Digital Commons Network^™

Vision 2020: An Analysis Of Policy Implementation And Agrarian Change In Rural Rwanda, Sterling Recker

Dissertations

In 2000, President Paul Kagame introduced a plan to alleviate poverty as well as to maintain political control over the policy process through a decentralized bureaucracy. Since adoption of Vision 2020 in 2000, Rwanda has been reforming its rural sector to commercialize agriculture, reduce pressures on land, and move the country into middle income status by the year 2020. In order to achieve the goals outlined in Vision 2020, the Government of Rwanda (GoR) adopted a policy of administrative decentralization in 2001 to facilitate the transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture. I am addressing two related questions: 1) How has …

Toward A More Perfect Definition Of Learning: Using Biomarkers To Predict And Assess Learning Performance, Samuel J. Hunt

Dissertations

This study seeks to establish groundwork for a new definition of learning based on neurogenesis capable of guiding future educational policy and practice. The purpose of the research was to: (1) produce separate increases in neurogenesis and intelligence, (2) measure the changes in neurogenesis using protein biomarkers, and (3) correlate increases in levels of the protein biomarkers with increases in intelligence. The study employed a randomized pretest-posttest, control/comparison group research design. Thirty-eight fourth- and fifth-grade students with diverse academic needs were divided into three experimental groups: chess, exercise, and combined; with an additional control group. Pre-post measures included intelligence (RSPM) …

Labor Force Participation And Wages In Palestine For The Period 2000 To 2011, Issam Abu-Ghallous

Dissertations

This study investigates the interaction between wages and labor force participation in Palestine for the period of 2000 to 2011. This period has witnessed series of severe economic and political shocks and moderate recoveries. There are three areas of interest this dissertation considers. The first area is the effect of adult employment and income on child labor supply. The second area is the effect of husbands’ income and employment status on wives’ labor force participation. The third area is return to education and wage inequality. The results show that parents’ income has a negative but weak effect on child labor; …

The Long-Term Impact Of Preschool Education On Student Achievement, Amy L. Britt

Dissertations

While many studies have been published about the short-term effects of preschool on student achievement, few long-term studies have been completed. The focus of this study was to determine whether students who attended schools that offered preschool demonstrated improved student achievement in communication arts and math in fourth and eighth grades. Quantitative data, including MAP scores for 2010, 2011 and 2012 in communication arts and math, were reviewed. The participants included rural schools with similar demographics as evidenced by membership in Missouri Association of Rural Education. A survey was administered to superintendents of the same schools. The data revealed that …

The Learning Pathways Of Ironman Triathletes: Case Studies Of Age-Group Ironman Triathletes, Ari Zelmanow

Dissertations

The Ironman Triathlon is an epic endurance event consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. There is paucity in the literature relating to how athletes learn how to negotiate this event. This qualitative study was conducted over a 9 month period, to align with the 2013 Ironman training and racing season. Seven athletes were selected for participation in the study. Utilizing a case study approach, the Ironman athletes’ learning pathways were examined through in-depth interviews and audio and video content personally captured by the participants. The learning pathways revealed the athletes initially learned through …

Influence Of Resources, Resource Loss, And Coping Response On Food Management Practices And Food Security, Simone Perette Camel

Dissertations

Food insecurity has been associated with compromised health and wellness. Current literature regarding coping strategies and practices employed by the food insecure often describes food management and acquisition practices, and/or the riskiness of these practices. Material and personal resources such as income, time, self-efficacy, and social support have been identified as predictors or influencers of food security status. In this study, the Conservation of Resources theory was used to conceptualize resources and resource loss as they relate to food practices and food security. It was hypothesized that the level of resources would influence food security status and the adaptive food …

Effects Of Animal Management Changes On The Activity Budgets And Walking Rates Of Zoo Elephants, Angela Dawn Mackey

Dissertations

The current study aimed to assess the effects of two management strategies, weekly rototilling of the enclosure and the provision of unpredictable foraging opportunities, on the daily behavior of six elephants housed at the San Diego Zoo. Observations took place from January to June 2013 and were conducted throughout a 24- hour period. The study was divided into three phases, each two months in duration. During the first phase (baseline) no changes were made to the current management routine of the elephants. In Phase 2, rototilling of the elephant enclosures was increased from once monthly to once per week, while …

Dispositional Optimism: Modeling Cardiovascular Disease Mortality With Traditional Risk Factors And A Psychosocial Personality Trait, Kiana Ramisi Luckett Robinson

Dissertations

Despite increased awareness of clinical risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart disease remains a physical and economic burden to African Americans. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dispositional optimism, a psychosocial personality trait, and CVD mortality, based on immediate cause of death. A cross-sectional design was used to examine the predictive value of dispositional optimism in CVD mortality concomitant with traditional CVD risk factors. The traditional CVD risk factors of interest consisted of body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, total cholesterol, and C-reactive protein. Also, aggregated mortality data for optimists …

Mental Health Impairment And Human Capital Acquisition: Underage Drinking As A Predictor Of Concomitant Alcohol Dependence And Poor Educational Attainment, Euchay Ngozi Horsman

Dissertations

Underage drinking has featured prominently in both scholarly and conventional literature in recent decades as a major health and socio-economic concern in the United States. As new evidence emerges associating underage drinking with a host of negative outcomes for both the youth who drinks and society in general, a closer examination of the long-term effects of underage drinking is critical. This exploratory study was designed to examine predictor variables and their ramifications (1) using logistic regression to identify a model for underage drinking history (UDHISTORY) as a predictor of concomitant alcohol dependence and poor educational attainment (CADAPEA) among individuals aged …

Educating The Whole Child: Evidence Of Health And Wellness Instruction In The Schools Serving Low-Income Students, Andria M. Shook Phd

Dissertations

Educators in the United States are expressing concern about student physical and mental well-being. Childhood obesity has more than doubled in the past three decades, and today, one in five children experiences symptoms of mental illness. Low-income children are especially subject to these conditions. The long-term consequences for the country as a whole are significant. Schools are particularly well placed to address these problems by supporting the well-being of the whole child. Efforts have begun in select schools and districts to incorporate health and wellness instruction into the school day. This study identifies existing health and wellness components that three …

Instituting A Behavioral Wellness Program And Updating A Clinical Pathway For Economically Disadvantaged Overweight And Obese Adults In A Community Health Center: A Clinical Scholarship Project, Kimberly D. Buck

Dissertations

This project is intentionally instituted in an underserved community in an attempt to bridge the gap of health disparities in a population that would otherwise not have access to such programs. The purpose of this clinical scholarship project is to work with the Midwestern health center to encourage weight loss as well as to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce risk factors among economically disadvantaged persons by: (a) starting a wellness program that incorporates both behavioral and physical health using principles of motivational interviewing and health coaching, and (b) updating a clinical pathway for persons with a body mass index twenty-five …

Design And Synthesis Of Chelating Compounds And Solid-Supported Chelators For Metal Depleted Solutions, Surendra Dawadi

Dissertations

Metals are essential to life, yet they can be toxic for biological systems when present in excessive amounts. The major source of metal overload in humans is diet; and in some cases, intravenous feeding. Thus the removal of toxic metal ions from contaminated clinical products such as total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions, and drinking and waste water is extremely important. The use of chelating resins, which are polymeric solids containing covalently immobilized chelating compounds, for the selective removal of metal ions from contaminated solutions has been conceptualized long ago. Herein, the design and synthesis of metal specific chelating compounds and …

Problem-Based Learning (Pbl) In The College Chemistry Laboratory: Students’ Perceptions Of Pbi And Its Relationship With Attitude And Self-Efficacy Beliefs, Lloyd Madalitso P. Mataka

Dissertations

A convergent mixed methods research study was used to investigate whether or not students who participated in the problem based learning (PBL) environment improved their self-efficacy beliefs (SEBs) in and attitudes toward chemistry. The study also investigated the students’ views of the PBL environment. The Chemistry Attitude and Experience Questionnaire (CAEQ) was used as a pre- and post-test to determine changes in students’ attitudes and SEBs. The PBL Environment Inventory (PBLEI) was used to investigate students’ views of the PBL environment. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to re-validate both instruments with the study group: students in general chemistry laboratories at …

Correlational Studies Of Organophosphate Levels And Endocrine Disruption, Immunomodulation, And Altered Glucose Homeostasis In A Human Population Study, Carrie Mckean

Dissertations

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides have become the most widely used insecticides since the removal of organochlorine pesticides (“Ch4 Organophosphate Insecticides.pdf,” n.d.) and are generally the most toxic of all pesticides to vertebrates (Soltaninejad & Abdollahi, 2009). As a result, ongoing research has been aimed at further understanding potential health effects from exposure.

The aim of this dissertation research project is to investigate and characterize correlations of OP body burden with human health effects. This research involves an investigation into three pertinent areas concerning OP exposure: thyroid disruption, altered hematology biomarkers, and alterations of glucose homeostasis. Data under investigation come exclusively from …

Strategic Community Engagement As Perceived By Five Superintendents, Judith A. Dymond

Dissertations

In these challenging times with school districts facing mandates for accountability, they can only accomplish these ambitious long-term mandates by engaging the greater community. Thus, any superintendent who is planning on improving student academic achievement and being employed in the district long-term will find it imperative to engage the community and develop community partnerships. This study utilized interviewing, a qualitative methodology, to gain insight into how five superintendents effectively engaged their communities. Findings revealed five effective strategies and actions for success: embracing community values, partnering with community organizations, building trust internally and externally, developing a systems approach to communication, and …

Teachers' Perceptions Of Working Conditions: The Difference Between Static And Improving Schools In Kentucky, Amy Bryant Allen

Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to identify the changes concerning teachers’ perceptions of working conditions within Kentucky’s District 180 Priority Schools. The District 180 Priority Schools comprises of 41 secondary schools that ranked in the bottom fifth percentile on the Kentucky School Report Card. Schools were divided into two categories, static or improving, based upon student achievement changes from 2009 until 2013. The study utilized results from the 2011 and 2013 TELL Kentucky Survey to determine whether changes in teachers’ perceptions of working conditions were statistically significant from 2011 to 2013 in the areas of instructional time, availability …

An Analysis Of Acculturative Stress, Sociocultural Adaptation, And Satisfaction Among International Students At A Non-Metropolitan University, Hajara Mahmood

Dissertations

This quantitative descriptive study was designed to analyze levels of acculturative stress and sociocultural adaptation among international students at a non-metropolitan university in the U.S. in relation to college satisfaction and certain demographic characteristics. Surveys were used to measure international students’ levels of acculturative stress, sociocultural adaptation, including five subscales of sociocultural adaptation, and college satisfaction (N = 413). Demographic questions included gender, age, country of origin, length of stay in the U.S., degree level, and English language comfort. Results indicated a negative correlation between students’ levels of sociocultural adaptation and acculturative stress. In particular, increased competency among the five …

This Animal, Elena Therese Tomorowitz

Dissertations

This Animal is a poetic narrative about humans’ animalistic instincts and how we use them to navigate our relationships with others and the world around us.

Use Of An Interactive Web-Based Platform, Founded On Constructs From The Social Cognitive Theory, To Benefit Eating Competence, Matthew T. Moyer

Dissertations

Since Web-based interventions have a significantly high rate of attrition ranging from 99.5% to 77.5%, the researcher employed an instrumental case study approach to understand compliance in a Web-portal. The specific issue for this study was attrition rates and how SCT constructs affected eating competence. Qualitative data provided ground zero insight to a complex issue that was further understood. To better understand the phenomenon, participants that registered for the 30-day study and the software developer were interviewed. All interviews (n=6) were transcribed and data from the transcriptions were transformed from dialogues, into categories, then themes, and finally into concepts. Five …

An Investigation Of Involvement In University-Affiliated Alumni Sport Fan Clubs, Craig Damon Schmitt

Dissertations

Numerous motivations for spectating sport have been studied, with higher levels of motivations found to be consistent with higher fan involvement levels. In addition, many people are connected to a community through their identification with a sports team. University-affiliated alumni sport fan clubs are one community that sport consumers may join. These clubs provide the opportunity to maintain and potentially strengthen their connection to the university’s athletic teams. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sport spectator motivations, as well as team identification, and involvement in a university-affiliated alumni sport fan club. Then, the relationship …

Schools Are Very Different Here: Somali Refugees' Perspectives Of Parent Involvement, Mary L. Van Korlaar

Dissertations

Qualitative case study with participant observation was used to explore the parent involvement experiences of nine Somali refugee parents in a small city in an agricultural area of the Rocky Mountain region. The parents of students who were attending classes through a school-based Welcome Center program were invited to participate. Parents were asked to discuss their own educational background, and their experiences prior to immigration to the United States in an effort to understand the development of their understanding, values and beliefs about education. Parents were also asked about their experiences in the local school systems to better understand their …

Self-Determination Theory As A Pedagogical Foundation For Collegiate Physical Activity Courses, Scot Edward Long

Dissertations

Inactivity, obesity and associated medical, social and economic problems are pervasive in contemporary society. Modern science is aware of the preventative role physical activity offers in deterrence of these problems and the benefits physical education offers. Traditionally, physical education has focused primarily on physiological variables; however, physical activity begins with a behavioral change. Motivation is the necessary factor to initiate physical activity and self-determination theory (SDT) can be used to explain learner motivation in the world of collegiate physical education. Institutionalized schooling is typically performed in a controlling nature, which creates a poor environment for learning and motivation. The purpose …

The Relationship Between Wellness Behavior Traits And Organizational Citizenship Behavior Traits, Vicki Yeager Brumfield

Dissertations

In difficult economic times a healthy employee that has consistently low absenteeism rates and who volunteers or takes on extra responsibilities at the workplace could be an asset for any business or organization. The personnel component is a significant area of expense for most businesses that includes costs related to salaries, insurance, and training. An effective and efficient employee impacts the morale, productivity, and the fiscal health of a workplace. The aim of the present study was to examine the pattern of relationships between organizational citizenship behavior and employee wellness behaviors. Data sets that consist of a combination of a …

Gestational Weight Gain Patterns, Hope R. Farquharson Phd

Dissertations

Background: Managing gestational weight gain (GWG) remains a global health priority as obesity among women of childbearing age and their children have been linked to excessive GWG. Excessive GWG has been linked to increased rates of cesarean sections, preterm births, hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, large for gestational age newborns, postpartum weight retention, long-term obesity for the woman and her children. Conversely, adverse outcomes resulting from weight gain below recommendation could potentially include preterm births, increased rates of neonatal intensive care admission, and newborn morbidity and mortality. Previous studies indicate the need for healthcare providers to help women gain within the …

Delirium Rate And Risk Factors In Palliative Care Outpatients And Caregiver Coping Strategies, Sarah Deur Livermore Phd, Fnp

Dissertations

Background: Delirium causes suffering and in terminal illness undermines important goals to die at home. Improved knowledge about delirium among palliative outpatients can lead to improved patient outcomes through early identification and treatment in the home. Conversely, a missed diagnosis leads to costly hospital admissions, and is the most common reason to seek long-term care placement (Breitbart & Alici, 2008). Medicare stresses the importance by listing it as a common cause of falls among non-reimbursed hospital events. Prior evaluation of outpatient delirium rate was 14% among demented community dwelling elders (Steis, Evans, et al., 2012a). It is hypothesized that frail, …

Oxidative Stress Alterations Following An Exercise Intervention In Cancer Survivors, Christopher P. Repka

Dissertations

Exercise interventions in cancer patients have been demonstrated to reduce cancer-treatment related side effects. Despite this, the underlying mechanisms associated with the protective aspects of exercise are generally uncharacterized, but treatment-associated oxidative stress is thought to play a role. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an exercise intervention on fatigue, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular strength, and blood markers of DNA and protein oxidation compared to a non-exercising, cancer control group. METHODOLOGY: An initial fasting blood draw and assessments of muscular strength and CRF were administered to fifteen cancer patients within six weeks of completing radiation …

Transitioning Adolescents With Type I Diabetes To Adult Care, Kathyann Kenny Marsh Phd

Dissertations

Background: Care transitions, defined as hospital discharge or movement from one healthcare setting to another, are currently a major concern for healthcare providers and policy makers alike. These care transitions are occurring in the context of increasingly fragmented care and have been known to result in hospital readmissions, adverse events, and medication errors. The adolescents' transition between pediatric and the adult care system is not only fragmented but occurs at a time when they are most vulnerable and ill equipped for change. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to conduct a feasibility study to examine if the use of …

The Logistics Of Implementing A Field-Based Comprehensive School Reform Initiative, Dawn E. Reeves

Dissertations

This research is a qualitative, reflective case study regarding a cohort in the form of a district-university partnership between the Oak Park Schools in Oak Park, Michigan and the College of Education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The initiators of the program envisioned a more successful urban school district by offering training beyond the traditional professional development to district teachers with an incentive of a Master’s Degree. The criteria of this particular initiative mandated that the program be field-based where all courses met in district buildings and be non-traditional, where all content was focused on the needs of …

Gdnf Content And Nmj Plasticity In Slow And Fast Twitch Myofibers Follows Recruitment In Exercise, Amy Morrison Gyorkos

Dissertations

Glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) supports and maintains the neuromuscular system during development and through adulthood by promoting neuroplasticity. GDNF may play a role in delaying the onset of aging and help compress morbidity by preventing motor unit degeneration. Exercise has been shown to alter GDNF expression differently in slow and fast twitch myofibers. The aim of this dissertation project is to determine if different intensities of exercise can promote changes in GDNF expression and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) morphology in slow and fast twitch muscle fibers. Skeletal muscle fibers were analyzed from adult Sprague Dawley rats aged 4 weeks …

The Intersection Of Depression, Partner Violence And Poverty During The Perinatal Period, Catherine L. Kothari

Dissertations

Problem: Despite the wealth of research documenting the individual links between maternal depression, partner violence, and poverty, important gaps remain regarding their combined interactions, and their variation related to perinatal timing (pregnancy and postpartum). The current dissertation examined the interplay of these phenomena across perinatality.

Methods: This dissertation utilized secondary analysis of telephone survey data from a representative sample of women recruited during their postpartum hospital stay and interviewed four times over the subsequent 18 months. Linear regression was used for predictive modeling of fixed effects, and generalized estimating equation regression was used for multivariate analysis of temporal trends.

Findings: …