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Establishment Of Structure-Property-Processing Relationships For Design Of Sprayable Hydrogels And Amyloid/Peo Electrospun Composites, Xianjun Wang

Dissertations

The focus of this dissertation is the design, synthesis, characterization, and prototyping of bio-inspired materials to understand the role of structure, intermolecular interactions, and processing technique on the self-assembly, bioactive properties, and mechanical properties of the biomaterials. This work is divided into three research areas: 1) sprayable and adhesive glycopolymer based hydrogels; 2) decapeptide-based composite nanofiber mats; and 3) prototyping sutures and meshes via electrospinning. The established structure-property-processing relationships provide a foundation for designing biomaterials in the future.

The first chapter provides an introductory overview of the requirements necessary for the development of hydrogels, glycopolymers, and peptides, including relevant processing …

Examining Mentoring As A Catalyst For Nurse Work Engagement And Professional Development, Cherryl A Rainey

Dissertations

Abstract

Research literature has identified mentoring as a strategic intervention for employee professional development. The Business and Psychology disciplines have used mentoring widely for employee development, but it has not been used extensively in nursing.

Nursing has unique challenges and is constantly changing with a need to meet some of those needs by advancing the development of nurses to serve as leaders and fill positions due to nurse shortages and high turnover rates. Mentoring has also been identified as a vehicle to promote work engagement.

The purpose of this study was to examine mentoring as a catalyst for nurses’ professional …

Organizational Characteristics As Drivers Of Employer Attraction, Naomi L. Akins-Osuma

Dissertations

This research study examined perceptions of attraction to different organizational characteristics based on an individual’s Career Stage in Super’s (1980) life-span model. Using a diverse sample of 230 participants in the U.S. workforce 18 years or older, the study manipulated the opposing Reputation and flexible working arrangement (FWA) conditions of a hypothetical hiring organization in the technology industry. The results indicated that the main effects of Reputation and FWAs on general attraction, intention to pursue, perceived economic citizenship, and perceived ethical citizenship were significant. Although the high levels of Reputation and FWA yielded the highest mean scores among the dependent …

Iranian-American Older Adults' Attitudes And Proactive Actions Toward Planning Ahead For End-Of-Life Care, Zahra Rahemi

Dissertations

Ethnically diverse older adults are the fastest growing population in the U.S. This population may experience transitional processes associated with immigration, acculturation, aging, and end of life (EOL). Advances in technology lead to increases in care options, which can cause uncertainty to make decisions for EOL. Unmade decisions about care prior to becoming unable to communicate are associated with burdens of lastminute decisions at EOL, unwanted intensive EOL treatments for people who may die naturally of old age, financial and emotional costs, and decreased quality of life. In the U.S., a multicultural country with a variety of care options, advance …

Development And Evaluation Of A Nurse Leader-Led Acuity-Based Nursing Assignment Program And Its Outcome On Peripheral Intravenous Infiltrations And Extravasations In Pediatric Patients, Cassandra D. Dike

Dissertations

In this evidence-based project, the team developed a model of patient assignments for nurses in a pediatric acute care setting based on workload and acuity as opposed to hours per patient day (HPPD). The team used a plan-do-study-act, or PDSA, cycle of quality improvement methodology to demonstrate that assignments based on acuity as opposed to ratios would improve patient outcomes. The outcome measure was peripheral intravenous infiltrations and extravasations (PIVIEs). In the 6-week time frame only two PIVIEs were identified, and they occurred on shifts in which the ideal acuity score was not met for the nursing assignments due to …

Genital Hair Removal And Sexually Transmitted Infections: A History And A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Alison O. Marshall

Dissertations

Background: Genital hair removal is a popular practice in Westernized cultures and has been associated with the belief that removal is necessary for hygiene. A body of literature exists that has found that genital hair removal is associated with adverse health outcomes, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This dissertation aims to detail the history of the practice, why the hygiene belief exists, and to systematically review the existing literature that assesses genital hair removal and STIs.

Methods: Historical, socio-cultural analysis from the feminist perspective was performed on the literature to outline why genital hair removal was adopted at a population …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Associate Degree Nurse Educators' Teaching Experiences Regarding Health Literacy, Connie Marshall

Dissertations

Worldwide health literacy levels are low. Nurses should be able to lead the improvement of the health literacy of the populations they serve. During a comprehensive review of the literature, it became apparent that previous research regarding the provision of health literacy education within Associate Degree Nursing programs was not available. The Associate Degree is the initial degree that allows the graduate to take the NCLEX-RN board exam, so it was interesting to determine how learners are prepared to discern the health literacy levels of the patient population. The research question, "How do nurse educators describe their experiences with health …

Accountability For Unethicality: Monitoring, Policy, And Individual Attitudes, Sara Marie Lewis

Dissertations

This research examines the mechanisms that can be used to reduce unethical behaviors, as well as their influence on employee attitudes (e.g., trust, justice, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment). Using an experimental design, participants were exposed to varying levels of accountability, monitoring, and policy to examine their interaction effects on unethical behaviors and attitudes. Two significant interactions emerged when looking at the mechanism's influence on attitudes. Policy clarity had a significant main effect on employee justice perceptions, with vague policies reducing perceptions of justice. The interaction between clear policy and accountability significantly impacted justice perceptions, highlighting the value of accountability …

Hors-Piste Universal Anxiety Prevention Program In American High Schools: A One Group Pre-Test/Post-Test Quantitative Study, Lucia Poole

Dissertations

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common types of psychiatric disorders and have been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety disorders disrupt the daily lives of young people and are associated with a risk of anxiety and depression in adulthood. Anxiety disorders in adolescents interfere with the daily lives of students and often result in a decline in academic performance. There is a pressing need to implement universal anxiety prevention programs in students' main environment, the school. Along with academics, student mental health should be a top priority for school leaders. School leaders are tasked with implementing …

Generational Differences And Teacher Burnout In The Post-Pandemic Era, Michelin Springer

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the intricate relationship between generational cohorts and the efficacy of technology integration in the context of teacher burnout, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As educators transitioned from virtual online instruction back to blended or traditional face-to-face learning environments, this study explored teachers’ sense of technological efficacy in adopting and integrating various technological strategies and its relationship with their experiences of burnout during these shifts. Additionally, this study examined how different generational groups may experience teacher burnout and report their efficacy in technology integration in the post-pandemic context. Surveys which …

The Future Of Physical Education And How Instructional Technology Is Pivotal In Curriculum Design And Learner-Centered Instruction, Josh Mcmillian

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered K-12 education, compelling physical education (PE) instructors to adapt swiftly to remote teaching. This dissertation explores the integration of instructional technology among Missouri PE teachers, analyzing practices before, during, and after the pandemic. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the study surveyed 106 educators and conducted 12 in-depth interviews, revealing widespread use of technologies such as heart rate monitors, fitness apps, and platforms like Google Classroom.

Findings highlight that school climate, access to resources, and teacher training are pivotal in technology adoption. Veteran teachers demonstrated greater proficiency with advanced tools, while novices showed adaptability but required foundational …

The Influence Of News Media On Esg Ratings: Analyzing Media Sentiment Around Esg Rating Changes, David Beverly

Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the complex relationship between media sentiment and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ratings, a pressing issue highlighted by the lack of transparency in the adjustments to ratings from some agencies and not others. The research aims to empirically examine the extent to which news media narratives influence ESG scores and contribute to discrepancies among rating agencies. With ESG investing becoming increasingly significant, as evidenced by the rise in global assets under management in ESG funds, the accuracy and reliability of ESG scores are of increasing importance to investors, policymakers, and academics.

The study explores the potential of …

The Implementation Of Stream In Mathematics Classrooms In Abu Dhabi Primary Schools: Prospects, Priorities, Processes, And Problems, Nadeia Rashed Alalawi

Dissertations

This study shed light on implementing science, technology, reading and writing, engineering, art, and mathematics (STREAM) in mathematics classrooms in Abu Dhabi primary schools. The study aimed to explore mathematics teachers’ views on the prospects, priorities, processes, and problems of the implementation of STREAM in their classrooms. The study employed qualitative methods to collect and analyze data to support the findings using interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Fifteen in-service mathematics teachers were interviewed to explore their views about the application of STREAM in their classrooms regarding prospects, priorities, processes, and problems (4 Ps). Then, three of them were observed …

Optimizing Photoacoustic Imaging With Advanced Reconstruction Techniques: Compressive Sensing And Deep Learning, Mary Anjaley Josy

Dissertations

Photoacoustic Tomography (PAT) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique that combines the advantages of optical imaging and ultrasonic detection, offering deep tissue visualization with high resolution. Despite its potential, the effectiveness of PAT is dependent on the accuracy and efficiency of the underlying imaging algorithms. This thesis aims to enhance the resolution and speed of PAT imaging through the integration of compressive sensing (CS) and deep learning techniques, targeting both full-view and limited-view sensor configurations. Two model-based CS iterative algorithms are developed: relaxed-basis pursuit via alternating direction method of multipliers (rBP-ADMM), and split Bregman total variation (SBTV) formulation. Additionally, Plug-and-Play …

Tackling Toxicity And Harassment In Online Environments Through The Use Of Artificial Intelligence, Heba Saleous

Dissertations

With the increase in popularity of online communities, such as social media platforms, online games, and chatroom servers, there is a need to improve chat and content moderation. Platforms have reported an increase in the prevalence of toxic behavior and hate speech. Meanwhile, moderators are reporting difficulties in keeping up with the amount of data to check as well and the type of content they are exposed to, which further harms their own mental health. The main objective of this work is to address the challenges that exist within online communities with the rising prevalence of hate speech. Additionally, some …

How Teachers And Students Create And Experience Social Presence Through Community Building And Self-Disclosure In Middle School Synchronous Online Learning Environments: A Qualitative Case Study, Jennifer Trail

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate middle school teachers’ and students’ attitudes toward online learning, and more specifically how they created and experienced social presence. To date, there has been promising research conducted on the achievability and the effects of social presence in postsecondary online learning. However, there is a practical knowledge gap in the literature regarding how middle school students and teachers experience social presence. This is problematic due to the increasing number of K-12 students enrolling in online learning and because strong student-teacher relationships are necessary to meet the emotional needs of middle schoolers …

Conceptions Of Latinos And Latinas About The Grieving Process And Associate Concepts Of Dying, Death, Bereavement, And Loss: A Covid-19-Post-Pandemic Case Study, Rosario Garcia Ortiz

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to recognize the grieving process and the related concepts of Latinos who lost a loved one to the COVID-19 pandemic. Death and dying have been studied in the United States, with limited studies focusing on the Latino culture. The COVID-19 pandemic was a devastating experience for the world and continues to be studied for understanding and lessons in the aftermath. This research included four participants from the Latino culture who lost a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic. An inductive approach and data analysis were used to form theoretical constructs. Three main categories were …

Factors Influencing Innovative Behavior Of Higher Education Students In The United Arab Emirates: An Exploratory Study, Saleha Omer Alseiari

Dissertations

Innovation in the higher education sector is globally recognized as a driving power behind a country's socioeconomic and technological development. This quantitative study explores the primary influences on the innovation of college students in the UAE. Four research goals were proposed: (I) exploring potential input from innovative faculties; (ii) assessing the impact of curriculum excellence; (iii) examining the consequences of students' social abilities; and (iv) researching the moderating impact of supportive leadership. The research also seeks to create a theoretical model connecting various key elements that promote an environment of innovation in the higher education sector of the UAE based …

Navigating The Beliefs, Practices, And Challenges Of High School Principals And Teachers Within Culturally Diverse Contexts: A Mixed-Method Study, Mouza Alketbi

Dissertations

The main objective of this study is to understand the practices, beliefs, and challenges related to cultural diversity among high school principals. It also examines the cultural diversity practices of high school principals from the perspective of teachers, as well as the challenges they encounter when interacting with principals and teaching staff. The study used an exploratory sequential mixed method design, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methods to gain a better understanding of how high school principals handle their culturally diverse teachers. The first phase involved qualitative research, where (n=5) principals and (n=7) teachers were purposively selected. Semistructured interviews were …

How Do Lgbt Employees Assess Their Firm’S Organizational Culture Regarding Lgbt Leadership?, Philippe Honore

Dissertations

This study explored Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans (LGBT) employees’ perceptions and assessments of their firms’ organizational cultures and, in particular, the opportunities within the culture that can lead to upper management positions for those who identify as LGBT. The research sought to understand the extent to which inclusivity efforts are reflected in real career progression opportunities for openly LGBT employees working in San Diego County. Employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods research design, the study incorporated quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to achieve a comprehensive understanding of participant’s perspectives and experiences. The decision to use both methods allowed the research …

Leveraging Social Practices In The 11th Grade American Literature Classroom: Video Games As Texts, Alora Moser

Dissertations

This quasi-experimental study explores the effectiveness of using a video game as a text in high school narrative instruction, testing Lave and Wenger’s (1991) situated learning theory, which posits that learning is a by-product of social interaction. This study seeks to bridge the gap between literacy practices at home and in school (Beavis, 2014; Ladson-Billings, 1995), effectively acknowledging students’ cultural capital, including multiliteracies (New London Group, 1996) and affinity spaces (Gee, 2013) in privileged academic settings such as the Georgia Milestones American Literature End of Course assessment. 11^th grade American literature students in a suburban Georgia high school were …

Pre-Service Teachers Conceptions Of Equity In Secondary Mathematics Education, Mariah Walton

Dissertations

This study investigated how pre-service mathematics teachers (PSMTs) understand equity-based pedagogies and apply equity-based pedagogical methods in their instructional planning. A central goal among educators is improving the academic achievement of racially minoritized groups, such as Black and Latinx students, who are often overlooked by traditional pedagogies. This goal has shaped the foundation of culturally relevant pedagogy and other equity-based teaching approaches. This research study focused on the intersection of equity-based pedagogical methods and secondary mathematics teaching and learning involving PSMTs in the third year of their teacher education program. Through an analysis of a discussion post assignment, a focus …

Under The Surface Of Perfectionism: A Qualitative Examination Of Perfectionism In Women Leaders, Rachelle Martin

Dissertations

This qualitative study explores the manifestations and management of perfectionism among women leaders, framed through the lens of conservation of resources (COR) theory. By examining the experiences of women across various industries, the research highlights how perfectionism can act both as a strength and a challenge, depending on resource availability and self-awareness. The findings emphasize the compounded pressures faced by women, particularly women of color, and the significant role of self-awareness, coping mechanisms and mitigation techniques. Participants revealed how resource depletion may contribute to heightened perfectionistic tendencies, which subsequently may impact career outcomes. Self-awareness emerged as a moderating factor that, …

An Exploration Of The Influence Of Nursing Education Culture On The Integration Of Nursing Informatics Competencies Into A Collaborative Nursing Program Curriculum, Stephanie Atthill

Dissertations

Information communication technologies are becoming a customary part of the way in which nurses provide care. Consequently, it makes good sense to ensure that nursing informatics competencies are integrated into nursing curricula to prepare graduates for practice. However, few schools of nursing within Canada have fully integrated nursing informatics competencies into their curricula. Nursing education culture appears to influence decision-making, and the development of organizational priorities. Nonetheless, there are no known studies examining how nursing education culture impacts nursing informatics curriculum development endeavours. Therefore, this study aimed to address the following research questions: 1) In what ways does a nursing …

Student Nurse Perspectives On The Impact Of Longitudinal Home Visits To People With Dementia And Their Carers, Wendy J. Grosvenor

Dissertations

Multiple deficits have been identified in dementia education by UK policy makers and, from September 2015, the Department of Health mandated that undergraduate healthcare curricula included dementia. Here I explore one particular novel approach, the Time for Dementia Programme, which had at its core longitudinal learning from people with dementia and their carers.

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of visits to the homes of people with dementia and their carers as part of the Time for Dementia Programme. To do this it explored adult nursing students' perceptions of their professional learning and practice and career destination.

An Insider's Perspective To Mentoring Novice Math And Science Teachers In A University Mentoring Program: A Self-Study, Krishna R. Millsapp

Dissertations

Novice teachers benefit from individualized and cohort mentoring to help them successfully navigate student teaching and the first years of independent teaching. However, schools are experiencing a rise in attrition rates post-pandemic, especially in math and science. Mentoring, goal setting, and community-building are deemed important for retaining novices and providing them with individualized support as they navigate instructional challenges and professional responsibilities. This self-study investigates the experiences of a mentor while leading a new Professional Development & Mentoring Program for math and science novices. Educative mentoring and Hegarty’s Reflective framework helped guide the reflections of the mentor as mentoring strategies …

The Lived Experience Of Faculy Support With Generation Z Pre-Licensure Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Amy Shearer

Dissertations

Baccalaureate nursing education requires a high level of academic performance for both acceptance and completion of the program. Nursing students often identify faculty as a source of support to persevere through this rigorous educational program. In 2013, a new generation of students entered nursing education: Generation Z. It is unclear as to how the unique characteristic of Generation Z will align or differ with Millennial nursing students regarding their need for faculty support. Husserl's descriptive phenomenological method was used to explore pre-licensure baccalaureate Generation Z nursing student experiences of faculty support.

Bipoc Counseling And Health Service Psychology Graduate Students’ Experience Of Racism And Sense Of Belonging: A Conditional Mediation Analysis Of Coping And Social Support, Erica Pinney

Dissertations

This study sought to understand the relationship between experiences of racism within academic settings and sense of belonging to the field of Counseling/Health Service Psychology (C/HSP) for BIPOC graduate students. Further, this study sought to understand the potential mediating role of engagement coping in this relationship, as well as the conditional effect of high, neutral, or low perception of race-related social support from faculty/peers. Two-hundred forty-nine BIPOC C/HSP students responded to survey questions measuring frequency of racial/ethnic microaggressions, sense of belonging to C/HSP, engagement styles of coping with racism (Education/Advocacy and Resistance), and perception of availability of racism-related social support …

Experiences Of School Climate Among Sexual Minority Students Of Color, Brandon Westerman

Dissertations

Since the 1980’s educational research regarding sexual minority students has continued to expand. Researchers have found that school climate can have a profound impact on sexual minority students’ outcomes, including their mental health and academic success. However, much of the research on the effects of school climate upon sexual minority students consists of studies that are predominantly composed of White participants, or the researchers do not address other aspects of participant identity. Based on the concept of intersectionality, it is known that an individual’s experiences are shaped by all their identities, not just a singular one. The purpose of this …

Examining How Adolescents From Underrepresented And Minoritzed Backgrounds View And Navigate Their Racial Ethnic Identity: Exploring The Impact Of Dominant Narratives And Counternarratives On Racial Ethnic Identity, Jesus Eduardo Ramos

Dissertations

This study delves into the impact of dominant narratives on the perceptions of Racial Ethnic Identity (REI) among adolescents from underrepresented, minoritized backgrounds and assesses the effects of counternarrative interventions. It explores how racially oppressive messages in education and media shape self-perception and examines the potential of counternarratives in challenging stereotypes, promoting critical thinking, and advancing social justice. Utilizing a qualitative cross-case study design, the research involved 8 participants aged 12-14 who identified as Hispanic/Latino or Black/African. Data collection methods included demographic questionnaires, semi-structured pre- and post-intervention interviews, and reflection logs. The analysis employed constant comparison techniques and data triangulation …