Theses and Dissertations, Capstones, and Directed Research
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Electronic theses and dissertations, and graduate and undergraduate Capstones and Directed Research.
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Browsing Theses and Dissertations, Capstones, and Directed Research by Author "(Waliczek) Cade, Tina M."
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Item Composting as an Alternative Management System for Wild Taro (Colocasia esculenta) and Brown Algae (Sargassum fluitans and Sargassum natans)(2013-11) Sembera, Jennifer A.; (Waliczek) Cade, Tina M.; Kimmel, James; Sansom, AndrewNo abstract prepared.Item Large Scale Composting as a Means of Managing Water Hyacinth(2010-12) Montoya, John; (Waliczek) Cade, Tina M.; Williamson, Paula S.; Abbott, Mike L.Water hyacinth is one of the most invasive aquatic species worldwide. It has been successfully composted in the past, but a large scale system had not been investigated to determine if all plant propagules are destroyed in the process. The intent of this study was to determine if composting is an effective means of managing water hyacinth while producing a quality compost product for the horticultural industry. The first objective of this study was to germinate seeds of water hyacinth by implementing germination tests that have shown success in related studies. It was found in this study that 62% (62/100) of water hyacinth seeds successfully germinated on filter paper media soaked in distilled water and placed in petri dishes held at a constant temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 days. The second objective of this study was to determine the temperatures at which water hyacinth seeds are rendered non-viable. This study found that water hyacinth seeds were rendered non-viable at temperatures at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. The third objective of this study was to develop a large-scale composting system at the Texas State Muller Farm that uses water hyacinth harvested from Spring Lake and nearby areas of the San Marcos River as a feedstock. This study created 11 compost piles derived from 22,000 pounds of water hyacinth, 20,000 pounds of food waste, 25,000 pounds of poultry litter, and 38,000 pounds of wood chips. The fourth objective of this study was to determine if the composting process renders water hyacinth seeds and propagules non-viable. Results of this study indicated that the composting process reached and sustained high enough temperatures to kill and fully decompose seeds and other propagules of water hyacinth. Therefore, water hyacinth can be composted without the potential danger of it spreading. The fifth objective of this study was to determine the quality of the compost produced. This study found that the quality of compost created from water hyacinth was in the acceptable to ideal ranges of given industry quality standards, though there was a learning curve by the student workers in the preparation of the piles using the large equipment. The sixth objective of this study was to determine how and if the removal of water hyacinth impacts water quality. This study did not indicate that the removal of water hyacinth impacted the water quality of the area either negatively or positively.Item The Effect of Horticultural Community Service Programs on Recidivism Numbers of Offenders(2017-08) Holmes, Megan Elizabeth; (Waliczek) Cade, Tina M.; Bowman, Scott W.; Williamson, Paula S.The average cost of housing a single inmate in the United States is roughly $31,286 a year, bringing the total average cost states spend on corrections to an average of more than $50 billion a year. Statistics show 1 in every 34 adults in the United States is under some form of correctional supervision; and after 3 years, more than 4 in 10 prisoners return to custody. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in incidences of recurrences of offenses/recidivism of offenders completing community service in horticultural versus non-horticultural settings. Data were collected through obtaining offender profile probation revocation reports, agency records, and community service supervision reports from the Hays County Probation Office in San Marcos, Texas. The sample included both violent and non-violent and misdemeanor and felony offenders. Offenders who completed their community service in horticultural or non-horticultural outdoor environments showed lower rates of recidivism when compared to offenders who completed their community service in non-horticultural indoor environments and those who had no community service. The results and information gathered support the continued notion that horticultural activities can play an important role in influencing an offender’s successful reentry into society.Item The Relationship between Student Use of Campus Green Spaces and the Arboretum and Perceptions of Quality of Life(2007-05) McFarland, Amy; (Waliczek) Cade, Tina M.; Morrish, Douglas; Payne, Emily MillerResearchers have found that students’ perception of their overall academic experience and the campus environment is related to academic accomplishment. Additionally, studies showed that the designed environment of the university can influence the degree of stress students may feel. The main objective of this study was to investigate Texas State University-San Marcos student use of campus green spaces and the arboretum and the perceptions of quality of life. Of students enrolled, 2681 (10% of the student body) were randomly selected to receive questionnaires. This selection was stratified to include all classifications: freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students. The student sample received e-mails with information regarding the incentive for participation and instructions on accessing the survey. The online survey included questions that related to student use of campus green spaces and arboretum, overall quality of life statements, an instrument to measure the quality of life of university students, as well as demographic questions. A total of 469 surveys were collected and analyzed to compare levels of quality of life of university students and the level of usage of the campus green spaces and the arboretum. Demographic information collected allowed controlling for student grade classification, age group, gender, ethnicity, marital status, work status, and commuter status. A Pearson’s Product-Moment correlation indicated a statistically significantly reverse relationship between student grade classification for undergraduate students and the Green-User scores (r=-0.212, P=0.000). Additionally, a Pearson’s Product-Moment correlation indicated statistically significant relationships between Green-User score and both overall quality of life statements (P=0.016 and P=0.001), the overall quality of life of university students score (P=0.004), the affective domain (P=0.001), the interaction with students dimension of the affective domain (P=0.000), the total positive affective dimension of the affective domain (P=0.003), and the functional dimension of the cognitive domain (P=0.024) for undergraduate students. Statistically significant differences were not found on the cognitive domain, the interaction with professors dimension of the affective domain, or the structural dimension of the cognitive domain. Results help to justify consideration of the added expense in maintaining campus green spaces in meeting the goals of the university.