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Characteristics Of Leadership Of Selected Historical Leaders In Music Education In The United States With An Exploratory Study Of The Explicability Of These Characteristics To Modern Music Education Leadership In Elementary Schools, Ashley Loren Stringfield

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this multicase, qualitative study dissertation was to describe how the leadership characteristics of the founders of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) inform today’s music educators’ leadership abilities. During the 1907 Keokuk conference the founding members discussed the first set of guiding principles for various subjects within the music discipline including chorus, band, and piano. For this study, the research questions are focused on the similarities in leadership styles of music education leaders past and present. Suggestions for improvement of teacher and administrator leadership characteristics were revealed by the leaders themselves.

Eight public elementary school music teachers …

The Contribution Of Self-Efficacy And Counselor Biases Effects On Clinical Reasoning In New Counselors, Ashley Faith Waddington

Theses and Dissertations

Clinical reasoning is widely used among several medical professionals and personnel to diagnose conditions to streamline the treatment process in an effective manner. Researchers have explored clinical reasoning in nursing literature and the medical profession, however, have not been explored in counselor education despite counselors being one of the largest groups of individuals diagnosing mental health conditions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation of self-efficacy and counselor biases influence on uncertainty with diagnosis in new counselors. The hypothesized directional relationship was explored in new counselors as the hypothesis suggests that higher levels of self-efficacy and …

Meta-Analysis Of Factors Impacting Reading Impairment Rates In Studies Of Children With Developmental Language Disorder (Dld), Kayla Dewey

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose - Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a common yet underdiagnosed disorder centered on difficulties with oral language, and often associated with word reading and reading comprehension difficulties. Numerous studies have documented high rates of reading impairment in children with DLD, but the specific rates vary widely across studies. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to help provide accurate prognostic information about this disorder by determining the average proportion of participants with DLD who also had reading impairment, and to determine whether variability in the rate of reading impairment was significantly influenced by studies’ methodological features, including recruitment method, type …

The Association Of Student Achievement And The Frequency Of Curriculum Supervision And Evaluation Practices Of Principals Across Comparable School Clusters, James S. Reynolds Iv

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the frequency of principals’ curriculum supervision and evaluation practices across comparable school clusters. It was hypothesized that principals of the schools at the top of each cluster, sorted by student achievement, are more frequently involved in practices pertaining to the evaluation and supervision of written, taught, and tested curricula. Schools were grouped based on their enrollment and demographics using a cluster analysis approach, sorted from greatest to least by their composite student achievement score, then classified as a top or bottom-performing school within their cluster. This study identified differences in the frequency of the principal's curriculum leadership …

Correlation Between Intraoral Markers And The Risk Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Children, Linda K. Powers

Theses and Dissertations

Specific aims: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between various intraoral markers and the risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children. Specifically, nine intraoral clinical characteristics were analyzed: ankyloglossia, palatal vault height, presence and level of dental wear, tonsillar grade, Friedman's classification, skeletal and dental classification, and posterior crossbite. The correlation between these features and the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and Pediatric Symptoms Checklist (PSC) scores were assessed.

Methods: Orthodontic patients aged 8-17 were recruited at the VCU Graduate Clinic. Intraoral measurements were collected from patients (n=100) by treating doctors. At this time, the PSQ …

Assessing Drug Development Proporties Of Antithrombotic And Anti - Cancer Agents, Elsamani I. Abdelfadiel

Theses and Dissertations

The current GAG anticoagulants such as heparin, heparin derivatives, and vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin continue to be the backbone of anticoagulant therapy. These drugs act through an indirect mechanism to convey inhibition of several coagulation enzymes. However, xv their use leads to several serious adverse effects, such as excessive bleeding risk and unpredictability of patient response. Regardless of their clinical achievement, every individual agent is accompanied by several side effects, particularly major/minor bleeding, thrombocytopenia, drug-food or drug-drug interactions, or absence of antidote. Of all these side effects, bleeding, and a lack of an effective antidote to reverse excessive …

Molecular Mechanisms Of Prdm16 As A Tumor Suppressor In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Eric Hurwitz

Theses and Dissertations

The transcription factor Prdm16 functions as a potent suppressor of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b) signaling, whose inactivation is deemed essential to the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Using the Kras^G12D-based mouse model of human PDAC, we surprisingly found that ablating Prdm16 did not block but instead accelerated PDAC formation and progression, suggesting that Prdm16 might function as a tumor suppressor in this malignancy. Subsequent genetic experiments showed that ablating Prdm16 along with Smad4 resulted in a shift from a well-differentiated and confined neoplasm to a highly aggressive and metastatic disease, which was associated with a striking deviation …

Assessing The Relationships Between Direct And Vicarious Exposure To Healthcare Discrimination And Erasure, Mistrust In Healthcare, And The Healthcare Utilization Behaviors Among Transgender And Gender Independent Individuals, Kyle L. Mason

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare inaccessibility through direct exposure (i.e., personal) to myriad forms of gender identity-related discrimination and erasure among the Transgender and Gender Independent (TGI) population has been documented by prior studies. The myriad barriers that individuals who embody TGI identities encounter to accessing healthcare are associated with the underutilization of healthcare, which may further exacerbate the health disparities that exist between this population and cisgender individuals in the United States (U.S.). Although the impacts of the harm that direct exposure to healthcare discrimination and erasure may have on TGI individuals are known, their exposure to such harm vicariously (i.e., through observation …

Morphometric Analysis Of Premolars And Its Relevance To Root Canal Anatomy, James Degracie

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Premolars are especially challenging to treat endodontically due to their small size and often-intricate anatomy. While the majority of premolars present with one or two root canals, the presence of three root canals has been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the root-to-crown width ratio (RCWR) and number of root canals in maxillary and mandibular premolars.

Methods: Data was retrieved from the electronic health records of patients treated at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. A total of 100 premolars which had both periapical radiograph (PA) and cone beam computed tomography scans (CBCT) …

Psychiatric Diagnostic Decision-Making: Investigating The Theory Of The Dual-Process Model, Christopher S. Kleva

Theses and Dissertations

Diagnostic decision-making is an important component of clinical practice; however, there is substantial diagnostic unreliability within mental health diagnoses. The lack of reliability emphasizes the importance of investigating diagnostic decision-making; however, the research to date is limited, primarily relying on a vague definition of decision-making based on the dual-process model. The present study is an exploratory attempt to apply the dual-process model to explain how mental health clinicians (n = 30, 73.3% cisgender female, 96.7% psychologists) arrive at making diagnostic decisions through the use of an interactive interview mechanism. For each participant, we are able to create a figure …

Treatment Access And Outcomes For Craniofacial Care: Patient And Parent Perspectives, Benjamin F. Lowe Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose was to evaluate whether craniofacial patients and their parents have adequate access to care, perceive this care as high quality, and believe that the incorporation of telehealth visits would benefit their current system of craniofacial care. Methods: An original survey was developed and sent to families in treatment with the Virginia Commonwealth University craniofacial team. The tool was used to gather demographic information and assess opinions toward access to, outcomes of, and telehealth services for craniofacial care. Patients 18 years and older took the survey for themselves, while patients under 18 years old had a parent/guardian take …

Marine And Human Environmental Factors Influence Vibrio Parahaemolyticus And Vibrio Vulnificus In Vitro Biofilm Processes On Plastics, Ryan Eric Leighton

Theses and Dissertations

Marine bacteria often exist in biofilms as communities attached to surfaces, like plastic. Growing concerns exist regarding marine plastics acting as potential vectors of pathogenic Vibrio, especially in a changing climate. It has been generalized that Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus often attach to plastic surfaces. Different strains of these Vibrios exist having different growth and biofilm forming properties. This work evaluated how temperature and strain variability affect V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus biofilm formation and characteristics on glass (GL), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). This work also evaluated how human body related factors like temperature, …

The Impact Of A Series Of Professional Development Sessions On Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (Crp) On The Awareness Level Of Seven Teachers At A Suburban High School, Charity Jo Brady

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation aimed to examine the impact that culturally responsive pedagogy had on a suburban high school. Specifically, it focused on the effectiveness of a six-session professional development series in increasing the awareness level of seven teacher-participants at Bayside High School during the Spring 2022 semester. The study utilized pre- and post- questionnaires, weekly journal reflections (written), field notes and observations, and participant interviews for data collection. The findings suggest that the professional development sessions were successful in increasing the awareness level of the teachers, leading to a more culturally responsive classroom environment. This study highlights the importance of ongoing …

Oceanographic Applications Of A Monolithic Spatial Heterodyne Raman Spectrometer, Amanda Carol Agrawal

Theses and Dissertations

Carbon dioxide enters the ocean through a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources, and has a significant impact on ocean acidification, the marine buffering system, and bioavailability of life-essential carbonate ions. As carbon dioxide dissolves it reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which then rapidly dissociates into hydronium, bicarbonate, and carbonate ions. Some hydronium ions protonate carbonate to form bicarbonate, driving the carbonate concentration lower while there is a net increase in hydronium concentration. Monitoring the carbonate equilibrium system in the ocean is a complex analytical problem, where speciation is often measured or calculated indirectly ex situ. It …

Producer Interviews And Analysis As A Tool For Science Communication And Research Implementation In Agriculture, Lacy Marie Barnette

Theses and Dissertations

Research implementation beyond the laboratory requires both sound science and high-quality science communication. Science communication is an emerging field that is increasing in importance as the public has access to more information than ever, however there are some underlying obstacles like the lack of communication-specific training that scientists receive and disconnected populations. Agricultural producers have a perceived history of being disconnected from science even though modern agriculture relies heavily on researched practices and has an entire network of extension agencies intended to communicate with producers. One reason for this perceived disconnect is the one-way communication that has dominated science communication …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Lived Experiences Of Adults Diagnosed With Adhd, Carole Larson Yokell

Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in the research was that many individuals were not diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) until they were adults. The purpose of the study was to examine the experiences and beliefs of participants regarding the management of ADHD and the impact that experiences may or may not have regarding the quality of life during adulthood. This study utilized a phenomenological qualitative approach to collect data from adults diagnosed with ADHD about their life experiences. Data were gathered with virtual conference interviews and phone calls using an interview protocol that the researcher developed. Qualitative methods were utilized …

The Impact Of Job Demands And Job Resources On Clery Officers’ Feelings Of Self-Efficacy, Jacqueline Pontius-Hogan

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to better understand how to support university administrators serving in a compliance role. Safety on university campuses is of utmost importance and many collaborators work toward this endeavor. Generally, on any given college or university campus, there is one administrator tasked with compliance with the Clery Act. Administrators had varying direct experience and interest in serving in this role, though all understood the importance of compliance and the consequences of noncompliance.

The researcher interviewed Clery Officers from multiple campuses. Utilizing semistructured interviews, information was gathered as to how self-efficacious these administrators felt. The intent behind …

Teacher Attrition Rates In A Large Urban Elementary School In The Southeastern United States, Yvonne Joy Russ

Theses and Dissertations

Educational organizations were experiencing increasing teacher attrition rates, thereby impacting teacher self-efficacy, workplace continuity, and student achievement levels. With this national crisis unfolding, schools struggled to recruit and retain high-quality teachers necessary for organizational success and student mastery of standards-based instruction. The increasing levels of teacher attrition were affecting both novice and veteran schoolteachers. The purpose of this applied dissertation was to understand the experiences of teachers impacted by the problem of increasing teacher attrition, as well as identify retention strategies to employ. Scholarly research on the topic of teacher attrition highlighted factors and issues related to this dilemma; however, …

Exploring Challenges Of Undocumented Students In Their Pursuit Of Post-Secondary Education, Yveline Gaspard Dulis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the mindsets and challenges faced by undocumented Latino students who are pursuing a post-secondary education. The study sought to explain the challenges of the DREAM Act and DACA and its challenges for approval in Congress. This study also sought to examine how undocumented students pursue a college education without financial assistance. Understanding immigration laws helped shape Americans’ perception of undocumented Latino students’ status, struggles, and financial hardships. Three leading factors that contribute to undocumented students’ persistence were analyzed in this study: financial assistance, academic issues, and legal issues. This study was conducted …

A Generic Qualitative Study Of District, School, And Teacher Leader Experiences With Increasing Reading And Writing Achievement, Jennifer Fowler

Theses and Dissertations

English Language Arts (ELA) test scores have declined since the 2020 COVID-19 virus caused schools and districts in the United States and around the world to shut down for substantial periods of time. School and district leaders and teachers across the country are working to increase ELA achievement.

In this generic qualitative research study, local district, school, and teacher leaders were interviewed and asked questions about their experiences with increasing reading and writing achievement using semi-structured interview protocols.

Four research questions were addressed. They concerned the challenges, successes, supports, guidance, mandates, and advice offered by district, school, and teacher leaders …

The Lived Experiences Of 911 Telecommunicators: Life Outside Of The Call Center, Mary's Dariela Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

911 operators are tasked with solving the caller's problem by promptly and efficiently decoding a cry for help, collecting pertinent information, quickly deciding its priority level, and dispatching the appropriate assistance. These employees are responsible for what happens on that line, internalizing their problems to solve those of the callers, which often result in stress disorders, trauma, and personal, professional, and social issues. Their job duties are extensive, the responsibility is vast, and the overall environment can be overwhelming. Aside from the environmental stressors, the details of each critical incident leave the employee susceptible to various risk factors and other …

Evaluating The Effects Of Video Modeling And Visual Supports On Preschoolers’ Compliance With Dental Procedures, Karly L. Orsi-Cordova

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with autism are reported to visit the dentist infrequently. Infrequent visits to the dentist may result in a higher occurrence of caries, and it is, therefore, imperative for children with autism to visit a pediatric dental practice routinely. Some basic behaviormanagement techniques, such as live modeling and reinforcement strategies, have been used with patients with autism. The addition of techniques derived from applied behavior analysis, such as video modeling and visual supports, may increase patients’ compliance with dental procedures. Specifically, the use of visual supports and video modeling warranted further investigation on the efficacy of improving behavior during dental …

The Lived Experience And Perceived Challenges Of Child Protective Investigators Who Place Children In Foster Care, Elizabeth Presume

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examined the difficulties and coping mechanisms associated with child welfare professionals’ interactions with vulnerable children who provide vulnerable populations with emotional, physical, mental, and psychological support. This responsibility impacts their personal life and professional performance since their regular involvement with the children and the following aspects, such as case resolution, in-depth discussions about trauma, and home visits, are emotionally and mentally taxing. The researcher conducted a phenomenological study with nine child protective investigators via an asynchronous online focus group on the Google Groups platform. The participants were all employed in the United States child welfare department, held …

Assessing Organizational Policy: Preferred Practices For Regulating Vaping In The Work Environment, Ayesha Temeka Kirk

Theses and Dissertations

Employee vaping negatively affects organizations in terms of costs, productivity, employee health, and workplace safety. The purpose of this qualitative dissertation study was to assess organizational policies to determine preferred practices to regulate vaping in the work environment. Open-ended questionnaires with 18 human resources administrators, combined with a literature review, yielded data on best practices for organizational policies regulating vaping in the work environment.The data collected in this qualitative dissertation study were extracted from a structured survey questionnaire comprising 16 questions about vaping and tobacco usage in the workplace. The findings demonstrated that vaping and the use of tobacco products …

Examining Teachers’ Experiences With Mindfulness Practices To Promote Positive Relationships And Student Engagement In The Classroom, Hiram Ortega

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years mindfulness practices in the classroom have become increasingly relevant to bring awareness to the present moment, the here-and-now. The literature indicates that mindfulness reduces stress/anxiety in the classroom, and promotes self-regulation, cognitive flexibility, self-compassion, and empathy that contributes to positive classroom behavior, communication, and effective instructional practices. The purpose of this qualitative research is to analyze teachers’ experiences with mindfulness practices in promoting positive relationships and student engagement in the classroom. A group of teachers from an at-risk school district in the southwestern region of the United States were interviewed. The teachers answered 10 open-ended questions about …

Evaluation Of The Impact Of Professional Development On Communication On District And School Leaders, Paul Curtis

Theses and Dissertations

This program evaluation study used an objectives-oriented evaluation to determine the impact of professional development on effective communication to enhance leadership skills of school and district leaders in a southwestern Florida school district. Professional development is offered by the district to teachers, school leaders, district leaders, and staff members. Effective communication is the key to facilitating an impactful professional development training.

Participants were 27 teachers, administrators, and support staff in the district who completed a survey and an interview. Results showed the professional development increased communication and collaboration between and within schools in the district. School leaders showed more engagement, …

A Qualitative Study Of Library Staff’S Understanding Of Disability And Attitudinal Barriers In Libraries, Lisa A. Ferrara

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to examine how library staff understand disability and attitudinal barriers, and to learn how they use this information when planning and implementing library programs and services. Individuals with disabilities are an underserved population in libraries. Although they could benefit from the programs and services that libraries have to offer, individuals with disabilities often experience barriers to participation that prevent them from using libraries. One area that has been understudied is that of the attitudinal barriers experienced by individuals with disabilities.

Participants were recruited through professional library associations throughout the United States using a screening questionnaire. …

Lived Experiences Of Emergency Remote Teaching Use By High School Mathematics Teachers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Glenn E. Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study aims to understand further the lived experiences of high school mathematics teachers who underwent a sudden transformation into emergency remote teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used a qualitative approach, specifically an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Emergency remote teaching has been a new phenomenon that has presented itself worldwide.

This study used two methods for data collection. The first method used was the general participant demographic information survey, a demographic tool collection instrument created by the researcher. The second method for data collection included responses from one-on-one semi-structured interviews. A total of 13 participants completed the …

Perceptions Of Florida Victim Advocates During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Katarina Renee Hamburg

Theses and Dissertations

In December of 2019, a new virus known as COVID-19 emerged out of Wuhan, China. COVID-19 is a respiratory virus which is highly contagious and, in some cases, lethal. By January 20th, 2020, the United States reported its first case of COVID-19. Between January and December of 2020 there were 18.7 million cases and 329,000 deaths in the United States alone. Globally, during that time frame, there were 79.8 million cases and 1.75 million deaths. Due to the highly contagious and dangerous nature of COVID-19, countries across the world have attempted to promote public health by enacting social distancing measures. …

Evaluation Of Novice Teacher Practical Implementation Of Applied Behavior Analysis Strategies: A Single-Subject Research Design Using Behavioral Skills Training, Toniece Walker

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide a targeted training for novice teachers with the use of Behavior Skills Training model. Novice teachers struggle with behavior management in the classroom setting. While there is a growing need for strategic in-class intervention for students with problem behaviors, there is not a system training for novice and veteran teachers that prepares educators to address the increase of problem behaviors among students.

The researcher developed the targeted training that is grounded in the science of applied behavior analysis and incorporates its principles and strategies. With the use of Behavior Skills Training, the researcher …