Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Perceptions And Experiences Of School Building Leaders At Public Charter Schools And The Impact They Have On The Provision Of Physical Education In Charter School Settings, Nathaniel Bouie Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenology study aimed to explore the perceptions of school principals regarding physical education (PE) and its impact on school programming. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten school principals in an urban charter school district in the United States. The interviews were transcribed, and data were analyzed using the phenomenological approach under the lens of teacher socialization.

The findings of the study revealed that physical education was perceived as an inferior subject compared to core subjects such as mathematics, science, and language arts. School leaders viewed PE as less important than other subjects and often reduced its instructional time …

A Systematic Review Of The Outcomes And Efficacy Of Complementary And Alternative Non-Pharmacological Interventions In Youth With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Kelly M. Kohler

Theses and Dissertations

A number of behavioral and pharmacological treatments have been widely accepted as evidenced-based approaches to treating symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. While pharmacological approaches are safe and effective at managing symptoms, a large subset of caregivers do not have access to medication, refuse it, or find it ineffective, necessitating the need for non-pharmacological treatments. Such behavioral interventions are also generally effective approaches to symptom management and reducing the functional impairment of ADHD and may even demonstrate better parent satisfaction than medication alone. However, these interventions are often difficult to access and burdensome to implement, especially …

Sex-Specific Regulation Of Mash And Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Role Of Sphk2 In Females, Bria Pierre

Theses and Dissertations

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) representing a more severe form that can progress to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The sphingosine kinases and the S1P signaling pathway are key regulators of MASH and HCC progression. While much is known about the mechanisms contributing to MASH-HCC in males, less is known for females. Nevertheless, we previously identified sphingosine Kinase 2 (SphK2) to protect females from MASH-driven HCC. This study first performed differential gene expression analysis on human liver cohorts to examine sex-specific differences in gene expression …

Examining Mental Health Providers’ Differential Sensitivity To Youth And Caregiver Treatment Engagement Problems By Studying Clinical Decision-Making Behaviors, Wendy Chu

Theses and Dissertations

Clinical decision-making is a systematic process of collecting and using information to guide action regarding client care. Across frameworks of clinical decision-making, there is an emphasis on the assessment of a problem – which involves considering, identifying, and selecting a problem – as it directly informs intervention. In youth mental health services, problems related to treatment engagement or the ability to meaningfully participate in services are important to assess given their association with premature termination and poor outcomes. However, research suggests that assessment of engagement problems may be challenging, and one potential reason pertains to providers’ ability to assess across …

Examining Healthcare Access Disparities: Social Determinants And Patient Experiences At Valley Healthcare, Mikaila Larmond

Theses and Dissertations

Persistent disparities in healthcare access continued to affect low-income, rural, and underserved populations across the United States. This capstone project explored these disparities within Valley HealthCare, a regional provider in Columbus, Georgia, by examining how social determinants such as income, education, geography, and transportation shaped healthcare engagement among adult patients. A mixed-methods case study design was used to analyze survey data, patient satisfaction feedback, and organizational reports from a sample of 80 adult patients between January and March 2025.

The results showed that patients residing in lower-income or geographically isolated areas reported significantly higher rates of missed appointments. Individuals with …

Assessing The “Plateaus” Vertical Development Model With A New Likert Scale Instrument, Mark Divine

Theses and Dissertations

This research project will focus on the assessment of the Five Plateaus (Plateaus) vertical leadership development model with a newly constructed Likert Scale instrument. Part one of the research project was a pilot study to create a simple, internet-based instrument. The scale, comprised of 100 questions and completed in 30 minutes, assesses participants' self- perceived stage of development as presented in the Plateaus vertical development model. The instrument was designed to capture the experience of participants and to overcome limitations of existing assessments by mitigating the subjectivity of sentence completion instruments, as well as to enhance efficiency and reliability. The …

Best Practices In Leadership In Probation, Ronamae Panganiban

Theses and Dissertations

Research indicates that leadership in law enforcement is a continuous learning process (Birzer et al., 2016; Davies & Heysmand, 2021; Niles et al., 2024; Roberts et al., 2016). Due to the complex structure and changing environment, leadership responsibilities fall upon multiple individuals in a chain of command (C. Davis, 2020; G. W. Garner, 2016; Sienkiewicz-Malyjurek, 2016). The research study aimed to identify best practices for leadership in law enforcement that leaders employ that make them successful. It used a phenomenological qualitative design and purposive sampling method to obtain a sample size of 15 participants. The study utilized a semi structured …

Between "Hippies In Suits" And "Money Is The Name Of The Game": Farm Animal Advocates' Analyses Of Political Power In The Farm Bill, Jeff Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

The animal agriculture industry annually slaughters roughly ten billion land animals in the United States. What can be done to improve their welfare and lessen their suffering?

Over the past decade, the problem of farm animal welfare and suffering has drawn increasing interest from the effective altruism community, a loose movement of utilitarian advocates seeking technocratic solutions to social problems (Singer, 2015). As effective altruism has become a more potent driver of the animal welfare movement, an increasing number of nonprofits have begun engaging in political advocacy for farm animal welfare. Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz’ Open Philanthropy is the largest …

Subgingival Microbiomes Of Healthy And Periodontitis Subjects, Tareq Abdulrasoul

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease triggered by the dysbiosis of the subgingival microbiome. 16s rRNA sequencing has been used to profile the subgingival plaque samples in healthy and periodontitis subjects. Here, we have collected subgingival plaque samples from subjects and analyzed the microbiome profile from 16s rRNA sequencing. We hypothesized that periodontitis patients will have a different subgingival microbiome profile than that of healthy subjects.

Methods: Subgingival plaque samples were collected from periodontitis and healthy subjects who were indicated for periodontal surgeries (osseous resective and regenerative surgery for periodontitis patients or crown lengthening for healthy …

Cannabis Use Among Cancer Survivors And The Impact On Cancer-Related Pain, Tiffanie A. Vargas

Theses and Dissertations

With a growing population of older adult cancer survivors—many of whom experience cancer-related pain—interest in medical cannabis as a pain management strategy has increased. This secondary analysis used data from the 2022 U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine cannabis use behaviors among cancer survivors and assess associations with cancer-related pain. The study had three aims: (1) to describe 30-day cannabis use (prevalence, intensity, and administration routes) by chronic health condition and cancer diagnosis, focusing on non-melanoma skin cancer, melanoma, and other cancers; (2) to compare demographics, health characteristics, and tobacco use by cannabis use status among cancer …

Substrate Preference And Foraging Behavior Of Two Declining Warblers In Appalachian Shrublands, Samantha Fishman

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Shrubland and early successional habitats (ESH) support a diversity of wildlife, including many declining songbirds. However, nonnative shrubs increasingly dominate these habitats, potentially altering habitat quality by influencing prey availability. Habitat quality can be assessed by observing foraging behaviors of songbirds and identifying preferred and avoided substrates as well as testing the predictions of optimal foraging theory; specifically that birds will maximize their energy gain relative to the costs. We examined foraging behaviors of Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera; GWWA) and Chestnut-sided Warblers (Setophaga pensylvanica; CSWA) in ESH on private lands in Virginia with varying amounts …

Developing Bioinformatics Expertise Through The Annotation Of The Gut Microbiome Of Odontotaenius Disjunctus, Keidra E. Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have revolutionized biological research by generating unprecedented volumes of genomic data, necessitating advanced bioinformatics tools and specialized expertise to fully interpret complex microbial communities. This study outlines an integrated workflow to characterize the gut microbiome of the wood-feeding beetle Odontotaenius disjunctus. Prokka is employed for functional annotation to identify protein-coding genes and other genomic features, while Kaiju is used for taxonomic classification. DIAMOND is then applied to locate and validate the taxonomic assignments generated by Kaiju by aligning sequences within the contigs to a comprehensive protein database, proGenomes. Functional analysis revealed that the contigs encode proteins …

Radical Hope Amid Generational Oppression And Puerto Rican Well-Being, Natalia Gomez Giuliani

Theses and Dissertations

Oppressive systems (e.g., colonialism, racism, capitalism) create a disparate distribution of power that, through various mechanisms, negatively impacts the health and well-being of members of the oppressed group. Boricuas have experienced over 500 years of oppression, with the island currently maintaining a colonial relationship with the United States. As these adverse effects of oppression are identified, the need for protective factors (e.g., hope) has emerged. This study explored how islander Boricuas practice radical hope, understand their history of oppression and resistance, and how they perceived it to impact their overall well-being. Utilizing a phenomenological qualitative approach, I conducted 15 semi-structured …

Using Habituation And Affective Forecasting To Distinguish When The Passive Enjoyment Of Harm Begets The Active Pursuit Of Aggression, Drew M. Parton

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the antecedents and impellers of aggression is key to preventing violence, and individual differences have been identified as some of the key factors of interest in the study of aggression. Antisocial personality traits such as psychopathy, Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Sadism have received considerable focus from researchers. Among these traits, Sadism stands above them all as arguably the most malevolent of all trait constructs in psychology. Sadism shows the strongest correlations with aggression among malevolent traits and is uniquely linked to unprovoked aggression, even when it is costly. Sadism thus represents an extreme risk factor for aggression, and studying its …

Place, Culture, And Care: A Socioecological Examination Of Type 2 Diabetes Among Hispanics In The U.S., Danielle Montoya

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) disproportionately affects U.S. Hispanic populations. This dissertation examined whether structural determinants fundamentally drive T2D disparities among Hispanics, with attention to within-group racial heterogeneity.

Methods: Three studies utilized nationally representative data. Study 1 examined neighborhood segregation and ethnic enclave residence associations with T2D using restricted NHANES data (2011-2018, n=5,056). Study 2 investigated acculturation and T2D associations using restricted NHANES data (2011-2018, n=4,540). Study 3 analyzed patient-provider racial/ethnic concordance and adequate diabetes care using MEPS data (2008-2021, n=17,138).

Results: Structural factors demonstrated primacy across all studies. Neighborhood segregation (aOR=1.17, p>0.05) and ethnic enclave residence showed no …

Evaluation Of Schlafen Family Proteins In Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Savannah Brown

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the role of Schlafen (SLFN) family proteins in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), a subtype known for its aggressive behavior and poor response to treatment. Through a series of studies, this dissertation examines the interplay between multiple SLFN proteins, chemotherapy resistance, and immune modulation, revealing the potential of SLFN12 as both a biomarker and therapeutic target for improving treatment outcomes, particularly in overcoming chemoresistance in TNBC.

Breast cancer, the most common cancer worldwide, includes various subtypes like TNBC, which lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, making it resistant to conventional therapies. SLFN proteins, first discovered in mice, regulate …

From Unprepared To On Track: Closing The Kindergarten Readiness Gap By Using A Team-Based Approach To Implement A Multi-Tiered System Of Supports (Mtss) Framework With Fidelity, Erica Filipiak

Theses and Dissertations

We live in a world where preschool and even kindergarten are optional years in schooling, only perpetuating the problem of incoming kindergartener students systemically lacking foundational skills necessary to successfully begin their academic careers. Access to quality preschool is an equity problem that needs to be discussed and researched. Preparing a student to enter kindergarten with the appropriate foundational academic skills does not just set them up for kindergarten success, but also for success in future grade levels. Therefore, a co-design team focused a problem of practice at an elementary school to provide the kindergarten teacher with additional support by …

Predictive Modeling For Healthcare Data Using Nonlinear Bayesian Methods, Prince Kofi Asare

Theses and Dissertations

Unplanned hospital readmissions represent a significant challenge for healthcare systems, contributing to substantial financial burdens and highlighting gaps in patient care coordination. In the U.S., approximately 20% of Medicare beneficiaries are readmitted within 30 days, costing billions annually. Social determinants of health, such as income, housing stability, and social support, account for up to 80% of health outcomes, yet their integration into predictive models remains underexplored. This study introduces a novel Bayesian framework for predicting 30-day readmission risk, combining Gaussian Process models with spike-and-slab priors and Bayesian Lasso regression with Laplace priors. Utilizing Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods, the approach …

Stress And Behavior In Beef Calves During Weaning, Kathleen E. Tierney

Theses and Dissertations

Animal welfare in commercial livestock operations has been an increasing topic of concern. It is well known that stress can have significant behavioral and physiological repercussions. It is especially important in commercial operations to reduce stress, as animal efficiency is the leading priority. In an effort to reduce stress on animals and improve welfare in livestock operations, several studies have evaluated common husbandry practices. One of the most widely studied practices is weaning, which encapsulates the process of removing the young from the dam. Several studies have evaluated the effects of weaning on beef cattle through a variety of behavioral …

Intimate Partner Violence Victims' Experiences With Civil Legal Interventions, Jessica Brooke Pomerantz

Theses and Dissertations

The court system has become a central part of the societal response to intimate partner violence (IPV) and is a frequently used as a source of help for victims (Cattaneo et al., 2013). Despite the importance of a justice system response to IPV, it is not always accessible or helpful to victims. Past research has demonstrated barriers to IPV victims seeking legal intervention including mistrust of the court system generally, extensive and confusing legal processes and procedures, and failure of the courts to assess more invisible forms of abuse (Calton et al., 2017; Cerulli et al., 2015; Cuomo & Dolci, …

Examining Effects Of A Cultural And Family Resilience Program On Improving Physical Activity And Eating Behaviors Among Overweight Black Adolescents, Mary Quattlebaum

Theses and Dissertations

Black adolescents have higher rates of physical inactivity, lower quality dietary intake, and fewer family meals compared to their White peers. These health inequities place Black adolescents at greater risk for overweight and obesity, as well as long-term health consequences, including chronic disease and early mortality. However, few health promotion programs have been successful in improving health behaviors among Black adolescents and families. Elevated rates of chronic stress, namely racial stress, among Black families may be a prominent obstacle for engagement in and effectiveness of health promotion initiatives. Limited family-based health promotion programs with Black families have incorporated cultural and …

Homeschooling And Online Learning Technologies From A Parent’S Perspective, Karla M. Forti

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational research study was to examine the relationship between homeschooling parents’ use of educational technology tools and their instructional behaviors and perceptions, with additional consideration of virtual school participation. Survey-based data from 22 parents of over 40 homeschooled children were used to examine technology adoption and instructional preferences across non-traditional learning settings. The study addressed four research questions through descriptive statistics and correlational analysis, while quantitative themes from open-ended responses enriched the findings. Results provided insight into parental motivations and trends influencing homeschooling and virtual school choices, highlighting the expanding role of online learning …

Enhancing Concrete Sustainability With Self-Healing Technologies, Al Shimaa Abdullatif

Theses and Dissertations

Thanks to its strength, durability and affordability, Portland cement concrete is the most commonly used building material worldwide. However, concrete cracking is inevitable due to numerous factors including shrinkage, exposure to external chemicals, internals reactions, excessive loads, to name but a few. Self-healing is a promising technique that can enable concrete to autogenously heal cracks and alleviate much of the damage. Such healing can without a doubt extend the service life with less need for external repair works therefore it contributes to sustainability. Over the years, several means of self-healing agents have been explored including bio-based procedures and the incorporation …

Local Food System Planning On Multiple Governance Scales: A Grounded Theory Analysis, Decker Ure

Theses and Dissertations

Local food systems (LFS) comprise the people, policies, infrastructure and practices of food production, distribution, and consumption in localized areas. LFS are becoming an increasingly important part of urban sustainable development and have recently gained significant traction in the urban planning and sustainable community spheres. Worldwide shocks to global food systems such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war have further elevated global interest in LFS, bringing local food to the forefront of many communities as they try to insulate themselves and their food supply from future risk. However, despite this growing interest in and policy momentum for local …

Contributions Of Glacier Meltwater To Water Resources And Water Quality Below The Ablating Coropuna Ice Cap In The Arid Peruvian Andes, Alexis Rowley

Theses and Dissertations

Rapidly retreating glaciers in the arid tropics are an invaluable resource for communities that depend on meltwater to support drinking water, agriculture, hydropower production, and mining. There is limited understanding of how glacier loss will impact regional water resources, groundwater flow paths, and water quality, especially during the dry season. The Nevado Coropuna volcano in Southern Peru has one of the largest remaining ice caps in the tropics, but has experienced rapid ice loss in the past few decades and is projected to disappear in the next century due to climate change. Located in the northern Atacama Desert, the arid …

New Chapters In An Old Book: New Discoveries In Transferrin's Blood Stream Modulators And Analytical Methods, Shelby Thomas Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Human serum transferrin is a 79 kDa glycoprotein responsible for the safe transport of iron throughout the blood stream. Transferrin binds up to two ferric ions in two domains known as the N-lobe and C-lobe respectively. Thus, there are four transferrin metalloforms: apo-Tf (with no iron bound), FeN-Tf (with one iron bound in the N-lobe), FeC-Tf (with one iron bound in the C-lobe) and holo-Tf(with two iron ions bound, one in each of the lobes). The two domains are homologous but feature differences in the kinetics and thermodynamics of iron binding and release. The two lobes are also different in …

Quality And Sensory Characteristics Of Selected Freeze-Dried Foods After 50 Years Storage, Prithiviraj Jegannathan

Theses and Dissertations

Freeze-drying is a dehydration process that uses low temperature and pressure to remove moisture from food. With an annual market value of over $35 billion in 2023, freeze-dried foods are widely used in various situations requiring long-term storage such as military rations, emergency food supplies, and space exploration. Freeze-dried foods are becoming more popular for their quality, light weight, easy storage at room temperature, and quick rehydration. Moreover, many freeze-dried food manufacturers claim that their freeze-dried food products can last for 25 years or more. However, there are currently no published studies supporting such claims. Chemical, physical, and sensory properties …

The Influence Of Heat Therapy On Redox Signaling In Skeletal Muscle, Kimberly Miriam Richard

Theses and Dissertations

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been identified as crucial signaling molecules in skeletal muscle adaptations to exercise and signal for protective pathways within the myofiber. Pathological heat stress studies in animals demonstrate the ability of heat to increase ROS production in skeletal muscle. Limited data on the influence of therapeutic heat on ROS production and redox signaling in human skeletal muscle exists in the literature. The purpose of this study was to assess ROS production and redox signaling in human skeletal muscle following an acute, therapeutic bout of heat treatment. We hypothesized that heat would create an oxidized environment within …

Effects Of Microbial Lipases On Parmesan And Feta Cheese Flavor Profiles, Erin N. Caswell

Theses and Dissertations

Lipolysis is crucial for cheese flavor development, as lipolytic enzymes convert fats into free fatty acids that enhance flavor. While Kid/Goat (KG) lipases are traditionally used in cheese production, microbial lipases like M. javanicus (MJ) and C. cylindracea (CC) provide vegetarian, cost-effective alternatives. This study compares the flavor, texture, and composition of Feta and Parmesan cheeses made with microbial lipases as a replacement for traditional lipase. Conventional cheese making techniques were used to make experimental batches of Feta and Parmesan cheeses using a standard KG lipase and two experimental lipases, CC and MJ, and comparing all three against a control …

A Correlation Study Between Soil Selenium Levels And Diabetes Prevalence Across U.S. Regions: An Archival Data Analysis (2012-2018), Baoshan Wu

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the correlation between soil selenium levels and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevalence across U.S. regions between 2012 to 2018. Selenium, an essential trace element, plays an important role in antioxidant defense and metabolism. While appropriate selenium intake may protect against diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing oxidative stress, excessive intake can have adverse effects. This research analyzed the most recent data, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), for over 3,000 counties in the U.S. A correlation analysis model was used to determine the relationship between soil selenium …