Digital Commons Network^™

Graduation Rates Of Students With Disabilities At A Participating Southern University, Kelly Mitchell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this non-experimental, correlational quantitative study was to compare the graduation rates of first-time, full-time students with disabilities to those of first-time, full-time students in the general population at the participating university. The sample used for analysis was full-time, first-time students entering between 2015 and 2020. Using archival data from the Disability Services database and the University's Banner system, four- and six-year graduation rates were compared. The original data set consisted of 22,070 students in the starting focus cohorts. After removing entering transfer students and students who enrolled in less than 15 credits for their entering semester, 8,337 …

Implementation Of A Transition-Of-Care Model For Adult Ischemic Stroke Survivors, Megan Akacsos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The lasting physical and cognitive deficits associated with the complexities of newly acquired

disabilities resulting from an acute ischemic stroke (AIS) may lead to hospital readmissions. The

participating healthcare facility on the U.S. West Coast reported a hospital readmission rate for

AIS survivors of 24.29% within 30 days of discharge. This doctoral nursing project aimed to

determine if implementing the Comprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) model

would reduce 30-day readmission rates compared to no standardized transition-of-care model in

adult AIS survivors over 30 days. Implementing the COMPASS model in this patient population

was expected to better educate and support stroke …

Emotional Intelligence In School Leadership And Teachers’ Perception Of Its Effect On Their Efficacy, Chazzmin Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attrition is a significant issue within the field of education, especially in urban districts with high economic needs. Consequently, this is a major problem in Title-I schools because they serve large numbers of low-income students, often experiencing higher teacher turnover than non-Title-I schools. Additionally, studies show that charter schools experience higher turnover than traditional public schools. This research explored the relationship between emotional intelligence, school leadership, and teachers’ perceptions of their efficacy in one Texas charter school. Emotional intelligence is framed as a set of skills that includes self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, and relationship management. This study sought to …

Leadership Emergence And Factors Preventing Emergence Of Elders In The Churches Of Christ In The Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly, Francis Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the persistent absence of formally appointed elders in five Churches of Christ within Teshie in the Ledzokuku municipal assembly, Ghana, despite these congregations’ existence for over two decades. The research seeks to critically examine the factors contributing to the inability of long-serving leaders to align with biblical qualifications. Utilizing a case study methodology, the research examines leadership emergence within the congregations, exploring the discrepancy between tenure and adherence to scriptural standards, and emphasizing the causes and implications for leadership effectiveness and spiritual integrity that facilitate or obstruct the ordination of elders. The study employs a qualitative research …

Nonacademic Factors That Effect Early College High School Student's Resilency, Amy Draper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative descriptive study was an exploration of how counselors in early college high

schools (ECHSs), administrators in ECHSs, and the technical coaches who support the ECHS

model contribute to students’ resilience toward academic recovery. Using semistructured

interviews and survey questions, a sample of 15 counselors, administrators, and technical

coaches shared factors that impact ECHS recruiting practices, attrition rates, and the educational

success of individual ECHS students. Three themes were extracted from a sample of educators’

descriptions regarding their perception of the ECHS environment and the benefits and challenges

they experienced while working with ECHS students. They included the combined …

Organizational Toxicity: Exploring Factors That Cultivate Toxicity In Air Force Maintenance Organizations And Their Impact On Enlisted Airmen, Bryan Keith Wong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Workplace toxicity negatively impacts organizations and harms employees within those organizations. However, each organization is subject to various influences and contexts, and understanding toxicity within specific contexts provides practitioners with the knowledge of its origin, influential factors, and how to respond. The U.S. Air Force is rich in culture and subcultures; it is also subject to toxicity, which is affected by several military-unique factors. Yet, toxicity in the military has been primarily explored through the leadership lens with limited insights into other influential elements, such as followers and the workplace environment. Additionally, little attention has been placed on the effects …

Leading The Charge: A Case Study On The Leadership Behaviors Of Education Leaders At Title I Campuses In Texas Prisons, Ashley Mckelvey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Each year, eligible schools across the nation receive Title I grant funds through the Elementary and Secondary Act. These funds, justified in pursuit of social justice and educational equity, serve to provide supplemental education services to neglected and delinquent students. While the majority of the awarded schools operate within the traditional school setting, a very small number of schools in the United States operate within the correctional setting. These schools receive Title I Part D Subpart 1 funds. Consequently, most of the guidance pertains to best practices within traditional public schools, which provides no provision on the appropriate use of …

A Phenomenological Study Of Hispanic First-Generation High School Graduates Who Do Not Pursue Higher Education, Amanda Arrambide

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study identified why only 47% of Hispanic first-generation students
pursue college after high school graduation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the high
school graduate enrollment rate was down about 4% compared to the 66.2% rate in October
2019. The data collection and analysis procedures included qualitative interviews over Zoom
with the participants, with recording devices. High schools should provide opportunities for
students to explore various career paths through internships, job shadowing, career fairs, and
vocational training programs. This helps students make informed decisions about their college
major and career goals.
Keywords: first-generation student, Hispanic, Latino, leadership, persistence, …

The Lived Experiences Of Women In Construction: Career Supporting Strategies, Cheryl Croall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Women are underrepresented in the United States construction industry, representing only 11% of the workforce, and this lack of diversity in the male-dominated occupation results in barriers to female career advancement. The problem is that women in construction experience obstacles to career progression due to gender work life balance, sexual harassment, and pay inequality; barriers such as these keep women out of leadership roles. Three recommended techniques to support women’s career progression in construction and combat barriers to career advancement include social support, fighting back (openly challenging discrimination), and positive reappraisal (reframing negatives to positives). Understanding the effectiveness of these …

A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study Of The U.S. Army’S Performance Evaluation Process And Its Impact On Minority Groups: Bias, Diversity, And Military Readiness, Laterrious Starks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes the impact of the U.S. Army’s Officer Evaluation Report process on minority groups. Through a constructivist grounded theory framework, this research unravels the dynamics that influence performance evaluations and examines the Army’s ability to be a developmental organization. As the military sharpens its focus on identifying near-peer threats and updating the National Defense Strategy for large-scale combat operations, diversity and inclusivity policies are increasingly recognized as fundamental to military readiness. This study uncovers disparities that emerge from the organizational practices within the Officer Evaluation Report process. The finding highlights the implications for minority groups and the systemic …

Before Ministry, Education Is Important (Bmei): A Comprehensive Enquiry About The Impact Of Education On Ministry, Mcclintock Acsmhour

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ministry has a variety of fields ranging from churches, social nonprofit organizations, and government ministries in agriculture, health, education, lands, and many more. While this study did not focus on other ministries apart from Christian non profit ministries like church, to some extent, all leaders in these ministries avow that one requires some level of education to be in leading positions in these ministries. In other words, the qualified individual must have been trained in a particular field within the ministry of interest. This indicates the importance of education in ministry. Therefore, this study was conducted to uncover the impact …

Jeremiah And Falsehood, Ernesto A Guajardo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis proposes that falsehood within Jeremiah is the culminating socio- theological development of a string of habitual and willful degradations done to Judah’s agency by its collective religious and public parties. Jeremiah’s inherent historical context being imbedded within the ancient Near East, and his intentional cross-comparison of Judah’s prophets with that of Samaria, calls for a reconsideration of Jeremiah’s standard reading to one that includes non-Israelite divination, prophecy, and ideas on the divine presence. Judah’s prophets and priests are specifically mentioned repeatedly throughout the text as being the encouragers of and sustainers of Judah’s idolatry, immoral behavior, false prophecy, …

Comparing Novice Teacher And School Leader Perceptions In Urban K-12 Mentorship Programs, Shavonne Garner-Price

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The challenge of teacher retention is a pressing concern in education, impacting the stability and success of public schools. Despite bringing enthusiasm and fresh perspectives, novice teachers face high attrition rates due to stress, instructional demands, and classroom complexities. Mentorship programs within teacher induction frameworks have emerged as valuable tools for supporting novice teachers’ acclimation to the profession, achieving goals, improving pedagogical skills, fostering a sense of belonging, and reducing feelings of isolation. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of novice teachers and school leaders on the impact of mentorship programs in an urban K–12 public school district. Utilizing Herzberg’s …

Foster Youth Experiencing Homelessness In Texas: An Analysis Of Risk And Protective Factors That Impact Housing Stability, Monique Willoughby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While research on youth homelessness continues to grow, not much is known about the differences that exist between states. To address specific concerns effectively, a more nuanced and granular approach to assessment is needed. Specifically, Texas youth who are transitioning from foster and other systems of care into young adulthood and more independent living will need tailored support to adequately address their needs. This study is a step in that direction. Through identification of risks factors that predict homelessness for these youth, social workers, counselors, case managers, and other human services providers and advocates can better assess, plan, and intervene …

Evaluating Trauma-Informed Design In A Mental Health Setting: A Community-Based Research Case Study, Marie Spence

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This case study utilized a community-based research framework to explore how the Trauma-Informed Design framework can be implemented in a mental health setting. This study focused on the site of Empower Therapy Practice, a private mental health practice in the Denver Metro Area, to engage clients and staff to participate in advisory boards and inform the interior design of a new office space. To explore the application of Trauma-Informed Design, participants engaged in a variety of research activities, including an evaluative questionnaire, Photovoice, and focus group. Advisory board members identified various aspects of Trauma-Informed Design which meaningfully translate to therapeutic …

My Superpower: Research Collaborator Strategies Among Faculty Members Who Are First-Generation College Graduates, Faye Farmer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This inductive study examined the intersectional experience within research collaborations of tenure-track faculty who are both first-generation college graduate students and from racial and ethnic groups (as defined in the United States) that are underrepresented in STEM fields (as defined by the National Science Foundation). I interviewed twelve current and former faculty members from doctoral-granting universities in the United States. I used identity as the theoretical lens to explore research collaborations at the individual level. The interviews revealed three themes reflecting identity's role in selecting and being selected as a collaborator and working with a collaborator. The themes are: an …

Designing Customized Loss Functions For Training Deep Neural Networks, Ali Pourramezan Fard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the critical role of loss functions in enhancing the predictive performance of deep machine learning models. Loss functions are an integral element of all the ongoing advances we witness daily in this domain. I design custom loss functions and their impacts on various machine learning tasks, particularly in computer vision.

In the first stage of my research, I aim to improve the prediction performance of deep learning models by providing them with more precise feedback associated with task requirements. This led me to create the concept of assistive loss functions. My first proposed loss function, inspired by …

An Examination Of The International Baccalaureate’S Approaches To Learning As Humanizing, Leah Yates

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The development of 21st-century skill frameworks characterized as being universal, transferrable, and future-facing are ubiquitous among international educational organizations (Suto & Eccles, 2014). The International Baccalaureate (IB) incorporates a similarly articulated universal, transferrable, and future-facing set of skills called the Approaches to Learning (ATL) in its four programmes (International Baccalaureate, 2022b). However, critiques of the IB as being Eurocentric and solely concerned with the development of learners for Western educational experiences calls for a critical examination of the ATL as promoting monocultural skills which are not contextual, personalized, or humanizing (Refai, 2020). This multiple-case study and document review utilized the …

Supporting Preservice Teachers Of Color In Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, Kimberly M. Korpita

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While learning how to become culturally and critically conscious educators and advocates for their PK-12 students, racially minoritized preservice teachers often feel isolated. More research is needed to learn how teacher preparation programs could consistently empower rather than isolate preservice teachers of color as they engage in coursework involving culturally relevant pedagogy.

This study focused on the experiences of preservice teachers of color engaging in culturally relevant pedagogy coursework in a K-12 teacher preparation program at a predominately White institution. In partnership with this teacher preparation program, one current preservice teachers of color, five former alumni of color, and three …

Dysfunction Of Polyamine Metabolism In Down Syndrome Related To Cellular Senescence And Β-Amyloid Production, Andres D. Sola

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polyamines (PA) are ubiquitous in cells and highly involved in several important cellular functions and thus the dysregulation of their biosynthetic pathway is potentially associated with the progression of age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s’ disease (AD). Though there is research describing how PA content changes in organisms as they age or in those experiencing rapid aging from increased rates of senescence, as in Down syndrome (DS), it is not clear how this connection occurs and whether modulating this pathway may reveal downstream effects on related disease progression. This study examines how the modulation of the PA biosynthetic pathway by inhibition of …

Guns, Glass, And Metal And The Applications Of Traditional Technology In The 19th Century Southern Platte, Aaron Toussaint

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis I investigate how Indigenous communities of the North American Central Plains navigated settler-colonialism by adapting traditional hunting technology. To frame this I ask, how and why traditional technology was favored over introduced firearm technology? I investigate this by examining archaeological collections from Fort Vasquez and the Coffin's Buffalo Kill Site, ethnographic history of the Central Plains, Indigenous ledger art, and interviewing a ledger artist. This study uses a multifaceted theoretical approach to connect hybrid projectile point artifacts, with Indigenous historic documentation, to recognize Indigenous agency in the 19th century. This thesis counters historic narratives of the 19th …

We’Re Not In Texas Anymore: Archaeological Investigations In Historic Dallas, Colorado, Tristan Newberry-Cushman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work is the product of an archaeological investigation of the former townsite of Dallas, Colorado. Archival research, drone photography, shovel test pits (STPs), and a test excavation unit were employed to learn more about how the people of Dallas lived, and how they interacted with national systems. Probabilistic and purposive sampling were used to collect data, and both quantitative and qualitative analysis were performed. The goal of this research was to determine which theoretical model best explains how Dallas was connected to national cultural and economic systems.

The Impact Of Cumulative And Acute Loading On Achilles Tendon Health, Performance, And Reported Pain In Collegiate Gymnasts, Julio Serrano Samayoa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Gymnasts are at a high risk of Achilles tendon (AT) injuries due to intense loads during takeoffs and landings. To better understand better the relationship between impact loading and its effects on tendon adaptation and athletic performance, this study uses Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to track AT loading across a collegiate gymnastics season. This data were compared against physiological and athletic performance metrics, obtained through force plates and ultrasound imaging, to explore how mechanical load influences reported pain and athletic performance. Results varied, with cumulative impacts being correlated with improved jump height (Spearman 0.362, Pearson 0.348), while peak power and …

Model-Based Navigation And Control Of Multirotor Uavs: A Machine Learning Approach, Serhat Sönmez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent decades, unmanned systems, particularly Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have seen significant advancement and unprecedented growth in military, civilian and public domain applications. Scientists have focused on enhancing UAV navigation and control through cutting-edge technologies and support tools. UAVs find applications in many fields, except military, such as agriculture, infrastructure inspection, wildlife monitoring, search and rescue, emergency response, border protection, to name but a few relevant civilian applications. Given the faster-than-exponential increase of available computational power, learning-based algorithms have emerged as a prominent tool for (real-time) multirotor UAV navigation and control. This dissertation centers around the fusion of conventional …

Financialization And Price Volatility: An Empirical Analysis On Speculation In The Oil Market, Audry F. Oliveira Carnivale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Financialization has facilitated the trade of futures contracts because of deregulatory policies increasing speculation. Speculation has created a more fragile market inducing riskier investments and aggravating price volatility. Three post-Keynesian theories, the financial instability hypothesis, money manager capitalism and markup, explain how policy altering the banking structure has developed financialization from lax regulation. Previous research has emphasized supply and demand as the main determinants of oil price changes, but it’s important to consider how structural changes from policy stimulating a more financialized economy has impacted volatility. With Brent Crude oil price data and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) open interest and …

Investigating The Role Of Tetherin Protein In Multivesicular Bodies Fusions In Lung Cancer Cells, Md. Rakib Miah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cells rely on the secretion of exosomes to communicate with one another and this process is potentially mediated by a protein called tetherin, which anchors exosomes to the cell surface to limit their spread. Tetherin protein has attracted a lot of attention because of its capacity to hinder the propagation of viruses by attaching virions to the surface of host cells. Treatment with interferon-alpha (IFNα) increases the production of tetherin, although it is not known how this affects tetherin localization and exosome-mediated communication. This thesis looks at how the expression of tetherin, which IFNα boosts, affects the dynamics of intercellular …

Applications Of Computer Vision In Biomechanics And Orthopaedics, William Stewart Burton Ii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Machine learning has emerged as a key technology for enabling advanced computer vision systems. These systems now permeate many industries, and have enhanced traditional processes through autonomous interpretation of visual data. In the field of orthopaedics, the increasing prevalence of imaging highlights a need for similar tools. In many cases, however, direct translation of available frameworks fails to resolve the complex problems currently facing this field. Stringent performance requirements, complex visual environments, data scarcity, and implications for patient safety represent domain-specific factors which pose unique challenges to proven techniques. Novel approaches are needed to realize the full benefits of visual …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Black Entrepreneur Women’S Personal Development And Its Effect On Their Self-Identity, Mayrion Ann Washington

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore Black entrepreneur women’s personal development and its effect on their self-identity. The study specifically aimed to explore personal development, entrepreneurship, and self-identity as they related to and affected Black entrepreneur women, in the United States, and their experiences with oppression, challenges, barriers, intersectionality, and systemic subordination. Historically, Black entrepreneur women have experienced systematic oppression and faced increased challenges that have and continue to negatively affect their entrepreneurial progress and their self-identity. Preliminary findings from the literature found that when Black entrepreneurial women engage in personal development, the results are reflected in …

The Use Of Peracetic Acid And The Advanced Oxidation Process In Water Purification., Spencer Shipman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Next Round Brewing project was a project that sought to use treated wastewater to make potable drinking water using peracetic acid (PAA) and the advanced oxidation process and break the stigma around reclaimed water. In experiments, PAA was an efficient biocide which reduced the level of pathogens to within EPA standards. When PAA was coupled with the advanced oxidation process all organic matter was also reduced to within acceptable levels, and no biocide was left over in the final product, meaning PAA properly dissociated into harmless byproducts. A series of experiments are presented that vary concentrations of PAA, effluent …

Biocargos: Capture And Release Gels For Room Temperature Cell Storage., Justin Jacobson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Currently, cryovials on dry ice or liquid nitrogen vapor transportation vessels are primary ways utilized to transport mammalian cells from one location to another. Due to the safety concerns of dry ice and liquid nitrogen, associated costly shipping charges, and limitations of proper packaging and labeling of materials, these conventional shipping techniques are unacceptable. It is urgent to develop a safe and environmentally friendly protocol to preserve and ship the biological samples from one place to another. In this research, a method was developed for an ecofriendly and safe protocol to preserve cancer cells. The cell viability of cell line …