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Educators' Perceptions Of Best Practices For Increasing Literacy Among High-Poverty Students, Giuseppe Di Monte

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The local problem addressed in this study was the low reading achievement of high-poverty fourth-grade students in a small rural school in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The purpose of this instrumental case study was to examine the perceptions of the campus principal and teachers at a sampled high-poverty and high achieving elementary school to determine best practices for meeting literacy needs of high-poverty students. This knowledge is important because student success in reading achievement contributes to overall academic success. The neo-sociocultural conceptual paradigm of Wertsch, del Rio, and Alverez, which links cognitive and cultural learning processes, was …

Barriers To Switching Patients To Second-Line Antiretroviral Treatment Among Clinicians In Tanzania, Peter Charles Mgosha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor decision making among clinicians to transferring human immune deficiency virus (HIV) patients into second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) has led to an increase in morbidity and mortality to people living with HIV (PLHIV). No clear barriers are known for clinicians not switching their patients. This is a descriptive qualitative research aimed to discover obstacles that influence clinicians' decision making to transferring patients into second-line ART despite higher level resistance to first-line ART. The researcher applied a participatory action research framework to solve the identified barriers with clinicians. Using the research questions the researcher explored reasons, perceived barriers and enabling factors …

Safe Quality Food Certification And Producing Safe And Quality Food Products, Adeniyi Adedayo Odugbemi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The food sector accounts for $1 of every $6 in the U.S. economy, with more than $700 billion in revenue every year. However, incidents of food safety and substandard quality continue to rise. Consumers are beginning to mistrust and have lower confidence in the food supply chain. Food manufacturers need to address this issue to remain profitable. One approach includes the introduction of food policy programs that allow for independent auditing and certifications such as the Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification. The SQF certification was established as a rigorous and credible benchmark for food handlers to enforce food safety and …

Impact Of Plans, Finance, And Zoning Policies On What Developers Choose To Build, Michele Ann Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While there is considerable academic research on the intersection of comprehensive plans, finance policies, zoning policies and how these factors influence real estate developers' choice of what land to develop and what buildings to construct on that land, little is understood about whether these three variables promote or hinder real estate developers' choice of whether to build communities that promote healthy living. Using urban planning theory as the foundation, the purpose of this correlational study was to determine how real estate developers' decisions are made to support healthy New Urbanism development in the United States. Secondary data from the Urban …

School Nurses' Role In The Management Of Children With Type 2 Diabetes, Rosaline Jane Martinez-Culpepper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An estimated 215,000 children and adolescents younger than 20 years old were diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes in 2011. Management of children with Type 2 diabetes requires 24-hour care provided by health care providers, parents, and school nurses. Guided by the health belief model (HBM), the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore and describe beliefs, attitudes, and practices of school nurses who manage children with Type 2 diabetes. A pilot study with 2 nurses was conducted to finalize interview guide. Volunteer school nurses were recruited through an e-mail announcement from their school district. Face-to-face, …

The Adequacy And Perceived Impact Of Nigeria's Health Policy, Kennedy Magoma Ongwae

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

From 2004 to 2015, the health sector in Nigeria was substantially underfunded despite the existence of a federal health policy committing 15% of the national budget to health care financing. The purpose of this narrative and phenomenological study was to explore the nature and significance of economic claims made in this policy. The central research question examined the extent to which these economic claims were perceived to be realistic, attainable, and successful in meeting their intended policy objectives and impact. The study's conceptual framework combined Kingdon's ambiguity and multiple streams theory, Roe's narrative policy analysis, and Skocpol's policy feedback theory. …

Leadership Strategies For Addressing U.S. Pharmaceutical Drug Shortages And Supply Chain Disruptions, Adrian Grant Scioli

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health care providers in the United States expend more than $400 million in unnecessary direct costs annually managing the effects of widespread drug shortages. Based on the theory of complexity and complex adaptive systems, the purpose of this exploratory multiple case study was to identify the strategies that health care pharmaceutical procurement leaders from the Eastern region of the United States use to address widespread drug shortages. Data were collected from 5 semistructured interviews with pharmaceutical procurement leaders, recorded field notes, and a review of public documents from company websites. Data analysis included deductive and open coding techniques. Emergent themes …

African American Pastors' Perspectives On Health Promotion Ministries, Brenda Ivy Watson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The centrality of the church in African American communities makes it a culturally compelling sponsor for health promotion activities targeting health disparities among the medically underserved. Pastoral support is critical in determining whether a church initiates or supports a health promotion agenda, but there is little understanding of the variables that influence this decision. The aim of the qualitative study was to investigate the perceptions of African American pastors regarding the decision to incorporate health promotion programs in their churches. This study was guided by the health belief model using a phenomenological approach. Data were collected using both semi-structured and …

Children's Oncology Group Hospital Membership And Survival Of Pediatric Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Paul David Betts

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) predominates in children ages 0-14 years and has an excellent prognosis for cure with 5-year survival exceeding 90% in the United States. However, not all children experience such positive outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative, retrospective cohort study was to evaluate differences in survival of ALL among children who reside in the 32-county Texas-Mexico border region. While factors such as poverty and health insurance have been strongly associated with poorer cancer outcomes, additional factors such as geographic isolation and treatment disparities are not as well-documented in children. This study examined the association between use of Texas …

College Health Clinic Population Health Improvement Plan Project, Kathryn M. Flynn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A college community health improvement plan (CHIP) focusing on the indicators of nutrition and weight status, and physical activity and fitness is designed with the goal of reducing obesity risk, improving health, and preventing chronic disease. The precede proceed model, logic model, innovative care for chronic conditions model, self-care theory, and Bandura's social cognitive learning theory were used as a research design framework for assessing, planning, and managing sustainability through a two-year college health clinic. The research questions were: what are the current health promotion inputs and activities in terms of environment, ecology, education, and policy and what could be …

Direct Care Provider Perceptions Of Factors Influencing Treatment Motivation Of Dual-Diagnosed Female Offenders, Cara Renee Tilbury

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Dual-diagnosed female offenders (DDFOs) present direct care providers with complex psychosocial needs and challenges that result in a serious lack of motivation to attain, sustain, and continue treatment after release from prison. Unsuccessful treatment of DDFOs represents a significant public health and safety risk including continuing criminal acts, increased health care costs, accidents related to substance abuse, and poor reintegration. Through in-depth semistructured interviews with direct care providers, this phenomenological study's focus was on examining the motivational facilitators associated with treatment adherence, barriers to treatment adherence, and approaches for enhancing treatment motivation. Nine major themes emerged from this research, including …

Breastfeeding Perceptions Of First-Time African American Mothers, Deborah Annmarie Jarrett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Breastfeeding is associated with numerous health and social benefits. Although support for breastfeeding is promoted globally, disparities in breastfeeding rates and support continue. African American mothers have lower breastfeeding rates than do Hispanic and Caucasian mothers. Several researchers have focused on the benefits of breastfeeding support, but no available research has explained any specific ethnic group perceptions of breastfeeding. This study explored 10 first-time African American mothers' perceptions of the breastfeeding support they received from physicians, nurses, midwives, and lactation consultants. The purposeful criterion sampling strategy was used to recruit participants, and data were collected through semistructured telephone interviews. The …

Structured Physical Activity And Dietary Education Program For Obese Adolescents: An Evaluation Of A Quality Improvement Project At A Rural Primary Care Clinic, Andrietta Wright Barnett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity is a worldwide epidemic. In the United States, approximately 17% of adolescents are obese; and 13% of the general population is overweight. Obese adolescents are at threefold risk for developing chronic health conditions in adulthood, including type II diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the results of a quality improvement program to reduce adolescent obesity as measured by BMI 5% over 18 months in a rural health primary care clinic. The health belief model and theory of planned behavior guided the project as adolescents need to first understand the risks associated …

Hassles Of African Americans With Type 2 Diabetes, Sharon H. Murff

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There has been a steady increase in the incidence of diabetes in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in the daily hassles of African American adults with a self-reported diagnosis of type 2 diabetes compared to those of African American adults without a self-reported diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. The theoretical underpinning for this quantitative, descriptive study was the cognitive appraisal theory (CAT), but the concept of stress and the effects stress has on the body was the broad framework that connected all the variables. The CAT was used to …

Food Waste Reduction Strategies In Supermarkets: The Lived Experiences Of Perishable Food Managers In Michigan, Kelly K. Zimmermann

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

At the retail level, 25% of sellable food is wasted, and perishable foods account for 72% of food waste in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the food waste reduction strategies used by supermarket perishable food department managers, which are covered under the Good Samaritan Food Donation Acts (state and federal). The participant population was comprised of 17 managers who are responsible for perishable foods departments (bakery, deli, meat, dairy, and produce) at local, regional, and national supermarkets in Midland, Michigan. Goal systems theory served as the conceptual framework lens for which the …

The Chance Of Complications From Type 2 Diabetes As Perceived By Some Black Seventh-Day Adventists Who Follow A Plant-Based Diet., Charles Misori

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes has more than doubled in the past decade among Black Americans. Researchers have suggested that Black Seventh-day Adventists, who follow a plant-based diet, are concerned about preventing the complications from this disease. The purpose of this qualitative ethnographic study was to explore the chance and perceptions of complications from type 2 diabetes among 10 purposefully sampled Black Seventh-day Adventists. The health belief model (HBM) served as the conceptual framework. Two constructs, education and income, were chosen for this study. Education was chosen to increase understanding about the chronic nature of the disease, and income was chosen because …

Role Of Midline Catheters In Patient Care, Tina K. Schlegel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are responsible for 100,000 patient deaths per year, creating a critical need for prevention of these deadly infections that occur with central venous lines (CVLs). Alternative forms of IV access such as midline catheters (MLCs) may offer lower rates of infection than those seen with CVLs. MLCs were implemented at the practice setting in 2016; however, no evaluation of their effectiveness had been conducted. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of MLCs using a retrospective, pre- post- comparison of CLABSI rates and device utilization rates (DUR) obtained from the practice setting …

Perceptions Of Homeless Shelter Staff Workers On Chronic Homeless Individuals, Jimmy L. Griffith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While researchers have identified the Housing First model of putting homeless persons into permanent housing as the best means of improving the quality of life for chronically homeless individuals, few studies have examined the perceptions of shelter staff workers on the barriers the homeless face in obtaining and maintaining long-term housing. This case study of 2 homeless shelters in New Jersey examined the relationship that fair and just democratic processes play in supporting or undermining Housing First. Data came from New Jersey's annual Point in Time counts of the number of homeless individuals and families and the causes and service …

Program Evaluation Of Patient Safety And Risk Mitigation Educational Interventions For Medical Errors In Primary Care Settings By Patricia Rose Gould, Patricia Rose Gould

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Institute of Medicine reported in 2016 that medical errors are the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States. In the primary care setting, frequency and severity are unknown. Medical error research is limited related to evaluation of interventions conducted by medical professional liability (MPL) companies of risk mitigation strategies. The purpose of this program evaluation was to determine the impact of multifaceted patient safety and risk mitigation educational interventions conducted in primary care settings on patient safety, reporting, and liability. The program evaluation employed a retrospective secondary analysis of actuarial data from a MPL carrier's educational interventions …

Influence Of Sex And Blood Collection Method On Innate Immune Response Following Lipopolysaccharide Administration In Sheep, Hoda Nikpour

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Wethers and ewes were used to study the effect of catheter or repeated venipuncture on circulating cortisol and leukocyte concentrations and physical behaviors following administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a gram-negative bacteria cell wall component. Animals were injected with LPS or saline, as a control, to induce an innate immune system response. In addition, blood leukocytes and cortisol levels were studied to determine the effect of sex on immunological and stress responses. Thirty-eight mature Dorset and Suffolk wethers and ewes were assigned into one of four treatment groups: 1.) no-catheter + LPS treated ewes (n=5) and wethers (n=4) that were restrainted …

Examining The Relationship Between Communication Apprehension And Individual Innovativeness In Managers, Michelle Campagnola

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Communicative challenges that hinder managerial engagement in social networks can impede innovation adoption and thereby damage the financial performance and competitiveness of a firm. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between communication apprehension (CA) and individual innovativeness in managers. The focus of the research questions was determining if a relationship exists between these variables before and after controlling for demographic characteristics. With diffusion of innovation theory as the theoretical framework, this research involved an attempt to address how adoption categories relate to varying degrees of CA. One hundred and five American-based owner-executives, senior managers, and …

Theory Of Planned Behavior Analysis And Organic Food Consumption Of American Consumers, Marie Elizabeth Donahue

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The majority of organic foods consumed by Americans are sourced internationally, which has global-reaching implications on health, economics, and sustainability. Current research findings show that environmental devastation and negative health outcomes have resulted from unsustainable, nonorganic agricultural practices; including herbicides, pesticides, and overcultivation. However, there is a lack of quantitative research on factors that motivate Americans to consume organic food. Based on the theory of planned behavior, this quantitative study employed an online survey to examine the role of attitudes, subjective norms, descriptive norms, and perceived behavioral control on the intention and behavior of American consumers to consume organic foods. …

Perceived Barriers To Lifestyle Change In Obese, Low-Income Hispanic Women, Mariana Daniela Torchia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low-income Hispanic women are the fastest growing minority population in the United States, and they have increased risks of obesity and secondary health issues, such as diabetes, related to their obesity. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the barriers to lifestyle change among obese, low-income Hispanic women (OLHW). A health belief model lens was used. The study sample consisted of 15 OLHW who were clinic patients and ranged in age from 20-59. Recruitment occurred in a low-income, Southern California, outpatient clinic setting through volunteer participation from recruitment flyers. Fifteen women took part in 1-hour, in-depth interviews, which …

Investigating Stress Response Across Integrated Biological Systems, Alice A. Han

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The impact that a stressor has on a living system, whether it is on a cellular, organ, or even a whole organism level, can affect the overall health of the system. Monitoring the biochemical response resulting from a stressful experience offers insight into the numerous potential outcomes ranging on the spectrum of survival and death. Accessing this information not only provides a heightened understanding of the biochemical adaptions that occur, but also allows for the development of prediction models (to assess prospective influences of the stressor) or potential therapeutic treatments (to alleviate adverse effects) using measurable, quantifiable, and comparable metrics. …

The Effects Of Oral Curcumin And Bioperine Supplementation On C - Reactive Protein In Crossfit Athletes, Bailey Franzen, Cassandra Greenawalt, Sloan Vlahos

Loma Linda University Research Reports

PURPOSE. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase inflammatory marker which circulates in blood plasma and rises in the presence of systemic inflammation. Strenuous exercise, such as that performed by CrossFit athletes, has been found to acutely raise CRP levels. Curcumin has demonstrated the ability to reduce CRP levels by blunting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines secondary to the suppression of the NF- κB pathway. Concomitant graduate research administration of bioperine with curcumin improves bioavailability by 2,000%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral curcumin and bioperine supplementation on CRP levels in CrossFit athletes. METHODS. Sixteen …

The Effect Of Probiotic Supplementation On Gastrointestinal Quality Of Life, Ernie Lin, Jasmine K. El Nabli, Krysten A. Mccaughey

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Purpose. The purpose of this research study was to investigate the effect of Puritan’s Pride probiotic on gastrointestinal quality of life of working adults at the Loma Linda Support Services Building aged 18 to 65 years. Methods. Working adults, 18 to 65 years of age, from the Loma Linda Support Services Building were eligible to participate in the study. Subjects were excluded if they were taking antibiotics or had taken antibiotics within the previous six months. Subjects who consented were given an initial Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI)12 test and a probiotic supplement for 60 days. Subjects’ body composition …

Effect Of Preprandial Consumption Of Cacao Nibs Vs. Pecans On Appetite, Rebecca Borjas, Khadeja Ghaniezadeh, Eunice Tay

Loma Linda University Research Reports

PURPOSE. The purpose of this graduate student research study is to compare the differential effects of cacao nibs and pecans on calorie intake. METHODS. Participants (n=34) were asked to log food intake for three days (Tuesday through Thursday) for three weeks. They were instructed to consume an intervention (cacao nibs or pecans) 15‐30 minutes prior to mealtime with one 8 oz cup of water. During week one, participants were asked to complete questionnaires. During week two they were asked to log their usual intake. During week three, they consumed cacao nibs as intervention. During week four, they consumed pecans as …

The Effect Of The Addition Of Four Different Protein Isolates To A Fruit-Based Smoothie On Postprandial Blood Glucose In A Healthy Population, Linda Bastos, Sinman Fu, Sharon Tung, Da Eun Yang

Loma Linda University Research Reports

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the addition of whey, soy, milk, or pea protein to fruit-based smoothies on postprandial blood glucose levels. METHOD. Eight subjects (1 male, 7 female, age 22.6 ±1.6 years, BMI 23.3 ± 2.5 kg/m2) participated in a randomized controlled study. Subjects consumed a 625 mL (2.5 cups) smoothie that contained 30 grams of either whey, soy, milk, or pea protein. A smoothie with no added protein was used as a control. All subjects were given the same type of smoothie on each test day. Finger sticks were used to …

The Level Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Intake And Disordered Eating Attitudes, Elizabeth Cazares, Amanda Curti

Loma Linda University Research Reports

PURPOSE: The purpose of this graduate study was to determine if there is a difference in disordered eating attitudes of dietetic students and working registered dietitians based on their sufficiency or insufficiency of omega-3 fatty acid intake. A Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to assess omega-3 intake and The Eating Attitudes Test-26 was used to measure disordered eating attitudes. Additionally, the study determined if the sufficiency and insufficiency groups were balanced with respect to gender, age, and employment status. METHODS: Subjects who were members of the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics were asked to participate in a two part …

Chapter 12 - Terrestrial Insects, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Volume 2: Bryological Interaction

Bryophyte Ecology, Volume 2, Chapter 12 - Terrestrial Insects is coming soon. For the Contents section of this ebook, as well as Volumes 1 through 5, please visit the Bryophyte Ecology Main Page.

Ebook sponsored by Michigan Technological University and the International Association of Bryologists.