KU ScholarWorks

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Recent Submissions

Open Access
Enhanced archival metadata through AI: a case study of digitized photograph descriptions [Scripts]
(2026-01-14) Wolfe, Erin
This process provided substantial improvements over existing minimal descriptive metadata. Generated subject terms mapped successfully to the Faceted Application of Subject Terminology (FAST) vocabulary in 64% of cases, demonstrating compatibility with established standards. Post-project analysis revealed this approach to be a cost-effective method of metadata enhancement.
Open Access
Land-Atmosphere Interaction: A Comprehensive Study Using Satellite Remote Sensing and Reanalysis Dataset
(University of Kansas, 2024-12-31) Makhasana, Payal
Land-Atmosphere (L-A) interactions play a critical role in shaping weather and climate patterns, yet significant gaps remain in our understanding of these processes, particularly at sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) timescales. This dissertation hypothesizes that integrating a broader range of satellite and reanalysis observations into the Convective Triggering Potential-Humidity Index (CTP-HI) framework will provide novel insights into L-A interactions, enhancing the predictive skill of S2S statistical models for extreme events. The hypothesis is tested through four research objectives, each addressing distinct aspects of L-A coupling and its role in the development of extreme events at S2S timescales. Objective 1 quantifies the sensitivity of soil moisture in L-A coupling classification by integrating multiple remote sensing datasets along with how diverse soil moisture observations impact the reliability and global applicability of L-A coupling classifications. It highlights advancements in applications of data merging techniques that reduce the dependence on single-source datasets, resulting in a more robust understanding of soil moisture dynamics and coupling strength. Objective 2 investigates the potential of the L-A coupling metric, the Coupling Drought Index (CDI), to provide early warning signs of drought. This is done by comparing the CDI with other drought indices and reveals how the coupling-based metric can better capture drought onset and intensification offering actionable insights for early warning systems. Objective 3 examines L-A interactions during extreme transitions, or "weather whiplash" events, which involve abrupt shifts between dry-to-wet and wet-to-dry conditions. The study identifies global hotspots for these events and explores their drivers across regions and seasons, enhancing the understanding of feedback mechanisms that contribute to their frequency and intensity. Objective 4 links terrestrial stable states (long-term dry and wet periods) to L-A interactions, providing a novel perspective on how subsurface and surface processes influence climate resilience and transitions. By integrating GRACE satellite data as a measure of terrestrial water state and CDI representing the L-A interaction, this chapter reveals predictability of the GRACE for future CDI. The findings collectively offer new insights into L-A coupling strength, drought resilience, and extreme event dynamics, addressing key gaps in data diversity, geographical scope, and process-based analysis. This work enhances the potential predictive capabilities of S2S models by integrating diverse datasets, bridging surface and subsurface processes, and exploring their role in extreme weather transitions. Ultimately, the dissertation contributes to advancing global climate resilience by improving our ability to anticipate and manage climate extremes.
Open Access
Predicting Preferences for Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Scale Development and Pilot Testing
(University of Kansas, 2025-08-09) Goldberg, Emma K.; Kerr, Barbara A.
Prior research has shown that individual characteristics influence preferences for mindfulness practices (Tang & Braver, 2020). Mindfulness is defined as a conscious awareness of the present moment and observing each moment with nonjudgment (Kabat-Zinn, 2003). Brief mindfulness-based interventions have been proven to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (Call et al., 2014). Due to requiring little instruction or resources, mindfulness meditation as an intervention has implications to positively impact the mental wellbeing of under-resourced populations. Current research has explored predictors of preferences for mindfulness techniques based on individual characteristics, but a gap exists in applying these findings to research and practice. The proposed scale aims to capture characteristics of individuals who prefer one mindfulness technique over another, including: open monitoring (OM), focused attention (FA), loving-kindness (LK), and body scan (BS). The present study aims to develop and pilot the proposed Mindfulness-Based Interventions Scale. Methods: The quantitative study consisted of three elements: a focus group, data collection of scale items, and scale validation. Based on suggestions from the focus group, the original pilot scale included 29 items, each belonging to one of 4 subscales. The scale was distributed via Qualtrics to adults in the U.S. (N=29). After conducting a reliability analysis, items were deleted to create the final subscales. Results: The final scale consists of 15 items, including the OM subscale (3 items, α = .746), LK subscale (4 items, α = .786), FA subscale (3 items, α = .683), and BS subscale (5 items, α = .709). All subscales meet adequate levels of reliability, except FA. This is predicted to be due to the small sample size. Discussion: This study aimed to develop and pilot the first scale of its kind. Future research is needed to investigate the scale's reliability and validity in larger samples.
Open Access
Natural history of the cottonmouth moccasin, Agkistrodon Piscivorus
(University of Kansas, 1964-05-31) Burkett, Ray D.
No complete account of the life history of the cottonmouth moccasin has appeared, although much has been written concerning the species in both scientific and popular literature. Objectives of the study here reported upon were: (1) to learn as much as possible concerning the natural history of tl1e cottonmouth: (2) to determine what factors limit the geographic distribution of the species, (3) to determine the role of the cottonmouth in its ecological community: (4) to compare the cottonmouth's life history with that of other crotalid snakes, especially the kinds that are most closely related to it. Although this report will be of interest chiefly to specialists, portions of it may be of some value to the public. The cottonmouth is economically important mainly because of the injurious or fat.al effects of it.s bite and the psychological effect that its actual or suspected presence has upon many persons. The economic importance of the diet of the cottonmouth is obscured because of the wide variety of prey items and the lack of information concerning the conditions under which many of the beneficial prey items are eaten. The venom has been used in the therapeutic treatment of blood clots owing to its anticoagulant properties (Didisheim and Lewis, 1956). Allen and Swindell (1948:13) stated that venom is employed in the treatment of hemorrhagic conditions and rheumatoid arthritis as well as in the production of antivenin. However, none of these uses of venom have become widely accepted, and their value is questionable. It is hoped that the information in tl1is report concerning habitat, reproduction, and behavior will lead to a better understanding of the cottonmouth and perhaps serve as a basis for the planning of control programs wherever they may be necessary. It is also hoped that. this report may serve as a stimulus for further investigation of many unknown aspects of the natural history and ecology of the cottonmouth.
Open Access
An ecological study of the cricket frog, Acris crepitans, in northeastern Kansas
(University of Kansas, 1969-05-31) Burkett, Ray D.
The cricket frog, Acris crepitans, is a useful subject for population studies since it is generally present in large numbers throughout most of the year near permanent and semipermanent bodies of water and tends to form separate and distinct populations. Populations of this species were studied in and near Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas, in the autumn of 1961 and from autumn, 1963, through spring, 1966. Two populations were studied intensively: one at the University of Kansas Natural History Reservation, about seven miles northeast of Lawrence, and the other at the University of Kansas Fish Laboratory on the southwestern part of the campus in Lawrence. A total of 2492 frogs was marked at the Natural History Reservation, and 1077 frogs were marked at the Fish Laboratory. The importance of the Kansas River (which lies between the two populations) as a barrier to gene flow is uncertain. Cricket frogs are found on both sides of the river and occasionally may cross it either intentionally or accidentally. Crossing of the river by adults probably occurs mainly during flooding, as Acris generally will not voluntarily swim more than a few feet from shore. These two populations (hereinafter referred to as the Reservation population and the Fish Lab population) were permitted to exist naturally, except that a few small samples of unmarked frogs were taken from them occasionally for preservation. Samples also were taken periodically from the Rockefeller Experimental Tract, adjacent to the Reservation on the north; two miles west of the Reservation; Lone Star Lake, 12 miles southwest of Lawrence; Baldwin Woods, 15 miles south of Lawrence; and three miles south of Denison, Jackson County, Kansas. The main objective of this study was to determine if there were any differences in the ecology of populations of cricket frogs in different habitats separated by only a few miles. Morphological variations have been used as criteria for taxonomic studies for years, but ecological criteria have come into use only recently. However, little is known concerning ecological variation within a local area. Since Acris crepitans lives in a variety of habitats, it is suitable for this kind of study. Since morphological variation often reflects ecological conditions, it was assumed that ecological variation might shed light upon morphological differences in populations.