Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Service Provider Perspectives On Facilitators And Barriers To Needle Exchange Program Participation By Females Who Inject Drugs., Tammi Alvey Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the opioid epidemic lingers on across the country, many areas have set up harm reduction strategies such as needle exchange programs (NEPs) to combat the long-term consequences of injection drug use (IDU). Males and females face a plethora of health issues associated with injection drug use such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C. While males comprise the largest portion of the injection drug use population, most research is gender neutral, which makes it difficult to discern issues specifically related to females inhibiting our ability to design interventions and procedures targeted to address their needs. Females require varying …

Investigation Of Mitochondrial Inheritance In The Smut Fungus Sporisorium Reilianum., Hector Eduardo Mendoza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An important goal in evolutionary biology is to address the origin of Earth’s immense biodiversity through the evolution of complex sexual reproduction mechanisms in eukaryotes. Inheritance of mitochondria during sexual reproduction has received special attention in recent years, as these organelles cannot be synthesized de novo and must be transmitted from parent to offspring. The importance of these organelles far exceeds its common function as the energy-producing “powerhouse” of the cell, as it has been found to also be involved in fundamental processes like apoptosis, aging and metabolic homeostasis. Thus, appropriate inheritance of mitochondria is essential for growth and development …

Local Feature Selection For Multiple Instance Learning With Applications., Aliasghar Shahrjooihaghighi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Feature selection is a data processing approach that has been successfully and effectively used in developing machine learning algorithms for various applications. It has been proven to effectively reduce the dimensionality of the data and increase the accuracy and interpretability of machine learning algorithms. Conventional feature selection algorithms assume that there is an optimal global subset of features for the whole sample space. Thus, only one global subset of relevant features is learned. An alternative approach is based on the concept of Local Feature Selection (LFS), where each training sample can have its own subset of relevant features. Multiple Instance …

"If Fear Wasn't Enough?!": African American Perceptions Of Policing After Breonna Taylor's Unprovoked Death., Moriah Antoinette Bellamy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates how African Americans perceive the racialization process in the criminal justice system following the death of Breonna Taylor. Focusing primarily on police-community relations in Louisville, KY, I find the Breonna Taylor case amplifies preconceived perceptions of race between civilian and non-civilian groups. To test the hypothesis that racialization in the criminal justice system has caused damaging effects on relations between African Americans and police, two virtual focus groups were designed to discuss participants’ experiences with law enforcement. My findings suggest that the racialization process in the criminal justice system negatively skewed African American civilians’ attitudes towards law …

An Analysis Of Taste Neuron Morphological Variability: Influences Of Neuron Type And Plasticity., Lisa Christina Ohman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Taste neurons are functionally and molecularly diverse, but their morphological diversity was, until recently, completely unexplored. Taste neurons were considered relay cells, communicating information from taste-transducing cells to the brain without variation in morphology. Instead, individual taste neurons are tremendously morphologically variable. To determine how differences in branching relate to the number and types of taste-transducing cells providing neuronal input, I combined sparse cell genetic labeling with a whole-mount immunohistochemistry and analysis workflow. I found that the maximum number of taste-transducing cells capable of providing convergent input onto individual gustatory neurons varied with a range of 1-22 taste-transducing cells. Consistently, …

Visualizing Anhydrobiosis: Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation, Membraneless Organelles, And Cellular Reorganization., Clinton J. Belott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Water is an integral and necessary component of life. It is then, exceedingly remarkable that some species are capable of surviving virtually complete water loss for extended periods of time. Several decades of intense research into anhydrobiosis, or life without water, have given significant insights into the molecular mechanisms governing this phenomenon. Anhydrobiosis-related intrinsically disordered (ARID) proteins have been demonstrated to be critically important for desiccation tolerance in many anhydrobiotic species and exhibit a considerably wide range of protective properties that include membrane stabilization, reinforcing bioglass formation, and protein stabilization. This dissertation begins with cellular dielectrophoresis suggesting that two ARID …

The Forgotten Ones: A Qualitative Study To Understand The Phenomena Of Medically Disqualified Student-Athletes., Regina Chanel Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain a better understanding of the experiences of medically disqualified student-athletes (MDSA) at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I institutions. This study is significant because few studies have examined MDSAs, yet they present concerns around career-ending injuries. Drawing on the Kübler-Ross Model of Death and Dying (1969) framework, this study examined if MDSAs have faced experiences in stage-like forms such as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. This study called the attention of athletic administrators to examine and develop support resources for this often-overlooked student-athlete group. Over five chapters, this dissertation …

Black Codes Re-Envisioned: The Dred Scott Majority Opinion As An Antiblack Performative Speech Act., Tiffany Dillard-Knox

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a discursive analysis of the decision in the Dred Scott v Sandford, 1857 case written by Chief Justice Roger Taney. It begins with an overview of the literature on performative speech acts, focusing on the aspects of performatives that relate to Louis Miron and Jonathan Xavier Inda’s thesis that race is a performative speech act. Breaking from their use of race as the analytic, this analysis is situated within a black/nonblack paradigm. This provides a framework that focuses on the unique ways in which the discourse of the text enacts, accumulates and renders blackness fungible. The …

Coal Fly Ash Beneficiation For Reuse And Removal Of Boron, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, And Selenium In Wastewater Treatment., Joseph E. Cahill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

New regulations on coal-fired power plants make previously used wastewater treatment methods aimed to remove heavy metals obsolete. Therefore, there has been increased interest and investment into new technologies to treat coal-fired power plants effluent in the past few years. Traditionally, heavy metal removal technologies have been broken into three categories: physical, chemical or biological. However, with new regulations, each category by itself does not offer an ideal solution to removing acceptable concentrations of heavy metals found in the effluents at the coal-fired power plants. Here we report a novel proof-of-concept utilizing adsorption through ion-exchange/co-precipitation - chemical and physical - …

Analyzing The Non-Isothermal Multiphasic Flow In Porous Media Through Strongly Coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Modeling., Mohammadreza Mir Tamizdoust

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Underground geo-structures and climate change can trigger coupled heat, moisture, and vapor flow in shallow and deep subsurface which is frequently referred to as non-isothermal multiphase flow. The coupled multiphasic flow in soil may induce volumetric shrinkage or expansion deformation depending on the thermo-hydraulic loading condition. In saturated porous media, temperature gradient and heat transfer may affect pore fluid pressure and/or pore fluid flow depending on thermal, mechanical, and hydraulic properties of the media and the saturating fluid. In vadose zones, the prediction of coupled nonisothermal multiphase flow in porous media has been the subject of many theoretical and experimental …

Nursing Perceptions For Utilizing Essential Oil Application In Labor And The Effect Of Targeted Education, Joni R. Beckham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project was implemented to determine how a nurse’s perception of aromatherapy influences their decision to provide aromatherapy for patients during labor and the effect of targeted education on a nurse’s perception. The purpose of this project was to determine how nurses view the use of aromatherapy resources at their disposal and the likelihood that they would offer the intervention to their patients. This project provided education to increase nurses’ confidence in providing optimal care to patients using a traditional and holistic avenue of aromatherapy while determining if education can positively influence nurses to support essential …

The Relationship Of Hospital Ceo Gender And The Patient Experience: The Role Of The Mediating Effects Of Hospital Characteristics, Lanean M. Lang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this quantitative study, I investigated CEO gender and the patient experience in acute care hospitals in Texas for 2019. As the patient-experience has been the metric for quality patient care and hospital reimbursements, hospital CEOs play an important role in promoting positive patient experience as they lead the organization in strategic goals. The study is relevant as a shortage of experienced and qualified healthcare leaders is expected as baby-boomers retire. The lack of women leaders remains a challenging issue. The purpose of the study was to assess the gender differences of the CEO on the impact of patient experience …

An Exploration Of Teachers’ Perceptions And Experiences Serving Students Of Incarcerated Parents In A Rural Setting, Melissa P. Phelan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The increase in the United States prison population over the past several years has precipitated a record number of children in the public school system with incarcerated parents. Consequences of this trend have recently been given significant attention by researchers due to the myriad of difficulties noted to be associated with parental incarceration. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the perceptions, experiences, and insights of educators in a small rural district in Texas as they serve students experiencing parental incarceration. Presentation of an educator in context schema was provided by the application of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological …

School Nursing Practice And Experiences During School Closures, Susie E. Birden Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This evidence-based quality improvement project was to evaluate public school nurses’ relationships and reaction to their new work environment during the closure of schools in Northern California resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This project addressed the change in school nursing, especially the nurses’ working environment. A stress management program was offered to the school nurses as an intervention to give them information on perceived stress. The stress management program included mindfulness and stress-relieving techniques over a 1-month period. The research methodology used in the project was a pre- and postintervention using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS) to measure if the …

The Efficacy Of A Rapid Rehousing Program Serving Adults Experiencing Homelessness In West Central Texas, Unique Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the dynamics of homelessness and examines one agency (Abilene Hope Haven) that aims to help homeless individuals receive permanent housing. This study explores the characteristics that influence the likelihood of placement in permanent housing within 12 months at Abilene Hope Haven. The different types of supportive housing programs and their roles in helping homeless individuals will be discussed. Secondary data gathered from the Homeless Management Information System were entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, and then a logistical regression analysis was created to explain the relationships between the different characteristics and permanency placement. A key …

Secondary Traumatic Stress In School Psychology Practicum And Internship Students, John Phillip Burnett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School psychology practicum and internship students increasingly engaged in activities in which they assisted children and clients who were survivors of various traumatic experiences. It has become apparent that the psychological effects of secondary traumatic stress (STS) extend beyond those directly affected and impact those in a variety of helping professions. Despite research that examined STS in various helping professions, gaps currently exist that describe STS in school psychology. In reported research, similar helping professionals engaged in school psychology service activities, which resulted in elevated STS symptoms and other adverse outcomes (Ravi et al., 2021). This study posited that school …

Addressing The Psychosocial State Of High-Risk Individuals Undergoing Hereditary Cancer Screening By Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (Aprns) In The Community Oncology Setting, Aquilina Kerubo Thompson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Neoteric advances in genetics make it possible to define genetic risk in cancer, and there should be methods in place to provide comprehensive genomic care with oncology advanced practice registered nurses bridging this gap. The current scope of nursing practice stipulates genetic and genomic literacy; however, there remains a deficit among advanced practice registered nurses in identifying and addressing psychosocial distress during the genetic cancer risk assessment process. Oncology advanced practice registered nurses must be equipped with the knowledge that the genetic cancer risk assessment also involves protecting patients from the psychosocial repercussions of carrying a hereditary cancer gene …

Reducing The Potential For Physical Harm In Student Nurses Caring For Clients Who Are Under The Influence, Hunter William Halford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This DNP project was conducted to identify gaps in knowledge and adequate preparation of nursing students in safely caring for a client who is behaving violently and is under the influence of illicit drugs. Student nurses are trained using a generalist approach, meaning they are taught the essentials of a variety of topics. It is not until these students enter the workforce that they are trained specifically for a certain position. Currently, the curriculum does not address specific measures to maintain client and personal safety. It is an almost unavoidable fact that a nurse will encounter a violent client or …

Online Course Communication And International Student Academic Performance, Christie L. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Online course communication activities can be used to support the social and cognitive needs of students in online courses, but when those students are international students from across the globe studying in the United States where there are language and cultural differences, online learning can be a challenge. The purpose of this study was to examine undergraduate international students’ online course communication behaviors and their academic performance in order to inform quality online course development and delivery. In this qualitative case study, semistructured interviews with 11 undergraduate international students were conducted, online course communication behaviors were observed, and five faculty …

Interventions For Ninth-Grade Middle-Achieving Students, Bradley C. Cook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Implementing intentionally designed interventions to improve students’ academic performance has been a focus of educational stakeholders for decades. However, the implementation of academic interventions for average-achieving students, particularly during their freshman year of high school, appears to be lacking. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to explore designed interventions implemented by high school administrators from two unified school districts in California that focused on the academic performance of middle-achieving students during their ninth-grade year. This qualitative grounded theory study focused on the perspective of a purposive sampling group of high school administrators, which included principals, assistant principals, …

Retention Factors Of Rural East Texas Superintendents, William Z. Crawford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify factors that influence retention of school superintendents in rural Texas. Constant turnover in the position of superintendent has created inconsistent learning environments for students and unstable working environments for staff. Small, rural schools have often served as steppingstones for superintendents who use their experience in these small rural districts to obtain positions in larger, suburban schools. The researcher used semistructured interview questions to conduct this study. In this qualitative case study, participants were recruited from the educational service center of Region VII school districts in Texas. One group included superintendents …

Food Addiction And Obesity, Lisa Ling

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The obesity rate in the U.S. adult population has increased to epidemic levels despite attempts to decrease obesity through evidence-based knowledge, clinical practice guidelines, medical interventions, and individual efforts. For certain individuals, food addiction behaviors such as food cravings, loss of control, and binge eating contribute to obesity and require a different approach to care. Little work has been done on adding the possibility of food addiction to obesity screening and treatment. This study utilized a quasi-experimental quantitative pre- and postsurvey research design based on Lewin’s change theory. Nurse practitioners were surveyed regarding the provider’s perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs about …

Exploring And Understanding The Culture Of Young Adults Who Vape: A Focused Ethnography, Beth Tremblay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Vaping, the act of inhaling an aerosolized liquid, is associated with health risks. The 18- to 25-year-old age group has the highest rate of vaping among adults. Understanding culturally held values, beliefs, and experiences associated with the behavior of vaping in young adults may uncover the social mechanisms that underpin vaping initiation and influence continued use. The purpose of this study was to explore and understand the cultural values and beliefs about vaping among young adults. Method: The method used for this study was a focused ethnography. Young adults who currently vape nicotine (N=24) were recruited via snowball method …

Exploring The Impact Of The Achievement Gap On Shame And Resilience In African American College Students, Brittany R. Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The achievement gap refers to the stark difference that occurs between racial or gender groups, as one group performs significantly higher than the other. An achievement gap has the propensity to produce psychological distress, as well as buffering techniques that are necessary for survival and success. Growing research shows that African American college students experience unique levels of trauma, shame, hardship, macro, and micro-aggressions, suggesting that these students learn to self-preserve as early as 10 years old. This study used a Pearson correlation, Independent T-Test, and a Moderated Multiple Regression to explore the impact of the achievement gap on shame …

Inviting Friendship: A New Approach To Nonprofit Communication, Stacia Glenn Wetherington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Beginning with Greeks’ concept of virtuous friendship philanthropy has been part of society. Metaphors of civitas, caritas and social responsibility dominated man’s understanding of charity until the explosion of neoliberal thought in the 1980s. The Band Aid movement in response to the Ethiopian famine permanently changed the way we view philanthropy. This movement created an environment of extreme commodification of charity which has created a highly competitive nonprofit sector and a loss of the collective spirit upon which it was founded. This competitive atmosphere has led nonprofits to chase dollars at the expense of their missions while also relying heavily …

Technological Change And The Practice Of Healthcare Communication: Implications For Patient-Centered Care, From A Communication Ethics Perspective, Emmalee Torisk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Written in a historical moment marked in many ways by the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes it has wrought, including the increased availability and use of telehealth services, this project attempts to consider the implications of the continued integration of technology into health care, centering on the following essential question: How do technological changes affect the contemporary practice of healthcare communication, particularly that which occurs between the patient—the consumer of health care—and their provider? This dissertation thus considers the ways in which such linkages of technology and health care seem to fit into a larger shift within health care …

Identification Of Fluoxetine-Sert Interactions And Apo-Sert Studies Via Crosslinking Mass Spectrometry, Elizabeth Castellano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The serotonin transporter (SERT) is a member of the neurotransmitter sodium symporter family of transporters. SERT controls the magnitude and duration of serotonergic neurotransmission by facilitating the reuptake of serotonin back into the pre-synaptic neuron and is thus a target for antidepressants. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, are commonly prescribed to treat depression. SSRIs act by blocking reuptake and prolonging serotonin signaling. However, significant problems regarding selectivity and mechanisms of action of these drugs remain unresolved. The structures of SERT and related transporters have been determined and serve as useful structural models. However, they are typically mutated …

The Effects Of A Treatment Package Of Video Self-Modeling And Phrase Drill Intervention On Improving The Reading Fluency In Students With Asd, Maha Alghamdi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the incidence rate of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Saudi Arabia appears to increase, the need for evidence-based reading interventions that focus on the reading development of students with ASD increases. Reading fluency has been identified as a critical component of reading development and has been consistently linked with reading proficiency. Interventions to promote reading fluency in schools in Saudi Arabia have focused on promoting the literacy attainment of typically developed students, disregarding students with disabilities. In this study, a treatment package of video-self modeling and phrase drill has been used to improve the students reading fluency …

A Qualitative Case Study Of The Influence Of Student Presence In Teacher Professional Development, Katharine Roche

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although research exists on many of the various types of teacher professional development, it lacks in the area of teacher professional development in the presence of students (Durbin, 2018; Margolis et al., 2016). This exploratory case study of a suburban school district in southeast United States will contribute to the field by examining teacher and teacher leader perception of professional development in the presence of students. According to Margolis et al. (2016), teaching or learning changes cannot occur without simultaneous adjustments in the structure and culture of teacher professional development. Schools must adjust teacher professional development to better support teachers …

New Texas Elementary Teachers' Perspective Of Needed Supports For Career Retention: A Qualitative Study, Patrick Guy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study specifically investigated new elementary teachers' perceptions of the support they need during the first five years of their teaching experiences to influence their decision to remain both at their current teaching assignment and in the profession. The literature detailed specific elements of leadership within the realm of support that lends to teacher retention. A qualitative methodology was employed for to collect in-depth interview data from three Texas elementary entry teachers. The original intent was for five participants, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only three participants took part in this study. The researcher identified themes that emerged from …