Digital Commons Network^™

Engagement Of Primary Stakeholders To Tailor A Comprehensive Transitional Care Model For Persons Who Have Experienced A Stroke And Their Caregivers, Lorre Laws

Dissertations

Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the US, affecting approximately 795,000 persons annually. Stroke care is delivered across multiple settings from hyperacute care in a hospital through chronic stroke management in the community. Considerable advancements have been made in the delivery of hyperacute and acute stroke care. Science and practice gaps exist in providing stroke transitional care across multiple providers and settings once an individual is discharged from an in-patient care facility to home.

Using a qualitative descriptive design, this study engaged and elicited descriptions from stroke survivors and caregivers affected by stroke to inform the refinement and …

Implementing An Early Mobility Protocol For Patients In Intensive Care Unit, Allison Nicole Crane

Dissertations

Limited mobility and prolonged bedrest were thought of as necessary to promote safety and hemodynamic stability in critically ill intensive care patients historically, but recent research does not support this idea. Newer research is suggesting that mobilizing critical ill patients in the intensive care unit can limit the negative effects of immobility and improve patient outcomes (Adler & Malone, 2012; Morris, et al., 2008; Perme & Chandrashekar, 2009; Perme, Lettvin, Throckmorton, Mitchell, Masud, 2011).

The objective of this clinical scholarly project is to educate the healthcare team about the importance of early mobility in the intensive care unit (ICU) patient …

Distress After Preterm Birth: A Discourse Analysis Of Parents' Accounts And Photographs, Ira Kantrowitz-Gordon

Dissertations

Preterm birth is a distressing experience for parents. This distress may continue into early childhood, with negative consequences for parents' mental health and child development. The purpose of this study was to take an in-depth look at how parents formed their accounts of premature birth, postpartum distress, and lives as parents and partners. Discourse analysis of semi-structured interviews and photo-elicitation assignments were used to analyze the parents' experiences in the context of the couple relationship.

The Effect Of Using Virtual Manipulatives On Students’ Ability To Mentally Compare Proper Fractions, William Wilson Mcneary Iii

Dissertations

This study proposes a method to analyze the effects of the use of virtual fraction models (circle/bar/number line) on students’ ability to mentally compare proper fractions. Since developing a sense of magnitude with both whole numbers and rational numbers is highly correlated with improved performance on standardized assessments and improved performance in later algebra classes, special attention is directed to the bar and number line as they are linear representations.

The study used an experimental pretest/posttest group design by randomly assigning subjects within class sections to a control group (physical fraction circles) and treatment groups with seven different methods of …

Moral Development And Public Health Nursing, Margaret Avila

Dissertations

Public health nurses (PHNs) have the opportunity and professional obligation to be at the forefront of the fight to eliminate health disparities based on the practice principle of social justice. The overall purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the stage of the moral development in a convenience sample of practicing public health nurses (PHNs) and the differences in moral development stage across selected demographic variables (age, gender, race/ethnicity, level of entry into professional nursing, highest level of education, years practicing as an RN, years practicing in a public health department, self-identified political views, primary language, and region of …

Emergence Delirium In U.S. Military Combat Veterans, Jason M. Mcguire

Dissertations

This dissertation study examined the phenomenon of emergence delirium in U.S. military combat veterans. Emergence delirium is a post-anesthetic phenomenon that occurs immediately following emergence from general anesthesia and is characterized by agitation, confusion, and violent physical and/or verbal behavior. Clinical evidence suggests that emergence delirium is occurring with greater frequency among military personnel returning from conflict in the Middle East. This body of work is a culmination of three distinctive phases and is presented in three individual manuscripts.

The Lived Experience Of Adolescent Females With Diabetes: A Phenomenological Approach, Jane K. Dickinson

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of what it means for adolescent females to live with type 1 diabetes. The following research question was investigated: What is it like for adolescent females to live with type 1 diabetes?

The Biopsychosocial Model Of Metabolic Syndrome Among U.S. Adults, Jennifer L. Saylor

Dissertations

The Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of medical disorders (obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin/resistance/glucose intolerance) that characteristically occur together in individuals. The prevalence of MetS continues to increase in the U.S. and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality. Little research uses a theoretical model to identify direct or indirect contributions to MetS and predictors to MetS. Identifying the factors that influence MetS in a national sample is necessary to understand targets for intervention to prevent the MetS and its sequelae.

This study tested a hypothesized conceptual model of the biopsychosocial factors associated with …

Assessment And Strategic Planning To Determine The Growth Feasibility Of A Distance-Based Rural Baccalaureate Nursing Program, Amber Proctor Williams

Dissertations

A greater supply of nurses who are prepared at the BSN level minimally, are needed to address the increasingly complex healthcare and community needs in rural counties. An innovative partnership between a rural regional campus and a university based college of nursing has extended access to baccalaureate education to those based in that rural area. The purpose of this work sought to assess the feasibility of expanding the current distance-based rural BSN program from a systems level. This project illustrated how the organizational assessment can be used as a starting point to deconstruct the complexity surrounding the feasibility of expansion. …

Ptsd Symptom Interaction Among Victims Of Interpersonal Violence: A Network Analysis, Robert Graziano

Dissertations

Along with numerous combinations of symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is linked to high dropout and non-response rates in treatment. Poor treatment response may be due to an inaccurate conceptualization of PTSD. One newer approach to the conceptualization of psychopathology is network theory. Network theory posits that symptoms both directly and indirectly reinforce each other, with connections between symptoms varying in strength. Previous studies of network theory and PTSD have found intrusive symptoms to be highly central, but have not included samples of individuals traumatized by interpersonal violence. Because trauma type has been shown to predict symptom presentations, this represents …

Impulsivity As A Trait Predictor In Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Jennifer Bertucci

Dissertations

Impulsive personality traits have been linked to pathological decision making in individuals who possess the trait. Impulsive pathological decision making may include acts of aggression, divergence, risky behavior, lack of self-care, etc. The purpose of this study was to examine impulsive personality traits among nursing students. Traditional students are defined by the following characteristics: earns a high school diploma, enrolls full time immediately after finishing high school, are financially dependent on parents, and either do not work during the school year or works part-time (the exception to the rule) (Choy, 2002). A non-traditional nursing student is defined as students who …

Chemoenzymatic Study Of Coa-Linked Rna In Bacteria, Krishna Sapkota

Dissertations

The ability of RNA to store genetic information and to catalyze biochemical transformations led to the speculation of the existence of RNA world before the evolution of contemporary ribonucleoprotein (RNP) world. Recent discovery of RNA molecules containing metabolic cofactors including coenzyme A and its various thioesters at their 5’ end further supported the RNA world hypothesis as these CoA-linked RNA molecules could be the molecular fossils with very ancient origin. As both RNA and Coenzyme A are believed to have co-existed since last universal common ancestor (LUCA) or even before, the CoA-RNA conjugates in current biology may reveal fundamental molecular …

Bulk Properties Correlated To The Hydrogen Bond Organization In Dendrimers, Hyperbranched Polymers, And Linear Polymers, Beibei Chen

Dissertations

Although a lot of research was conducted on dendritic polymers, our understanding of their structure-property is still limited. Our previous study, which focused on a family of dendritic polymers based on 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid (bis-MPA) as a monomer, discovered unique hydrogen bond organizations contributed by their dendritic structures. However, the influence of the H-bond organization on bulk properties has yet to be understood. The goal of this dissertation is to elucidate the correlation between the H-bond organization with the dielectric and volumetric properties of bis-MPA based dendritic polymers, with an emphasis on developing a fundamental understanding of to what extent …

The Ecology And Evolutionary History Of Two Musk Turtles In The Southeastern United States, Grover Brown

Dissertations

Turtles are among one of the most imperiled vertebrate groups on the planet with more than half of all species worldwide listed as threatened, endangered or extinct by the International Union of the Conservation of Nature. The Southeastern United States is a global biodiversity hotspot for turtles, and it likely represents the last area on the planet of both high diversity and high abundance of turtle species. In the past century, there has been an exponential increase in the number of publications on turtles in the United States and Canada, however a recent review of the literature suggests that this …

Huisgen 1,3-Dipolar Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition “Click” Reaction In Polymer Synthesis And Curing, Jie Wu

Dissertations

This dissertation’s key focus is on utilizing Huisgen 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne cycloaddition (AAC) reaction in copolymer synthesis and modification, including thermoplastic block copolymer and commercially available two-component polyurethane system. It can be divided into two major projects, introduced as follows.

The first project involves the development of a modular synthetic approach toward polyisobutylene (PIB)-based triphasic pentablock thermoplastic elastomer with enhanced moisture permeability. This terpolymer consists of a poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (SIBS) core and appended hydrophilic polymer blocks (HBs). The SIBS core was synthesized via living cationic polymerization (LCP) of isobutylene followed by sequential addition of styrene. AAC was utilized …

Transgender College Students In The English Composition Classroom In The Rocky Mountains, Tracey Williams

Dissertations

Transgender students face challenging and unique experiences in academic classrooms on college campuses. This qualitative study, which used queer and transgender theory, sought to examine the realities of transgender students’ experiences within the English Composition classroom in the Rocky Mountains. English Composition is a class nearly every undergraduate student must take, no matter their major. It acts as a microcosm of the college population. Composition classes are generally small (20-25 students), offering a more intimate setting than other general education classes in college. Additionally, personal writing is expected, as is sharing work with classmates for peer-review sessions. Within this context …

A View From Above: Alternative Perspectives On Smallholder Livelihoods And Agrobiodiversity Conservation In Northern Ecuador, Chris Hair

Dissertations

Food security and deintensification of agriculture are serious concerns in Latin America. Agriculture, especially at small-scale subsistence levels, is hard work, and comes with some economic and physical risk. Transitions from traditional multi-cropping to mono-cropping systems introduce two particular risks that are new to most smallholders: (1) the loss of agricultural diversity and (2) the potential for widespread failure when focusing on the cultivation of a single crop. This research explores how Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), or drones, can be used for rapid inventories of crop diversity and to enhance crop management techniques on small-scale farms. In the community …

Exploring Counselor Educators’ Experiences With Neuroscience-Informed Counseling Pedagogy, Savannah Rose Cormier

Dissertations

Human beings have been curious about the mysteries of the brain for centuries (Bear, Connors, & Paradiso, 2007). Modern advances in neuroscience technology and brain imaging techniques have allowed scientists to see the inner workings of the brains of living people, resulting in increased knowledge and understanding of how the brain functions and how learning occurs (Hardiman, 2012; Sousa, 2017). Findings from neuroscience research are rapidly being used to inform practices in fields such as education (Thomas, Ansari, & Knowland, 2018) and professional counseling (Beeson & Field, 2017; Field, Jones, & Russell-Chapin, 2017; Luke, Miller, & McAuliffe, 2019; Navalta, McGee, …

Foodism In Ireland 2019: Feeding Foodie Philosophy Or Showing A Shift In Contemporary Food Culture?, Sinéad Reil

Dissertations

“Everybody eats and drinks; yet only few appreciate the taste of food”

Confucius (551- 479BC).

This research study examines contemporary food culture in Ireland through the phenomenon of foodism and the habits and traits expressed through the subculture of foodies. Elements and actors of the Irish foodscape are also considered. Other topics it discusses are Irish food history, Ireland’s gastronomical global position and the modern Irish chef.

The thesis defined foodism as: “A keen or exaggerated interest in food, especially in the minute details of preparation, presentation, and consumption of food” (‘Foodism’, 2018a). In order to answer the five sub-research …

Self-Care Domains, Benefits Of Self-Care In Graduate-Level Training Programs, And Ways To Incorporate Self-Care Education And Practices In Graduate-Level Training Programs, Krystel Segovia

Dissertations

A literature review was conducted to examine the concept of self-care as a proactive means to manage the stressors of life, enhance professional competency, and live a well-balanced lifestyle, particularly for graduate-level psychology students. Different levels of distress, including stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout, were researched and discussed. The various domains of self-care were discussed as were the benefits of engaging in regular self-care practices. Finally, various ways to incorporate self-care into already established graduate-level training programs at universities and practicum training sites were discussed to enhance the training experience as well as mitigate burnout in the novel clinician.

An Examination Of The Night Burn Clinic Transition To Nurse Practitioner Coverage, Kevin J. Maxwell Dnp, Fnp-Bc

Dissertations

Background/Significance: Burns are dynamic, evolving wounds requiring prompt attention and treatment (Morgan et al., 2018). Many studies have been conducted comparing physician outcomes to those of APNs showing no difference (McCleery, Christensen, Peterson, Humphrey, & Helfand, 2011; Naylor & Kurtzman, 2010; Pioro et al., 2001; Roche, Gardner, & Jack, 2017; Spetz, Skillman, & Andrilla, 2017). Time delays which allow for progression of the injury have a negative impact on patient outcomes. Any pathway allowing for quicker review of the burn by a burn specialist should be welcomed (Kelly et al., 2013). APNs can augment physician efforts and expand access to …

Understanding Learner-Centeredness And Student Engagement In Undergraduate Biology Education, Ashley Barbara Heim

Dissertations

The overarching goal of my dissertation research is to better understand how undergraduate students engage in biology. Considering the notable lack of interest in the sciences among undergraduates in recent years, actively engaging more students in biology throughout college could potentially increase their motivation to learn biology and retain more students in science fields. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, I sought to discover the dimensionality of learner-centeredness in the biology classroom using a variety of instruments. Outside of the classroom, I aimed to describe college-age adults’ learning experiences at informal learning settings such as zoos via development and administration …

Geochemical Tracers Of Arctic Ocean Processes: A Study Of Gallium, Barium, And Vanadium, Laura M. Whitmore

Dissertations

The Arctic Ocean is linked to the global oceans and climate through its connectivity with the North Atlantic Ocean and the regional thermohaline deep water formation sites. It’s also a region undergoing rapid environmental change. To inform the community of potential changes in geochemical and biogeochemical cycles, this dissertation addresses three dissolved geochemical tracers (gallium, barium, and vanadium) as indicators of Arctic Ocean processes. Gallium is tested as a replacement for nutrient-type tracers in an effort to deconvolve Pacific and Atlantic derived waters in the Arctic Ocean basins. These water masses carry different heat and salt content and can influence …

Adapting To Obstacles: Inhibition And Creative Potential In A Sample Of Successfully Aging Older Adults, Cassandra Dinius

Dissertations

Studying older adults who are aging ‘successfully’ (i.e., avoiding disease/disability; maintaining high cognitive and physical functioning; engaging in meaningful interpersonal/social engagement) may offer insight into variables that contribute to cognitive change throughout the lifespan. Successful aging is related to levels of engagement, which may be promoted by the problem solving and reevaluation encouraged by the creative process (Fisher & Specht, 1999). Creative thinking requires the consideration of diverse concepts and strategies (e.g., generating many solutions), as well as the regulated filtering of these possibilities (e.g., neither too permissive nor too narrow when eliminating ideas; Baas, De Dreu, & Nijstad, 2011). …

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria, Antibiotic Resistance Genes And Potential Drivers In The Aquatic Environments, Shuo Shen

Dissertations

As antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic environment have been increasing across the world, affecting water quality and public health, many studies documented concentrations of antibiotic resistance genes and some studies discussed their potential drivers. However, systematic and quantitative reviews that link antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to anthropogenic and environmental factors are limited. Nevertheless, this information will be important for developing regulation policy on controlling antibiotic use and therefore reducing potential risks to antibiotic resistance. I conducted meta-analysis of ARGs concentration at a global scale using Bayesian inference to explore climatic and socio-economic factors as drivers. I found local-scale climatic variables …

Regional Differences In Wild North American River Otter (Lontra Canadensis) Behavior And Communication, Sarah Walkley

Dissertations

This study focuses on the vocalization repertoires of wild North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) in New York and California. Although they are the same species, these two established populations of river otters are separated by a significant distance and are distinct from one another. River otters are semi-aquatic social predators that can be found throughout North America. This is the first study to examine the vocalizations of wild river otters, and results are compared across field sites in the different regions. River otter vocalizations and behaviors in New York were recorded using Bushnell Aggressor trail cameras that …

Agonistic Grooming In Multiple Lemur Species, Jennie L. Christopher

Dissertations

Social behaviors are represented in every animal species regardless of the level of sociability found in the species. At the very least, conspecifics must interact for the continuation of the species. Depending on species, social behavior could merely consist of mating and territorial disputes, it could consist of a multitude of social behaviors that provide a way of navigating a complex societal structure, or it could consist of any level of interaction between those extremes. However, the behaviors that make up these social repertoires are not universal across species. They could differ in either the form or function of the …

An Investigation Of The Impacts Of Traditional, Virtual, And Hybrid Biological Laboratories On College Students’ Achievement And Motivation To Learn Biology, Shavonda Jackson

Dissertations

Virtual courses function in a different manner than traditional courses, therefore they require teaching methods and assessment techniques geared specifically to maximize this learning experience. Internet-based learning and distance-education are no longer new concepts in the science field. Because of this, many collegiate biology programs have created courses that can be taken virtual or hybrid. A number of experimental studies have had great influence in terms of the effects and impacts of educational technology in relation to virtual laboratories.

However, not many studies emphasize the impact of hybrid laboratories on student achievement or assess students’ motivation to learn in a …

Exploring Self-Determination Scores In Youth And Young Adults Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing, Kaitlyn Marie Millen

Dissertations

Self-determination is a potential predictor of in-school and post-school success, yet it has not previously been examined in youth and young adults who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). The purpose of this study utilizing a cross-sectional survey design was to (a) determine if the scores produced by the American Sign Language (ASL) version of the Self-Determination Inventory (ASL SDI:SR) are valid and reliable and (b) examine self-determination scores in youth and young adults who are DHH to determine typical areas of strength and need within the population and if scores vary by disability, communication mode, or educational setting. …

Design, Development And, Psychometric Assessment Of An Inventory On Concepts Pertinent To Developing Proficiency In Organic Reaction Mechanisms, Sachin Nedungadi

Dissertations

This three-phase study was conducted to design, develop, and psychometrically analyze the Reaction Mechanisms Concept Proficiency Inventory (RMCPI). In the first phase, open-ended interviews were conducted with organic chemistry instructors (N=11) to obtain their opinion on concepts pertinent to developing proficiency in organic reaction mechanisms. The results yielded 11 pertinent concepts. Additionally, participants believed that organic reaction mechanisms are essential for mastering organic chemistry and students have difficulty with understanding the meaning and utility of the curved-arrows. The difficulties that students have with reaction mechanisms could be due to a lack of understanding of fundamental general chemistry and organic chemistry …