Digital Commons Network^™

Characterizing Hexavalent Chromium Neurotoxicity Across Laboratory Models., Samuel Thomas Vielee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and potent toxicant. Exposure to Cr(VI) in drinking water is primarily associated with cancers, inflammation, and hepatotoxicity; however, recent studies have identified Cr(VI) as a neurotoxicant in rodent and cell culture models. The literature suggest chromium accumulates in the brain, induces widespread neurodegeneration, and alters rodent behaviors. Despite these data, we lack a detailed and consistent assessments of Cr(VI) neurotoxicity across models, and interactions between aging and Cr(VI) neurotoxicity are not reported in the literature. In this dissertation, we characterize Cr(VI) neurotoxicity across 3 laboratory models: Sprague-Dawley rats, Caenorhabditis elegans, and …

A Comparision Of Teachers' Ratings Of Published Versus Ai-Generated Descriptions Of Evidence Based Practices In Education., Lora T. Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The persistent gap between educational research and classroom practice continues to limit teachers’ use of evidence-based practices (EBPs), despite strong empirical support and federal mandates encouraging their implementation. A key barrier to closing this research-to-practice gap is the limited accessibility, usability, and perceived relevance of traditional research dissemination formats. With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) tools capable of summarizing and restructuring complex information, this study examined whether AI-generated practitioner-oriented descriptions of an EBP would be rated differently from a published practitioner article on the same practice. Using an experimental cross-sectional survey design, 70 in-service teachers were randomly assigned …

Understanding Social And Cognitive Influences In Medical Students' Learning Processes For Step 1: An Interpretivist Case Study., Ashley Elaine Triplett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative interpretivist case study explores, at a singular institution, medical students’ perspectives on the social and cognitive factors influencing the learning process as students prepare for the Step 1 examination. While prior research regarding medical students Step 1 preparation have focused primarily on wellness, stress, and career outcomes, limited studies have examined medical students' lived experiences to navigate what occurs during the learning process while they prepare for this critical exam. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach, this dissertation draws on fourteen student interviews, seven that passed Step 1 on their first attempt, and seven that failed. Findings reveal …

Congolese Mothers' Beliefs That Influence Health-Seeking Behaviors For Their Infants., Shawn Meiman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 2024, approximately 100,000 refugees were admitted to the United States, with 20% coming from the DRC, while Kentucky continues to rank fourth in the country for refugee resettlement. The increasing number of Congolese refugee children in the United States and Kentucky necessitates a greater understanding of these beliefs and practices to ensure equitable, quality, and culturally informed health services. The purpose of this study was to explore Congolese refugee mothers’ culturally and socially situated beliefs, perceptions, practices, and resources related to health care that may influence their views and practices of preventive well-child health care for their infants in …

Metamorphosis: An Original Jazz Guitar Concerto Exploring Improvisation And Polystylistic Strategies In The Modern Concerto, Ronnie J. Whitt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The electric guitar is underutilized in large ensemble art music. Some composers have sought to alleviate this deficiency by expanding the literature through the electric guitar concerto. Few electric guitar concerti are written for improvised jazz guitar, therefore presenting a need for this research. In this thesis, I explore the development of the jazz guitar concerto and nine compositional strategies that benefit composers writing a multi-genre jazz guitar concerto. I analyze selected jazz guitar concerti through lenses, including phrase-level compositional devices, textural and timbral schema, and musical hybridity, to identify these strategies. These concerti include: D.J. Sparr’s Katrina, Jake …

Artificial Intelligence For Cancer Imaging: Integrated Frameworks For Hepatocellular Carcinoma And Pulmonary Nodules., Ahmed Muhammed Sherif Mostafa Alksas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reliable, reproducible, and clinically useful artificial intelligence (AI) for oncologic imaging requires more than high headline metrics: it demands principled pipelines, calibrated predictions, and designs that generalize across anatomy, scanners, and institutions. This dissertation develops such pipelines in two complementary domains— hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on multiphase CT/MRI and indeterminate pulmonary nodules on thin-slice CT—while articulating evaluation and reporting practices that support credible clinical translation. The work proceeds in six core chapters. Two focused reviews synthesize the state of the art in (i) radiomics/AI for HCC and (ii) early assessment of lung nodules, mapping common pitfalls (data leakage, class imbalance, kernel …

Be Yourself: Life History Of Gay K-12 Educators In Kentucky And Their Lived Experiences., Kevin L. Garner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative life history study explored the lived experiences of gay male educators navigating authenticity, visibility, and advocacy in K–12 schools across Kentucky. Using Queer Theory as the primary framework, complemented by Queer Pedagogy, Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, and Minority Stress Theory, the research examines how social, institutional, and political contexts shape the professional lives and identity expression of gay men working in educational settings. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten participants, each sharing life narratives that illuminated the intersection between personal authenticity and professional identity within politically and religiously conservative environments. Through reductive analysis and thematic …

Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes: From Discovery To Clinical Application., Lewis Clayton Chew

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the evolution of TIL therapy from its discovery to clinical application, focusing on its use in treating metastatic cancer. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT), particularly TIL therapy, has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional treatments like chemotherapy. This review article traces the historical development of TILs, highlighting key experiments and clinical trials that have shaped its understanding and application as a therapeutic strategy for patients with metastatic and difficult to treat cancers including melanoma. Importantly, this article highlights recent advancements, including the FDA approval of Lifileucel, and explores emerging strategies to enhance therapeutic efficacy of TILs through …

Behavioral Manifestations Of Childhood Abandonment: African-American Men's Reflections And Strategies To Support Teenage Boys In K-12 Education, Jarmel Bell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the behavioral manifestations of childhood abandonment as reflected in the lived experiences of African-American men and to identify strategies that may support African-American boys in K–12 educational settings. Although there has been limited documentation regarding the direct connection between childhood abandonment and behavioral challenges in school environments, this study seeks to address that gap by capturing the reflections of African-American men who experienced abandonment during their formative years. These reflections provide insight into how abandonment may shape behavior in educational spaces and what types of interventions or supports might have made a …

The Butterfly Effect: Cognitive Coachingsm As A Catalyst For Educator Learning And Lasting Change, Katie B. Givens-Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) research study explores instructional coaches’ perceptions of the impact of Cognitive Coaching℠ on teacher instruction, efficacy, and professional learning implementation. Findings across the four research questions reveal a cohesive perception among instructional coaches that Cognitive Coaching℠ functions as a catalyst for teacher growth, agency, and efficacy.

Coaches described their roles primarily as facilitators who guide rather than direct, emphasizing trust-building, reflection, and empowerment as essential. The findings highlight that Cognitive Coaching℠ strengthens teacher self-efficacy, which aligns with the six core principles of andragogy, with coaches observing increases in confidence, risk-taking, and professional agency. The …

Assessing Post-Pandemic Engagement In The Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants, And Children (Wic) In Northeast Tennessee, Christen Minnick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since 1974, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has provided healthy food resources, nutrition education, and provider referrals for families at risk for poor nutrition. Public health professionals have consistently presented evidence that WIC engagement reduces premature births and infant mortality, improves child health and development, and increases specialized care access for participants. While average monthly participation in WIC has increased since the program’s inception, trends indicate that only around half of eligible families have consistently engaged with the program since 2011. Research has linked declining WIC participation to administrative burden, citing learning, psychological, compliance, …

Tennessee K-3 Teachers’ Perceptions Of Structured Literacy Curriculum Based On The Science Of Reading: A Phenomenological Approach, Amy L. Reece Townsend

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this study was to explore the perceptions and knowledge of Tennessee kindergarten, first-grade, second-grade, and third-grade teachers regarding early literacy and science-based curricula that incorporate the science of reading. This study examined the experiences of kindergarten through third-grade teachers in a Tennessee school district as they transitioned to a structured literacy approach grounded in the science of reading. The goal was to understand how teachers adapted to the new methods, what helped them succeed, and what challenges they faced during the change.

Data collection included in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Analysis of data occurred in three phases: (a) categorization …

Exploring Commuter Trio Students' Student Support Services At A Public University, Travis J. Batiste Edd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study explored the experiences and service needs of TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) commuter students at a public regional university in northern Louisiana. The literature review showed that while TRiO SSS programs have a demonstrated history of promoting academic success and retention for first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities, little institutional research has been conducted to better understand how student residential status impacts learning outcomes and utilization of campus resources. Drawing on Astin’s theory of involvement, this study described the lived experiences of TRiO SSS commuter participants and the impact of commuting on their engagement, programmatic use, …

Sex, Riots, And Holy Water: How Modern Society Desecrates And Reconsecrates The Sacred, Jodeyah J. Mills

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how modern societies desecrate and reconsecrate the sacred through rhetoric, ritual, and visual performance. Using three case studies, Nazi Germany’s transformation of Quedlinburg Abbey, the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, and Sabrina Carpenter’s controversial church music video, “Feather,” this project analyzes how sacred meaning is violated and restored in religious, civic, and popular contexts. Drawing on Kenneth Burke’s dramatistic cycle and postsecular theory, it argues that desecration and reconsecration are dialogic acts that expose competing moral vocabularies within culture. Each event demonstrates that even in a secular age, people respond to ruptures of ultimate meaning …

Secondary Special Education Teachers: Perceptions On Burnout Since The Start Of Covid-19, Regina Perez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined burnout among secondary special education (SPED) teachers following the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly disrupted education and intensified teacher stress. Burnout, defined by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, has been linked to teacher attrition and decreased student achievement. The problem addressed was the increased levels of burnout and stress among SPED teachers and the lack of sufficient administrative support to mitigate these effects. The purpose was to explore SPED teachers’ perceptions of burnout since the pandemic and identify the supports needed to reduce it. Using a qualitative case study design grounded in Maslach’s burnout theory, the …

Islamic Political Anti-Theology: A Discursive Practice Of Contingency Beyond Sovereign Politics, Jason Andrus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Contributing to the field of political theology from outside the European Christian tradition, this dissertation develops a description of the distinct logics that Islamic theology generates from its metaphysical assumptions. These logics in turn make possible a discourse of political anti-theology where politics operates through contingency rather than sovereignty. Political theology scholarship has excavated how modern politics derives from secularized Christian theological concepts—particularly transcendent sovereignty. This study demonstrates that Islamic theology's absolute insistence on divine transcendence (tawhid) produces something fundamentally different: a politics that renders sovereign authority conceptually impossible. I identify this discursive practice of political anti-theology through …

An Auto-Criticism: Exploration Of Professional Development For Secondary Science Educators, Mellissa Ann Pfaff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This auto-criticism investigates the benefits of experiential professional development for science educators by examining the reflective journey of one teacher-researcher—me—through multiple immersive learning experiences. Using narrative journaling and qualitative analysis, this study captures the influence of these experiences on my identity, instructional design, and ability to create experiential learning opportunities for students.

Rather than approaching professional development as a checklist of strategies, this research seeks to illuminate how deeply engaged, hands-on learning can transform teaching from routine delivery to embodied practice. Thematic coding revealed shifts in curriculum planning, increased responsiveness to student inquiry, and renewed clarity around the purpose of …

Capacity, Allocation And Update Dynamics Of Human Memory Systems, Shaoying Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Information is encoded and stored in three types of memory: sensory memory (SM), short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). SM has a large capacity but retains information for only a brief period. When information transfers to STM, only a limited amount can be stored. Information in STM can then be transferred to LTM, which has a much larger capacity and longer retention time. STM is often conceptualized as working memory (WM) to highlight its role in active information processing. Due to the limited capacity of STM, it is commonly believed that STM serves as the bottleneck for information processing. …

Archaeological Predictive Meta-Modeling In Pre-Columbian Mexico, Peter Stamm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Archaeological Predictive Modeling stands firmly as an important tool for Archaeologists to predict undiscovered sites from civilizations all across the globe. While powerful, this methodology is not without its own set of qualms. Striking a balance between pure a data-driven approach while also observing leading expert theories can be a complicated task. Going further, deciding on the specific domain of features to emphasize or overlook can be a challenge within itself, as one misstep can drastically change the output of model, sometimes for the worst. In addition, creating models that can expose their reasoning process can be rather difficult to …

Effectiveness Of Ai-Powered Language Learning Tools In The Workplace, Iswariya Baskar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored the experiences of multilingual employees with AI-powered language learning tools in financial and technology firms across the United States. As multilingual communication becomes increasingly vital in the workplace, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) offers promising support in language acquisition and cross-cultural collaboration. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how AI-powered language learning tools influence the acquisition and retention of foreign languages of employees within financial and technology firms, how these tools strengthen professional identity and interpersonal communication, and how code-switching facilitated by AI impacts user experience and workplace engagement. Drawing from the …

The Heart Of Policing: Exploring The Essence Of The Phenomenon Between Organizational Culture And Police Officer Job Satisfaction, Charles C. Palmer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the essence of the phenomenon between organizational culture and police officer job satisfaction among rural law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma. Retaining police officers has become an increasingly challenging task for law enforcement organizations across the United States, as high turnover, costly recruitment, and voluntary resignations continue to strain departments. While previous research has primarily examined demographic and occupational variables influencing satisfaction, limited attention has been given to how organizational culture affects the lived experiences of U.S. police officers. Guided by Edgar Schein’s organizational culture theory, this study examined how …

Breaking Barriers: Mentorship Pathways For Hispanic Women In Leadership Roles, Ana Paola Gonzalez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to understand the unique lived experiences of 10 Hispanic Latinas serving in leadership roles in 2-year community colleges in Texas. As the graduation rate of Hispanic women increases, institutions must identify mentorship programs that motivate women who continue to graduate to seek leadership positions within their institutions. Through life stories and lived experiences, the study's findings illustrate that mentorship is essential to creating, but that self-determination and self-advocacy also make it possible to find paths to leadership. Through thematic analysis, three themes emerged from the data: identity and representation, mentorship and support structures, and resilience and advocacy. …

How School Mentors Build Self-Efficacy In Novice Teachers: A Single Case Study, Christina Olga Sanchez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative single case study with embedded units explored how school mentors build selfefficacy in novice teachers across elementary, middle, and high school settings within a single public school district in Texas. Grounded in Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, which identifies four sources of self-efficacy: mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and emotional and physiological states, this study examined the specific strategies mentors use to build self-efficacy and foster confidence and instructional competence in novice teachers. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight experienced educators formally designated as mentors. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in mentoring practices and their …

Leading Beyond The Lecture: A Case Study Exploring How Community College Students Experience Their Instructors’ Positive Leadership Strategies, Mandy Morrison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Positive leadership, an approach to leading individuals to the point of flourishing, has been studied in corporate contexts. While the student-to-instructor relationships only distantly compare to the employee-to-supervisor dynamics, the relationships and power differential have similarities, making the pillars of positive leadership relevant in the context of higher education. Given the critical nature of student success to stakeholders in higher education and the students themselves, discovering instructor strategies that enhance student success can demonstrate an upward spiral of positivity that extends from the student, to the instructor, to the college, and ultimately to the community. Framed by leader-member exchange (LMX) …

African American Female College Students’ Experiences At Predominately White Institutions, Sh'nita Louise Mitchell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

African American women who attend predominantly White institutions (PWIs) have historically encountered systemic challenges that include racial isolation, microaggressions, a lack of cultural understanding, and insufficient institutional support. These barriers often impact their sense of belonging, academic persistence, and overall success. I aimed to explore the lived experiences of African American women who graduated from PWIs to understand how these women navigate institutional structures and sustain their academic journeys. I aimed to examine the unique challenges and supports experienced by African American women, and to identify factors that contribute to or hinder their persistence and success at their PWI. The …

The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, School Culture, And School Leadership, Virginia Lorean Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This study was a qualitative instrumental single holistic case study as outlined by Robert Stake in

1995. It focused on three research questions. The goal was to gain perspectives from teachers

and a principal on teacher retention and the culture of a campus. The emotional level of the

principal was evaluated on social awareness, self-awareness, relationship management, and self-

management by the principal taking part in an emotional intelligence assessment. The single

holistic case study approach was used, which had six phases of analyzing the data. The results

were then compared to the teachers’ interviews and surveys that were …

Digital Leadership: Secondary Education Principals’ Perceptions And Change Competencies Toward Implementing Digital Citizenship Curricula, Waylon M. Randolph

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Secondary education public schools are increasingly being confronted with student misuse of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Students are using these technologies to engage in disruptive and harmful behaviors like cyberbullying and sexting. As a result, some public school districts have responded by banning the use of ICTs in the classroom, while others have turned to teaching digital citizenship through a dedicated digital citizenship curriculum. However, effectively implementing such a curriculum remains a significant challenge. According to the literature, the best way to implement a digital citizenship curriculum is by fostering a positive school culture where stakeholders model and support …

Professor Perspectives: Inclusion Of Students With An Intellectual Disability In Transition Programming On A College Campus, Melissa Jane Massey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students with intellectual disabilities (ID) are often unemployed or underemployed compared to students who do not have ID. Transition or postsecondary programming for students with ID has increased in recent years in response to the U.S. federal requirement for special education professionals to complete transition plans before students turn 16. The requirement for transition planning in Texas is age 14, and the ARD committee including the student and parent come together to develop goals for future planning. Transition plans include information on future employment, future independent living skills, and agency connections that students with ID may need to access to …

Closing The Graduation Gap: Factors That Impact The Graduation And Enrollment Rates Of First Generation African American Male Students At Predominantly White Christian Universities, Byron C. Johnson Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

First-generation African American male students encounter unique challenges on their journey through higher education. These challenges include inadequate academic preparation, limited family support, financial hardships, and difficulties in finding a sense of belonging. Additionally, factors such as race and religion present significant barriers that hinder their ability to persist in and graduate from colleges and universities without institutional support. Strategic initiatives, programs, and services that address the specific needs of these students are crucial for promoting their academic and social integration, ultimately influencing their success in higher education. This study focused on the experiences of successful first-generation African American students …

Understanding Digital Communication Gaps With Hispanic Families In A Charter School In South Texas, Ruby Cabrera Aguilar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Now that access to technology is prevalent, digital communication in school districts and between schools and parents should be of high priority. Since schools do not emphasize digital communication policies and practices, a problem seen is a lack of communication across districts involving school staff, parents, and students. Determining school leaders’ roles in closing digital communication gaps through policies and procedures deserves further study because effective communication leads to awareness, involvement, relationship building, and student success. In this study, the knowledge gap theory and qualitative action research through reports and interviews assisted in understanding the perspectives of six school staff …