Digital Commons Network^™

Teachers Support For English Language Learners To Build Inquiry Skills In Online Biology Simulations, Hermione Joseph-Orelus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The population of English language learners (ELLs) is on the rise in the United States, but they are lagging behind English speaking students in several subject areas--including biology. Scholarly literature lacks information on how biology teachers use scaffolding strategies to support ELL students with inquiry skills during online simulations. The purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore how biology teachers support ELLs in learning biology, using biology simulations to promote inquiry learning. The conceptual framework for this study included the constructivist perspective regarding the zone of proximal development, Electronic Quality of Inquiry Protocol, and technology use in science …

Hydraulic Fracturing And Cause-Specific Mortality: A Multicity Comparative Epidemiological Study, Uzoma C. Nduka

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cause-specific mortality (CSM), among other global health estimates, has garnered prominence in the contemporary public health field. CSM has been associated with several factors, however, research comparing CSM for prefracking versus postfracking periods is sparse. Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a technique of extracting oil and gas from deep underground. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference among mean CSM scores from 1975 through 2015 in the available cities and counties of residence in Colorado and to determine the impact of gender, marital status, county of residence, and city of residence on CSM scores (prefracking period 1975-1977 …

Artificial Artists: A Dynamical Systems View Of The Subjective Judgements That Drive Creativity, Leinani Hession

Theses & ETDs

This thesis focuses on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and creativity . It investigates how AI can be used to model and understand creativity. The investigation starts with a literature review of historical and modern perspectives on creativity, and concludes that the varied definitions and perceptions of creativity rely on subjective value judgements. Therefore, a biologically rooted model of creativity should be based on the systems which underlie the emergence of subjective value judgements like that of novelty perception. A survey of the use of AI in art-making follows, showing that traditional computationalist and machine learning methods are not …

Music, Embodied Cognition, And Anti-Semitism In Wagner’S Ring Cycle: An Analysis Of Musical Gestures And The Social Structures They Reinforce, Elijah Weiss

Theses & ETDs

Music has the ability to evoke complex and ambiguous feelings in listeners. Many of these feelings are facilitated by the mirror neuron system, with which individuals process and internally mirror musical movements and gestures via neural motor pathways to simulate empathy. As a result, music has been used by countless organizations to influence social behavior, ranging from the construction of identity through musical propaganda to resistance music against state-enforced definitions of national identity. Focusing primarily on Wagner’s use of operatic scores to spread anti-Semitism, this thesis explores music’s role in promoting social conformity alongside its potential for expanding or manipulating …

Filamentous Bacteriophage Associated With Shaping Community Structure And Fitness Of Invasive Vibrio Parahaemolyticus St36, Jillian Means

Master's Theses and Capstones

Vibrio parahaemolyticus a ubiquitous coastal inhabitant, is the leading cause of bacterial seafood-borne illnesses in the United States. An increasing number of reported cases and rapid expansion into new areas has led to the classification of V. parahaemolyticus as an emergent pathogen. Most strains of V. parahaemolyticus are not virulent; however, the spread of virulent lineages from their native ranges to new locations has contributed drastically to the increase in vibriosis attributed to V. parahaemolyticus in recent years. In the United States (US), sequence type (ST) 36, a virulent strain endemic to the Pacific Northwest (PNW), spread from its native …

Potential Role Of Marine Snow In The Fate Of Spilled Oil In Cook Inlet, Alaska, Jesse Ross

Master's Theses and Capstones

While extensive research has been conducted on minerals aggregating with spilled oil, surface-forming organic aggregates, called marine snow, have only recently been studied as a transport mechanism. This knowledge gap in understanding the fate of oil was highlighted following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) blowout in the Gulf of Mexico when a significant percentage of the spilled oil reached the seafloor as a result of association with marine snow. Research following the DWH blowout suggests both marine snow and mineral aggregates are significant oil exposure pathways that must be considered during an oil spill response. The U.S. Geological Survey and …

Assessing The Relationships Of Winter Ticks, Weather And A Declining Moose Population In Northern New Hampshire, Brent Illig Powers

Master's Theses and Capstones

ASSESSING ABUNDANCE AND QUESTING BEHAVIOR OF WINTER TICKS (DERMENCENTOR ALBIPICTUS) IN NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Brent Illig Powers

University of New Hampshire

Recent decline in New Hampshire’s moose (Alces alces) population is attributed to parasitism by winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) associated with high calf mortality and reduced adult cow productivity. Research has focused mainly on moose (host) population dynamics with minimal study of abundance and distribution of winter ticks (parasite) on the landscape. Importantly, tick location is dictated by where ticks drop from moose in April, when they principally forage in regenerating forest. This research was designed with 4 primary objectives: …

The Relationship Between Recidivism And Inpatient Treatment For Co-Occurring Disorders Among African American Male Ex-Offenders, Henshaw D. Mbosowo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recidivism continues to be a major problem in the United States criminal justice system and yet, there is minimal research that addresses recidivism among African American male ex-offenders with co-occurring disorders who are on probation and or parole under community supervision and trying to gain access or reentry into the community. This quantitative study was to examine the relationship between co-occurring disorders and incidence of recidivism among African American male ex-offenders who have been hospitalized and treated for mental illness at some point in their lives. Also, considering that the inpatient treatment or hospitalization of offenders and ex-offenders with serious …

Separated By The Child Welfare System: The Journey Of One Set Of Fraternal Twins, Jocelyne Coan Bond

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the separation of twins in foster care and examined how their lived experiences relate to their interpersonal relationships as adults. Many researchers have studied the long-term impact of nontwin sibling separation in foster care, but little is known about the separation of twins, leaving a significant gap in existing literature. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences twins who were separated in foster care as relates to their interpersonal relationships during adulthood. A qualitative, narrative approach was used to gather the lived experiences of one set of twins. The research questions examined how …

A Phenomenological Approach To Understanding Consensual Nonmonogamy Among African-American Couples, Krishna Jones Clanton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Monogamy is recognized as a singularly accepted relationship construct within the United States. As a result, little is understood about alternative relationship constructs and those who choose them. Even less is understood regarding these practices among members of marginalized communities. Despite this lack of knowledge, there is evidence to suggest that approximately 4-5% of the United States population is engaged in some form of consensually nonmonogamous relationship pairing (a percentage comparable to the LGBTQAI community), and an estimated 25% of the population will engage in some form of consensual nonmonogamy over the course of their lifespan. This study looked to …

Relationship Between Novice Counselors' Supervisory Attachments And Boundary Practices And Perceptions, Glenda Hill Nanna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Novice counselors may struggle to understand and follow ethical guidelines for boundary behaviors with clients. When counselors violate therapeutic boundaries, harmful consequences can result for clients and counselors. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the possible relationship between novice counselors' (NCs') attachment to supervisors and NCs' ethical perceptions and boundary practices. This study addressed the possible predictor variables of age, gender, relationship status, and practice setting. Bowlby's attachment theory provided the framework for the study. Survey data from 114 NCs were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical linear regression. Each regression analyzed predictors of age, gender, relationship …

Toxic Air Discharge And Infant Mortality: Effects Of Community Size And Socioeconomics, Khabira Salter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Living in counties where manufacturers release environmental toxins, such as those tracked by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) toxic release inventory (TRI), may elevate infants' health risks. Because infant mortality (IM) is a strong indicator of a population's health status, it is an important topic in public health research. The purpose of this research was to examine the potential relationships between IM, community size, and factors related to mothers' SES in counties where more than 25,000 pounds of annual toxic air releases occur. The dependent variable was IM per 1,000 live births in a given community for each of the …

Impact Of Community Factors On The Donor Quality Score In Liver Transplantation, Giovanna Saracino

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome and obesity has been linked to the rise in transplant indication for cryptogenic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), creating a growing challenge to public health. NAFLD liver transplant (LT) candidates are listed with low priority, and their waiting mortality is high. The impact of community/geographic factors on donor risk models is unknown. The purpose of this study was to develop a parsimonious donor risk-adjusted model tailored to NAFLD recipients by assessing the impact of donor, recipient, transplant, and external factors on graft survival. The theoretical framework was the social ecological model. Secondary …

Characteristics Of Fame-Seeking Individuals Who Completed Or Attempted Mass Murder In The United States, Angelica Wills

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous researchers have found mass murderers characterized as loners, victims of bullying, goths, and individuals who had a psychotic break. A gap in the literature that remained concerned the motive and mindset of mass murderers before their attack, particularly those who seek fame, and why they are motivated by such violent intentions. The purpose of this study was to provide a deeper analysis of the characteristics of fame-seeking individuals who have completed or attempted mass murder, as well as insight into their behavior on social media. The conceptual framework consisted of a constructivist model, which guided the exploration the purposeful …

Knowledge Sharing And Customer Relations In Mobility, Katie Dyretha Moore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

After the events of September 11, 2001, inadequacies in how government organizations and agencies shared knowledge and communication with defense mission partners became readily apparent. A reasonable U.S. government information technology expectation is the integrated use of mobile phones across organizations and agencies. Yet, it is difficult to meet this expectation, as the provisioning process for mobile devices can be different for each government organization or agency. The Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology does not set provisioning standards, and organizations and agencies determine policies tailored to their particular needs. Using Schein's theory on organizational culture, the …

Social Workers And Early Intervention With Diabetic Clients, Rievu Agiri

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers are uniquely positioned to facilitate early intervention services that minimize the impact and burden of Type 2 diabetes. There is little evidence on the specific role that social workers play in addressing the psychosocial factors that exacerbate the condition or impact treatment outcomes. The purpose of the study was to examine the role of social workers in facilitating early interventions for clients with Type 2 diabetes. The theories of role and organizational systems provided the conceptual framework. Data was collected from interviews with eight participants with Master'€™s degrees in Social Work in a large Southwestern state in the …

Social Workers' Experiences With Deaf And Hard Of Hearing People With Mental Illness, Makoto Ikegami

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The social work practice problem for this study was a lack of knowledge about social workers' experiences of working with deaf and hard of hearing people with mental illness. This study was needed to fill a practice gap by increasing an understanding of the experiences of social workers to inform best practices and address the needs of deaf and hard of hearing population through culturally and linguistically competent mental health services. The research questions focused on the experiences and challenges of social workers working with deaf and hard of hearing people and best practices identified by these social workers. Ecological …

Community Health Worker's Perceptions Of Integration Into The Behavioral Health Care System, Juliette Swanston Jenkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental illness in the United States is a major public health problem. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2017, 18.9% of adults in the United States had a mental illness. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the perceptions held by community health workers (CHWs) regarding their integration into the behavioral health care system in Maryland. Using a social constructivism paradigm and phenomenological approach, a purposive sample of 11 CHWs who supported patients with behavioral health conditions in 17 counties in the state were interviewed. Howlett, McConnell, and Perl'€™s five stream confluence …

Social Networks And Sense Of Community Effects On Psychological Distress Among Community X Residents, Marci A. Salone

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A certain community within the southern region of Texas has consistently been linked to escalating poverty, high crime rates, low educational achievement, and poor physical and mental health. For the purpose of this research, this community will be referred to as Community X. Although some researchers have found that sense of community and supportive social networks are associated with healthy mental and physical functioning, others have suggested that in a debilitated community social networks can facilitate psychological distress and a strong sense of community is difficult to develop. Guided by Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study …

Experiences And Attitudes Of Older Homeless Women Toward Healthcare Access, Mary Ann Mueller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness among older women is a growing problem in many metropolitan areas of the United States. Researchers have indicated that health issues and problems accessing basic care are connected. Older homeless women face increased health issues, multiple challenges related to accessing basic care, and low incomes which put them at higher risk of becoming homeless, staying homeless, and delaying medical treatment. The homeless who lack fulfillment of social support and timely medical care are considered repetitive users of the emergency department and hospital stays. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences and beliefs of older homeless …

Correlating Personality Types And Educational Attainment, Nicole Marie Orcutt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There was a gap in the current literature examining degree attainment, in that there was no research found on personality type and the highest degree level someone attains. The goal of this study was to understand if there was a correlation to an individual's personality classification as determined by their Myers Briggs Personality Inventory (MBTI) and the highest education level they achieve for the 225 people in the entire sample and 95 in the subsample (participants raised in poverty). The MBTI's theoretical foundation is based upon Dr. Carl Jung's personality typology and was later expounded upon by the tool's creators. …

Human Trafficking Crime Awareness Among Remote Communities In Central Vietnam, Ngoc Tb Nguyen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human trafficking crime is rising globally at an alarming rate, and Vietnam is one of the nations with the highest prevalence of trafficking female victims for forced sex services and forced marriages. This study explored human trafficking awareness in remote communities of central Vietnam and the factors for young girls dropping out of school for work at an early age. The study also investigated the link between gender inequality and the child labor problem in these communities. There is no extant empirical research pertaining to human trafficking awareness in the remote communities of central Vietnam. This research fills this gap …

Teachers' Perceptions About A High School Mastery-Based Learning Program, Robert Charles Searfoss

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A public suburban high school in South Carolina used a mastery-based learning program called Power of M that was created with the specific goal of decreasing the number of students who repeated the 9th grade. A large volume of 9th grade students who were enrolled in the English 1 mastery-based learning course failed, which prompted this study. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate teachers' perceptions and experiences about mastery-based learning, about student performance within this program, and about teachers' professional needs to improve program delivery. Bloom's mastery-based learning theory formed the conceptual framework that guided the study. …

African American Masculinity And Its Influence On Hypertension-Related Behaviors, Tangee Denise Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High blood pressure (hypertension) is known to be one of the leading factors that directly contributes to heart disease and stroke, which are the first and third leading causes of disabilities and death in the general U.S. population. The prevalence of high blood pressure among African American men in the United States ranks as one of the highest in the world. Research indicates the roots of this phenomenon are found in physiological, psychosocial, cultural, and socioeconomic factors differentially affecting the African American population. The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction between African American males' masculine perspective and …

How Student-To-Teacher Interactions Encourage Self-Regulated Learning In One Computer-Based Alternative Program, Kristen D. Milton Watt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this exploratory case study was to examine how student-to-teacher interactions encourage students to develop self-regulated learning (SRL) habits and skills. Zimmerman's social cognitive theory of SRL, which supposes a relationship between academic success and SRL, is used as a conceptual framework. The representative case is a computer-based alternative education program for students at risk of dropping out of high school in grades 10-12. The teachers worked one-on-one with students in a computer lab while the students engaged in mastery-based learning using Apex Learning Inc. digital curriculum. Five teachers responded to three questionnaires to examine how student-to-teacher interactions …

Relationship Between Elevated Blood Pressure/Hypertension In Military Personnel And The Stress Of Combat Deployment, Stephen James Pinkerton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Few studies about elevated blood pressure in the U.S. military exist in which researchers examined exposure to combat and its association with elevated blood pressure. The purpose of this quantitative research was to describe the extent of association between those who were exposed to combat deployment, were 40 or older, and were overweight or obese and had elevated blood pressure for U.S. military personnel who deployed to an area of declared combat between 2012 and 2017. The conceptual basis of this research was best represented by the determinants of health model. Chi-square correlation revealed that being older (equal to or …

Strategies To Obtain Loans For Black-Owned Small Businesses, Trenessa Baker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Less than 30% of Black business owners successfully obtain small business loans to sustain their businesses longer than 5 years when compared to evidence that shows that more than 65% of White small business owners obtain small business loans to sustain their businesses longer than 5 years. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the experiences of 3 Black owners of small businesses who successfully obtained small business loans and maintained operations longer than 5 years in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina. The conceptual framework for this study was systems theory and contingency theory. …

Service Delivery Agents' Perceptions Of The Impact Of Panhandling Policy In Virginia, Nancy Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Panhandling (also called begging and mendicancy) has been a problem for lawmakers. Although current crime control measures (based on the broken windows theory) have identified a perceived link between disorders (i.e., panhandling) and crime, previous attempts to ban panhandling were deemed unconstitutional. The purpose of this work was to investigate the impact of the latest attempt to curb panhandling in Hampton Roads, Virginia, known as the Public Education Campaign. This phenomenological inquiry examined the perceptions and work-related experiences of service delivery agents to explore the impact of the panhandling policy on panhandling and policy enforcement. Purposive sampling was used to …

Closing The Manufacturing Skills Gap Through Innovative Recruiting Practices, Jeffery Combs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Business leaders’ recognition of the increasing shortage of skilled workers to meet industry demand is a business problem. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that business leaders used to recruit skilled workers at 3 manufacturing facilities in South Carolina. The human capital theory was the conceptual framework used for this study. Data were collected from face-to-face interviews with 3 business leaders who demonstrated successful recruitment strategies, a focus group of 4 skilled manufacturing employees hired during the time period of 2018-2019, and a review of company documents. Data were analyzed using Yin’s 5-step process. Six …

Egyptian Diaspora Explains The Meaning Of Its Political Engagement In Washington, Dc, Sameh Hasan Elnaggar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Available literature showed that the Egyptian diaspora (e.g., emigrants who share a common situations and work for the same cause) has been developing and engaging politically in the United States during the 2011 Egyptian revolution. The diasporas’ role was of interest to researchers and policymakers; however, the literature concerning diasporas has underexamined the Egyptian diaspora regarding its proliferation and active political engagement. Using the conflict and climate theories of Truman, and Cigler and Loomis in conjunction with the political engagement factors theory of Jang as the theoretical foundation of the study, the purpose was to explore how members of the …