Digital Commons Network^™

High Society: Washington State’S Recreational Cannabis Law And Its Effects On Child Custody And Visitation Rights, Dana Petersen

Seattle Journal for Social Justice

No abstract provided.

Vulnerability, Robert W. Spires

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Faculty Publications

Vulnerability is susceptibility to, or risk of exposure to, hazards and stresses related to social problems, environmental problems, economic problems, or political problems. The word vulnerability is often used in conjunction with poverty and may specifically imply vulnerability to poverty or to poverty-related issues. Individuals, communities, groups, regions, and nations can be vulnerable and poverty increases this vulnerability.

Students And Faculty Indivisible: Crafting A Higher Education Culture Of Flourishing, Eileen K. Camfield

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is comprised of three separate articles addressing related issues central to the culture and future of higher education. The questions that animate the investigations are: In what ways is writing self-efficacy forged in the learning relationships between student and instructor? In what ways, if any, do traditional assessment practices impact student development? In what ways, if any, does institutional culture shape faculty identity, and what is gained or lost in the process? These queries stem from concerns about possible disconnects between visions of higher education's potential and actual practices in the classroom. The dissertation uses grounded theory to …

Quality-Of-Life Indicators For African American And European American Long-Term Survivors Of Early-Stage Breast Cancer, Cher De Rossiter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This meta-analysis investigated the difference in perceptions of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among long-term early-stage breast cancer survivors (BCS). The comparison was between African American and European American women. Initial pilot searches suggested that enough studies existed for a meaningful meta-analysis of a BCS population at least 5 years post diagnosis. Only studies using the outcome measure HRQOL were included in the study; this yielded an initial sample of 212 study reports, with 56 reports entering the coding phase of the process. African American women were grossly underrepresented in this set of studies in comparison to the overall breast …

A Case Study Of The Effectiveness Of A Summer Transition Program For First-Time Ninth Grade Students, Jonathan Wickert

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High schools have undertaken numerous approaches to reduce the number of first-time 9th grade students who do not move to 10th grade with their cohort. The purpose of this study was to determine if a summer program successfully transitioned 9th grade students from middle school to high school environments. Guided by the stage-environment fit conceptual framework, this study explored the effectiveness of a summer transition program at acclimating first time 9th grade students to physical, social, and academic environments. A mixed-method design was used in the study. A t test was used with a sample of approximately 400 archival 9th …

Human Factors Analysis And Classification System Interrater Reliability For Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Investigations, Roberto Cintron

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human errors are an expected result of operations performed by individuals and frequently lead to accidents and other catastrophic events. The problem is that the current process used to investigate and mitigate human errors in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industries is not effective, as it does not include the effects of human factors found to be effective in aviation and nuclear power organizations. The human factors and classification system (HFACS) was created for the investigations of accidents using the Swiss cheese model of accident causation as a theoretical framework. The purpose of this quantitative, inter-rater reliability study was to demonstrate the …

Social Disorder And Level Of Engagement Of Small Business Owners In The Virgin Islands, Saul Santiago

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The U.S. Virgin Islands is experiencing an economic recession, manifested through social disorders such as abandoned and vandalized houses. Research points to social disorders and lack of community engagement as key factors inhibiting community development efforts. In order to strengthen these struggling communities, research has highlighted the need for public-private partnerships. Guided by Ajzen's theory of planned behavior, which posits that attitudes can predict behaviors, this study examined the relationship between social disorder and engagement of small business owners in community development. Small business owners in the U.S. Virgin Islands received an Internet or paper survey; a total of 79 …

Presence And Localization Of Pro-And Mature Forms Of Biglycan And Decorin In Human Costal Cartilage Derived From Chest Wall Deformities, Anthony Asmar, A. Werner, R. E. Kelly Jr., A. Fecteau, Michael W. Stacey

Bioelectrics Publications

Costal cartilage is a type of hyaline cartilage that forms rod-like structures that connect the ribs to the sternum. The most common chest wall deformities, pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum involved efective costal cartilage resulting in sternal displacement. Costal cartilage is not widely studied leaving little insight into possible factors involved in the pathogenesis of these pectus deformities. This study focused on the presence and distribution of two important regulators of collagen fibrillogenesis and organization, biglycan and decorin. Immunohistochemical analysis of transverse cross sections of normal and deformed costal cartilage revealed that biglycan and decorin mainly localized in the territorial …

Google V. Hood, Fifth Circuit Court Of Appeals

Historical and Topical Legal Documents

No abstract provided.

Backpage V. Dart, United States District Court For The Northern District Of Illinois

Historical and Topical Legal Documents

No abstract provided.

Wimo Labs V. Ebay, United States District Court For The Central District Of California

Historical and Topical Legal Documents

No abstract provided.

Amazon.Com V. Carlucci, United States District Court For The Western District Of Washington

Historical and Topical Legal Documents

No abstract provided.

Raney V. Twitter, United States District Court For The Northern District Of Californa

Historical and Topical Legal Documents

No abstract provided.

Opinion Corp. V Roca Labs, 11th Circuit Court Of Appeals

Historical and Topical Legal Documents

No abstract provided.

Stahulak V Doe, Illinois Circuit Court

Historical and Topical Legal Documents

No abstract provided.

Computer Anxiety And Computer Self-Efficacy Of Older Adults, Elizabeth Diane Cooper-Gaiter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many older adults (aged 55 and older) need training to acquire computer knowledge and skills. Using computers and the Internet could provide access to vital resources for improving older adults' health and maintaining their connections with family and society. This study examined 2 psychological constructs--computer anxiety and computer self-efficacy--that have been shown to impact a person's successful use of computers and related technology. Guided by Bandura's self-efficacy theory, which emphasizes the importance of adult learners being motivated and taking charge of their learning, this study examined the impact of a computer knowledge and skills workshop on older adults' computer anxiety …

Associative Factors Of Acculturative Stress In Latino Immigrants, Sam Kedem

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

For the past 200 years, Latinos have comprised the largest, consistent category of immigrants in the United States. This influx has created a need for culturally competent psychological treatment of a population that suffers from acculturative stress, defined as the stress a minority member experiences while trying to adjust to the culture of the majority. Researchers have studied Latino immigrants' enduring trials as they adjust to life in the United States. Nevertheless, there is limited research on the quantification of factors contributing to acculturative stress. Based on the conceptual framework of bidimensional acculturation and Latina/o critical race theory, predictors of …

Sociodemographic Predictors Of Medication Nonadherence Among Latinos Diagnosed With Diabetes Type Ii, Bianca L. Tristan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Latinos of low socioeconomic status are disproportionately affected by diabetes Type II complicated by poor adherence to diabetes Type II medications and management programs. Self-management of diabetes Type II is a tool used to teach health education to patients with diabetes. The objective of this retrospective quantitative study was to explore if there are predictors of nonadherence to diabetes Type II medications and programs among Latinos with diabetes Type II. Data from 200 patient records from a community clinic in Fresno County California were analyzed using both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Selected sociodemographic independent variables were age, gender, income, migrant …

Women's Experiences With The Follow-Up System For Cervical Cancer In A Developing Country, Christine Carol Richards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although Grenada has an extensive health care infrastructure and cervical cancer screening rates are relatively high, Grenada also has a disproportionate rate of morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to explore factors that contribute to these disproportionate rates in Grenada. Using a phenomenological qualitative approach, Andersen's behavioral model of health care utilization and a systems based model for assessing care were used as a guide to explore Grenadian women's follow-up experiences with Pap test and cervical cancer screening. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 8 women for semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data were collected on …

Factors Associated With Graduation Among Latino Male High School Students, Judyann Watson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High dropout rates for minority students require additional educational research to understand and implement changes that will increase graduation rates. The purpose of this nonexperimental study was to examine factors that may be associated with graduation for Latino male students. Guided by Tinto's work, which holds that students remain in school when they feel academically or socially connected to an institution, this study addressed the impact of social factors, academic factors, and small learning communities (SLCs) on graduation rates. The research study used archival data and bivariate logistic regression to analyze the data for Latino male participants (n = 208) …

Learning To Use, Useful For Learning: A Usability Study Of Google Apps For Education, Maury Elizabeth Brown, Daniel L. Hocutt

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Faculty Publications

Using results from an original survey instrument, this study examined student perceptions of how useful Google Apps for Education (GAFE) was in students' learning of core concepts in a first-year college composition course, how difficult or easy it was for students to interact with GAFE, and how students ranked specific affordances of the technology in terms of its usability and usefulness. Students found GAFE relatively easy to use and appreciated its collaborative affordances. The researchers concluded that GAFE is a useful tool to meet learning objectives in the college composition classroom.

Do Economic Development Efforts Benefit All? Business Attraction And Income Inequality, Xiaobing Shuai

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Faculty Publications

This paper extends the current literature on county-level income distribution in the United States by explicitly exploring the effect of business-attraction efforts by state governments. Using county-level job attraction and retention data from 2000 to 2005 in Virginia to explain the income distribution from 2006 to 2010, while controlling for demographic and socioeconomic conditions of local communities, this study shows that bringing in manufacturing jobs can reduce income inequality at the local level while attracting jobs in professional and business services tends to increase local income inequality. The results indicate that state and local governments’ efforts to attract and retain …

Secondary Principals Who Are Mothers: Balancing Home And Career, Turina Parker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Working mothers who are school leaders face challenges as they attempt to manage competing time demands and personal and professional responsibilities. A need exists for existing school leaders, as well as women aspiring to school leadership, to understand the coping strategies used by mothers who are also school principals. To that end, the purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of mothers who are school principals. Strategies used to navigate multiple roles were examined through a role conflict lens. Three overarching research questions guided this study to focus on how female principals with children accommodate their dual …

Bedside Nurses' Influence On Patients' Continuum Of Care Through Effective Discharge Teaching, Mary Ann Whicker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The evolution of person-centered healthcare reinforces the need for nursing to provide effective patient education. Literature suggests nurses desire to provide strong discharge education to patients, but are challenged by knowledge gaps and other barriers. This DNP project developed a plan for integrating teach-back on a 30-bed cardiac unit, focusing on heart failure patients. Following a logic model, the process improvement plan to implement teach-back includes education on teach-back, empowerment of unit champions to support the project and evaluation of effectiveness of the education plan and impact on heart failure patients. The sample size of 15 cardiac nurses provides a …

Employee Wellness Model For Obesity, Barbara Siebold

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity, a condition of having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30, is a universal epidemic with the greatest prevalence in the United States. The greatest concern with this epidemic health problem is that it presents with many comorbidities and is a risk factor for other chronic diseases. Employee wellness programs (EWP) have been in place for years and incorporate programs on weight management, nutritional education, and smoking cessation to reduce risk factors associated with chronic diseases. These programs utilize the concept of empowerment, often guided by Pender's self-management theory, to encourage employees to take onus for their health …

The Role Of Sociodemographic Characteristics And Antiretroviral Prophylaxis On Risky Sexual Behavior Among Men Who Have Sex With Men, Leonard Obodo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recent multicenter, randomized, double blind clinical trials have shown no association between HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and increased sexual risk behavior among high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM). However, little research has been conducted under natural conditions devoid of clinical trial controlled environment to confirm the lack of association between PrEP and increased sexual risk behavior. Also, research has shown conflicting associations between sociodemographic characteristics and sexual risk behavior among MSM. In this cross-sectional, web-based, primary data analysis, MSM who reside in United States of America (USA) and who make use of PrEP for HIV prevention were examined …

Class Schedule - Spring 2015, Office Of Registrar

Semester Schedules and Information

No abstract provided.

Community College Leaders' Experiences In Adapting To Changing Student Demographics, Joyce Hewett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The demographics of community colleges are rapidly changing. The culture composition of the student population in community colleges has expanded, and includes larger percentages of African Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans than are found in other higher education institutions. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of 10 community college leaders, consisting of 4 administrators, 5 faculty members, and 1 faculty/administrator, in their attempt to adapt to the changing demographics of the student population. Multicultural lens, the conceptual framework for the study, helped guide leaders in assessing their levels of multicultural sensitivity …

Interrupting The Sepsis Process With An Evidence-Based Education Intervention, Martha Olson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Interrupting the Sepsis Process with an Evidence-Based Education Intervention

by

Martha Olson

MSN, Walden University, 2013

MS, Southwest Minnesota State University, 2003

BSN, The University of Iowa, 1998

Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University

May 2015

Abstract

Sepsis is a concern, especially for the vulnerable populations. The early signs of sepsis are vague and often difficult to detect, but when detected early, are treatable with antibiotics and fluid resuscitation. When a nurse is unaware of the early signs, treatment is delayed and multiorgan failure may progress quickly. To …

Reliability And Validity Of A Tool Measuring Preceptor Evaluations Of Competencies Among New Rn Graduates In A Transition-To-Practice Program, Susan K. Prion, A Berman, Arthur Karshmer, P Van, J Wallace, N West

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Four transition-to-practice programs for new RN graduates who had not yet found employment in nursing were based on the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies of knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs). To support consistent evaluation of participants by preceptors, a 35-item tool was developed that used a 4-point scale to assess selected behaviors. This article describes the initial reliability and validity testing of the tool, which had good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.92 for preceptor evaluation of participants and 0.82 when used as a self-evaluation tool. Six content experts evaluated the tool's face validity; it …