward snakes and snake conservation in Tennessee. Furthermore, students that participated in the program attend one of two charter middle schools, which differed in student demographic make-up and conservation programming that allowed for student interactions with snakes in the field and classroom. Data gathered indicated that a single interpretive program had no significant impact on student attitude towards snakes, but that students were more likely to learn about snakes in their personal time following the interpretive program. Additionally, venomous snakes were perceived differently by the students from the two schools, suggesting that more research is needed to determine why the students from these two schools have different attitude scores concerning venomous snakes.M.S
IN FLUX: A Study in Cross-Cultural Composition
No full textThis creative project is a mixed ensemble composition that takes influence from multiple cross-cultural sources, including modal jazz, traditional Chinese music, and modern Western orchestral music. The methodology was documented with the intent to serve as a potential guide for others looking to pursue cross-cultural composition as well as expose listeners to other genres, techniques, and cultures. The composition aimed to be independent in its musical identity, preserving the sonic roots of each style as a demonstration of maintaining musical diversity as opposed to musical assimilation