Digital Commons Network^™

Critically Examining The Mobilities Of A Critical Thinking Curriculum In Transnational Higher Education: A Case Study In West Africa, Coomerene Muilerman-Rodrigo

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Mechanism Of Impaired Cd8+ T Cell Activation During Ross River Virus Infection, Christopher Bullock

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Ross River virus (RRV) is a mosquito transmitted virus endemic to Australia that infects humans and causes acute symptoms of rash, fever, myalgia, and fatigue. Although systemic viral infection subsides within a few weeks, joint pain lingers in many patients for months. Active viral replication is not readily detected in this chronic phase, although persistent viral RNA has been found in the synovial fluid of patients. This can be studied in mice, which can be productively infected with RRV when inoculated in the foot. Like in humans, in the chronic phase of disease, viral RNA is still present in the …

Enhancer Reprogramming Underlies Therapeutic Utility Of A Smarca2 Degrader In Smarca4 Mutant Cancer, Sasikumar Kotagiri, Nicholas Blazanin, Yuanxin Xi, Yanyan Han, Md Qudratullah, Xiaobing Liang, Yawen Wang, Poonam Pandey, Hira Mazhar, Truong Nguyen Lam, Anand Kamal Singh, Jing Wang, Yonathan Lissanu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Genomic studies have identified frequent mutations in subunits of the SWI/SNF (switch/sucrose non-fermenting) chromatin remodeling complex including SMARCA4 and ARID1A in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Genetic evidence indicates that the paralog SMARCA2 is synthetic lethal to SMARCA4 suggesting SMARCA2 is a valuable therapeutic target. However, the discovery of selective inhibitors of SMARCA2 has been challenging. Here, we utilized structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to develop YD23, a potent and selective proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) targeting SMARCA2. Mechanistically, we show that SMARCA2 degradation induces reprogramming of the enhancer landscape in SMARCA4-mutant cells with loss of chromatin accessibility at enhancers of genes …

Secondary Teachers’ Perceptions About Strategies To Teach Reading Comprehension, Carol Judd

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study examined the challenges teachers faced in teaching reading comprehension to secondary students within the study school. Reading comprehension is a key skill for academic success, yet many students struggle to understand complex texts in subjects such as history, science, and mathematics. The purpose of this research is to assess how teachers perceive the integration of reading strategies in core content areas and the impact of professional development on their teaching practices. The conceptual framework used to guide this study was the social cognitive theory of self-efficacy, which suggests that teachers' beliefs in their abilities to implement effective strategies …

The Impact Of Counselor Educators’ Unprofessional Behavior On Students, Kristin Alyssa Dolph

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Current research into Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited counseling programs has provided data that counselor educators and supervisors (CESs) who conduct themselves in an unprofessional manner affect their colleagues, peers, and students. Although there is an existing problem of unprofessionalism impacting students, there is a dearth of information on this exploration through a qualitative lens. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of counseling students impacted by their CESs displaying unprofessional behaviors. Participants were master’s-level counseling students in a brick and mortar CACREP-accredited program who were either …

Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives On Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Practice During Online Instruction, Charmaine Bonds

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early childhood teachers had to restructure instruction when the COVID-19 pandemic began, and instruction was completed online. The problem was that early childhood teachers faced challenges using developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) in online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore early childhood teachers’ perspectives on implementing DAP in online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic and what they needed to improve their use of quality DAP online instruction. The conceptual framework comprised the DAP and the positive technology development theories. The research questions were used to explore pre-K and kindergarten teachers' perspectives on …

Influence Of Social Media On Business Performance Of Small And Medium Enterprises, Annmarie Jennifer Calvert-Antoye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the significant advantages of using social media marketing, an estimated 25% of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) promote products and services through social media. However, the lack of use by many convenience store managers often results in missed opportunities for increasing sales revenue and reaching a broader customer base. Grounded in the technology acceptance model, this qualitative descriptive study explored convenience store owners' social media strategies to increase brand awareness and grow sales to improve performance. The participants were eight convenience store owners in the Midwestern United States. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of public …

The Impact Of Counselor Educators’ Unprofessional Behavior On Students, Kristin Alyssa Dolph

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Current research into Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited counseling programs has provided data that counselor educators and supervisors (CESs) who conduct themselves in an unprofessional manner affect their colleagues, peers, and students. Although there is an existing problem of unprofessionalism impacting students, there is a dearth of information on this exploration through a qualitative lens. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of counseling students impacted by their CESs displaying unprofessional behaviors. Participants were master’s-level counseling students in a brick and mortar CACREP-accredited program who were either …

Counselors’ Lived Experiences Supporting Emerging Adults With Psychiatric Disorders Secure Competitive Employment, Cheryl Lakisha Andrews

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transitioning from childhood to adulthood is a challenging life experience, further intensified for individuals with psychiatric disorders. While strong social support serves as a key resilience factor, emerging adults with psychiatric disorders face unique challenges in addition to those encountered by their peers. This population is at heightened risk for adverse outcomes, including difficulty securing employment, a critical milestone for adult independence. Counselors play a pivotal role in supporting these individuals but often report feelings of inadequacy and reluctance to engage with this complex developmental stage. This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenology study explores the lived experiences of counselors who assist emerging …

Early Childhood Teachers’ Perspectives On Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Practice During Online Instruction, Charmaine Bonds

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early childhood teachers had to restructure instruction when the COVID-19 pandemic began, and instruction was completed online. The problem was that early childhood teachers faced challenges using developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) in online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore early childhood teachers’ perspectives on implementing DAP in online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic and what they needed to improve their use of quality DAP online instruction. The conceptual framework comprised the DAP and the positive technology development theories. The research questions were used to explore pre-K and kindergarten teachers' perspectives on …

The Impact Of Mental Health Education On Nigerian Immigrants In The United States, Paschal Chinedu Ukwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although there is a general awareness of the importance of mental health, the role of mental health education in shaping the perceptions and attitudes of Nigerian immigrants in the United States remains understudied. This qualitative study aimed to explore and understand the impact of mental health education on the attitudes and beliefs of Nigerian immigrants in the United States. The theoretical foundation for this study was the health belief model, which posits that an individual’s beliefs about health, perceived risks, and perceived benefits play a significant role in their health behaviors. The central research question concerned how mental health education …

Multimodal Oculomotor Assessment Reveals Prodromal Markers Of Parkinson's Disease In Non-Manifesting Lrrk2 G2019s Mutation Carriers, Heidi C Riek, Naomi P Visanji, Isabell C Pitigoi, Daniel G Di Luca, Laura Armengou-Garcia, Nazish Ahmed, Julia E Perkins, Donald C Brien, Jeff Huang, Brian C Coe, Jana Huang, Taneera Ghate, Anthony E Lang, Connie Marras, Douglas P Munoz

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Oculomotor behaviour changes in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are a promising source of prodromal disease markers. Capitalizing on this phenomenon to facilitate early diagnosis requires oculomotor assessment in prodromal cohorts. We examined oculomotor behaviour in non-manifesting LRRK2 G2019S mutation carriers (LRRK2-NM), who have heightened PD risk.Seventeen LRRK2-NM participants, 47 patients with idiopathic PD, and 63 healthy age-matched control participants completed an interleaved pro- and antisaccade task while undergoing video-based eye-tracking. We analyzed between-group differences in saccade, pupil, blink, and fixation acquisition behaviour. Patients with PD showed previously demonstrated abnormalities (saccade hypometria, antisaccade errors). Relative to controls, LRRK2-NM participants and …

Pediatric Providers' Views On Participating In An Hpv Vaccine Quality Improvement Intervention: A Qualitative Analysis, Edan Leshem, Sara Malone, Andrew Solsrud, Sherry Dodd, Shannon Rook, Sharon Graham, Lauren Ericson, Ruoyun Wang, Katie Plax, Jason Newland

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection in the US, contributes to oropharyngeal and urogenital cancers. To improve HPV vaccine uptake, quality improvement (QI) interventions that address barriers to vaccination in primary care may help. This study aims to understand pediatric primary care providers' (PCP) perspectives on participating in an HPV QI intervention that utilized practice facilitation to improve HPV vaccine uptake in pediatric primary care clinics.

METHODS: Participants were pediatric PCPs whose clinics completed a QI intervention that utilized practice facilitation led by an outside facilitator. One PCP from each practice completed a 15-min semi-structured exit interview. …

Assessing Tolerability With The Functional Assessment Of Cancer Therapy Item Gp5: Psychometric Evidence From Libretto-531, A Phase 3 Trial Of Selpercatinib In Medullary Thyroid Cancer, Antoine Regnault, Laurine Bunod, Angely Loubert, Marcia S. Brose, Lisa M. Hess, Patricia Maeda, Yan Lin, Rebecca M. Speck, Adrienne M. Gilligan, Nalin Payakachat

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: This psychometric analysis generated evidence to support the use of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy item GP5 (GP5) as a measure of tolerability and confirms the appropriateness of categorizing "high side-effect burden" using a rating of 3 or 4 (score ranges 0-4) in patients with advanced/metastatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).

METHODOLOGY: Blinded, pooled interim data from the safety population (n=290) enrolled in the phase 3 LIBRETTO-531 trial (NCT04211337) were used. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for test-retest reliability using data from cycles 1-2 post-baseline. Construct validity was evaluated by examining the correlations of GP5 ratings with …

Notes From The Field: School-Based Surveillance Of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Trends And Impact On School Attendance By Students And Staff Members - Missouri, Fall 2024., Olivia M. Almendares, Brittney Fritschmann, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Brian R. Lee, Chris Edens, Maureen Diaz, Brett Whitaker, Shannon Tilsworth, Janelle Porter, Nibha Sagar, Jennifer E. Schuster, Jennifer Goldman, Hannah L. Kirking

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

No abstract provided.

A Phenomenological Analysis Of African American Clergy And Congregation Weight Loss Interventions, Linda Fay Carper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This phenomenological study examines the lived experiences of Houston African American clergy regarding their roles and effectiveness in leading weight loss interventions within their faith-based communities. The research addresses the gap in peer-reviewed literature on the impact of Houston-area African American faith-based leadership on the success of weight loss initiatives. Grounded in the Transtheoretical Theory, the study explores clergy perceptions of decisional balance, self-efficacy, and processes of change to inform future health interventions. Ten purposive participants, meeting the inclusion criteria of being clergy leaders in Houston-based congregations with at least 50% African American membership, shared their insights. Data were collected …

Understanding Special Education Teachers’ Perspectives On The Least Restrictive Environment: A Collective Case Study, Taylor M. Hunter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this collective case study was to understand how special education teachers interpret and navigate the concept of the least restrictive environment (LRE) standard in providing educational support for students with intellectual disabilities and autism. The guiding theories for this study were behaviorism and social cognitive theory. These theories play a vital role in highlighting teacher efficacy skills and learned behavior, which are directly correlated to decision-making. The central research question for this study was: how do special education teachers interpret and navigate the concept of the LRE in providing educational support for students with intellectual disabilities and …

A Phenomenological Study Examining How Ages Of Attention-Deficit Diagnoses Affect Adult Perceptions Of Achievement, Janeen Kingma

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenology was to discover how adults diagnosed with attention-deficit (ADD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), at different ages, view their experiences, and how the ages of diagnoses affected their view of educational achievement and occupational success. A qualitative research design was used to collect data about the experiences of adults who were diagnosed at different ages. Guiding this study were two educational theories: Bandura’s social-cognitive theory, which promotes self-efficacy, and self-determination theory (SDT) (Ryan & Deci, 2020), which proposes that all individuals innately pursue self-optimization. A hermeneutic approach was chosen to interpret the analysis of data. …

The Coalition Development Of Allied Close Air Support Doctrine During World War Ii, David S. Stieghan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research aims to discover how the American and British air forces worked collaboratively to provide ground support to their armies in Europe during World War II. While the official histories and scholars of the two countries concentrate on their unique national efforts, they analyze little of their cooperative efforts. By examining primary and secondary research sources to discover the experiments, doctrine development, and combat experience of both air forces, an understanding emerges that both nations combined their efforts in World War II in separate directions until beginning to work together on planning for the D-Day invasion.

By discovering the …

Navigating Transdisciplinary Communication: A Graduate Student's Perspective, Sirimuvva Pathikonda, James Lipuma, Cristo Leon

STEM for Success Resources

Discover "Navigating Transdisciplinary Communication: A Graduate Student’s Perspective," a comprehensive exploration of how diverse disciplines converge to tackle complex challenges. This study, presented at WMSCI 2024, employs a Constructivist lens to highlight the co-construction of knowledge, innovative teamwork tools, and practical strategies for research in STEM and beyond. Co-authored by Sirimuvva Pathikonda, MEM, and James Lipuma, Ph.D., the paper underscores the value of Transdisciplinary Communication (TDC) in fostering collaboration, innovation, and holistic problem-solving across fields. Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.54808/JSCI.22.06.151.

A Phenomenological Study Examining The Methods Of Elementary Special Education And General Education Co-Teachers Who Foster The Use Of Behavioral Management Strategies For Students With Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Tanekal White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the methods and strategies that special education and general education co-teachers use to foster behavioral management for students with emotional behavior disorders (EBD) in the interrelated resource, inclusive co-taught, and EBD self-contained settings. The theories guiding this study are Bandura’s self-efficacy theory (SET) and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory (SCT). Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy helped explore teachers’ effectiveness in instilling behavioral and instructional strategies, that induce success for students with EBD. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was used to examine the importance of students with EBD being educated alternative ways that ensures compensation for unwanted …

Luke-Acts Divine Transitions: The Holy Spirit’S Role In Shaping Gentile Inclusion, Celeste Santiago

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation investigates the writings of Luke, specifically the book of Acts. In analyzing Luke’s writings, he transitions smoothly from one pertinent figure to another and from one significant event to another. One objective of this dissertation is to demonstrate Luke’s narrative of Peter and Paul as chosen leaders or ἐκλέγομαι found in Acts 1:2. “Until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen” (Acts 1:2). The research shows that Luke presents these early key figures, mainly Peter and Paul, in their unique way …

School Structure As A Mechanism For Crime Deterrence, Daniel Glenn Hennigan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

An examination of the relationship between school structure and community strength will be conducted. School structure will be categorized based on the organizational structure of the institution. Schools are conceptualized and categorized as Kindergarten-12th grade (K-12th), 9th-12th grade schools (9th-12th) and Combination schools. Combination Schools are defined as any school that does not meet the criteria of either K-12th Grade or 9th-12th Grade, generally 6th-12th, 7th-12th or 8th-12th. Community strength will be examined through property crime rates, violent crime rates and individual crime statistics. Analyses will also include proportional or ratio examinations per 1,000 students. A literature review will be …

The Effectiveness Of Christian Accommodative Mindfulness In Christian Women Of African Descent Who Suffer From Depression And Anxiety, Claudia Isaac Kidd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While existing research has indicated the effectiveness of Christian accommodative mindfulness (CAM) to lower symptoms of depression and anxiety, no CAM studies have focused specifically on Christian women of African descent (CWOAD). The aim of this exploratory, case-series study was to examine the effectiveness of the CAM protocol by addressing the participants’ intervention comparison outcomes time (PICOT) question: Among a clinical sample (N = 3) of CWOAD recruited from the waitlist of a Christian counseling center (P) how effective was the CAM protocol (I) indicated by changes over time (C) in the participants’ scores for (1) depression, (2) anxiety/stress, (3) …

The Commonwealth Of Israel: Overcoming The Doctrinal Divide Of Dispensationalism And Covenantalism Through Understanding Pauline Theology, Luke Newton Schier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Beginning in the early part of the twentieth century, a notable theological schism began to emerge within mainstream Christianity which continues to divide evangelicals in the twenty-first century. Accordingly, adherents from both sides have systemized their theologies and developed labels to define their positions. New labels continue to evolve and change as sub-groups emerge into the conversation. Typically, the labels of dispensationalism and covenantalism are employed to identify the differing views; although covenantalism is also referred to as Reformed theology, replacement theology, or supercessionism. More recently, other labels have emerged such as progressive dispensationalism and progressive covenantalism as theologians strive …

An Investigation Into The Redemptive Uses Of Technology To Help Churches Reach The Lost And Make Disciples, Scott W. Sherman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a compelling rationale for investing the time and energy to develop a successful digital discipleship program. There is a mandate to reach the lost. There is a command to make disciples of all nations. Theologically there is significant and sufficient biblical evidence that discipleship and can happen remotely. Evidentially, Christian digital community has occurred successfully and with levels of engagement needed for spiritual accountability and growth. Following a non-empirical mixed methodology based on Bernard Lonergan for evidence gathering and subsequently incorporating a redemptive Augustinian methodology akin to The City of God, we have fulfilled the purpose of being …

Approaches In Preparing Transfer Degree Students For University Study: A Case Study Of A Community College In Rural Southwest Virginia, Melissa Suzanne Mckinney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand approaches for preparing students for their transition to a four-year university following completion of a transfer-focused associate degree at a community college. The theory guiding this study was Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory. The study followed an embedded, single case study design and included faculty members, staff, administrators, and students within the transfer division, along with general college staff at a rural community college in southwest Virginia. The study used surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather data which was analyzed to identify relevant themes and unique approaches to preparing transfer …

The Impact Of Policing On Female Police Officer’S Parenting Styles, Debbie Michelle Chambers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of female police officers with children in rural Georgia. For years, women have been proving themselves in this profession only to face gender inequality, discrimination, harassment including physical, emotional, and sexual, and skepticism from the community. Despite these barriers, females have achieved high-ranking positions in local and state agencies and federal law enforcement. This achievement has come with a price that could impact how the female officer parents her children. Several studies have been conducted on a variety of factors impacting the female police officer, such as rank, position, …

Student Success And Retention In Online Post-Secondary Education: A Phenomenological Study, Alison Weslake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the experiences that participants from Northeastern College have in post-secondary online learning environments and recognize the overall factors that lead to student success and retention. The theory that guided this study was Bruner’s constructivist theory as it indicates the influence of experience on cognitive development and encourages the consideration of all factors that may impact the overall learning process. A hermeneutical phenomenological study was conducted with participants from Northeastern College in Ontario, Canada in order to accurately reflect personal experiences with the phenomenon of online post-secondary education. The central research question …

Predicting The Effects Of Cyberpatriot Participation, Internet Experience, Gender, And Grade Level On Cybersecurity Judgment (Intuitive And Rational) Among Middle And High School Students: A Quantitative Predictive Correlational Study, Sarah Shin Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, predictive correlational study was to determine if cybersecurity judgment (intuitive and rational) could be predicted from a linear combination of years of CyberPatriot participation, internet experience, gender, and grade level among middle and high school students. The importance of this study lies in its potential to address a critical gap in understanding factors influencing cybersecurity judgment decisions among middle and high school students. From a suburban high school in the western part of the United States, 123 middle and high school students who participated in the CyberPatriot after-school program volunteered as samples in this study. …