Digital Commons Network^™

Health Literacy: The Knowledge And Experiences Of Senior Level Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Catherine M. Cormier

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess the health literacy knowledge and experiences of senior level baccalaureate nursing students enrolled at state universities in Louisiana. Three hundred and sixty-one students from eight baccalaureate nursing programs agreed to participate in the study.

The Contribution Of Mindfulness Practice To Supporting Children And Their Families’ Challenges Among School Social Workers: A Qualitative Multicase Study Of School Social Workers In California, Catalina Andrade

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative multicase study was to describe the challenges school social workers experience when supporting students and their families in their schools. Additionally, the purpose of this study was to understand how school social workers use mindfulness practices to help them respond to the challenges of working with the students and their families in their school based on Lesser’s mindfulness model (2019): love the work, do the work, don’t be an expert, connect to your pain, connect to the pain of others, depend on others, and keep making it simpler. Methodology: In this multicase study, the …

Use Of Outcome-Present State Test Model Of Clinical Reasoning With Filipino Nursing Students, Susy A. Jael

Dissertations

Clinical reasoning is a nursing competency necessary to make the best decision to deliver safe and effective care. A review of the literature shows a link between hazardous errors in patient care and poor clinical reasoning among nurses, and suggests that more study be given to best way to teach clinical reasoning. It is crucial that nurses today and of the future possess the clinical reasoning skills to provide increasingly complex patient care. This study tested the effect of the Outcome-Present State Test (OPT) Model of Clinical Reasoning on Filipino junior nursing students' clinical reasoning scores on the Health Sciences …

‘No Coward Soul Is Mine’: A Critical Edition Of Select Works By Ina Boyle (1889–1967) - Volume Ii, Emma C. O'Keeffe

Dissertations

The primary aim of this project is to produce an authoritative critical edition of five works by Ina Boyle composed between 1913 and 1958, through the medium of digitally typeset scores, these include: Elegy (1913) for cello solo and orchestra, Psalm (1927) for cello solo and orchestra, the Virgilian Suite (1930–31), a ballet suite for dancers and orchestra, Lament for Bion (1944–45) for tenor solo and string quartet, and Three Ancient Irish Poems (1958) for soprano solo, viola and harp.

No Coward Soul Is Mine’: A Critical Edition Of Select Works By Ina Boyle (1889 - 1967) - Volume I, Emma C. O'Keeffe

Dissertations

The primary aim of this project is to produce an authoritative critical edition of five works by Ina Boyle composed between 1913 and 1958, through the medium of digitally typeset scores, these include: Elegy (1913) for cello solo and orchestra, Psalm (1927) for cello solo and orchestra, the Virgilian Suite (1930–31), a ballet suite for dancers and orchestra, Lament for Bion (1944–45) for tenor solo and string quartet, and Three Ancient Irish Poems (1958) for soprano solo, viola and harp.

Effective Risk-Based Decision Making In Quality Risk Management, Valerie Mulholland

Dissertations

Patients expect safe, effective, high-quality medicines that are available when needed. Meeting these expectations is increasingly challenging in a global pharmaceutical supply chain, as evidenced by persistent product quality and supply issues. A key contributory factor to these issues is disruptions in manufacturing operations, which in turn are often caused by a hesitancy to change and to continuously improve approved processes. Regulatory agencies repeatedly indicate that they will consider increased autonomy for post-approval changes, if pharmaceutical manufacturing operations can demonstrate the effectiveness of Quality Risk Management (QRM) within the Pharmaceutical Quality System (PQS). Thus, the question was posed by Dr …

Evaluating The Susceptibility Of The Lew.1wr1 Rat To Glucose Intolerance, Insulin Resistance, And Masld : Is Fat10 The Key?, Quiana Claudette Wilkerson Vidal

Dissertations

Obesity is an epidemic that affects over 40% of adults in America. Obesity can be divided into metabolically healthy and metabolically unhealthy obesity, with the latter being characterized by symptoms closely associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). What causes the transition from metabolically healthy to metabolically unhealthy obesity is not fully known. Further, it is unclear how this transition correlates with the onset of co-morbid conditions. We propose that Ubiquitin D (FAT10) may play a role in transitioning into a metabolically unhealthy state in response to obesity. This dissertation evaluated two main …

Enabling Outer Planet Exploration : Performance And Feasibility Of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion For Rendezvous Missions, Saroj Kumar

Dissertations

Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) provides the compelling alternative between the chemical and electric propulsion systems for outer planet robotic missions. High-thrust and high-specific impulse (over twice the best chemical propulsion engine) NTP systems can enable outer planet missions that have been limited due to the large ΔV requirements. This dissertation identifies an enabling mission architecture and NTP engine thrust class for rendezvous missions to the Gas giant and Ice giant systems. The work presented in the dissertation demonstrates the performance impact of the NTP system and its feasibility for robotic missions using a systems engineering model driven by the model …

A Computational Investigation Of Firebrand Dispersion And Deposition In Areas With Cubic Structures, Aditya Prakash Mankame

Dissertations

The spread of wildland and wildland urban interface (WUI) fires can be caused by spotting, where embers from a primary fire ignite spot fires. This study investigates the dispersion and deposition of firebrands over cubic structures in WUI regions under wind condition. Large eddy simulation was used for turbulence while tracing firebrands in Lagrangian framework, employing the open source software Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). The software program was revised to include a firebrand model where the rotational motion and thermal degradation of firebrands were taken into account in addition to the translation motion. This was used for simulation of cylindrical. …

Understanding Battery Degradation And Failure With Impedance And Imaging Techniques, Megan F. Gober

Dissertations

With the increasing desire for fast charging capabilities in lithium-ion batteries due to the popularity of electric vehicles, research has recently been focused on increasing energy and power density while simultaneously revealing the need for improved understanding of degradation mechanisms to achieve the desired safety and fast charge performance. The work presented seeks to further understanding of mechanical, temperature, and electrochemical degradation mechanisms within varying battery chemistries and geometries through evaluation of impedance response and multiscale imaging techniques. First, in order to understand the limitations of mechanical and electrical integrity of battery systems, a combined application of impedance characterization and …

Mitigation Of Inflammation In Early Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Through Low-Intensity Ultrasound, Shahid Khan

Dissertations

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), a subset of OA caused by direct injury or repetitive microtrauma, results in a robust release of inflammatory mediators. If inadequately controlled, this pro-inflammatory phase leads to early tissue damage. The biomedical burden of PTOA is significant and inadequately addressed due to difficulties in identifying the disease onset, slow progression, and incomplete understanding of its etiology and pathogenesis. However, PTOA's distinct initiating events allow for early intervention. This thesis investigates whether fibronectin fragments (FnFs) can induce an early inflammatory response in a triple cellular in vitro model of early PTOA and whether continuous low-intensity ultrasound (cLIUS) can …

Nuclear Fission Rovers For Martian Exploration, Alexander Constantine Bendoyro

Dissertations

A comprehensive analysis was performed on the impact of embedding a Kilopower-style fission reactor into a pressurized rover on architectural performance for a sample lunar, Mars opposition, and Mars conjunction mission. The high gamma ray flux necessitated the addition of substantial shielding for the crew. A single material shielding analysis using the Taylor formulation revealed that varying the distance between the crew and the reactor core from 3 m to 6 m reduced the required shielding thickness by 7%. Increasing the power output of the reactor from 3.4 kWe (comparable to radioisotope power capability) up to 10 kWe (Kilopower design …

A Case Study Of Technology Integration At A Community College During A Disruption Of Learning Due To A Global Pandemic, Cara Suzanne Barth-Fagan

Dissertations

This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the financial stress, digital divide, and inequalities in educational opportunities that arose during this period. However, it also acknowledges the advantages of remote learning, such as flexible scheduling, individualized learning, and global collaboration. The study design used was qualitative, aiming to identify the perceived levels of student engagement and support between faculty and students, and the perceived levels of success of completing a blended learning course in an online, hybrid, or hyflex format during a global pandemic. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance …

Experimental Investigation Of Steady And Unsteady Effects Of A Circulation Control Wing With Spanwise Segmented Blowing, Tulasi Ram Vechalapu

Dissertations

Active Flow Control (AFC) techniques are a class of methods that improve aerodynamic efficiency by affecting the flow field through actuation or interaction to produce a desired change in flow behavior. Circulation control (CC), which is considered one of the most effective AFC methods, holds significant potential to enhance aircraft efficiency and has been researched for lift enhancement and boundary layer control, among other applications. However, its practical application has been constrained by high mass flow requirements and several unanswered questions in current research. A critical area of investigation is the interaction between trailing-edge blowing and 3D unsteady effects under …

Shocks And Cold Fronts In Merging Galaxy Clusters, Purva Diwanji

Dissertations

Galaxy clusters, found at the nodes of the large-scale structures in the universe, are the most massive gravitationally bound and virialized structures in the Universe. They are formed via accretion, gravitational infall, and hierarchical mergers of smaller sub-clusters and galaxy groups. Mergers of galaxy clusters are the most energetic events in the Universe after the Big Bang, wherein the sub-clusters collide at velocities of ~1000km/s, releasing energy of the order of 10^(64) ergs. During such a merger, the galaxies and dark matter of both clusters interact only gravitationally and move unhindered through the region of the collision. This dissertation presents …

The Structural Basis Of Inflammation : Computational Characterization Of Molecular Mechanisms, Sara W. Jackson

Dissertations

Computational tools are useful in the interpretation and analysis of experimental data. In the world of structural biophysics, computational tools go a bit further: they can simulate atomic motions and molecular interactions based on experimentally-determined biomolecule structures, therein describing natural phenomena, and inspiring the formulation of new hypotheses. In this work, computational structural biology tools are used to answer questions about molecules of inflammatory importance. Quantum chemistry computational tools are used to determine the electronic structure of sesamin, a component of many diets which may be a modulator of an enzyme involved in the metabolism of inflammation mediators. Virtual docking …

Perceptions Of High Stakes Testing And Burnout As Predictors Of Quality Of Life Among Primary School Teachers In Trinidad And Tobago, Victoria Patricia Elder

Dissertations

Problem

This study explored how high-stakes testing (HST) and burnout affected the quality of primary school teachers in Trinidad and Tobago. HST refers to school exams often required by government agencies that are used to make key decisions pertaining to students, teachers, and schools (Embse & Hanson, 2012). Burnout is defined operationally as a psychological syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and impaired personal accomplishment induced by repeated workplace stressors (Maslach & Schaufeli, 2017). Quality of life (QoL) is the measure of an individual’s ability to function physically, emotionally, and socially within his/her environment at a level consistent with his/her own …

Pastoral Leadership Of Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors In Sub-Saharan Africa And Congregational Giving During 2020-2021: A Grounded Theory Study, Eric Jean-Bruno Aniel Barbe

Dissertations

Problem

The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretical model that describes how the behavioral strategies of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) pastors in Sub-Saharan Africa may have positively influenced congregational giving during the years 2020-2021 of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

A qualitative grounded theory research design was used (Corbin & Strauss, 2015). In-depth interviews were conducted to collect data from a purposive sample of SDA pastoral leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa. The collected data were analyzed using an iterative process consisting of open, axial, and selective coding, thereby facilitating the construction of subcategories and a core category. This analytical process …

A Quantitative Study Of Perceived Factors That Influence Enrollment Within A Regional Conference Seventh-Day Adventist School System, John Calvin Alberty Jr.

Dissertations

Problem

A significant challenge confronting Seventh-day Adventist schools is declining enrollment, with schools in the North America Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church either closing or experiencing a substantial reduction in enrollment over the years. The purpose of this study is to identify the perceived factors influencing enrollment within the Allegheny East Conference school system, ultimately explaining the enrollment shift from 1277 students to 635 students over a twenty-year period within the Allegheny East Conference school system. The study also determined if there are significant differences in perceptions of the importance of these observed enrollment-related factors among participants who hold …

Jointly Operating A Merged Junior Academy: A Case Study Of Interracial Cooperation In Seventh-Day Adventist Education In North America, Fabian S. Reid

Dissertations

Problem

Despite the landmark 1954 US Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education that rules segregated schools unconstitutional, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America continues to operate segregated schools in close proximity, a practice rooted in a 1944 General Conference vote that allowed the establishment of separate regional (predominantly Black) and state (predominantly White) conferences within the same geographical regions (a conference is a group of churches, schools, and other institutions within a specified geographic region with one central administrative body). This dual system persists even as declining enrollments and frequent school closures prompt consideration of school …

Odd Fellows: The Intersection Of Arminianism And Calvinism In The Writings Of Desmond Ford And F.F. Bruce, Samuel Pagán De Jesus

Dissertations

The Topic

In the 1970s, the Seventh-day Adventist church’s theological struggles over righteousness by faith and perfectionism revealed that Adventists were confused about their Protestant identity and what it meant to have the assurance of salvation. That struggle is exemplified in Desmond Ford’s writings. His doctoral studies under evangelical scholar F. F. Bruce prompted the Historic Adventists to wonder whether Ford had abandoned the Arminian synergistic soteriology for Calvinism’s monergism.

The Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore to what extent Frederick F. Bruce’s Reformed views, theological assumptions, and commitments were shared by and reflected in Desmond Ford’s …

The Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Writing Across The Curriculum, Amie M. Wright

Dissertations

This research study examined the relationship between school leadership style and the use of writing across the curriculum (WAC) in secondary classrooms. Writing practices and the use of writing as a form of assessment in subject areas other than ELA is thought to be a way to better prepare students to meet the literacy expectations of the 21st century. For writing practices to be integrated across the curriculum in secondary environments, school leadership support is essential. This study aimed to answer the following questions: How can school leaders in secondary educational settings support writing across the curriculum? What are the …

How Can A Cloud Computing It Framework Be Created And Applied Effectively In The Online Printing Industry?, Stefan Meissner

Dissertations

This research aims to design a cloud computing IT framework for the online printing industry based on a detailed literature review, the development of proof of concepts (PoC), and the conduction of a focus group. The framework can be adopted by the online printing industry or by vendors of print-specific applications to optimize their products for the online printing industry. The author has been working in the online printing process optimization and automation since 2007. During this time, he got deep insight into many industry-specific applications, their architectural design, and their challenges being used in the context of online printing. …

The Role Of Surface Processes In Modulating Land-Sea Breeze Circulation : An Observational And Numerical Modeling Study In Java, Georgios Priftis

Dissertations

In the Maritime Continent (MC), sea and land breezes (SLB), shaped by its numerous islands, are key drivers of the tropical climate. Island morphology, terrain, land cover, and orientation relative to prevailing winds affect these breezes and associated convection. While research has largely focused on larger islands, smaller islands like Java remain understudied. Java features a mountainous chain with several gaps and experienced significant land use and land cover changes (∆LULC) over the past two decades. This dissertation aims to: 1) adapt observational methods to detect mesoscale boundaries in numerical models, 2) analyze the role of Java’s topography and cloud- …

Perception Of The Elementary Education Profession And Levels Of Job Satisfaction: Is There A Correlation?, Alexis H. Redman

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to introduce the context and purpose of the research study. The study’s focus was on the perception of the elementary education profession and the prestige ascribed to classroom teachers working in public education by individuals outside the education system. The research questions were as follows: (1) What level of prestige is afforded to the elementary public school classroom teacher from the noneducator perspective? (2) To what extent do noneducators’ perceptions affect the level of job satisfaction among elementary public school classroom teachers? Themes found in literature supporting the research questions included the perceived devaluation …

Exploring The Leadership Competence Strategies And Assessment Procedures In Southern Baptist Churches In A Small County In The Southeastern United States: A Qualitative Research Case Study, Coleman F. Smoak Jr.

Dissertations

This dissertation explores the strategies of Southern Baptist churches which contribute to the competence of their lay leadership. It examines the procedures for evaluating lay leaders’ knowledge of church doctrine and goals, as well as their motivation for pursuit of successful ministry. The research assessed Southern Baptist churches in a small county in the Southeastern United States through a qualitative case study with the primary research instrument being one-on-one, semi-structured interviews of church staff. The researcher sought an understanding of these churches’ practices to ensure that lay leaders are equipped for their ministry positions with regard to their leadership approaches, …

Developmental Pathways From Player To Coach For Volunteers In An American Football Organization In Germany, Gary Cramer

Dissertations

The leadership style of organizational leaders is a key factor affecting volunteer coach recruitment and retention; yet the examination of developmental pathways from player to coach is lacking in the literature, especially as viewed from the perspective of those who are followers. The study addressed the following research question: How do volunteer coaches in an American football organization in Germany, who once played for the same head coach in the organization they currently coach, describe their pathway of development from player to coach? The purpose of this phenomenological case study was to inductively investigate the developmental pathways of volunteer sport …

An Empirical Study Of The Relationship Between Automation And Aircrew Accident Performance In High Performance Aircraft Operating In The U.S. Naval Shipboard, Richard Matthew Gensley

Dissertations

The research described in this dissertation was an empirical study of cockpit automation and aircrew accident performance in high performance aircraft. The data set consisted of 3,249 accident records released by the U.S. Naval Safety Center and publicly available information for high performance aircraft based aboard U.S. aircraft carriers between the years of 1980 and 2013. Five conclusions resulted from this study. The first result was a demonstration that through statistical analysis, it is possible to assess if different aircraft over a prolonged period of time have been exposed to a common operating environment. The second result was that while …

Exploring The Impact Of Ionizing Radiation On Security And Reliability In Modern Semiconductor Memories, Umeshwarnath Surendranathan

Dissertations

Radiation effects in semiconductor devices have gained great traction in recent years due to an exponential growth in space exploration. The harsh conditions of space, devoid of the atmosphere and Earth's magnetic field, pose considerable challenges to electronic systems due to ionizing radiation exposure. While radiation-hardened (rad-hard) components are continually under development, they often lag several technology generations compared to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts. Notably, rad-hard memories, particularly in terms of capacity (megabytes vs. terabytes) and cost, fall short compared to regular COTS memories. This underscores the compelling need to evaluate the radiation tolerance of COTS memories. This dissertation focuses …

A Large-Sample X-Ray Absorption Line Analysis In Search Of The Missing Baryons In The Hot Whim, David Spence

Dissertations

A well known problem in astrophysics that has seen a significant amount of investigation in recent years is the ”missing baryons problem”, in which up to 40% of baryons have been reported missing at low redshifts [62]. Predictions show that these remaining baryons are likely residing within the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM). The process of finding these baryons involves searching for absorption line systems in the WHIM, and using column densities of those absorbing ions to calculate the cosmological density of the medium. Several wide scale FUV studies (e.g. [21]) have been completed to work towards solving this problem, but …