Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Kindergarten Teachers' Perspectives On The Interpretation Of Standards In A Developmentally Appropriate Way In Kindergarten Classrooms, Shawanza Demetrist Lockett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many kindergarten teachers are feeling the effects of standard-based education. The problem is that it is unknown whether teachers implement mandated state standards in a developmentally appropriate way. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate kindergarten teachers’ perspectives on implementing standards in a developmentally appropriate manner. Shulman’s theory of teacher knowledge was the conceptual framework for the study. The research question focused on kindergarten teachers’ perspectives of implementing standards in a developmentally appropriate way. Twelve kindergarten teachers were recruited from three Title 1 elementary schools in a rural southeastern state in the United States. Thematic data analysis …

Autoethnographic Examination Of Moral Distress While Working For The For-Profit Substance Use Disorder Treatment Sector, Kapil Nayar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Interpersonal conflicts and moral distress due to authority figures' unethical and illegal practices are widely discussed topics in the literature. Coping with these experiences and becoming a whistleblower, however are understudied in the counseling field, and are often stigmatized yet advocated for in our codes of ethics. The purpose of this qualitative autoethnographic study is to (1) show moral distress exists in the for-profit sector of substance use disorder treatment; (2) moral distress results from counselors discovering evidence of unethical and illegal activities; (3) moral distress results from the act of blowing the whistle and (4) offers a roadmap for …

Suicide Risk Assessment And Student Competency In Cacrep-Accredited Master's Counseling Programs, Meghan Kyle O'Meara

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide remains a public health issue, demanding proficient training of future counselors in suicide risk assessment (SRA). However, concerns persist regarding the competency of counselors-in-training (CITs) in this crucial area. This study explored the predictive relationship between theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs and students’ perceived competency in SRA. Grounded in the TPB, the research addressed how attitudes (ATT), subjective norms (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) influence intentions and subsequent behavior, using a nonexperimental survey design to collect data from students in Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)–accredited master's counseling programs via a comprehensive questionnaire. …

Reducing Attrition In Medication-Assisted Treatment: Strategies From Behavioral Health Leaders, Tony Shaw

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative case study explores strategies to reduce attrition rates in medication-assisted treatment programs, drawing on the perspectives of behavioral health leaders and guided by the principles of the Baldridge Excellent Framework. It aims to implement effective strategies to enhance client retention and improve treatment outcomes. Drawing from 18 years of professional experience in behavioral health, this research analyzes current practices and identifies interventions to improve program effectiveness. Data collection includes case studies, surveys, and interviews with behavioral health leaders, providing a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities within these programs. The study revealed several key factors affecting retention …

The Psychological And Physical Impact Of The Opioid Crisis On Families, Adrienne Antoinette Hunter Wells Green

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many rural areas in the United States have experienced an opioid crisis. Social support programs could be created to address social support for the families affected by opioid addiction. The purpose of this non-experimental, cross-sectional research study was to examine the possible relationship between (a) prescription or non-prescription addiction; (b) opioid addiction or another addiction; (c) the amount of family social support of a family member who has ongoing interactions with the individual struggling with addiction; and (d) stress of the family member in a rural area. Bowen’s family systems theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. A non-probability …

A Filter-Based Model Of Visual Recognition, Olivia Rose Bockler

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Visual recognition, a key perceptual process, enables primates to identify faces, food, tools, and potential threats in their environment. Cortical neurons along the ventral visual stream—spanning from early visual cortex (V1) through inferotemporal cortex (IT), with long-range projections to ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC)—are essential for visual recognition. Traditional models propose that neuronal representations increase in complexity in each stage of this pathway, culminating in object-specific representations in higher-order cortex. However, this hypothesis remains debated, particularly as artificial visual models have countered that individual neurons along this pathway may function more as filters contributing to distributed representations of objects. Thus, this …

Patterns Of Grief And Bereavement Following A Covid Death, Karuna Thomas

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

The large number of deaths due to COVID-19 has resulted in a similarly high number of people experiencing grief. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand patterns of grief and bereavement following a COVID death. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals who had lost someone close to them to COVID (N = 32). Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and patterns. Participants described specific features of COVID as well as the interdependence within the community that shaped their unique experiences of grieving a COVID death. These unique experiences, in turn, led to disruptions in coping and …

The Impact Of Community Engaged Healthcare Education On Undergraduate Students’ Empathy And Their Views Towards Social Accountability; A Mixed Methods Systematic Review, Anastasios Plessas, Martha Paisi, Nilufar Ahmed, Zoe Brookes, Lorna Burns, Robert Witton

Peninsula Dental School

Background: Many non-communicable diseases are rooted in social factors that determine health outcomes. Complex topics such as the social determinants of health are difficult to teach through traditional didactic methods. Since the introduction of the social accountability of medical schools’ framework in 1995 by the World Health Organisation, healthcare education institutions are encouraged to shift their traditional education models towards a socially accountable approach. Community engagement can facilitate a deeper understanding of health inequity, barriers to health care, and the social determinants of health whilst enabling institutions to meet their obligation to the communities they serve. This systematic review aimed …

M1 Recruitment During Interleaved Practice Is Important For Encoding, Not Just Consolidation, Of Skill Memory, Taewon Kim, Hakjoo Kim, Benjamin A Philip, David L Wright

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The primary motor cortex (M1) is crucial for motor skill learning. We examined its role in interleaved practice, which enhances retention (vs. repetitive practice) through M1-dependent consolidation. We hypothesized that cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) to M1 would disrupt retention. We found that ctDCS reduced retention due to weakened encoding during acquisition, not disrupted consolidation. These results highlight M1's broad role in encoding and retention of novel motor skills.

Number Of Prescription Medications And Overall Survival In Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer, Carley R Pickett, Daniel B Eaton, Krishny Karunanandaa, Emily Cybulla, Brendan T Heiden, Su-Hsin Chang, Yan Yan, Melanie P Subramanian, Varun Puri, Martin W Schoen

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Comparative Analysis Of Outcomes In Adult Spinal Deformity Patients With Proximal Junctional Kyphosis Or Failure Initially Fused To Upper Versus Lower Thoracic Spine, Oluwatobi O Onafowokan, Munish Chandra Gupta, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

The Biomechanics Of Fibrillin Microfibrils: Lessons From The Ciliary Zonule, Pooja Rathaur, Juan Rodriguez, John Kuchtey, Samuel Insignares, Wendell B Jones, Rachel W Kuchtey, Steven Bassnett

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Marfan syndrome is an inherited connective tissue disorder that affects the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and ocular systems. It is caused by pathogenic variants in the fibrillin-1 gene (

Recent Trends And Biases In Mesophotic Ecosystem Research, Veronica Z. Radice, Alejandra Hernández-Agreda, Gonzalo Pérez-Rosales, Ryan Booker, Jessica Bellworthy, Manon Broadribb, Gaby E. Carpenter, Clara Diaz, Ryan J. Eckert, Nicola L. Foster, Johanna C. Gijsbers, Erika Gress, Jack H. Laverick, Valerio Micaroni, Miriam Pierotti, Héloïse Rouzé, Angela Stevenson, Alexis B. Sturm, Pim Bongaerts

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Mesophotic ecosystems (approx. 30-150 m) represent a significant proportion of the world's oceans yet have long remained understudied due to challenges in accessing these deeper depths. Owing to advances in underwater technologies and a growing scientific and management interest, there has been a major expansion in research of both (sub)tropical mesophotic coral ecosystems and temperate mesophotic ecosystems. Here, we characterize the recent global trends in mesophotic research through an updated release of the 'mesophotic.org' database (www.mesophotic.org) where we reviewed and catalogued 1500 scientific publications. In doing so, we shed light on four major research biases: a gross imbalance in (a) …

Working Within A Perfect Storm: The Current Uk Care Crisis In Community Neurorehabilitation, Alyson Norman, Mark Holloway, Jackie Dean, Andrew Patterson, Ben Needham-Holmes, Valentina Curro, Craig Andrews, Phillipa Feltham-White, Jo Clark-Wilson

School of Psychology

Context: Within the UK there is a shortage of support workers required to meet the needs of individuals with acquired brain injuries who often require extensive care packages. Objective: This study aimed to identify the issues surrounding support worker recruitment and retention and to identify the impact on the care received by individuals with brain injuries and other complex needs. Method: Two surveys were sent out to members of the British Association of Brain and Complex Case Management (BABICM) to better understand retention and recruitment issues within their organisations. Cross-sectional data were collected in January 2022 and again in April …

Beyond The Surface: Understanding Temperature Polarisation In Dcmd Membranes Through Varied Operational Parameters, Hiras Ahamed Hijaz, Masoumeh Zargar, Abdellah Shafieian, Amir Razmjou, Mehdi Khiadani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Conventionally, a single Temperature Polarisation Coefficient (TPC) value is calculated to quantify Temperature Polarisation (TP). In this research, the extent of polarisation is investigated by capturing temperature profiles at specific points along a MD membrane using miniature thermocouples, eliminating the need for TPC calculations. The extent of polarisation at a point is affected by two contributory factors, namely the proximity of flow inlets and the difference in vapour pressure across the membrane at that point. Under this direction, this work examined the influence of permeate temperature, feed salinity, and flow direction on the development of the temperature profiles. Our analysis …

Addressing Lung Truncation In 99mtc-Maa Spect/Ct For 90y Microsphere Radioembolization Treatment Planning, M Allan Thomas, Richard Laforest, John Karageorgiou, Dan Giardina, Tyler J Fraum, Chris D Malone, Justin K Mikell

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have established that macroaggregated albumin (MAA)-SPECT/CT offers more robust lung shunt fraction (LSF) and lung mean absorbed dose (LMD) estimates in

METHODS: Lung truncation was simulated in 56 cases with adequate (> 90%, mean: 98%) lung coverage in MAA-SPECT/CT by removing slices in ~ 5 mm increments from the lung apices to the diaphragm. A wide range of lung coverages from 100% to <  1% in ~ 2% increments were created. LSF and LMD were calculated with four methods. (1) 2D planar imaging standard (not truncated), truncated lung SPECT/CT data was: (2) used with no corrections (SPECT

RESULTS: Averaged across simulated lung coverages from 40 to 80%, percent errors relative to non-truncated data for SPECT

CONCLUSION: LSF and LMD can be estimated for

Macrowire For Intracranial Thrombectomy: An Early Experience Of A New Device And Technique For Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke, Kaustubh Limaye, Sami Al Kasab, Jaidevsinh Dolia, Mohamad Ezzeldin, Daniel Vela Duarte, Vinodh Doss, Sourabh Lahoti, David Hasan, Alejandro Spiotta, Khaled Asi, Vasu Saini, Tapan Mehta, Ameer Hassan, Diogo Haussen, Dileep Yavagal, Jesse Jones, Omar Tanweer, Waleed Brinjikji

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become the standard of care for treatment of acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion up to 24 h from the last known normal time. With ADAPT and SOLUMBRA techniques, classically, a large bore aspiration catheter is delivered over a microcatheter and microwire crossing the clot to perform thrombectomy. Recently, a novel macrowire (Colossus 035 in.) has been introduced as a potential alternative to the use of microwire-microcatheter to allow the delivery of the aspiration catheter (ID = 0.070 in. up to 0.088 in.) over a macrowire alone.

OBJECTIVE: To test the …

Structural Variant Allelic Heterogeneity In Mecp2 Duplication Syndrome Provides Insight Into Clinical Severity And Variability Of Disease Expression, Davut Pehlivan, Marwan S Shinawi, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: MECP2 Duplication Syndrome, also known as X-linked intellectual developmental disorder Lubs type (MRXSL; MIM: 300260), is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by copy number gains spanning MECP2. Despite varying genomic rearrangement structures, including duplications and triplications, and a wide range of duplication sizes, no clear correlation exists between DNA rearrangement and clinical features. We had previously demonstrated that up to 38% of MRXSL families are characterized by complex genomic rearrangements (CGRs) of intermediate complexity (2 ≤ copy number variant breakpoints <  5), yet the impact of these genomic structures on regulation of gene expression and phenotypic manifestations have not been investigated.

METHODS: To study the role of the genomic rearrangement structures on an individual's clinical phenotypic variability, we employed a comprehensive …

Microglial Cd2ap Deficiency Exerts Protection In An Alzheimer's Disease Model Of Amyloidosis, Lingliang Zhang, David M. Holtzman, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) was initially identified in peripheral immune cells and regulates cytoskeleton and protein trafficking. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CD2AP gene have been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the functional role of CD2AP, especially its role in microglia during AD onset, remains elusive.

METHODS: CD2AP protein levels in cultured primary cells and in 5xFAD mice was studied. Microglial CD2AP-deficient mice were crossed with 5xFAD mice and the offspring were subjected to neuropathological assessment, behavioral tests, electrophysiology, RNA-seq, Golgi staining, and biochemistry analysis. Primary microglia were also isolated for assessing their uptake and morphology changes. …

Momordicine-I Suppresses Head And Neck Cancer Growth By Modulating Key Metabolic Pathways, Debojyoty Bandyopadhyay, Ellen T Tran, Ruchi A Patel, Matthew A Luetzen, Kevin Cho, Leah P Shriver, Gary J Patti, Mark A Varvares, David A Ford, Kyle S Mccommis, Ratna B Ray

2020-Current year OA Pubs

One of the hallmarks of cancer is metabolic reprogramming which controls cellular homeostasis and therapy resistance. Here, we investigated the effect of momordicine-I (M-I), a key bioactive compound from Momordica charantia (bitter melon), on metabolic pathways in human head and neck cancer (HNC) cells and a mouse HNC tumorigenicity model. We found that M-I treatment on HNC cells significantly reduced the expression of key glycolytic molecules, SLC2A1 (GLUT-1), HK1, PFKP, PDK3, PKM, and LDHA at the mRNA and protein levels. We further observed reduced lactate accumulation, suggesting glycolysis was perturbed in M-I treated HNC cells. Metabolomic analyses confirmed a marked …

The Improving Treatment Decisions For Patients With Aortic Stenosis Through Shared Decision Making (Impact Sdm) Study: Study Protocol For A Cluster Randomized Stepped Wedge Trial, Karen Sepucha, Nishath Quader, Alexander A Brescia, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recommend shared decision-making (SDM) for patients with severe aortic stenosis choosing between transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Although tools such as patient decision aids (DAs) and training in SDM have been shown to improve SDM, implementation of SDM and DAs is limited. The IMproving treatment decisions for Patients with AortiC stenosis Through Shared Decision Making (IMPACT SDM) study aims to (1) determine the effectiveness of the interventions (a DA and clinician SDM training) in achieving SDM (primary outcome) …

Medication-Induced Esophageal Injury In Cats And Dogs: A Comprehensive Review, Naowarat Suthamnatpong, Aranya Ponpornpisit

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Medication-induced esophageal injury (MIEI) is a significant concern in veterinary medicine, affecting the health and well-being of animals undergoing various pharmaceutical treatments. If not addressed promptly, MIEI can lead to severe complications such as esophagitis, esophageal stricture, perforation, and even mortality. This review aims to provide a comprehensive examination of MIEI in veterinary medicine, covering essential aspects such as the basic structure of the esophagus, the epidemiology and etiology of MIEI, and the factors influencing susceptibility. The mechanisms of injury are discussed in detail, focusing on direct mechanical injuries, chemical injuries from medication components, and systemic effects. The review also …

Interaction Of Cumulus-Oocyte Complex (Coc) Number, Oocyte Quality, And Blastocyst Numbers By Repeated Ovum Pick-Up (Opu) In In Vitro Embryo Production, Sakine Ülküm Çizmeci, Dursun Ali Dinc, Mustafa Numan Bucak, Ömer Faruk Yesilkaya, Muhammed Furkan Ciftci, Mehmet Buğra Kivrak, Ayşe Sari, Hasan Ali Cay, Maide Golbasi, Mustafa Bodu

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Ovum pick-up (OPU) is a repeatable technique that is used for the retrieval of large numbers of immature oocytes from the antral follicles of live animals. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of repeated OPU application on cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) number, oocyte quality, and blastocyst rates. The animal material for the study consisted of 10 Holstein heifers. Heifers selected as donors were administered OPU a total of 9 times on random days of the cycle at 1-week intervals. All antral follicles with a diameter of 2-8 mm were aspirated during the OPU procedure. In vitro …

Teaching Sociology Through Reality Tv: Understanding Society Through The Small Screen, Monica Bixby Radu

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

This article explores reality TV’s value in teaching sociological concepts and theories for a better understanding contemporary society. Reality TV serves as a rich canvas for illustrating key tenets of major sociological theories such as structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. By analyzing reality TV through a sociological lens, insights into societal dynamics emerge, revealing how individuals navigate social norms. Additionally, reality TV serves as a cultural mirror, reflecting and shaping societal values. Globally, it influences cultural attitudes and social dynamics, transcending geographical boundaries through adaptations and social media engagement. …

Full Issue: Journal On Empowering Teaching Excellence, Volume 8, Issue 2, Fall 2024

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

The full-length Spring 2024 issue (Volume 8, Issue 1) of the Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version (with downloadable EPUB format) here.

The Fall 2024 issue presents practical ideas and prompts for those who teach at colleges and universities in a variety of disciplines. Articles ways to use popular culture (in this case, reality TV) to teach higher-level concepts; strategies for adapting Lesson Study techniques for preservice teachers; and a review of McNair et al.'s 2022 book on creating student ready colleges.

Extension Agents’ Perceptions Of Community Readiness For Farm Stress And Suicide Prevention Efforts, Paula Yuma, Melissa Pearman Fenton, Lorann Stallones, Morgan Valley

Transforming Communities

The aim of the present study is to describe how Extension Agents in rural Colorado perceive their communities’ readiness to engage with farm stress and suicide prevention services and resources. Interviews were conducted with Extension Agents from five Colorado counties experiencing high suicide rates. Interview questions were based on a Community Readiness for Community Change framework, and inductive analysis was used to generate themes from the data. Results demonstrate that while prevention efforts are underway, community awareness remains low. In addition to structural barriers associated with rurality (e.g., lack of mental health providers), stigma remains a significant barrier to help-seeking. …

The Four Domains Model Of Artificial Intelligence In Surgical Education: Adapting Applications To Trainee Level, Anant R. Tewari, Jasraj Raghuwanshi, Lawal A. Labaran, Xudong Li

Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education

Since the inception of modern medicine, surgical trainees have benefitted from coaching and feedback from senior surgeons. In the high-demand operating room environment, granular feedback is often limited by time constraints. Artificial intelligence (AI) represents a novel frontier in surgical education in that it may be able to provide reliable, objective, and comprehensive feedback in an automated manner. While prior studies have given broad overviews of AI in surgical training, there has been no study to our knowledge that has codified the myriad applications and offered guidance for which applications best suit trainees at various levels of surgical education. We …

Leveraging Gamification And Social Media To Teach Heart Failure Clinical Practice Guidelines In Entry-Level Physical Therapist Education, Kaelee Brockway

Journal of Innovation in Health Sciences Education

Introduction: Clinical practice guideline adherence remains a challenge in health care, with reported rates as low as 26%. Research shows multiple barriers to adherence, including limited access and guideline complexity. Integrating guidelines into education is crucial, demanding innovative methods to enhance translation into practice.

Methods: This multiple methods study explored application of the substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition model to integrate social media and gamification activities to engage students in learning action statements of a clinical practice guideline for the management of heart failure. Performance on exam items relevant to the guideline content were used to determine if this …

Programmatic Accreditation: Implementation Strategies For College Kinesiology Program Directors, Kworweinski Lafontant

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Programmatic accreditation within Kinesiology sub-disciplines, such as physical therapy and sports medicine, have typically been required at the graduate level. Within the coming decade, major certifications for exercise physiology (ACSM-EP) and strength & conditioning (CSCS) will institute programmatic accreditation requirements at the undergraduate level. This article takes a narrative review approach at examining ways that programmatic accreditation at the undergraduate level may impact incoming undergraduate students, such as necessitating earlier specialization and limiting the ability for late-stage career changes. To mitigate these impacts, college kinesiology program directors may benefit from considering the perspectives of students as they work to meet …

Co-Regulation: Easy Neuroscience And Connection Strategies For The Classroom And Beyond, Ginger Healy

Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference

This presentation will discuss the "why?"' behind the need for educational environments that are nervous system-focused and brain-based. This session is rooted in the principles that behavior is communication and safe, positive, attuned relationships are the antidote! We will dive into the keys to bringing emotional stability in the classroom through regulation and co-regulation. Early adversity and stress can re-wire a child's brain and nervous system leading to BIG BEHAVIORS and lagging skills, but we can re-wire those patterns and reactions so that students can thrive and educators can avoid burnout. This session will build resilience in both educators and …