Digital Commons Network^™

Becoming A Priestly People: A Biblical Theology Of Liturgical Sacrifice As Spiritual Formation, Ximena Debroeck

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The centrality of sacrifice in the Judeo-Christian tradition is undeniable; nevertheless, unidimensional presentations of sacrifice have contributed to an incomplete, and at times distorted understanding. This work does not aim to resolve every ambiguity or misunderstanding, rather, it presents a canonical approach interpretation and brings attention to three underappreciated dimensions of sacrifice: first, the relationship between the external actions of the ritual and the internal dynamic of spirituality and morality; second, the reality that sacrifice refers not only to death, but to a way of living; and third, atonement and reconciliation are not the only reasons to offer sacrifice. My …

An Ethical Argument For A Specific Model Of Palliative Care In Nigeria, Dozie Egbe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The need for palliative care in Nigeria is huge. But Nigeria has minimal palliative care activity that does not correspond to the great palliative care needs in the country. The great needs are heightened by poverty and poverty induced conditions. However, Nigeria has untapped sociocultural values that can boast palliative care in the country. Such values can be activated and constructively integrated in the practice of palliative care in Nigeria.

This project looks back to what palliative care has been in history and in developed nations to argue for a constructive and positive manner palliative care can evolve in Nigeria …

My Do Over: A Case Study Of An Intentional Focus On Relationship Building, By The School Leadership, In A Newly Formed School, Jean Marie Livingston

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The closing of public schools is occurring each school year in cities across the country. This case study will look at one public school that endured the closure of three school buildings and the reconfiguration of the entire school district during the 2015-2016 school year. The main focus of this case study was on one building in this district and the question to be answered was, “Does an intentional focus on relationship building, by the school leadership, influence school culture and instructional practice in a newly formed school?” The literature will discuss school closures and the impact on stakeholders, grief …

Reconstructing The War In Iraq: Post-9/11 American War Fiction In Dialogue With Official-Media Discourse, Ashley Kunsa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project examines American-authored Iraq War fiction within the context of public discourse. Given that modern, industrialized warfare is as much created by and through official-media discourse as represented by it, fictional accounts of Iraq exist not outside or separate from this discourse but rather in a dynamic, continually evolving relationship with it. The three texts explored in this study—Ben Fountain’s Billy Lynn’s Long Half Time Walk (2012), David Abrams’ Fobbit (2012), and Phil Klay’s Redeployment (2014)—thus do more than merely represent the war experience: operating always in conversation with how the war has been constructed, the novels and stories …

Predicting Bankruptcy And Catastrophic Loss: A Portfolio Approach, Michael Mckibben

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper uses logistic regression to assign risk of catastrophic loss (defined as a loss of 80% or more of market cap value) to companies, and analyzes the subsequent returns of high risk and low risk portfolios. In the final model, the low risk portfolio had a three-year mean return of approximately 47%, with a catastrophic loss rate of 1.1%. The high-risk portfolio had a three-year mean return of approximately .5%, with a catastrophic loss rate of 29%. The paper expands upon a model developed by Dr. Abhay Gaur and Dr. Leo Rebholz in Rebholz’s 2002 thesis, Bankruptcy as Cusp …

Toward A Theory Of Action: Opportunities Embedded In Counseling Theory For School Counselors To Improve Their Perceptions Of And Approaches Toward Their Relationship With Their School Principals, Stephanie A. Mchugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study employed perceptions of school counselors relative to their relationships with their principals in order to investigate a theory of action that employs the skills and strategies embedded in counseling theory to identify courses of action that counselors can use to improve the principal-counselor relationship. School counselors attending national and state counselor conferences (N=31) responded to a prompt asking for the perceived strengths and weaknesses of their principal-counselor relationship, and the barriers they perceived to improving the relationship. Responses were analyzed using a close reading process that applied a strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT) framework to the responses and identified emergent themes …

Exiles On Main Street: A Pedagogy Of Popular Music Through Technology And Aesthetic Education, Jordan Mroziak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the application of instructional technology within the specific context of popular music education. Synthesizing the work of Mishra & Koehler (2006) and Bauer (2014), this dissertation operationalizes a broader, more contemporary definition of instructional technology that goes beyond the traditional conception of mere instructional tool towards one that is more protean, unstable, and opaque. Research questions about technology’s impact on music education are central to this curriculum study and evolve into considerations on how the relationship of popular music and instructional technology shape a pedagogy for popular music education. Making use of principles rooted in aesthetic education, …

Fault Lines, Robert D. Traugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fault Lines is a musical composition written for the traditional wind band and

electronics created as an artistic expression of disruptive elements invoking change. The composition aims to draw connections between the geological tectonic stress and rebalancing process and the human experience of stress, disruption, and rebalancing. The composition allows an opportunity for an electronic performer’s artistic variation from performance to performance based on the choices of sounds relevant to the performer.

Truth Telling Beyond Borders: An African Perspective, John Twinomujuni

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The dissertation focuses on answering the question of how can patient’s autonomy, privacy and liberty be safeguarded especially within cultures that do not regard them as primordial principles? In some communities, truth-telling is one of the moral principles unquestioningly inherited from the West. The dissertation will try to compare African and Western perspectives. The African perspective has been chosen to explore through this search hoping that such venture would help in showing how the issue of truth-telling may be approached from such perspective. For instance in the African communalism based on the cardinal point that “I am because we are; …

Race, Retreat, And Refuge: Black Voices, American Nature Writing, And Ecocritical Exile, Bryon Patrick Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While existing scholarship has begun to recognize the extensive environmental experience of African Americans during the nineteenth century, black-authored environmental writing from the era is conspicuously scant in studies and anthologies into the present, even in volumes devoted to ecocritically-inflected texts by authors of color. My dissertation argues that contemporary, racially-aligned divides and gaps in environmental discourse have roots in the 1840s and 50s, when the nature writing genre coalesced into its most enduring form in the works of Henry David Thoreau, literary artist turned cultural icon. This key era—during which black Americans were frequently subject to systematic deprivation of …

The Experiences Of Registered Nurses Injured By Interpersonal Violence While On Duty In An Emergency Department, Salena Wright-Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Numerous studies and reports identify the concerning incidence of work place violence directed toward healthcare workers (Centers for Disease Control, 2013; Gerberich et al., 2004; Government Accountability Office, 2016; U.S. Department of Labor, 2016). Despite efforts over the past few years to reduce workplace violence in healthcare facilities and specifically in emergency departments, the incidence of violence has not substantially lessened (Government Accountability Office, 2016). In March, 2016, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report that was prepared by congressional request. The GAO found that workers in in-patient healthcare facilities experienced work-place violence that resulted in lost time from …

The Utility Of A Theoretical Framework Of A Culture Of Leadership, James E. Wortman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine the utility of a Culture of Leadership Framework for both evaluating and contributing to the formation of a dynamic school culture that infuses leadership up, down, and throughout the membership of the school learning community with students as a central figure. The Culture of Leadership Framework emerged from an extensive review of the literature and includes four distinct dimensions (indicators) that become critical to analyzing the data: Leadership Orientation, Leveraging Leadership, Leadership for Learning, and Leadership Growth. The researcher used a general interpretive process of close reading to develop themes from extant …

Techno-Salvation: Developing A Christian Hermeneutic Of Enhancement Technology, Richard Landrum Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A cadre of scientists, philosophers, and ethicists labeled transhumanists and posthumanists argue that by strategic use of technology we can greatly enhance human beings into our next stage of evolution. Rather than leave the evolutionary process to natural results, transhumanists and posthumanists want to shape humanity to meet our own desires. This direct goal of changing human beings has profound implications for Christian faith and practices. At the same time, there is no reason to think that the utilization of technological enhancements will not happen. As such, to best meet the challenge, it is unavoidable for Christians to engage transhumanism …

Youth Bear Witness To Mentoring Of The Black Church For College Readiness, Mary Louise Buckley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation in practice examines the college readiness of five African American high school male students in urban schools in Pittsburgh, PA based on their participation in a middle school mentoring program sponsored by an urban Black church. Situated within Michael Dantley’s critical spirituality theory and critical race theory, the author analyzed youths’ counter-narrative experiences of being mentored for college readiness in the Black church. The students had informal conversations with the researcher using a grounded theory approach to the semi-structured interview format. Students found mentors to be relatable advocates to their lived experiences in schools. In addition, the mentoring …

Perceptions And Predictions With School Climate: Analyzing The Comprehensive School Climate Inventory, Danielle Cimorelli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Through multiple regression and analysis of variance, data from the Comprehensive School Climate Inventory was used to understand the following: 1.) the predictive ability of student perceptions of safety on overall school climate; 2.) the relationship between geographic location and school climate; and 3.) the predictive ability of geographic location and school type on overall school climate. Participants were elementary school students, grades PreK through 8, from 30 elementary schools across the country, with approximately 4,500 student responses. Results showed that students’ perceptions of school safety predicted 80% of the variances in connection to ratings of school climate. There was …

Quality Of Care In Patients With Cirrhosis And Ascites, Hepatic Encephalopathy Or Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis, Ankur Dashputre

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To analyze concordance with evidence-based clinical care guidelines in real world clinical practice in patients with cirrhosis and ascites, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of the UPMC EMR database (2009-2014) with access to full outpatient and limited inpatient data was conducted to identify patients with cirrhosis and ascites, HE or SBP. Data regarding patient demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory values and medication utilization were extracted. Analyses included examination of patient demographic and clinical characteristics, change in disease severity (via MELDNa scoring) from cirrhosis to complication development and outpatient/inpatient healthcare utilization patterns. Additionally, …

The Lived Experience Of Trauma Counselor Supervisors, Nancy N. Fair

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trauma is ubiquitous in our society, taking a costly toll on the physical and psychological well-being of individuals across all social strata, and creating an ever-increasing need for better understanding of how to help the victim survivors.

The purpose of this current study addresses an aspect of that need for understanding by examining the lived experiences of clinicians who have learned about trauma and who are addressing trauma survivors’ needs by acting as supervisors for other clinicians. This qualitative, phenomenologically oriented study used van Manen’s (1990) four lived existentials, Bronfenbrenner’s (1979, 2005) bio-ecological model of human development, and existing trauma …

An Examination Of Different Motivational Orientations That Drive Graduate Students To Continue/Complete Their Education In The U.S, Cebrail Karayigit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Different types and levels of motivation can play an important role for graduate students to continue their studies. The current research study was one of the few studies that examined if domestic and international graduate students differ on their level of different motivational orientations to continue their education. This study employs a quantitative research design intended to investigate different types of psychologically based motivational factors that contribute to international graduate students’ motivation toward completing their programs, in particular in relation to domestic students. More specifically, this study is guided by two prominent theories of motivation, Self Determination Theory (SDT; Deci …

Drawing Conclusions About Aphasia: An Examination Of The Relationship Between Word Retrieval, Drawing, And Semantics, Joanne Kinney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The hallmark characteristic of aphasia, word retrieval impairment, can significantly affect a person’s ability to communicate their needs and ideas. Treatment for these deficits typically focuses on either restorative or compensatory strategies. In aphasia therapy, clinicians have predominately used drawing as a compensatory strategy. Emerging evidence suggests that drawing may also have restorative effects on word retrieval impairments by providing an alternate route to accessing the semantic system (Farias, Davis, & Harrington, 2006). However, the current understanding of this theoretical relationship between the semantic system, drawing, and word retrieval abilities is limited. This study examined that relationship to further develop …

Examining The Moderating Effects Of Racial Socialization On Teacher Discrimination For The Psychological Outcomes Of Black Middle School Girls, Kayla Nichols

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A hierarchical multiple regression was used to understand the 1) the predictive ability of teacher discrimination on racial identity, 2) the predictive ability of teacher discrimination and racial identity on the educational beliefs and psychological outcomes of early adolescent Black girls, and 3) if egalitarian messages of racial socialization moderate the risk of teacher discrimination on the psychological outcomes for early adolescent Black girls. Participants were 8th grade Black girls from Wave 3 of the MADICS dataset (Eccles, 2010). Results showed that teacher discrimination had a negative relationship and predicted 5% of the variance in connection to heritage, educational beliefs, …

A Review Of 'Big Data' Variable Selection Procedures For Use In Predictive Modeling, Sarah Papke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Several problems arise when attempting to use traditional predictive modeling techniques on ‘big data.’ For instance, multiple linear regression models cannot be used on datasets with hundreds of variables. However several techniques are becoming common tools for selective inference as the need for analyzing big data increases. Forward selection and penalized regression models (such as LASSO, Ridge Regression, and Elastic Net) are simple modifications of multiple linear regression that can provide some guidance on simplifying a model through variable selection. Dimension reducing techniques, such as Partial Least Squares and Principal Components Analysis, are more complex than regression but have the …

Effects Of Anxiety Treatment Using Coping Cat On Problem Behaviors In The Classroom, Kristen Elise Pearson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children with comorbid anxiety disorders and externalizing problem behaviors and disorders pose an interesting challenge for clinicians. These children are at the greatest risk for the poorest outcomes in several areas of functioning including academics, interpersonal relationships, and emotional regulation. The current single subject research study was implemented to evaluate the effect of an anxiety reduction intervention, Coping Cat, on participants’ anxiety symptoms and behavior problems. The design included a baseline phase, an intervention phase, and a maintenance phase following the implementation of the intervention. Across all three phases, one or more trained research assistants collected behavioral observation data twice …

Social Metacognition In Computer Supported Collaborative Learning Environments: A Comparison In An Online And Face-To-Face Information Literacy Course, Marcia Elizabeth Rapchak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Because of the advances in technology for education, online learning has become more prominent, especially in higher education. Computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) seems especially promising in allowing students to work together in ways that they have not been able to before, both face-to-face and online. Instructors use CSCL to engage students and to increase learning. CSCL requires that students regulate each other’s learning through social metacognition; this allows the group as a whole to make use of the knowledge and skills of the group as they learn.

The purpose of this study was to compare the social metacognition of students …

Core Values Of A Benedictine Education, Sr. M. Christine Lauzon Pinto, O.S.B.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine a High School Student Handbook of an all-girls Benedictine school to determine its degree of alignment with the Rule of St. Benedict (RB). Christ is the foundation of the existence of a Catholic and Benedictine education. Saint Benedict wrote a rule about a way of seeking God and following Christ in the “school for the Lord’s service.” Using the RB as a guide, Benedictine education can be understood as the formation of the whole person towards a transformation into the image of Christ. The first phase of the study involved the gathering …

Improving Metacognitive Awareness And Authentic Teaching Practices Through Scaffolding Goal Setting And Reflective Practices With Ecd Majors At The Community College Level, Melanie Renee Yeschenko

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research set out to enhance instruction for early education and child development majors in a community college setting in a manner that allows them to gain content knowledge while becoming more prepared to practice effective pedagogy in early learning classrooms. This study examined how metacognitive awareness changes throughout a semester with scaffolded goal setting and reflective practices. It investigated the types of goals students set for a specific learning task, as well as investigated their ability to apply reflective practice to their own learning and teaching practices. This research used a mixed method design to data collection with quantitative …

A Bioethics Tool For The Implementation Of Global Principles By The Pharmaceutical Industry, Daniel J. Hurst

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Due to scandals of scientific misconduct, a climate of mistrust of science exists amongst the general public. This becomes of concern when we acknowledge that it is difficult for science and technology to flourish without broad societal trust. The pharmaceutical industry has often felt the brunt of such mistrust and has suffered many reputational setbacks over the past several years. Such reputational decline has a strong moral dimension, as it stems from issues such as the questionable conduct of clinical trials, pricing schemas, and access to medicines for low- or middle-income countries. The end product of such issues is the …

Using Educational Data Mining Techniques To Analyze The Effect Of Instructors’ Lms Tool Use Frequency On Student Learning And Achievement In Online Secondary Courses, Jonathan Barkand

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The pedagogy of teaching and learning has been changing since computers were first integrated into the classroom. As technology evolves, the evaluation of the instructional tool’s effectiveness will continue to be an area of research need. The effectiveness of an instructional tool can be measured by student learning and achievement. Student learning and achievement was found to be most effective when the characteristics of active learning/engagement, frequent interaction, and feedback were present. The presence is provided by the instructor. Chickering and Gamson (1987) developed the Seven Principles for Good Practice (SPGP) in Undergraduate Education to improve teaching and learning.

The …

Examining The Role Of Ethnic Identity In The Relationship Between Characteristics Of Autism Spectrum Disorders And Eating Disorders, Ashley Bojorquez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present work provides a synthetic literature review investigating the potential role of ethnic identity in the relationship between Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and eating disorders (EDs). To date, there is no literature that directly examines the role that ethnic identity may play in the relationship between these two disorders. However, there is reason to believe it may; previous literature has shown that race/ethnicity plays a role in both of these disorders, and the role of ethnic identity has been more fully explored in the ED population. Notably, there is little research that examines the role of ethnic identity on …

Occupational Profiles Of At-Risk Youth: A Multi-Case Study, Abigail Catalano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Occupational therapy’s work with at-risk and adjudicated youth is a practice area currently possessing a limited base of evidence. One significant need in this body of literature is for examination of evidence-based evaluation practices. This project describes implementation and results of an evaluation protocol, Primary Occupations for Work and Employment Readiness (POWER), designed to elicit comprehensive occupational profiles from participants. POWER consists of five assessment tools, supplemented by clinical observations and program data. The assessments included are the Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA), Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST), Double OT (DOT), Kawa River Model, and Role Checklist Version 3 (RCV3). …

Solidarity With The Vulnerable: Global Healthcare Ethics In Spiritan Perspective, Chike Anyigbo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on global healthcare ethics from a Spiritan perspective. As the Spiritan Congregation developed over centuries, its core charism has been implemented in a variety of ministries articulated in terms of solidarity with the vulnerable (SWV). There has been very little discussion of the contribution of the Spiritan charism to ethics in general or healthcare ethics more specifically, as discussed in this work. Nevertheless, from the outset, the Spiritan ministry emphasized the importance of individual dignity as a foundation for a commitment to the poor. The focus clarified the importance of respecting the vulnerable. Over time, the Spiritan …