Digital Commons Network^™

Principals As Instructional Leaders: Supporting New Middle School Principals To Implement Systems Allowing For Instructional Leadership, Jason Kaiz

Dissertations

This study is a collection, interpretation, and, eventually, recommendations based on data collected through interviews with current middle school principals. The research questions examine how middle school principals can increase their effectiveness as an instructional leader within the building. The research begins by examining the factors contributing to the principal being an instructional leader and what systems can be implemented to support this goal. These systems should include the ability for principals to facilitate learning for staff, just as staff facilitate learning within their classroom. Policy implications and recommendations highlight the need to look at resources available for principals as …

Shake Ya Ass, But Watch Yourself: An Intersectional And Decolonial Approach To Exploring The Sexualization Of Female Recording Artists And The Empowerment Of Women In The United States, H.B. Rebeka

Dissertations

This dissertation, titled Shake Ya Ass, But Watch Yourself: An Intersectional and Decolonial Approach to Exploring the Sexualization of Female Recording Artists and the Empowerment of Women in the United States, critically examines the phenomenon of sexualization of women in the music industry and its impact on female empowerment. Through an intersectional and decolonial feminist lens, the study delves into the historical and socio-cultural contexts that shape the portrayal and perception of female recording artists in the United States.

The research traces the roots of feminism and the commodification of racial stereotypes through music, exploring how female empowerment has been …

A Program Evaluation Of The Necessary Attributes, Accommodations, And Resources Neurodivergent Students Require For Success In Higher Education, Barbara Muñoz

Dissertations

Without academic resources and accommodations, neurodivergent students with mild to moderate Learning Disabilities (LD) may be unable to navigate the academic challenges and rigor associated with college success. I used a mixed-methods research design to collect data from various stakeholders to determine the supports neurodivergent students with LD need to be successful in college. My findings indicated students need accommodations for their learning differences, access to assistive technology, access to counseling or mental health services, and access to specialized support personnel to be successful. I recommended a policy to ensure neurodivergent students and their caregivers are aware of post-secondary institutions …

Implementing And Evaluating Social-Emotional Learning Through Inquiry Research And Best Practice, Nada Abid

Dissertations

Previous research has provided insight into the benefits of incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL) into the classroom, such as in the area of academic performance. As Jones et al. (2018) explained, “Children who can effectively manage their thinking, attention, and behavior are also more likely to have better grades and higher standardized test scores” (p. 15). I designed this research to examine the implementation of an SEL program and evaluate its effectiveness. The school’s multi-tiered system of supports(MTSS) team worked to implement the SEL program in the classrooms and chose two classrooms in which to pilot the program. The evaluation involved …

Exploring Secondary Teachers' Digital Curricular Autobiographies As A Path Towards Digital Equity: A Currere Journey, Douglas S. Vandyke

Dissertations

Combining a narrative approach with portraiture and theoretically framed by reconceptualism and critical digital pedagogy, this study explores participants’ beliefs about and experiences using information and communication technologies (ICT) for learning. It also explores participants’ understanding of digital learning as essential to educational equity in a postdigital society. Participants were secondary teachers serving socio-economically marginalized Black and Latinx students across four public high schools in Chicago. Through a series of semi-structured interviews each constructed a version of their digital curricular autobiography (currere). Through this reflection, participants recalled their own experiences being excluded from learning which contributed to their …

3d Automated Surgeon’S Hand Motion Assessment Using A Cascade Fuzzy Supervisor During Intelligent Box-Trainer System Skills Training In A Multi-Thread Video Processing, Fatemeh Rashidi Fathabadi

Dissertations

For certain surgical procedures, Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) has become more advantageous than traditional open surgery. Therefore, mastery of laparoscopic skills is an essential component of surgical training and requires considerable time and effort. The Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) program has been developed as a tool to improve and assess fundamental surgical skills. In fact, using a low-cost Box-Trainer or a simulator, laparoscopic surgeons are required to train using a set of structured tasks that can be objectively used to assess their laparoscopic skills, which must be mastered before carrying out real-life laparoscopic procedures. These tasks include peg transfer, …

Effects Of A Taekwondo-Inspired Intervention Program On Children With Adhd, Zubaida Fares Shraim

Dissertations

Exercise and physical activity are beneficial for individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The main aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a Taekwondo-inspired intervention program on children with ADHD in the UAE context. The research utilized a mixed methods/quasi-experimental design approach, consisting of two phases. Within the first phase, a promising intensive intervention for children with ADHD has been implemented for five weeks, four sessions weekly. The sample of the first phase consisted of four children aged 8-10 years diagnosed with ADHD. Three assessment instruments were used to collect data in phase one and explore …

Empirical Exploration Of Software Testing, Samia Alblwi

Dissertations

Despite several advances in software engineering research and development, the quality of software products remains a considerable challenge. For all its theoretical limitations, software testing remains the main method used in practice to control, enhance, and certify software quality. This doctoral work comprises several empirical studies aimed at analyzing and assessing common software testing approaches, methods, and assumptions. In particular, the concept of mutant subsumption is generalized by taking into account the possibility for a base program and its mutants to diverge for some inputs, demonstrating the impact of this generalization on how subsumption is defined. The problem of mutant …

On The Ubiquity, Properties And Evolution Of Small-Scale Magnetic Flux Ropes In The Heliosphere, Hameedullah Farooki

Dissertations

The solar wind is a plasma constantly blowing out from the Sun with a large-scale magnetic field having significant local complexity at small scales. Small-scale magnetic flux ropes (SMFRs), plasma structures with twisted field lines, are an important element of this complexity. This dissertation contributes several studies that further our understanding of SMFRs. The first study applies machine learning to measurements from Wind labeled by the presence of SMFRs and magnetic clouds (MCs). MCs were distinguished from non-MFRs with an AUC of 94% and SMFRs with an AUC of 89% and had distinctive plasma properties, whereas SMFRs appeared to be …

Computational Microscopy For Biomedical Imaging With Deep Learning Assisted Image Analysis, Yuwei Liu

Dissertations

Microscopy plays a crucial role across various scientific fields by enabling structural and functional imaging with microscopic resolution. In biomedicine, microscopy contributes to basic research and clinical diagnosis. Conventionally, optical microscopy derives its contrast from the amplitude of the optical wave and provides visualization of the physical structure of the sample qualitatively. To understand the function at the cellular or tissue level, there is a need to characterize the sample quantitatively and explore contrast mechanisms other than light intensity. Image enhancement or reconstruction from microscopic imaging systems is known as computational microscopy, and it involves the application of computational techniques …

Interaction Of Particles With Plasma And Shock Produced By Pulsed Spark Discharge, Shomik Mukhopadhyay

Dissertations

Interactions of powders with high-temperature plasma and shockwaves occur in diverse scenarios, such as nuclear blasts, accidental industrial dust explosions, solid propellant combustion in explosive charges and when removing contaminants from surfaces. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), known for generating shock and plasma, is a promising lab-scale technique for simulating these interactions. Studies with ESD involved placing powders near a spark-producing gap between electrodes and observing mechanical and chemical processes like particle motion and ignition. A limited range of spark conditions and material properties have been tested, which facilitated the development and validation of preliminary computational models describing this system. Significant gaps …

A Molecular Dynamics Study On The Destruction Mechanism Of Per And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Due To Ultrasound Technology, Bruno Bezerra De Souza

Dissertations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of stable synthetic chemicals that are highly persistent and harmful pollutants to the environment and human health. PFAS have caused a strong public and regulatory response due to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and toxicity to humans. The application of ultrasound is one of the most effective treatment technologies for the mineralization of PFAS in contaminated water. However, this technology is treated as a black box causing the inability to be optimized. Therefore, there is a pressing need to investigate the intricate dynamics of PFAS degradation under ultrasound to unlock its …

Microplastic Abundance And Removal In Stormwater Using Green Infrastructure, Meghana Parameswarappa Jayalakshmamma

Dissertations

Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized as a pervasive environmental contaminant, conveying other contaminants, accumulating in aquatic organisms, and posing ecological risks. The existing research has primarily focused on MPs in wastewater treatment plant effluents in surface waters. However, the role of stormwater systems in MP transport has been less explored. Given the rise in MPs from urban sources, stormwater runoff from urban areas may serve as a critical conduit for transporting land-based MPs into aquatic environments. Green infrastructures (GIs) have been recognized for mitigating flooding and improving water quality from minor storms by trapping stormwater pollutants. Yet, the capability of …

Reproducible Fluid Structure Interaction For Complex Flows In Engineered Systems, Allen Prasad Varghese

Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the application of numerical models to study Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) in the industrial context. The emphasis is on a series of case studies belonging to practical applications in design and manufacturing and that are solved by a synergistic use of theoretical and computational models. The first study looks into the hydrodynamic actions experienced by vibrating slender structures immersed in viscous fluids near the free surface. This study case is relevant to applications such as, for example, marine propulsion, micro-electro-mechanical systems, and atomic force microscopy. The hydrodynamic problem is governed by three parameters, namely the frequency, …

Evaluating The Health Literacy Practices Of A Primary Care Health System Serving A Diabetic Population At High Risk For Low Health Literacy, Alana D. Norris-Bermudez

Dissertations

Health literacy (HL) is a powerful determinant of patient health outcomes, yet a minority of the U.S. population possesses proficient health literacy. Healthy People 2030 positions HL prominently among the new overarching goals as follows, "Eliminate health disparities, achieve health equity, and attain health literacy to improve the health and well-being of all" (The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2023). HL comprises two interlinked components: personal HL and organizational HL, (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d.). Implementing HL practices within healthcare system facilities such as hospitals, FQHCs, and/or primary care practices to support universal HL precautions …

A Non-Weight Centered Approach To Modifying Eating Attitudes In Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Jo'quishia A. Lethermon

Dissertations

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an anovulatory disorder characterized by insulin resistance and endocrine dysfunction. Infertility and abnormal weight gain in women of childbearing age are often a result of PCOS, impacting quality of life and posing potential long-term health sequelae. Prescribing weight loss has been adopted by clinicians as an effective intervention to improve insulin resistance. For some patients, this practice has led to the negative effects of weight cycling and disordered eating attitudes which can result in long term adverse cardiometabolic outcomes. A quasi-experimental pre-and-post-test study was conducted to evaluate how a non-weight centered program influences eating attitudes …

Influence Of Social Media On Mothers' Decision-Making Regarding Vaccinations, Wendy M. Patterson

Dissertations

This study involved determining why mothers hesitate to vaccinate their children and where they get their information about vaccinations. This descriptive qualitative study guided by the health belief model explored the influence social media has on mothers' perceived barriers to vaccinating their children. A descriptive qualitative approach was used, and one-on-one audio interviews were conducted via Zoom or in person with 19 participants. Participants were mothers 19 or older, had children between zero and 18, made medical decisions for their children who resided in their household, and sought information about vaccinations via healthcare providers, social media platforms, friends, or family. …

Reducing Maternal Morbidity From Peripartum Hemorrhage In Cesarean Delivery, Jennie Lee

Dissertations

Background/Purpose: Maternal hemorrhage is the second highest cause of direct maternal death and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. This public health crisis is highlighted by the economic burden of over $30.8 million annually in the United States. The greatest tragedy in the review of maternal mortality is that 84% of pregnancy-related deaths were determined preventable. Identifying trends of factors that predispose women to hemorrhage can mitigate rates of severe maternal morbidity and mortality. This study describes relationships among demographic factors (maternal age, race, and ethnicity), clinical and physiologic factors, which include coexisting medical conditions …

Evaluating Effective Communication Of Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Christine N. Brockway

Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine how communication evaluation by clinical faculty compared in a clinical setting versus a simulation setting for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students. Fifty (50) BSN students from three different schools of nursing were scored using the Interprofessional Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation Nurse to Physician Rubric in both clinical and simulation settings by seven nursing faculty. Scoring for each student occurred in both settings during one semester. Following the evaluation, students and faculty were asked to participate in a focus group to discuss their experience. Results from this study showed …

The Effect Of Guideline Education On Anticoagulatin Management And Professional Collaboration In Ecmo Patients, Luis E. Farfan

Dissertations

This project aims to assist nurses and advanced practice nurses in preventing thrombosis and bleeding during ECMO treatment. It suggests following established anticoagulation guidelines, providing comprehensive education, and promoting teamwork among healthcare professionals. This approach can enhance patient outcomes by increasing knowledge and collaboration, ultimately leading to optimal administration of unfractionated heparin. Over approximately 20 weeks, the project was undertaken to enhance knowledge pertinent to anticoagulation management in patients undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). This initiative involved facilitating educational sessions tailored for nurses and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) and focused on improving collaborative processes between these healthcare professionals.

Exploring Moral Distress In Icu Nurse Practitioners: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study, Steven L. Bocchese

Dissertations

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) working in the intensive care environment experience clinical and operational anxiety, such as moral distress. Moral distress occurs when an individual knows the ethically correct action but cannot take it due to internal or external constraints or violation of their professional core values. Historically, nurses have experienced moral distress at higher levels than other healthcare professionals, especially those in intensive care units (ICUs). This phenomenological study aimed to describe the lived experience of moral distress in ICU NPs, specifically emphasizing its effect on their personal and professional lives. Research on moral distress has demonstrated that individuals who …

Concept-Based Debriefing And Concept Mastery: A Pilot Study Linking Debriefing To Nursing Concept Mastery, Crystel L. Farina

Dissertations

Increases in patient acuity and comorbidities in acute care settings require students to possess a greater depth and breadth of knowledge compared to decades ago. Additionally, there is an urgency to adapt nursing education to meet current healthcare trends. Simulation is a pedagogical strategy to enhance critical thinking and clinical decision-making in nursing education. Simulation scenarios are a psychologically safe environment where nursing students may practice patient care and learn from their mistakes (Rudolph et al., 2014). The debriefing following the simulation scenario provides opportunities for self-reflection on actions taken during the simulation scenario. Currently, five debriefing methods support students' …

Development And Evaluation Of A Teamstepps® Program Among Cardiac Procedural Unit Staff In A Mid-Atlantic Community Hospital To Improve Teamwork And Patient Safety, Dawn K. Mutchko

Dissertations

Communication and teamwork between members of the non-provider patient care team in the cardiac procedural unit were observed to be unbalanced and at times ineffective. Team members additionally expressed concerns regarding efficiency and accuracy in patient handoff, specifically between units. The goal of this study was to improve teamwork and communication among the staff of the cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology lab. Participation in this initial, single-unit phase would include the non-physician staff of that unit.

Black School Leader Truth: How Black School Leader Epistemology Influences Liberatory Mindset Development In Their Staff, Orpheus Williams

Dissertations

Black students in the United States have consistently been denied access to empowering, culturally affirming, and responsive learning experiences in the traditional public system. The epistemological and pedagogical beliefs embedded in a liberatory mindset can subvert this pattern of disempowerment (Shujaa, 1998). Black school leaders (BSLs) who understand the systemic and institutional pressures Black children may face and have to overcome, having undergone similarly racialized experiences in school, are uniquely placed to create liberatory spaces for Black students by recruiting and developing these liberatory mindsets in their staff. This instrumental case study used qualitative research methods of front-porch pedagogy (McTighe …

Who We Are Is How We Lead: Storytelling As An Intervention In A Manager Development Program, Brittany Grieb

Dissertations

Leadership development programs (LDPs) have long been recognized as a means for organizations to develop their leaders, yet studies on their efficacy or use of creative interventions are limited. Despite the plethora of leadership studies that exist today, research is still seeking to answer the question: what is the best way to develop leaders? This qualitative study sought to investigate how storytelling can be used as an intervention for leadership development in a manager development program (MDP), an LDP for entry-level to midlevel managers at a biotechnology corporation. Using storytelling as an Indigenous model for knowledge cocreation as a framework, …

The Use Of Personal Disruption Strategies By Female Executive Ministry Leaders For Career Advancement, Neko Green

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this explanatory mixed methods research study was to identify and describe the perceived impact of Johnson and Mohr’s (2019) five disruptive career skills on females in church executive leadership.

Methodology: This mixed methods study highlighted eight women in executive ministry positions in the United States and the impact that disruptive behaviors had on their advancement to executive leadership positions.

Findings: Analysis of the mixed methods data from the eight female ministry executives revealed that females found it difficult to challenge authority in ministry. They understood preparing and the benefit of improvisation. They were humble in self-promotion …

One Tiger, Many Lions: Uneven Adoption Of China's Political And Economic Investment Among Democracies In Sub-Saharan Africa, Tommy Callan

Dissertations

This dissertation examines how unique qualities of democracies in Sub-Saharan Africa and their foreign policy decision making processes affect their ability to exercise state agency. Specifically, democratic qualities affect a state’s receipt of investment from China and how well those investment projects fare once accepted. It is hypothesized that a strong executive branch leads to decreased or inconsistent Chinese investment while a strong legislature may have the opposite effect. A strong executive may also lead to an increased chance of project success while a strong legislature may have the opposite effect. High levels of party contestation may lead to decreased …

Addressing Barriers To Medication Adherence: An Evidence-Based Screening Instrument Validation Study, Donna Washburn

Dissertations

Adherence to a prescribed medication regimen is often critical to successful disease management. Cancer diagnoses often further complicate control of the comorbid diseases. Older cancer patients with multiple comorbidities receiving chemotherapy treatment are at increased risk for adverse health outcomes from uncontrolled disease when nonadherent to their medication regimen. The intent of this pilot study was to test the validity of an evidence-based screening instrument designed to identify patients at risk for medication nonadherence and uncontrolled illness. The W-BMA (Washburn-Barrier to Medication Adherence) screening criteria were applied to retrospective data of cancer patients with multiple co-morbidities. SPSS was used to …

Phenomenological Research Examining Administrators And Special Education Teachers' Perception, Experience & Knowledge Of The Mississippi Special Education Growth Rubric, Tricia Pittman

Dissertations

In the current era of accountability, public school administrators’ responsibilities may include evaluating special education teachers and providing them with feedback and support to improve their effectiveness. The problem that exists is that administrators who do not have a background in special education are charged with the responsibility of evaluating special education teachers, resulting in special education teachers not getting the support or feedback necessary to improve their instructional practice.

In addition to administrators not having the background knowledge necessary to effectively evaluate and support special education teachers, the problem of developing an effective evaluation model to evaluate special education …

Finding Focus: Authentic Inquiry And Composition In The Third Space, Noah Brewer

Dissertations

This research seeks to better understand the attitudes and dispositions of advanced-level English Language Arts students toward the activities of academic research and writing, and to explore the ways that critical pedagogies focused on authentic inquiry and composition interact with these attitudes. The project draws upon research in student motivation, sociocultural definitions of literacy, and theories of hybrid identity in order to discover the potential impact of engaging students in critical reflection on their own meaning-making practices, and of curricular and pedagogical choices aimed at making the lessons of the classroom more relevant to the demands of real-world literacy practices …