Comparison Of Nutrient Concentrations And Primary Production Indicators Across Plume Fronts, Taylor Dishon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Coastal buoyant plumes carry low-salinity waters containing particulate and dissolved terrestrial materials with an abundance of nutrients into the coastal ocean, including inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous. Plume fronts act as transport barriers created from the convergence of a fresher plume with an older, saltier plume or with ambient waters, leading to potential accumulation of phytoplankton and nutrients. This accumulation creates an optimal environment for primary production. The primary goals of this study were: to investigate the distribution of and potential relationships between nutrient concentrations and chlorophyll a across plume fronts of the Winyah Bay River Plume, and examine potential relationships …

Perceptions Of First-Year College Students On Respect In The Classroom During Their High School Career, Jane Adele Bailey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the influence of teacher respect on classroom climate, student- teacher relationships, and academic performance. Through interviews with college students reflecting on their high school experiences, this research identifies specific teacher actions and communication that foster respect in the classroom. By identifying what respectful communication and actions are through the interviews, teachers will be able to use these in their classrooms.

Six themes were identified by the participants lived experiences. They are: teacher demeanor, social interaction, attitude, emotional support, instructional management and facilitation, and listening. The results gave specific actions and communication, in the eyes of the participants, …

Beyond The Individual: A Dyadic Mixed-Methods Study Of Work–Life Balance In Entrepreneurial Households., Juliana Binhote

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Entrepreneurs operate at the intersection of work and family systems; yet, their experiences with work–life balance (WLB) remain underexplored—particularly in relational contexts. While existing research highlights the psychological demands of entrepreneurship, it often overlooks how family dynamics shape entrepreneurs’ experiences of balance, conflict, and boundary management. Guided by boundary theory, conservation of resources theory, and the goal attainment balance model, this dissertation investigates the question: How do entrepreneurs experience and make sense of their work-life balance? To answer this question, I designed a dyadic exploratory mixed-methods study. In Study 1, I conducted in-depth interviews with family business entrepreneurs and their …

Reclaiming Space: Unhoused Population And Their Use Of Public Libraries., Marcellos Desmond Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores how unhoused individuals navigate and utilize the spatial dynamics of public libraries, with a specific focus on how they assert agency into the public space. Public space is examined at the institutional level and through the influential roles of individual workers. Public libraries serve as both refuge and resources for unhoused individuals, and this study highlights the complex dynamics that arise within them. Drawing on observations and informational informal interviews, I examine how unhoused people utilize and navigate the physical space of a public library in a large metropolitan area. I find that unhoused people adapt to …

Popular Culture As Conduit: Navigating Integrated Marketing Communication In An Age Of Hyperconsumerism, Abbey N. Mccann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the discipline and practice of integrated marketing communication, acknowledging the limitations inherent in analyzing a field deeply embedded in the structures of hyperconsumption. This inquiry adopts a constructive hermeneutic approach, interpreting the dialectical tensions that define integrated marketing communication. These tensions include that between commercial imperatives and cultural critiques, which are further complicated by the influence of popular culture and shifting political climates. As popular culture increasingly intersects with sociopolitical discourse, brands are compelled to navigate these dynamics publicly. This evolving landscape reshapes consumer perceptions and brand strategies, reinforcing integrated marketing communication’s role as both a cultural …

Role Of Cellular Proteins In The Regulation Of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Gene Expression And Dna Replication, Joseph R. Heath

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a ubiquitous human pathogen that infects the majority of the human population. To facilitate infection, this virus relies on a combination of host and viral factors. Previous studies have revealed a number of host proteins that associate with the HSV-1 genome throughout infection but their putative role(s) in this process remain undefined. This study aims to examine two such proteins to determine their contributions to HSV-1 gene expression and DNA replication. The first of these factors is Ints3, a subunit of the Integrator complex. This protein complex functions in transcription regulation, and Ints3 …

Examining The Lived Experiences Of International Students At East Tennessee State University, John The Baptist Anodjo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the lived experiences of international students at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), specifically examining how they navigate social, academic, and structural challenges. Through in-depth interviews with 20 international students from a variety of nationalities, I analyzed issues related to legal status, housing, food insecurity, healthcare, and social integration. I found that students encounter barriers due to immigration policies, financial constraints, and limited access to essential resources. Additionally, international students benefit significantly from support provided by campus services, community organizations, and their social networks, which play a vital role in their adjustment process. While institutional resources are beneficial …

"No One Leaves For Free": A Media Analysis Of The Lived Experiences And Cumulative Impacts Of The Flint Water Crisis., Jordan Leigh Gatewood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In April 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan changed their municipal water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River. The effects of this change have been felt far and wide as news broke across the nation that this water was contaminated with lead and residents of Flint were getting sick. This research analyzes 170 news articles from three local and three national news outlets over a 10-year span, 2014 to 2024, to determine how community voice is presented in news media to portray the lived experiences and cumulative impacts of the Flint Water Crisis. Applying a Critical Environmental Justice …

Deaf Faculty Members’ Experiences In Higher Education Institutions, Stephanie Proctor Horvath

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Deaf faculty members bring diverse perspectives to higher education, yet their experiences remain underexplored in academic research. The critical first year of teaching can shape their career experiences, revealing both opportunities for growth and systemic barriers. The purpose of this study was to understand deaf faculty members’ experiences, focusing on their transition into academic roles, the accommodations provided in their workplaces, and the challenges they faced. This study employed a qualitative phenomenological design, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 15 Deaf faculty members, whose teaching experience ranges from 1 to 30 years. In the reflexive thematic analysis and AI-coding of this data, …

Exploring Factors Influencing Care And Outcome Among Stroke Patients In Tennessee, Omodele Agbejimi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in Tennessee. Socioeconomic variables influence the delivery of stroke treatment and its outcomes. Despite advances in acute stroke care, the burden of stroke keeps increasing. This study aimed to explore literature on factors contributing to stroke care and outcomes in the U.S., assess the determinants of stroke patients’ outcomes, and examine the geographical disparities in stroke hospitalization and stroke death rate and their association with stroke care accessibility in Tennessee.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted using socio-ecological models to explore literature on factors contributing to stroke care and outcomes. A …

The Diversity Of Our Weightlifting Uniforms: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Experiences Of Gender And Sexual Minorities In Gyms, Rachel M. Schott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Gender and sexual minority (GSM) populations experience significant mental and physical health disparities compared to their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts. A particularly understudied modality that may contribute to these disproportionate health outcomes is decreased engagement in physical activity (PA). Gyms are a primary source for PA, yet understanding GSM experiences in these spaces is relatively understudied. The purpose of the present study is to better understand the experiences of GSMs in gym spaces with an emphasis on barriers and facilitators to their engagement. We conducted semi-structured phone interviews among self-identified gender and sexual minorities across the U.S. Thematic analysis was used …

The Intersection Of Appalachian Identity And Gambling Behavior, Noah S. Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relation between Appalachian identity and gambling behavior among students in central Appalachia (n = 395). One-way ANOVAs revealed no significant differences in engagement, F(2, 392) = 0.65, p = .523, or severity, F(2, 392) = 0.33, p = .718, across identification groups. Moderated regression showed that identity did not significantly moderate the engagement–severity relation (B = 0.073, p = .099), though engagement itself was a strong predictor of harm (B = 0.696, p < .001, R² = .521). Negative affect predicted both engagement (B = 0.074, p = .001) and severity (B = 0.069, p = .001), while identity remained non-significant. Logistic regression found that identity predicted gambling engagement (Exp(B) = 1.18, p = .034) only when controlling for severity. These findings relay the importance of empirical efforts in Appalachia and suggest that Appalachian identity may not be an independent risk factor in gambling behavior.

Administrator Perceptions Of Title I Parent And Family Engagement Practices And Policies During Covid-19, Rebekah Owens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine Title I administrator perceptions of facilitating parent and family engagement practices and policies prior to, during, and post Covid-19. The literature shows one of the leading factors in a child’s academic learning is family engagement (Henderson & Mapp, 2002). The Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships highlights ways in which administrators and school staff can be successful in engaging families and building strong partnerships by meeting four different capacity skills. Data collection strategies included semi-structured, one-on-one interviews, via Zoom video or audio interview, observation, document review, and field notes. Analysis of data …

Evaluating Online Autism Information: A Content Analysis Of Language, Quality, And Interventions, Jada R. Beal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The internet is a widely used source of autism-related information, yet previous studies demonstrate that the quality, accuracy, and language used in such content remain inconsistent. This study conducted a content analysis of 356 autism-related internet sources obtained from top Google search results, examining their use of neurodiversity-affirming language, the quality of health-related information, and the inclusion of evidence-based interventions. Results showed that medical model language and person-first terminology were more common than neurodiversity-affirming language. Sources targeting caregivers were significantly more likely to use medical model language than those aimed at autistic adults. Only 12.92% of sources included quotes or …

Integrated Stem Education For In-Service K-5 Elementary Teachers: Definitions, Self-Efficacy, And Teaching Practices, Amani Alhassan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasing interest has been evident in implementing integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching in public schools. However, teachers need to be professionally prepared and increase self-efficacy in teaching integrated STEM in their classrooms. Little is known about how teachers' self-efficacy in teaching integrated STEM is related to teachers' practices around STEM integration, particularly in K-5 classrooms.

This convergent mixed-methods study involved surveys with open- and close-ended questions to determine the integrated STEM perceptions, definitions, classroom teaching practices, and self-efficacy level in teaching integrated STEM for 79 northeast Tennessee K-5 teachers. The study also investigated the relationship between teachers' …

A Case Study Of The Perceived Support Needs Of Community College Faculty, Ramona C. Shelton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored the perceptions of community college faculty members in Tennessee regarding the supports they feel they need to be successful academicians both inside and outside of the classroom. Thirteen faculty members participated in the study, representing the 4 faculty ranking categories at the institution: adjunct/part-time, new full-time, junior/untenured, and senior/tenured. Interviews were semi-structured to allow the participants the opportunity to share their honest experiences on what support needs they have, how those needs have been met, and what support areas they expect to emerge in the future. Four academic administrators also participated in the study in …

Give Me A Break: Exploring The Use Of A Reset Room On Secondary School Students And Resilient Practices In Tennessee, Alex White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The culmination of toxic stress and social-emotional instability can result in significant challenges for students. Incorporating an appropriate response to address the social-emotional needs of students must be a priority if schools seek to see improvements in attendance, discipline, and ultimately academic success. Resilient middle and high schools recognized the need to create innovative spaces for students to learn how to self-regulate challenging emotions during the school day. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to investigate the relationship between chronic absenteeism, office disciplinary referrals, and the use of Resilient Schools Reset Rooms in middle and high schools from …

The Impact Of Estrogen Loss On Caveolin Expression And Cardiac Myocyte Remodeling In Ovariectomized Mice Following Chronic Sympathetic Stimulation, Juliana Barnie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease (CVDs) remains the top cause of death globally, with postmenopausal women at higher risk due to estrogen decline. Beta-Adrenergic (β-AR) signaling is a major regulator of heart function. Caveolins, structural proteins of caveolae, coordinate cell signaling activities in the heart by co-localizing with estrogen receptors and β-AR and contribute to maintaining healthy cardiac function. The caveolin scaffolding domain (CSD), a binding component of caveolin, has shown therapeutic potential in animal models of heart disease. However, most studies on CSD have been completed in male mice. This thesis evaluates the therapeutic potential of CSD in female mouse models and …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Work Environment And Job Satisfaction Before And After Covid-19, Carla Sexton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological, qualitative study examined teachers’ perceptions of the work environment and job satisfaction before and after COVID-19. The findings may support school leaders by providing insight into what keeps teachers fulfilled in their careers, aiding in the retention of teachers in the district. Purposeful sampling was used to identify general education teachers who taught in one school district before and after COVID-19. Twelve interviews were conducted using open-ended questions and semi-structured questions to gain a better understanding of teachers’ experiences and perceptions. Each interview was transcribed and coded by the researcher. The results of the interviews led to the …

The Lived Experiences Of Navajo Nurses During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Stephnie Ann Leeson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When COVID-19 was diagnosed on the Navajo Nation, the impact on the people and the healthcare system was not understood. For almost three years, Navajo healthcare workers battled what was known to the Navajo as Dikos Nitsaaígíí Náhást’éíts’áadah, translated as The Big Cough. The Navajo Nation President, Jonathan Nez, referred to it as a Monster, as did many people in the Navajo Nation. Navajo nurses on the frontlines battled the monster daily as they saw friends and relatives succumb to the insidious disease. Much has been written about nurses off the reservations working on the frontline during the pandemic. However, …

An Evaluation Of Key Components Of Natural Resource Camps, Undergraduate Persistence And Success In Natural Resources, Brandy Bishop

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the key components that connect natural resource camps, undergraduate persistence, and overall success through gainful employment within the natural resource industry. The aim of this study was to assess early interest and attitudes towards natural resource career pathways and how education interventions shape students’ career outcomes thus leading to overall success. A longitudinal mixed method design was used combining Conservation Careers Camp survey data (n = 39) with institutional records for Forestry majors (n =655) in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus. Quantitative data was analyzed through …

Assessing And Developing Higher Education Faculty Digital Competency For Workplace Preparation In A Digital Society, Yolanda T. Martinez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A shared global theme across higher education institutions is the need for training and development regarding digital competencies for higher education, yet there are little to no digital competency frameworks for faculty at higher educational institutions, like there are for K12. What can leaders in higher educational institutions do to prepare adult learners for a digital society and workplace that continues to expand globally in every field? Should every school adopt XYZ College’s approach, where leadership collaborated and developed an emerging technologies academy (ETA) to provide support and training on emerging technologies provided and supported by the college to self-enrolled …

Origin Of Purpose, Career Satisfaction, And Life Satisfaction: A Quantitative Study On Early Career Professionals, Anne K. Hocking

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the early 2000s, research has increased on purpose and how it correlates with fulfillment outcomes in life and career satisfaction. This research has been valuable in professional and academic fields and helped develop leadership practices and interventions for organizations to increase satisfaction levels among employees and students. This study focused on the general problem that research dedicated to purpose has not adequately addressed whether origin of purpose affect its outcomes on fulfillment levels, particularly those of life and career satisfaction. To address this consideration, the researcher conducted a quantitative associative correlation to measure if and to what extent origin …

Black Women In Information Technology Leadership Roles: Examining Their Experiences With Recruitment, Retention, And Advancement, Adepeju O. Adedeji

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Black women account for only 3% of the information technology (IT) workforce in the United States, with a lower percentage in leadership roles. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Black women who had attained leadership roles in the IT field. The researcher examined the opportunities and challenges Black women faced in their recruitment, retention, and advancement to leadership roles. The purpose of the study was to understand the strategies that aided Black women who experienced successful recruitment, advancement, and retention in IT to extract insights that can be leveraged for other Black women. The researcher conducted interviews …

Principal Self-Efficacy: A Qualitative Study, Vance E. Self

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored elementary principals’ perspectives on the importance of selfefficacy in relation to management responsibilities, instructional leadership, and moral leadership as they impact student achievement measured by the STAAR in a Central Texas school district. The research addressed the growing challenges principals face in high-accountability environments, focusing on how their beliefs in their leadership abilities affect school performance and student outcomes. The purpose was to examine principals’ views on selfefficacy across three domains and to consider implications for leadership preparation, district support, and policy. The study was grounded in a constructivist paradigm and employed a qualitative case study …

Electronic Health Record Downtime, Grace R. Baldauf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Electronic health record (EHR) downtime presents significant challenges to patient safety and care quality in acute care settings, particularly regarding timely medication administration. This project addressed the problem of late or absent medication doses during planned or unplanned EHR downtime. The investigator aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured downtime plan in improving nurses’ ability to administer medications on time during periods of EHR unavailability. The investigator used a quantitative design to implement a downtime plan evaluation paradigm. Data were collected using retrospective chart reviews of medication administration records pre-implementation and postimplementation of the downtime plan. The sample included …

Performance Of The Two Sample Likelihood Ratio Test Under A Nested Dirichlet: A Simulation Study, Edwina Agyeman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Compositional data analysis (CoDA) addresses multivariate data constrained to a constant sum, such as proportions or percentages. Originating from early warnings regarding misinterpretation by Pearson (1897), the field was formalized by John Aitchison in 1986, whose foundational work remains highly influential. Over time, new modeling techniques and visualization tools have advanced the field, as noted by Greenacre et al. More recently, Turner et al. proposed an approach based on the Nested Dirichlet Distribution (NDD), which accommodates more flexible dependence structures than the standard Dirichlet model. This thesis builds on the methodology of Turner et al. Chapter 1 introduces the nature …

Perceived Leadership Behaviors And Workplace Motivation: The Predictive Role Of Generational Cohorts In The U.S. Construction Industry, Leslie D. Klinegardner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which perceived leadership behaviors predicted workplace motivation among construction workers across generational cohorts in the Greater Houston, Texas area. Grounded in self-determination theory, the research explored how transformational, transactional, and passive-avoidant leadership behaviors predicted the satisfaction and frustration of psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The analysis also considered whether leadership behaviors and generational cohort served as significant predictors of workplace motivation outcomes. The study followed a quantitative, predictive, cross-sectional design using survey methodology. Data were collected using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and the Basic Psychological Need …

Institutional Betrayal And Military Vaccine Mandates: An Inquiry Into Loss Of Health Autonomy Concerning Unlimited Liability Contractual Employment In The Covid-19 Era, Aaron G. Dehaven

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The balance between government control and personal liberty is a growing concern in the modern world. Nowhere is this more evident than in discussions surrounding government policy in public health and individual health autonomy. The Covid-19 pandemic forced many institutions to change their standard operating procedures by adapting to rapidly changing health guidance instituted to protect public health. These changes highlighted the role of health autonomy and individuals’ rights to refuse medical treatments. The Department of Defense changed many aspects of how it operated during the pandemic, including the mandate of the Covid-19 vaccine for all service members. For various …

Exploring The Impact Of Generative Ai To Mitigate Educator Burnout, Katie E. Acevedo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study examined how sixth–12th grade educators at a single-gender public school in West Texas perceived the role of generative AI in reducing workload, minimizing stress, and supporting professional autonomy. The study focused on concerns related to teacher burnout and the time demands of instructional and noninstructional responsibilities, exploring how emerging technologies might offer practical relief. The study aimed to understand how educators use generative AI tools and identify both the benefits and challenges associated with their integration. Framed by job demand-resource theory, connectivism, and heutagogy, the research explored how generative AI can function as a job resource, …