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Psychological Wellbeing And Sense Of Community Among African Americans: Does Purpose In Life Matter?, Yatesha D. Robinson

Dissertations

This dissertation examined the relationships between sense of community, purpose in life, and psychological wellbeing among African Americans. It investigated whether purpose in life moderated the relationship between sense of community and psychological wellbeing. Although previous studies have linked a sense of community and purpose in life with wellbeing, few studies have examined these relationships among African Americans using a multidimensional model. The data for the current analysis were drawn from the third wave of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States study (MIDUS 3), collected between 2013–2014. The sample included 98 African American men (n …

The Neuroanatomical, Neurochemical, And Phenomenological Correlates Of Social Bonding, Empathy, And Flow In Music Improvisation, Edward A. Roth

Dissertations

The three studies in this dissertation explore the biological and phenomenological under-pinnings of music improvisation related to bonding, empathy, and flow. Musical improvisation is a multi-dimensional behavior encompassing motor, cognitive, affective, and often social domains, and as such, it is reasonable to consider that music improvisation shares many characteristics with other forms of non-musical extemporaneous behavior, such as carrying on a verbal dialogue. The primary aims of this three-study dissertation were to (1) determine the feasibility of the study designs and interdisciplinary methods; (2) examine potential differences in the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological correlates of improvisation between non-musicians and musicians; and …

A Study Of Communication Practices Between Office And Field-Based Personnel In Home Healthcare Agencies, Ruth M. Bates-Hill

Dissertations

The population of developed countries is rapidly aging. People want to age in their residence, and as they advance in years, most people will need assistance with activities of daily living and perhaps medical assistance to remain at home. Home health aides provide a large portion of such care. However, the annual turnover rate of home health aides exceeds 60% due to factors such as low wages, poor benefits, and a challenging work environment. Many studies have been conducted to elucidate the factors contributing to job satisfaction in the home health aide population, yet despite decades of research, turnover among …

On Prediction Of Early Signs Of Alzheimer’S— A Machine Learning Framework, Abdalrahman Alsaedi

Dissertations

Dementia is a collective term used to indicate a loss of memory functions with the presence of at least one additional loss of a major cognitive ability that hinders a person’s previous level of functioning. Studies show that dementia is highly age- associated and that the most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Early recognition of Alzheimer’s disease, before irreversible damage to the brain has already occurred, is paramount to slowing or preventing the disease. Therefore, algorithms for the prediction of early signs of dementia are essential. Machine learning approach has been reported to use several data sources such …

Reframing National Women's History Month: Practicalities And Consequences, Skylar Bre’Z

Dissertations

This study evaluates the practicalities and consequences of designating one month (March) out of the calendar year for the commemoration of women’s history. In the 1970s and 1980s, national women’s organizations such as the Women’s Action Alliance (WAA) collaborated with the Smithsonian Institute and the Women’s History Program at Sarah Lawrence College to build programs to increase awareness of women’s history. Using an interdisciplinary approach grounded in feminist theory, media studies, and historical memory studies, this project contextualizes the commemoration through its connection to 1970s women’s activism, explores its usefulness as a tool for building educational equity, and questions its …

On Problems In Random Structures, Ryan Cushman

Dissertations

This work addresses two problems in optimizing substructures within larger random structures. In the first, we study the triangle-packing number v(G), which is the maximum size of a set of edge-disjoint triangles in a graph. In particular we study this parameter for the random graph G(n,m). We analyze a random process called the online triangle packing process in order to bound v(G). The lower bound on v(G(n,m)) that this produces allows for the verification of a conjecture of Tuza for G( …

Institutional Changes In Western Michigan University For Incorporation Of Education For Sustainability, Saman Khan

Dissertations

Higher Education institutions (HEIs) have the potential to be significant contributors in the pursuit of a sustainable world through the incorporation of Education for Sustainability (EFS). However, HEIs are entrenched with structures and values that are often resistant to change. The literature reveals that instructors’ beliefs and institutional contexts are the two main factors that impact the implementation of institutional change for sustainability education. Western Michigan University (WMU) has created new required curriculum “WMU Essential Studies” (WES) for undergraduate students and they have targeted sustainability as an essential learning outcome, by integrating and applying it in content courses. Using a …

An Integrated Approach For The Assessment And Monitoring Of Land Deformation In The Riyadh City And Its Surroundings For Identifying The Controlling Factors, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Aljammaz

Dissertations

An integrated approach (remote sensing, field, geodesy, geology, and hydrogeology) was conducted to assess and monitor land deformation at Riyadh city and its surroundings. Two settings were investigated. The first, Jinadriyah area (1.5 km²), an urban area located east of Riyadh city, was selected to assess deformation associated with urbanization over desert lands. The second location was Al Kharj area (19,790 km²) to the south of Riyadh city, a reclaimed desert land that was selected to assess the deformation associated with agricultural groundwater extraction from fossil aquifers. My investigations revealed high subsidence rates (up to -30 …

Leadership Strategies That Exemplary K-12 Latina Superintendents In California Use To Create An Organizational Culture Of Inclusiveness Using Kennedy’S Five Leadership Qualities Of Cultural Differences, Martha Martín Pérez

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed methods study was to identify and describe the leadership strategies that Latina superintendents in California use to create an organizational culture of inclusiveness using Kennedy’s (2008) 5 leadership qualities of cultural differences.

Methodology: This sequential explanatory mixed methods study analyzed quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to identify and describe strategies found when analyzing the data. This study summarized the findings that emerged to identify and describe strategies that create an organizational culture of inclusiveness.

Findings: Examination of mixed methods data from the 15 Latina superintendents in California participating in this study indicated …

Mixed-Method Investigation Of Truancy Intervention Program In A Midwest Public Urban School District, Stephanie Scurlark-Belt

Dissertations

In pursuance of analyzing attendance at Midwest Public Urban School District (a pseudonym), the researcher investigated the high school’s truancy intervention program's effectiveness. The research intervention program's goal was to find what worked in the program, what needed to be changed, and how practical the truancy intervention program was. To investigate the program, the researcher used a Skyward software system to collect all quantitative data. The data system gave all chronological data information covering attendance from the Freshman enrollment 2016-2017 school year to the first semester senior year, December 2020. Qualitative data were used to analyze if the truant students’ …

From Barriers To Success: How Elementary School Principals Strategically Lead Schools To Become 21st Century Learning Exemplar Schools, Heather Gold

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to examine the barriers and support systems elementary principals describe, through the lens of Activity Theory, they experienced while leading their schools to achieve 21st century learning exemplar status.

Methodology: This phenomenological study examined the perceptions of 15 elementary and K-8 principals and their respective assistant principals regarding the barriers and support systems they experienced while leading their schools to achieve 21st century learning exemplar status. Participants were selected based on the criteria that they had been identified as exemplary by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21); were public, non-private, …

Confronting And Dismantling Whiteness In Higher Education: A Grassroots Approach, Winnie Needham

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to investigate how an Educational Studies department in a small, Midwestern liberal arts college might confront and dismantle whiteness in curricular, pedagogical, and policy choices. Utilizing a critical participatory action research design, five higher education faculty engaged in a critical conversation inquiry group (Schieble et al., 2020) to develop their critical literacy (Rogers and Mosley, 2014). This study was designed to answer the following questions: How do faculty within an Educational Studies department think about their racial identities and the relevance of racial identity to the program, the institution, and higher education? …

Technology-Enhanced Interaction, Residency Requirements, And Student Characteristics In Fully Online Programs And Their Relationship With Student Connectedness, Susan Dellasega

Dissertations

This study included an investigation of several aspects of fully online programs and their relationship with student connectedness. Bawa (2016) stated retention rates for fully online students lag far behind their traditional in-person counterparts. Green et al. (2017) concluded online students who feel more connected are more likely to persist in their online programs. This quantitative study included data collected from students enrolled in fully online programs offered by a regional, four-year public institution. The survey instrument included a measurement of student connectedness as determined by the Online Student Connectedness Survey (Bolliger & Inan, 2012). Additional information collected from participants …

Strategies Exemplary Mental Health Leaders Use To Stay Grounded While Working With Veterans, Audrey Dangtuw

Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this explanatory mixed method study was to identify and describe what exemplary mental health leaders in Puget Sound area mental health facilities serving veterans do to maintain their physical, emotional, intellectual, social, vocational, and spiritual health based on the six dimensions of Rosen's (2014) healthy leader model.

Methodology. An explanatory mixed methods approach was selected to allow the triangulation of data to increase the validity of the findings. The study analyzed quantitative surveys to identify how exemplary mental health leaders rate their use of grounded leadership strategies and qualitative semi-structured interviews to identify strategies exemplary mental …

A Comparative Analysis Of Effective Mathematics Curriculums In The State Of Missouri, Matthew Robert Britt

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the mathematics curriculums and implementation strategies of high-performing school districts in Missouri. The study was designed to determine any similarities or differences in the selection of mathematics curriculums or in implementation strategies among these high-performing school districts. Scores from the mathematics section of the ACT during the years all Missouri 11th-grade students were mandated to take the ACT were used to make determinations about the efficacy of mathematics curriculums and implementation strategies. The school districts with an average score in the top 10% of the state during the mandated years were asked …

Which School- And Community- Characteristics Lead To Charter School Success?, Susan Marino, Sarah Ranney

Dissertations

Charter schools have existed in the United States for thirty years, with mixed results. Research has largely focused on charter school failure and an analysis of what led to the demise. This study aimed to understand characteristics predicting charter school success, alongside those predicting failure. Specifically, it focused on a charter school’s first six years to understand how one successfully establishes a strong foundation, with the expectation that early success will lead to long-term success.

To understand characteristics predicting charter school success and failure, a review of existing data determined which charter schools were successful. Then, founding school leaders were …

Evaluation Of An Elopement Risk Assessment Tool In An Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital, Beth Lockhart

Dissertations

Persons admitted to acute care, inpatient psychiatric facilities often pose a threat to themselves or others, a situation which could quickly devolve if they were to leave treatment prematurely. There is a need for an elopement risk assessment with appropriate interventions correlating to level of risk. An acute care, inpatient psychiatric hospital implemented an elopement risk assessment tool in March of 2020. This quality improvement project used an observational descriptive design and comprised of a retrospective chart review, aimed to determine the effectiveness of the risk assessment tool on decreasing elopements. Charts of those that eloped in 2019 (n=8) and …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Antiviral Drug Candidate Molecules Against The Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Ali Abbas Sabi

Dissertations

Abstract

Pyrrole-imidazole polyamides (PAs) are small molecules that typically develop H-bonds to bind to the minor groove of DNA. PAs are of interest because they can be designed to recognize DNA sequences. PAs have numerous biomedical applications in areas like regulation of gene expression and antimicrobial activity. Specifically, polyamide UMSL1011 (a polyamide synthesized in Dr. Bashkin's lab) inhibits replicating vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) by binding the viral RNA inside the nucleocapsid, as indicated by research at Professor Ming Luo's lab at Georgia State University. However, some reports have revealed that polyamides have a low affinity for “simple” double-stranded RNA. Nevertheless, …

Increasing Adherence Of Pump Integration With Electronic Medical Record Through Simulation, Judi Reeves

Dissertations

Problem: Intravenous (IV) medication errors account for one-third of the medication errors made by nurses in the United States. A measure to combat medication errors is the development of IV pump integration where the IV pump is electronically connected to the electronic medical record (EMR). With IV pump integration, the nurse is responsible for turning on the pump, scanning the medication and the IV pump, and confirming in the EMR. Human error is removed when the IV pump integration system automatically programs and starts the IV pump. This is a technical system which requires the nurse to have expertise in …

Is United States’ Economic Power In Decline? Can China Replace The U.S. As The World’S Next Economic Superpower?, Islam Bakirci

Dissertations

The decline of American economic power has been passionately debated for decades. Starting from the Kennedy administration, there were many cases that declinist scholars interpreted as the beginning of American economic power decline. The financial crisis of 2007-09 is the latest case of the same debate. However, unlike the previous cases, declinist scholars who support the idea of U.S. economic power is in decline after the financial crisis, strongly believe that this time the decline is different. This time the decline is real. In addition, the same scholars also argue that China, as an economic challenger which is different from …

At The Top Of The Chart: A Composite Counterstory Of Black Students’ Mathematical Success, Joslyn N. Richardson

Dissertations

Mathematics as a discipline has ignored the experiences of African American students, making it difficult for them to develop strong mathematical identities and racial identities in relation to math. Black children and their academic achievements are often framed negatively, and underachievement and failure are often emphasized over their brilliance and resilience. This qualitative study adds to the limited body of knowledge by examining student perspectives and socialization factors that contribute to positive math identity and achievement in middle school students. Using a Critical Race Theory framework, data was collected through semi-structured interviews and math autobiographies that were structured around the …

Effect Of Instructional Support Structures On Novice Teachers’ Efficacy And Job Satisfaction, Ashley Nicole Klein

Dissertations

As school districts across the nation continuously struggle to retain high-quality, effective teachers, a closer look into teacher efficacy and job satisfaction was warranted (Ingersoll et al., 2018; Sutters & Savage, 2016). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among novice elementary teachers’ efficacy, instructional support, and job satisfaction in their first through fifth years of teaching. Five hundred sixteen Missouri public school districts were invited to participate in the study, and 48 school districts participated. The instrumentation for this study included the Teacher’s Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES), the Leadership Coaching Competencies Inventory, and the Job …

Systems Of Success: African American Women Prepared, Dawna Sturdivant Wharton

Dissertations

This study generates a vision for African American schooling based on the lived experiences of Black women, born between 1965 – 1980, who have persisted through college and graduate studies. This research centers the voices of Generation X African American women, to discover the impact school systems have had on their development toward adulthood and how their experiences help construct their vision of Black education for the future. Using the ecological systems theory to position that school systems help create meaning and impact development towards adulthood, the study asks participants to envision an education system that enables success for African …

The Effects Of Mobile Devices & Maker Projects On Middle School African American Students’ Stem Knowledge Base & Interest, Allen L. Savage Sr.

Dissertations

The nature of future employment is rooted in the sciences, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Educating the current and future workers will require the inclusion of STEM education, especially in the K-12 classrooms. African Americans run the risk of being left behind in future STEM jobs due to their poor STEM representation throughout institutional education. In general, African American students have a poor attitude towards and poor academic performance in STEM. This research was explored using ubiquitous smartphones and a unique form of student-centered learning called maker education to increase the attitude and STEM knowledge of African American middle schoolers. …

Construct Linear Quasi-Interpolants On Infinite Intervals, Johara Farah Albaliwi

Dissertations

In solving the data interpolation problem, which is fundamental in data analysis, we typically deal with the data samples spread in a finite interval [a, b], which results in the operations involving finite-dimensional matrices. There are many interesting results developed under this framework. However, when the data samples are given from an infinite interval [a, ∞) (for certain special types of real-world applications), many existing results would not work anymore due to the special properties of the infinite data samples. A new framework should be established to support the infinite data samples.

In this dissertation, we develop a special tool …

Risk-Taking Behavior Of Alcohol Use Among Young Adults Who Have Aged Out Of Foster Care, Elizabeth Ana Borroto Levine

Dissertations

Risk-taking behaviors such as excessive alcohol use in adolescence may become destructive habits in adulthood and pose major health problems. For aged-out foster care teenagers (AOTs), the behaviors are especially increased. The study purpose was to determine the incidence of alcohol use among AOTs in South Florida and to test four hypothesis measuring the variables of self-perceptions (self-esteem), risk perceptions (costs/benefits), social/environmental perceptions (peer influence), peer group characteristics (peer values), and risk-taking behaviors that would predict alcohol use among AOTs living in South Florida.

Suicide Mortality Of Emergency Department Patients, Briony Marie Dubose Mhi, Rn, Lss, Bb

Dissertations

Purpose The purpose of this retrospective comparative study is to describe relationships among biological, psychological, sociocultural factors and emergency department (ED) care among discharged ED patients and describe the association of these variables with subsequent suicide mortality.

Rationale Identifying patients who are most at risk of suicide mortality post ED discharge can focus resources, refine interventions, and prevent suicide. Additionally, recognizing patterns of ED care including ordering of a psychiatric evaluation and disposition status can provide data for potential practice changes.

Background Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and has been since 2008. Suicide …

Matrix Product Structure Of A Permuted Quasi Cyclic Code And Its Dual, Perian Perdhiku

Dissertations

In my Dissertation I will work mostly with Permuted Quasi Cyclic Codes. They are a generalization of Cyclic Codes, one of the most important families of Linear Codes in Coding Theory. Linear Codes are very useful in error detection and correction. Error Detection and Correction is a technique that first detects the corrupted data sent from some transmitter over unreliable communication channels and then corrects the errors and reconstructs the original data. Unlike linear codes, cyclic codes are used to correct errors where the pattern is not clear and the error occurs in a short segment of …

An Education System Built On The Pillars Of White Supremacy And Anti-Blackness: A Collection Of Autoethnographic Studies Depicting How Black Kids Never Had A Chance, Abena B. Boateng, Ida B. Casey, Jamie C. Klupe, Julie C. Moorman, Angeline Williams-Jackson

Dissertations

In this collection of autoethnographic studies, a group of five women with differing racial identities takes us through each of their deeply personal journeys of social justice awareness and transformation. Using the theoretical frameworks of Critical Race Theory and Critical Whiteness Studies, these women share personal narratives of their lived experiences depicting how the education system in the United States is built on the pillars of White supremacy and anti-Blackness. Through their stories, we learn that schools are not meant for all students to succeed, and in actuality, Black students never had a chance. This collection of autoethnographic studies exposes …

Surviving And Thriving As A New Principal: Discussing What It Takes To Be A New Principal Through A Narrative Approach, Patrick Fisher

Dissertations

One often overlooked aspect of school success and student achievement is the vital role of the school principal. While much of the education reform conversation focuses on topics such as accountability, school-family connections, and individual teacher practices, it is the principal who ultimately impacts each of these areas and who can be the driving force behind school growth. Considering this, current high rates of principal turnover are troubling as this may impact many schools across the country. If a principal is to have a positive impact on a school community, it will take a long-term effort, and for this to …