Digital Commons Network^™

Medical Professionals' Perceptions Of Healthcare Artificial Intelligence, Falon M. Costigan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined whether medical professionals across different levels of expertise show differences in their perceptions of healthcare artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, the researcher hypothesized that participants with more expertise and experience would have greater negative perceptions associated with AI in healthcare compared to participants with a lower expertise level. Participants completed a questionnaire evaluating their perceptions of healthcare AI across four components: long-term negative consequences of AI, need for AI safeguards, positive perceptions of AI, and AI control. Participants also completed demographic questions evaluating participants' age, sex, ethnicity, years working in a healthcare setting, medical …

Differences In Performance In Mental Rotation And Short-Term Free Recall In Gender Minorities, Katheryne Renee Wood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study examined mental rotation, short-term free recall, state anxiety, and gender expression through masculinity and femininity. This study addressed gaps in literature examining gender differences in gender minority groups by investigating gender differences in two tasks: mental rotation and short-term recall. Participants are categorized into four gender groups: cisgender men, cisgender women, non-binary, and binary transgender. In accordance with previous literature, it was hypothesized that men would outperform women in mental rotation, women would outperform men in short-term free recall performance, and that non-binary individuals would operate separately from other groups. Anxiety was recorded as a possible covariate, but …

The Influence Of Leadership Behaviors On School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists' Perception Of Burnout, Emily A. Lambert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current research on burnout and attrition of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) focused on the reason for attrition, which has remained relatively consistent across time. Despite identifying the factors contributing to attrition, minimal research has focused on how SLPs can prevent burnout or how to improve SLP retention rates in schools. Self-determination theory, fulfillment of competence, autonomy, and relatedness increase intrinsic motivation. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify how SLPs employed in Texas school districts described the factors contributing to their resilience in remaining employed in the schools. Fifteen SLPs participated in semistructured interviews about their perception of …

A Narrative Inquiry Regarding The Influence Of University Leadership On The Success Of First-Generation College Students With Financial Need, Jordan Westley Jones Sr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

First-generation college students experience unique challenges related to their journey in higher education. These challenges include a lack of knowledge of college resources, adapting to college expectations, and integration into college social systems. Additionally, when factoring in the financial challenges that present at a higher rate with first-generation college students, this population is faced with significant barriers that limit their ability to be successful in college without the support of leadership to help them be successful. Leadership influences the success of students in college through the development of strategic initiatives, programs, and services that address the needs of their students. …

Inside A Youth Participatory Action Research (Ypar) Process: A Practitioner’S Communicative Experience Navigating Processual And Relational Power Dynamics Within Ypar, Lacey Nicole Stein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the communicative dimensions of Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), with particular attention to the power dynamics embedded in the processual and relational aspects of the research process. Through a meta-level examination of a nearly two-year YPAR project, this study illuminates how communication can function for YPAR practitioners as they navigate YPAR's complex power structures, thereby addressing a significant gap in existing literature. The study employs Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis to reveal nuanced findings in two key areas. First, it identifies the communicative complexities of enacting multiple adult roles within YPAR, including those of "superior" adult, facilitator, …

Bridging The Gap Between Muslim Students And School Leadership In The United States, Sahar Khawaja

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Entering the third decade of the 21st century, the political landscape in the United States presents a challenging environment for Muslims, mirroring the global trend of oppression and discrimination faced by this community (Neptune, 2021). Despite being the fastest-growing demographic in the nation (Lipka, 2017), Muslim Americans increasingly encounter discrimination. By actively addressing and dismantling these stereotypes, educators can cultivate an inclusive environment where the needs of Muslim students are understood and respected. Understanding the stories and experiences of these students is vital for school leaders, as it enables the creation of an environment where every student feels a genuine …

Value-Based Healthcare Reimagined: A Mixed-Methods Study On Behavioral Health Clinicians' Perspectives, Amanda L. Strickland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores how behavioral health clinicians perceive Value-Based Healthcare (VBHC), a model designed by Porter and Teisberg (2006) to improve outcomes relative to costs. While widely promoted in healthcare reform, VBHC poses unique challenges when applied to behavioral health settings. Using an explanatory mixed-methods design, this study first assessed clinicians’ awareness of VBHC through a survey of 23 licensed clinicians at a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) in Colorado. Quantitative findings revealed that one-third of participants were aware of VBHC with awareness differing by role prompting further exploration in a qualitative phase. Semi-structured interviews with eight clinicians provided deeper …

Empowering Educators, Transforming Futures: An Explanatory Multiple Case Study Of The Smou Schools In Saudi Arabia, Hana Ali Alzandi Alghamdi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizes educational reform as a critical pathway for national development, highlighting the role of educators in fostering student success. The Smou program, a professional development initiative, seeks to enhance the instructional and leadership capacities of school leaders and teachers in elementary public schools. This study explores how school leaders navigate their role in supporting teachers’ application of Smou program strategies and how teachers perceive their preparation for implementing these strategies in their instructional practices. Using an explanatory multiple case study approach, the research explores two elementary schools in the Mecca region—one high-performing and one low-performing—selected based …

Development, Optimization, And Validation Of A High-Sensitivity Capillary Zone Electrophoresis System For Bioanalytical Applications, Aaron I. Mena

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is a powerful analytical technique widely used for biomolecular separation due to its high resolution, efficiency, and sensitivity. This report presents the development and validation of a novel CZE system designed to improve modularity, reproducibility, and operational efficiency. The system integrates a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection method with a 488 nm laser, enhanced fluid control through a negative pressure system, and a user-friendly GUI for automated operation and data acquisition. Performance verification included pressure stability tests, fluorescence accuracy assessments, and electrophoretic reproducibility studies. Comparative analysis with a previous CZE iteration confirmed improved baseline stability, peak resolution, …

Vorticies In The Nonlinear Optical Fluid, Patrick C. Ford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we review the dynamics of the propagation of a laser through a nonlinear medium, and the dynamics of a self-interacting superfluid phase, and show a mathematical analogy between them. We identify an equivalence that allows direct comparison of the properties and dynamics of the optical fluid with those of the Bose-Einstein condensate. Next, we describe some experimental techniques and methods for data capture and analysis on the way to presenting a novel experimental apparatus that has allowed us to study non-equilibrium nonlinear vortex dynamics in the optical fluid, and that will allow more general future studies of …

Synthetic Protein Mimetic Based Therapies For Neurodegeneration, Nicholas H. Stillman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are crucial for the regulation of a majority of, if not every fundamental cellular process. Despite their role in regular biological processes, dysregulated and/or aberrant protein-protein interactions (aPPIs) are often related to the onset of disease including cancer, viral infection, and amyloid diseases. aPPIs have historically been deemed ‘undruggable’ due to their large surface area and lack of a binding cavity; however, today, more than 40 disease-related aPPIs have been targeted with small molecules and several of those have reached clinical trials.

A class of synthetic protein mimetics called oligopyridylamides (OPs) has been shown to inhibit disease-related …

The Pragmatic Engagement Arc, Nathaniel Ahrens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We don’t just buy tangible items anymore; we buy services that foster deeper and deeper relationships between ourselves and the companies that provide them. Even classic manufacturing companies have begun to consider the interaction with their customers as ongoing relationships beyond a goods exchange. Researchers in the field of consumer engagement view this relationship through consideration of intangible operant resources that generate value. The goal of this methodological study was to apply the methodology of educational criticism and connoisseurship to the field of consumer engagement. This approach allowed for consideration of the consumer-brand relationship without relying on discordant value-laden categories …

Advancing Tka Biomechanics: From Joint Simulator To Boundary Condition Development, Yashar Ali Behnam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses four specific aims that collectively attempted to advance the experimental and computational analysis of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) components. The first study focused on the development of a novel whole knee joint simulator capable of simultaneous tibiofemoral and patellofemoral knee loading. This simulator employs custom fixturing to facilitate dynamic, unconstrained, muscle-driven PF articulation alongside controlled TF contact mechanics. Validation against experimental measurements showed strong agreement, demonstrating the simulator's potential as a valuable tool for future TKA design and surgical technique investigations.

The second study verified implant-specific physiological boundary conditions which accurately simulate activities of daily living using …

Determinants Of Knee Motion In Health, Disease, And Repair, Sean Edward Higinbotham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The human knee joint is a complex and intricate structure, enabling a wide range of motions and facilitating various dynamic activities throughout a person's lifetime. The combination of the knee's complexity and its role as a primary load-bearing joint has made it susceptible to regular wear and tear, leading to pain and the development of Osteoarthritis (OA), to which, the only treatment currently is total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Despite TKA being a mature procedure, 20% of patients receiving a TKA are dissatisfied with their “new” knee. To reduce that 20% dissatisfaction and improve surgical outcomes, orthopedic companies are developing advanced …

Academic Advising Staff Turnover At A 2-Year College, Torrey Kenwunn West

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative exploratory case study allowed the researcher to examine the critical factors between staff retention and leadership at a large 2-year community college. The problem central to this study was the high staff turnover rate at a large 2-year community college. The purpose of this study was to identify leadership and organizational aspects that positively or negatively impact employee retention. A case study methodology was utilized to collect data for this research by conducting 10 semistructured interviews with advisors at a large 2-year community college. The interviews were conducted virtually in Microsoft Teams and then transcribed for data analysis. …

Management Of Aggressive And Disruptive Behavior In The Emergency Department Using De-Escalation Techniques And Simulation: A Quality Improvement Project To Improve The Knowledge And Confidence Of Emergency Department Nurses And Clinical Staff, Ernestine Darby-Littlejohn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Approximately 40% of all healthcare workers have reported episodes of violence by patients over the last 2 years. This Veteran’s Health Agency reported 824 disruptive events reported in the last 5 years, of which 56 occurred in the emergency department. Research shows that interventions are not always timely, resulting in the clinical staff requesting the Veteran’s Health Agency Police to intervene when a veteran’s level of stress is escalating. The gap in practice is shown to be related to a lack of knowledge in the clinical staff in managing high stress levels exhibited by some veterans, limited knowledge of …

A Qualitative Study: The 4 I’S Of Transformational Leadership And The Impact It Has On Building Employee Resiliency, Jewel Hale, Jr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a turbulent environment for governments and citizens worldwide. In this context, one concept stands out as particularly valuable: resilience. Resilience, the capacity to bounce back from adversity, is a key component in post-pandemic recovery and evolution. This phenomenological study explores the crisis through the experiences of small business owners and leaders in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas during the pandemic's peak. The participants were selected for successfully navigating the pandemic and remaining in business. The study aims to examine the leadership styles used to build employee resilience, focusing on their commonalities through phenomenological research. …

School Principal Professional Development: A Case Study Of A Texas Rural School District, Deborah Nicole Wills Covault

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe professional development experiences in one rural school district in Texas as perceived by the campus administrators. Existing research has implied a disconnect between preparation programs and campus administration practices. Rural school administrators experience a lack of access to professional development opportunities throughout the school year due to the distance of their community to urban cities hosting training opportunities, funding, and school leadership infrastructure. Due to the increase in federal, state, and local demands, the role of the educational leader has become more complex as the demand for administrators to recruit and retain …

Teachers’ Perspectives On Incorporating Moodle In A Ninth-Grade Reading Classroom, Cathy L. Miamba

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Effective technology use in the classroom can help stimulate a variety of learning styles and engage students through fun and exciting activities that help the students comprehend the content. Although research reported the benefits of technology in the classroom, there is a lack of knowledge of the effects of technology like Moodle on students’ academic scores, engagement, motivation, and overall achievement. As such, the problem addressed in this study was the lack of effective use of technology that affects students’ motivation, engagement, and achievements in the classroom. Using Vygotsky’s constructivism theory as the theoretical foundation and qualitative case study as …

Recently Terminated Ncaa Collegiate Football Coaches’ Perspectives On Organizational Support Received From Former Athletic Director And Athletic Department, Jeffery John Hancock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Every year, many head football coaches at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision are fired

without cause. The leading factor of these dismissals occurs when the team fails to meet

stakeholders’ expectations of winning enough games. Termination is not only problematic for

the coach, but the team, athletic department, its student-athletes, and the institution, as often a

change in coach does not solve the problem. Many factors lead to a losing season in both

athletics and corporations, including the level of organizational support. In the research on

collegiate coaching, this is an overlooked topic. The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive case …

Sense Of Belonging Among Nontraditional Undergraduate Students, Julie Ann Sánchez Golden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study, viewed through a constructivist lens, was conducted with 16 nontraditional undergraduate students, comprising equal numbers from a two-year and a four-year higher education institution. The study delved into their perceptions of belonging, while exploring the commonalities and disparities of their experiences between the two types of institutions. Through semi-structured interviews, these participants shared their lived experiences to answer three research questions: 1) How do nontraditional undergraduate students at two-year and four-year higher education institutions describe their sense of belonging? 2) What influences their sense of belonging at these institutions, and 3) How does sense of belonging among …

Voices From The Field: Mental Health Therapists' Perceptions Of Collaboration With Child Protective Services Workers, Tamara P. Fields

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The child welfare system in the United States requires collaboration across various agencies in the provision of services. Although collaboration between mental health therapists and state agencies is fundamental when the goal is to provide quality care and achieve positive outcomes for families involved with Child Protective Services (CPS), the system is characterized as complicated and fragmented. Using Bronstein’s 2003 model of interprofessional collaboration to understand the dynamics of collaboration between mental health therapists and CPS workers in Texas, this qualitative descriptive research study described mental health therapists’ perceptions of collaborating with CPS workers in delivering therapy services to CPS-involved …

Improving Outcomes Of Depression Through Implementation Of Depression Screenings At A College Health Center, Shelby Leigh Hanigan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Depression is a common phenomenon. Depression and suicidality are a problem on university campuses. This quality improvement Doctor of Nursing project aimed to establish the importance of routine depression screenings within a college health clinic. The purpose of this project was to determine if implementing routine depression screenings at a university health clinic will or will not increase the number of counseling referrals when compared to the absence of depression screenings in place within an identified timeframe. This protocol screened for depression in college-aged students and suggested care to those students who screened positive. It also led an interprofessional team …

Advisor Satisfaction To Support Online Student Retention, Erica K. Whiddon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, the researcher explored the relationship between satisfaction with academic advising and online student retention. Online student retention is a critical issue in the context of increasing competition for students in higher education institutions. The specific problem was that online students have lower retention rates, and the reasons students typically select online degree programs are also the reasons they drop out of their degree programs. The purpose was to identify whether students’ reported satisfaction with their advisors mediated the relationship between the existence of external personal life factors and retention. A quantitative nonexperimental causal-comparative and correlational research design …

K–12 Educators’ Use Of Technology And Experiences With Technostress: A Case Study, Greg Blair Pittman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This dissertation explored the increased use of technology in K–12 classrooms, which is causing educators to experience technostress. The purpose of the qualitative, descriptive, single case study was to explore the experiences of K–12 teachers with technology and technostress—techno-insecurity, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, techno-uncertainty, and techno-overload—in a West Texas private school district. The researcher conducted one-to-one interviews with seven K-12 educators and two senior leadership team members. In addition, open-ended online questionnaires were available for K–12 educators and senior leadership team members. Thematic analysis was used to locate and communicate the findings. The principal research question was: How do K–12 classroom …

A Pragmatic Legacy: Charles Wilson’S Politics And The Battle For His Archival Heritage, Jordan Coleman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Congressman Charlie Wilson served Texas and the United States with distinction throughout his political career, leaving a profound impact on East Texas and the global stage. Known for his progressive policies in the Texas Legislature and his influential role in U.S. foreign policy during his tenure in Congress, Wilson’s pragmatic political career and legacy is preserved in the Charlie Wilson Congressional Papers collection at the East Texas Research Center (ETRC). Despite its historical significance, the collection faced decades of delayed processing, disorganization, and neglect of archival best practices. This public history thesis confronts these challenges by detailing the efforts to …

Hydrogen And Halogen Interactions With 2,6 Dimethoxypyridine, Margaret Manning Stucky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Raman spectroscopy and computational chemistry are used to explore the effects of non-covalent interactions with the nitrogen-containing building block 2,6-dimethoxypyridine. Previously, we have shown that hydrogen and halogen bonding with simple nitrogen containing heterocycles leads to partial charge transfer and evolving spectroscopic properties. Adding electron donating and withdrawing groups to azabenzenes should allow us then to tune these interactions. Here, 2,6-dimethoxypyridine (DMOP) with its two methoxy substituents offers an excellent opportunity to study the effect of electron withdrawal on spectroscopic observables. Unlike in previous studies, however, hydrogen bonding led to no discernable experimental spectroscopic changes in mixtures of DMOP and …

Giving And Receiving Social Support Among Individuals With Migraine, Lauren Thaxter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Migraine is among the most common and burdensome neurological disorders in the United States, significantly impairing daily functioning. Psychological variables such as depression, anxiety, stress, and fear of pain are known to exacerbate migraine experiences, while receiving social support has been broadly associated with improved health outcomes. Although giving and receiving social support are protective for physical and mental health, their specific influence on migraine outcomes remains underexplored. This study investigated experimentally whether giving social support increased pain tolerance and reduced pain intensity as measured using a cold pressor test among 117 individuals with migraine. This study also examined the …

Examining The Relationship Between Moral Injury, Belief In A Just World, And Substance Abuse In Military Veterans, Alyssa Mae Wood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Combat-exposed veterans and military service members are at high risk of experiencing mental health problems. Although moral injury is recognized as a unique contributor to mental health challenges in this population, the relationship between changes in world belief, PTSD, and substance use remains unexplored. This cross-sectional quantitative study investigated the relationship among moral injury symptoms, changes in belief in a just world (BJW) and belief in an unjust world (BUW), and substance use in a sample of 122 combat-exposed U.S. military Veterans and service members.

Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that changes in BUW following potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) significantly …

Polylactic Acid-Based Sustainable Hybrid Nanobiocomposites, Utsab Roy Ayan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Optimized extrusion melt-blending of polylactic acid (PLA) polymer with a minor biopolymeric phase, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), and compatibilized with random ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (EMA-GMA, Trademark: Lotader® AX-8900) led to an outstanding improvement in mechanical properties. At the non-compatibilized PLA/PBAT (80/20) blend point, significant enhancement (~4500%) in toughness and elongation-at-break was already obtained without compromising any elastic properties. Lotader content at 2 wt.% was determined to be optimal by numerical optimization methodology to maximize toughness and elongation-at-break. Upon adding the compatibilizer, the original phase-separated morphology of the blends changed from PBAT quasi-spherical domains to nearly elongated elliptical ones. The …