Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing The Psychological Benefits Of Biophilic Design In Therapeutic Counseling Spaces, Andrew Graf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the intersection of biophilia and counseling, aiming to illustrate the potential benefits of integrating nature-based interventions into therapeutic practice. Biophilia, the innate human tendency to connect with nature, has garnered attention in various fields, yet its implications for counselors remain unexplored. This qualitative study employs a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to investigate the lived experiences of counselors who have incorporated biophilic elements into their practice and the perceptions of clients who have engaged with these interventions.

Through semi-structured interviews with licensed counselors, themes emerged regarding the impact and use of biophilic interventions on the therapeutic process. Findings suggest …

But I’M A Good Person: The Resistance Of White Emotionality Exhibited By Offenders Of Racialized Incidents, When Addressed By Student Conduct Practitioners, Anne Mullarkey Sawa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experience of American conduct practitioners in their process of responding to reported racialized incidents. A diary method was used for participants to capture their experiences and interactions with the person(s) harmed and the offender. Of particular focus was the response of the reported offender when confronted by the conduct practitioner regarding their role in the incident. This study sought to determine in what ways resistance was exhibited by the offender, if at all, in addition to what strategies conduct officers employed when responding to resistance by the reported offender. A total of ten …

School Nurses And Administrators Perceptions Of School Preparedness: A Focused Ethnography, Deborah Horton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Disasters are dangerous for schools where many children are located in one area. Children were significantly impacted by a biological incident during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic. Research is needed to determine the values, perceptions, and beliefs of school disaster preparedness through a cultural lens.

Methods: A focused ethnography was used to interview school administrators and nurses from April-December 2022 to explore and understand the unique culture of school disaster preparedness. Data was analyzed according to Leininger’s Four Phases of Data Analysis.

Results: Twenty-four participants from K-12 public schools were interviewed resulting in …

Barriers, Facilitators, And Competencies In Advocating For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities With Health Disparities, Carol Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Nurses working in the specialty of intellectual disabilities are positioned to advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities and other health disparities. This study explored nurses’ perceived competencies, barriers, and facilitators when advocating for improved health status in adult patients with intellectual disabilities.

Methods: Twenty-five nurses working in the specialty of intellectual disabilities were interviewed using semi-structured interviews, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Barriers identified in advocacy were: Funding, Communication, Negative Perceptions and Misperceptions, Lack of access, and Diagnostic Overshadowing. Nurses were also facilitated in advocating for improved health status in people with intellectual disabilities. Facilitators …

Cultural Diversity In The Body Of Christ: An African American Theological Reading Of The Book Of Revelation, Charles Gilmer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study will attempt to facilitate a more helpful reading of the text of John’s Apocalypse by placing it in an appropriate literary and historical context, deploying an African American hermeneutic, informed by the work of African American commentators such as Brian Blount, Allen Dwight Callahan, Clarice Martin, and Shanell T. Smith to develop from the text of the Apocalypse its ecclesiological content for a contemporary audience. As the church writ large (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and indigenous expressions) wrestles with its increasing global presence and the cultural and linguistic diversity which that expanded presence creates, this study will attempt to …

The Contributions Of Philosophical Anthropology To Healthcare Ethics, Bura Koroba

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The first principles of bioethics, autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice have contributed immensely to healthcare ethics. The procedural approach streamlines the decision-making process, protects vulnerable subjects, and fosters stability and trust in the patient-caregiver relationship. Yet, the principles are demonstrably insufficient, riddled with limitations and loopholes that could stand in the way of care.[i] Several recommendations have been proffered to remedy the deficiencies. Value ethics, for instance, has been touted as a proficient addendum to the foundations established by the principles. Still, these have not sufficiently addressed all arising issues in bioethics. Besides the challenges encountered in decision-making, opposing …

A Critique Of The Pivotal Ethical Issues In Organ/Tissue Donation & Transplantation, Francis Sarpong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Organ or tissue donation has proven to be a lifesaving intervention for patients battling failing or failed organs or tissues. However, scholars have raised concerns about just and rational procurement and transplantation in a global shortage. This dissertation addresses normative approaches for organ/tissue procurement, allocation and transplantation to highlight the related pivotal ethical issues. It defends normative approaches such as queuing and nudging, and upholds their universal obligatoriness. It provides illumination about the demands of an effective solution to who shall receive or give organs when not all can. The introductory chapter employs common morality as a principal source of …

Ejagham Mysticism In The Funeral Practices Of The Mgbe (Ekpe) And Moninkim Institutions: Insights For Research Methodology And Theological Epistemology., Besem Etchi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The knowledge of the divine broadens and deepens as each location contributes the history, elements, and practices related to its divine revelation. This dissertation contributes from the Ejagham locations of Cameroon and Nigeria. The Ejagham precolonial institutions of Moninkim and Mgbe (Ekpe) were tuition-paid training schools for personal development and prophetic leadership. Their structured curriculum to train one’s personal and social ejong (personality), towards the Ejagham organizing principles of beauty and excellence, is replete with Ejagham mysticism and indigenous epistemology. Unfortunately, Moninkim has been misrepresented in years of scholarly research as a girl’s seclusion and coming-of-age-for-marriage rite and Mgbe (Ekpe) …

Within-Day Reliability Of Submaximal Running Economy Testing: Implications For Advanced Footwear Testing, Garrett Oehlert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Running economy (RE) has been identified as a critical component of endurance performance. Alterations in footwear have shown to significantly impact RE. Quantifying reliability of within-day RE measures may determine differences that could be expected when testing footwear. PURPOSE: Assess within-day reliability of RE testing on a calibrated metabolic system. METHODS: Trained male distance runners (n=10) were recruited to perform 4 × 5-minute trials (set speed, in habitual running shoes) at their estimated marathon pace (5-minute rest period) during a single visit to the lab. Oxygen consumption (VO2) data were collected during the final two minutes of each stage and …

Inclusion Of The Virtual Other: How Closeness On Social Media Moderates The Relationship Between Perceptions Of Close Friends’ Alcohol-Related Posting And Drinking, Angela Tanygin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Heavy drinking among young adults is a serious, longstanding public health issue. College students are particularly vulnerable to a culture of intoxication that promotes excessive drinking, which has been linked to severe consequences such as sexual assaults, car accidents, and even death. An abundance of literature has found that students’ overestimations of peer drinking norms are associated with greater alcohol use and problems. Furthermore, research has established a strong linkage between students posting and viewing peers’ alcohol-related content (ARC) on social media and increased drinking. However, there is a dearth of studies examining how closeness to close friends on social …

Development Of A Rapid Bacterial Quantification Method Based On Droplet Microfluidics, Shawn Bliss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The capacity to identify bacteria quickly and accurately is critical for applications such as medical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and food safety. For instance, sepsis diagnosis requires blood cultures that take as long as 1-5 days, preventing timely intervention and increasing mortality rate. Here, we propose the joint use of microfluidics and a machine learning algorithm for rapid bacterial cell capture and quantification. The combination of high-throughput droplet microfluidics and a support vector machine (SVM) enables analysis and quantification of bacterial samples within as short as 4 hours. We have performed successful encapsulation of pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli, …

The Ecclesiology Of Catalino G. Arévalo: Inculturation, Mission, And Liberation In The Philippine Context, Zachary Ryan Dehm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Catalino G. Arévalo, S.J., was an eminent Filipino ecclesiologist of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Through his work for the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences in particular, he played a significant role in the reception of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) in Asia and in the development of inculturation as a theological norm. Yet, Arévalo offered no systematic articulation of his theology of the church. By examining his work spanning seven decades, this dissertation traces the development of Arévalo’s ecclesiology and offers five foundational principles necessary for gaining a systematic understanding of his thought: (1) ecclesiology must be situated within …

Impact Of Glycerophosphocholine Metabolism On Phenotypes In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae And Schizosaccharomyces Pombe, Victoria Hrach

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Glycerophosphocholine (GPC) is an abundant metabolite in eukaryotes. In baker’s yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, GPC can be produced via deacylation of the major membrane glycerophospholipid phosphatidylcholine (PC). My lab has identified a novel pathway to re-synthesize PC from GPC by acylating it at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions; this pathway has been termed the PC Deacylation-Reacylation Pathway (PC-DRP). We previously characterized the acyltransferase Gpc1 and its ability to synthesize one-tailed lyso-PC from GPC, as well as that noting that GPC1 is upregulated in inositol-free conditions and results in more saturated PC. Here, I add to this basic characterization by establishing …

Transforming Chaplain Ethics: The Clinical Ethics Of Spiritual Care In A Pluralistic Healthcare Environment In The United States, Robert Alan Price

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation, “Transforming Chaplain Ethics: The Clinical Ethics of Spiritual Care in a Pluralistic Healthcare Environment in the United States,” aims to examine the clinical ethics of religious and spiritual care provided by clinical chaplains for patients and families receiving treatment in a pluralistic healthcare context in the United States.

Clinical chaplains are more than clergypersons and they are more than clinicians; they are a highly specialized marriage of both worlds. There is a fundamental asymmetry between functioning as a leader in a local religious community or faith tradition and providing clinical spiritual care in a pluralistic healthcare environment. This …

Pedal Points: Harmony And The Double-Action Pedal System In Modern Harp Music, Mckenna Jennings

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pedals are an invisible guide in chromatic harp repertoire. While the evolution of tonality and rise in chromaticism incentivized the invention of the double-action pedal harp, the unique restraints and extensions of this technological system influence harmony and pitch collections in chromatic harp music. This thesis explores the pedal harp and the influence the affordance and idiomacy of the pedal layout exerts onto chromatic harp repertoire. It draws on embodiment and schema theory to describe patterns of pedal motion in harp music, thus presenting and demonstrating an original theory of pedal schemas. Pedal schemas are patterns of motion defined by …

Quaternary Diamond-Like Sulfides For Nonlinear Optical Applications: Investigation Into Composition-Structure-Property Relationships Of The I2-Ii-Iv-Vi4 And I4-Ii-Iv2-Vi7 Formulae, Jordan Kelly

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research work presented in this dissertation focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and property assessment of new and existing quaternary diamond-like semiconductor (DLS) materials for the potential application in infrared (IR) nonlinear optics (NLO). Chapter 2 discusses the previously discovered temperature-dependent polymorphs of Cu₂ZnGeS₄ (CZGS); however, the IR NLO properties, neutron powder diffraction data, and single crystal X-ray diffraction structures were previously undetermined. The high-temperature α-CZGS polymorph was superior to the low-temperature β-CZGS analog in both second harmonic generation (SHG) and laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT). Chapter 3 presents the discovery of Li₂MgGeS₄ and comparison …

The Claude Neal Lynching: Race, Memory, And A Southern County's Violent History, Travis Patterson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the historical memory of the Claude Neal lynching, which occurred in Jackson County, Florida in October of 1934. The Neal lynching was a particularly gruesome public spectacle. After executing Neal at a local farm, vigilantes transported his body to the county courthouse and displayed it for hundreds of white onlookers. After 1934, civil rights activists, journalists, government officials, community leaders, and ordinary residents kept the memory of Claude Neal alive in public discourse. Throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, individuals invoked the Claude Neal lynching to draw attention to contemporary manifestations of racial violence and inequities in …

Dredging The Wetlands, Tilling The Field: Ecotonal Poetics Of The Anthropocene, Stacey Balkun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation interrogates the use of poetic fragmentation as a tool of ecological representation and coins the term “ecotonal poetics.” Ecotonal poesis, this dissertation explains, is the stretching of lyric across the field of the page, using space, sound, language, and parataxis in its attempt to not only represent but create ecotonal ecologies through text, sound, and visual cues. This dissertation puts forth four case studies of contemporary American women poets turning the space of the page into an ecotone where text, white space, author, reader, body, and environment meet. The poets studied here rely heavily on textual experimentation, suggesting …

Structure-Based Design And Semi-Synthesis Of Kratom-Derived Mu-Opioid Receptor Agonists With Varying Intrinsic Efficacy, Emily Wells

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Acoustofluidic Delivery Of Biomolecules To Cells: A Novel Approach For Preparing Car-T Cells., Madison C. Colebank

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The continuous pursuit of effective methods for gene transfection in primary human T cells is crucial for advancing cell-based therapies. Viral vectors, currently used in cell-based therapies, involve a lengthy and costly process. This thesis explores the efficacy of coupling acoustofluidic and sonoporation techniques as an alternative non-viral gene transfection approach with primary T cells. Sonoporation, in conjunction with microbubbles, has been demonstrated to induce cavitation, resulting in the formation of pores in the cell membrane through which molecules can enter. Using flow cytometry, we compared the loading efficiency of primary T cells with that of Jurkat T cells to …

Rockin’ Rehab: Novel Rocking Chair For Children With Spinal Cord Injury To Enable Trunk Muscle Activation And Detect Muscle Activation Patterns., Johnathan Jay George

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Activity-based locomotor training improves trunk control in children with spinal cord injury (SCI), and there is need for additional activities to allow these children to activate trunk muscles. The purpose of this research was to design, fabricate, and evaluate a rocking chair for children with SCI, and to investigate the activation of muscles during use. Sensorization of the chair to confirm muscle activation is also explored. Methods: Quality Function Deployment (QFD) design methodologies identified and ranked needs and features for the rocking chair. A design was developed and evaluated via finite element analysis. The chair was fabricated and tested …

Advancement Of Iterative Optimization Technology Algorithms Toward Calibration-Free Process Analytical Technology Applications, Adam Rish

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The expansion of spectroscopic process analytical technology (PAT) tools within the pharmaceutical industry has the potential to elevate the current state-of-the-art of pharmaceutical manufacturing by offering opportunities for reduced quality testing times, enhanced process control, and greater production flexibility. Spectroscopic PAT tools are dependent on multivariate models to extract the relevant information from the spectral outputs. However, there is a substantial calibration burden for developing and maintaining these multivariate models that discourages the application of PAT, despite the encouragement from regulators. This has led to an interest in calibration-free methods such as iterative optimization technology (IOT) for spectroscopic PAT that …

Gifted And…: Teacher Reflection And Transformation In Response To Teaching Gifted Students, Patrick Gene Rabon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

12 teachers, representing five schools in a district, shared via individual interviews their insights regarding giftedness and the needs of gifted students. These interviews explored the characteristics of giftedness and gifted education, the needs participants identified through their experiences with their students, the choices participants made regarding these needs, and the various ways participants reflected on these choices. This study used reflexive thematic analysis and transformative learning theory to make sense of the data, and a reparative approach shaped the study’s approach to the collection and analysis of the data. This study found that participants tended to think in terms …

The Influence Of Researcher Disturbance On Raccoon Predation Of American Alligator Nests, Clarissa Tuten

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are a dominant predator of American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) nests in the southeastern United States, using a combination of olfactory, visual, and tactile cues to identify nest locations. Studies on alligator nesting ecology typically require researchers to create paths through marsh habitat, potentially introducing visual and olfactory cues raccoons may use to locate nests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of human visitation to alligator nests on the frequency of raccoon nest predation at two sites in coastal South Carolina, Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center (TYWC) and Santee Coastal Reserve (SCR). We hypothesized that …

"Men Hunt, Women Gather." Perceptions Of Gender And Leadership In Outdoor Recreation In A Higher Education Setting, Elizabeth Marie Johansen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation delved into the complex interaction between gender dynamics and leadership perceptions within outdoor recreation, particularly in the context of higher education. Utilizing Transformational Learning Theory, Critical Feminist Theory, and Conditional Outdoor Leadership Theory, this study aimed to uncover the nuanced ways in which gender influenced perceptions of leadership roles and behaviors in outdoor recreation activities based on participant’s experiences. This study utilized an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design, which included a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews to gain a more holistic understanding of participants' perceptions and experiences.

Findings suggest that despite progress towards gender equality in outdoor recreation …

Understanding The Multidimensional Ramifications Of Education Censorship To Promote Justice-Oriented School Social Work., Brandon D. Mitchell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since 2020, recensions on youth rights and education censorship have been backed by a network of actors and organizations on the political Right, evidenced by race and diversity curricula bans, book bans, and inflammatory media discourse. The scope and prevalence of education censorship are understudied with little known about the policies enacted, and influences of media discourse, school boards, and the effects on schools and the school social worker. The purpose of this dissertation is to explore and understand the scope and prevalence of education censorship, including policies, media discourse, school boards, and schools. To achieve the aims of this …

Teachers’ Self-Efficacy And Cyberbullying: A Qualitative Investigation Of Teacher Perspectives, Shanda Salvant Theriot

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the self-efficacy of middle school teachers as they address cyberbullying in the classroom. A phenomenological research design using a purposive sampling method was used. To understand the teachers’ lived experiences and perspectives on cyberbullying, open-ended semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventh-grade teachers from two parochial schools and three charter schools. Participants completed a demographics questionnaire, which was used to gather additional information regarding the teachers’ background and experience. Seven themes emerged from coding the data collected from the teacher interviews and focus group session: 1) collaboration and communication, 2) professional development and training, 3) support and …

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Perceptions Of How Providing Patient Care During The Covid-19 Pandemic Affected Their Own Mental Health, Linda Cabage

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Public health concerns were prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding rising cases of anxiety and depression among adults. U.S. healthcare providers were especially affected by the unrelenting demands on their time and service. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) provided patient care during the pandemic to meet the increasing need for mental health services as people began experiencing mood disturbances such as anxiety, depression, and grief. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceived effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of PMHNPs. A qualitative design using the interpretive description method allows researchers to …

The Impact Of Biblical Women's Stories On Entrepreneurial Identity Formation:A Phenomenological Study Of Kenyan Women Entrepreneurs In The Diaspora, Lydia Githinji

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study examines how biblical narratives and stories of strong female role models shape the entrepreneurial identity of Kenyan and Kenyan-American women. Ten female entrepreneurs were interviewed to understand these influences on their development. Themes emerged around mentorship, leadership, resilience, communication, networking, and legacy. Participants interpreted biblical tales through an entrepreneurial lens, resonating with the experiences and qualities of figures like Lydia, Deborah, Ruth, Esther, and the Proverbs 31 woman. Two key differences arose: those with closer African ties referenced the Bible more, and some cited male rather than female mentors. To address diverse perspectives, recommendations include balancing biblical …

Navigating New Frontiers: A Narrative Of Cte Administrators Leading Rural Innovation, Claire Bass

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Public school districts play a pivotal role in the well-being of rural communities. To help mitigate the impact of labor market trends, societal shifts, and the skilled labor shortage, rural schools are in the initial stages of expanding innovative career pathways. As such, career and technical education (CTE) administrators serve their rural communities by facilitating robust career pathways to support local labor markets. Due to a skilled labor shortage, a declining labor force participation rate, and a rapidly evolving labor market, there is a lack of qualified and certified personnel to fill industry jobs (Davis et al., 2022). School districts …