Digital Commons Network^™

Computational Thinking Equity In Elementary Classrooms: What Third-Grade Students Know And Can Do, Yune Tran

Faculty Publications - College of Education

The Computer Science Teachers Association has asserted that computational thinking equips students with essential critical thinking which allows them to conceptualize, analyze, and solve more complex problems. These skills are applicable to all content area as students learn to use strategies, ideas, and technological practices more effectively as digital natives. This research examined over 200 elementary students’ pre- and posttest changes in computational thinking from a 10-week coding program using adapted lessons from code.org’s Blockly programming language and CSUnplugged that were delivered as part of the regular school day. Participants benefited from early access to computer science (CS) lessons with …

Pre-Sleep Routines In Adult Normal Sleepers, Jean Koketsu

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Sleep is the most important restorative occupation, and pre-sleep routines, which precede sleep, have not been explored in normal adult sleepers. Routines are an important construct in occupational therapy, but it is not well-researched.

The purpose of this project is to add to the body of knowledge regarding pre-sleep routines through description by normal sleepers. This research can inform occupational therapists in regard to the usual patterns and dynamics of pre-sleep routines. Open systems theory, a grounded theory approach, and graphic and interview methods were used in this qualitative study.

Participants were 16 adults, between the ages of 23 and …

The Adaptation To Head And Neck Cancer In The Veteran Population, Diane Marie Sobecki-Ryniak

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

ADAPTATION TO HEAD AND NECK CANCER IN THE VETERAN POPULATION: A PILOT STUDY

By

DIANE SOBECKI-RYNIAK

December 2018

Advisor: Dr. Margaret Campbell

Major: Nursing

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Post-traumatic stress disorder in the head and neck cancer veteran population may present a challenge to adaptation during diagnosis and treatment of illness. The evaluation of post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and quality of life were examined and correlated against symptom occurrence and triggering of post traumatic symptoms across experiences. A significant correlation between PTSD-C and PTSD-S was found (r = 0.91, p = 0.001); there was a non-significant correlation …

Between-Group Differences Among Victim Age-Based Typologies Of Juvenile Sexual Offenders, Jennifer Short

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Juveniles adjudicated for sexual offenses are often described as homogenous, collectively viewed as inherently dangerous, and subject to specialized legal and clinical interventions. However, empirical studies have identified several typologies suggesting that juveniles adjudicated for sexual offenses are a heterogeneous group with varying degrees of risk and treatment needs. The purpose of this non-experimental between-groups study was to compare family composition, abuse histories, mental health diagnosis, and offense type among a victim age-based typology of juvenile sexual offenders. The theoretical framework that guided this study was developmental-contextual theory. Archival data (N = 105) were collected from Alberta Health Services in …

Life Chaos As A Predictor Of Diet Quality In U.S. Adults, Heidi Barbara Buchert Egan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor diet quality is a source of morbidity and mortality within the United States. Previous researchers have examined psychosocial influences on diet; however, the relationship between life chaos, a psychosocial measure, and diet quality was not known. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was to use the Life Chaos Scale and the Healthy Eating Index-2010 to collect data on life chaos and diet quality, consistent with the biopsychosocial model of health, from a sample of 103 U.S. adults. Regression analysis was used to construct a predictive model. According to the study results, life chaos was not a significant predictor …

Patient Satisfaction Management In Office Visits And Telehealth In Health Care Technology, Todd Price

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Telehealth and remote medical treatments have begun to be more commonly used in healthcare systems. Researchers have theorized that providers' abilities to treat patients are not directly tied to the proximity of the patient to the doctor, but by the identification and treatment of the patient's symptoms. Although the treatment and cure rates are being established within individual health systems and professional medical associations, empirical research is lacking regarding patient satisfaction with this remote treatment situation. The purpose of this quantitative study was to address this gap by examining satisfaction ratings of patients between virtual provider visits and face-to-face provider …

Quantifying The Spectrum Of Depression, Octavious Bishop

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Walden University

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Octavious Bishop

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,

and that any and all revisions required by

the review committee have been made.

Review Committee

Dr. Thomas Edman, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty

Dr. Ricardo Thomas, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty

Dr. Joanna Bissell-Havran, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty

Chief Academic Officer

Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Quantifying the Spectrum of Depression

by

Octavious Bishop

MA, University of Texas at Austin, 2008

BS, University of Texas at Austin, 2001

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment …

Breast Cancer Disparities Among African American Women Corresponding To Health Service Barriers, Dianne Jamerson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

African American women tend to experience higher health disparities in cancer-related illness than any other female population in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify and examine access-related barriers that play a significant role in the decision-making process of this population when seeking breast cancer health services. The central research question explored the effect that barriers to health care have on African American women in the Southeastern region of the United States. Secondary research questions explored the role the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 has on improving access to affordable, quality …

Patient Experience And Readmissions Among Medicare Shared Savings Programs Accountable Care Organizations, Benjamin Michael Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In 2011, Medicare patients represented the largest share of total readmissions and health costs when compared to all other patient categories. Because patient-centered care drives the use of health services, the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act outlined improving the patient experience to reduce readmission rates; however, the relationship between patient experience and readmissions is not well understood. Grounded in systems theory, the purpose of this correlational study was to determine if the relationship between patient experience and readmission rates in Medicare Shared Savings Program accountable care organizations. Data from the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey …

Perceptions Of Black Heterosexual Men In An Involuntarily Childless Relationship Considering Adoption, Richard P. Campbell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research on involuntary childlessness and adoption among heterosexuals is primarily focused on women's needs and perceptions. Consequently, little is known about how men view childlessness and adoption, and less is known about Black men's perceptions. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore Black heterosexual men's experiences of considering adoption when involved in an involuntarily childless relationship. Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory served as a foundation for this study. Data were derived from semi structured interviews with 7 participants and 3 adoption professionals. Transcribed and coded data were analyzed using MAXQDA 2018, a qualitative data analysis software. Initial codes …

Understanding Experiences Of The Bermuda Government's Youth-Serving Professionals In Transformational Coaching, Nicola Feldman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public administrators and civil servants working with vulnerable youth have the challenging yet critical job of supporting their young clients in overcoming adversity and achieving optimal life outcomes. Public administrators and civil servants work with vulnerable youth to help shift their trajectories toward positive life outcomes; however, if these professionals are not thriving in the workplace, they may not have the best possible positive influence on youth. Little was known about how to support the ability of professionals to experience professional thriving, defined as the experience of feeling energized at work and motivated toward professional growth and success. The purpose …

Changes In Attitudes Towards Substance Use Among High School Students, Laura Sue Catherine Elias

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Use of alcohol and illicit drugs during adolescent development can have negative effects on cognitive functioning and mental health. The purpose of this cross sectional study was to examine grade level, sex, athletic affiliation, and ethnicity as they relate to substance-using attitudes to isolate the period in which shifts in attitudes toward substance use in adolescents occur. The social learning theory provided the framework for the study. Participants included 276 high school students from a midsized Midwestern city. Students in the ninth, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades who participated in the study were asked to complete a brief electronic survey …

The Mediating Effect Of Leader Member Exchange On Personality Congruence And Affective Commitment, Ebru Evrensel Inanc

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The personality congruence of supervisors and subordinates and its influence on work outcomes is a relatively new topic in social and behavioral sciences. Most well-known personality theory is Big Five that includes openness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, extraversion and agreeableness traits. LMX theory focuses on the mutual relationship between a supervisor and a subordinate. There is a gap in the literature regarding the mediating role of LMX perceptions of subordinates on the relationship between personality congruence of supervisors and subordinates and affective commitment (AC). The purpose of this cross-sectional design was first to explore the direct relationship between supervisors and subordinates personality …

Successful Climate Change Strategies In Corporate Farming In North America, Deann Renee Reaves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The impact of climate change on agriculture is evident in changing growing seasons, crop yield, crop quality, and even complete crop losses. Changing climate conditions negatively affect the profitability of agricultural organizations. This study was a single descriptive case of one agricultural corporation in the western United States. The purpose was to identify and explore successful climate change-based sustainability strategies. The conceptual framework for this study was legitimacy theory. The data collection methods consisted of a semistructured interview of a corporate exectutive and obtaining corporate documents, including the annual report from the company's website. Data were analyzed using content analysis …

African American Women Caring For Loved Ones With Alzheimer's Disease And Dementia, Lisa M. Forbes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

In 2016, a dramatic shift occurred in demographics in the United States because the oldest people in the baby boomer generation, which consists of people born between 1946 and 1964, reached age 65. The larger aging population and longer lifespans have produced an increased need for care and services. There are an estimated 5.4 million Americans of varying ages living with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease are more prevalent among African Americans than other ethnicities. With little research found on culturally appropriate interventions for specific ethnic groups, a more detailed review of the …

The Lived Experience Of Daughters Who Have Absent Fathers: A Phenomenological Study, Sibhon Jolette Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that this study focused on was the difficulties and challenges experienced by daughters who had absent fathers. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of daughters who grew up with absent fathers, and the effects on them as adults at home, in school, in their neighborhoods, and in their decision-making processes. The sample consisted of 20 daughters who grew up with absent fathers. Data were collected using face-to-face semi-structured interviews, and analyzed using 5 phases of Hycner's (1999) phenomenological research. Results indicated that participants' lived experiences of home life were characterized by …

Teachers' Perceptions About Classroom Management Preparedness, Leslie Ellis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Undesirable student behaviors can disrupt classroom activities and can prevent instruction from taking place. At a local middle school, teachers lacked effective classroom management strategies to address undesirable student behaviors that impeded their abilities to instruct students. The purpose of this study was to explore teachers' perceptions about their classroom management preparation and to investigate professional development opportunities that may strengthen their skills in classroom management. Glasser's choice theory was used in this qualitative case study to explore perceptions of 10 teachers. The research questions focused on teachers' perceptions and experiences with effective classroom management practices, their perceptions of administrators' …

Upregulation Of Functional Kv11.1a Isoform Expression By Modified U1 Small Nuclear Rna, Qiuming Gong, Matthew R. Stump, Zhengfeng Zhou

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

The KCNH2 or human ether-a go-go-related gene (hERG) encodes the Kv11.1 potassium channel that conducts the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium current in the heart. The expression of Kv11.1 C-terminal isoforms is directed by the alternative splicing and polyadenylation of intron 9. Splicing of intron 9 leads to the formation of a functional, full-length Kv11.1a isoform and polyadenylation of intron 9 results in the production of a non-functional, C-terminally truncated Kv11.1a-USO isoform. The relative expression of Kv11.1a and Kv11.1a-USO plays an important role in regulating Kv11.1 channel function. In the heart, only one-third of KCNH2 pre-mRNA is processed to Kv11.1a …

Energetic Consequences For A Northern, Range-Edge Lizard Population, Sean D. Powers, Matthew R. Mcternan, Donald R. Powers, Roger A. Anderson

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

Lizards at the northern, cool edge of their geographic range in the northern hemisphere should encounter environmental conditions that differ from those living near the core of their range. To better understand how modest climate differences affect lizard energetics, we compared daily feeding and metabolism rates of individual Sceloporus occidentalis in two populations during mid-summer. Chuckanut Beach (CB) was a cool, maritime climate in northern Washington State, and Sondino Ranch (SR) was a warmer, drier climate in southern, inland Washington. We found no difference between populations in daily energy expenditure (DEE), as calculated from doubly labeled water estimates. The CB …

Integrating Morphology And Kinematics In The Scaling Of Hummingbird Hovering Metabolic Rate And Efficiency, Derrick J. E. Groom, M. Cecilia B. Toledo, Donald R. Powers, Bret W. Tobalske, Kenneth C. Welch Jr.

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

Wing kinematics and morphology are influential upon the aerodynamics of flight. However, there is a lack of studies linking these variables to metabolic costs, particularly in the context of morphological adaptation to body size. Furthermore, the conversion efficiency from chemical energy into movement by the muscles (mechanochemical efficiency) scales with mass in terrestrial quadrupeds, but this scaling relationship has not been demonstrated within flying vertebrates. Positive scaling of efficiency with body size may reduce the metabolic costs of flight for relatively larger species. Here, we assembled a dataset of morphological, kinematic, and metabolic data on hovering hummingbirds to explore the …

Drosophila Exo70 Is Essential For Neurite Extension And Survival Under Thermal Stress, Alex Chun Koon, Zhefan Stephan Chen, Shaohong Peng, Joyce Man See Fung, Xiaoman Zhang, Kayly M. Lembke, Hoi Kin Chow, C. Andrew Frank, Liwen Jiang, Kwok-Fai Lau, Ho Yin Edwin Chan

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

The octomeric exocyst complex governs the final step of exocytosis in both plants and animals. Its roles, however, extend beyond exocytosis and include organelle biogenesis, ciliogenesis, cell migration, and cell growth. Exo70 is a conserved component of the exocyst whose function in Drosophila is unclear. In this study, we characterized two mutant alleles of Drosophila exo70. exo70 mutants exhibit reduced synaptic growth, locomotor activity, glutamate receptor density, and mEPSP amplitude. We found that presynaptic Exo70 is necessary for normal synaptic growth at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). At the neuromuscular junction, exo70 genetically interacts with the small GTPase ralA to regulate …

Regulation Of Herg C-Terminal Isoform Expression By Kcnh2 Intronic Elements, Matthew R. Stump, Sequoyah N. Tate, Rachel T. Nguyen, Anastasiya V. Goldys-Olson, Qiuming Gong, Zhengfeng Zhou

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

TheKCNH2 gene encodes the hERG potassium channel that conducts the rapidly activating delayed rectifier current in the heart. Two C-terminal hERG isoforms are expressed in the heart. Splicing of KCNH2 intron 9 leads to the formation of a full-length, functional hERGa isoform and polyadenylation of intron 9 results in the production of a non-functional, C-terminally truncated hERGa-USO isoform. In the heart, only one-third of KCNH2 pre-mRNA is processed to hERGa due to inefficient intron 9 splicing. A unique feature ofKCNH2 intron 9 is the presence of a 25 nt adenosine stretch immediately downstream of the weak, noncanonical, polyadenylation site, AGTAAA. …

Exploring The Role Of A Novel Device In Weight Loss Outcomes And Behaviors, Jacqueline Ann Beatty

Open Access Dissertations

Obesity is a serious public health problem. There is a need for scalable weight loss interventions that can help people lose weight and decrease their risk of obesity related chronic disease development. Self-monitoring is a key component of successful weight loss. The Eat Less, Move More (ELMM) device is wrist-worn, and is capable of counting bites by detection of a wrist-roll motion that is specific to eating. The device can also measure seconds between bites, as a proxy to eating rate (ER) measurement, as well as the number of steps taken by the user. The aim of this body of …

Climate Change And Coastal Cultural Heritage: Insights From Three National Parks, Alanna Casey

Open Access Dissertations

Global climate change is expected to contribute to between 30 and 122 centimeters of sea-level rise by 2100, as well as increase the frequency and intensity storm surge, flooding, and erosion in coastal systems (IPCC 2014; Melillo, Richmond and Yohe 2014; Moser, Williams and Boesch 2012). Consequently, coastal cultural resources including archaeological sites, historic structures, and cultural landscapes will face increasing damages from salt water inundation, storm erosion, that comprise the frequency and intensity of the negative impacts of these coastal climate changes on cultural heritage resources, sites, and landscapes will also increase (Daly 2011b; WHC 2006; Cassar 2005). Current …

Association Between Altitude And Bronchopulmonary Cancer, Hung Ching

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

As a validation study, this study addressed an under-researched area of bronchopulmonary cancer mortality and incidence. The association between altitude and bronchopulmonary cancer mortality and incidence was investigated using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research. The theoretical framework for my study was Bronfenbrenner's ecological model. This model emphasizes the relevance of social and physical environments that influence patterns of disease and injury and shape responses to these patterns of disease and injury. The age-adjusted bronchopulmonary cancer mortality and incidence rates per 100,000 people in the highest elevation and lowest elevation states …

A Phenomenological Study On The Challenges Experienced By Kinship Adopters, Allyson Foster Hamlin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This research addressed the social and emotional challenges kinship adoptive families have encountered when their adopted child's trauma symptomology surfaces. The unique relationship between the adoptive relative and the kinship child offered a different view on the coping techniques used by kinship families and uncovered areas where resources could support permanency. In this phenomenological study, 12 interviews with relative adoptive parents guided by the attachment and family system theories, offered insight to what fosters or degrades the bond with the adopted child. Using post-adoption resource events, service agencies, and community resources, this study recruited participants through flyers posted on websites, …

An Evaluation Of Juvenile Lifers In Pennsylvania Pre And Post Act 33 Of 1995, Kieshia Martin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Act 33 of 1995 is an amendment to Pennsylvania's Juvenile Act (2008). This amendment changed jurisdictional boundaries for juvenile offenders who committed violent crimes with weapons. As a result, youth who committed violent crimes with weapons were automatically transferred to the adult criminal justice system. Using punctuated equilibrium as the theoretical foundation, the purpose of this study was to determine if Act 33, as a punctuating event, resulted in an increase in the number of youth transferred to the adult criminal justice system and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in an urban county in Pennsylvania. Secondary data …

No-Zero Policy In Middle School: A Comparison Of High School Student Achievement, Janelle Dennis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Local middle schools have begun implementing a no-zero policy, which compels teachers to assign grades no lower than 50% even if a student did not turn in assignments for grading. In the study setting, high school teachers are struggling to motivate students who have attended a middle school with a no-zero policy in place. High school students who have attended a middle school with a no-zero policy show signs of learned helplessness. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in core course grades between high school students who attended a middle school with a no-zero policy (NZPMS) …

Limited Inalienability Rules, Ariel Porat, Stephen D. Sugarman

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

Most people’s entitlements are protected by a property rule, which means that their holders can sell them for a price. But some important entitlements are protected by an inalienability rule, and hence cannot be sold under any circumstances. For example, people cannot sell their organs. In most jurisdictions, women cannot be surrogate mothers for a fee (only for reimbursement of costs). People cannot sell their right not to be exposed to highly life-threatening conditions. Most constitutional rights are not transferrable. People cannot reassign their legal entitlements to social benefits provided by the government. Tort victims in many jurisdictions cannot sell …

Data Pollution, Omri Ben-Shahar

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

Digital information is the fuel of the new economy. But like the old economy’s carbon fuel, it also pollutes. Harmful “data emissions” are leaked into the digital ecosystem, disrupting social institutions and public interests. This article develops a novel framework—data pollution—to rethink the harms the data economy creates and the way they have to be regulated. It argues that social intervention should focus on the external harms from collection and misuse of personal data. The article challenges the hegemony of the prevailing view—that the injuries from digital data enterprise are exclusively private. That view has led lawmakers to focus solely …