2015 MU dissertations - Freely available online
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Item Influence of entomopathogenic fungi from forest and urban habitats on founding pairs of reticulitermes flavipes (rhinotermitidae)(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2015) Lincoln, Tamra Reall; Houseman, Richard M.In forest habitats, termites break down woody debris and assist in nutrient cycling of carbon and nitrogen. However, infestations in suburban habitats have given subterranean termites a high priority for pest management. Biological control of subterranean termites has been unsuccessful using entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria and Metarhizium. Previous biocontrol research focused mostly on the worker caste and exploiting social behaviors. Due to many social and physiological defenses, large termite colonies survive fungal invasions. This research focused on founding pairs of primary reproductives when colonies are smallest and there are only two termites. Because most termite colonies invading newer homes in Missouri are started by Reticulitermes flavipes primary kings and queens, control of founding pairs by preventing establishment may be an important method of termite control. Using locally collected Beauveria and Metarhizium, this research compared mortality and sublethal effects on founding pairs by exposure to fungal spores from forest and urban habitats. Behavior of founding pairs in the presence of any spores and fungistatic effects of founding pair head and abdomen extracts on spore germination were also examined. Forest Beauveria spores were more virulent than Metarhizium spores when founding pairs were examined in a no-choice bioassay. Sublethal effects on egg laying were also observed. When founding pairs where given a choice to nest in areas with or without spores, Metarhizium spores were more virulent. Metarhizium germination was not affected in the presence of imago body extracts. Beauveria germination decreased in the presence of imago head extracts but increased in the presence of imago abdomen extracts.Item A longitudinal examination of drinking motives(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2015) Arterberry, Brooke J.; Martens, Matthew P.Drinking motives have been associated with alcohol use and alcohol-related problems among young adult drinkers (Kuntsche et al., 2005). We included a sample of 360 college students and fit latent profile models at each time point using 12-items from the Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (DMQ-R: Cooper, 1994), which were determined the most discriminating items via Item Response Theory. Patterns of motives were identified using Latent Transition Analysis and included alcohol quantity and problems as covariates with quantity as a moderator to examine transitions. A 3-class model provided the best fit and parsimony: a) High Motive, endorsed items highly (baseline: 11%, 6-month: 10%, 12-month: 14%), b) Positive Reinforcement Motive, endorsed positive affect/social interaction items (49%, 53%, 49%), c) Low Motive, had low motive endorsement (39%, 37%, 38%). These findings suggested High Motive and Positive Reinforcement Motive classes drank more (High Motive, baseline: OR = 1.05, p <0.05, 6-month OR = 1.07, p < 0.05; Positive Reinforcement Motive, baseline: OR = 1.08, p < 0.001, 6-month: OR = 1.04, p < 0.05) and experienced more problems (High Motive baseline: OR = 1.14, p < 0.00, 12-month: OR = 1.06, p < 0.001; Positive Reinforcement Motive, baseline: OR = 1.12, p < 0.001). Transitioning between 6- and 12-month follow-up was less likely for higher levels of alcohol use (+1 SD: ORs = 0.32-0.44, ps < .05). This study provided evidence for the stability of drinking motives and targeting the positive reinforcing beliefs of alcohol, as these individuals are at higher risk for experiencing problems.Item Synthesis and photochemistry of PT (IV) hydroxo complexes(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2015) Wickramasinghe, Lasantha Anurangana; Sharp, Paul RayGlobal energy consumption and the production of clean renewable energy have become greater challenges. Sunlight-induced splitting of water into H2 and O2 is one of the leading strategies to achieve clean and renewable energy. Transition metal photochemistry has considerable potential for making this task more viable. Along with water splitting, hydrohalic acid (HX) splitting is being thoroughly investigated. HX splitting is a more facile two electron process whereas water splitting is a relatively difficult four electron oxidation process. Light driven HX splitting and endergonic elimination of X2 (Br2 and Cl2) have received more attention as a potentially more economical and promising solar energy conversion process than water splitting. ...Item Mediating effects of the relationship between school-based professionals' role, knowledge, and self-efficacy as related to non-suicidal self-injury(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2015) Moore, Caren R.; Frisby, CraigNon-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors are on the rise among school aged children and adolescents. The current research study assessed school-based professionals' general knowledge of NSSI behaviors and perceived self-efficacy in working with students that engage in NSSI behaviors. Direct experience working with students that engage in NSSI behaviors and familiarity with various mental health disorders served as mediators. Familiarity with various mental health disorders served as a significant predictor for most professionals when examining their general knowledge scores and perceived self-efficacy. Direct experience with NSSI behaviors proved to be a weak mediator in the current study. Findings suggest that school-based professionals, overall, do not hold a considerable amount of knowledge regarding NSSI behaviors or confidence in their ability to work with students that engage in NSSI behaviors. Specific areas for training and interventions are identified based upon study findings. The study emphasizes that school-based professionals are not required nor expected to have all the right answers. However, school-based professionals are encouraged to develop multidisciplinary teams to create action plans that address mental health issues in their schools.Item A comparative study of home educated students and traditionally educated students after completion of a Midwestern university first-year experience program(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2015) Wolfe, Jeremey David; Watson, Robert LewisThe purpose of this study was to assist educational leaders in developing policy to better understand the home educated students and aspects of their first-year experience. This was achieved using a quantitative approach to gather information from three different student population groups, traditionally educated students, home educated students, and privately educated students. This information was gathered from a Midwestern university using a self-report student survey after the students had completed a first-year experience program. This quantitative study had 251 respondents, primarily from one Midwestern university. The study utilized the Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior Items Survey. The survey contained 39 items separated into a demographic section and three subscales: (a) knowledge, (b) attitudes, and (c) behavior. The survey was adapted from The University Experience Battery Items (Schrader & Brown, 2008) by eliminating questions, focusing the language and adding a demographic section. This study has implications both theoretically and practically. For home educated students the study provides insight into how this specific population compares to other student groups. The data from this study shows home educated students self-reported the practical knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors for a successful transition into higher education. This may encourage home educated students to engage and enroll in first-year experience programs when entering higher education. This study suggests students finish these programs with those necessary qualities for student success. The primary recommendation for further study was there was not a significant difference in survey answers for the three student populations. Further examination should be performed on other students groups, pertaining to first-year experience programs. This research only separated the results by the model of education used before entering higher education. Additional investigation on the impact of first-year experience programs with minority groups, socio-economic status, gender, and other demographic categories would lead further development of these programs. Replication of this study to a broader range of universities and higher education institutions would allow for a more diverse population, allowing for improved generalizability.