Digital Commons Network^™

Florida Police Officers’ Reflections On Faith And Spirituality Through Lived Experiences, Steven Vose Mcgillicuddy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative phenomenological study examined how Florida police officers perceived changes in their spiritual and religious beliefs following prolonged exposure to critical incidents. The research question asked how officers interpreted, adapted, and transformed their spiritual or religious beliefs in response to repeated critical incident exposure. Nine sworn frontline officers participated and were interviewed using a semi structured protocol. Transcripts were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis. Three primary findings emerged: (1) Career and Impact captured cumulative occupational exposure that prompted moral appraisal and coping, and participants did not report uniform loss of faith; (2) Spiritual Belief followed three common trajectories—stability, strengthening/reaffirmation, …

Exploring Leadership Barriers To Patient Experience Improvement In The Acute Care Hospital Setting, James Scott Cooper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Resistance to patient experience initiatives remains a persistent challenge in acute care hospitals, often undermining organizational efforts to improve engagement, culture, and care delivery despite broad acknowledgment of their importance. Healthcare leaders need to understand this challenge as a primary indicator affecting patient experience outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore the factors that cause resistance to change faced by patient experience leaders (PELs) in the acute care hospital setting. The theory of planned behavior grounded this study. The participants consisted of 15 PELs working in acute care hospitals across the United States. Data were collected …

Using Geospatial Environmental And Income Variables As Predictors Of Diabetes In Appalachia, John Kunicki Huth

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Diabetes remains disproportionately prevalent in Appalachia, and macroenvironmental contributors remain poorly understood. Guided by spatial epidemiology, this quantitative, cross-sectional ecological study examined whether county-level environmental factors including distance to mine, distance to landfill, distance to water, mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, forest classification, distance to impervious surface, and median income were independently and collectively associated with diabetes cases per capita in West Virginia, used as a surrogate for Appalachia. Research questions addressed environmental predictors of diabetes cases per capita with and without controlling for median income. Publicly available county-level data from 53 West Virginia counties representing adults aged 20 …

Early Childhood Educators’ Experiences Teaching Literacy Acquisition Skills, Dena Renee Crews

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem investigated through this study was that early childhood educators struggle to help students with literacy acquisition skills in a Title 1 elementary school. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate early childhood educators’ experiences with the challenges of teaching literacy acquisition skills and their suggestions for improving resources and training for teaching literacy acquisition skills. The study was grounded in Clay’s emergent literacy theory and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews with 14 participants were conducted with the following themes emerging: Early childhood educators were challenged due to (a) students’ background …

The Synthesis And Evaluation Of Thioxothiazolidin-4-One Compounds As Pim Kinase Inhibitors, Kelly Malzewski

Master's Theses (2009 -)

The Proviral integration site for Moloney Murine Leukemia virus (PIM) kinases belongs to the family of serine/threonine kinases consisting of three isoforms; PIM1, PIM2, PIM3. PIM kinase is involved in multiple cellular processes through the phosphorylation of several proteins within the JAK/STAT pathway, leading to cell proliferation, apoptosis inhibition, cell migration, transcription, and energy metabolism. However, disruption or overexpression of PIM within the cycle can have negative, tumorigenesis effects with increased fatality rates. Currently, there are no FDA approved PIM kinase inhibitors available for specific cancer target therapies, despite the growing need and high demand research interests. It is widely …

How Visual Art In Fatty Legs And A Stranger At Home Deepens The Understanding Of Historical Atrocities And Colonial Violence Inflicted On Indigenous Children In Residential Schools In The United States And Canada, Beth Rocco

Student Theses

“I can fix my own hair,” I protested in Inuvialuktun, but she held tight and, with the same motion a bird makes to pull a piece of flesh from a fish, clamped the jaws of the shears down on my braid and severed it” (Pokiak-Fenton 31). This scene in Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton, was a deep cut into the soul of a child. The first slash was being taken away from her parents and family. Next was chopping off her hair, a symbol of identity and tribal pride for Indigenous people. The children began their residential …

Improving Reclamation Seeding Success Through Seed Technologies, Surface Preparation, And Microbial Inoculants, Josh M. De Santiago Lazalde

Theses and Dissertations

Revegetation of reclaimed lands is often limited by poor seed placement, unfavorable surface conditions, and reduced biological activity, particularly on steep or physically degraded substrates where broadcast seeding is commonly used. Improving early seeding establishment under these conditions requires approaches that address both physical and biological barriers to seedling development. We evaluated the effectiveness of surface preparation, seed technologies, and microbial inoculants for improving plant establishment in field and greenhouse settings relevant to mineland reclamation. At the field scale (Chapter 1), we investigated the effects of chain harrowing and seed enhancement treatments on the establishment of grasses, forbs, and shrubs …

Detection Of The Presence And Growth Of E. Coli Bacteria In A Droplet-Based Microfluidic System Using Laser Induced Fluorescence, Oshira Peiris

Theses and Dissertations

Antimicrobial resistance is a biomedical event, wherein an infectious microbe becomes non-responsive to the dosage of a particular antibiotic due to previous overuse or overexposure. Currently, agar plate disc diffusion is used as the gold standard for detecting antimicrobial resistance. The possibility of miniaturizing and speeding up detection techniques for antimicrobial resistance is investigated in this thesis. Microfabrication techniques were used in developing two droplet microfluidic systems interfaced with laser induced fluorescence detection. Microfluidic devices were manufactured with different droplet generating geometries using poly-dimethyl siloxane, soft lithography and hydrophobic surface treatment. The microfluidic devices were tested for droplet quality using …

Answers “Go By Water”: Felt Knowledge As An Alternative Epistemology In Othello, Annalisa Gulbrandsen

Theses and Dissertations

William Shakespeare's Othello is fundamentally a play about epistemology--how does one know what he/she knows amidst the sea of words, evidence, and misdirection? Traditionally, the problem of knowledge in Othello has been treated as an intellectual problem of the mind. However, this thesis argues that the play purposefully draws attention to the limits of what the mind can know by way of the eye (what is seen) and ear (what is spoken or heard), instead offering an alternative epistemology that is felt through embodiment. When Desdemona's words no longer have the power to affect what Othello believes, Desdemona's answers to …

Pain Into Purpose Through Reboot Recovery, Kristin R. Barnes

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with REBOOT Recovery, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing trauma healing through faith-based, peer-led courses. The purpose of this project was to develop a qualitative survey methodology to evaluate and analyze issues/successes that arise for participants and leaders of the 12-week courses. Additionally, educational content was developed for the justice impacted/justice involved communities on how to rebuild relationships post incarceration and how to stay connected during incarceration. To obtain more information and data on the experience of previous leaders of REBOOT courses and potentially how to improve their experience, a survey was …

Expanding Maternal Support Beyond The Studio: Implementation Of A Postpartum Email Series And Community Open House Initiative, Madison Campbell

OTD Capstone Projects

The transition to motherhood presents significant physical, emotional, and occupational challenges, with many postpartum individuals experiencing unmet needs related to mental health, role adjustment, and access to supportive resources. This capstone project, completed at Nurture Nashville Yoga, aimed to expand maternal support through the development of a four-week postpartum email education series and the implementation of a community maternal wellness open house. A needs assessment identified priorities including normalization of postpartum experiences, emotional regulation, confidence in daily routines and infant care, and access to community resources. In response, an evidence-informed email series was created to provide education on postpartum recovery, …

Promoting Occupational Skills For Safe And Independent Aging, Alandry Vise

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project was completed in collaboration with BrightStone, a nonprofit organization in Franklin, Tennessee, that provides vocational, social, and residential programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The purpose of this project was to address the increasing needs of the organization’s aging student population by promoting safety, independence, and occupational engagement across day and residential settings. A needs assessment guided the development and implementation of an 8-week educational curriculum addressing aging-related topics, including physical changes, nutrition, mental health, cognitive changes, fall prevention, home safety, and healthy routines. Additional deliverables included staff training to support long-term sustainability of aging-related …

Program Development To Support Executive Functioning Skills For Adults With Down Syndrome At Gigi's Playhouse, Madison M. Wasylewski

OTD Capstone Projects

This capstone project focused on the development and implementation of adult education integrating occupational therapy principles to support executive functioning skills in adults with Down syndrome at GiGi’s Playhouse Nashville. Executive functioning skills learned include planning, organization, attention, and problem-solving which are essential for independent living but are often areas of challenge for this population.

The project involved designing and delivering a 12-week curriculum for the GiGi U program along with encouraged participation in career readiness, life skills, and individualized tutoring sessions. Interventions emphasized self-advocacy, communication, time management, and daily living skills through interactive, real-world activities.

Outcomes included increased participant …

Program Development In Special Needs Ministry For Individuals With Disabilities, Kasey Sobek

OTD Capstone Projects

The Embrace Ministry is a special-needs ministry at Brentwood Baptist that serves individuals of all ages, creating a safe and supportive environment to meet the unique needs of individuals and families impacted by disability. This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Embrace, with the shared objective of developing targeted curriculum and training to enhance participation and engagement in the day program and ministry service settings. This project addressed the identified need for enhanced volunteer and staff training curriculum, as well as day program curriculum development and evidence-informed strategies to address diverse sensory, behavioral, and functional needs. Key outcomes …

Beyond The Incision: A Therapy-Led Initiative To Improve Cesarean Birth Outcomes, Molly Morrow

OTD Capstone Projects

Cesarean birth is one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide, yet many patients receive limited functional education to support safe recovery after discharge. A need was identified for cohesive, evidence-based postpartum education focused on functional recovery, daily activities, and safe movement following cesarean birth, particularly during the first six weeks of recovery. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop and implement educational resources to support postpartum recovery and advocate for the role of occupational and physical therapy in the inpatient postpartum setting.

Capstone deliverables included a comprehensive postpartum recovery manual, a condensed patient handout available in …

Supporting Self-Regulation In Early Childhood Through Parent–Child Movement And Sensory Play, Meris Gilliam

OTD Capstone Projects

The focus of this capstone was to develop a parent–child movement and sensory play program for Nurture Nashville, a local yoga and wellness studio focused on promoting holistic well-being and community connection. The program consisted of a four-week movement and music-based class for preschool-aged children and their caregivers, designed to support self-regulation, motor development, and social interaction through play-based activities. The program also emphasized caregiver education to promote co-regulation strategies and strengthen parent–child connection beyond the class setting.

Empowering Dancers At Move Inclusive Dance, Matthew Gunn

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with MOVE Inclusive Dance in Franklin and Bellevue, Tennessee. MOVE Inclusive Dance is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals of all ability levels to learn life skills through dance. The aim of this project was to create video content for both internal and external audiences, as well as spread the mission and vision of the agency to surrounding areas of Nasvhille. Goals promoted occupational therapy-based skills such as play, work, education, and social participation. Projects were created with sustainable content to promote the longevity of use within the agency. De-escalation strategies …

Development And Validation Of Kinetics And Musculoskeletal Modeling For The Milwaukee Foot Model, Maxine L. Olson

Dissertations (1934 -)

Many children are afflicted by foot and ankle pathologies which affect the ankle, midfoot, and metatarsophalangeal joints. However, a clinically feasible foot model capable of assessing multi-segment kinetics throughout the gait cycle does not exist. Similarly, a musculoskeletal foot model utilizing multiple ground reaction forces (GRF) and Milwaukee Foot Model (MFM) kinematics has not been created. The purpose of this study was to develop a clinically feasible method of modeling multi-segment foot properties without increased clinician and/or patient burden or expense. To this end, a force distribution algorithm (FDA) was created, allowing for calculation of multi-segment foot kinetics, musculoskeletal modeling, …

Comparing The Effects Of Suicide Stigma Reduction Interventions On Adult Help-Seeking Intentions: An Experimental Investigation, Max Stivers

LSU Master's Theses

With relatively few individuals who experience suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors (STB) engaging in formal treatment, one critical aspect of bridging the treatment gap is to reduce barriers to their seeking help (WHO, 2014). Stigma regarding suicide and mental health help-seeking has been identified as a barrier to care, inspiring development of interventions and public health campaigns targeting stigma reduction as a means of increasing help-seeking attitudes, intentions, and behavior (Corrigan et al., 2004). However, because efforts focusing specifically on reducing stigma may fail to address other logistical and psychosocial barriers to engaging with treatment, their broader impact in promoting help-seeking …

Lived Experiences Of Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (Emdr) Certified, Staci Ekblad

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This phenomenological study explored counselors’ lived experiences of utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with children ages 8 to 12 years of age. Guided by a Husserlian approach, the research examined how clinicians make meaning of adapting EMDR—traditionally conceptualized as a structured, eight-phase protocol—for developmental and relational responsiveness within child psychotherapy. Through phenomenological reduction and epoché, counselors described a shift in consciousness from viewing EMDR as a rigid procedure to experiencing it as a flexible, relationally attuned process grounded in the child’s lived world. Counselors described the phenomenon of implementing EMDR with children with playful adaptations and co-regulation. The …

Psychometric Properties Of A Newly Developed Self-Report Scale To Determine The Relationship Between Retained Primary Reflexes And Behavioral Signs And Symptoms In An Adult Population, Joan Marie Macmillan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many adults suffer from mental health issues, often caused by retained primary reflexes. There are current gaps in the literature surrounding primary reflex assessment methods. The purpose of this quantitative psychometric study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a new behavioral self-assessment scale used to identify retained primary reflexes from behavioral indicators, while also determining if statistically significant relationships exist among study variables. The theoretical foundation for this cross-sectional study was based on the neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral work of Melillo, while conceptually benefiting from several neuroplasticity related frameworks, such as those developed by Ayres, Bach-y-Rita, and Masgutova. The self-report …

Shift Work And Shift Change And Police Officers’ Subjective Well-Being, Macey Silano

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of police officers working second and third shifts and how these schedules impacted their subjective well-being, mental health, relationships, and life satisfaction. This study addressed an important research problem because limited research has examined how night shifts and shift changes impact police officers’ well-being. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how police officers experienced shift work and shift changes while working second and third shifts and how they made meaning of these experiences in relation to subjective well-being. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, this study was grounded in restorative rest and …

Space Degradable Pyrotechnic Fastener, Jonathan Baker

Honors Theses

Space debris has become a critical threat to orbital operations, with over 30,000 tracked objects currently circling Earth. Traditional separation charges used in satellite launches contribute significantly to this problem by generating unpredictable shrapnel that can remain in orbit for decades or centuries. This project proposes the design and development of a spacedegradable explosive bolt that exploits the harsh space environment to accelerate material breakdown after use.

The design utilizes advanced polymer materials selected for their susceptibility to degradation from UV radiation — an environmental factor abundant in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Our prototype will be engineered to meet industry-standard …

Students' Preferred Teaching Methods, Hannah Lancaster

Honors Theses

This paper focuses on students’ preferences for teaching and instructional methods in the social studies classroom. From previous literature, it became apparent that students have a variety of unique needs within each classroom, and individual students require different methods to best support effective learning. This study was conducted within an urban high school in Southwest Michigan. Students completed a cross-sectional survey that encouraged them to express their desired teaching and instructional methods within the classroom. Data revealed a shift from standard teacher-focused learning to more student-focused learning to better accommodate students’ learning styles. With survey data focusing on a limited …

Development Of A Grease Resistant Barrier For Food Industry Applications, Mira Marino

Honors Theses

The objective of this project is to develop a grease-resistant barrier coating for paper-based food packaging and to evaluate the economic feasibility of implementing this coating system at an industrial scale. As demand increases, this project focuses on identifying an optimal pigment and binder combination that enhances barrier performance while maintaining cost-effectiveness. The primary goal was to maximize grease and moisture resistance of coated paper while ensuring the process is economically viable and compatible with existing paper mill operations.

The final plant design consists of one continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and three centrifugal pumps integrated into an existing paper …

Investigating The Cost And Efficiency Of Two Chemical Pathways To Produce The Plant-Based Coagulants, Taylor Nixon

Honors Theses

Plant-based coagulants are promising sustainable alternatives for water treatment due to their biodegradability, low toxicity, and reduced risk of secondary pollution. Unlike conventional inorganic coagulants, they generate less sludge and avoid secondary contamination in the environment. This project examines two chemical modification strategies for producing cationic cellulose coagulants. The first involves direct amination of cellulose using CHPTAC, while the second employs periodate-oxidized dialdehyde cellulose, which enables reductive amination through reactive aldehyde groups. These approaches are expected to yield materials with differing charges, surface functionalities, and structural properties that may influence coagulation performance. The study evaluates the technical and economic feasibility …

Glass From The Past: A Chemical And Spatial Analysis Of French Container Glass From Fort St. Joseph, Ian Walraven

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Navigating Screens For Neurodivergent Individuals, Avery Wilson

Honors Theses

As technology becomes more prevalent in everyday life, it is important to consider the implications that this may have for one's mind and well-being. These implications are particularly important for vulnerable populations, such as neurodivergent individuals, who may have unique sensitivities to technology consumption. This paper reviews current literature to provide an overview of the implications of using media on the neurodivergent population, such as individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), who often possess unique brain sensitivities that influence technology consumption.

To begin, the paper examines the changes in brain structure and functioning in children …

Morphology Extraction And Analysis Of Primary Soot Particles And Aggregates And Aggregates In Soot Tem Images Using Machine Learning, Timothy Paul Day

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Accurate characterization of soot morphology is crucial for understanding soot’s physical and chemical properties and their effects on climate and public health. Morphological characterization requires manual identification and segmentation of individual primary particles and aggregates, a labor-intensive and time-consuming process limits scale and reproducibility and contributes to uncertainty in climate models. Therefore, automated approaches are needed to reliably quantify soot morphology. This work develops SAGE (Soot Aggregate Geometry Extraction), an instance segmentation model and framework to segment primary particles in TEM images and extract morphological properties. Four key questions are addressed: (1) can the model achieve segmentation quality comparable to …

Model Unification: A Systematic Approach For The Cluster Expansion, Kolten Barfuss

Theses and Dissertations

A systematic approach for model unification of cluster expansion models is developed and demonstrated. The method builds on previous work with the Manifold Boundary Approximation Method (MBAM) to identify supremal models. The work is motivated by the exercise of unifying cluster expansion models – characterized by Π matrices – for two binary alloys that share one atomic species to form a model for the ternary alloy. The result is the Supremal Π Algorithm, a systematic unification algorithm that relies on an MBAM-informed understanding of models and on the singular value decomposition. The algorithm yields ΠΛ, a Π matrix for the …