Digital Commons Network^™

Amyloid Accumulation, Brain Atrophy, And Cognitive Decline In Emergent Alzheimer's Disease, Ying Xia, Pierrick Bourgeat, Vincent Doré, Jurgen Fripp, Yen Ying Lim, Simon M. Laws, Christopher Fowler, Christopher C. Rowe, Colin L. Masters, Elizabeth J. Coulson, Paul Maruff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction : Emergent Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a transitional stage where cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals exhibit subthreshold but increasing amyloid-β (Aβ) levels. The impact of Aβ accumulation on brain volume loss and cognition during this early stage remains unclear. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 408 CU participants who were initially Aβ− (< 15 Centiloids) and followed for up to 15 years. Changes in basal forebrain and hippocampal volume, along with domain-specific cognitive performance, were compared between those who progressed to Aβ+ (≥20 Centiloids) and those who remained Aβ−. Results: Sixty-five CU participants progressed to Aβ+, indicating emergent AD, and showed faster Aβ accumulation and subtle memory decline. However, no significant differences in rate of BF and hippocampal atrophy were observed between groups. Discussion: The results suggest that during this emergent phase of AD, Aβ accumulation is associated with episodic memory loss, in the absence of detectable accelerated brain atrophy. Highlights: Identified cognitively unimpaired individuals in the emergent stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Emergent AD exhibits a greater rate of amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation. No accelerated volume loss detected in the basal forebrain or hippocampus. Emergent AD is also associated with a subtle decline in memory. Early Aβ accumulation may impair cognitive function before structural atrophy.

Reimagining School Leadership: Latinx Administrators Leveraging Community Cultural Wealth To Support Latinx Student Success: A Qualitative Study In East San Jose Grounded In Counter-Storytelling, Critical Race Theory, And Latino Critical Theory, Alexis Corona Pimentel

Social Justice in Educational Leadership EdD Dissertations

This qualitative study examines how Latina administrators in East San Jose leverage their Community Cultural Wealth (Yosso, 2005) to support Latinx student success in K-12 education. Although Latinx students comprise the largest racial/ethnic group in California public schools (California Department of Education, 2021), Latinx leaders remain significantly underrepresented in educational leadership. Guided by Critical Race Theory (Delgado & Stefancic, 2017), Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit) (Solórzano & Bernal, 2001), and Yosso’s (2005) framework of Community Cultural Wealth, this study centers the counter-stories of three Latina administrators to explore how their cultural identities, lived experiences, and relational practices inform leadership.

Data …

Higher Vitamin K1 Intakes Are Associated With Lower Subclinical Atherosclerosis And Lower Risk For Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease-Related Outcomes In Older Women, Montana Dupuy, Liezhou Zhong, Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, Jack Dalla Via, Kun Zhu, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, James Webster, Nicola P. Bondonno, Allan Linneberg, Carl Schultz, Wai Lim, Richard L. Prince, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua R. Lewis, Marc Sim

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Vitamin K may inhibit vascular calcification, a common attribute of atherosclerotic vascular diseases (ASVDs). We examined associations between dietary vitamin K1 intakes and both subclinical atherosclerosis and ASVD events, including hospitalisations and mortality, in older women.

Methods: 1,436 community-dwelling women (mean ± SD age 75.1 ± 2.7 years) were included. Vitamin K1 intakes were calculated from a validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline (1998), utilising a region-matched vitamin K food database. Common carotid artery intima–media thickness (CCA-IMT), a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis, was measured in 2001 (n = 1,090). Differences in CCA-IMT by quartiles (Q) of vitamin K1 intake …

Becoming A Bridge Of Collaboration: How Being Supports Doing Within The Help Model Of Leadership, Andrea Burgess

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

This synthesis project introduces the HELP Model—Humility, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Service, and Psychological Safety—as a developmental framework for sustainable leadership rooted in character formation and relational trust. It asserts that credible and effective leadership begins with inner orientation before it can be embodied as consistent, ethical action in the world. Through integration of leadership theory, developmental psychology, and theology, the project critiques conventional, strategy-driven paradigms of organizational well-being. HELP extends Robert Kegan’s framework to include relational and spiritual dimensions of the leader’s individual growth as necessary conditions for fostering organizational collaboration. Drawing on reflective inquiry and practice-based insight, the project …

Virtual And Hybrid Work In Higher Education, Kathryn Elaine Shamburg

Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative case study examines leadership dynamics within hybrid and remote work environments in higher education, focusing on the enrollment management department of a university. As institutions shift toward flexible work models, the study explores how leaders adapt communication, support, and collaboration strategies to maintain effectiveness, employee well-being, and inclusion. Grounded in Siemens’ (2004) connectivism and supported by insights from Prensky (2001) and Shirky (2009), the study uses a theoretical lens that emphasizes technology’s role in learning and organizational interaction. Data was collected through interviews and document analysis, with participants ranging from frontline recruiters to senior administrators. The constant comparative …

The 'It' Factor: The Intersection Of Leadership And Personality And The Music Ensemble Director's Influence On Member Retention, Robbin L. Johnston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This predictive correlational study aims to examine the influence of the leadership style and personality traits of music ensemble directors on the retention of students in their programs. The study explores music ensemble directors' leadership qualities and personalities and their ability to maintain student enrollment in their ensembles over the last five years. Participants completed a demographic survey, the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, and the NEO-PI-3 Personality Assessment. A convenience sample of music educators provided the data for the study. The researcher compared these results to the participants' leadership and personality identities determined in the initial surveys to establish potential intersections …

Leadership Transition Failure In Small To Medium-Size Enterprises, Jonathan Kieren Smilie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Expanding companies may inevitably encounter leadership transition situations that involve challenges for employees, leaders, and founders. Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) members have experienced leadership transition complications, sometimes due to the loss of tribal and predecessor-specific knowledge, resulting in compromised firm functionality and the long-term viability of businesses. This study adds to the existing body of knowledge on leadership transition failure, including an examination of mechanisms that influence the success and failure of leadership transitions. To address identified knowledge gaps, a flexible design, single-case study was conducted using a constructivist paradigm. Data were collected from a diverse selection of interviewees, …

In Search Of Educational Justice: Lived Experiences Of Community College Presidents And Their Authentic Critical Leadership, Juan Felipe Arzola

Theses and Dissertations

There are several gaps in research related to the fields of study of community college leadership and its influence on shared governance discussions and decision-making. The purpose of the current study is to address the gap in the study of community college leadership and its influence on shared governance discussions and decision-making through a critical, intersectional investigation of authentic critical leadership and its potential to influence shared governance group discussions and decision-making in distinctively different ways than those advocated by mainstream leadership theories. Participants participated in semi-structured interviews and were observed in a shared governance group meeting to identify evidence …

Success Strategies Small Business Enterprise Leaders Use To Effectively Develop Resource Capabilities For Sustainable Growth, Denean Lear

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small business leaders often lack effective strategies to develop resource capabilities essential for sustainable growth. This gap challenges their ability to navigate complex and uncertain business environments, which can lead to missed opportunities and long-term instability—making it a critical concern for leaders and entrepreneurs striving for organizational resilience and success. Grounded in the dynamic capabilities’ framework, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies small business leaders used to develop resource capabilities for effective, sustainable growth. The participants were nine managers of social enterprise and nonprofit organizations from a cross-sector of industries in the Greater Philadelphia area, …

Women In Christian Leadership : Promoting Women To Lead Within A Complementarian Setting, Swarn Kaur Potter

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Dynamics Of Power Transfer In Organizations: Examining Downward Deference And Its Workplace Consequences, Hoang Bao My Nguyen

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This dissertation examines managerial power transfer as a core mechanism through which less-hierarchical management unfolds in organizations. While traditional management research has emphasized formal authority and top-down control, emerging organizational forms increasingly call on managers to share power with subordinates. Despite growing interest in constructs like empowerment, delegation, and participative leadership, the phenomenon of power transfer remains conceptually fragmented and undertheorized.

To address this, the dissertation defines power transfer as the intentional redistribution of authority, control, or resources by powerholders to lower-power individuals. Chapter 1 develops a typology of power transfer behaviors, organized along two key dimensions: extent of control …

Leadership, Identity, And Student Voice In Secondary Schools, Gordon S. Geddes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Many student leadership programs in U.S. high schools operate without clear guidance, often leaving students as passive participants in systems that may not effectively prepare them for leadership roles both in school settings and elsewhere. This study explores how listening to students’ voices can improve leadership programs by better understanding how young people see themselves as leaders. Using a case study approach at one school, I observed student leaders over one school year and analyzed their experiences through leadership development theories. The findings suggest that when schools take students' perspectives into account, they can create leadership programs that are more …

Nitrate And Nitrite Food Composition Database: An Update And Extensive Deep Dive, Liezhou Zhong, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua R. Lewis, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Nicola P. Bondonno, Marc Sim, Richard J. Woodman, Catherine P. Bondonno

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Growing evidence suggests that health outcomes of dietary nitrate and nitrite intake are food source dependent. Robust evaluations in dietary studies necessitate a comprehensive and current food composition database of nitrate/nitrite content, along with variation based on country or region of origin, calendar year, growing season, and cooking method. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to update the previous animal- and plant-based food nitrate/nitrite databases and investigate effects of cooking methods, seasonal and geographic variations, and longitudinal changes on nitrate and nitrite content to guide application of the database in observational and clinical studies. Methods: Food nitrate/nitrite composition …

Establishing A Peritoneal Dialysis Technique Survival Core Outcome Measure: A Standardised Outcomes In Nephrology-Peritoneal Dialysis Consensus Workshop Report, Emma H Elphick, Karine E Manera, Andrea K Viecelli, Jonathan C Craig, Yeoungjee Cho, Angela Ju, Jenny I Shen, Martin Wilkie, Samaya Anumudu, Neil Boudville, Josephine Sf Chow, Simon J Davies, Patricia Gooden, Tess Harris, Arsh K Jain, Adrian Liew, Andrea Matus-Gonzalez, Noa Amir, Annie-Claire Nadeau-Fredette, Thu Nguyen, Angela Yee-Moon Wang, Daniela Ponce, Rob Quinn, Alison Jaure, David W Johnson, Mark Lambie, Peritoneal Dialysis International

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background

Methods

Results

Centering Relationships In Leadership Preparation, Kara Lasater, John C. Pijanowski

Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods Faculty Publications and Presentations

Relationships are central to the work of school leaders; however, little is currently known about how leadership preparation programs provide learning experiences for students which develop their relational abilities and orient them to adopt a relational stance in their work. The purpose of this paper is to fill this knowledge void by describing leadership preparation experiences provided through the IMPACT program. Specifically, we describe the IMPACT program and present the unique program features which exemplify how leadership preparation programs can create meaningful learning opportunities to achieve the following: (a) equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to foster transformative …

Operationalization Of Emotional Connectedness In The U.S. Military, Demetrius N. Booth Sr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the dynamic and challenging environment of military operations, the successful completion of missions often hinges on strategic insight, technical skills, and interpersonal relationships among service members. Despite its significance, emotional connectedness (EC) is often an overlooked dimension of military leadership. The existing literature on connectedness shows that leaders who prioritize fostering an environment marked by shared leadership, organizational citizenship behavior, work commitment, perceptions of justice, and perceptions of support gain influence and help establish a climate of trust and innovation. This research assists military leaders in defining EC within a military context and developing a practitioner-centered theoretical framework that …

Enhancing Emergency Department Communication: Structural Requirements And Outcomes Of Standardized Handover Processes, Bridgette A. Moss-Sherman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Effective communication during patient handovers is crucial for ensuring safe, quality care in the emergency departments (EDs) of small to medium-sized hospitals. The absence of standardized communication tools presents significant challenges, potentially leading to errors and hindering care coordination. This integrative review evaluates strategies for implementing standardized handover processes while examining their outcomes, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced communication practices. Grounded in the Donabedian quality conceptual framework, which encompasses structure, process, and outcomes as interconnected components of healthcare quality, the review identifies five key themes: (a) standardized communication protocols, advocating for the adoption of structured tools like SBAR and …

Fort Hays State University Introduces New Business Retention And Expansion Program, April 10, 2025, Tisa Mason Ed.D.

Heart of a Tiger Columns

No abstract provided.

Linguistic Inclusion And Identity: A Sociolinguistic Perspective On Lgbtq+ Language Use, Brian Kapustka

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This article explores how American English can subtly dehumanize and marginalize LGBTQ+ individuals through linguistic practices such as nominalization, objectification, misused indefinite articles, euphemistic slurs, and gendered expressions. Drawing on Safe Zone facilitation and sociolinguistic theory, the paper argues that constructions like “a lesbian” reduce identity to a category, while idioms like “that’s so gay” and gendered humor reinforce heteronormative and misogynistic ideologies. The analysis further examines how terms like “female” are nominalized and weaponized in ways that dehumanize women, revealing deep-seated linguistic asymmetries tied to power hierarchies. Building on original insight and expanding with work by Zola (1993), Cameron …

Workshop Series: Reflections On An Emerging Leadership Journey, Sanjay D. Paul

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

Defense Date

April 1, 2025

Candidate Name

Sanjay Paul

Personal Email Address

[email protected]

First Advisor

Dr. Emile Hawkins

Second Advisor

Dr. Debra Dean

DSL Final Project Abstract

Project Type

Global Conference Presentation

Project Overview

Reflections on an Emerging Leadership Journey is a PowerPoint presentation (of approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes) which designed to connect glo al interests in a way that can share best practices across an interdisciplinary front. Sanjay Paul shares ideas, observations, educational, volunteer, and professional experiences, along with his growth in the leadership journey. This journey can serve as a catalyst for others who are on …

The Use Of Robotic Surveillance In The Uae In 2035: Balancing, Innovation, Regulation, And Privacy, Oasha Yousuf Almohier

Theses

This research explores the future of robotic surveillance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 2035, aiming to balance innovation, regulatory oversight, and privacy protection. It investigates the intersection of national security objectives, ethical AI governance, and public trust within the UAE’s rapidly advancing smart city and law enforcement environments. The focus areas include regulatory gaps in current AI laws, ethical concerns such as data privacy and algorithmic bias, and the societal perception of AI-powered surveillance systems. The background of this study stems from the UAE’s ambition to lead in AI deployment, especially within public security initiatives such as autonomous …

Higher Dietary Nitrate Intake Is Associated With Lower Likelihood Of First Clinical Diagnosis Of Central Nervous System Demyelination In Australian Women, Hajar Mazahery, Lucinda J. Black, Alison Daly, Maja Banjac, Catherine P. Bondonno, Liezhou Zhong, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Eleanor Dunlop

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Dietary nitrate is a precursor to nitric oxide, for which plausible mechanisms exist for both beneficial and detrimental influences in first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (FCD), a common precursor to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Whether dietary nitrate has any role in FCD onset is unclear. We tested associations between nitrate intake from food sources (plant, vegetable, animal, processed meat, and unprocessed meat) and likelihood of FCD. We used data from the Ausimmune Study (264 cases, 474 controls) and logistic regression with full propensity score matching. In females, higher nitrate intake from plant-based foods (odds ratio …

The Role Of Teacher Leaders In Sustaining School Culture During Principal Transitions: A Case Study, Leah Curtright

Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored the lived experiences of eight teacher leaders at a public high school navigating rapid principal turnover, with five principals in 36 months. It sought to understand their perceived roles in maintaining school stability, focusing on how they countered adverse effects on culture, morale, and achievement. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with eight teacher leaders. After the interviews were transcribed and codes identified, four themes emerged. The findings were aligned with the frameworks of this study: Eco-leadership, Distributed Leadership, and Teacher Leadership. Findings indicated that teacher leaders actively attempted to mitigate the adverse effects of principal …

How Does An Air Force Instructor Analyze Officer Occupational Competencies And Translate Them Into Professional Development Courses?, Julia A. Howard

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how Air Force instructors translate officer occupational competencies into professional development courses. The study aims to address a pressing need to align Civil Engineer education with the Department of the Air Force objective of competency based education in the midst of changing operational demands. The methodology uses expert elicitation, thematic analysis, qualitative and quantitative statistics to formulate a curriculum development methodology. Data collection involved an expert elicitation from subject matter experts in the Civil Engineer career field. This data helped to pair 32E competencies with course learning objectives. The expert opinions provided insight into where civil engineering …

S-Methyl-L-Cysteine Sulfoxide And Glucosinolate Levels In Australian-Sourced Brassica Vegetables Before And After Domestic Cooking, Caroline R. Hill, Armaghan Shafaei, Mary C. Boyce, Liezhou Zhong, Lois Balmer, Joshua R. Lewis, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Currently no data exists on S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO) levels in Australian-sourced vegetables and limited data exists for glucosinolates. The effect of various cooking methods on the retention of SMCSO and glucosinolates in Australian-sourced vegetables is also limited. This study measured SMCSO and ten glucosinolates in a selection of Australian-sourced Brassica vegetables, both raw and after steaming. We additionally measured SMCSO and glucosinolate levels in broccoli after microwaving, stir-frying and boiling. SMCSO contributed greater dry weight (0.6–1.9 %) than total glucosinolates combined (0.3–1.2 %) in these raw cruciferous vegetables. SMCSO levels from highest to lowest were: Brussels sprouts > broccoli > red cabbage …

From Football To Construction: Transferring Leadership Competencies For The Era Of Construction 4.0, Payson W. Campisano

Construction Management

This study aims to explore the intersection of leadership competencies developed through football and their applicability to the construction industry, with a focus placed on the emerging leadership needs in Construction 4.0. Drawing on insights from interviews with current and former student-athletes who study or studied construction management at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, the research highlights the transferability of key leadership qualities from football, such as resilience, teamwork, and critical thinking, to the cognitive, interpersonal, business, and strategic domains of leadership within construction management. Building on the work of Yang, Sunindijo, and Wang (2020), who …

The Impact Of Quality Management Principles On Army Aircraft Maintenance Outcomes, Matthew S. Caporossi

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to identify and describe the perceptions of organizational managers on the impact of quality management principles on helicopter maintenance outcomes at the California Army National Guard’s Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD). This study also explored the perceptions on the organizational culture as it pertained to leadership and employee engagement of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 quality management systems.

Methodology: This qualitative phenomenological research examined the perceptions of Army aviation managers regarding specific ISO principles of leadership and

improvement on AVCRAD maintenance outcomes. The researcher conducted open-ended qualitative interviews …

Impact Of Different Leadership Styles On Job Satisfaction Of Private Sector School Teachers In Private Schools In Pakistan, Saira Ali

Theses and Dissertations

he present study aims to investigate educational leadership styles i.e. Transformational and distributed leadership style, teacher job satisfaction, and student outcomes in secondary schools in Pakistan. The present study employed phenomenological interviews with a sample size of 5 teachers and 1 principal in order to investigate the potential relationship between transformational leadership styles and indicators of teacher satisfaction and student success. The findings of this research revealed a positive association between transformational leadership styles and both teacher satisfaction and student success. Positive school climates conducive to growth were fostered by leaders who demonstrated empathy, collaboration, and transparency. The challenges encountered …

People Are First: A Qualitative Metasynthesis Of People First Leadership, Richard Allan Mcneal

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

This study addresses the emerging leadership style of People First Leadership and the growing need for a commonly accepted definition and model of the concept. Traditional management and leadership styles have left a legacy of corporate fraud, low employee engagement, and work–life imbalance. People First Leadership offers a potential remedy, but sources on the subject are limited and isolated. A universal understanding of the leadership style is needed to galvanize research and further inform practice. As such, this study poses the questions: how is People First Leadership presently defined and modeled, and does synergy exist between current theories? An exhaustive …

The Influence Of Generative Artificial Intelligence On Leadership: An Exploration Of Technology Professionals' Perceptions Regarding Leadership, Adaptation, And Organizational Culture In The Digital Age, Paul Thomas Herdman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has introduced new complexities for organizational leadership, requiring technology professionals to adapt in real time to evolving digital tools, strategic demands, and cultural dynamics. Although prior research has examined AI’s broad influence on business processes, few studies have explored how technology leaders experience and interpret the leadership challenges and opportunities arising from GenAI. This qualitative dissertation addressed that gap by investigating the perceptions of senior technology professionals regarding GenAI’s influence on leadership roles, competencies, decision making, and organizational culture. Using Lanigan’s (1977) phenomenological method of human science, this study explored the lived experiences …