Digital Commons Network^™

Educators’ Experiences And Perspectives On Teaching Sexuality Education To High School Students In Vietnam, Tram Van

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored experiences of teaching sex education and identified challenges to sexuality education among 10 Vietnamese high school educators. Sexuality education high-school teachers in Vietnam participated in in-depth interviews focused on (a) experiences associated with teaching sex education in Vietnamese high schools and (b) how high school educators’ experiences with professional training related to sex education influenced their teaching practices. This research explored teacher characteristics, curricula, professional development, and environmental factors. Study data were collected via Zoom interviews, enabling the researcher to engage participants in their subjective viewpoints and overcome the hurdles of long-distance travel and health …

Black Women Leaders Bend But Don’T Break: A Qualitative Examination Of Coping With Workplace Inequity In Fortune 500 Companies, Quennette Standford Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

Black women account for 7.1% of the United States (U.S.) population (U.S. Census Bureau,2023); however, they only comprise 2% of executive positions (EEOC, 2023), 1.4% of the Fortune 500 C-suite (Corbett, 2022), and .4% of Fortune 500 CEOs (Dawuni & Frazier, 2022). Typical advice regarding career growth and progression centers on hard work and dedication as facilitators of achievement. However, this is a broken model for Black women, whom studies show follow an inconsistent path and employ a variety of strategies to reach executive levels of leadership as they navigate inequitable systems, treatment, and behaviors in the workplace (Beckwith et …

Breathing: A Story Of Lifelong Learners’ Relationship To The Changing World, Cristina D. González

Theses and Dissertations

Holistic learning is recognized as an effective learning practice. It acknowledges the interconnections between the individual, other people, and the environment, it describes learning as an active process that transforms consciousness. This transformation in consciousness occurs through the facilitation of learning, experiences, and reflection, which lead to acts that nurture oneself, others, and the environment. Teachers face the challenge of noneducators setting unrealistic expectations, providing limited resources, and generating a culture of competition, preventing holistic learning from developing. If students are to learn, this process needs to be honored, which requires pedagogical strategies and practices that can be replicated to …

Transgender Inmate Experiences In Prison Systems, Jails, And Detention Centers In The United States: A Systematic Review, Egypt Leithman

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, transgender individuals have faced varying levels of systematic discrimination, harassment, and violence based on their gender identity. The standard method that jails and prisons incarcerate inmates is based on assessing female versus male genitals. Transgender inmates challenge the protocols of jails and prisons because of their gender variance. These inmates, who have no power, query how places of reform treat the most vulnerable when they are marginalized by peers and those in positions of authority. Consequently, the disregard that the prison system imposes by not offering other ways to assess transgender inmates poses a risk to them that other …

Hasta La Raíz: An Exploration Of Latinidad In Venture Capital, Mariela Salas

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the multifaceted experiences and career management strategies of Latinos/as in the venture capital industry, an area marked by significant underrepresentation. This study aims to illuminate the unique challenges and strategies of Latino/a investors. Drawing on literature from identity formation, Latinidad, diversity and inclusion, and career management, this research addresses the gap in academic literature regarding the lived experiences of Latinos/as in venture capital. The study utilizes 18 narrative interviews with active Latino/a investors of diverse backgrounds and varying experience levels to develop a conceptual framework. This framework highlights the constructed identity of the venture capital investor through …

Revitalizing Online Learning: Teachers’ Perceptions On Boosting Online Engagement For K-12 Education, Alice Pak

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the transformative evolution of online learning, focusing on its role in K-12 online education and the critical issue of student engagement. Tracing its origins from early correspondence courses to today's dynamic, technology-driven platforms, this research examines how online learning has revolutionized educational access, flexibility, and engagement. The study highlights the significant milestones in the evolution of online education, noting the substantial impact of technological advancements that have made learning more interactive, engaging, and personalized (Haleem et al., 2022). Focusing on K-12 education, the dissertation examines how online learning has enabled personalized instruction, self-paced learning, and broader access …

Coping Strategies Of African American Lgbtq Same-Gender-Loving And Heterosexual Women After Intimate Partner Violence, Victoria Moran

Theses and Dissertations

A thematic analysis of literature was applied to academic studies of African American women who identify as same-gender-loving (SGL), meaning either lesbian or bisexual, and African American heterosexual women who have endured intimate partner violence (IPV). The aim was to identify in the literature coping strategies used by the IPV survivors, as well as under-utilized coping strategies. Few studies (28) met the inclusion criteria related to this intersectional identity. Main themes of positive coping skills mentioned were as follows: spirituality, mindfulness, religious practice, community support, social support, confrontation, safety precautions, activism, attitude or self-help, mental health services, participation in research …

The Strong Black Woman Schema, Wellness Outcomes, And Mental Health Interventions: An Integrative Systematic Review, Breanna Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Black women have a unique sociocultural and historical context that impacts their health. Research indicates that the Strong Black Woman schema (SBWS) can serve as a coping strategy for the specific array of stressors faced by Black women. The primary aim of this integrative systematic review was to explore the associations between Strong Black Woman schema and wellness/health outcomes, and to review the available or emerging SBWS-related interventions targeting wellness and mental health for Black women. This review posed the questions: (1) What health/wellness outcomes have been identified or hypothesized to be related to the SBWS? (2) What relationships between …

Differences In The Neurological Functioning Of Females And Males During The Human Sexual Response Cycle: A Quantitative Systematic Review, Zachary Larson

Theses and Dissertations

The psychology field recognizes differences between females and males. Yet, there is a lack of research examining neurobiological sex differences, and a sophisticated understanding of neurobiological contributors that explain these sex differences related to sexuality is lacking. An integrative systematic review of the literature examined differences in the neurological functioning between females and males during the human sexual response cycle (SRC). This study investigated sex differences and commonalities in regional neural activation during the four stages of the human SRC (i.e., excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution). The main result of this study is that the differences between females and males …

A Phenomenological Study Of Teachers' Perception Of Professional Development Sessions Focused On Artificial Intelligence: Utilizing The Tpack Framework To Address The Professional Development Needs Of Teachers, Xuanyi Chen

Theses and Dissertations

AI-enabled educational tools have great potential for enhancing learning and teaching, yet there is a notable lack of study on AI-focused professional development for K-12 teachers. This phenomenological study employed the TPACK framework to examine teachers' incorporation of AI and engagement in professional development activities. The use of a social constructivism framework explored teachers' views on knowledge, learning, and motivation. Data were collected from 12 K-12 teachers across various districts in a large metropolitan area who attended AI professional development sessions in their own context and from that experience created AI artifacts. Primary data included (a) semistructured interviews, (b) professional …

Best Practices For Coaching Secondary School Teachers To Provide Social And Emotional Learning Support To Students, Vailet Yarijanian

Theses and Dissertations

Consequential to the COVID-19 global pandemic, widespread school closures ensued, profoundly affecting secondary school students' academic, social, and psychological well-being. Simultaneously, the academic year of 2020-2021 witnessed a notable surge in the departure of public school teachers, with nearly half opting to resign. This exodus was primarily attributed to the heightened stress associated with virtual instruction and the inadequate provision of mental health resources for educators and students. This dissertation sought to elucidate best practices for instructional coaches collaborating with secondary school teachers to develop a comprehensive toolkit for instilling social and emotional learning competencies within classroom environments. The contagious …

Outcomes Of Anterior Crossbite Correction On Alveolar Bone Morphology In Patients With Cleft Lip And Palate, Katherine J. Hayes

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To determine if patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CLP) with dental correction of the anterior crossbite during growth display differences in alveolar bone thickness around the maxillary central incisors compared to patients without crossbite correction.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated post-treatment cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of growing patients with CLP with anterior crossbites who underwent Phase I orthodontic treatment (n=32). CBCTs were sorted by whether the crossbite was corrected (n=16) or not corrected (n=16) during Phase I. Alveolar bone thickness was measured on the buccal and palatal aspects of the central incisors at 3 mm, …

The Effects Of Various Nanoplastics On The Inflammatory Response In Primary Alveolar Epithelial Cells, Eunice J. Pak

Theses and Dissertations

As plastic pollution begins to multiply in the environment and the workplace, gradual degradation of these plastics creates an unseen threat to biological health: nanoplastics. These nanoplastics are common in day-to-day life, and have been found in various internal organs of the human body. The biological and health effects of these nanoplastics are still widely unknown, and only recently has research focused on the impacts of these particles on human health at the cellular level.

In this thesis, poly(methyl methacrylate) and three forms of polystyrene (carboxyl-modified, amine-modified, and neutral surface charge) have been tested on submerged primary C57BL/6 mouse alveolar …

The Effect Of Experienced Compassion At Work On Nursing Home Certified Nursing Assistants' Well-Being And Turnover Intentions, Kristin M. Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

Statement of problem and objectives: Could experienced compassion at work alleviate nursing home certified nursing assistant (CNA) burnout? This study investigates whether experienced compassion at work predicts higher well-being (meaningfulness of work, psychological vitality, and resilience) for CNAs, and if well-being predicts lower turnover intentions.

Procedure followed: This is a prospective, observational, survey-based study with three timepoint data collection. Convenience sampling of Kansas and Virginia NHs was conducted (n=13). All CNAs working at the NHs were study eligible. CNAs received gift cards with laddered incentives for ongoing participation. There was in-person administration of a CNA survey at each timepoint. …

The Effect Of 17Β Estradiol On Local Production Of Active Vitamin D3 Metabolites In Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Tillat Batool

Theses and Dissertations

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) has garnered attention as a sex-hormone-dependent cancer with notable responsiveness to 17β-estradiol (E₂), in which it’s tumorigenesis can be mediated through estrogen receptors (ER). The ESR1 gene encodes for the classical full-length ERα66, as well as splice variants ERα36 and ERα46. Previous studies have shown that an active vitamin D₃metabolite, 24R,25(OH)₂D_3. has pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic responses in LSCC cells with different ER profiles, and that the tumor cells have the capability of localized production of vitamin D metabolites at the cellular level when treated with 25(OH)D₃-d6 …

Re-Programming Transcription Factor Function For Neuroscience Research Of Addiction: Investigating The Role Of Zinc Finger Proteins In Driving Cocaine Reinforcement In Mice, Joseph A. Picone

Theses and Dissertations

Administration of addictive drugs like cocaine or morphine initiates aberrant gene transcription within brain reward circuitry neurons, which contributes to the lasting behavioral maladaptations that define addiction. The drug-induced expression and function of key brain transcription factors (TFs) is one major mechanism through which these drugs are able to regulate transcription, and as a consequence, lasting damaging drug-related behaviors including compulsive drug use. The goal of this dissertation is to more fully understand the molecular mechanistic drug-specific actions of TFs within the rodent nucleus accumbens (NAc). The findings from these studies could serve as the basis to identify novel candidate …

A Multilevel, Mixed Methods Examination Of Food Insecurity, Housing Instability, And Cardiovascular Health, Sarah Collins

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND

Housing instability and food access are both robust risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which claims more lives annually in the U.S. than cancer and chronic lung disease combined. We hypothesized that experiencing both housing instability and food insecurity would have an additive effect on CVD risk, resulting in elevated blood pressure (BP) and perceived stress among young adults (YA).

METHODS

This research examined the relationships between food insecurity, housing instability, stress, and cardiovascular disease risk through three aims. First, multivariate linear regression was used to assess associations among YA, focusing on eviction, food insecurity, and blood pressure. Second, …

Transgender Perceptions Of Breast Health Care And Utilization Of Preventative Breast Imaging Services, Cherish Parham

Theses and Dissertations

Little information exists on transgender patient perceptions of breast imaging care at mammography facilities. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of transgender patients at mammography facilities, their knowledge of breast care, and how these experiences have shaped their perceptions of the breast imaging community and attitude toward breast cancer screening. By applying the revised the Gelberg-Andersen Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations, this study addressed factors specific to the transgender population that may affect their healthcare utilization and how that impacts health outcomes. Researchers collected data from transgender/non-binary individuals in the Richmond, Virginia region …

Analyzing The Role Of Slc25a32 In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Mimansha Shah

Theses and Dissertations

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite advances in understanding its molecular pathogenesis, treatment options for HCC remain limited, highlighting the need for identifying novel therapeutic targets. This study investigates the role of SLC25A32, a mitochondrial transporter gene located on chromosome 8q22.3, in HCC progression. SLC25A32 is involved in the transport of tetrahydrofolate (THF) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) into mitochondria, playing a crucial role in one-carbon metabolism and redox balance. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we generated potential SLC25A32 knockout clones in the HCC cell line Huh-7. Quantitative PCR …

Shape Inverse Prediction Of Magnetic Field-Actuated Soft Robots By Neural Network Machine Learning, Lineth J. Perez Monsalve

Theses and Dissertations

Soft robotics has drawn tremendous interest in recent years because the compliance and motion of soft robotics enable biocompatibility and versatility for many applications, such as human-machine interaction, wearable and assistive devices, and health monitoring. This study introduces a novel predictive modeling approach using neural networks for shape control of magnetic soft robots. The robots are made of silicone materials embedded with hard magnetic particles, which respond to the external magnetic field provided by a ring-type of permanent magnet. These robots, free from physical connections to external devices, i.e., non-tethered actuation, hold significant potential for applications in healthcare, such as …

Role Of Human Intermediate Form Prl Receptor I-Tail In The Pathogenesis Of Breast Cancer, Shanwei Shen

Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer continues to be the second most common cancer in women in the United States. The neuroendocrine hormone human prolactin (hPRL) plays an important role in normal mammary gland development and growth, stimulating normal breast tissue proliferation and differentiation. Considerable evidence has shown that hPRL is involved in the malignant transformation of human breast tissue. hPRL enhances viability, invasiveness, and proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro. Evidence from epidemiologic and genetic studies also implicates role of hPRL in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Its cognate receptor the human prolactin receptor (hPRLr) is required for the action of hPRL. …

Opioid System's Potential Involvement In Ketamine's Cognitive And Antidepressant-Like Effects In Rats, Fan Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Depression stands as one of the most pervasive mental health challenges worldwide, including the United States. Conventional antidepressants typically display a delayed onset of therapeutic action (4-8 weeks) and lack efficacy in a substantial portion of patients (over 40% of depressed patients are treatment-resistant). The dissociative anesthetic ketamine, which is a glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, has emerged as a promising novel treatment due to its rapid and prolonged antidepressant effects, and it is especially beneficial for treatment-resistant depression. Nevertheless, the precise neurochemical mechanisms underlying ketamine’s antidepressant properties remain elusive, hampering the development of safer and more efficacious treatments. The present …

The Relationship Between Material Circumstances And Primary Care Utilization After Enrollment In Virginia’S Medicaid Expansion, Hannah Shadowen

Theses and Dissertations

Health and health equity encompass not only healthcare but individual level material circumstances like food and housing, neighborhood level conditions like local consequences of residential segregation, and state and federal policies like Medicaid expansion. However, we are just beginning to understand how state level health insurance policy changes operate in the relationship between material circumstances, healthcare use, and health outcomes. This work focuses on newly enrolled Virginia Medicaid expansion members by using both claims data and survey data collected at the point individuals enrolled in Medicaid expansion and a year after Medicaid coverage.

Paper 1 asks if newly enrolled Medicaid …

Development Of Novel Hydrogel Materials For Viscoelastically Accurate Brain Phantoms, Lila G. Schandler

Theses and Dissertations

Current methods such as concussion tests and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans only reveal structural damage post-injury. Creating an anatomically accurate model of the brain that mimics brain structure and viscoelastic properties will further allow medical professionals to analyze concussion events and create curated and personalized plans of recovery for a patient’s unique brain injury.

Values have been established for the necessary viscoelastic properties (time constants and elasticity) to mimic the native human brain tissue such as grey matter and white matter. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel are tunable by varying the concentration of Phytagel (PHY), a protein binding …

Systems Check: A Qualitative Case Study Of Educators And Parent-Educators Supporting Adolescent Readers From An Ecological Systems Perspective, Kristi Nicole Grooms

Theses and Dissertations

In spite of decades of research and an abundance of well-intentioned intervention efforts, supporting adolescent readers, particularly at the middle level, remains a significant area of concern for educators in the United States. The struggles are present for educators working to help underperforming readers reach grade-level and keep advanced readers motivated and engaged. At home, parents and guardians experience similar challenges. Data on adolescent comprehension performance continues to be frustrating in terms of producing consistent positive results. This qualitative action research study investigated the ongoing challenge of supporting adolescent readers, specifically within the context of 7th grade, through a systems …

Teachers’ Conceptions Of Students’ Data Literacy In Life Science And Physical Science Classes, Bridget Nicole Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Data literacy in science is an evolving field of study as students need to be able to collect, analyze, interpret, and make inferences from different sources of data. Much research centers on teachers' use of data to improve instructional practices, but less focus on teachers' conceptions of student data literacy and strategies used to foster data literacy in life and physical science high school classes. Thus, there is a need to address this area as recent Georgia assessments reveal that over 50% of students are performing below proficiency level in science. Consequently, this research sought to understand teachers’ conceptions of …

3ddp Engineering Design Intervention Impacts On Student Perceptions, Attitudes, And Interest Towards Engineering, James Robert Kane

Theses and Dissertations

The study, “3DDP Engineering Design Intervention Impacts on Student Perceptions, Attitudes, and Interest Towards Engineering” explored the impact of a culturally responsive, semi-formal 3D printing (3DDP) intervention on middle school students' perceptions, attitudes, and interest in engineering. The intervention aimed to broaden access to engineering education by providing formative experiences outside traditional classroom settings within the regular school day. A multifaceted approach was employed, utilizing quantitative analysis of assessments and surveys, qualitative analysis of written responses, follow-up interviews, and student-produced artifacts. The intervention functioned as a student-driven engineering club, integrating culturally relevant themes and hands-on activities spanning diverse engineering domains. …

Viewers' Attitudes Towards Analytical And Traditional Commentary Styles In Baseball Broadcasts: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Michael Menhart

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the attitudes of college and non-college athletes on analytical and traditional commentary styles during baseball broadcasts. The attitudes tested were satisfaction and likelihood to watch again (retention). The experiment had two data collection sessions for the athletes and non-athletes where they were exposed to either analytical or traditional commentary. The exposure came through the reading of a fictional scrip based on each style and then the participants were asked to answer questions to test their satisfaction and retention. Through a comprehensive analysis, including independent sample t-tests and two-way ANOVA, the findings revealed a significant main effect for …

An Exploratory Study Of The Effects Of Bis-Substituted Triazolium Bromide Salts On The Proliferation Of Wi-38 Lung Cells And H-1299 Lung Cancer Cells, Rakaiya Martin

Theses and Dissertations

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The battle against this disease continues to challenge physicians and scientists daily, due to its various forms, treatments, and responses. Depending on the grade and stage of the disease, treatments can be extensive, encompassing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Though these therapeutics can prolong a patient’s life, they often have significant ramifications. For instance, radiation therapy has an extensive list of side effects, from organ damage to loss of fertility. These outcomes have driven scientists to explore the applicability of novel cancer treatments. Imidazolium and benzimidazolium salts have been shown …

Determining Hydraulic Characteristics In Close Proximity Of Hymenocallis Coronaria Within The Flint River Basin, Georgia, Sarah K. Tash

Theses and Dissertations

Emergent macrophytes in river systems occupy a narrow habitat for optimal survival. Each plant species adapts to a set of conditions that meets the physiological requirements to grow and reproduce. The influence of hydraulic characteristics on plant morphology is significant within fluvial systems. Macrophytes must be able to withstand swift flowing water and changes in water surface levels in order to compete with other plant species for limited habitat availability. In addition, emergent macrophytes require water levels to be low enough to allow the reproductive portion of plants to remain above water during certain times of the year. Hymenocallis coronaria …