Digital Commons Network^™

Lived Experiences Of Non-Licensed African American Pastors Providing Counseling For Race-Related Mental Health Issues To Their Parishioners, Brian Sutton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

It is important to understand treatment practices of clergy members due to their influence on the treatment seeking behavior for professional counseling services among African American parishioners. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and describe African American pastors’ experiences of providing counseling for race-related mental health issues to their parishioners. The conceptual framework for this study was critical race theory. The research design included a descriptive phenomenological study with semi structured interviews with five non-licensed pastors and clergy members. The results of data analysis revealed three main themes and nine subthemes related to the participants’ experiences. The …

Research News, Publications, 2023, Volume 1, Soumyajit Majumdar

Publications (2015-)

Publications that appeared during the period of January 1 through March 31, 2023

Survey Of 2022 Cases Under State Environmental Quality Review Act, Michael B. Gerrard, Edward Mctiernan

Faculty Scholarship

The courts in New York issued 43 opinions in 2022 under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). Of these, the largest number — 27 — upheld agency decisions not to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS), and eight overturned such decisions. Six cases upheld actions that had been the subject of an EIS; none overturned such actions. Two cases can’t be classified in this fashion.

These numbers are in line with the longstanding pattern that a project’s greatest litigation vulnerability under SEQRA is the failure to prepare an EIS; if an EIS has been prepared, very rarely will the …

Effects Of Heterozygous Deletion Of Autism-Related Gene Cullin-3 In Mice, Qiang-Qiang Xia, Angela K Walker, Chenghui Song, Jing Wang, Anju Singh, James A Mobley, Zhong X Xuan, Jeffrey D Singer, Craig M Powell

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder in which children display repetitive behavior, restricted range of interests, and atypical social interaction and communication. CUL3, coding for a Cullin family scaffold protein mediating assembly of ubiquitin ligase complexes through BTB domain substrate-recruiting adaptors, has been identified as a high-risk gene for autism. Although complete knockout of Cul3 results in embryonic lethality, Cul3 heterozygous mice have reduced CUL3 protein, demonstrate comparable body weight, and display minimal behavioral differences including decreased spatial object recognition memory. In measures of reciprocal social interaction, Cul3 heterozygous mice behaved similarly to their wild-type littermates. In area …

Life, Liberty, And Data Privacy: The Global Cloud, The Criminally Accused, And Executive Versus Judicial Compulsory Process Powers, Rebecca Wexler

Faculty Scholarship

U.S. policymakers’ responses to a wave of global data privacy laws are creating a deep structural unfairness in the criminal legal system. In an era of cloud computing, when data about communications and activities occurring anywhere in the world can be stored on servers located anywhere else, access to such data can make the difference between convictions and acquittals. At the same time, new global data privacy laws risk cutting off cross-border access to digital evidence in criminal investigations. Recognizing the threat to law enforcement interests, U.S. policymakers enacted the CLOUD Act of 2018 to create special procedures for law …

Lysosomal Tmem9-Lamtor4-Controlled Mtor Signaling Integrity Is Required For Mammary Tumorigenesis, Shengzhe Zhang, Sung Ho Lee, Litong Nie, Yuanjian Huang, Gengyi Zou, Youn-Sang Jung, Sohee Jun, Jie Zhang, Esther M Lien, Junjie Chen, Jae-Il Park

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

The Mediating Effect Of Resilience On The Relationship Between Symptom Burden And Anxiety/Depression Among Chinese Patients With Primary Liver Cancer After Liver Resection, Xue Zhang, Haoran Zhang, Zonghao Zhang, Hua Fan, Shuwen Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Primary liver cancer (PLC) is a common cancer of the digestive system. Patients with PLC often experience a heavy symptom burden and along with a significant levels of anxiety and depression after liver resection. High levels of symptom burden can lead to increased anxiety and depression, whereas high levels of resilience can alleviate these conditions. Therefore, we aimed to explore the relationships among symptom burden, resilience, and anxiety/depression in Chinese patients with PLC after liver resection and to determine whether resilience mediates the relationship between symptom burden and anxiety/depression.

Patients and methods: A total of 223 postoperative PLC patients …

Less Is More? First Impressions From Cosmic-313, Pavlos Msaouel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The COSMIC-313 phase 3 randomized controlled trial tested the triplet combination of cabozantinib with nivolumab and ipilimumab in comparison with nivolumab plus ipilimumab control as fist-line systemic therapy in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The first results presented at the 2022 European Society of Medical Oncology Congress are a milestone for the renal cell carcinoma field because they signal the advent of triplet combinations as potential treatment options for our patients. The present commentary highlights some considerations and potential next steps based on these first impressions.

Phase 1/2 Study Of Epacadostat In Combination With Durvalumab In Patients With Metastatic Solid Tumors, Aung Naing, Alain P Algazi, Gerald S Falchook, Benjamin C Creelan, John Powderly, Seth Rosen, Minal Barve, Niharika B Mettu, Pierre L Triozzi, John Hamm, Gongfu Zhou, Chris Walker, Zhiwan Dong, Manish R Patel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) pathways is an appealing option for cancer treatment.

Methods: The open-label, phase 1/2 ECHO-203 study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of the IDO1 inhibitor epacadostat in combination with durvalumab, a human anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody in adult patients with advanced solid tumors.

Results: The most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (30.7%), nausea (21.0%), decreased appetite (13.1%), pruritus (12.5%), maculopapular rash (10.8%), and diarrhea (10.2%). Objective response rate (ORR) in the overall phase 2 population was 12.0%. Higher ORR was observed in immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)-naïve patients (16.1%) …

Chd1, A Multifaceted Epigenetic Remodeler In Prostate Cancer, Haoyan Li, Loraine Gigi, Di Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Chromatin remodeling proteins contribute to DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination. The chromodomain helicase DNA-binding (CHD) family of remodelers plays crucial roles in embryonic development, hematopoiesis, and neurogenesis. As the founding member, CHD1 is capable of assembling nucleosomes, remodeling chromatin structure, and regulating gene transcription. Dysregulation of CHD1 at genetic, epigenetic, and post-translational levels is common in malignancies and other human diseases. Through interacting with different genetic alterations, CHD1 possesses the capabilities to exert oncogenic or tumor-suppressive functions in context-dependent manners. In this Review, we summarize the biochemical properties and dysregulation of CHD1 in cancer cells, and then discuss CHD1's …

Interactions Of Pathogenic Escherichia Coli With Ceacams, Alaullah Sheikh, James M Fleckenstein

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The pathogenic

Relationship Between Perceived Language Proficiency And Economic Life Satisfaction For Migrants, John Ndunduma

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States needs migrant workers to fill the labor market gap because baby boomers are retiring from the US workforce in large numbers beginning in 2020. Approximately 2.1 million migrants came from Africa to fill the U.S. labor shortage. Many of these African migrants faced challenges with English language proficiency. There are benefits to the United States involved with increasing the economic wellbeing of migrants, such as reducing remigration, increasing the high-skilled labor force, and increasing cultural diversity. This study used Maslow’s motivational theory to test significant relationships between perceptions of English language proficiency (PELP) and economic life satisfaction …

Factors Associated With Intent To Quit Smoking Among U.S. Adult Smokers, Patrese Ann Nesbitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Smoking and tobacco use continue to be a public health issue for over 40 million Americans, which explains the appropriateness and abundance of smoking cessation programs throughout the United States. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the associations between independent variables of marital status, advice from a medical clinician, and use of community smoking cessation resources and the dependent variable of intent to quit smoking, controlling for race, ethnicity, gender, and age. The theory of reasoned action was used to guide the study. Data from the National Adult Tobacco Survey (N = 12,357) were analyzed using …

The Lived Experiences Of Stress For People With Alcoholism Striving Toward Recovery, Gerald Okeke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recovery from alcohol is an individualized process, therefore, effective treatment necessitates an understanding of the phenomenon from the perspective of individuals in recovery. This study involved an exploration of the lived experiences of stress of 10 individuals with alcoholism in their first year recovery journey, particularly with respect to access resources (e.g., helpfulness and availability). Pearlin et al.'s stress process theory and Bandura's social learning theory constituted the study's theoretical foundation; the key concepts of social stress and social learning informed the development of the research questions and the analysis of data. The major themes that emerged were spirituality, hitting …

Development Of A Standardized Novice Neonatal Nurse Orientation Program, Joanne Rau Pasinski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are fast-paced units requiring skilled nurses to care for a unique patient population. Orientation of new nurses to the NICU can be challenging for both the orientee and the preceptor. Offering an evidence-based practice orientation program by an accredited organization that is specific to NICU can be a valuable tool for both the preceptor and the orientee as well as enhance nurse, patient, and organizational outcomes. The project question explored if use of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) 15-module nursing orientation program for RNs in a NICU increased their …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Using Culturally Relevant Education Practices To Teach Middle-Grades Mathematics, Lorna Bridgetnal Randle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractAfrican American students and other students of color are not experiencing equitable learning outcomes in mathematics classrooms. The problem this study investigated was if and how teachers used culturally relevant education to help increase learning opportunities for African American students. This basic qualitative study aimed to explore teachers' perceptions of how they use culturally relevant education instructional practices to teach mathematics to middle-grade African American students. Further, teachers’ perceptions of their preparedness to use culturally relevant education practices were explored. Aronson and Laughter’s theory of culturally relevant education framed the study and guided data analysis. The research questions investigated if …

Technological And Pedagogical Challenges For Teachers During Covid-19, Suzanne Reaid

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractImplementation of a national contingency plan to mitigate the effects of a natural disaster or major health crisis for schools in the United States has been a focus of scholars since the polio epidemic in 1916. While examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education in the United States, researchers demonstrated that online remote instruction was adopted as a temporary answer to school closures, yet teachers were not prepared for this type of teaching. Researchers had yet to identify the technological and pedagogical challenges for teachers who taught remotely during the crises with little distance education experience. The purpose …

Perceptions And Experiences Of The Benefits Of Premarital Counseling Among African American Couples, Evelyn N. Roberts

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have conducted studies on the benefits of premarital counseling. However, little was known about the experiences of African American couples. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore African American couples’ perceptions and experiences concerning the benefits of premarital counseling. Social learning theory provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with eight heterosexual African American couples. Colaizzi’s seven-step method of coding was used to analyze participants’ responses. Four themes emerged: couples’ expectations of premarital counseling, influences regarding participation, quality and structure of sessions, and overall experience. Findings could impact social change by …

Nursing Graduates' Strategies For Success On The Nclex-Rn, Karla Lashonda Sanders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractA nursing program has had difficulty from the years 2015-2022 consistently meeting the national pass rate requirement during students’ first attempts taking the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions of recent traditional and nontraditional nursing school graduates regarding which evidence-based learning strategies and resources were most effective in leading students to be successful during their first NCLEX-RN attempt. Knowles’ theory of andragogy was the conceptual framework for this study. Research questions involved traditional and nontraditional nursing graduates’ perceptions of which evidence-based strategies were successful for them. Using a …

Leading A Motivated Home Healthcare Company, Jekea Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The lack of employee engagement and increase in employee turnover adversely affect the healthcare industry’s business outcomes. Home healthcare leaders need engagement strategies to retain experienced employees as failure to engage employees results in decreased productivity and increased expenses associated with recruiting and training new hires. Grounded in Blau’s social exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that home healthcare leaders use to increase employee engagement and decrease employee turnover. The participants comprised eight current and former leaders and employees of home healthcare companies in Charlotte, North Carolina. The data collection processes included …

Implementing Music Therapy Into Behavioral Healthcare To Treat Autism Spectrum Disorder, Arthur George Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThis study explored how best to implement Music Therapy (MT) in any hospital setting when working with autistic children, teenagers, and adults. Baldrige’s theory and concepts were used as a benchmark to facilitate all findings through the research conducted. Multiple factors affect the workforce and the existing staff at a large medical facility in the Western United States. The methodology employed included interviews with two behavioral health leaders using structured questions. This was an ideal research setting given that over fifty providers, including doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists, who work daily with the ASD population. Key findings included MT treatments at …

Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions Of Instructional Strategies For Reading, Erin Sponaugle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem investigated in this study was decreasing annual reading proficiency among students in intermediate elementary grades (Grades 3-5). Deficiencies in reading proficiency can negatively impact overall student achievement. The purpose of this study was to investigate intermediate elementary teachers’ perceptions of their instructional strategies to improve students’ reading proficiency and potentially increase Generalized Summative Assessment scores. The conceptual framework was Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development theory. The key research questions were about elementary reading teachers’ perceptions of effective instructional practices used to increase students’ reading proficiency and elementary reading teachers’ perceptions about teachers’ instructional strengths and challenges associated with …

Clinical Research Principal Investigators’ Perspectives Of Improving The Diversity Of Clinical Research Participants, Nadine Hyacinth Spring

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clinical trials are needed to make new medications, devices, and diagnostic tools available. Participants in these clinical trials have historically come from a homogeneous group, and there is a recognized need for increased diversity and representation in these clinical research studies. The absence of diversity in clinical trials makes it difficult for clinicians and researchers to know which medications and devices are safe and effective for specific populations. This basic qualitative phenomenological study was conducted to explore the experiences of clinical research principal investigators regarding diversity in clinical research studies and how to improve it. The theoretical framework for this …

Lived Experiences Of Technology-Based Legal Resources, Michael Ray Stanley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractLack of access to United States civil courts by individuals who cannot afford or are otherwise unable to retain legal counsel has attracted the interest of policy makers and members of the legal community in recent years. The literature revealed a wide range of efforts and public and private resources that have been employed to address the problem. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences, perceptions, and insights of individuals in a medium-size Michigan city who had utilized services that deliver legal resources by technology-based platforms. Social construction of targeted populations and the technology acceptance model …

Principals’ Perceptions Of Their Role In Novice Teacher Retention In Title 1 Schools, Kassia Sutton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Current research suggests that retaining novice teachers, teachers with less than 5 years of teaching experience, in Title 1 elementary schools in the Southeastern United States is a problem for principals. Prior research on Title 1 elementary principal’s perceptions of their role in retaining novice teachers is limited. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine six Title 1 elementary school principals’ perceptions of their role in retaining novice teachers in the Southeastern United States. The conceptual framework for this study was the job demands-resources theory, which defined working conditions through job demands and job resources. Purposeful random …

An Evaluation Of A Community-Based Children’S Bereavement Group Using A Resilience Model, Ada Terry Denone Terry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The death of a loved one can be an extremely painful process that can have detrimental consequences on the emotional well-being of individuals if they don’t receive grief intervention support. When it specifically comes to the emotional eudaemonia of children and teens experiencing the death of a loved one, research is limited on empirical-based bereavement intervention support to enhance their coping skills. Utilizing the theoretical framework of resilience theory, the purpose of this quantitative secondary research study was to evaluate the Sutter Sacramento Children’s Bereavement Art Group (CBAG) ten- week intervention for children and teens ages 5-12. The first question …

Integrating The Pedagogy Of United States’ Fourth-Grade Math Teachers With International Approaches, Dennis Francis Tierney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Standardized testing results in fourth-grade math have shown that students in the United States continually score below students in many other nations, despite funding education at levels well above the global average. The problem addressed in this study was that fourth-grade math students in the United States were not performing as well on standardized tests as students of other nations and international cities. Guided by Vygotsky’s social learning theory, the purpose of this qualitative, exploratory case study was to investigate the perceptions of teachers from U.S. and international settings about different approaches to effective fourth-grade math instruction, inherent obstacles to …

Internal Control Strategies To Limit Nonprofit Organization Fraud And Embezzlement Costs., Ralston K. Tracey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractEmployee intent to commit fraud and embezzlement costs has the potential for adverse business outcomes. Nonprofit leaders are concerned with employee fraud and embezzlement costs as it is the main predictor of employee wrongdoing and increase the chances of their organization's failure. Grounded in fraud triangle theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore internal control strategies nonprofit leaders use to limit fraud and embezzlement costs. The participants were eight leaders from four nonprofit organizations in the Southeastern United States who successfully used strategies to prevent fraudulent financial losses in their organizations. Data were collected from semistructured …

Hospital-Acquired Infections And Differences Between Magnet And Non-Magnet Hospitals, Linda Mary Valenti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), specifically clostridioides difficile (CDI) and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia, increase mortality and length of stay and cost the United States billions of dollars each year. Though preventable, continued incidence demonstrates that infection prevention interventions remain challenging for health system administrators. The purpose of this quantitative study was to identify whether there was a significant difference between Magnet accreditation and non-Magnet accreditation and the frequency of HAIs, specifically, CDI and MRSA bacteremia. The independent variable was Magnet accreditation status; the dependent variables were CDI and MRSA bacteremia. The foundation of the study focused on Donabedian’s framework of …

A Qualitative Study Of Moral Distress In Physicians During The Covid-19 Pandemic, William Washington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract The spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) created a pandemic and had a world-shattering effect on healthcare organizations. As a result, many healthcare professionals were exposed to health situations that stretched them beyond their professional ethics, mental health, and emotional capacity. Throughout the last 30 years, moral distress has been understood as the type of stress that medical professionals experience. Research has substantially grown regarding COVID-19 and moral distress, exposing gaps in the ability of experts to care as they should. Moral distress was a term created to define the emotional disruption that occurs when a professional cannot work within their …