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Seasonal Changes and Possible Sources of Dissolved Calcium Levels in Streams, River, and Lake Waters in Western Kentucky
No full textABSTRACT
Calcium is an essential element in ecosystems for many levels of the food chain to maintain ecosystem health and to sustain biodiversity. Many species of bivalve mollusks survive, reproduce, and maintain normal populations in rivers, lakes and oceans only where calcium concentrations were sufficient. Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are an exotic and invasive mollusk that are known for their “biofouling” capabilities costing billions of dollars in their removal from industrial, public, and power plant water supply lines. Calcium is one of the essential elements that contributes to the growth and reproduction of zebra mussels. Calcium concentrations of 25-28 mg/L are considered the threshold for survival and reproduction of zebra mussels. The purpose of this study was to determine if dissolved calcium levels in the lower parts of Kentucky Lake had increased and reached zebra mussels survival and reproduction threshold. Surface water samples were collected during Kentucky Lake Monitoring Program (KLMP) cruises as well as from two tributary streams. Samples were filtered using 0.45 µm filters, acidified and analyzed for calcium using an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Calcium levels in Kentucky Lake and tributary streams were examined for seasonal and long-term temporal trends. Results revealed that relatively higher concentration of dissolved calcium was found in Kentucky Lake channel sites than from embayment and streams. In general, calcium levels showed seasonal variation with increasing concentration during winter and early spring months. Application of road salts during these colder months and runoff from these activities may influence the calcium concentrations in these waters. Increasing levels of these calcium ions may play a role in the elevated occurrences of zebra mussels in Kentucky Lake
Economic Analysis of Hay and Corn Production at Morehead State University’s Derrickson Agricultural Complex
Full text linkMorehead State University’s Derrickson Agricultural Complex (DAC) produces several agricultural enterprises and provides valuable hands-on experiences for students. Hay and corn are the two dominant crop enterprises which cover 58 percent of the total area. In addition, the DAC produces hay from six different farms using the crop-share leasing method. The primary objectives of this study are to (1) analyze the profitability of hay and corn production at the DAC and leased farms and (2) identify the strengths, and weaknesses of each farm to improve production efficiencies. Two years of data were collected, and the profitability of hay and corn for each farm was calculated separately, using several farm-specific enterprise budgets. The results of this study provide a deeper understanding of the economic sustainability and viability of hay and corn production at the DAC, thereby informing better decision-making and optimization of agricultural enterprises on the farm. This poster will illustrate the yields, profits, and strengths and weaknesses of each farm and the results will be compared to regional averages
A Quantitative Analysis of the Spread and Progression of Feminist Beliefs
No full textThroughout history, feminist beliefs have rippled through society, influencing attitudes across gender lines in the United States. In this study, we examined the rate at which these beliefs spread across the United States. To provide a broad scope of the spread of these beliefs, we discussed the trends for people identifying as feminist and non-feminist. This involved looking at various compartment models that included movement between, into, and out of the groups. To do this, we constructed a visual describing the population’s flow and built a system of ordinary differential equations. Each equation representing the change in the population of the non-feminist and feminist groups. We extended this model to examine specific beliefs discussed within feminism. We focused on four major belief clusters commonly involved in feminism: Feminist Ideology, Lifestyle Acceptance, Equal Opportunity, and Sexual Self-determination. By examining the percentages of our population that hold these beliefs over time, we might be able to predict how prevalent some of these beliefs will be in the future. By offering a quantitative approach to feminist conversation, this study aims to contribute to the broader discussion on ideological spread among feminism-related topics and the associated discourse that occurs
Types of Technology and the Impact on ADHD Symptoms in Young Adulthood
No full textThe increasing prevalence of digital technology in daily life has raised questions about its impact on mental health, particularly in relation to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study examines the relationship between types of technology use and ADHD symptoms in young adults, focusing on understanding how specific technology habits may influence attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
A cross-sectional design was employed, recruiting 150 participants aged 18–25 through university platforms. Technology use was assessed using the Media and Technology Usage and Attitudes Scale (MTUAS), and ADHD symptoms were measured with the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1). Data were analyzed using regression analyses to explore the predictive relationships between technology use patterns and ADHD symptom severity while controlling for demographic variables such as age and gender.
*Preliminary* results indicate a significant positive correlation between the frequency of technology use, particularly social media and multitasking behaviors, and ADHD symptom severity. Conversely, mobile phone use exhibited a weaker association with ADHD symptoms compared to other technologies. These findings suggest that excessive engagement with certain types of technology may exacerbate ADHD symptoms, particularly inattention and impulsivity.
The implications of this research are far-reaching. Practical applications include developing targeted interventions to reduce excessive technology use, fostering healthier digital habits, and designing digital platforms that promote attention-friendly features. These strategies could benefit individuals with ADHD in clinical, educational, and workplace settings while contributing to broader public health initiatives. By identifying specific types of technology that most significantly impact ADHD symptoms, this study adds valuable insights to the growing digital mental health research field
3D printing of deep eutectic solvent based on 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate
No full textWith the discovery of 3D printing in recent decades, research has increasingly been focused on the creation of materials best suited for its application. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are attractive toward this end due to their customizability, along with qualities such as non-flammability and low vapor pressure. Recent investigation has shown DES uses in 3D printing, with the aforementioned qualities making DESs practical for 3D printer resins. It has also recently been found that DESs can be prepared using natural compounds, making them both a potentially greener and cheaper alternative for use in resin preparation.
To further investigate the uses of DESs in 3D printing, three DES-like resins were developed. These resins employ 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate as the hydrogen bond donor and 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium bromide as the hydrogen bond acceptor. For 3D printing, varying mole percentages of crosslinker were used to observe the effect on resin properties. The 3D printed materials were then characterized in terms of thermal stability and various chemical and mechanical properties in order to determine their potential for future applications
Temperature- and Density-dependent Effects on Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum) Growth and Life History
No full textClimate warming affects global biodiversity, causing species to alter their life history and trophic interactions. Predicting the effects of climate warming on ecosystem function is a difficult task as the biological traits that lead to these responses are poorly understood and climate warming’s effects on individual taxa can be highly variable. Amphibians serve as excellent bioindicators of ecosystem health, enabling them to act as early-warning sentinels of climate change. Polyphenic amphibians, including many salamander species, are particularly useful models for understanding the ecological effects of global change because morph production is environmentally-induced. Facultative paedomorphosis is a process by which individuals can either metamorphose into terrestrial adults or retain their larval, aquatic form as mature adults. Because environmental conditions such as temperature and density affect paedomorph production, and paedomorphs are keystone predators on invertebrate communities, climate-induced changes in paedomorph production should directly affect predation of invertebrate assemblages and thus prey for future salamander populations. I am experimentally testing the effect of climate warming on mole salamander eco-evolutionary feedbacks, including the resulting predator-prey interaction between salamanders and invertebrates and subsequent carryover effects on the next generation of salamanders. I am using 36 tanks, half of which are heated to one degree Celsius above ambient and using three densities of salamanders: none, low, and high. I measure length, mass and maturity of salamanders, as well as measuring length and order of zooplankton and macroinvertebrates. By manipulating temperature and density simultaneously, which naturally interact to create variation in paedomorph production, I am assessing how climate warming may act in density-dependent fashion to fuel these feedbacks, and therefore affect the surrounding ecosystem
OH237 Vivian Caldwell Oral History
Full text linkVivian Caldwell discusses the long process to attain her degree in education at Western Kentucky State Normal School (presently Western Kentucky University), stating that she was unable to attend college without periodic breaks to acquire funds for tuition and other expenses. She recalls her salaries as a teacher, what it was like teaching during the Great Depression, her experiences at Hickman High School, and the desegregation and consolidation of the schools in Fulton County
OH093 Charlotte O. Barker Oral History
Full text linkCharlotte O. Barker was a public teacher and lifelong resident of Murray, Kentucky. She describes growing up in small college town during the Great Depression, the Second World War and the immediate years that followed. She mentions the family values of her parents and the general attitude of people in Murray during the depression years. She further discusses recreational activities during her childhood and teenage years, public education in the 1930s and public utilities available during 1940s in Calloway County, Kentucky. She concludes by discussing the deaths of Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy and how it affected her life
OH101 Cletus Copeland Oral History
Full text linkCletus Copeland discusses his life in Western Kentucky during the early half of the 20th century. He describes attending school and church, working on the family farm and attending social and community activities during his childhood. He recalls attending church, the effects of the Great Depression and the increase of food and land prices during the Second World War. Copeland states that most African Americans in the area that could not find employment moved to places like Detroit, Michigan with hopes to find work. He also mentions the various jobs that he held, including farming, running a general store and road construction
OH109 W. O. Hatcher Oral History
Full text linkW. O. Hatcher describes his life in Murray and Hazel, Kentucky from the 1920s to the 1940s. He describes that his family home was lit with kerosene lamps, heated by a coal fireplace and drew water from a well in the backyard. He describes his daily chores such as lawn mowing, weeding the garden and picking blackberries and strawberries to sell at the local grocery store. He recalled as a child attending such events as square dances, candy pulling and playing games such as kick the can and hide-and-seek. His childhood dream was to become a mail clerk on a train. During the Great Depression, Hatcher recalled there being a shortage of money to buy food. He mentioned that the Depression made it difficult for him to buy shoes and he went without them for months. He described working for the National Youth Administration, the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s