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Performance Of Cement-Free Geopolymer Composites Made With Locally Available Industrial Solid Waste Materials, Omar Fawwaz Abbas

Dissertations

This dissertation is concerned with developing sustainable cement-free mortars made with local industrial by-product materials. Ladle slag is generated in mass quantities from secondary steel treatment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is typically disposed of in stockpiles and landfills. Ladle slag is an excellent candidate for geopolymer composites because of its aluminosilicate composition. Such composites are developed by activating industrial by-products in alkaline solutions. This project aims to utilize locally produced ladle slag from the secondary steel treatment in the UAE to produce geopolymer mortars. The effect of various mixture proportions on the developed composites was assessed using …

The Noise, The Resistance, And The Message” Inconstruing The Construction Of Arab Bilinguals-Biliterates’ Trans-Identity Space: A Grounded Theory Approach, Maha Omar Alhabbash

Dissertations

This study explored the construing of the construction of trans-identity space for Arab high schoolers, undergraduates, and graduate students who are bilinguals and biliterates. To that end, the study fathomed the trajectories and the process of trans-identity space construction along with the translanguaging space of bilingual-biliterate Arabs. Employing a grounded theory approach enabled the researcher to understand the nature of trans-identity space and how it functions in tandem with the confluence of translanguaging practices that leads to language identity reproduction. To validate the results, two means were used: a semi-structured interview with the participants (n=36) from high schoolers, …

Evalution Of Peripheral Neuropathy Among Childhood Cancer Patients, Deborah R. Lee

Dissertations

The principal toxicity for children who receive vincristine for the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is peripheral neuropathy, with symptoms that negatively affect physical function and may require the reduction or withdrawal of chemotherapy; even though cumulative dosing has not been shown to increase peripheral neuropathy. This population not only has to deal with the physical challenges of cancer but also can have psychosocial and cognitive effects from treatment. Utilizing secondary analysis, the purpose of this dissertation is to examine peripheral neuropathy (PN) trajectory during the second year of ALL treatment which has not been investigated in children receiving …

The Impact Of Ecosystem Drivers On Investor Satisfaction In Dubai's Hospitality Industry For Destination Competitiveness And Investment Attraction, Ayesha Mohammed Binlootah

Dissertations

The travel and tourism industry accounts for more than 10% of the global GDP and has become a driver for foreign investments and destination competitiveness. The main objective of this dissertation is to examine the impact of ecosystem drivers (i.e., [C] Core Resources and Attractors, [S] Supporting Factors and Resources, [D] Destination Management, [P] Destination Policy, Planning and Development, and [Q] Qualifying and Amplifying Determinants) on Investor Satisfaction in Dubai's hospitality industry to achieve destination competitiveness for investment attraction. As part of the methodology, a partial least square is used to assess the interaction and impact of the ecosystem drivers …

The Influence Of Social Capital On First-Generation African American Gradaute Students: A Grounded Theory, Janeisha Anderson

Dissertations

First-generation African American/Black graduate students face challenges that must be overcome if they are to persist to degree completion. However, literature on factors contributing to their success and circumstances that hinder their academic outcomes is sparse. This qualitative grounded theory study investigated social capital and its influence on first-generation African American/Black graduate students' success. Participants (n = 17) were purposefully selected and included students who were enrolled or had already graduated, and others who had withdrawn from their graduate program. Thematic analysis of 17 interviews identified three primary themes: support within an academic setting, external support outside of an educational …

An Intersectional And Relational Approach To Investigating Narratives And The Suggestions Of Cultural Sociology: How Young Black Men Make Sense Of Violent Victimization And The Prospects Of Help-Seeking., Dale Aaron Dan-Irabor

Dissertations

Black men experience fatal and non-fatal violent victimization at a rate higher than any other dyadic group of race and gender in the U.S. (Harrell, 2009; CDC 2019; Rich 2009). However, there is not enough research focused on investigating how these men make sense of their victimization experiences and manage the consequences of exposure to violence. Therefore, using 55 interviews of young Black men, who came of age in New York City area, and self-reported recent serious violent victimization experiences, the present study details the results of an intersectional and relational approach to examining the suggestions of Cultural Sociology, to …

Novel Thioglycosides As Versatile Glycosyl Donors For Oligosaccharide Synthesis, Ganesh Shrestha

Dissertations

This thesis is dedicated to the development of new methodologies for efficient synthesis of carbohydrate building blocks and their application to chemical glycosylation. S-Indolyl (SIn) anomeric moiety was investigated as a new leaving group. Understanding of the reaction pathways for the SIn moiety activation was achieved via the extended mechanistic study. The activation profile of indolylthio glycosides required large excess of activators. This drawback was partially addressed by the development of N-alkylated SInR derivatives. The activation process was studied by NMR and the increased understanding of the mechanism led to a discovery of different activation pathways taking place with …

Improving Nurse Mentor Retention Through The Use Of Nurse Residency Programs, Morgan Newman

Dissertations

Graduate nurses beginning their nursing career require a collaborative relationship with an expert nurse mentor to make this transition successful. However, high turnover among these experienced nurse mentors is causing a problematic gap in knowledge transfer, experience, and expertise in the nursing workforce. This project investigated whether nurse mentors who mentored in a Nurse Residency Program (NRP) remained with the organization longer and were more satisfied with their mentoring experience than nurse mentors who mentored outside of a NRP. The diffusion of innovations theory was used to support the project and process of dispersing information on the outcome of the …

Fatigue, Self-Efficacy For Physical Activity, Physical Activity, And Quality Of Life In Women With Breast Cancer, Barbara K. Haas

Dissertations

This descriptive correlational study was conducted to examine the direct and indirect influences of fatigue, self-efficacy for physical activity, and physical activity on quality of life (QOL) in women with breast cancer. Relationships among these variables were compared between women with breast cancer and a comparison group of women. A theoretical model, philosophically congruent with a health within illness perspective and generated by integrating selected concepts from Pender's Health Promotion Model and Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, was used to guide the study. Instruments used to measure study concepts included the Piper Fatigue Scale to evaluate fatigue; a researcher developed Physical …

The Relationship Among Method Of Entry, Job Satisfaction, And Area Of Work For Male Registered Nurses, Geraldine A. Moore

Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between the method of entry into the nursing profession and job satisfaction of male registered nurses. There are three methods of entry for men who enter into a female dominated profession: seeker, one who enters the profession by choice; finder, one who enters by convenience; and settler, one who enters as a second career. Job satisfaction has six dimensions which include supervision, colleagues, pay, advancement, security, and opportunity. This study examined how male registered nurses compare in the six dimensions of job satisfaction when divided by method of entry. In addition, the relationship between method …

Particular Pains, Particular Sufferings: Using Sista Circle To Explore Belongingness As A Factor Affecting The Academic Persistence Of Black, Women Doctoral Recipients At Predominantly White Institutions In The South, Jasmine Denise Thornton

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to understand if belongingness, or the need to belong, is an inhibiting factor for Black women to the completion of doctoral programs, specifically at Predominately White Institutions (PWIs) in the South. This qualitative study employs the Sista Circle methodology to discuss the lived experiences of Black female doctoral recipients from Southern PWIs. The Sense of Belonging Model and the Sista Circle Methodology is used to inform the experiences of Black women doctoral students in relation to their academic persistence and overall programmatic experience. The findings from this study can also provide insight for diversity, …

Leadership Of The Pioneers Of Nursing Informatics: A Multiple Care Study Analysis, Ann Z. Branchini

Dissertations

This multiple case study analysis examines the leadership of an elite group of nurses known as The Pioneers of Nursing Informatics. Leadership was examined using a lens of Complex Adaptive Systems theory as developed by Cilliers (1998) following Yin's (2009) methodology of Multiple Case Study analysis with cross-case synthesis. The research questions focused on why the pioneers were considered leaders, and how the conditions and context were associated with the emergence of the specialty and the associated activities and accomplishments of the pioneers. Study propositions focused on the emerging nature of the specialty of nursing informatics, elements of leadership, the …

The Impact Of A Burn Injury On Family Caregivers Of Adult Burn Survivors, Diana Kidd

Dissertations

The survival rate of burn injuries is over 90 percent. Physical and emotional recovery from a burn injury may be prolonged. Family support is an important component of this recovery. However, little is known about the impact on caregivers. The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study is to explore the impact of a burn injury on family caregivers of adult burn survivors. An improved understanding of the stressors, challenges, coping, and involvement of family caregivers in caring for burn survivors will enable clinicians to better assist burn survivors and their family caregivers throughout the recovery process.

Prenatal Yoga Practice In Late Pregnancy And Patterning Of Change In Optimism, Power, And Well-Being, Pamela J. Reis

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore changes in human-environmental field patterning of optimism, power, and well-being over time, in women during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy upon completion of a 6-week prenatal yoga program. A descriptive design was used to answer research questions developed according to the Science of Unitary Human Beings theoretical framework: (1) what are the changes in patterning, as observed through the manifestation of optimism, power, and well-being over time, in women before beginning and upon completing a 6-week prenatal yoga program during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and (2) does …

Single-Parent Nursing Students In Associate Degree Nursing Programs: The Social Supports That Buffered Their College-Related Stress And Fostered Their Academic Success, Dawn R. Bunting

Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory case study was to describe single-parent associate degree nursing students' reports of the social supports that buffered their college-related stress and fostered their academic success. The study was designed to elicit participants' descriptions of the stressors experienced as a result of being a single-parent community college nursing student and the types and sources of support that were helpful in buffering their college-related stress and fostering their academic success.

The conceptual framework used in this case study was House's (1981) model of social support. According to House, social support is defined as "a flow of emotional …

The Ecology And Evolution Of Species Rarity In Oaks (Quercus Spp.), Yingtong Wu

Dissertations

Rare species are susceptible to extinction due to ecological and genetic factors. Understanding the distribution, ecology, and evolution of rare species can provide useful information for effective conservation. To investigate species rarity, this dissertation focuses on a species-rich and ecologically diverse genus, Quercus (oaks). In Chapter 1, I aimed to understand how interactions between hosts and soil microbes contribute to habitat restriction in oak species. I performed a soil inoculum experiment on two pairs of sister oak species that show habitat divergence. I found that host-specific soil microbes contribute to habitat divergence and exclusion among sister species of oaks, but …

Chess, Robotics, And Speech And Debate: An Analysis Of Critical Thinking-Oriented Afterschool Programs, Marc Leffler

Dissertations

Many high school students graduate lacking several key 21st-century skills needed for college, career, and life. Among 21st-century skills, researchers deem critical thinking fundamental to meeting life’s increasingly complex challenges, as it underlies primary thought processes such as reasoning, analyzing, and decision-making. This quantitative, quasi-experimental study compares the critical thinking ability of high school students involved in three programs: robotics, chess, and speech and debate. The study aims to determine whether these groups have statistically significant differences in critical thinking levels. Critical thinking ability was measured by scores on the Critical Thinking In Everyday Life assessment, a valid measure of …

The Lived Experience Of The Novice Nursing Dean: Exploring The Meaning And Significance, Melissa R. Bouws

Dissertations

Deans of nursing hold a unique position for the future of the profession. Few others have the potential to bring about change within the academic setting, or hold such a strong influence on the future of nursing and on our students. Current statistics reveal multiple vacancies in nursing dean positions. Further understanding of how nursing deans begin their role, attain their identity as dean, and successfully execute this important position is needed to recruit and retain strong leaders who have the methods and skills to develop and support the advancement of the nursing profession. Understanding the process of becoming nursing …

Factors Impacting Multidisciplinary Team Communication And Patient-Centered Communication Along The Cancer Care Continuum, Jessica Beckham

Dissertations

The deployment of navigators as liaisons between cancer patients and their Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT) affords a high level of coordinated care that is otherwise difficult to attain. Highly functioning navigators provide a multitude of support roles, the primary being the dissemination and interpretation of information to and from patients and providers in a manner that is digestible to all recipients. Navigators face hurdles in the form of communication breakdowns within the MDT which can negatively impact level of care and lead to patient uncertainty. Patients face additional barriers of their own which serve to further heighten uncertainty and cause patients …

Perceptions Of Role Transition Among Nurses Working In Both Clinical And Faculty Positions, Teresa A. Wenner

Dissertations

In response to the current nurse faculty shortage and the anticipated return of a nationwide shortage of Registered nurses (RNs), the use of part-time clinical nurse educators has been increasing. It was not known how nurses experience the work-role transition from clinical expert to part-time clinical faculty member when they subsequently work in both a clinical and an academic setting. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore this population. Research questions were: 1) How do part-time clinical nurse faculty members perceive the work-role transition from clinical expert to clinical instructor when they continue to maintain their …

Synthesis Of Novel Dna-Binding Polyamides To Prevent Cancer-Related Gene Overexpression, Huy Q. Nguyen

Dissertations

Pyrrole-imidazole polyamides (PIPs) are nanomolecular compounds designed to fit in the tight space of DNA minor grooves. As analogs of Netropsin and Distamycin A, PIPs are specifically designed to recognize the base pairs of DNA sequences. PIPs have many biological applications, such as regulating gene expression, biochemistry pathway regulations, and suppressing the development of cancer cells. SETMAR gene is the chimeric fusion of the SET domain with the mariner transposase. Its protein (Metnase) has functions involving DNA repairs in the NHEJ pathway, regulating gene expression, DNA decatenation, etc. Despite not having an active transposable element, SETMAR still has an unknown …

Utilizing The Expectancy Theory As A Predictor Of Student Academic Success On The Illinois Nurse Assistant Competency Examination, Kelli D. Whittington

Dissertations

This study researches the relationship between motivation and academic success by utilizing the concepts of Vroom's Expectancy Theory: Valence, Expectancy, and Instrumentality. In order to quantify motivation, the Valence, Instrumentality, Expectancy, and Motivation Score (VIEMS) was used. The population assessed consisted of 375 nurse assistant students in the state of Illinois. The self-reported survey tool was evaluated to assess the constructs of Vroom's Expectancy Theory, thus investigating their motivation level. This level was then compared to their performance on the Illinois Nurse Assistant Training Competency Examination.

A Delphi Study Of The Most Effective Actions Taken By Rural Superintendents In California To Improve Achievement For English Learners, Diana Jimenez

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this Delphi study was to have rural school superintendents whose districts have shown academic improvement as measured by the California School Dashboard identify the actions they have taken to improve academic achievement for English learners. In addition, it was the purpose to rate the effectiveness of the identified actions, and to describe the best methods for implementing the five most effective actions identified from the ratings. Methodology: This study employed a Delphi method, comprising three rounds to collect data. In Round 1, participants were asked to identify what actions they have taken to increase academic outcomes …

Towards A Revised Model For Cpa Firm Ownership And Compensation In A Tight Labor Market And A Changing Culture, Andrew Thomas

Dissertations

The Post Senior Manager (PSM) position is a relatively new development in accounting firms. PSMs are accountants who do not make partner either by personal choice or firm decision. Research relating to PSMs in large firms has indicated that demographics, especially gender, work-life balance issues, managerial skill, and geographic preferences, play a role in determining who becomes a PSM. Research also notes that PSMs are viewed as economically vital to firms since their high skill level and billed hours represent an essential component of firm revenue. At the same time, research notes that PSMs are often viewed unfavorably for not …

Personality And Psychopathology Correlates Of Institutional Misconduct Among Juvenile Offenders, Paula Floyd

Dissertations

Juvenile delinquency is a national concern, as delinquent behavior is associated with a host of poor psychosocial outcomes during later adolescence and adulthood. To address delinquency, it is important to understand psychological adjustment among adolescents who have already made contact with the juvenile justice system. One way to explore adjustment within this population involves examining personality and psychopathology correlates of institutional misconduct (i.e., behavioral infractions while incarcerated). While there is a robust body of literature regarding personality and psychopathology correlates of misconduct in adult inmate samples, there has been far less work devoted to these relationships among justice-involved youth. Furthermore, …

Software Protection And Secure Authentication For Autonomous Vehicular Cloud Computing, Muhammad Hataba

Dissertations

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing every technology we deal with. Autonomy has been a sought-after goal in vehicles, and now more than ever we are very close to that goal. Vehicles before were dumb mechanical devices, now they are becoming smart, computerized, and connected coined as Autonomous Vehicles (AVs). Moreover, researchers found a way to make more use of these enormous capabilities and introduced Autonomous Vehicles Cloud Computing (AVCC). In these platforms, vehicles can lend their unused resources and sensory data to join AVCC.

In this dissertation, we investigate security and privacy issues in AVCC. As background, we built our …

Nurse-Policymaker Process Improvements: Legislative Action Interest Group Participation In Policymaking, Brooke Newman

Dissertations

Governmental officials influenced health care decision-making rather than dialoguing with nurses, which was a call to action for Doctor of Nursing Practice leaders to mitigate the legislative governance process problem. The local professional nursing organization, action coalition, and I aimed to disrupt the systemic nursing practice problem, identifying the Future of Nursing (2020-2030) report recommendations at the legislative advocacy forums. For members of professional nursing organizations and action coalitions in California (P), will a Legislative Action Interest Group (LAIG) bi-weekly forum (I) compared to no policy participation forum (C) improve nurse policy participation by 10 % (O) over 8 weeks …

Principals' Knowledge Of Special Education Policy And Procedure And The Special Education Teachers' Intent, Tara Clark

Dissertations

Teacher shortage has been a growing problem. With the increase of teacher shortages, some areas are being impacted more intensely. Special education is one of the areas most impacted by the shortages. Common reasons exist as to why teachers are leaving the field or profession. These reasons may be personal or professional related. Some of the professional reasons for leaving pertain to the school’s administration and the way special education teachers are treated. Principal support is cited as one of the primary indicators of teacher satisfaction. Literature supports the analysis that a principal’s leadership heavily determines a teacher’s job satisfaction. …

Quality Of Life: The Dyad Of Caregivers And Lung Transplant Candidates, Cheryl A. Lefaiver

Dissertations

Informal caregivers are essential members of the healthcare team providing care, valued at over $250 billion each year, to millions of individuals who require assistance with health and daily care. It is important to examine caregiver QOL within various patient populations including lung transplantation, when patients' illness necessitates both acute and chronic care. Patients assigned to the transplant waiting list are required to have an identified caregiver, so nurses need to be informed about the patient-caregiver dyad, and their QOL. The study of caregiver QOL is important to enhance nursing knowledge and design nursing interventions that support caregiver-candidate dyads during …

Correlates Of Psychological Well-Being In Older Adults With Treatment-Resistant Depression, Selmi Kallmi

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that are associated with psychological well-being in older adults with late-life depression and determine if social participation moderates and/or mediates these relationships. This dissertation study utilized secondary pre-treatment data collected from the “Optimum: Optimizing Depression Treatment in Older Adults” study (Cristancho et al. (2019). Community dwelling older adults (N = 369) were included if they currently met criteria for MDD, had failed at least two prior trials of MDD medication treatment, and were able to visit the study site to participate in cognitive and physical functioning assessments. Hierarchical multiple regressions …