Parent And Family Engagement In Middle Schools: A Qualitative Exploration Of Parent Perspectives And Student Success In West Tennessee, Angela Y. Searcy

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Parent and family engagement in middle school has been demonstrated to increase students' academic achievement; however, barriers often prevent parental participation. This study focused on parents' and teachers' perceptions of the parents' role in the educational process and sought to answer research questions about parents' perceptions, parents as equal partners in the educational process, and barriers to parental participation. A qualitative research design was used for the study. Teachers and parents from a middle school in West Tennessee participated in interviews to generate data used in this study. Teachers and parents identified common themes affecting the parent-school partnership, including …

Autotheme: A Multi-Agent Framework For Inductive Thematic Analysis With Llms, Abdullah Wahbeh, Omar El-Gayar, Mohammad Al-Ramahi, Tareq Nasralah, Ahmed Elnoshokaty

Research & Publications

Thematic analysis is a qualitative research method used to identify and interpret patterns in textual data. However, it can be time-consuming and challenging to replicate. While recent advancements in large language models (LLMs) and generative AI have enhanced thematic analysis, existing methods often rely on prompt-based interactions and require significant human intervention. This paper introduces an agentic AI framework comprising autonomous, goal-directed agents powered by LLMs to perform inductive thematic analysis with minimal human input. We evaluate the framework using a dataset from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) mobile app and compare the results with those from Latent Dirichlet Allocation …

Highlighting Ai Competencies: A Qualitative Analysis Approach Using Ai Agents, Ahmed Elnoshokaty, Omar El-Gayar, Abdullah Wahbeh, Mohammad Al-Ramahi, Tareq Nasralah

Research & Publications

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the job market, creating a demand for new skills and competencies in AI and machine learning (ML). As academic institutions strive to align educational programs with industry needs, a clear understanding of job market expectations becomes essential. This study employs a qualitative, grounded theory approach, enhanced by large language models (LLMs), to analyze job postings related to AI. Using a custom coding framework and AI agent arbitration, we extract and classify the competencies sought by employers into eight major categories. Key findings emphasize the significance of technical skills, including system analysis, …

Project Management For Blockchain: Strategic Guidance And Lessons From Practice., Cherie Noteboom, Aravindh Sekar, Deb Tech

Research & Publications

Blockchain technology (BCT) offers powerful solutions to long-standing enterprise challenges such as inefficiencies, lack of transparency, and low stakeholder trust. By enabling secure transaction tracking and real-time data sharing, BCT can improve operational accuracy, streamline workflows, and build confidence across organizational ecosystems. However, the implementation of BCT significantly transforms conventional project management strategies and practices. We propose practical recommendations for each stage of the process group of the project life cycle- Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing to meet the demands of decentralization, interoperability, and continuous ecosystem coordination inherent in the implementation of BCT projects. Grounded in practitioner …

Blockchain As A Digital Coordination Infrastructure For Project Management: A Systematic Review And Integrative Framework,, Cherie Noteboom, Sai Neelima Seru, Aravindh Sekar

Research & Publications

Blockchain technology has gained increasing attention as a digital infrastructure capable of improving transparency, trust, and coordination in complex, multi-organizational project environments. However, existing research on blockchain-enabled project management remains fragmented and industry-focused, providing limited guidance for organizational adoption and integration. This study addresses this gap through a systematic literature review of 29 peer-reviewed studies, following PRISMA guidelines, to examine how blockchain capabilities are incorporated into project management practices across industries and maturity stages.

Grounded in Resource-Based View and Coordination Theory, the analysis employs a feature-to-process mapping approach to link six core blockchain capabilities—decentralization, transparency, immutability, smart contracts, traceability, and …

The Datafied Child: A Systematic Literature Review And Research Agenda On Sharenting, Privacy, And Social Media., Kyle Bittle, Cherie Noteboom

Research & Publications

Sharenting, the parental practice of sharing children's personal information online, raises critical privacy, ethical, and regulatory concerns. This systematic literature review and research agenda examines how sharenting is studied, analyzing theoretical frameworks through an information systems (IS) lens. Findings identify five key themes—privacy management, identity presentation, consumer vulnerability, social influence, and parenting ethics—shaped by broader technological, social, and regulatory forces. To structure these insights, this study introduces a three-domain framework to categorize how digital infrastructures, cultural norms, and policy gaps influence sharenting behaviors. The review highlights limited IS engagement in sharenting research and underscores the need for greater focus on …

Decentralizing Work: How Blockchain Reshapes Project Coordination, Trust, And Accountability Through The Strategic-Decentralized Resilience Theory (Sdrt), Aravindh Sekar, Cherie Noteboom

Research & Publications

Blockchain adoption is reshaping how work is organized, coordinated, and governed in project environments. Existing research, however, has largely focused on the methodological and theoretical trends in blockchain-based project management rather than on how blockchain modifies the very structure of work. Building on a systematic literature review of blockchain project management research, this paper draws on the Strategic–Decentralized Resilience Theory (SDRT) as an integrative framework to explain work modification in decentralized project contexts. SDRT captures three interlinked dimensions of resilience: strategic resilience (leadership, alignment, and adaptability), organizational resilience (collaboration, training, and ecosystem readiness), and decentralized resilience (distributed governance, trust, and …

Constructing Information Systems: Technology Frames And Career Interest Among Middle School Students, Cherie Noteboom, Sai Mounika Chintalapudi

Research & Publications

The Information Systems (IS) discipline faces ongoing challenges in attracting students to the field despite its growing societal importance. Previous studies have examined how factors such as gender gaps and STEM identities shape career aspirations; however, there is limited understanding of how early interpretations of the IS discipline shape career interest. This research adapts the TFR (Technology Frames of Reference) theory to examine how middle school students develop understandings of IS. Using qualitative survey data through a deductive approach to identify the Nature of IS, the Purpose of IS, and IS-in-Use, misalignment, and career interest. Misalignment reflects limited knowledge of …

Fragmented Conceptions Of Agency In Ai-Enabled Systems: A Bibliometric Analysis Of Is Research., Cherie Noteboom, Vahini Atluri, Stephen Surles

Research & Publications

As artificial intelligence (AI) systems become increasingly embedded in organizational decision-making and work practices, Information Systems (IS) research has devoted growing attention to questions of agency: who or what acts, decides, and bears responsibility in AI-enabled contexts. However, existing scholarship examines agency across multiple parallel research streams, raising questions about how coherently the construct is theorized as AI technologies evolve. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of 741 AI- and agency-related articles published between 1977 and 2025 in the AIS Senior Scholars' Basket of Journals to examine how IS research conceptualizes agency and how these conceptualizations have evolved over time. …

From Ai Ethics To Ethical Misalignment: Understanding Emerging Risks In Agentic Ai Systems, Deb Tech, Aravindh Sekar

Research & Publications

The emergence of Agentic AI systems is reshaping organizational processes through continuous adaptation, autonomous coordination, and real-time operational execution. Unlike traditional artificial intelligence applications focused on discrete decision-making tasks, Agentic AI systems operate continuously and interact dynamically with organizational environments. Existing AI ethics literature has primarily emphasized issues such as fairness, bias, transparency, and accountability within static or decision-centric AI contexts. Similarly, traditional AI alignment research has largely focused on ensuring that AI systems pursue intended goals and remain controllable under specified operational conditions. However, these approaches may be insufficient for explaining how ethical risks evolve with continuously operating autonomous …

Clinical Profile, Risk Factors, And Short-Term Outcomes Of Hypernatremic Dehydration In Breastfed Neonates: A Five-Year Observational Study, Swathi Udaykumar Kayara, Madhura Kayara

Manipal Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Neonatal hypernatremic dehydration is a preventable but potentially severe condition most commonly caused by inadequate breast milk intake in the early neonatal period. We describe the clinical profile, maternal and perinatal risk factors, and short‑term outcomes among breastfed neonates admitted with neonatal hypernatremic dehydration to a tertiary neonatal unit in southern India.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational review (July 2017–June 2022) of neonates ≥35 weeks gestation admitted with serum sodium >145 mmol/L or documented percentage weight loss ≥10% at a tertiary NICU. Demographic, delivery, feeding, clinical and laboratory data were extracted. Continuous data are presented as mean (SD) …

Polymeric Micelle In Drug Delivery And Nanotechnology: Preparation Methods And Multifunctional Application, Abhishek Sanjay Patil, Savita Ullegaddi, Nagesh C, Suma N

Manipal Journal of Medical Sciences

Nanomedicine, an emerging discipline, integrates nanotechnology with pharmaceutical and biomedical science to develop new drugs and imaging compounds with improved efficacy and safety profiles. One of the most important aspects of this field is the creation of new nano-drug delivery systems (NDDS), which harness the power of nanomaterials to bypass such conventional limitations as poor solubility and instability. One form of NDDS, micelles, have been identified as a viable option, providing a safe and effective means of encapsulating hydrophobic natural products. Self-assembling amphiphilic block copolymers, micelles form a core-shell structure that shields the encapsulated drug from degradation while allowing controlled …

Microsponge Technology: A Comprehensive Review Of Advanced Drug Delivery - From Formulation Science To Therapeutic Applications, Akash Pawar, Nagesh C, Sunil Attimarad, Suma Naduvinamani, Savita Ullegaddi

Manipal Journal of Medical Sciences

Microsponge technology has emerged as a promising drug delivery system due to its unique porosity structure, linked pores and large surface area. These features allow effective drug loading, encapsulation, and sustained drug release, making microsponges suitable for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Their structural integrity provides controlled release profile and prevents deep penetration, localizing drugs in the epidermis. Its versatility allows incorporation into topical and oral forms, addressing limitations of traditional systems such as unwanted side effects, greasiness, or odor. Multiple fabrication methods including liquid–liquid suspension polymerization and quasi-emulsion techniques produce robust, cost-effective microsponges. Standard evaluation includes particle size, drug loading, …

Comparative Finite Element Method-Based Optimisation Of Coir Fibre Laminates: Aluminium Skins Versus Carbon Cloth Skins, Muhamed Swaleh Ahmed, Bernard Wamuti Ikua, Abel Nyakundi Mayaka

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Natural fibre composites offer a sustainable alternative to conventional composite materials. Their mechanical efficiency is influenced by laminate structure and skin material selection. This study presents a comparative finite element analysis and optimisation of coir fibre-reinforced laminates employing either aluminium skins or carbon cloth skins. COMSOL Multiphysics was used to determine their mechanical response. Optimisation was performed using the BOBYQA algorithm to enhance load sharing between the coir core and skin materials. Results indicated that aluminium-skinned laminates achieve superior compressive and flexural performance, achieving a peak compressive strength of 210 MPa and sustaining a flexural load of 0.65 kN at …

Green Hydrogen-Based Decarbonization Approach For Steel Industry With Hybrid Renewable Energy Sources, Raju Kumar Maurya, Dharmbir Prasad, Rudra Pratap Singh

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This work provides a micro-pilot techno-economic and environmental assessment of a green hydrogen-driven decarbonization scenario for low-carbon steel production at the capacity of 1 ton steel produced (i.e., requiring 50 kg of green hydrogen). In this work an integrated renewable energy (RE) scenario for the steel production site at Jamuria, West Bengal, India is planned to utilize solar photovoltaic (PV), wind turbines (WTs), battery storage and a diesel backup generator to meet the hydrogen production load from an electrolyzer using HOMER Pro software. The results show that the proposed micro-pilot system produces excess electricity with respect to the plant's operating …

An Intuitionistic Fuzzy Hypergraph Model Enhanced ‎By Forest-Of-Walks Dynamics For Medical Image ‎Segmentation, Brinthaguru Thangaraj, Karthick Palanisamy

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The process of accurately segmenting Urolithiasis and pulmonary nodules from medical images presents significant difficulties because of three main factors which include nonuniform intensity distribution and the presence of weak object borders and the uncertainty caused by anatomical structure overlaps. The study introduces F-Zinhger as a solution to these problems through its application of the Forest of Walks technology. The method uses superpixels as fundamental elements which form a multi-scale hypergraph that establishes hyperedges through three criteria: intensity similarity, spatial proximity, and Z-intuitionistic fuzzy hesitation to capture complex contextual connections. The system incorporates a random walk-based label propagation system. The …

Recycling Of Plastic Into Fibers Using A Novel Machine Design And Analysis Of Fiber Characteristics, Mahmoud Khamees, Nasser Ayoub, Sabreen Addullah Abdelwahab, M. M. Maghawry

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study presents a modified extrusion-based recycling system with an improved nozzle design and controlled fiber production capability. The machine was conceptualized and fabricated to efficiently process waste plastic and extrude it into fibers of varying diameters. The study focuses on evaluating how fiber diameter influences critical material properties. Microstructural analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted to investigate the morphology and fiber diameters, while tensile testing provided insights into mechanical performance, including strength and elongation. Moisture absorption tests were also performed to assess durability and environmental resistance. The results demonstrate clear correlations between fiber diameter and the examined …

Does Utilization Of Education In The Rural North Carolina Christian Community Reduce Vitamin D Deficiency, Alyssa Dedmon

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a prevalent and underrecognized health issue, especially office workers who are exposed to less midday sun. Education and awareness may help address this risk.

Purpose: This project aimed to evaluate whether education on light therapy and vitamin D supplementation improves knowledge related to prevention and management of deficiency.

Methods: Participants from a rural North Carolina church community completed a pre-test, viewed an educational video, and completed a post-test to assess changes in knowledge. The intervention addressed risk factors, cultural influences, and treatment options.

Results: Participants demonstrated strong baseline knowledge, with modest improvements post-intervention, particularly in …

Human Trafficking: The Lack Of Education In The Christian Community, Sabrina L. Locklear

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

One of the most serious public health problems in the United States, as well as worldwide, is human trafficking. This criminal activity affects over 25 million adults and children worldwide annually (Olivieri et al., 2024). One of the largest allies against human trafficking is faith-based communities. These organizations have strong relationships with the community and play a major role as key stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking (Hounmenou, 2023). The Christian Community is a service-driven group that helps those who are in destitution. Evangelical Christian Pastors in the United States Midwest acknowledge that their congregations struggle when they try …

The Effectiveness Of Cardiovascular Disease Education In The African American Church With African American Women, Aricka H. Thurman

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Cardiovascular disease in African American women is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and in rural communities due to the lack of awareness and prevention of the disease. Many African American women are the foundations of their homes and community, and any signs of weakness, including sickness, deteriorates which is why many do not seek attention until it is too late. Educating African American women on the importance of preventive and medical care is essential.

Regardless of the associated stigma of the African American woman and their “superpower” and that they can do “all things” …

Reducing Stigmatism In Suboxone Users, Jessica S. Lovelace

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose: To assess the impact of an evidence-based educational intervention to decrease provider stigma of patients on buprenorphine for opioid use disorder in a primarily rural primary care setting.

Methods: This quality improvement project used a pre- and post-intervention design to assess knowledge, attitudes, stigma, and confidence to care for patients with opioid use disorder of four providers from four rural health care facilities. The providers completed a survey before and after a 60-minute educational intervention that covered topics such as medication for opioid use disorder, patient-centered communication, and evidence-based prescribing practices for OUD. Providers were also assessed 8 weeks …

Use Of Non-Invasive Testing In Primary Care For Earlier Diagnosis Of Liver Fibrosis, Amy L. Cable

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Chronic liver diseases, particularly those driven by metabolic risk factors, are frequently under-recognized in primary care settings until they reach advanced stages. Systematic screening using non-invasive testing is inexpensive and convenient, but baseline calculations remain low. The objective of this quality improvement project was to increase primary care providers' knowledge of early fibrosis identification and intent for utilization of testing. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected over a 16-week period. Post-intervention, providers' knowledge of non-invasive testing was improved by 28% and intention of utilization by 80%.

Closing The Gaps: Improving Opioid Overdose Prevention In African American Communities Through Education And Community Engagement, Tara Clinding

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

African Americans continue to experience high rates of opioid mortality, emphasizing the need for culturally relevant community education and overdose prevention strategies. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate community-based opioid overdose prevention education designed for individuals with substance use disorder, family and friends, and community members. Guided by Betty Neuman’s Model, the education focuses on recognizing opioid overdoses, administering naloxone when indicated, and identifying community treatment and recovery resources. A pre- and post-test design was used to evaluate changes in participants' knowledge and confidence following a structured educational session. …

Every Time The Beat Drops, What Does Your Heart Sing About You? Exploring Black Men’S Cardiac Health, Bianca S. Washington

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The disparities Black men continue to face in rural areas in relation to higher rates of cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, and cardiovascular mortality in comparison with other racial groups in the United States continue to be disproportionate. The disparities are influenced by limited access to healthcare, socioeconomic barriers, and structural racism within the health care system. Addressing these issues requires culturally tailored, evidence-based practice interventions that would help restore trust and hopefully engage patients to follow up with primary care providers and to take prescribed medication as directed for cardiovascular disease management. The purpose of this project was to examine …

Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections In Patients Diagnosed With A Hematologic Malignancy, Rebecca D. Jennings

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Knowledge of nurse-sensitive indicators such as CLABSI and how they impact patient outcomes is an essential aspect of healthcare today. Hospital-acquired infections increase mortality, increase length of stay in the hospital, and increase financial burden to the patient and facility. The aim of this quality project was to provide targeted education on the impact of central line-associated bloodstream infections. Using a pre- and post-survey design, a convenience sample of staff nurses working in the hematology/oncology units of a large academic hospital participated in an education intervention focused on central line-associated bloodstream infection prevention. Knowledge scores were unaffected by the intervention. …

Implementing A Peer Support Team To Address Workplace Violence: Enhancing Healthcare Worker Well-Being And Retention, Christina Liverman

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Workplace violence is a persistent challenge in healthcare and is associated with decreased psychological well-being, increased emotional distress, burnout, and staff turnover among nurses. Healthcare organizations are increasingly seeking evidence-based interventions to support employees following workplace violence incidents. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate a peer support program for medical-surgical staff following workplace violence incidents and to examine its effect on perceived psychological well-being.

A nonrandomized pre-test/post-test quality improvement design was implemented on a 38-bed medical-surgical unit in a rural community hospital. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants were invited to …

A Systematic Review On Niosomes: Composition, Preparation, And Applications, Sanket Gawade Mr., Sunil Attimarad, Vishakha Desai Ms.

Manipal Journal of Medical Sciences

Conventional drug carrier systems are restricted owing to poor bioavailability, weak stability and non-specific localization, which causes systemic toxicities and reduced therapeutic efficacy. Niosomes, one of the nonionic surfactant vesicular systems, have been suggested that value to overcome these constraints. In this review, we give an account of recent progress in niosome research, highlighting their merits, composition, characterization, and applications.

Niosomes offer several advantages including increased drug bioavailability, targeted delivery and reduced toxicity. Bilayered niosomes can entrap both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, therefore allowing simultaneous delivery of actives components. We provide an overview of various techniques for niosome preparation including …

Perceived Barriers To Physical Activity And Campus Recreation Facility Usage In College Students Referred Or Not Referred To An Exercise Is Medicine® On Campus Program, Benjamin M. Colbert

Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 36-50% of college students are inactive and report numerous barriers to being physically active. Physical activity (PA) barriers are any obstacle an individual believes affects their PA participation. Individuals who perceive more barriers are less likely to participate in PA and as such, interventions that target barriers may increase PA participation. Exercise is Medicine^® on Campus (EIM-OC) is one intervention that may improve PA levels on college campuses by reducing barriers. The purpose of this study was to document PA and campus recreation facility barriers in university students and examine the influence of an individualized EIM-OC intervention …

Elite Cues Vs. Economic Vulnerabilities: What Explains Isolationist Foreign Policy Attitudes Among Americans?, Sabyasachi Karmaker

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines whether contemporary isolationist foreign policy attitudes among Americans are better explained by elite political cues or by economic vulnerabilities. Using data from the 2024 American National Election Study (ANES), the study also examines which mechanism holds more explanatory power in shaping isolationist views. The findings show that both elite cues and economic vulnerabilities are associated with isolationist attitudes, but elite cues have greater explanatory power. These results suggest that contemporary American isolationism is more strongly associated with political identity and elite messaging than with economic hardship alone.

Building Resilience And Academic Belonging Through An Educational Intervention For Latine Families, Britney Ramos

Theses and Dissertations

Latine students continue to experience disparities in college persistence and completion despite the growing rate of enrollment in higher education. Previous research has focused on the importance of family involvement, culturally responsive programming, and the sense of belonging for Latine students. However, continued research is needed to better understand how family-centered programs support both Latine youths’ sense of belonging and their perceived preparedness for college. This study focuses on how participation in the Juntos Para Una Mejor Educación program relates to Latine youths’ sense of belonging and perceived preparedness for college, as well as how family expectations shape these outcomes. …